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Hammerson plc

hmso · LSE Real Estate
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Ticker hmso
Exchange LSE
Sector Real Estate
Industry REIT - Retail
Employees 201-500
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FY2019 Annual Report · Hammerson plc
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Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
126  Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

127  Independent auditors’ report
135  Group financial statements
141  Notes to the financial statements
 182 Company financial statements
184  Notes to the Company financial 

statements

Other Information
190  Additional disclosures

 – EPRA measures

 – Portfolio analysis

 – Share of Property interests

 – Premium outlets

 – Proportionally consolidated 

information

202  Property listing 
204  Ten-year financial summary 
205  GHG emissions 2019 
206  Shareholder information
208  Glossary

Strategic Report
1 
2 
4 

2019 overview
Our portfolio
Letter from the Chair  
of the Board
Our business model
Engaging with our stakeholders

6 
8 
10  Chief Executive’s review
14  Our markets
 16  Our strategy
18  Key Performance Indicators
20  Operating review
34  Sustainability review
42  Our people
45  Health, safety and security 
46  Property portfolio review
50  Financial review
58  Risks and uncertainties

Corporate  
Governance Report
66  Chair of the Board’s introduction
68  Board Leadership and Company 

Purpose 

78  Division of Responsibilities
80  Composition, Succession and 

Evaluation 

85  Audit, Risk and Internal Control 
89  Directors’ Remuneration report
123  Directors’ report 

Visit our website www.hammerson.com  
for more information about us and  
our business

@hammersonplc

hammerson

hammerson

hammerson_plc

 
 
 
 
Our purpose

We create vibrant, continually evolving 
spaces, in and around thriving cities, 
where people and brands want to be.  
We seek to deliver value for all our 
stakeholders and to create a positive and 
sustainable impact for generations to come.

2019 overview

IFRS loss1

£(781)m

(2018: £268m loss)

Equity shareholders’ funds1

£4,377m 

(2018: £5,433m)

Adjusted earnings per share2

EPRA NAV per share2

28.0p

(2018: 30.6p)

£6.01

(2018: £7.38) 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share1

Total portfolio value3

(102.1)p

(2018: 34.1p loss)

Dividend per share

25.9p

(2018: 25.9p)

Leasing activity4 

£22.6m

(2018: £27.7m)

£8,327m

(2018: £9,938m)

Net debt4

£2,843m

(2018: £3,406m)

Global emissions intensity ratio 
(mtCO2e/£m)
122

(2018: 122)

All the above metrics included discontinued operations.
1.  Attributable to equity shareholders.
2.  Calculations for adjusted and EPRA figures are shown in note 12 to the financial statements on pages 157 and 159.
3.  Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets and recognition of UK retail parks impairment following reclassification as assets held for sale. 
4.  Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets. See page 50 of the Financial review for a description of the presentation of financial information.

 
Our portfolio

Where people and  
brands want to be

We are focusing our portfolio on the highest quality flagship destinations  
and premium outlets in key cities across the UK and Europe.  
By applying our expertise and skills, we have significant opportunities  
to generate value for all stakeholders over the longer term.

As at 31 December 2019

Flagship destinations

21

Premium outlets

20

Retail parks

9

Countries

14

Lettable area

2.2m m2

Tenants

4,700

Shopper visits per year

410m

Portfolio value1

£8.3bn

Flagship destinations: UK

Flagship destinations: France

Flagship destinations: Ireland

Premium outlets: Value Retail

Premium outlets: VIA Outlets

Developments and UK other

Retail parks: UK

28%

15%

10%

24%

8%

9%

6%

1.  As at 31 December 2019. Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets and recognition of UK retail parks impairment following 

reclassification as assets held for sale. See page 50 of the Financial review for a description of the presentation of financial information. A full list  
of our properties is shown on pages 202 and 203.

2

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

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Dundrum, Dublin
We received planning 
consent for a 107 
apartment residential 
development adjacent to 
Dundrum Town Centre. 
We expect to start on site 
in the second half of 2020, 
and the project will be 
our first onsite City 
Quarters scheme. 

Italie Deux, Paris
In 2019 we sold 75%  
of this central Paris 
flagship destination  
for €473 million. 
The transaction includes 
the forward sale of the 
onsite Italik extension, 
which is due to open in 
Q4 2020. This transaction 
was the largest retail deal 
in France in 2019.

Bullring and Grand 
Central, Birmingham
As part of our Net Positive 
strategy we implemented 
numerous energy saving 
initiatives across our UK 
portfolio. A key project 
was our partnership with 
Grid Edge, where we have 
introduced AI technology 
across our two Birmingham 
venues to manage the 
heating and cooling 
systems. This has helped 
deliver gas savings of 25% 
in 2019.

Hede Fashion 
Outlet, Gothenburg
A 2,400m2 extension 
opened at Hede Fashion 
Outlet in October 
introducing 15 new 
brands to the scheme. 
This resulted in a 37% 
increase in the number 
of guests to the centre.

Flagship destinations: UK

Flagship destinations: France

Flagship destinations: Ireland

Premium outlets: Value Retail

Premium outlets: VIA Outlets

Retail parks: UK

Properties sold in February 2020  

www.hammerson.com 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letter from the Chair of the Board 

Building balance  
sheet strength

A resilient performance in a very challenging market,  
as we take decisive, proactive action to build balance sheet strength,  
maintain vibrancy and safeguard the business for the long term

Hammerson has once again faced a 
challenging market over the past 12 months. 
This was especially the case in the UK, where 
we saw a series of high profile CVAs and 
administrations. Consumers continue to 
demand a seamless omnichannel experience 
from brands and this has put huge pressure 
on many traditional retailers, particularly 
those which have not invested in their 
fulfilment capabilities over the past decade. 
This pressure has been exacerbated in many 
retail categories, most notably department 
stores and undifferentiated high street 
fashion, by falling gross margins, cost 
pressures from higher wages, business rates, 
and increasing costs of providing a 
comprehensive offer, including online returns. 

In the UK, another year of political 
uncertainty damaged consumer confidence, 
and made longer term decision making by 
both brands and investors more difficult.

Our strategy has continued to evolve to 
recognise these shifts, and we are working 
hard to maintain footfall and vibrancy in 
our flagship destinations, while continuing 
to make strategic disposals and optimise 
our portfolio. We remain confident that 
we can build a stronger future by leveraging 
the expertise, talent and assets held by 
the business. 

We are, of course, not a business only 
operating in the UK. Our flagships in France 
and Ireland have performed more strongly. 
We continue to take action to focus our 
portfolio around the most prime European 
urban assets. Our diversified portfolio makes 
us resilient and is a real strength.

Premium outlets remains one of the most 
attractive parts of the retail sector. 
They continued to outperform in 2019 for us, 
notably across Value Retail’s nine villages. 
Alongside APG, we have also acquired 
a further stake in VIA Outlets. 
Each shareholder now has 50% of the new 

4

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 joint venture, which has consolidated our 
position in this key growth market. In VIA 
Outlets and Value Retail we have interests 
in many of the strongest premium outlets 
in Europe. 

earnings per share were down 8.5% to 28.0p, 
and net asset value has declined from 738p 
to 601p. We expect too that EPS will fall 
significantly further in 2020 as a result of our 
substantial disposal programme.

As mentioned, our flagships in France and 
Ireland also produced a resilient operational 
performance. Sales and footfall remained 
robust in France. For many brands, 
Les Terrasses du Port in Marseille continues 
to be their top performing location in the 
country. At Dundrum, we once again 
attracted a number of brands to the Irish 
market for the first time. At the end of 2019, 
we secured planning approval in Dundrum 
for our first private rental scheme as part 
of City Quarters, our strategy to maximise 
the unique land bank surrounding our 
flagship locations. 

Insight is at the heart of our business, and it is 
clear that across all our markets consumers, 
brands, investors and partners want and need 
compelling, urban destinations. The polarising 
divide between engaging, in-demand venues 
and ones which are struggling is widening. 
This is evidenced by the decisions brands are 
making about where they open stores, as well 
as rental levels and footfall. 

Our results 
Our priority in 2019 was to reduce debt 
through our disposal programme. In an 
environment where there have been very 
few buyers, we achieved disposals of £542m, 
in excess of our £500m target. This allowed 
us to cut net debt from £3.4bn to £2.8bn, 
demonstrating our commitment and ability 
to build balance sheet strength, even in a 
tough market. The additional retail parks 
disposals, announced in February 2020, 
will reduce debt by £428m.

The challenging backdrop for rents and 
valuations, particularly in the UK, has however 
impacted our performance this year. Adjusted 

We recognise that these are challenging results, 
demonstrated by the valuation declines with a 
portfolio now valued at £8.3bn, and a capital 
return of -9.8%. We have achieved cost savings 
in the last 18 months and negotiated 
tenaciously with our tenants. In the context of 
the tough conditions across UK retail, however, 
it has not been possible to maintain previous 
levels of profitability. The 2019 dividend is in 
line with 2018 and the 2020 dividend will be 
rebased to a sustainable level of 14.0p per share, 
removing the direct link between earnings 
generated and dividend paid, while covering 
REIT and SIIC tax obligations.

Accelerated delivery 
against strategy 
As I highlighted in my update last year, 
reducing debt remains our focus, and that 
will continue to be the case for the near term. 
The substantial disposals we achieved during 
the past 12 months have ensured our balance 
sheet is now in a stronger position, and 
protects us against further potential pressure 
on valuations. We remain committed to 
reducing debt in the next 12 months, to 
further strengthen the balance sheet.

We are also determined to put strong 
foundations in place for the future. We have 
made excellent progress on our City Quarters 
strategy. In Birmingham, our Martineau 
Galleries scheme has received planning 
permission; the same is the case for our planned 
hotel in Leeds; and we expect to be on site in 
Dundrum in the second half of the year. 

With the major structural and cyclical shifts 
in retail, it is important that the business 
works at pace to re-merchandise our 
portfolio, and move our overall brand mix 

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asset plans. Our transition risk is actively 
managed through our focus on energy 
efficiency and carbon reduction. 

We are starting work in 2020 to understand 
the indirect risks climate change represents 
across our value chain. This is a more complex 
area of work including climate scenarios, and 
we are undertaking training in this for our 
senior team and Non-Executive Directors. 

We have made great progress towards 
becoming Net Positive for carbon emissions, 
water, resource-use and socio-economic 
impacts within the areas we control across our 
destinations. Our first Net Positive milestone 
falls at the end of 2020. These Net Positive 
milestones extend to include tenanted areas by 
2030. These are highly ambitious targets, and 
we set out progress against them in detail in 
our sustainability report. 

I am pleased to see our peers starting to set 
similarly ambitious targets of their own. We 
need more businesses to set bold objectives as 
these make the real difference. Targets which 
are set within easy reach miss the scale of 
what we all have a responsibility to achieve. 

Looking to the future 
In a challenging trading environment, we made 
good progress against the three pillars of our 
strategy in 2019: Capital Efficiency, Optimised 
Portfolio and Operational Excellence. 

For the Board and the business as a whole, 
capital efficiency will remain our number one 
priority in the year ahead, as we know that we 
have to enhance the strength of our balance 
sheet further. This is key for the business’ 
long term success.

We also remain focused on ensuring our 
flagship destinations continue to be as 
attractive for consumers and brands as 
possible, and we will do that at pace. That 
means further shifting the brand mix towards 
high performing categories, introducing 
greater F&B and leisure formats, and 
delivering exceptional events programmes. 

City Quarters, which will leverage our land 
bank in thriving European cities to create 
diversified communities, is a major point of 
difference for Hammerson. This year we will 
build on the progress already made.

We are entering 2020 fully aware of the 
challenges. We recognise we are in a tough 
trading environment, and that this is unlikely 
to change in the near term. We have a clear, 
concise strategy, and a talented and motivated 
team. We are all committed to delivering 
for brands, consumers, colleagues and 
shareholders. 

David Tyler
Chair of the Board

www.hammerson.com 5

towards categories with the greatest 
potential for rental growth. We made strong 
progress on this in 2019 with all new leasing 
to target categories. We also announced 
plans to repurpose the House of Fraser stores 
at The Oracle and Dundrum, with a new 
flagship Brown Thomas store opening at 
the latter. This work will continue in 2020, 
and we are committed to increasing the pace 
of change. 

Board changes 
The Board and senior leadership team 
changed significantly in 2019. Timon 
Drakesmith, CFO for eight years, decided to 
step down. I would like to thank Timon and 
pay tribute to his accomplishments. 
He created a talented and driven finance 
team, and helped develop our premium 
outlets business which has created real 
shareholder value. We are very pleased to 
welcome James Lenton who took over as 
CFO in October. His deep experience outside 
the property sector has already enabled him 
to bring fresh thinking and a new perspective 
to the role. Peter Cole, Chief Investment 
Officer, who stepped down from the Board 
at the end of 2018, also retired during 2019.

We announced significant changes to the 
Board during 2019 with the addition of three 
new Non-Executive Directors. Adam Metz 
joined us in July, bringing comprehensive 
experience in global real estate investment 
and strategy, latterly at the Carlyle Group. 
In December, we appointed Méka Brunel, 
the CEO of Gecina, one of the most 
experienced leaders in the European 
property industry. In March, Carol Welch 
also joined the Board, and she has brought 
a valuable occupier perspective. 

We have built a diverse team around the Board 
table, with real capability and energy. We are 
committed to making the hard decisions 
required, as we navigate the current 
challenging environment. Finally, I would 

In a challenging 
trading environment, 
we made good 
progress against the 
three pillars of our 
strategy in 2019.

stress that the Board can only be effective 
because the management team and all our 
colleagues run the business with drive, skill 
and passion. That has certainly been the case 
in 2019 despite the pressures we have faced 
and I thank them sincerely on behalf of 
the Board.

Towards Net Positive 
I was privileged during 2019 to be one of the 
founding chairs of Chapter Zero, a network 
of company chairs and NEDs committed to 
developing their understanding of the 
implications of climate change and making a 
meaningful response within their businesses.

The scale of the challenge we face cannot be 
under-estimated. The IPCC (Intergovernmental 
Panel on Climate Change) report released in 
September 2018 showed that we have 12 years 
to avoid a catastrophic outcome for the planet. 
Yet, carbon emissions continue to rise. 
The dramatic call to action from consumers in 
2019 is not on its own enough. Business is key 
to driving this change.

The Task Force for Climate Related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) reporting requirements 
are pressing businesses to understand the 
risks that climate change presents to their 
operations. Following all the work we have 
done at Hammerson, more than most, 
we have a good knowledge of our direct 
physical and transition risk exposure. Our 
physical risk is limited and managed in our 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our business model

Our model  
for long term value 

What we have

What we do

High-quality property  
in the right places
We own and operate high-quality, 
flagship destinations and premium 
outlets. Our City Quarters concept will 
enable us to leverage our existing land 
bank around these flagship assets.

  For more information see 

Operating review on pages  
20 to 33

A dynamic and  
diverse team
We go to great lengths to attract, develop 
and retain the best people. By the end of 
2019 Hammerson directly employed 553 
people across the UK, France and Ireland.

  For more information see 

Our people on pages 42 to 44

Insight led
We use property and consumer trends to 
shape our strategy and inform our 
decisions around capital allocation, 
project priorities and resource 
deployment. Our dedicated Insight team 
monitors the latest consumer habits and 
retail trends to better understand and 
respond to markets.

Effective capital 
management
Effective capital management ensures 
balance sheet resilience. We monitor 
against internal guidelines to maintain 
the Group’s financial position. Our 
preferred source of debt is Group-level, 
unsecured funding and we have a 
platform of international JV partners.

  For more information 
see Financial review  
on pages 50 to 57

6

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Our strategy

Capital 
efficiency

Optimised 
portfolio

Operational 
excellence

  For more information on the key components 

of what we do, please refer to Our strategy on pages  
16 to 17 and Operating review on pages 20 to 33

 
 
 
 
Our purpose
We create vibrant, continually evolving spaces, in and  
around thriving cities, where people and brands want to be.  
We seek to deliver value for all our stakeholders and to create  
a positive and sustainable impact for generations to come.

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What we do

The Hammerson Blueprint

Who we deliver for

Shareholders
We have a broad range of institutional investors and private 
shareholders. We actively engage with them throughout the year 
and undertake regular communication to ensure they understand 
the performance of the business.

Brands
Our business strategy and future success is aligned with that of all 
of the brands which fill our destinations – retailers, F&B and leisure 
occupiers, as well as direct-to-consumer brands.

Consumers
We create vibrant destinations that meet the needs of the wide 
range of consumers that engage with them. In an omnichannel 
environment, we provide more than just a place to shop.

Partners
We work with a wide range of partners over the long term, including 
joint venture partners, suppliers and capital partners, making our 
business stronger and delivering a competitive edge. 

Communities
Our assets rely on a strong, positive connection with thriving local 
communities. This is where we draw our customers from, and over 
80% of the employees in our flagship destinations. 

Positive place makers
 – Destinations that deliver positive impacts 

economically, socially and environmentally 

 – Net Positive by 2030 for carbon, water, 

resource-use and socio-economic impacts

For more 
information  
see pages  
34 to 41

Destination makers
 – Experience-led places to enjoy, shop, live and work

 – Revitalise, refresh and rethink our venues to 

remain relevant 

 – Group strategic expertise, delivered with skill by 
local teams for our customers and communities

Relationship makers
 – Collaborating with brands, partners and third 
party experts locally and globally to deliver the 
best possible venues, profitably

For more 
information  
see page 25

Our people
Talented, motivated colleagues are vital to the success of the 
business. We have built a strong team to support our delivery 
of flagship destinations.

  For more information see Engaging with our stakeholders on pages 8 to 9 

and read about the Board’s engagement on pages 74 to 77

www.hammerson.com 7

 
 
 
 
 
Engaging with our stakeholders

Our stakeholders

Key stakeholders

Shareholders
We have a broad range of institutional investors and private 
shareholders. We actively engage with them throughout the year and 
undertake regular communication to ensure they understand the 
performance of the business.

Key areas of interest

 – Current and future financial performance
 – Strategy 
 – Corporate governance
 – Sustainability

How we engage 

Our response

 – We take a proactive approach to investor relations and hold numerous shareholder meetings and roadshows, 

 – Key shareholder publications include the Annual Report, the Full Year and Half Year results announcements, 

and we attend a variety of conferences

sustainability report and press releases 

 – The AGM provides the opportunity for the Board to engage directly with shareholders and allows all 

shareholders to vote on Company resolutions

 – The Chair of the Board, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, General Counsel and Company Secretary and 

Head of Sustainability undertake a range of governance discussions with investors

Brands
Our business strategy and future success is aligned with that of all 
of the brands which fill our destinations – retailers, F&B and leisure 
occupiers, as well as direct-to-consumer brands.

 – Shared commercial objectives; attracting 

customers

 – Vibrant and well-operated destinations
 – Sustainability

 – Our dedicated leasing team has a leasing strategy for each asset, underpinned by a key account  

management strategy

 – We hold regular executive management meetings with retail counterparts

 – We have a targeted programme for future occupiers

 – We are proud to be an associate member of the British Retail Consortium (BRC)

Consumers
We create vibrant destinations that meet the needs of the wide range 
of consumers that engage with them. In an omnichannel environment, 
we provide more than just a place to shop.

 – Vibrant destinations with engaging occupier mix
 – Future winning brands
 – Continuous improvement to enhance 
customer engagement and experience

 – Sustainability

 – We undertake both quantitative and qualitative insight to understand consumer needs

 – Our marketing, leasing and asset management strategies are optimised to ensure we create desirable 

destinations for shopping, leisure and socialising

 – We invest in optimising space and tenant mix, and improving customer facilities including bathroom and  

car park upgrades

Partners
We work with a wide range of partners over the long term, including 
joint venture partners, suppliers and capital partners, making our 
business stronger and delivering a competitive edge. 

 – Current and future financial performance
 – Operational excellence
 – Corporate governance 
 – Innovation 
 – Consumer trends and insight
 – Sustainability

Communities
Our assets rely on a strong, positive connection with thriving local 
communities. This is where we draw our customers from, and over 
80% of the employees in our flagship destinations.

Our people
Talented, motivated colleagues are vital to the success of the business. 
We have built a strong team to support our delivery of flagship 
destinations. 

 – Measurable positive impact on socio-
economic issues relevant to the local 
communities in which we operate

 – Community projects focus on four areas:

 – Employment and skills

 – Local investment and enterprise

 – Young people

 – Health and wellbeing

 – Strategy
 – Employee engagement
 – Reward
 – Diversity and inclusion
 – Induction and on-boarding 
 – Training and development
 – Health and wellbeing

8

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 – We hold quarterly joint venture Board meetings 

 – Our asset Business Plans are signed off by joint venture partners, setting parameters for the next 12 months, 

 – Ad hoc meetings are organised to highlight key areas of focus, including sustainability, customer experience 

 – We have long term relationships with our joint venture partners, including a 20 year relationship with our 

in the context of a five-year vision

and innovation

premium outlet partners

 – We are proud signatories to the Prompt Payment Code, to support our partners and suppliers

 – Our local community impacts are positive, and our business activities attract significant additional investment 

into local economies

 – We establish a clear placemaking strategy for each asset, that reflects the needs of our local communities, 

delivered through our asset management programme

 – We set community engagement plans that address issues identified as relevant to local communities

 – We develop long term partnerships with organisations that share our focus areas, and use the London 

Benchmarking Group to measure our socio-economic performance

 – Our employee value proposition #HammersonLife launched in 2019

 – We have a dedicated internal communications resource and OnDemand intranet platform

 – We hold regular CEO briefings to the whole business including Full Year and Half Year results 

 – Updates on current business are delivered locally via ‘town hall’ meetings 

 – Our colleague conference is held every two to three years

 – The Group Employee Forum was established in May 2019 

 – Our Group Employee Survey is undertaken annually, with results shared across the business and used to shape 

colleague engagement

 – We have a rolling programme of diversity and inclusion events

 – Our comprehensive programme for new employees includes online training and a two day programme attended 

by all new starters

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Section 172 statement

The Directors continue to have regard to the interests of the Company’s employees and other stakeholders, including the impact of its 
activities on the community, environment and the Company’s reputation, when making decisions. The Directors, acting fairly between 
members, and acting in good faith, consider what is most likely to promote the success of the Company for its members in the long term.

  For more information on the Board’s Engagement with stakeholders see pages 74 to 77

Read more in the Sustainability review on pages 34 to 41, Our people on pages 42 to 44, and Health, safety and security 
on page 45

Shareholders

We have a broad range of institutional investors and private 

shareholders. We actively engage with them throughout the year and 

undertake regular communication to ensure they understand the 

performance of the business.

 – Strategy 

 – Corporate governance

 – Sustainability

Key stakeholders

Key areas of interest

How we engage 

Our response

 – Current and future financial performance

 – We take a proactive approach to investor relations and hold numerous shareholder meetings and roadshows, 

and we attend a variety of conferences

 – Key shareholder publications include the Annual Report, the Full Year and Half Year results announcements, 

sustainability report and press releases 

 – The AGM provides the opportunity for the Board to engage directly with shareholders and allows all 

shareholders to vote on Company resolutions

 – The Chair of the Board, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, General Counsel and Company Secretary and 

Head of Sustainability undertake a range of governance discussions with investors

Brands

Our business strategy and future success is aligned with that of all 

of the brands which fill our destinations – retailers, F&B and leisure 

occupiers, as well as direct-to-consumer brands.

customers

 – Sustainability

 – Vibrant and well-operated destinations

 – Shared commercial objectives; attracting 

 – Our dedicated leasing team has a leasing strategy for each asset, underpinned by a key account  

management strategy

 – We hold regular executive management meetings with retail counterparts
 – We have a targeted programme for future occupiers
 – We are proud to be an associate member of the British Retail Consortium (BRC)

Consumers

We create vibrant destinations that meet the needs of the wide range 

of consumers that engage with them. In an omnichannel environment, 

we provide more than just a place to shop.

 – Vibrant destinations with engaging occupier mix

 – Future winning brands

 – Continuous improvement to enhance 

customer engagement and experience

 – Sustainability

 – We undertake both quantitative and qualitative insight to understand consumer needs
 – Our marketing, leasing and asset management strategies are optimised to ensure we create desirable 

destinations for shopping, leisure and socialising

 – We invest in optimising space and tenant mix, and improving customer facilities including bathroom and  

car park upgrades

Partners

We work with a wide range of partners over the long term, including 

joint venture partners, suppliers and capital partners, making our 

business stronger and delivering a competitive edge. 

 – Current and future financial performance

 – Operational excellence

 – Corporate governance 

 – Innovation 

 – Consumer trends and insight

 – Sustainability

Communities

Our assets rely on a strong, positive connection with thriving local 

communities. This is where we draw our customers from, and over 

80% of the employees in our flagship destinations.

Our people

destinations. 

Talented, motivated colleagues are vital to the success of the business. 

We have built a strong team to support our delivery of flagship 

 – Measurable positive impact on socio-

economic issues relevant to the local 

communities in which we operate

 – Community projects focus on four areas:

 – Employment and skills

 – Local investment and enterprise

 – Young people

 – Health and wellbeing

 – Strategy

 – Reward

 – Employee engagement

 – Diversity and inclusion

 – Induction and on-boarding 

 – Training and development

 – Health and wellbeing

 – We hold quarterly joint venture Board meetings 
 – Our asset Business Plans are signed off by joint venture partners, setting parameters for the next 12 months, 

in the context of a five-year vision

 – Ad hoc meetings are organised to highlight key areas of focus, including sustainability, customer experience 

and innovation

 – We have long term relationships with our joint venture partners, including a 20 year relationship with our 

premium outlet partners

 – We are proud signatories to the Prompt Payment Code, to support our partners and suppliers

 – Our local community impacts are positive, and our business activities attract significant additional investment 

into local economies

 – We establish a clear placemaking strategy for each asset, that reflects the needs of our local communities, 

delivered through our asset management programme

 – We set community engagement plans that address issues identified as relevant to local communities
 – We develop long term partnerships with organisations that share our focus areas, and use the London 

Benchmarking Group to measure our socio-economic performance

 – Our employee value proposition #HammersonLife launched in 2019
 – We have a dedicated internal communications resource and OnDemand intranet platform
 – We hold regular CEO briefings to the whole business including Full Year and Half Year results 
 – Updates on current business are delivered locally via ‘town hall’ meetings 
 – Our colleague conference is held every two to three years
 – The Group Employee Forum was established in May 2019 
 – Our Group Employee Survey is undertaken annually, with results shared across the business and used to shape 

colleague engagement

 – We have a rolling programme of diversity and inclusion events
 – Our comprehensive programme for new employees includes online training and a two day programme attended 

by all new starters

 For more 
information  
see Our strategy  
and priorities on 
page 16 and 17

 For more 
information  
see Operating 
review on 
pages 20 to 33

 For more 
information see 
the Hammerson 
Blueprint on 
page 25

 For more 
information  
see Engagement 
with stakeholders 
on pages 74 to 77

 For more 
information see 
Net Positive on 
pages 34 to 41

 For more 
information see 
Our people on 
pages 42 to 44

www.hammerson.com 9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive’s review

Continued delivery of  
a clear strategy 

Reconfiguring our space will enable us to  
weather the challenges in the retail market  
and take advantage of future opportunities  

Challenges and opportunities
The past 12 months have undoubtedly been 
a period of significant change in the property 
sector, largely due to the continuation of 
known structural shifts.

Across retail, brands continue to adjust their 
business models to reflect the growth in online 
shopping and this is particularly the case in 
the UK. Striking the right balance between 
online and physical retail remains a work in 
progress for many, although the most 
successful brands recognise that a strong 
online platform requires an attractive, 
right-sized store network to be truly effective. 

The overall impact of CVAs and 
administrations on our total rent roll 
decreased this year compared to last, but 
they remained a significant issue. The growth 
of online also continues to have an impact. 
However, just as significant are the cost 
pressures facing retailers. These include 
employment costs and more importantly 
business rates. An immediate and substantial 
overhaul of the business rates system that 
overly burdens the retail sector is still 
required and this is something the industry 
continues to call for. 

What’s more, all of this has come in the 
context of the political and economic 
uncertainty created by Brexit and the recent 
UK and Irish elections, which together 
created a ceiling for any potential 
improvement in consumer confidence.

come from Chinese guests shopping tax free. 
This is only half a percent at VIA Outlets. 
The overall long term dynamics that drive 
the business – growing demand for luxury 
goods, attractive sales densities and growing 
global wealth – remain in place.

Within this complex backdrop, we should 
not fall into the trap of assuming that these 
factors impact the sector equally; far from it. 
If anything, they are fuelling the further 
polarisation of retail, as the leading brands 
naturally focus on the most engaging, 
experiential, and well-located destinations, 
which attract consistently high footfall and 
enable them to interact with their customer 
base in a way that is impossible online. 

Our markets in France and Ireland have 
proved less volatile than the UK. The 
premium outlets market is also more 
resilient. These venues provide a unique 
experience and offer. We are aware that 
the travel bans imposed on Chinese travellers 
as a result of Coronavirus may have a short 
term impact. Tax free sales at Value Retail 
villages account for 26% of total sales and 
allow us to understand sales from non-
European customers. Only 9% of total sales 

In the context of these trends, Hammerson’s 
portfolio is well placed to succeed. Our 
flagship destinations are located in thriving 
cities across the UK, Ireland, and France, 
where people and brands want to be, and 
we have a uniquely strong premium outlets 
business, with interests across the strongest 
venues in Europe.

Managing this portfolio well requires the 
dedication and skill of colleagues. I’m hugely 
proud of the team we have. At our all 
colleague conference in October, it was clear 
that this business has a depth of talent that 
few other companies can match. Colleagues 
are passionate about what the Company 
is seeking to achieve, and have a shared 
determination to succeed, which stands 
us in great stead for the future.

We fully recognise that this is one of the most 
challenging periods for the retail sector in 
recent memory, both from an investment and 

Strategic pillars  and 2020 priorities

Capital efficiency
 – Further cross-portfolio disposals

 – Maintain focus on cost control

Optimised portfolio
 – Focus portfolio across core flagships 

Operational excellence
 – Additional department store repurposing

 – Secure further progress on City Quarters 
planning permissions 

 – Accelerate change in tenant line-up

 – Continue to enhance visitor experience

10

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four retail parks. In February 2020, we 
successfully exited the retail parks sector 
with a £400m disposal of seven assets.

We achieved our objective of reducing net 
debt to below £3bn by the end of the year, 
with net debt of £2.8bn.

Reflecting the continued uncertainty in 
the UK and wider retail markets, our 
near-term focus is to reduce debt even further. 
We therefore do not expect to commit to any 
further major projects until markets stabilise. 
We will then only commit to projects when 
the balance of risk and reward is acceptable.

This includes our future major schemes at 
Brent Cross and Croydon. Both are being 
reviewed in line with our City Quarters 
strategy to ensure they address changing 
customer and retailer requirements. 

In France, we are onsite with extensions to 
our flagship destinations at Les 3 Fontaines in 
Cergy, due to open in 2021, and Italie Deux in 
Paris, the first phase of which opens this year.

Our financial position remains robust, and 
our considered approach to financing and 
debt maturity profile means we are able to 
sustain material changes in asset valuations 
going forward.

Optimised Portfolio: Realising 
the potential of City Quarters
Following our recent exit of the retail parks 
sector, we remain committed to pursuing 
additional disposals from all parts of the 
portfolio when they make strategic sense for 
the business, and are in the best interests of 
all stakeholders.

We see Hammerson moving to a portfolio that  
is more than pure retail, and that is what City 
Quarters is all about. There is significant 
potential across the 100 acres of land around  
our flagship destinations. This could deliver a 
total of 6,600 residential units, 1,600 hotel 
rooms, 300,000m2 of workspace and nine parks 
and public spaces. Importantly, this land is 
located in some of Europes’s fastest growing 
cities, so it represents space that is attractive 
to investors, brands and consumers.

Hammerson already has a strong track 
record of delivering successful mixed-use 
schemes at our flagship destinations, 
including in Leicester, Bristol, and Aberdeen, 
and these projects build on that.

We have made strong progress across a 
number of strategically important sites over 
the past 12 months. We secured planning 
approval for a new 205–bed hotel in Leeds 
and outline consent for our Martineau 
Galleries scheme in Birmingham. We also 
submitted an application for The Goodsyard 
in London.

www.hammerson.com 11

In a difficult 
investment market, 
we have successfully 
achieved £975m of 
disposals, including 
£542m generated in 
2019, exceeding our 
target of £500m. 

leasing perspective, and for brands. We are 
committed to proactively doing what is 
required to set this business up for the future.

2019 Performance
2019 has been challenging, especially in the 
UK. The combination of economic and 
political uncertainty, subdued consumer 
confidence and rising cost pressures have 
resulted in a difficult operating environment 
for retailers, and these factors have impacted 
our full year numbers. 

We have experienced significant valuation 
declines across our flagships but this was 
most pronounced in the UK. Premium 
outlets have once again delivered a very 
positive return.

Despite this, our commitment to driving a 
shift in the brand mix in our UK destinations 
and providing an experience-led 
environment is paying off. We have seen 
positive footfall for the year across our 
flagship destinations, at a time when the 
national benchmarks are declining. 
This demonstrates the continued relevance 
and popularity of our destinations for both 
brands and consumers.

Our assets in France and Ireland have been 
more resilient. In both markets we saw 
robust footfall figures, with encouraging 
leasing demand. Our premium outlets 
business once more had another strong year. 

This again highlights the continued importance 
of our diversified portfolio, both in terms of 
geography, and target demographics, as 
France, Ireland and premium outlets have 
gone some way to offsetting the challenging 
environment in the UK.

The full year 2019 dividend of 25.9p is in line 
with 2018 and the 2020 dividend is to be 
rebased to a more sustainable level.

We remain focused on delivering against our 
strategy, particularly with regards to shifting 
our brand mix to meaningfully improve 
income and customer experience, and 
progressing our City Quarters concept. 
This opportunity is all about maximising  
our land bank to create vibrant city 
neighbourhoods where people want to work, 
live, and play. The results of this give us 
significant confidence about the long term 
strength and potential of our Company. 

The three pillars of our strategy are capital 
efficiency, optimised portfolio, and 
operational excellence. 

Capital efficiency: Taking proactive 
action in a challenging market
We are committed to building balance sheet 
strength. This is to help us not just overcome 
the current headwinds in the market, but also 
ensure we are well positioned to take 
advantage of the opportunities that will 
inevitably arise over the coming years. 

In a difficult investment market, we have 
successfully achieved £975m of disposals, 
including £542m generated in 2019, 
exceeding our target of £500m. This included 
the sale of a 75% stake in our central Paris 
destination Italie Deux, as well as the sale of 

 
 
 
 
Chief Executive’s review continued

Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, Lisbon 

This includes some major wins, including 
Samsung at Cabot Circus, Waterstones in 
Brent Cross and Silverburn, and the only 
two LEGO stores to open in the UK in 2019, 
at Bullring and Westquay. H&M also opened 
its first H&M HOME concept store outside 
of London in Bullring.

Despite concerns about a crisis in the casual 
dining sector a few years ago, F&B remains 
an area of opportunity for us, and we saw 
positive trends in terms of both sales and 
leasing activity across the portfolio in 2019. 
Importantly, we’ve targeted brands that 
either have a unique offer or are regional 
operators and exclusive, to ensure they are 
relevant for the target audience, and deliver 
something special for consumers. Examples 
include pancake specialists Stack & Still in 
Silverburn, Indian streetfood operator 
Riksha in Union Square, and Kitty Café in 
Grand Central. We also look forward to 
welcoming D&D to Cabot Circus’ landmark 
Quakers Friars piazza next year. Opening a 
1,200m2 restaurant, it will be a first for D&D 
in the South West.

We remain committed to reducing the 
amount of department store space across our 
portfolio, and repurposing it so that we can 
introduce new offers and brands. We have 
announced that Ireland’s leading luxury 
store Brown Thomas will be taking space in 
the former House of Fraser unit in Dundrum. 
We have also submitted a change of use 
application for the House of Fraser store at 

The job of creating 
vibrant spaces is 
never done;  
it requires constant 
attention and 
innovation.

The Oracle. Once approved, this would give 
us the flexibility to introduce new leisure 
and restaurant options and bring new brands 
to the town. We are also continuing to 
progress with our plans to reconfigure the 
House of Fraser store at Cabot Circus.

It remains as true as ever that experiences 
attract people, and the most successful 
venues combine a compelling brand mix 
with engaging, memorable events. Our 
experiential events programme in 2019 
included the Festival of Light at Westquay, 
Dundrum, and Bullring and Grand Central, 
The Maze at Westquay, and Village Noël in 
Les Terrasses du Port. These events not only 
drive footfall, they attract visitors from 
outside a destination’s normal catchment, 
as well as consumers that may not have 
visited before. 

Furthermore, planning consent has been 
achieved for a residential development at 
Dundrum Town Centre. The project will 
deliver 107 apartments which will be managed 
on a long term rental basis as the Group’s first 
residential development in Ireland.  

Operational excellence: 
Resilience in a challenging 
market 
The well-publicised headwinds facing UK 
retail are reflected in our leasing metrics in 
2019. It is important to distinguish between 
the structural shift to online, and the more 
cyclical, short term cost pressures. All 
businesses will have to respond to the former, 
but that does not mean that physical retail is 
facing terminal decline, far from it.

We can’t shy away from last year’s challenging 
metrics, with NRI falling by 6.7% in our UK 
flagships. However, leasing volumes remained 
solid, highlighting that demand for high-
quality space remains in spite of an uncertain 
and challenging market. Occupancy across our 
portfolio continues to be high, at 97% in 
France, 97% in the UK, and 100% in Ireland.

While the number of Hammerson units 
impacted by CVAs and administrations in 
2019 increased compared to last year, the 
impact on our total rent roll was slightly less 
than in 2018. CVAs were still a feature in 
2019, although our flagship venues were less 
impacted than the wider market. As with last 
year, 48% of the Group’s UK flagship units 
judged as Category A are consequently 
unaffected by any rent cuts, significantly 
above the national average of 37%, which is 
testament to the quality of our venues.

One impact of the broader uncertainty in 
the market has been an increase in flexible 
leases. This represents an opportunity as well 
as a challenge. Flexible leases and pop-ups 
allow us to trial new concepts and keep our 
destinations vibrant and engaging. From a 
brand point of view, they represent a great 
way to test a new offer, or build awareness 
with a new audience. They can also lead to 
permanent deals; for example, The White 
Company opened a pop-up in Westquay in 
October 2018 and were so pleased with the 
response that they have now taken 
permanent space.

We aim to make all our destinations as 
engaging and exciting for consumers as 
possible. Last year we announced our 
commitment to stepping up the brand mix, 
and targeting the types of brands that drive 
footfall and have the potential to deliver 
rental growth. We have made tangible 
progress; for example, all UK flagships 
leasing was to our target categories in 2019.

12

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Bullring, Birmingham 

Net Positive 
The climate emergency is perhaps today’s 
defining global issue and one to which all 
businesses must respond. Hammerson has 
a long track record of excellence in 
sustainability and addressing climate change, 
and was the first listed property company 
globally to introduce Net Positive targets in 
2017. These targets exceed what would be 
required to comply with the Paris Climate 
Accord and directly support the net zero 
targets being set by national and local 
governments in our operating geographies.

We are proud of our market leading 
credentials in this area. You can read more 
about our sustainability strategy including 
our response to the Task Force for 
Climate–Related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) on page 41, and in our full 
Sustainability report on our website. 
In summary, during 2019 we continued to 
make progress towards our target to be net 
positive for carbon, resource-use, water and 
socio-economic impacts by 2030. Absolute 
carbon emissions for our like-for-like 
portfolio fell by 12%. Our renewable energy 
capacity increased to 1.94 MWP and 
generated 1.1 MWH. Energy demand fell by 
12% delivering £0.9 million in cost savings.

It is clear that the pace at which we are 
pushing ourselves to deliver on these 
initiatives is absolutely what is required to 
address the climate emergency we are facing, 
particularly for sectors such as ours with 
significant impacts. It is heartening to see 
others across the sector starting to set 
similarly ambitious targets. Having hosted 

the Better Buildings Partnership’s CEOs’ 
dinner in March this year, I was delighted to 
see the wide and continuing support for the 
Climate Commitment that was the direct 
outcome of the event. This is a clear indicator 
of the level of awareness across business for 
the need to deliver real change. 

Looking to the future
While the outcome of the General Election 
has brought some clarity on Brexit, we are 
still cautious about the outlook over the 
near-term. It seems likely that the current 
low interest rate environment will continue, 
and it may take some time for consumer 
confidence to recover significantly.

In this context, we are committed to further 
stepping up our brand mix, and to 
repurposing department store space across 
our portfolio. It is clear that consumers are 
increasingly seeking experiences when they 
visit our destinations, and that means more 
F&B, leisure and events. 

We have seen a slight improvement in the 
investment market in recent months, with 
an uptick in investor interest in the UK 
generally, and in our assets. Despite the 
impact of the protracted Brexit negotiations 
on sentiment over the past few years, the UK 
remains a hugely attractive market for 
investors, as does France and Ireland, and 
our assets are in the top tier.

At Hammerson, we are determined to be on 
the front foot, and while we are pleased with 
the results of our disposals programme over 
the past 12 months, we will continue to focus 
on disposals from across our portfolio in the 

coming year to further strengthen our 
balance sheet. This will not only place the 
business in an even stronger position to 
weather any volatility in the market. It will 
also ensure we have the flexibility and 
resources to invest in any new opportunities 
we see that will drive returns, particularly 
with regards to City Quarters.

The potential of City Quarters remains 
significant. We have an unrivalled 
combination of sites in and around our 
flagship destinations, in some of Europe’s 
most thriving cities and are determined 
to progress these opportunities.

We are under no illusions about the 
challenges that face us. This is a difficult 
market, and is likely to remain so. However, 
I am confident our strategy is the right one, 
and that the steps we are taking today will 
not only safeguard this business for the near 
term, but enable us to proactively seize the 
opportunities that will inevitably arise.

David Atkins 
Chief Executive

www.hammerson.com 13

 
 
 
 
Our markets

Market 
overview

We operate in a complex series 
of markets which are characterised 
by three key themes.

Themes 

Overview 

How we are  
responding

See Our strategy  
on pages 16 and 17

14

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Retail landscape 

Thriving cities 

Luxury 

UK
 – UK retailer profits have fallen by more than 30% since 2008, despite a 50% 
increase in sales driven by channel shift, increasing business rates and 
employment costs, and weak sterling

 – Oversized store estates are putting retail businesses under stress – a number of 
key tenants have estates in excess of 400 stores, and tenant failures continue

 – The shift to buying online in the UK continues at c.1% pa, forecast to rise to 20% 

in 2024; online clothing sales are now 29%

 – Discretionary spend is continuing to shift away from retail to leisure. From 

2018-25, recreation and culture spend is forecast to grow 1.8% pa in real terms, 
while spend on clothing and footwear is not expected to grow

 – F&B is being impacted by the growth of online food ordering platforms such as 
Deliveroo and Just Eat, meaning operators need to be flexible, with growth 
focus on independent or bespoke offers

France
 – As in the UK, mid-market fashion performance is subdued by market 

polarisation and channel shift to online 

 – Online penetration in France is much lower than the UK, at c.11% overall
 – Our French flagships benefit from fewer department stores and more 

flexible leases

Ireland
 – With many UK brands in the Irish market, the problems faced in UK retail 

are having an impact on leasing in Ireland, but the market backdrop is stronger 
with a clear preference for prime locations

 – Ireland is also significantly lower on channel shift at c.10%
Summary
 – Structural factors, rather than consumer demand, are limiting the rate of 
channel shift in France and Ireland, including population density and less 
granular postcode systems that slow home delivery 

 – The uncertainty in the retail market is having a negative impact on property 

investment markets, particularly in the UK 

See Property Portfolio Review on 
pages 46 to 49 for further details

 – We are delivering a diversified offer across our venues, targeting categories 
where there is growing consumer demand, resulting in a more vibrant mix
 – We proactively engage with our retailers on their omnichannel development, 
and recognise and respond to the fast-changing role of physical stores in the 
customer journey – we know that physical retail remains a key element of more 
than three-quarters of all customer journeys

 – In the UK, we are targeting an increase in space allocated to F&B tenants from 

9% to 12% and leisure space from 7% to 10% 

 – We are growing our ethical and sustainable offer, including vegetarian and 
vegan restaurants and markets, and pop ups featuring re-use and recycling
 – Our investment in a national programme of experience-enhancing events has 
grown year on year for the last five years, with an increase in the number of 
events of nearly 100% year on year delivered in 2019

Urbanisation

  Luxury retail

 – The move towards urbanisation is typically strongest in the 

 – The luxury retail market grew c.4% in 2019 globally; overall 

largest cities, offering the best economic opportunities for an 

luxury sales are expected to continue to grow by 3-5% pa to 2025

increasingly mobile population

 – As growth is strongly linked to tourism, new luxury retail 

 – These cities tend to have a younger and more educated population 

openings are almost exclusively in destination cities

and offer more ‘global’ employment opportunities, driving a 

Tourism

positive cycle of inward investment

 – London, Paris and Dublin were identified by the Financial Times 

(2018/19) as the European cities most likely to gain from foreign 

investment in the coming years

 – Tourist flows continue to underpin the luxury retail market in 

Europe – long haul tourism, especially from Asia, is a key driver 

for sales growth in Europe

 – Recent travel bans on Chinese travellers as a result of coronavirus 

will have an impact on global luxury sales in the first half of 2020. 

 – The office market is a highly variable market driven by the 

However, the growth of long haul Asian travel is expected to 

requirements of a limited number of large space occupiers in each 

recover and remain robust in coming years

Online shift

 – Ecommerce penetration for luxury brands is well below the wider 

Office

city

Hotel

 – There has been an increase in regional supply of hotels in recent 

market at c.12%, less than half of the rate of general clothing. 

years; the market is likely to experience slower growth going 

Growth in online sales is expected to accelerate over the next 

forward, in line with the wider economy 

five years

Residential

 – The private rented sector (PRS) now accounts for 20% of 

households in England

 – PRS continues to grow quickly as younger generations choose to 

rent for flexibility, with increased demand across all age groups

Student

 – There is good demand for purpose built student accommodation 

(PBSA); in the UK full-time student numbers outweigh current 

PBSA bed spaces by 3:1 

 – Luxury retailers have avoided moving online fearing damage to 

their brand. However, this transition is expected to accelerate as 

brands recognise that the emerging generation of customers use 

online as a key channel

 – Top brands will take a cautious approach to avoid 

commoditisation of their brand. Their online proposition will 

focus on the quality of user experience, as well as replication of 

high-quality customer service and experience enjoyed in stores 

 – We are focusing our ownership and investment on vibrant 

 – We have nurtured a 20 year relationship with our premium 

destinations which are located in or adjacent to fast growing 

outlet partners and continue to extend our focus on the premium 

European cities

outlets sector, through long term investments in Value Retail and 

 – We are progressing our City Quarters concept, leveraging our 

VIA Outlets

existing land holdings of c.100 acres in major European cities to 

 – In September 2019, we completed a restructure of our VIA 

create vibrant city neighbourhoods, enhancing the experience for 

investment, to create a 50:50 joint venture with long term 

all of those who interact with them, and therefore the value of our 

partner  APG

flagship destinations

 – Our best-performing investments in premium outlets are in 

 – Our City Quarters will include residential, workspace, leisure, 

the luxury/super premium category including Bicester Village, 

hotels, educational and cultural space, with the mix being 

Oxfordshire, La Vallée Village, Paris, and La Roca Village, 

appropriate and relevant to the needs of their local catchments 

Barcelona. These destinations have an extensive array of luxury 

and communities 

brands and are particularly attractive to tourists

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Themes 

Overview 

Retail landscape 

UK

 – UK retailer profits have fallen by more than 30% since 2008, despite a 50% 

increase in sales driven by channel shift, increasing business rates and 

employment costs, and weak sterling

 – Oversized store estates are putting retail businesses under stress – a number of 

key tenants have estates in excess of 400 stores, and tenant failures continue

 – The shift to buying online in the UK continues at c.1% pa, forecast to rise to 20% 

in 2024; online clothing sales are now 29%

 – Discretionary spend is continuing to shift away from retail to leisure. From 

2018-25, recreation and culture spend is forecast to grow 1.8% pa in real terms, 

while spend on clothing and footwear is not expected to grow

 – F&B is being impacted by the growth of online food ordering platforms such as 

Deliveroo and Just Eat, meaning operators need to be flexible, with growth 

focus on independent or bespoke offers

France

 – As in the UK, mid-market fashion performance is subdued by market 

polarisation and channel shift to online 

 – Online penetration in France is much lower than the UK, at c.11% overall

 – Our French flagships benefit from fewer department stores and more 

flexible leases

Ireland

Summary

 – With many UK brands in the Irish market, the problems faced in UK retail 

are having an impact on leasing in Ireland, but the market backdrop is stronger 

with a clear preference for prime locations

 – Ireland is also significantly lower on channel shift at c.10%

 – Structural factors, rather than consumer demand, are limiting the rate of 

channel shift in France and Ireland, including population density and less 

granular postcode systems that slow home delivery 

 – The uncertainty in the retail market is having a negative impact on property 

investment markets, particularly in the UK 

 – We are delivering a diversified offer across our venues, targeting categories 

where there is growing consumer demand, resulting in a more vibrant mix

 – We proactively engage with our retailers on their omnichannel development, 

and recognise and respond to the fast-changing role of physical stores in the 

customer journey – we know that physical retail remains a key element of more 

than three-quarters of all customer journeys

 – In the UK, we are targeting an increase in space allocated to F&B tenants from 

9% to 12% and leisure space from 7% to 10% 

 – We are growing our ethical and sustainable offer, including vegetarian and 

vegan restaurants and markets, and pop ups featuring re-use and recycling

 – Our investment in a national programme of experience-enhancing events has 

grown year on year for the last five years, with an increase in the number of 

events of nearly 100% year on year delivered in 2019

How we are  

responding

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Thriving cities 

Luxury 

Urbanisation
 – The move towards urbanisation is typically strongest in the 

largest cities, offering the best economic opportunities for an 
increasingly mobile population

  Luxury retail

 – The luxury retail market grew c.4% in 2019 globally; overall 

luxury sales are expected to continue to grow by 3-5% pa to 2025

 – As growth is strongly linked to tourism, new luxury retail 

 – These cities tend to have a younger and more educated population 

openings are almost exclusively in destination cities

and offer more ‘global’ employment opportunities, driving a 
positive cycle of inward investment

 – London, Paris and Dublin were identified by the Financial Times 
(2018/19) as the European cities most likely to gain from foreign 
investment in the coming years

Office
 – The office market is a highly variable market driven by the 

requirements of a limited number of large space occupiers in each 
city
Hotel
 – There has been an increase in regional supply of hotels in recent 
years; the market is likely to experience slower growth going 
forward, in line with the wider economy 

Residential
 – The private rented sector (PRS) now accounts for 20% of 

households in England

 – PRS continues to grow quickly as younger generations choose to 
rent for flexibility, with increased demand across all age groups

Student
 – There is good demand for purpose built student accommodation 
(PBSA); in the UK full-time student numbers outweigh current 
PBSA bed spaces by 3:1 

Tourism
 – Tourist flows continue to underpin the luxury retail market in 
Europe – long haul tourism, especially from Asia, is a key driver 
for sales growth in Europe

 – Recent travel bans on Chinese travellers as a result of coronavirus 
will have an impact on global luxury sales in the first half of 2020. 
However, the growth of long haul Asian travel is expected to 
recover and remain robust in coming years

Online shift
 – Ecommerce penetration for luxury brands is well below the wider 

market at c.12%, less than half of the rate of general clothing. 
Growth in online sales is expected to accelerate over the next 
five years

 – Luxury retailers have avoided moving online fearing damage to 
their brand. However, this transition is expected to accelerate as 
brands recognise that the emerging generation of customers use 
online as a key channel

 – Top brands will take a cautious approach to avoid 

commoditisation of their brand. Their online proposition will 
focus on the quality of user experience, as well as replication of 
high-quality customer service and experience enjoyed in stores 

 – We are focusing our ownership and investment on vibrant 

 – We have nurtured a 20 year relationship with our premium 

destinations which are located in or adjacent to fast growing 
European cities

 – We are progressing our City Quarters concept, leveraging our 

outlet partners and continue to extend our focus on the premium 
outlets sector, through long term investments in Value Retail and 
VIA Outlets

existing land holdings of c.100 acres in major European cities to 
create vibrant city neighbourhoods, enhancing the experience for 
all of those who interact with them, and therefore the value of our 
flagship destinations

 – In September 2019, we completed a restructure of our VIA 
investment, to create a 50:50 joint venture with long term 
partner  APG

 – Our best-performing investments in premium outlets are in 

 – Our City Quarters will include residential, workspace, leisure, 
hotels, educational and cultural space, with the mix being 
appropriate and relevant to the needs of their local catchments 
and communities 

the luxury/super premium category including Bicester Village, 
Oxfordshire, La Vallée Village, Paris, and La Roca Village, 
Barcelona. These destinations have an extensive array of luxury 
brands and are particularly attractive to tourists

www.hammerson.com 15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our strategy

Our strategy and priorities

We have outlined a clear strategy based on the three pillars of capital efficiency,  
optimised portfolio and operational excellence. This strategy enables us to meet 
the challenges and opportunities of the markets in which we operate. 

 2019 strategic priorities

 Progress to date

 – Focus on balance sheet resilience
 – Achieve disposals in excess of £500 million in 2019
 – Target net debt of less than £3.0 billion at the end of 2019, 

using capital from disposals to prioritise enhancing balance 
sheet strength

 – Closely monitor capital expenditure commitments to support 

the reduction of net debt 

 – Disposals of £975 million (2019: £542 million, 2020: £433 million)

 – Pro forma net debt of £2.4 billion

 – Discussions continue on a range of disposals across the business 

 – Capital expenditure of £97 million against budget of £140 million

 – Share buyback programme cancelled at the start of January 2019 

to support debt reduction priority

 – Proforma gearing 55% (2018: 63%), headline loan to value 35%  

(2018: 38%)

 Future steps and timescale

 – Continue to dispose of assets across the 

portfolio to further strengthen the balance 

sheet in 2020

 – Maintain focus on cost control and disciplined 

capital expenditure aligned with disposals to 

maintain liquidity

 – Manage Group financing position to ensure 

appropriate debt maturity profile and efficient 

cost of borrowing

 – Exit retail parks over the medium term and pursue portfolio-

 – Disposed of 12 retail parks and 75% of Italie Deux, delivering gross 

 – Focus portfolio across core flagship 

wide disposal options

 – Progress leasing and construction at the Italie Deux and  

Les 3 Fontaines extensions, ahead of completion in 2020/21

 – Obtain two planning consents on City Quarters schemes 

to enable a start on site in 2020, and advance other schemes 
to realise our vision of creating vibrant city neighbourhoods 
around our flagship destinations

 – Continue to work with relevant stakeholders on the Brent 

Cross and Croydon schemes

 – Continue work on transformation of failing department 

stores, to deliver experience-led spaces

 – Continue active strategy to introduce a wide range of 

occupiers to our flagship destinations, along with targeted 
new brands, to reduce exposure to challenged categories

 – Grow and diversify F&B offer to ensure continued 

customer appeal

 – Double investment in an experiential entertainment calendar 

across our flagship destinations

 – Invest in a range of customer experience improvements 
including WiFi and app upgrades, as well as trialling 
frictionless parking

 – Complete delivery of £7 million pa cost savings target
 – Reduce utility costs and carbon emissions

 – VIA restructure completed in September 2019, to a 50:50 joint venture 

 – Capital expenditure of £270 million over the 

destinations with City Quarters opportunities 

next two years, to complete extensions and 

proceeds of £975 million

with long term partner APG

 – Good progress on pre-lets on Italik, Paris and Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy, 

repurpose space

although there were construction delays in 2019

 – Enhance VIA Outlets through organic growth 

 – Secured three planning approvals for City Quarters developments 

and extensions

– residential building in Dublin, Martineau Galleries in Birmingham, 

 – Secure further City Quarters planning 

permissions and commence work onsite

 – Appointed Managing Director of City Quarters to accelerate this 

 – Dispose of remaining retail park, Brent South, 

and the Leeds hotel

opportunity

 – Following the sale of eight retail parks announced in February 2020, 

 – Complete further cross-portfolio disposals 

51% of the portfolio is now outside the UK 

in 2020

in 2020 

 – Solid progress on the repurposing of House of Fraser department 

stores at Dundrum and The Oracle

 – Start onsite with department store repurposing 

and secure additional repurposing during 2020 

 – 100% of new leasing in UK flagships to target categories; strong leasing 

 – Accelerate change in occupier line-up to 

in France and Ireland

 – Super events and customer experience enhancements delivered as 

planned, with positive footfall impact 

broaden mix and customer appeal

 – Continue to enhance customer experience to 

drive footfall and broaden events programme 

 – AI trials to analyse footfall more deeply have delivered new data 

in 2020

sources to enhance insight and leasing strategies

 – Additional £2 million annualised cost savings delivered, to achieve 

£7 million target

 – Positive and increasingly productive relationship with VIA 

management boosted by restructure

 – Frictionless car parking rolled out at Bullring (see page 25) 

 – Deliver cost reduction plan to drive efficiency

 – Embed performance culture across the Group

 – Meet 2020 Net Positive target by end of year

 – Start next phase of Net Positive to hit 2025 

targets, which include tenant space

Capital  
efficiency

Optimised  
portfolio

Operational 
excellence

 –  

 –  

 –  

16

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
O
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Capital  

efficiency

Optimised  

portfolio

Operational 

excellence

 –  

 –  

 –  

 2019 strategic priorities

 Progress to date

 – Focus on balance sheet resilience

 – Achieve disposals in excess of £500 million in 2019

 – Target net debt of less than £3.0 billion at the end of 2019, 

using capital from disposals to prioritise enhancing balance 

sheet strength

the reduction of net debt 

 – Closely monitor capital expenditure commitments to support 

to support debt reduction priority

 – Proforma gearing 55% (2018: 63%), headline loan to value 35%  

(2018: 38%)

 – Disposals of £975 million (2019: £542 million, 2020: £433 million)
 – Pro forma net debt of £2.4 billion
 – Discussions continue on a range of disposals across the business 
 – Capital expenditure of £97 million against budget of £140 million
 – Share buyback programme cancelled at the start of January 2019 

 Future steps and timescale

 – Continue to dispose of assets across the 

portfolio to further strengthen the balance 
sheet in 2020

 – Maintain focus on cost control and disciplined 
capital expenditure aligned with disposals to 
maintain liquidity

 – Manage Group financing position to ensure 

appropriate debt maturity profile and efficient 
cost of borrowing

 – Exit retail parks over the medium term and pursue portfolio-

 – Disposed of 12 retail parks and 75% of Italie Deux, delivering gross 

 – Focus portfolio across core flagship 

wide disposal options

 – Progress leasing and construction at the Italie Deux and  

Les 3 Fontaines extensions, ahead of completion in 2020/21

 – Obtain two planning consents on City Quarters schemes 

to enable a start on site in 2020, and advance other schemes 

to realise our vision of creating vibrant city neighbourhoods 

around our flagship destinations

 – Continue to work with relevant stakeholders on the Brent 

Cross and Croydon schemes

 – Continue work on transformation of failing department 

stores, to deliver experience-led spaces

 – Continue active strategy to introduce a wide range of 

occupiers to our flagship destinations, along with targeted 

new brands, to reduce exposure to challenged categories

 – Grow and diversify F&B offer to ensure continued 

customer appeal

 – Double investment in an experiential entertainment calendar 

across our flagship destinations

 – Invest in a range of customer experience improvements 

including WiFi and app upgrades, as well as trialling 

frictionless parking

 – Complete delivery of £7 million pa cost savings target

 – Reduce utility costs and carbon emissions

proceeds of £975 million

 – VIA restructure completed in September 2019, to a 50:50 joint venture 

with long term partner APG

 – Good progress on pre-lets on Italik, Paris and Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy, 

although there were construction delays in 2019

destinations with City Quarters opportunities 

 – Capital expenditure of £270 million over the 
next two years, to complete extensions and 
repurpose space

 – Enhance VIA Outlets through organic growth 

 – Secured three planning approvals for City Quarters developments 

and extensions

– residential building in Dublin, Martineau Galleries in Birmingham, 
and the Leeds hotel

 – Secure further City Quarters planning 

permissions and commence work onsite

 – Appointed Managing Director of City Quarters to accelerate this 

 – Dispose of remaining retail park, Brent South, 

opportunity

in 2020

 – Following the sale of eight retail parks announced in February 2020, 

 – Complete further cross-portfolio disposals 

51% of the portfolio is now outside the UK 

in 2020 

 – Solid progress on the repurposing of House of Fraser department 

stores at Dundrum and The Oracle

 – Start onsite with department store repurposing 
and secure additional repurposing during 2020 

 – 100% of new leasing in UK flagships to target categories; strong leasing 

 – Accelerate change in occupier line-up to 

in France and Ireland

 – Super events and customer experience enhancements delivered as 

planned, with positive footfall impact 

 – AI trials to analyse footfall more deeply have delivered new data 

sources to enhance insight and leasing strategies

 – Additional £2 million annualised cost savings delivered, to achieve 

£7 million target

 – Positive and increasingly productive relationship with VIA 

management boosted by restructure

 – Frictionless car parking rolled out at Bullring (see page 25) 

broaden mix and customer appeal

 – Continue to enhance customer experience to 
drive footfall and broaden events programme 
in 2020

 – Deliver cost reduction plan to drive efficiency
 – Embed performance culture across the Group
 – Meet 2020 Net Positive target by end of year
 – Start next phase of Net Positive to hit 2025 

targets, which include tenant space

For longer term outlook, see Chief 
Executive’s review pages 10 to 13 
and Our markets pages 14 and 15

www.hammerson.com 17

 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Performance Indicators

Monitoring  
our performance

We monitor Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs, to measure our  
achievements against our strategic priorities. The KPIs comprise financial  
and operational measures and each links to the three pillars of our strategy.

Financial KPIs

Chart 1

Chart 2

Chart 3

Adjusted EPS growth (%)

Net debt (£m)1 

Total property return (%) 

Chart 4

Like-for-like NRI 
growth(%)1

6.5

3,501

3,406

2,843

6.8

1.7

0.0

-1.3

-1.6

-8.5

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

-5.6

2019

-4.2

2017

2018

2019

Adjusted earnings per share 
(EPS) is the Group’s primary 
profit measure and reflects 
underlying profit divided by the 
average number of shares in 
issue and is calculated in line 
with EPRA guidelines as 
explained on page 180.

Performance
In 2019, adjusted EPS decreased 
by 2.6 pence, or 8.5%, to 28.0p. 
This was primarily driven by 
the reduction in NRI associated 
with disposals in 2018 and 2019 
and a weaker performance across 
the UK like-for-like portfolio.

These factors were partially  
offset by a reduction in interest 
costs due to refinancing activity 
in 2018 and higher earnings 
from premium outlets.

Link to strategy

Net debt is the measure 
by which we monitor the 
indebtedness of our business, 
and comprises borrowings less 
cash and deposits.

Performance
During 2019, net debt was 
reduced by £563 million to 
£2,843 million. The reduction 
was principally derived from net 
disposal proceeds received in 
relation to the sales in France 
and the UK. Consequently, 
credit metrics remain within our 
internal guidelines with gearing 
at 65% and LTV of 38%, 
compared to 63% and 38% 
respectively in 2018.

The Group continues to focus on 
balance sheet strengthening as 
a key priority. The £500 million 
disposal target outlined at the 
beginning of 2019 was exceeded 
and we remain committed to 
further debt reduction through 
disposals across the portfolio.

Total property return (TPR) 
measures the income and capital 
growth of our property portfolio. 
It is calculated on a monthly 
time-weighted basis consistent 
with MSCI methodology. 
We judge success in generating 
property returns by comparing 
our performance with a weighted 
MSCI All Retail benchmark which 
was 6.9% in 2017 and 1.3% in 
2018. At the date of this report, 
our 2019 MSCI benchmark 
is unavailable.

Performance
During 2019, the Group’s 
properties produced a total return 
of -5.6% compared with a 0.0% 
total property return in 2018. For 
our flagship assets, the total 
returns were -15.8% in the UK,  
-6.5% in France and -3.6% in 
Ireland. Premium outlets again 
produced the Group’s highest 
return of 13.6%. 

Valuation changes were the 
predominant driver impacting 
returns. 

Net rental income (NRI) is 
the Group’s primary revenue 
measure. Like-for-like NRI 
growth is key to earnings and 
dividend growth.

Performance
Like-for-like NRI declined by 
4.2% during 2019. Negative 
movements of -6.7% and -5.0% 
respectively at our UK and 
Ireland flagships were partially 
offset by an increase of 2.1% in 
France. NRI at our UK retail 
parks fell by 1.4%.

Tenant restructuring made the 
single largest impact in the year, 
reducing total NRI by £6 million.

Consistent with our view of 
the business, as explained on 
page 50, NRI from premium 
outlets has been excluded from 
this metric as these are 
externally managed. 
Proportionally consolidating 
the premium outlets growth 
of 10.8% would result in Group 
like-for-like NRI growth of 0.5%.

More in the Financial review  
on page 51

More in the Financial review on 
page 56

More in the Property portfolio 
review on page 49

More in the Financial review on 
page 50

1.  Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets and including the UK retail parks portfolio. See the Financial review on page 50 for further explanation.

18

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Link to remuneration
The remuneration of Executive Directors 
is aligned closely with our KPIs through 
the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan (AIP), 
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and 
Restricted Share Scheme (RSS).

For 2020, the AIP contains the financial 
KPIs: adjusted EPS growth and net debt. 
For 2019 the AIP also included TPR.

Change in adjusted EPS and total property 
return are also two of the three performance 
measures in the outstanding LTIPs.

The performance against all of the KPIs is 
taken into account when considering the 
personal element of the AIP along with other 
specific objectives.

  Further information on page 89

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Operational KPIs

Chart 5

Chart 6

Chart 7

Chart 8

Occupancy(%)1 

Leasing activity(£m)1  

98.3

97.2

97.2

33.3

27.7

22.6

Global emissions  
intensity ratio (mtCO2e/£m) 

Voluntary employee 
turnover (%)

150

122

122

12.0

13.4

10.1

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

  Target (97.0)

Keeping our properties occupied 
ensures we generate rental 
income and enlivens our 
destinations. 

The occupancy ratio measures 
the amount of space which is 
currently let. The ratio is 
calculated in line with EPRA 
guidance using the estimated 
rental value (ERV) of occupied 
space.

Performance
Occupancy remains above our 
97.0% target, with 97.2% of the 
portfolio occupied at the end of 
2019, flat year-on-year. Year end 
occupancy across our flagships 
in the UK, France and Ireland 
was 97.5%. The total occupancy 
was reduced by 30 basis points 
by higher vacancy within the UK 
retail parks and strategic 
portfolios. This is a resilient 
performance in a challenging 
leasing environment.

Our leasing strategy is designed 
to improve brand mix towards 
winning brands and categories, 
and differentiate our assets. 
This KPI shows the amount 
of income secured across the 
investment portfolio, including 
new lettings and lease renewals. 

Performance
At £22.6 million, leasing levels 
were £5.1 million, or 18% below 
those experienced in 2018.

£3.2 million of the decline 
was due to challenging leasing 
across the UK flagships.

In total there were 361 lettings, 
compared to 423 in 2018. 
For principal leases, the rent was 
3% below December 2018 ERVs 
and 4% lower than the previous 
passing rent.

Reducing carbon emissions  
is a key sustainability target.  
This ratio measures the amount  
of emissions from our properties 
and facilities, including 
corporate offices. 
The denominator is adjusted 
profit before tax. This ratio 
demonstrates our progress 
in decoupling business growth 
from increasing carbon 
emissions.

Performance
The ratio has remained constant 
at 122mtCO2e/£m during 2019 
in spite of a drop in the 
denominator and a significant 
increase in the electricity carbon 
factor in France. This shows our 
continuing success in improving 
the carbon efficiency of the 
business through investment 
in cross-portfolio efficiency 
projects and focused energy 
management.

Our talented people are key to 
our success and we strive to 
retain, engage and develop them. 
We continue to monitor 
voluntary staff turnover, 
together with other people 
metrics including the annual 
staff survey, to highlight any 
potential signs of demotivation 
or other people-related issues 
and include both corporate and 
centre-based employees in 
this measure.

Performance
Voluntary employee turnover 
fell from 13.4% in 2018 to 10.1% 
in 2019 reflecting improved 
retention rates across all areas of 
the Group. The most significant 
change was in France, where 
voluntary churn reduced from 
17.1% to 11.4% during the period. 
We continue to monitor leavers, 
retention rates and other 
employee metrics to ensure we 
are retaining talent within the 
organisation. Turnover is low 
compared to the wider industry.

More in Table 90  
on page 191

More in the Operating review 
on pages 20 to 33

More in the Sustainability 
review on page 34

More in Our people  
on page 42

www.hammerson.com 19

 
 
 
 
 
Operating review

Flagship destinations

Flagship destinations 
overview

Not all destinations are equal and able 
to support the future needs of brands 
in today’s dynamic omnichannel trading 
environment. Properties are 
differentiated by scale, catchment size, 
customer experience, the quality of the 
brand mix and breadth of offer. 

Flagship destinations are those with the 
ability to attract customers from a wide 
area and provide a superior trading 
environment for tenants. They are also 
capable of being repurposed away from 
traditional retail and introducing 
a broader offer, including shopping, 
dining, leisure and, more recently, 
mixed uses such as services, workspace 
and residential. 

Brands are contending with the 
structural shift towards omnichannel 
retailing and increased operating 
expenses, and this is resulting in tenants 
restructuring their store portfolios and 
cost bases. This trend is particularly 
prevalent in the UK, and whilst it is 
currently resulting in falling rents in a 
number of retail categories, the relative 
cost of physical and online retailing is 
beginning to tip back in favour of physical 
space. This dynamic will underpin the 
performance of flagship destinations, 
particularly those in thriving city centres, 
as these offer the optimal omnichannel 
trading environment. 

A further differentiating factor is how 
destinations are managed. Expertise, 
experience and insight are required to 
ensure the brand and consumer offer 
matches its location and catchment and 
provide superior events and customer 
service. These factors are vital in 
drawing regular visitors and brands. 
The latter continue to seek space in 
these venues which are well-invested, 
provide high footfall and support their 
growth and omnichannel strategies.

Details on ‘The Hammerson Blueprint’, 
which explains how we curate our 
destinations to create the optimum 
experience for our visitors and brands, 
are given on page 25.

20

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Like-for-like NRI growth

-6.7%

(2018: -1.3%)

Occupancy

97.0%

(2018: 97.6%)

Leasing activity

£11.2m

(2018: £14.4m)

Leasing vs ERV

-8%

(2018: +5%)

Retail sales growth

-1.8%

(2018: -2.9%)

Footfall growth

+0.6%

(2018: -1.8%)

Net Positive

Our smart metering roll out is now 
completed at all but one of our UK 
flagship destinations . This is giving us 
live visibility of sub-metered utility 
demand at each asset, complete with 
alerts that enable the onsite teams to 
see and respond to spikes in demand. 

This important investment is 
transforming the use of energy data 
across the portfolio and is already 
delivering cost savings for our tenants.

  Further information on 

Sustainability on page 36

Mark Bourgeois 
Managing Director, UK and Ireland

UK

Our portfolio
We invest in 11 flagship destinations in the 
UK, all of which are within, or close to, 
thriving city centres. At 31 December 2019, 
the assets represent 28% of the Group’s 
portfolio by value and provide more than 
830,000m2 of lettable area. Over 1,000 
tenants provide a diverse offer of retail, F&B, 
services and leisure. Our destinations 
attracted more than 180 million visitors in 
2019 and include Bullring, Birmingham; 
Cabot Circus, Bristol; Union Square, 
Aberdeen; and Westquay, Southampton.

Net rental income
Market conditions in UK retail continue to 
be challenging and net rental income, on a 
like-for-like basis, decreased by 6.7% during 
the year. Tenant restructuring, in the form 
of CVAs and administrations, has been the 
largest single factor reducing income. CVAs 
enable struggling retailers to restructure 
their debt and costs to allow them to 
continue trading by applying to court and 
seeking approval from creditors. Landlords 
are usually the most compromised creditor 
group as cost reduction plans invariably 
focus on rent cuts and store closures 
determined by unit profitability. 

During 2019, 33 of our retailers undertook 
a CVA or went into administration affecting  
94 units and reducing passing rent of  
£12.7 million by £2.9 million. In total, since 
the beginning of 2018, 149 units have been 
impacted by CVAs or administrations, of 
which 91% are currently trading, including  
28 units which have been relet on a permanent 
basis. The annualised rent reduction at 
31 December 2019 was £7.5 million, equivalent 
to 2.5% of the Group’s passing rent. 

 
S
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Whilst tenant restructuring may reduce 
income and occupancy, it also provides 
opportunities to introduce new brands and 
improve the tenant mix at our destinations 
as landlords receive a break option in return 
for lower rents under a CVA.

On a like-for-like NRI basis, these 
restructurings have reduced income by  
£4.1 million. This equates to 290 basis points 
of the 6.7% like-for-like NRI reduction and 
includes the impact of tenant incentive 
write-offs, reduced rent and vacancy costs. 
The next most significant factor, accounting 
for 190 basis points of the decline, was the 
cost of vacancy which increased by  
£2.7 million, consistent with lower occupancy 
and leasing volumes, particularly at the 
beginning of 2019 when Brexit uncertainty 
delayed retailers’ letting commitments. 

Despite the challenging trading conditions, 
collection rates remain high with 96.8% of 
rent collected within 14 days of the December 
2019 quarter day. 

Occupancy and leasing
Occupancy stood at 97.0% at 31 December 
2019, 60 basis points lower than the prior 
year comparative. 

Leasing volumes were lower in 2019, 
although we signed 143 leases representing 
56,500m2 of space and £11.2 million of 
income. This performance is consistent with 
the more challenged retail market and also 
reflects the record volumes achieved in 2018 
when 196 leases were signed representing 
rent of £14.4 million. We also settled 50 rent 
reviews in 2019 on leases with a total passing 
rent of £8.5 million, securing an uplift of 5%.

For principal leases, which accounted for 
72% of the total leasing volume, the average 
rent secured was 8% below December 2018 
ERVs and 11% below the previous passing 
rent. The average lease term secured was 
eight years with an incentive package of only 
three months, four months less than the 
average in 2018. Whilst the average statistics 
weakened during the year, individual leases 
vary and 60% of principal leases were 
secured at or above December 2018 ERVs. 

During 2019, 22% of leasing, by income, has 
been on a flexible basis, compared with 14% 
in 2018. Flexible leases act to enhance the 
tenant offer across our portfolio, trial new 
concepts and brands, generate short-term 
income and mitigate void costs including 
business rates and service charge. However, 
rents tend to be significantly below ERV and 
previous passing rent. Over the course of the 
year, on average, flexible leases were 38% 
below the previous passing rent and 57% 
below the December 2018 ERV, contributing 
to the weak NRI performance during 2019. 

Whilst flexible leasing was higher in 2019 
across the portfolio, these leases represent 
2% of total flagship leases by income, or 9% 
by ERV.

Our leasing strategy continues to focus on 
reducing the amount of floor space occupied 
by challenged retail categories, principally 
department stores and high street fashion, 
and repurposing the space to introduce new 
aspirational fashion, leisure and F&B brands. 
Whilst this will broaden our offer and 
enhance the visitor experience, the speed  
of execution is hindered by existing lease 
structures. Nonetheless, during 2019,  
all new lettings, by area, have been to  
target categories. Key leasing deals during 
2019 were:

 – A new 450m2 Samsung Experience store 
at Cabot Circus. This will be the first 
Experience store in the South West and is 
due to open in spring 2020

 – In July, LEGO Group signed to open two 
stores, their only UK openings in 2019, 
at Bullring and Westquay. These are the 
first LEGO stores in our UK portfolio and 
opened before Christmas. Following the 
LEGO letting, we secured new lettings at 
Westquay with Oliver Bonas and The 
White Company

 – In Birmingham, we opened a H&M Home 
Concept store at Bullring and at Grand 
Central we secured Base, the independent 
childrenswear retailer. Both of these were 
the first openings outside London and the 
South East

 – At Victoria Leeds, we have strengthened 

the luxury offer with lettings to Mulberry, 
Aspinal of London and Prestons, who 
opened a Rolex boutique in late summer

 – Whilst the broader F&B market has 

struggled in the UK, like-for-like F&B sales 
grew across our portfolio. We continue to 
attract new and exciting F&B offers which 
are carefully tailored to appeal to their 
catchments. Examples include:

 – D&D London, which is due to open its 
first restaurant in the South West, at 
Cabot Circus and will provide events 
in the Quakers Friars piazza

 – In Birmingham, @pizza, an Edinburgh-
based pizza brand, opened its second 
ever restaurant at Grand Central, and 
North Fish, a Norwegian seafood 
specialist, opened its first UK restaurant 
at Bullring

 – We signed two leases with Kitty Café, 
a F&B operator where customers can 
interact with rescue cats, at Highcross 
and Grand Central. The latter opened 
in May and replaced Handmade Burger 
which had closed following 
administration

 – We also introduced a number of exclusive 
brands with pop-up stores for Rapha and 
Peloton at Victoria Leeds, tapping into 
the passion for cycling in the catchment. 
Recognising the growing demand for 
sustainable products, we opened pop-ups 
with Seekd, the sustainable jewellery and 
accessories brand at Brent Cross and at 
Cabot Circus, Lone Design Club, which 
specialises in unique, sustainable fashion 
and lifestyle products 

In November, we applied for planning 
consent to redevelop the existing House of 
Fraser store at The Oracle. This is a prime 
example of our repurposing strategy. We 
have made good progress with pre-letting, 
having secured lettings with bowling and 
indoor golf operators, and are in active 
discussions on the remainder of the space. 
Works to repurpose the space will cost 
approximately £13 million (50% share) 
but will deliver a significant rental uplift 
compared with the current concessionary 
House of Fraser rent following its 
administration in August 2018.

Footfall and sales 
Footfall grew by 0.6% in 2019, significantly 
outperforming the Shoppertrak benchmark 
which fell by 4.6%. We have beaten the 
benchmark for the past three years, 
demonstrating the market polarisation 
towards flagship destinations.

Retail sales at our centres fell by 1.8%, 
calculated on a same centre basis, ahead 
of the Visa index which fell by 2.2%. Sales 
performance by centre and retail category 
has been mixed with stronger performances 
from F&B, sportswear, services and jewellery 
offset by weak high street fashion and 
mainstream department stores. The 
occupational cost ratio, calculated as total 
occupancy cost as a percentage of sales, 
decreased from 22.6% for 2018 to 22.2% for 
2019, whilst rent to sales has reduced from 
13.3% to 12.7%. 

As we have previously explained, in-store 
sales figures are less relevant in an 
omnichannel retail environment as they 
do not capture the additional online sales 
benefit that tenants derive from their stores 
in our high-footfall flagship destinations. 
During 2019, we have further enhanced 
our insight capabilities and have used new 
geo-location insight tools to accurately assess 
the volumes and quality of footfall driven by 
our events and marketing programmes.

www.hammerson.com 21

 
 
 
Operating review continued

Overview
The Irish economy continues to perform 
strongly, with rising employment and GDP 
growth of 5.4% forecast for 2019 (Source: 
Oxford Economics). Inward foreign 
investment remains a key driver of 
economic productivity, employment and 
wage growth. 

Dublin’s growing urban population of  
1.4 million, significant tourism industry and 
positive net migration trends, support retail 
performance across the city. Grafton Street 
and Henry Street are the focus of Dublin city 
centre’s retail offer with a number of large 
shopping centres around the city’s perimeter. 

Our portfolio
Our Irish portfolio consists of three flagship 
destinations in Dublin: Dundrum Town 
Centre (‘Dundrum’) to the south of Dublin; 
the Ilac Centre in the city centre; and 
Pavilions in Swords, north Dublin. 
These assets represent 10% of the Group’s 
portfolio by value and Dundrum, which is 
the country’s pre-eminent retail and leisure 
destination, accounts for two-thirds of the 
Irish portfolio’s value. When combined, the 
portfolio provides almost 200,000m2 of high 
quality space, with 320 tenants and annual 
footfall of 45 million. 

We also own 30 acres of development land 
adjacent to the flagship venues. This provides 
the potential to expand and diversify the 
portfolio and is a key element of our City 
Quarters concept (see page 30).

Net rental income
During 2019, like-for-like NRI fell by 5.0%. 
Income increased at both the Ilac Centre 
and Pavilions, the latter by 8% associated 
with the strong leasing achieved over the past 
24 months including increasing the F&B 
provision. However, NRI at Dundrum was 
lower primarily due to the House of Fraser 
administration in late 2018 which resulted in 
a significant year-on-year reduction in rent. 
This will be remedied by the recently 
announced letting to Brown Thomas.

Like-for-like income was also impacted by 
the receipt of a surrender premium from 
Hamleys in the first half of 2018 following 
the withdrawal of the brand from the Irish 
market. This provided an opportunity to 
redevelop the store as part of the new 
Pembroke leisure hub. 

Occupancy and leasing
Occupancy remained very high at 99.6% 
and tenant demand continues to be strong. 
We signed 51 leases representing £2.1 million of 
annual rental income. For principal leases, rents 
secured were 9% above previous passing rents 
although 2% lower than December 2018 ERVs. 
The latter figure was skewed by two brand mix 
deals at Dundrum, and in total, 72% of principal 
leasing was secured above ERV. Key lettings 
across the portfolio in 2019 include:

 – At Dundrum: Holland & Barrett; Kurt 
Geiger, taking its first full-line store in 
Ireland; Mad Egg, the Irish fried chicken 
brand’s first store in a flagship destination; 
and Ely, the award-winning Irish wine bar 
and restaurant operator 

 – At Pavilions: Five Guys; Milano; Rituals; 
Superdry; and Zaytoon, a contemporary 
Persian restaurant, opening its third store 
in Ireland

 – At the Ilac Centre, Dunnes Stores 

reconfigured its store to introduce an 
upmarket food hall, which opened in 
August 2019 and is a key element of plans 
to enhance the F&B offer at the asset

In addition to our leasing programme, 
we have made strong progress with our 
repurposing strategy, particularly at 
Dundrum. Works are onsite to reconfigure 
the former Hamleys building into a mixed 
use offer anchored by a penthouse office, 
an eight-lane Stella Bowl bowling alley and 
five new restaurants including LEON and 
PFChang’s. The project will also provide 
a new public square.

We also recently announced that we had 
secured Brown Thomas to take a 5,850m2 
store to replace House of Fraser on two floors 
of their anchor store and are in active 
discussions on the remaining space. Works 
are due to commence in Q2 2020 at a cost of 
£14 million (50% share) and complete in the 
first half of 2021. The project will both deliver 
increased rent and enhance the overall brand 
and customer offer at the centre. 

Apart from House of Fraser in late 2018, our 
Irish portfolio has been largely unaffected by 
tenant restructuring, with UK CVAs usually 
excluding Irish stores. In 2019, there has been 
only one unit impacted by restructuring. 

Footfall and sales
In 2019, footfall increased by 1.8%, 200 basis 
points higher than the Shoppertrak index. 
Footfall growth was driven by the new  
F&B opening at Pavilions and Dunnes  
new food hall at the Ilac Centre. 

Due to restrictions in leases, sales data is not 
available for the majority of tenants in our 
Irish portfolio.

Ireland

Like-for-like NRI growth

-5.0%

(2018: 1.6%)

Occupancy

99.6%

(2018: 99.0%)

Leasing activity

£2.1m

(2018: £2.6m)

Leasing vs ERV

-2%

(2018: +8%)

Footfall growth

1.8%

(2018: -2.4%)

Note: Sales data is not available for the Ireland portfolio 
due to restrictions in the majority of leases.

Net Positive 

Dundrum is one of the highest energy 
consuming assets in the Group’s 
portfolio, with a high level of emissions 
due to Ireland’s high grid carbon factor. 
This makes the asset an important area 
of focus given our corporate Net 
Positive commitment. 

During 2019, we achieved a further 9% 
saving in electricity at the asset. This 
performance is due to the continuation 
of our programme of upgrading to LED 
lighting along with enhanced onsite 
energy management techniques.

22

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

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Occupancy and leasing
The retail environment in France has been 
stronger than in the UK during 2019, 
although tenants are becoming more 
selective and leasing activity was particularly 
slow at the beginning of the year as tenants 
were cautious until the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ 
protests eased. 

Occupancy was almost unchanged at 97.0%, 
and we signed 114 leases representing  
£6.0 million of rental income and 29,700m2 of 
space. For principal leases, which represented 
89% of total leasing volume in the year, the new 
rents were 5% above December 2018 ERVs and 
8% above the previous passing rent. 

We apply a consistent leasing strategy across 
the Group and during 2019, key leasing 
transactions included:

 – New brands in our portfolio: LEGO and 

Vorwerk at Les Terrasses du Port; Daniel 
Wellington and Emilie’s and the Cookies 
at Nicetoile; Nin & Laur at Les 3 Fontaines

 – Significant reconfigurations or transfers: 
Rituals, Diesel, Mango and Monoprix at 
Les Terrasses du Port; Levi’s and Pull & 
Bear at O’Parinor; Undiz and La Poste at 
Espace Saint Quentin

The rate of tenant restructuring has been lower 
in France than in the UK due to the strong 
trading environment and different tenant legal 
rights . In 2019, 20 stores with passing rent of 
£1.5 million suffered tenant administration, 
only one of which was in the second half of the 
year. Tenant restructuring reduced 2019 NRI 
by £0.2 million, and at 31 December 2019 a total 
of 21 units were in administration, two less than 
at the beginning of the year. All of these units 
continue to trade and represent 0.7% of the 
Group’s passing rent.

Footfall and sales 
Footfall in our centres increased by 1.9% in 
2019, 160 basis points ahead of the national 
CNCC Index. Les Terrasses du Port recorded 
the highest footfall increase of 5.8%.

Retail sales, calculated on a same centre 
basis, increased by 2.6% which was 170 basis 
points higher than the CNCC index. 

The occupational cost ratio fell slightly from 
13.7% at the beginning of the year to 13.4%, 
while the rent to sales ratio decreased by 30 
basis points to 10.4% at 31 December 2019.

Overview
The retail environment has been broadly 
stable in France during 2019. However, sales 
and footfall suffered during the beginning of 
the year due to the disruption caused by the 
‘Gilets Jaunes’ protests and at the end of the 
year from pension reform strikes. 
Nonetheless, the overall outlook for GDP and 
employment remains positive.

French leases differ from those in the UK and 
Ireland. They are subject to annual 
indexation changes instead of five-yearly 
rent reviews and have three or six-year break 
clauses, although in practice these are seldom 
exercised. Indexation averaged 2.1% in 2019 
and will increase to 2.2% in 2020.

Online penetration levels are lower in France 
(11%) compared to the UK (17%) (Source: Global 
Data). Nonetheless, online retail continues to 
grow and retailers are focusing on their 
omnichannel strategies in a similar way to 
retailers operating in the UK, driving a 
polarisation in the retail market towards flagship 
destinations. Key market and cultural 
differences are also expected to support physical 
retail more than has been seen in the UK.

Our portfolio
We invest in and manage seven high-quality 
flagship destinations in France which 
accommodate 800 tenants and attract over 
70 million visitors each year. The portfolio 
represented 15% of the Group’s portfolio 
value at 31 December 2019.

The assets are in urban locations in Paris, 
Marseille and Nice, and at 31 December 2019, 
the two wholly-owned centres, Les Terrasses 
du Port, Marseille and Les 3 Fontaines, 
Cergy, accounted for 77% of the value of the 
French portfolio. 

Our French team works closely with our 
UK and Irish teams to ensure operational 
excellence is maintained across our 
destinations. A number of functions, 
including marketing , IT and product 
innovation have Group-wide remits. 

2019 has been an active year in France, with 
the sale of 75% of Italie Deux (see page 47) 
and progress with the two onsite extension 
projects at Italie Deux and Les 3 Fontaines. 
Further details of these schemes are provided 
on pages 30 and 31.

Net rental income
On a like-for-like basis, net rental income 
increased by 2.1% in 2019. This was largely 
driven by indexation and strong leasing.  
Les Terrasses du Port was the strongest 
performing asset with NRI growth of 4.2%.

www.hammerson.com 23

Jean-Philippe Mouton 
Managing Director, France

France

Like-for-like NRI growth

2.1%

(2018: -0.9%)

Occupancy

97.0%

(2018: 97.1%)

Leasing activity

£6.0m

(2018: £7.3m)

Leasing vs ERV

+5%

(2018: +5%)

Retail sales growth

2.6%

(2018: 2.2%)

Footfall growth

1.9%

(2018: 2.5%)

Net Positive 

We installed a 900kWh photovoltaic (PV) 
array at Les Terrasses du Port which 
recently became operational. It is 
predicted to generate 1,446MWh of 
electricity annually, approximately 20% 
of landlord demand at the asset. Costing 
€1.4 million, the system will save 
€120,000 p.a. at current electricity prices. 

 
 
 
Les Terrasses du Port, Marseille

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The Hammerson Blueprint

Exceptional experiences at 
our flagship destinations 

In 2019, we also continued to invest in 
making our car parks more accessible 
and frictionless for customers. The car 
park refurbishment at Bullring won the 2019 
British Parking Awards and, as well as 
significant investment in electric vehicle 
charging, we also tested a ‘Drive Thru’ 
payment solution at Bullring, allowing 
customers to drive in and out without 
worrying about payment, helping to increase 
loyalty and dwell times.

Destination makers 
Creating places to enjoy,  
shop, live and work
In 2019, we ran more than 280 different 
events across the portfolio to surprise and 
delight our consumers. At Les Terrasses 
du Port in Marseille, we hosted our first 
ever rooftop ice-skating and winter festival 
experience, with over 110,000 visitors 
flocking to the event. We also toured the 
Festival of Light, an immersive series of 
interactive light installations, at three of our 
flagship destinations. As well as delivering 
a 5% increase in visitors from outside the 
catchment, these events also increased the 
number of new customers proving the broad 
appeal of large scale spectacular events. 
During 2020, we will expand our events 
programme, delivering compelling 
experiences for both customers and brands. 

We are also rethinking space in our venues 
so that it remains relevant for the future. 
At the end of 2019, we completed a review 
of back-of-house space, identifying several 
commercial opportunities within logistics 
and supply chain operations to diversify the 
services we offer. As well as driving financial 
returns there is the opportunity to provide 
wider retailer and consumer benefits, 
including more efficient last mile delivery 
and stock management, and support our 
sustainability strategy to reduce city centre 
traffic and encourage cleaner transport 
methods. 

Relationship makers
Collaborating with experts to 
deliver value
We collaborate with brands, partners 
and third party experts to deliver the 
best possible venues – both sustainably 
and profitably.

In 2019, we carried out an innovative trial 
with AI tech start-up Deep North, to provide 
a greater insight into the patterns and 
behaviours of our customers. Using 
anonymous and aggregated data via CCTV, 
the trial has allowed us to better understand 
shopping patterns and, in the future, will give 
us valuable information for brands and allow 
us to optimise our flagship brand mix and 
customer environment.

We also upgraded our consumer-facing 
digital services, working with a new digital 
partner, Red Ant, to deliver a more flexible 
platform for future development and 
innovation. Inspired by the ‘In Real Life’ 
consumer advertising campaign, the new 
flagship websites and app are easier to 
navigate, with engaging and inspiring digital 
content. Our digital channels and content 
continue to deliver fantastic engagement, 
with year-on-year growth in downloads of 
+5% and app redemptions of +85%.

By redesigning the digital platform and 
taking an agile approach to development, 
we have delivered significant cost savings, 
which will allow us to invest in future 
innovation across our digital infrastructure. 

Finally, our collaboration with Concrete, 
a leading EMEA Proptech investment and 
commercial advisory group, delivered some 
exciting new partnerships, and in 2020 
we will be launching a collaboration with 
Catapult, a flexible workforce platform. 
This will further strengthen the value we 
offer to retailers and is part of our 
commitment to provide best-in-class 
customer service.

www.hammerson.com 25

Kathryn Malloch 
Head of Customer Experience 

We are uniquely differentiated by the 
Hammerson Blueprint, the principles of 
which are embedded across everything we do. 
The Blueprint provides a consistent frame of 
reference for all areas of the business to ensure 
an excellent experience for stakeholders. 

Positive place makers
Delivering positive impacts 
economically, socially and 
environmentally
Alongside our commitment to become 
Net Positive by 2030, we deliver positive 
experiences for our customers to ensure our 
destinations are as accessible and inclusive 
as possible. 

During 2019, we signed up to the Disability 
Confident scheme and rolled out accessible 
Changing Places facilities to nine of our 
destinations, providing best-in-class facilities 
for severely disabled customers and their 
carers. The success of our dedicated family 
and multi-faith rooms has continued, 
providing safe and welcoming spaces that 
support the needs of our customers and that 
celebrate the diversity of the cities in which 
we operate.

 
 
 
Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet

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Premium outlets

Simon Travis 
Group Investment Director and Managing 
Director, Premium outlets

Our portfolio
Our exposure to the sector is through 
investments in Value Retail (VR) and VIA 
Outlets (VIA). 

At 31 December 2019, we had interests in 
20 centres in 14 European countries offering 
457,000m2 of retail space for international 
luxury and fashion brands. These 
investments represent 32% of the Group’s 
total property portfolio value. Since 2014, 
a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 
of 21% in investment property values has 
been achieved, 48% of which has been driven 
by underlying revaluation growth, 37% by 
acquisitions and 15% by capital expenditure.

Our premium outlet investments are 
externally managed, independently financed 
and have operating metrics which differ from 
the Group’s other sectors. The relevant legal 
agreements have pre-emption rights in 
favour of the Group and other owners of 
VR and VIA in the case of transactions of 
interests in the two businesses, and have 
certain governance and liquidity provisions 
which are triggered by a change of control 
of Hammerson plc. 

During 2019, Timon Drakesmith was on the 
Value Retail Plc Board and was the Chairman 
of the VIA Outlets Advisory Committee. 
Following his resignation, Simon Travis 
has assumed the role of Managing Director, 
Premium outlets, with David Atkins, 
Hammerson CEO, taking over the 
VR Board seat.

Sector overview

Outlets offer a distribution channel for 
brands to sell excess inventory at a material 
discount to the original price. Premium 
outlets are at the top of this sector, offering 
visitors international fashion and luxury 
brands in an upscale shopping environment 
where retailers are able to maintain and 
protect their brand identity. 

Over recent years, the European outlets 
sector has seen both strong sales growth 
and increasing retailer demand. The market 
for discounted luxury and fashion items is 

attractive for international tourists, in 
particular from Greater China, Russia, 
South East Asia and the Middle East. 

There are a limited number of specialist 
outlet operators in Europe, and planning 
consent for new schemes is often difficult 
to achieve. Consequently, growth of space 
tends to be delivered through extensions to 
existing schemes and brands are attracted 
to well-managed centres where they can be 
confident of strong footfall and sales.

Value Retail1

  VIA Outlets1

Brand sales2
€3,181 m (2018: €2,911m)
Brand sales growth2,3
9% (2018: 8%)
Footfall growth3
5 % (2018: 4 %)
Spend per visit
€82 (2018: €79)
Sales density growth3
9 % (2018: 4 %)
Like-for-like NRI growth4
13% (2018: 4%)
Occupancy
97% (2018: 97%)

  €1,162 m (2018: €1,072 m)

  8 % (2018: 10 %)

  6  % (2018: 4  %)

  €36  (2018: €35 )

  2  % (2018: 5 %)

6 % (2018: 10 %)

  93 % (2018: 92%)

1.  With the exception of like-for-like NRI growth, figures reflect overall portfolio performance, not Hammerson’s 

ownership share, and 2018 figures have been restated at 31 December 2019 exchange rates.
2.  2018 VIA Outlets sales figures have been updated to reflect the collection of more accurate data.
3.  Figures include assets owned for 24 months and include extensions and reconfigurations.
4.  Like-for-like NRI growth excludes the impact of extensions and reconfigurations.

www.hammerson.com 27

 
 
 
Operating review continued

Sales densities increased by 9%, the best 
performances being at La Vallée Village, 
Las Rozas Village and La Roca Village.

This strong sales and leasing performance 
resulted in like-for-like NRI growth of 13%. 
The largest contributions were from 
La Vallée Village and Bicester Village, where 
income growth in 2019 was driven by a full 
year of higher occupancy following the lease 
up of the 2017 extension during 2018.

Occupancy and leasing
VR adopts an active leasing and asset 
management strategy to enhance and refresh 
the Villages and maximise the customer 
experience. This strategy drives sales and 
footfall. During 2019, 245 leases were signed, 
with a total of 144 new brands introduced to 
the Villages. Key brand openings included 
Breitling at Bicester Village, Kooples at La 
Roca Village, Balenciaga at La Vallée Village 
and a temporary Burberry boutique at 
Kildare Village. There has also been a specific 
focus on enhancing the F&B offer across the 
portfolio, demonstrated by the opening of 
Mordisco at La Roca Village and Made in 
Belgium Café at Maasmechelen Village. 

Occupancy across the Villages was 97% 
which was in line with the prior year.

VR management continues to develop 
successful marketing strategies. Village apps 
have been enhanced and the focus on digital 
is illustrated by the successful partnerships 
with Instagram influencers and Privilege 
programme members. The roll out of the new 
Bicester Village Shopping Collection® 
website completed in November 2019, 
reflecting VR’s rebranding of its Villages 
under this umbrella.

Collaborations include partnerships with 
Citizen K, benefiting from high media 
coverage in central Paris, and the British 
Fashion Council at Bicester Village, 
demonstrating the Collection’s commitment 
to the future of the global fashion industry. 
Innovative events, such as the Enchanted 
Lights at Kildare Village, have also been a key 
footfall driver in 2019.

Developments and extensions
In March 2019, construction commenced  
on a 2,600m2 development and remodelling 
at La Roca Village, Barcelona with practical 
completion targeted in Q4 2020. The 
development will provide a further 21 units 
and over 300 underground car parking 
spaces. The total development cost for VR 
is estimated at €50 million.

Construction works are also due to 
commence shortly at Kildare Village, 
Dublin on a 5,500m2 development, with 
practical completion targeted for Q2 2021. 
The development will provide approximately 
27 units and over 400 car parking spaces at 
an estimated total development cost of 
€62 million including land.

VIA Outlets (VIA)
Portfolio overview
VIA is a joint venture formed in 2014 in 
partnership with APG, VR and Meyer 
Bergman in which we originally held a 47% 
stake. In September 2019, Hammerson and 
APG purchased the VR and Meyer Bergman 
shares for €32 million (£29 million) each, 
a slight premium to June 2019 NAV, resulting 
in a 50:50 joint venture structure. This 
transaction streamlines the ownership 
structure of VIA, enhances the governance of 
this strategically important investment and 
increases our exposure to a high growth sector.

At 31 December 2019, VIA operated 11 outlets 
in nine European countries, providing 
267,000m2 of floor space and over 1,140 
stores. The centres include Batavia Stad 
Amsterdam Fashion Outlet, Freeport Lisboa 
Fashion Outlet and Zweibrücken Fashion 
Outlet on the Germany/France border. 

Since formation, VIA has built a significant 
pan-European portfolio by acquiring existing 
European outlet centres within strong 
catchments, focused on mainstream fashion 
brands and with potential for growth through 
active asset and development management. 
The team have implemented initiatives to 
enhance centre appearance, tenant mix, the 
provision of flagship stores and international 
brands, the leisure and catering offers, tourism 
marketing and overall centre management. 
This strategy has delivered strong operational 
and financial performance.

At 31 December 2019, the total portfolio was 
valued at £1.4 billion of which the Group’s 
50% share was £693 million. VIA has become 
a leading premium outlet operator in Europe, 
with the third largest portfolio by area, and 
has further evolved in 2019, with the 
continued internalisation of its management 
structure and appointed Otto Ambagtsheer 
as CEO in July 2019. 

Income
Like-for-like brand sales growth was 8% in 
2019 (2018: 10%). The highest growth was 
achieved at Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, 
which benefited from the opening of  
Polo Ralph Lauren in November 2018  
and a number of other brands in 2019 
including Karl Lagerfeld and Boggi. 

Value Retail (VR)
Portfolio overview
We hold our VR interests in the holding 
companies, as well as direct investments  
in the Villages, and have grown our  
economic interest in the net assets of VR.  
At 31 December 2019, the total property 
portfolio was valued at £5.4 billion of which 
the Group’s share was £2.0 billion. Details 
of our investments are shown in note 15 to 
the financial statements. 

VR owns and operates nine high-end Villages 
in the UK and Western Europe, which 
provide 190,000m2 of floor space across more 
than 1,000 stores. VR focuses on 
international fashion and luxury brands 
and attracts long-haul tourists and wealthy 
domestic customers. 

The Villages, which include Bicester Village 
outside London, La Vallée Village, Paris and 
La Roca Village, Barcelona, are among the 
best outlet centres in Europe. 

In 2019, the Villages had an average sales 
density of €17,800/m2 and generated total 
sales of €3.2 billion, placing them in the top 
echelons of the premium outlets sector. 

The Villages actively target the growing 
shopping-tourism market as well as 
attracting footfall from affluent domestic 
catchments. This strategy has been very 
successful and VR has delivered annual 
compound brand sales growth of 12% over 
the last 10 years.

Income
Brand sales growth has again been strong 
in 2019 at 9%, driven by domestic and 
international guests. Tax-free sales at VR 
have increased by 15% in the 12 months to 
December 2019. This significantly 
outperformed overall European tax-free 
sales which were up 9% due to average spend 
growth (Source: Global Blue – December 
2019). VR continues to invest in broadening 
long-haul tourist markets, with China, South 
Korea, India and Hong Kong being strong 
growth drivers in 2019. 

As in 2018, La Vallée Village achieved the 
highest brand sales growth as it continued to 
benefit from remerchandising activity and 
from high tax-free sales growth. Bicester 
Village was the other top performer as a 
result of increased footfall and occupancy. 
After a subdued performance in H1 2019, 
Maasmechelen Village has also grown 
significantly, benefiting from active 
re-letting and marketing initiatives. 

28

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Double-digit sales growth was also achieved 
at Landquart Fashion Outlet and Hede 
Fashion Outlet, the latter following the 
launch of a 2,400m2 extension. Strong sales 
growth was also exhibited at Batavia Stad 
Amsterdam Fashion Outlet driven by a 
concentrated leasing strategy, resulting in 
occupancy increasing in the year from 91% 
to 98%.

Oslo Fashion Outlet has been the weakest 
performer with flat year-on-year sales, as the 
centre was impacted by a particularly mild 
winter affecting its outdoor gear retailers.

Tax-free sales at VIA have increased by 17% 
in the 12 months to December 2019, but 
remain only 4% of total sales (2018: 4%). 
This is primarily driven by double-digit rises 
in tax free sales at Freeport Lisboa Fashion 
Outlet, Fashion Arena Prague Fashion Outlet 
and Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet, 
who made up 73% of total portfolio tax free 
sales in 2019. Brazilian, Angolan, Chinese and 
Israeli visitors were the main drivers of the 
year-on-year increase.

The sales performance resulted in like-for-
like NRI growth of 6%, with the most 
significant contribution from Freeport 
Lisboa Fashion Outlet.

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Occupancy and leasing
Occupancy levels increased to 93% at the end of 
2019, compared with 92% in 2018. Occupancy at 
premium outlets is often marginally lower than 
the Group’s other sectors to support proactive 
asset management.

The strong sales growth outlined above reflects 
the benefits of VIA’s management and 
remerchandising initiatives across the 
portfolio, resulting in 266 leases being signed 
during 2019, including 128 new brands.

Key leasing transactions included the 
introduction of new brands such as Skechers 
at Fashion Arena Prague Fashion Outlet, Hugo 
Boss Woman at Landquart Fashion Outlet, 
L’Occitane at Hede Fashion Outlet, Hugo Boss 
at Wroclaw Fashion Outlet and Adidas at Vila 
do Conde Porto and Oslo Fashion Outlet. 
Leasing also included a number of first brand 
openings in the country such as Invicta and 
WMF at Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, 
Simone Pérèle at Landquart Fashion Outlet, 
a Furla pop up at Wroclaw Fashion Outlet 
and Hünkemöller at Oslo Fashion Outlet. 

In 2019, VIA completed the deployment of 
its loyalty programme, Fashion Club, at all 
centres in the portfolio. In partnership 
with brands, VIA continued to implement 
cross-portfolio marketing campaigns, 
including a recent sports and holiday 
campaign which all centres took part in 
during the spring/summer. VIA will continue 
to develop further portfolio marketing 
initiatives in 2020.

Developments and extensions
Following their acquisition in 2016 and 2017, 
refurbishment works are continuing at 
Sevilla Fashion Outlet, Zweibrücken Fashion 
Outlet, Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet 
and Oslo Fashion Outlet, with completion 
due in 2020. Refurbishment works have 
completed at Wroclaw Fashion Outlet and 
will play an important part in delivering an 
enhanced experience to guests and 
welcoming new brands. 

In 2020, VIA will also progress feasibility and 
planning applications for extensions at 
Sevilla, Mallorca, Batavia Stad, Amsterdam 
and Zweibrücken Fashion Outlets. 

Completion of Hede 
Fashion Outlet 
extension 

In October 2019, a 2,400m2 extension 
and refurbishment completed at 
Hede Fashion Outlet, Gothenburg. 
The scheme delivered 15 new units and 
a children’s play area, increasing the area 
of the centre by 15% and enhancing its 
aesthetics. This has improved the tenant 
mix by introducing a number of new 
international brands such as Lindt and 
L’Occitane (a first for the VIA portfolio) 
and upsizes of Gant and Calvin Klein. 
The total development cost (at 100%) 
was €10 million and the project has 
achieved a yield on cost of 10%. 

In early 2019, a new train station 
adjacent to the outlet also opened, 
allowing visitors to travel from 
Gothenburg’s city centre to the outlet 
in just 20 minutes. These enhancements 
to the centre have resulted in a strong 
2019 performance, helping to generate 
double-digit sales growth. 

www.hammerson.com 29

 
 
 
Operating review continued

City Quarters and developments

City Quarters overview
Our City Quarters concept aims to leverage 
existing land interests around our flagship 
destinations, located in major European 
cities and near to key transport links. These 
provide opportunities to develop a mix of 
uses including residential, workspace, hotel 
and leisure, and will deliver financial returns 
for the Group and complement our existing 
flagship destinations. 

This concept represents a significant 
opportunity and has the potential to deliver 
6,600 residential units, 1,600 hotel rooms, 
300,000m2 of workspace and nine parks and 
public spaces. An overview of a number of the 
projects is set out in Table 9.

We intend to use our existing strong 
relationships with local authorities and 
landowners to drive forward these 
opportunities. However, we recognise that 
in order to build on our track record of great 
sustainable place-making and create truly 
integrated sustainable communities, broader 
skillsets are required within our teams. 
With this in mind, we have appointed Simon 
Betty as Managing Director, City Quarters. 
Simon has extensive experience of the 
broader business and in-depth knowledge 
of the Irish schemes. 

The projects each have different timescales 
and phasing opportunities. Whilst schemes 
are being progressed and planning consents 
secured, we will determine the optimal 
implementation plan for each project. This 
could include development by the Group, 
in partnership with expert third parties, 
or realisation of value through disposal whilst 
retaining a degree of control to ensure 
optimal future estate management.

We have made good progress with this new 
concept and have secured three major 
consents. Key achievements include:

 – Outline planning consent for our 

masterplan to regenerate the Martineau 
Galleries site in Birmingham city centre 
into a thriving new neighbourhood. The 
proposals for the seven acre site include up 
to 1,300 homes, 130,000m2 of workspace, 
a new city centre hotel, restaurants and 
cafés. Work could commence in 2022

 – In Leeds, we recently received full 

planning consent for a new 205 bed hotel 
adjacent to Victoria Gate. The site is 
currently a surface car park, and we are in 
advanced negotiations with an exciting, 
modern operator to allow construction to 
commence in late 2020

 – In Ireland, we received final planning 

consent for a residential scheme of over 
100 apartments directly adjacent to 
Dundrum. We intend starting onsite in 
summer 2020, with the Group’s future 
development cost being £16 million

 – Also at Dundrum, a tender process has 
commenced to select an architect to 
masterplan a residential-led scheme on 
the Phase 2 land to the north of the centre 

 – The planning process is underway to 

redevelop the six-acre Dublin Central site, 
adjacent to our existing Ilac Centre. 
The scheme involves redeveloping 
buildings on O’Connell Street and Moore 
Street. In April, we appointed ACME as 
the designer for the project. The scheme 
will be a mixed-use, open scheme with 
improved pedestrian links and public 
spaces. Plans are at an early stage, and 
significant engagement is ongoing with 
local stakeholders to ensure the scheme 
reflects the heritage and commercial 
vibrancy of the area

Onsite developments
Les 3 Fontaines extension
Works have continued with the major 
extension of Les 3 Fontaines which coincides 
with the wider city centre development of 
Cergy-Pontoise, in the suburbs of Paris. 
The project involves a number of phases, 
including a 1,700-space car park to be 
completed in September and a new food hall 
opening in spring 2020. 

During 2019, we revised the scheme, 
particularly the final phases, to reduce the 
space allocated to fashion and increase the 
area for F&B and leisure, including the 
redevelopment of the existing roof terraces. 
These revisions have increased the projected 
income by €1 million to €19 million and the 
total development cost by €47 million to 
€382 million (£324 million), including 
additional future cost contingency. 

The opening of the main extension is planned 
for Q3 2021, with a new fully let food court 
opening in April 2020 and the final leisure 
phase in Cergy 3, expected to open in 
mid-2023. At 31 December 2019, costs to 
complete totalled €156 million (£132 million) 
and the project was valued at €207 million  
(£176 million). Due to outward yield shift and 
the revisions to the scheme, the development 
suffered a revaluation deficit of £57 million 
in 2019. This reversed cumulative 
revaluation gains recognised at the start of 
the year of £41 million. 

Simon Betty
Managing Director, City Quarters

Development overview
The Group has a proven track record in 
delivering iconic, sustainable urban 
developments, including destinations such 
as Bullring, Birmingham and Les Terrasses 
du Port, Marseille. 

Reflecting current uncertainty in the UK and 
wider retail markets, our near term focus is 
to reduce debt and we do not plan to commit 
to any major projects until markets stabilise. 
We expect future schemes to include a wider 
variety of uses, with less space dedicated to 
retail and with our Net Positive targets fully 
embedded within all new projects. This 
principle is at the core of our City Quarters 
concept under which we intend to unlock 
future opportunities across our existing 100 
acre land ownership.

Capital expenditure is tightly controlled 
and we will only commit to projects when 
the balance of risk and reward is acceptable. 
Factors evaluated include funding and 
financial returns, cost and programme 
certainty, leasing confidence and pre-letting 
performance. Whilst projects are controlled 
individually, our total exposure to 
development is also closely monitored. 

At 31 December 2019, the value of the Group’s 
development portfolio was £600 million, 
representing 7% of the Group’s total property 
portfolio. 80% of the value relates to five 
schemes: Les 3 Fontaines extension; the 
Whitgift Centre, Croydon; Dublin Central; 
Victoria Phase 2, Leeds; and The Goodsyard. 

Committed capital expenditure has fallen by 
£59 million during the year to £104 million at 
31 December 2019. This reduction is mainly 
due to progress made on our two onsite Paris 
extension schemes, which still represent the 
majority of the future committed spend.

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When fully complete and let, at current 
yields, the project is forecast to achieve an 
estimated additional revaluation uplift of  
£50 million and a yield on cost of 5%. 
The project will extend the entire trading 
space to over 100,000m2 and create one of 
the leading flagship destinations in the Paris 
region. Leasing is progressing well, with 
pre-let income increasing from 23% to 49% 
during the year. Key tenants secured include 
Adidas, Big Fernand, Fnac, JD Sports, Levi’s 
and Vapiano. 

Italik extension
Italik, a 6,400m2 extension of Italie Deux, 
commenced in June 2018. The project will 
add 12 new retail, F&B and leisure units to 
the central Paris scheme and will create an 
attractive new façade for the existing centre. 
As previously reported, the scheme was 
delayed following a dispute with the 
contractor in late 2018. 

During 2019, the contractor was replaced and 
work relaunched in March. Whilst this 
process has not increased the total cost of the 
project, it delayed the opening of the scheme, 
which is now due in Q4 2020. 

At 31 December 2019, the total development 
cost is estimated at €44 million (£37 million), 
with €15 million (£13 million) of costs 
remaining. The project was valued at  

€36 million (£30 million), and we have 
recognised €5 million (£5 million) of 
revaluation gains to date. The project has 
been forward sold as part of the disposal of 
75% of Italie Deux. Whilst the contracted 
75% sale price is €41 million (£35 million), 
the final price is dependent on the passing 
rent when the sale completes in March 2022, 
18 months after the extension opens. 

The price is based on the forecast passing 
rent of £2 million, equivalent to a yield on 
cost in excess of 5%. Leasing is progressing 
well, with the scheme currently 85% pre-let, 
51% higher than at the beginning of the year, 
to brands including M&S Foodhall and 
Prêt-à-Manger.

Future major developments
Whilst we do not expect to commit to any 
new major expenditure in the near term, 
progress has been made in 2019 with our 
future major schemes as explained below.

Brent Cross and Croydon
We are reviewing plans for the future major 
schemes at Brent Cross and Croydon. 
This work, consistent with our City Quarters 
strategy, is to ensure the developments 
address changing customer and occupier 
requirements and include a greater  
mixed-use element than originally planned. 

Table 9

Overview of City Quarters and major developments 

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We remain in active discussions with local 
stakeholders to support the ongoing 
third party regeneration around both 
existing interests, such as the new Brent 
Cross West Thameslink station and the 
mixed-use regeneration to the south of 
Brent Cross. Reviews of the schemes are 
progressing and we continue to ensure 
the existing assets are actively managed.

The Goodsyard
In conjunction with Ballymore, our 50:50 
joint venture partner, revised plans were 
submitted to the GLA in July as an 
amendment to the existing planning 
application for the site. 

The major mixed-use scheme includes 
workspace, retail and residential elements 
at the 4.2ha site on the edge of the City of 
London. The amended application has 
additional housing, including a greater 
number of affordable homes and a larger 
public park. The complicated planning 
process has been slower than expected and 
determination from the Mayor of London is 
now targeted by the middle of 2020.

Area

Next 
planning 
submission

Start 
onsite

Retail

F&B

Residential Workspace 

Leisure

Education Culture

Hotel

Public 
spaces

Near term
8,400m2
Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy
The Podium at Dundrum, Dublin 10,000m2
8,400m2
Victoria Hotel, Leeds

Strategic
Victoria Phase 2, Leeds 
Martineau Galleries, Birmingham
Callowhill Court, Bristol
Dublin Central, Dublin
Dundrum Phase 2, Dublin
Pavilions Phase 3, Swords 

Major developments
Brent Cross, London
Croydon, London
The Goodsyard, London

10  acres
7 acres
9 acres
6 acres
6 acres
18 acres

15 acres
22 acres
10 acres

n/a
n/a
In planning 

Onsite
Q3 2020
Q3 2020

n/a
n/a 
n/a 

2020 
2021 
2021
2021
2021
2023

✓

✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

✓

✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

✓

✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓
✓

✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

✓

✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

✓

✓
✓​

✓

✓

✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

✓
✓
✓

www.hammerson.com 31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating review continued

Computer generated image  
of future expected scheme

The Podium at 
Dundrum, Dublin

Our first Irish residential 
opportunity

In December 2019, we received 
planning approval for 107 new 
apartments adjacent to Dundrum, 
Ireland’s leading flagship destination 
located in the affluent southern Dublin 
catchment. The building marks our first 
move into residential development in 
Ireland and will deliver 50 one-bed and  
56 two-bed apartments, and a studio 
flat, which will be managed on a long 
term rental basis.

With easy access to Dundrum, public 
transport services and large 
employment hubs, The Podium at 
Dundrum represents the first phase in a 
long term strategy to create exceptional 
sustainable spaces through our City 
Quarters concept which will enhance 
the destination’s appeal. The scheme 
delivers a high quality BREEAM 
Excellent design and will also set the 
benchmark for future developments 
across the Irish portfolio at Dublin 
Central and Swords Pavilions.

Martineau Galleries, 
Birmingham

Green light for major City 
Quarters masterplan

Martineau Galleries will deliver a thriving 
new neighbourhood in Birmingham city 
centre, providing up to 1,300 new homes, 
up to 130,000m2 of workspace and a new 
400-bed hotel. The outline masterplan, 
which was granted consent by 
Birmingham City Council in January 
2020, represents a significant step 
forward for our City Quarters concept. 
This will see us transform our existing city 
land bank beyond pure retail into 
successful new neighbourhoods.

The vibrant new quarter, which is adjacent 
to the new HS2 station, will support over 
8,000 jobs and provide a significant boost 
to the city’s economy. It will also deliver 
new public realm, including a town square, 
boulevard and residential streets and be 
both accessible and sustainable. These 
spaces will be available for community  
and cultural events, and leisure activities 
such as pop-up bars, food trucks 
and performances.

Computer generated image  
of future expected scheme

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UK retail parks

Net rental income
On a like-for-like basis, NRI fell by 1.4% 
in 2019. Given the subdued nature of the 
occupational market, there were few growth 
drivers in 2019 and NRI was £0.4 million 
lower due to the impact of further CVAs 
and administrations. 

Occupancy and leasing
Occupancy has been stable during 2019, 
ending the year at 97.3%.

Whilst leasing activity at £2.6 million was 
slightly higher than 2018, this principally 
related to existing tenants who extended 
their leases at a reduced rent to support our 
sales process. There were eight lettings to 
new tenants for total passing rent of 
£0.7 million. The most significant being 
Superdrug at Telford Forge and Waterstones 
at Didcot. 

For all principal leases, rents were contracted 
at 1% above December 2018 ERVs but 10% 
below previous passing rent. 

During 2019, the portfolio suffered three 
tenant restructurings (Arcadia, Debenhams 
and The Bathstore) impacting eight units. 
These units were generally performing well 
and only one closed, meaning that overall we 
suffered an annualised rent reduction of  
£0.5 million, or 22% of the previous passing 
rent. Including units affected during 2018, 
at 31 December 2019, the portfolio had 17 
units which had been impacted by tenant 
restructuring with rent passing of  
£2.9 million, equivalent to 1.0% of the 
Group’s passing rent.

Footfall and sales
During 2019, the number of visitors to the 
portfolio increased by 1.4%, 130 basis points 
above the Springboard Retail Parks index. 
Footfall increased at all but two of our parks. 
Ravenhead in St. Helens reported the highest 
footfall increase of 13% following the opening 
of a new M&S store. Also, following this 
opening, the average drivetime grew by 5%.

Whilst we do not receive tenant sales 
information for our retail parks, we do 
undertake customer surveys. Based on these, 
in 2019 average retail spend has grown by 5%, 
catering spend by 1% and visit frequency 
by 3%.

Like-for-like NRI growth

-1.4%

(2018: -4.3%)

Occupancy

97.3%

(2018: 96.9%)

Leasing activity

£2.6m

(2018: £2.4m)

Leasing vs ERV

+1%

(2018: +11%)

Footfall growth

1.4%

(2018: -1.3%)

Net Positive 

Elliott’s Field, Rugby was the world’s 
first BREEAM Outstanding retail park 
and designed to operate with net zero 
carbon emissions. Two years after 
opening, and through collaboration with 
our tenants, we now have sufficient data 
to assess the sustainability performance 
of this ground-breaking development. 
Key findings include:

 – 26% lower average energy 

consumption than similar stores 

 – 183 tonnes of carbon saved through 
more energy efficient tenant fitouts 

 – 179 tonnes of additional carbon saved 
from electricity generated from the 
rooftop solar PV array, all of which is 
used onsite

These results were achieved on a 
commercial project and are a great 
example of what can be accomplished 
with clear targets and strong 
tenant engagement.

www.hammerson.com 33

Andrew Berger-North 
Director, UK Retail Parks

Retail parks overview

Retail parks tend to be situated in 
out-of-town locations. They offer 
efficient and flexible space formats with 
larger units, lower rents per square metre 
than those in flagship destinations, and 
the ability to accommodate a wide range 
of retailers. Accessibility is a key success 
factor for retail parks with the majority of 
shoppers using cars or public transport. 

Demand for space has been subdued during 
2019, with further high profile tenant 
failures increasing the supply of available 
space in the market. This imbalance will 
take some time to work through the sector, 
although there is demand from a pool of 
occupiers for well-managed parks where 
trading remains strong.

Our portfolio
We announced in our July 2018 strategy update 
that we intended to exit this sector over the 
medium term and sold four parks in 2019.

As at 31 December 2019, we owned nine retail 
parks, representing 6% of the Group’s 
portfolio by value. The portfolio provides 
234,000m2 of lettable space and has more 
than 210 tenants and includes shopping 
parks, hybrid parks and key homeware parks 
where occupational demand has been 
strongest. Our parks are intentionally located 
on the edge of town centres with ample free 
parking and are let to a wide spectrum of 
retailers, including fashion, furniture, 
homewares and bulky goods. 

In February 2020 we announced the disposal  
of eight retail parks for gross proceeds of 
£433 million. We are marketing for sale the 
remaining park, Brent South. 

 
 
 
Sustainability review

Net Positive

2019 Key 
Highlights

Carbon emissions  

  Water demand 

  Waste diverted from 

-12%*

-7%*

Energy demand  

  Operational waste 

-12%*

recycled

79%

landfill

99.6%

Invested in addressing 
local challenges

£1.3m

 * EPRA like for like portfolio, v 2018

The climate emergency is perhaps the defining 
global issue of 2019. Hammerson’s long track 
record of excellence in sustainability and 
addressing climate change reduces our risk 
and further enhances our reputation as a 
company of choice to work with.

The UNSDGs directly 
supported by our business

David Atkins 
Chief Executive

A shifting agenda
Climate change is arguably the biggest 
challenge for the global economy and the past 
12 months have seen the issue become 
significantly more prominent both for 
individuals and businesses. 

This change is reflected in the rising 
significance of global initiatives such as the 
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 
and Task Force for Climate Related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). There is also increasing 
adoption of net-zero carbon targets by local 
and national governments. 

Having begun our sustainability journey over 
13 years ago as the scale of the challenge has 
become clearer, we have evolved our strategy 
to remain ahead of the curve. This gave rise 
to our Net Positive targets created in 2017 
which go further than net zero. Our changing 
business priorities and in particular the focus 
on City Quarters means this year we now 
directly support eight UNSDGs. Details of our 
response to TCFD can be found on page 41.

Louise Ellison
Group Head of Sustainability

Overview
We create destinations where 
people and brands want to be; 
destinations that deliver net 
positive impacts economically, 
socially and environmentally. 

In 2017 we launched our 
sector-leading, comprehensive 
target to be Net Positive for 
carbon, water, resource-use 
and socio-economic impacts 
by 2030. We were the first 
real estate company globally 
to launch such ambitious targets 
and we reach the end of phase 
one at the close of 2020.  
This phase focuses on the 
impacts under our control in our 
directly managed destinations. 
A summary of our progress so 
far is set out on pages 36-40. 
More detail is available in our 
comprehensive Sustainability 
Report and on our website 
www.hammerson.com. 

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Our Net Positive commitments

Carbon 

Resource-use 

Water

Emissions avoided through 
our actions will exceed 
emissions generated by our 
business activities

Waste avoided, recycled or 
re-used will exceed materials 
used that are neither recycled 
or re-used or are sent 
to landfill

Water replenished by 
external projects we support 
will exceed water consumed 
from mains supply for our 
business activities

Socio-economic 

We will make a measurable 
positive impact on socio-
economic issues relevant to 
our local communities 
beyond a measured baseline

Embedding sustainability within leadership and our business processes
Our progress against these targets shows we are on course to achieve our Net Positive ambitions by the end of 2030. This is made possible by 
successfully embedding our targets within our strategy, business model and processes and across our teams. We have clear leadership and 
commitment from the Board and senior leadership team which cascades through all business areas. This empowers the development, asset 
management and onsite teams, supported by the sustainability team, to implement initiatives that deliver meaningful and impactful change. 

Net Positive 2020 – Our Destinations: Managing our opportunity 
We have committed to reaching the first of the three phases of these targets by the end of 2020. This means that from 1 January 2021, we aim 
to be in a position to operate with less than zero scope 1 and 2 absolute carbon emissions, water demand and resource-use on a 
proportionate ownership basis across our operationally managed portfolio.

Phase One
2016-2020
Hammerson  
controlled impacts 

Phase Two
2021-2025
Hammerson controlled  
and development impacts

Phase Three
2026-2030
Hammerson, tenant and 
development impacts 

Zero

Net Positive  
reduction target
194,000 tonnes CO2e

Net Positive  
reduction target

134,000 tonnes

Net Positive  
reduction target

1,486,000m3

30,500

65,500

98,000

8,500

123,000

2,500

336,000

20,000

1,130,000

Carbon

Resource-use

Water

Net Positive

Becoming Net Positive
Becoming Net Positive means reducing our carbon emissions, 
water demand and resource-use to less than zero. This is the most 
significant contribution we can make as a business to tackle climate 
change. Being one of the first to make that commitment undeniably 
makes it more challenging to achieve as we are developing solutions 
that others can follow. However, it also makes it more powerful as 
the earlier global reductions in environmental impacts are made, 
the more effective they are, particularly for carbon emissions. 

This is a major challenge. Our carbon footprint from the areas we 
control across our assets was calculated as 30,500 tCO2e at the end 
of 2015. At the end of 2019 this footprint is 14,600 tonnes, a 52% 
decline. Additional projects with our tenants, suppliers and 
colleagues have reduced emissions by a further 1,661 tonnes, 
bringing our 2019 Net Positive carbon emissions footprint to 
approximately 13,000 tonnes CO2e. In the UK and Ireland this has 
been supported by improvements in the carbon efficiency of the 
electricity grid. In France this has not been the case. 

This reduction excludes the impact of our clean electricity contracts 
and it has been achieved through:

1.  Introduction of energy efficiency initiatives across our assets. Energy 

intensity of the portfolio has fallen by 42% over the same period

2. Investment in onsite renewable energy generation. We now have 
1.9MWp renewable electricity capacity and generated 1.1MWH 
clean electricity in 2019. 

3. Engagement with retailers to reduce energy demand in their space 

within our assets. We have helped reduced retailer carbon 
emissions by over 800 tonnes through engagement in 2019.

4. Engagement with our supply chain to reduce embodied carbon 
in our developments. Our specification of recycled content in 
concrete at the extension, Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy has reduced 
embodied carbon emissions at that scheme by 211 tonnes. 

www.hammerson.com 35

 
 
 
Net Positive 2020

Carbon

What does Net 
Positive for carbon 
emissions mean? 

Our phase one Net Positive carbon 
emissions are calculated on a 
proportionate ownership share basis. 
They include emissions from energy, 
water and waste management at all 
our directly managed destinations and 
our corporate sites, plus emissions 
from our corporate activity, including 
business travel. 

Achieving Net Positive carbon emissions 
will require:

 – reducing emissions from each of 

these sources

 – reducing emissions that are outside 
our control but within our value 
chain, for example supporting tenants 
in reducing the emissions from their 
spaces within our destinations 

 – reducing emissions outside our value 
chain, for example by supporting local 
community carbon reduction projects 

This approach has been developed 
with the support of JLL Upstream 
and our reporting against it is assured 
by Deloitte.

UNSDGs supported by our Carbon targets

2019 Achievements
Our consistent approach to energy management 
and engagement with key stakeholder groups 
has delivered a 32% year on year reduction in 
our Net Positive carbon footprint (5,632 tonnes 
of CO2e) .

Key energy efficiency projects that have driven 
this in 2019 have included:

 – Using smart sub-metering to monitor 
utility consumption every 24 hours

 – LED lighting installations at nine assets 

 – Using carbon monoxide sensors to reduce 

fan running times in car parks

 – These and other initiatives reduced energy 
demand by 10% across our total managed 
assets

2020 Carbon key initiatives
 – Maintaining our focus on energy efficiency

 – Investment in further efficiency 

technologies 

 – Expansion of our renewable energy 

generation capacity

 – A procurement approach that brings 

additional renewable energy to the market 

 – Further work with retailers to reduce 

emissions from their spaces within our assets

36

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Our analysis forecasts that by the end of 2020 
these measures will reduce our carbon 
emissions to an estimated 8700 tonnes CO2e. 
Over the course of the year we will identify 
appropriate offset projects to address our 
remaining emissions. Offsetting is always the 
last option in our carbon strategy but is 
necessary. A comprehensive statement on 
our approach to offsetting is set out in our 
Sustainability Report. 

Chart 10

Net Positive carbon emissions 
(Tonnes CO2e)

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2015

2016

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2018 2019

Phase one Carbon footprint

2015 Baseline 

 
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Net Positive 2020

Resource-use 

UNSDGs supported by our Resource-use targets

Becoming Net Positive for resource-use 
means waste avoided, recycled or re-used 
exceeds materials used that are neither 
recycled, re-used or sent to landfill. 

During phase one of our Net Positive journey, 
the focus is on resource-use across the 
operational portfolio. We calculate total 
waste produced, including that from tenant 
fit-out and ensure we maximise re-use and 
recycling rates. 

2019 Resource-use highlights
 – Working with Globechain to re-use tenant 

shop fits 

 – Diverting clothes hangers from waste for 

customers to re-use

 – Our Recycle to Refresh campaign that 

diverted over half a tonne of clothes from 
waste to local charities

 – Sending 3350 tonnes of organic waste to 
anaerobic digestion, generating 2,000 
MWH of green gas

Our supply chain is also an important 
element of our Net Positive resource-use 
target. By working with contractors to ensure 
key materials include recycled content we 
support the market for more sustainable 
products whilst reducing our environmental 
footprint. During 2019 this led to 607 tonnes 
of recycled content in concrete and steel 
within our developments. 

Chart 11

Net Positive resource-use (Tonnes)

0
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2015

2016

2017

2018 2019

Phase one Net Resource-use footprint

2015 Baseline 

What does Net 
Positive for resource-
use mean?

Our phase one Net Positive resource-
use target includes all waste produced 
from the operation of all our directly 
managed destinations and our corporate 
sites, calculated on a proportionate 
ownership basis. 

Net Positive for resource-use will be 
achieved through a combination of: 
reducing waste from each of these 
sources, maximising the re-use and 
recycling of waste we manage, and 
increasing demand for re-used and 
recycled materials both within and 
beyond our value chain. For example, 
specifying recycled content within 
the concrete used on a construction 
project significantly reduces the use 
of  new materials.

This approach has been developed with 
the support of JLL Upstream and our 
reporting is assured by Deloitte.

www.hammerson.com 37

 
 
 
Net Positive 2020

Water 

What does Net 
Positive for Water 
mean? 

Our Phase One Net Positive water 
target includes all mains supplied water 
demand for landlord services from the 
operation of all our directly managed 
destinations and our corporate sites, 
calculated on a proportionate 
ownership basis. 

Net Positive water demand is achieved 
through a combination of:

 – reducing mains supplied water 

demand from each of these sources

 – identifying projects to further reduce 

water demand from sources within our 
value chain but outside our control

 – reducing water demand through 
initiatives beyond our value chain

For example, our partnership with 
Thames Water at The Oracle, Reading 
has supported 90 tenant water audits. 47 
leaks were identified and an estimated 
2,700m3 of water is now being saved 
each month by fixing leaks, saving 
tenants money and generating vital 
water savings. This partnership also 
enabled us to deliver a water audit and 
efficiency works for a local school, 
generating over 1,100m3 in water savings 
in three months. These savings are, of 
course, ongoing. 

This approach has been developed with 
the support of JLL Upstream and our 
reporting against it is assured by Deloitte .

UNSDGs supported by our Water targets

Clean drinking water is a scarce and valuable 
resource that is widely undervalued in 
developed economies. Our 2030 Net Positive 
water target is for water saved or replenished 
by external projects to exceed water consumed 
from mains supply for our operational and 
development portfolios. Water replenished 
includes reductions in demand from projects 
outside our immediate water footprint. 

This is perhaps the most challenging of our 
Net Positive commitments partly because  
of the low cost associated within this 
essential resource. 

2019 water reduction highlights
An area of focus for 2019 has been improving 
water efficiency of landlord services and 
supporting our tenants by helping them 
understand their water demand. Key to 
achieving this has been: 

 – Accurate metering to confidently calculate 
water demand for our services. We can 
now identify unnecessarily high levels 
of water consumption and leaks within 
24 hours

 – Water metering enabled us to alert tenants 
to unusual demand within their stores. 
We have also continued to roll out our 
handbook that supports our F&B 
operators in being more water efficient 

38

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 – The installation of water-less urinals, 

Propelair toilets and increased rainwater 
harvesting at our destinations

Our Net Positive water footprint has fallen 
by 44% since 2015 saving an estimated 
150,000m3 of drinking water.

2020 initiatives 

 – Extending water audits to three further assets

 – Using smart metering to focus on demand 

reduction

 – Engaging with tenants to support them in 

reducing water demand

 – Extending our rainwater harvesting systems

Chart 12

Net Positive water (m3)

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2017 2018 2019

Phase one Net Positive Water footprint

2015 Baseline 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Net Positive 2020

Socio-economic

UNSDGs supported by our Socio-economic targets

Our pathway to Net Positive for 
socio-economic impacts
Our business has significant positive 
socio-economic impacts on the communities 
where we operate. Our extensive research, 
the True Value of Retail, published in 2016, 
identified the support of 40,000 jobs,  
£5 million in training, £58 million to the 
public purse and strong support for 
enterprise particularly for young people. 

To become Net Positive for our socio-
economic impacts against an already 
impressive baseline we focus on key local 
issues. During 2019 we identified the 
following issues to address at our assets:

 – Supporting vulnerable people in city 

centres

 – Health and wellbeing initiatives

 – Skills development for young people 

 – Employment and enterprise 

opportunities

2019 socio-economic 
impact highlights
 – 596 young people from UK and Ireland 
participated in the LionHeart Challenge 
schools business and enterprise 
programme gaining valuable transferable 
business skills and boosting confidence

 – Our long standing relationship with PopUp 
Business School supported 266 people in 
2019 to develop the skills needed to start 
their own business. High impact, engaging 
workshops over a two week period 
provided participants with practical 
information they needed to get their 
businesses off the ground 

 – Through Key 4 Life Mentoring for young 

offenders, colleagues in Bristol mentored a 
group of young people at risk of  
re-offending. This helped them to 
understand and change their underlying 
behaviours, raise their aspirations, and 
improve their confidence and resilience

What does Net Positive 
for socio-economic 
impacts mean?

Net Positive for socio-economic impacts 
means making a measurable positive 
impact on socio-economic issues relevant 
to our local communities beyond a 
measured baseline.

Through our True Value of Retail research 
we developed a dashboard for each 
destination identifying key local 
challenges. These include, health 
inequalities and lower than average 
educational outcomes for young people. 
By focusing our attention on these specific 
issues we can make a Net Positive 
difference to local people connected with 
our flagship destinations.

www.hammerson.com 39

 
 
 
Sustainability review continued

Stakeholder Engagement
Delivering our short term sustainability 
objectives and achieving our long term Net 
Positive targets requires consistent, effective 
engagement with our stakeholders. Over the 
course of 2019 this has included:

Key outputs

10 key shareholders (37% by value) 
through one-to-one and group 
meetings

Over 200 Brands through our 
retailer sustainability workshop and 
focus on fit out standards

139 Partners who completed our 
Supplier Survey

1000+ community groups and 
local people

100% of Our People

Full details of our stakeholder engagement 
work on sustainability in 2019 is provided 
in our Sustainability Report.

Volunteering hours 

Great Place to Work survey

Community Day 

Community Day Activities

3,232

contributed by Hammerson 
colleagues

90%

of Hammerson colleagues gave 
the business a positive rating for 
our approach to sustainability in 
our latest Great Place to Work 
Survey – one of the highest in 
the survey

280

Hammerson colleagues in UK 
and Ireland participated in our 
annual Community Day

21

community activities took place 
on our annual Community Day

Community day

In 2019, 280 Hammerson employees in the UK and Ireland 
participated in 21 different activities for our annual corporate 
community day. This is a consistently popular and constructive 
day for the whole business, providing an opportunity for 
colleagues to get out of the office and work with people from 
different teams on a completely different set of challenges.  
It is an important annual reminder of the business’ genuine 
commitment to local communities and to making Hammerson  
a great place to work. 

More information on our stakeholder work is available in our 2019 Sustainability Report at www.hammerson.com

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Task Force for Climate 
related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD)
The pioneering work of the TCFD articulates 
the direct link between climate risk and 
financial risk. This has brought the attention 
of mainstream financial institutions to the 
importance of understanding the potential 
liabilities they will be exposed to as a result 
of climate change. 

We have welcomed this intervention as a 
complete endorsement of the proactive, 
forward-looking stance Hammerson has 
taken on climate change and broader 
sustainability issues for over a decade. 
Our long term approach means we are 
advanced in our reporting against the TCFD 
Framework. The table below provides an 
overview of our responses and provides links 
to relevant coverage in this report, our 
Sustainability Report and our website.

Streamlined Energy and 
Carbon Reporting 
requirements (SECR)
SECR has extended carbon and energy 
reporting requirements to an estimated 
11,000 business in the UK. This move to 
expanding a relatively light touch regulation 
is helpful in increasing transparency and  
the availability of data. Our mandatory 
GHG emissions reporting data is set out 
on page 205. Our full energy and carbon 
reporting which covers all SECR 
requirements is set out in our 2019 
Sustainability Report.

Responding to the TCFD Reporting Requirements  

Requirement

Progress

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Describe the board’s oversight of climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

Board level oversight is with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Board.
See page 58 of this report and pages 16-17 of our Sustainability Report.

Describe management’s role in assessing and 
managing climate-related risks and opportunities.

Management is with Group Head of Sustainability reporting to the Chief Executive 
and through business stream leads. See page 58 of this report and pages 16-17 of our 
Sustainability Report.

Describe the climate-related risks and 
opportunities the organisation has identified over 
the short, medium, and long term.

Describe the impact of climate-related risks and 
opportunities on the organisation’s businesses, 
strategy, and financial planning.

Addressed extensively with ongoing monitoring.
See page 59 of this report and pages 18 to 21 of our Sustainability Report.

Addressed through our comprehensive sustainability strategy.
See page 59 of this report and pages 20 and 21 of our Sustainability Report.

Describe the resilience of the organisation’s 
strategy, taking into consideration different 
climate-related scenarios, including a 2o C or 
lower scenario.

Our sustainability strategy incorporates climate risk assessments and is embedded 
within our business planning and management processes. Climate scenario work 
will begin in 2020. See page 64 of this report and pages 20 and 21 and 136-137 of our 
Sustainability Report.

Describe the organisation’s processes for 
identifying and assessing climate-related risks.

See page 64 of this report and pages 20-21 and 136-137 of our Sustainability Report.
Our sustainability strategy responds to short and medium term risks. Work on 
climate scenarios to understand longer term business risks will begin in 2020.
See page 58 and pages 20 and 21 of our Sustainability Report. 

Describe the organisation’s process for managing 
climate-related risks.

We take a proactive strategy intended to ensure early understanding of climate 
risks for existing and new assets, both acquired and developed. See page 64 of this 
report and pages 136-137 of our Sustainability Report.

Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, 
and managing climate-related risks are integrated 
into the organisation’s overall risk management.

Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to 
assess climate-related risks and opportunities in 
line with its strategy and risk management.

Our climate-related risks are managed through our corporate risk management 
framework. See page 58 and pages 20-21 and 136-137 of our Sustainability Report.

See page 58 of this report, pages 20-21 of our Sustainability Report and the 
sustainability pages of our website at www.hammerson.com.

10 Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, 

Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the 
related risks.

11 Describe the targets used by the organisation to 
manage climate-related risks and opportunities 
and performance against targets.

We report extensively on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. See pages 32-38 , 190 and 
205 and pages Sustainability Report pages 81-110 of our Sustainability Report.

See page 64 of this report and pages 14-15, 44-49 and 92-110 of our 
Sustainability Report .

www.hammerson.com 41

 
 
 
 
Our people

Talented colleagues delivering 
our strategy

In 2019, increased investment in executive 
coaching has helped equip senior managers 
with the skills and potential to further 
their careers.

In recognising the benefits of gender 
diversity, and to deliver on our objective 
for at least 33% of our senior managers to 
be women, we launched a Women’s Career 
Development Programme. This is aimed 
at accelerating the readiness of female 
colleagues for senior leadership roles. 
The programme was offered to senior 
professional level women across the 
business. The feedback has been 
overwhelmingly positive both relating to 
day-to-day impact and for longer term 
career progression. 

Over the last couple of years, the 
environment in which we operate has 
continued to be challenging; in particular 
across UK retail and consequently for those 
in leadership positions. To address this, 
a programme was put in place to support 
senior managers in navigating these 
challenges, with a focus on improving the 
leadership and management skillsets. 

Going into 2020, we will continue to focus on 
management succession planning to support 
‘high potential’ employees, developing 
personal development plans, potential career 
paths and promotion opportunities.

Attracting the very best 
We want our people to be impressed from 
the start and our competency-based 
assessments are designed to uncover skills 
and allow talent to shine. Our comprehensive 
processes help us to attract and appoint the 
brightest and the best and prepare our people 
for success. We welcome and fully consider 
all applications irrespective of gender, race, 
ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or 
disability. Support also exists for employees 
who become disabled to continue in their 
employment or to be retrained for other 
suitable roles.

A focus for 2019 and beyond is to attract 
and recruit a broader colleague base from 
non-traditional real estate backgrounds. 
This will allow greater diversity of thought 
within the business, and support the future 
talent pipeline.

This has meant an increased emphasis on 
working with schools and universities, giving 
university and A-level students an insight 
into the business and key departments. 
The focus on this area has delivered work 
experience placements, summer internships 
and the first apprentice joined our corporate 
head office. We continue to support 
apprentices within our flagship destinations. 

Maximising talent 
Hammerson offers personal development 
plans and potential career paths to, wherever 
possible, support and promote colleagues 
within the business. This includes training 
and development to nurture new talent and 
grow future leaders.

Mark Duhig
Group HR Director

Introducing #HammersonLife 
At Hammerson, we create vibrant, evolving 
spaces where people and brands want to be. 
Our talented people do exciting, rewarding 
work that touches millions of lives. 

In 2019, we introduced our employee value 
proposition, #HammersonLife. Engaged 
businesses outperform peers and a strong 
employer brand connects our values – 
Responsibility; Ambition; Collaboration 
and Respect – with our people strategy 
and colleague policies. 

#HammersonLife gives colleagues 
everything they need to live their lives at 
Hammerson to the full and realise their 
potential. It ensures Hammerson delivers 
on its promises as an employer of choice 
and highlights what sets it apart from other 
organisations. Creating a compelling and 
clear employer brand allows us to attract, 
retain and most importantly motivate the 
best talent in the sector; creating teams 
that are proud to work for Hammerson. 

In a challenging market our people are 
more important than ever. We recognise 
that the complexities affecting the wider 
macroeconomic environment also play a 
big part in a colleague’s working world and 
employee engagement and wellbeing 
continues to be an important focus for us. 

42

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2019 Hammerson Colleague Conference

Colleague engagement
We communicate openly and honestly to 
keep colleagues motivated and inspired. 
This is even more important given the 
challenging market. Positive colleague 
engagement is a business and Board priority, 
and to ensure we understand how colleagues 
feel about the business and our culture, we 
undertake an annual independent survey. 

Participation in our 2019 colleague survey 
was the highest we have seen, 86% of 
colleagues took part and the results show 
a noteworthy improvement on 2018:

 – Trust Index Score in UK and Ireland 69% 

(2018: 65%) 

 – Trust Index Score in France 79% (2018: 75%) 

 – Employees state Hammerson is “a great 

place to work” 76%

Hammerson’s first Group Employee Forum 
(the Forum) was fully established in 2019. 
The 12 colleagues on the Forum represent 
the business and reflect diversity across 
location, age, job roles and gender. Following 
initial engagement across the business, three 
key areas of focus have been highlighted for 
2020: colleague wellbeing; communication; 
and culture. The Forum provides regular 
updates to the Group Executive Committee 
and Board, with Judy Gibbons providing 
guidance and additional contribution to 
the Forum to ensure initiatives are aligned 
to the strategy and deliver positive impacts 
for colleagues. 

 Read more about Judy Gibbons’ 
board engagement on page 77

It is vital for colleagues to stay connected 
with the business strategy and understand 
how they can contribute to future success – 
even more so in the current trading 
environment. The introduction of regular 
strategy drop-in sessions conducted by the 
senior leadership team helps to facilitate this. 
Taking place across the portfolio, these 
sessions provide an opportunity for 
colleagues to discuss the Group’s strategy 
and learn about the future direction of 
the business. 

In 2019, we had the opportunity to bring 
many of our people together for our 
Colleague Conference. Hosted in 
Birmingham, the conference gave people 
from across the business an opportunity to 
learn, be inspired and network. Feedback 
from the event was overwhelmingly positive, 
with 99% of colleagues saying that the 
content was relevant and engaging, and 95% 
saying they gained a better understanding of 
what the business wants to achieve. 

The continued effort made to create a 
positive working environment has seen us 
maintain our consistently high level of 
colleague retention, with voluntary staff 
turnover during 2019 reducing from 13.4% 
in 2018 to 10.1%. 

Diversity and wellbeing 
We have long understood and embraced the 
benefits of maintaining and nurturing a diverse 
workforce and are constantly developing our 
strategy to build on the good practices already 
in place. This year, we have implemented a 
number of key initiatives designed to drive 
meaningful and sustainable change. 

For several years, we have run a diversity 
and inclusion events programme, aimed 
at raising awareness around key diversity 
issues. In the past 12 months, the events have 
focused on cultural diversity, combining 
caring commitments with a career, and 
mental health. A significant number of 
colleagues followed up on these sessions to 
make the most of our additional support and 
coaching. These events help us to extend our 
inclusion agenda and to demonstrate our 
commitment to colleague wellbeing in its 
broadest sense. 

We continue to invest in tools to support 
positive mental health in the workplace, 
including an e-learning course developed 
by the mental health charity, MIND. The 
50-minute interactive course, which 
launched in November, focuses on 
understanding and managing mental health 
and supporting colleagues. An interactive 
course has also been introduced specifically 
for line managers. 

Unconscious bias training remains a 
mandatory element of our induction process, 
and we continually review other areas of 
training needed across the portfolio. Our 
comprehensive assessment process puts 
the emphasis on the objective assessment 
of competence for the role, minimising bias 
in our recruitment process and maximising 
our ability to select the best possible talent 
for our business. 

www.hammerson.com 43

 
 
 
 
Our people continued

During 2019, Hammerson signed up to the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark and is 
committed to delivery against the six core principles to drive inclusivity both within the Group 
and across the industry as a whole. Our flagship destinations in the UK and Ireland once again 
supported Purple Tuesday which aims to improve the customer experience for disabled visitors 
across the UK. Corporately we achieved the Disability Confident accreditation.

We continue to partner with specialist consultants to plan and manage our diversity and 
inclusion strategy. In 2020, we will launch a new three-year strategy which will continue our 
focus on gender diversity but also widen our activities to include ethnic diversity and put a 
greater emphasis on wellbeing in line with the focus from the Forum. 

Gender Pay Gap 
For some years, we have undertaken an annual equal pay audit for all colleagues. In addition, 
the introduction of UK Gender Pay Gap legislation has placed a greater focus on pay and reward 
practices. As has been the case since the introduction of the legislation, we are not required to 
report our gender pay gap as neither of our relevant employment entities employs more than 
250 people. However, given our support for gender equality and the importance we place on 
ensuring that fair pay and reward practices exist within the Group, we choose to do so. 

Tables 13 and 14 illustrate the gender pay distribution across our UK workforce and compares 
this year’s results with those published in our 2018 Annual Report.

Table 13

Difference in mean hourly rate of pay
Difference in median hourly rate of pay
Difference in mean bonus pay
Difference in median bonus pay
Proportion of male employees who received 
bonus pay
Proportion of female employees who received 
bonus pay

2019

42.2%
30.2%
73.4%
50.2%

94.8%

2018

43.6%
27.0%
78.7%
56.3%

Variance

(1.4%) 
3.2% 
(5.3%) 
(6.1%) 

87.4%

7.4% 

92.0%

90.5%

1.5% 

The data highlights that the mean pay gap has reduced slightly to 42.2%. The variance in both 
the mean and median hourly rates of pay continue to show a significant pay gap between male 
and female colleagues within our UK business. This is a consequence of male colleagues 
occupying a higher proportion of our senior management roles. As a result of proactive 
measures being taken to improve the gender balance of this population, we expect that this 
gap will continue to reduce over time.

In addition to reporting on the proportion of male and female colleagues in each quartile, Table 
14 also shows the gender pay gap within each quartile. This is important as it demonstrates the 
minimal differentials that exist within the majority of the business and the reducing gap within 
the upper quartile. 

We continue to strive towards a greater representation of females across senior leadership and 
improving the gender split at these levels is a key objective for the business. 

Table 14

Colleagues at Hammerson

Group

553

(2018: 533)

UK and Ireland

418

(2018: 409)

France

135

(2018: 124)

Chart 15

All employees

Male: 255

Female: 298

Male: 33

Female: 14

Chart 16

Senior management 
(excluding board)

Lower quartile: % of male employees
Lower quartile: % of female employees
Lower middle quartile: % of male employees
Lower middle quartile: % of female employees
Upper middle quartile: % of male employees 
Upper middle quartile:% of female employees
Upper quartile: % of male employees
Upper quartile % of female employees

2019

23.2%
76.8%
40.0%
60.0%
53.7%
46.3%
64.2%
35.8%

Mean ‘in quartile’ 
pay gap 

(1%)

(4%)  

(3%)

25% 

Chart 17

Flagship destination general 
managers

Male: 12

Female: 5

44

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
Health, safety and security 

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A safe, healthy and secure workplace is a 
fundamental right for all our colleagues and 
a business imperative. Our health and safety 
(H&S) strategy, which is reviewed annually, 
outlines our objectives to ensure we maintain 
a safe environment for all our colleagues 
alongside brands, supply chain partners 
and customers who work on or visit our 
flagship destinations. 

We carefully monitor our performance through 
our health, safety and security audits, key 
performance indicators, and our governance 
programme, and implement the processes 
needed to prevent incidents affecting people, 
property and the environment. 

During 2019, we moved our data reporting 
onto a new platform. The new system allows 
us to more effectively identify incident 
trends and implement measures to mitigate 
future risk. The platform also delivers 
enhanced visibility to managers on the 
outcomes of health, safety and security 
initiatives and further encourages a more 
proactive approach. This enables us to embed 
H&S even more firmly in our culture. 

Accreditation
Hammerson is proud of its OHSAS 18001 
certification, held since December 2013. 
We receive annual independent verification 
that we are meeting the requirements and also 
conduct regular internal audits and reviews. 

Over the course of 2020, we will transition 
from OHSAS 18001 to the new international 
standard, ISO 45001. This will bring 
synergies with all other ISO accreditations 
we hold including our ISO 14001 accredited 
environmental management system. We are 
currently working to meet the new set of 
requirements and have a target to obtain 
the new certification by the end of 2020. 
Our flagship destinations in France are not 
yet ISO certified and we have a similar target 
to include our French operations within the 
ISO 45001 certification. 

Focus on our flagships
Given the scale and prominence of our 
destinations, we continue to implement 
enhanced training and procedures for our 
colleagues and security partners. Security 
risk at our destinations will be fully 
integrated into our H&S management 
system during 2020 so that all risks are 
effectively managed. The Group Health and 
Safety Committee also continue to audit 
security and crisis preparedness.

We work closely with industry body REVO 
on matters that affect their members, 
including suicide prevention within the retail 
industry. We have been an active part of the 
working group as we have an established 
awareness and mitigation approach at our 
destinations. A Hammerson colleague also 
chairs the REVO Safe & Secure Committee 
where best practice is shared. Membership of 
this group includes the Association of Town 

and City Management, the Home Office and 
Police Authorities to enable alignment in 
responding to security issues. 

In the second half of 2019, we launched 
Communication Plus at our UK and Ireland 
flagship destinations. The new portal 
delivers improved communication and 
feedback between us and our brands, not only 
for commercial aspects but also for health, 
safety and security. This includes offering 
important support for brand colleagues 
working onsite. 

During 2020, we intend to trial the ‘Secured 
Environments’ accreditation at one of our 
flagship destinations in either the UK or 
Ireland. Secured Environments is a police 
certification scheme awarded to 
organisations that implement key principles 
to protect against crime. If the trial 
accreditation is successful, we will adopt 
the principles across the portfolio. 

Spotlight – Flagship 
exercise

Last autumn, Brent Cross conducted 
a Counter Terrorism (CT) exercise 
involving the onsite and head office 
Hammerson team, brands within the 
flagship destination, Transport for 
London and the Metropolitan Police. 
The exercise was the largest form of 
CT training the centre has ever run, 
with over 650 participants. 

The scenario was set up to simulate the 
first 15-20 minutes of a potential attack, 
replicating the minimum time the 
centre would have to deal with an 
incident prior to a full emergency team 
presence. The aim was to put into 
practice the RUN, HIDE, TELL training 
that the centre team, brands and police 
have regularly received. The exercise 
highlighted the importance of 
preparedness, and the benefit of holding 
regular events to test and assess the 
measures we have in place. We will be 
looking to ensure more brands and 
destinations take part in the future. 

www.hammerson.com 45

 
 
 
Property portfolio review

Valuation reductions reflect 
challenging markets 

Investment markets
Investment markets for the Group’s property sectors have remained subdued throughout 2019, with buyers remaining reluctant to invest, 
reflecting a challenging occupational market and the negative impact of domestic and international uncertainty.

In the UK, shopping centre transaction volumes totalled £0.5 billion in 2019, approximately 60% lower than 2018. UK retail yields for prime and 
super prime assets weakened by between 65 and 125 basis points. (Source: C&W).

The French market saw an increase in shopping centre investment volumes in 2019 to €0.9 billion (2018: €0.4 billion). Recent transactions have 
reinforced the widening gap in demand between prime and secondary assets. In addition to our sale of 75% of Italie Deux, Paris for €432 million, 
Passage du Havre in Paris sold for €200 million in the second half of 2019 representing a net initial yield of 3.7%.

Ireland has seen a softening of investment sentiment for retail assets in 2019, although transaction volumes in Ireland are estimated to be 
€0.7 billion (2018: €0.1 billion). Prime shopping centre yields ranged from 4.25% to 5.5% (Source: C&W).

Retail parks investment remains very selective, with buyers favouring smaller lot sizes (less than £50 million) with long unexpired lease terms, 
fixed income uplifts and secure covenants. Transactions in the year totalled £1.0 billion (2018: £1.9 billion) (Source: C&W). Yields moved out 
by approximately 100 basis points during 2019, with London and the South East the least impacted.

Investor sentiment towards the outlets sector remained positive, underpinned by continuing growth in sales and rental income, although pricing 
has come under pressure for non-prime schemes. In 2019, there were five key transactions totalling €0.7 billion (2018: €0.5 billion), with the 
largest being sales of the Percassi portfolio and Barberino Designer Outlet, both in Italy. Yields for the best European centres remain in the range 
of 4.5%-5.5%, consistent with 2018.

Portfolio valuation
As announced at the time of our 2018 annual results, the Board decided to tender the Group’s valuation instruction during 2019. The tender 
covered all of the Group’s properties, except for premium outlets where the valuation expertise is concentrated in a smaller pool of valuers, and 
Brent Cross, where Cushman and Wakefield LLP (C&W) had recently been appointed by the joint venture. The decision to exclude the premium 
outlets from the tender process was based on the deep knowledge of the C&W team, the views of our partners, Value Retail and VIA Outlets, and 
also overcomes existing valuation conflicts with other external valuers undertaking premium outlet bank valuations. 

For the remainder of the Group’s portfolio, C&W were the incumbent external valuer and along with CBRE Limited (CBRE), Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd (JLL) 
and Knight Frank LLP were invited to submit written tender proposals in November. Following presentations to a selection panel, comprising both 
divisional and Group senior management, a recommendation was made to the Board to broaden the Group’s external valuation instruction to include 
CBRE, C&W and JLL. CBRE and JLL will value our UK flagship destinations and other UK properties, JLL will value our French portfolio and C&W 
will continue to value the Irish portfolio, residual UK retail parks and Brent Cross. We believe these changes will provide an increased breadth of valuation 
expertise across the Group. The first external valuation under the new appointments will be as at 30 June 2020.

At 31 December 2019, the Group’s total portfolio including premium outlets, was valued at £8,327 million, a reduction of £1,611 million or 16.2% during the 
year.  At the balance sheet date, the UK retail parks portfolio was reclassified as assets held for sale and impaired to its fair value less selling costs, resulting in a 
£92 million impairment loss in 2019 as detailed in note 1 on page 142 of the financial statements. For the purposes of the Property portfolio review, valuation 
movements and capital returns have been calculated excluding this impairment loss, which was in addition to the external valuer’s valuation. Movements in 
the portfolio valuation are shown in Table 18.

Table 18

Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets

Investment
£m

Development
£m

Value at 1 January 2019
Revaluation (losses)/gains
Additions

Acquisitions
Capital expenditure

Disposals
Capitalised interest
Exchange 

Impairment on reclassification to assets held for sale 
Value at 31 December 2019

46

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

6,831 
(950) 

– 
47 
47 
(621) 
1 
(148) 

(92) 

5,068

648 
(78) 

1 
50 
51 
(5) 
2 
(18) 

– 
600 

Total
(excl. outlets)
£m

7,479
(1,028) 

1 
97 
98 
(626) 
3 
(166) 

(92)
5,668

Premium
outlets
£m

2,459
200 

54 
34 
88 
– 
– 
(88) 

– 
2,659 

Total
Group
£m

9,938
(828) 

55 
131 
186 
(626) 
3 
(254) 

(92) 

8,327

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Property additions
In 2019, property additions totalled £186 million. Table 19 shows the expenditure on a sector basis and analyses the spend between the creation of 
additional area and the creation of value through the enhancement of existing space.

Table 19

Capital expenditure analysis

Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets and 
discontinued operations

Acquisitions 
Capital expenditure – creating area 
Capital expenditure – no additional area
Capital expenditure – tenant incentives

France
£m

Ireland
£m

Flagship 
destinations 
£m

UK retail parks
£m

Developments 
and UK other
£m 

Total excl. 
Premium 
outlets
£m

Premium outlets
£m

Total Group
£m

– 
13 
5 
5 
23 

– 
4 
1 
– 
5 

– 
18 
16 
6 
40 

– 
– 
4 
– 
4 

1 
46 
7 
– 
54 

1
64
27
6
98

54 
9 
23 
2 
88 

55 
73 
50 
8 
186 

UK 
£m

– 
1 
10 
1 
12 

Further analysis of capital expenditure between Reported Group and Share of Property Interests is provided in table 98 on page 196. 

Acquisitions during 2019 totalled £55 million. The principal transactions were:

 – The purchase of an additional 3.125% stake in VIA Outlets, increasing the Group’s share of property held within VIA by £43 million

 – £11 million relating to the purchase of land adjacent to Bicester Village, Oxfordshire and the exercise of an option to purchase land at Kildare 

Village, Dublin to enable future development

In the UK, flagship destinations incurred capital expenditure of £12 million, principally in relation to car park works at Silverburn in Glasgow, 
upgrade and improvement works at Grand Central, Birmingham and capital contributions at Bullring, Birmingham.

Capital expenditure on the French investment portfolio of £23 million comprised space accretive expenditure of £13 million, largely in relation 
to the extension project at Italik, Italie Deux and a further £10 million of renovation works and lease incentives across the portfolio.

UK retail parks incurred £4 million of capital expenditure on the completion of works at a number of parks prior to disposal.

Within the Developments and UK other portfolio, capital expenditure totalled £53 million, of which £46 million created additional area and 
related to the extension at Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy.

Capital expenditure within the premium outlets portfolio totalled £34 million, of which £12 million was incurred by Value Retail and £22 million 
by VIA Outlets. Expenditure creating additional area of £9 million related to the extensions at Hede Fashion Outlet, Gothenberg; La Roca Village, 
Barcelona; and Kildare Village, Dublin.

Disposals
Disposals reduced the portfolio by £626 million during 2019. The most significant transactions were: 

 – The sale of Dallow Road, Luton in June for £24 million, representing a 7.6% net initial yield and a 6% discount to December 2018 book value. 

Hammerson acquired the site in 2002 and subsequently redeveloped it in 2006

 – In October, we sold Abbotsinch Retail Park, Paisley for £67 million, representing a net initial yield of 7.8%. The site was acquired in 2012 for 

£42 million and was expanded by more than 8,700m2 through phased developments, at a cost of £17 million

 – The disposal of St Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester in November to a local authority for £54 million. The sale price reflected a net initial yield 

of 8.5%. We originally developed the site in 2005, and subsequently increased the number of units on the park to improve the brand mix 

 – In December, we completed the sale of a 75% interest in Italie Deux, Paris to AXA Investment Managers for €432 million (£363 million). 

The sale price represented a 4.1% net initial yield and an 8.5% discount to the December 2018 value. Contracts were also exchanged for the 
forward sale of 75% of the Italik extension for an additional €41 million (£35 million) 18 months after completion of the scheme in 2020

 – The sale of Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea in December for £22 million, representing a 28% discount to December 2018 book value due to 

increased vacancy through 2019

 – When combined, these disposals meant that the Group exceeded its target of disposal proceeds of at least £500 million. Since the year end, 

the Group has completed the sale of Abbey Retail Park, Belfast for £33 million, and exchanged contracts on a portfolio of seven retail parks for 
gross proceeds of £400 million. The latter transaction is due to complete in April 2020 and represented a net initial yield of 8.9% and resulted 
in a £92 million impairment to C&W’s formal valuation at 31 December 2019, reflecting the portfolio discount

www.hammerson.com 47

 
 
 
 
 
Property portfolio review continued

Valuation change
Chart 20 below analyses the valuation change for the Group’s property portfolio, including premium outlets, allocating the underlying valuation 
movement between yield, income and development and other impacts.

Chart 20

Components of valuation change (£m)

200

0

-200

(237)

-400

(329)

-600

-800

-1,000

(16)

(29)

(4)

(97)

(130)

(64)

(13)

(72)

(87)

(38)

(50) (23)

(46)

(125)

(119)

11

(1)

(80)

(132)

5

0

190

200

(582)

(616)

(828)

UK flagships

France flagships

Ireland flagships

UK retail parks

Developments
and UK other

Premium
outlets

Group
portfolio

Yield

Income

Development and other

Total

In 2019, the Group’s portfolio suffered a net revaluation deficit of £828 million. This comprised a deficit on the core portfolio of £1,028 million and 
valuation gains on the premium outlets of £200 million.

During the year, particularly in the UK, a lack of transactional evidence coupled with continuing market uncertainty and a weak occupational 
market challenged the valuation process. As a result, the portfolio has been subject to outward yield movements driven largely by a change in 
market sentiment, rather than recent transactions. The other component of the valuation decline was income driven, reflecting the latest 
leasing information.

In the UK, flagship destinations suffered a revaluation deficit of £582 million, or 19.9%, driven primarily by outward yield shift averaging 64 basis 
points across the portfolio. All centres suffered revaluation losses, with yield expansion ranging from 31 to 122 basis points. A reduction in ERVs 
due to weaker occupational demand reduced valuations by a further £237 million.

The underlying value of the French portfolio fell by £130 million, principally as a result of outward yield movements averaging 38 basis points. All 
assets were subject to yield expansion, with the higher yielding assets the worst affected, consistent with the polarisation in the investment markets.

In Ireland, yield expansion of approximately 25 basis points across the portfolio was partially offset by strong income growth at the Ilac Centre 
and Swords Pavilions. Increased stamp duty rates reduced the value of the portfolio by £15 million.

UK retail parks suffered a 14% reduction in property values during the year due to a combination of outward yield movement across all parks and 
reduced ERVs. This excludes the impairment of £92 million recognised upon reclassifying the assets to held for sale.

A deficit of £119 million was recognised on the development and UK other portfolio. This principally reflected revisions to the latter stages of the 
scheme at Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy to change the future tenant mix, resulting in an increase of €38 million to the total project cost as detailed in the 
Operating review on page 30.

Premium outlets continued to outperform other sectors, achieving a valuation gain of £200 million, of which £190 million was attributable to 
income growth. The most significant uplifts were at: Bicester Village, Oxfordshire; La Vallée Village, Paris; La Roca Village, Barcelona; and 
Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet. 

Further analysis is included in Tables 96 and 97 in the Additional disclosures on pages 195 and 196.

ERV growth
Table 21

Like-for-like ERV growth

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets1

2019
2018

UK
%

(8.6) 
(2.0)

France
%

(1.9) 
0.5

Ireland
%

1.2 
2.8

Flagship 
destinations 
%

UK retail parks
%

Group investment 
portfolio  
% 

(5.5) 
(0.6) 

(6.7) 
(2.7)

(5.9) 
(0.9)

1.  The UK other portfolio is not shown above and reported like-for-like ERV growth of -11.4% (2018: +0.3%). 

48

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Like-for-like ERVs at the Group’s investment properties declined by 5.9% in 2019 compared to a reduction of 0.9% in 2018.

ERVs at UK flagships fell by 8.6% in 2019, compared with a decline of 2.0% in 2018. The most significant reductions were at Westquay South, 
Grand Central and Brent Cross, primarily due to lower demand for units following recent tenant restructuring. The reduction in ERVs in 2019 has 
been focused on anchor and MSU space, where ERVs have fallen by 8.4% and 12.8% respectively. This reflects the challenging trading environment 
for many of the occupiers of this space, such as department and high street fashion stores. Our ongoing work to repurpose space to our target 
categories will support future rental values.

ERVs in France reduced by 1.9%, principally driven by lower ERVs on the MSUs at Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy. This compares with a 0.5% increase in 
2018. Les Terrasses du Port continued to be the strongest performer, achieving ERV growth of 0.6%.

Ireland produced positive growth of 1.2%, having generated 2.8% in 2018. A reduction in ERVs of 0.4% at Dundrum, largely due to a change in car 
park ERVs, was offset by positive movements on The Ilac Centre and Swords Pavilions of +4.0% and +6.9% respectively.

ERVs at UK retail parks fell by 6.7%, compared with a 2.7% decline in the prior year, principally due to challenging leasing conditions following 
the tenant restructuring experienced in 2018 and 2019.

Returns
Property returns
Table 22

Property returns analysis

2019

Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets1

Income return
Capital return
Total return 

UK 
%

5.0 
(19.9) 
(15.8) 

France 
%

4.1 
(10.2) 
(6.5) 

Ireland 
%

Flagship 
destinations 
%

4.2 
(7.5) 
(3.6) 

4.6 
(14.8) 
(10.8) 

UK retail parks 
%

Developments 
 %

Premium outlets 
%

Group 
%

6.7 
(19.5) 
(14.0) 

1.7 
(10.7) 
(9.2) 

5.1 
8.2 
13.6 

4.7 
(9.8) 
(5.6) 

1.  The UK other portfolio is not shown above and produced an income return of 5.5%, a capital return of -23.6% and a total return of -19.3%. The combined total return for the UK 

portfolio was -14.6%, with a capital return of -18.9% and an income return of 5.1%.

The Group’s property portfolio generated a total return of -5.6% in 2019, comprising a capital return of -9.8% and an income return of 4.7%. 
The strongest performer was again the premium outlets sector, generating a total return of 13.6%, primarily due to revaluation gains of 
£171 million at Value Retail and £29 million for VIA Outlets.

We compare the individual portfolio returns against their respective MSCI benchmarks and compare the Group’s portfolio against a weighted 
50:50 UK All Retail Universe: Bespoke Europe (excluding UK) All Retail Universe index. These indices include returns from all types of 
retail property.

As the annual MSCI benchmarks are not available until after this Annual Report has been published, it is not yet possible to gauge the Group’s 
comparative performance. The UK MSCI Quarterly All Retail Universe to December 2019 is available and reported a total return of -6.7%, 790 
basis points higher than the Group’s UK portfolio return of -14.6%. The Quarterly UK MSCI index included a total return of -15.3% for shopping 
centres, -12.6% for standard shops and -9.2% for retail warehouses.

In 2019, the Reported Group portfolio (see Financial review on page 50 for explanation) produced a total return of -11.3%, whilst properties held 
by our joint ventures and associates generated a total return of -2.8%. The performance of the latter portfolio was boosted by the strong return 
from premium outlets. An analysis of the capital and total returns by business segment is included in Table 96 on page 195.

Shareholder returns
Table 23

Return

Total shareholder return over one year
Total shareholder return over three years p.a.
Total shareholder return over five years p.a.

%   Benchmark

1.1 
(28.2) 
(26.9) 

  FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index over one year
  FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index over three years p.a.
  FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index over five years p.a.

%

25.5 
13.9 
9.9 

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group’s return on shareholders’ equity was -14.8%, which compares to the Group’s estimated cost 
of equity of 7.9%. The income element of the return on equity tends to be relatively low given the high-quality nature of the Group’s property 
portfolio. The capital element of the return was driven by the portfolio’s adverse valuation movement during the year.

Hammerson’s total shareholder return for 2019 was 1.1%, an underperformance compared with the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index of 
24.4 percentage points as the wider index has seen a strong performance during 2019. Over the last five years, the Group’s average annual total 
shareholder return has been a reduction of 26.9%, compared to growth of 9.9% for the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index.

www.hammerson.com 49

 
 
 
 
Financial review

Focus on balance sheet resilience 

Presentation of financial 
information
The information presented in this Financial 
review is derived from the Group’s financial 
statements, prepared under IFRS. 
A significant proportion of the Group’s 
property interests are held in conjunction 
with third parties in joint ventures and 
associates. Under IFRS, the Group’s share 
of joint operations is proportionally 
consolidated and the results and net 
investment in joint ventures and associates 
are equity accounted and presented within 
single lines in the income statement and 
balance sheet.

The Group has property interests in a 
number of sectors and management reviews 
the performance of the Group’s property 
interests in flagship destinations, retail 
parks, UK other properties and 
developments on a proportionally 
consolidated basis to reflect the Group’s 
different ownership shares. Management 
does not proportionally consolidate the 
Group’s investments in Value Retail and VIA 
Outlets, which are externally managed by 
experienced outlet operators, independently 
financed and have operating metrics which 
differ from the Group’s other sectors. We 
review the performance of our premium 
outlet investments separately from the 
proportionally consolidated portfolio. 

The key financial metrics for our premium 
outlets are: income growth; earnings 
contribution; property valuations and 
returns. However, for a number of the Group’s 
Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), 
we aggregate the premium outlets for 
enhanced disclosure. These include like-for-
like net rental income, property valuations 
and returns and certain credit metrics.

Within the Financial review, the Group 
financial statements and the Additional 
disclosures, properties which are wholly 
owned or where the Group’s share is in a 
joint operation, are defined as being held by 
the ‘Reported Group’, whilst those in joint 
ventures and associates are defined as 
‘Share of Property interests’.

Further explanation of the accounting 
treatments of the Group’s different types 
of ownership is provided in note 1 to the 
financial statements on page 143 and in 
the Glossary on pages 208 to 209.

Presentation of UK retail parks
At 31 December 2019, the UK retail parks 
portfolio was being actively marketed with an 
expectation of transacting within 12 months 
of the balance sheet date. Consequently, this 
met the IFRS 5 criteria of ‘held for sale’ and 
the retail parks properties, together with 
associated assets and liabilities, were 
separately classified as assets and liabilities 
held for sale in the balance sheet. As this 
constituted substantially the remainder of the 
segment, the results for 2018 and 2019 have 
been reclassified as discontinued operations 
within the Reported Group. More detail is 
provided in note 1 to the financial statements 
on page 142 and note 10 to the financial 
statements on pages 154 and 155. As we owned 
these properties throughout the reporting 
period, for the purposes of the Financial 
review and Property portfolio review, analysis 
has been prepared on a consolidated basis 
including the UK retail parks portfolio.

IFRS 16
In 2019, the Group has adopted the new 
accounting standard, IFRS 16 Leases. This 
standard has not had a material impact on the 
Group’s reported financial performance 
and the 2018 results have not been restated. 
Further details of the new standard are 
provided in note 1 to the financial statements 
on page 141.

Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs)
The Group uses a number of APMs, being 
financial measures not specified under IFRS, 
to monitor the performance of the business. 
These include a number of the Group’s Key 
Performance Indicators on pages 18 and 19. 
Many of these measures are based on the 
EPRA Best Practice Recommendations (BPR) 
reporting framework, which aims to improve 
the transparency, comparability and 
relevance of the published results of listed 
European real estate companies. The Group’s 
key EPRA metrics are shown in Table 89 
within the Additional disclosures section on 
page 190. 

For other APMs, the Financial review and 
Additional disclosures sections contain 
supporting information, including 
reconciliations to the IFRS financial 
statements. Definitions for APMs are also 
included in the Glossary on pages 208 to 210.

James Lenton 
Chief Financial Officer 

IFRS loss for the year1

£(781)m

(2018: £268 million loss)

Adjusted EPS2

28.0p

(2018: 30.6p)

Shareholders’ funds1

£4,377m

(2018: £5,433 million)

EPRA NAV per share3

£6.01

(2018: £7.38)

Dividend per share

25.9p

(2018: 25.9p)

Net debt 

£2,843m

(2018: £3,406 million)

1.  Attributable to equity shareholders.
2.  See note 12B to the financial statements 

for calculation.

3.  See note 12D to the financial statements 

for calculation.

50

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Loss for the year
The Group’s IFRS loss for the year, attributable to equity shareholders, was £781 million, compared to a loss of £268 million in 2018. The most 
significant variance was the net revaluation loss on the Group’s property portfolio of £1,028 million compared with a loss of £449 million in the 
prior year. This was partially offset by larger revaluation gains on the premium outlets portfolio of £200 million, £144 million higher than in 2018. 

Management principally reviews the Group’s performance on an adjusted basis to monitor the Group’s underlying earnings as it excludes capital 
and non-recurring items such as valuation movements, gains or losses on the disposal of properties and other one-off exceptional items. This 
approach is consistent with other property companies and we follow EPRA guidance to calculate adjusted figures. A reconciliation of the loss to 
adjusted profit for the year is shown in Table 24.

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Table 24

Reconciliation of loss for the year to adjusted profit for the year

Proportionally consolidated, including premium outlets and discontinued operations

Loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Adjustments:
Net revaluation losses on property portfolio*
Net revaluation gains on premium outlets property portfolio
Impairment losses on reclassification of UK retail parks as assets held for sale 
Recycling of net exchange gain on disposal of foreign operations (net of non-controlling interests)
Loss on sale of properties
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs*
Change in fair value of derivatives*
Deferred tax on premium outlets
Other adjustments

Adjusted profit for the year (note 12B)
Adjusted EPS, pence

 * Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets.

Year ended 
31 December 2019 
£m

Year ended  
31 December 2018 
£m

(781.2)

(268.1)

1,028.0 
(199.8) 
92.0 
(13.8) 
91.7 
–

(3.6) 
6.4 
(5.7) 
214.0 
28.0

448.6
(56.2)
–
(2.0)
64.9
15.3
15.9
13.8 
8.1 
240.3
30.6

Analysis of the Group’s IFRS income statement split between ‘Adjusted’ profit and ‘Capital and other’ profit is shown in note 2 of the financial 
statements on page 146 and further details of the EPRA adjustments are provided in note 12B of the financial statements on page 157.

Adjusted profit
The Group’s adjusted profit for 2019 was £214.0 million, £26.3 million or 10.9%, lower than in 2018. Table 25 bridges adjusted profit and adjusted 
EPS between the two years. The movements in each line are shown at constant exchange rates with the impact of foreign exchange movements 
included in ‘Foreign exchange and other’. Explanations of the movements are provided later in this Financial review.

Table 25

Reconciliation of adjusted profit for the year

Including premium outlets and discontinued operations

Adjusted profit – Year ended 31 December 2018
Net rental income (decrease)/increase* 
Increase in net administration expenses
Decrease/(Increase) in net finance costs
(Decrease)/Increase in premium outlets earnings
Foreign exchange and other
Share buyback 

Adjusted profit – Year ended 31 December 2019

Reported 
Group  
£m

55.7 
(37.4) 
(3.4) 
13.3 
–
(0.1) 
–
28.1 

Share of  
joint ventures  

Share of 
associates  

Adjusted profit  
for the year  

Adjusted EPS  

£m

157.2 
(1.0) 
(0.3) 
(1.9) 
(0.4) 
(0.5) 
–
153.1 

£m

27.4 
0.3 
–
–
5.2 
(0.1) 
–
32.8 

£m

240.3
(38.1) 
(3.7) 
11.4 
4.8 
(0.7) 
–
214.0 

pence

30.6
(4.9) 
(0.5) 
1.5 
0.6 
(0.1) 
0.8 
28.0 

 * Like-for-like NRI for the Reported Group was unchanged year-on-year. Like-for-like NRI relating to Share of joint ventures fell by £9.4 million or -6.8% in 2019.

www.hammerson.com 51

 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Net rental income
Table 26

Analysis of net rental income

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including discontinued 
operations

Like-for-like investment properties
Disposals
Developments and other
Foreign exchange

Net rental income

Reported  
Group 
£m

Share of Property 
interests* 
£m

Year ended  
31 December 
2019 
£m

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
£m

109.2
24.9 
24.7 
– 
158.8 

138.7 
0.6 
10.4 
– 
149.7 

247.9 
25.5 
35.1 
– 
308.5 

258.9 
49.1 
38.6 
0.9 
347.5 

Change  

£m

(11.0) 
(23.6) 
(3.5) 
(0.9) 
(39.0) 

During 2019, net rental income (NRI) decreased by £39.0 million to £308.5 million. This is equivalent to a reduction in like-for-like NRI of 4.2%. 
At constant exchange rates, the decrease was £38.1 million. Proportionally consolidating the premium outlets net rental income growth of 10.8% 
would result in Group like-for-like growth of 0.5%. 

The like-for-like portfolio suffered a reduction in NRI of £11.0 million compared with the prior year, comprising £9.3 million in relation to UK 
flagships, a £0.6 million decline in UK retail parks and the remaining £1.1 million from flagship destinations in Ireland and France. This was 
principally as a result of tenant restructuring totalling £5.7 million across the Group and an increase in vacancy costs of £3.2 million.

Disposals reduced income in the year by £23.6 million. 2018 disposals of: Fife Retail Park, Kirkcaldy; Imperial Retail Park, Bristol; Highcross, 
Leicester (50%); and Battery Retail Park, Birmingham, contributed £20.6 million of the reduction. Subsequent sales in 2019 of: St Oswalds, 
Gloucester; Dallow Road, Luton; Abbotsinch, Paisley; Parc Tawe, Swansea; and the 75% disposal of Italie Deux resulted in a further income 
reduction of £3.0 million compared with 2018. The majority of these disposals transacted in the latter part of the year (see page 47).

Developments and other factors reduced net rental income year-on-year by £3.5 million. This was principally in relation to the development 
at Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy, which impacted the existing centre, and a decline in income at Whitgift and Centrale in Croydon. 

Administration expenses
Table 27

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including discontinued operations

Employee costs – excluding variable costs
Variable employee costs
Property fee income
Other corporate costs

Employee and corporate costs
Management fees receivable

Net administration expenses*

Year ended  
31 December 2019 
£m

Year ended 
31 December 2018 
£m

42.9 
7.7 
(15.7) 
22.3 
57.2 
(8.9) 
48.3 

42.5 
4.3 
(14.8)
23.0 
55.0
(10.3) 
44.7 

 * In 2019, £0.5 million (2018: £0.2 million) of the Group’s proportionally consolidated administration expenses related to the Group’s Share of Property interests.

At £48.3 million, net administration expenses increased by £3.6 million, or £3.7 million at constant exchange rates. A significant factor was the 
inclusion in 2018 of a £1.9 million reversal of the total property return element of the annual bonus accrual for the prior year, where the payout 
threshold was not met on finalisation of the outcome in April 2018. The decline in management fees receivable of £1.4 million was principally 
due to reduced fees receivable at Whitgift, Croydon, and the threshold for the out-performance fee on Dundrum not being achieved in 2019.

As announced as part of the Strategy Update in July 2018, the Group targeted £7 million of cost savings through operational efficiencies  
and lower corporate costs, with up to £4 million of these savings to be reinvested in technology and innovation and the Group’s ‘super events’ 
programme. The cost savings target has been achieved through a combination of Board and management changes and operational cost reductions. 
Whilst elements of these cost savings have acted to reduce administration costs in 2019, the benefit has been partially offset by redundancy costs, 
totalling £1.3 million.

Our accounting policy is to capitalise the cost of staff working directly on onsite development projects. In 2019, £1.8 million of staff costs were 
capitalised on this basis, compared with £1.3 million in 2018.

Administration expenses in relation to discontinued operations are included in the above and totalled £1.4 million in 2019 (2018: £1.3 million).

52

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Cost ratio
The EPRA cost ratio for the year ended 31 December 2019 was 25.7%, 380 basis points higher than 2018. The net administration expenses element 
of the ratio has increased from 11.5% in 2018 to 13.8% in the current year, consistent with the changes in expenses explained above. The property 
costs element of the ratio has increased by 150 basis points to 11.9%, primarily reflecting the impact of the sale of retail parks which have a lower 
cost base than flagship destinations, coupled with higher costs associated with vacancy. 

Loss on sale of properties
During 2019, the Group raised proceeds of £542 million from disposals, or £525 million after deducting selling costs. The majority of the proceeds 
related to the sale of 75% of Italie Deux, Paris for £363 million (€432 million). Other sales included retail parks in Gloucester, Luton, Paisley and 
Swansea. These disposals resulted in a combined loss of £92 million against December 2018 valuations.

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Share of results of joint ventures and associates, including investments in premium outlets
The Group has interests in 16 joint ventures (2018: 16) and the share of the results of joint ventures under IFRS for the year ended 
31 December 2019 was a loss of £423.0 million (2018: £103.7 million loss). From December 2019, the remaining 25% investment in Italie Deux, 
Paris is held as an associate, together with Value Retail (VR) and Nicetoile. The share of results from associates under IFRS for 2019 was a profit 
of £209.4 million (2018: £57.7 million profit). Further details are provided in notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements.

As explained at the beginning of the Financial review on page 50, for management reporting purposes we review the Group’s property portfolio on 
a proportionally consolidated basis, to reflect the Group’s different ownership shares. We do not proportionally consolidate the Group’s premium 
outlet investments in VR and VIA Outlets (VIA). These are externally managed by experienced outlet operators, independently financed and have 
operating metrics which differ from the Group’s other properties. Due to the differing nature of the Group’s control, VIA is accounted for as a joint 
venture and VR is accounted for as an associate.

Table 28 shows the contribution to the Group’s adjusted profit from joint ventures and associates, split between the proportionally consolidated 
properties and the investments in premium outlets.

Table 28

Contribution to adjusted profit

Share of results – IFRS
Revaluation losses/(gains) on properties
Other adjustments (notes 13B/14B)
Total adjustments

Adjusted earnings contribution
Analysed as:
Share of Property interests
Premium outlets

Joint ventures* 
(incl. VIA) 
£m

Associates 
(incl. VR) 
£m

(423.0) 
562.4 
12.0 
574.4 
151.4 

136.8 
14.6 

209.4 
(167.9) 
(8.7) 
(176.6) 
32.8 

1.6 
31.2 

Year ended
31December 
2019 
Total 
£m

(213.6) 
394.5 
3.3 
397.8 
184.2 

138.4 
45.8 

Joint ventures* 
(incl. VIA) 
£m

Associates
(incl. VR)
£m

(103.7) 
255.9 
3.1 
259.0 
155.3 

140.2 
15.1 

57.7 
(44.5) 
14.2 
(30.3) 
27.4 

1.4 
26.0 

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
Total 
£m

(46.0) 
211.4  
17.3 
228.7 
182.7 

141.6 
41.1 

 * Joint ventures exclude the investment in Brent South Retail Park which was reclassified to assets held for sale at 31 December 2019 as detailed in note 10 to the financial statements.

Adjusted earnings from the Share of Property interests reduced by £3.2 million. Whilst the sale of 50% of Highcross into a joint venture in 
November 2018 increased adjusted earnings by £7.5 million, this was more than offset by reductions in NRI across existing joint ventures in 
the UK and Ireland.

Adjusted earnings from premium outlets of £45.8 million were £4.7 million higher than the prior year, or £4.8 million at constant exchange rates. 
Adjusted earnings from VR were £5.2 million higher than 2018, reflecting an increase in operating profit of £7.3 million, driven by the leasing of 
the Bicester Village extension and strong operational performance at La Vallée Village, Paris. This was partially offset by higher finance costs 
associated with refinancing in 2018 of La Roca Village, Las Rozas Village and Fidenza Village. The Group’s share of VIA earnings reduced by 
£0.5 million. Strong trading at Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet and the effect of the acquisition of an additional 3.125% stake in the second half 
of 2019 were offset by higher costs reflecting the internalisation of the senior management team and refinancings in 2018. 

Further details of the Group’s joint ventures and associates are shown in notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements respectively. The operating 
performance of premium outlets is described in the Operating review on pages 27 to 29 and the combined profit contribution is in Table 101 of 
the Additional disclosures on page 198.

www.hammerson.com 53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Finance costs
Net finance costs, calculated on a proportionally consolidated basis totalled £86.2 million in 2019, compared with £132.9 million in 2018. 
£74.6 million related to the Reported Group, £11.4 million was in respect of the Share of Property interests and £0.2 million related to 
discontinued operations as shown in note 2 to the financial statements.

Adjusted finance costs, which excludes the change in fair value of derivatives, debt cancellation costs and other non-recurring items, totalled 
£89.8 million in 2019, a reduction of £11.9 million, or £11.4 million at constant exchange rates. The decrease is principally due to the redemption 
of the €500 million 2019 2.75% bonds in August 2018. 

Interest capitalised on our two Paris development schemes at Italie Deux and Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy totalled £2.8 million in 2019, compared 
with £1.9 million in 2018.

The supporting calculation for adjusted finance costs is shown in Table 104 of the Additional disclosures on page 200.

Tax
The Group has tax exempt status in the UK, France and Ireland, and is exempt from corporation tax on rental income and gains arising on 
property sales. The current tax charge, on a proportionally consolidated basis, was £2.2 million, £0.3 million higher than the previous year.  
The tax charge for the Reported Group increased by £0.1m to £1.9 million in 2019.

We publish guidance explaining the Group’s tax strategy and have updated this for 2020. ‘Hammerson’s Approach to Tax for the year ending  
31 December 2020’ is available on the Group’s website www.hammerson.com. 

Dividends and share buyback
The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 14.8 pence per share. Together with the interim dividend of 11.1 pence, the total for 2019 is  
25.9 pence, consistent with 2018.

The final dividend is payable on 30 April 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 March 2020 and will be paid as a PID, 
net of withholding tax where appropriate.

For 2020, the Board has decided to take a prudent and disciplined approach to dividends, over and above that implied by the disposals programme, 
removing the link between earnings and dividend whilst still enabling the Company to meet REIT and SIIC tax obligations. Therefore, the Board 
expects to recommend a 2020 full year dividend of 14.0 pence, a 46% cut from 2019. Dividends will be reset from this sustainable level from 2021 
onward, dependent on future disposals, rental income, balance sheet strength and the broader market.

In July 2018, the Company announced the commencement of a £300 million share buyback programme, returning proceeds realised from 
disposals to shareholders over a 12 month period. At 31 December 2018, the Company had purchased 28 million shares at a total cost of 
£129 million. The accretive effect of the buyback on EPS is shown in table 28. At the time of the 2018 annual results, the Board announced the 
suspension of the share buyback programme and formally the programme came to an end in July 2019. 

Net assets
During 2019, equity shareholders’ funds decreased by £1,056 million, or 19.4%, to £4,377 million. Net assets, calculated on an EPRA basis, were 
£4,599 million and on a per share basis reduced by 137 pence to £6.01. The movement during the year is shown in Table 32.

Table 29

Movement in net assets

Proportionally consolidated, including discontinued operations

31 December 2018
Property revaluation

Proportionally consolidated property portfolio
Premium outlet properties

Impairment on reclassification to assets held for sale 
Adjusted profit for the year
Loss on sale of properties
Change in deferred tax
Dividends
Foreign exchange and other movements

31 December 2019

Equity shareholders’ 
funds  
£m

5,433 

(1,028) 
200 
(828) 
(92) 
214 
(92) 
(6) 
(198) 
(54) 
4,377 

Adjustments1  

£m

217 

–
–
–
–
–
–
6 
–
(1)
222 

EPRA 
net assets  

£m

5,650 

EPRA 
NAV pence  
per share

738 

(1,028) 
200 
(828) 
(92) 
214 
(92) 
– 
(198) 
(55) 
4,599 

(134) 
26 
(108) 
(12) 
28 
(12) 
– 
(26) 
(7) 

601

1.  Adjustments in accordance with EPRA best practice shown in note 12D to the financial statements on page 159.

The reduction in EPRA net assets was primarily the result of net property revaluation losses, totalling £828 million, mainly in the UK and French 
flagships and UK retail parks portfolios as explained in the Property portfolio review on page 48. 

54

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

  
 
 
 
 
 
Assets held for sale and discontinued operations
At 31 December 2019, the Group’s retail parks portfolio met the criteria under IFRS 5 for reclassification to ‘assets held for sale’ as these were being 
actively marketed at a reasonable price, and management concluded it was probable that the transaction would complete within 12 months of the 
balance sheet date. Therefore, the retail parks properties, together with associated assets and liabilities, were reclassified to assets and liabilities 
held for sale in the Reported Group and consequently suffered a £92 million impairment. As this formed substantially the remainder of the UK 
retail parks segment, these also met the criteria for reclassification to discontinued operations. 

The results of the UK retail parks for both the current and prior year were therefore removed from the Reported Group line by line reporting and 
recognised as a single ‘loss from discontinued operations’ line in the Income statement, with further detail provided in note 10 to the financial 
statements. For the purposes of the Financial review, proportionally consolidated figures include the UK retail parks on a line by line basis, 
consistent with management reporting. 

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Investment and development properties
The valuation of investment and development properties in the Reported Group at 31 December 2019 was £2,099 million, £1,732 million lower 
than the prior year. £523 million of the movement relates to the reclassification of the UK retail parks portfolio to assets held for sale as explained 
above and detailed in note 10 to the financial statements. The movement in investment and development properties is shown in note 13 to the 
financial statements.

The Group’s property portfolio valuation calculated on a proportionally consolidated basis plus the Group’s premium outlets is provided in note 
3B to the financial statements on page 149.

Investment in joint ventures and associates, including investments in premium outlets
Details of the Group’s joint ventures and associates are shown in notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements. Table 30 shows the Group’s 
investment in joint ventures and associates on both IFRS and adjusted bases, split between the proportionally consolidated Share of Property 
interests and investments in premium outlets.

Table 30

Adjusted investment in joint ventures and associates

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Joint ventures*
(incl. VIA)
£m

Associates
(incl. VR)
£m

IFRS investment in joint ventures/associates 
Adjustments (see notes 14C/15D)

Adjusted investment in joint ventures/associates 
Analysed as:
Share of Property interests
Premium outlets

3,017 
70 
3,087 

2,642 
445 

1,505 
150 
1,655 

149 
1,506 

Total 
£m

4,522 
220 
4,742 

2,791 
1,951 

Joint ventures
(incl. VIA)
£m

Associates
(incl. VR)
£m

3,604 
61 
3,665 

3,279 
386 

1,242 
157 
1,399 

31 
1,368 

Total 
£m

4,846 
218 
5,064 

3,310 
1,754 

 * Joint ventures exclude the investment in Brent South Retail Park which was reclassified to assets held for sale at 31 December 2019 as detailed in note 10 to the financial statements.

The total adjusted investment in the Group’s Share of Property interests reduced by £519 million to £2,791 million during 2019. Net revaluation 
losses totalling £594 million were partially offset by adjusted earnings of £138 million and the transfer of 25% of Italie Deux, Paris out of the 
Reported Group, the investment in which became an associate (an increase of £123 million).

During 2019, the Group’s total adjusted investment in premium outlets increased by £197 million to £1,951 million. The increase was primarily 
derived from property revaluation gains totalling £200 million and the acquisition of an additional 3.125% share in VIA outlets during the year 
for £29 million.

An analysis of the Group’s combined investment in premium outlets is shown in Table 102 in the Additional disclosures on page 198.

Financing
Our financing strategy is to borrow predominantly on an unsecured basis under the Group’s standard financial covenants to maintain flexibility 
at a low operational cost. Secured borrowings are occasionally used, mainly in conjunction with joint venture partners. Borrowings are arranged 
to maintain short term liquidity and to ensure an appropriate maturity profile. Acquisitions may initially be financed using short term funds 
before being refinanced with longer term funding when market conditions are appropriate. Short term funding is raised principally through 
syndicated revolving credit facilities from a range of banks and financial institutions with which we maintain strong working relationships. 
Long term debt mainly comprises the Group’s fixed rate unsecured bonds, private placements and secured borrowings raised within certain 
joint ventures. 

Derivative financial instruments are used to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, but are not 
employed for speculative purposes. 

The Board regularly reviews the Group’s financing strategy and approves financing guidelines against which it monitors the Group’s financial 
structure. These guidelines, together with the relevant metrics, are summarised in Table 31 which illustrates the Group’s robust financial position.

www.hammerson.com 55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Key financing metrics

Table 31

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including discontinued operations

Guideline1

Net debt (£m)
Gearing (%)2
Loan to value – headline (%)2 
Loan to value (%) – fully proportionally consolidated 2
Unencumbered asset ratio (times) 3
Secured borrowings/equity shareholders’ funds (%) 
Liquidity (£m)
Weighted average interest rate (%)
Weighted average maturity of debt (years)
Interest cover (times)
Net debt/EBITDA (times)4
FX hedging (%)
Debt fixed (%)

1.  Guidelines should not be exceeded for an extended period.
2.  See Table 107 on page 201 for supporting calculation.
3.  See Table 109 on page 201 for supporting calculation.
4.  See Table 108 on page 201 for supporting calculation.

Net debt

Chart 32

Movement in proportionally consolidated net debt (£m)

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets , including discontinued operations

Maximum 85% 
No more than 40% 
No more than 45% 
At least 1.75 times 

At least 2.0
Less than 10.0
70-90%
At least 50%

31 December  

2019

2,843 
65 
38 
45 
1.9 
15 
1,210 
2.6 
4.7
3.3 
8.9 
73
86 

31 December 
2018

3,406
63
38
43 
2.1 
13 
729
2.7
5.4
3.4
9.5
79
74

3,406

536

3,400

3,200

3,000

2,800

2,600

2,400

174

199

2,843

172

10

110

Net debt 
1 Jan 2019

Disposals, 
net of
selling costs

Net cash
 inflow from 
operations

Foreign exchange 
and other flows

Premium
outlets

Capital
expenditure

Dividends

Net debt 
31 Dec 2019

On a proportionally consolidated basis, net debt reduced by £563 million to £2,843 million at 31 December 2019. This comprised loans of 
£2,897 million and the fair value of currency swaps of £43 million, less cash and deposits of £97 million. 

The Group’s weighted average interest rate was 2.6% for 2019, 10 basis points lower than the 2.7% average rate in 2018.

In the first half of the year, we exercised the final extension option within our existing revolving credit facilities and extended the maturities for 
commitments totalling £320 million by one year from April 2023 to April 2024.

Separately, the Group’s total amount of revolving credit facilities was increased from £1,195 million to £1,245 million, with the new £50 million 
commitment maturing in April 2024. The increase arose when a new lender joined the facility with a final maturity date in April 2024, increasing 
total commitments under this facility from £360 million to £410 million.

The Group’s liquidity at 31 December 2019, comprising cash and undrawn committed facilities, was £1,210 million, £481 million higher than at the 
beginning of the year. The Group’s weighted average maturity of debt reduced to 4.7 years (2018: 5.4 years).

Leverage
 At 31 December 2019, the Group’s loan to value ratio was 38% (2018: 38%) and gearing was 65% (2018: 63%). Supporting calculations are in Table 
107 in Additional disclosures on page 201. On a proforma basis, including the retail park disposals announced in February 2020, the Group’s loan 
to value would be 35% and gearing would be 55%. 

At 31 December 2019, the Group’s share of net debt in VR and VIA totalled £896 million (2018: £900 million). Proportionally consolidating this net 
debt with the Group’s share of net debt and including property values held by VR and VIA, the Group’s gearing would be 85% (2018: 79%) and loan 
to value would be 45% (2018: 43%). On a proforma basis, including retail park disposals, the Group’s gearing, consolidating VR and VIA, would be 
76% and loan to value would be 42%. 

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Debt maturity profile at 31 December 2019 (£m)

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including discontinued operations

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

144

47

2021

2020

99

352

22

422

7
422

345

347

85
298

88
199

20

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

Secured debt

Euro bonds

Revolving credit facilities 

Private placements

Sterling bonds

Unsecured Borrowings and covenants
The terms of the Group’s unsecured borrowings contain a number of covenants which provide protection to the lenders. The financial covenants 
within the Group’s borrowing are:

Bonds: Gearing and secured borrowings
 – Gearing should not exceed 150% for two of the bonds and 175% for the remaining bonds. All the bonds include a limitation that secured 

borrowings should not exceed 50% of equity shareholders’ funds

Bank facilities: Gearing, secured borrowings and interest cover
 – Gearing should not exceed 150%, secured borrowings should not exceed 50% of equity shareholders’ funds and interest cover should be not less 

than 1.25 times

Private placement senior notes: Gearing, secured borrowings, unencumbered assets and interest cover
 – Gearing should not exceed 150%, secured borrowings should not exceed 50% of equity shareholders’ funds, unencumbered assets should not be 

less than 150% of net unsecured borrowings and interest cover should be not less than 1.25 times

The Group’s financial ratios are comfortably within these covenants. The valuation of the Group’s property portfolio at 31 December 2019, on a pro 
forma basis for the disposals announced on 21 February 2020 (the portfolio of seven retail parks and Abbey Retail Park, Belfast), would have to fall 
by 28%, or 45% for the UK portfolio only, to breach the unencumbered asset covenant in the private placement senior notes. Valuations would 
have to fall by 32% (UK only 65%) on a pro forma basis to breach the Group’s tightest gearing covenant. Net rental income would need to fall by 
64% in order to breach the interest cover covenant in the Group’s bank facilities and private placement notes. Further disposals will act to increase 
this headroom.

 In addition, some joint ventures and associates have secured debt facilities which include specific covenants to those properties, including 
covenants for loan to value and interest cover. This secured debt is non-recourse to the Group.

Credit ratings
Fitch and Moody’s rate Hammerson’s unsecured credit as BBB+ and Baa1 respectively. On 28 June 2019, Fitch changed its rating from a long term 
issuer default rating of BBB+ (stable outlook) and senior unsecured rating of A- to a long term issuer default rating of BBB (stable outlook) and 
senior unsecured rating of BBB+. This was predominantly due to Fitch’s change in methodology for calculating the debt: EBITDA ratio which, on 
Fitch’s basis, included deductions from EBITDA in relation to joint venture and associate cash reinvested in capital expenditure and acquisitions. 
On 16 August 2019, Moody’s changed Hammerson’s outlook to negative, noting in their press release the challenging retail environment and 
investment markets, as well as the risk of a disorderly Brexit.

Managing foreign exchange exposure
The Group’s exposure to foreign exchange translation differences on euro-denominated assets is managed through a combination of euro 
borrowings and derivatives. At 31 December 2019, the value of euro-denominated liabilities as a proportion of the value of euro-denominated 
assets was 73%, compared with 79% at the beginning of the year. Interest on euro debt also acts as a partial hedge against exchange differences 
arising on net income from our overseas operations. Sterling strengthened against the euro during the year by 6%, which resulted in modest losses 
to net asset value and earnings in 2019.

www.hammerson.com 57

 
 
 
 
Risks and uncertainties

Our risk management approach

Risk overview
Multiple risks exist in our business and 
are often interrelated, so effective risk 
management is key to support the delivery 
of our strategy (see page 16). Our risk 
management policies and procedures are 
designed to protect the Group’s revenues, 
assets and reputation and underpin our 
business model (see page 6). 

Given the work undertaken during the year, 
the Board confirms that during 2019 it has 
carried out a robust assessment of the Group’s 
emerging and principal risks which are 
presented in this section of the Annual Report.

Risk management 
responsibilities
The Board is responsible for determining 
the Group’s risk appetite. This reflects its 
combined attitude to market, financial, 
operational and reputational risks. Whilst 
the responsibility for risk management 
ultimately rests with the Board, effective risk 
management can only occur if it is integrated 
throughout the business and embedded 
within the Group’s culture and values. 

Chart 35 illustrates the key roles and 
responsibilities for risk management and 
demonstrates the interaction between the 
Board, the Group’s management committees 
and our people in ensuring the Group’s 
activities are effectively controlled.

Risk review process
To support the risk management process, 
the Group has designed a Risk Management 
Framework (RMF), Risk Dashboard and 
Residual Risk Heat Map (Heat Map). 
The RMF documents the significant risks 
impacting the Group and includes mitigating 
factors/actions and management 
responsibility and is summarised on pages 60 
to 64. The RMF enables the Board to assess 
the level of residual risk relative to its risk 
appetite. Where residual risk levels are 
deemed too high, additional mitigating actions 
are agreed to reduce the future risk level back 
in line with the Group’s risk appetite. 

The RMF is also used to determine the 
Group’s annual internal audit plan (see page 
87) which is structured to ensure an 
appropriate coverage of the Group’s principal 
risks. The internal audit plan is also designed 
to review risks which have not been subject 
to recent audit, emerging risks or areas of risk 
where there has been significant change. 
For example, in 2019, the plan included 
reviews of GDPR and Cyber Security.

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Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

The Risk Dashboard is updated quarterly 
and contains current and forward-looking 
metrics for each of the Group’s principal 
risks. The Heat Map (shown on Chart 34) 
indicates the Board’s assessment of residual 
risk relative to its risk appetite and changes 
to this assessment during the year.

These risk tools are reviewed at each  
Audit Committee and Risk and Controls 
Committee meeting. They are also regularly 
reviewed at Group Executive Committee  
and divisional management meetings. 
This process helps identify new or emerging 
risks, considers the relevant timescale for 
assessing different risks, and ensures the 
RMF accurately reflects mitigating factors 
and actions to support the Board’s residual 
risk assessment. 

Risks were also reviewed and discussed at the 
2019 Board Strategy Day and factored into 
the Group’s five-year 2020 Business Plan. 

Chart 34

Residual Risk Heat Map

Risk assessment during 2019
The general risk environment in which the 
Group operates has heightened during 2019. 
This was largely due to uncertainty associated 
with the future impact of the UK’s exit from 
the EU, the further deterioration in the UK 
retail market and weaker investment markets. 
This risk assessment is also consistent with 
the property and retail markets conditions 
explained on page 14. Achieving the Group’s 
strategic priorities (see page 16) will reduce 
the overall level of residual risk, in particular, 
disposals will reduce debt and strengthen the 
Group’s balance sheet.

Through its risk assessment process in 2019 
the Board has not identified any new principal 
risks, although it has decided to rename the 
Environmental risk as Climate risk which is a 
more common name for this important topic. 
Emerging risks associated with cyber security, 
data protection and climate change were 
already captured by the Group’s 10 principal 
risks. However, the assessment of residual risk, 
including the inclusion of emerging risks, 
has resulted in changes to the impact and/or 
probability associated with the majority of 
the principal risks. 

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Medium

High

Probability

Note: Arrow indicates change in risk assessment over the previous 12 months.

Group’s principal 
risks
1.  Macroeconomic

2. Retail market

3. Property 

investment

4. Property 

development

5. Treasury

6. Partnerships

7. Tax and regulatory

8. Catastrophic event

9. People

10. Climate

Risk appetite

Exceeds Group’s  
risk appetite
In line with Group’s  
risk appetite
Lower than Group’s 
risk appetite

The emerging threat from coronavirus is 
incorporated within our Catastrophic event 
principal risk. At the time of writing this 
report, whilst the threat from the disease 
is increasing, cases outside of China remain 
low, although supply chains and, travel and 
tourism are being affected. From a Group 
perspective, this latter risk is likely to impact 
our premium outlets, particularly Value 
Retail. Tax free sales at Value Retail Villages 
account for 26% of total sales, while only 9% 
of total sales come from Chinese guests 
shopping tax free. The comparable figure 
for the VIA portfolio is less than 1%.

The current residual risk assessment and 
movement over the previous 12 months 
for each of the Group’s 10 principal risks 
are reflected on the Heat Map on Chart 34. 
The red-coloured area in the top right-hand 
corner of the diagram reflects an assessment 
which exceeds the Board’s risk appetite. 
An explanation of changes in the Group’s 
risk assessments during 2019 are given on 
pages 60 to 64.

Risks exceeding the Group’s risk 
appetite
The residual risk associated with two of the 
Group’s principal risks have been identified 
as exceeding the Group’s risk appetite: Retail 
market and Property investment. The Retail 
market risk also exceeded the Group’s risk 
appetite at the beginning of the year. 

These risks are closely connected, and are 
particularly focused on the UK. The Group 
strategic objectives to reduce debt, 
repurposing space away from challenged 
retail categories and enhancing experience 
through events and digital innovation will 
mitigate these risks. Whilst progress has been 
made in 2019, further action is required 
during 2020 to reduce the residual risk to 
within the Group’s risk appetite.

Brexit
In January 2020, the UK formally left the EU 
with the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement 
Bill. The UK has now entered a transition 
period until the end of 2020 and must 
negotiate its future trading relationship 
with the EU. Whilst these developments 
have provided some clarity, there remains 
significant uncertainty over the future 
impact of Brexit on a number of the Group’s 
principal risks. The Heat Map assumes an 
orderly resolution to the UK’s future 
relationship with the EU. 

From a risk perspective, the main impact of 
Brexit is on Macroeconomic, Retail market, 
Property investment and Tax and regulatory 
risks. The absolute impact will be dependent 
on the terms of the UK’s relationship with 
the EU. Any significant change, such as the 
inability to reach a trade agreement resulting 
in the application of WTO rules, is likely to 
have an adverse impact on the Group.

Chart 35

Key roles and responsibilities for the Group’s risk management strategy

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We have updated the Brexit review undertaken 
in 2018 to understand the potential impact on 
the Group. As we do not directly rely on 
imports or exports, we are largely protected 
from the immediate impact of the UK’s exit 
from the EU after the transition period ends. 
We continue to monitor the negotiations and 
have plans in place to take steps such as 
increasing stocks of replacement operational 
parts. Our tenants, particularly those who rely 
on imports and exports, or those who employ 
EU nationals, face greater uncertainty until the 
negotiations are concluded. Risks also remain 
over the medium to long term associated with 
the performance of the UK economy and its 
attractiveness to foreign investors. 

The Board, having considered the Brexit 
review, believes the Group’s strategy and 
geographical and sector diversification will 
provide resilience until the outcome and wider 
impact of Brexit is determined.

Climate risk
The portfolio-wide physical climate risk review 
carried out in 2018 was updated in 2019 and 
shows we have very limited short term exposure. 
Medium term risk to 2030 is being mitigated 
through asset plans and longer term risks are 
being reflected in future project design. 

For transitional risk our sustainability strategy 
mitigates short and medium term risks. 
Longer term risk will be reviewed through our 
climate scenario analyses over the next two 
years. Further information is contained in the 
Sustainability section on page 34 and in the 
Climate principal risk on page 64.

Board

 – Overall responsibility for corporate strategy, governance, performance, internal controls and 

risk management

 – Defines the Group’s risk appetite and monitors risks to ensure they are managed effectively, 

including agreeing mitigation where necessary

Audit Committee

 – Reviews effectiveness of the RMF and internal controls on behalf of the Board
 – Monitors compliance with relevant legislation, rules and regulations

Group Executive 
Committee

 – Manages the business and delivery of strategy 
 – Reviews the RMF and prioritises mitigations and resources to manage risk effectively
 – Oversees Health and Safety

Risk and Controls 
Committee

 – Responsible for integration of the RMF throughout the business
 – Monitors compliance with the Group’s internal control systems
 – Manages the internal audit arrangements

Divisional management 
and other committees
(see page 79)

 – Responsible for implementing risk mitigation and monitoring compliance with internal 

controls and procedures at an operational level

 – Reviews the RMF to identify emerging or changing risk trends and recommend actions
 – Oversees UK and Ireland, France and premium outlets divisions, health and safety, climate 

risk, IT, project-level and other specific risk management activities

Our people

 – Our people are key to implementing risk management mitigation and identifying emerging risks
 – Our culture, demonstrated through the Group values of ambition, collaboration, respect and 

responsibility, underpins the Group’s risk management approach

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www.hammerson.com 59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks and uncertainties continued

Risk management framework
Further details of the Group’s 10 principal risks extracted from the Group’s RMF and their alignment to our strategy (see page 16) are shown below.

1. Macroeconomic
Residual risk assessment: Medium/High

Link to strategy

Impact

Probability

2. Retail market
Residual risk assessment: High (in excess 
of risk appetite)
Impact

Probability

Link to strategy

Risk
 – Our financial performance is directly affected by the 

macroeconomic environment in the countries in which we  
operate. Key factors impacting our tenants and shoppers are GDP, 
disposable income growth, employment levels, inflation, business 
and consumer confidence, interest rates and foreign exchange 
movements

 – The precise terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU 

are yet to be agreed. This creates heightened macroeconomic and 
property market uncertainty, adversely impacting the Group’s 
performance

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Diversified portfolio (sectors, geography and tenants)
 – Flagship destinations in the heart of thriving cities 
 – Premium outlets in affluent catchments with strong tourist appeal
 – Monitoring of macroeconomic research
 – Economic review at annual Board Strategy Day
 – Business Plan projections stress-tested
 – Resilient business model and clear strategic objectives
 – Brexit assessment undertaken and ongoing monitoring of 

relationship negotiations

Change during 2019 and outlook
The continued uncertainty over Brexit has hindered the UK’s 
economic performance during 2019. Nonetheless, GDP has grown by 
1.4% (Source: ONS) in the year and the recent decisive general election 
result and approval of the EU Withdrawal Bill have removed some 
elements of uncertainty.

Across the EU, macroeconomic indicators are broadly stable, and in 
France and Ireland economic prospects remain favourable. However, 
the recent Irish election result has increased uncertainty whilst a new 
government is formed.

Inflation and interest rate pressures have eased in the UK and remain 
stable in the EU and GBP strengthened by 6% against the euro in 2019. 
However, markets remain sensitive to external shocks, particularly 
associated with Brexit. 

The Group’s diversification, both geographically and by sector, 
enhances our resilience to external shocks. We remain committed  
to retaining operational and financial flexibility in case of 
macroeconomic weakness, and are pursuing further disposals across 
our portfolio to strengthen the Group’s balance sheet and reduce debt.

See the Letter from the Chair of the Board on pages 4 and 5

60

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Risk
 – We own and operate property in a dynamic retail marketplace 
(see page 14). Failure to anticipate and address developments 
and trends in consumer and occupational markets, such as 
omnichannel retailing and digital technology, will impair future 
performance

 – Retailer profitability, particularly in the UK, is challenged due to 

increased costs, such as business rates and employment costs, and 
the erosion of margins from channel shift. This adversely affects 
landlords through tenant restructuring, demands for rent 
concessions and weaker lease negotiations

 – Changing consumer shopping habits, including channel shift, are 
adversely impacting certain retail categories, such as traditional 
high street fashion. This has resulted in tenant restructuring and 
retailers shrinking their store portfolios, causing an oversupply of 
physical retail space. This hinders our leasing negotiations and 
there has been an increase in flexible leases 

Mitigating factors/actions
 – High quality portfolio of flagship destinations in thriving city centres
 – Premium outlets in affluent catchments with strong tourist appeal
 – Significant diversity of retail categories and tenants 
 – Exit from UK retail parks sector
 – Bespoke leasing strategies to repurpose space away from 

challenged retail categories

 – Deep retailer insight and relationships
 – Clear focus on experience with tailored F&B, leisure and events
 – Dynamic, diverse and multi-skilled internal team
 – Digital innovation strategy to provide detailed consumer insight 

and communication with our shoppers

 – Ambitious Net Positive sustainability strategy 

Change during 2019 and outlook
2019 has been another turbulent year, with further tenant failures in 
the UK flagships portfolio reducing income by £4.1 million. We remain 
cautious about the trading environment in 2020, and are repurposing 
space away from challenged retail categories such as department 
stores and high street fashion. Trading conditions in France and 
Ireland have been stronger, with significantly fewer tenant failures.

Occupancy has been broadly stable in 2019, although leasing volumes 
and terms have weakened in the UK. The retail market continues to 
polarise, with tenants seeking space in vibrant locations which are able 
to support their omnichannel strategies. We remain confident that our 
portfolio of high footfall, city centre flagship destinations will be 
beneficiaries of this evolution. However, this transition will take time 
and there is downward pressure on rents in the near term.

Our premium outlets have again delivered strong sales and rental 
growth. We forecast continued demand for off-price luxury brands 
which will support growth from both our premium outlet investments.

See Our markets on pages 14 and 15

 
 
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Change during 2019:

Increasing

Decreasing

No change

3. Property investment
Residual risk assessment: High (in excess 
of risk appetite) 
Impact

Probability

Link to strategy

4. Property development
Residual risk assessment: Medium

Link to strategy

Impact

Probability

Risk
 – Property valuations fall, adversely impacting the Group’s financial 

Risk
 – Property development is complex and inherently risky 

position and delivery of future strategic plans

 – Opportunities to divest properties are missed, or are limited by 

market conditions, which reduce financial returns and adversely 
affect the Group’s credit metrics and funding strategy

 – Poor investment decisions involving acquisitions and disposals 

result in suboptimal returns

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Board approval for all significant investment decisions
 – Thorough due diligence, research and risk assessment to support 

investment decisions

 – Twice-yearly external valuations
 – Diversified portfolio limits impact of downturn or liquidity 

Major projects have long delivery times with multiple milestones, 
including planning and leasing. Unsuccessful projects result in 
adverse financial and reputational outcomes

 – Overexposure to developments increases the potential financial 

impact of adverse valuation, cost inflation or other market factors 
which could overstretch the Group’s financial capacity

 – Projects require appropriate resource and can be management 

intensive 

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Proven track record of developing successful iconic destinations
 – Low capital commitments at 31 December 2019 of £104 million 

(2018: £163 million)

squeeze in a single market 

 – Development plans and exposure included in annual Business 

 – Track record of disposals averaging over £500 million per annum 

Planning process

over previous four years

 – Board approves all major commitments and performs formal 

 – Exit from UK retail parks sector 
 – Pursuing disposals from across portfolio
 – Properties held ‘ready for sale’
 – Proactive treasury planning to maintain liquidity (see Treasury risk) 
 – Stress tests included in annual Business Plan to assess balance 

sheet strength 

Change during 2019 and outlook
We raised £975 million from disposals over the previous 12 months 
and remain confident on securing further disposals in 2020 to reduce 
the debt and strengthen the Group’s balance sheet. 

There have been few sizeable transactions in retail property 
investment markets across Europe in 2019 with the Group’s 75% sale 
of Italie Deux in Paris and the portfolio of seven UK retail parks in 
February 2020 being two of the most significant. Investment into the 
UK shopping centre market has been very limited, hindered by the 
uncertainty associated with both Brexit and the broader retail market. 

The Group’s properties have fallen in value by an average of 10% in 
2019, which includes a reduction in UK values of 20%. We expect 
further weakness in UK values during 2020 whilst Brexit negotiations 
are ongoing and the retail market continues to polarise. 

Outside the UK, values of the Group’s properties are forecast to be 
underpinned by the continuing low interest rate environment and 
stronger macroeconomic backdrop. Overall, we expect future investor 
demand to focus on high quality assets, which are well positioned for 
the dynamic retail marketplace.

See Property portfolio review on pages 46 to 49

reviews twice-yearly

 – Clear project ownership and resourcing plans
 – Regular project reviews, including project-specific risk registers
 – Projects typically use fixed price contracts and have appropriate 

contingencies

 – Post-completion reviews to identify future improvements 
 – Near term City Quarters schemes require limited capital 

expenditure to deliver

 – Longer term City Quarters and development schemes require low 
levels of near term expenditure to deliver planning approvals and 
offer flexible future delivery options 

Change during 2019 and outlook
The Group’s development exposure is low. At 31 December 2019, the 
development portfolio represented only 7% (2018: 7%) of our total 
portfolio. During 2019 we have had two onsite extension schemes at 
Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy and Italie Deux, Paris. The former scheme was 
revised to ensure it better met the future needs of brands and 
customers (see page 75).

We have progressed our City Quarters concept to bring forward 
development opportunities on land we own adjacent to our existing 
flagship destinations. Over the past 12 months, we received three 
planning consents and are awaiting a decision on The Goodsyard 
submission. 

Given the heightened level of uncertainty, from both economic and 
retail market perspectives, we do not anticipate committing to any 
major schemes until markets stabilise. However, with our joint 
venture partners and other stakeholders, we continue to assess the 
future plans for these opportunities.

See Operating review on pages 30 to 32

www.hammerson.com 61

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks and uncertainties continued

5. Treasury
Residual risk assessment: Medium/High

Link to strategy

6. Partnerships
Residual risk assessment: Medium

Link to strategy

Impact

Probability

Impact

Probability

Risk
 – Poor treasury planning or external factors, including failures in the 
banking market, leads to the Group having insufficient liquidity.
 – The Group’s financial position is unable to support the delivery of 

our strategy

Risk
 – A significant proportion of the Group’s properties are held in 
conjunction with third parties. These structures can limit the 
Group’s control and reduce liquidity

 – Operational effectiveness may also be adversely impacted if 

 – Deterioration in our financial position due to property valuation 

partners are not strategically aligned

declines could result in a breach of borrowing covenants

 – Significant fluctuations in sterling or euro exchange rates, or a 

significant increase in interest rates, could result in financial losses

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Proactive treasury planning to ensure adequate liquidity levels are 

maintained

 – Board approves and monitors key financing guidelines and metrics
 – Annual Business Plan includes a financing plan and associated 

 – Our premium outlet investments are externally managed and 
this reduces control and transparency over performance and 
governance. They also contain pre-emption rights in favour of 
the Group and other owners in the event of transactions in the 
interests of the two investments 

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Proven track record of working with diverse range of partners
 – Contracts provide liquidity for partners whilst protecting Group 

stress tests

interests

 – Capital provided by a diverse range of counterparties (banks, 

 – Annual joint venture business plans ensure operational and 

investors and JV partners)

strategic alignment

 – All major investment approvals supported by a financing plan 
 – No debt maturities due until mid-2021
 – Low level of capital commitments of £104 million at 2019 year end
 – Significant headroom on Group debt covenants. Further details 

of covenants are given on page 57 of the Financial review

 – Interest rate and currency hedging programme used to mitigate 

market volatility

Change during 2019 and outlook
At 31 December 2019, our balance sheet and key financing metrics 
remained robust. Taking into account the 2020 UK retail parks 
disposals, on a pro forma basis, we have significant liquidity of 
£1.6 billion, loan to value of 35% and gearing of 55%. Our average  
debt maturity has reduced to 4.7 years (2018: 5.4 years) and the next 
debt maturity is not until mid-2021. Total debt maturity over the  
next 24 months is £634 million, significantly less than our 
current liquidity. 

Interest rates in the UK and EU are forecast to remain low over the 
medium term and the Group has significant headroom and financial 
flexibility to cope with further valuation reductions. We also continue 
to hedge foreign exchange exposure and, as at 31 December 2019,  
73% of the Group’s euro-denominated assets were matched by 
euro-denominated liabilities.

Nonetheless, given the current and forecast challenges in the retail 
and investment property markets, debt reduction through disposals 
and tight control over expenditure remains the key priority for the 
Group in 2020. 

 – The Group has governance rights and Board representation for 

both its premium outlet investments

 – Whilst externally managed, VIA Outlets restructured during 2019 

to a 50:50 joint venture with APG 

 – Value Retail and VIA Outlets are both subject to local external 
audit. The properties are valued by Cushman & Wakefield and 
are subject to review by the Audit Committee and the Group’s 
external auditor 

Change during 2019 and outlook
Our partners provide capital to support our strategy of owning flagship 
destinations and premium outlets. At 31 December 2019, 72% (2018: 
63%) of the Group’s portfolio, including premium outlets, is held with 
third parties. This weighting has increased further since the year 
following the sale of eight retail parks announced in February 2020.

The increased partnership exposure in 2019 was due to a combination 
of valuation changes across the Group, the disposal of 75% of Italie Deux 
into a new partnership with AXA, and wholly-owned retail parks 
disposals. We regularly monitor our partnership exposure and remain 
comfortable that it does not adversely impact performance or liquidity.

The heightened risk assessment is due to the increased partnership 
exposure in the year. We have stated our intention to achieve further 
cross-portfolio disposals in 2020, which may encompass partnership 
interests, including, as previously stated, interests in premium outlets. 
There is a risk that the structure of individual partnerships, and 
existing pre-exemption rights, may make the disposal process more 
complex and lengthy. 

See Financial review on pages 55 to 57

See notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements on pages 161 to 170

62

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Change during 2019:

Increasing

Decreasing

No change

7. Tax and regulatory
Residual risk assessment: Medium/High

Link to strategy

8. Catastrophic event
Residual risk assessment: Medium/High

Link to strategy

Impact

Probability

Impact

Probability

Risk
 – There is an increasing burden from compliance and regulatory 
requirements which can impede operational and financial 
performance

 – The real estate and physical retail sector has suffered rising costs 

through recent increases in business rates, living wage, stamp duty 
etc. These adversely impact the profitability of our tenants and our 
financial performance

 – The UK’s future relationship with the EU creates uncertainty over 

the future tax and regulatory environment

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Maintenance of our low-risk tax status
 – Regular meetings with key officials, including from HMRC and 

government 

 – Regular tax compliance reviews and audits
 – Advance planning for future regulatory and tax changes
 – Participation in policy consultations and in industry-led dialogue 
with policy makers through bodies such as REVO, BPF, EPRA.
 – GDPR review undertaken in 2019 to assess latest best practice 
 – Brexit assessment undertaken and monitoring of future 

relationship terms ongoing

Change during 2019 and outlook
We believe the Group is appropriately structured to mitigate the 
impact of future tax changes, and we continue to review all new 
legislation. However, the continued uncertainty over future  
regulatory and tax matters associated with Brexit heightens the 
Group’s residual risk. 

Real estate continues to be seen as a source of additional tax revenues. 
In 2019, the value of the Group’s Irish portfolio suffered a £15 million 
valuation reduction following an increase in stamp duty from 6% 
to 7.5% in the 2020 Budget. In 2020, there have been calls for further 
increases in Irish stamp duty, and the recent indecisive Irish election 
result has created additional uncertainty over Ireland’s future 
tax strategy.

We support calls for a review of business rates and wider real estate 
taxation to ensure that taxation is fair.

See note 9 to the financials statements on page 153

Risk
 – Our operations, customer safety, reputation or financial 

performance could be significantly affected by a major event such 
as a terrorist attack, flood, power shortage, civil unrest or pandemic 
disease

 – The wider use of digital technology across the Group increases the 

risks associated with cyber security. Risks in this area are 
continually evolving and internal teams must design, implement 
and monitor best practice controls to protect the Group from a 
cyber attack

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Continuity plans at both corporate and individual property levels
 – Core crisis group for dealing with major incidents
 – Physical security measures implemented and regularly reviewed
 – Dialogue with security agencies to assess threat levels and best 

practice

 – Mock role play incidents to test internal processes and plans
 – Flood defences in place and regularly reviewed (see Climate risk)
 – Insurance cover for terrorism and property damage
 – Third party support and regular testing for IT security
 – Internal communications and training to enhance cyber security 

awareness

 – Internal audits undertaken in 2019 for business continuity and 

cyber security

 – 2020 coronavirus contingency planning underway with enhanced 

operational regime already implemented and communicated

Change during 2019 and outlook
Whilst there were fewer incidents in 2019, the threat of terrorism 
at public venues remains high. Whilst the UK threat level has been 
reduced to substantial, the recent outbreak of coronavirus in China 
(see page 59) means that the residual risk assessment is unchanged.

We regularly review our processes and procedures to counter the 
threat of a major incident. Examples include Core Crisis Group and 
onsite operational mock incident drills (see page 45). We have also 
recently implemented plans to counter the coronavirus threat from 
both an operational and corporate perspective, including enhanced 
business continuity plans. 

The two internal audit reviews undertaken in 2019, whilst providing 
assurance over existing processes, have made a number of improvement 
recommendations. These recommendations will be addressed in 2020 
and will reduce the Group’s residual risk assessment.

 See Health, safety and security on page 45

www.hammerson.com 63

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks and uncertainties continued

9. People
Residual risk assessment: Low/Medium

Link to strategy

10. Climate
Residual risk assessment: Low

Link to strategy

Impact

Probability

Impact

Probability

Risk
 – The Group has a relatively small headcount which could hinder the 

Risk
 – The Group’s operations could be adversely affected by a  

achievement of strategic objectives, particularly in times of 
significant activity

 – A failure to recruit and retain key management and other 
employees with appropriate skills could adversely impact 
performance

 – Market uncertainty adversely impacts employee morale, retention 

and external recruitment 

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Annual Business Plan includes human resources plan covering 
team structures, training and talent management initiatives
 – Succession planning undertaken across the senior management 

team and direct reports

 – Board approval required for significant people-related changes
 – Annual employee appraisal process 
 – Training and development supported and embedded within new 

Learning Management System

 – Employee turnover and engagement monitored
 – Annual ‘Great Place to Work’ survey to record engagement and 

capture colleague feedback

 – Internal diversity and inclusion programme increases awareness 

and fosters engagement 

 – Group Employee Forum established to enable formal Board 

engagement 

Change during 2019 and outlook
People are a key factor in the Group’s performance. We continue to 
encourage and support their training and development. During the 
year, voluntary employee turnover across the Group has reduced to 
10.1% (2018: 13.4%).

Additional employee engagement has been undertaken during the 
year, including senior management strategy sessions across the whole 
portfolio and a colleague conference in Birmingham. Feedback has 
been positive and is further evidenced by an improved engagement 
score across the Group in the recent ‘Great Places to Work’ survey. 

See Our people on page 42

64

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

climate-related incident such as extreme weather, flooding or 
energy supply issues

 – The Group’s reputation and financial performance could be 
adversely impacted by the failure to achieve our Net Positive 
targets or other environmental objectives

 – Emerging environmental regulations and legislation, including 
amended legislation following Brexit or local climate-related 
initiatives, may increase costs or make properties obsolete

Mitigating factors/actions
 – Experienced sustainability team designs and implements our 

environmental and corporate responsibility strategy in 
collaboration with the wider business

 – Management committees monitor key sustainability metrics, 

including progress towards our Net Positive targets

 – Detailed climate risk framework maintained
 – Electricity sourced using green energy contracts
 – Core crisis group for dealing with major incidents
 – Annual Board review of sustainability performance and strategy
 – External assurance of environmental reporting
 – Increasing engagement with investors on ESG 
 – Assessment by external benchmarks such as GRESB and MSCI 

Change during 2019 and outlook
2019 has seen a significant increase in awareness of climate-related 
issues, with an increased number of national and local policies being 
implemented to address carbon emissions and air quality issues. 
Combined with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, 
we have identified that both our transition and physical climate risks 
are rising. 

We have a long track record of focusing on sustainability matters and 
have a comprehensive strategy to address climate change risks. Our 
physical risk review provides asset-level management information. 
This informs local planning and helps mitigate potential financial 
impacts, for example from the introduction of clean air zones. 
However, new policies often provide opportunities; for example our 
investment in electric vehicle charging and the potential to utilise our 
city centre locations to facilitate clean last mile deliveries.

We will address longer term transitional risks through climate risk 
scenario work. This will be initiated in 2020 and inform wider business 
strategy. Climate risks also have implications for our City Quarters 
concept. However, our Net Positive commitment positions us well  
to match the rapidly changing expectations of stakeholders and 
wider society. 

The Group remains committed to becoming Net Positive. Achieving 
these highly ambitious objectives requires collaboration with our 
stakeholders and work has already began in a number of key areas. 

See Sustainability review on pages 34 to 41 and 
www.sustainability.hammerson.com

 
 
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Viability statement
The Directors have considered the future 
viability of the Group, taking into account 
its current position, strategy, risk assessment 
and future prospects. The Group’s strategy 
and business model are explained on pages  
6 to 16. These are designed in response to the 
dynamic market trends in which the Group 
operates, as explained on page 14, to create 
long term value for our stakeholders, as 
explained on page 8.

Assessment of prospects
The Group’s current strategy was announced 
in July 2018. It is subject to regular Board 
review, including at the 2019 Strategy Day. 
Feedback is also sought from the Company’s 
brokers, financial advisors, shareholders and 
other key stakeholders. 

The Strategy Day reviewed the near term 
strategic priorities of strengthening the 
balance sheet, repurposing space, and 
longer term objectives concerning the future 
role of physical retail and the Group’s City 
Quarters opportunities. 

The strategy also formed the basis of the 
2020 Business Plan (the Plan) which 
considered the recent and future 
performance of each of the Group’s property 
sectors. It included macroeconomic and 
property market projections from a number 
of external commentators, including Bain & 
Company, Bank of England, Cushman & 
Wakefield, Oxford Economics and PMA. The 
Plan contained income and balance sheet 
projections, funding plans and portfolio 
strategies, including asset management, 
investment, disposals and capital 
expenditure plans. The Plan also included a 
number of alternative scenarios and stress 
tests. These enabled the Board to understand 
the impact on performance of different 
assumptions and the Group’s resilience to 
external shocks.

Five-year projections were compiled on a 
property-by-property basis using the latest 
leasing data and the key base case 
assumptions included:

 – A managed exit for the UK from the EU

 – Forecast economic conditions, including 
broadly stable GDP growth and future 
interest and foreign exchange rates in the 
UK and EU

 – Continued challenges in the retail property 

market, including further tenant 
restructuring in the UK and outward yield 
shift broadly in line with PMA projections 
for the Group’s flagship destinations

 – Further disposals to reduce debt levels 

 – Financial markets remaining available to 
the Group to refinance maturing facilities 
and bonds over the Plan period

Viability statement

In addition to the business planning process, 
the Board also considers the long term 
prospects of the Group when approving 
significant transactions, including  
disposals, expenditure commitments 
and financing proposals. 

The Board also receives twice-yearly updates 
on the Group’s development opportunities, 
including progress with our City Quarters 
concept. A number of these projects have 
forecast completion dates outside of the 
five-year business planning period. 

Assessment of period
There are a number of factors which 
influence the period of assessment:

 – The Group’s annual Business Plan covers 

a five-year period

 – The Group has a stable, diverse, secure 

income stream with the majority of leases 
containing five-year, upward only, rent 
reviews with an average unexpired lease 
term of 4.9 years at 31 December 2019

 – The Group has diverse sources of funding 
with an average maturity of 4.7 years, with 
the next debt maturity in June 2021 

Assessment of viability
The Plan was assessed against a number of 
scenarios which involved modelling changes 
in property values, rental income and 
disposal and reinvestment assumptions. 
These were assessed against a range of 
potential outcomes and historical evidence. 
These factors are also consistent with 
adverse changes to the Group’s principal 
risks which are most likely to impact the 
near term viability of the Group being: 
Macroeconomic, Retail market, Property 
investment and Treasury risks. 

The assumptions adopted in the Group’s 
‘downside’ scenario included no future 
disposals from the end of 2019, a 5% 
additional reduction in Group net rental 
income, aggressive valuation reductions 
equivalent to a capital return of -20% in 
2021 and reduced capital expenditure plans.

This ‘downside’ scenario resulted in 
significantly weaker financial performance, 
forecast gearing in excess of 100% and a 
breach of the unencumbered asset covenant 
in the private placement senior notes. 
However, the Board believe that the 
probability of extreme downside factors 
occurring simultaneously was low and had 
confidence that there were multiple, realistic 
mitigation actions available to avoid this 
downside outcome. Key mitigations include 
raising proceeds from additional disposals, 
flexibility over future expenditure plans and 
the ability to either raise finance or utilise  
the Group’s existing liquidity to prepay the 
private placement senior notes to avoid a 
covenant breach. 

In addition, absolute stress tests were 
undertaken on the Plan to understand  
how far values and rental income would  
have to decline to breach the Group’s other 
borrowing covenants. The results of the 
calculations for the 2019 year end position 
reflecting the sale of eight retail parks 
announced in February 2020 are disclosed 
in the Financial review on page 57, and the 
Board were satisfied that the Group has 
sufficient balance sheet strength to support 
its viability assessment.

Further factors considered in the viability 
assessment were the diversity of the Group’s 
portfolio by both sector and geography and 
the low level of capital commitments.

Conclusion
Based on the assessment of the prospects 
and viability of the Group, the Directors 
have concluded 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 a five-year period to  
31 December 2024.

This five-year period is unchanged from the 
period adopted for the 2018 Viability statement. 

Going Concern statement
The Directors have reviewed the current 
and projected financial position of the Group, 
including current assets and liabilities 
position, making reasonable assumptions 
about future trading performance, property 
valuations and capital expenditure plans.  
The review considered the Group’s current 
liquidity position, current assets and 
liabilities, its debt maturity profile, future 
commitments and forecast cash flows.

Based on this review, the Directors are  
able to conclude that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the  
Group have adequate resources to continue  
in operational existence for at least the  
next 12 months, and continue to adopt  
the going concern basis in preparing the 
financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2019.

2019 Strategic Report
Pages 1 to 65 of this Annual Report constitute 
the Strategic Report which was approved 
and signed on behalf of the Board on 
25 February 2020.

David Atkins
Director

James Lenton
Director 

www.hammerson.com 65

 
 
 
Corporate Governance report

Overseeing 
the strategy

Strengthening the balance sheet and building the right team  
to drive our strategy forward

Dear Shareholders

I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Governance report for 2019. This year for 
the first time, the Company is reporting 
against the principles of the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the Code) 
which was published in July 2018 by the 
Financial Reporting Council. The purpose 
of the Code is to require companies to be 
transparent and to promote the highest 
ethical standards for UK listed businesses. 
We have decided to explain the Company’s 
compliance with the Code by reporting 
against each of the five main sections of 
the Code: Board Leadership and Company 
Purpose; Division of Responsibilities; 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation; 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control; and 
Remuneration. The Company has complied 
in full with the provisions of the Code 
during 2019.

Against the background of the continued 
challenging retail market, particularly in the 
UK, the Board has concentrated on delivering 
our strategy and strengthening the balance 
sheet. More information on our strategy is 
set out on pages 16 and 17. The Investment 
and Disposal Committee was set up early 
in the year to oversee the Board’s acquisition 
and disposal programme in a difficult 
investment market. The Committee’s first 
report is set out on page 73. 

Board and senior management 
changes
To help position the Company for the future, 
the Board has appointed three new  
Non-Executive Directors during the year. 
The recruitment process is explained in more 
detail in the report of the Nomination 
Committee on page 80.

As stated in the 2018 Annual Report, Carol 
Welch joined the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director on 1 March 2019 and we intended 
to appoint two further Non-Executive 
Directors to the Board during the year.  
I am delighted, therefore, that Adam Metz 
and Méka Brunel joined on 22 July 2019 
and 1 December 2019, respectively. 

Adam Metz has comprehensive experience 
in the retail and commercial real estate 
sector serving in executive and non-executive 
positions with major US companies with 
assets in the US, Europe and Asia. 

Méka Brunel is the chief executive of Gecina, 
which owns a substantial portfolio of French 
office and residential assets. She has had a 
long career in the European real estate 
sector, focusing on commercial and 
residential assets. 

As the Group holds nearly half of its portfolio 
outside of the UK and looks to progress its 
City Quarters concept, Adam and Méka’s 
broad sectoral and international real estate 
experience will be valuable as the Board 
seeks to deliver the strategy and take 
advantage of new opportunities in the wider 
real estate market.

Judy Gibbons will not be seeking re-election 
at the 2020 AGM, having served nine years 
as a Non-Executive Director. Throughout her 
tenure, Judy has made a valuable contribution 
to the Board and we would like to thank her 
and wish her every success in the future.

In May, we announced that Timon Drakesmith, 
the Chief Financial Officer and Managing 
Director, Premium outlets, had decided to 
resign from the Company after eight years. 
He resigned as an Executive Director on 
1 October 2019 and left the Company in 
November, having completed a handover 
to his successor as Chief Financial Officer, 

66

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

James Lenton. I would like to thank Timon 
for the very significant contribution that he 
has made to the Board and to the wider Group. 

James Lenton joined the Board on  
16 September 2019 as an Executive Director 
and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer 
on 1 October 2019. James was previously 
chief financial officer and a board member 
of AIG’s European Group. 

Simon Travis, a member of the Group 
Executive Committee, has taken on 
responsibility for Premium outlets and is 
now Group Investment Director and 
Managing Director, Premium outlets. 

After 10 years with the Company, Sarah 
Booth is retiring as General Counsel and 
Company Secretary at the end of April 2020. 
I would like to thank Sarah for her significant 
contribution to the Board and the Group and 
wish her well in the future.

Alice Darwall will be joining as our new 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
on 2 March 2020. Following a handover, 
Alice will be formally appointed as Company 
Secretary and take her position on the Group 
Executive Committee on  
30 March 2020.

Board effectiveness review
This year’s Board effectiveness review was 
undertaken by an external consultant. I am 
pleased to confirm that the Board continues 
to work effectively and has the right skills and 
experience to support the Group. More 
details about the review and the main 
findings of the review are set out on page 84.

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Hammerson plc Board of Directors

Awards
I am very pleased that the Company won 
the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and 
Administrators (ICSA) award for the best 
Annual Report of the year in the FTSE 250 
category for our 2018 Annual Report. The 
annual ICSA awards recognise excellence 
in governance and reporting. Winning 
the award for a second year in a row is a 
testament to the hard work of the team 
in preparing high-quality and detailed 
shareholder reports that provide clear and 
detailed explanation, in particular, of our 
governance and risk management processes. 

Committed colleagues
Despite the challenges of the past year, my 
fellow Directors, management and colleagues 
have remained focused and positive. I would 
like to pay tribute to their continued drive 
and enthusiasm as we strive to face the 
complexities of our sector in 2020 and beyond.

David Tyler
Chair of the Board

Advisors
The Board undertook a tender of the Group’s 
valuation instruction during 2019. Further 
explanation of the tender process and the 
outcome can be found in Property portfolio 
review on page 46.

Stakeholder views
Engagement with our stakeholders remains 
an important task for the Group and assists 
us in understanding their views. Our 
stakeholders’ views are a key consideration 
for the Board when making business 
decisions. More information on how the 
Board considers stakeholders is on pages 
74 to 75, and details of engagement with 
shareholders are on page 76 and with 
colleagues on page 77. 

Summary of the Corporate Governance Report
Contents
Code Section

Board Leadership and Purpose

Division of Responsibilities 
Composition, Succession and 
Evaluation

Audit, Risk and Internal 
Control
Remuneration

 – Board of Directors
 – Purpose and Strategy
 – Investment and Disposal Committee Report
 – Engagement with stakeholders and case study
 – Shareholder Relations
 – Culture and Colleague Engagement
 – Governance Structure
 – Nomination Committee Report
 – Relevant skills and experience on the Board
 – Board and Committee meetings attendance
 – Board effectiveness review 2019
 – Audit Committee Report
 – Risk and internal control
 – Chair’s annual statement
 – Directors’ Remuneration Policy
 – Annual Remuneration Report

Page

68-70
 71-72
 73
 74-75
 76
 77
78-79 
80-83
81
 83
 84
85-88
86-87 
89-92
93-104
105-122 

UK Corporate 
Governance Code

The Company has complied in full 
during 2019 with the provisions of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. 
The Code is available on the website of 
the Financial Reporting Council at 
www.frc.org.uk.

www.hammerson.com 67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose

Board of Directors 

David Tyler
Chair of the Board

RN

David Atkins
Chief Executive 

James Lenton
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed to the Board
12 January 2013 and appointed as 
Chair on 9 May 2013

Appointed to the Board
1 January 2007 and appointed as 
Chief Executive on 1 October 2009

Appointed to the Board
16 September 2019 and appointed as 
Chief Financial Officer on 1 October 2019

Relevant skills and experience
David Tyler is an experienced chairman having 
served in this role at a number of listed 
companies, including J Sainsbury plc and 
Logica plc. His 45 years’ experience in executive 
and non-executive roles spans the consumer, 
retail, business services and financial services 
sectors. David also brings extensive financial 
knowledge to the Board, as he is a Fellow of the 
Chartered Institute of Management 
Accountants and a member of the Association 
of Corporate Treasurers, and has held senior 
financial roles during his career. David places 
high importance on regular, constructive 
engagement with shareholders and on building 
relationships with his Hammerson colleagues. 
As Chair, he fosters high-quality and robust 
debate by coordinating the diverse knowledge 
and perspectives on the Board. He is committed 
to effective governance, and has served on the 
Investment Association’s Executive 
Remuneration Working Group and as co-chair 
of the Parker Review Committee on ethnic 
diversity. David is also one of the four founding 
chairmen of Chapter Zero, a group enhancing 
the knowledge of non-executive directors on 
climate change and how to respond effectively 
to it.

External Appointments
David is the chairman of Domestic & General 
Ltd and of Hampstead Theatre.

Relevant skills and experience
David Atkins is a Chartered Surveyor who 
joined the Company in 1998. His career at 
Hammerson began with responsibility for 
strategy and investment performance, working 
on a number of overseas transactions, 
particularly in France. In 2002 he took 
responsibility for the UK retail parks portfolio 
and, in 2006, for the wider UK retail portfolio. 
David therefore has an in-depth knowledge of 
the Group’s operations and markets, which 
helps him to lead the business and be a key 
contributor to Board discussions. He considers 
stakeholder engagement crucial and spends 
considerable time talking to major 
shareholders, visiting Hammerson’s 
destinations, hosting colleague briefings and 
maintaining wide relationships in the property 
industry. David’s non-executive appointment 
at Whitbread PLC gives him a valuable 
alternative perspective to his role on the Board, 
and his role on the Board of Value Retail 
enables him to oversee the operation and 
governance of this key part of Hammerson’s 
business.

External appointments
David is a non-executive director of Value 
Retail PLC and Whitbread PLC, a member of 
the policy committee of the British Property 
Federation, a trustee of the Reading Real 
Estate Foundation and a governor of the 
Berkhamsted Schools Group.

Relevant skills and experience
James Lenton is a Chartered Accountant 
with extensive experience in financing, 
capital allocation and business 
transformation, gained through senior roles 
at global financial and professional services 
organisations. From 2014 to 2018 James was 
CFO and a board member of AIG’s European 
Group, where he delivered new profitability 
and financing strategies, and which he 
originally joined in 2013 as deputy CFO for 
EMEA. Prior to AIG, James worked at EY 
(formerly Ernst & Young). In 2006 he was 
appointed Partner, providing a range of 
assurance and advisory services including 
M&A, financing and external audit. From 
2011 he was responsible for developing a new 
global strategy for the Insurance Assurance 
practice. James therefore brings to the Board 
a fresh perspective, as well as his significant 
success in working with and managing 
complex organisations which are 
experiencing periods of substantial change. 
In addition to leading the finance team at 
Hammerson, James is responsible for health 
and safety and IT.

68

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Key to Committee membership

A

I

N

R

Audit Committee
Investment and Disposal Committee
Nomination Committee
Remuneration Committee
Committee Chair

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Non-Executive Director

IA

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Méka Brunel
Non-Executive Director 

I N

Gwyn Burr
Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director

RNA

Appointed to the Board
13 February 2015 

Appointed to the Board
1 December 2019

Relevant skills and experience
Pierre Bouchut has very wide experience in 
both executive and non-executive roles at a 
number of companies in continental Europe, 
particularly in the French and Belgian retail 
sectors, and has worked internationally 
throughout his career. He therefore brings a 
highly knowledgeable perspective to the 
Board’s discussions of our business in 
Europe. Pierre’s experience of managing 
significant listed companies, including as 
chief executive of Casino, allows him a deep 
insight into how strategic changes may affect 
the retail and property sectors. He has a 
strong financial background, having been 
chief financial officer at Schneider Electric, 
Carrefour and Delhaize. He has extensive 
experience as an audit committee chair, 
assisting him to perform this role effectively 
at Hammerson where he encourages careful 
scrutiny of the Company’s controls.

External appointments
Pierre is a non-executive director of Albioma 
SA and GVC Holdings PLC. He is also a 
member of the boards of two unlisted 
companies, Firmenich SA and GeoPost SA.

Relevant skills and experience
Méka Brunel has extensive experience in the 
European real estate sector which, together 
with her knowledge and skills in property 
outside of retail, strengthens the Board’s 
expertise. Méka first joined Gecina, the 
Euronext listed REIT with French office and 
residential assets, as executive director of 
strategic development in 2003. She was then 
appointed chief executive of Eurosic, the 
office REIT, in 2006 and became the 
European President of Ivanhoé Cambridge 
Inc in 2009. Méka returned to Gecina in 
2014, joining as a non-executive director 
before being appointed its chief executive 
officer in 2017. She is a civil engineer, holds 
an MBA from the HEC Paris School of 
Management and is a fellow of RICS. Méka 
has previously served as a non-executive 
director of Crédit Foncier de France, the 
chair of France Green Building Council and 
vice-chairman of EPRA.

External appointments
Méka is the chief executive officer of Gecina 
and chair of the development board of the 
Métropole du Grand Paris.

Appointed to the Board
21 May 2012 and appointed as 
Senior Independent Director 
on 25 January 2019

Relevant skills and experience
Gwyn Burr’s contribution to the Board is 
enhanced by her broad expertise in marketing, 
customer services, human resources, 
sustainability and strategy obtained while 
working in senior roles at major retail brands, 
including Asda and Sainsbury’s. She has a 
particular strength in customer insights, which 
is key as Hammerson develops its brand and 
communicates directly with visitors to our 
destinations. Gwyn has served on the boards of 
a diverse range of companies and has 
experience on other remuneration committees 
both as a member and chair. Her ability to 
consider the consequences of remuneration 
decisions, drawing on her understanding of the 
employee and wider business perspective, 
allows her to be an effective Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee. Gwyn’s extensive 
board experience and understanding of 
different points of view and business 
circumstances underpin her role as the Senior 
Independent Director.

External appointments
Gwyn is a non-executive director of Just Eat 
Takeaway.com N.V., Metro AG and Taylor 
Wimpey plc. She is also a member of the board 
of an unlisted company, Ingleby Farms and 
Forests ApS.

www.hammerson.com 69

 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Key to Committee membership

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Audit Committee
Investment and Disposal Committee
Nomination Committee
Remuneration Committee
Committee Chair

Andrew Formica
Non-Executive Director

NIA

Judy Gibbons
Non-Executive Director 

RNA

Adam Metz
Non-Executive Director 

I N

Carol Welch
Non-Executive Director 

RN

Appointed to the Board
26 November 2015

Appointed to the Board
1 May 2011

Appointed to the Board
22 July 2019

Appointed to the Board
1 March 2019

Relevant skills and experience
Andrew Formica is an actuary, 
having qualified in Australia and 
the UK. He brings deep 
experience in capital markets and 
fund management, including 
property management, and has 
managed portfolios and 
businesses across Europe and 
globally. In particular, he has 
invaluable experience of 
managing complex businesses 
through periods of significant 
change. Most recently he 
successfully led Henderson Group 
plc through its merger with Janus 
Capital in 2017 and then became 
co-chief executive of the 
combined group until 2018. 
Andrew has a strong strategic 
vision and a probing focus on risk 
and internal controls. He also 
contributes helpful insights to 
shareholder relations through the 
differing perspectives gained in 
his various roles of fund manager, 
chief executive of a listed 
company, and past deputy 
chairman of the Investment 
Association.

External appointments
Andrew is the chief executive 
officer and a director of Jupiter 
Fund Management plc and a 
member of the Investment 
Association board.

Relevant skills and experience
Judy Gibbons has over 30 years’ 
experience in digital technologies 
gained in executive roles at Apple, 
Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and in 
venture capital. Her extensive 
experience spans strategy, 
product development, marketing 
and international business. 
She has particular expertise in 
digital customer experience, 
digital media, ecommerce and 
mobile applications, which 
enables her to bring an invaluable 
perspective to Board discussions. 
Her deep understanding of how 
technology can transform a 
business is helpful as Hammerson 
faces the challenges of an evolving 
retail market and shifting 
consumer expectations. Judy 
complements her listed company 
experience as a non-executive 
director with experience gained 
from a non-corporate perspective 
through her work with cultural 
and not-for-profit organisations. 
Judy is our designated Non-
Executive Director for colleague 
engagement.

External appointments
Judy is a non-executive director of 
New York-listed Capri Holdings 
Limited, the global fashion luxury 
group which owns Michael Kors, 
Jimmy Choo and Versace. She is 
chair of Which? Limited and a 
trustee of House of Illustration, 
Nesta and Somerset House Trust.

70

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Relevant skills and experience
Adam Metz has built a very 
successful career in the US over 30 
years and brings to the Board 
wide-ranging experience in retail 
and commercial real estate, as both 
an executive and non-executive 
director. He served as CEO of 
General Growth Properties and 
President of Urban Shopping 
Centres, Inc., two US REITs 
focused on the retail sector.  
He also has extensive investment 
experience gained at Blackstone 
Group, TPG Capital and most 
recently the Carlyle Group. At the 
Carlyle Group, he was a Managing 
Director and Head of International 
Real Estate and also served on 
Carlyle’s Management Committee 
until 2018. Adam has considerable 
board experience, previously 
serving on the Boards of Forest 
City Realty, Parkway Properties 
and AMLI Realty in the US and 
Aliansce, a public company focused 
on shopping malls in Brazil. His 
comprehensive experience in real 
estate investment and strategy in 
the US, Europe and Asia, through 
listed companies and private 
equity, enables him to make a 
valuable contribution to our Board.

External appointments
Adam is a director of the Morgan 
Stanley Middle Market Lending 
Fund.

Relevant skills and experience
Carol Welch has extensive 
experience in marketing, brand, 
innovation and business 
transformation gained while 
working in senior roles at a 
number of international 
consumer goods businesses 
including PepsiCo, Cadbury 
Schweppes and Associated British 
Foods. Carol also has more recent 
leisure and hospitality experience, 
having led the transformation of 
Costa Coffee as its chief marketing 
officer with responsibility for 
brand communication, digital, 
in-store design and the loyalty 
programme. In 2017 she joined 
ODEON Cinemas, a division of 
AMC Theatres, and has initiated 
a strategy to transform the UK 
estate and guest experience. Carol 
brings to Board discussions a 
valuable occupier perspective as 
well as a useful understanding 
of the changing tastes of the UK 
consumer.

External appointments
Carol is the managing director for 
the UK and Ireland and an 
executive on the European board 
of ODEON Cinemas Group. She is 
a non-executive director of Digital 
Cinema Media Limited and a 
member of the board of the UK 
Cinema Association.

Purpose and Strategy

Purpose
The purpose of the Group is to create vibrant, 
continually evolving spaces, in and around 
thriving cities, where people and brands want 
to be. We seek to deliver value for all our 
stakeholders and to create a positive and 
sustainable impact for generations to come. 

  For more information see our 
strategy on pages 16 to 17

Delivering the strategy
The Board is committed to the delivery of 
a clear strategy, underpinned by the three 
pillars of capital efficiency, an optimised 
portfolio and operational excellence. 
The focus has been to reduce debt below 
£3bn, primarily by progressing the disposal 
programme. The Board set a 2019 target 
of £500 million of disposals. In fact, £975 
million have been delivered since the 
beginning of 2019, including the sale of 
retail parks announced in February 2020, 
amounting to £455 million.

Board visits
To support the development and delivery 
of the Group’s strategy, the Board undertook 
visits to Dublin and Birmingham during the 
year. These visits serve an important purpose 
for the Board to provide an opportunity for 
the Directors to meet local teams, see the 
operations on the ground and have 
presentations on current actions and future 
plans. In addition, the Board sees culture 
and values in action in the daily activities 
of colleagues on the ground. 

Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin

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Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

The Bullring Estate, Birmingham

Annual Strategy Day
Whilst in Birmingham in October, the Board 
met for its annual strategy review. This year, 
the discussions concentrated on the three 
pillars of the strategy, including capital 
efficiency, alternative income streams and 
the future of rents in flagship destinations, 
City Quarters, and continuing the Group’s 
leadership on sustainability. 

In preparation for the day the Board received 
a background reading pack which included 
the following information:

 – A background summary of the economy 

and markets in which the business 
operates

 – The economic outlook for the UK, France 

and Ireland

 – Asset performance analysis

 – An update on key retail, shopper and 

technology trends

 – Institutional investors’ feedback from 

meetings held with the Chief Executive, 
the Chief Financial Officer and the Head of 
Investor Relations

The Strategy Day started with a presentation on 
the economic, political and retail environment. 

The Group Executive Committee (GEC)  
and some other members of the senior 
management team joined the Board for part 
of the day to contribute to the discussions  
on a number of strategic options. The Board 
then received a presentation from its advisors 
on the market context for strategic options, 
investor feedback and strategic considerations. 
Following the Strategy Day, the conclusions 
were considered further by the GEC and 
refined for incorporation into the Business 
Plan. The Business Plan was presented to  
and approved by the Board in December 2019, 
and forms the basis for setting objectives and 
bonus targets for 2020.

Overseeing delivery of the strategy of the 
Group will remain central to the Board’s 
activities during the coming year. The 
Directors will continue to evaluate and 
review the strategy in light of market 
developments and the views of stakeholders.

In June the Board visited Dundrum Town 
Centre in Dublin, Ireland’s pre-eminent 
retail destination. The day included meetings 
with centre management, discussions on key 
issues impacting the asset and a tour of 
Dundrum Town Centre. During lunch the 
Board discussed the business and talked 
informally to the local teams and heard their 
views and concerns on key issues impacting 
the business. The asset management team 
gave a presentation to the Board including 
an overview of financial performance, 
progress on new lettings and key initiatives 
for developing the destination. 

The Directors toured the Dublin Central site, 
next to The Ilac Centre to understand the 
proposals to redevelop this historic area 
of Dublin. 

In October the Board visited The Bullring 
Estate, Birmingham.  The Directors toured 
this flagship destination, which has an annual 
footfall of approximately 39 million people. 
The senior management team and local 
colleagues joined the Board to explain the 
current and future plans. The Board then had 
the opportunity to hold informal discussions 
over lunch with the local team. Additionally, 
the Directors visited Martineau Galleries, 
a City Quarters project, which you can read 
more about on page 32. 

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Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

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Investment and Disposal 
Committee Report

Investment and 
Disposal Committee 
members

Andrew Formica (Chair)

Pierre Bouchut

Méka Brunel

Adam Metz

Dear Shareholders

I am pleased to present the first report  
of the Committee. It was established by the 
Board in February 2019 to provide assistance 
in fulfilling its responsibilities to oversee the 
acquisition and disposal programme, to 
recommend to the Board any acquisition  
or disposal above £50 million and to direct 
the allocation of capital in the Group. The 
Committee assists the Board in meeting its 
obligations to set and deliver the Group’s 
strategy. The Committee’s terms of reference 
can be found on www.hammerson.com. 

Investment and Disposal 
Committee members
The members of the Committee are all 
Non-Executive Directors, each bringing 
significant experience in the development  
of strategy, the review and execution of 
acquisition and disposal programmes and  
the analysis of proposals presented by the 
Executive Directors and the senior 
management team.

Actively progressing disposals to build balance sheet strength 
and give the business the flexibility to explore opportunities 
in the market

Investment and Disposal 
Committee meetings
The terms of reference require that the 
Committee shall meet at least six times each 
year. In 2019, the Committee met five times 
as the meetings did not commence until April.  
I confirm that the Committee will have a 
minimum of six meetings per annum from 
2020 onwards. The agenda for each meeting 
reflects the status of investment and disposal 
projects under consideration by management. 
In addition to the members of the Committee, 
the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive, 
the Chief Financial Officer and other 
Non-Executive Directors are invited to attend 
meetings when appropriate, together with 
members of the senior management team. 

The Committee considers progress by 
reviewing written reports and also receives 
updates from management on the 
investment market. It discusses proposals 
for acquisitions and disposals and agrees any 
targets for inclusion in the Business Plan. 
Any recommendations to proceed with 
specific projects valued over £50 million are 
then made to the Board for final approval. 
A verbal update on the Committee’s meetings 
are given at the next meeting of the Board.

Key areas of focus in 2019
During the year, the Committee 
concentrated on delivering the disposal 
target of £500 million. It oversaw the 
negotiations with AXA Investment Managers 
– Real Estate (AXA) for the sale of a 75% 
interest in Italie Deux, Paris 13ème and the 
forward sale of 75% of the Italik extension 
for a total of €473 million, which was agreed 
in July. In addition, the Committee oversaw 
the progress on exiting all of the Group’s 
interests in the UK retail parks. In 2019, 
we announced that Abbotsinch Retail Park, 
Paisley, was sold for £67 million and 
St Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester,  
was sold for £54 million. In February 2020, 

we announced the disposal of a portfolio of 
retail parks, and the sale of Abbey Retail Park, 
Belfast, and Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea. 
This has meant total disposals since the 
beginning of 2019 have totalled £975 million.

I look forward to meeting shareholders at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting when 
I will be happy to answer any questions on 
this report.

Andrew Formica
Chair of the Investment and Disposal 
Committee

Sale of 75% of Italie 
Deux, Paris 13ème

During the year, the Investment and 
Disposal Committee oversaw the 
negotiations with AXA for the sale 
of 75% of Italie Deux, Paris 13ème. The 
Committee reviewed the contemplated 
structure of the transaction which 
involved the payment of cash 
consideration by AXA and the formation 
of a new associate structure, of which 
25% would be held by the Group. 
The impact of the transaction on the 
value of the Group’s property portfolio 
was reviewed, following advice from the 
valuers. The Committee also discussed 
the tax implications of the deal. 

The Committee reviewed the status 
of the Italik extension for the purposes 
of how to include it in the transaction. 
It considered the implications of 
delaying the completion of the sale of 
75% of the asset to AXA, 18 months 
after the development work is finished. 

www.hammerson.com 73

 
 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Engagement  
with stakeholders

We seek to deliver value for all our shareholders. 
The Board is also aware that its actions and 
decisions impact our stakeholders and the 
communities in which we operate. Effective 
engagement with stakeholders is important 
to the Board as it strengthens the business 
and helps to deliver a positive result for all 
our stakeholder groups. 

In order to comply with Section 172 of the 
Companies Act, the Board is required to take 
into consideration the interests of stakeholders 
and include a statement setting out the way 
in which Directors have discharged this duty 
during the year. The Group’s stakeholders 
are identified on page 7 of the Strategic 
Report and the statement of compliance 
with Section 172 is set out on page 9. 

Consideration of stakeholders’ 
views
The Board has determined that the Group’s 
stakeholders are: 

 – Shareholders

 – Brands 

 – Consumers

 – Partners 

 – Communities

 – Our people

The Board seeks to understand the needs  
and the key areas of interest of each 
stakeholder group and consider them during 
deliberations and as part of the decision 
making process. It reviews the long term 
consequences of decisions on each 
stakeholder group by ensuring the Group 
builds and nurtures strong working 
relationships with our shareholders, tenants, 
suppliers, joint venture partners, capital 
providers, consumers, the wider community 
and government agencies which are important 
to the success of the Group. It does this by 
overseeing the work undertaken by 
management to maintain and seek to enhance 
these relationships. The Board receives 
detailed reports and when relevant these 
include assessments of the impact of a 
proposal or project on stakeholders, and if 
required, the Directors receive appropriate 
input from the senior management team. 

74

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

The Board is responsible for ensuring that an 
effective policy of engagement is undertaken 
within the business. The Board engages  
with our stakeholders on a regular basis. 
More information on the wider Group 
engagement with stakeholders can be found 
on pages 8 to 9.

Board engagement with 
stakeholders in 2019

Shareholders

A key activity during the year for the Board  
is investor relations. The Directors consider 
the views of shareholders as part  
of its decision making process and has 
discussions with them on a range of issues 
including strategy, governance, ESG and 
remuneration. A report on engagement  
with shareholders during 2019 is set out 
on page 75. 

Brands

The Group’s relationship with its retailers, 
F&B and leisure tenants and direct-to-
consumer brands are important to its long 
term success. The Board receives reports 
from the senior management team on the 
performance of brands, which are discussed 
at its meetings. During 2019, the Directors 
were particularly focused on the impact of 
the administrations and CVAs of certain 
brands, occupational plans and the 
management of the assets.

Consumers

In line with the strategy of enhancing 
destinations to meet the needs of a wide 
range of consumers who visit them, the 
Directors have had regular reports on 
consumer behaviours and associated needs. 
It received a presentation on new 
technologies which would be available to 
assist in counting footfall and dwell times 
of visitors to our destinations, without 
impacting the privacy of consumers. This 
provides useful insights into emerging trends 
at a local and national level and will inform 
investment decisions and identify future 
revenue drivers. 

Partners

The Group’s relationships with its partners 
provides alternative sources of capital  
and expertise. The Board oversees the 
management of partnerships and 
relationships including Value Retail and  
VIA Outlets. In 2019, the Board received 
a report on and discussed with our senior 
management team, the views of current 
partners on the geography and asset classes 
in which they had invested.

Communities

Our destinations make an important social 
and economic contribution within their 
communities. The Board manages the 
business to ensure the strong links that we 
have developed with local stakeholders are 
maintained to boost the local economy, 
generate employment and business 
opportunities and encourage additional 
inward investment. The Directors received 
a report of the progress against our Net 
Positive socio-economic targets as part of the 
Group’s sustainability strategy. The Board 
has been updated on engagement with local 
and national government bodies on future 
development plans. The Group’s Charity 
Committee considers donations to charities, 
including local charities, complementing our 
sustainability goals. Read more on our work 
with local communities in the Sustainability 
review on page 34.

Our people

The Board recognises that the Group’s 
culture and values support the delivery  
of its strategy, especially during challenging 
times. There is a programme of regular 
engagement with colleagues during the year. 
The Board also met colleagues as part of its 
visits to Dublin and Birmingham and had 
discussions with colleagues at the Strategy 
Day in October. Our newly appointed 
Non-Executive Directors also met with a 
wide range of colleagues, both in London  
and at flagship destinations across the  
Group, as part of the induction programme. 
More details on the engagement with 
colleagues can be found on pages 43 and 77, 
including information on the new Group 
Employee Forum.

Computer generated image of 
future expected scheme

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Case Study – Extension of Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy

Summary
In June 2019, the Board was asked to 
consider a revised strategy for the extension 
of Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy in north west 
Paris. The project had been originally 
approved in late 2017. The retail market has 
undergone significant changes since then, 
including a shift in consumer behaviour with 
less demand for retail MSUs and a trend 
towards experiential including leisure and 
F&B offerings. The local management team 
therefore proposed changes to the project 
and its design to create areas in the scheme 
for leisure and events and high-quality F&B 
tenants. Furthermore, the Board wished to 
reconsider the design of the extension to 
reflect the rapid changes to consumer 
behaviour which were already impacting the 
UK market. A food hall was added to the mix 
and further improvements to the car parks 
and public transport access were proposed. 
The changes to the project were 
recommended in order to attract consumers 
from a wider catchment area, and to ensure 
the continued relevance and commercial 
success of this flagship destination. 
A detailed paper was presented to the Board 
setting out the impact of the project on the 
affected stakeholders and after debate, the 
proposal was approved.

Background
In 2017, the Board had approved the 
extension of Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy with the 
aim of increasing the number of visitors to the 
scheme. This would be achieved by enhancing 
the destination status of the location, 

broadening the catchment area to attract 
customers who were currently not visiting 
the centre and increasing the frequency of 
trips by the existing customer base. 

Market changes
Since 2017, the retail market in France  
has experienced a shift away from the 
standard high street fashion brands.  
There was a lack of newer and more 
innovative retailers, and F&B and leisure 
provision in the original scheme. This 
would be a barrier to attracting more 
consumers from a wider catchment area.  
In addition, the design of the car park 
would be reviewed to improve access and 
lighting, and to meet growing consumer 
expectations, alongside better public 
transport links to meet enhanced demand.

Stakeholder concerns 
Following discussions with target retailers 
by the local management team, it was 
evident that the configuration of the 
extension needed to be reconsidered to 
deal with changing market trends, the 
expectations of consumers and to better 
serve the local community. It was proposed 
that the extension would include the 
following changes:

 – A 5,000m2 area of the extension devoted 
to events encompassing attractive open 
green spaces, provision for food market 
events, sport facilities, urban farming 
and a play area for children

 – An external terrace for informal 

socialising to include a 2,600m2 area for 
leisure and an enhanced F&B offering
 – An internal 1,600m2 food hall with capacity 
for new and upcoming F&B retailers and 
local producers with a mix of eat in/
takeaway offers tailored to the regular 
customers and local catchment area

 – Enhancing the retail offer to include 
aspirational brands to attract more 
consumers from a wider catchment area

 – Improving access to the car parks, 
including signage from the main 
highway, and providing hubs for public 
transport links

The role of the Board
The Board was given a detailed briefing on 
the proposed changes and considered the 
impact on the stakeholder groups in light 
of evolving market trends and the more 
difficult trading environment for retailers. 
The Board considered the need to ensure 
the extension met local demands for 
community spaces, as well as providing 
brands with the right type and 
configuration of space. It also recognised 
that long term commercial success would 
be safeguarded by the adaptations to the 
plans, although it would increase costs 
in the short term. Finally, the Board 
considered the environmental impact of 
the extension on the surrounding area, 
before approving the proposal.

www.hammerson.com 75

 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Shareholder Relations

There were also meetings in South Africa on 
investor roadshows to Johannesburg and 
Cape Town in March and August, and 
participation in the HSBC Conference in 
Cape Town in December. Meetings were held 
in Europe as part of investor roadshows to 
Paris in February and Amsterdam in March, 
September and November; asset visits to 
Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin in April and 
Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, Lisbon in 
June; and attendance at the Kempen 
conference in Amsterdam and HSBC 
conference in Frankfurt in May. 

There were meetings held in North America 
as part of investor roadshows to Boston, 
Chicago, New York and Toronto in 
September, and participation in the Citi 
conference in Miami in March, the Bank 
of America Merrill Lynch conference in 
New York in September and the Goodbody 
conference in Boston in November.

Shareholder consultation
Between October 2019 and January 2020, 
the Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
conducted a consultation with shareholders 
on the proposed remuneration policy for the 
Executive Directors. A number of calls were 
held with institutional investors to discuss 
the proposals for the new policy. The 
Remuneration Policy will be presented to 
shareholders at the 2020 AGM.

  For further insight see pages 93 

to 104

Corporate website
The Group’s website has a dedicated  
investor section which includes our annual 
reports, results presentations (which are 
given to analysts and investors at the time  
of the full year and half year results), 
regulatory announcements. 

Annual report
Our Annual Report is available to all 
shareholders on the Company’s website. 
Shareholders can opt to receive a hard 
copy by post from the Registrar. 

Statement on AGM 2019 
votes against
At the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) held on 30 April 2019, 20 per cent or 
more of votes were cast against resolutions 
2 and 14. In the announcement released 
immediately following the AGM, the Board 
outlined the actions that it intended to take 
to understand and address shareholder 
concerns and an update is provided below. 

Although resolution 2 (the Remuneration 
Report) was passed with the necessary 
majority, 29.7% of the votes received were 
against. Since the AGM, the Remuneration 
Committee has carried out its regular 
triennial review of the remuneration 
structure and quantum, prior to submitting 
the revised Remuneration Policy to 
shareholders at the next AGM. A 
consultation with major shareholders and 
voting advisory agencies on the proposed 
Remuneration Policy, designed to address 
the feedback, has been completed and 
shareholders will be asked to vote on it at 
the forthcoming AGM.

Resolution 14 (authority to allot shares) 
was passed with the necessary majority. 
However, 30.2% of the votes received were 
against. This resolution is considered routine 
for listed companies in the UK and is within 
the Investment Association’s Share Capital 
Management Guidelines. The Board is aware, 
however, that certain overseas institutional 
investors have a policy of not supporting this 
authority for the Directors to issue shares. 
Since the AGM, the Company has further 
engaged with shareholders on this resolution 
and still considers the flexibility afforded by 
this authority to be in the best interests of the 
Company and its shareholders. A resolution 
seeking authority to allot shares will be put to 
the forthcoming AGM. 

Approach to engagement  
with shareholders
The Board is committed to maintaining an 
open dialogue with current and potential 
shareholders. The Company therefore 
undertakes a comprehensive programme 
of engagement including regular meetings, 
participation in industry conferences, and 
asset tours. In a typical year, the programme 
is focused on meetings led by Executive 
Directors, members of the senior 
management team and the Head of Investor 
Relations to discuss, amongst other things, 
strategy, the business model, the property 
portfolio, operational performance, market 
trends, financial and balance sheet strength 
and governance. Moreover, these 
interactions afford an opportunity to collect 
feedback from institutional investors which 
is then communicated to the Board. These 
meetings are undertaken by the Executive 
Directors and senior management and are 
supplemented by meetings hosted by the 
Chair of the Board, the Senior Independent 
Director and General Counsel and Company 
Secretary to discuss governance and 
remuneration matters. The Head of 
Sustainability and the investor relations 
team also engage with shareholders on the 
Group’s Net Positive strategy.

In 2019, the majority of the meetings were led 
by the Chief Executive. The Chief Financial 
Officer joined these meetings and also held his 
own meetings. The Chair of the Board hosted 
a number of meetings with larger 
shareholders, including being joined by the 
Senior Independent Director as required. 

There were also meetings and asset tours 
with institutional investors led by members 
of the senior management team. 

The investor relations team supported the 
Directors and senior management team at 
the vast majority of the meetings.

Slightly more than half of these meetings 
occurred in the UK, predominantly during 
investor roadshows and at conferences in 
London and Edinburgh. There were also 
visits by investors to Brent Cross, London, 
Bicester Village, UK, The Oracle, Reading, 
The Goodsyard, London and Croydon Town 
Centre, South London.

76

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
Values
Reinforced through the launch of 
#HammersonLife, the Board receives 
relevant updates on how the application of 
the Group’s culture and values are embedded 
for colleagues and the Group’s wider 
stakeholders. The results of the annual 
“Great Place to Work” colleague survey are 
presented to the Board and the findings 
considered. The clearly defined values of 
ambition, respect, collaboration and 
responsibility are embedded in the business. 
New joiners receive a detailed induction 
programme where the values are explained 
and they are reinforced through the internal 
communications programme, community 
engagement projects and the commitment 
to the Net Positive strategy. 

  For more information see 

Sustainability review on pages 34 
to 41 and Our people on pages 
42 to 44 

Code of Conduct
The Group is committed to fully complying 
with all laws and regulations and has high 
standards of governance and compliance. 
The Code of Conduct has been prepared  
to help colleagues and Directors to fulfil  
their personal responsibilities to investors 
and stakeholders. The Code of Conduct 
covers the following areas:

 – Compliance and accountability

 – The required standards of personal 

behaviour 

Colleague Engagement

Culture

 – The Group’s dealings with stakeholders 

 – Measures to prevent fraud, bribery and 

corruption 

 – Share dealing 

 – Security of information

The colleague induction programme includes 
compulsory modules on anti-bribery, 
modern slavery, sustainability, confidential 
and inside information, data protection 
 and expenses which are delivered in the  
UK via the Group’s online Learning 
Management System.

Anti-bribery, anti-fraud 
and whistleblowing
The Directors remain committed to zero 
tolerance of bribery and corruption by 
colleagues and the Group’s suppliers.

The Audit Committee reviewed the 
Company’s procedures, policies, systems and 
controls for detecting and preventing fraud. 

The Board received the annual 
Whistleblowing Report and reviewed the 
arrangements in place for individuals to raise 
concerns and the mechanism for the 
investigation of such matters. During 2019 no 
concerns were raised using that facility and 
no other issues were raised that have been 
treated as whistleblowing. 

the Group. The Forum enables higher levels 
of engagement and a two-way dialogue 
between the Board and colleagues and offers 
a structured environment for issues to be 
discussed and feedback to be received. 
Representatives of the Forum attended a 
meeting of the Board in December 2019 
and gave a full report on its activities over the 
year and areas of concern to the employees 
were discussed with the Board. More 
information on the Forum is set out in the 
Our People section on page 43. 

Judy Gibbons
Our people are central to the business and 
its long term success. A Group Employee 
Forum (the Forum) was established in 
May 2019 with representatives from across 

Judy Gibbons has been the designated 
Non-Executive Director for colleague 
engagement during 2019 to provide an 
additional communication link between 
colleagues and the Board. Judy attended 

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Modern Slavery 
The Group’s Modern Slavery and Human 
Trafficking Statement is submitted to the 
Board for approval. The statement is 
published on the Company’s website.

Conflicts of interests
The Board has a well established and detailed 
process for the management of conflicts of 
interests. On appointment, a Director is 
required to disclose any conflicts to the 
General Counsel and Company Secretary. 
At each scheduled meeting of the Board, 
a governance report is reviewed, containing 
details of conflicts of interests for each 
Director noting any changes. As part of the 
year end reporting, each Director confirms 
all conflicts of interests to the General 
Counsel and Company Secretary.

Dialogue with Directors
There is regular dialogue between Directors 
outside of Board meetings on any important 
issues that require discussion and resolution. 
If necessary, any unresolved matters that are 
raised with the Chair of the Board, the Senior 
Independent Director and the General Counsel 
and Company Secretary would be recorded 
in the minutes of the next Board meeting. 
We have seven Board meetings a year and 
also schedule three conference calls between 
meetings. These calls are held if necessary. 
The Chair of the Board encourages a culture 
of frank debate, challenge and discussion at 
meetings and outside of the formal environment. 
This helps to ensure that any concerns can be 
considered and resolved. 

a meeting of the Forum in July to meet the 
colleague representatives and discuss the role 
of the Board in the engagement process. She 
then updated the Board at its next meeting. 

In November and December, Judy attended 
the Women’s Development Programme, a 
two day training session for senior female 
colleagues, which was held in London and 
Paris. She gave a presentation to the 
participants on her career and answered 
questions from the audience. 

When Judy Gibbons steps down from the 
Board after the forthcoming AGM, Carol 
Welch will take her place as the designated 
Non-Executive Director.

www.hammerson.com 77

 
 
 
 
 
Division of Responsibilities

Governance Structure 

Role of the Board
The primary duty of the Board is to promote 
the long term success of the Company 
through setting a clear purpose and strategy 
which creates long term value for 
stakeholders. It aligns the strategy, purpose 
and values with the Group’s culture and sets 
the strategic direction, governance and 
values of the Group and has ultimate 
responsibility for its management, direction 
and performance. The Board approves major 
acquisitions, disposals, capital expenditure 
and financing. The Board oversees the 
system of internal controls, corporate 
governance and risk management, including 
climate risk, and approves the annual 
Business Plan, and has assigned certain 
responsibilities to its Audit, Nomination, 
Remuneration and Investment and Disposal 
Committees. This is illustrated by the 
governance structure chart set out in Table 
36 on page 79, and on pages 78 and 79 
information on the delegated authorities and 
responsibilities can be found. These are fully 
documented in the Articles of Association, 
the Schedule of Matters Reserved for the 
Board and the Committees’ terms of 
reference, which are all available on the 
Company’s website. 

The Chair of the Board and the Chief 
Executive have separate roles and 
responsibilities which are clearly defined. 
The Chair of the Board is responsible for 
the operation of the Board and the Chief 
Executive leads and manages the business 
within the parameters of the authorities 
delegated by the Directors. When the 
Chair was appointed to the Board in 2013, 
he was considered to be independent. The 
Non-Executive Directors are identified in 
their biographies on pages 68 to 70 and over 
half of the Board is considered to be 
independent, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Code. Gwyn Burr was 
appointed as Senior Independent Director 
in January 2019 and is available to discuss 
shareholders’ concerns on governance and 
other matters. She can deputise for the Chair 
of the Board in his absence, act as a sounding 
board for the Chair and counsel Board 
colleagues. The Non-Executive Directors 
hold a meeting without the presence of the 
Chair of the Board annually to discuss his 

78

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

performance. The General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, whose appointment or 
removal is decided by all Directors, provides 
independent advice to the Board on legal and 
governance matters. 

As part of the selection process for any 
potential directors, any significant external 
time commitments are considered before 
an appointment is agreed. All Directors are 
required to consult with the Chair of the 
Board and obtain the approval of the Board, 
before taking on additional appointments. 
Executive Directors are not permitted to take 
on more than one significant appointment 
as a director of a FTSE 100 company or any 
other substantial appointment. At present, 
David Atkins, the Chief Executive, is a 
non-executive director of Whitbread PLC, 
a FTSE 100 Company. 

Committees of the Board
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee oversees the Group’s 
financial reporting and monitors the 
independence of internal and external audit. 
It is responsible for internal controls and 
monitors risk management including the 
identification of emerging risks. The 
Committee oversees the valuation of the 
property portfolio and is responsible for the 
relationship with the External Auditor. 
The Committee’s report for the year is set out 
on pages 85 to 88.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee recommends 
appointments to the Board and oversees 
the succession planning of the Directors and 
the process for succession planning for the 
senior management team. It ensures that 
there is an appropriate mix of skills and 
experience on the Board. The Committee 
promotes diversity on the Board and in the 
Group. The Committee’s report for the year 
is set out on pages 80 to 83.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible 
for establishing a remuneration policy and 
setting the remuneration for the Chair of the 
Board, Executive Directors and members of 
the Group Executive Committee (GEC). 
It oversees remuneration policies and 

practices across the Group. The Committee 
is responsible for the alignment of reward, 
incentives and culture and approves bonus 
plans and long term incentive plans for the 
Executive Directors and members of the 
GEC. The Committee’s report for the year 
is set out on pages 89 to 92.

Investment and Disposal Committee
The Investment and Disposal Committee 
which was formed in February 2019, oversees 
the acquisitions and disposals programme 
on behalf of the Board. It recommends any 
acquisitions and disposals above £50 million 
and is involved in agreeing and settling the 
plans for investments and disposals, as part 
of the Group’s strategy process. The 
Committee’s report for the year is set out 
on page 73.

Executive leadership and 
authorities
The Group Executive Committee (GEC) 
supports the Board by providing executive 
management of the Group within the agreed 
strategy and Business Plan. It manages the 
operation of the business on a day-to-day 
basis, sets financial and operational targets 
and oversees the Group’s risk management. 
It is chaired by the Chief Executive and 
comprises the senior leadership team. The 
members of the GEC and their biographies 
are shown on the Group’s website. 

The GEC monitors performance of the Group 
at its formal monthly meetings and receives 
regular reports on finance, trading and 
marketing, the property portfolio, human 
resources, corporate communications, 
investor relations and risk management, 
including climate risk. The GEC also receives 
updates on the performance of Value Retail 
and VIA Outlets, which are both externally 
managed. The GEC is supported in turn by a 
number of other committees which provide 
regular reports on their proceedings, 
highlighting any matters of concern. 

The GEC also meets most weeks for more 
informal discussions on key operational 
matters for the business. 

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Group IT Committee
The Group IT Committee is responsible  
for setting IT strategy and systems in the 
business and establishes and monitors IT 
policies. It plans the implementation of 
projects, monitors risk and oversees 
cyber security. 

Health and Safety Committee
The Health and Safety Committee monitors 
the management of the Group’s health and 
safety systems and policies. It ensures that 
the Group is compliant with relevant health 
and safety regulations and oversees the 
management of the Group’s health and 
safety risks. 

Committees 

Group Capital Committee
The Group Capital Committee supports the 
work of the GEC and is chaired by the Chief 
Executive. The Committee meets monthly 
and oversees the Group’s disposal progress, 
identifies new business and development 
opportunities and monitors strategic 
partnerships and joint ventures. It recommends 
new development opportunities and reviews 
the allocation of capital. In addition, 
it oversees the process for acquisitions 
and disposals, and approves those valued 
between £10 million and £50 million. 
It considers and recommends acquisitions 
and disposals above £50 million to the GEC 
for it to consider and if thought fit, 
recommend to the Investment and 
Disposal Committee.

Risk and Controls Committee
The Risk and Controls Committee supports the 
Audit Committee by promoting the integration 
of the Risk Management Framework across the 
Group. It monitors compliance with the 
Group’s internal control systems and 
manages the internal audit programme. 

Table 36

Governance Structure Chart

More information on the Group’s approach 
to risk can be found on pages 58 to 64 and a 
report of the Committee’s activities during 
the year is set out on page 87 as part of the 
report of the Audit Committee. 

UK and Ireland Management Board
The UK and Ireland Management Board 
oversees the financial and operational 
performance of the Group’s businesses in 
the UK and Ireland. 

France Management Board
The France Management Board is responsible 
for the financial and operational performance 
of the Group’s business in France. 

Positive Places Corporate Responsibility 
Board
The Positive Places Corporate Responsibility 
Board oversees the Net Positive strategy in 
the business. It monitors the achievement 
of the Group’s sustainability targets and 
corporate sustainability risk framework. 
The Positive Places Corporate Responsibility 
Board identifies and promotes relevant 
innovation projects and ensures that 
sustainability is adopted in the Group’s 
business activities.

Board

Audit  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Investment  
and Disposal Committee

Group Executive Committee

Risk and Controls 
Committee

Group Capital 
Committee

UK and Ireland 
Management Board

France Management 
Board 

Positive Places Corporate 
Responsibility Board

Group IT Committee

Health and Safety Committee

www.hammerson.com 79

 
 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation

Nomination Committee Report

Ensuring the Board has the right mix of experience and 
skills by introducing new Directors from across the property, 
retail and leisure sectors 

A list of appropriate candidates was drawn 
up by Russell Reynolds with input from the 
Board and large investors. 

A wide range of candidates were considered 
and discussed by the Committee. Following 
the agreement of a shortlist by the Committee, 
the Chair interviewed the candidates and 
considered their skills and attributes against 
the role profile. Members of the Committee 
then met with the final shortlisted candidates 
and a recommendation was made to the 
Board. The outcome of the process was the 
appointment of Adam Metz in July 2019  
and Méka Brunel in December 2019 and  
their details are shown on pages 70 and 
69 respectively. 

On appointment to the Board, the  
Non-Executive Directors were given a 
thorough induction on the Group which 
involves meeting with members of the senior 
management team with responsibility for 
operational and functional areas. Directors 
are invited to visit the Group’s assets and 
meet with local management to gain 
important insights into the business and the 
strategy. Moreover, Directors are invited to 
meet with key external advisors to the Board 
to gain wider perspectives on Hammerson 
and its sector. Carol Welch’s report on her 
first year as a Non-Executive Director on 
page 83 includes more information on the 
induction programme.

Nomination 
Committee members

David Tyler (Chair)

Pierre Bouchut

Méka Brunel

Gwyn Burr

Andrew Formica

Judy Gibbons

Adam Metz

Carol Welch

Terry Duddy (resigned 

25 January 2019)

Dear Shareholders

I am pleased to present the Nomination 
Committee report covering the work of 
the Committee during 2019 in relation to 
composition of and succession to the Board 
and its Committees. It has been a busy year 
for the Committee with a number of changes 
to the Board and the senior management 
team. The Committee comprises all of  
our Non-Executive Directors and its terms  
of reference can be found on  
www.hammerson.com. 

The Committee is responsible for making 
appointments to the Board and ensures that 
plans have been put in place for the orderly 
succession to the Board, its Committees and 
the senior management team. This includes 
the development of a pipeline of potential 
candidates, bearing in mind gender and 
ethnic diversity, to the senior management 
team with the necessary skills to drive the 
Group forward.

80

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

With the appointment of three new 
Non-Executive Directors during the year, 
the Committee has engaged an external 
search consultancy to assist it with the 
process and to identify potential candidates 
from the wider market. Following the 
announcement in May 2019 of the 
resignation of Timon Drakesmith from the 
Board, the Committee oversaw the process 
to recruit his replacement, again using an 
external search consultancy. More details 
of the process are set out on the next page.

Appointment of  
Non-Executive Directors 
Carol Welch was appointed to the Board on 
1 March 2019 as a Non-Executive Director. 
The process for her appointment was 
described in detail on page 77 of the 2018 
Annual Report. Following a decision made 
in February 2019 to appoint two further  
Non-Executive Directors during the course 
of 2019, the Committee engaged the services 
of Russell Reynolds to search for potential 
candidates. Other than in respect of 
recruitment services, Russell Reynolds has 
no other connection with the Company or 
any of its Directors. It is accredited with 
the FTSE 350 category of the Enhanced 
Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive 
Search Firms.

The Committee had agreed that candidates 
with backgrounds in international real estate 
would be of particular interest to support the 
strategy of the Group. Additionally, the 
Committee wished to consider candidates 
with experience in the commercial and 
residential property sectors to complement 
the Group’s City Quarters concept. We were 
also interested in candidates with extensive 
experience of businesses going through 
periods of structural change. With the 
assistance of Russell Reynolds, a candidate 
profile was prepared.

Appointment of an 
Executive Director 
In May 2019, the Committee commenced the 
process to find a new Chief Financial Officer, 
following Timon Drakesmith’s resignation. 
Timon was responsible for Premium outlets 
as well as Finance. However, given the growth 
in Premium outlets, it was decided that the 
role would comprise Chief Financial Officer 
and not cover this part of the business. 

The Committee agreed on the selection 
of Odgers Berndston as executive search 
consultant for the purposes of this role. 
Other than in respect of recruitment services, 
Odgers Berndston has no connection with 
the Company or to any Director and has 
accreditation with the FTSE 350 category 
of the Enhanced Voluntary Code of Conduct 
for Executive Search Firms. A job 
specification was prepared in conjunction 
with the consultant, the Chief Executive 
and the Group HR Director. It was agreed 
that candidates from both property and 
non-property backgrounds would be 
considered. A shortlist of internal and 
external candidates was drawn up by the 
consultant and interviews were conducted 
with the Chief Executive, the Chair of the 
Board, the Chair of the Audit Committee 
and the Group HR Director. The Committee 
then made a recommendation for the 
appointment to the Board. 

James Lenton joined the Board in September 
2019 and was appointed as Chief Financial 
Officer on 1 October 2019. During his first 
month with the Group, James completed 
a comprehensive and tailored induction 
programme and he met with operational 
and functional members of the senior 
management team, met with external 
advisors and made visits to the significant 
assets in the UK, France and Ireland. 

Board balance, composition 
and skills
The Board currently comprises ten Directors: 
the Chair of the Board; two Executive Directors 
and seven Non-Executive Directors. During 
the year and in accordance with its usual 
practice, the Committee reviewed the 
composition and balance of the Board. The 
review considered the membership of the 
Committees of the Board, the balance on the 
Board between Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors, the tenure of the Directors, diversity 
on the Board and the independence of the 
Non-Executive Directors, confirming that all 
remained independent. It also considered the 
time commitments of the Non-Executive 
Directors. Judy Gibbons will step down in 
April at the end of her nine-year term as a 
Non-Executive Director. In accordance with 
the policy that Non-Executive Directors serve 
a maximum term of nine years other than in 
exceptional circumstances, it is expected that 
Gwyn Burr will step down by April 2021 and 
that I will leave the Board by April 2022. 

Table 37

Relevant skills and experience on the Board as at the AGM 2020

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Naturally, the Committee will discuss these 
succession issues during 2020.

The Committee is satisfied that the Board 
has the necessary mix of skills and 
experience to fulfil its role effectively. 
All Directors are subject to annual re-
election. The biographies of the Directors, 
set out on pages 68 to 70, contain more 
information on the reasons why the Board 
recommends the re-election or election of 
each Director. There is a range of relevant 
skills on the Board gained in diverse business 
environments and different sectors. This 
gives the Board varying perspectives during 
debates on a wide range of issues. The skills 
and experience of the Directors are 
summarised in Table 37 below.

All Directors are required to attend all 
meetings of the Board, the meetings of those 
Committees on which they serve, and the 
Annual General Meeting (AGM). They are 
expected to devote sufficient time to the 
Company’s affairs to enable them to fulfil 
their duties as Directors. The attendance at 
the meetings for each Director during 2019 
is shown in Table 42 on page 83.

David  
Tyler

David 
Atkins

James 
Lenton

Gwyn  
Burr

Pierre 
Bouchut

Andrew 
Formica

Judy 
Gibbons

Adam
Metz

Méka
Brunel

Carol 
Welch

Audit and risk management
Finance, banking, financial services and 
fund management
Mergers, acquisitions, investment and 
transactions
Property, regeneration and 
development projects
Retail
Marketing
Customer service, customer  
behaviours and digital technology
Shareholder relations
International business and markets
Business transformation 
and innovation
Sustainability

  Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

www.hammerson.com 81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Succession Planning
The Committee discussed succession planning, 
aided by a detailed paper on Executive 
Director succession and which considers 
certain members of the senior management 
team who could be suitable candidates for 
either the role of the Chief Executive or the 
Chief Financial Officer. I also had discussions 
with the Executive Directors and the senior 
management team on matters of career 
development and succession.

The Committee also considered the senior 
management succession plan for the GEC 
and all senior management roles in the 
business. The plan identifies potential 
successors for a large number of these roles 
in the short and long term. I confirm that the 
Committee was satisfied that plans remain 
sufficiently robust to enable vacancies to be 
filled on a short to medium term basis. 
These plans take account of the continuing 
need to consider gender and ethnic diversity. 

It plans to meet the objective of at least 33% 
female representation in the roles included 
in the plan in less than three years, in 
accordance with the guidelines set down 
by the Hampton-Alexander Review. 
The Committee reviewed progress against 
this objective which has been met with 39.5% 
of senior management roles having potential 
female successors within the period. 
In addition, the Committee intends to ensure 
that by 2024, it meets the Parker review 
target by having at least one person of colour 
on the Board. I can confirm that the 
Committee has carried out its role in 
succession planning effectively during the 
year and its work will help to ensure that a 
strong pipeline of talented individuals are 
available to support the Group and meet its 
future business objectives and deliver the 
strategy to shareholders. 

  Further information is set out 

in Our people on pages 42 to 44

Diversity 
The Diversity Policy was approved and 
adopted on by the Board on 22 February 2018 
and revised on 21 February 2020. It sets out 
the Company’s approach to diversity in 
respect of the Board and senior management. 
The Board recognises that diversity, in the 
broadest sense, enables wider perspectives 
which encourage more effective discussions 
and better decision making. The policy can be 
read in full on the Group’s website. Table 38 
below sets out the progress made during the 
year against its key objective.

I look forward to meeting shareholders at  
the forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
when I will be happy to answer any questions 
on this report. 

David Tyler 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Table 38

Board Policy diversity objectives

Progress update

Ensure that the Non-Executive candidate lists are drawn from a broad 
range of candidates including those who may not have listed company 
experience but who possess suitable skills and experience

The candidate lists for the appointment of the three Non-Executive 
Directors during 2019 met the criteria. Carol Welch did not have listed 
company experience. Furthermore Adam Metz and Méka Brunel had 
not served on the Board of a UK listed company 

Encourage and monitor the development of talented employees

The Committee received periodic updates from the Group HR Director 
on learning and career development opportunities for talented 
individuals. In addition, colleagues below management level attend and 
present at Board and committee meetings and meet the Directors 
during visits to assets 

Oversee succession plans to ensure that they meet current and future 
needs of the business
Improve gender diversity at Board and senior management level by 
working to achieve at least one third women on the Board, the GEC 
and direct reports by 2020 

Succession plans are reviewed annually by the Nomination Committee

The Board comprises 34% female Directors. Options are being 
considered to improve gender diversity on the GEC where only 18% of 
the members are female. In the senior management team, of direct 
reports to the GEC, 20% are female

Oversee plans for diversity and inclusion and assess progress annually The Committee has reviewed plans to improve diversity. More details 
are set out in the Our people section on pages 42 to 44. These include 
reaching the Parker Review target of having one person of colour on the 
Board by 2024 

Chart 39

Chart 40

Directors: gender split*

Non-Executive Directors:  
years of service*

Chart 41

Directors: ages*

Male: 6–67%

Female: 3–33%

0-3 years: 3–44%

3-6 years: 2–28%

6-9 years: 2–28%

41-50: 2–22%

51-60: 4–44%

61-70: 3–34%

 * As at 28 April 2020

82

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
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Carol Welch – My first year as a Non-Executive Director

As a new Non-Executive Director, it was 
important to meet with the General Counsel 
and Company Secretary and the corporate 
lawyers, for an in-depth briefing on corporate 
governance issues, including my duties as a 
Director of a UK listed company.

It’s been a pleasure to join such a diverse and 
experienced Board. Meetings of the Board and 
Committees provide opportunities for full and 
frank discussion on the business and 
governance issues that really matter. This 
includes updates from Executive Directors 
and external advisors to support discussion 
and decisions about strategic, operational and 
financial matters, enabling the Board to shape 
the direction of the business. 

Past papers and other materials on the 
electronic board portal have been great to get 
me up to speed on previous business matters.

During my first year I’ve visited Dundrum 
Town Centre, Dublin, The Bullring Estate, 
Birmingham, Cabot Circus, Bristol, 
Highcross, Leicester, Victoria Gate, Leeds, 
a selection of retail parks, Bicester Village, 
UK and Las Rozas Village, Madrid. Some 
visits have been with fellow Directors and 
others part of my immersion to understand 
our assets, customers and teams. 

As with any new role, it is really important  
to listen and learn from others about the 
business, alongside building relationships 
with my fellow Directors. Everyone has been 
incredibly welcoming, and willing to spend 
time explaining the business and the 
particular opportunities and challenges in  
the property market.

A priority was to meet as many colleagues as 
I could, to get under the skin of the business 
and the industry and really understand  
what makes it tick in order to make the 
best contribution. 

I have been impressed by our commitment 
to be Net Positive for carbon, resource-use, 
water, and socio-economic impacts by 2030. 
Since 2016 the business has already 
significantly reduced carbon emissions. 
This is a real achievement that has required 
every colleague in the business to be pulling 
in the same direction. It also reflects the 
Board’s strong commitment to sustainability.

It is clear that whilst the retail market 
remains challenging, the Group has a strong 
portfolio with significant opportunities 
including City Quarters, and a very talented 
and committed team to deliver the strategy. 

I’ve really enjoyed visiting our flagship 
destinations and meeting colleagues from 
across the business. A real strength of 
Hammerson is its culture, and it is great to 
see this reflected throughout the Company. 
Immersing myself in all things Hammerson 
has accelerated my understanding of the 
opportunities and challenges Hammerson 
and the wider retail market are facing. It has 
also been great to hear views and opinions 
from the people who are running the 
business and therefore best understand 
our customers.

The induction programme has been very 
comprehensive and helped me to get up to 
speed on the business and the broader sector. 
I had a comprehensive set of meetings with 
members of the senior management team 
covering all business functions and met with 
a number of the external advisors that 
support the Remuneration, Audit and 
Investment and Disposal Committees. 

Table 42

Board and Committee meetings attendance

David Tyler
David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith2
James Lenton3 
Pierre Bouchut
Méka Brunel4 
Gwyn Burr5
Terry Duddy6
Andrew Formica
Judy Gibbons7 
Adam Metz8
Carol Welch9

Board 
meetings

Board 
calls1

Audit 
Committee 
meetings

Remuneration 
Committee 
meetings

Investment 
and Disposal 
Committee 
meetings

Nomination 
Committee 
meetings

7/7 
7/7 
6/6 
2/2 
7/7 
1/1 
7/7 
– 
7/7 
7/7 
3/3 
5/5 

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

–
–
–
– 
4/4
– 
4/4
–
4/4
3/4 
–
–

5/5 
–
–
– 
–
– 
5/5
–
–
5/5 
–
3/3

–
–
–
– 
5/5
1/1 
–
–
5/5
– 
3/3
–

6/6
–
–
– 
6/6
1/1 
6/6
–
6/6
6/6 
2/2
5/5

1.  Of the five Board calls held during 2019, three were 
scheduled in advance and two were ad hoc calls. 
2.  Timon Drakesmith stepped down from the Board on 

1 October 2019.

5.  Gwyn Burr was unable to attend one ad hoc Board 
call, which was scheduled at short notice, due to a 
prior commitment. 

6.  Terry Duddy stepped down from the Board on 25 

7.  Judy Gibbons was unable to attend one Audit 
Committee meeting for medical reasons. 
8.  Adam Metz joined the Board on 22 July 2019.
9.  Carol Welch joined the Board on 1 March 2019.

3.  James Lenton joined the Board on 1 October 2019.
4.  Méka Brunel joined the Board on 1 December 2019.

January 2019.

www.hammerson.com 83

 
 
 
 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Board effectiveness  
review 2019

The process
A review of the effectiveness of the Board is 
conducted each year. Under the provisions 
of the Code, the review must be carried out 
using an external consultant every three 
years. In 2019, the effectiveness review was 
externally facilitated by Jan Hall of No. 4, 
an independent consultancy. Jan Hall and 
No.4 have no connection with the Company 
or any of its Directors. The selection process 
was conducted by the Chair of the Board and 
the General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
who met with three consultants who each 
had a track record of undertaking 
effectiveness reviews for UK listed 
companies. It had been previously agreed 
that the Company would not engage 
consultants who had conducted reviews 
in previous years.

The Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive 
and the General Counsel and Company 
Secretary met with Jan Hall to agree the 
purpose, scope and timetable of the review. 
In view of the changes in the property sector, 
and the impact on the business and in turn on 
the Board, the review focused on strategy and 
performance, Board systems and processes, 
and succession planning. 

Jan Hall attended the Board meeting held at 
the beginning of October 2019, immediately 
before the Board Strategy Day, after which 
she met with each Director and the General 
Counsel and Company Secretary privately 
for around 90 minutes using a pre-agreed 
questionnaire as the basis for the discussion. 
She also met with the Group HR Director and 
the Director of Finance, who regularly attend 
the Board and certain Committee meetings. 
A meeting was held with Timon Drakesmith 
just before he left the business, although 
James Lenton was not interviewed as he had 
only recently joined the Board as a Director. 
The lead partner at the External Auditor, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as well as the 
remuneration consultant from FIT 
Remuneration Consultants, were each asked 
for feedback on the performance of the Board 
and specifically of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees respectively.

The initial findings of the review were then 
discussed with the Chair of the Board, before 
a detailed report was circulated to the Board. 
Jan Hall presented the results of the Board’s 
effectiveness review at a meeting of the 
Directors in December 2019. 

Recommendations and actions
Overall, all of the Directors believed that the 
Board was functioning well. There was felt 
to be a good atmosphere and mutual respect 
around the Board with a culture that was open 
and transparent. However, the current 
environment and challenges for the Company 
presented an opportunity to reflect on how 
the Board and its operation could evolve to 
best meet the needs of all stakeholders. 
The results and recommendations were 
discussed in full by the Board and an action 
plan was agreed under three main headings:

1.  Focus more time on strategy development 
and monitoring of progress against the 
plans developed, giving more space for 
debate on the key issues and deep dives 
on business units

2. Enhance the management information 

given to the Board with updated metrics to 
best reflect progress on key financial and 
operational targets, and on disposals

3. Plan for the succession processes for the 
Senior Independent Director (likely to be 
in 2021) and Chair of the Board (likely to 
be in 2022)

Board members at the  
annual Strategy Day

84

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
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Audit, Risk and Internal Control

Audit Committee Report

Audit Committee 
members

Pierre Bouchut (Chair)

Gwyn Burr

Andrew Formica

Judy Gibbons

Dear Shareholders

I am pleased to present the report of the 
Audit Committee for the year. This report 
provides insight into the activities of the 
Committee in the year and sets out its 
performance against the terms of reference 
and information on its key activities in 
accordance with the annual work plan.  
It continues to have a governance role for the 
Company and reviews, on behalf of the Board 
and shareholders, important matters relating 
to financial reporting, internal controls and 
risk management. The terms of reference  
of the Committee are available on the 
Group’s website.

Audit Committee members
Each member of the Committee is an 
Independent Non-Executive Director.  
The Chair of the Board is not a member  
of the Committee but may attend its 
meetings by invitation. The Committee 
has a deep knowledge and significant 
business experience in financial reporting, 
risk management, internal control and 
strategic management. This combined 
knowledge and experience enables us to 
perform our duties properly. In addition, the 
Board considers that the members of the 
Committee as a whole have relevant sector 

Safeguarding the business by thoroughly reviewing and testing 
its processes to ensure it is managing risk, delivering transparent 
and accurate reporting, and acting in the long term interests of 
its stakeholders 

knowledge. I also meet the requirement to 
bring recent financial experience to the 
Committee. More information about the 
members’ skills and experience are set out on 
pages 68 to 70.

The role of the Audit 
Committee
The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling 
its responsibilities in relation to:

 – Ensuring that management has systems 
and procedures in place to ensure the 
integrity of financial information

 – Reviewing the Company’s internal audit 

arrangements

 – Managing the relationship with the 

External Auditor

 – Reviewing the effectiveness, objectivity 
and the independence of the External 
Auditor, including the agreeing the scope 
of work and the level of audit fees 

 – Risk management 

 – Consideration of financial judgements

 – Overseeing the valuations of the Group’s 

property portfolio

Audit Committee meetings
The Committee met four times during the 
year. The agenda for each meeting reflects 
the annual reporting cycle of the Group and 
particular matters for the Committee’s 
consideration. A report is given to the Board 
following each meeting of the Committee. 

The Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive, the 
Chief Financial Officer and other members of 
the senior finance management team, together 
with senior representatives of the Company’s 
External Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers 
LLP (PwC), are invited to attend all or part of 
meetings as appropriate. In order to fulfil its 
duties as set out in its terms of reference, the 
Audit Committee receives presentations and 
reviews reports from the Group’s senior 
management, consulting as necessary with PwC.

The Committee meets with no Company 
management present at least once a year with 
PwC, and at least once with the Group’s Risk 
and Controls Manager who is responsible for 
the internal audit function. In addition, it 
meets annually with the Risk and Controls 
Manager and the Director of Finance to 
discuss internal control matters.

Cushman & Wakefield (the Valuer) and PwC 
have full access to one another, and the Chair 
of the Audit Committee met with the Valuer 
and PwC to discuss the half-year and year 
end valuation process to ensure each is 
satisfied that there has been a full and open 
exchange of information and views.

Audit Committee effectiveness 
review
This year the review of the Audit Committee 
was carried out as part of the external Board 
effectiveness review. Details of the review 
and its results are set out on page 84.

FRC’s audit quality review
The FRC’s Audit Quality Review Team 
(AQRT) carried out a review of the audit  
of the Group for the financial year to 
31 December 2018 as part of its routine 
process. As Chair of the Committee, I held 
discussions with the FRC prior to the review 
commencing. The report issued on the 
quality of the audit by the AQRT was 
circulated to the Committee and a verbal 
update on the process and review of the 
outcome was given by PwC. I am pleased 
to report that there were no significant 
recommendations made by the FRC but 
certain limited improvements were 
suggested to the audit process, which have 
already been implemented. 

www.hammerson.com 85

 
 
 
 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control continued

The External Auditor and 
external audit
The appointment of PwC is subject to 
ongoing monitoring and the Committee 
considered the effectiveness of PwC as part 
of the 2019 year end process. The Committee 
took a number of factors into account when 
considering the effectiveness of the external 
audit including the quality and scope of the 
audit plan and reporting. The Committee 
also sought the views of key members of 
the finance team, senior management and 
Directors on the audit process and the quality 
and experience of the audit partners engaged 
in the audit. Their feedback confirmed that 
PwC continues to perform well and provides 
an appropriate level of challenge to 
management. The Committee has concluded 
that overall PwC has carried out its audit for 
2019 effectively and efficiently. 

During the year the Committee reviewed and 
approved the proposed audit fees and terms 
of engagement for the 2019 audit and 
recommended to the Board that it propose to 
shareholders that PwC be reappointed as the 
Group’s External Auditor at the AGM on 
28 April 2020. 

There are no contractual obligations which 
restrict the Audit Committee’s choice of 
external auditor or which put in place a 
minimum period for their tenure. There are 
no current plans to re-tender the services of the 
External Auditor, which was last undertaken 
in 2017. The Audit Committee confirms that it 
has complied with The Statutory Audit Services 
for Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Processes and 
Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, 
published by the Competition and Markets 
Authority on 26 September 2014.

PwC’s remuneration as External Auditor  
for the year ended 31 December 2019 was 
£0.6 million (2018: £0.6 million). PwC also 
received £0.4 million (2018: £0.4 million) 
for the Company’s share of the audit services 
undertaken on behalf of its joint ventures. 
The External Auditor also received £0.2 
million (2018: £0.1 million) for audit related 
assurance services, being the half-year review 
of the Company’s financial statements. 
The overall increase from 2018 reflects the 
expansion of the scope and complexity of the 
audit and the resources required from PwC. 
This trend is expected to continue following 
the publication of the report by Sir Donald 
Brydon in December 2019 on audit reform, 
containing proposals for the wholescale 
reform of the audit of listed companies in the 
UK. The report recommended defining a core 
set of principles for external auditors and 
ensuring that these are applied in reviews to 
be governed by the FRC’s successor body as 
regulator of the sector, which is to be known 

86

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

as the Auditing, Reporting and Governance 
Authority. The report is now being 
considered by the UK government.

Consideration is given to the nature of and 
remuneration received for other services 
provided by PwC to the Company, which, 
during 2019, totalled £nil (2018: £1.0 million). 
Confirmation is also sought that the fee 
payable for the annual audit is sufficient 
to enable PwC to perform its obligations 
in accordance with the scope of the audit. 

Non-audit services
The Committee takes steps to ensure that the 
External Auditor remains objective and 
independent. It considers how such 
objectivity might be, or appear to be, 
compromised through the provision of 
non-audit services by the External Auditor. 
During the year, the Committee considered 
the extent of the non-audit services provided 
by PwC. It is responsible for developing, 
implementing and monitoring the Group’s 
policy on the engagement of the External 
Auditor to supply non-audit services. The 
principal requirements of the policy are that:

 – The External Auditor may not provide a 

service which places it in a position where 
it may be required to audit its own work, 
such as bookkeeping or valuation services

 – Some services may be provided in specific or 
exceptional circumstances and may include 
due diligence and property-related 
consultancy. Each occasion is specifically 
assessed and authorised by an Executive 
Director up to a limit of £50,000 and above 
that level by the Chair of the Audit Committee

Further details of the provision of non-audit 
services and associated fees paid to PwC 
during the year are shown in Note 5 to the 
financial statements on page 150. The full 
policy on non-audit services is available on 
the Company’s website. 

Risk and internal control
On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee 
has discussed the risks and challenges to the 
Group from market conditions, the macro 
economy and the political situation in the UK 
and Europe. The Committee uses the Risk 
Management Framework as a basis for the 
review. The framework is regularly reviewed 
by the senior management team to ensure 
that the current risks are properly identified 
and managed and the potential impact on the 
Group clearly understood. The necessary 
steps are then taken to mitigate the principal 
risks such that the perceived risk is within 
the parameters of the Board’s risk appetite. 
More information on the Group’s approach 
to risk management is contained in the Risks 
and uncertainties section on pages 56 to 64.

The Committee regularly reports to the 
Board on key risks to the business. The Board 
allocates responsibility for the management 
of each key risk to the Executive Directors 
and the senior management team. The 
Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its 
responsibilities relating to the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the control environment 
and compliance systems in the Group. 

Throughout the year, the Committee 
monitored the effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management and internal control 
systems, including material financial, 
operational and compliance controls. 
In particular, it reviewed the following:

 – Internal audit reports, including 

monitoring the implementation of 
recommendations arising from them

 – Reports on the system of internal controls 
and the Risk Management Framework

 – The Company’s approach to compliance 

with legislation and the prevention of fraud

 – The effectiveness of the control 

environment to ensure compliance  
with the General Data Protection 
Regulation (GDPR)

 – Gift and entertainment and expenses 

registers

 – Overview of the Group’s anti-bribery 

systems

A robust assessment of the principal and 
emerging risks facing the Company has been 
carried out during the year. A procedure has 
been established to identify and manage the 
emerging risks.

The Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems are designed to:

 – Safeguard assets against unauthorised use 

or disposition

 –  Ensure the maintenance of proper 

accounting records

 – Enable regular reporting of financial 
performance to the Board to support 
management’s review process, including 
the production of external financial results

 – Provide reliable information

 – Identify and, as far as possible, mitigate 
potential impediments to the Group 
achieving its objectives

 – Ensure compliance with relevant 
legislation, rules and regulations

The Group’s internal controls provide 
reasonable but not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. 
The review of the controls involves analysis 
and evaluation of the key risks to the Group, 
including a review of all the material controls. 
This includes the plans for the continuity of 
the Group and its operations in the event of 
unforeseen interruption. 

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As part of this process, the Committee was 
provided with an early draft of the Annual 
Report to assess the tone and key themes. 

A further draft was provided to the 
Committee prior to the meeting at which it 
gave its final opinion. When forming its 
opinion the Committee considered a paper 
to help it challenge and test the assessment 
that the Report was fair, balanced and 
understandable.

Following its review, the Committee is of the 
opinion that the 2019 Annual Report and 
financial statements are representative of the 
year and present a fair, balanced and 
understandable overview, providing the 
necessary information for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy.

Viability statement
The Committee reviewed management’s 
work on assessing the potential risks to the 
business and the appropriateness of the 
Company’s choice of a five-year assessment 
period. Following this review, the Committee 
was satisfied that management had 
conducted a robust assessment and 
recommended to the Board that it could 
approve and make the Viability statement 
on page 65.

Going Concern statement
The Committee received the information, 
underlying assumptions and analysis 
presented in support of the Going Concern 
statement. The Committee concluded that it 
was appropriate to adopt the Going Concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements 
and make the statement on page 65.

Having monitored the Group’s risk 
management and internal controls, and the 
effectiveness of the material controls, the 
Directors have not identified any significant 
failings and weaknesses in the Group’s 
internal control structure during the year.

Risk and Controls Committee
The Risk and Controls Committee supports 
the Audit Committee. It is not a committee of 
the Board but comprises senior management 
from the across the business. It is chaired by 
the Chief Financial Officer and reports its 
activities to the Group Executive Committee. 
The role of the Committee is to:

 – Promote the application of the risk 

management framework across the Group

 – Monitor compliance with the Group’s 

internal control systems

 – Manage the annual internal audit 

programme

 – Consider the results of the internal audit 
reviews and the recommendations to 
management

 – Monitor the implementation of 

recommendations

 – Oversee the Group’s business continuity 

plans

 – Monitor data protection compliance

Internal audit
The Group operates a co-sourced internal 
audit function. The majority of the reviews 
are undertaken internally but are 
supplemented when required with additional 
external resource and specialist expertise. 
This allows the Risk and Controls Manager, 
who leads internal audit activities, to draw 
on technical knowledge for certain internal 
audit reviews. In the development of the 
plan for 2019, the Group’s Risk Management 
Framework was reviewed and key risks 
which had not been subject to recent internal 
audit and key areas of change were identified. 
The proposals were discussed with the Risk 
and Controls Committee before being 
reviewed and approved by the Committee. 
During 2019 audits were carried out on the 
following activities:

 – Cyber security

 – French car park operators

 – French marketing fund

 – GDPR implementation

 – IT disaster recovery and business 

continuity

 – Retailer sales reporting

 – Training and development

The Committee received an internal audit 
update report at each meeting to review 
progress of the plan. Each of the audits 
confirmed the related areas were 
appropriately controlled. Some 
recommendations for improvement were 
identified and agreed with management and 
responsibility for implementation assigned. 
The Committee also received a regular 
update on any outstanding actions from 
earlier audits and the expected timetable 
for their completion.

In 2020, the Committee expects to continue 
to follow a risk-based approach to internal 
audit and approved the internal audit work 
plan for 2020 in December 2019. Risk areas 
scheduled for Group-wide audits in 2020 
include the Net Positive strategy, payment 
practices, development controls and lease 
management. There will be a review of third 
party IT security activities at VIA Outlets and 
an audit of certain flagship destinations to 
ensure the consistency and effectiveness of 
the Group’s control systems.

A review of the effectiveness of the internal 
audit was carried out using a specifically 
created online survey which was completed 
by Committee members, certain members 
of senior management who had received and 
reviewed audit reports, and a number of 
participants in areas subject to recent audits. 
The survey responses were analysed and 
collated into a report which was reviewed 
and discussed with the Chair of the 
Committee and then reported to the 
Committee. The survey responses indicate 
that the Group’s internal audit function is 
performing well with no significant concerns 
raised. The Committee is satisfied that the 
internal audit arrangements continue to 
provide effective assurance over the Group’s 
risk and controls environment.

Fair, balanced and 
understandable
As in previous years, an internal editorial 
team consisting of members drawn from 
Group Finance, the Company Secretariat, 
Corporate Communications, Investor 
Relations and Marketing led the process to 
produce the Annual Report. The editorial 
team met regularly to establish the broad 
direction and themes, review progress and 
ensure balanced reporting with appropriate 
links between key themes and sections  
of the Annual Report. PwC and the designers, 
Black Sun, also provided feedback on the 
structure, format and content to assist 
management in ensuring the Annual Report 
was user-friendly and presented a fair and 
balanced review of the year.

www.hammerson.com 87

 
 
 
 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control continued

Significant financial judgements 
The Committee considered a number of significant issues during the year. These related to areas requiring management to exercise particular 
judgement or a high degree of estimation. The Committee assesses whether the judgements and estimates made by management are reasonable 
and appropriate. The issues and how they were addressed by the Committee are set out below:

Key financial reporting and  
significant financial judgements 

How the issue was addressed  
by the Committee

Valuation of 
the Group’s 
property 
portfolio

The valuation of the Group’s property portfolio is a key 
recurring risk due to its significance in the context of the 
Group’s net asset value. Valuations are inherently 
subjective due to the assumptions and judgements required 
concerning capitalisation yields and market rental income 
(ERV). This is further complicated by a lack of transaction 
evidence, particularly in the UK market, to support 
capitalisation yields.
Valuations are undertaken by the Group’s independent 
valuer, Cushman & Wakefield (the Valuer), and are 
thoroughly reviewed by management and the Group’s 
External Auditor.
There is a higher degree of subjectivity in the valuation  
of the Group’s premium outlets as it requires judgement 
about future trading and operating performance and 
discount rates.

Accounting for 
significant 
transactions

Accounting for 
joint ventures 
and associates 

Presentation 
of information

During the year the Group undertook a number of a 
disposals. The accounting treatment of these transactions 
is a recurring risk for the Group because of the financial 
significance and complexity of such transactions. 
Judgement is required to determine the transfer of risks  
and rewards associated with each transaction and the 
appropriate disclosure requirements.
At 31 December 2019, the Group was actively marketing a 
portfolio of retail parks, forming substantially the 
remainder of the UK retail parks portfolio. Judgement is 
required to determine whether these meet the ‘held for 
sale’ criteria under IFRS 5, and consequently require 
reclassification.
The Group holds a number of interests in joint ventures 
and associates. Judgement must be exercised in 
determining whether the Group has significant influence 
and should therefore account for these as associates, or 
joint control, and therefore include as a joint venture. 
The Group uses a number of Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs), being financial measures not specified 
under IFRS, to monitor the performance of the business. 
Management principally reviews the Group on a 
proportionally consolidated basis, except for the Group’s 
premium outlets investments.
Judgement is required to ensure disclosures and associated 
commentary clearly explain the performance of the business 
and provide reconciliations to the IFRS financial statements.

The Committee ensured that there was a robust procedure in 
place to satisfy itself that the Valuer’s valuations and 
assumptions were appropriate, particularly given the recent 
RICS notifications. 
The Committee understands the established valuation practices 
followed by the Valuer. The Committee is also familiar with  
the process by which management provides information to 
the Valuer.
The Valuer presented the valuations for all the Group’s 
properties to the Committee in January and July 2019. These 
were scrutinised, challenged and debated. The Committee asked 
the Valuer to highlight any significant judgements or 
disagreements encountered during the valuation process. It was 
satisfied that the procedures and methodologies used were 
appropriate. The Chair of the Committee held a private meeting 
with the Valuer at which he discussed the valuation process and 
was able to satisfy himself that the process was independent and 
objective. The Chair of the Committee also held a private 
meeting with PwC to discuss its review of the valuation process 
and its conclusions.
The Committee concluded that the valuation of the Group’s 
property portfolio had been carried out in an appropriate 
manner with reference to the widest range of available  
evidence and was therefore suitable for inclusion in the Group’s 
financial statements.
The Committee reviewed management’s report explaining the 
proposed accounting treatment for transactions completed 
during the year.
The Committee reviewed and challenged the proposed 
accounting treatment and was satisfied that at 31 December 
2019, the UK retail parks met the criteria under IFRS 5 for 
reclassification to assets held for sale, and that the resultant 
impairment adjustment accurately reflects the anticipated 
portfolio discount. As this formed the majority of the remaining 
UK retail parks segment, the Committee was satisfied that the 
reclassification of the results of the UK retail parks for the current 
and prior year as ‘discontinued operations’ was appropriate. 

The Committee reviewed the basis of classification of joint 
ventures and associates where changes of ownership had  
arisen during the year and was satisfied that these are treated 
correctly, with reference to the terms of the underlying 
shareholder agreements. 
The Committee reviewed the disclosure and commentary in the 
Annual Report including the relative prominence of APMs and 
IFRS financial measures, and the reconciliation of UK retail 
parks discontinued operations to fully proportionally 
consolidated information. The Committee was satisfied with the 
disclosures and reconciliations provided.

I look forward to meeting shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting when I will be happy to take questions on this report. 

Pierre Bouchut 
Chair of the Audit Committee

88

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

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Directors’ Remuneration report 
Chair’s annual statement

Directors’ Remuneration report

Balancing reward and performance

A new remuneration policy responding to market 
conditions and shareholder feedback

Remuneration 
Committee members

Gwyn Burr (Chair)

Judy Gibbons

David Tyler

Carol Welch

Terry Duddy (resigned 
25 January 2019)

Dear Shareholders 

As Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
(Committee), I am pleased to present our 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (Report) 
for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

Remuneration Policy review
The Committee has conducted a thorough 
review of the Remuneration Policy (Policy) 
during the year, and is proposing a number of 
changes to the current Policy which was last 
approved by shareholders in 2017 with over 
98% of votes in favour. We were disappointed 
with the voting outcome at the 2019 AGM for 
our 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report, 
and as part of the review of the Policy, the 
views of shareholders and voting agencies 
were considered and taken into account. The 
Committee was also keen to ensure that the 
Policy continues to align remuneration with 
strategy and stakeholder interests, and takes 
into account the requirements of the 2018 
Code as far as they relate to remuneration. 

  For more detail on our Code 
considerations see page 93

2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report index
Chair’s annual statement
Summary of proposed changes to the Policy
Restricted Share Scheme Q&As 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
2018 Code considerations
Policy for Executive Directors
Recruitment
Payments for loss of office
Policy for Chair and Non-Executive Directors
Illustration of application of the Policy
Annual Remuneration Report
Section 1 – Single figure tables
Section 2 – Further information on 2019 remuneration
Section 3 – Implementation of the Policy in 2020 

page 90
page 91

page 93
page 94
page 97
page 99
page 102
page 104

page 106
page 111
page 120

Long term incentive arrangements
As noted above, our review included a 
consultation process with major 
shareholders and their representative bodies, 
focusing in particular on our proposal to 
introduce a restricted share scheme (RSS) 
in place of the LTIP. While subject to the 
inevitable detail and complexity, the key 
differences between these two arrangements 
are simple and can be summarised as follows:

 – LTIP awards are linked to the success 

of the Company as assessed by reference 
to pre-defined performance conditions

 – RSS awards are much smaller (award 
values no more than 50% of previous 
LTIP grant value), but not subject to 
performance conditions

 – Vesting of RSS awards is contingent 

on continued employment of three to 
five years from grant

Under the RSS, participants essentially 
receive smaller quantum in exchange for 
a greater certainty of payment. They are 
therefore aligned with our shareholders 
and encouraged to deliver long term value 
for shareholders. While typically RSS awards 
are not subject to performance conditions, 
in response to feedback during the 
consultation our proposed RSS builds in 
an underpin whereby the number of shares 
subject to an RSS award may be reduced by 
the Committee in circumstances where there 
has been material underperformance. 

  For further information on our 
considerations in formulating 
the RSS proposal see the Q&As 
on page 91

www.hammerson.com 89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Chair’s annual statement continued

Proposed changes to the Policy are summarised in Table 44 below.

Table 44

Summary of changes to the Policy

Element of pay 
Base salary 
Pensions 

Changes to the Policy 
No material changes 
New Executive Directors to be aligned with the arrangements available to the majority of staff employed in the UK 
and Ireland (available rates are age related up to a maximum of 18.5%). CFO recruited on terms consistent with this.

Other benefits 
Annual bonus 

Long term incentive 
arrangements 
Share ownership 
guidelines 

Current CEO rate to reduce from 30% to 18.5% as follows:
 – 2020: 24.5%
 – 2021: 22.5%
 – 2022: 20.5%
 – 2023:  18.5% 
No material changes 
No material changes (cap of 200% of salary and 40% deferral of bonus into shares for 2 years)
CEO’s maximum opportunity to be reduced to 175% of salary on a one-time basis for 2020
CFO recruited with a maximum opportunity of 150% of salary 
RSS to replace LTIP as described in the RSS Q&As on page 91. 

250% of salary level retained.
Post-cessation guidelines of 250% for two years – Committee discretion to release if no longer appropriate in the 
circumstances.
Shares valued at the higher of value on departure and subsequently. Enforced through building up shares in escrow 
on the vesting of new RSS and DBSS awards granted from 2020 onwards. 

As part of the Policy review, we wrote to 
shareholders representing over 80% of the 
issued share capital of the Company, and I 
have engaged directly with over half of those 
shareholders. We are pleased with the level of 
support expressed for the RSS, the details of 
which are set out in the proposed Policy. The 
move to the RSS will create broad alignment 
between Executive Directors and colleagues 
below Board level (where restricted stock has 
been operated for a number of years), and 
removes the great difficulty of setting robust 
and appropriately challenging LTIP 
performance targets against an uncertain 
and volatile market background which may 
potentially lead to unintended or sub-
optimal remuneration outcomes. 

RSS award levels will be on the basis of a 50% 
discount to previous LTIP award levels. For 
2020 only, David Atkins’ RSS award will be 
further reduced in response to feedback at 
the 2019 AGM that LTIP award levels should 
have reflected the decline in share price.  
As a new joiner, James Lenton’s RSS award 
level has been set at 75% of base salary which 
is a greater than 50% reduction on the 
maximum LTIP award of his predecessor. 
RSS awards will be subject to an underpin 
as described in the proposed Policy.

Executive Director pension 
contributions
As indicated in Table 44 above, we also 
propose changes to align the pension 
contribution rates available to Executive 
Directors with the arrangements available to 
the majority of staff in the UK and Ireland. 

90

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

We believe this to be the appropriate 
approach, as Executive Directors will be 
treated in the same way as their Hammerson 
colleagues, and we recognise this is important 
to our shareholders. Under these 
arrangements, employee contributions up to 
7% of salary are double matched by the 
Company, with additional single matching 
contributions – up to a maximum company 
contribution of 18.5% – linked to age. We have 
agreed that David Atkins’ pension 
contribution should reduce annually to the 
maximum rate available to him in accordance 
with the age bandings (18.5%) by the start of 
2023.

Remuneration performance 
and considerations in 2019
Context for the Committee’s 
decisions
The Committee carries out its duties against 
the backdrop of the performance of the wider 
economy, the market within which the Group 
operates, remuneration of the wider 
workforce and specific Group performance. 
The impact of continued political uncertainty 
on consumer and business confidence, and 
the challenging backdrop for rents and 
valuations, particularly in the UK, were key 
themes during 2019, and you will have read 
more about these in earlier sections of the 
Annual Report.

The Group has continued to deliver against 
our strategy announced in July 2018, 
including achieving disposals of £542m, 
in excess of the £500m target, ensuring our 
balance sheet is in a strong position, and 
making progress in improving tenant mix 
and repurposing department store space. 
You can also read more about this in earlier 
sections of the Annual Report.

AIP 2019 Performance
Annual bonus (AIP) outturn is determined 
based on a combination of financial and 
personal performance measures as described 
in more detail in this Report. Performance 
against the 2019 financial measures has been 
mixed, with partial payouts under both the 
EPS and net debt measures, but a zero payout 
anticipated in respect of the TPR measure 
(no AIP payments for TPR are made until 
actual external benchmark data becomes 
available). 

In assessing the AIP outturn, the Committee 
discussed whether it should exercise 
discretion with respect to personal 
performance elements in light of 
disappointing share price performance 
during the year. However, in the context of 
a challenging market, broader economic 
circumstances, the decision to waive bonuses 
last year and the Executive Directors having 
made significant progress in a number of key 
areas, such as strengthening the balance 
sheet and disposals, the Committee is 
satisfied that no reduction to AIP outturns 
is merited.

Combined with personal performance, the 
final estimated AIP level is 39.6% to David 
Atkins and 44.1% to James Lenton (subject to 
pro-rating from his date of joining). No AIP is 
payable to Timon Drakesmith, who resigned 
from the Board during the year.

  Further information on outturn 

against performance targets for 
the AIP and LTIP is on pages 107 
and 109 respectively

Stakeholder engagement
We communicate with, and receive feedback 
from our employees through a variety of 
channels, including an annual survey, regular 
employee briefings and through the Group 
Employee Forum which you can read about 
in the ‘Our people’ section on page 43. 
These channels allow us to communicate 
with employees on remuneration matters 
where appropriate.

The Committee is regularly updated on 
colleague pay and benefits throughout the 
Group and considers colleague remuneration 
as part of the review of executive remuneration.

As noted above, we consulted with our major 
shareholders and institutional advisory 
bodies on proposed changes to our Policy. 
We were pleased with the level of 
engagement shown by shareholders during 
the consultation process, and the support 
shown for our proposals.

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Why have you reduced the RSS policy 
award level by 50% compared to the 
old LTIP, and why is the proposed 
2020 award lower than policy?
As noted above, the RSS trades the size  
of awards for certainty of vesting. 
The stability of a smaller fixed vesting level, 
with the ultimate value received dependent 
on share price movement is aligned with 
the shareholder experience and better 
supports the stewardship role of 
management than the potential volatility  
of LTIP performance targets. 

Given recent share price performance, 
the Committee has taken the view that 
had we continued with the existing LTIP 
scheme, 2020 LTIP awards would have 
been at a lower level than in previous years. 
We have therefore concluded that it is 
appropriate to apply the same discount 
to RSS awards this year, hence the proposal 
for awards to the CEO and CFO of 75% of 
salary in 2020. We envisage future RSS 
awards to be at 100% of salary for the CEO 
and 75% of salary for the CFO.

Restricted Share Scheme (RSS) – Q&As

Why are you changing your long term 
incentive arrangements?
We have taken into account the clear views 
of institutional shareholders, proxy 
advisory agencies and specialists in the area 
of executive remuneration that the 
quantum of executive pay packages should 
be reduced. Our proposed RSS will result 
in a reduced level of total pay for our 
Executive Directors by ending the LTIP. 
The RSS will also align our Executive 
Directors with senior management below 
board level, for whom a similar plan has 
been in place for a number of years.

As one of only two large UK listed retail 
property businesses, we have also become 
increasingly concerned about the difficulty 
of setting robust and meaningful 
performance conditions for our existing 
LTIP against the backdrop of a volatile 
market environment.

Taking all of the above into consideration, 
we feel that the RSS offers shareholders  
and participants a simple, clear and 
understandable long term reward structure.

What are the key features of the RSS?
 – Lower policy award levels than under 

the LTIP (100% of salary for CEO, 75% 
of salary for CFO)

 – The value of the RSS award will vest 

in three equal tranches in years three, 
four and five from the date of the award

 – No performance conditions giving clarity 

of outturn

 – Vesting is subject to an underpin 
(material underperformance) 

What is and why are you applying a 
material underperformance underpin?
Having an underpin ensures that a 
threshold level of performance is achieved 
before an award vests. We are aware that 
the typical operation of restricted share 
schemes would not include an underpin 
(certainty of vesting outcome being the 
trade-off for the reduced quantum of 
awards). During our consultation with 
shareholders on the proposed 
remuneration policy, we received clear 
feedback that our arrangements should 
include a mechanism, otherwise known as 
an underpin, which would ensure that our 
Executive Directors do not receive payment 
for failure. We have therefore decided to 
apply an underpin which allows the 
Committee to determine that an RSS award 
will not vest where there has been material 
underperformance.

Why are you also applying an 
underpin for 2020 awards based on 
TSR and how will it be measured?
For the 2020 awards, we have decided to 
apply an additional TSR underpin so that 
the vesting outturn of the initial RSS award 
is more aligned to returns to shareholders. 
We will measure average TSR for the three 
months prior to award and compare this 
with the average TSR for the three months 
prior to vesting. No more than 50% of the 
awards will vest if the average TSR for the 
period prior to vesting is not higher than the 
average TSR prior to award.

We anticipate that awards from 2021 
onwards will be subject only to the material 
underperformance underpin.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Chair’s annual statement continued

retirement. As part of his retirement, and in 
recognition of Peter’s long and dedicated 
service to the Company, the Committee 
exercised discretion to allow the deferred 
share element (DBSS) of the AIP awards 
made to Peter in respect of 2018 and 2019 
to vest early following his retirement. The 
exercise of this discretion is permitted by 
the DBSS rules, and within the terms of the 
remuneration policy in place at the time. 
Peter did not exercise his 2015 LTIP award 
which lapsed.

The year ahead
Remuneration alignment 
to strategy
All aspects of remuneration are regularly 
considered by the Committee to ensure 
they support and are aligned to strategy. 
To support the ongoing focus on reducing 
debt, the Committee has decided that the 
2020 AIP financial performance measures 
will be EPS and net debt (the 2019 AIP also 
included a TPR measure), and that the 
weighting between financial and personal 
performance measures will move to 75%:25% 
(from 70%:30% in 2019). The personal 
element will be based on a scorecard 
approach, with 15% assessed consistent with 
the previous approach, 5% dependent on 
achievement of a measurable sustainability 
target and 5% on an employee-related target.

Board changes 
Timon Drakesmith resigned as a Director 
of the Company with effect from 1 October 
2019 and his remuneration for the period 
to that date is set out in the single figure table 
on page 106. As he resigned from office, 
Timon was not eligible for a bonus under the 
AIP for 2019, and his outstanding unvested 
interests in the DBSS and LTIP lapsed on his 
leaving date. 

James Lenton was appointed as an Executive 
Director of the Company on 16 September 
2019, and as Chief Financial Officer with 
effect from 1 October 2019. As announced at 
the time of his appointment, James’s salary 
was set lower than that of his predecessor at 
£430,000 with a pension contribution rate 
of 14%, in line with the arrangements 
available to the majority of employees in the 
UK and Ireland. James also received an LTIP 
award with a value equivalent to 50% of his 
base salary, which was reduced from the then 
policy level to reflect his period of 
employment during the year.

Peter Cole stepped down as an Executive 
Director of the Company on 31 December 
2018 and retired as an employee with effect 
from 30 April 2019. Under the LTIP rules, 
Peter’s unvested LTIP interests at the date 
of his retirement will vest and become 
exercisable subject to applicable 
performance and holding periods, and 
pro-rating for the time to the date of his 

We have also agreed that the maximum 
bonus opportunity under the AIP for the 
CEO will be reduced to 175% of salary on a 
one-time basis in 2020. On his appointment, 
James Lenton’s maximum bonus 
opportunity was set at 150% of base salary 
and this is reflected in the proposed Policy 
on page 95.

  Further information on the 2020 
AIP performance measures and 
targets is on page 121

2020 pay approach
Factors that the Committee took into 
account in determining salary increases for 
the Executive Directors included a low 
inflationary environment and the continuing 
focus on cost control. Following its review, 
the Committee approved a base salary 
increase of 2% for the CEO and CFO with 
effect from 1 April 2020. This compares with 
a general increase of 2% for other senior 
management and 2.5% for other colleagues.

Conclusion
At the 2020 AGM, the revised Remuneration 
Policy will be put to shareholders for 
approval and the Remuneration Report will 
be put to an advisory vote. The rules of the 
RSS will also be submitted to shareholders 
for approval. I look forward to receiving your 
continued support at the AGM.

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Table 45

Summary of major activities and decisions of the Committee in 2019 

Policy

Salary

Annual 
Incentive Plan  
and Long Term 
Incentive Plan

Governance
Other

Review of feedback from shareholders and proxy voting agencies following 2019 AGM
Review of policy and development of proposal for submission to 2020 AGM, including consultation with our largest shareholders
2019 Executive Directors’ pay review
Review and approval of Chair’s fee
Consideration of AIP 2018 outturn and confirmation of bonus payments
Review and approval of 2019 AIP structure, performance targets and personal objectives
Consideration of 2015 LTIP performance outturn and approval of vesting outcomes
Review of 2019 AIP outturn and options for 2020
Review and approval of 2019 LTIP award levels and performance conditions
Consideration of 2015 LTIP performance outturn and approval of vesting outcomes
Review of AGM season remuneration report results, and investor and proxy agencies’ views on remuneration
Review of 2019 Annual Remuneration Report
Review of remuneration structures across the Group
Employee share plan award activity
Incentive plan rule updates, and new RSS rules
Review of remuneration consultant costs and re-appointment

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Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Voting on remuneration at 
the AGM
Three votes on remuneration matters will be 
presented at the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM): a binding vote on the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (Policy) as 
set out in the policy section of this Report, an 
advisory vote on the Annual Remuneration 
Report section of this Report, and a binding 
vote to approve the rules of the Restricted 
Share Scheme (RSS).

Explanation of our 
remuneration approach
The overall objectives of the Remuneration 
Committee (Committee) are to determine an 
appropriate remuneration policy that:

 – Aligns remuneration with strategy to drive 

the long term success of the Company

 – Aligns with the Company’s culture and 

broader reward framework

 – Ensures that the Company can continue to 
attract, retain and motivate quality leaders

 – Avoids paying more than the Committee 

considers necessary

Remuneration Policy

The Policy is shaped by the following 
underlying principles that aim to achieve:

 – Alignment with strategy and business 
objectives and shareholder interests

 – The long term success of the Company

 – Consistency and transparency

 – The reward of performance with 

competitive remuneration

 – Support for Company values

 – A mixture of fixed remuneration, short 

term and long term incentives

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Case Study – 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (Code) considerations

As part of its review of the Remuneration Policy, the Committee has considered the factors set out in provision 40 of the Code. In our view,  
the proposed Policy addresses those factors as set out below:

Factor

How addressed

Clarity – remuneration arrangements 
should be transparent and promote 
effective engagement with shareholders 
and the workforce
Simplicity – remuneration structures 
should avoid complexity and their 
rationale and operation should be easy 
to understand

Risk – remuneration arrangements 
should ensure reputational and other 
risks from excessive rewards, and 
behavioural risks that can arise from 
target-based incentive plans, are 
identified and mitigated
Predictability – the range of possible 
reward values to individual directors 
and any other limits or discretions 
should be identified and explained at 
the time of approving the policy
Proportionality – the link between 
individual awards, the delivery of 
strategy and the long term performance 
of the company should be clear. 
Outcomes should not reward poor 
performance

Alignment to culture – incentive 
schemes should drive behaviours 
consistent with company purpose, 
values and strategy

Remuneration policy and arrangements are clearly disclosed each year in the Annual Report. 
The Committee proactively seeks engagement with shareholders on remuneration matters 
(see description of consultation on proposed Policy above), and is regularly updated on workforce 
pay and benefits across the Group during the course of its activity.
Our remuneration structure is comprised of fixed and variable remuneration, with the 
performance conditions for variable elements clearly communicated to, and understood by, 
participants. The RSS provides a mechanism for aligning Executive Director and shareholder 
interests, removes the difficult challenge of setting robust, appropriately challenging and easily 
understandable performance targets in a volatile market which could to lead to potentially 
unintended remuneration outcomes and significantly reduces the maximum pay available to 
Executive Directors.
The rules of the AIP, RSS and LTIP provide discretion to the Committee to reduce award levels 
(see the Policy table on pages 95 and 96 ), and awards are subject to malus and clawback 
provisions. The Committee also has overriding discretion to reduce awards to mitigate against 
any reputational or other risk from such awards being considered excessive.
As noted above, the RSS reduces the risk of unintended remuneration outcomes associated with 
complex performance conditions.
See scenario charts on page 104.
As noted above, the RSS increases the predictability of reward values (removing the risk of 
potentially unintended outcomes). Maximum award levels and discretions are set out in the 
Policy Table on page 94 to 97.

As shown in the scenario charts on page 104, variable performance related elements represent 
a significant proportion of the total remuneration opportunity for our Executive Directors. The 
Committee considers the appropriate financial and personal performance measures each year 
to ensure that there is a clear link to strategy. For example, for 2019 a net debt element was added 
to the AIP, and balance sheet strength included as a personal objective for Executive Directors, to 
reflect the strategy announced during 2018. Discretions available to the Committee ensure that 
awards can be reduced if necessary to ensure that outcomes do not reward poor performance.
The Committee seeks to ensure that personal performance measures under the AIP incentivise 
behaviours consistent with the Company’s culture, purpose and values. The RSS will clearly align 
Executive Director interests with those of shareholders by ensuring a focus on delivering against 
strategy to generate long term value for shareholders.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy as set out below (Policy) will take effect from the conclusion of the AGM to be held on 28 April 2020, subject 
to approval by the shareholders at that meeting. It is intended that this Policy will remain applicable for the following three years. However, the 
Committee will keep a watching brief to ensure that it remains appropriate in the broader remuneration landscape. The Committee consulted 
extensively with shareholders and took into account their views when formulating the Policy. Further details of the consultation process are set 
out in the Chair’s letter on pages 89 and 90. 

The Committee has received clear advice that formal limits are required in the Policy and has retained sufficient flexibility to enable it to continue 
to act in the interests of the Company and its shareholders. The limits will not lead to pressure on reward levels and the Committee is satisfied that 
it has adopted a suitably conservative approach to date and will continue to do so.

Table 46

Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors

Salary
Purpose and 
link to Strategy

Operation

 – To continue to retain and attract quality leaders.

 – To recognise accountabilities, skills, experience and value.
 – Paid monthly in cash.

 – Reviewed but not necessarily increased annually by the Committee.

 – In undertaking reviews, the Committee will take into account a variety of factors, including Company and individual 

performance, market conditions, the level of salary increases awarded to other employees of the Group, and a comparison 
against both a relevant property peer group and a group of entities of comparable size selected by the Committee 
(currently the largest REITs and an appropriate pan-sector group of companies with a comparable market capitalisation).

 – The Committee is aware of the limitations of benchmarking and of the need to avoid inflationary upward trends. However, 
benchmarking is considered at both base salary and total remuneration level, and the Committee generally considers that 
pay will be within a range of +/- 10% of a median benchmark but also takes into account such other factors as it considers 
appropriate and is not constrained by this default.

 – The base salary for any existing Executive Director shall not exceed £850,000 (or the equivalent if denominated in a 

different currency), with this limit increasing annually at the rate of UK CPI from the date of the 2017 AGM.

 – Not applicable.

 – Provide a range of benefits in line with market practice.

 – To continue to retain and attract quality leaders.
 – Executive Directors may receive such contractual and non-contractual benefits as the Committee considers to be 
appropriate and consistent with market practice in the relevant market in which the Executive Director is based.

 – These benefits currently include a car allowance, enhanced sick pay, private medical insurance (for the Executive Director 

and their spouse/life partner), permanent health insurance and life assurance. 

 – Whilst the Committee does not consider it to form part of benefits in the normal sense, Executive Directors can participate 
in corporate hospitality (including travel and, where appropriate, with a family member), whether paid for by the Company 
or another, within its agreed policies with any tax liability met on the Executive Directors’ behalf.

 – In addition, Executive Directors will be paid any statutory entitlements.
 – The aggregate value of such benefits received by each Executive Director (based on the value included in the individual’s 

annual P11D tax calculation or a broadly equivalent basis for a non-UK based Executive Director) shall not exceed £100,000 
or the equivalent if denominated in a different currency (with this maximum increasing annually at the rate of UK CPI 
from the date of the 2017 AGM).

 – In addition to the benefits outlined, where Executive Directors are relocated to work in a different country, the Company 

may pay global relocation support (up to a maximum of £400,000) or the equivalent if denominated in a different currency; 
and/or provide tax equalisation arrangements in relation to all elements of remuneration.

Maximum  
potential value
Performance 
measures

Benefits
Purpose and 
link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum  
potential value

Performance 
measures

 – Not applicable.

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Table 46 continued

Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors

Pension
Purpose and 
link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum  
potential value
Performance 
measures

 – Provide market competitive retirement benefits.

 – To continue to retain and attract quality leaders.
 – In line with all UK employees, where either annual or lifetime pension allowances are exceeded Executive Directors may 

receive a cash allowance (Pension Choice) to be paid as, or as a combination of: (i) an employer contribution to the 
Company’s defined contribution pension plan; (ii) a payment to a personal pension plan; or (iii) a salary supplement.

 – Pension arrangements for Executive Directors are kept under review to ensure that they remain appropriate and the 

Company may decide to amend the way in which pension benefits are provided (but subject to the stated maximum limit).

 – The Company will also provide any additional pension benefit required by local legal obligations or implemented pursuant 

to collective employment arrangements in any relevant jurisdiction, up to applicable statutory limits. 

 – The percentage of base salary as a pension allowance may differ between Executive Directors. New Executive Directors 

will receive contributions aligned with the arrangements available to the majority of staff employed in the UK and Ireland 
(age related and subject to employee contributions) from time to time.

 – The CEO’s contribution rate will reduce from 30% to the relevant age related maximum level available to the majority of 

staff employees in the UK and Ireland (currently 18.5%) by the start of 2023. 

 – The Company’s defined benefit scheme closed to further accrual in 2014. The participation of David Atkins in this scheme 

is to the extent of accrued benefits only.

 – Pension Choice is limited to an aggregate maximum age-related limit of 18.5% of base salary. No elements of remuneration 

other than base salary are pensionable.

 – Not applicable.

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Annual Bonus (Annual Incentive Plan or AIP)
Purpose and 
link to Strategy

Company’s Business Plan for the relevant financial year.

 – Align Executive Director remuneration with annual financial and Company strategic targets as determined by the 

 – To differentiate appropriately, in the view of the Committee, on the basis of performance.

Operation

 – Partial award in shares aligns interests with shareholders and supports retention.
 – Awards are subject to continued employment, save in the leaver circumstances described in the Payment for loss of office 

section of this Policy.

 – Awards are paid in a mix of cash and deferred shares, with the deferred shares element being at least 40% of the total award.

 – The Committee reserves discretion to reduce any formulaic outcome if it is not considered appropriate in all the circumstances.

 – Subject to clawback and malus provisions in situations of personal misconduct and/or where accounts or information 
relevant to performance are shown to be materially wrong and the bonus paid was higher than should have been the 
case and/or where the individual’s actions contributed to a significant adverse impact on the reputation of the Company 
or Group.

 – The recovery and withholding provisions also apply to the deferred element of the AIP delivered under the DBSS.
 – The maximum bonus opportunity is 200% of base salary (CEO) and 150% (CFO).

 – The annual bonus operates by reference to financial and personal performance measures set and assessed over one year.  

The weighting of the financial measures will be at least 60% of the total opportunity. It is expected that the financial 
performance measures may include some or all of the following:

Maximum  
potential Value
Performance 
measures

 – Absolute net debt

 – Relative Total Property Return

 – Adjusted Earnings Per Share

 – These measures are aligned to the Company’s financial KPIs, as explained in the Company’s Strategic Report, and reflect 

effective delivery of the business model. The Committee reserves the right to change, remove or include these or such other 
measures as it considers to be an appropriate means of assessing the performance of the Executive Directors.

 – The level of vesting at entry/threshold performance for each performance measure is set annually, but will be between 0% 
and 25% of maximum (with vesting normally then being on a straight-line or stepped basis to the target level set for full 
vesting). On-target and maximum performance levels will also be set.

 – The Committee retains discretion to amend the vesting level (up or down) where it considers it to be appropriate, 

but not so as to exceed the maximum bonus potential and will fully disclose the exercise of any discretion in the Annual 
Remuneration Report that follows such exercise of discretion.

 – Once set, performance measures and targets will generally remain unchanged for the year, except targets may be adjusted 
by the Committee to take account of significant transactions such as acquisitions and/or disposals or in other exceptional 
circumstances such as timing of transactions that have a material impact on Business Plan.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Table 46 continued

Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors

Annual Bonus (Deferred share element)
Purpose and 
link to Strategy
Operation

and supports retention.

 – The AIP award is split between cash and a substantial deferred award of shares which aligns interests with shareholders 

 – The deferred shares element is currently awarded under the Deferred Bonus Share Scheme (DBSS) (but may be delivered 

under a different plan with equivalent terms).

 – The deferral period is currently two years, and may not be shorter.

 – The deferred shares are subject to the leaver conditions as set out in the Payment for loss of office section of this Policy.

 – The awards are typically structured as nil-cost share options, but can take other forms such as a conditional award 

of shares.

 – Participants are entitled to a dividend equivalent for the period from grant until the vesting date, delivered as additional 

shares when the shares are transferred to the participant.

 – Awards under the DBSS are granted to deliver the deferred element of the annual bonus, and so no separate maximum applies.

 – No further performance targets apply to the deferred shares element of the AIP as these represent previously earned 

bonuses.

Maximum  
potential value
Performance 
measures

Restricted Share Scheme (RSS) 
Purpose and 
link to Strategy

 – Incentivise the creation of long term returns for shareholders. 

 – Align interests of Executive Directors with shareholders and support retention.

Operation

 – To create alignment with the workforce.
 – Executive Directors are eligible to participate in an annual award under the RSS. If the Remuneration Policy and new RSS 

rules are approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM, future awards will be made under the new RSS.

Maximum  
potential value

Performance 
measures

 – Awards are subject to a three-year underpin period.

 – Awards are subject to continued employment for three to five years from grant (with one-third of awards contingent on 

employment to each such anniversary) and only released on the fifth anniversary of grant), save as set out in the Payment 
for loss of office section of this Policy.

 – Participants are entitled to a dividend equivalent for the period from grant until the date of release of the shares or, where 
a holding period applies, to the end of the holding period, delivered as additional shares when the shares are transferred to 
the participant.

 – The Committee has discretion to settle awards as a cash payment in place of the transfer of shares.

 – The Committee reserves discretion to reduce any formulaic outcome if it is not considered appropriate in all the 

circumstances.

 – Subject to clawback and malus provisions in situations of personal misconduct and/or where performance in the year prior 

to grant is shown to be materially different from that assumed and/or if the Remuneration Committee reasonably 
concludes that events have occurred following that year which lead it to conclude in exceptional circumstances that vesting 
is inappropriate (in which case it may reduce such vesting).

 – A discretionary annual award up to a value of 100% of base salary.

 – The Committee reserves the discretion to increase the maximum award to 150% of base salary in exceptional circumstances.
 – Awards will normally vest in full, subject to the following underpin:

 – that the Group’s underlying performance and delivery against its strategy and plans (which may change in response to 
structural and cyclical changes over time) is sufficient to justify the level of vesting having regard to such factors as the 
Committee considers to be appropriate in the round.

 – in normal circumstances, such factors will include consideration of absolute and relative TSR, net debt and TPR.

 – when considering these factors, the Committee will assess overall performance in the round, with a default to full vesting 

unless there has been material under performance.

 – Awards to be made in 2020 will be subject to the following additional underpin:

 – that no more than 50% of the award will vest if the Company’s TSR has not increased over the three years following grant 
(using the three-month average TSR’s for January to March 2020 for the base price and the same period three years later 
for the end price).

 – The Committee retains the discretion prior to making the award to amend the underpin.

 – Once set, the Committee may only amend the underpin in respect of outstanding awards in the event that exceptional 
circumstances occur which make it appropriate to do so, provided that the amended underpin is not, in the view of the 
Committee, materially less difficult to satisfy.

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All-employee arrangements
Purpose and 
link to Strategy
Operation

 – In order to be able to offer participation in these plans to employees generally, the Company is required by the relevant 

UK legislation to allow Executive Directors to participate on the same terms, or chooses so to do.

 – Executive Directors are eligible to participate in all-employee incentive arrangements on the same terms as other 

employees. This currently comprises the following arrangements:

 – Eligible UK employees may participate in the Sharesave and Share Incentive Plan (SIP).

 – All employees of Hammerson France are eligible to participate in a profit share plan, which rewards performance against 

such measures as the Committee considers to be appropriate.

 – Maximum participation levels for Executive Directors are the same as apply to all employees

 – Not generally applicable. An award of free shares under the SIP can be made to all participants and may be subject to a 

Company performance target.

Maximum  
potential value
Performance 
measures

Notes to the Remuneration Policy Table 
1.  For details regarding remuneration of other Company employees, please refer to the Employee pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group 

section of this Policy.

2. The Payment for loss of office section of this Policy contains details of the impact of a change of control on awards made under AIP,  

the DBSS, the RSS and outstanding awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).

3. The Committee will determine components of remuneration for new Executive Directors, as outlined in the Recruitment section of 

this Policy.

4. Performance targets for the AIP and RSS are set by the Committee taking into consideration a number of factors, including alignment to 

strategy, the Business Plan, need for consistency between years, changes to the Group’s portfolio, market conditions, and need to ensure that 
measures are sufficiently challenging but also provide motivation to succeed.

5. It is a provision of this Policy that all pre-existing obligations and commitments that were entered into prior to this Policy taking effect and/

or prior to an individual joining the Board will continue and can be honoured on their existing terms. In particular, these may include 
continued participation in legacy defined benefit pension arrangements and the retention of outstanding awards under the LTIP together 
with other obligations and commitments under service contracts, incentive schemes, pension and benefit plans. This includes payments 
from any outstanding awards under the LTIP or other incentive plans provided they were consistent with the Policy at the time they 
were awarded.

6. If the rules of the RSS are not approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM, the Company will consult with shareholders about appropriate 

alternatives.

7. A summary of key changes to the Policy is included in the Committee Chair’s letter.

Share ownership guidelines
The Chief Executive and all other Executive 
Directors are expected to accumulate and 
maintain a holding in ordinary shares in 
the Company equivalent to no less than 
250% of base salary. 

Executive Directors are normally required 
to achieve the minimum shareholding 
requirement within seven years of the date 
of appointment. 

Shares to be included in the calculation are:

 – Shares held beneficially by the Executive 
Director and the Executive Director’s 
spouse/life partner.

 – Shares held under the DBSS, RSS or 

LTIP that are exercisable (on a net of tax/
NI basis).

 – Shares held under the LTIP that have 

vested but are subject to a holding period 
(on a net of tax/NI basis).

 – Shares held by the Executive Director 

under the Share Incentive Plan.

An annual calculation as a percentage of 
salary is made against the guidelines for each 
Executive Director as at 31 December each 
year based on the closing middle market 
quotation of a share price on the last business 
day in December. The closing exchange rate 
as at 31 December is used for Executive 
Directors whose salary is denominated in a 
currency other than sterling. No formal 
sanctions exist for non-compliance.

Post-cessation share ownership
On cessation of employment, Executive 
Directors are expected to maintain a 
shareholding equivalent to 250% of base 

salary for a period of two years. The 
Committee has discretion to reduce this 
guideline if it is no longer appropriate. Shares 
will be valued at the higher of the value on 
cessation and subsequently. Vesting of RSS 
grants from 2020 onwards, and DBSS awards 
from 2021 onwards, will be lodged in escrow 
to provide an enforcement mechanism.

Recruitment
Statement of Principles
The Company will pay total remuneration 
for new Executive Directors that enables 
the Company to attract appropriately skilled 
and experienced individuals, but is not, in 
the opinion of the Committee, excessive.

The Company will not pay new Executive 
Directors any inducements to join the 
Company over and above buy-outs of existing 
forfeited awards, as outlined in this section of 
the Policy.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

For a new Executive Director who is an 
internal appointment, the Company may 
also continue to honour commitments made 
prior to the appointment as Executive 
Director even if those commitments are 
otherwise inconsistent with the Policy in 
force when the commitments are honoured. 
Any relevant existing incentive plan 
participation may either continue on its 
original terms or the performance conditions 
and/or measures may be amended to reflect 
the individual’s new role, as the Committee 
considers appropriate.

Compensation for variable 
remuneration forfeited by a new 
Executive Director
The Company may, where appropriate, 
compensate a new Executive Director for 
variable remuneration that has been 
forfeited as a result of accepting the 
appointment with the Company. Where 
the Company compensates a new Executive 
Director in this way, it will seek to do so 
under the terms of the Company’s existing 
variable remuneration arrangements as set 
out in the Remuneration Policy Table. 
The Company may compensate on terms 
that are more bespoke than the existing 
arrangements where the Committee 
considers that to be appropriate. 

The Committee may also make awards under 
a long term incentive scheme that does not 
require shareholder approval if it falls within 
Listing Rule 9.4.2 (an arrangement 
established for a director specifically to 
facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the 
recruitment of an individual). In such 
instances, the Company will disclose a full 
explanation of the detail and rationale for 
such recruitment-related compensation. 
In making such awards, the Committee 
will seek to take into account the nature 
(including whether awards are cash or 
share-based), vesting period and 
performance measures and/or conditions for 
any remuneration forfeited by the individual 
when leaving a previous employer. Where 
such awards had outstanding performance 
or service conditions (which are not 
substantially completed), the Company will 
generally impose equivalent conditions. 
In exceptional cases, the Committee may 
relax those requirements where it considers 
this to be in the interests of shareholders, 
for example through a significant discount 
to the face value of the replacement awards.

Service agreements for a 
new Executive Director
The Committee’s approach is for the service 
agreements of new Executive Directors to 
have due regard to market practice at the 
date of appointment, the Company’s current 
Policy and the service agreements in place 
for existing Executive Directors.

The Company will disclose to the market/on 
its website in a timely manner the basis of a 
package agreed with a new Executive 
Director.

Approach and limits
Annual salary, pension, contractual and 
non-contractual benefits, annual bonus and 
long term incentive arrangements (including 
performance measures and/or conditions 
and maximum award levels), as described in 
the Remuneration Policy Table, will be the 
starting point for the structure of any 
package. The level of variable remuneration 
that may be awarded to a new Executive 
Director will not exceed the maximum AIP 
and RSS limits that can be awarded in line 
with the principles set out in the 
Remuneration Policy Table, with the 
exception of any compensation for variable 
remuneration forfeited. Consistent with the 
regulations; the limits contained within the 
Remuneration Policy Table for base salary 
or any other element of fixed pay do apply to 
a new Executive Director either on joining or 
for any subsequent salary review within the 
period of this Policy unless the Committee 
considers there are exceptional 
circumstances. However, the Committee 
would seek to avoid exceeding those limits 
in practice.

The Company may provide a new Executive 
Director with global relocation support and/
or tax equalisation arrangements as set out 
in the Remuneration Policy Table although, 
to date, the Company has not had occasion 
to do so.

Table 47

The key termination provisions for service agreements for newly appointed Executive Directors will be:

Notice period

Post-termination 
restrictions

Payment in lieu of 
notice (PILON)

Expiry date

Change of control and 
liquidated damages

No greater than 12 months’ notice (either notice to or from the Executive Director) for UK-based Directors.  
For non UK-based Directors, contracts are designed to meet local laws and have a similar overall effect in terms of 
the potential cost to the Group.
A longer period of notice from the Company may apply to new appointments for a limited time if the Committee 
considers this is appropriate, but would then reduce to no more than 12 months.
Compensation in respect of restrictive covenants will be paid as required for enforceability reasons under applicable 
local statutory (or collective bargaining) requirements. Appropriate post-termination restrictions to protect the 
Group’s confidential information, its customer and supplier connections and/or to prevent poaching of its senior 
workforce will be included.
Employment can be terminated by the Company with immediate effect (for any reason) by making a payment in lieu 
of the outstanding period of notice (PILON). The PILON comprises base pay, and the value of employer’s pension 
contributions, medical insurance and car allowance.
The Company will have discretion to make any PILON on a phased basis, subject to mitigation.
No PILON will be made in the event of gross misconduct.
There will be no fixed expiry date. The appointment of new Executive Directors will be terminable in accordance with 
the notice period.
The Executive Director will not have a right to liquidated damages, whether triggered by a change of control of the 
Company or otherwise.

The terms summarised above will be subject to any local statutory (or collective bargaining) requirements where applicable. For treatment of 
incentive awards in connection with termination please see the Payment for loss of office section of this Policy.

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Payment for loss of office
Committee considerations on leaving office
The Committee considers the circumstances under which an Executive Director is leaving the Company’s employment. In circumstances where 
a Director is terminated for cause, the Committee typically has limited discretion in connection with remuneration payments. In other 
circumstances, a range of discretions is available to the Committee 

The following tables set out a summary of obligations contained in the Executive Directors’ service agreements which could give rise to, or impact 
on, remuneration payments for loss of office.

Table 48

Service agreements and notice periods for current Executive Directors

Date of service contract
Expiry date
Notice period

Termination payments:
Payment in lieu of notice 
(PILON)

Liquidated damages/Change 
of control

David Atkins
11 January 2008
Rolling service contracts with no fixed expiry date.
12 months’ notice to the Executive Director and 
6 months’ notice from the Executive Director.

James Lenton
16 September 2019

12 months’ notice (both from and to the Executive 
Director).

Employment can be terminated by the Company with 
immediate effect by making a lump sum PILON in 
respect of the outstanding notice period comprising 
base salary, the value of contractual benefits and a 
bonus based on the Executive Director’s average bonus 
over the previous three years (but pro-rated to reflect 
the part of the bonus year actually worked).

Employment can be terminated by the Company 
with immediate effect by making a PILON in 
respect of the outstanding notice period 
comprising base salary and the value of benefits in 
respect of pension, private medical insurance and 
car allowance. 

No PILON will be made in the event of gross misconduct.
The Company has discretion to make any PILON on a phased basis, subject to mitigation.
Entitlement to liquidated damages calculated on the same basis as calculated for the Executive Director’s 
PILON if (i) the Company terminates the employment in breach of the service agreement or (ii) the 
Executive Director terminates the employment because of a fundamental breach by the Company or (iii) 
within 12 months after a change of control, the Company terminates the employment (in each case, save 
where such termination is for gross misconduct or long term sickness or incapacity).
Liquidated damages are subject to deductions for new earnings.

The service agreements with David Atkins and James Lenton provide that the relevant Executive Director will be eligible to be considered for 
payment of an award under the AIP provided that the Director has been employed through the entirety of the bonus year, even if no longer 
employed at the payment date. Where the Executive Director has been employed for only part of the bonus year, he will be eligible for 
consideration for payment of a discretionary bonus, but on a pro-rata basis. Other than in this respect, the treatment of leavers under the AIP, 
DBSS, RSS and LTIP arrangements is set out in Table 49. The Company will pay any additional statutory entitlements where applicable. 

www.hammerson.com 99

 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Table 49

Annual bonus and long term incentives

The following table describes the provisions which apply to leavers who are Executive Directors and the discretions available under the AIP, DBSS, 
RSS and LTIP. Further detail as to the potential exercise of discretion by the Committee is set out in the Use of discretion section of this Policy.

Ill-health, 
injury, 
disability

Death

Remains eligible for 
bonus. Any bonus 
payable will be time 
pro-rated unless the 
Committee decides 
otherwise.

AIP1
In all cases, any 
bonus payable is 
subject to the normal 
deferral 
arrangements, unless 
the Committee 
determines otherwise

Leaving reason

Redundancy, 
sale of 
Company or 
business

Retirement

Voluntary resignation3

Remains eligible for full 
payment of the bonus for a 
completed performance 
period. In addition, the 
Committee has discretion 
to make pro-rated 
payments for any 
performance period not 
completed.

No right to receive any 
bonus.
Committee has discretion 
to pay a bonus provided 
the Executive Director is 
in employment at the 
bonus payment date. 

Termination  
for cause

No bonus 
payable.

Change of control2

Bonuses may be 
awarded under the 
AIP at the time of the 
change of control. 
Unless the 
Committee 
determines 
otherwise, a bonus 
will be time 
pro-rated.

DBSS
(deferred share 
element of AIP)

Full vesting on normal vesting date.
Committee may accelerate vesting.

LTIP
(outstanding awards 
made up to 2019) 

Awards remain capable of vesting, subject to the 
performance conditions being met.
Awards will vest on the normal vesting date, save 
that the Committee may accelerate vesting.
Unless the Committee determines otherwise, 
vesting will be time pro-rated. 

RSS

Awards remain capable of vesting, subject to 
the underpin. 
Awards will vest on the normal vesting date 
subject to the underpin, save that the Committee 
may accelerate vesting.
Unless the Committee determines otherwise, 
vesting will be time pro-rated.

Awards lapse, save that the 
Committee has discretion 
to allow up to full vesting 
on the normal vesting date 
or the Committee may 
accelerate vesting.
Awards lapse, save that the 
Committee has discretion 
for awards to remain 
capable of vesting (subject 
to performance 
conditions) on a time 
pro-rated basis and may 
accelerate vesting. 
Awards lapse, save that the 
Committee has discretion 
for awards to remain 
capable of vesting (subject 
to the underpin) on a time 
pro-rated basis and may 
accelerate vesting.

Awards lapse. Awards vest in full.

Awards lapse.  Awards vest subject 
to the performance 
conditions and, 
unless the Committee 
determines 
otherwise, will be 
time pro-rated. 

Awards lapse. Awards vest, subject 
to the underpin and, 
unless the Committee 
determines 
otherwise, will be 
time pro-rated.

In respect of all-employee plans, including the Company’s HMRC-approved, all-employee share plans, the Sharesave and the SIP, and the profit 
share plan for employees of Hammerson France, the Executive Directors are subject to the same leaver provisions as all other participants.

Notes:
1.  Where the date of notice and the date of cessation fall in different performance periods, the provisions relating to AIP as stated above apply 

in respect of the AIP award for each performance period separately.

2. On a corporate event affecting the Company, bonuses and awards under the AIP, DBSS, RSS and LTIP will be governed by the rules of these 

plans. The information given here is for summary purposes.

3. Specific arrangements apply under the service agreements of David Atkins and James Lenton and as set out on page 99.

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The Company may agree to pay reasonable 
legal fees (and any associated tax costs) on 
behalf of the Executive Director for advice 
related to any proposed changes to their 
terms and conditions of employment during 
their period of employment.

On recruitment of an Executive Director, 
the Company may make a contribution 
towards legal fees in connection with 
agreeing employment terms and drawing 
up a service contract.

Other appointments: new and 
existing Executive Directors
Executive Directors are able to accept, with 
the consent of the Company’s Board of 
Directors, non-executive appointments 
outside the Company (provided that such 
appointments do not lead to a conflict of 
interests) on the basis that such external 
appointments can enhance their experience 
and skills and add value to the Company. 
Any fees received by an Executive Director 
for such external appointments can be 
retained by the individual (except where 
the Executive Director is appointed as the 
Company’s representative).

Use of discretion
The Committee can exercise discretion in 
various areas of the Policy as set out in this 
Report. In addition, the Committee has 
discretion to amend the Policy with regard 
to minor or administrative matters where 
it would be, in the opinion of the Committee, 
disproportionate to seek or await shareholder 
approval. The Committee retains the 
discretion to override the formulaic outcomes 
of incentive schemes. In exercising discretion 
in respect of the AIP, RSS or LTIP, the 
Committee will take into account all factors 
it determines to be appropriate at the relevant 
time, including but not limited to the duration 
of the Executive Director’s service and its 
assessment of the contribution towards the 
success of the Company during that period; 
whether the Executive Director has worked 
any notice period or whether (and if so, the 
extent that) a PILON is being made; the need 
to ensure an orderly handover of duties and 
continuity in the business operations of the 
Company; and the need to settle any claims 
which the Executive Director may have. 
In exercising any discretion, the members 
of the Committee will take account of their 
duties as Directors.

Other
If the Company terminates an Executive 
Director’s employment by reason of 
redundancy, the Company will make a 
redundancy payment to the Executive Director 
in line with any applicable Company 
redundancy policy (which includes any 
entitlement to statutory redundancy pay) and 
any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Payment to a departing Executive Director 
may be made in respect of accrued benefits 
and accrued untaken holiday.

In connection with an Executive Director 
ceasing employment, the Company may, 
if the Committee determines it is in the best 
interests of the Company, enter into new 
contractual arrangements with the departing 
Executive Director including (but not limited 
to) settlement, confidentiality, restrictive 
covenants and/or consultancy arrangements 
on such terms as it considers appropriate. 
In such case, the Company will make 
appropriate disclosures of such terms. If a 
settlement agreement is entered into with 
the Executive Director, the Company may 
make payments that it considers reasonable 
in settlement of potential legal claims, for 
example unfair dismissal, or where agreed 
under the settlement agreement. This may 
include any entitlement to compensation 
in respect of statutory rights under 
employment protection legislation in the 
UK or in other jurisdictions.

A departing gift may be provided (and any 
tax liability met on the Executive Director’s 
behalf) up to a value of £5,000 (plus the 
related taxes) per Executive Director on 
termination of office. The Company may 
agree to provide other ancillary or non-
material benefits in connection with 
(including in a defined period following) 
termination, not exceeding a value of £5,000 
in aggregate.

Legal fees
Consistent with market practice, the 
Company may pay reasonable legal fees 
(and any associated tax costs) on behalf of 
the Executive Director for entering into a 
statutory settlement agreement and may pay 
a contribution of up to £50,000, plus VAT, 
towards fees for outplacement services as 
part of a negotiated settlement.

In the case of a corporate transaction, the 
Company may agree to pay reasonable legal 
fees (and any associated tax costs) on behalf 
of the Executive Director for advice on the 
effect of the corporate transaction on the 
Executive Director’s personal position as a 
director (including, where appropriate, as 
to the terms of their employment).

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Chair and Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration
Table 50

Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors

Purpose and link to strategy
Ensure the Company continues to attract and retain high-quality 
Chair and Non-Executive Directors by offering market-competitive 
fees.

Operation
The Chair’s fee is determined by the Committee. Other Non-Executive 
Directors’ fees are determined by the Board on the recommendation 
of the Executive Directors.
Fee levels are reviewed periodically taking into account independent 
advice and the time commitment required of Non-Executive 
Directors.
Fees paid aim to be competitive with other listed companies which 
the Committee (in the case of the Chair) and the Board (in respect 
of Non-Executive Directors) consider to be of equivalent size and 
complexity but are not set by reference to a prescribed benchmark.
Fees are paid monthly in arrears.
The Chair does not receive any additional fee in respect of 
membership of any of the Committees. 
Other Non-Executive Directors may receive additional fees for 
membership and/or chairmanship of the Remuneration and Audit 
Committees. No additional fee is currently paid to the Chair or 
members of the Nomination Committee. There is also an additional 
fee for the Senior Independent Director. The level of additional fees 
is set to reflect the responsibilities of the role.

Other benefits
There are no other benefits currently available to any of the Non-
Executive Directors. Whilst the Company does not consider that 
reimbursing travel and accommodation expense (including to the 
Company’s London office) is a benefit in the normal sense, should 
any assessment to tax be made on such reimbursement, the Company 
reserves the ability to settle such liability on behalf of the Non-
Executive Director.
Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for performance-related 
bonuses or participation in the Company’s share plans, nor do 
Non-Executive Directors receive any pension benefits.

  Fee levels
  Current fees (per annum) are:
  Chair
  Non-Executive Director
  Senior Independent Director
  Chair of Audit Committee
  Audit Committee member
  Chair of Remuneration Committee
  Remuneration Committee member

£000
346
62
10
15
5
15
5

  Maximum limit
  Aggregate total fees payable annually to all Non-Executive Directors 

are subject to the limit as stated in the Company’s Articles of 
Association (currently £1,000,000). The Committee reserves the 
right to provide additional fees within the stated limit, including for 
membership of any additional Committee the Board may establish.

  Whilst the Company does not consider it to form part of benefits 
in the normal sense, Non-Executive Directors can participate in 
corporate hospitality (including travel and, where appropriate, 
with a family member), whether paid for by the Company or another, 
within its agreed policies.
A departing gift may be provided (and any tax liability met on the 
Non-Executive Director’s behalf) up to a value of £5,000 (plus the 
related taxes) per Non-Executive Director on termination of office.

The Chair and the Non-Executive Directors do not have service agreements with the Company. Their appointments are governed by letters of 
appointment, which are available for inspection on request. The letters of appointment of Non-Executive Directors are reviewed by the Chair 
and the Executive Directors every three years.

Appointments of Non-Executive Directors are for a term of three years, subject to the right of either party to terminate the appointment on not 
less than three months’ notice or immediately should a conflict of interest arise. If any Non-Executive Director is not re-elected at the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting, the appointment will cease automatically.

On termination of an appointment, a Non-Executive Director is only entitled to such fees as may have accrued to the date of termination, together 
with the reimbursement in the normal way of any expenses properly incurred prior to that date.

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Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
The dates of the appointments of the Non-Executive Directors in office as at 31 December 2019 are set out below.

Table 51

Pierre Bouchut
Gwyn Burr
Andrew Formica
Judy Gibbons1
Adam Metz 
David Tyler
Carol Welch
Méka Brunel

Date of original  
appointment to Board

13 February 2015
21 May 2012
26 November 2015
1 May 2011
22 July 2019
12 January 2013
1 March 2019
1 December 2019

Commencement  
date of current term

13 February 2018
21 May 2018
26 November 2018
1 May 2017
22 July 2019
12 January 2019
1 March 2019
1 December 2019

Unexpired  
term as at April 2020

10 months
1 year, 1 month
1 year, 7 months
Standing down at AGM 
2 years, 3 months
1 year, 9 months
1 year, 11 months 
2 years, 8 months

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Notes
1.  Judy Gibbons current term ends on 1 May 2020 and she will not seek re-election at the 2020 AGM.

Employee pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group
Consideration of the remuneration of the wider workforce forms an important part of the policy review. Set out below is a summary of employee 
pay and conditions. Remuneration packages for all Group employees may comprise both fixed and variable elements. Generally, the more senior 
the individual, the greater the variable pay offer as a proportion of overall pay due to the ability of senior managers to impact more directly upon 
Company performance. As well as assessing the remuneration packages of the Executive Directors, the Committee reviews the remuneration of 
the senior management team and is kept informed of remuneration developments across the Group, including the salary increases and employee 
benefits of the wider employee population. In accordance with prevailing commercial practice, the Committee does not consult with employees 
in preparing remuneration policy. 

Summary of 2020 remuneration structure for employees below Board level

Table 52

Element

Base salary

Annual bonus

Pension

Share schemes

Employee benefits

Approach/Policy

An assessment is made each year on pay increases across the Group. The assessment may include 
benchmarking exercises for different roles. Other factors taken into consideration are Company performance, 
competition in the marketplace and general economic climate, specifically rates of inflation and wage growth. 
Pay increases are expected to be in line with market rate and any increase awarded to an individual will reflect 
competence and experience. Exceptional pay increases are sometimes awarded to bring pay in line with 
market practice or recognition of an individual’s development within a role. More usually exceptional personal 
performance is recognised through variable pay.
An annual cash bonus scheme is operated throughout the Group. Although there are some minor differences 
in application of the scheme according to jurisdiction of employment, the same principle applies to all 
employees in that there is an opportunity to receive a bonus based on personal or company performance or 
a mixture of both. Generally, the more senior the employee the more the weighting is towards Company 
performance. The maximum cash bonus opportunity varies according to seniority. In addition to Executive 
Directors, Group Executive Committee members have a proportion of their award deferred into shares.
The pension offering forms an important part of the reward package across the Group. All employees may 
participate in one of a number of defined contribution pension arrangements across the UK and Ireland. 
Employee and employer contribution structures vary depending on the scheme.
A variety of all-employee and discretionary share schemes are in operation across the Group. Generally, where 
local legislation allows, eligible employees, including Executive Directors, may participate in an all-employee 
share scheme such as the Sharesave scheme operated in the UK and Ireland. In addition, a number of UK 
employees have the opportunity to join the UK Share Incentive Plan (SIP), with the potential for an annual SIP 
Free Share Award based on Company stretch performance. Employees of Hammerson France are eligible to 
participate in a profit share plan which rewards performance against certain performance measures. Senior 
employees in the UK may participate in the Restricted Share Plan (a separate scheme to the Executive Director 
RSS) and in France in the Free Shares Award Scheme. 
Benefits offered by the Group include life assurance, private medical care, car allowances, permanent health 
insurance and health checks. The offer of a particular benefit to an employee will depend on location within 
the business, their role and seniority.

www.hammerson.com 103

 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Illustration of application of the Policy
Set out below is an illustration of the reward mix for the Executive Directors at minimum, on-target and maximum performance under the Policy.

Chart 53 (£000)

2020 Fixed

855 (100%)

2020 on-target

855 (44%)

588 (30%)

504 (26%)

£1,947

1,176 (46%)

1,176 (42%)

504 (20%)

£2,535

504 (18%)

252 (9%) £2,787

2020 maximum

855 (34%)

2020 maximum 
+ share price growth 
(based on value of 
award)  

855 (31%)

David Atkins

2020 Fixed

518 (100%)

2020 on-target

518 (44%)

329 (28%)

329 (28%)

£1,176

657 (44%)

657 (39%)

329 (22%)

£1,504

329 (20%)

164 (10%) £1,668

2020 maximum

518 (34%)

2020 maximum 
+ share price growth 
(based on value of 
award)  

518 (31%)

James Lenton

Fixed
Annual variable
Long term incentives
50% Share price growth

Table 54

Assumptions: Executive Director remuneration scenarios 2020

Fixed

On-target

Maximum

Impact of share price 
appreciation

Consists of base salary, contractual and non-contractual benefits, pension and participation in the UK 
all-employee share plans.
Base salary is the salary to apply after salary increases take effect on 1 April 2020.
Benefits are as shown in the Single Figure Table for 2019 in the Annual Remuneration Report (annualised for 
James Lenton).
Pension contributions are based on salary after salary increases take effect on 1 April 2020.

Base Salary
£000

Benefits
£000

Pension
£000

Total 
Fixed
£000

18
18 

672
439

David Atkins
James Lenton
Based on what the Executive Director would receive if performance was in line with expectation (excluding 
share price appreciation and accrual of dividend equivalent payments):
AIP: consists of on-target levels (50% of maximum bonus opportunity in 2020).
RSS: Assumes maximum vesting of awards (75% of 2020 base salary).
Based on the maximum remuneration receivable (excluding share price appreciation and accrual of dividend 
equivalent payments):
AIP: consists of the maximum bonus opportunity in 2020 (175% of base salary for CEC, 150% of base salary 
for CFO).
RSS: assumes maximum vesting of awards (75% of 2020 base salary).
50% of maximum RSS award value

165 
61

855
518

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Directors’ Remuneration report

Annual Remuneration Report

2019 Remuneration at a glance

Table 55

2019 Remuneration year in summary

Salary

Bonus total vesting percentage

2019 LTIP

Shareholding

Salary increases for the Executive Directors of 2.5%, less than the average for 
other Group employees
David Atkins
James Lenton
200% of salary awarded with EPS, TPR and TSR performance targets 
measured over four years with a one-year post vesting holding period
Shareholding guidelines of 250% of base salary

39.6%
44.1%

Chair of the Board and NED fees  No changes to fees for the Chair of the Board and the Non-Executive Directors 

in 2019

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Table 56

AIP Performance

Table 57

LTIP Performance1

Target

Actual

Outcome

27.0p

28.0p
IPD+0.75% IPD+<0.375%
£2.842bn%

£2.676bn

76.3%
0%
22.3%

LTIP Measure

Target

Actual

Outcome

EPS2
TPR3
TSR

CPI +3.00%
CPI+1.75% 
IPD+0.00% IPD+0.078% 
Median Below median

0%
29.7%
0%

1.  LTIP performance disclosed on the same basis as the Single Figure Table, 
Table 59 (EPS and TPR elements from the 2016 LTIP and TSR from the 
2015 LTIP).
2.  Adjusted EPS.
3.  Estimate.

AIP Financial/
Operational 
Measure

EPS1
TPR2
Net Debt

1.  Adjusted EPS.
2.  Estimate.

Chart 58

CEO Remuneration scenarios — 2019 actual remuneration v 2020 on-target and maximum potential 
(£000)

2019 Actual

870

2020 on-target

2020 maximum

855

855

2020 maximum 
+ share price growth*

855

73

504

522

588

1,176

1,176

504

504

252

David Atkins

Fixed (salary, benefits, pension) - For 2020 salary is base salary (from 1 April 2020), benefits are as showin in Single Figure Table for 2019
AIP - 2020 on-target consists of 50% of bonus maximum. Maximum bonus for 2020 is 175% of base salary
LTIP/RSS - 2020 on-target and maximum assumes full vesting (75% of 2020 base salary)
Impact of share price appreciation - 50% of maximum RSS award value

*  (Based on value of award)

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

The Annual Remuneration Report sets out how the Directors’ Remuneration Policy was put into practice in 2019 and how we intend to apply the 
proposed Policy in 2020. It is divided into three sections:

Section 1: Single Figure Tables

Section 2: Further information on 2019 remuneration

Section 3: Implementation of Remuneration Policy in 2020

The auditors have reported on certain sections of this Report and stated whether, in their opinion, those sections have been properly prepared. 
Those sections which have been subject to audit are clearly indicated with an asterisk (*).

The Remuneration Policy which was applied in 2019 was approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 25 April 2017, and is available on the 
Company’s website at www.hammerson.com. 

Section 1: Single Figure Tables
This section contains the single figure tables showing 2019 remuneration for the Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors, and 
information that relates directly to the composition of these figures.

All figures highlighted in GREEN in the Remuneration Report relate directly to a figure that is found in the Single Figure Table, Table 59.

Executive Directors’ remuneration: Single Figure Table*
Table 59 below shows the remuneration of the Executive Directors for the year ended 31 December 2019, and the comparative figures for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Table 59

Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019

Salary
£000

Benefits
£000

Pension
£000

Fixed Total
£000

Annual Bonus 
(AIP) £000

Long Term 
Incentive Plan 
(LTIP) £000

Variable Total
£000

David Atkins

Timon Drakesmith1

James Lenton2

Peter Cole3

Jean-Philippe
Mouton3
Total

2019
2018

2019
2018

2019
2018

2019
2018

2019
2018

2019
2018

655
639

357 
465

126 
–

–
465

–
385

1,138 
1,954

18
17

14 
17

5 
–

–
17

–
31

37
82

197
192

71 
93

18 
–

–
140

–
82

286
507

870
848

442 
575

149 
–

–
622

–
498

1,461 
2,543

522
0

0 
0

83 
–

–
140

–
116

605
256

73
261

0 
178

0
–

–
190

–
131

73
760

Total 
£000

1,465
1,109

442 
753

232
–

–
952

–
745

595
261

0 
178

83
–

–
330

–
247

678
1,016

2,139
3,559

1.  Timon Drakesmith ceased to be a Director of Hammerson plc with effect from 1 October 2019.
2.  James Lenton was appointed as a Director of Hammerson plc on 16 September 2019.
3.  Peter Cole and Jean-Philippe Mouton ceased to be Directors of Hammerson plc with effect from 31 December 2018.

  For further information on the AIP, LTIP and truing up of 2018 Single Figure Table numbers see pages 107 to 109 and 110

Commentary on the Single Figure Table*
Fixed Remuneration

Salary
With effect from 1 April 2019, the Executive Directors received a salary increase of approximately 2.5%, which was slightly below the average of 
Hammerson employees generally. 

Benefits
Taxable benefits include a car allowance (£16,000), private health insurance and permanent health insurance. UK Executive Directors participate 
in the Company’s all-employee share plan arrangements (SIP and Sharesave). There was no award of SIP free shares to participants during 2019. 

Pension
Executive Directors receive a salary supplement in lieu of pension benefits. David Atkins received a salary supplement of 30% of base salary. 
Timon Drakesmith received a salary supplement of 20% of base salary. James Lenton received a salary supplement of 14%. All salary supplements 
paid to Executive Directors in lieu of pension benefits are subject to deductions required for income tax in the UK.

Information on the accrued pension benefit for David Atkins under the Company’s closed defined benefit scheme is on page 119.

106

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Table 60

Salary supplements in lieu of pension benefits

David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith
James Lenton

Variable Remuneration

2019  
£000 
(shown in Single 
Figure Table)

197
71 
18 

2018 
£000

192
93
–

Annual bonus for 2019
The Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) is the Company’s annual bonus scheme. The bonus awards are based on performance conditions that were 
approved by the Committee at the start of the financial year. The AIP bonus is split 70% for performance against financial measures and 30% 
for performance against personal objectives. The Committee also considers every year the overall AIP outcome as determined by achievement 
against the financial and personal targets to check that the bonus level is appropriate given the Company’s performance during the year, and has 
the ability to override the indicative formulaic outturn if it considers that not to be appropriate in all the circumstances. Further details may be 
found in the Chair’s letter on page 90.

The performance targets were not disclosed in advance of the year, as they were considered by the Board to be commercially sensitive information, 
but full details of the conditions and performance against them are now set out below.

A summary of the Remuneration Policy for the AIP and DBSS is on page 121

The following tables (Tables 61, 62 and 63) show the AIP outcomes and achievement against AIP performance targets for 2019.

Table 61

Total AIP outcomes for 2019

David Atkins (max bonus – 200% of salary)
Timon Drakesmith (not eligible for a bonus in 2019)
James Lenton (max bonus – 150% of salary, time pro-rated)

24.6
– 
24.6

15.0
– 
19.5

39.6
– 
44.1

79.7
– 
65.9

522
– 
83

Financial measures
(% of bonus 
achieved, max 70%)

Personal measures
(% of bonus 
achieved, max 30%)

Total vesting 
percentage  

(%, max 100%)

Vesting amount
as % of salary

AIP amount 
(£000)  
(Shown in Single 
Figure Table)

Table 62

Achievement against financial measures (70% weighting)

AIP Outcome

Performance against targets1

Bonus achieved

Performance measure

Adjusted EPS2

Entry threshold  
(% vesting at threshold)

On-target 
(50% vesting)

Full vesting target 
(100% vesting)

25.1p (0%)

27.0p

28.9p

Result  

achieved

28.0p

Vesting 
percentage 
against target

Weighting (%  
of max bonus 
available)

76.3%  

27.5%

% of max  
bonus  

achieved

21.3%

TPR (estimated 
outcome)3

IPD +0.375% 
(25%)

IPD+0.75%

IPD+1.5%

IPD+<0.375%

0%  

27.5%

0%

Net debt4

  >£2.976bn (0%)

£2.676bn

<£2.376bn

£2.842bn

22.3%  

15%

3.3%

24.6%

www.hammerson.com 107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

AIP financial performance measures
1.  Each of the AIP performance conditions is subject to a straight-line payment scale between entry, on-target and full vesting points.

2. Adjusted EPS is the Group’s underlying adjusted profit divided by the average number of shares in issue.

3. The TPR performance is measured against a composite index comprising the IPD Annual Retail Property Indices for the UK and a bespoke 
Europe Index (for 2019 this is weighted on a 50:50 basis (2018 – 60:40) to align with the Company’s geographical portfolio allocation).  
The annual data for these indices is not available at the date of this report. Accordingly, the closing measurement for TPR for the year to 
31 December 2019 is based on management’s best estimate using available data (see page 49 for property returns data). The AIP is not paid 
until the confirmed data for these indices is available. The actual outcome will be disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report.

4. Net debt is the total debt of the Group, excluding cash. 

Achievement against personal objectives (30% weighting)
Personal objectives focus on the delivery of the Business Plan, strategic elements for 2019 (refer to ‘Our strategy’ on page 16), an assessment of 
behaviours based on the Company’s values and the Executive Director’s capability in managing colleagues to maximise their contribution. They 
may also incorporate environmental, social and governance parameters where appropriate. The assessment in 2019 considered progress in 
delivering against strategy in the context of a challenging market, and the commitment to progress sustainability measures.

AIP objectives were set at the beginning of the year. Table 63 sets out the key 2019 personal objectives for the Executive Directors and how these 
support the Company’s three strategic priorities. 

Table 63

2019 Key personal objectives

Personal objectives

David Atkins

 – Review and lead the effective execution of the strategy, with an 
emphasis on disposals and strengthening the balance sheet 

 – Repurpose retail space to broaden tenant mix 
 – Oversee/ensure the development of the Group’s senior 

management succession plan 

 – Ensure targets are achieved within sustainability and Net 

Positive initiatives 

James Lenton

 – Build relationships with key stakeholders (shareholders, 

capital providers, employees, advisors etc.) 
 – Contribute to evolution of Group strategy 
 – Support disposal process to reduce net debt 
 – Lead process for developing business plan for 2020 to 2024 

Link to Strategic Priorities

Sustainability 
culture and 
values

Achievement

% of max 
bonus 
achieved  

(max 30%)

15%

£542m of disposals, net debt 
reduced to £2.8bn, good 
progress against Net Positive 
2020 targets, solid progress on 
repurposing of department 
stores and MSUs. 

19.5%

Established positive 
relationships with key 
stakeholders (both internal 
and external), led the 2020 
business plan, supported 
disposal process.

Bonus deferral under the AIP
The AIP amounts earned for 2019 will be paid 60% in cash and 40% in the form of a deferred share award granted under the DBSS. The deferred 
share award is granted in two tranches: the DBSS (A) award relates to the bonus achieved against the EPS, Net Debt and personal objectives 
measures; and the DBSS (B) award relates to the TPR measure and so is only granted once the TPR result is known and at the same time as that 
cash element is paid. Each award is granted with a face value equal to 40% of the bonus achieved against the relevant measures, over a number of 
shares calculated based on the average mid-market closing share price of a share over the five dealing days prior to the date of grant. Details of the 
DBSS (A) and (B) awards granted in 2020 will be included in next year’s Annual Report. The deferral period under the DBSS is two years from the 
date of the award. Vesting is not subject to any further performance conditions (other than continued employment at date of vesting).

108

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long Term Incentive Plan*
The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) is an award programme for Executive Directors designed to incentivise the creation of long term returns for 
shareholders. Performance under the LTIP is assessed over differing performance periods. TSR is assessed over a period of four years from the 
date of grant, and TPR and EPS are assessed over a period of four financial years commencing with the financial year in which the award is granted. 

The Single Figure Table for 2019 is required to report the value of the LTIP element for which the performance period ends during 2019. 
Consequently, the LTIP values shown in the Single Figure Table comprise the value of the TSR element of the 2015 award (where the performance 
period ended 25 March 2019) and the TPR and EPS elements of the 2016 award (where the performance period ended 31 December 2019).

Achievement against targets
The following table shows the level of performance achieved against the targets set for the three performance components that drive the 2019 
LTIP vesting value as shown in the Single Figure Table.

Table 64

LTIP Outcome
Performance measure and 
period

TSR  
(26/3/15 – 25/3/19)

TPR (estimated 
outcome) 
(1/1/16 – 31/12/19)

Performance against targets 

Entry threshold target  
(25% vesting at threshold)

Full vesting target

Median

Upper Quartile

Result  

achieved

Vesting percentage 
against target

Below 
median rank

0%

IPD+0%

IPD+1.5% p.a.

IPD + 
0.078%

29.71%

TPR element of the LTIP award granted 
in 2016. Award is scheduled to vest in 
March 2020

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Adjusted EPS 
(1/1/16 – 31/12/19)

CPI+3% p.a.

CPI+7% p.a.

CPI +  
1.75%

0%

EPS element of the LTIP award granted 
in 2016. Award is scheduled to vest in 
March 2020

For further information on the 2015 and 2016 LTIP award performance measures, see pages 114 and 115

Vesting value achieved
Table 65 shows the level of vesting outcome for the three components that drive the 2019 LTIP vesting as shown in the Single Figure Table.

Table 65

David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith5

TSR 
Performance period: 26/3/15 – 25/3/19 
(TSR component of the 2015 LTIP)

TPR1 
Performance period: 1/1/16 – 31/12/19 
(TPR component of the 2016 LTIP)

EPS 
Performance period: 1/1/16 – 31/12/19 
(EPS component of the 2016 LTIP)

Shares 
available

51,668
35,312

Vesting % 
against 
target

Number of 
shares that 
vested

Value
£000

Shares 
available

Vesting % 
against 
target 

Number of 
shares due
to vest2

0
0

0
0

0
0

82,913
0 

29.71
– 

24,633
– 

Value
£000

Shares 
available

73
– 

82,913
0 

Vesting % 
against 
target 

Number of 
shares due
to vest2

0
– 

0
– 

Value
£000

0
– 

Total 
value 
(shown 
in Single 
Figure 
Table)3,4

73
0 

Notes
1.  The element dependent on TPR is estimated as the IPD data regarding TPR performance is not available at the date of the Annual Report.

2. The number of shares includes any notional dividend shares awarded to date. The actual number of shares that vest may increase by the 

amount of any notional dividend shares awarded up to the date of vesting of the award.

3. The value shown is based on the average of the mid-market closing price of a share for each dealing day in the three-month period to  

31 December 2019 (295.7p) The actual value that vests, based on the closing share price on the vesting date, will be disclosed in next year’s 
Annual Report. 

4. No amount of the total value disclosed is attributable to share price appreciation as the share price calculated per note 3 above is below the 
market value of shares used to calculate the number of options awarded under the 2016 LTIP (572.9p). No discretion has been exercised by 
the Committee to the final result of the award as a result of share price appreciation or depreciation.

5. Timon Drakesmith’s 2016 LTIP lapsed on his leaving date. 

www.hammerson.com 109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Truing up of 2018 Single Figure Table numbers*
Each year the outcome of AIP and LTIP elements dependent on Total Property Return (TPR) are estimated because the data regarding TPR 
performance of the relevant index is not available at the date of the Annual Report. 

In the 2018 Annual Report, the TPR element of AIP was anticipated as being below the entry threshold of IPD +0.5%, therefore resulting in an 
estimated payout level at 0% for that measure. The final closing measurement for TPR during 2018 was below the IPD Index figure, resulting in 
a final payout level of 0%. The estimated TPR outcome for the 2018 LTIP figure was IPD +1.18%, resulting in an estimated payout level of 90.31% 
for that measure. The full vesting target was IPD+1.5% p.a. The actual TPR outcome was IPD +1.29% p.a., and therefore the actual payout level 
was slightly higher than the estimate at 93.75% for that measure. In addition, the 2018 LTIP figure contained a value for the TPR and EPS portions 
of the 2015 LTIP where the performance period ended on 31 December 2018 and was calculated based on the average share price over the three 
months to 31 December 2018. The 2018 LTIP figure in the Single Figure Table on page 106 has therefore been adjusted to reflect the actual share 
price of 327.0p on the vesting date (30 April 2019).

Non-Executive Directors: Single Figure Table*
Table 66 below shows the remuneration of Non-Executive Directors for the year ended 31 December 2019 and the comparative figures for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Table 66

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019

Committee membership and other responsibilities

Fees

Benefits

Total

Audit  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Other

David Tyler
Pierre Bouchut1
Gwyn Burr2
Terry Duddy2
Andrew Formica Member

Chair
Member

Member

Chair of the Board

Chair
Member

Senior Independent Director 
Senior Independent Director

Judy Gibbons

Member Member

Adam Metz3 

Carol Welch4
Méka Brunel5

Total

Member 

2019 
£000 

346 
77 
91 
6 
67 

72

28

55
5 

2018 
£000

2019 
£000 

2018 
£000

343
76
81
76
66

71

–

–
–

– 

12 
– 
– 

0 

1 

66 

0 
2 

0 
16
2 
0 
0 

2 

–

–
–

2019 
£000 

346
89 
91 
6
67 

2018 
£000

343
92
83
76
66

73 

73

94 

55 
7 

–

–
–

747 

713 

81 

20 

828 

733 

1.  Pierre Bouchut is based in continental Europe. This is reflected in his benefits figure – see Benefits note below.
2.  Gwyn Burr was appointed as Senior Independent Director on 25 January 2019 following Terry Duddy’s resignation on the same date.
3.  Adam Metz was appointed to the Board on 22 July 2019 and is based in the USA. This is reflected in his benefits figure – see Benefits note below.
4.  Carol Welch was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2019. 
5.  Méka Brunel was appointed to the Board on 1 December 2019 and is based in France. This is reflected in her benefits figure – see Benefits note below.

Benefits
The benefits disclosed in Table 66 relate to the reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses incurred in attending Board meetings at 
the Company’s Head Office. For those Non-Executive Directors based abroad, this includes the cost of international travel and accommodation. 
The grossed-up value has been disclosed. In accordance with the Remuneration Policy, any tax arising is settled by the Company.

Fees payable to Non-Executive Directors
The Chair of the Board’s fee was reviewed by the Committee and the Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reviewed by the Board in February 2019. 
The Chair of the Board and the Non-Executive Directors did not wish to be considered for fee increases in 2019. The annual fees payable to 
Non-Executive Directors are set out in Table 67 below. There is no fee for membership of the Nomination Committee or the Investment and 
Disposals Committee

Table 67

Chair of the Board and Non-Executive Directors’ 2019 annual fees
Chair of the Board
Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent Director
Audit Committee Chair
Remuneration Committee Chair
Audit/Remuneration Committee member

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Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

£

345,500
61,500
10,000
15,000
15,000
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Section 2: Further information on 2019 remuneration
Directors’ shareholdings and share plan interests*
Table 68

Summary of all Directors’ shareholdings and share plan interests as at 31 December 2019* 
(including connected persons)

Outstanding scheme interests 31/12/19

 Actual shares held

Unvested scheme 
interests (subject 
to performance
measures)1

Unvested 
scheme interests 
(not subject to 
performance
measures)2

Vested but  

unexercised
scheme interests3

Total shares 
subject  
to outstanding  

As at  

scheme interests

1 January 2019

As at 31 
December 2019 
(or leaving date if 
earlier)

Total of all 
share scheme 
interests and 
shareholdings
at 31/12/194

Executive Directors
David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith 
(ceased to be a Director on 1 October 2019)
James Lenton

Non-Executive Directors
David Tyler
Pierre Bouchut
Gwyn Burr
Terry Duddy
(ceased to be a Director on 25 January 2019)
Andrew Formica
Judy Gibbons
Adam Metz
Carol Welch
Méka Brunel

1,200,340

65,436

0
79,801

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

0 
0

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Notes
1.  LTIP awards still subject to performance measures.

2. DBSS and Sharesave awards that have not vested.

0

0 
0

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

1,265,776

703,973

795,747

2,061,523

0
79,801 

481,866
–

533,462
– 

533,462
79,801

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

77,370
20,279
5,182

65,000
22,000
4,115
–
–
–

77,370
20,279
5,182

65,000
44,000
4,115
48,071
7,461
– 

77,370
20,279
5,182

65,000
44,000
4,115
48,071
7,461
– 

3. LTIP and DBSS awards that have vested but remain unexercised plus any notional dividend shares.

4. All share plan interests, vested, unvested and unexercised together with any holdings of ordinary shares.

Between 1 January 2020 and 25 February 2020, the Executive and Non-Executive Directors’ beneficial interests in Table 68 above 
remained unchanged.

Directors’ share ownership guidelines*
Table 69 shows for the Executive Directors actual share ownership compared with the current share ownership guidelines. Executive Directors 
are normally expected to achieve the minimum shareholding guidelines within seven years of appointment. Non-Executive Directors are also 
encouraged to acquire a shareholding in the Company. 

Table 69

Executive Directors’ shareholdings as a percentage of salary

David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith
(ceased to be a Director on 1 October 2019)
James Lenton

Shares held as at
31 December 2019
(or leaving date if 
earlier)

795,747

533,462 
0 

Vested but 
unexercised share
scheme interests1

Guideline on 
share ownership 
as % of salary

Actual beneficial 
share ownership
as % of salary2

Guideline met

0 

0 
0 

250%

250%
250%

373%

313% 
0% 

Yes

Yes
No

Notes
1.  The number of shares shown is on a net of tax and NI basis in accordance with the share ownership guidelines.

2. As at and based on the share price of 308.7 pence on 31 December 2019. Timon Drakesmith’s beneficial ownership as % of salary calculated 

based on share price on his leaving date (1 October 2019) of 281.8 pence.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Executive Directors’ share plan interests (including share options)*
Tables 70 to 72 set out the Executive Directors’ interests under the Deferred Bonus Share Scheme (DBSS), the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
and the Sharesave scheme.

Performance conditions and form of awards
Awards under the DBSS and Sharesave scheme are not subject to any performance conditions (other than continued employment on the vesting 
date). The LTIP awards are subject to performance conditions, details of which are in Tables 73 and 74.

Awards to UK Executive Directors under the LTIP and DBSS are made in the form of nil-cost options. 

Accrual of dividend shares
DBSS and LTIP awards accrue notional dividend shares to the date of vesting (including any holding period). The Sharesave scheme does not 
accrue notional dividend shares. 

Face values
Face values for the DBSS and LTIP awards are calculated by multiplying the number of shares granted during 2019 by the average share price for 
the five business days preceding the awards. Notional dividend shares are not included in the face value calculations. 

No DBSS award was made to David Atkins and Timon Drakesmith in 2019 as they did not receive a bonus under the AIP.

Executive Directors’ share plan interest movements during 2019*
Table 70

Date of  
award

Vesting or 
exercise date

Number of 
awards held 
as at 
1 January 
2019

Awarded

David Atkins  

DBSS (A)
DBSS (B)

DBSS (A)
DBSS (B)1

 LTIP

01/03/2017 Mar–19
02/05/2017 May–19

06/03/2018 Mar–20
–
–

26/03/2015 Mar–19
24/03/2016 Mar–20
Apr–21
03/04/2017
06/03/2018 Mar–22
05/03/2019 Mar–23

39,082
19,461

55,557
–

149,309
230,377
236,274
299,931
–

Sharesave

24/03/2016 May–19
23/03/2017 May–20
01/04/2019 May–22

2,102
765
–

–
–

–

– 
– 
345,152

–
– 
4,686

Notional 
dividend 
shares 
accrued

–
742

4,428 
–

5,697
18,362 
18,831 
23,905 
27,508 

– 
– 
–

Exercised/
vested

Lapsed

Number of 
awards held 
as at 
31December 
2019

Grant price 
in pence 
(exercise 
price for 
Sharesave)

Face value 
of awards 
granted 
during 2019
£000

39,082
20,203

–
–

79,859
– 
– 
– 

–
–

–
–

75,147
– 
– 
– 

–
–
–

2,102
–
–

0
0

59,985
–
59,985
0
248,739 
255,105
323,836
372,660 
1,200,340
0
765
4,686
5,451

–
–

–

– 
– 
– 

–
–

–

– 
– 
– 
– 

381.86 

–
–
307.28 

1,318 

1,318 
–
–
14 

14 

112

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 71

Timon 
Drakesmith

DBSS (A)
DBSS (B) 

DBSS (A)
DBSS (B)1

LTIP

 Sharesave

Table 72

Exercised/
vested

Lapsed

Number of 
awards held 
as at 
31December 
2019

Grant price 
in pence 
(exercise 
price for 
Sharesave)

Face value 
of awards 
granted 
during 2019
£000

Date of  
award

Vesting or 
exercise date

Number of 
awards held 
as at 
1 January 
2019

Awarded

01/03/2017 Mar–19
02/05/2017 May–19
06/03/2018 Mar–20
–
–

26/03/2015 Mar–19
24/03/2016 Mar–20
03/04/2017
Apr–21
06/03/2018 Mar–22
05/03/2019 Mar–23

28,552
13,291
40,493
–

102,040
157,443
172,212
218,301
–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
251,401

Notional 
dividend 
shares 
accrued

– 
508
3,228 
–

3,894
12,549 
13,726 
17,399 
20,036 

28,552
13,799
–
–

54,577
–
–
–
–

–
–
43,721 
–

51,357
169,992
185,938
235,700
271,437

23/03/2017 May–20

765

–

–

– 

765 

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–
–
–

–
–
–
–
381.86 

–
–
–
–
n/a
–
–
–
–
960 

960 

–

–

0
0
0 
–
0 
0
0
0
0
0
0 

0
0
0

Date of  
award

Vesting or 
exercise date

Number of 
awards held 
as at 
1 January 
2019

Notional 
dividend 
shares 
accrued

Awarded

Exercised/
vested

Lapsed

Number of 
awards held 
as at 31 
December
2019

Grant price 
in pence 
(exercise 
price for 
Sharesave)

Face value 
of awards 
granted 
during 2019
£000

James Lenton  
LTIP2

20/09/2019

Sept–23

0

79,801

–

–

–

79,801
79,801

269.42

215

215

Notes
1.  As the final closing measure for the TPR element of the 2017 AIP was below the entry level threshold, there was no payout under this 

measure resulting in no DBSS (B) award in 2018.

2. In accordance with the Remuneration Policy, James Lenton received a time pro-rated 2019 LTIP Award on appointment.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Long Term Incentive Plan structure*
In addition to the annual bonus provided by the AIP, Executive Directors are incentivised over the longer term through the LTIP.

Tables 73 and 74 set out a summary of the LTIP structure and details of the LTIP performance measures and conditions.

Table 73

LTIP structure summary

Level of award
Performance measures

Performance period
Post-vesting holding period
Weighting of performance measures
TPR: Measured over four financial  
years commencing with year of grant  
in comparison with composite index

Adjusted EPS: Measured over four 
financial years commencing with year  
of grant. Calculated with reference to  
EPRA Best Practice recommendations

TSR: Measured over four-year period  
from date of grant

TSR Comparator Group

All years

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

150% of salary

200% of salary 

200% of salary

200% of salary 

200% of salary

TSR, TPR, 
EPS
Four years

33.33%

IPD UK Annual Retail Property Index and 
France Annual Retail Index

IPD Annual Retail Property  
indices for UK and a bespoke  
Europe index

One year

Benchmark: Blend of UK/French CPI

Benchmark: Blend of UK/ 
French/Irish CPI

Altarea, British Land, Capital & Regional, intu, 
Eurocommercial, Klépierre, Land Securities, 
London Metric, SEGRO, Shaftesbury,  
Unibail–Rodamco–Westfield, FTSE 100 Index
Plus:
Wereldhave,  
New River Retail

Plus:
New River 
Retail

British Land, intu, Klépierre, 
Unibail–Rodamco–Westfield,  
Land Securities

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Table 74

LTIP performance conditions 2015 to 2019

TSR

TPR

Adjusted EPS

Vesting threshold

All award years

0%

25%

100%

Less than TSR of  
median-ranked entity in 
comparator group

Equal to TSR of median-
ranked entity in 
comparator group

Equal to TSR of upper 
quartile-ranked entity in 
comparator group

Vesting for intermediate performance between median and upper quartile-ranked entities is on a straight-line basis 
between 25% and 100%. Vesting under the TSR performance condition is subject to the Committee’s satisfaction that 
the Company’s underlying performance has been satisfactory in comparison with that of the FTSE Real Estate sector.
Vesting threshold

100%

55%

85%

25%

0%

All award years

Index +1.0% 
(average) p.a.
Vesting for intermediate performance between these levels will be pro-rated on a straight-line basis.
Vesting threshold

Index +0.5% 
(average) p.a.

Less than index

Equal to index

100%

25%

0%

Index +1.5% 
(average) p.a.

All award years

Less than a CPI blend 
+ 3.0% p.a. growth

Equal to or more than a CPI 
blend 
+3.0% p.a. growth

Equal to or more than a CPI 
blend 
+7.0% p.a. growth

Vesting for intermediate performance between these levels will be pro-rated on a straight-line basis between 25% and 
100%.

For awards from 2019 onwards, the Committee may make downward adjustments to the vesting outcome irrespective of the achievement against 
performance measures if it determines this to be necessary to reflect overall performance of the Company or any individual.

Details of 2015 LTIP (which vested during 2019)
The following table shows the number of shares delivered on vesting of the 2015 LTIP (which vested on 30 April 2019).

Table 75

TSR3 
Performance period: 26/3/15 – 25/3/19

TPR2 
Performance period:1/1/15 – 31/12/18

EPS2 
Performance period: 1/1/15 – 31/12/18

Shares 
available

Vesting  
% against 
target 

Number of 
shares 
delivered

Value of 
shares 
delivered

Shares 
available

Vesting  
% against 
target

Number of 
shares 
delivered

Value  
of shares 
delivered 
£000

Shares 
available

Vesting  
% against 
target

Number of 
shares 
delivered

Value  
of shares 
delivered 
£000

Total 
shares 
delivered4

David Atkins 51,668
Timon 
Drakesmith

35,312

0%

0%

0

0

0

0

51,669 93.75% 48,439

158

51,669 60.81% 31,420

103

79,859

35,311 93.75% 33,104

108

35,311 60.81% 21,473

70

54,577

Total 
value of 
shares 
delivered 
£0001

261

178

Notes
1.  The value shown is based on the share price on the date on which the awards vested of 327.0p.

2. Details of the TPR and EPS performance conditions were shown as estimates in the 2018 Annual Report. The value of those components was 
reflected in the Single Figure Table for 2018 as the performance period for those components ended during 2018. The table above shows the 
final outcome.

3. Details of the assessment of the TSR performance condition are shown on page 109, Table 64.

4. The number of shares vested includes any notional dividend shares awarded up to the date of vesting.

www.hammerson.com 115

 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Executive Directors’ SIP interests*
The Executive Directors’ interests in ordinary shares of the Company under the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) as at 31 December 2019 (or at their 
leaving date if earlier) are shown in Table 76 below. The shares are held in a SIP trust. 

Table 76

Total SIP shares 
1 January 2019 

Partnership shares 
purchased

Matching shares 
awarded

Free shares 
awarded

Dividend shares 
awarded

Total  
SIP shares 
31 December  
2019 (or date of 
cessation if 
earlier)

David Atkins
Timon Drakesmith 
(ceased to be a Director on 1 October 2019)
James Lenton

15,275

7,543
0

0 

0 
0

0 

0 
0

0 

0 
0

1,160

16,435

317
0

7,860
0

Total Shareholder Return 
Table 77 below shows the total shareholder return in respect of the Company’s ordinary shares of 25 pence each for the 10 years ended 
31 December 2019 against the return of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK Index, which comprises shares of the Company’s peers. The total 
shareholder return is rebased to 100 at 31 December 2009. The other points plotted are the values at intervening financial year ends.

Chart 77

Total Shareholder return index

(31 December 2009=100)
300

250

200

150

100

50

0

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2010

31 Dec 2011

31 Dec 2012

31 Dec 2013

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2016

31 Dec 2017

31 Dec 2018

31 Dec 2019

  Hammerson        FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK     

Remuneration of the Chief Executive over the last 10 years
Table 78 shows the remuneration of the holder of the office of Chief Executive for the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019.

Table 78

Chief Executive’s remuneration history

Year

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010

Notes

1
2

Total  
remuneration 
£000 

Annual bonus3

LTIP vesting3

1,465
1,109
1,795
2,681
2,147
1,568
2,216
2,451
1,515
1,594

39.6%
0%
47.5%
65.3%
77.3%
65.3%
56.2%
88.9%
51.7%
68.2%

29.7%
51.5%
56.4%
64.9%
–
–
51.6%
52.6%
–
–

Notes
1.  The total remuneration and annual bonus figures for 2019 include certain estimated values for the LTIP and AIP vesting. See the Single 

Figure Table (Table 59) on page 106 for details.

2. The total remuneration reported in the 2018 Annual Report contained estimates; the numbers given here are the actual values.  

See the Single Figure Table (Table 59) on page 106.

3. All numbers are expressed as a percentage of the maximum that could have vested in that year.

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Relative importance of spend on pay
Table 79 below shows the Company’s total employee costs compared with dividends paid and share buybacks. 

Table 79

Total employee costs compared with dividends paid and share buybacks

2019
2018
Percentage change

Employee
costs1

£55.3m
£52.1m
6.1%

Dividends2

Share buybacks3

£198.4m
£203.4m
(2.5)%

£0m
£128.9m
(100)%

Notes
1.  These figures have been extracted from note 5 (Administration expenses) to the financial statements on page 150.

2. These figures have been extracted from note 11 (Dividends) to the financial statements on page 156.

3. The share buyback programme was cancelled at the end of 2018. 

Remuneration for the Chief Executive compared with UK employees of the Hammerson Group
Table 80 shows the percentage change from 31 December 2018 to 31 December 2019 in base salary, taxable benefits and bonus for the Chief 
Executive compared with all other employees of the Hammerson Group in the UK. This disclosure is based on UK employees only for consistency 
with gender pay gap reporting and in line with reporting requirements. 

Personal performance measures for centre-based employee bonuses are now in line with office-based employees. The outturn of these measures 
is higher than in prior years and therefore impacts favourably on the total Group percentage change in bonus. David Atkins was not awarded an 
annual bonus in 2019, and the award of a bonus to him in 2020 (relating to performance in 2019) therefore impacts the percentage change in the 
bonus and total columns below. The percentage change in benefits for David Atkins relates to the increased car allowance from 1 April 2018.

Table 80

Percentage change in the Chief Executive’s base salary, taxable benefits and bonus

David Atkins
Total UK employees

Notes

1,2
1,2

Salary

2.5% 
3.5% 

Benefits

Annual bonus

5.9 % 
-0.1 % 

100% 
32.2% 

Change %

Total

82.2% 
6.7% 

Notes
1.  The percentage movement in annual bonus is based on calculations that incorporate an estimated value for the TPR performance measure 

within the AIP. The calculation of the percentage change in total remuneration excludes pensions and LTIP.

2. David Atkins has been excluded from the UK employees calculation. Data for the UK employees calculation includes bonuses. The Group 

calculation uses a weighted average headcount for the year. Employees received an average salary increase of 3% during 2019, although this 
is not reflected in the above figures due to the number of leavers and joiners.

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Table 81

CEO Pay Ratio
Year

2019

Method

25th percentile pay ratio

Median pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

Option A

38:1

22:1

12:1

Total UK employee pay and benefits figures used to calculate the CEO Pay Ratio

Salary
Total UK employee pay and benefits

25th percentile pay
£000

Median pay
£000

75th percentile pay
£000

32
39

53
65

87
119

Notes
1.  The Company has chosen Option A methodology to prepare the CEO pay ratio calculation as this is the most statistically robust method and 

is in line with the general preference of institutional investors.

2. As ratios could be unduly impacted by joiners and leavers who may not participate in all remuneration arrangements in the year of joining 

and leaving, the Committee has modified the statutory basis to exclude any employee not employed throughout the financial year. 

3. Employee pay data is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) pay for UK employees as at 31 December 2019. For each employee, total pay is 
calculated in line with the single figure methodology (i.e. fixed pay accrued during the financial year and the value of performance-based 
incentive awards vesting in relation to the performance year). Leavers and joiners are excluded. Employees on maternity or other extended 
leave are included pro-rata for their FTE salary, benefits and short term incentives. No other calculation adjustments or assumptions have 
been made.

4. CEO pay is per the single total figure of remuneration for 2019, as set out in Table 59.

5. Bonus amounts for the CEO and eligible employees are based on calculations that incorporate an estimate for the TPR performance measure 

within the AIP as the relevant data is not available at the time of the publication of the Annual Report. 

6. The 2019 ratio will be restated in the 2020 Directors’ Remuneration report to take account of the trued-up final AIP TPR outturn, and LTIP 

vesting data for eligible employees and for the CEO.

7. Each of the three individuals identified was a full-time employee during the year and received remuneration in line with the Group 

remuneration policy.

Supporting information for the CEO Pay Ratio
Generally, remuneration policy supports a greater variable pay offer the more senior the employee as these employees are able to influence 
Company performance more directly. Executive Directors participate in the LTIP linked to long term strategy whilst other employees may 
participate in the Restricted Share Plan (RSP). The lower quartile, median and upper quartile employees identified this year are not participants 
in either the LTIP or RSP. However, the median pay ratio reflects the Company’s policy to pay good fixed rewards to its employees with an 
opportunity to benefit from the annual bonus plan. With a significant proportion of CEO pay linked to performance and share price over the 
longer term, it is expected that the ratio will depend to a significant extent on LTIP (Restricted Share Scheme from 2020 onwards) and RSP 
outcomes each year, and accordingly may fluctuate from year to year.

Payments to past Directors*
The value of LTIP awards vesting in 2019 to former Executive Directors who stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2018 were: Peter Cole 
– £41,000; Jean Phillipe-Mouton – £39,000. Other than these payments, there were no payments to past Directors in 2019.

Payments for loss of office*
There were no payments for loss of office to past Directors in 2019.

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Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
Detail of Executive Directors’ accrued pension benefits*
Following the closure of the Company’s defined benefit pension scheme (Scheme) in 2014, David Atkins remains eligible for a deferred pension 
based on his pensionable salary and service at the point he ceased to accrue further benefits in the Scheme. The normal retirement age under the 
Scheme is 60. Members may draw their pension from the age of 55, subject to actuarial reduction and the Trustees’ consent. Further information 
concerning the Scheme is in note 7 to the financial statements on page 151.

Table 82 below shows the total accrued benefit at 31 December 2019, representing the annual pension that is expected to be payable on retirement 
and the transfer values of Executive Directors’ accrued entitlements. The transfer value figures do not represent sums paid or payable to individual 
Executive Directors but represent a potential liability of the Scheme. Any increase or decrease in transfer value over the year represents a change 
in the transfer value assumptions that the Scheme applies.

Table 82

Executive Directors’ accrued pension benefits and transfer values

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David Atkins

Total accrued benefit
at 31 December 

Transfer value at 31 December 
of total accrued benefit

2019 
£000

89 

2018 
£000

87

2019 
£000

2,216 

2018 
£000

1,902

Advisors
The Committee appointed FIT Remuneration Consultants (FIT) in place of Aon Hewitt in 2011 following a tendering exercise. FIT has no other 
connection with the Company or its Directors. Directors may serve on the Remuneration Committees of other companies for which FIT acts as 
Remuneration Consultants. The Committee is satisfied that all advice given was objective and independent. FIT is a member of the Remuneration 
Consultants Group and subscribes to its Code of Conduct. Details of the fees and services provided by FIT are set out below.

Table 83

Advisor

Appointed by

FIT Remuneration 
Consultants LLP (FIT)

Remuneration 
Committee (August 2011)

Services provided to the 
Committee

Reward 
structures and 
levels and other 
aspects of the 
Company’s 
Remuneration 
Policy 

Fees paid for services 
to the committee in 2019  
and basis of charge 

£71,964 (excluding VAT)  
(2018: £64,492, excluding VAT)
Charged on normal FIT time basis

Other services provided 
to the Company

None. Terms of engagement 
(available on request to 
shareholders) specify that 
FIT will only provide advice 
expressly authorised  
by or on behalf of the 
Remuneration Committee

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP provides legal advice and Lane Clark & Peacock LLP provides actuarial advice to the Company. The Committee may seek 
advice from both firms where it relates to matters within its remit. In addition, the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Group Human 
Resources Director attend Committee meetings by invitation. The General Counsel and Company Secretary is the Secretary to the Committee. 
The Chief Executive, senior human resources staff and the General Counsel and Company Secretary provided advice to the Committee on matters 
relating to the Remuneration Policy and Company practices. No one is present during discussions concerning their own remuneration. 

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting
Table 84 below shows votes cast by proxy at the AGM held on 30 April 2019 in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report and at the AGM 
held on 25 April 2017 in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. The Board was disappointed with the voting results on the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report at the 2019 AGM. The Board understands that the result may be due to a combination of factors including quantum of LTIP 
vesting in 2018, quantum of 2019 LTIP awards in light of the share price, pension contributions and bonuses paid to Executive Directors. The 
Committee has since consulted extensively with shareholders and their feedback has informed the decisions made as part of the Policy Review 
as reported on in the Chair’s letter on page 89.

Table 84

Statement of voting on remuneration

To receive and approve the 2018 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report (2019 AGM)
To receive and approve the Remuneration 
Policy (2017 AGM)

Votes for 
number of shares and  

Votes against 
number of shares and  

percentage of shares voted

percentage of shares voted

379,191,754
70.26%
563,721,945
98.73%

160,514,108
29.74%
7,263,050
1.27%

Votes withheld 
number of shares

32,557,192

1,374,514

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Directors’ Remuneration report  
Annual Remuneration Report continued

Section 3: Implementation of Remuneration Policy in 2020
This section sets out information on how the Remuneration Policy will be implemented in 2020 if approved by shareholders at the 2020 Annual 
General Meeting. 

Shareholder approval for the Remuneration Policy was last received at the 2017 Annual General Meeting. Following consultation with 
shareholders (described in the Remuneration Committee Chair’s letter on page 89), the Company has proposed changes to the Remuneration 
Policy, and will present the revised Policy (set out on pages 93 to 104) to shareholders for approval at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. If the new 
Remuneration Policy is approved by shareholders, the Company intends to implement the new Policy in 2020 as shown below. If the new Policy 
is not approved by shareholders, then the existing Remuneration Policy would instead remain in place and continue to operate. 

In implementing the Remuneration Policy, the Committee will continue to take into account factors such as remuneration packages available 
within comparable companies, the Company’s overall performance, internal relativities, achievement of corporate objectives, individual 
performance and experience, published views of institutional investors, general market and wider economic trends.

Table 85

Summary of planned implementation of the Remuneration Policy during 2020

Salary
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

Operation

 – To continue to retain and attract quality 

Not applicable

leaders

 – To recognise accountabilities, skills, 

experience and value

Reviewed but not necessarily increased annually by 
the Committee.
The base salary for any existing Executive Director will not 
exceed £850,000 (or the equivalent if denominated in a 
different currency), with this limit increasing annually at the 
rate of UK CPI from the date of the 2017 AGM.

Implementation
In February 2020, the Committee determined that an increase in base salary of approximately 2% was appropriate for the Executive 
Directors. Other senior executives received in the region of 2% and increases in salaries across the Group were generally in the region of 2.5%. 
Factors influencing the level of the increases included a low inflationary environment and the continued focus on cost control. The increases 
take effect from 1 April 2020.

2020 Executive Directors salaries
David Atkins
James Lenton

Benefits
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

Operation

£000

672
439

 – To provide a range of benefits in line with 

Not applicable

market practice

 – To continue to retain and attract 

quality leaders

The aggregate value received by each Executive Director (based 
on value of P11D tax calculations or equivalent basis for a 
non-UK based Executive Director) will not exceed £100,000, 
with this maximum increasing annually at the rate of UK CPI 
from the date of the 2017 AGM.

Implementation
In 2020, these benefits will continue to include a car allowance, enhanced sick pay, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance 
and life assurance. 

Pension
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

Operation

 – To provide market competitive 

Not applicable

retirement benefits

 – To continue to retain and attract 

quality leaders

Executive Directors may receive a non-contributory allowance 
(Pension Choice) to be paid as, or as a combination of: (i) an employer 
contribution to the Company’s defined contribution pension plan; 
(ii) a payment to a personal pension plan; or (iii) a salary supplement.
Pension Choice is limited to an aggregate maximum age-related 
limit of 18.5% of base salary.

Implementation
Executive Directors will continue to receive a salary supplement by way of pension provision. The allowance for new Executive Directors will be 
aligned with the arrangements available to the majority of staff employed in the UK and Ireland (age-related and subject to employee 
contribution) from time to time. The current allowance for the Chief Executive Officer will reduce from 30% to 18.5% by the start of 2023.

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Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) and deferral under the Deferred Bonus Share Scheme (DBSS)

Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

Operation

 – To align Executive Director remuneration 

with annual financial and Company 
strategic targets as determined by the 
Company’s Business Plan

 – To differentiate appropriately, in the view 

of the Committee, on the basis of 
performance

 – The partial award in shares aligns interests 
with shareholders and supports retention

The annual bonus operates by 
reference to financial and 
personal performance 
measures assessed over one 
year. The weighting of 
financial measures will be at 
least 60% of the total 
opportunity

Awards are paid in a mix of cash and deferred shares, with the 
deferred shares element being at least 40% of the total award. 
The deferral period is at least two years and may not be shorter. 
Awards are subject to clawback and malus provisions.

Implementation
The AIP maximum will remain at 200% of base salary for the CEO and 150% of base salary for the CFO. However, the AIP maximum for the 
Chief Executive Officer will be reduced on a one time basis for 2020 to 175%.
Performance measures for the AIP in 2020 will be weighted at 75% towards Group financial targets and 25% towards personal objectives. 
Group financial targets in 2020 comprise:
 – 37.5% Adjusted earnings per share
 – 37.5% Net debt
Adjusted earnings per share and Net debt are retained from prior year AIP performance measures. 
As is demonstrated in this report in respect of previous years, the Committee designs the financial targets and personal objectives to align 
closely to the Company’s strategy, as well as to the Business Plan and the priorities for the coming year. It is therefore felt that the specific 
financial targets and important personal objectives are commercially sensitive such that, having considered this carefully, the Board is of the 
view that it is in the Company’s interests not to disclose this information in advance. However, personal objectives are centred on the delivery 
of strategic objectives and focus on the strength of the balance sheet, supporting returns through an optimised portfolio, operational 
excellence and cost savings. The personal element of the 2020 AIP will be based on a scorecard approach, with 15% assessed on the same basis 
as in 2019, 5% dependent on achievement of a measurable sustainability target and 5% on an employee related target.
Full details of the specific targets and key personal objectives set will be disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report.
40% of the 2020 AIP vesting will be deferred by making an award of shares under the DBSS, with a deferral period of two years. No change to 
current arrangements is proposed for 2020.

Restricted Share Scheme
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

 – To incentivise the creation of long term 

returns for shareholders

 – To align interests of Executive Directors 
with shareholders and support retention
 – To create alignment with the workforce

Performance measures

Operation

Subject to underpin as 
described in the 
Remuneration Policy 

A discretionary annual award up to a value of 100% of base 
salary. The Committee reserves the discretion to increase the 
maximum award to 150% of base salary in exceptional 
circumstances. 
Awards are subject to clawback and malus provisions.

Implementation
Annual award of 100% of base salary for the CEO and 75% for the CFO. The CEO’s award in 2020 will be reduced to 75% of base salary to 
reflect share price performance. Vesting of the award is subject to the underpin described in the Remuneration Policy. 2020 awards will also 
be subject to the following additional underpin:
 – that no more than 50% of the award will vest if the Company’s TSR has not increased over the three years following grant (using the 
three-month average TSRs for January to March 2020 for the base price and the same period three years later for the end price).

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Participation in all-employee arrangements
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

 – In order to be able to offer participation in 
all-employee plans to employees generally, 
the Company is either required by the 
relevant UK and French legislation to allow 
Executive Directors to participate on the 
same terms or chooses to do so

Not generally applicable. Any 
award of free shares under 
the SIP may be subject to a 
Company performance 
target.

Operation

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in all-employee 
incentive arrangements on the same terms as other employees.

Implementation 
All-employee arrangements currently offered in the UK are Sharesave and SIP share awards. The opportunity to participate in all-employee 
arrangements continues on the same basis as for all staff in the UK. No change to current arrangements is proposed for 2020.

Share ownership guidelines
Policy
The Company has in place share ownership guidelines for the Executive Directors. Executive Directors are normally required to achieve the 
minimum shareholding requirement within seven years of the date of appointment. An annual calculation as a percentage of salary is made against 
the guidelines as at 31 December each year based on the middle-market value of a share price on the last business day in December. Executive 
Directors are expected to accumulate and maintain a holding in ordinary shares in the Company equivalent to no less than 250% of base salary. 
The Company has a post-cessation share ownership guideline of 250% for the first year and 125% for the second year.

Implementation
250% of base salary for the Chief Executive and all other Executive Directors. Post-cessation share ownership guidelines to apply to those 
Directors that resigned during 2019 and going forward.

Chair of the Board and Non-Executive Directors’ Fees
Policy
Purpose and link to strategy

Performance measures

To ensure the Company continues to attract 
and retain high-quality Chair and Non-
Executive Directors by offering market 
competitive fees

Not applicable

Operation

The Chair of the Board’s fee is determined by 
the Committee. Other Non-Executive Directors’ 
fees are determined by the Board on the 
recommendation of the Executive Directors. 
Aggregate total fees payable annually to all 
Non-Executive Directors are subject to the limit 
stated in the Company’s Articles of Association 
(currently £1,000,000).

Implementation
The Chair of the Board and Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reviewed in February 2020. Non-Executive Director fees were increased by 
approximately 2%, in line with the increase for Executive Director base salaries, from 1 April 2020. No change was made to the Chair’s fee.

Chair and Non-Executive Directors’ 2020 annual fees
Chair of the Board
Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent Director
Audit Committee Chair
Remuneration Committee Chair
Audit/Remuneration Committee Member

£000

345,500
62,500
10,000
15,000
15,000
5,000

 Remuneration for employees below Board level in 2020
A summary of the remuneration structure for employees below Board level is set out in the Remuneration Policy section on page 103. For 2020, 
base salary budgets have been set on average at 2.5% for all employees below Board and senior management team level.

By order of the Board

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
25 February 2020

122

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ report

This report (Directors’ report) forms part 
of the management report as required under 
the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules (DTR). The Strategic Report on pages  
1 to 65 includes an indication of likely future 
developments in the Company, details of 
important events since the year ended 
31 December 2019 and the Company’s 
business model and strategy. The Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 66 to 122 is 
incorporated in this Directors’ Report 
by reference.

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association 
(Articles) may be amended by special 
resolution in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006 (Act) and are available at  
www.hammerson.com.

Branches
Details of the Company’s French and Irish 
branches are provided on page 185.

Directors
Details of the Directors who served during 
the year and continue to serve at the date of 
approval of the Directors’ report are set out 
on pages 68 to 70. Terry Duddy stepped down 
as a Director on 25 January 2019 and Timon 
Drakesmith stepped down as a Director on  
1 October 2019. Carol Welch, Adam Metz, 
James Lenton and Méka Brunel were 
appointed as Directors on 1 March 2019,  
22 July 2019, 16 September 2019 and  
1 December 2019 respectively. Judy Gibbons 
will step down as a Director at the AGM on  
28 April 2020.

Directors are appointed and replaced in 
accordance with the Articles, the Act and the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. The powers 
of the Directors are set out in the Articles and 
the Act.

Directors’ interests
Details of the Directors’ share interests can 
be found on page 111.

Disclosure of information 
to auditors
The Statement of Directors’ responsibilities, 
including confirmation of the disclosure of 
information to the External Auditor, can be 
found on page 126.

Dividend
Details of the recommended final dividend 
can be found on page 54 and in note 11 of the 
financial statements on page 156.

Distributable reserves
The capacity of the Company to make 
dividend payments is primarily determined 
by the availability of retained distributable 
reserves and cash resources. As at  
31 December 2019 the Company had 
distributable reserves of £771 million  
(2018: £634 million) and the total dividends 
declared in 2019 amounted to £198.4 million. 
The Company’s distributable reserves 
support over three times this annual 
dividend. When required the Company can 
receive dividends from its subsidiaries to 
further increase distributable reserves.

Employees
Details of the Group’s policies regarding 
the employment of disabled persons are 
provided on page 42.

Employees receive regular briefings and 
updates via the Group’s intranet to inform 
them of the performance of the business and 
opportunities to participate in employee 
share schemes. Details of engagement with 
employees can be found on pages 8 to 9, 43, 
74 and 77.

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Financial instruments
Details of the Group’s risk management 
in relation to its financial instruments 
are available in note 21 of the financial 
statements on pages 172 to 178.

Going Concern and Viability 
statements
The Company’s Going Concern and Viability 
statements can be found on page 65.

Greenhouse gas emissions 
reporting
Information regarding the Group’s 
greenhouse gas emissions can be found 
on page 205.

Indemnification of and 
insurance for Directors 
and officers
The Company maintains directors’ and 
officers’ liability insurance, which is reviewed 
annually. The Company’s Directors and 
officers are adequately insured in accordance 
with best practice. Directors are indemnified 
under the Articles and through a Deed Poll of 
Indemnity.

www.hammerson.com 123

 
Directors’ report continued

Listing Rule 9.8.4R disclosures
Table 86 sets out where disclosures required in compliance with Listing Rule 9.8.4R are located.

Table 86

Interest capitalised and tax relief
Publication of unaudited financial information
Details of long term incentive schemes
Waiver of emoluments by a director
Waiver of future emoluments by a director
Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash
Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash by major subsidiary undertakings
Parent company participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary
Contracts of significance
Provision of services by a controlling shareholder
Agreements with controlling shareholders 
Shareholder waivers of dividends
Shareholder waivers of future dividends 

Non-Financial Information Statement
Table 87

Reporting requirement

Where to read more about our policies,  
including the principal risks relating to these matters 

Environmental matters Sustainability review

Risks and uncertainties – Climate
Sustainability Report 20191

Employees

Human Rights

Social matters

Anti-bribery and 
corruption

Engaging with our stakeholders
Our people
Health, safety and security
Risks and uncertainties – People
Board Leadership and Company Purpose – Culture  
Board Leadership and Company Purpose – Culture 

Engaging with our stakeholders
Sustainability review
Health, safety and security
Risks and uncertainties – Catastrophic event
Board Leadership and Company Purpose – Engagement with 
stakeholders
Sustainability Report 20191
Board Leadership and Company Purpose – Culture

Business model
Non-financial KPIs 

Our business model 
Operational KPIs
Operating review 

1.  Available on our Positive Places website sustainability.hammerson.com. 
2.  Available on our website www.hammerson.com.
3.  Available to all employees through the Hammerson intranet. Not published externally.

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125

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34-41
64

8-9
42-44
45
64
77
77

8-9
34-41
45
63
74-75

77

6-7
19
20-33

Post balance sheet events
Details of post balance sheet events can be 
found in note 29 of the financial statements 
on page 181.

Provisions on change of 
control
Four of the five outstanding bonds issued by 
the Company contain covenants specifying 
that the bondholders may request repayment 
at par, if the Company’s credit rating is 
downgraded to below investment grade due 
to a change of control, and the rating remains 
below investment grade for a period of 
six months thereafter.

In addition, under the Company’s credit 
facilities and private placement notes, 
the lending banks or holders may request 
repayment of outstanding amounts within 
30 and 52 days respectively of any change 
of control.

Some of our relevant policies

Energy policy1
Environmental policy1
Climate change policy1
Biodiversity policy1
Responsible procurement policy1 
Code of conduct2
Flexible working and equal 
opportunities policy1
Health and safety policy1

Modern slavery and human 
trafficking statement2
Responsible procurement policy1
Code of conduct2
Responsible procurement policy1
Health and safety policy1

Code of conduct2
Anti-bribery and corruption policy3
Whistleblowing policy3
Responsible procurement policy1 

124

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
Purchase of own shares
At the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM), 
the Company was granted authority by 
shareholders to purchase up to 76,629,361 
ordinary shares (10% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital as at 11 March 
2019). This authority will expire at the 
conclusion of the 2020 AGM, at which a 
resolution will be proposed for its renewal, 
or, if earlier, on 30 July 2020.

Details of shares purchased by the Company 
during 2019 can be found in note 24 of the 
financial statements on page 179.

Responsibility statement
The Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
is set out on page 126.

Share capital
Details of the Company’s capital structure are 
set out in note 24 of the financial statements 
on page 179. The rights and obligations 
attached to the Company’s shares are set out 
in the Articles. There are no restrictions on the 
transfer of shares except the UK Real Estate 
Investment Trust restrictions.

Shares held in the Employee 
Share Ownership Plan
The Trustees of the Hammerson Employee 
Share Ownership Plan hold Hammerson plc 
shares in trust to satisfy awards under the 
Company’s employee share plans. The 
Trustees have waived their right to receive 
dividends on shares held in the Company.  
As at 31 December 2019, 1,139,757 shares 
were held in trust for employee share 
plans purposes.

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Substantial shareholders
Interests in voting rights over the issued 
share capital of the Company disclosed 
in accordance with DTR 5 can be found 
in Table 88.

Suppliers and customers
Details of the Company’s engagement with 
suppliers, customers and others in a business 
relationship with the Company can be found 
on pages 8 to 9 and 74 to 75.

Sarah Booth
General Counsel and Company Secretary

25 February 2020 

Interests disclosed under DTR 5
Table 88

APG Asset Management N.V.1 
BlackRock, Inc.2 
Coronation Asset Management (Pty) Ltd3
Baillie Gifford & Co 
Peel Holdings (IOM) Limited

Number of voting rights attached to shares or 
held through financial instruments

% of total voting rights  

disclosed to the Company6

130,370,030 
63,820,935
45,417,174 
38,356,703 
30,538,230 

17.01 
8.32 
5.93 
5.01 
3.99 

1.  APG Asset Management N.V. notified the Company:

 – on 10 January 2020 that its holding had increased to 18.00% of the Company’s total voting rights

 – on 7 February 2020 that its holding had increased to 19.27% of the Company’s total voting rights.

2.  BlackRock, Inc. notified the Company:

 – on 13 January 2020 that its holding had increased to 8.57% of the Company’s total voting rights, including a decrease in voting rights attached to shares from 5.22% to 4.83%.

 – on 14 January 2020 that its holding had remained at 8.57% of the Company’s total voting rights, with an increase in voting rights attached to shares from 4.83% to 5.49%.

3.  Coronation Asset Management (Pty) Ltd notified the Company on 13 February 2020 that its holding had decreased to 4.88% of the Company’s total voting rights.
4.  J O Hambro Capital Management Limited notified the Company on 22 January 2020 that its holding had reached 5.01% of the Company’s total voting rights.
5.  JP Morgan Chase & Co. notified the Company on 13 February 2020 that its holding had reached 5.15% of the Company’s total voting rights.
6.  No other changes to table 88 have been disclosed to the Company between 1 January 2020 and 25 February 2020.

www.hammerson.com 125

 
 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Directors’ responsibilities in  
respect of the preparation of the financial 
statements 

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and financial statements, 
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. 

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements  
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the 
Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and 
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). 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 IFRS as adopted by 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 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 and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

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 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. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in 
the Corporate Governance report, confirms that to the best of 
their knowledge: 

–  The Company financial statements, which have been prepared in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 
‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law), 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 IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give a  
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss  
of the Group 

–  The Strategic 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 they face 

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 

By order of the Board 

David Atkins  
Chief Executive  

James Lenton  
Chief Financial Officer 

25 February 2020 

126   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

126

 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc 

Directors’ responsibilities in  

respect of the preparation of the financial 

statements 

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and financial statements, 

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. 

Report on the audit of the financial statements  

Opinion 

In our opinion: 

–  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently 

performance of the business and the position of the Group and 

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee. 

–  Hammerson 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 December 2019 and of the Group’s loss and cash flows for the year then ended; 

–  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted  

by the European Union; 

–  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 and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise: the Consolidated and Company balance sheets as  
at 31 December 2019; the Consolidated income statement and the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated cash flow 
statement, and the Consolidated and Company statements of changes in equity for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial statements, 
which include a description of the significant accounting policies. 

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 to the Group  
or the Company. 

Other than those disclosed in note 5 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group or the Company in the period 
from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. 

Our audit approach 
Overview 

Materiality

Audit scope

Key audit 
matters

–  Overall Group materiality: £55.0 million (2018: £67.0 million), based on 0.75% of Group's total assets. 
–  Specific Group materiality: £10.6 million (2018: £12.0 million), based on 5.0% of the Group's adjusted earnings.
–  Overall Company materiality: £66.0 million (2018: £77.8 million), based on 0.75% of Company's total assets. 

–  The UK, French and Value Retail components were subject to a full scope audit. Together these components 

account for 88% of the Group’s total assets. 

–  The Irish and VIA Outlets components were subject to an audit over certain account balances (including 

investment property).  

–  Valuation of investment property, either held directly or within joint ventures (Group). 
–  Accounting for the investment in Value Retail and valuation of investment property held by Value Retail 

(Group). 

–  Valuation of investments in subsidiary companies (Company). 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 

financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements  

for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the 

Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and 

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). 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: 

–  State whether applicable IFRS as adopted by 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 

–  Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable  

–  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless  

it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will 

financial statements 

and prudent 

continue in business 

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 and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

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 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. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in 

the Corporate Governance report, confirms that to the best of 

their knowledge: 

–  The Company financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 

Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 

‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law), give a true 

and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit  

–  The Group financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give a  

true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss  

of the Company 

of the Group 

–  The Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and 

Company, together with a description of the principal risks and 

uncertainties that they face 

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 

By order of the Board 

David Atkins  

Chief Executive  

James Lenton  

Chief Financial Officer 

25 February 2020 

126   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 127
www.hammerson.com  127 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

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.  

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud 
Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations to be related 
to tax legislation including the Real Estate Investment Trust requirements, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a 
material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial 
statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and Listing Rules. 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 to increase revenue, 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 internal audit, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and 

regulation and fraud;  

–  Evaluation of management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;  
–  Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to the valuation  

of investment property (see related key audit matter below); and 

–  Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted to revenue with unusual account combinations or posted by senior 

management.   

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the 
events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. 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.  

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. This is not a 
complete list of all risks identified by our audit.  

Key audit matter 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Valuation of investment property, either held directly or within 
joint ventures (Group) 
Refer to page 88 (Audit Committee report), pages 160 to 166 (Notes to the 
financial statements – notes 13 and 14), page 142 (Significant judgements 
and key estimates), and page 144 (Significant accounting policies).  
The Group directly owns, or owns via joint ventures or associates, a 
portfolio of property which includes shopping centres, retail parks, 
developments and premium outlets. The total value of this portfolio as at 
31 December 2019 was £8,327 million (2018: £9,938 million). 
Of this portfolio £2,099 million (2018: £3,830 million) is held by 
subsidiaries within ‘Investment and development properties’, and 
£3,658 million (2018: £4,256 million) is held by joint ventures within 
‘Investment in joint ventures’. Additionally the portfolio includes £456 
million (2018: £nil) of retail parks held within ‘Assets held for sale’. 
Together these properties are spread across the UK, French, Irish and 
VIA Outlets components. 
The remainder of the portfolio is held within associates, £2,114 million 
(2018: £1,852 million), primarily in respect of Value Retail but also Italie 
Deux and Nicetoile. The Group’s share of Value Retail’s investment 
property is £1,966 million (2018: £1,823 million). The valuation of Value 
Retail’s property is discussed within the subsequent key audit matter. 
This was identified as a key audit matter given the valuation of the 
investment property portfolio is inherently subjective and complex due 
to, among other factors, the individual nature of each property, its 
location, and the expected future rental streams for that particular 
property. The wider challenges currently facing the retail real estate 
occupier and investor markets, including the relative lack of comparable 
transactions in certain markets, further contributed to the subjectivity 
for the year ended 31 December 2019.  

Given the inherent subjectivity involved in the valuation of investment 
properties, the need for deep market knowledge when determining  
the most appropriate assumptions and the technicalities of valuation 
methodology, we engaged our internal valuation experts (qualified 
chartered surveyors) to assist us in our audit of this matter.  
Assessing the valuers’ expertise and objectivity 
We assessed the external valuers’ qualifications and expertise and read 
their terms of engagement with the Group to determine whether there 
were any matters that might have affected their objectivity or may have 
imposed scope limitations upon their work. We also considered fee 
arrangements between the external valuers and the Group, and other 
engagements which might exist between the Group and the valuers. 
We found no evidence to suggest that the objectivity of the external 
valuers, in their performance of the valuations, was compromised. 
Data provided to the valuers 
We checked the accuracy of the underlying lease data and capital 
expenditure used by the external valuers in their valuation of the 
portfolio by tracing the data back to the relevant component 
accounting records and signed leases on a sample basis. No exceptions 
were identified from this work. 
Assumptions and estimates used by the valuers 
We read the external valuation reports for the properties and 
confirmed that the valuation approach for each was in accordance with 
RICS standards and suitable for use in determining the final value for 
the purpose of the financial statements. 
We met with external valuers to discuss and challenge the valuation 
process, the key assumptions, and the rationale behind the more 
significant valuation movements during the year. It was evident from 
our interaction with the external valuers, and from our review of the 
valuation reports, that close attention had been paid to each property’s 
individual characteristics at a detailed, tenant by tenant level, as well as 
considering the property specific factors such as the overall quality,  

128   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

128

 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

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.  

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud 

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations to be related 

to tax legislation including the Real Estate Investment Trust requirements, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a 

material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial 

statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and Listing Rules. 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 to increase revenue, 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 internal audit, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and 

regulation and fraud;  

–  Evaluation of management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;  

–  Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to the valuation  

of investment property (see related key audit matter below); and 

–  Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted to revenue with unusual account combinations or posted by senior 

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the 

events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. 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.  

management.   

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. This is not a 

complete list of all risks identified by our audit.  

Key audit matter 

joint ventures (Group) 

Valuation of investment property, either held directly or within 

Refer to page 88 (Audit Committee report), pages 160 to 166 (Notes to the 

financial statements – notes 13 and 14), page 142 (Significant judgements 

and key estimates), and page 144 (Significant accounting policies).  

The Group directly owns, or owns via joint ventures or associates, a 

portfolio of property which includes shopping centres, retail parks, 

developments and premium outlets. The total value of this portfolio as at 

31 December 2019 was £8,327 million (2018: £9,938 million). 

Of this portfolio £2,099 million (2018: £3,830 million) is held by 

subsidiaries within ‘Investment and development properties’, and 

£3,658 million (2018: £4,256 million) is held by joint ventures within 

‘Investment in joint ventures’. Additionally the portfolio includes £456 

million (2018: £nil) of retail parks held within ‘Assets held for sale’. 

Together these properties are spread across the UK, French, Irish and 

VIA Outlets components. 

The remainder of the portfolio is held within associates, £2,114 million 

(2018: £1,852 million), primarily in respect of Value Retail but also Italie 

Deux and Nicetoile. The Group’s share of Value Retail’s investment 

property is £1,966 million (2018: £1,823 million). The valuation of Value 

Retail’s property is discussed within the subsequent key audit matter. 

This was identified as a key audit matter given the valuation of the 

investment property portfolio is inherently subjective and complex due 

to, among other factors, the individual nature of each property, its 

location, and the expected future rental streams for that particular 

property. The wider challenges currently facing the retail real estate 

occupier and investor markets, including the relative lack of comparable 

transactions in certain markets, further contributed to the subjectivity 

for the year ended 31 December 2019.  

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Given the inherent subjectivity involved in the valuation of investment 

properties, the need for deep market knowledge when determining  

the most appropriate assumptions and the technicalities of valuation 

methodology, we engaged our internal valuation experts (qualified 

chartered surveyors) to assist us in our audit of this matter.  

Assessing the valuers’ expertise and objectivity 

We assessed the external valuers’ qualifications and expertise and read 

their terms of engagement with the Group to determine whether there 

were any matters that might have affected their objectivity or may have 

imposed scope limitations upon their work. We also considered fee 

arrangements between the external valuers and the Group, and other 

engagements which might exist between the Group and the valuers. 

We found no evidence to suggest that the objectivity of the external 

valuers, in their performance of the valuations, was compromised. 

Data provided to the valuers 

We checked the accuracy of the underlying lease data and capital 

expenditure used by the external valuers in their valuation of the 

portfolio by tracing the data back to the relevant component 

accounting records and signed leases on a sample basis. No exceptions 

were identified from this work. 

Assumptions and estimates used by the valuers 

We read the external valuation reports for the properties and 

confirmed that the valuation approach for each was in accordance with 

RICS standards and suitable for use in determining the final value for 

the purpose of the financial statements. 

We met with external valuers to discuss and challenge the valuation 

process, the key assumptions, and the rationale behind the more 

significant valuation movements during the year. It was evident from 

our interaction with the external valuers, and from our review of the 

valuation reports, that close attention had been paid to each property’s 

individual characteristics at a detailed, tenant by tenant level, as well as 

considering the property specific factors such as the overall quality,  

Key audit matter 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Valuation of investment property, either held directly or within joint 
ventures (continued) 
Other than for assets held for sale, the closing valuation was carried out 
by external valuers, Cushman & Wakefield, in accordance with the 
RICS Valuation – Professional Standards and the Group accounting 
policies which incorporate the requirements of International 
Accounting Standard 40, ‘Investment Property’.   
The properties are held primarily at investment value reflecting the fact 
that the properties are largely existing operational properties currently 
generating rental income. Shopping centres are primarily valued using 
the income capitalisation method, and premium outlets are valued on  
a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) basis. 
Those development properties that are subject to an active ongoing 
development are valued using the residual valuation approach. 
Certain operational properties, which have development potential, 
are valued under the income capitalisation method but adjusted to 
account for development potential. Development land is valued 
on a land per acre basis. 
Retail parks have been classified as assets held for sale and have therefore 
been recognised at fair value less costs to sell in accordance with IFRS 5 
‘Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations’.  
Shopping centres  
In determining the valuation of a shopping centre the valuers take into 
account property specific information such as the current tenancy 
agreements and rental income. They then apply judgemental 
assumptions such as estimated rental value (“ERV”) and yield, which 
are influenced by prevailing market yields and where appropriate 
comparable market transactions, to arrive at the final valuation. Due  
to the unique nature of each property the judgemental assumptions to  
be applied are determined having regard to the individual property 
characteristics at a detailed, tenant by tenant level, as well as 
considering the qualities of the property as a whole. 
Premium outlets 
In determining the valuation of a premium outlet the valuers take 
into account property specific information such as current tenancy 
agreements, rental income generated by the asset, as well as property 
operating costs. They then apply judgemental assumptions such as yield, 
discount rate and expected rental income growth rates, which are 
influenced by prevailing market yields and where appropriate 
comparable market transactions, to arrive at the final valuation. Due to 
the unique nature of each property, the judgemental assumptions to be 
applied are determined having regard to the individual property 
characteristics at a detailed, unit by unit level, as well as considering 
the qualities of the property as a whole. 
Developments 
In determining the valuation of development property held under a 
residual valuation the valuers take into account the property specific 
information such as the development plans for the site. They then apply a 
number of judgemental assumptions including ERV and yield within the 
gross development value, estimated costs to complete and developers 
profit to arrive at the valuation. Due to the unique nature of an ongoing 
development the judgemental assumptions to be applied are determined 
having regard to the nature and risks associated with each development. 
In determining the valuation of operational properties with development 
potential the valuers initially follow the same methodology as described 
previously to arrive at an income capitalisation value. Having regard to 
the unique nature of each property, the likelihood of the development 
progressing and the status of planning consents for the development, 
the valuers then make adjustments to the valuation to reflect 
development potential. 
In determining the value of development land the valuers primarily 
have regard for the land per acre value achieved by recent comparable 
land transactions. 
Retail parks 
In determining the valuation of the retail parks within assets held for sale, 
the Directors primarily utilised the actual sales price agreed with third 
parties for the assets, less a deduction for selling costs. 

latest leasing activity, geographic location and desirability of the 
asset as a whole. 
In addition we performed the following procedures for each type of 
property. We were able to obtain sufficient evidence to support the 
valuation and did not identify any material issues during our work. 
–  Shopping centres 

For shopping centres we obtained details of each property and set  
an expected range for yield and capital value movement, determined 
by reference to published benchmarks and using our experience and 
knowledge of the market. We compared the yield and capital 
movement of each property with our expected range. We also 
considered the reasonableness of other assumptions that are not  
so readily comparable with published benchmarks, such as ERV. 
Where assumptions were outside the expected range or otherwise 
appeared unusual we undertook further investigations and, when 
necessary, obtained corroborating evidence to support explanations 
received. This enabled us to assess the property specific factors that 
had an impact on value, including recent comparable transactions 
where appropriate, and to conclude on the reasonableness of the 
assumptions utilised. 

–  Premium outlets 

For premium outlets we initially obtained details of each property. 
We then assessed the reasonableness of each property’s key 
assumptions comparing its yield, discount rate and rental income 
growth rates to comparable market benchmarks. In doing so we had 
regard to property specific factors and our knowledge of the market, 
including recent comparable transactions where appropriate. We 
obtained corroborating evidence to support explanations received 
from the valuers where appropriate. 

–  Developments 

For significant ongoing developments valued via the residual 
valuation method we obtained the development appraisal and 
assessed the reasonableness of the valuers’ key assumptions. This 
included comparing the yield to comparable market benchmarks, 
comparing the costs to complete estimates to development plans, 
and considering the reasonableness of other assumptions that are 
not so readily comparable with published benchmarks, such as ERV 
and developers profit. Where assumptions appeared unusual we 
undertook further investigations and, when necessary, obtained 
corroborating evidence to support explanations received. 
For operational properties with development potential we 
performed the same procedures as described previously for 
shopping centres. Additionally we considered the reasonableness 
of any additional value recognised for development potential by 
reviewing the stage of progress of the proposed development 
including verifying any planning consents obtained. 
For development land valued on a land per acre basis we obtained 
details of the comparable land transactions utilised by the valuers. 
We verified the value of these transactions to supporting evidence 
and considered their comparability to the asset being valued. 

–  Retail parks 

For retail parks classified as assets held for sale we obtained the 
signed sale documentation and verified that the agreed sale price 
corresponded with the fair value arrived at by the Directors. We are 
satisfied this is an appropriate basis for determining the fair value 
for assets held for sale. 

Overall findings 
We found that the assumptions used in the valuations were 
predominantly consistent with our expectations and comparable 
benchmarking information for the asset type, and that the 
assumptions were applied appropriately and reflected available 
comparable market transactions. Where assumptions did not fall 
within our expected range we were satisfied that variances were  
due to property specific factors such as new lettings at higher rents. 
We concluded that the assumptions used in the valuations by the 
external valuers were supportable in light of available comparable 
market evidence. 

128   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

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Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

Key audit matter 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Accounting for the investment in Value Retail and valuation of investment 
property held by Value Retail (Group) 
Refer to page 88 (Audit Committee report), pages 167 to 170 (Notes to the 
financial statements – note 15), page 142 (Significant judgements and key 
estimates), and page 143 and 144 (Significant accounting policies). 
The Group has an investment in Value Retail, a separate group owning  
a number of premium outlet centres across the United Kingdom and 
Europe. The Group equity accounts for its interest in Value Retail as 
an associate. The Group’s investment as at 31 December 2019 was 
£1,355 million (2018: £1,211 million). 
Investment property valuation 
The valuation of the Group’s investment in Value Retail is predominantly 
driven by the valuation of the property assets within the Value Retail 
portfolio. The value of the properties was £5,365 million as at 31 
December 2019 (2018: £5,054 million). The Group’s share of the 
Value Retail property, which is included within the wider Group 
portfolio of £8,327 million (2018: £9,938 million), was £1,966 million 
(2018: £1,823 million). 
The judgements and risks associated with the valuation of this portfolio 
are similar to those in the remainder of the Group’s premium outlets 
portfolio discussed within the previous key audit matter, with the 
properties also being valued by Cushman & Wakefield on a DCF basis. 
Accounting for the investment in Value Retail 
Value Retail has a complex ownership structure whereby each investing 
party owns differing proportions of each of the entities, and hence 
properties, within the Value Retail group. As such this creates significant 
complexity in determining the overall investment in Value Retail held 
within the Group consolidated financial statements. 
Therefore, on the basis of the significant judgement within the 
investment property valuation, and the complexity in determining 
the overall investment in Value Retail, we identified this as a key 
audit matter. 

Investment property valuation 
As Group auditors we formally instructed the component auditors 
of Value Retail to perform a full scope audit over the financial 
information of Value Retail. This included audit work over the 
valuation of investment property within Value Retail. 
The audit procedures performed were in line with those described 
within the previous key audit matter surrounding the remainder of 
the Group's premium outlet investment properties. 
We have obtained reporting from the component auditors and have 
reviewed the results and quality of their work over investment 
property valuation. 
In addition the Group audit team attended the meeting held between 
Cushman & Wakefield and the component auditors and reviewed the 
component auditors’ working papers. 
We have no issues to report and have obtained sufficient audit comfort 
over the investment property balances within the Value Retail 
financial information. 
Accounting for the investment in Value Retail 
In respect of the complexity within the calculation of the Group’s 
investment in Value Retail, we obtained the ownership structure for 
Value Retail as at 31 December 2019. We instructed the component 
auditor to verify the Group’s percentage ownership of each entity 
within the Value Retail group including taking into account any 
acquisitions in the year. We have obtained reporting from the 
component auditors on this procedure and have reviewed the results 
and quality of their work. 
We have tested the adjustments made within the Group consolidation 
in accordance with IAS 28 ‘Investments in associates and joint 
ventures’, in arriving at the Group’s equity accounted investment in 
Value Retail to determine whether they are appropriate. 
We have no issues to report in respect of this work. 

Valuation of investments in subsidiary companies (Company). 
Refer to page 184 (Notes to the financial statements – note C), page 184 
(Accounting Policies). 
The Company has investments in subsidiary companies of £3,775 million 
(2018: £4,551 million) as at 31 December 2019. 
The Company’s accounting policy is to hold these investments at fair 
value. Given the inherent judgement and complexity in assessing the fair 
value of a subsidiary company, this was identified as a key audit matter 
for our audit of the Company. 
The primary determinant and key judgement within the fair value of each 
subsidiary company is the value of the investment property held by each 
investee. As such it was over this area to which we applied the most focus 
and audit effort. 

  We obtained the Directors’ valuation for the value of investments held 

in subsidiary companies as at 31 December 2019. 
We assessed the accounting policy for investments to ensure it was 
compliant with FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”. 
We verified that the methodology used by the Directors in arriving  
at the fair value of each subsidiary was compliant with FRS 101 
“Reduced Disclosure Framework”. 
We identified the key judgement within the valuation of investments 
held in subsidiary companies to be the valuation of investment 
property held by each investee. For details of our procedures over 
investment property valuations please refer to earlier within this 
report since this was identified as a key audit matter in its own right 
for the Group. 
We have no matters to report in respect of this work. 

130   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

130

 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

Key audit matter 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Accounting for the investment in Value Retail and valuation of investment 

Investment property valuation 

property held by Value Retail (Group) 

Refer to page 88 (Audit Committee report), pages 167 to 170 (Notes to the 

financial statements – note 15), page 142 (Significant judgements and key 

estimates), and page 143 and 144 (Significant accounting policies). 

The Group has an investment in Value Retail, a separate group owning  

a number of premium outlet centres across the United Kingdom and 

Europe. The Group equity accounts for its interest in Value Retail as 

an associate. The Group’s investment as at 31 December 2019 was 

£1,355 million (2018: £1,211 million). 

Investment property valuation 

The valuation of the Group’s investment in Value Retail is predominantly 

driven by the valuation of the property assets within the Value Retail 

portfolio. The value of the properties was £5,365 million as at 31 

December 2019 (2018: £5,054 million). The Group’s share of the 

Value Retail property, which is included within the wider Group 

portfolio of £8,327 million (2018: £9,938 million), was £1,966 million 

(2018: £1,823 million). 

The judgements and risks associated with the valuation of this portfolio 

are similar to those in the remainder of the Group’s premium outlets 

portfolio discussed within the previous key audit matter, with the 

properties also being valued by Cushman & Wakefield on a DCF basis. 

Accounting for the investment in Value Retail 

Value Retail has a complex ownership structure whereby each investing 

party owns differing proportions of each of the entities, and hence 

properties, within the Value Retail group. As such this creates significant 

complexity in determining the overall investment in Value Retail held 

within the Group consolidated financial statements. 

Therefore, on the basis of the significant judgement within the 

investment property valuation, and the complexity in determining 

the overall investment in Value Retail, we identified this as a key 

audit matter. 

As Group auditors we formally instructed the component auditors 

of Value Retail to perform a full scope audit over the financial 

information of Value Retail. This included audit work over the 

valuation of investment property within Value Retail. 

The audit procedures performed were in line with those described 

within the previous key audit matter surrounding the remainder of 

the Group's premium outlet investment properties. 

We have obtained reporting from the component auditors and have 

reviewed the results and quality of their work over investment 

property valuation. 

In addition the Group audit team attended the meeting held between 

Cushman & Wakefield and the component auditors and reviewed the 

component auditors’ working papers. 

We have no issues to report and have obtained sufficient audit comfort 

over the investment property balances within the Value Retail 

financial information. 

Accounting for the investment in Value Retail 

In respect of the complexity within the calculation of the Group’s 

investment in Value Retail, we obtained the ownership structure for 

Value Retail as at 31 December 2019. We instructed the component 

auditor to verify the Group’s percentage ownership of each entity 

within the Value Retail group including taking into account any 

acquisitions in the year. We have obtained reporting from the 

component auditors on this procedure and have reviewed the results 

and quality of their work. 

We have tested the adjustments made within the Group consolidation 

in accordance with IAS 28 ‘Investments in associates and joint 

ventures’, in arriving at the Group’s equity accounted investment in 

Value Retail to determine whether they are appropriate. 

We have no issues to report in respect of this work. 

Valuation of investments in subsidiary companies (Company). 

  We obtained the Directors’ valuation for the value of investments held 

Refer to page 184 (Notes to the financial statements – note C), page 184 

in subsidiary companies as at 31 December 2019. 

(Accounting Policies). 

The Company has investments in subsidiary companies of £3,775 million 

(2018: £4,551 million) as at 31 December 2019. 

The Company’s accounting policy is to hold these investments at fair 

value. Given the inherent judgement and complexity in assessing the fair 

We assessed the accounting policy for investments to ensure it was 

compliant with FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”. 

We verified that the methodology used by the Directors in arriving  

at the fair value of each subsidiary was compliant with FRS 101 

“Reduced Disclosure Framework”. 

value of a subsidiary company, this was identified as a key audit matter 

We identified the key judgement within the valuation of investments 

for our audit of the Company. 

The primary determinant and key judgement within the fair value of each 

subsidiary company is the value of the investment property held by each 

investee. As such it was over this area to which we applied the most focus 

and audit effort. 

held in subsidiary companies to be the valuation of investment 

property held by each investee. For details of our procedures over 

investment property valuations please refer to earlier within this 

report since this was identified as a key audit matter in its own right 

for the Group. 

We have no matters to report in respect of this work. 

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 owns and invests in a number of shopping centres, retail parks, developments and premium outlets across the United Kingdom and Europe. 
These are held within a variety of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. 

Based on our understanding of the Group we focussed our audit work primarily on five components being: UK, France, Ireland, Value Retail and 
VIA Outlets. 

The UK, French and Value Retail components were subject to a full scope audit given their financial significance to the Group. Ireland and VIA Outlets 
were subject to an audit over certain account balances (including investment property), based on our assessment of risk and materiality of the Group’s 
operations at each component. 

The UK, French and Value Retail components account for 88% (2018: UK and French components accounted for 73%) of the Group’s total assets. The 
UK and Irish components were audited by the Group team. The French, VIA Outlets and Value Retail components were audited by component teams. 

Detailed instructions were sent to all component teams. These instructions covered the significant areas that should be addressed by the component 
auditors (which included the relevant risks of material misstatement) and set out the information required to be reported back to the Group audit  
team. In addition, regular meetings were held with the component audit teams, with the Group audit team attending the clearance meeting for all 
component audits. Finally the Group audit team performed a detailed review of the working papers of all component teams to ensure the work 
performed was appropriate. 

These procedures, together with additional procedures performed at the Group level (including audit procedures over the consolidation and 
consolidation adjustments), gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the Group financial statements as a whole. 

In respect of the audit of the Company, the Group audit team performed a full scope statutory audit. 

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: 

Group financial statements 

Company financial statements 

Overall materiality 

£55.0 million (2018: £67.0 million). 

£66.0 million (2018: £77.8 million). 

How we determined it 

0.75% of the Group’s total assets. 

0.75% of the Company’s total assets. 

Rationale for benchmark applied  We determined materiality based on total assets given the 

valuation of investment properties, whether held directly or 
through joint ventures and associates, is the key determinant of 
the Group's value. 
This materiality was utilised in the audit of investing and 
financing activities. 

Given the Hammerson plc entity is 
primarily a holding company we 
determined total assets to be the 
appropriate benchmark . 

Specific materiality 

£10.6 million (2018: £12.0 million). 

How we determined it 

5% of the Group’s adjusted earnings. 

Rationale for benchmark applied 

In arriving at this materiality we had regard to the fact that 
adjusted earnings is a secondary financial indicator of the Group 
(Refer to note 12 of the financial statements where the term is 
defined). 
This materiality was utilised in the audit of operating activities. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

130   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

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Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

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 £20.0 million to £50.0 million. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £2.7 million (Group audit) 
(2018: £3.3 million) and £3.3 million (Company audit) (2018: £3.9 million) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, warranted 
reporting for qualitative reasons. 

In addition we agreed with the Audit Committee we would report to them misstatements identified during our Group audit above £1.1 million 
(2018: £1.2 million) for misstatements related to operating items within the financial statements, as well as misstatements below that amount that, 
in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

Going concern 
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows: 

Reporting obligation 

Outcome 

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in respect of the Directors’ statement in the financial 
statements about whether the Directors considered it appropriate  
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the  
financial statements and the Directors’ identification of any material 
uncertainties to the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue  
as a going concern over a period of at least twelve months from the 
 date of approval of the financial statements. 

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. 
However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 
this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s ability 
to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms of the United 
Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union are not clear, and it is 
difficult to evaluate all of the potential implications on the Group’s and 
Company’s trade, customers, suppliers and the wider economy.   

We are required to report if the Directors’ statement relating to Going 
Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit. 

We have nothing to 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 the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 (CA06), ISAs (UK) and the 
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below (required by ISAs 
(UK) unless otherwise stated). 

132   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

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132

 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

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 £20.0 million to £50.0 million. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £2.7 million (Group audit) 

(2018: £3.3 million) and £3.3 million (Company audit) (2018: £3.9 million) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, warranted 

reporting for qualitative reasons. 

In addition we agreed with the Audit Committee we would report to them misstatements identified during our Group audit above £1.1 million 

(2018: £1.2 million) for misstatements related to operating items within the financial statements, as well as misstatements below that amount that, 

in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

Going concern 

In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows: 

Reporting obligation 

Outcome 

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw 

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. 

attention to in respect of the Directors’ statement in the financial 

statements about whether the Directors considered it appropriate  

to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the  

financial statements and the Directors’ identification of any material 

uncertainties to the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue  

as a going concern over a period of at least twelve months from the 

 date of approval of the financial statements. 

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 

this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s ability 

to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms of the United 

Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union are not clear, and it is 

difficult to evaluate all of the potential implications on the Group’s and 

Company’s trade, customers, suppliers and the wider economy.   

We are required to report if the Directors’ statement relating to Going 

We have nothing to report. 

Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially 

inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit. 

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. 

been included. 

(UK) unless otherwise stated). 

With respect to the Strategic report and Directors’ report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have 

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 (CA06), ISAs (UK) and the 

Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below (required by ISAs 

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 December 2019 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 
(CA06) 

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. (CA06) 

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity  
of the Group 
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding: 

–  The Directors’ confirmation on page 58 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, 

including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

–  The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. 
–  The Directors’ explanation on page 65 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period they have 

done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether 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 period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the Directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only 
consisted of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ process supporting their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with 
the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the 
knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules) 

Other Code Provisions 
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:  

–  The statement given by the Directors, on page 126, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and understandable, 
and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s position and performance, business model and 
strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Company obtained in the course of performing our audit. 

–  The section of the Annual Report on page 85 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated  

by us to the Audit Committee. 

–  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. 

Directors’ Remuneration 
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 
(CA06) 

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit 
Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities set out on page 126, 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. 

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. 

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. 

132   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 133
www.hammerson.com  133 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

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 received 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 Directors’ 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 25 April 2017 to audit the financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2017 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 3 years, covering the years ended 31 
December 2017 to 31 December 2019. 

Paul Cragg (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London 

25 February 2020 

134   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

134

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Hammerson plc continued 

Consolidated income statement  
Consolidated income statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

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 received 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 

–  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

–  the Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting 

visited by us; or 

records and returns.  

Appointment 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.  

Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the members on 25 April 2017 to audit the financial statements for the 

year ended 31 December 2017 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 3 years, covering the years ended 31 

December 2017 to 31 December 2019. 

Paul Cragg (Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 

London 

25 February 2020 

Revenue 

Operating profit before other net losses and share of results of joint ventures  
and associates 

Loss on sale of properties 
Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled on disposal of foreign operations 
Acquisition-related costs 
Revaluation losses on properties  
Other net losses 

Share of results of joint ventures  
Share of results of associates 
Operating loss 

Finance costs 
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Finance income 
Net finance costs 
Loss before tax 

Tax charge 
Loss from continuing operations 
Loss from discontinued operations 
Loss for the year 

Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders 
Non-controlling interests2 
Loss for the year 

Basic and diluted loss per share 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Total 

Notes 

4 

2 

2 

14A 

15A 

2 

8 

9A 

10B 

28C 

12B 

12B 

12B 

2019
£m
190.3

65.0

(69.7)
13.8
–
(294.7)
(350.6)

(423.0)
209.4
(499.2)

(102.3)
–
6.2
21.5
(74.6)
(573.8)

(1.9)
(575.7)
(205.5)
(781.2)

(781.2)
–
(781.2)

(75.2)p
(26.9)p
(102.1)p

20181 
£m  
224.8

96.3

(53.5)
2.0
(6.4)
(41.4)
(99.3)

(103.7)
57.7
(49.0)

(109.0)
(15.3)
(14.5)
14.5
(124.3)
(173.3)

(1.8)
(175.1)
(93.4)
(268.5)

(268.1)
(0.4)
(268.5)

(22.2)p
(11.9)p
(34.1)p

1.  The results reported for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been reclassified to represent discontinued operations in line with the requirements of IFRS 5 ‘Non-current assets held 

for sale and discontinued operations’. 

2.  Non-controlling interests relate to continuing operations. 

134   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 135
www.hammerson.com  135 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Items recycled through the consolidated income statement on disposal of foreign operations  
Exchange gain previously recognised in the translation reserve 
Exchange loss previously recognised in the net investment hedge reserve 
Net exchange gain relating to equity shareholders1 

Items that may subsequently be recycled through the consolidated income statement 
Foreign exchange translation differences 
Gain/(Loss) on net investment hedge 
Net gain on cash flow hedge 
Share of other comprehensive loss of associates 

Items that may not subsequently be recycled through the consolidated income statement 
Net actuarial (losses)/gains on pension schemes 
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income2 

Loss for the year from continuing operations 
Loss for the year from discontinued operations 
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders 
Non-controlling interests 
Total comprehensive loss for the year 

1.  Relates to the sale of a 75% interest in Italie Deux, Paris in 2019 and the sale of Jeu de Paume, Beauvais in 2018. 
2.  All items within total other comprehensive (loss)/income relate to continuing operations.

2019
£m

(69.1)
55.3
(13.8)

(204.4)
138.6
6.8
(4.0)
(63.0)

(1.5)
(78.3)

(575.7)
(205.5)
(781.2)
(859.5)

(859.4)
(0.1)
(859.5)

2018
£m

(10.3)
8.3
(2.0)

41.5
(29.0)
4.1
(3.3)
13.3

0.8
12.1

(175.1)
(93.4)
(268.5)
(256.4)

(256.0)
(0.4)
(256.4)

136   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

136

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated balance sheet 
As at 31 December 2019 
As at 31 December 2019 

Items recycled through the consolidated income statement on disposal of foreign operations  

Exchange gain previously recognised in the translation reserve 

Exchange loss previously recognised in the net investment hedge reserve 

Net exchange gain relating to equity shareholders1 

Items that may subsequently be recycled through the consolidated income statement 

Items that may not subsequently be recycled through the consolidated income statement 

Foreign exchange translation differences 

Gain/(Loss) on net investment hedge 

Net gain on cash flow hedge 

Share of other comprehensive loss of associates 

Net actuarial (losses)/gains on pension schemes 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income2 

Loss for the year from continuing operations 

Loss for the year from discontinued operations 

Loss for the year 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Attributable to: 

Equity shareholders 

Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

1.  Relates to the sale of a 75% interest in Italie Deux, Paris in 2019 and the sale of Jeu de Paume, Beauvais in 2018. 

2.  All items within total other comprehensive (loss)/income relate to continuing operations.

2019

£m

(69.1)

55.3

(13.8)

(204.4)

138.6

6.8

(4.0)

(63.0)

(1.5)

(78.3)

(575.7)

(205.5)

(781.2)

(859.5)

(859.4)

(0.1)

(859.5)

2018

£m

(10.3)

8.3

(2.0)

41.5

(29.0)

4.1

(3.3)

13.3

0.8

12.1

(175.1)

(93.4)

(268.5)

(256.4)

(256.0)

(0.4)

(256.4)

Non-current assets 
Investment and development properties 
Interests in leasehold properties 
Right-of-use assets 
Plant and equipment  
Investment in joint ventures 
Investment in associates 
Derivative financial instruments 
Receivables 

Current assets 
Receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Restricted monetary assets 
Cash and deposits 

Assets held for sale 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Payables 
Tax 
Derivative financial instruments 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans  
Deferred tax 
Derivative financial instruments 
Obligations under head leases 
Payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Translation reserve 
Net investment hedge reserve 
Cash flow hedge reserve 
Merger reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 
Investment in own shares 

Equity shareholders’ funds 
Non-controlling interests  

Total equity 

EPRA net asset value per share 

Notes 

2019
£m

2018
£m

13 

1 

14A 

15C 

21A 

16 

21A 

17 

18 

10D 

19 

21A 

10D 

20 

21A 

22 

23 

24 

28C 

12D 

2,098.7
34.3
10.1
3.2
3,017.1
1,504.5
31.6
3.4

6,702.9

96.3
0.8
21.5
28.2

146.8
465.7

612.5

3,830.4
39.9
–
4.5
3,604.5
1,241.5
24.5
3.6

8,748.9

113.8
4.1
24.0
31.2

173.1
– 

173.1

7,315.4

8,922.0

(193.5)
(1.5)
(4.1)

(199.1)
(19.7)
(218.8)

(2,504.9)
(0.4)
(70.7)
(36.9)
(106.5)

(2,719.4)

(2,938.2)
4,377.2

191.6
1,266.0
520.9

(430.8)
(1.4)
374.1
25.6
2,433.2

(2.2)
4,377.0
0.2

4,377.2

£6.01

(233.7)
(0.9)
(9.8)

(244.4)
–

(244.4)

(3,013.9)
(0.5)
(101.0)
(42.3)
(87.0)

(3,244.7)

(3,489.1)

5,432.9

191.6
1,266.0
794.3
(624.7)
(8.2)
374.1
27.2
3,415.3
(3.0)

5,432.6
0.3

5,432.9

£7.38

136   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2020. Signed on behalf of the Board. 

David Atkins 
Director 

James Lenton
Director 

Registered in England No. 360632

www.hammerson.com 137
www.hammerson.com  137 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Share 
capital  
£m 

Share 
premium 
£m 
191.6  1,266.0 

Translation 
reserve  
£m 
794.3 

Net 
investment 
hedge 
reserve 
£m
(624.7)

Cash 
flow 
hedge 
reserve 
£m

Merger 
reserve 
£m
(8.2) 374.1

Other 
reserves1
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m
27.2 3,415.3

Investment  
in own  
shares2 
£m  
(3.0) 

Equity 
 shareholders’ 
funds 
£m 
5,432.6 

Non- 
controlling 
Total 
interests
equity
£m
£m
0.3 5,432.9

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

(69.1) 

55.3

(204.3) 

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

138.6
–

–
(8.4)

–

–

–
–

15.2

–

–
–

(273.4) 

193.9

6.8

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

0.8

3.0

(2.6)

–

–

(2.0)

2.0

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

0.2
–
(198.4)

–

–

–
–

–

(4.0)

(1.5)
(781.2)

(786.7)

– 

– 

2.6 

– 

– 
(1.8) 
– 

0.8 

3.0 

– 

– 

0.2 
(1.8)
(198.4)

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

0.8

3.0

–

–

0.2
(1.8)
(198.4)

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

(13.8)

–

(13.8)

(204.3)

(0.1) (204.4)

138.6 
(8.4)

15.2 

(4.0)

(1.5)
(781.2)

–
–

–

–

–
–

138.6
(8.4)

15.2

(4.0)

(1.5)
(781.2)

(859.4)

(0.1) (859.5)

191.6  1,266.0 

520.9 

(430.8)

(1.4) 374.1

25.6 2,433.2

(2.2) 

4,377.0 

0.2 4,377.2

Balance at 1 January 2019 
Share buyback – release of 
2018 accrual 
Share-based employee 
remuneration (note 5) 
Cost of shares awarded  
to employees 
Transfer on award of own 
shares to employees 
Proceeds on award of own 
shares to employees 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends (note 11) 

Exchange (gain)/loss 
previously recognised in 
equity recycled on 
disposal of foreign 
operations 
Foreign exchange 
translation differences 
Gain on net investment 
hedge 
Loss on cash flow hedge 
Loss on cash flow hedge 
recycled to net finance 
costs 
Share of other 
comprehensive loss of 
associates (note 15E) 
Net actuarial losses on 
pension schemes 
(note 7C) 
Loss for the year3 
Total comprehensive 
(loss)/income for the year 
Balance at 31 December 
2019 

1.  Other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve of £14.3 million (2018: £14.3 million) relating to share buybacks and £11.3 million (2018: £12.9 million) relating to share-based 

employee remuneration. 

2.  Investment in own shares is stated at cost. 
3.  Relates to continuing and discontinued operations. 

138   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share 

Share 

Translation 

capital  

premium 

reserve  

£m 

£m 

£m 

hedge 

hedge 

reserve 

reserve 

Merger 

reserve 

Other 

Retained 

reserves1

earnings 

£m

£m

£m

£m 

£m

Investment  

Equity 

Non- 

in own  

 shareholders’ 

controlling 

shares2 

£m  

funds 

interests

£m 

£m

Total 

equity

£m

Net 

investment 

Cash 

flow 

Balance at 1 January 2019 

191.6  1,266.0 

794.3 

(624.7)

(8.2) 374.1

27.2 3,415.3

(3.0) 

5,432.6 

0.3 5,432.9

Share buyback – release of 

2018 accrual 

Share-based employee 

remuneration (note 5) 

Cost of shares awarded  

to employees 

Transfer on award of own 

shares to employees 

Proceeds on award of own 

shares to employees 

Purchase of own shares 

Dividends (note 11) 

Exchange (gain)/loss 

previously recognised in 

equity recycled on 

disposal of foreign 

operations 

Foreign exchange 

translation differences 

Gain on net investment 

hedge 

Loss on cash flow hedge 

Loss on cash flow hedge 

recycled to net finance 

costs 

Share of other 

comprehensive loss of 

associates (note 15E) 

Net actuarial losses on 

pension schemes 

(note 7C) 

Loss for the year3 

Total comprehensive 

(loss)/income for the year 

Balance at 31 December 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(69.1) 

55.3

(204.3) 

138.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(8.4)

15.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.8

3.0

(2.6)

(2.0)

–

–

2.0

0.2

–

(198.4)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(4.0)

(1.5)

(781.2)

(786.7)

0.8 

3.0 

– 

– 

0.2 

(1.8)

(198.4)

138.6 

(8.4)

15.2 

(4.0)

(1.5)

(781.2)

2.6 

(1.8) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.8

3.0

–

–

0.2

(1.8)

(198.4)

138.6

(8.4)

15.2

(4.0)

(1.5)

(781.2)

(13.8)

–

(13.8)

(204.3)

(0.1) (204.4)

2019 

191.6  1,266.0 

520.9 

(430.8)

(1.4) 374.1

25.6 2,433.2

(2.2) 

4,377.0 

0.2 4,377.2

1.  Other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve of £14.3 million (2018: £14.3 million) relating to share buybacks and £11.3 million (2018: £12.9 million) relating to share-based 

(273.4) 

193.9

6.8

(859.4)

(0.1) (859.5)

employee remuneration. 

2.  Investment in own shares is stated at cost. 

3.  Relates to continuing and discontinued operations. 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity  

for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity continued 

for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 
Issue of shares 
Share buyback 
Share-based employee 
remuneration (note 5) 
Cost of shares awarded  
to employees 
Transfer on award of own 
shares to employees 
Proceeds on award of own 
shares to employees 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends (note 11) 

Exchange (gain)/loss 
previously recognised in 
equity recycled on 
disposal of foreign 
operations 
Foreign exchange 
translation differences 
Loss on net investment 
hedge 
Gain on cash flow hedge 
Gain on cash flow hedge 
recycled to net finance 
costs 
Share of other 
comprehensive loss of 
associates (note 15E) 
Net actuarial gains on 
pension schemes 
(note 7C) 
Loss for the year3 
Total comprehensive 
income/(loss) for the year 
Balance at 31 December 
2018 

Share 
capital  
£m 
198.6 
– 
(7.0) 

Share 
premium 
£m 
1,265.9 
0.1 
– 

Translation 
reserve 
£m
763.1
–
–

Net investment 
hedge reserve 
£m
(604.0)
–
–

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
£m
(12.3)
–
–

Merger 
reserve 
£m
374.1
–
–

Other 
reserves1
£m 

Retained 
earnings
 £m
22.0 4,016.4
–
(128.9)

–
7.0

Investment  
 in own  
shares2 
£m  
(0.3) 
–  
– 

Equity  
 shareholders’ 
 funds  
£m  
6,023.5
0.1
(128.9)

Non- 
controlling 
interests
£m

Total
 equity
£m
14.0 6,037.5
0.1
(128.9)

–
–

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

(10.3)

41.5

8.3

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

(29.0)
–

–
27.7

–

(23.6)

–

–
–

–

–
–

31.2

(20.7)

4.1

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

3.4

(3.6)

–

–

(1.6)

1.6

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

0.2
–
(203.4)

–

–

–
– 

–

(3.3)

0.8
(268.1)

(270.6)

– 

3.6 

– 

– 
(6.3) 
– 

3.4

–

–

–

–

–

3.4

–

–

0.2
(6.3)
(203.4)

–
–
(13.3)

0.2
(6.3)
(216.7)

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

(2.0)

41.5

(29.0)
27.7

(23.6)

(3.3)

– 

(2.0)

–

–
–

–

–

41.5

(29.0)
27.7

(23.6)

(3.3)

0.8
(268.1)

–
(0.4)

0.8
(268.5)

(256.0)

(0.4)

(256.4)

191.6 

1,266.0 

794.3

(624.7)

(8.2)

374.1

27.2

3,415.3

(3.0) 

5,432.6

0.3 5,432.9

1.  Other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve of £14.3 million (2017: £7.3 million) relating to share buybacks and £12.9 million (2017: £14.7 million) relating to share-based 

employee remuneration. 

2.  Investment in own shares is stated at cost. 
3.  Relates to continuing and discontinued operations. 

138   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 139
www.hammerson.com  139 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flow statement  
Consolidated cash flow statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Operating activities 
Operating profit before other net losses and share of results of joint ventures and associates 

– continuing operations 
– discontinued operations 

(Increase)/Decrease in receivables 
(Increase)/Decrease in restricted monetary assets 
Decrease in payables 
Adjustment for non-cash items 
Cash generated from operations 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Acquisition-related costs paid 
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 
Tax paid 
Distributions and other receivables from joint ventures 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Investing activities 
Property acquisitions 
Developments and major refurbishments 
Other capital expenditure 
Sale of properties 
Advances to joint ventures 
Funds from financing transferred from joint ventures  
Acquisition of interest in joint venture 
Acquisition of interest in associates 
Distributions received from associates 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Financing activities 
Issue of shares 
Proceeds from award of own shares 
Purchase of own shares 
Share buyback 
Proceeds from new borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 
Net decrease in borrowings 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
Equity dividends paid 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Net decrease in cash and deposits 
Opening cash and deposits 
Exchange translation movement 
Closing cash and deposits 
Less: cash and deposits classified as held for sale 
Closing cash and deposits as stated on balance sheet 

Notes 

2 

 10B 

26 

8 

14D 

25 

28C 

11 

10D 

18 

2019
£m

2018
£m

65.0
46.0
111.0
(0.1)
(0.2)
(8.3)
8.9
111.3
21.4
(102.9)
– 
– 
(1.9)
139.2
167.1

(0.7)
(40.2)
(39.7)
536.1
(29.1)
– 
(29.0)
(1.3)
30.5
426.6

– 
0.2
(1.8)
(1.5)
48.2
(439.9)
(391.7)
– 
(198.9)
(593.7)
– 
31.2
(1.4)
29.8
(1.6)
28.2

96.3
55.9
152.2
1.4
13.6
(32.7)
10.3
144.8
14.5
(110.0)
(12.9)
(15.3)
(1.6)
95.0
114.5

(12.0)
(89.3)
(60.3)
553.2
(30.0)
144.2
–
(108.6)
37.6
434.8

0.1
0.2
(5.1)
(126.5)
240.3
(616.3)
(376.0)
(13.3)
(204.1)
(724.7)
(175.4)
205.9
0.7
31.2
– 
31.2

The cash flows above relate to continuing and discontinued operations. See note 10 for information on discontinued operations. 

An analysis of the movement in net debt is provided in note 25. 

140   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

140

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Consolidated cash flow statement 

for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Notes to the financial statements  
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Operating profit before other net losses and share of results of joint ventures and associates 

Operating activities 

– continuing operations 

– discontinued operations 

(Increase)/Decrease in receivables 

(Increase)/Decrease in restricted monetary assets 

Decrease in payables 

Adjustment for non-cash items 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Acquisition-related costs paid 

Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 

Tax paid 

Distributions and other receivables from joint ventures 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Funds from financing transferred from joint ventures  

Developments and major refurbishments 

Investing activities 

Property acquisitions 

Other capital expenditure 

Sale of properties 

Advances to joint ventures 

Acquisition of interest in joint venture 

Acquisition of interest in associates 

Distributions received from associates 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Financing activities 

Issue of shares 

Proceeds from award of own shares 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buyback 

Proceeds from new borrowings 

Repayment of borrowings 

Net decrease in borrowings 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Equity dividends paid 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and deposits 

Opening cash and deposits 

Exchange translation movement 

Closing cash and deposits 

Notes 

2 

 10B 

26 

8 

14D 

25 

28C 

11 

10D 

18 

(102.9)

(110.0)

65.0

46.0

111.0

(0.1)

(0.2)

(8.3)

8.9

111.3

21.4

– 

– 

(1.9)

139.2

167.1

(0.7)

(40.2)

(39.7)

536.1

(29.1)

– 

(29.0)

(1.3)

30.5

426.6

– 

0.2

(1.8)

(1.5)

48.2

(439.9)

(391.7)

(198.9)

(593.7)

– 

– 

31.2

(1.4)

29.8

(1.6)

28.2

96.3

55.9

152.2

1.4

13.6

(32.7)

10.3

144.8

14.5

(12.9)

(15.3)

(1.6)

95.0

114.5

(12.0)

(89.3)

(60.3)

553.2

(30.0)

144.2

–

(108.6)

37.6

434.8

0.1

0.2

(5.1)

(126.5)

240.3

(616.3)

(376.0)

(13.3)

(204.1)

(724.7)

(175.4)

205.9

0.7

31.2

– 

31.2

Less: cash and deposits classified as held for sale 

Closing cash and deposits as stated on balance sheet 

The cash flows above relate to continuing and discontinued operations. See note 10 for information on discontinued operations. 

An analysis of the movement in net debt is provided in note 25. 

2019

£m

2018

£m

1: Significant accounting policies 

Statement of compliance 
The consolidated financial statements of Hammerson plc have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS and interpretations adopted by  
the European Union and with the Companies Act 2006 applicable to 
companies reporting under IFRS, as well as SAICA Financial Reporting 
Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices committee. The following 
new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been issued: 

Issued, endorsed by the European Union, and effective 
–  IFRS 16 Leases; effective for accounting periods beginning on or after  

1 January 2019 (adopted in 2019) 

–  IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over income tax treatments; effective for 

accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019  
(adopted in 2019) 

Issued, not endorsed by the European Union as at  
31 December 2019, and not yet effective 
–  Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations; amendments  

to assess whether a transaction meets the definition of a business 
combination; effective for periods beginning on or after 
 1 January 2020 

IFRIC 23 has not had a material impact on the Group’s financial 
statements and the amendments to IFRS 3 are not expected to either. 
The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 is set out below: 

The effect of adopting IFRS 16 in 2019 is summarised below: 
On transition to IFRS 16 (1 January 2019) 

Rents payable  
Depreciation (administration costs) 
Interest on other leases (net finance costs) 
Exchange 

At 31 December 2019 

Basis of preparation 
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as 
explained in the Risks and uncertainties section of the Strategic report 
on page 65. 

The financial statements are presented in sterling. They are prepared  
on the historical cost basis, except that investment and development 
properties and derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. 

The accounting policies have been applied consistently to the results, 
other gains and losses, assets, liabilities and cash flows of entities 
included in the consolidated financial statements. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the 
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period. If the revision 
affects both current and future periods, the change is recognised 
over those periods. 

Impact assessment of adopting new accounting Standards and 
Interpretations 
IFRS 16 Leases 
The standard does not impact the Group’s financial position as a lessor or 
the Group’s rental income from its investment properties. The standard 
requires lessees to recognise, for each lease, a right-of-use asset and 
related lease liability representing the obligation to make lease 
payments. Interest expense on the lease liability and depreciation on the 
right-of-use asset is recognised in the consolidated income statement.  

Included within the scope of the standard are the Group’s current 
operating leases for its offices in London, Dublin, Paris and Reading,  
and the existing head leases which are already IFRS 16 compliant and 
disclosed on the face of the consolidated balance sheet, and other smaller 
operating leases, for example, equipment, which are considered to be 
immaterial to the Group. 

The Group has applied the modified retrospective approach in adopting 
IFRS 16 to the office leases. This method includes the calculated lease 
liabilities and right-of-use assets being recognised in the consolidated 
balance sheet on the transition date of 1 January 2019, without the 
requirement to restate prior periods. Under the standard, the Group also 
has the option to set the balance of the right-of-use assets, on transition, 
at an amount equal to the lease liabilities. This option has been taken. 

As detailed in the table below, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of 
£13.8 million were recognised in the consolidated balance sheet on the 
adoption of IFRS 16. For the year ended 31 December 2019, rents payable 
of £3.6 million which would have been recognised under IAS 17 have 
been replaced with depreciation of £3.5 million and interest on other 
leases of £0.2 million, under IFRS 16. 

At 31 December 2019, the right-of-use assets of £10.1 million are shown 
separately on the face of the consolidated balance sheet. Lease liabilities 
of £6.7 million and £3.5 million are included in non-current and current 
payables respectively.  

Right-of-use 
assets
£m
13.8
–
(3.5)
– 
(0.2)
10.1

Lease 
liabilities
£m
(13.8)
3.6
–
(0.2)
0.2
(10.2)

Significant judgements and key estimates 
The preparation of the financial statements requires management  
to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that may affect the 
application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses. These judgements and key estimates  
are considered by the Audit Committee, as explained on page 88, and  
are set out on page 142: 

140   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 141
www.hammerson.com  141 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

1: Significant accounting policies continued 

Significant estimates 

Property valuations 
The property portfolio is valued six-monthly by external valuers in 
accordance with RICS Valuation – Global Standards.  

The valuation of the Group’s properties, which are carried in the 
consolidated balance sheet at fair value, is the most material area of 
estimation due to its inherent subjectivity, reliance on assumptions and 
sensitivity to market fluctuations. The retail market has experienced 
significant challenges in recent years due to tenant failures and wider 
macroeconomic uncertainty. The valuation of the portfolio is further 
complicated by historical low levels of transactional evidence. This  
has been particularly prevalent in the UK, where the portfolio has been 
subject to outward yield movements driven by a change in market 
sentiment, rather than evidenced by transactions. 

Investment properties, excluding properties held for development, are 
valued by adopting the ‘investment method’ of valuation. This approach 
involves applying capitalisation yields to estimated future rental income 
streams reflecting contracted income reverting to Estimated Rental 
Value or “ERVs” with appropriate adjustments for income voids arising 
from vacancies, lease expiries or rent-free periods. These capitalisation 
yields and future income streams are derived from comparable property 
and leasing transactions and are considered to be the key inputs to the 
valuations. Other factors that are taken into account include, but are not 
limited to, the location and physical attributes of the property, tenure, 
tenancy details and environmental and structural conditions. 

A tailored approach is taken to the valuation of the Group’s 
developments due to their unique nature. In the case of onsite 
developments, the approach applied is the ‘residual method’ of valuation, 
which is the investment method of valuation as described above with a 
deduction for all costs necessary to complete the development, together 
with a further allowance for remaining risk and developers’ profit. 

Key unobservable inputs sensitivity analysis 
UK flagships 
France flagships 
Ireland flagships 
UK other 
Premium outlets 
Total Group (excluding retail parks* and developments) 

Properties held for future development are generally valued by adopting 
the higher of the residual method of valuation allowing for all associated 
risks, and the investment method of valuation for the existing asset.  

Valuations of the Group’s properties within the premium outlets 
investments are calculated on a discounted cash flow basis, utilising key 
assumptions such as net operating income, exit yield, discount rate and 
forecast sales density growth. 

Inputs to the valuations, some of which are ‘unobservable’ as defined by 
IFRS 13, include capitalisation yields (nominal equivalent yield) and 
market rental income (ERV). These inputs to the valuations are analysed 
by segment in the rental and valuation data tables on pages 192 and 195 
and the valuation change analysis in the Property portfolio review on 
page 48. All other factors remaining constant, an increase in rental 
income would increase valuations, whilst increases in capitalisation 
yields and discount rates would result in a fall in values and vice versa. 
However, there are interrelationships between unobservable inputs as 
they are determined by market conditions. The existence of an increase 
of more than one unobservable input would augment the impact on 
valuation. The impact on the valuation would be mitigated by the 
interrelationship between unobservable inputs moving in opposite 
directions. For example, an increase in rents may be offset by an increase 
in yield, resulting in no net impact on the valuation.  

The Directors have satisfied themselves that the valuation process is 
sufficiently rigorous and supports the carrying value of the Group’s 
properties in the financial statements. 

A sensitivity analysis showing the impact on valuations of changes in 
yields and market rental income is detailed in the table below. 

Impact on valuation of 50bp change 
in nominal equivalent yield 

Impact on valuation of 5% change 
in estimated rental value (ERV)

Investment 
properties 
valuation
£m
2,351
1,269
860
135
2,659
7,274

Decrease
£m
216
154
105
8
183
666

Increase 
£m 
(182) 
(124) 
(85) 
(7) 
(154) 
(552) 

Increase
£m
118
63
43
7
n/a
231

Decrease
£m
(118)
(63)
(43)
(7)
n/a
(231)

*  Excludes the retail parks sector which is classified as discontinued. See note 10 for further details.

Significant judgements 
Accounting for assets held for sale 
In July 2018, the Group announced its intention to dispose of the retail 
parks portfolio over the medium-term. For properties identified for 
disposal at the balance sheet date, management must assess whether  
the property should be classified as ‘held for sale’ and excluded from 
investment and development properties. This judgement is based  
on criteria outlined in IFRS 5 which states that the assets should be 
available for sale in their present condition; management must be 
committed to a plan to sell; an active programme must be in place to 
locate a buyer; they must be being actively marketed at a reasonable 
price; that significant changes to the plan are unlikely; and that 
completion of the sale is expected within a year. At 31 December 2018, 
the portfolio was not reclassified to ‘held for sale’ as it was not being 
actively marketed and it was anticipated that completion would not  
be reached within 12 months. 

At 31 December 2019, management completed their assessment and 
concluded that the retail parks met the IFRS 5 criteria for ‘held for sale’ 
at the balance sheet date as a portfolio of retail parks was being actively 
marketed at a reasonable price with an expectation of transacting within 
a year. This was further evidenced by the transactions achieved since the 
year end, as detailed in note 29. Consequently, all assets and liabilities 
associated with the retail parks have been reclassified to assets held for 
sale. On transfer to ‘assets held for sale’, the property portfolio has been 
re-measured at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs 
to sell, in accordance with IFRS 5. For properties which have exchanged, 
fair value has been based upon the offer price, which included a portfolio 
discount, less selling costs. For other residual retail parks properties, 
where disposal is expected in the near term, these are carried at fair value 
determined by external valuers, impaired by a deduction for anticipated 
selling costs. This remeasurement has resulted in a £92 million 
impairment loss being recognised in the year. 

142   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

142

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

1: Significant accounting policies continued 

Significant estimates 

Property valuations 

The property portfolio is valued six-monthly by external valuers in 

accordance with RICS Valuation – Global Standards.  

The valuation of the Group’s properties, which are carried in the 

consolidated balance sheet at fair value, is the most material area of 

estimation due to its inherent subjectivity, reliance on assumptions and 

sensitivity to market fluctuations. The retail market has experienced 

significant challenges in recent years due to tenant failures and wider 

macroeconomic uncertainty. The valuation of the portfolio is further 

complicated by historical low levels of transactional evidence. This  

has been particularly prevalent in the UK, where the portfolio has been 

subject to outward yield movements driven by a change in market 

sentiment, rather than evidenced by transactions. 

Investment properties, excluding properties held for development, are 

valued by adopting the ‘investment method’ of valuation. This approach 

involves applying capitalisation yields to estimated future rental income 

streams reflecting contracted income reverting to Estimated Rental 

Value or “ERVs” with appropriate adjustments for income voids arising 

from vacancies, lease expiries or rent-free periods. These capitalisation 

yields and future income streams are derived from comparable property 

and leasing transactions and are considered to be the key inputs to the 

valuations. Other factors that are taken into account include, but are not 

limited to, the location and physical attributes of the property, tenure, 

tenancy details and environmental and structural conditions. 

A tailored approach is taken to the valuation of the Group’s 

developments due to their unique nature. In the case of onsite 

developments, the approach applied is the ‘residual method’ of valuation, 

which is the investment method of valuation as described above with a 

deduction for all costs necessary to complete the development, together 

with a further allowance for remaining risk and developers’ profit. 

Key unobservable inputs sensitivity analysis 

UK flagships 

France flagships 

Ireland flagships 

UK other 

Premium outlets 

Total Group (excluding retail parks* and developments) 

*  Excludes the retail parks sector which is classified as discontinued. See note 10 for further details.

Properties held for future development are generally valued by adopting 

the higher of the residual method of valuation allowing for all associated 

risks, and the investment method of valuation for the existing asset.  

Valuations of the Group’s properties within the premium outlets 

investments are calculated on a discounted cash flow basis, utilising key 

assumptions such as net operating income, exit yield, discount rate and 

forecast sales density growth. 

Inputs to the valuations, some of which are ‘unobservable’ as defined by 

IFRS 13, include capitalisation yields (nominal equivalent yield) and 

market rental income (ERV). These inputs to the valuations are analysed 

by segment in the rental and valuation data tables on pages 192 and 195 

and the valuation change analysis in the Property portfolio review on 

page 48. All other factors remaining constant, an increase in rental 

income would increase valuations, whilst increases in capitalisation 

yields and discount rates would result in a fall in values and vice versa. 

However, there are interrelationships between unobservable inputs as 

they are determined by market conditions. The existence of an increase 

of more than one unobservable input would augment the impact on 

valuation. The impact on the valuation would be mitigated by the 

interrelationship between unobservable inputs moving in opposite 

directions. For example, an increase in rents may be offset by an increase 

in yield, resulting in no net impact on the valuation.  

The Directors have satisfied themselves that the valuation process is 

sufficiently rigorous and supports the carrying value of the Group’s 

properties in the financial statements. 

A sensitivity analysis showing the impact on valuations of changes in 

yields and market rental income is detailed in the table below. 

Impact on valuation of 50bp change 

Impact on valuation of 5% change 

in nominal equivalent yield 

in estimated rental value (ERV)

Investment 

properties 

valuation

£m

2,351

1,269

860

135

2,659

7,274

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

£m

216

154

105

8

183

666

Increase 

£m 

(182) 

(124) 

(85) 

(7) 

(154) 

(552) 

£m

118

63

43

7

n/a

231

£m

(118)

(63)

(43)

(7)

n/a

(231)

Significant judgements 

Accounting for assets held for sale 

In July 2018, the Group announced its intention to dispose of the retail 

parks portfolio over the medium-term. For properties identified for 

disposal at the balance sheet date, management must assess whether  

the property should be classified as ‘held for sale’ and excluded from 

investment and development properties. This judgement is based  

on criteria outlined in IFRS 5 which states that the assets should be 

available for sale in their present condition; management must be 

committed to a plan to sell; an active programme must be in place to 

locate a buyer; they must be being actively marketed at a reasonable 

price; that significant changes to the plan are unlikely; and that 

completion of the sale is expected within a year. At 31 December 2018, 

the portfolio was not reclassified to ‘held for sale’ as it was not being 

actively marketed and it was anticipated that completion would not  

be reached within 12 months. 

At 31 December 2019, management completed their assessment and 

concluded that the retail parks met the IFRS 5 criteria for ‘held for sale’ 

at the balance sheet date as a portfolio of retail parks was being actively 

marketed at a reasonable price with an expectation of transacting within 

a year. This was further evidenced by the transactions achieved since the 

year end, as detailed in note 29. Consequently, all assets and liabilities 

associated with the retail parks have been reclassified to assets held for 

sale. On transfer to ‘assets held for sale’, the property portfolio has been 

re-measured at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs 

to sell, in accordance with IFRS 5. For properties which have exchanged, 

fair value has been based upon the offer price, which included a portfolio 

discount, less selling costs. For other residual retail parks properties, 

where disposal is expected in the near term, these are carried at fair value 

determined by external valuers, impaired by a deduction for anticipated 

selling costs. This remeasurement has resulted in a £92 million 

impairment loss being recognised in the year. 

Accounting for discontinued operations 
Management concluded that the sale of the UK retail parks represents an 
identifiable segment of the business and forms part of a co-ordinated 
disposal plan. As noted above the parks met the criteria for ‘held for sale’, 
therefore, in accordance with IFRS 5, the entire segment has been 
treated as a discontinued operation and the results for the current and 
prior year have been separately disclosed from the rest of the business. 

Basis of consolidation 
Subsidiaries 
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has control. The Group 
controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the entity.  

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated 
financial statements from the date that control commences until the 
date that control ceases. All intragroup transactions, balances, income 
and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

Joint operations, joint ventures and associates 
The accounting treatment for joint operations, joint ventures and 
associates requires an assessment to determine the degree of control  
or influence that the Group may exercise over them and the form of 
that control.  

The Group’s interest in joint arrangements is classified as either: 

(1)  a joint operation, whereby the joint controlling parties have rights 
to the assets and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the 
arrangement; or 

(2)  a joint venture, whereby the joint controlling parties have rights  

to the net assets of the arrangement. 

The Group’s interests in its joint arrangements are commonly driven  
by the terms of partnership agreements, which ensure that control is 
shared between the partners.  

Associates are those entities over which the Group is in a position to 
exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control. 

The Group’s share of interests in joint operations is proportionally 
consolidated into the Group financial statements.  

The results, assets and liabilities of joint ventures and associates are 
accounted for using the equity method. Investments in joint ventures 
and associates are carried in the consolidated balance sheet at cost as 
adjusted for post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net 
assets of the joint venture or associate, less any impairment. Losses of a 
joint venture or associate in excess of the Group’s interest in that entity 
are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or 
constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the entity. 

Loans to joint ventures and associates are separately presented from 
equity interests within the notes to the financial statements, although 
aggregated in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet. The Group 
eliminates upstream and downstream transactions with its joint 
ventures, including interest and management fees. 

Accounting for acquisitions 
An acquisition is recognised when the risks and rewards of ownership 
have transferred. This is usually on completion of the transaction. 

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. 
Any excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the net 
assets acquired is recognised as goodwill, and reviewed annually for 
impairment. Any discount received or acquisition-related costs are 
recognised in the income statement. 

Foreign currency 
Foreign currency transactions 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at 
exchange rates approximating to the exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies at the balance sheet date are translated into sterling at the 
exchange rate ruling at that date and, unless they relate to the hedging  
of the net investment in foreign operations, differences arising on 
translation are recognised in the income statement. 

Financial statements of foreign operations 
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and 
fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated into 
sterling at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date.  

The operating income and expenses of foreign operations are translated 
into sterling at the average exchange rates for the year. Significant 
transactions, such as property sales, are translated at the foreign 
exchange rate ruling at the date of each transaction.  

The principal exchange rate used to translate foreign currency-
denominated amounts in the consolidated balance sheet is the rate at 
the end of the year, £1 = €1.18 (2018: £1 = €1.115). The principal exchange 
rates used for the income statement are the following quarterly average 
rates: 

Quarter 1 2019: £1 = €1.147; Quarter 2 2019: £1 = €1.144; Quarter 3 2019: 
£1 = €1.109; Quarter 4 2019: £1 = €1.163; 2018: £1 = €1.131.  

From 1 January 2019, the Group adopted a quarterly average exchange 
rate for the consolidated income statement, replacing an annual average 
rate. 

Net investment in foreign operations 
Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment 
in foreign operations are taken to the translation reserve. They are 
released to the income statement upon disposal of the foreign operation. 

Cash, receivables, payables and borrowings 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted monetary assets 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term bank 
deposits with an original maturity of three months or less which 
are readily accessible. 

Restricted monetary assets relate to cash balances which legally belong 
to the Group but which the Group cannot readily access. These do not 
meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents and consequently are 
presented separately from cash and deposits in the consolidated balance 
sheet. 

Trade and other receivables and payables 
Trade and other receivables and payables are initially measured at fair 
value, subsequently measured at amortised cost and, where the effect  
is material, discounted to reflect the time value of money. Trade 
receivables are shown net of any loss allowance provision. 

Loans receivable 
Loans receivable are financial assets which are initially measured at fair 
value, plus acquisition costs and are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost, using the effective interest method, less any impairment. 

Borrowings 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, after taking account of 
any discount on issue and attributable transaction costs. Subsequently, 
borrowings are held at amortised cost, such that discounts and costs are 
charged to the income statement over the term of the borrowing at a 
constant return on the carrying amount of the liability. 

142   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 143
www.hammerson.com  143 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

Accounting for disposals 
The Group accounts for the disposal of a property or corporate entity 
when the risks and rewards of ownership transfer, usually on the date  
of completion of a contract for sale.  

Gains or losses on the sale of properties are calculated by reference to the 
carrying value at the end of the previous year, adjusted for subsequent 
capital expenditure. Where a corporate entity, whose primary asset is a 
property, is disposed, the associated gains or losses on the sale of the 
entity are included within the gain or loss on sale of properties.  

A property may be classed as ‘held for sale’ and excluded from 
investment and development properties if it meets the criteria of IFRS 5 
at the balance sheet date.  

In the event that assets held for sale form an identifiable business 
segment, the results for both the current and prior year are reclassified  
as ‘discontinued operations’. 

Leasehold properties 
The Group owns a number of properties on long leaseholds. These are 
leased out to tenants under operating leases, are classified as investment 
properties or development properties as appropriate, and included in the 
balance sheet at fair value. The obligation to the freeholder or superior 
leaseholder for the buildings element of the leasehold is included in the 
balance sheet at the present value of the minimum lease payments at 
inception. Payments to the freeholder or superior leaseholder are 
apportioned between a finance charge and a reduction of the outstanding 
liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease 
term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability.  

Contingent rents payable, such as rent reviews or those related to rental 
income, are charged as an expense in the period in which they are 
incurred. An asset equivalent to the leasehold obligation is recorded  
in the balance sheet within ‘Interests in leasehold properties’, and is 
amortised over the lease term. 

Tenant leases 
Management has exercised judgement in considering the potential 
transfer of the risks and rewards of ownership, in accordance with  
IFRS 16 Leases, for properties leased to tenants and has determined that 
such leases are operating leases. Payments made under operating leases 
are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the 
period of the lease. 

Depreciation 
In accordance with IAS 40 Investment Property, no depreciation is 
provided in respect of investment and development properties, which 
are carried at fair value.  

Plant and equipment  
Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. 
Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis 
over the estimated useful life, which is generally between three and five 
years, or in the case of leasehold improvements, the lease term. 

1: Significant accounting policies continued 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to economically hedge 
its exposure to foreign currency movements and interest rate risks. 
Hedge accounting is applied in respect of net investments in foreign 
operations and of debt raised in non-functional currencies. Derivative 
financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value, which equates 
to cost and subsequently remeasured at fair value, with changes in fair 
value being included in the income statement, except where hedge 
accounting is applied. 

Derivative financial instruments are presented as current assets or 
liabilities if they are expected to be settled within 12 months after the  
end of the reporting period, otherwise they are held as non-current 
assets or liabilities. 

The fair value gain or loss on remeasurement of derivative financial 
instruments and the exchange differences on non-derivative financial 
instruments that are designated in a net investment hedge are 
recognised in the net investment hedge reserve in total comprehensive 
income, to the extent they are effective, and the ineffective portion is 
recognised in the income statement within net finance costs. Amounts 
are reclassified from the net investment hedge reserve to the income 
statement when the associated hedged item is disposed of. 

The fair value gain or loss on re-measurement of derivative financial 
instruments that are designated in a cash flow hedge are recognised in 
the cash flow hedge reserve in total comprehensive income, to the extent 
they are effective, and the ineffective portion is recognised in the income 
statement within net finance costs. Amounts are reclassified from the 
cash flow hedge reserve to the income statement when the associated 
hedged transaction affects the income statement. 

Finance costs 
Net finance costs 
Net finance costs include interest payable on debt, derivative financial 
instruments, interest on head leases and other lease obligations, debt  
and loan facility cancellation costs, net of interest capitalised, interest 
receivable on funds invested and derivative financial instruments, and 
changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments. 

Capitalisation of interest 
Interest is capitalised if it is directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of development properties or the significant 
redevelopment of investment properties. Capitalisation commences 
when the activities to develop the property start and continues until the 
property is substantially ready for its intended use, normally practical 
completion. Capitalised interest is calculated with reference to the actual 
rate payable on borrowings for development purposes or, for that part  
of the development cost financed out of general funds, at the Group’s 
weighted average interest rate. 

Property portfolio 
Investment and development properties 
Investment properties are stated at fair value, being market value 
determined by professionally qualified external valuers, and changes  
in fair value are included in the income statement.  

Properties acquired with the intention of redevelopment are classified  
as development properties and stated at fair value, being market value 
determined by professionally qualified external valuers. Changes in fair 
value are included in the income statement. All costs directly associated 
with the purchase and construction of a development property are 
capitalised. When development properties are completed, they are 
reclassified as investment properties. Further details are given in note 13. 

144   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

144

 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

1: Significant accounting policies continued 

Accounting for disposals 

The Group accounts for the disposal of a property or corporate entity 

when the risks and rewards of ownership transfer, usually on the date  

of completion of a contract for sale.  

Gains or losses on the sale of properties are calculated by reference to the 

carrying value at the end of the previous year, adjusted for subsequent 

capital expenditure. Where a corporate entity, whose primary asset is a 

property, is disposed, the associated gains or losses on the sale of the 

entity are included within the gain or loss on sale of properties.  

A property may be classed as ‘held for sale’ and excluded from 

investment and development properties if it meets the criteria of IFRS 5 

at the balance sheet date.  

In the event that assets held for sale form an identifiable business 

segment, the results for both the current and prior year are reclassified  

as ‘discontinued operations’. 

Leasehold properties 

The Group owns a number of properties on long leaseholds. These are 

leased out to tenants under operating leases, are classified as investment 

properties or development properties as appropriate, and included in the 

balance sheet at fair value. The obligation to the freeholder or superior 

leaseholder for the buildings element of the leasehold is included in the 

balance sheet at the present value of the minimum lease payments at 

inception. Payments to the freeholder or superior leaseholder are 

apportioned between a finance charge and a reduction of the outstanding 

liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease 

term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the 

remaining balance of the liability.  

Contingent rents payable, such as rent reviews or those related to rental 

income, are charged as an expense in the period in which they are 

incurred. An asset equivalent to the leasehold obligation is recorded  

in the balance sheet within ‘Interests in leasehold properties’, and is 

amortised over the lease term. 

Tenant leases 

Management has exercised judgement in considering the potential 

transfer of the risks and rewards of ownership, in accordance with  

IFRS 16 Leases, for properties leased to tenants and has determined that 

such leases are operating leases. Payments made under operating leases 

are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the 

period of the lease. 

Depreciation 

are carried at fair value.  

Plant and equipment  

In accordance with IAS 40 Investment Property, no depreciation is 

provided in respect of investment and development properties, which 

Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. 

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis 

over the estimated useful life, which is generally between three and five 

years, or in the case of leasehold improvements, the lease term. 

Derivative financial instruments 

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to economically hedge 

its exposure to foreign currency movements and interest rate risks. 

Hedge accounting is applied in respect of net investments in foreign 

operations and of debt raised in non-functional currencies. Derivative 

financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value, which equates 

to cost and subsequently remeasured at fair value, with changes in fair 

value being included in the income statement, except where hedge 

accounting is applied. 

Derivative financial instruments are presented as current assets or 

liabilities if they are expected to be settled within 12 months after the  

end of the reporting period, otherwise they are held as non-current 

assets or liabilities. 

The fair value gain or loss on remeasurement of derivative financial 

instruments and the exchange differences on non-derivative financial 

instruments that are designated in a net investment hedge are 

recognised in the net investment hedge reserve in total comprehensive 

income, to the extent they are effective, and the ineffective portion is 

recognised in the income statement within net finance costs. Amounts 

are reclassified from the net investment hedge reserve to the income 

statement when the associated hedged item is disposed of. 

The fair value gain or loss on re-measurement of derivative financial 

instruments that are designated in a cash flow hedge are recognised in 

the cash flow hedge reserve in total comprehensive income, to the extent 

they are effective, and the ineffective portion is recognised in the income 

statement within net finance costs. Amounts are reclassified from the 

cash flow hedge reserve to the income statement when the associated 

hedged transaction affects the income statement. 

Finance costs 

Net finance costs 

Net finance costs include interest payable on debt, derivative financial 

instruments, interest on head leases and other lease obligations, debt  

and loan facility cancellation costs, net of interest capitalised, interest 

receivable on funds invested and derivative financial instruments, and 

changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments. 

Capitalisation of interest 

Interest is capitalised if it is directly attributable to the acquisition, 

construction or production of development properties or the significant 

redevelopment of investment properties. Capitalisation commences 

when the activities to develop the property start and continues until the 

property is substantially ready for its intended use, normally practical 

completion. Capitalised interest is calculated with reference to the actual 

rate payable on borrowings for development purposes or, for that part  

of the development cost financed out of general funds, at the Group’s 

weighted average interest rate. 

Property portfolio 

Investment and development properties 

Investment properties are stated at fair value, being market value 

determined by professionally qualified external valuers, and changes  

in fair value are included in the income statement.  

Properties acquired with the intention of redevelopment are classified  

as development properties and stated at fair value, being market value 

determined by professionally qualified external valuers. Changes in fair 

value are included in the income statement. All costs directly associated 

with the purchase and construction of a development property are 

capitalised. When development properties are completed, they are 

reclassified as investment properties. Further details are given in note 13. 

Current and deferred tax 
Tax is included in the income statement except to the extent that it 
relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case the related 
tax is recognised in equity.  

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the non-tax exempt income 
for the period, net of allowable expenses and tax deductions, using the 
tax rate(s) prevailing during the accounting period, together with any 
adjustment in respect of previous periods.  

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, 
providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts 
used for tax purposes. The following temporary differences are not 
provided for:  

–  goodwill not deductible for tax purposes  
–  the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither 

accounting nor taxable profit  

–  differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that 

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 amount of assets and liabilities, 
using tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability 
is settled or the asset is realised.  

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable 
that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can 
be utilised. 

Revenue 
Revenue comprises gross rental income (consisting of base and turnover 
rents, income from car parks, lease incentive recognition and other 
rental income), service charge income, property fee income and joint 
venture and associate management fees as set out in note 4 of the 
financial statements.  

Rental income and lease incentives are recognised in accordance with 
IFRS 16 Leases. Rental income from investment property is recognised 
as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives 
and costs associated with entering into tenant leases are amortised over 
the lease term, or if the probability that a break option will be exercised  
is considered high, over the period to the first break option. Rent reviews 
are recognised when such reviews have been agreed with tenants. 

Car park income, service charge income, property fee income and joint 
venture and associate management fees are recognised in accordance 
with IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers, which prescribes 
the use of a five-step model for the recognition of revenue. These income 
streams are recognised as revenue in the period in which they are earned. 

Management fees 
Management fees are recognised in the period to which they relate. 
Performance fee-related elements are recognised when the fee can be 
reliably estimated.  

Employee benefits 
Defined contribution pension plans 
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are 
charged to the income statement as incurred. 

Defined benefit pension plans 
The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension plans 
comprises the amount of future benefit that employees have earned, 
discounted to determine a present value, less the fair value of the pension 
plan assets. The calculation is performed by a qualified external actuary 
using the projected unit credit method. Actuarial gains and losses are 
recognised in equity. Where the assets of a plan are greater than its 
obligations, the asset included in the balance sheet is limited to the 
present value of any future refunds from the plan or reduction in future 
contributions to the plan. 

Share-based employee remuneration 
Share-based employee remuneration is determined with reference to  
the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are 
granted and charged to the income statement over the vesting period on 
a straight-line basis. The fair value of share options is calculated using the 
binomial option pricing model and is dependent on factors including the 
exercise price, expected volatility, option life and risk-free interest rate. 
The fair value of the market-based element of the Long-Term Incentive 
Plans is calculated using the Monte Carlo Model and is dependent on 
factors including the expected volatility, vesting period and risk-free 
interest rate.  

Tax 
Tax exempt status 
The Company has elected for UK REIT, French SIIC and Irish QIAIF 
status. To continue to benefit from these tax regimes, the Group is 
required to comply with certain conditions as outlined in note 9A to  
the financial statements. Management intends that the Group will 
continue as a UK REIT, a French SIIC and an Irish QIAIF for the 
foreseeable future. 

144   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 145
www.hammerson.com  145 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

2: Loss for the year 

As stated in the Financial review on page 50 and in note 3, management reviews the performance of the Group’s property portfolio on a proportionally 
consolidated basis. Management does not proportionally consolidate the Group’s premium outlet investments in Value Retail and VIA Outlets, and 
reviews the performance of these investments separately from the rest of the proportionally consolidated portfolio. 

The following tables have been prepared on a basis consistent with how management reviews the performance of the business and show the Group’s 
loss for the year on a proportionally consolidated basis in column D, by aggregating the Reported Group results (shown in column A) with those from its 
Share of Property interests – continuing operations (shown in column B), and discontinued operations shown in column C. Columns B and C have been 
reallocated to the relevant financial statement lines. Further analysis of Share of Property interests is in table 99 of the Additional disclosures and 
Discontinued operations in note 10 of the financial statements. 

The Group’s share of results arising from its interests in premium outlets has not been proportionally consolidated and hence these have not been reallocated  
to the relevant financial statement lines, but are shown within ‘Share of results of joint ventures’ and ‘Share of results of associates’ in column D.  

The Group’s proportionally consolidated loss for the year in column D is then allocated between ‘Adjusted’ and ‘Capital and other’ for the purposes of 
calculating figures in accordance with EPRA best practice. 

Reported 
Group
£m

Share of Property 
interests 
£m

Discontinued 
operations
(see note 10B)
£m

Proportionally 
consolidated 
£m 

Adjusted
£m

Capital 
and other
£m

  Proportionally consolidated

2019

E 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

Notes

3A 

Notes (see page 148) 

Gross rental incomeF 
Ground and equity rents payable 
Gross rental income, after rents payable 
Service charge income 
Service charge expenses  
Net service charge expenses 
Inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 
Other property outgoings 
Property outgoings 

A 
131.4
(1.0)
130.4
34.3
(37.6)
(3.3)
(4.5)
(11.2)
(19.0)

B 
177.1
(1.8)
175.3
32.6
(37.5)
(4.9)
(2.9)
(19.5)
(27.3)

C 
52.5
(0.4)
52.1
5.3
(6.0)
(0.7)
(0.2)
(2.1)
(3.0)

D 
361.0 
(3.2) 
357.8 
72.2 
(81.1) 
(8.9) 
(7.6) 
(32.8) 
(49.3) 

E 
361.0
(3.2)
357.8
72.2
(81.1)
(8.9)
(7.6)
(32.8)
(49.3)

Net rental income 

3A 

111.4

148.0

49.1

308.5 

308.5

Administration costs 
Property fee income 
Employee and corporate costs 
Joint venture and associate management fees 
Net administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net losses and share of 
results of joint ventures and associates 
(Loss)/Profit on sale of propertiesG 
Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled 
on disposal of foreign operations 
Revaluation losses on propertiesG 
Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale 
Other net losses 

Share of results of joint ventures  
Share of results of associates 
Operating (loss)/profit 

Net finance costsH 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Tax charge 
(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations 
(Loss)/Profit for the year from discontinued operations 
(Loss)/Profit for the year attributable to equity 
shareholders 
Attributable to: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

(71.0)
15.7
(55.3)
8.9
(46.4)

65.0
(69.7)

13.8
(294.7)
–
(350.6)

(423.0)
209.4
(499.2)

(74.6)
(573.8)
(1.9)
(575.7)
(205.5)

14A, 14B 

15A, 15B 

8 

9A 

12B 

10B, 12B 

12B 

(781.2)

12B 

10B, 12B 

12B 

(575.7)
(205.5)
(781.2)

(0.5)
–
(0.5)
–
(0.5)

147.5
14.1

–
(608.4)
–
(594.3)

457.3
1.2
11.7

(11.4)
0.3
(0.3)
–
– 

–

–
–
–

146   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

146

(1.4)
–
(1.4)
–
(1.4)

(72.9) 
15.7 
(57.2) 
8.9 
(48.3) 

(72.9)
15.7
(57.2)
8.9
(48.3)

47.7
(36.1)

260.2 
(91.7) 

260.2
–

–
(91.7)

–
(124.9)
(92.0)
(253.0)

–
–
(205.3)

(0.2)
(205.5)
–
(205.5)
205.5

–

–
–
–

13.8 
(1,028.0) 
(92.0) 
(1,197.9) 

34.3 
210.6 
(692.8) 

(86.2) 
(779.0) 
(2.2) 
(781.2) 
– 

–
–
–
–

13.8
(1,028.0)
(92.0)
(1,197.9)

14.6
31.2
306.0

(89.8)
216.2
(2.2)
214.0
–

19.7
179.4
(998.8)

3.6
(995.2)
–
(995.2)
– 

(781.2) 

214.0

(995.2)

(575.7) 
(205.5) 
(781.2) 

166.5
47.5
214.0

(742.2)
(253.0)
(995.2)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

2: Loss for the year 

As stated in the Financial review on page 50 and in note 3, management reviews the performance of the Group’s property portfolio on a proportionally 

consolidated basis. Management does not proportionally consolidate the Group’s premium outlet investments in Value Retail and VIA Outlets, and 

reviews the performance of these investments separately from the rest of the proportionally consolidated portfolio. 

The following tables have been prepared on a basis consistent with how management reviews the performance of the business and show the Group’s 

loss for the year on a proportionally consolidated basis in column D, by aggregating the Reported Group results (shown in column A) with those from its 

Share of Property interests – continuing operations (shown in column B), and discontinued operations shown in column C. Columns B and C have been 

reallocated to the relevant financial statement lines. Further analysis of Share of Property interests is in table 99 of the Additional disclosures and 

Discontinued operations in note 10 of the financial statements. 

The Group’s share of results arising from its interests in premium outlets has not been proportionally consolidated and hence these have not been reallocated  

to the relevant financial statement lines, but are shown within ‘Share of results of joint ventures’ and ‘Share of results of associates’ in column D.  

The Group’s proportionally consolidated loss for the year in column D is then allocated between ‘Adjusted’ and ‘Capital and other’ for the purposes of 

calculating figures in accordance with EPRA best practice. 

Reported 

Share of Property 

operations

Proportionally 

interests 

(see note 10B)

consolidated 

Adjusted

Discontinued 

Notes (see page 148) 

Gross rental incomeF 

Ground and equity rents payable 

Gross rental income, after rents payable 

Notes

3A 

Inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 

Service charge income 

Service charge expenses  

Net service charge expenses 

Other property outgoings 

Property outgoings 

Net rental income 

Administration costs 

Property fee income 

Employee and corporate costs 

Joint venture and associate management fees 

Net administration expenses 

Operating profit before other net losses and share of 

results of joint ventures and associates 

(Loss)/Profit on sale of propertiesG 

Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled 

on disposal of foreign operations 

Revaluation losses on propertiesG 

Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale 

Other net losses 

Share of results of joint ventures  

Share of results of associates 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Net finance costsH 

(Loss)/Profit before tax 

Tax charge 

shareholders 

Attributable to: 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations 

(Loss)/Profit for the year from discontinued operations 

10B, 12B 

(Loss)/Profit for the year attributable to equity 

14A, 14B 

15A, 15B 

8 

9A 

12B 

Group

£m

A 

131.4

(1.0)

130.4

34.3

(37.6)

(3.3)

(4.5)

(11.2)

(19.0)

(71.0)

15.7

(55.3)

8.9

(46.4)

65.0

(69.7)

13.8

(294.7)

–

(350.6)

(423.0)

209.4

(499.2)

(74.6)

(573.8)

(1.9)

(575.7)

(205.5)

£m

B 

177.1

(1.8)

175.3

32.6

(37.5)

(4.9)

(2.9)

(19.5)

(27.3)

(0.5)

(0.5)

–

–

(0.5)

147.5

14.1

457.3

1.2

11.7

(11.4)

0.3

(0.3)

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

£m

C 

52.5

(0.4)

52.1

5.3

(6.0)

(0.7)

(0.2)

(2.1)

(3.0)

(1.4)

(1.4)

–

–

(1.4)

47.7

(36.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2019

Capital 

and other

£m

E 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

£m

E 

361.0

(3.2)

357.8

72.2

(81.1)

(8.9)

(7.6)

(32.8)

(49.3)

(72.9)

15.7

(57.2)

8.9

(48.3)

260.2

£m 

D 

361.0 

(3.2) 

357.8 

72.2 

(81.1) 

(8.9) 

(7.6) 

(32.8) 

(49.3) 

(72.9) 

15.7 

(57.2) 

8.9 

(48.3) 

260.2 

(91.7) 

13.8 

(608.4)

(124.9)

(1,028.0) 

(92.0)

(92.0) 

(594.3)

(253.0)

(1,197.9) 

–

–

–

–

–

(91.7)

13.8

(1,028.0)

(92.0)

(1,197.9)

34.3 

210.6 

14.6

31.2

19.7

179.4

(205.3)

(692.8) 

306.0

(998.8)

(0.2)

(205.5)

(205.5)

205.5

(86.2) 

(779.0) 

(2.2) 

(781.2) 

– 

(89.8)

216.2

(2.2)

214.0

–

3.6

(995.2)

(995.2)

–

– 

12B 

(781.2)

(781.2) 

214.0

(995.2)

10B, 12B 

12B 

12B 

(575.7)

(205.5)

(781.2)

(575.7) 

(205.5) 

(781.2) 

166.5

47.5

214.0

(742.2)

(253.0)

(995.2)

3A 

111.4

148.0

49.1

308.5 

308.5

Notes (see page 148) 

Gross rental incomeF 
Ground and equity rents payable 
Gross rental income, after rents payable 
Service charge income 
Service charge expenses  
Net service charge expenses 
Inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 
Other property outgoings 
Property outgoings 

Notes

3A 

Reported 
Group
£m

Share of Property 
interests
£m

Discontinued 
operations  
(see note 10B) 
 £m 

Proportionally 
consolidated 
£m 

A 
161.6
(0.8)
160.8
38.1
(40.4)
(2.3)
(5.0)
(14.0)
(21.3)

B 
173.6
(2.1)
171.5
38.4
(41.9)
(3.5)
(2.4)
(16.7)
(22.6)

C 
63.6 
(0.6) 
63.0 
6.0 
(6.8) 
(0.8) 
(0.3) 
(2.8) 
(3.9) 

D 
398.8 
(3.5) 
395.3 
82.5 
(89.1) 
(6.6) 
(7.7) 
(33.5) 
(47.8) 

Adjusted
£m

E 
398.8
(3.5)
395.3
82.5
(89.1)
(6.6)
(7.7)
(33.5)
(47.8)

  Proportionally consolidated

Net rental income 

3A 

139.5

148.9

59.1 

347.5 

347.5

2018

Proportionally consolidated

Capital 
and other
£m

E 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
(64.9)

2.0
(6.4)
(448.6)
(517.9)

9.5
30.8
(477.6)

(31.2)
(508.8)
–
(508.8)
– 
(508.8)
0.4

Administration costs 
Property fee income 
Employee and corporate costs 
Joint venture and associate management fees 
Net administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net losses and share of 
results of joint ventures and associates 
(Loss)/Profit on sale of propertiesI 
Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled 
on disposal of foreign operations 
Acquisition-related costsJ 
Revaluation losses on propertiesI 
Other net losses 

Share of results of joint ventures 
Share of results of associates 
Operating (loss)/profit 

Net finance costsH 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Tax charge 
(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations 
Loss for the year from discontinued operations 
(Loss)/Profit for the year  
Non-controlling interestsK  
(Loss)/Profit for the year attributable to equity 
shareholders 

Attributable to: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

(68.3)
14.8
(53.5)
10.3
(43.2)

96.3
(53.5)

2.0
(6.4)
(41.4)
(99.3)

(103.7)
57.7
(49.0)

(124.3)
(173.3)
(1.8)
(175.1)
(93.4)
(268.5)
0.4

14A, 14B 

15A, 15B 

8 

9A 

10B,12B 

28C 

12B 

(268.1)

12B 

12B 

12B 

(174.7)
(93.4)
(268.1)

(0.2)
–
(0.2)
–
(0.2)

148.7
15.0

–
–
(282.6)
(267.6)

128.3
(0.9)
8.5

(8.4)
0.1
(0.1)
–
–
–
–

–

– 
– 
–

(1.3) 
– 
(1.3) 
– 
(1.3) 

57.8 
(26.4) 

– 
– 
(124.6) 
(151.0) 

– 
– 
(93.2) 

(0.2) 
(93.4) 
– 
(93.4) 
93.4 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

(69.8) 
14.8 
(55.0) 
10.3 
(44.7) 

302.8 
(64.9) 

2.0 
(6.4) 
(448.6) 
(517.9) 

24.6 
56.8 
(133.7) 

(132.9) 
(266.6) 
(1.9) 
(268.5) 
–  
(268.5) 
0.4 

(69.8)
14.8
(55.0)
10.3
(44.7)

302.8
–

–
–
–
–

15.1
26.0
343.9

(101.7)
242.2
(1.9)
240.3
–
240.3
–

(268.1) 

240.3

(508.4)

(174.7) 
(93.4) 
(268.1) 

182.7
57.6
240.3

(357.4)
(151.0)
(508.4)

146   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 147
www.hammerson.com  147 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

2: Loss for the year continued 

Notes 
A.  Reported Group results as shown in the consolidated income statement on page 135. 
B.  Property interests reflect the Group’s share of results of Property joint ventures as shown in note 14A plus the Group’s share of Nicetoile and Italie Deux as included within note 15A. 
C.  Discontinued operations including properties wholly owned and held by joint ventures (see note 10).  
D.  Aggregated results on a proportionally consolidated basis showing Reported Group together with Share of Property interests.  
E.  Aggregated results on a proportionally consolidated basis allocated between ‘Adjusted’ and ‘Capital and other’ for the purposes of calculating adjusted earnings per share as shown in 

note 12B.  

F.  Included in gross rental income on a proportionally consolidated basis in Column D is £8.5 million (2018: £8.0 million) of contingent rents calculated by reference to tenants’ turnover.  
G.  Reclassification of £14.1 million between ‘(Loss)/Profit on sale of properties’ and ‘Revaluation losses on properties’ in column B, to present the sale of the 75% interest in Italie Deux on 

a proportionally consolidated basis. 

H. Adjusted finance costs presented on a proportionally consolidated basis are shown in Table 104 on page 200. 
I.  Reclassification of £15.0 million between ‘(Loss)/Profit on sale of properties’ and ‘Revaluation losses on properties’ in column B, to present the sale of the 50% interest in Highcross on 

a proportionally consolidated basis. 

J.  Acquisition-related costs of £6.4 million recognised in respect of the proposed acquisition of intu and the offers from Klépierre S.A. 
K.  The Group’s non-controlling interests represent a 35.5% interest in an entity which disposed of its property in December 2017. See note 28C. 

3: Segmental analysis 

The factors used to determine the Group’s reportable segments are the sectors in which it operates and geographic locations. These are generally 
managed by separate teams and are the basis on which performance is assessed and resources allocated. As stated in the Financial review on page 50, 
the Group has property interests in a number of sectors and management reviews the performance of the Group’s property interests in flagship 
destinations, retail parks, other UK properties and developments on a proportionally consolidated basis to reflect the Group’s different ownership 
shares. Management does not proportionally consolidate the Group’s premium outlet investments in Value Retail and VIA Outlets, which are 
externally managed by experienced outlet operators, independently financed and have operating metrics which differ from the Group’s other sectors. 
Except for property valuation and returns, we review the performance of our premium outlet investments separately from the proportionally 
consolidated portfolio. 

The segmental analysis has been prepared on the same basis that management uses to review the business, rather than on a statutory basis. Property 
interests represent the Group’s non wholly-owned properties which management proportionally consolidates when reviewing the performance of the 
business. The results of discontinued operations and assets reclassified as ‘held for sale’ have also been included in the segmental analysis, consistent 
with management’s internal reporting, but have been separately identified. For reconciliation purposes the Reported Group figures, being properties 
either wholly owned or held within joint operations, are shown in the following tables.  

Gross rental income represents the Group’s revenue from its tenants and customers. As stated in the Key Performance indicators section on page 18, 
net rental income is the Group’s primary revenue measure and is used to determine the performance of each sector. Total assets are not monitored by 
segment and resource allocation is based on the distribution of property assets between segments. 

A: Income and profit by segment 

Flagship destinations 
UK 
France 
Ireland  

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
Developments 
Property portfolio 
Less share of Property interests – continuing operations 
Less discontinued operations* 
Reported Group – continuing operations 

Gross rental 
income 
£m

2019 

Net rental  
income  
£m 

Gross rental 
income 
£m

2018

Net rental 
income 
£m

158.2
82.1
41.8
282.1

52.5
11.3
345.9
15.1
361.0
(177.1)
(52.5)
131.4

130.7 
72.0 
38.0 
240.7 

49.1 
8.2 
298.0 
10.5 
308.5 
(148.0) 
(49.1) 
111.4 

178.2
83.4
44.2
305.8

63.5
12.4
381.7
17.1
398.8
(173.6)
(63.6)
161.6

151.9
74.8
40.4
267.1

59.1
8.9
335.1
12.4
347.5
(148.9)
(59.1)
139.5

*  2018 gross rental income from discontinued operations comprises £63.5 million previously disclosed as UK retail parks and £0.1 million previously included in developments. 

148   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

148

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

Notes 

note 12B.  

A.  Reported Group results as shown in the consolidated income statement on page 135. 

B.  Property interests reflect the Group’s share of results of Property joint ventures as shown in note 14A plus the Group’s share of Nicetoile and Italie Deux as included within note 15A. 

C.  Discontinued operations including properties wholly owned and held by joint ventures (see note 10).  

D.  Aggregated results on a proportionally consolidated basis showing Reported Group together with Share of Property interests.  

E.  Aggregated results on a proportionally consolidated basis allocated between ‘Adjusted’ and ‘Capital and other’ for the purposes of calculating adjusted earnings per share as shown in 

F.  Included in gross rental income on a proportionally consolidated basis in Column D is £8.5 million (2018: £8.0 million) of contingent rents calculated by reference to tenants’ turnover.  

G.  Reclassification of £14.1 million between ‘(Loss)/Profit on sale of properties’ and ‘Revaluation losses on properties’ in column B, to present the sale of the 75% interest in Italie Deux on 

H. Adjusted finance costs presented on a proportionally consolidated basis are shown in Table 104 on page 200. 

I.  Reclassification of £15.0 million between ‘(Loss)/Profit on sale of properties’ and ‘Revaluation losses on properties’ in column B, to present the sale of the 50% interest in Highcross on 

J.  Acquisition-related costs of £6.4 million recognised in respect of the proposed acquisition of intu and the offers from Klépierre S.A. 

K.  The Group’s non-controlling interests represent a 35.5% interest in an entity which disposed of its property in December 2017. See note 28C. 

a proportionally consolidated basis. 

a proportionally consolidated basis. 

3: Segmental analysis 

The factors used to determine the Group’s reportable segments are the sectors in which it operates and geographic locations. These are generally 

managed by separate teams and are the basis on which performance is assessed and resources allocated. As stated in the Financial review on page 50, 

the Group has property interests in a number of sectors and management reviews the performance of the Group’s property interests in flagship 

destinations, retail parks, other UK properties and developments on a proportionally consolidated basis to reflect the Group’s different ownership 

shares. Management does not proportionally consolidate the Group’s premium outlet investments in Value Retail and VIA Outlets, which are 

externally managed by experienced outlet operators, independently financed and have operating metrics which differ from the Group’s other sectors. 

Except for property valuation and returns, we review the performance of our premium outlet investments separately from the proportionally 

consolidated portfolio. 

The segmental analysis has been prepared on the same basis that management uses to review the business, rather than on a statutory basis. Property 

interests represent the Group’s non wholly-owned properties which management proportionally consolidates when reviewing the performance of the 

business. The results of discontinued operations and assets reclassified as ‘held for sale’ have also been included in the segmental analysis, consistent 

with management’s internal reporting, but have been separately identified. For reconciliation purposes the Reported Group figures, being properties 

either wholly owned or held within joint operations, are shown in the following tables.  

Gross rental income represents the Group’s revenue from its tenants and customers. As stated in the Key Performance indicators section on page 18, 

net rental income is the Group’s primary revenue measure and is used to determine the performance of each sector. Total assets are not monitored by 

segment and resource allocation is based on the distribution of property assets between segments. 

A: Income and profit by segment 

Flagship destinations 

UK 

France 

Ireland  

UK retail parks 

UK other 

Investment portfolio 

Developments 

Property portfolio 

2019 

Gross rental 

Net rental  

Gross rental 

income 

£m

income  

£m 

income 

£m

158.2

82.1

41.8

282.1

52.5

11.3

345.9

15.1

361.0

(177.1)

(52.5)

131.4

130.7 

72.0 

38.0 

240.7 

49.1 

8.2 

298.0 

10.5 

308.5 

(148.0) 

(49.1) 

111.4 

178.2

83.4

44.2

305.8

63.5

12.4

381.7

17.1

398.8

(173.6)

(63.6)

161.6

2018

Net rental 

income 

£m

151.9

74.8

40.4

267.1

59.1

8.9

335.1

12.4

347.5

(148.9)

(59.1)

139.5

Less share of Property interests – continuing operations 

Less discontinued operations* 

Reported Group – continuing operations 

*  2018 gross rental income from discontinued operations comprises £63.5 million previously disclosed as UK retail parks and £0.1 million previously included in developments. 

2: Loss for the year continued 

B: Investment and development property assets by segment 

Flagship destinations 
UK 
France 
Ireland 

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
Developments 
Property portfolio – excluding premium outlets 
Premium outlets 
Total Group 
Less premium outlets 
Less share of Property interests  – continuing operations 
Less assets held for sale/discontinued operations* 
Reported Group –property portfolio 

Property 
valuation
£m 

Property 
additions
£m

Revaluation 
(losses)/gains 
£m

Property  
valuation  
£m 

Property 
additions 
£m

2019

2018

Revaluation 
(losses)/gains 
£m

2,351.3
1,269.0
860.0
4,480.3

453.3
134.5
5,068.1
599.6
5,667.7
2,659.1
8,326.8
(2,659.1)
(3,112.5)
(456.5)
2,098.7

12.3
22.8
5.2
40.3

4.1
2.4
46.8
50.9
97.7
88.0
185.7
(88.0)
(19.8)
(4.2)
73.7

(581.8)
(130.6)
(71.6)
(784.0)

(124.9)
(41.2)
(950.1)
(77.9)
(1,028.0)
199.8
(828.2)
(199.8)
608.4
124.9
(294.7)

2,920.9 
1,885.2 
978.5 
5,784.6 

873.1  
173.3 
6,831.0 
648.5 
7,479.5 
2,458.8 
9,938.3 
(2,458.8) 
(3,649.1) 
– 
3,830.4 

29.7
37.9
2.9
70.5

13.3
15.0
98.8
84.2
183.0
153.9
336.9
(153.9)
(35.0)
–
148.0

(346.6)
(14.3)
9.0
(351.9)

(126.3)
6.9
(471.3)
22.7
(448.6)
56.2
(392.4)
(56.2)
282.6
124.6
(41.4)

*  Shown as part of ‘assets held for sale’ in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet on page 137.  In addition to revaluation losses of £124.9 million (2018: £124.6 million) incurred 

during the year, an impairment loss of £92.0 million (2018: £nil) was recognised on the transfer of retail parks from investment properties to assets held for sale, which is  shown 
separately in note 2. Revaluation losses of £124.9 million (2018: £124.6 million) include £7.4 million (2018: £4.6 million) relating to Hammerson (Brent South) Limited, which was 
previously classified as a joint venture, as detailed in note 10B. 

C: Analysis of non-current assets employed 

UK 
Continental Europe 
Ireland 

Non-current assets employed

2019
£m
3,013.0
2,943.8
746.1
6,702.9

2018
£m
4,305.8
3,581.7
861.4
8,748.9

Included in the above table are investments in joint ventures of £3,017.1 million (2018: £3,604.5 million), which are further analysed in note 14 on pages 
162 to 165. The Group’s share of the property valuations held within Property interests of £3,112.5 million (2018: £3,649.1 million) has been included in 
note 3B above, of which £2,145.5 million (2018: £2,664.4 million) relates to the UK, £281.6 million (2018: £194.4 million) relates to Continental Europe 
and £685.4 million (2018: £790.3 million) relates to Ireland.  

4: Revenue 

Base rent 
Turnover rent 
Car park income1 
Lease incentive recognition 
Other rental income 
Gross rental income 
Service charge income1 
Property fee income1 
Joint venture and associate management fees1 
Revenue – continuing operations 
Revenue – discontinued operations2 
Revenue – Reported Group 

2019
£m
109.3
3.5
14.6
(1.5)
5.5
131.4
34.3
15.7
8.9
190.3
55.9
246.2

2018
£m
135.2
3.1
18.9
(4.3)
8.7
161.6
38.1
14.8
10.3
224.8
67.6
292.4

1.  The above income streams reflect revenue recognised under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and total £73.5 million (2018: £82.1 million). All other revenue streams 

relate to income recognised under IFRS 16 Leases. 

2.  Comprises £5.3 million (2018: £5.9 million) of income recognised under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and £50.6 million (2018: £61.7 million) relating to income 

recognised under IFRS 16 Leases. 

148   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 149
www.hammerson.com  149 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

5: Administration expenses 

Administration expenses include the following items: 

Employee costs 

Salaries and wages 
Performance-related bonuses 

– payable in cash 
– payable in shares1 

Other share-based employee remuneration1 
Social security 
Net pension expense 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations1,2 
Total 

– defined contribution scheme 

Note 

7A 

2019
£m
35.0
5.9
0.4
6.3
2.4
7.2
3.1
54.0
1.3
55.3

2018
£m
34.5
3.1
0.1
3.2
3.1
7.3
2.8
50.9
1.2
52.1

1.  Total share-based employee remuneration is £3.0 million (2018: £3.4 million) comprising ‘performance-related bonuses - payable in shares’ of £0.4 million (2018: £0.1 million), ‘other 

share-based employee remuneration’ of £2.4 million (2018: £3.1 million) and £0.2 million (2018: £0.2 million) included in discontinued operations. 

2.  Administration expenses of £1.3 million (2018: £1.2 million) relating to discontinued operations comprise salaries and wages of £0.7 million (2018: £0.9 million), performance-related 

bonuses of £0.5 million (2018: £0.2 million), and net pension expenses of £0.1 million (2018: £0.1 million). 

Of the total in the above table, £1.8 million (2018: £1.3 million) was capitalised in respect of development projects.  

Employees throughout the Company, including Executive Directors, participate in a performance-related bonus scheme which, for certain senior 
employees, is part payable in cash and part payable in shares. The Company also operates a number of share plans under which employees, including 
Executive Directors, are eligible to participate. Further details of share-based payment arrangements, some of which have performance conditions,  
are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 89 to 122.  

Employee numbers 

Average number of employees 
Employees recharged to tenants, included above 

Other information 

Auditors’ remuneration: 

Audit of the Company’s annual financial statements 
Audit of subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation 
Audit-related assurance services1 
Audit and audit-related assurance services 
Other fees2 
Total auditor’s remuneration3 

Depreciation of plant and equipment  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 

2019
Number
536
232

2018
Number
545
233

2019
£m
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.8
–
0.8
1.6
3.5

2018
£m
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.7
1.0
1.7
1.5
–

1.  Relates to the review of the Company’s half year financial statements. 
2.  In 2018, other fees were payable to the Group’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers for work to support the Company’s preparation of the documentation for the proposed acquisition 

of intu, to provide an opinion on the Company’s 31 March 2018 profit estimate and for other assurance services.  

3.  In addition, £0.4 million (2018: £0.4 million) relates to the Company’s share of the audit services undertaken on behalf of its joint ventures.  

6: Directors’ emoluments 

Full details of the Directors’ emoluments, as required by the Companies Act 2006, are disclosed in the audited sections of the Directors’ Remuneration 
report on pages 89 to 122. The Company did not grant any credits, advances or guarantees of any kind to its Directors during the current and  
preceding years. 

150   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

150

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

5: Administration expenses 

Administration expenses include the following items: 

Employee costs 

Salaries and wages 

Performance-related bonuses 

– payable in cash 

– payable in shares1 

Other share-based employee remuneration1 

Social security 

Net pension expense 

– defined contribution scheme 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations1,2 

Total 

Note 

7A 

2019

£m

35.0

5.9

0.4

6.3

2.4

7.2

3.1

54.0

1.3

55.3

2019

£m

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.8

–

0.8

1.6

3.5

2018

£m

34.5

3.1

0.1

3.2

3.1

7.3

2.8

50.9

1.2

52.1

2018

£m

0.3

0.3

0.1

0.7

1.0

1.7

1.5

–

2019

Number

536

232

2018

Number

545

233

1.  Total share-based employee remuneration is £3.0 million (2018: £3.4 million) comprising ‘performance-related bonuses - payable in shares’ of £0.4 million (2018: £0.1 million), ‘other 

share-based employee remuneration’ of £2.4 million (2018: £3.1 million) and £0.2 million (2018: £0.2 million) included in discontinued operations. 

2.  Administration expenses of £1.3 million (2018: £1.2 million) relating to discontinued operations comprise salaries and wages of £0.7 million (2018: £0.9 million), performance-related 

bonuses of £0.5 million (2018: £0.2 million), and net pension expenses of £0.1 million (2018: £0.1 million). 

Of the total in the above table, £1.8 million (2018: £1.3 million) was capitalised in respect of development projects.  

Employees throughout the Company, including Executive Directors, participate in a performance-related bonus scheme which, for certain senior 

employees, is part payable in cash and part payable in shares. The Company also operates a number of share plans under which employees, including 

Executive Directors, are eligible to participate. Further details of share-based payment arrangements, some of which have performance conditions,  

are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 89 to 122.  

Employee numbers 

Average number of employees 

Employees recharged to tenants, included above 

Other information 

Auditors’ remuneration: 

Audit of the Company’s annual financial statements 

Audit of subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation 

Audit-related assurance services1 

Audit and audit-related assurance services 

Other fees2 

Total auditor’s remuneration3 

Depreciation of plant and equipment  

Depreciation of right-of-use assets 

1.  Relates to the review of the Company’s half year financial statements. 

7: Pensions 

A: Defined contribution pension scheme 
The Company operates a UK funded approved Group Personal Pension Plan, which is a defined contribution pension scheme. The Group’s cost for the 
year was £3.2 million (2018: £2.9 million), as disclosed in note 5, comprising £3.1 million (2018: £2.8 million) in relation to continuing operations and 
£0.1 million (2018: £0.1 million) in relation to discontinued operations. 

B: Defined benefit pension schemes 
Hammerson Group Management Limited Pension & Life Assurance Scheme (the Scheme). 
The Scheme is funded and the funds, which are administered by trustees, are independent of the Group’s finances. The Scheme was closed to new 
entrants on 31 December 2002 and was closed to future accrual for all participating employees on 30 June 2014. 

Unfunded Unapproved Retirement Schemes 
The Company also operates three Unfunded Unapproved Retirement Schemes. Two schemes provide pension benefits to two former Executive 
Directors, the other meets pension commitment obligations to former US employees. 

C: Changes in present value of defined benefit pension schemes 

At 1 January 
Amounts recognised in the income statement 
– interest (cost)/income1 
Amounts recognised in equity 
–  actuarial experience gains/(losses) 
–  actuarial (losses)/gains from changes in financial assumptions 
–  actuarial gains/(losses) from changes in demographic assumptions 

Contributions by employer2 
Benefits 
Exchange gains/(losses) 
At 31 December 
Analysed as: 
Present value of the Scheme 
Present value of Unfunded Retirement Schemes 

Analysed as: 
Current liabilities (note 19) 
Non-current liabilities (note 23) 

1.  Included in Other interest payable (note 8). 
2.  The Group expects to make contributions totalling £15.0 million to the Scheme in 2020. 

D:  Summary of Scheme assets 

2.  In 2018, other fees were payable to the Group’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers for work to support the Company’s preparation of the documentation for the proposed acquisition 

of intu, to provide an opinion on the Company’s 31 March 2018 profit estimate and for other assurance services.  

3.  In addition, £0.4 million (2018: £0.4 million) relates to the Company’s share of the audit services undertaken on behalf of its joint ventures.  

6: Directors’ emoluments 

preceding years. 

Full details of the Directors’ emoluments, as required by the Companies Act 2006, are disclosed in the audited sections of the Directors’ Remuneration 

report on pages 89 to 122. The Company did not grant any credits, advances or guarantees of any kind to its Directors during the current and  

Diversified Growth Funds 
Equities 
Total invested assets 
Cash and other net current assets 
Total Scheme assets 

Obligations 
£m
(117.6)

Assets 
£m
69.8

2019 

Net  
£m 
(47.8) 

Obligations 
£m 
(123.1)

Assets 
£m
71.7

2018

Net 
£m
(51.4)

(3.3)

2.0

(1.3) 

(3.2)

1.9

(1.3)

0.3
(10.3)
0.6
(9.4)
–
4.5
0.6
(125.2)

(112.6)
(12.6)
(125.2)

7.9
–
–
7.9
3.5
(3.3)
–
79.9

79.9
–
79.9

(1.3)
6.8 
(0.2)
5.3 
– 
3.9 
(0.5)
(117.6)

(104.9)
(12.7)
(117.6)

8.2 
(10.3) 
0.6 
(1.5) 
3.5 
1.2 
0.6 
(45.3) 

(32.7) 
(12.6) 
(45.3) 

(0.9) 
(44.4) 
(45.3) 

(4.5)
–
–
(4.5)
3.5
(2.8)
–
69.8

69.8
–
69.8

2019
£m
54.4
24.1
78.5
1.4
79.9

(5.8)
6.8
(0.2)
0.8
3.5
1.1
(0.5)
(47.8)

(35.1)
(12.7)
(47.8)

(0.9)
(46.9)
(47.8)

2018
£m
48.4
20.2
68.6
1.2
69.8

150   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 151
www.hammerson.com  151 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

7: Pensions continued 

E: Principal actuarial assumptions used for defined benefit pension schemes 

Discount rate for Scheme liabilities 
Increase in retail price index 
Increase in pensions in payment 

Life expectancy from age 60 for Scheme members:  

Male aged 60 at 31 December 
Male aged 40 at 31 December 

Weighted average maturity 
The Scheme 
UK Unfunded Retirement Scheme 
French Unfunded Retirement Scheme 
US Unfunded Retirement Scheme 

2019
%
2.1
2.9
2.9

Years
27.5
29.0

Years
17.4
12.2
12.0
5.9

2018
%
2.9
3.2
3.2

Years
27.7
29.2

Years
17.0
12.5
12.5
6.1

The present value of defined benefit obligations has been calculated by an external actuary. This was taken as the present value of accrued benefits and 
pensions in payment calculated using the projected unit credit method.  

F: Sensitivities to changes in assumptions and conditions 

(Decrease)/Increase in net balance sheet liability of the Scheme at 31 December 
Discount rate + 0.1% 
Price inflation + 0.1% 
Long-term improvements in longevity 1.5% per annum 
Asset value falls 5% 

8: Net finance costs 

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts 
Interest on other borrowings 
Interest on obligations under head leases 
Interest on other lease obligations  
Other interest payable 
Gross interest costs 
Less: Interest capitalised 
Finance costs 
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Finance income 
Reported Group – continuing operations 
Reported Group – discontinued operations 
Reported Group - total 

2019
£m
(1.9)
1.8
1.0
4.0

2019
£m
15.1
86.2
2.2
0.2
1.4
105.1
(2.8)
102.3
–
(6.2)
(21.5)
74.6
0.2
74.8

2018
£m
(1.8)
1.8
0.8
3.4

2018
£m
13.2
92.7
2.4
–
2.6
110.9
(1.9)
109.0
15.3
14.5
(14.5)
124.3
0.2 
124.5

152   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The present value of defined benefit obligations has been calculated by an external actuary. This was taken as the present value of accrued benefits and 

Notes to the financial statements continued 

E: Principal actuarial assumptions used for defined benefit pension schemes 

Life expectancy from age 60 for Scheme members:  

Male aged 60 at 31 December 

Male aged 40 at 31 December 

7: Pensions continued 

Discount rate for Scheme liabilities 

Increase in retail price index 

Increase in pensions in payment 

Weighted average maturity 

The Scheme 

UK Unfunded Retirement Scheme 

French Unfunded Retirement Scheme 

US Unfunded Retirement Scheme 

pensions in payment calculated using the projected unit credit method.  

F: Sensitivities to changes in assumptions and conditions 

(Decrease)/Increase in net balance sheet liability of the Scheme at 31 December 

Long-term improvements in longevity 1.5% per annum 

Discount rate + 0.1% 

Price inflation + 0.1% 

Asset value falls 5% 

8: Net finance costs 

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts 

Interest on other borrowings 

Interest on obligations under head leases 

Interest on other lease obligations  

Other interest payable 

Gross interest costs 

Less: Interest capitalised 

Finance costs 

Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Finance income 

Reported Group – continuing operations 

Reported Group – discontinued operations 

Reported Group - total 

2019

%

2.1

2.9

2.9

Years

27.5

29.0

Years

17.4

12.2

12.0

5.9

2019

£m

(1.9)

1.8

1.0

4.0

2019

£m

15.1

86.2

2.2

0.2

1.4

105.1

(2.8)

102.3

–

(6.2)

(21.5)

74.6

0.2

74.8

2018

%

2.9

3.2

3.2

Years

27.7

29.2

Years

17.0

12.5

12.5

6.1

2018

£m

(1.8)

1.8

0.8

3.4

2018

£m

13.2

92.7

2.4

–

2.6

110.9

(1.9)

109.0

15.3

14.5

(14.5)

124.3

0.2 

124.5

9: Tax 

A: Tax charge 

UK current tax 
Foreign current tax 
Tax charge 

2019
£m
0.1
1.8
1.9

2018
£m
0.1
1.7
1.8

The Group’s tax charge remains low because it has tax exempt status in its principal operating countries. In the UK, the Group has been a REIT since 
2007 and a SIIC in France since 2004. These tax regimes exempt the Group’s property income and gains from corporate taxes provided a number of 
conditions in relation to the Group’s activities are met including, but not limited to, distributing at least 90% of the Group’s UK tax-exempt profit as 
property income distributions (PID). The residual businesses in both the UK and France are subject to corporation tax as normal. The Irish properties 
are held in a QIAIF which provides similar tax benefits to those of a UK REIT but which subjects distributions and, since 2019, certain excessive 
interest payments from Ireland to the UK to a 20% withholding tax. 

B: Tax charge reconciliation 

Loss before tax – continuing operations 
Loss before tax – discontinued operations 
Less: Loss after tax of joint ventures – continuing operations 
Less: Loss after tax of joint ventures – discontinued operations 
Less: Profit after tax of associates 
Loss on ordinary activities before tax 
Loss multiplied by the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2018: 19%) 
UK REIT tax exemption  
French SIIC tax exemption 
Irish QIAIF tax exemption 
Losses for the year not utilised 
Non-deductible and other items 
Tax charge 

Notes 

2 

10B 

14A 

10B 

15A 

2019
£m
(573.8)
(205.5)
423.0
6.1
(209.4)
(559.6)
(106.3)
68.1
30.9
5.9
2.0
1.3
1.9

2018
£m
(173.3)
(93.4)
103.7
2.7
(57.7)
(218.0)
(41.4)
43.4
(8.9)
(0.2)
4.5
4.4
1.8

C: Unrecognised deferred tax 
A deferred tax asset is not recognised for UK revenue losses or capital losses where their future utilisation is uncertain. At 31 December 2019, the total 
of such losses was £490 million (2018: £475 million) and £505 million (2018: £440 million) respectively, and the potential tax effect of these was  
£84 million (2018: £81 million) and £86 million (2018: £75 million) respectively. 

Deferred tax is not provided on potential gains on investments in subsidiaries when the Group can control whether gains crystallise and it is probable 
that gains will not arise in the foreseeable future. At 31 December 2019, the total of such gains was £272 million (2018: £535 million) and the potential 
tax effect before the offset of losses was £46 million (2018: £91 million). 

If a UK REIT sells a property within three years of completion of development, the REIT exemption will not apply. At 31 December 2019, the value of 
such completed properties was £212 million (2018: £464 million). If these properties were to be sold without the benefit of the tax exemption, the tax 
arising would be £nil (2018: £nil) due to the availability of capital losses. 

152   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 153
www.hammerson.com  153 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

10: Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities classified as held for sale  

A: Disposals 
As part of the Group’s strategic review in 2018, a decision was taken to exit the retails parks sector. To date a number of retail parks have been disposed 
of and as at 31 December 2019 the remaining retail parks have been reclassified as assets held for sale. As this constitutes the remainder of the UK retail 
parks segment, the profits and losses arising in 2018 and 2019 from the segment have been classified as discontinued operations. Further explanation 
surrounding the judgements reached in relation to the reclassification is provided in note 1. 

Detailed below are the key entities and properties classified as discontinued operations: 

Property owned 
Fife Central Retail Park, Kirkcaldy 

Property owned 
Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea 

Entity disposed of in 2018: 
 Entity 
Hammerson (Kirkcaldy) Limited 

Entity disposed of in 2019: 
Entity 
Hammerson (Parc Tawe) Limited 

Properties disposed of in 2018: 
Battery Retail Park, Birmingham 
Wrekin Retail Park, Telford 
Thurrock Shopping Park, Thurrock 
Imperial Retail Park, Bristol 

Properties disposed of in 2019: 
Dallow Road, Luton 
Abbotsinch Retail Park, Glasgow 
St. Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester 

On 12 February 2020 the Group exchanged and completed contracts for the sale of the following entity: 
Entity 
Hammerson (Abbey) Limited 

Property owned 
Abbey Retail Park, Belfast 

On 21 February 2020 the Group exchanged contracts for the sale of the following entities1: 
Entity 
Grantchester Developments Falkirk Limited 
Grantchester Properties Middlesbrough 
Hammerson (Didcot) Limited 
Hammerson (Didcot II) Limited 
Hammerson (Merthyr) Limited 
Hammerson (Ravenhead) Limited 
Hammerson (Rugby) Limited 
Telford Forge Retail Park Unit Trust 

Property owned 
Central Retail Park, Falkirk 
Cleveland Retail Park, Middlesbrough 
The Orchard Centre, Phase 1, Didcot 
The Orchard Centre, Phase 2, Didcot 
Cyfarthfa Retail Park, Merthyr Tydfil 
Ravenhead Retail Park, St. Helens 
Elliott’s Field, Rugby 
Telford Forge Shopping Park, Telford 

Retail park entities intended for sale within the near term: 
Entity 
Hammerson (Brent South) Limited2 

Property owned 
Brent South Shopping Park, London 

1.  Completion is expected before 30 April 2020. 
2.  Hammerson (Brent South) Limited was previously included within Share of results of joint ventures. 

154   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

A: Disposals 

As part of the Group’s strategic review in 2018, a decision was taken to exit the retails parks sector. To date a number of retail parks have been disposed 

of and as at 31 December 2019 the remaining retail parks have been reclassified as assets held for sale. As this constitutes the remainder of the UK retail 

parks segment, the profits and losses arising in 2018 and 2019 from the segment have been classified as discontinued operations. Further explanation 

surrounding the judgements reached in relation to the reclassification is provided in note 1. 

Detailed below are the key entities and properties classified as discontinued operations: 

 Entity 

Entity 

Entity disposed of in 2018: 

Hammerson (Kirkcaldy) Limited 

Entity disposed of in 2019: 

Hammerson (Parc Tawe) Limited 

Properties disposed of in 2018: 

Battery Retail Park, Birmingham 

Wrekin Retail Park, Telford 

Thurrock Shopping Park, Thurrock 

Imperial Retail Park, Bristol 

Properties disposed of in 2019: 

Dallow Road, Luton 

Abbotsinch Retail Park, Glasgow 

St. Oswald’s Retail Park, Gloucester 

Hammerson (Abbey) Limited 

Entity 

Entity 

Grantchester Developments Falkirk Limited 

Grantchester Properties Middlesbrough 

Hammerson (Didcot) Limited 

Hammerson (Didcot II) Limited 

Hammerson (Merthyr) Limited 

Hammerson (Ravenhead) Limited 

Hammerson (Rugby) Limited 

Telford Forge Retail Park Unit Trust 

Property owned 

Fife Central Retail Park, Kirkcaldy 

Property owned 

Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea 

Property owned 

Abbey Retail Park, Belfast 

Property owned 

Central Retail Park, Falkirk 

Cleveland Retail Park, Middlesbrough 

The Orchard Centre, Phase 1, Didcot 

The Orchard Centre, Phase 2, Didcot 

Cyfarthfa Retail Park, Merthyr Tydfil 

Ravenhead Retail Park, St. Helens 

Elliott’s Field, Rugby 

Telford Forge Shopping Park, Telford 

On 12 February 2020 the Group exchanged and completed contracts for the sale of the following entity: 

On 21 February 2020 the Group exchanged contracts for the sale of the following entities1: 

Retail park entities intended for sale within the near term: 

Entity 

Hammerson (Brent South) Limited2 

1.  Completion is expected before 30 April 2020. 

2.  Hammerson (Brent South) Limited was previously included within Share of results of joint ventures. 

Property owned 

Brent South Shopping Park, London 

10: Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities classified as held for sale  

B: Loss for the year  

Revenue 
Gross rental income 
Ground and equity rents payable 
Gross rental income, after rents payable 
Service charge income 
Service charge expenses  
Net service charge expenses 
Inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 
Other property outgoings 
Property outgoings 

Net rental income 
Net administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net losses and share of 
results of joint ventures 
Loss on sale of properties 
Revaluation losses on properties 
Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale 
Other net losses 
Share of results of joint ventures 
Operating loss 
Net finance costs 
Loss from discontinued operations 

C: Cash flows from discontinued operations  

Cash flows from operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Net cash inflow from discontinued operations* 

*  There were no cash flows from financing activities in 2019 or 2018. 

Reported
 Group
£m
55.9
50.7
(0.4)
50.3
5.2
(5.9)
(0.7)
(0.2)
(2.0)
(2.9)

47.4
(1.4)

46.0
(36.1)
(117.5)
(91.6)
(245.2)
(6.1)
(205.3)
(0.2)
(205.5)

Share of 
Property 
interests 
£m
1.8
1.8
– 
1.8
0.1
(0.1)
– 
– 
(0.1)
(0.1)

1.7
– 

1.7
– 
(7.4)
(0.4)
(7.8)
6.1
– 
– 
– 

2019

Proportionally 
consolidated  

£m
57.7
52.5
(0.4) 
52.1
5.3
(6.0) 
(0.7) 
(0.2) 
(2.1) 
(3.0) 

49.1
(1.4) 

47.7
(36.1) 
(124.9) 
(92.0) 
(253.0) 
–
(205.3) 
(0.2) 
(205.5) 

Reported  
Group 
£m 
67.6 
61.7 
(0.6) 
61.1 
5.9 
(6.7) 
(0.8) 
(0.3) 
(2.8) 
(3.9) 

57.2 
(1.3) 

55.9 
(26.4) 
(120.0) 
– 
(146.4) 
(2.7) 
(93.2) 
(0.2) 
(93.4) 

Share of
 Property 
interests
£m
2.0
1.9
– 
1.9
0.1
(0.1)
– 
– 
– 
– 

1.9
– 

1.9
– 
(4.6)
– 
(4.6)
2.7
– 
– 
– 

2019
£m
51.0
168.9
219.9

2018

Proportionally 
consolidated  

£m
69.6
63.6
(0.6)
63.0
6.0
(6.8)
(0.8)
(0.3)
(2.8)
(3.9)

59.1
(1.3)

57.8
(26.4)
(124.6)
– 
(151.0)
–
(93.2)
(0.2)
(93.4)

2018
£m
55.7
236.4
292.1

D: Summary of assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale  

Investment properties* 
Interests in leasehold properties 
Investment in joint ventures 
Current receivables 
Restricted monetary assets 
Cash and deposits 
Assets held for sale 

Obligations under head leases  
Current payables 
Non-current payables 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 

Reported 
 Group 
£m 
431.6 
3.0 
24.7 
3.0 
1.8 
1.6 
465.7 

(3.0) 
(16.6) 
(0.1) 
(19.7) 

Share of
 Property
 interests 
£m
24.9
–
(24.7)
1.1
–
–
1.3

–
(1.3)
–
(1.3)

2019

Proportionally 
consolidated 
£m
456.5
3.0
–
4.1
1.8
1.6
467.0

(3.0)
(17.9)
(0.1)
(21.0)

Net assets associated with assets held for sale 

446.0 

–

446.0

*  Upon transfer to held for sale, investment properties were remeasured at their fair value less anticipated selling costs. This resulted in an impairment loss of £92.0 million, of which 

£91.6 million related to the Reported Group and £0.4 million related to Share of Property interests. 

154   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 155
www.hammerson.com  155 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

11: Dividends  

The proposed final dividend of 14.8 pence per share was recommended by the Board on 25 February 2020 and, subject to approval by shareholders, 
is payable on 30 April 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 March 2020. The dividend will be paid entirely as a PID, net of 
withholding tax at the basic rate (currently 20%) if applicable. There will be no scrip alternative, although the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) 
remains available to shareholders. The aggregate amount of the 2019 final dividend is £113.4 million. This has been calculated using the total number of 
eligible shares outstanding at 31 December 2019.  

The interim dividend of 11.1 pence per share was paid on 7 October 2019 as a PID, net of withholding tax where appropriate. The total dividend for the 
year ended 31 December 2019 would be 25.9 pence per share (2018: 25.9 pence per share). 

Current year 
2019 final dividend  
2019 interim dividend 

Prior years 
2018 final dividend 
2018 interim dividend 

2017 final dividend 
Dividends as reported in the consolidated statement of changes in equity 
2017 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2018) 
2018 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2019) 
2019 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2020) 
Dividends paid as reported in the consolidated cash flow statement 

PID
pence
per share

Non-PID
pence
per share

Total 
pence 
per share 

Equity
dividends
2019
£m

Equity
dividends
2018
£m

14.8
11.1
25.9

7.4
11.1
18.5

– 
–
– 

7.4
–
7.4

14.8 
11.1 
25.9 

14.8 
11.1 
25.9 

–
84.9

–
–

113.5
–

–
198.4
–
12.7
(12.2)
198.9

–
86.8

116.6
203.4
13.4
(12.7)
– 
204.1

12: (Loss)/Earnings per share and net asset value per share 

The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) has issued recommended bases for the calculation of certain per share information and these are 
included in the following tables B and D. Commentary on (loss)/earnings and net asset value per share is provided in the Financial review on pages 50 
to 57. Headline earnings per share has been calculated and presented in note 12C as required by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing 
requirements. 

A: Number of shares for per share calculations 

Shares (million) 

Basic, EPRA 
and adjusted
765.3

2019 

Diluted*
765.3 

Basic, EPRA and 
adjusted
786.3

2018

Diluted*
786.3

*   In 2019 and 2018, there was no difference in the weighted average number of shares used for the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share as the effect of all potentially dilutive 

shares outstanding was anti-dilutive. The total number of shares including potentially dilutive shares is 765.9 million (2018: 787.4 million). 

The calculations for (loss)/earnings per share use the weighted average number of shares, which excludes those shares held in the Hammerson 
Employee Share Ownership Plan, which are treated as cancelled. The calculations for net asset value per share use the number of shares in issue at  
31 December as shown in note 24. 

156   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11: Dividends  

B: (Loss)/Earnings per share 

Basic and diluted 

Basic – continuing operations 
Basic – discontinued operations 
Basic and diluted - total 
Adjustments: 
Revaluation losses on properties:  

continuing operations 

Revaluation losses on properties:  

discontinued operations 

Notes to the financial statements continued 

The proposed final dividend of 14.8 pence per share was recommended by the Board on 25 February 2020 and, subject to approval by shareholders, 

is payable on 30 April 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 March 2020. The dividend will be paid entirely as a PID, net of 

withholding tax at the basic rate (currently 20%) if applicable. There will be no scrip alternative, although the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) 

remains available to shareholders. The aggregate amount of the 2019 final dividend is £113.4 million. This has been calculated using the total number of 

eligible shares outstanding at 31 December 2019.  

The interim dividend of 11.1 pence per share was paid on 7 October 2019 as a PID, net of withholding tax where appropriate. The total dividend for the 

year ended 31 December 2019 would be 25.9 pence per share (2018: 25.9 pence per share). 

Current year 

2019 final dividend  

2019 interim dividend 

Prior years 

2018 final dividend 

2018 interim dividend 

2017 final dividend 

PID

pence

per share

Non-PID

pence

per share

Total 

pence 

per share 

Equity

dividends

2019

£m

Equity

dividends

2018

£m

14.8

11.1

25.9

7.4

11.1

18.5

– 

–

– 

7.4

–

7.4

14.8 

11.1 

25.9 

14.8 

11.1 

25.9 

–

84.9

–

–

113.5

–

–

–

198.4

12.7

(12.2)

198.9

–

86.8

116.6

203.4

13.4

(12.7)

– 

204.1

Dividends as reported in the consolidated statement of changes in equity 

2017 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2018) 

2018 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2019) 

2019 interim dividend withholding tax (paid 2020) 

Dividends paid as reported in the consolidated cash flow statement 

12: (Loss)/Earnings per share and net asset value per share 

The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) has issued recommended bases for the calculation of certain per share information and these are 

included in the following tables B and D. Commentary on (loss)/earnings and net asset value per share is provided in the Financial review on pages 50 

to 57. Headline earnings per share has been calculated and presented in note 12C as required by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing 

A: Number of shares for per share calculations 

requirements. 

Shares (million) 

Basic, EPRA 

and adjusted

765.3

2019 

Diluted*

765.3 

Basic, EPRA and 

adjusted

786.3

2018

Diluted*

786.3

*   In 2019 and 2018, there was no difference in the weighted average number of shares used for the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share as the effect of all potentially dilutive 

shares outstanding was anti-dilutive. The total number of shares including potentially dilutive shares is 765.9 million (2018: 787.4 million). 

The calculations for (loss)/earnings per share use the weighted average number of shares, which excludes those shares held in the Hammerson 

Employee Share Ownership Plan, which are treated as cancelled. The calculations for net asset value per share use the number of shares in issue at  

31 December as shown in note 24. 

Reported Group 
Share of Property interests1 

2 

2 

294.7 
608.4 

Notes

(Loss)/ 
Earnings 
£m 
(781.2) 

(575.7) 
(205.5) 
(781.2) 

2019 

Pence 
per share 
(102.1) 

(75.2) 
(26.9) 
(102.1) 

38.5 
79.5 

16.3 
134.3 

9.1 
(1.8) 

4.7 
12.0 

2, 10B 

124.9 
1,028.0 

2 

2 

2, 10B 

69.7 
(14.1) 

36.1 
91.7 

(Loss)/
Earnings
£m
(268.1)

(174.7)
(93.4)
(268.1)

41.4
282.6

124.6
448.6

53.5
(15.0)

26.4
64.9

Loss/(Profit) on sale of properties: continuing 

operations 

Reported Group  
Share of Property interests  

Loss on sale of properties: discontinued operations  Reported Group 

Impairment recognised on reclassification to held 

for sale: discontinued operations 

2, 10B 

92.0 

12.0 

–

Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, 

recycled on disposal of foreign operations2 

Reported Group 

Debt and loan facility cancellation costs2  

Reported Group 

(13.8) 

(1.8) 

(2.0)

(0.3)

Change in fair value of derivatives2  

Other adjustments2 

Premium outlets2 

Total adjustments 
EPRA 
Other adjustments2 

Adjusted  

2 

8 

8 

14B 

2 

2, 28C 

Reported Group 
Share of Property interests 

Reported Group 

Acquisition-related costs 
  Non-controlling interests 

Revaluation gains on properties 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Deferred tax 
Other adjustments 

14B, 15B 

14B, 15B 

14B, 15B 

14B, 15B 

– 

– 

(6.2) 
2.6 
(3.6) 

– 
– 
– 

(199.8) 
(5.1) 
6.4 
(0.3) 
(198.8) 
995.5 
214.3 

(0.8) 
0.4 
(0.4) 

– 
– 
– 

(26.1) 
(0.7) 
0.8 
– 
(26.0) 
130.1 
28.0 

15.3

14.5
1.4
15.9

6.4
(0.4)
6.0

(56.2)
1.3
13.8
0.7
(40.4)
508.3
240.2

Translation movement on 
intragroup funding loan: 
Premium outlets 

14B 

(0.3) 
214.0 

– 
28.0 

0.1
240.3

2018

Pence
per share
(34.1)

(22.2)
(11.9)
(34.1)

5.3
35.9

15.8
57.0

6.8
(1.9)

3.4
8.3

–

1.9

1.8
0.2
2.0

0.8
–
0.8

(7.1)
0.2
1.7
0.1
(5.1)
64.6
30.5

0.1
30.6

1.  The revaluation losses on properties relating to the Share of Property interests includes: £591.5 million (2018: £267.1 million) in respect of Property joint ventures (note 14B);  

£2.8 million (2018: £0.5 million) in respect of associates (note 15B); and the reclassification of £14.1 million (2018: £15.0 million) from ‘loss on sale of properties’ referred to in footnote 
G (2018: footnote I) of note 2, to reflect the sale of a 75% interest in Italie Deux (2018: sale of a 50% interest in Highcross).  

2.  Relate to continuing operations.  

156   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 157
www.hammerson.com  157 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

12: (Loss)/Earnings per share and net asset value per share continued 

C: Headline earnings per share 

Loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders 
Revaluation losses on properties: Reported Group and Share of Property interests  
Loss on sale of properties: Reported Group and Share of Property interests  
Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale – discontinued operations 
Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled on disposal of foreign 
operations: Reported Group* 
Non-controlling interests* 
Revaluation gains on properties: Premium outlets* 
Deferred tax: Premium outlets* 
Translation movements on intragroup funding loan: Premium outlets* 
Headline earnings  

Basic headline earnings per share (pence) 
Diluted headline earnings per share (pence) 

Reconciliation of headline earnings to adjusted earnings 
Headline earnings as above 
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs: Reported Group* 
Change in fair value of derivatives: Reported Group and Share of Property interests* 
Acquisition-related costs: Reported Group* 
Change in fair value of derivatives: Premium outlets* 
Change in fair value of participative loans – revaluation movement: Premium outlets* 
Change in fair value of financial assets: Premium outlets* 
Loan facility costs written off: Premium outlets* 
Adjusted earnings 

*   Relate to continuing operations. 

Notes 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

14B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

14B, 15B 

15B 

15B 

15B 

2019
Earnings
£m
(781.2)
1,028.0
91.7
92.0

(13.8)
–
(199.8)
6.4
(0.3)
223.0

29.1p
29.1p

2019
Earnings
£m
223.0
–
(3.6)
–
29.4
(34.5)
(0.3)
– 
214.0

2018
Earnings
£m
(268.1)
448.6
64.9
–

(2.0)
(0.4)
(56.2)
13.8
0.1
200.7

25.5p
25.5p

2018
Earnings
£m
200.7
15.3
15.9
6.4
3.5
(2.2)
–
0.7
240.3

158   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

158

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

C: Headline earnings per share 

Loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders 

Revaluation losses on properties: Reported Group and Share of Property interests  

Loss on sale of properties: Reported Group and Share of Property interests  

Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale – discontinued operations 

Net exchange gain previously recognised in equity, recycled on disposal of foreign 

operations: Reported Group* 

Non-controlling interests* 

Revaluation gains on properties: Premium outlets* 

Deferred tax: Premium outlets* 

Translation movements on intragroup funding loan: Premium outlets* 

Headline earnings  

Basic headline earnings per share (pence) 

Diluted headline earnings per share (pence) 

Reconciliation of headline earnings to adjusted earnings 

Headline earnings as above 

Debt and loan facility cancellation costs: Reported Group* 

Change in fair value of derivatives: Reported Group and Share of Property interests* 

Acquisition-related costs: Reported Group* 

Change in fair value of derivatives: Premium outlets* 

Change in fair value of participative loans – revaluation movement: Premium outlets* 

Change in fair value of financial assets: Premium outlets* 

Loan facility costs written off: Premium outlets* 

Adjusted earnings 

*   Relate to continuing operations. 

Notes 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

14B 

14B, 15B 

12B 

12B 

12B 

15B 

15B 

15B 

2019

Earnings

£m

(781.2)

1,028.0

91.7

92.0

(13.8)

–

(199.8)

6.4

(0.3)

223.0

29.1p

29.1p

2019

Earnings

£m

223.0

(3.6)

–

–

29.4

(34.5)

(0.3)

– 

214.0

2018

Earnings

£m

(268.1)

448.6

64.9

–

(2.0)

(0.4)

(56.2)

13.8

0.1

200.7

25.5p

25.5p

2018

Earnings

£m

200.7

15.3

15.9

6.4

3.5

(2.2)

–

0.7

240.3

12: (Loss)/Earnings per share and net asset value per share continued 

D: Net asset value per share 

Continuing and discontinued operations 
Basic 
Company’s own shares held in Employee Share Ownership Plan 
Dilutive share schemes 
Diluted 
Fair value adjustment to borrowings 
– Reported Group 
– Share of Property interests 

EPRA NNNAV 
Fair value adjustment to borrowings 
Deferred tax 
– Reported Group 
– Share of Property interests 

Fair value of interest rate swaps  
– Reported Group 
– Share of Property interests 

Premium outlets 
– Fair value of derivatives 
– Deferred tax 
– Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 

EPRA NAV 

Notes

21H 

14C 

21H 

14C 

14C, 15D 

14C, 15D 

14C, 15D 

Equity 
shareholders’
funds 
£m 
4,377.0
–
1.6
4,378.6

(180.9)
(2.4)
(183.3)
4,195.3
183.3

0.4
0.1
0.5

(0.7)
3.9
3.2

16.7
270.2
(70.6)
216.3
4,598.6

2019 

Net asset 
value 
per share 
£ 
5.71 
n/a 
n/a 
5.72 

Shares
million
766.3
(1.1)
0.4
765.6

(0.24) 
– 
(0.24) 
5.48 
0.24 

– 
– 
– 

– 
0.01 
0.01 

0.02 
0.35 
(0.09) 
0.28 
6.01 

765.6

Equity 
shareholders’
funds 
£m 
5,432.6 
– 
2.0 
5,434.6 

(110.0)
(3.2)
(113.2)
5,321.4 
113.2 

0.5 
– 
0.5 

(2.7)
1.4 
(1.3)

8.8 
274.4 
(66.7)
216.5 
5,650.3 

Shares
million
766.4
(1.5)
1.2
766.1

766.1

2018

Net asset
value
per share
£
7.09
n/a
n/a
7.09

(0.14)
–
(0.14)
6.95
0.14

–
–
–

–
–
–

0.01
0.36
(0.08)
0.29
7.38

158   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 159
www.hammerson.com  159 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

13: Investment and development properties 

Valuation at 1 January 
Exchange adjustment 
Additions   – Asset acquisitions 

– Capital expenditure 

Transfer to investment in joint ventures (note 14D) 
Transfer to investments in associates  
Disposals  
Capitalised interest  
Reclassification on completion of developments  
Revaluation (losses)/gains – continuing operations 
Revaluation (losses)/gains – discontinued operations 

Valuation at 31 December – total portfolio 
Less: transfer to assets held for sale* 
Valuation at 31 December  

Investment 
properties 
£m
3,440.7
(95.6)
–
29.9
29.9
–
(121.1)
(637.5)
0.5
–
(232.2)
(117.5)
(349.7)
2,267.2
(520.0)
1,747.2

Development 
properties 
£m
389.7
(17.3)
0.9
47.1
48.0
–
–
(5.5)
2.3
–
(62.5)
– 
(62.5)
354.7
(3.2)
351.5

2019

Total
£m
3,830.4
(112.9) 
0.9
77.0
77.9
–
(121.1) 
(643.0) 
2.8
–
(294.7) 
(117.5) 
(412.2) 
2,621.9
(523.2) 
2,098.7

Investment 
properties  
£m 
4,348.9 
20.3 
11.5 
70.7 
82.2 
(235.7) 
– 
(631.3) 
0.2 
39.5 
(61.8) 
(121.6) 
(183.4) 
3,440.7 
– 
3,440.7 

Development 
properties 
£m
337.2
2.5
0.4
65.4
65.8
–
–
–
1.7
(39.5)
20.4
1.6
22.0
389.7
–
389.7

2018

Total
£m
4,686.1
22.8
11.9
136.1
148.0
(235.7)
–
(631.3)
1.9
–
(41.4)
(120.0)
(161.4)
3,830.4
–
3,830.4

*   On 31 December 2019, properties valued at £523.2 million were transferred to assets held for sale and subsequently impaired by £91.6 million, resulting in a carrying value of  

£431.6 million as disclosed in note 10D. 

Analysis of properties by tenure 
Valuation at 31 December 2019 
Valuation at 31 December 2018 

Freehold 
£m 
1,151.4 
2,563.6 

Long leasehold
£m
947.3
1,266.8

Total
£m
2,098.7
3,830.4

Properties are stated at fair value as at 31 December 2019, valued by professionally qualified external valuers. Cushman & Wakefield Debenham Tie 
Leung Limited, Chartered Surveyors, have valued the Group’s properties, excluding those held by the Group’s premium outlet investments which  
have been valued by Cushman & Wakefield LLP, Chartered Surveyors. Valuations have been prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global 
Standards based on certain assumptions as set out in note 1. Valuation fees are based on a fixed amount agreed between the Group and the valuers and 
are independent of the portfolio value. Summaries of the valuers’ reports are available on the Company’s website: www.hammerson.com. 

In the case of leasehold properties, valuations are net of any obligation to freeholders or superior leaseholders. To comply with IAS 40 and IFRS 16 
these obligations and the related leasehold assets are included in the balance sheet within ‘Obligations under head leases’ (note 22) and ‘Interests in 
leasehold properties’ respectively. Further information is provided in ‘Significant accounting policies’ on page 144. 

As noted in ‘Significant judgements and key estimates’ on page 142, real estate valuations are complex, derived from data which is not widely publicly 
available and involve a significant degree of estimation. For these reasons, and consistent with EPRA’s guidance, we have classified the valuations of  
our property portfolio as Level 3 as defined by IFRS 13.  

The total amount of interest included in development properties at 31 December 2019 was £3.8 million (2018: £1.5 million). Capitalised interest is 
calculated using the cost of secured debt or the Group’s weighted average cost of borrowings, as appropriate, and the effective rate applied in 2019 was 
2.6% (2018: 2.7%). At 31 December 2019, the historical cost of investment and development properties was £2,698.6 million (2018: £3,145.9 million). 

Included within investment properties at 31 December 2019 is £30.3 million relating to the onsite development of Italik on which contracts have been 
exchanged for a forward sale 18 months after completion, which is due in Q4 2020. 

Since the year end, the Group has completed the sale of Abbey Retail Park for £33 million and exchanged unconditional contracts for the sale of seven 
retail parks for net proceeds of £395 million as detailed in note 29. 

Joint operations 
At 31 December 2019, investment properties included properties with a value of £199.5 million (2018: £215.1million) held within joint operations which 
are jointly controlled and proportionally consolidated. The Hammerson ICAV acquired a 50% interest in the Ilac Centre, Dublin in December 2016 and 
at 31 December 2019 a co-ownership agreement was in place with Irish Life Assurance plc, the holder of the remaining 50% interest. The Hammerson 
ICAV also holds a 50% interest in Pavilions, Swords, acquired in September 2017 and at 31 December 2019 a Co-ownership agreement was in place with 
Irish Life Assurance plc.  

160   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

160

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

Valuation at 1 January 

Exchange adjustment 

Additions   – Asset acquisitions 

– Capital expenditure 

Transfer to investment in joint ventures (note 14D) 

Transfer to investments in associates  

Disposals  

Capitalised interest  

Reclassification on completion of developments  

Revaluation (losses)/gains – continuing operations 

Revaluation (losses)/gains – discontinued operations 

Valuation at 31 December – total portfolio 

Less: transfer to assets held for sale* 

Valuation at 31 December  

£431.6 million as disclosed in note 10D. 

Analysis of properties by tenure 

Valuation at 31 December 2019 

Valuation at 31 December 2018 

Investment 

Development 

properties 

properties 

£m

£m

Investment 

properties  

Development 

properties 

£m 

£m

389.7

3,830.4

4,348.9 

337.2

4,686.1

(17.3)

(112.9) 

2019

Total

£m

0.9

77.0

77.9

–

(121.1) 

2.8

–

0.9

47.1

48.0

–

–

2.3

–

(5.5)

(643.0) 

(631.3) 

(62.5)

(294.7) 

– 

(117.5) 

(62.5)

(412.2) 

354.7

2,621.9

3,440.7 

(3.2)

(523.2) 

– 

20.3 

11.5 

70.7 

82.2 

(235.7) 

– 

0.2 

39.5 

(61.8) 

(121.6) 

(183.4) 

2018

Total

£m

22.8

11.9

136.1

148.0

(235.7)

(631.3)

–

1.9

–

(41.4)

(120.0)

(161.4)

3,830.4

–

2.5

0.4

65.4

65.8

–

–

–

1.7

(39.5)

20.4

1.6

22.0

389.7

–

351.5

2,098.7

3,440.7 

389.7

3,830.4

3,440.7

(95.6)

29.9

29.9

–

–

(121.1)

(637.5)

0.5

–

(232.2)

(117.5)

(349.7)

2,267.2

(520.0)

1,747.2

Freehold 

Long leasehold

£m 

1,151.4 

2,563.6 

£m

947.3

1,266.8

Total

£m

2,098.7

3,830.4

*   On 31 December 2019, properties valued at £523.2 million were transferred to assets held for sale and subsequently impaired by £91.6 million, resulting in a carrying value of  

Properties are stated at fair value as at 31 December 2019, valued by professionally qualified external valuers. Cushman & Wakefield Debenham Tie 

Leung Limited, Chartered Surveyors, have valued the Group’s properties, excluding those held by the Group’s premium outlet investments which  

have been valued by Cushman & Wakefield LLP, Chartered Surveyors. Valuations have been prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global 

Standards based on certain assumptions as set out in note 1. Valuation fees are based on a fixed amount agreed between the Group and the valuers and 

are independent of the portfolio value. Summaries of the valuers’ reports are available on the Company’s website: www.hammerson.com. 

In the case of leasehold properties, valuations are net of any obligation to freeholders or superior leaseholders. To comply with IAS 40 and IFRS 16 

these obligations and the related leasehold assets are included in the balance sheet within ‘Obligations under head leases’ (note 22) and ‘Interests in 

leasehold properties’ respectively. Further information is provided in ‘Significant accounting policies’ on page 144. 

our property portfolio as Level 3 as defined by IFRS 13.  

The total amount of interest included in development properties at 31 December 2019 was £3.8 million (2018: £1.5 million). Capitalised interest is 

calculated using the cost of secured debt or the Group’s weighted average cost of borrowings, as appropriate, and the effective rate applied in 2019 was 

2.6% (2018: 2.7%). At 31 December 2019, the historical cost of investment and development properties was £2,698.6 million (2018: £3,145.9 million). 

Included within investment properties at 31 December 2019 is £30.3 million relating to the onsite development of Italik on which contracts have been 

exchanged for a forward sale 18 months after completion, which is due in Q4 2020. 

Since the year end, the Group has completed the sale of Abbey Retail Park for £33 million and exchanged unconditional contracts for the sale of seven 

retail parks for net proceeds of £395 million as detailed in note 29. 

Joint operations 

At 31 December 2019, investment properties included properties with a value of £199.5 million (2018: £215.1million) held within joint operations which 

are jointly controlled and proportionally consolidated. The Hammerson ICAV acquired a 50% interest in the Ilac Centre, Dublin in December 2016 and 

at 31 December 2019 a co-ownership agreement was in place with Irish Life Assurance plc, the holder of the remaining 50% interest. The Hammerson 

ICAV also holds a 50% interest in Pavilions, Swords, acquired in September 2017 and at 31 December 2019 a Co-ownership agreement was in place with 

Irish Life Assurance plc.  

13: Investment and development properties 

14: Investment in joint ventures 

The Group has investments in a number of jointly controlled property and corporate interests, which have been equity accounted under IFRS in the 
consolidated financial statements.  

As explained in the Financial review on page 50, management reviews the business principally on a proportionally consolidated basis, except for its 
premium outlet investments. The Group’s share of assets and liabilities of joint ventures is split between Property joint ventures, being joint ventures 
which are proportionally consolidated, and VIA Outlets, a premium outlets investment, which is not proportionally consolidated. The Group’s 
significant joint venture interests are set out in the table below. Further details of the Group’s interests in joint ventures are shown in note G on pages 
188 and 189.  

Partner 

Principal propertyA 

Group share
%

United Kingdom 
Bishopsgate Goodsyard Regeneration Limited 
Brent Cross Partnership 
Brent South Shopping ParkB 
Bristol Alliance Limited Partnership 
Croydon Limited Partnership/Whitgift Limited Partnership 
Grand Central Limited Partnership 
Highcross Leicester Limited Partnership 

Silverburn Unit TrustC 
The Bull Ring Limited Partnership 
The Oracle Limited Partnership 
The West Quay Limited Partnership 
VIA Limited PartnershipC 
Ireland 
Dundrum Retail Limited Partnership / 
Dundrum Car Park Limited Partnership 
France 
SCI ESQ  
SCI RC Aulnay 1 and SCI RC Aulnay 2 

Ballymore Properties 
Aberdeen Standard Investments 
Aberdeen Standard Investments 
AXA Real Estate  
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield 
CPPIB 
Asian investor introduced by  
M&G Real Estate 
CPPIB 
Nuveen, CPPIB 
ADIA 
GIC 
APG 

The Goodsyard 
Brent Cross 
Brent South 
Cabot Circus 
Centrale/Whitgift 
Grand Central 
Highcross 

Silverburn 
Bullring 
The Oracle 
Westquay 
VIA Outlets 

Allianz 

Dundrum 

Allianz 
Client of Rockspring Property 
Investment Managers 

Espace Saint-Quentin 
O’Parinor 

50
41
41
50
50
50
50

50
50
50
50
50

50

25
25

A.  The names of the principal properties operated by each partnership have been used in the summary income statements and balance sheets in note 14A. The two Dundrum 

partnerships are presented together as the ‘Dundrum’. The Goodsyard, Espace Saint-Quentin and O’Parinor are presented together as ‘Other’. 

B.  Brent South Shopping Park is classified as a discontinued operation in both 2018 and 2019 and its share of results are shown in note 10B. At 31 December 2019, the Group’s investment 
in Brent South Shopping Park was reclassified as ‘assets held for sale’ as detailed in note 10D. The share of assets and liabilities for 2018 are included in investment in joint ventures in 
note 14B. 

C. Registered in Jersey (see note G on page 189). 

As noted in ‘Significant judgements and key estimates’ on page 142, real estate valuations are complex, derived from data which is not widely publicly 

available and involve a significant degree of estimation. For these reasons, and consistent with EPRA’s guidance, we have classified the valuations of  

The Reported Group’s investment in joint ventures at 31 December 2019 was £3,017.1 million (2018: £3,604.5 million). An analysis of the movements  
in the year is provided in note 14D on page 166.  

The following footnotes apply to the summarised income statements and balance sheets in note 14A which show 100% of the results, assets and 
liabilities of joint ventures, and where appropriate have been restated to the Group’s accounting policies and exclude all balances which are eliminated 
on consolidation.  

1.  In addition to the distributions payable, the Group received interest from its joint ventures of £12.3 million (2018: £10.3 million). See note 28A.  
2.  Included within the 100% cash and deposits figures are balances of £5.0 million (2018: £4.1 million) and £7.2 million (2018: £4.5 million) in respect of Highcross and Dundrum 

respectively, which are classed as ‘restricted’ under the terms of the loan agreements. 

3.  The Group and its partners invest in joint ventures principally by way of equity investment. To provide further clarity of this investment, those balances which are not equity have been 

included within other payables as a liability of the joint venture, and the Group’s interest has been shown separately. 

4.  In September 2019, the Group acquired an additional 3.125% stake in VIA Outlets for €32 .1 million (£29.0 million), resulting in the recognition of goodwill of €6.8 million  

(£6.1 million) and increasing its ownership share from 46.875% to 50%. 

160   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 161
www.hammerson.com  161 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

A. Summary financial statements of joint ventures 
Share of results of joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 2019 

See page 161 for footnotes. 

Ownership (%) 
Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains 
Revaluation (losses)/gains on properties 
Operating (loss)/profit 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Translation movement on intragroup funding loan 
Other finance (costs)/income 
Net finance (costs)/income 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Current tax charge 
Deferred tax charge 
(Loss)/Profit for the year 
Hammerson share of (loss)/profit for the year 
Hammerson share of distributions payable1 

Brent Cross
£m
41
39.2
36.0
(0.1)
35.9
(196.3)
(160.4)
–
–
(0.4)
(0.4)
(160.8)
–
–
(160.8)
(65.3)
16.7

Cabot Circus
£m
50
35.5
29.9
–
29.9
(107.1)
(77.2)
–
–
(0.7)
(0.7)
(77.9)
–
–
(77.9)
(38.9)
21.6

Bullring
£m
50
55.0
46.1
–
46.1
(189.0)
(142.9)
–
–
–
–
(142.9)
–
–
(142.9)
(71.4)
24.0

Share of assets and liabilities of joint ventures as at 31 December 2019 

Non-current assets 
Investment and development properties  
Goodwill 
Other non-current assets 

Current assets 
Other current assets 
Cash and deposits2 

Current liabilities 
Other payables 
Loans – secured 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans – secured 
Derivative financial instruments 
Obligations under head leases 
Other payables 
Deferred tax 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

Hammerson share of net assets/(liabilities) 
Balance due to Hammerson3 
Total investment in joint ventures 

Brent Cross
£m

Cabot Circus 
£m

Bullring 
£m

754.4
–
12.8
767.2

8.7
9.4
18.1

(15.2)
–
(15.2)

–
–
(12.8)
(0.4)
–
(13.2)
756.9

307.4
–
307.4

470.2
–
13.8
484.0

6.7
15.9
22.6

(13.4)
–
(13.4)

–
–
(14.1)
(0.7)
–
(14.8)
478.4
239.2
239.2
–
239.2

961.2
–
–
961.2

16.4
12.7
29.1

(24.4)
–
(24.4)

–
–
–
(1.5)
–
(1.5)
964.4
482.2
482.2
–
482.2

Grand 
Central 
£m 
50 
11.3 
9.1 
(0.1) 
9.0 
(83.1) 
(74.1) 
– 
– 
(0.1) 
(0.1) 
(74.2) 
– 
– 
(74.2) 
(37.1) 
5.1 

Grand 
Central 
£m 

203.8 
– 
2.7 
206.5 

5.0 
9.1 
14.1 

(7.0) 
– 
(7.0) 

– 
– 
(2.8) 
(0.7) 
– 
(3.5) 
210.1 
10 
105.0 
– 
105.0 

The Oracle
£m
50
33.1
28.0
–
28.0
(120.1)
(92.1)
–
–
–
–
(92.1)
(0.2)
–
(92.3)
(46.1)
14.9

Westquay
£m
50
34.6
26.8
–
26.8
(124.8)
(98.0)
–
–
(0.3)
(0.3)
(98.3)
–
–
(98.3)
(49.1)
5.3

The Oracle 
£m

Westquay 
£m

454.1
–
–
454.1

7.3
4.1
11.4

(10.7)
–
(10.7)

–
–
–
(1.4)
(0.2)
(1.6)
453.2

226.6
–
226.6

530.6
–
4.2
534.8

6.7
4.8
11.5

(11.3)
–
(11.3)

–
–
(4.2)
(697.5)
–
(701.7)
(166.7)

(83.3)
348.2
264.9

162   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

A. Summary financial statements of joint ventures 

Share of results of joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 2019 

See page 161 for footnotes. 

Ownership (%) 

Gross rental income 

Net rental income 

Administration expenses 

Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains 

Revaluation (losses)/gains on properties 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Translation movement on intragroup funding loan 

Other finance (costs)/income 

Net finance (costs)/income 

(Loss)/Profit before tax 

Current tax charge 

Deferred tax charge 

(Loss)/Profit for the year 

Hammerson share of (loss)/profit for the year 

Hammerson share of distributions payable1 

Non-current assets 

Investment and development properties  

Goodwill 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Other current assets 

Cash and deposits2 

Current liabilities 

Other payables 

Loans – secured 

Non-current liabilities 

Loans – secured 

Derivative financial instruments 

Obligations under head leases 

Other payables 

Deferred tax 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

Brent Cross

Cabot Circus

Bullring

The Oracle

Westquay

£m

41

39.2

36.0

(0.1)

35.9

(196.3)

(160.4)

£m

50

35.5

29.9

–

29.9

(107.1)

(77.2)

£m

50

55.0

46.1

–

46.1

(189.0)

(142.9)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.4)

(0.4)

(0.7)

(0.7)

(160.8)

(77.9)

(142.9)

(160.8)

(65.3)

16.7

(77.9)

(38.9)

21.6

(142.9)

(71.4)

24.0

Grand 

Central 

£m 

50 

11.3 

9.1 

(0.1) 

9.0 

(83.1) 

(74.1) 

(0.1) 

(0.1) 

(74.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(74.2) 

(37.1) 

5.1 

Grand 

Central 

£m 

– 

2.7 

5.0 

9.1 

14.1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(2.8) 

(0.7) 

(3.5) 

210.1 

10 

105.0 

– 

£m

50

33.1

28.0

–

28.0

(120.1)

(92.1)

(92.1)

(0.2)

(92.3)

(46.1)

14.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1.4)

(0.2)

(1.6)

453.2

226.6

–

£m

50

34.6

26.8

–

26.8

(124.8)

(98.0)

–

–

–

–

(0.3)

(0.3)

(98.3)

(98.3)

(49.1)

5.3

–

4.2

6.7

4.8

11.5

–

–

–

–

(4.2)

(697.5)

(701.7)

(166.7)

(83.3)

348.2

264.9

754.4

470.2

961.2

203.8 

454.1

530.6

961.2

206.5 

454.1

534.8

16.4

12.7

29.1

7.3

4.1

11.4

(15.2)

(13.4)

(24.4)

(7.0) 

(10.7)

(11.3)

(15.2)

(13.4)

(24.4)

(7.0) 

(10.7)

(11.3)

–

12.8

767.2

8.7

9.4

18.1

–

–

–

–

(12.8)

(0.4)

(13.2)

756.9

307.4

–

–

13.8

484.0

6.7

15.9

22.6

–

–

–

–

–

(14.1)

(0.7)

(14.8)

478.4

239.2

239.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1.5)

(1.5)

964.4

482.2

482.2

–

Hammerson share of net assets/(liabilities) 

Balance due to Hammerson3 

Total investment in joint ventures 

307.4

239.2

482.2

105.0 

226.6

Silverburn 
£m 
50 
21.1 
19.0 
(0.1) 
18.9 
(80.1) 
(61.2) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(61.2) 
– 
– 
(61.2) 
(30.6) 
6.2 

Croydon 
£m  
50 
21.1 
13.0 
(0.1) 
12.9 
(57.2) 
(44.3) 
– 
– 
0.2 
0.2 
(44.1) 
(0.4) 
– 
(44.5) 
(22.2) 
– 

Highcross 
£m 
50 
28.9 
22.6 
(0.1) 
22.5 
(81.2) 
(58.7) 
(2.6) 
– 
(5.1) 
(7.7) 
(66.4) 
– 
– 
(66.4) 
(33.2) 
4.6 

Dundrum
£m
50
61.6
54.5
(0.4)
54.1
(134.5)
(80.4)
(2.5)
–
(10.7)
(13.2)
(93.6)
–
–
(93.6)
(46.8)
18.0

VIA Outlets
£m
50
94.9
66.4
(13.6)
52.8
60.3
113.1
(2.0)
0.6
(17.2)
(18.6)
94.5
(5.3)
(18.2)
71.0
34.3
–

Share of assets and liabilities of joint ventures as at 31 December 2019 

Brent Cross

Cabot Circus 

£m

£m

Bullring 

£m

The Oracle 

Westquay 

£m

£m

Silverburn 
£m 

Croydon 
£m  

Highcross 
£m 

Dundrum
£m

VIA Outlets
£m

238.8 
– 
– 
238.8 

6.3 
5.9 
12.2 

(7.4) 
– 
(7.4) 

– 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
– 
(0.2) 
243.4 

121.7 
– 
121.7 

316.8 
– 
– 
316.8 

82.4 
20.9 
103.3 

(15.1) 
– 
(15.1) 

– 
– 
– 
(68.1) 
– 
(68.1) 
336.9 
168.4 
168.4 
26.0 
194.4 

391.8 
– 
– 
391.8 

8.7 
13.9 
22.6 

(12.5) 
– 
(12.5) 

(163.9) 
(4.0) 
– 
(2.1) 
– 
(170.0) 
231.9 
11.0 
115.9 
– 
115.9 

1,370.8
–
0.8
1,371.6

1,386.9
–
11.9
1,398.8

17.2
26.4
43.6

(16.4)
–
(16.4)

(526.6)
(3.8)
–
(14.1)
–
(544.5)
854.3

427.1
6.6
433.7

29.7
59.4
89.1

(47.2)
(6.6)
(53.8)

(527.9)
(8.0)
–
(12.3)
(138.4)
(686.6)
747.5

379.0
–
379.0

100%

Total
2019
£m

Hammerson share

Property joint  
ventures 
£m 

VIA Outlets4
£m 

Total
2019
£m

468.9
380.3
(14.6)
365.7
(1,205.5)
(839.8)
(7.1)
0.6
(37.2)
(43.7)
(883.5)
(6.0)
(18.2)
(907.7)
(423.0)
116.9

100%

Total
2019
£m

7,725.3
–
46.2
7,771.5

206.3
201.0
407.3

(190.1)
(6.6)
(196.7)

(1,405.1)
(15.8)
(33.9)
(978.7)
(138.6)
(2,572.1)
5,410.0

2,573.4
443.7
3,017.1

175.3 
146.4 
(0.5) 
145.9 
(591.5) 
(445.6) 
(2.6) 
– 
(8.8) 
(11.4) 
(457.0) 
(0.3) 
– 

45.6
31.8
(6.5)
25.3
29.1
54.4
(0.9)
0.3
(8.2)
(8.8)
45.6
(2.5)
(8.8)

220.9
178.2
(7.0)
171.2
(562.4)
(391.2)
(3.5)
0.3
(17.0)
(20.2)
(411.4)
(2.8)
(8.8)

(457.3) 

34.3

(423.0)

Hammerson share

Property joint  
ventures 
£m 

VIA Outlets4
£m 

2,964.6 
– 
18.2 
2,982.8 

78.0 
65.3 
143.3 

(69.0) 
– 
(69.0) 

(391.9) 
(3.9) 
(15.8) 
(7.3) 
(0.1) 
(419.0) 

693.5
8.9
6.0
708.4

11.1
29.7
40.8

(23.6)
(3.3)
(26.9)

(263.9)
(4.0)
–
(6.2)
(69.2)
(343.3)

Total
2019
£m

3,658.1
8.9
24.2
3,691.2

89.1
95.0
184.1

(92.6)
(3.3)
(95.9)

(655.8)
(7.9)
(15.8)
(13.5)
(69.3)
(762.3)

2,638.1 

379.0

3,017.1

Other
£m
various
32.6
28.9
(0.1)
28.8
(92.4)
(63.6)
–
–
(2.9)
(2.9)
(66.5)
(0.1)
–
(66.6)
(16.6)
0.5

Other
£m

645.9
–
–
645.9

11.2
18.5
29.7

(9.5)
–
(9.5)

(186.7)
–
–
(179.7)
–
(366.4)
299.7
84.2
84.2
62.9
147.1

162   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 163
www.hammerson.com  163 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

A. Summary financial statements of joint ventures 
Share of results of joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 2018 

See page 161 for footnotes. 

Ownership (%) 

Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains 
Revaluation (losses)/gains on properties 
Operating (loss)/profit 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Translation movement on intragroup funding loan 
Other finance (costs)/income 
Net finance (costs)/income 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Current tax charge 
Deferred tax credit 
(Loss)/Profit for the year 

Hammerson share of (loss)/profit for the year 
Hammerson share of distributions payable1 

Brent Cross
£m

Cabot Circus
£m

41

41.2
37.4
–
37.4
(47.7)
(10.3)
–
–
(0.1)
(0.1)
(10.4)
–
–
(10.4)

(4.2)
0.2

50

38.1
32.6
–
32.6
(77.0)
(44.4)
–
–
(0.7)
(0.7)
(45.1)
–
–
(45.1)

(22.6)
9.8

Bullring
£m

50

58.8
51.2
–
51.2
(118.7)
(67.5)
–
–
–
–
(67.5)
–
–
(67.5)

(33.7)
27.2

Share of assets and liabilities of joint ventures as at 31 December 2018 

Non-current assets 
Investment and development properties  
Goodwill 
Other non-current assets 

Current assets 
Other current assets 
Cash and deposits2 

Current liabilities 
Other payables 
Loans – secured 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans – secured 
Derivative financial instruments 
Obligations under head leases 
Other payables 
Deferred tax 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

Hammerson share of net assets/(liabilities) 
Balance due to Hammerson3 
Total investment in joint ventures 

Brent Cross
£m

Cabot Circus 
£m

Bullring 
£m

1,026.3
–
12.8
1,039.1

9.6
18.0
27.6

(17.4)
–
(17.4)

–
–
(12.8)
(1.3)
–
(14.1)
1,035.2

420.3
–
420.3

574.1
–
13.9
588.0

6.3
15.9
22.2

(12.7)
–
(12.7)

–
–
(13.9)
(0.6)
–
(14.5)
583.0

291.5
–
291.5

1,145.9
–
–
1,145.9

12.8
19.2
32.0

(21.7)
–
(21.7)

–
–
–
(1.4)
–
(1.4)
1,154.8

577.4
–
577.4

Grand  
Central 
£m 

50 

12.0 
11.0 
– 
11.0 
(62.8) 
(51.8) 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
(0.2) 
(52.0) 
– 
– 
(52.0) 

(26.0) 
– 

Grand  
Central 
£m 

283.2 
– 
2.7 
285.9 

4.7 
13.7 
18.4 

(6.2) 
– 
(6.2) 

– 
– 
(2.7) 
(0.6) 
– 
(3.3) 
294.8 

147.4 
– 
147.4 

The Oracle
£m

Westquay
£m

50

32.8
28.1
–
28.1
(121.3)
(93.2)
–
–
–
–
(93.2)
–
–
(93.2)

(46.6)
6.2

50

36.2
28.6
–
28.6
(50.2)
(21.6)
–
–
(0.4)
(0.4)
(22.0)
–
–
(22.0)

(11.0)
–

The Oracle 
£m

Westquay 
£m

573.5
–
–
573.5

6.5
9.6
16.1

(11.7)
–
(11.7)

–
–
–
(1.1)
(0.2)
(1.3)
576.6

288.3
–
288.3

654.5
–
4.2
658.7

8.8
8.8
17.6

(12.4)
–
(12.4)

–
–
(4.2)
(697.7)
–
(701.9)
(38.0)

(19.0)
348.2
329.2

164   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

164

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brent Cross

Cabot Circus

Bullring

The Oracle

Westquay

Silverburn 
£m 

Croydon 
£m  

Highcross 
£m 

Dundrum
£m

VIA Outlets
£m

Other
£m

47

various

Notes to the financial statements continued 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

A. Summary financial statements of joint ventures 

Share of results of joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 2018 

See page 161 for footnotes. 

Ownership (%) 

Gross rental income 

Net rental income 

Administration expenses 

Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains 

Revaluation (losses)/gains on properties 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Translation movement on intragroup funding loan 

Other finance (costs)/income 

Net finance (costs)/income 

(Loss)/Profit before tax 

Current tax charge 

Deferred tax credit 

(Loss)/Profit for the year 

Hammerson share of (loss)/profit for the year 

Hammerson share of distributions payable1 

Non-current assets 

Investment and development properties  

Goodwill 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Other current assets 

Cash and deposits2 

Current liabilities 

Other payables 

Loans – secured 

Non-current liabilities 

Loans – secured 

Derivative financial instruments 

Obligations under head leases 

Other payables 

Deferred tax 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

Hammerson share of net assets/(liabilities) 

Balance due to Hammerson3 

Total investment in joint ventures 

£m

41

41.2

37.4

–

37.4

(47.7)

(10.3)

–

–

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(10.4)

(10.4)

(4.2)

0.2

1,026.3

–

12.8

1,039.1

9.6

18.0

27.6

–

–

–

–

–

(12.8)

(1.3)

(14.1)

1,035.2

420.3

420.3

£m

50

38.1

32.6

–

32.6

(77.0)

(44.4)

(0.7)

(0.7)

(45.1)

–

–

–

–

(45.1)

(22.6)

9.8

574.1

–

13.9

588.0

6.3

15.9

22.2

–

–

–

–

(13.9)

(0.6)

(14.5)

583.0

291.5

–

291.5

£m

50

58.8

51.2

–

51.2

(118.7)

(67.5)

(67.5)

(67.5)

(33.7)

27.2

12.8

19.2

32.0

(1.4)

(1.4)

1,154.8

577.4

–

577.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Grand  

Central 

£m 

50 

12.0 

11.0 

– 

11.0 

(62.8) 

(51.8) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.2) 

(0.2) 

(52.0) 

(52.0) 

(26.0) 

Grand  

Central 

£m 

– 

2.7 

4.7 

13.7 

18.4 

(6.2) 

– 

(6.2) 

– 

– 

– 

(2.7) 

(0.6) 

(3.3) 

294.8 

147.4 

– 

147.4 

£m

50

32.8

28.1

–

28.1

(121.3)

(93.2)

(93.2)

(93.2)

(46.6)

6.2

6.5

9.6

16.1

(1.1)

(0.2)

(1.3)

576.6

288.3

–

288.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

£m

50

36.2

28.6

–

28.6

(50.2)

(21.6)

–

–

–

–

–

(0.4)

(0.4)

(22.0)

(22.0)

(11.0)

–

4.2

8.8

8.8

17.6

–

–

–

–

(4.2)

(697.7)

(701.9)

(38.0)

(19.0)

348.2

329.2

(17.4)

(12.7)

(21.7)

(11.7)

(12.4)

(17.4)

(12.7)

(21.7)

(11.7)

(12.4)

1,145.9

283.2 

573.5

654.5

1,145.9

285.9 

573.5

658.7

Share of assets and liabilities of joint ventures as at 31 December 2018 

Brent Cross

Cabot Circus 

£m

£m

Bullring 

£m

The Oracle 

Westquay 

£m

£m

Silverburn 
£m 

Croydon 
£m  

Highcross 
£m 

Dundrum
£m

VIA Outlets
£m

312.1 
– 
0.2 
312.3 

5.7 
7.4 
13.1 

(7.2) 
– 
(7.2) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
318.2 

159.1 
– 
159.1 

373.7 
– 
– 
373.7 

67.8 
17.8 
85.6 

(22.2) 
– 
(22.2) 

– 
– 
– 
(53.5) 
– 
(53.5) 
383.6 

191.8 
26.7 
218.5 

470.7 
– 
– 
470.7 

5.8 
5.5 
11.3 

(12.3) 
– 
(12.3) 

(163.6) 
(1.3) 
– 
– 
– 
(164.9) 
304.8 

152.4 
– 
152.4 

1,580.7
–
0.7
1,581.4

16.6
19.5
36.1

(14.7)
–
(14.7)

(556.6)
(1.5)
–
(0.9)
–
(559.0)
1,043.8

521.9
–
521.9

1,354.6
–
7.0
1,361.6

23.9
70.7
94.6

(33.5)
(68.4)
(101.9)

(518.7)
(6.6)
–
(6.6)
(127.4)
(659.3)
695.0

326.3
–
326.3

50 

21.2 
19.4 
(0.1) 
19.3 
(25.8) 
(6.5) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(6.5) 
– 
– 
(6.5) 

(3.2) 
10.6 

50 

24.6 
16.0 
(0.1) 
15.9 
(2.1) 
13.8 
– 
– 
0.1 
0.1 
13.9 
(0.1) 
– 
13.8 

6.9 
– 

50 

3.3 
2.8 
– 
2.8 
(1.4) 
1.4 
(1.4) 
– 
(0.4) 
(1.8) 
(0.4) 
– 
– 
(0.4) 

(0.2) 
– 

50

66.5
60.2
(0.2)
60.0
4.5
64.5
(1.5)
–
(10.8)
(12.3)
52.2
–
–
52.2

26.1
16.8

90.7
68.0
(15.4)
52.6
23.9
76.5
(4.6)
(0.2)
(15.7)
(20.5)
56.0
(4.8)
1.1
52.3

24.6
62.2

100%

Total
2018
£m

458.6
383.9
(15.9)
368.0
(559.7)
(191.7)
(7.5)
(0.2)
(31.1)
(38.8)
(230.5)
(5.0)
1.1
(234.4)

(103.7)
133.6

100%

Total
2018
£m

9,117.2
–
41.5
9,158.7

181.2
221.9
403.1

(183.0)
(68.4)
(251.4)

(1,435.8)
(9.4)
(33.6)
(952.8)
(127.6)
(2,559.2)
6,751.2

3,166.6
437.9
3,604.5

Property joint  
ventures 
£m 

VIA Outlets
£m

172.1 
147.5 
(0.2) 
147.3 
(267.1) 
(119.8) 
(1.4) 
– 
(7.0) 
(8.4) 
(128.2) 
(0.1) 
– 

42.6
31.9
(7.2)
24.7
11.2
35.9
(2.2)
(0.1)
(7.4)
(9.7)
26.2
(2.2)
0.6

Hammerson share

Total
2018
£m

214.7
179.4
(7.4)
172.0
(255.9)
(83.9)
(3.6)
(0.1)
(14.4)
(18.1)
(102.0)
(2.3)
0.6

(128.3) 

24.6

(103.7)

Property joint  
ventures 
£m 

VIA Outlets
£m

3,619.8 
– 
16.2 
3,636.0 

75.4 
70.0 
145.4 

(71.0) 
– 
(71.0) 

(409.3) 
(1.4) 
(15.6) 
(5.9) 
– 
(432.2) 

635.8
3.6
3.4
642.8

7.7
33.2
40.9

(15.8)
(32.0)
(47.8)

(243.6)
(3.1)
–
(3.1)
(59.8)
(309.6)

Hammerson share

Total
2018
£m

4,255.6
3.6
19.6
4,278.8

83.1
103.2
186.3

(86.8)
(32.0)
(118.8)

(652.9)
(4.5)
(15.6)
(9.0)
(59.8)
(741.8)

3,278.2 

326.3

3,604.5

33.2
28.6
(0.1)
28.5
(81.1)
(52.6)
–
–
(2.9)
(2.9)
(55.5)
(0.1)
–
(55.6)

(13.8)
0.6

Other
£m

767.9
–
–
767.9

12.7
15.8
28.5

(11.0)
–
(11.0)

(196.9)
–
–
(189.1)
–
(386.0)
399.4

109.2
63.0
172.2

164   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 165
www.hammerson.com  165 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

B. Reconciliation to adjusted earnings 

(Loss)/Profit for the year  
Revaluation losses/(gains) on properties  
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Translation movements on intragroup funding loan2 
Deferred tax charge 
Total adjustments 
Adjusted earnings  

Property  
joint 
ventures1 
£m 
(457.3)
591.5
2.6
–
–
594.1
136.8

VIA 
Outlets
£m
34.3
(29.1)
0.9
(0.3)
8.8
(19.7)
14.6

Total
2019
£m
(423.0)
562.4
3.5
(0.3)
8.8
574.4
151.4

Property  
 joint  
ventures1 
£m  
(128.3) 
267.1 
1.4 
– 
– 
268.5 
140.2 

VIA
 Outlets
£m
24.6
(11.2)
2.2
0.1
(0.6)
(9.5)
15.1

Total
2018
£m
(103.7)
255.9
3.6
0.1
(0.6)
259.0
155.3

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10B for details of discontinued operations.  
2.  Foreign exchange differences on intragroup loan balances which are either commercially hedged or arise upon retranslation of euro-denominated loans between entities with 

different functional currencies from the euro-denominated VIA Outlets group. These exchange differences do not give rise to any cash flow exposures in the VIA Outlets group and 
are therefore excluded from the Group’s adjusted earnings.  

C. Reconciliation to adjusted investment in joint ventures 

Investment in joint ventures 
Fair value of derivatives 
Deferred tax 
Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 
Total adjustments 
Adjusted investment 

Property 
joint 
ventures1
£m 
2,638.1
3.9
0.1
–
4.0
2,642.1

VIA 
Outlets
£m
379.0
4.0
69.2
(7.4)
65.8
444.8

Total
2019
£m
3,017.1
7.9
69.3
(7.4)
69.8
3,086.9

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10D for details of discontinued operations.  

D. Reconciliation of movements in investment in joint ventures 

Balance at 1 January 
Share of results of joint ventures  
Acquisition 
Advances 
Distributions and other receivables 
Transfer of investment property from Reported Group2 
Funds from financing transferred to Reported Group3 
Transfer to assets held for sale4 
Exchange and other movements 
Balance at 31 December 

Property 
joint 
ventures1
£m 
3,278.2
(457.3)
–
19.7
(139.2)
–
–
(25.1)
(38.2)
2,638.1

VIA 
Outlets
£m
326.3
34.3
29.0
9.4
–
–
–
–
(20.0)
379.0

Total
2019
£m
3,604.5
(423.0)
29.0
29.1
(139.2)
–
–
(25.1)
(58.2)
3,017.1

Property 
 joint  
ventures  
£m 
3,278.2 
1.4 
– 
– 
1.4 
3,279.6 

Property 
 joint  
ventures  
£m 
3,312.4 
(128.3) 
– 
30.0 
(98.6) 
235.7 
(81.9) 
– 
8.9 
3,278.2 

VIA
 Outlets
£m
326.3
3.1
59.8
(3.6)
59.3
385.6

VIA
 Outlets
£m
361.3
24.6
–
–
(62.2)
–
–
–
2.6
326.3

Total
2018
£m
3,604.5
4.5
59.8
(3.6)
60.7
3,665.2

Total
2018
£m
3,673.7
(103.7)
–
30.0
(160.8)
235.7
(81.9)
–
11.5
3,604.5

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10D for details of discontinued operations.  
2.  In 2018, the Group sold a 50% investment in Highcross for £235.7 million. The total is shown separately in note 13 on page 160 as a transfer to investment in joint ventures. 
3.  Finance raised in 2018, and secured on Highcross, was used to repay intragroup debt due to the Reported Group. This finance is classified as ‘loans - secured’ and included in  

non-current liabilities within the 100% results for Highcross in note 14A on page 163. 

4.  The Group’s investment in Brent South Shopping Park was transferred to assets held for sale and subsequently impaired by £0.4 million, to £24.7 million (see note 10D). 

166   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

166

 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10B for details of discontinued operations.  

2.  Foreign exchange differences on intragroup loan balances which are either commercially hedged or arise upon retranslation of euro-denominated loans between entities with 

different functional currencies from the euro-denominated VIA Outlets group. These exchange differences do not give rise to any cash flow exposures in the VIA Outlets group and 

are therefore excluded from the Group’s adjusted earnings.  

C. Reconciliation to adjusted investment in joint ventures 

14: Investment in joint ventures continued 

B. Reconciliation to adjusted earnings 

(Loss)/Profit for the year  

Revaluation losses/(gains) on properties  

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Translation movements on intragroup funding loan2 

Deferred tax charge 

Total adjustments 

Adjusted earnings  

Investment in joint ventures 

Fair value of derivatives 

Deferred tax 

Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 

Total adjustments 

Adjusted investment 

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10D for details of discontinued operations.  

D. Reconciliation of movements in investment in joint ventures 

Balance at 1 January 

Share of results of joint ventures  

Acquisition 

Advances 

Distributions and other receivables 

Transfer of investment property from Reported Group2 

Funds from financing transferred to Reported Group3 

Transfer to assets held for sale4 

Exchange and other movements 

Balance at 31 December 

2,638.1

379.0

3,017.1

3,278.2 

3,604.5

ventures1 

Outlets

Property  

joint 

£m 

(457.3)

591.5

2.6

–

–

594.1

136.8

VIA 

£m

34.3

(29.1)

0.9

(0.3)

8.8

(19.7)

14.6

Total

2019

£m

(423.0)

562.4

3.5

(0.3)

8.8

574.4

151.4

Property  

 joint  

ventures1 

£m  

(128.3) 

267.1 

1.4 

– 

– 

268.5 

140.2 

Property 

joint 

£m 

ventures1

Outlets

VIA 

£m

4.0

69.2

(7.4)

65.8

Total

2019

£m

7.9

69.3

(7.4)

69.8

3.9

0.1

–

4.0

3,278.2

326.3

3,604.5

Property 

joint 

£m 

ventures1

Outlets

VIA 

£m

(457.3)

19.7

(139.2)

–

–

–

(25.1)

(38.2)

2,638.1

34.3

29.0

9.4

–

–

–

–

(20.0)

379.0

Total

2019

£m

(423.0)

29.0

29.1

(139.2)

–

–

(25.1)

(58.2)

Property 

 joint  

ventures  

£m 

1.4 

– 

– 

1.4 

Property 

 joint  

ventures  

£m 

3,312.4 

(128.3) 

– 

30.0 

(98.6) 

235.7 

(81.9) 

– 

8.9 

3,017.1

3,278.2 

VIA

 Outlets

£m

24.6

(11.2)

2.2

0.1

(0.6)

(9.5)

15.1

VIA

 Outlets

£m

326.3

3.1

59.8

(3.6)

59.3

VIA

 Outlets

£m

361.3

24.6

(62.2)

–

–

–

–

–

2.6

326.3

Total

2018

£m

(103.7)

255.9

3.6

0.1

(0.6)

259.0

155.3

Total

2018

£m

4.5

59.8

(3.6)

60.7

Total

2018

£m

3,673.7

(103.7)

–

30.0

(160.8)

235.7

(81.9)

–

11.5

3,604.5

2,642.1

444.8

3,086.9

3,279.6 

385.6

3,665.2

1.  Relates to continuing operations. See note 10D for details of discontinued operations.  

2.  In 2018, the Group sold a 50% investment in Highcross for £235.7 million. The total is shown separately in note 13 on page 160 as a transfer to investment in joint ventures. 

3.  Finance raised in 2018, and secured on Highcross, was used to repay intragroup debt due to the Reported Group. This finance is classified as ‘loans - secured’ and included in  

non-current liabilities within the 100% results for Highcross in note 14A on page 163. 

4.  The Group’s investment in Brent South Shopping Park was transferred to assets held for sale and subsequently impaired by £0.4 million, to £24.7 million (see note 10D). 

15: Investment in associates 

At 31 December 2019, the Group had three associates: Value Retail PLC and its group entities (‘VR’), a 25% interest in Italie Deux and a 10% interest in 
Nicetoile. Hammerson is the asset manager for both Italie Deux and Nicetoile. On 11 December 2019 the Group disposed of a 75% share in Italie Deux, 
for €432.0 million (£363.3 million). Prior to this, the results of Italie Deux were consolidated into the Reported Group figures. Following part disposal 
the remaining 25% holding is treated as an investment in associate as the Group has significant influence but not joint control, based on the terms of  
the underlying shareholder agreement. The above three investments are equity accounted under IFRS, although the share of results in Italie Deux and 
Nicetoile are included with the Group’s Share of Property interests when presenting figures on a proportionally consolidated basis. Further details are 
provided in the Financial review on page 50. 

Summaries of aggregated income and investment for the interest in premium outlets, which includes VR and the Group’s investment in VIA Outlets, 
which is accounted for as a joint venture (see note 14), are provided in Tables 101 and 102 of the Additional disclosures on page 198.  

A: Share of results of associates 

Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net 
gains/(losses)  
Revaluation gains/(losses) on properties 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Change in fair value of derivatives* 
Change in fair value of participative loans – 
revaluation movement* 
Change in fair value of participative loans – 
other movement 
Other finance costs 
Net finance costs 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Current tax charge 
Deferred tax credit 
Profit/(loss) for the year 

VR

Hammerson
share
£m
135.7
95.1
(44.4)

50.7
170.7
221.4
(28.5)

100%
£m
404.4
277.7
(140.0)

137.7
444.4
582.1
(107.8)

Nicetoile

Hammerson
share
£m
1.5
1.3
–

1.3
(2.3)
(1.0)
–

100%
£m
15.3
13.5
–

13.5
(22.9)
(9.4)
–

Italie Deux 

Hammerson 
share 
£m 
0.3 
0.3 
– 

0.3 
(0.5) 
(0.2) 
– 

100% 
£m 
1.2 
1.2 
– 

1.2 
(2.0) 
(0.8) 
– 

2019

Total

Hammerson
share
£m
137.5
96.7
(44.4)

52.3
167.9
220.2
(28.5)

100%
£m
420.9
292.4
(140.0)

152.4
419.5
571.9
(107.8)

–

34.5

–

–

– 

– 

–

34.5

–
(59.5)
(167.3)
414.8
(15.6)
6.8
406.0

5.1
(21.0)
(9.9)
211.5
(3.3)
2.4
210.6

–
–
–
(9.4)
(0.1)
–
(9.5)

–
–
–
(1.0)
–
–
(1.0)

– 
– 
– 
(0.8) 
– 
– 
(0.8) 

– 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
– 
– 
(0.2) 

–
(59.5)
(167.3)
404.6
(15.7)
6.8
395.7

5.1
(21.0)
(9.9)
210.3
(3.3)
2.4
209.4

*  Investments in the VR Spanish villages are by way of participative loans, which are held at fair value based on the underlying net assets of the individual Villages. During the year, 

assumptions behind the fair value assessment have been revisited resulting in a change to the participative loan asset and liability. The net impact of these changes was an increase  
in the investment in associate of £3.7 million, comprising an increase in the participative loan liability of £13.4 million (included in the £28.5 million above), and a corresponding 
increase in the fair value of the participative loan asset of £17.1 million (included in the £34.5 million above). Comparative figures have not been restated. 

Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net gains /(losses) 
Revaluation gains/(losses) on properties 
Operating profit 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Change in fair value of participative loans – revaluation movement 
Change in fair value of participative loans – other movement 
Other finance costs 
Net finance costs 
Profit before tax 
Current tax charge 
Deferred tax charge 
Profit for the year 

VR

Hammerson
share
£m
117.7
81.2
(37.8)
43.4
45.0
88.4
(1.3)
2.2
3.7
(19.5)
(14.9)
73.5
(2.3)
(14.4)
56.8

100%
£m
369.6
250.7
(128.2)
122.5
174.5
297.0
(13.4)
–
–
(63.2)
(76.6)
220.4
(11.6)
(58.8)
150.0

Nicetoile 

Hammerson 
share 
£m 
1.6 
1.4 
– 
1.4 
(0.5) 
0.9 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.9 
– 
– 
0.9 

100% 
£m 
16.3 
14.0 
– 
14.0 
(4.7) 
9.3 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
9.3 
– 
– 
9.3 

100%
£m
385.9
264.7
(128.2)
136.5
169.8
306.3
(13.4)
–
–
(63.2)
(76.6)
229.7
(11.6)
(58.8)
159.3

2018

Total

Hammerson
share
£m
119.3
82.6
(37.8)
44.8
44.5
89.3
(1.3)
2.2
3.7
(19.5)
(14.9)
74.4
(2.3)
(14.4)
57.7

166   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 167
www.hammerson.com  167 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

15: Investment in associates continued 

B: Reconciliation to adjusted earnings 

Profit/(loss) for the year 
Revaluation (gains)/losses on properties 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Change in fair value of participative loans – revaluation 
movement 
Change in fair value of financial assets 
Loan facility costs written off 
Deferred tax (credit)/charge 
Total adjustments 
Adjusted earnings of associates 

VR
£m
210.6
(170.7)
28.5

(34.5)
(0.3)
–
(2.4)
(179.4)
31.2

Nicetoile
£m
(1.0)
2.3
–

Italie Deux
£m
(0.2)
0.5
–

–
–
–
–
2.3
1.3

–
–
–
–
0.5
0.3

Total 
2019 
£m 
209.4 
(167.9) 
28.5 

(34.5) 
(0.3) 
– 
(2.4) 
(176.6) 
32.8 

VR 
£m 
56.8 
(45.0) 
1.3 

(2.2) 
– 
0.7 
14.4 
(30.8) 
26.0 

Nicetoile
£m
0.9
0.5
–

–
–
–
–
0.5
1.4

Total
2018
£m
57.7
(44.5)
1.3

(2.2)
–
0.7
14.4
(30.3)
27.4

When aggregated, the Group’s share of VR’s adjusted earnings for the year ended 31 December 2019 amounted to 52% (2018: 50%). This figure is 
dependent on the relative profitability of the component Villages in which the Group has differing ownership shares. 

C: Share of assets and liabilities of associates 

See page 169 for footnotes. 

Investment properties  
Goodwill 
Other non-current assets 
Non-current assets 
Other current assets 
Cash and deposits 
Current assets 
Total assets 
Other payables 
Current liabilities 
Loans  
Derivative financial instruments 
Other payables 
Participative loan liabilities4 
Deferred tax 
Non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Participative loans 
Investment in associates 

VR

Hammerson
share
£m
1,965.6
89.3
71.1
2,126.0
32.5
61.4
93.9
2,219.9
(55.5)
(55.5)
(719.6)
(12.7)
(14.5)
(90.6)
(166.9)
(1,004.3)
(1,059.8)
1,160.1
195.2
1,355.3

100%
£m
5,364.5
–
260.8
5,625.3
80.6
201.6
282.2
5,907.5
(90.3)
(90.3)
(1,971.6)
(38.7)
(36.7)
(366.6)
(616.8)
(3,030.4)
(3,120.7)
2,786.8
–
2,786.8

Nicetoile

Hammerson
share
£m
26.2
–
–
26.2
–
1.0
1.0
27.2
(0.4)
(0.4)
–
–
(0.2)
–
–
(0.2)
(0.6)
26.6
–
26.6

100%
£m
262.0
–
–
262.0
–
10.3
10.3
272.3
(4.6)
(4.6)
–
–
(1.6)
–
–
(1.6)
(6.2)
266.1
–
266.1

Italie Deux 

100% 
£m 
486.7 
– 
– 
486.7 
4.9 
5.4 
10.3 
497.0 
(2.6) 
(2.6) 
– 
– 
(3.9) 
– 
– 
(3.9) 
(6.5) 
490.5 
– 
490.5 

Hammerson 
share 
£m 
121.7 
– 
– 
121.7 
1.2 
1.3 
2.5 
124.2 
(0.6) 
(0.6) 
– 
– 
(1.0) 
– 
– 

100%
£m
6,113.2
–
260.8
6,374.0
85.5
217.3
302.8
6,676.8
(97.5)
(97.5)
(1,971.6)
(38.7)
(42.2)
(366.6)
(616.8)
(1.0)  (3,035.9)
(3,133.4)
(1.6) 
3,543.4
122.6 
–
– 
3,543.4
122.6 

2019

Total

Hammerson
share
£m
2,113.5
89.3
71.1
2,273.9
33.7
63.7
97.4
2,371.3
(56.5)
(56.5)
(719.6)
(12.7)
(15.7)
(90.6)
(166.9)
(1,005.5)
(1,062.0)
1,309.3
195.2
1,504.5

168   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

168

 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

When aggregated, the Group’s share of VR’s adjusted earnings for the year ended 31 December 2019 amounted to 52% (2018: 50%). This figure is 

dependent on the relative profitability of the component Villages in which the Group has differing ownership shares. 

C: Share of assets and liabilities of associates 

15: Investment in associates continued 

B: Reconciliation to adjusted earnings 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Revaluation (gains)/losses on properties 

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Change in fair value of participative loans – revaluation 

movement 

Change in fair value of financial assets 

Loan facility costs written off 

Deferred tax (credit)/charge 

Total adjustments 

Adjusted earnings of associates 

See page 169 for footnotes. 

Investment properties  

Goodwill 

Other non-current assets 

Non-current assets 

Other current assets 

Cash and deposits 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Other payables 

Current liabilities 

Loans  

Derivative financial instruments 

Other payables 

Participative loan liabilities4 

Deferred tax 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Participative loans 

Investment in associates 

Hammerson

Hammerson

Nicetoile

Hammerson

share

£m

26.2

100%

£m

262.0

Italie Deux 

Hammerson 

share 

£m 

121.7 

5,364.5

1,965.6

6,113.2

2,113.5

Nicetoile

£m

0.9

0.5

–

–

–

–

–

0.5

1.4

100%

£m

–

260.8

85.5

217.3

302.8

Total

2018

£m

57.7

(44.5)

1.3

(2.2)

–

0.7

14.4

(30.3)

27.4

2019

Total

share

£m

89.3

71.1

33.7

63.7

97.4

VR

£m

210.6

(170.7)

28.5

(34.5)

(0.3)

–

(2.4)

(179.4)

31.2

VR

share

£m

89.3

71.1

32.5

61.4

93.9

100%

£m

–

260.8

80.6

201.6

282.2

5,907.5

2,219.9

(90.3)

(90.3)

(55.5)

(55.5)

(1,971.6)

(719.6)

(38.7)

(36.7)

(366.6)

(616.8)

(12.7)

(14.5)

(90.6)

(166.9)

Nicetoile

Italie Deux

£m

(1.0)

2.3

–

–

–

–

–

2.3

1.3

10.3

10.3

272.3

(4.6)

(4.6)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 

2019 

£m 

209.4 

(167.9) 

28.5 

(34.5) 

(0.3) 

– 

(2.4) 

(176.6) 

32.8 

100% 

£m 

486.7 

– 

– 

4.9 

5.4 

10.3 

497.0 

(2.6) 

(2.6) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

£m

(0.2)

0.5

–

–

–

–

–

0.5

0.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.0

1.0

27.2

(0.4)

(0.4)

(0.2)

(0.6)

26.6

–

26.6

VR 

£m 

56.8 

(45.0) 

1.3 

(2.2) 

– 

0.7 

14.4 

(30.8) 

26.0 

– 

– 

1.2 

1.3 

2.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1.6)

(0.2)

(3.9) 

(1.0) 

124.2 

6,676.8

2,371.3

(0.6) 

(0.6) 

(97.5)

(97.5)

(56.5)

(56.5)

(1,971.6)

(719.6)

(38.7)

(42.2)

(366.6)

(616.8)

(12.7)

(15.7)

(90.6)

(166.9)

(3,030.4)

(1,004.3)

(3,120.7)

(1,059.8)

(1.6)

(6.2)

2,786.8

1,160.1

266.1

–

195.2

(3.9) 

(6.5) 

(1.0)  (3,035.9)

(1,005.5)

(1.6) 

(3,133.4)

(1,062.0)

490.5 

122.6 

3,543.4

1,309.3

–

195.2

C: Share of assets and liabilities of associates continued 

Investment properties 
Goodwill 
Other non-current assets 
Non-current assets 
Other current assets 
Cash and deposits 
Current assets 
Total assets 
Other payables 
Current liabilities 
Loans  
Derivative financial instruments 
Other payables 
Participative loan liabilities4 
Deferred tax 
Non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Participative loans 
Investment in associates 

100%
£m
5,054.0
–
247.0
5,301.0
97.5
269.5
367.0
5,668.0
(96.9)
(96.9)
(2,032.8)
(19.3)
(34.6)
(298.4)
(660.0)
(3,045.1)
(3,142.0)
2,526.0
–
2,526.0

VR

Hammerson
share
£m
1,823.0
93.1
67.8
1,983.9
36.3
77.8
114.1
2,098.0
(48.6)
(48.6)
(735.4)
(5.7)
(13.9)
(73.7)
(179.0)
(1,007.7)
(1,056.3)
1,041.7
169.4
1,211.1

Nicetoile 

Hammerson 
share 
£m 
29.3 
– 
– 
29.3 
0.3 
1.2 
1.5 
30.8 
(0.2) 
(0.2) 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
(0.4) 
30.4 
– 
30.4 

100%
£m
5,347.5
–
247.0
5,594.5
100.5
281.5
382.0
5,976.5
(99.1)
(99.1)
(2,032.8)
(19.3)
(36.9)
(298.4)
(660.0)
(3,047.4)
(3,146.5)
2,830.0
–
2,830.0

100% 
£m 
293.5 
– 
– 
293.5 
3.0 
12.0 
15.0 
308.5 
(2.2) 
(2.2) 
– 
– 
(2.3) 
– 
– 
(2.3) 
(4.5) 
304.0 
– 
304.0 

2018

Total

Hammerson
share
£m
1,852.3
93.1
67.8
2,013.2
36.6
79.0
115.6
2,128.8
(48.8)
(48.8)
(735.4)
(5.7)
(14.1)
(73.7)
(179.0)
(1,007.9)
(1,056.7)
1,072.1
169.4
1,241.5

5,625.3

2,126.0

262.0

26.2

486.7 

121.7 

6,374.0

2,273.9

1.  The analysis in the tables above excludes liabilities in respect of distributions received in advance from VR amounting to £24.1 million (2018: £26.4 million) which are included within 

payables - non-current liabilities in note 23.  

2.  In addition to the above investments, non-current receivables of the Group include loans to Value Retail European Holdings BV, totalling €2.0 million (£1.7 million) 

(2018: €2.0 million, £1.8 million) secured against a number of VR assets and maturing on 30 November 2043. 

3.  At 31 December 2019, Hammerson’s economic interest in VR is calculated as 40% (2018: 39%) adjusting for the Participative Loans, which at 100% are included within other payables 

in non-current liabilities. 

4.  The participative loan liability previously included in other payables has been presented separately to improve the clarity of reporting. Comparative figures have been 

amended accordingly. 

D: Reconciliation to adjusted investment in associates 

Investment in associates 
Fair value of derivatives 
Deferred tax* 
Deferred tax within participative loans 
Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 
Total adjustments 
Adjusted investment  

VR
£m
1,355.3
12.7
166.7
34.3
(63.2)
150.5
1,505.8

Nicetoile
£m
26.6
–
–
–
–
–
26.6

Italie Deux
£m
122.6
–
–
–
–
–
122.6

Total 
2019 
£m 
1,504.5 
12.7 
166.7 
34.3 
(63.2) 
150.5 
1,655.0 

VR 
£m 
1,211.1 
5.7 
179.0 
35.6 
(63.1)
157.2 
1,368.3 

Nicetoile
£m
30.4
–
–
–
–
–
30.4

Total
2018
£m
1,241.5
5.7
179.0
35.6
(63.1)
157.2
1,398.7

2,786.8

1,355.3

266.1

490.5 

122.6 

3,543.4

1,504.5

*   Shown net of a deferred tax asset of £0.2 million (2018: £nil), which is included in non-current assets in note 15C. 

168   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 169
www.hammerson.com  169 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

15: Investment in associates continued 

E: Reconciliation of movements in investment in associates 

Balance at 1 January 
Acquisitions1 
Share of results of associates 
Distributions2 
Transfer of investment property from Reported Group3 
Share of other comprehensive loss of associate4 
Exchange and other movements 
Balance at 31 December 

VR
£m
1,211.1
1.4
210.6
(30.9)
–
(4.0)
(32.9)
1,355.3

Nicetoile
£m
30.4
–
(1.0)
(0.6)
–
–
(2.2)
26.6

Italie Deux
£m
–
–
(0.2)
– 
121.1
–
1.7
122.6

Total 
2019 
£m 
1,241.5 
1.4 
209.4 
(31.5) 
121.1 
(4.0) 
(33.4) 
1,504.5 

VR 
£m 
1,068.6 
113.8 
56.8 
(31.8) 
– 
(3.3) 
7.0 
1,211.1 

Nicetoile
£m
30.9
–
0.9
(1.2)
–
–
(0.2)
30.4

Total
2018
£m
1,099.5
113.8
57.7
(33.0)
–
(3.3)
6.8
1,241.5

1.  During 2019, the Group acquired additional investor stakes in Value Retail for £1.4 million. This included advances of £0.1 million, resulting in cash consideration of £1.3 million. 
2.  Included within distributions of £31.5 million (2018: £33.0 million) are distributions totalling £5.5 million (2018: £24.7 million) in relation to Value Retail refinancing. 
3.  In 2019, the Group sold a 75% stake in Italie Deux for €432.0 million (£363.3 million). The remaining 25% holding was transferred to investment in associates. The total is shown 

separately in note 13 on page 160. 

4.  Relates to the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments in an effective hedge relationship within Value Retail. 

16: Receivables: current assets 

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Corporation tax 
Prepayments 

2019
£m
32.1
60.4
0.7
3.1
96.3

2018
£m
43.7
66.4
0.2
3.5
113.8

Trade receivables are shown after deducting a loss allowance provision of £9.9 million (2018: £9.8 million), as set out in the table below. To measure the 
loss allowance provision, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days overdue. The level of provision 
required is determined after taking account of rent deposits and personal or corporate guarantees held. Management have performed an assessment  
of the effectiveness of this approach by comparing actual losses to provisions estimated in prior periods. Based on the minimal differences identified 
within this assessment, management has concluded that there is no material difference between the expected credit loss model prescribed by IFRS 9 
and the current provisioning method being applied. Consequently, no allowance has been made for losses on receivables not yet falling due. 
Management will continue to review this assertion at each reporting period. 

Credit risk is discussed further in note 21E. 

Not yet due 
1-30 days overdue 
31-60 days overdue 
61-90 days overdue 
91-120 days overdue 
More than 120 days overdue 

Gross
receivable
£m
18.6
3.2
– 
0.8
4.0
15.4
42.0

Loss allowance
£m
–
– 
– 
– 
(0.6)
(9.3)
(9.9)

2019

Net 
receivable
£m
18.6
3.2
– 
0.8
3.4
6.1
32.1

Gross 
receivable 
£m 
25.9 
5.3 
0.5 
0.5 
0.4 
20.9 
53.5 

Loss allowance
£m
–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.1)
(9.6)
(9.8)

2018

Net
receivable
£m
25.9
5.3
0.5
0.4
0.3
11.3
43.7

170   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

170

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

15: Investment in associates continued 

E: Reconciliation of movements in investment in associates 

Balance at 1 January 

Acquisitions1 

Share of results of associates 

Distributions2 

Transfer of investment property from Reported Group3 

Share of other comprehensive loss of associate4 

Exchange and other movements 

Balance at 31 December 

VR

£m

1,211.1

1.4

210.6

(30.9)

–

(4.0)

(32.9)

1,355.3

Nicetoile

Italie Deux

1,241.5 

1,068.6 

(0.2)

209.4 

Total 

2019 

£m 

1.4 

(31.5) 

121.1 

(4.0) 

(33.4) 

£m

–

–

– 

121.1

–

1.7

VR 

£m 

113.8 

56.8 

(31.8) 

– 

(3.3) 

7.0 

Nicetoile

£m

30.9

0.9

(1.2)

–

–

–

(0.2)

30.4

Total

2018

£m

1,099.5

113.8

57.7

(33.0)

–

(3.3)

6.8

1,241.5

122.6

1,504.5 

1,211.1 

£m

30.4

(1.0)

(0.6)

–

–

–

(2.2)

26.6

1.  During 2019, the Group acquired additional investor stakes in Value Retail for £1.4 million. This included advances of £0.1 million, resulting in cash consideration of £1.3 million. 

2.  Included within distributions of £31.5 million (2018: £33.0 million) are distributions totalling £5.5 million (2018: £24.7 million) in relation to Value Retail refinancing. 

3.  In 2019, the Group sold a 75% stake in Italie Deux for €432.0 million (£363.3 million). The remaining 25% holding was transferred to investment in associates. The total is shown 

separately in note 13 on page 160. 

4.  Relates to the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments in an effective hedge relationship within Value Retail. 

16: Receivables: current assets 

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Corporation tax 

Prepayments 

Not yet due 

1-30 days overdue 

31-60 days overdue 

61-90 days overdue 

91-120 days overdue 

More than 120 days overdue 

Trade receivables are shown after deducting a loss allowance provision of £9.9 million (2018: £9.8 million), as set out in the table below. To measure the 

loss allowance provision, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days overdue. The level of provision 

required is determined after taking account of rent deposits and personal or corporate guarantees held. Management have performed an assessment  

of the effectiveness of this approach by comparing actual losses to provisions estimated in prior periods. Based on the minimal differences identified 

within this assessment, management has concluded that there is no material difference between the expected credit loss model prescribed by IFRS 9 

and the current provisioning method being applied. Consequently, no allowance has been made for losses on receivables not yet falling due. 

Management will continue to review this assertion at each reporting period. 

Credit risk is discussed further in note 21E. 

receivable

Loss allowance

receivable

receivable 

Loss allowance

receivable

Gross

£m

18.6

3.2

– 

0.8

4.0

15.4

42.0

£m

–

– 

– 

– 

(0.6)

(9.3)

(9.9)

2019

Net 

£m

18.6

3.2

– 

0.8

3.4

6.1

32.1

Gross 

£m 

25.9 

5.3 

0.5 

0.5 

0.4 

20.9 

53.5 

2019

£m

32.1

60.4

0.7

3.1

96.3

£m

–

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(9.6)

(9.8)

2018

£m

43.7

66.4

0.2

3.5

113.8

2018

Net

£m

25.9

5.3

0.5

0.4

0.3

11.3

43.7

17:  Restricted monetary assets 

Cash held on behalf of third parties 

2019
£m
21.5

2018
£m
24.0

The Group and its managing agents hold cash on behalf of its tenants and co-owners to meet future service charge costs and related expenditure.  
The cash has restricted use and, as such, does not meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents as defined in IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows.  

18: Cash and deposits 

Cash at bank 
Currency profile 
Sterling 
Euro 

19: Payables: current liabilities 

Trade payables 
Net pension liability (note 7C) 
Withholding tax on interim dividends (note 11) 
Capital expenditure payables 
Other payables* 
Accruals 
Deferred income 

Total
£m
29.8

3.3
26.5
29.8

Reclassified to 
assets held for sale 
£m 
(1.6) 

(1.6) 
–  
(1.6) 

2019
£m
28.2

1.7
26.5
28.2

2019
£m
13.1
0.9
12.2
24.1
57.6
78.1
7.5
193.5

2018
£m
31.2

8.4
22.8
31.2

2018
£m
17.4
0.9
12.7
28.5
64.5
91.6
18.1
233.7

*  Other payables include lease liabilities of £3.5 million (2018: £nil) in relation to the Group’s offices in London, Reading, Dublin and Paris, as a result of adopting IFRS 16 in 2019  

(see note 1). The non-current portion is included in note 23. 

20: Loans 

Unsecured 
£200 million 7.25% sterling bonds due 2028 
£300 million 6% sterling bonds due 2026 
£350 million 3.5% sterling bonds due 2025 
€500 million 1.75% euro bonds due 2023 
€500 million 2% euro bonds due 2022 
Sterling bank loans and overdrafts 
Senior notes due 2031* 
Senior notes due 2028* 
Senior notes due 2026* 
Senior notes due 2024* 
Senior notes due 2021* 

*  Senior notes are analysed in note 21F on page 175. 

At 31 December 2019 and 2018, no loans were repayable by instalments.  

2019
£m

2018
£m

198.6
298.4
346.7
422.3
422.0
127.6
20.3
88.1
84.8
352.4
143.7
2,504.9

198.4
298.1
346.3
446.4
445.9
562.8
21.5
90.4
88.5
366.6
149.0
3,013.9

170   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 171
www.hammerson.com  171 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management 

A:  Financing strategy 
The Group generally borrows on an unsecured basis on the strength of its covenant in order to maintain operational flexibility. Borrowings are 
arranged to ensure an appropriate maturity profile and to maintain short term liquidity. Acquisitions may be financed initially using short-term  
funds before being refinanced for the longer term when market conditions are appropriate. Long term debt mainly comprises the Group’s fixed rate 
unsecured bonds. Short-term funding is raised principally through syndicated revolving credit facilities from a range of banks and financial institutions 
with which the Group maintains strong working relationships. An analysis of the maturity of the undrawn element of these revolving credit facilities is 
shown in note 21D. 

The Group’s borrowing position at 31 December 2019 is summarised below:  

Note 
Bonds  
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Senior notes 
Fair value of currency swaps 
Borrowings 
Interest rate swaps 
Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Comparative information for 31 December 2018 is detailed below:  

Note 
Bonds  
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Senior notes 
Fair value of currency swaps 
Borrowings 
Interest rate swaps 
Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Derivative financial instruments 

Current 
assets
£m

Non-current 
assets 
£m

Current 
liabilities 
£m

Non-current 
liabilities 
£m 

–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.7)
(0.8)

–
–
–
(31.6)
(31.6)
–
(31.6)

–
–
–
4.1
4.1
–
4.1

– 
– 
– 
70.7 
70.7 
– 
70.7 

Current 
assets
£m

Non-current 
assets 
£m

Derivative financial instruments 

Current 
liabilities 
£m

Non-current 
liabilities 
£m 

–
–
–
(4.1)
(4.1)
–
(4.1)

–
–
–
(21.8)
(21.8)
(2.7)
(24.5)

–
–
–
9.8
9.8
–
9.8

– 
– 
– 
101.0 
101.0 
– 
101.0 

Loans
> 1 year
£m

20 
1,688.0
127.6
689.3
–
2,504.9
–
2,504.9

2019
Total
£m

1,688.0
127.6
689.3
43.1
2,548.0
(0.7)
2,547.3

Loans
> 1 year
£m

20 
1,735.1
562.8
716.0
–
3,013.9
–
3,013.9

2018
Total
£m

1,735.1
562.8
716.0
84.9
3,098.8
(2.7)
3,096.1

172   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management 

A:  Financing strategy 

The Group generally borrows on an unsecured basis on the strength of its covenant in order to maintain operational flexibility. Borrowings are 

arranged to ensure an appropriate maturity profile and to maintain short term liquidity. Acquisitions may be financed initially using short-term  

funds before being refinanced for the longer term when market conditions are appropriate. Long term debt mainly comprises the Group’s fixed rate 

unsecured bonds. Short-term funding is raised principally through syndicated revolving credit facilities from a range of banks and financial institutions 

with which the Group maintains strong working relationships. An analysis of the maturity of the undrawn element of these revolving credit facilities is 

shown in note 21D. 

The Group’s borrowing position at 31 December 2019 is summarised below:  

B: Interest rate and foreign currency management 
Derivative financial instruments are used to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, but are not 
employed for speculative purposes. Interest rate swaps are used to manage the interest rate basis of the Group’s debt, allowing changes from fixed to 
floating rates or vice versa. Clear guidelines exist for the Group’s ratio of fixed to floating rate debt and management regularly reviews the interest rate 
profile against these guidelines.  

At 31 December 2019, the Group had interest rate swaps of £250.0 million (2018: £250.0 million), maturing in 2020 under which the Group pays 
interest at a rate linked to LIBOR and receives interest at 6.875%. At 31 December 2019, the fair value of interest rate swaps was an asset of £0.7 million 
(2018: £2.7 million). The fair value of interest rate swaps is excluded from the Group’s borrowings as the fair value will crystallise over the life of the 
instruments rather than at maturity. The Group does not hedge account for its interest rate swaps and states them at fair value with changes in fair 
value included in the income statement.  

Interest rate profile 
Sterling 
Euro 
US dollar 

Interest rate and currency profile 
Sterling 
Euro 
US dollar 

Fixed rate borrowings 

Floating rate 
borrowings

Years
11
4
–
5

£m 
337.2 
1,829.0 
– 
2,166.2 

£m
104.4
284.5
(7.1)
381.8

Fixed rate borrowings 

Floating rate 
borrowings

Years
12
5
–
6

£m 
365.6 
1,916.5 
– 
2,282.1 

£m
(97.9)
921.7
(7.1)
816.7

2019
Total

£m
441.6
2,113.5
(7.1)
2,548.0

2018
Total

£m
267.7
2,838.2
(7.1)
3,098.8

%
5.4
2.2
–
2.7

%
5.4
2.2
–
2.7

Net investment hedge 
To manage the foreign currency exposure on its net investments in euro-denominated entities, the Group has designated all euro borrowings or 
synthetic euro borrowings, including euro-denominated bonds, senior notes and currency swaps, as net investment hedges. This designation allows 
exchange differences on hedging instruments to be recognised directly in equity and offset against the exchange differences on net investments in euro-
denominated entities also recognised in equity. The notional and carrying amount of these euro-denominated liabilities designated in a net investment 
hedge, and the average hedged exchange rate is shown below. 

Note 

Bonds  

Bank loans and overdrafts 

Senior notes 

Fair value of currency swaps 

Borrowings 

Interest rate swaps 

Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Comparative information for 31 December 2018 is detailed below:  

Note 

Bonds  

Bank loans and overdrafts 

Senior notes 

Fair value of currency swaps 

Borrowings 

Interest rate swaps 

Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Derivative financial instruments 

Current 

assets

£m

Non-current 

assets 

£m

Current 

liabilities 

£m

Non-current 

liabilities 

Loans

> 1 year

2019

Total

£m

–

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.7)

(0.8)

–

–

–

–

(4.1)

(4.1)

(4.1)

(31.6)

(31.6)

(31.6)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(21.8)

(21.8)

(2.7)

(24.5)

1,688.0

1,688.0

2,504.9

2,548.0

70.7 

2,504.9

2,547.3

£m 

– 

– 

– 

70.7 

70.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

101.0 

101.0 

£m

20 

127.6

689.3

–

–

–

–

Loans

> 1 year

£m

20 

1,735.1

562.8

716.0

127.6

689.3

43.1

(0.7)

2018

Total

£m

1,735.1

562.8

716.0

84.9

(2.7)

3,013.9

3,098.8

101.0 

3,013.9

3,096.1

–

–

–

4.1

4.1

–

4.1

–

–

–

9.8

9.8

–

9.8

Current 

assets

£m

Non-current 

assets 

£m

Derivative financial instruments 

Current 

liabilities 

£m

Non-current 

liabilities 

£m 

2019 
Euro notional1 (€m) 
Carrying amount2 (£m) 
Average hedged exchange rate 

2018 
Euro notional1 (€m) 
Carrying amount2 (£m) 
Average hedged exchange rate 

Bonds3
1,000.0
844.3
£1=€1.264

Foreign 
exchange 
swaps 
335.7
3.6
£1=€1.176 £1=€1.282  £1=€1.195

Cross currency 
swaps 
905.0 
41.0 

Senior notes
237.0
200.8

Bonds3
1,000.0
892.3
£1=€1.264

Senior notes
237.0
212.6
£1=€1.176

Cross currency 
swaps 
905.0 
80.7 
£1=€1.282 

Foreign 
exchange 
swaps 
1,027.7
5.9
£1=€1.124

Total
2,477.7
1,089.7

Total
3,169.7
1,191.5

1.  The euro notional is the amount due at maturity without netting any receivable of different currency under the same instrument. 
2.  The carrying amount is the book value at which euro-denominated financial instruments are recognised within borrowings. 
3.  The fair value of euro-denominated bonds at 31 December 2019 was £879.8 million (2018: £903.5 million). 

Cash flow hedge 
To manage the impact of foreign exchange movements on the Group’s $523 million US dollar borrowings, the Group has used derivatives at an average 
hedged exchange rate of £1 = $1.408, to swap the cash flows to either euro or sterling, the sterling element of which is designated as a cash flow hedge.  
At 31 December 2019, the carrying value of derivatives designated in a cash flow hedge was an asset of £22.1 million (2018: £30.6 million). Currency 
basis is not included in this designation and a cost of hedging reserve is not presented separately as it is considered to be immaterial. This designation 
allows exchange differences on hedging instruments to be recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve and then recycled to net finance costs in the 
income statement, to offset against the exchange differences on US dollar borrowings also recognised in net finance costs. The critical terms of the  
US dollar borrowings and the derivatives match. 

172   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 173
www.hammerson.com  173 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

C: Profit and loss account and balance sheet management 
The Group maintains internal guidelines for interest cover, gearing and other credit ratios. Management monitors the Group’s current and projected 
financial position against these guidelines. Further details of these ratios are provided in the Financial review on page 56. 

D: Cash management and liquidity 
Cash levels are monitored to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet the Group’s operational requirements. Short term money market 
deposits are used to manage cash resources to maximise the rate of return, giving due consideration to risk. Liquidity requirements are met with  
an appropriate mix of short and longer-term debt as explained in note 21A.  

The maturity analysis of the undrawn element of the revolving credit facilities at 31 December 2019 is summarised below:  

Expiry 
Within two to five years 

2019
£m

2018
£m

1,113.0

627.0

E: Credit risk 
The Group’s principal financial assets are trade receivables, restricted monetary assets, cash and deposits, assets held for sale, balances due from joint 
ventures, other investments, loans receivable, participative loans to associates and derivative financial instruments. The Group’s credit risk is 
attributable to its trade receivables, restricted monetary assets, cash and deposits, assets held for sale and derivative financial instruments. The credit 
risk on balances due from joint ventures, other investments, loans receivable and participative loans is limited as they are supported by investment 
properties held within the joint ventures and associates.  

Trade receivables consist principally of rents and service charges due from tenants. The balance is low relative to the scale of the balance sheet and the 
Group’s tenant base is diversified, with tenants generally of good financial standing. The majority of tenant leases are long-term contracts with rents 
payable quarterly in advance. Rent deposits and personal or corporate guarantees are held in respect of some leases. Taking these factors into account, 
the risk to the Group of individual tenant default and the credit risk of trade receivables are considered low. Trade receivables are presented after 
deducting a loss allowance provision, as set out in note 16. The Group’s most significant tenants are set out in Table 94 of the Additional disclosures on 
page 194.  

The credit risk on cash and deposits and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks, who are committed lenders  
to the Group, with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. At 31 December 2019, the fair value of interest rate and currency 
swap assets was £32.4 million (2018: £28.6 million), and the fair value of currency swap liabilities was £74.8 million (2018: £110.8 million), as shown in 
note 21A. These financial instruments have interest accruals of £11.0 million (2018: £10.6 million) which are recognised within other receivables in note 
16. After taking into account the netting impact included within our International Swap and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements with each 
counterparty (which are enforceable on the occurrence of future credit events such as a default), the net positions, including accrued interest would be 
derivative financial assets of £9.3 million (2018: £7.4 million) and derivative financial liabilities of £40.7 million (2018: £79.0 million). The combined 
value of derivative financial instruments at 31 December 2019 was therefore a liability of £31.4 million (2018: £71.6 million).  

The credit risk on restricted monetary assets, being cash held by the Group and its managing agents on behalf of third parties, is similarly considered 
low. At 31 December 2019, the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk was £347.0 million (2018: £338.3 million) which excludes derivative financial 
instruments and balances supported by investment properties.  

174   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

174

 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

C: Profit and loss account and balance sheet management 

The Group maintains internal guidelines for interest cover, gearing and other credit ratios. Management monitors the Group’s current and projected 

financial position against these guidelines. Further details of these ratios are provided in the Financial review on page 56. 

D: Cash management and liquidity 

Cash levels are monitored to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet the Group’s operational requirements. Short term money market 

deposits are used to manage cash resources to maximise the rate of return, giving due consideration to risk. Liquidity requirements are met with  

an appropriate mix of short and longer-term debt as explained in note 21A.  

The maturity analysis of the undrawn element of the revolving credit facilities at 31 December 2019 is summarised below:  

2019

£m

2018

£m

1,113.0

627.0

Expiry 

Within two to five years 

E: Credit risk 

The Group’s principal financial assets are trade receivables, restricted monetary assets, cash and deposits, assets held for sale, balances due from joint 

ventures, other investments, loans receivable, participative loans to associates and derivative financial instruments. The Group’s credit risk is 

attributable to its trade receivables, restricted monetary assets, cash and deposits, assets held for sale and derivative financial instruments. The credit 

risk on balances due from joint ventures, other investments, loans receivable and participative loans is limited as they are supported by investment 

properties held within the joint ventures and associates.  

Trade receivables consist principally of rents and service charges due from tenants. The balance is low relative to the scale of the balance sheet and the 

Group’s tenant base is diversified, with tenants generally of good financial standing. The majority of tenant leases are long-term contracts with rents 

payable quarterly in advance. Rent deposits and personal or corporate guarantees are held in respect of some leases. Taking these factors into account, 

the risk to the Group of individual tenant default and the credit risk of trade receivables are considered low. Trade receivables are presented after 

deducting a loss allowance provision, as set out in note 16. The Group’s most significant tenants are set out in Table 94 of the Additional disclosures on 

page 194.  

The credit risk on cash and deposits and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks, who are committed lenders  

to the Group, with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. At 31 December 2019, the fair value of interest rate and currency 

swap assets was £32.4 million (2018: £28.6 million), and the fair value of currency swap liabilities was £74.8 million (2018: £110.8 million), as shown in 

note 21A. These financial instruments have interest accruals of £11.0 million (2018: £10.6 million) which are recognised within other receivables in note 

16. After taking into account the netting impact included within our International Swap and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements with each 

counterparty (which are enforceable on the occurrence of future credit events such as a default), the net positions, including accrued interest would be 

derivative financial assets of £9.3 million (2018: £7.4 million) and derivative financial liabilities of £40.7 million (2018: £79.0 million). The combined 

value of derivative financial instruments at 31 December 2019 was therefore a liability of £31.4 million (2018: £71.6 million).  

The credit risk on restricted monetary assets, being cash held by the Group and its managing agents on behalf of third parties, is similarly considered 

low. At 31 December 2019, the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk was £347.0 million (2018: £338.3 million) which excludes derivative financial 

instruments and balances supported by investment properties.  

F: Financial maturity analysis 
The following table is a maturity analysis for the Group’s borrowings, cash and deposits and loans receivable. Borrowings are stated net of unamortised 
fees of £15.4 million (2018: £18.7 million), the maturity of which is analysed in note 21J. 

Unsecured sterling fixed rate bonds 
Unsecured euro fixed rate bonds 
Senior notes 
– £95 million Sterling  
– €237 million Euro  
– $523 million US dollar  
Unsecured sterling bank loans and overdrafts 
Fair value of currency swaps* 
Borrowings (note 21A) 
Cash and deposits (note 18) 
Loans receivable (note 15C) 

Unsecured sterling fixed rate bonds 
Unsecured euro fixed rate bonds 
Senior notes 
– £95 million Sterling  
– €237 million Euro  
– $523 million US dollar  
Unsecured sterling bank loans and overdrafts 
Fair value of currency swaps* 
Borrowings (note 21A) 
Cash and deposits (note 18) 
Loans receivable (note 15C) 

Less than 
one year
£m
–
–

One to two
years
£m
–
–

Two to five 
years 
£m 
– 
844.3 

More than five 
years 
£m
843.7
–

–
–
–
–
4.0
4.0
(28.2)
–
(24.2)

Less than 
one year
£m
–
–

–
–
–
–
5.7
5.7
(31.2)
–
(25.5)

–
19.1
124.6
–
(18.9)
124.8
–
–
124.8

45.0 
38.5 
268.9 
127.6 
(6.5) 
1,317.8 
– 
– 
1,317.8 

50.0
143.2
–
–
64.5
1,101.4
–
(1.7)
1,099.7

One to two
years
£m
–
–

Two to five 
years 
£m 
– 
892.3 

More than five 
years 
£m
842.8
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 
20.2 
128.8 
562.8 
(13.9) 
1,590.2 
– 
– 
1,590.2 

95.0
192.4
279.6
–
93.1
1,502.9
–
(1.8)
1,501.1

2019 Maturity

Total
£m
843.7
844.3

95.0
200.8
393.5
127.6
43.1
2,548.0
(28.2)
(1.7)
2,518.1

2018 Maturity

Total
£m
842.8
892.3

95.0
212.6
408.4
562.8
84.9
3,098.8
(31.2)
(1.8)
3,065.8

*  The fair value of currency swaps of £43.1 million (2018: £84.9 million) is included within derivative financial instruments as shown in note 21A. 

G: Sensitivity analysis 
In managing interest rate and currency risks, the Group aims to reduce the impact of short term fluctuations on the Group’s earnings. Changes in foreign 
exchange and interest rates may have an impact on consolidated earnings over the longer term. The tables below provide indicative sensitivity data.  

Effect on profit before tax: 
(Decrease)/Increase 

Increase in 
interest rates 
by 1%
£m
(3.8)

2019 

Decrease in 
interest rates 
by 1% 
£m 
3.8 

Increase in 
interest rates 
by 1%
£m
(11.1)

2018

Decrease in 
interest rates 
by 1%
£m
11.2

There would have been no effect on amounts recognised directly in equity. The sensitivity has been calculated by applying the interest rate change to 
the floating rate borrowings, net of interest rate swaps, at the year end.  

Effect on financial instruments: 
Increase/(Decrease) in net gain taken to equity 
Increase/(Decrease) in profit before tax 

Strengthening 
of sterling 
against euro 
by 10%
£m
190.9
9.4

2019 

Weakening 
of sterling 
against euro 
by 10% 
£m 
(233.3) 
(11.5) 

Strengthening 
of sterling
against euro
by 10%
£m
258.4
10.0

2018

Weakening
of sterling
against euro
by 10%
£m
(315.9)
(12.2)

The effect on the net gain taken to equity would be more than offset by the effect of exchange rate changes on the euro-denominated assets included  
in the Group’s financial statements. This has been calculated by retranslating the year end euro-denominated financial instruments at the year end 
foreign exchange rate changed by 10%. Forward foreign exchange contracts have been included in this estimate. 

174   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 175
www.hammerson.com  175 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

H: Fair values of financial instruments 
The fair values of the Reported Group’s borrowings, interest rate swaps and participative loans, together with their book value included in the balance 
sheet, are as follows: 

Unsecured bonds 
Senior notes 
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts 
Fair value of currency swaps 
Borrowings 
Fair value of interest rate swaps* 
Participative loans to associates 

Hierarchy level

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

Book value
£m
1,688.0
689.3
127.6
43.1
2,548.0
(0.7)
195.2

Fair value
£m
1,847.2
706.6
132.0
43.1
2,728.9
(0.7)
195.2

2019

Variance
£m
159.2
17.3
4.4
–
180.9
–
–

Book value 
£m 
1,735.1 
716.0 
562.8 
84.9 
3,098.8 
(2.7) 
169.4 

Fair value
£m
1,842.0
713.9
568.0
84.9
3,208.8
(2.7)
169.4

2018

Variance
£m
106.9
(2.1)
5.2
–
110.0
–
–

*  Interest rate swaps are included within current derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheet (see note 21A) at 31 December 2019. At 31 December 2018, interest 

rate swaps were included within non-current derivative financial instruments. 

The following valuation techniques have been applied to determine the fair values of borrowings and interest rate swaps: 

Valuation technique 
Quoted market prices 
Calculating present value of cash flows using appropriate market  
discount rates 

Financial instrument 
Unsecured bonds 
Senior notes, unsecured bank loans and overdrafts, fair value of 
currency swaps and fair value of interest rate swaps 

Calculation based on the underlying net asset values of the Villages in which 
the Reported Group holds interests; the assets of the Villages mainly 
comprise properties held at professional valuation (see note 15C) 

Participative loans to associates 

Level 3 financial instruments - Participative loans within investments in associates (note 15C) 
Balance at 1 January 
Total gains 

– in share of results of associates* 
– in other comprehensive income 
– acquisitions 
– movement in (repayments)/advances 

Other movements 

Balance at 31 December 

2019 
£m 
169.4 
39.6 
(9.9) 
0.9 
(4.8) 
195.2 

2018
£m
128.8
5.9
1.6
32.1
1.0
169.4

*  During the year, assumptions behind the fair value assessment have been revisited, resulting in a change to the participative loan asset. Included in the £39.6 million gain above is  

£17.1 million relating to the change in assumptions. Comparatives have not been restated. 

The valuation technique applied for Level 3 financial instruments is described in the above table. All other factors remaining constant, an increase of 
5% in the net asset values of the Villages would increase the carrying amount of the Level 3 financial instruments by £10.4 million. Similarly, a decrease 
of 5% would decrease the carrying amount by £10.4 million. The fair values of all other financial assets and liabilities equate to their book values. 

176   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

H: Fair values of financial instruments 

sheet, are as follows: 

The fair values of the Reported Group’s borrowings, interest rate swaps and participative loans, together with their book value included in the balance 

Unsecured bonds 

Senior notes 

Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts 

Fair value of currency swaps 

Borrowings 

Fair value of interest rate swaps* 

Participative loans to associates 

Hierarchy level

Book value

Fair value

£m

£m

1,688.0

1,847.2

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

689.3

127.6

43.1

(0.7)

195.2

706.6

132.0

43.1

(0.7)

195.2

2019

Variance

£m

159.2

17.3

4.4

–

–

–

Book value 

£m 

1,735.1 

716.0 

562.8 

84.9 

Fair value

£m

1,842.0

713.9

568.0

84.9

(2.7) 

169.4 

(2.7)

169.4

2018

Variance

£m

106.9

(2.1)

5.2

–

–

–

2,548.0

2,728.9

180.9

3,098.8 

3,208.8

110.0

*  Interest rate swaps are included within current derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheet (see note 21A) at 31 December 2019. At 31 December 2018, interest 

rate swaps were included within non-current derivative financial instruments. 

The following valuation techniques have been applied to determine the fair values of borrowings and interest rate swaps: 

Valuation technique 

Quoted market prices 

discount rates 

Calculating present value of cash flows using appropriate market  

Senior notes, unsecured bank loans and overdrafts, fair value of 

currency swaps and fair value of interest rate swaps 

Calculation based on the underlying net asset values of the Villages in which 

Participative loans to associates 

the Reported Group holds interests; the assets of the Villages mainly 

comprise properties held at professional valuation (see note 15C) 

Financial instrument 

Unsecured bonds 

Level 3 financial instruments - Participative loans within investments in associates (note 15C) 

Balance at 1 January 

Total gains 

Other movements 

– acquisitions 

Balance at 31 December 

– in share of results of associates* 

– in other comprehensive income 

– movement in (repayments)/advances 

2019 

£m 

169.4 

39.6 

(9.9) 

0.9 

(4.8) 

195.2 

2018

£m

128.8

5.9

1.6

32.1

1.0

169.4

*  During the year, assumptions behind the fair value assessment have been revisited, resulting in a change to the participative loan asset. Included in the £39.6 million gain above is  

£17.1 million relating to the change in assumptions. Comparatives have not been restated. 

The valuation technique applied for Level 3 financial instruments is described in the above table. All other factors remaining constant, an increase of 

5% in the net asset values of the Villages would increase the carrying amount of the Level 3 financial instruments by £10.4 million. Similarly, a decrease 

of 5% would decrease the carrying amount by £10.4 million. The fair values of all other financial assets and liabilities equate to their book values. 

I: Carrying amounts, gains and losses on financial instruments 
The tables below show the classification of financial instruments under accounting standards IFRS 9.  

Balances due from joint ventures 
Loans receivable: non-current assets 
Other receivables: non-current assets 
Trade and other receivables: current assets 
Restricted monetary assets 
Cash and deposits 
Assets held for sale/discontinued operations1 
Financial assets at amortised cost 

Participative loans to associates 
Assets at fair value through profit and loss 

Derivative financial instruments 
Net liabilities at fair value through profit and loss 

Payables 
Loans 
Obligations under head leases 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale/discontinued operations2 
Financial liabilities at amortised cost 
Total for financial instruments 

Balances due from joint ventures 
Loans receivable: non-current assets 
Other receivables: non-current assets 
Trade and other receivables: current assets 
Restricted monetary assets 
Cash and deposits 
Financial assets at amortised cost 

Participative loans to associates 
Assets at fair value through profit and loss 

Derivative financial instruments 
Net liabilities at fair value through profit and loss 

Payables 
Loans 
Obligations under head leases 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale/discontinued operations 
Financial liabilities at amortised cost 
Total for financial instruments 

Notes

14A 

15C 

16 

17 

18 

15C 

21A 

21J 

20 

22 

Notes

14A 

15C 

16 

17 

18 

15C 

21A 

21J 

20 

22 

Carrying  
amount 
£m 
443.7 
1.7 
1.7 
92.5 
21.5 
28.2 
6.2 
595.5 

195.2 
195.2 

(42.4) 
(42.4) 

(235.0) 
(2,504.9) 
(36.9) 
(13.1) 
(2,789.9) 
(2,041.6) 

Carrying  
amount 
£m 
437.9 
1.8 
1.8 
110.1 
24.0 
31.2 
606.8 

169.4 
169.4 

(82.2) 
(82.2) 

(242.1) 
(3,013.9) 
(42.3) 
– 
(3,298.3) 
(2,604.3) 

Gain/(Loss) to 
income
£m
–
0.1
–
(1.4)
–
–
–
(1.3)

2019

Gain/(Loss) to 
equity
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

39.6
39.6

(43.0)
(43.0)

(0.2)
(84.3)
(2.2)
(0.2)
(86.9)
(91.6)

Gain/(Loss) to 
income
£m
–
0.1
–
(1.0)
–
–
(0.9)

5.9
5.9

18.2
18.2

–
(150.6)
(2.4)
(0.2)
(153.2)
(130.0)

(9.9)
(9.9)

139.8
139.8

–
60.9
– 
–
60.9
190.8

2018

Gain/(Loss) to 
equity
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1.6
1.6

1.2
1.2

–
(17.8)
–
–
(17.8)
(15.0)

1.  Comprises cash and deposits of £1.6 million, trade receivables of £1.3 million, other receivables of £1.5 million and restricted monetary assets of £1.8 million. See note 10D. 
2.  Comprises trade payables of £2.3 million, capital expenditure payables of £3.4 million, other payables of £1.6 million, accruals of £2.8 million and obligations under head leases of  

£3.0 million. See note 10D. 

176   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 177
www.hammerson.com  177 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

I: Carrying amounts, gains and losses on financial instruments (continued) 
The equity gains of £200.7 million, on hedging instruments, shown as the total movement in the net investment and cash flow hedge reserves in the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 138 comprise gains in relation to derivative financial instruments of £139.8 million and gains in 
relation to loans of £60.9 million as shown in the table on page 177. This includes cumulative losses of £55.3 million recycled from the net investment 
hedge reserve to the income statement on disposal of foreign operations. In 2018, the equity losses on hedging instruments of £16.6 million shown as 
the total movement in the hedging reserves on page 139 comprise a gain of £1.2 million in relation to derivative financial instruments and a loss of  
£17.8 million for loans. This included a loss of £8.3 million recycled from the net investment hedge reserve. The Group risk management strategies and 
hedge documentation comply with the requirements of IFRS 9 and are thus treated as continuing hedges. As at 31 December 2019, amounts relating  
to continuing hedges in the net investment hedge reserve were £120.2 million (2018: £230.1 million). These hedges are due to mature between 2020 
and 2031. 

The movements in the net investment hedge reserve offset foreign exchange translation losses during the year of £204.3 million  
(2018: £41.5 million gains) which arise from the retranslation of the net investment in foreign operations and £69.1 million (2018: £10.3 million) of 
cumulative gains recycled on disposal of foreign operations. These are shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity as movements  
in the translation reserve on pages 138 and 139.  

The Group designated as a cash flow hedge the cross currency swaps used to manage its foreign currency risk on US dollar loans. In 2019, a loss  
of £8.4 million (2018: £27.7 million gain) was recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve in respect of these derivatives of which a £15.2 million loss 
(2018: £23.6 million gain) was recycled to net finance costs. At 31 December 2019, the cash flow hedge reserve includes a loss of £1.4 million  
(2018: £8.2 million), all of which relates to continuing cash flow hedges. The cash flows are expected to occur between 2020 and 2024. 

The ratio for hedging instruments designated in both net investment and cash flow hedge relationships was 1:1. Ineffectiveness could be recognised  
on either hedging relationship due to significant changes in counterparty credit risk or a reduction in the notional amount of the hedged item during 
the designated hedging period. 

J: Maturity analysis of financial liabilities 
The remaining contractual non-discounted cash flows for financial liabilities are as follows: 

Payables1 
Derivative financial liability cash inflows 
Derivative financial liability cash outflows 
Non-derivative borrowings 
Non-derivative unamortised borrowing costs  
Non-derivative interest  
Head leases – continuing operations 
Head leases – discontinued operations 

Payables1 
Derivative financial liability cash inflows 
Derivative financial liability cash outflows 
Non-derivative borrowings 
Non-derivative unamortised borrowing costs  
Non-derivative interest  
Head leases  

Less than 
one year
£m
182.6
(297.3)
296.4
–
–
84.9
2.2
0.1
268.9

One to two
years
£m
9.5
(17.9)
12.8
143.7
–
84.8
2.2
0.1
235.2

Two to five
years
£m
13.6
(226.0)
215.3
1,324.4
8.1
231.8
6.6
0.4
1,574.2

Five to 25 
years  
£m 
39.3 
(362.3) 
415.0 
1,036.8 
7.3 
166.8 
44.2 
2.3 
1,349.4 

More than 25 
years 
£m
– 
–
–
–
–
–
73.3
26.1
99.4

Less than 
one year
£m
202.0
(456.7)
461.9
–
–
94.2
2.4
303.8

One to two
years
£m
1.7
(18.1)
13.5
–
–
95.3
2.4
94.8

Two to five
years
£m
2.2
(54.2)
40.5
1,604.1
10.3
262.3
7.3
1,872.5

Five to 25 
 years  
£m 
36.2 
(559.4) 
655.9 
1,409.8 
8.4 
184.4 
48.9 
1,784.2 

More than 25 
years 
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
105.7
105.7

2019 Maturity

Total
£m
245.0
(903.5)
939.5
2,504.9
15.4
568.3
128.5
29.0
3,527.1

2018 Maturity

Total
£m
242.1
(1,088.4)
1,171.8
3,013.9
18.7
636.2
166.7
4,161.0

Note

20 

22 

Note

20 

22 

1.  Comprises current and non-current payables excluding withholding tax on interim dividends of £12.2 million (2018: £12.7 million), deferred income of £14.2 million  

(2018: £18.1 million) and net pension liabilities of £45.3 million (2018: £47.8 million) as these do not meet the definition of financial liabilities. Total payables of £245.0 million includes 
£235.0 million relating to continuing operations and £10.0 million relating to discontinued operations. 

K: Capital structure 
The Group’s financing policy is to optimise the weighted average cost of capital by using an appropriate mix of debt and equity, the latter in the form of 
share capital. Further information on debt is provided in the Financial review on pages 56 and 57, and information on share capital and changes therein 
is set out in note 24 on page 179 and in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on pages 138 and 139. 

178   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued 

I: Carrying amounts, gains and losses on financial instruments (continued) 

The equity gains of £200.7 million, on hedging instruments, shown as the total movement in the net investment and cash flow hedge reserves in the 

consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 138 comprise gains in relation to derivative financial instruments of £139.8 million and gains in 

relation to loans of £60.9 million as shown in the table on page 177. This includes cumulative losses of £55.3 million recycled from the net investment 

hedge reserve to the income statement on disposal of foreign operations. In 2018, the equity losses on hedging instruments of £16.6 million shown as 

the total movement in the hedging reserves on page 139 comprise a gain of £1.2 million in relation to derivative financial instruments and a loss of  

£17.8 million for loans. This included a loss of £8.3 million recycled from the net investment hedge reserve. The Group risk management strategies and 

hedge documentation comply with the requirements of IFRS 9 and are thus treated as continuing hedges. As at 31 December 2019, amounts relating  

to continuing hedges in the net investment hedge reserve were £120.2 million (2018: £230.1 million). These hedges are due to mature between 2020 

and 2031. 

The movements in the net investment hedge reserve offset foreign exchange translation losses during the year of £204.3 million  

(2018: £41.5 million gains) which arise from the retranslation of the net investment in foreign operations and £69.1 million (2018: £10.3 million) of 

cumulative gains recycled on disposal of foreign operations. These are shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity as movements  

in the translation reserve on pages 138 and 139.  

The Group designated as a cash flow hedge the cross currency swaps used to manage its foreign currency risk on US dollar loans. In 2019, a loss  

of £8.4 million (2018: £27.7 million gain) was recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve in respect of these derivatives of which a £15.2 million loss 

(2018: £23.6 million gain) was recycled to net finance costs. At 31 December 2019, the cash flow hedge reserve includes a loss of £1.4 million  

(2018: £8.2 million), all of which relates to continuing cash flow hedges. The cash flows are expected to occur between 2020 and 2024. 

The ratio for hedging instruments designated in both net investment and cash flow hedge relationships was 1:1. Ineffectiveness could be recognised  

on either hedging relationship due to significant changes in counterparty credit risk or a reduction in the notional amount of the hedged item during 

the designated hedging period. 

J: Maturity analysis of financial liabilities 

The remaining contractual non-discounted cash flows for financial liabilities are as follows: 

Less than 

One to two

Two to five

Five to 25 

More than 25 

Payables1 

Derivative financial liability cash inflows 

Derivative financial liability cash outflows 

Non-derivative borrowings 

Non-derivative unamortised borrowing costs  

Non-derivative interest  

Head leases – continuing operations 

Head leases – discontinued operations 

Payables1 

Derivative financial liability cash inflows 

Derivative financial liability cash outflows 

Non-derivative borrowings 

Non-derivative unamortised borrowing costs  

Non-derivative interest  

Head leases  

268.9

235.2

1,574.2

1,349.4 

Note

20 

22 

Note

20 

22 

one year

£m

182.6

(297.3)

296.4

–

–

84.9

2.2

0.1

Less than 

one year

£m

202.0

(456.7)

461.9

–

–

94.2

2.4

303.8

years

£m

9.5

(17.9)

12.8

143.7

–

84.8

2.2

0.1

years

£m

1.7

(18.1)

13.5

–

–

95.3

2.4

94.8

years

£m

13.6

(226.0)

215.3

1,324.4

8.1

231.8

6.6

0.4

years

£m

2.2

(54.2)

40.5

1,604.1

10.3

262.3

7.3

years  

£m 

39.3 

(362.3) 

415.0 

1,036.8 

7.3 

166.8 

44.2 

2.3 

 years  

£m 

36.2 

(559.4) 

655.9 

1,409.8 

8.4 

184.4 

48.9 

1,872.5

1,784.2 

2019 Maturity

Total

£m

245.0

(903.5)

939.5

2,504.9

15.4

568.3

128.5

29.0

3,527.1

Total

£m

242.1

(1,088.4)

1,171.8

3,013.9

18.7

636.2

166.7

4,161.0

2018 Maturity

years 

£m

73.3

26.1

99.4

years 

£m

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

105.7

105.7

One to two

Two to five

Five to 25 

More than 25 

1.  Comprises current and non-current payables excluding withholding tax on interim dividends of £12.2 million (2018: £12.7 million), deferred income of £14.2 million  

(2018: £18.1 million) and net pension liabilities of £45.3 million (2018: £47.8 million) as these do not meet the definition of financial liabilities. Total payables of £245.0 million includes 

£235.0 million relating to continuing operations and £10.0 million relating to discontinued operations. 

K: Capital structure 

The Group’s financing policy is to optimise the weighted average cost of capital by using an appropriate mix of debt and equity, the latter in the form of 

share capital. Further information on debt is provided in the Financial review on pages 56 and 57, and information on share capital and changes therein 

is set out in note 24 on page 179 and in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on pages 138 and 139. 

21:  Financial instruments and risk management continued 

22: Obligations under head leases 

Head lease obligations in respect of rents payable on leasehold properties are payable as follows: 

After 25 years 
From five to 25 years 
From two to five years 
From one to two years 
Within one year 

23: Payables: non-current liabilities 

Net pension liability (note 7C) 
Other payables* 

Minimum 
lease 
payments
£m
73.3
44.2
6.6
2.2
2.2
128.5

2019

Present value
of minimum
lease
 payments
£m
32.1
4.3
0.3
0.1
0.1
36.9

Interest
£m
(41.2)
(39.9)
(6.3)
(2.1)
(2.1)
(91.6)

Minimum  
lease  
payments 
£m 
105.7 
48.9 
7.3 
2.4 
2.4 
166.7 

2018

Present value
of minimum
lease 
payments
£m
37.5
4.3
0.3
0.1
0.1
42.3

2018
£m
46.9
40.1
87.0

Interest
£m
(68.2)
(44.6)
(7.0)
(2.3)
(2.3)
(124.4)

2019
£m
44.4
62.1
106.5

*  Other payables include lease liabilities of £6.7 million (2018: £nil) as a result of adopting IFRS 16 to the Group’s offices in London, Reading, Dublin and Paris (see note 1). The lease 

liabilities are payable as follows: £3.1 million from one to two years; £3.5 million from two to five years; and £0.1 million from five to 25 years. 

24:  Share capital 

Called-up, allotted and fully paid 
Ordinary shares of 25p each 
The authorised share capital was removed from the Company’s Articles of Association in 2010. 

Movements in number of shares in issue 
Number of shares in issue at 1 January 2019 
Share buyback 
Share options exercised – Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 
Number of shares in issue at 31 December 2019 

2019
£m
191.6

2018
£m
191.6

Number

766,352,172
(59,400)
841
766,293,613

Share schemes 
At 31 December 2019, the Company had three share schemes in operation. The number and weighted average exercise price of share options which 
remain outstanding in respect of the Savings-Related Share Option Scheme are shown in the tables below, together with details of expiry periods and 
range of exercise price. The number of ordinary shares which remain outstanding in respect of the Restricted Share Plan and Long Term Incentive Plan 
are shown, together with their year of grant.  

Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 
Restricted Share Plan 
Long Term Incentive Plan 

Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 
Restricted Share Plan 
Long Term Incentive Plan 

Number
541,480
–
–

Year of expiry
2020-2025
–
–

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
£3.57
–
–

Share options 

Ordinary shares of 25p each 

2019 

Exercise price 
(pence) 
170.4-540.4 
– 
– 

Number
–
1,383,179
2,065,609

Year of grant
–
2017-2019
2016-2019

Number
551,321
–
–

Year of expiry
2019-2024
–
–

Share options 

Ordinary shares of 25p each 

2018 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
£4.25
–
–

Exercise price  
(pence) 
356.64-540.4 
– 
– 

Number
–
997,776
2,753,291

Year of grant
–
2016-2018
2015-2018

178   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 179
www.hammerson.com  179 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements continued 

25: Analysis of movement in net debt 

Notes 
At 1 January 
Cash flow 
Change in fair value of currency swaps 
Exchange 
At 31 December  
Cash and deposits reclassified as assets held for sale 
At 31 December – excluding assets held for sale 

Cash and
 deposits
£m
18
31.2
– 
– 
(1.4)
29.8
(1.6)
28.2

Borrowings 
£m
21F
(3,098.8)
391.7
10.7
148.4
(2,548.0)
–
(2,548.0)

2019

Net debt
£m

(3,067.6)
391.7
10.7
147.0
(2,518.2)
(1.6)
(2,519.8)

Cash and 
 deposits 
£m 
18 
205.9 
(175.4) 
– 
0.7 
31.2 
– 
31.2 

26: Adjustment for non-cash items in the cash flow statement 

Amortisation of lease incentives and other costs 
Increase in loss allowance provision 
Increase in accrued rents receivable 
Depreciation  
Share-based employee remuneration (note 5) 
Other 

Borrowings 
£m
21F
(3,442.7)
376.0
(5.6)
(26.5)
(3,098.8)
–
(3,098.8)

2019
£m
6.2
1.4
(1.3)
5.1
3.0
(5.5)
8.9

2018

Net debt
£m

(3,236.8)
200.6
(5.6)
(25.8)
(3,067.6)
–
(3,067.6)

2018
£m
7.9
1.0
(1.7)
1.5
3.4
(1.8)
10.3

27:  Contingent liabilities and capital commitments 

There are contingent liabilities of £159.2 million (2018: £73.5 million) relating to guarantees given by the Reported Group and a further  
£60.4 million (2018: £22.0 million) relating to claims against the Reported Group arising in the normal course of business, which are considered  
to be unlikely to crystallise. In addition, the Group’s share of contingent liabilities arising within joint ventures is £18.8 million (2018: £8.7 million). 
Contingent liabilities have increased during the year as a result of liabilities associated with potential works on the Group’s properties and recent 
property disposals, although no individual contingency is material to the Group. 

The Reported Group also had capital commitments of £70.6 million (2018: £141.2 million) in relation to future capital expenditure on investment  
and development properties. The Group’s share of the capital commitments arising within joint ventures is £33.2 million (2018: £21.8 million). 

The risks and uncertainties facing the Group are detailed on pages 58 to 64.  

28: Related party transactions and non-controlling interests 

A. Joint ventures and associates 
Related party transactions with the Group’s joint ventures and associates primarily comprise management fees, interest receivable and loan balances.  
The amounts shown below represent the Group’s transactions and balances with its related parties and are shown before any consolidation adjustments. 

Management fees from joint ventures 
Management fees from associates 
Interest receivable from joint ventures 
Interest receivable from associates 

Balances due from joint ventures (note 14A) 
Participative loans to associates (note 15C) 
Loans to associates (note 15C, footnote 2) 

2019
£m
14.7
1.1
12.3
0.1

443.7
195.2
1.7

2018
£m
17.1
1.1
10.3
0.1

437.9
169.4
1.8

180   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B. Key management 
The remuneration of the Directors and other members of the Group Executive Committee (GEC), who are the key management of the Group, is set out 
below in aggregate. The members of the GEC, including their biographies, are set out on the Group’s website. Further information about the 
remuneration of the individual Directors is disclosed in the audited sections of the Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 89 to 122.  

Salaries and short-term benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments 
Total remuneration 

2019
£m
5.5
0.7
1.0
7.2

2018
£m
4.6
0.7
1.3
6.6

C. Non-controlling interests 
The Group’s non-controlling interest represents a 35.5% interest held by Assurbail in a French entity which owned Place des Halles, Strasbourg.  
The entity disposed of its interest in this property in December 2017 and incurred post-disposal costs of £0.4 million in 2018, as shown in note 2  
on page 147. 

As a result of exchange differences of £0.1 million during the year, at 31 December 2019, non-controlling interests in the consolidated balance sheet 
were £0.2 million (2018: £0.3 million). Distributions of £nil (2018: £13.3 million), were paid to Assurbail during the year. 

29: Post balance sheet events 

Since the year end, the Group has completed the sale of Abbey Retail Park for £33 million and exchanged unconditional contracts for the sale of seven 
retail parks for net proceeds of £395 million. These properties were classified as assets held for sale at 31 December 2019, and impaired to their fair 
value less selling costs, in accordance with IFRS 5, as detailed in note 10. The sale price was in line with the value utilised to calculate the impairment. 
Following these disposals, the Group will have £34 million remaining in properties classified as held for sale. 

Notes to the financial statements continued 

25: Analysis of movement in net debt 

Notes 

At 1 January 

Cash flow 

Exchange 

At 31 December  

Change in fair value of currency swaps 

Cash and deposits reclassified as assets held for sale 

At 31 December – excluding assets held for sale 

Amortisation of lease incentives and other costs 

Increase in loss allowance provision 

Increase in accrued rents receivable 

Depreciation  

Other 

Share-based employee remuneration (note 5) 

31.2

(3,098.8)

(3,067.6)

(3,442.7)

(3,236.8)

Cash and

 deposits

Borrowings 

2019

Net debt

£m

391.7

10.7

147.0

£m

21F

391.7

10.7

148.4

£m

18

– 

– 

(1.4)

29.8

(1.6)

28.2

Cash and 

 deposits 

£m 

18 

205.9 

(175.4) 

– 

0.7 

31.2 

– 

31.2 

(2,548.0)

(2,518.2)

–

(1.6)

(2,548.0)

(2,519.8)

(3,098.8)

(3,067.6)

–

–

(3,098.8)

(3,067.6)

Borrowings 

£m

21F

376.0

(5.6)

(26.5)

2019

£m

6.2

1.4

(1.3)

5.1

3.0

(5.5)

8.9

2018

Net debt

£m

200.6

(5.6)

(25.8)

2018

£m

7.9

1.0

(1.7)

1.5

3.4

(1.8)

10.3

26: Adjustment for non-cash items in the cash flow statement 

27:  Contingent liabilities and capital commitments 

There are contingent liabilities of £159.2 million (2018: £73.5 million) relating to guarantees given by the Reported Group and a further  

£60.4 million (2018: £22.0 million) relating to claims against the Reported Group arising in the normal course of business, which are considered  

to be unlikely to crystallise. In addition, the Group’s share of contingent liabilities arising within joint ventures is £18.8 million (2018: £8.7 million). 

Contingent liabilities have increased during the year as a result of liabilities associated with potential works on the Group’s properties and recent 

property disposals, although no individual contingency is material to the Group. 

The Reported Group also had capital commitments of £70.6 million (2018: £141.2 million) in relation to future capital expenditure on investment  

and development properties. The Group’s share of the capital commitments arising within joint ventures is £33.2 million (2018: £21.8 million). 

The risks and uncertainties facing the Group are detailed on pages 58 to 64.  

28: Related party transactions and non-controlling interests 

A. Joint ventures and associates 

Related party transactions with the Group’s joint ventures and associates primarily comprise management fees, interest receivable and loan balances.  

The amounts shown below represent the Group’s transactions and balances with its related parties and are shown before any consolidation adjustments. 

Management fees from joint ventures 

Management fees from associates 

Interest receivable from joint ventures 

Interest receivable from associates 

Balances due from joint ventures (note 14A) 

Participative loans to associates (note 15C) 

Loans to associates (note 15C, footnote 2) 

2019

£m

14.7

1.1

12.3

0.1

443.7

195.2

1.7

2018

£m

17.1

1.1

10.3

0.1

437.9

169.4

1.8

180   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 181
www.hammerson.com  181 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company balance sheet   
Company balance sheet 
as at 31 December 2019 
as at 31 December 2019 

Notes 

2019
£m

2018
£m

C 

F 

D 

F 

E 

F 

F 

F 

24 

3,774.9
31.6
4,955.5
8,762.0

11.2
0.8
2.1
14.1
8,776.1

(1,819.2)
(4.1)
(1,823.3)

(2,504.9)
(70.7)
(4,398.9)
4,377.2

191.6
1,266.0
374.1
14.3
1,668.3
865.1
(2.2)
4,377.2

4,551.0
24.5
5,784.4
10,359.9

11.1
4.1
3.8
19.0
10,378.9

(1,821.3)
(9.8)
(1,831.1)

(3,013.9)
(101.0)
(4,946.0)
5,432.9

191.6
1,266.0
374.1
14.3
2,955.4
634.5
(3.0)
5,432.9

Non-current assets 
Investments in subsidiary companies 
Derivative financial instruments 
Receivables 

Current assets 
Receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash and deposits 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Payables 
Derivative financial instruments 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans  
Derivative financial instruments 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Equity 
Called-up share capital 
Share premium 
Merger reserve 
Other reserves 
Revaluation reserve 
Retained earnings 
Investment in own shares 
Equity shareholders’ funds 

The profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders and included within retained earnings was £428.6 million (2018: £76.3 million). 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2020. 

Signed on behalf of the Board 

David Atkins  
Director 

James Lenton
Director 

Registered in England No. 360632 

182   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

182

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company balance sheet 

as at 31 December 2019 

Company statement of changes in equity  
Company statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

–
–
–
–

Share 
capital 
£m

Share 
premium
 £m
191.6 1,266.0
–
–
–
–

Balance at 1 January 2019 
Share buyback – release of 2018 accrual 
Cost of shares awarded to employees 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends (note 11) 

Merger 
reserve 
£m
374.1
–
–
–
–

Other  
reserves1  
£m  
14.3
–
–
–
–

Revaluation 
reserve 
 £m 
2,955.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Retained 
earnings 
 £m 
634.5 
0.8 
– 
– 
(198.4) 

Investment 
in own 
Shares2
£m 
(3.0)
–
2.6
(1.8)
–

Equity  
shareholders’ 
funds  
£m  
5,432.9
0.8
2.6
(1.8)
(198.4)

Non-current assets 

Investments in subsidiary companies 

Derivative financial instruments 

Receivables 

Current assets 

Receivables 

Derivative financial instruments 

Cash and deposits 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Payables 

Derivative financial instruments 

Non-current liabilities 

Loans  

Derivative financial instruments 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Called-up share capital 

Share premium 

Merger reserve 

Other reserves 

Revaluation reserve 

Retained earnings 

Investment in own shares 

Equity shareholders’ funds 

Notes 

2019

£m

2018

£m

C 

F 

D 

F 

E 

F 

F 

F 

24 

3,774.9

31.6

4,955.5

8,762.0

4,551.0

24.5

5,784.4

10,359.9

11.2

0.8

2.1

14.1

11.1

4.1

3.8

19.0

8,776.1

10,378.9

(1,819.2)

(4.1)

(1,823.3)

(2,504.9)

(70.7)

(4,398.9)

4,377.2

191.6

1,266.0

374.1

14.3

1,668.3

865.1

(2.2)

4,377.2

(1,821.3)

(9.8)

(1,831.1)

(3,013.9)

(101.0)

(4,946.0)

5,432.9

191.6

1,266.0

374.1

14.3

2,955.4

634.5

(3.0)

5,432.9

The profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders and included within retained earnings was £428.6 million (2018: £76.3 million). 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2020. 

Signed on behalf of the Board 

David Atkins  

Director 

James Lenton

Director 

Registered in England No. 360632 

Revaluation losses on investments in subsidiary 
companies (note C) 
Foreign exchange translation differences on net 
investment in subsidiaries (note C) 
Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders 
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 
Balance at 31 December 2019 

–

–

–

–

(1,287.1) 

– 

–

(1,287.1)

–
–
–

–
–
–
191.6 1,266.0

–
–
–
374.1

–
–
–
14.3

– 
– 

(0.4) 
428.6 
(1,287.1)  428.2 
865.1 
1,668.3 

–
–
–
(2.2)

(0.4)
428.6
(858.9)
4,377.2

1.  Other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve relating to share buybacks. 
2.  Investment in own shares is stated at cost. 

Balance at 1 January 2018  
Issue of shares 
Share buyback 
Cost of shares awarded to employees 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends (note 11) 

Share capital 
£m
198.6
–
(7.0)
–
–
–

Share 
premium
 £m
1,265.9
0.1
–
–
–
–

Revaluation losses on investments in subsidiary 
companies (note C) 
Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders 
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 
Balance at 31 December 2018 

–
–
–
191.6

–
–
–
1,266.0

1.  Other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve relating to share buybacks. 
2.  Investment in own shares is stated at cost. 

Merger 
reserve 
£m
374.1
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
374.1

Other  
reserves1 
£m  
7.3
–
7.0
–
–
–

Revaluation 
reserve 
 £m 
3,301.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Retained 
earnings 
 £m 
890.5 
– 
(128.9) 
– 
– 
(203.4) 

Investment  
in own  
shares2 
£m  
(0.3)
–
–
3.6
(6.3)
–

Equity  
 shareholders’ 
funds  
£m  
6,037.5
0.1
(128.9)
3.6
(6.3)
(203.4)

–
–
–
14.3

(346.0) 
– 
(346.0) 
2,955.4 

– 
76.3 
76.3 
634.5 

–
–
–
(3.0)

(346.0)
76.3
(269.7)
5,432.9

The merger reserve comprises the premium on the share placing in September 2014. With regard to this transaction, no share premium is recorded in 
the Company’s financial statements, through the operation of the merger relief provisions of the Companies Act 2006.  

182   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 183
www.hammerson.com  183 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the company financial statements   
Notes to the company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

A: Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting 
Although the consolidated Group financial statements are prepared under IFRS, the Hammerson plc Company financial statements presented in  
this section are prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 (FRS 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council.  

The financial statements are presented in sterling. They are prepared on the historical cost basis, except that the investments in subsidiary companies 
and derivative financial instruments are included at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange 
for the goods and services. 

Disclosure exemptions adopted 
In preparing these financial statements, Hammerson plc has taken advantage of all certain exemptions conferred by FRS 101. Therefore these financial 
statements do not include: 

–  certain comparative information as otherwise required by EU endorsed IFRS 
–  certain disclosures regarding the Company’s capital 
–  a statement of cash flows 
–  certain disclosures in respect of financial instruments 
–  the effect of future accounting standards not yet adopted 
–  disclosure of related party transactions with wholly-owned members of the Group 

The above disclosure exemptions have been adopted because equivalent disclosures are included in the consolidated Group financial statements into 
which Hammerson plc is consolidated.  

Accounting policies 
The significant accounting policies relevant to the Company are the same as those set out in the accounting policies for the Group in note 1, except  
for significant judgements and key estimates and investments in subsidiary companies, which are included at fair value. Revaluation movements are 
included within equity in the revaluation reserve. 

The Company’s area of estimation uncertainty is in respect of the valuation of investments in subsidiary companies. The Directors determine the 
valuations with reference to the net assets of the entities. The principal assets of the entities are the investment and development properties either held 
by the subsidiary or its fellow group undertakings which are valued by professional external valuers. The Directors must ensure they are satisfied that 
the Company’s investment in subsidiary companies is appropriate for the financial statements. The basis of valuation of the Group’s investment and 
development properties is set out in the notes to the financial statements. See note 1 on page 144 and note 13 on page 160. Consistent with the Group’s 
deferred tax recognition treatment, as explained in note 9C, in calculating the net asset values of the subsidiaries, no deduction is made for deferred tax. 
There are no other significant areas of judgement. 

B: Result for the year and dividend 

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the Company is not presented as part of these financial statements. 
The profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders within the financial statements of the Company was £428.6 million  
(2018: £76.3 million) and includes a net gain of £125.2 million (2018: £26.5 million) in respect of foreign exchange translation movements on the 
Company’s euro and US dollar denominated receivables and borrowings. 

Dividend information is provided in note 11 to the financial statements. 

C: Investments in subsidiary companies 

Balance at 1 January 
Additions 
Exchange adjustment 
Revaluation loss 
Balance at 31 December 

2019 

2018

Cost less 
provision for 
permanent 
diminution in 
value
£m
1,561.7
511.4
(0.4)
–
2,072.7

Cost less 
provision for 
permanent 
diminution in 
value
£m
1,561.7
–
–
–
1,561.7

Valuation  
£m 
4,551.0 
511.4 
(0.4) 
(1,287.1) 
3,774.9 

Valuation 
£m
4,897.0
–
–
(346.0)
4,551.0

During the year the Company increased its investments in Hammerson International Holdings Limited and Hammerson VIA Jersey Limited by  
£450.0 million and €65.3 million (£55.7 million) respectively and subscribed for shares in Hammerson Via No 2 Limited at a nominal value of  
€6.7 million (£5.7 million).  

Investments are stated at Directors’ valuation. 

A list of the subsidiary companies and other related undertakings at 31 December 2019 is included in note G. 

184   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

184

 
 
Notes to the company financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2019 

A: Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting 

Reporting Council.  

for the goods and services. 

Disclosure exemptions adopted 

statements do not include: 

Although the consolidated Group financial statements are prepared under IFRS, the Hammerson plc Company financial statements presented in  

this section are prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 (FRS 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued by the Financial 

The financial statements are presented in sterling. They are prepared on the historical cost basis, except that the investments in subsidiary companies 

and derivative financial instruments are included at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange 

In preparing these financial statements, Hammerson plc has taken advantage of all certain exemptions conferred by FRS 101. Therefore these financial 

–  certain comparative information as otherwise required by EU endorsed IFRS 

–  certain disclosures regarding the Company’s capital 

–  a statement of cash flows 

–  certain disclosures in respect of financial instruments 

–  the effect of future accounting standards not yet adopted 

–  disclosure of related party transactions with wholly-owned members of the Group 

which Hammerson plc is consolidated.  

Accounting policies 

The above disclosure exemptions have been adopted because equivalent disclosures are included in the consolidated Group financial statements into 

The significant accounting policies relevant to the Company are the same as those set out in the accounting policies for the Group in note 1, except  

for significant judgements and key estimates and investments in subsidiary companies, which are included at fair value. Revaluation movements are 

included within equity in the revaluation reserve. 

The Company’s area of estimation uncertainty is in respect of the valuation of investments in subsidiary companies. The Directors determine the 

valuations with reference to the net assets of the entities. The principal assets of the entities are the investment and development properties either held 

by the subsidiary or its fellow group undertakings which are valued by professional external valuers. The Directors must ensure they are satisfied that 

the Company’s investment in subsidiary companies is appropriate for the financial statements. The basis of valuation of the Group’s investment and 

development properties is set out in the notes to the financial statements. See note 1 on page 144 and note 13 on page 160. Consistent with the Group’s 

deferred tax recognition treatment, as explained in note 9C, in calculating the net asset values of the subsidiaries, no deduction is made for deferred tax. 

There are no other significant areas of judgement. 

B: Result for the year and dividend 

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the Company is not presented as part of these financial statements. 

The profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders within the financial statements of the Company was £428.6 million  

(2018: £76.3 million) and includes a net gain of £125.2 million (2018: £26.5 million) in respect of foreign exchange translation movements on the 

Company’s euro and US dollar denominated receivables and borrowings. 

Dividend information is provided in note 11 to the financial statements. 

C: Investments in subsidiary companies 

2019 

2018

Cost less 

provision for 

permanent 

diminution in 

value

£m

1,561.7

511.4

(0.4)

–

2,072.7

Cost less 

provision for 

permanent 

diminution in 

value

£m

1,561.7

–

–

–

1,561.7

Valuation  

£m 

4,551.0 

511.4 

(0.4) 

(1,287.1) 

3,774.9 

Valuation 

£m

4,897.0

–

–

(346.0)

4,551.0

Balance at 1 January 

Additions 

Exchange adjustment 

Revaluation loss 

Balance at 31 December 

During the year the Company increased its investments in Hammerson International Holdings Limited and Hammerson VIA Jersey Limited by  

£450.0 million and €65.3 million (£55.7 million) respectively and subscribed for shares in Hammerson Via No 2 Limited at a nominal value of  

€6.7 million (£5.7 million).  

Investments are stated at Directors’ valuation. 

A list of the subsidiary companies and other related undertakings at 31 December 2019 is included in note G. 

D: Receivables: non-current assets 

Amounts owed by subsidiaries and other related undertakings 
Loans receivable from associate (note 15C) 

2019
£m
4,953.8
1.7
4,955.5

2018
£m
5,782.6
1.8
5,784.4

Amounts owed by subsidiaries and other related undertakings are unsecured and bear interest at floating rates based on LIBOR. This includes amounts 
which are repayable on demand; however, it is the Company’s current intention not to seek repayment of these amounts before 31 December 2020. 

E: Payables: current liabilities 

Amounts owed to subsidiaries and other related undertakings 
Withholding tax on interim dividends (note 11) 
Other payables 
Accruals 

2019
£m
1,765.1
12.2
–
41.9
1,819.2

2018
£m
1,762.1
12.7
0.9
45.6
1,821.3

The amounts owed to subsidiaries and other related undertakings are unsecured, repayable on demand and bear interest at floating rates based  
on LIBOR. 

F: Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Derivative financial instruments 

Bonds  
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Senior notes 
Fair value of currency swaps 
Borrowings 
Interest rate swaps 
Loans and derivative financial instruments 

Current 
assets
£m
–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.7)
(0.8)

Non-current 
assets 
£m
–
–
–
(31.6)
(31.6)
–
(31.6)

Current 
liabilities 
£m
–
–
–
4.1
4.1
–
4.1

Non-current 
liabilities 
£m 

Loans 
> 1 year 
£m 
–  1,688.0 
127.6 
– 
689.3 
– 
– 
70.7 
70.7  2,504.9 
– 
70.7  2,504.9 

– 

2019
Total
£m
1,688.0
127.6
689.3
43.1
2,548.0
(0.7)
2,547.3

2018
Total
£m
1,735.1
562.8
716.0
84.9
3,098.8
(2.7)
3,096.1

Details of the Group’s loans and derivative financial instruments are given in notes 20 and 21 to the financial statements. The fair value of the 
Company’s loans and derivative financial instruments is equal to that of the Reported Group as shown in note 21H.  

G: Subsidiaries and other related undertakings 

The Company’s subsidiaries and other related undertakings at 31 December 2019 are listed below. No Group entities have been excluded from the 
consolidated financial results.  

Direct subsidiaries 
The Company has a 100% interest in the ordinary share capital of the following entities, which are registered/operate in the countries as shown: 

England and Wales 

Registered office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE 
Grantchester Holdings Limited 
Hammerson Company Secretarial Limited 
Hammerson Employee Share Plan Trustees Limited 
Hammerson Group Management Limited 
Hammerson Group Management Limited – Irish branch1 
Hammerson Group Limited 

1.  Registered office: Pavilion House, 31 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. 

France  

Registered office: 40/48 rue Cambon – 23 rue des Capucines 75001 Paris 
Hammerson Holding France SAS 

Hammerson International Holdings Limited 
Hammerson Pension Scheme Trustees Limited 
Hammerson Share Option Scheme Trustees Limited 
Hammerson Via No 1 Limited 
Hammerson Via No 2 Limited 

Hammerson plc – French branch 

184   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 185
www.hammerson.com  185 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the company financial statements continued
Notes to the company financial statements continued 

G: Subsidiaries and other related undertakings continued 

Indirect subsidiaries and other wholly-owned entities  
Unless otherwise stated, the Company has an indirect 100% interest in the ordinary share capital of the following entities, which are registered/operate 
in the countries as shown: 

England and Wales 

Registered office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE (See page 187 for footnotes) 
280 Bishopsgate Investments Limited 
Abbey Retail Park Limited (Northern Ireland) 1 
Christchurch UK Limited 
Crocusford Limited 
Governeffect Limited 
Grantchester Developments (Birmingham) Limited 
Grantchester Developments (Falkirk) Limited 
Grantchester Group Limited 
Grantchester Investments Limited 
Grantchester Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Gloucester) Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Luton) Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Middlesbrough) Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Nottingham) Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Port Talbot) Limited 
Grantchester Properties (Sunderland) Limited 
Grantchester Property Management Limited 
Hammerson (60 Threadneedle Street) Limited 
Hammerson (9-13 Grosvenor Street) Limited 
Hammerson (Abbey) Limited 
Hammerson (Bicester No. 2) Limited 
Hammerson (Brent Cross) Limited 
Hammerson (Brent South) Limited 
Hammerson (Bristol Investments) Limited 
Hammerson (Bristol) Limited 
Hammerson (Cardiff) Limited 
Hammerson (Centurion) Limited 
Hammerson (Coventry) Limited 
Hammerson (Cramlington I) Limited 
Hammerson (Cricklewood) Limited 
Hammerson (Croydon) Limited 
Hammerson (Didcot) Limited 
Hammerson (Didcot II) Limited 
Hammerson (Euston Square) Limited 
Hammerson (Exeter II) Limited 
Hammerson (Folkestone) Limited  
Hammerson (Grosvenor Street) Limited 
Hammerson (Kingston) Limited 
Hammerson (Leeds Developments) Limited 
Hammerson (Leeds GP) Limited 
Hammerson (Leeds Investments) Limited 
Hammerson (Leeds) Limited 
Hammerson (Leicester GP) Limited 
Hammerson (Lichfield) Limited 
Hammerson (Merthyr) Limited 
Hammerson (Milton Keynes) Limited  
Hammerson (Moor House) Properties Limited  

Hammerson (Newcastle) Limited 
Hammerson (Newtownabbey) Limited 
Hammerson (Oldbury) Limited 
Hammerson (Renfrew) Limited 
Hammerson (Rugby) Limited 
Hammerson (Silverburn) Limited (Isle of Man) 2 
Hammerson (Staines) Limited 
Hammerson (Telford) Limited 
Hammerson (Value Retail Investments) Limited 
Hammerson (Via) GP Limited 
Hammerson (Victoria Gate) Limited 
Hammerson (Victoria Investments) Limited 
Hammerson (Victoria Quarter) Limited 
Hammerson (Watermark) Limited 
Hammerson (Whitgift) Limited 
Hammerson Birmingham Properties Limited 
Hammerson Bull Ring Limited 
Hammerson Croydon (GP1) Limited 
Hammerson Croydon (GP2) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 12) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 13) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 16) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 23) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 26) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 35) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 36) Limited 
Hammerson Investments (No. 37) Limited 
Hammerson Investments Limited 
Hammerson Junction (No 3) Limited 
Hammerson Junction (No 4) Limited 
Hammerson LLC (United States) 3 
Hammerson Martineau Galleries Limited 
Hammerson MGLP Limited 
Hammerson MGLP 2 Limited 
Hammerson MLP Limited 
Hammerson Moor House (LP) Limited 
Hammerson Operations Limited 
Hammerson Oracle Investments Limited 
Hammerson Oracle Properties Limited 
Hammerson Peterborough (GP) Limited 
Hammerson Peterborough (No 1) Limited 
Hammerson Peterborough (No 2) Limited 
Hammerson Project Management Limited 
Hammerson Ravenhead Limited 
Hammerson Renewable Energy Limited 
Hammerson Retail Parks Holdings Limited 
Hammerson Sheffield (NRQ) Limited  

186   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

186

 
 
 
 
Notes to the company financial statements continued 

G: Subsidiaries and other related undertakings continued 

Indirect subsidiaries and other wholly-owned entities  

Unless otherwise stated, the Company has an indirect 100% interest in the ordinary share capital of the following entities, which are registered/operate 

Registered office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE (See page 187 for footnotes) 

280 Bishopsgate Investments Limited 

Abbey Retail Park Limited (Northern Ireland) 1 

in the countries as shown: 

England and Wales 

Christchurch UK Limited 

Crocusford Limited 

Governeffect Limited 

Grantchester Developments (Birmingham) Limited 

Grantchester Developments (Falkirk) Limited 

Grantchester Group Limited 

Grantchester Investments Limited 

Grantchester Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Gloucester) Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Luton) Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Middlesbrough) Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Nottingham) Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Port Talbot) Limited 

Grantchester Properties (Sunderland) Limited 

Grantchester Property Management Limited 

Hammerson (60 Threadneedle Street) Limited 

Hammerson (9-13 Grosvenor Street) Limited 

Hammerson (Abbey) Limited 

Hammerson (Bicester No. 2) Limited 

Hammerson (Brent Cross) Limited 

Hammerson (Brent South) Limited 

Hammerson (Bristol Investments) Limited 

Hammerson (Bristol) Limited 

Hammerson (Cardiff) Limited 

Hammerson (Centurion) Limited 

Hammerson (Coventry) Limited 

Hammerson (Cramlington I) Limited 

Hammerson (Cricklewood) Limited 

Hammerson (Croydon) Limited 

Hammerson (Didcot) Limited 

Hammerson (Didcot II) Limited 

Hammerson (Euston Square) Limited 

Hammerson (Exeter II) Limited 

Hammerson (Folkestone) Limited  

Hammerson (Grosvenor Street) Limited 

Hammerson (Kingston) Limited 

Hammerson (Leeds Developments) Limited 

Hammerson (Leeds GP) Limited 

Hammerson (Leeds Investments) Limited 

Hammerson (Leeds) Limited 

Hammerson (Leicester GP) Limited 

Hammerson (Lichfield) Limited 

Hammerson (Merthyr) Limited 

Hammerson (Milton Keynes) Limited  

Hammerson (Moor House) Properties Limited  

Hammerson (Newcastle) Limited 

Hammerson (Newtownabbey) Limited 

Hammerson (Oldbury) Limited 

Hammerson (Renfrew) Limited 

Hammerson (Rugby) Limited 

Hammerson (Silverburn) Limited (Isle of Man) 2 

Hammerson (Staines) Limited 

Hammerson (Telford) Limited 

Hammerson (Value Retail Investments) Limited 

Hammerson (Via) GP Limited 

Hammerson (Victoria Gate) Limited 

Hammerson (Victoria Investments) Limited 

Hammerson (Victoria Quarter) Limited 

Hammerson (Watermark) Limited 

Hammerson (Whitgift) Limited 

Hammerson Birmingham Properties Limited 

Hammerson Bull Ring Limited 

Hammerson Croydon (GP1) Limited 

Hammerson Croydon (GP2) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 12) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 13) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 16) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 23) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 26) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 35) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 36) Limited 

Hammerson Investments (No. 37) Limited 

Hammerson Investments Limited 

Hammerson Junction (No 3) Limited 

Hammerson Junction (No 4) Limited 

Hammerson LLC (United States) 3 

Hammerson Martineau Galleries Limited 

Hammerson MGLP Limited 

Hammerson MGLP 2 Limited 

Hammerson MLP Limited 

Hammerson Moor House (LP) Limited 

Hammerson Operations Limited 

Hammerson Oracle Investments Limited 

Hammerson Oracle Properties Limited 

Hammerson Peterborough (GP) Limited 

Hammerson Peterborough (No 1) Limited 

Hammerson Peterborough (No 2) Limited 

Hammerson Project Management Limited 

Hammerson Ravenhead Limited 

Hammerson Renewable Energy Limited 

Hammerson Retail Parks Holdings Limited 

Hammerson Sheffield (NRQ) Limited  

Indirect subsidiaries and other wholly-owned entities continued 
England and Wales continued 

Registered office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE 
Hammerson Shelf Co 7 Limited  
Hammerson Shelf Co 9 Limited 
Hammerson Shelf Co 10 Limited 
Hammerson Shelf Co 11 Limited 
Hammerson Shelf Co 12 Limited 
Hammerson Shelf Co 13 Limited 
Hammerson Shelf Co 14 Limited 
Hammerson UK Properties plc 
Hammerson Wrekin LLP 6 
Junction Nominee 1 Limited 
Junction Nominee 2 Limited 
Leeds (GP1) Limited 
Leeds (GP2) Limited 
London & Metropolitan Northern 
LWP Limited Partnership 6 
Martineau Galleries (GP) Limited 
Martineau Galleries No. 1 Limited 
Martineau Galleries No. 2 Limited 
Mentboost Limited 
Monesan Limited (Northern Ireland) 1 
New Southgate Limited 

Precis (1474) Limited (Ordinary and Deferred) 
RT Group Developments Limited 
RT Group Property Investments Limited 
SEVCO 5025 Limited 4 
Spitalfields Developments Limited 
Spitalfields Holdings Limited (Ordinary and Preference) 
The Junction (General Partner) Limited 
The Junction (Thurrock Shareholder GP) Limited 
The Junction Limited Partnership 6 
The Junction Thurrock (General Partner) Limited 
The Junction Thurrock Limited Partnership 6 
The Martineau Galleries Limited Partnership 6 
Thurrock Shares 1 Limited 
Thurrock Shares 2 Limited 
Union Square Developments Limited (Scotland) 5 
West Quay (No.1) Limited 
West Quay (No.2) Limited 
West Quay Shopping Centre Limited 
Westchester Holdings Limited 
Westchester Property Holdings Limited 

Registered offices: (1) 50 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FW (2) First Names House, Victoria Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF (3) 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, 
Delaware 19808, United States; country of operation is the United Kingdom (4) SG House, 6 St. Cross Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9HX (5) 1 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1AL 
(6) No shares in issue for Limited Partnerships. 

France 

Registered office: 40/48 rue Cambon – 23 rue des Capucines, 75001 Paris 
BFN10 GmbH (Germany) 1 
Cergy Expansion 1 SAS 
Espace Plus SCI 
Hammerson SAS 
Hammerson Asset Management SAS 
Hammerson Centre Commercial Italie SAS 
Hammerson Cergy 1 SCI 
Hammerson Cergy 2 SCI 
Hammerson Cergy 4 SCI 
Hammerson Cergy 5 SCI 
Hammerson Développement SCI 
Hammerson Europe BV (Netherlands) 2 
Hammerson Fontaine SCI 
Hammerson France SAS 
Hammerson Marketing et Communication SAS 
Hammerson Marseille SC 
Hammerson Property Management SAS 
Hammerson Troyes SCI 
Les Pressing Réunis SARL 
Retail Park Nice Lingostière SAS 
RC Aulnay 3 SCI 
SCI Cergy Cambon SCI 

SCI Cergy Capucine SCI 
SCI Cergy Honoré SCI 
SCI Cergy Lynx SCI 
SCI Cergy Madeleine SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 1 SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 2 SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 3 SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 4 SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 5 SCI 
SCI Cergy Office 6 SCI 
SCI Cergy Opéra SCI 
SCI Cergy Paix SCI 
SCI Cergy Royale SCI 
SCI Cergy Trois SCI 
SCI Cergy Tuileries SCI 
SCI Cergy Vendôme SCI 
SCI Nevis SCI 
SCI Paris Italik SCI  
SNC Cergy Expansion 2  
Société de gestion des parkings Hammerson (SOGEPH) SARL 
Teycpac-H-Italie SAS 

Registered offices: (1) Schlossstraße 1, 12163 Berlin, Germany (2) Spoorsinge, 2871 TT, Schoonhoven, Netherlands. 

186   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 187
www.hammerson.com  187 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the company financial statements continued
Notes to the company financial statements continued 

G: Subsidiaries and other related undertakings continued 

Indirect subsidiaries and other wholly-owned entities continued 
Ireland 

Registered office: 6th floor, 2 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2 
Dublin Central GP Limited 
Dublin Central Limited Partnership 1 
Dundrum R&O Park Management Limited 
Dundrum Town Centre Management Limited 

1.  No shares in issue for Limited Partnerships. 

Jersey 

Registered office: 47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 0BD 
Hammerson 60 TNS Unit Trust 1 
Hammerson Birmingham Investments Limited 2 
Hammerson Bull Ring (Jersey) Limited 2 
Hammerson Croydon Investments Limited 
Hammerson Highcross Investments Limited 
Hammerson Junction (No 1) Limited 
Hammerson Junction (No 2) Limited 

Dundrum Village Management Company Limited 
Hammerson Ireland Investments Limited 
Hammerson Operations (Ireland) Limited 
The Hammerson ICAV 

Hammerson Victoria Quarter Unit Trust 1 
Hammerson VIA (Jersey) Limited 
Hammerson VRC (Jersey) Limited 
Hammerson Whitgift Investments Limited 
The Junction Thurrock Unit Trust 1 
The Junction Unit Trust 1 
The Telford Forge Retail Park Unit Trust 1 

1.  No shares in issue for Unit Trusts. The registered office address is that of the appropriate trustee (2) Registered office: 44 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG. 

Indirectly held joint venture entities 

See page 189 for footnotes 
Bishopsgate Goodsyard Regeneration Limited 
Brent Cross Partnership 
Bristol Alliance (GP) Limited 
Bristol Alliance Limited Partnership 
Bristol Alliance Nominee No. 1 Limited 
Bristol Alliance Nominee No. 2 Limited 
BRLP Rotunda Limited 
Bull Ring (GP) Limited 
Bull Ring (GP2) Limited 
Bull Ring Joint Venture Trust 
Bull Ring No. 1 Limited 
Bull Ring No. 2 Limited 
Croydon (GP1) Limited 
Croydon (GP2) Limited 
Croydon Car Park Limited 
Croydon Jersey Unit Trust 
Croydon Limited Partnership 
Croydon Management Services Limited 
Croydon Property Investments Limited 
Dundrum Car Park GP Limited 
Dundrum Car Park Limited Partnership 
Dundrum Retail GP Designated Activity Company 
Dundrum Retail Limited Partnership 
Grand Central (GP) Limited 
Grand Central Limited Partnership 
Grand Central No 1 Limited 
Grand Central No 2 Limited 
Grand Central Unit Trust 
Hammerson (Leicester) Limited 
Highcross (GP) Limited 
Highcross Leicester (GP) Limited 

Country of registration  
or operation 
England and Wales 1  
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
Jersey 2  
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
Jersey 3 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
Ireland 4 
Ireland 4 
Ireland 4 
Ireland 4 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
Jersey 2 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 

Class of share held 
Ordinary  
N/A 
Ordinary  
N/A  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
N/A  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
N/A  
N/A  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary 
N/A 
Ordinary 
N/A 
Ordinary  
N/A 
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
N/A 
Ordinary  
Ordinary 
Ordinary 

Ownership % 
50 
41 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 

188   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the company financial statements continued 

G: Subsidiaries and other related undertakings continued 

Indirect subsidiaries and other wholly-owned entities continued 

1.  No shares in issue for Unit Trusts. The registered office address is that of the appropriate trustee (2) Registered office: 44 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG. 

See page 189 for footnotes 

Class of share held 

Ownership % 

Bishopsgate Goodsyard Regeneration Limited 

England and Wales 1  

Ordinary  

Ireland 

Registered office: 6th floor, 2 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2 

Dublin Central GP Limited 

Dublin Central Limited Partnership 1 

Dundrum R&O Park Management Limited 

Dundrum Town Centre Management Limited 

1.  No shares in issue for Limited Partnerships. 

Jersey 

Registered office: 47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 0BD 

Hammerson 60 TNS Unit Trust 1 

Hammerson Birmingham Investments Limited 2 

Hammerson Bull Ring (Jersey) Limited 2 

Hammerson Croydon Investments Limited 

Hammerson Highcross Investments Limited 

Hammerson Junction (No 1) Limited 

Hammerson Junction (No 2) Limited 

Indirectly held joint venture entities 

Brent Cross Partnership 

Bristol Alliance (GP) Limited 

Bristol Alliance Limited Partnership 

Bristol Alliance Nominee No. 1 Limited 

Bristol Alliance Nominee No. 2 Limited 

BRLP Rotunda Limited 

Bull Ring (GP) Limited 

Bull Ring (GP2) Limited 

Bull Ring Joint Venture Trust 

Bull Ring No. 1 Limited 

Bull Ring No. 2 Limited 

Croydon (GP1) Limited 

Croydon (GP2) Limited 

Croydon Car Park Limited 

Croydon Jersey Unit Trust 

Croydon Limited Partnership 

Croydon Management Services Limited 

Croydon Property Investments Limited 

Dundrum Car Park GP Limited 

Dundrum Car Park Limited Partnership 

Dundrum Retail GP Designated Activity Company 

Dundrum Retail Limited Partnership 

Grand Central (GP) Limited 

Grand Central Limited Partnership 

Grand Central No 1 Limited 

Grand Central No 2 Limited 

Grand Central Unit Trust 

Hammerson (Leicester) Limited 

Highcross (GP) Limited 

Highcross Leicester (GP) Limited 

Dundrum Village Management Company Limited 

Hammerson Ireland Investments Limited 

Hammerson Operations (Ireland) Limited 

The Hammerson ICAV 

Hammerson Victoria Quarter Unit Trust 1 

Hammerson VIA (Jersey) Limited 

Hammerson VRC (Jersey) Limited 

Hammerson Whitgift Investments Limited 

The Junction Thurrock Unit Trust 1 

The Junction Unit Trust 1 

The Telford Forge Retail Park Unit Trust 1 

Country of registration  

or operation 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

Jersey 2  

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

Jersey 3 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

Ireland 4 

Ireland 4 

Ireland 4 

Ireland 4 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

Jersey 2 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

England and Wales 1 

N/A 

Ordinary  

N/A  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

N/A  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

N/A  

N/A  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

Ordinary  

N/A 

Ordinary  

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

50 

41 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

Indirectly held joint venture entities continued 

Highcross Leicester Limited 
Highcross Leicester Limited Partnership 
Highcross (No.1) Limited 
Highcross (No.2) Limited 
Highcross Residential (Nominees 1) Limited 
Highcross Residential (Nominees 2) Limited 
Highcross Residential Properties Limited 
Highcross Shopping Centre Limited 
Moor House General Partner Limited 
Oracle Nominees (No. 1) Limited 
Oracle Nominees (No. 2) Limited 
Oracle Nominees Limited 
Oracle Shopping Centre Limited 
RC Aulnay 1 SCI 
RC Aulnay 2 SCI 
Reading Residential Properties Limited 
Retail Property Holdings Limited 
Retail Property Holdings (SE) Limited 
SCI ESQ SCI 
Société Civile de Développement du Centre Commercial  
de la Place des Halles SDPH SC 
Silverburn Investment Advisor Limited 
Silverburn Unit Trust 
The Bull Ring Limited Partnership 
The Highcross Limited Partnership 
The Moor House Limited Partnership 
The Oracle Limited Partnership 
The West Quay Limited Partnership 
Triskelion Property Holding Designated Activity Company 
VIA (GP) Limited 
VIA Limited Partnership 
Whitgift Limited Partnership 

Country of registration  
or operation 
Jersey 3 
England and Wales 1 
Jersey 3 
Jersey 3 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
France 5 
France 5 
England and Wales 1 
Isle of Man 6  
Guernsey 7  
France 8 

France 9 
England and Wales 1 
Jersey 3 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
England and Wales 1 
Ireland 4 
Jersey 10 
Jersey 10 
England and Wales 1 

Class of share held 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary  
Ordinary 

Ordinary 
Ordinary  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
Ordinary 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A  

Ownership % 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
67 
50 
50 
50 
50 
25 
25 
50 
50 
50 
25 

65 
50 
50 
50 
50 
67 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 

Registered offices: (1) Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE (2) 44 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG (3) 47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 0BD (4) 6th Floor, 2 Grand Canal 
Square, Dublin 2, Ireland (5) 129 rue Turenne, 75003 Paris (6) First Names House, Victoria Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF (7) Fiman House, St. George’s Place, St. Peter Port, 
Guernsey GY1 2BH (8) 1 cours Michelet – CS 30051, 92076 Paris La Defense (9) 40/48 rue Cambon – 23 rue des Capucines, 75001 Paris (10) Aztec Group House, 11 – 15 Seaton Place, St 
Helier, Jersey JE4 0QH. 
Indirectly held associate entities 

Bicester Investors Limited Partnership 
Bicester Investors II Limited Partnership 
Master Holding BV 
SAS Angel Shopping Centre SAS 
SNC Italie Theatre SNC 
SNC Reinventer Italie Vendrezanne SNC 
SNC Vendrezanne SNC 
US Paris LLC 
Value Retail Investors Limited Partnership 
Value Retail Investors II Limited Partnership 
Value Retail Investors III Limited Partnership 
Value Retail PLC 
VR Bavaria GmbH  
VR European Holdings BV 
VR Franconia GmbH 
VR Ireland BV 
VR La Vallee BV 
VR Maasmechelen Tourist Outlets Comm. VA 

Country of registration  
or operation 
Bermuda 2 
Bermuda 2 
Netherlands 3 
France 4 
France 5 
France 5 
France 5 
USA 6 
Bermuda 2 
Bermuda 2 
Bermuda 2 
UK 7  
Germany 8  
Netherlands 3  
Germany 8  
Netherlands 3  
Netherlands 3  
Belgium 9 

Class of share held 
N/A 
N/A 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
B-shares 

Ownership %1 
25 
25 
44 
10 
25 
25 
25 
42 
79 
89 
27 
24 
63 
25 
63 
54 
28 
26 

188   Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 189
www.hammerson.com  189 

(1) Ownership % represents Hammerson’s effective ownership which is held directly and indirectly in the entities listed above. Registered offices: (2) Victoria Place, 31 Victoria Street, 
Hamilton, HM10, Bermuda (3) TMF, Luna Arena, Herikerbergweg 238, 1101 CM Amsterdam, Netherlands (4) 1 cours Michelet – CS 30051, 92076 Paris La Defense (5) 40/48 rue 
Cambon, 75001 Paris (6) 35 Mason Street, Greenwich CT 06830 USA (7) 19 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8ED (8) Almosenberg, 97877, Wertheim, Germany (9) Zetellaan 100, 3630 
Maasmechelen, Belgium. 

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures    
Additional disclosures 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

EPRA measures 

Hammerson is a member of the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) and has representatives who actively participate in a number 
of EPRA committees and initiatives. This includes working with peer group companies, real estate investors and analysts and the large audit 
firms, to improve the transparency, comparability and relevance of the published results of listed real estate companies in Europe.  

As with other real estate companies, we have adopted the EPRA Best Practice Recommendations (BPR) and were again awarded an EPRA Gold 
Award for compliance with the EPRA BPR and sustainability BPR for our 2018 Annual Report. Further information on EPRA and the EPRA 
BPR can be found on their website www.epra.com. Details of our key EPRA metrics are shown in Table 89.  

Table 89 

EPRA performance measures 
Performance 
Earnings 

2019 
£214.3m 

Earnings per share (EPS) 

28.0p 

Net asset value (NAV) per 
share 

Triple net asset value 
(NNNAV) per share 
Net Initial Yield (NIY) 

Topped-up NIY 

Vacancy rate 

Cost ratio (incl. net service 
charge expenses – vacancy) 

Cost ratio (excl. net service 
charge expenses – vacancy) 

2018   Definition and commentary 

£240.2m   Recurring earnings from core operational activities. In 2019, 
EPRA earnings were £0.3 million higher (2018: £0.1 million 
lower) then the Group’s adjusted earnings due to the inclusion of 
a ‘Company specific adjustment’ in relation to foreign exchange 
translation movements on an intragroup funding loan in VIA 
Outlets which has no cash flow impact (see note 12B of the 
financial statements) and which management believes distorts 
the underlying earnings of the Group. 

30.5p   EPRA earnings divided by the weighted average number of shares 
in issue during the period. Despite the adjustment due to the VIA 
Outlets intragroup funding loan, stated in ‘Earnings’ above, for 
2019 the EPRA EPS is equal to the Group’s adjusted EPS of 28.0p.

£7.38   Equity shareholders’ funds excluding the fair values of certain 
financial derivatives, deferred tax balances and any associated 
goodwill divided by the diluted number of shares in issue. 

£6.95   Equity shareholders’ funds adjusted to include the fair values of 

borrowings. 

4.6%   Annual cash rents receivable, less head and equity rents and any 
non-recoverable property operating expenses, as a percentage of 
the gross market value of the property, including estimated 
purchasers’ costs, as provided by the Group’s external valuers. 

4.7%   EPRA NIY adjusted for the expiry of rent-free periods and future 

rent on signed leases. 

2.8%   The estimated market rental value (ERV) of vacant space divided 
by the ERV of the lettable area. Occupancy is the inverse of 
vacancy. 

Page
157

157

159

159

196

196

191

£6.01 

£5.48 

5.1% 

5.2% 

2.8% 

25.7% 

21.9%   Total operating costs as a percentage of gross rental income, after 

194

rents payable. Both operating costs and gross rental income are 
adjusted for costs associated with inclusive leases.  

23.3% 

20.4%   Total operating costs as a percentage of gross rental income, after 

194

rents payable. Both operating costs and gross rental income are 
adjusted for costs associated with inclusive leases. This metric 
excludes net service charges in relation to vacancy. 

Sustainability (LFL annual change)* 

Electricity  

Fuels 

GHG Direct 

GHG Indirect 

-12% 

-15% 

-11% 

-13% 

-10%   Electricity consumption of the EPRA like-for-like portfolio for a 

full reporting year. 

-18%   Gas consumption of the EPRA like-for-like portfolio for a full 

reporting year. 

-11%   Greenhouse gas emissions emitted from onsite combustion of 

energy. 

-19%   Greenhouse gas emissions emitted from offsite combustion 

(purchased electricity and heat) over a full reporting year. 

*  Further details of the Group’s Positive Places sustainability strategy can be found on our website www.hammerson.com 

Basis of preparation 
At 31 December 2019, the UK retail parks portfolio was reclassified as ‘held for sale’ as detailed in notes 1 and 10 to the financial statements.  
This required the re-measurement of the portfolio to its fair value less anticipated selling costs, resulting in the recognition of a £92 million 
impairment loss. Furthermore, as this represented the majority of the UK retail parks segment, the results for both the current and prior year 
were reclassified as “discontinued operations”. For the purposes of the Additional disclosures metrics, the results of the UK retail parks have 
been fully consolidated, consistent with management reporting. Valuation movements, yield and returns metrics are based on the formal 
valuation at 31 December 2019 and exclude the subsequent impairment loss. 

190 
190

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures 

Unaudited 

EPRA measures 

Hammerson is a member of the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) and has representatives who actively participate in a number 

of EPRA committees and initiatives. This includes working with peer group companies, real estate investors and analysts and the large audit 

firms, to improve the transparency, comparability and relevance of the published results of listed real estate companies in Europe.  

As with other real estate companies, we have adopted the EPRA Best Practice Recommendations (BPR) and were again awarded an EPRA Gold 

Award for compliance with the EPRA BPR and sustainability BPR for our 2018 Annual Report. Further information on EPRA and the EPRA 

BPR can be found on their website www.epra.com. Details of our key EPRA metrics are shown in Table 89.  

EPRA performance measures 

Table 89 

Performance 

Earnings 

2019 

2018   Definition and commentary 

£214.3m 

£240.2m   Recurring earnings from core operational activities. In 2019, 

Page

157

EPRA earnings were £0.3 million higher (2018: £0.1 million 

lower) then the Group’s adjusted earnings due to the inclusion of 

a ‘Company specific adjustment’ in relation to foreign exchange 

translation movements on an intragroup funding loan in VIA 

Outlets which has no cash flow impact (see note 12B of the 

financial statements) and which management believes distorts 

the underlying earnings of the Group. 

in issue during the period. Despite the adjustment due to the VIA 

Outlets intragroup funding loan, stated in ‘Earnings’ above, for 

2019 the EPRA EPS is equal to the Group’s adjusted EPS of 28.0p.

Earnings per share (EPS) 

28.0p 

30.5p   EPRA earnings divided by the weighted average number of shares 

157

Net asset value (NAV) per 

£6.01 

£7.38   Equity shareholders’ funds excluding the fair values of certain 

159

share 

Triple net asset value 

(NNNAV) per share 

Net Initial Yield (NIY) 

Topped-up NIY 

Vacancy rate 

Cost ratio (incl. net service 

charge expenses – vacancy) 

Cost ratio (excl. net service 

charge expenses – vacancy) 

Electricity  

Fuels 

GHG Direct 

GHG Indirect 

Sustainability (LFL annual change)* 

£5.48 

5.1% 

5.2% 

2.8% 

-12% 

-15% 

-11% 

-13% 

financial derivatives, deferred tax balances and any associated 

goodwill divided by the diluted number of shares in issue. 

£6.95   Equity shareholders’ funds adjusted to include the fair values of 

borrowings. 

4.6%   Annual cash rents receivable, less head and equity rents and any 

non-recoverable property operating expenses, as a percentage of 

the gross market value of the property, including estimated 

purchasers’ costs, as provided by the Group’s external valuers. 

4.7%   EPRA NIY adjusted for the expiry of rent-free periods and future 

rent on signed leases. 

2.8%   The estimated market rental value (ERV) of vacant space divided 

by the ERV of the lettable area. Occupancy is the inverse of 

vacancy. 

159

196

196

191

25.7% 

21.9%   Total operating costs as a percentage of gross rental income, after 

194

23.3% 

20.4%   Total operating costs as a percentage of gross rental income, after 

194

rents payable. Both operating costs and gross rental income are 

adjusted for costs associated with inclusive leases.  

rents payable. Both operating costs and gross rental income are 

adjusted for costs associated with inclusive leases. This metric 

excludes net service charges in relation to vacancy. 

-10%   Electricity consumption of the EPRA like-for-like portfolio for a 

-18%   Gas consumption of the EPRA like-for-like portfolio for a full 

-11%   Greenhouse gas emissions emitted from onsite combustion of 

full reporting year. 

reporting year. 

energy. 

-19%   Greenhouse gas emissions emitted from offsite combustion 

(purchased electricity and heat) over a full reporting year. 

*  Further details of the Group’s Positive Places sustainability strategy can be found on our website www.hammerson.com 

Basis of preparation 

At 31 December 2019, the UK retail parks portfolio was reclassified as ‘held for sale’ as detailed in notes 1 and 10 to the financial statements.  

This required the re-measurement of the portfolio to its fair value less anticipated selling costs, resulting in the recognition of a £92 million 

impairment loss. Furthermore, as this represented the majority of the UK retail parks segment, the results for both the current and prior year 

were reclassified as “discontinued operations”. For the purposes of the Additional disclosures metrics, the results of the UK retail parks have 

been fully consolidated, consistent with management reporting. Valuation movements, yield and returns metrics are based on the formal 

valuation at 31 December 2019 and exclude the subsequent impairment loss. 

Portfolio analysis 

Rental information 
Table 90 

Rental data for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

Gross rental
income
£m
158.2
82.1
41.8
282.1

Net rental
income
£m
130.7
72.0
38.0
240.7

Vacancy 
rate1
% 
3.0
3.0
0.4
2.5

ERV of
vacant space
£m
4.0
2.0
0.1
6.1

Average  
rents  
passing2 
£/m  
490 
455 
500 
480 

Rents   
passing3  
£m   
145.9 
60.2 
39.6 
245.7 

Estimated
rental value 
(ERV)4
£m 
154.5
65.1
42.2
261.8

Reversion/
(over-rented)
%
3.0
4.9
6.3
4.0

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
Developments5 
Property portfolio  

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations6 

Data for the year ended 31 December 2018 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio  
Developments 
Property portfolio 

52.5
11.3
345.9
15.1
361.0

49.1
8.2
298.0
10.5
308.5

308.5
52.5

259.4
49.1

178.2
83.4
44.2
305.8

63.5
12.4
381.7
17.1
398.8

151.9
74.8
40.4
267.1

59.1
8.9
335.1
12.4
347.5

2.7
7.5
2.8

1.1
0.9
8.1

220 
150 
405 

44.5 
10.6 
300.8 

42.5
12.0
316.3

(7.5)
3.8
2.4

2.4
2.9
1.0
2.4

3.1
10.8
2.8

3.6
2.6
0.4
6.6

1.8
1.4
9.8

515 
480 
525 
505 

210 
170 
415 

155.5 
79.9 
43.2 
278.6 

58.4 
11.4 
348.4 

169.3
89.3
45.3
303.9

59.7
13.3
376.9

6.4
8.3
3.9
6.6

(1.1)
4.3
5.2

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations6 
1.  More information on vacancy is provided in the Operating review on pages 20 to 33. 
2.  Average rents passing at the year end before deducting head and equity rents and excluding rents passing from anchor units and car parks. 
3.  Passing rents is the annual rental income receivable from an investment property, after any rent-free periods and after deducting head and equity rents and car parking 

288.4
59.1

335.2
63.6

and commercialisation running costs. 

4.  The estimated market rental value at the year end calculated by the Group’s valuers. ERVs in the above table are included within the unobservable inputs to the portfolio 
valuations as defined by IFRS 13. This information has been subject to audit. The total ERV for the Reported Group at 31 December 2019 was £141.3 million (2018: £190.2 
million). 

5.  Rental income for developments is principally in relation to the Whitgift Centre, Croydon, Dublin Central and ancillary properties associated with future City Quarters 

projects in Dublin and Leeds. 

6.  Discontinued operations relates solely to the UK retail parks portfolio. 

190 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

191 
www.hammerson.com 191

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 
Additional disclosures continued 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

Rent reviews 
Table 91 

Rent reviews as at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated  
excluding premium outlets 
UK 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

Outstanding 
£m 
21.9 
4.0 
25.9 

Rents passing subject to review in1
Total
£m
62.7
25.5
88.2

2022
£m
13.3
2.7
16.0

2021
£m
14.9
4.3
19.2

2020
£m
12.6
14.5
27.1

Outstanding 
£m
22.7
4.6
27.3

Current ERV of leases subject to review in2
Total
£m
64.2
28.8
93.0

2020  
£m 
12.9 
16.3 
29.2 

2021
£m
15.0
4.8
19.8

2022
£m
13.6
3.1
16.7

5.9
UK retail parks 
UK other 
1.5
Investment portfolio3 
34.7
1.  The amount of rental income, based on rents passing at 31 December 2019, for leases which are subject to review in each year. 
2.  Projected rental income for leases that are subject to review in each year, based on the higher of the current rental income and the ERV at 31 December 2019.  
3.  Leases in France are not subject to rent reviews but are adjusted annually based on French indexation indices. 

29.0
3.2
120.4

10.7 
0.6 
40.5 

5.8 
1.4 
33.1 

8.4
0.6
28.8

10.5
0.6
38.2

4.4
0.6
21.0

8.3
0.6
28.1

4.5
0.6
21.8

29.5
3.3
125.8

Lease expiries and breaks 
Table 92 

Lease expiries and breaks as at 31 December 2019

Proportionally consolidated 
excluding premium outlets 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

Outstanding 
£m 
10.0 
3.9 
1.4 
15.3 

Rents passing that expire/break in1
Total
£m
51.5
10.9
9.8
72.2

2022
2021 
£m
£m 
15.3
13.8 
2.4
1.7 
2.6 
2.8
18.1  20.5

2020 
£m 
12.4 
2.9 
3.0 
18.3 

Outstanding 
£m
11.5
4.2
1.4
17.1

ERV of leases that expire/break in2
Total
£m
55.5
12.1
10.9
78.5

2022 
£m 
14.4 
2.4 
2.9 
19.7 

2021
£m
12.7
1.8
2.8
17.3

2020 
£m
16.9
3.7
3.8
24.4

Weighted average 
unexpired
 lease term
to expiry 
years
11.7
4.9
9.6
9.5

to break 
years
6.3
2.3
6.5
5.2

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
1.  The amount of rental income, based on rents passing at 31 December 2019, for leases which expire or, for the UK and Ireland only, are subject to tenant break options, 

4.6 
1.6 
24.4  24.3 

2.7 
0.8 
23.2 

2.0 
1.5 
18.8 

1.9
1.6
20.6

4.3
1.9
30.6

4.1
1.6
23.0

13.0
5.9
97.4

2.9
0.7
24.1

14.0
5.4
91.6

6.4
6.7
5.5

4.5 
1.6 

7.8
8.7
9.2

which fall due in each year.  

2.  The ERV at 31 December 2019 for leases that expire or, for the UK and Ireland only, are subject to tenant break options which fall due in each year and ignoring the impact 

of rental growth and any rent-free periods. 

192 
192

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 

Unaudited 

Rent reviews 

Table 91 

Proportionally consolidated  

excluding premium outlets 

UK 

Ireland 

Flagship destinations 

UK retail parks 

UK other 

Investment portfolio3 

Outstanding 

Outstanding 

Rents passing subject to review in1

Current ERV of leases subject to review in2

£m 

21.9 

4.0 

25.9 

5.8 

1.4 

33.1 

2020

£m

12.6

14.5

27.1

10.5

0.6

38.2

2021

£m

14.9

4.3

19.2

8.3

0.6

28.1

2022

£m

13.3

2.7

16.0

4.4

0.6

Total

£m

62.7

25.5

88.2

29.0

3.2

£m

22.7

4.6

27.3

5.9

1.5

34.7

2020  

£m 

12.9 

16.3 

29.2 

10.7 

0.6 

40.5 

2021

£m

15.0

4.8

19.8

8.4

0.6

2022

£m

13.6

3.1

16.7

4.5

0.6

Total

£m

64.2

28.8

93.0

29.5

3.3

21.0

120.4

28.8

21.8

125.8

1.  The amount of rental income, based on rents passing at 31 December 2019, for leases which are subject to review in each year. 

2.  Projected rental income for leases that are subject to review in each year, based on the higher of the current rental income and the ERV at 31 December 2019.  

3.  Leases in France are not subject to rent reviews but are adjusted annually based on French indexation indices. 

Lease expiries and breaks 

Table 92 

Lease expiries and breaks as at 31 December 2019

Rents passing that expire/break in1

ERV of leases that expire/break in2

Proportionally consolidated 

excluding premium outlets 

Outstanding 

UK 

France 

Ireland 

£m 

10.0 

3.9 

1.4 

2020 

£m 

12.4 

2.9 

3.0 

2021 

£m 

13.8 

1.7 

2.6 

2022

£m

15.3

2.4

2.8

Flagship destinations 

15.3 

18.3 

18.1  20.5

72.2

UK retail parks 

UK other 

2.0 

1.5 

4.5 

1.6 

4.6 

1.6 

2.9

0.7

Weighted average 

unexpired

 lease term

Total

to break 

to expiry 

£m

years

years

Outstanding 

£m

11.5

4.2

1.4

17.1

1.9

1.6

2020 

£m

16.9

3.7

3.8

24.4

4.3

1.9

2021

£m

12.7

1.8

2.8

17.3

4.1

1.6

Total

£m

51.5

10.9

9.8

14.0

5.4

91.6

2022 

£m 

14.4 

2.4 

2.9 

19.7 

2.7 

0.8 

23.2 

55.5

12.1

10.9

78.5

13.0

5.9

97.4

6.3

2.3

6.5

5.2

6.4

6.7

5.5

11.7

4.9

9.6

9.5

7.8

8.7

9.2

Investment portfolio 

18.8 

24.4  24.3 

24.1

20.6

30.6

23.0

1.  The amount of rental income, based on rents passing at 31 December 2019, for leases which expire or, for the UK and Ireland only, are subject to tenant break options, 

2.  The ERV at 31 December 2019 for leases that expire or, for the UK and Ireland only, are subject to tenant break options which fall due in each year and ignoring the impact 

which fall due in each year.  

of rental growth and any rent-free periods. 

Rent reviews as at 31 December 2019 

Net rental income for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Net rental income 
Table 93 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Property portfolio1 

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations2 

Properties 
owned 
throughout 
2018/19
£m
130.1
42.0
37.9
210.0

Inc/(Dec) for 
properties 
owned 
throughout 
2018/19
% 
(6.7)
2.1 
(5.0)
(4.7)

37.9
–
247.9

210.0
37.9

(1.4)
– 
(4.2)

(4.7)
(1.4)

Exchange
£m
–
0.6
0.3
0.9

–
–
0.9

Acquisitions
£m
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

Acquisitions
£m
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

Disposals 
£m 
0.6 
14.9 
– 
15.5 

9.9 
0.1 
25.5 

15.6 
9.9 

Disposals 
£m 
12.0 
16.6 
0.1 
28.7 

19.8 
0.6 
49.1 

29.3 
19.8 

Developments
and other
£m
–
16.3
3.4
19.7

1.3
14.1
35.1

33.8
1.3

Developments
and other
£m
0.9
18.5
3.5
22.9

0.7
15.0
38.6

37.9
0.7

Total 
£m
130.7
73.2
41.3
245.2

49.1
14.2
308.5

259.4
49.1

Total 
£m
152.2
76.8
43.8
272.8

59.1
15.6
347.5

288.4
59.1

Net rental income for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 

UK retail parks 
UK other 
Property portfolio1 

Properties 
owned 
throughout 
2018/19
£m
139.3
41.1
39.9
220.3

38.6
–
258.9

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations  
Discontinued operations2 
1.  The Property portfolio value on which LFL growth is based was £4,542 million as at 31 December 2019 (2018: £6,012 million) 
2.  Discontinued operations relates solely to the UK retail parks portfolio. 

220.3
38.6

0.9
–

–
–

192 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

193 
www.hammerson.com 193

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 
Additional disclosures continued 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

Top ten tenants 
Table 94 

Ranked by passing rent at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including UK retail parks 
H&M 
Inditex 
Next 
Boots 
Marks & Spencer 
B&Q 
TK Maxx 
River Island 
Frasers Group  
Debenhams 
Total 

Cost ratio 
Table 95 

EPRA cost ratio 

Passing rent
£m
8.9
8.4
7.4
5.4
5.1
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.5
3.9
57.4

% of total
passing rent
3.0
2.8
2.5
1.8
1.7
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.3
19.1

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 
Net service charge expenses – non-vacancy 
Net service charge expenses – vacancy 
Net service charge expenses – total 
Other property outgoings 
Less inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 
Total property costs (for cost ratio) 
Employee and corporate costs 
Management fees receivable 
Total operating costs (for cost ratio) 

Gross rental income 
Ground and equity rents payable 
Less inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 
Gross rental income (for cost ratio) 

EPRA cost ratio including net service charge 
expenses – vacancy (%) 
EPRA cost ratio excluding net service charge 
expenses – vacancy (%) 

Continuing 
operations
£m
7.8
7.8
15.6
30.7
(7.4)
38.9
55.8
(8.9)
85.8

Discontinued 
operations
£m
0.2
0.7
0.9
2.1
(0.2)
2.8
1.4
–
4.2

Year ended 
31 December 
2019
£m
8.0
8.5
16.5
32.8
(7.6)
41.7
57.2
(8.9)
90.0

308.5
(2.8)
(7.4)
298.3

28.8

26.1

52.5
(0.4)
(0.2)
51.9

8.1

6.7

361.0
(3.2)
(7.6)
350.2

25.7

23.3

Continuing 
operations 
£m 
8.1 
5.1 
13.2 
30.7 
(7.4)
36.5 
53.7 
(10.3)
79.9 

335.2 
(2.9)
(7.4)
324.9 

24.6 

23.0 

Discontinued 
operations
£m
0.3
0.8
1.1
2.8
(0.3)
3.6
1.3
–
4.9

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£m
8.4
5.9
14.3
33.5
(7.7)
40.1
55.0
(10.3)
84.8

63.6
(0.6)
(0.3)
62.7

7.8

6.5

398.8
(3.5)
(7.7)
387.6

21.9

20.4

Our business model for developments is to use a combination of in-house staff and external advisors. The cost of external advisors is capitalised 
to the cost of developments. The cost of staff working on developments is generally expensed, but capitalised subject to meeting certain criteria 
related to the degree of time spent on and the stage of progress of specific projects. During the year ended 31 December 2019, staff costs of 
£1.8 million (2018: £1.3 million) were capitalised as development costs and are not included within ‘Employee and corporate costs’. 

194 
194

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Top ten tenants 

Table 94 

H&M 

Inditex 

Next 

Boots 

Marks & Spencer 

B&Q 

TK Maxx 

River Island 

Frasers Group  

Debenhams 

Total 

Cost ratio 

Table 95 

EPRA cost ratio 

Additional disclosures continued 

Unaudited 

Ranked by passing rent at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated, excluding premium outlets, including UK retail parks 

Passing rent

% of total

£m

passing rent

57.4

19.1

8.9

8.4

7.4

5.4

5.1

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

3.9

£m

0.3

0.8

1.1

2.8

3.6

1.3

–

4.9

(0.3)

63.6

(0.6)

(0.3)

62.7

7.8

6.5

3.0

2.8

2.5

1.8

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.3

2018

£m

8.4

5.9

14.3

33.5

(7.7)

40.1

55.0

(10.3)

84.8

398.8

(3.5)

(7.7)

387.6

21.9

20.4

Continuing 

operations

operations

Discontinued 

31 December 

Year ended 

Continuing 

operations 

Discontinued 

operations

Year ended

31 December 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 

Net service charge expenses – non-vacancy 

Net service charge expenses – vacancy 

Net service charge expenses – total 

Other property outgoings 

Less inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 

Total property costs (for cost ratio) 

Employee and corporate costs 

Management fees receivable 

Total operating costs (for cost ratio) 

Gross rental income 

Ground and equity rents payable 

Less inclusive lease costs recovered through rent 

Gross rental income (for cost ratio) 

EPRA cost ratio including net service charge 

expenses – vacancy (%) 

EPRA cost ratio excluding net service charge 

expenses – vacancy (%) 

£m

7.8

7.8

15.6

30.7

(7.4)

38.9

55.8

(8.9)

85.8

308.5

(2.8)

(7.4)

298.3

28.8

26.1

£m

0.2

0.7

0.9

2.1

2.8

1.4

–

4.2

(0.2)

52.5

(0.4)

(0.2)

51.9

8.1

6.7

2019

£m

8.0

8.5

16.5

32.8

(7.6)

41.7

57.2

(8.9)

90.0

361.0

(3.2)

(7.6)

350.2

25.7

23.3

£m 

8.1 

5.1 

13.2 

30.7 

(7.4)

36.5 

53.7 

(10.3)

79.9 

335.2 

(2.9)

(7.4)

324.9 

24.6 

23.0 

Our business model for developments is to use a combination of in-house staff and external advisors. The cost of external advisors is capitalised 

to the cost of developments. The cost of staff working on developments is generally expensed, but capitalised subject to meeting certain criteria 

related to the degree of time spent on and the stage of progress of specific projects. During the year ended 31 December 2019, staff costs of 

£1.8 million (2018: £1.3 million) were capitalised as development costs and are not included within ‘Employee and corporate costs’. 

Valuation analysis 
Table 96 

Valuation analysis at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated including premium outlets 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 
UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
Developments 
Property portfolio – excluding premium 
outlets 
Premium outlets3 
Total Group4 

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations5 

Properties 
at valuation1
£m 
2,351.3
1,269.0
860.0
4,480.3
453.3
134.5
5,068.1
599.6

Revaluation 
in the year
£m
(581.8)
(130.6)
(71.6)
(784.0)
(124.9)
(41.2)
(950.1)
(77.9)

5,667.7
2,659.1
8,326.8

(1,028.0)
199.8
(828.2)

7,870.3
456.5

(703.3)
(124.9)

Data for the year ended 31 December 2018 
UK 
France 
Ireland 
Flagship destinations 
UK retail parks 
UK other 
Investment portfolio 
Developments 
Property portfolio – excluding premium 
outlets 
Premium outlets3 
Total Group4 

2,920.9
1,885.2
978.5
5,784.6
873.1
173.3
6,831.0
648.5

7,479.5
2,458.8
9,938.3

(346.6)
(14.3)
9.0
(351.9)
(126.3)
6.9
(471.3)
22.7

(448.6)
56.2
(392.4)

Capital 
return
%
(19.9)
(10.2)
(7.5)
(14.8)
(19.5)
(23.6)
(15.6)
(10.7)

(15.8)
8.2
(9.8)

(10.6)
(1.7)
0.9
(6.2)
(13.2)
4.5
(7.0)
4.1

(6.2)
2.4
(4.3)

Total 
return
%
(15.8)
(6.5)
(3.6)
(10.8)
(14.0)
(19.3)
(11.5)
(9.2)

(11.9)
13.6
(5.6)

(6.5)
2.2
5.2
(2.1)
(8.5)
9.2
(2.8)
6.2

(2.1)
7.4
0.0

Initial  
yield 
% 
5.5 
4.1 
4.1 
4.8 
7.3 
7.4 
5.1 

True 
equivalent 
yield
%
6.2
4.7
4.7
5.5
7.6
9.4
5.8

Nominal
equivalent 
yield2
% 
6.0
4.6
4.6
5.3
7.3
8.8
5.6

4.8 
3.7 
3.9 
4.3 
6.0 
5.7 
4.6 

5.5
4.3
4.5
4.9
6.8
8.0
5.3

5.3
4.2
4.4
4.8
6.5
7.6
5.1

Analysed as: 
Continuing operations 
(267.8)
Discontinued operations5 
(124.6)
1.  Includes impairment of £92 million recognised following reclassification of UK retail parks to assets held for sale. Valuation movements, returns and yields have been 

9,938.3
– 

calculated excluding this impairment loss. 

2.  Nominal equivalent yields are included within the unobservable inputs to the portfolio valuations as defined by IFRS 13. This information has been subject to audit. 

The nominal equivalent yield for the Reported Group at 31 December 2019 was 5.8% (2018: 5.1%). 

3.  Represents the Group’s share of premium outlets through its investments in Value Retail and VIA Outlets.  
4.  Further analysis of capital expenditure between Reported Group and Share of Property interests is included in note 3B on page 149. 
5.  Discontinued operations relates solely to the UK retail parks portfolio and includes £3.2 million (2018: £7.2 million) of properties within the Development portfolio. 

194 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

195 
www.hammerson.com 195

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 
Additional disclosures continued 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

EPRA Net Initial Yield (NIY) 
Table 97 

Investment portfolio as at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 
Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – wholly owned 
Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – share of property interests 
Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – assets held for sale/discontinued operations 
Net investment portfolio valuation on a proportionally consolidated basis 
Less: Developments 
Completed investment portfolio 
Add: Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale 
Purchasers’ costs1 
Grossed up completed investment portfolio (A) 

Annualised cash passing rental income  
Non recoverable costs 
Rents payable 
Annualised net rent (B) 
Add: 
Notional rent expiration of rent free periods2 
Future rent on signed leases 
Topped-up annualised net rent (C) 
Add back: Non recoverable costs 
Passing rents3 

2019
£m
2,098.7
3,112.5
456.5
5,667.7
(599.6)
5,068.1
92.0
353.7
5,513.8

299.5
(11.6)
(4.5)
283.4

4.8
1.0
289.2
11.6
300.8

2018
£m
3,830.4
3,649.1
–
7,479.5
(648.5)
6,831.0
–
420.0
7,251.0

344.7
(11.0)
(4.8)
328.9

4.7
3.8
337.4
11.0
348.4

EPRA net initial yield (B/A) 
EPRA ‘topped-up’ net initial yield (C/A) 
1.  Purchasers’ costs equate to 6.9% (2018: 6.1%) of the net portfolio value prior to impairment. 
2.  The weighted average remaining rent-free period is 0.4 years. 
3.  Passing rent is the annual rental income receivable from an investment property, after any rent-free periods and after deducting head and equity rents and car parking and 

5.1%
5.2%

4.6%
4.7%

commercialisation running costs 

EPRA - capital expenditure 
Table 98 

2019

2018

Reported
group
£m
1
Acquisitions 
48
Developments 
Capital expenditure – creating area 
13
Capital expenditure – no additional area 
14
Tenant incentives 
3
79
Total capital expenditure 
2
Conversion from accruals to cash basis 
81
Total capital expenditure on cash basis 
Further analysis of capital expenditure between the creation of additional area and the creation of value through enhancement of existing space is provided in the Property 
portfolio review on page 47. 

Proportionally
consolidated
£m
1
51
16
24
6
98
12
110

Proportionally
 consolidated
£m
12
84
20
74
(7)
183
47
230

Reported 
group 
£m 
12 
66 
15 
62 
(6)
149 
13 
162 

Share of
Property
interests
£m
–
3
3
10
3
19
10
29

Share of
Property
 interests
£m
-
18
5
12
(1)
34
34
68

196 
196

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 

Unaudited 

EPRA Net Initial Yield (NIY) 

Table 97 

Investment portfolio as at 31 December 2019 

Proportionally consolidated excluding premium outlets 

Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – wholly owned 

Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – share of property interests 

Property portfolio - excluding premium outlets – assets held for sale/discontinued operations 

Net investment portfolio valuation on a proportionally consolidated basis 

Less: Developments 

Completed investment portfolio 

Add: Impairment recognised on reclassification to held for sale 

Purchasers’ costs1 

Grossed up completed investment portfolio (A) 

Annualised cash passing rental income  

Non recoverable costs 

Rents payable 

Annualised net rent (B) 

Add: 

Notional rent expiration of rent free periods2 

Future rent on signed leases 

Topped-up annualised net rent (C) 

Add back: Non recoverable costs 

Passing rents3 

EPRA net initial yield (B/A) 

EPRA ‘topped-up’ net initial yield (C/A) 

commercialisation running costs 

EPRA - capital expenditure 

Table 98 

Acquisitions 

Developments 

Capital expenditure – creating area 

Capital expenditure – no additional area 

Tenant incentives 

Total capital expenditure 

Conversion from accruals to cash basis 

Total capital expenditure on cash basis 

portfolio review on page 47. 

1.  Purchasers’ costs equate to 6.9% (2018: 6.1%) of the net portfolio value prior to impairment. 

2.  The weighted average remaining rent-free period is 0.4 years. 

3.  Passing rent is the annual rental income receivable from an investment property, after any rent-free periods and after deducting head and equity rents and car parking and 

Share of

Reported

group

Property

Proportionally

interests

consolidated

Share of

Property

 interests

Proportionally

 consolidated

£m

1

48

13

14

3

79

2

81

£m

–

3

3

10

3

19

10

29

2019

£m

1

51

16

24

6

98

12

110

Reported 

group 

£m 

12 

66 

15 

62 

(6)

149 

13 

162 

£m

-

18

5

12

(1)

34

34

68

Further analysis of capital expenditure between the creation of additional area and the creation of value through enhancement of existing space is provided in the Property 

2019

£m

2,098.7

3,112.5

456.5

5,667.7

(599.6)

5,068.1

92.0

353.7

5,513.8

299.5

(11.6)

(4.5)

283.4

4.8

1.0

289.2

11.6

300.8

5.1%

5.2%

2018

£m

3,830.4

3,649.1

7,479.5

(648.5)

6,831.0

–

–

420.0

7,251.0

344.7

(11.0)

(4.8)

328.9

4.7

3.8

337.4

11.0

348.4

4.6%

4.7%

2018

£m

12

84

20

74

(7)

183

47

230

Share of Property interests 

The Group’s Share of Property interests reflects the Group’s Property joint ventures as shown in note 14 to the financial statements on pages 
161 to 166 and the Group’s interests in Italie Deux and Nicetoile, which are accounted for as associates, as shown in note 15 to the financial 
statements on pages 167 to 170. 

Income statement 
Table 99 

Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net (losses) 
Revaluation losses on properties 
Operating (loss)/profit 

Change in fair value of derivatives 
Other finance costs 
Net finance costs 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Current tax charge 
(Loss)/Profit for the year 

Balance sheet 
Table 100 

Non-current assets 
Investment and development properties 
Interests in leasehold properties 
Other non-current assets 

Current assets 
Other current assets 
Cash and deposits 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Other payables 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans 
Derivative financial instruments 
Obligations under head leases 
Other payables 
Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Property 
joint 
ventures
£m 
175.3
146.4
(0.5)
145.9
(591.5)
(445.6)

(2.6)
(8.8)
(11.4)
(457.0)
(0.3)
(457.3)

Italie Deux
 and Nicetoile
£m
1.8
1.6
–
1.6
(2.8)
(1.2)

–
–
–
(1.2)
–
(1.2)

Property 
joint
 ventures
£m 

Italie Deux 
and Nicetoile
£m

2,964.6
15.6
2.6
2,982.8

78.0
65.3
143.3
3,126.1

(69.0)
(69.0)

(391.9)
(3.9)
(15.8)
(7.3)
(0.1)
(419.0)
(488.0)

147.9
– 
– 
147.9

1.2
2.3
3.5
151.4

(1.0)
(1.0)

–
–
–
(1.2)
–
(1.2)
(2.2)

2019

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
177.1
148.0
(0.5)
147.5
(594.3)
(446.8)

(2.6)
(8.8)
(11.4)
(458.2)
(0.3)
(458.5)

2019
Share of 
Property 
interests
£m

3,112.5
15.6
2.6
3,130.7

79.2
67.6
146.8
3,277.5

(70.0)
(70.0)

(391.9)
(3.9)
(15.8)
(8.5)
(0.1)
(420.2)
(490.2)

Property  
joint 
ventures1
£m 
174.0 
149.4 
(0.2)
149.2 
(271.7)
(122.5)

(1.4)
(7.0)
(8.4)
(130.9)
(0.1)
(131.0)

Property  
joint  
ventures 
£m 

3,619.8 
15.6 
0.6 
3,636.0 

75.4 
70.0 
145.4 
3,781.4 

(71.0)
(71.0)

(409.3)
(1.4)
(15.6)
(5.9)
– 
(432.2)
(503.2)

2018

Share of
Property
 interests
£m
175.6
150.8
(0.2)
150.6
(272.2)
(121.6)

(1.4)
(7.0)
(8.4)
(130.0)
(0.1)
(130.1)

2018
Share of
Property
 interests
£m

3,649.1
15.6
0.6
3,665.3

75.7
71.2
146.9
3,812.2

(71.2)
(71.2)

(409.3)
(1.4)
(15.6)
(6.1)
–
(432.4)
(503.6)

Nicetoile
£m
1.6
1.4
–
1.4
(0.5)
0.9

–
–
–
0.9
–
0.9

Nicetoile
£m

29.3
– 
– 
29.3

0.3
1.2
1.5
30.8

(0.2)
(0.2)

–
–
–
(0.2)
–
(0.2)
(0.4)

Net assets 
1.  Income statement for 2018 includes Brent South Shopping Park. 

2,638.1

149.2

2,787.3

3,278.2 

30.4

3,308.6

196 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

197 
www.hammerson.com 197

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 
Additional disclosures continued 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

Premium outlets 

The Group’s investment in premium outlets is through interests in Value Retail and VIA Outlets. Due to the nature of the Group’s control over 
these externally managed investments, Value Retail is accounted for as an associate and VIA Outlets is accounted for as a joint venture. Tables 
101 and 102 provide analysis of the impact of the two premium outlet investments on the Group’s financial statements. Further information on 
Value Retail is provided in note 15 to the financial statements on pages 167 to 170 and for VIA Outlets in note 14 to the financial statements on 
pages 161 to 166. 

Income statement 
Table 101 

Aggregated premium outlets income summary 

Gross rental income 
Net rental income 
Administration expenses 
Operating profit before other net gains 
Revaluation gains on properties 
Operating profit 
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Change in fair value of participative loans 
Other finance costs 
Profit before tax 
Current tax charge 
Deferred tax credit/(charge) 
Share of results (IFRS) 
Less adjustments: 
Revaluation gains on properties  
Change in fair value of derivatives 
Change in fair value of financial assets 
Deferred tax (credit)/charge 
Other adjustments 

Adjusted earnings of premium outlets 

Balance sheet 
Table 102 

Value
Retail 
£m
135.7
95.1
(44.4)
50.7
170.7
221.4
(28.5)
39.6
(21.0)
211.5
(3.3)
2.4
210.6

(170.7)
28.5
(0.3)
(2.4)
(34.5)
(179.4)
31.2

Aggregated premium outlets investment summary 

Investment properties 
Net debt 
Other net assets/(liabilities) 
Share of net assets (IFRS) 
Less adjustments: 
Fair value of derivatives 
Deferred tax 
Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 

Adjusted investment 

Value
Retail 
£m
1,965.6
(658.2)
47.9
1,355.3

12.7
201.0
(63.2)
150.5
1,505.8

VIA 
Outlets
£m
45.6
31.8
(6.5)
25.3
29.1
54.4
(0.9)
–
(7.9)
45.6
(2.5)
(8.8)
34.3

(29.1)
0.9
–
8.8
(0.3)
(19.7)
14.6

VIA 
Outlets
£m
693.5
(237.5)
(77.0)
379.0

4.0
69.2
(7.4)
65.8
444.8

2019

Total
£m
181.3
126.9
(50.9)
76.0
199.8
275.8
(29.4)
39.6
(28.9)
257.1
(5.8)
(6.4)
244.9

(199.8)
29.4
(0.3)
6.4
(34.8)
(199.1)
45.8

2019

Total
£m
2,659.1
(895.7)
(29.1)
1,734.3

16.7
270.2
(70.6)
216.3
1,950.6

Value 
 Retail 
£m 
117.7 
81.2 
(37.8)
43.4 
45.0 
88.4 
(1.3)
5.9 
(19.5)
73.5 
(2.3)
(14.4)
56.8 

(45.0)
1.3 
– 
14.4 
(1.5)
(30.8)
26.0 

Value 
Retail 
£m 
1,823.0 
(657.6)
45.7 
1,211.1 

5.7 
214.6 
(63.1)
157.2 
1,368.3 

VIA
Outlets
£m
42.6
31.9
(7.2)
24.7
11.2
35.9
(2.2)
–
(7.5)
26.2
(2.2)
0.6
24.6

(11.2)
2.2
–
(0.6)
0.1
(9.5)
15.1

VIA
 Outlets
£m
635.8
(242.4)
(67.1)
326.3

3.1
59.8
(3.6)
59.3
385.6

2018

Total
£m
160.3
113.1
(45.0)
68.1
56.2
124.3
(3.5)
5.9
(27.0)
99.7
(4.5)
(13.8)
81.4

(56.2)
3.5
–
13.8
(1.4)
(40.3)
41.1

2018

Total
£m
2,458.8
(900.0)
(21.4)
1,537.4

8.8
274.4
(66.7)
216.5
1,753.9

In addition to the above figures, at 31 December 2019 the Group had provided loans of £1.7 million (2018: £1.8 million) to Value Retail for which 
the Group received interest of £0.1 million in 2019 (2018: £0.1 million) which is included within finance income in note 8 to the financial 
statements on page 152. 

198 
198

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 

Unaudited 

The Group’s investment in premium outlets is through interests in Value Retail and VIA Outlets. Due to the nature of the Group’s control over 

these externally managed investments, Value Retail is accounted for as an associate and VIA Outlets is accounted for as a joint venture. Tables 

101 and 102 provide analysis of the impact of the two premium outlet investments on the Group’s financial statements. Further information on 

Value Retail is provided in note 15 to the financial statements on pages 167 to 170 and for VIA Outlets in note 14 to the financial statements on 

Aggregated premium outlets income summary 

Premium outlets 

pages 161 to 166. 

Income statement 

Table 101 

Gross rental income 

Net rental income 

Administration expenses 

Operating profit before other net gains 

Revaluation gains on properties 

Operating profit 

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Change in fair value of participative loans 

Other finance costs 

Profit before tax 

Current tax charge 

Deferred tax credit/(charge) 

Share of results (IFRS) 

Less adjustments: 

Revaluation gains on properties  

Change in fair value of derivatives 

Change in fair value of financial assets 

Deferred tax (credit)/charge 

Other adjustments 

Adjusted earnings of premium outlets 

Balance sheet 

Table 102 

Investment properties 

Net debt 

Other net assets/(liabilities) 

Share of net assets (IFRS) 

Less adjustments: 

Fair value of derivatives 

Deferred tax 

Goodwill as a result of deferred tax 

Aggregated premium outlets investment summary 

(170.7)

(29.1)

(199.8)

Value

Retail 

£m

135.7

95.1

(44.4)

50.7

170.7

221.4

(28.5)

39.6

(21.0)

211.5

(3.3)

2.4

210.6

28.5

(0.3)

(2.4)

(34.5)

(179.4)

31.2

Value

Retail 

£m

1,965.6

(658.2)

47.9

1,355.3

12.7

201.0

(63.2)

150.5

VIA 

Outlets

£m

45.6

31.8

(6.5)

25.3

29.1

54.4

(0.9)

–

(7.9)

45.6

(2.5)

(8.8)

34.3

0.9

–

8.8

(0.3)

(19.7)

14.6

VIA 

Outlets

£m

693.5

(237.5)

(77.0)

379.0

4.0

69.2

(7.4)

65.8

2019

Total

£m

181.3

126.9

(50.9)

76.0

199.8

275.8

(29.4)

39.6

(28.9)

257.1

(5.8)

(6.4)

244.9

29.4

(0.3)

6.4

(34.8)

(199.1)

45.8

2019

Total

£m

2,659.1

(895.7)

(29.1)

1,734.3

16.7

270.2

(70.6)

216.3

Value 

 Retail 

£m 

117.7 

81.2 

(37.8)

43.4 

45.0 

88.4 

(1.3)

5.9 

(19.5)

73.5 

(2.3)

(14.4)

56.8 

(45.0)

1.3 

– 

14.4 

(1.5)

(30.8)

26.0 

VIA

Outlets

£m

42.6

31.9

(7.2)

24.7

11.2

35.9

(2.2)

–

(7.5)

26.2

(2.2)

0.6

24.6

(11.2)

2.2

–

(0.6)

0.1

(9.5)

15.1

2018

Total

£m

160.3

113.1

(45.0)

68.1

56.2

124.3

(3.5)

5.9

(27.0)

99.7

(4.5)

(13.8)

81.4

(56.2)

3.5

–

13.8

(1.4)

(40.3)

41.1

Value 

Retail 

£m 

1,823.0 

(657.6)

45.7 

1,211.1 

5.7 

214.6 

(63.1)

157.2 

VIA

 Outlets

£m

635.8

(242.4)

(67.1)

326.3

3.1

59.8

(3.6)

59.3

2018

Total

£m

2,458.8

(900.0)

(21.4)

1,537.4

8.8

274.4

(66.7)

216.5

Adjusted investment 

1,505.8

444.8

1,950.6

1,368.3 

385.6

1,753.9

In addition to the above figures, at 31 December 2019 the Group had provided loans of £1.7 million (2018: £1.8 million) to Value Retail for which 

the Group received interest of £0.1 million in 2019 (2018: £0.1 million) which is included within finance income in note 8 to the financial 

statements on page 152. 

Proportionally consolidated information 

Note 2 to the financial statements on pages 146 to 148 shows the proportionally consolidated income statement. The proportionally 
consolidated balance sheet, adjusted finance costs and net debt are shown in Tables 103, 104 and 105 respectively. 

In each of the tables, column A represents the Reported Group figures as shown in the financial statements; column B shows the Group’s Share 
of Property interests being the Group’s Property joint ventures as shown in note 14 to the financial statements on pages 161 to 166 and Italie 
Deux and Nicetoile as shown in note 15 to the financial statements on pages 167 to 170. Column C shows the Group’s proportionally 
consolidated figures by aggregating the Reported Group and Share of Property interests figures. As explained on page 50 of the Financial 
review, the Group’s interests in premium outlets are not proportionally consolidated as management does not review these interests on this 
basis. 

Balance sheet 
Table 103 

Balance sheet as at 31 December 2019 

Non-current assets 
Investment and development properties 
Interests in leasehold properties 
Right of use assets 
Plant and equipment 
Investment in joint ventures 
Investment in associates 
Derivative financial instruments 
Receivables 

Current assets 
Receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Restricted monetary assets 
Cash and deposits 

Assets held for sale 

Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Payables 
Tax 
Derivative financial instruments 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 

Non-current liabilities 
Loans 
Deferred tax 
Derivative financial instruments 
Obligations under head leases 
Payables 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Reported 
Group
£m
A

2,098.7
34.3
10.1
3.2
3,017.1
1,504.5
31.6
3.4
6,702.9

96.3
0.8
21.5
28.2
146.8
465.7
612.5
7,315.4

(193.5)
(1.5)
(4.1)
(199.1)
(19.7)
(218.8)

(2,504.9)
(0.4)
(70.7)
(36.9)
(106.5)
(2,719.4)
(2,938.2)
4,377.2

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B

3,112.5
15.6
–
–
(2,638.1)
(149.2)
–
2.6
343.4

30.5
–
48.7
67.6
146.8
1.3
148.1
491.5

(70.0)
– 
– 
(70.0)
(1.3)
(71.3)

(391.9)
(0.1)
(3.9)
(15.8)
(8.5)
(420.2)
(491.5)
–

2019

Proportionally
consolidated
£m
C

5,211.2
49.9
10.1
3.2
379.0
1,355.3
31.6
6.0
7,046.3

126.8
0.8
70.2
95.8
293.6
467.0
760.6
7,806.9

(263.5)
(1.5)
(4.1)
(269.1)
(21.0)
(290.1)

(2,896.8)
(0.5)
(74.6)
(52.7)
(115.0)
(3,139.6)
(3,429.7)
4,377.2

Reported  
Group 
£m 
A 

3,830.4 
39.9 
– 
4.5 
3,604.5 
1,241.5 
24.5 
3.6 
8,748.9 

113.8 
4.1 
24.0 
31.2 
173.1 
– 
173.1 
8,922.0 

(233.7)
(0.9)
(9.8)
(244.4)
– 
(244.4)

(3,013.9)
(0.5)
(101.0)
(42.3)
(87.0)
(3,244.7)
(3,489.1)
5,432.9 

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B

3,649.1
15.6
–
–
(3,278.2)
(30.4)
–
0.6
356.7

26.6
–
49.1
71.2
146.9
–
146.9
503.6

(71.2)
– 
– 
(71.2)
–
(71.2)

(409.3)
–
(1.4)
(15.6)
(6.1)
(432.4)
(503.6)
–

2018

Proportionally
consolidated
£m
C

7,479.5
55.5
–
4.5
326.3
1,211.1
24.5
4.2
9,105.6

140.4
4.1
73.1
102.4
320.0
–
320.0
9,425.6

(304.9)
(0.9)
(9.8)
(315.6)
–
(315.6)

(3,423.2)
(0.5)
(102.4)
(57.9)
(93.1)
(3,677.1)
(3,992.7)
5,432.9

198 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

199 
www.hammerson.com 199

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 
Additional disclosures continued 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

Adjusted finance costs 
Table 104 

Adjusted finance costs for the year ended 31 December 2019 

2019

Notes (see page 199) 
Gross finance costs1 
Less: Interest capitalised 
Finance costs 
Finance income 
Adjusted finance costs/(income) 
1.  Included within gross finance costs for the Reported Group is £0.2 million (2018: £0.2 million) relating to discontinued operations 

Reported 
Group
£m
A
105.3
(2.8)
102.5
(21.5)
81.0

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B
9.0
–
9.0
(0.2)
8.8

Total
£m
C
114.3
(2.8)
111.5
(21.7)
89.8

Reported  
Group 
£m 
A 
111.1 
(1.9)
109.2 
(14.5)
94.7 

Net debt 
Table 105 

Net debt as at 31 December 2019 

2019

Notes (see page 199) 
Cash and deposits1 
Fair value of currency swaps 
Loans  
Net debt 
1.   Included within net debt for the Reported Group is £1.6 million (2018: £nil million) of cash and deposits relating to assets held for sale 

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B
67.6
–
(391.9)
(324.3)

Total
£m
C
97.4
(43.1)
(2,896.8)
(2,842.5)

Reported  
Group 
£m 
A 
31.2 
(84.9) 
(3,013.9) 
(3,067.6) 

Reported 
Group
£m
A
29.8
(43.1)
(2,504.9)
(2,518.2)

Movement in net debt 
Table 106 

Movement in net debt for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Opening net debt 
Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains  
(Increase)/Decrease in receivables and restricted monetary assets 
Decrease in payables 
Adjustment for non-cash items 
Cash generated from operations 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Acquisition-related costs paid 
Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 
Tax paid 
Operating distributions received from premium outlets 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Acquisitions and capital expenditure 
Sale of properties 
Advances to premium outlets 
Funds from financing transferred from premium outlets 
Acquisition of interest in premium outlets 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of own shares 
Share buyback 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
Equity dividends paid 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Exchange translation movement 
Closing net debt 

200 
200

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B
7.1
–
7.1
(0.1)
7.0

2018

Total
£m
C
118.2
(1.9)
116.3
(14.6)
101.7

Share of 
Property 
interests
£m
B
71.2
–
(409.3)
(338.1)

2018

Total
£m
C
102.4
(84.9)
(3,423.2)
(3,405.7)

Year ended 
31 December 
2019
£m
(3,405.7)
260.2
(3.9)
(1.6)
9.9
264.6
20.6
(109.3)
–
–
(2.1)
24.3
198.1
(110.3)
536.1
(9.4)
5.5
(30.4)
391.5
(1.6)
(1.5)
–
(198.9)
(202.0)
175.6
(2,842.5)

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£m
(3,500.5)
302.8
25.3
(29.8)
11.2
309.5
16.0
(118.1)
(12.9)
(15.3)
(2.4)
31.8
208.6
(229.6)
553.2
–
62.2
(113.8)
272.0
(4.8)
(126.5)
(13.3)
(204.1)
(348.7)
(37.1)
(3,405.7)

 
 
 
 
 
Additional disclosures continued 

Unaudited 

Reported 

Group

£m

A

105.3

(2.8)

102.5

(21.5)

81.0

Share of 

Property 

interests

£m

B

9.0

–

9.0

(0.2)

8.8

Reported  

Group 

£m 

A 

111.1 

(1.9)

109.2 

(14.5)

94.7 

Share of 

Property 

interests

£m

B

7.1

–

7.1

(0.1)

7.0

2018

Total

£m

C

118.2

(1.9)

116.3

(14.6)

101.7

Share of 

Property 

interests

£m

B

67.6

–

Reported 

Group

£m

A

29.8

(43.1)

(2,504.9)

(2,518.2)

(391.9)

(324.3)

(2,896.8)

(2,842.5)

Reported  

Group 

£m 

A 

31.2 

(84.9) 

(3,013.9) 

(3,067.6) 

Share of 

Property 

interests

£m

B

71.2

–

(409.3)

(338.1)

2018

Total

£m

C

102.4

(84.9)

(3,423.2)

(3,405.7)

2019

Total

£m

C

114.3

(2.8)

111.5

(21.7)

89.8

2019

Total

£m

C

97.4

(43.1)

1.  Included within gross finance costs for the Reported Group is £0.2 million (2018: £0.2 million) relating to discontinued operations 

1.   Included within net debt for the Reported Group is £1.6 million (2018: £nil million) of cash and deposits relating to assets held for sale 

Movement in net debt for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Notes (see page 199) 

Gross finance costs1 

Less: Interest capitalised 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Adjusted finance costs/(income) 

Net debt 

Table 105 

Net debt as at 31 December 2019 

Notes (see page 199) 

Cash and deposits1 

Fair value of currency swaps 

Loans  

Net debt 

Movement in net debt 

Table 106 

Opening net debt 

Operating profit before other net (losses)/gains  

(Increase)/Decrease in receivables and restricted monetary assets 

Decrease in payables 

Adjustment for non-cash items 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Acquisition-related costs paid 

Debt and loan facility cancellation costs 

Tax paid 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Acquisitions and capital expenditure 

Sale of properties 

Advances to premium outlets 

Operating distributions received from premium outlets 

Funds from financing transferred from premium outlets 

Acquisition of interest in premium outlets 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buyback 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Equity dividends paid 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Exchange translation movement 

Closing net debt 

200 

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

Year ended 

31 December 

Year ended

31 December 

2019

£m

2018

£m

(3,405.7)

(3,500.5)

260.2

(3.9)

(1.6)

9.9

264.6

20.6

(109.3)

–

–

(2.1)

24.3

198.1

(110.3)

536.1

(9.4)

5.5

(30.4)

391.5

(1.6)

(1.5)

–

(198.9)

(202.0)

175.6

302.8

25.3

(29.8)

11.2

309.5

16.0

(118.1)

(12.9)

(15.3)

(2.4)

31.8

208.6

(229.6)

553.2

–

62.2

(113.8)

272.0

(4.8)

(126.5)

(13.3)

(204.1)

(348.7)

(37.1)

(2,842.5)

(3,405.7)

Adjusted finance costs 

Table 104 

Loan to value and gearing 
Table 107 

Adjusted finance costs for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Loan to value and gearing as at 31 December 2019 

Net debt – ‘Loan’ (A) 

Property portfolio – excluding premium outlets (B) 
Investment in VIA Outlets 
Investment in Value Retail  
Less non-controlling interest  
‘Value’ (C) 

Equity shareholders’ funds (D) 

Loan to value (%) – (A/C) 
Gearing – (%) (A/D) 

Net debt – premium outlets (E) 
Property portfolio – premium outlets (F) 

Loan to value – fully proportionally consolidated (%) – ((A+E)/(B+F)) 
Gearing – fully proportionally consolidated (%) – ((A+E)/D) 

Net debt:EBITDA 
Table 108 

Net debt:EBITDA for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Adjusted operating profit 
Tenant incentive amortisation 
Share-based remuneration 
Depreciation 
EBITDA 

Net debt 
Net debt:EBITDA (times) 

Unencumbered asset ratio 
Table 109 

Unencumbered asset ratio as at 31 December 2019 

Property portfolio – excluding premium outlets 
VIA Outlets properties 
Less: properties held in associates  
Less: encumbered assets 
Total unencumbered assets (A) 

Net debt – proportionally consolidated 
Less: net debt held in associates 
Add: net debt in VIA Outlets  
Add: fair value of currency swaps in VIA Outlets 
Add: unamortised borrowing costs 
Less: encumbered debt 
Total unsecured debt (B) 

Unencumbered asset ratio (times) (A)/(B) 

Table 105 

Table 96 

Note 14A 

Note 15C 

Note 28C 

2019
£m
2,842.5

5,667.7
379.0
1,355.3
(0.2)
7,401.8

2018
£m
3,405.7

7,479.5
326.3
1,211.1
(0.3)
9,016.6

Note 12D 

4,377.0

5,432.6

38.4
64.9

37.8
62.7

Table 102 

Table 102 

895.7
2,659.1

900.0
2,458.8

44.9
85.4

43.3
79.3

Note 2 

Note 5 

2019
£m
306.0
6.4
3.0
5.1
320.5

2018
£m
343.9
8.6
3.4
1.5
357.4

Table 105 

2,842.5
8.9

3,405.7
9.5

Table 96 

Note 14A 

Note 15C 

Table 105 

Note 15C 

Note 14A 

2019
£m

2018
£m

5,667.7
693.5
(147.9)
(1,607.0)
4,606.3

2,842.5
2.3
237.5
1.5
20.0
(663.7)
2,440.1

7,479.5
635.8
(29.3)
(1,717.6)
6,368.4

3,405.7
1.2
242.4
1.0
21.9
(688.1)
2,984.1

1.9

2.1

www.hammerson.com 

201 
www.hammerson.com 201

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property listing 
Property listing 
Unaudited 
Unaudited 

Ownership

Area, m2  

No. of tenants

Passing rent, £m

Flagship destinations 

UK 
Brent Cross, London 
Bullring, Birmingham  
Cabot Circus, Bristol 
Centrale, Croydon1 
Grand Central, Birmingham 
Highcross, Leicester 
Silverburn, Glasgow 
The Oracle, Reading 
Union Square, Aberdeen 
Victoria, Leeds2 
Westquay, Southampton 
France 
Espace Saint-Quentin, Saint Quentin-En-Yvelines3 
Italie Deux, Paris 
Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy4, 5 
Les Terrasses du Port, Marseille 
Nicetoile, Nice4 
O’Parinor, Aulnay-Sous-Bois4 
SQY Ouest, Saint Quentin-En-Yvelines 
Ireland 
Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 
Ilac Centre, Dublin 
Pavilions, Swords 

UK retail parks 
Abbey Retail Park, Belfast6 
Brent South Retail Park, London 
Central Retail Park, Falkirk6 
Cleveland Retail Park, Middlesbrough6 
Cyfarthfa Retail Park, Merthyr Tydfil6 
Elliott’s Field Shopping Park, Rugby6 
Ravenhead Retail Park, St. Helens6 
Telford Forge Retail Park, Telford6 
The Orchard Centre, Didcot6 

Developments 

Whitgift, Croydon 
Dublin Central, Dublin 
1.  Included within the UK Other properties portfolio. 
2.  Comprises Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate 
3.  Key properties only. 
4.  Held under co-ownership. Figures reflect Hammerson’s ownership interests. 
5.  Includes Cergy 3 which was acquired in 2017 and is classified within the development portfolio. 
6.  Disposal completed or exchanged in 2020. 

41%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
100%
100%
50%

25%
25%
100%
100%
10%
25%
100%

50%
50%
50%

100%
41%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

50%
100%

85,400 
123,100 
111,000 
64,300 
37,700 
99,800 
100,200 
71,900 
51,800 
56,900 
95,400 

33,700 
62,100 
44,300 
62,900 
17,300 
68,600 
21,500 

121,700 
27,000 
44,000 

20,200 
8,700 
37,600 
27,900 
30,900 
24,100 
27,700 
28,000 
29,100 

69,100 
21,800 

116
155
119
48
70
129
103
107
78
92
114

108
121
130
173
105
164
18

157
62
92

4
10
30
19
24
26
17
21
63

99
24

15.4
26.2
12.8
3.4
5.8
12.9
10.2
13.9
18.1
15.3
15.3

3.0
5.5
17.8
28.5
1.4
5.8
1.9

27.4
4.4
7.5

3.2
1.9
6.1
4.4
7.0
6.6
4.5
5.1
5.4

6.3
2.2

0  Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 
202
Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership

Area, m2  

No. of tenants

Passing rent, £m

Ownership

Area, m2  

No. of tenants

Income1, £m

Premium outlets 

Value Retail 
Bicester Village, UK 
La Roca Village, Barcelona 
Las Rozas Village, Madrid 
La Vallée Village, Paris 
Maasmechelen Village, Brussels 
Fidenza Village, Milan 
Wertheim Village, Frankfurt 
Ingolstadt Village, Munich 
Kildare Village, Dublin 

50%
41%
38%
26%
27%
34%
45%
15%
41%

28,300 
22,800 
16,600 
22,400 
20,000 
21,200 
21,200 
21,100 
16,700 

VIA Outlets 
31,000 
Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet 
25,600 
Fashion Arena Prague Outlet 
21,300 
Landquart Fashion Outlet, Zürich 
36,600 
Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet 
18,500 
Hede Fashion Outlet, Gothenburg 
32,700 
Mallorca Fashion Outlet 
13,700 
Wroclaw Fashion Outlet, Poland 
16,000 
Sevilla Fashion Outlet 
30,100 
Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet, Germany 
27,600 
Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet, Portugal 
13,500 
Oslo Fashion Outlet 
1.  Figures represent annualised base and turnover rent at 31 December 2019 for each premium outlet, at Hammerson’s ownership share. 

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%

161
131
99
104
102
121
116
112
97

135
102
82
132
59
79
87
61
118
112
93

70.4
19.0
11.5
22.0
5.4
6.3
10.0
3.5
8.7

7.3
4.1
4.2
5.4
1.8
4.8
2.1
2.3
8.4
5.0
2.3

Property listing 

Unaudited 

Flagship destinations 

UK 

Brent Cross, London 

Bullring, Birmingham  

Cabot Circus, Bristol 

Centrale, Croydon1 

Grand Central, Birmingham 

Highcross, Leicester 

Silverburn, Glasgow 

The Oracle, Reading 

Union Square, Aberdeen 

Victoria, Leeds2 

Westquay, Southampton 

France 

Espace Saint-Quentin, Saint Quentin-En-Yvelines3 

Italie Deux, Paris 

Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy4, 5 

Les Terrasses du Port, Marseille 

Nicetoile, Nice4 

O’Parinor, Aulnay-Sous-Bois4 

SQY Ouest, Saint Quentin-En-Yvelines 

Ireland 

Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 

Ilac Centre, Dublin 

Pavilions, Swords 

UK retail parks 

Abbey Retail Park, Belfast6 

Brent South Retail Park, London 

Central Retail Park, Falkirk6 

Cleveland Retail Park, Middlesbrough6 

Cyfarthfa Retail Park, Merthyr Tydfil6 

Elliott’s Field Shopping Park, Rugby6 

Ravenhead Retail Park, St. Helens6 

Telford Forge Retail Park, Telford6 

The Orchard Centre, Didcot6 

Developments 

Whitgift, Croydon 

Dublin Central, Dublin 

1.  Included within the UK Other properties portfolio. 

2.  Comprises Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate 

3.  Key properties only. 

4.  Held under co-ownership. Figures reflect Hammerson’s ownership interests. 

5.  Includes Cergy 3 which was acquired in 2017 and is classified within the development portfolio. 

6.  Disposal completed or exchanged in 2020. 

41%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

100%

100%

50%

25%

25%

100%

100%

10%

25%

100%

50%

50%

50%

100%

41%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

50%

100%

85,400 

123,100 

111,000 

64,300 

37,700 

99,800 

100,200 

71,900 

51,800 

56,900 

95,400 

33,700 

62,100 

44,300 

62,900 

17,300 

68,600 

21,500 

121,700 

27,000 

44,000 

20,200 

8,700 

37,600 

27,900 

30,900 

24,100 

27,700 

28,000 

29,100 

69,100 

21,800 

116

155

119

48

70

129

103

107

78

92

114

108

121

130

173

105

164

18

157

62

92

4

10

30

19

24

26

17

21

63

99

24

15.4

26.2

12.8

3.4

5.8

12.9

10.2

13.9

18.1

15.3

15.3

3.0

5.5

17.8

28.5

1.4

5.8

1.9

27.4

4.4

7.5

3.2

1.9

6.1

4.4

7.0

6.6

4.5

5.1

5.4

6.3

2.2

0  Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 

www.hammerson.com 

1 
www.hammerson.com 203

Other InformationAdditional disclosures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ten-year financial summary 
Ten-year financial summary 

20191 
£m  

2018
£m

2017
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

2014
£m

20131
£m 

20121
£m 

2011
£m

2010
£m

317.3

318.6

615.4

699.1

335.7

347.5

726.8

284.7

388.4

346.5

370.4

305.6

138.4 

296.0

337.4 

282.9 

290.2 

308.5 

(268.1)

(781.2)

– 
545.4 
56.7 

8,281.7
222.0
959.1
130.5

7,130.5
110.8
743.8
70.5

7,479.5
326.3
1,211.1
102.4

8,326.3
361.3
1,068.6
265.8

6,706.5
104.2
628.8
59.4

276.3
381.0
13.1
159.3
(98.1)
731.6
(1.6)
–
(3.2)

259.1
430.3
(1.1)
109.9
(95.1)
703.1
(0.9)
(0.1)
(3.0)

300.4
(36.1)
20.7
135.2
(96.6)
323.6
(2.7)
–
(3.6)

249.1
209.8
–
–
(112.6)
346.3
(0.7)
–
(9.9)

247.9 
102.0 
– 
101.5 
(110.2)
341.2 
(0.8)
0.1 
(3.1)

239.6 
(7.3)
– 
47.5 
(137.6)
142.2 
(0.4)
– 
(3.4)

321.5
27.1
13.6
221.6
(170.4)
413.4
(1.8)
–
(23.2)

248.8
469.9
–
1.5
(100.0)
620.2
(0.6)
(0.1)
(4.1)

302.8
(517.9)
24.6
56.8
(132.9)
(266.6)
(1.9)
–
0.4

5,931.2  5,458.4 
– 
428.4 
57.1 

260.2 
(1,197.9)
34.3 
210.6 
(86.2)
(779.0)
(2.2)
– 
– 

5,331.1
–
–
126.2
(2,939.9) (3,508.1) (3,776.3) (3,543.0) (3,068.3) (2,329.3) (2,309.0) (2,038.1) (2,079.9) (1,920.6)
323.1
(307.6)
(0.5)
(71.7)
3,771.9 3,480.0

Income statement 
Net rental income 
Operating profit before other net 
(losses)/gains 
Other net (losses)/gains 
Share of results of joint ventures 
Share of results of associates 
Cost of finance (net) 
(Loss)/Profit before tax 
Current tax 
Deferred tax 
Non-controlling interests 
(Loss)/Profit for the year attributable to 
equity shareholders 
Balance sheet 
Investment and development properties  5,667.7 
Investment in joint ventures 
379.0 
Investment in associates 
1,355.3 
Cash and short-term deposits 
97.4 
Borrowings2 
Other assets 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax 
Non-controlling interests 
Equity shareholders’ funds 
Cash flow 
Operating cash flow after tax 
Dividends 
Property and corporate acquisitions 
Developments and major refurbishments 
Other capital expenditure 
Disposals 
Investments in joint ventures 
Other cash flows 
Net cash flow before financing 
Per share data3 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share 
Adjusted earnings per share 
Dividend per share 
Diluted net asset value per share 
EPRA net asset value per share 
Financial ratios 
Return on shareholders’ equity 
Gearing 
Interest cover 
Dividend cover 
1.  Comprises continuing and discontinued operations. Assets associated with UK retail parks have been presented on a line by line basis. 
2.  Borrowings comprises loans and currency swaps. In 2019, £31.7 million (2018: £25.9 million, 2017: £10.3 million) of currency swaps were included in 'other assets'. For 

280.4
(458.2)
(0.5)
(0.3)
4,377.0  5,432.6

(14.8)% (3.2)%
63%
3.4x
1.2x

167.1 
(198.9)
(0.7)
(40.2)
(39.7)
536.1 
(58.1)
29.2 
394.8 

128.1
(139.1)
(302.7)
(164.0)
(39.8)
155.4
(118.9)
12.4
(468.6)

171.2
(163.8)
(43.7)
(137.2)
(45.1)
185.2
(735.6)
(14.0)
(783.0)

179.9
(135.7)
(499.7)
(127.2)
(55.2)
639.0
(155.0)
87.9
(66.0)

139.9 
(118.4)
(397.3)
(122.9)
(48.0)
585.0 
– 
(72.4)
(34.1)

114.5
(204.1)
(12.0)
(89.3)
(60.3)
553.2
114.2
(71.0)
345.2

147.8
(86.1)
(374.1)
(91.2)
(23.6)
271.8
–
(34.9)
(190.3)

129.4 
(129.4)
(191.1)
(184.4)
(17.5)
256.3 
– 
(30.8)
(167.5)

139.3
(191.7)
(122.5)
(46.7)
(66.7)
490.8
53.2
111.9
367.6

132.7
(95.4)
(218.6)
(60.8)
(25.5)
554.6
–
(0.8)
286.2

11.2% 21.1%
52%
2.6x
1.2x

(102.1)p
28.0p 
25.9p 
£5.72 
£6.01 

271.2 
(358.5)
(0.4)
(76.7)
4,059.9 

264.2
(481.9)
(0.5)
(14.0)
6,023.5

1,025.0
(425.5)
(0.5)
(69.0)
5,517.3

268.6
(392.6)
(0.5)
(71.4)
4,973.7

339.9
(532.7)
(0.5)
(81.4)
5,775.6

462.3 
(441.9)
(0.5)
(74.5)
3,851.2 

(34.1)p
30.6p
25.9p
£7.09
£7.38

87.2p
19.9p
15.95p
£4.93
£4.95

275.8 
(457.6)
(0.5)
(0.2)

19.4p 
20.9p 
17.7p 
£5.41 
£5.42 

47.4p 
23.1p 
19.1p 
£5.70 
£5.73 

40.2p
29.2p
24.0p
£7.28
£7.39

47.3p
19.3p
16.6p
£5.30
£5.30

95.7p
23.9p
20.4p
£6.35
£6.38

49.0p
31.1p
25.5p
£7.58
£7.76

92.8p
26.9p
22.3p
£7.03
£7.10

5,719.6
–
–
100.7

435.6
(327.1)
(0.5)
(76.5)

14.3%
54%
3.6x
1.2x

16.3%
46%
2.8x
1.2x

8.8% 
56% 
2.8x 
1.2x 

5.3% 
53% 
2.8x 
1.2x 

8.3%
58%
3.4x
1.2x

7.8%
59%
3.5x
1.2x

65% 
3.3x 
1.1x 

52%
2.6x
1.2x

the purposes of this summary, these have been reclassified to 'borrowings'. 

3.  Comparative per share data was restated following the rights issue in March 2009. 

The Income statement, Balance sheet and Financial ratios for 2014 to 2019 have been presented on a proportionally consolidated basis, 
excluding the Group’s investment in Premium outlets. Cash flow information has been presented on an IFRS basis throughout. 

2  Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019 
204
Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GHG emissions 2019

Independent assurance
Total Scope 1, Total Scope 2, Total Scope 3, 
and Total GHG emissions intensity data have 
been independently assured by Deloitte LLP 
who have carried out limited assurance in 
accordance with the International Standards 
on Assurance Engagements 3000. Their 
assurance statement is available on the 
sustainability pages of our website.

Reporting boundaries
We have adopted operational control as our 
reporting approach. GHG emissions data is 
provided for those assets where we have 
authority to introduce and implement 
operating policies.

This includes properties held in joint 
ventures where JV Board approval is 
required. We have reported 100% of GHG 
emissions data for these reported assets. A 
detailed basis of reporting statement and full 
list of operating entities and assets included 
within the reporting boundary can be found 
on the Positive Places pages of our website.

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Reporting period and 
methodology
In line with requirements set out in the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013, this 
statement reports the Company’s GHG 
emissions for the reporting period 1 January 
2019 to 31 December 2019. Our GHG 
emissions reporting period is the same as 
the financial reporting year, in accordance 
with the DEFRA Environmental Reporting 
Guidance. The data has been calculated and 
recorded in accordance with the Greenhouse 
Gas (GHG) Protocol and ISO 14064. We are 
required by the Scope 2 GHG Protocol to 
report our Scope 2 emissions using both 
market and location-based methods.

GHG emissions 2019
Table 110

Baseline year
Boundary summary
Consistency with  
financial statements
Emissions factor data source We have sourced our emissions factors from 2019 DEFRA GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting, 

1/1/19 – 31/12/19
All assets and facilities under Hammerson’s direct operational control are included.
Consistency with the financial statements and reporting period are set out above.

Assessment methodology
Materiality threshold
Intensity ratio
Target

and additional sources including, but not limited, to International Energy Agency and Engie.
GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 (2006).
Activities generating emissions of <5% relative to total Group emissions have been excluded.
Denominator is adjusted profit before tax 1/1/19 – 31/12/19 of £216.2 million.
20% reduction in carbon emissions intensity by 2020 against 2015 baseline using location-based approach.

Emissions disaggregated by country
Table 111

Source

Total GHG emissions metric tonnes (mt)1
Total GHG emissions metric tonnes (mt)
Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned/controlled operations
a. Direct emissions from stationary operations
b. Direct emissions from mobile combustion
c. Direct emissions from fugitive sources

Totals
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the use of purchased 
electricity, steam, heating and cooling
a. Indirect emissions from purchased/acquired electricity1
a. Indirect emissions from purchased/acquired electricity 
b. Indirect emissions from purchased/acquired steam
c. Indirect emissions from purchased/acquired heating
d. Indirect emissions from purchased/acquired cooling
Totals1
Totals
Scope 3
Business travel
Waste
Water

Totals

1.  Emissions using Market Based Method.

Group emissions 
(mtCO2e)

UK emissions 
(mtCO2e)

France emissions 
(mtCO2e)

Ireland emissions 
(mtCO2e)

12,350
26,273

4,787
91
269

5,147

4,259 
18,182
0
1,218
33

5,510
19,433

562
759
372

6,805
15,332

2,748
24
269

3,041

2,498
11,025
0
127
33

2,658
11,185

397
498
211

1,693

1,106

4,537
5,150

1,319
67
0

1,386

1,729 
2,342
0
1,091
0

2,820 
3,433

113
129
89

331

1,008
5,791

720
0
0

720

32
4,815
0
0
0

32
4,815

52
132
72

256

Group emissions 
intensity 
(mtCO2e/£m)

57 
122

22
1 
1

24

19 
84
0
6
0

25 
90

3
3 
2

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www.hammerson.com 205

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information

South African Transfer 
Secretaries 
Computershare Investor Services  
Proprietary Limited, Rosebank Towers, 
15 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank 2196, 
South Africa or PO Box 61051, 
Marshalltown 2107, South Africa

0861 100 933 (local in South Africa) 
web.queries@computershare.co.za

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 
11.00 am (UK time) on 28 April 2020 at Kings 
Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE. Details 
of the Annual General Meeting and the 
resolutions to be voted upon can be found 
in the Notice of Meeting which is available at 
www.hammerson.com/investors.

Payment of dividends
UK shareholders who do not currently have 
their dividends paid direct to a bank or 
building society account and who wish to do 
so should complete a mandate instruction 
available from the Registrar or register their 
mandate at www.signalshares.com.

UK Dividend Reinvestment 
Plan (DRIP)
Shareholders can reinvest dividend 
payments in additional shares in the 
Company under the DRIP operated by the 
Registrar by completing an application form 
online at www.signalshares.com.

Elections to participate in the DRIP (or 
cancellation of previous instructions) in 
respect of the final dividend must be received 
by the Company’s Registrar no later than 15 
business days before the dividend payment 
date. The DRIP will continue to be available 
to shareholders who have already completed 
an application form. Such shareholders 
should take no action unless they wish to 
receive their dividend in cash, in which case 
they should contact the Registrar to cancel 
their instruction.

South African DRIP
Shareholders registered on the South African 
branch register who hold their shares 
through the Strate system and who wish to 
participate in the DRIP should contact their 
Central Securities Depository Participants 
or brokers.

Link share dealing services
An online and telephone share dealing facility 
is available to shareholders wishing to deal in 
shares on the UK share register. For more 
information visit www.linksharedeal.com.

Registered office and principal 
UK address
Hammerson plc  
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GE 
Registered in England No. 360632 
+44 (0)20 7887 1000

Principal address in Ireland
Hammerson Group Management Limited 
Pembroke District, Dundrum Town Centre, 
Dublin 14 
+353 (0)1695 0550

Principal address in France
Hammerson France SAS  
40 – 48 Rue Cambon, 75001, Paris 
+33 (0)156 69 30 00

Advisors
Valuers: CBRE Limited, Cushman and 
Wakefield LLP, and Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd 
Auditor: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Solicitor: Herbert Smith Freehills LLP 
Joint Brokers and Financial Advisors:  
J. P. Morgan Cazenove and Morgan Stanley 
& Co. International plc  
Financial Advisor: Lazard Ltd  
JSE Equity Sponsor: Investec Bank Limited

Primary and secondary listing
The Company has its primary listing on the 
London Stock Exchange and a secondary 
inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock 
Exchange.

Shareholder administration
For assistance with queries about the 
administration of shareholdings, such as 
lost share certificates, change of address, 
change of ownership or dividend payments, 
please contact the relevant Registrar or 
Transfer Secretaries.

UK Registrar
Link Asset Services 
The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU

0371 664 0300 or +44 371 664 0300 from 
outside the UK. Calls are charged at the 
standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom 
will be charged at the applicable international 
rate. Lines are open between 09:00 - 17:30, 
Monday to Friday excluding public holidays 
in England and Wales.

shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk 
www.signalshares.com

206

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

ShareGift
Shareholders with a small number of shares, 
the value of which makes it uneconomic to 
sell them, may wish to consider donating 
them to charity through ShareGift, 
a registered charity (registered charity no: 
1052686). Further information about 
ShareGift is available at www.sharegift.org, 
by email at help@sharegift.org or by writing 
to ShareGift, PO Box 72253, London, SW1P 
9LQ. To donate shares please contact 
ShareGift or Link Asset Services.

Strate Charity Shares
South African shareholders for whom the 
cost of selling their shares would exceed the 
market value of such shares may wish to 
consider donating them to charity. An 
independent non-profit organisation called 
Strate Charity Shares has been established to 
administer this process. For further details or 
donations contact the Strate Charity Shares’ 
toll-free helpline on 0800 202 363 (if calling 
from South Africa) or +27 11 870 8207 
(if calling from outside South Africa), 
email charityshares@computershare.co.za, 
or visit www.strate.co.za.

Shareholder security
Share fraud includes scams where fraudsters 
cold-call investors offering them overpriced, 
worthless or non-existent shares, or offer to 
buy shares owned by investors at an inflated 
price. We advise shareholders to be vigilant 
of unsolicited mail or telephone calls 
regarding buying or selling shares.  
For more information visit www.fca.org.uk/
scams or call the FCA Consumer Helpline 
on 0800 111 6768.

Unsolicited mail
Hammerson is obliged by law to make its 
share register available on request to other 
organisations. This may result in shareholders 
receiving unsolicited mail. To limit the receipt 
of unsolicited mail UK shareholders may 
register with the Mailing Preference Service, 
an independent organisation whose services 
are free, by visiting www.mpsonline.org.uk. 
Once a shareholder’s name and address details 
have been registered, the Mailing Preference 
Service will advise companies and other 
bodies that subscribe to the service not to send 
unsolicited mail to the address registered.

UK Real Estate Investment 
Trust (REIT) taxation
As a UK REIT, Hammerson plc is exempt 
from corporation tax on rental income and 
gains on UK investment properties but is 
required to pay Property Income 
Distributions (PIDs). UK shareholders will 
be taxed on PIDs received at their full 
marginal tax rates. A REIT may in addition 
pay normal dividends.

For most shareholders, PIDs will be paid 
after deducting withholding tax at the basic 
rate. However, certain categories of UK 
shareholder are entitled to receive PIDs 
without withholding tax, principally UK 
resident companies, UK public bodies, 
UK pension funds and managers of ISAs, 

PEPs and Child Trust Funds. Further 
information on UK REITs is available on the 
Company’s website, including a form to be 
used by shareholders to certify if they qualify 
to receive PIDs without withholding tax.

PIDs paid to overseas shareholders are 
subject to withholding tax at 20%. South 
African shareholders may apply to Her 
Majesty’s Revenue and Customs after 
payment of a PID for a refund of the 
difference between the 20% withholding tax 
and the prevailing UK/South African double 
tax treaty rate. Other overseas shareholders 
may be eligible to apply for similar refunds of 
UK withholding tax under the terms of the 
relevant tax treaties.

Normal dividends paid to overseas 
shareholders are paid gross but may be 
subject to taxation in the shareholder’s 
country of residence. For South African 
shareholders, dividends tax at 20% will be 
withheld and paid over to the South African 
Revenue Service on the shareholders’ behalf. 
Certain shareholders, including South 
African tax resident companies, retirement 
funds and approved public benefit 
organisations are exempt from dividends tax 
but it is the responsibility of each shareholder 
to seek their own advice. Dividends tax does 
not apply to scrip dividends, whether paid as 
a PID or a normal dividend.

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Dividend Timetable
Table 112

Recommended final dividend

Last day to effect removal of shares between the United Kingdom (UK) and  
South African (SA) registers 
Currency conversion announcement released
Last day to trade on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to qualify for the dividend
Ex-dividend on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange from commencement of trading on
Ex-dividend on the London Stock Exchange from the commencement of trading on
Record date (applicable to both the UK principal register and the SA branch register)
Removal of shares between the UK and SA registers permissible from
Last day for receipt of Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) mandates by Central 
Securities Depository Participants (CSDPs) and DRIP elections by UK Registrar and SA 
Transfer Secretaries

Annual General Meeting

Anticipated 2020 interim dividend  

Final dividend payable (UK and SA)

Analysis of shares held as at 31 December 2019
Table 113

3 March 2020

4 March 2020
17 March 2020
18 March 2020
19 March 2020
20 March 2020
23 March 2020
7 April 2020

28 April 2020
30 April 2020
October 2020

Number of shares held

0-500
501-1,000
1,001-2,000
2,001-5,000
5,001-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-100,000
100,001-500,000
500,001-1,000,000
1,000,001 +
Total

Number of shareholders

% of total shareholders

Holding

% of total capital

742 
284 
276 
274
128
189 
83 
155 
53 
84
2,268

32.7160
12.5220
12.1693
12.0811
5.6437
8.3334
3.6597 
6.8342 
2.3369 
3.7037 
100

128,665
219,555 
413,530 
858,903 
901,521 
4,422,114
5,912,374
36,381,697
37,691,306
679,363,948
766,293,613

0.0168
0.0287
0.0540
0.1121
0.1176
0.5771
0.7716
4.7477
4.9187
88.6557
100

www.hammerson.com 207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary

Adjusted figures (per share) 

Anchor store 

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)
Average cost of debt  
or weighted average  
interest rate (WAIR)
BREEAM

Capital return

Compulsory Purchase Order 
(CPO) 
Cost ratio (or EPRA cost 
ratio)

Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Compulsory Voluntary 
Arrangement (CVA)
Deferred Bonus Share 
Scheme (DBS)
Dividend cover
Earnings per share (EPS)

EBITDA
EPRA

Equivalent yield (true and 
nominal)

ERV

ESG 

F&B
Flexible lettings 
Gearing
Gross property value or Gross 
asset value (GAV)
Gross rental income (GRI)

IAS/IFRS
Inclusive lease

Income return

Initial yield (or Net initial 
yield (NIY))

Interest cover

Interest rate or currency 
swap (or derivatives)

Reported amounts adjusted in accordance with EPRA guidelines to exclude certain items as set out in note 12 to 
the financial statements.
A major store, occupying a large unit within a retail destination or retail park, which serves as a draw to other 
retailers and consumers. 
The annual bonus plan for all employees, including Executive Directors.
The cost of finance expressed as a percentage of the weighted average debt during the period.

An environmental rating assessed under the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental 
Assessment Method.
The change in property value during the period after taking account of capital expenditure, calculated on a 
monthly time-weighted and constant currency basis. 
A legal function in the UK by which land or property can be obtained to enable a development or infrastructure 
scheme without the consent of the owner where there is a “compelling case in the public interest.” 
Total operating costs (being property costs, administration costs less management fees) as a percentage of gross 
rental income, after rents payable. Both operating costs and gross rental income are adjusted for costs associated 
with inclusive leases as detailed in the calculation in table 95 on page 194.
A measure of inflation based on the weighted average of prices of consumer goods and services.
A legally binding agreement with a company’s creditors to restructure its liabilities, including future lease 
liabilities.
The deferred element of the AIP, payable in shares, two years after the awards date.

Adjusted earnings per share divided by dividend per share.
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders divided by the average number of shares in issue during 
the period.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, as shown in table 108 on page 201.
The European Public Real Estate Association, a real estate industry body, of which the Company is a member. 
This organisation has issued Best Practice Recommendations with the intention of improving the transparency, 
comparability and relevance of the published results of listed real estate companies in Europe.
The capitalisation rate applied to future cash flows to calculate the gross property value. The cash flows reflect 
future rents resulting from lettings, lease renewals and rent reviews based on current ERVs. The true equivalent 
yield (TEY) assumes rents are received quarterly in advance. The nominal equivalent yield (NEY) assumes rents 
are received annually in arrears. The property true and nominal equivalent yields are determined by the Group’s 
external valuers.
The estimated market rental value of the total lettable space in a property calculated by the Group’s external 
valuers. It is calculated after deducting head and equity rents, and car parking and commercialisation 
running costs.
Using environmental, social and government factors to evaluate companies and countries on how far advanced 
they are with sustainability. 
Food and beverage ranging from “grab and go” to fine dining.
Leases of less than three years, which often contain break options to provide flexibility for landlords and tenants. 
Net debt expressed as a percentage of equity shareholders’ funds. See table 107 on page 201.
Property value before deduction of purchasers’ costs, as provided by the Group’s external valuers.

Income from rents, car parks and commercialisation income, after accounting for the net effect of the 
amortisation of lease incentives.
International Accounting Standard/International Financial Reporting Standard.
A lease, often for a short period, under which the rent is inclusive of costs such as service charge, rates and 
utilities. Instead, the landlord incurs these costs as part of the overall commercial arrangement.
The income derived from a property as a percentage of the property value, taking account of capital expenditure 
on a constant currency basis, calculated on a monthly time-weighted basis.
Annual cash rents receivable (net of head and equity rents and the cost of vacancy, and, in the case of France, net 
of an allowance for costs of approximately 5%, primarily for management fees), as a percentage of gross property 
value, as provided by the Group’s external valuers. Rents receivable following the expiry of rent-free periods are 
not included. Rent reviews are assumed to have been settled at the contractual review date at ERV.
Net rental income divided by net cost of finance before exceptional finance costs, capitalised interest and change 
in fair value of derivatives.
An agreement with another party to exchange an interest or currency rate obligation for a pre-determined period.

208

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Like-for-like (LFL) NRI

The percentage change in NRI for investment properties owned throughout both current and prior periods, 
after taking account of exchange translation movements. Properties undergoing a significant extension project 
are excluded from this calculation during the period of the works. For interim reporting periods properties sold 
between the balance sheet date and the date of the announcement are also excluded from LFL NRI. 
Net debt expressed as a percentage of the property portfolio value.
Long term incentive scheme for Executive Directors.

Loan to value (LTV)
Long Term Incentive Plan 
(LTIP)
Medium Sized Unit (MSU) 
MSCI
Net asset value (NAV) per share Equity shareholders’ funds divided by the number of shares in issue at the balance sheet date.
Net rental income (NRI)
Occupancy rate

Retail unit of between 10,000ft2 (929m2 ) and 50,000ft2 (4,645m2) 
Property market benchmark indices produced by MSCI, rebranded from IPD in 2018.

Occupational cost ratio 
(OCR)
Over-rented
Passing rents or rents  
passing

Physical risk

Pre-let
Principal lease

Property fee income
Property Income  
Distribution (PID)
Property interests  
(Share of)

Property joint ventures 
(Share of)
Proportional consolidation

QIAIF

REIT

Reported Group

Restricted Share Scheme 
(RSS)
Return on shareholders’ 
equity (ROE)
Reversionary or  
under-rented
Scope 1 emissions
Scope 2 emissions
Scope 3 emissions

SIIC

Task Force for Climate 
Related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) 

Gross rental income less head and equity rents payable and other property related costs.
The ERV of the area in a property, or portfolio, excluding developments, which is let, expressed as a percentage 
of the total ERV of that property or portfolio.
The proportion of retailer’s sales compared with the total cost of occupation, including rent, business rates and 
service charge. Calculated excluding department stores.
The amount, or percentage, by which the ERV falls short of rents passing, together with the ERV of vacant space. 
The annual rental income receivable from an investment property, after: rent-free periods; head and equity 
rents; car park costs; and commercialisation costs. This may be more or less than the ERV (see over-rented and 
reversionary or under-rented).
Business risk posed by the physical effects of climate change, including high temperatures, flooding, storm 
damage and fires.
A lease signed with a tenant prior to the completion of a development.
A lease signed with a tenant with a secure term of greater than three years and where the unit is not significantly 
reconfigured. This enables letting metrics to be stated on a comparable basis.
Amounts recharged to tenants or co-owners for property management services.
A dividend, generally subject to withholding tax, that a UK REIT is required to pay from its tax-exempt property 
rental business and which is taxable for UK-resident shareholders at their marginal tax rate.
The Group’s non-wholly owned properties which management proportionally consolidate when reviewing the 
performance of the business. These exclude the Group’s premium outlets interests in Value Retail and VIA 
Outlets which are not proportionally consolidated.
The Group’s joint ventures which management proportionally consolidate when reviewing the performance of 
the business, but exclude the Group’s interests in the VIA Outlets joint venture.
The aggregation of the financial results of the Reported Group together with the Group’s share of Property 
interests being the Group’s share of Property joint ventures as shown in note 14, and Nicetoile and Italie Deux as 
shown in note 15.
Qualifying Investor Alternative Investment Fund. A regulated tax regime in the Republic of Ireland which 
exempts participants from Irish tax on property income and chargeable gains subject to certain requirements.
Real Estate Investment Trust. A tax regime which in the UK exempts participants from corporation tax both on 
UK rental income and gains arising on UK investment property sales, subject to certain requirements.
The financial results as presented under IFRS which represent the Group’s 100% owned properties and share of joint 
operations, transactions and balances and equity accounted Group’s interests in joint ventures and associates.
The proposed replacement for the LTIP scheme.

Capital growth and profit for the period expressed as a percentage of equity shareholders’ funds at the beginning 
of the year, all excluding deferred tax and certain non-recurring items.
The amount, or percentage by which the ERV exceeds the rents passing, together with the estimated rental value 
of vacant space.
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.
All indirect emissions (not included in scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including 
both upstream and downstream emissions.
Sociétés d’Investissements Immobiliers Côtées. A tax regime in France which exempts participants from the 
French tax on property income and gains subject to certain requirements.
An organisation established with the goal of developing a set of voluntary climate-related financial risk 
disclosures to be adopted by companies to inform investors and the public about the risks they face relating to 
climate change. 

www.hammerson.com 209

Other InformationGlossaryGlossary continued

Tenant restructuring 
Total development cost 
(TDC)
Total property return (TPR)  
(or total return)
Total shareholder return 
(TSR)
Transitional risk
Turnover rent
UK other 
United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (UN 
SDGs)
Vacancy rate

Yield on cost

CVAs and administrations. 
All capital expenditure on a development project, including capitalised interest.

NRI and capital growth expressed as a percentage of the opening book value of property adjusted for capital 
expenditure, calculated on a monthly time-weighted and constant currency basis.
Dividends and capital growth in a Company’s share price, expressed as a percentage of the share price at the 
beginning of the year.
Business risk posed by regulatory and policy changes implemented to tackle climate change.
Rental income which is related to an occupier’s turnover.
High street and other properties held for strategic purposes. 
17 goals designed to support the delivery of a sustainable world by ending poverty and other deprivations by 
improving health and education, reducing inequality and supporting economic growth, whilst also tackling 
climate change and focusing on preserving the natural environment. 
The ERV of the area in a property, or portfolio, excluding developments, which is currently available for letting, 
expressed as a percentage of the ERV of that property or portfolio.
Passing rents expressed as a percentage of the total development cost of a property.

210

Hammerson plc Annual Report 2019

Disclaimer

This document contains certain statements that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information. These statements are forward-looking in nature and  
are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties 
relate to factors that are beyond Hammerson’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market conditions, currency fluctuations, the behaviour of other market 
participants, the actions of governmental regulators and other risk factors such as the Company’s ability to continue to obtain financing to meet its liquidity needs, changes in  
the political, social and regulatory framework in which the Company operates or in economic or technological trends or conditions, including inflation and consumer confidence, 
on a global, regional or national basis. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. 
Hammerson does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this 
document. Information contained in this document relating to the Company should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.

www.hammerson.com 211

Other InformationGlossaryThis page is intentionally left blank

We’d like to thank 
everyone who has helped 
to produce this report:

Rintu Alex, Warren Austin, Emma Baxter, Sarah Booth, 
Michelle Boswell, Stephen Brown, Jenny Casson, 
Oliver Choppin, Doug Cleary, Julia Collier, Ciere Convey, 
Sian Cotton, Verity Cox, Julia Crane, Richard Crowle, 
Tamara Deering, Paul Denby, Jessica Dignum, Mark Duhig, 
Abi Dunning, Louise Ellison, Alex Evered, Melissa Flight, 
Karen Green, Dani Harris, Sam Henton, Thibaut Joyeux, 
Kathryn Malloch, Simon Maynard, Vanessa Mitchell, 
Jindi Pank, Maya Patel, Rebecca Patton, Julia Pillans, 
Antony Primic, Chris Riley, Amrit Rooprai, Sophie Ross, 
Catrin Sharp, Richard Sharp, Richard Shaw, Aurelie Siha, 
Lea Vavrik, Josh Warren, Daniel Williams, Bryn Woodward

T
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Printed on Heaven42 which is FSC® certified  
and was manufactured at a mill that is certified to the ISO14001  
and EMAS environmental standards.

Printed by Pureprint Group Limited, a Carbon Neutral Printing Company.

Pureprint Group Limited is FSC certified and ISO 14001 certified showing 
that it is committed to all round excellence and improving environmental 
performance is an important part of this strategy.

The inks used are vegetable oil-based.

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc.

 
Hammerson plc
Kings Place
90 York Way
London
N1 9GE

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