Quarterlytics / Industrials / Residential Construction / Henry Boot plc

Henry Boot plc

bhy · LSE Industrials
Claim this profile
Ticker bhy
Exchange LSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Residential Construction
Employees 201-500
← All annual reports
FY2012 Annual Report · Henry Boot plc
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Henry Boot PLC
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2012

 Building 
 long-term 
value

_1_BHY_ar12_cover_(NB_MR).indd   3

4/12/2013   2:15:50 PM

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Henry Boot PLC is one of the UK’s 
leading and long-standing property, 
land and construction companies
Our key objective is to maximise long-term shareholder value 
through the development of and investment in high quality property 
assets, the promotion of new land development opportunities, 
construction and plant hire activities.
www.henryboot.co.uk

Property
I Operational review 

Page 15

Land
I Operational review 

Page 18

Construction
I Operational review 

Page 24

Plant
I Operational review 

Page 25

Business review
1  Key financial highlights
2  At a glance
4  Strategy
8  Chairman’s statement
10  Our Group portfolio
12  Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Operational review
15  Property investment and development
18  Land development
22  Case study: Cranbrook, Exeter
24  Construction
26  Financial review
28  Operating risk statement
32  Corporate responsibility

Governance
38  Board of directors
39  Subsidiary company managing directors
40  Directors’ report
46  Directors’ remuneration report
49  Directors’ responsibilities statement

Financial statements
50  Independent auditors’ report
51   Consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income
52  Statements of financial position
53  Statements of changes in equity
54  Statements of cash flows
55  Principal accounting policies
61  Notes to the financial statements

Shareholder information
85  Property valuers’ report
86  Shareholder information
88  Notice of annual general meeting
92  Financial calendar and advisers

Visit www.henryboot.co.uk 
or scan this QR code with 
your smartphone to find out 
more about Henry Boot and 
its companies.

_1_BHY_ar12_cover_(NB_MR).indd   3

4/12/2013   2:15:53 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Key financial highlights

 I Profit before tax: £13.9m (2011: £16.1m)
 I Property revaluation surplus: £1.4m (2011: deficit £4.3m)
 I Investment property disposal profits: £1.0m (2011: £Nil)
 I Trading profits*: £12.3m (2011: £20.8m)
 I Profit after tax: £11.5m (2011: £10.8m)
 I Earnings per share increased 6% to 7.3p (2011: 6.9p)
 I Proposed final dividend of 2.90p (2011: 2.60p), giving a total for the year of 4.70p 

(2011: 4.25p), an 11% increase

 I Net asset value per share: 139p (2011: 142p)
 I Investment in strategic land inventories of £19.4m saw a planned net debt rise 

to £21.9m (2011: £2.3m) and gearing to 12% (2011: 1%)

*  Trading profits comprise operating profit of £14.7m (2011: £16.9m), adjusted for the increase in fair value of investment property of £1.4m (2011: decrease £4.3m), 

profit on sale of investment properties of £1.0m (2011: £Nil) and loss on sale of assets held for sale of £Nil (2011: profit £0.4m).

Profit before tax (£m)

£13.9m

Dividends per ordinary share (p)

Net asset value per ordinary share (p) 

4.70p

139p

12

11

10

09

(11.9)

08

13.9

16.1

18.9

19.3

12

11

10

09

08

4.70

4.25

5.00

12

11

10

09

08

3.50

2.50

139

142

145

135

146

Earnings per ordinary share (p)

Operating profit (£m)

Net debt (£m)

7.3p

12

11

10

09

(5.7)

08

£14.7m

£21.9m

7.3

6.9

9.1

12

11

10

09

(10.0)

10.8

08

21.9

2.3

11.4

14.7

16.9

20.9

22.1

12

11

10

09

08

32.1

49.3

www.henryboot.co.uk

1

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   1

4/12/2013   2:16:54 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

At a glance

Who we are

We have four principal trading subsidiary companies operating in the property investment 
and development, land development, construction and plant hire sectors.

Where we operate

3

3

8

6

5

4
6
1
2
1

3

7

1

5

Head office
1  Sheffield

Offices
1  Bristol
2  Dronfield
3  Glasgow
4  Leeds
5  London
6  Manchester
7   Northampton
8  Stocksfield

Hire centres
1  Chesterfield

2  Dronfield

3  Derby

4  Leeds

5  Rotherham

6  Wakefield

Henry Boot 
Developments Limited

Formed 1978

A major force in the UK property development 
market. With its considerable experience and 
impressive reputation in all sectors of property 
development, the Company has built up a 
substantial investment portfolio in recent years.

Head office
Banner Cross Hall 
Ecclesall Road South 
Sheffield S11 9PD 
t: 0114 255 5444 
e: hbdl@henryboot.co.uk 
www.henrybootdevelopments.co.uk

Regional offices
South East – London t: 020 7495 6419 
South West – Bristol t: 01454 275 261 
North West – Manchester t: 0161 830 8000 
North East – Sheffield t: 0114 255 5444 
Scotland – Glasgow t: 01698 464 325

House builder
Stonebridge Projects Limited t: 0113 357 1100

Managing Director David Anderson

Tenure with Henry Boot 23 years

What we do “Our principal activities are twofold. 
Firstly, we identify and secure development 
opportunities, and add value through securing 
planning permissions, undertaking development 
and lettings or sales to prospective occupiers. 
Secondly, we actively manage our existing 
property investment portfolio to drive income 
and maximise investment values.”

2

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   2

4/12/2013   2:16:55 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ Henry Boot had been 

recommended to me as a great 
place to work and as a Company 
who truly values its employees.”
Fiona Cope is HR Advisor for Henry Boot PLC 
and has worked for the Company for two years.

Hallam Land 
Management Limited

Henry Boot 
Construction Limited

Banner Plant Limited

Formed 1989

Formed 1970

Formed 1962

The strategic land and planning promotion arm 
of the Henry Boot Group. Our experienced 
land and planning teams promote and 
deliver land opportunities through the 
complexities of the UK planning system.

We specialise in serving both public and private 
clients in all construction sectors, including 
civil engineering. Our jobs are delivered to the 
highest quality, safely, on time, within agreed 
costs and to the maximum benefit to all parties.

We offer a wide range of products and services 
for sale and hire. Continuing investment is made 
to develop and meet the increasing needs 
of its many varied customers in commerce, 
industry and the general public.

Head office
Banner Cross Hall 
Ecclesall Road South 
Sheffield S11 9PD 
t: 0114 255 5444 
e: hallamland@henryboot.co.uk 
www.hallamland.co.uk

Regional offices
South East – London t: 020 7495 6419 
South West – Bristol t: 01454 625 532 
South Midlands – Northampton t: 01604 646 588 
North Midlands – Sheffield t: 0114 255 5444 
North West – Manchester t: 0161 830 8004 
North East – Sheffield t: 0114 255 5444 
Scotland – Glasgow t: 01698 464 320

Head office
Callywhite Lane 
Dronfield 
Derbyshire S18 2XN 
t: 01246 410 111 
e: hbc@henryboot.co.uk 
www.henrybootconstruction.co.uk

Regional offices
Eastern – Dronfield t: 01246 410 111 
Western – Manchester t: 0161 273 5302 
Road Link – Stocksfield t: 01661 842 842

Head office
Callywhite Lane 
Dronfield 
Derbyshire S18 2XS 
t: 01246 299 400 
e: dronfield@bannerplant.co.uk 
www.bannerplant.co.uk

Regional offices
Chesterfield t: 01246 268 593 
Derby t: 01332 752 035/751 762 
Leeds t: 0113 240 6350 
Rotherham t: 01709 515 655/511 500 
Dronfield t: 01246 299 400 
Wakefield t: 01924 283 487

Managing Director Keran Power

Managing Director Simon Carr

Managing Director Giles Boot

Tenure with Henry Boot 23 years

Tenure with Henry Boot 25 years

Tenure with Henry Boot 30 years

What we do “We trade in land and are able 
to add value to that land through the planning 
process. The UK planning system is notoriously 
protracted, complex, expensive and 
unpredictable and, as a result of our renowned 
expertise in this field, we continue to secure 
valuable planning permissions for many different 
types of land use.”

What we do “We are an award-winning 
contractor committed to the highest standards 
of health and safety, project delivery and 
reducing environmental impact. This high 
quality service is only possible through 
the dedication and talent of our long 
serving workforce.”

What we do “We are a regional hire company 
that offers products and services in six distinct 
areas: plant, temporary accommodation, 
power tools, powered access, large air 
compressors and serviced toilets. We pride 
ourselves on the service we deliver to the 
industry and general public alike.”

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   3

4/12/2013   2:16:59 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

3

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Strategy

What we do

The Group’s main objective is to maximise 
shareholder value in the longer term through 
active commercial development and land 
management, allied to recurring income from 
investment property, road management, 
construction and plant hire activities.

Our strategic objectives

1 Provide growing long-term 

shareholder returns

Key resources
I Robust financial position

Performance measures
I Shareholder value
I Shareholders’ funds

Group structure
Each Group company is managed autonomously 
and has set objectives to maximise profits and create 
valuable long-term asset-backed opportunities.

2 Maintain prudent levels of gearing 

at less than 50% of net assets

Key resources
I Robust financial position

Performance measures
I Gearing levels
I Revenue

Land Development

Hallam Land 
Management Limited

Property Investment 
and Development

Henry Boot 
Developments Limited

Stonebridge 
Projects Limited

Henry Boot 
Construction Limited

Construction

Banner Plant Limited

Road Link (A69) Limited

I See note 35 on page 84 for a list of principal 

active subsidiaries and joint venture partners

3 Build recurring income streams 

through retained development

Key resources
I  Our development portfolio

Performance measures
I Revenue
I  Return on capital employed
I Investment property

4 Increase the strategic 

land bank

Key resources
I  Strategic land bank
I Inventories

Performance measures
I Asset value created

5 Achieve a return on capital 

in excess of 10%

Key resources
I  Our development 
and land portfolios
I  Construction activities

Performance measures
I Profit
I Net assets
I Return on capital employed

6 Target high levels of dividend 

cover to build asset base

Key resources
I Robust financial position

Performance measures
I Earnings per share
I Dividend cover

4

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   4

4/12/2013   2:16:59 PM

Our key resources
The Group has the following key resources to assist 
it in the pursuit of its main objectives:

People

The Group’s employees are its foremost asset. Their skill, 
commitment, drive and enthusiasm are vitally important to the 
long-term success of our business. We succeed in the delivery 
of shareholder value because our people, individually, achieve 
the targets set for them. They source and acquire land, promote 
planning consents, acquire, develop, manage or sell investment 
properties and service constructors with plant, run our PFI 
project and refurbish and construct buildings.

Strategic land bank

At 31 December 2012 we owned 1,765 acres and had interests in a 
further 7,246 acres through option or agency agreements which give 
us the right to promote that land for a planning consent and share in 
the benefit created on ultimate disposal. We anticipate that this land 
bank will grow in future years and represents a significant future profit 
opportunity to the Group. Within that acreage, at 31 December 2012 we 
had planning permission for over 6,500 house units on some 26 sites.

I See more about our strategic land bank 

Page 18

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ I feel after 33 years with 
the Company I know what the 
Company is looking to achieve 
and I know what an important 
part I can play in achieving that.”
Steve Hynes is Senior Service Manager for 

Banner Plant Limited and has worked for the Company for 33 years.

Our development portfolio

We have an extensive geographical spread of commercial development 
opportunities within the UK on sites across the retail, leisure, office and 
industrial sectors. The current portfolio should allow us to maintain 
current activity levels for several years and in particular food stores 
currently offer very strong returns. In some circumstances completed 
investments may give a better return than developments and will 
be considered alongside and as an alternative to development.

I See more about our development portfolio 

Page 15

Construction activities

The construction business works on an order book of between one 
and two years, though several of the framework contracts it has are 
spread over several years. We have many years’ experience working 
in our chosen markets and have delivered many successful projects and 
developed strong relationships with our key customers. Our plant hire 
business operates from six locations and has a modern, well maintained 
fleet of assets servicing the construction sector. Furthermore we operate 
our own delivery fleet to ensure that our customers’ requirements are 
satisfied quickly. Our PFI asset is well established, cash generative and 
efficiently maintained and has 13 years remaining on the concession; 
furthermore, the market for PFI assets remains strong even in the 
event of disposal.

I See more about our construction activities 

Page 24

Robust financial position

We have long-established relationships with our three key funding 
partners, Barclays Bank, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank 
of Scotland. We maintain significant headroom within our three year 
banking facilities, renewed from May 2012, and consider our property 
investment portfolio as a ‘store of value’ to be realised to augment 
these facilities if required. The land bank and development opportunities, 
together with the investment portfolio, have been acquired largely from 
retained resources, ensuring our gearing levels are prudent. In the longer 
term we aim to achieve a high return on capital employed and a healthy 
dividend cover level allowing for reinvestment in our core activities 
which, in turn, improves longer-term shareholder returns.

I See more about our financial position 

Page 26

www.henryboot.co.uk

5

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   5

4/12/2013   2:17:00 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Strategy continued

How we do it

Our key resources, expertise and experience 
enable us to provide added value to the 
projects that we undertake. The Group 
possess a high quality strategic land bank, 
a substantial investment portfolio and an 
enviable reputation in the property development 
market. It has a construction specialism in 
both the public and private sectors, a large 
and varied plant holding, and generates 
strong cash flows from its PFI contract 
through Road Link (A69) Limited.

We create wealth in a number of ways.

Strategic land sites  
in portfolio

125 sites

Total interests held  
at December 2012

9,011 acres

1 Stage one 

Identify land 

Sites with development 
potential are identified and 
sourced by our regional land 
and planning teams.

2 Stage two 

Acquire land 
We then take these sites through 
our legal and planning due 
diligence processes before 
purchase or planning promotion 
agreements are finalised.

A strong project pipeline

£50m

Forward order book in 
construction business

£44.2m

Circa 18 schemes being brought 
forward through planning process 
for commercial development

720,750 sq ft

14 investment properties 93% occupied

£18m

Value of 2 development schemes 
(Manchester and Huddersfield) 
where work is ongoing

£26m

Gross value of plant assets 
available to rent

2,750

Circa live plant contracts 
per week (average)

6

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   6

4/12/2013   2:17:00 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Inventory value of assets

£75.9m

Interests brought 
under control in 2012

960 acres

Sites with residential 
planning permission

25 sites

Sites working through legal and 
planning due diligence before 
submitting an application

20 sites

Percentage of land bank with planning 
consent or a local plan allocation

Sites within the 
planning process

21%

19 sites

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

3 Stage three 

Commence 
planning process 
We apply sound planning 
principles to promote sites 
through the planning system 
for the most appropriate uses. 

3 sites

Building over 30 residential units, 
a further 3 more sites in the 
process of being acquired

£7.2m

14 investment properties 
average annual rent roll

4 Stage four 

Submit planning 

application
We consider the most appropriate 
time for a planning application and 
liaise fully with all stakeholders.

5 Stage five 

Granted planning 

permission
We secure detailed planning 
permission, maximise the value 
of the site, and commence 
the sale process.

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

A large strategic land bank

We consider ourselves to possess one of the top ten largest 
strategic land banks in the UK; we include house builders 
in this consideration.

Land bank (acres)

9,011 +12% (2011–2012)

12

11

10

09

08

1,765

1,432

1,409

1,679

1,679

Owned

Agency & Optioned

Total

7,246 9,011

6,619 8,051

6,643 8,052

6,254

7,933

5,956

7,635

www.henryboot.co.uk

7

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   7

4/12/2013   2:17:01 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Chairman’s statement

Year of strong progress

In my second year as Chairman, I am pleased to report another year of strong progress 
throughout the Group in challenging construction and property markets.

In my second year as Chairman, I am pleased 
to report another year of strong progress 
throughout the Group in challenging 
construction and property markets.

In the early part of the year under review 
confidence was dented by concerns 
surrounding the Euro crisis; however, in 
the second half, as those fears subsided, 
trading conditions improved and so did 
our performance. The result in 2011 benefited 
from comparatively higher land sales and, 
although 2012 was relatively quiet in sales 
terms, we have invested heavily in the land 
portfolio which now stands at over 9,000 acres. 
Furthermore, we achieved a significant 
number of planning permissions which will 
feed into sales during 2013 and beyond. 
In addition to the successes achieved in 
gaining planning permissions, we have 
a significant number of strategic land sites 
either progressing towards a planning 
application or already within the planning 
system. These will provide further good 
opportunities to grow sales in future years. 
UK house builders that have announced 
results in the early part of 2013 have reported 
increases in build and sale activity, selling 
prices and building plots purchased. These 
comments, allied to the slow but steady 
improvement in mortgage availability and 
loan to value ratios, indicate an improving 
trading environment for our land business.

Investment property yields and values have 
continued to remain relatively stable across 
our portfolio. The like for like portfolio valuation 
was marginally down over the year, however, 
the initial valuation of the development gain 
on properties finished in the year at Warminster, 
York and Markham Vale resulted in a net overall 
valuation gain of £1.4m. At Markham Vale, 
we built and sold a 100,000 sq ft industrial 
unit, giving rise to the majority of the profit 
on disposal achieved in the year. During the 
year we began a mixed-use development of 
some 31,000 sq ft on Deansgate in Manchester 
which is progressing well and is anticipated 
to complete in 2013. The office element of 
this development is pre-sold and we have 
just one retail/restaurant unit remaining 

to pre-let. We commenced a 58,000 sq ft 
redevelopment in a joint arrangement 
with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS 
Foundation Trust early in 2013 and have a 
number of other development opportunities 
approaching a start on site. We remain 
cautious in a market where the risk of retailer 
default is higher, secondary yields are weak, 
our economy is operating below full capacity 
and there is vacant space available in all 
categories. We therefore only commit to 
development when we have a high proportion 
of a site pre-let on terms that achieve 
development returns in excess of our hurdle 
rate. Our development activities more than 
achieved this in 2012. We expect to continue 
to see relatively weak growth and new lettings 
are, we believe, likely to be with tenants 
moving to better property in better locations. 
Therefore, it is probable that older, secondary 
properties in weaker locations will struggle 
to maintain their capital values and rental 
returns. We very carefully review valuation 
risk and continue to sell assets and recycle 
capital into newer developments to ensure 
we maintain the quality of our asset portfolio.

Coming into 2012, industry commentators 
were forecasting tough trading conditions 
within construction markets. Whilst this was 
true, our management pursued every available 
opportunity diligently and the result, which 
was slightly better than 2011, reflected that 
hard work. The value of our typical contract 
is relatively low and we are undertaking a 
growing proportion of refurbishment work. 
At the end of 2012 we had contracted over 
70% (2011: 60%) of our budget workload for 
2013, the best position achieved for some 
years. Our plant business performed in line 
with 2011 and, as confidence began to return 
to our customers and markets, we saw average 
weekly turnover increase 13% in the second 
half compared to the first. Road Link (A69) 
Limited continued to perform very satisfactorily 
in line with our concession plan and previous 
years. Traffic volumes continue to be stable 
and, despite some awful winter weather and 
flooding in the summer, we kept the road 
operational throughout 2012.

John Brown
Chairman

In summary

 I We have invested heavily in the 
land portfolio which now stands 
at over 9,000 acres. Furthermore, 
we achieved a significant number 
of planning permissions which 
will feed into sales during 2013 
and beyond. 

 I Strategically we must now 

capitalise on these valuable 
assets, whilst at the same time 
growing the opportunity pipeline 
to ensure we continue the 
momentum in years to come. 

 I We have made a strong start to 
2013 across all our businesses. 
Plant and construction activity is 
ahead of 2012 and Road Link (A69) 
Limited is performing to plan.

 I We have geared up our balance 
sheet to take advantage of the 
nascent recovery, investing in 
the business opportunities that 
will generate growing shareholder 
returns into the future.

8

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   8

4/12/2013   2:17:02 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

On balance, these risks have diminished 
over the year and we have geared up our 
balance sheet to take advantage of the 
nascent recovery, investing in the business 
opportunities that will generate growing 
shareholder returns into the future.

John Brown
Chairman
19 April 2013

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

Financial results
Turnover reduced to £103.1m (2011: £114.6m) 
due to lower land sales, which in turn reduced 
trading profit to £12.3m (2011: £20.8m). 
However, the combination of development 
gains valued for the first time, along with 
realised profits on investment properties 
disposed of, amounted to £2.4m profit 
compared to a deficit of £4.3m in 2011. 
Net interest costs were broadly similar in 
both years, resulting in profit before tax of 
£13.9m (2011: £16.1m). Profit attributable to 
shareholders actually increased marginally 
because tax charges fell to £2.5m (2011: £5.3m). 
This change arose in part because of lower tax 
rates on current tax and because revaluation 
gains are not charged to tax until they are 
realised and, as they are not sufficient to 
absorb previously unrecognised deferred tax 
assets, the tax rate in the year is lower than 
the statutory rate. Earnings per share increased 
to 7.3p (2011: 6.9p). Total net assets reduced 
slightly to £181.9m (2011: £186.0m), as the 
increase in the IAS 19 pension deficit and 
dividends paid exceeded retained earnings. 
Net assets per share were 139p (2011: 142p), 
though we take comfort from our strategic 
land portfolio which, as inventories, is valued 
at the lower of cost or net realisable value 
and therefore has significant inherent value 
to the Group. As anticipated, debt levels 
rose to £21.9m (2011: £2.3m) as we invested 
over £19m in our land portfolio, successfully 
progressing more sites swiftly through the 
planning process.

Dividends
Subject to shareholder approval, the Board 
recommends a 12% increase in the final 
dividend to 2.90p (2011: 2.60p). This gives 
a total for the year of 4.70p (2011: 4.25p), 
an 11% increase. We remain committed to 
growing dividends to shareholders as results 
and market conditions allow.

Employees
It is through the dedication, skill and hard work 
of our employees that we achieve success 
within our businesses. On behalf of my fellow 
Directors, I thank all our employees for the 

results they have achieved and look forward 
to meeting future challenges and developing 
our businesses together with confidence.

Strategy
Henry Boot has operated successfully for 
over 125 years; we take a long-term view of 
opportunities in the land, property development 
and construction sectors. We look for parts of 
our business to generate recurring income and 
cash flows, whilst others, land and property 
development, offer higher potential returns but, 
being deal driven, returns inevitably fluctuate 
annually. The last two years have seen us 
reinvest more aggressively in these two cyclical 
parts of our business and, by the end of 2012, 
these commitments resulted in more planning 
successes on land and increasingly worthwhile 
development opportunities. Furthermore, 
we created a jointly owned house building 
business, operating in the north of England, 
that in 2013 will be operating from three small 
sites. Strategically we must now capitalise 
on these valuable assets, whilst at the same 
time growing the opportunity pipeline to 
ensure we continue the momentum in years 
to come. As you read the business review 
you will see the tangible delivery of this 
strategy and its ability to drive business 
growth into the future. 

Outlook
We have made a strong start to 2013 across 
all our businesses. Plant and construction 
activity is ahead of 2012 and Road Link (A69) 
Limited is performing to plan. We have a 
number of profitable developments in progress, 
have already concluded two land sales and 
have a significant level of interaction with 
the planning process which, if successful, 
will result in a growing number of profitable 
disposal opportunities to a growing house 
building industry. The risks to the recovery 
highlighted above continue to be mortgage 
and debt availability within the property sector, 
further cutbacks in capital expenditure by 
Government and perpetual upheaval and 
policy changes within the planning system, 
which place ever-increasing demands 
on land values.

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   9

4/12/2013   2:17:02 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

9

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Our Group portfolio

A diverse portfolio

It is its diversity, flexibility and strength of performance that have kept Henry Boot 
at the forefront of its markets. This is a selection of schemes undertaken recently.

Markham Vale
Henry Boot Developments Limited

Nuneaton
Hallam Land Management Limited

Platt Court
Henry Boot Construction Limited

Location M1 J29A, Derbyshire

Location Church Fields, Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Location Eastlands, Manchester

Type Business and distribution park

Type Land promotion

Size 200 acres

In partnership with Derbyshire District Council, 
Markham Vale is a prime business and 
distribution park strategically located in 
the heart of the UK’s motorway network, 
between Sheffield and Nottingham.

Size Planning secured for 326 new homes

An optioned site of 35 acres with planning 
approval for 326 new homes with an affordable 
housing element of 25%. Also included with 
the development is a doctors’ surgery, a district 
park and associated traffic improvements to 
the local area. This site will be marketed in 2013.

Type Refurbishment for Eastlands 
Homes Partnership

Size Tower block with 62 apartments 

This project in East Manchester is part 
of a contract to externally refurbish three 
tower blocks. The works include new 
external windows and doors, balconies, 
insulated render and rainscreen cladding.

Road maintenance
Road Link (A69) Limited

Pennine Property Partnership
Henry Boot Developments Limited

Location Cumbria and Northumberland

Location Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Type Road operation and maintenance

Type New accommodation provision

Size 52 miles of trunk road from Carlisle 
to Newcastle

A 30 year contract with the Highways Agency 
to operate and maintain the A69, which is the 
major east west all-weather route in the north 
of England. Works include road resurfacing, 
bridge repairs, winter preparation and 
routine maintenance.

Size First phase 56,000 sq ft of clinical 
and office accommodation and second phase 
23 acres of mixed-use redevelopment

An innovative joint venture company 
set up in partnership with Calderdale and 
Huddersfield NHS Trust to realise maximum 
value of surplus property assets and provide 
new accommodation for the Trust.

University of Sheffield 
Medical School
Henry Boot Construction Limited
Location Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, 
South Yorkshire

Type Refurbishment

Size 2,626 sq ft

A project of refurbishment and remodelling 
of two floors of University of Sheffield Medical 
School, creating a state-of-the-art teaching 
facility. The 24 week design and build scheme 
included a new entrance and social hub, 
café area and enhancements to the library.

10

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   10

4/12/2013   2:17:05 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ I like the fact that the Company 
has embraced all the new 
technologies it needs to be 
successful whilst still retaining 
the old-fashioned values 
of yesteryear.”

Melanie Sanderson is a Receptionist at Banner Cross Hall working 
for Henry Boot PLC and has worked for the Company for seven years.

Crigglestone
Stonebridge Projects Limited

Kegworth
Hallam Land Management Limited

Warminster
Henry Boot Developments Limited

Location Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Location Ashby Road, Kegworth, Leicestershire

Location Warminster, Wiltshire 

Type Residential development

Size 19 new homes, all sold

Type Land promotion

Type Mixed-use scheme

Size Planning for 110 new homes

Size 1.75 acre site

High Acre, Crigglestone is a small cul-de-sac 
development of 19 quality homes built on the 
edge of open countryside. The development 
consists of three and four bedroom detached 
houses and three bedroom mews houses 
built on an area of land totalling 1.5 acres.

A wholly owned site of 27 acres which now 
possesses planning approval for 110 new 
homes, together with ancillary works including 
the formation of a new vehicular access to 
Ashby Road and extensive green space 
forming part of the scheme.

Planning consent was secured for 28,000 sq ft 
of retail/restaurant use. A 23,000 sq ft Waitrose 
supermarket opened in March 2012 and three 
further smaller units (restaurant/café use) are 
being marketed. The scheme also embraced 
the relocation of glove maker Dents.

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

Stratford-upon-Avon
Hallam Land Management Limited
Location Hogarth Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, 
Warwickshire 

Type Land promotion

Size Planning for 200 new homes

Proposals for this site are for 800 new homes 
of which our share is 200 properties. The 
scheme includes a mixed-use local centre, 
a new primary school, open space and 
green infrastructure, as well as construction 
of a relief road linking two principal roads 
out of the town centre. 

Scunthorpe
Tropo – a division of Henry Boot 
Construction Limited

Location Crosby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire

Type Solar photovoltaic panels scheme

Size 274 homes

Two contracts for 274 North Lincolnshire 
Homes’ properties have been completed 
by our Renewables Division. The residents 
are now benefiting from a renewable energy 
project which produces affordable electricity 
from installed solar PV panels on the roofs 
of their homes.

Plant Hire
Banner Plant Limited
Location Chesterfield, Dronfield, Derby, 
Leeds, Rotherham and Wakefield

Type Plant, temporary accommodation, 
power tools, powered access, big air 
compressors and serviced toilets

Size Over 2,800 products

The range of products has constantly evolved 
to meet customer needs and to fulfil the 
requirements of modern health and safety 
legislation. The primary supply area stretches 
from Yorkshire to the East Midlands.

www.henryboot.co.uk

11

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   11

4/12/2013   2:17:09 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

The key performance 
indicators used by the Board 
are as follows:

Each business unit within the Group is required 
to establish targets at the beginning of each 
financial year against a broad range of financial 
and non-financial indicators. The Managing 
Director of each subsidiary reports on progress 
at Board meetings every two months. The two 
main Board Executive Directors attend these 
meetings and are able to assess whether each 
unit is performing in accordance with its plan 
throughout the year. The KPIs differ in each 
subsidiary with the exception of financial 
targets which focus on profitability growth, 
cash generation and levels of debt, forecast 
cash requirements, return on capital employed, 
shareholder return and asset value created. 
We also review health and safety matters and 
how economic conditions and changes in 
legislation may affect individual business units. 
The Board has decided that the following 
KPIs, which are included within the papers 
for each Board meeting, are indicators 
measuring our success towards achieving 
long-term, sustainable growth for all 
stakeholders in our business.

Profit before tax (£m)

£13.9m

12

11

10

13.9

16.1

18.9

Cash generation (£m)

(£19.6m)

12

(19.6)

11

10

9.1

20.7

Objective To increase profit levels over time
Performance 14% decrease
Comments Lower land sales resulted 
in lower profits in 2012. 2013 looks more 
positive as we anticipate a recovery 
in land sales

Objective To maximise cash generated 
over time
Performance Cash outflow £19.6m
Comments Higher debt as we begin 
to reinvest in the portfolio of land and 
development assets

Shareholder return (%)

13%

13

12

11

10

4

Objective To generate growing shareholder 
returns over time
Performance 2011 was a return level we 
are unlikely to exceed in all years. 2012 
return was achieved based on the share 
price at 31 December 2012 of £1.35
Comments Re-rating in share price in 
the year was the reason for growth. Market 
continues to re-evaluate the strength of 
the house building sector and we followed 
positive trends in UK housing equities

36

Objective To generate growing dividends 
over time
Performance Profit, cash flow and pipeline 
of opportunities give confidence to increase 
the dividend back towards pre-recession 
levels of 5.00p
Comments 11% increase as we move 
towards our short-term target of 5.00p

4.70

4.25

3.50

Objective To monitor levels of cash required 
over time
Performance 11 percentage points change
Comments This prudent gearing level still 
gives us flexibility to reinvest in land sites 
and development

12

Dividends (p)

4.70p

12

11

10

Gearing levels (%)

12%

12

11

1

10

6

12

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   12

4/12/2013   2:17:09 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

In addition to this, we review a range of 
specific indicators within each business 
unit. The main ones are as follows:

Land
The size of the strategic land bank, the 
split between owned and optioned land, 
the extent to which we have full or outline 
planning consent and the number of 
residential units or commercial space 
contained in those consents.

Developments
The expected investment in 
developments, expected completed values 
and anticipated yields, rents and rental 
growth, levels of tenant demand and unlet 
space, new commercial property investment 
and development opportunities and potential 
asset sales.

Construction
Workload forecasts and capacity utilisation 
in relation to plan, general activity levels, 
tender opportunities, contract costing 
workload and wins, health and safety 
and environmental matters and contract 
completion, sign off and financial closure.

Plant hire
Activity levels by depot and class of asset, 
health and safety matters, levels of cash 
generated and returns on plant asset 
capital employed, which in turn drive 
asset investment decisions.

Group
At Group level the business units’ financial 
performance against expectations forms 
an integral part of the reporting criteria. 
In addition Group performance indicators 
of cash and facilities, pension scheme 
performance, shareholder return and 
return on capital employed along with 
health and safety matters are reported 
on at each meeting.

Net assets (£m)

£181.9m

12

11

10

Debt levels (£m)

£21.9m

12

11

2.3

10

11.4

NAV per share (p)

139p

12

11

10

181.9

186.0

188.6

21.9

139

142

145

Objective To grow the asset base 
over time
Performance 2.2% decrease
Comments Slightly reduced due to 
dividends paid and rise in pension deficit 
which was affected by the reduction 
in bond yields

Objective To monitor levels of debt 
over time
Performance Cash reinvested
Comments Prudent debt levels allow 
for reinvestment as markets improve 
or opportunities arise 

Objective To increase shareholder 
value over time
Performance 2.1% decrease
Comments Increase in shares in issue 
resulting from SAYE scheme and 
increased pension deficit

Return on capital employed (%)

6%

12

11

10

6

7

10

Objective To increase returns on capital 
employed over time
Performance Return lower but sufficient 
to pay tax and dividends and contribute 
towards the pension scheme
Comments Whilst lower than 2011 return 
level is still acceptable for property sector. 
2013 targets a higher level of return as 
land sales increase

Pension scheme deficit (£m)

(£30.5m)

12

11

10

(30.5)

(22.6)

(16.2)

Objective To reduce the pension scheme 
deficit over time
Performance After attributable deferred tax 
the deficit represents circa 13% of net assets, 
a level we are comfortable with. We aim to 
manage the position to keep a low level of 
deficit rather than get the scheme in surplus
Comments Bank of England quantitative 
easing reduced bond yields and affected the 
discount rate. Impact on the pension scheme was 
in excess of £10m. Yet again, our assets performed 
well during the year, returning almost 8%

B
u
s
i

n
e
s
s

r
e
v
i

e
w

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   13

4/12/2013   2:17:09 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

13

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Operational review

Operational review

Our long-term strategic aim – to create shareholder value through 
land and property development and construction – continues apace.

convoluted and a very expensive process but 
it was ever thus. Over the life of the current 
Government the system has changed 
significantly and provides an opportunity to 
bring forward high quality sustainable sites 
where the supply of permissions in existence 
falls below a five year supply. We have 
many such sites and, where applicable, are 
bringing them forward as quickly as we can. 
This process adds to the working capital 
requirement and, when this is included with 
the house builders’ desire to pay for land with 
permission on deferred terms, we anticipate 
increasing debt levels throughout 2013.

As with land, we expect to see more property 
development in 2013. We are on site with two 
commercial developments, and together with 
our small house building venture that was 
formed two years ago, we anticipate completing 
over £20m of development activity during 2013. 
We continue to find that as we are able to 
bring financial capability and a desire to drive 
schemes forward, we are able to source 
better quality, more profitable opportunities, 
which will serve us well in the future.

The construction and plant businesses 
performed well throughout 2012 and have 
stronger order books going into 2013 than at 
this time last year. Markets are still challenging, 
contracts continue to be won on very tight 
margins and competition is fierce. We have 
therefore achieved these results through the 
provision of a quality product at a competitive 
price, choosing the right work to go for and 
win. Maintenance and refurbishment contracts 
are still the ‘bread and butter’ of what we do, 
though we are seeing a little more opportunity 
in the private sector coming to the market. 
Road Link (A69) Limited continues to underpin 
the profits and cash flows of this segment with 
13 years left on this franchise arrangement.

The recovery from the immediate aftermath 
of the 2007 financial crisis and subsequent 
recession has been pretty flat. However, 
for the first time since then, the confidence 
levels in our business, coupled with tangible 
successes in land planning, developments, 
construction and plant hire, indicate that mid 
2012 may have been something of a turning 
point. We have now had some eight months, 
since June 2012, of encouraging trading 
and we are therefore looking forward to the 
challenges of 2013 and beyond optimistically.

Jamie Boot
Group Managing Director

John Sutcliffe
Group Finance Director

In summary

 I Trading conditions in 2012 

followed the trend of the last five 
years and can still be described 
as challenging.

 I Property markets remained 

stable throughout 2012, albeit at 
values substantially below their 
peak. We achieved considerable 
success in reducing voids in 
existing investments.

 I The work we have undertaken to 
build value into our land holdings 
has not been reflected in the 
2012 pure financial results, 
but we have worked on an 
unprecedented number of sites 
within the planning process 
and were particularly successful 
in securing permission on a large 
number of sites.

 I The construction and plant 
businesses performed well 
through 2012 and have stronger 
order books going into 2013 
than at this time last year.

Our long-term strategic aim – to create 
shareholder value through land and property 
development and construction – continues 
apace. Trading conditions in 2012 followed 
the trend of the last five years and can still 
be described as challenging. Global financial 
concerns really affected activity in the early 
part of the year and, whilst these issues are 
not fully resolved, their departure from the 
media front pages raised confidence levels 
through the second half of the year, improving 
trading conditions through to the end of the 
year. This more encouraging trend seems to 
have carried over into early 2013 and our 
management teams are more optimistic 
than at this stage last year.

This optimism must, however, be taken in 
context because many underlying issues that 
have made the last five years so arduous still 
remain and are only slowly improving. The UK 
banking sector is smaller, there is less leverage 
available and it is more costly. The economy 
is flat; retailers in particular are having a tough 
time. Where new accommodation is required, 
typically this results from consolidation and 
efficiency drives rather than expansion, which 
in turn puts rental and valuation pressure on 
older, less well situated property. One brighter 
horizon is the residential market where the 
major house builders are slowly growing the 
number of units produced and replenishing 
land banks. The mortgage market is slowly 
improving and Government initiatives to help 
buyers join the property ladder are aiding that 
recovery. Planning continues to be a long, 

14

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   14

4/12/2013   2:17:12 PM

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Property investment 
and development

Property
Property markets remained relatively stable 
throughout 2012, albeit at values substantially 
below their peak. Whilst occupier demand 
across all sectors remained subdued we 
achieved considerable success in reducing 
voids in existing investments with completed 
lettings at York, where 18,000 sq ft of retail 
warehousing was taken, and at Bromley, Kent, 
where 9,000 sq ft of refurbished office space 
was let. In addition, following significant year 
on year increases in visitor footfall at Stop 24, 
our multi-occupancy motorway service area 
on the M20 in Kent, we saw letting progress 
with Subway opening a unit; detailed planning 
permission has also been secured for a 
significant extension to the existing lorry park 
operation, which has traded at capacity since 
opening. These, together with a number of 
smaller lettings, made a material contribution 
to the increase in net rental income during 
the year.

Investments
Any improvement in property investment values 
during the year was only experienced by prime 
investment properties let on longer leases to 
financially strong tenants. This describes the 
majority of the Company’s investment portfolio 
and, as a result, valuations were largely stable 
throughout the year with the principal increases 
arising on properties valued for the first time on 
completion of their development. The external 
valuation of the investment properties 
undertaken by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited 
resulted in a valuation of £102.6m. Of this 
figure, the value of Group occupied property 
was £6.8m and the developments concluded 
in the year were valued at £12.6m. Investment 
value gains were experienced on prime 
industrial, retail warehouse investments let 
to the strongest tenants, such as B&Q, and 
the supermarket investment let on a long-term 
lease to Waitrose which experienced yield 
compression in the year, evidence of strong 
demand for this type of investment. The 
softening of investment values for our secondary 
properties was partially offset by new lettings 
within these schemes. The overall result saw 
the value of our investment portfolio remain 
stable but, after an increase in investment 
income, the average yield increased 
marginally during the year.

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

Above A computer generated image of 
our proposed town centre regeneration 
project at Daventry

www.henryboot.co.uk

15

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   15

4/12/2013   2:17:12 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Operational review continued

Investments continued
The investment portfolio is primarily composed 
of retail and office investments which make 
up 45% and 38% respectively of the rental 
income generated. However, it is anticipated 
that the proportion of rent from leisure and, 
potentially, industrial investments will increase 
as development projects, notably hotel and 
city centre restaurant schemes, complete 
and industrial developments take place at 
some of our existing business park locations.

We are not expecting to make any 
significant changes to the retained property 
investment portfolio in 2013, although we 
are in negotiations with a number of existing 
tenants in respect of significant rent reviews 
and asset management opportunities which, 
if successfully concluded, should give rise 
to improvements in the quality and value 
of those properties. 

Developments in progress
Development activity increased year-on-year 
with the completion of a supermarket 
development pre-let to Waitrose at Warminster 
on programme and budget, providing a very 
satisfactory return. The letting of two small 
retail units adjoining the Waitrose store are 
now well advanced and should be completed 
in the first half of 2013. At Markham Vale, 
our 200 acre business park development 
on Junction 29A of the M1, three significant 

Above This year our Stop 24 motorway 
service area on the M20 in Kent has seen 
increased visitor footfall and a new letting 
to Subway Restaurants

16

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   16

4/12/2013   2:17:13 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ The people that I work with are 
friendly and helpful and full of 
knowledge and information and 
are excellent mentors.”
Tim Burn is Assistant Project Manager for 
Henry Boot Developments Limited and has 

worked for the Company for seven months.

developments were completed in the year: 
a 40,000 sq ft design and build warehouse 
with offices for Squadron Medical, a pre-let 
McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant completed 
in September and a new 100,000 sq ft national 
distribution centre, pre-let to automotive 
parts distributor Andrew Page Limited. 
This development commenced on site in 
February 2012 with the fully fitted unit being 
completed and occupied in September 2012. 
We decided to sell this property on completion 
and the deal to do so was finalised in 
December 2012 at a competitive valuation 
reflecting the improved demand for well let, 
well located industrial investments.

During the year we made substantial 
progress on the mixed-use office and 
leisure redevelopment of the former County 
Courthouse, Deansgate, in Manchester city 
centre by securing planning and listed building 
consents and exchanging contracts for the sale 
of the entire office element of the development 
and pre-letting two of the three restaurant units. 
Construction work commenced in the middle 
of 2012 and remains on target to be finished 
in the second half of 2013. Following its 
completion, we anticipate retaining the 
restaurant investment which, along with the 
assets retained in 2012, will contribute to 
a further increase in our rent roll. 

We reported last year that we entered into 
the Pennine Property Partnership LLP with 
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation 
Trust. This innovative joint venture aims to 
identify and release the development value 
of surplus Trust property assets and provide 
a vehicle for the delivery of new accommodation 
for the Trust’s use. The LLP’s first development 
project comprises the conversion of a derelict 
56,000 sq ft former wire mill to be used by the 
Trust as clinical and office space. Detailed 
planning and listed building consents were 
finally secured in the second half of 2012 
and the Trust exchanged an agreement to 
lease with the partnership based on a 25 year 
lease term, enabling building contracts to be let 
for a start on site early in 2013. The partnership 
is also actively promoting a mixed-use 
development on a separate 23 acre former 
hospital site in Huddersfield, which is surplus 
to the Trust’s needs.

The purchase of a 56 acre site on the edge 
of Skipton, North Yorkshire, was completed 
in the first half of 2012 and subject-to-planning 
contracts were exchanged with a major retailer. 
The site will be developed as a 40 acre 
mixed-use scheme incorporating a significant 
employment use as well as ancillary facilities. 
The planning application is expected to be 
submitted by the middle of 2013, following 
extensive pre-planning consultation work, 
and we are hopeful that permission will be 
granted by the end of 2013.

An agreement with Lloyds Bank was exchanged 
in the second half of 2012 for the development 
of a prominent six acre site on the edge of 
Chesterfield town centre with negotiations 
immediately progressing with a range of 
prospective occupiers. Contracts were also 
exchanged to acquire an interest in an existing 
open A1 retail development on the edge of 
Belper town centre which has considerable 
potential for an enlarged food and non-food 
retail development. Once again, detailed 
negotiations have commenced with a 
number of potential occupiers.

Future development opportunities
We expect to see a significant increase in 
the number of developments commencing 
work on site during 2013. In addition to 
the sites in Deansgate, Manchester, and 
Huddersfield, planning consents are expected 
to be granted later in the year for both our 
budget hotel developments, one on appeal 
at Richmond upon Thames and the other 
by the local planning authority at Malvern. 
Provided we are successful, these consents 
will enable the construction of both pre-let 
hotels to commence in late 2013 and be 
completed during 2014.

At Thorne, Doncaster, the 23 acre joint venture 
scheme with the Royal Bank of Scotland, we 
secured planning permission for a substantial 
mixed-use development including a 45,000 
sq ft supermarket together with supporting 
mixed uses. We have now exchanged 
contracts with Tesco for the sale of the 
foodstore site and detailed negotiations are 
progressing with a range of other operators 
to take adjoining space. It is anticipated that 
infrastructure development works will begin 
in the second half of 2013.

At sites where we have been bringing forward 
development for some time now, we are 
finally achieving results in the following cases: 

 I the town centre and large foodstore 

development in Daventry took a significant 
step forward at the end of 2012, with the 
submission of planning applications for 
both schemes following extensive public 
consultation and negotiations with the 
planning authority;

 I at our Beeston, Nottingham town centre, 
redevelopment scheme, detailed planning 
permission is expected by the middle of 2013 
for the part demolition and reconstruction 
of the existing retail scheme; this will enable 
construction work to commence on site in 
the second half of 2013 following exchange 
of pre-let agreements with a number of 
retailers, with completion expected in 2014. 
Part of the original investment is the subject 
of a Compulsory Purchase Order to 
accommodate the Nottingham tram extension 
and we expect to see the finalisation of the 
compensation negotiations later this year;

 I at Markham Vale, we hope to finalise 

terms for a large warehouse development 
for an owner occupier and are in detailed 
negotiations with a number of other parties 
for a range of commercial developments 
on this site. It is expected that, given the 
early progress with such schemes, we could 
be on site in the second half of 2013.

Negotiations are progressing to acquire a 
number of other development schemes and 
it is reasonable to expect that some of these 
will be taken into our portfolio during 2013, 
providing development opportunities into the 
future. During the last few years, significant 
investment has been made bringing sites 
through the planning process. This can be a 
very long and drawn out process, particularly 
when trying to achieve our hurdle rate of 
return and high levels of pre-let, however, 
this hard work is beginning to pay off and we 
are now seeing more potential development 
activity for 2013 and beyond. We aim to 
capitalise on this and begin to release capital 
from non-income producing sites we hold 
in the portfolio.

www.henryboot.co.uk

17

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   17

4/12/2013   2:17:14 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Operational review continued

Land development

Hallam Land has capitalised on the new planning system, securing permissions 
or minded to grant resolutions on over 3,542 plots on 14 sites in the year.

18

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   18

4/12/2013   2:17:15 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Total interests held at December 2012

9,011 acres

Inventory value of assets

£75.9m

Percentage of land bank with planning 
consent or a local plan allocation

21%

Opposite A minded to grant planning 
permission has been approved at Blaby, 
Leicester for 4,250 houses; our share of a 
consortium planning promotion agreement 
being 1,593 properties

Land development
Hallam Land Management Limited, 
our strategic land business, had another 
successful year, despite a quiet year selling 
land with consent. Site disposals with planning 
permission were restricted to small sites at 
Mansfield, Desford and Bishopbriggs. Profit 
before tax in the land segment was lower than 
achieved in 2011 which included the profit on 
sale of a major 700 unit site at Buckingham. 
Turnover for the year was £8.8m (2011: £30.1m) 
and the segment profit before tax was £2.0m 
(2011: £11.1m).

The work we have undertaken to build value 
into our land holdings has not been reflected 
in the 2012 pure financial results. During the 
year, we worked on an unprecedented 
number of sites within the planning process 
and were particularly successful in securing 
planning permissions or minded to grant 
planning permissions on a large number of 
sites and further increased our site acreage. 
At December 2012, we held interests in 
9,011 acres in total (2011: 8,051 acres) with 
1,765 acres being owned (2011: 1,432 acres), 
3,466 acres under option (2011: 3,986 acres) 
and 3,780 acres under planning promotion 
agreements (2011: 2,633 acres). The inventory 
value of these assets was £75.9m (2011: £58.8m) 
across 125 sites within the portfolio. At the 
end of 2012, we were in detailed discussions 
and close to acquiring interests in a further 
six sites with a number of others identified 
for acquisition as we move through 2013.

The Government’s planning reforms, including 
the enactment of the Decentralisation and 
Localism Bill, together with the introduction 
of the National Planning Policy Framework, 
have undoubtedly made an impact on the 
planning system. These changes have created 
a clear opportunity to secure planning 
permissions on sustainable sites in locations 
which do not have an appropriate land supply. 
Hallam Land has capitalised on the new system, 
securing planning permissions (or minded 
to grant resolutions) on over 3,542 plots on 
14 sites in the year. These add to long-term 
sites we hold with planning permission and 
therefore the Company now has a substantial 
portfolio of consented sites from which we can 
make disposals over the forthcoming years.

Jonathan Collins
Senior Land Buyer

Jonathan Collins is Senior 
Land Buyer in Hallam Land 
Management Limited and 
has worked for the Company 
for eight years.
“I joined Hallam Land Management 
in 2005 following my graduation from 
university. I wrote in speculatively about 
any vacancies and it was fortunate that 
Hallam was considering recruiting at 
that time. I was initially appointed as 
an Assistant Land Buyer.

I enjoy my role working for Hallam due 
to the variety of projects I am involved 
with and the varied nature of each day, 
which can lead me to dealing with agents, 
solicitors and an array of consultants.

I am now a Senior Land Buyer and have 
responsibility for managing my own sites 
that are at various stages of the planning 
process as well as being tasked with 
identifying new sites in my specified area 
of the country.”

www.henryboot.co.uk

19

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   19

4/12/2013   2:17:15 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Operational review continued

We have secured planning permission or minded to grant planning permission subject to the signing of a planning agreement on the following 
sites during 2012 and post year end:

Site 
Banbury
Blaby, Leicester
Bradford
Cam, Nr Stroud
Cleek Hall, Selby
Desborough
Evesham
Highbridge
Kegworth
Long Buckby
Peterborough
Retford
Rolleston-on-Dove
Rugby
Torrance
Winsford

Status
Option/Planning Promotion Agreement
Planning Promotion Agreement/Option
Option
Owned
Option
Planning Promotion Agreement
Option
Option
Owned
Planning Promotion Agreement
Owned/Option
Owned
Owned
Option
Owned
Option

In addition, on the following sites we have already achieved a permission and are still working towards a sale:

Site
Bolsover
Bridgwater
Cranbrook, Exeter
Kettering
Kilmarnock
Mansfield Penniment Farm
Mansfield Rushpool Farm
Nuneaton
Stratford-upon-Avon
Tillicoultry

Status
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Planning Promotion Agreement
Option
Owned

We have also made applications, which at this stage remain undetermined, at the following sites:

Site
Bedford
Blackburn, Scotland
Burton upon Trent
Chatteris
Chellaston, Derby
East Leake
Haddington
Handcross
Irthlingborough
Market Harborough
Marston Moretaine
Monmouth
Oulton, Leeds
Ripley
Rothwell, Leeds
Southbourne

Status
Owned
Option
Planning Promotion Agreement
Planning Promotion Agreement
Owned
Planning Promotion Agreement
Option
Planning Promotion Agreement
Planning Promotion Agreement
Owned
Owned
Option
Owned
Owned
Owned
Planning Promotion Agreement

No. of residential units*
250
1,593
292
71
Wind farm
165
59
450
110
132
25
8
23
183
9
180

No. of residential units*
250
420
345
350
500
215
75
326
200
74

No. of residential units*
495
120
950
1,000
54
170
113
90
700
500
125
145
40
180
40
130

Finally, the following sites are at appeal:

Site
Abingdon
Aylesbury
Dunbar
* On sites where we are working in conjunction with other developers, only the Hallam Land share is noted.

Status
Planning Promotion Agreement
Planning Promotion Agreement
Option

No. of residential units*
120
120
100

20

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   20

4/12/2013   2:17:15 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

The recent budget has brought forward 
measures to support house buyers in this 
very area and may make a significant 
contribution to addressing these concerns.

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

Top 5 acres of land at Bishopbriggs was 
sold to a regional developer for a scheme 
of 49 houses

Middle A planning application has been 
approved for 23 houses on our wholly owned 
site at Rolleston-on-Dove in Staffordshire

Bottom A planning application is being 
considered by Amber Valley Borough Council 
for 360 new homes at Ripley in Derbyshire; 
our share of a joint venture being 180 properties

www.henryboot.co.uk

21

Land development continued
Of particular note is a site at Blaby, Leicester, 
where a minded to grant resolution has been 
approved by the council for a 4,250 house 
development together with a 50 acre business 
park, a district centre, two local centres, a 
secondary school and two primary schools. 
This will be the largest single permission that 
Hallam Land has achieved and is a consortium 
planning promotion agreement of which our 
share is 37.5%. We are now in a position 
to begin the Section 106 negotiations.

The planning permissions we achieved were 
a mixture of success at local level and at 
national level. We have been successful in 
seven out of our last nine appeals, including 
two appeal wins already in 2013, and we 
anticipate that an increasing number of sites 
will need to go into the appeal process to 
obtain permission, as local members reject 
officer recommendations. We believe that 
this trend will continue on the large number 
of sites we have in the process during 2013 
and we will report on their progress 
throughout the year.

The strategic land market remains patchy 
and difficult in some parts of the country. 
The south, and particularly the south east, 
is strong but demand and values generally 
weaken as one moves north. That said, 
throughout the country good quality, well 
located sites still sell very well and generate 
good returns. As a consequence, sales values 
will be lower on some of our northern sites 
but our nationwide coverage is such that our 
land sales will enable us to make a consistent 
overall return.

We have also sought to replenish our land 
stocks during the year and have increased 
our total landholdings with the addition of 
twelve new sites totalling 960 acres. Of these 
sites, planning applications have already 
been submitted on five (180 plots at Ripley, 
Derbyshire; 110 plots at Haddington, 
East Lothian; 90 plots at Handcross, Sussex; 
170 plots at East Leake, Staffordshire; 
and 120 plots at Abingdon, Oxfordshire) 
and a further three (Buxton, Faversham 
and Wymondham) are likely to be submitted 
during 2013.

Despite the real and beneficial improvements 
that the Government has made to speed up 
the planning system, there remain some 
troubling aspects to the process. The desire 
of local authorities to share in the enhanced 
value of land is well understood and supported 
in principle. However, the proportion of this 
value being demanded through Section 106 
agreements makes certain permissions 
unviable, fails to recognise that land values 
are not what they were several years ago 
and defeats the Government’s objective of 
creating more construction work and homes. 
This is particularly true in many lower value 
areas where, arguably, the need for housing 
and development is even more acute. 
Viability studies are, in many cases, making 
this problem even worse by increasing local 
authority aspirations and creating unworkable 
planning permissions. The introduction 
of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) 
is a further tax on development land which 
exacerbates these issues. At a time when 
Section 106 and affordable housing 
contributions are being reduced to reflect 
the economic realities of today’s house 
building costs, CIL is being used to recapture 
this lost value. There is only so much tax 
that the profits from the house building cycle 
can support and we fear that in many cases 
the current level is stopping potentially good 
housing sites coming forward.

A further issue is that certain local authorities 
have still not accepted the Government’s 
desire for more land to be released where 
housing supply is very tight. Having faced 
long delays in securing minded to grant 
consents, we then find that there is further 
lengthy battle to settle the Section 106 
agreement and other contributions; this 
bureaucratic delay serves to slow up and/or 
restrict housing delivery. Although the major 
UK house builders are continuing their recovery, 
the total number of houses that the nation 
is producing remains well below 2006 levels. 
Although there has been some improvement 
in the mortgage market recently, there seems 
to be no lasting solution to the fundamental 
issue, being the availability of high loan to 
value mortgages at competitive rates, which 
is holding back the delivery of more units. 

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   21

4/12/2013   2:17:17 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Case study: Cranbrook, Exeter

‘ A new and vibrant 
market town’ (East Devon District Council)

In summary

 I Initial Consent: 2,900 homes, 

town centre and neighbourhood 
centres, 17,000 sq metre of 
employment, 6,700 sq metre 
of retail, education, country park 
and strategic infrastructure

 I Planning Application Granted 

– October 2010

 I Detailed Approvals – April 2011

 I Commencement of 

Development – July 2011

22

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   22

4/12/2013   2:17:19 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Hallam secured its interest in the site of the 
Cranbrook New Town in 1999, a couple of 
years after Devon County Council had first 
started promoting the concept of a new 
town ‘somewhere’ to the east of the city of 
Exeter. The first five years or so of promotion 
were fraught with difficulty, with 20,000 
objections being lodged against the concept 
at one stage. However, in 2005 the tide started 
to turn and Devon County Council and East 
Devon District Council gradually warmed to 
the idea. 2008 would have seen the launch of 
the project if it had not been for the prevailing 
financial circumstances of the time and 
between 2008 and July 2011, when 
development commenced, Hallam worked 
to secure public funding streams to ensure 
the project was given the appropriate launch. 

Being a new community, remote from the 
city of Exeter, it was always considered 
important that Cranbrook should be ‘launched’ 
with community infrastructure (schools, 
community buildings, public open space 
and a bypass) being provided either before 
or as first residents moved in. The South West 
Regional Development Agency agreed to loan 
£12m to the community for early infrastructure 
provision, provided that a combined heat 
and power (CHP) plant was also developed. 
The CHP plant would heat and pump hot 
water around the new community replacing 

individual house boilers with heat exchangers, 
providing a central heat source for the whole 
town. Central Government provided further 
monies to pump-prime the CHP and also a 
grant towards a 1km bypass (the Clyst 
Honiton Bypass, located at the western end 
of the Exeter Airport runway) linking the new 
community with the A30 dual carriageway. 
Development commenced in July 2011 with 
the first nine months seeing feverish activity 
with the installation of CHP heating mains; 
1.5 km of roads and sewers; the construction of 
a 420 place primary school; a community hall 
and associated offices; and commencement 
of the Clyst Honiton Bypass. In spring 2012 
house building started in earnest with first sales 
and occupations in early summer. By the turn 
of the year 75 houses were occupied (all with 
hot water and heat!); foundations had been 
laid for a further 300 properties; the St Martin’s 
Primary School was open with 80 pupils; the 
community building was complete; and the 
Clyst Honiton Bypass was well under way.

It does not look as though 2013 will see a 
slower pace for Cranbrook: the Government 
has awarded the community a further loan 
towards the construction of the Cranbrook 
Secondary School (to be opened by September 
2015) and work is shortly to commence on the 
railway station (on the Exeter–Waterloo line).

Combined heat  
and power

 I Partnership with Eon plc

 I Heat and power provided from 

renewable energy

 I Serving Cranbrook and Skypark

 I £4m from HCA Low Carbon Fund

The whole of the Cranbrook new community will be served by a combined heat and power 
(CHP) district heating system. The energy centre powering the system has been constructed 
and is currently providing heat and power to the first phase dwellings completed in 2012. 
The energy centre will produce up to 17 megawatts of energy that will supply all the energy 
requirements of Cranbrook and the business and general industrial development at the 
adjacent Skypark.

www.henryboot.co.uk

23

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   23

4/12/2013   2:17:22 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Operational review continued

Construction

We are confident that our profit and turnover levels 
will be maintained throughout 2013.

Construction
Whilst the marketplace remained very 
competitive during 2012, Henry Boot 
Construction Limited maintained its targeted 
activity and profit margins. We are also 
confident that our profit and turnover levels 
will be maintained throughout 2013 after 
carrying a larger order book into this year 
than when we entered 2012.

Our continued policy of obtaining a good 
balance of work across a wide range of 
construction sectors, coupled with our 
reputation for the delivery of high quality 
projects, has enabled us to maintain our 
activity and margin levels in the public sector 
with partnering and framework agreements 
in the social housing, health, education and 
custodial sectors. At the same time, the slight 
improvement in the private sector has seen 
us increasing our involvement there with 
contracts in the retail, industrial, commercial 
and leisure sectors. 

We have maintained and established new 
partnering agreements both in the public 
and private sectors and retained a very 
strong presence in Decent Homes and external 
wall insulation works. We are continuing to work 
on long-term, major frameworks for St Leger 
Homes, Doncaster, North Lincolnshire Homes, 
Eastlands Homes, Manchester, and Southway 
Housing Trust, Manchester, and new awards 
from Wakefield District Housing, EN Procure, 
Fusion 21, Hull City Council and 
Yorkshire Housing.

During 2012, we were awarded a further new 
framework for the Ministry of Justice Strategic 
Alliance Agreement. This follows on from the 
successful completion of the existing Ministry 
of Justice refurbishment framework and 
will provide new build and refurbishment 
opportunities for HM Prison Service, HM 
Court and Tribunals Service, the National 
Probation Service and Forensic Science 
Service in the north of England, over the 
next six years.

Left A 26 week extension works project 
completed on 62 properties for Southway 
Housing Trust at Chorlton in Manchester

24

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   24

4/12/2013   2:17:24 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ The training that is provided 
to me by Henry Boot is essential 
and the career path I can see 
for myself is what keeps 
me motivated.”
Jack Duncan is Assistant Site Manager 
for Henry Boot Construction Limited and has worked for the 
Company for five years.

The level of work available from the industrial 
sector has shown signs of growth in recent 
months and we have secured a major design 
and build contract with Bifrangi, based in 
Lincoln, to provide a state-of-the-art Screw 
Press House. During the year, we also 
completed works for Tata Steel and London 
Scandinavian Metallurgical, both in Sheffield. 

The education and commercial sectors have 
continued to provide a steady stream of work 
with contracts carried out for Calderdale MBC, 
North Lincolnshire Council, University of 
Sheffield, Henry Boot Developments Limited, 
Hammersons Plc, Wickes and Maplin Electricals, 
together with a managed workspace 
development in Sheffield for the Manor 
Development Company. We have also 
completed works, in conjunction with the 
Football Association, to provide changing 
facilities and sports pavilions for Barwell 
District Council and recently commenced 
a second scheme for Codnor Sports 
Charitable Trust.

In the health sector, we continue to undertake 
schemes for the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals 
at both the Northern General and Royal 
Hallamshire Hospitals under a long-term 
strategic framework. We also completed a 
major healthcare facility for the joint venture 
between Rotherham MBC and Rotherham 
Primary Care Trust.

Civil engineering opportunities have steadily 
grown from our targeted expansion of the 
client base. This has included works to a new 
Lytag Process Plant at Drax Power Station for 
Fairport Engineering Limited and drainage 
works for Derbyshire County Council on the 
Markham Colliery Reclamation Scheme. The 
YORcivils Framework is also generating good 
opportunities with works being carried out 
for East Yorkshire County Council.

We were very pleased with our inclusion as 
a supply chain partner on the 25 year Amey 
PFI Sheffield Highways scheme. The first 
schemes have been successfully completed 
and further works awarded. We anticipate this 
project will provide some excellent opportunities 
for growth in coming years. In association with 
this, we have also been awarded the civil 
engineering works for a new rail unloading 

and asphalt production plant for Aggregate 
Industries UK Limited.

in turnover of 5.6% compared to the 
corresponding period in 2011.

We have also maintained our presence in the 
renewable sector, delivering ground source 
heat pump schemes for Yorkshire Housing and 
Berneslai Homes and photovoltaic projects for 
North Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire 
Homes, Hammersons Plc, The Adsetts 
Partnership, and Eastlands Homes, Manchester. 
In November 2012, we launched our new 
Sustainable Business Strategy 2012–2015. 
This initiative is designed to align our 
sustainable credentials with the requirements 
of public sector procurement and in turn 
help us be more efficient, competitive and 
attractive to customers, business partners 
and employees alike.

Road Link (A69)
The 30 year PFI Contract to maintain the 
A69 trunk road has now been in operation 
for 17 years and continues to perform well. 
In the last year it has been prolonged wet 
weather rather than the usual cold winter 
weather that has provided the real challenge 
to the maintenance teams. However, their 
expertise, together with the effective drainage 
maintenance programmes, ensured the A69 
remained open throughout the year with 
minimum disruption to traffic.

In 2012 traffic volumes using the A69 remained 
static and the price adjustment indices are 
likely to be very slightly lower than expected. 
However, planned and proactive maintenance 
of the A69 road and bridges, including the 
use of innovative maintenance techniques, 
continues to provide savings against the 
original long-term maintenance cost plan. 
The financial forecasts for next year and 
to the end of the contract in 2026 remain 
favourable and we are confident that expected 
levels of profitability will continue.

Plant hire
Banner Plant Limited, our plant and 
accommodation hire business, experienced 
the proverbial year of two halves. Up to the 
end of June 2012, the continued uncertainty 
surrounding the Euro and the plethora of bank 
holidays, including the additional Jubilee break, 
held demand in check, resulting in a reduction 

During the second half of 2012, as concerns 
surrounding the global financial system 
subsided, a degree of customer confidence 
returned and this resulted in an average 
weekly turnover increase of 13.3% over 
the first half. This improvement in activity, 
combined with slightly less margin pressure, 
resulted in the recovery of the first half shortfall 
and we completed the year with a respectable 
result, slightly ahead of 2011.

Looking to the future, planned investment 
in fleet items continued at a rate marginally 
above 12% of original cost per annum. 
This conveyor belt of renewals ensures 
we continue with our goals of maintaining 
the quality of the fleet, its age profile and 
the earnings potential of the plant assets. 
We have committed to further investment 
in access plant which is used in industry for 
health and safety reasons as well as within 
the construction sector. Borrowings within 
the plant unit ended the year in line with our 
internal budget and equate to about 12% 
of the gross cost of the plant in use. In the 
current business climate we continue to 
operate cautiously but remain ready to develop 
and grow when we see definitive signs of 
a recovery in construction activity. 2013 
has started positively, continuing the trend 
seen in the second half of 2012, and we are 
optimistic regarding prospects for the year.

Above A Manitou 14m Telescopic Handler 
showing its paces; part of our evolving 
Banner Plant fleet 

www.henryboot.co.uk

25

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   25

4/12/2013   2:17:25 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Financial review

Financial review

We have now had some eight months, since June 2012, of encouraging trading and 
we are therefore looking forward to the challenges of 2013 and beyond optimistically.

In summary

 I These results show the benefits 
of a broadly based operating 
model which can benefit from 
opportunities in strategic land 
and commercial development 
to augment the relatively 
stable returns from the 
construction division

 I Continued investment in our 

strategic land holdings and to 
a lesser extent the development 
and investment property portfolio. 
Therefore, total net debt rose 
to £21.9m (2011: £2.3m)

 I Basic earnings per share 

amounted to 7.3p (2011: 6.9p). 
The total dividend payable for 
the year has been increased by 
10.6% to 4.70p (2011: 4.25p)

Consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income
Turnover reduced to £103.1m (2011: £114.6m) 
primarily due to lower land sales. The 
comparatively quiet year in land sales gave 
rise to a reduction in trading profit to £12.3m 
(2011: £20.8m), however net revaluation 
gains of £1.4m (2011: deficit £4.3m), profit 
on sale of investment properties of £1.0m 
(2011: £Nil) and loss on sale of assets held 
for sale of £Nil (2011: profit £0.4m) resulted 
in operating profit of £14.7m (2011: £16.9m). 
The revaluation gain and the profit on sale 
largely result from property development 
that completed in the year and was either 
retained and valued externally for the first 
time or sold on completion. Administrative 
costs were almost the same at £13.3m 
compared with £13.4m in 2011.

The segmental result analysis shows that 
land development produced a significantly 
reduced operating profit of £2.3m (2011: 
£11.0m) and property investment and 
development activities showed a significant 
improvement in operating profit to £7.4m 
(2011: £0.3m), the improvement arising from 
the initial revaluation of developments, higher 
rental income and improved disposal profits. 
Construction division operating profits also 
improved to £7.9m (2011: £7.3m) after a 10% 
improvement in activity was achieved despite 
the difficult trading conditions. These results 
show the benefits of a broadly based operating 
model which can benefit from opportunities 
in strategic land and commercial development 
to augment the relatively stable returns from 
the construction division.

Basic earnings per share amounted to 7.3p 
(2011: 6.9p). The total dividend payable for 
the year has been increased by 10.6% to 
4.70p (2011: 4.25p), with the final proposed 
dividend also increasing by 11.5% to 2.90p 
(2011: 2.60p), payable on 31 May 2013 to 
shareholders on the register as at 3 May 2013. 
The date the shares become ex-dividend 
is 1 May 2013.

Financing and gearing
Although debt was reintroduced and further 
investment was made in the strategic land 
portfolio, net finance costs remained stable 
at £0.8m (2011: £0.8m). Average borrowing 
costs were lower than the previous year 
and the cost of any increase in borrowing 

is offset by the equivalent reduction in the 
non-utilisation fee. Most of the finance costs 
incurred in both years were non-utilisation 
fees rather than interest. It is anticipated that 
interest costs will begin to rise in 2013 as 
we gear up further, investing in both our land 
and development assets. Interest cover, 
expressed as the ratio of operating profit 
(excluding the valuation movement on 
investment properties and disposal profits) 
to net interest, was 16 times (2011: 26 times). 
Once again, in accordance with accounting 
standards, no interest incurred in either year 
has been capitalised.

Our unprecedented interaction with the 
planning system saw continued investment 
in our strategic land holdings and to a lesser 
extent the development and investment 
property portfolio. Therefore, total net debt 
rose to £21.9m (2011: £2.3m). Gearing on 
net assets of £181.9m increased to a still 
modest 12% (2011: net assets £186.0m; 
gearing 1%). This total includes £2.8m 
(2011: £0.8m) of grant funding which is 
repayable from the future sale of residential 
units. All bank borrowings continue to be 
from facilities linked to floating rates or short 
term fixed commitments. During the year, 
we maintained three year committed bank 
facilities totalling £50m renewable in May 
2015 and, throughout the year, we operated 
comfortably within the facility covenants 
and are forecast to continue to do so.

Tax
The tax charge for the year was £2.5m, with 
an effective rate of tax of 17.6% (2011: £5.3m, 
effective rate of tax 33.0%). Taxation on profit 
for the year was £1.9m (2011: £3.9m) and 
benefits from prior year adjustments were 
£0.2m. The reduced effective rate of tax for 
the year was also due to revaluation gains 
that were not sufficient to absorb previously 
unrecognised deferred tax assets. The deferred 
tax charge was £0.6m (2011: £1.4m) and 
has been calculated at 23%, being the rate 
expected to be applicable at the date the 
tax relief will arise.

Consolidated statement of cash flows
As anticipated, we reinvested heavily in our 
strategic land and house build inventories 
in advance of an improving housing market 

26

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   26

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

and the changes to the planning system. 
This, in addition to a steady build up in 
commercial development activity, saw our 
net borrowings increase to £21.9m during 
the year (2011: £2.3m). We continue to 
believe it is vital that we retain the flexibility 
to undertake developments and land deals 
without reference to the lending institutions, 
who are unwilling to lend against assets 
that represent the speculative phase of the 
property cycle. We must therefore retain the 
ability to fund these from our own resources, 
reserving investment assets as the covenant 
support for our bank facilities. It is likely that 
debt levels by the end of 2013 will rise as our 
forecast increased net investment in land 
and property investment and development 
occurs. During 2012, cash outflows from 
operations increased to £5.2m (2011: £1.1m) 
after a £19.4m (2011: £3.8m) investment in 
inventories offset net trading inflows of £14.1m 
(2011: £21.8m) and reduced receivables offset 
the payables, interest and tax cash outflows. 
Cash outflows from investing activities were 
£6.8m (2011: inflows £16.6m) as we recycled 
investment capital and committed a little more 
to the plant fleet than in 2011. Dividends paid, 
including those to non-controlling interests, 
totalled £7.6m (2011: £6.7m), a 13% increase 
on the previous year, as we fulfil our plan 
to move dividend returns back to 
pre-recession levels. 

Consolidated statement 
of financial position
Investment property and assets in the course 
of construction were valued at £140.4m after 
adjustments for tenant incentives (2011: 
£138.2m). Additions during the year were the 
foodstore at Warminster (valued at £9.5m), a 
McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant at Markham 
Vale, Chesterfield (valued at £1.2m) and a retail 
unit at Clifton Moor Retail Park, York (valued 
at £1.9m). The market value of investment 
property, including assets held for sale was 
£102.0m (2011: £90.8m) and the value of 
investment property under construction, within 
investment property, was £44.2m (2011: £52.2m) 
which reduced as we develop out these 
assets as investment properties. 

Intangible assets reflect the Group’s asset 
investment in Road Link (A69) Limited of £9.2m 
(2011: £10.4m). The treatment of this asset 

as an intangible asset is a requirement of 
IFRIC 12 and arises because the underlying 
road asset reverts to the Highways Agency 
at the end of the concession period. 
Property, plant and equipment comprises 
Group occupied buildings valued at £6.8m 
(2011: £6.9m) and plant, equipment and 
vehicles with a net book value of £9.8m 
(2011: £8.7m), the increase arising from 
further investment in the plant business. 
Non-current trade and other receivables 
have decreased to £11.5m (2011: £15.8m) 
due to deferred receipts on land sales already 
undertaken moving into the current receivables 
category and not being replaced through 
sales in the year. Given the higher land sales 
anticipated in 2013, we expect our investment 
in receivables to increase by the end of the 
year. Deferred tax assets have grown as a 
result of the larger pension deficit. In total, 
non-current assets have decreased slightly 
to £186.6m (2011: £187.5m). 

Within current assets, inventories of £81.6m 
(2011: £62.1m) increased due to further 
significant investment in the land portfolio. 
Trade and other receivables remained stable 
at £37.3m (2011: £37.6m). The property 
included within current assets held for sale 
in 2012 of £1.9m is the estimated Compulsory 
Purchase Order value of the part of our 
Beeston property which will be acquired to 
facilitate the Nottingham tram extension.

Current liabilities have increased by £18.2m 
to £80.8m (2011: £62.6m) as the current 
portion of debt increased to £19.2m (2011: 
£1.4m); trade payables increased slightly to 
£51.8m and so did provisions, as amounts 
provided for the infrastructure work at 
Bridgwater moved into the current category 
from non-current provisions and were utilised. 
Net current assets were £43.3m (2011: £42.3m). 
Non-current liabilities increased to £48.0m 
(2011: £43.7m) after IAS 19 pension liabilities 
increased to £30.5m (2011: £22.6m) after 
reductions in corporate bond yields increased 
the scheme’s liabilities faster than the strong 
performance in the scheme’s assets.

Net assets reduced by 2.2% to £181.9m 
(2011: £186.0m) as higher dividends and 
the increase in the pension deficit exceeded 
retained profits. Net asset value per share 
was slightly lower at 139p (2011: 142p).

Pension scheme
The annual IAS 19 valuation of the defined 
benefit pension scheme showed the deficit 
increasing to £30.5m (2011: £22.6m) at the 
year end. The scheme assets performed well 
in the year with an overall return of 8% and 
for the fifth year in succession achieved a 
better than expected return on scheme assets. 
Therefore, the deficit increase is again due 
to falling bond yields, which had the effect 
of reducing the discount rate used to 4.5% 
(2011: 5.0%). Each 0.1% change in the 
assumed differential between long-term 
investment returns and inflation continues 
to affect the deficit by approximately £2.5m; 
therefore the change in bond yields in this 
year more than explains the increase in the 
deficit. The deferred tax asset related to the 
deficit was £7.0m (2011: £5.7m). Adding back 
this net deficit of £23.5m (2011: £16.9m) to 
net assets, the 2012 deficit equates to 11% 
of equity shareholders’ funds (2011: 8%). 
The triennial valuation at 1 January 2013 is now 
in progress and we believe that the recovery 
plan contributions agreed at the last triennial 
valuation will continue at about the same level. 
We expect to conclude negotiations on this 
funding level in the second half of 2013. 
The defined benefit scheme is closed to 
new entrants; active member contribution 
increases are capped at 1% per annum and 
new employees are offered entry to a defined 
contribution scheme. We continue to evaluate 
cost-effective ways of reducing risk within 
the scheme and will undertake liability 
management exercises as appropriate. 
The revision of the rules regarding accounting 
for pensions in IAS 19(R) will apply in 2013. 
At this stage, on adoption in 2013, we 
estimate that the defined benefit pension 
expenses figure will be circa £2.2m, 
compared to £1.6m in 2012.

Jamie Boot
Group Managing Director
19 April 2013

John Sutcliffe
Group Finance Director
19 April 2013

www.henryboot.co.uk

27

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   27

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Financial review continued

Operating risk statement

In common with all organisations, the Group faces risks that may affect its performance.

The Group operates a system of internal 
control and risk management in order to 
provide assurance that it is managing risk 
whilst achieving its business objectives. 
No system can fully eliminate risk and 
therefore the understanding of operational 
risk is central to the management process 

within Henry Boot. The long-term success 
of the Group depends on the continual review, 
assessment and control of the key business 
risks it faces. To enable shareholders to 
appreciate what the business considers are 
the main operational risks, they are briefly 
outlined below.

Risk and description

Mitigation

Development

Not developing marketable assets for both tenants 
and the investment market on time and cost effectively.

 I Monthly performance meetings.

 I Defined appraisal process.

Rising market yields on completion making 
development uneconomic.

 I Monitoring of property market trends.

 I Highly experienced development team.

 I Sites for foodstores preferred.

 I Diverse range of sites within the portfolio.

 I Active asset management.

 I Monitoring property market trends.

 I Only develop when yields are stable.

 I Development subject to a ‘hurdle’ profit rate.

Construction and tenant risk which is not matched 
by commensurate returns on development projects.

 I Construction projects, including returns and cash flows, are monitored 

monthly by subsidiary company management teams.

 I Seek high level of pre-lets prior to authorising development.

 I Development subject to a ‘hurdle’ profit rate.

 I Shared risk with landowners where applicable.

Land

The inability to source, acquire and promote land 
would have a detrimental effect on the Group’s 
strategic land bank and income stream.

 I Monthly operational meetings detail land owned or under control, 

new opportunities and status of planning. 

 I Each land acquisition is subject to a formal appraisal process which must 
exceed the Group defined rate of return and is subject to approval by the 
Group’s Executive Directors.

 I Land bank of over 9,000 acres with aspiration to grow towards 10,000 acres. 

Over time the land bank acreage has shown steady growth.

 I Finance available to support speculative land purchases.

 I Well-respected name within the industry.

 I Long-established contact base.

28

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   28

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

Operating risk statement

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Risk and description

Mitigation

Land continued
Prices may be affected by changes in Government 
policy, legislation, planning environment and taxation.

A dramatic change in-house builder funding sentiment 
and demand for housing can have a marked change 
on the demand and pricing profile for land. 

Investments
Identifying and retaining assets which have the best 
opportunity for long-term rental and capital growth or, 
conversely, selling those assets where capital values 
have been maximised.

Interest rates
Significant upward changes in interest rates affect 
interest costs, yields and asset prices and reduce 
demand for commercial and residential property.

 I The Group has extensive in-house technical and planning expertise devoted 
to monitoring and complying with regulations and achieving implementable 
planning consents. 

 I The Group has adopted a low risk strategy to tax planning. Potential and 
actual changes are monitored by both experienced in-house finance staff 
and external advisers.

 I Healthy profit margin.

 I Demand for housing land is strong in the long term, aided by population growth.

 I The Group’s policy is only to progress land which is deemed to be of high 

quality and in prime locations. 

 I The business is long-term and is not seriously affected by short-term events.

 I Greenfield land is probably the most sought after land to build upon.

 I Long-term demographics show a growing trend, therefore demand for land 

will follow.

 I House builders have recovered well from the nadir of the recession.

 I This is an ongoing process with regular reviews of the assets and market 

conditions and is undertaken dispassionately to achieve best value.

 I Broad range of development opportunities to choose from.

 I Investment assets are seen as tradeable if required.

 I The Group uses a mixture of fixed and floating rate loans in order to minimise 

interest rate costs.

 I Statement of Financial Position strength allows the Group to warehouse sites 

in tough markets.

 I Tough markets often create opportunities to acquire new sites.

 I Long-term nature of land business helps smooth short-term interest 

rate impacts.

 I Interest cover is high, gearing relatively low and therefore there 

is significant scope to deal with interest rate rises.

www.henryboot.co.uk

29

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   29

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Financial review continued

Risk and description

Mitigation

Treasury

The lack of readily available funding to either the Group 
or third parties to undertake property transactions can 
have a significant impact on the marketplace in which 
the Group operates.

 I The Group has agreed three year facilities with its banking partners. 

 I Detailed cash requirements are forecast up to 15 months in advance 

and reviewed and revised monthly. 

 I Financial instruments are considered where applicable and any short-term 

positive cash balances are placed on deposit.

 I Facilities backed by investment property assets.

 I Development funding is not utilised.

 I Group funding levels are prudent in relation to the Statement of Financial Position.

 I Our lending banks’ financial positions are recovering and the appetite 

to lend is improving.

 I The Group and Executive Board are very mindful of overtrading into the recovery.

 I The Group’s highly skilled in-house technical and planning teams monitor 

changes in the market and planning process and react accordingly to ensure 
that planning consents are achieved in the most cost-effective and timely 
manner, whilst ensuring a broad spread of developments remain in the 
planning system at any one time. 

 I Good local knowledge assists in bringing forward prime land and contractual 
agreements ensure land can be brought to market at an appropriate time.

 I Long-established successful operator.

 I Inventory of over 120 sites in progress throughout the UK.

 I Sites are greenfield and of a high quality.

 I Pricing and demand have stabilised so we are now seeing strong markets 

in the south of England.

 I Mortgage availability slowly improving.

 I Continue to work to acquire land for the longer term.

 I Large land bank can help smooth short-term fluctuations.

 I Large land bank can help smooth short-term fluctuations.

 I A high profit margin can be achieved when successful.

 I No revaluations are taken on land through the planning process, therefore 

though profits may be smaller if site values fall the Group should still achieve 
a good profit margin on sale.

 I In the short term this risk is reduced as unemployment rises and recessionary 

conditions prevail.

 I Good long-term employment record indicates that good people stay within 

the Group. The Group encourages equity ownership.

 I Decent record of sharing profits with staff.

Planning

Increased complexity, cost and delay in the planning 
process may slow down the project pipeline.

The recent significant change in demand for housing 
and the attendant decline in land prices may have a 
detrimental effect on the supply of land being brought 
to market by landowners.

Changes in Government or Government policy, as 
happened in 2010, towards planning policies could 
impact on the speed of the planning consent process 
or the value of sites. 

Personnel

Attraction and retention of the highest calibre people 
with the appropriate experience is crucial to our 
long-term growth in the highly competitive labour 
markets in which the Group works.

30

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   30

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Risk and description

Mitigation

Pension
The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme 
which has been closed to new members for some time. 
Whilst the Trustees have a prudent approach to the mix 
of both return seeking and fixed interest assets, times of 
economic instability can have an impact on those asset 
values with the result that the reported pension deficit 
increases. Furthermore, the relationship between implied 
inflation and long-term gilt yields has a major impact 
on the pension deficit and the business has little control 
over those variables.

 I Operation of Trustee approved Recovery Plan.

 I Whilst pension schemes are a long-term commitment, regulations require 

the Group to respond to deficits in the short term.

 I Move out of index linked gilts will provide a cushion should rates rise.

 I Risk mitigated by move to diversified growth funds on around 23% of assets, 

along with 8% of assets into an index linked property fund.

 I Treat pension scheme as any other business segment to be managed.

 I Strong working relationship maintained between Company sponsor 

and pension Trustees.

 I Use good quality external firms for actuarial and investment advice.

Environmental

The Group is inextricably linked to the property sector 
and environmental considerations are paramount 
to our success.

 I Our interaction with the environment and the agencies that have an 

overarching responsibility has to be positive at all times in order to achieve 
best value.

Stricter environmental legislation will increase 
development and house building costs and therefore 
could impact on profitability if capital and land values do 
not increase to reflect more efficient energy performance. 

 I Through the National Federation of Builders the Group attempts to reduce 

the impact on its business.

 I Internal design helps mitigate environmental planning issues.

 I Record of awards given in respect of good safety and environmental performance.

 I Environmental impacts addressed at each subsidiary company board meeting.

 I Construction division has a Renewable Energy Unit to progress Group 

aims in this area.

Economic
The Group operates solely in the UK and is closely allied 
to the real estate, house building and construction sectors. 
A strong economy with strong tenant demand is vital 
to create long-term growth in rental and asset values, 
whilst at the same time creating a healthy market for the 
construction and plant hire divisions. The much published 
reductions in public spending, the more difficult planning 
regime and comparatively low levels of property lending 
could have an impact on the Group’s business.

Counterparty
Depends on the stability of customers, suppliers, 
funders and development partners to achieve success.

 I A strong Statement of Financial Position with low gearing and long-term 

shareholder base means that we can ride out short-term economic fluctuations.

 I Different business streams increase the probability that not all of them 

are in recession at the same time.

 I The City recognises the Group is a cyclical business and understands 

performance will be affected by economic cycles.

 I Directors and shareholders share common goal of less aggressive leveraging 

than some competitors.

 I In recessionary periods the Group pays particular attention to the financial 
strength of counterparties before contracting with them in order to mitigate 
financial exposure.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   31

4/12/2013   2:17:26 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

31

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Corporate responsibility

Health and safety continues 
to be our top priority

Our aims

 To ensure that all our 
stakeholders have a safe 
and healthy work environment.

1
2  
3  
4  

 To support our people in 
realising their full potential.

 To support the development 
in the local communities 
in which we operate.

 To take responsibility for our 
impact upon our environment.

The Group’s Corporate Responsibility (CR) 
programme is a fundamental part of who we 
are. It is pulled together under four strands: 
Our Health and Safety, Our People, 
Our Community and Our Environment.

Our commitments to corporate responsibility 
take many forms, from providing volunteers 
for community initiatives to supporting our 
employees to realise their full potential.

We have identified a number of key 
performance indicators (KPIs) against which 
we measure our CR. These are monitored 
during the year and action taken if necessary.

Our Health and Safety
Health and safety continues to be given 
the highest priority within Henry Boot from 
Executive Board level down; we have 
developed practical and safe systems of 
work which are borne out by the Company’s 
exemplary safety statistics. Our priority is 
to ensure that all employees take part in 
regular, comprehensive training, tailored 
to their specific job and meeting all 
industry requirements. 

Our Performance
During 2012 we have continued to focus 
on making health and safety the top of the 
agenda within all our subsidiary businesses. 
Our continued growth saw an increase 
in internal audits to 219 (2011: 191). 

We continued to benchmark our health 
and safety performance against Constructing 
Excellence Health and Safety KPIs. We have 
succeeded in a further reduction in our 
accident frequency rate (AFR) to 0.20 
per 100,000 hours worked including our 
subcontractors (2011: 0.31); for the second 
successive year our construction related 
AFR for our directly employed staff is zero.

An integral part of our health, safety and 
environmental system is a robust system 
resilience test to ensure compliance, this 
was first undertaken in 2011 with great 
success. In 2012 we held a further mock 
incident on Henry Boot Construction 
Limited’s Eastlands high rise tower block 
contract in Manchester where we simulated 
on paper a scaffold collapse including an 
environmental pollution incident and all the 
ensuing investigation. This was again 
facilitated by a partner of Nabarro LLP’s 
Health, Safety and Environment team.

We have also been recertified following an 
audit by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance 
for BS OHSAS 18001, an internationally 
recognised assessment of our occupational 
health and safety procedures; additionally 
we maintained accreditations to ISO19001 
(quality management) and ISO14001 
(environmental management).

We have continued to educate our own 
employees through direct training and tool 

Laurence Ross, Site Manager, conducting 
a health and safety talk at Crowcroft Primary 
School, Longsight, Manchester

Ollie Saxton, a user of the Ryegate Children’s 
Centre, assists Simon Carr, Henry Boot 
Construction, and Mark Dransfield, 
Dransfield Properties, in the demolition 
of the old hydrotherapy pool

32

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   32

4/12/2013   2:17:27 PM

 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

“ I love working at Banner Cross 
Hall. It is always enjoyable 
and I would get bored at home. 
All the staff are so pleasant 
and kind and the office is 
on my doorstep!”

Pauline Dungworth works part-time in the canteen at Banner 
Cross Hall working for Henry Boot PLC and has worked for the 
Company for four years.

Case study
Henry Boot Construction Limited Sustainable Business Strategy

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

box talks and have continued to extend the 
education into the communities in which we 
work. We have again spent time in numerous 
schools spreading the message of safety 
in construction. By engaging with our 
communities we have seen a greater 
understanding of our work.

Our Achievements
We have celebrated the achievement of a 
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 
(RoSPA) Gold Award for Health and Safety 
for the third consecutive year, celebrating 
our commitment to achieving the highest 
standards of health and safety within our 
business operations.

We also celebrated the Commitment to 
Health and Safety Award at the National 
Federation of Builders Annual Awards. 
This award recognises best practice in the 
industry and a commitment to achieving 
the highest possible standards of health 
and safety.

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

Carol Hill-Firth, Customer Care Co-ordinator, 
ably assisted in the construction of a 
sandcastle by a Doncaster youngster

In 2012, Henry Boot Construction Limited 
introduced its Sustainable Business Strategy; 
formulated from a number of existing 
practices, the Sustainable Business Strategy 
focuses on three key strategic themes: 
Responsible Business, Environment and 
People & Communities. 

Sustainability is of key importance to our 
stakeholders and the framework of nine areas 
under the three key themes will ensure that 
Henry Boot Construction Limited delivers 
a sustainable approach to its operations 
and the projects undertaken.

The strategy recognises and supports 
the central part that people play in the 
success of the business and the importance 
of the relationships that are formed with 
the supply chain; it highlights the need to 
work in partnership with local communities 
in order to create value, minimise disruption 
and continue to protect the environment 
in which our projects are situated. 

www.henryboot.co.uk

33

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   33

4/12/2013   2:17:28 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Corporate responsibility continued

Accident frequency rate (AFR)
per 100,000 
hours worked

0.00

12

0.00

11

0.00

10

0.28

Commitment Our Health and Safety

Objective To ensure a reducing number 
of health and safety incidents when 
measured against the Constructing 
Excellence Health and Safety KPIs

Comments Another successful year 
of zero incidents affecting our directly 
employed staff

Accident frequency rate (AFR) 
(inclusive of subcontractors)

0.20

per 100,000 
hours worked

Commitment Our Health and Safety

Objective To ensure a reducing number 
of health and safety incidents when 
measured against the Constructing 
Excellence Health and Safety KPIs

12

11

10

0.20

0.31

Comments Our ongoing education of our 
subcontractors and the closer monitoring 
of their working practices has resulted 
in a 35% reduction in incidents

0.46

Reportable accidents

Commitment Our Health and Safety

3

12

11

10

3

5

Objective To ensure a reducing number 
of health and safety incidents when 
measured against the Constructing 
Excellence Health and Safety KPIs

Comments It is an ongoing priority and 
focus of the Group to commit to ensuring 
health and safety is paramount. 2012 saw 
a further 40% reduction in the number of 
reportable accidents

12

Employee profile

Commitment Our People

438

338 males/ 
100 females

12

11

10

438 (338 males/100 females)

439 (347 males/92 females)

496 (387 males/109 females)

Objective To ensure a diverse spread of 
genders within all job roles in the Group

Comments We currently have a gender 
split of 77% male to 23% female. In order 
to address this we are working closely 
with external partners to encourage 
under-represented groups into the industry

Our People
Our employees are highly talented, successful 
and motivated individuals and are essential to 
the success of the Company. Everything that 
we do, how we act and how our stakeholders 
perceive us is crucial to our ongoing success; 
we are committed to ensuring that we have 
the right people working for us and manage 
this process through a robust people strategy.

Our Performance
In order to support the growth of our people 
and their ability to make a contribution to our 
businesses, we delivered a total of 1,085 days of 
training in 2012 (2011: 927 days), the equivalent 
of 2.55 days per employee (2011: 2.2 days). 
We provide training in leadership, people 
management, health and safety and a whole 
variety of subsidiary specific training. Through 
the use of funding we have seen only a slight 
increase in the per capita spent to £131 
(2011: £123).

During 2012 our apprentice, trainee, graduate 
and internship numbers increased by eleven. 
We currently have 21 apprentices, trainees, 
graduates and internships across all of our 
businesses; our retention rate is currently 
around 95% which is well ahead of the 
industry norms. Henry Boot has historically 
utilised the apprenticeship/traineeship as a 
mechanism of identifying future leaders within 
our businesses.

In 2012 we trained ten employees to become 
Construction Ambassadors for CITB-
Construction Skills; this scheme involves 
those already working within construction 
and the built environment who are passionate 
about their work and are happy to share their 
experience with others. Our Ambassadors 
give presentations in the local communities 
and are keen to pass on their experiences 
and skills to others. We participated in Teen 
Tech Experience at Doncaster Racecourse 
which was a platform to inspire youngsters 
in Yorkshire to consider careers in construction 
and also the importance of science, technology, 
engineering and maths. Due to the success 
of the scheme we intend to train more of our 
employees to be Construction Ambassadors 
in 2013.

Our Achievements
In 2012, Henry Boot Construction Limited’s 
Project Manager Michael Wake was nominated 
in the Housing and Accommodation £8m and 
below category in the Chartered Institute of 
Building (CIOB) Construction Manager of the 
Year Awards. He was nominated for his work on 
a new homes development at Shirecliffe for 
Sheffield City Council, where 27 new homes 
were built to level four of the Code for 
Sustainable Homes. Michael was placed in 
the top five of the nominees in his category, 
justified recognition for his commitment to 
the success of the project.

34

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   34

4/12/2013   2:17:29 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Personal development (days)

Commitment Our People

1,085

12

11

10

1,085

927

649

Objective To ensure that our employees 
are trained to the appropriate level and are 
given adequate opportunity to develop 
their careers

Comments A 17% increase in the number 
of training days delivered over the period

Considerate Constructor Scheme points

Commitment Our Community

34.7

12

11

10

Objective To be classified as a ‘good 
neighbour’ when scored against the 
Considerate Constructor Scheme

Comments Another solid year of 
performance which saw achievement 
of several Scheme awards

34.7

34.3

33.3

BITC Environmental Index

Commitment Our Environment

95%

12

11

10

Objective To be recognised by a 
recognised body as being a leader in 
environmental management in our region

Comments A 4% increase on the 2011 
score, due to our consistent achievement 
and improvement in rating. We are now 
classed as Platinum status which puts us 
in the top nine companies in Yorkshire 
and the Humber

95%

91%

77%

Recycling (Diverted from landfill)

Commitment Our Environment

93%

12

11

10

1 Target 87%

2 Target 85%

Objective To reduce the amount 
of waste going to landfill by recycling, 
reusing or upcycling

Comments An increase on the Company 
waste recovery target (2012: 89%). We 
continue to improve our methods of work 
to try to increase this number further

93%

93%1

92%2

We were also nominated for and won the 
Leadership and People Award at the annual 
Construction Sector Network (Yorkshire & 
Humber) awards; this award was voted for by 
our peers in the industry and the recognition 
of our ongoing efforts in this area is 
especially pleasing.

Our Community
We have continued our efforts to ensure 
that our activities bring benefits to the local 
communities and the people within them, 
supporting employment and regenerating 
local areas. We have also continued to 
support charities and local groups through 
company donations of time, expertise and 
financial donations.

As a leading contractor it is of importance 
for us to demonstrate that we are committed 
to the communities in which we are working, 
by being a good neighbour and accountable 
for our actions.

Our Performance
We have continued to establish links with 
local education establishments and were 
pleased to host a number of MBA students 
from Sheffield Hallam University in the latter 
part of 2012, undertaking research within our 
construction business. We also established 
links with the Communication Specialist 
College in Doncaster and have hosted 
a number of their deaf students who are 
undertaking trade apprenticeships on our 
sites in order for them to gain real life 
experience working on site.

In 2012, we continued to be active in the 
communities in which we operate; some of 
the projects and fundraising in which we have 
been involved over the last twelve months are:

 I raising over £1,500 for Sheffield Children’s 

Hospital with a team of Henry Boot 
Construction Limited employees 
completing the Three Peaks Challenge;

 I fundraising for Sheffield Cathedral Archer 
Project for the homeless and vulnerable 
by participating in Woolly Hat Day;

 I participating with our supply chain partners 
in a football tournament to raise funds for 
the Master Cutler’s Charity, which for 2012 
was Cavendish Cancer Care;

 I raising £5,000 for St Luke’s Hospice, 

Sheffield, by supporting a member of our 
staff to host a charity golf day in memory 
of his father;

 I organising a trip to Blackpool for those 

residents who had experienced disruption 
during construction works in their properties;

 I continuing support of the redevelopment 
of the Ryegate Children’s Centre where 
we have been working in partnership 
with Dransfield Properties to redevelop 
the hydrotherapy pool for Sheffield 
Children’s Hospital; and

www.henryboot.co.uk

35

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   35

4/12/2013   2:17:30 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Corporate responsibility continued

By engaging with our communities we have seen a greater understanding of our work.

Case study
BITC Give and Gain Day 2012

In 2012 Henry Boot PLC became a member 
of Business in the Community (BITC) in 
Yorkshire and Humber; one of our first 
employer supported volunteering projects 
took place at W.O.R.K Ltd, which is situated 
approximately one mile from our Head 
Office at Banner Cross Hall.

W.O.R.K Ltd was set up to provide a working 
environment for young people with mild 
learning disabilities. The young people that 
attend have the chance of actual hands-on 
work experience which gives them hope for 
a better future towards independent living 
and personal development. 

20 volunteers from the Henry Boot Group 
joined more than 300 volunteers from 
businesses across Sheffield and the wider 
South Yorkshire area descended upon the 

premises of W.O.R.K Ltd on Friday 18 May 
and participated in what can only be described 
as a day of transformation. Our volunteers 
were involved in projects which included 
the painting of an indoor resource room 
and the laying of a pathway to allow safe 
access to the centre by its users. We used 
our contacts in our wider supply chain and 
received generous donations of both 
services and supplies which allowed the 
day to be a great success.

Following completion of the Give and 
Gain Day, we continued our partnership 
with W.O.R.K Ltd by advising and assisting 
with the procurement of temporary 
accommodation to provide storage facilities 
and a meeting room for the centre.

36

www.henryboot.co.uk

Our Community continued
Our Performance continued
 I donating IT equipment to The Willows 
School, Rotherham; a school for pupils 
with a range of learning difficulties, 
including speech and language difficulties, 
ASD and some emotional and behavioural 
difficulties, from the age of seven up to 
sixteen years old.

We are representative on the EN Procure 4 
Good Fund Panel, which meets twice per year 
to assess bids made by local organisations. 
Bids are assessed against an agreed 
framework that reflects the four EN Procure 
Framework themes – efficiency, employment 
and skills, social and economic regeneration 
and sustainability.

We have donated £15,344 to charities 
nominated by our employees in matching 
contributions through our Give As You Earn 
Scheme (2011: £18,900). In 2012 we donated in 
excess of £15,000 to a varied range of causes 
both locally and nationally (2011: £22,000). 
Charities supported in 2012 included Cutlers 
Hall Preservation Trust, The Princes Trust, 
Weston Park Hospital, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust 
and Museum Sheffield.

Our Achievements
We continued our Associate membership of 
the Considerate Constructors Scheme and 
saw the sixth year of improvement in our 
scoring, which demonstrates our commitment 
to the Scheme. Our highest score in 2012 
was recorded at the North Lincolnshire 
Homes external wall insulation project in 
Scunthorpe where a score of 37.5 out of a 
possible 40 was achieved.

We celebrated another successful year at the 
National Considerate Constructors Scheme 
Awards, picking up three Gold Awards and 
a further two Runner-up Awards for the Most 
Considerate Site in the UK. We are delighted 
to be the only construction company in the 
history of the awards to receive two Runner-up 
Awards three years in succession. 

Right Max Pattern, NVQ 2 Plastering 
student at Communication Specialist College, 
Doncaster, with Paul Beattie, Plasterer, on 
site at Stainforth, Doncaster

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   36

4/12/2013   2:17:32 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Our Environment
Henry Boot continues to be committed to 
the highest levels of sustainability and we 
are committed to reducing our environmental 
impact by a variety of measures.

Our Performance
2012 has again seen us make improvements 
in our desire to achieve a sustainable and 
green business model. The implementation of 
the Henry Boot Construction Sustainability 
Strategy is a key component of this and will 
no doubt see improvements across the 
Group in the coming years.

We have been recognised by Business in the 
Community (BITC) Yorkshire and the Humber 
as achieving platinum status, a rating of over 
95% when measured against its environmental 
index, an increase on last year’s assessment 
(2011: 91%). As a result of this we are now 
listed as one of the top nine companies in 
the region on the Business in the Community 
Environmental Index and received a Climate 
Change Champion Award.

2012 saw another year of progress in reducing 
waste, with an increase on the Company 
waste target to 93% (target: 89%). 

Working in collaboration with the CIOB in 
South Yorkshire, members of our Tropo 
renewables division have delivered seminars 
to ‘de-mystify’ the renewables markets, 
covering energy efficiency, carbon reduction 
and the forthcoming Green Deal.

Through our social housing contracts we 
have delivered energy monitors and money 
saving advice to tenants as part of our drive 
to reduce the environmental impacts of our 
construction activities. We have also trained 
a number of our employees to be City & 
Guilds Energy Awareness Advisors who 
advise tenants on saving fuel, power and 
heating costs as well as doing their bit for 
the environment.

Our Achievements
Henry Boot Construction Limited was 
successful in the Environmental category at 
the CIOB Celebrating Construction Awards in 
South Yorkshire; this was the third successive 
win and highlights the Group’s commitment to 
maintaining the highest level of environmental 
standards. We were also awarded a similar 
award in the Environmental category at the 
CIOB Committed to Construction in the 
West Yorkshire Awards.

Brendon Keown
Group Safety, Health and 
Environmental Manager

Brendon Keown is Group 
Safety, Health and 
Environmental Manager 
for Henry Boot PLC 
and has worked for the 
Company for four years.
“I joined Henry Boot in 2008 having worked 
for a number of years for a civil engineering 
contractor as a Senior QUENSH (Quality, 
Environmental, Safety, Health) Manager. 
I am motivated by the variety my role offers 
me across the Group with each business 
stream presenting different challenges; 
I like a diverse workload, it most certainly 
beats turning up to the same desk everyday!

I am keen to continually improve the Group’s 
commitment to safety, health and the 
environment and find as each year passes 
there are different things to have a go at, 
often putting me left field of my comfort 
zone. My role is not boring in the slightest!

There are not many companies out there 
where you can just pick up the phone 
and speak to the Directors about safety, 
health and environmental related issues; 
what’s more, the support given to me by 
the Directors is not something I have 
personally experienced elsewhere in my 
career. This is testament that all the Group 
and its Directors ensure that safety, health 
and environmental management remains 
a key focus across their businesses.”

www.henryboot.co.uk

37

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i

o
n
a

l

r
e
v
i

e
w

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   37

4/12/2013   2:17:33 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Board of directors and subsidiary company managing directors

Board of directors

From left to right: John Sutcliffe, Michael Gunston, John Brown, Jamie Boot and James Sykes.

John Brown
Chairman
John Brown, FCCA, CTA, 68, was appointed 
to the Board in 2006 as a Non-executive 
Director and became Chairman in May 2011. 
He was formerly the Chief Executive of Speedy 
Hire plc which he founded in 1977. He is also 
a Non-executive Director of Norcros plc and 
a Non-executive Director of Lookers plc, both 
London Stock Exchange listed companies, 
and he holds a number of other directorships. 
He is Chairman of the Nomination Committee 
and a member of both the Audit and the 
Remuneration Committees of the Board.

Jamie Boot
Group Managing Director
Jamie Boot, 61, joined the Company in 1979 
and was appointed to the Board in 1985. 
He became Group Managing Director in 1986. 
He is also the Chairman of the Company’s 
four principal operating subsidiaries – 
Henry Boot Construction Limited, Hallam 
Land Management Limited, Henry Boot 
Developments Limited and Banner Plant 
Limited – and reports to the Board on these 
businesses. He is the Board member 
responsible for health and safety matters.

John Sutcliffe
Group Finance Director
John Sutcliffe, BA, ACA, 53, joined the 
Company and the Board in 2006 as Group 
Finance Director and Company Secretary. 
He previously held a similar role with Town 
Centre Securities PLC and prior to that was 
Finance Director of Abbeycrest plc. John is 
a member of the CBI Yorkshire and the 
Humber Regional Council. He is the Board 
member responsible for finance, company 
secretarial, insurance, risk and pensions.

Michael Gunston
Non-Executive Director
Michael Gunston, FRICS, 69, was appointed 
to the Board in 2006 having retired as the Chief 
Surveyor of The British Land Company PLC 
where he worked for nearly 32 years. He is 
the Senior Independent Director, Chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee and a member 
of the Audit and Nomination Committees.

James Sykes
Non-Executive Director
James Sykes, BA, ACA, 48, was appointed to 
the Board in March 2011 as a Non-executive 
Director. He is a Partner in the London office 
of Saffery Champness, Chartered Accountants, 
which he joined from university in 1987. He is 
the Head of its Private Wealth and Estates 
Group and is also a member of the firm’s 
Management Board. He is the Chairman of 
the Audit Committee and a member of the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

38

www.henryboot.co.uk

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   38

4/12/2013   2:17:34 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Subsidiary company 
managing directors

David Anderson
Henry Boot Developments Limited
David Anderson, BSc (Hons), MRICS, 46, started his career in town 
planning consultancy and then joined Henry Boot Developments Limited 
in 1990 as an Assistant Development Surveyor, rapidly rising to the 
position of Senior Development Surveyor. He was appointed a Director 
in 1996 and became Managing Director of the Company in 2005.

Giles Boot
Banner Plant Limited
Giles Boot, BA (Hons), 53, joined the Henry Boot Group in 1982 
and had a variety of management roles in Rothervale Trading 
Limited, the retail side of the then Group’s door manufacturing 
business. Moving to Banner Plant Limited in 1988, he held a number 
of positions, including Depot Manager and Business Development 
Manager, before being appointed to its Board in 1995, becoming 
Managing Director in 2000.

Simon Carr
Henry Boot Construction Limited
Simon Carr, BSc (Hons), FRICS, 54, has been with Henry Boot for over 
24 years. He has held a number of positions on the construction side of 
the business, including Partnering Manager and Operations Director. 
He took over as Managing Director in 2009. Simon is a member of the 
Board of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and 
the Sheffield City Region Joint Housing and Regeneration Board. 
He also sits on the South Yorkshire Freight and Transport Partnership, 
is the immediate past president of the Yorkshire Builders Federation 
and is a member of the regional executive board of the National 
Federation of Builders.

Keran Power
Hallam Land Management Limited
Keran Power, MRTPI, 62, began his career in Local Government 
as a Planning Officer. He joined the then newly created Hallam Land 
Management Limited in 1990 and was appointed a Director in 1993. 
He became Managing Director in 2010. Keran is a Chartered Town 
Planner and for a number of years was a member of the National 
Council of The Royal Town Planning Institute.

www.henryboot.co.uk

39

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_2_BHY_ar12_front_(NB_MR).indd   39

4/12/2013   2:17:37 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Directors’ report

The Directors have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report and the 
audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Principal activities of the Group
The principal activities of the Group during the financial year were:

 I Property – property investment and development.

 I Land – land development.

 I Construction – construction, civil engineering, road maintenance 

under a PFI contract and plant hire.

 I Other – central services, head office administration and 

in‑house leasing.

Results for the year and dividends
The results are set out in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income on page 51. The principal active subsidiary companies 
affecting the profit or net assets of the Group in the year are listed 
in note 35 to the Financial Statements.

The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 2.90p per ordinary 
share be paid on 31 May 2013 to ordinary shareholders on the register 
at the close of business on 3 May 2013. This, together with the interim 
dividend of 1.80p per ordinary share paid on 26 October 2012, will 
make a total dividend of 4.70p per ordinary share for the year ended 
31 December 2012.

Business review
The review of the development and performance of the business of the 
Group during the year and the future outlook of the Group is set out 
in the Chairman’s Statement on pages 8 and 9 and the Operational 
Review on pages 14 to 37. Details of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that the Company faces are set out in the Operational Review on 
pages 28 to 31. The key performance indicators are set out in the 
Business Review on pages 12 and 13.

The Group’s policy in respect of financial instruments is set out 
within the Accounting Policies on page 58 and details of credit risk, 
capital risk management, liquidity risk and interest rate risk are given 
respectively in notes 16, 23, 24 and 25 to the Financial Statements.

Share capital
Details of the Company’s issued share capital during the year are set 
out in note 30 to the Financial Statements.

The Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on pages 88 to 91 
includes the following resolutions:

 I an ordinary resolution (Resolution 7) to renew the authority of the 
Directors to allot shares up to a maximum nominal amount of 
£4,369,870 being 33.33% of the Company’s issued ordinary share 
capital at 25 March 2013. The authority will expire on 22 August 2014 
or at the conclusion of the next AGM, whichever is the earlier, but 
it is the present intention of the Directors to seek annual renewal 
of this authority. The Directors do not have any present intention 
of exercising the authority;

 I a special resolution (Resolution 8) to enable the Directors to continue 

to allot equity securities for cash in connection with a rights or 
other issue pro rata to the rights of the existing shareholders, but 
subject to certain exceptions, and for any other purpose provided 
that the aggregate value of such allotments does not exceed 
£655,000 (5% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital 
at 25 March 2013). The authority will expire on 22 August 2014 
or at the conclusion of the next AGM, whichever is the earlier, 
but it is the present intention of the Directors to seek annual 
renewal of this authority; and

 I a special resolution (Resolution 9) to renew the authority of the 
Company to make market purchases of up to 11,055,000 of its 
own issued ordinary shares (8.43% of the Company’s issued 
ordinary share capital at 25 March 2013). The minimum price that 
may be paid under the authority for an ordinary share is 10p and 
the maximum price is limited to not more than 5% above the 
average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share as 
derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the 
five business days before the purchase is made. The Directors will 
exercise the authority only if they are satisfied that it would be 
likely to result in an increase in expected earnings per share of the 
ordinary share capital in issue and that any purchase will be in the 
best interests of shareholders generally. If the Directors do decide 
to exercise the authority, ordinary shares so acquired will either be 
cancelled or held as treasury shares, depending upon the 
circumstances prevailing at the time.

Directors
J E Brown, E J Boot, J T Sutcliffe, M I Gunston and J J Sykes held 
office as Directors throughout 2012 and up to the date of signing the 
Financial Statements. Their biographical details are shown on page 38.

In accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, 
J E Brown and J T Sutcliffe will retire by rotation at the forthcoming 
AGM and offer themselves for re‑appointment. In accordance with 
the June 2010 edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Chairman confirms that the performance of J T Sutcliffe continues 
to be effective and demonstrates commitment to his roles. E J Boot 
confirms that the performance of J E Brown continues to be effective 
and demonstrates commitment to his roles. At no time during the year 
has any Director had any interest in any significant contract with 
the Company.

Directors’ indemnity
Subject to the provisions of and to the extent permitted by relevant 
statutes, under the Articles of Association of the Company, the 
Directors and other officers throughout the year, and at the date of 
approval of these Financial Statements, were indemnified out of the 
assets of the Company against liabilities incurred by them in the 
course of carrying out their duties or the exercise of their powers.

Going concern
The Company’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance and position, are set out 
in the Operational Review on pages 14 to 25. The financial position 
of the Company, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are described in the Financial Review on pages 26 and 27.

As highlighted in note 23 to the Financial Statements, the Company 
meets its day‑to‑day working capital requirements through a secured 
loan facility, which includes an overdraft facility, which was renewed 
with effect from May 2012. The current economic conditions create 
uncertainty for all businesses over a number of risk areas. As part of 
their regular going concern review the Directors specifically address 
all the risk areas that they consider material to the assessment of 
going concern. The report arising from these discussions is made 
available to the auditors and the conclusion is that the Directors have 
a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources 
to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and 
thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting 
in preparing the annual Financial Statements.

Takeovers Directive
Information for shareholders required pursuant to the relevant 
companies’ legislation which implements the Takeovers Directive 
is disclosed in the Shareholder information section on page 87.

40

www.henryboot.co.uk

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   40

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Directors’ interests
The interests of Directors in the share capital of the Company, other than with respect to options to acquire ordinary shares, are shown 
in the table below:

J E Brown 

E J Boot

J T Sutcliffe 

M I Gunston

J J Sykes

– Ordinary

– Ordinary
– Preference

– Ordinary

– Ordinary

– Ordinary
– Preference

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

Beneficial

25,000

Non- 
beneficial

Beneficial

—

25,000

Non-
beneficial

—

5,359,662
14,753

1,067,580
—

5,224,662
14,753

1,067,580
—

327,561

23,000

10,000
—

—

—

22,057,155
6,843

235,921

23,000

10,000
—

  —

—

22,057,155
6,843

Between 31 December 2012 and 25 March 2013, being a date not more than one month prior to the date of the Notice of the AGM, 
there have been no changes in the beneficial and non‑beneficial interests of any Director.

Details of Directors’ long‑term incentive awards and share options are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 47.

Employees
The Group values the equality and diversity of our workforce and it 
is our commitment to ensure that all our employees, potential recruits 
and other stakeholders are treated fairly and equitably. Selection in 
recruitment, for training, promotion and any other employment related 
matter is based upon individual skills and aptitude irrespective of 
sex, sexual orientation, race, colour, age, disability, nationality and 
marital/civil partnership status. We give full consideration to the 
diverse needs of our employees and potential recruits and are fully 
compliant with all current legislation; where necessary appropriate 
arrangements are made for the continued employment and development 
of disabled persons. Where an employee becomes disabled during 
employment, we will work with the employee to provide support and 
reasonable adjustments including suitable alternative job roles.

The core values of the Group remain central to our employment 
proposition and we have built our people strategies around maintaining 
and enhancing them to the benefit of all stakeholders. We value the 
inclusive culture that is present with the Group in which our employees 
can grow, thrive and succeed. It is important to us that all our employees 
feel able to be themselves and to perform to their full potential; as an 
employer we make every effort to ensure that our employees are both 
engaged in our aims and are provided with the support to enable 
them to perform their duties to the highest possible standard.

We have continued to invest in our employees and specifically have 
focused on identifying and developing key talent to ensure we have 
the succession and capabilities to deliver our expertise year on year. 
In addition, we aim to attract and select new talent who will support 
and deliver against our objectives.

New employees are eligible to join the Group’s stakeholder pension 
plans which includes life assurance arrangements. In addition we also 
offer private medical insurance, childcare vouchers and income 
replacement (PHI) arrangements. We also continue to encourage 
employee share ownership through participation in various share 
option plans. 

Health and safety
The Group recognises the importance of its employees working in a 
healthy and safe environment and its responsibilities to clients, visitors, 
contractors, tenants, members of the public and anyone who comes 
into contact with our operations. Further information is provided in 
the Corporate Responsibility Report on pages 32 to 37.

Supplier payment policy
The Group’s policy is for all companies within the Group to agree terms 
and conditions with their suppliers and subcontractors. Payments 
are then generally made on the basis of this agreement, providing 
the suppliers and subcontractors conform to the terms and conditions 
stipulated. At 31 December 2012 the Company had an average of 
21 days’ (2011: 15 days’) purchases outstanding in trade payables.

Charitable donations
Donations for charitable purposes totalled £31,188 (2011: £41,130). 
Details of some of the charities supported are set out in the Corporate 
Responsibility Report on pages 32 and 37. The Company made 
no political donations in the year or in the previous year.

Statement of disclosure of information to auditors
The Directors of the Company who held office at the date of approval 
of this Annual Report each confirm that:

 I so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information 
(information needed by the Company’s auditors in connection 
with preparing their report) of which the Company’s auditors are 
unaware; and

 I they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as 

Directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are 
aware of that information.

Independent auditors
The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, have signified their 
willingness to remain in office and resolutions re‑appointing them 
as auditors (Resolution 5) and authorising the Directors to fix their 
remuneration (Resolution 6) will be proposed at the AGM.

www.henryboot.co.uk

41

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   41

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Directors’ report continued

Corporate governance
I am pleased to report that the Company has complied with the vast majority of the provisions 
of the June 2010 edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code throughout the year under 
review. As Chairman, I am responsible for the leadership of the Board and ensuring that it 
operates effectively. The Board has agreed clearly defined roles for myself and the Managing 
Director and the Non-executive Directors challenge management and contribute to strategy. 
The Board, its Committees and individual Directors are subject to annual performance evaluation 
and all Directors are subject to re-election by shareholders at intervals of no more than three 
years. Appointments to the Board will always be made on merit against objective criteria 
and the Board strongly supports the principle of boardroom diversity. 

John Brown Chairman

The Board continues to support and remains committed to achieving 
and maintaining a high standard of corporate governance. However, 
it believes that such governance must reflect the unique nature of 
the Company, the composition of its shareholders, many of whom 
have strong family ties to the Company, as well as other stakeholders’ 
interests and, above all, must assist in the effective attainment of 
corporate objectives.

During the accounting period under review, the Company, as a 
premium listed company, was subject to the June 2010 edition of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC). The UK Corporate Governance Code is publicly available 
free of charge on the FRC website at www.frcpublications.com.

The Directors take comfort in the fact that the Code recognises that 
not all of the provisions are necessarily relevant to smaller listed 
companies and the Code states that departures from its provisions 
should not be automatically treated as breaches.

In applying the Principles of Good Governance, including both the 
Main Principles and the Supporting Principles, the policies adopted 
by the Board follow the Code’s guidelines insofar that they assist the 
overall wellbeing of the Company and its shareholders’ interests. 
Pragmatism also constitutes a very important element in the Board’s 
approach and adoption of all the supporting principles of the Code 
is not an objective as such. Further explanations of how the Main 
Principles and the Supporting Principles have been applied are set 
out below and on pages 43 to 45.

The Board
The Board consists of five Directors and their biographical summaries 
appear in the Directors’ Report on page 38. Two of the Directors are 
executive and the remaining three, including the Chairman, 
are non‑executive. 

The Board’s role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership of the 
Company within a framework of prudent and effective controls that 
enables risk to be assessed and managed. It sets the Company’s 
strategic aims and ensures that the necessary financial and human 
resources are in place for the Company to meet its objectives and 
review management performance. The Board also sets the Company’s 
values and standards and ensures that its obligations to its shareholders 
and others are understood and met. 

The Board retains a Schedule of Reserved Matters which is reviewed 
annually to ensure that strategy and key elements that might affect the 
implementation of corporate goals are adhered to. At its regular Board 

42

www.henryboot.co.uk

Board composition

 1 Non‑executive Chairman
 2 Executive Directors
 2 Non‑executive Directors

meetings there is a series of matters that are dealt with including a 
health and safety review, a finance review, operational reviews on all 
the main trading subsidiaries and a secretarial review encompassing 
corporate governance, risk, shareholder matters, pensions and insurance. 
The Board also reviews strategy, budgets and matters relating to internal 
controls as appropriate. The subsidiary board meetings are attended 
by the two main board executives. Operational decisions affecting 
each subsidiary are taken by the individual boards at these meetings.

All Directors have access to the Company Secretary and there is 
in place a written procedure for all Directors to take independent 
professional advice.

Board effectiveness
The Chairman is responsible for leadership of the Board and ensuring 
it operates effectively. The Directors possess an appropriate balance 
of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of the Company 
to enable them to discharge their respective duties and 
responsibilities effectively.

The roles of the Non‑executive Chairman, J E Brown, and the 
Managing Director, E J Boot, are clearly defined and they act in 
accordance with the Main and Supporting Principles of the Code.

Throughout the year there were seven Board meetings attended by all 
Directors, two Audit Committee meetings, three Remuneration Committee 
meetings and the AGM, which they were entitled to attend. The Nomination 
Committee was set up during 2012. No meetings of that Committee 

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   42

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

have taken place since its inception. The Non‑executive Directors meet 
without the Executive Directors being present usually just prior to 
Board meetings. The Board considers that the Non‑executive Directors 
constructively challenge both the Executive Directors and divisional 
management at Board meetings and through ad hoc discussions.

Divisional Managing Directors attend Board meetings on a rotational basis 
to present their operational business plans and strategy to the Board.

All Directors are required to be re‑elected at intervals of no more 
than three years and newly appointed Directors are subject to election 
at the AGM following their appointment.

Training and development
The Board received appropriate training and updates on various matters 
as part of the regular Board meetings. All Directors are offered the 
opportunity and are encouraged to continue their professional 
development and update their commercial and Company knowledge 
as required. 

Board balance and independence
For the purposes of the accounting period under review, J E Brown 
and M I Gunston are the independent Non‑executive Directors and, 
with the Company being a ‘smaller company’ as defined by the Code, 
they fulfil the requirement for having two such Directors. M I Gunston 
is the senior independent Director of the Company. J J Sykes was 
appointed to represent the substantial shareholdings of the Reis family 
interests (see page 41) and is not regarded as an independent 
Non‑executive Director. 

Conflicts of interest
The Company’s Articles of Association enable the Board to authorise 
Directors’ conflicts of interest. 

Conflicts of interest are reported by Directors to the Company Secretary 
and in turn through the Board meeting processes. There have been 
no conflicts of interest reported to the Board during the year.

Board evaluation
The Executive Directors’ performance is reviewed annually by the 
Remuneration Committee to ensure that they continue to contribute 
effectively to the Group’s overall objectives. The Non‑executive 
Directors’ performance and commitment is kept under review 
throughout the year by the Executive Directors. The Non‑executive 
Directors meet without the Chairman to discuss the performance 
of the Chairman at least twice a year.

A performance evaluation of individual Directors was carried out and 
there was a formal evaluation of the Board and its Committees in 2012. 
The principal finding for consideration which arose from that Board 
evaluation was that the Nomination Committee should give further 
consideration during 2013 to the process of succession planning.

The Board Committees
The Board has formally constituted Audit, Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees. The terms of reference for these Committees 
fully incorporate the Code’s provisions in relation to their roles and 
responsibilities and are available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office.

Audit Committee
Those serving as members of the Audit Committee in 2012 were 
J J Sykes (Committee Chairman), J E Brown and M I Gunston. 
Biographies of the members of the Committee are shown on page 38. 
The Committee, in having reviewed this Annual Report, considers 
that the report is fair, balanced and understandable. The report is 
clear and concise in its summary of performance in the financial year. 

All material matters of interest to shareholders and external 
stakeholders have been reported to provide the information required 
to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy. 

The Committee met twice during the year, with the Company’s 
auditors in attendance for part of each meeting. The Committee’s 
responsibilities include, amongst other matters, the following:

 I to monitor the integrity of the Financial Statements of the Company 

and any formal announcements relating to the Company’s 
financial performance;

 I to review and make recommendations to the Board in relation 

to the Half‑yearly and Annual Reports;

 I to review and consider the scope and effectiveness of the 

Company’s financial controls, Company internal control and risk 
management systems;

 I to consider the appointment/re‑appointment of external auditors;

 I to oversee the selection process with regard to external auditors 
and make appropriate recommendations through the Board to 
the shareholders to consider at the AGM;

 I to review the annual management report of the auditors, the level of 
fees charged by the auditors for non‑audit services, the independence 
and objectivity of the auditors and the proposed nature and scope 
of their work before the audit commences. Details of fees paid for 
non‑audit services are set out in note 3 to the Financial Statements. 
The level of these fees and the services provided are reviewed by 
the Committee to ensure that they do not threaten auditor objectivity 
and independence. During the year, the Committee reviewed the 
independence and objectivity of the external auditors, which was 
confirmed in an independence letter containing information on 
procedures providing safeguards established by the external auditor. 
Regulation, professional requirements and ethical standards are 
taken into account, together with consideration of all relationships 
between the Company and the external auditors and their staff. 
Relations with the external auditors are managed through a series 
of meetings and regular discussions and we ensure a high quality 
audit by challenging the key areas of the external auditor’s work; 

 I to consider annually whether there is a need for an internal audit 

function and make recommendations to the Board. However, from 
past experience, the use of this function has not resulted in added 
value to the business and this continues to be the view of the 
Audit Committee in its deliberations this year; 

 I to review the Company’s procedures for handling allegations from 

‘whistleblowers’; and

 I to review annually the Company’s anti‑bribery policy.

J J Sykes has recent relevant financial experience and he continues 
to be a partner in Saffery Champness, a firm of chartered accountants, 
and such experience satisfies the Code requirement.

Remuneration Committee
The Committee met three times in the year to review the Executive 
Directors’ performance, levels of pay, bonuses, Long‑Term Incentive 
Plan (LTIP) grants and awards and to consider other remuneration and 
employment matters as deemed appropriate from time to time. Those 
serving as members of the Remuneration Committee in 2012 were 
M I Gunston (Committee Chairman), J E Brown and J J Sykes. E J Boot 
attended in an advisory and supportive role for two of those meetings.

Details of the work of the Remuneration Committee and the policies 
and procedures adopted with regard to Directors’ remuneration are 
set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 46.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   43

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

43

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Directors’ report continued

Corporate governance continued
Nomination Committee
As a requirement of the UK Corporate Governance Code, a Nomination 
Committee was formed in 2012 comprising J E Brown, Non‑executive 
Chairman, M I Gunston, Non‑executive senior independent Director, 
and J J Sykes, Non‑independent Non‑executive Director.

The Board recognises the importance of greater diversity (not just 
gender specific) in the boardroom and throughout the business. 
The Board aims to have a broad range of skills, backgrounds and 
experience whilst following a policy of ensuring we appoint the best 
people. Within this context and as part of the ongoing process of 
refreshing the Board, the Company will continue to encourage and 
welcome interest from candidates drawn from a diverse background, 
who will add to the Board’s diversity.

In terms of the Company as a whole, we give a more detailed breakdown 
of the makeup of the Group’s workforce within the Corporate 
Responsibility Report.

The principal responsibility of the Committee is to consider succession 
planning and appropriate appointments to the Board and to senior 
management, so as to maintain an appropriate balance of skills, 
knowledge and experience within the Company, and its duties include:

 I overseeing the identification, selection and appointment of Directors;

 I reviewing the structure, size, composition and leadership needs 

of the Board;

 I considering other commitments of Directors relative to the time 

required for them to fulfil their duties; and

 I periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board.

The Committee has access to external professional advisers where 
required to fulfil its responsibilities.

Accountability and audit
Details of the Directors’ responsibilities and the Directors’ Responsibility 
Statement are contained on page 49. The Independent Auditors’ 
Report is given on page 50.

The Directors’ statement in respect of the business as a ‘going concern’ 
is provided in the Directors’ Report on page 40.

Risk management and internal control
The Board operates and maintains a system of internal controls which 
is reviewed regularly for its effectiveness and which broadly accords 
with the Turnbull Committee guidance thereon. Whilst the system of 
internal control is designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of 
failure to achieve the Company’s business objectives, it can only provide 
reasonable, not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or 
loss. The system is, and has been, an ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Company. 
It has been in place for the period under review and up to the date 
of the approval of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

The following key processes are considered by the Board to provide 
effective management of significant risks to the business:

 I the business organisation and structured reporting framework 

– each of the Company’s activities is monitored through bi‑monthly 
management meetings and formal bi‑monthly subsidiary company 
Board meetings. The latter are attended by the Board’s Executive 
Directors and chaired by E J Boot. Formal lines of responsibility 
and levels of authority are in place within each subsidiary company. 
Annual plans, budgets (with two out‑post years) and performance 
criteria for each business are set by the Executive Directors and 
performance against these targets is reviewed monthly by the Board. 

Annual profit forecasts and 15 month cash flow forecasts are produced 
on a monthly basis. The Board monitors the risks and associated 
controls over financial reporting processes, including the consolidation 
process. The financial reporting controls are monitored and maintained 
through the use of internal control frameworks which address key 
financial reporting risks, including risks arising from changes in the 
business or accounting standards. Operations on the ground are 
also monitored frequently by way of visits to sites, depots, properties 
and regional offices by the Executive Directors; and

 I centralised operations – specific risks and compliance issues 

associated with health and safety, treasury and banking operations, 
company secretarial, pensions, legal, human resources and training, 
public and investor relations, information communication technology 
and insurance are managed centrally and report functionally to the 
appropriate Executive Director responsible for that particular operation. 

Each operation reviews its own system of internal controls and reports 
twice a year to the Audit Committee:

 I business procurement – development appraisals, land purchases, 
options and construction contracts above a certain value require 
the authority of the Executive Directors to proceed. A strict routine 
covering the authorisation of capital expenditure is in place and 
Board approval is required for any corporate acquisition or 
disposal; and

 I day‑to‑day operations – responsibility for running the day‑to‑day 
operations and for reviewing the associated systems of control is 
devolved to each subsidiary company Managing Director. Policy 
and procedure manuals cover major areas of their operations, 
including safety, purchasing, estimating, marketing, production 
and quality. The subsidiary company Managing Directors review 
and report to the Audit Committee on the effectiveness of the 
systems of internal controls in place and any matters of concern 
are raised at Board meetings.

Whistleblowing arrangements
The Company has operated a ‘whistleblowing’ arrangement 
throughout the year whereby all employees of the Group are able, 
via an independent external third party, to confidentially report any 
malpractice or matters of concern they have regarding the actions 
of employees, management and Directors and any breaches 
of the Company’s Anti‑Bribery and Corruption Policy.

Anti‑Bribery and Corruption Policy
The Company values its long‑standing reputation for ethical behaviour 
and integrity. Conducting its business with a zero tolerance approach 
to all forms of corruption is central to these values, the Group’s image 
and reputation. The Company policy sets out the standards expected 
of all Group employees in relation to anti‑bribery and corruption and 
the Board has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies 
with the Group’s legal and ethical obligations and that everyone 
in our organisation complies with it.

This policy is also relevant for third parties who perform services for 
or on behalf of the Group. The Group expects those persons to adhere 
to this policy or have in place equivalent policies and procedures 
to combat bribery and corruption.

Relations with shareholders
The Company is active in communicating with its thousand or so 
private and institutional shareholders and likewise receives feedback 
from them. It is this close relationship with shareholders that is seen 
as one of the particular strengths and characteristics of the Company. 
During the year a number of formal presentations were made by 
members of the Board to institutional shareholders. Feedback from 

44

www.henryboot.co.uk

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   44

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

one‑third shall retire from office. In addition, there shall also be required 
to retire by rotation any Director who at any AGM of the Company 
shall have been a Director at each of the preceding two AGMs of 
the Company, provided that he was not appointed or re‑appointed 
at either such AGM and he has not otherwise ceased to be a Director 
and been re‑appointed by general meeting of the Company at or 
since either such AGM.

The Company may, by ordinary resolution of which special notice 
has been given in accordance with the Companies Acts, remove any 
Director before his period of office has expired notwithstanding anything 
in the Articles or in any agreement between him and the Company. 
A Director may also be removed from office by the service on him of 
a notice to that effect signed by or on behalf of all the other Directors, 
being not less than three in number. The office of a Director shall be 
vacated if:

(i)  he is prohibited by law from being a Director;

(ii)   he becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition 

with his creditors generally;

(iii)   he is or may be suffering from a mental disorder as referred 

to in the Articles;

(iv)  for more than six months he is absent, without special leave 
of absence from the Board, from meetings of the Board held 
during that period and the Board resolves that his office be 
vacated; or

(v)   he serves on the Company notice of his wish to resign.

Compliance statement
The Company has complied with the vast majority of the provisions 
of the June 2010 edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
applicable to all Premium listed companies. The following provisions 
are those where the Company is not strictly in compliance with 
the code:

A.4.2, B.6.3
The performance of the Chairman is appraised by the Executive 
Directors as is the performance of the other Non‑executive Directors. 
As Henry Boot PLC is a smaller listed company, it is felt that this 
is the most appropriate approach.

D.2.2, D.2.3
The Chairman and the two Non‑executive Directors are members 
of the Remuneration Committee, their remuneration is set by the 
Executive Directors. As Henry Boot PLC is a smaller listed company, 
it is felt that this is the most appropriate approach.

J T Sutcliffe
Company Secretary
19 April 2013

Major shareholder notifications
Excluding Directors, at 25 March 2013, being a date not more 
than one month prior to the date of the Notice of the AGM, 
the information in the table below had been disclosed to the 
Company in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 5 
of the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules.

Voting rights over
ordinary shares

Number % of issued

Rysaffe Nominees and J J Sykes 
(joint holding)

22,057,155

16.82

FMR Corp*

Schroders plc

12,979,170

6,578,546

The Fulmer Charitable Trust

5,739,580

9.90

5.02

4.38

* Notified as indirect voting rights.
Rysaffe Nominees and J J Sykes are joint registered holders 
on behalf of various Reis family trusts, whose holdings are also 
included under the non‑beneficial interests of J J Sykes.

visits to institutional shareholders is provided to the Board by our 
stockbrokers. Our website is used to aid a two‑way communication 
process with both present and potential investors and includes all 
London Stock Exchange announcements, presentations to analysts 
and press releases over the last twelve months and links to the 
websites of our four principal operating subsidiaries. The attendance 
and participation of all shareholders at the AGM is much encouraged. 
At the AGM held in May 2012 proxies were received representing 
74.82% of the number of shares in issue and is a demonstration 
of shareholders’ active involvement in the affairs of the Company. 
Further information for shareholders is available under Shareholder 
information on pages 86 to 87.

Repurchase of shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and to any rights 
conferred on the holders of any class of shares, the Company may 
purchase all or any of its shares of any class, including any 
redeemable shares.

Amendment to the Articles of Association
Any amendments to the Articles may be made in accordance with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 by way of special resolution.

Appointment and replacement of Directors
The Directors shall not, unless otherwise determined by an ordinary 
resolution of the Company, be less than three nor more than 15 in 
number. Directors may be appointed by the Company by ordinary 
resolution or by the Board. A Director appointed by the Board shall 
retire from office at the next AGM of the Company but shall then 
be eligible for re‑appointment. The Board may appoint one or more 
Directors to hold any office or employment under the Company for 
such period (subject to the Companies Acts) and on such terms as 
it may decide and may revoke or terminate any such appointment. 
At each AGM any Director who has been appointed by the Board 
since the previous AGM and any Director selected to retire by rotation 
shall retire from office. At each AGM one‑third of the Directors who 
are subject to retirement by rotation or, if the number is not an integral 
multiple of three, the number nearest to one‑third but not exceeding 

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   45

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

45

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Directors’ remuneration report

The Directors present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2012. A resolution to approve the Report will 
be proposed at the Company’s AGM (Resolution 10). The auditors are required to report to the shareholders on the audited section of the 
Report and to state whether in their opinion it has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The Report therefore has 
separate sections containing unaudited and audited information.

During the year the Executive Directors participated in the Company’s 
long‑term incentive plan, details of which are set out in the table opposite. 
The principle of a long‑term incentive plan for senior executives is one 
that the Remuneration Committee and the Company believes readily 
aligns the interests of Executive Directors and shareholders, whilst 
providing the motivation and incentive for the Directors to perform 
at the highest levels.

Under the provisions of the Henry Boot PLC 2006 Long‑Term 
Incentive Plan, participants may receive a provisional allocation of 
shares up to 120% of basic salary calculated by reference to the 
share price at that time. This limit can only be exceeded in exceptional 
circumstances at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. 
Awards under the Plan, which usually vest in three years, are subject 
to three performance conditions over that three year period. These 
are the per annum increase in net asset value per share compared to 
an industry standard investment property annual index, the increase 
in profitability compared to the Retail Prices Index and Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR) compared to the median of a comparator group of the 
FTSE Small Cap Index. These targets ensure that the actual awards 
at the vesting date are aligned closely with the factors that drive 
shareholder return.

E J Boot is a pensioner member of The Henry Boot Staff Pension 
and Life Assurance Scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme. 
J T Sutcliffe is an active member of The Henry Boot Group Stakeholder 
Pension Scheme, a defined contribution scheme. The Stakeholder 
scheme provides a lump sum death in service benefit, a refund 
of contributions on death in service and, on death after retirement, 
a pension for dependants subject to what the policyholder decides. 
The notional leaving work age is currently 65. 

Five year TSR performance
The line graph below shows the cumulative TSR over the last five 
years for a holding of shares in the Company compared with the 
performance of the FTSE Small Cap Index. This comparator index 
has been chosen as the most appropriate index as the Company 
is included as a constituent of this index.

20)

10)

0)

(10)

(20)

(30)

(40)

(50)

(60)

(70)

(80)

Dec-07

Jun-08

Dec-08

Jun-09

Dec-09

Jun-10

Dec-10

Jun-11

Dec-11

Jun-12

Dec-12

FTSE Small Cap Index
Henry Boot PLC

Unaudited section
Remuneration Committee
The remuneration of the Executive Directors is fixed by the 
Remuneration Committee which during 2012 comprised the 
three Non‑executive Directors, namely M I Gunston (Committee 
Chairman), J E Brown and J J Sykes, with the Group Managing 
Director, E J Boot, in attendance at the Committee’s invitation.

The Executive Directors, E J Boot and J T Sutcliffe, determine 
the remuneration of the Non‑executive Directors.

To assist the Directors in determining the appropriate policy and 
levels of remuneration, reference is made, in addition to comparing 
policies with peer companies, to a variety of published sources.

Remuneration policy
The Company’s policy on Directors’ remuneration is to ensure that the 
Directors are competitively rewarded on a basis that is comparable 
with similar companies, taking into account the need to attract, motivate 
and retain Directors of an appropriate calibre to achieve the Company’s 
objectives, without making excessive payments. When setting the pay 
of Directors, the pay and employment conditions of employees across 
the Group are taken into account by the Remuneration Committee. 
As with employees, Directors are rewarded based on their role, their 
performance and the market rate for the job. Directors’ basic salaries 
and benefits, where applicable, are reviewed annually, taking into 
account individual performance, the recommendations of the Group 
Managing Director and published remuneration information. 
Benefits include the provision of a company car or a cash allowance 
alternative, permanent health insurance and private medical insurance. 
The value of benefits is not pensionable and is set out for each Director 
in the table of Directors’ remuneration.

Non‑executive Directors are remunerated on the basis of their 
anticipated time commitment and the responsibilities entailed in their 
role. There are no service agreements in place for the Non‑executive 
Directors and they do not participate in any of the Company’s incentive 
arrangements. Any newly appointed Non‑executive Director is expected 
to serve an initial period of at least three years. Terms and conditions 
of appointment relating to Non‑executive Directors are available for 
inspection at the registered office of the Company.

E J Boot and J T Sutcliffe each have a one year rolling service 
agreement. Termination of these arrangements would therefore be 
subject to their contractual terms and conditions which require a notice 
period of twelve months. Contractual compensation in the event 
of early termination of either contract provides for compensation 
of basic salary for the notice period. 

The Executive Directors participate in an annual bonus scheme. 
This is calculated by reference to pre‑tax profits achieved in the year, 
compared with budget, and as recommended by the Remuneration 
Committee. The annual bonus payable to all Executive Directors is 
not pensionable.

The Henry Boot PLC 2010 Sharesave Plan was approved by 
shareholders and is subject to HMRC rules. A grant of options was 
made on 26 October 2011 at an exercise price of 106p, a 10% 
discount to the prevailing market price. There were no performance 
criteria attached to the exercise of these options which are capable 
of exercise for a six month period three years from the date of grant. 
Both Executive Directors participate in this plan.

46

www.henryboot.co.uk

Henry Boot PLC

FTSE Small Cap Index

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   46

4/12/2013   2:16:22 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Audited section
Directors’ remuneration
The emoluments of the Directors, excluding pension contributions, are shown below:

J E Brown (Chairman)
E J Boot
J T Sutcliffe
M I Gunston (Non‑executive)
J J Sykes (Non‑executive)
J S Reis (Chairman) (retired 27 May 2011)

Salary
£’000

50
338
230
35
35
—
688

Salary
in lieu
of pension
£’000

— 
66
—
—
—
—
66

Bonus
£’000

—
241
165
—
—
—
406

Taxable
benefits
£’000

—
29
23
—
—
—
52

2012 
Total
£’000

50
674
418
35
35
—
1,212

2011
Total
£’000

42
672
432
34
25
15
1,220

Before its award, J T Sutcliffe sacrificed part of his cash bonus 
entitlement. A pension contribution equal to the amount given up 

was made into a pension plan for the benefit of his dependants. 
The amount in the bonus column reflects the full bonus earned.

Long‑term incentive plan awards
Performance shares

E J Boot

J T Sutcliffe

Plan

2006
2006
2006
2006

2006
2006
2006
2006

Date of
award

05/05/2009
04/05/2010
21/04/2011
01/05/2012

05/05/2009
04/05/2010
21/04/2011
01/05/2012

Market
price at
date of
award

72.5p
96.5p
121.5p
137.0p

72.5p
96.5p
121.5p
137.0p

At
1 January
2012

335,637
336,785
272,840
—

229,086
229,480
185,908
—

Awarded
during
the year

—
—
—
246,392

—
—
—
168,172

Vested
during
the year

135,000
—
—
—

91,640
—
—
—

Lapsed
during
the year

At
31 December
2012

Earliest/
actual
vesting
date

Market
valuation
on vesting

200,637
—
—
—

137,446
—
—
—

— 28/08/2012 126.125p
—
—
—

03/06/2013
336,785
21/05/2014
272,840
246,392 31/05/2015

— 28/08/2012 126.125p
—
—
—

03/06/2013
229,480
21/05/2014
185,908
168,172 31/05/2015

The number of shares at 1 January 2012 are the awards achievable 
under the long‑term incentive plans’ maximum performance conditions.

Details of performance conditions applicable to the 2006 Plan 
can be found on page 46.

For the award made on 5 May 2009 neither the profitability nor the net 
asset value per share targets were achieved. However, in view of the 
overall Total Shareholder Return performance of 120.2%, in the vesting 
period, the Remuneration Committee exercised its discretion to vest 
40% of the award.

There have been no variations to the terms and conditions or 
performance criteria for the long‑term incentive plans during 
the financial year.

Savings related share options
Details of options held by Directors under the Henry Boot PLC 2010 Sharesave Plan are shown below:

E J Boot
J T Sutcliffe

Scheme/
plan

2010
2010

At
1 January
2012

8,490
8,490

Granted
during
year

Number of options
Exercised
during
year

Lapsed
during
year

At 
31 December
2012

Exercise
price

Date from
which
exercisable

Expiry
date

—
—

—
—

—
—

8,490
8,490

106.0p 01/12/2014 31/05/2015
106.0p 01/12/2014 31/05/2015

Details of the schemes are set out in note 30 of the Financial Statements.

There have been no variations to the terms and conditions for share 
options during the financial year. Options granted under the 2010 
Sharesave Plan were not subject to performance criteria.

The market price of ordinary shares at 31 December 2012 
was 135.0p and the range during the year was 115.5p to 145.0p.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   47

4/12/2013   2:16:23 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

47

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Audited section continued
Directors’ pension information
1. Defined benefit pension scheme

Transfer
value at
1 January
2012
£’000(1)(4)

Transfer
value at
31 December
2012
£’000(1)(4)

Decrease
in transfer
value
£’000

Decrease in
transfer
value less
member
contributions
over year
£’000

Changes in
accrued
benefit in
relation to
inflation

Transfer
value of
the change
in accrued
benefit in
relation to
inflation

£’000(2)

£’000(2)

Accumulated
benefit
accrued
2012
£’000(3)

Accumulated
benefit
accrued
2011
£’000

E J Boot

5,874

5,419

(455)

(455)

— 

—

182

221

The transfer value has been calculated on the basis of actuarial 
advice in accordance with regulations 7 to 7E of the Occupational 
Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations 1996.

1.    E J Boot’s transfer values as at 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012 

are based on a capped final pensionable salary of £331,002. 

2.    No further pension has been accrued by E J Boot following his withdrawal 

from the scheme in April 2011.

3.    E J Boot began drawing benefits from the scheme on 19 November 2012 

and the accumulated benefit as at 31 December 2012 is the annual pension 
he now receives. In addition, E J Boot received a lump sum of £544,000 
(paid on 8 January 2013) in exchange for a proportion of his benefits 
from the scheme.

4.   Benefits and contributions relating to additional voluntary contributions 

are not included in the above table.

2. Defined contribution pension scheme
J T Sutcliffe is a member of the defined contribution pension 
scheme. Contributions paid by the Company in the year were 
£46,079 (2011: £45,176). 

On behalf of the Board

J T Sutcliffe
Company Secretary
19 April 2013

48

www.henryboot.co.uk

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   48

4/12/2013   2:16:23 PM

Directors’ responsibilities statement

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the Financial Statements 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Financial Statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared 
the Group and Parent Company Financial Statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted 
by the European Union (EU). 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 
the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 
In preparing these Financial Statements, the Directors are required to:

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.

Directors’ statement pursuant to the disclosure 
and transparency rules
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on page 38, 
confirms that, to the best of each person’s knowledge:

 I select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 I the Group Financial Statements, which have been prepared in 

 I make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

 I state whether applicable IFRS as adopted by the EU have been 

followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained 
in the Financial Statements; and

 I prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis, 

unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue 
in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the Company and the Group and to 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. They are also responsible 

accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group; and

 I the Directors’ Report contained in the Annual Report includes a 
fair review of the development and performance of the business 
and the position of the Group, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

On behalf of the Board

E J Boot 
Director 
19 April 2013 

J T Sutcliffe
Director
19 April 2013

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_1_BHY_ar12_middle_(NB_MR).indd   49

4/12/2013   2:16:23 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Independent auditors’ report
to the members of Henry Boot PLC

We have audited the Financial Statements of Henry Boot PLC for the year ended 31 December 2012 which comprise the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial Position, the Group and Parent Company 
Statements of Changes in Equity, the Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows, the Principal Accounting Policies and the 
related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the Parent Company Financial Statements, as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 49, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the Financial Statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion 
on the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

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.

Scope of the audit of the Financial Statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance 
that the Financial Statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: 
whether the Accounting Policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied 
and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the overall presentation of the 
Financial Statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report and Financial Statements to identify 
material inconsistencies with the audited Financial Statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies 
we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on Financial Statements 
In our opinion: 

 I the Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2012 

and of the Group’s profit and Group’s and Parent Company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

 I the Group Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 

 I the Parent Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union 

and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

 I 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 lAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 

 I the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and

 I the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the Financial Statements are prepared is consistent with the 

Financial Statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 

 I adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or 

 I the Parent Company Financial Statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or 

 I certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

 I we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

 I the Directors’ Statement, set out on page 40, in relation to going concern; 

 I the parts of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate 

Governance Code specified for our review; and

 I certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on Directors’ remuneration.

Ian Morrison (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Sheffield
19 April 2013

50

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   50

4/12/2013   2:14:43 PM

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other income
Administrative expenses
Pension expenses 

Increase/(decrease) in fair value of investment properties
Profit on sale of investment properties
(Loss)/profit on sale of assets held for sale

Operating profit 
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures

Profit before tax
Tax

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Other comprehensive income:
Revaluation of Group occupied property
Deferred tax on property revaluations
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension scheme
Deferred tax on actuarial loss
Movement in fair value of cash flow hedge
Deferred tax on cash flow hedge

Other comprehensive expense for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year attributable to:
Owners of the Parent Company
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the Parent Company
Non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per ordinary share for the profit attributable  
to owners of the Parent Company during the year

Diluted earnings per ordinary share for the profit attributable  
to owners of the Parent Company during the year

Note

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1

1

4

13

3
5
6
15

7

17
27
17
25
17

103,147
(75,607)

114,583
(78,783)

27,540
28
(13,286)
(1,956)

12,326
1,346
1,032
(11)

14,693
633
(1,415)
(8)

13,903
(2,452)

35,800
25
(13,420)
(1,657)

20,748
(4,275)
19
390

16,882
795
(1,595)
30

16,112
(5,323)

11,451

10,789

(35)
102
(10,687)
2,079
169
(51)

—
60
(9,902)
2,155
184
(54)

(8,423)

(7,557)

3,028

3,232

9,533
1,918

8,934
1,855

11,451

10,789

1,064
1,964

3,028

1,327
1,905

3,232

9

9

7.3p

6.9p

7.2p

6.8p

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   51

4/12/2013   2:14:43 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

51

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Statements of financial position
at 31 December 2012

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment properties
Investments
Investment in joint ventures
Trade and other receivables
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets classified as held for sale

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Borrowings
Provisions

NET CURRENT ASSETS

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital
Property revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Cost of shares held by ESOP trust

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Group

Parent Company

Note

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

11
12
13
14
15
16
17

18
16

20

21

24
26

21
24
27
26

30
31
31
31
32

9,152 
16,562 
140,375 
— 
22 
11,538 
8,904 

10,417
15,622
138,198
—
30
15,838
7,364

—
81 
—
3,021 
—
—
7,519 

— 
133
— 
3,021
—
— 
6,008

186,553 

187,469

10,621 

9,162

81,560 
37,268 
— 
3,418 
1,900 

62,115
37,617
—
4,246
909

—
179,290 
745
351 
—

— 
161,815
— 
166
— 

124,146 

104,887

180,386 

161,981

51,786 
438 
19,223 
9,384 

50,242
1,957
1,422
8,973

82,562 
—
18,942
—

78,697
406
— 
— 

80,831 

62,594

101,504 

79,103

43,315 

42,293

78,882 

82,878

2,244 
6,137 
30,533 
9,051 

2,462
5,083
22,649
13,531

—
—
30,533 
—

— 
— 
22,649
—

47,965 

43,725

30,533

22,649

181,903 

186,037

58,970 

69,391

13,510 
3,271 
160,692 
3,497 
(444) 

13,510
3,354
165,093
3,425
(601)

180,526 
1,377 

184,781
1,256

13,510 
—
41,153 
4,751 
(444) 

58,970 
—

13,510
—
51,731
4,751
(601)

69,391
—

181,903 

186,037

58,970 

69,391

The financial statements of Henry Boot PLC, registered number 160996, were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 19 April 2013.

On behalf of the Board

E J Boot 
Director 

J T Sutcliffe
Director 

52

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   52

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

Statements of changes in equity
at 31 December 2012

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Group

At 1 January 2011

Attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Share
capital
£’000

Property
revaluation
reserve
£’000

Note

Retained
earnings
£’000

Other
reserves
£’000

Cost of
shares held
by ESOP
 trust
£’000

Non-
controlling
interests
£’000

Total
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

13,424

3,294

168,528

2,774

(476)

187,544

1,097

188,641

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Total comprehensive income

Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

10
31
32
31, 32

— 
—

— 

— 
86
—
— 

86

— 
60

60

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

8,934
(7,747)

1,187

(4,941)
— 
— 
319

(4,622)

— 
80

80

— 
571
—
— 

571

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
(360)
235

(125)

8,934
(7,607)

1,327

(4,941)
657
(360)
554

1,855
50

1,905

(1,746)
— 
— 
— 

10,789
(7,557)

3,232

(6,687)
657
(360)
554

(4,090)

(1,746)

(5,836)

At 31 December 2011

13,510

3,354

165,093

3,425

(601)

184,781

1,256

186,037

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive (expense)/income

Total comprehensive (expense)/income

Equity dividends
Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares
Purchase of treasury shares
Transfer to retained earnings
Share-based payments

10
32
32

31, 32

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

—
67

67

—
—
—
(150)
—

(150)

9,533
(8,608)

925

(5,760)
— 
— 
150
284

(5,326)

—
72

72

—
—
—
—
—

— 

—
—

—

—
16
(79)
—
220

157

9,533
(8,469)

1,064

(5,760)
16
(79)
—
504

1,918
46

1,964

(1,843)
— 
— 
—
—

11,451
(8,423)

3,028

(7,603)
16
(79)
—
504

(5,319)

(1,843)

(7,162)

At 31 December 2012

13,510

3,271

160,692

3,497

(444)

180,526

1,377

181,903

Parent Company

At 1 January 2011

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive expense

Total comprehensive expense

Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2011

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive expense

Total comprehensive expense

Equity dividends
Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

Note

8

10
30, 31

31

8

10
32
32
31

Share
capital
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Other
reserves
£’000

Cost of
shares held
by ESOP
 trust
£’000

Total 
equity
£’000

13,424

63,776

4,180

— 

81,380

— 
—

—

—
86
—
—

86

452
(7,747)

(7,295)

(4,941)
— 
— 
191

(4,750)

— 
— 

— 

— 
571
—
— 

571

13,510

51,731

4,751

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

3,642
(8,608)

(4,966)

(5,760)
—
—
148

(5,612)

— 
— 

— 

— 
—
—
— 

— 

—
—

—

—
— 
(836) 
235

(601)

(601)

— 
— 

— 

— 
16
(79)
220

157

452
(7,747)

(7,295)

(4,941)
657
(836)
426

(4,694)

69,391

3,642
(8,608)

(4,966)

(5,760)
16
(79)
368

(5,455)

At 31 December 2012

13,510

41,153

4,751

(444)

58,970

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   53

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

53

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Statements of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit/(loss) 
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Amortisation of PFI asset
Goodwill impairment
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment losses on land and buildings
Revaluation (increase)/decrease in investment properties
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees 
Share-based payment expense
Pension scheme credit
Provision against investments in subsidiaries
Movements on provision against loans to subsidiaries
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets held for sale
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Gain on disposal of investment properties

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Increase in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Tax paid

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of investment property
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of investment properties
Proceeds on disposal of assets held for sale
Interest received
Dividends received from subsidiaries

Net cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares
Purchase of treasury shares
Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares
Decrease in borrowings
Increase in borrowings
Dividends paid 

– ordinary shares
– non-controlling interests
– preference shares

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Net cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Analysis of net (debt)/funds:
Cash and cash equivalents
Bank overdrafts

Net cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans
Related party loans
Government loans

Net (debt)/funds

54

www.henryboot.co.uk

Group

Parent Company

Note

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

14,693

16,882

(1,503)

(9,509)

11
11
12
12
13

3

11
12
13

30
32
32

10

10

24
24
24

1,131
203
2,996
75
(1,346)
37
504
(2,803)
—
— 
11
(333)
(1,032)

14,136
(19,376)
7,520
(2,973)

(693)
(1,135)
(3,381)

1,126
204
2,994
—
4,275
20
554
(3,474)
—
—
(390)
(342)
(19)

21,830
(3,797)
(15,004)
948

3,977
(1,518)
(3,539)

—
—
70
—
—
—
368
(2,803)
— 
(1,495)
—
(10)
—

(5,373)
—
(13,744)
708

(18,409)
(3,474)
(1,601)

—
—
90
—
—
—
426
(3,474)
2,201
5,309
—
—
—

(4,957)
—
7,958
4,452

7,453
(3,709)
(1,806)

(5,209)

(1,080)

(23,484)

1,938

(69)
(4,506)
(10,429)
620
6,579
964
33
— 

(40)
(3,601)
(8,900)
561
321
28,140
124
—

—
(28)
—
20
—
—
7,803
2,755

—
(50)
— 
9
—
—
6,934
5,000

(6,808)

16,605

10,550

11,893

— 
(79)
16
(11,222)
30,077
(5,739)
(1,843)
(21)

657
(360)
—
(9,678)
752
(4,920)
(1,746)
(21)

— 
(79)
16

(10,000) 
28,000
(5,739)
—
(21)

657
(360)
—
(10,000)
—
(4,920)
—
(21)

11,189

(15,316)

12,177

(14,644)

(828)
4,246

3,418

3,418
—

3,418
(22,331)
(200)
(2,829)

209
4,037

4,246

4,246
—

4,246
(5,553)
(200)
(752)

(757)
166

(591)

351
(942)

(591)
(18,000)
—
—

(21,942)

(2,259)

(18,591)

(813)
979

166

166
—

166
—
—
—

166

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   54

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

 
   
 
   
 
Principal accounting policies

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

The principal Accounting Policies adopted in the preparation of the Group’s IFRS Financial Statements are set out below. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

The Company is a public limited company, listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. 
The address of its registered office is Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield, United Kingdom S11 9PD.

Basis of preparation and statement of compliance
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS adopted by the EU, IFRIC interpretations and the 
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS regulations. They have 
been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for financial instruments, investment properties and Group occupied land and buildings, 
which are measured at fair value.

Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements are a consolidation of the Financial Statements of the Parent Company and all entities controlled 
by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern 
the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the Financial Statements of subsidiaries to bring the Accounting Policies used in line with those 
used by the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. The results of subsidiaries 
acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income from the effective date of 
acquisition or disposal.

Non-controlling interests in the fair value of the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. 
Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling 
interests’ share of changes in equity since the date of the combination.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment. Cost is adjusted to reflect changes in consideration arising from contingent 
consideration amendments. Cost also includes direct attributable costs of investment.

Going concern
The Directors have, at the time of approving the Financial Statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting 
in preparing the Financial Statements. Further detail is contained in the Directors’ Report on page 40.

Investments in associates
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanied by a share of between 20% 
and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised 
at cost. The Group’s share of its associates’ post-acquisition profits or losses are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. If the share of losses equals 
its investment, the Group does not recognise further losses, except to the extent that there are amounts receivable that may not be recoverable 
or there are further commitments to provide funding.

Joint ventures
Joint ventures are all entities in which the Group has shared control with another entity, established by contractual agreement. Jointly controlled 
entities are accounted for using the equity method from the date that the jointly controlled entity commences until the date that the joint control 
of the entity ceases. The Group’s share of profits or losses is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. If the share 
of losses equals its investment, the Group does not recognise further losses, except to the extent that there are amounts receivable that may 
not be recoverable or there are further commitments to provide funding. The accounting policies of the joint ventures are consistent with 
those of the Group.

Business combinations and goodwill
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration for each acquisition is measured 
as the aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued 
by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree.

The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration agreement. Subsequent 
changes in fair value of contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability are accounted for in accordance with IAS 39.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair 
values at the acquisition date.

Acquisition related costs are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as incurred.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   55

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

55

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Principal accounting policies continued

Business combinations and goodwill continued
Goodwill arising on consolidation of subsidiary undertakings is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of 
the cost of the business combination over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
recognised. Goodwill is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is subjected to an impairment test 
at the Statement of Financial Position date or when there has been an indication that the goodwill should be impaired, any loss is recognised 
immediately through the Statement of Comprehensive Income and is not subsequently reversed. For the purpose of impairment testing, 
goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the 
business combination in which goodwill arose.

Assets classified as held for sale
Non-current assets are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction and 
a sale is considered highly probable. They are stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount 
is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course 
of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Revenue from construction contracts is recognised in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy on construction contracts (see below).

Revenue from the sale of land and properties is recognised at the point of legal completion and where title has passed.

Revenue from the Group’s PFI concession is recognised by the calculation of ‘shadow tolls’ which are based on vehicle usage of the A69 
for the period of account.

Revenue from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term, except for contingent rental income which is 
recognised when it arises. When the Group provides incentives to its tenants, the cost of incentives is recognised over the lease term, 
on a straight line basis, as a reduction to revenue.

Revenue from the hire of plant and equipment is measured as the fair value of sales proceeds from such which relate to the period of account.

Construction contracts
Where the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract revenue and contract costs are recognised by reference 
to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the Statement of Financial Position date and profit is that estimated to fairly reflect the 
profit arising up to that date.

Contract revenue is recognised in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract where the contract’s outcome can be estimated 
reliably. The principal method used to recognise the stage of completion of a contract is an in-house survey of the work performed.

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

Contract revenue includes an assessment of the amounts agreed in the contract, plus or less any variations in contract work and claims 
to the extent that they are approved and can be measured reliably. The Group therefore assesses the revenue recognised on a contract 
by contract basis.

Variations and claims are changes to the original contractual obligations, which may be valued by contractual rates or agreed rates, or 
changes to contract conditions, loss and expense, prolongation, disruption or additional prelims. They are included to the extent that it is 
probable that they will result in revenue and they are capable of being reliably measured. Our judgement on these matters is based on past 
experience, external valuers, external influences (weather, for example), trends, risk profile and nature of the contract, competency of 
consultants and legal constraints.

Operating segments
The chief operating decision maker is the person or group that allocates resources to and assesses the performance of the operating 
segments of an entity. The Group has determined that its chief operating decision maker is the Board of Henry Boot PLC (‘the Board’).

Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board in making strategic decisions.

The Board considers the business based on the following operating segments:

 I property investment and development, inclusive of property investment and development and trading activities;

 I land development, inclusive of land management, development and trading activities; and 

 I construction, inclusive of its PFI company, plant hire and regeneration activities.

Whilst the following is not a reportable segment, information about it is considered by the Board in conjunction with the reportable segments:

 I Group overheads, comprising central services, pensions, head office administration, in-house leasing and other mainly ‘not for profit’ activities.

56

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   56

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Investment property
Investment properties, which are properties held to earn rental income and for capital appreciation, are stated at fair value at the Statement 
of Financial Position date.

On completion, investment property is carried at fair value, based on market values. Other than houses, property is then valued annually by 
independent valuers. Houses are held at Directors’ valuation. Any surplus or deficit arising from these valuations is included in the Statement 
of Comprehensive Income. When an existing investment property is redeveloped for continued future use as an investment property, it remains 
an investment property whilst in development.

Investment properties under construction
Investment properties under construction are held at fair value unless a fair value cannot be reliably determined in which case it is accounted 
for at cost. Valuation movements on investment properties under construction are reflected in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Property, plant and equipment
Group occupied properties are stated in the Statement of Financial Position at their revalued amounts, being the fair value, based on 
market values, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation or subsequent accumulated impairment loss. Fair value is determined 
annually by independent valuers. Surpluses on revaluations are transferred to the revaluation reserve. Deficits on revaluations are charged 
against the revaluation reserve to the extent that there are available surpluses relating to the same asset and are otherwise charged to the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

In respect of buildings, depreciation is provided where it is considered significant having regard to the estimated remaining useful lives 
and residual values of individual properties.

Plant and vehicles and office equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. Cost includes 
the original purchase price of the asset plus any costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight line method, 
mainly at the following annual rates:

 I plant and machinery 

– between 25% and 50%

 I motor vehicles 

– between 20% and 25%

 I office equipment   

– 25%

Intangible assets excluding goodwill
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. The PFI asset represents the capitalised cost of the initial 
project, together with the capitalised cost of any additional major works to the road and structures, which are then amortised, on a straight 
line basis, over 20 years or the remaining life of the concession. The concession lasts a period of 30 years and has a further 13 years to run.

Leasing
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. 
All other leases are classified as operating leases and rentals are charged wholly to the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Assets held under finance leases are capitalised in the Statement of Financial Position and depreciated over their expected useful lives 
or the lease term, whichever is the shorter. The interest element of leasing payments represents a constant proportion of the capital balance 
outstanding and is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the period of the lease.

Where the Group acts as a lessor in the case of operating leases, rental income is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant 
lease after adjustment for any rent free periods or other incentives.

Where the Group acts as a lessee in the case of operating leases, rentals payable are recognised on a straight line basis over the term 
of the relevant lease.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value which, in the case of land held for development, is deemed to be the estimated 
existing use value where satisfactory planning permission has not yet been obtained.

The cost of options to purchase land and planning promotion agreements are carried at the lower of cost or estimated net realisable value 
and are subject to regular impairment reviews.

Developments in progress comprise all the direct costs incurred in bringing the individual schemes to their present state at the Statement 
of Financial Position date less the value of any impairment losses.

Retirement benefit costs
Payments to the defined contribution retirement benefit scheme are charged as an expense as they fall due.

The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit retirement scheme is determined using the Projected Unit Credit Method, with actuarial 
calculations being carried out at each Statement of Financial Position date. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the period in 
which they occur. They are recognised within ‘Other comprehensive income’ within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 
The net periodic benefit cost, comprising the employer’s share of the service cost and the interest cost, less the expected return on assets, 
is charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Group’s net obligations in respect of the scheme are calculated 
by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. This is then 
discounted to present value and the fair value of the scheme’s assets is then deducted.

www.henryboot.co.uk

57

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   57

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Principal accounting policies continued

Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees are measured at fair value of the equity instruments at the date of grant and are 
expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period. Fair value is measured by a Monte Carlo pricing model taking in to account any 
market performance conditions and excludes the effect of non market-based vesting conditions. Details regarding the determination of the 
fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in note 30. At each reporting period date, the Group estimates the number 
of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non market-based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision, if any, 
is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves.

SAYE share options are treated as cancelled when employees cease to contribute to the scheme. This results in accelerated recognition 
of the expenses that would have arisen over the remainder of the original vesting period.

Details regarding the determination of the fair value of share-based transactions are set out in note 30. 

Tax
The tax charge on the profit or loss for the year comprises the sum of tax currently payable and any deferred tax movements in the year.

Tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year adjusted for any tax payable or repayable in respect of earlier years. 
Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income because it excludes items of income 
or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that may never be taxable or deductible.

The Group’s liability for current taxation is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the Statement 
of Financial Position date.

Corporation tax liabilities of wholly owned subsidiary companies are transferred to and paid by the Parent Company and credit is given 
by the Parent Company for loss relief surrendered.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
in the Financial Statements and the corresponding tax bases used in computing taxable profits.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each Statement of Financial Position date and reduced to the extent that 
it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits or gains will be available to allow all or part of the assets to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred 
tax is charged or credited in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, 
in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so and when the deferred 
tax assets and liabilities relate to tax levied by the same tax authority where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Dividends
Dividends are only recognised as a liability in the actual period in which they are declared.

Share capital
Ordinary share capital is classified as equity. Preference share capital is classified as equity as it is non-redeemable or is redeemable only 
at the Company’s option and any dividends are discretionary. Dividends on preference share capital classified as equity are recognised 
as distributions within equity.

Financial instruments
The Group retains such financial instruments as are required, together with retained earnings, in order to finance the Group’s operations.

Financial assets or financial liabilities are recognised by the Group in the Statement of Financial Position only when the Group becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The principal financial instruments are:

 I trade and other receivables which are recognised and carried at the lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. 

Where the time value of money is material, receivables are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method (see Interest 
income and expense on page 59). Provision is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to recover balances 
in full. Balances are written off when the probability of recovery is assessed as being remote. Should an amount previously written off prove 
recoverable the amount written off is reversed through the Statement of Comprehensive Income to the extent that the amount written back 
does not exceed the amortised cost had the write off not been recognised;

 I cash and cash equivalents, which comprise cash in hand, demand deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily 
convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value with an original maturity of three months 
or less; 

 I trade and other payables which are on normal credit terms, are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal values. Where the time 
value of money is material, payables are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method (see Interest income and expense 
on page 59);

 I borrowings: see page 59; and

 I derivatives: see page 59.

58

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   58

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost; 
any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. 

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that some or 
all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the drawdown occurs. To the extent there is no evidence that it is 
probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as a pre-payment for liquidity services and amortised over 
the period of the facility to which it relates.

Derivatives and hedging
Derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps are occasionally entered into in order to manage interest rate risks arising 
from long-term debt. Such derivative instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered 
into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when 
the fair value is negative.

At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Group formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which the Group wishes 
to apply hedge accounting and the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. The documentation includes identification 
of the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the entity will assess the hedging 
instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. 
Such hedges are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows and are assessed on an ongoing 
basis to determine that they actually have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated.

For the purpose of cash flow hedge accounting, hedges are classified as cash flow hedges when hedging exposure to variability in cash 
flows that is attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction.

The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised directly in equity, while any ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss, such as when the hedged financial income or financial expense is recognised or when a forecast sale occurs. 
Where such derivative transactions are executed, gains and losses on the fair value of such arrangements are taken either to reserves or 
to the Statement of Comprehensive Income dependent upon the nature of the instrument.

If the forecast transaction or firm commitment is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognised in equity are transferred to 
profit or loss. If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as 
a hedge is revoked, amounts previously recognised in equity remain in equity until the forecast transaction or firm commitment occurs.

When a derivative is held as an economic hedge for a period beyond twelve months after the end of the reporting period, the derivative 
is classified as non-current (or separated into current and non-current portions) consistent with the classification of the underlying item. 
A derivative instrument that is a designated and effective hedging instrument is classified consistent with the classification of the underlying 
hedged item. The derivative instrument is separated into a current portion and non-current portion only if: 1) a reliable allocation can be 
made; and 2) it is applied to all designated and effective hedging instruments.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that 
the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the Statement 
of Financial Position date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using 
the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is 
recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

Interest income and expense
Interest income and expense are recognised within ‘Finance income’ and ‘Finance costs’ in the Statement of Comprehensive Income using 
the effective interest rate method, except for borrowing costs relating to qualifying assets, which are capitalised as part of the cost of that 
asset. The Group has chosen not to capitalise borrowing costs on all qualifying assets which are measured at fair value.

The effective interest rate method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or financial liability and of allocating the 
interest income or interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
payments or receipts throughout the expected life of the financial instrument, or a shorter period where appropriate, to the net carrying 
amount of the financial asset or financial liability.

Government grants
Government grants are recognised at their fair value in the Statement of Financial Position, within deferred income, where there is reasonable 
assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. 

Government grants are then released to the Statement of Comprehensive Income and recognised within cost of sales over the period 
necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the costs that they are intended to compensate.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   59

4/12/2013   2:14:44 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

59

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Principal accounting policies continued

Judgements and key assumptions
The critical judgements in applying the Group’s Accounting Policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised 
in the Financial Statements, apart from those involving estimations (see below), relate to revenue recognition, construction contracts and 
inventories. All of these are referred to on pages 56 and 57 and each is interpreted by management in the light of IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, IAS 11 
‘Construction Contracts’ and IAS 2 ‘Inventories’.

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the Statement of Financial Position date, 
and that could have a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities over the ensuing year, are retirement benefit costs, 
fair value of investment properties and of Group occupied properties, provisions and the impairment review of land, option and agency costs 
carried forward in inventories. The estimates used in retirement benefit costs are arrived at in conjunction with the scheme’s actuary and 
advisers, those having the most significant impact being mortality rates and bond yields. The fair value of completed investment property 
and of Group occupied property is determined by independent valuation experts using the yield method valuation technique. In most cases 
the fair values are determined based on recent market transactions with similar characteristics and location to those of the Company’s 
assets. The fair value of investment property under construction has been determined using the residual method by the Directors of the 
Company. Amounts recognised in relation to provisions are determined based on assumptions about items such as the risk adjustment to 
cash flows or discount rates used, future changes in prices and estimates of costs. Impairment relating to land, option and agency costs 
is considered individually by management in the light of progress made in the planning process, feedback from local planning officers and 
other external factors that might be considered likely to influence the eventual outcome. 

Impact of accounting standards and interpretations
At the date of authorisation of these Financial Statements, the following standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards 
are mandatory for the first time for the accounting period ended 31 December 2012:

IAS 1 (amended 2011)

‘Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income’

1 July 2012

The adoption of these standards and interpretations has not had a significant impact on the Group. 

At the date of the authorisation of these Financial Statements, the following standards, amendments and interpretations were in issue but not 
yet effective:

Effective from

IFRIC 20 (issued 2011)
IAS 12 (amended 2010)
IAS 19 (amended 2011)
IAS 27 (issued 2011)
IAS 27 (issued 2012)
IAS 28 (issued 2011)
IAS 32 (amended 2011)
IFRS 1 (amended 2010)
IFRS 1 (amended 2012)
IFRS 7 (amended 2011)
IFRS 9 (issued 2009) and 
subsequent amendments 
(issued 2011)
IFRS 10 (issued 2011)
IFRS 10 (issued 2012)
IFRS 10 (issued 2012)
IFRS 11 (issued 2011)
IFRS 11 (issued 2012)
IFRS 12 (issued 2011)
IFRS 12 (issued 2012)
IFRS 12 (issued 2012)
IFRS 13 (issued 2011)
* Not yet endorsed by the EU.

‘Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine’
‘Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets’
‘Employee Benefits’
‘Separate Financial Statements’
‘Investment Entities’
‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’
‘Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’
‘Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters’
‘Government Loans’
‘Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’
‘Financial Instruments’

‘Consolidated Financial Statements’
‘Transition Guidance’
‘Investment Entities’
‘Joint Arrangements’
‘Transition Guidance’
‘Disclosures of Interests in Other Entities’
‘Transition Guidance’
‘Investment Entities’
‘Fair Value Measurement’

Effective from

1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2014
1 January 2014*
1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2015*

1 January 2014
1 January 2013*
1 January 2014*
1 January 2014
1 January 2013*
1 January 2014
1 January 2013*
1 January 2014*
1 January 2013

A review of the impact of these standards, amendments and interpretations continues. With the exception of IAS 19 (amended 2011) 
the Directors do not believe that they will give rise to any significant financial impact.

The Directors believe that the adoption of IAS 19 (amended 2011) will result in an increase in the expected pension expense of approximately 
£1.3m which will be recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income during 2013.

There are a number of minor amendments to other standards which are part of the International Accounting Standards Board’s annual 
improvements project issued on 17 May 2012. The improvements comprise amendments that result in accounting changes for presentation, 
recognition or measurement purposes, as well as terminology or editorial amendments related to a variety of individual IFRS standards. 
The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. No material changes to Accounting Policies 
are expected as a result of these amendments.

In 2012, the Group did not early adopt any new or amended standards and does not plan to early adopt any of the standards issued 
but not yet effective. 

60

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   60

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

1. Revenue
Analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

Activity in the United Kingdom

Revenue from construction contracts
Property development
Land development
PFI concession income
Plant and equipment hire
Investment property rental income
Other rental income

Other income

2012
£’000

63,489
2,649
9,061
11,144
9,203
7,461
140

2011
£’000

52,745
4,139
30,005
11,155
9,291
7,093
155

103,147
28

114,583
25

103,175

114,608

Contingent rents recognised as income during the year amount to £226,000 (2011: £315,000).

Other income relates to payments received under a debt agreement with the Export Credit Guarantee Department arising from a long-completed 
contract that was not paid for at the time.

2. Segment information
For the purpose of the Board making strategic decisions, the Group is currently organised into three operating segments: Property investment 
and development; Land development; and Construction. Group overheads are not a reportable segment; however, information about them 
is considered by the Board in conjunction with the reportable segments.

Operations are carried out entirely within the United Kingdom.

Inter-segment sales are charged at prevailing market prices.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s Accounting Policies. The Group’s Principal Accounting 
Policies are described on pages 55 to 60.

Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment before tax and is consistent with the measure reported to the Group’s Board 
for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

Revenues from external sales are detailed in note 1.

2012

Revenue

External sales
Inter-segment sales

Total revenue

Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of loss of joint ventures

Profit/(loss) before tax
Tax

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other information
Capital additions
Depreciation
Impairment
Amortisation

Property
investment
and

Land

development development Construction
£’000

£’000

£’000

Group

overheads Eliminations
£’000

£’000

Total
£’000

15,361
299

15,660

7,355
1,334
(6,769)
(8)

1,912
2,284

4,196

10,535
35
75
37

8,750
—

8,750

2,329
742
(1,080)
—

1,991
(466)

1,525

79,036
951

79,987

7,888
1,355
(634)
—

8,609
(2,102)

—
552

552

(2,892)
10,558
(3,533)
—

4,133
(2,060)

— 103,147
—

(1,802)

(1,802)

103,147

13
(13,356)
10,601
—

(2,742)
(108)

14,693
633
(1,415)
(8)

13,903
(2,452)

6,507

2,073

(2,850)

11,451

9
22
—
—

3,454
2,406
203
1,131

1,006
533
—
—

—
—
—
—

15,004
2,996
278
1,168

www.henryboot.co.uk

61

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   61

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Property
investment
and

Land

2011

development development Construction
£’000

£’000

£’000

Group
overheads
£’000

Eliminations
£’000

Total
£’000

12,478
310

30,124
—

71,981
363

12,788

30,124

72,344

272
1,233
(6,219)
30

(4,684)
(1,705)

11,017
678
(636)
—

11,059
(2,996)

7,339
1,339
(698)
—

7,980
(2,086)

(6,389)

8,063

5,894

8,927
51
—
20

17
51
—
—

2,535
2,426
204
1,126

—
446

446

(1,746)
11,934
(3,431)
—

6,757
1,386

8,143

1,062
466
—
—

— 114,583
—

(1,119)

(1,119)

114,583

—
(14,389)
9,389
—

(5,000)
78

16,882
795
(1,595)
30

16,112
(5,323)

(4,922)

10,789

—
—
—
—

12,541
2,994
204
1,146

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

167,760
101,445
26,497
2,675

159,452
93,899
25,503
1,892

298,377

280,746

8,904
3,418

7,364
4,246

310,699

292,356

4,331
23,808
42,354
1,972

4,684
26,373
42,442
1,709

72,465

75,208

438
19,223
6,137
30,533

1,957
1,422
5,083
22,649

128,796

106,319

181,903

186,037

2. Segment information continued

Revenue

External sales
Inter-segment sales

Total revenue

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of joint ventures

Profit/(loss) before tax
Tax

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other information
Capital additions
Depreciation
Goodwill impairment
Amortisation

Segment assets
Property investment and development
Land development
Construction
Group overheads and other 

Unallocated assets
Deferred tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Segment liabilities
Property investment and development
Land development
Construction
Group overheads and other

Unallocated liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations

Total liabilities

Total net assets

62

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   62

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

3. Operating profit
Operating profit has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment – owned assets
Impairment of goodwill included in administrative expenses
Amortisation of PFI asset included in cost of sales
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees
Impairment losses on land and buildings
Loss/(profit) on sale of assets held for sale
Impairment losses recognised on trade receivables
Property rentals under operating leases
(Increase)/decrease in fair value of investment property
Cost of inventories recognised as expense
Employee costs
Amounts payable to Deloitte LLP by Road Link (A69) Limited in respect of audit services
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

The remuneration paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s external auditors, was as follows:

Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts and consolidated financial statements
Fees payable to the auditors and their associates for other services:
– audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
– tax services 
– other services

Total fees

2012
£’000

2,996
203
1,131
37
75
11
122
176
(1,346)
4,657
20,665
8
(333)

2012
£’000

50

114
87
111

362

2011
£’000

2,994
204
1,126
20
—
(390)
93
151
4,275
19,393
20,936
8
(342)

2011
£’000

44

96
75
36

251

In addition, fees of £12,975 (2011: £12,592) were paid to Hawsons in their capacity as auditors of The Henry Boot Staff Pension and Life 
Assurance Scheme. 

4. Employee costs

Wages and salaries
Share-based payment expense
Social security costs
Defined benefit pension costs (see note 27)
Defined contribution pension costs (see note 27)
Other pension costs

The average monthly number of employees during the year, including Executive Directors, was:

Property investment and development
Land development
Construction
Plant hire 
Group overheads

2012
£’000

16,205
504
1,842
1,649
236
49

2011
£’000

16,569
554
1,961
1,416
178
63

20,485

20,741

2012
Number

2011
Number

30
29
219
110
50

438

28
28
225
108
50

439

www.henryboot.co.uk

63

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   63

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

5. Finance income

Interest on bank deposits
Interest on other loans and receivables
Fair value adjustments on trade receivables

6. Finance costs

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Interest on other loans and payables
Fair value adjustments on trade payables
Fair value adjustments on borrowings
Provisions: unwinding of discount (note 26)

7. Tax

Current tax:
UK corporation tax on profits for the year
Adjustment in respect of earlier years

Total current tax

Deferred tax (note 17):
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustment in respect of earlier years

Total deferred tax

Total tax

2012
£’000

17
34
582

633

2012
£’000

1,126
15
226
33
15

1,415

2011
£’000

109
15
671

795

2011
£’000

1,194
19
353
3
26

1,595

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2,079
(217)

1,862

826
(236)

590

2,452

4,162
(267)

3,895

1,321
107

1,428

5,323

Corporation tax is calculated at 24.5% (2011: 26.5%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year.

During the year, as a result of the change in the UK corporation tax rate from 24% to 23% that was substantively enacted on 3 July 2012 and 
planned to be effective from 1 April 2013, the relevant deferred tax balances have been re-measured. Deferred tax balances at the year end 
have been measured at 23%.

Further reductions to the UK tax rate were announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement and the March 2013 Budget. The changes propose to 
reduce the rate to 21% from 1 April 2014 and to 20% from 1 April 2015. These changes had not been substantively enacted at the Statement 
of Financial Position date and, therefore, are not recognised in these Financial Statements. The impact of this change on the deferred tax 
position of the Group is not expected to be material.

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the Statement of Comprehensive Income as follows:

Profit before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate
Effects of:
Permanent differences
Short-term timing differences
Adjustment in respect of earlier years
Joint venture results reported net of tax
Deferred tax adjustment in respect of earlier years

Effective tax rate

64

www.henryboot.co.uk

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

13,903

16,112

2012
%

2011
%

24.50

26.50

(1.77)
(1.83)
(1.56)
— 
(1.70)

7.59
—
(1.66)
(0.05)
0.66

17.64

33.04

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   64

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

7. Tax continued
In addition to the amount charged to profit for the year, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised in other comprehensive income:

Deferred tax:
– property revaluations
– actuarial loss
– cash flow hedge

Total tax recognised in other comprehensive income

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

102
2,079
(51)

2,130

60
2,155
(54)

2,161

8. Results of Parent Company
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Parent Company is not presented 
as part of these Financial Statements. The profit dealt with in the Financial Statements of the Parent Company, excluding dividends received 
from subsidiaries of £2,755,000 (2011: £5,000,000), is £887,433 (2011: loss £4,548,000).

9. Earnings per ordinary share
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following information:

Earnings

Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
Preference dividend

Number of shares

Weighted average number of shares in issue
Less shares held by the ESOP on which dividends have been waived

Weighted average number for basic earnings per share
Adjustment for the effects of dilutive potential ordinary shares

Weighted average number for diluted earnings per share

2012
£’000

11,451
(1,918)
(21)

2011
£’000

10,789
(1,855)
(21)

9,512

8,913

2012

2011

131,096,122
(546,364)

130,316,724
(799,235)

130,549,758
1,978,945

129,517,489
2,331,189

132,528,703

131,848,678

There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date 
of completion of these Financial Statements.

10. Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in year:
Preference dividend on cumulative preference shares
Second interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2011 of Nil per share (2010: 2.15p)
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2011 of 2.60p per share (2010: Nil)
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012 of 1.80p per share (2011: 1.65p)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

21
— 
3,388
2,351

5,760

21
2,779
—
2,141

4,941

The proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012 of 2.90p per share (2011: 2.60p) makes a total dividend for the year of 4.70p 
(2011: 4.25p). 

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM and has not been included as a liability in these Financial 
Statements. The total estimated dividend to be paid is £3,786,000.

Notice has been received from Moore Street Securities Limited waiving its right as corporate trustee for the Employee Share Ownership Plan 
(ESOP) to receive all dividends in respect of this and the previous financial year except for a nominal amount.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   65

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

65

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

11. Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 January 2011
Additions at cost

At 31 December 2011
Additions at cost

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated impairment losses and amortisation
At 1 January 2011
Amortisation
Impairment losses for the year

At 31 December 2011
Amortisation
Impairment losses for the year

At 31 December 2012

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

Goodwill
£’000

4,070
— 

4,070
— 

PFI
asset
£’000

15,752
40

15,792
69

Total
£’000

19,822
40

19,862
69

4,070 

15,861

19,931 

1,289
—
204

1,493
— 
203

1,696 

2,374 

2,577

2,781

6,826
1,126
—

7,952
1,131
—

9,083

6,778

7,840

8,926

8,115
1,126
204

9,445
1,131
203

10,779 

9,152 

10,417

11,707

The Group’s investment in Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited is 61.2%. The goodwill arising on the acquisition represents the excess of 
consideration over net assets acquired and is subject to an impairment test at the Statement of Financial Position date. This company’s 
subsidiary, Road Link (A69) Limited, operates a PFI concession which comprises managing and maintaining the A69 Carlisle to Newcastle 
trunk road. The company receives payment from the Highways Agency based on the number and type of vehicles using the road. The 
concession lasts for a period of 30 years and has a further 13 years to run, at the end of which the road reverts to the Highways Agency. 
Whilst the impairment test demonstrates significant headroom, an impairment charge of £203,000 has been recognised during the year 
to reflect the fact that the PFI concession will revert to the Highways Agency at the end of the 30 year period, at which point no goodwill 
should remain. There were no significant changes to these arrangements during the year. 

Amortisation of the PFI asset is recognised within cost of sales in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Although the Companies Act 2006 Section 390(5) requires a coterminous year end, the subsidiary company’s accounting reference date is 
31 March in order to align with the Highways Agency’s financial year end and hence interim Financial Statements are prepared for incorporation 
into these consolidated Financial Statements.

Bank borrowings are secured on the PFI asset for the value of £2,906,000 (2011: £4,068,000); see note 24.

66

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   66

4/12/2013   2:14:45 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Land and
buildings
£’000 

7,287
—
—

7,287
85 
— 
(150)
(35)

Plant
and 
vehicles 
 £’000 

25,679
3,405
(2,361)

26,723
4,326
(2,024)
(23)
— 

Office
equipment 
£’000

1,623
196
(76)

1,743
95 
(36) 
— 
— 

Total
 £’000

34,589
3,601
(2,437)

35,753
4,506
(2,060)
(173)
(35)

7,187 

29,002

1,802 

37,991

— 
7,187 

29,002
— 

1,802 
— 

30,804
7,187

7,187 

29,002

1,802 

37,991

337
— 
— 

337
— 
75
— 

412 

17,688
2,824
(2,142)

18,370
2,849
—
(1,739)

1,330
170
(76)

1,424
147 
—
(34) 

19,355
2,994
(2,218)

20,131
2,996
75
(1,773)

19,480

1,537 

21,429

6,775 

6,950

6,950

9,522

8,353

7,991

265 

16,562

319

293

15,622

15,234

12. Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost or fair value
At 1 January 2011
Additions at cost 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2011
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Transfers to investment properties
Decrease in fair value in year

At 31 December 2012

Being:
Cost 
Fair value at 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2011
Charge for year
Eliminated on disposals

At 31 December 2011
Charge for year
Impairment loss
Eliminated on disposals

At 31 December 2012

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

Land and buildings have been revalued at 31 December 2012 by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited in accordance with the Practice Statements 
contained in the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards on the basis of market value at £6,775,000 (2011: £6,950,000).

The valuation conforms to International Valuation Standards and was based on recent market transactions with similar characteristics 
and location using the yield method valuation technique.

On the historical cost basis, the land and buildings would have been included at a carrying amount of £2,859,000 (2011: £2,849,000).

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   67

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

67

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

12. Property, plant and equipment continued

Parent Company

Cost
At 1 January 2011
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2011
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2012

Depreciation
At 1 January 2011
Charge for year
Disposals

At 31 December 2011
Charge for year
Disposals

At 31 December 2012

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

13. Investment properties

Fair value
At 1 January 2011
Direct acquisitions of investment property
Subsequent expenditure on investment property
Capitalised letting fees 
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees
Disposals 
Transfers to assets held for sale
Transfer to inventories
Decrease in fair value in year

At 31 December 2011
Subsequent expenditure on investment property
Capitalised letting fees 
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees
Disposals 
Transfers to assets held for sale
Transfer to inventories
Transfers from property, plant and equipment
Transfers within investment property
Transfer to construction contracts
Increase in fair value in year

At 31 December 2012

Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives
Adjustment in respect of tax benefits

Market value at 31 December 2012

68

www.henryboot.co.uk

Plant
and
vehicles
£’000

Office
equipment
£’000

Total
£’000

116
— 
(23)

93
— 
(46) 

47 

60
18
(14)

64
17
(36)

45

2

29

56

671
50
(31)

690
28
(24)

694

545
72
(31)

586
53
(24)

615

79

104

126

787
50
(54)

783
28
(70)

741

605
90
(45)

650
70
(60)

660

81

133

182

Completed
investment 
property
£’000

Investment
property
under
construction 
£’000

86,715
2,369
1,133
116
(20)
(8)
(909)
(313)
(3,065)

86,018
888
92
(34)
(514)
(1,900)
(69)
173
10,576
—
919

48,402
— 
5,185
97
—
(294)
—
— 
(1,210)

52,180
9,358
91
(3)
(4,980)
—
—
—
(10,576)
(2,271)
427

Total
£’000

135,117
2,369
6,318
213
(20)
(302)
(909)
(313)
(4,275)

138,198
10,246
183
(37)
(5,494)
(1,900)
(69)
173
—
(2,271)
1,346

96,149

44,226

140,375

4,685
(724)

4
—

4,689
(724)

100,110

44,230

144,340

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   68

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

13. Investment properties continued
With the exception of houses, completed investment properties have been revalued at 31 December 2012 by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited in 
accordance with the Practice Statements contained in the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards on the basis of market value at £95,795,000 
(2011: £85,020,000). The valuation conforms to International Valuation Standards and was based on recent market transactions with similar 
characteristics and location using the yield method valuation technique.

The fair value of houses at 31 December 2012 has been determined by the Directors of the Company at £4,315,000 (2011: £4,907,000). 
The fair value takes into account other observable prices in an active market.

Investment properties under construction are developments which have been valued at 31 December 2012 at fair value by the Directors of the 
Company using the residual method at £44,226,000 (2011: £52,186,000). The property rental income earned by the Group from its occupied 
investment property, all of which is leased out under operating leases, amounted to £7,461,000 (2011: £7,093,000). Direct operating expenses 
arising on investment property generating rental income in the year amounted to £1,048,000 (2011: £830,000). Direct operating expenses 
arising on the investment property which did not generate rental income during the year amounted to £426,000 (2011: £331,000). 

At 31 December 2012, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition and repair of investment property amounting 
to £3,472,000 (2011: £2,335,000).

14. Investments

Parent Company – shares in Group undertakings

Cost
At 1 January 2011
Losses recognised 

At 31 December 2011 and 2012

Fair value adjustments
At 1 January 2011
Utilisation of provisions
Provisions for losses

At 31 December 2011 and 2012

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2011 and 2012

At 1 January 2011

Total
£’000

60,757
(34,985)

25,772

(55,535)
34,985
(2,201)

(22,751)

3,021

5,222

The original cost of shares has been reduced by provisions for losses where necessary and enhanced where the Directors have considered it 
appropriate to reflect in the valuation increases of a permanent nature in the underlying net asset values of subsidiary companies. Such enhancements 
were £1,115,000 in 1975 and £1,135,000 in 1989.

Amounts due from and to subsidiary companies are listed in notes 16 and 21. The principal active subsidiary companies are listed in note 35. 
All trading subsidiaries operate in the United Kingdom and are wholly owned, with the exception of:

 I Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited which is 61.2% owned by Henry Boot Construction Limited;

 I Stonebridge Projects Limited which is 50% owned by, and under board control of, Henry Boot Land Holdings Limited; and

 I Stonebridge Projects (Park House) Limited which is indirectly 50% owned by, and under board control of, Henry Boot Land Holdings Limited.

They are all incorporated in the United Kingdom.

All subsidiary companies have only one class of ordinary issued share capital.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   69

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

69

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

15. Investment in joint ventures

Group

Cost
At 1 January 
Share of (loss)/profit for the year 

At 31 December

The Group’s share of its joint ventures’ aggregated assets, liabilities and results are as follows:

Assets
Liabilities

Net investment in joint ventures

Revenue
Expenses

Profit before tax
Tax

Share of profits from joint ventures after tax

Details of the Group’s significant investments in joint ventures are listed in note 35.

16. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Prepayments
Amounts owed by related companies
Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

30
(8)

22

2012
£’000

355
(333)

22

2012
£’000

—
(10)

(10)
2

(8)

—
30

30

2011
£’000

203
(173)

30

2011
£’000

400
(366)

34
(4)

30

Group

Parent Company

2012
£’000

45,579
2,611
616
—

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

51,102
2,055
298

196
586
—
— 178,508

106
172
—
161,537

48,806

53,455

179,290

161,815

37,268
11,538

37,617
15,838

179,290
— 

161,815
—

48,806

53,455

179,290

161,815

Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are receivables with a carrying amount of £1.4m (2011: £1.9m) which are past due at the 
reporting date and for which the Group has not provided, as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are 
still considered recoverable. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

Ageing of past due but not impaired trade receivables

30–60 days
60–90 days
90–120 days
120+ days

2012
£’000

2,236
279
98
57

2,670

2011
£’000

1,407
244
129
74

1,854

70

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   70

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

16. Trade and other receivables continued
Movement in the allowance for doubtful receivables

At 1 January
Impairment losses recognised
Amounts written off as uncollectable
Amounts recovered during the year

At 31 December

2012
£’000

179
121
(59)
(51)

190

2011
£’000

182
93
(21)
(75)

179

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable from the 
date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and 
unrelated. Accordingly, the Directors believe that there is no further credit provision required in excess of the allowance for doubtful debts.

Ageing of impaired trade receivables

0–30 days
30–60 days
60–90 days
90–120 days
120+ days

2012
£’000

3
18
12
25
132

190

2011
£’000

4
3
4
2
166

179

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables of the Group and Parent Company approximates to their fair value.

Parent Company
Amounts owed by Group undertakings are unsecured and are stated net of provisions for irrecoverable amounts of £6,414,000 (2011: £8,036,000), 
of which £Nil (2011: £5,472,000) has been provided in the year and £1,622,000 (2011: £163,000) has been recovered in the year.

The Parent Company has no impaired trade receivables.

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, and trade and other receivables, which represent the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Position are net 
of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current 
economic environment.

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit 
rating agencies.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   71

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

71

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

17. Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so and when the deferred tax 
assets and liabilities relate to tax levied by the same tax authority where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis. The amounts 
after offsetting are as follows:

Deferred tax asset

Group

At 1 January 2011
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 December 2011
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 December 2012

Parent Company

At 1 January 2011
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 December 2011
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 December 2012

Accelerated
capital
allowances
£’000

Property
revaluations
£’000

Retirement
benefit
obligations
£’000

Other
timing
differences
£’000

86
(67)
— 

19
129
— 

148

27
7
—

34
(1) 
— 

33 

1,661
(456)
60

1,265
(229)
102

1,138

—
—
—

—
— 
— 

— 

4,380
(873)
2,155

5,662
(718)
2,079

7,023

4,380
(873)
2,155

5,662
(718)
2,079

7,023

504
(32)
(54)

418
228
(51)

595

319
(7)
—

312
151
— 

463 

Total
£’000

6,631
(1,428)
2,161

7,364
(590)
2,130

8,904

4,726
(873)
2,155

6,008
(568)
2,079

7,519

Deferred tax assets relating to unused tax losses carried forward and deductible temporary differences are recognised if it is probable that 
they can be offset against future taxable profits or existing temporary differences.

Unrecognised deferred tax assets relating to property revaluations amounted to £1,444,000 (2011: £1,740,000). These assets have not been 
recognised as it is probable that in future periods there will be no suitable profits or gains available to the Group against which they may be 
relieved. There are no other significant unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities.

During the year, as a result of the change in the UK corporation tax rate from 24% to 23% that was substantively enacted on 3 July 2012 
and planned to be effective from 1 April 2013, the relevant deferred tax balances have been re-measured. Deferred tax balances at the 
year end have been measured at 23%.

Further reductions to the UK tax rate were announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement and the March 2013 Budget. The changes propose 
to reduce the rate to 21% from 1 April 2014 and to 20% from 1 April 2015. These changes had not been substantively enacted at the 
Statement of Financial Position date and, therefore, are not recognised in these Financial Statements. The impact of this change on the deferred 
tax position of the Group is not expected to be material.

18. Inventories

Developments in progress
Land, options and agency agreements held for development

2012
£’000

5,708
75,852

2011
£’000

3,288
58,827

81,560

62,115

Within developments in progress £39,000 (2011: £265,000) has been written down and recognised as an expense in the year. These costs 
relate to development projects no longer likely to proceed. Within land, options and agency agreements held for development £198,000 
(2011: £287,000) has been written down and recognised as an expense in the year. These costs relate to land, options and agency 
agreements where planning permission for development has been refused or is deemed to be doubtful.

Previous provisions within land, options and agency agreements held for development amounting to £Nil (2011: £91,000) have been reversed 
and reduced the amount of inventories recognised as an expense in the year. The reversals relate to costs previously provided where planning 
permission for development was doubtful but where prospects have now significantly improved or actual planning consent has been granted.

72

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   72

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

19. Construction contracts

Contracts in progress at 31 December:
Amounts due from contract customers included in trade receivables
Amounts due to contract customers included in trade payables

Contract costs incurred plus recognised profits less recognised losses to date
Less: progress billings

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,745
(7,519)

1,358
(7,654)

(5,774)

(6,296)

283,536
(289,310)

304,738
(311,034)

(5,774)

(6,296)

At 31 December 2012, retentions held by customers for contract work amounted to £1,040,000 (2011: £658,000). Advances received 
from customers for contract work amounted to £7,186,000 (2011: £7,654,000).

20. Assets classified as held for sale
Assets classified as held for sale are investment properties, within the property investment and development segment, which are ordinarily 
individually being actively marketed for sale with expected completion dates within one year. By exception, at the Statement of Financial 
Position date, assets classified as held for sale represent an element of a shopping centre at Beeston, Nottingham, subject to a compulsory 
purchase order by Nottingham City Council for an extension to the city’s tram network. 

Assets classified as held for sale comprise the following:

Fair value
At 1 January 2011
Additions
Transfer from investment property
Disposals

At 31 December 2011
Transfers from investment property
Disposals 

At 31 December 2012

Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives
Adjustment in respect of tax benefits

Market value at 31 December 2012

Investment 
property
£’000

27,719
31
909
(27,750)

909
1,900
(909)

1,900

— 
— 

1,900

Assets classified as held for sale have been valued at 31 December 2012 at fair value by the Directors of the Company at £1,900,000. 
The fair value is based on the midpoint of management’s estimate of the likely outcomes of the compulsory purchase order.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   73

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

73

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

21. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Interest rate swap liability
Amounts owed to related parties
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

Group

Parent Company

2012
£’000

47,829
2,138
874
2,930
253
6
—

2011
£’000

46,739
2,701
1,044
1,798
422
—
— 

2012
£’000

1,169
318
476
—
—
—
80,599

2011
£’000

743
344
605
—
—
—
77,005

54,030

52,704

82,562

78,697

51,786
2,244

50,242
2,462

82,562
—

78,697
— 

54,030

52,704

82,562

78,697

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

22. Government grants
Government grants have been received in relation to the infrastructure of one of the Company’s developments. Grant income received 
is included within deferred income and released to the Statement of Comprehensive Income on a systematic basis to match the costs 
it is intended to compensate. There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to the grants that have been recognised.

Amounts credited to the Statement of Comprehensive Income during the year were £80,000 (2011: £745,000).

23. Capital risk management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are:

 I to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and have the resources to provide returns for shareholders and benefits 

for other stakeholders; and

 I to maximise returns to shareholders by allocating capital across our businesses based on the level of expected return and risk.

The Group sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. The Group manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light 
of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group monitors capital on the basis of net debt to equity. Net debt is total debt less cash and cash equivalents and at 31 December 2012 
this was £21.9m (2011: £2.3m). Equity comprises all components of equity and at 31 December 2012 this was £181.9m (2011: £186.0m).

During 2012 the Group’s strategy, which was unchanged from previous years, was to maintain the debt to equity ratio below 50%. This level 
was chosen to ensure that we can access debt relatively easily and inexpensively if required.

The Group has in place three year committed facilities totalling £50m with our three banking partners. In February 2012, the Group concluded 
negotiations with the three banking partners to renew the existing £50m facility we had in place at 31 December 2011. The renewed facilities 
commenced on 7 May 2012, with a renewal date of 7 May 2015. The renewed facilities, on improved terms, maintain covenants on the same 
basis as the previous facilities.

74

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   74

4/12/2013   2:14:46 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

24. Borrowings

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans 
Government loans 
Loans from related parties 

The borrowings are repayable, including future interest, as follows:
On demand or within one year
In the second year
In the third to fifth years inclusive
After five years

Due within one year
Due after one year

The weighted average interest rates paid were as follows:

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans – floating rate
Bank loans – floating rate (relating to Road Link (A69) Limited)
Bank loans – floating rate (relating to Stonebridge Projects (Park House) Limited)
Government loans
Related party loans – floating rate (relating to Stonebridge Projects Limited)

Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand.

Liquidity risk
The Company’s objectives when managing liquidity are:

Group

Parent Company

2012
£’000

—
22,331
2,829
200

25,360

19,965
2,933
3,331
1,818

28,047

19,965
8,082

28,047

2011
£’000

—
5,553
752
200

6,505

1,758
1,579
3,904
—

7,241

1,758
5,483

7,241

2012
£’000

942
18,000
—
—

18,942

19,119
—
—
—

19,119

19,119
—

19,119

2012
%

3.26
2.86
2.00
3.01
—
5.00

2011
£’000

—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—

—

—
—

—

2011
%

3.91
3.09
1.92
3.16
—
5.00

 I to safeguard the Group’s ability to meet expected and unexpected payment obligations at all times; and

 I maximise the Group’s profitability.

Interest on floating rate borrowings is arranged for periods from three to six months. These borrowings are secured by a fixed and floating 
charge over the assets of the Group excluding those of Road Link (A69) Limited, Stonebridge Projects Limited and Stonebridge Projects 
(Park House) Limited. 

The Road Link (A69) Limited bank loan is secured by a specific charge over the freehold and leasehold properties of that Company and fixed 
and floating charges over the assets of that Company and is without recourse to the rest of the Group. It is repayable in six-monthly instalments 
that commenced in the year ended 31 March 1999 and is repayable by 31 March 2015. 

The Stonebridge Projects (Park House) Limited bank loan is secured by a specific charge over the freehold property of that company and is 
without recourse to the rest of the Group. It is repayable in quarterly instalments of £15,000 that commenced on 21 November 2011 with full 
and final settlement becoming due on 19 August 2014.

Government loans were issued at a borrowing rate of nil%; as a result the Company has no exposure to interest rate changes in relation to 
these loans. These borrowings are therefore recognised at fair value, where the fair values are based on cash flows discounted using variable 
market rates. The Government loans were received to fund specific residential construction expenditure. Repayment of the loan commences three 
years after the quarter date of the construction completion of the first residential unit. Subsequent repayments will follow each quarter until the 
principle is repaid in full. The repayments are calculated at £8,000 per residential unit and are linked to the Land Registry House Price Index.

A related party loan from Stonebridge Homes Limited of £200,000, relating to Stonebridge Projects Limited, is arranged at an interest rate 
of 5%. The interest rate is not fixed and may change subject to agreement. The loan is repayable on demand.

The bank loan of £2,906,000, relating to Road Link (A69) Limited, is arranged at an effective floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.8%. 
The loan is fully hedged (see note 25), giving rise to an effective fixed interest rate of 7.37%. Other borrowings are arranged at floating rates, 
thus exposing the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. 

Based on approximate average borrowings during 2012, a 1% change in interest rates would affect profitability before tax by £125,000.

The fair value of the Group’s borrowings is not considered to be materially different from the carrying amounts, other than as disclosed in note 25.

At 31 December 2012, the Group had available £31,425,000 (2011: £50,000,000) undrawn committed borrowing facilities.

www.henryboot.co.uk

75

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   75

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

25. Derivative financial instruments
Interest rate swap – cash flow hedge
At 31 December 2012, an interest rate swap transaction was in place covering a bank loan of £2,906,000 (2011: £4,068,000) whereby the Group’s 
subsidiary, Road Link (A69) Limited, pays a fixed rate of interest of 6.57% and receives a variable rate based on LIBOR. Interest is payable 
or receivable, as appropriate, semi-annually. The swap is used to hedge the exposure to the variable interest rate payments on the variable 
rate secured loan of the subsidiary (note 24).

The loan and interest rate swap have the same critical terms, are fully effective and have a termination date of 31 March 2015. 

The fair value of the interest rate swap arrangement at 31 December 2012 was a liability of £253,000 (2011: £422,000), included 
in ‘Trade and other payables’, giving rise to a hedge reserve deducted from other reserves.

Fair value measurements recognised in the Statement of Financial Position
The following table provides an analysis of the fair values of financial instruments recognised in the Statement of Financial Position 
by the degree to which the fair value is observable:

Derivative financial liabilities:
Level 1
Level 2 
Level 3

Total fair value 

Explanation of the fair value hierarchy:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

—
253
—

253

—
422
—

422

 I Level 1 – fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 

that the entity can access at the measurement date;

 I Level 2 – fair value measurements are those derived from the use of a model with inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) 

that are observable from directly or indirectly observable market data; and

 I Level 3 – fair value measurements are those derived from use of a model with inputs that are not based on observable market data.

26. Provisions

At 1 January 2012
Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

Additional provisions in year
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation of provisions
Non-utilisation of provisions

At 31 December 2012

Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

Land

Road
development maintenance
£’000

£’000

8,048
13,486

21,534
712
15
(4,994)
—

17,267

8,241
9,026

17,267

925
—

925
701
—
(497)
—

1,129

1,129
—

1,129

Other
£’000

Total
£’000

—
45

45
—
—
—
(6)

39

14
25

39

8,973
13,531

22,504
1,413
15
(5,491)
(6)

18,435

9,384
9,051

18,435

The land development provision represents management’s best estimate of the Group’s liability to provide infrastructure and services 
over the next eleven years to land that has been disposed of during the current and prior periods.

The road maintenance provision represents management’s best estimate of the Group’s liability under a five year rolling programme 
for the maintenance of the Group’s PFI asset.

Any liabilities where the Directors anticipate that a present obligation would result in a future outflow of resources, including legal 
and regulatory penalties or claims, are taken into account in the Financial Statements.

76

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   76

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

27. Retirement benefit obligations
Defined contribution pension scheme
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The scheme is administered and managed by Aviva 
and the Group matches member contributions, providing a minimum of 3% of salary is paid by the employee, on a pound for pound basis up 
to a maximum of 8%.

The total cost charged to income of £236,000 (2011: £178,000) represents contributions payable to the scheme by the Group.

Defined benefit pension scheme
The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme (‘the scheme’) for eligible employees which is funded to provide for future pension liabilities, 
including anticipated increases in earnings and pensions. The assets of the scheme are held in a fund independently administered by Trustees. 
Contributions are determined by a qualified actuary on the basis of triennial valuations using the projected unit method. The most recent 
triennial valuation was carried out as at 1 January 2010. The results of that valuation have been projected to 31 December 2012 and then 
recalculated based on the following assumptions:

Retail Prices Index (RPI)
Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
Pensionable salary increases
Rate in increase to pensions in payment liable for Limited Price Indexation (LPI)
Revaluation of deferred pensions
Liabilities discount rate
Expected rate of return on scheme assets

The overall expected rate of return is determined as follows:

2012
%

2.75
2.00
1.00
2.75
2.00
4.45
5.50

 I the assumption for return on equities of 7.00% is based upon gilt yields of 3.75% (commonly adopted as a ‘risk-free rate’) prevailing 

at the measurement date plus an equity risk premium of 3.25%;

 I the assumption for return on bonds represents the expected return on the current portfolio of gilts and corporate bonds as at the 

measurement date;

 I the assumption for return on cash is the bank base rate applicable at the measurement date and represents the expected returns 

on the scheme’s cash holdings; and

 I the assumption for return on property is the rate of return on index linked bonds plus 1.00% and represents the expected returns 

on the scheme’s investment in long lease property.

Mortality assumptions

Retiring today (aged 65)
Male
Female

Retiring in 20 years (currently aged 45)
Male
Female

2012
Years

21.5
24.3

23.4
26.1

2011
%

2.75
2.00
1.00
2.75
2.00
5.00
5.33

2011
Years

21.4
24.2

23.3
26.0

The mortality assumptions are consistent with the assumptions used in the most recent triennial valuation. These are the Self Administered 
Pension Schemes (SAPS) with allowance for future improvements in line with medium cohort subject to an underpin of 1% per annum.

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

Change in
assumption

Impact on
scheme liabilities

Increase by 3.7%
Retail Prices Index (RPI)
Nil*
Rate of general increases in salaries
Increase by 4.9%
Liabilities discount rate 
Rate of mortality
Increase by 2.0%
*  Increases in salaries above the 1% assumed would not affect the scheme liabilities as future increases in pensionable salaries are to be capped at a maximum 

Increase by 0.25%
Increase by 0.25%
Decrease by 0.25%
Increase by 1 year

of 1% per annum.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   77

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

77

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

27. Retirement benefit obligations continued
Defined benefit pension scheme continued
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in respect of the scheme are as follows:

Current service cost
Interest on obligation
Expected return on scheme assets
Pension Protection Fund

Pension expenses

2012
£’000

(907)
(6,972)
6,316
(86)

2011
£’000

(905)
(6,875)
6,563
(199)

(1,649)

(1,416)

Actuarial losses have been reported in other comprehensive income of £10,687,000 (2011: £9,902,000).

The cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised in other comprehensive income since the date of transition to IFRS is £12,676,000 
(2011: £1,989,000).

The actual gain on scheme assets was £9,403,000 (2011: £7,229,000).

The amount included in the Statement of Financial Position arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of the scheme is as follows:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

157,233
(126,700)

142,322
(119,673)

30,533

22,649

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

30,533

22,649

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

142,322
907
6,972
301
13,774
(7,043)

129,668
905
6,875
339
10,568
(6,033)

157,233

142,322

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

119,673
6,316
3,087
4,366
301
(7,043)

113,447
6,563
666
4,691
339
(6,033)

126,700

119,673

Present value of scheme obligations
Fair value of scheme assets

This amount is presented in the Statement of Financial Position as follows:

Non-current liabilities

Movements in the present value of scheme obligations in the year were as follows:

At 1 January
Current service cost
Interest on obligation
Contributions from scheme members
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid

At 31 December 

Movements in the present value of fair value of scheme assets in the year were as follows:

At 1 January
Expected return on scheme assets
Actuarial gain on scheme assets
Employer contributions
Contributions from scheme members
Benefits paid

At 31 December 

78

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   78

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

27. Retirement benefit obligations continued
Defined benefit pension scheme continued
The analysis of the scheme assets and the expected rate of return at 31 December 2012 was as follows:

Equities
Property
Bonds
Cash

Rate of return

Market value

2012
%

7.00
3.70
3.75
0.50

2011
%

7.00
—
3.75
0.50

2012
£’000

68,710
9,835
47,910
245

2011
£’000

62,339
—
53,058
4,276

126,700

119,673

Included in equities are 2,250,000 (2011: 2,250,000) ordinary 10p shares in Henry Boot PLC with a value at the year end of £3,037,500 
(2011: £2,767,500).

The history of experience adjustments is as follows:

Present value of defined benefit obligations
Fair value of scheme assets 

Deficit in the scheme

Experience adjustments on scheme liabilities
Percentage of scheme liabilities
Experience adjustments on scheme assets
Percentage of scheme assets

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

2008 
£’000

157,233
(126,700)

142,322
(119,673)

129,668
(113,447)

137,830 
(112,098)

125,851 
(103,215) 

30,533

22,649

16,221

25,732 

22,636 

— 
— 
(3,087)
(2%)

— 
—
(666)
(1%)

6,666
5%
(3,100)
(3%)

—
—

(6,620) 
(6%)

—
—
24,144
23% 

The current estimated amount of total contributions expected to be paid to the scheme by the Group, inclusive of contributions payable by 
the Company, during the 2013 financial year is £4,790,000, being £4,784,000 payable by the Group and £6,000 payable by scheme members. 
The reduction in scheme member contributions arises from a salary sacrifice scheme introduced on 1 January 2013 and results in an equal 
increase in contributions payable by the Company. 

As part of the Recovery Plan for the scheme as a result of the 31 December 2009 triennial valuation, the Company agreed to contribute a 
further £175,200 per annum for a period of ten years beginning in 2011. In addition to this the Company has increased the level of Recovery Plan 
funding to the scheme from £650,000 to £3,600,000 per annum which will be reviewed at the next triennial valuation.

28. Operating leases
The Group as lessee

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year

2012
£’000

176

At 31 December 2012, the Group had outstanding commitments for future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable 
operating leases which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2012
£’000

80
89
—

169

2011
£’000

151

2011
£’000

124
98
—

222

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office properties. The rents payable are subject to renegotiation 
at various intervals specified in the leases.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   79

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

79

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

28. Operating leases continued
The Group as lessor
The Group has entered into commercial leases on its investment property portfolio which typically have lease terms between one and 25 years 
and include clauses to enable periodic upward revision of the rental charge according to prevailing market conditions. Ordinarily the lessee 
does not have an option to purchase the property at the expiry of the lease period and some leases contain options to break before the end 
of the lease term.

Future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 December are as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2012
£’000

7,015
26,342
63,188

2011
£’000

6,845
24,646
58,346

96,545

89,837

29. Related party transactions
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are disclosed below:

Parent Company

Management charges receivable
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Rents payable
Recharge of expenses

Transactions between the Company and its remaining related parties are as follows:

Purchases of goods and services

Close family members of key management personnel (amounts paid for IT services)
Related companies of key management personnel (amounts paid for Non-executive Director services)

2012
£’000

1,140
7,799
(2,653)
(150)
158

2012
£’000

37
35

2011
£’000

1,596
6,833
(2,557)
(157)
132

2011
£’000

38
25

Related party transactions are charged at prevailing market prices. Amounts owing by related parties (note 16) or to related parties 
(notes 21 and 24) are unsecured, repayable on demand and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. 
No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in respect of the amounts owed by related parties.

Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of the Directors, who are key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories 
specified in IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’. Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited 
part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 47 and 48.

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2012
£’000

1,468
46
286

1,800

2011
£’000

1,345
59
354

1,758

80

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   80

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

30. Share capital

400,000 5.25% cumulative preference shares of £1 each
131,096,122 ordinary shares of 10p each (2011: 131,096,122)

Allotted, issued  
and fully paid

2012
£’000

400
13,110

2011
£’000

400
13,110

13,510

13,510

The Company has one class of ordinary share which carries no rights to fixed income but which entitles the holder thereof to receive notice 
and attend and vote at general meetings or appoint a proxy to attend on their behalf.

Subject to Board approval, the preference shares carry the right to a cumulative preferential dividend payable half yearly at the rate of 5.25% 
per annum. They also carry a right, in priority to the ordinary equity, on a return of assets on a winding up or reduction of capital, to repayment 
of capital, together with the arrears of any preferential dividend. With the exception of any resolution proposed to directly affect the rights 
or privileges of the holders of the preference shares, the holders thereof are not entitled to receive notice, be present or vote at any general 
meeting of the Company.

Share-based payments
The Company operates the following share-based payment arrangements:

(A) The Henry Boot PLC 2000 Sharesave Scheme
This savings related share option scheme was approved by shareholders in 2000 and is HMRC approved. A grant of options was made on 
22 October 2008 at an exercise price of 77.0p, a discount of 10% of the prevailing market price. These became exercisable for a six month 
period from 1 December 2011. There are no performance criteria attached to the exercise of these options which are normally capable of 
exercise up to six months after the third anniversary of the Sharesave contract commencement date. The right to exercise options terminates 
if a participating employee leaves the Group, subject to certain exceptions.

October 2008 grant

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2011

27,926

Options
lapsed

(7,979)

Options
exercised

(19,947)

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2012

— 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period was 134.0p (2011: 117.0p).

(B) The Henry Boot PLC 2010 Sharesave Plan
This savings related share option plan was approved by shareholders in 2010 in order to replace the Henry Boot PLC 2000 Sharesave Scheme 
after reaching its ten year expiry date. It is HMRC approved. A grant of options to participating employees was made on 26 October 2011 
at a price of 106.0p at a discount of just over 10% of the prevailing market price. These become exercisable for a six month period from 
1 December 2014. There are no performance criteria attached to the exercise of these options which are normally capable of exercise 
up to six months after the third anniversary of the Sharesave contract commencement date. The right to exercise options terminates 
if a participating employee leaves the Group, subject to certain exceptions.

October 2011 grant

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2011

877,377

Options
lapsed

(37,128)

Options
exercised

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2012

(226)

840,023 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period was 119.0p.

(C) The 1996 Henry Boot PLC Long-Term Incentive Plan
This plan was approved by shareholders in 1996 and operated for ten years.

(D) The Henry Boot 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan
This plan was approved by shareholders at an EGM held on 20 July 2006. Details of the Plan and the vesting requirements are also 
set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 46.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   81

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

81

 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

30. Share capital continued
Share-based payments continued
(E) The Henry Boot PLC 2010 Approved Company Share Option Plan
This plan, more commonly known as a CSOP, was approved by shareholders in 2010 and is HMRC approved. Any full-time Director or employee 
(full-time or part-time) is eligible to participate at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee of the Board. Options are granted by deed 
with no consideration payable by the participant. The aggregate subscription price at the date of grant of all outstanding options granted to 
any one participant under the plan and any other HMRC approved plan operated by the Company (but excluding options granted under any 
savings related share option plan) must not exceed £30,000. The aggregate market value at the date of grant of ordinary share options which 
may be granted to any one participant in any one financial year of the company shall not normally exceed two times the amount of a participant’s 
remuneration for that financial year. The Remuneration Committee may impose objective conditions as to the performance of the Group which 
must normally be satisfied before options can be exercised. Options are normally exercisable only within the period of three to ten years after 
the date of grant. The right to exercise options generally terminates if a participant leaves the Group, subject to certain exceptions. The first 
grant of options under the plan was made to certain senior employees (none of whom at the time were Directors of Group companies) 
on 17 May 2011 at an option price of 121.5p. There were no performance conditions imposed on this particular grant.

May 2011 grant

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2011

272,000

Options
lapsed

(32,000)

Options
exercised

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2012

—

240,000

In respect of (C) and (D), the aggregate total of movements in share options granted and awards of shares is as follows:

Share options granted at 1 January
Lapses of share options in year
Awards of shares in year
Share options granted in year

Share options granted at 31 December

2012
Number

2,003,285
(370,083)
(292,698)
414,564

2011
Number

2,105,950
(403,753)
(516,500)
817,588

1,755,068

2,003,285

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period was 130.55p (2011: 142.75p).

Fair value
Fair value is measured by a Monte Carlo pricing model using the following assumptions:

Weighted average exercise price
Weighted average share price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yield

LTIP

Nil
117.2p
31.73% to 42.72%
3 years
0.61% to 1.79%
3.30% to 5.02%

CSOP

121.5p
121.5p
41.47%
3 years
1.67%
5.02%

Sharesave
2008

77.0p
57.5p
33.20%
3 years
3.52%
2.61%

Sharesave
2011

106.0p
115.5p
37.14%
3 years
0.86%
5.02%

The volatility measured at the standard deviation of continuously compounded share returns is based on statistical analysis of daily share 
prices over the last three years.

The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year was 61.4p (2011: 35.2p).

Expense recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

The total expense recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income arising  
from share-based payment transactions

2012
£’000

504

2011
£’000

554

The total expense recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income arose solely from equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

82

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   82

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

31. Reserves

Group

Property
revaluation
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Capital
redemption
£’000

Share
premium
£’000

Capital
£’000

Hedging
£’000

Other

At 1 January 2011
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Movements in fair value of cash flow hedge
Deferred tax on fair value movements of cash flow hedge
Deferred tax on revaluation surplus
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial loss
Deferred tax on actuarial loss

At 31 December 2011
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Movements in fair value of cash flow hedge
Deferred tax on fair value movements of cash flow hedge
Decrease in fair value in year
Deferred tax on revaluation surplus
Transfer to retained earnings
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial loss
Deferred tax on actuarial loss

3,294
—
—
—
—
—
60
—
—
—

3,354
—
—
—
—
(35)
102
(150)
—
—
—

168,528
8,934
(4,941)
—
—
—
— 
319
(9,902)
2,155

165,093
9,533
(5,760)
—
—
—
—
150
284
(10,687)
2,079

At 31 December 2012

3,271

160,692

271
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

271
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

271

2,563
— 
— 
571 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

3,134
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

3,134

209
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

209
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

209

Total
other
£’000

2,774
—
—
571
113
(33)
—
—
—
—

3,425
—
—
103
(31)
—
—
—
—
—
—

(269)
—
—
—
113
(33)
— 
— 
— 
— 

(189)
—
—
103
(31)
—
—
—
—
—
—

(117)

3,497

Parent Company

At 1 January 2011
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Unrecognised actuarial loss
Deferred tax on actuarial loss
Arising on employee share schemes

At 31 December 2011
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Unrecognised actuarial loss
Deferred tax on actuarial loss
Arising on employee share schemes

At 31 December 2012

32. Cost of shares held by the ESOP trust

Group

At 1 January
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December

Retained
earnings
£’000

Capital
redemption
£’000

Share
premium
£’000

Other

Capital
£’000

Investment
revaluation
£’000

63,776
452
(4,941)
—
(9,902)
2,155
191

51,731
3,642
(5,760)
(10,687)
2,079
148

41,153

271
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

271
—
—
—
—
—

271

2,563
— 
— 
571 
— 
— 
— 

3,134
—
—
—
—
—

3,134

211
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

211
—
—
—
—
—

211

1,135
—
—
—
— 
— 
— 

1,135
—
—
—
—
—

1,135

2012
£’000

601
79
(236)

444

Total
other
£’000

4,180
—
—
571
—
—
—

4,751
—
—
—
—
—

4,751

2011
£’000

476
360
(235)

601

Quoted investments represent own shares held by the Henry Boot PLC Employee Trust as an ESOP to provide an incentive to greater ownership 
of shares in the Company by its employees. 

At 31 December 2012, the Trustee held 546,364 shares (2011: 799,235 shares) with a cost of £444,397 (2011: £601,261) and a market value 
of £737,537 (2011: £983,059). All of these shares were committed to satisfy existing grants by the Company under the 2006 Henry Boot PLC 
Long-Term Share Incentive Plan, the Henry Boot PLC 2010 Sharesave Scheme and the Henry Boot PLC 2010 Company Share Option Plan. 
In accordance with IAS 32, these shares are deducted from shareholders’ funds. Under the terms of the Trust, the Trustee has waived all but 
a nominal dividend on the shares it holds.

www.henryboot.co.uk

83

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F

i

n
a
n
c

i

a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o
d
e
r

l

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   83

4/12/2013   2:14:47 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

33. Guarantees and contingencies
The Parent Company has guaranteed the performance of certain contracts entered into by Group undertakings in the ordinary course of business.

The Parent Company has given cross guarantees to certain of the Group’s bankers and bondsmen in respect of facilities available to Group 
undertakings in the normal course of business. Guarantees relating to bonds are impracticable to quantify. In the opinion of the Directors, 
no loss is expected to arise in connection with these matters.

34. Business combinations
On 5 May 2012, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Comstock (Kilmarnock) Limited, a company incorporated 
in the United Kingdom on 7 June 1996. The principal activity of Comstock (Kilmarnock) Limited is the development and sale of land. 
Comstock (Kilmarnock) Limited was acquired due to its ownership of strategic land located in Kilmarnock adjacent to one of the Group’s 
existing land developments.

The total consideration paid for Comstock (Kilmarnock) Limited was £2,000,000 being £1,250,000 in cash and £875,000 deferred 
consideration payable on 4 May 2013.

Further contingent consideration may be payable based upon the attainment of certain levels of profitability on future sales of this land. 
Given the inherent uncertainty regarding future land values, management do not consider it possible to estimate a range of outcomes for 
the value of this consideration. Accordingly, for the purposes of accounting for the business combination the fair value of the contingent 
consideration is considered to be £nil.

At the acquisition date the Group recognised £2,000,000 in Inventories being the fair value of total identifiable assets acquired. There were 
no liabilities incurred or assumed.

35. Additional information – principal active subsidiaries and joint venture partners
Details of the Company’s principal active subsidiaries and joint ventures, all of which are incorporated in England and are consolidated 
in the Group Financial Statements at 31 December 2012, are as follows:

Subsidiary name

Banner Plant Limited
First National Housing Trust Limited
Hallam Land Management Limited
Henry Boot Construction Limited
Henry Boot Developments Limited
Henry Boot Estates Limited
Henry Boot ‘K’ Limited
Henry Boot Projects Limited
Henry Boot Tamworth Limited
Henry Boot Whittington Limited
Road Link (A69) Limited
Stonebridge Projects Limited
Stonebridge Projects (Park House) Limited
Winter Ground Limited

Joint venture partner

Pennine Property Partnership LLP
I-Prop Developments Limited

Proportion
of ownership

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
61.2%
50%
50%
100%

Proportion
of ownership

Activity

Plant hire
Property investment
Land development
Construction
Property investment and development
Property investment
Property investment and development
Property investment and development
Property investment and development
Property investment
PFI road maintenance
Property development
Property investment and development
Property investment and development

Activity

50%
50%

Property investment and development
Property development

Details of all of the Company’s subsidiaries and joint ventures can be obtained from the Company Secretary at the registered office address 
which can be found on page 55.

84

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   84

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

Property valuers’ report

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

City Point
29 King Street
Leeds LS1 2HL
tel +44 (0) 113 244 6440
fax +44 (0) 113 245 4664
www.joneslanglasalle.co.uk

THE DIRECTORS
Henry Boot PLC
Banner Cross Hall
Ecclesall Road South
Sheffield
S11 9PD

31 December 2012

Dear Sirs,

HENRY BOOT PLC
Group property portfolio valuation – 31 December 2012
In accordance with your written instructions, we have valued the various freehold and leasehold properties held by Henry Boot PLC and its 
subsidiary companies, for accounts purposes, as at 31 December 2012. The valuations have been made in accordance with RICS Valuation 
– Professional Standards (March 2012) issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, in our capacity as External Valuers, on the basis 
of Market Value. No allowances have been made for expenses of realisation or for taxation that might arise in the event of a disposal and our 
valuations are expressed as exclusive of any Value Added Tax that may become chargeable. Each property has been considered as if free 
and clear of all mortgages or other charges which may have been secured thereon. Where appropriate, the properties have been valued 
subject to and with the benefit of any lettings which have been disclosed.

Having regarding the foregoing we are of the opinion that the aggregate market value of the freehold and leasehold interests owned 
by Henry Boot PLC and its subsidiaries, as at 31 December 2012, is:

Freehold properties
Leasehold properties
Mixed tenure properties

Total

£98,445,000
£3,900,000
£225,000

£102,570,000

In accordance with our normal practice, we confirm that our valuations have been prepared for the Directors of Henry Boot PLC 
and for the purpose to which this certificate refers.

No responsibility is accepted to any third party in respect of the information or advice contained herein, except in circumstances 
where our prior written approval has been granted.

Yours faithfully

SIMON CULLIMORE MRICS
DIRECTOR
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF JONES LANG LASALLE LIMITED

Jones Lang LaSalle Limited
Registered in England and Wales Number 1188567
Registered Office 22 Hanover Square London W1A 2NB

www.henryboot.co.uk

85

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o

l

d
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i

o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   85

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Shareholder information

Additional information for shareholders
Following the implementation of the EU Takeover Directive in the UK, the following description provides the required relevant information 
for shareholders where not already provided elsewhere in these Financial Statements. This description summarises certain provisions of the 
current Articles of Association of the Company (as adopted by special resolution on 27 May 2011) (‘the Articles’) and applicable English law 
concerning companies (the Companies Act 2006). This is a summary only and the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006 or the 
Articles should be consulted if further information is required.

Share capital
The Company’s issued share capital comprises two classes of shares being, respectively, ordinary shares of 10p each (‘ordinary shares’) 
and cumulative preference shares of £1 each (‘preference shares’). Further details of the share capital of the Company are set out in note 30 
to the Financial Statements. As at 25 March 2013, the ordinary shares represent 97.04% of the total issued share capital of the Company by 
nominal value and the preference shares represent 2.96% of such total issued share capital. The ordinary shares and the preference shares 
are in registered form. Both classes of share are admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority. The Company’s ordinary shares are 
categorised as ‘Premium Listed’ and its preference shares as ‘Standard Listed’. A Standard Listing is based on EU minimum standards for 
floating a company on a public market whereas a Premium Listing requires compliance with additional requirements set out in the Listing 
Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

Rights and obligations attaching to shares
Subject to the Companies Act 2006 and other shareholders’ rights, any share may be issued with such rights and restrictions as the Company 
may by ordinary resolution decide or, if no such resolution has been passed or so far as the resolution does not make specific provision, 
as the Board of Directors for the time being of the Company (‘the Board’) may decide. Subject to the Companies Act 2006, the Articles 
and any resolution of the Company, the Board may deal with any unissued shares as it may decide.

Rights of preference shares
The preference shares carry the following rights in priority to the ordinary shares but carry no further right to participate in profits or assets:

 I  the right to receive out of the profits of the Company a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate of 5.25% per annum on the capital 

paid up thereon;

 I  the right on a return of assets on a winding up to payment of the capital paid up thereon together with a sum calculated at the rate 

of 6.00% per annum in respect of any period up to the commencement of the winding up for which such preferential dividend as referred 
to above has not been paid; and

 I  the right on a return of assets in a reduction of capital to repayment of the capital paid up thereon together with a sum equal to all arrears 

(if any) of such preferential dividend as referred to above.

 The preference shares shall not confer on the holders of them any right to receive notice of or to be present or to vote at any general meeting 
(as defined in the Articles) unless either: 

 I a resolution is proposed directly affecting the rights or privileges of the holders of the preference shares as a separate class; or 

 I  at the date of the notice convening the general meeting, the fixed cumulative preferential dividend provided in the Articles shall be in arrears 

for more than six months.

Voting
Under and subject to the provisions of the Articles and subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting attached to any shares, 
on a show of hands every shareholder present in person shall have one vote and on a poll every shareholder who was present in person 
or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder. Under the Companies Act 2006, shareholders are entitled to 
appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at a general meeting or class meeting.

Restrictions on voting
A shareholder shall not be entitled to vote at any general meeting or class meeting in respect of any shares held by him unless all calls and 
other sums presently payable by him in respect of that share have been paid. In addition, holders of default shares (as defined in the Articles) 
shall not be entitled to vote during the continuance of a default in providing the Company with information concerning interests in those 
shares required to be provided (following relevant notification) under the Companies Act 2006.

Deadlines for voting rights
Full details of the deadlines for exercising voting rights in respect of the resolutions to be considered at the AGM to be held on 23 May 2013 
are set out in the Notice of AGM on pages 88 to 91 of this Annual Report and Financial Statements. 

Dividends and distributions
The Company may, by ordinary resolution, declare a dividend to be paid to the shareholders but no dividend shall exceed the amount 
recommended by the Board. The Board may pay interim dividends and also any fixed rate dividend whenever the financial position of the 
Company justifies its payment in the opinion of the Board. If the Board acts in good faith, none of the Directors shall incur any liability to the 
holders of shares with preferred rights for any loss they may suffer in consequence of the payment of an interim dividend on other shares. 

86

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   86

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Additional information for shareholders continued
Winding up
Under the Articles, if the Company is in liquidation, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company and any 
other authority required by law:

 I  divide among the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and, for that purpose, value any assets 

and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders; or

 I  vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of shareholders as the liquidator with the like sanction 

shall think fit.

Variation of rights
The Articles specify that the special rights attached to any class of shares may, either with the consent in writing of holders of three-fourths 
of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of such holders (but not otherwise), 
be modified or abrogated.

Transfer of shares
Under and subject to the restrictions in the Articles, any shareholder may transfer all or any of his shares in certificated form by transfer in 
writing in any usual form or in any other form which the Board may approve. The Board may, save in certain circumstances, refuse to register 
any transfer of a certificated share not fully paid up. The Board may also refuse to register any transfer of certificated shares unless it is:

 I in respect of only one class of shares;

 I in favour of no more than four transferees;

 I duly stamped or exempt from stamp duty;

 I delivered to the office or at such other place as the Board may decide for registration; and

 I  accompanied by the certificate for the shares to be transferred and such other evidence (if any) as the Board may reasonably require 

to show the right of the intending transferor to transfer the shares.

Powers of the Directors
The business of the Company shall be managed by the Board which may exercise all the powers of the Company, subject to the provisions 
of the Articles and any ordinary resolution of the Company. The Articles specify that the Board may exercise all the powers of the Company 
to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property and assets and uncalled capital and to issue 
debentures and other securities, subject to the provisions of the Articles.

Takeovers and significant agreements
There are no significant agreements to which the Company is a party that take effect, alter or terminate on a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid with the exception of:

 I the Company’s share schemes and plans; and

 I  bank facilities whereby upon a ‘Change of Control’ the Lenders shall consult with Henry Boot PLC for a period not greater than 30 days 

(commencing on the date of the Change of Control) to determine whether and on what basis the Lenders are prepared to continue the Facility.

There are no persons with whom the Company has contractual or other arrangements who are deemed by the Directors to be essential 
to the business of the Company.

Information rights
Beneficial owners of shares who have been nominated by the registered holder of those shares to receive information rights under 
Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 are required to direct all communications to the registered holder of their shares, rather than 
to the Company’s registrar, Capita Registrars, or to the Company directly.

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o

l

d
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i

o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   87

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

87

 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notice of annual general meeting

Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Henry Boot PLC will be held at Baldwins Omega, Brincliffe Hill, 
Off Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 9DF on Thursday 23 May 2013 at 12.30pm for the following purposes:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, which will be proposed as to Resolutions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 as ordinary 
resolutions of the Company and as to Resolutions 8 and 9 as special resolutions of the Company. 

Resolution 1
To receive the Directors’ and Auditors’ Reports and the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Resolution 2
To declare a final dividend of 2.90p per ordinary share.

Resolution 3
To re-appoint J E Brown as a Director, who retires by rotation.

Resolution 4
To re-appoint J T Sutcliffe as a Director, who retires by rotation.

Resolution 5
To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company.

Resolution 6
To authorise the Directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration.

Resolution 7
THAT pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors be and are generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise all 
powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company 
up to an aggregate nominal amount of £4,369,870, provided that (unless previously revoked, varied or renewed) this authority shall expire on 
22 August 2014 or at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may make an offer or 
agreement before this authority expires which would or might require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or to convert any security 
into shares to be granted after this authority expires and the Directors may allot shares or grant such rights pursuant to any such offer or 
agreement as if this authority had not expired. This authority is in substitution for all existing authorities under Section 551 of the Companies 
Act 2006 (which, to the extent unused at the date of this resolution, are revoked with immediate effect).

Resolution 8
THAT subject to the passing of Resolution 7 and pursuant to Section 570 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors be and are generally 
empowered to allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Companies Act 2006) for cash pursuant to the authority granted 
by Resolution 7 as if Section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited 
to the allotment of equity securities:

(a)  in connection with an offer of equity securities (whether by way of a rights issue, open offer or otherwise):

(i) 

 to holders of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the respective numbers 
of ordinary shares held by them; and

(ii)   to holders of other equity securities in the capital of the Company, as required by the rights of those securities or, subject 

to such rights, as the Directors otherwise consider necessary,

 but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, 
fractional entitlements, record dates or any legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any 
regulatory body or stock exchange; and

(b)  otherwise than pursuant to paragraph (a) of this resolution, up to an aggregate nominal amount of £655,000,

and (unless previously revoked, varied or renewed) this power shall expire on 22 August 2014 or at the conclusion of the next AGM of the 
Company, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may make an offer or agreement before this power expires which would or might 
require equity securities to be allotted for cash after this power expires and the Directors may allot equity securities for cash pursuant to any 
such offer or agreement as if this power had not expired. This power is in substitution for all existing powers under Section 570 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (which, to the extent unused at the date of this resolution, are revoked with immediate effect).

88

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   88

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

 
 
 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Notice of Annual General Meeting continued
Resolution 9
THAT pursuant to Section 701 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company be and it is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised 
to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital 
of the Company (‘ordinary shares’) provided that:

(a)  the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 11,055,000;

(b)  the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share is 10p;

(c)  the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share is not more than the higher of: 

(i) 

 an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share as derived from the London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which the purchase is made; and 

(ii)   an amount equal to the higher of the price of the last independent trade of an ordinary share and the highest current independent bid 

for an ordinary share on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out;

(d)   the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the passing of this resolution or, 

if earlier, on 22 August 2014; and

(e)   the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under the authority hereby conferred prior to the expiry of such authority 

which will or may be completed or executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority.

Resolution 10
THAT the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2012 as set out in the 2012 Annual Report and Financial 
Statements of the Company be and is hereby approved.

By order of the Board

J T Sutcliffe 
Company Secretary 
19 April 2013 

Henry Boot PLC
Registered Office:
Banner Cross Hall
Ecclesall Road South
Sheffield
United Kingdom
S11 9PD
Registered in England No. 160996

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o

l

d
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i

o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   89

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Notice of annual general meeting continued

Notes
1.   Only holders of ordinary shares in the Company are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM.

2.   The holders of preference shares in the Company are not entitled to attend and vote at the AGM.

3.   The right to vote at the meeting is determined by reference to the register of members. Only those shareholders registered in the register 
of members of the Company as at 6.00pm on 21 May 2013 (or, if the meeting is adjourned, 6.00pm on the date which is two working days 
before the date of the adjourned meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting in respect of the number of shares registered 
in their name at that time. Changes to entries in the register of members after that time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any 
person to attend or vote (and the number of votes they may cast) at the meeting.

4.   A shareholder is entitled to appoint another person as his or her proxy to exercise all or any of his or her rights to attend and to speak 

and vote at the meeting. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company.

 A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights 
attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. Failure to specify the number of shares each proxy appointment relates 
to or specifying a number which when taken together with the numbers of shares set out in the other proxy appointments is in excess 
of the number of shares held by the shareholder may result in the proxy appointment being invalid.

 A proxy may only be appointed in accordance with the procedures set out in notes 5 to 7 below and the notes to the proxy form. 
The appointment of a proxy will not preclude a shareholder from attending and voting in person at the meeting.

5.   A form of proxy is enclosed with the notice issued to holders of ordinary shares. When appointing more than one proxy, complete 
a separate proxy form in relation to each appointment. Additional proxy forms may be obtained by photocopying the proxy form. 
State clearly on each proxy form the number of shares in relation to which the proxy is appointed.

 To be valid, a proxy form must be received by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand at the offices of the Company’s 
registrars, Capita Registrars, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham BR3 4TU, no later than 12.30pm on 21 May 2013 (or, if the meeting 
is adjourned, 48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time of any adjourned meeting). 

6.   As an alternative to completing the hard copy proxy form, a shareholder may appoint a proxy or proxies electronically using the 

Share Portal service at www.capitashareportal.com. For an electronic proxy appointment to be valid, the appointment must be received 
by Capita Registrars no later than 12.30pm on 21 May 2013 (or, if the meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding any part 
of a day that is not a working day) before the time of any adjourned meeting). 

7.   CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies for the meeting (or any adjournment of it) through the CREST electronic proxy 
appointment service may do so by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST personal members or other CREST 
sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor 
or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

 In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a ‘CREST 
Proxy Instruction’) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s specifications and must contain 
the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the 
appointment of a proxy or is an amendment to the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy, must, in order to be valid, be transmitted 
so as to be received by Capita Registrars (ID:RA10) no later than 12.30pm on 21 May 2013 (or, if the meeting is adjourned, 48 hours 
(excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time of any adjourned meeting). For this purpose, the time of receipt 
will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which 
Capita Registrars is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change 
of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means.

 CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited 
does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system timings and limitations will therefore 
apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST 
member is a CREST personal member or sponsored member or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his or her CREST 
sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the 
CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service 
providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

 The Company may treat a CREST Proxy Instruction as invalid in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001.

8.   A shareholder which is a corporation may authorise one or more persons to act as its representative(s) at the meeting. Each such representative 

may exercise (on behalf of the corporation) the same powers as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual shareholder, provided 
that (where there is more than one representative and the vote is otherwise than on a show of hands) they do not do so in relation to the 
same shares.

90

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   90

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012 Henry Boot PLC

Notes continued
9.   Where a copy of this notice is being received by a person who has been nominated to enjoy information rights under Section 146 

of the Companies Act 2006 (‘Nominated Person’):

(a)   the Nominated Person may have a right under an agreement between him/her and the shareholder by whom he/she was nominated, 

to be appointed, or to have someone else appointed, as a proxy for the meeting; or

(b)   if the Nominated Person has no such right or does not wish to exercise such right, he/she may have a right under such an agreement 

to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.

 The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies in notes 4 to 7 above does not apply to a Nominated Person. 
The rights described in such notes can only be exercised by shareholders of the Company.

10.  A shareholder or shareholders having a right to vote at the meeting and holding at least 5% of the total voting rights of the Company (see 
note 15 below), or at least 100 shareholders having a right to vote at the meeting and holding, on average, at least £100 of paid up share 
capital, may require the Company to publish on its website a statement setting out any matter that such shareholders propose to raise at 
the meeting relating to either the audit of the Company’s accounts (including the Auditors’ Report and the conduct of the audit) that are 
to be laid before the meeting or any circumstances connected with auditors of the Company ceasing to hold office since the last AGM 
of the Company in accordance with Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006.

Any such request must:

(a)   identify the statement to which it relates, by either setting out the statement in full or, if supporting a statement requested by another 

shareholder, clearly identifying the statement that is being supported;

(b)  comply with the requirements set out in note 11 below; and

(c)  be received by the Company at least one week before the meeting. 

  Where the Company is required to publish such a statement on its website:

(i)  it may not require the shareholders making the request to pay any expenses incurred by the Company in complying with the request;

(ii) it must forward the statement to the Company’s auditors no later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website; and

(iii) the statement may be dealt with as part of the business of the meeting.

11. Any request by a shareholder or shareholders to require the Company to publish audit concerns as set out in note 10:

(a)  may be made either:

(i)  in hard copy, by sending it to the Company Secretary, Henry Boot PLC, Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD; or

(ii) in electronic form, by sending it by email to cosec@henryboot.co.uk. Please state ‘Henry Boot PLC: AGM’ in the subject line of the email;

(b)  must state the full name(s) and address(es) of the shareholder(s); and

(c)  where the request is made in hard copy form, it must be signed by the shareholder(s).

12.  Shareholders have the right to ask questions at the meeting relating to the business being dealt with at the meeting in accordance 

with Section 319A of the Companies Act 2006. The Company must answer any such question unless:

(a)  to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or would involve the disclosure of confidential information;

(b)  the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question; or

(c)  it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the meeting that the question be answered.

13.  The information required by Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006 to be published in advance of the meeting, which includes 
the matters set out in this notice and information relating to the voting rights of shareholders, is available at www.henryboot.co.uk.

14.  Except as expressly provided above, shareholders who wish to communicate with the Company in relation to the meeting should 

do so using the following means:

(a)  telephone 0114 255 5444; or

(b)  email to cosec@henryboot.co.uk.

  No other methods of communication will be accepted.

15.  The issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 19 April 2013 was 131,096,122 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each 

and representing the total number of voting rights in the Company. 

i

B
u
s
n
e
s
s

r
e
v
e
w

i

O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
a

l

r
e
v
e
w

i

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

i

F
n
a
n
c
a

i

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

S
h
a
r
e
h
o

l

d
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i

o
n

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   91

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

www.henryboot.co.uk

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012

Financial calendar

London Stock Exchange 
announcements

Annual Report and Financial Statements 
2012 and Half-yearly Report 2013 posted 
to shareholders

Annual General Meeting

23 May 2013

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012: 
by 22 April 2013

Half-yearly Report 2013: 
early September 2013

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

2012 Final: 
31 May 2013

2013 Interim: 
end October 2013

Preliminary Statement of Results 2012: 
27 March 2013

First 2013 Interim Management Statement: 
early May 2013

Half-yearly Results 2013: 
end August 2013

Second 2013 Interim Management 
Statement: 
mid November 2013

Trading Update 2013: 
end January 2014

Advisers

Chartered Accountants 
and Statutory Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1 East Parade 
Sheffield S1 2ET

Corporate Finance
KPMG Corporate Finance
1 The Embankment 
Neville Street 
Leeds LS1 4DW

Bankers 
Barclays Bank PLC
1 St Paul’s Place 
121 Norfolk Street 
Sheffield S1 2JW

Lloyds TSB Bank plc
14 Church Street 
Sheffield S1 1HP

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
2 Whitehall Quay 
Leeds LS1 4HR

Financial PR
Tooleystreet Communications Limited
Regency Court 
68 Caroline Street 
Birmingham B3 1UG

Registrars
Capita Registrars Limited
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU

Solicitors
DLA Piper UK LLP
1 St Paul’s Place 
Sheffield S1 2JX

Stockbrokers
Investec Bank plc
2 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7QP

92

www.henryboot.co.uk

_0_BHY_ar12_back_(NB_MR).indd   92

4/12/2013   2:14:48 PM

Front cover
Top (left to right)
Phil Horsfield, Trainee Technician, Henry Boot Construction Limited (5 years’ service)
Vivienne Clements, Director, Henry Boot Developments Limited (16 years’ service)
Martyn Sanderson, Accommodation Manager, Banner Plant Limited (33 years’ service)

Bottom (left to right)
Sarah Wooller, Company Secretarial Administrator, Henry Boot PLC (29 years’ service)
James Tomlinson, IT Support Manager, Henry Boot PLC (14 years’ service)
Sally Jackson, Senior Planner, Henry Boot Construction Limited (5 years’ service)

Inside front cover
Property
Caroline Hines, Marketing Co-ordinator, Henry Boot Developments Limited (9 years’ service)

Land 
Martin Lindley, Senior Architectural Technician, Hallam Land Management Limited (9 years’ service)
Darren Lindley, Architectural Technician, Hallam Land Management Limited (7 years’ service)

Construction
Richard Shepherd, Assistant Site Manager, Henry Boot Construction Limited (5 years’ service)
Ken Jenkinson, Project Engineer, Henry Boot Construction Limited (23 years’ service)

Plant
Steve Hynes, Senior Service Manager, Banner Plant Limited (33 years’ service)

The commitment of the Henry Boot Group to environmental issues is 
reflected  in  this  Annual  Report.  The  report  has  been  printed  on 
Splendorgel EW which is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. 
It has been printed by a Carbon Neutral certified printer using their 
environmental  print  technology  which  minimises  the  impact  of  the 
printing on the environment. Vegetable-based inks have been used 
and 99% of dry waste is diverted from landfill.

_1_BHY_ar12_cover_(NB_MR).indd   3

4/12/2013   2:15:53 PM

Further copies of the 2012 
Annual Report and Financial 
Statements may be obtained 
from the Company Secretary.

Henry Boot PLC
Registered office: 
Banner Cross Hall 
Ecclesall Road South 
Sheffield S11 9PD 
United Kingdom 

Registered in England No. 160996

t: 0114 255 5444 
f: 0114 258 5548 
e: cosec@henryboot.co.uk 
www.henryboot.co.uk

_1_BHY_ar12_cover_(NB_MR).indd   3

4/12/2013   2:15:54 PM