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Henry Boot plc

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FY2018 Annual Report · Henry Boot plc
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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Sharing expertise, building relationships.Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Henry Boot PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Stock Code: BOOT.Lwww.henryboot.co.ukHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   305/04/2019   16:24:12Welcome to the  
Henry Boot PLC Annual Report 2018

Sharing expertise, 
building relationships.

Established in 1886, we are one of the UK’s 
leading land promotion, property investment 
and development, and construction companies.

Our culture, ‘The Henry Boot Way’ means that we have an unique and cohesive 
approach to doing business. We started ‘The One Henry Boot Project’ so we could 
capture what ‘The Henry Boot Way’ is about. We have defined three core elements 
of ‘The Henry Boot Way’: Our Purpose, Our Vision and Our Values.

Read about the ‘The Henry Boot Way’ 
on pages 14 and 15

Our Geographical Reach
National coverage 
The head office of the Henry Boot Group is located in 
Sheffield but we operate throughout the country. We have 
nine regional offices and seven plant hire centres to ensure 
that we are close to our strategic sites and we are able to 
maximise our development opportunities. 

  Head Office

  Offices

Sheffield

 Birmingham 
Bristol 
Dronfield 
Glasgow 
Leeds 
London 
Manchester 
Northampton 
Stocksfield

  Hire Centres
 Chesterfield 
Dronfield 
Derby 
Leeds 
Leicester 
Rotherham 
Wakefield

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201801OverviewRead about our Business Model on pages 16 to 19OverviewChairman’s Statement02Group at a Glance062018 Highlights08Investment Case09Strategic ReportChief Executive Officer Update12‘The Henry Boot Way’14Business Model —  Competitive Advantages16Business Model — Sustainable Value19Market Review20Segmental Reviews: Land Promotion24  Property Investment  and Development26 Construction28Segmental Case Studies30Financial Review34Our Strategy40 Dashboard42 Key Performance Indicators46Risks and Uncertainties48Corporate Responsibility56GovernanceBoard of Directors68Senior Management72Chairman’s Introduction73Corporate Governance Statement74Nomination Committee Report84Audit and Risk Committee Report86Directors’ Remuneration Report89Directors’ Report102Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities108Financial StatementsIndependent Auditors’ Report112Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income122Statements of Financial Position123Statements of Changes in Equity124Statements of Cash Flows125Principal Accounting Policies126Notes to the Financial Statements136Shareholder InformationNotice of Annual General Meeting174Financial Calendar180Advisers180Group Contact Information181Glossary 182 ContentsInside this ReportGroup at a GlanceThe strength and balance of the Group is achieved through an ordered structure and diverse business segments. Our StrategyThe Group strategic priorities ensure our Purpose is fulfilled and our Vision is achieved.Business ModelOur ability to deliver long-term value for stakeholders is underpinned by our business model.‘The One Henry Boot Project’Initiated to understand the importance of what ‘The Henry Boot Way’, our culture, means to the Group. Read about the Group at a Glance on pages 06 and 07Watch our Business Model video at www.henryboot.co.ukRead about Our Strategy on pages 40 to 47Read about The Henry Boot Project on page 12View the Year in Review site at henryboot.annualreport2018.comWe maintain a Corporate website containing a wide range of information  of interest to investors and stakeholders www.henryboot.co.uknotes-heading-level-onenotes-heading-level-twonotes-heading-level-threenotes-heading-level-fournotes-straplinenotes-text-body −notes-list-bullet −notes-list-bespoke −notes-list-dashd. notes-list-alpha5. notes-list-numbervi. notes-list-romanHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   105/04/2019   16:24:1726323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2402Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018OverviewChairman’s  Statementprocess. Henry Boot Developments, our property investment and development business, performed well but was not able to progress certain schemes as quickly as it had originally anticipated. This was due to a combination of planning delays and the higher levels of due diligence that now accompany real estate transactions. Furthermore, the 2017 results of this business benefited from the rapid sales of 164 apartments at the former Terry’s Chocolate Factory which brought profit forward from 2018.Stonebridge Homes, our jointly owned Leeds-based housebuilder, achieved 145 completions, up 84% on the 79 units completed in 2017. Once again, planning permission delays have affected the speed at which Stonebridge Homes was able to replenish its land portfolio. However, its proven ability to deliver much needed housing will result in more opportunities to buy land. We delivered £71m of construction activity in the year, I am pleased to report that Henry Boot PLC achieved a profit before tax of £48.6m, another strong performance, in a year that was typified by higher levels of economic uncertainty and global political tension. Exceeding expectations.This is the second-best result in our 133-year history, and, excluding a one-off unexpected pension scheme provision of £1.5m in relation to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions, this performance exceeded our expectations.Earnings per share were 28.3p covering our proposed dividend over three times. Net assets rose to over £300m with NAV per share at 227p, an increase of 12%. Gearing, as we move into a potentially challenging year, was very prudent at 6%.The two key profit drivers within the Group are: Hallam Land and Henry Boot Developments. In 2018, Hallam Land, our land promotion business, performed exceptionally well, selling over 3,500 units on 24 sites to help replenish the UK housebuilder’s development land inventory. It retains a site portfolio of 14,325 acres and still holds 16,489 units with planning permission, held at cost with no planning gain value recognition, that are working through the sale Net asset value per ordinary share227pEarnings per ordinary share28.3p2018227p203p177p168p152p2017201620152014201828.3p32.1p21.5p17.5p16.2p2017201620152014Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   205/04/2019   16:24:1826323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201803OverviewJamie Boot ChairmanHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   305/04/2019   16:24:1926323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2404Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018OverviewChairman’s  Statementup from £60m in 2017 and, given levels of already confirmed contract work and the number of opportunities open to us, we anticipate further growth in 2019. Banner Plant and Road Link A69, where we own a 61% share through to 2026, performed in line with expectations.DividendI am pleased to report to shareholders that the Board is recommending a final dividend of 5.8p which, together with the interim of 3.2p, gives a total of 9.0p for the year, an increase of 13% over the 8.0p paid in 2017. Payment of the final dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting and will be paid on 29 May 2019 to shareholders on the register as at 26 April 2019.Our PeopleThe successful results in 2018 were achieved against a more challenging economic and political backdrop with the markets in which we operated being affected by a higher level of uncertainty. Against this background, our most valuable resource – our people  – performed exceptionally well. We continue to empower our teams, both financially and through training initiatives, to acquire new opportunities and deliver profitable outcomes for our schemes. On behalf of the Board, our shareholders and other stakeholders, I salute our people for their resilience, skill and hard work in 2018. I am sure they will deal with the challenges that 2019 brings by using that same approach.OutlookThe key strategic ethos of Henry Boot is to create long-term value and sustainable growth for our stakeholders by financially empowering and commercially developing our people. 2018 continued this journey as we delivered yet another strong financial performance, while replenishing the longer-term property investment and development opportunities within the business.We anticipate that 2019 will be a challenging year, as the UK real estate sector adapts to the marketplace in anticipation of the UK’s departure from the EU. In advance of this, we have taken the opportunity to reduce gearing through 2018 to take advantage of any opportunities which may arise through 2019. Henry Boot Construction has started the year with a strong committed order book, certain commercial developments anticipated to start during 2018 have now commenced and one sale expected to complete in 2018 completed in January 2019.We remain committed to our chosen sectors of strategic land, commercial and residential property investment and development and construction. I remain confident that the skilled, experienced and dedicated teams in each of our businesses will achieve sector-leading results, despite the challenges we face. As reported before, we retain and continue to build an extensive pipeline of opportunities in each of our businesses. The Group’s annual results are driven by the profitable delivery of schemes for that year but, rest assured that our teams are committed to the long-term financial success of each site we hold, irrespective of which financial period the profit ultimately arises in. It is through this attention to detail, on a site-by-site basis, that we ultimately achieve long-term value creation for all our stakeholders which is what we are resolutely committed to. Despite the macro uncertainty in the UK real estate market, the new year has started well and the Board’s expectations for the current financial year remain unchanged.Jamie Boot Chairman 11 April 2019I remain confident that the skilled, experienced and dedicated teams in each of  our businesses will achieve sector-leading results, despite the challenges we face.Jamie Boot, Chairman20189.00p8.00p7.00p6.10p5.60p2017201620152014Dividends per Ordinary Share9.00pHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   405/04/2019   16:24:2005

Overview

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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06

Overview

Group at 
a Glance

Expertise, experience and agility

Land 
Promotion

Property 
Investment and 
Development

Construction

Hallam Land Management
Limited

Henry Boot
Development Limited

Stonebridge Homes
Limited

Henry Boot
Construction Limited

Banner Plant 
Limited

Road Link (A69)
Limited

The Group is split into three different business segments consisting of six primary businesses. The Parent Company, Henry 
Boot PLC, exists to provide leadership, direction and support in a number of areas to the businesses.

Group revenue

£397.1m

Profit before tax

£48.6m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£397.1m

£408.5m

£306.8m

£176.2m

2018

2017

2016

2015

£48.6m

£55.4m

£39.5m

£32.4m

£147.2m

2014

£28.3m

 Land Promotion

 Property Investment and  
Development

£74.8m

£221.9m 

 Land Promotion

 Property Investment and  
Development

 Construction 

£102.9m

 Construction 

£28.5m

£15.9m 

£9.2m

 Group Overheads/Eliminations

(£2.5m)

 Group Overheads/Eliminations

(£5.0m)

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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07

Overview

Land Promotion
Hallam Land Management

Property Investment and Development
Henry Boot Developments

Stonebridge Homes

The strategic land and planning 
promotion arm of the Henry Boot 
Group. Since 1990 we have been 
acquiring, promoting and developing 
land with an outstanding record in 
achieving planning permission.

Key sectors:
 — Housing

 — Sustainable communities 

 — Business parks

One of the most progressive property 
companies in the UK with its 
considerable experience and impressive 
reputation in all sectors of property 
development. Currently the company 
has a commercial development pipeline 
of over £1bn.

Key sectors:
 — Retail, industrial, leisure, office space 

and commercial development

A jointly owned company (controlled 
by Henry Boot PLC) in the north of 
England which develops family homes 
that combine care, consideration 
and attention to detail. The company 
also provides high specification fully 
serviced office space to small business 
occupiers.

Key sectors:
 — Residential development 

 — Development partnerships

 — Serviced office space 

 — Residential development

Construction
Henry Boot Construction

Banner Plant

Road Link (A69)

Specialising in serving both public and 
private clients in all construction and 
civil engineering sectors, in which we 
have strong partnering relationships. 

Key sectors:
 — Housing, civil engineering, health, 

sports and leisure, commercial/retail, 
industrial, custodial and education

Offering a wide range of construction 
equipment and services for sale and hire 
in plant, temporary accommodation, 
power tools, powered access, big air 
compressors and serviced toilets. The 
range of products continues to evolve to 
meet customer requirements in modern 
health and safety legislation. Primarily, 
supply areas stretch from Yorkshire 
in the north to the East Midlands and 
Birmingham in the south.

Road Link has a 30-year contract 
(seven years remaining) with Highways 
England to operate and maintain the 
A69 trunk road between Carlisle and 
Newcastle upon Tyne. Works include 
road resurfacing, bridge repairs, winter 
preparation and routine maintenance. 
Highways England pays Road Link 
(A69) a shadow toll, which is a fee 
based upon the number of vehicles 
using the road and mileage travelled by 
those vehicles.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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08

Overview

2018  
Highlights

Financial Highlights

Profit before tax

£48.6m

Net debt

£18.6m

Operating profit

£49.2m

2018

2017

2016

2015

£39.5m

£32.4m

2014

£28.3m

Net asset value per 
ordinary share

227p

£48.6m

2018

£18.6m

£55.4m

2017

£29.0m

2018

2017

2016

£49.2m

£56.2m

£39.5m

2016

2015

2014

£32.9m

£38.9m

2015

£31.7m

£36.4m

2014

£28.0m

Earnings per 
ordinary share

28.3p

Dividends per 
ordinary share

9.00p

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

227p

2018

28.3p

2018

9.00p

203p

177p

168p

152p

2017

2016

2015

2014

21.5p

17.5p

16.2p

32.1p

2017

8.00p

2016

2015

2014

7.00p

6.10p

5.60p

Operational Highlights

 — Strong set of results delivered, in line with market 

 — Net debt reduced to £18.6m. 

expectation.

 — Over 3,500 units, across 24 sites, sold during the year.

 — Stonebridge Homes delivered sales of 145 units, nearly 

doubling the amount from 2017.

 — The £333m joint venture development, TECA, remains within 

cost budget and is set to open mid 2019. 

 — Henry Boot Construction delivered over £70m of 

construction activity across all sectors of their operations.

 — The ‘One Henry Boot’ Project has completed having 
achieved its purpose of understanding our culture. 

 — GDV of current development schemes in delivery is 
over £700m, of which £400m has been delivered at 
the end of 2018.

Read the Financial Review 
on pages 34 to 39

Read the Segmental Reviews 
on pages 24 to 29

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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09

Overview

Investment  
Case

Key drivers 
of growth.

Ten-year TSR performance

FTSE Small Cap Index

Henry Boot PLC

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1    Good financial  

track record over  
the long term

 — Providing reliable earnings through cyclical markets with 

good visibility from the opportunities under control.

 — Prudent debt levels and a disciplined approach to risk 

management. 

 — Trading profit produced within our three business 

segments: Land Promotion, Property Investment and 
Development and Construction.

2    A long-established 

and efficient capital 
structure

 — Reinvestment of cash generated in the construction 

segment into strategic land and commercial development 
assets to enhance returns to shareholders.

 — We aim to provide dividend growth while maintaining at 
least three times dividend cover to allow for investment in 
future opportunities, without diluting existing shareholders 
by raising new equity capital.

3    Delivering 

residential 
communities

4    Delivering 

commercial 
opportunity

5    Shareholder 

returns

 — Over 14,000 acres of strategic land on 178 sites 

throughout the UK.

 — Our strategic land business has the scope to deliver 60,000 
to 70,000 housing units over the next 10 to 20 years, with 
16,489 secured planning permission plots.

 — Given the well-documented housing shortages and the 
government’s desire for more housing delivery, our land 
portfolio is well positioned to help deliver these much 
needed houses.

 — A commercial development pipeline of £1bn plus of 

Gross Development Value in addition to over £300m to be 
delivered over the next three years.

 — A small but quickly growing jointly owned housebuilder 

with a land portfolio of over 800 units and a 
medium-term planned output of 250 unit sales.

 — Our long-term strategic aim is to create shareholder 

value through land promotion, property development and 
construction.

 — Strong organic growth drivers and capital allocation 

across our three business segments.

 — Dividend has increased by 180% over the last ten years.

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2410Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1005/04/2019   16:24:2726323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201811Strategic Report11Strategic ReportA review of our business and strategyWorking in partnership to make things happen.The Directors present the Group Strategic Report for the year ended 31 December 2018.This report sets out how Henry Boot continues to create consistent value through the promotion of new land opportunities, the development of and investment in high quality property assets and construction activities.The Strategic Report on pages 12 to 65 has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf byJohn Sutcliffe Chief Executive Officer11 April 2019Darren Littlewood Group Finance Director11 April 2019Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1105/04/2019   16:24:2826323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2412Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportChief Executive Officer UpdateOne Henry BootThe now complete ‘One Henry Boot’ Project has been an important story referred to in the past two reports. The purpose of the project was to define our culture, vision and values, which we refer to as ‘The Henry Boot Way’, by setting up a Working Group of volunteers from across our Group of companies. This project was launched internally in 2017 to ensure the results resonated with our businesses in practice.During 2018, we began the second phase of the project, with an additional eight Working Groups being set up and the external launch of ‘The Henry Boot Way’. We split the launch internally and externally to allow the business time to process and embed ‘The Henry Boot Way’. The external launch to our stakeholders took place in March 2018 and was met with very positive feedback. Our customers, partners and clients told us that they recognised ‘The Henry Boot Way’ to be authentic to our identity and the way we operate. We will continue to share ‘The Henry Boot Way’ externally as we grow our business and form new relationships. The eight Working Groups were given specific topics to debate and to make improvements on. These ranged from how we induct and recruit to how we support career development. In total, there were 60 recommendations with 45 already implemented and contributing to the business. This represented a fantastic achievement by the employees involved and a real testament to the ‘One Henry Boot’ Project. In June 2018 the ‘One Henry Boot’ Project closed after achieving its purpose. However, this is by no means the end, as the work undertaken will now embed naturally in the business. ‘The Henry Boot Way’ will continue to be one of the key elements of our strategy to achieve long term future success. TimelineIdentify opportunities and acquire land2018Identify opportunities and acquire land2017Identify opportunities and acquire land2019FebruaryAugustSeptemberDecemberJanuaryJuneJulyOngoingLaunch of ‘One Henry Boot’ ProjectDefined ‘The Henry Boot Way’Launch of ‘The Henry Boot Way’Adoption of ‘The Henry Boot Way’Embedding of ‘The Henry Boot Way’Investors in PeopleLast year Henry Boot PLC and Henry Boot Developments gained ‘Investors In People’ accreditation. The plan had been to achieve Group accreditation, however after an internal review, it was agreed that subsidiaries should apply separately. This allowed each business the time to focus on meeting the standards at their own pace. With Henry Boot Construction and Road Link already having accreditation, our focus now shifts to the remaining subsidiaries, who we have no doubt will follow in due course.Read about our ‘People’ in the Corporate Responsibility section  on pages 58 to 60John Sutcliffe Chief Executive OfficerLaunch, Adoption & Embedding.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1205/04/2019   16:24:2926323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201813Strategic ReportJohn Sutcliffe Chief Executive OfficerHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1305/04/2019   16:24:3026323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2414Overview‘ The Henry Boot Way’Built  from the ground up.Our culture, ‘The Henry Boot Way’ means that we have a unique and cohesive approach to doing business. We started ‘The One Henry Boot Project’ so we could capture what ‘The Henry Boot Way’ is about. We have defined three core elements of The Henry Boot Way: Our Purpose, Our Vision and Our Values.Our PurposeTo empower and develop our people to create long-term value and sustainable growth for our stakeholders*. Our VisionOur people, partners and communities continue to trust our reputation, respect our expertise and value us for our forward-thinking approach.* Our stakeholders are our shareholders, employees, pensioners, customers and suppliers. More broadly, we recognise our duties to the environment and the communities in which we operate.Our ValuesRespect —We treat everyone in the way they wish to be treated. —We think about what we do, how we do it and how  it will impact others. —We recognise and value difference. —We recognise and value everyone’s individual contribution. —We foster two-way, clear and constructive communication. —We strive to always meet our commitments and obligations. —We put sustainability and safety at the heart of  what we do.Loyalty —We celebrate our heritage, our history and our achievements. —We are committed to giving back to our communities. —We build our reputation on strong relationships. —We build our reputation on repeat business. —We value the longevity of our relationships with our business and our partners. —We are totally committed to our people’s learning and development. —We place great value on “growing our own”.Integrity —We do what we say we are going to do. —We keep our promises, stay true to our word. —We do what is right, not what is easy. —We tackle problems head on. —We operate with the utmost professionalism. —We champion ethical working. —We operate fairly and equitably in everything we do.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1405/04/2019   16:24:3226323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201815OverviewDelivery  —We are relentless in delivering for our customer. —We thrive on our customers’ success. —We deliver our best quality work for everyone, no matter what. —We get things done properly. —We are skilled and resourceful problem-solvers. —We are all self-motivated to deliver. —We set ambitious goals and meet them.Collaboration —We set clear mutual expectations and strive to achieve them. —We work in partnership to make things happen. —We promote cross-team working always. —We are a friendly and open bunch. —We look out for each other and want to get to know people. —We have time and patience for people. —We share our financial rewards with our people.Adaptability —We welcome change. —We are open to opportunities to do things differently. —We share our knowledge and experience for the greater good. —We seek to positively challenge what we do and how we do it. —We always think about how we could do things better. —We stay ahead of the game. —We are resilient, have staying power. —We are straightforward to do business with.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1505/04/2019   16:24:3516

Strategic Report

Business 
Model

Competitive 
advantages.

The business model describes how our three business 
segments successfully operate for the combined benefit of 
the Group. The key competitive advantages the business 
model has to offer are:

Expertise 
We have been in business for over 130 years and we are valued 
for our expertise and forward-thinking approach.

This expertise varies throughout the diversified business 
segments:

Land promotion 
 — Identifying land with future potential

 — Various investment methods (being owned, optioned or agency 
agreements) allow us to meet the needs of landowners whilst 
maximising the number of opportunities available

 — Taking land through the complexities of the planning system

Property Investment & Development
 — Acquiring and developing brownfield land or under performing 

property assets

 — Operating in diverse sectors to maximise development 

opportunities

 — Developing partnership arrangements

Construction
 — Project delivery in both the public and private sector, on-time 

and within budget

 — Creating trusted relationships and repeat business

 — Supplying a wide range of plant equipment efficiently

Relationships
Creating lasting relationships with clients, partners and 
customers is fundamental to the way we do business. 
We ensure landowners are guided through the planning 
system, work with key property advisers to become 
aware of potential opportunities and deliver on time to 
create repeat business in each of the Groups segments. 
Our reputation and success are built on the relationships 
we create, and we take great care to ensure we build on 
these for the future. 

Capital Structure
The property investment portfolio of Henry Boot 
Developments generates a sizeable amount of rental 
income each year which allows us to borrow against the 
investment portfolio at attractive rates. The Construction 
segment is self-funded and cash generative. We reinvest 
the cash generated from these activities into strategic land 
and property development. The revenues generated from 
the sale of land and property development is not regular, 
recurring income and it would not be possible to directly 
fund these activities through borrowings. Our financial 
structure allows us to invest in the more profitable areas of 
the business (strategic land and property development) to 
maximise the value generated while maintaining prudent 
gearing levels.

Diversified businesses
The Group’s three business segments operate across 
the whole property value chain. Each segment is involved 
in multiple sectors – residential, leisure, retail, industrial, 
office and civil engineering – which means that we are not 
overly exposed to one area of the market. This enables us 
to weather economic fluctuations and deliver on our key 
objective of maximising Stakeholder value.

Read about Our Diversified Business 
on pages 06 and 07

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Business 
Model

The six primary businesses within 
Henry Boot all operate relatively 
autonomously within their respective 
business segments.

The businesses will work on the same 
projects if the circumstances are right. For 
example, Henry Boot Construction may 
act as a construction contractor for the 
Property Investment and Development 
business, if it tenders the best bid.

The businesses share ideas and best 
practice with each other.

Identify 
Identify 
opportunities 
opportunities and 
and acquire 
acquire land
land

Investment into 
land and planning 
permission process

17

Strategic Report

Obtain planning 
permission

Sale 

of land

Cyclical Revenue

Recurring Revenue

Construction

Investment 
portfolio

Sale of 

property

Development 

of site

Identify 
opportunities 
and acquire 
land

Identify 
opportunities 
and acquire 
land

Identify 
opportunities 
and acquire 
land

Identify opportunities & acquire land

Obtain planning permission

Development of site

Henry Boot Developments (HBD) 
acquires mainly brownfield land for 
commercial development.

HBD will gain planning permission for 
commercial development. 

HBD and Stonebridge Homes develop 
the sites themselves.

Stonebridge Homes promotes land 
for residential development.

HBD have the ability to self-fund or 
source prefunding. This means the 
company can commit to long-term 
projects, such as complex multi-site 
regeneration schemes. 

Identify opportunities & acquire land

Obtain planning permission

HLM promotes land for residential, 
commercial and retail consent. 
Gaining planning permission on 
the land adds immense value to 
its worth and is crucial part of their 
operation. 

Hallam Land Management (HLM) 
acquires mainly agricultural land 
and then promotes it for its highest 
value use. The use of agency and 
option agreements is used to 
secure the land, which can reduce 
the expenditure on each asset 
allowing us to maximise the number 
of land opportunities. However, 
HLM will buy the land outright if an 
opportunity presents itself.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Identify 

opportunities 

Identify 

opportunities and 

and acquire 

acquire land

land

Investment into 

land and planning 

permission process

Obtain planning 

permission

Cyclical Revenue

Recurring Revenue

Sale 
of land

Construction

Investment 

portfolio

Sale of 
property

Development 
of site

18

Strategic Report

Key

Land Promotion

 — Hallam Land Management

Property Investment & Development

 — Henry Boot Developments

 — Stonebridge Homes

Construction

 — Henry Boot Construction

 — Banner Plant

 — Road Link (A69)

Revenue

 — Cyclical 

 — Recurring 

View the video explaining 
our Business Model on our 
corporate website

Sale of property

Investment Portfolio

Construction

Once a property is developed, 
it may be immediately sold, 
generating significant revenue. 
Properties may also be retained 
by the business to form part of 
the investment portfolio which 
may be sold at a later time.

A number of the finished 
property developments are 
retained and managed by 
the Property Investment. The 
Development segment and the 
Property Investment portfolio is 
worth over £120m.

Sale of land

HLM sells land to a developer, 
occasionally after infrastructure 
has been installed.
The amount of capital required 
to achieve planning permission 
on land is very small in 
comparison to the whole building 
process. HLM is focused on 
maximising the most profitable 
section of the house building 
process for the lowest amount of 
working capital. 

Henry Boot Construction is 
a contractor specialising in 
servicing both public and private 
clients in all construction and 
civil engineering sectors.

Banner Plant offers a wide 
range of services, and a high 
quality inventory of equipment 
for hire and sale, such as 
temporary accommodation, 
powered access equipment, 
tools and non-man 
operated plant.

Road Link (A69) has a contract 
with Highways England to 
operate and maintain the A69 
truck road between Carlisle and 
Newcastle upon Tyne. Highways 
England pays Road Link a 
fee based on the number of 
vehicles using the road and the 
mileage travelled. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201819Strategic ReportBusiness ModelFinancial StrengthAs a result of our financial structure, we can invest in the more profitable areas of the business (strategic land and property development) to maximise the value generated while maintaining prudent gearing levels.Stakeholder valueSustainable valueRecurring RevenueThe revenue from construction and the property investment portfolio is regular and stable. This income allows Henry Boot PLC to maintain long term bank funding relationships.Cyclical RevenueSale of land and property developments generates cyclical revenue. These activities are riskier and give varying amounts of profit through each economic cycle. These profits, in good years, contribute significantly to the stable profits from construction and property investment.ShareholdersOperating transparently and responsibly, we regularly engage with our investors to give an understanding of our business model and provide updates on the Group’s progress.EmployeesOur employees are integral in bringing the business model into operation. We attract, retain and motivate employees by creating an environment that allows growth and development. This increases the potential for all our people to have long term career opportunities in the Group.CommunitiesWe aim to develop and maintain strong relationships with the communities we operate in. An important aspect of our approach is to work in partnership with organisations to share benefits equally. We believe the business model plays a fundamental role in creating sustainable value for the Group and our Stakeholders. The competitive advantages it offers allows us to operate efficiently and meet Our Purpose of creating long-term value.Read more in our Corporate Responsibility Section on pages 56 to 65GroupInvestment into land acquisition and planning permission processBank FundingCyclical RevenueRecurring RevenueHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   1905/04/2019   16:24:3720

Strategic Report

Market  
Review

Land 
Promotion

During 2018 residential land value 
remained stable, helped by Government 
initiatives on affordable housing and 
‘Help to Buy’, which was relaunched 
in the Autumn. The housing market 
continues to be buoyed by low interest 
rates and good availability of borrowing. 
Our major customers continue to be the 
large UK housebuilders, but additionally 
during the year we sold two sites to 
Housing Associations, broadening our 
future customer base.

The Government continues with 
welcome planning reforms, such as 
National Planning Policy Framework 
(‘NPPF’), re-issued in the summer of 
2018, with the objective of increasing 
the amount of planning consented land 
so that the national target of building 
300,000 new homes per annum by the 
mid 2020’s can be achieved. 

We do not expect significant structural 
change to the planning process that 
would impact significantly on our 
strategic land business, but, as we 
have seen over the last decade, we do 
anticipate continued pressure on land 

We continually review the markets our business segments operate in to 
identify market trends and conditions which can affect the Group. The analysis 
helps form the strategy that will deliver the Group's key priorities and the 
identification of risk.

Annual land value growth

UK greenfield
Index (100=2007/08 peak)

UK urban

UK planning consents

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

0

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Source: Savills Research, HBF, Glenigan

2% and 4% price inflation”. However, the 
planning process remains very protracted 
and expensive and accordingly sites in 
valuable market areas continue to be the 
most sought after. 

value through Section 106 negotiations 
requiring more affordable housing and 
higher payments towards infrastructure.

The housing market in 2018 remained 
resilient, and sales in the new homes 
sector, as opposed to second hand 
homes, were maintained. The underlying 
market for our land remains strong with 
Halifax anticipating “continued stability in 
house prices during 2019 with between 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Strategic Report

Property Investment 
and Development

In common with other industries, the 
Brexit uncertainty has fed through 
into the UK property investment and 
development market. This has resulted 
in net investment disposals which has 
led, in turn, to lower rents and valuations, 
particularly for retail assets. However, 
the fundamentals of the UK property 
market remain strong with relatively low 
loan to value ratios and a diverse and 
experienced range of investors.

Therefore, whilst we may see some 
market uncertainty whilst investors 
and occupiers fully assess the Brexit 
outcome, the medium-term prospects 
for the UK commercial property sector 
remain positive. Indeed, for international 
investors, the UK continues to be a 
favoured property option due to its 
legal and tax transparency, and any 
sterling depreciation will, we believe, 
only increase the appetite for overseas 
investment into the UK commercial 
property market.

Net yields %

All Property Types

Retail

Office

Industrial

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

0
Dec 14

Source: JLL & IPD

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

The strongest sub sectors of the 
market through 2018 were industrial 
and logistics assets and residential 
accommodation, including build to 
rent, student and affordable housing. 
Indications are that, along with regional 
offices, these will continue to be the 

favoured sectors during 2019. Length of 
lease, inflation linked or growing rental 
indicators and quality of the tenant 
covenant remain the key drivers of yield 
strength, although few asset categories 
are now seeing any further yield 
compression. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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22

Strategic Report

Market  
Review

Construction

Henry Boot Construction mainly operates 
throughout the Midlands and the North 
of England, servicing a wide range of 
public and private sector clients. Banner 
Plant supplies a broad variety of non-
man operated plant to the construction 
subcontract supply base across a wide 
range of construction markets, once 
again in the North and the Midlands. 
Across the country, spending by schools, 
universities, hospitals, prisons and other 
local infrastructure providers has been 
maintained, coupled with increased 
spending on housing. We expect 
spending on these sectors to continue 
regardless of changes to Government 
policy, due to anticipated growth in the 
UK population. This workload is further 
complemented by a wide private sector 
client base. 

Construction output & employment seasonally adjusted, GB

Rolling three-month
Index 2016=100

120

110

100

90

80

0
Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Source: Construction Output and Employment – Office for National Statistics

confident that quality contractors with 
demonstrable financial strength will 
continue to win work.

Uncertainty has resulted in private 
sector developers delaying certain 
construction projects. However centrally 
funded projects across a wide range of 
sectors remains resilient and we remain 

The well publicised financial difficulties 
within some parts of the construction 
industry brought more scrutiny 
on construction delivery partners, 
particularly given the very low margins 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

and risks associated with construction 
projects. However, our strong customer 
base, healthy level of negotiated 
schemes, repeat business opportunities 
and ability to deliver work across a 
wide range of sectors, combined with 
our financial strength, means that 
we continue to successfully secure a 
growing workload.

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23

Strategic Report

Strategic 
strengths.
1    Actively address  

the housing 
shortage

2    A growing  

land portfolio

After completing the market review we identified five 
strategic strengths that we feel support our operations. 
These strengths also become a part of the thought 
process for the subsidiaries strategic priorities.

 — The government is actively addressing the housing 

shortage with initiatives such as ‘Help to Buy’, placing our 
strategic land business in a strong position to continue to 
deliver land with planning permission to UK housebuilders. 
This also supports the growth of our own house 
building activities and presents residential development 
opportunities in property development.

 — Stonebridge Homes has a growing land portfolio in strong 

market locations where we expect the market to be 
resilient and is looking forward to 2019 confident it can 
deal with the challenging marketplace.

 — Hallam Land also continues to grow its land portfolio 
with a focus towards increasing its owned land and 
opportunities in the Midlands and Southern regions.

3    Diverse range 

of development 
projects

 — We retain a diverse range of development projects 

throughout the UK to help protect the Group from any 
short-term market volatility. Our forecast workload for the 
next three years shows us delivering schemes across 
different types of property, with a strong bias towards the 
industrial and logistics sector.

4    Variety of JV 

opportunities

5    Reputation to 

deliver work

 — We have a good mix of projects which we are either 

progressing independently, or via joint venture 
arrangements. Many of these joint venture opportunities 
are being delivered in partnership with the public sector 
(particularly local authorities). This is a core part of our 
business which has enjoyed success over many years 
and one which we aim to grow in the future.

 — A strong reputation and ability to deliver work across a 

variety of construction sectors leading to a healthy order 
book of repeat business.

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2424Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportSegmental Review Land PromotionWe have been encouraged to see initial indications from the major UK housebuilders that they have traded, thus far, well.Nick Duckworth, Hallam Land Management LimitedHallam Land had a very successful year in 2018. Our UK housebuilder customers achieved strong house sales during the year and replenished their land portfolios in good market areas. Profit before tax for the year was £28.5m (2017: £23.1m) from selling 3,573 plots across 24 residential and three commercial schemes. Because of these sales, our consented site portfolio reduced to 16,489 plots (Dec 2017: 18,529); however, at the year end we had 11,929 plots which were the subject of planning applications (Dec 2017: 7,982), and we entered 2019 with 1,480 plot sales exchanged and awaiting completion in 2019.As our strategic land portfolio is held as inventory, accounting policy requires these assets to be held at the lower of cost or net realisable value. In accordance with this policy no uplift in value can be recognised within our accounts relating to any of the 16,489 plots over which planning permission has been secured. Any increase in value created from securing planning permission over these assets will therefore only be recognised on disposal.Over a six year period, we have gained planning permission for 21,591 new plots, successfully sold 11,396 plots and built a land portfolio of plots moving into the sale process amounting to 16,489, in addition to the land we are now progressing through the planning system or waiting to come forward into the process.We secured a total of 1,533 new consented plots during the year (or consents subject to Section 106 agreement) including sites at: Bilston (95 plots), Crowmarsh Gifford (75 plots), Evesham (220 plots), Sileby (195 plots), Warwick (90 plots), Wellingborough (600 plots) and Wetherby (210 plots). At the year end the Company held land interests in 14,325 acres (2017: 13,273 acres) as either freehold or under option/promotion agreements, including 2,599 acres with planning consent (2017: 2,884 acres). During the year we made initial disposals at Market Harborough (226 plots) and Haverhill (450 plots), leaving 236 plots and 800 plots respectively for future years. At Market Harborough the balance of the holding is contracted for disposal between 2019 to 2021, whereas at Haverhill (south east of Cambridge) the balance will be marketed in 2021/22. As mentioned last year, we benefit from a significant asset at Didcot, comprising 2,150 plots and a share in a local centre, to the west of the town. During 2018, we selected preferred housebuilders and contract negotiations have commenced as we work to secure disposal of these plots.Another significant project that progressed very well during 2018 was at Eastern Green, Coventry. During the year planners removed this site from the green belt and allocated it for a mix of residential and commercial development in the Coventry city local plan. At the turn of the year we submitted a planning application for 2,625 plots, 15 hectares of commercial development, a primary school and other community facilities. Coventry is largely surrounded by green belt and this is the most significant site coming forward for development within the City boundary. Our aim is to secure planning consent late in 2019 with development commencing in 2020/21.At our other long-standing projects, Cranbrook, the 3,500-unit new community at Exeter, and Kingsdown in Bridgwater, steady progress continued during the year. At Cranbrook we sold 180 plots to a regional housebuilder, and successfully progressed our expansion plans for the new town, while in Bridgwater, 72 plots were sold to a national housebuilder. Both projects continue to perform well.We commence 2019 in very good shape with 1,480 plots exchanged for sale and a further 237 exchanged subject to reserved matters planning approval. Additionally, our consented portfolio was bolstered in the first few days of 2019 when a long-standing scheme to the west of Worcester secured outline consent, subject to signing the Section 106 agreement, for 900 plots.We have been encouraged to see initial indications from the major UK housebuilders that they have traded, thus far, well through the period of uncertainty arising from the decision to leave the EU with no adverse impact on our contracted transactions and, therefore, we look forward to another solid year in 2019. Total revenue£74.8m2018£74.8m£76.2m£51.2m£46.7m£39.0m2017201620152014Profit before tax£28.5m2018£28.5m£23.1m£17.7m£19.1m£13.1m2017201620152014Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   2405/04/2019   16:24:4625

Strategic Report

No. of plots sold

3,573

2018

2017

2,169

2016

1,609

2015

1,763

2014

1,107

Land portfolio (acres)

14,325

Pictured: Coventry, planning 
application for 2,625 plots 
submitted during the year. 

3,573

2018

12,763

1,562

14,325

2017

2016

2015

2014

11,665

1,608

13,273

10,139

1,749

11,888

9,257

1,804

11,061

8,166

1,819

9,985

 Agency and Optioned

 Purchased 

Plots in planning process

Plots with planning permission

11,929

2018

11,929

2017

7,982

10,452

2016

2015

2014

16,489

2018

2017

2016

16,489

18,529

16,417

17,768

2015

12,043

10,646

2014

11,547

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2426Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportSegmental Review  Property Investment and DevelopmentWe have seen planning, development agreements and letting successes across several of our strategic employment sites.Edward Hutchinson, Henry Boot Developments LimitedStonebridge Homes performed well in 2018, achieving 145 sales, nearly doubling since the previous year.Darren Stubbs, Stonebridge Homes LimitedHenry Boot Developments achieved good progress on a diverse range of projects in both the pre- and post-construction phases during 2018. New development opportunities were progressed on a 56-acre employment site at Cloverhill in Aberdeen, a 300-unit Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme at Deansgate Station in Manchester and a prominent city centre site in Manchester for circa 100,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.We have seen planning, development agreements and letting successes across several of our strategic employment sites. We obtained detailed planning and exchanged a development agreement for the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in Sunderland, with the first phase of infrastructure planned for 2019 and are already in detailed discussions with several potential occupiers. We have commenced construction of 83,000 sq ft of speculative industrial space at Butterfields Business Park in Luton. Following planning permission and confirmation of further infrastructure grant funding at Airport Business Park in Southend, we expect the first design and build unit, of 123,000 sq ft for Ipeco, to commence in 2019. We have also completed the acquisition of 18 acres at Preston and entered into development agreements at Wakefield, Taunton and Enfield to deliver further industrial/logistics schemes. The strategic employment sites in Nottingham (car dealership use included) and Walsall are also making good progress and we should be developing units by late 2020/2021.Our residential opportunities are progressing well. “Kampus” in Manchester, a £220m forward funded 533 build-to-rent apartment scheme, is on track to complete in 2020. We submitted a planning application late in 2018 for a 123-apartment scheme with Stonebridge Homes at our site in York and we hope to commence development in late 2019/2020. We also expect to start construction work on 27 apartments on the upper floors of Equitable House in central Manchester following the sale of the ground floor retail units in 2018.At Wyvern Park, Skipton, we obtained planning consent to commence infrastructure work in 2019 which should result in us securing residential and employment land receipts in 2020. Elsewhere, we completed bespoke industrial units, for the 11th consecutive year, totalling 108,000 sq ft at Markham Vale and are already contracted to deliver a further 110,000 sq ft in 2019.Finally, The Event Complex Aberdeen remains within cost budget and on time to open in summer 2019. The exciting £333m development, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, will create 48,000 square metres of multi-purpose event space, conference and exhibition halls, a stunning 12,500 seat arena, spacious hospitality boxes, a premium restaurant and 350 hotel beds.HousebuildingOur jointly owned housebuilder, Stonebridge Homes, performed well in 2018, achieving 145 sales (2017: 79 sales) and carried over 15 reservations into 2019. We expect to be selling from six to eight sites with planning permission to deliver our 2019 targets largely in the buoyant market areas north and east of Leeds. We have also invested further in our management teams to support the anticipated growth in the business. Our land portfolio with secured permission now stands at 379 units (2017: 320 units) and longer term secured sites, subject to obtaining planning permission, equate to 489 units (2017: 560 units). We are actively looking to grow this opportunity portfolio, with the longer term aim of building Stonebridge Homes into a multi-region mid-tier housebuilder.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   2605/04/2019   16:24:4927

Strategic Report

Total revenue

£221.9m

Rental income

£7.0m

Pictured: Progress shot of 
TECA, the £333m project for 
Aberdeen City Council, set to 
complete mid 2019. 

2018

2017

2016

£221.9m

£250.7m

£176.5m

2015

£50.3m

2014

£26.1m

Profit before tax

£15.9m

2018

2017

2016

£15.9m

£11.2m

2015

£3.5m

2014

£4.6m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£7.0m

£8.1m

£6.7m

£7.2m

£6.2m

No. of plots sold (Stonebridge Homes Limited)

£26.2m

145

2018

2017

2016

79

70

2015

41

2014

32

145

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2428Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportSegmental Review  ConstructionHenry Boot Construction delivered £71m of construction activity in 2018 and started 2019 with a very strong order book. In recent years we have exceeded targeted profit levels by maintaining a good blend of both private and public-sector clients across a wide range of building and civil engineering sectors. This provides a solid base to manage the risk of any short-term uncertainty associated with the UK’s departure from the EU. Repeat business continues to underpin our success and is an indication of our excellent performance and delivery of value for our clients. In the commercial sector, Phase 1 of the Barnsley town centre redevelopment scheme, The Glass Works, is now nearing completion and we have commenced design and remediation works on the first part of Phase 2, an £88m commercial and retail offering. The civil engineering sector continues to provide good opportunities. We completed the infrastructure and roads project at the Advanced Manufacturing Park for the University of Sheffield and work for Extra MSA at Skelton Lake in Leeds is also progressing well. There has been an increase in housing opportunities and we are now part of a preferred consortium aiming to build out a major PRS residential scheme in Sheffield. We completed several projects within the educational sector in 2018; the Aerothermal Technology Building for Loughborough University, concourse Public Realm works for the University of Sheffield, the School of Earth and Environment expansion at the University of Leeds and the Spine Public Realm scheme for Lancaster University. We also continue to deliver the Sports Development Centre for the University of Hull, the Royce Discovery Centre for the University of Sheffield and Brookfield Campus for the University of Leicester. We also successfully secured a place on the Leeds Local Education Partnership.Further places have been secured on the Pagabo public and private sector framework and the Procure North West framework. Several schemes have also been secured through the Ministry of Justice refurbishment framework. Through the YORbuild 2 framework, we have completed structural works to six tower blocks for Leeds City Council. In the healthcare sector, we continue to be a framework delivery partner for the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.In recent years we have exceeded targeted profit levels by maintaining a good blend of both private and public-sector clients.Simon Carr, Henry Boot Construction LimitedDepots in the North traded well and we benefited from strong sale values for fully depreciated asset disposals.Giles Boot, Banner Plant LimitedDespite testing weather conditions in early 2018, the contract completed another successful year in line with expectations.Trevor Walker, Road Link (A69) LimitedHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   2805/04/2019   16:24:5329

Strategic Report

Total revenue

£102.9m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Profit before tax

£9.2m

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

£102.9m

£81.9m

£79.4m

£79.5m

£82.4m

£9.2m

£10.0m

£11.0m

£9.9m

£10.1m

Plant Hire
Banner Plant traded broadly in line 
with expectations. Depots in the North 
traded well and we benefited from strong 
sale values for fully depreciated asset 
disposals. These benefits were offset by 
weaker activity in the Midlands-based 
depots and management changes have 
been implemented to bring new focus 
here. We continue to invest in the fleet 
with capital investment at 12% of asset 
cost, while cash inflows, helped by 
the strong sales values, were ahead of 
expectations.

Road Link 
Road Link (A69) which runs the A69 
between Newcastle and Carlisle under 
a Design, Build, Finance and Operate 
(DBFO) agreement, completed another 
successful year in line with expectations. 
Traffic volumes were slightly up on 2017 
and, despite some days of heavy snow in 
the early part of 2018, the road remained 
open throughout the year. The contract 
has seven years to run and remains on 
course to operate to plan until the hand-
back to Highways England is effected at 
that time.

Pictured: University of Hull, the project 
consists of a 12-court sports hall built 
on campus and refurbishment of the 
existing Grade II listed sports centre.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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30
30
30

Strategic Report
Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Segmental Case Study 
Land Promotion

Land Promotion Value Chain

Identify 
Identify 
opportunities 
opportunities 
and acquire 
and acquire 
land
land

Obtain planning 
permission

Sale 
of land

Cyclical Revenue

Investment into  
land and planning  
permission process

Read more about our Business 
Model on pages 16 to 19

Read the Land Promotion Review 
on pages 24 and 25

Airfield Farm, Market Harborough, Leicestershire
In 1999, Hallam Land Management 
(HLM) purchased 56 ha at ‘Airfield Farm 
Market Harborough’, which once formed 
part of a World War Two Wellington 
bomber RAF airbase and training centre. 
In the early 2000s work on the master 
plan began. This demonstrated the need 
for two points of access, one to the north 
of Leicester Road and one to the south 
via a new bridge to be built across the 
existing Grand Union Canal. 

dwellings

Farm and neighbouring land as a site 
with potential to accommodate 1,100 
dwellings. After HDC advisors reviewed 
our proposal the following application 
was submitted in 2011:

 — Residential development, up to 924 

 — Construction of access roads 

 — Local centre, retail & leisure

 — Marina with hotel

In January 2009, Harborough District 
Council (HDC) produced a Local 
Development Framework timetable and 
in March of that year they published 
a Strategic Housing Land Availability 
Assessment which identified Airfield 

 — Community uses

 — Primary school

Airfield Farm secured planning consent 
in May 2016, followed by approval of its 
Reserved Matters first phase in February 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

2017. A detailed strategy was put in 
place for our on-site infrastructure works, 
ground remediation, archaeological 
excavation and service provision. 
Infrastructure contracts were agreed with 
Breheny Civil Engineering and novated to 
our purchasing housebuilder. 

HLM completed the sale of 226 plots 
to housebuilder, Taylor Wimpey (East 
Midlands) in May 2018. The installation 
of both on and off site infrastructure 
commenced in January 2018, facilitating 
the housing construction. The first house 
sales are due to commence in May 2019. 

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31
31
31

Strategic Report
Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Segmental Case Study 
Construction

31
31

Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Construction Value Chain

Recurring Revenue

Construction

Investment into  
land and planning  
permission process

Read more about our Business 
Model on pages 16 to 19

Read the Construction Review 
on pages 28 and 29

Glass Works, Phase 1
In partnership with Barnsley Metropolitan 
Borough Council, The Glass Works 
Phase 1 is a £42m regeneration scheme 
that will leave a lasting legacy in Barnsley. 
The town centre has been transformed 
with new retail, leisure and market space, 
including new Barnsley Markets, library, 
public open space and market square. 
From the very beginning, the site team 
have worked seamlessly with the client 
and other key stakeholders to deliver an 
outstanding and award-winning project, 
along with an employment and skills 
legacy that will benefit the community 
for years to come. The scheme has 

already won three awards, including 
Collaborative Working at the Celebrating 
Construction in South Yorkshire Awards.

Throughout the project, the site team 
exceeded the Key Performance 
Indicators, with over £200,000 donated 
to local good causes and charities. There 
was also over 250 school and site visits, 
alongside work experience placements, 
charitable work and new employment 
provided for 26 people in the area. 
Contracts worth over £8m have been 
awarded to Barnsley-based contractors 
and over £100,000 has been invested 

in the Skills Village, a collaboration with 
Northern Regeneration, Barnsley College 
and Barnsley Council. The Skills Village 
helps to address the skills shortage 
in construction and gives people the 
opportunity to develop their skills and 
find a career in the industry. Henry Boot 
Construction have also contributed 
£60,000 of funding to the Better 
Barnsley Bond, which provides grants 
to local businesses to support training, 
employment and community initiatives in 
Barnsley. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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32
32
32

Strategic Report
Strategic Report
Strategic Report
Strategic Report

32
32

Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Segmental Case Study 
Property Investment and Development

Property Investment and Development Value Chain

Identify 
Identify 
opportunities 
opportunities 
and acquire 
and acquire 
land
land

Obtain planning 
permission

Development 
of site

Sale 
of property

Cyclical Revenue

Investment 
portfolio

Recurring Revenue

Investment into  
land and planning  
permission process

Read more about our Business 
Model on pages 16 to 19

Read the Property Investment and  
Development Review on pages 26 and 27

Henry Boot Developments 
have currently 900 Acres 
of strategic employment 
land under contract 
at various stages of 
development, capable of 
delivering over 20 million 
square feet of space. 
We have been particularly 
successful in securing 
partnerships with 
Local Authorities.

International Manufacturing Park (IAMP), Tyne & Wear
Located next to the UK’s largest and 
most productive car manufacturing plant 
at Nissan, IAMP is a nationally significant 
project which will provide over 4 million 
sq ft of advanced manufacturing space 
by 2031. IAMP is a joint venture with 
Sunderland City Council and South 
Tyneside Council and was secured by 
way of a competitive OJEU process. 

a £15m contract including the delivery 
of a new primary substation. We are 
supporting the Councils in finalising the 
Development Consent Order to allow 
Phase Two to be brought forward, the 
first time a DCO has been utilised in the 
UK to deliver a planning consent for 
development. We have embarked on an 
extensive marketing strategy, producing 
early interest for over 700,000 sq ft 
of space.

We secured detailed planning permission 
for Phase One in May 2018 which 
allowed us to commence on site with 
the first phase of infrastructure works, 

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33

Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Airport Business Park (ABPS), Southend
Located adjacent to London Southend 
Airport, ABPS extends to some 50 acres 
and will deliver over 1 million sq ft of 
commercial business space. We were 
selected as joint venture partner by 
Southend Borough Council following a 
competitive OJEU process. 

Working with the council, £22m of LEP 
funding has been secured to fund the 
site infrastructure, the relocation of 
Westcliffe Rugby Club, and the provision 
of an Innovation Centre for start-up 
businesses. Planning consent for the 

scheme has been obtained, and the first 
phase of infrastructure together with 
the relocation of the rugby club will be 
completed by the end of 2019.

We have secured Ipeco as the first 
occupier for the site. Ipeco are a world 
leader in the manufacture of crew seats 
for the aviation industry who are investing 
in a new 125,000 sq ft headquarters 
facility on the scheme, with construction 
expected to commence in early 
summer 2019.

Butterfield Business Park, Luton
Butterfield is located on the A505, less 
than five miles from both Junction 10 
of the M1 and Luton Airport. The site 
currently comprises of an Innovation 
Centre, The Office Business Village, a 
157-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn hotel 
and a 100,000 sq. ft. research and 
development facility occupied by Eaton. 

We were successful in securing a joint 
venture partnership with a consortium of 
landowners to deliver the next phase of 
development at Butterfield, comprising 
45 acres of employment land, which 
upon completion will deliver a further 
650,000 sq. ft. of design and build 
business space.

In late 2018 we managed to get the 
site reallocated in the Local Plan after 
an extensive lobbying campaign. This 
resulted in a revised allocation permitting 
high quality light manufacturing, 
warehousing and distribution uses 
adding to the parks long-standing 
allocation for offices which will ensure a 
more rapid take up of accommodation. 

The next phase of development is 
forecast to complete in autumn 2019 
and will comprise the speculative 
development of 10 high-quality industrial 
units bringing 83,000 sq. ft. of much 
needed supply to the Luton market.

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2434Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportFinancial ReviewThe Group has once again delivered strong results with good cash generation and a notable reduction in net debt. The continued delivery of The Event Complex Aberdeen, our Markham Vale scheme in Derbyshire and a growing contribution from residential house sales by Stonebridge Homes underpinned our performance for the year. The continued strength of the UK residential housing market meant that UK housebuilder appetite for good quality residential development land remained high as they replenish their stocks, delivering a 20% profit increase within our land promotion segment. Property investment and development has, however, been impacted by the current market uncertainty along with protracted planning negotiations during the year, albeit the prior year did benefit from strong residential sales at the former Terry’s Chocolate Factory which made a significant contribution to that year’s results.We continue to take a long-term strategic approach to land promotion and property development while at the same time focusing on the delivery of the existing pipeline which should deliver good results for the years ahead. While negotiations between the UK and the EU continue to drive uncertainty within our markets, which lead to commencement delays in projects and developments, we enter 2019 with a significant amount of property development work in progress, several land sales already exchanged awaiting completion and a strong order book within our construction business. Summary financial performance2018 £m2017 £mChange %Total revenueProperty investment and development221.6250.4−12Land promotion74.876.2−2Construction100.781.9+23397.1408.5-3Operating profit/(loss)Property investment and development20.130.4-34Land promotion27.923.2+20Construction8.99.6−7Group overheads (7.7)(7.0)−1049.256.2−12Net finance cost(1.4)(1.5)+7Share profit of joint ventures and associates0.80.7+14Profit for the year 48.655.4−12Delivering results for the years ahead.The Group has once again delivered strong results with good cash flow generation and a notable reduction in net debt”.Darren Littlewood,  Group Finance DirectorHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   3405/04/2019   16:25:0226323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201835Strategic ReportDarren Littlewood Group Finance DirectorHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   3505/04/2019   16:25:0426323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2436Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportFinancial ReviewConsolidated Statement of Comprehensive IncomeRevenue decreased 3% to £397.1m (2017: £408.5m) resulting from lower activity within the property investment and development segment arising from work which will now commence in 2019, offset by an increased level of activity within Construction as we continued the delivery of The Glass Works, a £35m town centre redevelopment scheme for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Gross profit decreased 10% to £78.0m (2017: £86.7m) and reflects a gross profit margin of 20% (2017: 21%). Administrative expenses increased by £1.4m (2017: £4.7m), resulting from the continued expansion of Stonebridge Homes and a modest level of wage inflation linked to employee retention. During the year, the High Court issued its judgement relating to the Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation case with Lloyds Bank plc. This resulted in increased obligations for defined benefit pension schemes which are to be recognised as a past service cost. Accordingly, pension expenses increased by £1.6m (2017: £0.6m) to include a one-off provision of £1.5m relating to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions, along with a general increase due to rising employee numbers. Without this one-off provision, Group overheads would have fallen during the year helped by reduced employee bonus provisioning.Property revaluation losses of £0.1m (2017: £3.6m) were the net effect of uplifts of £2.9m (2017: £5.2m) in the fair value of certain existing completed investment properties, largely in the industrial and mixed-use categories, offset by the recognition of valuation deficits of £3.0m (2017: £8.8m) on a number of other properties, most notably retail assets. Overall, operating profits decreased by 12% to £49.2m (2017: £56.2m) and, after adjusting for net finance costs and our share of profits from joint ventures and associates, we delivered a profit before tax of £48.6m (2017: £55.4m).The segmental result analysis shows that property investment and development produced a reduced operating profit of £20.1m (2017: £30.4m) arising from continued activity on The Event Complex Aberdeen and contributions from our Markham Vale industrial development. Land promotion operating profit increased 20% to £27.9m (2017: £23.2m) as we disposed of 3,573 residential plots during the year (2017: 2,169). Construction segment operating profits decreased slightly to £8.9m (2017: £9.6m) after Plant Hire and Road Link performed in line with expectation but Construction returns were impacted by pre-commencement works, on several potential future schemes, on which the company only recovers costs. The nature of deal-driven property and land promotion businesses, dependent upon demand from the major UK housebuilders and reliant on the UK planning regime, is demonstrated in the movements within our mix of business streams. We continue to show how the benefits of a broad-based operating model brings stability in what are highly fluid business environments. While we maintain a significant pipeline of property development and consented residential plots, the variable timing of the completion of deals in these areas does give rise to financial results which can vary significantly depending upon when contracts are ultimately concluded. We mitigate this through the blend of businesses within the Group and our business model which, over the longer term, will ultimately see the blended growth of the Group delivered.TaxThe tax charge for the year was £8.2m (effective rate of tax: 17%) (2017: £9.8m and effective rate: 18%) and is lower than the standard rate due to a prior year adjustment relating to non-taxable capital gains. We currently have a £3.5m unrecognised deferred tax asset (2017: £3.2m) which can be utilised to offset future capital gains if they arise. Current taxation on profit for the year was £8.1m (2017: £9.7m), with the 2018 charge What we did in 2018 —Produced a strong set of results, despite uncertainty in the market —Reduced Net Debt to £18.6m, gearing at 6% —Increased final year dividend by 12%, bringing the total to 5.8p per ordinary share. —Grew Net Asset Value per Share by 12% to 227pHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   3605/04/2019   16:25:0526323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201837Strategic ReportFinance and gearingNet finance costs reduced slightly to £1.4m (2017: £1.5m). We saw a reduction in our net debt levels throughout 2018 as we collected several deferred land sale receipts and concluded the disposal of our retail investment at St Anne’s Square in Manchester. Average borrowing rates were slightly higher than the previous year due to the increase in the base rate from 0.50% to 0.75% in the year. We anticipate that interest costs will rise through 2019 from increased borrowings to support higher levels of development activity. We also expect to see slight rises in interest rates during 2019, although this will not result in a material change to our borrowing costs. We continue to invest in both our land and property development assets, as we recycle capital into future opportunities and development activity.Interest cover, expressed as the ratio of operating profit (excluding the valuation movement on investment properties and disposal profits) to net interest (excluding interest received on other loans and receivables), was 33 times (2017: 38 times). No interest incurred in either year has been capitalised into the cost of assets.being lower than the standard rate of corporation tax due to the previously mentioned prior year adjustment. Deferred tax was £0.1m (2017: £0.1m).Earnings per share and dividendsBasic earnings per share decreased in line with profits to 28.3p (2017: 32.1p), however, total dividend for the year increased by 13% to 9.00p (2017: 8.00p), with the proposed final dividend increasing by 12% to 5.80p (2017: 5.20p), payable on 29 May 2019 to shareholders on the register as at 26 April 2019. The ex-dividend date is 25 April 2019.Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’)Slightly lower operating profit in the year saw a reduced ROCE(1) of 14.9% in 2018 (2017: 18.6%), the prior year benefited from the impressive result within property development that year. While we continue to review our strategic target rate of return, we continue to believe that a target return of 12%–15% is appropriate for our current operating model. We will continue to monitor this important performance measure over the business cycle, given the potential for market conditions to change quickly.(1)  ROCE is calculated as operating profit divided by total assets less current liabilities.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   3705/04/2019   16:25:0626323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2438Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportFinancial ReviewSummary of net debt2018£m2017£mOperating profit49.256.2Depreciation and other non-cash items4.88.5Net movement on equipment held for hire(3.3)(2.6)Movement in working capital(28.4)(15.8)Cash generated from operations22.346.3Acquisition of subsidiary—(2.7)Net capital disposals/(expenditure)13.4(17.6)Net interest and tax(11.3)(9.5)Dividends(13.6)(12.0)Other (0.2)(0.6)Reduction in net debt10.63.9Net debt brought forward(29.0)(32.9)Net debt carried forward (18.4)(29.0)Our completed investment property portfolio has decreased to £118m (2017: £127m) against which we secure bank funding to allow us to undertake property development and land promotion, neither of which is readily funded using traditional low-cost bank debt. Our investment property assets continue to provide the key covenant support for our banking facilities. Our agreed facilities remained at £72m throughout the year and have a renewal date in February 2020. Initial conversations have been undertaken with several banks regarding the renewal in 2020 and feedback suggests that there is a good level of interest in tendering for the facilities during 2019 either as a sole provider or under a syndicated arrangement. The 2018 year-end net debt fell to £18.4m (2017: £29.0m) resulting in gearing, on net assets of £302.3m, falling to a very conservative 6% (2017: net assets £270.1m; gearing 11%). Total year-end net debt includes £3.6m (2017: £6.1m) of Homes and Communities Agency (‘HCA’) 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. Throughout the year we operated comfortably within the facility covenants and continue to do so.20186%11%14%18%18%2017201620152014Gearing levels6%2018£3.9m£6.1m(£2.5m)(£0.3m)2017201620152014£10.6mCash Generation£10.6mDuring 2018, cash generated from operations amounted to £22.3m (2017: £46.3m) after net investment in equipment held for hire of £3.3m (2017: £2.6m) and, after a net investment in working capital of £28.4m (2017: £15.8m). Our investment in working capital arises from the continued growth in our land portfolio and higher levels of contracting activity.Net capital disposals of £13.4m (2017: expenditure £17.6m) arose from sales of investment property and property, plant and equipment of £20.1m (2017: £11.1m), which were offset by new investment in property development and plant hire assets of £6.7m (2017: £28.7m).Dividends paid, including those to non-controlling interests, totalled £13.6m (2017: £12.0m), with those paid to equity shareholders of £11.1m (2017: £9.6m) increasing by 16%.After net interest and tax of £11.2m (2017: £9.5m), the overall reduction in net debt was £10.6m (2017: £3.9m), resulting in net debt of £18.4m (2017: £29.0m).Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   3805/04/2019   16:25:0739

Strategic Report

Net debt included cash and cash 
equivalents of £10.9m (2017: £10.3m), 
once again a result of cash received in 
December not able to be offset against 
short-term borrowings of £29.3m 
(2017: £39.3m). In total, net debt 
reduced to £18.4m (2017: £29.0m).

At 31 December 2018, the IAS 19 
pension deficit relating to retirement 
benefit obligations was £16.7m, 
compared with £22.8m at 31 December 
2017, helped by an increase in the 
discount rate applied to future liabilities 
to 2.8% (2017: 2.5%). The pension 
scheme’s assets continue to be 
invested globally, with high quality asset 
managers, in a broad range of assets. 
The pension scheme Trustees regularly 
consider the merits of both the managers 
and asset allocations and, along with the 
Company, review the returns achieved by 
the asset portfolio against the manager 
benchmarks; they then make changes, 
as the Trustee considers appropriate, 
in conjunction with investment advice 
from KPMG.

Overall, the net assets of the Group 
increased by 12% to £302.3m 
(2017: £270.1m) from retained profits 
and the reduction in retirement benefit 
obligations less distributions to 
shareholders. Net asset value per share 
increased 12% to 227p (2017: 203p) as 
we continue to increase the scale of our 
operations and portfolio of opportunities 
through retained earnings.

Darren Littlewood 
Group Finance Director 
11 April 2019

Statement of financial position summary

Investment properties and assets  
classified as held for sale

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investment in joint ventures

Inventories

Receivables

Payables

Other

Net operating assets
Net debt 

Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets 

2018
£m

121.0

5.1

26.2

6.7

159.0

155.0

114.9

(95.0)

3.5

337.4

(18.4)

(16.7)

302.3

2017
£m

134.8

5.4

26.5

5.9

172.6

144.6

96.1

(96.0)

4.6

321.9

(29.0)

(22.8)

270.1

Investment properties and assets 
classified as held for sale reduced in 
value to £121.0m (2017: £134.8m), 
largely following the disposal of our 
retail investment at St Anne’s Square in 
Manchester, whilst retaining the upper 
floors for future residential development.

Intangible assets reflect the Group’s 
investment in Road Link (A69) of £4.2m 
(2017: £4.5m) and goodwill of £0.9m 
(2017: £0.9). The treatment of the Road 
Link investment as an intangible asset 
is a requirement of IFRIC 12 and arises 
because the underlying road asset 
reverts to Highways England at the end 
of the concession period in 2026.

Property, plant and equipment comprises 
Group occupied buildings valued 
at £7.9m (2017: £8.1m) and plant, 
equipment and vehicles with a net 
book value of £18.3m (2017: £18.4m), 
broadly unchanged as new additions of 
£5.8m (2017: £10.3m) were offset by the 
depreciation charge for the year.

Investments in joint ventures and 
associates increased to £6.7m 
(2017: £5.9m) as we continue to invest 
in property development projects with 
other parties where we feel there is a 
mutual benefit. We anticipate that these 
opportunities will continue to increase 
as we finalise a number of schemes with 

interested parties partnering with us to 
utilise our development expertise.

Inventories were £155.0m 
(2017: £144.6m) and saw an increase 
in the land portfolio to £107.9m 
(2017: £101.7m) as we continue to 
invest in owned land, option or agency 
agreements. Inventories are held at the 
lower of cost or net realisable value, in 
accordance with our accounting policy 
and, as such, no uplift in value created 
from securing planning permission 
is recognised within our accounts 
until disposal. Property development 
work in progress increased to £47.1m 
(2017: £42.9m) as we invest in our 
housebuilder operation, and commercial 
development work in progress.

Receivables increased to £114.9m 
(2017: £96.1m) due to increased 
deferred land sales and construction 
contract receivables. We anticipate that 
these deferred payment receivables will 
now stabilise, but it remains a function 
of the number and size of strategic land 
development schemes sold.

Payables reduced to £95.0m 
(2017: £96.0m) with trade and other 
payables, contract liabilities and 
provisions broadly in line with the prior 
year and current tax liabilities reducing 
to £3.9m (2017: £5.8m).

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2440Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportBCDAPeopleDeliveryGrowthSafetyLand PromotionProperty Investment and DevelopmentConstructionRecruit and retain employees who are empowered to deliver the growing business we aspire to be.Invest appropriately in all our business segments to achieve short-term delivery.To grow net assets, increasing opportunity for the long-term.To be the safest place to work inthe construction industry.Our Strategy  Group Strategic PrioritiesDuring 2018 we have further developed our strategy, defining the key Group strategic priorities which have been formulated to focus on delivering our Purpose and Vision. These key priorities, detailed in the framework below, are used to guide our business segment strategies and formulate the Group’s overarching strategy. This ensures a clear alignment and consistency between strategy, implementation and monitoring.Formulate, implement and monitorHenry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   4005/04/2019   16:25:0741

Strategic Report

Strategy Statement
Each business segment defines its own strategy within the framework set by Henry Boot PLC. As the business 
model explains, while our six primary subsidiaries will work together and share best practice on projects, they also operate 
autonomously. This requires them to have formulated their own individual strategies within the boundaries set. However, Strategic 
Priorities A & B will be Group led to ensure consistency across all of our businesses. 

Land Promotion
To source and promote land through the complexities of the 
UK Planning system for the highest use value. Through land 
ownership, or via agency and option agreements, the business 
conveys land, which has gained planning permission, primarily 
to the UK’s major housebuilders. A focus on growing and 
replenishing the portfolio will also be maintained. The two key 
factors impacting this business segment are the demand for 
houses in the UK and the Planning system. To achieve its 
purpose the business must appreciate and consider how these 
factors affect its sites.

Read about the Land Promotion Case Study  
on page 30

Strategic Priorities

Link to Group 
Strategic Priorities

Gain planning permission and 
convey land to UK housebuilders 
increasing Hallam Land’s business 
performance in the next 12 months.

To replenish and grow the strategic 
land portfolio.

Seek out new investment 
opportunities which would also 
increase returns.

 C

 D

 D

Property Investment and Development
To obtain, develop and invest in a diverse range of property 
sector opportunities, while flexibly adapting to customers’ needs 
within the market. With regional offices throughout the UK, the 
business is very close to the local markets when seeking out 
future development pipeline opportunities. Our joint venture 
housebuilding company aims to continue to increase housing 
delivery and to grow its land portfolio to fuel longer term activity.

Read about the Property Investment and 
Development Case Study on pages 32 and 33

Strategic Priorities

Quickly adapt to arising market 
changes whilst ensuring delivery 
of our existing committed 
development pipeline.

Grow our future pipeline of 
development opportunities.

Increase housebuilder output to 
250 units per annum by 2021.

Link to Group 
Strategic Priorities

 C

 D

 D

Construction
To compete for and win construction contract work in both the 
public and private sectors, with a specific focus on securing 
larger value contracts. With very tight construction margins it 
is important to continue to grow our client base and to secure 
repeat business opportunities. Our Plant Hire business aims to 
continue providing a high quality service and seek out new depot 
locations to increase network coverage.

Read about the Construction Case Study  
on page 31

Strategic Priorities

Continue to bid and win 
construction work in the North  
and Midlands.

Grow revenues within the 
Construction subsidiary by 
concentrating on larger scale 
contracts

Link to Group 
Strategic Priorities

 C

 D

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Strategic Report

Dashboard

A year of solid progress

Group Strategic 
Priorities

Strategic Objectives

Performance in 2018

Aims for 2019

 A  
Safety

 B  
 People

Continual review of our 
systems, ongoing training and 
development, adoption of best 
practice and keeping abreast of 
change.

In 2018 we again demonstrated the high safety standards set 
across our Group. In particular, the Group’s construction activities 
achieved a very low Accident Frequency Rate score, consistent 
with 2017, which is due to our management systems, a drive for 
continuous improvement and an increased investment in learning and 
development.

Offer a wide range of long-
term career and development 
opportunities which attract new 
and retain employees.

 C  
Delivery

Maintaining a maximum gearing 
level of 30%, utilising available 
capital efficiently. 

The Group’s number of new recruits was lower than the previous year 
in which we acquired Premier Plant and Tool Hire Limited which added 
two new plant hire depots in Leicester to Group operations. Overall, 
our total employee numbers continued to increase and now stands 
at 538. There was 1,187 personal development days during 2018, 
a slight increase from the previous year, but a number we expect to 
grow to ensure employees learning and development needs are met.

A reduction in gearing was strategically targeted throughout the year 
with gearing successfully reducing from 11% to 6% (net debt/ net 
assets). We believe this to be an important strategic decision given 
the current levels of economic uncertainty in the Markets in which we 
operate.

To dispose of an annually 
increasing number of residential 
plots while market conditions are 
supportive.

The number of plots sold increased by 63% in 2018, which led to a 
23% increase in Land Promotion Profit Before Tax. Sites at Market 
Harborough and Haverhill performed well, with over 600 plots being 
disposed of between them.

To pre-fund and pre-sell our 
development opportunities to 
mitigate risk and secure delivery.

The percentage of pre-sold and pre-funded property development 
increased by 15% in 2018 to 99.57% of GDV delivered in the year. 
With a percentage so high we believe that the market risk currently 
relating to the schemes we have in delivery is minimal.

Constantly monitor the 
customers and markets in 
which we operate, to compete 
effectively and appropriately 
balance our workflows within 
these markets.

During 2018 Construction turnover increased by maintaining a 
balance of workflows between both the private and public sector. 
However, uncertainty and turmoil in the industry did factor into our 
construction segment this year which saw profit reduce slightly by 8%.

Read about our Strategic Priorities 
on pages 40 and 41

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Continue to invest in training and development and to implement best practice across the 

Group to maintain a level of zero reportable health and safety incidents.

 6    7

1   2   4  

Key 

Performance 

Indicators

Key Risks

To ensure the Group provides necessary training and development at an appropriate 

level, which gives employees the knowledge to excel in their field of work and adequate 

opportunity to develop their careers. Ensure that we attract and retain employees of an 

appropriate calibre to support the sustainable growth of the Group.

 10  

6    8    9  

3   4   6

Whilst investment in both land and property assets will continue we actively review cash 

requirements on a continual basis. Our low levels of gearing allow us to be opportunistic 

should appropriate land and property development opportunities present themselves. 

We expect to continue to trade comfortably within the maximum level of gearing which 

we have set ourselves as a Board and will continue to recycle capital into investment and 

  4    5  

3   5   6  

development activities.

track for 2019.

We started 2019 with 1,480 plots exchanged for sale and a further 237 plots conditionally 

exchanged. Given this, the strategic objective of increasing annual disposals is well on 

L1   L5   L6  

To pre-sell or pre-fund as much development work as is achievable in order to mitigate 

risk and secure delivery.

 D1   D2   D5

3   5   6  

The order book for 2019 looks healthy across all sectors and we hope too be able to 

further grow turnover as we go forward through actively targeting larger contracts whilst 

C1   C2  

3   5   6  

maintaining appropriate levels of return.

3   5   6  

12   13   14  

10   11

9

 
Group Strategic 

 A  

Safety

 B  

 People

Priorities

Strategic Objectives

Performance in 2018

Aims for 2019

Key 
Performance 
Indicators

Continue to invest in training and development and to implement best practice across the 
Group to maintain a level of zero reportable health and safety incidents.

 6    7

Continual review of our 

In 2018 we again demonstrated the high safety standards set 

systems, ongoing training and 

across our Group. In particular, the Group’s construction activities 

development, adoption of best 

achieved a very low Accident Frequency Rate score, consistent 

practice and keeping abreast of 

with 2017, which is due to our management systems, a drive for 

change.

continuous improvement and an increased investment in learning and 

development.

43

Strategic Report

Key Risks

1   2   4  

Offer a wide range of long-

The Group’s number of new recruits was lower than the previous year 

term career and development 

in which we acquired Premier Plant and Tool Hire Limited which added 

opportunities which attract new 

two new plant hire depots in Leicester to Group operations. Overall, 

and retain employees.

our total employee numbers continued to increase and now stands 

To ensure the Group provides necessary training and development at an appropriate 
level, which gives employees the knowledge to excel in their field of work and adequate 
opportunity to develop their careers. Ensure that we attract and retain employees of an 
appropriate calibre to support the sustainable growth of the Group.

6    8    9  
 10  

3   4   6

at 538. There was 1,187 personal development days during 2018, 

a slight increase from the previous year, but a number we expect to 

grow to ensure employees learning and development needs are met.

 C  

Delivery

Maintaining a maximum gearing 

A reduction in gearing was strategically targeted throughout the year 

level of 30%, utilising available 

with gearing successfully reducing from 11% to 6% (net debt/ net 

capital efficiently. 

assets). We believe this to be an important strategic decision given 

the current levels of economic uncertainty in the Markets in which we 

operate.

Whilst investment in both land and property assets will continue we actively review cash 
requirements on a continual basis. Our low levels of gearing allow us to be opportunistic 
should appropriate land and property development opportunities present themselves. 
We expect to continue to trade comfortably within the maximum level of gearing which 
we have set ourselves as a Board and will continue to recycle capital into investment and 
development activities.

  4    5  

3   5   6  

To dispose of an annually 

The number of plots sold increased by 63% in 2018, which led to a 

increasing number of residential 

23% increase in Land Promotion Profit Before Tax. Sites at Market 

plots while market conditions are 

Harborough and Haverhill performed well, with over 600 plots being 

supportive.

disposed of between them.

To pre-fund and pre-sell our 

The percentage of pre-sold and pre-funded property development 

development opportunities to 

increased by 15% in 2018 to 99.57% of GDV delivered in the year. 

mitigate risk and secure delivery.

With a percentage so high we believe that the market risk currently 

relating to the schemes we have in delivery is minimal.

Constantly monitor the 

customers and markets in 

During 2018 Construction turnover increased by maintaining a 

balance of workflows between both the private and public sector. 

which we operate, to compete 

However, uncertainty and turmoil in the industry did factor into our 

construction segment this year which saw profit reduce slightly by 8%.

effectively and appropriately 

balance our workflows within 

these markets.

We started 2019 with 1,480 plots exchanged for sale and a further 237 plots conditionally 
exchanged. Given this, the strategic objective of increasing annual disposals is well on 
track for 2019.

L1   L5   L6  

To pre-sell or pre-fund as much development work as is achievable in order to mitigate 
risk and secure delivery.

 D1   D2   D5

The order book for 2019 looks healthy across all sectors and we hope too be able to 
further grow turnover as we go forward through actively targeting larger contracts whilst 
maintaining appropriate levels of return.

C1   C2  

3   5   6  
12   13   14  

3   5   6  
10   11

3   5   6  
9

Read about our Key Performance 
Indicators on pages 46 and 47

Read about our Risks and 
Uncertainties on pages 48 to 55

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Dashboard

Group Strategic 
Priorities

 D  
Growth

Strategic Objectives

Performance in 2018

Key 

Performance 

Indicators

Key Risks

Target a dividend cover of 
over 3 times to grow net 
assets and profitability through 
reinvestment in strategic land and 
development opportunities

To increase the scale and 
investment in land acres and 
plots over time, with a focus on 
raising profile in geographical 
areas which provide the highest 
returns and increasing the 
proportion of directly owned land 
to balance the style of ownership.

We successfully achieved a dividend cover level of 3.14 times, ahead 
of our 3 times target. Net assets increased by £32m which allowed us 
to invest further in strategic land and reduced debt levels.

The strategic objectives will deliver profits that support 3 times dividend cover. This allows 

us to grow our NAV asset base alongside prudent debt levels to further grow our activities 

 1    2    3

3

The total number of plots with planning permission and in the planning 
process increased by 7% from 26,511 to 28,418. The overall land 
portfolio acreage grew by nearly 8%, with each region in which we 
operate increasing total acreage under control during 2018. 

Continue to grow the number of acres in the land portfolio we have across the UK, in 

particular seeking out a greater number of opportunities to directly own an interest in land.

L2   L3   L4  

Explore new investment 
opportunities, such as logistics 
and distribution, with the primary 
focus remaining on residential 
and mixed use opportunities.

An effort to expand into new markets was made last year, but as 
expected the residential market continued to provide the core trade 
in Land Promotion. Our interests in employment, industrial and retail 
remained stable at circa 190 acres after disposing of 27 acres in the 
year. 

To actively seek out new 
opportunities with a focus on 
innovative joint venture projects.

Invest in our housebuilding 
residential land portfolio to ensure 
we have sites available to deliver 
quality in design and build while 
providing a first class customer 
experience.

To actively pursue contract 
values of between £5m and 
£15m to benefit from improving 
economies of scale.

The future pipeline of work has decreased by 6% as we continue to 
deliver the opportunities we have secured. Our pipeline of just over 
£1bn worth of potential future activity provides the comfort that we 
are able to carry on delivering in to the future. During the year we 
successfully entered into five new joint venture projects as we actively 
target this area of growth.

Our jointly-owned housebuilder’s land portfolio slightly reduced last 
year as a consequence of the increased number of plots sold, which 
almost doubled since 2017. This is not of concern and we believe that 
the portfolio is of a size which continues to allow growth as we move 
through 2019.

Whilst we have successfully increased the average contract size in 
2018 the results do not reflect the substantial contract to deliver the 
Glassworks scheme in Barnsley. This scheme commenced in 2017 at 
a value of £42m to be delivered across the years 2017 to 2019, we 
delivered over £20m of value on this contract during 2018.

Read about our Strategic Priorities 
on pages 40 and 41

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Aims for 2019

for all stakeholders.

Review and seek out new investment opportunities that will support the continued growth 

L2

of our land segment.

Review and seek out new development opportunities that continue to grow the future 

pipeline of work targeting innovative joint venture relationships to help bring forward 

 D3   D4

development collaboratively.

Continue to provide a first class customer experience and the on-going growth of plots 

sold during the year with a focus on replenishing and expanding the unit and site portfolio 

 D6   D7

being a continuing priority.

We have a number of contracts currently being tendered or negotiated which are in 

excess of £10m which, if successful, should positively increase our average contract size.

C1   C3  

3   5   6  

3   5   6  

12   13   14

3   5   6  

12   13   14

3   5   6  

10   11

3   4   5  

6   12   14

9

 
Group Strategic 

Priorities

Strategic Objectives

Performance in 2018

Aims for 2019

Key 
Performance 
Indicators

Key Risks

 D  

Growth

Target a dividend cover of 

over 3 times to grow net 

We successfully achieved a dividend cover level of 3.14 times, ahead 

of our 3 times target. Net assets increased by £32m which allowed us 

assets and profitability through 

to invest further in strategic land and reduced debt levels.

The strategic objectives will deliver profits that support 3 times dividend cover. This allows 
us to grow our NAV asset base alongside prudent debt levels to further grow our activities 
for all stakeholders.

 1    2    3

3

45

Strategic Report

To increase the scale and 

The total number of plots with planning permission and in the planning 

investment in land acres and 

process increased by 7% from 26,511 to 28,418. The overall land 

plots over time, with a focus on 

portfolio acreage grew by nearly 8%, with each region in which we 

raising profile in geographical 

operate increasing total acreage under control during 2018. 

Continue to grow the number of acres in the land portfolio we have across the UK, in 
particular seeking out a greater number of opportunities to directly own an interest in land.

L2   L3   L4  

Review and seek out new investment opportunities that will support the continued growth 
of our land segment.

L2

Review and seek out new development opportunities that continue to grow the future 
pipeline of work targeting innovative joint venture relationships to help bring forward 
development collaboratively.

 D3   D4

Continue to provide a first class customer experience and the on-going growth of plots 
sold during the year with a focus on replenishing and expanding the unit and site portfolio 
being a continuing priority.

 D6   D7

We have a number of contracts currently being tendered or negotiated which are in 
excess of £10m which, if successful, should positively increase our average contract size.

C1   C3  

reinvestment in strategic land and 

development opportunities

areas which provide the highest 

returns and increasing the 

proportion of directly owned land 

to balance the style of ownership.

Explore new investment 

An effort to expand into new markets was made last year, but as 

opportunities, such as logistics 

expected the residential market continued to provide the core trade 

and distribution, with the primary 

in Land Promotion. Our interests in employment, industrial and retail 

focus remaining on residential 

remained stable at circa 190 acres after disposing of 27 acres in the 

and mixed use opportunities.

year. 

To actively seek out new 

The future pipeline of work has decreased by 6% as we continue to 

opportunities with a focus on 

deliver the opportunities we have secured. Our pipeline of just over 

innovative joint venture projects.

£1bn worth of potential future activity provides the comfort that we 

are able to carry on delivering in to the future. During the year we 

successfully entered into five new joint venture projects as we actively 

target this area of growth.

Invest in our housebuilding 

Our jointly-owned housebuilder’s land portfolio slightly reduced last 

residential land portfolio to ensure 

year as a consequence of the increased number of plots sold, which 

we have sites available to deliver 

almost doubled since 2017. This is not of concern and we believe that 

quality in design and build while 

the portfolio is of a size which continues to allow growth as we move 

providing a first class customer 

through 2019.

experience.

To actively pursue contract 

values of between £5m and 

Whilst we have successfully increased the average contract size in 

2018 the results do not reflect the substantial contract to deliver the 

£15m to benefit from improving 

Glassworks scheme in Barnsley. This scheme commenced in 2017 at 

economies of scale.

a value of £42m to be delivered across the years 2017 to 2019, we 

delivered over £20m of value on this contract during 2018.

3   5   6  
12   13   14

3   5   6  
12   13   14

3   5   6  
10   11

3   4   5  
6   12   14

3   5   6  
9

Read about our Key Performance 
Indicators on pages 46 and 47

Read about our Risks and 
Uncertainties on pages 48 to 55

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Key Performance 
Indicators

In line with the Group’s strategy, further review and development of our KPIs took place to ensure that there is transparency and a 
clear understanding of how the Group’s performance is measured. This year we have refined our financial and non-financial KPIs 
and present new segmental KPIs which specifically track the performance of their strategic objectives. 

Financial

KPI

 1  
Profit Before Tax

2018

2017

2016

2015

£48.6m

£55.4m

£39.5m

£32.4m

2014

£28.3m

Non-Financial

KPI

 6  
Personal 
Development 
Days

 2

Earnings per 
Ordinary Share

 3

Net Assets 

 4

Return on  
Capital Employed

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

 5

2018 6%

Gearing levels

2017

2016

2015

2014

28.3p

32.1p

 7  
Accident 
Frequency Rate

21.5p

17.5p

16.2p

£302.3m

£270.1m

£233.6m

£221.5m

£200.5m

14.9%

14.4%

18.6%

12.2%

11.4%

11%

14%

18%

18%

 8  
Employee Profile 

 Male

 Female 

 9  
Employee Intake

 10  
Employee 
Turnover

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018

0.05

2017

0.05

2016

2015

2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

50

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

1,187

1,130

1,057

1,203

1,164

0.17

0.08

0.12

405

133

538

395

119

514

342

111

453

328

106

434

348

111

459

100

141

80

75

80

73

65

66

78

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Strategic Report

Operational
Segmental KPIs

Land Promotion

 L1

24%

Profit Before Tax 
£28.5m

 L2

8%

Land portfolio 
14,325 
acres

 L3

11%

Plots with Planning 
permission 
16,489 

 L4

49%

Plots submitted  
for Planning 
permission 
11,929 

 L5

28%

Profit per plot 
£9,400 

 L6

65%

Plots sold 
3,573 

Read the Land Promotion Review on page 24

Property Investment and Development

 D1

11%

Total revenue 
£221.9m

 D2

39%

Profit Before Tax 
£15.9m

 D3

18 %

Current pipeline 
£711.0m

 D4

2%

Future pipeline 
£1.0bn

 D5

15%

Proportion of  
Pre-sold / forward 
funded

 D6

84%

Number of 
Plots Sold (SH) 
145

 D7

1%

Number of Plots in 
portfolio (SH) 
868

Read the Property Investment and Development Review on page 26

Construction

 C1

15%

Total revenue 
£102.9m

 C2

7%

Profit Before Tax 
£9.2m

 C3

30%

Average contract 
size won 
£5.2m

Read the Construction Review on page 28

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Strategic Report

Risks and  
Uncertainties

Managing 
our Risk.

Effective risk management 
is essential to the 
achievement of our key 
priorities and strategic 
initiatives.

Risk Management controls are 
integrated across all levels of our 
business and operations.

Overview
Effective risk management is essential to the achievement 
of the key priorties and strategic aims. Risk management 
controls are integrated across all levels of our business and 
operations.

The Group operates a system of internal control for risk 
management within a structured framework. The long-term 
success of the Group depends on the continual review, 
assessment and control of the key business risks it faces. 

While there is a formal process in place for reporting on 
risks on an annual basis, the process of risk identification, 
assessment and response is continuous and therefore if 
required, risks can be reported to the Group Board outside 
of the annual process, should events dictate that this is 
necessary and appropriate.

Risk Appetite
As a Group, Henry Boot takes a cautious approach to risk. 
An influence on the appetite the Group is willing to take can 
be defined by what the strategic objectives are, and the risk 
involved in meeting the objectives.

Risk Management Framework
The principal components of the Group’s risk management 
framework comprise the risk strategy, risk appetite, risk 
registers and the risk heat map. Although the process of risk 
identification, assessment and response is continuous and 
embedded within the day-to-day operations of the businesses 
and functions, it is consolidated, reported and reviewed at 
varying levels throughout the Group on an annual basis.

The methodology used is to initially assess the gross (or 
inherent) risk. This is essentially the worst case scenario, 
being the product of the impact together with the likelihood 
of the risk materialising if there are no controls in place to 
manage, mitigate or monitor the risk. The key benefit of 
assessing the gross risk is that it highlights the potential risk 
exposure if controls were to fail completely or not be in place 
at all. Both impact and likelihood are scored on a rating of 
one to five using, a scoring matrix.

The Board has ultimate responsibility for risk management, 
internal controls and review. Part of the Audit and Risk 
Committee’s role is to ensure that the Group’s risk 
management framework and processes on which the Board 
relies, are working effectively.

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Strategic Report

Risk  
Governance

Establish risk appetite  
and strategy

Risk Identification  
and Assessment

Identify and  
evaluate risk

Risk Response  
and Reporting

Review, report  
and revise

The Board
Oversight of all risk management within the Group is undertaken at the highest level by the Board of Henry Boot 
PLC, which is delegated in general terms to the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Board of Henry Boot PLC will keep under review any of the top ranked risks across all subsidiaries at each 
Board meeting throughout the year, and will reflect once a year on any substantial shifts within these risks within 
that year.

The Audit and Risk Committee
Reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls and risk management systems.

Monitors and reviews internal and external audit.

Subsidiary Boards and PLC Departments 
Each subsidiary and PLC department have a nominated individual responsible for reviewing the risks within that 
subsidiary/department on an annual basis. In general, this will be the managing directors (for subsidiaries) and 
the heads of department (for PLC), with input from other relevant designated employees as applicable. 

Risk heat map
The risk heat map illustrates the 14 principal risks identified by 
the Board as having a potential material impact on the Group. 
The risks have been plotted by the Group Board/Audit and 
Risk Committee based on a common understanding of the risk 
appetite of the Group. The risks are presented gross (before 
taking account of mitigating actions).

Movements from the prior year’s ranking are indicated by 
the arrows.

1   Safety

8   Pension

2   Environmental

9  

 Construction contracts

3   Economic

4   Personnel

5   Funding

6   UK exit from EU

7   Cyber

10   Property assets

11  

 Property construction 
and tenants

12   Land sourcing

13   Land demand

14   Planning policy

t
c
a
p
m

i

h
g
H

i

t
c
a
p
m

i

w
o
L

4

9

5

1

11

3

12

14

7

6

2

8

10

)
y
t
r
a
p
d
r
i
h
t
(

t
i
d
u
A

l

a
n
r
e
t
n

I

13

Low likelihood

High likelihood

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Strategic Report

Our  
Risks

To enable stakeholders to appreciate what the business considers are the main operational risks, they are presented in detail below.

Group Risks

Risk and description

 1  

Safety
Inherent risk within all of our 
businesses but most notably within 
construction activity

 2

Environmental
The Group is inextricably linked 
to the property sector and 
environmental considerations are 
paramount to our success. The 
legal, financial and reputational 
damage which can occur from not 
being compliant all carry significant 
risk to the Group

 3

Economic
The Group operates solely in the UK 
and is closely allied to the real estate, 
housebuilding and construction 
sectors. A strong economy with 
strong tenant demand is vital to 
create long-term growth in rental and 
asset values, while at the same time 
creating a healthy market for the 
construction and plant hire divisions

4

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

Change  
during  
the year

Link to Group 
Strategic 
Priorities

Mitigation

 A

 A

 B

 C

 D

 A

 B

 D

Macro-economic 
uncertainty

Lower 
unemployment 
reducing talent 
pool

 — Priority consideration at all Group and subsidiary board 

meetings

 — Robust training, policies, procedures and monitoring

 — Construction operation is OHSAS 18001 approved Health & 

Safety management system

 — Internal independent Health & Safety department conducts 

regular random inspections

 — Routine Director, Senior Manager or independent health and 

safety inspections

 — Regular externally operated mock incidents

 — The interaction with the environment and the agencies that 
have an overarching responsibility has to be positive at all 
times in order to meet our obligations

 — Construction environmental risk is managed through 

the operation of an ISO 14001 approved environmental 
management system

 — Internal design helps mitigate environmental planning issues

 — Record of awards given in respect of good safety and 

environmental performance

 — Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out for all 
construction activities. These detail the action required to 
eliminate or reduce environmental impacts

 — Strong Statement of Financial Position with low gearing and 
long-term shareholder base means that we can ride out 
short-term economic fluctuations

 — Different business streams increase the probability that not 

all of them are in recession at the same time

 — The City recognises the Group is a cyclical business and 
understands performance will be affected by economic 
cycles

 — Directors and shareholders share a common goal of less 

aggressive leveraging than some competitors

 — Current market conditions are supportive

 — This risk is increased when unemployment falls and labour 

markets contract

 — Long-term employment records indicate that good people 

stay within the Group

 — The Group encourages equity ownership

 — Proven record of sharing profits with staff

 — Succession planning is an inherent part of management 

process

Key

Increased

  Decreased

  No change

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Change  
during  
the year

Link to Group 
Strategic 
Priorities

Mitigation

Risk and description

 5

Funding
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 we operate

Gearing reduced 
to 6%, increasing 
headroom for 
investment 
opportunities

 6

UK exit from EU
As negotiations unfold we could 
see further price inflation, reduced 
market confidence, restrictions to 
the supply of labour, materials and 
increased economic uncertainty

Uncertainty 
remains as 
decisions 
become 
protracted

Higher frequency 
of threats 
and attackers 
becoming 
increasingly 
sophisticated

Additional 
exposure 
due to GMP 
equalisation

 7
Cyber
Unauthorised access to systems, 
hacking, malware and distributed 
denial of service could all lead to 
data loss, business disruption, 
reputational damage or financial loss

 8

Pension
The Group operates a defined 
benefit pension scheme which is 
closed to new members. While 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

 C

 D

 B

 C

 D

 — The Group has agreed three-year facilities with its banking 
partners, which run to February 2020 and are backed by 
investment property assets

 — A good level of interest from the banks in tendering for the 

renewed facilities in 2019

 — Detailed cash requirements are forecast up to 15 months in 

advance and reviewed and revised monthly

 — As a PLC, access to equity funding is available should this 

be required 

 — A large proportion of raw materials are sourced from within 

the UK

 — Strong history of performance and close working 

relationships with customers encourages confidence

 — Many subcontractors utilise locally sourced labour

 — Weakness in sterling encourages outside investment

 — Markets currently remain strong and the Group operates 

solely within the UK

 — Employee awareness updates distributed routinely

 — Use of software and security products and regular updates 

thereof

 — Detailed disaster recovery plans

 — External vulnerability and threat management reviews

 — Operation of Trustee approved Recovery Plan

 — While pension schemes are a long-term commitment, 

regulations require the Group to respond to deficits in the 
short-term

 — The move out of gilts provides a cushion should rates 

interest rise

 — Risk mitigated by move to quoted investments including 

pooled diversified growth funds

 — Treat pension scheme as any other business segment to be 

managed

 — Strong working relationship maintained between Company 

sponsor and pension Trustees

 — Use good quality external firms for actuarial and 

investment advice

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Our  
Risks

Segmental risks

Risk and description

 9

Construction contracts
Changes in terms and conditions 
of standard contracts exposing the 
company to major financial and 
design liability risks

Amid declining 
margins in the 
construction 
industry 
additional focus 
is being placed 
on contractual 
terms

10

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

Delays caused 
by planning 
and statutory 
services

Tenants not 
taking up new 
lettings due 
to economic 
uncertainty

11  
Property construction  
and tenants
Construction and tenant risk which 
is not matched by commensurate 
returns on development projects. 
Tenants not taking up new lettings 
due to economic uncertainty

12

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

Change  
during  
the year

Link to Group 
Strategic 
Priorities

Mitigation

 C

 D

 C

 D

 C

 D

 C

 D

 — Preliminary commercial appraisal

 — Directors closely involved 

 — Standard position set out in guide for staff

 — Experienced Legal and Commercial management

 — Project specific tender risk register

 — Use of PCSA’s help mitigate cost and risk. 

 — Monthly performance meetings

 — Defined appraisal process

 — Monitoring of property market trends

 — Highly experienced development team

 — Flexible to market trends in development requirements

 — Diverse range of sites within the portfolio and over £1bn 

pipeline of future opportunities

 — Construction projects, including returns and cash flows, are 
monitored monthly by subsidiary company management 
teams

 — Seek high level of pre-lets prior to authorising development

 — Development subject to a ‘hurdle’ profit rate

 — Shared risk with landowners where applicable

 — Monthly operational meetings detail land owned or under 

control, new opportunities and status of planning

 — Acquisitions are 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

 — Land portfolio of 14,325 acres with aspiration to grow further

 — Finance available to support speculative land purchases

 — Well respected name within the industry that demonstrates 

success

 — House builder land portfolio at 868 residential plots

Key

Increased

  Decreased

  No change

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Change  
during  
the year

Link to Group 
Strategic 
Priorities

Mitigation

Risk and description

13

Land demand
A dramatic change in housebuilder 
funding sentiment and demand for 
housing can have a marked change 
on the demand and pricing profile 
for land

14

Planning policy
Changes in Government or 
Government policy towards planning 
policies could impact on the speed 
of the planning consent process or 
the value of sites

5 year land 
supplies filling 
up and under 
resourced 
planning 
departments

 C

 D

 C

 D

 — The Group’s policy is to only progress land which is deemed 

to be of high quality and in prime locations

 — The business is long-term and is not seriously affected by 

short-term events, or economic cycles

 — We recognise cyclicality in our long-term plans and operate 

with a relatively low level of debt

 — Greenfield land is probably the most sought-after land to 

build upon

 — Long-term demographics show a growing trend; therefore 

demand for land will follow

 — House builders do have very good land portfolios and can 
be choosy regarding what they buy and will target prime 
locations

 — Large land portfolio can help smooth short-term fluctuations

 — A high profit margin can be achieved when successful

 — No revaluations are taken on land through the planning 
process, which reduced valuation risk in a downturn. 
Therefore, though profits may be smaller if site values fall, 
the Group should still achieve a good profit margin on sale

 — The Group’s highly skilled in-house technical and planning 
teams monitor changes in the market and in the planning 
process and react accordingly to ensure that planning 
consents are achieved in a cost-effective and timely manner

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Our  
Risks

Going concern
The current economic conditions create 
uncertainty for all businesses over 
several 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. 

As highlighted in note 24 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 17 February 
2015 for three years, and was increased 
at that time from £50m to £60m. On 22 
August 2017, we agreed an amendment 
to increase the facility to £72m. The 
facility renewal incorporated options to 
extend the facility on agreed terms for 
two periods of one year. We applied 
for, and were granted, these extensions 
in accordance with the terms of the 
facility, which extended the renewal date 
from 17 February 2018 to 17 February 
2020. As part of our normal facility 
renewal process, conversations have 
been undertaken with several banks 
regarding the renewal in February 2020 
and initial feedback suggests that there 
is a good level of interest from the banks 
in tendering for the facilities during 2019 
either as a sole provider or under a 
syndicated arrangement. 

At the time of approving the Financial 
Statements the Directors expect that 
the Company and the Group will renew 
the facility before it expires and will 
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

Viability statement
Introduction
The business model and strategy of 
Henry Boot PLC can be found on pages 
16 to 19 and pages 40 and 41 in the 
Strategic Report. These documents 
outline the long-term business model 
and are central to the understanding 
of how the Group operates. We have 
operated the current business model 
successfully since 2004 and have a 
133-year unbroken trading history. By 
their nature the Group’s activities tend to 
be very long-term, especially in the land 
promotion business and increasingly 
within property development. The 
Group’s strategy and experience in all 
the markets in which we operate have 
been built up over many years. Over the 
last ten years, the Group has reported 
an average profit before tax of £30m per 
annum, added over £112m to net assets 
(an increase of some 59%) and paid 
55.75p per share in dividends, all from 
the trading segments it now operates, 
and at no stage in the downturn, 
between 2008 and 2010, did the 
company make a trading loss. Analyst 
forecasts for the viability assessment 
period indicate a positive continuation of 
these financial results, underpinned by 
the commercial property development 
and strategic land promotion 
opportunities we already control.

The assessment process
The Group’s prospects are assessed 
through an annual budgeting process 
led by the main Board Executive 
Directors and the Boards of the individual 
subsidiaries. A detailed annual budget 
is agreed prior to the commencement 
of the current financial year and 

reforecasting takes place each month 
throughout the financial year within 
each business and consolidated at 
Group level. The two succeeding years 
are also forecast, using predominately 
known and controlled opportunities, 
to assess the longer-term viability of 
the Group. As a largely deal-driven 
business, it is considered inappropriate 
to attempt to forecast further out via 
an extrapolation of years one to three, 
albeit asset trading and development 
is central to the Group’s long-term 
strategy. Furthermore, our strategic 
land promotion business commences 
2019 with 16,489 plots with planning 
permission which, at this year’s disposal 
rate of 3,573 plots would imply that we 
have around four and a half years sales 
already in hand. It is also anticipated 
that the property development pipeline 
of over £1bn GDV will be delivered over 
a period extending beyond 5 years. 
Stress testing these forecasts highlights 
that if economic conditions worsen and 
developments and land sales do not 
happen as envisaged, the Group would 
reduce investment and borrow less and, 
whilst profitability is lower, the stable 
property investment rental income and 
construction segment returns covers 
most of the Group overhead costs. 
Whilst we do not foresee it, only a very 
long-term, unprecedented lack of liquidity 
in the UK residential and commercial 
property markets would cause any threat 
to the viability of the Group. 

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market risk they do not believe that this 
would lead to an extended downturn 
long enough to cause the Group any 
issue with Viability. 

Viability statement
Based on their assessment of prospects 
and viability above, the Directors confirm 
that they have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities over the 
three-year period ending 31 March 2022.

Assessment of viability
The long-term strategy: the annual 
budget and the two-year forecasts 
reflect the Directors’ best estimates of 
the prospects for the business. We have 
also reviewed several potential viability 
risks to the Group and consider that the 
following represent scenarios which, if 
not carefully managed, could impact on 
the Group’s viability:

Firstly, a health and safety-related breach 
that causes a fatality (or similar serious 
outcome). This could not only result in 
a financial penalty but in reputational 
damage which could affect the Group’s 
ability to win work. We manage this risk 
through a very robust health and safety 
policy, zero tolerance towards policy 
breaches and treat health and safety as 
the first matter for discussion on our UK 
Company Board meeting agendas. Our 
safety scores continue to be well into 
the top quartile of the UK construction 

industry and we have achieved a very 
safe working environment over the last 
20 years. 

Secondly, overtrading developments in 
progress with the attendant increase 
in leverage, at the same time as the 
property cycle turns down, asset values 
are falling, and schemes must be 
completed to create best value. This 
creates a potentially damaging scenario 
where debt is rising, and asset values are 
falling. Mindful of this scenario, we have 
prudent debt levels (even at maximum 
facility utilisation of £72m) and we have 
pre-sold or forward-funded more than 
62% of the current development work in 
progress for 2019. 

The Directors have also considered the 
potential impact of the UK departure 
from the EU and whilst they accept 
that the current economic uncertainty 
surrounding this creates a UK-wide 

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Corporate 
Responsibility

Our reputation gives our customers, employees, stakeholders, suppliers, investors and the communities 
in which we operate the confidence and trust to do business with us. 

What does Corporate Social 
Responsibility mean to us?
Our commitment to being a sustainable 
business underpins everything that we 
do; this ethos is fully integrated into our 
day-to-day operations and it is of the 
utmost importance for us to demonstrate 
to stakeholders our approach and 
its impacts.

We consistently review and address the 
key social, ethical and environmental 
impacts of our operations in a way that 
aims to bring value to all our stakeholders; 
the programme supports an approach of 
acting responsibly while we continue to 
grow, with continuous improvement lying 
at the heart of our business. 

During 2018 we continued to embed 
‘The Henry Boot Way’; critical to 
our ongoing success is the positive 
engagement of our employees working 
in collaboration with each other. In 
2018 we were delighted to confirm 
that Henry Boot PLC and Henry Boot 
Developments obtained Investors in 
People accreditation; this is in addition to 
the accreditation already held by Henry 
Boot Construction and Road Link. Our 
remaining subsidiaries remain on track to 
obtain accreditation in the near future.

We continue to face a number of 
challenges; we must continue to act 
fairly and responsibly, ensuring all our 
stakeholders are provided with a safe 

environment in which to work and 
making positive progress by trading 
responsibly and being a great employer.

Rachel White 
Head of HR

Henry Boot always aims to do 
the right thing. We continue to 
devote our time, energy and 
money to worthwhile causes to 
ensure that we have a positive 
impact on society.

John Sutcliffe, Chief Executive Officer

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Non-Financial Reporting 
We comply with the new Non-Financial Reporting Directive requirements. Information on these matters have been provided 
across the report, with a breakdown summary in the table below.

Reporting 
Requirement

Why it is important to 
engage

Ways we engage

 — Employee Matters
 — Respect for human 

rights

 — Anti-corruption and 
anti-bribery matters

 — Human Rights
 — Diversity

CSR Stakeholder

People

Read more on  
pages 58 to 60

Health  
and Safety

Read more on  
page 61

 — Social matters

Our  
Communities

Read more on  
pages 62 and 63

Our people are 
fundamental to the 
Group’s success. We 
recognise that their 
opinions count towards 
improving the workplace 
and the continued 
performance of the 
business. 

The welfare of our people 
and stakeholders is 
integral in our Values. 
With commitment and 
structured procedures in 
place, we provide a safe 
working environment to 
all the communities we 
operate in.   

To understand the 
changing need and 
requirements of the 
communities we operate 
in. We are then able 
to develop lasting 
relationship which 
can make a positive 
difference.

Environment

 — Environmental matters We engage environmental 

Read more on  
pages 64 and 65

management 
systems to achieve 
our responsibility in 
protecting and enhancing 
the environment in all 
business operations. 

 — Employee Surveys 
 — Speak Up Campaign
 — Working Group forums
 — Training and apprentice 

programmes

Stakeholders' key 
interests

 — Career Opportunities
 — Workplace 

improvement

 — Developing Group 
inter-working 
relationships

 — Investors In People

 — Internal management 

systems

 — Training courses 
 — Workplace and site 

assessments

 — Reducing the risk 
of accidents at the 
workplace

 — Raising awareness of 

procedures

 — Endorsing Health & 

Safety initiatives set by 
the Group 

 — Charity of the Year 

 — Developing lasting 

initiative

 — Group Charity 
Committee 

relationships 

 — Promoting awareness 

of their purpose

 — Community investment 

 — Raising funds 

initiatives

 — Investor with South 

Yorkshire Community 
Foundation (SYCF) 

 — Impact Assessment 
and Action Plans
 — Assessment and 

Remediation Strategies

 — Maintaining our ISO 
14001 standard
 — Membership of BITC 
Yorkshire & Humber

to support their 
operations

 — Minimising the Group’s 

emissions

 — Impact of Group 

activities on the wider 
community

 — Recycling initiatives

For further disclosures on Non-Financial Reporting please see:

Business Model on pages 16 to 19

Non Financial KPIs on page 46

Risks and Uncertainties on  
pages 46 to 55

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Strategic Report

Corporate 
Responsibility

People

Our people are critical 
to the success of our 
Group.

Their talent, commitment and 
motivation mean that we can enjoy 
ongoing success. Our Values continue 
to inspire the day to day behaviours of 
our employees and wider supply chain, 
defining how we work together for 
successful delivery. 

Gender diversity 

All  
employees

  Male

  Female

405 – 75%

133 – 25%

Senior 
Managers

  Male

  Female

56 – 85%

10 – 15%

Directors

  Male

  Female

18 – 86%

3 – 14%

Our approach
Our people are vital to the delivery of our 
strategic priorities; engagement with our 
employees and employee satisfaction are 
crucial to continued improvement and 
success across all of our businesses. We 
strive to maintain a culture of inclusivity 
and to create an environment that 
enables us to attract and retain the right 
people to work at every level, who are 
committed to working together, and who 
support our Values.

We have established policies 
for recruitment, learning and the 
development of our employees; we 
remain committed to investing the time 
and resource to support, engage and 
motivate our employees to feel valued, 
to be able to develop rewarding careers, 
and wanting to stay with us, and we 
recruit and promote from within wherever 
possible.

As our businesses continue to develop 
and grow, we understand that by 
retaining and inspiring effective and 
committed employees, we can continue 
to deliver excellence to all.

Human rights
Henry Boot PLC is committed to the 
UN’s Guiding Principles on Business 
and Human Rights. Protecting and 
preserving human rights is embedded 

in our culture and is fundamental to our 
Values. This is reflected in our policies 
relating to anti-corruption, diversity, and 
whistleblowing, coupled with our actions 
towards our people, suppliers, clients and 
the communities in which we operate.

Modern slavery
The Henry Boot Group has, following 
the introduction of the Modern Slavery 
Act 2015 (the ‘Act’) implemented 
a number of measures which seek 
to bring about greater transparency 
and scrutiny into our various supply 
chains, in order to combat slavery and 
trafficking activities. We continue to 
keep under regular review our Human 
Trafficking and Slavery Statement (the 
‘Statement’), setting out the activities 
undertaken to reduce the risk of slavery 
and trafficking activities being present 
within our business operations. These 
measures include the introduction of 
an Anti-Slavery Policy, due diligence 
requirements, and mandatory contract 
clauses seeking compliance by our 
supply chain with appropriate anti-slavery 
measures. Additional measures that have 
recently been put into place to increase 
knowledge and vigilance throughout our 
organisation and supply chain include 
posters and awareness cards across our 
sites. We will continue to regularly work 
with our partners, contractors, suppliers 

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As at 31 December 2018 the 
active membership of the 
pension arrangements stood 
at (employees):

  The Henry Boot Staff Pension  
& Life Assurance Scheme

  Henry Boot PLC Group 
Stakeholder Pension Plan 

  Road Link (A69) Limited  
Pension Plan

  Stonebridge Projects  
Limited Pension Plan†

72 

419* 

5 

60

*  59 employees within this total have invested their 
residual salary from The Henry Boot Staff Pension 
and Life Assurance Scheme into the Henry Boot 
PLC Group Stakeholder Pension Plan.

† Now a category within the overall Henry Boot PLC 
Group Stakeholder Pension Plan.

Read about our Governance 
Policies on page 82

and other stakeholders to monitor our 
approach for effectiveness and consider 
any changes or additional measures as 
appropriate.

Diversity and inclusion
The approach of Henry Boot PLC 
is underpinned by our belief that all 
individuals should be treated fairly 
and should have access to equal 
opportunities regardless of their status. 
Our Equality & Diversity Policy states 
that no prospective employee should 
receive less favourable treatment 
on the grounds of, amongst other 
characteristics, disability. We have 
continued the employment, wherever 
possible, of any person who becomes 
disabled during their employment with 
us, and opportunities for learning, career 
development and promotion do not 
operate to the detriment of disabled 
employees. 

Gender pay equality
Our gender pay gap is currently 26.14% 
(2017: 27.22%) which for Henry Boot is 
reflective of the ratio of men and women 
employed at just over 3:1 rather than an 
issue relating to how we pay our people. 

We have a proportionately low number 
of women in all roles and therefore our 
data is skewed; we believe that without 
a representative increase in the number 
of women we employ, the gap will be 
difficult to reduce. We have a number 
of employment policies in place around 
flexible working which we hope will see 
our gender split decrease over time and 
have a positive impact on our gender pay 
gap. We continue to forge links with local 
groups and educational establishments 
to encourage diversity and change 
perceptions to view our industry as a 
positive career choice.

The Group are not obligated by statute 
to report our gender pay gap as none 
of our legal entities meet the required 
reporting thresholds. However, we will 
continue to report voluntarily.

Our pension arrangements
During 2018 we continued to operate 
two pension schemes; employees are 
members of either The Henry Boot Staff 
Pension and Life Assurance Scheme 
(defined benefit pension closed to new 
members in 2004 and subject to a salary 
cap from 2012) or the Henry Boot PLC 
Group Stakeholder Pension Plan (defined 
contribution pension). 

Employees who are members of The 
Henry Boot Staff Pension and Life 
Assurance Scheme have the opportunity 
to join the Henry Boot PLC Group 
Stakeholder Pension Plan, investing 
their residual salary i.e. the difference 
between their actual salary and their 
capped pensionable salary in The Henry 
Boot Staff Pension and Life Assurance 
Scheme.

Henry Boot PLC has implemented 
the UK’s auto-enrolment pension 
requirements; this is provided by 
AVIVA. Employees are informed of 
auto-enrolment and other pension 
choices through letters and online via 
the Group Intranet. In 2018, we auto-
escalated our pension contributions 
to a minimum of 5% matched by the 
Company; we have no further intention 
to increase the minimum above this level 
at present. However, employees can 
choose to contribute above this level 
and the Company will match increased 
contributions up to a level of 8%.

Anti bribery and Anti corruption
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, and 
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.

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Corporate 
Responsibility

People

Our performance
Growth across all our businesses has 
seen an increase in headcount to 538 
directly employed people across the 
Group at the end of 2018 (2017: 514).

An integral part of the strength of Henry 
Boot is the low turnover of employees. 
The retention and development of our 
internal talent remains critical to our 
success and our turnover remains 
around the average for the UK at 15.2% 
(2017: 14.2%). Our high retention rates 
ensure that we have a solid base on 
which our employees can grow, develop 
and achieve their potential; we have key 
pathways in place for our Apprentices 
and Trainees to ensure our talent pipeline 
continues to flourish.

In 2018, as a result of our work on 
The Henry Boot Way, we established 
with an external consultant a Senior 
Leadership Development Programme; 
this was launched with our Managing 

Directors and has since been delivered 
to two further cohorts of Directors and 
Senior Managers, with a further two 
cohorts to be delivered in 2019. This key 
investment in our internal talent pool has 
resulted in a number of our Directors 
and Senior Managers identifying 
areas of development which are being 
addressed via coaching and mentoring 
programmes.

In 2018 we also held our inaugural 
Management Conference attended by 
all Executives, Directors and Senior 
Managers across all the subsidiary 
businesses, where best practice was 
shared and feedback sought on business 
plans and strategies for the future of the 
individual companies and the Group as 
a whole.

In 2018 we delivered 1,187 learning and 
development days (2017: 1,130 days); in 
addition to this and in recognition of the 
diverse range of skills within our workforce 

there was also an unquantifiable amount 
of ad-hoc learning and development 
which takes place on a daily basis on 
sites, in offices and at depots. 

In 2018 we recruited a further 12 trainees 
and apprentices across our businesses; 
all trainees and apprentices are enrolled 
on formal courses of education and 
have development plans in place 
to gain operational and technical 
knowledge from mentors. Our preferred 
succession planning method is one 
of in-house development and growth; 
consequently we also have a number 
of experienced employees enrolled on 
formalised education programmes to 
enhance their skills and knowledge in 
anticipation of career development and 
promotion within the business in which 
they operate. We anticipate an increase 
in the number of trainee and apprentice 
recruits in 2019, primarily as part of our 
succession plans but also in response to 
the Apprenticeship Levy.

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Health and Safety

As a responsible business, a fundamental 
commitment of the Group is to ensure that the 
health, safety and welfare of our employees, 
stakeholders and the wider public is safeguarded, 
together with protecting the environment in the 
course of all our areas of operations. 

We are proud of our team’s expertise and enthusiasm in making this happen, working 
collaboratively with our project teams and supply chain to drive innovation and 
achieve best practice.

As a responsible business, we 
are committed to ensuring that 
the health, safety and welfare of 
our employees, stakeholders and 
the wider public is safeguarded, 
together with minimising the 
environmental impact of our 
business operations. This is done 
by applying robust health, safety 
and environmental management 
controls and best practice. 
Construction activities operate 
to an Integrated Management 
System, approved to OHSAS 
18001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 
which ensures that risks are 
identified, minimised and where 
possible eliminated, coupled with 
continually improving Company 
performance.

Richard Grafton, 
Head of Policy & Compliance

Our approach
Henry Boot PLC continues to focus 
on health and safety as our primary 
business priority. We remain committed 
to providing a safe and healthy working 
environment for our employees, 
stakeholders and contractors. We 
operate all our business activities on 
the principle that good management 
of health and safety is fundamental in 
creating a safe and healthy working 
environment and contributes to 
improving our business performance. 
Our leadership teams manage all 
aspects of our business in a safe manner 
and instigate measures to eliminate 
or minimise risk and to minimise any 
environmental impact.

Our performance
Our Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) 
and Accident Incidence Rate (AIR) 
performance in our Construction 
segment remains strong and we 
are delighted that for the seventh 
consecutive year, our construction 
related AFR and AIR for our directly 
employed staff and operatives is zero. 

We are also delighted to report a strong 
overall (including subcontractors) AFR of 
0.05 per 100,000 hours worked and AIR 
of 102 per 100,000 workers. 

This result is a combination of the 
effectiveness of our management 
processes, continuous improvement and 
company Zero Harm initiative.

We continue to benchmark our 
Construction segment Health and Safety 
performance against Constructing 

Excellence Health and Safety Key 
Performance Indicators (KPI) which show 
a KPI performance of 100%.

In 2018, our Construction segment 
achieved re-certification to the OHSAS 
18001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 
standards, following a successful 
Certificate Renewal audit by Lloyd’s 
Register Limited. This is supported by 
other Company accreditations, including 
the Rail Industry Supplier Qualification 
Scheme, and BSI Verification of our 
BIM processes to PAS 1192-2. We 
also continue to be a Considerate 
Constructors Scheme Partner.

Our strong Health and Safety 
management culture has resulted in 
the Company securing a prestigious 
RoSPA Gold Medal Award for the ninth 
consecutive year. This is alongside 
further industry awards including New 
Build of the Year at the NFB Awards; 
CIOB awards for Project of the Year, 
Collaborative Working, Team of the 
Year and Social Value; a Recognition 
of Excellence Award at the Yorkshire 
Property Awards; and three Generation 
for Change (G4C) Awards.

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26323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 2462Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Strategic ReportCorporate ResponsibilityWe are dedicated to the support of our local communities both in Sheffield and across our UK wide operations. By listening to our local communities, our customers and our employees we can ensure that we are best placed to understand the changing societal needs and can respond and support initiatives which are key such as health and wellbeing, literacy and unemployment.Our approachWe continue to contribute to the social and economic impacts of the communities in which we operate. We offer support to a wide range of charities and organisations of all sizes, by working to provide them with donations that are of most benefit to them and their particular cause, whether it be a financial donation or non-financial in the form of participation or the donation of our time.Our key criteria for charitable support are: —Charities and organisations local to our business operations; —Charities and organisations that support educational improvements for children/adults; —Charities and organisations that support social improvement through sport.The Group also supports a number of funds which are held and managed by South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF); where a charitable request does not fall within our stated criteria we signpost relevant enquiries to them. We can also use our funds with SYCF in order to collaborate with other supporters to provide grants to applicants who are assessed for eligibility by SYCF. We also make direct donations to discretionary funds held by SYCF for specific purposes, for example in 2018 we made a significant donation to the Young People’s Mental Health Fund. Further details are on our website.We support an annual Charity of the Year which is elected by our employees. We then host a variety of activities during the year to raise money in support of them. Our CommunitiesWe have had a great year fundraising for Dementia UK; I am incredibly proud to have been part of the team that raised such a fantastic sum of money for such an important cause.Amy Oakley,  Head of Legal (Commercial)  and Company SecretaryOur partnership with Henry Boot PLC has been extremely successful, raising over £30k in one year. We are so grateful to their staff who took part in a range of fundraising activities, such as hosting football tournaments and selling Dementia UK branded Christmas cards. Their enthusiasm and creativity has been brilliant. Thank you to everyone at Henry Boot PLC.Reshma Vishram,  Corporate Partnerships Executive, Dementia UKOur performanceWe continue to support and promote a wide range of charitable giving and community volunteering initiatives by employees, focusing on activities that best reflect the needs of their local community and issues of direct significance for them.Our Charity of the Year for 2018 was Dementia UK, who provide specialist dementia care and support through their Admiral Nurse network, who work in the community for the NHS, in care homes, hospitals and hospices, helping families to live more positively with dementia and to face the challenges of dementia with confidence and less fear. We raised an incredible £30,617.47 (2017, St Luke's Hospice: £22,539.88) through a variety of fundraising endeavours including the Henry Boot 5-a-side Football World Cup, Henry Boot Gold Day, dress down days, gin tasting and much much more.We also continued to support our 2017 Charity of the Year, St Luke’s Hospice, who are a near neighbour to our head office in Sheffield. They hold a Festival of Light in December each year, a celebration of life and remembrance, to which we offered financial assistance as headline sponsor and also provided a number of employee volunteers on the evening to serve mince pies and mulled wine to those who attended.This year, the Group contributed £100,227 (2017: £80,503) to charitable causes; £20,282 of which was through our Give As You Earn payroll giving mechanism (2017: £18,956). We have a Charities Committee which meets on a fortnightly basis to assess direct requests to the business for financial support. During 2018 we have supported and donated to a whole variety of charitable and good causes including: —Lowfield Primary School, Sheffield to support for their after-school Lego club; —Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield to support the 480 Club which helps to fund local schools to attend residential trips at the Farm;Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   6205/04/2019   16:25:2026323  5 April 2019 3:49 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201863Strategic Report —Woodfield Primary School, Doncaster to support for their literacy unit with the provision of books; —The Snowdrop Project, Sheffield, a donation of play and sensory items for the clients of the project; —The Real Junk Food Project, Sheffield, a donation to their Crowdfunder to develop the Project further; —Handsworth Grange Community School to support to their Get Active programme and sponsored a new careers hub; —The Better Together Project, Sheffield, as sponsor of a Christmas lunch for 100+ Sheffield residents who are lonely/vulnerable at Christmas. The Group also provided a number of volunteers to support the event.Our subsidiary businesses also continue to support directly in the communities in which they operate. Our plant hire company Banner Plant Limited regularly supplies portable toilets and generators to charitable events, notably the Helens Trust 10k run at Chatsworth and the clay pigeon shoot for Whirlow Hall Farm. Banner Plant also provided transport and labour to the Snowdrop Project when they moved locations in Sheffield.Our construction company, Henry Boot Construction Limited, has wider contractual obligations under the Social Value Act and has provided numerous opportunities in their operational area. We are incredibly proud of the impact our Better Barnsley project has had on Barnsley and the surrounding area, particularly the provision of the Skills Village which is a purpose built training centre which allows individuals including schoolchildren to experience construction first hand and develop their skills.It is important that we enable our employees to gain valuable development opportunities to develop their skills and allow them to support initiatives that are important to them. Employee volunteering is supported by the Board with the provision of paid time away from the workplace to participate in Company-led volunteering or personal volunteering opportunities. We are involved with Sheffield Business Together, who are developing a collaborative and cohesive approach to how businesses in Sheffield can work together to deliver sustainable and meaningful community projects.Henry Boot AR2018 - Overview + Strategic Report.indd   6305/04/2019   16:25:2364

Strategic Report

Corporate 
Responsibility

Environment

We are committed 
to protecting and 
enhancing the 
environment in the 
course of all our 
areas of operations 
and are proud of our 
team’s expertise and 
enthusiasm in making 
this happen.

In 2018, electric car charging points 
were installed at head office and 
Construction’s office in Dronfield. We 
are committed to reducing our carbon 
footprint and actively encourage 
employees to join our approach by 
making these charging points available 
to all employees with hybrid or 
electrical cars.

Our priorities are to:
 — Minimise waste produced;

 — Increase recycling; and

 — Improve energy efficiency and reduce 

energy use.

Our approach
We recognise that we have a 
responsibility and an obligation to reduce 
the direct impact of all our business 
operations on the natural environment, 
both now and in the future. Reducing 
our emissions is one way in which we 
hope to achieve this. Our aim is to create 
more sustainable ways of undertaking our 
business operations to conserve energy, 
save money and deliver efficiency. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Strategic Report

Henry Boot Group CO2 footprint by source

Henry Boot Group CO2e emissions
Scope 1: Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities 

Scope 2: Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use

Total direct emissions
Total direct emissions per employee1

Scope 3: Upstream and downstream indirect emissions

Total emissions
Total emissions per employee1

1 Employee numbers are based on the monthly average for the year.

Carbon emissions by segment

2018
Tonnes

2,261

847

2017
Tonnes

2,222

1,075

3,108
6.3 tonnes CO2e
1,059

4,167
8.4 tonnes CO2e

3,297
6.8 tonnes CO2e 
1,115

4,412
9.1 tonnes CO2e

Henry Boot Group CO2e 
emissions

Property investment  
and development

Land development

Construction

Group overheads

Total gross  
controlled emissions

2018
Intensity
Ratio
Tonnes of 
CO2e
2.00

2018
Tonnes of 
CO2e
993

2017
Tonnes of 
CO2e
994

59

2,960

155

4,167

1.72

17.00

2.45

79

3,118

221

4,412

2017
Intensity
Ratio
Tonnes of 
CO2e
2.3

2.32

38.10

3.95

Intensity 
Basis

per 1,000 sq ft  
of investment property 
with communal areas

per employee

per £1m of turnover

per employee

Trend

Rise

Fall

Fall

Fall

Fall

Fall

Fall

Trend

Fall

Fall

Fall

Fall

Our greenhouse gas emissions for the 
year ended 31 December 2018 were 
calculated in accordance with the GHG 
Protocol Corporate Accounting and 
Reporting Standard (2011 edition) and 
emission factors from UK Government 
GHG Conversion Factors for Company 
Reporting 2018.

Our direct and indirect operational 
greenhouse gas emissions are 
shown in the tables above. These 
sources fall within our consolidated 
financial statements. We do not have 
responsibility for any emission sources 
that are not included in our financial 
statements.

Overall the Group’s greenhouse gas 
emissions have decreased by 6% when 
compared with those of the previous 
year, this equates to a reduction of 
0.7 tonnes per employee. 

For further information on our 
greenhouse gas emissions  
please see our website.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 2466Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Our GovernanceHenry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   6605/04/2019   16:19:1126323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201867Our GovernanceOurGovernanceA clear view of our GovernanceOperating fairly and  equitably in everything we do.Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   6705/04/2019   16:19:1268

Our Governance

Board of  
Directors

Read about Corporate 
Governance on pages 74 and 83

Peter Mawson 
Non-executive Director

Darren Littlewood 
Group Finance Director

Joanne Lake 
Deputy Chairman

Gerald Jennings 
Non-executive Director

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69
69

Our Governance
Our Governance

Jamie Boot 
Chairman

John Sutcliffe 
Chief Executive Officer

James Sykes 
Non-executive Director

Amy Oakley 
Company Secretary

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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26323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 2470Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Our GovernanceJamie BootChairmanRANDate of AppointmentJune 1985.IndependentNo.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Extensive Group and leadership experience. —Long-term track record in delivering sustainable growth to the Group.Jamie, who is a member of the founding family, has over 30 years’ experience as a Director of Henry Boot PLC. He has been a Director of the Company’s four principal operating subsidiaries and his role now sees him responsible for the leadership of the Board.John SutcliffeChief Executive OfficerDate of AppointmentOctober 2006.IndependentNo.Additional Roles HeldChairman of the Company’s four principal operating subsidiaries. Member of the CBI Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Council and Treasurer of the University of Sheffield. Trustee Director of Henry Boot Pension Trustees Limited acting as trustee for The Henry Boot Staff Pension and Life Assurance Scheme.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Strong financial and leadership knowledge.  —Experience in implementing and overseeing strategy.John joined Henry Boot as Group Finance Director in 2006 before becoming CEO in 2016. He has responsibility for Group profitability and guides in the achievement of the highest level of return for a given level of risk. He is also responsible for communicating strategy and results to both private and institutional investors. He is also the Director responsible for all Health, Safety and Environmental matters.Darren LittlewoodGroup Finance DirectorDate of AppointmentJanuary 2016. IndependentNo.Additional Roles HeldDirector of the Company’s four principal operating subsidiaries.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —In depth Group and financial experience. —Establishing and delivering strategy whilst protecting assets in the Group.Darren joined the Group in 1999 prior to his appointment as Group Finance Director in 2016. He became qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in 2007 and is responsible for all financial and risk matters relating to the Group. He is heavily involved in investor communications and, along with John Sutcliffe, is also responsible for communicating strategy and results to both private and institutional investors.Joanne LakeDeputy ChairmanRANDate of AppointmentOctober 2015.IndependentYes.Additional Roles HeldNon-executive Chairman of Mattioli Woods plc, Non-executive Director of Gateley (Holdings) Plc, Non-executive Director of Morses Club PLC and Non-executive Director of Green Man Gaming plc.See Nomination Committee disclosure on time commitment on page 85Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Extensive financial and investment banking experience. —In depth knowledge on strategy and governance.Joanne has over 30 years’ experience in accountancy and investment banking, including with Panmure Gordon, Evolution Securities, Williams de Broe and Price Waterhouse. She is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and of the ICAEW, and is a member of the ICAEW’s Corporate Finance Faculty.Board of  DirectorsCommittee MembershipN NominationA Audit and RiskR Remuneration Committee ChairmanHenry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7005/04/2019   16:19:2026323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201871Our GovernanceJames SykesNon-executive DirectorRNADate of AppointmentMarch 2011.IndependentNo.Additional Roles HeldChairman and Partner in the London office of Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants which he joined in 1987. He is a Non-executive Director of Saffery Champness business in Guernsey.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Significant strategic land knowledge. —Sound financial background and experience.James’ experience as an audit partner is very important in his role as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. As a partner in the Private Wealth and Estates Group at Saffery Champness he has many years’ experience in the UK strategic land market and brings that experience to board decision-making generally but particularly to Hallam Land Management Limited. Gerald JenningsNon-executive DirectorRANDate of AppointmentOctober 2015.IndependentYes.Additional Roles HeldNon-executive Chairman of Social Communications (Leeds) Limited, Non-executive Director of the Ahead Partnership, Non-executive Director and Chairman of West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Trustee Director and Chair of PSL, Governor at the Leeds City College Group, and Director of G R Jennings Properties Ltd.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Widespread industry experience in retail and property.  —Successful track record of delivering significant development projects and working with a wide range of stakeholders.Gerald has over 30 years’ experience in the retail and property industry. Amongst other projects, Gerald was responsible for the delivery of the one million sq ft Trinity Leeds retail scheme.Amy OakleyCompany SecretaryDate of AppointmentOctober 2018.Additional Roles HeldHead of Legal (Commercial) at Henry Boot PLC, Trustee of St Luke’s Hospice, Sheffield.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Significant recent and relevant legal and corporate governance experience.  —Robust knowledge on all aspects of commercial law.Having obtained her academic qualifications at the Universities of Nottingham and Sheffield, Amy qualified as a solicitor in 2006. She is an experienced lawyer with a demonstrated history of working in-house in the public sector and construction industry. With a broad range of expertise across non-contentious construction matters, contract and commercial law and practice, corporate governance and compliance matters, she has worked at Henry Boot PLC since 2014. Peter MawsonNon-executive DirectorRANDate of AppointmentOctober 2015.IndependentYes.Additional Roles HeldNon-executive Chairman of Nexus Planning Limited, Non-executive Chairman of Infinite Global Consulting Holdings Limited and advisor to Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership - Paradise project.Brings to the BoardKey strengths: —Wide-ranging experience in senior leadership and practitioner roles across the built environment. —Property development and planning knowledge in both the public and private sector.Peter has a wealth of experience in the management and leadership of professional service firms, together with senior practitioner expertise across the built environment, from both public and private sector perspectives.For Full Biographies  please see www.henryboot.co.ukHenry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7105/04/2019   16:19:2526323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 2472Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Our GovernanceSenior  ManagementNick DuckworthHallam Land  Management LimitedDate of AppointmentManaging Director in 2016.Brings to the RoleNick Duckworth, MRTPI, began his career in a private sector planning consultancy, Phillips Planning Services, in 1990. He left there in late 1992 and joined Hallam Land’s then newly established Northampton office. In 1997 Nick set up the South West office of Hallam Land in Bristol and became the Regional Manager. He was appointed a Director in 2002.Edward HutchinsonHenry Boot  Developments LimitedDate of AppointmentManaging Director in 2018.Brings to the RoleEdward Hutchinson BSc (Hons), MRICS, started his career in quantity surveying before quickly progressing into project management. He joined Henry Boot Developments in 2004 as a Project Manager rapidly rising to the position of Senior Project Manager in 2006. Edward was appointed a Director in 2012 and became Managing Director in 2018.Darren StubbsStonebridge Homes LimitedDate of AppointmentManaging Director in 2010.Brings to the RoleDarren Stubbs started work at Tay Homes plc at the age of 16 and by the age of 25 he was Managing Director of his own small housebuilding company based in Leeds. Over the next 15 years he grew the business to achieve an annual turnover of £25m. In 2010 he formed a new housebuilder and property company, Stonebridge Homes Limited, which is a jointly owned company with Henry Boot PLC.Giles BootBanner Plant LimitedDate of AppointmentManaging Director in 2000.Brings to the RoleGiles Boot, BA (Hons), 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.Trevor WalkerRoad Link (A69) LimitedDate of AppointmentGeneral Manager in 2005.Brings to the RoleTrevor Walker, IEng MICE, joined Road Link (A69) Limited in 1996 at the start of the 30-year Private Finance Project to operate and maintain the A69 trunk road. He was previously involved in trunk road maintenance in the south of Scotland. He undertook various road and bridge maintenance roles within Road Link (A69) Limited in the early years, helping to establish the company before his appointment as General Manager in 2005.Simon CarrHenry Boot  Construction LimitedDate of AppointmentManaging Director in 2009.Brings to the RoleSimon Carr, BSc (Hons), FRICS, has been with Henry Boot for over 30 years. He is a board member and past national chair of the National Federation of Builders, a board member and past president of the Yorkshire Builders Federation and is a member of the CBI Construction Council. Simon also sits on the board of trustees for the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and is a Non-executive Director of Wildgoose Construction Limited.Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7205/04/2019   16:19:3026323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201873Our GovernanceChairman’s IntroductionWelcome to our Corporate Governance ReportOur focus is to ensure that we continue to create opportunities and manage resources effectively to sustain and promote the long-term success of the Company.Jamie Boot, ChairmanDear Shareholders, 2018 has seen strong performance despite the continued challenging economic backdrop. It is the Board’s responsibility to guide the Group strategically through this uncertainty and provide leadership and support to the management team. Our focus is to ensure that we continue to create opportunities and manage resources effectively to sustain and promote the long-term success of the Company.In October 2018 we welcomed Amy Oakley to the boardroom as our new Company Secretary. There have been no Director changes during the year. We have seen the three independent Non-executive Directors who joined the Company in late 2015 continue to add real value and expertise, particularly now that their knowledge of the Group and its operations have strengthened. We continue to work well together and enjoy a healthy level of challenge and debate. You can read about this year’s evaluation process and the outcomes on page 75 and the Nomination Committee’s review of effectiveness on page 85.Strategy In December 2018, the Board held an offsite strategy day. Analysis was undertaken internally on our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and consideration given externally to the economic backdrop and marketplaces in which we operate. This allowed the Board to define the key Group strategic priorities and produce a framework which guides our business segments strategies. Further details on the Group’s strategic priorities and objectives can be found on pages 40 to 41. Workforce engagementFollowing discussions on the most appropriate way to ensure that our workforce had a voice, the Board agreed that an employee forum would be established. Gerald Jennings, an independent Non-executive Director, will be available to this forum and will provide a link in to the Board. The Working Groups from the ‘One Henry Boot’ Project proved that this format worked well and we saw high levels of engagement from across the Group. More details on the mechanics and the activities underway will be provided in next year’s report. UK Corporate Governance Code 2018The Board welcomes the updated Code and the opportunity to increase focus on culture, wider workforce remuneration and succession planning. Through our recent involvement in the Group-wide “One Henry Boot” project (see page 12) and with the introduction of the Senior Leadership Development Programme, we are already making positive strides in these areas and will continue to see these items high on the agenda over the coming 12 months.The following report sets out our governance processes and compliance statement and the work undertaken by the Board and committees in 2018. We welcome feedback from our shareholders and I encourage you to get in touch with us on any governance matters. I hope to see many of you at our new AGM venue on 23 May 2019 (see page 174 for full details).Jamie Boot Chairman 11 April 2019Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7305/04/2019   16:19:3274

Our Governance

Corporate Governance 
Statement

The Board is committed to achieving high governance 
standards and following best practice. Where we do not strictly 
follow the Code, considerable thought is given to ensuring 
that our approach aligns with the spirit of good governance 
and helps to promote high ethical standards and sustain the 
success of the Company over the long-term. The governance 
structures in place are designed to reflect the individuality of 
the Company and the composition of both its institutional 
shareholders and individual shareholders, many of whom have 
family ties to the Company.

For this financial year, as a premium listed company, the 
Company was subject to compliance with the 2016 UK 
Corporate Governance Code (Code). Further details of how the 
Code has been applied are set out below on pages 74 to 83.

The Board
The Board remains unchanged from last year and consists 
of two Executive Directors and five Non-executive Directors, 
including the Chairman. Biographies are shown on pages 70 
and 71. Roles and responsibilities for each Director can be 
viewed on the website:

 — capital structure and ensuring funding adequacy; and

 — the determination and monitoring of the Company’s principal 

and emerging risks.

Specific areas considered by the Board during 2018 are 
detailed on page 76.

The day-to-day management of the Company’s subsidiary 
businesses and the responsibility for their operational decisions 
sits with each respective board of directors, led by a Managing 
Director. Subsidiary company Managing Directors attend 
Group Board meetings on a rotational basis to present their 
operational business plans and strategy. Each subsidiary board 
meeting is attended by the two main Board Executives and the 
Company Secretary. 

The Operations Board is an executive forum established in 
January 2016 which focuses on Group working, inter-company 
co-operation and risk. This board consists of the Chief 
Executive Officer and the Group Finance Director, together with 
the four main subsidiary company Managing Directors and the 
Managing Director of Stonebridge Homes Limited. Regular 
updates are fed back to the Board.

Read more details at 
www.henryboot.co.uk

The Board maintains a formal schedule of matters reserved for 
its decision which it reviews on an annual basis to check for 
relevance and to align with new regulatory and best practice 
developments. Key areas of Board responsibility include:

 — strategy and objective setting;

 — monitoring the effectiveness of internal controls;

 — approving the Company’s half-year and full-year financial 

results announcements;

Board composition

Non-executive Board tenure

  Non-executive Chairman 14%

  Executive 

  Non-executive 

29%

57%

  0–5 years 

  5+ years service 

60%

40%

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75

Our Governance

Overall Effectiveness
Further to the results of the above evaluation process, the 
Nomination Committee also gave consideration to the:

 — Composition of Executive Directors v Independent 

Non-executive Directors

 — Length of service for all Directors

 — Time commitments for all Directors

 — Skills, knowledge and experience 

It was agreed that each Director continues to contribute 
effectively and is fully engaged with their role, and the Board as a 
whole operates effectively with the necessary skills and balance 
it needs to lead and govern the Company (see page 85).

Board Evaluation
In order to reflect on our performance in 2018, we worked with 
Independent Audit Limited to design a series of questionnaires 
to assess the effectiveness of the Board and its individual 
Directors. The questionnaires were agreed with the Chairman 
of the Board and completed by each Board member. Results 
were compiled anonymously and distributed for discussion at 
the Board meeting.

Areas where the Board scored strongly in 2018:

 — Collaboration – working together in an open manner 

with executives being helpful in their approach and non-
executives challenging in a constructive way

 — Skills – recognition of the diverse range of experience and 
specialisms around the table and being able to successfully 
leverage the collective knowledge

 — Accountability – understanding the internal control structures 

and how the reporting lines and accountabilities work

 — Knowledge of business model – a good understanding of 

the model and what drives the company’s success

Action areas for 2019:

 — Stakeholder engagement – increase engagement with 
employees and senior management and progress the 
stakeholder engagement policy

 — Risk management strategy – embed the new risk reporting 
procedures and encourage identification of emerging risks

 — Strategy – ensure constant review of strategic objectives, 

particularly outside of the Strategy Day

 — Reporting – increase the level of non-financial reporting and 

reporting of performance against KPIs 

Individual Evaluations
Having completed a self-assessment questionnaire and 
reflected on their own performance throughout the year, each 
Director had a meeting with the Chairman. This provided 
a platform to discuss performance and development 
opportunities and address any concerns. 

Chair Evaluation
Peter Mawson, the Senior Independent Director, led a review 
in to the performance of the Chairman through a series of 
questionnaires and one-to-one meetings with each Director. 
The results were very positive and confirmed that Jamie Boot 
continues to be highly regarded in his role as Chairman.

Committee Evaluations
A questionnaire was developed for each committee and 
approved by the committee Chair. Individual members 
completed the questionnaire anonymously and the results were 
compiled and discussed in each committee meeting. You can 
read more about the outcomes of those evaluations and the 
actions identified for 2019 in each committee report. 

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76

Our Governance

Corporate Governance 
Statement

What the Board did this year
In addition to the activities outlined in the Chairman’s Introduction on page 73, listed below are some of the areas that the Board 
covered during 2018. Many of these areas relate to the Group’s key risks set out on pages 50 to 53.

Area

The Board’s strategic / governance role

Outcome and actions during the period

Health and Safety

The Board has oversight of the Group’s Health 
and Safety operations and the associated 
internal controls. Due to the nature of the 
industries that we operate in, Health and Safety 
is a key risk and therefore remains a key area of 
concern for the Board.

Group strategic 
priorities and 
objectives

The Group’s strategic priorities and objectives 
are set by the Board. Performance is then 
monitored against these objectives. 

Risk management  
and internal control

The Board retains responsibility for ensuring a 
sound system is in place for internal controls and 
risk management.

Updates are given at every Board meeting which 
include incident reporting, mitigation and near 
misses. Particular attention through the year was 
given to the ‘blowdown’ procedure at Barnsley, 
which involved collaboration with the HSE, the 
local council and subcontractors. Simon Carr, 
the Managing Director attended the December 
Board meeting to outline the risks. 

The Board also review the annual safety 
reports prepared by the Group Health, 
Safety and Environment Manager for each 
subsidiary including the recommendations and 
management responses.

The Group’s strategic priorities and objectives 
are set out on pages 40 to 45.

The Board then monitor performance and the 
delivery of this strategy. One such example is 
that at every meeting the Board review the total 
number of interests in sites and the split between 
purchase, option and agency agreements to 
ensure that there remains the right level of 
opportunities to provide future returns and 
ensure the business is not just focussed on the 
short-term results.

A robust assessment of the principal risks was 
considered in December 2018. The existing risks 
were checked for appropriateness and emerging 
risks were identified. One key emerging risk 
relates to the changes of standard conditions on 
construction contracts and the risk exposure this 
creates. The Board continues to review this risk 
to ensure it is mitigated in the best way possible.

The internal control systems are now independently 
reviewed following the appointment of an internal 
auditor. See page 86 for more details.

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Our Governance

Area

The Board’s strategic / governance role

Outcome and actions during the period

Glass Works Phase 
2 construction 
contracts, Barnsley

Major construction contracts require approval at 
Board level to ensure that the work is consistent 
with the overall strategy and to consider the key 
risks and any potential impact on stakeholders. 
These key projects are then monitored closely 
throughout their delivery.

In October 2018, the management team 
responsible for the second phase of the Glass 
Works project in Barnsley gave a presentation 
to the Board. Discussions were had around 
the key risks and mitigation measures in place. 
It was agreed that the project was in line with 
the agreed strategy, provided opportunity for 
further growth and supported the regeneration 
of Barnsley. You can read more about Phase 1 of 
this project on page 31.

Political and external 
environment

The ability to successfully deliver on strategy 
depends on a number of external factors 
including the political and economical 
environment.

Brexit updates were provided at most Board 
meetings throughout the year and consideration 
was given as to how this may impact the Group’s 
businesses over the short and long term.

Cyber

The Board has determined that the cyber risk 
has increased throughout the year due to 
the higher frequency of threats and attackers 
becoming increasingly sophisticated. The 
Board are responsible for ensuring there are 
management systems in place to monitor and 
mitigate this risk.

The Board agreed that a prudent approach to 
debt be taken over this period of uncertainty, 
supporting the reduction in gearing to 6%.

The collapse of Carillion has been monitored 
and industry trends and lessons learned are 
discussed with a view to making improvements 
and pursuing opportunities.

The Board continue to receive updates at every 
Board meeting on cyber issues and any instances 
of fraudulent activity are reported. During the year 
reports have been prepared by the Head of IT 
outlining results of internal penetration testing, 
employee communication and phishing trends. 
Subsequent discussions have taken place on how 
best to mitigate the evolving threat of cyber crime 
and external reviews have been commissioned. 
This is an area that will remain high on the Board 
agenda over the coming months.

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26323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201878Our GovernanceCase Study The Board in actionStakeholder interaction.This year the Board attended the inaugural Henry Boot Management Conference. The focus of the conference was to present the Group’s strategy to all subsidiaries and to share best practice across our three business segments. Deputy Chairman, Joanne Lake, also gave a presentation on how the business interacts with investors and an overview of the role a Non-executive Director undertakes at Henry Boot. During the day there were various ice breaker activities which gave the Board members a chance to closely familiarise themselves with employees and their roles within the Group. Once the strategy presentations had finished an exercise took place which allowed employees and the Board to review and give constructive feedback on their strategies.Throughout 2018 the Board interacted with stakeholders through various initiatives: —Board members attended various charity events, in aid of Dementia UK, which in total raised over £30,000; —CEO, John Sutcliffe also participated in the Group’s charity Golf day, which was an opportunity to meet various suppliers and of course having a drive down the fairway! —Several Non-executives attended various subsidiary board meetings across the Group; —Held an investor and analyst day at TECA in Aberdeen, a Developments project;  —Attended site visits across all operations; —A “CEO & GFD Lunch” gave all employees the chance to meet the Executive Directors.The Board seeks to actively improve their interaction and development with stakeholders. A continuous effort will take place in 2019 with initiatives, including an employee forum, set to build stronger relationships with our stakeholders.Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7805/04/2019   16:19:3826323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201879Our GovernanceHenry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   7905/04/2019   16:19:4480

Our Governance

Corporate Governance 
Statement

Board and committee meetings
Throughout the year, there were seven Board meetings and a separate offsite Strategy Day. In addition to this, and in order to 
effectively carry out its duties, the Board delegates authority to committees to look after specific areas of responsibilities. The 
Board has formally constituted Nomination, Audit and Risk, and Remuneration Committees which operate within their agreed 
terms of reference. Each committee is provided with accurate, timely and clear information and has access to external consultants 
where necessary. Further details of each of the above committees can be found on pages 84 to 100 and such details form part of 
this Corporate Governance Statement.

During 2018, there was 100% attendance at Board and committee meetings.

Member

Role

Board

Audit 
and Risk

Remuneration Nomination

Jamie Boot

John Sutcliffe*

Darren Littlewood*

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

James Sykes

Non-executive Chairman

Chief Executive Officer

Group Finance Director

Deputy Chairman and 
Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Senior Independent 
Non-executive Director

Non-independent 
Non-executive Director

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

4/4

—

—

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

—

—

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

3/3

—

—

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

* Attends committee meetings by invitation where appropriate.
Board composition 
The names, responsibilities and other details of each of the 
Directors of the Board are set out on pages 70 and 71. The 
Board believes it has an appropriate balance of Executive 
and Non-executive, and independent and non-independent, 
Directors having regard to the size and nature of the business. 
Further to review by the Nomination Committee (see page 
85), it is felt that the overall combination of experience, skills, 
knowledge and lengths of service of the current Board members 
provides an appropriate level of balance which contributes to 
effective decision-making and helps to mitigate risk.

Board independence 
The Company recognises the importance of its independent 
Non-executive Directors remaining independent throughout 
their appointment. It enables them to provide objective advice 
and challenge the Executive Directors through their knowledge 
of the wider business environment and as a result of their 
diverse backgrounds. 

The Non-executive Directors meet without the Executive 
Directors being present, usually the evening before the Board 
meetings and during other occasions throughout the year. 

As discussed in more detail in the Compliance Statement 
on page 83 Jamie Boot is regarded as non-independent 
having previously served as Managing Director. James Sykes 
is also not regarded as independent having been appointed 
to represent the substantial shareholdings of the Reis family 
interests (see page 104).

Training and development
Formal and tailored inductions are arranged for all new 
Directors and continued development is monitored by the 
Chairman as part of the evaluation process. Non-executive 
Directors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the 
Company’s business, and throughout the year they have 
regularly attended subsidiary board meetings. This provides 
further insight into the business, its culture and an opportunity 
to meet with the wider senior management team in more 
informal situations. Site visits to key developments and sites 
are scheduled throughout the year, you can read more about 
the engagement with employees and other stakeholders on 
page 78.

A specific training session was requested by the Board in light 
of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. DLA Piper UK 
LLP, the Company’s external corporate lawyers, provided an 
interactive training session after the December Board meeting 
which highlighted the changes and addressed any potential 
areas of non-compliance. General updates on regulations and 
best practice are provided through a mixture of briefings, Board 
papers and emails. 

Conflicts of interest
Under the Companies Act 2006 a Director must avoid a 
situation where they have, or could have, a direct or indirect 
interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the 
company’s interests. The Company’s Articles of Association 
enable the Board to authorise Directors’ conflicts of interest 

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where appropriate. Any potential or actual conflicts of interest 
are reported to the Company Secretary or the Chairman and 
are discussed as part of the Company Secretarial Report at 
every Board meeting. There have been no potential or actual 
conflicts of interest reported during the year.

Risk management and internal controls 
The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent 
of the Company’s principal risks. During the year, the Board 
agreed the principal risks facing the Company and carried out 
a robust assessment of these risks. See pages 48 to 55 for 
more details and the Company’s viability statement. 

The Board is also responsible for the Company’s internal 
controls and operates a system which is reviewed regularly for 
effectiveness. The process is designed to manage, rather than 
eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve the Company’s business 
objectives as it can only provide reasonable, not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Board 
requires formal risk registers to be produced in a structured 
format for every subsidiary and PLC department, to be 
reviewed at least every six months. The Board is satisfied with 
the current system in place and can confirm that no material 
weaknesses have been identified in the year. 

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

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 the Chief 
Executive Officer. Formal lines of responsibility and levels 
of authority are in place within each subsidiary company. 
Annual plans, budgets (for three years) and performance 
criteria for each business are set by the Executive Directors 
and performance against these targets is reviewed regularly 
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.

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Corporate Governance 
Statement

Centralised operations 
Specific risks and compliance issues associated with Health 
and Safety, treasury and banking operations, finance, payroll, 
company secretarial, pensions, legal, human resources 
and training, public and investor relations, corporate 
communications, information communication technology, and 
insurance are managed centrally and report functionally to the 
appropriate Company officer responsible for that particular 
operation. 

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

Business procurement 
All development appraisals, land purchases and options, and 
construction contracts above a set 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.

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 certain aspects of operations, such as Health 
and Safety, with the balance of the operations being governed 
by procedures set out in contracts and risk assessment 
and mitigation measures typically set out in project-specific 
documents such as Board reports and project updates. The 
subsidiary company Managing Directors review and report 
to the Audit and Risk Committee on the effectiveness of 
the systems of internal controls in place and any matters of 
concern are raised at Board meetings; the Board is satisfied 
with current arrangements, which will be kept under review. 

Whistleblowing arrangements
The Company has a whistleblowing policy in place for all 
employees of the Group, 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 Ethics, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, HR and 
Governance policies. Employees are also encouraged to 
“speak out” via a series of posters. 

Governance Policies 
Our Governance Policies (including ethics, whistleblowing, 
competition law, gifts and hospitality, and staff purchases) 
are continually monitored and reviewed, with the latest 
refresh being carried out in January 2018 for issue to all 
Group employees, external suppliers and service providers. 
Mandatory online training on anti-bribery and corruption was 
carried out with all employees and is scheduled for regular 
refresh. The suite of corporate governance policies was 

joined by updated data protection documentation during the 
course of 2018 due to the implementation of the General 
Data Protection Regulation. All policies reflect and refer to 
the Group’s values, and further training will be delivered on all 
relevant topics as appropriate.

The Anti Bribery and Corruption, Anti Slavery and Ethics 
Policies are also relevant for third parties who perform services 
for or on behalf of the Group. The Group expects those 
persons to adhere to these policies or have in place equivalent 
policies and procedures to combat bribery and corruption as 
well as the threat of slavery in their supply chain.

Accountability and audit
Details of the Directors’ responsibilities and the Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities are contained on page 108. The 
Independent Auditors’ Report is given on pages 112 to 120.

The Directors’ statement in respect of the business as a going 
concern and the viability statement is provided on pages 54 
to 55.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Audit and Risk Committee and the Board have assessed 
the tone, balance and language of the Annual Report and 
Financial Statements, being mindful of the requirements of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and the need for consistency 
between the narrative section of the document and the 
Financial Statements. The Board’s formal statement on the 
Annual Report and Financial Statements being fair, balanced 
and understandable is contained within the Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities which can be found on page 108.

Shareholder relations 
The Company actively communicates with its institutional and 
private shareholders and values a two-way conversation on key 
Company issues. It is this close relationship with shareholders 
that is viewed as one of the Company’s particular strengths.

In July 2018 the Company hosted an investor and analyst day, 
touring the The Event Complex Aberdeen scheme during its 
construction phase. The visit provided the opportunity to meet 
the Board’s Executive Directors and senior management team 
with a presentation being given by Henry Boot Development’s 
senior management team.

During the year a number of formal presentations were made 
by members of the Board to institutional shareholders and 
feedback from these meetings was provided to the Board 
by our stockbrokers. At every Board meeting an update is 
given to the Non-executive Directors on any feedback from 
investors, particularly after investor roadshow programmes. 
The Board receive a report at every meeting on share 
movements during the period and any market trends. The 
Company uses the Investor Relations section of its website, 
www.henryboot.co.uk, to publish statutory documents 

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and communications to shareholders, such as the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements. The website is designed to 
communicate with both present and potential investors and 
includes all London Stock Exchange announcements, investor 
presentations and press releases. 

The attendance and participation of all shareholders at the 
AGM is much encouraged. At the AGM held in May 2018, 
votes were received representing 69.50% 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 can be found in the Directors’ Report on 
pages 102 to 107.

Significant vote against the re-election 
of James Sykes
At the May 2018 AGM, we received what we considered to 
be a significant vote against the re-election of James Sykes 
being 21.26%. 

Since the AGM we have engaged individually with shareholders 
who collectively represent over 90% of those who voted 
against the resolution. From these conversations we 
understand that the concern is largely associated with his role 
as the Audit and Risk Committee Chairman, given his status 
as a non-independent Director. As a representative of the Reis 
family Trust, a significant shareholder of the Company, James is 
classed as non-independent under the Code.

As a Company, we feel that James is the most qualified to chair 
the Committee as a Chartered Accountant and Audit Partner 
with over 30 years’ in the industry. He has the knowledge and 
experience to ask the right questions of management and the 
auditors, frequently doing so.

We would also like to emphasise that the purpose of his 
stewardship position with the Reis family is to protect and 
maximise the returns from their longstanding investment. It 
is his responsibility to encourage decisions that facilitate the 
long-term success of the Company for the benefit of the Reis 
family, but arguably for the benefit of all shareholders. We also 
have three independent Non-executive Directors who sit on the 
Board, and the Board committees, with a view to providing a 
layer of independence. 

We will continue to actively engage with investors and welcome 
any further feedback.

Compliance Statement
The Company has complied with all the principles of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2016 for the year ended 
31 December 2018 and the vast majority of the provisions. 
However, as in previous years, there are a number of instances 
where the Company has chosen to take advantage of the 
flexibility offered with the “comply or explain” rule when 
applying certain provisions. 

A.3.1
As previously disclosed, the Chairman was not independent 
on appointment, having served as Group Managing Director 
for 29 years. The Board continues to support this appointment 
based on the extensive knowledge of the Group and industry 
that Jamie Boot brings to the role and to Board discussions. 
During the current climate of political and economic uncertainty, 
Jamie offers a vast amount of experience, having weathered 
downturns such as the financial crisis in 2008. He guided the 
Company successfully through this period, reducing levels of 
gearing and bringing about opportunities that the Company is 
still benefiting from today. 

In order to mitigate independence concerns, three independent 
Non-executive Directors were appointed at the time Jamie 
became Chairman in 2015. It is this balance of Jamie’s 
experience, mixed with the fresh, external perspective of the 
three independent Non-executive Directors, that helps to 
provide a level of balance and challenge around the boardroom 
table. As a family business that has been in operation for over 
130 years, it was also deemed appropriate for Jamie to remain 
on the Board to represent the interests of him and his family 
members. 

C.3.1 and D.2.1
As Company Chairman, Jamie is a member of both the Audit 
and Risk, and Remuneration Committees, despite not being 
independent on appointment. As discussed above, James 
is the Audit and Risk Committee Chairman and a member of 
the Remuneration Committee despite not being independent. 
For the reasons outlined above, the Board believe that both 
Jamie and James add value to committee meetings, challenge 
management and act in the best interests of shareholders. 
On both committees, there remains an overall majority of 
independent members who have the power to win any majority 
decisions.

Given our 130-year history as a family business, and as 
a FTSE SmallCap company, we have adopted alternative 
solutions to the above provisions where we believe this is 
appropriate. The Code recognises that good governance 
can be achieved by other means and the Board believes 
the approach we have taken is the most appropriate for the 
Company and its shareholders whilst remaining consistent with 
the spirit of the Code.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Amy Oakley 
Company Secretary 
11 April 2019

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26323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 2484Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Our GovernanceNomination  Committee ReportStatement from the Chairman of the Nomination CommitteeIt is our responsibility to ensure that we have the right people in place to allow the Company to achieve its current and future strategy.Peter Mawson,  Chairman of the Nomination CommitteeReview of the yearThe Committee met three times during 2018 with a focus on senior executive succession and overseeing the Senior Leadership Development Programme that was established in 2017. It is our responsibility to ensure that we have the right people in place to allow the Company to achieve its current and future strategy and to make sure that there is an appropriate balance of knowledge, skills and experience to do so. Other topics considered by the Committee during the year included: —Appointment of Edward Hutchinson as Managing Director of Henry Boot Developments —Appointment of Amy Oakley as Company Secretary —Review of Board effectiveness and Board and committee evaluations —Review of the Committee Terms of ReferenceFollowing changes to the Board in late 2015 and early 2016, there have been no further Director changes during the last financial year. In October 2018, we welcomed Amy Oakley as Company Secretary, replacing Russell Deards. Committee meeting attendance is shown on page 80.Succession planning Succession planning is key to the continued success of the Group. We have continued to work with Quo Group and also Slic Solutions to roll out the Senior Leadership Development Programme. This programme seeks to formally identify and support the talent in our businesses, preparing them with the skills and experience they need to progress through the Company. The programme has been tailored to recognise the long-term requirements of the Group and to align with our culture and expectations of leadership behaviours.The Nomination Committee (the Committee) remains unchanged from last year, with Peter Mawson (Committee Chairman), Jamie Boot, Gerald Jennings, Joanne Lake and James Sykes as members. Biographies are shown on pages 70 and 71.Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   8405/04/2019   16:19:4685

Our Governance

Board effectiveness and time commitment
The Committee discussed the skills, independence, length of 
tenure and time commitments of all the Directors and reviewed 
the results of the 2018 evaluations (see page 75 for more 
information). During this process, we noted that Joanne Lake 
has directorships in other publicly listed companies including 
a chairmanship at Mattioli Woods plc. Joanne has confirmed 
that her time spent at her other directorships equates to, on 
average, 11 days a month and therefore the Committee agreed 
that this leaves sufficient time to carry out her duties as a 
Director and as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. We do 
not see any indication that these other directorships negatively 
impact her contribution to the Company and remain wholly 
satisfied with her performance and input.

Following the review, the Committee confirm that the 
performance of the Directors, the Board and its committees, 
continue to be effective and that all individuals show 
commitment to their roles. As in previous years, all Directors will 
seek re-election at the upcoming AGM, biographies are shown 
on pages 70 and 71.

Actions for 2019 
As a result of the Committee evaluation, actions identified for 
2019 include:

 — Development of an enhanced Board Diversity Policy

 — Creation of a Board Skills Matrix to support current and 

future strategy

 — Continuing to oversee the Senior Leadership Development 
Programme to be rolled out further within the business

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Peter Mawson 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee 
11 April 2019

Having focused initially on cohort one, the top layer of executive 
management, 2018 has seen us extend the programme 
down to cohort two, the next layer of management. Not only 
has the Committee welcomed the opportunity to further its 
understanding of the senior management team, and been 
impressed with the internal calibre of employees, positive 
feedback has also been received from the participants involved 
in the process. 

We will continue to monitor progress over the coming years 
and ensure that there are adequate succession plans in place 
to cover the key executive positions, senior management 
roles, and provide a framework to encourage the retention and 
development of high performing individuals.

Director recruitment process
Having noted feedback from proxy advisors around a lack of 
disclosure from the Company about appointment processes 
in the past, the Committee would like to confirm that an 
independent executive search firm will be used to assist with 
any new Board appointments. The Committee will ensure that 
it only works with executive search firms which have signed up 
to the Standard Voluntary Code of Conduct addressing gender 
diversity and best practice.

The Committee recognises the importance of external 
benchmarking even where there are strong internal candidates. 
When applicable, details of appointment processes for future 
Board appointments will be disclosed in future Annual Reports. 

Diversity 
The Company and the Board are committed to creating a 
culture that respects and values each other’s differences, that 
promotes dignity, equality and diversity and that encourages 
individuals to develop and maximise their true potential. This is 
consistent with our values of Respect and Integrity.

The Committee’s primary goal remains to identify the most 
suitable candidates to join the Board and for other senior 
positions within the Group. However, it also has regard to the 
benefits of diversity, including, but not restricted to, gender 
diversity and the impact this can have on effective decision-
making. The Committee and the Board recognise the need 
to ensure that the business reflects a diverse workforce, at all 
levels of seniority, whilst always seeking to ensure that each 
post is offered to the best available candidate. 

At 31 December 2018 we had 14% women on our Board. 
Figures for the number of women in senior management 
positions and across the Group are shown on page 58. The 
Committee recognises that there is room for improvement 
in this area and during 2019 will work on an updated Board 
Diversity Policy which we will share in next year’s report.

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Audit and Risk 
Committee Report

Statement from the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

It was agreed that the Committee 
operates effectively and has a strong 
focus on ensuring the audit plan 
provides the necessary assurances.

James Sykes, 
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Those serving as members of the Audit 
and Risk Committee (the Committee) 
for the whole of 2018 were James Sykes 
(Committee Chairman), Jamie Boot, Gerald 
Jennings, Joanne Lake and Peter Mawson. 
Biographies of the current members of the 
Committee are shown on pages 70 and 71.

Review of the year
As reported last year we decided to rename the Committee, 
the Audit and Risk Committee, to reflect the increased 
responsibilities undertaken around risk management. The 
Committee met four times during 2018; the March and 
August meetings remaining predominantly focused around 
the approval of full-year and half-year results, with the other 
two meetings reviewing the internal controls arrangements 
and risk management across the Group. Attendance at these 
meetings is shown in the table on page 80, the Chief Executive 
Officer and Group Finance Director were also present at these 
meetings, attending by invitation. 

Internal audit
As explained in last year’s report, the Committee decided to 
engage the services of an independent third party to undertake 
the duties of an internal audit function. BDO LLP were 
appointed in February 2018 and an internal audit plan was 
established. The agreed scope of work covers all key financial, 
operational and compliance controls and will be delivered over 
an initial three-year period. Areas covered in the first 12 months 
have included:

 — Risk Management

 — GDPR Readiness

 — IT General Controls

 — Payroll

 — Project Management, 
Development and 
Investment Appraisal

Detailed reviews have been undertaken in to the above 
areas with input from the relevant management teams. The 
findings of the reviews and any recommendations have been 
considered at length by the Committee and action plans 
agreed in order to provide the highest level of assurance. Any 
outstanding actions arising from the reports will be monitored 
to ensure implementation. Further reviews scheduled over the 
coming year include Health and Safety, Corporate Governance 
and a review of procurement in the construction business.

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Effectiveness of risk management 
and internal controls
Risk assessment and risk management reporting across the 
Group has been reviewed and revised during the year. Details 
of the key risks which the Group faces, the key controls in 
place to control those risks and the enhanced system of risk 
management adopted by the Company are set out in more 
detail on pages 48 to 55. The Committee, and ultimately the 
Board, oversee these processes and review the risk reporting 
and principal and emerging risks on an annual basis.

Following an annual review, the Committee and the Board were 
satisfied that the internal control arrangements in place were 
effective and had been strengthened by the appointment of an 

internal audit function. The internal audit plan will be reviewed 
on an annual basis to ensure that any areas of concern are 
prioritised. The internal control arrangements will be monitored 
twice a year and the internal audit function will be assessed 
during the course of 2019. 

Significant issues
The Committee considered the following key accounting issues 
and matters of judgement in relation to the Group’s Financial 
Statements and disclosures. In addition to these disclosures, the 
Independent Auditors’ Report on pages 112 to 120 discusses 
other key audit matters which were also considered by the 
Committee.

Focus

Matters considered

Committee outcome

Valuation of 
investment properties

The investment property portfolio accounts for a large 
proportion of the Group’s assets and the assessment 
is subject to a degree of judgment and assumptions.

In line with our accounting policy, investment properties 
are valued at fair value. Other than houses, the portfolio 
is valued twice a year by external, independent valuers. 
Assets under construction are valued by management 
at fair value using the residual method.

Valuation of inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net 
realisable value. 

Inventories comprise all the direct costs incurred in 
bringing the individual inventories to their present state 
at the reporting date, less the value of any impairment 
losses. 

Net realisable value is considered in the light of 
progress made in the planning process, feedback from 
local planning officers, development appraisals and 
other external factors that might be considered likely to 
influence the eventual outcome.

The Committee critically reviewed the valuations and 
any key movements during the year. Having discussed 
the valuations during the meeting and considered 
PwC’s assessment, the Committee was comfortable 
with the values adopted.

During the year the Committee critically reviewed the 
carrying value of inventories and judgements in relation 
to recoverable amounts. Following discussions with 
PwC, the Committee was satisfied that the carrying 
values were appropriate.

Construction 
accounting 
judgements

As explained more fully in our accounting policy 
on construction contracts, a significant element of 
turnover is attributable to construction contracts.

During the year, the Committee examined the 
judgements and methodologies applied to uncertainties 
and were in agreement with the position adopted.

Valuation of pension 
scheme liability

Contract costs and revenues may be affected by a 
number of uncertainties that are dependent on the 
outcome of future events and therefore estimates may 
need to be revised as events unfold and uncertainties 
are resolved.

The Group sponsors a funded defined benefit pension 
scheme in the UK which is valued under the provisions 
of IAS 19. The pension scheme is valued by a qualified 
independent actuary, using the projected unit method, 
at each accounting period end. 

The Committee critically reviewed the assumptions 
used by the actuary in performing these valuations, in 
particular the appropriateness of the rate of inflation 
used.

Following discussion with external auditors, the 
Committee was satisfied with the appropriateness of 
the key assumptions used to calculate the liability.

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26323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 2488Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Our GovernanceAudit and Risk Committee ReportStatement from the Chairman of the Audit and Risk CommitteeGoing concern and viability statementThe Committee reviewed and approved the going concern and viability statement disclosures in the Annual Report and Financial Statements. These items are considered initially during the preparation of the annual budgets and then reviewed by the Committee for inclusion in the Annual Report and Financial Statements. The Strategic Report discloses the conclusion of these reviews on pages 54 to 55.Terms of ReferenceThe Committee operates under its agreed Terms of Reference which are reviewed annually and were updated during the year to reflect the added risk responsibilities and Committee name change. The Terms of Reference are available on request. Independence of the external auditorsIn order to ensure the independence of the external auditors, the Committee monitors the non-audit services provided by them to the Group and has adopted a policy on the provision of non-audit services by the external auditors with the objective that such services do not compromise the independence or objectivity of the external auditors. The Committee is required to approve services provided by the external auditors in excess of £25,000. All other services below this threshold are also monitored to ensure that the performance of regulatory requirements is not impaired by the provision of permissible non-audit services.Non-audit services undertaken by PwC during the year equated to 10.18% of the amount paid for audit fees. This work was in relation to a review of the Group’s half-year results, the provision of the TSR comparator group report and a small amount of advisory work on the preparation of the 2018 Remuneration Policy. It was felt appropriate that PwC undertake this work due to their existing knowledge of the requirements. Details of all amounts paid to the auditors for audit services are set out in note 3 to the Financial Statements. KPMG continued to provide the Group’s taxation services for the year ended 31 December 2018.In accordance with best practice, the Company also requires its external audit partner to rotate every five years. The statutory auditor signing the Audit Report is Ian Morrison, who replaced Andy Ward in 2018 who had served for five years. The Committee members also meet the audit partner and other members of the audit team without management present to discuss any potential areas of concern. There are no matters to report in this regard.The Committee also reviews a letter from the external auditors on an annual basis outlining the measures taken by them to ensure that their independence is not compromised. The Committee review the safeguards and policies in place to maintain a high level of objectivity.Following a review of all these elements, the Committee is satisfied that the independence and objectivity of the external auditors is not impaired and that the amount of non-audit fees is at a level which does not compromise the overall quality and rigour of the work undertaken.Audit quality and approach to audit tenderIn reviewing the effectiveness of the external auditors, discussions took place between the Committee, the Group finance department, executive functions and the subsidiary company management teams. The Committee Chairman and members also conduct their own ongoing assessment throughout the year through their interaction with the auditors. Further to these discussions, the Committee considers that PwC have carried out a high-level audit, have a good understanding of the Group’s businesses and continue to maintain effective working relationships. The Committee remains satisfied with the scope of the external audit plan and the quality of implementation.The Committee recommended to the Board that PwC be reappointed at the AGM and that the Committee are authorised to fix their remuneration. The last audit tender was carried out nine years ago when PwC were selected from a shortlist of four firms who tendered. As we approach the ten-year anniversary of this appointment, the Committee have decided that they will conduct a tender process during 2019 with a view to selecting a new firm or continue with the current one at the AGM in 2020.Committee evaluationAs described on page 75, the Committee undertook an internal evaluation of its performance. It was agreed that the Committee operates effectively and has a strong focus on ensuring the audit plan provides the necessary assurances.Actions identified for 2019 include: —Embed the new risk reporting procedures and actions arising from the Risk Management review —Oversee the tender process for the external auditors appointment —Continued assessment of the effectiveness of the recently-appointed internal audit functionApproved by the Board and signed on its behalf byJames Sykes Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee 11 April 2019Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   8805/04/2019   16:19:4826323  5 April 2019 2:32 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201889Our GovernanceDirectors’  Remuneration ReportStatement from the Chairman of the Remuneration CommitteeAs a committee, we establish fair and balanced reward in line with strategic objectives and business performance. Joanne Lake, Chairman of the Remuneration CommitteeOn behalf of the Board and the Remuneration Committee (the Committee), as Chairman of the Committee, I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2018.Our people are integral to everything we do as a Group. They have yet again proven this by playing their part in producing another strong set of results. The markets we operate in have been slightly more challenging with the uncertainty created by Brexit but the trust we have placed in our people and strategic objectives have guided us to another year of consistent delivery.In 2018 we achieved: —profit before tax of £48.6m; —basic earnings per share of 28.3p; —Return on Capital Employed of 14.9%; —dividends for the year increasing 12.5% to 9.00p; —dividend cover above our long-term goal of three times; —a further increase in the size of our strategic land portfolio to over 14,000 acres with planning permission on over 16,000 units; —a strong performance and forward order book in our construction business last year.Those serving as members of the Remuneration Committee (the Committee) for the whole of 2018 were Joanne Lake (Committee Chairman), Jamie Boot, Gerald Jennings, Peter Mawson and James Sykes. Biographies of the current members of the Committee are shown on pages 70 and 71.Henry Boot AR2018 - Our Governance.indd   8905/04/2019   16:19:4990

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Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Statement from the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Executive remuneration outcomes for 2018
In the current market conditions, the 2018 results remained 
impressive, delivering £48.6m of pre-tax profit. In 2018 the 
combined overall remuneration of the Executive Directors, on a 
like-for-like basis, increased by 8.7%, and 3.2% including the 
costs of our Non-executive Directors.

Salaries of the Executive Directors were increased by 5.1% at 
1 January 2019 and by 4.9% at 1 January 2018 compared to 
an increase across the Company in total of 7.5% during 2018 
and of 4.1% at 1 January 2019.

Bonuses were paid in line with the Remuneration Policy 
approved at the AGM in May 2015. Target profit was set at 
£42.2m. The profit before tax of £48.6m exceeds the target by 
15.2% and gives rise to a bonus of 72.7% of salary for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

In addition, the Remuneration Committee set individual targets 
as laid out on pages 94 to 95. The Remuneration Committee 
considers that John Sutcliffe achieved 97.5% of these targets 
and Darren Littlewood achieved 92.5%. 

Therefore, the total bonus for John Sutcliffe is 92.2% of salary 
and for Darren Littlewood is 91.2% of salary.

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) shares vesting, based on 
performance for the three years to 31 December 2018, were 
granted in line with the Remuneration Policy adopted at the 
AGM in 2015. The performance criteria for these awards are:

i.  up to 33.3% of the award is dependent on growth in 

Earnings Per Share being ahead of inflation;

ii.  up to 33.3% of the award is dependent on the average 

Return On Capital Employed; 

iii.  up to 33.4% of the award is dependent on Total 

Shareholder Return compared with a comparator group 
of companies. 

For these awards, the actual performance against the targets 
to 31 December 2018 was:

i.  Earnings Per Share growth was 62% against the target of 
17% (being inflation growth plus 7%) and, therefore, this 
part of the award vests in full;

ii.  Return On Capital Employed was 18% on average against 
the maximum target of 13% and, therefore, this part of the 
award vests. 

iii.  Total Shareholder Return of 27% was in the upper quartile 
when set against the comparator group and, therefore, 
61% of this part of the award vests.

Therefore, the award of LTIP shares to John Sutcliffe is 153,740 
shares, and to Darren Littlewood 61,294 shares.

Consultation with shareholders
Whilst there has been no formal contact with shareholders 
regarding the Remuneration Policy during 2018, it is in line with 
that which was approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2018. 
The Remuneration Policy will be reviewed and updated and 
then put to a shareholder vote again at the AGM in 2021.

The application of Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy for 2019
 — Following a review by the Committee, John Sutcliffe was 
awarded a 1.28% pay rise and Darren Littlewood was 
awarded a 12.5% pay rise. The Non-executive Directors 
were awarded a 3.0% uplift in basic salary or fees for the 
year commencing 1 January 2019. The average across the 
workforce as a whole was 4.1% at 1 January 2019. The 
rise for Darren Littlewood relates to his 4 year transitional 
plan to Group Finance Director and is in line with previous 
disclosures. The Committee anticipates reviewing and 
uplifting the salary for Darren Littlewood next year by 
£25,000. 

 — The bonus opportunity for the Executive Directors is detailed 

in the Remuneration Policy and will apply as laid out in 
the policy.

 — The profit before tax target is considered commercially 

sensitive and will therefore be disclosed retrospectively, as 
we have done in respect of prior years.

 — LTIPs will be awarded under the 2015 scheme rules which 

include clauses in respect of clawback and malus in line with 
generally accepted guidelines and the updated UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The performance targets will be in 
accordance with the Remuneration Policy. It is expected that 
the award will be at a level equal to 100% of salary.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Clawback and malus conditions will be applied to both the 
bonus and LTIP elements of remuneration in 2019. Specifically, 
this will arise if the Committee considers that there has 
been a material misstatement within the subsidiary or Group 
Financial Statements; or a material error in the calculation 
of any performance condition; or materially inaccurate or 
misleading information, or in the case of action or conduct of 
the participant which amounts to fraud or gross misconduct 
or has a material detrimental effect on the reputation of the 
Group. Any future awards will also be subject to clawback of 
all or part of the award during a two-year period in the above 
circumstances. It is not expected that there will be any material 
amendments to the value of other benefits, including pensions, 
during 2019.

The report has been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013.

The report sets out payments and awards made to the 
Directors and details the link between performance and 
remuneration for 2018. The report, and this Chairman’s letter, 
is subject to an advisory shareholder vote at this year’s AGM 
(please see Resolution 3) with the exception of:

i. 

ii. 

the Total Shareholder Return graph;

the Executive Directors’ remuneration history and 
remuneration change tables;

iii.  the relative importance of spend on pay tables; and

iv.  the consideration by the Directors of matters relating to 
remuneration and the statement of shareholder voting. 

Summary of the Committee’s activity during 2018
During 2018 the Committee:

 — approved Executive Directors’ base pay for 2019. Salary 

increases at 1 January 2019 were £5,000 (1.28%) for John 
Sutcliffe to £395,000, and £25,000 (12.50%) for Darren 
Littlewood to £225,000. The rise for Darren Littlewood 
relates to his transition in role to Group Finance Director 
and is in line with previous disclosures. The Committee 
anticipates reviewing and uplifting the salary for Darren 
Littlewood next year by £25,000;

 — reviewed senior management base pay for 2019 and 
monitored wider workforce remuneration, including 
information on average annual salary increases across the 
Group and gender pay gap data;

 — conducted a review of Executive Directors’ performance 

against the Annual Bonus criteria and LTIP metrics and set 
targets and criteria for the upcoming year;

 — approved the grant of CSOP options to all eligible 

employees across the Group and updates to the CSOP 
Rules to facilitate the administration process;

 — reviewed the Committee Terms of Reference; and

 — undertook an evaluation of Committee performance in 2018 

and agreed actions for 2019.

Should you have any queries or comments, then please do not 
hesitate to contact me or the Company Secretary as we most 
certainly value dialogue with our shareholders.

Our Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which was approved at the 
AGM on 24 May 2018, remains unchanged and is available to 
view, and download, on the website:

The information set out on pages 89 to 100 of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report is subject to audit.

Read more details at 
www.henryboot.co.uk

We strongly believe that our Directors’ Remuneration Policy is 
closely aligned to the achievement of the Company’s business 
objectives and therefore to our shareholders’ interests. 

I therefore hope that you will be able to support the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report at this year’s AGM.

Joanne Lake 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
11 April 2019

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Annual Report on Remuneration
The labelled parts of the Directors’ Remuneration Report are subject to audit.

Single total figure of remuneration (Audited)
The table below reports the total remuneration receivable by Directors in respect of qualifying services during the year.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Salary 
and fees 
£’000

Taxable 
benefits 
£’000

Annual 
bonus 
£’000

Long-term
incentives1
£’000

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

Jamie Boot

James Sykes

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

390

200

85

45

45

45

45

855

33

26

—

—

—

—

—

59

360

182

—

—

—

—

—

401

160

—

—

—

—

—

Pension-
related 
benefits 
£’000

78

39

—

—

—

—

—

Total 
£’000

1,262

607

85

45

45

45

45

Year ended 31 December 2017

Salary 
and fees 
£’000

Taxable 
benefits
 £’000

Annual  
bonus 
£’000

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

Jamie Boot

James Sykes

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

388

175

82

44

44

44

44

821

32

25

—

—

—

—

—

57

542

561

117

2,134

Long-term 
incentives2 

£’000

318

—

91

—

—

—

—

Pension-
related 
benefits 
£’000

78

34

—

—

—

—

—

Total 
£’000

1,277

442

173

44

44

44

44

461

208

—

—

—

—

—

669

409

112

2,068

1.  The value of long-term incentives has been estimated using the average share price for the period 1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 of £2.61.

2.  The value of long-term incentives has been adjusted from the average share price for the period 1 October 2017 to 31 December 2017 of £3.12 to the price on 

the day the shares were issued of £2.92.

Taxable 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.

The information in the single total figure of remuneration in the table above is derived from the following:

Salary or fees

Taxable benefits

Annual bonus

The amount of salary or fees received in the year.

The taxable benefits received in the year by Executive Directors.

The value of bonus payable and the calculations underlying this are disclosed on pages 94 
to 95.

Long-term incentives 

The value of LTIPs are those related to shares that vested as a result of the performance over 
the three-year period ended 31 December of the reporting year.

Pension-related benefits

Pension-related benefits represent the cash value of pension contributions or salary in lieu of 
contributions received by Executive Directors at a rate of 20% of salary.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Non-executive Directors

Salary  
effective from

Jamie Boot

James Sykes

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

1 January 
2019 
£

1 January 
2018 
£

1 January 
2017 
£

87,550

46,350

46,350

46,350

46,350

85,000

45,000

45,000

45,000

45,000

82,400

43,709

43,709

43,709

43,709

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 or the 
Company pension scheme. The salaries above are inclusive 
of the responsibilities for Nomination, Audit and Risk, and 
Remuneration Committees and the Senior Independent 
Non-executive Director. Any newly appointed Non-executive 
Director is expected to serve for 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.

Bonus
The Executive Directors participate in an annual bonus scheme. 
This is calculated by reference to pre-tax profits achieved in the 
year compared to a target profit which takes into consideration 
the year’s financial budget, City expectations and previous 
years’ profits.

Individual elements of remuneration
Base salary and fees
Executive Directors

Salary  
effective from

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

1 January 
2019 
£

395,000

225,000

1 January 
2018 
£

390,000

200,000

1 January 
2017 
£

387,523

175,000

On 1 January 2017, the basic salary increase for the Chief 
Executive Officer was 3.0%, on 1 January 2018 the basic 
salary increase was 0.64% and on 1 January 2019 the basic 
salary increase was 1.28%. For the Group Finance Director 
increases in 2015 were 3.0%. At 1 January 2016, Darren 
Littlewood was appointed Group Finance Director and received 
a remuneration package which the Committee anticipates 
reviewing and uplifting over the years 2017 – 2020 at a rate 
of £25,000 per annum. Average salary increases for the wider 
employee population were 5.0% from 1 January 2017, 4.7% 
from 1 January 2018 and 4.1% on 1 January 2019.

The Company’s policy on base salary continues to be to 
provide a fixed remuneration component which 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 Committee. As with employees, 
Directors’ rewards are 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 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.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Summary of bonuses earned for 2018 (Audited)

Measure

Maximum 
award as 
% of salary

Targets and bonus potential for 2018

Actual 
Performance

Profit before tax

100%

% of target

90%

100%

120%

150%

2018 
target 
range

Bonus 
 payable  
as % salary

£38.0m

£42.2m

£50.6m

£63.3m

10%

50%

80%

100%

Actual bonus  
value achieved  
(% of salary)

John 
Sutcliffe

Darren 
Littlewood

£48.6m

72.7%

72.7%

Personal objectives

20%

See below

19.5%

18.5%

Bonus amount achieved 
as % salary

Bonus amount earned

Maximum bonus  
as % salary

Bonus amount achieved  
as % maximum

92.2%

91.2%

£359,580

£182,400

120%

120%

76.8%

76.0%

Any bonus amounts are paid in cash and are subject to malus and clawback provisions within the scheme.

Bonuses were paid in line with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy approved at the AGM in May 2015. Target profit was set at 
£42.2m, 17% ahead of the target set in 2017.

The Remuneration Committee also set individual targets as follows:

2018 Personal Objectives – John Sutcliffe

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Create and lead the delivery of the Group’s strategy via the implementation of the Group’s key business priorities.

Communicate the Group’s Purpose, Vision and Values both internally and externally.

Develop and refine succession plans whilst progressing with identification and development of successors.

Support good Health and Safety practices around the Group, to reduce the risk of any major Health and Safety 
incidents occurring.

Attract new shareholders to the register and create stronger relationships with existing shareholders and analysts.

Support legal, regulatory compliance and initiatives around the Group which meet related deadlines.

Endorse initiatives that reduce the gender pay gap and promote diversity within the Group.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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2018 Personal Objectives – Darren Littlewood 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Support delivery of the Group’s strategy via the implementation of the Group’s key business priorities.

Increase the Group’s overall interest cover.

Ensure no breach of bank covenants while improving and extending the Group’s existing and potential 
banking relationships.

Improve financial reporting to the business, investment community and other stakeholders.

Engage with shareholders and analysts to create a stronger relationship to the Group.

Oversee the development of the finance team’s profile and skillsets.

Enhance the external audit relationship and manage the implementation of the internal audit service.

Manage the Group’s tax position and strategy efficiently.

The Remuneration Committee considers that John Sutcliffe achieved 97.5% of these targets, resulting in a bonus of 19.5% of 
salary and that Darren Littlewood achieved 92.5%, resulting in a bonus of 18.5%. The profit before tax of £48.6m exceeds the 
target by 15.2% and this, combined with the personal targets, gives rise to a bonus of 92.2% of salary for John Sutcliffe and 
91.2% for Darren Littlewood, for the year ended 31 December 2018. 

Details of the policy for future annual bonus awards can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy which can be viewed, and 
downloaded, on the website:

Read more details at 
www.henryboot.co.uk

31 December 2019 bonus targets

Profit before tax performance: 10% of salary payable on achieving 90% of Group profit target, rising to 80% of salary payable 
upon the achievement of 120% of Group profit target. If, in exceptional circumstances, profit targets are exceeded by more than 
20%, a maximum of a further bonus of 20% of salary may become payable.

The profit before tax target is deemed to be commercially sensitive and therefore will be disclosed retrospectively in the 2019 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Personal objectives: Up to an additional 20% of salary may become payable to Executive Directors upon the achievement of a 
number of personal objectives.

The objectives measured will be based on actions and achievements which contribute to delivery of the Group strategy. These 
objectives will be disclosed retrospectively in the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The Committee has reviewed the performance criteria for the LTIP shares awarded in 2016, based on performance for the 
years 2016, 2017 and 2018, which are expected to vest in April 2019. The LTIP shares in this award are subject to the following 
performance criteria:

i.  EPS growth ahead of inflation: EPS growth was 62%, which exceeded RPI growth by more than 52% and therefore this 

33.3% of the award became eligible;

ii.  Average annual return on capital employed above 13%: this was 18% and therefore this 33.3% of the award became eligible;

iii.  Total Shareholder Return (TSR) above the median for the comparator group: the Henry Boot PLC TSR for the three-year 

period was 26.7%, putting it between the median and the upper quartile within the comparator group and therefore 60.7% of 
the 33.4% award became eligible. The comparator group is a bespoke group consisting of 19 companies across the sectors 
in which we operate, and a number of appropriate FTSE indices.

Together, these resulted in LTIP awards of: John Sutcliffe 153,740 shares; and Darren Littlewood 61,294 shares; and gave rise to 
the award values in the single total figure of remuneration at 31 December 2018 on page 92.

LTIP awards granted in the year (Audited)

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

Type 
of award

 % of salary

LTIP – nil cost option

LTIP – nil cost option

100%

100%

Face value 
to grant  
at £2.94  
per share

389,556

199,773

Number 
of shares

132,502

67,950

Awards expected to be granted for the financial years 2019 – 2021 in 2019

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

Type 
of award

 % of salary

LTIP – nil cost option

LTIP – nil cost option

100%

100%

% of 
award 
vesting at 
threshold

25%

25%

% of 
award at 
threshold

25%

25%

The performance criteria for these awards are laid out in the Remuneration Policy which can be viewed, and downloaded, 
on the website:

Read more details at 
www.henryboot.co.uk

Pension entitlement
John Sutcliffe is a deferred member of the Henry Boot PLC Group Stakeholder (Defined Contribution) Pension Plan (the Plan). 
Contributions are made at 20% of salary and contributions to the Plan in the year were £nil (2017: £nil). The annual allowance for 
tax relief on pension savings applicable to John Sutcliffe in 2018 was £nil and he elected to receive a salary supplement in lieu of 
the employer contributions over and above this level, which amounted to £78,000 (2017: £77,505).

Darren Littlewood is a member of The Henry Boot Staff Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (Defined Benefit) (the Scheme) and 
his normal retirement date would be in 2042, aged 67. His accrued pension entitlement at 31 December 2018 was £25,265 and 
the pensionable salary available for use within the Scheme at 31 December 2018 was £57,895. Basic salary above this level is 
available for use within the Henry Boot PLC Group Stakeholder (Defined Contribution) Pension Plan (the Plan). Contributions are 
made at 20% of available salary and contributions to the Plan in the year were £15,150. The annual allowance for tax relief on 
pension savings applicable to Darren Littlewood in 2018 was £15,150 and he elected to receive a salary supplement in lieu of the 
employer contributions over and above this level, which amounted to £13,271.

The Henry Boot PLC Group Stakeholder Pension Plan 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.

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Payments to past Directors
There were no payments made to past Directors during the year in respect of services provided to the Company as a Director.

Payments made for loss of office
There were no payments made during the year in respect of loss of office to a Director.

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests (Audited)

At 31 December 2018

At
31 December 
2017 
Legally owned

Legally 
owned

SAYE
(not subject to 
performance) 

LTIPs 
subject to
performance 
measures 

Legally 
owned 
shareholding 
as a % of 
salary or
fees1

Total

Share  
interests 
as a % of 
salary  
or fees 

5,861,046

5,665,002

605,169

694,187

—

—

470,136

1,164,323

— 5,665,002

15,562

15,562

50,000

20,000

10,710

3,750

10,000

82,500

20,000

10,710

9,650

10,000

6,666

211,059

300,225

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

20,000

10,710

9,650

10,000

423

88

104

56

50

52

709

321

104

56

50

52

Jamie Boot

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

James Sykes

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

The share price at 31 December 2018 was 240.5p. The salary used for this calculation is that which commences on 1 January 2019.

1.  Details of Director shareholding requirements can be found in the Remuneration Policy, which can be viewed on the website:

Read more details at 
www.henryboot.co.uk

Directors’ shareholdings (Audited)
The beneficial interest of the Directors in the share capital of the Company at 31 December 2018 was as follows:

Jamie Boot

John Sutcliffe

Darren Littlewood

James Sykes

Joanne Lake

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

2018 
Number of shares
Ordinary Preference

2017 
Number of shares
Ordinary

Preference

5,665,002

694,187

82,500

20,000

10,710

9,650

10,000

14,753

—

—

—

—

—

—

5,861,046

605,169

50,000

20,000

10,710

3,750

10,000

14,753

—

—

—

—

—

—

Between 31 December 2018 and 22 March 2019, being a date not more than one month prior to the date of the Notice of the 
AGM, the only change in the beneficial interests of any Director was for Gerald Jennings who purchased 2,000 Ordinary shares 
giving him a new total of 11,650 Ordinary shares.

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98

Our Governance

Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Long Term Incentive Plan awards (Audited)
Performance shares

Plan

Date of  
grant

Market 
price 
at date 
of grant

At
1 January 
2018

Grant 
during 
the year

Exercised
 during the
 year

Lapsed 
during 
the year

At 
31 December 
2018

Earliest/
actual 
vesting date

Market 
valuation 
on vesting 
£

Jamie 
Boot1

John 
Sutcliffe

2015 01/06/2015

228.6p

31,228

31,228

—

—

31,228

31,228

2015 01/06/2015

228.6p

109,060

— 109,060

2015 21/04/2016

212.6p

176,969

2015 24/04/2017

241.2p

160,665

—

—

2015 25/04/2018

294.3p

— 132,502

—

—

—

446,694

132,502

109,060

Darren 
Littlewood

2015 21/04/2016

212.6p

2015 24/04/2017

241.2p

70,555

72,554

—

—

2015 25/04/2018

294.3p

— 67,950

143,109

67,950

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 01/06/2018

91,186

—
— 01/06/2018
176,969 21/04/2019
160,665 24/04/2020
132,502 25/04/2021
470,136

70,555 21/04/2019
72,554 24/04/2020
67,950 25/04/2021

211,059

91,186

318,455

—

—

—

318,455

—

—

—

—

1.  Jamie Boot LTIP award was granted when he was an Executive Director and is no longer eligible to receive an award in the future.

Sharesave Plan

Darren 
Littlewood

Plan

2010

At
1 January 
2018

Granted
during 
the year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Lapsed 
during 
the year

At 
31 December 
2018

Exercise
 price

Date from 
which 
exercisable

Expiry
 date

6,666

6,666

—

—

—

—

—

—

6,666

6,666

270.0p

01/12/2020

31/05/2021

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Our Governance

Percentage change in Chief Executive 
Officer’s remuneration
The table below sets out in relation to salary, taxable benefits 
and annual bonus the percentage increase in remuneration 
for John Sutcliffe compared to the wider workforce. For these 
purposes:

Percentage change

Note

Salary

Taxable benefits

Annual bonus 2017

Annual bonus 2018

1

2

2

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

1.28%

—

12.1%

(22.0)%

Workforce 
sample

7.5%

—

27.34%

0.94%

Note 1
The car allowance remained the same in both years and private 
medical insurance costs were also broadly the same in both 
years (£350) for all members of the private medical scheme. 
Therefore, the average percentage change in taxable benefits 
does not provide a meaningful comparison. The workforce 
comparison is every member of staff who receive a salary 
excluding the Chief Executive Officer.

Note 2
The workforce comparison is every member of staff who 
received a bonus excluding the Chief Executive Officer.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table sets out the percentage change in 
dividends, profit attributable to owners of the business and the 
overall spend on pay across our whole organisation:

2018
£’000

Ordinary dividends

12,069

2017
£’000

10,585

%  
change

14%

Profit attributable 
to owners of the 
business

Overall 
expenditure on 
pay

37,505

42,368

(11%)

33,741

30,630

10%

Statement of voting at the last Annual General 
Meeting (AGM)
The Company remains committed to shareholder dialogue and 
takes an active interest in voting outcomes. At the AGM on 
24 May 2018 the resolution put to shareholders on an advisory 
basis to receive and approve the 2017 Directors’ Remuneration 
Report was passed. The number of votes in favour of that 
resolution was 77,802,883 (87.03% of votes cast), against 
11,595,454 (12.97% of votes cast) and withheld 3,098,702. 
The total number of votes cast in respect of this resolution 
represented 67.15% of the issued share capital. 

Share price
The middle market price for the Company’s shares at 
31 December 2018 was 240.5p and the range of prices during 
the year was 230.0p to 347.0p.

Ten-year TSR performance graph
800

FTSE Small Cap Index

Henry Boot PLC

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

(100)

D

e

J

u

D

e

J

u

D

e

c

-

0

8

n

-

0

9

c

-

n

-

c

-

J

u

D

e

J

u

D

e

J

u

n

-

c

-

n

-

c

-

n

-

0

9

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

D

e

J

u

D

e

J

u

c

-

n

-

c

-

n

-

1

4

1

4

1

5

D

e

J

u

D

e

c

-

n

-

c

-

1

5

1

6

1

6

J

u

D

e

J

u

D

e

n

-

1

7

c

-

1

7

n

-

1

8

c

-

1

8

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration for the 
previous nine years

Total 
remuneration
 £’000

Annual bonus 
as a % 
of maximum

LTIP vesting 
as a % of 
maximum

2018
2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

1,262
1,277

1,118

981

1,000

1,054

 962

 842

764

575

76.8
99.2

91.1

87.8

94.5

83.3

58.3

66.7

58.3

33.3

87
100

67

25

25

50

40

50

64

50

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100

Our Governance

Directors’  
Remuneration Report

Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the Remuneration Committee (the 
Committee) incorporate the UK Corporate Governance Code’s 
provisions in relation to its roles and responsibilities and are 
available for inspection at the Company’s registered office. The 
terms of reference are reviewed by the Committee each year.

Committee Evaluation 
As described on page 75, the Committee undertook an 
internal evaluation of its performance. It was agreed that 
the Committee has a strong focus on linking reward to 
performance, operates effectively with good levels of 
contribution from all members. 

Role of the Committee
The primary role of the Committee is to:

 — review, recommend and monitor the level and structure of 
the remuneration packages of the Executive Directors and 
senior management;

 — set and approve the remuneration package for the 

Executive Directors; and

 — determine a balance between base pay and performance-
related elements of the remuneration package in an effort 
to align the interests of shareholders with those of the 
Executive Directors.

Meetings during the year
The Committee met four times during the year. Attendance at 
this meeting by the Committee members is shown in the table 
on page 80 and further details can be found below.

Membership of the Committee
Those serving as members of the Committee for the whole of 
2018 were myself (Committee Chairman), Jamie Boot, James 
Sykes, Gerald Jennings and Peter Mawson. Biographies of the 
current members of the Committee are shown on pages 70 
and 71. Gerald Jennings, Peter Mawson and I are independent 
Non-executive Directors of the Board, whilst Jamie Boot and 
James Sykes are Non-independent Non-executive Directors.

The Committee consisted of five Non-executive Directors 
during the financial year, comprised as follows:

Joanne Lake

Jamie Boot

James Sykes

Gerald Jennings

Peter Mawson

Independent

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

During 2018 John Sutcliffe, Chief Executive Officer, attended 
the meetings with the Committee, as requested, in order to 
assist on matters concerning other senior Executives within the 
Group. John Sutcliffe was not present during any part of the 
meeting where his own remuneration was discussed.

Actions identified for 2019 include:

 — increased reporting on pay levels and bonuses across the 

Group, particularly for subsidiary boards;

 — incorporation of the new UK Corporate Governance Code 

requirements.

External Advisers
The Committee’s main advisers are set out below:

Adviser

Area of advice

Fees paid

DLA Piper UK LLP

PwC

£3,500

£8,000

Share scheme 
matters, the rules 
for the 2015 LTIP 
Scheme. The 
Remuneration 
Committee considers 
that the advice DLA 
has given throughout 
the year is legal 
advice in compliance 
with relevant 
legislation.

Advice on 
Remuneration 
report and policy. 
The Remuneration 
Committee 
considers that the 
advice PwC has 
given throughout the 
year is legal advice 
in compliance with 
relevant legislation.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Joanne Lake 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
11 April 2019

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101

Our Governance

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102

Our Governance

Directors’  
Report

The Directors’ Report for the financial year ended 31 December 
2018 is detailed below.

Activities of the Group
The principal activities of the Group are land promotion, 
property investment and development, and construction.

Strategic Report
In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, we are required 
to present a fair review of the Group’s business along with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties it faces. The 
Strategic Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 is set 
out on pages 12 to 65.

Corporate Governance Statement
The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the 
Financial Conduct Authority require certain information to 
be included in a corporate governance statement in the 
Directors’ Report. Information that fulfils the requirements of the 
Corporate Governance Statement can be found in Governance 
on pages 74 to 83. 

Results for the year and dividends
The results are set out in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income on page 122. The companies affecting 
the profit or net assets of the Group in the year are listed in 
note 36 to the Financial Statements.

The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 5.80p per 
ordinary share be paid on 29 May 2019, subject to shareholder 
approval at the 2019 AGM to be held on 23 May 2019, to 
ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business 
on 26 April 2019. If approved, this, together with the interim 
dividend of 3.20p per ordinary share paid on 19 October 2018, 
will make a total dividend of 9.00p per ordinary share for the 
year ended 31 December 2018. Further details are disclosed in 
note 10 to the Financial Statements on page 141.

Financial instruments
The Group’s policy in respect of financial instruments is set 
out within the Accounting Policies on page 132 and details of 
credit risk, capital risk management, liquidity risk and interest 
rate risk are given respectively in notes 17, 24, 25 and 27 to 
the Financial Statements.

Going concern and viability statement
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. Further detail is contained 
in the Strategic Report on pages 54 to 55.

Political donations
The Company made no political donations in the year or in the 
previous year.

Directors and their interests
Details of the Directors who held office during the financial year 
ending 31 December 2018 and as at the date of this Annual 
Report and Financial Statements can be found on pages 70 
and 71.

At no time during the year has any Director had any interest in 
any significant contract with the Company.

The interests of Directors and persons closely associated with 
them in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 
2018, are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 89 to 100.

Between 31 December 2018 and 22 March 2019, being a date 
not more than one month prior to the date of the Notice of the 
AGM, there has been one change in the beneficial interest of 
any Director. Gerald Jennings purchased 2,000 ordinary shares 
on 18 January 2019, see page 97.

Details of Directors’ long-term incentive awards and share 
options are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 96 to 98.

Directors’ service contracts and  
letters of appointment
Details of unexpired terms of Directors’ service contracts and/
or letters of appointment of the Executive Directors proposed 
for reappointment at the AGM on 23 May 2019 are set out in 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. 

John Sutcliffe and Darren Littlewood each have a one-year 
rolling service agreement in accordance with our policy on 
Directors’ contracts. Termination of these arrangements would 
therefore be subject to their contractual terms and conditions 
which require a notice period of one year to the Director. 
Contractual compensation in the event of early termination 
provides for compensation at basic salary, pension and benefits 
for the notice period.

Non-executive Directors, including the Chairman, do not 
have service contracts. All Non-executive Directors have 
letters of appointment and their appointment and subsequent 
reappointment is subject to approval by shareholders. 
Non-executive Director appointments are typically for three 
years; however, they may be terminated without compensation 
at any time. The Directors’ Remuneration Policy can be viewed 
on the website.

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Employment policy and involvement
Employees
Employees are at the heart of all that we do; our culture 
ensures that employees can grow, thrive and succeed. We are 
fully committed to empowering our employees to maximise 
their career potential and to achieve their aspirations. Our aim 
is to provide rewarding career opportunities in an environment 
where equality of opportunity is paramount. Our policy for 
selection and promotion is based on an assessment of an 
individual’s ability and experiences; we take full consideration 
of all applicants on their merits and have processes and 
procedures in place to ensure that individuals with disabilities 
are given fair consideration. 

We are committed to ensuring that all employees, potential 
recruits and other stakeholders are treated fairly and equitably. 
The principles of equality and diversity are important; 
advancement is based upon individual skills and aptitude 
irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, 
religion, age, disability or marital/civil partnership status. Every 
possible effort is made by the Group to retain and support 
employees who become less able whilst in the employment of 
the Group. Full consideration is given to the diverse needs of 
our employees and potential recruits and we are fully compliant 
with all current legislation.

Succession planning is important to our ongoing success. 
During 2018 we launched our Senior Leadership Development 
Programme to identify those within our business who are key 
and critical to our success, this continues to be rolled out to all 
senior leaders within the Group. It is our preference to promote 
through our current workforce where possible. We have a 
competitive and engaging employment offering which ensures 
that we have a low turnover of employees that is also attractive 
to external candidates wishing to join our Group, including 
flexible working arrangements, profit share, stakeholder 
pension plan, life assurance arrangements, private medical 
insurance, childcare vouchers and income replacement (PHI) 
arrangements. Employee share ownership continues to be 
encouraged through participation in various share option plans.

103

Our Governance

Employee engagement
The involvement of our employees in our business is key to our 
ongoing success; the common goals and objectives are shared 
from the Executive Board downwards and all employees are 
aware of the crucial role each individual plays in our ongoing 
financial and operational success.

The Group tries to ensure that, so far as possible, employee 
views are taken into account when decisions are made that 
are likely to affect their interests. We regularly provide our 
employees with information on matters of concern to them 
through a variety of communication channels, including 
manager briefings and news items on our Group intranet, 
to disseminate information to all Directors and employees. 
Employee engagement continued to increase in 2018 following 
the launch of ‘The Henry Boot Way’. 

Employee communications
We utilise our ever-evolving Group intranet to disseminate 
information to all Directors and employees. Regular news 
items and internal updates are issued on a frequent basis; 
collaboration and inclusion are encouraged.

Employee share schemes
The Group encourages participation in employee share 
schemes of the Company to share in the potential growth 
and any future success of the Group. From 2018, all eligible 
employees are invited to participate in Sharesave and the 
Company Share Option Plan on an annual basis. Details of 
employee share schemes are set out in note 30 to the Financial 
Statements.

Directors’ indemnity provisions
Directors risk personal liability under civil and criminal law for 
many aspects of the Company’s main business decisions. As 
a consequence, the Directors could face a range of penalties 
including fines and/or imprisonment. In keeping with normal 
market practice, the Company believes that it is prudent and 
in the best interests of the Company to protect the individuals 
concerned from the consequences of innocent error or 
omission.

As a result, the Company operates a directors’ and officers’ 
liability insurance policy in order to indemnify Directors and 
other senior officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, as 
recommended by the UK Corporate Governance Code. This 
insurance policy does not provide cover where the Director or 
officer has acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

In addition, 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.

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104

Our Governance

Directors’  
Report

Health and Safety
The Health and Safety of our employees and others is 
paramount. Further information on our approach to Health and 
Safety is provided in the Corporate Responsibility Report on 
page 61.

Relationship with stakeholders
The recent work on ‘The Henry Boot Way’ identified our 
stakeholders as our shareholders, employees, pensioners, 
customers and suppliers. We engaged with all our stakeholder 
groups through various channels to communicate our refreshed 
values which represent our way of working. The feedback 
received acknowledge ‘The Henry Boot Way’ to be true to 
our identity and behaviour towards stakeholders. At Board 
level, we are conscious of our Director duties under s.172 
Companies Act 2006 and are mindful of these responsibilities 
when making decisions that impact those around us. You 
can read more about our work with our stakeholders in our 
CSR Report on pages 56 to 65. We are looking to review the 
Board Stakeholder Policy during 2019 and will provide a further 
update on this next year.

Greenhouse gas emissions
The greenhouse gas emissions disclosures required by the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations 2013 are included within the Strategic Report on 
page 65. This information is incorporated by reference into (and 
shall be deemed to form part of) this report.

Substantial interests in voting rights
Excluding Directors, as at 22 March 2019, 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 in the 
Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. 

Voting rights over 
ordinary shares

Number

% of  
issued

Rysaffe Nominees and  
J J Sykes (joint holding)1
Canaccord Genuity Group Inc

FMR LLC
The Fulmer Charitable Trust2

20,702,155

15.55

8,290,725

6,550,000

5,739,580

6.28

4.99

4.40

1.  Rysaffe Nominees and James Sykes are joint registered holders on behalf of 
various Reis family trusts and are therefore not included under the beneficial 
interests of James Sykes set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

2.  The shares of the Fulmer Charitable Trust, a recognised charity, are 

registered in the names of Mr John Spencer Reis, Mrs Sally Anne Reis and 
Mrs Caroline Mary Mytum as Trustees. 

These figures represent the number of shares and percentage held as the date 
of notification to the company.

Details of Directors holdings can be found on page 97.

Shares held by the Henry Boot PLC Employee Trust 
The Company has an established Employee Trust (the Trust) 
for the benefit of the Group’s employees to satisfy existing 
grants by the Company under various share-based payment 
arrangements. Details of the Company’s share-based payment 
arrangements are provided in note 30 to the Financial 
Statements. The Trustee of the Trust, a subsidiary of the 
Company of which the Directors throughout 2018 were Jamie 
Boot, John Sutcliffe, and Darren Littlewood, with Amy Oakley 
replacing Russell Deards on 18 October 2018, exercises the 
voting rights in relation to shares held as it, in its absolute 
discretion, thinks fit, but having regard to the interests of the 
beneficiaries. In respect of the financial year of the Company 
ended on 31 December 2018, the Trust has waived the right 
to receive from the Company all dividends (if any) in respect of 
the shares held within the Trust. During the year the Trust has 
purchased 150,000 ordinary shares in the Company in order to 
satisfy upcoming grants. Further details are provided in note 32 
to the Financial Statements.

Future developments
Important events since the financial year end and likely future 
developments are described in the Strategic Report on pages 
12 to 65.

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:

 — 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

 — 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, PwC, have signified their willingness to remain in 
office and resolutions reappointing them as auditors (Resolution 
11) and authorising the Audit and Risk Committee to fix their 
remuneration (Resolution 12) will be proposed at the AGM.

Accountability and audit
Details of the Directors’ responsibilities and the Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities are contained on page 108. The 
Independent Auditors’ Report is given on pages 112 to 120.

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105

Our Governance

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM of the Company will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton 
Hotel Sheffield Park, Chesterfield Road South, Sheffield, 
S8 8BW on Thursday 23 May 2019 at 12.30pm. The Notice of 
the AGM can be found on pages 176 to 181. It is also available 
at www.henryboot.co.uk, where a copy can be viewed and 
downloaded. 

Additional shareholder information
This section sets out details of other matters on which the 
Directors are required to report annually, but which do not 
appear elsewhere in this document. 

The information below 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 22 March 2019, the ordinary shares represent 97.00% 
of the total issued share capital of the Company by nominal 
value and the preference shares represent 3.00% 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 Financial Conduct 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 Financial Conduct Authority.

The Notice of the AGM on pages 176 to 181 includes the 
following resolutions:

 — An ordinary resolution (Resolution 13) to renew the authority 
of the Directors to allot shares up to a maximum nominal 
amount of £4,438,220 representing approximately one-third 
(33.33%) of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital at 
2 April 2019. The authority will expire on 22 August 2020 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.

 — A special resolution (Resolution 14) 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 
nominal value of such allotments does not exceed £665,733 
(approximately 5% of the Company’s issued ordinary 
share capital at 2 April 2019). The authority will expire on 
22 August 2020 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 also confirm their intention that, in line with the 
Pre-Emption Group’s Statement of Principles, no more than 
7.5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company 
(excluding treasury shares) will be issued for cash on a 
non pre-emptive basis during any rolling three-year period 
without prior consultation with shareholders.

 — A special resolution (Resolution 15) to renew the authority 

of the Company to make market purchases of up to 
13,314,660 of its own issued ordinary shares (10% of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital at 2 April 2019). 
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.

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.

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Our Governance

Directors’  
Report

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:

 — 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;

 — 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

 — 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 unless either: 

 — a resolution is proposed directly affecting the rights or 
privileges of the holders of the preference shares as a 
separate class; or 

 — 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 2019 are set out in the Notice of AGM on 
pages 176 to 181. 

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. 

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-quarters 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 some or all of their shares in 
certificated form by transfer in writing in any usual form or in 
any other form which the Board may approve. Uncertificated 
shares must be transferred by means of a relevant system, 
such as CREST. 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:

 — in respect of only one class of shares;

 — duly stamped or exempt from stamp duty;

 — delivered to the office or at such other place as the Board 

may decide for registration; and

 — 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.

In addition, the Board may refuse to register any transfer of 
shares which is in favour of (i) a child, bankrupt or person of 
unsound mind or (ii) more than four transferees.

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Our Governance

Repurchase of shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 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 
reappointment. The Board may appoint one or more Directors 
to hold any office or employment under the Company for 
such period (subject to the Companies Act 2006) 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 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 they were not appointed or reappointed at either such 
AGM and they have otherwise ceased to be a Director and 
been reappointed by general meeting of the Company at or 
since either such AGM. The Company’s policy is that all of the 
Directors should be, and are, subject to annual re-election.

The Company may, by ordinary resolution of which special 
notice has been given in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006, remove any Director before their period of office 
has expired notwithstanding anything in the Articles or in any 
agreement between them and the Company. A Director may 
also be removed from office by the service on them 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. 

ii. 

they are prohibited by law from being a Director;

they become bankrupt or makes any arrangement or 
composition with their creditors generally;

iii.  they are or may be suffering from a mental disorder as 

referred to in the Articles;

iv.  for more than six months they are absent, without special 
leave of absence from the Board, from meetings of the 
Board held during that period and the Board resolves that 
their office be vacated; or

v. 

they serve on the Company notice of their wish to resign.

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 resolution of the 
Company’s shareholders. 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
The Company is a party to the following significant agreements 
that take effect, alter or terminate on a change of control of the 
Company following a takeover bid:

 — the Company’s share schemes and plans; and

 — bank facilities whereby upon a “change of control” the 

lenders shall consult with the Company 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.

Information rights
Beneficial owners of shares who have been nominated by 
the registered holder of those shares to enjoy 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 registrars, 
Computershare Investor Services PLC or to the Company 
directly. 

Approved by the Board and signed by its order by

Amy Oakley 
Company Secretary 
11 April 2019

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Our Governance

Statement of Directors’  
Responsibilities

in respect of the financial statements

Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulation.

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

 — select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

 — state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the EU 

have been followed for the Group Financial Statements 
and IFRSs as adopted by the EU have been followed for 
the Parent Company Financial statements, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the Financial 
Statements;

 — make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent; and

 — prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern 

basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group 
and Parent Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and 
Parent Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and 
Parent Company and enable them to ensure that the Financial 
Statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply 
with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
Financial Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 
of the Group and Parent Company and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities.

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

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group and Parent Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy.

Directors’ responsibility statement
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in 
Board of Directors, confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 — the Parent Company Financial Statements, which have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit of the Company;

 — the Group Financial Statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
profit of the Group; and

 — the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the 

development and performance of the business and the 
position of the Group and Parent Company, together with 
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it 
faces. 

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

John Sutcliffe 
Director 
11 April 2019

Darren Littlewood 
Director 
11 April 2019

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Our Governance

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26323  5 April 2019 3:03 pm  Proof 24110Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Financial StatementsBuilding our reputation on strong relationships.Henry Boot AR2018 - Financial Statements + Shareholder Information.indd   11005/04/2019   16:28:1026323  5 April 2019 3:03 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018111Financial StatementsFinancialStatementsfor the year ended 31 December 2018Building our reputation on strong relationships.Henry Boot AR2018 - Financial Statements + Shareholder Information.indd   11105/04/2019   16:28:12112

Financial Statements

Independent  
Auditors’ Report 

to the members of Henry Boot PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion, Henry Boot PLC’s Group financial statements 
and parent company financial statements (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 2018 
and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s and the parent 
company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

 — have been properly prepared in accordance with 

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent 
company’s financial statements, as applied in accordance 
with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

 — have been prepared in accordance with the requirements 
of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements, included within 
the Annual Report and Financial Statements (the “Annual 
Report”), which comprise: the Group and Parent Company 
Statements of Financial Position as at 31 December 2018; 
the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 
Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows, and 
the Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes in 
Equity for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial 
statements, which include a description of the significant 
accounting policies.

Our audit approach
Overview

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit 
Committee.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described 
in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with 
the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and 
we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance 
with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-
audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were 
not provided to the Group or the parent company.

Other than those disclosed in note 3 to the financial 
statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the 
Group or the parent company in the period from 1 January 
2018 to 31 December 2018.

 — Overall Group materiality: £3,500,000 (2017: £3,500,000), based on 0.8% of total assets.

 — Overall parent company materiality: £1,600,000 (2017: £1,200,000), based on 0.8% of total assets.

Materiality

 — The Group is structured along three business segments being Property Investment and 

Development, Land Promotion and Construction. The Group financial statements are a consolidation 
of the 46 reporting units within these three business segments and the Group’s centralised 
functions.

Audit scope

 — Of the Group’s 46 reporting units, we identified five which, in our view, required an audit of their 

complete financial information, either due to their size or their risk characteristics.

Areas
of focus

 — Specific audit procedures over investment properties, inventories, borrowings, and property, plant 

and equipment were performed for a further four reporting units, and specific audit procedures were 
also performed over one joint venture company due to its contribution to the Group’s investment in 
joint ventures and associates. This, together with additional procedures performed on the Group’s 
centralised functions, gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the Group financial 
statements as a whole.

 — Valuation of investment properties (Group).

 — Accuracy and valuation of construction and development contract balances (Group).

 — Valuation of house builder work in progress inventory (Group).

 — Actuarial assumptions used in accounting for defined benefit pension scheme liabilities (Group and 

parent).

 — Carrying value of investments and intercompany (Parent).

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Financial Statements

 — Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any 

journal entries posted with unusual account combinations 
or posted by senior management. Specifically we tested 
journal entries which inflated the Group result for the period 
with unusual offset entries, we tested journals posted by 
senior management personnel, and we tested journal entries 
impacting cash with unusual offset entries to detect any 
potentially fraudulent cash extraction from the business.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described 
above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of 
it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due 
to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting 
from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for 
example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through 
collusion.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ 
professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit 
of the financial statements of the current period and include 
the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; 
the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts 
of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we 
make on the results of our procedures thereon, were addressed 
in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, 
and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of 
all risks identified by our audit. 

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and 
assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. 

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, 
including fraud
Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, 
we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations related to breaches of health 
and safety regulations, and we considered the extent to 
which non-compliance might have a material effect on the 
financial statements. We also considered those laws and 
regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of 
the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 
and tax legislation, and pensions regulations. We evaluated 
management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent 
manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of 
override of controls), and determined that the principal risks 
were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries to 
improve the Group’s result for the period, and management 
bias in key accounting estimates. The Group engagement 
team shared this risk assessment with the component auditors 
so that they could include appropriate audit procedures 
in response to such risks in their work. Audit procedures 
performed by the Group engagement team and/or component 
auditors included:

 — Discussions with management, including consideration of 

known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws 
and regulation and fraud;

 — Evaluation and testing of the operating effectiveness of 

management’s controls with respect to construction and 
development contracts designed to prevent and detect 
irregularities or bias;

 — Challenging assumptions and judgements made by 

management in their significant accounting estimates, 
in particular in relation to construction and development 
contracts, the valuation of investment properties, the 
valuation of work in progress inventory, and the actuarial 
assumptions used in accounting for defined benefit pension 
scheme liabilities (see related key audit matters below);

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Financial Statements

Independent  
Auditors’ Report 

to the members of Henry Boot PLC

Key audit matter
Valuation of investment properties – £121.0m – 
Group

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
Regarding the completed investment properties valued by the 
external valuer

We focused on this area because the Group’s 
investment property assets represent a significant 
proportion of the assets in the Group statement of 
financial position.

The Group’s portfolio includes properties at varying 
stages of completion across various sectors, including 
mixed-use, industrial and retail. Property valuations 
are subject to a high degree of judgement as they are 
calculated from a number of different assumptions 
specific to each individual property or development 
site. These include actual and estimated rental values, 
yields, costs to complete and land values per acre.

The Group engages Jones Lang LaSalle to value 
its completed investment properties in all but the 
residential sector. This accounts for 97.2% of the 
value of the Group’s investment property portfolio. 
The properties valued by Jones Lang LaSalle are 
valued by applying market-derived capitalisation yields 
to actual or market-derived rental income specific to 
each property.

Investment properties in the course of construction 
accounts for 2.8% of the Group’s investment property 
portfolio and are valued by management using the 
residual method of valuation. This involves estimating 
the gross development value of the property and 
deducting from this the gross development costs to be 
incurred and an allowance for anticipated development 
profits yet to be earned.

For all classes of investment property, a relatively 
small percentage change in valuations of individual 
properties, in aggregate, could result in a material 
impact to the financial statements.

We tested the underlying data used by the external valuer by agreeing a 
sample of lettings to our work on rental revenue. This included agreeing 
rents and other significant contract terms to legal agreements.

We used internal valuations experts to assess the appropriateness 
of management’s valuations, and for each property, we compared 
the changes in the yields and capital values since the prior year to an 
expectation based upon industry-specific indices. We also considered 
the movements in the assumptions in the light of our existing 
understanding of the Group’s portfolio and activities in the year. As a 
result we identified certain properties where we felt the movements in 
the yields or capital values warranted further discussion.

We held a meeting with management and their external valuers at which 
we challenged the assumptions used in these valuations by reference to 
externally published benchmarks.

We corroborated the explanations received by reference to the results 
of our audit procedures in other areas such as rental revenue testing, 
and by further review of legal documentation and correspondence 
where necessary. Whilst we identified that for certain properties an 
alternative yield assumption may be taken, no material adjustments 
were identified.

Regarding the remaining properties valued by management

We selected a sample of valuations of investment property in the 
course of construction for testing based on value. We reperformed 
the calculations provided by management, for which the significant 
assumption was land value per acre. We corroborated these 
assumptions by reference to legal agreements, and observable market 
data on comparable sites.

No material adjustments were identified as a result of our testing.

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Financial Statements

Key audit matter
Accuracy and valuation of construction and 
development contract balances – £281.0m – Group

We focused on this area because of the judgements 
involved in estimating the stage of completion of 
construction and development contract activity and 
in assessing costs to complete. This in turn means 
the assessment of anticipated profits or losses on 
individual contracts is judgemental.

The Group undertakes a number of significant 
construction and development contracts and a 
relatively small change in the judgements applied, such 
as whether a provision for remedial works is required, 
could result in a material misstatement to the financial 
statements.

In order to address estimation uncertainty with respect 
to assessing the stage of completion and costs to 
complete, management undertake regular detailed 
cost assessments which are reviewed and approved 
by appropriate persons.

We also note there is judgement involved in revenue 
recognition on construction and development 
contracts in particular where performance related 
incentive payments are built into transaction prices. In 
determining the appropriate treatment, management 
complete detailed contract reviews for each contract 
entered into and use past experience, external valuers, 
external influences, and risk profile assessments on 
the nature of each contract to assist in reaching their 
conclusions.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
We evaluated management’s revenue and profit recognition on a 
sample of contracts that we selected based on factors such as risk 
and magnitude and found that it was consistent with the supporting 
evidence obtained.

Our work over a sample of contracts included the following:

 — Meeting with in-house quantity surveyors to understand the status 

of contract work and to understand how the costs to complete had 
been calculated;

 — Controls testing over the contract acceptance and forecasting 

process;

 — Controls testing over costs incurred in the year focusing on the 
approvals process and the allocation of costs to the correct 
contracts;

 — We agreed key contract details to legal documentation;

 — We performed a recalculation of the revenue recognised in the year 

for a sample of contracts;

 — Tested the bills raised on construction and development contracts 

during the year through to invoice and where possible, cash receipt; 

 — We also checked customer acceptance of the work undertaken, 

considering the implications of any ongoing disputes which included 
discussions with the Group legal department;

 — Testing costs to complete schedules by selecting a sample of 
forecast costs and agreeing the expected cost to supporting 
evidence. We also reviewed costs to complete for reasonableness 
by looking at historical forecasting accuracy on costs to complete;

 — We tested a sample of accruals for contract work undertaken by 

agreeing them to supporting documentation, including subcontractor 
applications for payment and invoices;

 — We tested a sample of provisions for contract work not yet 

undertaken to reports prepared by in-house quantity surveyors, 
correspondence with any claimants, and by testing the outturn on 
similar amounts previously provided for;

 — We also completed site visits during the year; and

 — We assessed management’s overall profit recognition methodology, 

including a sample assessment of the accuracy of revenue and profit 
forecasts from prior years.

No material adjustments were identified as a result of our testing.

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Financial Statements

Independent  
Auditors’ Report 

to the members of Henry Boot PLC

Key audit matter
Valuation of house builder work in progress 
inventory – £22.5m – Group

How our audit addressed the key audit matter
Our testing over the valuation of work in progress inventory included the 
following:

We focused upon this area because the value of the 
Group’s work in progress inventory with respect to 
the building of houses now represents a significant 
balance in the Group statement of financial position, 
and determining the carrying value of work in progress 
inventory requires a high degree of judgement.

The key judgements include forecasting future costs to 
complete and selling prices which can be affected by 
market conditions and unexpected events.

Actuarial assumptions used in accounting for 
defined benefit pension scheme liabilities – 
£186.8m – Group and parent

The Group and parent company have a defined benefit 
pension scheme net liability which is significant in 
the context of both the overall balance sheet and the 
results of the Group. The Group uses an independent 
actuary to value the pension scheme liabilities under 
IAS 19.

The valuation of the pension liability requires significant 
levels of judgement and technical expertise in choosing 
appropriate assumptions. Changes in a number of the 
key assumptions (including salaries increase, inflation, 
discount rates and mortality) can have a material 
impact on the calculation of the liability.

Carrying value of investments and intercompany – 
£200.0m - Parent

We focused upon this area because the balances due 
from the wider Group and the investments held by 
the parent company in its subsidiaries are significant 
balances within the parent company financial 
statements.

The key judgement is the underlying cash generation 
and profitability of the wider Group which can be 
affected by market conditions and unexpected events.

 — We assessed the adequacy of controls over the approval of site 

forecasts, and the authorisation and recording of costs, including 
testing of controls over the allocation of costs to the correct sites.

 — Visited a sample of sites to confirm the existence and condition of 

the work in progress, and also to evaluate the reasonableness of the 
assessment of stage of completion.

 — Sample tested and agreed certain costs incurred during the year 

included within work in progress to supporting evidence as well as 
reviewing the proportion of that expenditure recognised as a cost 
of sale in the year in respect of units sold. This included any land 
additions in the period.

 — Tested the percentage completion of units across a sample of sites 
and checked that forecasts have been appropriately updated for 
expected costs and selling prices to completion. We also assessed 
the level of gross margin achieved against those recorded previously 
and future forecasts.

 — Assessed the historical accuracy of management’s forecasting.

 — Performed an independent assessment of cost accruals and costs 
to complete via enquiry and corroboration to supporting evidence.

No material adjustments were identified as a result of our testing.
We obtained the actuary’s report and we used our own actuarial 
experts to assess the judgemental assumptions such as discount 
rate, inflation, and mortality rates. We did this by comparing the 
key assumptions to externally derived data, as well as our own 
independently formed assessments, and we also assessed and 
challenged the methodologies used by management in deriving the 
assumptions.

Furthermore we challenged management with respect to the impact of 
Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation upon the pension scheme 
liability. We considered the reasonableness of the assessed impact in 
light of our understanding of the scheme and the scheme rules, and we 
also completed our own modelling using scheme data to assess the 
estimated impact. 

We have no exceptions to report as a result of this testing.

We assessed the recoverability of the intercompany receivables by 
reviewing the underlying financial performance and profitability of the 
entities owing the parent company.

We reviewed management’s impairment review on the investments 
in subsidiaries held by firstly considering whether management’s 
assessment of impairment triggers was appropriate, and we 
subsequently followed this up by reviewing management’s forecasts 
and budgets prepared to consider whether an impairment was required 
on an entity by entity basis.

We identified no issues with the carrying value of investments or 
amounts due from wider Group entities in our testing.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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117

Financial Statements

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the parent company, the accounting processes and 
controls, and the industry in which they operate.

The Group is structured along three business segments being Property Investment and Development, Land Promotion and 
Construction, and the Group financial statements are a consolidation of the 46 reporting units within these three business 
segments and the Group’s centralised functions.

Of the Group’s 46 reporting units, we identified five which, in our view, required an audit of their complete financial information, 
either due to their size or their risk characteristics.

Specific audit procedures over investment properties, borrowings, and property plant and equipment were performed for a further 
four reporting units, and specific audit procedures were also performed over one joint venture company due to its contribution 
to the Group’s investment in joint ventures and associates. This, together with additional procedures performed on the Group’s 
centralised functions, gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the Group financial statements as a whole.

The work was performed by a component audit team for the five reporting units over which specific audit procedures were 
performed. All other work was completed by the Group audit team.

The reporting units where we performed audit work accounted for 95% of assets, 85% of revenue, and 83% of profit before tax.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of 
our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall materiality

Group financial statements
£3,500,000 (2017: £3,500,000).

Parent Company financial statements
£1,600,000 (2017: £1,200,000).

How we determined it

0.8% of total assets.

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

The key objective of the Group is to increase 
long-term shareholder value by maximising 
the value of assets such as inventory and 
investment properties. In determining the 
benchmark we also had regard to the 
profitability of the Group to ensure that 
sufficient consideration was given to trading 
activities.

0.8% of total assets.
The key objective of the Parent Company is to 
hold investments in the various Group companies. 
As a result, we believe total assets is the primary 
measure used by the shareholders in assessing 
the performance of the Parent Company and is 
therefore the appropriate benchmark to use in 
setting materiality.

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. The 
range of materiality allocated across components was between £72,000 and £2,900,000. Certain components were audited to a 
local statutory audit materiality that was also less than our overall Group materiality.

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above 
£175,000 (Group audit) (2017: £175,000) and £60,000 (Parent company audit) (2017: £60,000) as well as misstatements below 
those amounts that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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118

Financial Statements

Independent  
Auditors’ Report 

to the members of Henry Boot PLC

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation
We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in respect of the directors’ statement in the financial statements 
about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the 
directors’ identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s and the 
parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at 
least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

We are required to report if the directors’ statement relating to Going 
Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

Outcome
We have nothing material to add or to draw 
attention to.

However, because not all future events or 
conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a 
guarantee as to the Group’s and parent company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. For 
example, the terms on which the United Kingdom 
may withdraw from the European Union, are not 
clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential 
implications on the Group’s trade, customers, 
suppliers and the wider economy.

We have nothing to report.

Reporting on other information 
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, any form of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, 
we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements 
or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these 
responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report, Directors’ Report and Corporate Governance Statement, we also considered whether the 
disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included. 

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 
(CA06), ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and 
matters as described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated).

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. (CA06)

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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119

Financial Statements

Corporate Governance Statement

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (as set out on pages 74 to 83) about internal controls and risk management systems in relation to financial 
reporting processes and about share capital structures in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the FCA (“DTR”) is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in this information. (CA06)

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (as set out on pages 74 to 83) with respect to the parent company’s corporate governance code and practices and 
about its administrative, management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of 
the DTR. (CA06)

We have nothing to report arising from our responsibility to report if a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by 
the parent company. (CA06)

The directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or 
liquidity of the Group

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

 — The directors’ confirmation on pages 48 to 55 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or 
liquidity.

 — The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.

 — The directors’ explanation on pages 54 to 55 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether 
they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or 
assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was 
substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting 
their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Code”); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the Group 
and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code Provisions

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when: 

 — The statement given by the directors, on page 108, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and parent company’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and parent 
company obtained in the course of performing our audit.

 — The section of the Annual Report on page 86 to 88 describing the work of the Audit and Risk Committee does not 

appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit and Risk Committee.

 — The directors’ statement relating to the parent company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure 

from a relevant provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors.

Directors’ Remuneration

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. (CA06)

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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120

Financial Statements

Independent  
Auditors’ Report 

to the members of Henry Boot PLC

Responsibilities for the financial statements 
and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the 
financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in respect of the financial statements set out 
on page 108, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable 
framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control 
as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are 
responsible for assessing the Group’s and the parent 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing 
as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either 
intend to liquidate the Group or the parent company or to 
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of 
the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms 
part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for 
and only for the parent company’s members as a body in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 
these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other 
purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown 
or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed 
by our prior consent in writing.

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

 — we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit; or

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 
been received from branches not visited by us; or

 — certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or

 — the 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. 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we 
were appointed by the directors on 28 May 2010 to audit 
the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 
2010 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total 
uninterrupted engagement is 9 years, covering the years ended 
31 December 2010 to 31 December 2018.

Ian Morrison (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Leeds
11 April 2019

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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121

Financial Statements

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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122

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Pension expenses 

Decrease in fair value of investment properties
Profit on sale of investment properties
Loss on sale of assets held for sale
Operating profit 
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the year from continuing operations

Other comprehensive income/(expense) not being reclassified to  
profit or loss in subsequent years:
Revaluation of Group occupied property
Deferred tax on property revaluations
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension scheme
Deferred tax on actuarial gain
Total other comprehensive income not being reclassified to profit or loss in 
subsequent years
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

Note
1

2018
£’000
397,052
(319,052)

2017
£’000
408,486
(321,758)

4

13

3
5
6
15

7

12 
18
27
18

78,000
(24,065)
(5,975)
47,960
(92)
1,365
(36)
49,197
275
(1,698)
830
48,604
(8,229)
40,375

(153)
—
6,199
(1,054)

4,992
45,367

37,505
2,870
40,375

42,497
2,870
45,367

86,728
(22,636)
(4,336)
59,756
(3,597)
137
(98)
56,198
189
(1,703)
708
55,392
(9,817)
45,575

(379)
50
2,306
(391)

1,586
47,161

42,368
3,207
45,575

43,954
3,207
47,161

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

9

9

28.3p

32.1p

28.0p

31.8p

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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123

Financial Statements

Statements of 
Financial Position

as at 31 December 2018

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

Current assets
Inventories
Contract assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets classified as held for sale

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
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
31 Dec 2017 
Restated 
(Page 135)
£’000

1 Jan 2017 
Restated 
(Page 135)
£’000

Parent Company

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Note

2018
£’000

11
12
13
14
15
17
18

19
16
17

20

22
21

25
26

22
25
27
26

30
31
31
31
32

5,077
26,161
120,975
—
6,686
11,915
3,487
174,301

154,980
42,772
60,225
10,856
268,833
—
268,833

77,475
2,794
3,897
24,119
5,724
114,009
154,824

2,792
5,096
16,710
2,215
26,813
302,312

13,715
3,397
276,999
6,347
(1,260)

299,198
3,114
302,312

5,361
26,485
132,777
—
5,856
2,906
4,613
177,998

144,603
30,932
62,244
10,282
248,061
2,000
250,061

76,204
3,225
5,794
34,340
5,602
125,165
124,896

2,684
4,922
22,825
2,387
32,818
270,076

13,701
3,550
245,260
6,121
(1,240)

267,392
2,684
270,076

4,909
21,967
123,663
—
5,148
5,592
5,249
166,528

137,915
17,638
49,283
7,389
212,225
1,050
213,275

56,493
4,656
4,707
33,342
6,669
105,867
107,408

4,615
6,922
26,396
2,451
40,384
233,552

13,608
3,879
210,664
4,611
(1,071)

231,691
1,861
233,552

—
459
—
34,086
—
—
3,115
37,660

—
—
170,586
5,741
176,327
—
176,327

74,463
—
1,340
16,022
—
91,825
84,502

—
—
16,710
—
16,710
105,452

13,715
—
85,513
7,484
(1,260)

105,452
—
105,452

—
559
—
23,732
—
—
4,192
28,483

—
—
182,307
6,170
188,477
—
188,477

72,167
—
4,884
25,123
—
102,174
86,303

—
—
22,825
—
22,825
91,961

13,701
—
72,242
7,258
(1,240)

91,961
—
91,961

The Parent Company made a profit for the year of £19,367,000 (2017: £25,425,000).

The Financial Statements on pages 122 to 171 of Henry Boot PLC, registered number 160996, were approved by the Board of 
Directors and authorised for issue on 11 April 2019.

On behalf of the Board

John Sutcliffe 
Director

Darren Littlewood 
Director

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Attributable to owners of the Parent Company

124

Financial Statements

Statements of 
Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Group
At 31 December 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2017
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2018

Note

31

10

31
30, 31

31

10

31
30, 31

Share
capital
£’000
13,608
—
—
—
—
93
—
—
93
13,701
—
—
—
—
14
—
—
14
13,715

Property
revaluation
reserve
£’000
3,879

(329)
(329)
—
—
—
—
—
3,550

(153)
(153)

Retained
earnings
£’000
210,664
— 42,368
1,915
44,283
(9,628)
—
—
(59)
(9,687)
245,260
— 37,505
5,145
42,650
— (11,161)
—
—
—
—
—
250
— (10,911)
276,999

3,397

Parent Company
At 31 December 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2017
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Equity dividends
Proceeds from shares issued
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2018

Note

8

10

31
30

8

10

31
30

Share
capital
£’000
13,608
—
—
—
—
93
—
—
93
13,701
—
—
—
—
14
—
—
14
13,715

Cost of
shares 
held
by ESOP
Total
 trust
£’000
£’000
(1,071) 231,691
— 42,368
—
1,586
— 43,954
— (9,628)
1,603
—
(782)
(782)
554
613
(8,253)
(169)
(1,240) 267,392
— 37,505
—
4,992
— 42,497
— (11,161)
240
—
(429)
(429)
659
409
(10,691)
(20)
(1,260) 299,198

Non-
controlling
Total
interests
equity
£’000
£’000
1,861 233,552
45,575
3,207
1,586
—
47,161
3,207
(12,012)
(2,384)
1,603
—
(782)
—
554
—
(2,384)
(10,637)
2,684 270,076
40,375
2,870
4,992
—
45,367
2,870
(13,601)
(2,440)
240
—
(429)
—
659
—
(2,440)
(13,131)
3,114 302,312

Cost of
shares held
by ESOP
 trust
£’000
(1,071)
—
—
—
—
—
(782)
613
(169)
(1,240)
—
—
—
—
—
(429)
409
(20)
(1,260)

Other
reserves
£’000
5,748
—
—
—
—
1,510
—
—
1,510
7,258
—
—
—
—
226
—
—
226
7,484

Total 
equity
£’000
73,120
25,425
1,915
27,340
(9,628)
1,603
(782)
308
(8,499)
91,961
19,367
5,145
24,512
(11,161)
240
(429)
329
(11,021)
105,452

Other
reserves
£’000
4,611
—
—
—
—
1,510
—
—
1,510
6,121
—
—
—
—
226
—
—
226
6,347

Retained
earnings
£’000
54,835
25,425
1,915
27,340
(9,628)
—
—
(305)
(9,933)
72,242
19,367
5,145
24,512
(11,161)
—
—
(80)
(11,241)
85,513

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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125

Financial Statements

Statements of 
Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from/(used by) operations
Interest paid
Tax paid
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired
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 shares issued
Purchase 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 increase/(decrease) 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:
Cash and cash equivalents
Bank overdrafts
Net cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans
Finance leases
Government loans
Net debt

Note

33

35
11
12
13

32

10

10

25

25
25
25

Group

2018
£’000

22,276
(1,434)
(10,054)
10,788

—
(417)
(1,464)
(4,906)
265
17,881
2,000
265
—
13,624

239
(429)
(46,113)
36,066
(11,140)
(2,440)
(21)
(23,838)
574
10,282
10,856

10,856
—
10,856
(22,422)
(3,220)
(3,573)
(18,359)

2017
£’000

46,338
(1,463)
(8,620)
36,255

(2,711)
(622)
(3,906)
(24,081)
137
2,778
8,141
544
—
(19,720)

1,603
(782)
(49,965)
47,514
(9,607)
(2,384)
(21)
(13,642)
2,893
7,389
10,282

10,282
—
10,282
(30,599)
(2,544)
(6,119)
(28,980)

Parent Company

2018
£’000

13,246
(2,740)
(8,602)
1,904

—
—
(122)
—
—
—
—
5,943
12,300
18,121

238
(429)
(30,000)
20,000
(11,141)
—
(21)
(21,353)
(1,328)
6,047
4,719

5,741
(1,022)
4,719
(15,000)
—
—
(10,281)

2017
£’000

(4,446)
(2,760)
(7,251)
(14,457)

—
—
(426)
—
—
—
—
17,994
15,244
32,812

1,603
(782)
(35,000)
30,000
(9,607)
—
(21)
(13,807)
4,548
1,499
6,047

6,170
(123)
6,047
(25,000)
—
—
(18,953)

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126

Financial Statements

Principal  
Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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 as adopted by the EU (‘IFRS’), IFRIC 
interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS and therefore complies 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.

The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available under Section 408 of the Companies Act and not presented a 
statement of comprehensive income for the Parent Company alone. See note 8.

Change in accounting policies
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year with the exception of policies for Revenue 
and Financial Instruments. These policies have been updated following the implementation of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers’ and IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’. Further details can be found in the ‘Impact of accounting standards and 
interpretations’ section below.

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. Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured 
entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries 
are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that 
control ceases.

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. As part of our normal facility renewal 
process, conversations have been undertaken with several banks regarding the renewal in February 2020 and initial feedback 
suggests that there is a good level of interest from the banks in tendering for the facilities during 2019 either as a sole provider or 
under a syndicated arrangement. The Directors do not consider there to be any material uncertainty as to the the renewal of the 
debt facility hence continue to adopt going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements. Further detail is contained in the 
Strategic Report on pages 54 to 55.

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:

 — Property Investment and Development, inclusive of property investment, property development, housebuilding and associated 

trading activities;

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Financial Statements

 — Land Promotion, inclusive of land management, development and trading activities; and 

 — Construction, inclusive of its PFI company and plant hire activities.

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

 — Group overheads, comprising central services, pensions, head office administration, in-house leasing and financing activities.

Joint ventures and associates
Joint ventures are all entities in which the Group has shared control with another entity, established by contractual agreement. 
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. Jointly controlled entities and associates are accounted for using the equity method 
of accounting and are initially recognised at cost. 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. Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of 
the Group’s interest in them. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of 
the asset transferred. The accounting policies of the joint ventures and associates 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 IFRS 9.

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.

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 reporting date or when there has been an indication that the goodwill should 
be impaired, any loss is recognised immediately through the Consolidated 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.

Critical judgements and estimates
The critical judgements and estimates in applying the Group’s Accounting Policies that have the most significant effect on the 
amounts recognised in the Financial Statements, apart from those noted below, relate to revenue recognition and inventories. 
These are referred to on pages 129 and 131 and each is interpreted by management in the light of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers’ and IAS 2 ‘Inventories’.

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, and that could 
have a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities over the ensuing year, are: 

 — Retirement benefit costs — 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 the liabilities discount rate, RPI and mortality rates. Note 
27 to the Financial Statements gives details of the sensitivity surrounding these estimates; 

 — Fair value of investment properties and of Group occupied properties — the fair value of completed investment property and of 
Group occupied property is determined by independent valuation experts using the yield method valuation technique. The fair 
value of investment property under construction has been determined using the residual method by the Directors of the Company. 
The most significant estimates used in these valuations are rental values, yields and costs to complete. Notes 12 and 13 to the 
Financial Statements give details of the valuation methods used and the sensitivity surrounding these estimates; and

 — Provisions — amounts recognised in relation to provisions are based on assumptions in respect of cost estimates, the 

timing of cash flows and discount rates used. Note 26 to the Financial Statements gives details of the sensitivity surrounding 
these estimates.

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Financial Statements

Principal  
Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer excluding amounts collected on 
behalf of third parties. The Group recognises revenue when it transfers control over a product or service to a customer. Where 
consideration is not specified within the contract and therefore subject to variability, the Group estimates the amount of 
consideration to be received from its customer. The consideration recognised is the amount which is highly probable not to result 
in a significant reversal in future periods. Where a modification to an existing contract occurs, the Group assesses the nature of 
the modification and whether it represents a separate performance obligation required to be satisfied by the Group or whether it is 
a modification to the existing performance obligation.

The Group has some contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and 
payment by the customer exceeds one year. The Group adjusts its transaction price for the time value of money.

The Group’s activities are wide-ranging, and as such, depending on the nature of the product or service delivered and the timing 
of when control is passed to the customer, the Group will account for revenue over time or at a point in time. Where revenue is 
measured over time, the Group uses the input method to measure progress of delivery.

Product and Service
Construction contracts

Sale of land and 
properties

PFI Concession

Operating leases 
(recognised as income 
under IAS 17 ‘Leases’)

Plant and equipment hire 
(recognised as income 
under IAS 17 ‘Leases’)

Nature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and significant payment terms
Typically, the Group’s construction contracts consist of one performance obligation, being delivery 
of the construction works. However for certain contracts (for example where contracts involve 
separate phases or products that are not highly interrelated) multiple performance obligations exist. 
Where multiple performance obligations exist, total revenue is allocated to performance obligations 
based on the relative standalone selling prices of each performance obligation. 

Revenue attributed to each performance obligation is recognised over time based on the 
percentage of completion, reflecting the enhancement in value of the customer’s asset. The 
percentage of completion is calculated as the costs incurred to date as a percentage of the total 
costs expected to satisfy the performance obligation. Estimates of revenues, costs or extent 
of progress toward completion are revised if circumstances change. Any resulting increases or 
decreases in estimated revenues or costs are reflected in the percentage of completion calculation 
in the period in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision become known.

Losses are recorded in full when the unavoidable costs of fulfilling a contract exceed the economic 
benefits.

Any revenues recognised in excess of amounts invoiced are recognised as contract assets within 
current assets. Any payments received in excess of revenue recognised are recognised as contract 
liabilities within current liabilities.
Revenue from the sale of land and properties is generally a single performance obligation which is 
satisfied at the point in time when control of the land and properties has passed, typically on legal 
completion when legal title has transferred.

Variable consideration such as overages are estimated based on the amount of consideration the 
Group expects to be entitled to, taking into account the terms which may give rise to variability and 
it is only recognised where it is highly probable there will not be a significant future reversal. This is 
estimated at contract inception and reassessed over the life of the contract.

Revenue includes the fair value of consideration received or receivable on the sale of part exchange 
properties.
Revenue from the Group’s PFI concession is recognised at the point in time, by the calculation of 
‘shadow tolls’ based on individual vehicle usage of the A69.

The concession is accounted for in accordance with IFRIC 12 ‘Service Concession Arrangements’ 
using the intangible asset model. 
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 plant and equipment hire is measured as the fair value of sales proceeds which relate 
to the period of account.

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Financial Statements

Critical judgements and estimates in applying IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The following are the critical judgements and estimates in applying accounting policies that the Directors have made in the 
process of applying IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and that have the most significant effect on the amounts 
recognised in the consolidated financial statements. 

Estimates in determining the recognition of revenue on construction contracts over time – construction 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 or external survey of the work 
performed and costs to complete. 

Judgement in determining the recognition of revenue at a point in time on land sale contracts – there is often judgement involved 
in evaluating when a customer obtains control of land during a sale, particularly where the contract includes licensing, risk or 
deferred payment term clauses. In determining the revenue recognition the Directors consider the present right for payment, legal 
title, physical possession, risks and rewards of ownership and acceptance of the asset in forming their opinion. Where necessary 
third party advice is taken.

Interest income and expense
Interest income and expense are recognised within ‘Finance income’ and ‘Finance costs’ in the Consolidated 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.

Leasing
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.

Leases
The cost of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase agreements is capitalised with an equivalent liability categorised 
as appropriate under current liabilities or non-current liabilities. The asset is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or its 
useful life.

Rentals under finance leases and hire purchase agreements are apportioned between finance costs and reduction of the lease 
obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. The finance costs are charged in 
arriving at profit before tax.

Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings 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 into 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. 

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130

Financial Statements

Principal  
Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Intangible assets excluding goodwill
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. The PFI asset which is accounted for under 
IFRIC 12 ‘Service Concession Arrangements’ 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 seven years to run.

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 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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

Equipment held for hire, 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:

 — Equipment held for hire 

– between 10% and 50%

 — Vehicles 

– between 10% and 25%

 — Office equipment 

– between 25% and 33%

Investment property
Investment properties are those properties which are not occupied by the Group and which are held for long-term rental yields, 
capital appreciation or both. Investment property also includes property that is being constructed or developed for future use as 
investment property.

Investment properties are initially measured at cost, including related transaction costs. 

At each subsequent reporting date, investment properties are remeasured to their fair value; further information regarding the 
valuation methodologies applied can be found in note 13 to the Financial Statements. Movements in fair value are included in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Where the Group employs professional valuers, the valuations provided are subject to a comprehensive review to ensure they 
are based on accurate and up-to-date tenancy information. Discussions are also held with the valuers to test the valuation 
assumptions applied and comparable evidence utilised to ensure they are appropriate in the circumstances. 

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised to the asset’s carrying value only where it is probable that the future economic benefits 
associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group. All other expenditure is expensed to the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income in the period in which it arises.

Investment property is derecognised when it is disposed of at its carrying value.

Where specific investment properties have been identified as being for sale within the next 12 months, a sale is considered highly 
probable and the property is immediately available for sale, their fair value is shown under assets classified as held-for-sale within 
current assets, measured in accordance with the provisions of IAS 40 ‘Investment Property’.

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Financial Statements

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and estimated net realisable value and are subject to regular impairment reviews.

Inventories comprise developments in progress, land held for development or sale, options to purchase land and planning 
promotion agreements.

 — Property developments in progress includes properties being developed for onward sale.

 — House builder land and work in progress includes construction of residential housing for onward sale.

 — Land held for development or sale is land owned by the Group that is promoted through the planning process in order to gain 

planning permission, adding value to the land. 

 — Options to purchase land are agreements that the Group entered into with the landowners whereby the Group has the option 
to purchase the land within a limited time frame. The landowners are not generally permitted to sell to any other party during 
this period, unless agreed to by the Group. Within the time frame the Group promotes the land through the planning process 
at its expense in order to gain planning permission. Should the Group be successful in obtaining planning permission it would 
trigger the option to purchase and subsequently sell on the land. 

 — Planning promotion agreements are agreements that the Group has entered into with the landowners, whereby the Group acts 
as an agent to the landowners in exchange for a fee of a set percentage of the proceeds or profit of the eventual sale. The 
Group promotes the land through the planning process at its own expense. If the land is sold the Group will receive a fee for its 
services.

 — The Group incurs various costs in promoting land held under planning promotion agreements. In some instances the 

agreements allow for the Group to be reimbursed certain expenditure following the conclusion of a successful sale, at which 
point inventory is reduced by the value of the reimbursed cost. These costs are held in inventory at the lower of cost and 
estimated net realisable value. 

Inventories comprise all the direct costs incurred in bringing the individual inventories to their present state at the reporting date, 
including any reimbursable promotion costs, less the value of any impairment losses.

Impairment reviews are considered on a site-by-site or individual development basis by management at each reporting date; 
write-downs or reversals are made to ensure that inventory is then stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

Net realisable value is considered in the light of progress made in the planning process, feedback from local planning officers, 
development appraisals and other external factors that might be considered likely to influence the eventual outcome. Where it is 
considered that no future economic benefit will arise, costs are written off to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Where individual parcels of land held for development are disposed of out of a larger overall development site, costs are 
apportioned based on an acreage allocation after taking into account the cost or net realisable value of any remaining residual 
land which may not form part of the overall development site or which may not be available for development. Where the Group 
retains obligations attached to the development site as a whole, provisions are made relating to these disposals on the same 
acreage allocation basis.

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.

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132

Financial Statements

Principal  
Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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 Consolidated 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 substantively enacted by the 
reporting 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 reporting 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.

The carrying value of the Group’s investment property is assumed to be realised by sale and the deferred tax is then calculated 
based on the respective temporary differences and tax consequences arising from this assumption.

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 Consolidated 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.

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:

 — Trade and other receivables are measured initially at fair value and then amortised cost — where the time value of money is 
material, receivables are amortised using the effective interest rate method (see Interest income and expense on page 129). 
IFRS 9’s simplified approach to provisioning is used to calculate the Group’s lifetime expected credit risk; 

 — 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; 

 — 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 129);

 — Borrowings — see below. 

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 
Consolidated 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 that 
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.

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Financial Statements

Government grants
Government grants are recognised at their fair value in the Consolidated 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 relating to revenue items are 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.

Government grants relating to capital items are released against the carrying value of the grant supported assets when the 
completion conditions of those assets are met.

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 with an outflow of economic benefits 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 
reporting 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.

The land promotion provision represents management’s best estimate of the Group’s liability to provide infrastructure and services 
as a result of obligations which remain with the Group following the disposal of land. Where the infrastructure and services 
obligations relate to developments on which land is being disposed of over a number of phases, provisions are calculated based 
on an acreage allocation methodology taking into account the expected timing of cash outflows to settle the obligations.

The Group regularly reviews its contract obligations and whether they are considered to be onerous. In the event that the costs 
of meeting the obligations exceed the economic benefits expected to be received through the life of the development, a provision 
would be recognised based on discounted cash flows to the end of the contract, to the extent of the costs exceeding the 
economic benefits.

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.

Other provisions include 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, being taken into account in the Financial Statements.

Specific details of the Group’s provisions relating to land promotion and road maintenance can be found in note 26 on page 158.

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 reporting 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 net interest 
cost, 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.

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.

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

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134

Financial Statements

Principal  
Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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 effective or mandatory for the first time for the accounting year ended 31 December 2018:

IFRIC 22 (amended 2016)
IAS 40 (amended 2016)
IFRS 2 (amended 2016)
IFRS 4 (amended 2016)
IFRS 15 (issued 2014)
IFRS 15 (amended 2016)
IFRS 9 (issued 2014)

Effective from
   1 January 2018
‘Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration’
‘Transfers of Investment Property’
   1 January 2018
‘Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions’    1 January 2018
‘Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts’    1 January 2018
   1 January 2018
‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’
   1 January 2018
‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’
   1 January 2018
‘Financial Instruments’

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

IFRS 9 (issued 2017)
IFRS 16 (issued 2016)
IFRS 17 (issued 2017)
IFRIC 23 (amended 2017)
IAS 28 (amended 2017)
Annual improvements (issued 2017)
IAS 19 (amended 2018)

‘Payment Features with Negative Compensation’
‘Leases’
‘Insurance Contracts’
‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’
'Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures’
‘Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015–2017 Cycle’
‘Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement’

* Not yet endorsed by the EU.

Effective from
   1 January 2019
   1 January 2019
   1 January 2021*
   1 January 2019*
   1 January 2019*
   1 January 2019*
   1 January 2019*

A review of the impact of these standards, amendments and interpretations which are not yet effective has been conducted and 
the Directors do not believe that they will give rise to any significant financial impact, except as stated below.

IFRS16 ‘Leases’ was issued by the IASB in January 2016 and became effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2019. The Group has completed an impact assessment of the new standard which will be adopted using the modified 
retrospective approach leading to the recognition of leased assets and related obligations on the statement of financial position of 
approximately £2,400,000. The impact on profit and loss is expected to be immaterial. The treatment of leases where the Group 
is acting as a lessor is substantially unchanged from that currently applied under IAS 17.

In 2018, 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.

Adoption of the following standards effective from 1 January 2018 are significant to the Group
IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’
IFRS 15 was issued by the IASB in May 2014 and became effective for accounting periods on or after 1 January 2018. The 
standard outlines the principles entities must apply to measure and recognise revenue with the core principle being that entities 
should recognise revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for 
fulfilling its performance obligations to a customer. IFRS 15 introduces a five-step approach to revenue recognition and far more 
prescriptive guidance has been added in IFRS 15 to deal with specific scenarios. IFRS 15 uses the terms ‘contract asset’ and 
‘contract liability’ to describe what might more commonly be known as ‘accrued revenue’ and ‘deferred revenue’, and this is 
presented as such in the statement of financial position. 

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135

Financial Statements

In accordance with the transition provisions in IFRS 15 the new rules have been adopted under the full retrospective approach 
and apart from providing more extensive disclosure on the Group’s revenue transactions, did not result in a material adjustment to 
the opening balance sheet except to separate contract assets and liabilities out of trade debtors and creditors respectively. While 
no material adjustment is required to opening reserves the standard may affect future transactions including; the separation of 
performance obligations and contract modifications on construction contracts, the inclusion of revenue on part exchanged house 
disposals, repurchase agreements to be accounted for as financing arrangements and the advanced recognition of contingent 
consideration (including overage receipts on the Group’s land promotion activities). The new standard has resulted in a change 
to the Group’s accounting policy for revenue which has been applied retrospectively and is presented on pages 128 and 129, 
although there is no impact on the statement of comprehensive income in either the current or prior year.

The amount of adjustment for each financial statement line item affected by the application of IFRS 15 for the prior year is 
presented below.

Impact on assets and liabilities as at 1 January 2017

Trade and other receivables
Contract assets
Contract liabilities
Trade and other payables

Impact on assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2017

Trade and other receivables
Contract assets
Contract liabilities
Trade and other payables

As previously 
reported 
£’000
66,921
–
–
(61,149)

IFRS 15 
adjustment 
£’000
(17,638)
17,638
(4,656)
4,656

As previously 
reported 
£’000
93,176
–
–
(79,429)

IFRS 15 
adjustment 
£’000
(30,932)
30,932
(3,225)
3,225

As  
restated 
£’000
49,283
17,638
(4,656)
(56,493)

As  
restated 
£’000
62,244
30,932
(3,225)
(76,204)

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’
IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell 
non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. 

The classification and measurement of financial liabilities and derivative instruments remains unchanged from IAS 39. Under IFRS 
9, a financial asset is now classified on initial recognition as measured at: amortised cost; fair value through other comprehensive 
income (‘FVOCI’) – debt investment; FVOCI – equity investment; or fair value through profit and loss (‘FVTPL’). Applying this 
classification to the Group’s financial assets does not result in changes to the accounting: trade receivables and cash and cash 
equivalents continue to be recognised at amortised cost and certain other non-current financial assets continue to be recognised 
at FVTPL.

The standard was applied retrospectively although there is no impact on the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the prior year 
or any adjustment to opening reserves.

In respect of accounting for trade and other receivables, the Group has applied IFRS 9’s simplified approach to provisioning and 
has calculated this using lifetime expected losses. This calculation has had no material impact on the financial statements.

As a result of adopting IFRS 9, the accounting policy for financial instruments has been revised as presented above.

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136

Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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

Timing of revenue 
recognition

Timing of revenue 
recognition

2018
£’000

At a point 
in time

Over time

2017
£’000

At a point 
in time

Activity in the United Kingdom
Construction contracts:

– Construction segment
– Property Investment and 
Development segment
Sale of land and properties:

– Property Investment and 
Development segment
– House builder unit sales
– Land promotion

PFI concession
Revenue from contracts  
with customers
Plant and equipment hire
Investment property rental income
Other rental income

69,008

173,003

1,282
37,672
74,727
14,832

370,524
16,858
8,854
816
397,052

—

—

69,008

53,187

173,003

171,643

1,282
37,672
74,727
14,832

—
—
—
—

128,513

242,011

44,442
24,713
76,009
12,526

382,520
16,252
8,839
875
408,486

Over time

53,187

171,643

—
—
—
—

—

—

44,442
24,713
76,009
12,526

157,690

224,830

Contingent rents recognised as income during the year amount to £426,000 (2017: £525,000).

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 Promotion; 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.

During the year the Property Investment and Development segment made sales to a single external customer amounting to 
36.1% (2017: 29.7%) of the Group’s total revenue. This related to a single high value contract which commenced in 2016 and 
will continue through to 2019. The segment has a number of other contracts in progress and is not reliant on any major customer 
individually. 

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 126 to 135.

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.

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137

Financial Statements

2. Segment information continued

2018

Revenue
External sales
Inter-segment sales
Total revenue
Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of joint ventures and 
associates
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the year
Other information
Capital additions
Depreciation
Impairment
Amortisation
Decrease in fair value of investment 
properties
Provisions
Pension scheme debit

Revenue
External sales
Inter-segment sales
Total revenue
Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of joint ventures and 
associates
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the year
Other information
Capital additions
Depreciation
Impairment
Amortisation
Decrease in fair value of investment 
properties
Provisions
Pension scheme credit

Property
investment
and
development
£’000
221,546
325
221,871
20,114
1,112
(6,149)

830
15,907
(2,047)
13,860

4,661
208
—
—

(92)
—
—

Property
investment
and
development
£’000
250,418
324
250,742
30,419
1,041
(5,950)

708
26,218
(5,512)
20,706

26,188
206
48
—

(3,597)
—
—

Land
promotion
£’000
74,808
—
74,808
27,935
1,679
(1,103)

Construction
£’000
100,698
2,229
102,927
8,932
867
(556)

Group
overheads
£’000
—
647
647
(7,784)
18,206
(2,679)

Eliminations
£’000
—
(3,201)
(3,201)
—
(21,589)
8,789

—
28,511
(5,285)
23,226

—
13
—
—

—
1,524
—

Land
promotion
£’000
76,192
—
76,192
23,169
1,472
(1,567)

—
23,074
(4,409)
18,665

3
17
—
—

—
59
—

—
9,243
(1,836)
7,407

5,273
4,381
204
497

—
1,881
—

2017

—
7,743
939
8,682

676
768
—
—

—
—
84

Construction
£’000
81,876
7,417
89,293
9,613
900
(549)

Group
overheads
£’000
—
646
646
(7,003)
17,953
(2,757)

—
9,964
(1,853)
8,111

8,615
3,984
203
870

—
1,120
—

—
8,193
1,957
10,150

1,055
692
—
—

—
—
(1,249)

—
(12,800)
—
(12,800)

—
—
—
—

—
—
—

Eliminations
£’000
—
(8,387)
(8,387)
—
(21,177)
9,120

—
(12,057)
—
(12,057)

—
—
—
—

—
—
—

Total
£’000
397,052
—
397,052
49,197
275
(1,698)

830
48,604
(8,229)
40,375

10,610
5,370
204
497

(92)
3,405
84

Total
£’000
408,486
—
408,486
56,198
189
(1,703)

708
55,392
(9,817)
45,575

35,861
4,899
251
870

(3,597)
1,179
(1,249)

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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138

Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Segment information continued

Segment assets
Property Investment and Development
Land Promotion
Construction
Group overheads

Unallocated assets
Deferred tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Segment liabilities
Property Investment and Development
Land Promotion
Construction
Group overheads

Unallocated liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations
Total liabilities
Total net assets

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

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 12)
Impairment of goodwill included in administrative expenses (note 11)
Impairment of land and buildings included in administrative expenses (note 12)
Amortisation of PFI asset included in cost of sales (note 11)
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees (note 13)
Loss on sale of assets held for sale
Impairment losses recognised on trade receivables included in cost of sales
Impairment losses recognised on trade receivables included in administrative expenses
Property rentals under operating leases
Decrease in fair value of investment property (note 13)
Cost of inventories recognised as expense
Employee costs
Amounts payable to Mazars LLP by Road Link (A69) Limited in respect of audit services
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

238,809
152,573
34,637
2,772
428,791

3,487
10,856
443,134

31,300
31,974
25,553
2,173
91,000

3,897
24,119
5,096
16,710
140,822
302,312

2018
£’000
5,370
204
—
497
100
36
41
24
481
92
74,226
34,001
8
(6)

233,253
140,379
36,385
3,147
413,164

4,613
10,282
428,059

28,847
28,146
29,750
3,359
90,102

5,794
34,340
4,922
22,825
157,983
270,076

2017
£’000
4,899
203
48
870
48
98
90
13
391
3,597
82,772
30,832
7
(53)

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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139

Financial Statements

3. Operating profit continued
The remuneration paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s external auditors, was as follows:

Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s annual Financial Statements and Consolidated 
Financial Statements
Fees payable to the auditors and their associates for other services:
– audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Total audit fees
Other services
Total non-audit fees
Total fees

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

92

134
226
23
23
249

80

126
206
19
19
225

Non-audit services relate to a review of the Group’s half year results, the provision of the TSR comparator group report and a 
small amount of advisory work on the preparation of the 2018 Remuneration Policy.

4. Employee costs

Group

Parent Company

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

2018
£’000
24,173
659
2,934
3,739
2,198
38
33,741

2017
£’000
22,747
554
2,993
2,440
1,730
166
30,630

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

Property Investment and Development
Land Promotion
Construction
Plant Hire 
Parent Company

5. Finance income

Interest on bank deposits
Interest on other loans and receivables
Unwinding of discounting

2018
£’000
3,204
329
409
1,733
255
19
5,949

2018
Number
101
34
175
151
63
524

2018
£’000
32
56
187
275

2017
£’000
3,796
308
659
503
207
10
5,483

2017
Number
78
34
176
142
56
486

2017
£’000
10
48
131
189

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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140

Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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
Adjustments in respect of earlier years
Total current tax
Deferred tax (note 18):
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Total deferred tax
Total tax

2018
£’000
990
243
423
35
7
1,698

2018
£’000

9,017
(860)
8,157

72
72
8,229

2017
£’000
1,053
138
393
119
—
1,703

2017
£’000

10,090
(372)
9,718

99
99
9,817

Corporation tax is calculated at 19.00% (2017: 19.25%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year. 

As a result of the change in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 17% effective from 1 April 2020, substantively enacted on 6 
September 2016, deferred tax balances at the year end have been measured at 17% (2017: 17%) being the rate at which timing 
differences are expected to reverse. 

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

Profit before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate
Effects of:
Permanent differences
Capital gains
Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised
Adjustment in respect of earlier years
Joint venture results reported net of tax
Effective tax rate

2018
£’000
48,604

2018
%
19.00

0.19
(0.31)
0.14
(1.77)
(0.32)
16.93

2017
£’000
55,392

2017
%
19.25

(2.01)
(0.06)
1.39
(0.60)
(0.25)
17.72

The tax charge in the year is lower than the standard rate predominantly due to a prior year adjustment relating to non-taxable 
capital gains.

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 gain
Total tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

2018
£’000

—
(1,054)
(1,054)

2017
£’000

50
(391)
(341)

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141

Financial Statements

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 and 
approved by the Board on 11 April 2019 is £19,367,000 (2017: £25,425,000) and includes dividends received from subsidiaries 
of £12,300,000 (2017: £11,700,000).

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

Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
Preference dividend

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

2018
£’000
40,375
(2,870)
(21)
37,484

2017
£’000
45,575
(3,207)
(21)
42,347

2018
No
133,119,785
(533,309)
132,586,476
1,118,671
133,705,147

2017
No
132,323,911
(523,597)
131,800,314
1,492,317
133,292,631

The Group has two types of dilutive potential ordinary shares being: those share options granted to employees where the exercise 
price is less than the average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year; and expected future vesting of 
shares under the 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.

10. Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Preference dividend on cumulative preference shares
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 5.20p per share (2016: 4.50p)
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 3.20p per share (2017: 2.80p)

2018
£’000

21
6,895
4,245
11,161

2017
£’000

21
5,917
3,690
9,628

The proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 5.80p per share (2017: 5.20p) makes a total dividend for 
the year of 9.00p (2017: 8.00p). 

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 £7,824,000.

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.

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests during the year amounted to £2,440,000 (2017: £2,384,000).

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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142

Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

11. Intangible assets

Cost
At 31 December 2016
Additions at cost
Acquisition of subsidiary (note 35)
At 31 December 2017
Additions at cost
At 31 December 2018
Accumulated impairment losses and amortisation
At 31 December 2016
Amortisation
Impairment losses for the year
At 31 December 2017
Amortisation
Impairment losses for the year
At 31 December 2018
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2017
At 31 December 2016

Goodwill
£’000

4,070
—
903
4,973
—
4,973

2,509
—
203
2,712
—
204
2,916

2,057
2,261
1,561

PFI
asset
£’000

17,160
622
—
17,782
417
18,199

13,812
870
—
14,682
497
—
15,179

3,020
3,100
3,348

Total
£’000

21,230
622
903
22,755
417
23,172

16,321
870
203
17,394
497
204
18,095

5,077
5,361
4,909

During the previous year the Group acquired the entire share capital of Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited, further information 
on the acquisition can be found in note 35. The assets and liabilities acquired were immediately hived up into the immediate 
parent company Banner Plant Limited, which sits in the Construction segment. The goodwill arising on the acquisition which has 
a current net book value of £903,000 (2017: £ 903,000), represents the excess of consideration over net assets acquired and is 
subject to an impairment test at the reporting date. The cash generating units assessed for impairment are the Leicester depots of 
Banner Plant Limited which were formerly Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited only operational sites. Impairment calculations 
use pre-tax cash flow projections including revenue growth of 3.0% per annum into perpetuity which reflects past experience and 
management’s future expectations. Management estimates discount rates that reflect current market assessments of the time 
value of money and risk specific to the cash generating unit of 3.5%.

The Group’s investment in Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited is 61.2%. The goodwill arising on the acquisition which has a current 
net book value of £1,154,000 (2017: £1,398,000) represents the excess of consideration over net assets acquired and is subject 
to an impairment test at the reporting 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 Highways 
England based on the number and type of vehicles using the road. The concession lasts for a period of 30 years and has a 
further seven years to run, at the end of which the road reverts to Highways England. Whilst the impairment test demonstrates 
significant headroom based on a forecast levels of return being consistent with prior years. An impairment charge of £204,000 
(2017: £203,000) has been recognised during the year. This reflects the fact that the PFI concession will revert to Highways 
England 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 Consolidated 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 Highways England’s financial year end and hence interim Financial Statements 
are prepared for incorporation into these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Financial Statements

12. Property, plant and equipment

Group
Cost or fair value
At 31 December 2016
Additions at cost 
Acquisition of subsidiary (note 35)
Disposals 
Transfers to assets held for sale 
Decrease in fair value in year
At 31 December 2017
Additions at cost 
Disposals 
Transfers to inventory
Decrease in fair value in year
At 31 December 2018
Being:
Cost 
Fair value at 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 31 December 2016
Charge for year
Impairment
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2017
Charge for year
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2018
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2017
At 31 December 2016

Land and
buildings
£’000 

Equipment
held
for hire 
 £’000

Vehicles
 £’000 

Office
equipment
£’000

6,834
1,987
—
—
—
(379)
8,442
153
—
(200)
(153)
8,242

—
8,242
8,242

294
—
48
—
342
—
—
342

7,900
8,100
6,540

32,922
3,444
2,905
(1,645)
—
—
37,626
4,357
(3,015)
—
—
38,968

38,968
—
38,968

21,556
3,549
—
(1,348)
23,757
3,922
(2,791)
24,888

14,080
13,869
11,366

5,050
971
119
(456)
—
—
5,684
1,071
(823)
—
—
5,932

5,932
—
5,932

2,105
831
—
(352)
2,584
865
(630)
2,819

3,113
3,100
2,945

3,283
788
41
(690)
408
—
3,830
240
(145)
—
—
3,925

3,925
—
3,925

2,167
519
—
(272)
2,414
583
(140)
2,857

1,068
1,416
1,116

Total
 £’000

48,089
7,190
3,065
(2,791)
408
(379)
55,582
5,821
(3,983)
(200)
(153)
57,067

48,825
8,242
57,067

26,122
4,899
48
(1,972)
29,097
5,370
(3,561)
30,906

26,161
26,485
21,967

At 31 December 2018, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment 
amounting to £331,000 (2017: £459,000).

Fair value measurements of the Group’s land and buildings
Land and buildings have been revalued at 31 December 2018 by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited and Dove Haigh Phillips LLP in 
accordance with the Practice Statements contained in the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards on the basis of market value 
at £7,900,000 (2017: £8,100,000). Jones Lang LaSalle Limited and Dove Haigh Phillips LLP are professional valuers who hold 
recognised and professional qualifications and have recent experience in the location and category of the land and buildings being 
valued. 

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 yield method of valuation involves applying market-
derived capitalisation yields, and the actual or market-derived future income streams where appropriate, with adjustments for 
letting voids or rent-free periods as applicable to each item of land and buildings.

On the historical cost basis, the land and buildings would have been included at a carrying amount of £4,653,000 (2017: 
£4,550,000). 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

12. Property, plant and equipment continued
The following table provides an analysis of the fair values of land and buildings by the degree to which the fair value is observable:

Freehold land
Buildings
Total fair value 

Level 1
£’000
—
—
—

Level 2
£’000
—
—
—

Level 3
£’000
60
7,840
7,900

2018
£’000
60
7,840
7,900

2017
£’000
60
8,040
8,100

Decrease
 in year
—
(200)
(200)

The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers into and out of fair value hierarchy levels as of the date of the event or change in 
circumstances that causes the transfer. The Directors determine the applicable hierarchy that land and buildings fall into by 
assessing the level of comparable evidence in the market which that asset falls into and the inherent level of activity. As at the 
reporting date and throughout the year, all land and buildings were determined to fall into Level 3 and so there were no transfers 
between hierarchies.

Explanation of the fair value hierarchy:

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;

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

Level 3 –  fair value measurements are those derived from use of a model with inputs that are not based on observable  

market data.

Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

Class
Valuation technique
Rental value per sq ft (£) 

Yield % 

– weighted average
– low
– high
– weighted average
– low
– high

Buildings
Yield 
6.36 
2.34 
16.25 
8.19
6.75
12.79

The sensitivity analysis to significant changes in unobservable inputs relating to fair value measurements (Level 3) are set out 
below:

Yield – improvement by 0.5%
Rental value per sq ft – increase by £1 average

Impact on 
valuation 
£’000
Buildings
476 
1,199

The sensitivities have been selected by management on the basis that they consider these measures to be a reasonable 
expectation of likely changes to the significant unobservable inputs in the next 12 months.

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Financial Statements

Office
equipment
£’000

804
426
(215)
1,015
122
(107)
1,030

507
162
(213)
456
217
(102)
571

459
559
297

12. Property, plant and equipment continued

Parent Company
Cost
At 31 December 2016
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2017
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2018
Depreciation
At 31 December 2016
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 December 2017
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 December 2018
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2017
At 31 December 2016

13. Investment properties
Fair value measurements recognised in the Statement of Financial Position
The following table provides an analysis of the fair values of investment properties recognised in the Statement of Financial 
Position by the degree to which the fair value is observable:

Level 1
£’000

Level 2
£’000

Level 3
£’000

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Increase/
(decrease)
in year

Completed investment property
Industrial
Leisure
Mixed-use
Residential
Office
Retail

Investment property under construction
Industrial
Land
Retail

Total fair value 

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

26,402
10,777
53,417
3,285
13,200
10,479
117,560

271
714
2,430
3,415
120,975

26,402
10,777
53,417
3,285
13,200
10,479
117,560

271
714
2,430
3,415
120,975

23,075
11,460
52,355
3,600
12,900
23,214
126,604

299
1,214
4,660
6,173
132,777

3,325
(683)
1,063
(314)
300
(12,735)
(9,044)

(28)
(500)
(2,230)
(2,758)
(11,802)

The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers into and out of fair value hierarchy levels as of the date of the event or change in 
circumstances that causes the transfer. The Directors determine the applicable hierarchy that a property falls into by assessing the 
level of comparable evidence in the market which that asset falls into and the inherent level of activity. As at the reporting date and 
throughout the year, all property was determined to fall into Level 3 and so there were no transfers between hierarchies.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

13. Investment properties continued
Explanation of the fair value hierarchy:

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;

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

Level 3 –  fair value measurements are those derived from use of a model with inputs that are not based on observable  

market data.

Investment properties have been split into different classes to show the composition of the investment property portfolio of the 
Group as at the reporting date. Management has determined that aggregation of the results would be most appropriate based on 
the type of use that each property falls into, which is described below:

Class
Industrial
Leisure

Mixed-use

Residential
Retail
Land
Office

Includes manufacturing and warehousing, which are usually similar in dimensions and construction method.
Includes restaurants and gymnasiums or properties in which the main activity is the provision of entertainment 
and leisure facilities to the public.
Includes schemes where there are different types of uses contained within one physical asset, the most usual 
combination being office and leisure.
Includes dwellings under assured tenancies.
Includes any property involved in the sale of goods.
Includes land held for future capital appreciation as an investment.
Includes buildings occupied for business activities not involving storage or processing of physical goods.

Investment properties under construction are categorised based on the future anticipated highest and best use of the property.

Completed investment property

Class
Fair value hierarchy
Fair value
At 1 January
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 investment property 
under construction
Increase/(decrease) in fair value in year
At 31 December
Adjustment in respect of tenant 
incentives
Market value at 31 December

Industrial
Level 3
£’000

Leisure
Level 3 
£’000

Mixed-use
Level 3
£’000

Residential
Level 3
£’000

Office
Level 3
£’000

Retail
Level 3
£’000

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

23,075

11,460

52,355

3,600

12,900

23,214 126,604 100,908

1,798
—
(1)
—
—
—

15
—
(4)
—
—
—

1,924
359
(42)
(170)
—
—

—
—
—
(262)
—
—

66
404
—
28
(53)
—
— (13,163)
—
—
—
—

4,207
387
(100)
(13,595)

21,010
51
(48)
(2,010)
— (2,000)
(78)
—

—
1,530
26,402

—
(694)
10,777

—
(1,009)
53,417

—
(53)
3,285

—
234
13,200

—
49

9,334
(563)
10,479 117,560 126,604

—
57

—
26,402

248
11,025

1,083
54,500

—
3,285

—
13,200

171

1,867
1,502
10,650 119,062 128,471

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

13. Investment properties continued
There is no actively traded market for the Group’s commercial property and as such the adopted valuation is completed using the 
professional judgement of the Group’s professional valuers, who use the yield method to determine fair value. The calculation of 
the capital value of a property under this method uses a yield to multiple against the rental income stream with due allowance for 
a fixed assumed purchaser’s cost. The primary variables of the yield method are thus: the yield, which is based on historic yields 
for properties that are similar but to which there may be adjustment to take into account factors such as geographical location 
and lease terms; and the contracted rent, which is based on contracted rents that exist at the balance sheet date, but may also 
include a provision for rents that may be achieved in the future after accounting for a period of vacancy, such rents being based 
on rental income terms that exist in similar properties, adjusted for geographic location and lease terms.

With the exception of the residential class, completed investment property has been revalued at 31 December 2018 by Jones 
Lang LaSalle Limited or Dove Haigh Phillips LLP in accordance with the Practice Statements contained in the RICS Appraisal and 
Valuation Standards on the basis of market value at £115,777,000 (2017: £124,870,000). Jones Lang LaSalle Limited and Dove 
Haigh Phillips LLP are professional valuers who hold recognised and professional qualifications and have recent experience in the 
location and category of the investment property being valued. 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 yield method of valuation involves applying market-derived capitalisation yields, and the actual or market-derived future 
income streams where appropriate, with adjustments for letting voids or rent-free periods as applicable to each property. For all 
investment properties, their current use equates to the highest and best use.

Residential properties are valued using recent comparable sales transactions with a significant unobservable input being the 
discount used, to reflect the lower value achieved where properties are held under an assured tenancy, that typically earn a low 
market level of rent. The discount applied recognises that the value is higher where the house is offered with the benefit of vacant 
possession at the end of the assured tenancy.

The fair value of the residential class at 31 December 2018 has been determined by the Directors of the Company at £3,285,000 
(2017: £3,600,000). The fair value takes into account market evidence based on recent comparable sale transactions adjusted to 
take into account the tenanted nature of the properties.

Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

2018

Class

Industrial

Valuation technique
Rental value per sq ft (£) – weighted average

Yield % 

– low
– high
– weighted average
– low
– high

Yield
3.96
3.49
4.53
5.52
5.44
7.36

Leisure Mixed-use Residential
Sales 
comparison
—
—
—
—
—
—

Yield
14.11
2.70
63.39
8.16
5.25
12.00

Yield
12.49
1.67
40.86
4.71
5.24
7.86

% discount applied to houses held under 
assured tenancies

—

—

—

25.00

Class

Industrial

Leisure

Mixed-use

Valuation technique
Rental value per sq ft (£) – weighted average

Yield % 

– low
– high
– weighted average
– low
– high

% discount applied to houses held under 
assured tenancies

Yield
3.96
3.39
4.53
5.75
5.11
6.88

—

Yield
16.01
1.67
40.86
5.67
4.69
7.86

—

2017

Residential
Sales 
comparison
—
—
—
—
—
—

Yield
12.74
2.70
63.39
7.55
5.50
18.87

—

25.00

Office

Retail

Yield
23.28
19.46
24.97
7.48
6.65
6.79

—

Yield
15.71
11.00
21.41
5.48
4.67
7.60

—

Office

Retail

Yield
23.28
19.46
24.97
7.66
7.62
7.75

—

Yield
19.29
9.09
104.35
4.36
4.53
7.65

—

There is considered to be no inter-relationship between observable and unobserable inputs.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

13. Investment properties continued
The sensitivity analysis to significant changes in unobservable inputs relating to fair value measurements (Level 3) is set out below:

Yield – improvement by 0.5% 
Rental value per sq ft – increase by £1 average
Tenancy discount – increase by 1%

Yield – improvement by 0.5% 
Rental value per sq ft – increase by £1 average
Tenancy discount – increase by 1%

Impact on valuation 2018 £’000

Industrial
2,266
6,561
—

Leisure Mixed-use Residential 
—
3,257
—
4,064
69
—

1,048
839
—

Impact on valuation 2017 £’000

Industrial
2,079
6,326
—

Leisure Mixed-use
3,720
3,474
—

1,027
680
—

Residential 
—
—
46

Office
835
577
—

Office
796
559
—

Retail
1,070
772
—

Retail
2,462
1,043
—

The sensitivities have been selected by management on the basis that it considers these measures to be a reasonable 
expectation of likely changes to the significant unobservable inputs in the next 12 months.

The property rental income earned by the Group from its occupied investment property, all of which is leased out under operating 
leases, amounted to £8,854,000 (2017: £8,839,000). Direct operating expenses arising on investment property generating rental 
income in the year amounted to £331,000 (2017: £459,000). Direct operating expenses arising on the investment property which 
did not generate rental income during the year amounted to £1,160,000 (2017: £2,110,000). 

At 31 December 2018, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition and repair of investment property 
amounting to £nil (2017: £1,141,000).

Investment property under construction

Class
Fair value hierarchy
Fair value
At 1 January
Subsequent expenditure on investment property
Capitalised letting fees 
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for sale
Transfers to completed investment property
Decrease in fair value in year
At 31 December
Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives
Market value at 31 December

Industrial
 Level 3
£’000

Land
Level 3
£’000

299
151
—
(179)
—
—
—
271
—
271

1,214
—
—
(500)
—
—
—
714
—
714

Retail
Level 3
£’000

4,660
14
147
(2,242)
—
—
(149)
2,430
—
2,430

2018
£’000

6,173
165
147
(2,921)
—
—
(149)
3,415
—
3,415

2017
£’000

22,755
3,020
—
(642)
(6,592)
(9,334)
(3,034)
6,173
—
6,173

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Financial Statements

13. Investment properties continued
Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

Class

Valuation technique
Land value per acre (£’000)

Class

Valuation technique
Rental value per sq ft (£) 

Yield % 

Costs to complete  
per sq ft (£)

Land value per acre (£’000)

– weighted average
– low
– high

– weighted average
– low
– high
– weighted average
– low
– high

– weighted average
– low
– high
– weighted average
– low
– high

Industrial

Residual
100
100
100

Industrial

Residual
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
111
111
111

2018

Land
Sales
comparison
103
103
103

2017

Land
Sales
comparison
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
201
102
1,276

Retail

Residual
448
200
994

Retail

Residual
1.69
1.69
1.69
6.01
6.01
6.01

2.20
2.20
2.20
—
—
—

The sensitivity analysis to significant changes in unobservable inputs relating to fair value measurements (Level 3) are set out 
below:

Land value per acre – increase by 5% 

Yield – improvement by 0.5% 
Rental value per sq ft – increase by £1 average
Costs to complete – increase by 1%
Land value per acre – increase by 5% 

Impact on valuation 2018 £’000

Industrial
—

Land
163

Retail
—

Impact on valuation 2017 £’000

Industrial
—
—
—
—

Land
—
—
15
204

Retail
(135)
2,011
16
—

Investment properties under construction are developments which have been valued at 31 December 2018 at fair value by 
the Directors of the Company using the residual method at £3,415,000 (2017: £6,173,000). The residual method of valuation 
involves estimating the gross development value of the property using market-derived capitalisation yields and market-derived 
future income streams. From this gross development value the remaining gross development costs to be incurred are deducted, 
using market-derived data cost estimates or the actual known costs and including cost contingencies for construction risk as 
appropriate. In addition, a deduction for the anticipated development profits yet to be earned is made, taking into account the 
progress of the development to date in line with key milestones.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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150

Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

14. Investments

Parent Company – shares in Group undertakings
Cost
At 1 January 2017, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018
Fair value adjustments
At 1 January 2017
Reversal of provisions for losses
At 31 December 2017
Reversal of provisions for losses
At 31 December 2018
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2018
At 1 January 2018
At 1 January 2017

Total
£’000

35,772

(27,284)
15,244
(12,040)
10,354
(1,686)

34,086
23,732
8,488

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 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.

The improved net assets position of Henry Boot Developments in the current year gives rise to the reversal of provisions for losses 
previously recognised. The impairment reversals are included in the parent company’s profit and loss. 

Amounts due from and to subsidiary companies are listed in notes 17 and 22 and details of all subsidiary companies are listed in 
note 36. All trading subsidiaries operate in the United Kingdom and are wholly owned, with the exception of:

 — Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited which is 61.2% owned by Henry Boot Construction Limited;

 — Capitol Park Property Services Limited which is 5% owned by, and under board control of, Henry Boot Developments Limited; 

 — Stonebridge Homes Limited which is 50% owned by, and under board control of (by virtue of majority voting rights), Henry 

Boot Land Holdings Limited; and

 — Stonebridge Offices Limited which is indirectly 50% owned by, and under board control of (by virtue of majority voting rights), 

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.

15. Investment in joint ventures and associates

Group
Cost
At 1 January 
Share of profit for the year 
At 31 December

2018

Joint 
ventures
£’000

Associates
£’000

4,313
806
5,119

1,543
24
1,567

Joint
 ventures
£’000

3,627
686
4,313

2017

Associates
£’000

1,521
22
1,543

Total
£’000

5,856
830
6,686

The Group’s share of its joint ventures’ and associates’ aggregated assets, liabilities and results are as follows:

Investment property
Current assets
Non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net investment

Joint 
ventures
£’000
7,118
5,898
—
13,016
(7,897)
—
5,119

2018

Associates
£’000
—
1,580
50
1,630
(63)
—
1,567

Joint
 ventures
£’000
6,536
1,515
—
8,051
(438)
(3,300)
4,313

2017

Associates
£’000
—
1,550
52
1,602
(59)
—
1,543

Total
£’000
7,118
7,478
50
14,646
(7,960)
—
6,686

Total
£’000

5,148
708
5,856

Total
£’000
6,536
3,065
52
9,653
(497)
(3,300)
5,856

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Financial Statements

15. Investment in joint ventures and associates continued

Revenue
Administration and other expenses
Increase in fair value of investment properties
Operating profit
Finance costs
Profit before tax
Tax
Share of profits after tax

Joint 
ventures
£’000
17,573
(17,011)
428
990
(164)
826
(20)
806

2018

Associates
£’000
28
—
—
28
(4)
24
—
24

Total
£’000
17,601
(17,011)
428
1,018
(168)
850
(20)
830

Joint
 ventures
£’000
5,911
(5,599)
489
801
(119)
682
4
686

2017

Associates
£’000
25
(3)
—
22
—
22
—
22

Details of the Group’s investments in joint ventures and associates are listed in note 36.

16. Contract assets

Construction contracts – Construction segment
Construction contracts – Property Investment and Development segment

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

2018
£’000
1,344
41,428
42,772
42,772
—
42,772

Total
£’000
5,936
(5,602)
489
823
(119)
704
4
708

2017
£’000
659
30,273
30,932
30,932
—
30,932

Amounts relating to construction contracts are balances due from customers under construction contracts that arise when the 
Group receives payments from customers in line with a series of performance related milestones. The Group will previously have 
recognised a contract asset for any work performed but not yet invoiced. Any amount previously recognised as a contract asset is 
reclassified to trade receivables at the point at which it is invoiced to the customer. 

Contract assets have increased as the Group has provided more services ahead of the agreed billing schedule.

There were no impairment losses recognised on any contract asset in the reporting period (2017: £nil). 

As a policy choice the Group does not recognise any assets arising from the costs incurred to obtain a contract.

Trade receivables
Prepayments
Amounts owed by related companies
Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

Group

2018

£’000

63,024
5,575
3,541
—
72,140
60,225
11,915
72,140

2017 
(Restated)
£’000

59,125
5,160
865
—
65,150
62,244
2,906
65,150

Parent Company

2018

2017

£’000

326
497
—
169,763
170,586
170,586
—
170,586

£’000

228
698
—
181,381
182,307
182,307
—
182,307

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

17. Trade and other receivables continued
Group
Ageing of past due but not impaired trade receivables

30–60 days
60–90 days
90–120 days
120+ days

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

Ageing of impaired trade receivables

0–30 days
30–60 days
60–90 days
90–120 days
120+ days

2018
£’000
4,775
489
264
812
6,340

2018
£’000
491
65
(74)
(58)
424

2018
£’000
64
1
1
6
352
424

2017
£’000
4,670
518
163
347
5,698

2017
£’000
648
103
(217)
(43)
491

2017
£’000
24
6
7
22
432
491

`

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 repayable on demand, unsecured and are stated net of provisions for impairment of 
£1,924,000 (2017: £2,313,000), of which £15,000 (2017: £3,000) has been provided in the year and £404,000 (2017: £80,000) 
has been recovered in the year. Expected credit losses are based on the assumption that repayment of the loan is demanded at 
the reporting date. Where there are insufficient liquid assets the Parent Company considers the expected manner of recovery to 
measure expected credit losses. This might be a ‘repay over time’ strategy, or a fire sale of less liquid assets. Interest is charged 
annually at 3.5% (2017: 3.5%).

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 
forward looking assessments of the economic environment in accordance with IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’.

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.

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Financial Statements

18. 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:

Group
At 31 December 2016
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Acquisition of subsidiary (note 35)
At 31 December 2017
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
At 31 December 2018
Parent Company
At 31 December 2016
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
At 31 December 2017
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
At 31 December 2018

Accelerated
capital
allowances
£’000
622
66
—
(196)
492
(27)
—
465

Property
revaluations
£’000
—
(50)
50
—
—
—
—
—

Retirement
benefit
obligations
£’000
4,487
(217)
(391)
—
3,879
14
(1,054)
2,839

Other
timing
differences
£’000
140
102
—
—
242
(59)
—
183

28
1
—
29
12
—
41

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

4,487
(217)
(391)
3,879
14
(1,054)
2,839

179
105
—
284
(49)
—
235

Total
£’000
5,249
(99)
(341)
(196)
4,613
(72)
(1,054)
3,487

4,694
(111)
(391)
4,192
(23)
(1,054)
3,115

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 £3,452,000 (2017: £3,208,000). 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.

As a result of the change in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 17% effective from 1 April 2020, substantively enacted on 6 
September 2016, deferred tax balances at the year end have been measured at 17% (2017: 17%) being the rate at which timing 
differences are expected to reverse. 

19. Inventories

Property developments in progress
House builder land and work in progress
Land held for development or sale
Options to purchase land
Planning promotion agreements

2018
£’000
24,602
22,510
58,827
16,458
32,583
154,980

2017
£’000
20,281
22,640
57,815
12,488
31,379
144,603

Within property developments in progress £207,000 (2017: £619,000) 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 held for development or sale, options 
to purchase land and planning promotion agreements £2,265,000 (2017: £1,350,000) has been written down and recognised as 
an expense in the year. These costs relate to land, options and planning promotion agreements where planning permission for 
development has been refused or is deemed to be doubtful.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

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 
individually being actively marketed for sale with expected completion dates within one year. 

Assets classified as held for sale comprise the following:

Fair value
At 1 January
Transfer from investment property (note 13)
Disposals
At 31 December
Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives
Market value at 31 December

Investment property

2018
£’000

2,000
—
(2,000)
—
—
—

2017
£’000

1,050
2,000
(1,050)
2,000
—
2,000

Assets classified as held for sale have been valued at 31 December 2018 at fair value by the Directors of the Company at £nil 
(2017: £2,000,000). 

21. Contract liabilities 

Construction contracts – Construction segment
Construction contracts – Property Investment and Development segment

Due within one year

Revenue recognised that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period
Construction contracts – Construction segment
Construction contracts – Property Investment and Development segment
Revenue recognised from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods
Construction contracts – Construction segment
Construction contracts – Property Investment and Development segment

There were no significant changes in the contract liability balances during the reporting period. 

22. Trade and other payables

2018
£’000

2,673
121
2,794
2,794

2018
£’000

3,225
—

—
—

2017
£’000

3,225
—
3,225
3,225

2017
£’000

4,656
—

—
—

Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Amounts owed to related parties
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

Group

2018

£’000
67,219
7,118
1,076
4,487
367
—
80,267
77,475
2,792
80,267

2017 
Restated
£’000
68,633
3,075
1,713
5,308
159
—
78,888
76,204
2,684
78,888

Parent Company

2018

2017

£’000
1,351
358
422
—
—
72,332
74,463
74,463
—
74,463

£’000
1,998
526
796
—
—
68,847
72,167
72,167
—
72,167

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

Parent Company
Amounts owed to Group undertakings are repayable on demand, unsecured and bear interest at 2.0% (2017: 2.0%).

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Financial Statements

23. Government grants
Government grants have been received in relation to the infrastructure of one of the Group’s land promotions and one of the 
Group’s property developments. 

Grant income received relating to revenue grants are included within deferred income and released to the Consolidated 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 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income during the year were £840,000 (2017: £nil).

Grant income relating to capital grants is included within deferred income until the completion conditions are met; at this point the 
grant is transferred to offset the cost of the asset.

24. Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are:

 — 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

 — 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 2018 this was £18.4m (2017: £29.0m). Equity comprises all components of equity and at 31 December 2018 this 
was £302.3m (2017: £270.1m).

During 2018 the Group’s strategy, was to maintain the debt to equity ratio below 30% (2017: 50%). This level was chosen to 
ensure that we can access debt relatively easily and inexpensively if required.

In February 2015, the Group concluded negotiations with its three banking partners to put in place a £60m facility to replace the 
£50m facility in place at 31 December 2014. The renewed facilities commenced on 17 February 2015, with a renewal date of 17 
February 2018 and an option to extend the facility by one year, each year, for the next two years occurring on the anniversary of 
the facility. On 17 February 2017 the option was exercised to extend the facilities by a further year to 17 February 2020 and on 
22 August 2017 an amendment was agreed to increase the facility to £72m. The renewed facilities, on improved terms, maintain 
covenants on the same basis as the previous facilities.

The Group’s secured bank facilities are subject to covenants over loan-to-market value of investment properties, interest cover, 
gearings and minimum consolidated tangible assets value. The Group has other bank debt on which there are also covenant 
requirements. The Group operated comfortably within all of its requirements throughout the year and continues to do so over 
forecast periods.

As part of our normal facility renewal process, conversations have been undertaken with several banks regarding the renewal 
in February 2020 and initial feedback suggests that there is a good level of interest from the banks in tendering for the facilities 
during 2019 either as a sole provider or under a syndicated arrangement. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

25. Borrowings

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans 
Finance leases
Government loans

Due within one year
Due after one year

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

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 Stonebridge Offices Limited)
Bank loans – floating rate (relating to Stonebridge Homes Limited)
Finance leases
Government loans

Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand.

Group

Parent Company

2018
£’000
—
22,422
3,220
3,573
29,215
24,119
5,096
29,215

24,486
2,688
2,574

29,748
24,486
5,262
29,748

2017
£’000
—
30,599
2,544
6,119
39,262
34,340
5,602
39,262

34,786
3,055
2,198

40,039
34,786
5,253
40,039

2018
£’000
1,022
15,000
—
—
16,022
16,022
—
16,022

16,022
—
—

16,022
16,022
—
16,022

2018
%
2.34
2.28
3.26
2.57
2.53
0.79

2017
£’000
123
25,000
—
—
25,123
25,123
—
25,123

25,123
—
—

25,123
25,123
—
25,123

2017
%
2.10
1.94
2.83
2.29
3.00
1.48

Borrowings are recognised at fair value, where the fair values are based on cash flows discounted using variable market rates.

Liquidity risk
The Company’s objectives when managing liquidity are:

 — to safeguard the Group’s ability to meet expected and unexpected payment obligations at all times; and

 — to maximise the Group’s profitability.

Interest on floating rate borrowings is arranged for periods from one 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 Offices Limited and 
Stonebridge Homes Limited. 

The Stonebridge Offices 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. The loan was renewed on 11 December 2018 at a value of £2,512,000 and is 
repayable in quarterly instalments of £37,500 that commenced on 11 December 2018, with full and final settlement becoming 
due on 10 December 2021. 

The Stonebridge Homes Limited revolving loan facility is secured by a specific charge over the freehold property of that company 
and is guaranteed by Henry Boot PLC. The loan can be drawn against on a monthly basis and was first drawn against on 22 
April 2016. The loan is repayable from the proceeds of residential house sales with full and final settlement becoming due on 24 
January 2022. On 25 January 2019 the Stonebridge Homes facility was increased to £10,000,000 with full and final settlement 
becoming due on 24 January 2022.

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Financial Statements

25. Borrowings continued
Government loans from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWE) and Sedgemoor District Council (SDC) 
were issued at a borrowing rate of nil%; their fair values are £208,000 (2017: £1,755,000) and £nil (2017: £319,000) respectively. 

Government loans from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) were issued with a fixed level of interest of £304,000 (2017: 
£353,000); their fair values are £2,956,000 (2017: £3,285,000) (Education Campus) and £408,000 (2017: £760,000) (Phase II 
Road Infrastructure).

As a result, the Company has no exposure to interest rate changes in relation to these borrowings. The Company’s exposure to 
indexation risk may result in an increase in the value of repayments, causing the loans to be settled at an earlier date.

The Government loans were received to fund specific residential construction expenditure. 

Repayment of the SWE loan commenced during 2013, being three years after the quarter date of the construction completion of 
the first residential unit. Repayments of £1,582,000 (2017: £300,000) were made during the year. The repayments are calculated 
at £8,000 per residential unit, are linked to the Land Registry House Price Index and are subject to certain minimum repayment 
amounts.

Repayment of the SDC loan is to be made in full upon the occupation of the 550th dwelling.

Repayment of the Education Campus HCA loan commenced during the year upon the occupation of the first dwelling and follows 
for each occupation thereafter until the total contribution sum is repaid in full. Repayments of £329,000 (2017: £474,000) were 
made during the year. The repayments are calculated at £8,587 per residential unit, based on 1,750 units, and are increased in 
relation to the Land Registry House Price Index (Devon). The base figure of £8,587 is reviewed following the occupation of the first 
300 dwellings and every 300 dwellings thereafter in addition to every second anniversary of the loan agreement date and any date 
after 2022 following notice served from the HCA. If the HCA is not satisfied that the base rate will guarantee repayment of the total 
contribution sum before the completion of the last residential unit, it has the right to increase the base figure accordingly. If the 
number of residential units with detailed planning permission or reserved matters increases, the base figure is revised to reflect the 
increased number of plots. 

Repayment of the Phase II Road Infrastructure HCA loan commenced during 2015 upon the occupation of the 1,151st dwelling. 
Repayments of £351,000 (2017: £363,000) were made during the year. The repayments are calculated at £3,675 per residential 
unit, based on 1,750 units, and are increased in relation to the Land Registry House Price Index (Devon). If the relevant number 
of dwellings is not met by 31 December of each year until 2019, advance payments will be required. If the number of residential 
units with detailed planning permission or reserved matters increases, the base figure is revised to reflect the increased number of 
plots. 

Other borrowings are arranged at floating rates, thus exposing the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.

Based on approximate average borrowings during 2018, a 0.5% (2017: 1.0%) change in interest rates, which the Directors 
consider to be a reasonably possible change, would affect profitability before tax by £105,000 (2017: £347,000).

The fair value of the Group’s borrowings is not considered to be materially different from the carrying amounts.

At 31 December 2018, the Group had available £57,000,000 (2017: £47,000,000) undrawn committed borrowing facilities.

Finance lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

Gross finance lease liabilities – minimum lease payments:
No later than one year
Later than one year and no later than five years

Future finance charges on finance lease liabilities
Present value of finance lease liabilities

2018
£’000

1,712
1,611
3,323
(103)
3,220

2017
£’000

1,140
1,520
2,660
(116)
2,544

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

25. Borrowings continued
The present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows:

No later than one year
Later than one year and no later than five years

The carrying amount of the Group’s lease obligations approximates to their fair value.

26. Provisions

At 31 December 2017
Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

Additional provisions in year
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation of provisions
At 31 December 2018
Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

2018
£’000
1,639
1,581
3,220

Land
promotion
£’000

Road
maintenance
£’000

3,891
2,387
6,278
1,524
7
(1,747)
6,062
3,847
2,215
6,062

1,711
—
1,711
1,880
—
(1,714)
1,877
1,877
—
1,877

2017
£’000
1,066
1,478
2,544

Total
£’000

5,602
2,387
7,989
3,404
7
(3,461)
7,939
5,724
2,215
7,939

The land promotion provision represents management’s best estimate of the Group’s liability to provide infrastructure and service 
obligations, which remain with the Group following the disposal of land. The provision is calculated using the present value of the 
estimated cash flows required to settle the present obligations, pro rata on an acreage allocation basis where disposals occur 
over a number of phases, such that provisions are only made in relation to the land which has been disposed of. Based on a 
1.0% change in the discount rate and a 5.0% change in the estimated cash outflows, both of which the Directors consider to 
be a reasonably possible change, land promotion provisions would change and affect profitability before tax by £77,000 and 
£298,000 respectively (2017: £88,000 and £304,000).

The Group maintains rigorous forecasting and budgeting for the infrastructure and services contracts to which our provisions 
relate. The Group’s outstanding obligations are not considered to be ‘onerous’ contracts, as the costs of meeting the obligations 
are not anticipated to exceed the economic benefits expected to be received throughout the life of the developments.

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. Based on a 5.0% change in the estimated cash outflows, which the 
Directors consider to be a reasonably possible change, the road maintenance provision would change and affect profitability 
before tax by £194,000 (2017: £157,000).

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

26. Provisions continued
Off balance sheet arrangements
The Group is currently undertaking the infrastructure of land promotions at Bridgwater and Cranbrook, spanning 122 and 53 
acres respectively (2017: 122 and 53). The Group is liable for various planning and infrastructure obligations required to be met 
under section agreements imposed by the local Councils. The Group shares its planning and infrastructure obligations relating to 
the Cranbrook site with two other parties, the Group’s share being 30%. These shared obligations are secured by performance 
bonds and legal charges. The Group deems the possibility of default by the other parties as highly remote. The infrastructure 
of these developments is anticipated to continue until 2020 and 2025 respectively, with costs being incurred throughout these 
periods.

The Group has historically disposed of 108 and 34 acres respectively (2017: 105 and 24), and has subsequently recognised 
provisions to the value of £6,062,000 (2017: £6,278,000), being the Group’s best estimate of the consideration required to settle 
the present obligations at the reporting date. Subsequent disposals are expected to occur over a number of phases; provisions 
are made in relation to the land which has been disposed of. The present value of the estimated cash flows relating to future 
disposals, amounting to £2,254,000 (2017: £4,435,000), has therefore not been recognised in these Financial Statements. 

27. Retirement benefit obligations
Defined contribution pension plan
The Group operates a defined contribution pension plan for all qualifying employees. The plan is administered and managed by 
Aviva and the Group matches member contributions, providing a minimum of 3% (2017: 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 £2,198,000 (2017: £1,730,000) represents contributions payable to the plan by the Group. 

Defined benefit pension scheme
The Group sponsors a funded defined benefit pension scheme in the UK. The scheme is administered within a trust which is 
legally separate from the Group. Trustees are appointed by both the Group and the scheme’s membership and act in the interest 
of the scheme and all relevant stakeholders, including the members and the Group employers. The Trustees are also responsible 
for the investment policy for the scheme’s assets.

Existing scheme members continue to accrue benefits, but the scheme is closed to new entrants. Members accrue an annual 
pension of either 1/45th or 1/60th of final pensionable salary for each year of pensionable service. Increases in pensionable salary 
are limited to 1% per annum. Once in payment, pensions increase in line with inflation. The scheme also provides a two-thirds 
spouse’s pension on the death of a member.

Active members of the scheme pay contributions at the rate of either 5% or 7% of pensionable salary and the Group employers 
pay the balance of the cost as determined by regular actuarial valuations. The Trustees are required to use prudent assumptions 
to value the liabilities and costs of the scheme, whereas the accounting assumptions must be best estimates.

The Group has not recognised any obligation under a minimum funding requirement as it is entitled to a refund of any residual 
assets once all members have left the scheme.

The scheme poses a number of risks to the Group. These include:

Investment risk
The present value of obligations is calculated using a discount rate determined by reference to high quality corporate bond yields. 
If the return on the scheme’s assets is below this rate the scheme deficit will increase.

Interest rate risk
A decrease in the yield on high-quality corporate bonds will reduce the discount rate and thus increase the value placed on the 
scheme’s liabilities. However, this would be partially offset by an increase in the value of the scheme’s bond investments.

Inflation risk
The present value of the liabilities is calculated by reference to a best estimate of future inflation. If inflation turns out to be higher 
than this estimate then the deficit will increase.

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

27. Retirement benefit obligations continued
Longevity risk
The present value of the liabilities is calculated using a best estimate of the life expectancy of scheme members. An increase in life 
expectancies will increase the scheme’s liabilities.

A formal actuarial valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2015. The results of that valuation have been projected to 
31 December 2018 by a qualified independent actuary and the next formal actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2018 is 
currently in progress. The figures in the following disclosure were measured using the projected unit method.  The main financial 
assumptions used in the valuation of the liabilities of the scheme under IAS 19 are:

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

Mortality assumptions
Retiring today (aged 65)
Male
Female
Retiring in 20 years (currently aged 45)
Male
Female

2018
%
3.00
2.00
1.00
2.00
2.00
2.80

2018
Years

22.0
24.0

23.0
25.2

2017
%
3.00
2.00
1.00
2.00
2.00
2.50

2017
Years

22.1
24.1

23.2
25.3

The mortality assumptions adopted are the Self Administered Pension Schemes (SAPS) tables with allowance for future 
improvements in line with Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) 2017 with an annual improvement of 1% per annum.

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

Impact on scheme liabilities

Rate of inflation
Rate of general increases in salaries
Liabilities discount rate
Rate of mortality

Increase in 
assumption

Change in 
assumption
0.25%
Nil*
0.25%
0.25% Decrease by 3.9%
1 year

Decrease in 
assumption
Increase by 3.4% Decrease by 3.2%
Nil*
Increase by 4.1%
Increase by 3.9% Decrease by 3.7%

*  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 of 1% 

per annum.

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Financial Statements

27. Retirement benefit obligations continued
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in respect of the scheme are as follows:

Service cost:
Current service cost
Ongoing scheme expenses
Past service cost
Net interest expense
Pension Protection Fund
Pension expenses recognised in profit or loss
Remeasurement on the net defined benefit liability:
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense)
Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Actuarial (gains)/losses arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gains recognised in other comprehensive income
Total

2018
£’000

1,031
483
1,500
565
160
3,739

4,451
(1,093)
(9,557)
(6,199)
(2,460)

2017
£’000

1,065
507
—
712
156
2,440

(9,831)
(1,733)
9,258
(2,306)
134

Past service costs of £1.5m are in respect of GMP equalisation and are an estimate by the Directors following detailed 
consultation with the scheme actuary. The entire charge is recognised in profit or loss.

The amount included in the Statement of Financial Position arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of the scheme is as 
follows:

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 (gain)/losses
Past service cost
Benefits paid
At 31 December 

2018
£’000
186,785
(170,075)
16,710

2017
£’000
197,365
(174,540)
22,825

2018
£’000
16,710

2017
£’000
22,825

2018
£’000
197,365
1,031
4,875
—
(10,650)
1,500
(7,336)
186,785

2017
£’000
190,974
1,065
5,259
1
7,525
—
(7,459)
197,365

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

27. Retirement benefit obligations continued
Movements in the fair value of scheme assets in the year were as follows:

At 1 January
Interest income
Actuarial (losses)/gains on scheme assets
Employer contributions
Contributions from scheme members
Benefits paid
Ongoing scheme expenses
At 31 December 

The categories of plan assets are as follows:

Quoted investments, including pooled diversified growth funds: 
  Equity
  Synthetic equity
  Diversified growth funds
  Diversified credit funds
  Cash and net current assets
Unquoted investments:
  Direct lending
  Collateralised loan obligations
  Special situations
At 31 December 

2018
£’000
174,540
4,310
(4,451)
3,495
—
(7,336)
(483)
170,075

2018
£’000

45,891
—
11,593
61,458
1,322

21,959
21,567
6,285
170,075

2017
£’000
164,578
4,547
9,831
3,549
1
(7,459)
(507)
174,540

2017
£’000

44,675
13,297
34,475
37,377
903

19,833
22,301
1,679
174,540

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 16.0 years (2017: 16.3 years). 

The current estimated amount of total contributions expected to be paid to the scheme during the 2019 financial year is 
£3,432,000, being £3,432,000 payable by the Group and £nil payable by scheme members. 

The Company’s level of recovery plan funding to the scheme is £2,500,000 per annum, which will be reviewed at the next triennial 
valuation. In addition to this, the Company contributes a further £260,000 per annum towards the administration expenses of the 
scheme. 

28. Operating leases
The Group as lessee

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised in the  
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

481

391

At 31 December 2018, 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

2018
£’000
472
1,521
437
2,430

2017
£’000
350
1,157
635
2,142

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Financial Statements

28. Operating leases continued
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.

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 which are not discounted 
are as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2018
£’000
7,783
23,026
79,184
109,993

2017
£’000
8,140
28,758
84,349
121,247

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)

2018
£’000
1,140
5,921
(1,922)
(155)
392

2018
£’000
43

2017
£’000
1,140
6,282
(1,911)
(155)
459

2017
£’000
39

45

44

Amounts owing by related parties (note 17) or to related parties (note 22) 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 key management personnel of the Group are the Board of Directors and members of the Senior Management team of 
wholly owned subsidiaries, as presented on page 70 to 72. They are responsible for making all of the strategic decisions of the 
Group and its subsidiaries, as detailed on page 4 and 40 to 45. The remuneration of the Board of Directors is set out in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 89 to 100. The remuneration of the relevant four (2017: four) members of the Senior Management 
team is set out below, in aggregate, for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’. 

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits

2018
£’000
1,666
16
1,682

2017
£’000
1,660
27
1,687

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

30. Share capital

400,000 5.25% cumulative preference shares of £1 each (2017: 400,000)
133,146,602 ordinary shares of 10p each (2017: 133,010,911)

Allotted, issued 
and fully paid

2018
£’000
400
13,315
13,715

2017
£’000
400
13,301
13,701

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 of, be present or vote at any general meeting of the Company.

Share-based payments
The Company operates the following share-based payment arrangements:

(i) The Henry Boot 2010 Sharesave Plan
This savings-related share option plan was approved by shareholders in 2010 and is HMRC approved. Grants of options to 
participating employees were made on 23 October 2014 at a price of 172.0p at a discount of just over 9.5%, on 24 October 
2017 at a price of 270.0p at a discount of 10% and on 4 October 2018 at a price of 262.0p at a discount of just under 5.8%. 
These become exercisable for a six-month period from 1 December 2017, 1 December 2018 and 1 December 2021 respectively. 
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.

2017

October 2014 grant
October 2017 grant

2018

October 2014 grant
October 2017 grant
October 2018 grant

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2016
950,185

—

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2017
105,691
961,348

—

Options
granted
—
968,013

Options
lapsed
(19,721)
(6,665)

Options
exercised
(824,773)
—

Options
granted
—
—
283,413

Options
lapsed
—
(181,604)
(6,113)

Options
exercised
(105,691)
—
—

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2017
105,691
961,348

Options
outstanding at
31 December
2018
—
779,744
277,300

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 316.81p (2017: 299.98p).

(ii) 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 set 
out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy which is available to view on the website: www.henryboot.co.uk/about-us/governance.

(iii) The Henry Boot 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan
This plan was approved by shareholders at an AGM held on 21 May 2015. Details of the Plan and the vesting requirements are 
also set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy which is also available to view on the website. 

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Financial Statements

30. Share capital continued  
In respect of (ii) and (iii) above, 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

2018
Number
1,022,648
(122,189)
(140,288)
250,452
1,010,623

2017
Number
881,481
(148,194)
(295,475)
584,836
1,022,648

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 292.00p (2017: 295.02p).

(iv) 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. The second grant of options under the plan was made to 
certain senior employees (none of whom at the time were Directors of Group companies) on 1 October 2014 at an option price 
of 191.0p. The third grant of options under the plan was made to certain senior employees (none of whom at the time were 
Directors of Group companies) on 6 October 2017 at an option price of 298.9p. The fourth grant of options under the plan was 
made to certain employees (two of whom at the time were Directors of Group companies) on 14 September 2018 at an option 
price of 291.0p. There were no performance conditions imposed on either of these grants. 

2017

May 2011 grant
October 2014 grant
October 2017 grant

2018

May 2011 grant
October 2014 grant
October 2017 grant
September 2018 grant

Options
outstanding
at 31 December
2016
42,000
145,000
—

Options
outstanding
at 31 December
2017
16,000
65,000
149,747
—

Options
granted
—
—
149,747

Options
lapsed
—
—
—

Options
exercised
(26,000)
(80,000)
—

Options
granted
—
—
—
291,403

Options
lapsed
—
—
(837)
(2,062)

Options
exercised
—
(30,000)
—
—

Options 
outstanding at 
31 December
2017
16,000
65,000
149,747

Options 
outstanding at 
31 December
2018
16,000
35,000
148,910
289,341

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 314.59p (2017: 291.08p).

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

30. Share capital continued  
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
243.5p
29.37% to 
32.10%
3 years
0.14% to 
0.94%
2.71% to 
3.02%

CSOP
2011 
grant

CSOP
2014 
grant

Sharesave
2014

CSOP
2017

Sharesave
2017

CSOP
2018

Sharesave
2018

121.5p
121.5p

191.0p
191.0p

172.0p
181.0p

298.9p
309.0p

270.0p
300.0p

291.0p
291.0p

262.0p
278.0p

41.47%
3 years

31.17%
3 years

31.45%
3 years

30.37%
3 years

30.30% 29.28%
3 years
3 years

29.53%
3 years

1.67%

1.23%

0.82%

0.51%

0.51%

0.91%

0.99%

5.02%

3.16%

3.16%

3.02%

3.02%

2.90%

2.90%

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 75.99p (2017: 76.90p).

Expense recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

The total expense recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
arising from share-based payment transactions

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

659

554

The total expense recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income arose solely from equity-settled share-
based payment transactions.

31. Reserves

Group
At 31 December 2016
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Decrease in fair value in year
Deferred tax on revaluation surplus
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial gain
Deferred tax on actuarial gain
At 31 December 2017
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Decrease in fair value in year
Deferred tax on revaluation surplus
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial gain
Deferred tax on actuarial gain
At 31 December 2018

Other

Property
revaluation
£’000
3,879
—
—
—
(379)
50
—
—
—
3,550
—
—
—
(153)
—
—
—
—
3,397

Retained
earnings
£’000
210,664
42,368
(9,628)
—
—
—
(59)
2,306
(391)
245,260
37,505
(11,161)
—
—
—
250
6,199
(1,054)
276,999

Capital
redemption
£’000
271
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
271
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
271

Share
premium
£’000
4,131
—
—
1,510
—
—
—
—
—
5,641
—
—
226
—
—
—
—
—
5,867

Capital
£’000
209
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
209
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
209

Total
other
£’000
4,611
—
—
1,510
—
—
—
—
—
6,121
—
—
226
—
—
—
—
—
6,347

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Financial Statements

31. Reserves continued

Parent Company
At 31 December 2016
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial gain
Deferred tax on actuarial gain
At 31 December 2017
Profit for the year
Dividends paid
Premium arising from shares issued
Arising on employee share schemes
Unrecognised actuarial gain
Deferred tax on actuarial gain
At 31 December 2018

Retained 
earnings 
£’000
54,835
25,425
(9,628)
—
(305)
2,306
(391)
72,242
19,367
(11,161)
—
(80)
6,199
(1,054)
85,513

Capital 
redemption 
£’000
271
—
—
—
—
—
—
271
—
—
—
—
—
—
271

Share 
premium 
£’000
4,131
—
—
1,510
—
—
—
5,641
—
—
226
—
—
—
5,867

Other

Capital 
£’000
211
—
—
—
—
—
—
211
—
—
—
—
—
—
211

Investment 
revaluation 
£’000
1,135
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,135
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,135

Total 
other 
£’000
5,748
—
—
1,510
—
—
—
7,258
—
—
226
—
—
—
7,484

Property revaluation reserve
The property revaluation reserve represents the unrealised surpluses arising on revaluation of the Group occupied land and 
buildings and is not available for distribution until realised on disposal.

Retained earnings
Retained earnings represent the accumulated profits and losses of the Group.

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve represents the purchase and cancellation by the Company of its own shares and comprises the 
aggregate nominal value of all the ordinary shares repurchased and cancelled. This reserve in not distributable.

Share premium reserve
The share premium reserve represents the difference between the sums received from the issue of shares and their nominal value 
net of share issue expenses. This reserve is not distributable.

Capital reserve
The capital reserve represents realised profits arising on the disposal of investments and is available for distribution.

Investment revaluation reserve
The investment revaluation reserve represents enhancements to the original cost of shares in subsidiary companies 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 £1,135,000 in 1989 and are not distributable.

32. Cost of shares held by the ESOP trust

At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December

2018
£’000
1,240
429
(409)
1,260

2017
£’000
1,071
782
(613)
1,240

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 2018, the Trustee held 533,309 shares (2017: 523,597 shares) with a cost of £1,260,185 (2017: £1,240,416) and a 
market value of £1,282,609 (2017: £1,670,276). All of these shares were committed to satisfy existing grants by the Company under 
the Henry Boot PLC 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, the Henry Boot PLC 2015 Long Term 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 dividends on the shares it holds.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

33. Cash generated from operations

Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
Amortisation of PFI asset
Goodwill impairment
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of land and buildings
Revaluation decrease in investment properties
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees 
Share-based payment expense
Pension scheme debit/(credit)
Movements on provision against investments in 
subsidiaries
Movements on provision against loans to subsidiaries
Loss on disposal of assets held for sale
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and 
equipment
Gain on disposal of investment properties
Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates
Operating cash flows before movements in 
equipment held for hire
Purchase of equipment held for hire
Proceeds on disposal of equipment held for hire
Operating cash flows before movements in working 
capital
Increase in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
Increase in contract assets
Increase/(decrease) in payables
Decrease in contract liabilities
Cash generated from/(used by) operations

11
11
12
12
13
3
4

14

3

3

5
6
15

12

Group

2018

£’000
48,604

497
204
5,370
—
92
100
659
84

—
—
36

(891)
(1,401)
(275)
1,698
(830)

53,947
(4,357)
1,048

50,638
(10,177)
(6,980)
(11,840)
1,066
(431)
22,276

2017 
Restated
£’000
55,392

Parent Company

2018

2017

£’000
18,459

£’000
23,452

870
203
4,899
48
3,597
48
554
(1,265)

—
—
98

(379)
(127)
(189)
1,703
(708)

64,744
(3,283)
654

62,115
(6,500)
(9,681)
(13,294)
15,099
(1,401)
46,338

—
—
217
—
—
—
328
84

(10,354)
(389)
—

5
—
(18,243)
2,678
—

(7,215)
—
—

(7,215)
—
19,188
—
1,273
—
13,246

—
—
162
—
—
—
307
(1,265)

(15,244)
(77)
—

2
—
(33,238)
2,757
—

(23,144)
—
—

(23,144)
—
20,247
—
(1,549)
—
(4,446)

34. Guarantees and contingencies
The Parent Company has guaranteed the performance of certain contracts entered into by Group undertakings in the ordinary 
course of business. These guarantees are impracticable to quantify. 

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. At the year end amounts drawn against these facilities were £15.0m and 
£17.6m respectively.

In the opinion of the Directors, no loss is expected to arise in connection with these matters.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

35. Business combinations
On 1 April 2017 the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited for consideration of 
£2,800,000.

Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited will trade under the Banner brand and will increase Banner’s presence in the East 
Midlands market. The goodwill arising on acquisition is attributable to the acquired customer base and economies of scale 
expected from the combined operations. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for corporation tax purposes.

The following table summarises the consideration paid for Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited, the fair value of assets 
acquired, liabilities assumed and the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date.

Business combinations
Consideration paid 1 April 2017
Cash
Deferred consideration paid 23 June 2017
Cash

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Provisions for liabilities
Total identifiable net assets
Goodwill
Total

2017
£’000

2,400

400
2,800

89
3,065
4
948
(2,013)
(196)
1,897
903
2,800

Acquisition-related costs of £113,000 have been charged to administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2017.

The assets acquired as part of the business combination are all considered to be at fair value and all receivables deemed to be 
fully recoverable.

The revenue included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2017 was 
£2,668,000. Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited also contributed profit before tax of £233,000 over the same period.

Had Premier Plant Tool Hire & Sales Limited been consolidated from 1 January 2017, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income would show pro-forma revenue of £3,559,000 and profit before tax of £311,000. 

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

Notes to the  
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

36. Additional information – subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, all of which are incorporated in England (unless otherwise 
stated) and are consolidated in the Group Financial Statements at 31 December 2018, are as follows:

Subsidiary name
Banner Plant Limited
Buffergone Limited
Capitol Park Property Services Limited
Chocolate Works York Management Company Limited
Comstock (Kilmarnock) Ltd
First National Housing Trust Limited
Fox Valley Management Company Limited
Hallam Land Management Limited
HB Island Limited
HBGP Limited
Henry Boot Biddenham Limited
Henry Boot Construction Limited
Henry Boot Contracting Limited
Henry Boot Developments Limited
Henry Boot (Enfield) Limited
Henry Boot Estates Limited
Henry Boot Investments 1 Limited
Henry Boot Inner City Limited
Henry Boot ‘K’ Limited
Henry Boot Land Holdings Limited
Henry Boot (Launceston) Limited
Henry Boot Leasing Limited
Henry Boot (Manchester) Limited
Henry Boot Nottingham Limited
Henry Boot Projects Limited
Henry Boot Swindon Limited
Henry Boot Tamworth Limited
Henry Boot Wentworth Limited
IAMP Management Company Limited
Investments (North West) Limited
Marboot Centregate Ltd
Marboot Centregate 2 Limited
Moore Street Securities Limited
Moorlands Cleckheaton Management Company Limited
Northfields Rotherham Management Company Limited
Plot 7 East Markham Vale Management Company Limited
Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited
Road Link (A69) Limited
Saltwoodend Limited
Stonebridge Offices Limited 
Stonebridge Homes Limited
The Residence (York) Management Company Limited
Victoria Gardens (Headingley) Management Company Ltd
Winter Ground Limited
Woodside Park Newlay Estate Management Limited

Proportion of 
ownership
100%
100%
4.6%
100%
100%
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
50%
53%
66.7%
61.2%
61.2%
100%
50%
50%
100%
50%
100%
50%

Direct or 
indirect
Activity
Direct
Plant hire
Direct
Inactive
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Land promotion
Direct
Property investment
Indirect
Management company
Direct
Land promotion
Direct
Property development
Direct
Property development
Direct
Land promotion
Direct
Construction
Direct
Inactive
Direct
Property investment and development
Indirect
Inactive
Direct
Property investment
Indirect
Property development
Direct
Inactive
Indirect
Property investment and development
Direct
Land promotion
Land promotion
Direct
Direct Motor vehicle leasing to Group companies
Property development
Direct
Inactive
Indirect
Inactive
Direct
Direct
Land promotion
Property investment and development
Indirect
Direct
Property development 
Management company
Indirect
Property development
Indirect
Property investment
Indirect
Property investment
Indirect
Employee benefit trust
Direct
Management company
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Holding company
Indirect
PFI road maintenance
Indirect
Indirect
Inactive
Property investment
Indirect
Property development
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Management company
Indirect
Indirect
Property development
Management company
Indirect

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Financial Statements

36. Additional information – subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued

Joint ventures and associates
Aytoun Street Developments Limited
Bigmouth Manchester Limited
Cognito Oak LLP
HBB Preston East Limited
HBB Roman Way Limited
Henry Boot Barnfield Limited
I-Prop Developments Limited
Kirklees Henry Boot Partnership Limited
Markey Colston Limited
Montagu 406 Regeneration LLP
Newmarket Lane Holding Limited
Newmarket Lane Limited
Newmarket Lane Management Company Limited
Pennine Property Partnership LLP
Road Link Limited

Proportion of
ownership
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
18.4%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
37.6%

Direct or 
indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect

Activity
Property development
Property development
Property development
Property development
Property development
Property development
Inactive
Inactive
Property investment
Property investment
Property development
Property development
Management company
Property investment and development
Inactive

The address of the registered office of all subsidiaries is the same as the parent company, with the exception of:

Road Link Limited, Road Link (A69) Limited and Road Link (A69) Holdings Limited whose registered office is Stocksfield Hall, 
Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7TN.

Woodside Park Newlay Estate Management Company Limited, Fox Valley Management Company Limited, Moorlands 
Cleckheaton Management Company Limited and Victoria Gardens (Headingley) Management Company Limited whose registered 
office is 1 Featherbank Court, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4QF.

Henry Boot Barnfield Limited, HBB Roman Way Limited and HBB Preston East Limited whose registered office is 8 Kenyon Road, 
Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, Lancashire, England, BB9 5SP.

Kirklees Henry Boot Partnership Limited whose registered office is Legal Services, 2nd Floor Civic Centre 3, Huddersfield,  
West Yorkshire, HD1 2WZ.

Markey Colston Limited whose registered office is Q1 Quadrant Way, Hardwicke, Gloucester, GL2 2RN.

Cognito Oak LLP whose registered office is Union Plaza (6th Floor), 1 Union Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 6XL.

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26323  5 April 2019 3:03 pm  Proof 24172Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018Shareholder InformationHenry Boot AR2018 - Financial Statements + Shareholder Information.indd   17205/04/2019   16:28:2326323  5 April 2019 3:03 pm  Proof 24Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018173Shareholder InformationFind useful information for shareholders ShareholderInformationPositively challenging what we do and how we do it.Henry Boot AR2018 - Financial Statements + Shareholder Information.indd   17305/04/2019   16:28:25174

Shareholder Information

Notice of Annual 
General Meeting

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt about the action you should 
take, you should immediately consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent professional 
adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your shares 
in Henry Boot PLC, please forward this document and the accompanying Form of Proxy to the person through whom the sale or 
transfer was effected, for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.

The Board of Henry Boot PLC considers all of the proposed resolutions to be in the best interests of shareholders as a whole and 
accordingly recommends that shareholders vote in favour of all the resolutions proposed.

Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Henry Boot PLC (Company) will be held at DoubleTree by 
Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park, Chesterfield Road South, Sheffield, S8 8BW on Thursday 23 May 2019 at 12.30pm for the following 
purposes:

To consider and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions of the Company. 

Resolution 1
To receive the Directors’ Report, Auditors’ Report, Strategic Report and the Financial Statements for the year ended 
31 December 2018.

Resolution 2
To declare a final dividend of 5.80p per ordinary share.

Resolution 3
To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Resolution 4
To reappoint Jamie Boot as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 5
To reappoint John Sutcliffe as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 6
To reappoint Darren Littlewood as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 7
To reappoint Joanne Lake as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 8
To reappoint James Sykes as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 9
To reappoint Peter Mawson as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 10
To reappoint Gerald Jennings as a Director of the Company.

Resolution 11
To reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company.

Resolution 12
To authorise the Audit and Risk Committee to fix the auditors’ remuneration.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Shareholder Information

Resolution 13
THAT pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors be and are generally and unconditionally authorised 
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 £4,438,220, provided that (unless previously revoked, varied or renewed) this authority shall expire 
on 22 August 2020 or at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the passing of this resolution, 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).

To consider and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, which will be proposed as special resolutions of the Company.

Resolution 14
THAT subject to the passing of Resolution 13 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 13 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. 

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

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 £665,733, and (unless 

previously revoked, varied or renewed) this power shall expire on 22 August 2020 or at the conclusion of the next AGM of the 
Company after the passing of this resolution, 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).

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Shareholder Information

Notice of Annual 
General Meeting

Resolution 15
THAT pursuant to Section 701 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company be and 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 13,314,660;

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 2020; 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.

By order of the Board

Amy Oakley  
Company Secretary 
11 April 2019

HENRY BOOT PLC 
Registered Office: 
Banner Cross Hall 
Ecclesall Road South 
Sheffield 
United Kingdom 
S11 9PD 
Registered in England and Wales No. 160996

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Shareholder Information

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 the close of business on 21 May 2019 (or, if the meeting is adjourned, at 
the close of business 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 form of 
proxy. 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 form of proxy in relation to each appointment. Additional forms of proxy may be obtained by 
photocopying the form of proxy. State clearly on each form of proxy the number of shares in relation to which the proxy is 
appointed.

To be valid, a form of proxy must be received by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand at the offices of the 
Company’s registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, no later than 
12.30pm on 21 May 2019 (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 form of proxy, a shareholder may appoint a proxy or proxies electronically using 
the online service at www.eproxyappointment.com. For an electronic proxy appointment to be valid, the appointment must be 
received by Computershare Investor Services PLC no later than 12.30pm on 21 May 2019 (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 AGM (or any adjournment of it) through the CREST electronic 

proxy appointment service may do so by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual, which is available at 
www.euroclear.com. 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 Computershare Investor Services PLC (ID: 3RA50) 
no later than 12.30pm on 21 May 2019 (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 Computershare Investor 
Services PLC 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.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Shareholder Information

Notice of Annual 
General Meeting

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.

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 Financial Statements (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. 

ii. 

it may not require the shareholders making the request to pay any expenses incurred by the Company in complying 
with the request;

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.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Shareholder Information

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. 

ii. 

in hard copy, by sending it to the Company Secretary, Henry Boot PLC, Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, 
Sheffield S11 9PD; or

 in electronic form, by sending it by email to cosec-ir@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 cosec-ir@henryboot.co.uk.

No other methods of communication will be accepted.

15. As at 2 April 2019 (being the last practicable date before publication of this notice), the Company’s issued ordinary share 
capital was 133,146,602 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each and representing the total number of voting rights in the 
Company.

Henry Boot PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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Shareholder Information

Financial 
Calendar

London Stock Exchange Announcements
Preliminary Statement of Results 2018:  
22 March 2019

Interim Results 2019:  
23 August 2019

Pre-close Trading Statement 2019:  
end January 2020

Annual Report and Financial Statements 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2018  
(Available and online):  
by 18 April 2019

Advisers

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds LS1 4DL

Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC
1 St Paul’s Place
121 Norfolk Street
Sheffield S1 2JW

Santander UK PLC
44 Merrion Street
Leeds LS2 8JQ

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
2 Whitehall Quay
Leeds LS1 4HR

Corporate Finance
KPMG Corporate Finance 
1 Sovereign Square
Sovereign Street
Leeds LS1 4DA

Annual General Meeting
23 May 2019

Dividends Paid on Ordinary Shares
2018 Final dividend date (Subject to approval at AGM):  
29 May 2019

2019 Interim dividend date (Subject to approval):  
18 October 2019

Financial PR
Hudson Sandler LLP 
25 Charterhouse Square 
London EC1M 6AE

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS13 8AE

Solicitors – Corporate
DLA Piper UK LLP
1 St Paul’s Place
Sheffield S1 2JX

Solicitors – Operational
Irwin Mitchell LLP
Riverside East House
2 Millsands
Sheffield S3 8DT

Stockbrokers
Investec Bank plc
30 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7QP

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Group Contact  
Information

181

Shareholder Information

Land Promotion
Hallam Land Management Limited

Registered office and Head office
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

Construction 
Henry Boot Construction Limited
Registered office 
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

t: 0114 255 5444 
e: info@hallamland.co.uk  
w: www.hallamland.co.uk 

Regional offices 
Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester and 
Northampton

Property Investment and Development
Henry Boot Developments Limited
Registered office and Head office 
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

t: 0114 255 5444 
e: hbdl@henryboot.co.uk  
w: www.henrybootdevelopments.co.uk 

Regional offices  
Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester

Stonebridge Homes Limited
Registered office 
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

Head office 
1 Featherbank Court, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4QF

t: 0113 357 1100 
e:  sales@stonebridgehomes.co.uk or  

info@stonebridgeoffices.co.uk

w:  www.stonebridgehomes.co.uk or  
www.stonebridgeoffices.co.uk

Head office 
Callywhite Lane, Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 2XN

t: 01246 410111 
e: hbc@henryboot.co.uk 
w: www.henrybootconstruction.co.uk

Banner Plant Limited
Registered office 
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

Head office 
Callywhite Lane, Dronfield, Derbyshire, S18 2XS

t: 01246 299400 
e: dronfield@bannerplant.co.uk 
w: www.bannerplant.co.uk

Hire centres 
Chesterfield, Derby, Dronfield, Leicester, Leeds, Rotherham 
and Wakefield

Road Link (A69) Limited
Registered office and Head office 
Stocksfield Hall, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7TN

t: 01661 842842 
e: enquiries@roadlinka69.co.uk

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Glossary

Retail Price Index (RPI)/Retail 
Price Index ‘Jevons’ (RPIJ)/ 
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Monthly inflation indicators based on 
different ‘basket’ of products issued by 
the Office of National Statistics.

Return on capital employed 
(ROCE)
A financial ratio that measures a 
company’s profitability and the efficiency 
with which its capital is employed.

S106
Section 106 agreements (S106) are 
private agreements made between local 
authorities and developers. It can be 
attached to a planning permission to 
make acceptable development which 
would otherwise be unacceptable in 
planning terms.

Subsidiary company
A company whose voting stock is more 
than 50% controlled by another company, 
usually referred to as the parent company 
or holding company.

A subsidiary is a company that is partly or 
completely owned by another company 
that holds a controlling interest in the 
subsidiary company.

Total shareholder return (TSR)
Dividends and capital growth in the share 
price, expressed as a percentage of the 
share price at the beginning of the year.

Trading profit
The difference between an organisation’s 
sales revenue and the cost of goods sold.

UK Planning System
This system consists of the process of 
managing the development of land and 
buildings. The purposes of this process 
are to save what is best of our heritage 
and improve the infrastructure upon which 
we depend for a civilised existence.

We have used some terms in this report 
to explain how we run our business that 
might be unfamiliar to you. The following 
list gives a definition for some of the more 
frequently used terms:

Localism Bill
A bill to devolve greater powers to 
councils and neighbourhoods and give 
local communities more control over 
housing and planning decisions.

Commercial property
This refers to buildings or land intended to 
generate a profit, either from capital gain 
or rental income, such as office building, 
industrial property, retail stores, etc.

Disclosure and  
Transparency Rules (DTR)
Issued by the United Kingdom Listing 
Authority.

Dividend
A distribution of a portion of a company’s 
earnings, decided by the board of 
directors, to a class of its shareholders.

Gearing
Net debt expressed as a percentage of 
equity shareholders’ funds.

Earnings per share (EPS)
Profit for the period attributable to equity 
shareholders divided by the average 
number of shares in issue during the 
period.

IAS
International Accounting Standard.

IASB
International Accounting Standards 
Board.

Net asset value per share (NAV)
Equity shareholders’ funds divided by the 
number of shares in issue at the balance 
sheet date.

Operating profit
Profit earned from a company’s core 
activities.

Option Agreement
A legal agreement between a landowner 
and another party for the right to buy land 
within a set time scale at the conclusion of 
a satisfactory planning permission.

Ordinary share
Any shares that are not preferred shares 
and do not have any predetermined 
dividend amounts. An ordinary share 
represents equity ownership in a 
company and entitles the owner to a 
vote in matters put before shareholders 
in proportion to their percentage 
ownership in the company.

Planning Promotion Agreement 
(PPA)
A legal agreement between a landowner 
and another party for a set time scale 
and financial consideration to promote 
land through the UK planning system.

IFRS
International Financial Reporting Standard 
as adopted by the European Union.

Pre-let
A lease signed with a tenant prior to 
completion of a development.

Inventory value
The determination of the cost of unsold 
inventory at the end of the accounting 
period.

IOSH
Institution of Occupational Safety 
and Health.

LIBOR
The London Interbank Offered Rate is a 
daily reference rate based on the interest 
rates at which banks borrow unsecured 
funds from other banks in the London 
wholesale money market (or interbank 
market).

PFI contract
A Private Finance Initiative contract is a 
contract between a public body and a 
private company and involves the private 
sector making capital investment in 
the assets required to deliver improved 
services. They are typified by long 
contract lengths, often 30 years or more.

Renewable energy
Energy which comes from natural 
resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, 
tides, waves and geothermal heat, which 
are naturally replenished.

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This Annual Report is printed by an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), 
certified printer using vegetable based inks.

This report has been printed on Magno silk, a white coated paper and 
board using 100% EFC pulp.

Designed and published by Jones and Palmer

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Henry Boot PLC
Registered office: 
Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South 
Sheffield, S11 9PD United Kingdom

Registered in England and Wales no. 160996

Tel: 0114 2555444
Email: cosec-ir@henryboot.co.uk

Stock Code: BOOT.L

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