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Hibernia REIT Plc

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FY2019 Annual Report · Hibernia REIT Plc
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Transforming 
Dublin

Annual Report 2019

Hibernia is an Irish real estate investment  
trust (“REIT”), listed on Euronext Dublin  
and the London Stock Exchange. 

We own and develop property and have  
a portfolio worth €1.4bn, all in Dublin  
and predominantly in city centre offices.

Reception at 2WML

What we do 
We use our knowledge and  
experience of the Dublin property  
market, together with modest levels  
of leverage, to target above average  
long-term returns for our shareholders.

How we do it 
We focus on improving buildings  
at appropriate times in the property  
cycle and on growing our income through 
active asset management. Our portfolio  
is mainly a mix of redeveloped properties 
and assets held for future repositioning.

Governance
64   Chairman’s corporate 
governance statement

68   Board of Directors
70   The Senior 

Management Team
72  Corporate governance
84   Audit Committee report
91   Nominations 

Committee report

93   Remuneration 

Committee report

115   Directors’ report
119  Directors’ 

responsibility  
statement

Strategic report
2   Highlights
4   Our business at a glance
6 
16  Chairman’s letter
18   Chief Executive 
Officer’s review

Creating value

22   Our market
24   Market review
26  Our stakeholders
30   Our business model
32   Our strategy
34   Key performance  

indicators

36   Risk management
39  Going concern and 

viability statement

40   Principal risks 

and uncertainties

50  Operational review
56  Financial review
59   Sustainability

Financial statements
120   Independent  

auditor’s report

126   Consolidated 

income statement

127   Consolidated 
statement of 
comprehensive income

128   Consolidated statement 
of financial position
129   Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity
130   Consolidated statement 

of cash flows
131  Notes to the 
consolidated 
financial statements

177  Company statement  

of financial position

178  Company statement  

of changes in equity
179  Company statement of 

cash flows

180  Notes to the Company 
financial statements

Supplementary information
(unaudited)
192  Five-year record
193  Alternative 

performance measures

194  EPRA performance  

measures

200  Other disclosures
202   Directors and 

other information

203  Glossary

1

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationwww.hiberniareit.comHighlights

Highlights of the year
Strong performance

  Read more on page 6

Net rental income

Profit before tax

€53.3m2018: €45.7m

€124m2018: €107.1m

+16.6%

+15.8%

Completing our 
first cluster, the 
Windmill Quarter

EPRA EPS

Dividend per share

Portfolio value

Net debt

4.0c2018: 2.8c

+40.4%

3.5c2018: 3.0c

+16.7%

€1,395m2018: €1,309m

€217m2018: €203m

+7.9% LfL

+7.1%

Loan-to-value (LTV)

15.6%2018: 15.5%

+0.1pp

Cash and undrawn  
facilities net of committed 
capital expenditure

€143m2018: €120m

+19.2%

EPRA NAV per share

Total property return

173.3c

2018: 159.1c
+8.9%

11.6%2018: 11.4%

+0.2pp

Alternative Performance Measures (“APMs”)
The Group uses a number of financial measures to 
describe its performance which are not defined under 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 
and which are therefore considered APMs. In particular, 
measures developed by the European Public Real Estate 
Association (“EPRA”) are reported in line with other 
public real estate companies. These are defined in more 
detail, and reconciled with IFRS where applicable, in the 
Supplementary Information section on pages 193 to 199 of 
this Annual Report.

2

Strategic achievements
•  Complete developments: Two schemes delivered totalling 
172,000 sq. ft. of Grade A offices (>65% let), completing 
the Windmill Quarter

•  Increase rental income and duration: Annual contracted 
rent roll now €57.6m, up 2.9% since March 2018, and in-
place office portfolio WAULT to earlier of break/expiry of 
7.5 years, up 2.7% in the year

•  Make selective investments: €40.0m reinvested in seven 
acquisitions, including the purchase of 98.3 acres of land 
at Newlands in late 2018

•  Recycle capital to monetise gains and enhance future 

returns: Sale of two properties for €100.3m (both modestly 
ahead of book value, with one completing after year end)
•  Maintain an efficient balance sheet and seek to diversify 
funding sources and maturity dates: Debt refinanced in 
December 2018 and announced intention to return €35m 
to shareholders in April 2019

•  Continue to improve environmental efficiency of the 

portfolio: Achieved a 5% reduction in energy consumption 
on a like-for-like basis in our multi-let portfolio and a 
recycling rate of >50% for the first time

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com  Read more on page 8

  Read more on page 10

Advancing and 
enhancing the 
development 
pipeline

Improving  
our sustainability

  Read more on page 11

  Read more on page 12

Crystallising  
value

Refinancing  
the business  
for the long term

  Read more on page 13

  Read more on page 14

Contributing  
to the community

Working with  
our tenants

3

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur business at a glance

A well-positioned portfolio

Our whole portfolio is located in Dublin, with 85% in city  
centre offices or office developments across the three  
main sub-markets, the Traditional Core, the South Docks  
and the International Financial Services Centre (“IFSC”).  
We also have 11% in multi-family residential assets in  
South Dublin and the balance is in industrial/land assets. 

Portfolio statistics

In-place offices 

1.1m
sq. ft.

Properties

32

Offices including fully 
developed pipeline

1.4m
sq. ft.

Portfolio contracted annual rent 

€57.6m

Average office rent

Reversionary potential

€47psf

€3.7m

In-place office vacancy

In-place office WAULT

12%

7.5 yrs

Key
Our properties

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

1DC

2DC

The Forum

50 City Quay

1SJRQ

The Observatory

1WML

2WML

South Dock House

Central Quay

1 Cumberland Place

2 Cumberland Place

Marine House

Portfolio segments by value

In-place office rent by sector

€1,395m

€50.4m

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Blocks 1, 2 & 5 
Clanwilliam Court

Earlsfort Terrace

Hardwicke House

Montague House

Harcourt Square

39 Harcourt Street

35 – 37 Camden Street

129 Slaney Road

Newlands/Gateway

Cannon Place

Dundrum View

Wyckham Point

South Docks 
Traditional Core
IFSC
Dublin residential
Industrial/land 
Dublin CBD office development

37%
32%
15%
11%
4%
1%

4

Technology, media & telecoms
Government
Professional services
Banking & capital markets
Insurance & reinsurance
Other
Serviced offices

55%
20%
9%
8%
4%
2%
1%

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comTransport links

DART / railway lines

LUAS lines

Residential

Office development

M3

Completed office developments

M2

Office

Industrial

N3

M50

M4

N4

M1

21

H O W TH

23

Dublin City  
Centre

24

25

N7

22

N81

N11

M50

IFSC

3

2

4 6

1

NORTH DOCKS

10

9

5

8

SOUTH DOCKS

7

11

12

C U R T L E ST O W N

TRADITIONAL CORE

18

19

16

15

20

17

W I C KL O W
13

M O U N T A IN S

N A T IO N AL
14

P A RK

G R EY S T O NE S

5

DundrumNewlands CrossDublin AirportStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
Creating value

Number of buildings:

6

Office area: 

400k sq. ft.

Estimated rental value at March 19: 

€24m

Strategic priorities:

1

2

3

5

6

Completing our first cluster

The 
Windmill 
Quarter

With the completion of our 1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (“1SJRQ”) 
and 2 Windmill Lane (“2WML”) developments in early 2019 the 
Windmill Quarter is now complete. It provides office space for 
over 3,000 people, together with further residential, food & 
beverage and gym facilities. 

Clustering is a core part of our strategy: it allows us to spread the 
cost of communal areas and shared facilities between buildings, 
meaning tenants and their staff get a better working environment 
and experience. In the Windmill Quarter we have held various 
classes and two music events in the Townhall so far in 2019 and 
there will be more to follow. We intend to create similar clusters 
when we redevelop Clanwilliam Court and Harcourt Square and 
will apply our learnings from the Windmill Quarter to these.

6

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
Opposite page: restored tram yard 
gate at 1SJRQ

Top right: Erica Cody performing at 
the first Windmill Live event at the 
Townhall, 1WML

Top left: the original Tedcastle Line 
sign salvaged from the derelict 
Dockers pub and re-used in 1SJRQ

Middle left: interior Perpetua gym, 
2WML

Bottom left: Reception, 2WML

7

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCreating value

Advancing and enhancing  
the development pipeline

Marine House, D2

In December 2018 we received planning 
permission for a refurbishment and extension 
of the building.

Timing: mid-2020 onwards

Current area:

41,000 
sq. ft.

Planning granted for:

49,000 
sq. ft.

Strategic priority: 

1

Blocks 1, 2 & 5  
Clanwilliam Court, D2

A planning application has been 
lodged for a redevelopment to 
form a cluster with Marine House 
similar to the Windmill Quarter.

Timing: 2021 onwards

Strategic priority: 

1

Current area:

93,000 
sq. ft.

Applied for planning for:

152,000 
sq. ft.

8

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
Harcourt  
Square, D2

In November 2018 we received 
revised planning permission for the 
redevelopment of the existing buildings, 
including 39 Harcourt Street, with a new 
scheme c. 12% larger than the previous 
planning permission of 277,000 sq. ft.

Timing: early 2023 onwards

Current area:

122,000 
sq. ft.

Planning granted for:

309,000 
sq. ft.

Strategic priority:  

1

9

Newlands, D22

We acquired an additional 98.3 
acres of land in the year for initial 
consideration of €28.7m, excluding 
acquisition costs, taking Hibernia’s 
total interest in the area to 143.7 acres. 
Other than the Gateway industrial site, 
the remaining land is not currently 
zoned for development but in future 
we believe it is an ideal candidate for 
a mixed-use scheme, including a large 
element of infill residential, given its 
location and proximity to excellent 
transport infrastructure.

Timing: unclear. The current local 
authority development plan – under 
which zoning is determined – runs 
until 2022.

Strategic priority:  

1

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCreating value

Improving  
our sustainability

5%reduction in energy consumption  

across our managed portfolio on  
a like-for-like basis

>50%

recycling rate achieved for the first  
time at our managed properties

Strategic priority: 

6

  Read our Sustainability Report at 
www.hiberniareit.com

10

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Crystallising 
value

We have continued to sell buildings which we do not expect to meet our 
target returns. In the year we realised net proceeds of €100.3m from the 
sale of New Century House and 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, up from 
net sales proceeds of €35.8m generated in the prior year. Both sales were 
made modestly ahead of last reported book value. €40.0m of the sales 
proceeds have been recycled into acquisitions during the year. In addition 
we have announced our intention to return the net sales proceeds of 
€35m from the sale of 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to shareholders 
starting with a €25m share buyback, which commenced in April 2019. 

Strategic priority: 

4

This page: interior of 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay

Opposite page, right: the green wall at 1SJRQ

Opposite page, left: PV panels on the roof of 1WML

Net sales proceeds:

€100.3m

Average premium to book value: 

2.7%

11

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
Creating value

Refinancing 
the business 
for the  
long term

12

Weighted average 
debt maturity 
before refinancing:

Weighted average 
debt maturity 
after refinancing:

1.9
years

5.7
years

In December 2018 we refinanced Hibernia’s debt, 
a €400m secured revolving credit facility (margin: 
2.05%), with a €320m unsecured revolving credit 
facility (margin: 2.0%) and €75m of unsecured US 
private placement notes (average coupon: 2.53%). 
The refinancing significantly increased the average 
maturity of our debt and the move to an unsecured 
debt structure, the first for an Irish REIT, ensures we 
have access to the widest range of funding options 
in future. The overall cost of our debt remains similar 
thanks to a reduction in undrawn commitment fees 
on the revolving credit facility.

Strategic priority: 

5

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Contributing to 
the community Proceeds raised in 2018:

>€300k

Dragons at the Docks 

Hibernia was a co-founder of this event and has been an anchor sponsor 
since its inception in 2017. 

Dragons at the Docks has raised over €530,000 for Dublin homeless charity 
Simon and other charities to date. In 2018 there were over 70 teams from six 
property related sectors and over 840 participants. 

Opposite page: A tenant in 1WML

This page: Dragons at the Docks event

13

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCreating value

Working 
with our 
tenants

Working closely with our tenants to understand and meet 
their needs is key for us and it is one of the reasons why we 
brought our building management in-house in 2016. We have 
been working with HubSpot since they first leased 27,500 
sq. ft. in One Dockland Central in 2015. Since then they have 
grown rapidly, taking a further 46,000 sq. ft. in Two Dockland 
Central in three lettings in 2017 and early 2018. In November 
2018 they agreed to lease the entire 112,000 sq. ft. of office 
space in our 1SJRQ development from June 2019 as their EMEA 
headquarters building.

Total space let to HubSpot:

185,000 
sq. ft.

Capacity for:

>1,500 
employees

“ We’ve seen tremendous growth 
in Dublin since opening our initial 
office in 2015 and our latest move 
to 1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 
positions us well to continue our 
expansion in the region. Hibernia 
has been a great partner as we’ve 
grown, and we look forward to 
continuing to work with them  
in the future.”

JD Sherman, President and COO of HubSpot

Opposite page: Tenants in their break-out area in 1WML

14

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com  
15

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comChairman’s letter

An experienced team,  
a clear strategy

“ The year to 31 March 2019 has been another 
successful one for Hibernia, with our portfolio 
significantly outperforming the MSCI/SCSI  
Ireland Quarterly Property All Assets Index.” 

16

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIreland, and Dublin in particular, has 
continued to record growing economic 
activity and foreign direct investment. 
Dublin continues to attract companies 
for many reasons, including access to EU 
markets, and existing businesses are also 
expanding their operations and taking more 
office space. This demand, together with the 
financial strength and professionalism of the 
Irish and international property firms now 
operating in Dublin, has led to a strong and 
vibrant real estate market.

The year to 31 March 2019 has been another 
successful one for Hibernia, with our 
portfolio delivering a total property return 
of 11.6%, a significant outperformance of 
the MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property 
All Assets Index (“MSCI Ireland Index”) 
(excluding Hibernia), which returned 7.5% 
over the same period. Hibernia’s EPRA 
net asset value per share grew by 8.9% to 
173.3 cent and net rental income increased 
by 16.6% to €53.3m enabling the Board to 
propose a final dividend of 2.0 cent per 
share, taking the total dividend for the year 
to 3.5 cent, up 16.7% on the prior year. 

Our developments at 1 Sir John 
Rogerson’s Quay and 2 Windmill Lane 
were successfully completed on budget 
meaning that the Windmill Quarter, our 
first office cluster, now comprises six 
adjacent buildings with c. 400,000 sq. ft. 
of office space and further ancillary space 
and communal facilities. Our tenants are 
delighted with the space we have created, 
and we will aim to deliver similar high 
quality space in our future developments.

During the year we disposed of two 
buildings for €100.3m and invested €40.0m 
in the purchase of a further 98.3 acres of 
land at Newlands and several other small 
acquisitions: we now own almost 144 acres 
of land at Newlands with potential for a 
very significant mixed-use scheme and 
are pursuing a strategy to achieve the 
re-zoning of these lands. We also invested 
€44.8m in capital expenditure on our active 
development schemes, principally the two 
buildings completed in the financial year. 

Immediately after the year end we 
announced a €25m share buyback to 
continue our progress towards our leverage 
targets and we are seeking shareholder 
approval at our AGM to undertake a capital 
reorganisation to give us more flexibility in 
managing our capital structure in future. 
The successful refinancing of our debt and 
move to an unsecured structure, adding 
non-bank funding for the first time, has 
significantly extended our average debt 
maturity to 5.4 years at 31 March 2019 and 
broadens the range of funding options 
available to us in future.

Corporate governance and sustainability 
are becoming increasingly important to 
our stakeholders and we have invested 
significant resources in ensuring that we 
continue to meet high standards in these 
areas. During the year we appointed our 
first female Non-Executive Director, Roisin 
Brennan. She has significant experience of 
capital markets and as a board member 
of other public companies and this 
expertise will assist with the strategic 
development of Hibernia. I also undertook 
a roadshow earlier in 2019 and talked to 
a number of our larger shareholders who 
were appreciative of the opportunity to 
discuss corporate governance matters. 
Further details of the key points discussed 
are set out on page 81 in the corporate 
governance report. We have published 
our first standalone sustainability report 
this year, which is available on our 
website, illustrating our commitment to 
sustainability which is an important part of 
our strategic goals. 

Our wider stakeholder group, which 
includes tenants, suppliers, employees and 
the communities in which we operate, is 
very important to us and we work hard 
to satisfy their needs and create long-
term relationships. We actively seek the 
views of tenants and employees through 
regular surveys and other interactions and 
respond to the feedback. Our wellness 
campaign, which has been rolled out 
across our managed office portfolio, has 
been a great success and tenants have 
engaged. We place great emphasis on 
health and safety, particularly at all of our 

developments, and we are proud to say 
that we have had no serious accidents 
in our five years of operations. All our 
developments have been built to high 
standards of sustainability and have 
achieved very good ratings and we are 
committed to improving energy usage and 
waste management across our portfolio 
by actively working with our tenants. 
In the local communities in which we 
operate we engage with representative 
groups and seek to provide employment 
opportunities for people living in adjacent 
areas. A major charity fund-raising initiative 
has been the annual Dragons at the Dock 
event. In the year we helped to raise over 
€300,000 which has been used to support 
the homeless in Dublin as well as several 
other local charities. Another successful 
initiative was our recycling of the graffiti 
wall from the former Windmill Lane Studios. 
The charity focusing on men’s mental 
health, Movember, has raised €120,000 to 
date selling parts of the restored wall to 
local businesses. 

On behalf of the Board I want to thank 
our staff for their efforts and commitment 
during the year. They are an integral part 
of our success and their dedication to 
achieving high standards across all our 
activities is crucial to the delivery of our 
strategic priorities.

My colleagues on the Board continue 
to provide their full support to me and 
the Group and are always available for 
meetings. All the Directors make valuable 
contributions at meetings and their 
external experience is helpful in framing 
the discussions of the Board. We strive 
to operate as a team where everyone is 
encouraged to contribute fully, and I am 
very satisfied that everyone is prepared 
to give their opinion on issues being 
considered by the Board. 

The anticipated continuing growth of Dublin, 
both economically and demographically, 
provides further opportunities for Hibernia 
over the medium term, though we must 
remain conscious that the open nature of 
Ireland’s economy means it is highly exposed 
to global events. With our pipeline of future 
development projects and increasing rental 
income I am confident we can continue to 
create value for our shareholders.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
17 June 2019

17

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comChief Executive Officer’s review

Good progress made  
across the business

“ We are reporting another set of strong 
financial results, including increasing our  
net asset value per share by almost 9%  
and growing net rental income and our  
full year dividend by over 16%.”

18

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comWe are pleased to report strong results, with 
our office developments and residential 
assets again performing particularly well. 
The total property return of our portfolio 
was 11.6% for the year, outperforming 
our benchmark, the MSCI Ireland Index 
(excluding Hibernia), which returned 7.5%. 
EPRA NAV per share grew by 8.9% to 173.3 
cent and we have proposed a final dividend 
of 2.0 cent per share, taking the total 
dividend for the year to 3.5 cent, an  
increase of 16.7% over the prior year.

Growing economy and favourable  
market conditions persist
Despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit, 
Ireland continues to have one of the best 
performing economies in the euro area 
and foreign direct investment remains high. 
Numbers in employment are at record 
levels and there is strong occupier demand, 
especially from the TMT sector and also 
for larger lettings. Dublin office take-up set 
a new record in 2018 and remained above 
trend in Q1 2019. The overall vacancy rate 
in Dublin at March 2019 was 5.4% and 
the Grade A vacancy rate in Dublin’s city 
centre, where c. 85% of Hibernia’s portfolio 
is located, was 4.5% at the same date. 
The supply of new offices in the city centre 
continues to be relatively constrained, which 
is helping support rents and in the residential 
sector rent levels continue to rise. On a like-
for-like basis our office portfolio grew 3.7% 
in value (excluding developments) and our 
residential portfolio grew 9.8%.

Disciplined allocation of capital  
with sales proceeds reinvested  
or returned to shareholders
Consistent with our strategy of selling 
assets where we expect forward returns 
to be below our targets and reinvesting in 
opportunities that we expect to enhance 
our returns, we disposed of New Century 
House and 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 
(“77SJRQ”) for €100.3m in the year and 
reinvested €40.0m in seven acquisitions, 
most notably the purchase of 98.3 acres 
of land at Newlands. We also invested 
€44.8m in capital expenditure on our 
development schemes.

“ Despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit, 
Ireland continues to have one of the best 
performing economies in the euro area  
and foreign direct investment remains high.” 

In order to maintain progress towards 
our leverage targets, we have announced 
our intention to return the €35m sales 
proceeds from 77SJRQ to shareholders 
and we commenced a €25m on-market 
share buyback in April 2019. We also intend 
to undertake a capital reorganisation to 
enhance our flexibility for future capital 
management through converting a 
substantial amount of our share premium 
into distributable reserves and we are 
seeking approval from shareholders for  
this at the AGM on 31 July 2019.

We have also made good progress on our 
pipeline of future schemes, obtaining new 
grants of planning permission for office 
developments at Harcourt Square and 
Marine House and growing our mixed-
use schemes through the acquisition of 
a further 98.3 acres of land at Newlands 
(Gateway) and 3.8 acres at 129 Slaney 
Road. In total our four office schemes can 
deliver 538,000 sq. ft. of office space post 
completion and we now own 147.5 acres of 
land with potential for mixed-use schemes, 
143.7 acres of which is at Newlands.

De-risking developments and  
advancing pipeline of future schemes 
We significantly de-risked our current 
development programme with the 
completion of 1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 
(“1SJRQ”) and 2 Windmill Lane (“2WML”) 
in March and February 2019, respectively, 
delivering 172,000 sq. ft. of Grade A offices 
and 19,000 sq. ft. of retail/leisure space and 
generating a profit on cost of over 75%. 
As at 31 March 2019 over 65% of this office 
space had been taken, following the letting 
of 1SJRQ to HubSpot. The completion of 
1SJRQ and 2WML finishes the Windmill 
Quarter, our first cluster, which now 
comprises six adjacent buildings in the 
South Docks and c. 400,000 sq. ft. of offices 
plus further ancillary space and communal 
facilities. Our development at 2 Cumberland 
Place, which will deliver 50,000 sq. ft. of  
new Grade A office space, remains on  
track to complete in the first half of 2020. 

Income and WAULT increasing  
despite asset sales and growing  
EPRA earnings and dividend
We agreed new leases and rent reviews 
totalling €7.8m in the year or €5.8m net 
of lease expiries and surrenders. The net 
sales made in the year reduced contracted 
rent by €4.2m meaning overall contracted 
rent at 31 March 2019 grew 2.9% to €57.6m 
and our office weighted average unexpired 
lease term (“WAULT”) to the earlier of 
break or expiry grew 2.7% to 7.5 years. 
Contracted rent from our completed office 
developments of €27.5m now exceeds 
the €22.9m of contracted rent from office 
assets we acquired with income.

EPRA earnings grew 41.6% to €27.5m (4.0 
cent per share) for the financial year and 
the Board has proposed a final dividend of 
2.0 cent per share, bringing the dividend 
for the year to 3.5 cent, up 16.7% on the 
prior year and representing a pay-out ratio 
of 89% of EPRA earnings. We see potential 
for further growth as we let our committed 
developments and vacant space (ERV: 
€10.8m), capture the €3.7m of reversionary 
potential in the portfolio (most of which  
will come in the next 2.1 years), and from 
our lower cost structure following the end 
of the IMA in November 2018. 

19

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comChief Executive Officer’s review continued

“ We have continued 
to recycle capital, 
selling assets worth 
over €100m and 
reinvesting €85m in 
new acquisitions and 
our developments, 
where we expect 
better future returns.”

Debt refinanced, progress  
towards leverage target expected
We successfully refinanced our debt 
in December 2018, moving to a fully 
unsecured structure and agreeing our first 
non-bank funding in the form of €75m of 
seven and 10-year US private placement 
notes. While the quantum of our facilities 
has remained broadly unchanged, the 
refinancing significantly extended the 
average maturity of our debt from 1.9 years 
to 5.7 years as at December 2018 (March 
2019: 5.4 years, March 2018: 2.7 years)  
and the unsecured structure ensures  
we have access to the widest possible 
range of funding options in future. 

As at 31 March 2019 net debt was €217.1m 
(March 2018: €202.7m) and the loan to 
value ratio was 15.6% (March 2018: 15.5%). 
While development and acquisition 
expenditure in the year was €84.8m, this 
was largely countered by the net sales 
proceeds received of €65.0m. A further 
€35.3m was received after the year end 
from the sale of 77SJRQ (contracted in 
March 2019) which we have committed 
to return to shareholders. We expect 
further progress towards the lower end of 
our target 20-30% loan to value range as 
we have a further €34.5m of committed 
development expenditure, most of which 
will occur in the year to March 2020. Net of 
this committed development spend and 
capital returns we have cash and undrawn 
facilities of €143m available. 

Positive outlook
Market conditions remain favourable, with 
robust economic growth and continued 
foreign direct investment leading to strong 
demand for office space, while supply 
of new offices in central Dublin remains 
limited. These same dynamics are also 
in evidence within the residential sector. 
We are positive about our prospects: we 
have a talented team, a portfolio with near- 
and longer-term potential, and flexible, low 
cost funding available to support our plans.

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive Officer
17 June 2019

20

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comQ+A with 
the CEO

How is Brexit affecting your thinking?
Given the strong occupational market 
in Dublin our key strategic priority has 
been increasing our portfolio income 
and WAULT through completing and 
leasing our developments, concluding rent 
reviews and letting the vacant space in our 
portfolio. We think Brexit thus far has been 
a net positive for the Dublin office market 
(both overtly, from relocations from the 
UK, and less visibly, through redirection 
of foreign direct investment flows away 
from the UK) but even without it, the 
occupational market would have been 
strong so it’s unlikely our strategy would 
have been much different. Looking ahead, 
it’s impossible to know how Brexit will 
play out but it is reassuring that the UK 

Parliament remains against exiting the EU 
without a deal, an outcome which we think 
could have a negative impact on the Dublin 
property market in the near term. That said, 
with our high quality portfolio and low 
leverage we believe we are well-positioned 
whatever the outcome of Brexit.

You’ve sold more assets than  
you’ve bought this year and  
announced a share buyback – why?
Our focus is on maximising shareholder 
returns: where we have assets that we 
don’t expect to meet our forward returns 
targets or where we receive offers ahead 
of our assessment of value we look to sell. 
For these reasons we sold New Century 
House and 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 
in the year, both at prices modestly 
ahead of the last reported book value, 

generating proceeds of €100.3m. If we 
find opportunities which we think will 
enhance our returns we look to invest but 
equally if we can’t we won’t: this year we 
invested €40.0m in seven acquisitions, 
most notably at Newlands Cross. We are 
also conscious of maintaining an efficient 
balance sheet and that is behind our 
decision to return €35m from the sale 
of 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to 
shareholders, starting with an initial €25m 
share buyback.

Do you expect to continue  
this trend in the coming year?
We will continue to focus on shareholder 
returns and recycling capital: if the 
investment market remains as competitive 
as it is currently we are probably more 
likely to be net sellers than net buyers 
but one never knows what opportunities 
will arise.

“ With our high quality portfolio and low 
leverage we believe we are well-positioned 
whatever the outcome of Brexit.”

21

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur market

Why Dublin?

Would you ever invest outside Dublin?
Our mandate is to invest in the Republic 
of Ireland. For the reasons mentioned 
already we believe Dublin is likely to remain 
the most attractive investment market for 
us and it is also the one where our local 
knowledge, built up over many years, gives 
us a competitive advantage. 

Why is Dublin an attractive place to invest?
Dublin is a capital city and by far the largest 
and wealthiest city in Ireland. Greater Dublin 
is home to more than 40% of Ireland’s 
4.8m population and generates over half 
its GDP (source: CSO). Dublin has four 
universities and a number of other higher 
education institutions and it has a young, 
highly-skilled and growing workforce. This, 
together with Ireland’s language, legal 
system, time-zone, tax advantages and 
membership of the European Union, has 
attracted many international companies 
to Dublin, particularly from the technology 
and financial sectors. Greater Dublin is 
expected to continue to grow rapidly, with 
its population forecast to increase by over 
17% in the next decade (source: National 
Planning Framework), and office-based 
employment forecast to grow by a similar 
amount (source: Oxford Economics).

Why has Hibernia concentrated on the 
office and residential sectors in Dublin?
Our primary focus is the Dublin office 
sector, which accounts for c. 85% of our 
portfolio: it is a large, relatively liquid market 
totalling over 40m sq. ft. (c. 22m sq. ft. 
in city centre) which attracts international 
investors and it is a sector where we expect 
growth over the next decade. Within the 
Dublin office sector we have invested 
solely in city centre offices as this is where 
most tenants and employees want to be – 
leading to higher rents. It is also where the 
barriers to entry are highest, on account of 
planning restrictions and scarcity of sites. 

The same trend of secular growth and 
constrained supply is expected in the 
Dublin residential sector, which currently 
comprises c. 11% of our portfolio. And it  
is why we have made a number of 
acquisitions in the past year – most  
notably at Newlands, D22 – which we  
hope will enable us to deliver new 
residential rental stock in future.

22

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIs Brexit good or bad for Dublin?
At the moment none of us knows exactly 
what the outcome of Brexit will be, so 
it’s a difficult question to answer! While 
companies are often reticent about giving 
reasons for locating or increasing their 
presence in Dublin, we believe that since 
the UK’s referendum on EU membership 
in June 2016 Dublin has benefited from 
a number of companies deciding to 
increase their headcount here, primarily on 
account of Brexit. Some of these have been 
financial services companies moving staff 
but we think the larger source of demand 
for office space has come from the TMT 
sector directing their expansion to Dublin 
(“latent Brexit”). We think this trend will 
continue and that the positives of Brexit 
for the Dublin property market are likely to 
outweigh the negatives.

Are you seeing a change in the 
requirements of office tenants?
Human capital is increasingly important to 
employers and, as a result, good working 
environments and wellness are also rising 
in their priorities as they seek to attract and 
retain the best staff. As mentioned already 
this is a key reason why all Hibernia’s office 
properties are located in the city centre: it 
is where the majority of employees prefer 
to work. It is also why we, along with 
delivering high quality new buildings, have 
sought to develop clusters of adjacent 
buildings, with the first completed being 
the Windmill Quarter: by doing so we are 
able to provide excellent communal areas, 
facilities and events without prohibitive 
costs for tenants. 

Tenants are also becoming more focused 
on sustainability and are seeking greater 
flexibility in their leases, with some larger 
corporates now using serviced offices 
for part of their accommodation needs. 
Sustainability is an important strategic 
priority for us and with a series of targets 
for the delivery of new buildings and the 
management of the existing portfolio, 
we are well-positioned to meet evolving 
tenant needs in this regard (for further 
details please see pages 59 to 63). We have 
looked closely at the serviced office sector, 
helped by our joint arrangement with 
Iconic Offices in Clanwilliam Court which 
runs until January 2022. We will consider 
leasing space selectively to serviced office 
operators where we believe it will enhance 
the portfolio: they comprised 1% of our 
office contracted rent roll at 31 March 2019. 
We will also consider offering shorter lease 
terms with corporate tenants ourselves, 
where appropriate. 

23

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comMarket review

Market dynamics remain favourable

“ The Dublin office market set a new record  
of 3.9m sq. ft. of take-up in 2018, up 8%  
on 2017 which was the previous record.”

General economy 
Ireland had another year as one of the 
top performing economies in Europe in 
2018, with headline GDP growth of 6.7% 
versus 1.8% for the euro area (source: CBI, 
European Commission). Core domestic 
demand, which is regarded as a better 
measure of the strength of the economy, 
grew by 4.5% in 2018. There have been 
some modest downgrades to growth 
expectations recently, largely on account 
of the uncertainty around Brexit, but 
nonetheless economic momentum is 
expected to remain strong with growth 
in core domestic demand forecast to be 
4.5% in 2019 and 3.7% in 2020 (source: 
Goodbody). The number of people in work 
reached a new high of 2.3m in December 
2018, albeit with some moderation in future 
growth expected as the pool of available 
labour diminishes (source: CSO, CBI) and 
the same trends are being seen in Dublin, 
where the unemployment rate has fallen 
below 5% (to 4.9% in Q4 2018) for the 
first time since late 2007 (source: Dublin 
Economic Monitor). As the labour market 
has tightened wage growth has started 
to pick up, with salary inflation of 3.0% 
expected in 2019 and overall inflation of 
0.9% expected (source: Department of 
Finance). In the construction sector tender 
prices are expected to increase by 3.4% in 
the first half of 2019 (source: SCSI).

With tax revenues ahead of expectations, 
the Government achieved a balanced 
budget in 2018 for the first time in over a 
decade and a budget surplus of 0.2% is 
forecast in 2019 (source: CSO, Department 
of Finance). National debt to GDP was 
64.8% at the end of 2018 and is forecast to 
reduce to 61% by the end of 2019, marking 
near achievement of the target of 60% as 
set down by the EU (source: Department 
of Finance). The investment programme 
announced by the Government as part of 
Project Ireland 2040 has seen projected 
capital spending for 2019 rise to €7.9bn, 
well ahead of the initial €5bn expected in 
the 2016 Capital Investment Plan (source: 
Goodbody), and the National Broadband 
Plan, to deliver high-speed fibre capacity to 
the whole country, has just been announced 
at an expected cost to the State of €3bn.
24

Despite its current momentum, the open 
nature of Ireland’s economy means it is 
particularly exposed to events beyond its 
borders and key risks include a disorderly 
Brexit, trade wars and an economic 
slowdown in the US. At present, foreign 
direct investment (“FDI”) in Ireland remains 
high: 4,700 IDA-sponsored jobs have been 
created thus far in 2019, equivalent to 63% 
of the 2018 total which was itself a strong 
year, and Dublin has accounted for 80% of 
these new jobs (source: Davy, IDA). 

Irish property investment market
In the 12 months to 31 March 2019 the 
MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property 
All Assets Index (the “Index”) excluding 
Hibernia delivered a total return of 
7.5% (March 2018: 7.7%, including the 
4% increase in commercial stamp duty 
introduced in October 2017). The industrial 
sector was the top performer with a total 
return of 12.9% followed by the office 
sector at 8.5% and “other” – which includes 
multi-family residential – at 7.3% (March 
2018: 7.8%, 9.7% and 7.7%, respectively). 
Yields have remained broadly constant in 
the office sector since late 2017, with the 
agent consensus between 4% and 4.25%, 
though some suggest these are trending 
tighter. PRS yields are between 3.85% 
and 4%, down from 4.25% at March 2018, 
and are trending tighter as well (source: 
Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE).

2018 was another strong year for the 
investment market as total spend 
reached a record €3.6bn and a number 
of large transactions completed. The rate 
moderated slightly in Q1 2019, amounting 
to €0.6bn, and total investment volumes 
for 2019 are expected to reach €2.5bn but 
could be considerably higher depending 
on the outcome of the Green REIT sales 
process (source: JLL). The office and 
residential sectors comprised the majority 
of investment volumes in 2018 at 40% and 
30%, respectively, and Dublin continues 
to be the principal location within Ireland, 
accounting for 85% of volumes (source: 
Knight Frank). 

Office occupational market
The Dublin office market set a new record 
of 3.9m sq. ft. of take-up in 2018, up 8% 
on 2017 which was the previous record. 
The city centre continues to account for the 
majority of the take-up, representing 72% 
of lettings by area in 2018 (source: Knight 
Frank). Net take-up was 71% of the headline 
figure in 2018 (2017: 55%), suggesting 
robust underlying occupier demand. 
This demand has continued into 2019 with 
1.4m sq. ft. taken up in the first quarter, 
equivalent to 35% of 2018’s full-year total 
(source: Knight Frank). The trend towards 
large leasing deals has also persisted, 
with lettings greater than 50,000 sq. ft. 
accounting for 48% of take-up in 2018 and 
79% of take-up in the quarter ended March 
2019 (source: Knight Frank). 

Top 10 office investment transactions (12 months to March 2019)

Building

Price

Price (psf)

Buyer

Buyer nationality

Dublin office swap, D1&D2

Charlemont Exchange, D2

No. 2 Dublin Landings, D1

The Beckett Building, D3

Belfield Office Park, D4

New Century House, D1

The Infinity Building, D7

The Sharp Building, D2

The One Building, D2

77SJRQ, D2

Source: Knight Frank

€160m

€144m

€107m

€101m

€90m

€65m

€57m

€56m

€50m

€36m

n/a

IPUT/State Street

Ireland/USA

€1,171psf

€1,118psf

€532psf

Vestas

JR AMC

South Korea

South Korea

Kookmin Bank

South Korea

€308psf

Spear Street Capital

USA

€818psf

€452psf

€1,260psf

€1,100psf

€1,040psf

Credit Suisse

Switzerland

Credit Suisse

Switzerland

Credit Suisse

Switzerland

BNP REIM

Patrizia

France

Germany

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comThe amount of space accounted for by lettings under 50,000 sq. ft. has remained relatively 
consistent with 1.9m, 1.6m and 2.0m sq. ft. take-up in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively 
(source: CRBE, Knight Frank). 

Top 10 office lettings (12 months to March 2019)

Tenant

Facebook

Salesforce

Google

Central Bank

OPW

Facebook

WeWork

HubSpot

IDA

WeWork

Area  
(sq. ft.)

%  
of total 
take-up

Industry

TMT

TMT

TMT

State

State

TMT

Building

Bankcentre, D4

Spencer Place, D1

Bolands Quay, D2

4 & 5 Dublin Landings, D1

The Distillers Building, D8

Nova Atria South, D18

Serviced offices

Charlemont Exchange, D2

TMT

State

1SJRQ, D2

Three Park Place, D2

870k

430k

221k

201k

182k

174k

121k

112k

112k

Serviced offices

2 Dublin Landings, D1

100k

19%

10%

5%

4%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

year-on-year (source: CSO, Goodbody). 
However, this increased output accounts 
for only half of the estimated annual 
demand in the market (source: Goodbody). 
Completions are expected to grow further 
in 2019 and 2020, to 24,000 and 28,000 
units, respectively, following increased 
planning permissions granted over the past 
year (source: Goodbody, CBI). House price 
inflation has moderated somewhat, 
standing at 4.3% annually on a national 
basis and at just 1.4% annually in Dublin at 
February 2019 (source: CSO). 

While the realised and forecast increases 
in housing supply are welcome, delivery 
of affordable units remains a key concern. 
2018 delivery suggests an excess of 
new homes at higher price ranges when 
compared to the number of people who 
can afford to buy them and, conversely, a 
deficit at more affordable prices (source: 
Goodbody). Apartment delivery continues 
to lag behind other housing types: planning 
for over 10,000 apartment units was 
approved in the 12 months to Q3 2018, a 
multiple of almost four times the actual 
delivery in 2018 (source: Goodbody). 
However, the removal of uncertainty around 
planning restrictions and heights in late 
2018 is likely to spur greater delivery in 2019 

Office development pipeline
The table below sets out delivery since 2017 
and our expectations for upcoming supply 
across Dublin’s city centre and for the 
whole of Dublin by year. Overall, we expect 
a total of 11.2m sq. ft. of gross new space 
between 2017 and 2022, of which 70% will 
be in the CBD.

Expected Dublin office development supply

Year

2017

2018

2019f

2020f

2021f

2022f

City centre supply

All Dublin supply

0.9m sq. ft.

1.7m sq. ft.

1.4m sq. ft.

2.1m sq. ft.

0.8m sq. ft. (66% pre-let)

1.6m sq. ft. (44% pre-let)

1.9m sq. ft. (45% pre-let)

2.4m sq. ft. (38% pre-let)

1.1m sq. ft. (36% pre-let)

1.9m sq. ft. (50% pre-let)

1.3m sq. ft. (0% pre-let)

1.8m sq. ft. (0% pre-let)

Total 2017-22

7.8m sq. ft.

11.2m sq. ft.

Source: Knight Frank/Hibernia

The pre- and mid-letting market remains 
active, with 47% of office stock under 
construction in the city having been 
let or reserved as at April 2019 (source: 
CBRE): recent lettings include the pre-let 
of the 160,000 sq. ft. Distillers Building 
in Smithfield to the OPW and Amazon’s 
agreement to let 176,000 sq. ft. of space in 
the 2 Charlemont Square development.

Residential sector
Housing delivery continues to increase, 
with 18,000 new homes delivered in 2018 
(versus 14,000 in 2017) and 60% of these 
delivered in the Dublin area. The same 
trend was exhibited in Q1 2019, as 4,275 
units were completed nationally, up 23% 

and the build to rent sector is expected 
to be a significant contributor to supply: 
planning for a further 10,000 units has 
been applied for since the beginning of Q4 
2018 (source: Goodbody). Strong growth 
in apartment delivery of 29% year-on-
year in Q1 2019, albeit from a low base, 
suggests that apartment delivery can be 
a key contributor to housing supply in the 
coming years (source: CSO, Goodbody).

Despite increases in supply and a 
moderation in growth in capital values, 
there remains a large amount of 
international and domestic institutional 
capital looking to invest in the residential 
sector, particularly in the private rented 
sector (“PRS”). CBRE’s latest research 
suggests that as much as €6.3bn is now 
targeting the sector in Ireland, up from 
€5.3bn this time last year.

25

Source: Knight Frank

The technology, media and 
telecommunications (“TMT”) sector remains 
the biggest source of demand, accounting 
for 52% of 2018 take-up and 56% in Q1 2019 
(2017: 51%), followed by co-working at 13% 
(Q1 2019: 1%). State bodies comprised 7% of 
take-up in 2018 and 31% in Q1 2019 (source: 
Knight Frank). As noted in previous results 
statements, we believe US technology 
companies redirecting investment that may 
otherwise have gone to the UK (“latent 
Brexit”) are having a bigger impact on 
the Dublin office market than relocations 
from the UK. The serviced office sector is 
also growing strongly and as of Q1 2019 
represents 2.9% of Dublin’s CBD office 
stock, excluding period offices, up from 
1.8% during the same quarter last year. 
By comparison, the sector’s share of office 
stock in London and Paris is 5.6% and 2.1%, 
respectively (source: Knight Frank).

The overall Dublin office vacancy rate at 
March 2019 was 5.4% (March 2018: 6.2%) 
and the Grade A vacancy rate in the 
city centre where all of Hibernia’s office 
portfolio is located was 4.5% at March 2019 
(March 2018: 3.7%) (source: Knight Frank). 
CBRE notes that while prime city centre 
rents have remained stable at €65psf 
to end-April 2019, rental values in the 
suburbs have increased in recent months. 
Looking ahead, active demand remains 
strong at 4.2m sq. ft. at the end of March 
2019 though it has reduced from 5.8m sq. 
ft. at the same time last year following the 
satisfaction of several large requirements 
during 2018 (source: Cushman & 
Wakefield). 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur stakeholders

Listening to  
our stakeholders

Hibernia recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement 
in achieving its strategic priorities and ensuring the long-term 
success of the Group.

Listening to our stakeholders
Understanding views, perspectives, 
concerns and ideas from inside and 
outside the Group is vital to ensure our 
operations meet the changing needs of 
our stakeholders. Tenants are at the heart 
of everything we do and we use daily 
engagement and regular surveys to ensure 
we react proactively to their concerns. 

Hibernia’s approach to 
stakeholder engagement
The purpose of the business is to create 
value not only for shareholders but also for 
the wider stakeholder universe. To do this 
the Group considers not only its investors, 
but also its tenants, employees, investors, 
suppliers and the communities it operates 
in when planning its strategy and operating 
its business. Stakeholder engagement and 
management are key ingredients for the 
Group’s continued success. 

Central to our property business is 
sustainability, not only as this is increasingly 
a focus of regulation around property 
development and management, but 
also because our business can make a 
positive impact on a sustainable future 
and our stakeholders care about our 
green credentials. 

Tenant event at the Townhall, 1WML

26

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comTenants

Investors

  Read more on page 14

  Read more on pages 81 to 83

Why is it important to engage?

Our tenants are our customers: they expect high quality 
working environments and good service. Engaging with our 
tenants is crucial to ensuring that we fully meet their needs and 
requirements. Unlike many of our peers, who outsource this 
function, we have our own team of asset and building managers 
because we believe this is the best way to fully understand our 
tenants’ experience. 

Our shareholders are the owners of Hibernia. Other investors 
may become shareholders in future. Engagement allows 
investors to gain a greater understanding of Hibernia, its 
strategy and the dynamics of the market in which the Company 
operates. It also gives Hibernia’s Board and Senior Management 
Team an insight into investors’ views and any concerns they 
may have.

How we engage

Our building managers are located in our multi-let office 
buildings so they interact with our tenants every day. Our asset 
managers and our Sustainability Manager engage with tenants 
periodically (e.g. at review meetings) or as required. We run 
an annual tenant survey and use the information gathered, 
and feedback on initiatives undertaken, to further enhance our 
offering and service. 

With the exception of restricted periods (e.g. in the run-up 
to releasing financial results), Hibernia’s Board and Senior 
Management are always available to speak to or meet investors 
on any matter, including sustainability. Our Senior Management 
Team undertakes an extensive scheduled investor relations 
programme over the course of each year, encompassing both 
roadshows and attendance at key conferences. 

Stakeholder expectation

Our tenants have a diverse range of businesses and needs. 
They expect us to deliver spaces that work for them. Many now 
also value sustainable spaces, quality of services and amenities 
for their employees and flexibility in lease arrangements and 
other terms. 

Relevance to the business model and strategy

Listening to tenants helps shape our future developments and 
refurbishments, plan delivery of workable spaces and informs us 
of our tenants’ expectations and appreciation for amenities we 
provide such as shared social spaces and green initiatives. 

With respect to sustainability performance, Hibernia has started 
reporting to GRESB and from 2019 onwards its results will be 
available to investors who subscribe to GRESB. Hibernia also 
reports sustainability performance figures under the EPRA 
Sustainability Best Practices Recommendations (“sBPR”). 

Our investors expect a positive return. Many now expect that we 
align ourselves with sustainability benchmarks such as GRESB.

Investors are the reason the business exists. Their expectations 
for income and capital growth inform our decisions on 
many levels, the mix of income generating properties versus 
development activities, the investment in sustainability 
improvements, dividend targets and leverage amongst others.

27

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur stakeholders continued

Suppliers

Communities

  Read more on pages 59 to 63

  Read more on pages 59 to 63

Why is it important to engage?

Our suppliers provide goods and services to Hibernia, 
without which we may not be able to achieve our strategic 
objectives. The successful delivery of our projects requires 
good relationships with the main contractors. It is important 
that Hibernia treats suppliers fairly so that they are willing to 
continue to provide goods and services. It is also important 
that suppliers fulfil their obligations from a commercial, 
environmental and social (e.g. health & safety) perspective. 

How we engage

We maintain a team of qualified individuals supporting our 
business who have good contacts and relationships with 
suppliers. Whilst we use a tender process to ensure best value, 
we place a large emphasis on quality and established track 
record. We ensure that we support all suppliers through fair 
and prompt payment. This helps us to keep a good working 
relationship with quality suppliers to continue to support our 
future pipeline. We have a Supplier Code of Conduct that sets 
out the standards we expect our suppliers to comply with.

Stakeholder expectation

Our suppliers expect to be paid promptly and treated fairly. 
Assuming they perform well they can reasonably expect to be 
used in future.

For Hibernia to be successful in the long term it is important 
that it is a responsible owner and landlord and that its work 
brings benefit to the wider community. This is particularly 
the case where Hibernia is doing development work which 
potentially brings significant upheaval to surrounding 
communities. Engaging and supporting these communities is 
therefore an important part of our approach.

Where new developments are taking place we engage with 
local communities during the planning process. During the 
year, we engaged with a number of local initiatives designed to 
support local communities. Part of the historic graffitied wall 
of Windmill Lane Studios was donated to Movember, a men’s 
mental health group that has raised €120k to date through 
selling restored pieces. We are one of the lead sponsors and 
organisers of the Dragons at the Docks event each summer 
which has so far raised over €300k for homeless and other local 
charities. We organised children’s activities locally including a 
Christmas party in 1WML in the year. In the wider community 
we sponsored industry related events. We also co-sponsored 
the Haughton and Young Limited (HYL) ‘Excellence in training’ 
scheme for young apprentices.

Local communities where our properties are located can have 
a wide range of expectations. Within the working population 
in our buildings, retail and social space and other amenities 
can be important. In the wider community, apprenticeship 
programmes, community support and engagement schemes 
are expected. 

Relevance to the business model and strategy

Investing in our supplier relationships enables us to work with 
established and quality providers, particularly on our building 
contracts. Using supplier interactions and requiring adherence 
to a code of contact helps us to maintain our standards where 
activities and goods are sub-contracted externally.

Community engagement demonstrates our commitment 
to responsible and sustainable business and reduces the 
risk of reputational damage. It also helps us to understand 
the interactions of the various stakeholders and respond to 
their needs.

28

Hibernia’s employees work to execute the Group’s strategy. 

Government, central and local, sets the rules that govern 

Proper engagement is necessary to communicate the Group’s 

Hibernia and its properties. Delivering on our development and 

goals, to encourage personal development and to make sure 

refurbishment strategy requires interaction with local planning 

employees are happy and motivated.

authorities and government.

The Board and Management encourage a culture of openness 

We engage proactively in planning pre-application consultations 

and transparency, which is helped by the Group’s single, 

with key stakeholders and adjust our approach accordingly. 

open-plan office. There are weekly Executive Committee 

We ensure we are informed of and compliant with all regulations 

meetings together with regular inter-departmental meetings 

impacting our activities and we use advisers and consultants 

and quarterly “all staff” town halls. There is a formal annual 

to aid us in this task. We engage at a community level with 

review process for every employee and an anonymous annual 

local councillors to help target community support priorities. 

employee survey. In addition there are periodic training events 

We work closely with the council in order to complete our 

and social events for those who wish to participate. 

streetscaping around new buildings. We are a founding member 

of Irish Institutional Property, a representative group which 

represents the interests of institutional property companies. 

Employees expect not only a fair payment for their services but 

We are expected to comply with regulations and planning 

also a good working environment. Employees place value on 

guidelines. In some cases we are expected to contribute to 

good communication, a social network and the opportunity to 

the local area development in terms of the public realm and 

participate in personal and community development as well as 

other amenities which are not necessarily part of our property. 

contribute to charitable endeavours. 

Local government’s expectation also incorporates an element  

of community welfare and informs our interaction with  

the communities they serve. 

Happy and motivated employees feel more connected and loyal 

At a basic level, non-compliance with regulation can cost us 

to the Group and these efforts tend to promote retention and 

money and reputational damage. Proper management and 

enhance recruitment efforts. All of this combines to support the 

interaction with this stakeholder can advance our goals in 

business in the achievement of its KPIs. Alignment of employee 

developing and creating value.

remuneration to KPIs also ensures the greater likelihood of 

achieving corporate goals.

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comWhy is it important to engage?

Our suppliers provide goods and services to Hibernia, 

For Hibernia to be successful in the long term it is important 

without which we may not be able to achieve our strategic 

that it is a responsible owner and landlord and that its work 

objectives. The successful delivery of our projects requires 

brings benefit to the wider community. This is particularly 

good relationships with the main contractors. It is important 

the case where Hibernia is doing development work which 

that Hibernia treats suppliers fairly so that they are willing to 

potentially brings significant upheaval to surrounding 

continue to provide goods and services. It is also important 

communities. Engaging and supporting these communities is 

that suppliers fulfil their obligations from a commercial, 

therefore an important part of our approach.

environmental and social (e.g. health & safety) perspective. 

How we engage

We maintain a team of qualified individuals supporting our 

Where new developments are taking place we engage with 

business who have good contacts and relationships with 

local communities during the planning process. During the 

suppliers. Whilst we use a tender process to ensure best value, 

year, we engaged with a number of local initiatives designed to 

we place a large emphasis on quality and established track 

support local communities. Part of the historic graffitied wall 

record. We ensure that we support all suppliers through fair 

of Windmill Lane Studios was donated to Movember, a men’s 

and prompt payment. This helps us to keep a good working 

mental health group that has raised €120k to date through 

relationship with quality suppliers to continue to support our 

selling restored pieces. We are one of the lead sponsors and 

future pipeline. We have a Supplier Code of Conduct that sets 

organisers of the Dragons at the Docks event each summer 

out the standards we expect our suppliers to comply with.

which has so far raised over €300k for homeless and other local 

charities. We organised children’s activities locally including a 

Christmas party in 1WML in the year. In the wider community 

we sponsored industry related events. We also co-sponsored 

the Haughton and Young Limited (HYL) ‘Excellence in training’ 

scheme for young apprentices.

Stakeholder expectation

used in future.

Our suppliers expect to be paid promptly and treated fairly. 

Local communities where our properties are located can have 

Assuming they perform well they can reasonably expect to be 

a wide range of expectations. Within the working population 

in our buildings, retail and social space and other amenities 

can be important. In the wider community, apprenticeship 

programmes, community support and engagement schemes 

are expected. 

Relevance to the business model and strategy

Investing in our supplier relationships enables us to work with 

Community engagement demonstrates our commitment 

established and quality providers, particularly on our building 

to responsible and sustainable business and reduces the 

contracts. Using supplier interactions and requiring adherence 

risk of reputational damage. It also helps us to understand 

to a code of contact helps us to maintain our standards where 

the interactions of the various stakeholders and respond to 

activities and goods are sub-contracted externally.

their needs.

Employees

Government

  Read more on pages 59 to 63

  Read more on pages 59 to 63

Hibernia’s employees work to execute the Group’s strategy. 
Proper engagement is necessary to communicate the Group’s 
goals, to encourage personal development and to make sure 
employees are happy and motivated.

Government, central and local, sets the rules that govern 
Hibernia and its properties. Delivering on our development and 
refurbishment strategy requires interaction with local planning 
authorities and government.

The Board and Management encourage a culture of openness 
and transparency, which is helped by the Group’s single, 
open-plan office. There are weekly Executive Committee 
meetings together with regular inter-departmental meetings 
and quarterly “all staff” town halls. There is a formal annual 
review process for every employee and an anonymous annual 
employee survey. In addition there are periodic training events 
and social events for those who wish to participate. 

We engage proactively in planning pre-application consultations 
with key stakeholders and adjust our approach accordingly. 
We ensure we are informed of and compliant with all regulations 
impacting our activities and we use advisers and consultants 
to aid us in this task. We engage at a community level with 
local councillors to help target community support priorities. 
We work closely with the council in order to complete our 
streetscaping around new buildings. We are a founding member 
of Irish Institutional Property, a representative group which 
represents the interests of institutional property companies. 

Employees expect not only a fair payment for their services but 
also a good working environment. Employees place value on 
good communication, a social network and the opportunity to 
participate in personal and community development as well as 
contribute to charitable endeavours. 

We are expected to comply with regulations and planning 
guidelines. In some cases we are expected to contribute to 
the local area development in terms of the public realm and 
other amenities which are not necessarily part of our property. 
Local government’s expectation also incorporates an element  
of community welfare and informs our interaction with  
the communities they serve. 

Happy and motivated employees feel more connected and loyal 
to the Group and these efforts tend to promote retention and 
enhance recruitment efforts. All of this combines to support the 
business in the achievement of its KPIs. Alignment of employee 
remuneration to KPIs also ensures the greater likelihood of 
achieving corporate goals.

At a basic level, non-compliance with regulation can cost us 
money and reputational damage. Proper management and 
interaction with this stakeholder can advance our goals in 
developing and creating value.

29

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur business model

Creating long-term value

We focus on the Dublin office and residential markets.  
Our approach is based on active ownership of our properties 
(through repositioning buildings and asset management) and 
recycling of capital into new opportunities to generate above 
average long-term returns while using only modest leverage.

  Read more on page 34

Our inputs

How we create value

People and relationships
Experienced leadership with 
specialist investment, asset 
and building management, 
development and finance teams 
and a deep knowledge of the 
Dublin property market.

Innovations and tenant service
We seek to be at the forefront 
of changes in occupier needs. 
Our clustering strategy (see  
page 6) enables us to provide 
better experiences and services to 
our tenants. Unlike many property 
companies in Ireland we manage 
most of our buildings ourselves as 
we feel this is better for both tenant 
and landlord.

Financial resources
We run with low leverage: our 
through-cycle target is 20-30% loan 
to value.

30

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Buy
Typically, we buy off-market 
and we are experienced in 
acquiring property through 
secured loans.

Active  
management
We seek close relationships 
with tenants and take a 
cycle-based approach  
to maturities.

Clustering
Where possible we form 
clusters of buildings with 
shared facilities to benefit 
our tenants and their 
employees.

Asset  
improvement
We unlock value 
through refurbishment, 
redevelopment and 
change of use, increasing 
the rents tenants are 
prepared to pay.

Sell
Where assets no longer meet 
our expected forward returns 
or we can achieve future 
gains today, we look to sell 
and recycle the proceeds into 
new investments.

The value we share

Investors
We aim to create value and grow 
income for our shareholders.

Tenants
Our well-located, attractive buildings 
offer tenants excellent space to work 
or live in. 

Suppliers
We are responsible customers and 
seek to pay suppliers promptly.

Communities
Investing in our buildings and 
clusters improves locations and 
benefits local communities.

Employees
We give our employees the chance 
to gain experience and develop. 
Our review process gives concise 
feedback and we run training 
schemes for our employees.

31

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur strategy

Clear strategic thinking  
is key to our long-term success

Strategic priorities  
2018-19

1

Complete committed near-
term developments and 
prepare pipeline of future 
projects. Where possible 
use development to form 
clusters of buildings with 
shared facilities

 See pages 53 to 54

2 Increase rental income 

and duration

 See page 55

Key targets

2018-19 progress

•  Deliver 1SJRQ and 

•  1SJRQ and 2WML delivered, 

2WML completing the 
Windmill cluster

•  Progress four pipeline 

projects and add to pipeline 
where possible 

•  Assess existing in-place 
portfolio for future value-
add opportunities

•  Let 1SJRQ and 2WML
•  Deliver rental uplifts 

through rent reviews and 
lease renewals

•  Keep vacancy rates 

below 5%

completing the Windmill Quarter

•  Construction commenced on 2 
Cumberland Place: expected to 
complete in H1 2020 calendar year

•  Planning permission granted for 

revised scheme at Harcourt Square 
and new scheme at Marine House

•  Working up plans for other 
pipeline projects including 
Clanwilliam Court and Newlands

•  Contracted rent +2.9% to €57.6m 
and WAULT +2.7% to 7.5 years
•  1SJRQ offices let to HubSpot at 

annual rent of €6.8m

•  New office leases added €7.1m 
(€6.9m excluding gym letting), 
with weighted average term 
certain of c.12 years

•  Vacancy rate now 12% following 
recent completion of 2WML and 
lease break in the Forum

3 Make selective investments

 See page 50

•  Make acquisitions or 

•  €40m (incl. costs) invested in 

investments where we see 
opportunities to enhance 
Group returns

seven acquisitions

•  €45m invested in capital 

expenditure on our 
development schemes

4 Recycle capital to monetise 

gains and enhance 
future returns

•  Sell assets which do not 

meet our expectations for 
forward returns

 See page 50

•  Sale of New Century House and 
77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay for 
€100m (modestly above book 
value) with c. €85m invested in new 
acquisitions and development capex

•  Announced intention to return 

€35m from the sale of 77SJRQ to 
shareholders starting with an initial 
€25m share buyback

KPI impact and  
operational metrics

•  Development profits 

enhance EPRA 
NAVPS and TPR 
•  Lettings/pre-lets 
increase rent, 
WAULTs and reduce 
voids/void costs

•  Lettings increase, 
contracted rents 
and WAULTs and 
may enhance EPRA 
NAVPS and TPR

•  Investments should 
enhance EPRA 
NAVPS and TPR in 
longer term

•  Disposals above 

book value 
enhance TPR and 
EPRA NAVPS

5 Maintain an efficient balance 

sheet and seek to diversify 
funding sources and 
maturity dates

 See pages 56 to 58

•  Continue to progress 

•  LTV of 15.6% at March 2019 

towards target leverage level 
of 20-30%

•  Look to diversify debt 

funding away from purely 
bank debt and seek to 
extend debt maturity dates

compared to 15.5% at March 2018
•  Refinanced entire €400m secured 
RCF with €320m unsecured RCF 
and €75m of PP notes

•  Weighted average debt maturity 
5.4 years, up from 2.7 years at 
March 2018

•  Efficient balance 
sheet should 
enhance EPRA 
NAVPS growth 
and DPS

6 Continue to improve 

environmental efficiency of 
the portfolio

 See pages 59 to 63

•  Reduce energy consumption 

and greenhouse gas 
emissions (“GHG”) per 
square metre on ‘like-for-like’ 
(“LfL”) and absolute basis 

•  New office buildings 

delivered achieve at least 
LEED Gold 

•  LFL reductions in energy 
consumption and fuel 
consumption per square metre of 
4.5% and 7.1%, respectively

•  1SJRQ and 2WML on target to 

receive LEED Platinum and LEED 
Gold certifications, respectively

•  See Sustainability  

Report 2019 
available at  
www.hiberniareit.com

32

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comWith a favourable occupational market and a competitive 
investment market our main focus at present is on 
maximising the value we deliver from our portfolio  
through reducing vacancy, capturing reversion,  
progressing developments and recycling capital.

Strategic priorities
2019–20

Key targets

Risks

1

Increase rental income to drive 
dividends per share and, where possible, 
increase WAULTs

•  Get office vacancy rate back below 5%
•  Agree outstanding and upcoming rent 

•  Occupational market weakness
•  Existing tenants leave or 

reviews to capture reversion

become insolvent

 See pages 53 to 55

2 Progress with our committed 

development scheme and prepare 
pipeline of future projects, especially 
where there is potential for more clusters 
similar to the Windmill Quarter

 See pages 8 to 9

3 Recycle capital to monetise gains and 

make selective investments

 See page 11

4 Maintain an efficient balance sheet

 See page 58 

5 Continue to improve environmental 

efficiency of the portfolio 

•  Continue construction of 2 Cumberland 
Place and aim to complete as early as 
possible in 2020 calendar year
•  Obtain planning permission for 

redevelopment of Clanwilliam Court
•  Assess existing in-place portfolio for 

•  Market decline reduces 
development surpluses

•  Construction cost inflation or (sub) 

contractor failure does likewise
•  Buildings delivered do not meet 

tenant needs

future value-add opportunities

•  Adverse planning decisions

•  Continue to seek to dispose of assets 

•  Market decline means cannot achieve 

which do not meet our expectations for 
forward returns

•  Make acquisitions or investments 

where we see opportunities to enhance 
Group returns 

book value on disposals
•  No attractive acquisition or 
investment opportunities
•  Returns expectations wrong

•  Continue to progress towards target 

•  Disposals exceed capital deployment, 

range of 20-30% LTV

reducing LTV 

•  Where net sales reduce leverage 
consider returning excess capital 
to shareholders

•  Reduce energy consumption and GHG 
emissions per square metre on LfL and 
absolute basis

 See our Sustainability Report 2019  

•  New office buildings delivered to 

at www.hiberniareit.com

achieve at least LEED Gold

•  Failure to achieve reductions could 
impact the Group’s ability to attract 
tenants and/or the value of the 
Group’s properties

33

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comKey performance indicators

Creating long-term value

Our key performance indicators (“KPIs”) are the main metrics we use in running 
the business and assessing its performance. They are focused on returns to 
shareholders and are the principal determinants of variable remuneration. The 
previous remuneration scheme, which existed since IPO, expired in November 
2018 and the Group’s new policy took effect from that date.

Total accounting return (“TAR”) %

EPRA earnings per share (cent)

2019

2018

2017

11.1

10.5

13.6

2019

2018

2017

2.8

2.2

4.0

Reason
Measures the absolute growth in the Group’s EPRA NAV per share 
plus ordinary dividends paid.

Commentary
Positive TAR shows that Hibernia continues to add value year on 
year for shareholders. While the share price on the market may 
be volatile, this shows the underlying capital and income growth 
Hibernia has delivered for the shareholders. 

Reason
Measures the profit after tax excluding revaluations and gains  
and losses on disposals and associated taxation (if any). 
For property companies it is a key measure of operational 
performance and capacity to pay dividends

Commentary
Steady growth in EPRA EPS shows the increase in our underlying 
rental income and in our ability to pay dividends. 

Link to remuneration
Old scheme
•  Absolute performance fees

New scheme
•  All staff annual bonuses
•  Executive Directors and Senior Management LTIP (starting 

1 Apr 2019)

Link to remuneration
Old scheme
•  None

New scheme
•  All staff annual bonuses

Total property return  
(“TPR”) vs MSCI Ireland Index

Total shareholder return (“TSR”) %

2019

2018

2017

7.5

7.7

4.1

11.6

3.7

11.4

11.2

3.1

14.3

2019

-5.2

2018

2017

-3.8

18.1

Reason
MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All Assets Index (“MSCI Ireland 
Index”) measures the return of the property market in Ireland for all 
asset classes both including and excluding Hibernia assets. 

Reason
TSR measures the return to shareholders through growth in share 
price and dividends and enables comparison to peers. 

Commentary
Demand in the core Dublin CBD market continues to be strong and 
the completion of two major developments during the financial year, 
together with gains from the rest of the portfolio, have combined to 
ensure that Hibernia delivered a strong performance for the financial 
year. Note: 2018 and 2017 data is restated using the methodology 
used for the new Remuneration Policy. 

Link to remuneration
Old scheme
•  Relative performance fees 

New scheme
•  All staff annual bonuses
•  Executive Directors and Senior Management LTIP (starting 

1 Apr 2019)

34

Commentary
TSR is used as a KPI in the performance assessment for LTIPs 
under the new Remuneration Policy only and will only be relevant 
for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 onwards. It encourages 
long term performance for those responsible for strategic direction. 

Link to remuneration
Old scheme
•  None

New scheme
•  Executive Directors and Senior Management LTIP (starting 

1 Apr 2019)

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOperational metrics
In addition to our KPIs, we use the following main operational metrics in managing the business

Investment

Purchases

(Disposals)

Net investment

Sales – premium to book value

 See more on page 50

2019

€40m

€(100)m

€(60)m

3%

2018

Development management 

€39m

Capital expenditure

€(36)m

Committed capital expenditure

€3m

21%

Profit on cost (completed in FY)

Yield on cost (completed in FY)

2019

€45m

€35m 

>75%

8.9%

2018

€45m

€77m

>65%

8.7%

 See more on pages 53 to 54

Asset management

Portfolio value

In-place office vacancy

Passing rent

Contracted rent

Office rent w/cap and collar or 
upwards only at next review

In-place office WAULT to break/expiry

Reversionary potential

2019

€1,395m

12% 

€51m

€58m

26%

7.5yrs

7%

2018

Financial management 

€1,309m

EPRA earnings

3%

Profit before tax

€50m

Net debt

€56m

LTV

36%

Finance  
costs

7.3yrs

Cash and undrawn facilities

12%

Committed return of capital

2019

€27.5m

€124m

€217m

15.6%

€8.2m

€178m

€35m

2018

€19.4m

€107m

€203m

15.5%

€6.2m

€197m

–

 See more on page 55

 See more on pages 56 to 58

Alternative performance measures 
The group uses a number of financial measures to describe 
performance which are not defined under IFRS and are 
therefore considered alternative performance measures 
(“APMS”). These are described on page 193. 

Number of staff

Employee retention

2019

97%

2018

97%

Training per employee (average)

20 hours

11 hours

35

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRisk management

Risk management

Effective management of risk is essential for the Group to 
achieve its strategic priorities and deliver strong performance 
over the long term. Overall the Group has a relatively low 
tolerance of risk.

The Board has ultimate responsibility for 
risk management and this is implemented 
through a risk management system which 
extends to all levels of the Group. The Group 
promotes a proactive risk management 
culture, encouraging all employees and 
Directors to identify, measure and manage 
risk on an on-going basis.

Our key focus areas in 2018-19
•  Cycle position and appropriate 

risk appetite

•  Brexit and its potential impact on 

our strategy

•  Implementation of recommendations 
made in reports from internal auditors
•  Compliance with GDPR post May 2018
•  Cyber threats and other security risks
•  External review of health and safety 

across the Group

Our key focus areas in 2019-20
•  Cycle position and appropriate 

risk appetite

•  Adapting to changes in tenant needs
•  Monitoring the potential outcomes and 

impact of Brexit 

•  Continuing with the internal audit 

programme and implementation of any 
agreed recommendations

•  Seeking ISO 45001 accreditation to 
provide additional assurance around 
health & safety and environmental, social 
and governance (“ESG”) practices

•  Expanding the CPD training programme 
within the Group to include further risk 
management training

•  Reviewing GDPR implementation and 

ongoing compliance

Risk profile
As a Group with the majority of its assets in 
central Dublin offices, Hibernia is especially 
sensitive to any factors which impact on 
demand for office space in Dublin’s city 
centre. Any decline in demand or material 
increase in supply could negatively impact 
the value of the Group’s portfolio, its rental 
income and its ability to recycle capital or 
source new capital. In addition the Dublin 
property market is impacted by a range 
of factors, some local to Dublin or Ireland 
(e.g. planning regulations, cost of labour) 
and some international in nature (e.g. 
global trade, foreign direct investment 
in Ireland).

Risk appetite 
Risk appetite is set and reviewed by Senior 
Management in consultation with the 
Board of Directors. Conflicting interests, for 
example where a business decision may 
exceed stated risk appetite levels, are dealt 
with by the Board. Overall the Group’s risk 
appetite is relatively low and includes the 
following factors:

•  Moderate leverage: Leverage should 
not exceed 40% of portfolio value at 
incurrence and the Group’s through- 
cycle leverage target is 20-30% LTV:  
at 31 March 2019 LTV was 15.6%

•  Income producing assets: The Group will 
meet its financing commitments and the 
REIT requirements in terms of dividend 
payments to its shareholders: in the year 
ended 31 March 2019 the Group had 
interest cover of 4.1 times and declared 
dividends of 3.5c per share, which is 
greater than 85% of our property rental 
profits in the year

•  Dublin property market focus: Senior 
Management’s expertise and value-
adding capabilities are most suited to 
the Dublin property market. This focused 
strategy allows the Group to limit its 
foreign currency and geographical risks, 
though there are concentration risks: as 
at 31 March 2019 100% of the Group’s 
assets were in Dublin, the majority 
comprising city centre offices

•  Limited development exposure: The 
Group limits its exposure to higher risk 
development or speculative projects 
while allowing it to grow income through 
delivery of some new buildings: as 
at 31 March 2019 only one building 
(1% of the portfolio by value) was 
in development

•  Mid-range property values: The Group 
primarily targets office properties in the 
€20m to €100m range. This reduces 
the administration costs associated with 
dealing with multiple smaller properties 
and decreases the concentration 
risk associated with high value single 
property assets, where exit options may 
be limited to a few major purchasers: 
as at 31 March 2019 66% of the Group’s 
portfolio by value fitted into this category

These parameters are reviewed on a 
periodic basis by the Board.

Risk management culture
Effective day-to-day management of risk 
is embedded in our operational processes 
at all levels of the organisation. Some key 
points to note: 

•  The Board and Senior Management 

encourage a culture of openness and 
transparency throughout the Group

•  The Group operates out of a single, open-
plan office in central Dublin and most of 
its properties are within walking distance
•  The Directors are closely involved in the 
business, helping to quickly identify new 
risks and weaknesses

•  Senior Management is experienced and 

staff turnover remains low

•  The Senior Management Team holds 
weekly management meetings and 
regular inter-departmental meetings 
to review progress in each area of 
the business

•  PwC has been retained as internal auditor 
to provide an independent assessment of 
controls and risk management processes

36

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRisk management system
The Board has put in place procedures 
designed to ensure that all applicable risks 
pertaining to the Group can be identified, 
monitored and managed at all times. 

Risk register: The Group’s risk register 
details risks across, inter alia, economic, 
political, investment, operational, IT, 
governance, regulatory and strategic  
areas of the business. 

The Group’s risk management objectives 
are to:

•  Ensure risk management continues to  

be an integral part of business processes;

•  Maintain an effective system of risk 
identification, analysis, evaluation 
and treatment;

•  Avoid exposure to significant operational, 

reputational or financial losses;

•  Assess and challenge the benefits and 

costs of risk management processes and 
controls; and

•  Contribute to the achievement of the 

Group’s strategic objectives

The Group’s risk management system 
and any updates to it are communicated 
to all relevant staff periodically and at 
least annually.

Internal audit: PwC continues to provide 
internal audit services to the Group. 
An agreed internal audit risk assessment 
and plan for the financial years 2018-2020 
is in place. The plan proposes to undertake 
a comprehensive review of processes and 
controls in key risk areas. Further detail is 
set out in the Audit Committee Report on 
pages 84 to 90.

The register was comprehensively reviewed 
during the year with new risks added 
to include risk factors around planning, 
re-zoning and environmental issues, 
obtaining vacant possession, the increasing 
uncertainty around the Brexit process, 
political risk, the failure to anticipate 
or react to market trends in office and 
tenant behaviour and the increasing focus 
on sustainability reporting. Several risks 
were added including risk factors around 
the housing crisis, supply of commercial 
property, availability of sites, market 
concentration and market confidence. 

Risk ratings were comprehensively 
reviewed and adjusted during the period 
reflecting the increasing threat of cyber 
security, increasing uncertainty over Brexit 
and its impact on the Group’s strategy, the 
impact of the loss of key personnel, the 
use of gearing, management of tax and/or 
changes in the tax environment, access to 
funding/refinancing debt, reputational risk 
and fraud. Risk ratings were reduced for 
remuneration policies to reflect the expiry 
of the interim remuneration arrangements 
in November 2018, for insurance to reflect 
the strong mitigating measures in place  
and for regulatory, legislative and tax 
changes and professional negligence risks.

The risk register is reviewed and reported 
to the Board on an annual basis.

A register of errors and breaches is 
maintained and no material breaches 
were noted during this and the preceding 
financial year.

37

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRisk management system responsibilities 

Board

•  Ensure effective risk management is in place across the Group
•  Approve the risk appetite for the Group
•  Review and assess the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties
•  Review the Group’s risk register and risk metrics

•  Monitor and review the effectiveness of risk management processes across 

the Group

Audit Committee

•  Monitor and review the Group’s management of risk
•  Assess findings and recommendations of internal audit and management in 

respect of risk

Risk and 
compliance and 
internal audit

•  Lead the approach to risk management in the Group
•  Implement risk management policy
•  Present results of internal audit and other reviews to the Audit Committee,  
identify deficiencies and recommend remedial measures where necessary

•  Identify and assess emerging risks
•  Identify and records all risks for inclusion in the register
•  Monitor key risk indicators and risk metrics

Management 
Committees

•  Input into the Board process for setting risk appetites
•  Implement strategy in line with the approved risk appetite
•  Lead operational management approach to implementation  

of risk management processes

•  Identify and assess principal risks for the Board
•  Consideration of mitigating factors recorded in the risk register

Operational 
management

•  Create an environment of acceptance and support for risk management 

by employees

•  Implement and maintain the risk management process
•  Produce the risk registers including identification of risks, mitigations in place  

and actions required

•  Preparation of risk metrics

Employees

•  Active day to day consideration and management of risk

g
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Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
The Group refinanced its €400m secured 
revolving credit facility in December 2018 
with a €320m unsecured revolving credit 
facility (the “Unsecured Facility”) and 
€75m of unsecured US private placement 
notes (the “Notes”). The Unsecured 
Facility has a five-year term and the Notes 
have an average maturity of 8.5 years. 
This refinancing resulted in the increase 
of the weighted average maturity of the 
Group’s debt from 1.9 years to 5.7 years 
as at 31 December 2018 (5.4 years as at 
31 March 2019). 

While the Directors have no reason to 
believe that the Group will not be viable 
over the longer term, based on their 
assessment of viability as described, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the three-year period of their 
assessment ending 31 March 2022. 

Going concern and viability statement

The Group has five strategic priorities  
(as set out on page 33). The Board has 
concluded that a three-year (six for the 
financial year ended 31 March 2019) 
period for a viability assessment remains 
appropriate when balancing the long-term 
nature of property investment with some  
of the more immediate strategic priorities.

Assumptions have been built into the 
business and financial planning process 
which are based on a conservative view 
of the Group’s expected income and 
investment profile over this three-year 
period. The financial planning process 
considers the Group’s rental income, 
profitability, capital values, gearing, 
cashflows and other key operational and 
financial metrics over the plan period 
and the key vulnerabilities inherent 
in the business. The timing of the 
completion of development projects, lease 
commencement of new space, expected 
lease renewals, expected rental values and 
capital values are the main elements of 
planning reviewed at each quarterly Board 
meeting. Sensitivity analyses are performed 
to test the potential impact of some of the 
principal risks and uncertainties affecting 
the Group’s activities as described on 
pages 40 to 49. 

For the purposes of this viability statement, 
the Directors have considered the decline 
in underlying operating profits and asset 
values that would be required before the 
Group would breach its debt covenants or 
the requirements of the Irish REIT regime. 
Having reviewed the results of this exercise, 
the Directors consider that all of these 
scenarios are extremely unlikely to occur 
within the three-year period examined. 

Going concern 
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position 
are set out in the strategic report on pages 
2 to 63 of this Annual Report. This also 
covers the financial position of the Group, 
its liquidity position and debt facilities. 
Further detail on the financial performance 
and financial position of the Group and 
Company is provided in the consolidated 
financial statements and Company financial 
statements on pages 126 to 191 and in note 
2.e to the consolidated financial statements. 
In addition, note 31 to the Annual Report 
includes details on the Group’s financial risk 
management and exposures. The Directors 
have assessed the Group’s liquidity position 
and have no reason to expect that the 
Group will not be able to meet its liabilities 
as they fall due for the foreseeable future. 
Therefore, the Directors have concluded 
that the going concern assumption 
remains appropriate. 

Viability statement
The Directors have assessed the prospects 
of the business and its ability to meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the medium 
term. The Directors’ assessment has been 
made with reference to the resilience of 
the Group, its strong financial position, 
the Group’s strategy and the Group’s 
principal risks and risk appetite. The review 
is made drawing on expertise from across 
our team and includes an assessment 
of the macro-economic environment, 
forecasts of key property market metrics 
(including yields and rental growth) and 
rolling valuation progressions for each 
asset based on internal and market 
expectations. These elements are drawn 
into full financial projections for the current 
financial year and the following three 
years. These forecasts are updated for 
each quarterly Board meeting and key 
performance and sensitivity metrics are 
highlighted for the review period. 

39

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comPrincipal risks and uncertainties

A description of the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties and the steps which the Group has taken to manage them is 
set out below.

These represent the Board’s view of the principal risks at this point in time and there may be other matters that are not 
currently known to the Board or that are currently considered of low likelihood which could emerge and give rise to 
material consequences. The mitigation measures that are maintained in relation to these risks are designed to provide a 
reasonable and not an absolute level of protection against the impact of the events in question. The Board has reviewed 
the principal risks and considers that while there has not been a significant change in these risks in the past year, they do 
continue to evolve.

Risk
Market
Weakening economy

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Comments

Key controls  

and mitigants

Residual  

risk impact

Link to  

strategic priority

Change since last year

•  A drop in economic activity leading to declining  

property values and/or rental income

•  Ireland is a relatively small and “open” economy and  
is therefore particularly sensitive to deterioration in 
macro-economic conditions elsewhere 

Under-performance of Dublin 
property market

•  Our portfolio is solely focused on the Dublin market

Adverse Brexit outcome

•  Ireland is particularly exposed to the impact of Brexit  

due to its extensive trade with the UK

•  An orderly Brexit is likely to be beneficial to certain 
elements of the Irish economy, including the Dublin 
property market, even if others may suffer

•  In a disorderly Brexit scenario, the negative economic 

impact may outweigh positives, at least in the near term

40

•  Active monitoring of economic lead 

Underlying economic activity in Ireland is expected to  

indicators and market developments

continue to grow at a good rate in the coming years. 

•  Regular financial forecasting, stress 

Core domestic demand growth was 5.7% in 2018 and is 

testing and scenario planning

expected to be 4.5% in 2019 and 3.7% in 2020 (source: 

•  Risk appetite limits are in place for key 

Goodbody). Brexit aside, global economic sentiment is 

operating indicators

weakening and risks related to international trade and taxation 

•  Group policy is to use modest leverage 

changes persist. These conditions may have an important 

levels throughout the property cycle 

bearing on the future performance of the Irish economy.

The Group continues to increase WAULTs through lease 

renewals and letting of new space completed, the WAULT 

now standing at 7.5 years for the whole office portfolio as at 

31 March 2019, up from 7.3 years at 31 March 2018, helping 

to reduce vacancy risks in a market downturn. While the 

Group’s office vacancy rate at 31 March 2019 was 12% due 

to recent completions at 2WML and a lease break in Forum, 

this is expected to reduce in the near term. Vacancy rates 

in Dublin remain low (5.4% at 31 March 2019) and take-up 

remains strong.

•  Strategy and asset allocation  

Dublin office take-up set a new record in 2018 (for the 

are regularly reviewed in light of 

second year running) with 3.9m sq. ft. let and 2019 has started  

economic and market trends

strongly. Investment demand for office and residential assets 

•  Risk appetites are set and monitored 

remains strong with record investment volumes in 2018. 

for concentration levels

•  Key risk indicators are reported to  

the Board on a quarterly basis

•  Low leverage (15.6% LTV) and financing 

The outcome of Brexit remains uncertain though it is 

in place for the medium to long term

reassuring that the British Parliament appears opposed to a 

•  High quality tenant base

“no-deal” Brexit. The Group’s key strategic priority continues 

•  Seeking to lease vacant space and 

to be to grow our income and WAULTs through letting our 

extend WAULTs

developments, concluding rent reviews and reducing vacancy 

in the portfolio: these actions will also help protect the Group  

in the event of an adverse Brexit outcome. 

1

3

2

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1

3

1

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Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk

Market

Weakening economy

•  A drop in economic activity leading to declining  

property values and/or rental income

•  Ireland is a relatively small and “open” economy and  

is therefore particularly sensitive to deterioration in 

macro-economic conditions elsewhere 

Under-performance of Dublin 

•  Our portfolio is solely focused on the Dublin market

property market

Adverse Brexit outcome

•  Ireland is particularly exposed to the impact of Brexit  

due to its extensive trade with the UK

•  An orderly Brexit is likely to be beneficial to certain 

elements of the Irish economy, including the Dublin 

property market, even if others may suffer

•  In a disorderly Brexit scenario, the negative economic 

impact may outweigh positives, at least in the near term

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Key controls  
and mitigants

Comments

Residual  
risk impact

Link to  
strategic priority

Change since last year

Risk trend

Risk impact

Unchanged

High

 Increasing

Medium

Decreasing

Low

   Read more on our strategic 
priorities on pages 32 to 33

•  Active monitoring of economic lead 
indicators and market developments
•  Regular financial forecasting, stress 

testing and scenario planning

•  Risk appetite limits are in place for key 

operating indicators

•  Group policy is to use modest leverage 
levels throughout the property cycle 

Underlying economic activity in Ireland is expected to  
continue to grow at a good rate in the coming years. 
Core domestic demand growth was 5.7% in 2018 and is 
expected to be 4.5% in 2019 and 3.7% in 2020 (source: 
Goodbody). Brexit aside, global economic sentiment is 
weakening and risks related to international trade and taxation 
changes persist. These conditions may have an important 
bearing on the future performance of the Irish economy.

The Group continues to increase WAULTs through lease 
renewals and letting of new space completed, the WAULT 
now standing at 7.5 years for the whole office portfolio as at 
31 March 2019, up from 7.3 years at 31 March 2018, helping 
to reduce vacancy risks in a market downturn. While the 
Group’s office vacancy rate at 31 March 2019 was 12% due 
to recent completions at 2WML and a lease break in Forum, 
this is expected to reduce in the near term. Vacancy rates 
in Dublin remain low (5.4% at 31 March 2019) and take-up 
remains strong.

Dublin office take-up set a new record in 2018 (for the 
second year running) with 3.9m sq. ft. let and 2019 has started  
strongly. Investment demand for office and residential assets 
remains strong with record investment volumes in 2018. 

The outcome of Brexit remains uncertain though it is 
reassuring that the British Parliament appears opposed to a 
“no-deal” Brexit. The Group’s key strategic priority continues 
to be to grow our income and WAULTs through letting our 
developments, concluding rent reviews and reducing vacancy 
in the portfolio: these actions will also help protect the Group  
in the event of an adverse Brexit outcome. 

•  Strategy and asset allocation  

are regularly reviewed in light of 
economic and market trends

•  Risk appetites are set and monitored 

for concentration levels

•  Key risk indicators are reported to  

the Board on a quarterly basis

•  Low leverage (15.6% LTV) and financing 
in place for the medium to long term

•  High quality tenant base
•  Seeking to lease vacant space and 

extend WAULTs

1

3

2

4

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

41

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Comments

Key controls  

and mitigants

Residual  

risk impact

Link to  

strategic priority

Change since last year

Investment
Mistimed investment or sale 
through incorrect reading of 
property cycle

•  Lower returns and/or losses
•  Missed investment opportunities

Inappropriate concentration  
on single assets, locations, 
tenants or tenant sectors

•  Excessive exposure leading to poor performance  

and/or reduced liquidity

Development
Poor or mistimed execution  
of development projects

•  Poor returns and/or losses
•  Development projects not managed properly  

leading to delays and cost overruns

•  Failure to achieve expected rental levels 

Contractor or sub-
contractor default

•  Poor returns and/or losses
•  Significant delays in completing development projects 

Adverse outcome regarding  
re-zoning at Newlands 
(Gateway)

•  Poor returns and/or losses
•  Delays

42

•  Experienced investment team in place 

The Group’s portfolio was valued at €1.4 billion at 31 March 2019 

•  Close monitoring of market and 

and comprised 32 properties. The Group has been a net seller 

economic lead indicators

of assets since 31 March 2018, disposing of two properties for 

•  Rigorous assessment of all acquisition 

€100m and recycling €40m into the acquisition of additional 

and disposal opportunities and of 

properties and land.

projected portfolio returns

•  Board and Investment 

Committee overview

The Chief Investment Officer, Richard Ball, resigned and left 

the Group on 31 March 2019 to pursue another opportunity. 

Edwina Governey, previously Senior Investment Manager and 

an experienced member of the team, has been appointed as 

Interim Chief Investment Officer.

•  Risk exposure targets and limits 

All the Group’s investments are within Dublin and the majority 

are set and monitored for risk 

are in the office sector. The Group has assembled a balanced 

concentration levels

portfolio comprising 32 properties. As at 31 March 2019 the 

•  Periodic assessment of covenant 

largest single asset represented 11% of the portfolio by value 

strength of key tenants

(11% as at March 2018). The in-place office portfolio’s top 10 

•  Regular review of portfolio mix and 

tenants account for 69% of the contracted rent roll as at March 

asset allocation and tenant exposure

2019 (61% as at March 2018). The Technology, Media and 

•  Board and Investment 

Committee overview

Communications sector (“TMT”) accounts for 48% of Group 

contracted rent and reflects Ireland’s success in attracting 

TMT companies. 

Following the letting of 1SJRQ, HubSpot has become Hibernia’s 

largest tenant contributing 18% of Group contracted rent. 

•  Experienced development team

As at 31 March 2019 the Group had one committed 

•  Close monitoring of market and 

development scheme, totalling 50k sq. ft. of offices which 

economic lead indicators together  

is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2020 

with the supply pipeline

(calendar year). 

•  Rigorous monitoring of development 

expenditure against approved budgets

•  Board and Development 

Committee overview

Two schemes, comprising 172k sq. ft. of Grade A office 

space successfully completed in February and March 2019 

respectively, and both were completed on budget. More  

than 65% of this space is let following the HubSpot lease in 

1SJRQ and discussions continue regarding the remaining 

vacant space.

•  Due diligence is completed on 

The Group has an experienced development team, overseen 

key contractors

by the Development Committee. It also uses expert advisers 

•  Use of reputable and larger contractors

to help assess and manage contractors. The Group seeks to 

•  Use of expert advisers to assist in 

use contractors with proven track records which also helps 

management of contractors and  

to mitigate construction risks, including the risk of failing to 

sub-contractors

comply with applicable building regulations.

•  Experienced development team

The majority of the Group’s 144 acres of land at Newlands is 

•  Close oversight by development  

team and project managers

•  Use of expert advisers

•  Board and Development 

Committee overview

zoned for agricultural use under the current local authority 

development plan which applies until 2022. There is also a small 

element of the site that is zoned for industrial use. The Group 

is working to get the land re-zoned to enable mixed-use 

development but there is no certainty that this will happen or 

over the timing of this occurring. At present the land represents 

less than 4% of Hibernia’s portfolio value so any negative 

impact is likely to be relatively modest. 

3

4

3

1

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2

2

1

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1

5

1

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Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk

Investment

property cycle

Mistimed investment or sale 

•  Lower returns and/or losses

through incorrect reading of 

•  Missed investment opportunities

Inappropriate concentration  

•  Excessive exposure leading to poor performance  

on single assets, locations, 

tenants or tenant sectors

and/or reduced liquidity

Development

Poor or mistimed execution  

•  Poor returns and/or losses

of development projects

•  Development projects not managed properly  

leading to delays and cost overruns

•  Failure to achieve expected rental levels 

Contractor or sub-

contractor default

•  Poor returns and/or losses

•  Significant delays in completing development projects 

Adverse outcome regarding  

•  Poor returns and/or losses

re-zoning at Newlands 

•  Delays

(Gateway)

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Key controls  
and mitigants

Comments

Residual  
risk impact

Link to  
strategic priority

Change since last year

Risk trend

Risk impact

Unchanged

High

 Increasing

Medium

Decreasing

Low

   Read more on our strategic 
priorities on pages 32 to 33

•  Experienced investment team in place 
•  Close monitoring of market and 

economic lead indicators

•  Rigorous assessment of all acquisition 
and disposal opportunities and of 
projected portfolio returns

•  Board and Investment 
Committee overview

•  Risk exposure targets and limits 
are set and monitored for risk 
concentration levels

•  Periodic assessment of covenant 

strength of key tenants

•  Regular review of portfolio mix and 
asset allocation and tenant exposure

•  Board and Investment 
Committee overview

The Group’s portfolio was valued at €1.4 billion at 31 March 2019 
and comprised 32 properties. The Group has been a net seller 
of assets since 31 March 2018, disposing of two properties for 
€100m and recycling €40m into the acquisition of additional 
properties and land.

The Chief Investment Officer, Richard Ball, resigned and left 
the Group on 31 March 2019 to pursue another opportunity. 
Edwina Governey, previously Senior Investment Manager and 
an experienced member of the team, has been appointed as 
Interim Chief Investment Officer.

All the Group’s investments are within Dublin and the majority 
are in the office sector. The Group has assembled a balanced 
portfolio comprising 32 properties. As at 31 March 2019 the 
largest single asset represented 11% of the portfolio by value 
(11% as at March 2018). The in-place office portfolio’s top 10 
tenants account for 69% of the contracted rent roll as at March 
2019 (61% as at March 2018). The Technology, Media and 
Communications sector (“TMT”) accounts for 48% of Group 
contracted rent and reflects Ireland’s success in attracting 
TMT companies. 

Following the letting of 1SJRQ, HubSpot has become Hibernia’s 
largest tenant contributing 18% of Group contracted rent. 

•  Experienced development team
•  Close monitoring of market and 

economic lead indicators together  
with the supply pipeline

As at 31 March 2019 the Group had one committed 
development scheme, totalling 50k sq. ft. of offices which 
is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2020 
(calendar year). 

•  Rigorous monitoring of development 

expenditure against approved budgets

•  Board and Development 
Committee overview

•  Due diligence is completed on 

key contractors

•  Use of reputable and larger contractors
•  Use of expert advisers to assist in 
management of contractors and  
sub-contractors

•  Close oversight by development  

team and project managers

•  Experienced development team
•  Use of expert advisers
•  Board and Development 
Committee overview

Two schemes, comprising 172k sq. ft. of Grade A office 
space successfully completed in February and March 2019 
respectively, and both were completed on budget. More  
than 65% of this space is let following the HubSpot lease in 
1SJRQ and discussions continue regarding the remaining 
vacant space.

The Group has an experienced development team, overseen 
by the Development Committee. It also uses expert advisers 
to help assess and manage contractors. The Group seeks to 
use contractors with proven track records which also helps 
to mitigate construction risks, including the risk of failing to 
comply with applicable building regulations.

The majority of the Group’s 144 acres of land at Newlands is 
zoned for agricultural use under the current local authority 
development plan which applies until 2022. There is also a small 
element of the site that is zoned for industrial use. The Group 
is working to get the land re-zoned to enable mixed-use 
development but there is no certainty that this will happen or 
over the timing of this occurring. At present the land represents 
less than 4% of Hibernia’s portfolio value so any negative 
impact is likely to be relatively modest. 

3

4

3

1

4

2

2

1

5

1

5

1

2

43

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Comments

Key controls  

and mitigants

Residual  

risk impact

Link to  

strategic priority

Change since last year

Asset management
Poor asset management

•  Income not maximised through poor asset management
•  Failure to proactively maintain assets leading to 

increased costs

•  Loss of tenants due to lack of satisfaction with  

space and service

Failure to react to evolving 
tenant needs

•  Space fails to attract new tenants
•  Assets become less attractive to investors
•  Reduction in income and capital returns generated

•  All building and asset management 

All building and asset management of the multi-let office 

for multi-let office portfolio is done 

portfolio is carried out by Group staff. This ensures best service 

in-house

for tenants and best management by the Group. As well 

•  Annual survey of tenants to assess 

as daily interactions with tenants by the Group’s building 

satisfaction/areas for improvement

managers, the Group carries out an annual tenant survey  

•  Analysis of covenant strength of 

to assess satisfaction and areas for improvement.

prospective and existing tenants

•  Creation of Head of Occupier Services 

role to deliver an innovative tenant 

focused strategy

•  Focus on improving 

sustainability credentials

All prospective tenants are analysed by the finance team for 

covenant strength before leases are agreed. The covenant 

strength of the Group’s key existing tenants is also assessed 

periodically. As outlined further below and elsewhere, the 

Group is also highly focused on sustainability.

•  Creation of Head of Occupier 

The Group instigates regular assessments of its buildings and 

Services role to deliver an innovative 

upgrades as appropriate. Standard lease terms have been 

tenant focused strategy and assess 

revised in line with tenant and investor interest in sustainability. 

changing trends

Shared gym, meeting rooms and other services have been 

•  Creation of clusters of offices to 

introduced where “clusters” of buildings facilitate this, leading 

provide better communal areas, 

to smaller tenants benefiting from high specification space for 

services and events for tenants and 

meetings and provision of other services for staff.

their staff 

•  Regular, proactive maintenance and 

upgrading of older stock

•  Introduction of added value, e.g. 

wellness programmes, and ancillary  

and shared services

•  Annual tenant satisfaction surveys  

and one on one meetings with  

tenants to identify priorities

•  Focus on improving 

sustainability credentials

Compliance with sustainability and environmental standards 

has been an increasing focus for the Group and its tenants. 

Sustainability targets include resource management and 

delivery of new, high quality buildings. The Group reports on 

EPRA sBPR standards annually and completed its first GRESB 

assessment during 2018 which includes benchmarking energy, 

waste and water usages for its buildings, on a private basis. 

It has identified areas to improve performance in future. Its 2019 

GRESB results will be available for all GRESB subscribers to see 

once published.

3

1

5

2

4

1

3

5

44

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Key controls  
and mitigants

Comments

Residual  
risk impact

Link to  
strategic priority

Change since last year

Risk trend

Risk impact

Unchanged

High

 Increasing

Medium

Decreasing

Low

   Read more on our strategic 
priorities on pages 32 to 33

Asset management

Poor asset management

•  Income not maximised through poor asset management

•  Failure to proactively maintain assets leading to 

•  Loss of tenants due to lack of satisfaction with  

increased costs

space and service

Failure to react to evolving 

•  Space fails to attract new tenants

tenant needs

•  Assets become less attractive to investors

•  Reduction in income and capital returns generated

•  All building and asset management 
for multi-let office portfolio is done 
in-house

•  Annual survey of tenants to assess 
satisfaction/areas for improvement

•  Analysis of covenant strength of 
prospective and existing tenants

All building and asset management of the multi-let office 
portfolio is carried out by Group staff. This ensures best service 
for tenants and best management by the Group. As well 
as daily interactions with tenants by the Group’s building 
managers, the Group carries out an annual tenant survey  
to assess satisfaction and areas for improvement.

•  Creation of Head of Occupier Services 
role to deliver an innovative tenant 
focused strategy
•  Focus on improving 

sustainability credentials

All prospective tenants are analysed by the finance team for 
covenant strength before leases are agreed. The covenant 
strength of the Group’s key existing tenants is also assessed 
periodically. As outlined further below and elsewhere, the 
Group is also highly focused on sustainability.

•  Creation of Head of Occupier 

Services role to deliver an innovative 
tenant focused strategy and assess 
changing trends

•  Creation of clusters of offices to 
provide better communal areas, 
services and events for tenants and 
their staff 

•  Regular, proactive maintenance and 

upgrading of older stock

•  Introduction of added value, e.g. 

wellness programmes, and ancillary  
and shared services

•  Annual tenant satisfaction surveys  
and one on one meetings with  
tenants to identify priorities

•  Focus on improving 

sustainability credentials

The Group instigates regular assessments of its buildings and 
upgrades as appropriate. Standard lease terms have been 
revised in line with tenant and investor interest in sustainability. 
Shared gym, meeting rooms and other services have been 
introduced where “clusters” of buildings facilitate this, leading 
to smaller tenants benefiting from high specification space for 
meetings and provision of other services for staff.

Compliance with sustainability and environmental standards 
has been an increasing focus for the Group and its tenants. 
Sustainability targets include resource management and 
delivery of new, high quality buildings. The Group reports on 
EPRA sBPR standards annually and completed its first GRESB 
assessment during 2018 which includes benchmarking energy, 
waste and water usages for its buildings, on a private basis. 
It has identified areas to improve performance in future. Its 2019 
GRESB results will be available for all GRESB subscribers to see 
once published.

3

1

5

2

4

1

3

5

45

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Comments

Key controls  

and mitigants

Residual  

risk impact

Link to  

strategic priority

Change since last year

Finance
Lack of available funds 
for investment

•  Failure to meet target returns due to funding limitations

Inappropriate capital structure 
for market conditions

•  Excessive gearing resulting in higher funding costs and 

risk of covenant breaches 

•  Insufficient gearing leading to limited investment returns

People
Loss or shortage of staff to 
execute our business plan  
or failure to motivate staff

•  Failure to achieve strategic goals
•  Replacement of departing staff in a competitive  
labour market may be challenging and/or costly

46

•  Active monitoring and assessment 

At 31 March 2019 the Group had cash and undrawn facilities 

of current and future financial and 

totalling €178m, or €143m net of committed capital 

cashflow requirements and availability 

expenditure (31 March 2018: €197m or €120m respectively). 

of funding 

The refinancing of the Group’s debt was completed in 

•  Quarterly budget and scenario analyses

December 2018 resulting in the extension of weighted average 

•  Assessments of portfolio performance 

maturity to 5.7 years from 1.9 years (5.4 years at 31 March 2019) 

and whether any assets should be sold

and a move to a fully unsecured debt structure, maximising 

•  Board and Finance & IR 

Committee oversight

future funding options. 

During the financial year the Group has been a net seller, 

generating net proceeds of €100m of which it has reinvested 

€85m in acquisitions and capital expenditure on developments 

and has committed to return €35m to shareholders. 

•  Policy of maintaining modest leverage 

At 31 March 2019 the Group had a LTV ratio of 15.6% (31 March 

throughout the cycle: target loan to 

2018: 15.5%), with committed capital expenditure in the 

value ratio of 20-30% and majority of 

next 18 months expected to increase the LTV ratio to c. 18%. 

interest rate exposure fixed or hedged

No covenant breaches occurred in the period. As a result of 

•  Active monitoring and assessment of 

the refinancing of the Group’s facilities, the weighted average 

current and future covenant compliance

maturity of the Group’s debt increased from 2.7 years at 

•  Quarterly budget and scenario 

31 March 2018 to 5.4 at 31 March 2019. Further details on this 

analyses performed 

refinancing can be found in note 26a of the financial statements. 

•  Assessments of portfolio performance 

and whether any assets should be sold

•  Board and Finance & IR Committee 

oversight: all new loan facilities must  

Given the net sales proceeds of €100m generated in the year, 

the Group has committed to return €35m to shareholders 

to maintain its progress towards the lower end of its 

be approved by the Board. 

leverage target. 

•  Employee remuneration is strongly 

Staff turnover remains low, with only 3% in the 2019 

linked to Group and individual 

financial year. 

performance and annual staff appraisal 

system and variable pay includes 

deferred element

A new Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at 

the AGM in July 2018 which replaced the existing arrangements 

•  Periodic assessment of remuneration 

packages for all staff to ensure in line 

which expired on 26 November 2018, as part of this a 

remuneration assessment was completed for all staff.

with market

•  Positive team spirit is fostered through 

social and training events.

•  Personal development and training 

requirements are reviewed annually

The Group has an annual appraisal system for staff, with interim 

reviews every six months. As well as reviewing performance 

this system also sets targets for personal development. 

The Group also hosts regular training sessions at lunchtime 

to improve staff knowledge in all areas of the business and 

the industry.

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Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk

Finance

for investment

Lack of available funds 

•  Failure to meet target returns due to funding limitations

Inappropriate capital structure 

•  Excessive gearing resulting in higher funding costs and 

for market conditions

risk of covenant breaches 

•  Insufficient gearing leading to limited investment returns

People

Loss or shortage of staff to 

•  Failure to achieve strategic goals

execute our business plan  

or failure to motivate staff

•  Replacement of departing staff in a competitive  

labour market may be challenging and/or costly

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Key controls  
and mitigants

Comments

Residual  
risk impact

Link to  
strategic priority

Change since last year

Risk trend

Risk impact

Unchanged

High

 Increasing

Medium

Decreasing

Low

   Read more on our strategic 
priorities on pages 32 to 33

•  Active monitoring and assessment 
of current and future financial and 
cashflow requirements and availability 
of funding 

•  Quarterly budget and scenario analyses
•  Assessments of portfolio performance 
and whether any assets should be sold

•  Board and Finance & IR 
Committee oversight

•  Policy of maintaining modest leverage 
throughout the cycle: target loan to 
value ratio of 20-30% and majority of 
interest rate exposure fixed or hedged
•  Active monitoring and assessment of 

current and future covenant compliance

•  Quarterly budget and scenario 

analyses performed 

•  Assessments of portfolio performance 
and whether any assets should be sold

•  Board and Finance & IR Committee 

oversight: all new loan facilities must  
be approved by the Board. 

At 31 March 2019 the Group had cash and undrawn facilities 
totalling €178m, or €143m net of committed capital 
expenditure (31 March 2018: €197m or €120m respectively). 
The refinancing of the Group’s debt was completed in 
December 2018 resulting in the extension of weighted average 
maturity to 5.7 years from 1.9 years (5.4 years at 31 March 2019) 
and a move to a fully unsecured debt structure, maximising 
future funding options. 

During the financial year the Group has been a net seller, 
generating net proceeds of €100m of which it has reinvested 
€85m in acquisitions and capital expenditure on developments 
and has committed to return €35m to shareholders. 

At 31 March 2019 the Group had a LTV ratio of 15.6% (31 March 
2018: 15.5%), with committed capital expenditure in the 
next 18 months expected to increase the LTV ratio to c. 18%. 
No covenant breaches occurred in the period. As a result of 
the refinancing of the Group’s facilities, the weighted average 
maturity of the Group’s debt increased from 2.7 years at 
31 March 2018 to 5.4 at 31 March 2019. Further details on this 
refinancing can be found in note 26a of the financial statements. 

Given the net sales proceeds of €100m generated in the year, 
the Group has committed to return €35m to shareholders 
to maintain its progress towards the lower end of its 
leverage target. 

•  Employee remuneration is strongly 

linked to Group and individual 
performance and annual staff appraisal 
system and variable pay includes 
deferred element

•  Periodic assessment of remuneration 
packages for all staff to ensure in line 
with market

•  Positive team spirit is fostered through 

social and training events.

•  Personal development and training 
requirements are reviewed annually

Staff turnover remains low, with only 3% in the 2019 
financial year. 

A new Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at 
the AGM in July 2018 which replaced the existing arrangements 
which expired on 26 November 2018, as part of this a 
remuneration assessment was completed for all staff.

The Group has an annual appraisal system for staff, with interim 
reviews every six months. As well as reviewing performance 
this system also sets targets for personal development. 
The Group also hosts regular training sessions at lunchtime 
to improve staff knowledge in all areas of the business and 
the industry.

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Comments

Key controls  

and mitigants

Residual  

risk impact

Link to  

strategic priority

Change since last year

Regulatory,  
tax and political
Change in the political 
landscape in Ireland or globally 
may result in new laws or 
regulations which may have an 
adverse impact on the Group

Increased cost of compliance 
and/or risk of non-compliance 
with regulatory obligations 
including laws, planning, 
environmental, health and safety, 
tax and other legislation

•  Changes in laws and/or regulations (including tax laws) 

may reduce returns

•  Cost of compliance impacts profits
•  Failure to comply may be costly and negatively 

affect reputation

Business risk
Cyber attack/threat

•  Significant damage to the Group’s business
•  Reputational damage

An external event occurs (e.g. 
natural disaster, war, terrorism, 
civil unrest) which significantly 
and negatively affects the 
Group’s operations

Reputational damage

•  Significant disruption and damage to the Group’s 

portfolio and/or operations.

•  Damage or losses due to fraud or error
•  Inability to attract and retain staff and thus higher costs
•  Regulatory sanctions in the event of a non-

compliance issue

48

•  The Group monitors news-flow and 

There is a shortage of housing, particularly in Dublin, and this 

uses expert advisers to keep abreast of 

could, for example, lead to further Government intervention 

any proposed legislation

through new laws and/or regulations. 

Global tax reforms could also impact on the attractiveness of 

Ireland and Dublin as a location for multi-national firms. 

•  The Group spends substantial time, and 

A consultant review of health and safety requirements 

retains external experts as necessary, 

was completed during the financial year. To promote ESG 

to ensure compliance with current and 

compliance, the Group participates in GRESB which assesses 

possible future regulatory requirements

and benchmarks the ESG performance of real estate 

•  Frequent meetings take place with the 

companies and provides standardised and validated data to 

Group’s retained tax advisers

investors. In this way the Group can measure its performance 

•  The Sustainability Committee monitors 

versus its peers. The implementation of GDPR was completed 

compliance with ESG standards

in this period. The Group is working towards achieving 

•  The Health and Safety Committee 

additional certification to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 which will 

addresses regulation including  

provide a framework to manage and improve sustainability 

building fire regulation compliance  

performance and results.

and construction sites

•  External consultants complete regular 

Cyber security continues to be a focus as the incidence and 

testing of IT security and systems

sophistication of cyber security attacks increases. The Group 

•  Regular back-up schedules are in place 

has continued to improve its IT security measures during the 

for all Group information and data

financial year 2019 by reviewing controls and working closely 

•  Staff IT information security and cyber 

with our IT consultants.

security training plan is in place

•  Business continuity and crisis 

Business continuity plans are reviewed periodically and at a 

management plans are reviewed at 

minimum on an annual basis. Other business interruption risks 

least annually

remain stable.

•  Insurance policies include cover for 

catastrophic events

•  Security measures and emergency 

plans are in place for all our buildings

•  Effective internal controls and fraud 

The Group adheres to the highest standards of corporate 

prevention measures in place

governance. An internal audit function was added in 2018 

•  Board scrutiny of compliance and 

and the first two internal audits have since been completed. 

related matters

The Group uses PwC to provide internal audit services. 

•  Audit Committee’s active role in the 

oversight of all risk within the Group

•  Internal audit monitors and provides 

assurance around internal processes 

and controls

Building management has been brought in-house so the 

Group can manage its multi-let properties to its own rigorous 

standards and is not dependent on third parties for this. 

With an increasing focus on sustainability by investors and 

tenants alike, the Group has committed to industry standard 

benchmarking with its membership of GRESB.

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Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk

Exposure

Impact

Probability

Key controls  
and mitigants

Comments

Residual  
risk impact

Link to  
strategic priority

Change since last year

Risk trend

Risk impact

Unchanged

High

 Increasing

Medium

Decreasing

Low

   Read more on our strategic 
priorities on pages 32 to 33

Regulatory,  

tax and political

may result in new laws or 

regulations which may have an 

adverse impact on the Group

Change in the political 

•  Changes in laws and/or regulations (including tax laws) 

landscape in Ireland or globally 

may reduce returns

Increased cost of compliance 

•  Cost of compliance impacts profits

and/or risk of non-compliance 

•  Failure to comply may be costly and negatively 

with regulatory obligations 

including laws, planning, 

environmental, health and safety, 

tax and other legislation

affect reputation

Business risk

Cyber attack/threat

•  Significant damage to the Group’s business

•  Reputational damage

An external event occurs (e.g. 

•  Significant disruption and damage to the Group’s 

natural disaster, war, terrorism, 

portfolio and/or operations.

civil unrest) which significantly 

and negatively affects the 

Group’s operations

Reputational damage

•  Damage or losses due to fraud or error

•  Inability to attract and retain staff and thus higher costs

•  Regulatory sanctions in the event of a non-

compliance issue

•  The Group monitors news-flow and 

uses expert advisers to keep abreast of 
any proposed legislation

There is a shortage of housing, particularly in Dublin, and this 
could, for example, lead to further Government intervention 
through new laws and/or regulations. 

•  The Group spends substantial time, and 
retains external experts as necessary, 
to ensure compliance with current and 
possible future regulatory requirements
•  Frequent meetings take place with the 

Group’s retained tax advisers

•  The Sustainability Committee monitors 

compliance with ESG standards
•  The Health and Safety Committee 
addresses regulation including  
building fire regulation compliance  
and construction sites

Global tax reforms could also impact on the attractiveness of 
Ireland and Dublin as a location for multi-national firms. 

A consultant review of health and safety requirements 
was completed during the financial year. To promote ESG 
compliance, the Group participates in GRESB which assesses 
and benchmarks the ESG performance of real estate 
companies and provides standardised and validated data to 
investors. In this way the Group can measure its performance 
versus its peers. The implementation of GDPR was completed 
in this period. The Group is working towards achieving 
additional certification to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 which will 
provide a framework to manage and improve sustainability 
performance and results.

•  External consultants complete regular 

testing of IT security and systems

•  Regular back-up schedules are in place 

for all Group information and data

•  Staff IT information security and cyber 

Cyber security continues to be a focus as the incidence and 
sophistication of cyber security attacks increases. The Group 
has continued to improve its IT security measures during the 
financial year 2019 by reviewing controls and working closely 
with our IT consultants.

security training plan is in place

•  Business continuity and crisis 

management plans are reviewed at 
least annually

•  Insurance policies include cover for 

catastrophic events

•  Security measures and emergency 

plans are in place for all our buildings

•  Effective internal controls and fraud 

prevention measures in place

•  Board scrutiny of compliance and 

related matters

•  Audit Committee’s active role in the 
oversight of all risk within the Group
•  Internal audit monitors and provides 
assurance around internal processes 
and controls

Business continuity plans are reviewed periodically and at a 
minimum on an annual basis. Other business interruption risks 
remain stable.

The Group adheres to the highest standards of corporate 
governance. An internal audit function was added in 2018 
and the first two internal audits have since been completed. 
The Group uses PwC to provide internal audit services. 

Building management has been brought in-house so the 
Group can manage its multi-let properties to its own rigorous 
standards and is not dependent on third parties for this. 
With an increasing focus on sustainability by investors and 
tenants alike, the Group has committed to industry standard 
benchmarking with its membership of GRESB.

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operational review

Operational review

Disposals and acquisitions
While we have continued to successfully 
recycle capital into new opportunities we 
have been net sellers in the financial year, 
generating net sales proceeds of €60.3m 
(€60.8m excluding transaction costs) 
(March 2018: €-3.6m) from the disposal 
of New Century House and 77SJRQ and 
several acquisitions, most notably at 
Newlands. Since the end of the financial 
year we have invested a further €6.9m in 
four acquisitions of assets, three of which 
are adjacent to our existing properties.

Disposals
•  New Century House, IFSC: the sale of 
the 80,000 sq. ft. office building was 
agreed in July 2018 and completed in 
September 2018. The price of €65.3m 
was modestly ahead of the March 2018 
valuation and equated to a net initial 
yield of 4.0%. The ungeared IRR for 
Hibernia since acquisition in 2014 was in 
excess of 12%

•  77SJRQ, South Docks: contracts were 

exchanged for the sale of the 34,400 sq. 
ft. office building for €35.5m in March 
2019 and the sale completed in May 2019. 
The sales price was modestly ahead of 
the property’s December 2018 valuation 
and reflected a net initial yield of 4.6%. 
Hibernia’s ungeared IRR on the property 
exceeded 15%

Acquisitions
•  129 Slaney Road, D11: the 62,000 sq. ft. 

Disposals

industrial building on a 3.8 acre site in the 
Dublin Industrial Estate was bought for 
€4.8m in July 2018. The property is fully 
let, producing rent of €0.5m per annum, 
with a WAULT of 8.5 years to expiry and 
a WAULT to break of 1.5 years at 31 March 
2019. It has potential for a future mixed-
use development (see further details in 
the developments and refurbishments 
section below)

•  50 City Quay, South Docks: the 4,500 
sq. ft. office building, which neighbours 
1SJRQ and faces onto the River Liffey, 
was acquired for €2.7m in July 2018. 
The property expanded the Windmill 
Quarter to six buildings with c. 400,000 
sq. ft. of office accommodation as well as 
retail and leisure facilities

•  Newlands, D22: an additional 98.3 

acres of agricultural land at Newlands 
was acquired in two acquisitions in 
August and November 2018. The initial 
consideration was €28.7m, with possible 
deferred consideration equating to a 
44% share of the market value of all 
lands upon re-zoning, less the initial 
consideration paid to one vendor of 
€27.0m. Following these acquisitions 
Hibernia’s property interest in the 
Newlands area totals 143.7 acres (see 

€100.3m

(2018: €35.8m)

Acquisitions

€40.0m

(2018: €39.1m)

further details in the developments and 
refurbishments section below)

•  Other: during the financial year €1.0m 
was spent on three small ‘bolt-on’ 
acquisitions which provide potential 
synergies with properties already owned 
by Hibernia. Since the financial year end, 
a further €6.9m has been invested in four 
further acquisitions, three of which are 
adjacent to our existing properties. 

Portfolio overview
As at 31 March 2019 the property portfolio consisted of 32 investment properties valued at €1,395m (March 2018: 32 investment properties 
valued at €1,309m), which can be categorised as follows: 

1. Dublin CBD offices

Traditional Core

IFSC

South Docks 

Total Dublin CBD offices

2. Dublin CBD office development4

3. Dublin residential5

4. Industrial/land 

Total 

Value as at 
March 2019

% of 
portfolio

Equivalent 
yield1

Passing rent 
€’m

Contracted rent 
€’m

ERV 
€’m

€444m

€207m

€522m3

€1,173m

€16m

€153m

€53m

32%

15%

37%

84%

1%

11%

4%

4.9%2

4.7%

4.5%

4.7%2

–

3.9%6

1.9%7

€21.5m

€8.3m

€13.7m

€43.5m

–

€5.9m9

€1.2m

€1,395m

100%

3.5%2,6,7,8

€50.6m9

€21.6m

€8.3m

€20.5m

€50.4m

–

€5.9m9

€1.3m

€57.6m

€24.0m

€11.0m

€26.7m

€61.7m

€2.8m

€7.0m10

€1.0m

€72.5m

1.  Yields on unsmoothed values and excluding adjustment for South Dock House owner-occupied space.

2.  Harcourt Square, Clanwilliam Court and Marine House yields are calculated as the passing rent over the total value (after costs) which includes residual land value. 

Excludes Iconic Offices in Clanwilliam Court.

3.  Excludes the value of space occupied by Hibernia in South Dock House.

4.  2 Cumberland Place.

5. 

Includes 1WML residential element (Hanover Mills).

6.  Net yields assuming 80% net-to-gross and purchaser costs as per Cushman & Wakefield at March 2019.

7.  Current rental value assumed as ERV as these assets are valued on a price per acre basis except for Slaney Road which is valued on an income basis.

8.  Excludes all CBD office developments.

9.  Residential rent on a net basis.

10.  Net ERV assuming 80% net to gross (as per valuer assumptions).

50

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comThe key statistics for the office element of our portfolio, which comprised 85% by value and 88% by contracted income at 31 March 2019 
(March 2018: 88% and 89%, respectively), are set out below: contracted income from completed developments now exceeds that from 
our acquired in-place offices.

Contracted rent

ERV

WAULT to
 review1

WAULT to 
break/expiry

% of rent 
upwards only

% of next rent 
review cap & 
collar

% of rent MTM2
 at next lease 
event

€22.9m 
(€40psf)

€27.5m 
(€53psf)

€50.4m 
(€47psf)

–

–

–

€26.5m 
(€47psf)

€27.6m 
(€54psf)

€54.1m 
(€50psf)

€7.6m 
(€51psf)

€2.8m 
(€55psf)4

€64.5m 
(€52psf)

2.1yrs

3.7yrs

3.6yrs

10.6yrs

2.9yrs

7.5yrs

–

–

–

–

–

–

18%

–

8%

–

–

–

0%

33%

18%

–

–

–

82%

67%

74%

–

–

–

Acquired in-place office portfolio

Completed office developments3

Whole in-place office portfolio

Vacant in-place office

Committed office  
developments-unlet

Whole in-place office 
portfolio (after vacancy)

1.  To earlier of review or expiry.

2.  Mark-to-market.

3. 

1 Cumberland Place, SOBO Works, 1&2DC, 1WML, 1SJRQ.

4.  2 Cumberland Place.

Increasing portfolio income and extending unexpired lease terms continue to be key priorities. In spite of net asset sales and the exercise 
of a break option in the Forum, we have added €1.6m to contracted rent since 31 March 2018 through:

•  New office leases adding €7.1m (€6.9m excluding gym letting), with weighted average term certain of c. 12 years
•  Rent reviews adding €0.7m (€0.4m from office rent reviews)
•  Net asset sales reducing office income by €4.2m and lease expiries and breaks reducing income by €2.0m

The in-place office portfolio vacancy rate was 12% by lettable area at 31 March 2019 (31 March 2018: 3%): for further details on the reasons 
for this move and the increase in rental income, please see asset management section below. 

Top 10 in-place office occupiers by contracted rent  
and % of contracted in-place office rent roll 

In-place office contracted rent  
by tenant business sector 

€34.9m

€50.4m

HubSpot Ireland Limited 
The Commissioners of Public Works 
Twitter International Company 
Autodesk Ireland Operations
Informatica Ireland EMEA 
Electricity Supply Board 
Travelport Digital Limited 
BNY Mellon
ComReg
Core Media

€10.5m
€6.0m
€5.1m
€2.8m
€2.1m
€1.9m
€1.8m
€1.6m
€1.6m
€1.4m

20.9%
11.9%
10.1%
5.6%
4.2%
3.7%
3.6%
3.2%
3.2%
2.8%

Technology, media & telecoms
Government
Professional services
Banking & capital markets
Insurance & reinsurance
Other
Serviced offices

€27.7m
€10.3m
€4.5m
€4.3m
€2.0m
€1.2m
€0.5m

55.0%
20.4%
8.9%
8.4%
3.9%
2.4%
1.0%

51

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com1. Dublin CBD 
offices

Traditional Core 

IFSC 

South Docks 

Total Dublin 
CBD offices 

2. Dublin 
CBD office 
development 

3. Dublin 
residential 

4. Industrial/
land 

Operational review

Portfolio performance
In the financial year ended 31 March 2019 the portfolio value increased €99m or 7.9% on a like-for-like basis (i.e. excluding acquisitions, 
disposals and capital expenditure). In the year ended 31 March 2018 the portfolio value increased by €82m or 6.6% on a like-for-like basis.

Value at 
March 2018

€436m

€261m

€322m3

€1,019m

Capex

Acquisitions1

Disposals2

Revaluation

Value at 
March 2019

LfL change

€1m

€2m

€2m

€5m

–

–

€3m

–

(€62m)

(€34m)

€7m

€6m

€21m

€444m

€207m

€522m3

€7m

€6m

€22m

€3m

(€96m)

€34m

€1,173m

€35m

1.6%

2.6%

7.6%

3.7%

€134m

€42m

€138m

€18m

–

–

–

€1m

€36m

€40m

–

–

–

(€96m)

€48m

€16m

€48m

27.3%

€14m

€153m

€14m

9.8%

(€1m)

€95m

€53m

€1,395m

€2m

€99m⁴

17.2%

7.9%4

Total 

€1,309m

€47m

1. 

Including acquisition costs.

2.  As at relevant valuation (smoothed) date (Mar-18 for New Century House and Sep-18 for 77 SJRQ). Total sales prices were €100.8m and net proceeds after sales costs were 

€100.3m.

3.  Excludes the value of space occupied by Hibernia in South Dock House but Mar-19 includes reclassification of 1SJRQ and 2WML as CBD offices from office development.

4.  €99m is “like-for-like” change on Mar-18 values and excludes gains/losses from acquisitions/disposals in the year to March 2019, e.g. acquisition of additional land at Newlands.

The key individual valuation movements in the period were:

•  1SJRQ, South Docks: €33.3m/29% uplift driven by compression of the equivalent yield from 4.75% to 4% and an increase in the 

headline market rent from €56.19psf to €60psf following the completion of the development and the leasing of the entire office area

•  1WML, South Docks: €14.1m/10% uplift driven by the equivalent yield on the office building moving from 4.56% to 4.22% as the 

Windmill Quarter has been completed

•  2WML, South Docks: €13.9m/29% uplift as a result of the completion of the development during the year: the headline market rent 

increased from €53psf to €55.19psf and the equivalent yield compressed by 15bps from 5% to 4.85% 

•  Block 3, Wyckham Point, D14: €9.7m/11% uplift driven by yield compression from 4.03% NIY to 3.79% NIY. The valuer’s assessment of 

open market rent also increased by 7%

•  1 Cumberland Place, D2: €7.5m/6% uplift due to the movement of the equivalent yield on the building from 4.75% to 4.5%

Like-for-like increase in portfolio value

In-place office WAULT

In-place office vacancy 

€99m (+7.9%)

(2018: €82m (+6.6%))

7.5years 

(2018: 7.3 years)

12%

(2018: 3%)

52

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comYield on cost made on schemes  
completed in the year

8.9% 

(2018: 8.7%)

Developments and refurbishments 
Three development schemes were active 
in the year, of which two completed 
before year end. Capital expenditure 
on developments amounted to €44.8m 
(March 2018: €45.8m).

Schemes completed
The two schemes completed delivered 
172,000 sq. ft. of new and refurbished 
Grade A office space. Both are in the 
Windmill Quarter in Dublin’s South Docks, 
Hibernia’s first cluster of buildings, and 
their delivery marked the completion of 

development work in the Windmill Quarter. 
At 31 March 2019, over 65% of the office 
space in the two schemes was let (see 
asset management section for further 
details). The schemes were:

•  1SJRQ: the development of 112,000 sq. 
ft. of new office space and 7,000 sq. ft. 
of retail space (food & beverage) was 
completed on budget in March 2019 
delivering a profit on cost of >90%. 
The office accommodation is fully let 
and the building will be yielding 8.9% 
on cost upon lease commencement 
on 1 June 2019 (expected yield on cost 
of 9.2% when the food & beverage 
accommodation is let)

•  2WML: the refurbishment and extension 
of the building, which comprises 60,000 
sq. ft. of office space and a 12,000 sq. 
ft. gym, was completed on budget in 
February 2019 and the gym has been 

let. The profit on cost at completion 
was >40% and the building is expected 
to deliver a yield on cost of 8.4% when 
fully let 

Committed development schemes
2 Cumberland Place, D2, is our only 
scheme currently under construction: 
the basement works are now largely 
complete. The building remains scheduled 
to complete in the first six months of 2020. 
It will deliver 50,000 sq. ft. of new Grade A 
office space adjacent to  
1 Cumberland Place, taking the total on 
the site to c. 180,000 sq. ft., and will have 
the potential either to link into the existing 
reception or to be separately accessed with 
the possibility to interlink certain floors with 
the existing building. 

Please see further details on the committed 
development scheme below:

Sector

Office

2 Cumberland 
Place

Total committed

Total area 
post completion 
(sq. ft.)

50k office 
1k retail/café

50k office 
1k retail/café

1.  Per C&W valuation at 31 March 2019.

2.  Office demise only.

Full purchase 
price

Est. capex

Est. total cost 
(incl. land)

ERV1

Office ERV1

Expected 
practical 
completion 
(“PC”) date

€0m

€30m

€600psf2

€2.8m

€54.61psf

H1 2020

€0m

€30m

€600psf2

€2.8m

€54.61psf

At 31 March 2019 Cushman & Wakefield, the Group’s independent valuer, had an average estimated rental value for the unlet office space 
(110,000 sq. ft.) in 2WML and 2 Cumberland Place of €54.93psf and was assuming an average yield of 4.80% upon completion: based on 
these assumptions Cushman & Wakefield, expects a further €11m of development profit (excluding finance costs) to be realised through 
the completion and letting of these schemes. A 25-basis point movement in yields across the properties would make c. €8m difference 
to the development profits, and a €2.50psf change in estimated rental value (“ERV”) would result in a c. €6m difference. If current market 
conditions prevail, we would expect these yields to tighten once the buildings are completed and let.

A lift lobby in 2WML 

1SJRQ courtyard

53

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOperational review continued

Development pipeline 
We have split the Marine House scheme 
from Clanwilliam Court in the pipeline, 
given its likely earlier commencement date, 
and now have four office schemes in the 
pipeline which, if undertaken, would deliver 
up to an estimated 538,000 sq. ft. of high 
quality office space upon completion (a 
net increase over current areas of 260,000 
sq. ft.): this figure has increased by 6.5% 
since 31 March 2018 due to the addition of 
33,000 sq. ft. of extra space from grants 
of planning. In May 2019 we applied for 
planning permission for a 152,000 sq. ft. 
redevelopment scheme at Clanwilliam 
Court. Clanwilliam/Marine House and 
Harcourt Square both provide us with 
opportunities to create clusters of office 
buildings with shared facilities similar to the 
Windmill Quarter. In the longer term there 

is potential for mixed-use development 
schemes at Newlands (Gateway), where we 
now own 143.7 acres, and 129 Slaney Road, 
where we own 3.8 acres. In both cases, re-
zoning will be necessary and so the timing 
of any future developments is uncertain 
at present.

At 31 March 2019 Cushman & Wakefield, the 
Group’s valuer, had an average estimated 
rental value for three main schemes in the 
office development pipeline (497,000 sq. 
ft. of offices excluding Earlsfort Terrace) of 
€56.82psf and was assuming an average 
yield of 4.43% upon completion. Based on 
these assumptions and forecast capex of 
€260m (using current build costs including 
contingency but excluding effect of future 
tender price inflation) and assuming 
current market conditions, a further €167m 

Office pipeline when completed

538,000
sq. ft.

(2018: 505,000 sq. ft.)

of development profit (excluding finance 
costs) is expected to be realised through 
the completion and letting of these 
schemes. A 50-basis point movement 
in the average yield for the properties 
would make c. €55m of difference to the 
development profits, and a €5psf change 
in average estimated rental value (“ERV”) 
would result in a c. €45m difference. 

Office

Marine House

Sector

Office

Current area 
(sq. ft.)

Area 
post completion 
(sq. ft.)

Full 
purchase 
price1

41k

49k

€29m

Blocks 1, 2 & 5 
Clanwilliam Court

Office

93k

141k office 
11k ancillary

€54m

Comments

•  Planning granted December 2018 for 49k sq. ft.
•  Lower ground floor application may add approx. 

1.5k sq. ft.

•  Vacant possession expected during 2020

•  Redevelopment opportunity post-2021
•  Potential to add significantly to existing net  
internal areas (“NIA”) across all three blocks  
and create an office cluster similar to Windmill 
Quarter (with Marine)

•  Planning application lodged for 152k sq. ft. 

redevelopment

Harcourt Square

Office

122k 

307k office 
2k retail

€75m

•  Leased to the Office of Public Works until 

December 2022

•  Site offers potential to create cluster of office 
buildings with shared facilities or a major HQ

•  Full 10-year planning grant for 309k sq. ft
•  Detailed building assessment underway by 

development team

One Earlsfort Terrace Office

22k

28k

€20m

•  Current planning permission for two extra floors 

Total office

Mixed-use

278k

538k

€178m

Newlands (Gateway)

143.7 acres

n/a

€48m2

129 Slaney Road

62k on 

n/a

€5m

Total mixed-use

147.5 acres 

n/a

€53m

3.8 acres

1. 

Including transaction costs and capex spent to date

2. 

Initial consideration

(6k sq. ft.), expiring July 2021 

•  Potential for redevelopment as part of wider 

Earlsfort Centre scheme

•  Strategic transport location
•  Potential for future mixed-use redevelopment 

subject to re-zoning

•  Strategic transport location
•  Potential for future mixed-use redevelopment 

subject to re-zoning

54

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAsset management
Capital expenditure on maintenance items 
amounted to €1.8m in the year (March 
2018: €2.4m). Contracted rent grew 2.9% to 
€57.6m (March 2018: €56.0m) as a result of:

•  Lettings and rent reviews adding €7.8m 

(see further details below)

•  Lease expiries and surrenders reducing 

contracted rent by €2.0m

•  Net property sales reducing contracted 

rent by €4.2m

At 31 March 2019 nine office rent reviews 
were active representing €2.5m of 
contracted rent with an ERV of €4.6m 
and the vacancy rate in the office portfolio 
was 12%, based on lettable area (March 
2018: 3%). The principal reasons for 
the increase in vacancy rate were the 
completion of 2WML (60,000 sq. ft.) and 
the office tenant in the Forum vacating 
the building (47,000 sq. ft.), both of 
which occurred just before 31 March 2019. 
Together, these two events added nine 
percentage points to the vacancy rate.

Summary of letting activity in the year 
Offices: 
•  Two new lettings totalling 113,000 sq. 
ft. and generating €6.9m per annum 
of incremental new rent. The weighted 
average periods to break and expiry for 
the new leases were 11.9 years and 19.9 
years, respectively 

•  One rent review was concluded over 

12,000 sq. ft., adding a further €0.4m of 
rent per annum: this rent review was over 
140% ahead of previous contracted rents 
and ahead of ERV 

Retail:
•  The 12,000 sq. ft. gym in 2WML was let 

to Perpetua generating rent of €0.1m per 
annum, rising to €0.2m per annum by 
year three

Residential: 
•  293 of the Company’s 328 apartments 
are located in Dundrum and average 
rents achieved in new lettings in the year 
by the Company for two-bed apartments 
in Dundrum were €1,850 per month vs 
average two-bed passing rents of €1,831 
per month 

•  Letting activity and lease renewals at 

Dundrum generated incremental gross 
annual rent of €0.3m in the period (new 
leases signed on 73 apartments and 
leases renewed on 237 apartments) 
•  All let units are subject to the rental 

cap regulations

Key asset management highlights
1SJRQ, South Docks
In November 2018 HubSpot agreed terms 
to occupy all 112,000 sq. ft. of office 
accommodation in the building on a 
20-year lease, with 12 years term certain, 
commencing in June 2019. HubSpot will 
pay an initial rent of €6.8m (€59.75psf) per 
annum, commencing after a four-month 
rent free period. As part of the letting, 
HubSpot, which also occupies 73,000  
sq. ft. in One and Two Dockland Central, 
has agreed to extend the date of its break 
options in these buildings by three and a 
half years to coincide with those at 1SJRQ. 
Hibernia remains in discussions with various 
food and beverage operators regarding the 
7,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the building. 

2WML, South Docks
In late 2018 Perpetua, a leading gym 
operator, agreed to let the ground floor, a 
12,000 sq. ft. gym, at an initial rent of €0.1m 
per annum, rising to €0.2m per annum 
by year three, on a 10-year lease, with six 
years term certain. Discussions continue 
with potential occupiers for the 60,000 
sq. ft. of office accommodation in the 
building which completed at the end of 
February 2019.

50 City Quay, South Docks
The 4,500 sq. ft. riverside office building, 
which occupies a prominent corner 
adjacent to the Windmill Quarter, was 
acquired vacant (see further details 
above). We are finalising plans for the 
refurbishment of the building.

Cannon Place, D4
The 16 residential units are vacant following 
the completion of remedial work which had 
to be carried out. We intend to retain the 
property and let the units.

Central Quay, South Docks
In late 2018, Daqri, which occupies the 
first floor (11,000 sq. ft.) and is paying rent 
of €0.6m per annum, served notice to 
exercise its break option and will vacate 
the property in June 2019. The remaining 
vacant space on part of the ground floor 
(5,000 sq. ft.) and the third floor (12,000 
sq. ft.) continues to be marketed and talks 
are ongoing with potential occupiers.

Hardwicke House & Montague House, D2
At 31 March 2019 there were seven rent 
reviews outstanding in the buildings, 
relating to 82,000 sq. ft. of office 
accommodation, with passing rents of 
€2.4m and ERVs of €4.3m. We expect  
the majority of these to conclude shortly. 

Marine House, D2
There are two rent reviews active, regarding 
a total of 4,300 sq. ft. of ground floor  
office space, which is let to WK Nowlan 
Real Estate Advisors.

Contracted rent roll

€57.6m

(2018: €56.0m)

South Dock House, South Docks
We are in discussions regarding the leasing 
of all 9,000 sq. ft. of the property to a party.

The Forum, IFSC
Depfa Bank, which previously occupied 
all 47,000 sq. ft. of office accommodation 
along with 50 car parking spaces at an 
annual rent of €2.0m, vacated the building 
in March 2019 having previously exercised a 
break clause in its lease. Hibernia continues 
to consider options for the building 
and is in preliminary discussions with 
interested parties.

The Observatory, South Docks
Riot Games, which occupies 44,000 sq. 
ft. across three floors in the building, has 
exercised a break option on part of its 
demise and will be vacating 8,000 sq. ft. 
in early July 2019 leading to a reduction 
in annual rent of €0.2m. We will seek to 
re-let the space when it becomes vacant. 
The remainder of the Riot Games demise, 
which is under-rented at present, will be 
subject to a rent review at 1 July 2019. 

Windmill Quarter, South Docks
With the completion of 1SJRQ and 2WML 
the Windmill Quarter has been finished and 
now comprises six adjacent buildings with 
c. 400,000 sq. ft. of offices and further 
ancillary space and communal facilities. 
As well as the individual building managers 
we have a dedicated manager for the 
Quarter and are introducing features for 
tenants such as a smartphone app, with 
updates and information, and music events.

Flexible workspace arrangement
The flexible workspace arrangement  
with Iconic Offices (“Iconic”) in 21,000  
sq. ft. of Block 1 Clanwilliam Court is 
performing well, with all workstations  
(c. 90% of revenue from the arrangement) 
occupied and 77% of the available  
co-working memberships contracted  
as at 31 March 2019. 

Other completed assets
The remaining completed properties in the 
portfolio remain close to full occupancy. 
The average period to rent review or  
lease expiry for the acquired in-place  
office portfolio (not including recently 
completed developments) is 2.1 years.

55

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comFinancial review

Financial review

As at

IFRS NAVPS

EPRA NAVPS1

Net debt1

Group LTV1 

Financial period ended

Profit before tax for the period

EPRA earnings1

IFRS EPS

Diluted IFRS EPS

EPRA EPS1

Proposed final DPS1

FY19 DPS1

31 March 2019

31 March 2018

Movement

174.7c

173.3c

160.6c

159.1c

 €217.1m 

 €202.7m 

15.6%

15.5%

+8.8% 

+8.9% 

 +7.1% 

+0.1pp

31 March 2019

31 March 2018

Movement

 €124.0m 

 €27.5m 

€107.1m 

€19.4m 

17.8c

17.6c

4.0c

2.0c

3.5c

15.5c

15.4c

2.8c

1.9c

3.0c

+15.8%

+41.6%

+14.8%

+14.3%

+40.4%

 +5.3%

 +16.7%

1.  An alternative performance measure (“APM”). The Group uses a number of such financial measures to describe its performance, which are not defined under IFRS and which 
are therefore considered APMs. In particular, measures defined by EPRA are an important way for investors to compare similar real estate companies. For further information 
see page 193 of this Annual Report.

The key drivers of EPRA NAV per share, which increased by 14.2 cent from 31 March 2018, were:

•  13.6 cent per share from the revaluation of the property portfolio, including 6.8 cent per share in relation to development properties 
•  4.0 cent per share from EPRA earnings in the period
•  0.4 cent per share from profits on the sale of two investment properties
•  Payment of the FY18 final dividend and FY19 interim dividend, which reduced NAV by 3.4 cent per share and other items, which 

reduced it by a further 0.4 cent

EPRA earnings were €27.5m, up 41.6% compared to the same period in the prior year. The uplift was principally due to increased 
rental income as a result of new lettings at our developments made in the prior financial year. Administrative expenses (excluding IMA 
performance-related payments) were €13.9m (March 2018: €13.5m) and included four months of cost from the Group’s new remuneration 
scheme which commenced on 27 November 2018. IMA performance-related payments were €5.4m (Mar 2018: €6.6m) and related 
primarily to the Group’s outperformance of the MSCI Ireland Index in the period to November 2018.

Profit before tax was €124.0m, an increase of 15.8% over the prior year, mainly due to higher revaluation gains in the financial period 
compared to the same period last year. For reference, the 12 months ended 31 March 2018 saw significant yield compression in the office 
sector but was also impacted by an increase in stamp duty on Irish commercial property transactions: the impact was to reduce the 
Group’s revaluation gains by an estimated €53.7m.

EPRA EPS

4.0c

(2018: 2.8c)

56

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comFunding position
Group leverage target: our through-cycle leverage target remains 20-30%

In December 2018 we refinanced the Group’s sole debt facility, a €400m secured revolving credit facility (“RCF”) maturing in November 
2020, with a margin of 2.05% over EURIBOR, with the following unsecured debt:

Instrument

Revolving credit facility (five year)

Private placement notes (seven year) 

Private placement notes (ten year)

Total

Quantum Maturity date

Interest cost

Security

€320m December 2023

€37.5m January 2026

€37.5m January 2029

2.0% over 
EURIBOR

2.36% coupon 
(fixed)

2.69% coupon 
(fixed)

Unsecured

Unsecured

Unsecured

€395m

n/a

n/a

n/a

The refinancing extended the weighted average maturity of the Group’s debt from 1.9 years to 5.7 years as at December 2018 (March 
2019: 5.4 years, March 2018: 2.7 years) and moved the Group away from being wholly reliant on bank facilities for its debt funding. 
The move to an unsecured structure also ensures the Group has access to the widest range of possible funding options in future. Due to 
a reduction in the undrawn commitment fees payable on the new RCF, overall interest costs under the new funding arrangements remain 
broadly unchanged. The banks participating in the new RCF are Bank of Ireland, Wells Fargo, Barclays Bank Ireland and Allied Irish Banks. 
The private placement notes were placed with a single institutional investor and drawn in January 2019.

As at 31 March 2019, net debt was €217.1m (March 2018: €202.7m), equating to a loan to value ratio (“LTV”) of 15.6% (March 2018: 15.5%). 
The key line items impacting net debt in the year were total capital expenditure of €47.2m and acquisition expenditure of €40.0m which 
were largely offset by the receipt of €65.0m from the sale of New Century House. The disposal proceeds from the sale of 77SJRQ of 
€35.3m were not received until May 2019 and are being returned to shareholders, a process which has commenced with the €25m share 
buyback programme launched in April 2019. 

Cash and undrawn facilities as at 31 March 2019 totalled €178m or €143m net of committed capital expenditure (March 2018: €197m and 
€120m, respectively). Assuming full investment of the available facilities in property and taking into account the €25m share buyback, the 
LTV, based on property values at 31 March 2019, would be c. 25%. 

Interest rate hedging
Group hedging policy: to ensure the majority of the interest rate risk on its drawn debt balances is fixed or hedged 

As at 31 March 2019 the Group had €75m of fixed coupon private placement notes and the interest rate risk on the RCF drawings of 
€159.4m was protected by €225m of hedging instruments comprising:

Instrument

Cap

Swaption

Cap

Swaption

Notional

Strike rate

Exercise date

Effective date

Termination date

€100m

€100m

€125m

€125m

1%

1%

0.75%

0.75%

n/a

November 2017

November 2019

November 2019

November 2019

November 2021

n/a

February 2019

December 2021

December 2021

December 2021

December 2023

While the Group is “over-hedged” on its interest rate exposure at present, this causes no additional financial risk to the Group and is 
expected to cease by November 2019 when caps and swaptions over €100m of notional debt are due to expire. The reason for the  
over-hedging is that when seeking to put in place additional hedging for the period from November 2019 to the expiry of the new  
RCF in December 2023, it was found to be no more expensive to start the hedging from February 2019 than from November 2019.

Dividend
Group dividend policy: to distribute 85-90% of recurring rental profits via dividends each financial year, with the interim dividend in a 
financial year usually representing 30-50% of the total ordinary dividends paid in respect of the prior financial year

The Board has proposed a final dividend of 2.0 cent per share (2018: 1.9 cent), taking the total dividend for the financial year to 3.5 cent 
per share, an uplift of 16.7% on the prior year (2018: 3.0 cent). This represents 89% of the EPRA earnings per share for the financial year, 
in line with our policy and reduced compared to the last financial year when dividends amounted to 108% of EPRA earnings per share on 
account of the greater than expected performance fees.

Subject to approval at the Group’s AGM on 31 July 2019, the final dividend will be paid on 2 August 2019 to shareholders on the register at 
5 July 2019. All of the dividend will be a Property Income Distribution (“PID”) in respect of the Group’s property rental business as defined 
under the Irish REIT legislation.

Hibernia’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRiP”) is available to shareholders and allows them to instruct Link, the Company’s registrar, to 
reinvest the dividends paid by Hibernia into the purchase of shares in the Company. The terms and conditions of the DRiP and information 
on how to apply are available on the Group’s website.

57

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comFinancial review continued

Capital management
On 1 April 2019 we announced the sale of 
77SJRQ and our intention to return the 
net proceeds of €35m to shareholders, 
starting with an on-market share buyback 
programme of up to €25m which 
commenced on 2 April. The purpose 
of the buyback is to maintain our 
progress towards the lower end of the 
Group’s stated 20-30% leverage target. 
The buyback is expected to be accretive to 
EPRA NAV per share. At close of business 
on 14 June 2019, 6.3m shares had been 
repurchased and cancelled for aggregate 
consideration of €8.7m.

To enhance our flexibility for future capital 
management we intend to propose 
a capital reorganisation resolution at 
the AGM on 31 July 2019. This will seek 
permission to convert a substantial part 
of our share premium account, which had 

a balance of €624.5m at 31 March 2019, 
into distributable reserves in a process 
which will also require High Court approval. 
Subject to receiving the necessary 
approvals the capital reorganisation is likely 
to complete in late 2019. 

Expiry of Investment  
Management Agreement
The Investment Management Agreement 
(“IMA”) entered between Hibernia and WK 
Nowlan REIT Management Ltd (its former 
Investment Manager) prior to Hibernia’s 
IPO expired on 26 November 2018. As part 
of the arrangements for the Internalisation 
of the Investment Manager in 2015 (the 
“Internalisation”) it was agreed that any 
payments due under the IMA each financial 
year would be paid, mainly in shares, in lieu 
of a separate incentive scheme until the 
expiry of the IMA. 

The final performance fee for the period 
1 April 2018 to 26 November 2018 was 
€5.4m (15% of this is being used to 
fund the Group’s Performance Related 
Remuneration Scheme for staff) and 
the final base fee top-up was €1.5m. 
The amounts due to the Vendors will be 
paid in new shares once the FY19 audit 
is completed using a share price of 135.1 
cent (the average closing share price for 
the 20 trading days up to and including 
26 November 2018) and will be subject to 
the same lock-up provisions as all other 
shares they have received.

From 27 November 2018 the Company’s 
new Remuneration Policy, which was 
approved by shareholders at the 
Company’s AGM in July 2018, took effect. 

European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) Performance Measures 
The Group uses a number of financial measures to describe its performance which are not defined under International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) and which are therefore considered Alternative Performance Measures (“APMs”). In particular, measures defined 
by EPRA were developed to enhance transparency and comparability with other public real estate investment companies in Europe. 
EPRA has consulted investors and preparers of information in order to compile its recommendations. Using these measures ensures 
that the Group’s investors can compare the Group’s performance on a like-for-like basis with similar companies. Further detail on these 
measures are set out in Supplementary information, part III. European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) Performance Measures, 
on pages 194 to 199 of this Annual Report. This includes their calculation and reconciliation to the consolidated financial statements as 
prepared under IFRS where applicable.

Summary EPRA measures

EPRA performance measure

EPRA earnings

EPRA EPS

Diluted EPRA EPS

Adjusted EPRA EPS

EPRA cost ratio – including direct vacancy costs

EPRA cost ratio – excluding direct vacancy costs

Adjusted EPRA cost ratio including direct vacancy costs

Adjusted EPRA cost ratio excluding direct vacancy costs

EPRA performance measure

EPRA net initial yield (“NIY”)

EPRA “topped-up” NIY

EPRA net asset value (“EPRA NAV”)

EPRA NAV per share 

EPRA triple net assets (“EPRA NNNAV”)

EPRA NNNAV per share

Like-for-like rental growth

EPRA vacancy rate

58

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018

27,472

19,403

 4.0 

 3.9 

4.8

39.3%

38.3%

22.2%

21.2%

 2.8 

 2.8 

4.1

47.8%

45.6%

21.8%

19.6%

 As at  
31 March 2019

 As at  
31 March 2018 

3.6%

4.1%

1,219,374 

173.3 

1,218,539 

173.2 

7.6%

10.7%

3.8%

4.3%

1,112,075 

159.1 

1,111,730 

159.1 

7.6%

2.0%

Unit

€’000

cent

cent

cent

%

%

%

%

Unit

%

%

€’000

cent

€’000

cent

%

%

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comSustainability

Introduction to sustainability

“ We have created our 
inaugural standalone 
Sustainability Report 
which provides a 
detailed overview  
of our approach to 
this important issue.” 

I am pleased to present the sustainability 
section of this year’s Annual Report. 

Sustainability remains a key priority for us: 
It is an integral part of our strategy and we 
believe it is crucial to delivering long-term 
value to our stakeholders. It is an area that 
occupational and investment markets are 
increasingly paying attention to, meaning 
good or bad performance in this area  
may have commercial consequences. 

We are making good progress against 
the targets set in the five key areas of our 
Sustainability Strategy and have set out 
our targets for the future – you can read 
about our key impact areas in summary 
in this section and the full details of our 
sustainability performance and targets in 
our Sustainability Report 2019 which is 
separately published on our website. 

We recently introduced a new 
Remuneration Policy and the achievement 
of sustainability performance targets will 
have a bearing on annual bonus awards for 
senior management colleagues and certain 
other staff. 

Please do take the opportunity to read our 
inaugural standalone Sustainability Report 
at www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability and 
we will be pleased to receive any feedback 
on the content in this section, as well our 
Sustainability Report.

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive Officer
17 June 2019

59

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comSustainability continued

Sustainability at Hibernia

Our Sustainability 
Policy (available on 
our website) has been 
developed to ensure 
that Hibernia operates 
in a responsible and 
sustainable manner, 
having regard to its 
tenants, staff, suppliers, 
local communities and 
the environment. 

The policy consists of five key principles 
which run right through the business: 

1) Responsible asset management 
2) Deliver sustainable buildings 
3) Positively impact communities 
4) Support our suppliers 
5) Develop our employees

For each of the principles, we have a series 
of targets. These form our Sustainability 
Strategy which you can read more about  
in the coming pages.

How we manage sustainability
Hibernia’s Board has ultimate oversight 
for all aspects of the business including 
sustainability. The Board reviews and 
approves the Group’s Sustainability 
Strategy, Sustainability Policy and Supplier 
Code of Conduct, and receives updates 
from the Sustainability & Marketing 
Committee, which, along with other 
Executive Committees, meets at least  
once every two months. Day-to-day, 
Hibernia’s sustainability programme  
is run by the Sustainability Manager,  
with input and support as required  
from the CFO and other team members.

Board

Sustainability  
& Marketing Committee  
Incl. CEO & CFO

Sustainability 
Manager  
CFO oversight

60

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comHow we apply our 
five key principles

3. 
Positively impact  
communities

We support the communities in 
which we operate. We are responsible 
neighbours and strive to develop  
and maintain good relationships. 

1. 
Responsible  
asset management

4. 
Support  
our suppliers

We actively manage our buildings to 
minimise environmental impact while 
maximising asset performance and 
efficiency for our tenants and customers. 
Where possible, we adopt a “polluter 
pays” approach: we have set specific 
targets in this area to improve the 
performance of our buildings.

We support our suppliers through  
the prompt payment of invoices. 
In return, via our contractual  
relationship, we expect suppliers to 
adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct.

2. 
Deliver  
sustainable buildings

5. 
Develop  
our employees

We improve the local built 
environment by providing efficient 
new space, through developments or 
refurbishments, which offers lower 
running costs, fewer emissions and  
an enhanced occupier experience. 
We have set specific targets for new 
buildings, both in terms of certifications 
and more general impacts.

We have an inclusive and open working 
environment. We encourage individuals 
and teams to realise their full potential 
for personal and collective growth  
and to enable the business to meet  
its strategic objectives.

61

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comOur sustainability performance at a glance 

Electricity consumption 
down by

-5%

Fuels consumption 
down by

-7%

Building energy  
intensity reduced by

-2%

Waste generated by 
our office portfolio 
reduced by

-7%of this, more than half 

was either recycled or 
composted. No waste 
was sent to landfill 

Water consumption 
increased by

+4%

100%of assets are BER accredited 

and one asset has achieved 
LEED platinum

Sustainability continued

Introduction
We report on our environmental, social and 
governance impacts in accordance with 
the third edition of the EPRA Sustainability 
Best Practice Recommendations 
(sBPR). An overview is provided here 
for convenience.

Summary of our approach
We use the operational control approach 
for our data boundary for our office and 
residential assets. In 2018 this included 12 
office assets, and 293 apartments located 
over two buildings. This excludes three 
buildings which were under development 
during the year, 1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, 
Two Windmill Lane (formerly the Hanover 
Building) and 2 Cumberland Place.

Our utilities consumption at our own 
occupied offices is reported separately to 
our portfolio. Our offices cover one floor 
of a mixed-use building that we occupy 
as a tenant. The rest of the portfolio, 
consisting of industrial units and land held 
for development, is excluded as it is not 
directly managed and is not considered 
material in relation to our other asset types. 
The consumption reported includes utilities 
(energy and water) that we purchase 
as landlords. 

Certifications of assets
All office developments and major office 
refurbishments are registered for LEED 
Gold certification as a minimum in line with 
our sustainability targets for developing 
sustainable buildings. This means that over 
time we expect an increasing proportion of 
our portfolio to have sustainability-focused 
building certifications. 

Location of EPRA sustainability 
performance measures
EPRA sustainability performance measures 
for our portfolio and own offices as well 
as our social and governance measures 
can be found in the Sustainability Report 
on pages 26 to 31 which is accessible via 
www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability.

We have also published a separate 
download of our EPRA performance 
summary on our website 
www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability.

Third party verification
JLL Upstream Sustainability Services  
has assured our data in line with the 
AA1000 standard. JLL’s assurance 
statement can be found on pages 
32 to 34 of the Sustainability Report 
and is also available on our website 
www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability.

62

Strategic reportHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comGovernance

We aspire to the highest standards of behaviour based  
on honesty and transparency in everything we do.

Modern slavery
We have zero-tolerance of violations of 
anti-slavery and human trafficking laws. 
The risk of slavery and human trafficking 
in the recruitment and engagement of our 
employees is negligible as our investment 
property portfolio is located entirely in 
Dublin and our employees are all office-
based professionals. All our suppliers are 
required to comply with our supplier code 
of conduct which includes a commitment 
to abide by anti-slavery and human 
trafficking laws and regulations. 

Bribery and corruption
Bribery is not acceptable and is 
not tolerated, whatever its form. 
Staff are required to adhere to our gifts 
and inducements policy. The key principle 
of this is that gifts, benefits or inducements 
should neither be offered nor accepted 
if they create or appear to create an 
obligation, affect either party’s impartiality 
or constitute an undue influence on a 
business decision.

Whistleblowing
The Group has detailed whistleblowing 
procedures to facilitate a confidential and 
accessible means for employees to raise 
any concerns in relation to how we conduct 
our business or interact with employees or 
other stakeholders. 

Governance 
We set certain ethical standards for our 
employees and suppliers. 

The key policies which set out our 
requirements include:

•  Code of Conduct 
•  Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy 
•  Modern slavery
•  Diversity and Inclusion Policy
•  Whistleblowing and 

grievance procedures

•  Employment and labour practices
•  Gifts and Inducements Policy

Health and safety
Our Health and Safety Committee 
monitors employee and contractor health 
and safety as well as other aspects. 
We report EPRA metrics In our separate 
Sustainability Report 2019 which is available 
on our website at www.hiberniareit.com/
sustainability and on pages 59 to 62. 
All personnel visiting building sites 
must have completed the “Safe Pass” 
course, must wear appropriate safety 
equipment Hibernia provides at all times 
and be supervised by site professionals. 
We completed working space ergonomic 
reviews for all our staff in the reporting 
period and added improvements in working 
conditions where necessary. We provide 
standing desks and similar facilities where 
employees request them. In our new 
offices, we plan to provide adjustable 
height desks as a standard feature. 

Diversity and equal opportunities
We are committed to developing the skills 
and diverse talents of our employees and 
Board members. We foster a culture that 
promotes fairness and where advancement 
reflects ability, potential, performance 
and teamwork.

63

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comChairman’s corporate governance statement

Introduction from the Chairman

“ Roisin Brennan’s appointment is the first 
step in our Board succession planning.”

Dear fellow shareholder
The Board of Hibernia is committed to 
ensuring the highest standards of corporate 
governance at all levels in the Group. 

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
confirm that Hibernia has, throughout 
the financial year, complied fully with all 
relevant provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2016 (“the UK Code”) 
and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex 
(“the Irish Annex”). We continue to keep 
developments under review and confirm 
that the Group intends to be fully compliant 
with the 2018 Revised Code during the 
financial year ending 31 March 2020. 
Our corporate governance framework 
underpins effective decision-making and 
accountability and is the basis on which  
we conduct our business and engage  
with all stakeholders. 

The Group has continued with the strategic 
priorities established in previous years, 
focusing on the delivery of development 
projects and increasing the rental income 
of the portfolio while remaining alert to 
any acquisition and disposal opportunities 
that arise. 

Board activity
The Board met eight times: five of 
these were regular, scheduled meetings. 
These meetings were attended by the 
relevant key management and other 
personnel where appropriate, ensuring 
the Board has a good interaction with the 
Group’s staff and appropriate experts. 

I seek to ensure that we always have the 
appropriate mixture of skills and experience 
on the Board.

Consistent with our goal of improving 
diversity, both in experience and gender, 
we have appointed Roisin Brennan as 
an Independent Non-Executive Director. 
Roisin joined the Board on 16 January 
2019 and brings much experience in 
advising public companies and acting as 
a non-executive director of other listed 
companies. Roisin has joined our three 
Board Committees, Audit, Remuneration 
and Nominations. 

We will continue to seek to improve 
diversity while focusing on succession 
planning as current Board members 
approach the end of their tenures. 

64

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCulture and values
We aspire to the highest standards 
of behaviour based on honesty and 
transparency in everything we do. 
The Group works from a single office and 
has an open workspace which encourages 
communication and interaction between 
all employees. In addition, the Senior 
Management Team arranges regular 
training sessions and social events which 
are particularly important for the building 
managers who spend most of their time 
on site at our properties. Our performance 
evaluations include annual surveys of 
our staff’s assessment of management 
and their understanding and perception 
of the key pillars of our overall strategic 
goals. We have completed these surveys 
for each of the past three years and they 
help us ensure that everyone is engaged 
and understands the Group’s goals and 
ethics. Regular communication in this way 
ensures we identify issues and tackle them 
proactively. Our Executive Committee 
structure ensures a high level of oversight 
over the Group’s day-to-day activities. 
The Executive Committees met regularly 
throughout the year. 

Data protection
The General Data Protection Regulation 
(“GDPR”) came into force in May 2018. 
It has changed the way personal data  
is managed by the Group. Our policies  
and procedures were updated, and we 
verified that not only ourselves but also  
key suppliers were prepared for the 
changes. This work continues together  
with improvements in cyber security and 
making sure we have robust IT systems in 
place to ensure data integrity in all areas.

Stakeholder engagement
We are committed to building strong 
relationships with our stakeholders as  
we believe that is essential to ensure  
the long-term success of the Group for  
all interested parties. 

   Read more on stakeholder 

engagement on pages 26-29

We recognise that there is a wide universe 
of stakeholders in our business and have 
set goals and targets in managing their 
interests. Stakeholders include our tenants, 
employees, suppliers, agents, government 
and communities in addition to our 
investors. We also recognise our impact 
on the local environment and this year 
have published a separate Sustainability 
Report to not only report on environmental 
performance metrics but also on our 
targets and ambitions relating to social and 
governance activities. 

   Read our Sustainability Report 2019 >> 

www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability

Delivering long 
term value to our 
stakeholders

Sustainability Report 2019

Director time commitments
All Non-Executive Directors have been 
available to attend Board meetings as 
required and I have no concerns over the 
time commitments of individual Directors. 
Some investors have raised concerns in 
relation to overboarding, both in respect  
of me and of Colm Barrington. 

I am Chairman of four public companies. 
None is operating in a complex or highly 
regulated sector such as financial services 
or pharmaceuticals. The time commitments 
required are well within my ability to 
manage, and this is evidenced by my 
availability to spend time meeting major 
shareholders of Hibernia on a corporate 
governance roadshow this year as well as 
in carrying out my duties on the Board 
Committees. Two of the companies I 
chair, Workspace and Sirius, are property 
businesses and are local, and non-complex. 
The companies’ businesses are confined 
to limited and adjacent markets and the 
similarity in business leads to advantages in 
terms of market knowledge and strategy. 
The third, Applegreen, is a convenience 
food and beverage retailer and operator of 
petrol forecourts in Ireland, the UK and the 
US. I have resigned my position as Non-
Executive Director of LXB Retail Properties. 
I have attended all meetings of Hibernia, 
both scheduled and other, over the past 
three years and in addition committed 
extra time in managing the recruitment 
and succession work of the Nominations 
Committee and undertaking the corporate 
governance roadshow during 2018-19. 

Colm Barrington is CEO of Fly Leasing plc 
and a Non-Executive Director of Finnair plc. 
He resigned from his position as a Non-
Executive Director of IFG Group plc during 
the year. Fly Leasing is a US company 
based on the west coast of America and, as 
Mr Barrington resides in Ireland, he is able 
to undertake other activities without any 
difficulty. His attendance and input at Board 
meetings is excellent. During 2018-19 we 
implemented a new Remuneration Policy 
and Mr Barrington made himself available 
to consult major shareholders in advance of 
finalising the policy.

65

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comChairman’s corporate governance statement continued

“ I feel the Management Team provide 
space for the wider team to give opinions 
and share ideas… I think it’s important to 
foster this ‘open’ culture – I hope as we grow 
this will not be lost.”

Conclusion
I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank my colleagues on the Board for  
their continued work and dedication.

   Read more on our Audit Committee 

on pages 84 to 90

   Read more on our Nominations 
Committee on pages 91 to 92

   Read more on our Remuneration 
Committee on pages 93 to 114

On behalf of the Board, I would also 
like to extend my thanks to the Senior 
Management Team and staff, without 
whose commitment and hard work these 
results would not be possible. 

I believe the Group is well-placed to make 
continued progress on our goals and I am 
confident that we can continue to deliver 
value for our shareholders.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
17 June 2019

Board Committees
Our Board Committees continued to 
perform effectively. 

The Audit Committee considered the 
first outputs of internal audit from PwC 
as the provider of internal audit services, 
considered the implementation of the 
General Data Protection Regulation 
(“GDPR”), and continues to ensure an 
effective system of internal control and  
risk management is in place. 

The Nominations Committee focused 
on succession planning, including the 
selection and appointment of a new Non-
Executive Director, with a particular focus 
on broadening diversity, not only in gender, 
but also in experience. Roisin Brennan 
brings added public company expertise  
as well as additional capital markets/
corporate finance skills to support the 
Board. The focus for the coming year is  
on succession planning and continuing  
to maintain the breadth of experience  
and qualifications on the Board. 

The Remuneration Committee carried 
over its work from last year with the 
submission of the new Remuneration 
Policy to shareholders at the 2018 AGM 
and its subsequent implementation. 
The Committee reports on progress on  
this and performance against key metrics 
in its remuneration report for the financial 
year ended 31 March 2019. 

Response from staff member  
in annual survey

We include our employees in all aspects 
of governance and encourage frank and 
open exchanges. The Group’s structure of 
Executive Committees enables employees 
to stay informed and be involved in 
strategic decisions and performance 
assessment. Our new Remuneration 
Policy recognises not only short-term 
performance but encourages long-term 
loyalty and interest in the Group’s longer-
term returns. 

Board effectiveness
This year we undertook an internal 
Board performance review. The process, 
recommendations and actions to 
implement are summarised on pages 
80 to 81. 

In 2019-20 our challenge is to continue 
to focus on our strategic priorities while 
ensuring that we continue to uphold high 
standards of corporate governance.

66

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comUK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (“the Code”)
A new Code comes into effect for our next financial year. The Group currently complies with the majority of the provisions of this Code 
and intends to comply during the financial year. 

What’s coming next year: 
•  Workforce engagement policy
•  Post employment shareholding requirements

UK Corporate Governance Code Principles and how the Company addresses them

1

Board leadership 
and Company 
purpose

The role of the Board and its Committees

What the Board did in 2018-19

Business model

Strategic priorities

Stakeholder engagement

KPIs and operational metrics

Remuneration Policy

Risk and internal control framework

Principal risks 

Staff policies including whistle blowing, grievance process et. al. 

The role of the Board and its Committees

Board of Directors

Key management personnel

Governance structure

Board of Directors

Succession planning

Evaluation

Nominations Committee

Audit Committee 

Strategic report

Risk report

Principal risks

2

Division of 
responsibilities

3

Composition, 
succession and 
evaluation

4

Audit, risk and 
internal control

5

Remuneration

Remuneration Committee

Remuneration Policy

Shareholder consultation

  pages 72 to 73

  pages 77 to 79

  pages 30 to 31

  pages 32 to 33

  pages 26 to 29, 81 to 83

  pages 34 to 35

  pages 102 to 103

  pages 36 to 38

  pages 40 to 49

  page 63

  pages 72 to 73

  pages 68 to 69

  pages 70 to 71

  pages 72 to 73

  pages 68 to 69

  page 92

  pages 80 to 81

  pages 91 to 92

  pages 84 to 90

  pages 2 to 63

  pages 36 to 39

  pages 40 to 49

  pages 93 to 114

  pages 102 to 103

  page 94

67

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comBoard of Directors

The right skills and experience to deliver our strategy

1. Terence O’Rourke (64) 

2. Colm Barrington (73) 

3. Frank Kenny (66) 

4. Daniel Kitchen (67)

Independent Non-Executive 
Director and Senior Independent 
Director; Irish

Committee memberships: 
Audit, Remuneration (Chair) and 
Nominations Committees

Appointed: 23 August 2013

Skills and expertise: Colm’s senior 
executive management experience 
and the range of public company 
board roles held by him add 
significant value to the Board from 
outside the property sector.

Current external appointments: 
Chief Executive Officer and Director 
of Fly Leasing and a Non-Executive 
Director of Finnair.

Non-Executive Director; Irish

Committee memberships: 
Development Committee 
(Executive Committee)

Appointed: 8 November 2017

Skills and expertise: Frank is a 
Chartered Surveyor and has more 
than 35 years’ experience in the Irish 
and US property markets and was 
one of the founders of Hibernia.

Current external appointments: 
Founder and Chief Executive Officer 
of Willett Companies LLC, a property 
investment company specialising 
in multi-tenanted office and retail 
properties on the East Coast of 
the United States. Founder and 
Director of Urbeo Residential Fund 
ICAV, an Irish social and affordable 
housing fund.

Independent Non-Executive 
Chairman; Irish

Committee memberships: 
Remuneration and Nominations 
(Chair) Committees 

Appointed: 23 August 2013

Skills and expertise: Danny 
brings the benefit of his expertise 
and experience gained across 
a variety of property, finance 
and public company roles to his 
chairmanship of the Board and 
Nominations Committee. 

Current external appointments: 
Chairman of Workspace Group 
plc, Applegreen plc, Sirius Real 
Estate Limited and a Non-Executive 
Director of the Irish Takeover 
Panel Limited.

Independent Non-Executive 
Director; Irish

Committee memberships:  
Audit (Chair), Remuneration  
and Nominations Committees

Appointed: 23 August 2013

Skills and expertise: As ex-
Managing Partner of KPMG 
Ireland from 2006 to 2013 and a 
former President of the Institute of 
Chartered accountants in Ireland 
and a board member of the 
Chartered accountants Regulatory 
Board, Terence brings substantial 
management, regulatory, risk and 
financial experience.

Current external appointments: 
Chairman of Enterprise Ireland  
and Kinsale Capital Management, 
Non-Executive Director of the Irish 
Times. He is also Chairman of the 
Irish Management Institute as well  
as a member of their Council.

68

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com5. Kevin Nowlan (48) 

6. Stewart Harrington (76) 

7. Roisin Brennan (54)

8. Thomas Edwards-Moss (39) 

Chief Executive Officer; Irish

Committee memberships:  
All Executive Committees

Appointed: 5 November 2015

Skills and expertise: Kevin joined 
the Board as Chief Executive Officer 
following the Internalisation of the 
Investment Manager, where he held 
the same position from its inception 
in 2013. He is a Chartered Surveyor 
and has more than 20 years’ 
experience in the Irish property 
market, including commercial 
agency, property management, 
investment, development and 
development financing, commercial 
loan portfolio management and 
debt restructuring. He is one of the 
founders of Hibernia.

Current external appointments: 
None.

Independent Non-Executive 
Director; Irish

Independent Non-Executive 
Director; Irish

Chief Financial Officer;  
British

Committee memberships: Audit, 
Nominations and Remuneration, 
Chair of Investment and 
Development Committees 
(Executive Committees)

Committee memberships: 
Audit, Nominations and 
Remuneration Committees

Appointed: 16 January 2019

Appointed: 23 August 2013

Skills and expertise: Stewart 
has extensive knowledge and 
experience of the Irish property 
market gained over many years 
in a variety of roles including as a 
partner in JLL and BNP Paribas 
Real Estate Ireland and Managing 
Director at Dunloe Ewart Limited. 

Skills and expertise: Roisin has 
extensive experience in advising 
Irish public companies and acting 
as a non-executive director of listed, 
private and State organisations.

Current external appointments: 
Non-Executive Director of Ryanair 
Holdings plc, Musgrave Group plc 
and Dell Bank International d.a.c.

Current external appointments: 
Non-Executive Director of the 
parent company of BWG Group, 
Stafford Holdings, Killeen Properties 
and Activate Capital. 

Committee memberships:  
All Executive Committees

Appointed: 5 November 2015

Skills and expertise: Tom joined 
the Board as Chief Financial Officer 
following the Internalisation of the 
Investment Manager where he 
held the same role since joining in 
June 2014. Prior to this, he spent 
nine years at Credit Suisse where 
he focused on corporate finance, 
latterly in the property sector, and 
advised on the initial public offering 
of the Company. He is a Chartered 
Accounted and qualified at PwC.

Current external appointments: 
None. 

69

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comThe Senior Management Team

An experienced team with deep knowledge  
of the Dublin property market

“ Our people are key to our achievements. 
During this financial year, after the expiry 
of the IMA arrangements, our new 
Remuneration Policy, which aligns rewards 
for all staff with delivery of our strategic goals 
and personal performance, commenced.”

70

Our Senior Management Team
Standing, left to right:
Frank O’Neill 
Director of Operations 

Justin Dowling 
Director of Property 

Edwina Governey 
Interim Chief Investment Officer

Sean O’Dwyer 
Company Secretary  
and Risk & Compliance Officer

Seated, left to right:
Thomas Edwards-Moss 
Chief Financial Officer

Kevin Nowlan 
Chief Executive Officer

Mark Pollard 
Director of Development

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comThe Senior Management Team
The Senior Management Team 
comprises each of our department 
heads and is responsible for running 
the business under the supervision of 
the Board. Two members of the Senior 
Management Team are also Executive 
Directors. The Senior Management 
Team has discretionary authority to 
enter into transactions for and on behalf 
of the Group save for certain matters 
of sufficient materiality or risk which 
require the consent of the Board. 

The Senior Management Team ensures 
that all Directors receive, in a timely 
manner, all relevant management, 
regulatory and financial information. 
Representatives of management are 
invited to attend Board meetings where 
applicable, thus enabling the Directors 
to probe further on matters of interest. 

Employees
We have a team of 34 full and part-time 
permanent employees (including the 
Senior Management Team).

Kevin Nowlan (48) 

Chief Executive Officer

Appointed: 5 November 2015

Skills and expertise: Kevin joined the 
Board of the Company as Chief Executive 
Officer in November 2015 following the 
Internalisation of the Investment Manager, 
where he held the same position from 
its inception in 2013. He has more than 
20 years’ experience in the Irish property 
market, including commercial agency, 
property management, investment, 
development and development financing, 
commercial loan portfolio management 
and debt restructuring. He is one of the 
founders of Hibernia.

Current external appointments: None.

Edwina Governey (34) 

Interim Chief Investment Officer

Appointed: Joined the Group in 2015 from 
the Investment Manager. Appointed Interim 
Chief Investment Officer in March 2019, 
prior to which she held the role of Senior 
Investment Manager.

Responsibilities and experience:
Edwina is responsible for the 
identification, analysis and execution 

of investment opportunities, portfolio 
analysis and reporting, and the Group’s 
research function. Previously she 
worked for Resolution Property and 
Mountgrange Investment Managers in 
London. She is a Chartered Surveyor.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (39) 

Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: 5 November 2015

Skills and expertise: Tom joined the 
Board of the Company as Chief Financial 
Officer in November 2015, following the 
Internalisation of the Investment Manager 
where he held the same role since joining in 
June 2014. Prior to this, he spent nine years 
at Credit Suisse in where he focused on 
corporate finance, latterly in the property 
sector, and advised on the initial public 
offering of the Company. He is a Chartered 
Accountant and qualified at PwC.

Current external appointments: None. 

Sean O’Dwyer (60)

Company Secretary and  
Risk & Compliance Officer

Appointed: Sean joined the Group as 
Risk & Compliance Officer in 2015 having 
previously held the same role in the 
Investment Manager. He was appointed 
Company Secretary in February 2017. 

Responsibilities and experience: Sean 
is responsible for risk management and 
compliance as well as company secretarial 
duties. He worked for over 20 years in Bank 
of Ireland Asset Management (now State 
Street Global Advisers Ireland) where he 
had responsibility for finance, compliance 
and risk on a global basis. Between 2009 
and 2013, he worked in a number of 
consulting roles with a variety of financial 
services firms. He has extensive experience 
of governance, regulation and risk in Ireland 
and overseas. He is a Chartered Accountant 
and qualified with EY.

Justin Dowling (43) 

Director of Property

Frank O’Neill (60) 

Director of Operations

Appointed: One of the founders of 
Hibernia. Joined the Group as Chief 
Operations Officer in 2015 following the 
Internalisation of the Investment Manager 
where he had held the same role. Moved to 
Director of Operations role in January 2019. 

Responsibilities and experience: 
Frank, in addition to providing input on 
strategic property matters and projects, is 
responsible for managing the Company’s 
workspace and its HR and IT functions. 
He has worked for more than 30 years 
in the Irish property market and has 
considerable experience in property 
transactions and advising financial 
institutions in relation to distressed 
borrowing. Previously, he was a Director 
at Rohan Holdings, one of Ireland’s 
leading private property investment 
and development companies. Frank is a 
Chartered Accountant, Chartered Surveyor 
and holds an MSc in Planning. 

Appointed: Joined the Group as Head 
of Asset Management in 2015, having 
previously held the same role in the 
Investment Manager. Appointed Director of 
Property in January 2019

Responsibilities and experience: Justin 
is responsible for managing our standing 
portfolio. He has 20 years’ experience 
in the Irish and UK property markets. 
Justin previously held senior roles in Rohan 
Holdings and WK Nowlan Property Limited. 
He is a Chartered Surveyor. 

Mark Pollard (63) 

Director of Development

Appointed: Joined the Group in 2016 as 
Director of Development

Responsibilities and experience: Mark 
is responsible for all aspects of our 
development and major refurbishment 
projects. He worked for the National Asset 
Management Agency (“NAMA”) and was 
responsible for managing a number of key 
development assets in Dublin and London. 
Previously he held senior development roles 
at Treasury Holdings and Asda Property 
Holdings. Mark is a Chartered Surveyor.

71

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance

Leadership

The Board has Executive 
and Non-Executive 
Directors with a wide 
range of business 
experience including 
property (investment 
and development), 
finance, public company 
and other commercial 
experience.

The Chairman leads the Board. He is Chair 
of the Nominations Committee and a 
member of the Remuneration Committee. 
All the Non-Executive Directors, other 
than Frank Kenny, are independent 
according to the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. The Board 
meets regularly, with up to six scheduled 
meetings per year and a number of 
additional meetings depending on the 
needs of the Company business. The Chief 
Executive Officer is responsible for the 
day-to-day management of the business 
and is an Executive Director. The Chief 
Financial Officer is also an Executive 
Director and responsible for all finance, 
reporting and investor relations matters. 
Senior employees below Board level 
present to the Board on operational topics. 
Non-Executive Directors have access to all 
employees. The governance structure is set 
out in more detail below. 

The role of the Board and its Committees
The Board is committed to developing and 
maintaining a high standard of corporate 
governance and complying with all 
applicable regulations. The main governance 
and regulatory requirements are the Listing 
Rules of Euronext Dublin and the Financial 
Conduct Authority, the UK Code, the Irish 
Annex and the Transparency and Market 
Abuse Regulations. To this end, the Board 
has established Audit, Remuneration and 
Nominations Committees, as described 
below, comprised entirely of independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Company 
has been approved as an internally-
managed Alternative Investment Fund 
(“AIF”) under the Alternative Investment 
Fund Management Directive (Directive 
2011/61/EU) as amended (“AIFMD”) and 
complies with the relevant requirements and 
procedures as set out by the Central Bank of 
Ireland in the AIF Rulebook March 2018. 

Board and Committee structure

Board of Directors
Strategy and oversight | Regulatory and compliance | Risk management

Corporate governance and overall financial performance | Culture, values and ethics

Audit Committee
•  Oversight of financial and other reporting, 

ensuring integrity

•  External audit and valuers oversight
•  Risk management framework and oversight
•  Internal controls and oversight of the 

internal auditor

Remuneration Committee
•  Executive remuneration, policy and packages
•  Oversight of Remuneration Policy and issues 

Nominations Committee
•  Review and recommendations on the size, 
composition and structure of the Board

for all staff

Advised by PwC London 

•  Succession planning
•  New appointments planning 

  Read more on pages 84-90

  Read more on pages 93-114

  Read more on pages 91-92

Risk & Compliance Officer/
Company Secretary
•  Risk and compliance
•  Company secretarial  

responsibilities

•  Corporate governance

Internal Audit
•  External monitoring of internal 
controls and recommendation 
for improvement

Outsourced to PwC Ireland

CEO/CFO
•  Development and implementation of strategy
•  Effective leadership
•  Manage business performance
•  Financial planning, cash management, operating and financial 

performance of the Group

•  Investor and other stakeholder relations

1

2

3

4

5

Executive Committees

Investment
•  Consider and  
recommend  
significant  
investment/ 
divestment 
transactions 

Development
•  Propose  

development  
projects

•  Budget, plan  
and monitor  
ongoing projects

Asset Management
•  All items relating to 
the management 
of the property 
portfolio including 
tenants

Building 
Management
•  Management  

Finance and 
Investor Relations
•  Financial 

of multi-tenanted  
properties

performance 
and reporting

3

1

2 5

1

2

5

1

5

Strategic priorities (see page 32 to 33)

1

2

3

4

5

Sustainability  
and Marketing
•  Development and  
implementation  
of the Group’s  
sustainability policy

•  Consideration 

of environmental,  
social and energy  
issues 

•  Corporate branding  
and marketing issues

•  Cash management 
•  Balance sheet 
management 
including debt and 
other funding  
arrangements

•  Strategic 

and corporate  
development

•  Investor and other  

stakeholders  
relations

72

3 4

5

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Governance structure
The Board is responsible for establishing goals for management and monitoring the achievement of these goals. 

The Board oversees the performance of the Group’s activities. The Senior Management Team has discretionary authority to enter into 
transactions for and on behalf of the Group save for certain matters of sufficient materiality or risk which require the consent of the Board. 
The Board challenges, supervises and instructs the Senior Management Team at a high level. The Board reviews Group and Company 
performance and management accounts on a quarterly basis.

Board composition and roles

Role

Chairman

Incumbent

Functions

Daniel Kitchen

•  Responsible for leading the Board, its effectiveness and governance and for 

monitoring and measuring progress against strategy, and the performance of 
the CEO

•  Maintains a culture of openness and debate and sets the tone from the top in terms 

of the values and objectives of the whole Group

•  Makes sure that the Board is aware of and understands the views and objectives of 

the major stakeholders of the Group and Company

•  Responsible for developing the Group’s strategy and objectives, the implementation 
of the same and running the Group’s day-to-day business, ensuring effective internal 
controls are in place

•  Leads the executive team and maintains a close working relationship with 

the Chairman

•  Responsible for the financial management and reporting of the Group, managing 
funding requirements, investor and other stakeholder relations and corporate 
development, and ensuring effective internal controls are in place

•  Works closely with the CEO and other members of the Senior Management Team

•  Bring independent and expert views to the Board’s deliberations and decision-

making

•  Support and constructively challenge the Executive Directors and monitor the 

delivery of the agreed strategy within the risk framework developed by the Board

CEO

Kevin Nowlan

CFO

Thomas Edwards-Moss

Colm Barrington 
Roisin Brennan 
Stewart Harrington  
Terence O’Rourke

Independent  
Non-Executive  
Directors

Senior  
Independent  
Director

Non-
Executive Director 

Chair of 
Audit Committee

Colm Barrington

•  Provides a sounding board for the Chairman and serves as an intermediary for the 

other Directors when necessary

•  Facilitates shareholders if they have concerns which contact through the normal 
channels of Chairman and the executives has failed to resolve or for which such 
contact is inappropriate

•  To discuss the Chairman’s performance with Non-Executive Directors, taking into 

account the view of Executive Directors

•  To listen to the views of major shareholders in order to help develop a balanced 

understanding of the issues and concerns of shareholders

Frank Kenny

•  Brings considerable property experience, particularly in the area of development

Terence O’Rourke

•  Monitors the Group’s financial reporting process
•  Monitors the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control, internal audit 

Chair of  
Remuneration  
Committee

Colm Barrington

and risk management

•  Monitors the statutory audit of the financial statements
•  Reviews and monitors the independence of the internal and statutory auditors
•  Monitors the adequacy, effectiveness and security of the Group’s IT systems

•  Determines the strategy and policy in relation to remuneration including the  
roles, terms and conditions and specific total remuneration of the Chairman, 
the Non-Executive and Executive Directors and the Senior Management Team

•  Determines and recommends the remuneration strategy of the Group to the Board 

and the policy as it applies to all employees

•  Specific fees payable to Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board on 

the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee

Chair of  
Nominations  
Committee

Daniel Kitchen

•  Develops and maintains formal procedures for making recommendations on 

appointments to the Board

•  Succession planning for the Board 

Company Secretary 
and Risk & 
Compliance Officer

Sean O’Dwyer

•  Provides advice and assistance to the Chairman and the Board on corporate 
governance practice, risk management, compliance and induction training 
and development

•  Ensures that all applicable regulations and rules are identified and processes 

implemented to ensure compliance

•  Ensures timely provision of information for Board meetings
•  Submits returns and other information
•  Is supported by Sanne, the Assistant Company Secretary, in Company 

secretarial matters

73

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance continued

Culture  
and people

Diversity and equal 
opportunities 

At the core of our culture are the 
following values:

Communication
As an organisation with a relatively low head 
count we have a flat management structure 
and we prioritise a culture of open-ness 
and co-operation between individuals and 
teams. This is encouraged through an open-
door policy and a communal working space 
specifically designed for informal meetings 
and discussions. 

Weekly meetings are held across and 
within departments to ensure regular and 
effective communication. The Board and 
Committees encourage participation by 
those directly responsible for the topics 
being discussed. Informal team events 
foster good relationships within the team.

Personal development
We encourage our staff to develop broad 
skill sets and to be as flexible as possible. 
We encourage them to undertake training 
to develop their skills and enhance their 
careers. We arrange for experts to present 
to the team on a regular basis.

Performance
Our people are aligned with the Group’s 
strategy through objective setting and 
periodic performance reviews.

When we have a success such as winning 
an award we seek to include everyone’s 
contribution in the celebrations. 

Remuneration
We seek to remunerate in line with market 
salaries and have bonus arrangements 
to incentivise achievement of personal 
and Group objectives. Our Remuneration 
Policy is designed to reward current 
performance and promote retention over 
the longer term. 

The Group is committed to developing the 
skills and diverse talents of its employees 
and Board members and to having a 
business and culture in place which 
supports this objective. Our aim is to 
foster a culture that promotes fairness and 
where success reflects ability, potential, 
performance and working as part of a team.

Equal opportunities
The Group is committed to providing equal 
opportunities to all its employees including 
recruitment, remuneration, training, 
promotion of staff and any other aspect 
of employment. All employees are trained, 
appraised and promoted on the basis of 
their relevant merits, qualifications, abilities 
and experience.

The Group has established and maintains 
appropriate procedures so that employees 
who feel that they are being unfairly treated 
can have their complaints investigated.

Full details of the Group’s Equal 
Opportunities Policy are set out in the 
Employee Handbook.

Diversity
The Group’s policy is to employ the 
best candidates regardless of sex, race, 
ethnic origin, nationality, socio-economic 
background, colour, age, religion or 
philosophical belief, sexual orientation, 
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, 
maternity, gender reassignment or disability.

Our employee profile includes a range of 
nationalities, a reasonable male to female 
ratio and a wide range of age profiles 
within the business. Our size, in terms of 
staff numbers, is likely always to limit our 
diversity somewhat; however, the Group is 
committed to building a strong, talented, 
experienced and diverse team and an 
inclusive working environment.

The Board believes diversity is important 
for ensuring long-term success and 
to ensure different perspectives are 
considered by the Board. The long-term 
success of the Group requires appointing 
the best people and all appointments to the 
Board are examined in light of the current 
mix of skills and knowledge on the Board.

The Directors believe that when making 
appointments to the Board it is important 
to ensure the proper mix of knowledge 
and experience. In that context, priority 
will be given to making appointments that 
improve diversity.

As part of our EPRA sustainability 
measures, we disclose gender diversity 
information. Full details are available  
in our Sustainability Report available at 
www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability.

Summary
The Group has a wide range of policies and 
procedures and continuing professional 
development training is in place to 
support a diverse and inclusive working 
environment. All staff are responsible for 
ensuring that they are familiar with and 
comply with the Group’s Diversity & Equal 
Opportunities Policy and that all equal 
opportunities principles are respected.

74

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comBoard snapshot

Key skills and experience

Property investment,  
development and management

Financial and corporate finance

Public company experience

Average age
Total Board

61 years

(31 March 2018: 62 years)

Average age
Non-Executive

67 years

(31 March 2018: 69 years)

Average tenure
Total

3.9 years

(31 March 2018: 3.4 years)

Average tenure
Non-Executive

4.3 years

(31 March 2018: 3.8 years)

Gender (female)
Total Board

13%(31 March 2018: 0%)

Gender (female)
Non-Executives

17%(31 March 2018: 0%)

Skills

Finance

Public 
Company

Property

Regulatory



Name

Terence O’Rourke

Colm Barrington

Frank Kenny

Daniel Kitchen

Kevin Nowlan

Stewart Harrington

Roisin Brennan

Thomas Edwards-Moss

























75

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance continued

Directors’ attendance at Board and Committee meetings

Directors’ attendance at Board meetings

Daniel Kitchen 

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Thomas Edwards-Moss

Stewart Harrington

Kevin Nowlan

William Nowlan

Terence O’Rourke

Frank Kenny

All Directors attended all scheduled Board meetings.

Directors’ attendance at Board Committee meetings

Audit Committee

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Terence O’Rourke

Stewart Harrington

Nominations Committee

Daniel Kitchen 

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Stewart Harrington

Terence O’Rourke

Remuneration Committee

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Stewart Harrington

Daniel Kitchen

Terence O’Rourke

 Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

Number of 
meetings held 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings held 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
while a Board 
member 

8 

8 

1

8

8

8

–

8

8

8 

8

1

8

8 

8

–

8

7

8

8

–

8

8

8

4

8

2

8

7

–

8

8

8

3

7

1

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

Number of 
meetings held 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings held 
while a Board 
member 

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
while a Board 
member 

4

1

4

4

4 

4

1

4

4 

5

1

5

5

5

4

1

4

4

4

4

1

4

4

5

1

5

5

5

4

–

4

4

1

1

–

1

1

3

–

3

3

4

4

–

4

4

1

1

–

1

1

3

–

2

3

4

All Directors attended the 2018 AGM.

Where appropriate the Board also establishes Board Committees on an ad hoc basis to deal with specific matters that arise throughout 
the year. The membership of such a Committee will depend on the purpose for which it is established and will take into account the skills 
and experience required. 

On 16 January 2019 Ms Roisin Brennan was appointed to the Board. 

The Directors’ responsibilities statement is set out on page 119.

76

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comWhat the Board did  
in the financial year ended 31 March 2019 

The 2019 financial year saw the Group 
make good progress with its developments 
and in enhancing the portfolio. 
The secured revolving credit facility was 
refinanced with an unsecured facility 
and private placement notes, resulting in 
an extension of the Group’s borrowings 
maturity to 5.4 years at financial year 
end (2018: 2.7 years) and diversifying the 
Group’s funding away from being solely 
bank-sourced. Significant progress was 
made in sustainability, with the Group’s first 
submission to Sustainability Benchmark 
(“GRESB”) made in 2018 and the first 
GRESB rating to be published in 2019 and 

this increased importance is also reflected 
by the publication of our first standalone 
Sustainability Report. In 2020 the focus will 
continue on developments, in particular 
looking to advance the longer-term 
opportunities in the pipeline as well as 
seeking to make strides towards our ESG 
goals and enhanced reporting. The Group 
strengthened the Board with the addition 
of Roisin Brennan as a new independent 
Non-Executive Director and is working 
on further Board appointments and on 
succession. The Board also continues 
to make improvements on governance 
and controls.

“ I enjoy being part of Hibernia’s Board.  
It’s a young company with some really 
interesting ideas and my fellow Board 
members bring a broad range of experiences 
which really adds to the debate.”

Matters addressed at each 
scheduled meeting: 
•  Review operational reports and issues 

from all areas of the business
•  Consideration of new business 
structures and investment/
divestment opportunities 
•  Review and consideration of  
capital expenditure proposals
•  Progress in leasing existing and 

upcoming vacant space
•  Progress in rolling out own 

management of properties and 
Hibernia branding

•  Profitability and other KPIs and 

operational metrics
•  Liquidity status and 

financing considerations

•  Budget, viability and stress tests
•  Compliance and risk levels 
•  Conflicts of interest and related- 

party transactions

•  Updates from Committees 
•  Trading updates, announcements, 

Annual and Interim Reports

•  Investor relations

Independent Non-Executive Director 

Board skills

Board diversity

Board culture

The Board has a strong base in Irish 
property knowledge as well as a good 
mix of financial and capital markets 
knowledge. The skills of the Board 
reflect those of executives, allowing a 
robust challenge on operational matters. 
The addition of Roisin Brennan has 
increased listed public company and 
corporate finance experience.

The Board believes diversity is important for 
ensuring long-term success and to ensure 
different perspectives are considered by the 
Board. The long-term success of the Group 
requires appointing the best people to the 
Board and all appointments to the Board are 
examined in light of the current mix of skills 
and knowledge on the Board. The Board was 
established in 2013 and succession planning is 
now well underway. Gender and age diversity 
are priorities in succession planning and 2019 
saw the appointment of the first female Non-
Executive Director. Board nationality is mainly 
Irish with just one director from the UK, as the 
Group’s business is entirely focused on Ireland 
the lack of diverse nationalities on the Board 
is not of concern. The international experience 
and activities of the Directors provides a good 
knowledge of matters outside Ireland. 

The Board culture is one of open dialogue 
between Board and Senior Management 
and employees. The Chairman and CEO set 
a tone of openness and integrity which is 
carried through to the general workforce. 
Employees attend Board meetings as 
necessary. Executive Committees are chaired 
by Executive Directors, and in the case of the 
Development and Investment Committees 
the Chair is Stewart Harrington while Frank 
Kenny is a member of the Development 
Committee. All Directors are highly motivated 
and attendance and individual contribution at 
meetings was excellent during the year. 

77

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance continued

“ This financial year saw a number of significant matters, in 
particular the expiry of the Investment Management Agreement 
arrangements and the refinancing of the Group’s balance sheet.  
I look forward with interest to seeing our progress in 2019-20.”

Independent Non-Executive Director 

Timeline of activity

Q1 FY19

Risk and governance
•  Preliminary Results 2018, Annual Report 2018 and Auditor’s 

Report considered 

•  Performance fee and remuneration finalised and approved
•  Recommended final dividend and agreed to propose at AGM
•  Annual performance evaluation of Board and Committees
•  Shareholder consultation on Remuneration Policy proposed
•  GDPR and data protection policy and training
•  Approval of the issue of shares for the settlement of 

IMA performance related payments for the year ended 
31 March 2018

Business and strategy
•  Newlands project considered and decided to pursue  

re-zoning

•  Decision to progress further land acquisitions at Newlands 

and industrial unit on Slaney Road 
•  Consideration of potential acquisitions
•  Consideration and approval of refinancing proposals
•  Review of sustainability objectives 2017-18 and 

approval of objectives for 2018-19 as proposed by the 
Sustainability Committee

Q2 FY19

Risk and governance
•  AGM arrangements
•  Membership of Irish Institutional Property approved
•  Consideration of results of the AGM in particular where there 

were material votes against a resolution 

•  Level of authority delegated to management for acquisitions

Business and strategy
•  Approval of commercial terms of letting of 1SJRQ to HubSpot
•  Trading Update
•  Consideration and approval of refinancing proposals
•  Disposal of New Century House
•  Approval of acquisition of IRFU lands

Newlands land

78

1 SJRQ

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comQ3 FY19

Risk and governance
•  Interim Results considered
•  Application of new IFRS and first time reporting of same 
•  Approval of interim dividend
•  Consideration of process for finalisation of performance fee 

due to 26 November 2018

•  Amendment of consulting arrangements post termination of 

IMA agreement 

•  Employee benchmarking process review 

and recommendations

•  Human resource changes and potential head office relocation

Business and strategy
•  Final approval of private placement and pricing
•  Final approval of new revolving credit facility

Q4 FY19

Risk and governance
•  Approval of nine-month financial statements and final 

performance and top-up fee amounts following expiry of 
interim arrangements

•  Appointment of new independent Non-Executive Director
•  Compliance policy statement 2019
•  Audit planning
•  Results of internal audit reporting
•  Matters reserved to the Board reviewed 
•  Review of Terms of Reference of Board Committees
•  Board delegations and authorised signatories
•  Resignation of Richard Ball
•  Committee evaluations
•  Corporate governance roadshow
•  Review of Board time commitments and attendance

Business and strategy
•  Clanwilliam Court development proposals
•  Consideration and approval of hedging proposals
•  Share buyback
•  Trading Update
•  Disposal of 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 

2WML

Proposed Clanwilliam Court redevelopment (CGI)

79

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance continued

Board effectiveness

Any Director appointed to the Board by 
the Directors is subject to re-election by 
the shareholders at the first AGM after his/
her appointment. Furthermore, under the 
Articles, one-third of all Directors must 
retire by rotation each year and may seek 
re-election. However, in keeping with best 
corporate governance practice, all Directors 
intend to seek re-election each year at 
the AGM. 

Details of the remuneration of Directors are 
set out in the Report of the Remuneration 
Committee on pages 93 to 114.

The composition of the Board is reviewed 
regularly to ensure that the Board has 
an appropriate mix of expertise and 
experience. The Articles of the Company 
provide that the number of Directors that 
may be appointed cannot be fewer than 
two or greater than ten and that two 
Directors present at a Directors’ meeting 
shall be a quorum. 

Board strategy
Strategy is reviewed frequently by the 
Board by regular updates on progress 
to date, forecasts and stress testing on 
forecasts, funding, capital expenditure 
and other topics relevant to the success 
of the Group’s strategy. At its November 
meeting the Board specifically considered 
strategic priorities (see pages 32 and 33 of 
this Report) and addressed possibilities for 
advancement of the Group’s targets in the 
coming year. The Senior Management Team 
held a strategy day in October 2018 to 
review and consider the proposed strategy 
ahead of its consideration by the Board.

Induction and development
New Directors receive a full and 
appropriate induction on joining the Board. 
This includes meeting the other Board 
members, Senior Management Team 
and the Company’s advisers and visits to 
properties owned by the Group. This gives 
them the opportunity to learn about the 
Group and Company and its processes 
and culture. They also have access to a 
comprehensive package of information. 
Roisin Brennan completed this process on 
her appointment.

Board evaluation 2018-19
In line with the UK Code recommendations 
that an external review be carried out 
every three years, the first external review 
was conducted in March 2017. The overall 
outcome was satisfactory and concluded 
that the Board was operating effectively 
in most areas. The following matters were 
addressed arising out of this review: 

•  The business continuity plan was expanded 
to include crisis management procedures;

•  A new Remuneration Policy was 

prepared and submitted for shareholder 
approval at the 2018 AGM. This has since 
been implemented;

•  The Nominations Committee has 

been working on succession planning. 
The Board has been expanded adding 
diversity in experience and gender with 
the appointment of Roisin Brennan as 
an Independent Non-Executive Director. 
All other Non-Executive Directors save 
Frank Kenny have served more than 
five years and therefore succession 
planning is currently a priority for the 
Nominations Committee;

•  The induction process has been reviewed 

and updated;

Information provided on induction:

Board

Committees

Risk

Organisation

Key policies

Governance

Papers and minutes of previous meetings, all documentation, including reserved matters, 
policies and procedures.

Terms of reference, minutes and papers from prior meetings.

The Group’s risk framework, risk register and metrics, records of breaches and any other 
relevant documents.

Organisational charts and latest Annual and Interim Reports, strategic priorities and 
latest KPIs.

Key policies and procedures applicable within the organisation.

Copies of the relevant codes, compliance policy statement and other relevant 
documentation at the time of appointment.

Legal/regulatory/insurance

Full information of the Group’s regulatory and tax status. Details of Directors’ and Officers’ 
insurance and any other relevant matters.

Professional development, support and training for Directors
Board members regularly attend presentations and seminars on topics relevant to the property sector and their area of professional 
expertise. These seminars are run by a variety of entities, including Euronext Dublin, professional bodies and advisers. Additionally, 
when new regulatory or legal requirements are implemented, specific advice is sought from the Company’s own advisers; for example, 
in the design and implementation of the Remuneration Policy PwC LLC were engaged. If requested, individual training needs can also 
be facilitated.

80

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com•  The Chairman and the Non-Executive 
Directors met without any executives 
present; and

•  The roles of the Chairman and CEO have 

been set out in writing.

For 2018-19 the Directors undertook 
a self-evaluation of the Board and the 
Committees. Individual evaluation of 
Directors aimed to show whether each 
Director continues to contribute effectively 
and to demonstrate commitment to the role 
(including commitment of time for Board 
and Committee meetings and any other 
duties). The results of these evaluations 
were satisfactory as to the Board’s 
effectiveness and also as to the Chairman’s 
effectiveness. No follow-up action was 
identified from this self-evaluation. 

Board environment and access 
to appropriate information
All Directors are expected to allocate 
sufficient time to the Group and Company 
to discharge their responsibilities 
effectively. Directors are expected to attend 
all scheduled Board meetings as well as 
the AGM. All Directors are furnished with 
the information necessary to assist them in 
the performance of their duties. The Board 
meets at least five times each calendar year 
and, prior to such meetings taking place, an 
agenda and Board papers are circulated to 
the Directors with sufficient time allowed 
so that they are adequately prepared for 
the meetings. The Company Secretary is 
responsible for the procedural aspects of 
the Board meetings.

Directors are, where appropriate, entitled 
to have access to independent professional 
advice at the expense of the Company. 
Standing quarterly items at Board meetings 
include management accounts for the 
period, risk reporting, operational reports 
covering asset management, investment 
updates and progress on development 
projects, as well as cash and liability 
management and other activities. 

Conflicts of interest
The Group has comprehensive conflict 
of interest procedures, including a gifts 
and inducements policy, designed to 
address not only any possible conflicts 
within the Board, but also of all employees. 
This includes situations where employees 
have personal direct or indirect connections 
with parties that may be involved in 
activities with the Group that give rise 
to financial rewards. The key principle is 
that gifts, benefits or inducements should 
neither be offered nor received if they could 
create or appear to create an obligation, 
could affect either party’s impartiality or 
could constitute an undue influence on a 
business decision.

All Directors are required to declare 
external directorships to the Board and 
the Company Secretary at the time of 
appointment so any potential conflicts 
can be addressed at that time. All changes 
in such directorships are also notified to 
the Company Secretary and all potential 
conflicts declared at Board meetings. 
Directors must abstain from discussion 
of or voting on items in which they may 
have a conflict of interest. The Board 
considers that these procedures are 
working effectively.

Committees of the Board
The Board has established three 
Committees: the Audit Committee, 
the Remuneration Committee and the 
Nominations Committee. The duties 
and responsibilities of each of these 
Committees are set out clearly in written 
terms of reference, which are reviewed 
annually and approved by the Board. 
These are available on the Group’s website. 
Each of these Committees reports 
separately within this section of the 
Annual Report. 

Other information
Share Dealing Code
The Company has a Share Dealing Code 
which imposes restrictions on share 
dealings for the purpose of preventing 
the abuse, or suspicion of abuse, of inside 
information by Directors and other persons 
discharging managerial responsibilities 
within the Company. The Board is 
responsible for taking all proper and 
reasonable steps to ensure compliance with 
the Code by the Directors and others to 
whom the Code is applicable.

The Company’s Share Dealing Code 
gives guidance to the Directors, the 
Senior Management Team, any persons 
discharging managerial responsibilities as 
defined in Article 3.1 (25) of the Market 
Abuse Regulations and persons identified 
by the Board to fulfil this role, and anyone 
listed on the Company’s Insider Lists on 
the pre-clearance notification procedures 
to be followed when dealing in the shares 
of any class of the Company or any other 
type of securities issued by or related to 
the Company. 

Market Abuse Regulations 2016 (“MAR”)
The Company continues to maintain 
a list of persons exercising managerial 
responsibilities (“PDMRs”) and has 
complied with the MAR requirements 
during the year. 

Communications with shareholders

   See stakeholder engagement pages 

26 to 29 for more on investor relations

The Board is conscious of the need for the 
Company to engage and communicate 
clearly with investors, and for its 
shareholders to have the opportunity to 
discuss performance and offer their views 
on governance, strategy and performance 
through active dialogue with management. 

During this financial year, the Chairman 
and Company Secretary undertook 
the Company’s first specific corporate 
governance roadshow. The Company’s 
top institutional investors representing 
holdings of 1% or more (c. 79% of total 
shares and 27 institutional investors) 
were contacted and offered meetings 
or calls. Fourteen investors (46% of the 
shares in issue) accepted the invitation. 
Those met were appreciative of the 
opportunity to have dialogue with the 
Chairman. Feedback was positive on the 
new Remuneration Policy and in particular 
the shareholding requirement of 350% of 
salary for Executive Directors. Investors also 
expressed an increasing interest in the 
Group’s sustainability policy and initiatives. 
Concerns expressed, aside from business 
issues, were around succession planning, 
potential time conflicts due to potential 
overboarding for both the Chairman 
and Colm Barrington, and issues around 
diversity in age, nationality and gender.

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCorporate governance continued

Shareholders by geography

Investor contact by location

Investor contact by method

As at 
31 March
2019

181
contacts

181
contacts

USA & Canada
UK
Continental Europe
Ireland
Rest of World

41%
25%
23%
10%
1%

UK
Ireland
Continental Europe
USA & Canada
Lorem ipsum

71
43
34
33
XX%

Meeting
Conference
Telephone call
Tour
Meeting & tour
Lorem ipsum

103
48
13
11
6
XX%

General meetings
The Company holds an Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) each year in addition to 
any other meetings in that year. Not more 
than 15 months shall elapse between 
the date of one Annual General Meeting 
and that of the next. The Directors are 
responsible for the convening of general 
meetings. Information is distributed to 
shareholders at least 20 business days prior 
to such meetings to ensure compliance 
with the Articles and the UK Code. 

AGM details (2018 and 2019)

Overview

The 2018 AGM was held on 31 July 2018

•  All directors attended
•  Votes in favour of the re-election  
of Directors > 90% other than for  
Colm Barrington where votes in favour 
were 69% (see page 65 for discussion  
on time commitments)

•  All other resolutions approved –  

10 ordinary and five special with votes in 
favour >80% except the Directors’ report 
on remuneration which passed with 62% 
of the vote (see page 94) for voting 
outcomes on remuneration

2019 AGM to be held on 31 July 2019 in  
The Townhall, 1WML, Windmill Lane, Dublin 2

•  Full Director attendance expected
•  Resolution for a Capital Reorganisation  

to be proposed

•  Seven ordinary resolutions and six special 

resolutions are being proposed  
to shareholders

Key investor relations activities in FY19

April 2018

May 2018

June 2018

July 2018

September 2018

Conferences: Davy 
(Dublin)

Investor roadshow: 
Dublin, London, 
Montreal, New York

Investor roadshow: 
Boston, London, Zurich, 
Amsterdam, Edinburgh

Annual 
General Meeting

Conferences: EPRA 
(Berlin)

Equity sales meetings: 
Dublin x3

Equity sales meetings: 
Dublin x1

82

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comQuorum
No business other than the appointment 
of a Chairman shall be transacted at any 
general meeting unless a quorum is present 
at the time when the meeting proceeds to 
business. Two members present in person 
or by proxy shall be a quorum.

Voting rights
a.  Votes of members: votes may be given 
either personally or by proxy. Subject to 
any rights or restrictions for the time 
being attached to any class or classes 
of shares, on a show of hands every 
member present in person and every 
proxy shall have one vote, so, however, 
that no individual shall have more than 
one vote, and on a poll every member 
shall have one vote for every share 
carrying voting rights of which he/she 
is the Holder. The Chairman shall be 
entitled to a casting vote where there is 
an equality of votes.

b.  Resolutions: resolutions are categorised 
as either ordinary or special resolutions. 
The essential difference between 
an ordinary resolution and a special 
resolution is that a simple majority 

of more than 50% of the votes cast 
by members voting on the relevant 
resolution is required for the passing 
of an ordinary resolution, whereas a 
qualified majority of more than 75% 
of the votes cast by members voting 
on the relevant resolution is required 
in order to pass a special resolution. 
Matters requiring a special resolution 
include for example:

•  Altering the objects of the Company;
•  Pre-emption rights;
•  Market purchase of own shares 

and reissuing;

•  Altering the articles of association  

of the Company; and

•  Approving a change of the 

Company’s name.

Market announcements
The Group discloses information to the 
market as required by the Central Bank of 
Ireland, Euronext Dublin and the Financial 
Conduct Authority including, inter alia:

•  Periodic financial information such as 

annual and half-yearly results;

•  Any other information assessed to 
be price sensitive, which might be 
a significant change in the Group’s 
financial position or outlook, unless 
a reason is present not to (e.g. 
prejudicing commercial negotiations);

•  Information regarding major 

developments in the Group’s activities;
•  Information regarding dividend decisions;
•  Any changes at Board level; and
•  Information in relation to any notifications 

to the Company of the acquisition or 
disposal of major shareholdings.

The Company will make an announcement 
if it has reason to believe that a leak may 
have occurred about any matter of a 
price-sensitive nature. Any Board decisions 
which might influence the share price 
must be announced before the start of 
trading the next day. Information relayed 
at a shareholders’ meeting which could be 
price-sensitive must be announced no later 
than the time the information is delivered at 
the meeting.

In relation to any uncertainty regarding 
the communication of a particular matter, 
advice will be sought from the Company’s 
corporate brokers and/or legal adviser(s).

October 2018

November 2018

January 2019

March 2019

Debt roadshow: London, 
New York

Investor roadshow: Dublin, 
Toronto, New York, London, 
Amsterdam, Zurich, Geneva, 
Paris, Edinburgh

Conferences: Goodbody 
(Boston), EPRA (London), 
Goodbody (Dublin)

Equity sales meetings: 
Dublin x2

Corporate governance: 
Amsterdam, London

Conferences: Davy 
(Amsterdam), Berenberg 
(London)

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAudit Committee Chairman’s report

Audit Committee Chairman’s report

Audit Committee year in focus:
•  Expiry of IMA arrangements and 
final performance fee calculations;

•  Capital reorganisation and 

share buyback;

•  Consideration of results of first 

internal audits;

•  External audit partner changeover;
•  Consideration of financial 
statements and key areas 
of judgement;

•  External audit and interim review 

planning and results.

Members of the Audit Committee: 
Chair: Terence O’Rourke, Members: 
Colm Barrington, Roisin Brennan and 
Stewart Harrington

Roisin Brennan was appointed on 
16 January 2019. Terence O’Rourke, 
Colm Barrington and Stewart 
Harrington have served since the 
establishment of the Company, a 
period of five years and four months 
to 31 March 2019.

Dear fellow shareholder
On behalf of the Audit Committee, I am 
pleased to present the Committee’s report 
for the financial year ended 31 March 2019. 
I would like to welcome Roisin Brennan to 
the Audit Committee and I look forward 
to working closely with her. Roisin brings 
experience in corporate finance and 
accounting to the Audit Committee as 
well as considerable public company 
board experience. 

The following pages provide insight into 
our work and activities during the financial 
year as we discharge our responsibilities 
in relation to the integrity of financial 
reporting, the relationship with and 
independence of the external auditor, the 
effectiveness of internal controls and the 
risk management system and the role and 
effectiveness of internal audit. 

As part of our activities, we regularly met 
the Senior Management Team and the 
internal and external auditors. We also met 
the independent valuer and assessed their 
work in valuing our investment properties. 
During this financial year the Company 
saw the first rotation of its external audit 
partner, with Christian McManus replacing 

84

Brian Jackson. Mr McManus shadowed Mr 
Jackson for the 2018 audit and commenced 
his role in full for the interim review of the 
half year to 30 September 2018. 

We met the internal auditors, PwC, as  
they presented the results of their first 
internal audit and plans for subsequent 
audits. These are addressed in the body  
of this report.

The remuneration arrangements which 
resulted from the Internalisation of the 
Investment Manager in 2015 under the 
Share Purchase Agreement, expired 
on 26 November 2018. We therefore 
agreed the process to determine the 
final performance fee calculations and 
amounts due to the Vendors of the 
Investment Manager during this financial 
year. We appointed Deloitte, the external 
auditor, to provide a limited assurance 
review of the calculation of the amount 
due. As this is an important related party 
transaction, we wanted assurance that 
the final amounts were correctly and 
fairly calculated in advance of disclosure. 
The amounts have been subject to a full 
audit as part of the annual audit. 

Post the expiry of these interim 
arrangements, the new Remuneration 
Policy became effective. In addition, from 
1 April 2018 the new accounting standards, 
IFRS 9: Financial Instruments and IFRS 15: 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
became effective. As a result, we have 
revised the Group’s accounting policies for 
these changes during this financial year. 
As reported previously and expected, none 
of these changes in policy had a material 
effect on either the results or the financial 
position of the Company and Group. 

We also carried out our fifth self-evaluation, 
examining both our own work and our 
interactions with external assurance providers 
such as the external auditor and valuer. 
We are satisfied that the Audit Committee 
has the right balance of skills and resources, 
has been able to work effectively and has 
received all the support and response it 
has required from both management and 
the external service providers. We are also 
satisfied that the level of scrutiny of the 
Group’s public announcements is sufficient 
and effective. There were no issues arising 
from this evaluation.

Terence O’Rourke
17June 2019

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAudit Committee report
The Audit Committee is chaired by Terence 
O’Rourke, who is an independent Non-
Executive Director and is considered by the 
Board to have recent and relevant financial 
experience and sufficient understanding 
of financial reporting and accounting 
principles. The Committee also has relevant 
industry and commercial experience. 
All members of the Audit Committee are 
independent Non-Executive Directors, 
appointed by the Board for a period of up 
to three years, extendable by up to two 
additional three-year periods. All members 
except Roisin Brennan, who was appointed 
on 16 January 2019 and is in her first term, 
are in their second three-year terms. 

The Audit Committee is constituted 
in compliance with the UK Code, the 
Irish Annex and the Company’s Articles 
regarding the composition of the 
Audit Committee. 

The Audit Committee is responsible for:

•  Monitoring the financial reporting process;
•  Identifying and considering key areas of 
judgement in the financial statements;
•  Monitoring the effectiveness of internal 
controls and risk management systems;

•  Monitoring the statutory audit of 
the annual consolidated financial 
statements and the review work on the 
interim report;

•  Reviewing and monitoring the 

independence of the statutory auditor, 
and the provision of additional services 
by the auditor; and

•  Supervising the provision of internal audit 

services by PwC.

A full copy of the terms of reference is 
available on the Company’s website at 
www.hiberniareit.com/about-us/corporate-
governance

The Audit Committee meets regularly, 
in alignment with the financial reporting 
calendar. The Audit Committee requests 
the attendance of relevant parties as 
required. The parties met were as follows:

Invitee

Deloitte Ireland LLP 

PwC Dublin

Cushman & Wakefield

Representatives of the Group

Reason for attendance

The independent auditor attended to present its plans and results in respect of the 
annual audit, interim and limited assurance reviews, its analysis of the risks it identified 
within the Group and its recommendations for improvements in systems and controls. 

The internal auditor attended to report on the findings from its initial review of the 
Company which focused on the budgeting practices and the related monitoring measures 
in place for development and operational expenditure and to agree the next review. 

The independent valuer met the Audit Committee to discuss its work and its significant 
assumptions in relation to the investment property valuations. The Audit Committee 
reviewed in particular the bases of valuation (e.g. investment vs residual methodologies), 
estimated rental values and variations on yields experienced in the market. Other areas 
of focus were on the treatment of incentives, the length of void period assumed after 
a tenant vacates and similar issues around some more tailored lease arrangements. 
These discussions enabled the Audit Committee to review the valuations used in the 
financial statements and make recommendations to the Directors in relation to their 
assessment of the investment property valuations.

Representatives of the Group, including the CEO, CFO, CIO, the Finance Team and the 
Company Secretary/Risk & Compliance Officer (“RCO”) met the Audit Committee in 
order to present the financial statements and investment property valuations, to discuss 
significant judgements and areas of uncertainty, the risks and measures in place to 
mitigate risks, and any other matters as requested by the Audit Committee. This gave 
the Audit Committee an opportunity for better insight into the financial reporting and 
internal controls process and assisted them in making more informed decisions.

85

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAudit Committee Chairman’s report continued

Principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee
The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee and the key areas of discussion in 2018–19 were as follows:

Reporting and external audit •  Monitoring the integrity of the Group and 

•  Annual and interim results along with trading 

Principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee 

Key areas discussed and reviewed in 2018–19

Company financial statements and any 
other formal announcements relating to 
the Group’s financial performance, business 
model and strategy and reviewing significant 
financial reporting issues including material 
disclosure obligations

•  Reviewing and discussing the external auditor’s 
audit plan and ensuring that it is consistent with 
the Group’s overall risk management system
•  Assessing the external auditor’s performance, 

qualifications, expertise, resources, independence 
and its terms of reference, approving its fees and 
reviewing the external audit reports to ensure that 
where deficiencies in internal controls have been 
identified that appropriate and prompt remedial 
action is taken

•  Monitoring the policy on the engagement of the 

external auditor in providing non-audit services in 
line with relevant guidelines

•  Reviewing the content of the Annual Report and 
financial statements to ensure it is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business model 
and strategy 

•  Considering and approving the Group’s viability 

and going concern statements

•  Reviewing the work of the independent valuers

updates and announcements including 
the proposed capital reorganisation and 
share buyback

•  Consideration of changes to accounting  

policies arising from the new Remuneration  
Policy, the transition to IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 and 
other minor changes during the financial year 
•  External audit planning and reporting including 
meeting the external auditor both with and 
without the presence of management

•  Termination of interim arrangements resulting 
from the Internalisation of the Investment 
Manager in 2015
 – Appointed the external auditor to provide 

limited assurance on the arrangements in place 
on the expiry of the interim arrangements, 
including a review of calculation of the final 
performance fees as these are a related 
party transaction

 – Appointed the valuer to perform an additional 
valuation of the portfolio as at 31 December 
2018 as the basis for the calculation of final 
performance fees to 26 November 2018
 – Review and approval of the Management 
Accounts for 31 December 2018 and the 
calculation of the final performance fees
•  Met the valuer independently during the year  
to discuss the valuation process and key risks

•  Sustainability Report review as well as 

consideration of the AA1000 Assurance report

•  Going concern and viability assessments
•  Significant judgements and key estimates
•  Liquidity reports and Depositary Board reports

•  The independence, appropriateness and 

•  Reviewed the recommendations arising out  

effectiveness of internal audit

•  Reviewing the recommendations and actions 

taken by management to address matters raised 
in the initial internal audit review

•  Agreeing the terms of reference for the second 
internal audit within the agreed three-year plan

•  Responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness 
of the Group’s system of internal control on 
behalf of the Board. This covers all material 
controls including financial, operational and 
compliance controls

•  Reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s system 

of internal control, including risk management

•  Review of the register of errors and breaches which 
is a mechanism to detect and deal with failings or 
weaknesses which may or may not be significant, 
but which could result in a loss to the Group

of the first completed internal audit within the 
three-year plan

•  Terms of reference agreed for the second audit 

with the focus being on cyber security 
•  Review of all breaches in limits and internal 

controls and responses required. There were three 
breaches during the year none of which resulted 
from a failure in internal controls or resulted in 
any losses

•  Revisions to some internal controls procedures 
following the recommendations put forward by 
the internal auditors following the completion of 
their first report

•  Monitoring data security actions and policies

Internal audit and 
internal controls

86

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRisk management

Other

Principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee 

Key areas discussed and reviewed in 2018–19

•  Reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal financial controls and internal 
control and risk management systems
•  Monitoring the Group’s risk exposure and 

•  Risk management is dealt with in the Risks and 
Risk Management section on pages 36 to 49 of 
the Annual Report. This section also covers the 
principal risks of the Group

recommending the risk appetite to the Board 
for approval

•  Assessing the principal risks of the Group
•  Reviewing the disclosures made on risk in the 

Annual Report

•  Reviewing the procedures in place to comply  
with applicable legislation, the Listing Rules  
and the Irish REIT regime guidelines
•  Reviewing the operation of the Group’s 

procedures for the detection of fraud, bribery 
and compliance

•  Market Abuse Regulations compliance
•  Reviewing dividend policy and distributions 

planned versus legislative requirements
•  Reviewing the Audit Committee’s terms of 

•  Monitoring of risk register, including identification 
of principal risks and movements in exposures
•  Consideration of risk metrics and risk reporting

•  Oversight of capital restructuring plans and share 

buyback programme

•  Review of the Audit Committee’s terms of 
reference and effectiveness, including self-
assessment which was agreed to be undertaken 
externally every three years

•  Review of JLL Upstream Sustainability AA1000 

Assurance Report

•  Review of all correspondence with regulators
•  Reviewed the Company’s compliance with the 

reference and performance

REIT legislation 

•  Review of the arrangements for staff to raise 

concerns about possible improprieties

•  Compliance with loan covenants
•  Ensured that the Company adhered to its 

Company Law requirements and had sufficient 
levels of distributable reserves in place when 
approving both the interim, final dividends paid 
and the share buyback during the financial year 

The key issues considered by the Audit Committee during the financial year ended 31 March 2019 and the actions taken by the Audit 
Committee are set out below:

Significant issues considered

Action taken by Audit Committee

Valuation of the investment 
property portfolio

The Audit Committee considered whether the information provided to the independent valuer, Cushman 
& Wakefield, was complete and accurate and that the results of its valuation judgements were in line with 
expectations based on the Audit Committee’s assessment of the market and knowledge of the properties. 
It confirmed the valuation methods, estimated rental value and market-based yields were relevant and 
appropriate to the individual property circumstances. It also considered the appropriateness of moving 
from a residual method appraisal to an investment method for development properties that had not 
yet reached practical completion. The Audit Committee challenged the assumptions made, considered 
the independence of the valuer and reviewed the results of these valuations. It considered whether any 
amendments needed to be made to the valuation amounts, e.g. in recognition of effects arising from the 
accounting policy on the recognition of rental incentives and prepaid letting fees. 

As at 31 March 2019, all investment properties are valued in accordance with their current use, which is also 
the highest and best use except for:

•  Harcourt Square, which is valued on a residual basis as this reflects its highest and best use as a 

development property. The present value of the residual income to December 2022 when the current 
lease expires is added to the residual value of the site.

•  Gateway industrial site, which is currently rented on short-term leases, and has been valued on a price 

per acre basis as early stage plans are in place to redevelop this property in the future and this approach 
reflects the highest and best use of this property. 

•  Marine House and Clanwilliam Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5 are valued on an investment basis until 
the end of the leases (2020 and 2021 respectively) and on a residual basis thereafter, as it is the 
Directors’ intention to undertake a refurbishment/redevelopment of both sites after the leases expire. 
Planning permission has been granted for Marine House and the Group is currently seeking planning 
permission for the redevelopment Clanwilliam Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5.

87

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAudit Committee Chairman’s report continued

Significant issues considered

Action taken by Audit Committee

IMA performance-
related payments

As part of the expiry of the agreements covering the Internalisation of the Investment Manager in 2015, the 
Group was obliged to make payments contingent on Group performance for the period to 26 November 
2018. It was agreed that the final amount of fees for the period 1 April 2018 to 26 November 2018 would 
be based on the pro-rated performance to 26 November 2018, using management accounts prepared 
to 31 December 2018. The external valuer was engaged to perform a valuation of the Group’s property 
portfolio as at this date for use in preparing these management accounts. While the quantum of fees 
payable was not material, it was considered significant because of its status as a related party transaction, 
The Audit Committee therefore requested that the external auditor perform a limited assurance exercise 
on the management accounts which were prepared for the nine months ending 31 December 2018. 
The external auditor performed limited procedures to review the management accounts including 
reconciling them to the accounting records and to the valuer’s report as at 31 December 2018. It also 
reviewed the calculation of performance fees due to 26 November 2018 and recalculated these to compare 
with Management’s calculation. The Audit Committee reviewed both Management’s calculations and the 
externally prepared auditor’s report and were satisfied that the calculations were properly made.

Changes to 
accounting policies

The Audit Committee considered the implication on the Group’s accounting policies arising out of the 
application of new and revised IFRS. The following standards and interpretations were effective from  
1 April 2018 but did not materially impact on the results or financial position of the Group or Company 
either at that date or at 31 March 2018:

•  IFRS 2 (amendment) Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payments Transactions
•  IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Measurement and Recognition
•  IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and the related Clarifications to IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers replace IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts, and several revenue-
related Interpretations

The Audit Committee reviewed the amended Accounting Policies and Management’s interpretation of 
the impact and agreed with their approach. Notes 3 and 37 to the consolidated financial statements give 
further information on the adoption of these standards. 

In addition to the changes in accounting policies arising from new standards or interpretations, the 
implementation of the new Remuneration Policy for the period starting from 26 November 2018 has  
had only a minimal impact on the financial statements. However, the issues are complex and PwC, who 
provides advice to the Remuneration Committee, is also providing advice on appropriate measurement 
and accounting, in particular for the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). This did not commence until  
1 April 2019 and the Audit Committee is overseeing the amendments to the Group’s accounting policies. 

Internal audit review

The Audit Committee reviewed the recommendations outlined within the report issued by the internal 
auditors and agreed to implement the control recommendations proposed around the Company’s online 
banking system and on setting detailed administrative expenditure budgets annually

88

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comExternal auditor independence
Deloitte Ireland LLP is a tenant of 
Hardwicke House, which is an investment 
property of the Group. Deloitte Ireland 
LLP was in situ when the Group acquired 
its interest in the building and all lease 
arrangements are at arm’s length. 
Deloitte Ireland LLP occupies some space 
in this property which is currently under 
rent review, and therefore pays rent to 
the Group.

Based on their consideration of the 
above facts, the Audit Committee 
concluded that the independence and 
objectivity of the external auditor have not 
been compromised.

Depositary
The Group had €22m (31 March 
2018: €23m) in cash at the financial year 
end. The depositary is responsible for 
monitoring the safe keeping of these assets 
in accordance with the Group’s policy on 
cash management. In addition to ongoing 
reviews of processes and procedures the 
depositary undertook onsite due diligence 
reviews during the year. No material or 
significant issues were identified and the 
depositary issued satisfactory reports 
which were reviewed and approved by  
the Audit Committee. 

Approval of reports
The Annual Report and financial statements 
were considered in draft on 15 May 2019. 
The Preliminary Statement, which included 
consolidated financial statements, was 
approved by the Board on 22 May 2019. 
The Annual Report was approved by the 
Board on 17 June 2019.

Deloitte Ireland LLP was appointed as the 
first statutory auditor to the Company on 
5 December 2013. The Audit Committee 
will keep its tenure under review in light of 
best practice and recent legislation. 

In accordance with Section 383(2) of 
the Companies Act 2014 the auditor has 
expressed its willingness to continue in 
office. Therefore, the Board intends to 
recommend the reappointment of the 
auditor at the 2019 AGM in accordance  
with article 53 of the Articles of Association 
of the Company.

Non-audit work carried out by  
the external auditor during the  
financial year ended 31 March 2019
The Audit Committee in general avoids 
any non-audit services being sought from 
the external auditors. Such services can 
only be provided by the external auditor 
when they are best suited to undertake the 
work, do not have any conflict of interest 
and do not in any way compromise their 
independence by undertaking this work. 
All such engagements must be formally 
documented and approved by the 
Audit Committee. 

All of the work carried out by the external 
auditor during the year related to the 
audit of Group Companies or the review 
of interim reports or accounts where 
the Audit Committee considered that 
the external auditor was best suited to 
the assignment. This work included a 
review of the management accounts as at 
31 December 2018 and the calculation of 
the balance of the final IMA performance-
related payments due as at 26 November 
2018, which were pro-rated from these 
management accounts. The quantum 
of non-audit fees earned is immaterial 
in relation to the quantum of the fees 
for the audit of the Company, subsidiary 
companies and the Group. 

Reappointment of the external auditor
The Audit Committee has recommended 
to the Board that the statutory audit firm, 
Deloitte Ireland LLP, should be reappointed 
for the coming financial year. As required 
under the Articles of the Company, the 
reappointment will be tabled at the Annual 
General Meeting for shareholder approval. 
The Audit Committee has reached this 
recommendation after due consideration 
of the auditor’s qualification, expertise and 
resources, effectiveness and independence. 

In the course of arriving at this 
recommendation the Audit Committee 
completed a detailed assessment of these 
factors including the key points below: 

•  Confirmation from the auditor that there 
are no issues concerning its status as 
a statutory auditor or the designation 
of the audit engagement partner as a 
responsible individual

•  The independence and objectivity 

of the audit partner and senior audit 
staff especially in its interaction 
with management

•  The quality of the audit partner and 

audit staff from a technical accounting 
and auditing perspective, including their 
industry knowledge and their specialist 
technical expertise

•  Whether issues were raised at the right 
time by the appropriate level of audit 
staff with the appropriate Group staff 
member and in particular, the level 
and quality of communication with the 
Audit Committee

The outcome of this assessment confirmed 
that the auditor was performing well, 
adding value to the control process, had 
a good relationship with both the Audit 
Committee and Management and was 
sufficiently independent and technically 
qualified to justify the recommendation to 
reappoint. The audit partner, Mr Christian 
MacManus, who took over as lead audit 
partner for the current financial year, had 
met the Audit Committee throughout 
the course of the year and shadowed the 
previous partner for the prior year’s audit 
and the Audit Committee was therefore 
satisfied that he had sufficient knowledge 
and experience to take on the assignment. 

89

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRisk management
Risks and risk management are dealt with 
in the Risk Management section on pages 
36 to 49 of this Annual Report. This section 
also covers the principal risks of the Group. 

Audit Committee evaluation
A self-evaluation of the Audit Committee’s 
work was carried out in early 2019. 
This evaluation found that the Audit 
Committee was operating effectively but 
that an external evaluation of the operation 
of the Audit Committee should take place 
every three years. 

Audit Committee Chairman’s report continued

The Policies and Procedures Manual 
sets out financial reporting and other 
procedures and policies of the Group 
and addresses the respective authority 
levels and responsibilities of the Group, 
the authorisations required to effect those 
transactions and the necessary controls to 
ensure that only appropriately authorised 
individuals in the Group can approve 
particular transactions. In particular, the 
Policies and Procedures Manual establishes 
the necessary controls and authority levels 
to manage the Group’s investment property 
portfolio. Other controls and authorities in 
the Policies and Procedures Manual include 
those in relation to the management of risk, 
property portfolio management, property 
valuations and the maintenance of registers 
and other administrative matters. 

The Group maintains a register of errors 
and breaches which is a mechanism to 
detect and deal with failings or weaknesses 
which may or may not be significant, but 
which could result in a loss to the Group. 
This register records incidents of error 
or potential error arising from various 
sources such as attempted fraud, external 
service providers and failure of internal 
controls. During the financial year ended 
31 March 2019 three minor breaches were 
recorded, none of which resulted from a 
failure in internal controls or resulted in any 
losses. The breaches were all identified 
through internal reviews and corrective 
controls were amended as required 
where appropriate. 

Internal controls
The Board acknowledges that it is 
responsible for maintaining the Group’s 
system of internal control and risk 
management to safeguard the Group’s 
assets. Such a system is designed to 
identify, manage and mitigate financial, 
operational and compliance risks inherent 
to the Group. The system is designed to 
manage rather than eliminate the risk 
of failure to achieve business objectives 
and can only provide reasonable, but 
not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. 

The Group’s internal control system is 
built on certain fundamental principles 
and is subject to review by the Board. 
The following are the principles under 
which the internal control system operates: 

•  A defined schedule of matters reserved 

to the Board;

•  Documented procedures and policies;
•  A clear and detailed 

authorisation process;

•  Risk metrics and risks reporting 

at meetings;

•  Formal documentation and approval  

of all significant transactions;

•  Maintenance of a breaches register 
to record any failings and follow up 
corrective measures;

•  Business and financial planning to 

include cashflows and viability modelling 
covering a period of three financial years 
forward on a rolling basis;

•  Robust assessment of property 

investment decisions;

•  Performance assessment versus budget 
on total and individual project basis; and

•  Benchmarking of performance 

against external sources, i.e. the MSCI/
SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All 
Assets Index.

90

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comNominations Committee report

Nominations Committee report

“ The Nominations Committee is focused 
on ensuring that the Board and Senior 
Management Team have the skills, knowledge 
and experience to meet the needs of the 
business and ensure compliance with best 
practice in governance.”

Nominations Committee 
Terms of reference
Board composition and succession
•  Reviews the structure, size and 
composition of the Board and 
makes recommendations to the 
Board regarding any changes

•  Succession planning for Directors 
and other senior executives of 
the Company

•  Responsible for recruitment of new 
Board members, taking account  
of existing mix of skills, knowledge, 
independence and experience

•  Makes recommendations on 

reappointment of and re-election 
of Non-Executive Directors
•  Implements and keeps under 

review the Diversity policy and 
steps to implement same

Leadership needs
•  Succession planning for Directors 
and, in particular, the Chairman  
and Chief Executive

•  Reviews the leadership needs 

of the Company with a view to 
ensuring the continued ability 
of the Company to compete 
effectively in the marketplace

Other
•  Advises the Board in respect 

of compliance with and 
developments in best practice  
and rules generally with respect  
to matters within its remit
•  Oversees the conduct of the 

annual evaluation

•  Reports on its actions to the  

Board and to the shareholders  
in the Annual Report

A full copy of the terms of reference 
available on the Company’s 
website at: 

www.hiberniareit.com/about-us/
corporate-governance

91

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comNominations Committee report continued

Report of the Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee met four times 
during the financial year ended 31 March 
2019. All members of the Nominations 
Committee are independent Non-Executive 
Directors, appointed by the Board for a 
period of up to three years, which may 
be renewed for further periods of up to 
three years. The Nominations Committee 
is constituted in compliance with the UK 
Code, the Irish Annex, and the Company’s 
Articles regarding the composition of the 
Nominations Committee.

The Nominations Committee is responsible 
for appointments to the Board and meets 
at least once in a financial year and as 
otherwise required. 

Composition of the Board and  
Senior Management Team 
The Committee continued to discharge  
its responsibility for ensuring that the 
balance of skills, knowledge and experience 
on both the Board and its Committees 
remains appropriate, such that they can 
carry out their roles effectively. 

The Committee is working closely on 
ensuring succession given that four of 
the Non-Executive Directors have now 
served more than five years. In addition, 
lack of Board diversity was highlighted as 
a concern in the 2018 evaluation and in 
feedback from investors. The Committee 
had also identified a need to strengthen 
the Board’s skill set and transition its age 
profile. The Committee identified a number 
of female candidates and after a selection 
process and approval by the Central Bank, 
Ms Roisin Brennan was appointed to the 
Board on 16 January 2019 and to all three 
Board Committees, Audit, Remuneration 
and Nominations. In accordance with 
Company policy, Roisin will offer herself  
for re-election at the 2019 AGM. 

Following the expiry of the IMA the 
Committee approved the following 
organisational changes:- (i) Mr Frank O’Neill 
would begin working on a part time basis 
as Director of Operations; (ii) Mr Justin 
Dowling would be promoted to Director 
of Property; (iii) Mr Frank Kenny would 
remain as a Non-Executive Director and his 
consultancy agreement would be extended 
to 31 March 2019 and (iv) Mr Bill Nowlan 
would cease to provide consultancy 
services to the Company.

Mr Richard Ball, the Chief Investment 
Officer, resigned and left the Group on 
31 March 2019 and Ms Edwina Governey, 
who has worked with the Group since 
shortly after its inception as Richard’s 
deputy, has been appointed as Interim 
Chief Investment Officer. 

Succession planning
Succession planning is one of the 
responsibilities of this Committee. 
The Group has a relatively small Senior 
Management Team and a flat structure 
and therefore the focus is on developing 
employees to become competent 
across disciplines to provide personal 
development and resource flexibility. 
The Committee also recognises the 
contribution of more experienced 
individuals who are closer to retirement 
and wish to work on a more flexible basis. 
These individuals provide expertise and 
support that would otherwise be difficult to 
source. A review of the Company’s resource 
requirements and succession planning 
is completed on an annual basis by the 
Committee with Management.

The Nominations Committee may not  
be chaired by the Chairman when it is 
dealing with the matter of succession  
to the Chairmanship of the Company.

Time commitments
The Committee noted that some investors 
had expressed concerns on the time 
commitments of certain members of 
the Board. Mr Barrington advised the 
Nominations Committee during the 
financial year of his resignation from 
his directorship of IFG Group plc. I have 
resigned my position as Non-Executive 
Director of LXB Retail Properties PLC. 
I have three other Chair positions, two 
of which are also property companies. 
None of the companies of which I am 
Chair operates in heavily regulated 
businesses, such as financial services, 
and only Applegreen has geographically 
diverse operations. I am able to manage 
my commitments to the benefit of all 
of the companies and there have been 
no occasions where I have not been 
available to the Group when required. 
Specifically in 2018-19, in addition to 
completing all my normal duties with the 
Group, I also spent a week meeting and 
speaking to Hibernia shareholders on 
corporate governance matters.

Key activities 2018-19
•  Appointment of additional Non-

Executive Director; Roisin Brennan

•  Succession planning
•  Board time commitments review

Focus for 2019-20
•  Non-Executive Director succession
•  External evaluation
•  Further diversity action

Members of the Committee: 
Chair: Daniel Kitchen,  
Members: Colm Barrington,  
Roisin Brennan, Stewart Harrington,  
Terence O’Rourke

All members except Roisin Brennan 
have served since the establishment 
of the Company, a period of five 
years and four months to 31 March 
2019. Roisin has served since her 
appointment on 16 January 2019. 

The Committee considered the time 
commitment and attendance of all Non-
Executive Directors at meetings during 
the year and was satisfied that all Non-
Executives were readily available for 
meetings and were able to devote sufficient 
time to properly deal with Group business. 
The Company Secretary also reported that 
there were no difficulties in arranging Board 
meetings, even at relatively short notice.

Committee evaluation
In 2019, the evaluation found that the 
Committee was operating effectively and 
the main item to progress in 2019-20 was 
planning for the orderly transition of the 
Non-Executive Directors over the medium 
term. This is likely to lead to an increase 
in the number of Directors on the Board 
in the short to medium term to allow 
for transition.

Daniel Kitchen 
Chairman of the Nominations Committee
17June 2019

92

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration Committee report

Remuneration Committee report

Member

Colm Barrington (Chairman)
Roisin Brennan
Daniel Kitchen
Stewart Harrington
Terence O’Rourke

Independent 

 
 
 
 
 

Number of 
meetings 
attended

5 of 5
1 of 1
5 of 5
5 of 5
5 of 5 

All members except for Roisin Brennan have served since the establishment of the Committee in February 2016,  
a period of three years and two months to 31 March 2019. Roisin joined the Committee on 16 January 2019. 

Matters covered during the year: 
•  New Remuneration Policy approved at 2018 AGM by 94% of our shareholders;
•  Consideration of shareholder concerns regarding the levels of Board 

remuneration increases;

•  Conclusion of the Investment Management Agreement in November 2018;
•  Corporate governance roadshow to engage with our major investors on topics including 

remuneration, and understand their views;

•  Consideration of conclusion of review of remuneration for all employees.
•  Setting incentive scheme targets for 2019 using stretching financial and non-financial 

measures designed to align with strategic objectives and shareholder interests, 
which was implemented for entire workforce as well as Executive Directors and 
Senior Management;

•  Consideration of revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code and market practice;
•  Determination of bonus outcomes under the Performance Related Remuneration 

(“PRR”) Scheme and new annual bonus scheme; 

•  Appointment of new member Roisin Brennan in January 2019.

The Committee complies with 
the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. The Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board, 
within agreed terms of reference, 
on remuneration for the Executive 
Directors and Chair of the Board 
and has oversight of remuneration 
arrangements for Senior 
Management. No Director plays a 
part in any decision about his/her 
own remuneration.

Role of the Remuneration Committee
The Committee’s 
responsibilities include:

•  Determine Remuneration Policy 
for the Company’s Chairman, 
Executive Directors, the Company 
Secretary and other members 
of the Senior Management Team 
as delegated;

•  Determine remuneration 

packages for Chairman and 
Executive Directors;

•  Review the appropriateness 

of the Remuneration Policy on 
an ongoing basis and make 
recommendations to the Board on 
appropriate changes if required;
•  Obtain up-to-date comparative 
market information and appoint 
remuneration consultants as 
required to advise or obtain 
information required;

•  Approve design of and set targets 
for performance related incentives 
across the Company; 

•  Oversee any major changes to 
remuneration for employees;
•  Ensure failure is not rewarded 

exercising discretion on outcomes 
of Remuneration Policies; and

•  Agree policy for authorising 
director expense claims.

The Committee’s terms of reference 
are available on the Group’s website 
at www.hiberniareit.com/about-us/
corporate-governance. 

Our terms of reference were reviewed 
by the Remuneration Committee in 
light of the recent changes to the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 
and were subsequently amended 
and approved by the Board on 
6 February 2019.

93

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration Committee report continued

None of the Committee members 
has any: 

Looking ahead: 
•  Continue to set stretching short- and long-term incentive targets that are closely 

aligned with Group strategy and reward success in a measured and sustainable way; 
•  Continue to consider changes proposed to the UK Corporate Governance Code and 

•  Personal financial interest (other 

put an action plan in place for compliance;

than as shareholders) in the 
decisions made by the Committee; 

•  Focus on ensuring disclosure of remuneration meets best practice standards;
•  Ensure the application of Remuneration Policy and resulting packages supports  

•  Conflicts of interest arising from 

the Group’s long-term strategy and our culture; and

cross-directorships; or 

•  Grant the first LTIP awards under the new Remuneration Policy.

•  Day-to-day involvement in running 

the business.

As an Irish company, Hibernia is 
not subject to the UK Directors’ 
Remuneration Reporting Regulations. 
However, in line with best practice, 
the Group is committed to applying 
the requirements on a voluntary basis 
insofar as is practicable under Irish 
legislation. As with previous years 
we are putting our Annual Report 
on Remuneration to a shareholder 
advisory vote.

“ Continued 
engagement with 
our shareholders has 
been a key focus for 
this year especially 
as we have 
implemented our 
new Remuneration 
Policy.”

Colm Barrington
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Who advises the Committee? 
During the year, the Committee received advice on the new Remuneration Policy, the 
shareholder consultation on the Policy and preparation of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report from PwC LLP. PwC’s fees for this advice were €90k (March 2018: €43k), which 
were charged on a time/cost basis. PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ 
Group, and as such chooses to operate pursuant to a code of conduct that requires 
remuneration advice to be given objectively and independently. The Committee is satisfied 
that the advice provided by PwC in relation to remuneration matters is objective and 
independent. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee and attends 
Committee meetings.

335.0m

208.2m

Voting outcomes 2018

Directors’ Annual Report 
on Remuneration (2018)

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

5.0m

32.4m

Company’s Annual and 
Deferred Bonus Plan

0.9m

Company’s Long Term 
Incentive Plan

33.1m

515.9m

547.3m

515.2m

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Votes for 

Votes against

Votes withheld

At the 2018 AGM, 94% of shareholders voted in favour of the Remuneration Policy.

94

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDear fellow shareholder
On behalf of the Remuneration Committee 
I am pleased to present the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the financial 
year ended 31 March 2019 which sets 
out how the Committee has carried out 
its objectives and responsibilities during 
the year. This year we have taken the 
opportunity to refresh certain aspects 
of our report; we have included some 
more detail on Hibernia’s remuneration 
philosophy, included a new “at a 
glance” summary and provided some 
additional context on Hibernia’s 
remuneration arrangements. This year 
we have also provided more detailed 
information on our approach to wider 
workforce considerations. Our annual 
report on remuneration sets out how 
our Remuneration Policy was applied 
during the year and outcomes for our 
Executive Directors.

The Committee was also delighted to 
welcome Roisin Brennan, who joined us 
on 16 January 2019. Roisin has significant 
experience in corporate finance and 
serving on the boards of large companies 
and brings a wealth of insight to the 
Committee’s deliberations.

Shareholder engagement on remuneration 
Last year, we introduced a new 
Remuneration Policy which followed an 
extensive consultation with our major 
shareholders and the main proxy adviser 
firms. While our Policy was approved by 
94% of shareholders at the 2018 AGM, 
the advisory vote on our Remuneration 
Report received 62% of votes for, which 
was lower than we hoped to achieve. 
We recognise that the primary concern 
for our shareholders was around the one-
off increases to the Executive Directors’ 
salaries. Whilst many shareholders 
understood and accepted the rationale for 
the increases and were appreciative of the 
level of market data the Committee set out 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, a 
number of our shareholders and the proxy 
advisers felt they could not support the 
increases. The Committee felt strongly that 
the increases were in the best interests of 
the business and helped ensure that our 
overall remuneration package was fair and 
competitive against companies of a similar 
size and complexity. Nonetheless, we 
valued the time taken by shareholders to 
engage with us on this issue. 

We are committed to continued 
engagement with our shareholders and 
the proxy advisers (ISS and Glass Lewis) 
on remuneration matters. This year we 
undertook a corporate governance 
roadshow where our Chairman, Danny 
Kitchen, and Company Secretary, Sean 
O’Dwyer, met in person or spoke to those 
of our major shareholders who indicated 
they would welcome such engagement. 
One of the key themes from the meetings 
was that many of our shareholders believe 
that the remuneration framework that we 
have in place for our Executive Directors 
strongly aligns the new Remuneration 
Policy with their long-term interests. 
We also discussed the increases which 
were implemented to Executive Directors’ 
base salaries and confirmed that it is the 
Committee’s intention not to increase the 
salaries of the Executive Directors over 
the Policy period other than potentially to 
reflect average employee or inflationary 
rises. On behalf of the Board, the 
Committee is once again grateful for the 
time invested by our shareholders and 
proxy advisers to meet with us and share 
their views. We will continue to maintain 
an open and transparent dialogue with 
our shareholders. 

2019 business performance 
2019 was another very strong year for 
Hibernia. We are pleased that the Company 
has continued to perform well and has 
made good strategic progress over the 
past year. Key performance highlights are 
as follows:

•  EPRA EPS: 4.0 cent, +40.4% 
•  EPRA NAV per share: 173.3 cent, +8.9% 
•  Total accounting return (“TAR”): 11.1%
•  Total property return (“TPR”): 11.6%

It is with this performance in mind, and 
in line with Hibernia’s remuneration 
philosophy of paying only for performance, 
that the Committee has taken its 
decisions in respect of Executive Director 
remuneration arrangements for the year. 

2019 incentive outcomes 
2019 was a transitional year for the Group 
as the interim variable remuneration 
arrangements which were implemented as 
part of the Internalisation of the Investment 
Manager and relate back to the Investment 
Management Agreement (“IMA”) were 
replaced by the new Remuneration Policy 
which took effect on 27 November 2018. 
Under the new Remuneration Policy, the 
Group’s remuneration framework consists 
of fixed remuneration and separate 
incentive arrangements (annual bonus and 
a long-term incentive plan) and is aligned 
with Irish and UK Corporate Governance 
best practice. 

Annual bonus 
For the period from 1 April 2018 to 
26 November 2018 (i.e. the final period 
of the IMA), Performance Related 
Remuneration (“PRR”) for most non-Vendor 
employees, including Thomas Edwards-
Moss, was met out of arrangements 
under the Internalisation agreement. 
Kevin Nowlan was one of the Vendors of 
the Investment Manager and therefore 
received no variable compensation for this 
period as he was compensated under the 
Internalisation arrangements as disclosed 
in notes 11.b and 36.b to the consolidated 
financial statements. Further details on his 
compensation are set out on pages 110 
to 112.

For the period from 27 November 2018 
to 31 March 2019 (i.e. the period subject 
to the new Remuneration Policy), both 
Kevin Nowlan and Thomas Edwards-Moss 
participated in the annual bonus plan. 

The Remuneration Committee set annual 
bonus performance targets which applied 
for the full 2019 financial year as the 
Committee felt this approach was the most 
simple, transparent and robust. 

Kevin Nowlan and Thomas Edwards-Moss’ 
maximum annual bonus opportunity 
for the financial year was 150% of salary. 
In Kevin Nowlan’s case, as he was one 
of the Vendors, bonus outcomes have 
been pro-rated for 27 November 2018 to 
31 March 2019.

95

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration Committee report continued

Discretions 
The Committee felt that the above 
incentive outcomes were in line with the 
overall performance of the business during 
the relevant financial year and therefore 
did not exercise any discretion to alter 
the outcomes from the application of the 
performance conditions.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
There were no LTIP grants in the financial 
year 2019. 

Approach to Directors’ remuneration 
for the year ending 31 March 2020
As we noted last year, it is the Committee’s 
intention not to increase the salaries of 
the Executive Directors over the Policy 
period other than potentially to reflect 
average employee or inflationary rises 
and this principle has been followed this 
year. For FY 2020, the Committee has 
determined that Executive Directors’ 
salaries as well as Chairman and Non-
Executive Directors’ fees will be frozen. 
This is in line with the approach taken for 
the wider workforce. 

The Group’s philosophy is to pay for 
performance in a simple and transparent 
way and we remain committed to 
ensuring that the remuneration framework 
that is in place is consistent with this 
philosophy. The overall framework 
for the CEO and CFO’s annual bonus 
arrangements will remain the same with 
a maximum bonus opportunity of 150% 
of salary. The performance metrics and 
their weightings will remain unchanged. 
We consider the targets to be commercially 
sensitive but we will continue to provide 
robust retrospective disclosure in next 
year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

Annual bonus plan
The performance metrics and weightings 
used in 2019 were: 

•  Relative Total Property Return (40%);
•  Total Accounting Return per share 

(17.5%);

•  Growth in EPRA earnings per share 

(17.5%); and 

•  Individual-specific strategic/operational 

objectives (25%). 

In assessing pay for performance against 
our stretching targets, the Committee 
approved annual bonus outcomes of 42% 
(as a % of salary and equivalent to 124% 
on a proforma annual basis) for the CEO 
and 120% (as a % of salary) for the CFO. 
As Kevin Nowlan did not participate in the 
annual bonus for the full financial year, his 
bonus outcome has been pro-rated for the 
period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. 
The Committee has set out on page 101 and 
pages 111 to 112 full details of performance 
against the targets. The maximum bonus 
opportunity for the CEO and the CFO was 
150% of salary. 

In the CEO’s case, two-thirds of the bonus 
payable under the Remuneration Policy, i.e. 
from 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019, 
will be paid in the form of cash and the 
remaining third has been deferred for three 
years and will be payable in shares, subject 
to continued employment.

In the CFO’s case, one half of the bonus 
payable from 1 April 2018 to 26 November 
2018, i.e. falling under the IMA PRR, will 
be paid in cash and the balance has been 
deferred subject to continued employment 
and will be payable in shares, net of tax, at 
the end of two years from the end of the 
financial year to which it relates. For the 
other portion of the CFO’s bonus, which is 
subject to the Remuneration Policy, two-
thirds will be paid in the form of cash and 
the remaining third has been deferred for 
three years and will be payable in shares, 
subject to continued employment.

The first grants under the LTIP scheme 
will be made in July 2019. The Committee 
disclosed the performance measures 
and targets for the first grant in last 
year’s Director’s Remuneration Report. 
We reviewed the performance targets 
again this year to ensure they remain fit 
for purpose and we are satisfied that the 
targets are sufficiently challenging taking 
into account the Group’s business plan and 
the economic environment. The Committee 
has set out details of the performance 
targets on page 104. 

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 
One of the activities of the Committee 
this year was considering the current 
compliance of our approved Remuneration 
Policy and its operation with the new 
UK Corporate Governance Code, which 
applies to financial years beginning on 
or after 1 January 2019. While we were 
not required to comply with the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code for the current 
year being reported, the Committee has 
reviewed the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy in light of these changes. We are 
satisfied that the Remuneration Policy 
is well aligned with the provisions of 
the Code. 

96

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comKey remuneration element of the 
2018 UK Corporate Governance Code

Alignment with our  
approved Remuneration Policy

Five-year period between the date of 
grant and realisation for equity incentives.

•  The LTIP has a five-year period including 
the performance and holding period.

Phased release of equity awards

Discretion to override formulaic  
outcomes for bonus and LTIP awards 

Post-cessation shareholding requirement

Pension alignment 

•  The LTIP ensures the phased release 
of equity awards through annual 
rolling grants.

•  The Remuneration Policy contains the 

ability to override formulaic outcomes and 
apply discretion where deemed necessary.

•  The Remuneration Policy does not 
currently include a post-cessation 
shareholding requirement but this is 
an area which the Committee will be 
keeping under review in the lead-up to 
our next Policy review.

•  The pension provision for the current 

Executive Directors is within the range 
provided to the wider workforce of the 
Group and this will continue to be the 
case for future Executive Directors.

Extended malus and clawback

•  The current malus and clawback provision 

already exceeds the best practice 
suggested in relation to the new Code.

We recognise there are areas of the Code 
that we need to keep under review in the 
lead-up to our next Policy review in 2021 
and we will continue to consider how best 
to approach these areas. 

We are also mindful that legislation was 
introduced in the UK which requires 
certain companies to disclose CEO pay 
ratios. As an Irish incorporated company, 
we are not required to comply with this 
legislation. However, the Committee 
seeks to follow best practice and we will 
consider this closely over the next year to 
determine what meaningful information 
we can provide to shareholders. FY 2020 
will be the first full year where the CEO 
is remunerated fully through payroll and 
not through his association with the 
Investment Manager as was the case until 
26 November 2018.

Wider workforce considerations
Hibernia is committed to creating an 
inclusive working environment and to 
rewarding our employees throughout the 
organisation in a fair manner. The new 
Remuneration Policy was extended across 
the workforce and accompanied by an 
assessment exercise to ensure that salaries 
and other conditions were commensurate 
with market norms. As a result, we are 
satisfied that our total remuneration levels 
for employees are appropriate and little 
amendment was required for the most part. 
We also reviewed our benefits offerings for 
most employees other than the Executive 
Directors and Senior Management 
Team and, as a result of this exercise, we 
increased pension contribution for those 
employees to 7.5% of salary and introduced 
payment for private health insurance which 
brings us more in line with our peers. 

The Committee has also taken steps to 
implement changes to the UK Code which 
came into effect at the beginning of 2019 
and the expansion of our remit. We have 
set out on page 98 specific details of how 
we are responding to aspects of the Code. 

In conclusion
As a Committee, we remain focused on 
ensuring that Hibernia’s Remuneration 
Policy is fit for purpose in the context of 
the Group’s long-term strategy. We trust 
that the information set out in this report 
provides you with what you need to be able 
to support the advisory resolution to be put 
to shareholders on this remuneration report 
at the Company’s AGM on 31 July 2019.

Once again, I would like to thank those 
shareholders who have engaged with 
us this past year and a half. We very 
much value our ongoing dialogue with 
shareholders and as always, welcome 
your feedback. If you would like to 
discuss any aspect of this remuneration 
report, I would be happy to hear from 
you. You can contact me through the 
Company Secretary, Sean O’Dwyer. 
I will also be available at the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting on 31 July 2019 
to answer any questions in relation to this 
Remuneration Report.

On behalf of the Committee and the Board,

Colm Barrington
17 June 2019

97

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration philosophy

Remuneration principles 
Hibernia’s Remuneration Policy aims to encourage, reward and retain the Executive Directors and other employees and ensure their 
actions support the implementation of the Group’s strategy. The core principles which underpin remuneration across the Group are: 

Our remuneration principles

Simplicity and 
transparency:
Remuneration should be 
simple and transparent 
in terms of design 
and communication 
to internal and 
external shareholders

Long-term shareholder 
alignment:
Remuneration outcomes 
should mirror the 
shareholder and wider 
stakeholder experience 
over the long term

Pay-for-performance:
Remuneration outcomes 
should be clearly linked 
to the delivery of superior 
corporate results

Flexibility:
Remuneration should be 
able to support potential 
changes in business 
priorities over time

Market competitiveness:
The remuneration 
opportunity provided 
should be fair and 
competitive against 
companies of a 
similar size, scope 
and complexity with 
a strong emphasis on 
variable elements

How does the Committee address the requirements under provision 40 of the Corporate Governance Code?

Factor

Clarity

Simplicity 

Risk 

Predictability 

How our Remuneration Policy aligns 

•  Hibernia’s performance remuneration is based on supporting the implementation of the 
Company’s strategy measured through KPIs which are used for the annual bonus and 
LTIP. This provides clarity to all stakeholders on the relationship between the successful 
implementation of the Group’s strategy and the remuneration paid.

•  Hibernia operates a market standard approach to remuneration which is familiar to all 

stakeholders and aligned with best practice in Ireland and the UK.

The Remuneration Policy includes: 

•  Setting defined limits on the maximum awards which can be earned;
•  Requiring the deferral of a substantial proportion of the incentives in shares for a material 

period of time;

•  Aligning the performance conditions with the strategy of the Company;
•  Ensuring a focus on long-term sustainable performance through the LTIP; and
•  Ensuring there is sufficient flexibility to adjust payments through malus and clawback and 

an overriding discretion to depart from formulaic outcomes.

These elements mitigate against the risk of target-based incentives by:

•  Limiting the maximum value that can be earned;
•  Deferring the value in shares for the long term which helps ensure that the performance 
earning the award was sustainable and thereby discouraging short-term behaviours;

•  Aligning any reward to the agreed strategy of the Company;
•  Ensuring that the use of an LTIP supports a focus on the sustainability of the performance 

over the longer term;

•  Reducing the awards or cancelling them if the behaviours giving rise to the awards are 

inappropriate; and

•  Reducing the awards or cancelling them, if it appears that the criteria on which the award 

was based do not reflect the underlying performance of the Company.

•  Shareholders were given full information on the potential values which could be earned 

under the incentive plans prior to approval. In addition, all the checks and balances set out 
above under Risk were disclosed at the time of shareholder approval.

Proportionality 

•  The Company’s incentive plans clearly reward the successful implementation of the 

strategy and, through deferral and measurement of performance over a number of years, 
ensure that the Executive Directors and employees have a strong drive to ensure that the 
performance is sustainable over the long-term. Poor performance cannot be rewarded due 
to the Committee’s overriding discretion to depart from the formulaic outcomes under the 
incentive plans if they do not reflect underlying business performance.

Alignment to culture

•  A key tenet of Hibernia’s culture is a focus on ensuring long-term sustainable performance. 

This is reflected directly in the type of performance conditions used in Hibernia’s 
incentive plans which assess sustainable performance using a variety of non-financial and 
financial measures. 

•  The focus on share ownership and long term sustainable performance is also a key part 
of the Company’s culture. In addition, the measures used in the Incentive Plans support 
directly the implementation of the strategy.

98

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comHow do our incentive performance measures align to our strategy?
The Committee carefully considers the performance measures for the annual bonus and the LTIP in the context of the long-term 
strategy and believes that the measures that were selected support the business focus on income growth, asset improvement, portfolio 
management, delivery of developments and capital discipline. In addition, the combination of absolute and relative measures focuses 
Executive Directors and the Senior Management Team on both outperformance of the strategic plan as well as industry benchmarks. 
The following table sets out a number of the Group’s KPIs and how their satisfaction is supported by the Group’s incentive framework:

FY18–19 strategic priorities

1

2

3

4

5

6

Complete 
committed near-
term developments 
and prepare pipeline 
of future projects

Increase rental income 
and duration

Make selective  
investments

Recycle capital to 
monetise gains and 
enhance future returns

Maintain an efficient 
balance sheet and 
seek to diversify 
funding sources and 
maturity dates

Continue to improve  
environmental  
efficiency of the 
portfolio

EPRA earnings

Total Accounting Return (TAR)

Total Property Return (TPR)

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)

Our key performance indicators

Measures

Link to strategy

Link to KPIs

Measures

Link to strategy

Link to KPIs

Annual bonus

Long-Term Incentive Plan

EPRA earnings

•  Linked to shareholder value
•  Key measure of organic growth
•  Focus on sustainable investment

Relative TPR

•  Measures how we are driving value 

Growth in TAR

in our portfolio

•  Focus on maximising rental income
•  Focus on outperformance

•  Link to shareholder value
•  Focus on sustainable investment
•  Execution of our dividend strategy

Strategic/
operational

•  Focus on operational efficiencies
•  Focus on specific internal projects









Relative TPR

•  Measures how we are driving value 

in our portfolio

•  Focus on maximising rental income
•  Focus on outperformance

•  Linked to shareholder  
value/divided strategy
•  Focus on outperformance

•  Link to shareholder value
•  Focus on sustainable investment
•  Execution of our dividend strategy

•  Linked to shareholder value

Relative TSR

Growth in TAR

Shareholding 
guidelines









99

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration at a glance

Remuneration in respect of 2019 
Business performance against our core KPIs 
Hibernia portfolio returns significantly outperformed the Dublin market helped by successful completion of development schemes and 
capital recycling into new opportunities.

Relative Total Property Return  
(TPR) vs MSCI Ireland All Assets index

Growth in EPRA  
earnings per share

4.1%

(+3.7% – 2018)

40.4%

(+27.3% – 2018)

Executive Director Remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2019
Fixed components 

Total Accounting Return  
per share (TAR)

11.1%

(+10.5% – 2018)

CEO, Kevin Nowlan

€’000 CFO, Thomas Edwards-Moss

Base salary

Pension

Benefits 

450 Base salary

68

Pension

22 Benefits 

€’000

340

51

29

100

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRelative Total Property Return 
(TPR) 
TPR is compared to the MSCI/
SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property 
Index (excluding Hibernia) 
(40% weighting) 

Growth in EPRA  
Earnings per share (EPS)
(17.5% weighting) 

Growth in Total Accounting  
Return per share (TAR) 
(17.5% weighting)

Strategic and operational 
(25% weighting)

Overall annual bonus outcome 

2019 bonus outcomes 

Annual bonus

Threshold

Target

Maximum Hibernia actual

Equal to Index

Index +1%

Index +2% TPR of 11.6% vs 
MSCI Ireland 
Index annual 
return of 7.5%.

Performance 
achieved (as a % 
of maximum)

CEO bonus 
(value)* 

CFO bonus 
(value)

100%

€92,466

€204,000

4.10 cent
(47% growth)

4.74 cent
(70% growth)

4.98 cent
(79% growth)

4.0 cent
(43% growth)

0%

Nil

Nil

4%

6.7%

10%

11%

100%

€40,454

€89,250

Further details are on page 112 

Further details 
are on page 112 

CEO: 100%
CFO: 90%

€57,791

€114,750

€190,711 
42% of salary*

€408,000 
120% of salary 

*  The CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate in the annual bonus for the full financial year as he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and so his bonus outcome has been 

pro-rated for the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. On a proforma basis, the CEO’s bonus is equal to 124% of salary.

2019 LTIP outcomes 
Not applicable as the first LTIP grants are expected to be made in July 2019. 

Total single figure of remuneration 

2019

2018

CEO 

€’000

€731

€367

CFO

€’000

€828

€625

1.  The CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate in the annual bonus for the full financial year as he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and so his bonus outcome has been 

pro-rated for the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. On a proforma basis, the CEO’s bonus is equal to 124% of salary.

2.  The figures for the CEO, Kevin Nowlan, do not include payments under the IMA which are disclosed in note 36.b to the consolidated financial statements. These payments are 

in respect of deferred consideration on the Internalisation rather than remuneration. 

101

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration at a glance continued

Remuneration under the new Policy – how the Policy was implemented in 2019 and how it is proposed to implement the Policy in 2020
The Policy for Executive Directors supports Hibernia’s KPIs, which are set out on page 34. The Policy and its use of performance metrics 
appropriately support shareholder value creation by delivering sustainable performance consistent with the strategic drivers and appropriate 
risk management. The table below summarises key aspects of the Policy. The Policy itself is published on our website at www.hiberniareit.com.

Element

1

2

Year
3

4

5

Operation

Opportunity

Implementation for financial year  

Implementation for financial year  

ended 31 March 2019

ended 31 March 2020

Base Salary
Provides the basis for the overall market 
remuneration package and takes into account 
the role and skills of the individual. 

Salaries are set at a level to ensure the recruitment 
and retention of high calibre executives to 
implement the Group’s strategy.

Pension
To provide a basis for post–retirement 
remuneration in line with comparable 
remuneration packages.

Benefits
To provide a market competitive benefits package.

Annual bonus
To incentivise the achievement of annual 
performance targets that support the Group’s 
short-term key performance as well as providing 
long-term alignment with shareholders through 
the operation of bonus deferral in shares for 
three years.

Salaries are set on appointment and reviewed annually.

When determining salary the Committee considers:

•  General employee salary rises;
•  Remuneration practices in the Group;
•  Scope, role and experience; 
•  Performance of the Group and economic environment; and
•  Salaries paid in relevant comparator group.

Directors may participate in a defined contribution scheme.

The maximum pension contribution allowance 

15% of base salary for Executive Directors.

No change.

The pension plan is an optional defined contribution scheme with 
an independent pension provider and an employer contribution of 
between 7.5% and 15% for staff and Senior Management respectively.

Benefits may include: car allowance, death in service and long-term 
disability schemes, travel insurance, and other benefits as needed to 
attract and retain Directors (e.g. relocation allowances).

Awards are granted annually with performance measured over 
one financial year. At least 50% of awards will be linked to financial 
measures although specific measures, targets and weightings may 
vary from year to year.

A third of any bonus earned is deferred into shares subject to a further 
three-year vesting period.

Participants may be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents 
on the deferred shares representing the dividends paid during the 
deferral period.

Malus and clawback arrangements apply. 

The Committee ensures that maximum salary 

Kevin Nowlan (CEO): 

levels are positioned in line with companies 

€450,000 p.a.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO): 

€340,000 p.a.

of a similar size to Hibernia and validated 

against other companies in the industry. 

Average annual percentage increase in salaries 

for Executive Directors will be in line with the 

average for other employees in the Group. 

Exceptions to this rule are:

•  If an individual is below market level; and

•  Material increase in scope or responsibility.

for existing Executive Directors is 15% of salary.

Salaries for FY 2020 have been frozen for 

Executive Directors in line with the wider 

workforce. Salaries are as follows:

Kevin Nowlan (CEO):  

€450,000 p.a.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO): 

€340,000 p.a.

The maximum is the cost of providing the 

Car allowance, death in service, long-term 

No change.

relevant benefits.

disability schemes, travel insurance and other 

benefits where necessary.

Maximum: 150% of salary. 

Maximum opportunity of 150% of base salary 

No change to maximum bonus opportunity or 

for Executive Directors.

performance conditions. 

performance; 50% of maximum for on target 

Performance conditions and weightings:

20% of maximum is paid out for threshold 

performance; and 100% of maximum for 

maximum performance. 

•  40% Relative Total Property Return (TPR) 

•  17.5% growth in EPRA Earnings Per Share (EPS)

•  17.5% Total Accounting Return (TAR) per share

Full disclosure will be published at the end of 

•   25% Strategic and operational objectives 

the financial year.

Actual performance targets are not disclosed 

prospectively as they are considered to be 

commercially sensitive. 

Executive Directors awarded bonuses in FY 2019 of:

•  CEO 42% (as a % of salary and equivalent to 

124% on a proforma annual basis)

•  CFO 120% (as a % of salary)

Information on bonus outcomes can be found 

on page 101 and pages 111 to 112.

Note: the CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate 

in the annual bonus for the full financial year as 

he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and 

so his bonus outcome has been pro-rated for 

the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019.

LTIP
To incentivise the achievement of long-term 
sustainable shareholder return through the 
delivery of key financial performance indicators.

The Committee may award annual grants of performance share 
awards which vest three years from the date of grant subject to the 
achievement of the performance measures.

A further two-year holding period applies to vested shares.

Participants may be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents 
representing the dividends paid during the performance period on 
vested LTIP Awards.

Malus and clawback arrangements apply. 

Maximum: 200% of salary.

FY 2020 will be the first year of operation of 

Maximum opportunity of 200% of base salary 

the LTIP – no grants were made in 2019.

for Executive Directors.

20% vesting for threshold and 100% vesting  

for maximum performance.

Performance conditions and weightings:

•  33.3% Relative TPR compared to the MSCI/

SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property index

•  33.3% Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 

compared to constituents of the EPRA/

NAREIT Developed Europe Index (33.3%);

•  33.3% growth in TAR per share

Shareholding requirement
To ensure Executive Directors’ interests are  
aligned with shareholders over the long term. 

Formal shareholding requirements which will encourage the Executive 
Directors to build up shareholdings over a five-year period and then 
subsequently hold a shareholding equivalent to a percentage of salary.

The minimum shareholding requirement  

for Executive Directors is 350% of salary.

Directors are:

Current shareholdings of the Executive 

No change.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees 
To attract and retain NEDs of the highest calibre 
with experience relevant to the Company.

Non-Executive Directors are paid an annual fee and additional fees 
for chairmanship of committees and the role of Senior Independent 
Director (“SID”). 

The Company retains the flexibility to pay fees for the membership 
of committees.

•  CEO: 2,051% of salary;

•  CFO: 58% of salary.

In general, the level of fee increase for the 

Non-Executive Director fees were set 

Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman 

as follows: 

will be set taking account of any change in 

responsibility and the general rise in salaries 

across employees. 

•  Chairman: €150,000;

•  NED Base fee: €60,000;

•  SID fee: €15,000; and

Chairman and NED fees for FY 2020 have 

been frozen in line with the wider workforce. 

Fees from 1 April 2019 will be as follows:

•  Chairman: €150,000;

•  NED Base fee: €60,000;

The Company will pay reasonable expenses 

•  Committee Chair fee: €10,000 (excludes 

•  SID fee: €15,000; and

incurred by the Non-Executive Directors and 

Nominations Committee Chair). 

•  Committee Chair fee: €10,000 (excludes 

may settle any tax incurred in relation to these. 

Nominations Committee Chair). 

In formulating the 2018 Remuneration Policy 

the Board reviewed fees of the Chairman and 

Non-Executive Directors. The revised fee levels 

were disclosed as part of the Policy approval 

and are as a result of the repositioning exercise 

described in full detail in last year’s Directors’ 

Remuneration Report.

102

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration under the new Policy – how the Policy was implemented in 2019 and how it is proposed to implement the Policy in 2020

The Policy for Executive Directors supports Hibernia’s KPIs, which are set out on page 34. The Policy and its use of performance metrics 

appropriately support shareholder value creation by delivering sustainable performance consistent with the strategic drivers and appropriate 

risk management. The table below summarises key aspects of the Policy. The Policy itself is published on our website at www.hiberniareit.com.

Year

1

2

3

4

5

Operation

Element

Base Salary

Provides the basis for the overall market 

remuneration package and takes into account 

the role and skills of the individual. 

Salaries are set at a level to ensure the recruitment 

and retention of high calibre executives to 

implement the Group’s strategy.

Pension

To provide a basis for post–retirement 

remuneration in line with comparable 

remuneration packages.

Benefits

To provide a market competitive benefits package.

Annual bonus

To incentivise the achievement of annual 

performance targets that support the Group’s 

short-term key performance as well as providing 

long-term alignment with shareholders through 

the operation of bonus deferral in shares for 

three years.

Salaries are set on appointment and reviewed annually.

When determining salary the Committee considers:

•  General employee salary rises;

•  Remuneration practices in the Group;

•  Scope, role and experience; 

•  Performance of the Group and economic environment; and

•  Salaries paid in relevant comparator group.

Directors may participate in a defined contribution scheme.

The pension plan is an optional defined contribution scheme with 

an independent pension provider and an employer contribution of 

between 7.5% and 15% for staff and Senior Management respectively.

Benefits may include: car allowance, death in service and long-term 

disability schemes, travel insurance, and other benefits as needed to 

attract and retain Directors (e.g. relocation allowances).

Awards are granted annually with performance measured over 

one financial year. At least 50% of awards will be linked to financial 

measures although specific measures, targets and weightings may 

vary from year to year.

A third of any bonus earned is deferred into shares subject to a further 

three-year vesting period.

Participants may be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents 

on the deferred shares representing the dividends paid during the 

deferral period.

Malus and clawback arrangements apply. 

LTIP

To incentivise the achievement of long-term 

sustainable shareholder return through the 

delivery of key financial performance indicators.

The Committee may award annual grants of performance share 

awards which vest three years from the date of grant subject to the 

achievement of the performance measures.

A further two-year holding period applies to vested shares.

Participants may be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents 

representing the dividends paid during the performance period on 

vested LTIP Awards.

Malus and clawback arrangements apply. 

Shareholding requirement

To ensure Executive Directors’ interests are  

aligned with shareholders over the long term. 

Formal shareholding requirements which will encourage the Executive 

Directors to build up shareholdings over a five-year period and then 

subsequently hold a shareholding equivalent to a percentage of salary.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees 

To attract and retain NEDs of the highest calibre 

with experience relevant to the Company.

Non-Executive Directors are paid an annual fee and additional fees 

for chairmanship of committees and the role of Senior Independent 

Director (“SID”). 

of committees.

The Company retains the flexibility to pay fees for the membership 

Opportunity

The Committee ensures that maximum salary 
levels are positioned in line with companies 
of a similar size to Hibernia and validated 
against other companies in the industry. 
Average annual percentage increase in salaries 
for Executive Directors will be in line with the 
average for other employees in the Group. 
Exceptions to this rule are:

•  If an individual is below market level; and
•  Material increase in scope or responsibility.

The maximum pension contribution allowance 
for existing Executive Directors is 15% of salary.

Implementation for financial year  
ended 31 March 2019

Implementation for financial year  
ended 31 March 2020

Kevin Nowlan (CEO): 
€450,000 p.a.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO): 
€340,000 p.a.

Salaries for FY 2020 have been frozen for 
Executive Directors in line with the wider 
workforce. Salaries are as follows:

Kevin Nowlan (CEO):  
€450,000 p.a.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO): 
€340,000 p.a.

15% of base salary for Executive Directors.

No change.

The maximum is the cost of providing the 
relevant benefits.

Car allowance, death in service, long-term 
disability schemes, travel insurance and other 
benefits where necessary.

No change.

Maximum: 150% of salary. 

20% of maximum is paid out for threshold 
performance; 50% of maximum for on target 
performance; and 100% of maximum for 
maximum performance. 

Maximum opportunity of 150% of base salary 
for Executive Directors.

No change to maximum bonus opportunity or 
performance conditions. 

Performance conditions and weightings:

•  40% Relative Total Property Return (TPR) 
•  17.5% growth in EPRA Earnings Per Share (EPS)
•  17.5% Total Accounting Return (TAR) per share
•   25% Strategic and operational objectives 

Actual performance targets are not disclosed 
prospectively as they are considered to be 
commercially sensitive. 

Full disclosure will be published at the end of 
the financial year.

Executive Directors awarded bonuses in FY 2019 of:

•  CEO 42% (as a % of salary and equivalent to 

124% on a proforma annual basis)

•  CFO 120% (as a % of salary)

Information on bonus outcomes can be found 
on page 101 and pages 111 to 112.

Note: the CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate 
in the annual bonus for the full financial year as 
he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and 
so his bonus outcome has been pro-rated for 
the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019.

Maximum: 200% of salary.

20% vesting for threshold and 100% vesting  
for maximum performance.

FY 2020 will be the first year of operation of 
the LTIP – no grants were made in 2019.

Maximum opportunity of 200% of base salary 
for Executive Directors.

Performance conditions and weightings:

•  33.3% Relative TPR compared to the MSCI/

SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property index

•  33.3% Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 

compared to constituents of the EPRA/
NAREIT Developed Europe Index (33.3%);

•  33.3% growth in TAR per share

The minimum shareholding requirement  
for Executive Directors is 350% of salary.

Current shareholdings of the Executive 
Directors are:

No change.

•  CEO: 2,051% of salary;
•  CFO: 58% of salary.

In general, the level of fee increase for the 
Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman 
will be set taking account of any change in 
responsibility and the general rise in salaries 
across employees. 

The Company will pay reasonable expenses 
incurred by the Non-Executive Directors and 
may settle any tax incurred in relation to these. 

Non-Executive Director fees were set 
as follows: 

•  Chairman: €150,000;
•  NED Base fee: €60,000;
•  SID fee: €15,000; and
•  Committee Chair fee: €10,000 (excludes 

Nominations Committee Chair). 

Chairman and NED fees for FY 2020 have 
been frozen in line with the wider workforce. 
Fees from 1 April 2019 will be as follows:

•  Chairman: €150,000;
•  NED Base fee: €60,000;
•  SID fee: €15,000; and
•  Committee Chair fee: €10,000 (excludes 

Nominations Committee Chair). 

In formulating the 2018 Remuneration Policy 
the Board reviewed fees of the Chairman and 
Non-Executive Directors. The revised fee levels 
were disclosed as part of the Policy approval 
and are as a result of the repositioning exercise 
described in full detail in last year’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

103

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRemuneration at a glance continued

First grant of LTIP awards 
The maximum LTIP opportunity is 200% of salary for the CEO and the CFO. It is expected that the first grant will be made in July 2019. 
The performance measures and targets which will apply to the final grant are set out below. 

Performance measures

Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
Assessment of TSR will be against companies in the EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe Index

Weighting (as a 
% of maximum 
opportunity)

Threshold 
vesting* (20%)

Maximum 
vesting* (100%)

33.3%

Median

Upper quartile

Relative Total Property Return (TPR)
TPR will be compared to the MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All Assets Index (excluding Hibernia)

33.3% Equal to index

Equal to index 
plus 1.5% p.a.

Total Accounting Return per share (TAR)
Growth in TAR will be assessed against three-year targets 
(Compound Annual Growth Rate “CAGR”)

*Straight-line interpolation between threshold and maximums.

33.3%

4% CAGR p.a.

10% CAGR p.a.

104

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAdditional context to our Executive Directors’ remuneration 

How do our remuneration levels compare to our peers?
The following chart shows the relative position of base salaries and target total remuneration for our Executive Directors compared to our 
peers (see below for positioning): 

Top 
quartile

Second
quartile

Third
 quartile

Bottom
quartile

€2,789,500

€539,500 

€1,616,000

€2,126,000

REIT

ISE

REIT

ISE

CEO, 
Kevin Nowlan

CFO,
Thomas Edwards-Moss

Hibernia’s base salary positioning

Hibernia’s total remuneration positioning

Additional information on Hibernia’s remuneration positioning policy
The Committee’s determination of the appropriate Policy position for remuneration is as follows: 

•  REIT comparators for both Executive Directors: 

 – Lower quartile fixed pay; 
 – Upper quartile incentive opportunities; and 
 – Total target remuneration at around the median. 

•  Irish comparators (Hibernia is median to upper quartile in terms of market capitalisation) for the CEO: 

 – Below median fixed pay; 
 – Upper quartile incentive opportunities; and 
 – Total target remuneration at around the median to upper quartile. 

For the CFO the positioning is significantly higher against the Irish comparators. However, the Committee’s view is that the REIT 
comparators are the primary group against which the Company should be compared for this role. 

105

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAdditional context to our Executive Directors’ remuneration continued

External relativities
Policy external positioning
In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code the Committee considered relevant external relativities when setting the remuneration 
levels within the proposed Policy. The Committee looked at two comparator groups:

Comparator group 1: REIT comparators 
This is the primary comparator group used which consists of those companies which the Committee believes are the most relevant to the 
Group and where individuals are likely to be recruited from or lost to.

Comparator group 2: Irish comparators
The secondary comparator group recognises that the Group is listed in Ireland and therefore the domestic market for executive talent is a 
relevant consideration when setting the Company’s remuneration levels.

REIT comparators

Company name 

Intu Properties

Derwent London

Shaftesbury

Great Portland Estates

Workspace Group

Big Yellow Group

LondonMetric Property

Assura

Hansteen Holdings

Safestore Holdings

Empiric Student Property

Capital & Regional

Helical REIT

Mucklow (A & J) Group

McKay Securities

Irish comparators

Company name 

Smurfit Kappa Group

Kingspan Group

Glanbia

Aryzta

Cairn Homes

C&C Group

Irish Continental Group

Dalata Hotel Group

Origin Enterprises 

First Derivatives 

Glenveagh Properties

Total Produce

Irish Residential Properties REIT

Malin Corporation

Applegreen

Kenmare Resources

Hostelworld Group

Datalex

Mincon Group

REIT comparators3

Upper quartile

Median

Lower quartile

Hibernia

Market cap
€m1

Net asset 
value €m2

Irish comparators

2,121

1,465

467

980

2,414 Upper quartile

1,149 Median

552 Lower quartile

1,219 Hibernia

Market cap
€m1

1,115

774

451

980

1. 

1 year average Market Capitalisation to 31/03/2019. Source: Thomson Reuters Refinitiv. 

2.  Latest available NAV available from Thomson Reuters Refinitiv as at June 2019.

3. 

In the case of REIT comparators, it should be noted that Market Capitalisation is the average for the year to 31 March 2019 and the NAV is the last reported. This table is simply 
intended to provide a snapshot of the size of REIT comparator companies for remuneration benchmarking purposes.

106

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comWhat is our 2019 single figure compared to our current policy? 
The charts set out below are updated versions of charts which appeared in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy approved in July 2018. 
These set out an illustration of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy compared to the actual Executive Director remuneration paid in 2019.

€3,000,000 

€2,500,000 

€2,000,000 

€1,500,000 

€1,000,000 

€500,000 

€0

Notes

€2,789,500

€2,114,500

€2,119,667

€1,417,000

€539,500 

€730,003

€419,667

€1,609,667

€1,082,667

€827,667

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum
(with equity
growth at 50%)

Actual
2019

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum
(with equity
growth at 50%)

Actual
2019

CEO

CFO

Fixed

Annual bonus

LTIP

Equity growth on shares

The minimum scenario reflects fixed remuneration of salary, pension and benefits only as the other elements are linked to future performance. 

Base salary is current base salary effective 1 April 2019. 

Benefits are as shown in the single figure remuneration table for the year to 31 March 2019 on page 110. 

The on-target scenario reflects fixed remuneration as above plus 50% of the maximum annual bonus opportunity and 60% vesting for the LTIP awards. 

The maximum scenario reflects the fixed remuneration plus the maximum pay-out of all other incentive arrangements. 

The maximum scenarios include an additional bar which shows the impact of 50% share price growth on the LTIP over the relevant performance period in line with the 
remuneration reporting regulations.

What is our minimum shareholding requirement and has it been met?
The Company has a shareholding requirement for Executive Directors. The level of shareholding reflects the total annual performance-
related remuneration an Executive Director is eligible to receive and is equal to 350% of salary. The Executive Directors have five years 
from the date of approval of the Remuneration Policy to achieve this guideline.

Using the Company’s closing share price of €1.336 on 31 March 2019, compliance with these requirements was as follows:

3,000

2,250

1,500

750

0

2051%

350%

350%

517%

Kevin Nowlan
(CEO)

58%

61%

Thomas Edwards-Moss
(CFO)

Shareholding requirement

Beneficially owned

Shares subject to continued employment

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAdditional context to our Executive Directors’ remuneration continued

Additional information on shareholding requirements
Shares counting towards the achievement of the guideline include beneficially owned shares (including shares held by connected 
persons) and the net of tax value of deferred shares which are subject to continued employment only. 

As there were no LTIP grants in FY 2019, shares which are subject to performance are not shown but this will be indicated in future years. 

Overall link to remuneration, equity and wealth of the Executive Directors
It is the Committee’s view that it is important when considering the remuneration paid in the year under the single figure to take a holistic 
view of the Director’s total wealth linked to the performance of the Company. In the Committee’s opinion, the impact on the total wealth 
of the Director is more important than the single figure in any one year; this approach encourages Directors to take a long-term view of 
the sustainable performance of the Company; this is critical in a cyclical business. The ability for the Directors to gain and lose dependent 
on the share price performance of the Company at a level which is material to their total remuneration is a key facet of the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy.

The following table sets out the single figure for 2019, the number of shares held by the Executive Directors at the beginning and end of 
the financial year and the impact on the value of these shares taking the opening price and closing price for the year. Shares held includes 
those owned outright as well as any conditional shares held under incentive plans which have not yet vested.

CEO, Kevin Nowlan

CFO, Thomas Edwards-Moss

2018-19 single 
figure

Shares held at 
start of year

Shares held at 
end of year

Value of shares 
at start of year

Value of shares 
at end of year

Difference

€’000

‘000 shares

‘000 shares

731

828

5,003

98

6,907

147

€’000

7,224

142

€’000

9,228

196

€’000

2,004

54

In the CEO’s case, the difference of €2,004,170 shows that the CEO’s shareholding is meaningful in comparison to his single figure. 
Therefore, a material proportion of the CEO’s wealth is tied to the share price of the Company, aligning him with the ownership experience 
of other shareholders during the period. It should be noted that the increase in value for both the CEO and the CFO is as a result of an 
increase in the number of shares owned by the CEO and CFO during the year with the actual share price having fallen during the period 
(€1.44 at the start of the year and €1.34 at the end of the year).

Other pay comparisons used by the Committee 
Total Shareholder Return
The chart below shows the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) since Internalisation of the management team on 
5 November 2015. The Committee believes European industry benchmarks represent the most relevant benchmark for comparison.

130

1

5 120
0
2
/
1
1
/
5
0
t
a
0
0

110

1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
R
S
T

100

90

80

0 5/11/2 015

0 5/ 0 3/2 016

0 5/ 0 7/2 016

0 5/11/2 016

0 5/ 0 3/2 017

0 5/ 0 7/2 017

0 5/11/2 017

0 5/ 0 3/2 018

0 5/ 0 7/2 018

0 5/11/2 018

0 5/ 0 3/2 019

Hibernia

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe

108

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
CEO remuneration and percentage change in CEO remuneration 
The table below details the total remuneration of Kevin Nowlan, our CEO, for the financial year. The percentage change in remuneration 
is equivalent to an increase of 99% as compared to the prior year. 2018-2019 is a transitional year with partial implementation of the new 
Remuneration Policy and therefore a year on year comparison is not particularly meaningful. Kevin Nowlan was one of the Vendors of 
the Investment Manager and therefore, received no variable remuneration until after 26 November 2018 when the IMA expired as he was 
compensated under the Share Purchase Agreement. The variable remuneration shown is therefore for the period from 27 November 2018 
to 31 March 2019. The table below excludes Kevin’s compensation under the Share Purchase Agreement as this is not remuneration but 
details of this can be found in note 36.b to the consolidated financial statements.

In next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report we will expand this disclosure to include the CEO’s percentage change in remuneration 
relative to the average of the wider workforce and other senior employees as this provides more meaningful information.

Kevin Nowlan (CEO)

Financial 
year ended 
31 March

2019

2018

Base salary 
€’000

Taxable benefits 
€’000

Pension 
€’000

Annual bonus 
€’000

450

300

22

22

68

45

191

–

Total 
€’000

731

367

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below sets out the overall spend on pay for all employees compared with the returns distributed to shareholders.

Significant distributions

Staff costs for all non-vendor employees (€’m)1

Distributions paid to shareholders (€’m)

2019 

5.3m

23.7m

2018

4.4m

17.7m

% Change

+21%

+34%

1.  €0.9m (31 March 2018: €0.8m) in staff costs is excluded from this as it is recovered through service charge arrangements on Hibernia-managed buildings.

Fairness, diversity and wider workforce considerations
The Remuneration Committee’s remit 
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Company’s overall Remuneration Policy is consistent with the 
strategic objectives of the Company and takes account of risk management implications. The Committee is responsible for oversight of 
remuneration across the Company with specific regard for Directors and Senior Management.

The Committee also has oversight of wider workforce pay and policies and incentives, which enables it to ensure that the approach to 
executive remuneration is consistent with that applied to the wider workforce. The Committee is provided with additional information 
from the Company in order to carry out these responsibilities.

In order for the Committee to carry out the current oversight review of wider workforce pay, policies and incentives in line with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, the current process is being refined. The Committee currently receive an annual summary setting out the 
key details of remuneration changes for the wider work force and approve the details of changes for the Senior Management Team.

The Committee is aware that clearly the level and type of remuneration offered will vary across employees depending on the employee’s 
level of seniority and the nature of his or her role. The Committee is not looking for a homogeneous approach to remuneration; however, 
when conducting its review, it pays particular attention to: whether the element of remuneration is consistent with the Company’s 
remuneration philosophy; if there are differences, they are objectively justifiable; and whether the approach seems fair and equitable in the 
context of Hibernia’s Senior Management and Hibernia’s wider workforce. Details of the findings on the alignment of pay across the Group 
will be communicated to employees and reported on in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

Competitive pay and cascade of incentives
As outlined in the Chairman’s statement, the Remuneration Policy was extended to set structures for the wider workforce and in the 
context of the cascade of incentives throughout the Company. 

We undertook an assessment exercise to ensure pay and other incentives were competitive and fair with respect to the market at large, 
underscoring the Company’s commitment to fair pay, and internally in relation to gender balance and other relevant factors. As a result 
of this exercise, as well as salary adjustments applied from 1 January 2019, the Company increased the employer pension contribution for 
staff from 5% to 7.5% and introduced a health insurance payment scheme for employees other than the Executive Directors and Senior 
Management Team.

We believe that employees should also share in the success of the Company, and therefore all employees are set performance targets 
that encompass not only personal objectives but also Company performance targets. The balance between personal and Company 
performance targets is set depending on the employee’s ability to influence outcomes, but all employees have an element of Company 
performance comprised within their targets. All employees therefore participate in the Annual Bonus element of the Remuneration Policy 
and selected Senior Management participate in the LTIP portion of the remuneration scheme. 

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Competitive pay & cascade of incentives

Organisational level

Group Chief Executive Officer

Group Chief Financial Officer

Senior Management Team

Note:

1.  Employees of the Group as at 31 March 2019.

2.  Minimum deferral has been set at 33%.

Maximum bonus 
percentage of 
salary

Proportion of 
bonus payable 
in cash

Employee #1

Proportion 
of bonus 
deferrable in 
shares

Maximum 
LTIP award 
percentage  
of salary

1

1

5

150%

150%

125%

67%2

67%2

67%2

33%2

33%2

33%2

200%

200%

150%

We have 27 other employees, all of whom are eligible to participate in our bonus plan. Maximum bonus opportunities vary within this 
group depending on the individual’s seniority and role.

Diversity and equal opportunities
The Group is committed to developing the skills and diverse talents of its employees and Board members and has a business and 
culture in place which supports this objective. Our aim is to foster a culture that promotes fairness and where success reflects ability, 
potential, performance and working as part of a team. The Group’s policy is to employ the best candidates regardless of sex, race, ethnic 
origin, nationality, socio-economic background, colour, age, religion or philosophical belief, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, 
maternity, gender reassignment or disability. However, where possible, recruitment at all levels seeks to add diversity. Along with our 
commitment to EPRA Sustainability Basic Principles, we publish gender diversity and pay ratios in our Sustainability Report which can be 
found on our website at www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability. 

Fairness through our supply chain
Having established our Supplier Code of Conduct in 2017, we aim to continue to support our suppliers to adhere to legislation and to 
embed sustainable practices within their own businesses. Our Supplier Code of Conduct, which can be found on our website at  
www.hiberniareit.com/sustainability, sets out our expectations that our suppliers support fair pay and working time practices and operate 
an ethical business policy. 

Annual report on remuneration for the financial year ended 31 March 2019
The 2019 annual report on remuneration contains details of how the Company’s Remuneration Policy for Directors was implemented 
during the financial year ended 31 March 2019. As an Irish company, Hibernia is not subject to the UK Directors’ Remuneration Reporting 
Regulations. However, in line with best practice, the Group is committed to applying the requirements on a voluntary basis insofar 
as practicable under Irish legislation. An advisory ordinary resolution to approve this report and the Annual Statement will be put to 
shareholders at the AGM.

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors (Audited)

Kevin Nowlan (CEO)

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO)

Note

Financial year 
ended 31 March

Base salary 
€’000

Taxable benefits 
€’000

Annual bonus 
€’000

Pension 
€’000

Other 
€’000

Total 
€’000

2019

2018

2019

2018

450

300

340

265

22

22

29

35

191

-

408

285

68

45

51

40

–

–

-

–

731

367

828

625

The CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate in the annual bonus for the full financial year as he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and so his bonus outcome has been pro-
rated for the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019.

110

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comRelative Total Property Return 
(TPR) 
TPR is compared to the MSCI/
SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property 
Index (excluding Hibernia) 
(40% weighting) 

Growth in EPRA  
Earnings per share (EPS)
(17.5% weighting) 

Growth in Total Accounting  
Return per share (TAR) 
(17.5% weighting)

Strategic and operational 
(25% weighting)

Overall annual bonus outcome 

Incentive outcomes for 2019 (audited)
The annual bonus outcomes for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 are made up of two elements:

•  For the period from 1 April 2018 to 26 November 2018 (i.e., the final period of the IMA), Performance Related Remuneration (“PRR”) 
for all non-Vendor employees, including Thomas Edwards-Moss, was met out of arrangements under the Internalisation agreement. 
Kevin Nowlan was one of the Vendors of the Investment Manager and therefore receives no variable compensation as he is 
compensated under the Internalisation as disclosed in notes 11.b and 36.b to the consolidated financial statements. Further details on his 
compensation are set out on pages 110 to 112.

•  For the period from 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019 (i.e., period subject to the new Remuneration Policy), both Kevin Nowlan and 

Thomas Edwards-Moss participated in the annual bonus plan. 

The Remuneration Committee set annual bonus performance targets which applied for the full 2019 financial year as the Committee 
felt this approach was the most simple, transparent and robust. Kevin Nowlan and Thomas Edwards-Moss’ maximum annual bonus 
opportunity for the financial year was 150% of salary. In Kevin Nowlan’s case, as he was one of the Vendors, bonus outcomes have been 
pro-rated to 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. In Thomas Edwards-Moss’ case, the bonus is split between the PRR under the IMA and 
the annual bonus plan under the Remuneration Policy.

The performance metrics, targets and outcomes for each metric are shown below:

Annual bonus

Threshold

Target

Maximum Hibernia actual

Equal to Index

Index +1%

Index +2% TPR of 11.6% vs 
MSCI Ireland 
Index annual 
return of 7.5%.

Performance 
achieved (as a % 
of maximum)

CEO bonus 
(value)* 

CFO bonus 
(value)

100%

€92,466

€204,000

4.10 cent
(47% growth)

4.74 cent
(70% growth)

4.98 cent
(79% growth)

4.0 cent
(43% growth)

0%

Nil

Nil

4%

6.7%

10%

11%

100%

€40,454

€89,250

Further details are on page 112 

Further details 
are on page 112 

CEO: 100%
CFO: 90%

€57,791

€114,750

€190,711 
42% of salary*

€408,000 
120% of salary 

*  The CEO, Kevin Nowlan did not participate in the annual bonus for the full financial year as he was a Vendor of the Investment Manager and so his bonus outcome has been 

pro-rated for the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. On a proforma annual basis, the CEO’s bonus is equal to 124% of salary. 

In the CEO’s case, two-thirds of the bonus payable under the Remuneration Policy, i.e. from 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019, 
will be paid in the form of cash and the remaining third has been deferred for three years and will be payable in shares, subject to 
continued employment.

In the CFO’s case, one half of the bonus payable to the CFO from 1 April 2018 to 26 November 2018, i.e. falling under the IMA PRR, will be 
paid in cash and the balance has been deferred subject to continued employment and will be payable in shares, net of tax, at the end of 
three years from the start of the financial year to which they relate. For the other half of the CFO’s bonus, two-thirds will be paid in the 
form of cash and the remaining third has been deferred for three years and will be payable in shares, subject to continued employment.

As a result, the following cash bonus and deferred bonus shares will be awarded:

CEO

CFO

Cash bonus  Deferred bonus 

€127,141

€227,288

€63,570

€180,712

111

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAdditional context to our Executive Directors’ remuneration continued

CEO – bonus assessment for 2018-2019 

Financial objectives

Assessment

Total Property Return: outperform IPD 
Ireland Index (ex- Hibernia) (40%)

Hibernia TPR of 11.6% vs MSCI Ireland Index annual return of 7.5%. 
Maximum pay-out at Index + 2%

Committee Determination

The objective was fully met

Growth in EPRA earnings per share 
(17.5%)

EPRA earnings per share growth of 4.0 cent. Threshold was  
4.1 cent.

The objective was not met

Growth in Total Accounting Return  
per share (17.5%)

Growth in Total Accounting Return of 11%. Maximum  
pay-out at 10% growth

The objective was fully met

Strategic and Operational Measures (25%)

Deliver current development projects  
and prepare pipeline of future projects

Deploy capital into acquisitions and 
development projects and recycle  
capital to monetise gains and enhance 
future returns

No material breaches of corporate 
governance, regulatory, tax and  
banking requirements

Management of  
Senior Management Team

Environmental and  
Sustainability Objectives

1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and 2 Windmill Lane projects 
completed. Work commenced on 2 Cumberland Place.  
Additional 90 acres acquired in Newlands.

€40m of new acquisitions and €45m invested in development 
projects. Disposals of €100m and commencement of share  
buyback programme.

The objective was fully met

The objective was fully met

Full compliance with all requirements and no material breaches.

The objective was fully met

Structures put in place to allow team to perform and internal 
appointment as Interim Chief Investment Officer demonstrates 
depth of talent

Separate Sustainability Report produced this year highlighting 
progress made against targets. First GRESB submission made  
in 2018 and 2019 results available to all GRESB subscribers when 
published. EPRA gold Award received. Continued involvement in 
charity fund raising events.

The objective was fully met

The Committee felt significant progress has 
been made in achieving this objective and 
work is continuing to make improvements 
in this area.

Overall the Committee determined that the objectives had been satisfied at 82.5% giving rise to a proforma annual bonus of 123.75% of 
salary which is prorated to 42% for the period from 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019 (maximum available 150% of salary).

CFO – bonus assessment for 2018-2019 

Financial objectives

Assessment

Total Property Return: outperform IPD 
Ireland Index (ex- Hibernia) (40%)

Hibernia TPR of 11.6% vs MSCI Ireland Index annual return of 7.5%. 
Maximum pay-out at Index + 2% 

Committee Determination

The objective was fully met

Growth in EPRA Earnings per Share (17.5%) EPRA Earnings per Share growth of 4.0 cent. Threshold was 4.1 cent. The objective was not met

Growth in Total Accounting Return  
per share (17.5%)

Growth in Total Accounting Return of 11%. Maximum pay-out at 10% 
growth

The objective was fully met

Strategic and Operational Measures (25%)

Ensure Hibernia has access to 
competitive, low cost funding with longer 
term duration and increased flexibility

Debt refinanced in December 2018 with duration extended from 
1.9 years to 5.7 years. Move to unsecured structure giving increased 
funding options. €75m of private placement notes issued

The objective was fully met

No material breaches of corporate 
governance, regulatory, tax and  
banking requirements

Full compliance with all requirements and no material breaches

The objective was fully met

Further improvement in quality of 
financial and sustainability reporting  
to stakeholders

Achieved Gold awards from EPRA for financial reporting and 
sustainability reporting. Separate Sustainability Report produced  
for 2018/19 and full participation in GRESB

Management of finance team

Structures put in place to enable team members to develop and 
grow and take more responsibility for finance activities

Environmental and  
Sustainability Objectives

Separate Sustainability Report produced this year highlighting 
progress made against targets. First GRESB submission made in 
2018 and 2019 results available to all GRESB subscribers when 
published. EPRA Gold Award received. Continued involvement in 
charity fund raising events.

The Committee felt that this objective was 
substantially met but that this is an area 
where there is always an opportunity for 
further improvement

The Committee felt good progress had 
been made in this area with scope for 
continuing improvement

The Committee felt significant progress has 
been made in achieving this objective and 
work is continuing to make improvements 
in this area.

Overall the Committee determined that the objectives had been satisfied at 80% giving rise to a bonus of 120% of salary (maximum 
available 150% of salary). 

112

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comLTIP (audited) 
No LTIP awards were made or vested during the financial year. 

Payments to past Directors (audited)
There were no payments to past Directors during the financial year, other than consultancy related payments to Mr William Nowlan,  
who retired from the Board on 25 July, which are outlined further in Note 36.b to the consolidated financial statements.

Payments for loss of office (audited) 
There were no payments for loss of office during the financial year. 

Single figure remuneration table for Non-Executive Directors (audited)
The remuneration of Non-Executive Directors showing the breakdown between components with comparative figures for the prior year is 
shown below.

Daniel Kitchen

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Terence O’Rourke

Frank Kenny

Stewart Harrington

Fees1 
€’000

150

100

85

50

12

–

70

50

60

20

70

50

Other
€’000

–

–

–

–

-

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
€’000

150

100

85

50

12

–

70

50

60

20

70

50

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

1. 

In formulating the 2018 Remuneration Policy the Board reviewed the fees of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors. The revised fee levels were disclosed as part of the 
Policy approval and are as a result of the repositioning exercise described in full detail in last year’s Director’s Remuneration Report.

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings
Directors’ share interests are set out below. 

Director

Kevin Nowlan (CEO)

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO)

Daniel Kitchen

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Frank Kenny

Terence O’Rourke

Stewart Harrington 

Sean O’Dwyer (Company Secretary) 

31 March 2019 
beneficially
 owned1

Total interests 
subject to 
performance
 conditions2

Total interests 
not subject to 
performance
 conditions3

% of share 
capital (2019)

% of share 
capital (2018)

6,907,472

146,673

100,371

1,100,000

63,777

6,799,936

157,523

104,512

121,982

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1,717,605

156,388

n/a

n/a

n/a

1,129,837

n/a

n/a

72,457

1.25%

0.04%

0.01%

0.16%

0.01%

1.15%

0.02%

0.01%

0.03%

0.99%

0.05%

0.01%

0.16%

–

0.97%

0.02%

0.01%

0.03%

1 April 20184

5,002,918

98,147

100,371

1,100,000

63,777

5,530,234

154,566

102,550

102,574

On 4 April 2019 45,472 shares were issued to Thomas Edwards-Moss pursuant to the settlement of performance-related remuneration in 
respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2017. Other than this, there were no movements in Directors’ shareholdings between 31 March 
2019 and the date of this report.

1.  Beneficial interests include shares held directly or indirectly by connected persons.

2.  There are currently no unvested LTIP shares subject to performance conditions. The first grant under the new Long Term Incentive Plan will be made in the financial year 

starting 1 April 2019.

3.  Total interests not subject to performance conditions include deferred shares (net of tax) granted under the interim incentive scheme, subject to continued employment 

conditions, and shares due to vendors under Internalisation. 

4.   Or date of appointment if later.

Statement of implementation of Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 March 2020 
See pages 102 to 103. 

113

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAdditional context to our Executive Directors’ remuneration continued

Service contracts for Executive Directors
When setting notice periods, the Committee has regard to market practice and corporate governance best practice. The table below 
summarises the service contracts for Executive Directors. The Executive Directors’ contracts are available for shareholders to view at 
the AGM. 

Director

Kevin Nowlan (CEO)

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO)

Date of contract

Notice period

27 November 2018

6 months

5 November 2015

6 months

Letters of appointment for Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors do not have service contracts but do have letters of appointment which reflect their responsibilities 
and commitments.

Non-Executive Director

Daniel Kitchen

Colm Barrington

Roisin Brennan

Frank Kenny

Stewart Harrington

Terence O’Rourke

Date of letter

August 2013

August 2013

January 2019

November 2017

August 2013

August 2013

Notice period

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

In accordance with the requirements of the UK Code each of the Directors submits themselves for re-election each year.

External appointments
Executive Directors are permitted to accept external, non-executive appointments with the prior approval of the Board where such 
appointments are not considered to have an adverse impact on their role within the Group. Neither Kevin Nowlan nor Thomas Edwards-
Moss has any external appointments currently. 

On behalf of the Committee and the Board,

Colm Barrington
17 June 2019

114

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDirectors’ report

Directors’ report

The Directors submit their report for 
the financial year ended 31 March 2019. 
The strategic report, on pages 2 to 63 is 
incorporated into the Directors’ report 
by reference.

Financial highlights and a discussion 
thereon can be found on pages 56 to 58  
of the Strategic Report. 

Directors’ responsibilities
These are set out in the Directors’ 
responsibility statement on page 119 
of this Report.

Principal activity and business review
The principal activity of the Group is 
property investment. Further details on the 
Group’s development and performance 
for the financial year under review are set 
out in the ‘Financial results and position’ 
on pages 56 to 58 The principal subsidiary 
and associate undertakings are listed in 
note 36.a to the consolidated financial 
statements and form part of this Report. 

Results for the financial year
Group results for the financial year are 
set out in the Group consolidated income 
statement on page 126. The profit for the 
financial year ended 31 March 2019 was 
€123.5m (March 2018: €107.1m), including 
unrealised gains on investment property of 
€95.5m (31 March 2018: €81.4m). 

The key performance indicators used 
in evaluating the achievement of 
strategic objectives, and as performance 
measurements for remuneration, are 
as follows: 

•  Total property return (“TPR”) %: 

Measures the relative performance of the 
Company’s investment property portfolio 
versus the MSCI Ireland All Property 
Index (excluding Hibernia).

•  Total accounting return (“TAR”) %: 

Measures the absolute growth in the 
Group’s EPRA NAV per share plus 
any ordinary dividends paid during 
the period.

•  EPRA earnings per share (cent): 

Measures the profit after tax excluding 
revaluations and gains and losses on 
disposals and associated taxation 
(if any). For property companies 
it is a key measure of a company’s 
operational performance and capacity to 
pay dividends.

•  Total shareholder return (“TSR”) %: 

Measures growth in share value over 
a period assuming dividends are re-
invested in the purchase of shares. 
Allows comparison to other companies in 
the Group’s listed peer group.

Other important operational metrics for 
the Group are measures relating to the 
management of the portfolio, investment 
activity and financial indebtedness. 
In addition, the Group has commenced 
measurement of sustainability parameters 
such as energy and waste consumption 
using EPRA metrics. 

Strategy and key performance measures 
are reported in the Strategic report on 
pages 32 to 35 of this Annual Report. 

Dividends  
The Directors maintain a dividend which 
adheres to the Irish REIT regime and for 
sustainable levels of dividend payments. 
Under the Irish REIT regime, subject to 
having sufficient distributable reserves, 
the Company is required to distribute to 
shareholders at least 85% of the property 
income of its property rental business 
for each accounting period. Subject to 
the foregoing, the Directors intend to 
reinvest proceeds from disposals of assets 
in accordance with the Group’s strategic 
priorities or return funds to shareholders 
(see below “Share buyback programme”). 
The Company seeks to pay dividends 
biannually and has a general policy of 
paying interim dividends equating to 
30–50% of the total regular dividends paid 
in respect of the prior year. 

The Board has proposed a final dividend 
of 2.0 cent per share (c. €14m based on 
the number of ordinary shares in issue as 
at close of business on 14 June 2019 as 
adjusted for expected share issues prior 
to the payment date) (31 March 2018: 1.9 
cent per share or c. €13.3m) which will be 
paid, subject to shareholder approval, on 
2 August 2019. Together with the interim 
dividend of 1.5 cent, the total dividend for 
the financial year is 3.5 cent per share or 
c. €24.4m (31 March 2018: 3.0 cent or c. 
€20.9m). 

Share buyback programme
On 1 April 2019 the Company announced 
the sale of 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay 
and its intention to return the net sales 
proceeds from the sale (€35m) to 
shareholders, commencing with an initial 
share buyback of up to €25m. The share 
buyback programme started on 2 April 
2019, in accordance with the Company’s 
general authority to repurchase ordinary 
shares as approved by shareholders at the 
Company’s AGM on 31 July 2018, and may 
continue until 31 December 2019 subject 
to renewed general repurchase authority 
at the 2019 AGM, market conditions, 
the ongoing capital requirements of 
the business and termination provisions 
customary for arrangements of this 
nature. The maximum number of ordinary 
shares to be repurchased under the Share 
Buyback Programme is 69,758,891.

Principal risks and uncertainties 
The Directors confirm 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 principal risks and 
uncertainties are discussed in the ‘Risks 
management’ section on pages 40 to 49 
and form part of this report. 

Directors’ compliance statement
The Directors have, with the assistance of 
advisers and Hibernia employees, identified 
the Relevant Obligations, as required by the 
Companies Act 2014, that they consider 
apply to the Company. The Directors 
acknowledge they are responsible for 
securing the Company’s compliance with 
its Relevant Obligations and confirm that 
they have: 

•  Drawn up a compliance policy statement 

setting out the Company’s policies 
in respect of compliance with its 
relevant obligations;

•  Ensured that appropriate arrangements 
and structures have been put in place 
that are designed to ensure material 
compliance with the Company’s relevant 
obligations; and

•  Conducted a review, during this financial 
year, of the arrangements and structures 
that were put in place to secure material 
compliance with the Company’s 
Relevant Obligations. 

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDirectors’ report continued

REIT status and taxation
Hibernia REIT plc has elected for Real 
Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) status 
under Section 705E, Taxes Consolidation 
Act 1997. As a result, the Group does not 
pay Irish corporation tax or capital gains tax 
on the profits or gains from its qualifying 
rental business in Ireland provided it meets 
certain conditions. With certain exceptions, 
corporation tax is still payable in the 
normal way on profits from any activities 
that are not part of the Group’s qualifying 
rental business. 

The Group must satisfy the conditions 
summarised below for each 
accounting period: 

a.  At least 75% of the aggregate income of 
the Group must be derived from carrying 
on a property rental business;

b.  It should conduct a property rental 
business consisting of at least three 
properties, the market value of no one 
of which is more than 40% of the total 
market value of the properties in the 
property rental business;

c.  It should maintain a property financing 

ratio being, broadly, the ratio of property 
income plus financing costs to financing 
costs, of at least 1.25:1;

d.  At least 75% of the market value of the 

assets of the Group must relate to assets 
of the property rental business;

e.  The aggregate debt shall not exceed an 
amount of 50% of the market value of 
the assets of the Group; and

f.  Subject to having sufficient distributable 

reserves, the Group must distribute 
at least 85% of its Property Income 
to its shareholders by way of a 
Property Income Distribution for each 
accounting period.

In relation to properties under 
development, where the development 
costs exceed 30% of the market value 
of the property at the commencement 
of development, then the property must 
not be disposed of within three years of 
completion. If such a disposal takes place 
then the Group would be liable to tax on 
any profits realised on disposal. 

The Directors confirm that the Group 
complied with the REIT legislation for the 
financial years ended 31 March 2019 and 
2018, respectively. 

Share capital
At 31 March 2019 the Company had 
697,588,911 units of ordinary stock in issue 
(31 March 2018: 692,347,106).

On 4 April 2019, 121,519 shares were issued 
pursuant to the settlement of performance-
related remuneration awards to staff for the 
year ended 31 March 2017. In addition, as of 
14 June 2019, 6,285,487 shares had been 
repurchased and cancelled as part of the 
initial share buyback programme.

Approximately 5.6m shares will be issued in 
relation to performance-related payments 
for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 
(31 March 2018: 6.2m).

Future developments 
The Group continues to look for 
opportunities to invest in its portfolio, 
whether through further capital 
expenditure or new acquisitions, and to 
enhance its shareholders’ returns through 
leveraging its capital base. The outlook for 
the property market is discussed in the 
Strategic report on pages 24 to 25 of this 
report. We are confident that the Group is 
well-placed to deliver further progress in 
the coming financial year and beyond. 

Going concern and viability statement
The financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis. 
Going concern and viability are addressed 
on page 39 of the Risk report. The principal 
risks of the Group are set out on pages 40 
to 49. 

For the purposes of this viability statement, 
worst case budget projections are used to 
conduct this assessment. When considering 
stress scenarios, the Directors have 
calculated the decline in underlying 
operating profits and asset values required 
before the Group breaks its debt covenants 
or the requirements of the Irish REIT 
regime. Having reviewed the results of this 
exercise, the Directors consider that these 
scenarios are considered extremely unlikely 
to occur within the three-year horizon 
examined. The Company refinanced 
its €400m secured revolving credit 
arrangement that was due to expire in 
November 2020 with a €320m unsecured 
revolving credit facility and €75m of 
unsecured US private placement notes: 
overall the Group has an average debt 
maturity of 5.4 years. 

As a result of these assessments, the 
Directors expect that the Group will be 
able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the three-year 
period of their assessment. 

Directors
The Directors of the Company are 
as follows: 

Daniel Kitchen (Chairman) 
Colm Barrington (Senior 
Independent Director) 
Roisin Brennan 
Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO) 
Stewart Harrington 
Frank Kenny 
Kevin Nowlan (CEO) 
Terence O’Rourke

The business of the Company is managed 
by the Directors, each of whose business 
address is Hibernia REIT plc, South Dock 
House, Hanover Quay, Dublin D02 XW94, 
Ireland. Roisin Brennan was appointed 
on 16 January 2019. Apart from this there 
were no changes to the Board or Company 
Secretary during the financial year. 

Unless otherwise determined by the 
Company in a general meeting, the 
number of Directors shall not be more 
than ten nor less than two. Two Directors 
present at a Directors’ meeting shall 
be a quorum, subject to appropriate 
notification requirements.

Each Director has the same general legal 
responsibilities to the Company as any 
other Director and the Board is collectively 
responsible for the overall success of the 
Company. In addition to their general 
legal responsibilities, the Directors have 
responsibility for the Company’s strategy, 
performance, financial and risk control 
and personnel.

Details on Directors’ remuneration are 
contained in the Remuneration Committee 
report on pages 93 to 114 of this 
Annual Report. 

116

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIn accordance with provision B.7.1 of the 
UK Code and the Irish Annex, the Directors 
individually retire at each AGM of the 
Company and submit themselves for 
re-election if appropriate. All the current 
Directors will offer themselves for re-
election at the AGM. No reappointment 
is automatic and all Directors are subject 
to a full and rigorous evaluation. One of 
the main purposes of this evaluation is 
to assess each Director’s suitability for 
re-election. The Board will not recommend 
a Director for re-election if the individual 
concerned is not considered effective 
in carrying out their required duties. 

Further discussion on the evaluation 
process for Board, Committee and Director 
performance is provided on pages 80 to 81 
of the Annual Report. 

In the financial year under review, each 
Director has been subject to the evaluation 
process recommended by the UK Code. 
On this basis, the Chairman and the Board 
are pleased to recommend those Directors 
who are seeking reappointment at the 
forthcoming AGM as they continue to be 
effective and remain committed to their 
role on the Board.

Directors’ interests in share capital  
as at 31 March 2019
The interests of the Directors and 
Company Secretary in the shares of the 
Company are set out in the Report on 
the Directors’ Remuneration on pages 110 
to 114. The Directors and the Company 
Secretary have no beneficial interests 
in any of the Group’s subsidiary or 
associated undertakings. 

Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 March 2019 the Company has been notified of the following substantial interests (3% or more of the issued share capital) in the 
Company’s shares:

Holder

BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding SA

TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC

Oppenheimer Funds Inc. 

BlackRock Inc.

Standard Life Aberdeen plc

FMR LLC

Baillie Gifford & Co 

Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC

As at 14 June 2019 the Company has been notified of the following changes: 

Holder

Invesco Ltd*

BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding SA

FMR LLC

Kempen Capital Management N.V.

Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC

Oppenheimer Funds Inc*

*  Following the completion of Invesco’s acquisition of Oppenheimer Funds.

Holding

’000 Shares

41,991

35,107

34,839

34,634

28,895

28,133

21,622

20,938

Holding

’000 Shares

46,409

41,676

21,164

20,950

20,583

-

%

6.02

5.03

5.03

5.00

4.14

4.03

3.10

3.00

%

6.69

6.00

3.04

3.01

2.97

-

117

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDirectors’ report continued

reviews elsewhere in the Annual Report. 
The Audit Committee also considered the 
treatment of items representing significant 
judgements and key estimates as presented 
in the consolidated financial statements 
and where appropriate discussed these 
items with the external auditor. 

General meetings
The fifth Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) 
of the Company was held on 31 July 2018. 
The sixth AGM will be held on 31 July 2019. 
Notice of the 2019 AGM, together with 
details of the resolutions to be considered 
at the meeting, will be circulated to the 
shareholders in June 2019. 

Directors’ statement  
of relevant audit information
Each of the Directors at the date of 
approval of this Directors’ report confirms 
that all relevant information has been 
disclosed to the auditor. This statement 
confirms that: 

•  So far as the Directors are aware, there is 

no relevant audit information of which the 
Group’s statutory auditor is unaware; and
•  Each Director has taken all the steps that 
ought to be taken as a Director to make 
himself or herself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish 
that the statutory auditor is aware of 
that information. 

The Directors Report was approved by the 
Board of Directors on 17 June 2019 and is 
signed on their behalf by: 

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive  
Officer

Thomas  
Edwards-Moss
Chief Financial Officer

Corporate governance
The Group is committed to high standards 
of corporate governance, details of which 
are given in the corporate governance 
report on pages 64 to 114 which forms part 
of the Directors’ report. 

Health, safety and security
The Group has a Health and Safety 
Committee to monitor compliance with 
all regulations. The Group complies with 
all relevant Health and Safety legislation 
and works to industry-best standards. 
Contractors working on Group properties 
are fully insured and all work is carried 
out in line with relevant legislation. 
Potential insurance incidents are reported 
as soon as possible to the Group’s 
insurance broker. There have been no 
major incidents at any of the Group’s 
properties in this or the previous financial 
year. All employees receive health and 
safety training. All must achieve relevant 
certification before attending construction 
sites. The Group works closely with 
its partners to ensure that customers, 
employees, contractors and visitors are 
safe and secure in all the Group’s sites. 
No reportable incidents occurred during 
this or the prior financial year.

Sustainability
The Group is committed to ensuring ethical 
and sustainable practices for the benefit 
of all its stakeholders. More details on the 
Group’s policies and progress can be found 
in the Sustainability Report for the year 
ended 31 March 2019 which is published 
separately and available on our website at 
www.hiberniareit.com and summarised in 
this Annual Report on pages 60 to 63.

Accounting records
The Directors believe that they have 
complied with the provisions of sections 
281 to 285 of the Companies Act 2014 
with regard to accounting records by 
employing accounting personnel with 
appropriate expertise and by providing 
adequate resources to the finance function. 
The accounting records of the Group and 
Company are maintained at the registered 
office located at South Dock House, 
Hanover Quay, Dublin D02 XW94, Ireland. 

Political contributions
The Group made no political contributions 
during the financial year. 

Financial risk management
The financial risk management objectives 
and policies of the Group and Company 
are set out in note 31 to the consolidated 
financial statements and note s of the 
Company financial statements.

Independent auditor
The auditor, Deloitte Ireland LLP, 
Chartered Accountants, continues in 
office in accordance with section 383 (2) 
of the Companies Act 2014. Under Irish 
legislation, the Company’s external auditor 
is automatically reappointed each year at 
the AGM unless the meeting determines 
otherwise or the auditor expresses its 
unwillingness to continue in office. However, 
a resolution confirming that they will be 
reappointed will be included as ordinary 
business at the Annual General Meeting.

Events after the reporting date
These are described in note 38 to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Annual Report
The Board, having reviewed the Annual 
Report in its entirety, is satisfied it is fair, 
balanced and understandable and gives 
the reader all the information required to 
understand the business model, strategy, 
position and performance of the Group. 
The Board is assisted in this review by the 
work carried out by the Audit Committee 
as set out in the Audit Committee report 
on pages 84 to 90 of this Annual Report. 
A key responsibility of the Audit Committee 
is to assist the Board in monitoring the 
integrity of the financial statements and 
to advise the Board whether it believes 
that the Annual Report, taken as a whole 
is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
performance, business model and strategy. 
In recommending the report to the Board 
for the current reporting period, the 
Audit Committee reviewed the Annual 
Report and considered whether the 
consolidated financial statements were 
consistent with the operating and financial 

118

GovernanceHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDirectors’ responsibility statement

Directors’ responsibility statement

The Directors, whose names and details are 
listed on pages 68 to 69 are responsible 
for preparing the Annual Report and 
Group and Company financial statements 
in accordance with applicable laws 
and regulations.

Irish Company law requires the Directors 
to prepare financial statements for each 
financial period. Under that law the 
Directors are required to prepare the Group 
financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the EU (“IFRSs”) and have 
elected to prepare the Company financial 
statements in accordance with IFRSs and 
Article 4 of IAS Regulations. 

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 assets, liabilities 
and financial position of the Group and 
Company as at the financial year end date 
and of the profit or loss of the Company 
for the financial year and otherwise comply 
with the Companies Act 2014.

In preparing the Annual Report, the 
Directors are required to:

•  Select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;

•  Make judgements and accounting 

estimates that are reasonable 
and prudent;

•  State that Group and Company financial 

statements comply with applicable 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European 
Union, subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial 
statements, and ensure the financial 
statements contain the information 
required by the Companies Act 2014; and

•  Prepare the financial statements on 
a going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the Group 
and Company will continue in business.

The Directors are also required by 
the Transparency Directive (Directive 
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007, the 
Transparency Rules of the Central Bank of 
Ireland, the Companies Act 2014, and the 
Listing Rules issued by Euronext Dublin 
(formerly the Irish Stock Exchange), to 
prepare a Directors’ report and reports 
relating to Directors’ remuneration and 
corporate governance and the Directors 
are required to include a management 
report containing, amongst other things, 
a fair review of the development and 
performance of the Group’s business and 
of its position and a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties facing 
the Group. 

The Directors are responsible for ensuring 
that the Group and Company keeps or 
causes to be kept adequate accounting 
records which: 

•  Correctly explain and record the 

transactions of the Group and Company; 

•  Enable at any time the assets, liabilities, 

financial position and profit or loss of the 
Group and Company to be determined 
with reasonable accuracy; 

•  Enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements and Directors’ report comply 
with the Companies Act 2014; and
•  Enable the financial statements to 

be audited.

Directors are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Group and 
the Company and for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection of 
fraud and other irregularities. The Directors 
are responsible for the maintenance and 
integrity of certain corporate and financial 
information included on the Group’s 
website (www.hiberniareit.com).

The Directors confirm that they have 
complied with the above requirements in 
preparing the Annual Report. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and 
functions are listed on pages 68 to 69, 
confirms that, to the best of each person’s 
knowledge and belief:

•  The Annual Report and consolidated 
financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position for the Group and Company as 
at 31 March 2019 and of the result for the 
financial year then ended for the Group 
and Company; 

•  The Directors’ report includes a 

fair review of the development and 
performance of the Group’s business 
and the state of affairs of the Group and 
Company at 31 March 2019, together with 
a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group; and
•  The Annual Report and consolidated 

financial statements, taken as a whole, 
are fair, balanced and understandable 
and provide the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the position 
and performance, strategy and business 
model of the Group and Company.

This responsibility statement was approved 
by the Board of Directors on 17 June 2019 
and is signed on their behalf by: 

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive  
Officer

Thomas  
Edwards-Moss
Chief Financial Officer

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIndependent auditor’s report to the members of Hibernia REIT plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion on the financial statements of Hibernia REIT plc (the ‘Company’)
In our opinion the Group and Company financial statements:

•  give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group and Company as at 31 March 2019 and of the profit 

of the Group for the financial year then ended; and

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework and, in particular, with the requirements of 

the Companies Act 2014 and as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The financial statements we have audited comprise:

The Group financial statements:

•  the consolidated income statement;
•  the consolidated statement of comprehensive income;
•  the consolidated statement of financial position;
•  the consolidated statement of changes in equity; 
•  the consolidated statement of cash flows; and
•  the related notes 1 to 38, including a summary of significant accounting policies as set out in the notes.

The Company financial statements: 

•  the statement of financial position;
•  the statement of changes in equity; 
•  the statement of cash flows; and
•  the related notes a to aa, including a summary of significant accounting policies as set out in the notes.

The relevant financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group and Company financial statements  
is the Companies Act 2014 and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (“the relevant 
financial reporting framework”).

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (Ireland) (ISAs (Ireland) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are described below in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements” 
section of our report. 

We are independent of the Group and Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the  
financial statements in Ireland, including the Ethical Standard issued by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA), 
as applied to public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

•  Valuation of investment properties; and
•  Accuracy of IMA performance-related payments.

Materiality

We determined materiality for the Group and Company to be €12.2 million which is 1% of 
Group and Company net assets.

Significant changes in our approach

There were no significant changes in our approach which we feel require disclosure to 
the members.

120

Hibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comConclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the Annual Report, in relation to which ISAs (Ireland) require us to 
report to you whether we have anything material to report, add or draw attention to:

•  the Directors’ confirmation in the Annual Report on page 115 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks  

facing the Group and the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;
•  the disclosures on pages 40 to 49 of the Annual Report that describe those principal risks and explain how they are being managed 

or mitigated;

•  the Directors’ statement on page 132 in the financial statements about whether the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the directors’ identification of any material uncertainties 
to the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements;

•  whether the Directors’ statement relating to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 6.8.3(3) is 

materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  the Directors’ explanation on page 39 in the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group and the 

Company, 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 and the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet their liabilities as 
they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications 
or assumptions.

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements 
of the current financial year and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
we identified, 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 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.

Valuation of investment property

Key audit matter 
description

The valuation of the Group’s investment properties of €1,395m (2018: €1,309m) requires significant judgement and 
estimation to be made by the Directors taking into consideration advice from the external valuer and Management. 
Any input inaccuracies or inappropriate assumptions used in valuation models (such as in respect of estimated 
rental value and market based yields applied) could result in a material misstatement of the financial statements.

How the scope of our 
audit responded to 
the key audit matter

Please refer to pages 84 to 90 (Audit Committee Report), pages 132 to 133 (Notes 2f and 2g – Significant 
judgements and analysis of sources of estimation uncertainty and pages 152 to 155 (Note 17 – Investment property).

We evaluated the design and determined the implementation of the key controls the Company has implemented 
over the valuation of investment properties.

We challenged the basis used by the Group for the valuation of investment properties in light of the Group’s 
valuation policy and the requirements of IFRS.

We evaluated the competence, independence and integrity of the external valuer including reading their terms 
of engagement with the Group to determine whether there were any matters that might have affected their 
objectivity or that may have imposed scope limitations upon their work. We also considered fee arrangements 
between the external valuer and the Group.

We met the external valuer to discuss and challenge the significant assumptions used in the valuation process, 
including estimated rental value and market based yields, and considered these assumptions in accordance with 
available market data.

We compared the recorded value of each investment property held to the valuation report prepared by the 
external valuer and considered any adjustments made in light of the Group’s accounting policies and the 
requirements of IFRS.

We set an expected range for yield and capital value movements, determined by reference to published 
benchmarks and our experience and knowledge of the market. Where assumptions were outside the expected 
range or otherwise appeared unusual, and/or valuations showed unexpected movements, we undertook further 
investigation and when necessary, held further discussions with the external valuer and obtained evidence to 
support explanations received.

We performed audit procedures to assess the accuracy and completeness of information provided to the external 
valuer including agreeing on a sample basis back to underlying lease agreements.

In conjunction with our internal property specialists we met Management to discuss properties under 
development. On a sample basis we assessed project costs, progress of development and leasing status. 
We considered the reasonableness of forecast costs to complete included in the valuations as well as identified 
contingencies, exposures and remaining risks.

We evaluated the disclosures made in the financial statements. In particular, we challenged Management to  
ensure the disclosures were sufficiently clear in highlighting the significant estimates that exist in respect of 
valuation of investment properties and the sensitivity of their fair value to changes in the underlying assumptions.

Key observations

We have no observations that impact on our audit in respect of the amounts and disclosures related to the 
valuation of investment properties.

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAccuracy of IMA performance-related payments

Key audit matter 
description

The calculation of IMA performance-related payments of €6.9m (2018: €8.3m) as disclosed on page 145 
(Note 11.b IMA performance-related payments to Vendors and staff) is manual, the basis of the calculation is 
complex in nature and the recipients of payments are related parties of the Group. These factors increase the  
risk of error and as a result we have assessed this as qualitatively material to the financial statements as a whole. 

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to  
the key audit matter

A portion of the IMA performance-related payments is settled through the issue of shares in the Company and 
therefore must be recorded in accordance with the requirements of share-based payments.

Please refer to page 88 (Audit Committee Report) and page 145 (Note 11.b IMA performance-related payments).

We evaluated the design and determined implementation of the key controls the Company has implemented  
over the calculation and approval of the IMA performance-related payments.

We obtained the details of the performance-related payment calculation as detailed in the investment 
management agreement and tested that the calculation prepared by management was consistent with 
this agreement.

We considered the inputs to the IMA performance-related payments calculation and where appropriate we  
have compared the inputs to entity or market data to evaluate the accuracy of the inputs.

We assessed the accounting treatment and disclosures of the IMA performance-related payments and considered 
that the accounting charge recorded has been accounted for in accordance with the requirements of IFRS.

Key observations

We have no observations that impact on our audit in respect of the amounts and disclosures related to the IMA 
performance-related payments.

Our audit procedures relating to these matters were designed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and not 
to express an opinion on individual accounts or disclosures. Our opinion on the financial statements is not modified with respect to any  
of the risks described above, and we do not express an opinion on these individual matters.

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably 
knowledgeable person, relying on the financial statements, would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the 
scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work. 

We determined materiality for the Group and Company to be €12.2m which is 1% of Group and Company net assets. We have determined 
that net assets is one of the principal benchmarks within the financial statements relevant to members of the Company in assessing 
financial performance. We have considered quantitative and qualitative factors such as understanding the entity and its environment, 
history of misstatements, complexity of the Company and the reliability of the control environment.

Group Net Assets
Group Materiality

Group materiality
€12.2m

Audit Committee 
reporting threshold
€0.61m

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them any audit differences in excess of €0.61m, as well as differences 
below that threshold which, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also reported to the Audit Committee on 
disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.

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Independent auditor’s report to the members of Hibernia REIT plc continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comAn overview of the scope of our audit
We determined the scope of our Group audit by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including Group-wide 
controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatement at Group level. Based on that assessment, a full scope audit was performed 
by the Group audit team for all major subsidiaries of the Group (please see note 36.a to the consolidated financial statements for further 
information). This gives coverage over substantially all of the Group.

Our 2019 audit was planned and executed having regard to the fact that the Group’s operations were largely unchanged in nature  
from the previous year. Additionally, there have been no significant changes to the valuation methodology and accounting standards 
relevant to the Group. In light of this, our approach to the audit in terms of scoping and areas of focus was largely unchanged.

Other information
The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Financial 
Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover 
the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion 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 such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required  
to determine whether there is a material misstatement in 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 in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude that those items meet  
the following conditions:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable – the statement given by the directors that they consider 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’s and the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or

•  Audit Committee reporting – the section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex – the parts 

of the Directors’ statement required under the Listing Rules relating to the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex containing provisions specified for review by the auditor in accordance with Listing 
Rule 6.8.3(7) and Listing Rule 6.8.3(9) do not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code or the Irish Corporate Governance Annex.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and otherwise comply with the Companies Act 2014, and for such 
internal control as the Directors 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 and 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 and Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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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 auditor’s 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 (Ireland) 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.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (Ireland), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism 
throughout the audit. We also:

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform 
audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group and Company’s internal control.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made 

by the Directors.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group and 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention 
in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. 
Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of the auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions 
may cause the entity (or where relevant, the Group) to cease to continue as a going concern.

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial 

statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the business activities within the Group to express  

an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The Group auditor is responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of 
the Group audit. The Group auditor remains solely responsible for the audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that the auditor identifies during the audit.

For listed entities and public interest entities, the auditor also provides those charged with governance with a statement that the auditor 
has complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, including the Ethical Standard for Auditors (Ireland) 2016, and 
communicates with them all relationships and other matters that may be reasonably thought to bear on the auditor’s independence, and 
where applicable, related safeguards.

Where the auditor is required to report on key audit matters, from the matters communicated with those charged with governance, the 
auditor determines those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are 
therefore the key audit matters. The auditor describes these matters in the auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public 
disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, the auditor determines that a matter should not be communicated 
in the auditor’s report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an 
auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

124

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Hibernia REIT plc continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comReport on other legal and regulatory requirements
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2014
Based solely on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, we report that:

•  We have obtained all the information and explanations which we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit.
•  In our opinion the accounting records of the Company were sufficient to permit the financial statements to be readily and 

properly audited.

•  The Company Statement of Financial Position is in agreement with the accounting records.
•  In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ report is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in 

accordance with the Companies Act 2014.

Corporate Governance Statement
We report, in relation to information given in the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 64 to 114 that:

•  In our opinion, based on the work undertaken during the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement pursuant to subsections 2(c) and (d) of section 1373 Companies Act 2014 is consistent with the Company’s statutory 
financial statements in respect of the financial year concerned and such information has been prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2014. 

•  Based on our knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not 

identified any material misstatements in this information. 

•  In our opinion, based on the work undertaken during the course of the audit, the Corporate Governance Statement contains the 

information required by Regulation 6(2) of the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large 
undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 (as amended); and

•  In our opinion, based on the work undertaken during the course of the audit, the information required pursuant to section 1373(2)(a), 

(b), (e) and (f) of the Companies Act 2014 is contained in the Corporate Governance Statement.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Based on the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit,  
we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the provisions in the Companies Act 2014 which require us to report to you if, in our opinion,  
the disclosures of Directors’ remuneration and transactions specified by law are not made.

The Listing Rules of Euronext Dublin require us to review six specified elements of disclosures in the report to shareholders by the Board 
of Directors’ Remuneration Committee. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Other matters which we are required to address
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed on 5 December 2013 to audit the financial statements for the 
financial year ended 31 March 2014. The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments of the 
firm is six years, covering the years ending 2014 to 2019.

The non-audit services prohibited by IAASA’s Ethical Standard were not provided and we remained independent of the Company in 
conducting the audit. 

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee we are required to provide in accordance with ISA 
(Ireland) 260.

Christian MacManus
For and on behalf of Deloitte Ireland LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm 
Deloitte & Touche House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 
17 June 2019

Notes: An audit does not provide assurance on the maintenance and integrity of the website, including controls used to achieve this, and in particular on whether any changes 
may have occurred to the financial statements since first published. These matters are the responsibility of the directors but no control procedures can provide absolute assurance 
in this area.

Legislation in Ireland governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements differs from legislation in other jurisdictions.

125

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comConsolidated income statement 

Consolidated income statement 
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Revenue 

Rental income 

Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income

Gains and losses on investment property

Other gains and (losses) 

Operating expenses

Administration expenses

IMA performance-related payments

Total operating expenses

Operating profit

Finance income

Finance expense

Net finance expense

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

EPRA earnings for the financial year

Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share (cent)

Diluted earnings per share (cent)

EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Diluted EPRA earnings per share (cent)

The notes on pages 131 to 176 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

Notes

5

 5

5 

5

7

8 

9

11

12 

13

15

15

15

15

15

 61,387 

 56,027 

(2,718)

 53,309 

 98,105 

 140 

 54,094 

 49,075 

(3,352)

 45,723 

 87,802 

(41)

 151,554 

 133,484 

(13,890)

(5,401)

(19,291)

(13,517)

(6,599)

(20,116)

 132,263 

 113,368 

 5 

(8,226)

(8,221)

7 

(6,243)

(6,236)

 124,042 

 107,132 

(583)

(31)

 123,459 

 107,101 

27,472 

 19,403 

 17.8 

 17.6

 4.0 

 3.9 

 15.5 

 15.4 

 2.8 

 2.8 

126

Financial statementsHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Profit for the financial year 

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 

Gain on revaluation of land and buildings

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Net fair value gain/(loss) on hedging instruments entered into for cashflow hedges

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the financial year attributable to owners of the Company

The notes on pages 131 to 176 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes

24.a

24.b

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 123,459

 107,101 

723

657

 41

 764 

(112)

545 

124,223 

107,646 

127

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 31 March 2019

Assets

Non-current assets

Investment property

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Capital and reserves

Issued capital and share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

IFRS NAV per share (cent)

Diluted IFRS NAV per share (cent)

EPRA NAV per share (cent)

Notes

31 March 2019
 €’000 

31 March 2018
 €’000 

17

18

21

 22

22

20

19

23

24

25

26.a

27

26.a

28

 29

16

16

16

 1,395,418 

 1,308,717 

 5,902 

 194 

 7,928 

 5,411 

240 

 7,787 

 1,409,442 

 1,322,155

 40,164 

 22,372 

 62,536 

 534 

 63,070

 7,239 

 22,521 

 29,760 

534 

 30,294 

 1,472,512 

 1,352,449 

 694,242 

 686,696 

 9,157 

 515,140

 9,620 

 415,414 

 1,218,539 

 1,111,730 

231,048 

 218,409 

 547 

–

 231,595

218,409

 507 

 19,863 

 2,008 

22,378 

809 

 19,756 

 1,745 

22,310

1,472,512

 1,352,449

 174.7 

 173.2 

 173.3 

 160.6 

 159.1 

 159.1 

The notes on pages 131 to 176 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements on 
pages 126 to 176 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17 June 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive Officer

Thomas Edwards-Moss
Chief Financial Officer

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Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Balance at start of financial year

 69,235 

 617,461 

 415,414 

 9,620 

 1,111,730 

Financial year ended 31 March 2019

Notes

Share  
capital  
€’000

Share 
premium 
€’000

Retained 
earnings 
€’000

Other  
reserves  
€’000

Total 
€’000

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Profit for the financial year

Total other comprehensive income

Transactions with owners of the Company, 
recognised directly in equity

Dividends paid

Issue of ordinary shares in settlement  
of share-based payments

Share issue costs

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement

25

23

11

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 123,459 

– 

 –

 764 

 123,459

 764 

 69,235 

 617,461 

 538,873 

 10,384 

 1,235,953 

–

 – 

(23,719)

– 

(23,719)

 524 

 7,022 

 – 

–

–

–

–

(14)

 – 

(7,546)

 –

 6,319 

 9,157 

– 

(14)

 6,319 

 1,218,539 

Balance at end of financial year

 69,759 

 624,483 

 515,140 

Balance at start of financial year

68,545

609,565

325,983

9,759

1,013,852

Financial year ended 31 March 2018

Notes

Share  
capital  
€’000

Share 
premium 
€’000

Retained 
earnings 
€’000

Other  
reserves  
€’000

Total 
€’000

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Profit for the financial year

Total other comprehensive income

Transactions with owners of the Company, 
recognised directly in equity

Dividends paid

Issue of ordinary shares in settlement  
of share-based payments

Share issue costs

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement

– 

– 

– 

– 

107,101

– 

– 

545

107,101

545

68,545

609,565

433,084

10,304

1,121,498

– 

(17,656)

– 

(17,656)

25

23

11

– 

690

 – 

 –

7,896

 – 

–

– 

(14)

 – 

Balance at end of financial year

69,235

617,461

415,414

The notes on pages 131 to 176 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

(8,586)

 – 

7,902

9,620

 – 

(14)

7,902

1,111,730

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Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Consolidated statement of cash flows 
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the financial year

Adjustments from:

Gain on sales of investment property 

Other gains and losses

Cash-settled share-based payments 

Finance expense

Non-cash movements

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital

(Increase) in trade and other receivables

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Increase in contract liabilities

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash expended on investment property

Cash received from sales of investment property

Purchase of fixed assets

Cash received from loans repaid

Income on other assets

Finance income 

Finance expense

Net cash flow absorbed by investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Dividends paid

Borrowings drawn

Borrowings repaid

Derivatives premium paid

Share issue costs

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents start of financial period

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Net cash and cash equivalents at end of financial period

The notes on pages 131 to 176 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

130

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

Notes

 123,459 

 107,101 

7

11.b

(2,578)

(140)

(339)

 8,221 

(6,425)

 41 

 – 

 6,236 

30.a

(85,359)

(68,746)

 43,264

38,207

30.b

30.c

18

25

26.a

26.a

(961)

(447)

 263 

(962)

945

 884 

 42,119 

 39,074 

(86,847)

64,016 

(52)

 170 

 122 

 5 

(93,787)

 35,815 

(238)

 – 

(41)

 7 

(9,546)

(5,378)

(32,132)

(63,622)

(23,719)

 340,412 

(326,372)

(443)

(14)

(10,136)

(149)

 22,521 

(149)

 22,372 

(17,656)

 86,454 

(39,674)

(189)

(14)

 28,921

 4,373 

 18,148 

 4,373 

 22,521 

Financial statementsHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Section I – General 
This section contains the significant accounting policies and other information that apply to the Group’s financial statements as a whole. 
Those policies applying to individual areas such as investment property are described within the relevant note to the consolidated 
financial statements. This section also includes a summary of the new European Union (“EU”) endorsed accounting standards, 
amendments and interpretations that have not yet been adopted and their expected impact on the reported results of the Group. 

The Group has applied IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 for the first time in these financial statements (notes 3 and 37). There was no material impact 
on the financial results or on the financial position as at 1 April 2018 as a result of adopting these standards. 

1.  General information
Hibernia REIT plc, the “Company”, registered number 531267, together with its subsidiaries and associated undertakings (the “Group”), is 
engaged in property investment and development (primarily office) in the Dublin market with a view to maximising its shareholders’ returns. 

The Company is a public limited company and is incorporated and domiciled in Ireland. The address of the Company’s registered office  
is South Dock House, Hanover Quay, Dublin, D02 XW94, Ireland.

The ordinary shares of the Company are listed on the primary listing segment of the Official List of Euronext Dublin (formerly the Irish 
Stock Exchange) (the “Irish Official List”) and the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (the “UK Official 
List” and, together with the Irish Official List, the “Official Lists”) and are traded on the regulated markets for listed securities of Euronext 
Dublin and the London Stock Exchange plc (the “London Stock Exchange”).

Statement of compliance and basis of preparation

2.  Basis of preparation
a. 
The consolidated financial statements of Hibernia REIT plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the EU and the Companies Act 2014. IFRS as adopted by the EU differ in certain respects from IFRS  
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The Group financial statements therefore comply with Article 4 of 
the EU IAS Regulation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation  
of investment properties, owner occupied buildings and derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value at the end of  
each reporting period. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for goods and services. 

The Group has not early adopted any forthcoming IASB standards (note 3). 

b.  Alternative performance measures
The Group uses alternative performance measures to present certain aspects of its performance. These are explained and, where 
appropriate, reconciled to equivalent IFRS measures in the Supplementary Information section at the back of this report. The main 
alternative performance measures used are those issued by the European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) which is the 
representative body of the listed European real estate industry. EPRA issues guidelines and benchmarks for reporting both financial and 
sustainability measures. These are important in allowing investors to compare and measure the performance of real estate companies 
across Europe on a consistent basis. EPRA earnings and EPRA NAV are presented within the consolidated financial statements and fully 
reconciled to IFRS as these two measures are among the key performance indicators for the Group’s business. 

Functional and presentation currency

c. 
These consolidated financial statements are presented in euro, which is the Company’s functional currency and the Group’s 
presentation currency.

d.  Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the consolidated financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by 
the Company (its subsidiaries). The accounting policies of all consolidated entities are consistent with the Group’s accounting policies. 
The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences 
until the date on which control ceases. The Group controls an entity when it 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. All intragroup assets and liabilities, 
equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation. 

131

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com2.  Basis of preparation continued
e.  Assessment of going concern
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Directors have performed an assessment 
of going concern for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of signing this statement and are satisfied that the Group is 
appropriately capitalised. The Group has a cash balance as at 31 March 2019 of €22m (March 2018: €23m), is generating positive operating 
cash flows and, as discussed in note 26, has in place debt facilities with average maturity of 5.4 years and an undrawn balance of €160.6m 
at 31 March 2019 (March 2018: €179m). The Group has assessed its liquidity position and there are no reasons to expect that the Group will 
not be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future.

Significant judgements 

f. 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements may require management to exercise judgement in applying the 
Group’s accounting policies. The following are the significant judgements and key estimates used in preparing these consolidated 
financial statements:

Fair value
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation 
technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or liability, the Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset or liability  
if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair  
value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes in these consolidated financial statements is determined on such a basis, except  
for share-based transactions that are within the scope of IFRS 2 (see note 11 for more details), leasing transactions that are within the 
scope of IAS 17, and measurements that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value such as value in use in IAS 36.

In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the 
inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which 
are described as follows:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the 
measurement date.

Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability either directly 
or indirectly.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Valuation basis of investment property
All investment properties are valued in accordance with their current use, which is also the highest and best use except for:

•  Harcourt Square, which is valued on a residual basis as this reflects its highest and best use as a development property. The present 

value of the residual income to December 2022 when the current lease expires is added to the residual value.

•  Gateway industrial site, which is currently rented on short-term leases, and has been valued on a price per acre basis as early stage 

plans are in place to redevelop this property in the future and this approach reflects the highest and best use of this property. 

•  Marine House and Clanwilliam Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5 are valued on an investment basis until the end of the leases (2020 and 2021 

respectively) and on a residual basis thereafter, as it is the Directors’ intention to undertake a refurbishment/development of both sites 
after the leases expire. Planning permission has been granted for Marine House and the Group is currently seeking planning permission 
for Clanwilliam Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5. 

Residential assets: Block 3 Wyckham Point and Hanover Mills: both properties are held for long-term property rental and were 
developed on this basis. VAT was payable on the acquisition (in the case of Block 3 Wyckham Point only) and on the construction costs 
for both schemes which has been treated as irrecoverable and recognised as part of the capital costs of both projects. If either property is 
sold within five years of completion, the Group would be obliged to charge VAT on the sale but would be entitled to a recovery of the VAT 
incurred on the construction and acquisition costs on an apportioned basis according to the VAT life of each building. As neither property 
is intended to be sold within the five-year period, in the opinion of the Directors, no amendment to the valuer’s valuation of either asset is 
deemed necessary. 

Share-based payments
The Group has a number of share-based payment arrangements in place. The determination of the grant date in particular can be complex 
in nature and significant judgement is required in the interpretation and application of IFRS 2 to these arrangements. The calculation of the 
absolute element of the performance fee required some judgement around adjustments to EPRA NAV and while not material in nature, due 
to the related party nature of the IMA performance-related payments, these were reviewed by the Audit Committee. 

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Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com2.  Basis of preparation continued
g.  Analysis of sources of estimation uncertainty
Valuation of investment property
The Group’s investment properties are held at fair value and were valued at 31 March 2019 by the external valuer, Cushman and Wakefield 
(“C&W”), a firm employing qualified valuers in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Professional Standards (“PS”), the 
Valuation Technical and Performance Standards (“VPS”) and the Valuation Applications (“VPGA”) contained within the RICS Valuation 
– Global Standards 2017 (“the Red Book”). It follows that the valuations are compliant with the International Valuation Standards (“IVS”). 
Further information on the valuations and the sensitivities is given in note 17. 

The Board conducts a thorough review of the property valuations to ensure that appropriate assumptions have been applied. 
Property valuations are complex and involve data which is not publicly available, and a degree of judgement. The valuations are based 
upon the key assumptions of estimated rental values and market-based yields.

The approach to developments and material refurbishments is on a residual basis and factors such as the assumed timescale, the 
assumed future development cost and an appropriate finance and/or discount rate are used to determine the property value together 
with market evidence and recent comparable properties where appropriate. In determining fair value, the valuer refers to market evidence 
and recent transaction prices for similar properties.

The Directors are satisfied that the valuation of the Group’s investment property is appropriate for inclusion in the consolidated financial 
statements. The fair value of these properties is based on the valuation provided by C&W. 

In accordance with the Group’s policy on income recognition from leases, the valuation provided by C&W is adjusted by the fair value of 
the income accruals ensuing from the recognition of lease incentives and the deferral of lease costs. The total reduction in the external 
valuer’s investment property valuation in respect of these adjustments was €6.7m (March 2018: €6.8m).

There were no other significant judgements or key estimates that might have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements 
at 31 March 2019.

3.  Application of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 
Changes in accounting standards
The following Standards and Interpretations are effective for the Group from 1 April 2018 but did not have a material impact on the results 
or financial position of the Group:

IFRS 2 (amendment) Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions changes the classification and measurement 
of certain cash-based and mixed share-based payments. This applies to minor amounts of equity settled share-based payments which 
may have a cash element in settling employee tax obligations (note 11). 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Measurement and Recognition and includes revised requirements 
on the classification and measurement of financial instruments, including a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment 
of financial assets, and new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the requirements on recognition and 
derecognition of financial instruments from IAS 39. IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification and 
measurement of financial liabilities. However, it eliminates the previous IAS 39 categories for financial assets of “held-to-maturity”, “loans 
and receivables” and “available for sale”. Under IFRS 9, on initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at amortised cost or 
fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), or fair value through profit or loss (FVPL). The classification is dependent on the 
business model for managing the financial assets and on whether the cash flows represent solely the payment of principal and interest. 

The Group has elected to adopt the new general hedge accounting model in IFRS 9. Under IFRS 9, the Group’s hedges on interest rates 
on its debt continue to be recognised as cash flow hedges. Accounting for the cost of hedging, which is not material, has been applied 
prospectively, without restating comparatives.

The Group has quantified the impact on its consolidated financial statements resulting from the application of IFRS 9. A small amount 
of the Group’s receivables is classified as financial assets, the majority of which are of a very short-term nature, are within agreed terms 
and have no historic losses. The move from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model has therefore had an immaterial effect on 
balances. The implementation of IFRS 9 resulted in the reclassification of the Group’s loans held (notes 3 and 37) from amortised cost to 
fair value through profit or loss (FVPL) which has also had an immaterial effect. This loan was realised during the financial year (note 21).

On this basis, the classification and measurement changes do not have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements 
and IFRS 9 was therefore adopted with no restatement of comparative information and no adjustment to retained earnings on application 
at 1 April 2018. In line with the transition guidance in IFRS 9, the Group has not restated the 31 March 2018 prior year. Please refer to note 
37 for further information on transition. 

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Changes in accounting standards continued
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and the related Clarifications to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
(hereinafter referred to as ‘IFRS 15’) replace IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts, and several revenue-related interpretations. 
In preparation for the transition to IFRS 15, the Group reviewed all material contracts to identify contracts with customers that fall within 
the scope of IFRS 15. The Group has reviewed its policies and disclosures to ensure that users of the accounts can understand the nature, 
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue. The adoption of this standard applied to the accounting for service charge income and 
expense but excluded rent receivable, the Group’s main source of income, which is still within the scope of IAS 17 (and from 1 April 2019 
IFRS 16). The Group has completed its implementation of this standard with no material impact on the financial statements. The service 
charge income stream is accounted for as a single performance obligation satisfied over time by measuring its progress towards 
complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. Management fees relating to the provision of services to tenants are recognised as 
these services are provided. This is in line with the prior recognition approach that has been used to recognise these elements of revenue 
and related expenditure under the previous accounting policy. 

Implementation of this standard has not resulted in any restatement of comparatives presented nor equity balances carried forward. 
New policies are disclosed where relevant in the notes to the financial statements and disclosures have been reviewed and amended as 
appropriate in the relevant notes to these consolidated financial statements. Please refer to note 37 for further information on transition.

IAS 40 (amendment) Investment Property – an entity shall transfer a property to, or from, investment property when, and only when, 
there is evidence of a change in use. This has had no impact as no transfers have taken place into or out of investment property since 
April 2018. 

Impacts expected from new or amended standards
The following standards and amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on reported results or disclosures of the Group, 
and, were not effective at the financial year end 31 March 2019 and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial 
statements. The Group’s current view of the impact of these accounting changes is outlined below: 

IFRS 16 Leases is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 will result in almost all leases being 
recognised on the balance sheet as it removes the distinction between operating and finance leases for lessees. As the Group is mainly a 
lessor, the introduction of IFRS 16 on 1 April 2019 will have minimal impact on the Group financial statements. As at the reporting date the 
Group has no operating leases.

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts requires insurance liabilities to be measured at a current fulfilment value and provides a more uniform 
measurement and presentation approach for all insurance contracts. The Group does not currently envisage any impact from the 
introduction of this standard. IFRS 17 supersedes IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts as of 1 January 2021. 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments addresses the determination of taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, 
unused tax credits and tax rates, when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments under IAS 12. It is currently not expected to be 
applicable to the Group’s financial statements. It is applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 

Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019: this applies to 
defined benefit pension schemes and will therefore have no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements. 

Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations clarify the definition of a business and have no impact on the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements. They apply to business combinations that take place in annual reporting periods that commence on or after 
1 January 2020. 

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and 
Errors clarify the definition of “material” and are effective for annual reporting periods that commence on or after 1 January 2020. 
These amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group.

Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2016 Cycle – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 
Makes amendments to the following standards:

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities clarifies the scope of the standard by specifying the disclosure requirements in the 
standard that apply to an entity’s interests that are classified as held for sale, as held for distribution or as discontinued operations in 
accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

IAS 28 Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures clarifies that the election to measure at fair value through profit or loss  
an investment in an associate or a joint venture that is held by an entity that is a venture capital organisation, or other qualifying entity,  
is available for each investment in an associate or joint venture on an investment-by-investment basis, upon initial recognition.

These amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group. 

134

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comSection II – Performance
This section includes notes relating to the performance of the Group for the year, including segmental reporting, earnings per share and 
net asset value per share as well as specific elements of the consolidated statement of income. 

4.  Operating segments 
a.  Basis for segmentation
The Group is organised into six business segments, against which the Group reports its segmental information. These segments mainly 
represent the different investment property classes. The Group has divided its business in this manner as the various asset segments 
differ in their character and returns profiles depending on market conditions and reflect the strategic objectives that the Group has 
targeted. The following table describes each segment: 

Reportable segment

Description

Office assets

Office development assets

Residential assets

Industrial/land assets

Other assets 

Office assets comprise central Dublin completed office buildings, all of which are either generating 
rental income or are available to let. Those assets which are multi-tenanted or multi-let are mainly 
managed by the Group. Income is therefore rental income and service charge income, including 
management fees, while expenses are service charge expenses and other property expenses. 
Where only certain floors of a building are undergoing refurbishment the asset remains in 
this category. 

Office development assets are not currently revenue generating and are the properties that the 
Group has currently under development in line with its strategic objectives. Development profits, 
recognised in line with completion of the projects, enhance Net Asset Value (“NAV”), Total 
Accounting Return (“TAR”), and Total Portfolio Return (“TPR”). Once completed these assets are 
transferred to the office assets segment at fair value.

This segment contains the Group’s completed multi-tenanted residential assets. 

This segment contains industrial units and agricultural land which generate some rental income. 

This segment contains other assets that are not part of the previous four strategic segments. 
It originally represented the “non-core” assets, i.e. those assets identified for resale from loan 
portfolio purchases. Currently this segment contains assets held for sale. 

Central assets and costs 

Central assets and costs include the Group head office assets and expenses.

The Board reviews the internal management reports, including budgets, at least quarterly at its scheduled meetings. There is some 
interaction between reportable segments for example, completed development property is transferred to income-generating segments. 
These transfers are made at fair value on an arm’s length basis using values determined by the Group’s independent valuer.

Information about reportable segments

b. 
The Group’s key measure of underlying performance of a segment is total income after revaluation gains and losses, which comprises 
revenue (rental and service charge income), property outgoings, revaluation of investment properties and other gains and losses. 
Total income after revaluation gains and losses includes rental income which is used as the basis to report key measures such as EPRA 
Net Initial Yield (“NIY”) and EPRA “topped-up” NIY. These alternative performance measures (“APMs”) (detailed in the supplementary 
section on pages 194 to 199) measure the cash passing rent returns on market value of investment properties before and after an 
adjustment for the expiry of a rent-free period or other lease incentives, respectively.

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b. 
Information about reportable segments continued
An overview of the reportable segments is set out below: 

Group consolidated segment analysis 
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Office assets 
€’000

Office 
development 
assets 
€’000

Residential 
assets 
€’000

Industrial/land 
assets 
€’000

Other assets 
€’000

Central assets 
and costs 
€’000

Group 
consolidated 
position 
€’000

Total revenue

Rental income

Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income

Gains and (losses) 
on investment property

Other gains and (losses)

Administration expenses

Depreciation

IMA performance-related 
payments

Total operating expenses

 53,497 

 48,137 

(1,373)

 46,764 

–

 – 

 – 

– 

 6,862 

 6,862 

(1,314)

 5,548 

 37,837 

 48,020 

 13,559 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 84,601 

 48,020 

 19,107 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,028 

 1,028 

(31)

 997 

(1,311)

 – 

(314)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Operating profit/(loss)

 84,601 

 48,020 

 19,107 

(314)

Finance income

Finance expense

 – 

(2,861)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Profit before income tax 

 81,740

 48,020 

 19,107 

Income tax

 – 

 – 

 – 

Profit for the financial year

 81,740 

 48,020 

 19,107 

 – 

 – 

(314)

(547)

(861)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total segment assets

Investment property

 1,224,888 

 1,173,140 

 16,199 

 16,199 

 153,606 

 53,144 

 153,079 

 53,000 

 534 

 – 

For the financial year ended 31 March 2018 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 140 

 140 

(13,606)

(284)

(5,401)

(19,291)

(19,151)

5 

 61,387

 56,027 

(2,718)

 53,309 

 98,105 

 140 

 151,554 

(13,606)

(284)

(5,401)

(19,291)

 132,263 

 5 

(5,365)

(8,226)

(24,511)

 124,042 

(36)

(583)

(24,547)

 123,459

 24,141 

 1,472,512 

 – 

 1,395,418 

Residential 
assets 
€’000

Industrial/land 
assets 
€’000

Other assets 
€’000

Central assets 
and costs 
€’000

Group 
consolidated 
position 
€’000

Total revenue

Rental income

Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income

Gains and losses 
on investment property

Other gains and (losses)

Administration expenses

Depreciation

IMA performance-related 
payments

Total operating expenses

Office assets 
€’000

 46,954 

 41,935 

(2,019)

 39,916 

Office 
development 
assets 
€’000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 34,311 

 38,405 

 – 

 – 

 6,475 

 6,475 

(1,257)

 5,218 

 16,781 

 – 

 665 

 665 

(16)

 649 

(1,695)

 – 

 74,227 

 38,405 

 21,999 

(1,046)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Operating profit/(loss)

 74,227 

 38,405 

 21,999 

(1,046)

Finance income

Finance expense

 –

(2,838)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Profit before income tax 

 71,389 

 38,405 

 21,999 

(1,046)

Income tax

 – 

 – 

 – 

Profit for the financial year

 71,389 

 38,405 

 21,999 

Total segment assets

1,034,046 

 134,500 

 139,025 

Investment property

1,017,937 

 134,500 

 138,480 

 – 

(1,046)

 17,800 

 17,800 

136

 – 

 – 

(60)

(60)

– 

 – 

(60)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(60)

 – 

(103)

(163)

 – 

(163)

 686 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(41)

(41)

(13,232)

(285)

(6,599)

(20,116)

(20,157)

 7 

 54,094 

 49,075 

(3,352)

 45,723 

 87,802 

(41)

 133,484 

(13,232)

(285)

(6,599)

(20,116)

 113,368 

7 

(3,302)

(6,243)

(23,452)

 107,132 

(31)

(31)

(23,483)

 107,101 

 26,392 

1,352,449 

 – 

1,308,717 

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com4.  Operating segments continued
c.  Geographic information
All of the Group’s assets, revenue and costs are based in Ireland, mainly in central Dublin. 

d.  Major customers
The Group uses information on its top 10 tenants to monitor its major customers. This is presented below based on contracted rents as 
at the financial year end. This is concentrated on office tenants as the next major segment, residential, consists mainly of small household 
tenants and therefore contains no major concentration of credit risk. 

The Group’s top 10 tenants are as follows, expressed as a percentage of contracted office rent:

As at 31 March 2019

Tenant

HubSpot Ireland Limited

The Commissioners of Public Works (“OPW”)

Twitter International Company 

Autodesk Ireland Operations Limited

Informatica Ireland EMEA 

Electricity Supply Board (“ESB”)

Travelport Digital Limited 

BNY Mellon Fund Services

Commission for Communications Regulation (“ComReg”)

Core Media

Top 10 tenants

Remaining tenants 

Whole office portfolio

As at 31 March 2018

Tenant

The Commissioners of Public Works (“OPW”)

Twitter International Company

HubSpot Ireland Limited 

Bank of Ireland 

Autodesk Ireland Operations Limited

Informatica Ireland EMEA 

Depfa Bank plc

Electricity Supply Board (“ESB”)

Travelport Digital Limited 

IWG

Top 10 tenants

Remaining tenants

Whole office portfolio

Business sector

TMT

Government Agency

TMT

TMT

TMT

Government Agency

TMT

Banking & Capital Markets

Government Agency

TMT

Business sector

Government Agency

TMT

TMT

Banking and Capital Markets

TMT

TMT

Banking and Capital Markets

Government Agency

TMT

Co-working

Contracted 
rent (€m)

10.5

 6.0

 5.1

 2.8

 2.1

 1.9

 1.8

1.6

1.6

1.4

34.8

15.6

50.4

Contracted  
rent (€m)

6.0

 5.1

 3.8

 2.9

2.8

2.1

 2.0

1.9

1.8

 1.8

30.2

19.4

49.6

% 

20.9%

11.9%

10.1%

5.6%

4.2%

3.7%

3.6%

3.2%

3.2%

2.8%

69.2%

30.8%

100.0%

% 

12.1%

10.2%

7.6%

5.7%

5.7%

4.3%

4.1%

3.8%

3.7%

3.6%

60.8%

39.2%

100.0%

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
5.  Revenue and net rental and related income 
Accounting policy
The Group recognises revenue from the following major sources:

•  Rental income
•  Service charge income 
•  Other ad-hoc income such as surrender premia and fees from other activities associated with the Group’s property business. 

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in a contract with a customer and excludes 
amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Group recognises revenue when it transfers control of a product or service to a customer.

Rental income
Rental income is the Group’s major source of income and arises from properties under operating leases. Rental income, including fixed 
rental uplifts, is recognised in the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. All incentives given to 
tenants under lease arrangements are recognised as an integral part of the net consideration agreed for the use of the leased asset and 
therefore recognised on the same straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rents, being lease payments that are not fixed at the 
inception of a lease, such as turnover rents, are recorded as income in the period in which they are earned. 

Service charge income
The Group manages the majority of its multi-let buildings under service contracts. These contracts operate for a one-year period over 
which the Group provides communal services such as security, cleaning, waste and other occupation services to the tenants in its 
buildings. The tenants pay a service charge, based on the area they occupy, which is collected in advance based on budgeted costs. 
This income stream is recognised as revenue in accordance with the policy described under property-related income and expense below. 

Other income
All other income is recognised in accordance with the following model: 

1.  Identify the contract with a customer 
2.  Identify all the individual performance obligations within the contract 
3.  Determine the transaction price 
4.  Allocate the price to the performance obligations 
5.  Recognise revenue as the performance obligations are fulfilled

Property-related income and expenses
Property-related income and expenses comprise service charge income (revenue from contracts with customers) and service charge 
expenses (costs of goods and services) as well as other property expenses. The Group enters into property management arrangements 
with tenants as part of its activities. These arrangements constitute a separate performance obligation to the obligations under the rental 
leases. Buildings with multiple tenants share the costs of common areas and pooled services under these arrangements. The Group 
manages these costs for tenants and earns a management fee for the provision of shared services on a cost-plus basis. As a landlord, 
costs of vacant areas are absorbed by the Group and included in other property expenses.

The service charge income stream is accounted for as a single performance obligation which is satisfied over time because the tenant 
simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the Group’s activities in providing services under the agreement. Service charge 
income and expenditure is therefore recognised on an input basis. Tenants reimburse expenses in advance based on budgets with over 
and under spends reconciled and settled annually. Service charge accounts are maintained for each managed building and the application 
and management of funds are independently reviewed on the tenants’ behalf.

Property operating expenses comprise expenses relating to properties that are not recharged to tenants, i.e. void costs, residential 
management costs and other related property expenses.

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Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com5.  Revenue and net rental and related income continued
Revenue can be analysed as follows: 

Gross rental income

Rental incentives

Rental income

Revenue from contracts with customers1

Total 

1.  Revenue from contracts with customers is service charge income.

Net rental and related income

Total revenue

Cost of goods and services1

Property expenses

Net rental and related income 

1.  Cost of goods and services are service charge expenses.

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 56,242 

 46,306 

(215)

 56,027 

 5,360 

 61,387 

 2,769 

 49,075 

 5,019 

 54,094

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

61,387 

 (5,482)

 (2,596) 

 54,094 

 (5,224) 

(3,147)

 53,309 

 45,723 

Further information on the sources and characteristics of revenue and rental income is provided in note 6.

Included in other property expenses is an amount of €0.5m (March 2018: €1.2m) relating to void costs on office properties, i.e. costs  
relating to office properties which were available to let but were not income-generating during the financial period. 

Property operating expenses

Service charge income

Service charge expenses

Property expenses

Property operating expenses 

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 5,360 

 (5,482)

 (2,596) 

 5,019 

 (5,224) 

(3,147)

(2,718)

( 3,352)

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com6.  Disaggregation of revenue and rental income 
The Group’s business is the rental of its investment properties, the development of properties for its investment portfolio and the 
provision of managed multi-let buildings to its tenants. The Group’s revenue consists of rental income, service charge income and other 
ad hoc receipts from its property business such as surrender premiums. The majority of its contracts are longer term, with some being 
10 years or more excluding residential tenancy arrangements which are generally one year in duration. Service charge arrangements are 
generally provided for under the lease contract but constitute a different performance obligation, the conditions attaching to which are 
negotiated annually. 

Note 4: Operating segments discloses the analysis of revenue and income and expense in line with the Group’s business model, i.e. by  
investment property category. In order to complete the disaggregation of revenue by categories that depict how the nature, amount, 
timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors, analyses of the revenue for the period by duration of 
lease contracts (to next break date) and by tenant industry sector are provided below. Additional information on portfolio characteristics 
that impact on income is set out in the business review.

Total revenue by duration of lease contract (based on next break date or expiry) 
Service charge income is included within the current leases segment as these arrangements, while provided for under the lease contracts, 
are negotiated on an annual basis. Other income is once-off in nature and is recognised in the one year or less segment, for example 
rental income on other assets. 

Financial year ended 31 March 2019

One year or less

Assets sold
€’000

2,926 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2,926

One year or less

Assets sold
€’000

995 

 – 

 – 

 – 

995 

Current 
leases
€’000

 10,360

–

6,862 

–

17,222

 20,148 

Current 
leases
€’000

 8,822 

–

6,475 

570 

15,867 

16,862 

Between one 
and five years
€’000

Greater than 
five years
€’000

16,710 

23,501

 – 

 – 

698

–

– 

330 

Total
€’000

 53,497 

–

6,862 

1,028 

 17,408 

23,831 

 61,387

Between one 
and five years
€’000

Greater than 
five years
€’000

Total
€’000

15,376 

 21,761 

 46,954 

 – 

 – 

95

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

6,475 

665 

15,471 

 21,761 

 54,094 

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

€’000

 19,977 

 10,362 

 8,501 

 6,862 

 5,276 

 2,230 

 1,246 

 1,028 

 545 

56,027

%

35.7%

18.5%

15.2%

12.2%

9.4%

4.0%

2.2%

1.8%

1.0%

€’000

14,557

10,434

8,285

6,441

5,497

690

1,593

665

913

49,075

%

29.7%

21.3%

16.9%

13.1%

11.2%

1.4%

3.2%

1.4%

1.8%

Lease contracts:

Office assets

Office development assets

Residential assets

Industrial/land assets

Total segmented revenue

Financial year ended 31 March 2018

Lease contracts:

Office assets

Office development assets

Residential assets

Industrial/land assets

Total segmented revenue

Rental income by tenant industry sector 

Technology, media and telecommunications

Government agency 

Banking and capital markets

Residential 

Professional services

Co-working

Insurance and reinsurance

Logistics

Other 

Rental income

140

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Gains and losses on investment property
The Group sold New Century House during the period for €65m, net of costs, realising a profit of €2.4m on book value at the sales 
date. 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (“77SJRQ”) was contracted to be sold in March 2019 for a €0.2m gain over book value. Sales of three 
properties in the financial year ended 31 March 2018 realised proceeds of €35.8m and a profit over book value of €6.4m after costs. 

Revaluation of investment property

Gains on sale of investment property

Gains and losses on investment property

Note

17

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 95,527

 2,578 

 98,105 

 81,377

 6,425 

 87,802

8.  Other gains and losses
Other gains and losses arose from amounts received or paid in relation to assets other than investment property and realised gains or 
losses on the resolution of loans measured at fair value. €0.1m of this amount related to a reduction in monies accrued in relation to 
development bonds. The balance of the amount for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 related to a profit on the realisation of an 
outstanding loan measured at fair value and small amounts of rental income and costs relating to assets other than investment property. 
Amounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 related to surpluses and deficits on assets other than investment property. 

9.  Administration expenses
Accounting policy
Administration expenses are recognised on an accruals basis in the consolidated income statement. 

Operating profit for the financial year has been stated after charging:

Non-Executive Directors’ fees

Professional valuer’s fees

Prepaid remuneration expense

Depository fees

Depreciation 

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses 

Staff costs

Other administration expenses

Administration expenses

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

Note

 447 

 394 

 2,679 

 299 

284 

 1,482

 4,516 

 3,789

 13,890 

 286 

 281 

 4,444 

 278 

 285 

 1,743

 3,405 

 2,795 

 13,517 

18

11.b

10

All fees paid to Non-Executive Directors are for services as Directors to the Company. Non-Executive Directors receive no other benefits 
other than Frank Kenny who also received €140k in consulting fees as well as payments in relation to his interest as a Vendor of the 
Investment Manager during the financial year (note 36.b). Annual Non-Executive Directors’ fees increased from €300k to €495k as at 
31 March 2019 due to increases effective from 1 April 2018 and the addition of Roisin Brennan to the Board. 

Prepaid remuneration expense related to the recognition of payments to the Vendors of the Investment Manager that were contingent on 
the continued provision of services to the Group over the period during which the Group benefits from the service. These payments were 
made in November 2015 as part of the Internalisation of the Investment Manager and were made subject to clawback arrangements for 
those Vendors who remain tied to the Company by employment or service contracts. The clawback arrangements over one-third of these 
payments were removed on each anniversary of the acquisition date until 26 November 2018. Given the expiry of the arrangements on 
26 November 2018, the balance included in trade and other receivables for this at 31 March 2019 was €nil (March 2018: €2.7m) (note 22).

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses relate to additional management fees that would have been due under the IMA due to increases in NAV 
in the period since Internalisation. These are payable in shares of the Company (note 11.b). There are no further top-up fees due after the 
expiry of these arrangements on 26 November 2018. 

Professional valuer’s fees are paid to Cushman & Wakefield (“C&W”), in return for its services in providing independent valuations of  
the Group’s investment properties on an at least twice-yearly basis. The fees are charged on a fixed rate per property valuation. In the 
financial year ended 31 March 2019 additional valuation work was carried out at 31 December 2018 for the calculation of the final IMA 
performance-related amounts at 26 November 2018 (note 11) and for the refinancing of the secured revolving credit facility.

141

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9.  Administration expenses continued
Auditor’s remuneration (excluding VAT) 

Group

Audit of the Group financial statements

Other assurance services1

Tax advisory services

Other non-audit services

Total 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

113

72

 – 

 – 

185

107

44

 – 

 – 

151

1.  Other assurance services include the review of the Interim Report, audit of Group subsidiary financial statements and a review of the final IMA performance calculation in 

early 2019. 

10.  Employment
The average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) directly employed during the financial year in the Group was 33 
(March 2018: 28). 

Total employees at financial year end:

Group

At financial year end: 

Building management services

Head office staff

On-site staff

Administration

Total employees

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

6

5

11

23

34

6

5

11

21

32

No amount of salaries and other benefits were capitalised into investment properties. Staff costs are allocated to the following 
expense headings:

Group
The staff costs for the above employees were: 

Wages and salaries

Social insurance costs

Employee share-based payment expense

Pension costs – defined contribution plan

Total

Staff costs are allocated to the following expense headings: 

Administration expenses

Net property expenses1

IMA performance-related payments

Total

1.  Most of the €954k is recovered directly from tenants via the service charge arrangements within Hibernia managed office buildings.

142

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 4,953 

 4,023 

430 

587 

310 

 415 

 570 

 235 

6,280 

 5,243 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

4,516 

954 

810 

6,280 

 3,405 

848 

990 

 5,243 

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
11.  Share-based payments 
Accounting policy
The Group has a number of share-based payment arrangements in place. These share-based payments are transactions in which the 
Group receives services in exchange for its equity instruments or by incurring liabilities for cash amounts based on the price of the Group’s 
shares. Share-based payments settled in the Group’s shares are measured at the grant date except where they are subject to non-market 
performance conditions which include a service condition in which case they are measured over the relevant service period. 

The equity-settled share-based awards granted under these plans are measured at the fair value of the equity instrument at the date 
of grant. The cost of the award is charged to the consolidated income statement over the vesting period of the awards based on the 
probable number of awards that will eventually vest, with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity. 

Share-based payments that are cash-settled are re-measured at fair value at each accounting date. At the end of each reporting period, 
the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates,  
if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment 
to the share-based payment reserve. When these shares vest they are assessed for tax purposes at the current market share price and 
employee taxes are settled through payroll in cash. Employees therefore receive the number of shares net of taxes at the vesting date. 

Movements in share-based payments during the financial year by share-based payment scheme:

Summary of share-based payments financial year ended 31 March 2019

Opening balance

Paid 

Provided1

Closing balance

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 23 

 17 

 23 

 17 

 7,332 

 5,079 

(7,334)

(5,079)

 6,071

 4,495

 6,069 

 4,495 

 1,373 

 1,044 

(551)

(428)

 386

282 

1,208 

 898 

 78 

 60 

 – 

 – 

 178 

Balance at period end

 8,783 

 6,183 

(7,885)

(5,507)

 6,658 

1.  The average closing share price for the 20 days prior to 26 November 2018 was €1.3513.

Summary of share-based payments financial year ended 31 March 2018

 129 

4,923 

 256 

 7,556 

 189 

 5,599 

Opening balance

Paid 

Provided1

Closing balance

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

 €’000

’000 
Shares

8,586 

6,895 

(8,586)

(6,895)

7,332 

5,079 

7,332 

5,079 

a. New remuneration policy – 
Annual Bonus provided 

b. IMA performance-related 
payments payable to Vendors

b. IMA performance-related 
payments payable to 
employees

c. Employee long-term 
incentive plan – interim 
arrangements

b. IMA performance-related 
payments payable to Vendors

b. IMA performance-related 
payments payable to 
employees 

c. Employee long-term 
incentive plan – interim 
arrangements

Balance at period end

881 

708 

–

–

–

–

–

9,467 

–

7,603 

(8,586)

(6,895)

1.  The average closing share price for the 20 days prior to the financial year end was €1.448.

492 

336 

1,373 

1,044 

78 

7,902 

60 

5,475 

78 

8,783 

60 

6,183 

143

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11.  Share-based payments continued
Movements in share-based payments during the financial year – total amounts

Balance at beginning of financial year

Issue of ordinary shares in settlement of share-based payments

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement:

Cash-settled amounts

Provided during the financial year

Forfeited and other minor movements

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement – total

Balance at end of financial year

As at 31 March 2019

As at 31 March 2018

 €’000 

8,783 

(7,546)

(339)

 6,677

(19)

6,319 

7,556 

No. of shares 
‘000

6,183 

(5,242)

(265)

 4,944 

(21)

4,658 

5,599 

 €’000 

9,467 

(8,586)

–

7,902 

–

7,902 

8,783 

No. of shares 
‘000

7,603 

(6,895)

–

5,475 

–

5,475 

6,183 

a.  New remuneration policy effective from 27 November 2018
Since the expiry of the IMA arrangements on 26 November 2018, share-based payments arise only in relation to remuneration. 
The Group introduced a new Remuneration Policy during the year which was ratified by shareholders at the AGM on 31 July 2018. 
These arrangements are summarised below. 

The new Remuneration Policy is designed to align with Irish and UK corporate governance best practice and comprises fixed 
remuneration with separate variable incentives (i.e. an annual bonus plan and a long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”)). It also encompasses 
required minimum shareholding levels for Executive Directors. 

Remuneration consists of the following: 

1.  Basic pay 
2. Annual Bonus 
3. Long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”)

The split between personal and Group performance targets is set depending on an employee’s ability to influence Group outcomes,  
but all employees have an element of Group performance within their targets. All Group employees are eligible to participate in the 
Annual Bonus while the LTIP applies to Executive Directors and to members of the Senior Management Team and potentially others  
on a discretionary basis.

Only the Annual Bonus, further described below, commenced in the financial year ended 31 March 2019, the LTIP commences from  
1 April 2019. Therefore only the Annual Bonus element of the new Remuneration Policy gives rise to share-based payment provisions  
in this financial year. 

Full details on the new Remuneration Policy were presented in the Annual Report 2018. For further information, please also refer to the 
Remuneration Committee Report on pages 93 to 114.

Annual Bonus
The Annual Bonus is measured on personal and Group performance targets that are set by the Remuneration Committee every year. 
Each employee is assigned a target at the start of the financial year and the actual amounts are determined post year end and only after 
Group performance results have been audited. One third of the amount awarded consists of the grant of the option to acquire shares in 
the Company at nil cost subject to a three-year service condition. If the service condition is met, then the employees can exercise their 
option at any date after the third anniversary of the financial year to which they relate.

This qualifies as an equity settled share-based payment under IFRS 2 Share-based Payments although it is settled net of taxes. IFRS 2 
allows that this transaction is classified as equity-settled in its entirety if the entire share-based payment would otherwise be classified as 
equity-settled without the net settlement feature for taxes.

The variable incentive elements of the awards are subject to the absolute discretion of the Remuneration Committee and therefore the 
grant date will be the date when the award letter is presented to the participants setting out the number of deferred shares they have 
been granted as approved by the Remuneration Committee, i.e. when all the conditions are understood and agreed by the parties to the 
arrangement and any required approval process has been completed. 

The deferred shares awarded under the Annual Bonus are subject only to continued employment. The fair value of the share award is 
therefore the number of Plan shares granted at the closing share price on the date of grant. 

Employees have an expectation of this award from the start of the financial year to which they relate and therefore the award is amortised 
from the start of the financial year to which it relates to the vesting date after appropriate consideration of the impact of potential 
employee departures. Therefore, the value of the deferred shares for the period 27 November 2018 to 31 March 2019, €293k, is estimated 
as at January 2019, as this was the first date that participants received details of their potential Annual Bonus awards and what element 
would be deferred. The amount provided for in the period ended 31 March 2019 is €23k. 

144

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IMA performance-related payments to Vendors and staff

11.  Share-based payments continued
b. 
IMA performance-related payments refer to those payments that were made under the IMA for each financial year and settled mainly 
in shares of the Company until the expiry of the agreement on 26 November 2018. The Board considered how best to calculate any 
performance fees and other related payments for the final period of the IMA from 1 April 2018 to 26 November 2018. Since the IPD 
Ireland Index, which was used in the calculation of any relative performance fees, reports on a quarterly basis, the Board determined that 
it was most appropriate to measure the Group’s performance to 31 December 2018, being the nearest quarter end, and to pro-rate any 
performance fees due for the fact that the final IMA period expired on 26 November 2018. Accordingly, the property portfolio was valued 
by Cushman & Wakefield as at 31 December 2018 and the Group produced management accounts to the same date. The increase in NAV 
to 31 December 2018 was pro-rated to 26 November 2018 and this resulted in a final performance fee of €5.4m and a final base fee top-up 
of €1.5m, both payable mainly in shares once the audit of the accounts for year ended 31 March 2019 is completed using a share price of 
€1.351, being the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending 26 November 2018. 

A portion of the IMA performance-related payments, up to 15%, is set aside to fund employee bonus amounts that would have originally 
been paid by the Investment Manager. Approximately half of this, 7.5%, may be payable in cash. The balance payable in shares is deferred, 
subject only to continued employment, for two years after the end of the financial year to which they apply. 

Shares are forfeited should the employee leave the Group prior to the vesting date unless subject to “good leaver” provisions. Any shares 
forfeited are transferable to the Vendors on the basis that these shares have been deducted from performance fees that would otherwise 
have been due to the Vendors. Therefore, there is no impact on fair value measurement from any possible departures relating to 
these shares.

The final arrangements are summarised below. 

Summary of IMA performance-related payments 

Total IMA performance-related payments for the financial year

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses (note 9)

Total 

Of which are: 

Payable to Vendors 

Payable to employees 

Total 

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

 Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 5,401 

 1,482 

 6,883 

6,073 

810

 6,883 

 6,599 

 1,743 

 8,342 

 7,352 

 990 

 8,342 

Approximately €0.4m of the above total performance payment of €6.9m accrued will be paid in cash bonuses to staff, the balance of 
€6.5m will be payable in shares to staff and Vendors.

Shares issued relating to IMA performance-related payments to Vendors are subject to lock-up provisions meaning they are restricted 
from being sold upon receipt, with one-third of the shares being “unlocked” on each anniversary of the issue date. All shares issued to 
Vendor recipients are beneficially owned by the recipients and all voting rights and rights to dividends accrue to them. Employees who 
receive deferred share awards under these arrangements are paid the dividends accruing during the period prior to vesting 
through payroll. 

145

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b. 

IMA performance-related payments to Vendors and staff continued

IMA performance-related payments payable to Vendors
Grant date: 27 October 2015

Measurement date: The interim arrangements expired on 26 November 2018 as described above. The final amount of any IMA 
performance-related payments under this arrangement for the period from 1 April 2018 was measured at 31 December 2018 and calculated 
on a pro-rated basis to 26 November 2018. 

Grant date: 27 October 2015  
Measurement date: 26 November 2018

Opening balance at start of financial year

Payment made during the financial year

Amounts provided during the financial year:

IMA performance-related payments

Less: payable to employees 

Other amendments

Net amount provided during the financial year

Share price 
€

 1.444 

Closing balance at end of financial year

1.336 

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

Number of 
shares  
‘000

5,079 

(5,079)

5,094 

(599)

 – 

4,495 

4,495 

€ ‘000

7,332 

(7,334)

6,883 

(810)

(2)

6,071 

6,071 

Number of 
shares  
‘000

6,895 

(6,895)

5,763 

(684)

 – 

5,079 

5,079 

€ ‘000

8,586 

(8,586)

8,322 

(990)

 – 

7,332 

7,332 

The settlement of IMA performance-related fees to the Vendors for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 was made on 20 July 2018, 
resulting in the listing of 5,078,809 new ordinary shares when the prior day’s closing price of the Company’s shares was €1.490. 

The settlement of IMA performance-related fees for the financial year ended 31 March 2017 was made on 3 July 2017 resulting in the listing 
of 6,895,231 new ordinary shares when the prior day’s closing price of the Company’s shares was €1.375.

IMA performance-related payments payable to employees
Grant date: 27 October 2015

Measurement date: The interim arrangements expired on 26 November 2018 as described above. The final amount of any IMA 
performance-related payments under this arrangement was measured at 31 December 2018 and calculated on a pro-rated basis to 
26 November 2018. 

Grant date: 27 October 2015 
Measurement date: 26 November 2018

Opening balance at start of financial year

Payment made during the financial year:

Shares issued

Cash-settled share-based payments (taxes)

Cash-settled share-based payments

Total payments made in financial year 

Amounts provided during the financial year:

IMA performance-related payments

Cash bonus element

Other amendments

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

Share price 
€

 1.444 

Number of 
shares  
‘000

1,044 

€ ‘000

1,373 

Number of 
shares  
‘000

708 

€ ‘000

881 

(212)

(223)

(116)

(551)

810 

(405)

(19)

386

1,208 

(163)

(177)

(88)

(428)

606 

(303)

(21)

282

898

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

990 

(498)

 – 

492 

1,373 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

680 

(344)

 – 

336 

1,044 

Net amount provided during the financial year

Closing balance at end of financial year

 1.336 

During this period, 346k shares vested under this arrangement. 163k shares were issued valued at €0.2m. The balance, 177k shares 
equivalent, was paid to Revenue in cash on the employees’ behalf through normal payroll. €0.2m was released from the share-based 
payment reserve relating to these shares. The difference between the IFRS 2 value based on measurement date and the fair value 
at vesting date has been charged to staff costs in this period. No shares vested under this arrangement in the financial year ended 
31 March 2018. 

146

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 Employee long-term incentive plan – interim arrangements 

11.  Share-based payments continued
c. 
Employees who fell outside the arrangements at b. above, i.e. those who provide services that were not part of the IMA arrangements, 
e.g. new staff including building management and development staff, were also paid bonuses on a similar basis to those paid to the 
employees qualifying at b. above, except that the share-based payment is cash-settled. These shares are also subject to a two-year 
vesting period and this scheme also expired on 26 November 2018 when all employees moved to the new Remuneration Policy.

Opening balance at start of financial year

Share-based bonus awards recognised

Closing balance at end of financial year

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

Number of 
shares  
‘000

 60

129 

189 

€ ‘000

78

178 

256 

Number of 
shares  
‘000

–

60 

60 

€ ‘000

–

78 

78 

Share price 
€

1.336 

A further 0.3m shares (March 2018: 0.4m) are due to be recognised over the remainder of the vesting period. 

 Finance income and expense

12. 
Accounting policy
Finance expenses directly attributable to the construction of investment properties, which take a considerable length of time to prepare 
for rental to tenants, are added to the costs of those properties until such time as the properties are substantially ready for use. All other 
finance expenses and income are recognised in the income statement as they occur using the effective interest method. The effective 
interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or financial liability (or group of financial assets or 
financial liabilities) and of allocating the interest income, interest expense and fees paid and received over the relevant period.

The effective interest expense on borrowings arises as a result of the recognition of interest expense, commitment fees and 
arrangement fees. 

Interest income on cash and cash equivalents

Effective interest expense on borrowings

Early amortisation of arrangement fees on refinancing of unsecured bank borrowings 

Net finance expense 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 5 

(6,803)

(1,423)

(8,221)

7 

(6,243)

–

(6,236)

In December 2018 the Company refinanced the Group’s borrowings (note 26.a). As a result €1.4m relating to arrangement fees on the 
refinanced borrowings were expensed in accordance with the relevant accounting policy. 

Interest costs capitalised in the financial year were €0.6m (March 2018: €2.0m) in relation to the Group’s development and refurbishment 
projects. The capitalisation rate used is the effective interest rate on the cost of borrowing applied to the portion of investment that is 
financed from borrowings.

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13. 
Accounting policy
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. It is recognised in profit or loss except insofar as it applies to business 
combinations or to items recognised in other comprehensive income. 

Current tax: current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. Hibernia REIT plc has elected 
for Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) status under section 705E Tax Consolidation Act 1997. As a result, the Group does not pay Irish 
corporation tax on the profits and gains from its qualifying rental business in Ireland provided it meets certain conditions. With certain 
exceptions, corporation tax is still payable in the normal way in respect of income and gains from a Group’s Residual Business that is, its 
non-property rental business. Deferred tax is recognised on unrealised gains on assets where future taxes may be payable on these gains.

Reconciliation of the income tax expense for the financial year

Profit before tax

Tax charge on profit at standard rate of 12.5%

Non-taxable revaluation surplus

REIT tax-exempt profits

Other (additional tax rate on residual income)

Under-provision in respect of prior periods

Income tax expense for the financial year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 124,042 

 107,132 

 15,506 

(11,729)

(3,580)

381 

 5 

583 

 13,392 

(10,172)

(3,220)

 21 

 10 

 31 

The Directors confirm that the Group has remained in full compliance with the Irish REIT rules and regulations up to and including the 
date of this report.

14.  Dividends
Accounting policy
Interim dividends are recognised as a liability of the Company when the Board of Directors resolves to pay the dividend and the 
shareholders have been notified in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association. Final dividends of the Company are 
recognised as a liability when they have been approved by the Company’s shareholders at the AGM.

Interim dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 of 1.5 cent per share 
(March 2018: 1.1 cent per share)

Proposed final dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 of 2.0 cent per share1 
(March 2018: 1.9 cent per share)

Total 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

10,465

7,616

13,969

24,434

13,254

20,870

1.  Based on shares in issue at close of business at 21 May 2019 of 693.9m along with the 4.5m of share to be issued in settlement of the IMA performance-related payments for 

the period ended 26 November 2018. 

The Board has proposed a final dividend of 2.0 cent per share (March 2018: 1.9 cent) which is subject to approval by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting and has therefore not been included as a liability in these consolidated financial statements. This dividend is 
expected to be paid to shareholders on 2 August 2019. All of this proposed final dividend of 2.0 cent per share will be a Property Income 
Distribution (“PID”) in respect of the Group’s property rental business (March 2018: 1.9 cent). The total dividend, interim paid and final 
proposed for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 is 3.5 cent per share (March 2018: 3.0 cent per share) or €24.4m (March 2018: €20.9m).

Under the Irish REIT regime, the Company is required to distribute a minimum of 85% of the Group’s property rental business profits and 
the Group’s dividend policy is to pay out 85-90% of its property rental business profits. The Company has complied with this requirement, 
the total dividends for the year ended March 2019 equate to 89% of EPRA earnings (March 2018: 108%). 

148

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com15.  Earnings per share
There are no convertible instruments, options or warrants on ordinary shares in issue as at 31 March 2019. However, the Company has 
established a reserve of €7.6m (March 2018: €8.8m) which is mainly for the issue of ordinary shares relating to the payment of IMA 
performance-related payments. It is estimated that approximately 6.0m ordinary shares (March 2018: 6.6m shares) will be issued in  
total, 5.6m of which are provided for at 31 March 2019 and a further 0.4m of which will be recognised over the next two years. Details  
on share-based payments are set out in note 11. The dilutive effect of these shares is disclosed below.

The calculations are as follows: 

Weighted average number of shares

Issued share capital at beginning of financial year

Shares issued during the financial year 

Shares in issue at financial year end

Weighted average number of shares

Number of shares to be issued under share-based schemes

Diluted number of shares

Number of shares due to be issued under share-based schemes recognised at financial year end (note 11)

Number of shares due under share-based schemes not recognised at financial year end1

Number of shares to be issued under share-based schemes

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 692,347 

 685,452 

 5,242 

 6,895 

 697,589 

 692,347 

 694,968 

 688,900 

6,028

 6,599 

700,996 

 695,499 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
’000

5,599 

429

6,028

 6,183 

 416 

 6,599 

1. 

Included here are all amounts from share-based payments described in notes 11.a and 11.c which are either granted at the year-end or shortly after and which have not been 
recognised at year-end but will be recognised over the next two to three years. 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (IFRS)

Profit/(loss) for the financial year attributable to the owners of the Company 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)

Basic earnings per share (cent)

Diluted earnings per share (cent)

EPRA earnings per share and diluted EPRA earnings per share1

Profit for the financial year attributable to the owners of the Company 

Less: 

Gains and losses on investment property

Profit or (loss) on disposals of other assets 

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA adjustments

Changes in fair value of financial instruments and associated close-out costs

EPRA earnings 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)

EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Diluted EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

123,459

 ‘000 

107,101

 ‘000 

694,968 

 688,900 

700,996

 695,499 

17.8 

17.6

 15.5 

 15.4 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 123,459

 107,101 

(98,105)

(87,802)

(140)

547 

 1,711 

 27,472

 – 

 – 

 104 

 19,403 

’000 

’000 

 694,968 

 688,900 

700,996

 695,499 

 4.0

 3.9 

 2.8 

 2.8 

1.  EPRA earnings per share is an alternative performance measure and is calculated in accordance with the EPRA Best Practice Recommendations Guidelines November 2016. 

Further information is available in the Supplementary Information section on page 194. 

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IFRS NAV, EPRA NAV per share and total accounting return

16. 
The IFRS NAV is calculated as the value of the Group’s assets less the value of its liabilities based on IFRS measures. EPRA NAV is 
calculated in accordance with the European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) Best Practice Recommendations: November 2016.

The EPRA NAV per share includes investment property, other non-current assets and trading properties at fair value. For this purpose, 
non-current assets classified as held for sale are included at fair value. It excludes the fair value movement of financial instruments and 
deferred tax. It is calculated on a diluted basis. 

Total accounting return, a key performance indicator and alternative performance measure, is calculated as the increase in EPRA NAV  
per share over the previous financial year-end EPRA NAV and adding back dividends per share paid, expressed as a percentage of 
opening EPRA NAV. 

IFRS net assets at end of financial year (€’000)

Ordinary shares in issue (‘000)

IFRS NAV per share (cent)

Ordinary shares in issue

Number of shares to be issued under share-based schemes (see note 15)

Diluted number of shares

Diluted IFRS NAV per share (cent)

IFRS net assets at end of financial year 

Deferred tax

Net mark to market on financial assets

EPRA NAV

Diluted number of shares (‘000)

EPRA NAV per share (cent)

Total accounting return

Opening EPRA NAV per share

Closing EPRA NAV per share

Increase in EPRA NAV per share

Dividends per share paid in financial year

Total return

Total accounting return (“TAR”)

As at  

As at  

31 March 2019

31 March 2018

 1,218,539

 1,111,730 

 697,589 

 692,347 

 174.7 

’000

 160.6 

’000

 697,589 

 692,347 

 6,028 

 6,599 

 703,617

 698,946 

 173.2 

 159.1 

€’000

€’000

 1,218,539

 1,111,730 

547

 288

–

 345 

 1,219,374

 1,112,075 

703,617

698,946

 173.3

159.1 

As at  
31 March 2019 

As at  

31 March 2018

 159.1c 

173.3c 

14.2c

3.4c

17.6c 

11.1%

146.3c 

 159.1c 

12.8c

2.55c

15.35c 

10.5%

The Company has established a reserve of €7.6m (March 2018: €8.8m) against the issue of approximately 5.6m ordinary shares relating to 
shares due to issue for payments due to the Vendors of the Investment Manager and employees as detailed in note 11. 

150

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Section III – Tangible assets
This section contains information on the Group’s investment properties and other tangible assets. All investment properties are fully 
owned by the Group. The Group’s investment properties are carried at fair value and its other tangible assets at depreciated cost except 
for land and buildings which are adjusted to fair value. 

 Investment property

17. 
Accounting policy
Investment properties are properties held to earn rental income and/or for capital appreciation (including property under construction 
for such purposes). Properties are treated as acquired at the point at which the Group assumes the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership. This occurs when:

1.   It is probable that the future economic benefits that are associated with the investment property will flow to the Group; 
2.  There are no material conditions which could affect completion of the acquisition; and 
3.  The cost of the investment property can be measured reliably.

Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including transaction costs. After initial recognition, investment properties are 
measured at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of investment properties are included in the consolidated 
income statement in the period in which they arise.

Investment properties and properties under development are professionally valued on a twice-yearly basis, or as required, by qualified 
external valuers using inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the asset in addition to unobservable inputs and are 
therefore classified at Level 3. The valuation of investment properties is further discussed above under notes 2f and 2g.

The valuations of investment properties and investment properties under development are prepared in accordance with the appropriate 
sections of the Professional Standards (“PS”), the Valuation Technical and Performance Standards (“VPS”) and the Valuation Applications 
(“VPGA”) contained within the RICS Valuation – Global Standards 2017 (“the Red Book”). It follows that the valuations are compliant with 
the International Valuation Standards (“IVS”). When the Group begins to redevelop an existing investment property, or property acquired 
as an investment property, for future use as an investment property, the property remains an investment property and is accounted 
for as such. Expenditure on investment properties is capitalised only when it increases the future economic benefits associated with 
the property. All other expenditure is charged to the consolidated income statement. Interest and other outgoings, less any income, on 
properties under development are capitalised. Borrowing costs, that is interest and other costs incurred in connection with borrowing 
funds, are recognised as part of the costs of an investment property where directly attributable to the purchase or construction of that 
property. Borrowing costs are capitalised in accordance with the policy described in note 12.

In accordance with the Group’s policy on revenue recognition (note 5), the value of accrued income in relation to the recognition of lease 
incentives under operating leases over the term of the lease is adjusted in the fair value assessment of the investment property to which 
the accrual relates.

Where amounts are received from departing tenants in respect of dilapidations, i.e. compensation for works that the tenant was expected 
to carry out at the termination of a lease but the tenant, in agreement with the Group, pays a compensatory sum in lieu of carrying out 
this work, the Group applies these amounts to the cost of the property. The value of the work to be done is therefore reflected in the fair 
value assessment of the property when it is assessed at the end of the period. 

An investment property is de-recognised on disposal, i.e. when the significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred outside the 
Group’s control, or when the investment property is permanently removed from use and no future economic benefits are anticipated 
from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on de-recognition of the property (calculated as the difference between the net disposal 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the consolidated income statement in the period in which the property is 
de-recognised.

Amendments to IAS 40 clarified the recognition of transfers into or out of investment property. In accordance with these amendments, 
the Group recognises or de-recognises investment property when the property meets or ceases to meet the definition of an investment 
property and there is evidence of the change in use. This amendment has no impact on the recognition of investment properties in the 
Group’s consolidated statement of financial position. 

The valuations used to determine fair value for the investment properties in the consolidated financial statements are determined by C&W, 
the Group’s independent valuer and are in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 13. C&W has agreed to the use of its valuations for this 
purpose. Some of the inputs to the valuations are defined as “unobservable” by IFRS 13. As discussed in note 2(f) to the consolidated 
financial statements, property valuations are inherently subjective as they are made on the basis of assumptions made by the valuer. 
For these reasons, and consistent with EPRA’s guidance, the Group has classified the valuations of its property portfolio as Level 3 as 
defined by IFRS 13. Valuations are completed on the Group’s investment property on at least a half-yearly basis and in accordance with the 
appropriate sections of the Professional Standards (“PS”), the Valuation Technical and Performance Standards (“VPS”) and the Valuation 
Applications (“VPGA”) contained within the RICS Valuation – Global Standards 2017 (“the Red Book”). It follows that the valuations are 
compliant with the International Valuation Standards (“IVS”). This takes account of the properties’ highest and best use. Where the highest 
and best use is not the current use, the valuation will account for the costs and likelihood of achieving this use in arriving at a valuation 
estimate for that property. In the financial year ended 31 March 2019, for most properties the highest and best use is the current use except 
as discussed in note 2(f). In these instances, the Group may need to achieve vacant possession before re-development or refurbishment 
may take place and the valuation of the property takes account of any remaining occupancy period on existing leases. The table below 
summarises the approach for each investment property segment and highlights properties where the approach has been varied.

151

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17. 
Accounting policy continued
The method that is applied for fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy is the yield methodology 
using market rental values capitalised with a market capitalisation rate or yield or other applicable valuation techniques. Using this 
approach for the Group’s investment properties, values of investment properties are arrived at by discounting forecasted net cash flows 
at market derived capitalisation rates. This approach includes future estimated costs associated with refurbishment or development, 
together with the impact of rental incentives allowed to tenants. Thus development properties are assessed using a residual method in 
which the completed development property is valued using income and yield assumptions and deductions are made for the estimated 
costs to complete, including finance costs and developers’ profit, to arrive at the current valuation estimate. In effect, this values the 
development as a proportion of the completed property. 

In valuing the Group’s investment properties, the Directors have applied a reduction of €6.7m (March 2018: €6.8m) to the valuer’s 
valuations to factor in the impact of the accounting policy on the recognition of rental incentives allowed to tenants and the costs of 
setting up leases. This deduction is a measure of the impact on the property valuation of the difference between cash and accounting 
approaches to the recognition of net rental income.

At 31 March 2019

Fair value category

Carrying value at 31 March 2018

Additions:

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Revaluations included in income statement

Disposals:

Sales2

Transferred between segments3

Carrying value at 31 March 2019

Office assets 
Level 3 
€’000 

Office 
development 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Residential 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Industrial/land 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Total  
Level 3 
€’000 

 1,017,937 

 134,500 

 138,480 

 17,800 

 1,308,717 

 2,956 

 5,2441

 35,259 

–

 41,500 

 48,020 

(96,077)

 207,821 

 – 

(207,821)

 980 

 60 

 13,559 

 – 

 – 

 36,094 

 40,030 

 417 

(1,311)

 – 

 – 

 47,221 

 95,527 

(96,077)

 – 

 1,173,140 

 16,199 

 153,079 

 53,000 

 1,395,418 

1.  This includes capital expenditure on 1WML and 2DC after their transfer to the office segment in the prior year. 

2.  New Century House and 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay were sold or contracted to be sold during the year, generating €2.6m in gains in excess of their carrying values. 

3.  2WML (formerly the Hanover Building) and 1SJRQ were transferred from ‘Office development assets’ to ‘Office assets’ as they were completed before 31 March 2019. 

At 31 March 2018

Fair value category

Carrying value at 31 March 2017

Additions:

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Revaluations included in income statement

Disposals:

Sales1

Transferred between segments2

Carrying value at 31 March 2018

Office assets 
Level 3 
€’000 

Office 
development 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Residential 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Industrial/land 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Total  
Level 3 
€’000 

869,748 

168,042 

116,429 

13,168 

1,167,387 

32,075 

12,250 

29,875 

–

36,953 

38,405 

(26,990)

–

100,979 

(108,900)

923 

815 

14,792 

(2,400)

7,921 

6,160 

167 

(1,695)

39,158 

50,185 

81,377 

–

–

(29,390)

–

1,017,937 

134,500 

138,480 

17,800

1,308,717 

1.   The Chancery Building, Hanover Street East and 11 Lime Street were sold during the year, generating €6.4m in gains in excess of their carrying values. 

2.  2WML (formerly the Hanover Building) was transferred from ‘Office assets’ to ‘Office development assets’ as re-development commenced in the period. 1WML and Hanover 

Mills Apartments were completed during the period and moved from ‘Office development assets’ to ‘Office assets’ and ‘Residential assets’, respectively. 

There were no transfers between fair value levels during the financial year. Approximately €0.6m of financing costs were capitalised 
at an effective interest rate of 2.05% in relation to the Group’s developments and major refurbishments (March 2018: €2.0m). No other 
operating expenses were capitalised during the financial year. 

152

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 Investment property continued

17. 
The following table illustrates the methods applied to each segment:

Description of 
investment property 
asset class

Fair value of the 
investment property €’m 
at the financial year end Narrative description of the techniques used

Changes in the fair value technique 
during the financial year

Office assets

1,173

Yield methodology using market rental values 
capitalised with a market capitalisation rate.

No change in valuation 
technique except: 

Office  
development 
assets

16

•  Marine House and Clanwilliam 

Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5 at 
31 March 2018 were valued on 
an investment basis but are 
now valued on a hybrid of an 
investment basis until the end 
of the leases (2020 and 2021 
respectively) and on a residual 
basis thereafter.

No change in valuation technique 
except that 2WML changed from 
a residual to an investment basis 
during the financial year.

Exceptions to this: 

•  Harcourt Square is valued on an investment basis 
until the end of the lease (2022) and on a residual 
basis thereafter.

•  Marine House and Clanwilliam Court Blocks 1, 2 and 5 
are valued on an investment basis until the end of the 
leases (2020 and 2021 respectively) and on a residual 
basis thereafter.

Residual method, i.e. “Gross Development Value” 
less “Total Development Cost” less “Profit” equals 
“Fair Value”:

•  Gross Development Value (“GDV”): the fair value of 
the completed proposed development (arrived at 
by capitalising the ERV with an appropriate yield, 
allowances for purchasers’ costs, assumptions for 
voids and/or rental free periods).

•  Total Development Cost (“TDC”): this includes, but 

is not limited to, construction costs, land acquisition 
costs, professional fees, levies, marketing costs and 
finance costs.

•  Profit or “Profit on Cost” which is measured as a 

percentage of the total development costs (including 
the site value).

For developments close to completion the yield 
methodology is applied. 

Residential assets

153

Yield methodology using rental values capitalised with 
a market capitalisation rate.

No change in valuation technique.

Industrial/
land assets

 53

Yield methodology using market rental values 
capitalised with a market capitalisation rate.

No change in valuation technique.

The Newlands site, including adjacent lands, is valued 
as an early stage development site on a price per 
acre basis. 

Reconciliation of the independent valuer’s valuation report amount to the carrying value of investment property in the consolidated 
statement of financial position:

Valuation per valuer’s certificate

Owner occupied (note 18)

Income recognition adjustment1

Investment property balance at financial year end

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 1,407,740 

 1,320,581 

(5,643)

(6,679)

(5,029)

(6,835)

 1,395,418 

 1,308,717 

1. 

Income recognition adjustment: this relates to the difference in valuation that arises as a result of property valuations using a cash flow based approach while income 
recognition for accounting purposes spreads the costs of tenant incentives and lease set up over the lease term. 

153

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17. 
Information about fair value measurements using unobservable inputs (Level 3)
The valuation technique used in determining the fair value for each of the categories of assets is market value as defined by VPS4 of the 
Red Book 2017, being the estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer 
and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had acted knowledgeably, prudently and 
without compulsion, and is in accordance with IFRS 13. Included in the inputs for the valuations above are future development costs where 
applicable. These development costs are generally determined by tender at the outset of the project and capped by agreement with the 
contractors and are therefore observable and not subject to material change. 

As outlined above, the main inputs in using a market-based capitalisation approach are the ERV and equivalent yields. ERVs, apart from in 
multi-family residential properties, are not generally directly observable and therefore classified as Level 3. Yields depend on the valuer’s 
assessment of market capitalisation rates and are therefore Level 3 inputs.

The tables below summarise the key unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Group’s investment properties at 31 March 2019. 
There are interrelationships between these inputs as they are both determined by market conditions and the valuation result in any one 
period depends on the balance between them. The Group’s residential properties are mainly multi-family units and therefore ERVs are 
based on current market rents observed for units rented within the property. ERV is included in the below table for completeness.

Key unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Group’s investment property
31 March 2019

Office

Office development 

Residential1

Industrial/land

1.  Average ERV based on a two-bedroom apartment; yields are gross.

31 March 2018

Office

Office development 

Residential1

Industrial/land

Estimated rental value

Equivalent yield

Market value 
€‘000

Low 

 High 

1,173,140

€15.00 psf

€60.00 psf

16,199

€30.00 psf

€57.50 psf

153,079

€23,400 pa

€31,800 pa

53,000

€5.25 psf

 €5.25 psf

Low

4.04%

4.75%

5.16%

8.02%

Estimated rental value

Equivalent yield

Market value 
€‘000

Low 

 High 

1,017,937

€20.00 psf

 €60.00 psf 

134,500

€30.00 psf

€58.00 psf

138,480

€19,800 pa

€ 31,800 pa

17,800

€5.50 psf

€5.50 psf

Low

4.56%

4.75%

5.20%

7.45%

High 

7.30%

4.75%

6.00%

8.02%

High 

7.17%

5.25%

6.43%

7.45%

1.  Average ERV based on a two-bedroom apartment, yields are gross. 

The sensitivities below illustrate the impact of movements in key unobservable inputs on the fair value of investment properties. 
To calculate these impacts only the movement in one unobservable input is changed as if there is no impact on the other. In reality there 
may be some impact on yields from an ERV shift and vice versa. However, this gives an assessment of the maximum impact of shifts in 
each variable. If rents in the market are assumed to move 5% from those estimated at 31 March 2019, the Group’s investment property 
portfolio would increase or decrease in value by approximately €62m (March 2018: €60m). A 25bp increase in equivalent yields would 
decrease the value of the portfolio by €83m (March 2018: €69m) and a 25bp decrease would result in an increase in value of €95m 
(March 2018: €78m).

31 March 2019

Sensitivities

Office

Office development 

Residential 

Industrial/land

Total

154

Impact on market value 
of a 5% change in the 
estimated rental value

Impact on market value 
of a 25bp change in the 
equivalent yield

Increase 
€‘m

Decrease 
€’m

Increase 
€‘m

Decrease 
€’m

52.6

1.9

7.5

0.1

62.1

(53.7)

(2.0)

(7.5)

(0.1)

(63.3)

(72.8)

(2.1)

(8.2)

(0.1)

(83.2)

80.2

2.2

12.1

0.1

94.6

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com Investment property continued

17. 
31 March 2018

Sensitivities

Office

Office development 

Residential 

Industrial/land

Total

Impact on market value 
of a 5% change in the 
estimated rental value

Impact on market value 
of a 25bp change in the 
equivalent yield

Increase 
€‘m

Decrease 
€’m

Increase 
€‘m

Decrease 
€’m

42.2 

10.0 

7.0 

0.5 

59.7 

(42.2)

(10.0)

(6.9)

(0.6)

(59.7)

(52.5)

(10.4)

(5.7)

(0.4)

(69.0)

59.6 

11.7 

6.3 

0.4 

78.0 

 Property, plant and equipment

18. 
Accounting policy
Owned property which is occupied by the Group for its own purposes is de-recognised as investment property at the date occupation 
commenced and recognised as owner occupied property within property, plant and equipment at its fair value at that date. Property used 
for administration purposes is stated in the consolidated statement of financial position at its revalued amount, being the fair value at the 
date of revaluation, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Revaluations are 
performed with sufficient regularity such that the carrying amounts do not differ materially from those that would be determined using 
fair values at the end of each accounting period. 

Any revaluation increase from this property is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity, except to the extent 
that it reverses a revaluation decrease for the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss, in which case the increase is credited to 
profit or loss to the extent of the decrease previously expensed. A decrease in the carrying amount of this property arising on revaluation 
is recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the property’s revaluation reserve relating to a 
previous revaluation of that asset. 

Depreciation on revalued property is recognised in profit or loss. On the subsequent sale or retirement of a revalued property, the 
attributable revaluation reserve is transferred directly to retained earnings.

Fixtures and fittings are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 

Depreciation is recognised to write off the cost or value of assets less their residual value over their useful lives. The estimated useful lives, 
residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate 
accounted for on a prospective basis. 

The estimated useful lives for the main asset categories are: 

Land and buildings  
Fixtures and fittings/leasehold improvements 
Office and computer equipment 

50 years 
5 years 
3 years

At 31 March 2019
Group

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2018

Additions

Revaluation recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 March 2019

Depreciation

At 1 April 2018

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2019

Net book value at 31 March 2019

Land and 
building 
€’000 

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
€’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
and fixtures 
and fittings 
€’000 

Total 
€’000 

 5,219 

–

 723 

 5,942 

(190)

(109)

(299)

 5,643 

 161 

46 

–

 207 

(104)

(48)

(152)

55 

 590 

 5,970 

 6 

–

 52 

 723 

 596 

 6,745 

(265)

(127)

(392)

 204 

(559)

(284)

(843)

 5,902 

155

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 Property, plant and equipment continued

18. 
At 31 March 2018
Group

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Revaluation recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 March 2018

Depreciation

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2018

Net book value at 31 March 2018

Land and 
buildings 
€’000 

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
€’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
and fixtures 
 and fittings 
€’000 

4,562 

– 

657 

5,219 

(89)

(101)

(190)

5,029 

96 

65 

 – 

161 

(40)

(64)

(104)

57 

417 

173 

 – 

590 

(145)

(120)

(265)

325 

Total 
€’000 

5,075 

238 

657 

5,970 

(274)

(285)

(559)

5,411 

Land and buildings, 54% of South Dock House, was revalued at 31 March 2019 and at 31 March 2018 by the Group’s independent valuer 
and in accordance with the valuation approach described under note 17. It was measured at fair value at the period end using a yield 
methodology using market rental values capitalised with a market capitalisation rate. These fair value measurements use significant 
unobservable inputs. The inputs used are disclosed in the table below. 

Valuation inputs

ERV per sq. ft.

Equivalent yield

19.  Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Balance at start of financial year

Recognised during the year

Balance at end of financial year

31 March 2019

31 March 2018

€57.50

5.0%

€52.50

5.0%

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

534 

–

534 

385 

149

534 

Non-current assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. The Directors 
have assessed the fair value of these assets by reviewing the sales prices achieved on similar assets and the expected sales price as 
determined by the selling agent in preparing their disposal plans. Assets sold to date (since being acquired in 2014) have achieved at least 
their acquisition price on an individual basis and in total a profit of approximately €5.0m (March 2018: €5.0m) before tax and after costs. 
The Directors have therefore concluded that the fair value of these assets is at least their carrying value. 

The balance carried forward from 31 March 2018 contains some assets which remain from a portfolio of assets deemed not to be part of 
the Group’s core property rental business. There have been unforeseen delays beyond the Group’s control in the sales of these assets but 
the Directors expect that the assets will be sold in the near future and they are therefore retained as held for sale.

156

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comSection IV – Financing including equity and working capital
This part focuses on the financing of the Group’s activities, including the equity capital, bank borrowings and working capital. It also 
covers financial risk management. 

Financial instruments
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability of another entity. The Group 
has identified financial assets and liabilities in its financial position and the accounting policy for these is summarised in this note. 
Financial instruments may be further analysed between current and non-current depending on whether these will fall due within 
12 months after the balance sheet date or beyond. 

Financial assets: This classification depends on the business model and the contractual terms of the cash flows. Financial assets that 
are held to collect contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal or interest are measured at 
amortised cost. Financial assets measured at amortised cost are principally trade receivables. At initial recognition the Group measures 
the financial assets at fair value plus (except for those at fair value through profit or loss) transaction costs. 

On initial recognition the Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories: 

•  Those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income (“OCI”) or through profit or loss); and 
•  Those to be measured subsequently at amortised cost.

The Group’s financial assets comprise trade and other receivables, loans receivable and derivative instruments. 

The Group de-recognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or it transfers the 
rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial 
asset are transferred or in which the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does 
not retain control of the financial asset. On de-recognition of a financial asset, the difference between the carrying amount of the asset 
and the sum of (i) the consideration received (including any new asset obtained less any new liability assumed) and (ii) any cumulative 
gain or loss that had been recognised in other comprehensive income is recognised in profit or loss. Relevant costs incurred with the 
disposal of a financial asset are deducted in computing the gain or loss on disposal.

Financial liabilities: These are initially recognised at the fair value of the considerations received less directly attributable transaction  
costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, financial liabilities are recognised at amortised costs. The difference between the recognition  
value and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the contractual terms using the effective interest rate  
method. This category includes trade and other payables and borrowings. Financial liabilities are de-recognised in full when the Group  
is discharged from its obligation, they expire, or they are replaced by a new liability with substantially modified terms.

The Group’s non-equity financing is all unsecured and comprises a revolving credit facility and private placement notes. The majority of 
this debt is fixed rate or hedged through derivatives to protect against major rises in interest rates. 

Effective interest method: The Group uses the effective interest method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of 
allocating interest income and expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated 
future cash receipts or payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, 
transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the financial asset or liability, or, where appropriate, a 
shorter period, to the gross carrying amount of a financial asset or the amortised cost of a financial liability.

Impairment of financial assets: The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on debt instruments, trade receivables 
and other financial assets. The amount of expected credit losses (“ECL”) is updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk 
since initial recognition of the respective financial instrument. The Group always recognises lifetime ECL for trade receivables (see note 
22). For all other financial instruments, the Group recognises lifetime ECL when there has been a significant increase in credit risk since 
initial recognition. However, if the credit risk on the financial instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition, the Group 
measures the loss allowance for that financial instrument at an amount equal to 12-month ECL. Lifetime ECL represents the expected 
credit losses that will result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. In contrast, 12-month ECL 
represents the portion of lifetime ECL that is expected to result from default events on a financial instrument that are possible within 
12 months after the reporting date.

In order to perform this assessment, the Group classifies its assessment into three stages: 

•  Stage 1 includes financial assets that are expected to perform in line with their contractual terms and which have no signs of increased 

credit risk since initial recognition. 12-month expected credit losses are recognised. 

•  Stage 2 includes financial assets where the credit risk has significantly increased since initial recognition but which are not yet credit 

impaired. Lifetime credit losses are recognised. 

•  Stage 3 applies to credit-impaired financial instruments. 

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Cash and cash equivalents

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

22,372

22,521 

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at banks in current accounts and deposits held on call with banks. The management of cash and 
cash equivalents is discussed in note 31.d. Please also refer to note 26.b on the net debt calculations. In addition, the Company holds funds 
in excess of its regulatory minimum capital requirement at all times. 

21.  Other financial assets
Accounting policy
Loans and receivables: Loans and receivables (including loans to subsidiaries) are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or 
determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Loans are initially recorded at fair value plus transaction costs. Those  
that are held within a business model to collect contractual cash flows and these cash flows consist solely of payments of principal and 
interest on the principal amount outstanding are measured at amortised cost. Loans that are not held within this model are measured at 
fair value through profit or loss. 

Derivatives: The Group utilises derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate exposures on its borrowings. Derivatives designated as 
hedges against interest risks are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Hedge relationships are documented at inception. This documentation 
identifies the hedge, the item being hedged, the nature of the risks being hedged and how the effectiveness is measured during its 
duration. Hedges are measured for effectiveness at each accounting date and the accounting treatment of changes in fair value revised 
accordingly. The Group’s cash flow hedges are against significant increases in interest costs and the effective portion is recognised in  
equity in the hedging reserve, with the ineffective portion being recognised in profit or loss within finance expenses.

Derivatives at fair value

Loans carried at fair value through profit or loss

Balance at end of financial year end – current

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 194 

– 

 194 

 88 

 152 

 240 

Cash flow hedges are the Group’s hedging instruments on its borrowings. The Group has a policy of having the majority of its interest rate 
exposure on its debt hedged or fixed. As at 31 March 2019, as well as having €75m of fixed coupon private placement notes, it has hedged 
the interest rate exposure on €225m of its revolving credit facility (March 2018: €245m) using a combination of caps and swaptions to 
limit the EURIBOR element of interest payable to 1% on €100m of drawn debt and 0.75% on €125m of drawn debt. 

Loans carried at fair value through profit or loss consisted of one loan which was repaid by the sale of the underlying property during 
the financial year. This loan was acquired by the Group as part of a portfolio of loans which were settled by the sale of collateral. It was 
reclassified from “carried at amortised costs” to “carried at fair value through profit or loss” on 1 April 2018 as part of the implementation 
of IFRS 9. There was no impact on retained earnings as a result of this reclassification. 

158

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com22.  Trade and other receivables
Accounting policy
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised when they are originated. Trade and other receivables that do not contain significant 
financing components, which is assessed at initial recognition, are measured at the transaction price. Trade receivables that are held 
within a business model where the objective is to hold the financial asset in order to collect cash flows and the contractual terms of the 
financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are recognised at fair value at 
the recognition date and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

As trade receivables do not contain a significant financing element the Group has adopted a simplified approach to calculating 
impairment losses. Expected credit losses on trade receivables are estimated using a provision matrix which uses a fixed provision rate 
based on the number of days a trade receivable is outstanding. 

Non-current 

Property income receivables 

Other receivables 

Balance at end of financial year – non-current

Current

Receivable from investment property sales

Deposits paid on investment property

Prepaid remuneration1

Property income receivables

Prepayments

Recoverable capital expenditure

Income tax refund due

VAT refundable

Balance at end of financial year – current

Balance at end of financial year – total

Of which are classified as financial assets

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 7,163 

 765 

 7,928 

 34,639 

 145 

 – 

 4,105 

 548 

 314 

 54 

 359 

 40,164

 48,092

37,630 

 5,681 

 2,106 

 7,787 

 – 

 – 

 2,679 

 2,885 

 1,077 

 416 

 102 

 80 

 7,239 

 15,026 

 2,092 

1.  This consisted of the balance of the payment to service providers relating to the Internalisation transaction.

The non-current balance is mainly non-financial in nature; €0.8m (March 2018: €0.5m) relates to amounts receivable from two tenants 
in relation to capital expenditure funded initially by the Group, with the balance consisting of deferred income and expenditure amounts 
relating to the lease incentives and deferred lease costs. €34.6m was receivable in respect of a property sale; the balance of trade and 
other receivables has no concentration of credit risk as it comprises mainly prepayments (note 31.d). 

Trade receivables are managed under a “held to collect” business model. The cash collected represents principal and interest where 
applicable. The trade receivables have been assessed under the simplified credit loss approach using a provision matrix which refers to 
the number of days that they have been outstanding. Balances at 31 March 2018 were assessed during the implementation of IFRS 9 
(notes 3 and 37). There is no material provision for lifetime expected credit losses required either at 31 March 2019 or 1 April 2018. 

159

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIssued capital and share premium

23. 
Accounting policy
The equity of the Company consists of ordinary shares issued. Shares issued are recorded at the date of issuance. The par value of the issued 
shares is recorded in the share capital account. The excess proceeds received over the par value is recorded in the share premium account. 
Direct issue costs in respect of the issue of shares are accounted for in the retained earnings reserve, net of any related tax deduction.

Financial year ended 31 March 2019

Financial year ended 31 March 2018

No. of shares 
in issue 
’000

Share capital 
€’000

Share 
premium 
€’000

Total 
€’000

No. of shares 
in issue 
’000

Share capital 
€’000

Share 
premium 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Balance at beginning 
of financial year

Shares issued during the 
financial year (see below)

Balance at end 
of financial year

692,347 

69,235 

617,461 

686,696 

685,452 

68,545 

609,565 

678,110 

5,242 

524 

7,022 

7,546 

6,895 

690 

7,896 

8,586 

697,589 

69,759 

624,483 

694,242 

692,347 

69,235 

617,461 

686,696 

Shares issued during the period are as follows: 

5,241,805 ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0.10 were issued during the period in settlement of share-based payments totaling 
€7.5m (note 11): 162,996 shares were issued on 9 April 2018 and 5,078,809 shares were issued on 20 July 2018 and the associated costs 
were €14k.

Share capital
Ordinary shares of €0.10 each:

Authorised 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

In issue at end of financial year

31 March 2019 
’000 of shares

31 March 2018 
’000 of shares

1,000,000

1,000,000

697,589

697,589

692,347

692,347

There are no shares issued which are not fully paid. 

Share premium: On 23 May 2019 the Group announced its intention to undertake a share capital reorganisation to convert a substantial 
part of its share premium into distributable reserves to give it greater flexibility for capital management in future. A resolution will be 
proposed at the Group’s AGM on 31 July 2019 and, if approved, the Group will proceed through the Court process necessary to enact  
the capital reorganisation. 

Under the terms of the agreement under which the Group internalised the Investment Manager, the Vendors were entitled, until 
26 November 2018, to certain deferred contingent payments which are, for the most part, equivalent to the performance fees which 
would have been due under the Investment Management Agreement. These and other share-based payments due at 31 March 2019 
amounted to €7.6m at the financial year end (March 2018: €8.8m) and are all payable in shares (note 11). A further 5.6m shares are 
expected to be issued in relation to these payments. 

160

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
24.  Other reserves 

Property revaluation

Cash flow hedging

Share-based payment reserve

Balance at end of financial year

a.  Property revaluation reserve

Balance at beginning of financial year

Increase arising on revaluation of properties

Balance at end of financial year

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 1,889 

(288)

 7,556

9,157 

 1,166 

(329)

 8,783 

 9,620 

As at 31 March 
2019 
€’000 

As at 31 March 
2018 
€’000 

 1,166 

 723 

 1,889 

 509 

 657 

 1,166 

The Group’s headquarters are carried at fair value and the remeasurement of this property is made through other comprehensive income 
or loss (note 18). If the property is sold the property revaluation reserve will be transferred directly to retained earnings. 

b.  Cash flow hedging reserve
The cash flow hedging reserve represents the cumulative effective portion of gains or losses arising on changes in fair value of hedging 
instruments entered into for cash flow hedges. The cumulative gain or loss arising on changes in fair value of the hedging instruments 
that are recognised and accumulated under the heading of cash flow hedging reserve is reclassified to profit or loss when the hedged 
transaction affects the profit or loss consistent with the Group’s accounting policy. 

No income tax arises on this item.

Cumulative gains or losses arising on changes in fair value of hedging instruments that have been tested as ineffective and reclassified 
from equity into profit or loss during the period are included in the following line items: 

Balance at beginning of financial year

Released to profit and loss

Gain/(loss) arising on fair value of hedging instruments entered into for cash flow hedges

Balance at end of financial year

c. 

Share-based payment reserve 

Balance at beginning of financial year

IMA performance-related payments provided

Settlement of 2018 IMA performance-related payments 

Balance at end of financial year

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

(329)

–

 41 

(288)

(217)

 58 

(170)

(329)

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 8,783 

6,658

(7,885)

 7,556 

 9,467 

 7,902 

(8,586)

 8,783 

The share-based payment reserve comprises amounts reserved for the issue of shares in respect of IMA performance-related and other 
payments. These are discussed further in note 11. 

161

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25.  Retained earnings, distributable reserves and dividends on equity instruments
Retained earnings

Balance at beginning of financial year

Profit for the financial year

Share issuance costs

Dividends paid

Balance at end of financial year

Distributable reserves – Company only

Retained earnings at end of financial period (Company only)

Unrealised gains on investment property1

Dividends payable post period end (estimated) (note 14)

Distributable earnings after post period end dividends

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 415,414 

 123,459 

 325,983 

 107,101 

(14)

(14)

(23,719)

(17,656)

 515,140

 415,414 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

436,014 

344,758 

(388,791)

(320,501)

(13,969)

33,254 

(13,254)

11,003 

1.  Unrealised inter-company profits arising on the transfer of investment properties to subsidiaries of the Company have been eliminated for the purpose of the 

above calculation.

In August 2018 a dividend of 1.9 cent per share (€13.3m) and in January 2019 an interim dividend of 1.5 cent per share (€10.5m) were paid 
to the holders of fully paid ordinary shares.

The Directors confirm that the Company continues to comply with the dividend payment obligations contained within the Irish 
REIT legislation.

26.  Financial liabilities
Accounting policy 
A financial instrument is classified as a financial liability where it contains an obligation to repay. These are accounted for at amortised 
cost. Financial liabilities that are classified as amortised cost are initially measured at fair value minus any transaction costs. Accounting  
at amortised cost means that any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in 
profit or loss or capitalised into investment property over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method (see Section 
IV introduction).

a.  Borrowings 

Non-current

Unsecured bank borrowings

Unsecured private placement notes

Total non-current borrowings

Current

Unsecured bank borrowings

Unsecured private placement notes

Total current borrowings

Total borrowings

The maturity of non-current borrowings is as follows: 

Less than one year

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

Over five years

Total

162

As at 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 156,524 

 218,409 

 74,524 

–

 231,048 

 218,409 

 149 

 358 

 507 

 809 

 – 

 809 

 231,555 

 219,218 

As at 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 507 

–

 156,524 

 74,524 

 809 

 – 

218,409 

–

 231,555 

 219,218 

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com26.  Financial liabilities continued
a.  Borrowings continued
Movements in borrowings during the financial year:

Balance at beginning of financial year

Bank finance drawn during the financial year

Bank finance repaid during the financial year

Interest payable1

Balance at end of financial year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

219,218 

340,412 

171,138 

86,454 

(326,372)

(39,674)

(1,703) 

231,555 

1,300 

219,218 

1.  Balance in the current year is negative due to the capitalisation of arrangement fees on the refinancing of the RCF and the issue of private placement notes. 

The Group seeks to leverage its equity capital to achieve higher returns within agreed limits. The Group has a stated policy of not 
incurring debt above 40% of the market value of its property assets and has a through cycle leverage target of 20-30% loan-to-value 
(“LTV”). Under the Irish REIT rules the LTV ratio must remain under 50%. The Group has no finance leases.  In December 2018, the 
Group refinanced its €400m secured revolving credit facility (“RCF”), which was due to expire in November 2020, with €395m of 
debt comprising: 

•  A €320m unsecured revolving credit facility expiring 19 December 2023; and
•  €75m of unsecured US private placement notes, €37.5m dated 23 January 2026 and €37.5m dated 23 January 2029, with fixed rate 

coupons of 2.36% and 2.69%, respectively.

The unsecured revolving credit facility has a five-year term and is provided by Bank of Ireland, Wells Fargo, Barclays Bank Ireland and 
Allied Irish Banks. This facility is denominated in euro and is subject to a margin of 2.0% over three-month EURIBOR. The Group has 
entered into derivative instruments so that the majority of its EURIBOR exposure is capped at 1% or 0.75% in accordance with the Group’s 
hedging policy (note 31.d.ii)

The private placement notes have an average maturity of 8.3 years at 31 March 2019 and were placed with a single institutional investor. 
Coupons are fixed so long as the Group’s credit rating remains at investment grade. 

Where debt is drawn to finance material refurbishments and developments that take a substantial period of time to take into use, the 
interest cost of this debt is capitalised. 

All costs related to financing arrangements are amortised using the effective interest rate. The Directors confirm that all covenants have 
been complied with and are kept under review. 

b.  Net debt reconciliation and LTV
Net debt and LTV are key metrics in the Group. Net debt is redemption value of borrowings as adjusted by cash available for use. LTV or 
“loan to value” is the ratio of net debt to investment property value at the measurement date. 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash reserved1

Gross debt – fixed interest rates

Gross debt – variable interest rate

Net debt at period end

Investment property at period end

Loan to value ratio

As at 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

 22,372 

(5,050)

(75,000)

 22,521 

(4,830)

–

(159,413)

(220,373)

(217,091)

(202,682)

1,395,418

1,308,717

15.6%

15.5%

1.  Cash is reduced by the amounts held in relation to rent deposits, sinking funds and similar arrangements as these balances are not viewed as available funds for the purposes 

of the above calculation.

163

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b.  Net debt reconciliation and LTV continued
Reconciliation of opening to closing net debt: 

Assets

Liabilities

Cash and cash 
equivalents
€’000

Secured 
borrowings
€’000

Unsecured 
borrowings
€’000

Private 
placement 
notes
€’000

Net debt due as at 1 April 2017

 18,148 

(173,593)

Cash inflow

Cash outflow

Movement in cash and cash equivalents

Movement in cash reserved1

Net debt as at 31 March 2018 

Restatement on adoption of IFRS 9

Net debt at as at 1 April 2018 

Cash inflow

Cash outflow

Movement in cash and cash equivalents

Movement in cash reserved1

Net debt as at 31 March 2019 

 – 

 – 

4,373

(4,830)

(86,454)

39,674

– 

– 

17,691

(220,373)

 – 

 – 

 17,691 

(220,373)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total 
€’000

(155,445)

(86,454)

39,674

4,373

(4,830)

(202,682)

– 

(202,682)

 – 

 – 

(149)

(220)

 17,322 

(31,000)

(234,413)

(75,000)

(340,413)

251,373

75,000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

326,373

(149)

(220)

(159,413)

(75,000)

(217,091)

 – 

 – 

 – 

1.  Cash is reduced by the amounts held in relation to rent deposits, sinking funds and similar arrangements as these balances are not viewed as available funds for the purposes 

of the above calculation.

27.  Deferred tax liabilities
Accounting policy 
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax assets are only recognised where it is probable that the 
amounts will be recoverable.

The Group is not generally liable for corporate taxes as it has REIT status (see note 13). Where it is anticipated that certain assets may 
not qualify as assets of the property rental business (defined in legislation), deferred tax liabilities may be recognised on unrealised gains 
recognised on these assets as future taxes may be payable on these gains. There were no unrecognised deferred tax assets in the period 
that might be available to offset against these liabilities. 

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to: 

Unrealised gains on residual business 

As at 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

547 

 –

164

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28.  Trade and other payables
Accounting policy 
Trade payables are initially measured at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Current

Investment property payable

Rent prepaid

Rent deposits and other amounts due to tenants

Sinking funds

Trade and other payables

PAYE/PRSI payable

Balance at end of financial year 

Of which classified as financial instruments

As at 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 5,667 

 7,013 

 1,222 

 1,926 

 3,742 

 293 

 19,863 

3,231

 5,118 

 7,313 

 1,569 

 2,053 

 3,540 

 163 

 19,756 

 1,369 

Cash is held against balances due for service charges prepaid and sinking fund contributions, €3.9m (March 2018: €3.6m), and rental 
deposits from tenants, €1.2m (March 2018: €1.2m). Sinking funds are monies put aside from annual service charges collected from tenants 
as contributions towards expenditure on larger maintenance items that occur at irregular intervals in buildings managed by Hibernia. 
Trade and other payables are interest free and have settlement dates within one year. The Directors consider that the carrying value of the 
trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

29.  Contract liabilities
Accounting policy 
Contract liabilities arise as a result of service charge contracts, the accounting for which is discussed in note 5. 

Contract liabilities arise from service charge payables. Service charge arrangements form a single performance obligation under which  
the Group purchases services for multi-let buildings and recharges them to tenants. The movements for the purchase of services and 
income relating to these activities are presented below. The comparative numbers for 31 March 2018 were previously included in trade  
and other payables (note 28) but have been separately presented here for clarity. 

At 1 April 2017

(Revenue)/expense recognised during the period

Amounts received from customers under contracts

Amounts paid to suppliers 

At 31 March 2018

(Revenue)/expense recognised during the period

Amounts received from customers under contracts

Amounts paid to suppliers 

At 31 March 2019

Contract 
liabilities
€’000

 861 

 205 

 4,853 

(4,174)

 1,745 

 243 

 6,311 

(6,291)

 2,008 

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a. 

 Non-cash movements in operating profit

Revaluation of investment property

Share-based payments 

Prepaid remuneration expense

Depreciation

Deferred tax

Non-cash movements in operating profit

b.  Cash expended on investment property

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Financing arrangement fee write-off

Deposit paid on investment property

(Increase)/decrease in investment property costs payable

Cash expended on investment property

c.  Cash received from sales of investment property

Property sales 

Profit on sales

(Increase) in receivable from investment property sales

Cash received from sales of investment property

d.  Non-cash investing and financing activities
The Group has no non-cash investing and financing activities. 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

Notes

17

11

9

18

27

Notes

17

17

(95,527)

6,658

 2,679 

284

547 

(81,377)

 7,902 

 4,444 

285

– 

(85,359)

(68,746)

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

40,030 

47,221

–

 145 

(549)

86,847

 39,158 

 50,185 

(522)

–

 4,966 

93,787

Notes

17

7

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

96,077 

2,578

(34,639)

64,016

 29,390 

 6,425 

 –

35,815

 Financial instruments and risk management 
Financial risk management objectives and policy

31. 
a. 
The Group takes calculated risks to realise its strategic goals and this exposes the Group to a variety of financial risks. These include, 
but are not limited to, market risk (including interest and price risk), liquidity risks and credit risk. These financial risks are managed 
in an overall risk framework by the Board, in particular by the Chief Financial Officer, and monitored and reported on by the Risk and 
Compliance Officer. The Group monitors market conditions with a view to minimising the volatility of the funding costs of the Group. 
The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate caps and swaptions to manage some of the financial risks associated 
with the underlying business activities of the Group. 

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 Financial instruments and risk management continued

31. 
b.  Financial assets and financial liabilities
The following table shows the Group’s financial assets and liabilities and the methods used to calculate fair value. 

Asset/Liability

Carrying value

Level

Fair value calculation 
technique

Assumptions

Trade and 
other receivables

Amortised cost

Financial liabilities

Amortised cost

Derivative 
financial instruments

Fair value

Trade and 
other payables

Amortised cost

Contract liabilities

Amortised cost

2

2

2

2

2

Discounted 
cash flow

Discounted 
cash flow

Calculated fair 
value price

Discounted 
cash flow

Discounted 
cash flow

Most trade receivables are very short term, the 
majority less than one month, and therefore face  
value approximated fair value on a discounted basis. 

The fair value of financial liabilities held at amortised 
cost has been calculated by discounting the expected 
cash flows at prevailing interest rates. 

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is 
calculated using pricing based on observable inputs 
from financial markets.

All trade and other payables that could be classified  
as financial instruments are very short term, the 
majority less than one month, and therefore face  
value approximated fair value on a discounted basis.

All contract liabilities classified as financial instruments 
are very short term, the majority less than one month, 
and therefore face value approximated fair value on a 
discounted basis.

The carrying value of non-interest-bearing financial assets and financial liabilities approximates to their fair values, largely due to their 
short-term maturities. 

Fair value hierarchy

c. 
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date. 

For financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which inputs to 
the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which are 
described as follows:

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level of inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, 
either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: valuation techniques for which the lowest level of inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are not based on 
observable market data.

The following tables present the classification of financial assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy and the changes in fair values 
measurements at Level 3 estimated for the purposes of making the above disclosure. 

As at 31 March 2019

Trade and other receivables

Derivatives at fair value

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities1

Of which 
are assessed 
as financial 
instruments
€’000

37,630 

 194 

Total 
€’000

 48,092 

 194 

(231,555)

(231,555)

(19,863)

(2,008)

(3,231)

(2,008)

Level

2

2

2

2

2

Measured at 
fair value
€’000

 Measured at 
amortised cost
€’000

Total financial 
instruments
€’000

 – 

 194 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 37,630

 37,630 

– 

 194 

(231,555)

(231,555)

(231,555)

(3,231)

(2,008)

(3,231)

(2,008)

(3,231)

(2,008)

Fair value 
financial 
instruments
€’000

37,630 

 194 

1.  Contract liabilities were reclassified as part of the implementation of IFRS 15 (notes 3 and 37). 

(205,140)

(198,970)

194 

(199,164)

(198,970)

(198,970)

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 Financial instruments and risk management continued
Fair value hierarchy continued

31. 
c. 
As at 31 March 2018

Trade and other receivables

Loans1

Derivatives at fair value

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities2

Of which 
are assessed 
as financial 
instruments
€’000

 2,092 

 152 

 88 

(219,218)

(1,369)

(1,745)

Total 
€’000

 15,026 

 152 

 88 

(219,218)

(19,756)

(1,745)

Measured at 
fair value
€’000

 Measured at 
amortised cost
€’000

Total financial 
instruments
€’000

Fair value 
financial 
instruments
€’000

 522 

–

 88 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,570 

 2,092 

2,092 

 152 

– 

 152 

 88 

152 

 88 

(219,218)

(219,218)

(219,218)

(1,369)

(1,745)

(1,369)

(1,745)

(1,369)

(1,745)

(225,453)

(220,000)

 610 

(220,610)

(220,000)

(220,000)

Level

2

3

2

2

2

2

1.  The balance of loans as at 31 March 2018 was reclassified from amortised cost to fair value through the profit or loss on the adoption of IFRS 9 and has since been repaid 

(note 21). 

2.  Contract liabilities were reclassified as part of the implementation of IFRS 15 (notes 3 and 37).

Movements of Level 3 fair values 
This reconciliation includes investment property, loans and other financial assets which are included in trade payables, trade receivables 
and contract liabilities. Measurement of these assets is described in note 17 (investment property) and in the table at the start of this note. 

Balance at beginning of financial year

Transfers out of Level 3

Purchases, sales, issues and settlement

Purchases1

Sales

Loan redemption

Fair value movement

Balance at end of financial year

1. 

Includes development, refurbishment and remedial expenditure.

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 1,308,869

 1,167,539 

 – 

 – 

 87,251 

(96,077)

(152)

 89,343 

(29,390)

–

 95,527 

 81,377 

 1,395,418 

 1,308,869 

d.  Financial risk management
This note explains the Group’s exposure to financial risks and how these risks could affect the Group’s future financial performance. 

Risk

Exposure arising from

Measurement

Management

Market risk –  
interest rate risk

Credit risk

Long-term borrowings at variable rates

Sensitivity analysis

Derivative products – cap/
swaption arrangements

Cash and cash equivalents, trade 
receivables, derivative financial instruments 

Aging analysis, credit  
ratings where applicable

Cash investment policy with 
minimum ratings

Liquidity risk

Borrowings and other liabilities

Cash flow forecasts are 
completed as part of 
budgeting process

Diversification of deposits 
where merited

Availability of borrowing facilities

The policies for managing each of these and the principal effects of these policies on the results for the financial year are summarised in 
the following section:

168

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Risk management framework

 Financial instruments and risk management continued

31. 
d.  Financial risk management continued
i. 
The Group’s Board has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. The Audit 
Committee is responsible for developing and monitoring the Group’s risk management policies. Risk management policies are established 
to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls and to monitor risks and adherence to 
limits. All of these policies are regularly reviewed in order to reflect changes in the market conditions and the Group’s activities. The Audit 
Committee is assisted in its work by internal audit, conducted by PwC Ireland, which undertakes periodic reviews of different elements of 
risk management controls and procedures. 

ii.  Market risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices. Market  
risk reflects interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risks. The Group has no financial assets or liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies. The Group’s financial assets mainly comprise trade receivables. Financial liabilities comprise short-term payables, private 
placement notes and bank borrowings. Therefore the primary market risk is interest rate risk. 

The Group has both fixed and variable rate borrowings. Variable rate borrowings consist of an unsecured revolving credit facility and 
the Group has partly hedged against increasing rates by entering into interest rate caps and swaptions to restrict EURIBOR costs to a 
maximum of 1%. 

The following therefore illustrates the potential impact on profit and loss for the financial year of a 1% or 2% increase in EURIBOR:

As at 31 March 2019

Amount drawn 

Hedging (caps)

€100m expires November 2019: strike 1.00%1

€125m expires November 2021: strike 0.75%

Impact on profit after hedging

1.  This calculation uses the more advantageous hedge first and therefore shows the best-case scenario. 

As at 31 March 2018

Amount drawn 

Hedging (caps)

€45m expires January 2019: strike 1.00%

€100m expires November 2018: strike 1.00%

€100m expires November 2019: strike 1.00%

Impact on profit after hedging

Impact on 
profit +1% 
EURIBOR 
Increase 
€’000

Impact on 
profit +2% 
EURIBOR 
Increase 
€’000

(1,594)

(3,188)

–

313 

(1,281)

344 

 1,563 

(1,281)

€’000

(159,413)

 34,413 

 125,000 

Impact on 
profit +1% 
EURIBOR 
Increase 
€’000

Impact on
 profit +2% 
EURIBOR 
Increase 
€’000

€’000

(220,373)

(2,204)

(4,407)

44,700

 100,000 

 75,673

 – 

 – 

 – 

447

1,000 

 756 

(2,204)

(2,204)

Exposure to interest rates is limited to the exposure of the Group’s earnings from borrowings. Variable rate borrowings were €159.4m (March 
2018: €220.4m) and net debt (note 26.b) was €217.1m in total, of which €75.0m was fixed rate private placement notes (March 2018: €202.7m 
of which €nil was fixed). The Group’s drawings under its facilities were based on a EURIBOR rate of 0% throughout the period. 

169

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31. 
d.  Financial risk management continued
iii.  Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss of principal or loss of a financial reward stemming from a counterparty’s failure to repay a loan or otherwise 
meet a contractual obligation. Credit risk is therefore, for the Group and Company, the risk that the counterparties underlying its 
assets default. 

The Group has the following types of financial assets and cash that are subject to credit risk:

Cash and cash equivalents: These are held with major Irish and European financial institutions. The Board has established a cash 
management policy for these funds which it monitors regularly. This policy includes ratings restrictions, BB or better, and related 
investment thresholds, maximum balances of €25–50m with individual institutions dependent on rating, to avoid concentration risks  
with any one counterparty. The Group also retains the services of a Depository to ensure the security of the cash assets. 

Trade and other receivables: Rents are generally received one quarter in advance from tenants and therefore there tends to be a low level 
of credit risk associated with this asset class. An amount of €34.6m was due in relation to the sale of an investment property at 31 March 
2019 which was received shortly after the financial year end (March 2018: nil). Otherwise, the Group has small balances in trade receivables 
which are immaterial in the context of credit risk.

Trade receivables are managed under a “held to collect” business model as described in note 22. On that basis, the loss allowance 
at 1 April 2018 on adoption of IFRS 9 and at 31 March 2019 was immaterial. There are no contract assets at either 1 April 2018 or 
31 March 2019. 

Trade receivables and contract assets are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators that there are no 
reasonable expectations of recovery are, inter alia, the failure of a debtor to engage with the Group and make a payment plan, a failure to 
make contractual payments for more than 120 days, and the expectation that amounts may be irrecoverable as the tenant has vacated 
and refuses to engage further. 

In the prior year under the previous accounting policy (before the introduction of IFRS9), the impairment of trade receivables was 
assessed on an incurred loss model, i.e. balances known to be irrecoverable were written down by reducing the carrying amount directly. 
The Group had no such write-offs as at 31 March 2019 or 31 March 2018. 

The maximum amount of credit exposure is therefore: 

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Balance at end of period

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 194 

37,630

 22,372 

 60,196 

 240 

 2,092 

 22,521 

 24,853 

iv.  Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group ensures that it has 
sufficient available funds to meet obligations as they fall due. Net current assets, a measure of the Group’s ability to meet its current 
liabilities, at the financial year end were: 

Net current assets at the period end 

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

40,692

7,984

The nature of the Group’s activities means that the management of cash is particularly important and is managed over a four-year period. 
The budget and forecasting process includes cash forecasting, capital and operational expenditure projections, cash inflows and dividend 
payments on a quarterly basis over the four-year horizon. This allows the Group to monitor the adequacy of its financial arrangements. 

The Group had access at 31 March 2019 to €161m (March 2018: €187m) in undrawn amounts under its revolving credit facility (note 26.a), 
which matures in December 2023. Cash and undrawn facilities as at 31 March 2019 totalled €178m or €143m net of committed capital 
expenditure (March 2018: €197m and €120m, respectively). 

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 Financial instruments and risk management continued

31. 
d.  Financial risk management continued
iv.  Liquidity risk continued
Exposure to liquidity risk
Listed below are the contractual maturities of the Group’s financial liabilities. Only trade and other payables relating to cash expenditure 
are included, the balance relates either to non-cash items or deferred income. These include interest margins payable and contracted 
repayments. EURIBOR is assumed at 0% throughout the period. 

At 31 March 2019 

Non-derivatives

Borrowings

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

Total

At 31 March 2018

Non-derivatives

Borrowings

Trade payables

Contract liabilities

Total

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months 
or less

6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

>5 years

234,413 

265,390 

3,231 

 2,008 

 3,231 

 2,008 

239,652

270,629

 2,541 

3,231 

 2,008 

7,780

 2,541 

 5,082 

 173,765 

 81,461 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2,541

5,082

173,765

81,461

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months 
or less

6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

>5 years

219,218

251,399

1,369

1,745

1,369

1,745

19,355

1,369

1,745

2,259

4,518

225,267

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

222,332

254,513

22,469

2,259

4,518

225,267

–

 – 

 – 

–

v.  Capital management 
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to: 

•  Safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 

stakeholders; and

•  Maintain an optimal capital structure to minimise the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust capital, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, 
issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt. On 1 April 2019, the Company announced a share buyback programme to return an initial 
€25m, the majority of the net sales proceeds (€35m) from the sale of 77SJRQ, to shareholders (note 38). The Group is also obliged to 
distribute at least 85% of its property rental income under the REIT regime regulations. 

Capital comprises share capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated and Company statement of changes in 
equity. At 31 March 2019 the total capital of the Group was €1,219m (March 2018: €1,112m).

The key performance indicators used in evaluating the achievement of strategic objectives, and as performance measurements for 
remuneration, are as follows: 

•  Total property return (“TPR”) %: Measures the relative performance of the Company’s investment property portfolio versus the Irish 

property market, as calculated. by the MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All Assets Index (“MSCI Ireland Index”).

•  Total accounting return (“TAR”) %: Measures the absolute growth in the Group’s EPRA NAV per share plus any ordinary dividends 

paid during the period.

•  EPRA earnings per share (cent): Measures the profit after tax excluding revaluations and gains and losses on disposals and associated 
taxation (if any). For property companies it is a key measure of a company’s operational performance and capacity to pay dividends.
•  Total shareholder return (“TSR”) %: Measures growth in share value over a period assuming dividends are re-invested in the purchase 

of shares. Allows comparison to other companies in the Group’s listed peer group.

The Group seeks to leverage its equity capital in order to enhance returns (note 26.a). The loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is expressed as net 
debt (note 26.b) divided by total investment property value (as shown in the balance sheet). The Group’s policy is to maintain an LTV 
ratio of 20-30% on a through cycle basis and not to incur debt above an LTV ratio of 40% (see note 26.b). 

Loan covenants
Under the terms of the major borrowing facilities, the Group is required to comply with the following key financial covenants: 

•  The LTV ratio must not exceed 50%; and
•  Interest cover must be greater than 1.5 times on both an historic and forward basis for a 12-month period. 

The Group has complied with these key covenants throughout the reporting period. 

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31. 
d.  Financial risk management continued
v.  Capital management continued
Other 
In addition, the LTV ratio must remain under 50% under the rules of the Irish REIT regime.

The Company’s share capital is publicly traded on Euronext Dublin and the London Stock Exchange. 

As the Company is authorised under the Alternative Investment Fund regulations it is required to maintain 25% of its annual fixed 
overheads as capital. This is managed through the Company’s risk management process. The limit was monitored throughout the  
financial year and no breaches occurred. 

Section V – Other 
This section contains notes that do not belong in any of the previous categories. 

32.  Operating lease receivables 
Future aggregate minimum rentals receivable (to the next break date) under non-cancellable operating leases are:

Operating lease receivables due in: 

Less than one year

Between two and five years

Greater than five years

Total

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000 

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

55,395 

 162,407 

 54,680 

166,096 

195,291 

 150,565 

413,093 

371,341

The Group leases its investment properties under operating leases. The weighted average unexpired lease term (“WAULT”) at 31 March 
2019, excluding residential properties and weighted on contracted rents, based on the earlier of lease break or expiry date, was 7.5 years 
(March 2018: 7.3 years). 

These calculations are based on all leases in place at 31 March 2019, i.e. including leases that have not yet commenced. 

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

33. 
Accounting policy
Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for under the acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business 
combination is measured at fair value. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

A joint arrangement is an arrangement over which two or more parties have joint control. Joint control is established when no one entity 
has control of the arrangement on its own; all the entities involved in the arrangement control it collectively. Where the joint arrangement 
is recognised as a joint operation, the Group recognises its share of assets and liabilities held jointly as well as its share of revenues and 
expenses according to IFRS applicable to the items being recognised.

There were no business combinations during this or the previous financial year. 

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34.  Capital commitments
The Group has entered into a number of development contracts to develop buildings in its portfolio. The total capital expenditure 
commitment in relation to these over the next one to two years is approximately €35m (March 2018: €77m). 

35.  Contingent liabilities 
Accounting policy
Contingent liabilities are possible obligations depending on whether some uncertain future event occurs, or present obligations where 
payment is not probable, or the amount cannot be measured reliably. Contingent liabilities are not recognised but are disclosed unless  
the possibility of an outflow of economic resources is remote. 

The Group has not identified any contingent liabilities which are required to be disclosed in the financial statements. 

36.  Related parties 
a. 
Subsidiaries
All transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation.

The following are the major subsidiaries of the Group: 

Name

Hibernia REIT 
Holding Company
Limited

Hibernia REIT 
Holdco One 
Limited

Hibernia REIT
Holdco Two
Limited

Hibernia REIT
Holdco Three
Limited

Hibernia REIT
Holdco Four
Limited

Hibernia REIT 
Building 
Management 
Services Limited

WK Nowlan REIT
Management 
Limited

Registered address/
country of incorporation

Shareholding/ 
number of shares held

Directors

Company secretary

Nature of business

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

South Dock 
House, Hanover 
Quay, Dublin  
D02 XW94, Ireland

100%/1

100%/1

100%/1

100%/1

100%/1

100%/1

100%/300,000

Justin Dowling
Thomas Edwards-Moss 
Kevin Nowlan 
Frank O’Neill

Justin Dowling
Thomas Edwards-Moss 
Kevin Nowlan 
Frank O’Neill

Edwina Governey
Kevin Nowlan 
Mark Pollard

Justin Dowling
Thomas Edwards-Moss
Frank O’Neill

Justin Dowling
Thomas Edwards-Moss
Frank O’Neill

Justin Dowling
Thomas Edwards-Moss 
Kevin Nowlan 
Frank O’Neill 

Thomas Edwards-Moss 
Kevin Nowlan 
Frank O’Neill

Sean O’Dwyer

Holding property interests

Sean O’Dwyer

Holding property interests

Sean O’Dwyer

General Partner

Sean O’Dwyer

Property development

Sean O’Dwyer

Holding property interests

Sean O’Dwyer

Property management

Sean O’Dwyer

Investment holding 
company

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b.  Other related party transactions
The Group earned rent of €115k from WK Nowlan Real Estate Advisors in Marine House in the financial year ended 31 March 2019 (March 
2018: €115k). The lease is currently under review and the Group calculates that it is owed approximately €73k at 31 March 2019 (March 
2018: nil).

William Nowlan is Chairman of WK Nowlan Real Estate Advisors. William Nowlan is a shareholder in WK Nowlan Real Estate Advisors 
along with Kevin Nowlan and Frank O’Neill. As part of his consultancy agreement with the Company, William Nowlan received €92k 
in consulting fees for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 (March 2018: €84k). Nothing was due to him at 31 March 2019 (March 
2018: €25k). This consultancy arrangement has now ceased. 

As part of the IMA performance-related payments for the financial year (note 11), the following payments are due: 

Kevin Nowlan: €2.3m, Frank Kenny: €1.5m, William Nowlan: €1.1m and Frank O’Neill: €0.5m. (March 2018: Kevin Nowlan: €2.8m, Frank 
Kenny: €1.8m, William Nowlan: €1.4m and Frank O’Neill: €0.6m.)

As part of his consultancy agreement with the Company, Frank Kenny earned €140k in fees for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 
(March 2018: €181k). He also received a fee of €60k during the period in relation to his role as a Non-Executive Director. An amount of 
€35k in respect of consultancy fees was owed to him at the period end (March 2018: €nil). This consultancy arrangement has now ceased.

Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO) rents an apartment from the Group at market rent and paid €12k in rent during the period (March 2018: €14k).

For further information on Directors’ emoluments please refer to the Directors’ Remuneration report on pages 93 to 114 of this 
Annual Report.

c.  Key management personnel
In addition to the Executive and Non-Executive Directors, the following are the key management personnel of the Group:

Justin Dowling 
Richard Ball  
Edwina Governey   
Sean O’Dwyer 
Frank O’Neill 
Mark Pollard 

Director of Property (from 1 January 2019 (formerly Head of Asset Management)) 
Chief Investment Officer (to 31 March 2019) 
Interim Chief Investment Officer (from 31 March 2019) 
Company Secretary and Risk & Compliance Officer 
Director of Operations (from 1 January 2019 (formerly Chief Operations Officer))  
Director of Development

The remuneration of the above key management personnel during the financial year was as follows: 

Short-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Other long-term benefits

Share-based payments

Total for the financial year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

3,035

226

 – 

353

2,381

200 

 – 

379 

3,614

2,960 

The remuneration of Executive Directors and key management is determined by the Remuneration Committee, having regard to the 
performance of individuals and the Group, and market trends. 

174

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
Impact of transition to new accounting policies

37. 
This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on the 
Group’s financial statements. 

Impact on the financial statements
As a result of the changes in the Group’s accounting policies there were no restatements of the prior year financial statements, and 
therefore no impact on balances as at 1 April 2018. There were amendments to presentations to reflect changes in classifications arising 
from the new policies. There was no impact on profit or loss or reserves from the adoption of either IFRS so this is not shown. 

31 March 2018 
As originally 
presented 
€’000

IFRS 9 
€’000

IFRS 15 
€’000

1 April 2018 
€’000

Assets

Non-current assets

Investment property

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Capital and reserves

Issued capital and share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

1,308,717

5,411

240

7,787

1,322,155

7,239

22,521

534

30,294

1,352,449

686,696

9,620

415,414

1,111,730

218,409

218,409

809

21,501

 – 

22,310

1,352,449

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(1,745)

1,745

 – 

 – 

1,308,717

5,411

240

7,787

1,322,155

7,239

22,521

534

30,294

1,352,449

686,696

9,620

415,414

1,111,730

218,409

218,409

809

19,756

1,745

22,310

1,352,449

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial 
liabilities, de-recognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. 

The adoption of IFRS 9 has had minimal impact on the financial statements as the Group does not have a large number of financial 
instruments and has only cash flow hedging on its revolving credit facility. 

Adoption resulted in the reclassification of one loan from “carried at amortised cost” to “at fair value”, as it did not meet the solely 
payments of principal and interest test (“SPPI test”). This loan was non-performing and was recovered by the sale of collateral during the 
financial year ended 31 March 2019. 

175

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comImpact of transition to new accounting policies continued

37. 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments continued
As at 1 April 2018

Trade and other receivables

Loans

Derivatives at fair value

Financial assets

Reclassification of loans  
to at fair value

Financial 
instruments 
€’000

At fair value 
€’000

At amortised 
cost 
€’000

Level

2

3

2

Total 
€’000

15,026 

152 

88 

2,092 

152 

88 

15,266 

2,332 

522 

–

88 

610 

152 

762 

1,570 

152 

– 

1,722 

(152)

1,570 

Carrying value 
€’000

Fair value 
€’000

2,092 

2,092 

152 

88 

152 

88 

2,332 

2,332 

2,332 

2,332 

Financial assets as restated

15,266 

2,332 

Impairment of financial assets
The Group has two types of financial assets that are subject to IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model: 

•  Trade receivables for rental income and other property income; and 
•  Loans receivable.

The Group’s trade receivables that are classified as financial assets are mainly of a very short-term nature. Trade receivables that are 
financial assets are managed under a “held to collect” business model and the cash collected represents principal and interest where 
applicable. The Group has adopted the simplified credit loss approach in assessing impairment on these as they do not contain a 
significant financing component. The move from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model has therefore had an immaterial  
effect on balances and there is no restatement of prior year financial statements required. 

The Group had one loan receivable at 31 March 2018 which was settled during the financial year 31 March 2019 by the sale of the 
underlying property and the payment of the proceeds to clear the full balance of the loan outstanding plus a small surplus after costs. 
Therefore the fair value of this loan was determined to be carrying value and there was therefore no need for impairment nor any 
restatement of prior year financial statements. 

Hedge positions
The interest rate swaps and caps in place at 31 March 2018 qualified as cash flow hedges under IFRS 9 and there was therefore no change 
in classification or measurement of these positions in transitioning from IAS 39 either at 31 March 2018 or 1 April 2018. The Group’s risk 
management strategies and hedge documentation are aligned with the requirements of IFRS 9 and these relationships are therefore 
treated as continuing hedges. 

Financial liabilities
There was no impact on financial liabilities of the Group due to the adoption of IFRS 9. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In the current year, the Group has applied IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (as amended in April 2016) which is effective 
for an annual period that begins on or after 1 January 2018. IFRS 15 introduced a five-step approach to revenue recognition. However, the 
Group’s revenue is mainly from rental income under lease contracts which falls under IAS 17 (IFRS 16 from 1 April 2019). 

IFRS 15 applies to the Group’s property management revenues and service charge income. The accounting policy in respect of this 
activity is described in note 5. The adoption of IFRS 15 resulted in no re-measurements of balances included in the financial statements. 
It resulted in one change in presentation of amounts in the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2018 (and 1 April 
2018) as illustrated in the table above. An amount of €1.7m was reclassified from trade payables to contract liabilities. This represents 
amounts due in relation to performance obligations under service charge arrangements. See note 5 “Net property expenses” and note 29 
“Contract liabilities” for further details and note 3 for transition notes. 

38.  Events after the reporting period
1.   On 1 April 2019 the Company announced its intention to return the net sales proceeds from the sale of 77SJRQ (€35m) to shareholders, 
commencing with an initial share buyback of up to €25m. The share buyback programme commenced on 2 April 2019, in accordance 
with the Company’s general authority to repurchase ordinary shares as approved by shareholders at the Company’s AGM on 31 July 
2018 and may continue until 31 December 2019 subject to renewed general repurchase authority at the 2019 AGM. The maximum 
number of ordinary shares to be repurchased under the share buyback programme is 69,758,891. As at close of business on 14 June 
2019 the Company had repurchased and cancelled 6,284,457 ordinary shares for aggregate consideration of €8.7m.

2.  The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 2.0 cent per share that is subject to approval at the AGM to be held on 31 July 2019.
3.  To enhance our flexibility for future capital management, the Company is proposing a capital reorganisation resolution at the AGM on 
31 July 2019. This seeks permission to convert a substantial part of its share premium account into distributable reserves in a process 
which will also require High Court approval. Subject to receiving the necessary approvals, the capital reorganisation will likely complete 
in late 2019.

4.  Between 31 March 2019 and 17 June 2019 the Group invested €6.9m in the acquisition of four investment properties, three of which are 

adjacent to existing properties.

5.  69,080 shares, which were due to vest and be issued to an employee post 31 March 2019, became forfeit upon the departure of the 

employee and, under the Internalisation arrangements, will be returned to the Vendors and will be included in the shares being issued  
in respect of the final payment under the Performance Fee arrangement in July 2019.

176

Financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCompany statement of financial position

Company statement of financial position
As at 31 March 2019

Assets

Non-current assets

Investment property

Property, plant and equipment

Investment in subsidiaries

Loans to subsidiaries

Other financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Capital and reserves

Issued capital and share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

31 March 2019 
€’000

31 March 2018 
€’000

d

e

f

g

h

i

i

j

k

l

m

n

o 

n

p

q

 1,207,742 

 1,128,292 

 5,905 

 26,339 

 148,946 

 – 

5,389 

 5,409 

 26,235 

 113,139 

 2 

 5,631 

 1,394,321 

 1,278,708 

 4,202 

 20,733 

 24,935 

 534 

25,469 

 5,977 

 21,795 

 27,772 

 534 

 28,306 

 1,419,790 

 1,307,014 

 694,242 

 686,696 

 9,445 

 9,718 

 436,014 

 344,758 

 1,139,701

 1,041,172 

 259,294 

 246,050 

 547 

 – 

 259,841 

 246,050 

 507 

 18,123 

 1,618 

 20,248 

 809 

 17,563 

 1,420 

 19,792 

 1,419,790 

 1,307,014 

The Parent Company’s profit after tax for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 determined in accordance with IFRS is €115.0m (31 March 
2018: €82.9m).

The notes on pages 180 to 191 form an integral part of these Company financial statements. The Company financial statements on pages 
177 to 191 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17 June 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

Kevin Nowlan
Chief Executive Officer

Thomas Edwards-Moss
Chief Financial Officer

177

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company statement of changes in equity

Company statement of changes in equity
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Financial year ended 31 March 2019

Balance at start of financial year

 69,235 

 617,461 

 344,758 

 9,718 

1,041,172

Share 
capital 
€’000

Share 
 premium 
€’000

Retained 
earnings 
€’000

Other 
reserves 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Profit for the financial year

Total other comprehensive income

Transactions with owners of the Company,  
recognised directly in equity

Dividends

Issue of ordinary shares in settlement of share-based payments

Share issue costs

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

114,989

 – 

 – 

 954 

 114,989 

 954 

 69,235 

 617,461 

459,747

 10,672 

1,157,115

 – 

 524 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(23,719)

 – 

(23,719)

 7,022 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(14)

 – 

(7,546)

 – 

 6,319

 – 

(14)

 6,319

Balance at end of financial year

 69,759 

 624,483 

 436,014 

 9,445 

1,139,701

Financial year ended 31 March 2018

Share 
capital 
€’000

Share 
premium 
€’000

Retained 
earnings 
€’000

Other 
reserves 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Balance at start of financial year

68,545

609,565

279,528

9,759

967,397

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Profit for the financial year

Total other comprehensive income

Transactions with owners of the Company,  
recognised directly in equity

Dividends

Issue of ordinary shares in settlement of share-based payments

Share issue costs

Share-based payments expense/cash settlement

–

–

–

–

82,900

–

–

643

82,900

643

68,545

609,565

362,428

10,402

1,050,940

–

690

–

–

–

7,896

–

–

(17,656)

–

(17,656)

–

(14)

–

(8,586)

–

7,902

9,718

–

(14)

7,902

1,041,172

Balance at end of financial year

69,235

617,461

344,758

The notes on pages 180 to 191 form an integral part of these Company financial statements.

178

Financial statementsHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
Company statement of cashflows

Company statement of cash flows
For the financial year ended 31 March 2019

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the financial year

Adjustments from:

Gain on sales of investment property 

Other gains and losses

Dividends received

Cash-settled share-based payments

Finance expense

Non-cash movements: 

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Increase in contract liabilities

Net cash flow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash expended on investment property

Cash received from sales of investment property

(Increase) in loan to subsidiaries

Purchase of fixed assets

Income on other assets

Finance income 

Finance expense

Net cash flow absorbed by investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Dividends paid

Dividends received

Borrowings drawn

Borrowings repaid

Share issue costs

Net cash outflow/inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents start of financial period

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Net cash and cash equivalents at end of financial period

The notes on pages 180 to 191 form an integral part of these Company financial statements.

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended  
31 March 2018 
€’000

Notes

 114,989 

 82,900 

(2,397)

(123)

(9,469) 

(339)

 8,581 

(6,425)

 – 

(610)

 – 

 6,935

r

(74,848)

(46,027)

r

r

g

e

n

n

 36,394 

(517)

(676)

 198 

 36,773 

 1,454 

 527 

 – 

 35,399

 38,754 

(55,109)

 64,156 

(43,206)

 35,815 

(35,807)

(66,072)

(54)

 123 

 5 

(9,551)

(36,237)

(23,719)

 9,469 

(226)

 – 

 7 

(5,470)

(79,152)

(17,656)

 610 

 340,412 

 83,500 

(326,372)

(22,128)

(14)

(224)

(1,062)

 21,795 

(1,062)

 20,733 

(14)

 44,312 

 3,914 

 17,881 

 3,914 

 21,795 

179

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements

a.  Accounting policies and critical accounting estimates and judgements
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014. The financial statements reflect the financial position of the 
Company only and do not consolidate the results of any subsidiaries. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention, as modified to include the fair valuation of investment properties, certain financial instruments and land and buildings. 
The significant accounting policies of the Parent Company are the same as those of the Group which are set out in the notes to the 
consolidated financial statements on pages 131 to 176 of the Group’s Annual Report. 

The Company’s investments in its subsidiaries that are not classified as held for sale are stated at cost less any impairment. If the 
investment is classified as held for sale, the Company accounts for it at the lower of its carrying value and fair value less estimated costs 
to sell. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
financial year. Although these estimates are based on Management’s best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results 
ultimately may differ from those estimates. A description of the significant judgements and analysis of sources of estimation uncertainty  
is set out in notes 2(f) and 2(g) to the consolidated financial statements on pages 126 to 176 of the Group’s Annual Report.

Changes in accounting policies
For further information on changes in accounting policies please also refer to note 3 of the consolidated financial statements. 

IFRS 9: Financial Instruments
The Company implemented IFRS 9 during the period. There was no material impact on the Company financial statements either from 
reclassification or re-measurement of prior period amounts. The following Company financial assets fall to be accounted for under IFRS 9: 

•  Loans to subsidiaries – see note g for further information
•  Trade and other receivables – see note i for further information
•  Other financial assets – see note h for further information

Impairment review of shares in Group undertakings
The Company reviews its shares in Group undertakings for impairment at each reporting date. Impairment testing involves the 
comparison of the carrying value of the investment with its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the investment’s 
fair value or its value in use. Value in use is the present value of expected future cash flows from the investment. Fair value is the price that 
would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement 
date. Impairment testing inherently involves a number of judgemental areas: the preparation of cash flow forecasts for years that are 
beyond the normal requirements of management reporting, the assessment of the discount rate appropriate to the business, estimation 
of the fair value of the investment, and the valuation of the separable assets comprising the overall investment in the Group undertaking. 
The use of reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not materially impact the carrying value of the Company’s shares in 
Group undertakings. 

b.  Operating profit 
Operating profit for the financial year is stated after charging: 

Non-Executive Directors’ fees

Professional valuers’ fees

Prepaid remuneration expense

Depository fees

Depreciation (see note e)

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses for financial year

Staff costs 

Other administration expenses

Total administration expenses

For further information on expenses please refer to note 9 of the consolidated financial statements.

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000 

447 

 394 

 2,679 

 299 

 281 

1,482 

4,516 

3,706 

 13,804 

 286 

 281 

 4,444 

 278 

 269 

 1,743 

 3,405 

 2,567 

 13,273 

180

Financial statementsHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comb.  Operating profit continued
Auditor’s remuneration 

Company

Audit of the financial statements

Other assurance services1

Tax advisory services

Other non-audit services

Total 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

72

26

–

–

98 

70

16 

–

–

86 

1.  Other assurance services include a review of the final IMA performance-related payment calculation in early 2019. 

For further information on the Auditor’s remuneration, please refer to note 9 of the consolidated financial statements.

Employment

c. 
The average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) directly employed during the financial year in the Company was 
22 (31 March 2018: 21).

Total employees at financial year end:

At financial year end: 

Administration

The staff costs for the above employees were: 

Wages and salaries

Social insurance costs

Employee share-based payment expense

Pension costs – defined contribution plan

Total

Staff costs are allocated to the following expense headings: 

Administration expenses

IMA performance-related payments

Total

For further information on employment, please refer to note 10 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
Number 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
Number

23

21

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 4,097 

360 

587 

282

 3,261 

350 

 570

 214 

5,326 

 4,395 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

4,516 

810 

5,326 

 3,405 

 990

4,395 

181

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comInvestment property

d. 
31 March 2019

Fair value category

Carrying value at 31 March 2018

Additions:

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Revaluations included in income statement

Disposals:

Sales2

Transferred between segments3

Carrying value at 31 March 2019

Office assets 
Level 3 
€’000 

Office 
development 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Residential 
assets  
Level 3 
€’000 

Industrial 
assets/land 
Level 3 
€’000 

Total  
Level 3 
€’000 

 846,283 

 134,500 

 129,709 

 17,800 

 1,128,292 

 2,956 

 3,4001

 21,271 

 – 

 41,500 

 48,020 

(61,759)

207,821 

 – 

(207,821)

 980 

 60 

 13,159 

 – 

 – 

 6,882 

 417 

 2,564 

 – 

 – 

 10,818 

 45,377 

 85,014 

(61,759)

 – 

1,019,972

16,199 

 143,908 

 27,663 

 1,207,742 

1.  This includes capital expenditure on Two Dockland Central after its transfer to the office segment in the prior year. 

2.  New Century House was sold during the year, generating €2.4m in gains in excess of its carrying value. 

3.  2 Windmill Lane (formerly the Hanover Building) and 1 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay were transferred from ‘Office development assets’ to ‘Office assets’ as they were completed 

before 31 March 2019. 

31 March 2018

Fair value category

Carrying Value at 31 March 2017

Additions:

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Revaluations included in income statement

Disposals:

Sales1

Transferred between segments2

Carrying value at 31 March 2018

Office assets 
Level 3 
€’000 

Office 
development 
assets  
Level 3  
€’000 

Residential 
assets  
Level 3  
€’000 

Industrial 
assets/land 
Level 3 
€’000 

Total  
Level 3  
€’000 

869,748 

58,082 

116,429 

13,168 

1,057,427 

1,377 

9,997 

24,321 

–

22,174 

22,074 

923 

815 

13,942 

6,160 

167 

(1,695)

8,460 

33,153 

58,642 

(26,990)

(32,170)

–

(2,400)

32,170 

–

–

–

(29,390)

–

846,283 

134,500 

129,709 

17,800 

1,128,292 

1.  The Chancery Building, Hanover Street East and 11 Lime Street were sold during the year, generating €6.4m in gains in excess of their carrying values. 

2.  2 Windmill Lane (formerly the Hanover Building) was transferred from ‘Office assets’ to ‘Office development assets’ as redevelopment commenced in the period.

Note 17 to the Group consolidated financial statements contains further information in relation to the Company’s investment properties. 
All Group investment properties are held directly by the Company except for 1 Windmill Lane, Hanover Mills and part of the lands at 
Newlands which are held through wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company (March 2018: 1 Windmill Lane, Hanover Mills and  
77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay). The tables below provide information on inputs and sensitivities for the calculations of fair value for the 
properties held by the Company. 

Key unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s investment property 

31 March 2019

Office

Office development 

Residential1

Industrial/land

1.  Average estimated rental value based on a two-bedroom apartment.

31 March 2018

Office

Office development 

Residential1

Industrial/land

1.  Average estimated rental value based on a two-bedroom apartment. 

182

 Estimated rental value 

Equivalent yield 

Market value 
€’000

Low

High

1,019,972

€15.00 psf

 €60.00 psf 

16,199

€30.00 psf

€58.00 psf

143,908

€23,400 pa

€31,800 pa

27,663

€5.525 psf

€5.25 psf

Low

4.04%

4.75%

5.16%

8.02%

 Estimated rental value 

Equivalent yield 

Market value 
€’000

Low

High

846,283

€35.00 psf

 €60.00 psf 

134,500

€30.00 psf

€58.00 psf

129,709

€19,800 pa

€31,800 pa

17,800

€5.50 psf

€5.50 psf

Low

4.61%

4.75%

5.20%

7.45%

High

7.30%

4.75%

6.00%

8.02%

High

7.17%

5.25%

6.43%

7.45%

Financial statementsNotes to the Company financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment property continued

d. 
31 March 2019 

Sensitivities

Office

Office development 

Residential 

Industrial/land

Total

31 March 2018

Sensitivities

Office

Office development 

Residential 

Industrial/land

Total

e.  Property, plant and equipment
At 31 March 2019

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2018

Additions

Revaluation recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 March 2019

Depreciation

At 1 April 2018

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2019

Net book value at 31 March 2019

At 31 March 2018

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Revaluation recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 March 2018

Depreciation

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2018

Net book value at 31 March 2018

Impact on market value 
of a 5% change in the 
estimated rental value

Impact on market value 
of a 25bp change in 
the equivalent yield

Increase €’m Decrease €’m

Increase €’m Decrease €’m

47.3 

1.9 

7.2 

0.1 

56.5 

(48.3)

(63.9)

(2.0)

(7.2)

(0.1)

(2.1)

(7.7)

(0.1)

(57.6)

(73.8)

70.2 

2.2 

11.7 

0.1 

84.2

Impact on market value 
of a 5% change in the 
estimated rental value

Impact on market value 
of a 25bp change in 
the equivalent yield

Increase €’m Decrease €’m

Increase €’m Decrease €’m

35.5 

10.0 

6.6 

0.5 

52.6 

(35.5)

(10.0)

(6.5)

(0.6)

(52.6)

(43.2)

(10.0)

(5.4)

(0.4)

(59.0)

Land and 
buildings1 
€’000

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
€’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
and fixtures 
and fittings 
€’000 

 5,217 

 – 

 723 

 5,940 

(188)

(109)

(297)

 5,643 

 144 

 44 

 – 

 188 

(88)

(45)

(133)

 55 

 588 

 10 

 – 

 598 

(264)

(127)

(391)

 207 

Land and 
buildings1 
€’000

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
€’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
and fixtures 
and fittings 
€’000 

4,560 

–

657 

5,217 

(87)

(101)

(188)

5,029 

90 

54 

–

144 

(40)

(48)

(88)

56 

416 

172 

–

588 

(144)

(120)

(264)

324 

48.3 

11.7 

5.9 

0.4 

66.3 

Total 
€’000 

 5,949 

 54 

 723 

 6,726 

(540)

(281)

(821)

 5,905 

Total 
€’000 

5,066

226 

657 

5,949 

(271)

(269)

(540)

5,409 

1.  The Group occupies 54% (31 March 2018: 54%) of the office space in its South Dock House property. This property was revalued as at 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018 by the 

Group’s valuer in accordance with the valuation approach described under note 2. (g). of the consolidated financial statements.

For further information on the Company’s property, plant and equipment refer to note 18 of the consolidated financial statements. 

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f. 

Investment in subsidiaries

Balance at end of financial year

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

26,339

26,235

For further information on the Company’s subsidiaries refer to note 36.a of the consolidated financial statements.

Loans to subsidiaries

g. 
Accounting policy
Classification and measurement 
On 1 April 2018 the Company’s Management assessed which business model applies to the above loans and has determined that loans to 
subsidiaries are financial assets that are managed under a “held to collect” business model. The cash collected represents “solely principal 
and interest” (the “SPPI” test) where applicable. 

Loans to subsidiaries are recognised initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition 
loans to subsidiaries are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. As these are 
repayable on demand the loan amount approximates to fair value at recognition. 

Loans to subsidiaries are assessed under a three-stage model: 

•  Stage 1: Credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition – recognise 12 months expected credit loss (“ECL”), and 

recognise interest (if any) on a gross basis

•  Stage 2: Credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition – recognise lifetime ECL, and recognise interest (if any) on a 

gross basis

•  Stage 3: Financial asset is credit impaired and lifetime ECL recognised

Once it is determined which stage a loan to a subsidiary is at, the ECL is calculated and applied where relevant. Loans to subsidiaries 
are usually repayable on demand and are without a significant financing component. Therefore ECLs are based on the assumption that 
the repayment of the loan is demanded at the reporting date or earliest possible call date where another date has been agreed. If the 
recovery strategies indicate that the Company would fully recover the balance outstanding on the loans, the ECL is limited to the effect  
of discounting, at the loans’ effective discount rate, the amount due over the period to collection. 

IFRS 9 transition
Management has assessed the loans held at 31 March 2018 on this basis and determined that they expect to recover the balances 
outstanding in full and that therefore no impairment loss needs to be recognised at that date nor at 1 April 2018 nor is there any impact on 
retained reserves.

Balance at beginning of financial year

Loan advances

Loan repayments

Interest income at effective interest rate

Balance at end of financial year

The maturity of inter-company loans are as follows: 

Less than one year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 113,139 

 36,629

(822)

 – 

 47,067 

 66,474 

(402)

 – 

 148,946

 113,139 

 148,946 

 113,139 

The majority of the above balance, €148m, is due from three subsidiaries, Hibernia REIT Holding Company Limited (1 Windmill Lane office 
building and Hanover Mills residential apartments), Hibernia REIT Hold Co One Limited (77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (“77SJRQ”)) and 
NL7 Limited Partnership (Newlands development project). €35.5m related to 77SJRQ which was contracted for sale at 31 March 2019 
and the funds were received shortly after this date. These funds have been provided from the Group’s borrowings, as loans repayable on 
demand, to finance the assets held. There is no interest payable and they are held at amortised cost. Management assessed the loans for 
recovery and determined that there has been no significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, all loans to subsidiaries remain at 
stage 1 and they expect to recover the balances outstanding in full and that no material impairment loss has been recognised. 

h.  Other financial assets 

Derivatives at fair value

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

– 

2

For further information on other financial assets refer to note 21 of the consolidated financial statements

184

Financial statementsNotes to the Company financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
i. 

Trade and other receivables 

Non-current 

Property income receivables 

Other receivables 

Balance at end of financial year – non-current

Current

Prepaid remuneration 

Deposits paid on investment property

Property income receivables

Prepayments

Recoverable capital expenditure

Income tax refund due

VAT refundable

Balance at end of financial year – current

Balance at end of financial year – total

Of which classified as financial assets

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

4,624 

 765

5,389 

 – 

 145 

2,746 

 518 

333 

 42 

 418 

4,202 

 9,591 

1,987 

 4,231 

 1,400 

 5,631 

 2,679 

 – 

 2,042 

 606 

 416 

 88 

 146 

 5,977 

 11,608 

 2,191 

There are no amounts past due. The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. 

For further information on trade and other receivables refer to note 22 of the consolidated financial statements.

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

j. 
For further information on non-current assets classified as held for sale refer to note 19 of the consolidated financial statements.

Issued share capital and share premium

k. 
For information on issued share capital and share premium refer to note 23 of the consolidated financial statements

l.  Other reserves 

Property revaluation

Cash flow hedging

Other reserves

Balance at end of financial year

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000 

1,889 

 – 

7,556 

 9,445 

1,166 

(231)

8,783 

 9,718 

Property revaluation reserve

i. 
For further information on the property revaluation reserve refer to note 24.a of the consolidated financial statements.

ii.  Cash flow hedging reserve

Balance at beginning of financial year

Released to profit and loss

Gain/(loss) arising on fair value of hedging instruments entered into for cash flow hedges

Balance at end of financial year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

(231)

 231 

 – 

–

(217)

 54 

(68)

(231)

iii. Share-based payment reserve
For further information on the share-based payment reserve refer to note 24.c of the consolidated financial statements.

185

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Balance at beginning of financial year

Profit for the financial year

Share issuance costs

Dividends paid

Balance at end of financial year

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 344,758 

 279,528 

 114,989 

 82,900 

(14)

(14)

(23,719)

(17,656)

 436,014 

 344,758 

For further information on retained earnings, distributable reserves and dividends on equity instruments refer to note 25 of the 
consolidated financial statements.

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 156,524 

 218,409 

 28,246 

 74,524 

 27,641 

 – 

 259,294 

 246,050 

 149 

 358 

 507 

 809 

 – 

 809 

 259,801 

 246,859 

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 507 

 809 

 184,770 

246,050

 74,524 

 – 

 259,801 

 246,859 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

246,859 

340,412 

(326,372)

(1,098) 

184,102 

83,500 

(22,128)

1,385 

259,801 

246,859 

n.  Financial liabilities

Non-current

Unsecured bank borrowings

Debenture issued to subsidiary

Unsecured Notes

Total non-current

Current

Unsecured bank borrowings

Unsecured Notes

Total current

Total financial liabilities

The maturity of non-current financial liabilities is as follows: 

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

Over five years

Total

Movements in financial liabilities during the financial year:

Balance at beginning of financial year

Finance drawn during the financial year

Finance repaid during the financial year

Interest payable 

Balance at end of financial year

For further information on financial liabilities refer to note 26.a of the consolidated financial statements.

186

Financial statementsNotes to the Company financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.como.  Deferred tax liabilities
For further information on deferred tax liabilities refer to note 27 of the consolidated financial statements.

p.  Trade and other payables

Current

Investment property payable

Rent prepaid

Rent deposits and other amounts due to tenants

Sinking funds

Trade and other payables

PAYE/PRSI payable

Balance at end of financial year 

Of which classified as financial instruments

For further information on trade and other payables refer to note 28 of the consolidated financial statements.

q.  Contract liabilities

Contract liabilities at 1 April 2017

(Revenue)/expense recognised during the period

Amounts received from customers under contracts

Amounts paid to suppliers 

Contract liabilities at 31 March 2018

(Revenue)/expense recognised during the period

Amounts received from customers under contracts

Amounts paid to suppliers 

Contract liabilities at 31 March 2019

For further information on contract liabilities refer to note 29 of the consolidated financial statements.

As at  
31 March 2019 
€’000

As at  
31 March 2018 
€’000

 5,500 

 6,188 

 883 

 1,862 

 3,430

 260 

 18,123

3,195 

 4,269 

 7,288 

 1,568 

 2,037 

 2,257 

 144 

 17,563 

 1,831 

Total 
€’000

 862 

 – 

 4,190 

(3,632)

 1,420 

 – 

 5,006 

(4,808)

 1,618 

187

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comCash flow statement 

r. 
Non-cash movements in operating profit

Revaluation of investment property

Share-based payments 

Prepaid remuneration expense

Depreciation

Deferred tax

Non-cash movements in operating profit

Cash expended on investment property

Property purchases

Development and refurbishment expenditure 

Deposit paid on investment property

Decrease/(increase) in investment property costs payable

Cash expended on investment property

Cash received from sales of investment property

Property sales 

Profit on sales

(Increase)/decrease in receivable from investment property sales

Cash received from sales of investment property

Financial instruments and risk management 

s. 
The Company has identified exposure to the following risks: 

•  Market risk
•  Credit risk
•  Liquidity risk

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

(85,014)

(58,642)

 6,659 

 2,679 

 281 

 547

 7,902 

 4,444 

 269 

 – 

(74,848)

(46,027)

Notes

d

11 

e

o

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

Notes

d

d

i

p

Notes

d

 10,818 

45,377

 145 

(1,231)

 8,460 

 33,153 

 – 

 1,593 

55,109

43,206

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 61,759 

2,397

 – 

 29,390 

 6,425 

 – 

 64,156 

35,815

The substantial majority of these risks for the Group are held by the Company and managed at the Group level. Therefore, the policies 
for managing each of these and the principal effects of these policies on the results for the financial year are summarised in note 31 to 
the consolidated financial statements. The following tables measure the risks discussed on a Company only basis for the purpose of 
these discussions. 

In addition to the assets and liabilities of the Group, the Company has loans to subsidiaries that are repayable on demand. These loans 
are therefore carried at their amortised costs which approximates their fair value. These loans are made by the Parent Company in order 
to fund the purchase of, and capital expenditure on, investment properties which are secured to the parent. The fair value of the collateral 
properties is €187.0m while the receivable from the sale of 77SJRQ was €35.5m (31 March 2018: €180.4m collateral value). 

The following tables present the classification of financial assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy and the changes in fair value 
measurements at Level 3 estimated for the Company only for the purposes of making the disclosures in note 31 of the consolidated 
financial statements. Assets held at Level 3 include investment properties in addition to the loans to subsidiaries.

188

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Financial instruments and risk management continued

s. 
Classification of financial assets and liabilities
At 31 March 2019

Trade and other receivables

Loans to subsidiaries

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

At 31 March 2018

Trade and other receivables

Loans to subsidiaries

Derivatives at fair value

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Of which 
are assessed 
as financial 
instruments
€’000

1,987 

Total
€’000

9,591 

148,946

148,946

(259,801)

(259,801)

(18,123)

(1,618)

(3,195)

(1,618)

(121,005)

(113,681)

Of which 
are assessed 
as financial 
instruments
€’000

2,191 

113,139

2

Total
€’000

11,608 

113,139

2

(246,859)

(246,859)

(17,563)

(1,420)

(1,831)

(1,420)

Level

2

3

2

2

2

Level

2

3

2

2

2

2

Measured at 
fair value
€’000

Measured at 
amortised cost
€’000

Total financial 
instruments
€’000

Fair value 
of financial 
instruments
€’000

– 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

1,987

1,987

1,987

148,946

148,946

148,946

(259,801)

(259,801)

(259,801)

(3,195)

(1,618)

(3,195)

(1,618)

(3,195)

(1,618)

(113,681)

(113,681)

(113,681)

Measured at 
fair value
€’000

Measured at 
amortised cost
€’000

Total financial 
instruments
€’000

Fair value 
of financial 
instruments
€’000

2,191 

113,139

2

523 

–

2

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,668

113,139

–

2,191 

113,139

2

(246,859)

(246,859)

(246,859)

(1,831)

(1,420)

(1,831)

(1,420)

(1,831)

(1,420)

Changes in fair value measurement at level 3

Balance at beginning of financial year

Transfers out of Level 3

Purchases, sales, issues and settlement:

Purchases

Sales

Advances

Repayments 

Fair value movement

Balance at end of financial year

Maximum credit exposure

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Balance at end of financial year

Liquidity risk

Net current assets at end of financial year

(141,093)

(134,778)

525 

(135,303)

(134,778)

(134,778)

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial  
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

1,241,431 

1,104,495 

– 

– 

56,195 

(61,759)

36,629 

(822)

85,014 

41,613 

(29,390)

66,473 

(402)

58,642 

1,356,688 

1,241,431 

As at 31 March 
2019 
€’000

As at 31 March 
2018 
€’000

– 

1,987 

20,733

22,720 

2 

2,191 

21,795

23,988 

As at 31 March 
2019 
€’000

As at 31 March 
2018 
€’000

5,221

8,514

189

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t.  Operating lease receivables 
Future aggregate minimum rentals receivable (to the next break date) under non-cancellable operating leases are:

Operating lease receivables due in: 

Less than one year

Between two and five years

Greater than five years

Total 

As at 31 March 
2019 
€’000

As at 31 March 
2018 
€’000

47,856 

134,007

148,689 

330,552 

46,977 

130,494

84,383 

261,854 

u.  Dividends
For information on the dividends paid and proposed during the financial year please refer to note 14 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

Investment in subsidiary undertakings 

v. 
The major subsidiaries of the Company are disclosed in note 36.a of the consolidated financial statements. The Group has other subsidiary 
companies which are generally property management companies and are not considered material in the Group’s operations. 

The Group has no interests in unconsolidated subsidiaries. 

w.  Capital commitments
The Company has entered into a number of development contracts to develop buildings in its portfolio. The total capital expenditure 
commitment in relation to these over the next one to two years is approximately €32m (31 March 2018: €74m). 

x.  Related parties
i. 
Please refer to note 36.a of the consolidated financial statements. 

Subsidiaries

ii.  Other transactions
Transactions with related parties are the same as those disclosed in note 36.b of the consolidated financial statements.

iii.  Key management personnel
For information on key management personnel refer to note 36.c of the consolidated financial statements.

Income statement of the Parent Company

y. 
The Parent Company of the Group is Hibernia REIT plc. In accordance with Section 304 (2) of the Companies Act, 2014, the Parent 
Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its individual Income Statement to the Annual General Meeting and from filing 
it with the Registrar of Companies. The Parent Company’s profit after tax for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 determined in 
accordance with IFRS is €115.0m (31 March 2018: €82.9m).

190

Financial statementsNotes to the Company financial statements continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
z.  Changes in accounting policies
This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on the 
Company’s financial statements. 

Impact on the financial statements
As a result of the changes in the entity’s accounting policies, there was no restatement of the prior year financial statements and therefore 
no impact on balances as at 1 April 2018. There were minor amendments to presentations to reflect changes in classifications arising from 
the new policies. There was no impact on profit or loss or reserves from the adoption of either IFRS so this is not shown.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial 
liabilities, de-recognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. 

The adoption of IFRS 9 has had minimal impact on the financial statements as the Company does not have a large number of 
financial instruments. 

There were no reclassifications of financial assets or liabilities as a result of the adoption of IFRS 9 in the Company financial statements. 

Impairment of financial assets
The Company has two types of financial assets that are subject to IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model. 

•  Trade receivables for rental income and other property income 
•  Loans receivable 

The Company has a small balance of trade receivables that are classified as financial assets and that are mainly of a very short-term 
nature. Trade receivables that are financial assets are managed under a “held to collect” business model and the cash collected represents 
principal and interest where applicable. The Company has adopted the simplified credit loss approach in assessing impairment on these 
as they do not contain a significant financing component. The move from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model has therefore 
had an immaterial effect on balances and there is no restatement of prior year financial statements required. 

The Company has a number of loans outstanding to subsidiaries that have no interest payable and are repayable on demand. In order to 
repay these loans, the subsidiaries would have to sell the underlying buildings these loans have funded. The Company has assessed these 
balances as at 1 April 2018 and the future strategies associated with the properties and determined that as at this date, recovery strategies 
indicate that the Company would have fully recovered the balances on these loans as at that date and as a result of this assessment the 
expected credit losses on transition to IFRS 9 were immaterial. 

Financial liabilities
There was no impact on financial liabilities of the Company due to the adoption of IFRS 9. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company’s revenue is mainly from rental income under lease contracts and therefore falls under IFRS 17 (IFRS 16 from 1 April 
2019). The adoption of IFRS 15 therefore resulted in no re-measurements of balances included in the financial statements. It resulted in 
one change in presentation of amounts in the statement of financial position as at 31 March 2018 (and 1 April 2018) as illustrated in the 
table above. An amount of €1.4m was reclassified from trade payables to contract liabilities. This represents amounts due in relation to 
performance obligations under service charge arrangements. 

See note q (Contract liabilities) for further details and notes 3 and 37 of the consolidated financial statements for transition notes. 

aa.  Events after the reporting date
For information on events after the reporting date refer to note 38 of the consolidated financial statements.

191

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Supplementary information (unaudited) 

Five-year record

I. 
Based on the Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March:

2019
€’m

 1,395 

 77 

(231)

(23)

 1,218

 694 

 524 

 1,218

 174.7 

 173.3 

2019
€’m

 53 

 98 

 – 

(19)

 132 

(8)

124

(1)

 123 

 17.8 

 17.6 

 4.0 

 3.9 

 3.5 

2018
€’m

 1,309 

 44 

(219)

(22)

 1,112 

 687 

 425 

 1,112 

 160.6 

 159.1 

2018
€’m

 46 

 88 

 – 

(21)

 113 

(6)

107

– 

 107 

 15.5 

 15.4 

 2.8 

 2.8 

 3.0 

2017
€’m

 1,167 

 43 

(171)

(25)

 1,014 

 678 

 336 

 1,014 

 147.9 

 146.3 

2017
€’m

 40 

 104 

2 

(21)

 125 

(6)

119

– 

 119 

 17.3 

 17.2 

 2.2 

 2.2 

 2.2 

2016
€’m

 928 

 61 

(73)

(19)

 897 

 673 

 224 

 897 

 131.6 

 130.8 

2016
€’m

 30 

 125 

 –

(15)

 140 

(4)

136

– 

 136 

 20.2 

 20.1 

 1.5 

 1.5 

 1.5 

2015
€’m

 641 

 167 

–

(55)

 753 

 658 

 95 

 753 

 112.4 

 111.8 

2015
€’m

 18 

 86 

3 

(12)

 95 

(2)

93

– 

 93 

 18.4 

 18.3 

 0.8 

 0.8 

 0.8 

Consolidated statement of financial position

Investment property

Other assets

Financial liabilities

Other liabilities

Net assets

Financed by: 

Share capital

Reserves

Total equity

IFRS NAV per share (cent)

EPRA NAV per share (cent)

Consolidated income statement

Net rental income

Gains and losses on investment property

Other gains and losses

Total operating expenses

Operating profit

Net finance expense

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

Basic earnings per share (cent)

Diluted earnings per share (cent)

EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Diluted EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Dividend per share (cent)

192

Financial statementsHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comII.  Alternative performance measures
The Group has applied the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) “Guidelines on Alternative Performance Measures” in this 
report. An alternative performance measure (“APM”) is a measure of financial or future performance, position or cash flows of the Group 
which is not a measure defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). 

The following are the APMs used in this report together with information on their calculation and relevance.

Reference

Definition

APM

Contracted 
rent roll

EPRA 
cost ratios

Reconciled to 
IFRS measure

n/a

IFRS operating 
expenses 

EPRA earnings 
and adjusted 
EPRA earnings

IFRS profit 
after tax

n/a

III.b

III.a

IFRS earnings 
per share

Note 15  
III.a

n/a

III.d

EPRA earnings 
per share 
(“EPRA EPS”)

EPRA 
like-for-like 
rental growth 
reporting

EPRA NAV

IFRS NAV 

Note 16  
III.f

Contracted rent under the lease agreements, and excluding all incentives or rent abatements, for the 
portfolio as at the reporting date. 

Calculated using all administrative and operating expenses under IFRS net of service fees. It is calculated 
including and excluding vacancy costs.

As EPRA earnings is used to measure the operational performance of the Group, it excludes all 
components not relevant to the underlying net income performance of the portfolio, such as the change 
in value of the underlying investments and any gains or losses from the sales of investment properties. 
Adjusted EPRA earnings include some further adjustments made to assist investors in understanding the 
underlying earnings of the Group. 

EPRA earnings on a per share basis.

Like-for-like (“LfL”) rental growth compares the growth of the net rental income of the portfolio that has 
been consistently in operation, and not under development, during the two full preceding periods that 
are described.

The objective of the EPRA NAV measure is to highlight the fair value of net assets on an ongoing, long-
term basis. Assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in normal circumstances, such as 
the fair value of financial derivatives and deferred taxes on property valuation surpluses are therefore 
excluded. 

EPRA NAV 
per share

IFRS NAV per 
share 

Note 16  
III.f

EPRA NAV calculated on a diluted basis taking into account the impact of any options, convertibles, etc. 
that are “dilutive”.

EPRA NNNAV IFRS NAV via 

III.f

EPRA NAV

Reports EPRA NAV including fair value adjustments for any material balance sheet items which are not 
included in EPRA NAV at fair value. 

III.f

III.e

III.e

EPRA NNNAV on a per share basis.

Inherent yield of the completed portfolio using passing rent at the reporting date.

Inherent yield of the completed portfolio using contracted rent at the reporting date.

III.c

Estimated rental value (“ERV”) of the vacant space over the total ERV of the completed portfolio.

Note 26.b

Net debt as a proportion of the value of investment properties.

Dividend per 
share

Note 14

Number of cent per share to be distributed to shareholders in dividends. 

Financial 
liabilities

Note 26.b

Financial liabilities net of cash balances (as reduced by the amounts collected from tenants for deposits, 
sinking funds and similar) available. 

Passing rent

Property-
related capital 
expenditure

Reversionary 
potential

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Note 17
III.g.ii

Annualised gross property rent receivable on a cash basis as at the reporting date.

Property-related capital expenditure analysed so as to illustrate the element of such expenditure that is 
maintenance rather than investment. 

III.g.i

Potential rent uplift available from leases with break dates, expiring or review events in future periods. 

Total 
accounting 
return (“TAR”)

Indirectly 
through EPRA 
NAV

Note 16

Measures the absolute growth in the Group’s EPRA NAV per share plus any ordinary dividends paid in 
the accounting period.

Total property 
return (“TPR”)

n/a

n/a

Total property return is the return for the period of the property portfolio (capital and income) as 
measured by the MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All Assets Index.

193

EPRA NNNAV 
per share

IFRS NAV via 
EPRA NAV

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

EPRA Net 
Initial Yield 
(“EPRA NIY”)

EPRA topped-
up Net Initial 
Yield (“EPRA 
topped-up 
NIY”)

EPRA 
vacancy rate

Loan to value 
(“LTV”)

Final and 
interim 
dividend 
per share

Net debt

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIII.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures
EPRA performance measures are calculated according to the EPRA Best Practices Recommendations November 2016. EPRA  
performance measures are used in order to enhance transparency and comparability with other public real estate companies  
in Europe. EPRA has consulted investors and preparers of information in order to compile its recommendations. Using these  
measures ensures that the Group’s investors can compare the Group’s performance on a like-for-like basis with similar companies. 

Further details on these measures are set out below, including their calculation and reconciliation to the financial statements 
where applicable. 

III.a  EPRA earnings
EPRA earnings are presented as they are important for investors in assessing the extent to which dividends are supported by 
recurring income. 

EPRA earnings per share and diluted EPRA earnings per share 

Profit for the financial year attributable to the owners of the Company 

Less: 

Gains and losses on investment property

Profit or loss on disposals of other assets 

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA adjustments

Changes in fair value of financial instruments and associated close-out costs

EPRA earnings 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) (note 15)

EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Diluted EPRA earnings per share (cent)

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 123,459

 107,101 

(98,105)

(87,802)

(140)

547 

 1,711

 27,472

 – 

 – 

 104 

 19,403 

 ‘000 

 ‘000 

 694,968 

 688,900 

700,996 

 695,499 

 4.0

 3.9 

 2.8 

 2.8 

Impact of Internalisation: In order to show the impact of items relating to the original external management structure and the  
subsequent Internalisation, which ceased to be an expense to the Group on 26 November 2018, EPRA earnings are shown below  
adjusted to remove Internalisation-related costs. All IMA related amounts are removed and the estimated annual cost of the new 
remuneration scheme when fully in effect added in. 

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

27,472

2,679

1,482

608

5,401

37,642

(4,000)

33,642

19,403 

4,444 

1,743 

–

6,599 

32,189 

(4,000)

28,189

694,968 

688,900 

4.8 

4.1

EPRA earnings as calculated above 

Prepaid remuneration expense

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses

New remuneration scheme expense

IMA performance-related payments 

Underlying earnings excluding effects of management charges

Estimated annual costs of new remuneration scheme

Adjusted EPRA earnings

Weighted average number of shares

Adjusted earnings per share (cent)

194

Financial statementsSupplementary information (unaudited) continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
III.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures continued
III.b  EPRA cost ratios
EPRA costs are calculated below. These costs ceased on 26 November 2018 with the expiry of the IMA. Adjusted costs ratios are provided 
to show indicative impacts on ratios for future financial years.

Total operating expenses under IFRS

Property expenses

Net service charge costs/fees

EPRA costs including direct vacancy costs

Direct vacancy costs

EPRA costs excluding direct vacancy costs

Gross rental income

EPRA cost ratio including direct vacancy costs

EPRA cost ratio excluding direct vacancy costs

The Group has not capitalised any overheads in the current or the prior financial year. 

Costs adjusted for Internalisation

EPRA costs including direct vacancy costs

Prepaid remuneration expense

“Top-up” Internalisation expenses 

IMA performance-related payments

Estimated annual costs of new remuneration scheme

Costs excluding Internalisation effects

Direct vacancy costs

Costs excluding direct vacancy costs

Gross rental income

Adjusted EPRA cost ratio including direct vacancy costs

Adjusted EPRA cost ratio excluding direct vacancy costs

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 19,291 

 2,596 

 122 

 22,009 

(545)

 21,464 

 56,027 

39.3%

38.3%

20,116

3,147

205

23,468

(1,073)

22,395

49,075

47.8%

45.6%

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

 22,009 

 23,468 

(2,679)

(1,482)

(5,401)

4,000

 16,447 

(545)

 15,902 

 56,027 

29.4%

28.4%

(4,444)

(1,743)

(6,599)

4,000

 14,682 

(1,073)

13,609

49,075

29.9%

27.7%

III.c  EPRA vacancy rate
This provides comparable and consistent vacancy data for investors based on the independent valuer’s assessment of ERV. The EPRA 
vacancy rate measures the ERV of vacant space expressed as a percentage of the total ERV.

Annualised ERV vacant units

Annualised ERV completed portfolio 

EPRA vacancy rate

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019 
€’000

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’000

7,265 

 67,760 

10.7%

 1,283 

 65,571 

2.0%

195

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comIII.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures continued
III.d  EPRA like-for-like rental growth 
Like-for-like (“LfL”) net rental growth compares the growth in the net rental income of the portfolio that has been consistently in 
operation, and not under development, during the two full preceding periods that are described. Information on the growth in rental 
income other than from acquisitions and disposals, allows stakeholders to arrive at an estimate of organic growth. This can be used to 
measure whether the reversions feed through as anticipated and the impact of changes in vacancy rates. This measure excludes rental 
income on disposals and acquisitions and properties under development or refurbishment during the period. All rental income is from 
properties based in Dublin, Ireland and the greater Dublin area. 

Financial year ended 31 March 2019

Whole portfolio

Like for like portfolio – year ended 31 March 2019

Value – all 
assets

Net rental 
income 

Value LfL 
assets

Net rental 
income LfL 
assets current 
year

Net rental 
income LfL 
assets prior 
year

Segment 

Office assets

Residential assets

Industrial/land assets

Total in-place portfolio

Development assets

Assets sold

Total portfolio

€’m

1,173.1 

153.1 

53.0 

1,379.2 

16.2 

1,395.4 

€’m

43.9 

5.5 

1.0 

50.4 

–

2.9 

53.3 

€’m

725.8 

134.1 

12.8 

€’m

35.3 

5.2 

0.7 

 €’m

32.5 

5.1 

0.7 

Growth in net rental income 

€’m

2.8 

0.1 

0.0 

%

8.5%

2.1%

5.8%

872.7 

41.2 

38.3 

2.9 

7.6%

Buildings excluded from LfL as at 31 March 2019

Developments/refurbishments concluded: 1WML, 1SJRQ, 2WML, Two Dockland Central, Hanover Mills, Cannon Place apartments. 

Developments in progress/sites: 2 Cumberland Place, Newlands land.

Properties acquired: 50 City Quay, 129 Slaney Road Industrial Park, Clanwilliam Apartments.

Properties sold: New Century House, 77 SJRQ (The Chancery, Hanover Street East and Lime Street sold in the year ended 31 March 2018).

Financial year ended 31 March 2018

Whole portfolio

Like for like portfolio – year ended 31 March 2018

Value – all 
assets

Net rental 
income 

Value LfL 
assets

Net rental 
income LfL 
assets current 
year

Net rental 
income LfL 
assets  

prior year

Office assets

Residential assets

Industrial/land assets

Total in-place portfolio

Development assets

Assets sold

Total portfolio

€’m

1,017.9 

138.5 

17.8 

1,174.2 

134.5 

1,308.7 

€’m

39.1 

5.2 

0.6 

44.9 

 –

0.8 

45.7 

€’m

484.6 

121.0 

12.8 

€’m

21.1 

5.1 

0.7 

 €’m

19.5 

4.9 

0.6 

Growth in net rental income 

€’m

1.6 

0.2 

0.1 

%

8.2%

4.1%

16.6%

618.4 

26.9 

25.0 

1.9 

7.6%

Buildings excluded from LfL as at 31 March 2018

Developments/refurbishments concluded: 1WML, One & Two Dockland Central, Hanover Mills, Cannon Place apartments. 

Developments in progress/sites: 1SJRQ, 2WML, 2 Cumberland Place, Newlands land.

Properties acquired: 77SJRQ, Clanwilliam Apartments (Clanwilliam Court acquired in year end March 2017).

Properties sold: The Chancery, Hanover Street East and Lime Street (no assets sold in the year ended 31 March 2017).

196

Financial statementsSupplementary information (unaudited) continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
III.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures continued
III.e  EPRA Net Initial Yield (“EPRA NIY”) and EPRA “topped-up” Net initial yield 
EPRA NIY: This measures the inherent yield of the portfolio according to set guidelines to allow investors to compare real estate 
investment companies across Europe on a consistent basis, using current cash passing rent.  
EPRA “topped-up” NIY: This measures the yield based on rents adjusted for the expiration of lease incentives, i.e. on a contracted 
rent basis. 

At 31 March 2019

Investment property at fair value

 1,173,140 

 153,079 

 53,000 

 1,379,219 

Less: Development/refurbishment

 – 

 – 

 (35,500)1 

 (35,500) 

 16,199 

(16,199)

Office 
€’000

Residential 
€’000

Industrial/land 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Development 
€’000

Total  

€’000

 1,395,418 

(51,699)

Completed property portfolio

Allowance for purchasers’ costs2

 1,173,140 

 153,079 

 17,500 

 1,343,719 

 –

 1,343,719

 99,248 

 6,827 

1,481 

 107,556 

Gross up completed property portfolio

 1,272,388 

 159,906 

 18,981 

 1,451,275 

Annualised cash passing rental income3

Property outgoings

Annualised net rents

Expiry of lease incentives and fixed uplifts4

“Topped-up” annualised net rent

EPRA NIY

EPRA “Topped-up” NIY

46,401

(755)

45,646 

 6,929 

52,575

3.6%

4.1%

 7,099 

(1,232)

 5,867 

 – 

 5,867 

3.7%

3.7%

 1,135 

(31)

 1,104 

130 

 1,234 

5.8%

6.5%

 54,635 

(2,018)

 52,617 

 7,059 

 59,676 

3.6%

4.1%

1.  Lands at Newlands are excluded as held for future development.

2.  Purchasers’ costs are 8.46% for commercial and 4.46% for residential.

3.  Cash passing rent includes residential rents gross as property outgoings are included separately.

4.  Expiry of lease incentives and fixed uplifts are mainly within one year.

At 31 March 2018 

Office 
€’000

Residential 
€’000

Industrial/land 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Development 
€’000

Total
€’000

Investment property at fair value

1,017,937

138,480

17,800

1,174,217

134,500

1,308,717

Less: Development/refurbishment

 – 

 – 

(5,000)1 

(5,000) 

(134,500)

(139,500)

Completed property portfolio

Allowance for purchasers’ costs2

1,017,937

138,480

86,117

6,176

12,800

1,083

1,169,217

93,376

–

1,169,217

Gross up completed property portfolio

1,104,054

144,656

13,883

1,262,593

Annualised cash passing rental income3

Property outgoings

Annualised net rents

Expiry of lease incentives and fixed uplifts4

“Topped-up” annualised net rent

EPRA NIY

EPRA “Topped-up” NIY

43,836

(1,662)

42,174

5,798

47,972

3.8%

4.3%

6,816

(1,229)

5,587

47 

5,634

3.9%

3.9%

695

–

695

10

705

5.0%

5.1%

51,347

(2,891)

48,456

5,855

54,311

3.8%

4.3%

1.  Lands at Newlands are excluded as held for future development.

2.  Purchasers’ costs are 8.46% for commercial and 4.46% for residential.

3.  Cash passing rent includes residential rents gross as property outgoings are included separately.

4.  Expiry of lease incentives and fixed uplifts are all within one year.

197

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III.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures continued
III.f  EPRA NAV and EPRA NNNAV
The objective of these measures is to highlight the fair value of net assets on an ongoing, long-term basis. Therefore assets which are not 
expected to crystallise in normal circumstances are excluded while trading properties are adjusted to their fair value. The Group presents 
its investment properties in its financial statements at fair value as allowed under IAS 40 and has no items not expected to crystallise in 
a long-term investment property business model. The fair value of derivative instruments is excluded from EPRA NAV on the basis that 
these are hedging instruments and intended to be held to maturity. EPRA NNNAV is the EPRA NAV adjusted to reflect the fair value of 
debt and derivatives and to include deferred taxation on revaluations (if any).

IFRS NAV

Deferred tax

Fair value of financial instruments

EPRA NAV

Deferred tax

Fair value of financial instruments

EPRA NNNAV

Ordinary shares in issue including shares to be issued – “diluted” (note 16)

Financial year ended 
31 March 2019

Financial year ended 
31 March 2018

€’000 Cent per share

€’000 Cent per share

 1,218,539 

547

288

1,111,730 

 – 

345 

 1,219,374 

173.3

1,112,075 

159.1 

(547)

(288)

 1,218,539 

 703,617

173.2

 – 

(345)

1,111,730 

698,946

159.1 

III.g  Portfolio information
Portfolio information can be generally found in the strategic report. Below is further information based on the guidelines issued by EPRA. 

Reversionary potential 

i. 
The following data is calculated for the in-place office and industrial portfolio (inclusive of the Iconic arrangement) and based on the 
earliest of review, break or expiry dates. Residential data is excluded as reversion to ERV is limited to 4% in rent-controlled areas where all 
the residential assets are based, and residential leases generally roll annually. Contracted rent is used to avoid overstating uplifts to ERV 
as fixed uplifts are generally in the first year of lease and are accounted for on a smoothed period over the lease term in the financial data. 
Further details on portfolio rent statistics can be found in the strategic report. 

As at 31 March 2019 

Rent subject to 
rent reviews

Financial year ended 31 March

2020

2021

2022-2024

>2024

Contracted rent

Uplift to ERV1

Total

% increase/(decrease) possible

From vacant space 

Total

3.9 

3.1 

7.0 

80%

7.4 

 14.4 

Rent subject to 
break or expiry

1.6 

– 

 1.6 

0%

 – 

1.6 

 19.9 

(0.1) 

 19.8 

8.9

 0.2 

9.1 

 – 

 19.8 

 – 

9.1 

(1)%

2%

9%

Financial year ended 31 March

2020

2021

2022–2024

>2024

Contracted rent

Uplift to ERV

Total

% increase/(decrease) possible

Total reversion from review and break/expiry (excluding vacancy)

Total contracted rent

Total uplift to ERV

% total increase/(decrease) possible

% increase possible including vacancy 

1.9 

0.7 

2.6 

37%

5.8 

3.8 

53%

2.7 

– 

2.7 

–

4.3 

– 

–

 13.6 

 (0.3) 

 13.3 

(2)%

 33.5 

 (0.4) 

(1)%

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 8.9

0.2 

2% 

1.  ERV uplift includes all “in-place” office potential uplifts. The Group may develop some of these properties in the longer term and therefore these reversions may not 

be obtained. 

198

Total

34.3

3.2

 37.5 

7.4 

44.9 

Total

 18.2

0.4

18.6 

2%

 52.5

3.6

7%

21%

Financial statementsSupplementary information (unaudited) continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
 
 
 
III.  European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) performance measures continued 
III.g  Portfolio information continued
i. 
As at 31 March 2018

Reversionary potential continued

Financial year ended 31 March

Contracted rent

Uplift to ERV1

Total

% increase/(decrease) possible

From vacant space 

Total

Financial year ended 31 March

Contracted rent

Uplift to ERV

Total

% increase possible

Total reversion from review and break/expiry (excluding vacancy)

Total contracted rent

Total uplift to ERV

% increase possible

% increase possible including vacancy 

Rent subject to 
rent reviews

2019

 7.7 

 4.5 

 12.2 

59%

1.2 

 13.4 

Rent subject to 
break or expiry

2019

 4.2 

 0.3 

 4.5

8%

11.9 

4.8 

40%

2020

2021-2023

>2023

 1.5 

 0.2 

 1.7 

13%

 – 

 1.7

 24.1 

 0.1 

 24.2 

0%

 – 

 24.2 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2020

2021–2023

>2023

 1.8 

 0.2 

2.0 

11%

3.3 

0.4 

12%

 11.4 

 0.5 

 11.9 

4%

 35.5 

 0.6 

2%

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total

 33.3 

 4.8 

 38.1 

15%

 1.2 

 39.3 

Total

 17.4 

 1.0 

 18.4 

6%

50.7

5.8

11%

14%

1.  ERV uplift includes all “in-place” office potential uplifts. The Group may develop some of these properties in the longer term and therefore these reversions may not 

be obtained. 

Property-related capital expenditure

ii. 
Capital expenditure on the investment portfolio is analysed to allow an understanding of the investment in the portfolio during the period. 
Further information on capital expenditure is available in note 17 to the consolidated financial statements as well as in the operational 
review section of this report. 

Acquisitions

Capital expenditure

Developments1

LFL portfolio

Other2

Total capital expenditure for period

1.  Capital expenditure relating to development or major refurbishment of 1SJRQ, 1&2WML, Two Dockland Central and 2 Cumberland Place.

2.  Financing expenses capitalised.

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2019
€’m

Financial 
year ended 
31 March 2018 
€’m

40.0

47.2

44.8

1.8

0.6

87.2

39.1

50.2

45.8

2.4

2.0

89.4

199

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
 
IV. Other disclosures
Disclosures required under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”) for Annual Reports of Alternative 
Investment Funds (“AIF”) 
Material changes and periodic risk management disclosures
All disclosure requirements to be made to shareholders and investors are made on the Company’s website: www.hiberniareit.com.

Financial information disclosures
There were €2.6m gains arising on the sale of investment properties (31 March 2018: €6.4m). Included within the unrealised gains disclosed 
under IFRS there is a total of €8.1m (31 March 2018: €15.3m) in unrealised losses and €103.6m (31 March 2018: €96.7m) in unrealised gains. 

Remuneration disclosures
Hibernia REIT plc has adopted a Remuneration Policy with the objective of aligning the interests of employees of the Group with the 
creation of long-term value for the shareholders of Hibernia REIT plc. The remuneration paid takes account of the remuneration in similar 
organisations, the regulatory and governance framework and the current economic climate. Further details on the Remuneration Policy 
are in the Remuneration report on pages 93 to 114 of the Annual Report. Performance-related remuneration takes account of personal 
performance and the financial performance of Hibernia REIT plc.

The total remuneration paid to staff in the financial year (via cash and deferred shares and inclusive of amounts recouped via service 
charges from tenants), all of whom are engaged in managing the Group activities, was €6,279,755 of which €4,485,063 comprised 
fixed remuneration and €1,794,692 comprised variable remuneration (31 March 2018: €5,243,190 of which €3,794,219 comprised fixed 
remuneration and €1,448,971 comprised variable remuneration). The average number of identified staff during the financial year was 33 
(31 March 2018: 28).

Non-financial information statement 
We are not obliged to comply with the new non-financial reporting requirements contained in the European Union (Disclosure  
of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 (the “2017 Regulations”).  
However, the table below, and the information it refers to, is intended to help readers of the Group’s Annual Report find key  
non-financial information relevant to the Group. 

Policies and standards  
that govern our approach1

Reporting requirement 

Business model 

Key performance indicators  
relevant to our business

Environmental matters 

Sustainability Policy2

Social and employee matters 

Human rights 

Bribery and corruption 

Diversity policy 
Anti-bullying and harassment policy1
Disability policy1 
Equal opportunities policy1 
Health and safety policy1 

Supplier Code of Conduct2 
Data protection policy2 
Modern slavery statement 

Anti-bribery policy1 
Whistle-blowing policy1 
Money laundering policy1
Gifts and inducement policy1

Read more here

Our business model 

Key performance indicators 
Operational metrics 

Sustainability
Sustainability Report 20192 

Corporate governance report 

Page

30 to 31

34
35

59 to 63
4 to 5

74

Supplier Code of Conduct2
Sustainability Report 20192

21

Diversity 

Diversity policy 

Corporate governance report 

74

1.  Certain Group policies and guidelines are not published externally. 

2.  Further information is available on our website, including our Supplier Code of Conduct, our Sustainability Policy and our Sustainability Report 2019. 

200

Financial statementsSupplementary information (unaudited) continuedHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.com 
Occupiers representing over 0.5% of contracted rent at 31 March 2019

Tenant 

HubSpot Ireland Limited

The Commissioners of Public Works 

Twitter International Company

Autodesk Ireland Operations Limited

Informatica Ireland EMEA

Electricity Supply Board

Travelport Digital Limited

BNY Mellon Fund Services (Ireland) DAC

The Commission for Communications Regulation

Core Media

Riot Games Limited

AWAS Aviation Acquisitions Limited

O.D.S Company (Eversheds Sutherland)

Deloitte Ireland LLP

Pay & Shop Ltd T/a Realex Payments

An Bord Bia

Capita Life & Pension Services Irl Limited

Quinn McDonnell Pattison Limited

Park Rite

Invesco Global Asset Management Limited

Daqri International Limited

Pinsent Masons Services Ireland Limited

Weston Office Solutions Limited

Renaissance Svcs of Europe Limited

Hines Real Estate Ireland Limited

Crowe Horwath Bastow Charleton

ENI Insurance DAC

Bearingpoint Ireland Limited

Morgan Stanley Fund Services (Irl.) Limited

Altify Ireland Limited

BCWM plc

ALD RE DAC

Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited

€’m

 10.5 

 6.0 

 5.1 

 2.8 

 2.1 

 1.9 

 1.8 

 1.6 

 1.6 

 1.4 

 1.2 

 1.2 

 1.0 

 1.0 

 0.9 

 0.8 

 0.7 

 0.7 

 0.7 

 0.6 

 0.6 

 0.6 

 0.5 

 0.4 

 0.4 

 0.4 

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.3 

 0.2 

 0.2 

%

20.9

11.9

10.1

5.6

4.2

3.7

3.6

3.2

3.2

2.8

2.4

2.4

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

201

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comDirectors and Other Information 

Directors and other information 

Directors
Daniel Kitchen (Chairman) 
Colm Barrington (Senior Independent Director) 
Roisin Brennan (from 16 January 2019) 
Thomas Edwards-Moss (CFO) 
Stewart Harrington 
Frank Kenny  
Kevin Nowlan (CEO) 
Terence O’Rourke

Company Secretary
Sean O’Dwyer 

Assistant Secretary
Sanne Corporate Administration Services Ireland  
Limited t/a Sanne 
4th Floor  
76 Lower Baggot Street 
Dublin D02 EK81 
Ireland

Registered office
South Dock House 
Hanover Quay 
Dublin D02 XW94  
Ireland

Company number
531267

Independent auditor
Deloitte Ireland LLP 
Chartered Accountants  
and Statutory Audit Firm 
29 Earlsfort Terrace 
Dublin D02 AY28 
Ireland

Tax adviser
KPMG 
1 Stokes Place 
St. Stephen’s Green 
Dublin D02 DE03 
Ireland

Independent valuer
Cushman & Wakefield 
164 Shelbourne Road 
Ballsbridge 
Dublin 4 
Ireland

Principal banker
Bank of Ireland 
2 Burlington Plaza 
Burlington Road 
Dublin 4 
Ireland

Depositary
BNP Paribas Securities Services, Dublin Branch 
Trinity Point  
10-11 Leinster Street South 
Dublin D02 EF85 
Ireland

Registrar
Link Registrars Limited t/a Link Asset Services  
2 Grand Canal Square 
Dublin D02 A342 
Ireland

Principal legal adviser
A&L Goodbody 
25/28 North Wall Quay 
IFSC 
Dublin D01 H104 
Ireland

Corporate brokers
Goodbody Stockbrokers 
Ballsbridge Park 
Ballsbridge 
D04 YW83 
Ireland

Credit Suisse International 
One Cabot Square 
London E14 40J 
United Kingdom

202

Additional InformationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comGlossary

Glossary

AIF is an Alternative Investment Fund.

AIFM is an Alternative Investment 
Fund Manager. 

Brexit is the UK exit from the 
European Union.

Cash passing rent is the gross property 
rent receivable on a cash basis as at the 
reporting date. It includes sundry items 
such as car parks rent and estimates of 
rents in respect of unsettled rent reviews. 

CBD is Central Business District.

Contracted rent is the annualised rent 
adjusted for the inclusion of rent that is 
subject to a rental incentive such as a  
rent-free period or reduced rent year. 

Developer’s profit is the profit on cost 
estimated by valuers which is typically a 
percentage of developer’s costs, usually 
between 10% and 25%. 

Development construction cost is the 
total costs of construction to completion, 
excluding site and financing costs. 
Finance costs are usually assumed at 
a notional percentage per annum by 
the valuers. 

DPS is dividend per share.

DRIP or dividend reinvestment plan is 
a plan offered by the Group that allows 
investors to reinvest their cash dividends 
by purchasing additional shares on the 
dividend payment date.

EPRA is the European Public Real Estate 
Association, which is the industry body for 
European property companies. It produces 
guidelines for number of standardised 
performance measures (e.g. EPRA earnings, 
EPRA NAV).

EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy 
costs) is the ratio of net overheads and 
operating expenses against gross rental 
income. Net overheads and operating 
expenses relate to all administrative and 
operating expenses net of any service 
fees, recharges or other income which is 
specifically intended to cover overhead and 
property expenses. 

EPRA cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy 
costs) is the same as above except it 
excludes direct vacancy costs. 

EPRA earnings is the profit after tax 
excluding revaluations and gains and 
losses on disposals and associated taxation 
(if any). 

EPRA NAV per share is the EPRA NAV 
divided by the diluted number of shares  
at the period end. 

EPRA net asset value (“EPRA NAV”)  
is defined as the IFRS assets excluding 
the mark to market on effective cash flow 
hedges and related debt instruments  
and deferred taxation on revaluations. 

EPRA net initial yield (“NIY”) is the 
passing rent generated by the investment 
portfolio at the balance sheet date, 
less estimated recurring irrecoverable 
property costs, expressed as a percentage 
of the portfolio valuation as adjusted. 
The portfolio valuation is adjusted by the 
exclusion of development properties and 
those under refurbishment. 

EPRA NNNAV is the EPRA NAV adjusted 
to reflect the fair value of debt and 
derivatives and to include deferred taxation 
on revaluations.

EPRA topped-up net initial yield is 
calculated as the EPRA NIY but adjusting 
the passing rent for contractually agreed 
uplifts, where these are not in lieu of 
rental growth. 

EPRA vacancy rate is the Estimated Rental 
Value (“ERV”) of vacant space divided by 
the ERV of the whole portfolio, excluding 
developments and residential property. 
This is the inverse of the occupancy rate. 

EPS or earnings per share is the profit after 
taxation divided by the weighted average 
number of shares in issue during the period.

Equivalent yield is the weighted average of 
the initial yield and reversionary yield and 
represents the return that a property will 
produce based on the occupancy data of 
the tenant leases. 

ERV or estimated rental value is the 
external valuer’s opinion as to what the 
open market rental value of the property 
is on the valuation date, and which could 
reasonably be expected to be the rent 
obtainable on a new letting on that 
property on the valuation date. 

Fair value movement is the accounting 
adjustment to change the book value of  
the asset or liability to its market value. 

FRI lease is a full repairing and 
insuring lease.

GRESB is the Global ESG benchmark for 
real estate assets.

Gross rental income is the accounting 
based rental income under IFRS. When the 
Group provides incentives to its tenants the 
incentives are recognised over the lease 
term on a straight-line basis in accordance 
with IFRS. Gross rental income is therefore 
the passing rent as adjusted for the 
spreading of these incentives. 

Hibernia is Hibernia REIT plc, the Group or 
the Company.

In-place portfolio is the portfolio of 
completed properties, i.e. excluding active 
development and refurbishment projects 
and land. 

Internalisation refers to the acquisition of 
the Investment Manager and the ultimate 
elimination of reliance on the external 
investment management function through 
bringing these activities inside the Group. 

IPO is the initial public offering, i.e. the first 
equity raising of the Company. 

IPMS are the international property 
measurement standards as issued by the 
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

IRR is internal rate of return.

Lease incentive is any consideration or 
expense, borne by the Group, in order to 
secure a lease. 

203

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsAdditional informationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comGlossary

LEED (“Leadership in Energy and 
Environmental Design”) is a green building 
certification System developed by the 
US Green Building Council (USGBC). 
Its aim is to be an objective measure of 
building sustainability.

Like-for-like (“LfL”) rental income growth 
is the growth in net rental income on 
properties owned through the current and 
previous periods under review. This growth 
rate includes revenue recognition and 
lease accounting adjustments but excludes 
properties held for development in either 
financial year or properties with guaranteed 
rental reviews.

Loan to value (“LTV”) is the ratio of 
the Group’s net debt to the value of its 
investment properties.

Long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) aims 
to encourage key employee retention and 
align their interests with those of the Group 
through the payment of rewards based on 
the Company and individual’s performance 
through shares in the Company that vest 
after a future period of service.

Market abuse regulations are issued by 
the Central Bank of Ireland and can be 
accessed on https://www.centralbank.ie/
regulation/securities-markets/market-
abuse/Pages/default.aspx. 

MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All 
Assets Index (“MSCI Ireland Index”) is the 
index produced by MSCI which measures 
the return of the property market in Ireland 
for all asset classes and which is calculated 
by MSCI both including and excluding 
Hibernia assets and is used to calculate  
our KPI ‘Total property return’ or TPR. 

NAVPS is the net asset value in cent 
per share.

Net development value is the external 
valuer’s view on the end value of a 
development property when the  
building is fully completed and let. 

Net equivalent yield is the weighted 
average income return (after allowing for 
notional purchaser’s costs) a property 
will produce based on the timing of the 
income received. As is normal practice, the 
equivalent yields (as determined by the 
external valuers) assumes rent is received 
annually in arrears. 

Net lettable or net internal area (“NIA”) is 
the usable area within a building measured 
to the internal face of the perimeter walls at 
each floor level. 

Net reversionary yield is the expected 
yield after the rent reverts to the ERV. 

Occupancy rate is the estimated rental 
value of let units as a percentage of the 
total estimated rental value of the portfolio, 
excluding development properties. 

Tenant or lease incentives are incentives 
offered to occupiers on entering into a 
new lease and may include a rent free or 
reduced rent period, or a cash contribution 
to fit-out. Under accounting rules, the value 
of these incentives is amortised through the 
rental income on a straight-line basis over 
the term of the lease or the period to the 
next break point. 

Term certain is the lease period to the next 
break or expiry.

Over rented is used to describe when the 
contracted rent is higher than the ERV. 

TMT sector is the technology, media and 
telecommunications sector. 

Passing rent is the annualised gross 
property rent receivable on a cash basis 
as at the reporting date. It includes sundry 
items such as car parks rent and estimates 
of rents in respect of unsettled rent reviews. 

Total Accounting Return (“TAR”) 
measures the absolute growth in the 
Group’s EPRA NAV per share plus any 
ordinary dividends paid.

Property income distributions (“PIDs”) 
are dividends distributed by a REIT that 
are subject to taxation in the hands of the 
shareholders. Normal withholding tax still 
applies in most cases. 

PRS is the private rented sector which 
refers to residential properties held for rent.

Psf is per square foot.

REIT is a Real Estate Investment Trust. 
Irish REITs follow section 705E of the  
Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

Remuneration Policy is the Remuneration 
Policy approved by shareholders at the 
2018 AGM and which took effect from 
27 November 2018. 

Reversion is the rent uplift where the  
ERV is higher than the contracted rent. 

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors 
(“RICS”) Professional Standards, RICS 
Global Valuation Practice Statements 
and the RICS Global Valuation Practice 
Guidance – Applications contained within 
the RICS Valuation – Global Standards 
2017 (the “Red Book”) issued by the Royal 
Institute of Chartered Surveyors provide 
the standards for preparing valuations 
on property. 

Sq. ft. is square feet.

Total Property Return (“TPR”) is the return 
for the period of the property portfolio 
(capital and income) as measured by the 
MSCI/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property All 
Assets Index (“MSCI Ireland Index”).

Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) is 
the growth in share value over a period 
assuming dividends are reinvested to 
purchase additional units of stock. 

Transparency regulations enhance the 
information made available about issuers 
whose securities are admitted to trading on 
a regulated market and further information 
is available on https://www.centralbank.ie/
regulation/securities-markets/
transparency/Pages/default.aspx. 

Under rented is the term used to describe 
where contracted rents are lower than  
ERV. This implies a positive reversion after 
expiry of the current lease contract terms. 

Ungeared IRR is the internal rate of return 
excluding gearing.

Valuer is the independent valuer appointed 
by the Group to value the Group’s 
investment properties at the date of 
the consolidated financial statements. 
From September 2017 the Group has  
used Cushman & Wakefield. Previously  
the Group used CBRE. 

WAULT is weighted average unexpired 
lease term and is variously calculated to 
break, expiry or next review date. 

204

Additional InformationHibernia REIT plc  Annual Report 2019www.hiberniareit.comConsultancy, design and production
www.luminous.co.uk

Design and production

www.luminous.co.uk

Hibernia REIT plc
South Dock House
Hanover Quay
Dublin D02 XW94
Ireland

T: 353 1 536 9100
www.hiberniareit.com

For investor queries: 
info@hiberniareit.com
For media enquiries: 
media@hiberniareit.com