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intu properties plc
Annual report 2018

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Creating  
winning  
destinations

 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to our annual report 2018

Our purpose is to create compelling, joyful 
experiences that make our customers smile 
and help brands flourish

This creates value for our shareholders, 
benefits our communities and delivers 
long-term success

Contents

About us 

Strategic report
Chairman’s statement  
2019 strategy 
Market trends 
Chief Executive’s review 
Our top properties 
Our growth story 
Highlights of 2018 
Investment case 

Creating winning destinations
Inside intu 
Our view of the market 
Making customers smile 
Helping retailers flourish 
Creating compelling experiences 
intu Watford – a winning destination 
At the heart of communities 

Our business model 
Relationships 
Strategy overview 
Key performance indicators 
Focus on risk 
Principal risks and uncertainties 
Operating review 
Financial review 
Our people 
Corporate responsibility 

IFC

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Governance
Introduction 
Board of Directors 
Executive Committee 
The Board 
Viability statement 
Audit Committee 
Nomination and Review Committee 
Directors’ remuneration report 
Directors’ report 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Financial statements
Independent auditors’ report 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 
Balance sheets 
Statements of changes in equity 
Statements of cash flows 
Notes to the financial statements 

Other information
Investment and development property 
Financial covenants 
Financial information including 
share of joint ventures 
Underlying profit statement 
EPRA performance measures 
Financial record 
Glossary 
Shareholder information 

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Go online intugroup.co.uk/en/ 
investors/intu-annual-report-2018/

About us…

We own, develop and manage some of the most 
popular retail and leisure destinations in some of 
the strongest locations in the UK and Spain

8of the UK’s top-20 shopping centres
£428m

pipeline of projects  
in the next three years

97%occupancy
400mcustomer visits per annum
64%reduction in carbon  
£4.8bn

emission intensity since 2010

total economic contribution in 2018

£201m

invested in capital projects in 2018 

18%

of units are catering and leisure

5,000

potential residential units

75

consistently high net promoter score

76%

prompted brand awareness

Chairman’s statement

In a challenging retail environment 
we have delivered a robust operational 
performance in 2018

We are meeting the demands 

of a challenging retail property 
sector with a revised strategy 
focusing on winning destinations and 
strengthening our balance sheet. This 
strategy, along with our best-in-class 
centres, positions us well for the future. 

The last 12 months
2018 has been a challenging year for the 
retail property market. Sentiment towards 
our sector has been negative, with 
headwinds from Brexit uncertainty and 
challenges facing the retail sector from 
increased costs and online sales growth. 

However, we own many of the best 
centres in the UK such as intu Trafford 
Centre, intu Lakeside, intu Merry Hill and 
intu Metrocentre and it is these centres 
where retailers want to focus their 
physical retail. This can be seen by the 
likes of Next, Zara and Primark upsizing 
and international retailers such as 
Abercrombie & Fitch growing their UK 
presence in these centres in the last year.

intu Merry Hill: Next opened their new 
80,000 sq ft flagship store in August 2018, 
doubling its size. Other retailers upsizing in 
the centre include JD Sports and Primark

We have a concentrated portfolio, with 
our eight top-20 UK centres and three 
top-10 Spanish centres accounting for 
around 75 per cent of our asset base 
by value. Despite the headwinds in the 
general market, our centres continued 
to deliver strong operational metrics 
with robust income streams.

Dividend
In November we announced we would 
significantly reduce the dividend paid 
in 2019. In line with our revised strategy, 
the Board are not recommending the 
payment of a final dividend for 2018, 
meaning the total amount paid in respect 
of 2018 is 4.6 pence per share.

Our revised strategy –  
looking to 2019
As I have already noted, we own many 
fantastic centres with robust income 
streams delivering strong operating 
metrics. However, in the evolving 
environment in which we operate, we 
cannot stand still and need to continue 
with our disposals programme. I remain 
confident in intu’s future on a standalone 
basis and believe that our revised strategy 
of delivering strong underlying individual 
centre performance, adapting fast to a 
changing retail environment and making 
smart use of capital will position us well 
for the coming years.

   Read about our strategy going forward  
on pages 2 and 3

John Strachan
Chairman

It is this quality that attracted two bids 
for the Company in 2018. As a Board, we 
engaged with both bidders as we believed 
it was in the best interest of shareholders, 
but we were unable to conclude an offer 
satisfactory to all parties. 

Our people
I would like to convey my thanks to all 
our staff for their commitment in what 
has been an extremely busy year for 
the Company.

David Fischel announced earlier in 2018 
that he would be stepping down as Chief 
Executive and on behalf of the Board 
I would like to thank him for his tireless 
service to the business for over 30 years 
including the last 18 as Chief Executive. 
Over this period, he has been instrumental 
in transforming the business into the UK’s 
leading owner, manager and developer of 
prime, regional shopping centres. We are 
progressing well with appointing David’s 
successor which we would hope to 
announce in the near future and until 
then he is continuing to lead the business. 

Richard Gordon and Louise Patten 
have stepped down from the Board 
and I would like to thank them for their 
deliberations over the past several years, 
in particular Richard who has had a long 
association with intu going back to 1996. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

1

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance2019 strategy

Our strategy is to focus on  
winning destinations

Our strategy is to focus on winning 

destinations delivering resilient 
income streams, investing where 

there is the greatest potential, and 
reducing our debt to assets ratio to 
below 50 per cent through disposals, 
part disposals and introducing 
partners to assets. In recent years 
we have successfully recycled capital 
through this approach, disposing of 
over £1 billion of assets.

The retail environment remains 
challenging. Our response is to adapt 
our strategy, protecting shareholder value 
in the short term and maximising growth 
in the medium term as we progress the 
repositioning process.

Our strategy will ensure that we focus 
on the centres with the greatest potential, 
with a capital structure that enables us 
to make the required investment.

Optimal positioning in a fast-moving 
environment 
We operate in a fast-moving retail and 
leisure environment and to ensure we 
are optimally positioned we will:

 — refine the portfolio to concentrate 

on regional destinations, making high- 
impact investments to ensure they 
remain winning locations where 
customers love to come often and 
are great locations for retailers where 
it is easy for them to do business
 — leverage the brand, aided by the 
delivery of world class service, 
compelling experiences and innovative 
digital initiatives

2

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

 — deliver a compelling value proposition 

for our tenants, ensuring their 
locations in our centres are among 
their top quintile in the UK 

 — actively pursuing complimentary 

non-retail development alternatives 
to maximise the potential from our 
significant land holdings around 
our centres which offer many 
opportunities for alternative uses, 
including residential and hotels

A capital structure to meet our needs 
To deliver this transformation, we will 
create a capital structure to meet our 
needs, refinancing debt both as required 
and where attractive for the Group to 
do so, targeting a reduction in our debt 
to assets ratio to below 50 per cent over 
time. This will be delivered by:

 — significantly reducing the dividend paid 

and disposing of sundry assets
 — the disposal and part disposals of 

centres which do not meet our winning 
destination criteria over the medium 
term. We have the flexibility to 
introduce partners into some of our 
flagship centres, with around two-
thirds, by value, of our total assets 
100 per cent owned

Strategic objectives for 2019 
Our three strategic objectives for 2019 are:

1.  Delivering strong underlying individual 

centre performance

2.  Adapting fast to a changing retail 

environment

3.  Making smart use of capital

   Read about how markets are affecting our 
strategy on pages 4 and 5

Delivering strong 
underlying individual 
centre performance

Improving centre performance has been 
and will continue to be our driving force. 
Getting this right delivers growing rents 
and benefits us for the long term through 
income and capital growth. Future 
performance also includes looking at the 
best use for every area of our assets, which 
as we look ahead, is wider than just retail.

Priorities in 2019
 — continued focus on like-for-like net  

rental income

 — maintain high occupancy
 — increase rents from new lettings and 

rent reviews

 — deliver investment projects pipeline

Strategic reportOur strategic focus

Our overall business model remains 
unchanged. Our assets and resources and 
what we do remain the same but the strategy 
that delivers sustainable value for our 
shareholders and stakeholders has been 
adapted to better represent today’s 
opportunities and challenges at our  
winning destinations. 

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Winning
destinations 

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  See our business model on pages 30 and 31

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Adapting  f a s
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Adapting fast to a changing 
retail environment

Making smart  
use of capital

Retail has always been dynamic, but the 
speed of change is increasing. It is our job 
to know what is coming next and partner 
with our tenants to deliver what they need. 
Providing the right environment for top 
retailers will ensure we have their best 
stores which will continue to prosper as 
their portfolios concentrate on the very 
best locations.

To enable us to transform the business, 
we need a capital structure that will 
allow us to make the required changes. 
Reducing leverage and increasing financial 
headroom, which will only be meaningfully 
changed by disposals, part disposals and 
the introduction of partners, will give us 
more flexibility for future investment 
opportunities and refinancing activity.

Priorities in 2019
 — identify further transformational 

Priorities in 2019
 — restore debt to assets ratio to below 

projects

50 per cent

 — progress opportunities identified 

for alternative uses

 — revised dividend policy
 — optimise portfolio, with capital recycling 

 — increase concentration of retailers’ 

as necessary

top-quintile stores

 — continuing to develop the intu 

brand experience

 — maintain adequate financial headroom

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

3

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
Market trends

We closely monitor market trends 
to enable us to respond to new 
opportunities and challenges and to 
ensure our centres are well-positioned 
both now and for the future

Today’s market
A cautious consumer
The continuing Brexit uncertainty is 
weighing heavily on consumer confidence. 
The GfK measure of consumer confidence 
has been subdued since the EU 
referendum and reduced further in the 
last few months of 2018. In particular, 
the measure of how consumers feel 
about the general economic situation 
over the next 12 months has slipped.

Against this, employment is at its highest 
level since 1971 and wage growth has 
outpaced inflation since February 2018. 
This has translated to growth in 
disposable income in 2018, an increase 
of 6 per cent according to the Asda 
disposable income tracker, giving a more 
positive outlook than in the last few years.

A challenging time for weaker retailers
Economic uncertainty and changes 
in what customers are spending their 
money on has impacted sales growth, 
with non-food retailer sales marginally 
down (0.3 per cent) on average in 
2018 according to the British Retail 
Consortium (BRC). 

Shopping behaviours are also changing. 
The trend of growth in online sales 
(BRC 2018: +1.7 per cent), offset by falling 
in-store sales (BRC 2018: -2.0 per cent) 
has continued, but it is clear the store 
still plays a vital role irrespective 
of how the product is bought.

2018 has seen a higher level of 
administrations and CVAs than in 
recent years with over 2,500 stores 
affected according to the Centre for Retail 
Research. High profile closures and CVAs 
include Toys R Us, House of Fraser, New 
Look and HMV, adding to the negative 
retail sentiment.

A widening gap between the best 
and the rest
As we operate in many of the top UK 
retail destinations where retailers want 
to maintain their best stores, we have 
been relatively unaffected by the 
problems faced by the recent 
administrations and CVAs. 

The administrations and CVAs in the year 
relate to around 6 per cent of our passing 
rent. The majority of these (72 per cent) 
have had minimal impact, with the retailer 
keeping their best performing stores in 
our portfolio open on the existing rent. 
Of the remainder, 9 per cent are trading 
on discounted rents, 14 per cent have 
closed and 5 per cent have been re-let.

Reduced demand from investors 
in shopping centres
The uncertainty of Brexit, the structural 
change in retail and higher than normal 
level of administrations and CVAs has 
significantly reduced demand for prime 
shopping centres in 2018. With this 
weakening sentiment, valuation yields 
have risen throughout the year. 

Store profitability is under pressure from 
limited sales growth and increased costs 
from business rates, national living wage 
and distribution costs of online sales. The 
weakness in Sterling has also raised the 
cost of retailers’ goods sold.

For transactions completed in 2018, 
there has been a greater focus on 
the quality of income, with investors 
seeking a higher net initial yield to 
protect returns where capital growth 
is seen as harder to deliver.

More certainty in the course of 2019 
over what Brexit means, and retailers 
addressing the structural changes 
in their sector, will enable investors 
to make better informed decisions.

The US is now emerging from 
similar issues
The US has also seen significant retailer 
failures, in particular the well-publicised 
weaker department stores, over the last 
18 months with a clear differentiation 
between the prime and failing malls. 
This, coupled with a stabilising 
multichannel model and online retailers 
such as Amazon taking more physical 
space, has increased investor confidence 
in the best centres.

With the UK typically running some two 
years behind the US in terms of market 
trends, we would expect to see similar 
patterns emerge as the prime malls take 
market share from weaker locations, 
which should reignite investor demand. 

Tomorrow’s demands
The shopping journey is changing, 
but stores are still critical
In our dynamic multichannel world, 
how people shop and what they want 
from a visit to a shopping centre is 
evolving rapidly. 

There are now many routes for customers 
to take on their shopping journeys. They 
may see a retailer’s store as a showroom 
to view and try a product or the retailer’s 
online presence as a medium to consume 
product information – but both have an 
important part to play. A key driver for 
customers is convenience, whether that is 
smartphone access to a retailer whenever 
it suits them or physical access to a store’s 

4

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic report85%of all transactions touch a store

(source: GlobalData)

18%of our 3,300 units are catering and leisure

Similarly, for leisure operators who 
are now taking a higher proportion 
of a customer’s disposable income, 
the challenges and opportunities are 
the same.

We are responding with an 
adapted strategy
A tenant-centric approach
Making customers smile and helping 
retailers flourish is key. 

This is not a one-size-fits-all business. 
Different centres have different customer 
bases and we use our unique insight, 
assembled from extensive data, to 
help our retailers and deliver what our 
customers want.

As owners and curators of shopping 
centre space and the main landlord 
for many of the best retailers in the 
UK from Apple to Zara, we can ensure 
that our tenants are in the right space 
to maximise their ability to generate 
profits. We can guarantee them a level 
of quality from clean, secure and safe 
space with high footfall and long 
dwell times. By contrast, high streets 
have suffered where they are owned 
by multiple landlords or managed by 
budget-constrained local authorities.

Adapting fast in a changing 
retail environment
As the role of the store evolves, 
for example with the increase in click 
and collect, we can offer our tenants 
a configuration that works successfully 
for their business model, be it more 
back of house space for storage and 
distribution or direct access to car parks 
for delivery pick-ups.

full range as part of a retail experience 
incorporating leisure as part of a day out.

So, a visit to a shopping centre must 
offer all the things our customer wants. 
While online sales continue to increase, 
GlobalData estimate that around 85 per 
cent of all transactions still touch a store. 
What is important to the customer is that 
their chosen shopping location has all the 
best stores offering a full range of 
their products.

Flexibility is key for changing 
customer visits
Additionally, as the proportion of 
consumer spend on leisure is increasing, 
customers want places to offer a more 
experiential day out, be it cafes, 
restaurants, cinemas or activities such 
as bowling, mini-golf, climbing or skiing. 

Finally, shoppers are not all the same: 
different age groups and different 
demographics want different things, 
so ensuring the mix caters for all their 
requirements is a further important step.

Tenants focus on brand, perception 
and customer service
As the demands of their customers 
increase, retailers are looking to further 
integrate their online and in-store 
models, with the best retailers moving 
to seamless propositions for shoppers. 
Key to this is a detailed understanding 
of their customers and faultless customer 
service whatever the channel. 

Managing their brands and the 
perceptions of them is also critical, 
whether it be the physical proposition 
or social media where the position of 
influencers becomes more important.

We are seeing this in a new generation  
of upsized flagship stores in our centres 
from Next at intu Metrocentre and  
intu Merry Hill, Zara at intu Lakeside 
to Primark at intu Merry Hill and  
intu Trafford Centre. All this helps to 
ensure that when customers visit our 
centres they have access to all the brands 
they want offering their full ranges.

On top of this, around 600 of our 
3,300 units offer catering and leisure 
and the demand continues to increase. 
For instance, at intu Watford we are 
bringing an evening economy to its 
affluent catchment and at the family- 
oriented intu Lakeside we are introducing 
the likes of Nickelodeon, Hollywood Bowl 
and Puttshack.

A focus on the best destinations
We remain focused on the best 
destinations, with a portfolio 
concentrated on the top centres in 
the UK and Spain which offer day-out 
destinations for customers and superior 
footfall for our tenants. 

We continue to invest in the centres 
offering the maximum potential, 
including ongoing leisure projects 
at intu Lakeside and intu Xanadú. 
Additionally, we are progressing mixed-
use opportunities from our significant 
land holdings around centres.

Ensuring our centres remain appealing 
to customers and retailers will mean that 
they should become more attractive to 
investors once the current negative 
sentiment abates.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

5

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceChief Executive’s review

intu has again delivered a resilient 
operational performance which 
demonstrates how our centres differentiate 
themselves as winning destinations

2018 has been an eventful and 
challenging year for intu.

The UK economy has struggled 
through a third year of pre-Brexit political 
uncertainty. Specific to intu, we had to 
overcome the disruption from two public 
company offers, neither of which, for 
reasons outside our control, ultimately 
concluded.

I would like to thank the executive team 
and all intu staff for their outstandingly 
resolute and determined performance 
through these events which coincided 
with significant industry challenges.

In terms of UK economic data most 
relevant to intu, non-food retail sales were 
essentially static year-on-year, but online 
sales continued to grow so physical sales 
shrank. In fact, in-store non-food retail 
sales in the UK have shown a year-on-year 
reduction every month for the last two 
years. Retailer costs, by contrast, have 
not declined, not least as a result of the 
significant burden of the UK’s property 
tax known as business rates.

Retailer failures therefore picked up 
substantially, impacting our net rental 
income by an estimated 1.9 per cent. 
Increasingly negative investor sentiment 
towards retail property fed through to a 
13.3 per cent fall in the valuations of our 
UK assets.

In the face of this adversity, shareholders 
have seen the share price decline to a 
level representing for intu a virtually 
unprecedented discount to NAV per share 
(diluted, adjusted) of over 60 per cent.

Plans to reduce debt to assets ratio
Our debt to assets ratio at 31 December 
2018 was 53 per cent, exceeding the 
Board’s target maximum of 50 per cent.

We propose to take the following steps 
to lower the Group’s debt to assets ratio 
over time to back below 50 per cent and 
lower the share price discount:

 — retaining for the time being the cash 

generated by our activities rather than 
distributing it as dividend, commencing 
with no final dividend for 2018 (2017 
final dividend: 9.4 pence). In 2018 we 
paid dividends of £188 million based 
on an annual dividend per share of 
14.0 pence. Retaining the dividend will 
enable us to continue to invest in our 
winning destinations

 — through further disposals and part 

disposals in due course in both the UK 
and Spain. Following £171 million of 
disposals in 2018, we will continue to 
recycle capital from individual assets. 
We consider substantial sales in the 
UK as challenging until a political 
resolution on the Brexit issue is 
achieved and not in shareholders’ 
interest while market sentiment 
towards UK retail property is so 
negative. In Spain we have received a 
number of unsolicited offers which we 
are evaluating 

Resilient 2018 operating performance
Despite negative external factors, intu 
demonstrated considerable resilience in 
its operating performance through a 
challenging period, evidence of the 
underlying quality of the intu business. 
This includes ownership of eight of the 

intu’s strengths
 — leading owner, manager and 
developer of prime regional 
shopping centres with eight of  
the UK’s top-20 and three of  
Spain’s top-10

 — consistently invested in centres with 
over £1 billion invested over the last 
four years

 — resilient operating performance 

with occupancy at 97 per cent and 
400 million customer visits per year

 — clear 2019 objectives to return the 
debt to asset ratio to below 50 per 
cent and focus on winning 
destinations

   Read more about winning destinations  
on pages 26 and 27

6

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportUK’s top-20 centres, which amount to 
69 per cent of our property assets 
by value, and three of the top-10 centres 
in Spain. 

intu has reported a 0.6 per cent increase 
in like-for-like net rental income despite 
the retailer failures referred to above, 
stable occupancy around 97 per cent, 
and 248 new leases signed (2017: 217) at 
6 per cent above previous rents. Lettings 
included an attractive mix of new and 
established names, significantly 
refreshing the centres, among them 
Abercrombie & Fitch, Uniqlo, Bershka 
and Monki, with the likes of Next, Primark, 
Zara and River Island all upsizing.

As we operate in many of the top UK 
retail destinations where retailers want to 
maintain their best stores, like-for-like net 
rental income performance was robust 
despite recent administrations and CVAs. 
The administrations and CVAs in the year 
relate to around 6 per cent of our passing 
rent, but the majority of these (72 per 
cent) have had minimal impact with the 
retailer keeping their stores open on the 
existing rent or with a small reduction.

Underlying earnings per share reduced 
from 15.0p to 14.4p mainly as a result 
of the income impact from disposals.

Fall in property valuations
After two years of essentially unchanged 
valuations for our UK centres, 2018 
saw investor sentiment turn against 
retail property. 

We reported a 6.2 per cent fall in property 
values in the six months to 30 June 2018 
and a further 3.0 per cent in the quarter 
to 30 September 2018, with the full year 
reduction in our assets amounting to 
13.3 per cent. Net initial yield (topped-up) 
climbed over the year from 4.36 per cent 
to 4.98 per cent and was the primary 
factor driving NAV per share (diluted, 
adjusted) down in the year from 
411 pence to 312 pence.

By way of illustration of the impact on intu, 
a further 10 per cent fall in valuations, 
amounting to approximately a further 
£920 million reduction and 22 per cent 
overall since the beginning of 2018, would 
reduce NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) 
to around 243 pence from 312 pence and 
EPRA NNNAV per share to around 
202 pence from 271 pence. 

Focus on winning destinations
With the structural changes going on in 
our industry, we regard it as increasingly 
important that intu focuses on centres 
which rank as winning destinations where 
customers love to come and retailers 
want to be.

Alongside the best retail, food,  
beverage and leisure, we intend to add 
further mixed-use attractions to these 
centres in the form of improved public 
space with more frequent experiences, 
residential space, hotels and other uses 
such as state-of-the-art office and 
co-working space.

Our retailers regularly confirm to us the 
importance of flagship physical stores in 
centres such as ours for their overall offer 
to consumers, with around 85 per cent of 
all transactions estimated to still touch a 
store. Our target is that every store in our 
centres should rank in the retailer’s top 
quintile of UK stores – ideally as many 
as possible in their top-20 stores.

Continuing investment programme
We and our tenants have continued to 
invest in our centres in 2018. We invested 
£201 million which included completing 
the transformational extension of  
intu Watford that promotes Watford to a 
top-20 UK retail destination and handing 
over units to be fitted out at our exciting 
leisure extension at intu Lakeside which 
is 93 per cent pre-let and due to open in 
spring 2019. Our tenants invested around 
a further £161 million – £144 million 
introducing their latest shopfits and 
£17 million on maintenance expenditure.

Our pipeline over the next three years 
of £428 million includes £82 million on 
the regeneration of intu Broadmarsh 
which will be anchored by The Light 
cinema, the transformation and 
expansion of Barton Square at intu 
Trafford Centre, introducing Primark to 
the centre, and the creation of the new 
generation 255,000 sq m shopping resort 
intu Costa del Sol, near Málaga in Spain.

2019 objectives
We have set three strategic objectives 
for 2019:

 — delivering strong underlying individual 

centre performance

 — adapting fast to a changing retail 

environment

 — making smart use of capital

The first two objectives are to 
be measured by a number of key 
performance indicators, similar 
to those currently reported.

In terms of the third objective, making 
smart use of capital, the events of 2018 
have impacted our views on capital 
allocation, especially as a result of the 
discount to NAV per share (diluted, 
adjusted) widening to an unprecedented 
64 per cent between the reported NAV 
per share (diluted, adjusted) of 312 pence 
and the share price of 113 pence as at 
31 December 2018.

Expressed another way, the year-end 
share price reflects a 29 per cent discount 
to gross assets of £9.2 billion. The implied 
initial yield on our assets to a shareholder 
at this share price is currently 7.03 per cent 
rather than the published net initial yield 
(topped-up) according to the year-end 
property valuations of 4.98 per cent.

Financial strength
We have cash and available facilities 
of £548 million. Net external debt was 
largely unchanged at £4,867 million 
and we have refinanced or entered new 
facilities of over £500 million in 2018 
illustrating that debt markets continue to 
be supportive of our highest quality retail 
property. We consider the structure of 
our borrowings, predominantly using 
flexible asset specific non-recourse 
arrangements, to be appropriate for 
our concentrated portfolio. 

These facilities have significant covenant 
headroom. For example, a further fall of 
10 per cent in capital values would create 
a covenant shortfall of only £1 million. 

The table below shows the covenant 
shortfalls on our non-recourse debt that 
could be remedied from our available 
facilities for further falls in capital values:

Reduction  
in capital 
values from  
31 December 
2018
10%
15%
20%
25%

Total 
reduction in 
capital  
values from  
31 December 
2017
22%
26%
31%
35%

David Fischel
Chief Executive

Implied 
Group 
debt to  
assets ratio
59%
62%
66%
71%

Covenant 
shortfall
£1m
£4m
£43m
£123m

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

7

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOur top properties

We own, develop and manage some of the best shopping centres, 
in some of the strongest locations, across the UK and in Spain

intu Trafford Centre
intu Trafford Centre is the only UK location 
other than Oxford Street where you can find 
Selfridges, John Lewis, Debenhams and Marks 
& Spencer in one place. As the prime shopping 
destination in the northwest, it is no wonder 
that Abercrombie & Fitch are following many 
others in making it their first stop as they 
expand outside central London.

intu Lakeside
intu Lakeside offers a compelling mix of retail, 
catering and leisure with something for all the 
family. Zara and River Island recognise the 
centre as a key retail destination and have 
upsized their flagship stores. There will be even 
more entertainment when the leisure 
extension opens in spring 2019, introducing 
Nickelodeon, Puttshack, Hollywood Bowl and 
Flip Out to the mix.

intu Merry Hill
Since taking full ownership in 2016 we have 
cemented intu Merry Hill’s position as the 
regional out-of-town centre for the West 
Midlands. In 2018, Next opened a new 80,000 
sq ft flagship store, with Primark and Sports 
Direct also upsizing in the year. The centre 
will be further enhanced by our planned 
multimillion-pound refurbishment of the 
external facade.

Footfall

30m

Average dwell time

2.5 hours

Customers who visit at least weekly

49%

Market value

Size (sq ft 000)

Ownership Number of stores

Annual  
property income

Headline  
rent ITZA

ABC1  
customers

Key tenants

UK super-regional centres

intu Trafford Centre

intu Lakeside

intu Metrocentre

intu Merry Hill
intu Braehead
Cribbs Causeway

UK major city centres

Manchester Arndale

intu Watford

intu Derby

St David’s, Cardiff

intu Eldon Square
intu Victoria Centre

Spanish centres

intu Xanadú
intu Puerto Venecia
intu Asturias

£2,098m

£1,250m

£842m

£777m
£430m
£217m

£410m

£407m

£373m

£295m

£281m
£261m

2,020

1,612

2,076

1,671
1,123
1,076

1,811

1,089

1,302

1,391

1,385
976

100%

100%

90%

100%
100%
33%

48%

93%

100%

50%

60%
100%

228

259

306

217
123
154

258

166

208

203

142
118

£94.7m

£55.8m

£46.4m

£41.3m
£29.0m
£12.8m

£22.2m

£18.7m

£27.9m

£16.7m

£16.3m
£19.0m

£450

£344

£280

£200
£190
£305

£285

£200

£110

£212

£295
£225

60%

55%

55%

42%
57%
80%

57%

81%

53%

71%

57%
57%

Market value

Size1(sq m 000)

Ownership Number of stores

€271m
€268m
€161m

120
119
74

50%
50%
50%

206
201
146

Annual
property income

€13.4m
€12.2m
€8.1m

1  Excludes owner occupied space.

8

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Debenhams, Topshop, Selfridges, John Lewis, Next, Apple, Ted Baker, Victoria’s Secret, Odeon, 

Legoland Discovery Centre, H&M, Hamleys, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Sea Life, Abercrombie & Fitch

House of Fraser, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Topshop, Zara, Primark, Vue, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, 

Next, Apple, Nickelodeon

River Island

House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Next, Apple, H&M, Odeon, Topshop, Zara, Primark, 

Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Primark, Next, Topshop, Asda, Boots, H&M, Odeon

Marks & Spencer, Primark, Apple, Next, H&M, Topshop, Hollister, Superdry, Sainsbury’s

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Apple, Next, Topshop, Hugo Boss, H&M, Tesla, The White Company

Harvey Nichols, Apple, Burberry, Topshop, Next, Ugg, Hugo Boss, Superdry, Zara, Victoria’s Secret, 

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, Apple, Zara, Primark, Lego, H&M, Topshop, Hugo 

Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Topshop, Cinema de Lux, Zara, H&M, 

John Lewis, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Apple, Hugo Boss, H&M, River Island, Hamleys, Primark, 

John Lewis, Fenwick, Debenhams, Waitrose, Apple, Hollister, Topshop, Boots, River Island, Next

John Lewis, House of Fraser, Next, Topshop, River Island, Boots, Urban Outfitters, Superdry

Paul Smith, Monki

Boss, Cineworld

Hollywood Bowl

Victoria’s Secret

Key tenants

El Corte Inglés, Zara, Primark, Apple, H&M, Mango, SnowZone, Cinesa, Bricor, Decathlon

El Corte Inglés, Primark, Ikea, Apple, Decathlon, Cinesa, H&M, Mediamarkt, Zara, Hollister, Toys R Us

Primark, Zara, H&M, Cinesa, Eroski, Mango, Fnac, Mediamarkt, Sfera

Strategic reportintu Watford
We have transformed intu Watford 
over the last few years. The new 
380,000 sq ft extension opened in 
October 2018, making Watford a top-20 
UK retail destination alongside the likes 
of Edinburgh and introducing some 
great retail names. A state-of-the-art 
cinema and new restaurants are creating 
an evening economy in the town. 

intu Xanadú
intu Xanadú is the retail and leisure 
destination for southwest Madrid. 
It is home to Spain’s only indoor ski 
slope, a 15-screen cinema and all 
the retailers you would wish. Its 
catchment will grow with the recently 
opened aquarium and Nickelodeon 
theme park and plans are advancing 
to upgrade the catering. 

ABC1

81%

Key tenants

30-minute drive time catchment

4.6m

Debenhams, Topshop, Selfridges, John Lewis, Next, Apple, Ted Baker, Victoria’s Secret, Odeon, 
Legoland Discovery Centre, H&M, Hamleys, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Sea Life, Abercrombie & Fitch

House of Fraser, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Topshop, Zara, Primark, Vue, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, 
Next, Apple, Nickelodeon

House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Next, Apple, H&M, Odeon, Topshop, Zara, Primark, 
River Island

Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Primark, Next, Topshop, Asda, Boots, H&M, Odeon

Marks & Spencer, Primark, Apple, Next, H&M, Topshop, Hollister, Superdry, Sainsbury’s

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Apple, Next, Topshop, Hugo Boss, H&M, Tesla, The White Company

Harvey Nichols, Apple, Burberry, Topshop, Next, Ugg, Hugo Boss, Superdry, Zara, Victoria’s Secret, 
Paul Smith, Monki

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, Apple, Zara, Primark, Lego, H&M, Topshop, Hugo 
Boss, Cineworld

Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Topshop, Cinema de Lux, Zara, H&M, 
Hollywood Bowl

John Lewis, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Apple, Hugo Boss, H&M, River Island, Hamleys, Primark, 
Victoria’s Secret

John Lewis, Fenwick, Debenhams, Waitrose, Apple, Hollister, Topshop, Boots, River Island, Next

John Lewis, House of Fraser, Next, Topshop, River Island, Boots, Urban Outfitters, Superdry

Management viewpoint

 The quality, popularity and status  

of intu centres as places where brands  
flourish is demonstrated by a record shopfit 
investment of £144 million by those brands, 
through new concepts and upsizing and 
upgrading in our centres.” 
Julian Wilkinson 
Asset Management Director

1

16 **

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

Asset valuation at  
31 December 2018 

£9.2bn*

(2017: £10.5bn)

2

7

6

5

4

3

UK super-regional centres
intu Trafford Centre  (£2,098m) 
1. 
intu Lakeside (£1,250m)
2. 
intu Metrocentre  (£842m) 
3. 
intu Merry Hill  (£777m) 
4. 
5. 
intu Braehead  (£430m)
6.  Cribbs Causeway (£217m)

intu Watford (£407m) 
intu Derby (£373m)

UK major city centres
7.  Manchester Arndale  (£410m) 
8. 
9. 
10. St David’s, Cardiff (£295m) 
11. intu Eldon Square (£281m) 
12. intu Victoria Centre (£261m) 
13. intu Milton Keynes (£257m) 

66%

27%

Spanish centres
14. intu Xanadú (£243m)
15.  intu Puerto Venecia (£241m)
16. intu Asturias (£145m)

7%

Market value

Size1(sq m 000)

Ownership Number of stores

property income

Key tenants

El Corte Inglés, Zara, Primark, Apple, H&M, Mango, SnowZone, Cinesa, Bricor, Decathlon

El Corte Inglés, Primark, Ikea, Apple, Decathlon, Cinesa, H&M, Mediamarkt, Zara, Hollister, Toys R Us

* 

 Including Group’s share of joint ventures and assets 
held for sale.

**  Other UK properties < £200m (£643m). 

Primark, Zara, H&M, Cinesa, Eroski, Mango, Fnac, Mediamarkt, Sfera

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

9

Market value

Size (sq ft 000)

Ownership Number of stores

property income

Annual  

Headline  

rent ITZA

ABC1  

customers

UK super-regional centres

intu Trafford Centre

intu Lakeside

intu Metrocentre

intu Merry Hill

intu Braehead

Cribbs Causeway

UK major city centres

Manchester Arndale

intu Watford

intu Derby

St David’s, Cardiff

intu Eldon Square

intu Victoria Centre

Spanish centres

intu Xanadú

intu Puerto Venecia

intu Asturias

1  Excludes owner occupied space.

£2,098m

£1,250m

£842m

£777m

£430m

£217m

£410m

£407m

£373m

£295m

£281m

£261m

€271m

€268m

€161m

2,020

1,612

2,076

1,671

1,123

1,076

1,811

1,089

1,302

1,391

1,385

976

120

119

74

100%

100%

90%

100%

100%

33%

48%

93%

100%

50%

60%

100%

50%

50%

50%

228

259

306

217

123

154

258

166

208

203

142

118

206

201

146

£94.7m

£55.8m

£46.4m

£41.3m

£29.0m

£12.8m

£22.2m

£18.7m

£27.9m

£16.7m

£16.3m

£19.0m

Annual

€13.4m

€12.2m

€8.1m

£450

£344

£280

£200

£190

£305

£285

£200

£110

£212

£295

£225

60%

55%

55%

42%

57%

80%

57%

81%

53%

71%

57%

57%

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOur growth story

We have a strong pipeline of organic growth opportunities 
for the next decade in the UK and Spain 

Near term
Over the next three years we will focus 
on projects with proven tenant demand. 
With significant levels of pre-letting, 
we are on site at intu Lakeside and  
intu Trafford Centre’s Barton Square.

Management viewpoint

 We combine our placemaking and 
events skills with the best architecture and 
retail mix to create a wow factor which draws 
people in and gets them to stay for longer. The 
extension at intu Lakeside, 80 per cent leisure 
and 20 per cent catering by area, will be a great 
example of this, complementing the existing 
offer to provide a full day-out experience.”
Martin Breeden 
Development Director

Alternative uses 
We continue to look at opportunities within the portfolio for alternative uses for 
some of our available land. Our six out-of-town centres have some 470 acres of 
surface level car parks and other potentially developable land and our city centre 
locations offer opportunities for intensification of use. Initial work on mixed-use 
opportunities have highlighted the potential for around 5,000 residential units 
and nearly 600 hotel rooms, with further opportunities under consideration. 

intu Costa del Sol
With final planning consents expected shortly and strong demand 
from retailers, we expect to be on site with this shopping resort 
development in the next 12 months. intu Costa del Sol will have a 
high proportion of leisure and will be a must-visit destination for 
both residents and tourists from the whole of the region.

intu Broadmarsh
The second phase of our Nottingham vision is to redevelop the 
500,000 sq ft existing centre to provide a complementary offer to that 
of intu Victoria Centre. The redevelopment will focus on bringing new 
brands to the city, with a cinema and restaurant-led upper level and 
convenience-driven lower level. The Light cinema and Hollywood Bowl 
will anchor the leisure element of the redevelopment.

10

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportintu Lakeside
The extension, anchored by a Nickelodeon 
theme park, will bring additional leisure and 
catering brands to intu Lakeside, increasing 
the catchment and dwell times of the centre. 
Hollywood Bowl, Flip Out and Puttshack 
complete the leisure attractions which, along 
with 11 new restaurants, will further enhance 
this family-oriented extension. 

intu Trafford Centre
The expansion and transformation of Barton 
Square at intu Trafford Centre will be 
anchored by Primark and provide a fashion 
offer for the first time at Barton Square. 
Enclosing the courtyard will enable trading 
from two levels and add an additional 
110,000 sq ft of retail space.

Overview

intu Broadmarsh

intu Trafford Centre
intu Lakeside
intu Watford
intu Costa del Sol (design)
Active asset management
Total committed

intu Costa del Sol (net of partner funding)
intu Milton Keynes (phase 1)
Active asset management
Total near-term pipeline

Total

82

66
19
19
12
40
238

59
11
120
428

2019

30

47
19
19
12
33
160

42
–
40
242

Cost to completion (£m)

2020

2021

32

15
–
–
–
6
53

–
5
40
98

20

4
–
–
–
1
25

17
6
40
88

Active asset management
Our active asset management capital 
expenditure projects offer attractive 
returns, with stabilised initial yield on costs 
of 6 to 10 per cent. These projects vary 
in scale but all focus on improving the 
customer experience, whether it is retail, 
catering or leisure. A committed example 
of this is creating a grab-and-go communal 
dining experience at intu Watford.

Beyond 2021 
Beyond 2021, we have a pipeline of major 
projects in the UK and Spain. As well as 
the direct benefits of the projects, we aim 
to enhance local prosperity through job 
creation in both the construction and 
operating phase. The most advanced 
projects in this pipeline are the leisure 
focused extensions at intu Merry Hill 
and intu Milton Keynes. 

Sustainability
Through our Green Lab, we endeavour 
to look at the environmental impact of 
projects, such as incorporating green walls 
in our car park refurbishment at intu Milton 
Keynes. The project included upgrading all 
external lighting to energy efficient LEDs, 
recycling 98 per cent of all waste generated 
and installation of 12 electric vehicle 
charging points.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

11

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceHighlights of 2018

We delivered a resilient operating performance despite 
the uncertainty around the UK economy

Net rental income1 

£451m

(2017: £460m)

Underlying EPS3

14.4p

(2017: 15.0p)

Property revaluation  
(deficit)/surplus1

£(1,405)m

(2017: £47m surplus)

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted)3

312p

(2017: 411p)

Market value of investment and 
development property1 2

Underlying earnings 

£9,167m

(2017: £10,529m)

£193m

(2017: £201m)

IFRS (loss)/profit for the year

Dividend per share

£(1,174)m

(2017: £203m profit)

4.6p

(2017: 14.0p)

Debt to assets ratio 1 4 

53.1%

(2017: 45.2%)

IFRS net assets attributable to 
owners of intu properties plc

£3,812m

(2017: £5,075m)

Our results for the year show a resilient operating performance with 
continued like-for-like net rental income growth. The uncertainty 
around the UK economy and the challenging retail background are 
leading to weakening sentiment in the retail property investment 
market, impacting property valuations:

 — property values reduced in the year by 13.3 per cent with a total 

revaluation deficit of £1,405.0 million (see below)

 — like-for-like net rental income growth of 0.6 per cent (£2.3 million) driven 
by increased rents from new lettings (+6 per cent ahead of previous rent) 
and rent reviews (+7 per cent ahead of previous rent) partially offsets 
£11.8 million impact from disposals and developments

 — underlying earnings of £193.1 million, impacted by disposals and 

development activity in 2018

 — loss for the year of £1,173.7 million, an increase of £1,377.0 million, 

primarily from the property revaluation deficit

 — underlying earnings per share of 14.4 pence, 0.6 pence lower than 2017 

reflecting the impact of disposals and developments

 — NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) of 312 pence, down 99 pence, the 
decrease due to the property revaluation deficit. NNNAV per share 
is 271 pence, reducing by 78 pence

 — debt to assets ratio is 53.1 per cent. Net external debt largely unchanged 

at £4,867 million, with cash and available facilities of £548 million

Property valuations
In a challenging year for the whole retail real estate sector, intu reported 
a 6.2 per cent valuation fall in the period to 30 June 2018 and a further 
3.0 per cent in the quarter to 30 September 2018 with the full year 
reduction in our assets amounting to 13.3 per cent (£1,405.0 million). 

This is driven by weakening sentiment in the UK retail property investment 
market as illustrated by the low levels of transactions (see market trends). 
The valuers’ assumption is that investors will focus on and seek higher 
net initial yields. In the year, intu’s average net initial yield (topped-up) has 
increased by 62 basis points to 4.98 per cent.

Additionally, given the current challenges for certain department stores, 
the valuers have taken a more conservative view on ERVs for larger space 
units. On a like-for-like basis, ERVs decreased by 3.9 per cent.

1 
2 
3 
4 

 Including Group’s share of joint ventures. See other information section for reconciliations between presented figures and IFRS figures.
 31 December 2017 including intu Chapelfield which was classified as an asset held for sale.
 See notes 12 and 13 for reconciliations between presented figures and IFRS figures.
 31 December 2017 figure pro forma for the net initial consideration of £148 million on 50 per cent disposal of intu Chapelfield which completed on 31 January 2018.

12

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportPresentation of information
Amounts are presented including the Group’s share of joint ventures. Underlying earnings is used 
by management to assess the underlying performance of the business and is based on an industry 
standard comparable measure. It excludes valuation movements, exceptional items and related tax.

   See financial review on page 48 for more details on the presentation of information  
and alternative performance measures used 

Operating highlights

Growing like-for-like  
net rental income

 — like-for-like net rental income increased by 0.6 per cent in the year, driven by increased rents from new lettings 

and rent reviews and impacted by some 1.9 per cent from tenant failures

 — anticipate 2019 full year change in like-for-like net rental income, including the impact of House of Fraser, 

to be down by 1 to 2 per cent (subject to no new material tenant failures)

 — signed 248 long-term leases (187 in the UK and 61 in Spain) delivering £39 million of annual rent at an average 
of 6 per cent above previous passing rent (like-for-like units) and in line with valuers’ assumptions (2017: 217 
leases; £38 million of annual rent; 7 per cent above previous passing rent)

 — rent reviews settled in the year on average 7 per cent above previous passing rent (2017: 9 per cent)
 — sustained high occupancy of 96.7 per cent (December 2017: 97.0 per cent)

Delivering operational 
excellence

 — footfall decreased by 1.6 per cent (2017: up 0.1 per cent) outperforming the national ShopperTrak retail 

average which fell by 3.5 per cent in the year

 — net promoter score, our measure of customer service, improved in the year averaging 75 (2017: 70)
 — brand awareness increased to 28 per cent on an unprompted basis (December 2017: 26 per cent) and 

to 76 per cent on a prompted basis (December 2017: 71 per cent)

Optimising our  
winning destinations

Making smart use  
of capital

   See our strategy on pages  
34 and 35 

 — capital investment by intu of £201 million in the year including £67 million on the 380,000 sq ft extension  

of intu Watford which opened in September 2018 and £40 million on the leisure extension at intu Lakeside, 
anchored by Nickelodeon, Puttshack and Hollywood Bowl

 — record tenant investment of £144 million on new shopfits in 2018, with 262 stores opened in the year 

(2017: £89 million; 259 stores)

 — commenced the £75 million extension and enclosure of Barton Square at intu Trafford Centre which will 

be anchored by Primark and is due to open in early 2020

 — appointed the main contractor on the £89 million mixed-use regeneration of intu Broadmarsh which 

will be anchored by The Light cinema and Hollywood Bowl

 — near-term committed and pipeline of projects through to the end of 2021 of £428 million
 — actively pursuing non-retail development opportunities, particularly around super-regional centres, including 

residential with, for example, the potential for over 1,000 private-rented-sector residential units at intu Lakeside

 — completed the disposal of 50 per cent of intu Chapelfield for net initial consideration of £148 million, in line 

with the December 2016 market value. Other disposals of sundry assets amounted to £23 million, 6 per cent 
ahead of December 2017 valuations

 — we have refinanced or entered new facilities of over £500 million, including development finance loans on  

intu Trafford Centre’s Barton Square and intu Broadmarsh 

 — cash and available facilities of £548 million (31 December 2017: £833 million). Weighted average debt maturity 

of 5.8 years, with minimal debt maturities until 2021

 — substantial headroom on our loan to value debt covenants. By way of example, a further 10 per cent  
fall in capital values would create a covenant shortfall of only £1 million which could be cured from  
available facilities

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

13

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceInvestment case

We create compelling, experience-led destinations where customers 
love to come often – which make them great locations for brands

We are the market-leading 
owner, developer and 
manager of some of the 
best shopping centres 
in the UK and Spain…

 — high-quality centres, an attractive asset class

8 of the UK’s top 20

 — a much-loved brand with high brand loyalty 

3 of Spain’s top 10

 — world class service provided by our talented, 

motivated and empowered people 

 — a responsible and sustainable business,  
that contributes to our communities

76% prompted brand 
awareness

£4.8bn total economic 
contribution

…and we use our 
experience and insight to 
make customers smile…

 — experts in creating compelling customer 
experiences both in centre and online 

½ UK population visit  
an intu centre each year

 — unique insight into customer trends and 

26m website visits

demands for the perfect shopping and leisure 
experience

 — the best examples of the best brands in retail, 

leisure and catering

75 net promoter score

¾ of our customers prefer  
intu centres to any other

…which helps retailers 
flourish… 

 — dynamic operator adapting fast to a changing 

400m customer visits

retail environment 

 — thriving environments with high occupancy and 

high footfall

 — a programme of development to increase the 

attractiveness of our centres

£5.9bn of retailer sales

£428m pipeline of 
development projects over 
next three years

…and delivers strong  
long-term performance

 — strong, stable income streams from  

97% occupancy

long-term lease structures 

 — significant development potential including 

mixed-use opportunities

+0.6% like-for-like net rental 
income growth

7.2 years weighted average 
unexpired lease term

470 acres of developable land

14

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportHow we make the difference

Creating winning 
destinations

Our view of  
the market
page 18

Making 
customers 
smile
page 20

Creating compelling 
experiences
page 24

intu Watford: 
expertise  
in action
page 26

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

15

Inside intu

With the whole business centred around our customers, we bring 
together our experience, insight and expertise to create compelling 
experiences, in centre and online, which deliver real results for our 
retailers, caterers and leisure operators

customer visits per annum

400m 
1/2 

of UK population visit  
an intu centre each year

net promoter score

75 
28% 
1m 

social media followers

spontaneous brand awareness

16

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

 64%reduction in carbon  

emission intensity since 2010

 100%

waste diverted from landfill

 £4.8bn 

total economic  
contribution in 2018

Our culture

Encouraging innovation

In one way, we are a simple business, with a focus 

on creating the best shopping centre experience 
for our 35 million customers.

Our culture is driven by a single-minded purpose 
to make our customers feel better about life 
through a visit to one of our centres. 

Driven by our values of bold, creative 

and genuine we encourage effective 
experimentation both by individuals and 

through group initiatives such as intu Accelerate 
and Green Lab. 

Employee innovation is captured through our 
Great Ideas portal and success is recognised 
and rewarded through Win Your Dream. 

We have 22 million sq ft  
of retail, leisure  
and catering space  
in the UK

We own three of  
Spain’s top-10  
shopping centres 

intu centres

development sites

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

17

Our view  
of the  
 market

Retail has always been dynamic, 
but over the past few years change 
in the sector has picked up speed, 
with new technologies influencing 
how customers shop and what 
retailers have to do to keep up 
with the evolving retail landscape

18

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Much is spoken about the impact 

of online shopping on physical 
stores, but even in the UK, the 
most mature online shopping market 
in Europe, less than a quarter of retail 
sales are online. They are predicted to 
plateau at 30 per cent. 

Customers still love physical shopping 
and really like the experience of shopping 
in store. They want to touch what they 
buy, try it on, talk to someone about it. 
They may be web-savvy and price-
conscious, but with around 85 per cent 
of all transactions touching the physical 
store at some point between browsing 
and purchase, there’s plenty retailers and 
intu can do to entice customers to stores 
in our centres. 

As part of their multichannel strategies, 
retailers are creating full-range 
showroom stores in the winning 
destinations with the highest footfalls, 
dwell times and spend. Over the last 
18 months, Zara has doubled the size 
of its intu Trafford Centre store and 
tripled the size of its intu Lakeside one. 
Next has opened 80,000 sq ft flagships 
at intu Merry Hill and intu Metrocentre. 

Pulling in the crowds has never been 
more important and intu’s focus is on 
making our centres great places to visit 
for everyone. Whether that’s the baby 
boomer who likes the traditional 
shopping experience and has plenty to 
spend, the family-focused Generation X, 
or the younger crowd who spend more 
on leisure and dining and are after great 
Instagrammable experiences. 

Must-have destinations

We build close relationships with our 

customers and retailers to ensure  
we deliver what they both want.  
Getting this right means customers flock 
to our centres and stay. Independent research 
by GlobalData* reveals what means most to 
customers and retailers.

What customers want… 

  great range of retailers and the  
best shops of those retailers

  easy to access

  lots of dining choice

  clean and stylish malls with a great 
atmosphere and customer service

  always something new and interesting

What retailers want…

  good sales

  lots of footfall

  busy malls without empty stores

  potential to grow market share

  best space to showcase their brand

*  GlobalData Consulting; Top 50 UK Shopping 

Centres, October 2018

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

19

 Making 
customers  
smile

We aim to make our customers smile because  
happy customers stay longer and spend more 

We want our customers to really love 
coming to our centres, to tell their 
friends and to come back, and it is 
through our brand that we create the 
emotional engagement that translates 
into customer loyalty. 

Our brand is about making joyful 
memories, so that next time our 
potential customers are thinking about 
how to spend their time they choose 
intu. Those memories may come from 
one great event or a particular moment 
during their visit. So we make sure every 
visit is memorable – with world class 
customer service, excellent facilities, 
the best examples of the best brands, 
and our signature products and services. 

Relative consumer spend
Our insight shows that happier customers 
who stay longer spend more

100

e
r
o
c
s
r
e
t
o
m
o
r
p
t
e
N

80

60

40

20

0

<1

1–2

2–4

4–6

>6

Dwell time (hours)

Size of bubble represents spend.

20

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

We measure customer satisfaction 
through Tell intu, a net promoter score 
(NPS) system, as there is a strong link 
between high NPS, dwell time and 
spend. Events have a great impact on 
this measure and those we’ve run this 
year, such as the Stylist Live weekend, the 
Big Bug tour, the Nickelodeon slime 
events and the Sun tour, have driven 
both engagement and hard measures, 
with a clear rise in footfall, spend and 
NPS – see case study, right. 

Customers’ contact with our people has 
a very positive impact on NPS and our 
people are encouraged to interact with 
customers as often as possible, during 
our regular chatty hours and more 
spontaneously. 

As well as the NPS, Tell intu provides 
invaluable customer insight which 
enables us to introduce, tweak or 
improve our offer. We recently 
relaunched our Family Club because 
mums and dads told us they wanted 
to have fun with their kids rather than 
leave them in a club. So we redesigned 
the club around that shared experience 
and 35,000 families have signed up. 

The value of a strong brand is well 
documented. Since we rebranded 
to intu in 2013 we have measured 
not only brand awareness but also 
efficacy, through independent insight 
consultancy Hall & Partners. Five years 
on, partner Kurt Stuhllemmer explains 
their findings:

“intu has successfully captured 
a strong sense of momentum with 
UK consumers in a relatively short 
space of time. intu ensures that brands 
are able to deliver to consumers’ needs 
in destinations that they want to visit 
and that are already being talked about 
as destinations on the way up.

“This has manifested itself in 
a consistently strong sense of 
‘brand advocacy’, with 60 per cent* 
of consumers aware of the intu brand 
saying they would recommend it to 
a friend. Those that would recommend 
the brand are over 14 times more 
likely to ‘go far out of their way to visit’ 
the centres than those that would 
not recommend, highlighting the 
importance of the brand’s successful 
focus on delivering experiences that 
delight and drive advocacy.

“This is also helping to drive repeat 
footfall, with 73 per cent* of intu brand 
advocates considering visiting a centre 
as ‘the only one I would consider 
shopping at’ or ‘it’s one I would 
consider shopping at above most 
others’. In contrast, it is just 
11 per cent* for non-advocates.”

Continuous category brand equity study,  
Hall & Partners 

* All data quoted represents the full year 
average January – December 2018

 
 
increase in footfall

visitors over the two days

200,000
5%
400,000
100

social media impressions

net promoter score 

Stylist Live

To celebrate intu Trafford Centre’s 20th birthday, 

we partnered with Shortlist Media to host the 
first-ever Stylist Live event outside London. 

Fashion and beauty brands including Radley, 
Pandora, Max Factor and Dermalogica filled the 
centre and were complemented by workshops, 
interviews with celebrities and influencers and 
a stunning catwalk showpiece, which attracted 
200,000 visitors over the two days – a 5 per cent 
increase in footfall. 

Retailers reported excellent sales – almost double 
their expected targets in some cases – and huge 
increases in footfall. 

With the great activities, along with offers and 
experiences such as personal styling and make-up 
demonstrations, the NPS score of 100 shows that 
events that make our customers happy also help our 
retailers flourish.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

21

Helping  
retailers  
flourish

intu’s portfolio of centres welcomed 

many new brands this year, with 
248 new leases signed. Many of the new 
entrants are leading international brands 
such as Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie 
& Fitch and H&M’s Monki, who are rolling 
out their brands across the UK, and 
choosing intu centres to optimise their 
chances of success.

intu centres. They are the places retailers 
want to be and they are showing their 
confidence in the future with intu by 
investing for the long term. In 2018 
retailers spent around £144 million of their 
own money on upgrading their flagship 
stores, among them River Island, which 
has doubled the size of its intu Lakeside 
store and is upsizing at intu Watford. 

and the right size of store and giving them 
access to all the great services we provide: 
our experience and events programmes 
designed to engage customers and keep 
them coming back; our great digital 
offering including our online shopping 
centre which allows us to help with 
their omnichannel strategies; and our 
innovative approach to change.

They know they will flourish in our 
high-quality and well-managed centres, 
eight of which are in the UK’s top 20. With 
a million visitors every day, and footfall 
consistently above the national average, 
their stores will be in some of the busiest, 
most thriving retail spaces in the country.

Retailers’ investment complements our 
own – this year we spent £201 million 
upgrading and extending our centres, 
including £67 million to complete the  
intu Watford extension, which 
Debenhams chose as the place to launch 
its innovative concept department store.

They will be in good company: many of 
our retailers’ top-performing stores are at 

We work in partnership with our retailers, 
making sure they are in the right place 

In a fast-changing retail environment 
retailers want a landlord that is able 
to adapt swiftly. At intu we are ahead 
of the game, thinking three, five, 10 years 
ahead – our innovation lab intu Accelerate 
means we are constantly on the look-out 
for the latest ideas that will continue to  
keep our centres ahead and help our 
retailers flourish.

22

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Inditex 
rolls out 
with intu

Inditex is one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, with 

a portfolio of brands that includes Zara, Zara Home, 
Stradivarius, Bershka and Pull&Bear.

It is a globally successful company with a well-thought-out 
strategy for rolling out its brands across the UK, and 
intu is often its first port of call when choosing locations 
outside London. A fifth of its stores outside the capital are 
in intu centres, including eight of the 50 Zaras and half the 
Stradivarius branches. Our three Spanish centres all have 
stores of all nine Inditex brands.

The retailer’s confidence in intu is demonstrated by its 
investment in its stores in our centres, doubling the size 
of its Zara store at intu Trafford Centre, and tripling the 
Zara space at intu Lakeside. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

23

intu has been one of the  
most forward-thinking 
landlords, recognising  
the need to have leisure 
offerings, such as 
cinemas, bowling alleys 
and trampoline parks 
alongside traditional retail 
to drive footfall.”

Stephen Burns 
CEO, Hollywood Bowl

Creating 
compelling 
experiences

Every day at an intu centre is like 

putting on a theatrical extravaganza. 
To fill all the seats, make sure our 
audience go home with great memories 
that make them want to return and have 
retailers continue to flock to our centres, 
we have to run the show perfectly.

We are the experts at creating great retail 
and leisure experiences that make our 
centres places people want to keep 
coming back to: from our razor-sharp 
focus on creating joyful experiences to 
our long-term vision that keeps our 

centres at the cutting edge, aided by 
our mastery of tenant mix, centre 
management and development planning.

For more than two decades we have been 
putting on a show at our centres to give 
customers a memorable time. The daily 
performance includes exciting events, 
positive interactions with our passionate 
people, access to the best retail and 
leisure – elements that together create  
a sense of enjoyment and belonging. The 
iconic intu Trafford Centre was one of the 
first shopping centres to offer the wow 

factor and it has been drawing in crowds 
ever since. We are creating a retail and 
leisure destination for the 21st century at 
intu Lakeside, where the new £72 million 
development is set to create the biggest 
retail resort in the south of England. 

Over in Spain, our plans for intu Costa del 
Sol bring together all our expertise to 
create the world’s most advanced retail 
and leisure resort. It will have a high 
proportion of leisure and will be a 
must-visit destination for both residents 
and tourists from the whole of the region.

24

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Centres of  
expertise

C ompelling shopping experiences 

don’t happen by accident – it’s 
the expertise and passion of our 

in-house facilities management and 
customer experience teams that 
make all the difference, providing 
great customer service and offering 
value for money for retailers.

Uniquely among shopping centre 
landlords we manage our intu-
branded UK centres ourselves, 
directly employing all backroom and 
front-of-house staff because we know 
no one else will go as far as we will 
to deliver the perfect experience. 

This model has many advantages 
over contracted-out centre teams, 
particularly with our people for whom 
working directly for intu means they 
are totally committed to our ethos of 
delivering excellent customer service. 

Our scale means we can attract the 
leading industry specialists in security, 
environmental services, procurement 
and design. And with 14 centres under 
the intu banner we can trial new 
projects and roll out the best, to 
ensure retailers get superior service 
and great value. For example, our 
solar energy programme trial at intu 
Chapelfield exceeded expectations 
and we are planning to roll it out to 
three more centres in 2019.

Retailers are buying into our 
expertise: Next has been testing our 
facilities management services at its 
intu Trafford Centre store. The pilot 
proved so successful that Next is 
now looking at a comprehensive 
maintenance arrangement for all its 
stores in the intu portfolio and we are 
in discussions with a number of other 
retailers to provide a similar service 
in 2019. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

25

We continue to use our expertise to 
surprise and delight our customers 
and find new ways to help our retailers 
flourish. It works, as testified by 400 
million customer visits each year, our 
highest average NPS of 75 (up from 
70 last year), and the commitment of 
a succession of international retailers 
for whom intu is the first port of call 
when it comes to making their 
nationwide expansion plans. With 
35 million customers, over half the 
UK population can’t be wrong.

Creating winning 
destinations

intu Watford – expertise in action

T he stunning Charter Place 

extension at intu Watford that 
opened in September 2018 shows 

just what our expertise as shopping 
centre landlords can achieve. 

With the 380,000 sq ft, £180 million 
extension we have created a 1.4 million 
sq ft centre, with new leisure and dining 
opportunities, aspirational shopping and  
a spectacular new public space that is 
predicted to catapult Watford into the 
top-20 most desirable retail locations in 
the UK and is reinvigorating the town.

Our expertise and experience have been 
evident from the first – from our skill in 
building the state-of-the-art extension 

26

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

With stylish new places to eat and drink 
such as The Florist, which opens in spring 
2019, the centre has plenty of reasons 
to visit from early in the morning right 
through to the evening. Footfall has 
increased by 15 per cent since opening 
and there has been an increase of 
9 per cent in NPS since the development 
opened. The new leisure and retail mix, 
along with the fantastic architecture 
and new Christmas decorations, proved 
very popular.

at the Charter Place end of the centre to 
introducing new stores and family-friendly 
leisure that will draw in new visitors from 
this most affluent of Home Counties 
catchments and boost the daytime and 
evening economy. 

We have curated a tenant mix to meet 
shoppers’ expectations, with the new-
concept Debenhams, the nine-screen 
IMAX Cineworld, aspirational brands such 
as Hugo Boss, a range of leisure options 
and enhanced stores for H&M and Uniqlo. 
The £13 million refurbishment of the 
existing centre, with new flooring, lighting, 
decoration, toilets and car parking, 
provides the perfect backdrop for major 
retailers Primark, Zara and Next.

Creating winning 

destinations

At the heart  
of the town

Much of the success of the new extension 

is down to relationships we have nurtured 
over many years. 

Through previous collaboration our retailers 
trust us to offer them the right locations and size 
of units which is why many of them are investing 
heavily in new stores at intu Watford. 

Our commitment to Watford and our close ties 
with Watford Borough Council have seen them 
also invest £2 million to pedestrianise the high 
street and for the work to complement our own, 
resulting in a dovetailed project that enhances 
people’s experience of both the town and the 
shopping centre.

We have been part of the town for 20 years, 
involved with many community bodies including 
schools, charities and the local Business 
Improvement District – local people know we 
care about the town. We have been transparent 
and open about our development plans and our 
widespread communication and consultation 
led to a resounding 91 per cent public approval 
rating for our plans.

166

stores 

9,260

local people 
employed

£379m

annual contribution to 
the local economy

£180m

 invested in 
new extension

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

27

At the heart of 
 communities

Our centres are forces for  
good in their communities.  
By providing employment, 
supporting local good causes, 
encouraging wellbeing and 
managing natural resources 
well, they bring benefits which 
help guarantee the long-term 
success of our business 

B eing at the heart of local communities we are well 

positioned to work with retailers, local organisations 
and charity partners on initiatives that bring prosperity, 

encourage inclusivity and improve the environment. 

We focus on improving skills and creating employment 
opportunities to support economic inclusion and help equip 
people for work. 

We want the almost one-fifth of the UK population known 
to have a disability to be able to enjoy our centres. We work 
with specialist charities such as the National Autistic Society 
and dementia charities to provide support that allows all our 
customers to visit our centres as independently as possible. 

Operating and developing our centres sustainably means 
responding to long-term global challenges that will affect 
our business, including saving energy and carbon, reducing 
waste, water efficiency, sustainable transport and sustainable 
construction. We are always looking for new ways to increase 
our sustainability. Our ambitious energy reduction 
programmes, such as LED roll-out and installation of solar 
panels, reduce our carbon footprint and help to provide 
stable energy pricing for ourselves and our retailers. 

28

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Building tomorrow’s 
workforce today

It’s good to Blurt

Our Retail Gold programmes work 

with our retailers, Employers in 
Education, schools, colleges and 

Jobcentre Plus to offer students and 
unemployed people the opportunity 
to develop the skills they need for 
a career in retail, hospitality or leisure. 
The programmes provide training 
for potential job applicants to fulfil 
the needs of intu and its retailers.

Since 2005, retailers at intu Eldon 
Square and intu Metrocentre have 
provided 54,000 hours of onsite 
training for more than 500 students 
with 30 retailers. The Department 
for Education called Retail Gold 
“an excellent example of practice 
and impact in careers education”. 
In 2019 we hope to help 200 people 
into employment or further training 
in the northeast and are developing 
training to support individuals with 
additional needs.

We recently launched our Retail Gold 
handbook to support the expansion of 
Retail Gold and planning is underway 
at intu Merry Hill, intu Trafford Centre 
and intu Uxbridge for 2019.

Over the last 10 years, mental 

health has become a topic of 
increasing concern in higher 

education. Those aged between 
16 and 24 are particularly vulnerable 
to mental health issues and there 
is a growing demand for counselling 
services to meet their needs.

As part of our drive to improve the 
wellbeing of our communities, we 
have teamed up with mental health 
foundation Blurt. Our first initiative 
together was at our centre student 
nights which were visited by over 
90,000 young people. 

We gave Blurt space at nine centres 
to open up conversations and help 
remove the stigma of talking about 
mental health. Through the project 
they spoke to 430 students, reached 
6,630 and recruited 23 volunteers to 
become ‘Blurters’, as part of their new 
university-focused, peer-led 
programme. The event increased 
awareness of mental health, and 
young people reported being able 
to talk about their emotions and 
feeling less alone.

Green Lab 2018:  
Compost Café 

intu Chapelfield is pioneering our 

first Compost Café, an innovative 
scheme where coffee grounds 
that make thousands of cups of 
coffee in the centre every day are 
collected to be reused for compost 
by local gardeners. 

The concept is simple: centre retailers 
refill their non-recyclable coffee bean 
bags with their waste coffee grounds. 
The bags are collected by the centre 
team, labelled and displayed in the 
centre’s Compost Café shop for visitors 
to take free of charge. Retailers 
participating in the scheme and 
donating their waste coffee include 
Caffè Nero and Starbucks. 

In the first six months 2,400 bags have 
been collected with 3,600 kg of coffee 
grounds saved from general waste. 
The scheme has been rolled out to 
intu Potteries and our London office. 

Compost Café received a silver award 
for environmental management 
improvement at the Green Apple 
Environment Awards and we will 
be growing this initiative in 2019. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

29

Our business model

Our focus is on creating shopping centres that are loved by 
customers and where retailers flourish. This builds a long-term 
business that delivers value for our shareholders and stakeholders

Our assets and resources
We have unique assets and 
resources that provide the 
foundations for our business

What we do
We apply the intu difference – our specialist knowledge, 
expertise and market insight – to create the most popular 
shopping centres by:

making customers smile
Our insight and management of centres attract customers more often, 
for longer and from further away by offering the right mix of retail, 
leisure and catering alongside our distinctive brand proposition

 See how we are making customers smile on pages 20 and 21

helping retailers flourish
Our high-footfall locations, flexibility and strong brand give retailers the 
confidence that they will trade successfully with intu, which drives rental 
income and capital growth

 See how we help retailers flourish on pages 22 and 23

Underpinned  
by our culture

Behaving  
responsibly 

   See more on corporate 
responsibility on pages 57 to 59

Our centres
National presence with high-quality retail 
and leisure destinations visited by half the 
UK’s population each year

  See top properties on pages 8 and 9

Our people
Professional, empowered and motivated 
teams that are specialists in their fields

  See our people on pages 54 to 56

Our relationships
Enduring, creative and collaborative 
relationships with retailers, customers, 
employees, partners and communities

  See relationships on pages 32 and 33

Our brand
Respected shopping centre brand focused 
on enriching the customer experience both 
in centre and online

  See the intu difference on pages 15 to 29

Our financial strength
Capital structure provides capacity to 
deliver our objectives from a range of 
funding sources

  See financial review on page 48 to 53

30

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportHow our strategy helps  
us create value

The value we add
We deliver sustainable value for our shareholders 
and stakeholders

t a l

i

p

M akin g
art use of c a

m
s

Growin
net re

g li

n

t
a

k

e

l i

-

f

o

n

r

c

-

o

l

i

m

k

e

e

Our
customers

o

p

e

r

D

a

t

i

o

e

l
i

v

e

n

a

l e

ring
xcellence

ur

s
n

n i n g d estinatio
O p ti m ising o

w i n

  For more details on how we achieved this in 2018  
see the strategy overview on pages 34 and 35. 
  For details of our 2019 strategy see pages 2 and 3 

Being a good  
employer

Living  
our values

   See more on our people  
on pages 54 to 56

   See more on our culture  
on page 54

Our investors
Generating strong stable income 

+0.6%

like-for-like net rental income growth

Our customers
Compelling experiences

75

average net promoter score

Our communities
Significant economic contribution

£4.8bn

gross value added

Our retailers
Environments that help retailers flourish

+190bps

outperformance of national  
footfall benchmark

Our people
Professional and empowered

85%

of staff find ways to bring joy to 
customers and colleagues

Our environment
Operational and environmental  
efficiency

64% 

reduction in carbon intensity  
since 2010

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

31

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceRelationships

People are what make us tick. Our relationships and 
reputation with our stakeholders are important to the 
overall sustainable success of our business

W e maintain close relationships 

with our stakeholders, checking 
in with them regularly to find 

out what we are doing well, what we can 
do better, and where their needs have 
changed. Our materiality process takes a 
formal sounding of the issues around our 
business that are most relevant to them. 

We use our reputation management 
framework to measure how we are 
perceived by our stakeholders so that 
we can ensure that our strategy reflects 
their needs and perceptions. It focuses 
on the five primary groups – customers, 
tenants, investors, local and national 
government and employees – and 
measures against a number of core 
competencies.

In 2018, the third year of measuring, saw 
an industry-wide drop in reputation, and 
we too saw a slight drop in overall 
reputation, driven by the uncertainty 
around the failed corporate transactions 
and, particularly, the negative media 
sentiment that surrounded them. 
Among the general public, the perception 
of products and services, intu as an 
innovative company and as employers 
all rose.

Next year we will look to supplement the 
reputation framework by implementing 
media RepTrak mining. We will introduce 
new studies for employees and tenant 
clients, and more clearly link our CR 
programme with intu in the minds of 
the general public.

32

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Working with our stakeholders
Customers
Our customers are at the heart of 
everything we do, so we listen to them 
carefully to keep our centres continually 
evolving and meeting their requirements. 
Our net promoter score, which we assess 
from Tell intu and is consistently high at 
75, shows where we are succeeding and 
where we could make improvements.

In 2018 we introduced mystery shopping 
at all UK intu-branded centres. From 
216 visits over the year, during which nine 
touchpoints were scored, we gathered 
key information into how our centres 
are performing through the eyes of 
customers. Changes already made as 
a result have had a tangible impact 
on our NPS.

This year we continued our research 
into the customer journey which aims to 
enhance customer experience in our 
centres. Our brand tracker measures 
awareness, advocacy and consideration 
of our brand by customers – spontaneous 
awareness was 28 per cent at the end 
of 2018. We heard from 22,000 shoppers 
through our Tell intu customer feedback 
programme and our Shopper View 
research panel of 300 customers 
participated in 12 projects.

Tenants
Good relationships with our tenants 
are essential to understanding their 
requirements and helping them flourish.

of areas relevant to tenants including 
reputation, service, products, innovation, 
relationships and value for money. 
We also interviewed senior retailer 
executives to gain a wider perspective 
about their views and requirements. 
The research has delivered valuable 
insights which have been used to inform 
our revised strategy.

As well as day-to-day contact we hold 
regular client reviews with customer 
relationship managers. We have an 
annual service charge roadshow to 
present and discuss the service charge. 
We host regular Merchants Associations 
meetings and other events around the 
country. We also attend a wide range 
of industry conferences and exhibitions 
giving retailers the opportunity to meet 
the intu team.

Investors
We deliver long-term value to our 
investors through strong, stable income 
streams from our high-quality shopping 
centres. Understanding the requirements 
and concerns of both existing and 
potential investors is key.

This year we conducted 370 meetings 
with investment institutions. We hosted 
regular investor visits to our centres to 
show how we are meeting our objectives 
and attended investor conferences in the 
UK and internationally. We visited intu 
Asturias, intu Xanadú and intu Watford 
with analysts and investors in 2018. 

In 2018 we carried out two types of 
tenant research. The first was a 
qualitative research project into a number 

We also engaged in environmental, social 
and governance indices which show high 
performance year-on-year.

Strategic reportSuppliers
We rely on our suppliers to help our 
business run smoothly, from day-to-day 
operations through to the construction 
of major developments. We have open, 
transparent and long-term relationships 
with suppliers to ensure they maintain 
the same high standards we set ourselves. 
We also encourage new suppliers into the 
market, both through our intu Accelerate 
innovation initiative and through general 
procurement. We created our Longevity 
lifecycle management programme with 
new start-up Invida which has since gone 
on to win awards for its effectiveness.

Local and national government 
Successful relationships with local 
authorities, MPs and city centre 
management bodies such as Business 
Improvement Districts (BIDs) are vital to 
our sustainability as a long-term business. 

We contribute management time and 
financially to a number of BIDs covering 
intu centres. We play a leadership role 
in some BIDs, for example Uxbridge. Such 
partnerships, including links with local 
chambers of commerce and branches of 
national industry bodies such as the CBI, 
reinforce our substantial and long-term 
commercial and social engagement at 
the heart of many UK towns and cities. 
In some the local authority is our 
investment partner. 

A number of our centres are in areas 
covered by elected mayors and combined 
authorities and we have quickly forged 
good relations with these influential 
regional representatives.

We host an annual parliamentary dinner 
for MPs with an intu centre in their 
constituency. The event allows senior 
members of the intu management team 
to hear first hand from MPs and provides 
an opportunity for us to raise industry 
concerns such as business rates and 
the skills agenda.

We regularly participate in relevant 
government consultations that have 
a potential impact on our business.

Our people
Our employees are the experts behind 
the success of the business. In centres, 
they are the face of intu and delivering 
our brand promise is central to making 
both customers and retailers happy. Our 
commitment to employee engagement 
is the key to our motivated workforce. 

This year all staff participated in new 
brand training, designed to give our 
people an enhanced understanding of the 
core principles of the brand and how they 
can contribute to driving intu’s reputation.

We engaged with our employees through 
many channels including the roll out of 
the intranet to all staff, presentations, 
briefings and consultation forums and 
provided many opportunities for them 
to feed back. We have noted an increase 
in employee engagement as a result of 
the many communications in 2018 to 
ensure staff were kept informed during 
the potential corporate transactions.

Local communities
intu centres are at the heart of the 
communities where they are located. 
Good community engagement benefits 
our customers and local people and 
ultimately is good for our business.

This year intu staff spent almost 11,000 
hours helping local community groups. 
We held 250 community activities in 
our centres and engaged with over 
650 charities. 800 people reported that 
they had developed new skills through 
our various employment and other 
community partnerships. In total, 
we donated almost £1.7 million in 
community support through time, 
space, money and leverage.

Management viewpoint

 By listening closely to our tenants  

intu Experiences creates bespoke packages  
of opportunities from traditional mall 
merchandising to experiential and digital 
activations to offer new experiences to 
customers. The value brands place on this 
is shown by the growth in income of intu 
Experiences to £23 million a year.”
Roger Binks
Customer Experience Director

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

33

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceStrategy overview

Our four strategic objectives were the means by which  
we put our business model into action effectively in 2018

Growing like- 
for-like net  
rental income

Delivering 
operational 
excellence

Optimising  
our winning 
destinations

Making smart  
use of capital

34

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Progress in 2018
 — like-for-like net rental income grew by 

0.6 per cent in 2018

 — 248 new lettings, on average 6 per cent 

ahead of previous passing rent
 — 137 rent reviews settled on average 

7 per cent ahead of previous passing rent

 — stable occupancy at 96.7 per cent

Progress in 2018
 — footfall outperformed the benchmark 

by 190bps

 — net promoter score increased by  

5 to 75

 — unprompted awareness increased  

by 2 per cent to 28 per cent

 — further reduction in greenhouse gas 
emissions intensity, down 64 per cent 
since 2010

Progress in 2018
 — successfully opened the intu Watford 

extension 

 — leisure extension at intu Lakeside is 
93 per cent pre-let and on target to 
open in spring 2019

 — delivered required level of pre-lets, 

including Primark, and commenced the 
Barton Square development at  
intu Trafford Centre

Progress in 2018
 — disposed of 50 per cent of intu Chapelfield  
for £148m and raised finance of £74m  
on our share

 — refinanced loans on intu Puerto Venecia 

and intu Milton Keynes

 — raised development finance on projects at 
intu Trafford Centre’s Barton Square and 
intu Broadmarsh 

Strategic reportWe achieved this by
 — delivering new lettings ahead of previous passing rent
 — increasing rent through the rent review cycle
 — reducing vacancy levels

Key stakeholders we engage
 — tenants
 — investors 

 — suppliers
 — our people

KPIs we use to measure our success
 — occupancy
 — like-for-like net rental income
 — shareholder return
 — total financial return
 — underlying earnings per share 

Managing risk
 — property market
 — operations

We achieved this by
 — delivering footfall ahead of the national benchmark
 — ensuring consistency of our high-quality customer service
 — enhancing the recognition of the intu brand
 — ensuring our centres are at the heart of their communities 

KPIs we use to measure our success
 — footfall
 — GVA of community investment
 — greenhouse gas emission intensity

Key stakeholders we engage
 — customers
 — tenants
 — suppliers

 — our people
 — local communities

Managing risk
 — operations
 — brand

We achieved this by
 — understanding the latest requirements of our customers and retailers
 — generating the required level of demand to commence new projects
 — delivering projects on time and on budget

Key stakeholders we engage
 — tenants 
 — suppliers

 — local and national government
 — our people
 — local communities

KPIs we use to measure our success
 — footfall
 — occupancy
 — shareholder return
 — total financial return
 — prime property assets

Managing risk
 — property market
 — operations

 — developments
 — brand

We achieved this by
 — continuing the recycling of capital from our smaller/mature assets
 — refinancing debt to reduce the cost and increase the maturity
 — ensuring we have the funding to progress the pipeline 

KPIs we use to measure our success
 — shareholder return
 — total financial return
 — prime property assets 

Key stakeholders we engage
 — investors
 — suppliers

Managing risk
 — financing
 — developments

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

35

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceKey performance indicators

We measure progress against strategic objectives using the 
following financial and non-financial performance measures

Footfall (%)

Occupancy (%)

2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5

100

98

96

94

92

90

-1.6%

-3.5%

97%

95%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  intu
  ShopperTrak

  intu

  MSCI (retail)

Why is this important?
Footfall is an important measure of a centre’s 
popularity with customers. Retailers use this 
measure as a key part of their decision-making 
process on where to locate their stores.

How is this measured?
Footfall numbers across intu’s centres are 
captured using a combination of person or car 
counting cameras located at specific entrance 
and exit points within the centre.

How have we performed?
Footfall in our centres was robust considering the 
unusual weather events in 2018. We significantly 
outperformed the ShopperTrak measure of UK 
national retail footfall.

Why is this important?
Attracting and retaining the right mix of retail, 
catering and leisure operators will enhance 
our centres’ appeal and trading environment.

How is this measured?
The ERV of let and under-offer units expressed as 
a percentage of the total ERV.

How have we performed?
Occupancy remained stable during the year at  
97 per cent and remains above the MSCI monthly 
property benchmark figure (retail).

Strategic objective 

Strategic objective 

Key to strategic objectives

  Growing like-for-like net rental income

 Delivering operational excellence

 Optimising our winning destinations

 Making smart use of capital

Like-for-like net rental income (%)
+0.6%

+0.5%

+3.6%

+1.8%

-3.2%

4

2

0

-2

-4

Shareholder return (%)

30

15

0

-15

-30

-45

-60

-12%

-52%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  intu

Total financial return (%)
+10.2%

+13.5%

+3.4%

+5.2%

-20.7%

15

10

5

0

-5

-10

-15

-20

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  FTSE REIT index

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Why is this important?
Measures the organic growth in income 
generated from our centres in the year.

How is this measured?
Year-on-year movement in net rental income 
with the impact of acquisitions, developments 
and disposals removed.

How have we performed?
Like-for-like net rental income grew in 2018 
driven by increased rents from new lettings 
and rent reviews. The growth was adversely 
impacted by some 1.9 per cent from 
administrations and CVAs.

Why is this important?
Combines share price movement and dividends 
to produce a direct measure of the change in 
shareholder value in the year.

How is this measured?
Uses the movement in share price during the 
year plus dividends paid in the year.

How have we performed?
The Group showed a more negative shareholder 
return in 2018 compared to the overall REIT 
sector. This was driven by negative sentiment to 
retail and retail property despite a solid income 
performance in the year.

Why is this important?
This is a measure of the movement in the 
underlying value of assets and liabilities 
underpinning the value of a share plus the 
dividend paid to shareholders.

How is this measured?
The change in NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) 
plus dividends per share paid in the year 
expressed as a percentage of opening NAV per 
share (diluted, adjusted).

How have we performed?
Total financial return in the year was negative, 
driven by a revaluation deficit of 13 per cent 
against a small surplus in 2017. 

Strategic objective 

Strategic objective 

Strategic objective 

36

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic report   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Underlying earnings per share (p)

Prime property assets (%)

15

10

5

0

13.3p

14.2p

15.0p

15.0p

14.4p

9
6
3
0
-3
-6
-9
-12

-5.7%

-11.8%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  MSCI monthly index (retail)

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  intu

Why is this important?
Underlying earnings per share is based on 
the underlying income generated in the year 
which gives an indication of the Group’s 
recurring performance.

How is this measured?
Underlying earnings exclude property and 
derivative valuation movements, exceptional  
items and related tax.

How have we performed?
Underlying earnings per share reduced slightly 
impacted by disposals and developments in 
the year.

Why is this important?
Measures the capital return on the Group’s 
property assets and compares this with the  
MSCI index, a recognised industry benchmark.

How is this measured?
The valuation gain or loss in the year expressed 
as a percentage of the book value pre-valuation 
assessed on a like-for-like basis for the Group’s 
investment property.

How have we performed?
Like-for-like valuation deficit of 11.8 per cent was 
greater than the MSCI deficit of 5.7 per cent. The 
divergence is considered most likely to represent 
a timing difference with intu’s valuations.

Strategic objective 

Strategic objective 

GVA of community investment (£bn)
4.9

4.2

3.5

4.6

4.8

5

4

3

2

1

0

Greenhouse gas emissions 
intensity1 (kg CO2e/m2)
73

84

50

56

90

42

60

30

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Why is this important?
Shopping centres create wealth and employment 
for their local communities. Gross value added 
(GVA) measures the economic contribution of 
intu to local communities in the UK.

How is this measured?
GVA is calculated on a range of different activities 
and types of economic output of our UK assets, 
including: investment expenditure, intu 
operational jobs, tenant jobs and tax 
contributions. This data is independently assured.

Why is this important?
Measures our operational efficiency and 
performance of our existing assets. It also 
measures performance against our carbon 
intensity reduction target of 50 per cent by 2020 
against the 2010 baseline.

How is this measured?
Greenhouse gas equivalents are calculated to work 
out the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy we 
use. These include the direct and indirect emissions 
of our directly managed UK centres.

How have we performed?
GVA has increased by £0.2 billion predominantly 
as a result of the opening of the extension at  
intu Watford.

How have we performed?
Since 2010 we have reduced emissions by 
64 per cent, having met our target of a 
50 per cent reduction by 2020 three years early.

Strategic objective 

1  2017 figure restated

Strategic objective 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

37

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance   
Focus on risk

The effective assessment and management of 
risk is key to the delivery of our strategy

intu’s Board has responsibility for 

establishing the Group’s appetite for 
risk on the balance of potential risks and 
returns, and has overall responsibility 
for identifying and managing risks. 
The Board has undertaken a robust 
assessment of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group, including 
those that would impact the business 
model, future performance, solvency 
or liquidity. 

Risk appetite
An assessment of the Group’s risk 
appetite in 2018 showed that the business 
has delivered some of the reduction in risk 
exposure that the Board desired, but this 
has also been impacted by increases in 
some external risks. The Board continues 
to want to reduce risk in the future across 
a number of categories and is working 
on plans to deliver this. As experts in 
our sector we are able to mitigate the 
risk involved in growing the business 
through development, our active asset 
management strategy, brand focus and 
maximising future opportunities for 
revenue growth. This focus on our core 
strengths is balanced by a more cautious 
approach to risk in other areas. 

While the macroeconomic and retail 
environment is difficult at present, 
particularly with the uncertainty 
surrounding Brexit, we have proven 
expertise in this area and continue to 
innovate to mitigate risks. Additionally, 
as brand awareness continues to grow 
we become more exposed to media and 
social media news stories, which have 
a greater impact. The intu operational 
control framework is robust and we 
have processes and procedures in place 
to manage reputational risk. 

Risk management process
intu’s Board has overall responsibility 
for risk management. The effectiveness 
of the risk management system is 
monitored and reviewed by the Audit 
Committee and through periodic external 
review. Our ongoing assessment of risk 
is underpinned by a formal risk review 
process conducted for each area and 
every level of the business including each 
centre, each department, internal 
committee and the executive team. 
These reviews provide an opportunity to 
identify risks and assess their impact and 
likelihood. The assessment also includes 
how quickly the risks would impact our 
business and for how long.

The risk registers created through this 
process are subject to at least an annual 
review, facilitated by the risk and 
assurance team. Operational 
management is responsible for managing 
the risks and for updating the risk registers.

The Audit Committee oversees the risk 
management process, with the Director 
of Risk and Assurance reporting directly 
to the Audit Committee Chairman, 
ensuring independence and objectivity. 
Four risk updates are provided each year. 

Principal risks and uncertainties
We have identified principal risks and 
uncertainties under five key headings: 
property market; operations; financing; 
developments; and brand. These are 
discussed in detail on the following pages. 
A principal risk is one which has the 
potential to significantly affect our 
strategic objectives, financial position or 
future performance and includes both 
internal and external factors. We monitor 
movements in likelihood and severity such 
that the risks are appropriately managed 
in line with the Group’s risk appetite.

There was an increased risk profile in 2018, 
with increases in both property market 
sub-risks. Additionally, there have been 
some changes to existing principal risks. 
Acquisitions has been removed as the 
business has not engaged in acquisitions 
in the year and people has been added as 
a sub-category within the operations risk. 

The main impact from the UK’s decision 
to exit the EU on the risks that the Group 
faces continues to be the potential 
negative impact on the macroeconomic 
environment, as a result of the continuing 
uncertainty around transitional and 
post-Brexit arrangements. Specifically, 
the risks we face are affected by any 
changes in sentiment in the investment 
and occupier markets in which we 
operate, in our ability to execute our 
recycling and investment plans and in 
broader consumer confidence and 
expenditure. intu’s Brexit risk review, 
initially conducted in 2016, has been 
reviewed and updated during the year.

The intu risk framework has been updated 
in the year. It is based on recognised 
codes and best practice, including 
ISO 31000 & COSO.

The intu risk and assurance team provide 
an overview of key risks to the Board and 
Executive Committee. This includes 
horizon-scanning for new risks (including 
legislative changes), highlighting the 
output of bottom-up risk reviews and 
identifying risks that could impact 
delivery of corporate objectives.

38

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportRisk management framework

Board

 — ensure that risk is managed across the business
 — define the Group’s appetite for risk
 — with the Executive Committee, assess the Group’s principal risks
 — establish ‘tone at the top’ to drive risk culture across the business

y
t
i
l
i
b
i
s
n
o
p
s
e
r
g
n

i
t
r
o
p
e
r
d
n
a
g
n

i
r
o
t
i
n
o
M

Audit Committee

 — monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management system  

and risk culture

 — oversee and challenge the Group’s overall approach to monitoring areas of risk

Risk and assurance 
department

Executive Committee

 — lead the development of risk management for intu
 — collate outputs of risk management exercises including risk registers for presentation  

to Audit Committee, Executive Committee and Board
 — identify and communicate emerging risks for the business

 — input into Board’s process for setting risk appetite
 — with the Board, assess the Group’s principal risks
 — endorse ‘tone at the top’ set by the Board
 — implement strategy in line with the Group’s risk appetite
 — lead operational management’s approach to risk

Operational management

 — create an environment where risk management is embraced 
 — communicate the responsibility of risk management to all employees
 — implement and maintain risk management processes
 — produce and maintain risk registers including identification of risks, mitigating controls 

and actions required

Employees

 — active in the day-to-day management of risk
 — give feedback to operational management on day-to-day risk management

I

m
p
l
e
m
e
n
t
a
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
c
o
m
p
l
i
a
n
c
e
r
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y

Risk profile

Likelihood

Impact

Increased

1

2

6

9

1

2

6

9

No change

3

4

5

7

8

3

4

5

7

8

Note: Acquisitions has been removed as a principal risk, as the business has not engaged in acquisitions this year. 
People has been added as a sub-category of operations risk and is shown as risk 6

1 
Property market – macroeconomic
2  Property market – retail environment
3  Operations – health and safety
4  Operations – cybersecurity
5  Operations – terrorism
6  Operations – people
7 
Financing – availability of funds
8  Developments – developments
9  Brand – integrity of the brand

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

39

Better liaison with tenants’ 
risk managers
We recognise that we face a number of 
risks which are not solely our own; there are 
contributory factors from retailers, service 
providers and visitors. During the year, we 
have run two events to bring together key 
retail landlords with some key tenants to 
discuss risk issues, with the intention of 
increasing understanding, smoothing 
processes and reducing risks for all parties. 
The events have been positively received 
and are laying down the foundations for 
enhanced landlord and tenant relationships 
to minimise risk.

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties

Risk and impact

Mitigation

Change 2018 commentary 

Strategic objectives affected

Property market

1 Macroeconomic 
Weakness in the 
macroeconomic 
environment could 
undermine rental 
income levels and 
property values, 
reducing return on 
investment and 
covenant 
headroom

2 Retail 
environment 
Failure to react 
to changes in the 
retail environment 
could undermine 
intu’s ability to 
attract customers 
and tenants

Operations

3 Health and safety  
Accidents or system 
failure leading to 
financial and/or 
reputational loss

4 Cybersecurity 
Loss of data and 
information or 
failure of key 
systems resulting in 
financial and/or 
reputational loss

5 Terrorism 
Terrorist incident at 
an intu centre or 
another major 
shopping centre 
resulting in loss of 
consumer 
confidence with 
consequent impact 
on lettings and 
rental growth

 — focus on high-quality shopping centres together with their upgrading
 — covenant headroom monitored and stress-tested 
 — make representation on key policies, for example business rates
 — portfolio-wide marketing events to attract footfall
 — use our respected brand to attract and retain aspirational retailers
 — geographic diversification across the UK and Spain
 — review and update of Brexit risk review

 — active management of tenant mix
 — regular monitoring of tenant strength and diversity
 — upgrading assets to meet market demand
 — Tell intu customer feedback programme helps identify changes 

in customer preferences

 — work closely with retailers, including increased focus on managing 

shared risks

Likelihood and impact of macroeconomic weakness 
continues to be a risk with continued political uncertainty in 
the UK and Brexit arrangements not yet detailed, which has 
increased investor caution resulting in a reduction in property 
values and lower transaction volumes in the year 
 — reduction in like-for-like property values, and continued 

pressure at the lower end of the market

 — substantial covenant headroom
 — no significant debt maturities until 2021 and average 

unexpired term of 5.8 years

 — long-term lease structures with average unexpired term 

of 7.2 years

Due to continued macroeconomic uncertainty, the 
likelihood and impact of changes to the retail environment 
resulting in potential tenant failures continues to increase. 
intu monitored this closely in 2018 with intu’s strategy 
continuing to deliver solid footfall numbers and occupancy
 — increased level of administrations and retailer CVAs
 — significant progress on planning and pre-letting of near-

 — digital strategy that embraces technology and digital customer 

term pipeline with a focus on leisure

engagement. This enables intu to engage in and support multichannel 
retailing, and to take the opportunities offered by ecommerce
 — intu Accelerate programme to identify and implement innovations 

in the retail environment

 — contingency plans for potential future vacant units
 — future diversification of land use, for example residential

 — continuing digital investment to improve relevance 

as shopping habits change

 — occupancy remains strong at 97 per cent
 — footfall growth continues to beat the benchmark
 — completion of the intu Watford development
 — on site with the £72m intu Lakeside leisure extension and 
the £75m expansion and transformation of intu Trafford 
Centre’s Barton Square

 — strong business process and procedures, including compliance with 

OHSAS 18001, supported by regular training and exercises

 — annual audits of operational standards carried out internally and by 

external consultants

 — culture of visitor, staff and contractor safety
 — crisis management and business continuity plans in place and tested
 — retailer liaison and briefings
 — appropriate levels of insurance
 — staff succession planning and development in place to ensure 

continued delivery of world class service

 — health and safety managers or coordinators in all centres
 — implementation of new risk mitigators such as acid attack response 

kits in our shopping centres

 — data and cybersecurity strategies
 — regular testing programme and cyber scenario exercise 

and benchmarking

 — appropriate levels of insurance
 — crisis management and business continuity plans in place and tested
 — data committee and data protection officer in place
 — internal and external assessment of GDPR compliance
 — monitoring of regulatory environment and best practice
 — cybersecurity assessment performed by external consultancy and full 

action plan in place

 — managing of supply chain and service providers who hold intu data

 — strong business processes and procedures, supported by regular training 
and exercises, designed to adapt and respond to changes in risk levels

 — trained security staff who are alert and vigilant
 — extraordinary pre-planned operational responses to changes in 

national threat level

 — annual audits of operational standards carried out internally and 

by external agencies

 — culture of visitor, staff and contractor safety
 — crisis management and business continuity plans in place and tested 

with involvement of multiple external agencies

 — retailer liaison and briefings
 — appropriate levels of insurance
 — strong relationships and frequent liaison with police, NaCTSO, 

CPNI and other agencies

 — NaCTSO approved to train staff in counter-terrorism awareness 

programme

 — trial of airport style screening technology at the Arena, intu Braehead

Likelihood and severity of potential impact has not changed 
significantly during 2018
 — retained OHSAS 18001, demonstrating consistent health 
and safety management process and procedures across 
the portfolio

 — gold award from RoSPA
 — full review undertaken of each centre’s fire strategy 

and building specifications post-Grenfell and Liverpool 
Echo Arena has provided appropriate assurance across 
the portfolio

 — Primary Authority audits for both health and safety 
and fire safety are being conducted. These provide 
assurances surrounding compliance

Likelihood continues to rely on operational and third party 
systems and data. Severity of potential impact managed 
through continued development of tools and controls. 
Hacking attempts have not resulted in data loss or major 
operational impacts 
 — ongoing Group-wide cybersecurity project with 

investment in tools, consultancy and staff to mitigate 
impact of threats from evolving cybersecurity landscape

 — implemented updated GDPR policies and procedures

Overall likelihood and severity of potential impact 
unchanged. The NaCTSO and the intelligence community 
continue to be as busy as ever in protecting the UK from 
terror attacks and 2018 has seen a continuation of terror 
attacks in mainland Europe. Our Group Head of Security 
is a member of the Crowded Places Information Exchange. 
This group meets quarterly and ensures that intu is abreast 
of all the current threats and work undertaken by the 
Counter Terrorism Policing teams in the UK
 — national threat level remains at Severe
 — major multiagency security exercises held at all five 

super-regional intu shopping centres 

 — operating procedures in place for the introduction of 

further security measures if required

40

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportRisk and impact

Mitigation

Change 2018 commentary 

Strategic objectives affected

Operations continued

6 People
Failure to attract, 
retain or develop 
an appropriate 
team with the key 
skills to deliver 
intu’s objectives

Financing

7 Availability 
of funds 
Reduced 
availability of funds 
could limit liquidity, 
leading to 
restriction of 
investing and 
operating activities 
and/or increase in 
funding cost

Developments

8 Developments 
Developments fail 
to create 
shareholder value

Brand

9 Integrity of 
the brand 
The integrity of the 
brand is damaged 
leading to financial 
and/or reputational 
loss

 — Nominations Committee with responsibility for selecting an 

appropriate replacement Chief Executive

 — strengthened appraisal process focuses on key targets linked to intu’s 

strategic objectives

 — benchmarking of salaries and packages with a planned review of 

New People risks have increased during the year as the business 
has been through two transaction processes, neither 
of which completed. This led to uncertainty around job 
security. The business also announced the departure 
of the Chief Executive

all benefits

 — support for employees including the Retail Trust
 — talent management programme and broader learning and 

development initiatives

 — employee engagement surveys to assess strengths and opportunities 

for improvement

 — range of recruitment channels to attract new staff

 — funding strategy regularly reported to the Board with current and 

projected funding position

 — effective treasury management aimed at balancing the length of the 

debt maturity profile and diversification of sources of finance

 — consideration of financing plans including potential for recycling of 
capital before commitment to transactions and developments

 — strong relationships with lenders, shareholders and partners
 — focus on high-quality shopping centres

Macroeconomic events during 2018, and the uncertainty 
caused by them, mean the risk of reduced funding 
availability remains. The severity of potential impact 
remains unchanged from 2017. Regular refinancing activity 
continues to evidence the availability of funding
 — introduction of joint venture partner into intu Chapelfield 
and £74m new financing on intu’s 50 per cent interest

 — €225m refinancing of intu Puerto Venecia
 — £140m new financing for intu Milton Keynes 
 — £96m of new development financing for intu Trafford 

Centre’s Barton Square and intu Broadmarsh

 — Capital Projects Committee reviews detailed appraisals before and 

monitors progress during significant projects

 — fixed price construction contracts for developments agreed with clear 

apportionment of risk

Although the intu Watford development works are now 
complete, new projects are commencing and therefore 
exposure in terms of likelihood and impact remain the same
 — at intu Lakeside, the leisure development remains 

 — significant levels of pre-lets exchanged prior to scheme development

on schedule and is close to completion

 — detailed appraisal work and significant pre-lets ahead 

of starting major development projects

 — at intu Trafford Centre secured key anchor letting 
to Primark and construction underway to deliver 
transformation of Barton Square

 — intu Costa del Sol progressing towards final planning 

permission

Likelihood and severity of potential impact increased in 
2018 due to the increased recognition of the brand 
combined with the increased pace and breadth of social 
media. However, intu has strong controls to identify and 
manage these
 — continuing media interest in intu and our commentary 
and opinions on the business and wider landscape 
 — ongoing development of brand in Spain, with full brand 

roll-out at intu Puerto Venecia and intu Xanadú

 — intellectual property protection
 — strong guidelines for use of brand
 — strong underlying operational controls and processes and customer 

service framework

 — robust crisis management procedures
 — ongoing training programme and reward and recognition 

schemes designed to embed brand values and culture throughout 
the organisation

 — traditional and digital media monitoring/analysis
 — Tell intu and Shopper View customer feedback programmes
 — increasing staff training, including media training
 — detection processes for media and social and online media issues

Key to strategic objectives

Change in level of risk

   Growing like-for-like net rental income

  Optimising our winning destinations

 Increased

  Remained the same

  Delivering operational excellence

  Making smart use of capital

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

41

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOperating review

Our operating review analyses how we have 
performed in the year against our strategy

Valuation 
Property values fell in the year driven by adverse conditions in the UK retail market and 
weakening sentiment in the retail property investment market as illustrated by the low 
levels of transactions. With valuers assuming that investors have increased their focus 
on current income, their valuations reflect a greater weighting in the overall opinion 
towards net initial yields.

The table below shows the main components of the £1,405.0 million property 
revaluation deficit:

 — UK super-regional centres: performed stronger than other intu UK assets, recognising 

the continuing attraction of this asset class which remains key to retailers’ 
requirements. These centres have reduced in value by 13 per cent in aggregate, 
with intu Braehead an outlier, down 20 per cent, as it continues to be impacted by 
the relatively weaker economic and uncertain political situation in Scotland
 — UK major city centres: on average values have fallen by 16 per cent reflecting 

weaker investor demand for some of these centres. Within this category, those 
super-prime assets in the busiest city centres have performed better, with smaller 
reductions at the likes of Manchester Arndale, intu Eldon Square, Newcastle and 
intu Milton Keynes

 — Spanish centres: valuations have increased marginally given the continued demand 

for top-quality Spanish centres

 — Spanish developments: small decrease due to pre-development expenditure in the 

year on intu Costa del Sol

 — UK other including developments: predominantly represents valuation movements 
on developments and assets valued below £200 million each. These assets, which 
represent only a small proportion of the portfolio, have seen higher revaluation deficits 
due to lower levels of potential asset management opportunities. This category also 
includes intu Watford (non like-for-like) and intu Chapelfield (31 December 2017 
included at 100 per cent and 31 December 2018 included at 50 per cent)

Valuation

UK super-regional centres
UK major city centres
Spanish centres
Total like-for-like
Spanish developments
UK other including developments
Total

Market value

Like-for-like revaluation

 At 31 December
2018
£m

At 31 December 
2017
£m

5,613.6
1,875.2
628.8
8,117.6
232.3
817.5
9,167.4

6,373.7
2,223.4
606.8
9,203.9
212.8
1,112.5
10,529.2

(Deficit)/
surplus
£m

(824.7)
(363.1)
8.8
(1,179.0)
(7.2)
(218.8)
(1,405.0)

(Deficit)/
surplus
%

(13.0)
(16.3)
1.5
(11.8)
(3.4)
(20.3)
(13.3)

The weighted average net initial yield (topped-up) at 31 December 2018 increased 
by 62 basis points in the year to 4.98 per cent.

On a like-for-like basis, ERV decreased by 3.9 per cent as valuers have in general taken 
a more conservative view on rental values for larger space units and on the overall 
rental values at intu Braehead, intu Victoria Centre and intu Potteries.

intu Puerta Venecia: there is continued 
demand for quality shopping centres in Spain

42

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportThe MSCI UK monthly property index (retail) indicated a 5.7 per cent decrease in 
capital values and a 2.5 per cent decrease in market rentals. The divergence from 
intu’s performance is considered most likely to represent a timing difference with 
intu’s valuations.

In our view, once the near-term yield correction has taken place, income performance 
rather than changing yields is then likely to be, for a time, the main driver of valuations.

Growing like-for-like net rental income
Like-for-like net rental income growth is our key income measure. In the year, we grew 
like-for-like net rental income by 0.6 per cent, similar to the increase of 0.5 per cent in 
2017. The key components of the growth are shown in the table below:

Group like-for-like net rental income

Rent reviews and improved lettings
Capital investment
Vacancy impact
Administrations and CVAs1
Other (eg: bad debt; surrender premiums; headlease adjustments)
Increase in like-for-like net rental income

2018
%

+1.3
+0.2
-0.1
-1.9
+1.1
+0.6

2017
%

+2.2
+0.4
-0.4
-1.4
-0.3
+0.5

1 

 2017 was originally disclosed as units held for redevelopment. Primarily related to units in administration, 
so disclosed on this basis in 2018.

Rent from lettings and rent reviews delivered 1.3 per cent rental growth. Against 
previous passing rent, lettings were on average up 6 per cent and rent reviews up 
7 per cent.

Vacancy increased marginally in 2018, resulting in a 0.1 per cent impact on net 
rental income.

The effect of administrations and CVAs was 1.9 per cent. This movement has been 
minimal given 6 per cent of our rent roll could have been impacted by administrations 
and CVAs in 2018 (see market trends) and illustrates the strength of our stores in the 
retailers’ portfolios.

Other delivered 1.1 per cent growth from non-recurring items, including a higher level 
of premiums received in 2018 against the prior year.

Like-for-like net rental income operating metrics

Occupancy
– of which, occupied by tenants trading in administration
Leasing activity
– number, new rent
– new rent relative to previous passing rent
Rental uplift on rent reviews settled

2018

96.7%
2.0%

2017

97.0%
0.6%

248, £39m
+6%
+7%

217, £38m
+7%
+9%

Occupancy is 96.7 per cent, in line with 31 December 2017, with new lettings offsetting 
the closures in the year.

We agreed 248 long-term leases in the year, amounting to £39 million annual rent, at 
an average of 6 per cent above previous passing rent (like-for-like units) and in line with 
valuers’ assumptions. On a net effective basis (net of rent free and incentives), rents 
were also 6 per cent ahead of previous rents. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

43

River Island is one of many top retailers 
investing in their intu stores

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOperating review continued

Retailers continue to focus on increasing their space in prime, high-footfall retail 
destinations. While the UK letting market is challenging, our winning destinations 
continue to be in demand from quality retailers. Significant activity in 2018 included:

 — new retail anchors, in the shape of key fashion brands, upsizing to optimise their 

offering and configuration. At intu Lakeside, River Island and Zara are both upsizing, 
doubling and trebling their space respectively, and Next opened new flagship stores 
of around 80,000 sq ft each at intu Metrocentre and intu Merry Hill

 — key international fashion brands expanding their portfolio of brands with H&M 

opening two of its eight Monki stores in the UK at intu Eldon Square and 
Manchester Arndale and Inditex, the parent company of Zara, followed openings 
of Stradivarius and Pull&Bear at intu Trafford Centre last year with Bershka at 
St David’s, Cardiff

 — international brands’ ongoing appreciation of the attractiveness of intu’s destination 
shopping centres to gain nationwide exposure. Abercrombie & Fitch opened only 
its second UK store at intu Trafford Centre, Uniqlo is planning to open two of its first 
stores outside London at intu Watford and Manchester Arndale and Xiaomi, the 
Chinese mobile phone company, opened its fifth store in Spain (and second in our 
portfolio) at intu Puerto Venecia

 — brands recognising the benefit of standalone stores as part of their customer 
acquisition, including brands which historically would be department store 
concessions such as Jo Malone. Mitsubishi and Silent Night have opened stores 
at intu Lakeside and The White Company at Cribbs Causeway

We settled 137 rent reviews in the year for new rents totalling £47 million, an average 
uplift of 7 per cent on the previous rents.

The weighted average unexpired lease term is 7.2 years (31 December 2017: 7.5 years) 
illustrating the longevity of our income streams.

The difference between our annual property income of £474 million and ERV of  
£566 million represents £25 million from units subject to a rent free period, £41 million 
from vacant and development units and reversion of £26 million, 5 per cent, from rent 
reviews and lease expiry. 

Delivering operational excellence
The objective of delivering operational excellence underpins how we operate our 
centres. Through a range of metrics, we monitor our performance to ensure we are 
meeting both our customer and retailer requirements.

Operational metrics

Footfall
Retailer sales (like-for-like centres)
Rent to estimated sales (excluding anchors and major space users)
Net promoter score
Unprompted brand awareness
Prompted brand awareness

 2018

-1.6%
-2.3%
12.4%
75
28%
76%

2017

+0.1%
-2.1%
12.1%
70
26%
71%

Footfall in our centres has been robust considering the unusual weather events in 2018 
with periods of severe snow followed by the high temperatures through the summer. 
Overall, our footfall decreased by 1.6 per cent in 2018, but significantly outperformed 
the ShopperTrak measure of UK national retail footfall which was down on average 
by 3.5 per cent, highlighting the continued attractiveness of our compelling 
destinations against the wider market.

Like-for-like net rental income growth

+0.6%

Footfall

+190bps

Outperformance of  
ShopperTrak benchmark

Footfall in our centres has been robust – 
despite the unusual weather in the year

44

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportManagement viewpoint

 Compelling experiences 

start with great people whose aim 
is to make customers smile. This 
year we launched an exciting, 
immersive brand programme  
for all our staff to remind them  
of the core principles of the brand 
and how to apply them in their 
day-to-day roles. That’s 2,500 
people clear on their purpose –  
to make joy.”
Gordon McKinnon
Operations Director

Halle Place: Manchester Arndale’s new 
£17 million restaurant quarter

Estimated retailer sales in our centres were down 2.3 per cent impacted by some 
larger space users who had a difficult 2018 and other retailers who operate successful 
multichannel models where in-store sales figures take no account of the benefit of 
the store to retailers’ online sales and are further impacted by returns of online sales.

The ratio of rents to estimated sales for standard units remained stable in the year 
at 12.4 per cent.

Our net promoter score, a measure of customer service, improved in the year, 
averaging 75. It continues to demonstrate our in-centre operational excellence.

Putting customers first is embedded in our culture and the intu brand. The brand 
has continued to gain momentum and positions us well as the role of the shopping 
centre operator changes. Our measure of the brand, through its recognition with 
the public, continues to grow on both an unprompted and prompted basis. Of those 
questioned, 28 per cent mentioned intu when asked to name a shopping centre brand 
and 76 per cent knew of the brand when prompted, both increasing against 2017.

intu Experiences, our in-house team delivering immersive brand partnerships, mall 
commercialisation and advertising, generated gross income of £23 million (2017: 
£22 million). The growth was driven by promotional activity which included Stylist 
Live’s first consumer event outside London at intu Trafford Centre and increased 
demand from global brands such as Christian Dior and Calvin Klein using our high 
footfall centres to reach a wider audience.

Optimising our winning destinations
Our focus is to ensure our centres continue to be the winning destinations, where 
customers and retailers want to be, both now and in the future. Over the last four 
years, from 2015 to 2018, intu and our tenants have invested over £1 billion in our 
centres, with over £500 million coming from intu and a similar level coming from 
our tenants, predominantly introducing their latest shopfits.

Our near-term pipeline consists of projects that improve the position of our flagship 
centres to meet customer and retailer needs as we evolve the retail environments, 
enhance the catering mix and expand the leisure offer.

Investment in 2018
In 2018 we have invested £201 million in our centres on projects enhancing the value 
and appeal of these destinations. This includes:

 — £67 million on completing the 380,000 sq ft intu Watford extension which opened 

in September 2018. Around 80 per cent of the space is now open or exchanged, with 
the latest signings including Uniqlo, Hollister and Hugo Boss. A further 15 per cent 
is in advanced negotiations and we anticipate 95 per cent of the space will be open 
and trading by spring 2019

 — £40 million on the leisure extension at intu Lakeside. This scheme is 93 per cent 
pre-let with Market Halls, a new communal dining hall concept, the most recent 
signing. Nickelodeon, Puttshack, Hollywood Bowl and Flip Out are now fitting out 
ready to open in spring 2019

 — £17 million on the transformation of Barton Square at intu Trafford Centre 

(see near-term pipeline)

 — £77 million on many other active asset management initiatives, including the 

recently opened Atlantis aquarium and Nickelodeon at intu Xanadú and the Halle 
Place restaurant quarter at Manchester Arndale

In addition, 262 units opened or shopfitted in our centres in 2018 (2017: 259 stores), 
around 8 per cent of our 3,300 units. Tenants have invested around £144 million in these 
stores, a significant demonstration of their long-term commitment to our centres.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

45

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOperating review continued

Prompted awareness

+76%

Annual maintenance expenditure in our centres is substantially recovered from tenants 
via the service charge. In 2018, a total of £17 million across our assets was recovered.

Near-term pipeline
Looking ahead, we are progressing our near-term investment pipeline of £428 million 
through to the end of 2021.

Revenue generated by intu Experiences

We are committed to investing £238 million:

£23m

Management viewpoint

 There is no doubt that 
there is great synergy between 
hotel and residential uses and 
our unique destinations such 
as intu Lakeside. Our range of 
uses support a wider community 
with places to shop, eat and 
relax at the forefront of the offer. 
This wider appeal reinforces 
our strategy of ensuring that 
our retailers flourish and our 
destinations thrive.”
Rebecca Ryman
Regional Managing Director 

46

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

 — at intu Broadmarsh we appointed the main contractor for this mixed-use regeneration 

project which is anticipated to cost £89 million in total and expected to deliver a 
stabilised initial yield of around 7 per cent. We have signed The Light cinema and 
Hollywood Bowl, with 45 per cent of the project either exchanged or in advanced 
negotiations. The redevelopment is expected to complete in the second half of 2021

 — at intu Trafford Centre, we have commenced construction of the expansion and 

transformation of Barton Square with 62 per cent of the space pre-let and a further 
11 per cent in advanced negotiations. The £75 million project, expected to deliver 
a return of between 6 and 7 per cent, involves enclosing the courtyard, enhancing 
interiors, trading from an additional level and providing a fashion offer for the first 
time at Barton Square with Primark anchoring the development, which is expected 
to open in early 2020

 — at intu Lakeside and intu Watford, we have the remaining costs to complete 

these projects

 — at intu Costa del Sol, we have committed £12 million to complete the final designs 
and resolve any outstanding planning matters. We have started the tendering 
process for some of the key construction packages (see below for more details 
on the full project)

 — active asset management projects total £40 million and include £12 million for 

enhancing the look and feel of intu Merry Hill and £8 million for a mall refresh at 
intu Lakeside to tie in with the opening of the leisure extension. Other projects are 
across all centres and are expected to deliver a range of returns between 6 and 
10 per cent dependent on the nature of the individual project

Our pipeline of planned projects amounts to £190 million:

 — at intu Costa del Sol, we expect to clear the final planning matters in 2019. 

With work on the final design ongoing, we are also targeting our required level 
of pre-lets in the next 12 months. This 255,000 sq m development is expected to 
cost around £670 million. Our business plan provides for the introduction of a joint 
venture partner at the start of construction and limits our outlay on the project 
to around £188 million which we expect to be mostly funded by borrowings specific 
to the project

 — active asset management projects total £120 million and are for projects of varying 

sizes across all centres

Mixed-use opportunities
In addition to the pipeline above, we have significant opportunities within the portfolio 
for alternative uses of some of our available land.

We have extensive available land. Our six major out-of-town centres comprise some 
760 acres of land, of which less than 40 per cent has buildings, multistorey car parks 
or distribution roads upon it, leaving 470 acres of surface car parks and other 
potentially developable land. The city centre locations also offer opportunities for 
intensification of uses.

Mixed-use opportunities being evaluated include residential, hotels and other uses. 
Initial work has highlighted the potential for around 5,000 residential units and nearly 
600 hotel rooms. 

Initially, private-rented-sector residential opportunities to create a total of circa 1,700 
units have been identified which, if fully developed, could in aggregate produce a yield 

Strategic reportof around 5 per cent on total development costs, excluding land, of around  
£240 million. The most advanced of these projects is at intu Lakeside, where 
we could deliver around 1,000 residential units.

In addition to the residential and hotel opportunities, further mixed-use opportunities 
relating to office, flexible working spaces, business lounges and service-oriented uses 
have been identified that could generate attractive incremental returns to our current 
rental income stream. Many of these options have a relatively low capital outlay, are 
quick to implement and take advantage of the current configuration of the centres.

Our plan for 1,000 residential units at  
intu Lakeside

All these opportunities, which are under active consideration, would create value 
directly but moreover would increase the overall attractiveness and catchment 
of the centres. 

Making smart use of capital
In line with our strategy, we continue to recycle capital to focus on our winning 
destinations where we have the opportunity to deliver superior returns.

Financial strength
We consider the structure of our borrowings, predominantly using flexible asset 
specific non-recourse arrangements (84 per cent of overall debt), to be appropriate 
for our concentrated portfolio.

We have refinanced or entered new facilities of over £500 million in 2018 (see financial 
review) at competitive rates illustrating that debt markets continue to be supportive of 
the highest quality retail property. We will continue to undertake debt refinancing 
activity on a timely basis or where it is attractive for the Group to do so.

Cash and available facilities at 31 December 2018 were £548 million and our debt to 
assets ratio was 53.1 per cent. As stated in our strategy, we are targeting to reduce this 
to below 50 per cent over time and ensure we maintain adequate financial headroom.

Our facilities have covenant headroom to deal with falls in valuations. By way of example, 
a 10 per cent fall in capital values, from the December 2018 valuations, would create a 
covenant shortfall of only £1 million which could be cured from available facilities. 

We have minimal debt maturities before 2021, with a weighted average debt maturity 
of 5.8 years at 31 December 2018.

With more than £5 billion of debt refinanced over the last six years, we have proven 
we have very good access to both the public and private capital markets and over this 
period reduced our weighted average cost of debt from 5.2 per cent to 4.2 per cent. 
Our average cost of debt includes legacy debt on intu Trafford Centre (£0.7 billion; cost 
of debt 6.0 per cent), which pre-dates the asset becoming part of the intu portfolio in 
2011 and a first mortgage debenture stock 2027 (£0.2 billion; cost of debt 9.9 per cent) 
originally issued over 25 years ago. Excluding these two facilities, the weighted average 
cost of debt of all other facilities is 3.5 per cent.

Disposals
In January 2018, we completed the formation of a joint venture with LaSalle 
Investment Management for them to take ownership of 50 per cent of intu Chapelfield, 
Norwich for an initial net consideration of £148 million.

In line with our strategy, in late 2018 we disposed of £23 million of sundry assets at  
6 per cent above their December 2017 book values.

Our disposals in the last four years are over £1 billion as we have disposed of non-
core assets and introduced partners on other centres. We have flexibility for further 
disposals or part disposals, as around two-thirds, by value, of our portfolio is 
100 per cent owned.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

47

intu Milton Keynes successfully refinanced 
in 2018

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceFinancial review 

Our results for the year 
show a resilient operating 
performance in a challenging 
economic environment

Overview
We have recorded underlying earnings of £193.1 million in 2018, down from the 
£201.0 million recorded in 2017. This reflects the impact of disposals and developments 
in 2018 partially offset by a 0.6 per cent growth in like-for-like net rental income. 
Underlying earnings per share of 14.4 pence has reduced 0.6 pence in the year.

The deficit on property revaluations of £1,405.0 million in 2018 is the primary driver 
of the loss for the year attributable to owners of intu properties plc of £1,132.2 million, 
compared to a surplus on property revaluations of £47.3 million and a profit of 

Presentation of information
We account for our interests in joint ventures using the equity method as required by IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements. This means that the income statement and 
the balance sheet as prepared in accordance with IFRS include single lines for the Group’s total share of post-tax profit/loss and the net investment in joint ventures 
respectively.

Management reviews and monitors performance as well as determines the strategy of the business primarily on a proportionately consolidated basis. This includes 
the Group’s share of joint ventures on an individual line-by-line basis rather than a post-tax profit/loss or net investment basis. The figures and commentary 
presented are consistent with our management approach as we believe this provides a more relevant and reliable analysis of the Group’s performance to users. 
The other information section provides reconciliations of the income statement and balance sheet between the two bases.

Figures and commentary presented on a proportionately consolidated basis are alternative performance measures (APMs) (see glossary) as they are not defined 
in IFRS. In presenting APMs within these results, we have applied the ‘European Securities and Markets Authority Guidelines on Alternative Performance Measures’.

The most significant APMs used to measure the Group’s performance including the rationale for their use are summarised below. EPRA performance measures, 
which are industry standard APMs, are detailed in the EPRA section within other information.

APM

Rationale

Like-for-like 
amounts

NAV (diluted, 
adjusted)

Underlying 
earnings

Like-for-like amounts are presented as they measure operating performance as distinct from the impact of acquisitions or disposals. In respect 
of property, the like-for-like measure relates to property which has been owned throughout both periods without significant capital expenditure 
in either period, so that income can be compared on a like-for-like basis. For the purposes of comparison of capital values, this will also include 
assets owned at the previous reporting period end but not throughout the prior period. Further analysis is presented in the other information 
section and in the operating review.

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) as presented is based on EPRA NAV per share, an industry standard APM considered a key measure of the 
Group’s performance, but adjusted for certain items (listed below) which management believes are necessary in order to better present the 
Group’s performance. The key differences to EPRA NAV per share relate to the following adjustments:
 — fair value movements on interest rate swaps not currently used for economic hedges of debt (referred to as unallocated swaps) are included 
in EPRA NAV but excluded from the Group’s measure of NAV (diluted, adjusted). The Group does not hold unallocated swaps for speculative 
purposes. Management currently intends to hold these unallocated swaps until maturity, therefore the volatility created by their fair value 
movements will not crystallise

 — fair value movements on convertible bonds which are excluded from EPRA NAV but included in the Group’s measure of NAV (diluted, adjusted). 
Management reviews and monitors the Group’s debt to assets ratio based on the book value of debt and therefore management believes it is 
appropriate to include the book value of debt within the Group’s measure of NAV (diluted, adjusted)

A reconciliation of NAV (diluted, adjusted) to NAV attributable to owners of intu properties plc as well as EPRA NAV is provided in note 13. 
The EPRA section within the other information section provides additional details on EPRA and related measures provided.

Underlying earnings per share as presented is based on EPRA earnings per share, an industry standard APM considered a key measure 
of recurring performance, but adjusted for certain items (listed below) which management believes are necessary in order to better present 
the Group’s recurring performance and therefore provide an indication of the extent to which dividend payments are supported by underlying 
operations (see underlying profit statement in the other information section). Underlying earnings per share excludes property and derivative 
movements, exceptional items and related tax. The key differences to EPRA earnings per share relate to the following adjustments:
 — with the exception of termination costs on allocated interest rate swaps and costs related to acquisitions, which are both excluded from EPRA 
earnings and underlying earnings, exceptional finance costs (as detailed in note 9) and exceptional administration expenses (as detailed in  
note 5) are included in EPRA earnings but are excluded from the Group’s measure of underlying earnings. In accordance with the Group’s 
definition for exceptional items (as detailed in the glossary), the Group considers these costs to be exceptional based on their nature and 
incidence, which create volatility in earnings

 — fair value movements on interest rate swaps not currently used for economic hedges of debt (referred to as unallocated swaps) are included 

in EPRA earnings but are excluded from the Group’s measure of underlying earnings. The Group does not hold unallocated swaps for 
speculative purposes. Management currently intends to hold these unallocated swaps until maturity, therefore the volatility created by their 
fair value movements will not crystallise

A reconciliation of underlying earnings to (loss)/profit for the year attributable to owners of intu properties plc as well as EPRA earnings is 
provided in note 12. The EPRA section within the other information section provides additional details on EPRA and related measures provided.

48

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic reportUnderlying earnings (£m)

201.0

+2.3

-11.8

+2.1

-2.4

+1.9 193.1

£216.7 million in 2017. Further commentary on the deficit on property revaluations 
is provided in the operating review.

200

175

150

125

100

r
e
h
t
O

8
1
0
2

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a
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t
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e
m
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N

Our measure of NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) of 312 pence has decreased 99 pence 
during the year due to the deficit on property revaluations, which impact the 
movement by 102 pence.

In January 2018 we continued our programme of recycling capital, completing the 
50 per cent sale of intu Chapelfield to a new joint venture partner, LaSalle Investment 
Management (acting on behalf of Greater Manchester Pension Fund and West 
Yorkshire Pension Fund), for initial net consideration of £148.0 million. In accordance 
with IFRS, following the completion date, intu Chapelfield is now presented as a joint 
venture in our financial statements.

We have refinanced or entered new facilities of over £500 million in 2018. Our interest 
cover ratio of 1.91x is slightly lower in the year (31 December 2017: 1.94x) with 
satisfactory headroom above our target minimum level of 1.60x.

Income statement
Underlying earnings and underlying earnings per share of £193.1 million and 14.4 pence 
respectively in 2018 have decreased from £201.0 million and 15.0 pence respectively 
in 2017. The key movements of underlying earnings are shown in the chart to the left.

Net rental income decreased £9.5 million in 2018 to £450.5 million primarily due to the 
part disposal of intu Chapelfield in January 2018 and the acquisition and part disposal 
of intu Xanadú in 2017, partially offset by growth in like-for-like net rental income.

Like-for-like net rental income increased by £2.3 million, 0.6 per cent in the year, 
driven by rent reviews and new lettings partially offset by administrations and CVAs 
(see operating review).

Administration expenses increased by £2.4 million during the year to £44.0 million, 
predominantly from increased corporate overheads and depreciation on IT 
capital projects.

Income statement summary

Underlying earnings
Adjusted for:
Revaluation of investment and development property
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Gain on sale of investment and development property
Loss on sale of other investments
Administration expenses – exceptional
Exceptional finance costs
Change in fair value of financial instruments
Tax on the above
Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items
Share of associates’ adjusted items
Non-controlling interests in respect of the above
(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to owners 
of intu properties plc

Underlying earnings per share (pence)

Group
£m

Share of joint ventures
£m

Group including
share of joint ventures
£m

Group including
share of joint ventures
£m

2018

2017

193.1

(1,332.8)
(8.5)
1.4
–
(13.1)
(32.9)
87.3
5.8
(71.3)
1.1
37.7

(1,132.2)

14.4p

n/a

(72.2)
–
–
–
(0.1)
4.5
(1.0)
(2.2)
71.3
–
(0.3)

n/a

n/a

193.1

201.0

(1,405.0)
(8.5)
1.4
–
(13.2)
(28.4)
86.3
3.6
–
1.1
37.4

(1,132.2)

14.4p

47.3
(1.8)
–
(0.3)
(6.6)
(33.0)
23.0
(22.7)
–
0.4
9.4

216.7

15.0p

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

49

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Net rental income margin

Gross rental income
Head rent payable

Net service charge 
expense and void costs
Bad debt and lease 
incentive write-offs
Property operating 
expenses
Net rental income
Net rental income 
margin
EPRA cost ratio 
(excluding direct 
vacancy costs)

2018
£m

528.0
(14.6)
513.4

2017
£m
546.2
(20.5)
525.7

(28.8)

(29.1)

(2.5)

(3.2)

(31.6)
450.5

(33.4)
460.0

87.7%

87.5%

15.3%

15.1%

Net asset value per share (pence)

450

411

+14

-14

-102

+5

-2

312

300

150

7
1
0
2

c
e
D
1
3

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e
g
n
y
l
r
e
d
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i

i

d
a
p
d
n
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d
v
D

i

i

r
e
h
t
O

8
1
0
2
c
e
D
1
3

t
i

c
fi
e
d
n
o
i
t
a
u

l
a
V

s
t
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e
m
e
v
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m
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l
a
v
r
i
a
F

50

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Net underlying finance costs have decreased by £2.1 million during the year to 
£220.4 million, driven by our ongoing refinancing programme and interest capitalised 
on developments partially offset by new debt raised. We expect finance costs in 2019 
to be approximately double the second half of 2018 figure.

As discussed in the overview, the 2018 loss attributable to owners of intu properties 
plc is £1,132.2 million, a decrease from the £216.7 million profit reported in 2017.

Our investment in joint ventures recorded a loss of £42.1 million in 2018, compared 
to a profit of £35.5 million in 2017, which is primarily a result of a deficit on property 
valuations of £72.4 million (2017: surplus of £15.9 million). This includes underlying 
earnings of £29.2 million, an increase of £10.9 million during the year due to  
intu Chapelfield becoming a joint venture in January 2018 and the full year impact 
in 2018 of intu Xanadú as a joint venture.

As detailed in the table to the left, our net rental income margin is stable at 
87.7 per cent. Our ratio of total costs to income, as calculated in accordance with 
EPRA guidelines, remains low at 15.3 per cent (see other information section).

Balance sheet
The Group’s net assets attributable to shareholders are £3,811.7 million, a decrease 
from £5,075.0 million at 31 December 2017, while net assets (diluted, adjusted) are 
£4,190.9 million, a decrease from £5,522.7 million at 31 December 2017.

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) at 31 December 2018 has decreased 99 pence during 
the year to 312 pence; the key movements are shown in the chart to the left. This was 
driven principally by the deficit on property revaluations in the year of 102 pence. As 
noted previously, our measure of NAV per share continues to include a timing impact 
within retained earnings of 4 pence in relation to our Spanish development partner 
Eurofund’s expected future equity interest in the intu Costa del Sol development. 
The positive impact on retained earnings is expected to reverse, once these 
arrangements are concluded. In this event NAV per share would be 308 pence.

Investment and development property has decreased by £1,062.4 million due to 
a deficit on revaluation of £1,405.0 million, partially offset by capital expenditure 
of £201.0 million during the year and the recognition of the retained 50 per cent 
interest in intu Chapelfield, of which 100 per cent was classified as an asset held 
for sale at 31 December 2017.

Our net investment in joint ventures is £823.9 million at 31 December 2018  
(31 December 2017: £735.5 million), which includes the Group’s share of net assets, 
on an equity accounted basis, of £487.9 million (31 December 2017: £452.6 million) 
and loans to joint ventures of £336.0 million (31 December 2017: £282.9 million). 
The 2018 movement broadly reflects the addition of intu Chapelfield from 31 January 
2018 following the 50 per cent part disposal, which is now accounted for as a joint 
venture rather than as a 100 per cent owned subsidiary partially offset by a deficit 
on property valuations of £72.4 million.

Investment in associates of £65.6 million represent our interests in India, which 
comprises a 32 per cent interest in Prozone (£45.1 million), a shopping centre developer 
listed on the Indian stock market, and a direct interest in Empire (£20.5 million). Prozone 
and Empire own and operate shopping centres in Coimbatore and Aurangabad.

Net external debt of £4,867.2 million has increased by £31.7 million, the main 
movements due to capital expenditure in the year partially offset by proceeds from 
the part disposal of intu Chapelfield. Cash including the Group’s share of joint ventures 
is in line with 2017, reducing slightly by £3.9 million to £274.3 million and gross debt 
has increased by £27.8 million to £5,141.5 million.

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet summary

Investment and development property
Investment in joint ventures
Assets and associated liabilities classified as held for sale
Investment in associates and other investments
Net external debt
Derivative financial instruments
Other assets and liabilities
Net assets
Non-controlling interest
Attributable to shareholders
Fair value of derivative financial instruments
Other adjustments
Net assets (diluted, adjusted)

Group
£m

8,021.8
823.9
–
76.1
(4,606.3)
(280.5)
(210.6)
3,824.4
(12.7)
3,811.7
280.5
98.7
4,190.9

2018

2017

Share of
joint ventures
£m

Group including
share of joint ventures
£m

Group including
share of joint ventures
£m

1,108.3
(823.9)
–
–
(260.9)
(3.5)
(16.3)
3.7
(3.7)
n/a
3.5
(3.5)
n/a

9,130.1
–
–
76.1
(4,867.2)
(284.0)
(226.9)
3,828.1
(16.4)
3,811.7
284.0
95.2
4,190.9

10,192.5
–
302.9
81.6
(4,835.5)
(349.8)
(259.3)
5,132.4
(57.4)
5,075.0
349.8
97.9
5,522.7

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) (pence)

312p

n/a

312p

411p

Derivative financial instruments comprise the fair value of the Group’s interest 
rate swaps (referred to as allocated and unallocated swaps). The net liability at 
31 December 2018 is £284.0 million, a decrease of £65.8 million in the year, due to 
cash payments in the year and increases in interest rates, with the Sterling five-year 
and 10-year swap rates increasing by 24bps and 13bps respectively. Cash payments 
in 2018 totalled £44.9 million, £28.1 million of which has been classified as an 
exceptional finance cost as it relates to payments in respect of unallocated swaps 
(see below). The balance of the payments has been included as underlying finance 
costs as it relates to ongoing allocated swaps used to hedge debt.

We hold a number of interest rate swaps, entered into some years ago, which are 
unallocated due to a change in lenders’ practice. Lenders previously would allow 
the allocation of existing long-dated swap cover to new debt; however, this practice 
changed where lenders began to require lender specific swaps on new debt 
to be put in place as a hedge when entering into new variable interest rate debt. 
As a consequence of our significant refinancing activity carried out in recent years 
(see financing section), this historical long-dated swap cover is no longer acting 
as a hedge to any debt interests and is therefore unallocated.

At 31 December 2018 these unallocated swaps have a market value liability of  
£184.4 million (31 December 2017: £235.4 million). It is estimated that we will be 
required to make cash payments on these unallocated swaps of around £26.7 million 
in 2019, reducing to below £20 million per annum in 2021. Cash payments on these 
unallocated swaps will continue until their maturity dates, which range between 
2020 and 2037, but will cease in the event a swap is closed early. Management intends 
to hold these until maturity as there is currently no economic benefit to closing these 
unallocated swap contracts early as this would require an upfront cash settlement 
in full.

The non-controlling interest at 31 December 2018 relates primarily to our partner’s 
40 per cent stake in intu Metrocentre.

We are exposed to foreign exchange movements on our overseas investments. 
At 31 December 2018 the exposure is 15.0 per cent of net assets attributable to 
shareholders of the Group (31 December 2017: 10.6 per cent), with the increase from 
31 December 2017 being primarily due to the declines in our UK property valuations 
during the year. Once the Eurofund expected future interest in the intu Costa del Sol 
development concludes, we expect the exposure to reduce to 13.9 per cent, after which 
the appropriate level of exposure will be assessed.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

51

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceFinancial review continued

Cash flow summary

Group cash flow as 
reported
Cash flows from 
operating activities 
Cash flows from 
investing activities 
Cash flows from 
financing activities
Foreign exchange 
movements
Net increase/
(decrease) in cash and 
cash equivalents

Cash flow
During 2018 cash and cash equivalents increased by £13.3 million.

2018
£m

2017
£m

Cash flows from operating activities of £102.6 million are £38.3 million lower than the 
same period in 2017, primarily due to the timing of payments.

102.6

140.9

(0.4)

(518.1)

Cash flows from investing activities reflects the cash outflows related to capital 
expenditure in 2018 offset by the cash inflow for the 50 per cent sale of intu Chapelfield 
in January and net cash inflows from joint ventures during the year.

(89.0)

350.2

0.1

0.4

13.3

(26.6)

The main elements of cash flows from financing activities are the cash dividends paid 
in 2018 of £187.6 million, partially offset by net borrowings drawn in the year.

Financing 
Debt structure 
We have carried out significant refinancing activity in recent years which has resulted 
in diversified sources of funding, including secured bonds plus syndicated bank debt 
secured on individual or pools of assets, with limited or no recourse from the borrowing 
entities to other Group companies outside of these arrangements. Our corporate-level 
debt remains limited to the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) as well as the £375 million 
2.875 per cent convertible bonds due 2022. In October 2018 we settled in cash the 
remaining £160.4 million outstanding in respect of the 2.5 per cent convertible bonds.

During the year we undertook the following financing activities:

 — agreed a new £74 million facility secured against our remaining 50 per cent interest 

in intu Chapelfield, maturing in 2023

 — refinanced the €225 million facility secured against intu Puerto Venecia  

(our share: €112.5 million), now maturing in 2025

 — extended the £140 million facility secured against intu Milton Keynes by 18 months, 

now maturing in 2021

 — agreed a new £46 million facility secured against our development at intu 

Broadmarsh, maturing in 2022. At 31 December 2018, this development finance 
loan was undrawn

 — agreed a new £50 million facility secured against our development at intu Trafford 
Centre’s Barton Square, maturing in 2021. This facility is split as a £25 million term 
loan, which was fully drawn at 31 December 2018 and a £25 million development 
finance loan, of which £3.3 million was drawn at 31 December 2018

The chart below illustrates that we have no major refinancing requirement due until 2021.

Debt maturity (£m)
47

80

1,200

1,163

775

1,032

593

128

28

262

843

493

199

Debt measures

Debt to assets ratio
Interest cover 
Weighted average  
debt maturity
Weighted average  
cost of gross debt
Proportion of gross 
debt with interest 
rate protection
Cash and available 
facilities

2018

53.1%
1.91x

2017
45.2%1
1.94x

5.8 years

6.6 years

4.2%

4.2%

84%

95%

£548.5m

£833.1m1

1 

 Pro forma for the net initial consideration 
of £148 million on 50 per cent disposal of 
intu Chapelfield.

52

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2034+

2029-
2033

Debt measures
Our debt to assets ratio has increased to 53.1 per cent since 31 December 2017 due 
to the deficit on property revaluation in the year. As part of our revised strategy, we 
will be looking to reduce this to below 50 per cent. Our weighted average debt maturity 
has reduced to 5.8 years and the weighted average cost of gross debt is stable at 
4.2 per cent (excluding the RCF).

Interest cover of 1.91x has remained stable and above our target minimum level of 1.60x.

Strategic reportWe agreed a £46 million debt facility for our 
development of intu Broadmarsh

We use interest rate swaps to fix interest obligations, reducing any cash flow 
volatility caused by changes in interest rates. The proportion of debt with interest 
rate protection has decreased in the year to 84 per cent within our policy range of 
between 75 per cent and 100 per cent.

Covenants
Further details of the debt financial covenants are included in the other information 
section of this report. We are in compliance with all of our covenants and regularly 
stress test them for changes in capital values and income. By way of example, a 
10 per cent fall in capital values would create a covenant shortfall of only £1 million.

Capital commitments
We have an aggregate Board-approved commitment to capital projects of  
£238.0 million at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: £267.6 million). Of this, 
£191.2 million (31 December 2017: £158.6 million) is contractually committed.

In addition to the committed expenditure, we have an identified uncommitted pipeline 
of active asset management projects, major extensions and developments that may 
become committed over the coming years (see operating review).

Other
Tax policy position
The Group has tax exempt status in the UK (REIT) and for two of our joint ventures 
in Spain (SOCIMI) which provide exemption from corporation tax on rental income 
and gains arising on property sales, with tax instead being paid at shareholder level. 
See glossary for further information on REITs.

The Group looks to minimise the level of tax risk and at all times seeks to comply fully 
with our regulatory and other tax obligations and to act in a way which upholds intu’s 
reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. This is achieved through regularly 
carrying out risk reviews, seeking pre-clearance from taxing authorities in complex 
areas and actively engaging in discussions regarding proposed changes in the taxation 
system that might affect the Group.

We have updated ‘intu’s Approach to Tax’ for 2018 which is published on the Group’s 
website intugroup.co.uk and provides further information about the Group’s tax strategy.

Despite being a REIT, we pay tax directly on non-SOCIMI overseas earnings, any UK 
non-property income, business rates and transaction taxes such as stamp duty land 
tax. In 2018 the total of such payments to tax authorities was £28.2 million (2017: 
£28.5 million), of which £25.4 million (2017: £26.0 million) was in the UK and  
£2.8 million (2017: £2.5 million) in Spain. We also collect VAT, employment taxes and 
withholding tax on dividends for HMRC and the Spanish tax authorities.

Dividends
The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for 2018. The total paid in respect 
of 2018 is 4.6 pence, a reduction of the 14.0 pence paid in respect of 2017.

A UK REIT is expected to pay dividends (PIDs) of at least 90 per cent of its taxable profits 
from its UK property rental business by the first anniversary of each accounting date. 
In view of the announced short term reduction of dividends it is expected that there will 
be an underpayment of the minimum PID, and so for the Group to incur UK corporation 
tax payable at 19 per cent. Any corporation tax payable would form part of underlying 
earnings and in 2019 we would expect this to be in the range of £15 million to £20 
million. The Group intends to remain a UK REIT for the foreseeable future.

At 31 December 2018, the Company has distributable reserves of £604 million.

Matthew Roberts
Chief Financial Officer
20 February 2019

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

53

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceOur people

We are proud of our employees’ 
commitment to our purpose – 
creating compelling and joyful 
experiences for customers and 
helping retailers flourish

Highlights of the year
 — staff survey shows 85 per cent of staff 
find ways to bring joy to customers 
and colleagues

 — whole-company brand training 

programme

 — all staff can now access 

company intranet

 — new uniform introduced

Our employees are vital to fulfilling 

our purpose. In-centre or behind 
the scenes, the experiences they 

create for our 35 million visitors and 
thousands of retailers are at the heart 
of what makes intu different. 

Our people are talented individuals, 
and our culture empowers them to 
be bold, creative and genuine in their 
work and to come together to create 
high performance teams that drive 
intu’s success.

Our role is to be a great employer, 
promoting diversity and inclusion, 
treating our employees fairly and 
enabling them to grow professionally 
and personally. 2018 has been a busy 
year with many activities to inspire, 
motivate and support our people. 

A united and successful team
We employ 2,654 staff. In the UK 2,538 
are employed across 16 centres and 
our head office in London. 2,091 of these 
are directly employed by our in-house 
facilities company, intu Retail Services. 
In Spain we have 38 people in our Madrid 
office and 78 at intu Xanadú. 

54

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

We have run an annual employee 
engagement survey since 2011. This year’s 
results show greater participation and 
stable levels of employee engagement, 
improved perception of how we can all 
bring joy to customers and colleagues 
alike, together with high levels of respect 
for intu’s reputation.

This year, after listening to feedback from 
staff and customers, we have introduced 
a new uniform that more closely reflects 
the intu brand. Comfortable and 
practical, it has been well received by staff 
who say it makes them feel proud to work 
at intu. Customers say it makes our centre 
teams more visible and increases their 
sense of security. The uniform has been 
adapted for our Spanish teams to suit  
the local climate.

Diverse and inclusive
As a people business with over 
400 million customer visits a year our 
workforce should reflect our customers 
and the communities around our centres, 
so diversity is incredibly important to us. 
Ethnicity reporting is still voluntary but 
our latest staff survey suggests we closely 
mirror the national profile for ethnicity. 
Over 45 different nationalities are 
represented at intu.

We continue to work hard to achieve 
gender balance at every level of our 
business. We maintained our position 
in the top quartile of FTSE 250 and 350 
companies for the number of women 
at board, senior and executive 
management levels – with almost 
30 per cent of female staff at this level 
(FTSE Women Leaders, Hampton-
Alexander Review 2018). We also 

Our culture in action 
Our culture permeates our business. 
Everyone, regardless of role or seniority, 
goes through the same brand immersion 
to understand our purpose and our values. 

Our purpose is simple – to create 
compelling, joyful experiences that make 
our customers smile and help our retailers 
flourish. It is an intentionally simple focus 
that can be understood and delivered by 
everyone in the organisation.

Our values – bold, creative, genuine – 
encourage us all to behave in the right way 
and do the right thing: for our customers, 
our retailers, the environment and society. 
Our people understand if they apply our 
values in their work they will help create 
a successful and responsible business. 

In 2017 we conducted a culture audit, and 
this year we produced a comprehensive 
guide to our culture for every member of 
staff and all new staff, to complement and 
reinforce the brand refresh. 

As the brand is now five years old, and 
more than 50 per cent of staff are new to 
intu since it was introduced, we have 
invested in a brand engagement 
programme, designed to remind people 
of the core principles of the brand and how 
they can contribute to driving intu’s 
reputation. Over 200 sessions were held, 
and 96 per cent of staff attended. 

Strategic reportGender pay gap

We aim to be an employer of choice and to 
treat our employees fairly and pay them 
appropriately for their work. We welcomed 
the gender pay gap legislation introduced in 
2017 and the increased pay transparency 
that can result. This is the second annual 
disclosure of the gender pay gap, which 
compares the average pay of men and 

women within the organisation. This is 
different to equal pay, which takes into 
account the nature of a role and its seniority. 
If there are more men than women in senior 
positions, as is currently the case at intu, this 
results in the overall average of the pay of men 
being higher than the overall average of the 
pay of women. 

intu also has two very different populations 
in our management services (MSL) and retail 
services (RSL) businesses and full details for 
each business are on our Group website. 
Overall, our median pay and bonus gaps are 
significantly smaller than the national picture 
with a slightly higher proportion of women 
than men receiving bonuses.

Pay gap
Difference between the average 
pay of men and women

Bonus gap
Difference between the average 
bonus paid to men and women

Proportion  
of women  
receiving a bonus

Proportion  
of men receiving 
a bonus

Median

Mean

4.7%

9.7%

0.0%

54.4%

  85.5%

  83.0%

The chart below shows the gender pay gap for different groups of employees within the business. In a number of areas the average pay of 
women is higher than that of men.

Super regionals

Larger city centres

Smaller city centres

Total employees 1,147

Total employees 592

Total employees 289

Overall gender pay gap
(based on mean hourly rate)

9.4%

1.3%

5.2%

39%

61%

–7.97%

–8.63%

–7.97%

–8.63%

36%

64%

–7.97%

–8.63%

37%

63%

52.6%
52.6%
52.6%

1.1%
1.1%
1.1%

1.8%
1.8%
1.8%

2.4%
2.4%
2.4%

3.0%
3.0%
3.0%

4.6%
4.6%
4.6%

8.4%
8.4%
8.4%

4.9%
4.9%
4.9%

2.7%
2.7%
2.7%

Regional centre directors,  
general managers, senior  
asset managers

Asset managers, marketing 
managers, operations managers, 
centre-based management roles

Supervisory, admin,  
front line delivery roles 
(including technicians)

 Female employees 

 Male employees 

  Men paid more 

  Women paid more 

 Read more at intugroup.co.uk

continue to work with the Mentoring 
Foundation, to enhance the opportunities 
for women to reach executive roles. 

Inspire me, an informal network created 
and driven by an employee, was set up to 
give access to senior people so that others 
can learn from their experience (see case 
study, page 56). We also sponsor Retail 
Week’s Be Inspired initiative, with three of 
our senior women acting as ambassadors.

Our drive for inclusion goes further than 
our staff. By signing up as a Disability 
Confident Committed employer we aim 
to make sure our recruitment, training 
and development processes are equally 
accessible by people with a disability 
– as well as enabling all our staff to treat 
both colleagues and customers with 
respect. We hope to achieve the Disability 
Confident standard in 2019.

Through Pathways to Property, 
providing work experience for school 
students from less traditional 
backgrounds, and participation in 
a property industry research project 
sponsored by the JLL Foundation, 
we aim to improve socio-economic 
diversity in the sector.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

55

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
Our people continued

Age profile

Under 35
35 – 55
Over 55

32%
45%
23%

UK gender profile

Female

1,006

(2017: 1,017)

Male

1,532

(2017: 1,450)

UK gender profile senior managers

Female

9

Male

24

(2017: 10)

(2017: 31)

A good job
Part of being a great employer is treating 
our staff members well and going beyond 
statutory requirements where possible. 
All our staff over 18 who have completed 
their probation are paid above the 
National Living Wage, even staff not 
strictly covered by regulation. We do 
not use zero-hour contracts.

We are committed to ending the gender 
pay gap and we comply fully with the 
Equality Act Gender Pay Gap Information 
regulations. (See infographic on page 55).

Talent development
We are continuing to invest in our talent 
pipeline. Our learning and development 
team run a programme of internal and 
external training to keep business skills 
up to date as well as non-vocational 
activities such as those offered by the 
London Business Forum. This year we 
have created a bespoke programme 
for our centre marketing teams.

Employee engagement
Ensuring our staff understand our 
business and know how they can 
contribute to intu’s success is crucial to 
our progress and was part of our promise 
to our staff when we rebranded to intu. 

56

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Our commitment to employee 
engagement has been recognised 
externally through two awards – the 
Institute of Workplace and Facilities 
Management Employee Experience 
Award and the Employer Brand 
Management Award for best employer 
brand management programme.

We use a range of channels to 
communicate with our staff – 
magazines, digital channels and face-
to-face meetings and briefings. Our 
inhouse magazine Chorus is written 
and produced by staff volunteers from 
across the business. We hold an all-staff 
video-linked presentation with the Chief 
Executive at least three times a year and 
a national all-centre roadshow to share 
the business plan. 

In February 2018 we launched a new 
and improved version of our intranet, 
mint, and started to roll it out to all staff 
without a company computer. With the 
addition of new functionality such as 
comments, blogs and videos the new 
mint is a place for colleagues to interact 
with each other, regardless of location 
or job role. 

It is a modern, easy-to-use platform that 
provides a greater understanding of the 
whole business and enables staff to feel 
part of the intu family, whether that is 
discovering new things about colleagues 
or the business, celebrating achievements 
or connecting and providing information 
to help people to do their jobs. 

We continue to encourage staff to 
achieve their personal and professional 
goals and to take part in our corporate 
responsibility, community support and 
sustainability programmes. More than 
one in five took advantage of the working 
days intu makes available for volunteering 
activity in 2018.

Our plans for 2019
 — roll out my intu, our employee 

self-service portal, to staff across 
the business

 — reaccreditation of Investors in People 

at all our centres

 — invest in new skills and capabilities, 

especially data analytics

Inspire me
Group accountant Samantha Spiers  
(above centre, sharing experiences with 
colleagues) had the idea to set up the 
informal network Inspire me to create a 
forum where people could be inspired by 
each other’s stories. “I’ve had great support 
from senior management to get my idea 
off the ground,” she says. “It shows that 
there is a really open and supportive  
culture at intu for new ideas.” Growing 
numbers are joining the forum at the 
London head office and Sam is now hoping 
to roll the idea out across our centres. “It’s 
been an amazing success and people say it 
opens their eyes to what they themselves 
could achieve.” 

Human rights
At intu we respect the dignity, liberty and 
equality of everyone we work with. We 
only work with people who choose to work 
freely and we respect their rights to equal 
opportunities and freedom of association. 

We work with our suppliers, retailers and 
associated companies to ensure they  
meet acceptable standards of human 
dignity in their own sourcing policies.  
We will continue to evaluate the pay and 
conditions of all our employees, to ensure 
all staff earn above the National Living 
Wage and enjoy fair working conditions. 
Fair treatment of people who work for  
intu or our suppliers is a key focus of our 
corporate responsibility approach. 

Modern Slavery Act
We are aware of our responsibilities under 
the Modern Slavery Act and continue to 
conduct due diligence on our suppliers. 
Details of our approach can be found in our 
Modern Slavery and Human Rights policy 
which is communicated to all those working 
on our behalf. 

  Read more at intugroup.co.uk

Strategic reportCorporate responsibility

Making a meaningful difference is 
important to us. Together with our 
stakeholders, we work to create 
shared benefit through community 
investment, economic value 
generation and sustainable use  
of resources

A t intu we have a culture of 

behaving responsibly. We work 
with our stakeholders to address 

social and environmental issues that 
deliver value beyond immediate financial 
return. We focus on delivering positive 
change in our communities and 
respecting the environment. Good 
relationships and partnerships are 
integral to everything we do. We also 
recognise the part we have to play in 
keeping within the 1.5°c rise in 
temperature needed to mitigate the 
worst impacts of climate change.

Operational review
We have had a successful year in both our 
work with communities and our efforts to 
reduce our environmental impact.

Community development and 
economic contribution
Our strong and open relationships with 
our stakeholders enable us to deliver real 
and lasting change in our communities. 
This year our community investment 
– which focuses on skills and 
employment, accessibility, health and 
wellbeing and social inclusion – benefited 
1,400 people. Feedback showed 86 per 
cent of responders reported experiencing 
a positive change in their quality of life.

Jobs in our centres continue to form a 
significant proportion of the UK’s retail 
sector employment – we are responsible 
for about 3 per cent of all jobs in the 
sector. The majority of these are locally 
employed, meaning the wealth we create 
is captured locally. 

Our centres had 400 million customer 
visits in 2018 and by bringing a range 
of charities into our centres we provide 
an opportunity for those charities to not 
only raise their profile but also to raise 
awareness around issues that are of real 
importance to our communities. Since 
2015 we have been actively engaging 
with relevant groups to work to make 
our centres more accessible for people 
with disabilities. In 2018 we signed up 
as a Disability Confident Committed 
employer and hope to achieve the 
Disability Confident standard in 2019.

Environmental efficiency
We have reduced our carbon intensity 
by 64 per cent since 2010, exceeding our 
already ambitious target of 50 per cent 
by 2020. Using a mix of technology and 
behaviour change interventions, we have 
reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 
16 per cent in 2018 to 26,499 tCO2e (2017: 
31,628 tCO2e). In 2019 we will explore 
opportunities to increase our renewable 
energy generation.

We maintained our ‘zero waste to landfill’ 
status, diverting 27,000 tonnes of waste 
from landfill, saving £2.4 million in 
associated landfill costs. We also 
introduced a new waste reporting 
and auditing system to improve the 
accuracy of our data. This new 
methodology has been introduced 
across our portfolio and has led to a 
readjustment in how we categorise our 
waste. As a result, our reported recycling 
rate fell from 63 per cent in 2017 to 
43 per cent in 2018. We will continue 
to focus on improving waste segregation 
at our centres in 2019. 

Accessible intu 
We formed a dedicated focus group in 2017 
to look at intu’s approach to accessibility. 

Our continued commitment to autism 
awareness was recognised by Autism East 
Midlands which gave intu Victoria Centre 
and intu Broadmarsh the Business of the 
Year award. We continue to deliver 
autism-awareness training to all new 
shopping centre staff and hold regular 
quiet hours at many of our centres. We aim 
to roll out quiet hours to every UK intu 
centre in 2019. 

In May we partnered with the Alzheimer’s 
Society to encourage our staff and retailers 
to become dementia friends so that we can 
welcome customers with dementia and 
make them feel safe and understood. We 
hosted community events such as singing 
for the brain and knitting sessions that also 
raised awareness of the disease.

We have continued to build our 
personal shopping service for visually 
impaired customers, with trials in three 
centres in 2018.

  Read more in our 2018 CR report

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

57

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceCorporate responsibility continued

Making a meaningful difference: our contributions in 2018

Economic value we generate

£4.8 billion GVA

We are investing in  
the future

We contribute to the local  
and national economy

£600m

UK development pipeline over 10 years

£275m

business rates paid by intu and our tenants

Our centres directly  
support a

£2bn

wage bill per annum

Recognised by:

Community

Donations

Positive change

Our commitments
 — support community issues relevant 

to our customers 

 — extend employability programmes 

to all centres by 2025

£1.7m

donated

1,500

1,000

500

0

  Value of time 
  In-kind
  Cash
  Facilitated

£271,039
£525,914
£256,489
£616,798

  Change in behaviour
  Change in skills
  Change in quality of life

Total beneficiaries

Waste disposal at directly 
managed centres

Water use at directly 
managed centres

32,000

24,000

16,000

8,000

0

tonnes

2014

2015 2016 2017

2018

  Waste recycled (tonnes)
  Waste to landfill (tonnes)
  Waste to energy (tonnes)

Waste diverted from landfill (%)

100

90

80

70

60

%

500,000

450,000

400,000

350,000

300,000

250,000

m3

2014

2018
  Absolute water consumption (m3)  

2015 2016 2017

10,850 hrs

given to the community by intu staff

Environment

Our 2020 targets already achieved
 — 50% reduction in carbon emissions 
 — 99% of waste diverted from landfill 

64%

reduction in carbon  
emissions intensity 
tCO2e since 2010

100%

waste diverted  
from landfill 

Employee engagement

Employee engagement in our responsibility 
programmes contributes to the development, 
engagement and wellbeing of our staff

58

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management viewpoint

 Our centres make 
a tangible contribution to 
their communities. Our local 
partnerships set out to create 
meaningful change. In 2018 
our commitment was recognised 
with an EPRA award for 
‘Outstanding Contribution to 
Society’ in recognition of our 
10-year partnership with The 
Conservation Volunteers. 
This partnership has created 
10 Green Gyms in communities 
close to our centres.”
Alexander Nicoll
CR Director 

Green Lab, our sustainability innovation 
group, continues to drive forward a 
range of sustainability initiatives across 
the business. We have invested further 
in onsite renewable generation at  
intu Lakeside with the installation of  
335 solar panels. Compost Café, our 
industry-leading coffee ground recycling 
initiative, has so far enabled 2,400 bags 
of waste coffee grounds to be given away 
to customers (read more on page 29). 
We will continue to explore and trial 
new ideas. 

External benchmarking
Responding to relevant indices provides 
clear and accurate performance data 
to our investors. This information allows 
our investors to assess our long-term risk 
management, operational performance 
and added value. It also provides us 
with valuable information to help us 
respond to emerging trends and review 
our performance.

This year, due to an increase in our score, 
we are now included in not only the DJSI 
World Sustainability Index but also the 
DJSI Europe Sustainability Index. We have 
also maintained our membership of the 
FTSE4Good index and a range of other 
responsible investment indices. 

Further developing our CR strategy
We previously committed to launching 
a new 2030 vision in 2018 however, due 
to corporate activity over that period, 
strategy development has been delayed. 
We are now looking to fully develop our 
2030 vision, including key areas and new 
targets that will sit beneath, during 2019.

We have already conducted a significant 
amount of scoping work as part of 
developing our 2030 vision. We have 
considered our contribution towards the 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
and a variety of responsible business 
frameworks. We are now developing 
our understanding of how intu will fit 
into those spaces. We have already 
identified which SDGs we can contribute 
to most actively: decent work and 
economic growth, sustainable cities and 
communities and partnerships for goals.

In 2019 we will assemble panels of internal 
and external stakeholders including 
investors, retailers, sustainability 
professionals, customers, community 
groups and employees from across 
our business, to set our vision to 2030. 
From these discussions we will develop 
specific targets and broader objectives 
for achieving our new vision.

Non-financial information statement

Reporting requirement
Environmental matters

Employees

Human rights

Social matters

Relevant policies*
Energy management policy
Environmental policy
Supply chain policy

Business code of practice 
Importance of people policy
Code of professional conduct
Diversity policy
Whistleblowing policy

Data protection policy
Modern slavery and human rights policy
Supply chain policy

intu's approach to tax
Policy towards occupiers and shoppers
Supply chain policy
Volunteering policy

Anti-corruption and anti-bribery

Business code of practice
Supply chain policy

Principal risks 

Business model

Non-financial key  
performance indicators

Read more in this report
Corporate responsibility
Our growth story

Our people 
Relationships – Our people 
Operations risk – People 
Audit Committee – Whistleblowing

Our people

Corporate responsibility
At the heart of communities
Relationships – Local communities
Financial review – Tax policy position

Our culture and values
Our people

Focus on risk, principal risks and uncertainties 

Our business model 

KPI GVA of community investment 
KPI Greenhouse gas emissions intensity 

Page
57 – 59 
10-11

54 – 56
33
41
75

54 – 56

57 – 59
28-29
33
53

17
54 – 56

38-41

30-31

37
37

*  All our policies can be found on our website intugroup.co.uk/en/investors/reports-results-and-policies

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

59

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceGovernance

We ensure that our governance structures 
continue to be appropriate and support our 
business and culture in an ever-changing 
regulatory environment

Dear shareholder 

Throughout the year we have continued 
to ensure that our governance structures 
at Board, Committee, subsidiary and joint 
venture levels continue to be appropriate 
and support our business and culture in 
an ever-changing regulatory environment. 
In the next few pages we provide details 
of our Board members, the role of the 
Board and its performance and oversight. 
We also provide the information on 
our governance framework which we 
consider is appropriate for a UK premium-
listed company.

New Corporate Governance Code
In the second half of the year the FRC 
released a new UK Corporate Governance 
Code, effective for financial years 
beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 
The Board, through the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees, received 
comprehensive briefings on the new Code 
and have taken steps to ensure we are 
placed to fully comply with the new Code. 
We will report to shareholders on our 
application of the new Code next year.

The Board has resolved that I will 
be the designated director for the 
workforce as required under the new 
Corporate Governance Code. Existing 
employee engagement activities at intu 
will be used to facilitate engagement, 
drawn from employee forums at intu’s 
centres, quarterly centre management 
meetings, a head office staff participation 
forum to be established and Q&A 
sessions following full-year and half-year 
results presentations.

60

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Potential transactions
Potential transactions, first with 
Hammerson and then with a Consortium 
comprising the Peel Group, the Olayan 
Group and Brookfield Property Group, 
resulted in intu being engaged in a 
restricted offer period for some 25 weeks 
of 2018. Although this was an inevitable 
distraction for the Board and the senior 
leadership team, we remained focused 
on the governance of the Group. During 
this time the Board received detailed 
briefing on Takeover Code issues and 
directors’ responsibilities and held several 
non-scheduled Board meetings, often 
called at short notice, as required in a 
restricted offer period.

Succession planning
As described more fully in the Nomination 
and Review Committee report, we have 
continued to focus on succession 
planning. Following the announcement 
last year that David Fischel would be 
stepping down as Chief Executive we 
are well-advanced with the search for 
his successor. The Board has also devoted 
time to succession planning of Non-
Executive Directors following Andrew 
Strang’s resignation in 2019 and the 
subsequent appointment of Ian Burke 
in October 2018. Rakhi Goss-Custard 
will not be seeking re-election at the 
forthcoming annual general meeting. 
Richard Gordon and Louise Patten 
resigned on 18 February 2019. A search 
for at least one new Non-Executive 
Director is well underway. We expect 
to announce the appointment of a new 
independent Non-Executive Director 
to replace Rakhi Goss-Custard before 
the annual general meeting, in order 
to preserve the required balance on the 
Board of 50 per cent independent and 
50 per cent non-independent directors 
excluding the Chairman.

Effectiveness and evaluation
As Chairman, it is my role to provide 
leadership to ensure the operation of 
an effective Board. The Board consists 
of seven directors. The directors bring 
a wide range of skills and perspectives 
to the Board’s deliberations, as described 
on the following pages. In relation to 
gender diversity, we currently have two 
female Board members. As highlighted in 
the Nomination and Review Committee’s 
report on page 76, the Board considers 
that broader aspects of diversity,  
rather than purely gender, are key to 
stimulating constructive debate. For 
the year under review we conducted an 
externally facilitated Board performance 
evaluation, the findings of which are set 
out on page 77.

John Strachan
Chairman
20 February 2019

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (‘the Code’)
The following governance pages 
explain how the Company applies the 
main principles of the Code, issued by 
the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) 
in April 2016, and how it meets other 
relevant governance requirements 
including provisions of the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority. Both 
documents are publicly available on 
the FRC website (frc.org.uk).

The Board considers that the Company 
complied in full with the provisions of 
the Code during the year.

GovernanceGovernance at a glance

Key strategic matters discussed in 2018

Growing like-for-like net 
rental income
 — reviewed and approved 
intu’s strategic plan
 — monitored operating 
performance at every 
Board meeting, including 
occupancy, new lettings 
and rent reviews

Delivering operational 
excellence
 — monitored operating 
performance at every 
Board meeting, including 
footfall, net promoter 
score, brand awareness 
and retailer sales

Making smart 
use of capital
 — approved several debt 
refinancings and new 
facilities

 — reviewed and approved 
intu’s strategic plan

Optimising our winning 
destinations
 — considered trends in 
consumer shopping 
habits and behaviours
 — debated the possibility 
of new and alternative 
uses of space

 — monitored ongoing 

development projects, 
including intu Watford
 — approved new capital 

projects

Other key matters discussed 
 — devoted significant time to the two potential offers which 

arose in 2018, paying full attention to governance and legal 
requirements relevant to an offer period

 — reviewed strategic options for the future in the light of 
current retail property market conditions and changing 
shoppers’ behaviour

 — the Nomination and Review Committee devoted time to 

succession planning for the chief executive’s role, a process 
which is well advanced

Areas of focus in 2019
 — chief executive succession and induction
 — strategic planning and delivery of 2019 objectives
 — capital investment programme, debt to assets ratio and 

financial headroom

 — impact of Brexit

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

61

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceBoard of Directors

Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

John Strachan 
Chairman
Age 68 

John Whittaker
Deputy Chairman
Age 76 

Appointed to the Board: 7 October 2015 and 
as Chairman on 3 May 2017

Career: John was Global Head of Retail Services 
and Chairman of the Retail Board at Cushman & 
Wakefield until 2015. John’s career commenced 
at Healey & Baker in 1972

Skills and experience: John brings a wealth of 
experience from the retail property sector, an 
international perspective and extensive 
knowledge of the Spanish retail property market. 
He is known for his creative and entrepreneurial 
approach to developing new business 
opportunities. He is a fellow of the 
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Other appointments: Advisory Board member 
of True Private Equity; Vice-Chairman  
European Board of the International Council  
of Shopping Centres

Appointed to the Board: 28 January 2011

Career: John is the Chairman of the Peel Group 
which he founded in 1971 and developed into 
a leading UK infrastructure, transport and real 
estate enterprise 

Skills and experience: John is a highly regarded 
real estate investor, and has overseen the 
growth of the Peel Group across many sectors 
such as land, real estate, ports, airports, 
renewable energy and media. John is an 
experienced property developer and business 
leader, illustrated by projects such as The 
Trafford Centre, MediacityUK and Liverpool2. 
His appointment to the Board followed the 
acquisition by intu of The Trafford Centre from 
the Peel Group 

Other appointments: Chairman of the 
Peel Group

Adèle Anderson
Chairman of the Audit Committee
Senior Independent Director 
Age 53 

Appointed to the Board: 22 February 2013, 
Audit Committee Chairman from 1 August 2013 
and Senior Independent Director on 3 May 2017

Career: Adèle commenced her career at KPMG 
where she became a partner and held senior 
roles including Chief Financial Officer. She is 
currently Audit Committee Chairman at Spire 
Healthcare Group plc and an Audit Committee 
member at the Wellcome Trust

Skills and experience: Adèle graduated from 
Kent University and is a qualified ACA. She has 
gained extensive financial and significant Audit 
Committee experience throughout her career

Other appointments: Audit Committee 
Chairman at Spire Healthcare Group plc and 
Audit Committee member at the Wellcome Trust

David Fischel
Chief Executive
Age 60 

Appointed to the Board: Appointed Finance 
Director in 1988, Managing Director in 1992 
and Chief Executive in March 2001

Career: David qualified as a chartered 
accountant in 1983 at Touche Ross & Co before 
joining intu in 1985

Skills and experience: During his 33-year career 
with intu, David has gained significant executive 
experience in numerous aspects of the shopping 
centre industry including shopping centre 
acquisitions and developments

Other appointments: Non-Executive Director  
of Prozone Intu Properties Limited

As announced on 26 July 2018, David will be 
standing down from the Board once a successor 
has been appointed

Matthew Roberts
Chief Financial Officer
Age 55 

Appointed to the Board: 3 June 2010

Career: Matthew qualified as a chartered 
accountant in 1989 and was previously the 
Finance Director of Debenhams plc from 1996 
to 2003, and Chief Financial Officer of Gala 
(subsequently Gala Coral Group) from 2004 
to 2008

Skills and experience: Matthew was part of the 
team which acquired The Trafford Centre, 
Manchester, in the UK’s largest ever single 
property transaction. He led the establishment 
of intu’s Secured Group Structure and further 
transactions which have raised over £6 billion of 
leverage. In January 2016 Matthew also assumed 
responsibility for intu’s centre-based operations

Other appointments: Non-Executive Director 
and Audit Committee Chairman of Marston’s PLC

Structure of the Board and 
independence at 31 December 2018

Board structure

Chairman  
Executives  
  Non-Executives  

1
2
6

Board independence (excluding Chairman)

  Executives 
  Non-Executives
  Non Independents 

2
4
2

62

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Gordon and Louise Patten were 
Non-Executive Directors during the year 
ended 31 December 2018. Richard Gordon 
and Louise Patten resigned from the Board 
on 18 February 2019

Ian Burke 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
(from 12 February 2019)
Age 62 

Appointed to the Board: 1 October 2018 

Career: Ian’s background is predominantly in the 
leisure and retail sectors. He spent the majority 
of his career in the leisure industry, having been 
the Chief Executive of Rank Group plc between 
2006 and 2014, Holmes Place Health Clubs from 
2003 to 2006 and prior to that, Thistle Hotels plc 
from 1998 to 2003

Skills and experience: Ian brings a wealth of 
experience from the leisure and retail sectors. 
He commenced his career in 1978 at Lever Bros. 
He has a degree in mathematics from Imperial 
College, an MSc from the London Business 
School and is a qualified ACMA. He has significant 
prior experience of participation in audit and 
remuneration committees

Other appointments: Non-Executive Chairman 
of Rank Group plc and Findel plc; member of the 
Board of Governors of Birmingham City University

Rakhi Goss-Custard
Age 44 

Appointed to the Board: 7 October 2015

Career: Rakhi’s early career included roles at 
TomTom, content management provider 
Article27 and 11 years at Amazon until 2014, 
where she held a number of key roles including 
responsibility for the Amazon UK Media category

Skills and experience: Rakhi has an up-to-date 
perspective on retail and consumer trends, as 
well as deep insight and knowledge of the digital 
environment. Rakhi has a BA in marketing 
and communications from the University 
of Pennsylvania

Other appointments: Non-Executive Director of 
Rightmove plc, Kingfisher plc and Schroders plc

As announced on 29 January 2019, Rakhi will 
not be seeking re-election at the 2019 annual 
general meeting

Gender split

  Men
  Women

Length of tenure of Directors

  0 – 3 years 
  3 – 6 years  
  6 – 9 years
9+ years

6
3

1
3
4
1

Board relevant sector experience  
(percentage of Board)

Property 
78%

Retail 
78%

Governance 
22%

Digital 
11%

Financial 
33%

Key to Committees

  Audit Committee
  Remuneration Committee
  Nomination and Review Committee
  Executive Committee

 Corporate Responsibility Committee

  Capital Projects Committee

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

63

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Committee

Martin Breeden
Development Director
Joined the Group in 2002 and 
was appointed Group Development 
Director in January 2016. Martin 
has direct responsibility for intu’s 
development programme across the 
UK and intu’s Spanish business. Martin 
has over 25 years’ experience in the 
retail property industry. He is a fellow 
of the RICS and a member of the 
advisory panel of Revo

Hugh Ford
General Counsel and Group 
Treasurer
Joined the Group as General Counsel 
in 2003. Appointed General Counsel 
and Group Treasurer in April 2015. 
Previously he was General Manager 
Legal at Virgin Atlantic Airways, and 
before that a commercial lawyer with 
British Airways plc. He qualified as a 
solicitor in 1992 with Freshfields

Barbara Gibbes
Director of Finance
Joined the Group as Director of 
Finance in January 2017 from 
Domino’s Pizza Group Plc where she 
was Group Financial Controller. 
Previously she held other senior 
finance roles and was a Director at 
Deloitte. She qualified as a chartered 
accountant in 2000

Susan Marsden
Group Company Secretary
Joined the Group as Company 
Secretary in 2000. A fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered Secretaries 
and Administrators, Susan began her 
career at the London Stock Exchange, 
and was Company Secretary of two 
FTSE real estate sector companies 
before joining intu

Gordon McKinnon 
Operations Director
Joined the Group in January 2011 and 
was appointed Operations Director in 
November 2013. He spent 20 years in 
various roles with Marks & Spencer 
before taking up an assignment with 
Manchester Millennium Limited, the 
taskforce rebuilding Manchester city 
centre following the 1996 IRA bomb. 
He was appointed Director of 
Operations at The Trafford Centre 
in 2004

Trevor Pereira
Digital and Commercial Director
Joined the Group in 2007 as 
Commercial Director. He was 
subsequently appointed Group Digital 
and Commercial Director, responsible 
for digital activities, commercialisation, 
marketing and customer experience. 
He previously worked for airport group 
BAA plc for 21 years, latterly as Retail 
and Commercial Director for 
Heathrow Airport

Dushyant Sangar
Corporate Development Director
Joined the Group in 2010 and 
appointed Corporate Development 
Director in 2014. He has been closely 
involved in all of the Group’s major 
acquisitions in the UK and Spain. He 
previously worked for MGPA, a real 
estate private equity investment 
advisory business and for UBS. He is 
a Non-Executive Director of Prozone 
Intu Properties Limited

Julian Wilkinson
Asset Management Director
Joined the Group in 2011 and 
was appointed Asset Management 
Director in January 2016. Julian 
has responsibility for optimising 
the performance of intu’s shopping 
centres. He has held similar positions 
at director level over the last 25 years 
on behalf of both retailers and 
landlords and is a fellow of the RICS

Senior management team

Biographies of the senior management team  
are available on our website at: 

 intugroup.co.uk/en/about-us/our-people/

64

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

 
The Board

The role of the Board and its committees

Led by the Chairman, the Board takes primary responsibility for defining the Group’s strategic objectives, risk appetite and 
control environment; monitoring delivery of strategy by the Executive Directors; and shaping the resourcing, culture and 
values by which the wider business delivers targeted performance. 

The Board

Audit  
Committee

Chairman  
Adèle Anderson

Members  
Ian Burke, Rakhi Goss-Custard

Key responsibilities 
Monitors the integrity of 
financial statements, internal 
controls and risk management 
process and reviews the 
effectiveness of the internal 
and external auditors 

Corporate Responsibility 
Committee

Nomination and Review 
Committee

Remuneration  
Committee

Chairman  
John Strachan

Chairman  
John Strachan

Members 
Adèle Anderson, David Fischel, 
Alexander Nicoll, Kathryn 
Barber, Jennifer Sandars 

Key responsibilities 
Oversees the management of 
the Group’s CR activities

Members* 
Adèle Anderson, Ian Burke, 
Rakhi Goss-Custard, Steven 
Underwood, Louise Patten (to 
18 February 2019)

Key responsibilities 
Ensures the Board comprises 
people with an appropriate 
balance of skills, knowledge 
and experience 

*  all independent Non-Executive 

Directors are invited to attend when 
discussing Board succession

Chairman  
Ian Burke (from 12 February 
2019). Louise Patten (to 12 
February 2019)

Members 
Adèle Anderson, Rakhi 
Goss-Custard 

Key responsibilities 
Sets remuneration policy for 
the Executive Directors and 
the Chairman and recommends 
and monitors the level and 
structure of remuneration for 
senior management

   See pages 71 to 75 for more 
information

   See pages 57 to 59 for more 
information

   See pages 76 and 77 for more 
information

   See pages 78 to 93 for more 
information

Capital Projects  
Committee

Chairman  
John Strachan

Members 
David Fischel, Matthew Roberts, John Whittaker, 
Martin Breeden

Executive  
Committee

Chairman  
David Fischel

Key responsibilities 
Reviews new projects and expenditure in detail and 
makes recommendations to the Board on certain 
projects, as appropriate. Has no power to approve 
proposals or authorise expenditure

The Capital Projects Committee is not a formal committee 
of the Board

Members 
Matthew Roberts, Martin Breeden, Hugh Ford, 
Barbara Gibbes, Susan Marsden, Gordon McKinnon, 
Trevor Pereira, Dushyant Sangar, Julian Wilkinson

Key responsibilities 
Considers investment proposals, reviews progress 
on projects and project expenditure in detail and 
receives updates on other business matters. Has 
delegated authority, within limits, to authorise 
initiatives and expenditure

The Executive Committee is not a formal committee 
of the Board

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

65

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceLeadership
The Board and its governance 
framework
The Board is responsible for setting intu’s 
strategic aims and then monitoring 
management’s performance against 
those aims as well as setting the strategic 
framework within which those aims can 
be achieved. The business model 
described on pages 30 and 31 illustrates 
the key value creation and operational 
drivers for intu’s strategy and the means 
by which the Board ultimately delivers 
long-term growth and sustainable returns 
for shareholders and debt investors. 

Appropriate and effective corporate 
governance is intrinsic to all aspects 
of the Board’s activities. Consequently, 
governance is interwoven into the 
activities of management, who are 
accountable to the Board, and all 
employees, who are in turn accountable 
to management. This is reinforced by 
the established coherent governance 
framework which underpins the 
culture and workings of the Group 
with clearly defined responsibilities 
and accountabilities, consisting of:

 — Board committees to enable the Board 
to operate effectively and give full 
consideration to key matters (as shown 
in the diagram on page 65)

 — delegated authority limits, which apply 
at all levels of the business and are 
incorporated into all operational 
procedures ensuring matters are dealt 
with at the appropriate level 
 — internal policies, procedures and 

controls (including risk management 
arrangements, delegated authority 
limits and a related parties protocol) 
which are regularly reported on, 
reviewed and updated by the Board 
and relevant committees
 — internal processes which are 

communicated to all staff and 
are available at all times on the 
Group’s intranet

Each aspect is routinely reviewed by the 
Board and updated to satisfy the needs 
of the business. The Board has continued 
to review its governance framework and 
has adjusted, where necessary, the roles, 
structure and accountabilities of senior 
management to reflect the demands 
of the business. 

The Board continued

Board culture
The Chairman is directly accountable 
for the culture of the Board, which is 
defined by:

 — highly experienced and 

knowledgeable directors, with a 
wide range of skills and diverse 
perspectives who act confidently 
and with integrity

 — a conservative, measured approach 
to business, allied with a willingness 
to take considered risks through 
insightful investment to achieve 
strategic goals

 — the relationships between individual 
directors and the senior executives, 
which encourage beneficial debate 
and open discussion of views

The Board’s culture permeates 
throughout the Group’s operations 
and is enshrined within intu’s values, 
which encourage staff to be bold, 
creative and genuine. 

  Further information on intu’s culture  
and values can be found on page 54

Our approach to CR
CR underpins the strategic aims of our 
business, creating a long-term and 
sustainable business that brings value 
to all our stakeholders. The Board fully 
supports the Group’s approach to CR 
with the Chairman of the Board 
chairing the Board CR Committee. 
The Board CR Committee’s members 
also include the Chief Executive and 
the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

  Further details of our CR activities  
can be found in the 2018 CR report

66

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Roles and responsibilities

Role

Chairman

John Strachan

Chief Executive

David Fischel

Chief Financial Officer Matthew Roberts

Independent 
Non-Executive 
Directors*

Adèle Anderson 
Ian Burke 
Rakhi Goss-Custard 
Louise Patten

Senior Independent 
Director

Adèle Anderson

Non-Independent 
Non-Executive 
Directors

Richard Gordon
John Whittaker

Alternate Director

Steven Underwood

Responsibility

Leading the Board, setting agendas, achieving clarity of decision-making, 
ensuring effectiveness in all aspects of the Board’s remit, driving the culture 
of accountability and openness and ensuring effective two-way communication 
with stakeholders including shareholders and between Non-Executive Directors 
and senior management

Delivery of Group strategy, primary accountability for day-to-day operational 
management, implementation of policies and strategies developed by the Board, 
modelling and setting the Company’s culture and developing the abilities and 
skills of the Group’s personnel to their maximum potential

Managing the Group’s funding strategy, financing, reporting and investor 
programme, encompassing leadership of the finance function. From January 
2016 also responsible for intu’s centre-based operations

Bringing an external and independent view to the Board’s discussions, 
objectively scrutinising the performance of management, providing rigorous 
and constructive challenge to executive management when appropriate, 
ensuring financial controls and risk management are robust, determining 
appropriate levels of remuneration for management. Independent Non-
Executive Directors are entitled to attend any committee meeting if they wish

Providing advice, additional support and experience to the Chairman as required. 
Available to act as an intermediary for the other directors if necessary. Leads 
the appraisal of the Chairman’s performance annually in conjunction with the 
other Non-Executive Directors and is available as an additional point of contact 
to shareholders

intu currently has a representative of one major shareholder on its Board, the 
Deputy Chairman, John Whittaker. Richard Gordon was formerly a representative 
of the Gordon Family interests. The trusts controlling the Gordon Family interests 
have been restructured and are no longer represented by Richard Gordon. Direct 
shareholder Board representation, with appropriate management of conflicts, 
ensures that key strategic, operational and governance decision-making is more 
closely aligned with the interests of the major shareholder and other institutional 
and retail investors generally. In this respect the Group surpasses the 
expectations of the Stewardship Code.

The representative director also contributes strongly to the Board’s culture and 
personality, adding insight and constructive challenge from a strong commercial 
background, experience and expertise

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association John Whittaker has 
appointed Steven Underwood as his alternate. The Board has generally invited 
Steven Underwood to attend Board meetings

* 

 The Board reviews the independence of its Non-Executive Directors on an annual basis. With the exception of John Whittaker and Richard Gordon, the Board has 
concluded that all Non-Executive Directors are independent. 

 Biographical details of each director are set out on pages 62 and 63

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

67

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
The Board continued

Effectiveness
Balance and composition
The Nomination and Review Committee 
regularly reviews the composition of the 
Board to ensure that it operates efficiently 
and has access to a broad range of 
knowledge and viewpoints. The Board 
determined that new candidates for the 
role of Non-Executive Director should 
have sector-relevant qualifications and 
experience – notably in property, retail, 
finance or digital, to ensure that these 
key areas are well-represented – while 
also having regard to wider business 
knowledge and diverse backgrounds 
which can be beneficial to the Group.

The appropriate balance of skills, 
independence, experience and knowledge 
does not in itself ensure the efficient 
operation of a board. To this end, the 
Chairman’s style and leadership of the 
Board are essential to creating an 
environment where the Non-Executive 
Directors are able to draw on their own 
experience to constructively challenge 
the views of the executive management. 
The Chairman facilitates this by drawing 
on the Non-Executive Directors’ range 
of experiences to provide insight and 
alternative perspectives and has invited 
all independent Non-Executive Directors 
to attend any committee, irrespective 
of whether they are formally a member 
of such committee.

The balance of the Board is illustrated on 
page 63.

Time commitment 
and external activities 
Non-Executive Directors are appointed 
for a three-year term and their continuing 
service thereafter is subject to review 
by the Board. All directors are submitted 
for annual re-election by shareholders. 

Their annual time commitment varies 
with specified minimum requirements 
within the terms of their appointment 
and is assessed as part of each director’s 
annual review. 

Each Director has demonstrated that 
he or she has sufficient time to devote 
to their present role at intu.

68

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Board meetings
Board agendas are shaped to create time for strategic discussion and debate with time 
allocated to routine matters being closely managed. 

Board attendance table 20181 

John Strachan
John Whittaker
David Fischel
Matthew Roberts
Adèle Anderson
Ian Burke3
Richard Gordon6
Rakhi Goss-Custard
Louise Patten6
Andrew Strang5

Board 
4/44
3/42 
4/4
4/4
4/4 
1/1
4/4
4/4
4/4
3/3

Audit

–
–
–
–
4/44
1/1
–
4/4
–
3/3

Nomination 
and Review
2/24
–
–
–
2/2
1/1
–
2/2
2/2
1/1

Remuneration

–
–
–
–
4/4
1/1
–
4/4
4/44
–

1 

2 

3 

4 
5 
6. 

 Scheduled meetings only, excludes Board away day, Board and Committee update conference calls and 
ad hoc meetings.
 John Whittaker did not attend the scheduled October 2018 Board Meeting as the Peel Group were part 
of the Consortium considering a potential offer for intu.
 Ian Burke was appointed to the Board on 1 October 2018. He joined the Audit Committee, the Nomination 
and Review Committee and the Remuneration Committee in early October 2018. Appointed Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee from 12 February 2019.
 Board or Committee chairman.
 Andrew Strang resigned from the Board on 30 September 2018.
 Richard Gordon and Louise Patten resigned from the Board on 18 February 2019.

At each scheduled Board meeting, the Executive Directors provide updates on their key areas 
of responsibility. In addition, the chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination and 
Review Committees give updates on the workings of and progress made by those 
Committees, highlighting any areas requiring escalation to, or consideration by, the full Board. 
Other matters for discussion are added to the agenda for scheduled Board meetings, or 
discussed at additionally convened Board meetings, as required.

Conflicts of interest
The Board has adopted a formal 
procedure under which directors must 
notify the Chairman of the Board of any 
potential conflicts. The Chairman then 
decides whether a conflict exists and 
recommends its authorisation by the 
Board where appropriate. In certain 
circumstances, the conflicted director 
may be required to recuse themselves 
from the Board’s discussions on a matter 
in which he or she is conflicted. Directors 
must also notify the Chairman when they 
take on any additional responsibilities or 
external appointments, and it is their 
responsibility to ensure that such 
appointments will not prevent them 
from meeting the time commitments 
discussed above. 

John Whittaker and his alternate, Steven 
Underwood, did not attend any Board or 
committee meetings during the potential 
transaction with the Consortium 
comprising the Peel Group, the Olayan 
Group and Brookfield Property Group.

Appropriate and effective 
corporate governance is 
intrinsic to all aspects of the 
Board’s activities.”

Communication
Directors are kept fully informed 
of progress on key matters, including 
operational and financial performance, 
between formal meetings. This is 
achieved by way of either scheduled 
conference calls or less formal update 
meetings in months where there is 
no formal Board meeting scheduled. 
Ad hoc meetings and working visits to 
centres are also regularly arranged to 
support the Chairman’s policy of open 
communication. The Chairmen of the 
Audit Committee and Remuneration 
Committee communicate regularly 
and directly with relevant staff and 
external advisers, including but not 
limited to, the Director of Risk and 
Assurance, the Company Secretary and 
Korn Ferry, who act as the Remuneration 
Committee’s consultants.

The Chairman of the Board and Company 
Secretary ensure that all Directors are 
provided with accurate and timely 
information to facilitate informed 
discussion at Board meetings.

Board oversight of 
risk management 
The effective assessment and 
management of risk is key to the delivery 
of the Group’s strategy. The setting of 
the Group’s risk appetite by the Board 
provides the framework within which 
the Group’s risk management 
process operates.

The Board has overall responsibility for 
risk management and the Audit 
Committee monitors and reviews the 
effectiveness of the risk management 
process ensuring that the appropriate 
governance and challenge around risk 
is embedded throughout the business.

The Group’s risk management process 
is set out in more detail on pages 38 
and 39, and the Group’s principal risks are 
discussed on pages 40 and 41. As part 
of the Governance Framework all 
recommendations to the Board must 
include specific consideration of potential 
risks to ensure this aspect is given due 
consideration while still permitting the 
Board to act decisively.

There was an increased risk profile in 
2018, with increases in both property 
market sub-risks. Additionally, there have 
been some changes to existing principal 
risks. Acquisitions has been removed as 
a principal risk as the business has not 
engaged in acquisitions in the year and 
people has been added as a sub-category 
within the operations risk.

   Principal risks and uncertainties are discussed 
in further detail on pages 40 and 41

Relations with 
shareholders
We place considerable emphasis on 
maintaining an open and frank dialogue 
with investors. Our programme of investor 
relations activities involves members of 
the Executive Committee (including, on 
occasion, the Chairman) and the Head 
of Investor Relations. We seek to develop 
existing and potential investors’ 
understanding of intu’s business strategy, 
operations, performance and investment 
case. This provides the Board and Executive 
Committee with an insight into the differing 
views of intu’s institutional and other 
significant investors as well as those of 
retail shareholders.

Key activities in 2018 included: 

 — results meetings and update calls: an 
average of 80 institutions attended 
each event

 — road show meetings: following results 
announcements we conducted around 
140 meetings in the UK, South Africa 
and Europe

 — investor conferences: we attended five 
real estate conferences organised by 
investment banks, meeting around 
70 institutions

 — site visits: toured intu Asturias, intu 

Xanadú, intu Watford and intu Lakeside 
with 30 investors

 — interaction with sell-side analysts: 

engaged with analysts from around 
20 institutions to ensure the insight of 
their research was accurate

370investor interactions in 2018

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

69

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceThe Company has a range of potential 
mitigating actions available which could 
include some but not necessarily all of 
the following: reductions in future capital 
spend, some asset disposals and/or a 
further temporary reduction of cash 
dividend payments, subject to REIT 
requirements as the Company is 
intending to maintain its REIT status. 
Such mitigating actions should only be 
required towards the later stages of the 
viability period. The Company’s facilities 
have covenant headroom, as described 
in the Strategic Report on page 47, 
while the Company’s strategy includes 
deleveraging the balance sheet through 
asset disposals in order to provide 
sufficient headroom throughout the 
viability period.

Viability statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Directors have assessed the prospects 
of the Company over a longer period than 
that required in adopting the going 
concern basis of accounting. Based on 
the result of this analysis, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the next five calendar years. 
This period is considered appropriate 
because of the combination of the 
following factors:

 — the Group’s strategic plan covers 
10 years, with a greater degree of 
detail and rigor applied to the 
first five years

 — the Group’s weighted average 
unexpired lease term, which at 
31 December 2018 was 7.2 years
 — the Group’s weighted average debt 

maturity, which at 31 December 2018 
was 5.8 years

The strategic plan incorporates the 
Group’s strategic objectives and considers 
the impact of the principal risks. The plan 
considers net rental income, cash flows, 
development expenditure, as well as 
corporate transactions including the 
recycling of capital and refinancing plans 
over the 10-year period. It highlights the 
impact of the relevant principal risks on 
key metrics such as debt to assets ratio, 
underlying earnings per share and 
financial headroom.

Principal risks are set out in detail on 
pages 40 and 41, and the relevant risks for 
assessing viability have been identified as:

 — macroeconomic (including Brexit); 

specifically impact on rental income 
levels, property values and covenant 
headroom (Risk 1)

All of the above would impact on rental 
income and/or valuation, which is 
factored into our viability assessment 
below. We acknowledge that Brexit may 
have an adverse impact on property 
valuations or availability of funds, with 
any such impact factored into the 
potential downsides of the risks noted 
above, whether these be driven by Brexit 
or other macroeconomic factors. We have 
based our downside assumptions on data 
from previous property cycles. Given our 
strong underlying operational 
performance in 2018, with stable 
occupancy around 97 per cent, 248 new 
leases signed at 6 per cent above previous 
rents and tenants continuing to invest in 
our centres, we have assumed that once 
the period of uncertainty and the 
associated downturn has passed, there is 
a reasonable expectation that property 
values will recover, even if perhaps not to 
the full extent of the 2017 peak. 

The Directors also consider the impact on 
the Group’s financial position of adverse 
but plausible changes in key input 
assumptions, together with mitigating 
actions not included in the strategic plan 
which are available to the Group. 2018 
saw a 13 per cent reduction in the market 
value of the property portfolio and for 
viability modelling purposes total peak to 
trough declines of 25 per cent from 
December 2017 valuations have been 
assumed. Recovery is assumed to reach 
90 per cent of peak values by 2022. Other 
key assumptions to which sensitivities are 
applied include:

 — ability to recycle capital as planned
 — refinancing of debt; £3.1 billion (around 
64 per cent) of the Group’s debt is due 
for repayment in the next five years, 
which the Directors have assumed 
can be refinanced, although subject 
to valuation driven loan reductions

 — availability of funds; specifically impact 

 — falls in income of up to 8 per cent

on liquidity (Risk 7)

 — retail environment; specifically impact 
on occupancy and pipeline (Risk 2)
 — terrorism; specifically negative impact 
on lettings and rental growth (Risk 5)

70

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Audit Committee

We continue to focus on risk management 
in a changing and uncertain environment

Dear shareholder

As the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
it is my role to present to you the Audit 
Committee report for 2018.

The Audit Committee has this year 
continued to focus on risk management, 
specifically in relation to our cash flows, 
developments in the UK, cyber risks 
as well as the impact of potential 
transactions in 2018, which did 
not complete.

The Group’s approach to risk 
management is described in detail on 
pages 38 and 39 and the principal risks 
are detailed on pages 40 and 41.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has 
been intu’s audit firm for more than 
30 years and a tender process was 
commenced in 2016 and concluded 
during 2017, with Deloitte being selected 
for appointment. After a one-year deferral 
owing to the potential transaction for the 
business announced in December 2017 
and aborted in April 2018, we have 
recommended that Deloitte be 
appointed for the 2019 audit. 

Areas of focus in 2018
 — financial information and risk 

management in relation to two 
potential offers which did not complete

 — cash flow forecasting
 — property valuations
 — procurement
 — cybersecurity
 — culture
 — developments

Members in 2018

Chairman 
Adèle Anderson  
(Independent Non-Executive Director) 
Members 
Rakhi Goss-Custard 
(Independent Non-Executive Director) 
Andrew Strang (to 30 September 2018)  
(Independent Non-Executive Director) 
Ian Burke (from 1 October 2018) 
(Independent Non-Executive Director) 

   For members’ other Board appointments, 
skills and experience see Board of 
Directors on pages 62 and 63 

Areas of focus in 2019
 — cash flow forecasting
 — effective transition of external audit 

process from PwC to Deloitte

 — property valuations
 — developments
 — cybersecurity
 — culture

Responsibilities
The Audit Committee’s key responsibilities 
are to monitor and review:

 — the integrity of the financial 

statements, including a review of 
the significant financial reporting 
judgements and accounting policies

 — the Company’s relationship with 
the external auditor, including its 
independence

 — the effectiveness of the Group’s 

internal control and risk management

 — the Group’s overall approach to 

monitoring areas of risk

 — the effectiveness of the internal 
audit function, including the 
work programme undertaken 
by the function

 — the Group’s policy on and approach 

to whistleblowing

Main activities during the year
The Audit Committee considered 
the following key matters in 2018:

 — regular review of cash flow forecasting 
 — valuation of the Group’s investment 

and development property

 — the Group’s culture
 — the Group’s cybersecurity plans
 — accounting treatment of the most 

significant transactions including the 
part disposal of intu Chapelfield, the 
refinancing of intu Puerto Venecia and 
the new debt raised on Barton Square

 — the 2018 internal audit plan and 

audit charter

 — the viability statement
 — completed a review of supplier 

payment policy and compliance with 
Prompt Payment Code

 — appropriateness of Q3 profit estimate 

included in intu’s October 2018 
trading update

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

71

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceAudit Committee continued

Key financial reporting and 
significant judgements
During the year the Audit Committee 
discussed the planning, progress and final 
conclusions of the external audit process. 
The audit plan was reviewed and 
approved at the July 2018 Audit 
Committee meeting. The significant risk 
areas identified were: investment and 
development property valuations; 
significant transactions during the year; 
revenue recognition; and management 
override of controls. International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) identify 
these latter two risks as significant 
for all companies.

These matters were discussed by the 
Audit Committee following finalisation 
of the audit.

The Audit Committee takes into account 
the views of the external auditor in 
understanding and assessing whether 
suitable accounting policies have been 
adopted, whether management has 
made appropriate estimates and 
judgements and whether disclosures 
are balanced and fair. The main issues 
discussed by the Audit Committee in 
the year are detailed in the table below.

Issue

Action taken

Valuation of 
investment 
and development 
property

For the interim results at 30 June 2018 the Audit Committee carried out a review of the investment property valuations. 
The full Board carried out a review of the 31 December 2018 valuations included in this report.

Due to the overall importance of the valuations to the Group’s results, the relevant Audit Committee meeting included 
a presentation from and discussion with Knight Frank as part of the valuation process and the relevant Board meeting 
included presentations from Knight Frank and CBRE.

The Audit Committee review included discussion with management and the external auditor of the key assumptions and 
results of the valuation process undertaken by the independent third party valuers.

This review also included understanding which general factors had influenced the valuers in concluding on appropriate 
yields to use in the valuations. This involved factors affecting both the investment and occupier markets and recent 
comparable market transactions.

Particular emphasis was given to understanding the factors that had resulted in individual property valuations being either 
significantly above or below the average movement in the Group’s valuations. 

Presentation  
of information

Operating through joint ventures is a core part of intu’s strategy. Management both reviews and monitors the business, 
including the Group’s share of joint ventures, on an individual line basis not on a post-tax profit/loss or net investment basis. 
The figures and commentary presented in the strategic report have therefore been presented consistently with this 
management approach. Reconciliations between the management and statutory bases are provided in the other 
information section on pages 165 to 169.

The Committee has reviewed the prominence given to both statutory information and information on a management basis, 
and concluded that the approach adopted provides the most useful analysis of the results for the year.

Going concern

The Company’s ‘going concern’ review, which is based on 18-month cash flow projections following the balance sheet date 
with particular focus on the next 12 months from the date of this report, was discussed with management. The projections 
cover the major trading cash flows, being rental income and interest expense, and capital expenditure plans in the context 
of the latest debt maturity profile.

Stress tests of the projections were considered, covering potential further reductions in the value of the Group’s properties, 
a fall in income as well as the inability to execute the capital recycling transactions, and what impact such changes may 
have on both the Group’s liquidity and its ability to meet the financial covenants on its debt facilities. The discussion and 
analysis also considered what actions were available to the Group to mitigate the impact of such reductions on the cash 
flow projections.

Viability  
statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board has assessed the prospects of the 
Company over a longer period than that required in adopting the going concern basis of accounting. The viability statement 
is included on page 70 and sets out the conclusion of that assessment.

The same stress tests as outlined in the Going concern section above were conducted on the projections underpinning 
the five-year viability assessment.

The Audit Committee assessed the viability position and reported its recommendations to the Board.

72

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceFair, balanced and understandable
At the request of the Board, the Audit 
Committee considered whether the 2018 
annual report was fair, balanced and 
understandable and whether it provided 
the necessary information for shareholders 
to assess intu’s performance, business 
model, position and strategy. As part of its 
considerations the Audit Committee took 
into account the preparation process 
detailed below which, together with 
opinions of key executives and the external 
auditor, has been designed to assist the 
Audit Committee in reaching its view:

 — at an early stage, a matrix is produced 

identifying key themes and the 
sections in which those themes 
should be reflected

 — individual sections of the annual report 

are drafted by appropriate senior 
management with regular review 
meetings to ensure consistency across 
the whole document

 — a verification process is undertaken 

to ensure that information contained 
is appropriately supported and 
factually accurate

 — detailed reviews of drafts of the annual 
report are undertaken by members of 
the Executive Committee and other 
senior management

 — drafts are discussed with the Group’s 

legal advisers and brokers

 — a final draft is reviewed by the Audit 

Committee and discussed with senior 
management prior to consideration 
by the Board

As a result of its considerations the 
Audit Committee is satisfied that, taken 
as a whole, the annual report is fair, 
balanced and understandable and has 
recommended it as such to the Board.

External auditor
The Audit Committee has assessed the 
effectiveness of the external auditor, 
PwC, in line with the approach set out 
in the FRC’s Audit Quality Practice Aid. 
In carrying out the evaluation the Audit 
Committee has held discussions without 
the auditor, asked the auditor to explain 
the risks to audit quality that they have 
identified and their firm-wide controls 
relied upon, enquired about the findings 
from internal and external inspections 
of their audit, challenged the auditor’s 
strategy and plan and discussed the 
outputs of the audit with the auditor. 
This included direct meetings, review of 
reporting issued by the external auditor 
and review of independent reports:

 — senior finance staff reviewed the 

detailed execution of the 2017 audit 
plan with the engagement team and 
incorporated any findings into the 
2018 plan 

 — the Chair of the Audit Committee and 
the Chief Financial Officer each met 
privately with a senior partner of 
PwC unrelated to the engagement 
to review the performance of the firm 

 — the Audit Committee reviewed the 

audit plan provided by PwC, including 
the risks identified and its approach 
to these

The Company has complied with the 
provisions of The Statutory Audit Services 
for Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014 and in doing 
so has applied the transitional provisions 
related to the audit tender process.

The tender process commenced during 
2016 and concluded during the first half 
of 2017 with Deloitte being selected for 
appointment. After a one-year deferral 
owing to the potential transaction 

announced in December 2017 
and aborted in April 2018, we have 
recommended that Deloitte be 
appointed for the 2019 audit, subject 
to shareholder approval at the 2019 
annual general meeting.

The Audit Committee will continue 
to review the effectiveness and 
independence of the external auditor 
each year.

Non-audit services
On 1 January 2017 the Group 
implemented the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
for Auditors which imposes restrictions on 
certain non-audit services. A number of 
non-audit services are prohibited and 
others require approval by the Audit 
Committee. There is an overall fee limit 
of 70 per cent of the average of audit fees 
charged in the past three years, and 
hence the fee limit comes into force for 
the financial year to 31 December 2020.

The Audit Committee has sole authority 
to approve contracts for non-audit 
services with the external auditor subject 
to observing certain guidelines including:

 — the Audit Committee must consider 

whether the proposed arrangements 
will maintain audit independence
 — the external auditor must satisfy 
the Company that it is acting 
independently

The table below summarises the fees 
paid to the auditor over the last three 
years. The three-year average ratio of 
non-audit fees to audit fees is 16 per cent. 
2018 non-audit fees primarily relate 
to reporting accountants’ work in relation 
to profit estimates required under 
Takeover Code rules.

Audit fees
Non-audit fees
Total fees paid to auditor
Ratio of non-audit fees to audit fees

2018
£000

823
281
1,104
34%

2017
£000

789
49
838
6%

2016
£000

705
48
753
7%

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

73

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceAudit Committee continued

Committee membership 
The Audit Committee members have been 
selected to provide the wide range of 
financial and commercial expertise 
necessary to fulfil the Committee’s duties 
and responsibilities. The Board is satisfied 
that the Audit Committee has recent and 
relevant financial experience for the 
purposes of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. Additionally, in accordance with the 
2016 Corporate Governance Code the 
Board has determined that the current 
composition of the Audit Committee as 
a whole has competence relevant to the 
sector in which the Company operates. 
For full detail of the members’ experience 
and skills please see Directors’ biographies 
on pages 62 and 63.

Internal audit
The Group has an internal audit function 
within the risk and assurance team which 
reports to the Audit Committee. The 
internal audit function reviews internal 
controls and reports to the Audit 
Committee on whether such controls 
are in place and are being operated 
effectively. The function covers intu 
properties plc and its subsidiaries and 
internal audits are also occasionally 
conducted at joint ventures.

The internal audit function has a rolling 
programme of reviews ensuring that all 
centres, functions and areas of the 
business are reviewed regularly. The most 
significant areas covered in 2018 included 
shopping centre health checks, treasury 
process, GDPR compliance, letting 
process, life-cycle maintenance process, 
HR and payroll processes, new processes 
and tax compliance and procedures. 
Additionally, annual assurance activities 
were performed, including a review of 
the assurance map.

The Audit Committee regularly reviews 
the effectiveness of the risk and internal 
audit function and in particular ensures 
that the function remains sufficiently 
independent of the wider business to 
ensure it can carry out its work effectively. 
An independent review of the internal 
audit function is carried out every five 
years and was last performed at the end 
of 2013. A further review is currently in 
progress and results will be reported to 
the Audit Committee during 2019. The 
key recommendations from an external 
review of the Group’s risk management 
process at the end of 2015 have all 
been implemented.

Risk management and 
internal control
The Board has overall responsibility to 
oversee the Group’s system of internal 
control and to keep its effectiveness 
under review, as well as to determine the 
nature and extent of the risks it is willing 
to take in achieving its strategic objectives 
based on the balance of potential risks 
and reward. The Group’s approach to risk 
management is described in detail on 
pages 38 and 39 and the principal risks 
are detailed on pages 40 and 41.

The Audit Committee oversees the 
Board’s annual review of the effectiveness 
of the risk management and internal 
control systems. During this review the 
Board has not identified nor been made 
aware of any failing or weakness which 
it has determined to be significant.

The key elements taken into account 
in this review include:

 — the Group’s internal audit function’s 
work during the year (see right)

 — the Group’s risk management process 
 — the Group’s controls over its financial 

reporting process including: the 
comprehensive system for reporting 
results to the Board for review and 
consideration; the review process 
underlying the production of the 
consolidated financial statements; 
and the experience and quality of 
the team involved in the financial 
reporting processes

Following on from the review of culture in 
2017, which helped the Audit Committee 
contexualise risks and risk management 
practices, a follow-up review was 
performed by the risk and assurance 
team during 2018. A number of actions 
have been completed, including the 
development and distribution of an 
employee culture guide and the internal 
relaunch of the intu brand. Additionally, 
the employee appraisal process has been 
enhanced and communicated. A number 
of other actions are scheduled to be 
completed in 2019.

74

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceFRC communications
On 20 December 2018, the FRC wrote 
to the Company to ask for certain 
explanations in respect of the 2017 
annual report. We have reviewed the 
responses provided to the FRC, including 
explanations and certain proposed 
enhancements to disclosure which have 
been included in this annual report. 
The related correspondence has 
subsequently been closed. 

The FRC notes that they only reviewed 
certain aspects of the 2017 annual report 
and the review did not benefit from a 
detailed knowledge of the business and 
the underlying transactions. Further, the 
FRC also notes that their review provides 
no assurance that the 2017 annual report 
is correct in all material respects, and that 
the FRC’s role is not to verify the 
information provided but to consider 
compliance with reporting requirements.

Audit Committee effectiveness
As part of the Board evaluation process, 
the effectiveness of the Audit Committee 
was reviewed and this confirmed that the 
Committee remained effective at 
meeting its objectives.

Adèle Anderson
Chairman of the Audit Committee
20 February 2019

Whistleblowing policy
The Audit Committee is responsible for 
overseeing the Group’s whistleblowing 
policy and procedures, under which 
employees can raise concerns about 
possible improprieties (whether financial 
or otherwise) within the Group on a 
confidential basis.

During the year the Audit Committee 
reviewed and strengthened the policy 
and procedures and a Whistleblowing 
Committee was established with set 
terms of reference, with key 
representatives from HR, operations 
and finance, which reports regularly to 
the Audit Committee. All whistleblowing 
incidents are reported to this 
Whistleblowing Committee which 
fully investigates each event deemed 
a whistleblower incident and 
agrees any remedial action such as 
procedures being reviewed and improved 
where appropriate.

There were six whistleblowing disclosures 
relating to the intu Group during 2018. 
These included: 

 — report of alleged breach of 

environmental regulations, where the 
individual concerned has now received 
additional training

 — two reports that resulted in 

disciplinary hearings and appropriate 
disciplinary action

 — one disclosure which was deemed 
not to be a whistleblowing incident
 — two further disclosures which, upon 

investigation, could not be 
substantiated

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

75

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceNomination and Review Committee

We continue to follow a robust process and 
best governance practice whenever key 
decisions are taken

Highlights of 2018
 — chief executive succession planning
 — Non-Executive Director succession 

planning

Members in 2018

Chairman 
John Strachan 
(Chairman of the Board)

Members 
Adèle Anderson 
(Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director)

Ian Burke (from 1 October 2018) 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Rakhi Goss-Custard  
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Louise Patten 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Andrew Strang (to 30 September 2018) 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Steven Underwood  
(Alternate Director to John Whittaker)

Areas of focus in 2019
 — ensure smooth succession of the 

chief executive

 — ensure smooth succession of Non-

Executive Directors to ensure optimal 
Board composition

76

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Dear shareholder

2018 was an important and busy year for 
the Nomination and Review Committee.

As Chair of the Committee it is my 
responsibility to ensure that we continue 
to follow a robust process and best 
governance practice whenever key 
decisions are taken, in particular relating 
to new appointments and when 
considering the composition of the Board. 

Responsibilities and how they were 
discharged in 2018 
The principal role of the Nomination and 
Review Committee is to evaluate the skills 
available on the Board and to determine 
when appointments and retirements 
are appropriate. 

In addition to its key responsibilities set 
out above, the Committee is also 
responsible for carrying out the annual 
performance evaluation of the Board, 
its committees and individual directors, 
as well as making recommendations on 
appointments to the Board, including 
the induction programme for newly 
appointed directors, and on succession 
planning. Those Non-Executive Directors 
who have served on the Board for six 
years or more have been subject to 
a particularly rigorous review. 

The Committee carried out a formal 
Board performance evaluation process, 
by way of an externally facilitated 
questionnaire. The outcome of the review 
is summarised on page 77. 

The Committee met twice in 2018 
with its main focus on the composition 
of the Board and succession planning, 
in particular in relation to the succession 
of the Chief Executive and planned 
Non-Executive Director changes. 

A sub-committee of the Committee was 
established to lead the process to find a 
successor to the Chief Executive and to 

find successors to retiring Non-Executive 
Directors. The sub-committee met 
frequently to progress matters.

Statement on diversity policy 
The Nomination and Review Committee, 
and the Board, have always recognised 
the importance of boardroom diversity, 
providing a wide range of perspectives, 
and the Committee’s policy is to seek to 
ensure that a range of suitable candidates 
is taken into account when drawing up 
longlists and shortlists. The priority of the 
Committee is to ensure that the Group 
continues to have the most effective 
Board possible and all appointments to 
the Board are made on merit against 
objective criteria. A description of intu’s 
approach to diversity can be found on 
pages 54 and 55.

Board composition
The Committee is satisfied that the 
balance of skills, knowledge and 
experience on the Board and its 
committees continues to be appropriate. 

The Board is supportive of Lord Davies’ 
aspirational target of 33 per cent female 
Board representation by 2020 and is 
pleased to confirm that the Board’s 
female representation in the year was 
at 33 per cent. Further information 
regarding our diversity policy is set 
out above. 

Succession planning 
Following the announcement that 
David Fischel will be standing down 
as Chief Executive, the Committee 
engaged Heidrich & Struggles in the 
search for his successor. The process 
was deferred pending the outcome 
of the potential offer for intu by the 
Consortium comprising of the Peel 
Group, the Olayan Group and Brookfield 
Property Group. Following the withdrawal 
of the potential offer, the search was 
resumed. Good progress is being 
made and we expect to make an 
announcement in the near future.

GovernanceHeidrich & Struggles has no other 
connection with the Company other 
than in connection with the Chief 
Executive appointment.

The Committee also engaged Korn 
Ferry to assist with the appointment 
of Ian Burke as an Independent Non-
Executive Director. 

Subsequent to their engagement in this 
search, Korn Ferry was appointed as the 
Remuneration Committee’s independent 
remuneration adviser with effect from 
1 January 2019. Prior to this appointment 
they had no other connection with the 
Company other than providing input into 
the Board’s succession planning.

The Board, through the Nomination and 
Review Committee, has focused on 
succession planning of Non-Executive 
Directors following Andrew Strang’s 
resignation in September 2018. Rakhi 
Goss-Custard will not be seeking  
re-election at the forthcoming annual 
general meeting and the Company 
announced on 18 February 2019 the 
resignations of Louise Patten and Richard 
Gordon. A search for at least one new 
Non-Executive Director is well underway. 
We expect to announce the new 
appointment of a new independent 
Non-Executive Director to replace Rakhi 
Goss-Custard before the annual general 
meeting. Full details will be provided in 
the Notice of annual general meeting 
which will be distributed to shareholders 
in due course.

Talent, training and development 
Talent development is a key focus of 
the Committee and a comprehensive 
talent and leadership programme, 
including succession planning, has been 
implemented for senior management 
across the Group. The Committee 
receives regular update reports regarding 
progress and remains confident in the 
future potential of the Group’s most 
promising executives and staff. 

As Chairman, with the assistance of 
the Nomination and Review Committee, 
I regularly consider the need for Directors 
to update and expand their skills and 
knowledge. Training is provided for 
Non-Executive Directors in the form 
of presentations at Board meetings, 
attendance at relevant seminars 
and courses. 

Performance evaluation 
Every year, the Board conducts a performance evaluation of the performance of the Board 
and its committees. In addition, the Chairman reviews the performance of each Director and 
the Senior Independent Director oversees the review of the Chairman’s performance. The 
areas identified for attention during 2018 were as shown in the table below: 

Areas identified for attention 

Action taken

Board succession planning Ian Burke was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in place 

Balance between 
presentations and 
discussion at meetings
Time discussing strategic 
topics

of Andrew Strang who resigned in September 2018. The 
Board also commenced a comprehensive search for a new 
Chief Executive
Considerably more time has been devoted to discussion of key 
matters relating to the day-to-day operation of the business

A significant amount of time was spent discussing strategic 
topics, particularly given the challenging market conditions

2018 performance evaluation 
This involved an external independent facilitator, Lintstock, engaging with the Chairman and 
Company Secretary to set the context for the evaluation and tailor surveys for all directors to 
the specific circumstances of intu. Lintstock is a specialist corporate governance consultancy 
and has no commercial dealings with the Group, other than for the provision of corporate 
governance services to the Board. The anonymity of all respondents was ensured throughout 
the process in order to promote the open and frank exchange of views. 

As a result of the review, among other things the Board agreed that it should continue 
to devote attention to ensuring a successful transition to a new Chief Executive, focus 
on succession planning for Non-Executive Directors and consider the overall role played 
by the Board in relation to corporate transactions involving Hammerson and the Consortium 
comprising the Peel Group, the Olayan Group and Brookfield Property Group, including 
lessons that the Board can draw from these processes.

Induction for new Directors 
There is a comprehensive induction programme for new Directors which is tailored by the 
Chairman, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Company Secretary, depending 
on the type of appointment. The programme ordinarily includes meetings with Board 
members, senior management and external advisers, as well as a high-level review of all 
current projects, Board strategy and an in-depth review of the Group’s assets. Additional 
elements are added to the programme as needed following discussion between the Chairman 
and the individual Director. 

Where required, the Company Secretary provides guidance and facilitates the provision 
of training on directors’ duties under the Companies Act 2006 and on legal, regulatory and 
governance matters with which the Company, Board and individual Directors must comply.

The Board also recognises the need for 
Directors to keep up-to-date with relevant 
legislative and regulatory developments 
as well as changes to corporate 
governance best practice and investor 
expectations. The Company Secretary 
reports to each Board meeting on these 
matters, drawing attention to any issues 
of particular relevance. 

Re-election of Directors 
All Directors will submit themselves for 
re-election at the forthcoming annual 
general meeting in May 2019, other than 
Rakhi Goss-Custard who, having reached 
the end of her tenure, is not seeking 
re-election.

John Strachan
Chairman
20 February 2019

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

77

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report

Having succeeded Louise Patten in February 
2019 as Remuneration Committee 
Chairman, I would like to thank Louise and 
the Committee for their work in the year

Members and meetings in 2018

Dear shareholder

Remuneration
 Committee
(4 meetings)

A

B

4

4

4

4

Louise Patten (Chairman) 
(Independent Non-Executive 
Director)
Adèle Anderson (Independent 
Non-Executive Director)
Rakhi Goss-Custard 
(Independent Non-Executive 
Director)
Ian Burke (appointed 
1 October 2018) (Independent 
Non-Executive Director)
A  Maximum number of meetings eligible to attend 
B  Number of meetings actually attended

4

2

4

2

The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive, the 
Company Secretary and the HR director normally 
attend scheduled meetings at the invitation of the 
Committee. No individual was present when his or 
her remuneration was being determined.

Remuneration governance 
aligned features
Malus provisions for both the annual 
bonus and PSP
Clawback provisions for both the 
annual bonus and PSP
Performance period extending to five 
years for a proportion of PSP
Total vesting and holding period of 
five years for all tranches of the PSP
Full retrospective disclosure of annual 
bonus financial targets including 
minimum and maximum target range
Shareholding requirement of 
200 per cent of salary

78

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

I am pleased to present intu’s 2018 
Directors’ remuneration report to you,  
my first as Chairman of the Committee, 
which has been prepared by the 
Remuneration Committee and approved 
by the Board.

Results and context of remuneration
The results for the year show a resilient 
operating performance. However, 
uncertainty around the UK economy and 
a challenging retail background is leading 
to a weakening sentiment in the retail 
property investment market, impacting 
property valuations. In addition, the 
Company had two separate offers that 
ultimately were not concluded.

As explained more fully later in this 
report, the Committee has reflected this 
challenging environment in the decisions 
it has taken, which include:

 — no salary increases for the Executive 

Directors for 2019

 — to reflect shareholders’ overall 

experience during the year, exercising 
discretion to reduce by 50 per cent the 
portion of the annual bonus that 
would (reflecting the resilient 
operating performance in 2018) 
otherwise have been fully payable 
based on a formulaic assessment of 
performance against the EPS versus 
budget element of the annual bonus 
(and also determining that no bonus 
is payable in relation to the other two 
elements of the bonus, namely the 
EPS versus prior year element and 
strategic/operational element)

 — to take account of the current share 

price, a reduction in the size of awards 
to be made to incumbent senior 
management under the PSP (for 
example, the Chief Financial Officer’s 
2019 award will be over shares worth 

200 per cent of salary rather than the 
normal 250 per cent). The 2019 award 
will also comply with best practice 
guidelines via the introduction of a full 
five-year holding period

Remuneration policy
Our Directors’ remuneration policy 
was approved by shareholders at the 
2017 annual general meeting, which 
received 99.5 per cent support from 
our shareholders. 

The Committee will undertake a review 
of the policy in 2019 and will table a 
revised policy for shareholder approval 
at the 2020 annual general meeting.

A summary of the current remuneration 
policy is presented at the end of this 
report.

Alignment with long-term success
The Committee believes that our 
remuneration philosophy and incentive 
policy is aligned with the long-term 
success of the Company. Our long-term 
incentive plan has time horizons 
extending to five years, and 50 per cent 
of our annual bonus is deferred into 
shares. Taking into account the revised 
UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Committee has introduced additional 
holding periods on our PSP awards, 
further enhancing this alignment. We also 
formalised our policy for leavers, so that 
the time horizon for vested and unvested 
shares from our long-term incentive plans 
would normally continue post-cessation.

GovernancePerformance pay is linked to:

 — out-performance of total shareholder 

return (TSR) against our peers
 — delivering absolute growth for our 

shareholders

 — annual EPS performance
 — achievement of our strategic initiatives 
that will build value for the longer term

Both Executive Directors are required 
to build up a shareholding in intu shares 
worth 200 per cent of salary.

Key areas of focus and decisions in 
2018 and for 2019

The Remuneration Committee made 
a number of decisions regarding the 
application of our policy in 2018 and 
for 2019. As noted above, key decisions 
included the following:

of salary representing 16.66 per cent 
of maximum opportunity (compared 
to 72 per cent and 60 per cent 
respectively in 2017). As noted overleaf, 
the Committee exercised discretion to 
reduce the portion of the annual bonus 
provisionally payable under the EPS 
versus budget element of the annual 
bonus (with no bonus payable in 
relation to the other two elements of 
the plan).

 — nil vesting of the relevant tranches of 
the 2014, 2015 and 2016 PSP awards
 — for 2019, no changes have been made 
to the performance measurement 
framework for the annual bonus
 — PSP awards of 250 per cent of salary 
were made to each of the Executive 
Directors in March 2018. These will 
only vest subject to the achievement 
of stretching TSR and total financial 
return performance conditions, over 
three, four and five years 

 — the Executive Directors’ base salaries 

 — reflecting the current share price, 

will remain unchanged

 — fees for our Chairman will remain 

unchanged at £275,000 per annum

 — the annual bonus awarded to the 

Executive Directors for the year ended 
31 December 2018 was 20 per cent 

smaller PSP awards (in percentage 
of salary terms) will be made to 
incumbent senior management in 
2019 than in prior years (for example, 
the Chief Financial Officer’s 2019 
award will be over shares worth 

200 per cent of salary rather than 
the normal 250 per cent), with this 
award subject to a full five-year 
holding period

Chief Executive leaving 
arrangements
As announced in July 2018, David Fischel 
will be standing down as Chief Executive 
once a suitable successor has been 
appointed. His remuneration on leaving will 
be in line with our approved policy as well 
as good practice principles. To ensure an 
orderly succession process and to take 
account of the unusual circumstances that 
have prevailed, formal notice was given on 
31 December 2018 though it is expected 
that a successor will be appointed prior to 
the expiry of the notice period. More details 
are set out on page 84.

Overview of Executive Director remuneration 
An overview of the key remuneration elements in place for Executive Directors in 2019 is set out below:

Key elements

Timing of payout

Summary of policy for 2019 

2019

2020

2021

2022 2023

Salary

Pension  
and benefits

Annual bonus

Long-term 
incentives

Shareholding
requirement

 — salaries for 2019 are:

 – David Fischel, Chief Executive: £617,916
 – Matthew Roberts, Chief Financial Officer: £487,713

 — no salary increases for the Executive Directors

 — the Company operates a defined contribution pension or salary supplement, where the contribution is 

24 per cent of salary. The Chief Executive receives an additional six per cent in recognition of the benefit 
foregone on the closure of the defined benefit scheme. Benefits include a car allowance (up to £18,000), 
private medical insurance, life assurance and long-term sickness insurance

 — maximum opportunity of 120 per cent of salary
 — 50 per cent of the award earned will be deferred into intu shares, which normally vest over two and three 

years subject to continued employment (with standard ‘good’ and ‘bad’ leaver provisions applying)
 — for 2019, performance is based two-thirds on EPS and one-third on strategic and operational objectives. 

This is the same framework which applied for 2017 and 2018

 — normal maximum grant size of 200 per cent of salary in 2019 for incumbents
 — three, four and five year performance periods (with full five-year holding period)
 — the precise performance targets for the 2019 awards have yet to be agreed. However, the current intention 
is that, as per previous years, targets will be employed relating to relative TSR and/or absolute growth 
targets (with the metric used to measure absolute growth yet to be determined) measured over three, four 
and five years. Full details of the targets will be set out in the Stock Exchange announcement that is issued 
in relation to these awards

 — Executive Directors must build up a holding with a value equivalent to 200 per cent of salary

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

79

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Compliance statement
This is the Directors’ remuneration report 
of the Company which has been produced 
pursuant to, and in accordance with, the 
Listing Rules, section 420 of the Companies 
Act 2006 and Schedule 8 to the Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 
(as amended 2013). The Company also 
complies with the requirements of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code applicable in 
2018 (save where indicated otherwise).

This report contains both auditable 
and non-auditable information. 
The information subject to audit is set 
out in the Directors’ remuneration report, 
in sections marked with §.

Following the revised UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Committee 
reviewed its process for reviewing 
workforce remuneration and related 
policies. As a Committee we have, for 
many years now, been provided as part 
of the annual review with significant detail 
of the pay and incentive practices across 
all intu employees. Notwithstanding this, 
during 2019 we will be increasing and 
enhancing the information that the 
Committee receives on workforce pay 
and policies to ensure that we have this 
important context when making decisions 
on our executive pay. In addition, John 
Strachan has been designated to engage 
with the workforce to ensure that the 
‘employee voice’ is taken into account in 
our remuneration policies and practices. 
Also, as part of our wider commitment 
to our employees, the Committee has 
decided to voluntarily publish our Chief 
Executive to employee pay ratio a year 
in advance of the regulations coming into 
force. Further details on page 85.

Ian Burke
Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee
20 February 2019

Code changes in relation to 
executive pensions
Taking into account legacy arrangements, 
the current Executive Director pensions 
are not aligned with the wider workforce. 
The pension policy for Executive Directors 
will form part of next year’s policy review 
for approval by shareholders, taking 
into account the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code provision that 
Executive Director pensions should be 
aligned with those of the wider workforce. 
The Committee will also be mindful of 
this change in the new Code when 
considering the remuneration package for 
a new  
chief executive.

Our employees
The Committee oversees any significant 
changes to the remuneration policy for 
all intu employees. intu also operates 
a number of share plans so that all of 
our employees have the opportunity 
to acquire shares in intu:

 — for a number of years now we have 
operated an HMRC share incentive 
plan (SIP), under which employees may 
participate in a ‘partnership’ share plan
 — in 2016, we introduced the intu Retail 
Services Sharesave Plan, which is 
another HMRC plan, and provides 
employees with the opportunity to 
purchase shares at a discount 
following an initial savings period

80

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceAnnual remuneration report 
This report sets out how the Directors’ remuneration policy of the Company has been applied in the year, and how the 
Remuneration Committee intends to apply the policy going forward. In accordance with section 439 of the Companies Act 2006, 
an advisory shareholder resolution to approve this report will be proposed at the 2019 annual general meeting of the Company. 
Sub-sections marked with § have been audited in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.

Key responsibilities
The principal role of the Remuneration Committee is to determine and then agree with the Board the framework and policy 
for the remuneration of the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chairman of the Board and other members of 
executive management.

Key principles of remuneration policy
The Company’s remuneration policy aims to attract, motivate and retain high-calibre executives by rewarding them appropriately 
with competitive compensation and benefit packages. The policy seeks to align the interests of the Executive Directors with the 
performance of the Company and the interests of its shareholders. Our incentive arrangements are designed to reward 
performance on our key performance indicators. Our aim is to focus management on delivering sustainable long-term performance 
and support the retention of critical talent.

Total remuneration in 2018 §
The table below sets out the total remuneration received by each Director for the year to 31 December 2018:

Salary or fees
£000

Benefits
£000

Annual bonus
(cash and
deferred shares)
£000

Long-term
incentive
£000

Pension
£000

Total
remuneration
£000

Director

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

Executive
David Fischel
Matthew Roberts
Chairman
John Strachan (appointed Chairman 3 May 2017)
Independent Non-Executive
Adèle Anderson
Louise Patten (resigned 18 February 2019)
Rakhi Goss-Custard
Ian Burke (appointed 1 October 2018)

Andrew Strang (resigned 30 September 2018)
Other Non-Executive
Richard Gordon (resigned 18 February 2019)
John Whittaker1
Total

615
485

601
474

20
20

23
22

124
98

436
344

275

203

110
92
87
19

52

92
79
71
–

67

–

–
–
–
–

–

1

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

59
–

59
–
1,794 1,646²

39³
–
79

–
–
46

–
–
222

–
–
780

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

253
196

184
116

180
114

943
719

1,493
1,150 

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

275

204

110
92
87
19

52

92
79
71
–

67

–
–
449

–
–
300

–
–

98
–
294 2,395

59
–
3,215

The figures in the table have been calculated as follows:
 — base salary: amount earned for the year. For 2018 the fees for certain independent Non-Executive Directors include additional fees payable on a per diem basis for 
additional time required in respect of the Hammerson transaction, as disclosed in last year’s Directors’ remuneration report. This amounted to £13,140 per relevant 
Non-Executive Director.

 — benefits: the taxable value of annual benefits received in the year. The main benefits are life assurance, long-term sickness insurance, private healthcare, company car cash 
allowance and occasional use of company flat and for 2017, compensation for a change in life assurance benefit. The value of the company car cash allowance is £18,000 

 — pension: the value of the Company’s contribution during the year (30 per cent salary supplement in lieu of contributions for the Chief Executive and 24 per cent SIPP 

contribution, part taken as a salary supplement in lieu of SIPP contributions, for the Chief Financial Officer)

 — annual bonus (cash and deferred): the value at grant of the annual incentive payable for performance over 2018 and 2017 respectively
 — Performance Share Plan: awards shown under 2018 comprise awards made in 2016, 2015 and 2014, which have one third subject to three, four and five-year performance 

periods. The amount shown is the amount due to vest (i.e. zero) in respect of the first tranche of the 2016 award, with a three-year performance period to 31 December 2018; 
the second tranche of the 2015 award, with a four-year performance period to 31 December 2018; and the final tranche of the 2014 award, with a five-year performance 
period to 31 December 2018. Further information regarding the vesting can be found on page 83. Performance Share Plan awards shown under 2017 comprise the first 
tranche of awards made in 2015, the second tranche of awards made in 2014 and the final tranche of awards made in 2013. In line with the regulatory requirements, these 
amounts have been restated from the figures disclosed last year to reflect the actual vesting and share price on the date of vesting in May 2018 

1 

2 

3 

 John Whittaker did not receive any remuneration in 2018 or 2017 in connection with his position as Deputy Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Company. 
A management fee of £215,000 was paid to Peel Management Limited for the provision by Peel of management and advisory services, as further described on page 155. 

 Patrick Burgess retired as Chairman on 3 May 2017 and was paid £141,000 as disclosed in the 2017 annual report. Andrew Huntley also retired as a Non-Executive Director 
on 3 May 2017 and was paid £29,000 as disclosed in the 2017 annual report.  

 Richard Gordon’s alternate, Raymond Fine, had use of a company flat the benefit of which, following a recent HMRC review, is estimated at £39,000. This is included in 
Mr Gordon’s single total figure. Raymond Fine retired on 31 December 2018.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

81

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Performance outturns and incentives
Annual bonus §
The maximum award for both the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer in 2018 was 120 per cent of salary, of which 50 per cent 
is deferred for two and three years. This will remain unchanged for 2019.

Annual bonus payments are based on pre-determined performance measures. Given the commercial sensitivity, the Remuneration 
Committee provides retrospective disclosure of targets. Two-thirds is based on adjusted EPS performance in the year, split evenly 
between performance versus budget and prior year figures. The overall structure ensures that the maximum EPS related bonus is 
only achievable if management outperform against both the Board’s expectations for the year and if there is an increase in EPS on 
the prior year.

The remaining third is based on achievement of strategic and operational objectives against a scorecard of measures. The 
Remuneration Committee considers the objectives carefully each year to align with intu’s strategic objectives, and the objectives 
include quantitatively assessed financial and operational measures and milestones. 

For 2019, the objectives of the incumbent Executive Directors will focus on ensuring that key strategic initiatives relating to asset 
performance, operational excellence, optimising intu’s winning destinations and smart use of capital are kept on track/delivered 
during what is likely to be a year of transition.

Annual bonus – 2018 outturn§
The targets for the 2018 bonus are set out below. As in previous years, full retrospective disclosure of the targets is given:

EPS element

Performance element

Adjusted EPS vs budget
Adjusted EPS vs prior year

Total provisional out-turn  
(% of max bonus)

Targets

Weighting 
(% of total 
opportunity)

33.3%
33.3%

Threshold

Target

Maximum

13.0p
100%

13.7p
102.5%

14.4p
105%

2018 
performance

14.4p
96%

Provisional 
outturn 
(% of max 
element)

100%
0%
Matthew
 Roberts

David 
Fischel

33.33%

33.33%

Therefore, no bonus was payable under the EPS vs prior year element. However, reflecting intu’s resilient operating performance, 
a bonus equalling 33.3 per cent of the maximum bonus opportunity (i.e. 40 per cent of salary) was provisionally payable based on a 
formulaic assessment of performance against the EPS vs budget element. However, mindful of shareholders’ experience during the 
year, the Committee exercised discretion to reduce the payout under this element of the bonus by 50 per cent, thereby resulting in 
the payment of a bonus equalling 20 per cent of salary.

Strategic/operational element
The strategic objectives in the annual bonus are a key part of the remuneration framework for incentivising and rewarding 
achievements and milestones which are the foundation for value creation in the future. The Committee follows a rigorous process 
in the setting and monitoring of scorecard objectives and then exercises judgement in assessing performance in the key areas selected. 
This includes determination of objectives by reference to the approved Board strategy, quarterly reviews of quantitative and qualitative 
data, and an end-of-year full review with supporting evidence, to ensure a robust assessment of performance against the objectives.

For 2018, the scorecard and weightings were as follows:

Element

Performance indicators

Underlying performance of assets

Digital and the customer experience

Implementation of strategic priorities, including 
the Hammerson transaction 

KPIs considered included net rental income 
growth of 0.6% LFL
NPS, brand awareness, performance of intu 
Experiences
Transaction not concluded (nor was consortium 
offer), albeit both requiring significant 
management time

Weighting

25%

25%

50%

Despite intu’s resilient operating performance during the year, the Committee determined that no bonus was payable in relation to 
this element. Therefore, in total, a bonus equal to 20 per cent of salary (i.e. 16.66 per cent of the maximum bonus) was payable to 
the two Executive Directors for 2018 (compared to 72 per cent of salary/60 per cent of the maximum in 2017).

82

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceDeferral into shares
50 per cent of the 2018 short-term incentive for both David Fischel and Matthew Roberts was deferred into shares of the Company. 
Executive directors must remain in employment with the Company for a period of two years (25 per cent) and three years  
(25 per cent) after the date of award before such shares are released (subject to the normal ‘good’ and ‘bad’ leaver provisions).

Deferred bonus awards granted in the year §
The table below summarises the deferred bonus awards granted during the year. These awards were made in March 2018 in respect 
of the 2017 bonus:

Individual

David Fischel
Matthew Roberts

Type of interest

Deferred bonus award

Face value of 
2018 award*

£

£218,461
£172,131

*  Face value calculated using five-day average share price prior to date of grant of £2.08. Awards are granted in the form of nil cost options.

Long-term incentives §
Awards with performance periods ending in the year – Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The PSP awards shown in the single figure relate to awards due to vest in 2019. These relate to the first, second and final tranche 
of the 2016, 2015 and 2014 PSP awards, respectively. The following table summarises vesting under these awards:

Award

Tranche

2016 PSP award

First tranche

2015 PSP award

Second tranche

2014 PSP award

Final tranche

Performance period

Three years to  
31 December 2018
Four years to  
31 December 2018
Five years to  
31 December 2018

The performance conditions for the above awards were as follows:

TSR 
ranking

Vesting of
TSR portion
(% of max)

Total
Financial
Return 
(per annum) 

Vesting 
of Total 
Financial 
Return 
portion 
(% of max)

Total
vesting 
(% of max)

6th

6th

6th

Nil

Nil

Nil

-4.3%

-0.8%

2.6%

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

 — half of awards vest by reference to TSR relative to the top-five UK-listed REITs with 25 per cent minimum vesting for TSR in line 
with the third-ranked company; vesting of 60 per cent for TSR in line with the second-ranked company; full vesting for TSR in 
line with the top-ranked company; and straight line vesting between points, proportionate to TSR achieved. This portion is also 
subject to a committee-operated discretionary assessment of underlying financial performance

 — half of the awards vest by reference to Total Financial Return (NAV growth per share plus dividends) with 25 per cent minimum 
vesting for 6 per cent per annum; full vesting for 10 per cent per annum; straight-line vesting in between. Awards lapse for 
growth of less than 6 per cent per annum

PSP awards granted during the year §
The table below summarises PSP awards granted during the year, in March 2018: 

Individual

Type of interest

£

% of salary

Face value of 2018 award*

David Fischel

Matthew Roberts

PSP**

PSP**

1,514,500

1,195,373

250%

250%

% vesting
at threshold

Performance period end

3 years

4 years

5 years

31 December
2020
31 December
2020

31 December
2021
31 December
2021

31 December
2022
31 December
2022

25%

25%

*  Face value calculated using a five day average share price prior to date of grant of £2.08.
**   Vesting of awards is based 50 per cent on relative TSR and 50 per cent on Total Financial Return (NAV growth per share plus dividends) performance, with targets equivalent 

to the 2018 award (see page 86).

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

83

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Awards for 2019
To take account of the current share price, PSP awards to be made to incumbent senior management in 2019 will be at a reduced 
level (for example, the Chief Financial Officer’s 2019 award will be over shares worth 200 per cent of salary rather than the normal 
250 per cent). The precise performance targets for the 2019 awards have yet to be agreed. However, the current intention is that, 
as per previous years, targets will be employed relating to relative TSR and/or absolute growth targets (with the metric used to 
measure absolute growth yet to be determined) measured over three, four and five years. Full details of the targets will be set out 
in the Stock Exchange announcement that is issued in relation to these awards. Under the plan, awards will vest as to one-third each 
based on performance measured over three, four and five years.

Following the publication of the revised UK Corporate Governance Code the Committee determined that for future awards under 
the PSP, a two-year holding period would apply to the portion vesting after three years, and a one-year holding period would apply 
for the portion vesting after four years. This extends the time horizon for the entire award to five years, aligning Executive Directors 
to the long-term success of the business. The holding period will apply for awards granted in 2019 and onwards.

Departure of Chief Executive 
As announced in July 2018, David Fischel will be standing down as Chief Executive once a suitable successor has been appointed. 
David agreed to remain in post for a longer period than he had envisaged, giving the Board sufficient time to search for a suitable 
successor. To ensure an orderly succession process and to take account of the unusual circumstances that have prevailed, formal 
notice was given on 31 December 2018 though it is expected that a successor will be appointed significantly before the expiry of 
his 12-month notice period. Details of his remuneration on leaving will be announced in accordance with S430 (2B) of the Companies 
Act 2006 and reported in next year’s Directors’ remuneration report. His remuneration on leaving will be in line with our approved 
policy as well as good practice principles:

 — David will continue to receive salary, pension and benefits throughout his notice period
 — David will continue to participate in the annual bonus plan for 2019, with pro-rating dependent on the timing of his departure 
 — he will not receive a PSP award during 2019
 — having taken account of the circumstances, it is anticipated that David will be treated as a good leaver pursuant to the rules of the 
PSP, with awards subject to pro-rating and assessment of performance at the normal time. David will also be treated as a good 
leaver for the purposes of his deferred share awards (which will vest on cessation, pursuant to the rules of that plan)

Malus and clawback
Shares awarded under the deferred bonus plan and PSP are subject to malus provisions. The Committee may apply malus at its 
discretion in circumstances including (but not limited to):

 — a material misstatement of the Company’s audited financial results
 — a material failure of risk management by the Company, any Group company or business unit
 — a material breach of any applicable health and safety or environmental regulations by the Company, any Group company 

or business unit

 — serious reputational damage to the Company, any Group company or business unit
 — serious misconduct of the individual

The annual bonus and PSP awards are also subject to clawback provisions. The Committee may at its discretion seek to apply 
clawback in circumstances of:

 — a material misstatement of the Company’s audited financial results where the individual is responsible or accountable (and where 

Executive Directors would always be deemed to have management responsibility)

 — serious misconduct of the individual

Clawback provisions may be applied up to two years following the determination of the annual incentive and up to one further year 
following vesting for awards under the PSP. Taking into account the three, four and five year-vesting timescales, this means that PSP 
awards may be reclaimed for up to four, five and six years, respectively, from the date of award.

Other share scheme information
The Company operates a share incentive plan (SIP) for all eligible employees, including Executive Directors, who may receive up 
to £3,600 worth of shares as part of their annual bonus arrangements. As part of the SIP arrangements, the Company offers 
eligible employees the opportunity to participate in a ‘partnership’ share scheme, the terms of which are governed by HM Revenue 
& Customs (HMRC) regulations.

In 2016, intu implemented an HMRC-approved Sharesave Plan (the intu Retail Services Sharesave Plan), offering a potential savings 
contract of up to £500 a month for a period of three to five years. Participants are granted an option to acquire ordinary shares in 

84

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Governanceintu using the proceeds of their saving contract. The exercise price is set at the time of invitation to apply for the plan, with a discount 
of 10 per cent of the market value.

The Company operates an employee share ownership plan (ESOP) which has in the past used funds provided to purchase shares 
required under the annual bonus scheme.

Season ticket loan
All employees of the Group are entitled to an interest-free travel season ticket loan which is repaid over the year via deductions from 
salary. Neither David Fischel nor Matthew Roberts received a season ticket or other loan from the Group during 2018.

Chief Executive pay increase in relation to all employees
The table below sets out details of the percentage change in salary, benefits and annual bonus for the Chief Executive and the 
average for all of intu’s staff:

Chief Executive
All employees

Percentage change in remuneration from
31 December 2017 to 31 December 2018

Percentage change
in base salary

Percentage change
in benefits

Percentage change
 in annual bonus

2%
3%

(15%)
(24%)

(72%)
(2%)

Shareholding and share interests §
Executive directors must build up over time a holding of intu shares with a value equivalent to 200 per cent of salary. The 
Remuneration Committee reviews shareholdings against the requirement on an annual basis to ensure they are met within 
an appropriate timeframe.

The graph below illustrates the shareholdings of the Executive Directors as a percentage of salary. Note that only actual holdings 
count towards the shareholding requirements. Shares subject to deferral and/or performance conditions have also been shown 
for reference.

Shareholding of intu ordinary shares as at 31 December 2018 (% of salary)*

David Fischel

Matthew 
Roberts

0
% of salary

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Actual shareholding

Deferred shares

Unexercised share options (vested)

Shares subject to performance conditions

Shareholding requirement

* Value of shareholding calculated based on 12-month average share price to 31 December 2018. 
Shareholdings of Non-Executive Directors are shown in note 42 on page 158.

As shown above David Fischel fulfils his shareholding requirement. Matthew Roberts almost meets his requirement (which was 
increased to 200 per cent of salary two years ago) and expects to reach a value of 200 per cent of salary in the next year or so. 

In line with the new UK Corporate Governance Code requirement, the Committee formalised its policy for post-employment 
unvested and vested share interests. For the PSP, any awards which vest will generally continue post-cessation, with performance 
measured at the normal time. Since the PSP has time horizons of three, four and five years, this means that good leavers would 
generally have a substantive interest in shares for a period post-leaving. Any holding period applying to PSP awards from 2019 
onwards would continue to apply post-cessation of employment. The Committee will review its policy in connection with post-
cessation shareholdings in light of developing market and good governance practice as part of its review of the overall policy 
during 2019.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

85

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

The table below sets out the Executive Directors’ interests in shares as at 31 December 2018: 

Number of shares owned 
(including connected persons) 

Conditional shares not subject
to performance conditions

Unvested awards

Vested awards

Held in
own name

Held in SIP
trust for
> 5 years

Deferred
shares

Held in SIP
trust for
< 5 years

PSP
subject to
performance
conditions

Options
subject to
performance
conditions

Unexercised
unapproved
options1

Unexercised
approved
options

Options
exercised in
the year

Executive

David Fischel

1,272,433

Matthew Roberts

433,387

12,374

4,564

273,918

216,616

11,302

2,132,221

10,009

1,679,227

–

–

1,382,972

481,387

12,906

11,203

–

–

1  Held as jointly owned shares. The outstanding options represent the unexercised 2009 and 2010 unapproved options held as jointly-owned shares.
  No changes in the interests of Directors have occurred between 31 December 2018 and 19 February 2019.

Vested
2009 ESOS awards Awards of market value share options, with an exercise price of 232.41 pence. These awards became 

exercisable on 28 February 2013 and may be exercised until 28 May 2019.

2010 ESOS awards Awards of market value share options, with an exercise price of 267.75 pence. These awards became 

exercisable on 26 May 2013 and may be exercised until 26 May 2020.

Unvested
2014 PSP  
(third tranche)

2015 PSP  
(second and  
third tranche)

2016 PSP

2017 PSP

2018 PSP

Awards of performance shares, granted on 12 May 2014. Vesting is based on TSR (relative to the top five 
UK-listed REITs) and Total Financial Return performance (ranging from 6 per cent per annum to 10 per cent 
per annum), in three equal tranches over three, four and five years. Any awards that vest may be exercised 
until 12 May 2024.

Awards of performance shares, granted on 11 March 2015. Vesting is based on TSR (relative to the top five 
UK-listed REITs) and Total Financial Return performance (ranging from 6 per cent per annum to 10 per cent 
per annum), in three equal tranches over three, four and five years. Any awards that vest may be exercised 
until 11 March 2025.

Awards of performance shares, granted on 7 March 2016. Vesting is based on TSR (relative to the top five 
UK-listed REITs) and Total Financial Return performance (ranging from 6 per cent per annum to 10 per cent 
per annum), in three equal tranches over three, four and five years. Any awards that vest may be exercised 
until 7 March 2026.

Awards of performance shares, granted on 10 March 2017. Vesting is based on TSR (relative to the top five 
UK-listed REITs) and Total Financial Return performance (ranging from 6 per cent per annum to 10 per cent 
per annum), in three equal tranches over three, four and five years. Any awards that vest may be exercised 
until 10 March 2027.

Awards of performance shares, granted on 9 March 2018. Vesting is based on TSR (relative to the top five 
UK-listed REITs) and Total Financial Return performance (ranging from 6 per cent per annum to 10 per cent 
per annum), in three equal tranches over three, four and five years. Any awards that vest may be exercised 
until 10 March 2028.

86

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceTen-year TSR chart
The following graph shows the TSR for intu properties plc over the ten-year period ended 31 December 2018, compared with our 
closest comparator group for this purpose, the FTSE 350 Real Estate. TSR is defined as share price growth plus reinvested dividends:

Ten-year Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance

250

250

200

200

150

150

100

100

50

50

0

0
31 Dec 2008

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2010

31 Dec 2011

31 Dec 2012 31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2016

31 Dec 2017

31 Dec 2018

intu properties plc
FTSE 350 Real Estate

UK real estate is a cyclical sector. Since 2009, a key driver for growth in value within the UK real estate market has been exposure 
to central London properties. As a result of the demerger of Capital & Counties from Liberty International (now intu properties plc) 
in 2010, intu’s portfolio does not include properties in central London and intu has therefore not benefited from the uplift 
experienced by those property companies with exposure to London. However, given the cyclical nature of the property sector, 
we would not expect this trend to endure over the long-term cycle.

For additional context, the following two charts have been provided to show intu’s total financial return (NAV growth plus dividends) 
and prime property assets (capital value growth adjusted for capex and net income expressed as a percentage of capital employed) 
over the same period. intu’s prime property return is shown relative to the MSCI monthly retail index. These two charts have been 
provided as growth in these metrics supports the delivery of long-term returns to our shareholders and are included in our key 
performance indicators (see pages 36 and 37).

Total Financial Return

170

160

150

140

130

120

110

100

90

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

87

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Prime Property Assets

130

125

120

115

110

105

100

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

intu
MSCI monthly retail index

Chief Executive remuneration history
The table below sets out historical details of Chief Executive pay:

CE single figure of total remuneration
Annual bonus payout (% maximum)
Long-term incentive plan vesting 
in year (% maximum)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

£1,044k
50%

£1,350k
100%

£1,275k
83%

£1,810k
70%

£1,081k
55%

£1,154k
65%

£1,653k
95.3%

£1,814k
95.3%

£1,493k
60%

2018

£943k
16.6%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

37.6%

36.4%

23%

0%

Chief Executive to employee pay ratio
New legislation requires companies with more than 250 employees to publish the pay ratio between the chief executive and 
employees at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of all staff. This legislation came into force in January 2019 with mandatory 
reporting from 2020, however the Committee has decided to voluntarily publish the ratios for 2018 in this year’s report.

The Chief Executive’s ‘single figure’ remuneration for 2018 (£943,000) equates to the following ratios:

 — At the 75th percentile: 1:31
 — At the 50th percentile (median): 1:46
 — At the 25th percentile: 1:53

Shareholder context
The table below shows the advisory vote on the 2017 Annual remuneration report (including the Committee Chairman’s statement) 
at the 2018 annual general meeting and the binding vote on the Directors’ remuneration policy at the 2017 annual general meeting. 
It is the Committee’s policy to consult with major shareholders prior to any major changes, and to maintain an ongoing dialogue on 
executive remuneration matters.

2017 Annual remuneration report (2018 AGM)
Directors’ remuneration policy (2017 AGM)

For

97.3%
99.5%

Against

Abstentions

2.7%
0.5%

5.8m
0.8m

Additional disclosures
Other directorships
Executive directors are not generally encouraged to hold external directorships unless the Chairman of the Board determines that 
such appointment is in the Group’s interest and does not cause any conflict of interest. Where such appointments are approved and 
held, it is a matter for the Chairman to agree whether fees paid in respect of the appointment are retained by the individual or paid 
to the Company.

88

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceDuring 2018, David Fischel’s principal external appointment was with Prozone Intu Properties Limited. Prozone Intu Properties 
Limited is an Indian shopping centre owner and developer in which intu has a 32 per cent interest. David Fischel also holds an 
external appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Marlowe Investments (Kent) Limited, a UK private company which relates 
to his family affairs, does not require any significant time commitment and does not conflict in any way with his role as Chief 
Executive of intu.

During 2018, David Fischel did not receive a fee in respect of his appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Prozone Intu 
Properties Limited. He received and retained a fee of £5,000 in respect of his Non-Executive Directorship of Marlowe Investments 
(Kent) Limited.

Matthew Roberts is a Non-Executive Director of Marston’s PLC and Chairman of its Audit Committee. He received and retained 
an aggregate fee of £56,625 per annum in respect of this role.

Payments to former Directors §
A life-presidency fee of £150,000 per annum (2017: £150,000) was paid to Sir Donald Gordon, the Group’s Life President and former 
Chairman who founded the Company in 1980. The life-presidency fee was agreed by the Board at the time of his retirement in June 
2005 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Group. The payment is payable for the remainder of Sir Donald’s life and is 
secured by deed.

Payments for loss of office §
There were no payments for loss of office made to any director in the year.

Alternate Directors §
Steven Underwood serves as Alternate Director to John Whittaker. Steven Underwood did not receive a fee in 2018 in respect of his 
services as an Alternate Director. Raymond Fine was, until his retirement on 31 December 2018, an Alternate Director to Richard 
Gordon. Raymond Fine did not receive any fee in respect of his services as an Alternate Director. Raymond Fine received a fee of 
£173,222 in respect of consultancy services provided to the Company in connection with South African tax and shareholder issues, 
liaison with the Gordon Family and other related matters. Raymond Fine also had use of a company flat, the benefit of which, 
following a recent HMRC review, is estimated at £39,000 in respect of 2018.

Service contracts
Executive Directors and the Chairman have rolling service contracts which are terminable on 12 months’ notice on either side.

All Non-Executive Directors have been appointed under letters of appointment on fixed terms of two or three years, subject 
to renewal thereafter. All are subject to annual re-election by shareholders.

David Fischel
Matthew Roberts
John Strachan

Adèle Anderson
Ian Burke (appointed 1 October 2018)
Rakhi Goss-Custard
John Whittaker

Notice period
12 months
12 months
12 months

Contract term expires
2019 AGM
2022 AGM
2019 AGM
2020 AGM

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

89

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Distribution statement
The charts below show the percentage change in dividends and total employee compensation spend from the financial year ended 
31 December 2017 to the financial year ended 31 December 2018. A similar comparison has been made in relation to underlying 
earnings to provide further context:

Underlying earnings (£m)

-3.9%

Dividend paid (£m)

+0.1%

Total employee pay expenditure (£m) +4.6%

£188.0m £188.1m

£201.0m £193.1m

200

160

120

80

40

0

200

160

120

80

40

0

£91.0m

£95.2m

100

75

50

25

0

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

The average number of staff employed by the Group during the financial year to 31 December 2018 was 2,570 (2017: 2,603).

Chairman and Non-Executive 
Director fees for 2019 §
The Chairman receives a fee of £275,000 
per annum.

The basic Non-Executive Director fee 
is £59,000 per annum. The Senior 
Independent Director receives an 
additional fee of £10,000 per annum. 
Remuneration Committee and Audit 
Committee chairmen receive £15,000 
per annum, and Committee members 
receive £5,000 per annum. Fees were 
last increased in April 2015 and will 
remain unchanged in 2019.

John Whittaker does not receive a fee in 
respect of his position as Deputy 
Chairman and Non-Executive Director. 
The Board has authorised the payment 
of a management fee of £215,000 per 
annum to Peel Management Limited for 
the provision by Peel of a Non-Executive 
Director and an alternate director and 
other management and advisory services, 
together with reasonable costs and 
out-of-pocket expenses. This payment is 
disclosed in the related party transactions 
note on pages 155 and 156.

The Non-Executive Directors’ letters 
of appointment previously provided 
for additional fees to be payable on a 
per diem basis to reflect increased 
time commitment in certain limited 
circumstances. These were paid 
in relation to the additional time 
commitment arising from the 
Hammerson transaction but, at the 
request of the Non-Executive Directors, 

90

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

their letters of appointment were 
subsequently amended to remove their 
entitlement to such additional fees. 
Accordingly, no such fees were paid for 
the additional time commitment arising 
from the Consortium transaction.

Remuneration Committee 
membership in 2018
The principal responsibilities of the 
Committee, which take full account of 
the recommendations contained within 
the Code and now include provisions 
from the Code which come into effect 
on 1 January 2019, include:

 — determining the remuneration policy 

for the Company’s Executive Directors 
and senior executives

 — determining individual remuneration 
packages for the chairman of the 
Board, Executive Directors and senior 
executives

 — setting appropriately stretching 
and achievable targets for the 
Company’s incentive schemes in 
order to motivate executives to deliver 
high levels of performance in the 
interests of our shareholders, 
customers and employees

 — overseeing any significant changes 

to remuneration policy for the wider 
employee population

The full duties and responsibilities of 
the Committee are set out in its terms 
of reference which are available on the 
Group’s website, intu.co.uk.

The Remuneration Committee currently 
comprises three independent Non-
Executive Directors. Throughout the 
year the Committee consisted of Louise 
Patten, Adèle Anderson and Rakhi 
Goss-Custard. I was appointed to the 
Remuneration Committee on 4 October 
2018 and became Chairman of the 
Committee on 12 February 2019, when 
Louise Patten stepped down.

The Chairman of the Board, Chief 
Executive, Company Secretary, HR 
Director and on occasion Chief Financial 
Officer are invited to attend Committee 
meetings to contribute to the Committee 
in its deliberations. However, no individual 
is present when his or her remuneration 
is being determined.

The Remuneration Committee had 
four scheduled meetings in 2018 and 
had a number of additional unscheduled 
meetings and calls in relation to 
remuneration matters arising during 
the two separate offer periods in 2018. 
A summary of attendance is set out on 
page 78.

Advisers to the Committee
Deloitte LLP was appointed as the 
Committee’s independent remuneration 
adviser in October 2013, following a 
competitive tender process. During the 
year, Deloitte provided advice on 
remuneration governance developments, 
corporate reporting and investor 
engagement, market data and other 
remuneration matters that materially 
assisted the Committee.

GovernanceRepresentatives from Deloitte also 
attended Committee meetings during 
the year. The fees paid to Deloitte in 
respect of this work in 2018 totalled 
£96,650, on a time and materials basis. 
During the year Deloitte also provided 
to the Group tax compliance and 
advisory services, share scheme advice 
and financial advisory planning services 
in relation to the UK-based properties. 
Deloitte is a founding member of the 
Remuneration Consultants Group and 
adheres to its Code of Conduct. 
Deloitte was appointed directly by 
the Committee and the Committee 
is satisfied that the advice received 
was objective and independent.

Approval will be sought for Deloitte LLP 
to be appointed as auditors of intu at 
the 2019 annual general meeting. 
Consequently, Deloitte stepped down 
as full adviser to the Committee from 
31 December 2018. Following a tender 
process, the Committee appointed Korn 
Ferry as adviser to the Committee from 
1 January 2019. Korn Ferry are members 
of the Remuneration Consultants Group 
and adhere to the Code of Conduct in 
relation to executive remuneration 
consulting in the UK. During the transition 
period from 1 January 2019 Deloitte 
continued to provide some limited 
services to the Committee.

The Committee also makes use of various 
published surveys to help determine 
appropriate remuneration levels.

The annual remuneration report, 
including my letter, will be put to an 
advisory shareholder vote at our 
2019 annual general meeting and we 
look forward to receiving your views 
and support.

On behalf of the Board

Ian Burke 
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee
20 February 2019

Policy table extract from the Directors’ remuneration policy approved by shareholders on 3 May 2017
A full copy of our Directors’ remuneration policy, binding for three years from May 2017, is included in the 2016 annual report 
(starting on page 88), which can be found on the Group’s website, at intugroup.co.uk/en/investors/intu-annual-report-2016/. 
The Directors’ remuneration policy was approved by 99.5 per cent of shareholders at the 2017 annual general meeting.

Element and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential value

Performance metrics

Executive directors

Base salary  
To provide an appropriately 
competitive level of base pay to 
attract and retain talent.

Reviewed annually.

Salary levels take account of:

 — size and nature of the responsibilities 

of each role

 — market pay levels for the role
 — increases for the rest of the Group
 — the executive’s experience
 — changes to the size and complexity 

of the Group

 — implications for total remuneration
 — overall affordability
 — individual and Company performance

The Committee may award an 
out-of-cycle increase if it considers 
it appropriate.

None.

Base salary increases may be 
applied, taking into account the 
factors considered as part of the 
annual review. There is no maximum 
increase or opportunity.

For new appointments salaries may 
be set at a lower level. In such cases, 
there may be scope for higher than 
usual salary increases in the first 
three years as the individual 
progresses in the role.

Pension 
To help provide for an appropriate 
retirement benefit.

The Company operates an approved 
defined contribution pension 
arrangement.

Company pension contribution (or 
cash alternative) is up to 24 per cent 
of base salary.

None.

Other benefits 
To provide an appropriately 
competitive level of benefits.

A cash alternative may be offered in 
certain circumstances, for example 
where HMRC statutory limits have 
been reached.

Benefits include a car allowance, private 
medical insurance, life assurance and 
long-term sickness insurance. Other 
benefits may be provided if the 
Committee considers it appropriate.

In the event that an executive director 
is required by the Group to relocate, 
benefits may include, but are not 
limited to, relocation allowance and 
housing allowance.

The Chief Executive receives an 
additional 6 per cent of salary in 
recognition of the additional value of 
the benefit foregone on the closure 
of the defined benefit scheme. This 
amount was actuarially determined 
to be cost-neutral to the Company.

Car allowance of up to £18,000 
per annum.

None.

The cost of insurance benefits may 
vary from year to year depending 
on the individual’s circumstances.

There is no overall maximum benefit 
value but the Committee aims to 
ensure that the total value of 
benefits remains proportionate.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

91

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Element and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential value

Performance metrics

Executive Directors (continued)
Short-term incentive 
To align annual reward with 
annual performance and to 
support retention and alignment 
with shareholders’ interests 
through significant deferral of 
bonus into shares.

Long-term incentives  
To reward good long-term 
decisions which help grow the 
value of intu over a three to 
five-year horizon and support the 
retention of critical executives.

Maximum annual opportunity 
of 120 per cent of salary.

Normal maximum grant size of 
250 per cent of salary per annum.

In exceptional circumstances 
opportunity of up to 375 per cent 
of salary. The intention is that this 
flexibility would only be 
contemplated in recruitment 
circumstances.

intu operates a short-term incentive 
arrangement with a maximum 
individual opportunity.

A proportion of any earned bonus 
is normally deferred in intu shares, 
vesting over two years and three 
years, subject to continued 
employment.

The Committee awards dividend 
equivalents in respect of dividends 
over the deferral period which may 
assume reinvestment on a 
cumulative basis.

The Committee has discretion 
to apply malus to unvested 
deferred bonus awards in certain 
circumstances and annual bonus 
payments may be subject 
to clawback.

intu operates a PSP, which was 
approved by shareholders at the 
2013 AGM.

Grants are made to eligible 
employees at the discretion of 
the Committee.

Awards can be made as performance 
shares, nil-cost options or jointly 
owned equity, and vest one-third, 
one-third, one-third after three, 
four and five years respectively.

The Committee awards dividend 
equivalents in respect of dividends 
over the vesting period, which may 
assume reinvestment on a 
cumulative basis.

The Committee has discretion to 
apply malus and clawback to awards 
in certain circumstances.

Executives’ performance is measured 
relative to targets in key financial, 
operational and strategic objectives 
in the year.

The measures selected and their 
weightings vary each year according 
to the strategic priorities, however at 
least two thirds will be based on Group 
financial measures or quantitative 
reported key performance indicators.

Entry award level for financial measures 
is normally between 0 and 25 per cent 
of maximum.

Long-term incentive performance 
conditions are reviewed on an annual 
basis, and are chosen to be aligned with 
the long-term success of the business.

The intention is that measures will be 
one or more of TSR, total return/NAV 
growth, EPS growth, relative total 
property return or return on capital.

For 2017, awards will be based

 — 50 per cent on relative TSR
 — 50 per cent on total financial return 

(NAV growth plus dividends)

If the Committee considers that the 
level of vesting based on the extent 
to which the performance conditions 
have been satisfied is not a fair 
reflection of underlying financial 
performance, the Committee may 
adjust the level of vesting (upwards 
or downwards) accordingly. For the 
current performance measures this 
applies to the TSR portion only.

Entry vesting is 25 per cent 
of maximum.

All employee share plans  
To align interests of employees 
with intu’s performance. 

Executive directors may participate 
in HMRC-approved share incentive 
plans on the same basis as all 
employees.

Participants can contribute up to 
the relevant HMRC limit.

None.

Legacy share awards
Payments can also be made to Executive Directors under the legacy share option plan and equivalent jointly owned equity arrangements, which were the 
predecessor arrangements to the current PSP and were approved by shareholders in 1999. Under this plan, market value share option grants were made, 
with vesting based on EPS growth. It is not intended that this plan will be used to grant any future awards to Executive Directors.

92

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceElement and link to strategy

Operation

Performance metrics

Non-Executive Directors
Fees 
To remunerate 
non- Executive Directors.

Independent Non-Executive Directors 
The chairman’s fees are determined by the Remuneration Committee.

None.

The Non-Executive Directors’ fees are determined by the Board.

The level of fees takes into account the time commitment, responsibilities, 
market levels and the skills and experience required.

Non-Executive Directors normally receive a basic fee and an additional fee 
for specific Board responsibilities, including membership and chairmanship 
of committees.

The chairman is entitled to receive certain benefits in addition to fees.

Additional fees may be paid to Non-Executive Directors on a per diem basis 
to reflect increased time commitment in certain limited circumstances.

Expenses incurred in the performance of non-executive duties for the Company 
may be reimbursed or paid for directly by the Company, as appropriate, including 
any tax due on the expenses. Non-Executive Directors do not currently receive 
any benefits however these may be provided in the future if in the view of the 
Board this was considered appropriate.
Other Non-Executive Directors 
In addition to the above, in certain circumstances Non-Executive Directors 
(other than those deemed to be independent) may receive a fee in relation 
to consultancy services (including alternate directors).

Such fees may be provided directly to the director or, in certain circumstances, 
paid to a third party company under a consultancy services agreement. Such 
agreements may provide for the payment of an annual fee and reimbursement 
of expenses.

Such an agreement is currently in place with the Peel Group for the provision 
of Non-Executive Director services (including alternative director services).

None.

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

93

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceDirectors’ report

The Directors present their annual report 
and the audited financial statements of 
the Group and Company for the year 
ended 31 December 2018. Pages 1 to 95 
inclusive of this annual report comprise 
the Directors’ report that has been drawn 
up and presented in accordance with 
English company law and the liabilities of 
the Directors in connection with that 
report will be subject to the limitations 
and restrictions provided by such law.

Use of financial instruments
The financial review on pages 48 to 53, 
accounting policies on pages 111 to 
115 and note 28 on pages 139 to 144 
contain information on the use of 
financial instruments.

Dividends
The Directors declared an interim 
ordinary dividend of 4.6 pence (2017:  
4.6 pence) per share on 26 July 2018, 
which was paid on 20 November 2018. 
The Directors are not recommending a 
final dividend for 2018. The total paid for 
2018 is 4.6 pence (2017: 14.0 pence). A UK 
REIT is expected to pay dividends (PIDs) of 
at least 90 per cent of its taxable profits 
from its UK property rental business by 
the first anniversary of each accounting 
date. In view of the announced short-term 
reduction of dividends it is expected that 
there will be an underpayment of the 
minimum PID, and so for the Group to 
incur UK corporation tax payable at 19 
per cent. The Group intends to remain a 
UK REIT for the foreseeable future.

Share capital and control of the 
Company
Details of the Company’s share capital 
including changes during the year in the 
issued share capital and details of the 
rights attaching to the Company’s 
ordinary shares are set out in note 30 
on pages 146.

No shareholder holds securities carrying 
special rights with regard to control of the 
Company. Shares held by the Company’s 
employee share ownership plan rank pari 
passu with the shares in issue and have no 
special rights, but voting rights and rights 
of acceptance of any offer relating to the 
shares rest with the plan’s Trustee and are 
not exercisable by the employees. There 
are no restrictions on voting rights or any 
arrangements by which, with the 
Company’s co-operation, financial rights 
are held by a person other than the 
shareholder, or any agreements between 

94

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

shareholders known to the Company 
which may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of shares or on voting rights.

Under a £600 million revolving facility 
agreement dated 25 February 2009 
(as amended and restated on 19 February 
2010, 18 November 2011 and 30 October 
2014) between, among others, the 
Company and HSBC Bank PLC (as 
‘Agent’) on a change of control, if directed 
by a lender, the Agent may by notice to 
the Company cancel the commitment of 
that lender and declare the participation 
of that lender in all outstanding loans, 
together with accrued interest and all 
other amounts accrued and owing to that 
lender under the finance documents, 
immediately due and payable.

Under the terms and conditions of the 
£375 million 2.875 per cent Guaranteed 
Convertible Bonds issued on 1 November 
2016 by Intu (Jersey) 2 Limited, which are 
guaranteed by the Company, on a change 
of control of the Company bondholders 
would have a right for a limited period of 
60 days to exercise their exchange rights 
at an enhanced exchange price (i.e. lower 
than the prevailing exchange price). In 
addition, bondholders would become 
entitled for a limited period of 60 days to 
require the relevant issue to redeem their 
bonds at their principal amount, together 
with accrued and unpaid interest.

Under the £351.8 million term facility 
agreement dated 19 March 2013 (as 
amended and restated on 19 June 2015) 
between, among others, Intu (SGS) Finco 
Limited (SGS Finco) and HSBC Bank plc 
(as ‘Facility Agent’), on a change of 
control of the Company, if directed by a 
lender, the Facility Agent may by notice to 
SGS Finco declare all outstanding loans 
of that lender, together with accrued 
interest and all other amounts accrued 
and owing to that lender under the 
finance documents, immediately due 
and payable.

The Company is not party to any other 
significant agreements that would take 
effect, alter or terminate following a 
change of control of the Company.

The Company does not have any specific 
agreements with any executive director 
or employee that would provide 
compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover 
except that provisions of the Company 

share schemes may cause options and 
awards outstanding under such schemes 
to vest on a takeover. The terms of 
appointment of the non-executive 
directors provided that in the event of 
change of control, these directors may be 
compensated for any additional time 
commitment in certain limited 
circumstances, to be calculated on a per 
diem basis.

Internal control
The statement on corporate governance 
on pages 60 to 95 includes the Board’s 
assessment following a review of internal 
controls and consideration of the FRC 
Guidance on risk management, internal 
control and related financial and 
business reporting.

Directors
The Directors of intu who held office 
during the year were as follows:

Chairman
John Strachan
Deputy Chairman
John Whittaker2
Executive
David Fischel
Matthew Roberts

Non-Executive
Adèle Anderson
Ian Burke1
Richard Gordon2 4
Rakhi Goss-Custard3 
Louise Patten4
Andrew Strang4

1 

2 

3 

4 

 Ian Burke was appointed as a director with effect 
from 1 October 2018.
 John Whittaker appointed Steven Underwood as his 
alternate under the terms of the Company’s Articles 
of Association. Richard Gordon had appointed 
Raymond Fine as his alternate. Raymond Fine retired 
on 31 December 2018.
 Rakhi Goss-Custard will not be seeking re-election 
at the forthcoming annual general meeting.
 Andrew Strang resigned as a director with effect 
from 30 September 2018. Louise Patten and 
Richard Gordon resigned from the Board on 
18 February 2019.

Pursuant to the Articles of Association of 
the Company, the Company has 
indemnified the Directors to the full 
extent allowed by law. The Company 
maintains directors’ and officers’ 
insurance which is reviewed annually.

Additional information relating to the 
Directors can be found in note 42 on 
pages 158 and 159 on Directors’ interests, 
in the governance section on pages 60 to 
77, and in the Directors’ remuneration 
report on pages 78 to 93.

The powers of the Directors are 
determined by UK legislation and the 
Articles of Association of the Company, 
together with any specific authorities that 
may be given to the Directors by 

Governanceshareholders from time to time, such as 
the power to allot shares and the power 
to make market purchases of the 
Company’s shares which are described in 
note 30 on page 146.

Directors’ remuneration report on pages 
78 to 93. Note 40 on pages 156 to 158 
contains information on conditional awards 
of shares under the annual bonus scheme 
and bonus shares currently outstanding.

Articles of Association
The rules governing the appointment and 
replacement of Directors are contained in 
the Company’s Articles of Association. 
Changes to the Articles of Association 
must be approved by shareholders in 
accordance with the legislation in force 
from time to time.

Substantial shareholdings
The table at the foot of the page shows 
the holdings of major shareholders in 
accordance with the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules of the FCA at 
31 December 2018 and 18 February 2019.

Employees
intu actively encourages employee 
involvement and consultation and places 
emphasis on keeping its employees 
informed of the Group’s activities and 
financial performance by such means as 
employee briefings and publication to all 
staff of relevant information and 
corporate announcements. Details of the 
intu all-employee survey are provided in 
the our people section on pages 54 to 56.

The annual bonus plan arrangements 
help develop employees’ interest in the 
Company’s performance; full details of 
these arrangements are given in the 

intu operates a non-discriminatory 
employment policy and full and fair 
consideration is given to applications for 
employment from people with disabilities 
or other protected characteristics under 
the Equality Act where they have the 
appropriate skills and abilities, and to the 
continued employment of staff who 
become disabled.

intu encourages the continuous 
development and training of its 
employees and the provision of equal 
opportunities for the training and career 
development of disabled employees and 
those with protected characteristics.

Further information relating to employees 
is given on pages 54 to 56 and in note 7 on 
page 118. The Group provides retirement 
benefits for the majority of its employees. 
Details of the Group pension arrangements 
are set out in note 41 on page 158.

The environment
We have a CR strategy and details of our 
policies and the Group’s aims and the latest 
version of our annual CR report are to be 
found on the Company’s website. An 
overview of the Group’s CR activity, which 
includes disclosures relating to greenhouse 
gas emissions, is on pages 57 to 59.

Shareholder

The Peel Group1
Coronation Asset Management 
(Pty) Limited
JPMorgan Chase & Co2

Public Investment Corporation
BlackRock, Inc.
STC International Limited and 
Novatrust Limited3
Auriga V Lux Sarl
Tameside MBC re Greater 
Manchester Pension Fund

At 31 December 2018

At 18 February 2019

Number of 
shares notified

% interest in 
share capital

Number of 
shares notified

% interest 
in share capital

370,220,322

27.32

370,220,322

27.32

264,281,004
83,851,895

78,782,807
71,386,632

67,330,159
n/a

19.50
6.19

5.81
5.26

4.97
n/a

264,281,004
80,591,881

78,782,807
71,386,632

67,330,159
47,077,177

n/a

n/a

42,157,711

19.50
5.95

5.81
5.26

4.97
3.47

3.11

1 

2 

3 

 This shows the latest beneficial shareholding of John Whittaker, Deputy Chairman of intu properties plc, 
(including the Peel Group and Persons Closely Associated with Mr Whittaker) as disclosed in a regulatory 
announcement made 27 December 2018. 
 0.11 per cent of the voting rights are attached to shares, the remaining voting rights are through financial 
instruments.
 As a result of a reorganisation of the trusts holding the original 8.2 per cent interest in the Company on behalf of  
Sir Donald Gordon and his family, the only entities now required to disclose a holding over 3 per cent are STC 
International Limited and Novatrust Limited, in respect of whom the Company has received recent TR1 
notifications. The remainder of their interest is held by individual family members or their nominee companies, 
none of whom is currently required to make a disclosure under the DTRs.

The Company recognises the 
importance of minimising the adverse 
impact on the environment of its 
operations and the obligation to carefully 
manage energy, water consumption and 
waste recycling.

The Company strives continuously to 
improve its environmental performance. 
The environmental management system 
and associated environmental policy and 
guide are regularly reviewed to ensure 
that the Company maintains its 
commitment to environmental matters.

Additional disclosures
For the purpose of LR 9.8.4CR, the only 
information required to be disclosed by  
LR 9.8.4R relates to sub-section (1) 
thereof (interest capitalised) where the 
amount is £10.5 million (2017: £4.9 
million) (see note 9). All other sub-
sections of LR 9.8.4R are not applicable.

Directors’ disclosure of information 
to the auditors 
So far as the Directors are aware, there 
is no relevant audit information of which 
the auditors are unaware and each 
Director has taken all reasonable steps 
to make himself or herself aware of 
any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the auditors are aware 
of that information.

Auditors
As previously announced it is proposed 
that Deloitte LLP will succeed 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as intu’s 
auditor for the financial year commencing 
1 January 2019.

A resolution to appoint Deloitte LLP will 
be proposed at the forthcoming annual 
general meeting.

Annual general meeting
The notice convening the 2019 annual 
general meeting of the Company will 
be published separately and will be 
available on the Company’s website and 
distributed to those shareholders who 
have elected to receive hard copies of 
shareholder information.

By order of the Board  
Susan Marsden 
Company Secretary 
20 February 2019

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

95

Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernanceStatement of Directors’ responsibilities

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

Directors’ confirmations
The Directors consider that the annual 
report and financial statements, taken  
as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders  
to assess the Company’s and the Group’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy. Each of the Directors, 
whose names and functions are listed  
in the governance section on pages  
62 and 63 confirm that, to the best  
of their knowledge: 

(a)   the Company financial statements,  

which have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted  
by the European Union, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and loss of  
the Company

(b)   the Group financial statements,  
which have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted  
by the European Union, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and loss of  
the Group 

(c)   the strategic report includes a  

fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the 
position of the Group, together with  
a description of the principal risks  
and uncertainties that it faces 

Signed on behalf of the Board on  
20 February 2019

David Fischel 
Chief Executive 

Matthew Roberts 
Chief Financial Officer

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the annual report and  
the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors  
to prepare financial statements for  
each financial year. Under that law the 
Directors have prepared the Group and 
Company financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union. Under company 
law the Directors must not approve the 
financial statements unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and 
the Company and of the profit or loss of 
the Group and Company for that period. 
In preparing these financial statements, 
the Directors are required to: 

(a)   select suitable accounting policies  
and then apply them consistently 

(b)   state whether applicable IFRSs as 

adopted by the European Union have 
been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained  
in the financial statements 

(c)   make judgements and accounting 
estimates that are reasonable  
and prudent 

(d)   prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business 

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

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

96

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

GovernanceFinancial statements

Independent auditors’ report 

Consolidated income statement 

98 

105 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

106 

Balance sheets 

Statements of changes in equity 

Statements of cash flows 

Notes to the financial statements 

107 

108 

110 

111

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

97

Independent auditors’ report to the members of intu properties plc 

Report on the audit of the financial statements 
Opinion 
In our opinion, intu properties plc’s Group financial statements and Company financial statements (the ‘financial statements’): 

— give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of the Group’s loss 

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

— have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union and, as regards the Company’s financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006; and 

— have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise: the Group and Company balance 
sheets as at 31 December 2018; the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income,  
the Group and Company statements of cash flows, and the Group and Company statements of changes in equity for the year  
then ended; and the notes to the financial statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies. 

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

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

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

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

Other than those disclosed in note 8 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group or the 
Company in the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. 

Our audit approach 

Context 
During the year to 31 December 2018, there have been no significant changes to business operations, however, we note that 
shopping centre valuations have been impacted by weakened sentiment toward the retail market given changing consumer 
behaviours and the increased number of retailers entering into administration or Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), 
resulting in an outward shift in yields and lower assumed rental cash flows. A 13.3 per cent revaluation deficit has been recognised  
in respect of the investment and development property portfolio, including property held by joint ventures. The most significant 
transactional activity was in the completion of the disposal of a 50 per cent interest in intu Chapelfield. Our audit approach is largely 
consistent with the prior year. 

Overview 

Materiality

Audit scope

Key audit
matters

— Overall Group materiality: £94.4m (2017: £107.9m), based on 1% of Total Assets. 
— Overall Company materiality: £34.6m (2017: £38.8m), based on 1% of Total Assets. 

— The Group and Company financial statements are produced by the Group’s central finance department using a single, 

consolidated general ledger, and the whole business was subject to the same audit scope. 

— Valuation of investment and development property. 

98
98               intu properties plc Annual report 2018 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

Financial statements 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

F
n
a
n
c
i
a

l
s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

The scope of our audit 
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. In particular, we looked at where the Directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. 

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud 
Based on our understanding of the Group and the Company and its industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations related to the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) status, and we considered the extent to which non-
compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements of the Group and Company. We also considered those laws 
and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements of the Group and the Company such as the Companies Act 
2006, the Listing Rules and UK tax legislation. We evaluated management incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation 
of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks were related to posting 
inappropriate manual journal entries to revenue and intentional bias or manipulation of accounting estimates, particularly valuation 
of investment and development properties. Audit procedures performed by the Group engagement team included: 

— discussions with management and internal audit, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance 

with laws and regulation and fraud and review of the reports made by internal audit; 

— consideration over matters reported on the Group’s whistleblowing helpline and the results of management’s investigation of 

such matters; 

— discussions with the Group’s internal legal counsel in relation to identified or potential non-compliance with laws and regulations 

and fraud; 

— reviewing relevant meeting minutes including those of the Audit Committee; 
— review of tax compliance with the involvement of our tax specialists in the audit; 
— designing audit procedures to incorporate unpredictability around the nature, timing or extent of our testing of rental income 

and debtors; 

— procedures relating to the valuation of investment properties described in the related key audit matter below; and 
— identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations. 

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

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

Key audit matter 
Valuation of Investment and Development Property 
Refer to page 72 (Audit Committee report), pages 113 – 114 
(Accounting policies), page 111 (significant use of estimates and 
assumptions) and note 14 to the financial statements. 

Retail is going through a period of structural change, which 
combined with the current macroeconomic uncertainty has 
resulted in a number of retailer administrations and CVAs and a 
particularly low level of shopping centre transactions in the 
current year. Although it is not unusual for there to be limited 
transactional activity at the prime level, this adds to the 
uncertainty which always exists around valuations.  

The existence of significant estimation uncertainty, coupled with 
the fact that only a small percentage difference in individual 
property valuations, when aggregated, could result in a material 
change, warrants specific audit focus in this area. 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 
  Assessing the Valuer’s expertise and objectivity 

We assessed the Valuers’ qualifications and expertise and read their terms of 
engagement with the Group to determine whether there were any matters 
that might have affected their objectivity or may have imposed scope 
limitations upon their work. We also considered other engagements which 
might exist between the Group and the Valuers. We found no evidence to 
suggest that the objectivity of any Valuer in their performance of the 
valuations was compromised. 

Data provided to the Valuers – Investment Property 
We carried out procedures, on a sample basis, to test whether property specific 
current information supplied to the Valuers by management reflected the 
underlying property records held by the Group and which have been tested 
during our audit. 

Assumptions and estimates used by the Valuers – Investment properties 
We read the valuation reports for all properties and attended meetings with 
each of the Valuers. Our testing also involved the use of our internal real estate 
valuation experts who are qualified chartered surveyors. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of intu properties plc continued 

Key audit matter 

The Group’s Investment and Development Properties are shopping 
centres and development projects and comprise the majority of the 
assets in the Group balance sheet, their carrying value amounting to 
£8.0 billion. 

The valuation of the Group’s property portfolio is inherently 
subjective due to, among other factors, the individual nature of each 
property, its location and the expected future rental revenues for 
that particular property. Moreover, in 2018 there were relatively few 
relevant UK shopping centre transactions against which to compare 
yield assessments. 

The valuations were carried out by four ‘third party’ Valuers: CBRE, 
Knight Frank, Cushman & Wakefield and Jones Lang LaSalle (the 
“Valuers”). The Valuers were engaged by the Directors, and 
performed their work in accordance with the Royal Institution of 
Chartered Surveyors (“RICS”) Valuation – Global Standards 2017.  

The Valuers used by the Group are well-known firms, with 
considerable experience of the market in which the Group operates. 
Investment Property – In determining a property’s valuation the 
Valuers take into account property specific current information such 
as the current tenancy agreements and rental income attached  
to the asset. They then apply other assumptions such as yield  
and current market rent, which are influenced by prevailing market 
yields and comparable market transactions, to arrive at the final 
valuation. Due to the unique nature of each shopping centre, the 
assumptions to be applied are determined having regard to the 
individual property characteristics at a granular, unit by unit level, as 
well as considering the qualities of the shopping centre as a whole. 
Development Property – Development properties are valued using 
the residual appraisal method (i.e. by estimating the fair value of the 
completed project using the income capitalisation method less 
estimated costs to completion including a market-based profit 
margin providing a return on development risk). 

 How our audit addressed the key audit matter 
 We confirmed that the valuation approach for each property was in 
accordance with RICS and suitable for use in determining the carrying value  
in the Group balance sheet. We challenged each of the Valuers on the impact 
on their valuations of the lack of directly comparable shopping centre 
transactions, each of whom stated that there remains sufficient information 
available from deals transacted or marketed, alongside wider market analysis 
and commentary, to form a view on market value. 

Our work focused on the larger properties in the portfolio and those properties 
where the assumptions used and/or year on year capital value movement 
suggested a possible outlier versus the rest of the portfolio or the wider 
shopping centre market, after taking account of property specific factors.  

We questioned the Valuers as to how they had factored in the impact of tenant 
administrations and CVAs in to their valuations, obtaining understanding of 
how and why the methodology differed across specific tenants and centres.   

We assessed the investment yields assumed by the Valuers by comparing to an 
estimated range of expected yields, determined via reference to published 
benchmarks, and analysing the variances in yields between centres across the 
portfolio. 

We also considered the reasonableness of other assumptions such as 
Estimated Rental Value, void rates and rent-free periods, based on our 
accumulated knowledge of property specific activity and performance and with 
reference to work performed over rental income, including focus on recent 
letting transactions. Finally, we evaluated year-on-year movements in capital 
value with reference to published benchmarks market data for the shopping 
centre sector.  

Where assumptions were outside the expected range or were otherwise 
deemed unusual, and/or there were unexpected movements, we undertook 
further investigations and, when necessary, held further discussions with  
the Valuers. 

It was evident from our interaction with management and the Valuers and  
our review of the valuation reports that close attention had been paid to each 
property’s individual characteristics at a granular, unit by unit level, as well as 
considering the overall quality, geographic location and desirability of the asset 
as a whole, with wider market analysis, commentary and sentiment also 
considered.  

Development Property 
In 2018, the principal development property was intu Costa del Sol, which  
has been valued on a development appraisal basis using an assumption of 
obtaining final planning permissions for the project. In relation to this property 
the Group used external expert reports to assist them in arriving at estimated 
rental cash flows (used for income capitalisation) and construction cost 
assumptions for the development appraisal. We carried out procedures to 
assess whether this property specific information supplied to the Valuers by  
the Group was reasonable and in line with the external expert reports. We also 
considered the reasonableness of market assumptions such as investment 
yields and market-based profit margin, involving our internal real estate 
valuation experts. 

Overall findings 
Our procedures indicated that the estimates and assumptions used were 
appropriate in the context of the Group’s investment and development 
property portfolio and reflected recent market transactions and the market 
circumstances as at year end. 

We determined that there were no key audit matters applicable to the Company to communicate in our report. 

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

Although the Group has some interests in shopping centre operations outside the UK and the Group is structured as two operating 
segments, it operates a single reporting process with a centralised accounting function, therefore the whole business was subject to 
the same audit scope. The Group and Company financial statements are produced using numbers which are maintained on a single, 
consolidated trial balance, by the Group’s finance department. The majority of the underlying accounting records are maintained on 
the Group’s single general ledger. 

For Manchester Arndale, Cribbs Causeway, Centaurus Retail Park and St David’s, Cardiff their rental income and property expense 
numbers are submitted quarterly by external property managers to the Group’s finance department, who then review and enter the 
numbers onto the Group’s general ledger. We perform tests of controls over the review of the quarterly submissions and entry onto 
the Group’s general ledger, and tests of details over the numbers within those submissions. 

Quarterly submissions are also submitted to the Group’s finance department for intu Asturias, intu Puerto Venecia and intu Xanadú, 
by the intu Spain finance team. We carry out controls testing over these submissions in the same manner as for the UK submissions 
as above. We instructed the PwC Spain audit team to perform specified substantive procedures on the submission packs prepared 
by intu Spain, and held regular discussions with PwC Spain throughout the planning and execution phases of the audit. We assessed 
the findings of the work performed by them in order to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained 
as a basis for our opinion on the Group financial statements as a whole. 

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

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

Materiality level 

£94.4m (2017: £107.9m). 

£9.5m (2017: £9.8m). 

£34.6m (2017: £38.8m). 

Overall materiality 

Specific materiality 

Overall materiality 

Group financial statements 

Company financial statements 

How we determined it 

1% of Total Assets. 

Rationale for benchmark applied 

In arriving at this judgement we 
have had regard to the carrying 
value of the Group’s assets, 
acknowledging that the primary 
measurement attribute of the 
Group is the carrying value of 
investment property. This represents 
a consistent year-on-year basis for 
determining materiality. 

5% of Underlying Earnings Before 
Tax and Associates. 

We have applied this lower 
materiality to line items that make 
up underlying earnings before tax 
and associates, plus other finance 
costs, on the basis that they merit 
more detailed audit work than the 
overall materiality level would 
require, given heightened focus 
from users of the accounts. We 
have used underlying earnings 
before tax and associates as a more 
consistent benchmark, which is not 
impacted by valuation movements. 

1% of Total Assets. 

In arriving at this judgement we 
have had regard to the carrying 
value of the Company’s assets, 
acknowledging that the primary 
measurement attribute of the 
Company is the carrying value of  
its investment in subsidiaries. This 
represents a consistent year-on-year 
basis for determining materiality. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £9.4m (Group 
audit) (2017: £10.8m) and £3.5m (Company audit) (2017: £3.8m) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, 
warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of intu properties plc continued 

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

Reporting obligation 

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

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

Outcome 

We have nothing material to add or to draw 
attention to. However, because not all 
future events or conditions can be 
predicted, this statement is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s and Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. For example, 
the terms on which the United Kingdom 
will withdraw from the European Union, 
which is currently due to occur on 29 March 
2019, are not clear, and it is difficult to 
evaluate all of the potential implications on 
the Group’s and Company’s trade, 
customers, suppliers and the wider 
economy. 

We have nothing to report. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Corporate Governance Statement 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (on pages 60 to 96) about internal controls and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes  
and about share capital structures in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules 
sourcebook of the FCA (DTR) is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements. (CA06) 

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

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (on pages 60 to 96) with respect to the Company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its 
administrative, management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the  
DTR. (CA06) 

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

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or 
liquidity of the Group 
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding: 

— The Directors’ confirmation on page 38 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal  
risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

— The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. 
— The Directors’ explanation on page 70 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over  
what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they  
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

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

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

— The statement given by the Directors, on page 96, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced  

and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Company obtained in 
the course of performing our audit. 

— The section of the Annual Report on pages 71 to 75 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 

matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 

— The Directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a 

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

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

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of intu properties plc continued 

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit 
Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities set out on page 96, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. The Directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation  
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

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

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

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report. 

Use of this report 
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save 
where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. 

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

— we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or 

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

from branches not visited by us; or 

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

— the Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement  

with the accounting records and returns. 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

Appointment 
On its formation, we were appointed as auditors of Liberty International plc (the Company’s predecessor) for the year ended  
31 December 1999 and subsequent financial periods. Our predecessor firm were auditors of the pre-existing Group, prior to group 
restructurings and renamings, for the period ended 31 December 1980 and subsequent financial periods. Considering this, the 
period of total uninterrupted engagement with the Group is at least 38 years, covering the period ended 31 December 1980 to  
the year ended 31 December 2018. 

Mark Pugh 
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 

For and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London 
20 February 2019 

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Consolidated income statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Revenue 

Net rental income 

Net other income 

Revaluation of investment and development property 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

Gain on sale of investment and development property 

Administration expenses – ongoing 

Administration expenses – exceptional 

Operating (loss)/profit 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Other finance costs 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Net finance costs 

(Loss)/profit before tax, joint ventures and associates 

Share of post-tax (loss)/profit of joint ventures 

Share of post-tax profit of associates 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Current tax 

Deferred tax 

Taxation 

(Loss)/profit for the year 

Attributable to: 

Owners of intu properties plc 

Non-controlling interests 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

Notes 

3 

3 

14 

4 

5 

6 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

16 

18 

10 

10 

10 

2018 
£m 

581.1 

398.5 

5.3 

(1,332.8) 

(8.5) 

1.4 

(42.9) 

(13.1) 

(992.1) 

(210.8) 

14.8 

(38.8) 

87.3 

(147.5) 

(1,139.6) 

(42.1) 

2.3 

(1,179.4) 

(0.1) 

5.8 

5.7 

(1,173.7) 

(1,132.2) 

(41.5) 

(1,173.7) 

12 

12 

(84.3)p 

(84.3)p 

2017 
£m 

616.0 

423.4 

3.0 

30.8 

(1.8) 

– 

(40.9) 

(5.9) 

408.6 

(213.9) 

12.6 

(38.9) 

22.0 

(218.2) 

190.4 

35.5 

1.3 

227.2 

0.1 

(24.0) 

(23.9) 

203.3 

216.7 

(13.4) 

203.3 

16.1p 

15.0p 

Details of underlying earnings are presented in the underlying profit statement on page 169. Underlying earnings per share is shown 
in note 12(b). 

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Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

(Loss)/profit for the year  

Other comprehensive income 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: 

Exchange differences 

Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: 

Revaluation of other investments 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

Total items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement 

Other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 

Attributable to: 

Owners of intu properties plc 

Non-controlling interests 

Notes 

2018 
£m 

(1,173.7) 

2017 
£m 

203.3 

19 

26 

10 

4.1 

4.1 

(6.4) 

43.4 

– 

37.0 

41.1 

16.9 

16.9 

(0.2) 

– 

0.1 

(0.1) 

16.8 

(1,132.6) 

220.1 

(1,091.1) 

(41.5) 

(1,132.6) 

233.5 

(13.4) 

220.1 

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Balance sheets 
at 31 December 2018 

Non-current assets 
Investment and development property  

Plant and equipment  

Investment in Group companies 

Investment in joint ventures 

Investment in associates 
Other investments 
Goodwill 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 

Current assets 
Assets classified as held for sale 

Derivative financial instruments 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale 

Trade and other payables 

Current tax liabilities 

Borrowings 

Derivative financial instruments 

Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 

Derivative financial instruments 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Share capital 

Share premium 

ESOP shares 

Other reserves 

Retained earnings 

Attributable to owners of intu properties plc 
Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Notes 

Group 
2018 
£m 

Group 
2017 
£m 

Company 
2018 
£m 

Company 
2017 
£m 

14 

15 

16 

18 
19 

22 
20 

35 

22 

20 

21 

35 

23 

24 

22 

24 

22 

29 

30 

30 

31 

32 

8,021.8 

9,179.4 

11.8 

– 

823.9 

65.6 
10.5 
4.0 
4.3 
105.5 

12.2 

– 

735.5 

64.8 
16.8 
4.0 
0.3 
102.5 

– 

9.3 

– 

10.4 

2,719.1 

2,892.3 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

9,047.4 

10,115.5 

2,728.4 

2,902.7 

– 

0.4 

155.2 

239.5 

395.1 

309.1 

– 

141.9 

228.0 

679.0 

– 

– 

727.4 

0.4 

727.8 

– 

– 

980.2 

0.8 

981.0 

9,442.5 

10,794.5 

3,456.2 

3,883.7 

– 

(278.4) 

– 

(51.1) 

(39.0) 
(368.5) 

(6.2) 

(288.5) 

(0.1) 

(186.7) 

(8.0) 
(489.5) 

(4,984.2) 

(4,811.1) 

(246.2) 

(18.0) 

(1.2) 

(5,249.6) 

(5,618.1) 

(339.8) 

(23.7) 

(1.2) 

(5,175.8) 

(5,665.3) 

– 

– 

(387.9) 

(573.7) 

– 

– 

– 
(387.9) 

(393.9) 

(4.6) 

– 

– 

(398.5) 

(786.4) 

– 

– 

(4.9) 
(578.6) 

(233.8) 

(28.3) 

– 

– 

(262.1) 

(840.7) 

3,824.4 

5,129.2 

2,669.8 

3,043.0 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(37.0) 

402.2 

1,441.6 

3,811.7 
12.7 

3,824.4 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

361.1 

2,748.1 

5,075.0 
54.2 

5,129.2 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(37.0) 

61.4 

640.5 

2,669.8 
– 

2,669.8 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

61.4 

1,015.8 

3,043.0 
– 

3,043.0 

A loss of £187.0 million is recorded in the financial statements of the Company in respect of the year (2017: profit of £36.3 million). 
No income statement or statement of comprehensive income is presented for the Company as permitted by Section 408 of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

These consolidated financial statements have been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 20 February 2019. 

David Fischel 
Chief Executive 

Matthew Roberts 
Chief Financial Officer 

The notes on pages 111 to 159 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

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Statements of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Group 

At 1 January 2018 

Adjustment on adoption of new accounting 
standard (note 1) 

Adjusted 1 January 2018 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income: 

Revaluation of other investments (note 19) 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 
(note 26) 

Exchange differences 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Dividends (note 11) 

Share-based payments (note 40) 

Acquisition of ESOP shares 

Disposal of ESOP shares 

Attributable to owners of intu properties plc 

Share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium 
£m 

ESOP 
shares 
£m 

Other 
reserves 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
£m 

Total 
£m 

Total 
equity 
£m 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

361.1 

2,748.1 

5,075.0 

54.2 

5,129.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

14.0 

14.0 

– 

14.0 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

361.1 

2,762.1 

5,089.0 

54.2 

5,143.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.9) 

3.0 

2.1 

– 

(1,132.2) 

(1,132.2) 

(41.5) 

(1,173.7) 

(6.4) 

43.4 

4.1 

– 

– 

– 

(6.4) 

43.4 

4.1 

– 

– 

– 

(6.4) 

43.4 

4.1 

41.1 

(1,132.2) 

(1,091.1) 

(41.5) 

(1,132.6) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(188.1) 

(188.1) 

2.8 

– 

(3.0) 

2.8 

(0.9) 

– 

(188.3) 

(186.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(188.1) 

2.8 

(0.9) 

– 

(186.2) 

At 31 December 2018 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(37.0) 

402.2 

1,441.6 

3,811.7 

12.7 

3,824.4 

Group 

At 1 January 2017 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Other comprehensive income: 

Revaluation of other investments (note 19) 

Exchange differences 

Tax relating to components  
of other comprehensive income (note 10) 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Dividends (note 11) 

Share-based payments (note 40) 

Other share related transaction (note 40) 

Acquisition of ESOP shares 

Disposal of ESOP shares 

Attributable to owners of intu properties plc 

Share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium 
£m 

ESOP 
shares 
£m 

Other 
reserves 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
£m 

Total 
£m 

Total 
equity 
£m 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(40.8) 

344.3 

2,670.4 

4,978.8 

67.6 

5,046.4 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1.3) 

3.0 

1.7 

– 

216.7 

216.7 

(13.4) 

203.3 

(0.2) 

16.9 

0.1 

16.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.2) 

16.9 

0.1 

– 

– 

– 

(0.2) 

16.9 

0.1 

216.7 

233.5 

(13.4) 

220.1 

(187.9) 

(187.9) 

2.3 

49.4 

– 

(2.8) 

2.3 

49.4 

(1.3) 

0.2 

(139.0) 

(137.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(187.9) 

2.3 

49.4 

(1.3) 

0.2 

(137.3) 

At 31 December 2017 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

361.1 

2,748.1 

5,075.0 

54.2 

5,129.2 

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Company 

At 1 January 2018 

Loss for the year  

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Dividends (note 11) 

Share-based payments (note 40) 

Acquisition of ESOP shares 

Disposal of ESOP shares 

Attributable to owners of intu properties plc 

Share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium 
£m 

ESOP 
shares 
£m 

Other 
reserves 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Total 
equity 
£m 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

61.4 

1,015.8 

3,043.0 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.9) 

3.0 

2.1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(187.0) 

(187.0) 

(188.1) 

2.8 

– 

(3.0) 

(187.0) 

(187.0) 

(188.1) 

2.8 

(0.9) 

– 

(188.3) 

(186.2) 

At 31 December 2018 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(37.0) 

61.4 

640.5 

2,669.8 

Company 

At 1 January 2017 

Profit for the year  

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Dividends (note 11) 

Share-based payments (note 40) 

Acquisition of ESOP shares 

Disposal of ESOP shares 

Attributable to owners of intu properties plc 

Share 
capital 
£m 

Share 
premium 
£m 

ESOP 
shares 
£m 

Other 
reserves 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Total 
equity 
£m 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(40.8) 

61.4 

1,167.9 

3,193.4 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1.3) 

3.0 

1.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

36.3 

36.3 

36.3 

36.3 

(187.9) 

(187.9) 

2.3 

– 

(2.8) 

2.3 

(1.3) 

0.2 

(188.4) 

(186.7) 

At 31 December 2017 

677.5 

1,327.4 

(39.1) 

61.4 

1,015.8 

3,043.0 

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Statements of cash flows  
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest paid 

Interest received 

Taxation 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchase and development of property, plant and equipment 

Sale of investment and development property 

Acquisition of businesses net of cash acquired 

Cash transferred to assets classified as held for sale 

Additions to other investments 

Additions to investment in subsidiaries 

Disposal of subsidiaries net of cash sold 

Investment of capital in joint ventures 

Repayment of capital in joint ventures 

Loan advances to joint ventures 

Loan repayments by joint ventures 

Distributions from joint ventures 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Acquisition of ESOP shares 

Sale of ESOP shares 

Cash transferred from restricted accounts 

Borrowings drawn 

Borrowings repaid 

Equity dividends paid 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Notes 

37 

33 

35 

19 

15 

34 

16 

16 

16 

16 

16 

21 

21 

Group 
2018 
£m 

319.7 

(236.1) 

19.3 

(0.3) 

102.6 

(193.5) 

24.4 

– 

– 

(0.1) 

– 

143.2 

(7.7) 

7.1 

(2.0) 

25.3 

2.9 

(0.4) 

(0.9) 

– 

1.8 

302.0 

(204.3) 

(187.6) 

(89.0) 

0.1 

13.3 

225.1 

238.4 

Group 
2017 
£m 

365.6 

(232.4) 

7.6 

0.1 

140.9 

(189.5) 

3.7 

(446.7) 

(0.5) 

(1.5) 

– 

104.1 

(0.7) 

– 

(3.0) 

14.8 

1.2 

Company 
2018 
£m 

Company 
2017 
£m 

43.8 

(20.5) 

8.7 

– 

32.0 

2.2 

(22.8) 

– 

– 

(20.6) 

(2.9) 

(6.9) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4.4) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(518.1) 

(2.9) 

(11.3) 

(1.3) 

0.2 

0.1 

1,199.2 

(660.0) 

(188.0) 

350.2 

0.4 

(26.6) 

251.7 

225.1 

(0.9) 

– 

– 

159.0 

– 

(187.6) 

(29.5) 

– 

(0.4) 

0.8 

0.4 

(1.3) 

0.2 

– 

220.9 

– 

(188.0) 

31.8 

– 

(0.1) 

0.9 

0.8 

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Notes to the financial statements 

1 Accounting convention and basis of preparation 
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union (IFRS), interpretations issued by 
the International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations 
Committee and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention as modified by investment 
and development property, derivative financial instruments and 
certain other assets and liabilities that have been measured at 
fair value. A summary of the significant accounting policies 
applied is set out in note 2. 

These accounting policies are consistent with those applied  
in the last annual financial statements, as amended when 
relevant to reflect the adoption of new standards, amendments 
and interpretations which became effective in the year. Except 
as described below, these changes have not had an impact on the 
financial statements. 

This is the Group’s first set of annual financial statements where 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers have been applied. The impacts on 
the financial statements on adoption of these standards are set 
out below. Significant accounting policies in respect of these 
standards are provided in note 2. 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – the standard applies to 
classification and measurement of financial assets and financial 
liabilities, impairment provisioning and hedge accounting. The 
most significant presentation changes to the Group on adoption 
are as follows: 

— financial instruments designated as at fair value through 

profit or loss (e.g. convertible bonds) – changes in fair value 
related to own credit risk will now be recognised in other 
comprehensive income, as opposed to the income statement 
under the previous standard 

— modifications to financial liabilities (e.g. borrowings) – a one 

off gain or loss will now be recognised in the income 
statement at the date of modification, as opposed to 
recognising the gain or loss over the modified term of the 
financial liability 

— other investments – an irrevocable election has been made  

to recognise movements in other investments through other 
comprehensive income, consistent with the accounting 
treatment under the previous standard 

A number of standards and amendments to standards have 
been issued but are not yet effective for the current year.  
The most significant of these is set out below: 

IFRS 16 Leases (effective 1 January 2019) – this standard 
requires lessees to recognise a right-of-use asset representing  
its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability 
representing its obligation to make lease payments. 
Depreciation on the right-of-use asset and finance costs on  
the lease liability will be recognised in the income statement. 
This standard does not affect the current accounting for  
rental income earned. The Group has completed its impact 
assessment of the standard, where the most significant 
operating leases identified are the Group’s London and Madrid 
office leases. On adoption, the Group expects to apply the 
modified retrospective approach and will elect to not re-assess 
existing leases under the new standard. The Group expects  
to recognise a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease  
liability on its balance sheet of less than £5 million on adoption, 
alongside amendments to related disclosures. 

Significant estimates and judgements 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the 
Group’s accounting policies requires management to make 
judgements and use estimates that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements 
and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the 
reporting period. Although these judgements and estimates are 
based on management’s best knowledge of the amount, event 
or action, the actual result ultimately may differ from those 
judgements and estimates. 

– significant use of estimates and assumptions 
Valuation of investment and development property – see 
investment and development property accounting policy  
in note 2 as well as note 14 for details on estimates and 
assumptions used in the valuation process and sensitivities. 

Valuation of derivative financial instruments – see  
derivative financial instruments accounting policy in note 2  
as well as note 28 for details on sensitivities of estimates and 
assumptions used. 

– significant areas of judgement 
Accounting for acquisitions – management uses significant 
judgement to determine whether an acquisition of property 
should be accounted for as an asset acquisition or a business 
combination. See business combinations accounting policy in 
note 2 as well as further detail on judgements made in note 33. 

On adoption, the Group has made an opening adjustment to 
retained earnings of £14.0 million, with the 2017 comparative 
period not restated. The adoption of the standard has not had 
any other material impact on the financial statements. 

Assessing control over joint arrangements – management uses 
significant judgement to assess control of joint arrangements 
(e.g. part disposals of subsidiaries). See basis of consolidation in 
note 2 as well as further detail on judgements made in note 34. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers – the standard 
is applicable to service charge income and facilities management 
income but excludes lease rental income arising from contracts 
with the Group’s tenants. The adoption of this standard has not 
had a material impact on the financial statements. 

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale – 
management uses significant judgement to determine whether 
an asset in the process of being disposed of (including part 
disposals) should be classified as an asset held for sale. See 
assets held for sale accounting policy in note 2 as well as further 
detail on judgements made in note 35. 

intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

1 Accounting convention and basis of preparation 
(continued) 
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 1 to 59. The financial 
position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and 
borrowing facilities are described in the financial review on 
pages 48 to 53. In addition, note 28 includes the Group’s risk 
management objectives, details of its financial instruments and 
hedging activities, its exposure to liquidity risk and details of its 
capital structure. 

The Group prepares regular forecasts and projections which 
include sensitivity analysis taking into account a number of 
downside risks to the forecast including reasonably possible 
changes in trading performance and asset values and assesses 
the potential impact of these on the Group’s liquidity position 
and available resources. 

In preparing the most recent projections, factors taken  
into account include £274.3 million of cash (including the 
Group’s share of cash in joint ventures of £34.8 million) and  
£274.2 million of undrawn facilities at 31 December 2018.  
The Group’s weighted average debt maturity of 5.8 years and the 
relatively long-term and stable nature of the cash flows receivable 
under tenant leases were also factored into the forecasts. 

After reviewing the most recent projections and the sensitivity 
analysis, the Directors consider it appropriate to continue to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
Group’s financial statements. 

2 Accounting policies – Group and Company 
Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial information includes the Company 
and its subsidiaries and their interests in joint arrangements and 
associates. 

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains  
on transactions between Group companies are eliminated  
on consolidation. 

– subsidiaries 
A subsidiary is an entity which the Company controls. Control 
exists when the Company is exposed, 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 investee. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which 
control is transferred to the Group and are de-consolidated  
from the date that control ceases. 

The Company’s investment in Group companies is carried at 
cost less accumulated impairment losses. 

– joint arrangements 
A joint arrangement is an arrangement over which two or more 
parties have joint control. Joint control is the contractually 
agreed sharing of control of an arrangement where decisions 
about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of 
the parties sharing joint control. 

A joint operation is a joint arrangement where the parties that 
have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, 
and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. 

112
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The Group’s interest in a joint operation is accounted for by 
consolidating the Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income 
and expenses on a line-by-line basis. 

A joint venture is a joint arrangement where the parties that 
have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net 
assets of the arrangement. 

The Group’s interest in a joint venture is accounted for using  
the equity method as described below. 

– associates 
An associate is an entity over which the Company, either directly 
or indirectly, is in a position to exercise significant influence. 
Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial 
and operating policies of the entity but is not control or joint 
control of those policies.  

The Group’s interest in an associate is accounted for using the 
equity method as described below. 

– the equity method 
Under the equity method of accounting, interests in joint 
ventures and associates are initially recognised at cost and 
adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group’s share of the  
post-acquisition profits or losses and movements in other 
comprehensive income.  

Loan balances relating to long-term funding from Group 
companies to joint ventures and associates are presented  
on the face of the balance sheet as part of the investment. 

– non-controlling interest 
A non-controlling interest is the equity in a subsidiary not 
attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. Non-
controlling interests are presented within equity, separately 
from the amounts attributable to owners of the Company. 
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive 
income is attributed to owners of the Company and to non-
controlling interests in the appropriate proportions. 

Foreign currencies 
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s 
entities are measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which it operates. The consolidated 
financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is 
the Group’s presentational currency. 

The assets and liabilities of foreign entities are translated into 
pounds sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting 
date and their income statement and cash flows are translated 
at the average rate for the period. Exchange differences arising 
are recorded in other comprehensive income. 

At entity level, transactions in currencies other than an entity’s 
functional currency are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing 
at the transaction dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses 
resulting from settlement of these transactions and from 
retranslation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement 
except if they relate to hedging of net investments in a foreign 
operation or for loans to foreign subsidiary entities considered  
to be part of the net investment in those entities, in which case 
these amounts are recorded in other comprehensive income. 

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2 Accounting policies – Group and Company (continued) 
Revenue 
Revenue comprises rental income receivable, service charge 
income and facilities management income. 

– Pensions 
The costs of defined contribution schemes and contributions  
to personal plans are charged to the income statement in the 
year in which they are incurred. 

Rental income receivable is recognised on a straight-line basis 
over the term of the lease. Directly attributable lease incentives 
(e.g. rent-free periods or cash contributions for tenant fit out) 
are recognised within rental income on the same basis as the 
underlying rental income received. 

Contingent rents, being those lease payments that are not fixed 
at the inception of a lease, the most significant being rents 
linked to tenant revenues or increases arising on rent reviews, 
are recorded as income in the periods in which they are earned. 
In respect of rents linked to tenant revenues, where information 
is not available, management uses estimates based on 
knowledge of the tenant and past data. Rent reviews are 
recognised as income from the date of the rent review, based  
on management’s estimates. Estimates are derived from 
knowledge of market rents for comparable properties 
determined on an individual property basis and updated for 
progress of negotiations. 

Service charge income and management fee income are 
recognised on an accruals basis in line with the performance 
obligations being satisfied. 

Exceptional items 
Exceptional items are those items that in the Directors’ view are 
required to be separately disclosed by virtue of their size, nature 
or incidence. Underlying earnings is considered to be a key 
measure in understanding the Group’s financial performance 
and excludes exceptional items. Underlying earnings are 
explained further in the financial review on page 48 and 
reconciled to the (loss)/profit attributable to owners of intu 
properties plc in note 12(b). 

Employee benefits 
– Share-based payments 
The cost of granting share awards is recognised through the 
income statement with reference to the fair value of the equity 
instrument, assessed at the date of grant. This cost is charged  
to the income statement over the vesting period of the awards. 
All awards are accounted for as equity settled with the credit 
entry being taken directly to equity. For awards with non-market 
related criteria, the charge is reversed if it is expected that the 
performance criteria will not be met. 

For share awards an option pricing model is used applying 
assumptions around expected yields, forfeiture rates, exercise 
price and volatility. Where the share awards have non-market 
related performance criteria the Group has used the Black-
Scholes option valuation model to establish the relevant  
fair values. Where the share awards have market-related 
performance criteria the Group has used the Monte Carlo 
simulation valuation model to establish the relevant fair values. 

Taxation 
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income 
for the year and any adjustment in respect of prior years. It is 
calculated using rates applicable at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is provided for temporary differences between  
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance 
sheet and the amounts used for tax purposes. Deferred tax  
is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected  
to apply when the asset is realised, or the liability settled. 

Temporary differences are not provided on: goodwill not 
deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets or 
liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit, and 
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent 
that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that 
management believe it is probable that future taxable profit  
will be available against which the temporary differences can  
be utilised. 

Tax is included in the income statement except when it relates 
to items recognised directly in other comprehensive income or 
equity, in which case the related tax is also recognised directly in 
other comprehensive income or equity. 

Investment and development property 
Investment and development property is owned or leased  
by the Group and held for long-term rental income and  
capital appreciation. 

The Group has elected to use the fair value model. Properties 
are initially recognised at cost and subsequently revalued at the 
balance sheet date to fair value as determined by professionally 
qualified external valuers on the basis of market value with the 
exception of certain development land where an assessment  
of fair value may be made internally. External valuations are 
received for significant development land once required 
planning permissions are obtained. Valuations conform with  
the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Valuation – 
Global Standards 2017. 

The main estimates and assumptions underlying the valuations 
are described in note 14. 

Properties held under leases are stated gross of the recognised 
finance lease liability. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

Goodwill 
Goodwill arising on business combinations is carried at cost less 
accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is assessed for 
impairment on an annual basis. 

Impairment of assets 
The Group’s assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to 
determine whether events or changes in circumstances exist 
that indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. 
If such an indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is 
estimated. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s 
fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment 
loss is recognised in the income statement for the amount by 
which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 
amount. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are 
grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately 
identifiable cash flows. 

At each balance sheet date the Group reviews whether there is 
any indication that an impairment loss recognised in previous 
periods may have decreased. If such an indication exists the 
asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. An impairment loss 
recognised in prior periods is reversed if, and only if, there has 
been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s 
recoverable amount. In this case the asset’s carrying amount is 
increased to its recoverable amount but not exceeding the 
carrying amount that would have been determined had no 
impairment loss been recognised. The reversal of an impairment 
loss is recognised in the income statement. No impairment 
reversals are permitted to be recognised on goodwill. 

For financial assets within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments, the Group applies the expected credit loss model. 
See note 28 credit risk section for further details. 

Other investments 
Investments in equity instruments intended to be held for an 
indefinite period are initially and subsequently measured at fair 
value. For listed investments, fair value is the current bid market 
value at the reporting date. For unlisted investments where 
there is no active market, fair value is assessed using an 
appropriate methodology. 

The Group has elected to include gains or losses arising from 
changes in fair value of equity instruments in other 
comprehensive income. 

Trade receivables 
Trade receivables are recognised initially at their transaction 
price and subsequently measured at amortised cost less loss 
allowance. 

When applying a loss allowance, the Directors exercise 
judgement as to the collectability of trade receivables and 
determine if it is appropriate to impair these assets. Factors such 
as days past due, credit status of the counterparty and historical 
evidence of collection are considered. 

2 Accounting policies – Group and Company (continued) 
Investment and development property (continued) 
The cost of investment and development property includes 
capitalised interest and other directly attributable outgoings 
incurred during development. Interest is capitalised on the basis 
of the average interest rate on the relevant debt outstanding. 
Interest ceases to be capitalised on the date of practical 
completion. 

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of 
investment and development property are recognised 
in the income statement. 

Depreciation is not provided in respect of investment and 
development property. 

Gains or losses arising on the sale of investment and 
development property are recognised when the significant risks 
and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer. 
The gain or loss recognised is the proceeds received less the 
carrying value of the property and costs directly associated 
with the sale. 

Leases 
Leases are classified as a finance or operating lease according to 
the substance of the transaction. A lease that transfers 
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee 
is classified as a finance lease. All other leases are normally 
classified as operating leases. 

– Group as lessee 
Leases of investment property are accounted for as finance 
leases and recognised as an asset and an obligation to pay 
future minimum lease payments. The investment property asset 
is included in the balance sheet at fair value, gross of the 
recognised finance lease liability. Contingent rents are 
recognised as they accrue. 

Other finance lease assets are capitalised at the lower of the fair 
value of the leased asset or the present value of the minimum 
lease payments and depreciated over the shorter of the lease 
term and the useful life of the asset. 

Lease payments are allocated between the liability and finance 
charges so as to achieve a constant financing rate. 

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

– Group as lessor 
Investment properties are leased to tenants under operating 
leases, with rental income being recognised on a straight-line 
basis over the lease term. For more detail see the revenue 
accounting policy. 

Plant and equipment 
Plant and equipment consists of vehicles, fixtures, fittings and 
other equipment. Plant and equipment is stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment 
losses. 

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-
line basis over an asset’s estimated useful life up to a maximum 
of five years. 

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2 Accounting policies – Group and Company (continued) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits with 
banks, whether restricted or unrestricted, and other short-term 
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. 

Trade payables 
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost. 

Borrowings 
Borrowings are recognised initially at their net proceeds on issue 
and subsequently carried at amortised cost with any transaction 
costs, premiums or discounts recognised over the contractual 
life in the income statement using the effective interest method. 
This excludes certain financial instruments such as convertible 
bonds as detailed in note 26. 

In the event of early repayment, all unamortised transaction 
costs are recognised immediately in the income statement. 

Convertible bonds 
Convertible bonds are assessed on issue, as to whether they 
should be classified as a financial liability, as equity or as a 
compound financial instrument with both debt and equity 
components. This assessment is based on the terms of the  
bond and in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments 
Presentation. Each bond is assessed separately and the  
detailed accounting treatment is given in note 26. 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage 
exposure to interest rate risk. They are initially recognised on  
the trade date at fair value and subsequently re-measured at  
fair value. In assessing fair value the Group uses its judgement  
to select suitable valuation techniques and make assumptions 
which are mainly based on market conditions existing at the 
balance sheet date. The fair value of interest rate swaps is 
calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows based  
on the terms and maturity of each contract and using market 
interest rates for similar instruments at the measurement date. 
These values are tested for reasonableness based upon broker 
or counterparty quotes. 

Amounts paid under interest rate swaps, both on obligations  
as they fall due and on early settlement, are recognised in the 
income statement as finance costs. Fair value movements on 
revaluation of derivative financial instruments are shown in the 
income statement through changes in fair value of financial 
instruments. 

The Group does not currently apply hedge accounting to its 
interest rate swaps. 

Share capital 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs 
directly attributable to the issue of new ordinary shares are 
shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 

Dividends 
Dividends are recognised when they become legally payable.  
In the case of interim dividends to owners, this is the date of 
payment. In the case of final dividends, this is when declared by 
shareholders at the annual general meeting. 

ESOP shares 
Investments held in the Company’s own shares in connection 
with employee share plans and other share-based payment 
arrangements are deducted from equity at cost. Where such 
shares are subsequently sold, any consideration received is 
recognised directly in equity. 

Current/non-current classification 
Current assets include assets held primarily for trading 
purposes, cash and cash equivalents, and assets expected to  
be realised in, or intended for sale or consumption within one 
year of the reporting date. All other assets are classified as  
non-current assets. 

Current liabilities include liabilities held primarily for trading 
purposes, associated with assets held for sale and expected to 
be settled within one year of the reporting date. All other 
liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities. 

Business combinations 
Business combinations are accounted for in accordance with 
IFRS 3 Business Combinations using the acquisition method of 
accounting. The consideration for the acquisition of a subsidiary 
is the total of the fair values of the assets transferred, the 
liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. 
The consideration includes the fair value of any asset or liability 
resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Costs 
associated with the acquisition are expensed as incurred. 
Identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in a business 
combination are measured initially at their fair values at the 
acquisition date. 

Goodwill arising on an acquisition is the excess of the 
consideration over the fair value of the identifiable assets and 
liabilities acquired. Where the fair value of the identifiable assets 
and liabilities acquired exceeds the consideration this difference 
is recognised in the income statement at the date of the 
acquisition. 

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale 
Non-current assets and corresponding disposal groups are 
classified as held for sale when their carrying amount is to be 
recovered principally through a sale which is considered highly 
probable. They are stated at the lower of carrying amount and 
fair value less costs to sell. Assets and liabilities are separately 
grouped and presented on single lines in the balance sheet. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

3 Segmental reporting  
Operating segments are determined based on the strategic and operational management of the Group. The Group is primarily  
a shopping centre-focused business and has two reportable operating segments being the UK and Spain. Although certain areas  
of business performance are reviewed and monitored on a centre-by-centre basis, the operating segments are consistent with the 
strategic and operational management of the Group by the Executive Committee (the chief operating decision makers of the 
Group). 

As mentioned in the financial review, management review and monitor the business primarily on a proportionately consolidated 
basis. As such, the segmental analysis has been prepared on a proportionately consolidated basis. 

The key driver of underlying earnings which is used to measure performance is net rental income. An analysis of net rental income is 
provided below: 

Rent receivable 

Service charge income 

Facilities management income from joint ventures 

Revenue 

Rent payable 

Service charge costs 

Facilities management costs recharged to joint ventures 

Other non-recoverable costs 

Net rental income  

(Loss)/profit for the year 

Rent receivable 

Service charge income 

Facilities management income from joint ventures 

Revenue 

Rent payable 

Service charge costs 

Facilities management costs recharged to joint ventures 

Other non-recoverable costs 

Net rental income  

Profit for the year 

Group including share of joint ventures 

UK 
£m 

494.6 

113.2 

4.5 

612.3 

(14.6) 

(131.0) 

(4.5) 

(40.0) 

422.2 

(1,175.1) 

UK 
£m 

513.5 

109.7 

2.8 

626.0 

(20.5) 

(128.1) 

(2.8) 

(43.4) 

431.2 

140.4 

Spain 
£m 

33.4 

7.3 

– 

40.7 

– 

(8.0) 

– 

(4.4) 

28.3 

1.9 

Total 
£m 

528.0 

120.5 

4.5 

653.0 

(14.6) 

(139.0) 

(4.5) 

(44.4) 

450.5 

(1,173.2) 

Group including share of joint ventures 

Spain 
£m 

32.7 

8.1 

– 

40.8 

– 

(8.8) 

– 

(3.2) 

28.8 

63.5 

Total 
£m 

546.2 

117.8 

2.8 

666.8 

(20.5) 

(136.9) 

(2.8) 

(46.6) 

460.0 

203.9 

2018 

Less share of  
joint ventures  
£m  

Group total 
£m 

(60.7) 

(13.5) 

2.3  

(71.9) 

1.1  

15.0  

(2.3) 

6.1  

(52.0) 

(0.5)1 

Less share of  
joint ventures  
£m  

(42.8) 

(8.7) 
0.7   

(50.8) 
1.0   
9.6   

(0.7) 
4.3   

(36.6) 

(0.6)1 

467.3 

107.0 

6.8 

581.1 

(13.5) 

(124.0) 

(6.8) 

(38.3) 

398.5 

(1,173.7) 

2017 

Group total 
£m 

503.4 

109.1 

3.5 

616.0 

(19.5) 

(127.3) 

(3.5) 

(42.3) 

423.4 

203.3 

1  Relates to profit attributable to non-controlling interests within the Group’s investment in joint ventures. 

There were no significant transactions within net rental income between operating segments. 

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3 Segmental reporting (continued) 
An analysis of investment and development property, capital expenditure and revaluation (deficit)/surplus is presented below: 

UK 

Spain 

Group including share of joint ventures 

Less share of joint ventures 

Group 

  Investment and development property 

Capital expenditure 

Revaluation (deficit)/surplus 

2018 
£m 

8,270.5 

859.6 

9,130.1 

(1,108.3) 

8,021.8 

2017 
£m 

9,373.8 

818.7 

10,192.5 

(1,013.1) 

9,179.4 

2018 
£m 

171.8 

29.2 

201.0 

(5.8) 

195.2 

2017 
£m 

184.1 

62.6 

246.7 

(7.3) 

239.4 

2018 
£m 

(1,406.6) 

1.6 

(1,405.0) 

72.2 

(1,332.8) 

2017 
£m 

(51.2) 

98.5 

47.3 

(16.5) 

30.8 

The Group’s geographical analysis of non-current assets is presented below on a statutory basis. This represents where the  
Group’s assets reside and, where relevant, where revenues are generated. In the case of investments this reflects where the  
investee is located. 

UK 

Spain 

India 

2018 
£m 

2017 
£m 

8,381.8 

9,484.1 

599.6 

66.0 

565.5 

65.9 

9,047.4 

10,115.5 

4 Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 
The loss on disposal of subsidiaries of £8.5 million includes a loss in respect of the part disposal of intu Chapelfield to a joint venture 
of £9.0 million (see note 34) offset by an adjustment in respect of the part disposal of intu Xanadú in 2017 of £0.5 million. The 2017 
loss of £1.8 million includes a loss in respect of the final net asset value adjustment of intu Bromley of £0.8 million as well as a loss  
in respect of the disposal of intu Xanadú to a joint venture of £1.0 million (see note 34). 

5 Administration expenses – exceptional 
Exceptional administration expenses (see note 2 for definition of exceptional items) in the year totalled £13.1 million  
(2017: £5.9 million) and relate principally to costs associated with the aborted offers for the Group made by Hammerson plc  
and the Consortium (comprised of the Peel Group, the Olayan Group and Brookfield Property Group). The 2017 costs related  
to the acquisition of intu Xanadú as well as costs associated with the aborted offer for the Group made by Hammerson plc. These 
costs have been classified as exceptional based on their incidence. 

6 Operating (loss)/profit 

Operating (loss)/profit is arrived at after charging: 

Staff costs (note 7) 

Depreciation 

Remuneration paid to the Company’s auditors (note 8) 

2018 
£m 

95.2 

4.3 

1.1 

2017 
£m 

91.0 

2.9 

0.8 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

7 Employees’ information 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Pension costs (note 41) 

Share-based payments (note 40) 

Group 
2018 
£m 

79.2 

8.2 

5.0 

2.8 

95.2 

Group 
2017 
£m 

76.5 

7.8 

4.4 

2.3 

91.0 

At 31 December 2018 the number of persons employed by the Group was 2,654 (2017: 2,589). The Company had no employees 
during the year (2017: none). The monthly average number of persons employed by the Group during the year is provided below: 

Head office 

Shopping centres 

8 Auditors’ remuneration 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates for: 

The audit of the Company’s annual financial statements 

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 

Fees related to the audit of the Company and its subsidiaries 

Audit-related assurance services1 

Total fees for audit and audit-related services 

Other assurance services2 

Total non-audit related services 

Total fees 

2018 
Number 

422 

2,148 

2,570 

2018 
£000 

382 

441 

823 

51 

874 

230 

230 

1,104 

2017 
Number 

432 

2,171 

2,603 

2017 
£000 

351 

438 

789 

49 

838 

– 

– 

838 

1  Relates to review of the interim report of the Group, and interim reviews of certain subsidiary undertakings. 

2  2018 other assurance services include £40,000 related to reporting accountants’ work associated with a year-end significant change report and £190,000 related to reporting 

accountants’ work in connection with the Group’s Q3 profit estimate which was required at the time due to Takeover Code rules. 

The work surrounding a significant change report and a profit estimate requires the accountant to have detailed knowledge of the Group. If a firm other than the audit firm were 
to undertake this work, they would require a significant amount of additional time becoming familiar with the Group. PwC were therefore chosen to undertake this work as it 
was considered to be sensible and more efficient both in terms of time and costs. 

  As for all non-audit work, consideration was given as to whether PwC’s independence could be affected by undertaking this work. It was concluded by the Audit Committee that 

this would not be the case. 

Fees payable to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and its associates for services to the Company are not required to be disclosed 
separately as they are included on a consolidated basis. Fees payable by the Group’s joint ventures in respect of 2018 were 
£121,000 (Group’s share), all of which relates to audit and audit-related services (2017: £114,000, all of which related to audit and 
audit-related services). The Group also used accounting firms other than PwC for a number of assignments. 

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9 Net finance costs 

On bank loans, overdrafts and allocated interest rate swaps 

On convertible bonds (note 26) 

On obligations under finance leases 

Finance costs1 

Finance income 

Amortisation of Metrocentre compound financial instrument 
Payments on unallocated interest rate swaps and other costs2 
Foreign currency movements2 

Other finance costs 
Gain on derivative financial instruments3 

(Gain)/loss on convertible bonds designated as at fair value through profit or loss (note 26) 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Net finance costs 

2018 
£m 

192.6 

13.8 

4.4 

210.8 

(14.8) 

5.9 

31.8 

1.1 

38.8 

(67.5) 

(19.8) 

(87.3) 

147.5 

2017 
£m 

192.0 

17.5 

4.4 

213.9 

(12.6) 

5.9 

34.6 

(1.6) 

38.9 

(28.3) 

6.3 

(22.0) 

218.2 

1  Finance costs of £10.5 million were capitalised in the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: £4.9 million). 

2  Amounts totalling £32.9 million in the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: £33.0 million) are treated as exceptional items, as defined in note 2, due to their nature and are 

therefore excluded from underlying earnings (see note 12(b)). These finance costs include payments on unallocated interest rate swaps, payments on termination of interest 
rate swaps, amounts associated with modifications and extinguishments of borrowings, foreign currency movements and other fees. 

3 

Included within the gain on derivative financial instruments are gains totalling £44.9 million (2017: £47.1 million) resulting from the payment of obligations under derivative 
financial instruments during the year. Of these £28.1 million related to unallocated interest rate swaps (2017: £26.1 million). 

10 Taxation 
Taxation for the year: 

Current tax: 

Overseas taxation 

Overseas taxation – adjustment in respect of prior years 

UK taxation – adjustment in respect of prior years 

Current tax 

Deferred tax: 

On investment and development property 

On other temporary differences 

Deferred tax 

Total tax (credit)/charge 

2018 
£m 

0.1 

– 

– 

0.1 

(5.5) 

(0.3) 

(5.8) 

(5.7) 

2017 
£m 

0.2 

(0.1) 

(0.2) 

(0.1) 

24.8 

(0.8) 

24.0 

23.9 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income of nil (2017: credit of £0.1 million) relates entirely to deferred tax in 
respect of other investments. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

10 Taxation (continued) 
The tax (credit)/charge for 2018 and 2017 is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained 
below: 

(Loss)/profit before tax, joint ventures and associates 

(Loss)/profit before tax multiplied by the standard rate of tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.25%) 

Exempt property rental profits and revaluations 

Additions and disposals of property and investments 

Prior year corporation tax items 

Non-deductible and other items 

Overseas taxation 

Unprovided deferred tax 

Total tax (credit)/charge 

Details of deferred tax balances are given in note 29. 

2018 
£m 

(1,139.6) 

(216.6) 

214.9 

(1.7) 

0.3 

– 

3.4 

(0.4) 

(7.3) 

(5.7) 

2017 
£m 

190.4 

36.7 

(32.8) 

3.9 

6.2 

(0.3) 

2.8 

4.3 

7.0 

23.9 

Factors that may affect future current and total tax charges 
The Group continued to operate as a UK REIT throughout the year, under which any profits and gains from the UK property 
investment business are exempt from corporation tax, provided certain conditions continue to be met. The Group fulfilled these UK 
REIT conditions throughout the year. In view of the announced short-term reduction of dividends it is expected that there will be an 
underpayment of the minimum PID, and so for the Group to incur UK corporation tax payable at 19 per cent. 

Certain of the Group’s Spanish joint ventures have elected into the SOCIMI regime, and these continued to operate as and fulfil the 
relevant conditions of the SOCIMI regime throughout the year. 

11 Dividends 

Ordinary shares: 

Prior year final dividend paid of 9.4 pence per share (2017: 9.4 pence per share) 

Interim dividend paid of 4.6 pence per share (2017: 4.6 pence per share) 

Dividends paid 

2018 
£m 

126.3 

61.8 

188.1 

2017 
£m 

126.2 

61.7 

187.9 

The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for 2018. See financial review on page 53 and note 10 for further information. 

Details of the shares in issue and dividends waived are given in notes 30 and 31 respectively. 

As a REIT, dividends are declared and paid in accordance with REIT legislation. See glossary for further information as well as the 
financial review on page 53 for information on distributable reserves. 

12 Earnings per share 
(a) Number of shares 

Basic1/2 
Diluted3 

1  The weighted average number of shares used has been adjusted to remove shares held in the ESOP. 

2  Basic shares is used to calculate EPRA earnings per share and underlying earnings per share. 

3  Diluted shares includes the impact of dilutive convertible bonds, share options and share awards. 

2018 
million shares 

2017 
million shares 

1,343.7 

1,343.7 

1,343.2 

1,427.6 

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12 Earnings per share (continued) 
(b) Earnings per share 
Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated in accordance with IAS 33 Earnings Per Share.  

Underlying earnings per share as presented is based on EPRA earnings per share, an industry standard APM considered a key 
measure of recurring performance, but adjusted for certain items (listed below) which management believes are necessary in order 
to better present the Group’s recurring performance and therefore provide an indication of the extent to which dividend payments 
are supported by underlying operations (see underlying profit statement in the other information section). Underlying earnings per 
share excludes property and derivative movements, exceptional items and related tax. The key differences to EPRA earnings per 
share relate to the following adjustments: 

— with the exception of termination costs on allocated interest rate swaps and costs related to acquisitions, which are both 
excluded from EPRA earnings and underlying earnings, exceptional finance costs (as detailed in note 9) and exceptional 
administration expenses (as detailed in note 5) are included in EPRA earnings but are excluded from the Group’s measure of 
underlying earnings. In accordance with the Group’s definition for exceptional items (as detailed in the glossary), the Group 
considers these costs to be exceptional based on their nature and incidence, which create volatility in earnings 

— fair value movements on interest rate swaps not currently used for economic hedges of debt (referred to as unallocated swaps) 
are included in EPRA earnings but are excluded from the Group’s measure of underlying earnings. The Group does not hold 
unallocated swaps for speculative purposes. Management currently intends to hold these unallocated swaps until maturity, 
therefore the volatility created by their fair value movements will not crystallise 

A reconciliation of underlying earnings to (loss)/profit for the year attributable to owners of intu properties plc as well as EPRA 
earnings is provided below. The EPRA section within the other information section provides additional details on EPRA and related 
measures provided. 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share 

Dilutive convertible bonds, share options and share awards 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share 

Adjusted for: 

 (Loss)/ 
earnings 
£m 

2018 

Pence per 
share 

(1,132.2) 

(84.3)p 

– 

(1,132.2) 

(84.3)p 

20171 

Pence per 
share 

16.1p 

15.0p 

Earnings  
£m 

216.7 

(1.9) 

214.8 

(1,132.2) 

(84.3)p 

216.7 

16.1p 

Revaluation of investment and development property (note 14) 

1,332.8 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries (note 4) 

Gain on sale of investment and development property 

Administration expenses – exceptional (acquisition and disposal related) 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Tax on the above 
Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items 
Share of associates’ adjusted items 

Non-controlling interests in respect of the above 
EPRA earnings per share3 
Adjusted for: 
Other exceptional items2 
Other change in fair value of financial instruments2 

Other exceptional tax 

Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items 
Share of associates’ adjusted items 

Underlying earnings per share 

8.5 

(1.4) 

8.0 

(36.6) 

(5.8) 

77.1 

(2.2) 

(37.7) 

210.5 

38.0 

(50.7) 

– 

(5.8) 

1.1 

193.1 

99.2p 

0.6p 

(0.1)p 

0.6p 

(2.7)p 

(0.4)p 

5.7p 

(0.2)p 

(2.7)p 

15.7p 

2.8p 

(3.8)p 

– 

(0.4)p 

0.1p 

14.4p 

(30.8) 

1.8 

– 

4.9 

(3.7) 

23.9 

(17.2) 

(1.1) 

(10.0) 

184.5 

34.0 

(18.3) 

0.1 

– 

0.7 

201.0 

(2.3)p 

0.1p 

– 

0.4p 

(0.3)p 

1.8p 

(1.3)p 

(0.1)p 

(0.7)p 

13.7p 

2.5p 

(1.3)p 

– 

– 

0.1p 

15.0p 

1  2017 EPRA earnings per share has been adjusted to remove the fair value movements of unallocated interest rate swaps not related to cash payments on the respective swaps. 

2 

Includes the impact of payments on unallocated interest rate swaps and changes in fair value of unallocated interest rate swaps as detailed in note 9. 

3  Diluted EPRA earnings for the year ended 31 December 2018 is 15.7p (2017: 12.8p). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

12 Earnings per share (continued) 
(c) Headline earnings per share 
Headline earnings per share is an APM and has been calculated and presented as required by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 
listing requirements. 

Basic (loss)/earnings 

Adjusted for: 

Revaluation of investment and development property (note 14) 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries (note 4) 

Gain on sale of investment and development property 

Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items 

Share of associates’ adjusted items 

Headline earnings 
Dilution2 

Diluted headline earnings 

Weighted average number of shares (million) 
Dilution2 

Diluted weighted average number of shares (million) 

Headline earnings per share (pence) 

Diluted headline earnings per share (pence) 

1  Net of tax and non-controlling interests. 

Gross 
£m 

1,332.8 

8.5 

(1.4) 

72.4 

(2.2) 

2018   

Net1 
£m   

(1,132.2) 

1,289.3   
8.5   

(1.4) 
74.6   

(2.2) 
236.6   
–   
236.6   
1,343.7   
1.8   
1,345.5   
17.6p   
17.6p   

Gross 
£m 

(30.8) 

1.8 

– 

(15.9) 

(1.1) 

2017 

Net1 
£m   

216.7   

(16.1) 
1.8   
–   

(17.2) 

(1.1) 

184.1   

(1.9) 

182.2   

1,343.2   
84.4   

1,427.6   

13.7p   

12.8p   

2  The dilution impact is required to be included as calculated in note 12(a/b) even where this is not dilutive for headline earnings per share. 

13 NAV per share 
(a) Number of shares 

Basic1 
Diluted2/3 

1  The number of shares used has been adjusted to remove shares held in the ESOP. 

2  Diluted shares is used to calculate EPRA NAV per share and NAV per share (diluted, adjusted). 

3  Diluted shares includes the impact of dilutive convertible bonds, share options and share awards. 

2018 
shares million 

2017 
 shares million 

1,343.8 

1,345.6 

1,343.4 

1,345.2 

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13 NAV per share (continued) 
(b) NAV per share 
NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) as presented is based on EPRA NAV per share, an industry standard APM considered a key 
measure of the Group’s performance, but adjusted for certain items (listed below) which management believes are necessary in 
order to better present the Group’s performance. The key differences to EPRA NAV per share relate to the following adjustments: 

— fair value movements on interest rate swaps not currently used for economic hedges of debt (referred to as unallocated swaps) 

are included in EPRA NAV but excluded from the Group’s measure of NAV (diluted, adjusted). The Group does not hold 
unallocated swaps for speculative purposes. Management currently intends to hold these unallocated swaps until maturity, 
therefore the volatility created by their fair value movements will not crystallise 

— fair value movements on convertible bonds which are excluded from EPRA NAV but included in the Group’s measure of NAV 
(diluted, adjusted). Management reviews and monitors the Group’s debt to assets ratio based on the book value of debt and 
therefore management believes it is appropriate to include the book value of debt within the Group’s measure of NAV  
(diluted, adjusted) 

A reconciliation of NAV (diluted, adjusted) to NAV attributable to owners of intu properties plc as well as EPRA NAV is provided 
below. The EPRA section within the other information section provides additional details on EPRA and related measures provided. 

NAV per share attributable to owners of intu properties plc 

Dilutive convertible bonds, share options and share awards 

Diluted NAV per share 

Adjusted for: 

Fair value of derivative financial instruments – allocated swaps (net of tax) 

Fair value of convertible bonds 

Deferred tax on investment and development property 

Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items 

Non-controlling interest recoverable balance not recognised 

EPRA NAV per share 

Adjusted for: 

Net assets 
£m 

3,811.7 

– 

2018 

Pence per 
share 

284p 

Net assets 
£m 

5,075.0 

– 

2017

Pence per 
share 

378p 

3,811.7 

283p 

5,075.0 

377p 

96.8 

(60.1) 

18.0 

9.4 

71.3 

7p 

(5)p 

2p 

1p 

5p 

112.1 

– 

23.7 

5.2 

71.3 

8p 

– 

2p 

1p 

5p 

3,947.1 

293p 

5,287.3 

393p 

Swaps not currently used as economic hedges of debt – unallocated swaps  
(net of tax) 

Fair value of convertible bonds 

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) 

183.7 

60.1 

4,190.9 

14p 

5p 

312p 

235.4 

– 

5,522.7 

18p 

– 

411p 

(c) EPRA NNNAV per share 
EPRA NNNAV per share has been included as it is considered to be an industry standard APM which seeks to assist comparison 
between European property companies. 

EPRA NAV per share 

Adjusted for: 

Fair value of derivative financial instruments – allocated swaps (net of tax) 

Fair value of convertible bonds 

Excess of fair value of debt over book value 

Deferred tax on investment and development property 

Share of joint ventures’ adjusted items 

Non-controlling interest recoverable balance not recognised 

EPRA NNNAV per share 

Net assets 
£m 

3,947.1 

(96.8) 

60.1 

(206.7) 

(18.0) 

(52.0) 

7.0 

3,640.7 

2018 

Pence per 
share 

293p 

(7)p 

5p 

(15)p 

(2)p 

(4)p 

1p 

271p 

Net assets 
£m 

5,287.3 

(112.1) 

– 

(430.8) 

(23.7) 

(47.8) 

22.9 

4,695.8 

2017 

Pence per 
share 

393p 

(8)p 

– 

(32)p 

(2)p 

(4)p 

2p 

349p 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

14 Investment and development property 

At 1 January 2017 

Acquisition of intu Xanadú (note 33) 

Additions  

Disposals 

Disposal of intu Xanadú to joint venture (note 34) 

Transfer of intu Chapelfield to assets held for sale (note 35) 

(Deficit)/surplus on revaluation 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Additions  

Disposals 

Disposal of development property to joint venture 

Transfer 

Deficit on revaluation 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 2018 

A reconciliation to market value is given in the table below: 

Balance sheet carrying value of investment and development property 

Tenant incentives included within trade and other receivables (note 20) 

Head leases included within finance leases in borrowings (note 24) 

Market value of investment and development property 

Investment 
property  
£m 

9,003.0 

461.4 

109.6 

(3.1) 

(472.3) 

(302.0) 

(59.0) 

9.4 

8,747.0 

64.3 

(21.7) 

– 

165.5 

(1,268.8) 

– 

7,686.3 

Development 
property 
£m 

209.1 

– 

129.8 

(0.3) 

– 

– 

89.8 

4.0 

432.4 

130.9 

– 

(1.2) 

(165.5) 

(64.0) 

2.9 

335.5 

Total  
£m 

9,212.1 

461.4 

239.4 

(3.4) 

(472.3) 

(302.0) 

30.8 

13.4 

9,179.4 

195.2 

(21.7) 

(1.2) 

– 

(1,332.8) 

2.9 

8,021.8 

2018 
£m 

2017 
£m 

8,021.8 

9,179.4 

116.5 

(80.2) 

109.2 

(80.2) 

8,058.1 

9,208.4 

The market value of investment and development property at 31 December 2018 includes £7,718.7 million (31 December 2017: 
£8,831.9 million) in respect of investment property and £339.4 million (31 December 2017: £376.5 million) in respect of development 
property. 

Investment and development property is measured at fair value in the Group’s balance sheet and categorised as Level 3 in the fair value 
hierarchy (see note 28 for definition) as one or more significant inputs to the valuation are partly based on unobservable market data. 

Transfers into and transfers out of the fair value hierarchy levels are recognised on the date of the event or change in circumstances 
that caused the transfer. There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 for investment and development property during the year. 

The Group has only one class of investment and development property asset. All the Group’s significant investment and 
development property relates to prime shopping centres which are of a similar nature and share characteristics and risks. 

Valuation process 
It is the Group’s policy to engage independent external valuers to determine the market value of its investment and development 
property at both 30 June and 31 December. The Group provides information to the valuers, including current lease and tenant data 
along with asset-specific business plans. The valuers use this and other inputs including market transactions for similar properties to 
produce valuations (see valuation methodology below). These valuations and the assumptions they have made are then discussed 
and reviewed with the Group’s asset management team and Directors. 

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The Group engages independent valuation experts to undertake the Group’s property valuations. A summary of the valuers and the 
value of property assets they have been engaged to value is presented below: 

Cushman & Wakefield 

CBRE 

Knight Frank 

Jones Lang LaSalle 

Assets not valued externally held at cost 

2018 
£m 

4,029.2 

2,160.6 

1,635.1 

210.0 

23.2 

2017 
£m 

4,609.6 

2,420.8 

1,964.0 

197.7 

16.3 

8,058.1 

9,208.4 

In addition to the above, investment properties in the Group’s joint ventures were valued by CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Knight 
Frank and Jones Lang LaSalle. 

Assets not valued externally held at cost relate to certain development land. These amounts have been reviewed internally and it 
has been concluded that the cost is the appropriate carrying value and so no valuation adjustment is needed. As the developments 
advance these will be valued by independent external valuers. 

In respect of the intu Costa del Sol development site near Málaga, Spain, as the General Plan of Torremolinos was approved in 
December 2017, with the remaining consents expected in the coming months, the Group obtained an independent external 
valuation at 31 December 2017 as cost was no longer an appropriate approximation of fair value. At 31 December 2018 the 
remaining consents are yet to be finalised; however, we continue to expect these to be received. Therefore, consistent with the  
31 December 2017 valuation, the 31 December 2018 valuation is based on the assumption that planning approval is in place at  
the valuation date. 

Valuation fees are a fixed amount agreed between the Group and the valuers in advance of the valuation and are not linked to the 
valuation output.  

Valuation methodology 
The fair value of the Group’s investment and development property at 31 December 2018 was determined by independent external 
valuers at that date other than certain development land as detailed above. The valuations are in accordance with the Royal 
Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Valuation – Global Standards 2017 and were arrived at by reference to market 
transactions for similar properties and rent profiles. Fair values for investment properties are calculated using the present value 
income approach. The main assumptions underlying the valuations are in relation to rent profile and yields as discussed below. 

The key driver of the property valuations is the terms of the leases in place at the valuation date. These determine the majority of 
the cash flow profile of the property for a number of years and therefore form the base of the valuation. The valuation assumes 
adjustments from these rental values in place at the valuation date to current market rent at the time of the next rent review 
(where a typical lease allows only for upward adjustment) and as leases expire and are replaced by new leases. The current market 
level of rent is assessed based on evidence provided by the most recent relevant leasing transactions and negotiations. This is based 
on evidence available at the date of valuation and does not assume future increases in market rent. 

The nominal equivalent yield is applied as a discount rate to the rental cash flows which, after taking into account other input 
assumptions such as vacancies and costs, generates the market value of the property. The nominal equivalent yield applied is 
assessed by reference to market transactions for similar properties and takes into account, amongst other things, any risks 
associated with the rent uplift assumptions. 

In respect of development valuations, deductions are made for anticipated costs, including an allowance for developer’s profit and 
any other assumptions before arriving at a valuation. 

Annual property income as disclosed in the following table reflects current annualised gross income. 

The net initial yield is calculated as the current net income over the gross market value of the asset and is used as a sense check and 
to compare against market transactions for similar properties. 

Full definitions of nominal equivalent yield, annual property income and net initial yield are provided in the glossary. 

The valuation output, inputs and assumptions are reviewed to ensure that they are in line with those of market participants. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

14 Investment and development property (continued) 
A significant change in the nominal equivalent yield of investment property in isolation would result in a significant change in the 
value of investment and development property. A decrease in nominal equivalent yield of 50 basis points would result in an increase 
in the total market value of £818.9 million (31 December 2017: £1,055.5 million), while a 50 basis point increase would result in a 
decrease in the total market value of £669.1 million (31 December 2017: £806.5 million). Additionally, development property is 
sensitive to income, cost and developer’s profit assumptions included in the valuations. 

The table below provides details of the assumptions used in the valuation of the core portfolio and key unobservable inputs: 

Market value  
£m 

Net initial  
yield (EPRA) 

Nominal 
equivalent yield 

2018 

Annual property 
income  
£m 

Market value  
£m 

Net initial  
yield (EPRA) 

Nominal 
equivalent yield 

2017 

Annual property 
income  
£m 

intu Trafford Centre 

intu Lakeside 

intu Metrocentre 

intu Merry Hill 

intu Braehead 

Manchester Arndale 

intu Watford 

intu Derby 

intu Eldon Square 

intu Victoria Centre 

intu Milton Keynes 

Cribbs Causeway 

2,098.0 

1,250.0 

841.8 

777.2 

429.9 

409.9 

407.4 

372.5 

280.7 

261.0 

256.5 

216.7 

4.4% 

3.9% 

4.8% 

4.5% 

6.1% 

4.6% 

3.7% 

6.6% 

5.4% 

6.1% 

5.0% 

5.3% 

4.7% 

4.9% 

5.7% 

5.6% 

6.3% 

5.6% 

5.3% 

7.2% 

5.5% 

6.5% 

5.3% 

5.6% 

15 Investment in Group companies 

94.7 

55.8 

46.4 

41.3 

29.0 

22.2 

18.7 

27.9 

16.3 

19.0 

13.6 

12.8 

2,324.0 

1,416.5 

929.0 

931.1 

533.1 

456.4 

336.0 

458.0 

322.7 

355.5 

285.0 

240.0 

2018 

Net  
£m 

3.7% 

3.3% 

4.7% 

3.8% 

5.1% 

4.1% 

4.0% 

6.0% 

4.9% 

4.7% 

4.4% 

4.9% 

4.3% 

4.5% 

5.3% 

5.0% 

6.1% 

5.1% 

5.1% 

6.2% 

5.0% 

5.7% 

4.9% 

5.2% 

Cost  
£m 

Accumulated 
impairment  
£m 

93.7 

53.2 

48.1 

42.4 

28.1 

21.3 

15.8 

28.9 

16.1 

19.5 

13.7 

12.9 

2017 

Net  
£m 

Company 

At 1 January 

Additions 

Impairment (charge)/reversal in the year 

At 31 December 

Cost  
£m 

Accumulated 
impairment  
£m 

3,342.5 

(450.2) 

2,892.3 

3,338.1 

(517.2) 

2,820.9 

– 

– 

3,342.5 

– 

(173.2) 

(623.4) 

– 

(173.2) 

2,719.1 

4.4 

– 

– 

67.0 

4.4 

67.0 

3,342.5 

(450.2) 

2,892.3 

The impairment charge in the year and reversal in prior year are principally the result of property valuation movements seen in the 
relevant subsidiaries. The valuation of investment and development property is a significant estimate as referenced in note 1. 
Impairment is assessed by comparing the carrying value against the underlying assets and liabilities of the respective subsidiaries. 
Details of related undertakings are provided in note 38. 

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16 Investment in joint ventures 
The Group’s principal joint ventures own and manage investment and development property. 

St David’s,  
Cardiff  
£m 

347.0 

intu 
Chapelfield 
£m 

intu Puerto  
Venecia 
£m 

– 

133.9 

intu 
Xanadú  
£m 

119.4 

intu  
Asturias  
£m 

95.6 

At 1 January 2018 

Acquisition of joint venture 
interest (note 34) 

Group’s share of underlying profit 

Group’s share of other net 
(loss)/profit 

Group’s share of (loss)/profit 

Investment of capital 

Repayment of capital 

Distributions 

Loan advances 

Loan repayments 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 2018 

Represented by: 

Loans to joint ventures  

Group’s share of net assets 

– 

13.2 

(49.8) 

(36.6) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(14.0) 

– 

296.4 

69.6 

226.8 

At 1 January 2017 

Acquisition of joint venture interest (note 34) 

Group’s share of underlying profit 

Group’s share of other net profit/(loss) 

Group’s share of profit 

Investment of capital 

Distributions 

Loan advances 

Loan repayments 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Represented by: 

Loans to joint ventures  

Group’s share of net assets 

151.9 

5.3 

(20.3) 

(15.0) 

– 

– 

(2.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2.0 

9.8 

11.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(2.0) 

2.0 

134.7 

145.7 

74.0 

60.7 

98.3 

47.4 

St David’s,  
Cardiff  
£m 

intu Puerto  
Venecia 
£m 

355.2 

119.4 

– 

13.4 

(6.8) 

6.6 

– 

– 

– 

(14.8) 

– 

347.0 

83.6 

263.4 

– 

0.6 

8.9 

9.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

5.0 

133.9 

99.1 

34.8 

– 

5.1 

(0.8) 

4.3 

7.7 

(7.1) 

– 

– 

– 

1.0 

125.3 

58.5 

66.8 

intu  
Xanadú  
£m 

– 

117.1 

1.4 

0.4 

1.8 

0.7 

– 

– 

– 

(0.2) 

119.4 

57.7 

61.7 

– 

3.2 

0.5 

3.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(9.3) 

1.2 

91.2 

26.0 

65.2 

intu  
Asturias  
£m 

76.0 

– 

2.0 

14.7 

16.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2.9 

95.6 

35.0 

60.6 

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2018 

Total  
£m 

735.5 

151.9 

29.2 

(71.3) 

(42.1) 

7.7 

(7.1) 

(2.9) 

2.0 

(25.3) 

4.2 

823.9 

336.0 

487.9 

2017 

Total  
£m 

587.6 

117.1 

18.3 

17.2 

35.5 

0.7 

(1.2) 

3.0 

(14.8) 

7.6 

735.5 

282.9 

452.6 

Other  
£m 

39.6 

– 

0.4 

(10.7) 

(10.3) 

– 

– 

(0.7) 

2.0 

– 

– 

30.6 

9.6 

21.0 

Other  
£m 

37.0 

– 

0.9 

– 

0.9 

– 

(1.2) 

3.0 

– 

(0.1) 

39.6 

7.5 

32.1 

At 31 December 2018, the boards of joint ventures had approved £5.0 million (2017: £13.8 million) of future expenditure for the 
purchase, construction, development and enhancement of investment property. Of this, £2.7 million (2017: £12.7 million) is 
contractually committed. These amounts represent the Group’s share. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

16 Investment in joint ventures (continued) 
Set out below is the summarised information of the Group’s joint ventures with financial information presented at 100 per cent. The 
2018 summary information and the summarised income statement of intu Chapelfield is presented for the period from 1 February 
2018, the date at which it ceased being a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the Group. 

St David’s, 
Cardiff  
£m 

intu 
Chapelfield 
£m 

intu Puerto 
Venecia 
£m 

intu 
Xanadú  
£m 

intu  
Asturias  
£m 

Other  
£m 

50% 

50% 

Wales 

England 

50% 

Spain 

26.6 

20.3 

11.4 

(2.0) 

– 

(14.2) 

9.4 

(0.5) 

– 

24.4 

(0.8) 

23.6 

11.8 

480.7 

1.1 

481.8 

13.4 

2.1 

15.5 

(10.4) 

(5.4) 

(15.8) 

(196.6) 

(186.1) 

– 

41.0 

26.6 

(99.6) 

(0.1) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

22.2 

15.1 

(40.7) 

(0.1) 

– 

(4.4) 

– 

– 

– 

(73.1) 

(30.1) 

– 

(73.1) 

(36.6) 

592.1 

0.2 

592.3 

9.7 

19.4 

29.1 

(0.1) 

(12.4) 

(12.5) 

– 

(30.1) 

(15.0) 

266.6 

0.4 

267.0 

7.0 

2.6 

9.6 

(0.9) 

(6.4) 

(7.3) 

(139.1) 

(148.0) 

– 

– 

– 

(16.2) 

(155.3) 

453.6 

– 

453.6 

226.8 

(148.0) 

(382.7) 

121.3 

– 

121.3 

60.7 

98.8 

(4.1) 

94.7 

47.4 

50% 

Spain 

32.6 

23.0 

4.3 

(2.0) 

(0.1) 

(9.7) 

– 

(1.2) 

(5.7) 

8.6 

– 

8.6 

4.3 

485.5 

82.0 

567.5 

19.8 

1.1 

20.9 

(9.5) 

(7.0) 

(16.5) 

(116.9) 

(236.1) 

(85.3) 

(438.3) 

133.6 

– 

133.6 

66.8 

50% 

Spain 

18.0 

13.5 

1.7 

(1.3) 

– 

(5.7) 

– 

(0.8) 

0.1 

7.5 

(0.2) 

7.3 

3.7 

288.3 

5.1 

293.4 

16.7 

0.9 

17.6 

(4.7) 

(1.7) 

(6.4) 

(52.2) 

(107.5) 

(11.4) 

(171.1) 

133.5 

(3.2) 

130.3 

65.2 

2018 

Total  
£m 

158.3 

109.9 

(172.9) 

(8.1) 

(0.1) 

(39.9) 

9.4 

(1.2) 

(5.6) 

17.9 

11.4 

(50.0) 

(2.6) 

– 

(5.9) 

– 

1.3 

– 

(45.8) 

(108.5) 

– 

(45.8) 

(10.3) 

(1.0) 

(109.5) 

(42.1) 

221.4 

2,334.6 

2.5 

91.3 

223.9 

2,425.9 

5.9 

13.6 

19.5 

(1.8) 

(7.7) 

(9.5) 

(19.4) 

(130.5) 

– 

72.5 

39.7 

112.2 

(27.4) 

(40.6) 

(68.0) 

(672.2) 

(660.2) 

(112.9) 

(149.9) 

(1,445.3) 

84.0 

1,024.8 

– 

84.0 

21.0 

(7.3) 

1,017.5 

487.9 

Summary information 

Group’s interest 

Principal place of business 

Summarised income statement 

Revenue 

Net rental income 

Revaluation of investment and development 
property 

Administration expenses – underlying 

Administration expenses – exceptional 

Finance costs 

Other finance income – exceptional 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Taxation 

(Loss)/profit 

Attributable to non-controlling interests 

(Loss)/profit attributable to owners 

Group’s share of (loss)/profit  

Summarised balance sheet 

Investment and development property 

Other non-current assets 

Total non-current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other current assets  

Total current assets 

Current financial liabilities 

Other current liabilities 

Total current liabilities  

Partners’ loans 

Non-current financial liabilities 

Other non-current liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-controlling interests 

Net assets attributable to owners 

Group’s share of net assets 

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16 Investment in joint ventures (continued) 
The 2017 summary information and the summarised income statement of intu Xanadú is presented for the period from 31 July 
2017, the date at which it ceased being a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the Group. 

Summary information 

Group’s interest 

Principal place of business 

Summarised income statement 

Revenue 

Net rental income 

Revaluation of investment and development property 

Loss on sale of other investments 

Administration expenses – underlying 

Administration expenses – exceptional 

Finance costs 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Taxation 

Profit 

Attributable to non-controlling interests 

Profit attributable to owners 

Group’s share of profit  

Summarised balance sheet 

Investment and development property 

Other non-current assets 

Total non-current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other current assets  

Total current assets 

Current financial liabilities 

Other current liabilities 

Total current liabilities  

Partners’ loans 

Non-current financial liabilities 

Other non-current liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-controlling interests 

Net assets attributable to owners 

Group’s share of net assets 

St David’s, 
Cardiff  
£m 

intu Puerto 
Venecia 
£m 

50% 

Wales 

50% 

Spain 

39.6 

26.7 

(13.6) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

13.1 

– 

13.1 

6.6 

692.0 

14.0 

706.0 

8.9 

7.7 

16.6 

– 

(12.6) 

(12.6) 

(167.2) 

– 

(16.1) 

(183.3) 

526.7 

– 

526.7 

263.4 

25.1 

19.2 

18.1 

(0.4) 

(1.9) 

– 

(15.9) 

0.6 

(0.1) 

19.6 

(0.6) 

19.0 

9.5 

460.4 

0.8 

461.2 

38.2 

2.5 

40.7 

(17.0) 

(13.9) 

(30.9) 

(198.3) 

(199.6) 

– 

(397.9) 

73.1 

(3.4) 

69.7 

34.8 

intu 
Xanadú  
£m 

50% 

Spain 

13.0 

8.6 

2.0 

– 

(1.1) 

(1.0) 

(4.4) 

0.4 

(0.9) 

3.6 

– 

3.6 

1.8 

470.5 

81.2 

551.7 

18.9 

– 

18.9 

(6.1) 

(15.2) 

(21.3) 

(115.4) 

(230.9) 

(79.7) 

(426.0) 

123.3 

– 

123.3 

61.7 

intu  
Asturias  
£m 

50% 

Spain 

17.0 

12.5 

26.6 

(0.3) 

(1.0) 

– 

(7.5) 

0.6 

3.2 

34.1 

(0.7) 

33.4 

16.7 

281.0 

5.3 

286.3 

31.2 

1.5 

32.7 

(6.2) 

(1.9) 

(8.1) 

(70.0) 

(105.2) 

(11.4) 

(186.6) 

124.3 

(3.1) 

121.2 

60.6 

2017 

Total  
£m 

113.5 

79.9 

33.1 

(0.7) 

(6.3) 

(1.0) 

(32.8) 

2.3 

2.2 

76.7 

(1.3) 

75.4 

35.5 

2,169.2 

105.0 

2,274.2 

103.2 

21.1 

124.3 

(29.8) 

(49.4) 

(79.2) 

(565.9) 

(667.3) 

(107.2) 

Other  
£m 

18.8 

12.9 

– 

– 

(2.3) 

– 

(5.0) 

0.7 

– 

6.3 

– 

6.3 

0.9 

265.3 

3.7 

269.0 

6.0 

9.4 

15.4 

(0.5) 

(5.8) 

(6.3) 

(15.0) 

(131.6) 

– 

(146.6) 

(1,340.4) 

131.5 

– 

131.5 

32.1 

978.9 

(6.5) 

972.4 

452.6 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

17 Joint operations 
The Group’s interests in Cribbs Causeway and Manchester Arndale are accounted for as joint operations. The Group holds  
50 per cent beneficial interests in the relevant freehold or leasehold of these properties. Each joint arrangement is governed  
by a Trust Deed giving each party rights to income and obligations for expenses in respect of their beneficial interest in the property. 
The management of the property is established under the Trust Deed as being undertaken by an entity jointly controlled by the 
beneficial owners of the property. This entity does not have the right to a share of the income or expenditure from the property, 
other than the receipt of a management fee. Therefore these interests are accounted for as joint operations. The principal place  
of business of both joint operations is England. 

18 Investment in associates  

At 1 January 

Share of post-tax profit of associates 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 

2018 
£m 

64.8 

2.3 

(1.5) 

65.6 

2017 
£m 

65.2 

1.3 

(1.7) 

64.8 

Investment in associates comprises a 32.4 per cent holding in the ordinary shares of Prozone Intu Properties Limited (Prozone), a 
listed Indian shopping centre developer, and a 26.8 per cent holding in the ordinary shares of Empire Mall Private Limited (Empire). 
Both companies are incorporated in India. 

The equity method of accounting is applied to the Group’s investments in Prozone and Empire in line with the requirements of  
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures. The results for the year to 30 September have been used as 31 December 
information is not available in time for these financial statements. Those results are adjusted to be in line with the Group’s 
accounting policies and include the most recent property valuations, determined at 30 September 2018, by independent 
professionally qualified external valuers in line with the valuation methodology described in note 14. 

The market price per share of Prozone at 31 December 2018 was INR29 (31 December 2017: INR72), valuing the Group’s interest at 
£16.4 million (31 December 2017: £41.1 million) compared to the carrying value of £45.1 million (31 December 2017:  
£45.1 million). As the share price of Prozone is lower than its carrying value, a review of the carrying value has been undertaken. The 
net assets of Prozone principally comprise investment property which is held at fair value within the investment in associates line. As 
with other Group investment property, it is subject to independent valuation to fair value and that valuation reflects the future cash 
flows expected to be generated from those assets. As such the net asset carrying value recorded in the financial statements is 
deemed to be a reasonable approximation of the value in use of the business and so no adjustment to that carrying value is 
considered necessary. 

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18 Investment in associates (continued) 
Set out below is the summarised information of the Group’s investment in associates with financial information presented  
at 100 per cent. 

Summary information 

Group’s interest 

Summarised income statement  

Revenue 

Revaluation of investment and development property  

Other income statement items 

Profit reported by associate 

Attributable to non-controlling interests 

Profit attributable to owners 

Group’s share of profit 

Summarised balance sheet 

Investment and development property 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-controlling interests 

Net assets attributable to owners 

Group’s share of net assets attributable to owners 

Prozone 
2018 
£m 

Empire 
2018 
£m 

Total 
2018 
£m 

Prozone 
2017 
£m 

Empire 
2017 
£m 

Total 
2017 
£m 

32.4% 

26.8% 

32.4% 

26.8% 

14.8 

8.1 

(13.5) 

9.4 

(5.9) 

3.5 

1.1 

271.3 

31.3 

4.0 

(8.7) 

(41.6) 

256.3 

(117.2) 

139.1 

45.1 

10.1 

3.7 

(9.2) 

4.6 

– 

4.6 

1.2 

81.5 

3.2 

4.0 

(1.6) 

(10.7) 

76.4 

– 

76.4 

20.5 

24.9 

11.8 

(22.7) 

14.0 

(5.9) 

8.1 

2.3 

352.8 

34.5 

8.0 

(10.3) 

(52.3) 

332.7 

(117.2) 

215.5 

65.6 

9.1 

5.5 

(10.8) 

3.8 

(1.5) 

2.3 

0.8 

270.3 

24.2 

7.6 

(10.7) 

(35.8) 

255.6 

(116.4) 

139.2 

45.1 

4.8 

(1.0) 

(1.8) 

2.0 

– 

2.0 

0.5 

79.3 

2.9 

4.0 

(1.2) 

(11.5) 

73.5 

– 

73.5 

19.7 

13.9 

4.5 

(12.6) 

5.8 

(1.5) 

4.3 

1.3 

349.6 

27.1 

11.6 

(11.9) 

(47.3) 

329.1 

(116.4) 

212.7 

64.8 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

19 Other investments 

At 1 January 

Additions 

Revaluation 

At 31 December 

These investments in equity instruments are analysed by type as follows: 

Listed securities – equity 

Unlisted securities – equity 

Listed investments are accounted for at fair value using the bid market value at the reporting date. 

2018 
£m 

16.8 

0.1 

(6.4) 

10.5 

2018 
£m 

8.9 

1.6 

10.5 

2017 
£m 

15.5 

1.5 

(0.2) 

16.8 

2017 
£m 

15.3 

1.5 

16.8 

20 Trade and other receivables 

Current 

Trade receivables 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

Amounts owed by joint ventures 

Other receivables 

Net investment in finance leases 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Group 
2018 
£m 

35.8 

– 

8.5 

16.3 

0.4 

94.2 

Group 
2017 
£m 

26.4 

– 

13.6 

17.2 

0.4 

84.3 

Company 
2018 
£m 

Company 
2017 
£m 

1.3 

719.1 

– 

4.5 

– 

2.5 

1.8 

972.9 

– 

3.9 

– 

1.6 

Trade and other receivables – current 

155.2 

141.9 

727.4 

980.2 

Non-current 

Amounts owed by associates 

Other receivables 

Net investment in finance leases 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Trade and other receivables – non-current 

5.0 

0.4 

0.8 

99.3 

105.5 

4.7 

– 

1.2 

96.6 

102.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Included within prepayments and accrued income for the Group of £193.5 million (2017: £180.9 million) are tenant lease incentives 
of £116.5 million (2017: £109.2 million), of which £17.2 million are classified as current (2017: £12.6 million) and £99.3 million as 
non-current (2017: £96.6 million). 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are unsecured and repayable on demand. 

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21 Cash and cash equivalents 

Unrestricted cash 

Restricted cash 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Group 
2018 
£m 

238.4 

1.1 

239.5 

Group 
2017 
£m 

225.1 

2.9 

228.0 

Company 
2018 
£m 

Company 
2017 
£m 

0.4 

– 

0.4 

0.8 

– 

0.8 

A number of the Group’s borrowing arrangements place certain restrictions on the rent received each quarter. These do not prevent 
access to or use of this funding within the borrowing entities, however they do place certain restrictions on moving those funds 
around the wider group, typically requiring debt servicing costs to be paid before restrictions are lifted. 

22 Derivative financial instruments 
All derivative financial instruments held by the Group relate to interest rate swaps which are classified as fair value through profit or 
loss (see note 28). 

The derivative financial instruments held by the Company relate to the convertible bondholder options (see note 26) and are 
classified as fair value through profit or loss. 

23 Trade and other payables 

Current 

Rents received in advance 

Trade payables 

Amounts owed to joint ventures 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 

Accruals and deferred income 

Other payables 

Other taxes and social security 

Trade and other payables 

Group 
2018 
£m 

Group 
2017 
£m 

Company 
2018 
£m 

Company 
2017 
£m 

103.4 

102.1 

3.2 

0.4 

– 

141.2 

2.5 

27.7 

278.4 

6.1 

0.3 

– 

137.9 

10.9 

31.2 

288.5 

– 

0.5 

– 

367.4 

11.9 

0.2 

7.9 

387.9 

– 

0.5 

– 

553.1 

11.5 

0.3 

8.3 

573.7 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are unsecured and repayable on demand. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

24 Borrowings 

Group 

Current 

Carrying 
value 
£m 

Secured 
£m 

 Unsecured 
£m 

Commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) notes 

Current borrowings, excluding finance leases 

Finance lease obligations 

46.7 

46.7 

4.4 

51.1 

46.7 

46.7 

4.4 

51.1 

Non-current 

Revolving credit facility 2021 (including £89.9 million drawn in euros) 

393.9 

393.9 

33.4 

88.3 

67.5 

296.3 

195.1 

25.0 

668.7 

247.5 

73.1 

473.8 

444.6 

479.5 

342.9 

345.3 

229.1 

314.9 

33.4 

88.3 

67.5 

296.3 

195.1 

25.0 

668.7 

247.5 

73.1 

473.8 

444.6 

479.5 

342.9 

345.3 

229.1 

CMBS notes 2022 

CMBS notes 2024 

CMBS notes 2029 

CMBS notes 2033 

CMBS notes 2035 

Bank loan 2020 

Bank loans 2021 

Bank loan 2022 

Bank loan 2023 

Bank loan 2024 

3.875% bonds 2023 

4.125% bonds 2023 

4.625% bonds 2028 

4.250% bonds 2030 

Debenture 2027 

2.875% convertible bonds 2022 (note 26) 

Non-current borrowings, excluding finance leases and Metrocentre 
compound financial instrument 

Metrocentre compound financial instrument 

Finance lease obligations 

Total borrowings 

Cash and cash equivalents (note 21) 

Net debt 

Fixed 
rate 
£m 

46.7 

46.7 

4.4 

51.1 

– 

33.4 

88.3 

67.5 

296.3 

– 

– 

– 

247.5 

– 

– 

444.6 

479.5 

342.9 

345.3 

229.1 

314.9 

Floating 
rate 
£m 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2018 

Fair 
value 
£m 

51.1 

51.1 

4.4 

55.5 

393.9 

393.9 

– 

– 

– 

– 

195.1 

25.0 

668.7 

– 

73.1 

473.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

37.1 

96.8 

77.0 

364.7 

201.9 

25.0 

668.7 

282.8 

73.1 

473.8 

454.7 

496.9 

363.0 

349.7 

247.2 

314.9 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

314.9 

4,718.9 

4,404.0 

189.5 

75.8 

– 

75.8 

4,984.2 

4,479.8 

5,035.3 

4,530.9 

(239.5) 

4,795.8 

314.9 

189.5 

– 

504.4 

504.4 

2,889.3 

1,829.6 

4,921.2 

189.5 

75.8 

– 

– 

189.5 

75.8 

3,154.6 

1,829.6 

5,186.5 

3,205.7 

1,829.6 

5,242.0 

Analysis of the Group’s net external debt is provided in the other information section. 

The Group substantially eliminates its interest rate exposure to floating rate debt through interest rate swaps as described in  
note 28. 

The market value of investment property secured, either directly or indirectly, as collateral against borrowings at 31 December 
2018 is £8,774.6 million including £1,096.8 million of investment property held within joint ventures (2017: £9,802.2 million 
including £1,001.0 million held within joint ventures). In most circumstances the Group can realise up to 50 per cent without 
restriction providing the Group continues to manage the asset. Realising an amount in excess of this would trigger a change of 
control and mandatory repayment of the facility. 

The fair values of fixed rate borrowings and CMBS are assessed based on quoted market prices, and as such are categorised as  
Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy (see note 28 for definition). The fair values of unlisted floating rate borrowings are equal to their 
carrying values. 

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24 Borrowings (continued) 

Group 

Current 

Commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) notes 

2.5% convertible bonds 2018 (note 26) 

Current borrowings, excluding finance leases 

Finance lease obligations 

Carrying 
value 
£m 

23.3 

161.0 

184.3 

2.4 

186.7 

23.3 

– 

23.3 

2.4 

25.7 

– 

161.0 

161.0 

– 

161.0 

Secured 
£m 

 Unsecured 
£m 

Fixed 
rate 
£m 

Floating 
rate 
£m 

Non-current 

Revolving credit facility 2021 (including £88.8 million drawn in euros) 

233.8 

233.8 

233.8 

233.8 

19.9 

43.0 

88.0 

73.2 

311.2 

192.8 

139.7 

32.9 

470.2 

246.8 

482.7 

443.5 

478.5 

342.3 

345.0 

228.8 

377.3 

19.9 

43.0 

88.0 

73.2 

311.2 

192.8 

139.7 

32.9 

470.2 

246.8 

482.7 

443.5 

478.5 

342.3 

345.0 

228.8 

CMBS notes 2019 

CMBS notes 2022 

CMBS notes 2024 

CMBS notes 2029 

CMBS notes 2033 

CMBS notes 2035 

Bank loan 2019 

Bank loan 2020 

Bank loans 2021 

Bank loan 2022 

Bank loan 2024 

3.875% bonds 2023 

4.125% bonds 2023 

4.625% bonds 2028 

4.250% bonds 2030 

Debenture 2027 

2.875% convertible bonds 2022 (note 26) 

Non-current borrowings, excluding finance leases and Metrocentre 
compound financial instrument 

Metrocentre compound financial instrument 

Finance lease obligations 

Total borrowings 

Cash and cash equivalents (note 21) 

Net debt 

– 

377.3 

4,549.6 

4,172.3 

183.7 

77.8 

– 

77.8 

4,811.1 

4,250.1 

4,997.8 

4,275.8 

(228.0) 

4,769.8 

377.3 

183.7 

– 

561.0 

722.0 

2,997.5 

1,552.1 

4,975.6 

183.7 

77.8 

– 

– 

183.7 

77.8 

3,259.0 

1,552.1 

5,237.1 

3,445.7 

1,552.1 

5,428.6 

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2017 

Fair 
value 
£m 

28.1 

161.0 

189.1 

2.4 

191.5 

20.4 

49.5 

98.6 

85.9 

393.1 

212.1 

139.7 

32.9 

470.2 

277.3 

482.7 

486.2 

535.7 

410.0 

402.3 

267.9 

377.3 

23.3 

161.0 

184.3 

2.4 

186.7 

– 

19.9 

43.0 

88.0 

73.2 

311.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

246.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

192.8 

139.7 

32.9 

470.2 

– 

– 

482.7 

443.5 

478.5 

342.3 

345.0 

228.8 

377.3 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

The maturity profile of debt (excluding finance leases) is as follows: 

Repayable within one year 

Repayable in more than one year but not more than two years 

Repayable in more than two years but not more than five years 

Repayable in more than five years 

Group 
2018 
£m 

46.7 

30.5 

2,722.0 

2,155.9 

4,955.1 

Group 
2017 
£m 

184.3 

175.5 

1,445.9 

3,111.9 

4,917.6 

Certain borrowing agreements contain financial and other conditions that, if contravened, could alter the repayment profile. During 
the year there were no breaches of these conditions (see financial covenants in the other information section). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

24 Borrowings (continued) 
At 31 December 2018 the Group had committed undrawn borrowing facilities of £274.2 million (2017: £406.9 million), maturing in 
2021 and 2022. 

The Company had non-current borrowings of £393.9 million at 31 December 2018 consisting of a revolving credit facility expiring  
in 2021 (2017: £233.8 million). This debt is floating rate, secured and its fair value is equal to book value. 

Finance lease disclosures: 

Minimum lease payments under finance leases fall due: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Later than five years 

Future finance charges on finance leases 

Present value of finance lease liabilities 

Present value of finance lease liabilities: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Later than five years 

Group 
2018 
£m 

4.4 

17.8 

104.8 

127.0 

(46.8) 

80.2 

4.4 

17.8 

58.0 

80.2 

Group 
2017 
£m 

2.4 

9.5 

115.1 

127.0 

(46.8) 

80.2 

2.4 

9.5 

68.3 

80.2 

Finance lease liabilities are in respect of head leases on investment and development property. A number of these leases provide  
for payment of contingent rent, usually a proportion of net rental income, in addition to the rents above. 

25 Movement in net debt 

Group 

At 1 January 

Adjustment on adoption of new accounting standard (note 1) 

Adjusted at 1 January 

Disposal of subsidiaries 

Borrowings drawn  

Borrowings repaid 

Other net cash movements 

Other non-cash movements 

At 31 December 

Liabilities from financing activities 

Cash and 
cash 
equivalents 
£m 

Current 
borrowings 
£m 

Non- 
current 
borrowings 
£m 

2018 

Net 
debt 
£m 

228.0 

– 

228.0 

143.2 

302.0 

(204.3) 

(229.4) 

– 

239.5 

(186.7) 

(4,811.1) 

(4,769.8) 

– 

14.0 

14.0 

(186.7) 

(4,797.1) 

(4,755.8) 

– 

– 

160.4 

– 

(24.8) 

(51.1) 

– 

143.2 

(302.0) 

43.9 

– 

71.0 

– 

– 

(229.4) 

46.2 

(4,984.2) 

(4,795.8) 

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25 Movement in net debt (continued) 

Group 

At 1 January 

Acquisition of businesses 

Disposal of subsidiaries 

Borrowings drawn  

Borrowings repaid 

Other net cash movements 

Other non-cash movements 

At 31 December 

Liabilities from financing activities 

Cash and 
cash 
equivalents 
£m 

Current 
borrowings 
£m 

Non- 
current 
borrowings 
£m 

2017 

Net 
debt 
£m 

254.7 

(216.0) 

104.1 

968.5 

(660.0) 

(223.3) 

– 

228.0 

(142.4) 

(4,520.2) 

(4,407.9) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(44.3) 

(230.7) 

231.4 

(968.5) 

660.0 

– 

16.9 

(446.7) 

335.5 

– 

– 

(223.3) 

(27.4) 

(186.7) 

(4,811.1) 

(4,769.8) 

26 Convertible bonds 
2.875 per cent convertible bonds (the 2.875 per cent bonds) 
On 1 November 2016 Intu (Jersey) 2 Limited (the ‘Issuer’) issued £375.0 million 2.875 per cent Guaranteed Convertible Bonds due  
2022 at par, all of which remain outstanding at 31 December 2018. At 31 December 2018 the exchange price was £3.7506 per ordinary 
share (2017: £3.7506). intu properties plc has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed the due and punctual performance by the 
Issuer of all of its obligations (including payments) in respect of the 2.875 per cent bonds and the obligations of the Company, as 
guarantor, constitute direct, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the Company. 

Subject to certain conditions, the 2.875 per cent bonds are convertible into preference shares of the Issuer which are automatically 
transferred to the Company in exchange for ordinary shares in the Company or (at the Company’s election) any combination of 
ordinary shares and cash. The 2.875 per cent bonds can be converted at any time from the date which is 180 days prior to the Final 
Maturity Date of 1 November 2022, to the 20th dealing date prior to the Final Maturity Date. 

The initial exchange price was £3.7506 per ordinary share, a conversion rate of approximately 26,662 ordinary shares for every 
£100,000 nominal of the 2.875 per cent bonds. Under the terms of the 2.875 per cent bonds, the exchange price is adjusted upon 
certain events including the payment of dividends by the Company over a certain threshold.  

The 2.875 per cent bonds may be redeemed at par at the Company’s option subject to the Company’s ordinary share price having 
traded at 30 per cent above the conversion price for a specified period, or at any time once 85 per cent by nominal value of the 
2.875 per cent bonds originally issued have been converted or cancelled. If not previously converted, redeemed or purchased and 
cancelled, the 2.875 per cent bonds will be redeemed at par on 1 November 2022. 

The 2.875 per cent bonds are listed on the Channel Islands Securities Exchange and the Open Market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt 
Stock Exchange. 

The 2.875 per cent bonds are designated as at fair value through profit or loss and so are presented on the balance sheet at fair 
value. Gains and losses in respect of own credit risk are recognised in other comprehensive income and all other gains and losses are 
recognised in the income statement through the change in fair value of financial instruments line. 

At 31 December 2018, the fair value of the 2.875 per cent bonds was £314.9 million (2017: £377.3 million). During the year interest 
of £10.8 million (2017: £10.8 million) in respect of these bonds has been recognised within finance costs. 

In the Company’s balance sheet the bondholder option is held at its fair value of £4.6 million as a derivative financial instrument 
(2017: £28.3 million). 

2.5 per cent convertible bonds (the 2.5 per cent bonds) 
On 4 October 2012 Intu (Jersey) Limited (the ‘Issuer’) issued £300.0 million 2.5 per cent Guaranteed Convertible Bonds due 2018  
at par, £160.4 million of which were outstanding at 31 December 2017. The outstanding 2.5 per cent bonds were settled in cash  
on the 4 October 2018, the Final Maturity Date.  

At 31 December 2017 the exchange price was £3.1164 per ordinary share. intu properties plc unconditionally and irrevocably 
guaranteed the due and punctual performance by the Issuer of all of its obligations (including payments) in respect of the  
2.5 per cent bonds and the obligations of the Company, as guarantor, constitute direct, unsubordinated and unsecured  
obligations of the Company.

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

26 Convertible bonds (continued) 
Subject to certain conditions, the 2.5 per cent bonds were convertible into preference shares of the Issuer which were automatically 
transferred to the Company in exchange for ordinary shares in the Company or (at the Company’s election) any combination of 
ordinary shares and cash. The 2.5 per cent bonds could be converted at any time from 14 November 2012 up to the 20th dealing 
day before the Final Maturity Date of 4 October 2018. 

The initial exchange price was £4.3752 per ordinary share, a conversion rate of approximately 22,856 ordinary shares for every 
£100,000 nominal of the 2.5 per cent bonds. Under the terms of the 2.5 per cent bonds, the exchange price was adjusted upon 
certain events including the payment of dividends by the Company. 

The 2.5 per cent bonds could be redeemed at par at the Company’s option subject to the Company’s ordinary share price having 
traded at 30 per cent above the conversion price for a specified period, or at any time once 85 per cent by nominal value of the  
2.5 per cent bonds originally issued have been converted or cancelled. If not previously converted, redeemed or purchased and 
cancelled, the 2.5 per cent bonds would be redeemed at par on 4 October 2018. 

The 2.5 per cent bonds were listed on the Professional Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange. 

The 2.5 per cent bonds are designated as at fair value through profit or loss and so are presented on the balance sheet at fair value. 
Gains and losses in respect of own credit risk are recognised in other comprehensive income and all other gains and losses are 
recognised in the income statement through the change in fair value of financial instruments line. 

At 31 December 2017, the fair value of the 2.5 per cent bonds was £161.0 million. During 2018 interest of £3.0 million  
(2017: £6.7 million) in respect of these bonds has been recognised within finance costs. 

In the Company’s balance sheet the bondholder option is held at its fair value of nil as a derivative financial instrument  
(2017: £4.9 million). 

27 Operating leases 
The Group earns rental income by leasing its investment properties to tenants under operating leases. 

In the UK the standard shopping centre lease is for a term of 10 to 15 years. Standard lease provisions include service charge 
payments, recovery of other direct costs and review every five years to market rent. Standard turnover based leases have a turnover 
percentage agreed with each lessee which is applied to a retail unit’s annual sales and any excess between the resulting turnover 
rent and the minimum rent is receivable by the Group.  

The future minimum lease amounts receivable by the Group under non-cancellable operating leases for continuing operations are 
as follows: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Later than five years 

2018 
£m 

374.6 

987.2 

973.5 

2,335.3 

Restated1 
2017 
£m 

391.3 

1,079.2 

1,026.3 

2,496.8 

1  The 2017 figures have been restated primarily to include the Group’s interests in joint operations at their beneficial interests which were previously included at 100 per cent. The 
impact on the 2017 figures is a £254.8 million reduction in the total future minimum lease amounts receivable by the Group under non-cancellable operating leases (not later 
than one year: £39.9 million reduction; later than one year and not later than five years: £110.2 million reduction; later than five years: £114.7 million reduction). No financial 
statement line item is affected by the restatement. 

The income statement includes £14.4 million (2017: £19.0 million) recognised in respect of contingent rents calculated by reference 
to tenants’ turnover. 

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28 Financial risk management 
The Group is exposed to a variety of financial risks arising from the Group’s operations being principally market risk (including 
interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. 

The majority of the Group’s financial risk management is carried out by the Group’s treasury department. The policies for managing 
each of these risks and their impact on the results for the year are summarised below. 

Market risk 
a) Interest rate risk 
Interest rate risk comprises both cash flow and fair value risks. Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of  
a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. Fair value interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value  
of financial instruments will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. 

The Group’s interest rate risk arises from borrowings issued at floating rates that expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk, 
whereas borrowings issued at fixed interest rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. Bank debt is typically issued at 
floating rates linked to LIBOR. Bond debt and other capital market debt is generally issued at fixed rates. 

It is Group policy, and often a requirement of the Group’s lenders, to eliminate substantially all exposure to interest rate fluctuations 
by using floating to fixed interest rate swaps (referred to as allocated swaps) in order to establish certainty over cash flows. Such 
allocated swaps have the economic effect of converting borrowings from floating to fixed rates. The Group also holds interest rate 
swaps that are not actively used as a hedge against borrowings (referred to as unallocated swaps). 

As a consequence, the Group is exposed to market price risk in respect of the fair value of its fixed rate interest rate swaps, as 
discussed in the financial review on pages 50 to 51. 

The table below shows the effects of allocated swaps on the borrowings profile of the Group: 

Borrowings1 

Derivative impact (nominal value of allocated swaps) 

Net borrowings profile 

Interest rate protection 

Fixed 
2018 
£m 

2,998.3 

1,112.6 

4,110.9 

Floating 
2018 
£m 

1,884.1 

(1,112.6) 

771.5 

84.2% 

Fixed 
2017 
£m 

2,998.2 

1,371.6 

4,369.8 

Floating 
2017 
£m 

1,607.0 

(1,371.6) 

235.4 

94.9% 

1  Borrowings are stated at nominal value and exclude the Metrocentre compound financial instrument and finance leases. At 31 December 2018 they include the £393.9 million 
(2017: £233.8 million) drawn under the revolving credit facility (RCF) which incurs interest at a floating rate. Excluding the revolving credit facility, interest rate protection is  
92 per cent (2017: 100 per cent). 

Group policy is to target interest rate protection within the range of 75 per cent to 100 per cent. 

The weighted average rate for allocated swaps currently effective is 1.89 per cent (2017: 1.71 per cent). 

The nominal value of unallocated swaps, which are excluded from the above table, is £566.7 million (2017: £566.7 million). Their fair 
value of £184.4 million (2017: £235.4 million) is included as a liability in the balance sheet. 

The approximate impact on the total fair value of derivatives liability (allocated and unallocated swaps) of a 50 basis point increase  
in the level of interest rates would be a reduction to the liability of £78.8 million (2017: £87.6 million). The approximate impact of a 50 
basis point reduction in the level of interest rates would be an increase to the liability of £78.8 million (2017: £87.6 million). In practice,  
a parallel shift in the yield curve is highly unlikely. However, the above sensitivity analysis is a reasonable illustration of the possible 
effect from the changes in slope and shifts in the yield curve that may occur. Where the fixed rate derivative financial instruments are 
matched by floating rate debt, the overall effect on Group cash flow of such a movement would be very small. 

b) Foreign exchange risk 
Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions or recognised assets or liabilities are denominated in a functional 
currency other than pounds sterling. At 31 December 2018 the exposure is 15.0 per cent of net assets attributable to shareholders 
of the Group (31 December 2017: 10.6 per cent), the increase from 31 December 2017 being primarily due to the declines in UK 
property valuations during the year. Once the Eurofund expected future interest in the intu Costa del Sol development concludes, 
we expect this to reduce to 13.9 per cent, after which the appropriate level of exposure will be assessed. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

28 Financial risk management (continued) 
The table summarises the Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk: 

Net exposure 

2018 
€m 

555.7 

2017 
€m 

524.2 

2018 
INRm 

2017 
INRm 

6,274.5 

6,067.3 

The following foreign exchange rates, at 31 December 2018, apply to the Group’s foreign exchange risk: 

Foreign exchange rate 

2018 
€m 

2017 
€m 

2018 
INRm 

2017 
INRm 

1.1126 

1.1266 

88.3432 

86.0441 

The approximate impact of a 10 per cent appreciation in foreign exchange rates would be a positive movement of £63.4 million 
(2017: £59.6 million) to equity attributable to owners of the Group. The approximate impact of a 10 per cent depreciation in foreign 
exchange rates would be a negative movement of £51.9 million (2017: £48.8 million) to equity attributable to owners of the Group. 

As part of the strategy to comply with the Group’s policy, the Group is able to borrow part of its RCF in euros, up to €100 million. 
The RCF borrowings denominated in euros have been designated as a hedging instrument (net investment hedge) against the 
Group’s net investment in Spain with the hedged risk being the changes in the euro/pounds sterling spot rate that will result in 
changes in the value of the Group’s net investments in Spain. At 31 December 2018, €100 million (2017: €100 million) was drawn  
in euros. 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is managed to ensure that the Group is able to meet future payment obligations when financial liabilities fall due. 
Liquidity analysis is conducted to ensure that sufficient headroom is available to meet the Group’s operational requirements and 
committed investments. The Group treasury policy aims to meet this objective by maintaining adequate cash, marketable securities 
and committed facilities. Undrawn borrowing facilities are detailed in note 24. The Group’s policy is to seek to optimise its exposure 
to liquidity risk by balancing its exposure to interest rate risk and to refinancing risk. In effect the Group seeks to borrow for as long 
as possible at the lowest acceptable cost. 

Group policy is to maintain a weighted average debt maturity of over five years. At 31 December 2018, the maturity profile of Group 
debt showed an average maturity of six years (2017: seven years). The Group regularly reviews the maturity profile of its borrowings 
and seeks to avoid bunching of maturities through the regular replacement of facilities and by arranging a selection of maturity 
dates. Refinancing risk may be reduced by doing so prior to the contracted maturity date, effectively switching liquidity risk for 
market risk. 

The Group does not use supplier financing arrangements to manage liquidity risk. 

The tables below set out the maturity analysis of the Group’s financial liabilities based on the undiscounted contractual obligations 
to make payments of interest and to repay principal. Where interest payment obligations are based on a floating rate, the rates 
used are those implied by the par yield curve for the relevant currency. Where payment obligations are in foreign currencies, the 
spot exchange rate at the balance sheet date is used. 

Group 

Borrowings (including interest) 

Finance lease obligations  

Other financial liabilities  

Derivative payments 

Derivative receipts 

Within 1 year 
£m 

1–2 years 
£m 

2–5 years 
£m 

Over 5 years 
£m 

2018 

Total 
£m 

(237.8) 

(245.2) 

(3,259.1) 

(2,408.0) 

(6,150.1) 

(4.4) 

(6.1) 

(52.9) 

15.7 

(4.4) 

(1.2) 

(50.2) 

16.7 

(13.4) 

(104.8) 

– 

(124.2) 

50.2 

– 

(364.1) 

115.9 

(127.0) 

(7.3) 

(591.4) 

198.5 

(285.5) 

(284.3) 

(3,346.5) 

(2,761.0) 

(6,677.3) 

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28 Financial risk management (continued) 

Group 

Within 1 year 
£m 

1–2 years 
£m 

2–5 years 
£m 

Over 5 years 
£m 

2017 

Total 
£m 

Borrowings (including interest) 

(367.9) 

(367.8) 

(1,959.6) 

(3,512.4) 

(6,207.7) 

Finance lease obligations  

Other financial liabilities  

Derivative payments 

Derivative receipts 

Company 

Borrowings (including interest) 

Other financial liabilities 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings  

Company 

Borrowings (including interest) 

Other financial liabilities 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings  

(2.4) 

(17.1) 

(51.6) 

9.4 

(2.4) 

(1.2) 

(51.7) 

12.5 

(7.1) 

– 

(130.6) 

43.1 

(115.1) 

– 

(403.9) 

132.3 

(127.0) 

(18.3) 

(637.8) 

197.3 

(429.6) 

(410.6) 

(2,054.2) 

(3,899.1) 

(6,793.5) 

Within 1 year 
£m 

1–2 years 
£m 

2–5 years 
£m 

Over 5 years 
£m 

(9.0) 

(0.7) 

(367.4) 

(377.1) 

(9.0) 

(401.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(9.0) 

(401.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Within 1 year 
£m 

1–2 years 
£m 

2–5 years 
£m 

Over 5 years 
£m 

(4.7) 

(0.8) 

(553.1) 

(558.6) 

(4.7) 

(242.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4.7) 

(242.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2018 

Total 
£m 

(419.3) 

(0.7) 

(367.4) 

(787.4) 

2017 

Total 
£m 

(251.7) 

(0.8) 

(553.1) 

(805.6) 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss if a tenant or counterparty fails to meet an obligation under a contract. Credit risk arises 
primarily from trade receivables but also from other financial assets with counterparties including loans to joint ventures, cash 
deposits and derivative financial instruments. 

– trade receivables 
Credit risk associated with trade receivables is actively managed; tenants are managed individually by asset managers, who 
continuously monitor and work with tenants, aiming wherever possible to identify and address risks prior to default. 

Prospective tenants are assessed via a review process, including obtaining credit ratings and reviewing financial information, which is 
conducted internally. As a result deposits or guarantees may be obtained. The amount of deposits held as collateral at 31 December 
2018 is £3.5 million (2017: £4.1 million). 

When applying a loss allowance for expected credit losses, judgement is exercised as to the collectability of trade receivables and 
whether it is appropriate to impair these assets. Factors such as days past due, credit status of the counterparty and historical 
evidence of collection are considered. 

The ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows: 

Up to three months 

Three to six months 

Trade receivables 

Group 
2018 
£m 

32.1 

3.7 

35.8 

Group 
2017 
£m 

23.1 

3.3 

26.4 

At 31 December 2018 trade receivables are shown net of a loss allowance totalling £4.0 million (2017: £4.5 million). 

The Group does not use factoring to generate cash flow from trade receivables. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

28 Financial risk management (continued) 
– other financial assets including loans to joint ventures 
The Group applies the expected credit loss model in respect of other financial assets. Financial assets are individually assessed as to 
whether the credit risk has increased significantly in the period and therefore whether there is a need to apply the lifetime expected 
credit loss model as opposed to the 12-month expected credit loss model. 

At 31 December 2018 there is no loss allowance recognised for other financial assets as it has been concluded as an immaterial risk 
of credit loss other financial assets in the next 12 months. 

– cash deposits and derivative financial instruments 
The credit risk relating to cash deposits and derivative financial instruments is actively managed by the Group’s treasury department. 
Relationships are maintained with a number of tier one institutional counterparties, ensuring compliance with Group policy relating to 
limits on the credit ratings of counterparties (between BBB+ and AAA). 

Excessive credit risk concentration is avoided through adhering to authorised limits for all counterparties. 

Counterparty 

Counterparty #1 

Counterparty #2 

Counterparty #3 

Counterparty #4 

Counterparty #5 

Sum of five largest exposures 

Sum of cash deposits and derivative financial instrument assets 

Five largest exposures as a percentage of risk 

Credit rating 

Authorised limit 
£m 

Group exposure 
31 December 2018 
£m 

AA- 

A+ 

A 

AAA 

AAA 

125.0 

100.0 

100.0 

150.0 

150.0 

111.9 

44.1 

27.2 

22.3 

12.3 

217.8 

244.2 

89% 

Classification of financial assets and liabilities  
The tables below set out the Group’s accounting classification of each class of financial assets and liabilities and their fair values at 
31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017. 

The fair values of derivative financial instruments are determined from observable market prices or estimated using appropriate yield 
curves at 31 December each year by discounting the future contractual cash flows to the net present values. The determination of the 
fair values of borrowings is defined in note 24. 

Carrying 
value 
£m 

336.0 

65.6 

239.5 

641.1 

10.5 

10.5 

(280.5) 

(280.5) 

(314.9) 

(314.9) 

(7.3) 

Fair 
value 
£m 

336.0 

65.6 

239.5 

641.1 

10.5 

10.5 

(280.5) 

(280.5) 

(314.9) 

(314.9) 

(7.3) 

(4,640.2) 

(4,647.5) 

(4,846.9) 

(4,854.2) 

2018 

(Loss)/gain to 
other 
comprehensive 
income 
£m 

Gain to 
 income  
statement 
£m 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

67.5 

67.5 

19.8 

19.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(6.4) 

(6.4) 

– 

– 

43.4 

43.4 

– 

– 

– 

Loans to joint ventures 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets – amortised cost 

Other investments 

Total assets – fair value through other comprehensive income 

Derivative financial instruments 

Total net liabilities – fair value through profit or loss 

Convertible bonds 

Total liabilities – designated as at fair value through profit or loss 

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings 

Total liabilities – amortised cost 

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28 Financial risk management (continued) 

Loans to joint ventures 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets – amortised cost 

Other investments 

Total assets – fair value through other comprehensive income 

Derivative financial instruments 

Total net liabilities – fair value through profit or loss 

Convertible bonds 

Total liabilities – designated as at fair value through profit or loss 

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings 

Total liabilities – amortised cost 

Carrying 
value 
£m 

282.9 

61.9 

228.0 

572.8 

16.8 

16.8 

(347.5) 

(347.5) 

(538.3) 

(538.3) 

(18.3) 

Fair 
value 
£m 

282.9 

61.9 

228.0 

572.8 

16.8 

16.8 

(347.5) 

(347.5) 

(538.3) 

(538.3) 

(18.3) 

(4,379.3) 

(4,397.6) 

(4,810.1) 

(4,828.4) 

The table below presents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities recognised at fair value. 

Assets 

Level 1  Other investments – fair value through other comprehensive income 

Level 2  Derivative financial instruments – fair value through profit or loss 

Level 3  Other investments – fair value through other comprehensive income 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Level 1  Convertible bonds – designated as at fair value through profit or loss 

Level 2  Derivative financial instruments – fair value through profit or loss 

Total liabilities  

Fair value hierarchy 
Level 1: Valuation based on quoted market prices traded in active markets. 

2017 

Loss to 
other 
comprehensive 
income 
£m 

Gain/(loss) to 
 income  
statement 
£m 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

28.3 

28.3 

(6.3) 

(6.3) 

– 

– 

– 

2018 
£m 

8.9 

4.7 

1.6 

15.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.2) 

(0.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2017 
£m 

15.3 

0.3 

1.5 

17.1 

(314.9) 

(285.2) 

(600.1) 

(538.3) 

(347.8) 

(886.1) 

Level 2: Valuation techniques are used, maximising the use of observable market data, either directly from market prices or derived 
from market prices. 

Level 3: Where one or more significant inputs to valuation are unobservable. Valuations at this level are more subjective and 
therefore more closely managed, including sensitivity analysis of inputs to valuation models. Such testing has not indicated that any 
material difference would arise due to a change in input variables. 

Transfers into and transfers out of the fair value hierarchy levels are recognised on the date of the event or change in circumstances 
that caused the transfer. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the year. 

Valuation techniques for Level 2 hierarchy financial assets and liabilities are presented in the accounting policies. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

28 Financial risk management (continued) 
Capital structure 
The Group seeks to enhance shareholder value both by investing in the business so as to improve the return on investment and by 
managing the capital structure. The capital of the Group consists of equity, debt and a compound financial instrument. The Group 
aims to access both debt and equity capital markets with maximum efficiency and flexibility. 

The key ratios used to monitor the capital structure of the Group are the debt to assets ratio and interest cover. The Group’s stated 
medium to long-term preference is for the debt to assets ratio to be within the 40 to 50 per cent range and interest cover to be 
greater than 1.60x. The debt to assets ratio has increased to 53.1 per cent since 31 December 2017 due to the deficit on property 
revaluation in the year. As detailed in the financial review, the Group will be looking to reduce this to below 50 per cent. The interest 
cover ratio continues to be above the preferred level. 

As the Group’s debt is sometimes secured on its interests in joint ventures, these ratios are monitored for the Group including share 
of joint ventures. A reconciliation from the relevant IFRS amounts as presented to those including the Group’s share of joint 
ventures is included in the other information section. 

Debt to assets ratio 

Market value of investment and development property 

Add market value of investment and development property classified as held for sale 

Net external debt 

Debt to assets ratio  

Interest cover 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Underlying operating profit 

Interest cover 

Group 
2018 
£m 

Group 
2017 
£m 

9,167.4 

10,222.7 

– 

9,167.4 

(4,867.2) 

53.1% 

306.5 

10,529.2 

(4,835.5) 

45.9% 

Group 
2018 
£m 

(217.1) 

2.6 

(214.5) 

409.4 

1.91x 

Group 
2017 
£m 

(219.9) 

3.3 

(216.6) 

419.3 

1.94x 

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29 Deferred tax 
Under IAS 12 Income Taxes, provision is made for the deferred tax assets and liabilities associated with the revaluation of assets and 
liabilities at the corporate tax rate expected to apply to the Group at the time the temporary differences are expected to reverse. 
For those UK assets and liabilities benefiting from REIT exemption the relevant tax rate will be 0 per cent (2017: 0 per cent), and for 
other UK assets and liabilities the relevant rate will be 19 per cent if the temporary difference is expected to be realised before  
1 April 2020 and 17 per cent if it is expected to be realised on or after 1 April 2020 (2017: 19 per cent before 1 April 2020, 17 per 
cent thereafter). For Spanish assets and liabilities the relevant tax rate will be 25 per cent (2017: 25 per cent). 

Movements in the provision for deferred tax:  

Group 

Provided deferred tax provision/(asset): 

At 1 January 2017 

Acquisition of intu Xanadú (note 33) 

Recognised in the income statement 

Recognised in other comprehensive income 

Foreign exchange movements 

Disposal of subsidiaries (note 34) 

At 31 December 2017 

Recognised in the income statement 

Foreign exchange movements 

At 31 December 2018 

Investment and 
development 
property 
£m 

Other 
investments 
£m 

Other 
temporary 
differences 
£m 

– 

84.5 

24.8 

– 

1.8 

(86.5) 

24.6 

(5.5) 

0.1 

19.2 

0.1 

– 

– 

(0.1) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.1) 

(6.8) 

(0.8) 

– 

(0.1) 

6.9 

(0.9) 

(0.3) 

– 

(1.2) 

Total 
£m 

– 

77.7 

24.0 

(0.1) 

1.7 

(79.6) 

23.7 

(5.8) 

0.1 

18.0 

The net deferred tax provision of £18.0 million arises in respect of the revaluation of development property at intu Costa del Sol, 
partially offset by tax losses in the same company. 

At 31 December 2018, the Group had unrecognised deferred tax assets calculated at a tax rate of 17 per cent (2017: 17 per cent)  
of £51.1 million (2017: £43.1 million) for surplus UK revenue tax losses carried forward, £31.4 million (2017: £45.6 million) for 
temporary differences on derivative financial instruments, £0.5 million (2017: £0.5 million) for temporary differences on capital 
allowances, £1.2 million (2017: nil) for other investments and £5.8 million (2017: £5.8 million) for capital losses. 

In accordance with the requirements of IAS 12 Income Taxes, the deferred tax asset has not been recognised on the Group’s balance 
sheet due to uncertainty over the level of profits that will be available in the non-REIT elements of the Group in future periods. 

The Company recognises no deferred tax asset or liability (2017: nil). 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

30 Share capital and share premium 

Issued and fully paid: 

Share  
capital 
£m 

Share  
premium 
£m 

At 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017: 1,355,040,243 ordinary shares of 50 pence each 

677.5 

1,327.4 

Full details of the rights and obligations attaching to the ordinary shares are contained in the Company’s Articles of Association. 
These rights include an entitlement to receive the Company’s annual report and financial statements, to attend and speak at 
general meetings of the Company, to appoint proxies and to exercise voting rights. Holders of ordinary shares may also receive 
dividends and may receive a share of the Company’s assets on the Company’s liquidation. There are no restrictions on the transfer 
of the ordinary shares. 

At 20 February 2019 the Company had an unexpired authority to repurchase shares up to a maximum of 135,504,024 shares with a 
nominal value of £67.8 million, and the Directors have an unexpired authority to allot up to a maximum of 451,608,081 shares with 
a nominal value of £225.8 million. 

Included within the issued share capital at 31 December 2018 are 11,216,115 ordinary shares (2017: 11,633,680) held by the 
Trustee of the ESOP which is operated by the Company (see note 31). The nominal value of these shares at 31 December 2018 is 
£5.6 million (2017: £5.8 million). 

31 Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) 
The cost of shares in intu properties plc held by the Trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan operated by the Company is 
accounted for as a deduction from equity. 

The purpose of the ESOP is to acquire and hold shares which will be transferred to employees in the future under the Group’s 
employee incentive arrangements as described in note 40 and the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 78 to 93 including joint 
ownership of shares in its role as Trustee of the Joint Share Ownership Plan. Dividends of £1.6 million (2017: £1.7 million) in respect 
of these shares have been waived by agreement. 

Group and Company 

At 1 January 

Acquisitions 

Disposals 

At 31 December  

32 Other reserves 

Group 

At 1 January 2017 

Revaluation of other investments (note 19) 

Exchange differences 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income (note 10) 

At 31 December 2017 

Revaluation of other investments (note 19) 

Change in fair value of financial instruments (note 26) 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2018 

Shares 
million 

11.6 

0.6 

(1.0) 

11.2 

Capital 
redemption 
£m 

61.4 

– 

– 

– 

61.4 

– 

– 

– 

61.4 

2018 

£m 

39.1 

0.9 

(3.0) 

37.0 

Translation 
reserve 
£m 

25.9 

– 

16.9 

– 

42.8 

– 

– 

4.1 

46.9 

Shares 
million 

12.1 

0.4 

(0.9) 

11.6 

Other 
£m 

257.0 

(0.2) 

– 

0.1 

2017 

£m 

40.8 

1.3 

(3.0) 

39.1 

Total 
£m 

344.3 

(0.2) 

16.9 

0.1 

256.9 

361.1 

(6.4) 

43.4 

– 

(6.4) 

43.4 

4.1 

293.9 

402.2 

Other reserves in respect of the Company relate to the capital redemption reserve of £61.4 million (2017: £61.4 million). 

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33 Business combinations 
Accounting for acquisitions is a significant judgement as referenced in note 1. The Group individually assesses each acquisition to 
determine if it should be accounted for as a business combination in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. In respect of 
the below acquisition, the Group has concluded the assets and liabilities acquired constitute a business. They include the shopping 
centre asset itself along with the employees and processes that operate the centre on a day-to-day basis. These inputs and 
processes in turn drive the operation of the centre and the related output for its beneficial owner. As a result, this acquisition is to  
be accounted for as a business combination in accordance with IFRS 3. 

Acquisition during 2017 
On 10 March 2017 the Group acquired 100 per cent interests in three entities, which together own and manage intu Xanadú 
shopping centre, for total cash consideration of €517.3 million (£453.9 million). The cash flow statement outflow of £446.7 million 
reflects the £453.9 million less the unrestricted cash acquired of £7.2 million. Acquisition related costs of £0.8 million were incurred 
and recognised in the income statement in exceptional administration expenses during 2018 and 2017. 

The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired, at 100 per cent, are set out in the table below: 

Assets 

Investment and development property 

Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash of £3.1 million) 

Trade and other receivables 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred tax 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Fair value of consideration paid 

Goodwill on acquisition of business 

Fair value 
£m 

461.4 

10.3 

0.1 

471.8 

(21.3) 

(77.7) 

(99.0) 

372.8 

453.9 

81.1 

The fair value of the consideration is greater than the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired, resulting in goodwill of  
£81.1 million being recognised on acquisition. The goodwill balance is primarily attributable to the recognition of a deferred tax 
balance which is required to be recorded in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes but has not been taken into account as part  
of the purchase price as it is not expected to be realised. 

From the date of acquisition to the end of 2017, the acquired subsidiaries and subsequent joint venture interest (see note 34) 
contributed £13.2 million of revenue and £3.1 million of profit to the Group. 

Had the entities been acquired on 1 January 2017, the Group would have reported revenue of £622.9 million and profit of  
£206.0 million for 2017. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

34 Disposal of subsidiaries 
Disposal during 2018 
On 31 January 2018 the Group sold 50 per cent of its interest in intu Chapelfield, a wholly owned subsidiary, to LaSalle Investment 
Management (acting on behalf of Greater Manchester Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund) for final cash consideration 
of £145.1 million before expenses of £1.6 million. Following this transaction intu Chapelfield ceased to be accounted for as a 
subsidiary and is now a joint venture. Therefore the assets and liabilities of intu Chapelfield are no longer recorded at 100 per cent in 
the Group’s balance sheet but the remaining 50 per cent interest is included in investment in joint ventures at an initial value of 
£151.9 million. As a result of this transaction the Group has recorded a loss on disposal of £9.0 million in the income statement. The 
cash flow statement records a net inflow of £143.2 million comprising the net consideration received of £143.5 million less cash in 
the business of £0.8 million reclassified to investment in joint venture, net of cash classified as held for sale at 31 December 2017 of 
£0.5 million. 

Assessing control over joint arrangements is a significant judgement as referenced in note 1. Based on the terms set out in the joint 
venture agreement, the Group has classified its retained 50 per cent interest as a joint venture as key decisions require the consent 
of both partners. 

The assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries disposed of, at 100 per cent, are set out below: 

Assets 

Investment and development property 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables  

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Net assets (at 50 per cent) 

Fair value of consideration received (including fair value adjustments of £0.3 million) 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

£m 

302.0 

0.8 

6.6 

309.4 

(5.0) 

(5.0) 

304.4 

152.2 

143.2 

9.0 

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34 Disposal of subsidiaries (continued) 
Disposal during 2017 
On 31 July 2017 the Group sold 50 per cent of its interest in Xanadú Retail and Leisure S.L.U., a wholly owned subsidiary, to TH Real 
Estate for total consideration of €131.7 million (£117.9 million) before expenses of £1.0 million. Xanadú Retail and Leisure S.L.U. 
owns, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, intu Xanadú. Following this transaction intu Xanadú ceased to be accounted for as a 
subsidiary and is now a joint venture. Therefore the assets and liabilities of intu Xanadú are no longer recorded at 100 per cent in the 
Group’s balance sheet but the remaining 50 per cent interest is included in investment in joint ventures at an initial value of  
£117.1 million. As a result of this transaction the Group has recorded a loss on disposal of £1.0 million in the income statement. The 
cash flow statement inflow of £104.1 million represents the net consideration received of £116.9 million net of unrestricted cash in 
the business of £12.8 million. 

Assessing control over joint arrangements is a significant judgement as referenced in note 1. Based on the terms set out in the 
partnership agreement, the Group has classified its retained 50 per cent interest as a joint venture as key decisions require the 
consent of both partners. 

The assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries disposed of, at 100 per cent, are set out below: 

Assets 

Investment and development property 

Goodwill 

Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash of £3.2 million) 

Trade and other receivables  

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred tax 

Derivative financial instruments 

Borrowings 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Net assets (at 50 per cent) 

Fair value of consideration received 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

£m 

472.3 

81.1 

16.0 

7.3 

576.7 

(28.4) 

(79.6) 

(1.6) 

(231.4) 

(341.0) 

235.7 

117.9 

116.9 

1.0 

35 Assets classified as held for sale 
In November 2017 the Group announced the formation of a joint venture with LaSalle Investment Management (acting on behalf 
of Greater Manchester Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund) for them to take ownership of 50 per cent of intu 
Chapelfield. This transaction completed on 31 January 2018 (see note 34) following the receipt of EU merger approval. As a result, 
at 31 December 2017 in accordance with IFRS the Group classified 100 per cent of intu Chapelfield (which is part of the UK 
operating segment) and all its related assets and liabilities as held for sale. Assessing non-current assets and disposal groups held for 
sale is a significant judgement as referenced in note 1. 

The assets and liabilities below at 31 December 2017 are presented at their carrying amount. There were no material differences 
between their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. 

Assets of disposal groups classified as held for sale 

Investment and development property 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Total 

Liabilities of disposal groups classified as held for sale 

Trade and other payables 

Total 

£m 

302.0 

0.5 

6.6 

309.1 

(6.2) 

(6.2) 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

36 Capital commitments 
At 31 December 2018 the Board had approved £233.0 million (2017: £253.8 million) of future expenditure for the purchase, 
construction, development and enhancement of investment property. Of this, £188.5 million (2017: £145.9 million) is contractually 
committed. The majority of this is expected to be spent during 2019 and 2020. 

37 Cash generated from operations 

(Loss)/profit before tax, joint ventures and associates 

Adjusted for: 

Revaluation of investment and development property 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

Gain on sale of investment and development property 

Depreciation 

Share-based payments 

Lease incentives and letting costs 

Reversal of impairment of investment in Group companies 

Reversal of impairment of amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

Net finance costs/(income) 

Changes in working capital: 

Change in trade and other receivables 

Change in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations 

Notes 

14 

4 

40 

15 

9 

Group 
2018 
£m 

(1,139.6) 

Group 
2017 
£m 

190.4 

Company 
2018 
£m 

(187.0) 

Company 
2017 
£m 

36.0 

1,332.8 

(30.8) 

8.5 

(1.4) 

4.3 

2.8 

(9.3) 

– 

– 

1.8 

– 

2.9 

2.3 

(4.1) 

– 

– 

147.5 

218.2 

(5.3) 

(20.6) 

319.7 

(0.6) 

(14.5) 

365.6 

– 

– 

– 

4.0 

2.8 

– 

173.2 

– 

(16.5) 

253.9 

(186.6) 

43.8 

– 

– 

– 

2.5 

2.3 

– 

(67.0) 

(24.4) 

36.4 

151.4 

(135.0) 

2.2 

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38 Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 
The table below lists all of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. The country of incorporation and registration  
is England and Wales and the registered office is 40 Broadway, London SW1H 0BT except as indicated. The Company’s interest  
in each subsidiary is 100 per cent, except as indicated. The Company’s interest in each joint venture is 50 per cent, except  
as indicated.

Name of entity 

Class of capital 

Name of entity 

Subsidiaries based at 40 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BT  

Barton Square Holdco Limited (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Barton Square Investments Limited (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Centaurus Retail Limited (limited partner) 

Intu Chapelfield Limited (holding company) 
Intu Debenture plc (finance, holding company) 3 

Barton Square Limited (property) 

Birdhouse Retail Limited (retail) 

Braehead Glasgow Limited (property) 

Braehead Leisure Partnership (property) 

Braehead Park Estates Limited (property) 

Braehead Park Investments Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Eldon Square Limited (property) 
Intu Energy Limited (energy procurement) 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

n/a 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Experiences Limited (mall commercialisation) 

Intu Finance MH Limited (finance) 

Intu FM Limited (dormant) 
Intu India (Direct) Limited (holding company) 
Intu India (Portfolio) Limited (holding company) 

Intu Investments Limited (property) 

Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No.1) Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No.2) Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu IP Limited (intellectual property) 

Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No.3) Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Lakeside Hotel Limited (dormant) 

Broadmarsh Retail (Nominee No.4) Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Lakeside Limited (property) 

Class of capital 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares  

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 

Preference 
shares 
Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Broadmarsh Retail General Partner Limited (general partner)  Ordinary shares 

Broadway Construction & Development Limited (dormant)  Ordinary shares 

Broadway Retail Leisure Limited (management of  
leisure facilities) 

Cable Plaza Limited (limited partner) 
Capital Shopping Centres Limited (dormant)3 

Castle & Pedmore Houses Limited (dormant) 

Chapelfield LP Limited (limited partner) 

Chapelfield Property Management Limited  
(dormant) 
Conduit Insurance Holdings Limited (holding company)3 

Cribbs Mall Nominee (2) Limited (dormant) 

Crossmane Limited (limited partner) 

CSC Uxbridge Limited (dormant) 

Derby Business Management Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 
‘A’ shares 

Derby Investments General Partner Limited (general partner)  Ordinary shares 

Derby Investments Limited Partnership (limited partner) 

n/a 

Derby Investments Trustee Limited (dormant) 

Fortheath (No.3) Limited (dormant) 

Intu (SGS) Finco Limited (finance) 

Intu (SGS) Holdco Limited (holding company) 

Intu (SGS) Limited (holding company) 
Intu (SGS) Topco Limited (holding company)3 

Intu 2027 Limited (dormant) 

Intu Braehead Leisure Limited (holding company) 

Intu Braehead Limited (holding company) 

Intu Braehead Property Management Limited  
(property management) 
Intu Broadmarsh Limited (dormant)3 

Intu Cardiff Holdco Limited (dormant) 

Intu Cardiff Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Lakeside Property Management Limited  
(property management) 
Intu Management Services Limited (management services)3  Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Metrocentre Limited (limited partner) 

Intu Metrocentre Parent Company Limited  
(holding company) 

Intu Metrocentre Property Management Limited  
(property management) 
Intu Metrocentre Topco Limited (holding company)3 

Intu MH Acquisitions Limited (limited partner) 

Intu MH Group Limited (holding company) 

Intu MH Holdings Limited (holding company) 

Intu MH Investments Limited (limited partner) 

Intu MH Leaseholds Limited (dormant) 
Intu MH Parking Limited (limited partner) 

Intu MH Participations Limited (holding company) 

Intu MH Phase 1 Limited (limited partner) 

Intu MH Properties Limited (dormant) 

Intu MH Waterfront Limited (limited partner) 
Intu MHDS Holdco Limited (holding company)3 

Intu Milton Keynes Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares  

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Nottingham Investments Limited (limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Payments Limited (Group payment services) 

Intu Potteries Limited (limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Properties Investments Limited (limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Property Management Limited (property management)  Ordinary shares 

Intu Property Services Limited (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Retail Services Limited (facilities management) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu RS Limited (facilities management) 

Intu Shelfco 1 Limited (dormant) 

Intu Shelfco 3 plc (dormant) 
Intu Shopping Centres plc (holding company)3 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

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38 Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (continued) 

Name of entity 

Class of capital 

Name of entity 

Intu Spain Limited (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.2) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Class of capital 

Ordinary shares 

Intu The Hayes Limited (limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.3) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Trafford Centre Group (UK) Limited (holding company)  Ordinary shares 

MH (No.3) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

Intu Trafford Centre Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.3) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

Intu Ventures Limited (dormant) 
Intu Victoria Centre Limited (dormant)3 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.3) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.4) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Watford Holdco Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.4) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

Intu Watford Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.4) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Watford Property Management Limited  
(property management) 

IntuDigital Holdco Limited (holding company) 

IntuDigital Limited (digital services) 

Kindmotive Limited (dormant) 

Lakeside 1988 Limited (dormant) 

Liberty Capital PLC (dormant)3 

Liberty International Construction and Development 
Limited (dormant)3 

Liberty International Financial Services Limited  
(holding company) 

Liberty International Group Treasury Limited  
(treasury management) 
Liberty International Holdings Limited (holding company)1  Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Manchester Nominee (2) Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Merry Hill Management Services Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Merry Hill Services Limited (dormant) 

Merry Hill Trading Limited (dormant) 

Metrocentre (GP) Limited (general partner) 

Metrocentre (Holdco) Limited (holding company) 

Metrocentre (Nominee No.1) Limited (dormant) 

Metrocentre (Nominee No.2) Limited (dormant) 

Metrocentre (Subco) Limited (holding company) 
Metrocentre Lancaster LLP (property)4 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.4) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

Ordinary shares 

Cumulative 
redeemable 
preference 
shares 
Ordinary shares 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Redeemable 
preference 
shares 
‘C’ Preference 
shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.5) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.5) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

MH (No.5) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

MH (No.5) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.6) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.6) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

MH (No.6) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

MH (No.6) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.7) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.7) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

MH (No.7) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

MH (No.7) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.8) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.8) Limited Partnership (dormant) 

n/a 

MH (No.8) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

MH (No.8) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Middleford Property Investments Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Potteries (GP) Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Potteries (Nominee No.1) Limited (dormant) 

Potteries (Nominee No.2) Limited (dormant) 

Runic Nominees Limited (dormant) 

Sandal Investments Limited (dormant) 

Staffordshire Property Management Limited (property) 
TAI Investments Limited (holding company)2 

TAI Nominees Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

‘B’ Deferred 
shares 
Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

The Broadmarsh Retail Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

The Bullfinch Company Limited (dormant) 
The Metrocentre Partnership (property)4 

The Potteries Shopping Centre Limited Partnership 
(property) 

Ordinary shares 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

The Trafford Centre Holdings Limited (holding company)  Ordinary shares 

Metrocentre Lancaster No.1 Limited (limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

The Trafford Centre Investments Limited (holding company)  Ordinary shares 

Metrocentre Lancaster No.2 Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

The Trafford Centre Limited (property) 

MH (No.1) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.1) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

MH (No.1) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

MH (No.1) Nominee B Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

The Victoria Centre Partnership (property) 

MH (No.2) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

The Wilmslow (No.3) Limited Partnership (property) 

MH (No.2) Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

TransAtlantic Holdings Limited (dormant) 

MH (No.2) Nominee A Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Transol Investments Limited (dormant) 

‘A’ Preference 
shares 
‘B’ Preference 
shares 
Ordinary shares 

n/a 

n/a 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

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38 Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (continued) 

Name of entity 

Class of capital 

Name of entity 

VCP (GP) Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Sprucefield Unit Trust (limited partner) 

VCP Nominees No.1 Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

W (No.3) GP (Nominee A) Limited (dormant) 

VCP Nominees No.2 Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

W (No.3) GP (Nominee B) Limited (dormant) 

Class of capital 

Units 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Westgate Oxford Investments Limited (dormant) 
Whitesun Limited (dormant) 

Wilmslow (No.3) (Nominee A) Limited (dormant) 

Wilmslow (No.3) (Nominee B) Limited (dormant) 

Wilmslow (No.3) General Partner Limited (general partner) 

Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

Subsidiaries based at 7 Rue Robert Stumper, L-2557, Luxembourg 

ICS Holding S.à r.l. (holding company) 

ICS InvestCo S.à r.l. (holding company) 

ICS JV S.à r.l. (holding company) 

Intu Holding S.à r.l. (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Subsidiaries based at Paseo de la Castellana 64, 28046, Madrid, Spain 

Daytrade Inversiones 2014 S.L. (intellectual property) 

Ordinary shares 

WRP Management Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

Gravois Desarrollos S.L. (property) 

Ordinary shares 

Subsidiaries based at 27 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1SG 

Intu Costa del Sol Resort Holdco S.A. (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Belside Limited (property) 

Curley Limited (property) 

Steventon Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Subsidiaries based at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey, JR4 8PX 
Intu (Jersey) 2 Limited (finance)3 
Intu (Jersey) Limited (finance)3 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Derby 2 Limited (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Derby Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Units 

Intu Derby Limited (holding company) 

Intu Merry Hill 2 Limited (holding company) 

Intu Merry Hill Limited (holding company) 

Intu MH (No.1) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.1) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.2) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.2) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.3) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.3) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.4) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.4) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.5) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.5) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.6) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.6) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.7) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.7) Sub-Trust (limited partner) 

Intu MH (No.8) Jersey Unit Trust (limited partner) 

Intu Sprucefield 2 Limited (holding company) 

Intu Sprucefield Limited (holding company) 

Intu Uxbridge Holdco Limited (holding company) 

Midlands Shopping Centre Jersey Unit Trust (No.1)  
(limited partner) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Units 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Units 

Sprucefield No.1 Nominee Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Sprucefield No.2 General Partner Limited (general partner)  Ordinary shares 

Sprucefield No.2 Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

Sprucefield No.2 Nominee Limited (dormant) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Costa del Sol Resort S.L. (property) 

Intu Management Spain S.L. (property management and 
management services) 

Ocio y Nieve S.L. (property management) 

Rosholt Invest S.L. (property) 

Wattenberg Invest S.L. (property)  

Other subsidiaries 

Intu Management Spain Holding S.à r.l. (holding company) 
(6 Rue Eugène Ruppert, L-2453 Luxembourg) 
Intu Trafford Centre Group Limited (holding company)3 
(Cains Fiduciary, Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB) 

Libint (Proprietary) Limited (local administration services) 
(Liberty Life Centre, 1 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, 
Johannesburg 2007, South Africa)3 

Libtai Holdings (Jersey) Limited (holding company)  
(PO Box 761 Ordnance House 31 Pier Road, St Helier, 
Jersey, JE4 8ZZ)3 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Merry Hill Finance Designated Activity Company (finance) 
(6th Floor, Pinnacle 2, Eastpoint Business Park, Dublin, 
Republic of Ireland) (in liquidation) 

Ordinary shares 

Nailsfield Limited (holding company) (IFS Court, 
Twentyeight, Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius)3 

The Trafford Centre Finance Limited (finance)  
(190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman,  
KY1-9007, Cayman Islands) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Joint ventures based at 40 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BT 

Centaurus Retail LLP (property) 

Chapelfield GP Limited (general partner) 

Chapelfield Nominee Limited (dormant) 

Cribbs Causeway JV Limited (property management) 

n/a 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

Intu Chapelfield Residential Limited (property) 

Ordinary shares 

The Chapelfield Partnership (property) 

Manchester JV Limited (property management) 

n/a 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

38 Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (continued) 

Name of entity 

Class of capital 

Name of entity 

Class of capital 

Joint ventures based at 100 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5JL 

Joint ventures based at 7 Rue Robert Stumper, L-2557, Luxembourg 

St. David’s (Cardiff Residential) Limited (property)  

Ordinary shares 

Intu Eurofund Developments S.à r.l. (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

St. David’s (General Partner) Limited (general partner) 

St. David’s (No.1) Limited (dormant) 

St. David’s (No.2) Limited (dormant) 

‘A’ Ordinary 
shares 
‘B’ Ordinary 
shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

St. David’s Limited Partnership (property) 

n/a 

Joint ventures based at Paseo de la Castellana 64, 28046, Madrid, 
Spain 

Asturias Propco Numero Uno S.L. (property)  

Ordinary shares 

Asturias Retail and Leisure SOCIMI S.A. (holding company)   Ordinary shares 

Intu Eurofund Valencia S.L. (property development) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Eurofund Vigo S.L. (property development)  

Madrid Xanadú 2003 S.L. (property)  

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Puerto Venecia Investments SOCIMI S.A. (property)  

Ordinary shares 

SnowZone S.L. (leisure) 

Xanadú Retail and Leisure S.L. (holding company)  

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Zaragoza Properties SOCIMI S.A. (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Intu Zaragoza Holding S.à r.l. (holding company)  

Intu Zaragoza S.à r.l. (holding company)  

Parque Principado S.à r.l. (holding company) 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

‘A’ shares 
‘B’ shares 

Other joint ventures 
Metropolitan Retail JV (Jersey) Unit Trust (property) 7 
(28 – 30 The Parade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1EQ) 

St. David’s Unit Trust (limited partner) (22 Grenville Street, 
St Helier, Jersey, JR4 8PX) 

‘A’ units 
‘B’ units 

Units 

Associates based at 105-106 Provogue House, Off New Link Road, 
Andheri (West) Mumbai, 400 053 India 
Empire Mall Private Limited (property)5 
Prozone Intu Properties Limited (property)6 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

1  40.2 per cent is held by intu properties plc, 31.1 per cent is held by Conduit Insurance Holdings Limited and 28.7 per cent is held by TAI Investments Limited. 

2  95.4 per cent is held by Libtai Holdings (Jersey) Limited and 4.6 per cent is held by intu properties plc. 

3  Related undertaking held directly by intu properties plc. 

4  Group’s interest is 60 per cent. 

5  Group’s interest is 26.8 per cent. 

6  Group’s interest is 32.4 per cent. 

7  Group’s interest is 20 per cent. This is classified as a joint venture due to an equal voting interest. 

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38 Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (continued) 
Other entities 
Intu (SGS) Finance plc and Intu Metrocentre Finance plc are consolidated as subsidiaries in these financial statements but are not 
listed in the table above as the Group does not own the shares in these companies. These companies are vehicles set up on behalf of 
the Group for the sole purpose of issuing some of the Group’s listed debt. The Group’s obligations in respect of this debt via a back-
to-back intercompany loan agreement between these companies and other Group companies, and security over investment 
property via a deed of charge between the security trustees and other Group companies, mean that the Group is deemed to have 
control of these companies. 

Non-controlling interests 
By virtue of their 40 per cent interest in The Metrocentre Partnership, GIC Real Estate is entitled to appoint 40 per cent of the 
directors of Metrocentre (GP) Limited. £12.4 million of the non-controlling interest shown in the balance sheet at 31 December 
2018 (2017: £53.9 million) and £41.5 million of the non-controlling interest share of loss shown in the income statement for the 
year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: share of loss £13.5 million) relates to GIC Real Estate’s interest. Set out below is the 
summarised financial information of The Metrocentre Partnership at 100 per cent, as consolidated: 

Summarised income statement  

Revenue 

Loss for the year 

Summarised balance sheet 

Investment and development property 

Borrowings 

Other net liabilities 

Net liabilities 

2018 
£m 

68.2 

(103.4) 

819.8 

(953.8) 

(11.7) 

(145.7) 

2017 
£m 

68.5 

(33.7) 

908.3 

(938.1) 

(12.5) 

(42.3) 

During 2017 the Group acquired the 49 per cent non-controlling interest in Intu Retail Services Limited from Bilfinger Europa 
Facilities Management Limited for consideration of £1. Prior to the transaction, no amount was included within the non-controlling 
interest shown in the balance sheet and nil of the non-controlling interest share of loss shown in the income statement for the year 
ended 31 December 2017 related to their interest. 

39 Related party transactions 
Key management1 compensation is analysed below: 

Salaries and short-term employee benefits 

Pensions and other post-employment benefits 

Share-based payments 

2018 
£m 

4.9 

0.8 

1.7 

7.4 

2017 
£m 

5.4 

0.7 

2.0 

8.1 

1  Key management comprises the Directors of intu properties plc and the Executive Committee who have been designated as persons discharging managerial responsibility 

(PDMR). 

During 2017 the Group’s joint ventures in intu Puerto Venecia and intu Asturias sold shares in subsidiaries, previously wholly owned by 
the respective joint ventures, listed on the Spanish MaB to PDMR’s of the Group. The total value of the shares at 31 December 2018 is 
€1.3 million for each joint venture, representing 1 per cent of the respective outstanding share capital. The sale of shares in these 
entities was required to comply with Spanish MaB free float listing requirements. The Group provided an interest-free loan to PDMR’s  
to enable them to purchase the shares. The loans are treated as a taxable benefit which accordingly is included in the above table. 

As John Whittaker, Deputy Chairman and Non-Executive Director of intu properties plc, is the Chairman of the Peel Group (Peel), 
members of Peel are considered to be related parties. Total transactions between the Group and members of Peel are shown below: 

Income 

Expenditure 

2018 
£m 

1.3 

(0.7) 

2017 
£m 

1.3 

(0.6) 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

39 Related party transactions (continued) 
Income predominantly relates to leases of office space and contracts to provide advertising services. Expenditure predominantly 
relates to costs incurred under a management services agreement, travel costs and the supply of utilities. All contracts are on an 
arm’s length basis at commercial rates. 

Balances outstanding between the Group and members of Peel at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 are shown below: 

Net investment in finance lease 

Amounts owed by members of Peel 

Amounts owed to members of Peel 

2018 
£m 

1.2 

0.3 

(0.1) 

2017 
£m 

1.6 

1.0 

– 

Under the terms of the Group’s acquisition of intu Trafford Centre from Peel in 2011, Peel have provided a guarantee in respect of 
Section 106 planning obligation liabilities at Barton Square which at 31 December 2018 totalled £12.4 million (2017: £12.4 million). 

During 2016, the Group agreed terms on three advertising services agreements related to digital screens with Peel Advertising 
Limited (a member of Peel) under which Peel will procure advertising on behalf of the Group. The minimum fixed payments in these 
agreements have been classified as a finance lease (see net investment in finance lease above). 

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation in the 
Group’s financial information. 

Significant transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are shown below: 

Interest expense 

Interest income 

Additions to investment in subsidiaries 

2018 
£m 

(16.9) 

9.8 

– 

2017 
£m 

(24.4) 

12.2 

4.4 

The Company has provided Intu (Jersey) 2 Limited a guarantee over obligations in relation to the 2.875 per cent convertible bonds 
and Intu (Jersey) Limited over obligations in relation to the 2.5 per cent convertible bonds, which matured in 2018 (see note 26). 

Significant balances outstanding between the Company and its subsidiaries are shown within notes 15, 20 and 23. 

40 Share-based payments 
The Group operates a number of share-based payment arrangements providing employee benefits and incentives. All schemes are 
equity settled, and as such the expense recognised in the income statement is based on the fair value of the equity instruments 
awarded as determined at their grant date. The expense is recognised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on 
Group estimates of the number of shares that are expected to vest. 

In 2018 the total share-based payment charge was £2.8 million (2017: £2.3 million). Details of share options outstanding under each 
of the Group’s schemes is set out below: 

Share Option Scheme1 
Performance Share Plan1 

Bonus Share Scheme 
Share incentive plan3 

Save as you earn scheme 

Note 

Outstanding 
1 January 2018 

Granted 
during the year 

Exercised  
during the year  

Expired/forfeited 
during the year 

Outstanding 
31 December 2018 

Exercisable 
31 December 2018 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

11,015,807 

– 

6,047,934 

2,519,983 

1,343,098 

1,039,095 

360,533 

207,518 

– 

65,319 

–  
(348,828)2 
(509,659)2 
(28,470)2 

–  

(3,077,206) 

7,938,601 

4,846,101 

(1,210,829) 

7,008,260 

(45,168) 

(88,936) 

(53,701) 

1,827,366 

243,127 

219,136 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

– 

1 

Includes share interests held jointly under the Joint Share Ownership Plan. See F below for further details. 

2  Shares ordinarily exercised immediately on vested date. 

3  Relates to non-vested SIP bonus shares granted. 

In respect of the Share Option Scheme, the weighted average exercise prices of the outstanding options and outstanding options 
exercisable at 31 December 2018 are 302 pence and 309 pence respectively (2017: 293 pence and 274 pence respectively). No 
options were exercised during the year. 

In respect of the save as you earn scheme, the weighted average exercise prices of the outstanding options and outstanding options 
exercisable at 31 December 2018 are 224 pence and nil respectively (2017: 260 pence and nil respectively).

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40 Share-based payments (continued) 
During 2017 the Group incurred a £49.4 million share related charge in relation to its Spanish development partner Eurofund’s 
future interests in the share capital of the intu Costa del Sol development company. The positive impact of this share related charge 
on equity attributable to owners of intu properties plc, a credit to retained earnings of £49.4 million, is expected to reverse once 
these arrangements are concluded. 

A Share Option Scheme 
Options to subscribe for ordinary shares may be awarded under the intu properties plc Company Share Option Plan and the intu 
properties plc non-approved Executive Share Option Scheme. 

Such options may not be exercised within three years of grant or before the satisfaction or waiver of any applicable performance 
conditions, and will be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before their options become capable of exercise, except in certain 
circumstances. The options will lapse if not exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. 

B Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
The Company operates a PSP for eligible employees at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. 

Awards may be made in the form of nil cost options, a conditional share award or a joint share ownership award and fixed-value 
zero-cost option, and eligible employees may be granted any combination of such awards subject to any individual limits. 

Vesting of PSP awards is based on Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Total Financial Return (TFR). Half of the awards vest by 
reference to TFR (25 per cent vesting for 6 per cent per annum return; full vesting for 10 per cent per annum; straight-line vesting in 
between). The remaining half of the awards vest by reference to TSR relative to the top-five UK-listed REITs (25 per cent return 
vesting for TSR in line with the third-rated company; full vesting for TSR in line with the top-rated company; straight-line vesting in 
between) subject to a Remuneration Committee-operated discretionary assessment of underlying financial performance. One third 
of each award will vest in line with performance measured over three years, four years and five years respectively. 

C Bonus Share Scheme (Bonus Scheme) 
Under the Company’s Bonus Scheme, shares may be awarded on a deferred basis as part of a bonus award (Deferred Share 
Awards). 

Deferred Share Awards comprise ‘Restricted Shares’ and ‘Additional Shares’. Restricted Shares will vest two or three years after the 
date of their award and Additional Shares will vest four or five years after the date of award. Vesting is subject, under normal 
circumstances, to continued employment during the vesting or ‘restricted’ period. There are no further performance conditions 
applicable to either Restricted Shares or Additional Shares. 

Where awarded, the number of Additional Shares would be equal to 50 per cent of the combined total of shares awarded as 
Restricted Shares and under the Share Incentive Plan (see below). No Additional Shares were outstanding at 1 January 2017 and no 
awards of Additional Shares have been made in 2017 or 2018. 

D Share Incentive Plan (SIP) 
The Company operates a SIP for all eligible employees, who may receive up to £3,600 worth of shares (Free Shares) as part of their 
annual bonus. The SIP is an HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax advantaged scheme. 

Any Free Shares awarded under the SIP will be held in trust on behalf of each employee for three years following grant, after which 
time they may be withdrawn, provided the individual employee has remained in employment with the Company. If the Free Shares 
are held in trust for a further two years, they will qualify for HMRC approved tax advantages. 

As part of the SIP arrangements, the Company also offers eligible employees the opportunity to participate in a ‘Partnership’ share 
scheme, under which employees can invest up to £150 of salary each month which will be used to purchase ordinary shares in the 
Company (Partnership Shares) at the end of a 12-month period. The Group will give each employee one ordinary share  
(a ‘Matching Share’) for every two Partnership Shares purchased by the employee. Matching Shares will be forfeited if the employee 
leaves the Group within three years of the date of award, and will qualify for HMRC tax advantages if they are held in the SIP for  
five years. 

E Save As You Earn Scheme (SAYE) 
The Group operates a SAYE under which all eligible UK employees may save up to a maximum of £500 per month for a period of 
three or five years and use the proceeds at the end of their saving period to purchase shares in the Company. At the start of the 
saving period, each SAYE participant will be granted an option to purchase such shares at a price usually determined as the average 
mid-market closing share price of an ordinary share in the Company over the three consecutive dealing days preceding the SAYE 
invitation date, discounted by up to 20 per cent. Options may normally be exercised within six months following the end of the 
savings period. 

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Notes to the financial statements continued 

40 Share-based payments (continued) 
F Joint Share Ownership Plan (JSOP) 
Eligible employees were invited to participate in the JSOP which forms part of the intu properties plc unapproved share option 
scheme and the PSP. Under the JSOP, shares are held jointly by the employee and the employee share ownership plan trustee with 
any increases in the share price and dividends paid on those shares being allocated between the joint owners in accordance with the 
terms of the scheme. 

Conditions under which JSOP interests may be exercised (including applicable performance conditions), are the same as those for 
the unapproved share option scheme and PSP as outlined above. 

41 Pensions 
The Group operates defined contribution group pension plans for its staff. All contributions are invested in funds administered 
outside of the Group. The Group has no defined benefit schemes. 

The pension charge for the Group’s contributions to these arrangements is the amount paid which totalled £5.0 million for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 (2017: £4.4 million). 

42 Directors’ interests and emoluments 
(a) Shares in the Company 
The number of ordinary shares of the Company in which the Directors were beneficially interested at 31 December 2018 were: 

Chairman: 

John Strachan 

Deputy Chairman: 
John Whittaker1 

Executive: 

David Fischel 

Matthew Roberts 

Non-Executive: 

Adèle Anderson 
Ian Burke2 
Richard Gordon3 

Rakhi Goss-Custard 
Louise Patten3 
Andrew Strang2 

2018 

2017 

30,000 

30,000 

370,220,322 

368,635,097 

1,272,433 

1,155,030 

433,387 

341,992 

32,504 

– 

32,504 

n/a 

7,005,211 

7,005,211 

7,383 

12,857 

n/a 

7,383 

12,857 

– 

1  Total beneficial interest includes shares held by subsidiaries of the Peel Group of which John Whittaker is the Chairman. 

2  Andrew Strang stepped down from the Board on 30 September 2018 and Ian Burke was appointed to the Board on 1 October 2018. 

3  Richard Gordon stepped down from the Board and Louise Patten retired from the Board on 18 February 2019. 

Conditional awards of shares have previously been made to executive directors under the Company’s Bonus Scheme. 

Executive directors were required to retain the shares, net of shares sold to meet tax and PAYE deductions, which vested ahead of 
the normal vesting date. 

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42 Directors’ interests and emoluments (continued) 
Awards to executive directors under the Bonus Scheme are as follows: 

David Fischel 

Matthew Roberts 

Market 
 price at  
award  
(pence) 

349 

300 

300 

285 

285 

208 

208 

349 

300 

300 

285 

285 

208 

208 

Award date 

11/03/2015 

07/03/2016 

07/03/2016 

07/03/2017 

07/03/2017 

09/03/2018 

09/03/2018 

11/03/2015 

07/03/2016 

07/03/2016 

07/03/2017 

07/03/2017 

09/03/2018 

09/03/2018 

Original 
vesting 
date 

11/03/2018 

07/03/2018 

07/03/2019 

07/03/2019 

07/03/2020 

09/03/2020 

09/03/2021 

11/03/2018 

07/03/2018 

07/03/2019 

07/03/2019 

07/03/2020 

09/03/2020 

09/03/2021 

Market  
price at 
vesting 
(pence) 

212 

209 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

212 

209 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Number of 
shares at 
31 December 
2017  

29,446 

53,863 

52,663 

58,905 

57,642 

– 

– 

23,122 

42,471 

41,271 

46,982 

45,719 

Number of  
shares  
awarded 
during 2018 
4,349* 
5,625* 

– 

– 

– 

52,354 

52,354 
3,415* 
4,435* 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

41,322 

41,322 

Number of  
shares  
vested  
during 2018 

Number of 
shares at 
31 December 
2018  

(33,795) 

(59,488) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(26,537) 

(46,906) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

52,663 

58,905 

57,642 

52,354 

52,354 

– 

– 

41,271 

46,982 

45,719 

41,322 

41,322 

*  Dividend received for their two and three year holding period. 

Details of Restricted and Additional shares awarded in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018 are given in the Directors’ 
remuneration report on pages 78 to 93. 

(b) Share options in the Company 
Executive directors’ interests in share options, the PSP and the SIP are given in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 78 to 93. 

(c) Other disclosures 
No Director had any dealings in the shares of any Group company between 31 December 2018 and 20 February 2019, being the 
latest practicable date. 

Other than as disclosed in these financial statements, no Director of the Company had a material interest in any contract (other 
than service contracts (as defined by s227 Companies Act 2006)), transaction or arrangement with any Group company during the 
year ended 31 December 2018. 

(d) Emoluments 
The details of individual Directors’ remuneration and pension benefits, as set out in the tables contained in the Directors’ 
remuneration report on pages 78 to 93, form part of these financial statements. 

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Investment and development property (unaudited) 

1 Property data 

At 31 December 2018 

Subsidiaries 

intu Trafford Centre 

intu Lakeside 

intu Metrocentre 

intu Merry Hill 

intu Braehead 

Manchester Arndale 

intu Watford 

intu Derby 

intu Eldon Square 

intu Victoria Centre 

intu Milton Keynes 

Cribbs Causeway 
OtherB 

Investment and development property 
excluding Group’s share of joint ventures 

Joint ventures 

St David’s, Cardiff 
intu Xanadú 

intu Puerto Venecia 

intu Asturias 

intu Chapelfield 
OtherC 

Investment and development property 
including Group’s share of joint ventures 

At 31 December 2017 
including Group’s share of joint ventures 

A  Calculated in local currency. 

Market value 
£m 

Revaluation 
(deficit)/surplus 

Net initial 
yield (EPRA) 

‘Topped-up’ NIY 
(EPRA) 

Nominal 
equivalent yield 

Occupancy 

(EPRA) 

2,098.0 

1,250.0 

841.8 

777.2 

429.9 

409.9 

407.4 

372.5 

280.7 

261.0 

256.5 

216.7 

456.5 

8,058.1 

294.6 

243.1 

241.1 

144.6 

133.6 

52.3 

9,167.4 

10,222.7 

–10% 

–15% 

–10% 

–16% 

–20% 

–12% 

–11% 

–19% 

–13% 

–28% 

–11% 

–10% 

–14% 
+1%A 
+3%A 
+1%A 
–13% 

4.4% 

3.9% 

4.8% 

4.5% 

6.1% 

4.6% 

3.7% 

6.6% 

5.4% 

6.1% 

5.0% 

5.3% 

4.9% 

4.4% 

4.5% 

4.6% 

5.5% 

4.4% 

4.5% 

5.4% 

4.8% 

6.2% 

4.9% 

3.8% 

6.7% 

5.4% 

6.3% 

5.0% 

5.5% 

5.2% 

4.7% 

4.7% 

4.7% 

5.5% 

4.7% 

4.9% 

5.7% 

5.6% 

6.3% 

5.6% 

5.3% 

7.2% 

5.5% 

6.5% 

5.3% 

5.6% 

5.2% 

5.4% 

5.7% 

5.3% 

5.8% 

4.75%D 

4.98%D 

5.44%D 

4.20%D 

4.36%D 

5.03%D 

98% 

97% 

95% 

93% 

99% 

98% 

96% 

95% 

99% 

98% 

98% 

97% 

92% 

98% 

100% 

99% 

99% 

97% 

97% 

B 

C 

Includes the Group’s interests in intu Potteries, intu Broadmarsh, Soar at intu Braehead, development land in Spain and Sprucefield, Northern Ireland. 

Includes the Group’s interest in intu Uxbridge. 

D  Weighted average yields exclude developments. 

Passing rent 

Annual property income 
ERV1 

Weighted average unexpired lease term 

1  ERV is presented excluding the net impact of non-recoverable charges. The 31 December 2017 figure has been adjusted to the same basis. 

Please refer to the glossary for definitions of terms. 

31 December 
2018 
£m 

31 December 
2017 
£m 

428.9 

474.1 

566.3 

426.9 

462.2 

572.6 

7.2 years 

7.5 years 

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2 Analysis of capital return in the year – including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Market value 

Revaluation (deficit)/surplus 

Like-for-like property 

50% retained interest in intu Chapelfield (classified as held for sale  
at 31 December 2017) 

Spain developments 
UK other including developments1 

2018 
£m 

2017 
£m 

2018 
£m 

8,117.6 

9,203.8 

(1,178.9) 

133.6 

232.3 

683.9 

– 

212.8 

806.1 

(20.6) 

(7.2) 

(198.3) 

Total investment and development property 

9,167.4 

10,222.7 

(1,405.0) 

2018 
% 

(11.8) 

(13.4) 

(3.4) 

(21.5) 

(13.3) 

1  UK other including developments represents valuation movements on investment and development property valued below £200 million each. This category also includes intu 

Watford (non like-for-like). 

3 Additional property information 

Ownership 

Note 

Form of  
ownershipE 

Gross area million   
sq ftF 

Year 
opened 

Acquisition   
dateG 

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

At 31 December 2018 

intu Trafford Centre 

intu Lakeside 

intu Metrocentre 

intu Merry Hill 

intu Braehead 

Manchester Arndale 

intu Watford 

intu Derby 

intu Eldon Square 

intu Victoria Centre 

intu Milton Keynes 

Cribbs Causeway 

St David’s, Cardiff 

intu Xanadú 

intu Puerto Venecia 

intu Asturias 

intu Chapelfield 

Other 

Investment and development property 
including Group’s share of joint ventures 

At 31 December 2017 including Group’s share 
of joint ventures 

100% 

100% 

90% 

100% 

100% 

48% 

93% 

100% 

60% 

100% 

100% 

33% 

50% 

50% 

50% 

50% 

50% 

FH  
FH  
LH  

FH  

FH  
LH  

LH   

FH/LH  
FH/LH  

FH  

FH  
FH/LH  

FH/LH  

FH 

FH 

FH 

FH 

A 

B 

C 

D 

1998 

1990 

1986 

1985 

1999 

1976 

1992 

2007 

1976 

1972 

2000 

1998 

2009 

2003 

2012 

2001 

2005 

2011 

– 

1995 
2016I 

– 

2005 

– 

2014 

– 
2002H 

2013 

2005 

2006 

2017 

2015 

2013 

– 

2.0 

1.6 

2.1 

1.7 

1.1 

1.8 

1.1 

1.3 

1.4 

1.0 

0.4 

1.1 

1.4 

1.3 

1.3 

0.8 

0.5 

1.5 

24.0 

22.9 

A 

Interest shown is that of The Metrocentre Partnership in intu Metrocentre (90 per cent) and the Metro Retail Park (100 per cent). The Group has a 60 per cent interest in The 
Metrocentre Partnership which is consolidated as a subsidiary of the Group. 

B  The Group’s interest is through a joint operation ownership of a 95 per cent interest in Manchester Arndale, and a 90 per cent interest in New Cathedral Street, Manchester. 

C  The Group’s interest is through a joint operation ownership of a 66 per cent interest in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and a 100 per cent interest in The Retail Park, Cribbs 

Causeway. 

D 

Includes intu Potteries, intu Uxbridge, intu Broadmarsh, Soar at intu Braehead and Sprucefield, Northern Ireland. 

E  Form of ownership is shown as either freehold (FH), leasehold (LH) or freehold and leasehold (FH/LH). 

F  Area shown is not adjusted for the proportion of ownership. 

G  The acquisition date is presented only where the centre was not built by the Group. 

H 

intu held a 20 per cent stake in intu Victoria Centre prior to 2002 when it acquired the remaining 80 per cent to take its holding to 100 per cent. 

I 

intu held a 50 per cent stake in intu Merry Hill from 2014. In 2016 it acquired the remaining 50 per cent to take its holding to 100 per cent. 

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Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment and development property (unaudited) continued 

4 Analysis of net rental income in the year – including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Like-for-like property 

Acquisition and part disposal: intu Xanadú 

Part disposal: intu Chapelfield (50%) 

Developments 

Net rental income 

Year ended 31 December 

Movement 

2018 
£m 

420.1 

11.5 

– 

18.9 

450.5 

2017 
£m 

417.8 

13.0 

7.0 

22.2 

460.0 

£m 

2.3 

(1.5) 

(7.0) 

(3.3) 

(9.5) 

% 

0.6 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

(2.1) 

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Other Information 
 
 
 
 
Financial covenants (unaudited) 

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

Intu (SGS) Finance plc and Intu (SGS) Finco Limited (Secured Group Structure) 

Term loan 

3.875 per cent bonds 

4.625 per cent bonds 

4.250 per cent bonds 

Loan 
£m 

351.8 

450.0 

350.0 

350.0 

1,501.8 

Maturity 

2021 

2023 

2028 

2030 

LTV 
covenant 

LTV 
actual 

Interest 
cover 
covenant 

Interest 
cover 
actual 

80% 

57% 

125% 

228% 

Covenants are tested on the Security Group, the principal assets of which are intu Lakeside, intu Braehead, intu Watford, intu Derby 
and intu Victoria Centre. 

The structure has a tiered operating covenant regime giving the Group a significant degree of flexibility when the covenants are 
below certain levels. In higher tiers the level of flexibility is reduced. The Group retains operating control at loan to value below  
72.5 per cent and interest cover above 1.4x. No financial covenant default occurs unless the loan to value exceeds 80 per cent or 
the interest cover falls below 1.25x. 

The Trafford Centre Finance Limited 
There are no financial covenants on the intu Trafford Centre debt of £744.4 million at 31 December 2018. However, a debt service 
cover ratio is assessed quarterly and where this falls below specified levels restrictions come into force. The loan to 31 December 
2018 market value ratio is 37 per cent. No restrictions are in place at present. 

Intu Metrocentre Finance plc 

4.125 per cent bonds 

Loan 
£m 

485.0 

Maturity 

2023 

LTV 
covenant 

100% 

LTV 
actual 

58% 

Interest 
cover 
covenant 

125% 

Interest 
cover 
actual 

217% 

The structure’s covenant regime gives the Group a significant degree of flexibility when the covenants are below certain levels. The 
Group retains operating control at loan to value below 70 per cent and interest cover above 1.4x. No financial covenant default 
occurs unless loan to value exceeds 100 per cent or the interest cover falls below 1.25x. 

Other asset-specific debt 

Sprucefield 
intu Uxbridge4 

St David’s, Cardiff 

intu Milton Keynes 
intu Trafford Centre, Barton Square5 

intu Trafford Centre 

intu Chapelfield 

intu Merry Hill 
intu Asturias4 (€) 
intu Xanadú4 (€) 
intu Puerto Venecia4 (€) 

Loan outstanding  
at 31 December  
20181 
£m   

Maturity 

LTV 
covenant 

Loan to  
31 December  
2018  
market value2 

25.2 

26.0 

163.2 

140.5 

25.0 

250.0 

74.0 

478.1 

60.5 

131.5 

112.5 

2020 

2020 

2021 

2021 

2021 

2022 

2023 

2024 

2021 

2022 

2025 

65% 

70% 

65% 

65% 

65% 

65% 

65% 

75% 

65% 

65% 

65% 

57% 

65% 

55% 

55% 

38% 

49% 

55% 

62% 

38% 

49% 

42% 

Interest 
cover 
covenant 

150% 

125% 

150% 

150% 

150% 
103%6 

150% 

150% 

150% 

150% 

150% 

Interest   
cover   
actual3 

332% 

244% 

230% 

280% 

432% 
119%6 

266% 

262% 

653% 

433% 

441% 

1  The loan values are the actual principal balances outstanding at 31 December 2018, which take into account any principal repayments made up to 31 December 2018. The 

balance sheet value of the loans includes unamortised fees. 

2  The loan to 31 December 2018 market value provides an indication of the impact the 31 December 2018 property valuations could have on the LTV covenants. The actual 

timing and manner of testing LTV covenants varies and is loan specific. 

3  Based on latest certified figures, calculated in accordance with loan agreements, which have been submitted between 31 December 2018 and 7 February 2019. The calculations 

are loan specific and include a variety of historical, forecast and in certain instances a combined historical and forecast basis. 

4  Debt shown is consistent with the Group’s economic interest.  

5 

In addition to this term facility, we have a committed development funding facility of £25 million of which £3.3 million was drawn at 31 December 2018. 

6  Covenant is a debt service cover ratio (includes interest and scheduled debt repayments). 

163
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Financial covenants (unaudited) continued 

Intu Debenture plc 

Loan 
£m 

231.4 

Maturity 

2027 

Capital cover 
 covenant 

Capital cover  
actual 

Interest cover  
covenant 

Interest cover  
actual 

150% 

186% 

100% 

111% 

The debenture is currently secured on a number of the Group’s properties including intu Eldon Square, intu Potteries and Soar at intu 
Braehead. During the year, intu Broadmarsh was withdrawn from the debenture. 

Should the capital cover or interest cover test be breached, Intu Debenture plc (the ‘Issuer’) has three months from the date of 
delivery of the valuation or the latest certificate to the Trustees to make good any deficiencies. The Issuer may withdraw property 
secured on the debenture by paying a sum of money or through the substitution of alternative property provided that the capital 
cover and interest cover tests are satisfied immediately following the substitution. 

Financial covenants on corporate facilities 

Net worth  
covenant 

Net worth 
actual 

Interest cover 
covenant 

Interest cover  
actual 

Borrowings/net  
worth covenant 

Borrowings/net 
worth actual 

£600m facility, maturing in 2021* 

£1,200m 

£2,174m 

120% 

194% 

125% 

£375m 2.875 per cent convertible  
bonds, due in 2022 (note 26)** 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

175% 

84% 

15% 

*  Tested on the Borrower Group which excludes, at the Group’s election, certain subsidiaries with asset-specific finance. The facility is secured on the Group’s investments in 

Manchester Arndale and Cribbs Causeway. 

**  Tested on the Group excluding, at the Group’s election, the borrowings on certain subsidiaries with asset-specific finance. 

Interest rate swaps 
The table below sets out the nominal amount and average rate of hedging, excluding lenders’ margins, in place under current and 
forward-starting swap contracts. 

In effect on or after: 

1 year 

2 years 

5 years 

10 years 

15 years 

Nominal amount 
£m 

Average rate 
% 

1,838.4 

1,787.2 

1,268.2 

670.1 

457.8 

2.85 

2.89 

3.11 

4.90 

4.64 

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164               intu properties plc Annual report 2018 

Other Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial information including share of joint ventures (unaudited) 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

The information in this section is presented to show the Group including share of joint ventures. A reconciliation from the amounts 
shown in the Group’s income statement and balance sheet is provided on the following pages.  

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

Group underlying 
profit  
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures  
£m 

2018 

Group including 
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

Group underlying 
profit 
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

2017 

Group including  
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

Underlying earnings 

Rent receivable 

Service charge income 

Facilities management income from joint 
ventures 

Revenue 

Net rental income 

Net other income 

Administration expenses 

Underlying operating profit 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Other finance costs 

467.3 

107.0 

6.8 

581.1 

398.5 

5.3 

(42.9) 

360.9 

(210.8) 

14.8 

(5.9) 

60.7 

13.5 

(2.3) 

71.9 

52.0 

(2.4) 

(1.1) 

48.5 

(6.3) 

(12.2) 

– 

528.0 

120.5 

4.5 

653.0 

450.5 

2.9 

(44.0) 

409.4 

(217.1) 

2.6 

(5.9) 

Underlying net finance costs 

(201.9) 

(18.5) 

(220.4) 

Underlying profit before tax, joint ventures  
and associates 

Tax on underlying profit 

Share of underlying profit of joint ventures 

Share of underlying profit of associates 

Remove amounts attributable to non-controlling 
interests 

Underlying earnings 

159.0 

(0.1) 

29.2 

1.2 

3.8 

193.1 

30.0 

(0.6) 

(29.2) 

– 

(0.2) 

– 

189.0 

(0.7) 

– 

1.2 

3.6 

193.1 

503.4 

109.1 

3.5 

616.0 

423.4 

3.0 

(40.9) 

385.5 

(213.9) 

12.6 

(5.9) 

(207.2) 

178.3 

0.1 

18.3 

0.9 

3.4 

201.0 

42.8 

8.7 

(0.7) 

50.8 

36.6 

(2.1) 

(0.7) 

33.8 

(6.0) 

(9.3) 

– 

546.2 

117.8 

2.8 

666.8 

460.0 

0.9 

(41.6) 

419.3 

(219.9) 

3.3 

(5.9) 

(15.3) 

(222.5) 

18.5 

(0.2) 

(18.3) 

– 

– 

– 

196.8 

(0.1) 

– 

0.9 

3.4 

201.0 

A reconciliation from the Group’s (loss)/profit attributable to owners of intu properties plc to underlying earnings is provided in  
note 12(b).

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Financial information including share of joint ventures (unaudited) continued 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Group income 
statement  
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures  
£m 

2018 

Group including 
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

581.1 

398.5 

5.3 

71.9 

52.0 

(2.4) 

653.0 

450.5 

2.9 

(1,332.8) 

(72.2) 

(1,405.0) 

Group income 
statement 
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

2017 

Group including  
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

616.0 

423.4 

3.0 

30.8 

(1.8) 

– 

– 

(40.9) 

(5.9) 

408.6 

(213.9) 

12.6 

(38.9) 

22.0 

50.8 

36.6 

(2.1) 

16.5 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

(0.7) 

(0.7) 

49.3 

(6.0) 

(9.3) 

– 

1.0 

666.8 

460.0 

0.9 

47.3 

(1.8) 

– 

(0.3) 

(41.6) 

(6.6) 

457.9 

(219.9) 

3.3 

(38.9) 

23.0 

(8.5) 

1.4 

– 

(44.0) 

(13.2) 

(1,015.9) 

(217.1) 

2.6 

(34.3) 

86.3 

(162.5) 

(218.2) 

(14.3) 

(232.5) 

(1,178.4) 

– 

2.3 

(1,176.1) 

(0.7) 

3.6 

2.9 

(1,173.2) 

41.0 

190.4 

35.5 

1.3 

227.2 

0.1 

(24.0) 

(23.9) 

203.3 

13.4 

35.0 

(35.5) 

– 

(0.5) 

(0.2) 

1.3 

1.1 

0.6 

(0.6) 

225.4 

– 

1.3 

226.7 

(0.1) 

(22.7) 

(22.8) 

203.9 

12.8 

(8.5) 

1.4 

– 

(42.9) 

(13.1) 

(992.1) 

(210.8) 

14.8 

(38.8) 

87.3 

(147.5) 

(1,139.6) 

(42.1) 

2.3 

(1,179.4) 

(0.1) 

5.8 

5.7 

(1,173.7) 

41.5 

– 

– 

– 

(1.1) 

(0.1) 

(23.8) 

(6.3) 

(12.2) 

4.5 

(1.0) 

(15.0) 

(38.8) 

42.1 

– 

3.3 

(0.6) 

(2.2) 

(2.8) 

0.5 

(0.5) 

(1,132.2) 

– 

(1,132.2) 

216.7 

– 

216.7 

Consolidated income statement 

Revenue 

Net rental income 

Net other income 

Revaluation of investment and development 
property 

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 

Gain on sale of investment and development 
property 

Loss on sale of other investments 

Administration expenses – ongoing 

Administration expenses – exceptional  

Operating (loss)/profit 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Other finance costs 

Change in fair value of financial instruments 

Net finance costs 

(Loss)/profit before tax, joint ventures  
and associates 

Share of post-tax (loss)/profit of joint ventures 

Share of post-tax profit of associates 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Current tax 

Deferred tax 

Taxation 

(Loss)/profit for the year 

Non-controlling interests 

(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to 
owners of intu properties plc 

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166               intu properties plc Annual report 2018 

Other Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet 

Assets 

Investment and development property 

Investment in joint ventures 

Derivative financial instruments 

Assets classified as held for sale 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Borrowings 

Derivative financial instruments 

Liabilities associated with assets  
classified as held for sale 

Other liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-controlling interests 

Net assets attributable to owners of  
intu properties plc 

Group balance 
sheet  
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures  
£m 

2018 

Group including 
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

Group balance 
sheet 
£m 

Share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

2017 

Group including  
share of joint 
ventures 
£m 

8,021.8 

823.9 

4.7 

– 

239.5 

352.6 

9,442.5 

(5,035.3) 

(285.2) 

– 

(297.6) 

(5,618.1) 

3,824.4 

(12.7) 

1,108.3 

(823.9) 

– 

– 

34.8 

59.9 

379.1 

9,130.1 

9,179.4 

1,013.1 

10,192.5 

– 

4.7 

– 

274.3 

412.5 

735.5 

0.3 

309.1 

228.0 

342.2 

(735.5) 

0.2 

– 

50.2 

54.3 

– 

0.5 

309.1 

278.2 

396.5 

9,821.6 

10,794.5 

382.3 

11,176.8 

(295.7) 

(5,331.0) 

(3.5) 

(288.7) 

– 

(76.2) 

(375.4) 

3.7 

(3.7) 

– 

(373.8) 

(5,993.5) 

3,828.1 

(16.4) 

(4,997.8) 

(347.8) 

(6.2) 

(313.5) 

(5,665.3) 

5,129.2 

(54.2) 

(300.1) 

(5,297.9) 

(2.5) 

(350.3) 

– 

(76.5) 

(379.1) 

3.2 

(3.2) 

(6.2) 

(390.0) 

(6,044.4) 

5,132.4 

(57.4) 

3,811.7 

– 

3,811.7 

5,075.0 

– 

5,075.0 

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Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial information including share of joint ventures (unaudited) continued 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Investment and development property 

Balance sheet carrying value of investment and development property 

Tenant incentives included within trade and other receivables 

Head leases included within finance leases in borrowings 

Market value of investment and development property 

2018 
£m 

2017 
£m 

9,130.1 

10,192.5 

125.6 

(88.3) 

118.5 

(88.3) 

9,167.4 

10,222.7 

Net external debt  
The table below provides a reconciliation between the components of net debt included on the Group’s balance sheet and net 
external debt including the Group’s share of joint ventures’ debt and cash. 

2018 
£m 

5,035.3 

(239.5) 

4,795.8 

(189.5) 

– 

4,606.3 

295.7 

(34.8) 

2017 
£m 

4,997.8 

(228.0) 

4,769.8 

(183.7) 

(0.5) 

4,585.6 

300.1 

(50.2) 

4,867.2 

4,835.5 

5,141.5 

(274.3) 

4,867.2 

5,113.7 

(278.2) 

4,835.5 

2018 
£m 

2017 
£m 

9,167.4 

10,222.7 

– 

9,167.4 

(4,867.2) 

53.1% 

306.5 

10,529.2 

(4,835.5) 

45.9% 

2018 
£m 

(217.1) 

2.6 

(214.5) 

409.4 

1.91x 

2017 
£m 

(219.9) 

3.3 

(216.6) 

419.3 

1.94x 

Total borrowings 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Net debt 

Less Metrocentre compound financial instrument 

Less cash and cash equivalents within assets classified as held for sale 

Net external debt – before Group’s share of joint ventures 

Add share of borrowings of joint ventures 

Less share of cash of joint ventures 

Net external debt – including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Analysed as: 

Debt including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Cash including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Net external debt – including Group’s share of joint ventures 

Debt to assets ratio 

Market value of investment and development property 

Add market value of investment and development property classified as assets held for sale 

Net external debt 

Debt to assets ratio 

Interest cover 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Underlying operating profit 

Interest cover 

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168               intu properties plc Annual report 2018 

Other Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underlying profit statement (unaudited) 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

The underlying profit information in the table below shows the Group including share of joint ventures on a line-by-line basis. 

Net rental income 

Net other income 

Administration expenses  

Underlying operating profit 

Finance costs 

Finance income 

Other finance costs 

Underlying net finance costs 

Underlying profit before tax and associates 

Tax on underlying profit 

Share of underlying profit of associates 

Remove amounts attributable to  
non-controlling interests 

Underlying earnings 

Underlying EPS (pence) 

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
£m 

Year ended  
31 December  
2017 
£m 

Six months  
ended  
31 December  
2018 
£m 

Six months  
ended  
31 December  
2017 
£m 

Six months  
ended  
30 June  
2018 
£m 

Six months  
ended  
30 June  
2017 
£m 

450.5 

2.9 

(44.0) 

409.4 

(217.1) 

2.6 

(5.9) 

(220.4) 

189.0 

(0.7) 

1.2 

3.6 

193.1 

14.4p 

460.0 

0.9 

(41.6) 

419.3 

(219.9) 

3.3 

(5.9) 

(222.5) 

196.8 

(0.1) 

0.9 

3.4 

201.0 

15.0p 

227.4 

0.9 

(22.3) 

206.0 

(111.4) 

1.3 

(3.0) 

(113.1) 

92.9 

(0.3) 

0.6 

1.4 

94.6 

7.0p 

233.8 

0.8 

(21.0) 

213.6 

(112.4) 

2.2 

(3.0) 

(113.2) 

100.4 

0.1 

0.5 

1.5 

102.5 

7.6p 

223.1 

2.0 

(21.7) 

203.4 

(105.7) 

1.3 

(2.9) 

226.2 

0.1 

(20.6) 

205.7 

(107.5) 

1.1 

(2.9) 

(107.3) 

(109.3) 

96.1 

(0.4) 

0.6 

2.2 

98.5 

7.3p 

96.4 

(0.2) 

0.4 

1.9 

98.5 

7.3p 

Weighted average number of shares (million) 

1,343.7 

1,343.2 

1,343.8 

1,343.4 

1,343.6 

1,343.1 

For the reconciliation from basic EPS see note 12(b). 

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Strategic reportFinancial statementsOther informationGovernance 
 
 
 
EPRA performance measures (unaudited) 

1 Summary 
The EPRA Best Practice Recommendations identify six key performance measures, including the EPRA cost ratios. The measures 
are deemed to be of importance for investors in European property companies and aim to encourage more consistent and 
widespread disclosure. The Group is supportive of this initiative but continues to disclose additional APMs throughout this report 
which it believes are more appropriate to the Group’s current circumstances. These EPRA measures are calculated in accordance 
with the EPRA Best Practices Recommendations Guidelines. 

In 2018, the Group retained its EPRA Gold Award for exceptional compliance with the EPRA Best Practice Recommendations. 

The EPRA measures are summarised below and detailed in the tables following and notes referenced: 

EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy costs) 

EPRA cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs) 

EPRA earnings 

— per share 

EPRA NAV 

— per share 

EPRA NNNAV 

— per share 

EPRA NIY 

EPRA ‘topped-up’ NIY 

EPRA vacancy rate 

Table/note 

table 2 

table 2 

note 12(b) 

note 12(b) 

2018 

20.1% 

15.3% 

2017 

19.4% 

15.1% 

£210.5m 

£184.5m 

15.7p 

13.7p 

note 13(b) 

£3,947.1m 

£5,287.3m 

note 13(b) 

293p 

393p 

note 13(c) 

£3,640.7m 

£4,695.8m 

note 13(c) 

table 3 

table 3 

table 4 

271p 

4.8% 

5.0% 

3.3% 

349p 

4.2% 

4.4% 

3.0% 

Details of the Group’s performance against the EPRA Best Practice Recommendations on Sustainability Reporting can be found in 
full in the 2018 corporate responsibility report. In 2018, the Group retained its Gold EPRA Sustainability Best Practice 
Recommendations award. 

2 EPRA cost ratios 

Administration expenses – ongoing 

Net service charge costs 

Other non-recoverable costs 

Remove: 

Service charge costs recovered through rents 

EPRA costs – including direct vacancy costs 

Direct vacancy costs 

EPRA costs – excluding direct vacancy costs 

Rent receivable 

Rent payable 

Gross rental income less ground rent payable 

Remove: 

Service charge costs recovered through rents 

Gross rental income 

2018 
£m 

44.0 

18.5 

44.4 

(4.6) 

102.3 

(24.3) 

78.0 

528.0 

(14.6) 

513.4 

(4.6) 

508.8 

2017 
£m 

41.6 

19.1 

46.6 

(6.5) 

100.8 

(22.6) 

78.2 

546.2 

(20.5) 

525.7 

(6.5) 

519.2 

EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy costs) 

EPRA cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs) 

20.1% 

15.3% 

19.4% 

15.1% 

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Other Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 EPRA NIY and ‘topped-up’ NIY 

Investment and development property 

Less developments 

Completed property portfolio 

Allowance for estimated purchasers’ costs 

Gross up completed property portfolio valuation 

Annualised cash passing rental income 

Property outgoings 

Annualised net rents 

Notional rent on expiration of rent-free periods or other lease incentives 

Topped-up net annualised rent 

EPRA NIY 

EPRA ‘topped-up’ NIY 

EPRA NIY and ‘topped-up’ NIY by property is given in the investment and development property section. 

4 EPRA vacancy rate 

intu Trafford Centre 

intu Lakeside 

intu Metrocentre 

intu Merry Hill 

intu Braehead 

Manchester Arndale 

intu Watford 

intu Derby 

intu Eldon Square 

intu Victoria Centre 

intu Milton Keynes 

Cribbs Causeway 

St David’s, Cardiff 

intu Xanadú 

intu Puerto Venecia 

intu Asturias 

intu Chapelfield 

EPRA vacancy rate is the ERV of vacant space divided by total ERV. 

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2017 
£m 

10,223 

(379) 

9,844 

673 

10,517 

462 

(25) 

437 

23 

460 

4.2% 

4.4% 

2018 
£m 

9,167 

(342) 

8,825 

609 

9,434 

474 

(25) 

449 

25 

474 

4.8% 

5.0% 

2018 
% 

2017 
% 

2.1 

2.9 

5.1 

6.6 

1.3 

1.7 

3.9 

4.8 

1.4 

1.8 

1.7 

2.6 

7.8 

2.3 

0.5 

1.1 

0.7 

3.3 

1.6 

5.8 

5.5 

1.8 

2.5 

1.8 

2.8 

2.1 

1.2 

1.5 

0.4 

1.7 

6.0 

4.5 

1.9 

3.6 

– 

3.0 

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Financial record 
2014-2018 

Net rental income 

Underlying earnings 

Underlying earnings per share 

Dividend per share 

2014 

£397m 

£162m 

13.3p 

13.7p 

2015 

£428m 

£187m 

14.2p 

13.7p 

2016 

£447m 

£200m 

15.0p 

14.0p 

Property revaluation (deficit)/surplus 

£648m 

£351m 

£(64m) 

2017 

£460m 

£201m 

15.0p 

14.0p 

£47m 

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) 

Market value of investment and development property 

Net external debt 

Debt to assets ratio 

Interest cover 

Change in like-for-like net rental income 

Occupancy 

Change in footfall (like-for-like) 

379p 

£8,963m 

£3,963m 

404p 

£9,602m 

£4,139m 

404p 

411p 

£9,985m 

£10,223m 

£4,364m 

£4,836m 

44.2% 

1.82x 

(3.2)% 

95% 

+0% 

43.1% 

1.91x 

1.8% 

96% 

+0% 

43.7% 

1.97x 

3.6% 

96% 

+1.3% 

45.9% 

1.94x 

0.5% 

97% 

+0% 

Amounts presented include the Group’s share of joint ventures. 

2018 

£451m 

£193m 

14.4p 

4.6p 

£(1,405m) 

312p 

£9,167m 

£4,867m 

53.1% 

1.91x 

0.6% 

97% 

-1.6% 

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Other Information 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Glossary 

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ABC1 customers Proportion of customers within UK social 
groups A, B and C1, defined as members of households whose 
chief earner’s occupation is professional, higher or intermediate 
management, or supervisory. 

APMs (alternative performance measures) Financial measures 
of historical or future financial performance, position or cash 
flows of the Group which are not measures defined or specified 
in IFRS. 

Annual property income The Group’s share of passing rent plus 
the independent external valuers’ estimate of annual excess 
turnover rent and sundry income such as from car parks and 
mall commercialisation. 

CACI Provide market research on intu’s customers and UK-wide 
location analysis. 

Debt to assets ratio Net external debt divided by the market 
value of investment and development property including 
investment and development property classified as held for sale. 

Diluted figures Reported amounts adjusted to include the 
effects of dilutive potential shares issuable under convertible 
bonds and employee incentive arrangements. 

EPS (earnings per share) Profit/loss for the period attributable 
to owners of intu properties plc divided by the weighted average 
number of shares in issue during the period. 

EPRA European Public Real Estate Association, the publisher of 
Best Practice Recommendations intended to make financial 
statements of public real estate companies in Europe clearer, 
more transparent and comparable. 

EPRA cost ratios The ratio of administration and operating 
costs (including and excluding direct vacancy costs) divided by 
gross rental income, as calculated in accordance with EPRA Best 
Practice Recommendations. 

EPRA earnings per share EPS adjusted to exclude valuation 
movements, exceptional items and related tax, as calculated in 
accordance with EPRA Best Practice Recommendations. 

EPRA NAV per share NAV per share calculated on a diluted 
basis adjusted to remove the fair value of derivatives (net of 
tax), goodwill resulting from the recognition of deferred tax 
liabilities, and deferred tax on investment and development 
property and other investments, as calculated in accordance 
with EPRA Best Practice Recommendations. 

EPRA net initial yield (NIY) Annualised net rent on investment 
property (after deduction of revenue costs such as head rent, 
running void, service charge after shortfalls, empty rates and 
merchant association contribution) expressed as a percentage 
of the gross market value before deduction of theoretical 
acquisition costs, as calculated in accordance with EPRA Best 
Practice Recommendations and as provided by the Group’s 
independent external valuers. 

EPRA NNNAV EPRA NAV adjusted to reflect the fair value of 
borrowings, derivative financial instruments and deferred tax on 
revaluation of investment and development property. 

EPRA ‘topped-up’ NIY EPRA NIY adjusted for the expiration of 
rent-free periods and other unexpired lease incentives. 

EPRA vacancy rate The ERV of vacant space divided by total 
ERV. 

ERV (estimated rental value) The independent external 
valuers’ estimate of the Group’s share of the current annual 
market rent of all lettable space after expiry of concessionary 
periods. 

Exceptional items Items that in the Directors’ view are required 
to be separately disclosed by virtue of their size, nature or 
incidence. Underlying earnings is considered to be a key 
measure in understanding the Group’s financial performance 
and excludes exceptional items. 

Headline rent ITZA Annual contracted rent per square foot 
after expiry of concessionary periods in terms of Zone A. 

Interest cover Underlying operating profit divided by the net 
finance costs excluding the change in fair value of financial 
instruments, exceptional finance costs and amortisation of the 
Metrocentre compound financial instrument. 

Interest rate swap A derivative financial instrument enabling 
parties to exchange interest rate obligations for a 
predetermined period. These are used by the Group to convert 
floating rate debt to fixed rates. 

Like-for-like property Investment property which has been 
owned throughout both periods without significant capital 
expenditure in either period, so that income can be compared on 
a like-for-like basis. For the purposes of comparison of capital 
values, this will also include assets owned at the previous 
reporting period end but not throughout the prior period. 

Long-term lease A lease with a term certain of at least five 
years. 

LTV (loan to value) The ratio of attributable debt to the market 
value of an investment property. 

MSCI Producer of an independent benchmark of property 
returns. 

NAV per share (diluted, adjusted) NAV per share calculated on 
a diluted basis and adjusted to remove the fair value of 
derivatives (net of tax), goodwill resulting from the recognition 
of deferred tax liabilities, and deferred tax on investment and 
development property and other investments. 

NAV (net asset value) per share Net assets attributable to 
owners of intu properties plc divided by the number of ordinary 
shares in issue at the year end. 

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Scrip Dividend Scheme The Group may offer shareholders the 
opportunity to participate in the Scrip Dividend Scheme. This 
enables participating shareholders to receive shares instead of 
cash when a Scrip Alternative is offered for a particular dividend. 

Short-term lease A lease with a term certain of less than  
five years. 

SOCIMI The Spanish equivalent of a Real Estate Investment 
Trust. 

Tenant (or lease) incentives Any incentives offered to 
occupiers to enter into a lease. Typically, incentives are in the 
form of an initial rent-free period and/or a cash contribution to 
fit out the premises. Under IFRS the value of incentives granted 
to tenants is amortised through the income statement on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term. 

‘Topped-up’ NIY Equivalent to EPRA ‘topped-up’ NIY (see 
definition). 

Total financial return The change in NAV per share (diluted, 
adjusted) plus dividends per share paid in the year expressed as 
a percentage of opening NAV per share (diluted, adjusted). 

Total property return The change in capital value, less any 
capital expenditure incurred, plus net income in the year 
expressed as a percentage of the capital employed (opening 
capital value plus capital expenditure incurred) in the year as 
calculated by MSCI. 

Underlying EPS EPS adjusted to exclude valuation movements, 
exceptional items and related tax. 

Underlying figures Amounts described as underlying exclude 
valuation movements, exceptional items and related tax. 

Glossary continued  

Net external debt Net debt after removing the Metrocentre 
compound financial instrument and including net debt within 
liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale. 

Net rental income The Group’s share of net rents receivable as 
shown in the income statement, having taken due account of 
non-recoverable costs, bad debt provisions and adjustments to 
comply with IFRS including those regarding tenant incentives. 

Nominal equivalent yield Effective annual yield to a purchaser 
from an asset at market value before taking account of notional 
acquisition costs assuming rent is receivable annually in arrears, 
reflecting ERV but disregarding potential changes in market 
rents, as determined by the Group’s independent external 
valuers. 

Occupancy The ERV of let and under-offer units divided by total 
ERV, excluding development and recently completed 
properties. Units let to tenants in administration and still  
trading are treated as let and those no longer trading are 
treated as un-let. 

Passing rent The Group’s share of contracted annual rents 
receivable at the balance sheet date. This takes no account of 
accounting adjustments made in respect of rent-free periods or 
tenant incentives, the reclassification of certain lease payments 
as finance charges or any irrecoverable costs and expenses, and 
does not include excess turnover rent, additional rent in respect 
of unsettled rent reviews or sundry income such as from car 
parks etc. Contracted annual rents in respect of tenants in 
administration are excluded. 

PMA Property Market Analysis LLP, a producer of property 
market research and forecasting. 

PID (Property Income Distribution) A dividend, generally 
subject to UK withholding tax at the basic rate of income tax, 
that a UK REIT is required to pay to its shareholders from its 
qualifying rental profits. Certain classes of shareholder may 
qualify to receive a PID gross; shareholders should refer to 
intugroup.co.uk for further information. The Group can also pay 
non-PID dividends which are not subject to UK withholding tax. 

REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) REITs are internationally 
recognised property investment vehicles which have now been 
introduced in many countries around the world. Each country 
has its own rules, but the broad intention of REITs is to 
encourage investment in domestic property by removing tax 
distortions for investors. 

In order for profits of UK property rental businesses to be 
exempt from corporation tax, a REIT must meet certain ongoing 
rules and regulations, including the requirement to distribute at 
least 90 per cent of qualifying rental profits to shareholders. 
Withholding tax of 20 per cent is deducted from these PIDs. 
Profits from a REIT’s non-property business remain subject to 
normal corporation tax. The Group elected for REIT status in the 
UK with effect from 1 January 2007. 

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Other Information 
Shareholder information

Registered Office
40 Broadway, London SW1H 0BT
Registered in England & Wales no. 
3685527
LEI: 213800JSNTERD5CJZO95

Websites
intugroup.co.uk
intu.co.uk

Registrars
All enquiries concerning shares or 
shareholdings, including notification of 
change of address, queries regarding loss 
of a share certificate and dividend 
payments should be addressed to:

For shareholders registered in the UK
Link Asset Services 
PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, 
Kent BR3 4TU. Calls are charged at the 
standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider; lines are open 9.00am to 
5.30pm Monday to Friday 
Telephone +44 (0) 371 664 0300
Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk
www.signalshares.com

For shareholders registered in 
South Africa
Link Market Services
13th Floor, 19 Ameshoff Street, 
Braamfontein 1709
South Africa
Postal address:
PO Box 4844
Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Email: info@linkmarketservices.co.za

Share price information
The latest information on the intu 
properties plc share price is available on 
the website intugroup.co.uk.

Web-based enquiry service for 
shareholders 
Shareholders registered in the UK can go 
to signalshares.com to obtain details of 
their shareholdings and dividends. The 
shareholder’s surname, Investor Code and 
postcode are required to use this service. 
Shareholders may also use this service to 
amend or change their address and 
dividend mandate details.

Shareholders registered in South 
Africa can go to investorcentre.
linkmarketservices.co.za to obtain 
details of their shareholdings. 
Shareholders will need to follow a 
registration process in order to access 
such information. Unfortunately, due  
to South African legal requirements, 
shareholders may not update records,  
but will be able to view their entire 
holding of shares globally. 

Share dealing
Existing UK shareholders may trade 
intu properties plc shares through Link 
Share Dealing Services who provide 
a real-time online, telephone and postal 
dealing service. 

Contact details are:
www.linksharedeal.com
Telephone (within UK) 0371 664 04475 
(calls are charged at the standard 
geographic rate and will vary by provider; 
lines are open 8.00 am to 4.30 pm 
Monday to Friday)
(Ireland) Lo-call 1 890 946 375 
(outside UK) +44 (0) 371 664 04475 (calls 
outside the UK are charged at the 
applicable international rate)

Sharegift
Shareholders with a small number of 
shares, which may be uneconomic to sell 
on a commission basis, may wish to 
consider donating them to the charity 
Sharegift (registered charity no. 1052686). 
Further information can be found on 
Sharegift’s website sharegift.org or by 
calling them on 020 7930 3737.

Strate Charity Shares
South African shareholders for whom the 
cost of selling their shares would exceed 
the market value of such shares may wish 
to consider donating them to charity. An 
independent non-profit organisation 
called Strate Charity Shares has been 
established to administer this process. 
The South African Revenue Service 
(SARS) has advised Strate Charity 
Shares that the value of any shares 
donated may be deducted from taxable 
income, as the scheme is registered 
under section 18A of the Income Tax Act. 
For further details, queries and/or 
donations contact the Strate Share Care 
toll free help line on 0800 202 363 or 
+27 (0) 11 870 8207 if you are phoning 
from outside South Africa or email  
charityshares@computershare.co.za

Electronic communication
The Company supplies information such 
as the annual report via its website to 
shareholders who have consented to such 
communication. Shareholders will be 
notified by email or post when new 
information is available on the website.

Shareholders can at any time revoke a 
previous instruction in order to receive 
hard copies of shareholder information.

UK shareholders may register to receive 
email alerts by logging on to the website of 
the UK Registrars (www.signalshares.com) 

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and following the instructions given 
to register an email address. 

South African shareholders may 
register to receive email alerts by 
written instruction to the South African 
Registrar, Link Market Services, by email 
(info@linkmarketservices.co.za). Once 
registered, shareholders are sent a ‘Notice 
of Availability’ email highlighting that the 
annual report or other information is 
available for viewing on the website.

This report contains ‘forward-looking statements’ 
regarding the belief or current expectations of 
intu properties plc, its Directors and other 
members of its senior management about intu 
properties plc’s businesses, financial performance 
and results of operations. These forward-looking 
statements are not guarantees of future 
performance. Rather, they are based on current 
views and assumptions and involve known and 
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, 
many of which are outside the control of intu 
properties plc and are difficult to predict, that 
may cause actual results, performance or 
developments to differ materially from any future 
results, performance or developments expressed 
or implied by the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only 
as at the date of this report. Except as required 
by applicable law, intu properties plc makes 
no representation or warranty in relation to 
them and expressly disclaims any obligation to 
update or revise any forward-looking statements 
contained herein to reflect any change in  
intu properties plc’s expectations with regard 
thereto or any change in events, conditions  
or circumstances on which any such statement  
is based. 

Any information contained in this report on the 
price at which shares or other securities in intu 
properties plc have been bought or sold in the 
past, or on the yield on such shares or other 
securities, should not be relied upon as a guide  
to future performance.

Copyright © intu properties plc March 2019

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intu properties plc  Annual report 2018 

175

 
 
 
intu properties plc  
40 Broadway, London  
SW1H 0BT

intugroup.co.uk

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