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James Fisher & Sons plc

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FY2021 Annual Report · James Fisher & Sons plc
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JAMES FISHER AND SONS PLC

ANNUAL REPORT
AND ACCOUNTS

2021

Strategic report

Welcome to our Annual Report and Accounts 2021

LED BY OUR PURPOSE

Pioneering safe and 
trusted solutions to 
complex problems in 
harsh environments to 
create a sustainable 
future.

During 2021 we remained focused on 
enacting our purpose-led strategy. Resetting 
the business by addressing strategic and 
operational challenges, and concentrating 
our portfolio on markets where we have a 
highly differentiated value proposition and 
are able to achieve sustainable, profitable 
growth. Together with our extraordinary 
people, we have faced unprecedented 
circumstances, however, we are confident 
that the strategic framework implemented 
over the last year and our focus on execution 
will place the Group on a sound footing for 
2022 and beyond.

Eoghan O’Lionaird - Chief Executive Officer

Read the Chief Executive’s review 
on page 24

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

DRIVEN BY OUR VALUES

INSIDE THIS REPORT

We are a business that strives to successfully solve our 
customer’s complex and difficult problems in some of the 
harshest environments. We do this by engaging, enabling 
and empowering our people to achieve, supported and 
guided by our values:

PIONEERING SPIRIT:

 ‹ We respond innovatively to our 

customers’ current and future needs

 ‹ We are entrepreneurial and think 

creatively to solve difficult problems
 ‹ We challenge conventional thinking  

and find better ways

INTEGRITY:

 ‹ We always strive to do the right thing
 ‹ We treat everyone as we would like 
to be treated, creating relationships 
based on trust and fairness

 ‹ We collaborate by listening respectfully 

and speaking honestly

RESILIENCE:

 ‹ We are accountable and courageous, 

and face up to difficult situations

 ‹ We are tenacious in the pursuit  

of our purpose

 ‹ We seek feedback, we learn and  

we develop together

ENERGY:

 ‹ We go above and beyond, delivering 
exceptional results for all stakeholders

 ‹ We love what we do and take pride  

in our positive impact

 ‹ We are empowered to take the right 

decisions, quickly

For the latest news and information on 
our Company and its activities check out 
our corporate website to stay up to date.

www.james-fisher.com

STRATEGIC REPORT
At a glance 
Our history 
Chairman’s review 
Investment case  
Operations review  
Business model and strategy  
Sustainability at James Fisher 
Our stakeholders  
Our markets 
Chief Executive’s review 

Our divisions
- Marine Support  
- Specialist Technical 
- Offshore Oil 
- Tankships 
Sustainability 
- Planet 
- People 
- Partnership 
Task Force on Climate-realated Financial Disclosures 
Key performance indicators 
Financial review 
Principal risks and uncertainties 
Non-financial information statement 

GOVERNANCE
Governance at a glance 
Chairman’s introduction to  corporate governance 
Governance framework 
Board of Directors 
Corporate governance report 
Nominations Committee report  
Audit Committee report 
Directors’ remuneration report  
Directors’ report  
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

02 
04
06
08
10
12
14
20
22
24

28
30
32
34

 36
42
48
52
57
58
61
70

74
76
 78
80
82
 86
89
 94
111
116

120
128

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent auditor’s report 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of other  
comprehensive income 
129
Consolidated and Company statement of financial position  130
Consolidated and Company cash flow statement 
131
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
132
Company statement of changes in equity 
133
Notes to the financial statements  
134
Subsidiaries and associated undertakings 
188
Group financial record  
192
Investor information 
193

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

01

Strategic report

At a glance

The global footprint of James Fisher reflects the diverse 
range of customers and markets served. With our network 
of Group company facilities, partners, agents and support 
bases, we are well placed to deliver flexible, highly 
responsive and localised support to our customers.

ENERGY

MARINE

DEFENCE

The energy transition is creating 
unparalleled opportunities for our 
business. As a Group we are well 
positioned to play a responsible role  
in an evolving oil and gas sector 
through production, transportation  
and decommissioning phases. 
Accelerated investment in offshore 
wind around the globe, meanwhile,  
will ultimately compensate for any 
future reduction in oil and gas demand.

Demand in the marine sector 
softened considerably due to 
reduced economic activity, however, 
increased investment planned in 
offshore infrastructure, recovery of 
commodity prices post-pandemic 
and a return to a more normal 
pattern of global trade should 
precipitate a sustained increase in 
demand and accelerate projects 
deferred or delayed due to COVID.

The Group, which commands 
leadership positions in submarine 
rescue and special operations, has 
continued to experience strong 
demand in the defence sector. 
Applying its innovative solutions  
for the improvement of diver safety 
and equipment reliability, the 
business has also seen continued 
demand for its commercial diving 
equipment globally.

Read more on our markets 
on page 22

Read more on our markets 
on page 22

Read more on our markets 
on page 22

02 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

A LEADER WITH GLOBAL IMPACTStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

INDUSTRY RECOGNISED

The James Fisher Group includes 
industry recognised companies which 
offer a diverse selection of services 
within key global markets.

We are a supplier of choice across the industries 
we serve, with an unrivalled ability to meet the 
constantly developing needs of our customers 
operating in challenging environments. James 
Fisher’s expertise ranges from marine and subsea 
services including diving and ROV, to specialist 
load monitoring, container weighing and nuclear 
decommissioning work.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue 

(£m) 

£494.1m 

2020: £518.2m 

Underlying operating profit* 

(£m)

£28.0m 

2020: £40.5m

Underlying profit before tax 

 (£m)

£19.7m 

2020: £31.5m 

Cash conversion 

 (%)

168% 

2020: 220% 

Net borrowings 

 (£m)

£185.6m 

2020: £198.1m 

* Excludes separately disclosed items.

James Fisher uses alternative performance measures (APMs) as key financial indicators  
to assess the underlying performance of the business. APMs are used by management as 
they are considered to better reflect business performance and provide useful additional 
information. APMs include underlying operating profit, underlying profit before tax, underlying 
diluted earnings per share, underlying return on capital employed, underlying Ebitda, cash 
conversion and underlying net borrowings. An explanation of APMs is set out in note 2 of the 
financial statements.

  Read more on our key performance  

indicators on page 57

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

03

 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Our history

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY

James Fisher has a long history from its origins in the nineteenth century Barrow hematite  
trade to its position today as a global provider of trusted engineering solutions. 

Read more on our heritage online at:  
www.james-fisher.com/about/heritage/

175  

years of innovation

1847
FOUNDING YEAR

The Company is founded. A family-run 
shipping business based in Barrow-in-Furness, 
it is formed to transport iron ore and coal 
around the coast of Britain.

1952
PUBLIC COMPANY

The Company became a public  
company listed on the stock exchange on 
17 October 1952 with six million five-shilling 
ordinary shares quoted.

1840s
PIONEERING SPIRIT

1883
FLEET MODERNISATION

1965
INNOVATING FOR NUCLEAR

Joseph Fisher anticipated demand of iron 
ore ahead of the expansion of the railways. 
By capitalising on Barrow-in-Furness’s 
rich mineral deposits, he demonstrated 
the pioneering spirit which was to become 
synonymous with the Company.

Despite adverse trading conditions, the 
vision existed to transform the fleet. After 
transitioning from wooden to steel-hulled 
sailing ships, the Company took delivery  
in 1883 of the first in a series of steamers.

The conversion of Stream Fisher for the 
carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel in 1965 
fulfilled the unique requirements of the nuclear 
industry and demonstrated the Company’s 
ability to solve complex problems. 

SUPPORTING THE ADVANCE OF ENERGY 
TRANSITIONS SINCE 1847 

Energy has always been at the heart  
of James Fisher’s activities.

Throughout its history, the Company has actively 
responded to, and helped advance shifts in energy 
systems. Beginning with its adoption of steam power 
over sail in the nineteenth century, it has successfully 
transitioned to and helped harness new forms of energy 
from traditional oil and gas and nuclear to renewables  
and LNG.

 ‹ Coal
 ‹ Oil and gas
 ‹ Nuclear 
 ‹ Renewables
 ‹ LNG

04 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Our pioneering spirit has enabled  
us to adapt to changing times.

1996
EXPANSION

2012
LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS

2019
EXPANDED OFFERINGS

Following the Coe Metcalf Shipping 
acquisition a decade earlier, the Company 
further expands with the addition of P&O 
Tankships becoming the major operator of 
product tankers in North-West Europe.

James Fisher celebrated its 165th anniversary. 

2019 saw in a series of acquisitions including 
Martek Marine, SM Continental and Ortega 
Submersibles, further enhancing the 
Company’s niche capabilities.

2005
STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION

2015
ADVANCEMENT IN RENEWABLES

2021
RESETTING

The acquisition of Fendercare Marine  
in 2005 initiated a period of strategic,  
targeted growth and further advanced  
the Company’s transition from traditional 
shipping to marine services.

The award of a major support contract  
for the construction of Galloper windfarm  
in 2015 represented a significant turning point 
in the Company’s advancement within the 
renewables market.

In 2021 the Company announced its strategy 
for delivering sustainable, profitable growth 
and improved returns for all stakeholders. 

The Company was founded to 
service the need for efficient 
transportation of coal as well 
as iron ore, and it continued 
to support this energy stream 
throughout the 1960s and 1970s, 
facilitating the construction of 
coal-powered stations with heavy 
lift vessels. 

Drawing on nearly 40 years’ experience, 
James Fisher supports the nuclear 
industry through the provision of specialist 
engineering and manufacturing services. 
From concept design to decommissioning,  
it overcomes complex challenges in uniquely 
hazardous environments.

RENEWABLES
Investing in environmentally 
sustainable growth. 

OIL AND GAS
Supporting the full life 
cycle from exploration  
through to production, 
transportation and 
decommissioning.

NUCLEAR
Providing innovative 
solutions from new build  
to end of life.

COAL
During the 1880s James 
Fisher transitioned its fleet 
from sail to steam.

James Fisher is a world leader in the 
provision of specialist products and 
services to the oil and gas industry.  
It transfers close to 600m barrels  
of oil at sea annually.

Applying knowledge and expertise gained in other 
industries, together with the latest technologies, the 
Company serves the fast-growing renewable energy  
space in support of meeting global net zero goals.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

05

Strategic report

Chairman’s review

The key strategic challenge 
for the Company over the 
next decade is in defining 
the optimal approach 
to address the energy 
transition, capitalising on 
the many opportunities that 
are available in renewables.

I joined James Fisher 
on 1 May 2021, with the 
Company amid some major 
strategic and operational 
challenges. As with many 
businesses, COVID has 
been very disruptive from an 
operational perspective, and 
we owe a debt of gratitude 
to our employees for their 
commitment to minimising 
the impact on our customers 
by continuing to deliver our 
critical services throughout 
the pandemic.

2021 performance
2021 was a disappointing year. Revenue 
declined by 4.7% to £494.1m (2020: 
£518.2m) driven by the Marine Support 
division being £34.9m (14.0%) behind 2020. 
Within Marine Support, the Fendercare ship-
to-ship transfer revenues were some 36% 
behind a record year in 2020. Underlying 
operating profit fell by 30.9% to £28.0m 
(2020: £40.5m) with the profitability of our 
Fendercare, JFD and Tankships businesses 
being particularly challenged. As a result of 
those performance challenges, combined 
with a high level of financial leverage, the 
Company did not pay an interim dividend for 
2021 and the Board is not recommending the 
payment of a final dividend for the year. The 
Board recognises the importance of paying 
dividends and is committed to reinstating the 
dividend when appropriate. 

There is no doubt that the performance of 
James Fisher has been impacted by COVID 
over the past couple of years, but this is not 
the sole reason for the Company’s recent 
poor performance. 

The Company has in the past made a 
number of acquisitions which have enhanced 
earnings per share in the short term, but 
which have contributed to an increase in 
debt levels and a long-term decline in return 
on capital employed. Poor performance in 
a number of these acquired businesses, 
combined with weakness in trading in our 
traditional Tankships, Fendercare and JFD 
businesses, led to a disappointing financial 
performance in 2021 and a high level of debt. 
Our overriding short-term priorities are: firstly 
to reduce our debt and optimise our portfolio 
through a series of disposals; and secondly, 
to focus on improving our operational and 
financial performance. 

In 2021 we sold the Paladin dive support 
vessel and the Materials Testing and NDT 
businesses. Looking forward, we have 
reviewed our portfolio with a view to executing 
further disposals to both reduce debt and to 
optimise the portfolio and simplify the Group 
by refocusing on markets where James Fisher 
can deliver sustained, differentiated value to 
our customers.

In terms of performance improvement, we 
have begun an operational excellence pilot 
programme which will see Lean methodologies 
being rolled out across the Group, with the 
objective of improving product and service 
quality, customer service and cost efficiency. 
We will soon embark on a Group-wide 
commercial excellence programme, aimed at 
improving our capability in sales effectiveness, 
creating customer value and commercial 
contracting. During the year, we also undertook 
another Group-wide employee engagement 
survey, the first to be externally-supported, and 
this has highlighted several areas that we can 
address to improve employee engagement. 

Our CEO, Eoghan O’Lionaird, has expanded 
the Executive Committee by including the 
divisional managing directors, thereby 
increasing the focus on operational 
management. This, in turn, will bring the 
Group functions closer to the operations and 
will unlock synergies through operating more 
effectively as an integrated leadership team.

We are putting these foundations in place to 
turnaround and improve Group performance. 
However, it will take time for the changes to 
take effect and, like any turnaround, to bear 
fruit. Nonetheless the Board is pleased that 
these challenges are being tackled head on 
with the objective of creating a platform from 
which we can sustainably grow the business  
in the future.

06 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

OFFSHORE WIND 

We have continued to build on our 
successes in offshore wind through 
2021 securing several construction 
support and operations and maintenance 
contracts both in the UK, Europe and Asia 
Pacific. We have continued to build our 
experienced talent base and have identified 
a number of investment opportunities to 
pursue during 2022.

I was also pleased to welcome two new 
Non-Executive Directors to the Board. Kash 
Pandya was appointed to the Board on 
1 November 2021 and brings a wealth of 
international experience as a FTSE 250 Chief 
Executive, having operated in many of the same 
geographies and sectors as James Fisher. 

Claire Hawkings, who was appointed to the 
Board on 1 January 2022, brings extensive 
international oil and gas experience, as well 
as expertise in sustainability, health and safety 
and the challenges of the energy transition. 

Mike Salter will step down as a Non-Executive 
Director at the AGM in May 2022 after serving 
nine years on the Board. He has made a 
considerable contribution to James Fisher, and 
his experience of the marine and oil and gas 
services industries will be much missed.

I am very grateful to the Board for its support 
and commitment in dealing with the challenges 
faced during what was a difficult year.

Employees
I would like to finish this statement where I 
started, by again expressing my gratitude, on 
behalf of the Board, to the employees of James 
Fisher for all they have done in dealing with the 
challenges of the past year, including those 
resulting from the COVID pandemic. Working 
for a Group that delivers critical solutions 
to customers’ complex problems in harsh 
environments is always challenging, and I have 
huge respect for how our employees go about 
this in their day-to-day jobs. 

Conclusion
The last two years have been among the most 
challenging that the Company has experienced 
in its 175-year history. The Board is committed 
to delivering a successful turnaround of the 
James Fisher Group and believes that the 
steps it is taking strategically, operationally, and 
financially are in the best long-term interests of 
all stakeholders. In taking these steps we will 
continue to live by our purpose and values. 
I look forward to being able to report on our 
progress over the coming years and to returning 
the Group to sustainable profitable growth.

Angus Cockburn 
Chairman

Future direction
With a backdrop of ever-increasing focus on 
climate change, and the acceleration of an 
energy transition to a low carbon economy, 
the oil and gas services industry is likely to 
decline over the long-term. However, it will take 
time for the required global low carbon energy 
infrastructure to be developed. Over that period 
of development, the energy transition requires 
the continued provision of environmentally 
responsible products and services that 
support our existing oil and gas customers. 
As the pace of the energy transition towards 
sustainable energy sources accelerates, we 
are equally focused on accelerating our own 
transition, as new opportunities emerge for our 
well-established and fast-developing services 
supporting the growth of renewable energy. We 
see those opportunities most notably in offshore 
wind and the responsible decommissioning of 
redundant oil and gas assets. We are well-
positioned in these fast-emerging sectors, 
where the Group can combine its traditional oil 
and gas-oriented subsea capabilities with newer, 
renewable-energy specific solutions, such as 
the installation, monitoring and management of 
high voltage cabling in offshore wind, and the 
provision of bubble curtains that protect sea 
life from the noise impact of pile-driving during 
the construction of the wind farms. The key 
strategic challenge for the Company over the 
next decade is in defining the optimal approach 
to address the energy transition, capitalising 
on the many opportunities that are available 
in renewables, whilst enabling our customers 
to make their own transitions in a financially 
and environmentally responsible manner. It is 
a challenge on which our management team 
is keenly focused and will continue to define 
with more precision as the shape of the energy 
transition becomes clearer.

Board changes
I am very grateful to my predecessor, Malcolm 
Paul, for all that he did for James Fisher after 
being appointed to the Board in 2011. After 
becoming Chairman in 2018, Malcolm played 
a key role in supporting Eoghan O’Lionaird 
following his appointment as Chief Executive 
Officer in 2019. In addition, Stuart Kilpatrick 
stepped down from the Board early in the year. 
Stuart, the Group Finance Director since 2010, 
played an important role in the development of 
James Fisher over the last decade. On behalf 
of the Board, I would like to thank Malcolm and 
Stuart for their contributions, and to wish them 
every success for the future.

Duncan Kennedy joined the Board as Chief 
Financial Officer on 4 May 2021. Duncan brings 
considerable international and listed company 
experience to the Company, and will play a key 
role in strengthening the performance culture 
across the Group.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

07

Strategic report

Investment case

WHY INVEST IN JAMES FISHER

We are committed to delivering sustainable profitable growth  
and improved returns for all our stakeholders. 

STRONG GROWTH POTENTIAL

MARKET LEADING POSITION

Within each of our core markets substantial 
opportunities exist for growth. We are well 
positioned to capitalise on developments 
within oil and gas extraction, transportation 
and offshore wind and anticipate additional 
opportunities to invest in less mature markets 
where our differentiated solutions can  
be applied. 

We hold leading positions across several 
markets and geographies including in ship- 
to-ship transfers, submarine rescue, high-
voltage engineering for offshore wind and 
subsea unexploded ordnance removal.  
We are the primary fleet operator for the 
delivery of petrol, diesel and heating fuels  
to the ports of Britain and Ireland and are 
pioneers in nuclear decommissioning. 

HIGHLY DIFFERENTIATED 
OFFERING

Our focus on solving difficult problems in 
specialist, high-margin niche segments 
sets us apart from potential competitors, 
with customers valuing the unique assets, 
capabilities and skills we’ve invested in.  
This differentiation is further enabled through 
the innovation, technology and IP we develop.

STRENGTHS UNDERPINNED BY...

COMMITMENT TO PURPOSE

VALUED BEHAVIOURS

EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

We recognise that collective success 
depends upon a shared understanding of 
the fundamental aims and ambition of the 
Company. Authentic, inspiring and practical, 
our purpose sets a clear direction to unite  
our key stakeholders interests and is 
an effective tool for driving growth at an 
individual, team, operating company, division 
and Group level. Forward-looking, our 
purpose guides future strategic decision-
making, investment and innovation. 

Reflective of our history, our core guiding 
behaviours ‘pioneering spirit’, ‘integrity’, 
‘energy’ and ‘resilience’ are intrinsic to who we 
are today as an organisation. Representing the 
principles we aspire to uphold, both internally 
and externally, they are pivotal to our ability to 
maintain high standards of delivery, long-term 
flourishing relationships and a strong working 
culture. Integral to our purpose, they help 
propel the business forward.

Central to the success of our operations 
are our people. Working across continents, 
sometimes in the harshest of environments, 
our people extol our valued behaviours, 
demonstrating strong local expertise, 
exemplary teamwork, selflessness and  
unparalleled fortitude. It is their talents and 
passion for creating value for internal and 
external stakeholders, that will facilitate our 
strategy of sustainable, profitable growth.

08 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

PARTNER OF CHOICE

Committed to 
sustainability:

Our customers require the support of 
companies able to adapt to their expanding 
needs, and our size, geographical spread and 
accreditations recommend us as a long-
term, credible partner. Throughout our 175 
years, we’ve reliably demonstrated an ability 
to solve difficult problems in the harshest 
of environments – a trustworthy partner 
with a reputation for safety, environmental 
consciousness and efficiency.

There are huge opportunities  
for James Fisher in renewable  
energy and decommissioning.

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS

We value relationships with suppliers and 
partners who can help us reliably, repeatedly 
and responsibly satisfy our customer needs and 
sustainability goals.

We recognise that our partners help us deliver 
world-leading solutions, and we are committed 
 to treating them fairly and equitably.

Read more on our supplier 
relations on page 21

CULTURE OF INNOVATION

MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

PROCESS EXCELLENCE

Combining instinctive curiosity with subject 
matter expertise and a deep practical 
understanding of applications, our people drive 
continual innovation. Supported by a culture in 
which autonomy and collaboration are actively 
encouraged, they intuitively generate ideas to 
improve safety and efficiency, and to lower risk 
and cost.

We are determined to embed lean and 
continuous improvement principles throughout 
our business to guarantee consistent and 
efficient operational delivery.

We are constantly evaluating ways to improve 
our delivery performance and adopting 
best practice, methodologies, systems and 
processes with the sole aim of creating 
additional value.

Committed to process excellence, we’re 
focused on actively managing our portfolio, 
reducing leverage and deploying a balanced 
capital allocation process, improving and 
scaling commercial and contracting capabilities 
and striving for a world-class safety, risk and  
project management culture. We believe  
this will enable us to deliver sustainable  
growth, improved margins and ROCE and 
reduced leverage. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

09

Strategic report

Operations review

A BACK TO BASICS APPROACH

We’re preparing for the future with our three phase    
roadmap, created and deployed to address strategic  
and operational challenges.

R

RESET (2020-22)

Define purpose and valued behaviours; focus  
on critical and urgent.

 ‹ Reset to a back to basics approach
 ‹ Focus on select market niches
 ‹ Actively re-engage all stakeholders
 ‹ Fix or exit underperforming businesses  

and assets

R

REINFORCE (2021-23)

Fix portfolio; accelerate operational performance, 
invest in the energy transition.

 ‹ Reinforce foundations on which sustainable 

profitable growth will be built

 ‹ Define and deploy KPIs across all stakeholders
 ‹ Continue active portfolio management
 ‹ Invest in technology to fuel the energy transition

REALISE (2023-25)

Top quartile sustainable profitable growth.

 ‹ Realise medium-term environmental and 

financial targets

 ‹ Deliver top quartile industry sustainable growth
 ‹ Accelerate growth of new business in energy 

transition

R

10 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

OUR DIVISIONS

OUR CORE MARKETS

STRONG MANAGEMENT

Marine Support
Our Marine Support businesses provide 
products, services and solutions to the global 
marine industry. These are supplied to a range 
of end market sectors including marine, oil 
and gas, ports, construction and renewables.

 ‹ Read more on pages 28 and 29

Knowing our strengths
We are refocusing our portfolio on niche  
segments within our chosen markets where 
we can offer differentiated, distinctive and 
defensible value and where we can accelerate 
investments in support of a responsible  
energy transition.

Specialist Technical
Our Specialist Technical businesses supply 
diving equipment and services, submarine 
rescue vessels and through-life rescue 
services and engineering solutions to the 
international defence market and UK nuclear 
decommissioning market. Other subsea 
services provided to the defence sector include 
special operation swimmer delivery vehicles. 

Read more on
pages 30 and 31

Offshore Oil
Our Offshore Oil businesses supply a range 
of services and equipment to the global oil 
and gas and renewable energy industries. 
This includes the design and engineering of 
specialist equipment, platform maintenance 
and modification, well testing support, 
subsea operations and maintenance services.

Read more on
pages 32 and 33

Tankships
Our Tankships division operates a fleet 
of product and chemical tankers which 
trade along the UK and northern European 
coastline carrying clean petroleum products 
and chemicals including increasing volumes 
of bio fuels. The division performed 1,362 
port calls this year carrying liquid cargoes 
from refineries and terminals, to major coastal 
storage facilities. The division also operates  
a port in Plymouth, UK.

Read more on
pages 34 and 35

We have a strong track record of success 
across the three global markets of marine, 
energy and defence, operating in the  
higher-margin areas often where these  
markets intersect.

Read more on
page 22

Marine

Recognising both the ongoing importance 
of the marine sector for the transportation of 
commodities and the developments shaping 
its future (changing energy mix, scarcity of 
resources and geopolitical tensions), we are 
focusing attention on commercial marine, 
offshore renewables and defence opportunities. 
We are investing in new transportation modes 
and technology, expanding our liquefied natural 
gas ship-to-ship services to reflect changes 
in cargo demands and port infrastructure, 
and applying our capabilities to help minimise 
pollution and protect marine life in fulfilment of 
our sustainability goals and purpose. 

Energy

We are focused on growth across the 
energy mix. There is a real opportunity for 
James Fisher to grow in offshore wind by 
interconnecting multiple capabilities from 
across the group.

In addition, we’re building adjacent positions 
in the maturing oil and gas market segments 
boosted by the energy transition where our 
skills are unique and where there is increased 
demand for our decommissioning services.

Defence

We deliver long-term value to all our customers 
by: ensuring the safety of submariners through 
our innovative and technologically advanced 
submarine rescue solutions; designing safe 
and reliable rebreathers to safeguard divers 
at pressure, facilitating the safe insertion and 
extraction of special operations forces and 
sponsoring developments in environmentally 
sensitive unexploded ordnance disposal. 
Shifting global power bases and ensuing 
political instability together with developments 
in automation will continue to drive defence 
security, threat detection, qualification and 
mitigation requirements.

Capital allocation
Capital allocation is a critical process in 
our strategy and our priority is to return to 
sustainable, profitable growth. Our targets 
are to consistently deliver more than 10% 
operating profit and more than 15% ROCE as 
well as reducing the Group’s leverage. Capital  
allocation will also be used to improve our 
impact on the environment.

Portfolio management
Focused on businesses within our core 
markets with highly differentiated offerings 
achieving or promising sustainable profitable 
growth, we’re adopting a ‘fix or exit’ strategy 
for those unable to demonstrate a clear 
competitive advantage. In line with this 
strategy, we have recently divested James 
Fisher Testing Services, James Fisher NDT 
and JFN GmbH. Combining this with an asset 
light strategy, allows us to focus on priority 
areas.

Operational excellence
Our operational excellence approach focuses 
on removing wasteful activities from our 
processes and systems to provide efficient, 
and effective value creation utilising a lean 
toolset. This value stream understanding 
coupled with a problem-solving culture, will 
enable us to deliver best-in-class products 
and services to our customers in a consistent 
and sustainable manner.

Commercial excellence
Focusing on the design and delivery of 
sales and marketing best practices our 
commercial excellence programme takes 
into consideration value stream design and 
the provision of a commercial toolset to 
maximise profitable revenue, consistently 
improve salesforce effectiveness, and 
provide a product and service mix with the 
flexibility our customers require.

Read more in our Chief Executive’s 
review on page 24

Watch our video on Capital Markets 
Day on https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=RF7oLj0PWVk

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

11

Strategic report

Business model and strategy

FORGING THE WAY AHEAD

A purpose-led and values-driven journey

MARINE

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Share h

ortfolio m an a g e

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Pioneering safe and trusted 
solutions to complex problems  
in harsh environments to create  
a sustainable future.

c

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Local commu n i

t i e s

C o

BUSINESS MODEL

We are focused on market segments where 
our responsive, niche and entrepreneurial 
businesses can deploy innovative products 
and services that create superior value whilst 
attaining the highest standards of safety, 
efficiency, environmental performance, 
regulatory compliance and ethical standards. 
Our customers are predominantly large 
multinational corporations, governments  
and other high assurance counterparties.

CULTURE

The key element at the core of James 
Fisher is our people. Our decentralised and 
entrepreneurial culture encourages personal 
accountability and development through 
understanding between customers’ needs, 
overcoming the unique challenges of the 
environments in which we operate and 
supporting development and deployment of 
unique solutions focused on value creation for 
all our stakeholders through rapid decision-
making.

Our 3Rs roadmap will address strategic and operational challenges

RESET

REINFORCE

REALISE

2020-2022 

2021-2023 

2023-2025 

Define purpose and valued 
behaviours; focus on critical 
and urgent.

Fix portfolio; accelerate 
operational performance; 
invest in energy transition.

Top quartile sustainable 
profitable growth.

Over the last two years, we’ve  
Reset to a ‘back to basics’ approach 
to managing our business; we’ve 
concentrated on select market niches, 
actively re-engaged stakeholders and 
deployed a ‘fix or exit’ policy regarding 
underperforming businesses and assets.

We’re now beginning the reinforce 
phase of our roadmap; strengthening 
our continuous improvement principles, 
defining and deploying KPIs across all 
stakeholder groups, continuing to actively 
manage our portfolio and investing in 
technology for future growth including for 
the energy transition.

During this phase we aim to realise our 
medium-term environmental and financial 
targets, delivering top quartile sustainable 
growth and accelerating growth of new 
business in energy transition.

12 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

STRATEGY 

The Group’s strategy is to grow 
organically through leveraging its 
existing skills, technology and asset 
base in areas of specialist expertise 
and through investment in people, 
working capital and equipment.

This is supported by selective acquisitions that expand 
the product or service offering or extend geographical 
coverage to strengthen our value proposition. James 
Fisher has a number of entrepreneurially-led businesses 
which hold leading positions in their specific operational 
niche and which are supported and encouraged to pursue 
new opportunities. Our businesses operate in harsh and 
challenging environments where our specialist expertise in 
solving complex problems in response to customer needs 
is highly valued and rewarded. We pursue opportunities 
in market segments and geographies that are less mature 
and fast-growing where our track record in delivering 
safe and trusted solutions provides assurance to our 
customers. Our niche capabilities create further possibilities 
to pursue adjacent market sectors and exploit integration 
opportunities to increase the value we create.

Our strategy for 
sustainable growth  
is underway.

CREATING VALUE FOR ALL  
OUR STAKEHOLDERS

Shareholders

Implementing a strategy to deliver 
more sustainable returns for our 
shareholders.

Employees

Continually seeking opportunities 
for engaging and supporting local 
communities through procurement, 
content sourcing, recruitment, 
training and social enterprises. 

Customers and suppliers

Empowering, developing and 
supporting our people to attain  
their goals and realise their potential.

Local communities

Environment

Understanding and adapting to the 
changing needs of our customers 
and suppliers whilst anticipating their 
future requirements and supporting 
their sustainability efforts.

Minimising the environmental impact 
of our operational footprint and the 
nature of the activities we undertake 
while actively investing in supporting 
the energy transition.

VALUED BEHAVIOURS

We are a business that strives to successfully solve 
our customers’ complex and difficult problems in 
some of the harshest environments. We do this only 
by engaging, enabling and empowering our people 
to achieve, supported and guided by our values:

PIONEERING SPIRIT:
Innovation is rooted  
in our identity

ENERGY:
Passion drives  
all that we do

INTEGRITY:
Fairness and trust  
underpin our  
stakeholder  
relationships

RESILIENCE:
Tenacity helps  
us rise to the  
challenges  
we face

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Our focus on operational 
excellence requires that our 
businesses: 

 ‹ are cash-generative 
 ‹ have operating margins in excess  

of 10%

 ‹ provide returns on capital employed  

in excess of 15%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

13

 
Strategic report

Sustainability at James Fisher 

PLANET, PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIP

Foreword
James Fisher is a leading provider of specialist products and services 
to global energy, marine, and defence industries: we build offshore 
windfarms, rescue naval submarines in distress, transfer essential 
fuels around the UK’s coasts, install subsea communications cables, 
decommission subsea oil infrastructure and nuclear reactors, and 
more. Our rich 175-year heritage is built on the core values of delivering 
excellence, continual innovation, and commitment to our stakeholders.

Due to climate change, the energy transition, growing global population, 
rising social inequality, and other macro-challenges facing the world 
today, sustainability and profitability are intertwined. We believe that 
the successful companies of the future will be those that embed 
sustainability in their culture and DNA. At James Fisher, sustainability 
means:

 ‹ Delivering strong, profitable growth 
 ‹ Building on our 175-year history
 ‹ Having a positive impact on all our stakeholders 

We identify with five core stakeholder groups - namely shareholders, 
employees, customers and suppliers, local communities in which 
we operate, and the environment. Placing them at the core of our 
sustainability strategy, we previously made a commitment to:

 ‹ Invest in capabilities and technologies to deliver a responsible energy 

transition

 ‹ Harness the potential of our pioneering employees
 ‹ Be good citizens of our local communities
 ‹ Become a trusted partner for our customers and suppliers
 ‹ Drive performance to improve returns for shareholders 

These commitments guided our 2021 materiality assessment and its 
outcome informed our sustainability strategy. The sustainability strategy 
is defined across three pillars that translate our ambition into action: 

 ‹ Planet: Protect and restore the environment
 ‹ People: Improve the lives of our people and those in the communities 

where we operate

 ‹ Partnership: Innovate responsibly and deliver consistent results for our 

customers and shareholders

Our increased focus on sustainability will position our businesses to 
succeed in the dynamic, diverse and niche markets we operate in.

This report unveils our sustainability strategy, including our stated 
commitments and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with which we  
will measure and track progress in the years to come. Recognising that 
our commitments and scope of ambition may evolve with changes in  
the market and regulatory landscape, we will routinely review our KPIs  
for relevance and consistency, and update when necessary. 

Eoghan O’Lionaird
Chief Executive Officer

Sustainability is integral to our plan  
for delivering profitable growth for our
shareholders, and central to how we  
create value for all of our stakeholders.

Creating a sustainable future for our 
families, friends and colleagues is 
important to each and every one of us, 
and we as individuals and James Fisher 
as a company need to step up, take 
responsibility and commit to driving 
positive change. 

The development of our sustainability 
strategy has been guided by our purpose. 
It will help create a sustainable future for 
James Fisher by leveraging our intrinsic 
strengths and capabilities. I am delighted  
to share this strategy with you.

14 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Our stakeholders 

The sustainability strategy brings all our stakeholders into the heart of 
the Group and informs how we actively engage with them. Our strategic 
objectives are aligned with the interests of our stakeholders and are 
outlined below:

Shareholders: Consistently deliver attractive returns for 
shareholders

 ‹ Deliver long-term growth in underlying earnings per share, 

dividends and return on capital employed

 ‹ Grow strategically and profitably by leveraging existing 

specialist skill base to serve global markets

 ‹ Create incremental value by expanding our offerings and 
capabilities through investments and bolt-on acquisitions

Employees: Make James Fisher a rewarding place to work

 ‹ Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all employees
 ‹ Encourage and support innovation and accountability
 ‹ Develop individual and organisational excellence by 
investing in training and competence development

Customers and suppliers: Establish trust-based 
relationships and deliver on shared goals

 ‹ Develop solutions and offerings that address current and 

anticipated customer needs

Materiality assessment
We conducted a rigorous materiality assessment during 2021 to 
determine areas of greatest importance for our business and our 
stakeholders. This extensive assessment involved internal and external 
stakeholder engagement and utilised a leading-edge big data platform 
to consolidate stakeholder feedback, analyse the data and develop the 
James Fisher materiality matrix. 

The assessment was conducted in three phases:

1. Issue identification – we created a long list of current and emerging 
issues relevant to James Fisher from publicly available sources (e.g., 
industry publications, Sustainable Development Goals, Global Reporting 
Initiative guidelines and competitor/peer sustainability reports) and 
internal sources (e.g., risk register, staff survey, customer research). 

2. Stakeholder validation – we interviewed a range of representative 
external stakeholders and key management and decision-makers 
from James Fisher operating companies to review the long list  
of issues.

3. Issue prioritisation – we analysed the stakeholder feedback and 

used the big data platform to produce the final list of 17 overarching 
issues and the materiality matrix, ranking and cross-referencing each 
against importance to external stakeholders as well as importance to 
James Fisher. 

The materiality matrix has been validated and approved by the Board, 
with nine issues highlighted as priority areas of focus for James Fisher. 

 ‹ Ensure customers and suppliers share our values and are 

committed to operating responsibly 

High

 ‹ Exceed customer and supplier expectations for safety and 

integrity

 ‹ Support our customers in achieving their sustainability 

targets and influence our suppliers to set targets of their 
own

Local communities: Be a good citizen and active member 
of the community

 ‹ Encourage our employees to engage and make a 

difference

 ‹ Create local employment and sourcing opportunities within 

our communities 

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9

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3

1

6

4

5

 ‹ Ensure sustainability drives our decision-making process 

Low

Low

Importance to James Fisher
Importance to James Fisher

High

High

and operations

 ‹ Invest and engage in people development, wellbeing, 

training, and other initiatives to enhance the lives of people 
in the community

Environment: Uphold responsible business practices

 ‹ Assess and quantify the impact of our operations on the 

environment 

 ‹ Develop and implement plans to conduct our operations 
more responsibly, identifying opportunities to improve 

 ‹ Advocate for the environment where we operate and 

engage in preservation/restoration initiatives 

We have defined KPIs for all stakeholder groups and are in the process 
of deploying these KPIs across the Group. These KPIs form the basis of 
how we will monitor, measure, and track the impact of our stakeholder 
engagements. Further details about KPI targets and how we plan to 
deliver these targets for each stakeholder group are outlined on  
pages 36 to 51.

Prioritised material issues
1. Portfolio choices

Other material issues 
10.  Pandemic/COVID

2. Resource efficiency

3. GHG emissions

4. Top talent

5. Diversity and inclusion

6. Health, safety and security

7. Innovation

8. Customer engagement

9. Governance

11.  Biodiversity and 
ecosystems

12.  Cyber, IT and data

13.  Climate change

14.  Local communities

15.  Disaster preparedness

16.  Human rights

17.  Infrastructure and energy 

security

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Sustainability at James Fisher cont.

Our purpose
Pioneering safe and  
trusted solutions to  
complex problems in  
harsh environments to  
create a sustainable future.

Our contribution to the UN 
Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs)

Launched in 2015, the UN 
SDGs are a call to action to 
promote prosperity across all 
countries whilst protecting 
the planet we share. We 
have evaluated the impact of 
our strategy execution and 
determined that our efforts 
will contribute to 10 of the  
17 SDGs. 

We aim to directly engage 
all stakeholders, internal 
and external, and increase 
coordination of activities 
across the Group to have a 
net positive impact on the 
environment, tackle climate 
change, improve health 
and wellbeing, responsibly 
consume materials and 
energy resources, reduce 
inequality, contribute to 
economic growth and 
champion a low-carbon 
economy. 

Our sustainability strategy
Underpinned by our purpose, the three pillars of our sustainability strategy – Planet, People, 
Partnership – reinforce each other and, together, support our business growth strategy.

PEOPLE
Improve the lives of our people  
and those in the communities  
where we operate

PARTNERSHIP
Innovate responsibly  
and deliver consistent 
results for our customers 
and shareholders

PLANET 
Protect and restore  
the environment

The nine priorities from our materiality assessment have been mapped across these 
pillars, progressing from foundational to transformational based on maturity and 
strategic impact.

Foundational – Focused on fundamental capabilities that establish our credibility and 
ensure we have a right to operate in our chosen markets

Transformational – Focused on differentiating capabilities that improve our 
competitive advantage and reposition James Fisher as a leader in our chosen markets

16 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Planet

People

Partnership

Transform and refocus our business 
to ensure our impact on the 
environment is net positive, and that 
we enable our stakeholders to do  
the same

Portfolio choices
Evolve our portfolio to serve the energy 
transition, with focus on growing 
renewables and remediation capabilities.

Attract, develop, and retain a high-
performing workforce, and enhance 
people’s lives by ensuring equal access 
to opportunities, providing purposeful 
and safe work, and promoting our core 
values where we operate

Top talent
Ensure talent is a strategic differentiator, 
through focused recruitment, 
engagement and training, and by 
prioritising the health and wellbeing of 
our people and those in the communities 
where we operate.

Leverage our deep industry expertise 
and track record for excellence to 
innovate responsibly and deliver 
consistent, value generating results 
for our customers and shareholders

Innovation
Develop and champion creative solutions 
to complex challenges through the 
integration and smart application of 
our specialist domain expertise, and in 
partnership with other players in  
the industry.

SDG:

7

SDGs:

3

4

8

SDG:

9

Read more on our focus on 
renewables and remediation  
solutions on pages 36 to 38

Read more on how we are developing 
future talent and contributing to the 
wellbeing of our communities  
on pages 42 and 43

Read more on how we are solving 
complex challenges with innovative 
solutions on pages 48 and 49

Resource efficiency
Minimise waste and improve productivity 
by embedding Circular Economy and 
Lean principles in our DNA.

Diversity and inclusion
Promote a diverse and inclusive 
workplace by recruiting where we work, 
enforcing pay parity, and celebrating 
the uniqueness of individuals and their 
communities.

Customer engagement
Build stronger customer relationships to 
better understand and resolve pain points, 
and foster collaboration towards value 
creation and shared success.

SDG:

12

SDGs:

5 10

SDG:

8

Read more on our asset utilisation 
improvement initiatives on  
page 39

Read more on our community 
development and engagement 
initiatives on pages 44 to 46

GHG emissions
Reduce our GHG emissions footprint 
by sourcing energy and fuels from 
low carbon sources, and investing in 
emissions abatement initiatives towards 
a net zero future.

Health, safety and security
Prioritise the health, safety and security 
of our employees, customers, suppliers 
and local communities through a ‘goal 
zero’ approach, with focus on education, 
engagement, advocacy, and policy 
development.

Read more on how we are 
restructuring our customer 
engagement processes on  
page 50

Governance
Commit to openness and accountability 
by living our valued behaviours, ensuring 
appropriate business policies, standards 
and controls are in place, and improving 
transparency of our supply chain.

SDG:

13

SDG:

8

SDG:

16

Read more on our emissions 
reduction efforts and focus on 
supporting clients to reduce their 
impact on pages 40 and 41

Read more on how we are pioneering 
safe operations across the world on 
page 47

Read more on our responsible  
business policies and processes  
on page 51

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Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

17

Strategic report

Sustainability at James Fisher cont.

Sustainability team structure 

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Responsibility: steering and decision accountability for Group sustainability agenda

STAKEHOLDER WORKING GROUPS (WG)
Responsibility: translating Group sustainability agenda into stakeholder-focused objectives and initiatives

Environment WG
 ‹ Portfolio choices
 ‹ Resource efficiency
 ‹ GHG emissions

Employee WG
 ‹ Top talent
 ‹ Diversity and inclusion

Customer WG
 ‹ Innovation
 ‹ Customer engagement

Health and Safety Committee
 ‹ Health, safety and security

Local Communities WG
 ‹ Top talent
 ‹ Diversity and inclusion

Supplier WG
 ‹ Governance

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS
Responsibility: driving the Group sustainability agenda and monitoring  
performance within operating companies

Sustainability Committee 
The James Fisher Sustainability Committee, led 
by the Chief Executive Officer, reports directly 
to the Board of Directors and centres the 
Group’s sustainability strategy activation across 
all our operating companies. 

Responsibilities
 ‹ Articulate James Fisher Group sustainability 

strategy and ambition

 ‹ Recommend sustainability objectives, 

priorities and initiatives to the Board, having 
regard to the interests of our stakeholders

 ‹ Define and recommend non-financial KPIs 

and targets to the Board 

 ‹ Communicate sustainability objectives, 
priorities, and KPIs to Group operating 
companies and drive strategy execution

 ‹ Report to the Board on progress of strategy 
execution and implementation initiatives

Stakeholder Working Groups 
The Sustainability Committee is supported by 
six stakeholder working groups, each with the 
mandate to represent and protect the interest 
of one or more of our stakeholders. 

Responsibilities
 ‹ Translate overarching sustainability objectives 

and priorities into stakeholder-focused 
objectives, KPIs and targets

 ‹ Identify, recruit, and empower sustainability 
champions within operating companies, to 
drive roll-out of sustainability communication 
and initiatives

Sustainability Champions 
Each operating company has a sustainability 
champion, nominated by the operating 
company Managing Director. Champions 
function as core members of one or more 
stakeholder working groups. 

Responsibilities
 ‹ Translate Group sustainability objectives and 
priorities into operating Company-specific 
objectives, KPIs and targets

 ‹ Function as subject matter expert, coach, 

mentor, and advocate on sustainability-related 
matters 

 ‹ Support operating companies with planning 
course of action and delivery of stakeholder-
focused objectives and KPIs 

 ‹ Drive communication, engagement, and 

execution of sustainability agenda within each 
operating company

18 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Sustainability frameworks
The sustainability frameworks we use for reporting are outlined below. 

Science Based Targets (SBTi): To support 
our target setting exercise and emissions 
reduction commitments in alignment with the 
2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming 
to well below 2°C (preferably to 1.5°C, 
compared to pre-industrial levels), we have 
chosen the SBTi criteria as the standard for 
James Fisher.

UK Streamlined Energy and Carbon 
Reporting (SECR): In accordance with the 
guidance on SECR that came into force 
on 1 April 2019, we have calculated and 
reported our emissions footprint and energy 
consumption in the Directors’ report (see page 
114 for our SECR disclosure).

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial 
Disclosure (TCFD): The framework provides a 
structured approach for effective climate-
related disclosures to better inform our 
stakeholders on risks, opportunities, and 
business resilience to climate change. We are 
committed to reporting our climate-related risks 
based on the recommendations of the TCFD 
(see page 52 for our TCFD summary).

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: The 
GHG protocol is the guiding reference for 
our emissions footprint consolidation and 
validation exercise. This allows us to assess the 
emissions impact of our operations across the 
entire value chain and identify where to focus 
reduction activities. The standards have been 
used in the development of our Scope 1, 2 and 
3 identification, measurement, and reporting 
methodology. 

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): The 
CDP reporting structure promotes visibility and 
accountability in our management of risks and 
opportunities around climate change, water 
security and deforestation. We responded to 
the CDP disclosure in 2020 and 2021 and are 
committed to reporting in 2022 and onwards. 

UN Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs): Enables the mapping of our strategy 
execution impact to reflect our corporate social 
responsibility efforts. 

Memberships, commitments and participations 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

19

Strategic report

Our stakeholders

ENGAGING FOR VALUE

Engagement and collaboration through our 
value chain is essential. Partnering with our 
stakeholders, understanding their challenges 
and managing risks, we can find solutions for 
our shared success, sustain our business and 
benefit all our stakeholders. 

We have aligned our strategic priorities with the 
requirements and needs of our stakeholders to 
enable delivery of profitable, sustainable value.

The Board recognises that it has a duty to 
act in the best interest of the Company for 
the benefit of its shareholders, as well as 
considering other stakeholder interests.  
In its decision-making, the Board considers  
all relevant factors, including:

 ‹ How the decision would align with the 

Group’s over-reaching purpose

 ‹ The likely short-, medium- and long-term 

consequences of the decision

 ‹ The value created for our investors
 ‹ The enhancement of our performance created 

by the decision

 ‹ The potential impacts on our people, local 

communities and environment of making the 
decision

 ‹ The need to create strong, mutually-beneficial 

customer and supplier relationships

 ‹ The Group’s commitment to business ethics

Section 172(1) statement
This section serves as our section 172(1) 
statement explaining how the Directors have 
had regard to the matters set out in section 
172(1)(a) to (f) Companies Act 2006, when 
performing their duty under section 172.

The Board aims to promote the success of the 
Company for the benefit of its shareholders 
as a whole, taking into account the long-term 
consequences of its decisions while giving 
due consideration to the interests of the 
Company’s stakeholders (including employees, 
customers, suppliers, shareholders, as well as 
the environment and local communities which 
are impacted by our operations), while also 
considering the importance of maintaining our 
reputation for high standards of business conduct. 
Examples of what that has looked like in practice 
over the past year can be found as follows:

Stakeholder: 
Shareholders 
Employees 
Customers/suppliers 
Environment 
Local communities 

Strategic report:

Pages 82 to 85  
Pages 42 to 47  
Pages 50 and 51  
Pages 36 to 41  

Pages 45 and 46

Further information about how the Directors 
have accounted for stakeholders in their 
decision-making in 2021 is set out on page 82 
in the Corporate governance report.

Shareholders
Why we engage

Employees
Why we engage

Shareholders help to provide the financial 
liquidity we require to operate and are key 
beneficiaries in the value created by the 
Group. We are committed to transparent 
communication and engagement with them.

How the Board engages
 ‹ The Directors have regular meetings with 
investors, principally through investor 
roadshows, investor events and the 
AGM.

 ‹ The Chairman meets with the 

Company’s largest equity shareholders 
to discuss results and other 
announcements.

 ‹ The Annual Report and Accounts and 
the Group website set out the Group’s 
strategy, progress against its strategy 
and the Group’s activities.

How we supported during 2021
 ‹ We were unable to hold an AGM  

due to COVID restrictions, but held a 
pre-AGM webinar and Q&A session 
online, enabling shareholders to receive 
the 2020 results presentation and ask 
questions prior to their proxy vote.

 ‹ Consultation with shareholders on the 
new remuneration policy (approved at 
the 2020 AGM) was led by the chair of 
the Remuneration Committee.

 ‹ The Company completed a refinancing 
and has started to implement a disposal 
programme, aimed at improving 
leverage. 

 ‹ New Chairman and other Board 
appointments aimed at bringing 
additional experience and skills to  
the Board.

 ‹ Reverting to physical AGM in 2022.

We are committed to ensuring that James 
Fisher is a great place to work. Attracting 
and developing talent is a key driver of the 
Group’s sustainable and profitable growth. 

How the Board engages
 ‹ Although restricted by the pandemic, the 
Executive Directors have held town hall 
meetings, in person where possible and 
virtually in other cases, engaging with 
employees via Q&A sessions in relation 
to purpose, values, strategy, employee 
engagement and Group performance. 

 ‹ Inken Braunschmidt (designated  

Non-Executive Director) has undertaken 
a number of engagement activities, 
including through her role on the 
employee engagement group, and 
reports back to the Board on a  
regular basis.

 ‹ We built on the Group engagement 
survey with the support of Gallup, 
providing valuable insights for the Board 
on issues that matter to our people. 

 ‹ The Company makes available an 
employee sharesave scheme to 
encourage employees’ involvement  
in Company performance.

How we supported during 2021
 ‹ We have continued the implementation 
of the Group’s employee strategy and 
are adapting to the limitations imposed 
by the pandemic e.g., moving trainings 
online to reach a wider audience.

 ‹ We have deepened engagement and 

coordination through online “lunch and 
learns” available to anyone in the Group 
to hear about different businesses.

 ‹ We have extended our mental health 
first aid training and now have over 80 
trainers across the Group.

 ‹ We have continued our internship 

programme, with interns bringing fresh 
ideas and energy into the businesses.

Key issues raised
 ‹ Operational and financial 

performance

 ‹ Strategy implementation
 ‹ Capital structure, liquidity and  

capital allocation

 ‹ Risk management and controls
 ‹ ESG

Key issues raised
 ‹ Development and progression
 ‹ Collaboration
 ‹ Remuneration
 ‹ Recognition
 ‹ Diversity and inclusion

20 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Customers and suppliers
Why we engage

Local communities
Why we engage

Environment
Why we engage

Aligned with our purpose and values, we 
must conduct business responsibly and 
sustainably to ensure that we support the 
local communities that are impacted by  
our global operations.

How the Board engages
 ‹ Through the Sustainability Committee, 
the Board receives updates on the 
implementation of each business’s local 
communities strategy.

 ‹ The Board actively encourages and 
supports employees to engage 
with projects across the UK and 
internationally to help make a positive 
impact, either through charitable 
fundraising, volunteering their time, or 
collection and distribution of items to 
support those less fortunate or in need.

 ‹ The Board regularly reviews the Group to 
consider how our businesses and their 
services align with the Group purpose.

How we supported during 2021
 ‹ We supported our companies and 
people who were providing support 
locally in response to the global 
pandemic.

 ‹ We have developed and launched our 

new sustainability strategy.

 ‹ We have provided assistance to 

individuals through a difficult period for 
many due to the pandemic and other 
international issues, including through 
extension of the employee assistance 
programme to friends and family.

The Group’s success depends on achieving 
a deep understanding of the challenges our 
customers face, and the complexities posed 
by the environments in which they operate. 
In doing so and with the support of our 
supply chain, we can identify products  
and services to support them.

How the Board engages
 ‹ The Board receives regular updates  
from business Managing Directors on 
their strategic priorities, their markets 
and key customers. 

 ‹ Through the Sustainability Committee, 
the Board receives updates on efforts 
within the Group to engage with and 
support our customers and suppliers 
(led by the customer and supplier 
working groups).

 ‹ Where appropriate, our Executive 
Directors and divisional Managing 
Directors work with major customers to 
ensure we develop innovative products 
and services to find solutions to their 
problems.

How we supported during 2021
 ‹ Investment has continued into innovation 

in products and services to meet 
customer needs.

 ‹ We have sought to align our process  

for obtaining customer feedback in order 
to have a coordinated view of  
our customers’ key requirements.

 ‹ We are revising our Code of Ethics to 
align with our sustainability policy and 
the changing macro factors impacting 
our industries and environment.

 ‹ Through the supplier working group, 
we are identifying synergies and other 
benefits of procurement coordination 
between Group businesses, as well as 
introducing a supplier code of conduct 
to create within the supply chain clear 
accountability and alignment with our 
sustainability priorities.

Our activities are inextricably linked to the 
environmental considerations related to 
climate change and the energy transition. 
This creates specific risks and opportunities 
which, when managed effectively and 
responsibly, will reposition James Fisher  
for a sustainable future. 

How the Board engages
 ‹ The Board receives regular updates and 
recommendations from the Sustainability 
Committee. The Sustainability Committee 
is led by the Group CEO and includes 
the leaders of all our stakeholder working 
groups, including the environment working 
group. Stakeholder working groups 
act in the interest of the stakeholders 
they represent, and improvement 
recommendations are communicated 
accordingly.

 ‹ The Board engages with shareholders 

directly to understand their ESG priorities.

 ‹ ESG specialist advisers provide expert 
support to the Board in relation to 
sustainability and the Group’s role in 
relation to climate change and the energy 
transition.

How we supported during 2021
 ‹ The Group conducted an extensive 
emissions footprint reporting and 
consolidation exercise across all operating 
companies, choosing the one-year 
period spanning 1 October 2020 to 30 
September 2021 as our base year for 
target setting.

 ‹ The new sustainability strategy, with Planet 
as one of its core pillars, was put forward 
and approved by the Board. An ongoing 
portfolio management programme is 
aimed at aligning the composition of the 
Group with our sustainability objectives, 
material issues, and stated commitments.

 ‹ We made efforts to implement the 

recommendations set out by the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) and aim to publish a comprehensive 
TCFD report later in 2022 when ongoing 
efforts have been concluded.

 ‹ The Group continued its reporting and 

disclosures in accordance with the Carbon 
Disclosure Project (CDP) and the UK 
SECR regulation.

Key issues raised
 ‹ Innovation and problem solving
 ‹ High quality service
 ‹ Trusted relationships
 ‹ Social and environmental impacts
 ‹ Payment practices

Key issues raised
 ‹ Environmental and social impacts  

of our operations
 ‹ Health and safety
 ‹ Supporting people in difficult times

Key issues raised
 ‹ Climate change
 ‹ Energy transition
 ‹ Strategy and implementation
 ‹ Financial performance
 ‹ Governance

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

21

Strategic report

Our markets

RESPONDING TO GLOBAL MARKET DRIVERS

Anticipating change to deliver innovation, operational 
excellence and specialist engineering to a diverse range  
of global market sectors.

ENERGY

2

3

DEFENCE

1

MARINE

We set ourselves  
apart where our  
core markets intersect

1. JFN

2. Digital  
JFD 
Tankships

3. Data Services 

Decommissioning 
Fendercare 
RMSPumptools  
JF Renewables 
Offshore Oil  
JF Subtech

CLIMATE CHANGE AND 
RESOURCE SCARCITY 

Climate change consequences and the need 
to cut emissions are driving a transition to 
renewable energy whilst population growth 
across developing markets is increasing 
demand for resources.

SHIFTING GLOBAL  
ECONOMIC POWER 

Economic growth within emerging 
markets is stimulating increased energy 
consumption whilst global political 
instability is escalating defence concerns 
and amplifying economic turbulence.

TECHNOLOGICAL 
BREAKTHROUGHS 

Technology is advancing exponentially,  
with significant transformation in data 
automation and visualisation. Effective  
and timely adoption of innovative technology 
is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite  
of successful differentiation. 

22 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

The three global mega trends of climate 
change and resource scarcity, shifting 
global economic power and technological 
breakthroughs have been identified as 
key market drivers for James Fisher, 
influencing the decision to refocus on 
the core markets of marine, energy and 

defence. The necessity to achieve a reduced 
carbon footprint, growing share for low 
energy sources (such as gas, nuclear and 
renewables), greater regulation around 
information management, enlarging 
demand for remote asset management and 
increasing requirements for basic resources 

and defence capabilities are some of the  
features we recognise within these long-
term trends which afford our stakeholders 
opportunities. 

James Fisher locations

OUR RESPONSE 

Mega trends are presenting 
both near-and longer-term 
opportunities for above market 
growth for James Fisher. 

In response to the energy transition,  
we’re demonstrating our commitment  
to reducing GHG emissions with low 
carbon shipping in our Tankships 
division; we’re fulfilling a growing need 
to decommission offshore assets with 
our well severance and infrastructure 
removal capabilities; we’re proving 
ourselves as a key, innovative partner 
in developing offshore wind; and we’re 
supporting our customers in their 
journeys to alternative fuels as with our 
expansion in LNG ship-to-ship transfers.

Emerging markets are creating additional 
opportunities for geographic expansion 
while resource scarcity concerns are 
prompting us to consider oxygenation 
for aquaculture, flare gas reduction 
and waste management. Acceleration 
in technology meanwhile, is acting 
as a catalyst for our own advances in 
IP-backed innovation, digitalisation 
of offshore services and remote and 
autonomous subsea operations.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

23

Strategic report

Chief Executive’s review

I am immensely proud of 
our people. It is in times 
of adversity that our true 
values are evident, and 
throughout this past year, 
James Fisher people 
have time and time again 
demonstrated their 
pioneering spirit, integrity, 
energy and resilience.

It has been, without question, a most 
disappointing and difficult year. The challenges 
we have faced during 2021 have been both 
unprecedented in magnitude and unpredictable 
in nature. We underestimated the headwinds 
faced by some of our businesses, employees 
and management teams, who have been 
profoundly tested by ongoing restrictions on 
travel; uncertainty in investment decisions; 
disruption to supply chains; inflationary 
pressures; competition for skilled resources; 
and a fundamental shift in working practices.

With that as the backdrop, the Group’s 
revenue, at £494.1m, was 4.7% below 2020. 
Underlying operating profit of £28.0m was 
30.9% below the £40.5m achieved in 2020. 
The Group recorded a loss before tax of 
£29.0m compared to a loss before tax  
of £52.5m.

The Group has borne through very difficult 
circumstances largely thanks to the 
extraordinary efforts of our people. The 
headwinds we faced have served to further 
strengthen our resolve and commitment to 
focusing our business portfolio on markets 
where we have a highly differentiated value 
proposition and can achieve sustainable, 
profitable growth. 

We are confident that the efforts of governments 
worldwide will gradually enable businesses and 
their supply chains to serve their customers in 
a more normalised way, leading to a recovery 
in our core markets. Following two supremely 
challenging years, we are focusing our efforts 
in areas we can directly influence and control in 
order to place the Group on a firm footing for 
2022 and beyond.

At our Capital Markets Day in June 2021 we 
outlined a roadmap to achieve this based on 
three phases: ”Reset, Reinforce and Realise”. 
Throughout the year we have continued to 
execute the Reset and Reinforce phases 
to create the foundations for sustainable 
profitable growth.

Health and safety
Our overarching goal remains to maintain the 
health and safety of our employees, contractors, 
suppliers and customers at all times. The nature 
of our operations means that we frequently face 
hazards and harsh environments for which we 
are well prepared, trained and equipped. The 
work that we have done in coordinating health 
and safety statistics, incident information and 
best practice is beginning to yield results in 
reducing the number of incidents, and, crucially, 
in promoting further strengthening of our  
safety culture.

However, the most significant challenge to 
our goal remains the more human aspects of 
complacency, routine, familiarity and distraction. 
These are inherently more difficult to address, 
requiring active participation and personal 
engagement to assess and act on potential 
threats to individuals and those around them. 
In response we have launched a Group-wide 
awareness campaign with the aim of bringing 
health and safety to the forefront of employees’ 
minds and making it relatable to their specific 
job role and work environment, whilst equipping 
people with the ability to identify hazards and 
empowering them to voice concerns and to take 
the appropriate action regardless of seniority.

These measures, in addition to enhanced 
training of existing employees and as part of the 
on-boarding process for new hires, will further 
reinforce our commitment to health and safety 
and will strengthen its foundation in our culture.

Short-term initiatives:
Portfolio management

During the year we completed the disposal of 
two businesses: a materials testing business 
in the UK and Ireland and a non-destructive 
testing business predominantly serving the 
aerospace and process industries. Both were 
very sound businesses, but they were neither 
connected to the key markets we are pursuing, 
nor did they add to the wider Group as a 
source of competitive advantage. 

We value all our businesses including those 
we divest, and it is important to us that we 
consider all stakeholders in making decisions, 
including in finding the right future owner for 
those that leave the Group so that they can 
continue their journeys and flourish. In both 
cases I believe we have achieved the best 
possible outcome and I would like to thank 
the employees of these businesses for their 
contribution and wish both them and their  
new owners every success for the future.

In June we concluded the sale of the dive 
support vessel (DSV) Subtech Paladin to its 
new owners, Indian offshore service provider 
Seamec, marking the first step in the return 
to a more asset light strategy, focusing on the 
delivery of high-end niche services. This strategy 
makes extensive use of partnerships to facilitate 
preferential access to vessels on an as-needed 
basis. Since this approach was adopted, we 
have successfully completed several complex 
subsea projects in the West Africa region 
as a customer of the Paladin’s new owner. 
We continue to explore similar opportunities, 
including the potential for a sale and leaseback 
option for the DSV Subtech Swordfish, which 
was also acquired in 2019. We have secured  
a framework agreement with an important Tier  
1 contractor that will see the vessel utilised on  
a long-term basis in the Middle East region.

24 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

As 2022 progresses, we will continue to 
critically evaluate the portfolio against 
our tests of strategic fit and business 
attractiveness (which we define as offering 
a combination of competitive advantage, 
growing markets, and attractive financial 
returns). Further divestments are likely, with 
the aim of reducing net debt, simplifying the 
Group’s portfolio, and allowing us to allocate 
capital to strong growth prospects, such as 
decommissioning and renewable energy.

Operational and commercial 
excellence
During 2021 a number of initiatives have been 
commenced with specific focus on improving 
the underlying performance of the Group:

 ‹ An Operational Excellence programme 

to drive improvement in capacity, delivery 
performance and customer satisfaction 
through the implementation of Lean 
principles.

 ‹ Investment in upskilling our project delivery 
and commercial resources to ensure that 
progress and project budgets are effectively 
controlled and that delivery, margins and 
customer satisfaction are improved.

 ‹ Continuous improvement in our risk 

management, contracting principles and 
internal controls frameworks to provide robust 
governance and mitigate margin erosion.

 ‹ A Commercial Excellence programme 

focused on identifying and capturing value 
in our key markets including cross-Group 
coordination of sales resources to address 
specific market opportunities where the 
Group can capture additional value.

 ‹ Implementation of best practice tools and 

methodologies to drive sales and commercial 
effectiveness.

 ‹ Adoption of customer engagement metrics  
to inform and improve satisfaction scores,  
as well as retention and referral rates.

Longer-term focus
Our three markets of choice are: energy,  
marine and defence. These markets offer 
strong growth potential and we are making 
progress in developing differentiated niche 
propositions that are highly valued and 
rewarded by our customers.

The “energy transition” is creating new growth 
prospects for our businesses. As a Group, we 
are well positioned to take advantage of the 
opportunities that will arise in a more responsible 
oil and gas sector and the expected transition 
away from oil and gas into renewable and 
other energy supplies. Within oil and gas, we 
see continued and new opportunities for our 
services in the production, transportation and 
decommissioning sectors. The global need for 
decommissioning of old and abandoned oil 
and gas assets is significant and we believe 
that our solutions in high-speed cutting, lifting 
and well-abandonment are well placed to serve 
this growing demand under our newly formed 
James Fisher Decommissioning brand. 

There is unquestionably an accelerated global 
investment in offshore wind powered energy 
production, a key solution to the world’s 
challenge to decarbonise against a backdrop 
of ever-growing demand for energy. James 
Fisher has a growing presence in the offshore 
wind market and the long-term expectation 
is that this will ultimately compensate for any 
reduction in demand for our oil and gas-
related products and services over the coming 
decades. Whilst activity levels during 2021 
were more subdued than anticipated, there is 
increased visibility of future requirements and 
confirmation of projects for delivery in 2022 
and beyond. We have consolidated our market 
offering under the James Fisher Renewables 
brand, which for the first time brings all the 
relevant operating companies and services 
under one go-to-market brand.

Demand in the marine sector softened 
considerably in 2021 due to reduced economic 
activity. However, we anticipate that the general 
increase in investment in offshore infrastructure, 
recovery of commodity prices post-pandemic, 
and a return to a more normal pattern of global 
trade should underpin a steady increase in 
demand and completion of projects that were 
deferred or delayed due to COVID. 

In the defence sector, the Group holds leading 
positions in submarine rescue, and life support 
and diving equipment. Our innovative solutions 
for defence customers frequently address 
challenges in the commercial subsea sector, 
particularly in terms of safety and reliability 
in extremely hazardous environments. We 
continue to supply our commercial diving 
equipment in over 40 countries globally. The 
business has a number of active product 
innovation opportunities aimed at maintaining 
our leading position and the pipeline for subsea 
vessel construction projects is strong.

Sustainability
We recognise the environment as one of 
our key stakeholders, but also consider 
sustainability to encompass financial security, 
robust governance and workforce stability. In 
2021, the year of COP26, we have developed 
with the support of external experts an 
ambitious and considered sustainability 
strategy with science-based targets. Work is 
ongoing in 2022 to build on these foundations. 

We firmly believe that by investing in local 
communities, working closely with our 
customers and suppliers, and having a strong 
employee strategy, our shareholders will 
also benefit. In this way we are creating an 
intrinsically sustainable company.

A special thanks to our people

At the onset of the COVID pandemic, like 
many other businesses, the Group needed to 
prioritise employee health and safety, and to 
adapt to a remote working environment. The 
hybrid working model that evolved during that 
time is proving itself to be less transitory than 
perhaps some had assumed. We see this 
working model as a step towards creating a 
more sustainable work/life balance, as well as 
yielding benefits for our other stakeholders. 
That said, we also recognise that this new 
working model has, at times, created its own 
stresses and to address this, we very quickly 
stepped up our mental health support and 
employee engagement programme and this 
has continued to develop in 2021. We know 
that we have work to do to fulfil our ambitions 
in this critical area and are grateful for the 
feedback received from our employees during 
2021’s employee engagement survey, in 
response to which action plans across the 
Group are being implemented during 2022.

Rather than being discouraged by the 
challenges of the pandemic and remote 
working, our extraordinary people have been 
emboldened by them. They have doubled 
down in understanding and meeting our 
customers’ needs. They have given up their 
time to offer assistance in our communities, 
bring food to the needy and help the unwell. 
I am immensely proud of our people. It is 
in times of adversity that our true values 
are evident, and throughout this past year, 
James Fisher’s people have time and again 
demonstrated their pioneering spirit, integrity, 
energy and resilience and they continue to do 
so in support of those affected by the war in 
Ukraine. Although the path has been difficult it 
is to the great credit of our people that we have 
advanced so far on our journey to becoming a 
purpose-led, values-driven business serving all 
our stakeholders. I cannot thank them enough.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

25

Chief Executive’s review cont.

Looking ahead
2021 was a challenging and disappointing 
year for the Group. We experienced ongoing 
disruption from the global pandemic, our 
markets did not recover at expected rates,  
and we underestimated the headwinds being 
faced by some of our businesses.

In June 2021, we outlined a roadmap to achieve 
our objective of greater than 10% operating 
profit margin and greater than 15% return on 
capital employed. This roadmap is based on 
three phases: ”Reset, Reinforce and Realise”. 
Throughout the year we continued to execute 
the Reset and Reinforce phases to create the 
foundations for sustainable profitable growth. 

Having sold Paladin and two of our businesses, 
during 2022 we will continue to optimise our 
portfolio to focus on businesses where we 
have a competitive advantage, strong growth 
prospects and attractive returns. The internal 
change agenda will continue at pace. We are 
executing a number of self-help initiatives, 
focusing on operational and commercial 
excellence, including a Lean programme, to 
improve the underlying performance of the 
Group.

Performance in January and February 2022 was 
in line with management’s expectations. The full 
year outcome will be influenced by ship-to-ship 
transfer business performance; JFD securing 
new project wins from its pipeline; the strength 
of our subsea business during the busy mid-
year period; our ability to manage inflationary 
pressures on the cost base; and the uncertainty 
arising from the current geopolitical environment.

In 2022 we celebrate 175 years since James 
Fisher founded the Company in Barrow-in-
Furness. In the intervening years, largely thanks 
to the pioneering spirit, integrity, energy and 
resilience of its employees, the Company has 
continually adapted to overcome some of the 
most challenging events the world has ever 
known, and I have no doubt that we will do so 
again to deliver sustainable, profitable growth 
for our investors and value creation for all our 
stakeholders.

The Board remains confident in the Group’s 
strategy to deliver sustainable profitable growth 
from the significant market opportunities that 
are available to it and remains committed to 
executing on its long-term strategy.

Operating review
Marine Support

The Marine Support division consists of three 
businesses, all aimed at supporting the marine 
and energy markets. Marine Contracting 
principally provides subsea services to both 
the oil and gas and offshore wind markets; 
Fendercare provides essential ship-to-ship 

Marine Support

Revenue (£m)

Underlying operating profit (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

Specialist Technical

Revenue (£m)

Underlying operating profit (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

Offshore Oil

Revenue (£m)

Underlying operating profit (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

Tankships

Revenue (£m)

Underlying operating profit (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

2021

214.5

5.0

(21.0)

2021

133.2

9.9

7.0

2021

86.3

11.1

(5.2)

2021

60.1

4.8

1.3

2020

249.4

10.1

(69.5)

2020

130.4

14.0

12.4

2020

78.0

11.2

8.4

2020

60.4

8.0

8.0

Change %

(14.0)

(50.5)

69.8

Change %

2.1

(29.3)

(43.5)

Change %

10.6

(0.9)

(161.9)

Change %

(0.5)

(40.0)

(83.8)

transfer services and related products; and 
Digital and Data Services provides innovative 
technological solutions aimed at improving the 
efficiency and productivity of our customers’ 
offshore assets. The division saw a significant 
decline in both revenue and underlying operating 
profit in 2021, although there was a reduced 
level of separately disclosed items, with non-
cash provisions of £26.0m against goodwill, 
doubtful receivables and tangible assets 
recognised in the year.

Marine Contracting

The business showed positive progress during 
2021. Revenue increased by 4.0% to £113.3m 
and after a particularly challenging year in 
2020, operating losses were significantly 
reduced. As part of our strategy to reduce 
the asset-intensity of this business and to 
focus more on partnering and the provision of 
differentiated services, the business sold one of 
its dive support vessels in June and the other is 
now on long-term hire for the majority of 2022. 

EDS, the high voltage cabling specialist 
providing services to the offshore wind industry, 

continued its positive momentum with three 
new multi-year contracts to maintain offshore 
windfarm electrical infrastructure over periods of 
13 to 15 years. The contracts are worth more 
than £40m over the period, which includes 
“availability” bonuses of around £8m for 
ensuring a pre-agreed level of uptime that could 
be earned and recognised in future periods. 

In Mozambique, the major LNG project remains 
suspended due to the ongoing security issues 
in the region. The Group settled all outstanding 
claims against its customer prior to the end of 
2021 and is ready to support the remobilisation 
of the project in due course.

The order book for 2022 is strong, with several 
projects deferred from 2021 expected to 
commence in the first half of the year and a 
good level of identified tendering targets.

Fendercare

Following a record year in 2020, the 
Fendercare business experienced a significant 
decline in 2021. Not only was the comparative 
year of 2020 boosted by crude oil trading 

26 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic reporton the back of the significant volatility in the 
oil price in 2020, but the business was also 
challenged in 2021 by unfavourable market 
developments in Malaysia and Brazil. Revenue 
from the Fendercare Group was £77.9m, some 
32% below 2020. Within this, the ship-to-ship 
(STS) revenues were down 36%.

The business is responding to the challenges by 
focusing on securing new sites to conduct STS 
operations in Malaysia, and has been successful 
in securing new contracts in Brazil. Although a 
return to the record highs seen in 2020 is not 
expected (absent significant volatility in the oil 
price) the business is expected to show some 
growth in 2022. A steady increase in the number 
of enquiries for LNG STS operations provides 
some encouragement for the future.

The sale of related products such as fenders 
also declined in 2021 as customers sought 
to defer capital expenditure. An inventory 
provision of £2.7m has been recognised in  
the period, reflecting a prolonged reduction  
in expectations for product sales as a direct 
result of the pandemic.

Digital and Data Services (DDS)

DDS is a collection of businesses aimed at 
providing technology solutions to the oil and 
gas and renewable energy markets. Revenue 
in 2021 fell by 9% to £23.3m, principally due 
to JF Strainstall, the provider of load and 
asset monitoring solutions, which experienced 
difficult market conditions with the downturn in 
construction activity reducing demand for its 
products. Other businesses, such as AIS, which 
has developed and sells Digital Twin software, 
providing operators with an online, real-time 
asset management solution aimed at reducing 
their operating costs by allowing asset condition 
to be monitored from anywhere in the world 
rather than on site, showed good growth, with 
new contract wins servicing offshore oil BP and 
Chevron in particular. 

Specialist Technical

Specialist Technical saw modest revenue growth 
of 2.1%, but a reduction in underlying operating 
profit of £4.1m, adversely affected by the 
write-off of £2.5m in relation to customer claims 
previously recognised but ultimately not agreed. 
Separately disclosed items of £2.9m recognised 
in the year included the impairment of tangible 
and intangible assets within the JFD business.

JFD experienced a mixed year. Work continued 
on its significant long-term projects, with three 
submarine rescue vessels (SRVs) and a 500m 
saturation diving spread all progressing well 
towards final milestones. One of the SRVs was 
delivered to its Korean customer in December 
and only relatively minor work is required in 
2022 to complete all other projects, triggering 
final payment milestones.

The business is looking to secure new projects 
during 2022, with a strong sales pipeline, 
although with no new orders in hand, the 
projects side of the business is at a cyclical 
low point. Demand for diving equipment was 
subdued during 2021 as many customers had 
fewer divers in the water, largely due to COVID 
restrictions, and deferred spend on  
new equipment.

The Group’s nuclear decommissioning 
business, JFN, showed some positive 
momentum during the first half of the year, 
but results for the full year were ultimately held 
back by the decision of a major customer to 
defer to 2022 new project awards expected in 
H2 2021. The level of tendering activity early 
in 2022 is encouraging, with new contracts for 
engineering design work already won early in 
the year.

Offshore Oil

Offshore Oil achieved strong revenue growth 
of 10.6% during the year, driven by increased 
demand for its bubble curtain solutions and 
well-testing services. This traditional oil and gas 
service business has seen significant success 
in repositioning itself into new markets, such as 
the supply of bubble curtain solutions to offshore 
wind construction projects which protect subsea 
wildlife from the noise of piling, as well as an 
earlier stage opportunity in aquaculture which 
is showing promising signs of future demand. 
Bubble curtain revenues increased from £3.9m 
in 2020 to £7.4m in 2021.

James Fisher Offshore, which offers 
decommissioning services to the oil and gas 
industry experienced a somewhat frustrating 
year, with projects delayed at short notice during 
the second half of the year and the impact of a 
bad debt provision against amounts receivable 
from a financially distressed customer holding 
back profitability. Despite the project delays 
in Q4 2021, demand for decommissioning 
services continues to increase, with 13% growth 
in revenue to £8.0m in 2021 (2020: £7.1m). 

RMSpumptools (RMS) saw strong demand 
for its market-leading artificial lift products, 
which both prolong the useful life of oil 
wells and prevent the unwanted escape of 
methane gas during production. As the oil 
industry increasingly focuses on minimising its 
environmental impact, we believe that demand 
for RMS products will continue to increase.

Separately disclosed items of £16.3m have 
been recognised in relation to goodwill 
impairment (£13.9m) and receivables (£2.4m). 
The impairment in respect of receivables 
relates to a specific counterparty risk and 
receivables billed over 12 months ago in 
relation to certain projects.

Tankships

Revenue for the year was broadly in line with 
2020, however profitability was adversely 
affected by a combination of the UK lockdown 
in Q1 2020, increased operating costs due 
to enhanced COVID safety protocols and 
quarantine requirements, and a short-term dip 
in utilisation during September. Utilisation rates 
across the fleet increased over the course 
of the year from an average of 86% in Q1 to 
95% in Q4. The business’s exposure to the 
shorter-term spot-rate charters has increased 
slightly in the year to c. 23% (2020: c. 21%) 
as a result of contracts that have not been 
renewed. During the first two months of 2022, 
utilisation rates were strong and spot charter 
rates are showing good signs of recovery. 

Impairment charges of £3.5m have 
been recognised in the year, reflecting a 
reassessment of residual values of older 
vessels that are reaching end of life. The two 
newly-commissioned dual-fuel (marine gasoil 
and LNG) vessels are well into the construction 
phase and are due for delivery late in 2022, 
replacing two vessels that are approaching the 
end of their useful operational lives.

Cattedown Wharves, which serves the South 
West of England, performed well in the year 
notwithstanding the lockdown in Q1 2021. 
Volumes of cargo transported through the 
port have now largely recovered to pre-
pandemic levels.

Eoghan O’Lionaird 
Chief Executive Officer 

DECOMMISSIONING 

We are building a strong position in helping 
customers in their decommissioning of 
oil and gas assets – particularly subsea, 
where we have specialist knowledge and 
capability. In 2021, we secured a number of 
significant decommissioning “wins” across 
the North Sea, Middle East and Asia Pacific 
– notably in the Gulf of Thailand.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

27

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report

Our divisions - Marine Support

Our Marine Support businesses provide products,  
services and solutions to the global marine market.  
These are supplied to a range of end market sectors 
including marine, oil and gas, ports, construction  
and renewables.

FENDERCARE is the leading provider of 
ship-to-ship transfers of oil and liquefied 
natural gas. The main market drivers for these 
services are over-supply, available storage 
capacity, and fluctuations in prices caused 
by demand. Fendercare is also a leading 
provider of mooring and safety equipment to 
the global marine industry to support new-
builds, conversions and port infrastructure 
development projects. 

JF RENEWABLES supports the global 
offshore wind market through the provision 
of highly specialist services employed in site 
preparation, installation, commissioning and 
operations and maintenance phases. Demand 
is driven by increased investment in offshore 
wind with increasing numbers of new sites 
being constructed and operational sites 
requiring support.

JF SUBTECH provides specialist subsea 
services in support of construction, operations 
and maintenance and decommissioning 
activities for the offshore wind, oil and gas 
and marine markets globally. Demand is 
driven by increased investment in marine 
infrastructure, asset management campaigns 
and decommissioning of legacy assets.

Revenue 

(£m)

Statutory operating profit/(loss) 

(£m)

Underlying operating profit* 

(£m)

£214.5m

2021 

£214.5m

£(21.0)m

£(21.0)m

2021

£5m

2021 

£5m

2020 

2019 

2018 

28 

£249.4m

£(69.5)m 

2020

2020  £10.1m

£311.6m

£269.9m

2019 £14.9m

2019 

2018 

£29.1m

2018 

£24.5m

£28.2m

*  before separately disclosed items

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONSStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

INVESTING IN LNG

Fendercare utilises new LNG transfer 
system to support leading global 
energy company. 
Fendercare has invested in a market-leading liquefied  
natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship system amidst growing 
demand for LNG which is viewed as a transition fuel  
on the path to clean energy. 

The investment, combined with Fendercare’s vast 
experience in conducting highly complex LNG 
transfers, enabled the successful completion of a 
series of LNG STS operations for one of the world’s  
leading global energy companies in November 2021. 

Following pre-operation due diligence including 
risk assessments, dynamic mooring studies and 
compatibility assessments, equipment was mobilised 
offshore with an expert team and three back-to-back 
STS transfers were safely and efficiently undertaken  
off the coast of Malaysia.

These operations were quickly followed in December 
by the first ever LNG ship-to-ship transfer in Denmark.

The wholly-owned LNG transfer system enables 
Fendercare to quickly respond to demand from 
customers, demand which is predicted to increase  
in future, as more countries transition from legacy 
options to cleaner sources of fuel, such as LNG,  
and as owners and operators look for alternative 
options to transferring at terminals.

Read more on our markets 
on page 22

JF STRAINSTALL is a leading provider of 
structural integrity monitoring services and 
technologies that are deployed in a range of 
marine applications such as mooring systems 
for fixed and floating assets and high integrity 
infrastructure applications in the construction 
and transport sectors. 

The market drivers for JF Strainstall are 
increased investment in construction projects 
in the marine, oil and gas, infrastructure and 
renewables sectors and asset optimisation 
and life extension of existing or legacy 
infrastructure, where our niche offering and 
innovative products and services provide 
assurance to customers and their stakeholders. 

Return on capital employed 

(%)

3.5%

2021 

3.5%

2020 5.0%

2019 

2018 

11.9%

17.9%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

29

Strategic report

Our divisions - Specialist Technical

Our Specialist Technical businesses supply diving equipment  
and services, submarine rescue vessels and through-life rescue services, 
special operation swimmer delivery vehicles, saturation diving systems 
and engineering solutions to the international defence, UK nuclear 
decommissioning and commercial diving markets.

JFD is a world leader in fixed and portable 
saturation diving systems and related diving 
equipment – demand for which is largely 
driven by the construction and replacement 
of dive support vessels which in turn drives 
ancillary service and product demand. Its end 
markets are oil and gas and defence based 
on service, repair and ongoing calibration 
requirements, and projects requiring specialist 
diving equipment.

JFD is also a leading provider of submarine 
rescue services with the ability to design, 
deliver and operate submarine rescue 
vehicles. Providing a very niche area of 
capability, it has long-term service contracts 
with navies. The driver is the tendering 
of defence projects for provision of the 
equipment, which can lead to longer-term 
service contracts to operate the service.  
The business also provides swimmer delivery 
vehicles to the special operations markets.

JFN provides engineered decommissioning 
solutions and remote handling equipment to 
the nuclear industry as well as calibration, 
servicing and repair services for radiological 
instrumentation. The market drivers for JFN 
are the demand for its products operable 
in hazardous environments, services and 
lifetime support from the UK decommissioning 
industry, radiological calibration requirements 
and projects within defence.

Revenue 

(£m)

Statutory operating profit 

(£m)

Underlying operating profit* 

(£m)

£133.2m

2021 

£133.2m

£7.0m

2021  £7.0m

£9.9m

2021 

£9.9m

2020 

2019 

2018 

30 

£130.4m

£149.4m

£159.6m

2020 

2019 

2018 

£12.4m

£18.1m

£20.2m

2020 

2019 

2018 

£14.0m

£18.4m

£20.9m

*  before separately disclosed items

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

RESPECTED PARTNERStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Credit: Contains public sector onformation under the Open 
Government Licence v3.0

LONG-TERM STRATEGIC 
PARTNERSHIPS

Capability support contract for  
UK MOD Astute class submarine. 
Supporting defence customers through long-term 
strategic partnerships is fundamental to JFD.  
The award of a four-year capability support contract 
(with one-year extension option) for the UK Ministry  
of Defence (MOD) Astute class submarine attests  
to this. Worth in excess of £20m, the contract,  
which commenced in June 2021, is for the provision  
of equipment-level in-service support including core 
and non-core tasking and spares. 

Combining experienced and knowledgeable people; 
efficient systems and processes; and proactive 
management with streamlined decision-making, has 
enabled JFD to prepare a carefully considered and 
innovative offer which will deliver a tailored, fit-for-
purpose solution offering best value to all stakeholders. 

The contract will be managed out of JFD’s Capability 
Support Hub located a short distance from HMNB 
Clyde. A unique facility, the hub possesses all the 
support capabilities required to ensure a guaranteed 
service to the UK Royal Navy’s submarine fleet, with 
assets ready for operational requirements, whenever 
needed, without compromise.

It is this ability to manage and maintain critical life 
support assets at exceptional levels of availability,  
that underpins JFD’s long-term strategic partnerships 
with navies around the world.

JFD currently provides subsea rescue services, 
products, engineering services and training to 80 
countries and 33 of the world’s navies including the 
Royal Navy, Australian, Singaporean, Indian and  
South Korean navies.

Return on capital employed 

(%)

9.8%

2021 

9.8%

2020 

2019 

2018 

12.9%

16.7%

18.5%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

31

Strategic report

Our divisions - Offshore Oil

Our Offshore Oil businesses supply a range of services  
and equipment to the global oil and gas and renewable 
energy industries. This includes the design and engineering 
of specialist equipment and technology, platform 
maintenance and modification, well testing support, subsea 
operations and maintenance services. 

SCANTECH AS is a leading provider of 
ATEX (ATmospheres EXplosives) products 
and support services to the energy sector. 
Its equipment is designed and certified to 
NORSOK standards and supplied to the 
Norwegian oil and gas market for platform 
maintenance, well testing and specific projects. 
The driver for the business is the operation  
and maintenance spend on offshore rigs in  
the Norwegian sector.

SCANTECH OFFSHORE is a leading 
provider of environmental mitigation equipment, 
air compressors, steam generators, heat 
suppression equipment and qualified personnel 
for large multinational oil service and major 
marine contracting companies in well testing 
and offshore wind markets worldwide. The 
driver for the business is the operation and 
maintenance spend on offshore rigs and the 
need to protect the marine environment with 
noise mitigation during offshore piling operations 
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) disposal.

RMSPUMPTOOLS is a world leader in 
artificial lift specialist completion technology 
and innovative accessory tools for electrical 
submersible pumps supplied to the global 
downhole oil and gas market. The driver for the 
business is the need to improve well productivity.

Revenue 

(£m)

Statutory operating profit/(loss) 

(£m)

Underlying operating profit* 

(£m)

£86.3m

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

32 

£86.3m

£78.0m

£88.2m

£71.4m

£(5.2)m

£(5.2)m

2021

£11.1m

2021 

£11.1m

£8.4m

2020 

2019 

2018

£5.0m

£13.7m

2020 

2019 

2018 

£5.9m

£11.2m

£14.2m

*  before separately disclosed items

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONSStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

INCREASING OFFSHORE 
DECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENCIES

Acquisition advances customer 
sustainability goals by enabling 
effective management of legacy 
infrastructure.
In June 2021, James Fisher announced the acquisition 
of the entire share capital of engineering solutions and 
consultancy company, Subsea Engenuity Limited. 
The move extends its current decommissioning 
capability under James Fisher Offshore (JFO) and  
demonstrates the Group’s commitment to advancing 
its customers’ sustainability goals through the effective 
management of legacy infrastructure.

The deal secured access to innovative well 
abandonment technology affording customers a route 
to eliminating ongoing platform maintenance costs, 
as well as technology for well cap setting allowing 
the seabed to be returned to its natural state with no 
pollution impact.

The acquisition of Subsea Engenuity’s innovative 
technology is consistent with our purpose of pioneering 
safe and trusted solutions for our customers and is 
evidence of our commitment to proactively align  
our business choices and investments with support for 
the energy transition including through the responsible 
management of existing infrastructure and assets.

To date, JFO has completed more than 100 discrete 
decommissioning workscopes through the provision 
of specialist equipment, expertise and personnel. 
The addition of Subsea Engenuity’s unique well 
abandonment technology will allow JFO to significantly 
grow its share of an estimated addressable market of 
£170m annually.

FISHER OFFSHORE provides engineering 
solutions, equipment and full project support 
for offshore and subsea operations in the 
oil and gas and marine sectors. Its market 
driver is maintenance, inspection and repair 
demand, and subsea pipeline and cable 
projects in the oil and gas, renewables and 
communication sectors with a particular focus 
on offshore decommissioning.

Return on capital employed 

(%)

10.2%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

4.6%

10.2%

8.9%

10.3%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

33

Strategic report

Our divisions - Tankships

Our Tankships division operates a fleet of product and 
chemical tankers which trade along the UK and northern 
European coastline carrying clean petroleum  products and 
chemicals including increasing volumes of biofuels from 
refineries and terminals, to major coastal storage facilities. 
The division also operates a port in Plymouth, UK.

JAMES FISHER EVERARD (JFE) distributes 
clean petroleum products and chemicals under 
contracts with primarily oil majors around 
the European coast and to islands and ports 
with size restricted access. It operates a 
fleet of double-hulled product and chemical 
tankers with capacity ranging from 3,000mt to 
35,000mt. The business driver is the level of 
consumption of clean products (petrol, diesel, 
gasoil and kerosene) and chemical/biofuels in 
the UK, Ireland and northern Europe. Products 
carried serve the marine, transport, agriculture, 
aviation and chemical industries.

CATTEDOWN WHARVES The division 
operates Cattedown Wharves, a port in 
Plymouth which provides berthing and marine 
services to the oil majors which own tank farms 
in Plymouth. It also handles dry cargoes such 
as animal feed being imported into the South 
West and clay being exported from the region. 
The primary driver for the business is the level 
of consumption of clean oil products within the 
South West region of the UK.

JAMES FISHER SHIPPING SERVICES 
(JFSS) provides technical vessel and crew 
management to the James Fisher fleet of 
tankers, as well as to the wider tanker, research 
and specialised vessel markets.

Revenue 

(£m)

Statutory operating profit 

(£m)

Underlying operating profit* 

(£m)

£60.1m

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

34 

£60.1m

£60.4m

£67.9m

£60.7m

£1.3m

2021 £1.3m

£4.8m

2021 

£4.8m

2020 

2019 

2018 

£8.0m

£12.0m

£9.9m

2020 

2019 

2018 

£8.0m

£12.0m

£9.9m

*  before separately disclosed items

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

PIONEERING CHANGEStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

COMMITTING TO LOWER CARBON 
SHIPPING

Tankships division demonstrates 
Group’s commitment to reducing GHG 
emissions with the addition of two LNG 
dual-fuel IMO II tankers.
James Fisher Everard (JFE) will add two liqueified 
natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel IMO II tankers to its existing 
fleet during 2022 - the first clean product tankers 
of this size to incorporate this emissions-reducing 
propulsion technology. 

The two vessels will also incorporate innovations in 
design and construction technology to further enhance 
hydrodynamic performance, to improve operational 
efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 
improve local air quality.

This commitment to supporting both the environmental 
goals of its customers and the sustainability goals 
of James Fisher also allows JFE to contribute to the 
International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO)  
commitment to structural GHG reductions.

James Fisher has a long history, spanning more 
than 170 years, of pioneering innovations in the 
marine industry, having first adopted steam over 
sail in 1883, and subsequently motor propulsion 
during the early twentieth century. The first adoption 
of LNG as a cleaner alternative to conventional 
oil based propulsion fuels in this class of vessel 
continues the entrepreneurial spirit of James Fisher, 
and demonstrates the Company’s commitment to its 
stakeholders and the environment.

Read more about our sustainability 
commitment on page 14

Return on capital employed 

(%)

14.7%

2021 

14.7%

2020 

2019 

2018 

25.5%

35.4%

37.8%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

35

Strategic report

Sustainability

PLANET

Over the course of our 
175-year history, we have 
successfully navigated several 
industrial transformations, 
and helped advance shifts in 
energy systems. 
Beginning with our conversion to steam 
power from sail in the Nineteenth 
Century, we have successfully 
transitioned to and helped harness new 
forms of energy – from coal to oil and 
gas, nuclear, renewables and LNG. 
The large-scale transition from fossil 
fuel to clean energy sources, while 
challenging, is another opportunity for 
us to differentiate ourselves. Our focus 
is to reduce our own carbon footprint 
by transitioning to low carbon energy 
sources and alternative fuels, improving 
our energy efficiency, applying circular 
economy principles to our operations, 
and ultimately supporting our clients 
in doing the same. As many of our 
businesses operate within the energy 
value chain, we will continue to grow our 
capabilities to service the growing global 
demand for clean energy, the evolution 
of legacy energy demand, and increasing 
demand for remediation to mitigate the 
impact of human activities on the planet.

PORTFOLIO CHOICES

KPI

BASELINE (2021) TARGET

TARGET DATE

% Revenue from 
renewables and 
remediation offerings

17%

During 2022, we will set clear targets, with the 
aim to report in 2023

Why it is important
The James Fisher Group is a portfolio of 
service companies operating at the intersection 
of energy, marine, and defence markets. 
Our activities are inextricably linked to 
environmental considerations related to climate 
change and the energy transition. This creates 
specific risks and opportunities that, when 
properly managed, open new markets and 
revenue streams. 

Over the past 10+ years, we have strategically 
funded environmentally sustainable growth 
by actively reinvesting cash from our legacy 
position in oil and gas into both established 
and growing positions in the renewable energy 
and environmental remediation value chains.

Progress in 2021
Active portfolio management

In line with our stated objectives and target, we 
developed and deployed a set of clear tests 
underpinned by well established frameworks to 
assess all businesses within our portfolio. 

The outcome of this assessment informed 
critical decisions on what businesses to fix, exit, 
and invest in for future growth. For example, the 
decision to sell James Fisher Testing Services 
and James Fisher NDT was based on strategic 
fit, and the onboarding of a Broad-based Black 
Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) partner into 
James Fisher Subtech, South Africa was to 
improve our competitive strength.

Global contract wins

Our efforts to reposition James Fisher operating 
companies as leaders within their chosen 
capabilities in the global renewables and 
remediation value chain is yielding fruit, with 
significant contract wins realised during 2021. 
The services we will provide span across a 
range of capabilities, including:

 ‹ OFTO asset management
 ‹ Noise attenuation with big bubble curtains
 ‹ Asset commissioning, including HV safety 

management

 ‹ Topsides inspection, repair and maintenance
 ‹ Terminations and testing
 ‹ Cutting and dredging services
 ‹ Wellhead severance 
 ‹ Pull-in high voltage cables
 ‹ UXO investigation and removal
 ‹ Crane delivery for HVDC platforms 
 ‹ Blade inspection and repair

1

Strategic fit

2

A

Attractiveness

Market share and 
growth rate

B

+

Competitive 
strength

C

+

Sustainable 
profitability

Does the business 
operate within our core 
markets, and align with 
our purpose?

Is the market attractive? 
How much more could be 
captured with existing/new 
capabilities?

Can we create and 
maintain a sustainable 
competitive position?

Can we consistently and 
sustainably deliver target 
operating profit margins 
and ROCE? 

I

A
R
E
T
R
C

I

I

I

N
O
T
P
R
C
S
E
D

36 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2021 Contract wins for renewables  
and remediation scope, £94.5m

United Kingdom

54.9

2.0

56.9

Rest of Europe

18.1

18.1

Asia

15.4

0.7

16.1

Middle East

3.3

North America

0.3

Renewables £m
O&G decommissioning £m

Regions and countries

Rest of Europe
 ‹ Denmark
 ‹ France
 ‹ Germany
 ‹ Italy
 ‹ Spain
 ‹ Sweden

Top clients
 ‹ Boskalis
 ‹ Equinor
 ‹ Equitix
 ‹ Heerema

Asia
 ‹ Taiwan
 ‹ Malaysia

Middle East
 ‹ Saudi Arabia

North America
 ‹ Canada
 ‹ USA

 ‹ Iberdrola
 ‹ McDermott
 ‹ NPCC
 ‹ Ocean Winds
 ‹ Ørsted

 ‹ Prysmian
 ‹ RWE 

Renewables

 ‹ Sapura
 ‹ Seaway7 

 ‹ Swancor RE
 ‹ Vattenfall
 ‹ Weatherford

How we will deliver against target
Set new portfolio boundaries

To better focus efforts, we have structured our core capabilities into three broad categories:

Energy solutions: Development of products, services, and solutions for the energy industry,  
with a focus on renewables (offshore wind). James Fisher will continue to deliver services to the oil 
and gas industry where it makes sense to do so, e.g., where our standards of safety and service 
quality mean that withdrawing our expertise would result in a net negative impact on the planet.

HIGH VOLTAGE SUCCESS AT SAINT-BRIEUC

EDS HV won a high voltage, turnkey safety-management commissioning contract with Iberdrola 
for Saint-Brieuc, Brittany’s first large-scale offshore windfarm. 

Leveraging its considerable experience of energising windfarms safely and efficiently, EDS 
will help ensure a smooth transition from commissioning through to the operations and 
maintenance phase at Saint-Brieuc. The windfarm will feature 62 turbines, each set 1km 
apart and covering 75km2, at a site 16km off the French coast. The contract is valued at 
£5.2m.

“We have developed the ability to provide a complete turnkey management service for the 
high voltage aspect of wind farm construction and we can now offer a trusted and expert 
package which is unparalleled in the market. With full project management, highly trained 
teams and 24/7 remote control centre support throughout construction, we can provide 
exactly what Iberdrola needs for Saint-Brieuc, and for their proposed windfarms elsewhere  
in the world.” – Ryan Calvert, Strategy, Sales and Commercial Director at EDS 

Climate-related risk and  
opportunity analysis

We engaged the services of specialist 
consultants to evaluate climate-related risks 
and opportunities facing the Group. The 
exercise involves a climate scenario analysis, 
an important and useful tool used to identify 
and assess the implications of different future 
climate scenarios and associated levels of 
global warming, including:

 ‹ Policy, legal, technology and reputational  
risks in the different warming scenarios 

 ‹ Opportunities such as new markets and  

new products that may arise

The exercise will inform strategic decision-
making, financial planning, and the 
development of appropriate corporate 
governance structures that help to pre-empt 
climate-related risks and opportunities. 
Specifically, this will provide James Fisher with: 

 ‹ An improved understanding of the potential 
impact of climate change scenarios on the 
business across all stakeholder groups

 ‹ A climate scenario analysis quantification 

tool which will enable us to actively track real 
world events against modelled scenarios and 
to adapt its planning accordingly

 ‹ A stronger positioning that satisfies all TCFD 
reporting requirements and recommendations

Further details can be found in the 
TCFD Summary section on page 52

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

37

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

Remediation: Removal of pollutants or 
contaminants from and restoration of the 
environment. Current efforts are focused on 
growth in decommissioning of oil and gas 
infrastructure, with the aim to expand other 
remediation scopes such as oxygenation 
and remediation for aquaculture, flare gas 
reduction, emissions monitoring, and waste 
management. 

Life preservation: Development of products, 
services, and solutions that preserve the life 
of people, assets, and other life forms in the 
environments where we operate. JFD, one 
of our portfolio businesses, is specialised in 
submarine escape and rescue and provides 
a range of innovative and highly capable 
underwater life support systems for defence 
divers. The development of offering and 
capabilities for marine life preservation would 
be an obvious extension for the Group, and we 
will continue to evaluate this as other priorities 
are successfully managed.

Reinforce internal processes

Efforts to upgrade and standardise internal 
processes across the Group are ongoing, 
with focus on portfolio management, new 
opportunity development, and capital 
allocation. This will ensure transparency in 
evaluating our businesses, improve decision-
making, reinforce the right mindset, and 
enable us to leverage our collective strength 
in serving our customers. 

Explore new frontiers

Beyond offshore wind, new opportunities 
abound globally for the decarbonisation of 
energy and we at James Fisher are beginning 
to explore them. Some of these opportunities 
are outlined below:

 ‹ Reduce: Energy utilisation efficiency through 
digital applications, alternative fuels e.g., 
hydrogen

 ‹ Reuse/Recycle: Reuse of offshore assets, 
recycling of decommissioned materials for 
industry

 ‹ Remove: Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

As a widely-based services supplier with 
marine, nuclear, transportation, oil and gas 
and renewable energy expertise, we are well-
positioned to create value in these adjacent 
sectors.

We will continue to explore opportunities where 
our technology can play a significant role in 
solving complex challenges and preserving 
our planet. In Norway for example, ScanTech 
AS is in dialogue with the Stavanger Municipal 
Council to use our nanobubble offering to 
reverse environmental damage at a local lake 
within Hålandsvannet.

WELL ABANDONMENT CAPABILITIES EXPANDED

In a move to expand our decommissioning expertise, James Fisher acquired Subsea 
Engenuity, a subsea project and engineering consultancy. Subsea Engenuity was identified for 
its expertise, innovation and drive to create better technologies and solutions for subsea well 
abandonment. The acquisition was announced in June 2021.

With the acquisition came the expertise and skillsets of the original owners and innovators, 
bringing with them over 30 years combined experience in marine engineering, naval 
architecture, downhole tooling and design, and SEABASS, a vessel-based subsea well 
abandonment tool. 

SEABASS is a revolutionary, single trip mechanical locking system for the abandonment of 
category 2 wells. It is designed to remove contaminants and provide barriers to allow the well 
site to return to its original environmental state. 

38 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

We have strengthened our investment 
decision-making process by revising and 
updating the assessment criteria. We will 
continue to invest in strategically significant 
assets where such investments provide a 
differentiated level of service or sustainable 
competitive advantage.

CENTRALISED ASSET 
MANAGEMENT – FROM 
REGIONAL TO GLOBAL

James Fisher Subtech (JF Subtech),  
an operating company within the Marine 
Support division, provides turnkey 
project solutions and subsea support 
and services to the renewables, oil and 
gas, and civils markets. In 2021, due to 
high asset intensity and the continuous 
drive to increase utilisation, JF Subtech 
initiated a centralised, global approach to 
asset management ensuring that internal 
equipment solutions are evaluated before 
committing to third party rental.

To support local customer desires to 
build diver-less capabilities in South 
America, SM Continental SA (Continental), 
another operating company within the 
Marine Support division, was qualified 
as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 
service provider to Petrobras and SBM 
Offshore. The subsequent transfer of four 
Observation Class ROVs from the United 
Kingdom to Brazil secured Continental 
a long-term contract with Petrobras, 
providing year-round ROV support and 
increasing asset utilisation by 70%. 

Other examples of asset management 
successes include the transfer of a Cougar 
ROV from the United Kingdom to the dive 
support vessel (DSV) Subtech Swordfish 
operating offshore Qatar. This proved 
instrumental in achieving continuous vessel 
utilisation since mid-year 2021. 

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

KPI

BASELINE (2021) TARGET

TARGET DATE

KPI under 
consideration

During 2022, we will evaluate the right KPI that reflects our ambition, 
with the aim to report a baseline in 2023

Why it is important
At James Fisher, we want to ensure that 
our resources are utilised in a sustainable 
manner, that we protect the life systems that 
support the planet’s natural resources, and 
that our workforce is environmentally aware in 
carrying out their day-to-day tasks. Our focus 
is to do more with the resources already in 
place, with the long-term view of doing more 
with less resource than is required today. 
This will be achieved through the application 
of Lean methodology and other operational 
excellence principles.

At its core, Lean methodology organises  
people, materials, water, energy and associated 
activities in a way that delivers increased value 
to all stakeholders while eliminating waste. By 
building Lean methodology into our structure 
and core systems, employees and extended 
teams have the tools and techniques at their 
disposal to drive efficiencies and ensure we can 
accurately measure and then reduce/remove 
wasteful activities that consume time, cost, 
and valuable resources, but add little value  
to our stakeholders.

Progress in 2021
Deployment of Lean methodology

In 2021, we actively sought and recruited a 
Head of Lean, with the mandate to build a 
“Lighthouse” within the Group, showcasing 
the benefits that a Lean approach will bring to 
business operations and delivery. This journey 
is commencing with RMSpumptools. The 
ambition is to deploy and scale Lean principles 
across the Group based on success and 
learnings from RMSpumptools.

Asset optimisation
Due to our business model, some of the 
portfolio businesses within the Marine Support 
division are asset intensive. We continued to 
improve utilisation of these assets through the 
innovative management strategies outlined 
below

1. Centralised asset management 

Previously, assets such as vessels and 
portable equipment e.g. Remotely Operated 
Vehicles (ROVs) were managed regionally 
across different James Fisher entities. We 
now monitor and track our asset base from 
a global perspective to determine where they 
can be more effectively utilised. This has 
resulted in the transfer of ROVs across regions 
e.g., from the UK to Brazil to build capability 
based on client demand. 

2. Move to asset-light model

In 2019 we acquired two dive support vessel 
(DSV), the Paladin and the Swordfish. Due to 
challenging market conditions, we have adapted 
our asset management approach, returning to 
an asset-light strategy: and

 ‹ sold the Paladin
 ‹ secured long-term frame agreement 

contracts for the Swordfish

 ‹ established partnerships with vessel owners/
operators facilitating access to multiple 
vessels in exchange for market access

How we will deliver against target
As Lean methodology, principles and 
improvement initiatives are implemented across 
the Group, a Lean operating system framework 
will materialise. This system will comprise Lean 
leaders and champions who support and 
embed the capability, with the aim to improve 
product excellence, commercial excellence, 
and operational excellence.

We will continue to drive improvements by: 

 ‹ standardising policies and processes to 

embed the right culture and mindset across 
the Group

 ‹ implementing centralised functions, 

processes, and information management 
systems where it makes sense to do so e.g., 
centralising CRM system at division level

 ‹ promoting knowledge sharing and learning 

through curated programmes and campaigns 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

39

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS

KPI

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions

114,374 tCO2e

During 2022, we will set clear targets, with the aim to report in 2023

Scope 3 emissions

We will continue to evaluate and measure Scope 3 emissions in line with the GHG Protocol Standards.  
We aim to report a baseline and targets in two to three years

Why it is important
We are committed to minimising and 
possibly eliminating the detrimental impact 
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 
our operational activities. We have stated our 
commitment to setting net zero emissions 
targets in alignment with the Paris Climate 
Agreement. We also recognise the importance 
of helping our customers reach their own net 
zero emissions targets.

Progress in 2021
We engaged the services of specialist advisors 
and conducted an extensive emissions footprint 
reporting and consolidation exercise across 
the Group, preceded by a coaching session 
on reporting definitions, standards and criteria. 
This was to ensure that those responsible 
for reporting in a diverse group of operating 
companies do so effectively for this and future 
reporting cycles. As a result, our reported 
emissions footprint has increased, reflecting 
emissions from international activities and leased 
assets in our baseline, some of which were not 
captured in the past. 

GHG emissions were calculated in accordance 
with the requirements of the GHG Protocol 
Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard 
for the 1-year period spanning 1 October 2020 
to 30 September 2021 (our target base year). 
Emission conversion factors from the UK 
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial 
Strategy (BEIS) and International Energy 
Agency (IEA) were applied in the calculations. 
The baseline we have reported for Scope 1 and 
Scope 2 will be the reference against which 
future emissions footprint calculations will be 
benchmarked.

While the focus was to properly document 
our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, we have 
commenced with identifying and measuring 
our Scope 3 emissions. This is a much more 
complicated exercise given the diverse and 
fragmented nature of our businesses. The 
exercise will involve coordinated engagement 
with key partners within our supply chains and 
we will work to influence their journey towards 
net zero through our actions.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from 
owned or controlled sources and activities – fuel 
combustion on-site in gas boilers, fleet vehicles, 
furnaces, air-conditioning leaks. Emissions 
from mobile combustion, mainly our vessels 
and fleet vehicles, accounted for 98.9% of our 
Scope 1 emissions, with a 1% contribution from 
stationary combustion (space heating), and 
0.1% from fugitive sources (refrigerants).

2021 Scope 1 emissions, 113.2 KtCO2e

Mobile combustion

111.9

Stationary combustion

1.2

Fugitive emissions

0.1

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from 
the generation of purchased electricity, steam, 
heating and cooling. Purchased electricity 
accounted for 94% of our emissions in this 
scope, with a 6% contribution from purchased 
chilled water. Our Scope 2 emissions were 
found to be relatively low as many of our facilities 
in the UK and Singapore, are already sourcing 
100% renewable energy from service providers. 
As part of our Scope 2 emissions abatement 
efforts, we will plan to roll out this best practice 
across all regions, encouraging purchase of all 
energy from renewable sources, where available.

2021 Scope 2 emissions, 1.2 KtCO2e

Purchased electricity

1.1

Chilled water

0.1

CARBON CAPTURE 
OPERATIONS, CANADA

RMSPumptools was selected to provide 
‘packer penetrator systems’ at the Clive 
Field in Alberta, to protect the oil well 
casing from the potentially damaging 
effect of the captured CO2. 

‘These systems were critical to safe 
operations and RMSPumptools was 
selected for this project as the provider of 
the most reliable systems for this harsh 
environment,’ says Canada regional 
manager, Colin Drever. ‘We are thrilled 
to be involved in a cutting-edge project 
which allows oil to be extracted with a  
net zero impact on emissions.’

40 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions from 
sources and activities that we neither own nor 
control but we indirectly impact within our value 
chain. As a first step and for 2021, we measured 
and consolidated emissions impact from 
business travel only. The reason for prioritising this 
category is that the nature of support services we 
provide across our operating companies involves 
frequent travel and mobilisation on and off work 
sites around the world. 

Emissions from air travel accounted for 86.3% 
of our Scope 3 emissions (86.8%), with an 8% 
contribution from hotel stays, 5.2% from rentals 
and travel reimbursements, and less than 1% 
from rail travel.

Ultimately, we are aiming for near real-time 
visibility of our emissions footprint to improve 
visibility across our global operation and 
facilitate proactiveness in our monitoring and 
reduction efforts. 

For the benefit our external stakeholders, we 
will continue to report our emissions footprint 
and energy consumption in accordance with 
the UK SECR regulation (see page 114 for our 
SECR report). Communicate our environmental 
impact in alignment with the CDP guidelines, 
and highlight identified risks, opportunities, 
and our business resilience to climate change 
through the TCFD reporting (see page 52 for 
our TCFD Summary). 

2021 Scope 3 emissions, 3.2 KtCO2e

Define Scope 3 mapping criteria

The GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain 
(Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard 
has set 15 categories for scope 3, of which 
we evaluated emissions from business travel in 
2021. We are now assessing which of the 15 
categories are most material for our operating 
companies and will work with key suppliers and 
customers in our value chain to identify, map, 
and measure Scope 3 emissions footprint, 
and put in place effective emissions reduction 
programmes. 

Scope 3 emissions categories

1:   Purchased Goods and Services  
2:   Capital Goods  
3:   Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities Not 
Included in Scope 1 or Scope 2  

4:   Upstream Transportation and Distribution  
5:   Waste Generated in Operations 
6:   Business Travel 
7:   Employee Commuting  
8:   Upstream Leased Assets  
9:   Downstream Transportation and 

Distribution  

10:   Processing of Sold Products  
11:   Use of Sold Products  
12:   End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products  
13:   Downstream Leased Assets  
14:   Franchises  
15:   Investments 

2.7

Air travel

Hotel stays

  0.3

Rentals / reimbursements

0.2

Rail travel

0.0

How we will deliver against target
Develop net zero emissions pathway
Following an extensive Scope 1 and Scope 2 
footprint review and the setting of an interim 
target, efforts are underway to: 

 ‹ model emissions reduction pathway at Group 

and operating company levels

 ‹ map our approach to net zero emissions.

This will be done in alignment with the SBTi 
guidance and target setting criteria.

Improve reporting and visibility
In parallel with the extensive emissions reporting 
and consolidation exercise of 2021, we are 
developing a centralised, Group-level emissions 
reporting and visualisation portal. Once 
completed and rolled out, this tool will ease 
and standardise internal reporting across all our 
operating companies by enabling:

 ‹ automated conversion calculations from any 

unit into the tCO2e

 ‹ data and report submittal at any day and 

time of year

 ‹ user-friendly, live dashboard visualisation, 
with reporting consolidated at Group and 
operating company level.

PIONEERING MODIFICATIONS 
SET SAIL FOR A GREENER 
FUTURE

James Fisher Tankships division has 
demonstrated its commitment to reduce 
carbon emissions with the addition of 
two dual-fuel tankers to the James Fisher 
Everard (JFE) fleet. 

The two new IMO II tankers will run 
alongside the existing fleet and will be the 
first clean product tankers of this size to 
feature propulsion technology that reduces 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The 
vessels are configured to run on either 
conventional fuel or LNG (liquefied natural 
gas) and are specially designed for 
enhanced hydrodynamic performance. 

The new additions will be replacing two of 
JFE’s oldest vessels, the Thames Fisher 
and Mersey Fisher. 

A study conducted by the Society for 
Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) estimates 
that the use of LNG as an alternative 
fuel can result in up to 21% emissions 
reduction over the entire vessel life cycle, 
when compared with existing marine 
fuels. Pioneering the adoption of LNG as 
a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels 
for this class of vessel is testament to the 
entrepreneurial spirit of James Fisher. 

“James Fisher is committed to protecting 
the environment, both in terms of our 
operational footprint and the nature of 
the activities we undertake. The adoption 
of LNG dual fuel propulsion vessels is 
evidence that we are proactively aligning 
our business choices with customer and 
environmental needs and demonstrably 
applying our Company values.”  
– Eoghan O’Lionaird, CEO

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

41

 
Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

PEOPLE

At James Fisher, we have a responsibility to our people, 
our customers and those in the communities where  
we operate. 
We are committed to ensuring that James Fisher is a great place to work by providing safe 
and meaningful work, empowering, and supporting our employees to deliver optimal quality for 
our customers, acknowledging and rewarding employee contribution to the Group’s success, 
and promoting employee wellbeing. We extend this commitment to our local communities, 
conscious that our talent pool is fed by the local communities we operate in and that enhancing 
the lives of people in these communities will deliver benefits for James Fisher as well.

TOP TALENT

KPI

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

Employee Engagement Mean 
(Gallup)

3.6 (5-point scale)

Employee retention rate

78.1%

During 2022, we will set clear 
targets, with the aim to report  
in 2023

Why it is important
Our employees are our most important assets. United by a common purpose and shared valued 
behaviours, their talents, energy, and dedication enable us to create value for all our stakeholders. 
With James Fisher operations spread across six continents, our people are geographically 
dispersed and represent a multitude of cultures. While our decentralised and entrepreneurial 
culture ensures our businesses develop more intimate customer relationships and adapt readily 
to changes in the markets, regions, and communities where we operate, there is a risk that 
employees become disconnected from the Group’s leadership and overarching vision. Therefore, 
we must focus on building a healthy and engaging work environment, prioritising our employees’ 
wellbeing, career, and personal development to ensure that we get the best out of them and that 
their efforts are in line with the Group’s growth priorities. 

HR TEAM DAY AT LOCAL FOOD BANK 

In December 2021, the James Fisher Group HR team donated supplies and volunteered at a 
local food bank, to support those facing hardships in the local community.

Challenge: The Living Waters (LW) Storehouse – a charity food bank run by volunteers from 
the Living Waters Church – provides emergency food for thousands of people in crisis each 
year within the Chorley area. With a 34% increase in local people requiring support from the 
food bank, LW was struggling to meet its food parcel demands in time for Christmas. 

Solution: Acknowledging the food bank’s requirements, James Fisher’s HR team purchased 
necessary items, and 10 team members spent the day volunteering at the food bank. 

“The team helped us pack almost 500 parcels, brought donations and they were all in good 
spirits. This was a successful packing session and set us ahead for the collection days that 
were imminent, allowing us to focus on other obligations. 

I’m very thankful for their time and to James Fisher for graciously gaving them the time away 
for the day. This reduced the pressure and stress on both me and the volunteers that are 
working tirelessly during these challenging times.”  
– Helen Schilz, Living Waters Storehouse

Progress in 2021
During 2021, we focused our efforts on 
implementing and driving change across three 
themes: employee engagement, wellbeing, and 
talent management. 

Employee engagement
In prior years, engagement surveys were 
conducted, collated, and analysed internally 
by the HR team. In 2021, we outsourced this 
exercise and introduced the Gallup’s Q12 
Employee Engagement Survey. The Gallup 
approach is tested and tried, and we scored a 
mean score of 3.6 on a 5-point grading scale. 
The transparency achieved from the analysis of 
survey results has empowered managers to take 
ownership of outcomes and work collaboratively 
with their teams to improve engagement levels.

To support managers in developing engagement 
plans and executing initiatives, we nominated 
and are training engagement champions across 
the Group. 

Inken Braunschmidt, as designated Non-
Executive Director for employee engagement, 
has joined the engagement working group,  
with employee representatives from around  
the Group, has presented to employees on  
the activities of the Board and Committees,  
and has engaged with employees at the  
senior management conference and during  
a number of site visits following the lifting of 
travel restrictions.

Inken has reported back to the Board on a 
regular basis on her activities and the key 
themes communicated by employees.

Wellbeing
A healthy workforce is more resourceful, 
productive, innovative, motivated, and 
committed. We aim to deliver a physically and 
mentally healthy workplace within which our 
employees can thrive. To do this effectively, we 
have drawn on industry-leading expertise and 
best practices to design our 2022 wellbeing 
plan, with emphasis on prioritising preventative 
measures to address the root cause of existing 
challenges. This will require extensive education, 
awareness, training, and sensitisation to 
encourage employee participation and minimise 
the risk of associated stigma. 

We continued to promote and monitor the 
uptake of our Employee Assistance Programme 
and are taking action to increase awareness of 
the benefits and features, for example, making 
the programme available to family and friends. 
We have over 80 trained Mental Health First 
Aiders (MHFAs) across the Group and are 
continuing to train more volunteers. We have 
also set a target to train 50% of the MHFA 
population in Suicide First Aid by year-end 2022. 

42 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Our responsibilities extend beyond our 
employees to the communities where we live 
and work. By providing a great place to work 
and building the communities that support 
our businesses, we can ensure a sustainable 
future for James Fisher. To that end, the Group 
encouraged employees to contribute their time 
and talents in support of their communities 
in various capacities, providing financial 
assistance and sponsorship as needed. 
For example, James Fisher Group HR team 
donated supplies and volunteered at a local 
food bank, to support those facing hardships 
during the Christmas holiday. Further details 
can be found on page 42.

Talent management
To unlock and empower our talent of today 
and the future, we must invest in attracting 
and retaining them. This means that our talent 
management efforts, while focused on our 
current employees, necessarily extend to 
potential employees within our communities. 

We have revised our talent management policy 
and are in the process of structuring a Group-
wide, global talent management process to 
guide recruitment, career development and 
management efforts. We have introduced a new 
process for Organisational Management Review 
(OMR), succession planning, performance 
improvement planning, and for identifying high 
potential performers. We also designed a new 
leadership training programme for all managers 
and rolled out four of the 12 modules. 

How we will deliver against target
Apply top-down approach 
We believe that managers must lead by example 
and be strong advocates for our talent initiatives 
to be successful. Therefore, we will systematically 
develop and roll out training to educate, raise 
awareness, empower, sensitise, and coach 
leaders across the organisation. We will reinforce 
the importance of healthy team relationships and 
intervene when people are struggling.

Engage and communicate consistently
To deliver our goal of having an engaged, 
connected, and committed workforce, we are 
in the process of restructuring and curating our 
communication and training campaigns, built 
around the HR business partners, engagement 
champions, and wellbeing champions. These 
campaigns will include:

 ‹ monthly lunch and learns to deep-dive on 
pertinent topics including health, wellbeing, 
career, leadership, and community 
engagement

 ‹ online training workshops, webinars, 

newsletters, and videos.

We aim to monitor and measure the success 
of our engagement initiatives by conducting an 
engagement survey every six months. Analysis 
of results will enable us to adapt improvement 
plans in alignment with our objectives and to set 
clear targets against which our performance is 
consistently measured. 

Group-wide, we executed two six-month 
internship programmes, providing opportunities 
for recent graduates whose career prospects 
had been hampered by the COVID pandemic. 
While interns gained vital work experience, they in 
turn injected new energy and fresh ideas into the 
businesses. In addition, some of our employees 
got the opportunity to develop core leadership 
skills as mentors and managers.

Upgrade internal learning programmes
An integral part of talent management is learning 
and development. At James Fisher, our ambition 
is to create a transformative culture of learning, 
engage and empower our employees, and 
continuously improve their proficiency. We are 
evaluating various learning programmes and 
talent support mechanisms we believe will help 
to build top talent:

 ‹ mentoring programme: More senior employees 

provide career guidance to mentees

 ‹ shadowing programme: Employees shadow 

colleagues in desired roles to learn about what 
it entails, and the skills required for success

 ‹ career development toolkit: Help employees 
own, design, and drive their career progress.

As our contribution to the community and 
to develop future talent for our industries, 
we have partnered with universities and 
institutions of learning in various capacities. 
For example, through our partnership with 
Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire, an 
England-based university technical college for 
14- to 19-year-olds, we created a ‘sponsored 
classroom’ where budding engineers are 
taught the importance of engineering in the 
renewable energy industry. 

We also have a business partnership with 
Meldrum Academy, a secondary school  
in Scotland.

PARTNERSHIP WITH  
MELDRUM ACADEMY

James Fisher Decommissioning (JF Decom) 
is engaged in a partnership with Meldrum 
Academy, a secondary school in Scotland, 
as part of its commitment to developing 
future minds for the world of work. 

Mentor Programme: JF Decom have 
matched mentors from the business with 
mentees from the academy. Each mentor, 
with their experience and knowledge, 
helps students enhance key skills that 
will help them thrive in professional 
environments – communication, 
leadership, problem solving and 
teamwork. 

Online Business Partnership Group: 
The Business Partnership Group, an 
initiative set up by Developing the Young 
Workforce (DYW) Scotland, consists of 
a dozen local businesses and is led by 
Meldrum Academy. As part of this group, 
JF Decom provides an employer’s view on 
the school’s initiatives to prepare pupils for 
the world of work ahead of them.  
JF Decom has supported various events 
such as the #Nowrongpath, an event 
organised for parents to learn about the 
different routes available to their children 
preparing to leave school. 

JF Decom has also contributed 
informational materials about the industry 
where we work, the work we do, and 
career opportunities available. 

Young Person’s Guarantee: JF Decom 
has signed up to Young Person’s Guarantee 
(YPG). YPG is an initiative that aims to 
connect with every 16–24-year-old in 
Scotland with the opportunity of a job, 
apprenticeship, higher education, training 
programmes or volunteering opportunities.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

43

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

KPI

Baseline (2021)

Target

Target date

% Female employees as a 
proportion of total employees

23%

During 2022, we will set clear targets, 
with the aim to report in 2023

During 2022, we will establish a baseline, with the aim to 
commit to a target in 2023

% Black, Asian and minority 
ethnic (BAME) employees as a 
proportion of total employees

Total charitable employee days 
“donated”

Number of community initiatives 
executed by James Fisher

Why it is important
The Company operates in 25 countries across 
the world, in complex, high-risk, historically 
male-dominated fields. In alignment with our 
values, we believe that equality, diversity, and 
inclusion are critical to how we operate. Our 
mission is to cultivate a working environment 
where everyone knows they belong, where 
our people are comfortable with sharing their 
perspectives and experiences without fear of 
recrimination, uniqueness is embraced, and 
equal pay and access to opportunity exist 
for people of all backgrounds, personalities, 
and abilities. With a diverse workforce and an 
inclusive work environment, we are better able 
to harness the wealth of ideas that will drive 
our success. 

Our commitment to equality, diversity and 
inclusion extends beyond our own workforce. 
We aim to benefit and positively influence the 
communities where we live and work through 
proactive engagement, employing local people, 
contributing to local economies, and investing 
in local supply chains. 

Progress in 2021
Diversity metrics

The ratio of female employees to total 
employees remained the same in comparison 
with the previous year. During 2021,  
we extended the Executive Team to include 
heads of operating divisions. This had the 
ripple effect of expanding the pool of Senior 
Managers that report directly to the Executive 
Team (see table below – Gender diversity 
metrics, 2020 vs 2021).

Following an in-depth review of our 
employee information gathering process 
and in compliance with the UK General Data 
Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we have 
expanded the list of requirements to include 
ethnicity-based metrics. We have rolled out 
these requirements for all new hires and are 
working to collate ethnicity information for all 
employees who joined before 2021. 

Training and policy

We rolled out two training programmes 
targeting senior leadership:

1. Leading in an Inclusive World: Delivered 

with the support of specialist advisors, the 
training equipped senior leaders with the tools 
to advocate diversity and inclusion, and to 
challenge contrary behaviour.

2. ‘Leading the Business’ series: Online diversity 
and inclusion training module rolled out for all 
line managers across the business.

In response to an identified need, we 
introduced the Bereavement and Pregnancy 
Loss policy, shedding light on the cultural 
aspects of bereavement so that our employees 
are afforded the necessary support.

Partnership

James Fisher is signed up to the If Not Now, 
When? campaign. The campaign is driven 
by a community of over 80 CEOs who are 
committed to achieving black and wider race 
inclusion by first establishing an internal culture 
that is fully representative and inclusive of 
individuals from BAME backgrounds, and then 
extending that commitment to customers, 
suppliers, and other key stakeholders. 
Alongside other co-signatories, we are:

 ‹ diversifying the face of our organisation: 

Setting targets on BAME talent and holding 
recruiters accountable for presenting diverse 
shortlists. 

 ‹ measuring: Investigating the specific 

challenges and barriers faced by BAME 
talent and implementing processes to track 
ethnicity data.

 ‹ starting the conversation: allowing senior 
leaders and middle managers to speak 
boldly about issues of systemic racism and 
creating safe spaces for these conversations 
to take place.

Gender diversity metrics, 2021 vs 2020

2021

2020

Gender diversity

Male

Female % Female

Male

Female % Female

Main Board Directors

Executive Team

Senior Managers(2)

Employees

Total

6

8

69

1,991

2074

2(1)

4

34

577

617

25%

33%(3)

33%(3)

5

5

34

22%

2,115

23%

2159

2

2

25

623

652

29%

29%

42%

23%

23%

(1)  In Q1 2022, we appointed Claire Hawkings to the Board, increasing the total of Main Board Directors to 

nine and raising the % female metric up to 33%

(2)  Includes those reporting to members of the Executive Team, including Senior Managing Directors

(3)  Movement in % female metric is due to the extension of the Executive Team to include heads of  

operating divisions

44 
44 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 
James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

CHARITY CHALLENGE: FROM 
HARTLEPOOL TO THE  
EIFFEL TOWER

Two keen fitness enthusiasts from Rotos 
360, a business unit within the Marine 
Support division, embarked on a gruelling 
charity challenge, cycling, rowing, 
marching, and running the 566 notional 
miles from their local gym in Hartlepool to 
the Eiffel Tower in Paris. They used gym 
equipment including an exercise bike to 
simulate the 327 miles from Hartlepool 
to Dover and the 182 miles from Calais 
to Paris, a rowing machine to cover the 
31 miles across the English Channel, a 
step-up box to cover the 1,665 steps to 
the top of the Eiffel Tower and the seafront 
on Hartlepool’s promenade to cover the 
remaining distance.

Aaron Myers and Ben Bywater completed 
the challenge with ten others, all working in 
pairs, to raise awareness and funds (over 
£10,000) for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“We set a time limit of 44 hours but 
managed to finish more quickly than 
expected, with Ben’s team smashing a 
time of 33 hours,” says Aaron. 

Local community efforts

Health and wellbeing

During 2021, our employees contributed their 
time and talents to support causes across 
the world. Our goal was not to only support 
the charities and organisations, but for our 
employees to engage with the people we were 
helping directly, because it is in those instances 
that we have the biggest impact. No matter 
how big or small the interaction, we found that 
employees came away with a greater sense of 
purpose, better appreciation for the benefits 
of volunteering, and a renewed energy to 
contribute even more. 

Some examples of our community initiatives 
are outlined below:

2021 Community initiatives split by region

3%

3%

34%

Total number of 
initiatives = 30

60%

Asia

North America

Africa 

United Kingdom

2021 Community initiatives split by theme

3%

10%

10%

Total number of 
initiatives = 30

77%

Career/business support

Education

Hobby 

Health and wellbeing

 ‹ James Fisher Nuclear (JF Nuclear) 

supported Mark Harding, an Army veteran 
who executed a Walking Home for 
Christmas campaign to support a wounded 
veteran charity in the United Kingdom. 
Mark pulled a snow pulk from Wigton 
through Penrith to Carlisle, and then walked 
an additional 12 miles in Sunderland to 
add up to 50 miles. Funds went towards 
subsidising the cost of treatment for 
veterans with PTSD. Leigh Dunn from JF 
Nuclear joined Mark to pull the snow pulk.

 ‹ Fendercare Marine is a Futurestars partner 

and continues to support the charity’s efforts 
in Africa. In 2021, employees sorted through 
25,000 items, loading up 20 pallets of 
donated items that made their way to Ghana 
through Futurestars.

 ‹ In Kuala Lampur, Fareen Noor is setting a 

good example by feeding the homeless with 
her home-cooked meals.

Hobby

 ‹ Since 2020, JF Subtech has sponsored a 
15-year-old Junior Motorboat Champion 
from Lowestoft, United Kingdom. Due to our 
sponsorship, she can afford to compete at an 
international level.

Education

 ‹ During British Science Week, Marc Glenn 

from EDS HV was guest speaker at Euxton 
Primrose Hill Primary School. He engaged 
students on the offshore wind and  
renewables industry.

Career/business support 

 ‹ As part of our supplier development 

contribution to the Broad-based Black 
Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) integration 
programme in South Africa, office and training 
areas were supplied by the JF Subtech team 
at no cost to local suppliers.

Historically, these volunteer programmes were 
coordinated in an ad hoc manner and within 
small teams across operating companies. With 
the creation of the local communities working 
group, the mission is to further incentivise 
employees to volunteer and ensure that future 
programmes are executed in a more structured 
manner, leveraging our size to scale impact and 
initiating partnerships with other organisations/
institutions where possible. We know that the 
diversity of our people and their talents will act 
as a force multiplier, and we are challenging 
ourselves to have even greater impact in the 
years to come.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 
Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

45
45

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

How we will deliver against target
Scale up recruitment efforts

We have strengthened female representation 
on the Board with the appointment of Claire 
Hawkings, increasing the total of Main Board 
Directors to nine and raising the % female metric 
up to 33%. We continue to intensify efforts to 
improve the diversity of our employee pool.

Reinforce internal processes
As we revise and communicate our culture 
statement, including our equality, diversity and 
inclusion policies and principles in alignment 
with the sustainability agenda, and work to 
set clear gender- and ethnicity-related targets, 
we will also update our recruitment processes 
to deliver our stated objectives. We must 
ensure that our recruitment partners share 
our values and support our efforts to increase 
our talent pool across the spectrum of human 
demographic differences – gender, ethnicity, 
age, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic 
status, or physical ability. We must also sensitise 
interviewers, internal and external, about their 
conscious and unconscious biases, to ensure 
that prospects that do not fit with preconceived 
notions of what an ideal employee might be are 
not adversely impacted.

In compliance with the UK General Data 
Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we aim 
to expand the list of employee information 
requirements to include other demographic 
differences – sexual orientation, physical 
disability, and religion. We will continue to 
review and update our monitoring and tracking 
processes to ensure transparency and accuracy. 

Extend diversity and inclusion training
We aim to extend our diversity and inclusion 
leadership training to all aspiring managers and 
are exploring options for non-manager training, 
to better inform and empower the remainder of 
our employee pool.

Centralise coordination of local 
community efforts
Building on our successes in 2021, we will 
continue to: 

 ‹ Work with local communities as collaborators 
and partners rather than simply focusing on 
them as beneficiaries and strengthen existing 
partnerships

 ‹ Support STEM initiatives, promote education 

in local schools and explore further 
partnership opportunities

 ‹ Engage customers and suppliers on their 
community development efforts, with the 
intent to collaborate where possible.

RMSPUMPTOOLS SUPPORT A COMMUNITY PROJECT 

A team of volunteers from RMSpumptools’ Aberdeen site day at the Pitcaple Environmental 
Project’s (PEP) Pitscurry site, to refurbish the charity’s garden areas for its service users.

Challenge: PEP Pitscurry, a charity organisation located in Inverurie, Scotland, provides 
training and support for adults with learning or physical disabilities. Pitscurry required 
volunteers to help create outdoor living landscapes that enhance the benefit for its service 
users and the wider community – helping towards Pitscurry’s sustainable development goals. 

Solution: One team member visited the site prior to the volunteering day to understand what 
works and supplies were needed for the refurbishments. On the day, a team of 15 employees 
worked tirelessly to stain wooden cabins and perform various maintenance tasks in the 
garden area. 

Staff and service users at PEP’s Pitscurry site were overwhelmed by the number of volunteers.

“The team stained three wooden cabins which were in desperate need of being painted, 
extending the lifetime of these much-needed spaces which are used for music therapy and 
bases for some of our service users. They also removed the large net from the orchard area, 
which was a huge help as it’s usually one of the annual jobs which can be difficult for service 
users to help with. The RMSpumptools employees also did some general tidying up around 
the site!” 

– Lorraine Ewen, Day Services Deputy Manager at Pitscurry.

46 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY

KPI

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

Number of fatalities 

Lost Time Incident Frequency 
(LTIF)*

Total Recordable Injury Frequency 
Rate (TRIFR)**

0

2.6

7.4

0

YoY

During 2022, we will set clear 
targets, with the aim to report 
in 2023

*  LTIF = (Number of lost time injuries x 1,000,000) / (Total hours worked)

**  TRIFR = ((Fatality + Lost Time Injury + Restricted Work Day Case + Medical Treatment Case) x 1,000,000)/

(Hours Worked)

Why it is important
We work in challenging, high-risk environments 
to solve complex problems. Protecting our 
people, the people who work with us and 
those impacted by our activities is vital. We 
want people to return to their homes, families, 
and friends every day and safely. This is 
the inspiration for our “goal zero” incidents 
vision. To embed the right mindset and realise 
this vision, we will invest our efforts in three 
areas: policy development, education, and 
engagement. 

The Group’s health, safety and security 
priorities, objectives, and performance 
monitoring are coordinated and governed by:

 ‹ The Health and Safety Committee: Chaired by 
the CEO and comprising the Executive Team, 
the committee has oversight and conducts 
quarterly reviews of the Group’s health, safety 
and security performance

 ‹ The Safety Forum: Comprising the health and 
safety leaders from each operating company, 
the forum is responsible for providing updates 
on health, safety and security issues and 
events, sharing best practices, and advising 
the Health and Safety Committee on Group-
wide initiatives to improve performance.

Through the efforts of the Health and Safety 
Committee and the Safety Forum, we will 
empower our people to prioritise their own 
health, safety, and security, ensure the safety 
and security of assets we own and/or control, 
and engage with customers, suppliers, and 
other partners to align them with our policies, 
standards, processes, and values. 

Progress in 2021
Engagement and empowerment
We continued to engage and empower all our 
employees, emphasising the responsibility and 
authority they have, to intervene where individuals 
and assets may be at risk and stop any job where 
the standards of health, safety and security are 
compromised. We executed several internal 
campaigns and initiatives such as the Health and 
Safety Hints and Tips intranet page, where health 
and safety best practice from around the Group 
is regularly updated. We also ensured that health, 
safety and security priorities were affirmed in 
leadership townhalls throughout the year. 

Increased participation from the managing 
directors (MDs) of operating companies in the 
Safety Forum has increased its effectiveness. 
Through proactive engagement and 
communication, best practices, learnings, 
knowledge, and ideas were cross-pollinated 
across the group, driving performance 
improvement towards our ‘goal zero 
incidents’ vision.

Process improvement
We aligned on a consistent approach to Root 
Cause Analysis, with the goal to identify and 
understand the underlying or systemic causes 
of incidents, rather than staying focused on the 
generalised or immediate cause. This ensures 
that our incident resolution approach and 
corresponding recommendations address the 
incident root cause, to prevent reoccurrence. 
The “5 Whys” technique is a tool that has been 
deployed for this purpose. 

The technique involves asking ‘“why?” several 
times over, each question forming the basis of the 
next until a root cause is identified.

How we will deliver against target
During 2022, we aim to deploy a centralised, 
cloud-based health, safety and security 
reporting tool that will enable continuous 
reporting of individual operating company 
performance data and the monitoring of 
consolidated Group information. We will 
explore opportunities where digital applications 
and solutions can improve efficiencies and 
continue to upgrade reporting, management, 
and monitoring systems across the Group 
where necessary.

We will ensure that the relevant policies, 
including the Health, Safety and Security policy, 
are aligned with our sustainability priorities 
and continue to educate, inform, and engage 
employees, customers, suppliers and other 
industry partners on safety matters.

UXO INVESTIGATION AT 
SOFIA OFFSHORE WIND 
FARM

JF Renewables has completed the first 
part of a two-phase contract to investigate 
unexploded ordnance (UXO) and potential 
archaeological features ahead of the 
installation of export cables for RWE’s 
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the 
north-east coast of the UK.

“Expertise gained from performing more 
than 3,000 UXO investigations around 
the globe enabled us to identify additional 
targets and to ensure phase one of the 
work was completed to the highest safety 
standard.”  

– Wayne Mulhall, Managing Director at JF 
Renewables.

THE 5 WHYS

Define the problem

Why is it happening?

Why is that?

Why is that?

Why is that?

Why is that?

Incident Root Cause

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

47

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

PARTNERSHIP

James Fisher operates in specialised segments of 
the energy, marine and defence markets where a 
strong track record of safety, integrity, innovation and 
responsible operations is a key differentiator. 
In these niche areas, success is defined by the ability to consistently deliver safe and 
trusted solutions, providing assurance to all stakeholders by minimising their risk exposure. 
Our culture of shared success means that we seek out collaborations – with customers, 
suppliers and other industry players – that align with our values and contribute to our shared 
vision for a sustainable future. We aim to build trust with our partners through transparency, 
compliance, and by operating with the highest standards of business ethics. 

INNOVATION

KPI

KPI under consideration

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

During 2022, we will evaluate the right KPI that reflects our 
ambition, with the aim to report a baseline in 2023

The energy, marine, and defence markets 
are going through a period of transformation, 
galvanised by climate change, energy transition, 
and other macro challenges. To position 
ourselves for success and take advantage 
of the opportunities that result from this 
transformation, we must continue to innovate. 
Our innovation goal is value creation – to deliver 
tangible revenue gains and cost savings for 
our customers. We consistently strive to better 
understand market challenges, articulating the 
value we can and do create by: 

 ‹ Tapping into the brain power and  

expertise of our capable people to feed  
the innovation stream.

 ‹ Partnering with customers and key 

industry players to co-design, develop, and 
commercialise cutting-edge solutions to 
industry challenges.

 ‹ Engaging our suppliers to ensure services 
are provided in accordance with our valued 
behaviours and code of conduct.

To improve efficiencies and accelerate pace, 
we aim to centrally facilitate and support 
innovation efforts to better identify synergy 
opportunities, particularly where multiple 
operating companies serve the same markets, 
customers, and suppliers, or operate in the 
same region. 

Why it is important
In our 175-year history, we have differentiated 
ourselves through innovation and technology. 
We are pioneers in our chosen markets, 
emerging as the global leader in submarine 
rescue, removal of offshore unexploded 
ordnance (UXO) and ship-to-ship (STS) 
transfer. We were the first to decommission 
a Magnox nuclear reactor, are experts 
in high voltage (HV) engineering, and we 
design bespoke digital solutions for asset 
owners and operators in high risk, critical 
infrastructure sectors.

Partnering with Asset 
Information Services is an 
exciting opportunity for us 
at APIteq, as it allows us 
to support our collective 
clients with the best-in-
class digital twin software 
platform on the market.

Per Erik Berger, CEO of APIteq AS

Progress in 2021
Individual James Fisher operating companies 
have applied their own unique methodologies 
to the innovation process, driving cutting-
edge, market defining solutions as in the 
examples below.

Product innovation
JF Decommissioning’s SEABASS well 
abandonment tool: A strategic investment made 
through the acquisition of Subsea Engenuity. 
SEABASS is a cost and time effective alternative 
to rig-based solutions when abandoning 
category 2 wells, due to its ability to deploy from 
a vessel and its suitability for any water depth.

Scan Tech’s ScanOxy™ oxygenation system: 
Scan Tech AS have developed ScanOxy™ 
based on gas production and management 
experience from the oil and gas industry. 
The complete engineered system comprises 
an electrical compressor, oxygen generator, 
control system, nanobubble generator, and 
distribution system, and is primed for use in 
aquaculture. ScanOxy™ is perfect for both 
offshore and onshore fish farms in recirculating 
aquaculture systems (RAS) systems, well boats 
and hatcheries, and provides local oxygen 
production in lieu of liquid oxygen tanks or 
bottles. Scan Tech’s ScanOxy™ nanobubble 
technology is easily scalable, enables continuous 
oxygen production, is largely unaffected by 
water quality, and technologically ahead when 
compared with most stable nanobubbles.

Service innovation
Fendercare Marine’s LNG ship-to-ship (STS) 
transfer: By utilising a new transfer system, the 
Fendercare team successfully delivered three 
successive LNG STS transfers off the coast 
of Malaysia. The new system is a universal, 
“plug and play” system providing the latest 
in technology and ensures that maximum 
throughput can be achieved. The system has 
been manufactured to meet all necessary ISO 
accreditations and applicable Safety Integrity 
Levels (SIL).

Among Fendercare Marine’s LNG achievements 
are many firsts, including the first open seas LNG 
STS for two of the world’s largest gas majors, the 
first LNG STS at Cyprus and Gibraltar and the 
world’s first on the buoy LNG STS operation. 

Workflow Modelling: James Fisher Asset 
Information Services (AIS) has developed a user-
led design thinking approach that is delivered 
through a workflow modelling workshop format. 
The workshops are an immersive, engaging, 
and fast-paced interaction, resulting in the 
creation of a prioritised map of challenges 
specific to the customer and sector in which 
they operate. The map allows AIS to then 
structure and tailor solutions that will deliver 
optimal value to customers and the industry at 
large. The workflow modelling offering has been 
successfully deployed for customers in oil and 
gas and renewables markets.

48 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

How we will deliver against target
To improve the efficiency of our innovation 
process and bring consistency to how we 
manage the development of products, 
services, and capabilities, we have 
introduced and are integrating some 
tried-and-true innovation methodologies 
pertinent to our complex portfolio e.g. design 
thinking and Lean. These methodologies 
will enable our operating companies to 
refine their product and service portfolio, 

to better understand customer needs and 
how success is defined, to apply design 
thinking and agile methodology in developing 
minimum viable products, to improve the 
speed to market, and to objectively measure 
the value and impact of solutions for 
stakeholders. 

During 2022, we will evaluate the right KPI that 
reflects our innovation ambition, with the aim to 
set targets by 2023.

REMOTE DESIGN THINKING WORKSHOP FOR OIL AND GAS MAJOR

Due to the COVID pandemic, James Fisher Asset Information Services (AIS) adapted the 
delivery of its in-person design thinking (DT) workshops to virtual. Even so, the remotely 
conducted workshops were engaging and collaborative, delivering desired results for  
the customer.

Challenge
As part of a broader digitalisation strategy, the oil and gas major wanted to explore use 
cases and model the impact that implementing digital solutions could have on its operational 
business, including enhancing the management of its oil and gas platforms.

Solution
AIS ran a series of DT workshops with the Company which aimed to solve its unique and 
complex problems by aligning teams around the real needs of its users. The workshops were 
conducted in Portuguese to suit the customer’s needs.

During the sessions, the major identified the key stakeholders and activities, the pain points  
it was facing, and the impact of removing these challenges. User problems included:

 ‹ Multiple asset trips for all planning activity.
 ‹ No flow of data or integration between systems.
 ‹ Not able to prioritise work execution effectively based on factors such as location and risk.

AIS explored how its digital twin solution, R2S, could add value to the major’s operations  
and help to mitigate identified challenges. 

Results
The DT workshops allowed the major to gain clarity on existing issues with its key operational 
processes. The major was able to understand and calculate the value of different digital 
solutions to solve identified challenges. 

Following the success of the remote DT sessions, the Company undertook further value-
focused workshops with AIS to solve deep-rooted business challenges.

Commercial innovation
James Fisher Renewables (JFR) turnkey 
offering: JFR’s asset optimisation turn-key 
offering consolidates capabilities across James 
Fisher operating companies to deliver end-to-
end operations and maintenance solutions for 
offshore transmission asset owners (OFTOs). 
It integrates a flexible approach to contract 
maintenance with our expertise in delivering  
on complex projects. 

With the turn-key contract model, JFR won 
three multi-million pound, 13-15-year contracts 
with BBEC (Balfour Beatty Equitix Consortium), 
leading investors and long-term fund managers 
of core infrastructure assets.

Innovation partnerships

Ultra-High Temperature Automatic Diverter 
Valve (ADV): In partnership with an independent 
oil and gas operator and a third-party 
development partner, RMSpumptools 
developed and successfully piloted an ultra-
high temperature ADV for Steam Assisted 
Gravity Drainage (SAGD) wells in Canada. In 
traditional SAGD applications, wells are drilled 
as a pair – a steam injector well and a producer 
well. With the ultra-high temperature ADV, the 
same well can be used for both steam injection 
and production. This cuts the requisite number 
of wells in half, decreasing the environmental 
footprint required to recover the same amount 
of oil, and reducing the risk of pollution and 
environmental damage from drilling operations.

Digital Twin: James Fisher Asset Information 
Services (AIS) entered a comprehensive 
partnership deal with digitalisation experts 
APIteq, to further develop, expand and 
deliver digital twin products and services 
to clients around the world. The combined 
teams represent the most experienced 
group of experts in the world regarding 
photogrammetric digital twin models and 
their application in industrial energy and 
process markets. Focus is on driving down 
costs, enhancing safety and productivity, 
reducing carbon footprint, and supporting 
industrial clients to transition to efficient 
digital workflows. 

The Big Bubble Barrier (BBB): In partnership 
with German specialist, HydroTechnik Lübeck, 
ScanTech Offshore provides environmental 
protection through the application of Big 
Bubble Barrier (BBB) technology. The BBB is 
a compressed air system that can be used to 
flexibly reduce noise emissions during offshore 
development projects and protect marine 
life during ammunition clearance underwater 
blasting. While the BBB technology has 
been in use for about 50 years, there was 
unprecedented surge in demand during 2021 
due to the size and stackability of ScanTech 
Offshore compressors. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

49

Strategic report

Sustainability cont.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

KPI

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

Customer Net Promoter Score (NPS)

During 2022, we will establish a baseline, with the aim to commit to a target in 2023

Why it is important
Responsiveness to customers’ current 
needs and anticipation of their future pain 
points is critical to how James Fisher 
operating companies build strong, trust-
based relationships. Our success depends 
on achieving a deep understanding of the 
challenges that our customers face, and the 
complexities posed by the environments in 
which they operate. 

Due to our decentralised, entrepreneurial 
model, each operating company and its 
subsidiaries are well positioned to directly 
engage customers and adapt solutions to 
address their challenges, both local and 
global. With support from Group functions 
and the stakeholder working groups, we 
aim to design a more robust engagement 
approach, with the purpose of identifying 
opportunities to consolidate, simplify and 
reinforce efforts towards building more 
effective customer relationships.

Progress in 2021
The customer working group, comprising 
representatives from each operating company, 
was set up with the mission to put in place a 
structured methodology to gain feedback from 
customers, to measure their attitudes towards 
our businesses over time, and to drive action 
towards customer relationship improvement. 

By having open conversations to discuss 
existing challenges and best practices, the 
working group was able to: 

 ‹ Align behind the customer Net Promoter 

Score (NPS) as the chosen KPI for measuring 
customer perception across all operating 
companies.

 ‹ Consolidate a list of six core questions to be 

used in requesting customer feedback.

How we will deliver against target
Determine NPS baseline
The NPS metric is being piloted across a 
selection of participating operating companies, 
with a view to rolling it out Group-wide by year 
end. Individual company NPS scores will be 
aggregated to give a Group-level customer NPS 
score – our customer NPS baseline. Insight from 
this exercise will inform our target setting and 
initiatives that will drive future progress. 

Reinforce internal processes
We will continue to improve on our processes 
to enable us to identify and celebrate best 
practice across our businesses, learning 
from each other and leveraging industry best 
practices to accelerate pace. We will also 
explore a common approach to our sales 
methodology and the systems surrounding 
it, as we look to develop and communicate 
a common James Fisher culture to our 
customers and other external stakeholders. 

50 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

GOVERNANCE

KPI

% suppliers signed up to James 
Fisher Supplier Code

BASELINE (2021)

TARGET

TARGET DATE

During 2022, we will establish a baseline, with the aim to commit to a target in 2023

Why it is important
We believe that every James Fisher employee, 
from the Board of Directors to the engineer 
at the work site, must live and breathe our 
valued behaviours – pioneering spirit, integrity, 
energy and resilience. By extension, we expect 
our suppliers to align with and demonstrate 
these valued behaviours. A solid governance 
framework is required to underpin our strategy 
implementation and ensure that we continue 
to deliver value for all our stakeholders while 
managing and minimising our risk exposure 
(see page 61 for more information on our 
principal risks).

Business ethics

Our business ethics commitments are 
established in the Group’s Code of Ethics, 
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and 
Modern Slavery Policy. Clear expectations 
and obligations are set with our employees, 
partners, suppliers and customers in alignment 
with these policies and processes are put in 
place to monitor compliance. These policies 
are continually reviewed to ensure alignment 
with evolving challenges in the world, whilst 
staying true to our core values and principles. 
Several training programmes and assurance 
processes support our policies, and these are 
described in detail on page 70.

Supply chain management

We want to work with responsible suppliers 
who adhere to our principles and are 
committed to sustainable business practices. 
Our supplier onboarding process includes 
a detailed questionnaire that captures 
their governance processes, policies and 
commitments, and examines the credentials of 
their own supply chains. We strive to lead by 
example, using our own credentials to set the 
tone for what we expect from our suppliers. 

Progress in 2021
Corporate governance
We reviewed and identified several governance 
improvements that will help to strengthen 
the Group’s foundation and support the 
implementation of its strategy:

 ‹ Improvements identified by CGI as part of the 
externally facilitated Board and Committee 
evaluation are described on page 85. 

 ‹ Changes to the Group’s risk management 
systems and controls following a review by 
PwC LLP are set out on page 61.

Implementation of these governance 
improvements is underway. 

Supply chain management
The Supplier Working Group was established 
to create mutually sustainable, beneficial and 
collaborative supplier partnerships that offer 
superior value whilst attaining the highest 
standards aligned to our Group values.  
Focus in 2021 was to:

 ‹ Identify efficiencies: While individual 

operating companies are responsible for 
managing their own supply chains and 
procurement processes, the working group 
has highlighted opportunities to optimise 
cost through common categorisation, 
spend allocation, and supplier relationship 
management. For example, we are realising 
new economies of scale where operating 
companies have been using the same 
suppliers or purchasing similar products.

 ‹ Revise supplier onboarding questionnaire 

to include key elements of our sustainability 
strategy and evolving commitments.

 ‹ Improve sharing of best practices across 
operating companies, using the supplier 
working group as the medium.

How we will deliver against target
Review Code of Ethics
We will review and refresh our Code of Ethics 
to align with our sustainability strategy and the 
changing macro factors that impact our world 
and industries. 

Revise supplier management processes
We aim to formalise and introduce a supplier 
code of conduct, to instil financial and social 
transparency in the supply chain, with the 
intention of creating accountability and full 
disclosure around issues such as human rights, 
health and safety and environmental impacts. 
The supplier code will be an extension of our 
current supplier onboarding questionnaire. 

We will continue to target further opportunities 
for improving supply chain efficiency, develop 
stronger, open relationships with our suppliers, 
and streamline the Group’s approach to 
understanding and influencing our suppliers’ 
commitments to our sustainability strategy and 
the Code of Ethics. 

STACKABLE COMPRESSORS 
FOR BUBBLE BARRIER

ScanTech Offshore has the world’s largest 
fleets of 1600cfm Zone II and Rig-Safe air 
compressors in a containerised, stackable 
design, that frees up deck space and 
allows for reduction in costly management 
bandwidth. Engineered to operate in arctic 
or tropical climates, these compressors 
provide reliability and high performance at 
reduced physical footprint.

In April 2021, 27 stackable air 
compressors were shipped out of the 
ScanTech Offshore UK base in Great 
Yarmouth on their way to Taiwan, where 
they were used to create bubble curtains 
around the installation of 186 pin piles at 
one of the windfarms there.

“We are able to provide the maximum 
amount of compressed air for the 
smallest possible footprint on any heavy-
lift installation vessel. This means our 
compressor package can be adapted 
for use with a variety of different vessel 
configurations.” 

– Barry Craig, Project Manager

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

51

 
Strategic report

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
summary 
Investors, customers, and regulators want to 
understand how companies are planning for 
and adapting to changing climate. 2021 saw 
the UK host the COP26 Climate Summit in 
Glasgow and, with a plethora of pledges and 
announcements, momentum for action on 
climate change is growing. This is evidenced by 
the 2021 Status Report from the TCFD which 
shows that a growing number of countries, 
including the UK, are aligning their official 
reporting requirements to the TCFD framework. 

James Fisher and Sons plc (the Company) and 
its group of companies (the Group) take the 
TCFD reporting requirements seriously. We are 
building on our progress from previous years 
to develop a net zero strategy and conduct 
climate scenario analysis, with support from 
specialist third-party advisory (SLR Consulting). 
The Company has prepared its TCFD 
disclosures in line with guidance in the 2021 
updates to the TCFD Final Report and Annex, 
including the supplementary guidance for all 
sectors. At the time of this publication, several 
key elements of our TCFD disclosure work are 
still in progress and will be disclosed as part of 
a more in depth TCFD report to be published 
later in 2022. 

At the time of publication, the Company has 
made climate-related financial disclosures 
consistent with the TCFD recommendations 
and recommendations disclosures in this TCFD 
summary against: 

 ‹ governance (all recommended disclosures)
 ‹ risk management (all recommended 

disclosures)

 ‹ strategy (disclosures (a) and (b))
 ‹ metrics and targets (disclosures (a) and (b)).

For strategy disclosures (a) and (b), further 
work is underway to enhance the identification, 
impact and reporting for climate-related risks 
and opportunities, and how these map over 
the short, medium and long term. This further 
work will be published in an updated TCFD 
report which the Company will publish later  
in the year.

Current metrics used by the Company are 
included in the sustainability report in the 
Strategic report on pages 40 and 41. Work is 
ongoing to enhance and extend the metrics 
used by the Company. This further work will 
be published in an updated TCFD report which 
the Company will publish later in the year.

The Company has not included climate-related 
financial disclosures consistent with the TCFD 
recommendations and recommendations 
disclosures in relation to:

 ‹ strategy (disclosure (c) – scenario analysis)
 ‹ metrics and targets (disclosure (c) – targets)

Due to the diverse nature of the Group’s 
operations and the difficulties in obtaining, 
verifying and consolidating relevant data 
and rolling out and embedding the relevant 
modelling and analytical processes and 
capabilities within each operating company, 
the Company has further work to do to be 
able to enhance its disclosures with respect to 
strategy and metrics and targets. That work 
is underway, and the Company expects to be 
able to publish a full TCFD report by the end of 
the year. The TCFD summary in the strategic 
report provides detail on the steps being taken 
to address the areas of disclosure that require 
enhancement and completion. 

Here, we describe our governance and risk 
management processes in line with the TCFD 
reporting requirements and provide insight into 
our ongoing efforts around net zero and climate 
scenario analysis. We aim to publish a more 
comprehensive report once the current scope 
is completed later in 2022.

Governance
The Company’s Board of Directors (the Board) 
has ultimate responsibility for James Fisher’s 
climate change strategy, with day-to-day 
responsibility delegated to the Group CEO. The 
Group CEO is supported by the governance 
structures described below. 

Group Support Functions

The Group’s operating companies are 
supported by Group functional teams. Each 
functional team reports to or is led by an 
Executive Director. The Board retains an 
oversight role and receives regular reports on 
key issues as follows:

 ‹ Financial, tax and treasury matters from the 

Group Finance Director

 ‹ People and HR matters from the Group 

Human Resources Director

 ‹ Legal and regulatory matters from the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary

 ‹ Strategy and sustainability matters, including 
climate strategy, risks, and commitments, 
from the Head of Corporate Development. 

The Sustainability Committee 

Climate-related issues are assessed throughout 
the year by the Sustainability Committee. The 
Sustainability Committee meets monthly to 
develop plans for delivering and embedding 
the sustainability strategy across the Group 
(including the climate strategy), to monitor and 
track progress against plan, to support Group 
leadership and functions on sustainability-related 
matters and to discuss recommendations to 
be made to the Board. On a quarterly basis, 
the Sustainability Committee consolidates and 
reviews these recommendations then presents 
a list of actions and decisions to be made to the 
Board.

Members of the Sustainability Committee 
include:

 ‹ Group CEO
 ‹ Group General Counsel and Company 

Secretary

 ‹ Head of Corporate Development
 ‹ Group HR Director
 ‹ Group Strategy Manager
 ‹ 10 representatives of the stakeholder working 
groups, aligned with the Group’s sustainability 
priorities.

The governance structure of the Sustainability 
Committee is described in more detail on page 18.

Risk Committee

The Company has a Risk Committee that 
meets quarterly and is attended by the 
Executive Directors and the heads of functional 
teams. Each functional head provides a report 
that identifies any matters in their functional 
area which relates to the Group’s principal 
risks and uncertainties, or to the individual 
operating companies’ risk registers. The 
minutes of the Risk Committee are reported 
to the Board, and any key issues raised are 
discussed at meetings of the Board. The main 
responsibilities of the Risk Committee are to:

 ‹ Keep under review the effectiveness of the 

Group’s overall risk management framework 
and processes and ensure corrective action is 
taken where necessary 

 ‹ Make recommendations to the Board/Audit 
Committee with respect to the appropriate 
risk appetite for the Group

 ‹ Review the principal and emerging risks 
that the Group is willing to take across all 
major activities considering the Group’s 
risk appetite, long-term strategy and the 
interest of all stakeholders impacted by the 
Group’s activities – shareholders, employees, 
customers, suppliers, the environment, and 
local communities

 ‹ Review reports from functional heads on risks 
encountered in interactions with the operating 
companies

52 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

 ‹ Review reports from the operating companies 
on their principal risks and mitigating activities, 
as well as any emerging risks 

 ‹ Ensure that a robust assessment of the 
principal and emerging risks facing the 
Group has been undertaken annually by 
reference to risk registers from operating 
companies and functions. 

The terms of reference of the Risk Committee 
are aligned to bring recommendations 
for improvements of risk reporting to the 
Audit Committee and the plc Board at the 
appropriate time in the Board’s corporate cycle.

Internal Audit Function

The Group’s Internal Audit function is 
supported by a co-sourcing arrangement with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC LLP). Main 
responsibilities of the function are to: 

 ‹ Conduct audit assurance for all operational, 
compliance, financial and other risks in all 
businesses and locations throughout the 
Group, both existing and under development

 ‹ Make recommendations for improvement 

and follows up to ensure that management 
implements recommendations made

 ‹ Provide consulting and advisory services 
related to governance, risk management 
and control so long as Internal Audit’s 
independence will not be compromised.

The annual Internal Audit plan is determined 
on a risk assessment basis and is reviewed 
and approved by the Audit Committee. 
The head of Internal Audit attends all 
Audit Committee meetings and, twice 
annually, presents a summary of the Internal 
Audit findings, recommendations, and 
implementation progress. Internal Audit also 
implements the annual risk evaluation process 
and the internal control and risk management 
review questionnaire process with the 
individual businesses before their presentation 
to the Board. 

During 2021, alongside its assistance 
in overseas locations, the co-source 
partner PwC were asked to expand their 
remit to include internal audits in certain 
functional areas within the UK, including 
IT implementation and finance, where the 
partner’s specialist skills will complement the 
Group’s Internal Audit function.

The Audit Committee 

The Audit Committee is made up of the Non-
Executive Directors. The Audit Committee 
supports the Board in determining the nature 
and extent of principal risks it is willing to take 
in achieving its strategic objectives, and in 
monitoring the effectiveness of the Company’s 
risk management and internal control systems.

Further details in relation to the Audit 
Committee can be found in the Governance 
section from pages 89 to 93.

Strategy
In the 2020 Annual Report, we articulated 
how climate change is a key consideration 
in defining the strategic direction of our 
businesses. As such, we have identified the 
energy transition as the most defining strategic 
challenge and opportunity for the Group. 
This is driven largely by the transition from 
fossil fuels to renewable energy and other low 
carbon energy sources. We are aligning our 
strategy accordingly, supporting the energy 
industry’s own transition efforts by expanding 
our portfolio of solutions and offerings, in 
particular in the renewables and oil and gas 
decommissioning sectors.

Climate change has been identified as one 
of the Group’s principal risks. The Board 
considers the transition away from fossil 
fuels and the exponential growth of the 
renewables market to represent both a risk 
and an opportunity for the Group. The risks 
are mitigated by the continued strategic 
diversification of the Group into new markets, 
and the expansion of our core capabilities 
through direct investments and bolt-on 
acquisitions. Identified opportunities are set out 
in more detail in the Sustainability section on 
page 22.

In terms of climate-related impact, the Group 
may endure the operational impacts of extreme 
weather events, as well as potential changes 
in technologies, markets, and regulation 
in response to climate change. This could 
increase costs, challenge the viability of Group 
services, or affect asset values. The Group is 
also conscious of the need to reduce its impact 
on climate, including its carbon footprint.

In 2021, in alignment with our ongoing 
commitment to develop our climate strategy, 
we carried out a detailed climate risk and 
opportunity assessment. The results of this 
assessment have allowed us to identify the 
three pillars and nine focus areas for our ESG 
strategy, and feed into a scenario analysis 
and quantification exercise that is currently 
underway and expected to be completed 
before the half year. The process is described 
in more detail on page 54.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

53

Strategic report

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures cont.

Risk and opportunity  
identification process

The approach taken on the climate-related risk 
and opportunity analysis followed guidance set 
out by the TCFD, and considers climate-related 
risks under two overarching categories:

 ‹ Risks related to the transition to a lower-

carbon economy (transition risks) 

 ‹ Risks related to the physical impacts of 

climate change (physical risks). 

The TCFD categorises transition risks as risks 
that occur due to policy and legal changes, 
technology changes, market changes and 
reputation changes. The TCFD categorises 
physical risks as risks that occur as discrete 
events (acute risks), and/or because of longer-
term shifts in prevailing climate conditions 
(chronic risks). 

Furthermore, we considered risks over three 
timeframes and three climate scenarios, as 
defined below. 

Timescales  
(as highlighted in the third column):
 ‹ Short-term: 0-1 year
 ‹ Medium-term: 1-5 years
 ‹ Long-term: >5 years

Climate scenarios:
 ‹ Orderly transition: early, ambitious action to a 

net zero CO2 emissions economy

 ‹ Disorderly: action that is late, disruptive, 

sudden and/or unanticipated

 ‹ Hot house world: limited action leads to a hot 
house world with significant global warming 
and, as a result, strongly increased exposure 
to physical risks.

The approach uses climate scenarios defined 
in best practice guidelines by the Network for 
Greening the Financial System, a consortium of 
central banks and supervisors (NGFS, 2020)1 
as set out in the graphic below. The scenarios 
are designed to act as a foundation for analysis 
across institutions, creating much needed 
consistency and comparability of results. 

Because these scenarios are being used by a 
growing number of central banks, supervisors, 
and companies to better understand risks to 
financial systems, economies, and businesses, 
we have chosen them to provide greater 
comparability and to enable our stakeholders 
to assess our response to climate change 
across all markets where we operate.

1  NGFS (2020) Guide to Climate Scenario Analysis 
for central banks and supervisors. Network 
for Greening the Financial System, Technical 
Document.

Disorderly

Sudden and 
unanticipated 
response is disruptive 
but sufficient enough 
to meet climate goals

Too little, too late

We don’t do enough 
to meet climate goals, 
the presence of 
physical risks spurs a 
disorderly transition

Orderly

We start reducing 
emissions now in a 
measured way to 
meet climate goals

Hot house world

We continue to 
increase emissions, 
doing very little, if 
anything, to avert the 
physical risks

y
l
r
e
d
r
o
s
D

i

y
l
r
e
d
r
O

s
k
s
i
r
n
o
i
t
i
s
n
a
r
T

y
a
w
h
t
a
p
n
o
i
t
i
s
n
a
r
T

54 

Risk scoring methodology

Risk scoring followed risk determination 
guidelines provided by the Intergovernmental 
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and was aligned 
to James Fisher’s internal risk management 
processes. The term risk signifies the possibility 
of adverse effects in the future, driven by the 
occurrence of a hazard. Risk therefore occurs 
when organisations, assets, societies, processes, 
or systems become exposed to hazard. To 
determine the level of vulnerability to risk, three 
terms were considered: exposure, sensitivity, 
and capacity to adapt. Sensitivity reflects the 
predisposition of organisations, assets, societies, 
processes, or systems to be adversely affected 
by climate-related risks. Capacity to adapt refers 
to characteristics or actions that may reduce 
the level of risk posed by a hazard and thereby 
alleviate vulnerability. Two types of capacity to 
adapt were considered in recognition of the two 
overarching TCFD climate-related risk categories: 
adaptive capacity – the ability of organisations, 
assets, societies, processes, or systems to 
alleviate the level of physical risks through 
actions; and transition capacity – the ability of 
organisations, assets, societies, processes, 
and systems to alleviate the level of transition 
risks through actions. Vulnerability, which is 
determined as a function of risk exposure, 
sensitivity, and adaptive/transition capacity, is 
therefore the degree to which organisations, 
assets, societies, processes, or systems will be, 
or have the propensity to be, negatively affected 
by risk.

The sensitivity and adaptive capacity scores of 
the hazards identified were validated at a Group 
level and operating company level during a 
series of workshops held with representatives 
from the operating companies and the Group 
functions. Final risk scores were then determined 
by considering vulnerability, likelihood of 
occurrence (likelihood), and magnitude of impact 
(magnitude). Both likelihood and magnitude will 
vary as functions of time and climate scenario. 
For example, most physical risks associated with 
climate change (e.g., flooding, drought etc.) are 
expected to occur more frequently, and have 
greater impact, under higher-emissions/higher-
warming climate scenarios, as well as further into 
the future. However, transition risks (e.g., policies 
implementing a rapid decarbonisation of the 
economy) may be more likely and have greater 
impact under lower-emission climate scenarios 
(e.g., Orderly and Disorderly Transition scenarios), 
as well as in the near-term (e.g., if nation states 
impose regulations within the next 12 months). 
The likelihood of occurrence and magnitude 
were considered over three timescales (short-
term, medium-term, and long-term) and three 
climate scenarios (Orderly Transition, Disorderly 
Transition, Hot house World).

Physical risks

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Risk management
The Board is responsible for management of 
all risks in the Group, including climate-related 
risk, and is supported by the Group functions 
(including Internal Audit), the Sustainability 
Committee, the Risk Committee and the  
Audit Committee.

Approach

The Group employs a bottom-up and top-
down approach to risk management. 

 ‹ Bottom-up perspective: Quarterly Board 

meetings are held at the operating company 
level and provide a forum to discuss and 
report changing risks and mitigation options, 
including options for climate-related risks. 
Any changes are then communicated to 
the Risk Committee. Assurance is provided 
by Internal Audit through the internal audit 
cycle and, twice annually, the Internal 
Audit team consolidates risk registers and 
risk management questionnaires from the 
operating companies for review by the Risk 
Committee to understand better the view of 
risk from the operating companies

 ‹ Top-down perspective: The Risk 

Committee overlays the operating company 
risks (provided by their registers and 
questionnaire responses), with the view 
from the functional teams, and with any 
macro external issues which are impacting 
or may impact the Group

More details on this process are set out below.

The Risk Committee and Executive Directors 
report the results of this bottom-up and top-
down approach to risk management to the 
Board and Audit Committee. The results of that 
assessment, including risk management and 
mitigating activities, are set out on pages 61 
to 69. 

At most scheduled Board meetings, there is 
a deep dive into one of the Group’s principal 
risks and, twice annually, the Board reviews 
the Group’s principal and emerging risks, their 
mitigating activities, any changes, and the 
Company’s risk appetite. 

Except for risk exposure, which was considered 
binary, the risk scoring methodology was based 
on a five-point scoring system: 

1. Very high sensitivity (5) indicated an 

organisation, asset, society, process, or 
system that is very highly predisposed to 
being adversely affected

2. Very high adaptive/transition capacity (5) 
indicated an organisation, asset, society, 
process, or system that is very highly capable 
of alleviating risk through mitigation actions 

3. A high vulnerability score (a function of 

sensitivity and adaptive/transition capacity) 
indicated an organisation, asset, society, 
process, or system that had very high 
sensitivity to risk and very low adaptive/
transition capacity

4. Very high likelihood scores (5) indicated risks 

that are ‘very likely’ to occur

5. Very high magnitude scores (5) indicated very 
high (catastrophic) impact should a risk occur.

Total risk scores were the product of 
vulnerability, likelihood, and magnitude, and 
therefore scale between 1 and 125. Finally, risk 
scores were normalised to 100 to provide intra- 
and intercompany comparability. 

Opportunities were scored against two key 
metrics: opportunity size, and ability of the 
relevant company to execute the opportunity. 
The objective of the approach was to provide 
an indicative score to assist with future 
prioritisation. Further investigation should 
be carried out to better understand the 
competitive landscape and market size for 
individual opportunities. 

Climate scenario analysis process

Having selected three climate scenarios and 
identified and prioritised risks and opportunities 
associated with short-, medium- and long-
term timeframes across each scenario, the 
next phase of the journey for the Company 
is for us to consider the implications of 
different climate scenarios and their potential 
financial implications for the Group. At the 
time of publication this work is ongoing, with 
a workshop session scheduled for February 
2022 with the Executive Committee members 
to discuss the implication of different scenario 
categories and to develop and validate the 
underlying assumptions, which will feed into 
the subsequent modelling activities with 
representatives from the wider Group. The 
output of this workshop will feed into a scenario 
analysis financial quantification exercise, the 
results of which will be published in the Group’s 
subsequent TCFD report later in 2022.

Internal controls and frameworks

The internal control and risk management 
framework comprises a series of policies, 
processes, procedures, and organisational 
structures which are designed to ensure 
that the level of risk to which the Group is 
exposed is consistent with the Group’s risk 
appetite and strategic objectives, as defined 
by the Board. The framework is overseen by 
the Risk Committee. The Risk Committee 
also consolidates reporting, overlays the 
functional and macro-economic view of risk 
and reports to the Board on the management 
and assessment of risk within the Group. 
An assessment of the Company’s risk 
management and internal control systems is 
carried out annually by the Audit Committee 
on behalf of the Board. Results of these 
assessments are reported in the Audit 
Committee report as set out on pages  
89 to 93.

Systems

Key features of the Group’s risk management 
systems used to identify and monitor material 
risks are as follows:

 ‹ A risk evaluation process commences in 
the operating companies with an annual 
exercise to identify the significant operational 
and financial risks facing the business. Each 
trading business is required to maintain an 
up-to-date risk register, which identifies key 
risks, assigns each a “risk score” based on 
the likelihood of the identified risk arising 
and the potential impact on the business of 
an adverse outcome, both before and after 
mitigation measures are taken. The risks and 
their respective risk scores before and after 
mitigation are reviewed at business level

 ‹ To support this process, each operating 
company Managing Director completes 
an internal control and risk management 
review questionnaire on an annual basis. 
This exercise is a robust self-assessment 
of operational controls and compliance 
with Group policies, applicable laws and 
regulations relating to their business. This 
ensures that Managing Directors identify risks 
and relevant mitigating strategies, and have 
in place adequate control systems to identify, 
mitigate, and report any weaknesses that 
require management attention

 ‹ The risk registers and annual review reports 
are reviewed by Internal Audit, the Risk 
Committee, and the Board. They are used 
twice a year by the Board to help determine 
the Group’s principal and emerging risks and 
uncertainties, their potential impacts, how 
they are being managed and/or mitigated, 
and any change in the nature of the risk. 
Internal Audit uses them to define its areas  
of focus for the forthcoming period

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

55

Strategic report

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures cont.

The Company has aligned its strategy with the 
key risk and opportunities of climate change 
and the energy transition. Similarly, following 
a review of the Group’s risk management 
systems by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 
the Group is realigning the risk management 
process with the strategic review cycle so that 
risks, including climate change related risk, 
are considered as part of the Group’s strategic 
review and budgeting process. This also allows 
the operating companies to build their principal 
and emerging risks (and opportunities) into their 
own strategic outlook at an operating level.

Each operating company reviews and presents 
to the Board on its strategy over a five-year 
period, including the opportunities which arise 
from climate-related factors. Their strategies are 
then consolidated at Group level, impacting on 
financial planning for operating costs, capital 
expenditure and allocation, acquisitions and 
divestments, and access to capital. By way of 
example, this process has enabled ScanTech 
Offshore, a company that traditionally operates 
an oil and gas business, to identify opportunities 
for noise attenuation during piling for offshore 
wind projects. Also, the Tankships division has 
made investments in two new dual fuel vessels, 
offering customers a lower emissions option for 
the transfer of their products. 

These risk and opportunity processes have 
been assisted by the Sustainability Committee 
which recommends the Group’s sustainability 
policy and approach to the Board. During 
2021, the Sustainability Committee engaged 
the support of specialist third-party advisorors 
to assist in carrying out additional, more 
focused reviews of climate-related risks and 
opportunities. The team are working closely 
with the management teams of each operating 
company, with outcomes being routinely 
reviewed with the Sustainability Committee and 
reported to the Board. This has resulted in the 
Company’s summary of climate-related risk 
and opportunity set out on page 64. 

In future, James Fisher’s identification of climate-
related risk and opportunity will be undertaken 
as part of the Group’s strategy review with 
the Board, with related policy and day-to-day 
management of climate matters continuing to 
be overseen by the Sustainability Committee. 
This will bring closer alignment between the 
Group’s environmental commitments and the 
Group’s strategy, at both a Group and individual 
operating company level.

Metrics and targets
The Group has quantified and reported its 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, setting 
a baseline against which future emissions 
reduction efforts will be measured. During 
2021, we started the process of modelling our 
near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) Scope 
1 and Scope 2 emission reduction targets, with 
2021 as the base year. 

An interim emissions reduction target will be 
disclosed at the same time as the forthcoming 
full TCFD report, to be published later in 2022. 
In addition, efforts are underway to map out 
emissions reduction pathways for Scope 1 
and Scope 2 emissions in order to meet our 
near- and long-term targets. These pathways 
will include both our scheduled and planned 
emissions reduction options.

Considering the diverse nature of the Group’s 
operating companies, the markets they operate 
in, regional variations deriving from our global 
footprint, the complexity of our supply chain, 
and the multiple categories as defined by 
the GHG protocol, quantification of Scope 3 
emissions will take more time to establish and 
will involve more intimate detailed engagement 
with suppliers and customers. During 2021, 
we started the process of mapping out our 
Scope 3 emissions in accordance with the 
requirements of the Corporate Value Chain 
(Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard 
and reported on our footprint in business 
travel category. In 2022, we will expand on our 
measurement of Scope 3 emissions footprint 
beyond business travel, with the ambition to 
report on fuel and energy-related activities, 
waste generated in our operations, employee 
commuting, and upstream leased assets. 
In parallel, we will put effective processes in 
place for measuring and collating information 
on other outstanding Scope 3 emission 
categories. Further details can be found  
in the GHG Emissions section on page 40.

In guiding efforts in modelling the Group’s 
pathway to net zero, we have adopted the 
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) criteria. 
We aim to reduce our emissions in alignment 
with the SBTi guidance once the measurement 
of the full breadth of our Scope 1, 2 and 3 
emissions have been completed. 

A key output of the ongoing TCFD-aligned, 
climate-related risk and opportunity identification 
and climate scenario analysis engagement is 
the identification of relevant metrics and targets 
that will help to build climate resilience into the 
Group’s strategy. The identification and ranking 
of material risks and opportunities is the first 
step towards developing insight into the financial 
impact of climate change on the Company. The 
next stages in the climate scenario analysis are 
as follows: 

 ‹ Define and parameterise three climate 

scenarios based on different climate futures 
under three temperature regimes, including 
a high warming scenario and Paris-aligned 
1.5°C trajectory

 ‹ Develop narratives that explore the 

socioeconomic, political, and physical 
climate conditions associated with each 
climate scenario

 ‹ Integrate key risks and opportunities 
identified in the risk and opportunities 
analysis into the climate scenarios and 
develop trajectories of key indicators that  
are material to the Company

 ‹ Quantify the financial impact of key risk and 

opportunity indicators on the Company under 
different climate scenarios using modelled 
trajectories, business costs and revenues, 
and assumptions about the changing 
landscape under different climate scenarios

The process will identify key climate-related 
indicators, which will become the focus for 
developing metrics that the Company will track 
on its transition towards a preferred climate 
future. We aim to publish the relevant metrics 
and targets that will enable us monitor and 
track performance in the Group’s subsequent 
TCFD report.

56 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Key performance indicators

Underlying operating profit 

(£m)

Operating margin 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

28.0

40.5

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

66.3

62.1

54.1

5.7

7.8

(%)

10.7

11.0

10.8

Underlying operating profit is after adjusting for separately disclosed items 
and is the underlying profit from operations before interest.

Operating margin is the ratio of underlying operating profit to revenue.  
The Group’s operating margin in 2021 was 5.7% (2020: 7.8%).

Return on operating capital employed 

(%)

Underlying profit before tax 

(£m)

3.6

6.7

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

11.3

12.2

12.0

19.7

31.5

58.5

56.1

48.6

Return on operating capital employed is defined as underlying operating 
profit divided by average operating capital employed. Operating capital 
employed comprises tangible fixed assets, intangible fixed assets, 
operating debtors net of creditors, less provisions. The Group’s post-tax 
return on operating capital employed was 3.6% in 2021 (2020: 6.7%).

Underlying profit before taxation is after interest and before separately 
disclosed items and related taxes. Underlying profit before taxation in 2021 
was £19.7m (2020: £31.5m).

Cash conversion 

(%)

Gearing 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

99

57

168

157

220

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

(times)

2.6

2.3

2.1

1.3

1.7

Cash conversion is defined as the ratio of operating cash flow to 
underlying operating profit. Operating cash flow is defined as underlying 
operating profit, adding back depreciation and amortisation and adjusting 
for net movements in working capital, pension payments and for the cash 
profits of associates. Cash conversion was 168% in 2021 (2020: 220%) 
and has averaged 132% over five years.

Gearing is defined as the ratio of underlying net borrowings to underlying 
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The gearing of 
the Group at 31 December 2021 was 2.6 times (2020: 2.3 times).

Non-financial KPIs are set out in the Sustainability report by reference to the priority areas. For any priority not currently including a non-financial KPI, 
metrics and targets are under development and the Company intends to publish the full non-financial KPIs before the next Annual Report and Accounts. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 
Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

57
57

Strategic report

Financial review

2021 was another 
challenging year for 
the Group. Despite the 
reduction in performance 
our businesses have 
remained resilient 
throughout, which is 
testament to the hard 
work and dedication 
of all employees.

2021 was another challenging 
year for the Group. The 
pandemic continued to 
adversely affect trading 
conditions, resulting in both 
revenue and underlying 
operating profit being 
below 2020. Despite the 
reduction in performance our 
businesses have remained 
resilient throughout, which 
is testament to the hard 
work and dedication 
of all employees.

Underlying performance in 2021
Revenue was 4.7% below 2020 at £494.1m 
(2020: £518.2m). It was a mixed performance 
across the divisions, with Specialist Technical 
and Offshore Oil showing growth, Tankships 
being in line and Marine Support behind 2020. 
Within Marine Support, the ship-to-ship (STS) 
transfer revenues in the Fendercare business 
showed a significant decline due to 2020 
being a record year, compounded by market 
challenges in Malaysia and Brazil. 

Gross margin was down by 220 bps to 24.4% 
compared to 26.6% in 2020. Contributing 
factors include the reduction in higher margin 
STS revenues and a provision against slow-
moving inventory reflecting reduced demand 
for Fendercare’s related fender products, 
together with increased operating costs as a 
result of enhanced COVID safety protocols 
across the world, particularly in our offshore 
project-based businesses and Tankships 
division which both rely on mobilising significant 
numbers of people over the course of a year.

Admin expenses were 4.3% below 2020 at 
£94.5m, as the Group continued to keep tight 
control over its operating expenses following 
cost reductions achieved in 2020. No general 
pay increase was awarded to employees in 
2021, which is something the Board has sought 
to rectify in 2022, with an average pay increase 
of 3% being awarded in January against a 
backdrop of increasing inflation and competition 
for talent.

Foreign exchange provided a modest headwind 
in the year, with an average GB£:US$ rate 
of £1:$1.37 compared to £1:$1.29 in 2020. 
This adversely affected revenue by 2.1% and 
underlying operating profit by 4.5% respectively. 

Underlying operating profit fell from £40.5m in 
2020 to £28.0m in 2021.

Separately disclosed items
Principally as a result of a second year of 
reduced profitability and the ongoing impacts 
from the pandemic, the Group has recognised 
a net charge in relation to separately disclosed 
items of £48.7m, reduced from £84.0m in 2020. 

In 2021, non-cash goodwill and intangible 
asset impairments of £29.2m (2020: £19.4m) 
have been recognised principally in relation 
to the Marine Support and Offshore Oil 
divisions, as future growth expectations have 
been tempered by the ongoing effects of the 
pandemic. Impairment provisions have also 
been made against tangible fixed assets, 
principally vessels, of £9.3m (2020: £34.0m 
including £31.6m in relation to two dive support 
vessels). The carrying value of these assets 
prior to impairment exceeded both the value in 
use and likely recoverable amount. 

Bad debt impairments of £4.3m have been 
made in respect of receivables relating to a 
specific counterparty risk and receivables 
billed over 12 months ago in relation to certain 
projects (2020: £19.3m provision against three 
specific projects). All balances, including those 
provided for in 2020, continue to be pursued, 
with a number of ongoing legal actions to 
support recovery. The Group reassessed 
the methodology applied to expected credit 
losses and now requires all debt over 180 
days overdue to be provided for unless there is 
compelling evidence to support future collection.

Costs of material litigation of £3.1m (2020: 
£nil) have been incurred in relation to a 
number of resolved and ongoing disputes.

The Group sold the Paladin dive support  
vessel and two businesses during the year. 
These sales generated net proceeds of 
£20.8m. After deducting the carrying values  
of the related assets, liabilities and goodwill,  
the Group recognised a net profit of £0.6m  
in relation to the disposals. 

The net cash outflow in relation to other 
separately disclosed items was £1.7m  
(2020: £3.3m).

58 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Statutory operating loss
The Group’s operating loss, which is the sum 
of underlying operating profit and separately 
disclosed items, reduced to £20.7m (2020: 
£43.5m) as a result of lower separately 
disclosed items partially offset by the reduction 
in underlying operating profit.

Finance charges
The Group’s net finance charges reduced by 
£0.7m to £8.3m (2020: £9.0m). Bank interest 
reduced from £7.0m to £6.0m during the year 
as a result of lower borrowings. Non-cash 
pension and lease liability charges are broadly 
in line with 2020 at £2.3m (2020: £2.0m).  
The Group’s interest cover ratio, which is 
calculated by dividing underlying operating 
profit by net finance charges (excluding IFRS16 
finance charges) is 5.4 times (2020: 6.1 times), 
which compares to banking covenants that 
require the ratio to be greater than 3.0 times.

Taxation

The Group has recognised an overall net tax 
credit of £0.8m in the year (2020: net charge 
of £4.8m). The underlying tax charge for the 
year is £10.1m (2020: £7.2m) representing an 
underlying effective tax rate of 51.2% (2020: 
22.8%). Compared to the UK Corporation Tax 
rate of 19%, the following principal factors  
have had an adverse impact in 2021:

 ‹ Losses incurred during 2021 but not provided 

for as a deferred tax asset (+13pps)

 ‹ Higher effective tax rate in overseas 

jurisdictions (+11pps)

 ‹ Retranslation of the Group’s net deferred 

tax liability to 25% from 19%, reflecting the 
forthcoming UK Corporation Tax increase 
(+7pps).

Tax on separately disclosed items is a net 
credit of £10.9m, relating principally to the 
recognition of a deferred tax asset in the UK 
on certain fixed assets that were impaired in 
2020. This follows a review of the likely future 
profitability of the UK group and likely duration 
of the ongoing business associated with those 
fixed assets. Corporation Tax payments during 
the year were in line with 2020 at £7.9m.

Dividend and EPS
Having regard to the financial position of the 
Group, the Board has recommended no 
dividends during 2021 (2020: interim dividend 
£4.0m; no final dividend). The Board remains 
committed to reintroducing a sustainable 
dividend policy at the right time. Basic and 
diluted earnings per share are a loss of 55.2p, 
compared to a loss of 114.2p in 2020.

Table A

£m

Bank net borrowings

Finance leases (IAS17 basis)

Right-of-use liabilities

Net debt

Table B

£m

Bank net borrowings

Finance leases (IAS17 basis)

Bonds and guarantees

Net debt – covenants basis

Ebitda – covenants basis

Net debt : Ebitda

Table C

£m

No extensions

With extensions

2022

40.0

40.0

2021

(139.6)

(7.8)

(38.2)

(185.6)

2021

(139.6)

(7.8)

(8.4)

(155.8)

54.3

2.9

2023

47.5

2024

200.0

2020

Movement

(165.6)

(9.4)

(23.1)

(198.1)

26.0

1.6

(14.7)

12.9

2020

Movement

26.0

1.6

19.9

47.8

(165.6)

(9.4)

(28.3)

(203.6)

73.2

2.8

2025

2026

Total

–

–

287.5

287.5

–

87.5

30.0

130.0

Cash flow and borrowings
The Group generated £48.9m (2020: £88.0m) 
from operating activities. The reduction is due 
to lower profits and a negative working capital 
movement in the year. Net working capital 
was an outflow in 2021 of £8.1m (2020: net 
inflow £19.9m), driven primarily from timing of 
payments on long-term projects. A number of 
cash milestones are due in 2022 from  
long-term projects.

Net cashflow from separately disclosed items 
(excluding the sale of assets and businesses 
which is included in “investing activities”) was 
£1.7m (2020: £3.9m) and tax payments were  
in line with 2020 at £7.9m.

Cash flows from investing activities generated 
a £1.9m outflow (2020: £24.2m outflow) as 
the disposal of the Paladin dive support vessel 
and two businesses between them generated 
£20.9m in proceeds. This was balanced against 
the deployment of £22.1m (2020: £18.9m) of 
capital expenditure, principally aimed at ensuring 
the sea-worthiness of our vessels (£4.3m), 
investment in decommissioning and related 
equipment (£3.8m), upgrading our bubble 
curtain equipment (£1.8m) and the purchase of 
ship-to-ship transfer equipment, for both LNG 
and oil operations (£2.5m). 

Investment in M&A was much reduced, with 
£1.1m being deployed in 2021, principally in 
relation to the acquisition of Subsea Engenuity, 
compared to £7.9m in 2020 which related 
to the purchase of Fathom and deferred 
consideration on previously completed 
transactions.

The Group reduced net debt, including all 
lease liabilities, by £12.9m to £185.2m. Within 
this, the net bank borrowing position improved 
by £26.0m to £139.6m (2020: £165.6m). 
Additional lease liabilities principally relate to a 
new charter vessel in the Caribbean and the 
renewal of seven existing leases within the 
Tankships division (see table A).

The Group’s net debt for the purposes of 
its banking covenants consists of net bank 
borrowings, finance lease liabilities (on an 
IAS17 basis), and bonds and guarantees, as 
summarised in table B. On a covenants basis, 
net debt has reduced by £47.8m. The ratio of 
net debt : Ebitda has remained broadly steady 
at 2.9 times, which compares to banking 
covenants requiring the ratio to be less than 
3.5 times (see table B).

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

59

Strategic report

Financial review cont.

Liquidity
The Group has retained good access to 
borrowing facilities. A new £130m revolving 
credit facility was signed during 2021 with 
three of the Group’s existing lenders (replacing 
£142.5m of expiring bilateral facilities). Table C  
summarises borrowing facilities by year of 
maturity, with and without the inclusion of 
available “+1” extensions. It is the Board’s 
current expectation that extension periods will 
be exercised in the normal course (see table C 
overleaf).

Balance sheet
The Group’s net assets reduced by £27.3m to 
£210.6m (31 December 2020: £237.9m), broadly 
in line with the loss for the year of £28.2m.

Non-current assets

Non-current assets reduced by £51.7m in the 
year. Goodwill reduced by £33.0m to £133.5m 
(31 December 2020: £166.5m) as a result 
of impairment charges of £29.2m, disposals 
of businesses that had £3.9m of goodwill 
allocated to them and foreign exchange 
differences of £1.6m. Intangible assets reduced 
to £13.3m from £20.1m due to amortisation 
and impairment charges of £9.2m offset by 
additions of £2.2m, including £0.7m in respect 
of the acquisition of Subsea Engenuity.

Within Property, Plant and Equipment the 
Group invested £19.4m in additions. This was 
offset by disposals with a net book value of 
£15.0m (principally the Paladin dive support 
vessel), depreciation of £23.6m, impairment 
charges of £5.1m against underutilised 
assets, the reclassification of the Swordfish 
dive support vessel to “held for sale” within 
current assets (£10.7m) and foreign exchange 
differences of £1.0m.

Right of use assets increased by £9.9m, 
principally as a result of movements in the 
Group’s Tankships fleet. One new formal vessel 
was taken on a long-term operating lease in 
the Caribbean to service a newly won, long-
term commercial chartering arrangement, and 
seven existing vessel leases were renewed 
in the period. Depreciation of £8.4m against 
vessels was provided in the normal course and 
an impairment provision of £4.2m was booked 
to reflect the latest view of the likely residual 
values of a number of vessels in the fleet.

Current assets and current liabilities

The Group’s net current assets increased  
by £17.7m to £85.5m. Short-term cash  
and borrowings increased by £21.1m to  
a net position of £34.4m of cash. Assets  
held for sale with a value of £10.7m at  
31 December 2021 were transferred from  
non-current assets, representing the Swordfish 
dive support vessel.

Non-current liabilities 

Long-term borrowings reduced slightly to 
£173.9m (2020: £178.8m). An increase in long-
term lease liabilities of £10.8m represents the 
new charters within the Tankships division. Net 
pension liabilities, as measured under IAS 19, 
reduced to £1.9m compared to £10.3m at  
31 December 2020. The Group continues  
to make deficit repair payments in line with 
agreed profiles.

Duncan Kennedy 
Chief Financial Officer 

60 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Principal risks and uncertainties

MANAGING RISK AND ENABLING GROWTH

The Group’s emerging and 
principal risks
The Group is subject to macro risks such as 
changes in social, political, financial, regulatory 
and legislative changes. Our operating 
companies are also impacted by individual 
risks, often distinct to their operations or 
operating environment and location, in light of 
the diversity of the Group in these areas. Our 
Group risk management process (described 
in more detail on page 68 below) provides the 
framework for the risk management practices 
across all parts of the Group. We use these 
practices to evaluate and accept those macro 
and business-level risks that we believe we 
have the capacity, know-how and experience 
to manage, or to understand and tolerate  
those risks that we cannot influence, in order  
to realise the Group’s potential opportunities  
for growth and development.

Changes in 2021/22
We recognise that risks are evolving rapidly in 
our changing world. That requires new ways 
of thinking and working to identify, assess and 
manage risks effectively. We want to improve 
and build on the risk management foundations 
that we have already established, which 
provided a firm base for operating companies 
to respond to the COVID pandemic. Following 
the material write offs in 2020 and the impacts 
of the COVID pandemic, the Group asked PwC 
LLP to conduct a detailed review of its risk 
management systems and controls. The review 
found that the current systems and controls are 
supported by significant investment in terms 
of documentation, reporting and analysis, 
but that they are made more complex by 
the diversity and geographic spread of the 
Group’s operations. The report recommended 
some improvements, in particular potential 
enhancements in communication of risk from 
the operating companies, in analysis of risk and 
in methods for reporting risk to the Board. This 
has resulted in some immediate improvements 
which have been implemented during 2021, 
which are set out below. The Board has 
also agreed further improvements in the risk 
systems and controls to obtain better quality 
output from the corporate planning process 
and year-end risk assessments. 

2021 changes included: 

 ‹ Tone from the top emphasis of risk 

management during operating company 
board meetings has improved operating 
company analysis and mitigation of risk in 
day-to-day activities.

 ‹ Enhanced templates and guidance for 

operating companies to assist with their 
recording, reporting and management of 
principal and emerging risks.

 ‹ Most Board meetings in 2021 have included 
a risk “deep dive” into the Group’s most 
impactful principal risks, supported by 
functional specialists: cyber risk, risk of 
operating in emerging markets, and risk in 
the recruitment and retention of key people 
have been covered, with some of these 
risks discussed at multiple Board meetings. 
Each session considers the nature of the 
risk, the mitigating activities, the assurance 
methodologies and the Group’s appetite for 
that risk.

Further improvements in 2022 will include:

 ‹ Further risk “deep dives” will provide coverage 

of all Group principal risks.

 ‹ Improved communication and resources 
to be put in place to improve the flow of 
information between the Risk Committee and 
the operating companies.

 ‹ Enhanced analysis of operating company 

risks in management and Risk Committee’s 
reporting to the Board, assisted by improved 
mapping of assurance activities against 
principal risks. 

 ‹ The cycle of risk reporting, analysis and Board 
consideration is being built into the strategy 
cycle to ensure alignment of risk with strategy 
setting and implementation.

Our principal risks and uncertainties are those 
that may have the greatest impact on our key 
priorities when assessed by considering our 
controls and other mitigating factors on a net 
risk basis. These risks have been consolidated, 
discussed and reported on by the Risk 
Committee, and discussed at the Board and 
Audit Committee meetings during 2021. 

We are monitoring carefully developments in 
Ukraine and Russia, and the impacts on the 
Group, both direct and indirect. The Group has 
well-established sanctions review processes in 
place, supported by an international law firm. 
We are also providing support to our Ukrainian 
employees and contractors.

The Group’s key risks follow similar themes to 
those in previous years, but they evolved over 
the past year, mainly due to the impacts and 
learnings from the COVID pandemic and the 
performance challenges experienced by the 
Group. Nine principal risks have been identified 
in our latest assessment. The key changes 
compared to the last report include:

 ‹ Climate change – the Group’s understanding 

of the nature of the climate change risk 
continues to develop. Based on the 
definition of climate change risk provided by 
the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD), the Group continues 
to develop its strategy around the risks 
and opportunities related to the transition 
to a lower-carbon economy, in particular 
around the energy transition. The Group is 
developing its understanding of the risks 
(and opportunities) related to the physical 
impacts of climate change on the Group, 
with extreme weather events being a 
particular focus in light of the predominance 
of the Group’s offshore operations and the 
need to keep our people safe.

 ‹ Project delivery and recruitment/retention 
– the Group’s strategic focus on offshore 
renewables and oil and gas decommissioning 
is reliant on project management and 
engineering skills which are in enormous 
demand in growing industries. There is an 
increasing risk in relation to recruiting and 
retaining the talent and skills needed to 
deliver on the projects the Group is winning 
in a very competitive skills market. The 
Group is seeking to address the risk through 
improvements in recruitment and retention 
processes, and through building the skills 
needed through training.

 ‹ Financial risk – the Group’s financial 

risk description has been broadened to 
encompass financial governance in addition 
to foreign exchange, interest rate and liquidity 
risks. The Group’s decentralised operating 
model requires robust internal financial 
controls, in addition to those that govern 
contracting, operating in emerging markets 
and project delivery that are specifically 
articulated within its principal risks already. 
The Board recognises that there are a number 
of control enhancements recommended each 
year by its Internal Audit department and that 
the level of separately disclosed items in each 
of the last two reporting years may indicate a 
heightened risk associated with its operating 
model. A number of enhancements to the 
financial control environment are underway, 
including the appointment of a Head of 
internal controls, the planned outsourcing of 
its Internal Audit department and new policies 
governing inventory and debt provisioning.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

61

Strategic report

Principal risks and uncertainties cont.

1. HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK

Nature:

Group trading companies may 
experience an adverse operational 
incident or failure to maintain appropriate 
levels of health and safety.

Potential impact:
 ‹ The health and safety of our workforce and 
others could be impacted by our operations

 ‹ The Group’s reputation could potentially suffer  

if there was a major accident or health and safety 
issue

 ‹ Claims and regulatory action may be taken 

against the Company or the affected business

Mitigation:
 ‹ First item on plc and business board agendas
 ‹ Policy and training
 ‹ Group Health and Safety Committee
 ‹ Group safety forum
 ‹ Insurance
 ‹ Group-wide safety initiative

Context:

During 2021, although there have been no fatalities, there continue to be incidents, including a number of high potential near misses, which point 
at the ongoing need for vigilance and increased focus on health and safety. Executive management continues to increase the level of awareness 
and focus on HSE, and the Group safety forum is successfully sharing best practice, improving root cause analysis and sharing incident learnings 
amongst the Group’s HSEQ specialists. A new health and safety initiative called “Look, See, Act” is due to be launched imminently to communicate 
the level of required focus and the need to avoid complacency in this vital area.

Movement:

No change. On balance the net risk has remained the same, and efforts to bring greater coordination, diligence and awareness in this area  
are ongoing.

Opportunity:

Operating in competitive markets there is an increased opportunity to provide differentiation to our customers by our strong commitment to health 
and safety, thereby building long-term trust.

2. CYBER SECURITY RISK

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group may experience loss or harm 
related to technical infrastructure or the 
use of technology within the Group.

Cyber attacks could result in financial and 
reputational damage by way of significant 
interruption to business systems. Phishing could 
result in financial and reputational damage by way 
of theft or fraud.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Further embedding of new Group-wide operating 

system with enhanced security, alongside 
infrastructure and software updates to existing 
systems

 ‹ Regular review of IT security issues, including 

penetration testing

 ‹ Enhanced cyber awareness training and regular 

briefings

 ‹ Improved threat detection software and cyber 

phishing testing introduced

Context:

The Group has continued to invest in cyber security and awareness during 2021, with improvements in cyber training and awareness, threat 
detection software and phishing testing. Despite the increased protections in place at the Group, the external threat continues to increase.

Movement:

Increase. The Group is reliant on its systems in order to operate effectively and has continued to invest to enhance cyber resilience. The external 
threat is continually adapting and increasing, notwithstanding the mitigating activities.

Opportunity:

Upgraded IT systems increase security, but also flexibility, facilitating secure working while travelling or from home.

62 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

3. OPERATING IN EMERGING MARKETS

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group operates in overseas 
emerging markets and key growth 
economies with fluctuating legislative 
restrictions, embargoes, sanctions and 
exchange controls, often undertaken 
in association with local joint venture 
partners.

Those operations may expose the Group to 
increased risk of governance and compliance 
issues. Any significant failure to comply with laws 
or regulations could lead to penalties and other 
financial liabilities, as well as reputational issues. 
Where there is a jurisdictional requirement for local 
investment or representation, the Group’s ability 
to continue business in that jurisdiction could be 
adversely impacted from an ethical or  
legal perspective.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Corporate governance framework, including 

limits of authority

 ‹ Risk tracking of JVs, agents and other third party 
relationships, including use of bespoke web-
based platform

 ‹ Policies and training
 ‹ Corporate structuring of relationships, using 

external local legal advice

 ‹ Internal audit operating overseas using  
co-sourced PwC resources to leverage 
advantages of working in local language and 
consistent with local law/regulation

Context:

Operating in challenging conditions in developing markets remains a key part of our strategy. This continues to be challenging due to worldwide 
Government-imposed travel restrictions in response to COVID, complicating control and communications in relation to our operations in developing 
markets. The suspension of Subtech Offshore’s projects in Mozambique illustrated how quickly and materially instability in emerging markets can 
impact on our operations, and puts increased pressure on contractual risk (see below). The improvements in mitigating controls, along with an 
ongoing increase in Group awareness in this area, result in the net risk being unchanged.

Movement:

No change. Commercial and financial controls, project management and risk management, along with increasing Group awareness in this area 
continue to mitigate the risk.

Opportunity:

The Group’s ability to operate in emerging markets for global customers offers an increased opportunity to be differentiated from our competitors.

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63

Strategic report

Principal risks and uncertainties cont.

4. CLIMATE CHANGE

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group operates in industries which 
may be adversely impacted due to the 
change in energy mix. The Group is 
committed to minimising the impact of 
its operations on climate change.

The Group may suffer operational impacts of 
extreme weather events, as well as potential 
changes in technologies, markets and regulation in 
response to climate change which could increase 
costs, challenge the viability of Group services or 
affect asset values. The Group is also conscious 
of the need to reduce its impact on the climate, 
including its emission of greenhouse gases.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Continuing the Group’s end markets and 

geographical diversity

 ‹ Focus on oil and gas decommissioning,  

and renewables markets

 ‹ Initiatives to reduce the Group’s emissions  
and other impacts on the environment

Context:

Energy markets remain a key source of Group revenue, including both the oil and gas and renewables industries. With the strategic focus of the 
Group supporting the macro transition from oil and gas to renewables, with increased investment in oil and gas decommissioning and renewables 
markets, the Board continues to consider the impact of climate change on energy markets as one of the Group’s principal risks, as well as one 
of the Group’s key strategic opportunities. The 2021 strategic review has clarified the Group’s commitment to renewables and decommissioning, 
although the Group’s businesses which operate within them have been impacted by a combination of volatile oil prices and COVID. Oil and gas 
remains an important market for the Group and through 2021, the Offshore Oil division continues to be a consistent and important contributor 
to Group results, while other Group companies have seen material impacts in their support for oil and gas customers. The risk is mitigated by 
the continuing diversification of the Group into new markets which, aligned with focused strategic opportunities, targets the ongoing long-term 
sustainability of the Group. The Board believes that the global market for renewable energy will continue to grow, and therefore sees the energy 
markets as both a risk (long-term oil and gas, post decommissioning) and an opportunity (renewables).

Movement:

Increase. The Group has built its strategic goals around sustainability, driven in part by the impacts of climate change on the Group and the 
markets it serves. External scrutiny continues to increase on all companies in relation to climate change, and the Company has ongoing work  
in this area, in particular in understanding the physical risks of climate change on the Group.

Opportunity:

The Board believes that the global market for renewable energy will continue to grow, and therefore sees the energy markets as an opportunity.

64 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

5. CONTRACTUAL RISK

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group operates in markets where 
larger project-based contracts may seek 
to pass risk down the supply chain.

Through its growth and diversification into new 
markets and geographies, the Group may be 
exposed to increased contractual risks, which 
could result in financial impact caused by late 
payment, cost overruns, increased claims and 
litigation, and/or exposure to non-UK legal 
jurisdictional uncertainty.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Internal contract management governance, 

including policy and training

 ‹ Internal and external specialist legal support
 ‹ Appropriate balance of risk and reward in 
contracts, based on Group principles

 ‹ Targeting increased contract management skills
 ‹ Insurance

Context:

The financial challenges of 2020/21 increased the pressure on the Group to secure profitable contracts but we remained focused on managing our 
contractual risk and ensuring that our risk continues to be appropriately balanced with reward. Customers continue to push more risk down the 
supply chain and reduce the level of financial assurance they give to their contractors. 2021 has seen positive examples of good contractual risk 
management in Subtech’s Mozambique project which was impacted significantly by COVID, and there has been an improvement in contractual 
management skills across the Group, both through organic training and recruitment of specialists. The limits of authority relevant to each business 
are designed to ensure that contracts are reviewed and approved at the appropriate level, and are being reviewed during 2022. 

Movement:

Increase. The Group is diversifying its operations to secure a more sustainable future for its energy businesses and that will bring its own challenges 
whilst the Group adjusts to new customer expectations and industry developments.

Opportunity:

As the Group pursues its strategy, contracts become a key mechanism for managing risk and also enhancing engagement with our customers and 
suppliers.

6. PROJECT DELIVERY

Nature:

Potential impact:

Group businesses may fail to meet 
customer expectations or contractual 
requirements on project delivery.

This could cause significant adverse financial and 
reputational consequences, and/or increased cost 
and management time resulting from management 
of disputes and litigation

Mitigation:
 ‹ Increasing the specialist project management 
skillset across the Group through training and 
recruitment

 ‹ Implementation of project management best 

practices

 ‹ Focus on post-signature contract management
 ‹ Salary benchmarking and role banding exercise

Context:

The profile of the work undertaken by the businesses continues to shift more towards project work. Established mitigating processes include 
targeting increased project delivery skillsets through external hire and training, ongoing development of project management best practice, 
and building post-signature contract management into the project management skillset. We remain focused on improving outcomes across a 
fragmented group where resource and skills in certain areas are less mature. 

Movement:

Increase. 2021 has seen increased challenges in the recruitment and retention of skilled personnel in a fluid recruitment market where these skills 
are highly prized and under-resourced.

Opportunity:

Our customers require suppliers which can manage large projects in demanding environments. The Group is in a key position to support them, 
grow our customer engagement, and win new work.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

65

Strategic report

Principal risks and uncertainties cont.

7. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF KEY STAFF

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group may fail to attract, retain 
and develop personnel of the requisite 
calibre and to plan for succession in key 
leadership positions.

This may result in the Group not being able to 
maintain its existing strong and experienced 
management teams in its operational businesses, 
and/or a risk to the Group’s delivery of its 
strategic objectives, which depends on recruiting 
and retaining the right people in all areas of our 
business to maintain competitive advantage.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Implementation of employee strategy
 ‹ Graduate recruitment
 ‹ Talent identification and management
 ‹ Management development programmes
 ‹ Appraisal process
 ‹ Training plans
 ‹ Remuneration incentives
 ‹ Succession planning
 ‹ Salary benchmarking and role banding exercise

Context:

Progress continues on implementation of the employee strategy to improve recruitment and retention. New senior management positions have been 
filled during the course of 2021. Succession and recruitment have improved. Retention has been a challenge and remains a key focus. Unchanged.

Movement:

Increase. The Group’s employee turnover rate has increased through 2021, due to a very competitive and liquid external recruitment market, 
although this has not materially impacted key positions and resulting recruitment has been successful.

Opportunity:

Improvements in recruitment and retention will strengthen our teams worldwide, as well as the ability to compete in our chosen markets.

8. FINANCIAL RISK

Nature:

Potential impact:

The Group is exposed to interest rate, 
foreign exchange and credit risk. The 
Group’s decentralised operating model 
requires robust and effective financial 
controls.

An increase in interest rates or change in 
exchange rates or credit restriction would have 
a financial impact on the Group. Poor financial 
controls may impact adversely on reporting 
accuracy or risk of fraud.

Mitigation:
 ‹ Formalised Group internal controls and 

accounting policy manuals

 ‹ Documented levels of delegated authority for all 

operating companies

 ‹ Half-yearly self-certifications covering the 

effectiveness of financial controls signed by 
operating company Finance Directors

 ‹ Third party whistleblowing hotline available to all 

employees (from mid 2022)

 ‹ Internal Audit reviews on a periodic basis for all 

operating companies

 ‹ Non-syndicated banking relationships plus new 

3-bank RCF club

 ‹ RCFs with spread of maturity profiles
 ‹ Centralised finance function management of 

Group cash and debt, and FX

 ‹ Forward currency contracts
 ‹ Interest rate swaps

Context:

The level of separately disclosed items may indicate a heightened risk of ineffective financial controls. The Group has sufficient banking and debt 
facilities in place, but a reduction in earnings during 2021 put significant pressure on achieving compliance with banking covenants at the end of 
December 2021. The Group continues to sell USD forward to cover about 50% of its exposure to reduce earnings volatility. Interest rates, foreign 
exchange and credit risks remain key risks and are reviewed at each Board meeting. 

Movement:

Increase, due to separately disclosed items and current covenant compliance risk, albeit the Group remained in compliance with all banking covenants for 2021.

Opportunity:

None.

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

9. PANDEMIC RISK

Nature:

Potential impact:

The current impact on the Group’s operations 
created by the COVID pandemic may continue. 
A future pandemic, or governmental response to 
a potential virus spread may impact the Group’s 
ability to provide services to its customers.

The Group is a global business and 
continues to be impacted by the COVID 
pandemic. The Group may face a risk 
of future pandemics, and in particular 
an enhanced international government 
response to future potential virus spread 
which may lead to quicker triggering 
of restrictions on work and travel in 
the places where the Group needs to 
provide its services.

Context:

Mitigation:
 ‹ Tracking and following Government restrictions 

and recommendations

 ‹ Making office locations safe for work
 ‹ Home working where possible, supported 
by improved IT services enabling better 
communication

 ‹ COVID working group providing advice and 

support to employees

 ‹ Enhanced employee assistance programme
 ‹ Encouraging vaccination where possible

The ongoing COVID pandemic, and the resulting restrictions imposed by governments in locations where the Group needs to provide its services, 
are continuing to impact the Group’s operations. This is seen through customers delaying anticipated work, and projects taking longer to complete, 
with increased cost. Governments are likely to have a quicker and more conservative approach to tackling possible future pandemics and variants, 
meaning restrictions may be deeper and quicker. However it is anticipated that, due to the material economic impact of the first lockdowns, 
governments will be keen to avoid lockdowns where possible.

Movement:

Decrease. It was not anticipated at the start of the COVID pandemic that its impacts would still be felt at the end of 2021. While restrictions 
continue to impact on the Group, our businesses have found effective ways to continue to provide products and services to our customers, albeit 
with some delays and increased costs. As restrictions lift, the impacts are decreasing.

Opportunity:

Through finding creative ways to continue to deliver for our customers through the pandemic, we are able to build further customer loyalty and 
differentiate ourselves through our energy and resilience. 

Emerging risks
Our risk management programme includes a 
review of emerging risks. We define emerging 
risks as those which take the form of a 
systemic issue or business practice that has 
either not previously been identified, has been 
identified but has remained dormant, or has yet 
to rise to an area of significant concern. The 
Risk Committee is working to develop a more 
detailed understanding and better management 
of this specific area of risk management, with 
support from PwC, following their review of 
Group risk management. 

The ongoing development with respect to an 
energy mix in transition continue to be at the 
forefront of the Company’s risk management 
and strategic planning, as renewable sources 
produce more energy, and environmental 
concerns lead to an increased focus on 
the decommissioning of oil and gas assets. 
Although the Company recognises that oil 
and gas will remain part of the energy mix 
for some time, we aim to provide services 
for the benefit of the production, delivery and 
decommissioning industries in a safe and 
sustainable way, whilst we support the energy 
transition to low carbon sources. 

The impacts of the COVID pandemic since 
2020 have created a heightened awareness 
of new and emerging risks that could impact 
the Group, its customers and suppliers – this 
has come through in the trading company 
reporting in relation to the pandemic, although 
no specific individual “new” issues or business 
practices have been identified; for example, 
post-pandemic ways of working and longer-
term skill requirements may emerge as 
workforce planning risks, closely associated 
with risk in relation to the recruitment and 
retention of key people. Furthermore, ongoing 
scenario planning work in line with TCFD 
guidelines is focusing in on the identification 
and assessment of potential short to longer-
term emerging physical risks linked with climate 
change, which are already captured in part in 
the Group’s principal risks relating to energy 
markets, although this will develop in further 
directions once the analysis is complete. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

67

Strategic report

Principal risks and uncertainties cont.

Risk governance framework
The Board is responsible for the management 
of risk in the Group, supported by the Risk 
Committee and the Group functions, including 
internal audit. The internal control and risk 
management framework is comprised of a 
series of policies, processes, procedures and 
organisational structures which are designed to 
ensure that the level of risk to which the Group 
is exposed is consistent with the Group’s risk 
appetite and strategic objectives, as defined 
by the Board. The framework is overseen by 
the Risk Committee which helps the trading 
companies with their risk management and 
reporting, consolidates reporting, overlays the 
functional and macro-economic view of risk 
and reports to the Board on the management 
and assessment of risk within the Group. An 
assessment of the Company’s risk management 
and internal control systems is carried out 
annually by the Audit Committee on behalf of 
the Board. The results of that assessment are 
reported in the Audit Committee report as set 
out on pages 89 to 93 and below. The focus for 
further improvements to the framework are set 
out in more detail on page 61.

Group functions

The Group’s trading companies are supported 
by Group functions. Each functional head 
reports to an Executive Director. The Board 
retains an oversight role and receives regular 
reports on key issues: on financial, tax and 
treasury matters from the Chief Financial 
Officer, on people and HR matters from the 
Group Human Resources Director, and on 
legal and regulatory matters from the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary. The 
Board conducts a “deep dive” review into the 
Group’s most potentially impactful principal 
risks at most scheduled Board meetings. The 
Board has a schedule of matters specifically 
reserved to it for decision, designed to ensure 
that it maintains full and effective control over 
appropriate strategic, investment, financial, 
organisational and compliance issues. This 
schedule is subject to review by the Board  
on an annual basis.

Internal Audit

The Group’s Internal Audit function is 
supported by a co-sourcing arrangement 
with PwC, and undertakes regular reviews 
of the individual businesses’ operations and 
their systems of internal controls. It makes 
recommendations to improve controls and 
follows up to ensure that management 
implements the recommendations made. 
The annual Internal Audit plan is determined 
on a risk assessment basis and is reviewed 
and approved by the Audit Committee. 
Internal Audit’s findings are reported to the 
individual management team, the Executive 

management team, the functional heads, and 
the chairman of the Audit Committee. The head 
of Internal Audit attends all Audit Committee 
meetings and presents a summary of the 
Internal Audit findings, recommendations, and 
implementation progress on an ongoing basis. 
Internal Audit also implements the annual risk 
evaluation process and the internal control 
and risk management review questionnaire 
process with the individual businesses, before 
their presentation to the Board. During 2021, 
alongside its assistance in overseas locations, 
making best use of videoconferencing 
technology, the co-source partner was asked 
to expand its remit to include internal audits in 
certain functional areas within the UK, including 
IT implementation and finance, where the 
partner’s specialist skills have complemented 
the Group’s Internal Audit function. With 
effect from April 2022, we will be moving to 
a fully out-sourced model for Internal Audit, 
supported by PwC.

Risk Committee

The Company has a Risk Committee, which 
meets quarterly and is attended by the 
Executive Directors and the heads of the 
functional teams. Each of the functional teams 
provides a report at each Risk Committee 
meeting which identifies any matters in their 
functional area which relates to the Group’s 
principal risks and uncertainties, or to the 
individual trading companies’ risk registers.  
The minutes of the Risk Committee are 
reported to the Board, and any key issues 
raised are discussed at meetings of the Board. 
The main responsibilities of the Risk Committee 
are: to keep under review the effectiveness 
of the Group’s overall risk management 
framework and processes and ensure 
corrective action is taken where necessary; to 
make recommendations to the Board/Audit 
Committee with respect to the appropriate 
risk appetite for the Group; to review the 
principal and emerging risks that the Group is 
willing to take across all major activities, taking 
into account the risk appetite, the long-term 
strategy of the Group and the interests of 
its stakeholders (shareholders, employees, 
customers/suppliers, the environment and 
local communities impacted by the Group’s 
activities); to review reports from the functional 
leads on risks that their teams are encountering 
in their interactions with the trading companies; 
to review reports from the trading companies 
on their principal risks and mitigating activities, 
as well as any emerging risks; and to ensure 
that a robust assessment of the principal 
and emerging risks facing the Group has 
been undertaken annually by reference to 
risk registers from trading companies and 
functions. 

Through the Executive Directors and the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
the Risk Committee presents to the Board 
its annual assessment of the principal and 
emerging risks of the Group, taking into 
account the existing principal risks of the 
trading companies, and those tracked by the 
functional teams, as well as presenting the 
emerging macro risks, and those emerging 
risks identified by the trading companies, the 
impact of which could potentially develop to 
impact the Group as a whole. This enables the 
Board to carry out its own robust assessment 
of the principal and emerging risks of the Group 
as a whole. The results of that assessment, 
including risk management and mitigating 
activities, are set out on pages 61 to 69.

Risk management systems
The key features of the Group’s risk 
management systems used to identify and 
monitor material risks are as follows:

 ‹ Each operating business is required to 

maintain an up-to-date risk register, which 
identifies key and emerging risks, assigns 
each a “risk score” based on the likelihood 
of it arising, and the potential impact on the 
business of an adverse outcome, both before 
and after mitigation measures are taken. The 
risks and their respective risk scores before 
and after mitigation are reviewed by each 
business and discussed with the Executive 
Directors at each quarterly operating board 
meeting.

 ‹ The risk registers are reviewed by Internal 
Audit, the Risk Committee and the Board 
twice a year, based on the process outlined 
in the “Risk Committee” section above, with 
the mid-year review focused on the material 
changes to those risks. 

 ‹ The risk registers are supported by an 

internal control and risk management review 
questionnaire, completed annually by each 
trading company managing director. This 
is a robust self-assessment of operational 
controls and compliance with Group policies, 
applicable laws and regulations relating to 
their business. This ensures that managing 
directors identify risks and relevant mitigating 
strategies, and have in place adequate 
control systems to identify, mitigate and report 
any weaknesses that require management 
attention.

 ‹ The risk registers are used twice a year 
by the Board to help to determine the 
Group’s principal and emerging risks and 
uncertainties, their potential impacts, how 
they are being managed and/or mitigated, 
and any change in the nature of the risk. 
Internal Audit uses them to define its areas  
of focus for the forthcoming period.

68 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Business reporting and 
performance reviews
The Group operates an annual budgeting 
process and produces quarterly forecasts 
which are reviewed and approved by the 
Board. Monthly results are compared with 
budget and prior year, and individual business 
reviews are conducted quarterly, which include 
a review of financial results. The operating 
companies also compile a three-year strategic 
plan. The Executive Directors hold quarterly 
board meetings with each business unit to 
discuss strategy, financial results and forecasts, 
business needs and the management of risks 
facing the business.

Regulatory compliance policies
Whistleblowing

As part of its internal control procedures, the 
Group maintains a whistleblowing policy which: 

 ‹ encourages the workforce to report any 

suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible, 
in the knowledge that their concerns will 
be taken seriously and investigated as 
appropriate; 

 ‹ provides staff with guidance as to how to 

raise those concerns; and 

 ‹ reassures staff that they should be able 

to raise genuine concerns without fear of 
reprisals, even if they turn out to be mistaken. 

The policy covers any suspicions of criminal 
activity, failure to comply with any legal 
obligation, miscarriages of justice, danger to 
health and safety, damage to the environment, 
bribery under our anti-bribery and corruption 
policy, facilitating tax evasion, financial fraud or 
mismanagement, and breach of our internal 
policies and procedures including our Code of 
Ethics. The policy is designed to ensure that 
any employee who raises a genuine concern is 
protected. Any concerns can be raised in the 
first instance with the Chief Financial Officer 
or the Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary in confidence. The Group is launching 
a new externally-facilitated whistleblowing 
hotline in the first quarter of 2022 which will 
provide a simple platform for communication 
and management of whistleblowing issues, in 
the many languages used around the Group. 
The Board has overall responsibility for the 
policy, its application to individual concerns 
raised under the policy and for reviewing and 
approving the effectiveness of actions proposed 
in response to concerns raised under the policy. 
During 2021, there were three whistleblowing 
reports raised and investigated.

Anti-bribery and corruption

The Board is committed to ensuring the 
highest standards in all of the Group’s business 
dealings and condemns corruption in all its 
forms. The Group has a formal anti-bribery 
and corruption statement and policy and does 
not tolerate or condone corruption or bribery 
in any of the Group’s business dealings. This 
policy has been implemented throughout the 
Group and is supported by a Group-wide 
training programme (both online and in person, 
delivered by the Group legal team) and regular 
compliance reviews through Internal Audit. This 
policy is reviewed annually by the Board and is 
available on the Group’s website. More detail is 
provided on page 71.

Modern slavery

The Board has a zero-tolerance approach to 
any form of modern slavery and is committed 
to acting in an ethical manner and with integrity 
and transparency in our Group’s business 
dealings. The Group has a formal slavery and 
human trafficking statement and policy which 
outlines the steps taken by the Group to ensure 
that slavery and human trafficking is not taking 
place within any part of the Group’s business 
or within the Group’s supply chains. Both the 
statement and the policy are available on the 
Group’s website. More detail is provided on 
page 71.

Viability statement

The Group’s business model and strategy are 
detailed on pages 12 and 13, and our risk 
management framework is described on page 
61. Understanding of our business model, our 
strategy and our principal risks is a key element 
in the assessment of the Group’s prospects, as 
well as the formal consideration of viability.

As part of the strategic planning process, the 
Directors have assessed the Group’s viability 
over a three-year period ending 31 December 
2024, being the most relevant time period given 
the current uncertainty in global markets and 
represents a subset of the Group’s five-year 
outlook in its strategy planning process. During 
the strategy planning process, the Board 
reviews the Group’s strategy and its detailed 
financial plan in light of the Group’s current 
position and prospects, together with factors 
and risks that might affect the future outlook. 
The Board carefully assesses the performance 
and prospects of each business regarding 
entering new markets and geographies, 
current and expected growth rates, macro 
and individual business risks, prospective new 
projects (and their timing), and the robustness 
of individual business performance.

The Group’s plan overlays a number of 
assumptions and sensitivities which are 
reviewed by the Board; this includes a review 
of whether additional bank facilities will be 
required and available in the plan period, 
as well as a robust assessment of the likely 
downside sensitivities aligned to the principal 
and emerging risks facing the Group as set out 
on pages 61 to 69, and the potential impact of 
those sensitivities on its business model, future 
performance, solvency and liquidity over the 
period. The sensitivities which are considered 
include the diverse nature of the markets and 
geographies in which the Group’s businesses 
operate, and their ability to react quickly to 
change, as well as:

 ‹ COVID – assuming no growth from 2021 

and a further lockdown between November 
2021 and February 2022, profits reduced 
accordingly;

 ‹ contractual risk – winning larger contracts and 
operating in more geographies with partners 
potentially exposed to increased risk of late 
payment or cost overruns. To reflect this the 
cash receipts were reduced over the three-
year period to 31 December 2024;

 ‹ project delivery – risk that a project not 

delivered in line with the budgeted profit and 
payment terms. To reflect this the profit and 
debtor receipts were reduced over the three-
year period to 31 December 2024;

 ‹ increase in guarantees – risk that the 

Group needs to take on significantly more 
guarantees to secure long-term projects; and 

 ‹ acquisition/disposal programme delayed – 
risk that disposals take longer than planned 
or are delayed by six months, and assets held 
for sale are not sold.

The analysis further takes into account:

 ‹ the potential mitigating actions, including the 

following possible actions: reduction of capital 
expenditure; delay of acquisitions; drawdown 
on additional available facilities; not declaring 
dividends; outright sale or sale/leaseback of 
Group assets; and 

 ‹ the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 

management and control systems, as well  
as current risk appetite. 

More details on the potential impacts of these 
scenarios are set out in Note 1 on page 134.

Based on their assessment of the Group’s 
prospects and viability, and in accordance with 
Provision 31 of the Code, the Directors confirm 
they have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group will be able to continue to operate and 
to meet its liabilities, as they fall due, for the 
period to 31 December 2024.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

69

 
 
Strategic report

Non-financial information statement

The information set out below, together with the cross references listed in the table below as to where further information can be found in the 
main body of the Strategic report, is in compliance with the Non-Financial Reporting requirements as set out in sections 414CA and 414CB of the 
Companies Act 2006:

Reporting requirement

Relevant policy

Location

Business model

Environmental matters

 ‹ Group Health, Safety and Environmental policy

Employees

 ‹ Group Health, Safety and Environmental policy
 ‹ Code of ethics

Social matters

 ‹ Code of ethics

Respect for human rights

 ‹ Modern slavery and human trafficking policy
 ‹ Code of ethics

Anti-bribery and corruption

 ‹ Anti-bribery and corruption policy

Principal risks

Non-financial KPIs

 ‹ Business model and Strategy

 ‹ Our stakeholders
 ‹ Planet
 ‹ Principal risks and uncertainties
 ‹ TCFD

 ‹ Our stakeholders
 ‹ People
 ‹ Principal risks and uncertainties
 ‹ Directors’ report

 ‹ Our stakeholders
 ‹ People

 ‹ Principal risks and uncertainties
 ‹ Non-financial information

 ‹ Principal risks and uncertainties
 ‹ Non-financial information

 ‹ Principal risks and uncertainties

 ‹ Sustainability

Page

12-13

20-21

36-41

64

52-56

20-21

42-47

66

111-114

20-21

42-47

69

70-71

63-69

70-71

61-69

36-56

Our policies
A combination of online and in-person training on all the key policies is carried out across the Group, and there is also a system of biannual 
certification for compliance officers, certifying that the relevant individuals in their businesses have read and understood the policies and are fully 
compliant. All employees, contractors and third parties are encouraged to report any circumstances where there is a suspected or actual breach of 
any Group policies, applicable laws, or the high standards as set out in the Code of ethics. All reported incidences of actual or suspected breach of 
any of the policies are promptly and thoroughly investigated, and reviewed by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also considers any high-
risk areas identified by the internal audit function, the Group legal team or the business’s compliance officers.

Key policy

Relevant policies

Code of Ethics

James Fisher is committed to ensuring the highest standards in its activities and is particularly concerned that appropriate and 
ethical policies and procedures are followed in all business dealings across the Group.

The Group strives for a culture of honesty, openness and accountability, aligned with the Group value of integrity. The Group’s 
commitment to the highest level of ethical conduct should be reflected in all our business activities including relationships with 
our stakeholders.

All employees and others must conduct themselves according to the language and the spirit of this Code and seek to avoid any 
appearance of improper behaviour.

As part of our work on governance, aligned with our sustainability priorities, we are reviewing our Code of Ethics in 2022.

70 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Key policy

Relevant policies

Group Health, 
Safety and 
Environmental 
policy

Health and safety is the top priority and the Group actively strives for the continuous improvement of health and safety in the 
workplace. We aim to provide a healthy and safe working environment for all our employees and to ensure the safety of others 
affected by our operations.

The Group recognises its responsibility to protect the environment for the benefit of all. This policy represents a declaration of 
our intent and commitment to minimise the environmental impact of our activities, our consumption of raw materials and our 
production of waste.

The ultimate responsibility for health and safety, and the environment rests with the Group Chief Executive Officer, the Board 
members, and the Executive team. This responsibility is cascaded through the organisation via divisional/regional managing 
directors (MDs) and their leadership teams.

In the case of health and safety, this is supported by the Group Safety Committee, as well as by the Group safety forum  
and its individual members, who are the health safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) representatives for each business.

In the case of the environment, this is supported by the Sustainability Committee, and by the environmental working group,  
with representation from across the Group.

Anti-bribery 
and corruption 
policy

James Fisher has zero tolerance for any form of bribery or corruption and is committed to complying with all applicable anti-
bribery and corruption laws. The Group has an established anti-bribery and corruption policy and has introduced a compliance 
programme which has the support of the Board and senior management within the Group. This includes communication of the 
statement and policy, training, risk assessment and ongoing monitoring. Employees are required to complete the training and to 
self-certify that they understand and agree to be bound by its provisions. Ongoing compliance is monitored by local compliance 
officers who are required to report to their local boards and to the Audit Committee, via Internal Audit on at least a biannual 
basis. The compliance officers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments, training and awareness are carried out and 
are kept up to date.

In addition to ensuring that our people are compliant with the Group’s anti-bribery and corruption policy, we require that all third-
party agents and joint venture partners engaging with any Group entity comply with these policies in order to ensure compliance 
with applicable anti-bribery and corruption laws.

The policy is supplemented by mandatory due diligence on all third-party agent and joint venture relationships, enabled by a 
bespoke web-based platform available to all Group businesses, supported by due diligence provided by an international risk 
consultancy, Control Risks. It provides a robust tool through which our businesses can risk assess agent and joint venture 
partners with whom they are considering doing business. It forms part of our internal control procedures and helps mitigate  
the business’s compliance risk. 

Modern 
slavery policy

James Fisher respects fundamental human rights and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business 
dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not 
taking place anywhere in our business or in any of our supply chains or in the communities in which we operate across our 
international businesses. 

We have implemented work practices and policies throughout the Group which are designed to ensure that respect for human 
rights is integrated into the systems and culture of our businesses. We do not tolerate the use of child or forced labour within 
our business and take all steps possible to ensure that our suppliers and customers also uphold internationally recognised 
human rights. This is enabled through risk assessments undertaken by our Group businesses which identify parts of their  
supply chain which could be susceptible to risk in this area, as well as confirmation from our suppliers of compliance with  
our policy and relevant law. 

Our progress in modern slavery is set out in our annual Modern Slavery statement which is available on the Group’s website 
outlines steps taken by the Group to ensure that there is transparency in the Group and throughout our supply chains. The Group 
encourages any concerns relating to modern slavery to be raised using the procedure set out in the whistleblowing policy.

Approval of Strategic report
Our Strategic report on pages 1 to 71 was approved by the Board on 9 March 2022.

Eoghan O’Lionaird
Chief Executive Officer
9 March 2022

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

71

Governance

Governance

The Company’s governance framework 
provides the foundations of the Board’s 
leadership of the Group, in a changing 
and challenging environment.

72 
72 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 
James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

In this section 
Governance at a glance 
Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance 
Governance framework 
Board of Directors 
Corporate governance report 
Nominations Committee report  
Audit Committee report 
Directors’ remuneration report  
Directors’ report  
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

74
76
 78
80
82
 86
89
 94
111
116

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 
Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

73
73

Governance

Governance at a glance

Applying the Principles  
of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code
This governance section of the report 
is structured around the Company’s 
application of the Principles of the Code:

1  Board leadership and company 

purpose

Details about the Company’s 
purpose, culture and values are set 
out on pages 12 and 13

The key activities of the Board 
during the year and key priorities for 
2021 are summarised on pages 82 
and 83

2 
responsibilities

Division of 

An explanation of our governance 
structure is set out on pages 78 
and 79

3  Composition, succession, and 

evaluation

Details of this year’s Board 
evaluation is set out on pages  
84 and 85

Report from the chair of the 
Nominations Committee is set  
out on pages 86 to 88

4 
control

Audit, risk and internal 

Report from the chair of the Audit 
Committee is set out on pages  
89 to 93

Governance structure

The Board 
The Corporate governance report on pages 80 to 85.

Audit  
Committee

The Audit 
Committee report 
on pages 89 to 93 
describes in detail 
the Committee’s 
role and activities.

Remuneration 
Committee

The Directors’ 
remuneration 
report on pages 94 
to 110 describes 
in detail the 
Committee’s role 
and activities.

Nominations 
Committee

The Nominations 
Committee report 
on pages 86 to 88 
describes in detail 
the Committee’s 
role and activities.

Chief Executive 
Officer

Executive 
Committee

Group Risk 
Committee

Group Health 
& Safety 
Committee

Sustainability 
Committee

Operating 
divisions

Corporate 
functions

74 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

HIGHLIGHTS*

Industry knowledge and experience 

 Finance:  
 PLC Experience:  
 Strategy Development:  
 Relevant Industry Experience:  
 International Experience:  
 ESG:  

Board Membership and Meetings
The composition of the Board and the Board Committees meets the requirements of the Code.

Diversity (all Directors)

The Board and Board Committees held a number of scheduled meetings in 2021 and individual 
attendance is set out in the table below. Additional unscheduled meetings were held as and  
when required. 

Board and Committee scheduled meetings attendance (2021)  

Board

Audit  Remuneration Nominations

Executive Directors 
Eoghan O’Lionaird 

Duncan Kennedy(1)

Non-Executive Directors 
Angus Cockburn(2)

Aedamar Comiskey 

Michael Salter 

Justin Atkinson 

Inken Braunschmidt 

Kash Pandya(3)

Former Directors 
Malcolm Paul(2)

Stuart Kilpatrick(1)

12/12 

5/5

5/5

12/12 

12/12 

12/12 

12/12 

2/2

7/7 

7/7

N/A

N/A

2/2

5/5

5/5 

5/5

5/5 

0/1

 3/3

N/A

N/A

N/A

3/3

5/5 

5/5

5/5 

5/5 

1/1

2/2

N/A

N/A

N/A

 3/3

4/4

4/4 

4/4 

4/4 

1/1

1/1

N/A

 Male:  
 Female:  

Length of Tenure (Chairman  
and Non-Executive Directors) 

(1)  Stuart Kilpatrick resigned from the Board on 29 April 2021. Duncan Kennedy joined the Board with effect 

from 4 May 2021 and has attended 100% of available meetings since joining.

(2)  Malcolm Paul resigned from the Board on 30 April 2021. Angus Cockburn joined the Board with effect from 

1 May 2021, and has attended 100% of available meetings since joining.

(3)  Kash Pandya joined the Board with effect from 1 November 2021, and has attended all available meetings 
since joining, except that he was unable to attend a meeting of the Audit Committee, due to a commitment 
made prior to him joining the Board.

Where exceptionally, due to other commitments, a Director has been unable to attend a meeting, 
they have separately submitted their comments and input on the matters under discussion to the 
Chair of the Board or the relevant Board Committee.

 0-2 years:  
 2-5 years:  
 5-9 years:  

3 
6 
5 
2 
5 
1

6 
3

3 
2 
2

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

75

* 
Board on 1 January 2022.

Includes Claire Hawkings, who joined the 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance

Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance

Dear Shareholders
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to introduce 
the corporate governance report for 2021. As 
we set out elsewhere in this report, 2021 was 
a challenging year for the Group. In times of 
challenge, a strong governance framework, 
overseen by an experienced and engaged Board, 
is critical. During 2021, we made a number of 
changes to the Board, undertook a detailed 
review of the governance structure, as well as an 
externally-facilitated review of the operation of the 
Board, and are in the process of implementing 
the resulting recommendations. Over the course 
of 2021, the Board has continued to support the 
Executive team in addressing the issues created 
by the pandemic and the poor performance of 
the Group to ensure that all its decisions and 
actions were taken with a clear governance 
framework in place. 

The Board is focused on turning around our 
performance and resetting the Group onto a path 
towards sustainable profitable growth, whilst 
ensuring that the Group also delivers for all its 
stakeholders, especially during a time of great 
challenge for our staff, our customers and the 
communities in which we operate. To achieve 
this, the Board has worked on building resilient 
governance structures for the long-term, whilst 
at the same time supporting the Executive 
management team in taking appropriate strategic 
decisions in a rapidly changing world. The Group 
has previously laid out a clear purpose supported 
by a strong values-based framework and the 
Board will continue to ensure that the Group is 
run in a manner consistent with this framework.

Progress against 2020 governance 
priorities

Last year my predecessor, Malcolm Paul, 
outlined the Board’s priorities for 2021, which 
were focused on navigating the operational 
and economic impacts of the pandemic 
on our business, our people and our wider 
stakeholders; on completing a strategic review 
of the Group’s operations; and on embedding 
the Group’s purpose and values in line with the 
recommendations of the Code. With the support 
of colleagues across the Group, the Board 
has made good progress on addressing these 
priorities. The Group maintained operations 
and, critically, a safe working environment 
for our people through detailed COVID risk 
assessment and mitigation as well as providing 
wellbeing support to all those who required it. 
The Executive team, supported by the Board, 
completed its strategic review, which was 
presented to shareholders at a Capital Markets 
Day event in June 2021. In terms of embedding 
the Group’s purpose and values, the Executive 
team created employee representative groups 
with the mandate of generating and then 
implementing ideas on how best to embed the 

Group’s purpose and values into day-to-day 
activities. We have also continued to focus 
on creating a positive impact, rather than just 
words, through our work on Environmental, 
Social and Governance (ESG) matters outlined 
in the Sustainability report section of this report.

Board and Committee composition 
During 2021, there were several changes to the 
membership of the Board. I was appointed to  
the Board as independent Non-Executive 
Chairman on 1 May 2021, following the 
retirement of Malcolm Paul as Non-Executive 
Chairman on 30 April 2021. Following the 
Company’s AGM on 29 April 2021, Stuart 
Kilpatrick also stood down as Group Finance 
Director. Duncan Kennedy was appointed Chief 
Financial Officer on 4 May 2021.

Both Malcolm and Stuart contributed significantly 
to the development of the Group during their 
tenure, and I would like to thank them on behalf 
of the Board and wish them well for the future.

Since the last report, the Board has also 
welcomed two new Non-Executive Directors: 
Kash Pandya joined on 1 November 2021, and 
Claire Hawkings joined on 1 January 2022. 
I welcome them both to the Board and am 
confident that their contributions will help to 
shape James Fisher’s future in the coming years.

In line with best practice, Michael Salter, who has 
served on the Board for almost nine years, will 
retire from the Board from the date of the AGM 
and will not seek re-election. The Board has 
benefited greatly from Michael’s experience in the 
marine and oil and gas industries, and I would 
like to thank him on behalf of the Board for his 
support and constructive challenge throughout 
his tenure.

2022 Governance priorities
Following a challenging 2021, the Board’s focus 
in 2022 is on putting in place the governance 
structures to support and enable the short-
term business objectives of reducing leverage 
through improved operational performance and 
the disposal of non-core businesses, as well as 
supporting the implementation of the Group’s 
long-term strategy. In order to support these 
business objectives, the Board’s governance 
priorities for 2022 include the review and 
refinement of the delegated authority matrix, and 
the creation of a new Investment Committee 
consisting of key members of the Executive team, 
with the mandate to oversee capital expenditure, 
acquisitions and disposals and the delivery 
of key business projects. We are also in the 
process of completing a detailed review of our 
risk management systems and controls and will 
then look to embed the improved risk framework 
across the business. I look forward to reporting 
on progress on these priorities next year.

UK Corporate Governance Code 
The Board understands that good corporate 
governance is an important element in helping 
to build a successful business in a sustainable 
manner. The UK Corporate Governance Code 
2018, publicly available at www.frc.org.uk (the 
Code) applied to the Company through the year, 
and this report explains how the Company has 
applied the principles set out in the Code.

During the year ended 31 December 2021 (and 
up to the date of this report), the Company has 
complied with the relevant provisions of the 
Code, except in the instances set out explained 
below: these two instances relate to the matters 
disclosed in last year’s Annual Report, which are 
relevant to the first part of the 2021 year in review, 
but which have now been resolved.

Firstly, as outlined in the Chairman’s statement 
in the 2020 Annual Report, by the time of the 
Company’s AGM in April 2021, Malcolm Paul 
had served as a Director for a period of 10 
years. Whilst the Code recommends that  
Non-Executive Directors should not serve on 
a board for more than nine years, the Board 
requested that Malcolm continued to serve 
as Chairman whilst the Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director commenced a search 
for a new Non-Executive Chairman, for the 
reasons set out in the 2020 Annual Report. 
As announced on 25 January 2021, and as 
described in more detail in the 2020 Annual 
Report, I joined the Board as independent  
Non-Executive Director and Chairman on  
1 May 2021 and Malcolm Paul stepped down 
from his role as Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman the previous day. Therefore the 
Company was compliant with the Code  
with effect from 30 April 2021.

Secondly, while the Code recommends that 
Executive Director pension provisions should 
be aligned with the workforce, and although it 
was announced that Stuart Kilpatrick’s pension 
provision would step down to 7.5% of salary from 
1 January 2023 without compensation, Stuart 
Kilpatrick stepped down from the Board with 
effect from 29 April 2021. Pension contribution 
rates of both current Executive Directors are 
aligned with those available to the workforce. The 
Company therefore now complies with the Code.

In addition, the Company has focused recently 
on how best to engage with the workforce 
on Executive remuneration under one of the 
elements of Principle 41. On page 101 of the 
Remuneration Committee report, we outline the 
steps undertaken so far by the Non-Executive 
Directors to engage the workforce to explain 
how Executive remuneration aligns with wider 
Company pay policy. While the Company is 
compliant with Principle 41, this is an area  
of ongoing development, and the Company 
intends to build on this during 2022 as part  
of its engagement activities with employees.

76 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

GovernanceStrategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Strategic review
The Code provides that a Board should establish 
a company’s strategy, purpose and values, and 
that its directors should lead by example and 
promote the desired culture. 

In June 2021, the Company hosted a Capital 
Markets Day event at which the Executive team 
presented its strategy. The strategy presentation, 
which is on our website, addressed the 
challenges facing the Group in the short term, 
as well as the Company’s longer-term view of 
its markets and strategic priorities. An integral 
element of this event was a discussion on the 
Company’s purpose and values and why they are 
important to the delivery of our long-term strategy. 
In terms of leading by example, the importance 
of the Executive Directors being visible in the 
business and reinforcing the messaging about 
our purpose and values goes without saying. In 
addition, there is a programme of visits organised 
for the Non-Executive Directors, a key element 
of which is meeting with the workforce for a 
two-way dialogue about a wide range of issues, 
including purpose and values.

Employee engagement
It is something of a truism to write that 
“employees are key to the success of an 
organisation” but given the challenges we face, 
the importance of having an engaged workforce 
cannot be overstated, particularly as they are 
often performing their jobs in very challenging 
environments. To better understand the views of 
our workforce, we have just completed our first 
externally facilitated engagement survey of all our 
employees. Around two thirds of our employees 
completed the survey and as the engagement 
survey is further embedded, we anticipate this 
participation rate will increase. The results of the 
engagement survey revealed that we have a 
number of challenges to address in areas such 
as career planning and employee development. 
I am encouraged by the actions being taken to 
address the issues arising from the employee 
feedback at both a Group and operating 
company level, and believe that we will see 
engagement improve over the coming years. The 
results of the survey and the actions being taken 
as a result are set out more fully on page 42. 

Stakeholder engagement
The Code highlights the importance of effective 
engagement with shareholders and other 
stakeholders. From a stakeholder perspective, 
we have identified shareholders, employees, the 
environment, customers and suppliers and local 
communities as being our key stakeholders. 
During Board and Committee meetings, the 
Group’s key stakeholders and their differing 
perspectives are identified and considered as 
part of the decision-making process. These 
discussions, assessments and conversations 

focus not only on delivering increased value for 
shareholders, but also assess the impacts of our 
decisions and strategies on the Group’s wider 
stakeholders. 

The Board recognises the importance of regular, 
open and constructive dialogue with shareholders 
and other stakeholders, and this has long been 
a key aspect of our culture and decision-making. 
The Executive Directors meet key shareholders 
regularly and other members of the Board are 
available to be consulted as appropriate. I have 
met with most of our largest shareholders since 
starting with the Company and will continue to 
engage as appropriate.

The Board is also committed to embedding 
sustainability into day-to-day decision making 
and making this a central theme of delivering the 
Group’s strategy. The Sustainability Committee, 
which reports into the Board, monitors progress 
on achieving the Group’s ESG priorities. One of 
its key roles is overseeing the stakeholder groups, 
which include employee representatives from all 
around the Group which play an important  
role in delivering our sustainability objectives. 

Given the nature of the services we provide, 
stakeholder engagement is a multi-faceted issue 
and is one that is frequently discussed at the 
Board. More information about how we consider 
and engage with our stakeholders as part of our 
Board activities is set out on pages 82 and 83.

Managing risk
The Board, assisted by the Audit Committee, 
ensures that our approach to risk management 
is effective, extending beyond financial risk to a 
wider range of operational risks. There is a full 
report on our risk management activities in our 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties section of the 
Strategic report on pages 61 to 69. Given the 
challenges posed by the pandemic as well as 
the trading issues that have faced the Group, 
the Board engaged external support from PwC 
LLP, to carry out an independent review of the 
Group’s risk management systems and controls. 
This review concluded that the risk framework is 
generally appropriate but it also recognised that 
the Group’s diversity in terms of its operations 
and geographies added an inherent layer of 
complexity to risk management. The report 
recommended a number of improvements,  
which are described in more detail on page  
61, and which will be implemented through  
the course of 2022. 

Board composition and diversity
We are committed to ensuring that the 
composition of the Board has the diversity 
required to be as effective as possible. The 
Board is currently composed of nine Directors, 
each bringing a variety of skills, knowledge 
and experience, in addition to diversity of 
thought. With two Executive Directors and six 

Non-Executive Directors (excluding myself as 
Chairman), there is a strong independent element 
to the Board, which ensures that the balance of 
power rests with the Non-Executive members of 
the Board. After the AGM in May 2022 at which 
Michael Salter will retire, the Board will comprise 
eight Directors, with two Executive Directors 
and five Non-Executive Directors and myself as 
Non-Executive Chairman, thereby maintaining an 
appropriate balance of independence. Diversity 
is a matter which we consider regularly, and in 
2021 we published a new Board Diversity Policy, 
which is available on the Group website and sets 
out our aims to ensure an appropriate mix of 
skills and experience as well as our commitments 
with respect to gender and ethnic diversity. More 
details in relation to diversity can be found in the 
Nominations Committee report on pages 86  
to 88.

Board effectiveness review
As Chairman, I lead an annual evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the Board, its Committees and 
the individual Directors. For 2021, the Board 
undertook its triennial externally-facilitated 
evaluation. I am pleased to report that the review 
highlighted that the Board is committed and 
cohesive during what is a period of significant 
change in its membership. The report identified 
some recommended actions with respect to 
governance and other improvements to the 
operation of the Board. These actions have 
included adding an extra Board meeting to the 
calendar, scheduling regular Non-Executive 
meetings and formalising Board roles and 
responsibilities. There is further detail provided on 
the process and outcomes on page 85.

Conclusion
Having the right governance structure is vital in 
enabling the Group to operate effectively in a 
rapidly changing political, economic, social and 
technological environment, and to make the 
most of the resulting opportunities that present 
themselves, as well as managing the associated 
risks. As this letter sets out, we are undertaking 
a number of reviews to improve our governance 
structure. I am pleased with the progress we are 
making but there is more to do in building the 
optimal organisational structure and supporting 
governance and control frameworks. In turn, 
this will provide a strong foundation from which 
the Group can build its turnaround and deliver 
sustainable growth and returns, whilst making 
a positive impact for the benefit of all our 
stakeholders. This governance report outlines the 
ongoing actions required to continue this work, 
and I look forward to reporting to you on progress 
next year.

Angus Cockburn 
Independent Non-Executive Chairman
9 March 2022

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

77

Governance framework

THE BOARD 
Meets regularly, with at least seven scheduled meetings during the 
year. During 2022 the Board met outside of the scheduled meetings to 
discuss and approve event-driven matters, such as trading updates.

Chair: Angus Cockburn

The Board is responsible for steering the Group’s purpose, culture and 
values, for setting the Group’s strategic priorities and for overseeing 
their delivery in a way that enables sustainable long-term growth, while 
maintaining a balanced approach to risk within a framework of effective 
controls. It has a schedule of key matters which are reserved for its own 
decision-making, which is reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

Chairman
 ‹ Leads the Board, sets the agenda and promotes a culture of open 

debate between Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

 ‹ Regularly meets with the Chief Executive Officer, the other Executive 

Directors and other senior management to stay informed.

 ‹ Ensures effective communication with our shareholders.

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
 ‹ Provides a sounding board to the Chairman and appraises his 

performance.

 ‹ Meets with Directors to review the Chairman’s performance.  

This review is then shared with the Chairman.

 ‹ Acts as intermediary for other Directors, if needed.
 ‹ Available to respond to shareholder concerns when contact  

through the normal channels is inappropriate.

Non-Executive Directors
 ‹ Contribute to developing our strategy.
 ‹ Scrutinise and constructively challenge the performance of 

management in the execution of our strategy.

BOARD COMMITTEES 
To assist in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities the Board has 
established Non-Executive and Management Committees that 
provide dedicated focus to particular areas, and management of the 
day-to-day operations of the business. Supported by its principal 
Non-Executive Committees (Nominations, Audit and Remuneration 
Committees), the Board sets the strategic direction of the business. 
The Committees operate within defined terms of reference as defined 
by the Board. Each principal Board Committee is comprised of 
independent Non-Executive Directors appointed by the Board. Terms 
of reference are available upon request from the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary and are also published on the 
Company’s website. The Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary acts as secretary to each of the Committees. Each 
Committee chair reports to the Board on the Committee’s activities 
following each Committee meeting.

KEY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES 

Non-Executive Director for Employee Engagement
 ‹ Responsible for representing the voice of our colleagues in the 

Group Health and Safety Committee 
Chaired by Group CEO

boardroom.

 ‹ Provides a regular platform for the independent element of the 

Board to have direct conversations with the employees, individually 
and in group settings, to gain insights into their experiences, 
concerns and perspectives, and to better understand whether the 
cultural change is already underway.

Executive Directors
 ‹ Responsible for management of the Group as a whole.
 ‹ Delivers strategic objectives within the Board’s stated risk appetite 

and delegated limits of authority.

 ‹ Responsible for management of Group finances and records.

Matters reserved for the Board
At least once a year the Board reviews the nature and scale of matters 
reserved for its decision. These include:

 ‹ Company strategy and financial performance
 ‹ Internal control and risk management systems
 ‹ Review of the Board’s own effectiveness

Meets on a quarterly basis.

Discusses all health and safety issues including incidents, root cause 
analysis, mitigating actions and training requirements. Reports 
updates on material safety incidents and developments to the Board.

Group Sustainability Committee 
Chaired by Group CEO

Meets on a monthly basis.

Identifies, monitors and coordinates the Group’s sustainability 
commitments, includes representation from each of the stakeholder 
working groups. Works with sustainability champions from each 
operating business. The Sustainability Committee report on pages 36 
to 56 describes in detail the Committee’s role and activities.

Group Risk Committee 
Chaired by Group CEO 

Meets on a quarterly basis.

Identifies and monitors operational risks throughout the Group, 
supports the internal control and risk management strategy and 
policy. The Principal Risks section of this report on pages 61 to 69 
describes in detail the Committee’s role and activities.

78 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

GovernanceBOARD COMMITTEES 

KEY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Audit Committee 
Chair: Justin Atkinson

Remuneration Committee 
Chair: Aedamar Comiskey

Nominations Committee 
Chair: Angus Cockburn

Meets at least three times a year.

Meets at least three times a year.

Meets at least three times a year.

Assists the Board in its oversight and 
monitoring of financial reporting, reviews 
the Group’s internal financial controls and 
systems for risk management and internal 
controls and assesses independence and 
objectivity of external auditor.

The Audit Committee report on pages 89 to 
93 describes in detail the Committee’s role 
and activities.

The Audit Committee report on  
pages 89 to 93 describes in detail  
the Committee’s role and activities.

Agrees the remuneration policy for Executive 
Directors and oversees remuneration 
for other senior executives; reviews the 
appropriateness and relevance of the 
Group’s remuneration policy; and ensures 
that the provisions of the Code relating to 
remuneration are fulfilled.

Reviews workforce remuneration and related 
policies and the alignment of incentives 
and rewards with culture, taking these into 
account when setting the policy for Executive 
remuneration.

The Directors’ remuneration report on 
pages 94 to 110 describes in detail 
the Committee’s role and activities.

Reviews the structure, size and composition 
of the Board (including skills, knowledge, 
diversity and experience) and recommends 
changes. 

Reviews succession planning for Directors 
and senior executives.

Identifies and nominates candidates for 
approval by the Board, to fill vacancies when 
they arise.

The Nominations Committee report on 
pages 86 to 88 describes in detail the 
Committee’s role and activities.

Disclosure Committee
Consisting of the Chairman, the Executive Directors and the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Special Purposes Board Committee
Consisting of the Chairman and the Executive Directors

Meets according to business requirements.

Meets when necessary.

Oversees the Company’s compliance with its disclosure obligations.

Empowered, under written terms of reference, to take specific 
actions relating to the affairs of the Company in the normal course of 
business and of a routine nature, subject to such limits as the Board 
in its discretion determines.

Operating Divisions 

Corporate Functions 

Day-to-day business delivery.

Day-to-day business delivery.

Executive Directors meet on at least 
a quarterly basis and have monthly 
performance management calls with 
managing directors of principal businesses.

Executive Directors and heads of corporate 
functions meet at the Risk Committee on a 
quarterly basis.

Executive Committee 
Chaired by Eoghan O’Lionaird

Consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer, HR Director, Head 
of Corporate Development, Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary, Group 
Business Development Director, Group 
Financial Controller and five divisional 
managing directors. The Head of Corporate 
Development is also a divisional managing 
director.

Meets monthly.

Responsible for supporting the Executive 
Directors in the exercise of their delegated 
authority from the Board and the day-to-day 
operation of the Group.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

79

 
 
Governance

Board of Directors

1

N

3

5

2

4

A R N

6

A R N

A R N

7

8

A R N

A R N

1. Angus Cockburn
Independent Non-Executive 
Chairman of the Board  
Year of appointment: 2021

Appointment:
Angus was appointed Non-
Executive Chairman to the Board 
and the Nominations Committee 
on 1 May 2021

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Extensive business leadership 

experience.

 ‹ Strong strategic and financial 

knowledge. 

Angus joined from Serco Group 
plc, where he was Group Chief 
Financial Officer, a position he 
held since October 2014. Angus’ 
previous roles have included 
Chief Financial Officer and Interim 
Chief Executive of Aggreko plc, 
Managing Director of Pringle of 
Scotland, and senior finance 
positions at PepsiCo Inc. He was 
also previously a Non-Executive 
Director of Howdens Joinery Group 
plc and GKN plc. 

He is a chartered accountant 
with an MBA from the IMD 
Business School in Switzerland 
and is an Honorary Professor 
at the University of Edinburgh 
and a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants of 
Scotland.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Strong leadership skills.
 ‹ Clear strategic mindset.
 ‹ Extensive international 

experience.

 ‹ Commercial and business 

management.

Eoghan joined from Spectris 
plc where he was Business 
Group Director of the Materials 
Analysis and Test & Measurement 
segments from February 2014 
through June 2019, having 
previously been President of the 
Leica Microsystems division of 
Danaher Corporation in Germany. 
Prior to that, he spent eleven 
years at Royal Philips Electronics, 
latterly as CEO of the Respironics 
Sleep business unit in the USA. 
He started his career with Mitsui 
Kinzoku where he held a number 
of engineering, commercial and 
general management positions in 
Japan, the US and Thailand.

External appointments: 
None

3. Duncan Kennedy
Chief Financial Officer 
Year of appointment: 2021

Appointment: 
Duncan was appointed to the 
Board as Chief Financial Officer  
on 4 May 2021. 

External appointments:
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director of Ashtead Group plc; 
Non-Executive Director of the 
privately owned Edrington Group 
Limited and Non-Executive Director 
of Securities Trust of Scotland plc. 

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Significant managerial and 

financial experience. 

 ‹ Track record of creating 

sustainable stakeholder value 
through both organic and 
acquisitive strategies. 

9

A R N

80 

Key
A  Audit Committee 

R  Remuneration Committee 

N  Nominations Committee

 Chair of Committee

 Member of Committee

2. Eoghan O’Lionaird
Chief Executive Officer 
Year of appointment: 2019

Appointment:
Eoghan joined the Group as an 
Executive Director of the Board 
in September 2019, and was 
appointed Chief Executive Officer 
on 1 October 2019.

Duncan joined from BTG plc 
(“BTG”), previously a FTSE250 
international specialist healthcare 
company, where he was Chief 
Financial Officer for two years 
until the company was acquired 
in 2019. Duncan joined BTG 
in 2005 and held a number of 
finance and commercial leadership 
positions from that time. Duncan 
is a chartered accountant with a 
primary degree in mathematics.

External appointments: 
None.

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

innogy SE, where she held various 
international leadership roles 
focusing particularly on strategy, 
innovation, digital transformation 
and change management. Inken 
studied Innovation & Technology 
at Kiel University and has a PhD 
in Technology Management. Inken 
is a committee member of the 
Royal Academy of Engineering 
Enterprise Hub.

External appointments: 
None

8. Kash Pandya
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 
Year of appointment: 2021

Appointment: 
Kash was appointed to the Board 
on 1 November 2021.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Considerable international 
leadership experience.

 ‹ Strong knowledge of 

manufacturing and service 
businesses. 

Kash is CEO of Helios Towers plc 
(“HTWS”), a FTSE 250 company, a 
post from which he will step down 
at its AGM in April 2022 and then 
assume the role of non-executive 
Deputy Chairman for HTWS. Prior 
to joining HTWS in 2015, Kash 
spent eight years on the board of 
Aggreko plc, with responsibility 
for managing its European and 
International businesses. Kash 
previously worked for various 
engineering and manufacturing 
companies in a number of senior 
roles, including Jaguar, General 
Electric Company, Ford Motor 
Company, Novar plc (then 
Caradon) plc, APW Limited and 
Johnston Group.

External appointments: 
Helios Towers plc.

9. Claire Hawkings
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 
Year of appointment: 2022

Appointment: 
Claire was appointed to the Board 
on 1 January 2022.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Significant experience in the 

energy sector.

 ‹ ESG/sustainability leadership 
and management expertise.

 ‹ Experience of the development 
and delivery of organisational 
strategies including business 
process transformation, 
leadership succession and 
diversity and inclusion.

 ‹ Extensive experience in 

portfolio management and 
leading complex commercial 
transactions.

Claire is a Non-Executive Director 
and chair of the ESG committee 
of Ibstock plc, a market leading 
manufacturer of clay and concrete 
building products, as well as 
a Non-Executive Director of 
Defence Equipment and Support, 
a Bespoke Trading Entity and 
Arm’s Length Body of the Ministry 
of Defence. Claire has over 30 
years’ experience in the energy 
sector, where she held a variety of 
international leadership positions, 
most recently with Tullow Oil plc, 
and prior to that with BG Group plc 
and British Gas plc.

External appointments: 
Ibstock plc and Defence 
Equipment and Support (a 
Bespoke Trading Entity and Arm’s 
Length Body of the Ministry of 
Defence) and FirstGroup plc.

4. Aedamar Comiskey
Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director 
Year of appointment: 2014

Appointment: 
Aedamar was appointed to 
the Board in November 2014. 
She was appointed chair of the 
Remuneration Committee in May 
2018 and Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director in March 2019.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Extensive global business 

experience.

 ‹ In-depth knowledge of legal, 
regulatory and governance 
issues for listed companies.

Aedamar is the Senior Partner 
of Linklaters LLP, where she 
has been a partner since 2001. 
Aedamar specialises in mergers 
and acquisitions, joint ventures 
and fundraisings, and is the lead 
relationship partner for many of the 
firm’s FTSE clients.

External appointments: 
Linklaters LLP and Trustee of 
Tommy’s.

5. Justin Atkinson
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 
Year of appointment: 2018

Appointment: 
Justin was appointed to the 
Board in February 2018 and was 
appointed chairman of the Audit 
Committee in May 2018. 

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Significant operational and 

financial experience through his 
previous and current roles.

 ‹ Substantial experience on 
boards of listed companies 
in both executive and non-
executive roles.

Justin was formerly Chief Executive 
Officer of Keller Group plc between 
April 2004 and May 2015, having 
previously held the position of 
Group Finance Director and Chief 
Operating Officer. Justin was a 
financial manager at Reuters plc, 
and trained and qualified as a 
chartered accountant at Deloitte 
Haskins & Sells.

External appointments: 
Chairman of Forterra plc and 
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director of Kier Group plc.

6. Michael Salter
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 
Year of appointment: 2013

Appointment: 
Michael was appointed to the 
Board in August 2013.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Significant operational and 

strategic delivery experience 
through a number of senior 
management roles.

 ‹ In-depth knowledge of oil and 
gas and marine industries.

Michael was formerly Chief 
Operating Officer at Abbot Group 
plc and earlier in his career, CEO 
of Smedvig Limited and Vice 
President and General Manager 
of Bawden Drilling UK Ltd and 
is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow 
of the Institution of Mechanical 
Engineers, and a Member of the 
Institute of Marine Engineering and 
Technology.

External appointments: 
None.

7. Inken Braunschmidt
Independent Non-Executive 
Director and the Non-Executive 
Director for Employee 
Engagement 
Year of appointment: 2019

Appointment: 
Inken was appointed to the Board 
on 1 March 2019.

Key strengths and experience:
 ‹ Strategy development.
 ‹ Digital innovation.
 ‹ Diversity & Inclusion.
 ‹ Significant operational 

experience through her previous 
and current roles.

Inken is Chief Innovation and 
Digital Officer and member of the 
Executive Board at Halma plc. 
Prior to joining Halma plc in 2017, 
Inken spent 13 years at RWE 
AG, the German energy giant, 
and its renewables subsidiary 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

81

Governance

Corporate governance report

Board focus in 2021
Through the course of 2021, at the same time 
as the regular cycle of annual reporting and 
planning processes, the Board has focused on 
some key matters, including:

 ‹ Trading: the Board received regular updates 
from the Executive Directors in relation to the 
Group’s trading.

 ‹ Indebtedness: the Board identified reduction 

 ‹ Strategy: the Board continued to refine the 

of debt as a key priority and agreed a 
refinancing programme, along with a plan for 
debt reduction, including a programme of 
planned disposals, which is ongoing.

 ‹ Board composition: the Board approved 
a number of Board changes to key roles, 
including Chairman, CFO and two Non-
Executive Directors.

Group strategy to deliver sustainable growth 
in shareholder value for the future.

Key Board activities

Key activities of the Board during 2021, how 
the Board considered the interests of its 
stakeholder groups in its decision making and 
key priorities for 2022 are set out below:

Topic

Trading

Key activities and 
discussions in 2021

 ‹ Received regular updates from the 

Executive Directors on Group trading.

 ‹ Invited divisional and operating 
company MDs to present to the 
Board on trading and strategic 
delivery.

 ‹ Carefully managed Group 

indebtedness through the approval 
of refinancing, and enhanced cash 
forecasting process and a programme 
of disposals.

Stakeholder considerations

Key priorities  
for 2022

 ‹ The Board carefully considered the impacts of trading 
updates during the year. The Board also balanced the 
decision-making in relation to the dividends against 
the Company’s trading, the need to reduce leverage 
and the need for equitable treatment of all of the 
Company’s stakeholders.

 ‹ In working to address and reduce the Company’s 

leverage, the Board in particular took into account the 
views and interests of shareholders and employees.

 ‹ Continue to maintain a 
close review of Group 
trading.

 ‹ Ensure delivery of 

disposals programme 
and successful 
implementation of 
enhanced cash 
forecasting process.

Strategy

 ‹ Approved strategic priorities for 

 ‹ The Board received updates on strategic 

sustainable profitable growth and 
addressing the energy transition.

 ‹ Delivered summary of strategy at 

Capital Markets Day. 

 ‹ Reviewed implementation plans for 
each strategic priority, ensuring they 
align with the Group’s sustainability 
strategy.

implementation from the operating companies.  
In reviewing implementation, and agreeing on strategic 
priorities, the Board sought to balance the impact 
of prioritisation on all stakeholder groups, notably 
shareholders, employees and the environment.

Risk 
management

 ‹ Reviewed risks management systems 

 ‹ The Board has sought to improve the Group’s risk 

and controls.

 ‹ Considered key principal risks in 

individual risk “deep dives”.

 ‹ Agreed actions for improvement of 

risks management controls.

management systems and controls during 2021, and 
discussions on this, including with PwC which has 
advised the Company in this regard, took into account 
the Group’s principal risks from the point of view of 
each stakeholder group, with particular focus in 2021 
on risks in relation to cyber, recruitment and retention, 
operating in emerging markets and climate change.

Governance

 ‹ Engaged with institutional shareholder 
and other stakeholders throughout 
the year.

 ‹ Reviewed and approved the 2021 
Annual Report and Accounts.

 ‹ Approved updated Board Diversity 

Policy.

 ‹ Approved a whistleblowing hotline 
platform for individuals to raise 
concerns confidentially. 

 ‹ Approved improvements to the 

governance framework.

 ‹ The Group’s materiality assessment undertaken in 
2021 involved input from representatives from both 
internal and external stakeholder groups, including 
representatives from the Group’s working groups 
which have been set up to consider the interests 
of the stakeholder groups. The Board reviewed the 
results of the assessment and, taking all views into 
account, agreed that governance as one of the 
most material matters for the Group. The Board 
confirmed governance as one of the key pillars of 
the Group’s sustainability strategy, with actions (as 
set out on page 51), and their potential resulting 
impacts on stakeholder groups discussed and 
agreed at the Board.

 ‹ Oversee implementation 
of strategic priorities.

 ‹ Ensure reduction of 
Group indebtedness.

 ‹ Building KPIs for 
strategic priorities.

 ‹ Oversee implementation 
of risk management 
controls improvements.

 ‹ Ongoing principal risk 

“deep dives”.

 ‹ Improvements in analysis 
of emerging risks and 
risk appetite.

 ‹ Maintain and enhance 
the Group’s culture and 
values and key policies 
and procedures.

 ‹ Oversee governance 

framework 
improvements.

 ‹ Continue to strengthen 
internal controls and 
reporting.

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Topic

Key activities and 
discussions in 2021

Organisational 
capacity

 ‹ Monitored health and safety 

performance across the Group. 

 ‹ Health & safety governance and 

reporting reviewed and enhanced.

 ‹ Supported by the Nominations 
Committee, monitored senior 
executive talent management and 
development plans with succession 
planning for all key positions in mind.

 ‹ Oversaw ongoing implementation of 

employee strategy.

Board  
development

 ‹ Continued to focus on the 
composition, balance and 
effectiveness of the Board, with the 
appointment of four new Directors. 

 ‹ Reviewed Board composition, 

diversity, and discussed and acted 
on the recommendations of the 
Nominations Committee.

 ‹ Undertook an external evaluation 
of the Board, its Committees and 
individual Directors, and developed  
an action plan.

Stakeholder considerations

 ‹ During 2021, the health and safety of those working 
for the Group has been a keen area of focus for 
and discussion by the Board, in particular ensuring 
for a balance between seeking to continue the 
Group’s delivery to its customers and suppliers, while 
safeguarding the health and safety of its employees 
working in difficult conditions, made harder by the 
ongoing impacts of COVID. 

 ‹ The Board has received safety updates from the 
CEO at each Board meeting. In addition, Inken 
Braunschmidt, in her role as designated Non-Executive 
Director for employee engagement, has reported to 
the Board on a regular basis on her activities, including 
her discussions with employee representatives on the 
employee engagement working group. 

 ‹ Members of the senior talent pipeline have been 

invited to present to the Board on strategic priorities 
and this will continue in 2022.

 ‹ The Board has considered the interests of its 
stakeholder groups in making changes to the 
membership of the Board. In particular the Nominations 
Committee has sought to make recommendations 
for new Board members who bring expertise and 
experience of working with all stakeholder groups, and 
who can improve the engagement with those groups 
and ensure that stakeholders’ voices are heard clearly in 
the Boardroom.

Key priorities  
for 2022

 ‹ Continue to monitor 

senior executive talent 
management and 
succession plans for all 
key positions.

 ‹ Continue to enhance 

the diversity across the 
Group.

 ‹ Continue to hold 

meetings with people in 
the senior talent pipeline 
to further improve 
information flow. 

 ‹ Monitor key initiatives 

under employee strategy.

 ‹ Improve employee 

engagement at all levels.

 ‹ Enhance the Board’s 

strategic understanding 
of key markets.

 ‹ Increase the number 
of Board site visits to 
promote understanding 
of markets, and to 
promote employee 
engagement with Board.

 ‹ Annual internal 

evaluation of Board and 
Committee performance.

The Board understands the importance of 
making visits to businesses in the Group to 
engage with employees and to enhance Non-
Executive Directors’ knowledge of operations, 
and to strengthen their individual contribution to 
Board debate. Due to the ongoing restrictions 
imposed as a result of the pandemic, Non-
Executive Directors’ visits to Group sites have 
not been as extensive as originally planned 
for 2021. However, as part of his induction 
following his appointment as Chairman, Angus 
Cockburn conducted a number of site visits 
to the material operating sites in the UK. Non-
Executive Directors have also visited Group 
sites, including Inken Braunschmidt, who 
reported back to the Board on her discussions 
with employees, in her role as designated Non-
Executive Director for employee engagement. 
Justin Atkinson and Inken Braunschmidt 
attended the Company’s senior leadership 
conference held in Windsor in September 
and talked about the Group’s governance 
framework and the roles of the Board and 
Committees, including the Remuneration 

Committee’s role in aligning Executive pay with 
workforce remuneration. The Board has a more 
extensive programme of site visits planned for 
2022, and operating managing directors and 
functional heads continue to attend certain 
Board and Committee meetings to talk about 
areas of strategic focus. At the end of June 
2021, the Company held a Capital Markets 
Day at which members of the Board and senior 
management team presented on the Group’s 
key areas of strategic focus, with a video of the 
event made available on the Group’s website. 

Governance, risk and  
internal controls
The Board is responsible for determining 
the nature and extent of the principal risks 
it is willing to take in achieving its strategic 
objectives and for ensuring that the Company 
maintains sound risk management and internal 
control procedures. More information in relation 
to those principal risks, the Group’s approach 
to mitigating them, and the risk management 
and internal control procedures within the 

Group are set out in the Strategic report on 
pages 61 to 69.

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee 
monitors the Group’s risk management 
and internal control process and reviews its 
effectiveness on an ongoing basis. This is part 
of an established process, in accordance with 
the Code and the FRC’s associated Guidance 
on Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business Reporting, for 
the identification, evaluation and management 
of the significant risks facing the Group, 
which operates and is reviewed continually 
throughout the year.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

83

Governance

Corporate governance report cont.

The Group’s governance framework is 
described in more detail on pages 78 and 
79. The Group’s internal control systems are 
designed to provide the Board with reasonable 
assurance as to the effective and efficient 
operation of the Group in accordance with 
the governance structures, and to ensure 
the quality of internal and external reporting 
and compliance with all applicable laws and 
regulations. However, there are inherent 
limitations in any system of internal control 
and accordingly even the most effective 
system can provide only reasonable and not 
absolute assurance. During 2022, we will be 
implementing improvements to the governance 
structure, in particular around the process and 
application of delegated limits of authority.

As part of its internal control procedures, the 
Group maintains policies and processes for 
whistleblowing, anti-bribery and corruption 
and to uphold its zero-tolerance approach to 
any form of modern slavery. More information 
in relation to those policies are included in the 
principal risks and uncertainties section of the 
Strategic report on page 69 and in the non-
financial information statement on pages  
70 and 71.

The Board has carried out a robust 
assessment of the overall effectiveness of the 
Group’s system of internal controls and risk 
management procedures; and of the principal 
risks facing the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity; and of 
emerging risks. This included a process of 
self-certification by the management teams 
of each trading business in which they were 
asked to confirm that their businesses have 
complied with Group policies and procedures. 
During 2021, PwC LLP undertook a review 
of the Group’s risk management controls and 
systems, following which the Board confirmed 
that, although the controls and systems are 
adequate, further improvement could be 
brought, and a programme of enhancements 
in risk management controls and systems has 
been agreed, for implementation in 2022. More 
detail on this is set out on page 61. Details of 
the report on the review of the effectiveness 
of the risk management and internal control 
systems is included in the principal risks and 
uncertainties section of the Strategic report on 
pages 61 to 69.

Board composition
Details about the current composition of the 
Board are set out in the biographies of the 
Directors on pages 80 and 81.

Board diversity
The Board believes that increasing diversity 
at the Board level is important to achieve 
its strategic objectives, and to attract and 
retain the best people, as well as cultivating 
a culture of inclusion and diversity through 
clear tone from the top, with Board and 
Executive Committee championing diversity 
and inclusion in their own membership, 
and throughout the Group. Supported by 
the Nominations Committee, the Chairman 
monitors the composition of the Board to 
ensure that it is made up of an appropriate 
mix of skills, experience and knowledge 
required to effectively oversee and support the 
management of the Group and the delivery 
of the strategy, having regard to the interests 
of the Group’s stakeholders – shareholders, 
customers and suppliers, employees, the 
environment and local communities. When 
considering candidates for the Board, the 
Nominations Committee, on behalf of the 
Board, takes into account factors such as: 
professional experience, skills, education, 
international and industry knowledge, social 
mobility, disability, age, ethnicity and gender. 
The Nominations Committee report on pages 
87 and 88 sets out its progress in this respect, 
along with an example of the Nominations 
Committee’s work in identifying a new  
Non-Executive Director candidate on  
behalf of the Board.

In 2021 the Board approved a new Board 
Diversity Policy, in which new objectives were 
set with regard to gender diversity in line with 
the Hampton-Alexander Review and ethnic 
diversity in line with the recommendations of 
the Parker Report. As at the date of this report, 
the Board has three women on the Board 
representing 33% of the Directors and one 
Director from an ethnic minority background 
(11%).

The Executive Committee comprises 12 
individuals, four of whom are women (33%).

Board evaluation
Before the end of each year, the Board 
undertakes an annual evaluation of the 
performance of the Board, the Remuneration, 
Nominations and Audit Committees, and the 
individual Directors including the Chairman 
against the framework of Board effectiveness 
produced by the Financial Reporting Council 
(“FRC”).

In 2021, the Board appointed the Chartered 
Governance Institute (“CGI”) to undertake an 
externally facilitated evaluation. The CGI has 
no other connection with the Company or any 
individual Director. The external evaluation 
involved the following:

 ‹ CGI representatives met the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary and the 
Chairman individually and together to discuss 
and agree the format, method and scope of 
the evaluation.

 ‹ CGI undertook confidential, structured 
one-on-one interviews with each of the 
Directors and the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, at which each person 
was asked for their views on the quality of 
seven aspects of the Board and Committee’s 
performance to ascertain whether they 
met their needs and expectations. The 
seven topics were: role and responsibilities; 
oversight; meetings; support for the Board/
Committees; Board/Committee composition; 
effectiveness working together; and outcome 
and achievements.

 ‹ The resulting report included an assessment 
on each of the topics and summarised any 
specific comments made, including any 
suggestions for areas of improvement.

CGI provided an overall “good” assessment 
for the Board and Committees, noting that 
the Board is committed and cohesive, 
notwithstanding the significant changes in 
membership during 2021, and identified some 
areas for improvements. The Board discussed 
and approved the suggested improvements 
for implementation in 2022, as shown on page 
85. The actions agreed following the evaluation 
have not resulted in any planned changes to 
the composition of the Board.

The annual review of individual Directors’ 
performance was conducted internally, 
based on the process recommended by CGI 
as part of their evaluation. The Chairman’s 
performance was reviewed by the other 
Non-Executive Directors led by the Senior 
Independent Non-Executive Director and 
taking into account the views of the Executive 
Directors. The performance of the Executive 
Directors was reviewed by the Non-Executive 
Directors with the Chairman in attendance. The 
Chairman and the Executive Directors reviewed 
the performance of each of the other Non-
Executive Directors. The Board considers that 
each Director continues to contribute effectively 
and to demonstrate commitment to the role.

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Training and development
Ongoing training and development for Directors 
is available as appropriate and is reviewed and 
agreed with the Chairman annually. Specific 
and tailored updates were provided by external 
advisers and management to the Audit, 
Nominations and Remuneration Committees. 
Key themes included trends and changing 
disclosure requirements regarding financial  
and narrative reporting, accounting and 
auditing standards and remuneration 
developments. During the year the Board 
also received reports from the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
on compliance, as well as current legal and 
governance updates. The Board is confident 
that all its members have the knowledge, 
ability, and experience to perform the functions 
required of a director of a listed company.

Upon appointment to the Board, Directors 
undertake an induction programme, receiving 
a broad range of information about the 
Group tailored to their previous experience. 
This includes information on the operational 
performance and business of the Group 
and details of Group strategy, corporate 
governance and Board procedures. The 
programme also includes one-to-one meetings 
with all Board and Executive Committee 
members, as well as individual site visits to 
key Group operating sites to understand 
the business and meet management teams. 
Assisted by the Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary, the Chairman has 
responsibility for these induction programmes, 
and for the Board’s training and professional 
development.

Stakeholders
The stakeholder voice is brought into the 
boardroom throughout the annual cycle 
through information provided by the Executive 
Directors (as well as representatives from the 
Group’s businesses and functions who are 
invited to present to the Board), and through 
regular updates from Directors on their 
engagement activities with the stakeholders 
themselves. This includes regular updates:

 ‹ from the Chairman and the Executive 

Directors on their discussions with investors;

 ‹ from the Company’s brokers on the feedback 

received from investors;

 ‹ from the Executive Directors, HR Director and 
Inken Braunschmidt (in her role as designated 
Non-Executive Director for employee 
engagement) in relation to employee 
engagement;

 ‹ from the Group CEO on feedback from 

customers;

 ‹ from the senior management team on their 
engagement with employees, customers, 
suppliers, local communities; and

 ‹ from the Sustainability Committee on 
the Group’s approach to reducing its 
environmental impacts. 

On pages 20 and 21 of our Strategic report, 
we set out our principal stakeholders, how 
we engage with them, the issues which are 
important to them and how we respond. The 
relevance of each stakeholder group may 
increase or decrease depending on the matter 
or issue in question, so the Board seeks to 
consider the needs and priorities of each 
stakeholder group during its discussions and 
as part of its decision-making. On page 82 we 
set out how the Board has taken into account 
the interests of stakeholders when discussing 
and agreeing decisions on key matters in 2021.

Purpose, culture and values
The Board recognises the importance of its 
role in building a sustainable business by 
setting the tone of James Fisher’s purpose, 
culture and valued behaviours, and embedding 
them throughout the Group. Our core valued 
behaviours and our Code of Ethics (the 
behaviours we expect) underpin everything that 
we do and set out the type of organisation we 
want to be. Everyone who works for and with 
us is required to comply with these.

The Executive Directors set the tone of our 
organisation and demonstrate our valued 
behaviours. Various indicators are used to provide 
insight into our culture, including employee 
engagement and health and safety. We regularly 
assess the state of our culture, through activities 
such as employee engagement surveys and 
compliance reviews, and we address behaviour 
that falls short of our expectations. 

Financial and business reporting
The Board considers that the Annual Report 
and Accounts taken as a whole present a fair, 
balanced and understandable assessment 
of the Group and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position, performance, business model 
and strategy. More information about how this 
assessment was made is set out in the Audit 
Committee report on page 90.

The going concern assessment is set out in 
the Directors’ report on page 111; the viability 
statement is set out in the principal risks 
section of the Strategic report on page 69; and 
the Strategic report on pages 12 to 13 sets 
out an explanation of the Company’s business 
model and the strategy for delivering the 
Company’s objectives.

BOARD EVALUATION  
AGREED ACTIONS

Action

Increased number and regularity of Director 
site visits.

Progress in 2021/22

2022 site visit schedule agreed, including 
increased number of Non-Executive site 
visits.

Action

Notwithstanding all Non-Executive Directors 
are on all Committees, enhanced reporting 
to the Board from Committees, and a 
Non-Executive Director meeting as part of 
each set of scheduled Board/Committee 
meetings.

Progress in 2021/22

Improved formal reporting from Committees 
at each scheduled Board meeting.

Non-Executive Directors meet separately at 
each set of scheduled meetings.

Action

Improvements to process for Directors’ 
feedback on Chairman’s performance.

Progress in 2021/22

Process agreed and implemented in 2021.

Action

Ongoing improvements in Board discussions 
on risk management.

Progress in 2021/22

PwC report on risk management identifies 
improvements which are being implemented 
in 2022.

Action

Developments to the structure, management 
and documentation for Board and 
Committee meetings.

Progress in 2021/22

Complete in 2021.

Action

Improvements to the induction programme, 
information and site visits for new Board 
members.

Progress in 2021/22

Improvements implemented and used 
for inductions of Kash Pandya and Claire 
Hawkings.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

85

Governance

Nominations Committee report

MEMBERSHIP

Angus Cockburn (Chair, following Malcolm Paul’s departure in May 2021) 

Michael Salter

Aedamar Comiskey

Justin Atkinson

Inken Braunschmidt

Kash Pandya 

Claire Hawkings 

SINCE

 2021

2013

2015

2018

2019

2021

2022

Key objectives
Reviewing the composition of the Board and succession planning.

Key responsibilities:
 ‹ To regularly review the structure, size and composition of the Board (including skills, 

knowledge, independence and experience) and recommend any changes.

 ‹ Succession planning for Directors and senior executives of both the Company and the 
operating businesses, taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing the 
Company and the skills and expertise therefore needed in the future.

 ‹ Identifying and nominating candidates for Board positions, for approval by the Board.

The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Group’s website.

Meets at least three times a year. During 2021 the Nominations Committee met four times.

The Nominations Committee reviews the 
leadership and succession needs of the 
Company and ensures that appropriate 
procedures are in place for nominating,  
training and evaluating Directors.

Overall, our objective is to ensure that the Board 
is balanced, with the Directors having a broad 
range of knowledge, skills and experience to 
ensure the team works together effectively 
in discharging its responsibilities, including in 
relation to corporate governance. We recognise 
the benefits of a diverse senior leadership team, 
including diversity of skills, sector experience, 
background, gender, and ethnicity.

2021 in review
During 2021 there were the following changes 
in membership of the Board:

 ‹ Following the Company’s AGM in April 2021:
 ‒  Malcolm Paul (Non-Executive Chairman) 
retired from the Board. Please refer to the 
explanation provided on page 52 of the 
2020 Annual Report relating to Malcolm’s 
tenure on the Board extending beyond  
nine years.

 ‒  Stuart Kilpatrick (Group Finance Director) 

stepped down from the Board. 

 ‹  On 1 May 2021:

 ‒  Angus Cockburn joined the Board as 

Non-Executive Chairman. Angus Cockburn 
joined the Group from Serco Group Plc, 
where he had been Group Chief Financial 
Officer since October 2014. Angus is a 
Non-Executive Director of Ashtead Group 
plc, the Securities Trust of Scotland Plc, 
and the privately owned Edrington Group 
Limited. He was previously Non-Executive 
Director of Howdens Joinery Group plc and 
GKN plc.

 ‹ On 4 May 2021:

 ‒ Duncan Kennedy joined the Board as Chief 
Financial Officer. Duncan Kennedy joined 
the Group from BTG plc (“BTG”), previously 
a FTSE250 international specialist 
healthcare company, where he was Chief 
Financial Officer for two years until the 
company was acquired in 2019.

 ‹ On 1 November 2021:

 ‒ Kash Pandya joined the Board as a new 
Independent Non-Executive Director. 
Kash is currently CEO of Helios Towers plc 
(“HTWS”), a FTSE 250 company, a post 
from which he will step down at its AGM in 
April 2022. He will then assume the role of 
Non-Executive Deputy Chairman for HTWS 
from that point.

 ‹ Also during 2021:

 ‒ On 17 December 2021, the Company 

announced that Claire Hawkings would join 
the Board with effect from 1 January 2022, 
and that Mike Salter would retire from the 
Board following the Company’s AGM on 5 
May 2022.

 ‒ the Board approved a new Board Diversity 

Policy (more detail below).

On 1 January 2022, Claire Hawkings joined 
the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Claire 
is currently a non-executive director and 
chair of the ESG committee of Ibstock plc, a 
non-executive director of Defence Equipment 
and Support, a Bespoke Trading Entity and 
Arm’s Length Body of the Ministry of Defence, 
and a non-executive director and chair of the 
responsible business committee of FirstGroup 
plc. Claire has over 30 years’ experience in 
the energy sector, where she held a variety of 
international leadership positions, most recently 
with Tullow Oil plc, and prior to that with BG 
Group plc and British Gas plc.

Board appointments and 
succession planning
The Committee leads the process for Board 
appointments and makes recommendations to 
the Board within its agreed terms of reference. 
Appointments are made having regard to the 
balance of skills and experience of current 
Directors as well as the diversity on the Board, 
including gender and ethnicity. The Committee 
adopts a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for the appointment of new Directors 
to the Board, working with independent 
executive search consultants.

During 2021, the Committee has sought 
support from a number of specialist executive 
search consultants, including Korn Ferry, 
Lygon Group and Hedley May, none of which 
has any connection with the Company (other 
than assisting with recruitment), nor with any 
individual Director. This included searches for 
a new Non-Executive Chairman, an Executive 
Director, as well as for two new Independent 
Non-Executive Directors to increase the 
diversity of the Board:

 ‹ Korn Ferry was instructed to focus on Non-
Executive Chairman candidates with strong 
operational and non-executive experience. 
This resulted in the appointment of Angus 
Cockburn.

 ‹ Korn Ferry was instructed to focus on 

Non-Executive candidates with a strong 
operational/listed company CEO experience 
in related sectors. This resulted in the 
appointment of Kash Pandya.

86 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

 ‹ Lygon Group was instructed to search for 

Non-Executive candidates with strong sector 
experience. This process resulted in the 
appointment of Claire Hawkings.

 ‹ Hedley May was instructed to search for a 
new CFO with proven experience in a listed 
and diverse group. This process resulted in 
the appointment of Duncan Kennedy.

The graphic below sets out an example of the 
selection and appointment process undertaken 
by the Nominations Committee, in this case 
leading to the appointment of Claire Hawkings 
to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. 

The process that led to the appointment of 
Angus Cockburn as Non-Executive Chairman 
is set out on page 64 of the 2020 Annual 
Report. Aedamar Comiskey, as the Senior 
Independent Director, chaired those meetings 
and Malcolm Paul was not involved in the 
selection process, nor in the appointment. 

The Committee keeps under regular review 
succession planning at the Executive Director 
level and supports succession planning at 
senior management levels to ensure a diverse 
pipeline. The Group HR Director has also 
briefed the Committee on the talent review and 
actions undertaken in relation to the Group’s 
top management positions.

Director induction, training and 
development
As Non-Executive Chairman, I am responsible 
for the formal induction of all new Directors, 
assisted by the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary. Each new Director is 
provided with the necessary background 
materials to familiarise themselves with the 
Group, and meetings are arranged with other 
members of the Board, the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary, and 
members of the Executive Committee.  

Site visits to businesses around the Group are 
arranged to provide a deeper understanding 
of the Group’s operations, risks and strategic 
priorities. Following my appointment earlier in 
the year, I undertook an induction programme, 
which included in-person site visits and 
management meetings at the Group’s key 
sites. Induction programmes for Kash Pandya 
and Claire Hawkings are underway, with  
in-person site visits in 2022.

Assisted by the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, I am also responsible 
for the Board’s training and professional 
development. Directors were given 
presentations during 2021 on topics such 
as developments in corporate governance 
and financial reporting, as well as Directors’ 
remuneration. Directors will continue to receive 
regular training updates from appropriate 
internal and external specialists on governance 
and risk issues, and on financial and reporting 
standards. In addition, Directors are fully 
aware of their own responsibility for identifying 
and satisfying their own specific training 
requirements. In 2022, the Board has planned 
a schedule of site and vessel visits, including 
management and employee engagement 
meetings, in order to deepen the Board’s 
understanding of the operations of the Group’s 
businesses and management teams.

Board composition and time 
commitment
There were eight Directors on the Board as at 
31 December 2021, comprising the Non-
Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer and five independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The names and 
biographical details of the members of the 
Board are set out on pages 80 and 81. Claire 
Hawkings joined the Board on 1 January 2022.

Process leading to the appointment of Claire Hawkings

The Company judged the Non-Executive 
Chairman to be independent at the time of his 
appointment and considers all other Non-
Executive Directors to be independent under 
the terms of the Code. As announced on 17 
December 2021, Michael Salter, who has 
served on the Board for almost nine years is 
stepping down at the date of the AGM.

Under the Code, the reasons for the Board 
permitting its members to enter into significant 
new external appointments should be explained 
in the Annual Report. On 30 April 2021, the 
Company announced that Angus Cockburn had 
been appointed a Non-Executive Director of 
Securities Trust of Scotland Plc. On 24 January 
2022, the Company announced that Claire 
Hawkings had been appointed Non-Executive 
Director of FirstGroup Plc. The Committee 
keeps under review the time commitments of 
the Directors to ensure that they have sufficient 
time to discharge their duties effectively. As part 
of the process of the appointment to the Board 
of Angus Cockburn, Duncan Kennedy, Kash 
Pandya and Claire Hawkings, the Committee 
assessed the time commitments required by 
their other roles. In the case of Angus Cockburn, 
the value of his significant executive and non-
executive experience was taken into account 
alongside his existing commitments when 
approving his appointment. The Board also 
considered Angus’ plans to take on a role at 
Securities Trust of Scotland plc before Angus 
started his role at the Company, and concluded 
that he had sufficient time for both roles. In the 
cases of Kash Pandya and Claire Hawkings, 
the value of their international, leadership and 
operational experience were taken into account 
alongside their existing external appointments 
when approving his appointments. Duncan 
Kennedy has no external appointments.

 ‹ The Nominations Committee agreed  
a detailed candidate profile setting  
out the capabilities and experience 
required, in particular strong energy 
sector experience.

 ‹ The process to appoint a new  

Non-Executive Director was led by the 
Non-Executive Chairman.

 ‹ An external executive search consultant 

was appointed by the Committee 
to support the process and identify 
candidates fitting the agreed profile.

 ‹  The Non-Executive Chairman 

considered a full list of candidates with 
the executive search consultants. The 
full list was shared with the Nominations 
Committee, which agreed a shortlist of 
candidates to be invited for interview.

 ‹ Following initial interviews with the  
Non-Executive Chairman and 
Nominations Committee members, the 
number of candidates was reduced.

 ‹ The Chief Executive Officer and 

remaining Nominations Committee 
members met with the shortlisted 
candidates.

 ‹ Following the interviews, each person 
who had met with the shortlisted 
candidates provided feedback to the 
Non-Executive Chairman.

 ‹ The Nominations Committee  

discussed the relative merits of 
each candidate and agreed that the 
Committee would recommend to 
the Board that Claire Hawkings be 
appointed as Non-Executive Director.

 ‹ The Board approved the appointment, 

to take effect on 1 January 2022.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

87

 
Governance

Nominations Committee report cont.

The Chief Executive Officer chairs an  
Executive Committee of 12 people, with 
women representing 33% of the Executive 
Committee at 31 December 2021. Apart from 
creating a forum to bring together a range of 
specialist skills and experience it also acts as 
a platform for our succession strategy into the 
future. Within the wider leadership team, being 
the Executive Committee and those reporting 
to members of the Executive Committee, there 
are 38 women, representing 33%. Further 
information about the Company’s approach to 
diversity and inclusion is set out in the Strategic 
report at page 44.

2022 priorities
The Committee’s priorities for 2022 are:

 ‹ to consider the key skills, experience and 
requirements for succession planning  
for the Board;

 ‹ to keep under review succession planning at 
the Executive Director level and to support 
succession planning at senior management 
level; and

 ‹ to monitor the Group’s progress towards 
increasing the relative diversity in senior 
management positions.

Angus Cockburn
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board 
and Nominations Committee
9 March 2022

The experience gained in all these external 
roles held by our Board members broadens 
and deepens the knowledge and experience  
of the Directors, which in turn benefits  
the Company. 

Directors standing for election  
or re-election
The Committee discussed and unanimously 
recommended that each of the Directors should 
be put forward for election or re-election by the 
shareholders at the AGM scheduled for 5 May 
2022, with the exception of Michael Salter who 
will not be seeking re-election having notified the 
Board of his intention to retire following the AGM 
on 5 May 2022, after almost nine years’ service 
as an Independent Non-Executive Director. In 
making this recommendation the Committee 
members (with each Committee member 
recusing themselves from the discussion 
and recommendation in relation to their own 
re-election) have evaluated each Director in 
terms of their performance, their commitment 
to the role and their capacity to discharge their 
responsibilities in an effective manner given their 
other time commitments and responsibilities.

Board evaluation
The Board carries out a Board/Committee 
evaluation each year, and in 2021, the Board 
appointed the Chartered Governance Institute 
(“CGI”) to undertake an external evaluation, 
which has no connection to the Company 
or any individual Director. Further details of 
the 2021 external evaluation are set out on 
pages 84 and 85. Following the review of 
CGI’s external evaluation, the Committee 
believes the Board functions effectively and 
efficiently, and is appropriate for a Group 
of its size. The Committee considers that 
each Director demonstrates the knowledge, 
ability and experience required to perform the 
functions of a director of a listed company 
and is of the calibre necessary to support and 
develop the Company’s long-term strategy 
and success. The Committee also considers 
that no individual or small group of individuals 
dominates discussions or the decision-making 
process. 

Diversity and inclusion
Diversity is a matter we consider constantly 
to ensure we benefit from the right balance 
of skills, experience, thought leadership and 
knowledge. That balance is derived from 
effective diversity which the Board considers to 
be an important factor in its own membership, 
and throughout the Group. Diversity arises 
from a number of potential sources, including 
in respect of professional experience, 
skills, education, international and industry 
knowledge, social mobility, disability, age, 
ethnicity and gender. The Board’s intention 
is to maintain diversity in all its senses in its 
own constitution, and to encourage the same 
throughout the organisation. 

In 2021, a new Board Diversity Policy was 
approved by the Board, in which new 
objectives were set with regard to (i) gender 
diversity, in line with the recommendations of 
the Hampton-Alexander Review; and (ii) ethnic 
diversity, in line with the recommendations of 
the Parker Report. The latest Board Diversity 
Policy is available on the Company’s website. 
The recommendations of the Committee and 
decisions by the Board with respect to Board 
changes during 2021 took into account the 
Board Diversity Policy. 

The female representation on the Board at 
relevant dates is/will be as follows:

 ‹ 33%, at the date of publication of this report;
 ‹ 37.5%, at 5 May 2022, following the 

retirement of Mike Salter from the Board; and

 ‹ 25%, at 31 December 2021, prior to the 
1 January 2022 appointment of Claire 
Hawkings.

The Board has met its objective to comply with 
the recommendations of the Parker Report. 
Following the appointment of Kash Pandya 
in 2021, the Board has one Director from an 
ethnic minority background (11%, currently).

88 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Audit Committee report

MEMBERSHIP

Justin Atkinson, Chairman of the Audit Committee

Michael Salter

Aedamar Comiskey

Inken Braunschmidt

Kash Pandya

Claire Hawkings

SINCE

2018

2013

2014

2019

2021

2022

Key objectives
To monitor the integrity of the Group’s reporting process and financial management and 
to ensure that risks are carefully identified and assessed and that sound systems of risk 
management and internal control are in place.

Key responsibilities:
 ‹ The accounting principles, policies and practices adopted in the Group’s accounts.
 ‹ Reviewing external financial reporting and associated announcements.
 ‹ Managing the appointment, independence, effectiveness and remuneration of the Group’s 

external auditor, including the policy on the award of non-audit services.

 ‹ Initiating and supervising a competitive tender process for the external audit when next 

required.

 ‹ The resourcing, plans and effectiveness of Internal Audit.
 ‹ The adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control environment.
 ‹ The Group’s risk management processes and performance.
 ‹ The establishment and oversight of fraud prevention arrangements.
 ‹ The provision of advice to the Board on whether the Annual Report and Accounts, when 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides all the necessary 
information for shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance, business 
model and strategy.

The Committee holds a minimum of three scheduled meetings during the year.

Dear shareholders
I am pleased to present the report of the  
Audit Committee for the year ended  
31 December 2021.

The Audit Committee supports the Board 
in discharging its responsibility for oversight 
and monitoring of financial reporting, risk 
management and internal control. As Chairman 
of the Audit Committee it is my responsibility  
to ensure that the Audit Committee fulfils  
its responsibilities in a rigorous and  
effective manner.

2021 has been a very challenging year for 
the Group not only as a result of the ongoing 
impacts of the COVID pandemic, including on 
the working conditions of all of our employees, 
but also due to the market and operational 
issues referred to in the Chief Executive’s review 
on pages 24 and 25. However, I am pleased to 
report that the Group’s established procedures 
and systems to identify, mitigate and manage 
risks enabled the financial reporting process to 
continue uninterrupted during the year, despite 
the many challenges presented by these 
issues. I would like to thank the finance team 
and the external audit team for their sustained 
commitment.

The Audit Committee remains focused on 
ensuring compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the Code) and is 
committed to ensuring the highest standards 
of corporate governance. In line with the Code, 
this report seeks to focus on specific aspects 
considered by the Audit Committee during  
the year and aims to provide assurance to  
our shareholders that the control environment 
of the Group is being properly supervised  
and monitored.

I am satisfied that the Audit Committee is 
properly constituted with written terms of 
reference, which include all matters referred to 
in the Code and is provided with good quality 
information to allow proper consideration to 
be given to topics under review. I am also 
satisfied that meetings are scheduled to allow 
sufficient time for discussion and to ensure 
that all matters are considered fully. The Audit 
Committee’s terms of reference are available  
on our website.

Of particular importance is the requirement 
to ensure that the Group’s financial reporting 
is fair, balanced and understandable. We 
therefore review all the Group’s financial reports 
before publication, including where necessary 
alternative performance measures, and we are 
satisfied that they provide a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment of the Group’s 
position and performance.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

89

Governance

Audit Committee report cont.

Audit Committee composition
The Board is satisfied that as chair of the 
Audit Committee, I have significant and 
relevant financial experience being a chartered 
accountant who formerly served as finance 
director of a FTSE company. I have been 
attending audit committee meetings for 
over 20 years and have chaired three other 
FTSE company committees. The members 
of the Audit Committee collectively have 
broad financial, commercial, professional 
and technical experience and as a whole are 
considered to have competence relevant to 
the sectors in which the Group operates. Audit 
Committee attendance is shown on page 75.

Details of the Audit Committee’s specific 
responsibilities and how it exercises those 
responsibilities are set out in the remainder 
of this report. The performance of the Audit 
Committee (alongside the Board and the other 
Committees) was externally evaluated during 
the year by the Chartered Governance Institute 
and, although the Committee continues to 
look for continuous improvement, this provided 
assurance that the Audit Committee discharges 
its duties and responsibilities in accordance 
with its terms of reference. Further details in 
relation to the evaluation can be found on 
pages 84 and 85.

Audit Committee meetings
The Audit Committee met five times during 
the year. The February, March and September 
meetings were scheduled on dates to coincide 
with the financial reporting cycle. The Audit 
Committee’s meeting in January was held to 
discuss the role of PwC as co-sourcing partner 
for internal audit. The Audit Committee was 
attended by the Committee members, the 
Company Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer, Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary, the internal auditor, 
and the Group financial controller, together with 
representatives of the external auditor, and the 
internal audit co-sourcing partner.

At each scheduled meeting the Audit 
Committee provides the opportunity to discuss 
matters privately with the external auditor and 
the internal auditor. In addition, the Chairman 
of the Audit Committee holds regular meetings 
and phone calls with the reporting partner of 
external auditor, KPMG LLP (KPMG) to discuss 
matters related to the Group.

Matters of particular focus for the 
Audit Committee during 2021
January 2021

The role of PwC LLP as the co-sourced  
partner for the internal audit team, looking 
at the extension of their remit to cover both 
internal audit of overseas Group locations, as 
well as to cover specialist items where PwC’s 
specialist resources could be of additional 
benefit to the Group. 

February and March 2021 
 ‹ Review of the 2020 results, Annual Report 
and announcement, including a review to 
ensure the report was fair, balanced and 
understandable.

 ‹ Specific disclosures and separately disclosed 

items.

 ‹ Going concern and viability statement.
 ‹ Impairment assessment review.
 ‹ External Auditor report.
 ‹ Review of external auditor performance and 

remuneration for 2020.

 ‹ Review of the Group’s principal and  

emerging risks.

 ‹ Review of Internal Audit work during 2020, and 
approval of the Internal Audit plan for 2021.

 ‹ Review of internal auditor performance 2020 

(including PwC as co-sourced partner).

August 2021
 ‹ Review of the 2021 Half Year results, Interim 

Statement and announcement.

 ‹ Going concern review.
 ‹ External Auditor Half Year report.
 ‹ Approval of KPMG’s External Audit plan  

for 2021.

 ‹ Review of the Group’s principal and emerging 

risks.

 ‹ Review of adequacy and effectiveness of 

Group’s internal control and risk management 
systems.

 ‹ Review of Internal Audit assurance work  

to 30 June 2021.

November 2021
 ‹ Governance review, looking in particular at 
the Company’s preparations for additional 
reporting obligations following BEIS’s 
consultation on Restoring Trust in Audit and 
Corporate Governance, and in relation to 
guidance published by the Taskforce on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

 ‹ Review of risk management controls and 

systems, led by PwC.

 ‹ Review of Internal Audit on their work for 
the year, approval of the Internal Audit 
programme for 2022.

Financial reporting
The Audit Committee’s primary responsibility 
in relation to the Group’s financial reporting 
is to review and challenge where necessary, 
with both senior management and the external 
auditor, the appropriateness of the Group’s 
Interim Statement and Annual Report and 
Accounts, with particular focus on:

 ‹ whether suitable accounting policies have 

been adopted and properly applied;

 ‹ the clarity of disclosures and compliance 
with financial reporting standards and 
relevant financial and governance reporting 
requirements; and

 ‹ whether management has made appropriate 
estimates and judgements in material areas 
or where there has been discussion with or 
issues raised by the external auditor; and

 ‹ whether the Annual Report and Accounts 
taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Fair, balanced and 
understandable
In making its assessment in relation to the 
assessment on whether the Annual Report and 
Accounts is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the performance, 
strategy and business model of the Company. 
The Board has taken into account its own 
knowledge of the Group, its markets, its 
strategy and performance in the year, a review 
of content of the Annual Report and Accounts 
and other periodic financial statements 
and announcements, together with the 
recommendation from the Audit Committee. 
Key considerations of the Committee have 
included ensuring that there is consistency 
between the accounts and the narrative 
provided in the front half of the Annual Report 
and Accounts, and that there is an appropriate 
balance between the reporting of weaknesses, 
difficulties and challenges (in particular with 
reference to the Group’s principal risks and 
uncertainties, as set out on pages 61 to 69),  
as well as successes, in an open and  
honest manner.

90 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Significant issues and accounting 
judgements
The Audit Committee has a primary 
responsibility to review the integrity of the 
Annual Report and Accounts and the Interim 
Statement of the Company, which includes the 
review and discussion of papers prepared by 
management and takes account of the views 
of the external auditor. The key areas reviewed 
in the 2021 financial year are set out in the 
graphic below:

The Audit Committee considered these  
matters and how they were tested and 
reviewed, including the judgements and 
disclosures and representations made.

Revenue recognition and contract 
disputes

The estimation of contract margin  
and the level of revenue and profit to  
recognise in a single accounting period 
requires the exercise of management 
judgement. In addition the Group has 
a number of projects where payments 
of amounts invoiced or considered 
due under of the contract have yet to 
be paid, or were delayed during the 
year (for example, Subtech’s project in 
Mozambique). The Committee reviewed 
key estimates and judgements applied 
in determining the financial status of the 
more significant projects.

Going concern and viability 
statements
In light of COVID and in common with other 
businesses, the imperative of encouraging 
an even wider range of sensitivity scenarios 
than usual to be developed to enhance the 
supporting evidence in relation to the going 
concern basis of accounting and viability 
statement in the 2021 Annual Report was 
recognised and acted upon. This included 
detailed review of: contractual risk in winning 
larger contracts and operating in more 
geographies with partners potentially exposed 
to increased risk of late payment or cost 
overruns; project delivery risk that a project 
may not be delivered in line with the budgeted 
profit and payment terms; potential increase in 
the need for guarantees to secure contracts; 
and the ongoing availability of financing, 
following the creation of a new syndicated  
RCF during 2021.

APMs and separately disclosed items

The Committee gave careful consideration 
to the judgements made in the disclosure 
of alternative performance measures 
as set out in note 2, and of separately 
disclosed items set out in note 5. In 
particular, the Committee sought to 
ensure that the treatment followed 
consistent principles and that reporting 
in the accounts is suitably clear and 
understandable. The Committee 
considered the appropriateness of items 
included within separately disclosed items 
and concluded that the judgements made 
are appropriate.

Goodwill valuation

The Audit Committee considered the 
Group’s carrying value of goodwill 
and impairment reviews based on 
underlying assumptions, together with 
the achievability of long-term forecasts 
and the discount rates applied to forecast 
cash flows. Senior management provided 
detailed analysis to determine the 
sensitivity of the outcome to changes in 
key assumptions and we are satisfied that 
the judgements made are both reasonable 
and appropriate.

The Audit Committee reviewed the 
appropriateness of the going concern 
assumptions on page 111 in preparing the 
financial statements. This included a review 
of papers prepared by senior management, 
which were based on the approved budget 
and strategic plan for each Group company 
and the Group as a whole. The review took into 
consideration available financing facilities and 
facility headroom. Taking account of the impact 
of the COVID pandemic and other possible 
changes that may impact trading performance 
and availability, we expect the Group to 
maintain the appropriate headroom under its 
borrowing facilities for the forthcoming year. 
We are satisfied that the going concern basis 
of preparation continues to be appropriate in 
preparing the financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviewed the Company’s 
viability statement set out on page 69 and in 
particular took care to understand the analysis 
which was prepared by management, and 
supports the Board’s view that the Company 
will be able to continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the period 
assessed. The analysis included a review of the 
Group’s strategic plan overlaid by a number 
of assumptions and sensitivities, including 
the need for and availability of additional 
bank facilities, an assessment of the likely 
downside sensitivities aligned to the Group’s 
principal risks, and the potential impact of 
those sensitivities on its business model, future 
performance, solvency and liquidity over the 
period, and taking into account the potential 
mitigating actions, and the effectiveness of the 
Group’s risk management and control systems, 
as well as current risk appetite. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

91

Governance

Audit Committee report cont.

Risk management and internal 
controls
The Board has overall responsibility for the 
Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems, including financial, operational and 
compliance controls. The Audit Committee is 
responsible for monitoring and reviewing the 
effectiveness of these systems and the Group’s 
internal audit function.

The Board received regular reports throughout 
the year from the Group Risk Committee and 
we have reviewed the Group’s systems of risk 
management and internal controls, including 
financial, operational and compliance controls. 
As part of its review, the Audit Committee 
probed the robustness of the Company’s 
risk management controls and systems and 
the level of engagement at all levels of the 
Group with risk management processes. 
This resulted in an independent review being 
commissioned from PwC in relation to the risk 
management controls and systems. The Audit 
Committee has concluded that the systems 
are sound and effective, and following the 
PwC review, the Committee made a number 
of recommendations for ongoing improvement 
in this area, which the Board approved for 
implementation in 2022. 

Reports on internal control failings mainly 
arising from internal audits are referred to the 
Audit Committee for review and oversight to 
ensure that appropriate and timely actions are 
identified and completed. The internal control 
failings are graded based on materiality within 
the context of that operating company, and 
an action plan with associated timeframes is 
agreed with the relevant management team. 
Progress against that plan is reported to the 
Audit Committee on an ongoing basis until 
the actions are complete. During the year 
there were no instances of internal control 
failure brought to the attention of the Audit 
Committee which are considered material to 
the Group. A more detailed summary of the 
Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems is set out in the principal risks and 
uncertainties section of the Strategic Report 
on pages 61 to 69, along with a description of 
some of the actions taken and planned to bring 
improvements to those controls.

In order to further increase the emphasis on the 
importance of risk management and internal 
controls, the Committee will invite to each of its 
meetings from February 2022 a management 
team of a recently audited operating company 
to present on the findings, actions and 
progress report.

Anti-bribery and corruption
We have an established anti-bribery and 
corruption policy aimed at ensuring adherence 
to the associated legal and regulatory 
requirements. The policy includes sections  
in relation to:

 ‹ the Group’s zero tolerance approach to 

payment of bribes;

 ‹ the reasonableness and proportionality of 
offering or receipt of gifts or hospitality;

 ‹ the appointment and management of third 
parties who are engaged to assist with our 
sales and marketing activities, including 
approval via procedures which include 
appropriate internal and external due diligence 
using web-based tools provided by Control 
Risks (the international risk consultancy). 
The Group tracks its agent and joint venture 
relationships and reports them back to the 
Board on a regular basis; and

 ‹ the Group’s condemnation of facilitation 

payments.

The Group has anti-bribery and corruption 
training in place which is provided on induction, 
and each business maintains a training log for 
its people which is reported back to the Audit 
Committee via internal audit twice annually. 
In addition, the Group legal team provides 
bespoke anti-bribery and corruption training to 
those employees who are working in areas of 
higher bribery and corruption risk.

During 2021, the Group legal team presented 
to the Board on the management and 
mitigation of the key risk relating to operating 
in emerging markets, with the Board agreeing 
a number of improvements to be implemented 
during 2022, including: increasing engagement 
with external experts and local representation 
to improve visibility and management of local 
jurisdictional risks; rationalisation of third 
party relationships; ongoing improvements to 
training; and introduction of an international, 
independently-managed whistleblowing hotline.

External audit performance
The Audit Committee continually assesses 
the performance of the external auditor, 
KPMG, from the initial planning stage when 
they receive and discuss the audit plan and 
proposed strategy, approach, objectives, 
significant risk areas and other areas of focus, 
drawing on input from the Group’s senior 
management, until conclusion of the audit. 
As part of the most recent assessment of 
effectiveness, the Audit Committee has taken 
into consideration the guidance issued by the 
FRC. The Audit Committee conducts annually 
a formal assessment of the external auditor’s 
performance based on its own experience  
and that of the Group’s senior management. 
The assessment considered the degree  
of challenge to management, the issues 
identified and the quality of explanations.  
The results of the review are considered by 
the Audit Committee and discussed with 
KPMG who provide input on the preparedness 
of the Group’s own finance teams and the 
conclusions are reported to and discussed by 
the Board. The Audit Committee recognises 
that the quality of an audit is paramount. 
Particular note was taken of the current year 
audit work, considered against the backdrop 
of the COVID pandemic, which has presented 
practical process challenges and required 
enhanced audit requirements. The Committee 
is satisfied that KPMG provided an effective 
audit and remain independent and objective. 
KPMG are recommended for re-appointment  
at the Company’s forthcoming AGM. 

KPMG were first appointed to audit the 
Company in 2008. They were re-appointed 
external auditor of the Company in 2017, 
following a competitive tender process. 2021 is 
the last financial year which can be undertaken 
by lead audit partner, Mike Barradell. During 
2021, Mike worked with the Audit Committee 
to introduce potential replacements to the 
Company, following which Ailsa Griffin has 
been appointed as lead audit partner for the 
2022 financial year. To the extent permitted by 
independence rules Ailsa has been shadowing 
Mike during 2021 on the Company’s Audit. 

Details of the external auditor’s remuneration 
for 2021 are set out in note 4 on page 139. In 
2021, there has been an increase of 25% in 
audit fees from the prior year as a result of the 
challenges faced by KPMG in undertaking their 
work remotely and reduced materiality following 
the reduction in profits. The Committee notes 
the backdrop of significant increases in audit 
fees over recent years for FTSE companies.

92 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

The Company has complied throughout the 
financial year under review, and up to the 
date of this report, 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.

Non-audit services
The Audit Committee accepts that certain 
non-prohibited work is best undertaken by the 
external auditor and to safeguard the external 
auditor’s objectivity and independence the 
Audit Committee has a policy on engagement 
of the external auditor for non-audit services, 
which includes a requirement for Audit 
Committee approval if the permitted services 
exceed a threshold of £50,000.

The Audit Committee reviews the policy 
annually and recommends it to the Board for 
approval. In accordance with relevant Audit 
Regulations and standards published by the 
FRC in June 2016, the Audit Committee has 
not engaged the external auditor on matters 
restricted by those Regulations and standards, 
and fees from permitted work (including the 
interim statement) have been pre-approved 
by the Audit Committee. KPMG were not 
instructed to carry out any prohibited non-audit 
services during 2021.

KPMG provided the following non-audit 
services to the Group during 2021, all of which 
were approved by the Audit Committee:

 ‹ under the Norwegian Companies Act, 

KPMG provided an assurance service on 
the control and review procedures over the 
tax submissions in relation to Scantech AS. 
The work does not result in any accounting 
judgements and the fee for this service  
was £1.25k.

 ‹ KPMG carried out the Group’s interim 

statement for the period ended 30 June 2021. 
The fee amounted to £0.1m.

Internal audit
The Audit Committee is responsible for 
reviewing the work carried out by the internal 
audit department which considers, reviews 
and reports on key commercial, financial 
and control risks across the Group. The 
internal audit function undertake their work 
in accordance with an annual programme 
approved by the Audit Committee. The scope 
of each internal audit review is agreed by 
the Audit Committee in consultation with the 
internal auditor to ensure that key areas for 
each business are addressed.

As internal audit increased its use of both 
remote-working and co-sourced assistance 
from PwC, the number of internal audits 
increased in the year, following lower 2020 
levels impacted by the COVID pandemic. In 
total 13 internal audits were undertaken in 
2021 (2020: 10), including five carried out by 
our co-source partner outside the UK (2020: 
none). Reports in relation to the internal 
audits carried out were presented to the Audit 
Committee for review and shared with senior 
managers for action, as well as being provided 
to the external auditor for information. There 
were no findings in the internal audit reports 
which are considered material to the Group. 
The internal auditor is responsible to the Audit 
Committee for ensuring that all required actions 
are followed up and completed in a timely 
manner. It is planned that internal audit will 
move to a fully outsourced function led by PwC 
in early 2022.

Following the final 2021 review, the Audit 
Committee recommended and the Board 
concluded that the Group’s internal audit 
process was appropriate and effective despite 
the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic. 
The effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit 
function is continually reviewed, including an 
annual formal review undertaken by the Board 
and the Audit Committee, with the benefit of 
feedback from Group businesses and functions 
which have been subject to internal audit 
during the year.

FRC correspondence
During 2021 (and as disclosed in the 2020 
Annual Report and Accounts) the Company 
concluded its correspondence with the FRC in 
relation to certain matters in the 2019 Annual 
Report and Accounts, principally relating to 
the accounting for the Group’s investment in 
Murjan Al-Sharq for Marine Contracting LLC, 
and disclosures in relation to provisions and 
contingent liabilities. 

The FRC acknowledged the Company’s 
explanations and closed their enquiries on 
the basis that the Company would provide 
enhanced disclosure in relation to the points 
raised where material, which were included in 
the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts. The 
Company also agreed to the FRC’s request 
for it to publish the Company’s name, together 
with the fact of the FRC review into the 2019 
Annual Report and Accounts, along with its 
summary of its findings.

The FRC stated in its letter that its review 
was based solely on the Annual Report and 
Accounts and did not benefit from detailed 
knowledge of the James Fisher business or an 
understanding of the underlying transactions 
entered into and that its letter provided no 
assurance that the annual report and accounts 
were correct in all material respects; the FRC’s 
role was not to verify the information provided 
but to consider compliance with reporting 
requirements.

BEIS Consultation on Restoring 
Trust in Audit and Corporate 
Governance
As noted above, the Committee discussed 
the Company’s preparedness for the potential 
additional reporting obligations in November 
2021. In order to strengthen the Company’s 
regime for internal controls over financial 
reporting, which is expected to be one of the 
main outcomes following consultation, we have 
appointed a senior manager, previously Head 
of internal audit, to the post of Head of internal 
controls with effect from January 2022.

Task Force on Climate-Related 
Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”)
In discharging its responsibility for the integrity 
of corporate reporting, the Audit Committee 
has reviewed the Group’s disclosures in 
response to TCFD recommendations, 
contained in the TCFD report on page 52 of 
this report. The Committee notes that the 
Group has made progress in its consideration 
and understanding of climate-related impacts 
on the Group and financial reporting, although 
there is more work to be done, in particular 
around scenario analysis and metrics/targets, 
with a roadmap set out for ongoing actions set 
out in the report. The Committee is satisfied 
that the disclosures represent a fair, balanced 
and understandable assessment of current 
progress and looks forward to reporting in 
more detail in next year’s report.

Conclusion
The Audit Committee operates in an open 
manner, has clear and concise channels of 
communication with the Board and, should it 
be necessary, I would be available to meet with 
investors. I will also be available to answer any 
questions at the AGM.

Justin Atkinson 
Chairman of the Audit Committee
9 March 2022

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

93

Governance

Directors’ remuneration report

MEMBERSHIP

Aedamar Comiskey, Chair of the Remuneration Committee since May 2018

Michael Salter

Justin Atkinson

Inken Braunschmidt

Kash Pandya

Claire Hawkings

SINCE

2014

2013

2018

2019

2021

2022

Key objectives
The Committee’s objectives are to create a fair, equitable and competitive total reward 
package that supports the Group vision and strategy; and to ensure that rewards are 
performance-based, encourage long-term shareholder value creation and are straightforward 
to communicate and operate.

Key responsibilities:
 ‹ Designing the remuneration policy
 ‹ Implementing the remuneration policy
 ‹ Ensuring the competitiveness of reward
 ‹ Designing the incentive plans
 ‹ Setting incentive targets and determining award levels
 ‹ Overseeing all share awards across the Group

The Committee meets at least three times a year

Annual statement
Introduction by Aedamar 
Comiskey, Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee
On behalf of the Board, and the Remuneration 
Committee (the Committee), I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ remuneration report for 
the year ended 31 December 2021.

This report is comprised of two parts, namely:

Part 1 – Remuneration policy report – which 
provides a summary of the remuneration policy 
approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM, as 
context for the Committee’s decision-making in 
relation to remuneration in 2021 and 2022; and

Part 2 – Annual report on remuneration – 
which sets out payments and awards made 
to the Directors and details the link between 
Company performance and remuneration for 
2021, and how we intend the remuneration 
policy will operate for 2022. This part of the 
report will be put to an advisory vote at the 
2022 AGM.

Work of the Committee  
during 2021
During 2021, the Committee addressed the 
following main activities, having due regard to 
the ongoing impact of COVID on the Group 
and the broader performance context:

 ‹ assessing performance against the targets set 

for the 2020 annual bonus awards;

 ‹ setting the targets for the 2021 annual bonus;
 ‹ assessing performance against the targets 

set for the 2018 LTIP awards and determining 
vesting levels;

 ‹ agreeing the award levels and performance 

targets for the 2021 LTIP awards; and

 ‹ agreeing the Chairman’s fee and Executive 
Directors’ base salaries to apply from  
1 January 2022.

In addition, the Committee has sought to 
ensure that its Policy and practices remain 
consistent with the six factors set out in 
Provision 40 of the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code:

 ‹ Clarity – The current Policy is understood 
by our senior executive team, and we 
have sought to articulate it clearly to our 
shareholders and representative bodies (both 
on an ongoing basis and during consultation 
when material changes are being made).

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 ‹ Simplicity – The Committee is mindful of the 
need to avoid overly complex remuneration 
structures which can be misunderstood and 
deliver unintended outcomes. Therefore, a 
key objective of the Committee is to ensure 
that our executive remuneration policies and 
practices are straightforward to communicate 
and operate.

 ‹ Risk – Our policy has been designed to 
ensure that inappropriate risk-taking is 
discouraged and will not be rewarded, via:  
(i) the balanced use of both short-term  
(annual) bonuses and longer-term incentive 
plans (LTIPs), which employ a blend of 
financial, non-financial and shareholder return 
targets; (ii) the significant role played by equity  
in our incentive plans; and (iii) malus/ 
clawback provisions.

 ‹ Predictability – Our incentive plans are 
subject to individual caps, with our share 
plans also subject to market standard dilution 
limits.

 ‹ Proportionality – There is a clear link 

between individual reward, delivery of strategy 
and the Group’s long-term performance. 
In addition, the significant role played by 
incentive/‘at-risk’ pay, together with the 
structure of the Executive Directors’ service 
contracts, ensures that poor performance is 
not rewarded.

 ‹ Alignment to culture – Our executive  

pay policies are aligned to culture through the 
use of metrics in both the annual bonus and 
LTIP that measure how we perform against 
our KPIs.

Pay and performance in 2021
James Fisher encountered another challenging 
year in 2021, with performance outcomes 
against our primary financial measures  
as follows:

 ‹ Underlying profit before tax of £19.7m  

(2020: £31.5m); and

 ‹ Underlying diluted earnings per share 20.0p 

(2020: 47.9p).

 ‹ no change to the annual bonus opportunity 
of 100% of salary which, for 2022, will be 
based 50% on adjusted operating profit, 20% 
on operating cashflow, and 30% on personal 
objectives (including ESG-related objectives); 
and

 ‹ in respect of 2022 LTIP awards for Executive 
Directors, awards will be made as normal 
after the announcement of the 2021 
preliminary results, with opportunities set 
within the normal limit of 125% of salary. 
50% of awards will be based on 3-year EPS 
growth, 25% of awards will be based on 
relative TSR, and the remaining 25% based 
on Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) 
targets. The Committee agreed this slight 
change to the LTIP scorecard to align better 
with our stated strategy for sustainable 
profitable growth, details of which were 
presented to shareholders at our Capital 
Markets Event in June 2021. The 2022 LTIP 
scorecard directly aligns with the financial 
pillars of this strategy (a refocus on returns 
and margin improvement to drive sustainable 
profitable growth) whilst the relative weighting 
reflects the importance to our shareholders of 
the Group delivering both growth and returns. 
At the time of signing this report, the EPS 
and ROCE performance targets attaching 
to these awards have not yet been agreed 
by the Committee. Consistent with previous 
cycles, the TSR element will vest subject to 
the Group’s relative TSR performance being 
at least median (25% vesting) with full vesting 
requiring performance to be at least upper 
quartile. EPS and ROCE targets will be set 
to be appropriately stretching. These will be 
disclosed in the RNS announcement at the 
time of making the awards; and in next year’s 
Directors’ remuneration report.

With effect from 1 January 2022, the fees 
payable to the Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors are unchanged.

I hope you will join me in supporting the 
remuneration-related resolution at the AGM  
on 5 May 2022.

Aedamar Comiskey
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
9 March 2022

Notwithstanding the ongoing challenging 
trading conditions faced during the year, 
the Committee notes that the Group did not 
furlough any employees during 2021 (nor did 
it make further use of the government support 
available to it).

Executive Directors’ bonus potential for 
2021 was capped at 100% of salary, with 
70% based on meeting the Group’s financial 
objectives and 30% based on individual 
achievement and personal objectives. However, 
as a result of the Group’s financial performance 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 being 
below the thresholds set at the start of the year, 
the Remuneration Committee concluded that it 
would not be appropriate to award any annual 
bonus to the Executive Directors with respect 
to 2021, notwithstanding that the personal 
objectives were again partially met.

Awards under the LTIP granted in 2019 (a cycle 
in which neither Eoghan O’Lionaird nor Duncan 
Kennedy participated) are due to vest in April 
2022. However, as a result of failing to hit the 
threshold earnings per share (EPS) and total 
shareholder return (TSR) targets, LTIP awards 
are expected to lapse in full.

Further detail of the targets and achievement 
against them is set out on pages 102 to 104.

Shareholder feedback
The Committee is grateful for the strong 
shareholder support at the 2021 AGM for 
both the binding resolution to approve the 
remuneration policy, and the advisory  
resolution to approve the Annual statement  
and Annual Report on Remuneration. We 
remain committed to effective and regular 
engagement with our shareholders in relation  
to remuneration, and hope that we can count 
on your continued support.

2022 remuneration
There are no changes proposed for the 
remuneration policy. A summary of the 
proposed approach to the implementation of 
the remuneration policy in 2022 is as follows:

 ‹ no change to the base salaries of Eoghan 

O’Lionaird and Duncan Kennedy (£530,000 
and £350,000 respectively);

 ‹ no change to the pension contributions 

received by the Executive Directors (noting 
that their pension contributions, at 7.5% of 
salary, are aligned with the average of the 
wider UK workforce);

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

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How shareholders’ views are 
taken into account 
The Committee takes an active interest 
in stakeholder views on our executive 
remuneration policy and its operation, and 
is particularly mindful of the concerns of 
shareholders. At the 2021 AGM, both the 
proposed remuneration policy and the Annual 
report on remuneration were supported by a 
significant majority of shareholders. In advance 
of the AGM, the Committee consulted with 
the Company’s major shareholders and the 
main representative groups in relation to 
the proposed changes to the Company’s 
remuneration policy, the vast majority of 
feedback received on which was supportive.

Directors’ remuneration policy
The table on the following pages summarises 
the remuneration policy approved by 
shareholders at the 2021 AGM. This policy 
took effect from that date for a period of up 
to three years. Minor amendments have been 
made to the drafting of this policy from the 
version approved by shareholders in 2021 
(which can be found in the 2020 Annual 
Report) including: (i) the data used in the pay-
for-performance scenarios; (ii) page references; 
and (iii) the sections on Executive Director 
service contracts and Non-Executive Director 
letters of appointment, to reflect changes in 
Board composition during 2021.

Remuneration policy report
Overview of Directors’ 
remuneration policy 

James Fisher and Sons plc operates in 
a competitive international environment. 
To continue to compete successfully, the 
Committee considers that it is essential that 
the level and structure of remuneration and 
benefits achieve the objective of attracting, 
retaining, motivating and rewarding the 
necessary high calibre individuals at all levels 
of the business. The Company therefore sets 
out to provide competitive remuneration to all 
of its employees, appropriate to the business 
environment in those countries in which  
it operates.

The remuneration strategy, as a significant 
contributor to competitive advantage, is 
designed to support the Company’s corporate 
strategy, and to align with the Company’s 
valued behaviours of pioneering spirit, integrity, 
energy and resilience.

A cohesive reward structure with a timely  
pay review process, consistently applied  
to all employees and with links to corporate 
performance, is seen as critical in ensuring  
all employees can associate with, and are 
focused on, the attainment of the Company’s 
strategic goals. Accordingly, the remuneration 
package for the Executive Directors is normally 
reviewed annually. Where an Executive 
Director’s responsibilities change during the 
course of a year, the Committee will consider 
whether a review is appropriate, outside  
of the annual process.

Executive remuneration reviews are based 
upon the following principles:

 ‹ total rewards should be set at appropriate 
levels to reflect the competitive market in 
which the Company operates, and to provide 
a fair and attractive remuneration package;

 ‹ reward elements should be designed to 

reinforce the link between performance and 
reward. The majority of the total remuneration 
package should be linked to the achievement 
of appropriate performance targets; and

 ‹ Executive Directors’ incentives should be 
aligned with the interests of shareholders. 
This is achieved through setting performance 
targets to reward increase in shareholder 
value and through the Committee’s policy 
to encourage shareholding by Executive 
Directors.

How the Directors’ remuneration 
policy relates to the wider Group
The remuneration policy set out within this 
report provides an overview of the structure 
that operates for the Executive Directors in the 
Group. Employees below Executive level have 
a lower proportion of their total remuneration 
made up of incentive-based remuneration, with 
remuneration driven by market comparators 
and the impact of the role of the employee in 
question. Long-term incentives are reserved 
for those judged as having the greatest 
potential to influence the Group’s delivery 
of strategy and Group performance. The 
Remuneration Committee considers pay 
and conditions across the workforce when 
reviewing and setting the Executive Director 
remuneration policy. During 2021, members of 
the Committee engaged with employees on a 
number of matters (more detail on page 20), 
including in relation to the role and activities 
of the Remuneration Committee in overseeing 
Executive remuneration. The 2021 employee 
engagement survey also sought feedback on 
the Group’s approach to remuneration, with 
resulting actions planned at both a Group and 
business level. Wider engagement on Executive 
remuneration is planned in 2022 as part of the 
Board’s employee engagement initiatives.

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Financial statements

ELEMENT

Salary

PURPOSE  
AND LINK  
TO STRATEGY

Designed to attract, 
retain, motivate and 
reward the necessary 
high calibre individuals 
to the Board.

Pensions

To offer competitive 
retirement benefits

Benefits

To offer competitive 
benefits

Annual bonus

To incentivise and 
reward the Executive 
Directors to deliver 
annual financial and 
operational targets.

OPERATION

MAXIMUM

PERFORMANCE 
TARGETS

Not applicable.

No prescribed 
maximum salary 
or salary increase. 
Salaries are set for 
each Executive Director 
within a range around 
the market median 
for similar positions in 
appropriate comparator 
companies. The 
Committee is also 
guided by the general 
increase for the 
employee population 
although increases may 
be higher or lower than 
this to recognise, for 
example, an increase 
in the scale, scope 
or responsibility of 
an individual and/or 
performance.

Workforce aligned on or 
before 1 January 2023.

Not applicable.

No prescribed 
maximum.

Not applicable.

Up to 100% of base 
salary.

Majority of the bonus 
potential is based 
on financial targets 
derived from the 
annual plan; and a 
minority of the bonus 
potential based on 
individual achievement 
and personal 
objectives.

Base salaries are a fixed annual sum 
normally effective 1 January and 
payable monthly in cash. 

Salaries are reviewed each year, 
normally effective 1 January 
and recognising the individual’s 
performance and experience, 
developments in the relevant 
employment market and having 
regard to the Group’s performance 
as well as comparing each 
Executive Director’s base salary  
to market data.

Executive Directors are eligible to 
join the Group’s defined contribution 
scheme, receive a company 
contribution into a personal 
pension scheme or be paid a cash 
supplement in lieu of pension.

Provision of a company car or 
cash alternative, life assurance and 
healthcare insurance. Other benefits 
may be provided where appropriate. 
These benefits do not form part of 
pensionable earnings.

Payable on the achievement of 
financial and personal objectives 
and non-pensionable.

The first 70% is payable in cash. 
Bonus in excess of 70% of basic 
salary is subject to deferral into 
shares, with awards vesting after 
three years, subject to normal  
good/bad leaver provisions, but 
no further performance targets. 
Dividend equivalent payments may 
be awarded (in cash or shares).

Malus and clawback provisions 
operate.

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Directors’ remuneration report cont.

ELEMENT

LTIP

PURPOSE  
AND LINK  
TO STRATEGY

To align the interests 
of the Executive 
Directors with the 
Group’s long-term 
performance, strategy 
and the interests of 
shareholders.

Share 
ownership

To ensure alignment 
between the interests of 
Executive Directors and 
shareholders.

Executive Directors are required 
to retain half of the shares vesting 
after tax under the LTIP until the 
guidelines are met.

PERFORMANCE 
TARGETS

Sliding scale targets 
linked to financial, 
share price and/or 
strategic metrics.

No more than 25% 
of an award vests at 
threshold, increasing 
to 100% vesting at 
maximum.

Not applicable.

OPERATION

MAXIMUM

Annual grant of share awards. 

Non pensionable.

A two-year post-vesting holding 
period applies to awards granted  
to Executive Directors. 

Malus and clawback provisions 
operate.

Post cessation guidelines apply 
to share awards granted following 
the 2021 AGM. In determining the 
relevant number of shares to be 
retained post cessation, shares 
acquired from own purchases and 
share awards granted prior to the 
2021 AGM will not be counted.

An all-employee share plan

Up to 200% of base 
salary. Awards above 
125% will be subject to 
stretch targets.

In Employment: 
200% of base salary for 
all Executive Directors.

Post cessation:
100% of the “in 
employment” 
requirement, until the 
second anniversary of 
cessation (or the actual 
shareholding if the 
guideline has not been 
met at cessation).

Sharesave

Non-Executive 
Directors

To encourage share 
ownership and align 
the interests of all 
employees and 
shareholders.

To provide fees 
to reflect the time 
commitment and 
responsibilities of each 
role in line with those 
provided by similarly 
sized companies.

As per prevailing HMRC 
limits.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Fixed annual fee, paid quarterly 
in cash reviewed annually: the 
Committee determines the 
Chairman’s fees. The Chairman 
and Executive Directors determine 
fees for the other Non-Executive 
Directors.

No prescribed 
maximum fee or fee 
increase, although 
fees are limited by the 
Company’s Articles of 
Association. The Board/ 
Committee is guided 
by market rates, time 
commitments and 
responsibility levels.

Notes:
(1)  The choice of the performance metrics applicable to the annual bonus reflect the Committee’s belief that any incentive compensation should be appropriately 

challenging and tied to the delivery of both financial and personal objectives;

(2)  LTIP performance conditions are selected based on the delivery of long-term returns to shareholders and the Group’s financial growth and are consistent with 

the Company’s strategy. Where operated: (i) TSR performance is monitored by an independent advisor; and (ii) EPS growth is derived from the audited financial 
statements;

(3)  The Committee operates its share plans in accordance with the plan rules and the Listing Rules. The Committee, consistent with market practice, retains discretion 

over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration of the plans (e.g. treatment of awards for leavers, change of control, adjustments to performance 
targets);

(4)  The Committee retains the right to exercise discretion to override formulaic outcomes and ensure that the level of bonus or share awards payable is appropriate. It may 
use its discretion to adjust outcomes to ensure that any payments made reflect overall Company performance and stakeholder experiences more generally. Where 
exercised, the rationale for this discretion will be fully disclosed to shareholders in the relevant Directors’ remuneration report;

(5)  Consistent with HMRC legislation, the all-employee share plan does not have performance conditions; and
(6)  In approving the Directors’ remuneration policy, authority is given to the Company to honour any past commitments entered into with current or former Directors 

including the vesting of share awards granted in the past.

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Financial statements

Malus and clawback provisions
Malus and clawback provisions operate in respect of the annual bonus (cash and deferred shares) and LTIP awards, with Committee discretion to 
apply them in the event of a material misstatement in the Company’s financial results, miscalculation, serious reputational damage to the Company, 
in the event it is discovered that the participant committed serious misconduct that could have warranted summary dismissal or a corporate failure/
insolvency.

The Committee may decide to operate the malus and clawback provisions within a three-year period commencing on the date that the cash part of 
any annual bonus is paid (for cash and deferred share bonus awards), and within a three-year period of any LTIP vesting date.

Scenario charts

£2,500

£2,000

£1,500

£1,000

)

0
0
0
£

(

n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

£500

£0

£2,120

46.9%

£1,788

37.0%

29.6%

25.0%

£1,192

27.8%

22.2%

£596

Fixed

Annual bonus

LTIP

£1,393

47.1%

£1,174

37.3%

29.8%

25.1%

£781

28.0%

22.4%

£387

100.0%

50.0%

33.3%

28.1%

100.0%

49.6%

32.9%

27.8%

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum 
+ 50% share 
price growth

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum 
+ 50% share 
price growth

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy

Approach to recruitment
New Executive Directors will be appointed on remuneration packages with the same structure and elements set out in the Directors’ remuneration 
policy table. Ongoing incentive pay/share-based awards will be limited to:

 ‹ Maximum annual bonus of 100% of salary; and
 ‹ LTIP award of up to 200% of salary.

For external appointments, the Committee may offer additional cash or share-based elements to replace deferred or incentive pay forfeited by an 
executive when leaving a previous employer. It would seek to ensure, where possible, that these awards would be consistent with awards forfeited in 
terms of vesting periods, expected value and performance conditions. Shareholders will be informed of any such payments as soon as practicable 
following the appointment.

For an internal appointment, any variable pay element awarded in respect of the prior role may be allowed to pay out according to its original terms. 
In addition, any other ongoing remuneration obligations existing prior to appointment may continue, provided that they are put to shareholders for 
approval at the earliest opportunity.

For external and internal appointments, the Committee may agree that the Company will meet certain relocation and incidental expenses as 
appropriate.

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Governance

Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Loss of office
In relation to Executive Directors leaving the Company, the Committee is committed to applying a consistent and equitable approach to ensure the 
Company is equitable, but pays no more than necessary. The loss of office policy is in line with market practice and will be dependent on whether the 
individual is deemed a ‘good leaver’ or ‘bad leaver’. The ‘good leaver’ policy includes:

 ‹ payment in lieu of notice equal to one year’s basic salary or, if termination is part way through the notice period, the amount of salary relating to any 
unexpired notice to the date of termination. There is an obligation on Directors to mitigate any loss which they may suffer if the Company terminates 
their service contract;

 ‹ bonus payments for the period worked may be made, subject to the original performance targets, at the discretion of the Committee. Any such 

payments would be made on the normal payment date;

 ‹ vesting of share scheme awards is not automatic and the Committee retains the discretion to prevent awards from lapsing depending on the 

circumstances of the departure and the best interests of the Company. For a ‘good leaver’: (i) deferred bonus awards will normally vest in full at the 
normal vesting date (although may vest earlier, including at cessation); and (ii) LTIP awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date (although may 
vest earlier, including at cessation) subject to performance against the performance targets and LTIP awards will normally be pro-rated;

 ‹ the ‘good leaver’ reasons are death, injury, illness or disability, redundancy, retirement, transfer of business resulting in cessation of the individual’s 

employment within the Group and any other reason at the Committee’s discretion; 

 ‹ no compensation is paid for summary dismissal, save for any statutory entitlements;
 ‹ Executive Directors will also be entitled to a payment in respect of accrued but untaken annual holiday entitlements on termination; and
 ‹ Legal fees and outplacement support may be paid by the Company where appropriate.

During the year, the Committee applied the loss of office policy with respect to the departure of the former Group Finance Director, Stuart Kilpatrick 
with effect from 29 April 2021. The results of the application of the policy on Stuart Kilpatrick’s remuneration are set out in more detail on page 104.

Service contracts

It is the Board’s policy that Executive Directors are employed on contracts subject to no more than 12 months’ notice from either side. The Board 
recognises however that it may be necessary in the case of new executive appointments to offer an initial longer notice period, which would 
subsequently reduce to 12 months after the expiry of the initial period. The service agreements do not have a fixed term. If it becomes necessary to 
consider termination of a service contract, the Committee will have regard to all the circumstances of the case, including mitigation, when determining 
any compensation to be paid. Details of the current service contracts are as follows:

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy

Contract date

Notice period

1 September 2019

1 May 2021

12 months

12 months

The Executive Directors are permitted to serve as non-executive directors of other companies, provided the appointment is first approved by the 
Remuneration and Nominations Committees. Directors are allowed to retain their fees from such appointments. During 2021, the Executive Directors 
held no external appointments.

Non-Executive Directors do not have service contracts but have a letter of appointment setting out their terms and conditions. Non-Executive 
Directors are appointed each year for up to 12 months (subject to re-election at the AGM) and are entitled to one month’s prior written notice of early 
termination for which no compensation is payable. Details of the letters for the currently appointed Non-Executive Directors are set out below:

Angus Cockburn

Justin Atkinson

Inken Braunschmidt 

Aedamar Comiskey

Kash Pandya

Michael Salter

Claire Hawkings

Date of appointment

Letter of appointment

1 May 2021

1 February 2018

1 March 2019

1 November 2014

1 November 2021

1 August 2013

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

1 January 2022

100 

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Governance

Financial statements

Annual report on remuneration
Remuneration Committee
The Committee members have no personal financial interest, other than as shareholders, in the matters to be decided.

They have no conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships with the Executive Directors, nor from being involved in the day-to-day business of 
the Company.

The Committee operates under clear written terms of reference and confirms that its constitution and operation comply with the applicable provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) (prevailing at the date this report is signed) in relation to Directors’ remuneration policy and 
practice and that it has applied the Code throughout the year. As noted on page 76, with respect to Code provision 41, various channels have been 
established for the Board’s engagement with employees, including in relation to remuneration. The channels include the employee engagement 
survey, the activities of the Designated Non-Executive Director for Employee Engagement (including regular attendance at the employee engagement 
working group), and the Non-Executive Directors leading a discussion at the Group’s management conference on the role of the Committee, 
including in relation to alignment of executive remuneration with wider Group remuneration policy. The Board is also considering further enhanced 
mechanisms for employee engagement in relation to executive remuneration for implementation in 2022.

The Committee’s terms of reference include:

 ‹ to determine and agree with the Board the framework and policy for Executive Directors and senior managers;
 ‹ to review the appropriateness and relevance of the remuneration policy;
 ‹ to agree the measures and targets for any performance related bonus and share schemes of the Executive Directors;
 ‹ to determine within the terms of the policy the total individual remuneration package of the Executive Directors and selected senior management 

immediately below Board; and

 ‹  to review senior management pay remuneration and workforce remuneration policies and practice.

Advisers to the Remuneration Committee
In undertaking its responsibilities, the Committee seeks independent external advice as necessary. To this end, FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP 
(FIT) acted as the principal external advisers to the Committee until August 2021. Following a competitive tender, the Committee appointed Ellason 
LLP (Ellason) as its principal external adviser from August 2021. 

The Committee confirms that both FIT and Ellason provided independent remuneration advice to the Committee during 2021, and that neither 
organisation has any other connections with the Company that may impair independence. Both FIT and Ellason are members and signatories of the 
Code of Conduct for Remuneration Consultants, details of which can be found at www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com.

During 2021, FIT provided independent advice on remuneration matters including the remuneration policy review and its implementation for 2021. 
FIT provides no other services to the Company. The fees paid to FIT in respect of work carried out for the year under review were £43,209. Ellason 
provided independent advice on remuneration matters including the external environment and incentive design for 2022. Ellason provides no other 
services to the Company. The fees paid to Ellason in respect of work carried out for the year under review were £16,613. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

101

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Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors’ fees for 2021 and 2022 are set out below, all of which are payable in cash.

Chairman

Other Non-Executive Director fees:
Basic fee

Additional fee for the chair of Audit Committee

Additional fee for the chair of Remuneration Committee

Additional fee for the Senior Independent Director

2022
£

210,125

54,632

12,000

8,000

8,000

2021
£

210,125

54,632

12,000

8,000

8,000

Total remuneration of the Executive Directors (audited)

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy(1)

Stuart Kilpatrick(1)

Base salary(2)

Benefits(3) 

Pension(4)

Bonus in cash

Bonus in deferred shares

Total short-term remuneration 

LTIP – performance

LTIP – share appreciation

Dividend equivalents

LTIP – total

Other

Total remuneration

Total fixed remuneration

Total variable remuneration

2021
£000

530

26

42

–

–

598

–

–

–

n/a

–

598

598

–

2020
£000

464

23

35

–

–

522

–

–

–

n/a

–

522

522

–

2021
£000

232

7

11

–

–

250

–

–

–

n/a

–

250

250

–

2020
£000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2021
£000

117

4

10

–

–

131

–

–

–

–

–

131

131

–

2020
£000

333

12

39

–

–

384

–

–

–

–

–

384

71

–

(1)  The amounts disclosed above for 2021 reflect the period: 

(i)  with respect to Stuart Kilpatrick, from 1 January 2021 until he stepped down from the Board with effect from 29 April 2021, although Stuart Kilpatrick continues to 

be paid until cessation of employment on 31 March 2022, subject to mitigation. More details can be found on page 104; and 

(ii)  with respect to Duncan Kennedy, from 1 May 2021, when he took up his role on the Board, until 31 December 2021. 

(2)  As part of the measures implemented by the Company at the start of the COVID pandemic, Eoghan O’Lionaird’s 2020 salary (£530,000) was reduced by 50% and 

Stuart Kilpatrick’s 2020 salary (£350,000) was reduced by 20%, in each case for three months from 1 April 2020, and not repaid.

(3)  Benefits comprised a cash allowance in lieu of car and medical insurance.

(4)  Pension contributions may be paid into personal pension plans, the Company pension scheme or taken as a separate cash allowance, subject to income tax.  

In line with the approach taken across the UK workforce, the Group passes on 75% of the National Insurance cost saving arising from an individual’s election to  
join the Group’s SMART pension scheme arrangement through salary sacrifice. During 2020 and 2021, Eoghan O’Lionaird elected to participate in the Group’s  
SMART pension in this way, and the value of the cost saving passed on to him is reflected above.

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Governance

Financial statements

Annual bonus awards for 2021 (audited)
The maximum annual bonus for Executive Directors was 100% of base salary, with 70% based on financial objectives (note 1 below) and 30% based 
on individual achievement and personal objectives (note 2 below). The first 70% of any bonus award is paid in cash and the balance is awarded in 
shares and deferred for three years (with dividend equivalents and malus and clawback provisions applying). No bonus was awarded to the Executive 
Directors with respect to 2021, as set out below.

Note 1 – Financial objectives (70% of maximum):

Performance measure
Adjusted profit before tax target

Performance target
Minimum threshold £34m 
Maximum £39m

Assessment against targets
Threshold starts at 0% and increases to 100% of this element  
of the bonus at maximum target performance.

Actual performance

£19.7m

0% of this part of the bonus was paid out.

Note 2 – Personal objectives (30% of maximum):
Eoghan O’Lionaird

Objectives
1

Lead update of and gain Board approval for the Group strategy to be communicated at a capital markets day in 2021

2

3

4

Lead the design of and gain Board approval for a Group internal reorganisation aligned with the agreed Group strategy

Review and agree action plan with the Board in relation to the 2020 Group-wide engagement survey results linked with the 
Group purpose, for implementation during 2021

Develop and deploy across the Group a focused global sustainability strategy to meet the current expectations of all our 
stakeholders

5 Maintain operational and financial control over the Group’s assets, including the execution of agreed disposals and acquisitions 

and agreed strategic health and safety targets in line with the Group strategy

Total

Duncan Kennedy

Objectives
1

Lead the refinancing of RCF facilities, ensuring that the Group maintains sufficient access to capital from high quality lenders.

2

3

4

5

6

Obtain Board approval for strategies covering finance, IR and IT.

Support the CEO and Board in the implementation of agreed Group strategy, including robust financial analysis of proposed 
investments; capital markets day; investor communications; budgets and mid-term financial plans.

Complete a review of the Group’s governance and risk management frameworks and implement recommendations, having 
regard to potential new requirements resulting from the BEIS consultation.

Enhance Group financial reporting to include: appropriate divisional and Group financial KPIs; monthly financial reporting to 
opcos, divisions, Executive Committee and Board.

Review current finance team: strengthen where appropriate; establish finance leadership team; ensure cash focus; forecasting 
improvements

Total

Stuart Kilpatrick (former Director)

Weighting 
(% of bonus)
6%

6%

6%

6%

6%

30%

Weighting 
(% of bonus)
5%

5%

5%

5%

5%

5%

30%

Stuart Kilpatrick stepped down from the Board and left the Company with effect from 29 April 2021. As a ‘good leaver’, it was agreed that he should 
retain a pro-rated opportunity under the 2021 bonus, and for which personal performance would be assessed by the Committee on a discretionary 
basis at the normal time (i.e. following the end of the financial year).

As the actual performance of the Group did not meet the minimum threshold of underlying profit before tax figure of £34m, the Remuneration 
Committee did not consider that it would be appropriate to award any part of the 2021 bonus to the Executive Directors (including Stuart Kilpatrick) 
based on their personal objectives. Therefore, no formal assessment of these targets has been disclosed. The Executive Directors’ personal 
objectives have been reset for 2022, and further details are set out in the Implementation of the remuneration policy for 2022 section on page 110 
(and will be disclosed fully in the 2022 remuneration report).

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

103

Governance

Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Vesting of 2019 LTIP awards (audited)
The LTIP values included in the table below relate to awards granted on 2 April 2019 which vest on 6 April 2022 dependent on EPS and TSR 
performance. EPS is measured over the three-year period ended 31 December 2021, while TSR is measured over the three-year period from  
4 April 2019. Therefore, the figures set out below for the LTIP vesting are indicative, based on an estimate of TSR as at 28 February 2022.

Under the EPS performance target (70% of awards) which uses a sliding scale, 25% of this part of an award vests where growth of diluted  
earnings per share of RPI plus 9% is achieved over the three-year performance period, increasing pro-rata to full vesting where growth of RPI plus 
18% is achieved.

Performance target
Underlying diluted EPS

Base EPS
89.5

EPS 
at year end
20.0

EPS 
growth
None

Threshold 
RPI +9%
20.2%

Maximum
RPI +18%
29.2%

Vesting %
0%

Under the TSR performance target (30% of awards) which uses a sliding scale, 25% of this part of an award vests for median TSR increasing  
pro-rata to full vesting for upper quartile TSR, measured against the constituents of the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts. The three-year 
performance outturn under the TSR element is expected to be nil vesting.

As a result of EPS and TSR performance, no LTIP share awards are expected to vest on 6 April 2022.

LTIP awards granted in 2021 (audited)

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy

Award
date 
9 April 2021

28 May 2021

Proportion 
of salary
125%

Maximum 
shares awarded
54,197

125%

35,790

Face value 
at date of grant(1)

£662.5k

£437.5k

Exercise price 
at grant
–

–

(1)  The share price at date of award was based on five-day average closing price from 11 March 2021 (the date of the preliminary results) to 17 March 2021, of 1,222.4p.

Stuart Kilpatrick did not receive an LTIP award in 2021, because he stepped down from the Board with effect from 29 April 2021.

Vesting of the 2021 LTIP award (in the form of a conditional award) is subject to achievement of performance targets over a three-year period with 
70% of the award based on EPS targets and 30% based on TSR targets. EPS target performance is measured over the three-year period ending 
on 31 December 2023. The EPS element of the award vests if EPS growth is at least 25% over the period. At the threshold level, 25% of the EPS 
element of the award will vest. Full vesting is achieved if EPS growth is greater than or equal to 67% over the performance period. The TSR element 
of the award is subject to the Company’s TSR performance relative to the FTSE 250 index excluding investment trusts, over the three-year period 
from 4 April 2021. If at the end of the period the Company ranks in the upper quartile, all of the TSR element of the award will vest. If the ranking is at 
median level, 25% of TSR element of the award will vest. No element of the TSR part of the award will vest for performance below the median.  
For intermediate rankings, a proportionate part of each award will vest reducing on a straight-line basis. Any part of the award that does not vest at 
the end of a performance period will lapse immediately.

Deferred bonus awards granted in 2021 in respect of 2020 annual bonus (audited)
No deferred bonus awards were granted in 2021 in respect of the 2020 annual bonus as a result of no bonus being payable.

Payments for loss of office (audited)
As announced on 29 March 2021, Stuart Kilpatrick stepped down from the Board and left the Company with effect from 29 April 2021. Details of the 
arrangements in respect of remuneration are as follows:

 ‹ Contractual entitlement to salary (based on salary of £350,000) and benefits during a period of garden leave, which continues until his anticipated 

cessation of employment on 31 March 2022, subject to mitigation.

 ‹ In respect of outstanding share awards: (i) the 2018 deferred bonus awards vested on the normal vesting date; (ii) the 2019 deferred bonus awards 
will vest at the normal vesting date; and (iii) unvested LTIP awards will vest on their normal vesting dates, subject to time prorating and performance 
conditions. Dividend equivalents may be credited to the extent that awards vest.

 ‹ The Company will have paid £2,750 plus VAT in respect of legal fees and £50,000 in respect of outplacement support. 

Payments to former Directors (audited)
As previously disclosed, Fergus Graham stepped down from the Board of the Company with effect from 19 March 2020. As set out in last year’s 
Directors’ remuneration report, he continued to receive his contractual entitlement to salary and benefits during a period of garden leave that ended 
on 19 March 2021. The contractual entitlement paid to Mr Graham in respect of the 2021 period was £70,000 (2020: £71,000). Mr Graham received 
no further payment in lieu of notice or any other termination payments. Mr Graham retains his interest in his 2019 deferred bonus award (due to vest 
in April 2022).

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Governance

Financial statements

CEO pay ratio (unaudited)
The table shows how the CEO’s single figure remuneration for 2021 compares to equivalent single figure remuneration for full-time equivalent  
UK employees as at 1 December, ranked at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile (and how this ratio has evolved since 2019):

2021

2020

2019

25th 
percentile
pay ratio
22 : 1

19 : 1

28 : 1

Median 
pay ratio
16 : 1

14 : 1

19 : 1

75th 
percentile
pay ratio
10 : 1

9 : 1

13 : 1

Method
Option A

Option A

Option A

No components of pay and benefits have been omitted for the purpose of the above calculations. As in 2019 and 2020, Option A was selected given 
that this method of calculation was considered to be the most robust approach in respect of gathering the required data for 2021.

The Committee monitors the trend in CEO pay ratio over time. The reduction from 2019 to 2020, and subsequent rebound in 2021, illustrates the 
impact of the non-payment of bonus in 2020 and 2021 (by contrast to 2019) and the voluntary sacrifice by the CEO (of 50% of his salary for the three 
months commencing 1 April 2020) in response to the onset of the COVID pandemic. The Committee will continue to keep under review the trend, in 
particular the impact of incentive payouts in future years. It is expected that these would be reflected in a higher ratio, due to the relative upweighting 
of variable remuneration in the CEO’s package, compared with market competitive norms for the wider UK workforce (and consistent with our pay 
practices and policies).

2021

2020

2019

25th 
percentile
£25,000

£24,000

£24,480

Salary

Median
£34,000

£33,127

£34,150

Total pay and benefits

75th 
percentile
£50,000

£50,000

£52,000

25th 
percentile
£27,770

£27,000

£25,459

Median
£37,120

£37,500

£36,541

75th 
percentile
£59,280

£58,963

£55,240

Aligning pay with performance (unaudited)
The following graph shows the total shareholder return compared to the FTSE 250 and the FTSE Small Cap indices excluding investment trusts:

Growth in the value of £100 holding over ten years

James Fisher and Sons plc

FTSE Mid 250 Excluding Investment Trust Index

FTSE Small Capitalisation Index Ex Investment Trusts

£600

£500

£400

£300

£200

£100

£0

31-Dec-11 31-Dec-12 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-14 31-Dec-15 31-Dec-16 31-Dec-17 31-Dec-18 31-Dec-19 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-21

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2021, of £100 invested in the Company on 31 December 2011, compared with the value of £100 
invested in the FTSE 250 and FTSE SmallCap indices on the same date. The other points plotted are the values at intervening financial year-ends.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

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Governance

Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Remuneration of CEO compared with growth in underlying diluted earnings per share

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Nick Henry

2019

2019

Annual change – underlying diluted EPS (pence)

Salary, pensions and benefits (£000)

Annual performance bonus (£000)

Short-term remuneration (£000)

Share schemes (£000)

CEO total remuneration (£000)

Actual bonus as a percentage of maximum 

LTIP vesting as a percentage of maximum

ESOS vesting as a percentage of maximum

2020(1)

2021
(58)% (52)%
522

598

–

598

–

598

–

n/a

n/a

–

522

–

522

–

n/a

n/a

4%

189

–

189

–

189

–

n/a

n/a

2018

14%

526

448

1,010

889

2017

7%

512

392

904

109

2016

11%

492

429

921

183

1,899

1,013

1,104

2015

(7)%

492

97

589

318

907

2014

13%

471

287

758

728

2013

18%

439

263

702

691

2012

15%

355

210

565

781

1,486

1,393

1,346

4%

421

35

456

418

874

17%

91% 88% 100%

23% 100% 100% 100%

59% 100%

15%

47% 100% 100% 100% 100%

–

–

–

45%

–

100% 100% 100%

(1)  
for three months from 1 April 2020, and not repaid.

As part of the measures implemented by the Company at the start of the COVID pandemic, Eoghan O’Lionaird’s 2020 salary (£530,000) was reduced by 50% 

Percentage change in remuneration (unaudited)
The table below shows the annual percentage change in earned salary or fees, benefits and annual bonus for the Board, compared to the average 
earnings of all of the Group’s other UK employees. As required by the remuneration reporting regulations with which the Company is required to 
comply, the analysis has been expanded to include this information for the financial year under review, and will continue to be built up until it displays 
a five year history.

The Committee chose the Group’s UK employees for the below pay comparison. Our UK employee population represented around 60% of the 
Group’s workforce in 2021, and is therefore considered to be the most meaningful comparator group (by comparison, employees of James Fisher 
and Sons plc represented less than 5% of the workforce). The Committee monitors this information carefully to ensure that there is consistency in the 
fixed pay trend for Board Directors compared with the wider workforce.

Base salary/fee(1)

2020 
to 2021

2019 
to 2020

Benefits

Annual bonus

2020 
to 2021

2019 
to 2020

2020 
to 2021

Executive Directors
Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy(2)

Stuart Kilpatrick(3)

Non-Executive Directors
Angus Cockburn(4)

Malcolm Paul(3)

Aedamar Comiskey

Michael Salter

Justin Atkinson

Inken Braunschmidt(5)

Kash Pandya(6)

Employee population

14%

N/A

5%

N/A

5%

5%

5%

5%

5%

N/A

3.4%

(12)%

N/A

5%

N/A

(3)%

(3)%

(1)%

(3)%

N/A

N/A

5%

13%

N/A

–

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2%

–

N/A

1%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2019
to 2020

N/A

N/A

(100)%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

(88)%

(19)%

(1)  Reflects the 20% reduction to base salary volunteered by all Board directors for three months from 1 April 2020 (the CEO volunteering a 50% reduction), not an 

increase in base salaries or Directors’ fees.

(2)  Duncan Kennedy joined the Board in May 2021 so a year-on-year comparison is not available.

(3)  For the comparison of 2021 to 2020, the percentage changes for Stuart Kilpatrick and Malcolm Paul reflect annualised values for 2021 remuneration. Malcolm Paul left 

the Board in April 2021.

(4)  Angus Cockburn joined the Board in May 2021 so a year-on-year comparison is not available.

(5)  Inken Braunschmidt joined the Board in March 2019 so a year-on-year comparison from 2019 to 2020 is not available.

(6)  Kash Pandya joined the Board in November 2021 so a year-on-year comparison is not available.

106 

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Governance

Financial statements

Relative importance of remuneration (unaudited)

Total employee remuneration

Total dividends paid

2021
£m

136.4

–

2020
£m

133.7

4.0

Change
£m

2.7

(4.0)

Interests in shares (audited)
The interests of Directors and their connected persons in ordinary shares as at 31 December 2021, including any interests in share options and 
shares provisionally awarded under the LTIP and the 2005 Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS) are as follows:

Angus Cockburn

Eoghan O’Lionaird

Duncan Kennedy

Justin Atkinson

Inken Braunschmidt

Aedamar Comiskey

Kash Pandya

Michael Salter

Former directors
Stuart Kilpatrick

Beneficial
number
5,000

42,313

5,000

3,150

–

–

–

–

Unvested 
LTIP number(1)

–

96,504

35,790

–

–

–

–

–

Unvested
deferred 
bonus
shares(1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Vested but
unexercised
share options
ESOS 
number
–

Exercised 
during 
the year
number
–

At 
31 December
2020
number
n/a

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13,447

n/a

3,150

–

–

–

–

76,720

39,210

3,374

37,153

3,527

74,851

(1)  The unvested LTIP awards are subject to performance conditions. The unvested deferred bonus share awards are not subject to performance conditions;

(2)  Between 31 December 2021 and 9 March 2022, there were no changes to the Directors’ shareholdings;

(3)  No Director has an interest in the preference shares of the Company, or in the shares of any subsidiary or associated undertaking;

(4)  The Directors’ interests stated above include any shares held by their connected persons; and

(5)  Stuart Kilpatrick’s interests in shares are shown based on the position on the date he stepped down from the Board (29 April 2021).

Against the 200% of salary ownership guideline and based on the share price and prevailing base salary levels as at 31 December 2021,  
Eoghan O’Lionaird held shares equivalent to 29.5% of his base salary, and Duncan Kennedy held shares equivalent to 5.3% of his base salary.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

107

Governance

Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Executive Directors’ interest in share awards (audited)

Eoghan O’Lionaird

LTIP

LTIP

Sharesave

Duncan Kennedy

LTIP

Stuart Kilpatrick(2)

Sharesave

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

Deferred 
Bonus

Deferred 
Bonus

Sharesave

Granted
during year
(no.)

Vested 
during year
(no.)

Lapsed 
during year 
(no.)

Exercise 
price

31 
December
2021

1 January
2021

42,307

–

–

54,197

2,935

45,242

–

–

–

25,669

20,584

27,938

3,527

3,374

2,935

84,027

–

54,197

35,790

–

35,790

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,527)

–

–

(3,527)

(3,527)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(25,669)

–

(9,312)

–

–

(2,935)

(37,916)

(37,916)

Vesting 
date

24.07.23

09.04.24

Expiry 
date

n/a

n/a

01.12.25(1)

01.06.26

42,307

54,197

2,935

99,439

35,790

–

35,790

–

20,584

18,626

–

28.05.24

–

06.04.21

06.04.22

24.07.23

04.04.21

n/a

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

10.22p

n/a

–

–

n/a

–

–

–

–

–

3,374

02.04.22

10.22p

n/a

–

42,584

177,813

01.12.25(1)

01.06.26

Total

129,269

89,987

(1)  Eoghan O’Lionaird and Stuart Kilpatrick were granted options under the five year all employee Sharesave scheme granted on 21 October 2020. The options will 

mature on 1 December 2025, at which point the participant may elect to receive shares or the cash saved.

(2)  The interests in shares for Stuart Kilpatrick are included, although he stepped down from the Board with effect from 29 April 2021.

A two-year holding period applies to awards granted after the 2018 AGM. The schemes above (other than Sharesave) are not tax-advantaged for HM 
Revenue and Customs purposes. As at 9 March 2022, being the last practical date prior to the publication of this report, there were no changes to 
the Executive Directors’ interests in LTIP and Deferred Bonus Share awards.

Sourcing of shares and dilution
The Remuneration Committee has regard to the limits on dilution advised by the Investment Association and contained in the relevant share plan rules 
and reviews the number of shares committed and headroom available under share incentive schemes in accordance with these dilution limits.

On vesting, the awards of shares under the LTIP are satisfied by the shares held by the James Fisher and Sons plc Employee Share Trust (Trust). 
During the year the Trust purchased 50,000 ordinary shares on the open market (2020: 50,000) and at 31 December 2021 the Trust held 54,571 
ordinary shares (2020: 9,227).

108 

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Financial statements

Share price during the financial year
The middle market price of one ordinary share in the Company during the financial year ranged from 289.5p to 1,270p and at 31 December 2021 
was 369.5p.

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration

Angus Cockburn(1)

Aedamar Comiskey(2)

Michael Salter

Justin Atkinson(3)

Inken Braunschmidt

Kash Pandya(4)

Former directors
Malcolm Paul(5)

Total fees

2021
£000

140

71

55

67

55

9

70

2020(6)
£000

–

67

52

63

52

–

199

(1)  Angus Cockburn joined the Board on 1 May 2021.

(2)  The fees include payment in respect of (i) Chair of the Remuneration Committee fee of £8,000 per annum and (ii) Senior Independent Non-Executive Director fee of 

£8,000 per annum.

(3)  The fees include a payment in respect of Chairman of the Audit Committee fee of £12,000.

(4)  Kash Pandya joined the Board on 1 November 2021.

(5)  Malcolm Paul stepped down from the Board on 30 April 2021.

(6)  The Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reduced by 20% for three months from 1 April 2020.

Shareholder voting (unaudited)
The Company is committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting outcomes. Where there are substantial votes 
against resolutions including in relation to Directors’ remuneration, the Company seeks to understand the reasons for any such vote and will report 
any actions in response to it. Due to government restrictions in response to COVID, the Company was not able to hold its 2021 AGM in Barrow-
in-Furness as originally planned, and it was instead held at the Company’s London office, with only shareholder Directors present. Voting at the 
2021 AGM was held by proxy. The following table reflects the valid proxy voting instructions received for the 2021 AGM in respect of the Directors’ 
remuneration policy, the Directors’ remuneration report for the year ended 31 December 2020, and the 2021 LTIP rules:

Directors’  
remuneration policy

Directors’  
remuneration report

2021 LTIP rules

2021 AGM remuneration resolutions
For

Total number 
of votes
37,499,177

% of 
votes cast
97.6%

Total number 
of votes
38,196,666

% of 
votes cast
98.6%

Total number 
of votes
37,499,614

Against

938,426

2.4%

Total votes cast (excluding withheld votes)

38,437,603

Total votes withheld

Total votes cast (including withheld votes)

311,166

38,748,769

543,430

38,740,096

8,673

38,748,769

1.4%

1,243,105

38,742,719

6,050

38,748,769

% of 
votes cast
96.8%

3.2%

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109

Governance

Directors’ remuneration report cont.

Implementation of the remuneration policy for 2022 (unaudited)
With effect from 1 January 2022, Eoghan O’Lionaird’s base salary remained at £530,000, and Duncan Kennedy’s base salary remained at £350,000.

The maximum bonus opportunity continues to be set at 100% of base salary. Financial targets are set to be challenging and appropriately 
demanding. For 2022, the weighting on profit has been revised to 50% (2021: 70%) with the remainder of the financial element of the annual bonus 
(20% of the opportunity) linked to operating cash flow. In addition, and to align Executive incentives more closely with our stated strategy, the profit 
element will be based on our stated KPI, underlying operating profit (2021: PBT). As in previous years, 30% of the bonus opportunity will be linked 
to the achievement of personal objectives. Personal objectives for 2022 will include ESG targets focused on employee engagement, customer 
satisfaction, and other short-term business priorities. The targets are commercially sensitive but disclosure of the targets and performance against 
targets will be set out in the 2022 Directors’ remuneration report.

As described in the Annual statement prefacing this remuneration report, awards in 2022 under the LTIP will be granted to Eoghan O’Lionaird and 
Duncan Kennedy with 50% of the award based on EPS growth targets, 25% based on relative TSR targets and 25% based on Return on Capital 
Employed (ROCE) targets. At the time of signing this report, the Committee had not finalised the LTIP award opportunity levels for the Executive 
Directors. These will be within the stated normal limit of 125% of salary, and disclosed in the RNS announcement at the time of making the awards.

The performance period for the EPS and ROCE element of the award will run for three years ending 31 December 2024. For the TSR element, 
performance will be measured over three years against the constituents of the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts, with full vesting if the Company 
ranks in the upper quartile and 25% of the TSR element vesting for ranking median with straight-line vesting in between. At the date of signing this 
report, the Committee has not finalised the EPS and ROCE performance targets. These will be set to be appropriately stretching in the context of the 
Group’s strategic plan. The Committee intends to disclose the targets in the RNS announcement at the time of making awards.

Aedamar Comiskey 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
9 March 2022

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Governance

Financial statements

Directors’ report

Additional information and statutory disclosures

SUBJECT MATTER

Likely future developments in the business

Research and development

Employee involvement/engagement

Relationships with suppliers, customers and others

Greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and efficiency action

Use of financial instruments

LOCATION

Strategic report

Strategic report

Strategic report

Strategic report

Strategic report

Note 29

PAGE

12

22

20

21

40

166

This section contains additional information 
which the Directors are required by law 
and regulation to include within the Annual 
Report and Accounts. The Directors’ report 
comprises this section as well as the rest of the 
Governance section (from pages 74 to 112) 
and those sections of the Strategic report or 
financial statements as referenced below.

We have chosen, in accordance with the Act, 
to include certain information in our Strategic 
report or financial statements that would 
otherwise be required to be disclosed in the 
Directors’ report. This is set out in the table 
above. 

The Directors’ report and Strategic report 
comprise the ‘management reports’ for 
the purposes of compliance with Financial 
Services Authority’s Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules (DTR) 4.1.8R. The 
information that fulfils the requirements of 
the Corporate Governance Statement for 
the purposes of DTR 7 can be found in the 
governance information on pages 72 to 117 
(all of which forms part of this Directors’ report) 
and in this Directors’ report. The statement 
of Directors’ responsibilities on page 117 is 
incorporated into this Directors’ report by 
reference.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, the financial position of the 
Group and a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties are set out in the Strategic 
report on pages 1 to 71. The Group’s primary 
sources of funding are bilateral and syndicated 
revolving credit facilities with a core group of 
banks, which totalled £287.5m at  
31 December 2021 (2020: £300m). During  
the year bilateral facilities were refinanced 
through the execution of a new syndicated 
facility of £130m. An existing facility of £40m 
is due to expire during 2022, and may not 
be renewed if the Board considers that the 
Group has sufficient finance available to sustain 
operations at that point.

Compliance with banking covenants is 
tested half yearly for the ratio of net debt: 
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation (Ebitda) and interest cover. For 
prudence, facility amendments were agreed 
to relax the net debt : Ebitda covenant metrics 
with respect to the December 2020 and 
June 2021 reporting dates, although these 
relaxations proved to be unnecessary as actual 
leverage at these reporting dates were within 
the original unaltered covenants. No breaches 
in covenants occurred during 2021. The 
covenants reverted to the original requirements 
for 31 December 2021.

The Group meets its day-to-day working  
capital requirements through operating 
cash flows, with borrowings in place to fund 
acquisitions and capital expenditure. The Group 
had £115.5m (2020: £120.2m) of undrawn 
committed facilities as at 31 December 2021. 
The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking 
account of reasonable changes in trading 
performance, confirm that the Group should 
be able to operate within the level of its current 
banking facilities.

The Group uses cash flow forecasts derived 
from budgets, forecasts and medium-term 
planning to identify headroom under the 
covenant tests. After making enquiries, and 
having evaluated the ongoing trading of the 
businesses, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue to operate for a period 
considered to be at least 12 months from the 
date of this report. Accordingly, the Directors 
consider it appropriate to continue to adopt  
the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the Annual Report and Accounts. 
More detail on the going concern review is set 
out in Note 1 on page 134.

Dividends
As a result of performance challenges, 
combined with the Company’s leverage 
position, the Company did not pay an interim 
dividend for 2021, and the Board is not 
recommending the payment of a final dividend 
for the year. The Board is committed to 
reinstating the dividend when appropriate.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

111

Governance

Directors’ report cont.

Share capital
Details of the share capital of the Company and 
the shares held by the Company’s Employee 
Share Trust, including the rights and obligations 
attaching to the shares are set out in note 30 on 
page 174. The rights and obligations attaching 
to the shares are set out in the Company’s 
Articles of Association (Articles). There are no 
specific requirements on the size of a holding 
nor on the transfer of shares, both of which 
are governed by the general provisions of the 
Articles and prevailing legislation. The Directors 
are not aware of any agreements between the 
holders of the Company’s shares that may 
result in restrictions on the transfer of securities 
or on voting rights. No person has any special 
rights of control over the Company’s share 
capital. Where shares are held on behalf of the 
Company’s employee benefit trust, the trustees 
have discretion to vote on any shares as they 
see fit and have not waived their right to receive 
dividends.

At the 2021 AGM, the Company was given 
authority to purchase up to 2,518,439 of its 
ordinary shares until the date of its next AGM. 
No purchases were made during the year and 
up to the date of this report by the Company.

The Company has one class of ordinary share 
and one class of preference share. As at 31 
December 2021, 50,395,519 ordinary shares 
of 25p each have been issued, are fully paid up 
and are listed on the London Stock Exchange 
and 100,000 cumulative preference shares of 
£1 each have been issued and fully paid up.

Substantial shareholders
Information provided to the Company pursuant to the DTRs is published on a Regulatory 
Information Service and on the Company’s website. As at 31 December 2021, the Company had 
been notified (in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTRs) of the following holdings of voting rights 
attached to the issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company:

Substantial shareholders

Trustees of the Sir John Fisher Foundation(1)

Schroders plc

Standard Life Aberdeen plc

NFU Mutual Insurance Society Limited

Montanaro Asset Management Limited

Ordinary
11,592,3602

4,970,246

3,589,932

1,976,768

1,471,066 

%(2)

22.98

9.89

7.13

Nature of 
holding
Direct

Indirect

Indirect

3.92 Direct/ Indirect

2.91 

Direct

(1) 
Tindall.

Mrs Diane Sara Meacock, Mr David Hart Jackson, Mr Michael John Shields and Mr Daniel Purser 

(2) 
made in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTRs.

The percentage of voting rights detailed above was calculated at the time of the relevant disclosures 

In the period from 31 December 2021 to the date of this report, the Company received no further 
notifications of a change in shareholding from the major shareholders.

Directors
The biographies of the current Board of 
Directors are set out on pages 80 and 
81. Details in relation to changes in the 
composition of the Board are provided in the 
Nominations Committee report on pages 86 
to 88.

Powers of Directors
The powers of the Directors are determined 
by the Company’s Articles, the Companies Act 
2006 and in certain circumstances (including 
in relation to the issuing or buying back by the 
Company of its shares) the authority given by 
the Company in general meeting. The Directors 
will be seeking to renew the authorities granted 
to them in prior years at the forthcoming 
AGM. The Directors are authorised to issue 
and allot ordinary shares, to disapply statutory 
pre-emption rights and to make market 
purchases of the Company’s shares. Any 
shares purchased may be cancelled or held as 
treasury shares.

Appointment and replacement of 
Directors
The rules regarding the appointment and 
replacement of Directors are determined by the 
Company’s Articles and the Companies Act 
2006. The Articles provide that at each AGM 
every Director who has held office on the date 
seven days before the date of notice of the 
AGM shall retire from office and shall be eligible 
for re-election at the AGM.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (Code), all Directors 
will offer themselves for re-election at the 
forthcoming AGM, apart from Mike Salter, who 
will retire from the Board with effect from the 
date of the AGM, in accordance with good 
practice following his almost nine years as a 
Non-Executive Director.

Directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance
The Company maintains an appropriate level 
of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. 
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles, the 
Company may indemnify the Directors of the 
Company and its subsidiaries against liability 
to third parties and against liability incurred in 
connection with the Company’s activities as 
trustee of an occupational pension scheme, to 
the extent permitted by the Companies  
Act 2006. 

Directors’ conflict of interest
Under the Companies Act 2006, a director 
must avoid a situation where a direct or indirect 
conflict of interest may occur. The Board has 
adopted established procedures to address the 
management of any potential or actual conflicts 
of interest. A conflict must be authorised in 
advance by the Board. Directors are asked at 
each Board meeting to check the register of 
conflicts and confirm that the register remains 
up to date and that it remains appropriate for 
the relevant matter to remain authorised.

112 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Disclosure of information to the 
Auditor 
Each Director in office at the date of approval 
of this Directors’ report confirms that:

 ‹ so far as the Director is aware, there is 

no relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware; and

 ‹ the Director has taken all the steps that he/
she ought to have taken as a director to 
make him/herself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that 
the Company’s auditor is aware of that 
information.

Significant agreements – change 
of control
There are a number of agreements that take 
effect after, or terminate upon, a change of 
control of the Company, such as commercial 
contracts. None of these are considered to  
be significant in terms of their likely impact  
on the business as a whole apart from those 
set out below.

The Company is a guarantor of all of the 
Group’s bilateral bank facilities which upon a 
change of control could be withdrawn.

The Singapore Submarine Rescue Service 
Agreement made between James Fisher 
Singapore Pte Ltd. and First Response Marine 
Pte Ltd. dated 17 October 2008 may terminate 
upon a change of control of the Company or 
James Fisher Singapore Pte Ltd. 

The rules of the Company’s LTIP, ESOS and 
Sharesave schemes set out the consequences 
of a change of control on the rights of 
participants under those schemes. Participants 
are generally able to exercise their options on 
a change of control, provided that the relevant 
performance conditions have been satisfied.

There are no agreements between the 
Company and its Directors or employees 
providing for compensation for loss of office 
or employment (whether through resignation, 
purported redundancy or otherwise) that arise 
in the event of a change of control of the 
Company.

Employment of disabled persons
James Fisher is an equal opportunities employer 
and is firmly committed to both the principle and 
realisation of equality. The Group is committed 
to complying with all applicable laws governing 
employment practices and to the prevention 
of discrimination on the basis of any unlawful 
criteria. In addition to complying with legislative 
requirements, the Group strives to ensure that 
disabled employees (including anyone who 
becomes disabled whilst employed with James 
Fisher) are treated fairly and that their training, 
career development and promotion needs  
are met.

The Group recognises its responsibility 
to provide a safe operating environment 
for all its employees. Our strong focus on 
employee training, regulatory compliance 
and accident reduction provides the support 
to allow accountability to remain with local 
management who are best-placed to ensure 
that their businesses comply with local laws 
and regulations and specific needs on a day-
to-day basis. The review of health and safety 
performance is first item on the agenda at each 
Board and business board meetings.

We recognise that the success of our business 
depends on our talented workforce. Employees 
throughout the Group are encouraged to 
participate in training and development 
programmes and to obtain professional 
qualifications relevant to their roles.

Additional information for 
shareholders
The Articles can only be amended by  
a special resolution at a general meeting  
of the shareholders.

No political donations were made during the 
year. The Group has made charitable donations 
of £48,515 during the year. Details of the 
Group’s involvement in charitable initiatives in 
set out on pages 45 and 46.

Details of Group subsidiaries can be found 
on pages 188 to 191. Companies within 
the Group have branches in Chile and 
Mozambique. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

113

Governance

Directors’ report cont.

Streamlined Energy & Carbon 
Reporting (SECR)
Annual Energy Use

In 2021, the Group’s total energy usage was 
calculated to be 316,751,190 kWh. The 
Group’s non-UK facilities accounted for most of 
the energy usage (63%), with the UK facilities 
accounting for the remaining 37%.

Fuel consumption accounted for most of the 
energy usage (94.5%), followed by electricity 
consumption (3.5%), and gas consumption 
(2%). With respect to the non-UK facilities, fuel 
consumption accounted for most of the energy 
usage (98.5%), with a minor contribution 
from electricity consumption (1.2%), and gas 
consumption (0.3%).

Fuel consumption includes liquid fuels,  
namely diesel, petrol, burning oil, fuel oil, and 
gas oil, used for stationary (e.g., generator 
sets) and mobile combustion (e.g., vessels 
and company fleet vehicles) activities. Gas 
consumption includes gaseous fuels, namely 
natural gas and liquid petroleum gas, used for 
stationary (e.g., boilers) and mobile combustion 
(e.g., forklifts) activities.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2021, the Group’s total Scope 1 and 2 
greenhouse gas emissions was calculated 
to be 114,374,tCO2e. As with energy 
consumption, the Group’s non-UK facilities 
accounted for most of the greenhouse 
gas emissions (69%), with the UK facilities 
accounting for the remaining 31%.

Fuel consumption accounted for most  
of the greenhouse gas emissions (97.1%), 
followed by electricity consumption (1.6%),  
gas consumption (1.2%), and refrigerants 
(0.1%). With respect to the non-UK facilities, 
fuel consumption also accounted for most  
of the greenhouse gas emissions (98.9%), 
with a minor contribution from electricity 
consumption (1%), gas consumption (0.1%), 
and refrigerants (0.1%).

We have not reported all Scope 3 emissions that 
are the result of activities from assets not owned 
or controlled by the Group. This is a complex 
and long-term exercise given the diverse and 
fragmented nature of the Group’s businesses, 
and we are currently quantifying each category 
and putting in place the necessary framework 
and tooling to accurately measure and report. 
However, we have included in our sustainability 
report certain Scope 3 emissions: business 
travel emissions, Scope 3 category 6 – our first 
step in determining our Scope 3 footprint and 
baseline for later reporting years. 

Annual energy use

Emissions source
Fuel consumption

Gas consumption

Electricity consumption

Total (FY2021)

Total (FY2020)

Greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions source
Fuel consumption (tCO2e)

Gas consumption (tCO2e)

Electricity consumption (tCO2e)

Refrigerants (tCO2e)

Total (tCO2e)

UK
(kWh)
111,790,610

2,369,049

4,079,675

Non-UK
(kWh)
195,513,844

601,791

2,396,222

Total
(kWh)
307,304,454

2,970,840

6,475,896

118,239,334

198,511,857

316,751,190

207,538

77,692

285,230

UK
34,155

439

558

33

2021

Non-UK
78,354

111

645

78

Total
112,509

550

1,203

111

35,185

79,188

114,374

Emissions intensity (tCO2e/£m)

231

Further details on our scope 3 mapping criteria 
and commitments made can be found in the 
sustainability report in the Strategic report on 
page 41.

Emissions Intensity Ratio

Due to the diverse and fragmented nature of 
our Group businesses, the Group has selected 
greenhouse gas emissions per unit of revenue 
(£ million) as the metric to measure and track 
our emissions intensity.

Methodology

The Group used verifiable activity data, namely 
meter data and invoices, where reasonable 
and practicable. Where verifiable data was 
not available, estimates based on data from 
previous comparable time periods was used to 
close the gaps. The activity data was reported 
at an operational company level and collated 
and analysed at the Group level.

Our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse emissions were 
calculated in accordance with the requirements 
of the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting 
and Reporting Standard.

The Group is diverse, made up of lots of 
operating companies which independently 
collate and report on their own company 
emissions data. The work in consolidating  
our combined emissions data involved an 
internal verification exercise to ensure accuracy, 
which takes a significant period of time. 
Therefore, to mitigate the risk of reduced data 
integrity, the Group changed for 2021 onwards 
the reporting period from a calendar/financial 
year (ending 31 December) to 1 October to  
30 September. This allows sufficient time 
before the financial year end to verify and 
report on the data. We will be using the same 
methodology going forward as we have for 
our 2021 figures allowing data to be directly 
comparable.

Emission conversion factors from the  
UK Department for Business, Energy & 
Industrial Strategy (2021) and International 
Energy Agency (2021) were used in the 
calculation of the energy usage and 
greenhouse gas emissions.

114 

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Governance

Financial statements

2020 Energy usage

Emissions source

Total

UK 
(kWh)

Non-UK 
(kWh)

Total 
(kWh)

Emissions 
intensity 

207,538

77,692

285,230

550

Total
79,600

1,600

–

81,200

157

2020 Greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions source
Fuel consumption (tCO2e)

Electricity consumption (tCO2e)

Refrigerants (tCO2e)

Total (tCO2e)

Emissions intensity (tCO2e/£m)

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM is to be held at 11.00am on 5 May 
2022 at Abbey House Hotel and Gardens 
in Barrow-in-Furness. Further details will be 
provided in the Notice of AGM.

The Directors’ report was approved by  
the Board of Directors and is signed on its 
behalf by:

Jim Marsh 
Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary
9 March 2022

Energy Efficiency Action

During the reporting period, the Group 
appointed a specialist third party consultant 
to conduct an extensive emissions footprint 
reporting and consolidation exercise across 
the Group with a view to establishing a robust 
baseline against which we can compare our 
energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions 
over time. 

As part of our commitment to setting net zero 
targets in alignment with the Paris Climate 
Agreement, efforts are currently underway to 
map out our emissions reduction pathways 
using 2021 as the base.

As part of this baselining process, James 
Fisher identified several facilities within the 
UK that are already acquiring electricity from 
100% renewable energy sources. Based on 
preliminary calculations, this has reduced 
the Scope 2 emissions of our UK facilities by 
approximately 42%. As part of our emissions 
abatement efforts, we will plan to roll out this 
best practice across all regions, encouraging 
purchase of all energy from renewable sources, 
where available.

Further details on how we plan to deliver 
against target on energy efficiency and 
progress made in 2021 can be found in our 
sustainability report in the Strategic report on 
page 40.

2020 data

Due to a change in reporting calendar and 
operational boundaries, and the additional 
capture of additional assets under Group 
control, the energy usage and greenhouse 
gas emissions (as well as the resulting energy 
intensity and emissions intensity ratios) 
reported in 2021 are not directly comparable to 
values reported in 2020. The 2020 calculations 
also exclude fuel consumption where James 
Fisher was not directly responsible for the 
purchase of fuels, this has now been included 
in the 2021 reporting, including (for example) 
the fuel used in planes, hire cars, trains, and 
ferries. The 2021 figures and methodology will 
be used as base year going forward. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

115

Governance

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
in respect of the Annual Report and the financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group and parent Company financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and parent Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they are 
required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
UK – adopted international accounting standards and applicable law and have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements on the 
same basis. In addition, the Group financial statements are required under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules to be prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union 
(IFRSs as adopted by the EU).

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state 
of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of the Group’s profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and parent Company 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:

 ‹ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 ‹ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant and reliable;
 ‹ state whether they have been prepared in accordance with UK – adopted international accounting standards;
 ‹ assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and
 ‹ use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no 

realistic alternative but to do so.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parent Company and enable them to ensure that its financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are 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, and have general responsibility for 
taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic report, Directors’ report, Directors’ Remuneration 
report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that law and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Governance

Financial statements

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the annual financial report
Each of the Directors confirms that to the best of his or her knowledge:

 ‹ the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 

financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

 ‹ the Strategic report and Directors’ report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

The Directors consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors

E P O’Lionaird 
Chief Executive Officer 
9 March 2022 

D Kennedy
Chief Financial Officer
9 March 2022

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

117

Financial statements

Financial statements

In June 2021, we outlined a roadmap to achieve  
our objective of greater than 10% operating profit  
margin and greater than 15% return on capital employed. 
This roadmap is based on three phases: “Reset, Reinforce 
and Realise”. Throughout the year we continued to execute 
the Reset and Reinforce phases to create the foundations 
for sustainable profitable growth.

118 
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James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report
Strategic report

Governance
Governance

Financial statements

In this section 
Independent auditor’s report  
Consolidated income statement  
Consolidated statement of other  
comprehensive income  
Consolidated and Company statement  
of financial position  
Consolidated and Company cash flow statement  
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
Company statement of changes in equity  
Notes to the financial statements  
Subsidiaries and associated undertakings  
Group financial record  
Investor information  

120
128

129

130
131
132
133
134
188
192
193

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 
Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

119
119

Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report

1 Our opinion is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of James Fisher and Sons plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which comprise 
the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and Company Statement of 
Financial Position, the Consolidated and Company Cash Flow Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement 
of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including the accounting policies in note 33. 

In our opinion: 

 ‹ the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of the 

Group’s loss for the year then ended; 

 ‹ the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards; 
 ‹ the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and as 

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

 ‹ the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are 
described below. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is 
consistent with our report to the audit committee. 

We were first appointed as auditor by the directors on 30 June 2008. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is for the 14 financial years ended 
31 December 2021. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we remain independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities.

No non-audit services prohibited to that standard were provided. 

2 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements and include 
the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, 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. We summarise below 
the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key audit procedures to 
address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results 
are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

Impairment of goodwill related to specific CGUs, included in impairment charge of £27.5m (2020: £17.0m) and carrying amount of 
goodwill £133.5m (2020: £166.5m) and Parent Company impairment of investment in subsidiaries, £nil (2020: £40.6m), carrying value 
£486.3m (2020: £505.7m) Risk vs 2020: 

Refer to page 91 (Audit Committee report), page 181 (accounting policy) and pages 146 and 151 (financial disclosures)

The risks: Forecast based assessment 

The recoverability of goodwill in the Group and Parent Company investment in subsidiaries is subjective due to the inherent uncertainty involved in 
forecasting and discounting future cash flows, particularly in light of the ongoing impacts of COVID on trading performance in the current and prior 
years, operational difficulties and changes in the external oil market. Climate risk means there is uncertainty particularly around the useful life of assets 
and appropriate forecast periods. The risk has increased from prior year due to increased uncertainties around the trading performance of CGUs and 
subsidiaries.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, we determined that the recoverable amount of goodwill and investment in 
subsidiaries has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than our materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole and possibly many times that amount. The financial statements note 12 discloses the sensitivity estimated by the Group for 
goodwill. 

For goodwill, we have isolated the risk of material impairment to the following CGUs as these have the lowest headroom within both the Group’s 
discounted cashflow workings and our own sensitivities: James Fisher Offshore, James Fisher Marine Services, DDS and Strainstall. 

We continue to perform procedures over presentation appropriateness of goodwill impairment as a separately disclosed item. However, given a 
recurring nature of this item, we have not assessed this as one of the most significant risks in our current year audit and, therefore, it is not separately 
identified in our report this year.

Our response: We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on any of the group’s controls because the nature of the balance is such 
that detailed testing is inherently the most effective means of obtaining audit evidence. 

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Financial statements

Our audit procedures included
1. Historical comparisons: assessing the reasonableness of management’s budgets by considering the historical accuracy of previous forecasts.

2. Our sector experience: assessing the assumptions used, in particular those relating to anticipated growth, forecasted operating profit margins 
and expected new business including assessing the likelihood of new contract wins. We have considered market conditions in the procedures 
performed and reflected our knowledge of the business and industries, including known or probable changes in the business environment.  
We assessed the key inputs to the Group’s forecasts, drawing on historical data and our own research and sector experience. 

3. Benchmarking assumptions: Comparing the Group’s assumptions to externally derived data in relation to key inputs such as terminal growth 
value, discount rate (using our own valuation specialist), and the period of cash flows included within the model. For CGUs impacted by climate 
risk, such as those operating in the oil market, we have considered the period of cash flows included in the forecasts, by reference to contract 
terms, and have challenged the appropriateness of a terminal value as such operations are likely to have a finite life. We have also compared  
the value-in-use for all CGUs in aggregate to the Group’s own market capitalisation.

4. Enquiries: enquiry of directors as to the nature of the capital expenditure projects included in the budget and considering whether such items  

are allowable in the value-in-use cash flow forecasts under the accounting standards. 

5. Sensitivity analysis: performing sensitivity analysis on the key assumptions noted above either in isolation or in aggregate. This included 

reperforming management’s sensitivities within their goodwill model. 

6. Assessing transparency: assessing whether the Group’s disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the impairment assessment  

to changes in key assumptions reflected the risks inherent in the recoverable amounts of goodwill. 

Our results: We found the Group goodwill and Parent Company investments in subsidiaries balance, the related impairment charges,  
to be acceptable (2020: acceptable).

Revenue recognition £494.1m (2020: £518.2m), Contract assets £66.3m (2020: £65.3m) and Contract Liabilities £9.0m (2020: £12.7m) 
Risk vs 2020: Stable 

Refer to page 185 (accounting policy) and pages 137 and 138 (financial disclosures) 

The risk: Subjective estimates

The contractual arrangements that underpin the measurement and recognition of revenue by the Group can be complex, with subjective estimates 
involved in the assessment of current and future contract performance. In particular, where services rendered are provided through long-term 
contracts and are not completed at the balance sheet date and output measures cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised in proportion to 
the measure of progress of the transaction measured by reference to an input measure, such as physical progress, attributable man hours and costs 
incurred measured against the expected outcome which leads to contract asset or liabilities at the period end. The measure of progress is estimated 
by the Group and includes certain judgements as contracts may run over a number of accounting periods and include forecasts in relation to future 
costs including labour and materials which are not yet known. In addition, for both long-term and other contracts, contract modifications, disputes 
with customers contract delays and variable consideration can lead to uncertainty over the total contract price. The effect of these matters is that, as 
part of our risk assessment, we determined that revenue recognition has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable 
outcomes greater than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole, and possibly many times that amount. 

Our response: We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on any of the group’s controls because the nature of the balance is such 
that detailed testing is inherently the most effective means of obtaining audit evidence.

Our audit procedures included:

1. Test of details: for long term contracts, selecting the contracts for substantive audit procedures based on qualitative factors, such as commercial 

complexity and life of contract, and quantitative factors, such as financial significance and profitability that we considered to be indicative of 
risk. For the selected contracts, agreeing observable inputs used in the calculations of costs incurred to date to be able to assess the stage of 
completion. Costs incurred are those such as direct costs and labour charges; we agreed a sample of these to source data, including customer 
acceptance documentation and countersigned agreements. Our testing included agreeing the allocation of costs incurred to contracts, and 
assessing the impact of delays to timetable and additional costs incurred as a result of the continued impacts of COVID.

2. Historical comparisons: assessing the reliability of the Group’s forecasts of costs to complete by considering historical accuracy of their forecasts 

on completed contracts.

3. Personnel enquiries: discussing with operational management for the sample above their expectations for contracts, and comparing these to the 

forecasts used for the accounting.

4. Our sector experience: assessing, for the sample above, whether the subjective estimates made by the Group over the measure of progress 
and estimates over cost to complete are consistent with our understanding of contract activities and performance. This involved comparing 
assumptions such as the estimate over costs to complete to a variety of information as appropriate, including correspondence with customers, 
historical outcomes and operational management views. For contracts in the sample above that have significant estimation in the total contract 
price due to contract modifications and variable consideration, we assessed the assumptions made by the directors in light of the Group’s 
historical experience on similar contracts and correspondence with customers.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

121

Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report cont.

5. Our industry expertise: Utilising internal industry specialists who has particular skills in contracting for a sample of contracts to review the risks 

associated with the contract and challenge the stage of completion, costs to complete and provisions held in relation to these contracts.

6. Applying judgement: assessing whether an overstatement of revenue from long term contracts and contract assets identified through these 

procedures was material.

7. Assessing transparency: assessing the appropriateness of the Group’s disclosures in respect of revenue recognition, contract assets and 

liabilities.

Our results: We found revenue recognition and associated contract assets and liabilities, to be acceptable (2020: acceptable).

We continue to perform procedures over impairment of vessels and Group operations in overseas jurisdictions. However, following disposal of a 
diving support vessel and following resolution of a number of legacy matters in overseas jurisdictions, we have not assessed these as being the most 
significant risks in our current year audit and, therefore, they are not separately identified in our report this year.

3 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit 
Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at £1.1m determined with reference to a benchmark of Group operating profit, 
normalised to exclude items disclosed in Note 5, of £28.0m, of which it represents 3.9%. In 2020 materiality for the Group financial statements as a 
whole was set at £2.3m determined with reference to a benchmark of Group profit before tax, normalised to exclude items disclosed in Note 5 and 
averaged over 5 years, of £49.1m, of which it represents 4.7%. 

Materiality for the Parent company financial statements as a whole was set at £0.3m (2020: £0.7m), determined with reference to component 
materiality. This is lower than the materiality we would otherwise have determined by reference to the parent company’s total assets of £5.1m (2020: 
£5.3m), of which it represents 1% (2020: 1%). 

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual account balances and disclosures were performed to a lower threshold, performance 
materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk that individually immaterial misstatements in individual account balances add up to a 
material amount across the financial statements as a whole. 

Performance materiality for the Group was set at 65% (2020: 65%) of materiality for the financial statements as a whole, which equates to £0.7m 
(2020: £1.5m). 

Performance materiality for the Parent Company was set at 75% (2020: 65%) of materiality for the financial statements as a whole, which equates to 
£0.2m (2020: £0.5m). 

We applied these percentages in our determination of performance materiality based on the level of identified misstatements during the prior period. 

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £55k (2020: £120k), in addition to 
other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Of the Group’s 146 (2020: 146) reporting components, we subjected 15 (2020: 17) to full scope audits for Group purposes and 2 (2020: 0) to 
specified risk focused audit procedures over vessels. The latter were not individually financially significant enough to require a full scope audit for 
Group purposes but did present specific individual risks that needed to be addressed. The group team performed procedures on the items excluded 
from normalised Group operating profit. 

We conducted reviews of financial information (including enquiry) at a further 11(2019: 9) non-significant components to obtain further coverage. 
These components were not individually financially significant enough to require an audit for Group reporting purposes and did not present specific 
risks that needed to be addressed.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the following percentages of the Group’s results:

Audit for group reporting purposes

Number of 

components Group Revenue
85% (2020: 86%)

15 (2020: 17)

Group profit 
before tax
75% (2020: 76%)

Group total  
assets
83% (2020: 75%)

Specified procedures for group reporting purposes

2 (2020: 0)

2% (2020: 0%)

1% (2020: 0%)

2% (2020: 0%)

Reviews of financial information (including enquiry)

11 (2020: 9)

8% (2020: 10%)

5% (2020: 6%)

5% (2020: 8%)

Total

28 (2020: 26)

95% (2020: 96%)

71% (2020: 82%)

93% (2020: 83%)

The remaining 5% (2020: 4%) of total Group revenue, 7% (2020: 17%) of Group profit before tax and 29% (2020: 18%) of total Group assets is 
represented by 118 reporting components, none of which individually represented more than 1% of any of total Group revenue, 3% Group profit 
before tax and 1% total Group assets. 

For these residual components, we performed analysis at an aggregated Group level to re-examine our assessment that there were no significant 
risks of material misstatement within these. 

122 

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Financial statements

The Group audit team instructed component auditors as to the significant areas to be covered, including the relevant risks detailed above and the 
information to be reported back. The Group audit team approved the component materialities, which ranged from £0.1m to £0.66m (2020: £0.1m  
to £1.25m), having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the Group across the components. 

The work on 13 (2020: 15) of the 28 (2020: 26) components was performed by component auditors and the rest, including the audit of the Parent 
Company, was performed by the Group audit team. The scope of the audit work performed was predominantly substantive as we placed limited 
reliance upon the Group’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Group audit team had video and telephone meetings with all component auditors to oversee their work and had video discussions with 
management of the components in scope for the group audit. The Group audit team also evaluated the audit work of the component auditors 
through discussions with, and remote review of, the audit working papers of component teams. The findings reported to the Group team were 
discussed in detail with the component audit teams, and any further work required by the Group team was then performed by the component 
auditor.

4 The impact of climate change on our audit
In planning our audit, we have considered the potential impact of climate change on the group’s business operations and its financial statements 
taking into account the different divisions. We recognise given the diverse nature of the group’s operations there are potentially both risks and 
opportunities arising as a result of climate change.

The potential effects of climate change vary for different activities of the group, with those divisions that are more linked to fossil fuel activity potentially 
being more affected.

Uncertainties and potential changes to the longer-term activity of the group could affect the elements of financial statements with forward-looking 
assessments such as impairment of, or reassessment of the life of, long-term assets.

As part of our risk assessment we made enquiries of management and reviewed board minutes and related risk and internal audit documents. We 
have held discussions with our own climate change professionals to challenge our risk assessment. Our risk assessment took into account the nature 
of the group’s long-term assets and the relative size of assets related to the divisions with most exposure to climate change uncertainty. 

Our Goodwill Key Audit Matter describes the risk and response in relation to uncertainties in cash flow projections for significant CGUs. In the course 
of our audit work, we also took climate change factors into account in evaluating the directors’ assessment of the useful life of vessels.

We have read the disclosure of climate related information in the front half of the annual report and considered consistency with the financial 
statements and our audit knowledge.

5 Going concern
The directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to 
cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Group’s and the Company’s financial position means that this is realistic. They have also 
concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a 
year from the date of approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”). 

We used our knowledge of the Group, its industry, and the general economic environment to identify the inherent risks to its business model and 
analysed how those risks might affect the Group’s and Company’s financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern 
period. The risk that we considered most likely to adversely affect the Group’s and Company’s available financial resources and metrics relevant to 
debt covenants over this period were the significant increase in cost to deliver long term contracts, challenging market conditions and with delays to 
current and future contracts. We also note the decline in trade in the current period may also adversely affect the Group’s access to finance. 

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect the liquidity or covenant compliance in the going concern period by assessing the directors’ 
sensitivities over the level of available financial resources and covenant thresholds indicated by the Group’s financial forecasts taking account of 
severe, but plausible, adverse effects that could arise from these risks individually and collectively.

Our procedures also included:

1. Assessing key assumptions in the forecasts - critically assessing assumptions in base case and downside scenarios relevant to liquidity and 
covenant metrics. This included assessing whether downside scenarios applied are mutually consistent, using our assessment of the possible 
range of each key assumption and our knowledge of inter-dependencies, and assessing the working capital assumptions inherent in the forecasts 
to actual recent experience and existing supplier/customer arrangements.

2. Assessing the directors’ track record of forecast vs actual cash flows - comparing past budgets to actual results to assess the directors’ 

track record of budgeting accurately.

3. Assessing the completeness and accuracy of the matters covered in the going concern disclosure – evaluating the completeness of the 
going concern disclosure by considering whether the going concern disclosure in note 1 to the financial statements gives a full and accurate 
description of the directors’ assessment of going concern, including the identified risks and related sensitivities.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

123

Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report cont.

Our conclusions based on this work:

 ‹ we consider that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate;
 ‹ we have not identified, and concur with the directors’ assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that, 

individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s or Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern period;

 ‹ we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in note 1 to the financial statements on the use of the going 
concern basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that basis for the 
going concern period, and we found the going concern disclosure in note 1 to be acceptable; and

 ‹ the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 69 is materially consistent with the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with 
judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group or the Company will 
continue in operation. 

6 Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability to detect
Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to 
commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

 ‹ Enquiring of directors , the audit committee, internal audit, the Company Secretary and inspection of policy documentation as to the Group’s high-level 
policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud, including the internal audit function, the Group’s channel for “whistleblowing”, as well as whether 
they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

 ‹ Reading Board/ audit committee/ risk committee minutes.
 ‹ Considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance targets for management and directors.
 ‹ Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships. 
 ‹ Consultation with our own forensic professionals regarding the identified fraud risks and the design of the audit procedures planned in response to 

these. This involved discussion between the engagement partner, the Group audit team and the forensic professional.

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout the audit. This included 
communication from the Group audit team to full scope component audit teams of relevant fraud risks identified at the Group level and request to full 
scope component audit teams to report to the Group audit team any instances of fraud that could give rise to a material misstatement at the Group 
level. 

As required by auditing standards and taking into account possible pressures to meet profit targets and our overall knowledge of the control 
environment, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls and the risk of fraudulent revenue recognition in 
particular:

 ‹ the risk that Group and component management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries;
 ‹ the risk of bias in accounting estimates and judgements such as provisions for contract disputes;
 ‹ the risk of bias in accounting for judgements in relation to variable consideration; and
 ‹ the risk that revenues are over or understated through recording revenues in the wrong period.

Further detail in respect of revenue recognition is set out in the key audit matter disclosure in section 2 of this report. 

We also performed procedures including: 

 ‹ Identifying journal entries to test for all full scope components based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation. 
These included unexpected journals posted to cash accounts, commissions paid to agents and separately disclosed financial statement captions.

 ‹ Evaluating the business purpose of significant unusual transactions.
 ‹ Assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias.

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to non-compliance with laws and regulations 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general 
commercial and sector experience, through discussion with the directors, the Company Secretary and other management (as required by auditing 
standards) and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal correspondence and discussed with the directors, the Company Secretary and 
other management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

As the Group is regulated, our assessment of risks involved gaining an understanding of the control environment including the entity’s procedures for 
complying with regulatory requirements. 

124 

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We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. 
This included communication from the group to full-scope component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations identified at the Group level, and a 
request for full scope component auditors to report to the group team any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that could give rise 
to a material misstatement at the Group level.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably. 

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including related 
companies legislation), distributable profits legislation, taxation legislation and pension legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with 
these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items. 

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on 
amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s license to 
operate. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, foreign corrupt practices act, 
employment law, maritime law and certain aspects of company legislation recognising the nature of the Group’s activities. 

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors, the 
Company Secretary and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore if a breach of operational 
regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach. 

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial 
statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further 
removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the 
inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible 
for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

7 We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report
The directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial statements. Our opinion on the 
financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, 
any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, the information 
therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we have not identified 
material misstatements in the other information. 

Strategic report and directors’ report 

Based solely on our work on the other information: 

 ‹ we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report; 
 ‹ in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 
 ‹ in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

Directors’ remuneration report 

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

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term viability 

We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the directors’ disclosures in respect of emerging 
and principal risks and the viability statement, and the financial statements and our audit knowledge. 

Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: 

 ‹ the directors’ confirmation within the viability statement on page 69 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks 

facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity; 

 ‹ the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks and how emerging risks are identified, and explaining how they are being managed and 

mitigated; and 

 ‹ the directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period they have done so and 
why they considered 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. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

125

Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report cont.

We are also required to review the viability statement, set out on page 69 under the Listing Rules. Based on the above procedures, we have 
concluded that the above disclosures are materially consistent with the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context of only the knowledge acquired during our financial statements audit. As we cannot 
predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable 
at the time they were made, the absence of anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s longer-term 
viability.

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the directors’ corporate governance disclosures 
and the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have concluded that each of the following is materially consistent with the financial statements and our audit 
knowledge: 

 ‹ the directors’ statement that they consider that the annual report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable, and 

provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy; 

 ‹ the section of the annual report describing the work of the Audit Committee, including the significant issues that the audit committee considered in 

relation to the financial statements, and how these issues were addressed; and

 ‹ the section of the annual report that describes the review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems.

We are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Group’s compliance with the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules for our review and to report to you if a corporate governance statement has not been 
prepared by the company. We have nothing to report in these respects. 

Based solely on our work on the other information described above: 

 ‹ with respect to the Corporate Governance Statement disclosures about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting 

processes and about share capital structures: 

 ‹ we have not identified material misstatements therein; and 
 ‹ the information therein is consistent with the financial statements; and 
 ‹ in our opinion, the Corporate Governance Statement has been prepared in accordance with relevant rules of the Disclosure Guidance and 

Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. 

8 We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report by exception 
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 

 ‹ adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 

visited by us; or 

 ‹ the parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting 

records and returns; or 

 ‹ certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
 ‹ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

126 

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9 Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on pages 116 and 117, the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial statements 
including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; 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; assessing the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either 
intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities 

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 our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

10 The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities 
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and 
the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Mike Barradell (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square 
Canary Wharf 
London 
E14 5GL 

10 March 2022 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

127

Financial statements

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Notes

3

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Share of post-tax results of associates

16

Operating profit/(loss)
Net finance expense

Profit/(loss) before taxation
Income tax

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Attributable to:
Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Loss per share

Basic 

Diluted 

7

8

10

10

Year ended 31 December 2021

Year ended 31 December 2020

Before
separately
disclosed
items
£m

Separately
disclosed
items
£m

494.1

(373.6)

120.5

(94.5)

2.0

28.0

(8.3)

19.7

(10.1)

9.6

10.0

(0.4)

9.6

–

(11.0)

(11.0)

(37.7)

–

(48.7)

–

(48.7)

10.9

(37.8)

(37.8)

–

(37.8)

Before
separately
disclosed
items
£m

Separately
disclosed
items
£m

518.2

(380.6)

137.6

(98.7)

1.6

40.5

(9.0)

31.5

(7.2)

24.3

24.1

0.2

24.3

–

(43.2)

(43.2)

(40.8)

–

(84.0)

–

(84.0)

2.4

(81.6)

(81.6)

–

(81.6)

Total
£m

494.1

(384.6)

109.5

(132.2)

2.0

(20.7)

(8.3)

(29.0)

0.8

(28.2)

(27.8)

(0.4)

(28.2)

Pence

(55.2)

(55.2)

Total
£m

518.2

(423.8)

94.4

(139.5)

1.6

(43.5)

(9.0)

(52.5)

(4.8)

(57.3)

(57.5)

0.2

(57.3)

Pence

(114.2)

(114.2)

128 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

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Financial statements

Consolidated statement of other comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Loss for the year

Items that will not be classified to the income statement
Actuarial gain/(loss) in defined benefit pension schemes

Tax on items that will not be reclassified 

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement
Exchange differences on foreign currency net investments

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges in joint ventures

Net changes in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to income statement

Deferred tax on items that may be reclassified

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Attributable to:
Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Year ended
31 December
2021
£m

Year ended
31 December
2020
£m

(28.2)

(57.3)

Notes

23

29

16

8

6.3

(0.5)

5.8

(2.6)

(2.6)

0.3

0.3

0.4

(4.2)

(26.6)

(26.1)

(0.5)

(26.6)

(9.3)

1.1

(8.2)

(7.8)

0.6

(0.2)

(0.1)

1.1

(6.4)

(71.9)

(72.0)

0.1

(71.9)

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

129

Financial statements

Consolidated and Company statement of financial position
at 31 December 2021

Non-current assets
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Investment in joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries
Other investments
Other receivables
Deferred tax assets

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

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

Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligations
Cumulative preference shares
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Total shareholders equity
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Group

Company

31 December
2021
£m

Notes

31 December
2020
restated*
£m

31 December
2021
£m

31 December
2020
restated*
£m

12
13
14
15
16
17
17
19
9

18
19
20
27

21
22
8
27
27

21
22
23
30
27
27
9

30

133.5
13.3
122.2
41.8
8.0
–
1.4
10.1
9.6
339.9

49.0
157.3
10.7
68.0
285.0

(149.5)
(2.0)
(4.5)
(33.6)
(9.9)
(199.5)
85.5
425.4

(1.3)
(1.1)
(1.9)
(0.1)
(173.9)
(36.1)
(0.4)
(214.8)
210.6

12.6
26.8
(0.6)
(20.4)
191.5
209.9
0.7
210.6

166.5
20.1
158.2
31.9
7.5
–
1.4
0.8
5.2
391.6

46.6
162.0
–
93.1
301.7

(139.3)
–
(7.6)
(79.8)
(7.2)
(233.9)
67.8
459.4

(3.6)
(1.6)
(10.3)
(0.1)
(178.8)
(25.3)
(1.8)
(221.5)
237.9

12.6
26.7
(0.2)
(16.5)
214.6
237.2
0.7
237.9

–
–
1.4
1.3
–
486.3
1.4
–
1.0
491.4

–
6.9
–
11.7
18.6

(19.5)
–
–
(20.3)
(0.2)
(40.0)
(21.4)
470.0

–
–
(1.4)
(0.1)
(173.9)
(1.4)
–
(176.8)
293.2

12.6
26.8
(0.6)
–
254.4
293.2
–
293.2

–
–
3.9
1.5
–
505.7
1.4
–
2.8
515.3

–
6.3
–
11.5
17.8

(11.0)
–
(0.1)
(54.4)
(0.2)
(65.7)
(47.9)
467.4

–
–
(9.5)
(0.1)
(178.6)
(1.5)
–
(189.7)
277.7

12.6
26.7
(0.2)
1.9
236.7
277.7
–
277.7

*   Cash and cash equivalents and borrowings (current) have been restated for the 2020 comparative period to reflect a gross up of cash at bank and in hand and 

overdraft balances (see note 27).

**  Right-of-use assets, trade and other payables (current) and retained earnings have been restated for the 2020 comparative to reflect a change in accounting policy  

in respect of dry dock overhauls (see note 1).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 March 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Duncan Kennedy
Chief Financial Officer
Company number: 00211475

130 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Consolidated and Company cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Group

Company

31 December
2021
£m

Notes

31 December
2020
restated
£m

31 December
2021
£m

31 December
2020
£m

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Adjustments to reconcile (loss)/profit before tax to net cash flows

  Depreciation and amortisation

  Separately disclosed items (excluding amortisation)

5

  Other non-cash items

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Defined benefit pension cash contributions less service cost

Cash generated from operations
Cash outflow from separately disclosed items

Income tax (payments)/receipts

Cash flow from operating activities

Investing activities
Dividends from joint venture undertakings

Proceeds from the disposal of a subsidiary, net of cash disposed

Proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment

Finance income

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Net loans advanced to subsidiaries

Investment in joint ventures and other investments

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Development expenditure

Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds from the issue of share capital

Finance costs

Net purchase of own shares by Employee Share Ownership Trust

Notional purchase of own shares for LTIP vesting

Capital element of lease repayments

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Dividends paid

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest

Cash flows used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Net foreign exchange differences

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

26

25

11

28

27

27

(29.0)

44.2

45.8

7.8

(2.7)

(15.4)

10.0

(2.2)

58.5

(1.7)

(7.9)

48.9

1.6

6.2

14.7

0.3

(1.1)

–

–

(22.1)

(1.5)

(1.9)

0.1

(5.6)

(0.5)

(0.5)

(13.7)

84.0

(89.9)

–

–

(26.1)

20.9

13.5

0.1

34.5

(52.5)

49.0

81.1

7.1

2.0

30.9

(13.0)

(4.8)

99.8

(3.9)

(7.9)

88.0

1.8

1.3

2.6

0.3

(7.9)

–

(0.5)

(18.9)

(2.9)

(24.2)

0.2

(7.0)

(0.9)

(1.0)

(13.0)

34.3

(64.5)

(4.0)

(0.2)

(56.1)

7.7

7.5

(1.7)

13.5

12.0

1.0

2.7

(5.1)

–

(1.7)

8.4

(1.9)

15.4

–

(0.1)

15.3

–

–

–

11.4

–

19.4

–

(0.3)

–

30.5

0.1

(4.7)

(0.5)

(0.5)

(0.2)

–

(5.7)

–

–

(11.5)

34.3

(42.9)

–

(8.6)

(15.9)

1.1

41.7

(1.7)

–

1.8

0.2

(4.7)

22.5

(0.6)

0.9

22.8

–

–

–

11.6

–

(51.2)

–

(0.1)

–

(39.7)

0.2

(6.3)

(0.9)

(1.0)

(0.3)

–

(29.7)

(4.0)

–

(42.0)

(58.9)

16.1

(0.1)

(42.9)

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

131

Financial statements

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2021

Share
capital
£m
12.6

Share
premium
£m
26.5

Retained
earnings
£m
284.7

Other
reserves
£m
(10.6)

Treasury
shares
£m
–

Total
shareholders’
equity
£m
313.2

Non-
controlling
interests
£m
0.8

At 1 January 2020 as reported

Accounting policy change – Right-of-use  
Refit capitalisation 

At 1 January 2020

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Contributions by and distributions  
to owners:
Ordinary dividends paid

Dividend paid to minority interest

Remeasurement of non-controlling  
interest put option

Share based payments

Tax effect of share based payments

Purchase of shares by ESOT

Notional purchase of own shares

Arising on the issue of shares

Transfer

At 31 December 2020

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Contributions by and distributions  
to owners:
Remeasurement of non-controlling  
interest put option

Changes in ownership interest without a 
change in control

Share based payments

Tax effect of share based payments

Purchase of shares by ESOT

Notional purchase of own shares

Arising on the issue of shares

Transfer

–

12.6

–

26.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

26.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

2.0

286.7

(57.5)

(8.7)

(4.0)

–

–

0.1

(0.3)

–

(1.0)

–

(0.7)

214.6

(27.8)

5.8

–

(10.6)

–

(5.8)

–

–

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(16.5)

–

(4.1)

–

0.2

(0.7)

0.3

(0.1)

–

(0.5)

–

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.9)

–

–

0.7

(0.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.5)

–

–

0.1

(0.6)

2.0

315.2

(57.5)

(14.5)

(4.0)

–

(0.1)

0.1

(0.3)

(0.9)

(1.0)

0.2

–

237.2

(27.8)

1.7

0.2

(0.7)

0.3

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.5)

0.1

–

Total
equity
£m
314.0

2.0

316.0

(57.3)

(14.6)

(4.0)

(0.2)

(0.1)

0.1

(0.3)

(0.9)

(1.0)

0.2

–

–

0.8

0.2

(0.1)

–

(0.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.7

(0.4)

(0.1)

237.9

(28.2)

1.6

–

0.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

(0.2)

0.3

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.5)

0.1

–

At 31 December 2021

12.6

26.8

191.5

(20.4)

209.9

0.7

210.6

Other reserve movements

Other reserves
At 1 January 2020

Other comprehensive income

Remeasurement of non-controlling interest put option

At 31 December 2020

Other comprehensive income

Remeasurement of non-controlling interest put option

At 31 December 2021

Translation
reserve
£m
(7.8)

Hedging
reserve
£m
(0.2)

Put option
 liability
£m
(2.6)

(6.5)

–

(14.3)

(2.6)

–

(16.9)

0.7

–

0.5

(1.5)

–

(1.0)

–

(0.1)

(2.7)

–

0.2

(2.5)

Total
£m
(10.6)

(5.8)

(0.1)

(16.5)

(4.1)

0.2

(20.4)

132 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Contributions by and distributions  
to owners:
Ordinary dividends paid

Share based compensation

Tax effect of share based compensation

Purchase of shares by ESOT

Notional purchase of own shares

Arising on the issue of shares

Transfer on disposal of shares

At 31 December 2020

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Contributions by and distributions  
to owners:
Share based compensation

Tax effect of share based compensation

Purchase of shares by ESOT

Notional purchase of own shares

Arising on the issue of shares

Transfer on disposal of shares

At 31 December 2021

Share
capital
£m
12.6

Share
premium
£m
26.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

26.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

26.8

Retained
earnings
£m
267.3

(15.9)

(8.8)

Hedging
reserves
£m
0.9

–

1.0

(4.0)

0.1

(0.3)

–

(1.0)

–

(0.7)

236.7

12.2

5.9

0.3

(0.1)

–

(0.5)

–

(0.1)

254.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.9

–

(1.9)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Treasury
shares
£m
–

Total
shareholders
equity
£m
307.3

–

–

–

–

–

(0.9)

–

–

0.7

(0.2)

–

–

–

–

(0.5)

–

–

0.1

(0.6)

(15.9)

(7.8)

(4.0)

0.1

(0.3)

(0.9)

(1.0)

0.2

–

277.7

12.2

4.0

0.3

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.5)

0.1

–

293.2

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

133

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements

1 General information
James Fisher and Sons plc (the Company) is a public limited company registered and domiciled in England and Wales and listed on the London 
Stock Exchange. The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiary undertakings and its interest 
in associates and jointly controlled entities (together the Group), for the year ended 31 December 2021. The Company’s shares are listed on the 
London Stock Exchange. The Company and consolidated financial statements were approved for publication by the Directors on 9 March 2022.

The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards. The Company financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and on a historical cost basis, modified to include 
revaluation to fair value of certain financial instruments. As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, a separate income statement and 
related notes for the holding company have not been presented in these financial statements. The profit after taxation in the Company was £12.2m 
(2020: £15.9m loss). The Group and Company financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest million pounds 
(£m) except when otherwise indicated.

Change in accounting policy

The accounting policy in respect of dry dock overhauls on leased vessels has been changed to defer the overhaul costs as a component of the 
related tangible fixed asset and depreciate over their useful economic lives until the next estimated overhaul rather than build up a provision in 
preparation for the next estimated overhaul. The prior year comparatives have been restated to reflect this change. The change in accounting policy  
is considered to provide more relevant and reliable information as the dry docks are directly attributable to the use of the vessel and this change 
aligns the accounting policy for both owned and leased vessels. As a result previous dry dock overhaul provisions (recognised in trade and other 
payables) of £0.8m have been reversed and the right-of-use assets has increased by £1.2m. The impact on consolidated total equity is an increase 
from £235.9m to £237.9m. There is no impact on the company only total equity.

Going concern

The Directors have, at the time of approving these Financial Statements, a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for at least 12 months from this reporting date and have therefore continued to adopt the going 
concern basis of preparation.

 ‹ In light of the continuing COVID global pandemic and subsequent uncertainty, the Group has undertaken a detailed viability review and taken 

appropriate mitigating actions to protect the business and liquidity. Operations have been impacted by travel restrictions, supply chain logistics and 
actions to protect employees to ensure safe working conditions. The Group’s quick response to COVID has mitigated some of the impact on financial 
performance, however the potential impact of a post pandemic recession gives ongoing risk to future financial performance. Liquidity is monitored 
through daily balance reporting, weekly forecasting and 12 month cash flow forecasting.

 ‹ The Group had £111.5m of undrawn committed facilities at 31 December 2021 (2020: £120.2m). The Group refinanced £130m of revolving credit 
facilities during the year. At 31 December, the Group had £287.5m of committed facilities, a small decrease from the £300m at 31 December 2020. 
£40m revolving credit facilities are due for renewal within 12 months from the date of this report. Forecasts have been prepared which continue to 
show headroom should they not be renewed. All revolving credit facilities are linked to covenant compliance requirements, being a net debt to EBITDA 
ratio and interest cover. The Group has been in compliance with covenant requirements in the year, post year end, and is forecasting to be compliant 
for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Post year end, as at the date of approval of the financial statements, the 
Group has approximately £102m of undrawn credit facilities available. 

 ‹ The Directors’ base case forecast reflects financial performance in the year ended 31 December 2021 and the associated impacts of COVID. A 

number of severe but plausible downside scenarios were calculated compared to the base case forecast of profit and cash flow to assess headroom 
against facilities for the next 12 months. Against these negative scenarios, which reduced operating profit by £5m in 2022 and £1m in 2023, adjusted 
projections showed no breach of covenants. Additional sensitivities which reduced cash receipts by £10m in 2022 and £20m in 2023 and delayed 
project delivery reducing profit by £10m in 2022 and £20m in 2023 and deferring debtor allocation by £3m in 2022 and by £6m in 2023 were also run 
separately in combination with the severe but plausible downside and adjusted projections showed no breach of covenants. Further mitigating actions 
could also be taken in such scenarios should it be required, including reducing capital expenditure, continuing to sell non-core, underperforming 
businesses and reducing forecast dividend payments and not carrying out any acquisitions. 

 ‹ Taking into account the level of cash and available facilities outlined above and having undertaken rigorous assessment, the Directors consider that the 
Group and Company have sufficient funds to allow them to meet their liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements and therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these Financial Statements.

2 Alternative performance measures
The Group uses a number of alternative (non-Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (non-GAAP)) performance measures which are not defined 
within IFRS. The Directors use these measures in order to assess the underlying operational performance of the Group and, as such, these measures 
are important and should be considered alongside the IFRS measures. The adjustments are separately disclosed and are usually items that are 
significant in size and/or non-recurring in nature. The following non-GAAP measures are referred to in the Annual Report and Accounts.

134 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2 Alternative performance measures cont.
2.1 Underlying operating profit and underlying profit before taxation

Underlying operating profit is defined as operating profit before separately disclosed items, which comprise: acquisition related income and expense 
(amortisation or impairment of acquired intangible assets, acquisition expenses, adjustments to contingent consideration), the costs of a material 
restructuring, litigation, or asset impairment and the profit or loss relating to the sale of businesses. As acquisition related income and expense 
fluctuates with activity and to provide a better comparison to businesses that are not acquisitive, the Directors consider that these items should be 
separately disclosed to give a better understanding of operating performance. Underlying profit before taxation is defined as underlying operating 
profit less net finance expense.

Operating loss

Separately disclosed items before taxation

Underlying operating profit

Net finance expense

Underlying profit before taxation

2.2 Underlying earnings per share

2021
£m

(20.7)

48.7

28.0

(8.3)

19.7

2020
£m

(43.5)

84.0

40.5

(9.0)

31.5

Underlying earnings per share (EPS) is calculated as the total of underlying profit before tax, less income tax, but excluding the tax impact on 
separately disclosed items less profit attributable to non-controlling interests, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 
during the year. The Directors believe that underlying EPS provides a better understanding of the underlying earnings capability of the Group. 
Underlying earnings per share is set out in note 10.

2.3 Underlying capital employed and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)

Capital employed is defined as net assets less right-of-use assets, less cash and cash equivalents and after adding back borrowings. Average capital 
employed is adjusted for the timing of businesses acquired and after adding back cumulative amortisation of customer relationships. Segmental 
ROCE is defined as the underlying operating profit, divided by average capital employed. The key performance indicator, Group post-tax ROCE, is 
defined as underlying operating profit, less notional tax, calculated by multiplying the effective tax rate by the underlying operating profit, divided by 
average capital employed.

Net assets

Less right-of-use assets

Plus net borrowings

Capital employed

Underlying operating profit

Notional tax at the underlying effective tax rate

Average capital employed

Return on average capital employed

2021
£m

210.6

(41.8)

185.6

354.4

28.0

(14.3)

13.7

377.4

3.6%

2020
£m

237.9

(31.9)

198.1

404.1

40.5

(9.2)

31.3

467.6

6.7%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

135

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

2 Alternative performance measures cont.
2.4 Underlying cash conversion

Cash conversion is defined as the ratio of operating cash flow to underlying operating profit. Operating cash flow comprises:

Cash generated from operations

Dividends from joint venture undertakings

Capital element of lease repayments

Other

Operating cash flow

Underlying operating profit

Cash conversion

2021
£m

58.5

1.6

(13.7)

0.7

47.1

28.0

168%

2.5 Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Underlying Ebitda Covenant basis)

Underlying Ebitda, in line with the Group’s banking covenants, is defined as the underlying operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation  
and amortisation.

Underlying operating profit

Depreciation and amortisation

Less: Deprecation on right-of-use assets

Amortisation of acquired intangibles (note 5)

IFRS 16 impact removed

Underlying Ebitda

2.6 Underlying dividend cover

Underlying dividend cover is the ratio of underlying diluted earnings per share to the total dividend per share.

Underlying earnings per share

Total dividends per share

Underlying dividend cover (times)

2.7 Underlying net borrowings

2021
£m

28.0

44.2

(13.2)

(2.9)

(1.8)

54.3

2021
Pence

20.0

–

–

2020
£m

99.8

1.8

(13.0)

0.5

89.1

40.5

220%

2020
£m

40.5

49.0

(11.9)

(2.9)

(1.5)

73.2

2020
Pence

47.9

8.0

6.0

Underlying net borrowings is net borrowings as set out in note 28, excluding right-of-use operating leases.The Group’s banking arrangements are 
based on underlying net borrowings. 

Net borrowings (note 28)

Less: right-of-use operating leases

2.8 Organic constant currency

2021
£m

185.6

(38.2)

147.4

2020
£m

198.1

(23.1)

175.0

Organic constant currency growth represents absolute growth, adjusted for current and prior year acquisitions and for constant currency. Constant 
currency takes the non-sterling results of the prior year and retranslates them at the average exchange rate of the current year.

136 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

3 Segmental information
The Group has four operating segments reviewed by the Board: Marine Support, Specialist Technical, Offshore Oil and Tankships. Their principal 
activities are set out in the Strategic report on pages 28 to 35. The Board assess the performance of the segments based on underlying operating 
profit, underlying operating margin and return on capital employed. It considers that this information is the most relevant in evaluating the performance 
of its segments relative to other entities which operate in similar markets. Inter-segmental sales are made using prices determined on an arms length 
basis. Sector assets exclude cash, short-term deposits and corporate assets that cannot reasonably be allocated to operating segments. Sector 
liabilities exclude borrowings, retirement benefit obligations and corporate liabilities that cannot reasonably be allocated to operating segments.

Marine
Support
£m

Specialist
Technical
£m

Offshore 
Oil
£m

Tankships
£m

Corporate
£m

Year ended 31 December 2021
Segmental revenue

– point in time

– over time

Inter-segmental sales

Revenue

Underlying operating profit/(loss)
Separately disclosed items

Operating (loss)/profit
Net finance expense

Loss before tax

Income tax

Loss for the year

Assets and liabilities
Segmental assets

Investment in joint ventures

Total assets

Segmental liabilities

Other segmental information
Capital expenditure

Depreciation and amortisation

173.7

41.0

(0.2)

214.5

5.0

(26.0

(21.0)

189.7

2.6

192.3

(77.4)

114.9

6.1

12.3

46.3

88.3

(1.4)

133.2

9.9

(2.9)

7.0

154.8

3.2

158.0

(60.3)

97.7

2.7

6.9

86.5

–

(0.2)

86.3

11.1

(16.3)

(5.2)

124.2

2.2

126.4

(26.4)

100.0

6.3

12.1

–

60.1

–

60.1

4.8

(3.5)

1.3

75.1

–

75.1

(39.2)

35.9

4.3

12.4

Total
£m

306.5

189.4

(1.8)

494.1

28.0

(48.7)

(20.7)

(8.3)

(29.0)

0.8

(28.2)

617.2

8.0

625.2

(414.6)

210.6

–

–

–

–

(2.8)

–

(2.8)

73.4

–

73.4

(211.3)

(137.9)

–

0.5

19.4

44.2

Revenue disclosed in the income statement is comprised of goods and services of £370.0m (2020: £398.9m), equipment hire of £68.5m  
(2020: £40.2m) and construction contract income of £55.6m (2020: £79.1m).

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

137

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

3 Segmental information cont.

Year ended 31 December 2020

Segmental revenue

– point in time

– over time

Inter-segmental sales

Revenue

Underlying operating profit/(loss)
Separately disclosed items

Operating (loss)/profit
Net finance expense

Loss before tax
Income tax

Loss for the year

Assets and liabilities
Segmental assets

Investment in joint ventures

Total assets

Segmental liabilities

Other segmental information
Capital expenditure

Depreciation and amortisation

Marine
Support
£m

Specialist
Technical
£m

Offshore Oil
£m

Tankships
£m

Corporate
£m

225.3

24.5

(0.4)

249.4

10.1

(79.6)

(69.5)

246.7

2.1

248.8

(90.5)

158.3

7.1

17.8

42.2

89.2

(1.0)

130.4

14.0

(1.6)

12.4

156.0

3.0

159.0

(57.6)

101.4

1.9

6.7

80.1

–

(2.1)

78.0

11.2

(2.8)

8.4

139.4

2.4

141.8

(24.9)

116.9

5.4

12.7

–

60.4

–

60.4

8.0

–

8.0

54.7

–

54.7

(21.4)

33.3

3.1

11.5

–

–

–

–

(2.8)

–

(2.8)

89.0

–

89.0

(261.0)

(172.0)

–

0.3

Total
£m

347.6

174.1

(3.5)

518.2

40.5

(84.0)

(43.5)

(9.0)

(52.5)

(4.8)

(57.3)

685.8

7.5

693.3

(455.4)

237.9

17.5

49.0

138 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

3 Segmental information cont.
Geographic information

Geographical revenue is determined by the location in which the product or service is provided. Where customers receive the product or service in 
one geographical location for use or shipment to another it is not practicable for the Group to identify this and the revenue is attributed to the location 
of the initial shipment. The geographical allocation of segmental assets and liabilities is determined by the location of the attributable business unit.

United Kingdom
2020
£m

2021
£m

Rest of Europe

Middle East,  
Africa & the 
Americas

2021
£m

2020
£m

2021
£m

2020
£m

Asia Pacific

2021
£m

2020
£m

Total

2021
£m

2020
£m

Revenue
Segmental revenue

– point in time

– over time

Inter-segmental sales

Group revenue

Segmental non current assets

Segmental current assets

Segmental assets

Investment in joint ventures

Segmental liabilities

97.4

101.4

(1.5)

197.3

228.5

204.7

433.2

0.1

(344.3)

89.0

85.3

97.6

(1.7)

181.2

233.4

225.3

458.7

0.1

(377.3)

81.5

48.2

6.5

–

54.7

44.0

5.1

49.1

2.4

(8.0)

43.5

59.3

8.4

–

67.7

49.3

5.0

54.3

2.6

(9.1)

47.8

93.6

42.7

(0.3)

136.0

26.6

44.9

71.5

0.3

(46.0)

25.8

122.6

25.7

–

148.3

66.9

36.1

103.0

0.2

(49.3)

53.9

66.8

39.3

–

106.1

33.0

30.4

63.4

5.2

(16.3)

52.3

80.4

42.4

(1.8)

121.0

34.5

35.3

69.8

4.6

(19.7)

54.7

306.0

189.9

(1.8)

494.1

332.1

285.1

617.2

8.0

(414.6)

210.6

4 Auditor’s remuneration
Auditor’s remuneration comprises the following:

Audit of the financial statements of the parent

Half year review

Local statutory audits of subsidiaries

Total fees payable to Group auditor

2021
£m

0.5

0.1

1.4

2.0

347.6

174.1

(3.5)

518.2

384.1

301.7

685.8

7.5

(455.4)

237.9

2020
£m

0.5

0.1

1.0

1.6

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

139

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

5 Separately disclosed items
In order for a better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group certain items are disclosed separately (note 2). Separately disclosed 
items are as follows:

Acquisition related income and (expense):
  Costs incurred in acquiring/disposing of businesses

  Amortisation of acquired intangibles (note 2)

Marine support restructure

Gain/(loss) on disposal of businesses

Gain on disposal of Dive support vessel

Costs of material litigation

Impairment charges:

Intangible assets

  Dive support vessels

  Tangible fixed assets

  Receivables

Separately disclosed items before taxation

Tax on separately disclosed items

2021
£m

(0.5)

(2.9)

(3.4)

–

0.3

0.3

(3.1)

(29.2)

–

(9.3)

(4.3)

(48.7)

10.9

(37.8)

2020
£m

(1.0)

(2.9)

(3.9)

(3.9)

(3.5)

–

–

(19.4)

(31.6)

(2.4)

(19.3)

(84.0)

2.4

(81.6)

During the year, separately disclosed items were in relation to the following matters:

Acquisition related income and expense comprises costs incurred on the acquisition/disposal of businesses including external due diligence costs, 
amortisation of acquired intangibles and any adjustment for contingent consideration. As set out in note 2 these items fluctuate with acquisition 
activity and are disclosed separately to provide a better comparison to businesses that are not acquisitive.

Disposal of businesses relates to the disposal during 2021 of James Fisher Testing Services Ltd which was sold for proceeds of £5.7m and resulted 
in a gain of £0.8m. Also, the sale of James Fisher NDT Ltd for which proceeds were £1.2m and loss on disposal of £0.5m.

Disposal of DSV is the sale of the Paladin vessel for $17.3m proceeds and a £0.3m gain.

Costs of material litigation relates to various matters as described in note 31: Commitment and contingencies.

Impairment charges: Intangible assets comprise goodwill of £27.5m and £1.7m development costs. Tangible fixed assets comprise assets in the 
Marine support, Specialist technical and Tankship divisions where fair value is less than carrying net book value. The 2021 impairment in respect of 
receivables relates to a specific counterparty risk and receivables billed over 12 months ago in relation to certain projects.

Tax on separately disclosed items includes a credit of £7.9m, which represents deferred tax recognised on the timing differences created  
following the impairment of dive support vessels during the year ended 31 December 2020 and the Group’s current expectations regarding  
Dive Support operations.

140 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

5 Separately disclosed items cont.
In 2020 separately disclosed items were in relation to the following matters:

(i)   Acquisition related income and expense comprises costs incurred on the acquisition of businesses including external due diligence costs, 

amortisation of acquired intangibles and any adjustment for contingent consideration. As set out in note 2 these items fluctuate with acquisition 
activity and are disclosed separately to provide a better comparison to businesses that are not acquisitive.

(ii)  Due to the deferral of subsea projects in oil and gas and renewables, a material restructure of marine support activities was completed during 

2020. The charge of £3.9m related to redundancy and notice costs in relation to 202 employees.

(iii)  Disposal of businesses relates to the disposal in 2020 of JF Nuclear GmbH for proceeds of £1.6m which resulted in a loss of £1.2m.  

The balance includes £2.0m in respect of the exchange of interests set out in note 16 and £0.3m relating to cost adjustments in respect  
of businesses disposed of in previous years. 

(iv)  Impairment charges

(a)  Intangible assets comprise goodwill of £17.0m and other intangible asset impairments of £2.4m in relation to development expenditure and 

intellectual property where expected future cash flows no longer justify carrying value. The goodwill impairment in 2020 related to the Subtech 
(£10.0m) and James Fisher Testing Services (£7.0m) cash generating units.

(b)  Dive support vessels: In 2019, the Group acquired two dive support vessels with the strategic aim of targeting the market of subsea projects 

in the oil and gas sector in West Africa and the Middle East. The combination of changes in energy prices in the first half of 2020 and the onset 
of the global pandemic resulted in lower utilisation of these vessels than expected and gave rise to an impairment charge of £31.6m based on 
their recoverable amount.

(c)  the tangible fixed asset impairment in 2020 relates to certain assets in Marine Support and Offshore Oil where latest forecasts of future cash 

flows in respect of these assets is less than carrying net book value.

(d)  the 2020 impairment in respect of receivables relates to a number of projects commenced by the Group during 2019 where payment for 

amounts invoiced or considered due under the contract have yet to be paid and for part of what the Board considers it appropriate to make 
provision. As referred to in note 34, a number of these issues are subject to legal process and the outcome is uncertain.

6 Group employee costs
(a) Staff costs including Directors’ remuneration were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs

Share based compensation

2021
£m

119.8

11.6

4.7

0.3

136.4

2020
£m

117.1

11.7

4.8

0.1

133.7

The average number of persons including Executive Directors employed by the Group was 2,662 (2020: 2,680), and 2,704 persons were employed 
at 31 December 2021 (2020: 2,484 persons).

The Directors’ remuneration and their interest in shares of the Company are set out in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 94 to 110.   
The amount charged against operating profit in the year in respect of Directors’ short-term remuneration was £1.0m (2020: £1.0m) in respect  
of emoluments and £0.1m (2020: £0.1m) in respect of pension contributions to defined contribution schemes. The number of Directors accruing 
retirement benefits were 2 (2020: 2). The charge for share based payments in respect of Directors was £0.1m (2020: £0.1m) and aggregate gains 
under the exercise of options was £nil (2020: £0.2m). 

(b) Compensation of key management to the Group

Short-term employee benefits

Share based payments

2021
£m

2.4

0.2

2.6

2020
£m

1.8

0.1

1.9

Key management personnel include the Board of Directors of the Company and other senior members of the management team. 

During the year, the CEO has expanded the Executive Committee by including the divisional managing directors, thereby increasing the focus on 
operational management.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

141

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

7 Net finance expense

Finance income:
Interest receivable on short-term deposits

Finance expense:
Bank loans and overdrafts

Net interest on pension obligations

Unwind of discount on right-of-use lease liability

Unwind of discount on contingent consideration

Net finance expense

8 Taxation
(a) The tax charge is based on profit for the year and comprises:

Current tax:
UK corporation tax

Overseas tax

Adjustment in respect of prior years:
  UK corporation tax

  Overseas tax

Total current tax

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences:
Current year

  UK corporation tax

  Overseas tax

Prior year

  UK corporation tax

  Overseas tax

Total tax on profit for the year

2021
£m

0.3

(6.3)

(0.1)

(2.2)

–

(8.6)

(8.3)

2020
£m

0.2

(7.2)

(0.1)

(1.8)

(0.1)

(9.2)

(9.0)

2021
£m

2020
£m

(0.7)

(6.0)

1.3

(0.3)

(5.7)

8.3

–

(0.6)

(1.2)

0.8

(1.1)

(7.9)

2.7

(1.1)

(7.4)

1.9

1.1

(0.3)

(0.1)

(4.8)

The total tax charge in the income statement includes a further £0.3m (2020: £0.1m) which is stated within the share of post-tax results of joint 
ventures.

Current year UK tax includes a credit of £7.9m, which represents deferred tax recognised on the timing differences created following the impairment  
of dive support vessels during the year ended 31 December 2020 and the Group’s current expectations regarding Dive Support operations.

142 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

8 Taxation cont.
(b) Tax included within other comprehensive income:

Current tax:
Foreign exchange losses on internal loans

Contributions to defined benefit pension schemes

Deferred tax:
Contributions to defined benefit pension schemes

Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension schemes 

Relating to derivatives

2021
£m

2020
£m

–

0.5

–

(1.0)

0.4

(0.1)

1.1

–

0.9

0.3

(0.1)

2.2

In addition, deferred tax of £0.1m (2020: £0.3m) was charged and £0.1m current tax (2020: £nil) was credited to the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity in respect of share based payments.

(c) Reconciliation of effective tax rate

The Group falls under the UK tonnage tax regime on its tanker owning and operating activities and a charge is based on the net tonnage of vessels 
operated. Profits for these activities are not subject to corporation tax. The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that 
would arise using the rate applicable under UK corporation tax rules as follows:

Loss before tax 

Tax arising from interests in joint ventures

Tax on loss at UK statutory tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%)

Tonnage tax relief/(expense) on vessel activities

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
  Separately disclosed items

  Other

(Over)/under provision In previous years:
  Current tax

  Deferred tax

Higher tax rates on overseas income

Research and development relief

Non-taxable income

Impact of change of rate

Movement on unrecognised deferred tax

2021
£m

(29.0)

0.3

(28.7)

(5.5)

0.6

4.2

–

(1.0)

1.8

1.9

–

(0.3)

1.1

(3.3)

(0.5)

2020
£m

(52.5)

0.1

(52.4)

(10.0)

(0.7)

3.6

0.3

(1.6)

0.4

2.0

(0.6)

–

0.5

11.0

4.9

The effective rate on the (loss)/profit before income tax from continuing operations is 2.6% (2020: 9.1%). The effective income tax rate on the 
underlying profit before tax is 51.2% (2020: 22.8%). Over provision in previous years arose due to the timing in which certain transactions have been 
accounted for, rather than any correction. At 31 December 2021, the Group had unrecognised tax losses of £37.3m (2020: £30.3m). Deferred tax 
assets are recognised in respect of these losses based on expected future recovery. 

In the 3 March 2021 Budget, it was announced that the UK tax rate will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023. This will have a consequential effect on 
the Group’s future tax charge.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

143

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

9 Deferred tax
Deferred tax at 31 December relates to the following:

Assets
Retirement benefits

Property, plant and equipment

Share-based payments

Derivative financial instruments

Losses carried forward

Temporary differences

Offset against deferred tax liabilities

Liabilities
Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Derivative financial instruments

Offset against deferred tax assets

Group

2021
£m

2020
£m

Company

2021
£m

2020
£m

 0.5 

4.0

–

 0.1 

 3.4 

 1.6 

9.6

–

 9.6

–

(0.4)

 – 

(0.4)

–

(0.4)

 1.4 

–

 0.1 

–

 7.2 

 2.4 

11.1

(5.9)

5.2

(3.5)

(4.0)

(0.2)

(7.7)

5.9

(1.8)

 0.4 

–

–

 0.1 

–

 0.5 

 1.0 

–

 1.0 

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.4

–

0.1

–

1.2

0.3

3.0

(0.2)

2.8

0.1

–

(0.3)

(0.2)

0.2

–

Deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheet have been stated according to the net exposures in each tax jurisdiction.

The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

Balance at 1 January

Charged to comprehensive income

Charged to equity

Credited to income statement

Exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December

Group

Company

2021
£m

3.4

(0.6)

(0.1)

6.5

–

9.2

2020
£m

(0.2)

 1.1 

(0.3)

 2.6 

0.2

3.4

2021
£m

2.8

(0.5)

(0.1)

(1.2)

–

1.0

2020
£m

2.0

1.4

(0.6)

–

–

2.8

At 31 December 2021, the Group has no deferred income tax liability (2020: £nil) in respect of taxes that would be payable on the unremitted 
earnings of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. No deferred income tax liability has been recognised in respect of this temporary timing difference 
due to the foreign profits exemption, the availability of double taxation relief and the ability to control the remittance of earnings.

Deferred tax credited to the income statement in the year ending 31 December 2021 relates to the following:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred income tax credit

Group

2021
£m

4.6

(7.5)

(3.6)

(6.5)

2020
£m

(2.0)

0.1

(0.7)

(2.6)

144 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

10 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares  
in issue during the year, after excluding 54,571 (2020: 9,227) ordinary shares held by the James Fisher and Sons plc Employee Share Ownership 
Trust (ESOT), as treasury shares. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

At 31 December 2021, 650,513 options (2020: 386,317) were excluded from the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares calculation  
as their effect would be anti-dilutive. The average market value of the Company’s shares for purposes of calculating the dilutive effect of share  
options was based on quoted market prices for the period during which the options were outstanding.

Weighted average number of shares

Basic weighted average number of shares

Potential exercise of share based payment schemes

Diluted weighted average number of shares

Underlying earnings per share

2021
Number of
shares

50,345,477

10,560

2020
Number of
shares

50,342,732

85,973

50,356,037

50,428,705

To provide a better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group, underlying earnings per share on continuing activities is reported as an 
alternative performance measure (note 2).

Loss attributable to owners of the Company

Separately disclosed items

Tax on separately disclosed items

Underlying profit attributable to owners of the Company

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Underlying basic earnings per share 

Underlying diluted earnings per share 

11 Dividends paid and proposed

Equity dividends on ordinary shares declared and paid:

Interim dividend for 2020

2021
£m

(27.8)

48.7

(10.9)

10.0

pence

(55.2)

(55.2)

20.0 

20.0 

2021
£m

–

–

2020
£m

(57.5)

84.0

(2.4)

24.1

pence

(114.2)

(114.2)

48.0 

47.9 

2020
£m

4.0

4.0

2021
pence 
per share

2020
pence 
per share

–

8.0

No final dividend is proposed in respect of the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: nil). 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

145

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

12 Goodwill

Group
At 1 January 2020

Impairment

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Impairment

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Marine 
Support
£m
88.2

Specialist
Technical
£m
40.6

Offshore
Oil
£m
46.4

Tankships
£m
10.3

(17.0)

(2.2)

69.0

(13.6)

(3.9)

(0.6)

50.9

–

0.2

40.8

–

–

(0.5)

40.3

–

–

46.4

(13.9)

–

(0.5)

32.0

–

–

10.3

–

–

–

10.3

Total
£m
185.5

(17.0)

(2.0)

166.5

(27.5)

(3.9)

(1.6)

133.5

During the year, due to the continuing impact of COVID which resulted in projects in our subsea operations being deferred or cancelled led to  
a reduction in profitability. Based on the value in use calculations set out above, impairments were identified in respect of three CGUs within the 
division and charges of £13.9m, £12.6m and £1.0m have been recognised respectively, resulting in a zero recoverable amount for one CGU and 
recoverable values of £7.4m and £3.0m respectively for the remaining CGUs based on their value in use. 

A summary of the recoverable amount of all CGUs by sector, post impairment and discount rates used in respect of the CGUs is detailed below.  
The Post-tax discount rate is based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) adjusted for specific country risk and business risk.

Recoverable
amount
£m

2021
Discount 
rate range
%

2020
Discount 
rate range
%

Marine Support

Specialist Technical

Offshore Oil

Tankships

240.0 8.6% to 11.5% 6.3% to 10.0%
7.8%

104.1
10.5%
76.4 10% to 11.5% 7.3% to 8.2%
5.8%

9.5%

47.6

The recoverable amount of these units has been assessed based on value in use calculations using cash projections based on five-year strategic 
plans, which consider the impact of climate change and are approved by the Board. For all CGUs a terminal value of cash flows beyond that date 
has been calculated at a growth rate in line with management’s long-term expectations for the relevant market, using a growth rate of 1.8%. The key 
assumptions used in the value in use calculations include gross margin, discount rate, inflation of overheads, payroll and growth rates. 

Growth estimates are based on the levels achieved in current and historic periods adjusted for the expected impact of management actions and 
the future development of the relevant market. Short-term growth rates of turnover are based on the five-year strategic plan. Growth rates vary 
dependent on the market conditions in which the CGU operates and range between 0.0% and 21.0% (2020: between 1.0% and 15.0%). Direct 
costs are expected to increase in line with revenue.

Sensitivity to impairment

Sensitivities carried out across all CGUs included increasing the discount rate by 2.0% and reducing the terminal growth to zero and reducing 
operating profit by 25.0%. In all of the scenarios analysed headroom remained positive.

Two CGUs within the Marine Support division were identified as having a higher risk of impairment. The sensitivities identified that the headroom is 
most sensitive to changes in the discount rate, which would need to be increased by 1.0% to give rise to a goodwill impairment in respect of these 
CGUs, which is considered to be unlikely. For the two CGUs where an impairment charge has been recognised, the sensitivities above showed an 
additional impairment in only one of £1.8m.

No CGUs within the Specialist Technical division were identified as having a high risk of impairment, all the scenarios headroom remained positive. 
The sensitivities identified that the headroom is most sensitive to changes in the discount rate, which would need to be increased by 8.0% to give rise 
to a goodwill impairment in these CGUs and this is not considered a reasonably possible change.

One CGU within the Offshore Oil division was identified as having a high risk of impairment. The sensitivities identified that the headroom is most sensitive 
to changes in the discount rate, which would need to be increased by 3.0% to give rise to a goodwill impairment in these CGUs and this is considered to 
be unlikely. 

No CGUs within the Tankships division were identified as having a high risk of impairment. In all the scenarios headroom remained positive.  
The sensitivities identified that the headroom is most sensitive to changes in the discount rate, which would need to be increased by 32.0%  
to give rise to a goodwill impairment in these CGUs and this is not considered a reasonably possible change. 

146 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Development
costs
£m

Intellectual 
property
£m

Customer
relationships
£m

Total
£m

28.4

2.9

0.7

(2.8)

–

29.2

1.5

–

(1.6)

0.1

29.2

13.6

3.7

1.8

(0.2)

(0.1)

18.8

3.9

1.7

(1.6)

(0.1)

22.7

6.5
10.4

14.8

10.4

–

–

(0.6)

–

9.8

–

0.7

–

(0.1)

10.4

3.7

1.5

0.6

(0.6)

–

5.2

1.1

–

–

–

6.3

4.1
4.6

6.7

19.4

–

–

–

(0.7)

18.7

–

–

(1.0)

(0.2)

17.5

11.2

2.4

–

–

–

13.6

2.4

–

(1.0)

(0.2)

14.8

2.7
5.1

8.2

58.2

2.9

0.7

(3.4)

(0.7)

57.7

1.5

0.7

(2.6)

(0.2)

57.1

28.5

7.6

2.4

(0.8)

(0.1)

37.6

7.4

1.7

(2.6)

(0.3)

43.8

13.3
20.1

29.7

13 Other intangible assets

Group

Cost
At 1 January 2020

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Amortisation
At 1 January 2020

Charge for the period

Impairment

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Charge for the period

Impairment

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020

Net book value at 31 December 2019

Customer relationships relate to items acquired through business combinations which are amortised over their estimated useful economic life. 
Development costs relate to new products developed by the Group and intellectual property represents amounts purchased or acquired relating to 
technology in the Group’s activities. Based on an assessment of the recoverable amount, an impairment charge of £1.7m (2020: £2.4m) has been 
recognised in the year in respect of development costs and intellectual property (note 5).

Research and development charged to operating profit

2021
£m

–

2020
£m

0.1

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

147

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

14 Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost:
At 1 January 2020

Additions 

Reclassifications

Acquisitions

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Depreciation:
At 1 January 2020

Provided during the year

Provision for impairment

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Provided during the year

Provision for impairment

Reclassifications

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020

Net book value at 31 December 2019

Assets 
under
construction
£m

Freehold
and leasehold
property
£m

Vessels
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

154.1

3.1

1.9

–

(19.9)

(1.3)

137.9

5.4

(28.8)

(31.9)

(0.9)

81.7

59.0

8.9

33.0

(18.0)

(0.3)

82.6

5.1

3.5

(18.1)

(20.1)

(0.6)

52.4

29.3
55.3

95.1

5.8

5.9

(6.9)

–

–

(0.7)

4.1

3.0

(2.3)

(1.1)

(0.1)

3.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3.6
4.1

5.8

35.5

0.6

–

–

(0.2)

(0.2)

35.7

0.3

1.2

(1.7)

(0.1)

35.4

12.0

1.8

–

(0.2)

–

13.6

1.7

1.6

–

(1.3)

(0.1)

15.5

19.9
22.1

23.5

211.6

6.6

4.6

0.1

(6.8)

(0.9)

215.2

10.7

1.1

(11.5)

(2.4)

213.1

125.4

18.8

1.0

(6.0)

(0.7)

138.5

16.8

–

–

(9.8)

(1.8)

143.7

69.4
76.7

86.2

Total
£m

407.0

16.2

(0.4)

0.1

(26.9)

(3.1)

392.9

19.4

(28.8)

(46.2)

(3.5)

333.8

196.4

29.5

34.0

(24.2)

(1.0)

234.7

23.6

5.1

(18.1)

(31.2)

(2.5)

211.6

122.2
158.2

210.6

Included within reclassifications is £10.7m vessel transfers to Assets held for sale (note 20).

As a result of challenging market conditions and lower than expected utilisation an impairment review was conducted which resulted in an impairment 
charge of £3.5m. The impairment charge in 2020 comprised £31.6m for two dive support vessels within Marine Support (see note 5) and a further 
£1.4m vessel impairment. The recoverable amount was based on the fair value less costs of disposal for the vessels concerned.

148 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

14 Property, plant and equipment cont.

Company

Cost:
At 1 January 2020

Additions

At 31 December 2020

Additions

At 31 December 2021

Depreciation:
At 1 January 2020

Provided during the year

At 31 December 2020

Provided during the year

Provision

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020

Net book value at 31 December 2019

Freehold 
and leasehold
property
£m

Vessels
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

10.3

0.2

10.5

0.1

10.6

7.3

0.5

7.8

0.5

2.0

10.3

0.3
2.7

3.0

2.3

–

2.3

–

2.3

1.5

0.1

1.6

0.1

–

1.7

0.6
0.7

0.8

3.5

–

3.5

0.2

3.7

2.8

0.2

3.0

0.2

–

3.2

0.5
0.5

0.7

Total
£m

16.1

0.2

16.3

0.3

16.6

11.6

0.8

12.4

0.8

2.0

15.2

1.4
3.9

4.5

As a result of challenging market conditions and lower than expected utilisation an impairment review was conducted which resulted in an impairment 
charge of £2.0m. 

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

149

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

15 Right-of-use assets

Group

Cost:
At 1 January as reported

Accounting policy change – Right-of-use Refit capitalisation

At 1 January 2020

Additions

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Additions

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Depreciation:

At 1 January as reported

Accounting policy change – Right-of-use Refit capitalisation

At 1 January 2020

Provided during the year

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2020

Provided during the year

Provision for Impairment

Reclassifications

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020

Net book value at 31 December 2019

Freehold 
and leasehold
property
£m

Vessels
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

13.6

1.2

14.8

12.3

–

(0.5)

26.6

25.4

–

(0.1)

51.9

5.6

0.4

6.0

7.1

–

–

13.1

8.4

4.2

–

–

–

25.7

26.2
13.5

8.8

22.6

–

22.6

3.1

(1.0)

(0.1)

24.6

2.6

(2.1)

(0.3)

24.8

4.1

–

4.1

4.3

(0.9)

0.1

7.6

4.4

–

–

(1.5)

(0.1)

10.4

14.4
17.0

18.5

0.9

–

0.9

1.3

(0.2)

–

2.0

0.2

(0.5)

–

1.7

0.3

–

0.3

0.5

(0.2)

–

0.6

0.4

–

–

(0.5)

–

0.5

1.2
1.4

0.6

Total
£m

37.1

1.2

38.3

16.7

(1.2)

(0.6)

53.2

28.2

(2.6)

(0.4)

78.4

10.0

0.4

10.4

11.9

(1.1)

0.1

21.3

13.2

4.2

–

(2.0)

(0.1)

36.6

41.8
31.9

27.9

Additions during the year included renewal of leases within the Tankships division.

As a result of challenging market conditions and lower than expected utilisation an impairment review was conducted which resulted in an impairment 
charge of £4.2m.

The Company had right-of-use assets in respect of leasehold property with a cost of £2.1m (2020: £2.1m), accumulated depreciation of £0.8m 
(2020: £0.6m). Depreciation charged in the year amounted to £0.2m (2020: £0.3m).

150 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

16 Investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements
Details of the Group’s joint ventures and associated undertakings are set out on page 191. 

Investment in joint ventures

Loans to associate

2021
£m

6.0

2.0

8.0

2020
£m

5.5

2.0

7.5

Loans to associate relate to First Response Marine and further information is set out in note 32.

The Group’s share of the assets, liabilities and trading results of joint ventures and associates, which are accounted for under the equity accounting 
method, are as follows:

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Revenue

Cost of sales

Administrative expenses 

Profit from operations

Net finance expense

Profit before tax 

Tax

Profit after tax

Segmental analysis of profit after tax:
Marine Support

Specialist Technical

Movement on investment in joint ventures:
At 1 January 

Acquisitions

Profit for the year

Transfer*

Dividends received

Share of fair value losses on cash flow hedges

Exchange adjustments

At 31 December 

2021
£m

9.8

17.5

(1.7)

(19.6)

6.0

11.4

(8.4)

(1.0)

2.0

0.3

2.3

(0.3)

2.0

1.4

0.6

2.0

5.5

–

2.0

–

(1.6)

0.3

(0.2)

6.0

2020
£m

11.7

21.3

(1.6)

(25.9)

5.5

11.9

(9.4)

(0.9)

1.6

0.2

1.8

(0.2)

1.6

0.8

0.8

1.6

6.5

0.5

1.6

(1.1)

(1.8)

(0.2)

–

5.5

There are no capital commitments or contingent liabilities in respect of the Group’s interests in joint ventures.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

151

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

16 Investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements cont.
*  On 17 September 2020, the Group received statutory approval for a transaction agreed and signed on 25 February 2020 to exchange the Group’s 60% interest in 
Murjan Al-Sharq for Marine Contracting LLC (Murjan), which was accounted for as an associate with net book value of £nil, for a 50% share in the legal entity Deep 
Sea Operation and Maintenance Company Limited (Deep Sea) in which the Group previously held a 50% share. In addition, as part of the transaction the Group 
agreed to settle £0.8m of the liabilities of Murjan. The carrying amount of the Group’s 50% investment in Deep Sea was £1.1m at the transaction date and this has 
been transferred from the investment in joint ventures during the year. As Deep Sea is an entity that leases a number of vessels and does not have its own business 
process or employees, the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest was accounted for as an asset purchase. The assets and liabilities of Deep Sea included in the 
Group financial statements as a result of the transaction are £9.2m right of use assets, £7.5m of lease liabilities, and £0.9m of other payables. After taking account of 
an impairment of the original 50% Deep Sea investment of £0.9m, the transaction resulted in a charge of £2.0m, included within disposal of businesses as set out in 
separately disclosed items in note 5. 

In January 2019, the Group entered into a joint venture with Abdullah Natheer through the acquisition of 60% of Murjan Al Sharq for Marine Contracting. The parties 
mutually agreed to exit that relationship. The Group and Abdullah Natheer continue to work together in pursuit of mutually beneficial commercial opportunities in the region, 
as independent parties.

17 Financial assets
Group
Other investments
Other investments with a net book value of £1.4m (2020: £1.4m) in the Group and Company balance sheets are in unquoted entities, held at fair 
value and subject to annual impairment review. They comprise a 17.2% (2020: 17.2%) equity interest in ordinary shares in SEML De Co-operation 
Transmanche, an unlisted company incorporated in France, whose main activity is a port and ferry operator. In addition, the Group has a 50% interest 
in JFD Domeyer GmbH, a company incorporated in Germany which provides in-service support and aftermarket services to the local customer base.

Company

Cost:
At 1 January 2020

Additions

Disposal

At 31 December 2020

Additions

Disposal

At 31 December 2021

Amount provided:
At 1 January 2020

Provided in the year

At 31 December 2020

Provided in the year

At 31 December 2021

Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020

Subsidiary undertakings

Shares
£m

Loans
£m

143.9

–

(6.8)

137.1

3.2

–

140.3

0.4

–

0.4

–

0.4

139.9
136.7

352.0

57.5

–

409.5

–

(22.6)

386.9

–

40.5

40.5

–

40.5

346.4
369.0

Total
£m

495.9

57.5

(6.8)

546.6

3.2

(22.6)

527.2

0.4

40.5

40.9

–

40.9

486.3
505.7

The provision in 2020 of £40.5m relates to the subsidiary where a vessel impairment has been made in the year following a value in use review.  
A 1% change in the discount rate would have increased the impairment by £4m. In respect of the loans to subsidiaries, there is no material expected 
credit loss.

A list of subsidiary undertakings is included on pages 188 to 191.

152 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

18 Inventories

Work in progress

Raw materials and consumables

Finished goods

Group

2021
£m

6.5

12.5

30.0

49.0

Inventories are stated net of impairment provisions of £6.9m (2020: £4.2m). The cost of inventories recognised as an expense was £72.7m  
(2020: £81.8m).

19 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Amounts owed by group undertakings

Amounts owed by joint venture undertakings

Other non-trade receivables

Contract assets

Prepayments

Current trade and other receivables

Contract assets

Other non-trade receivables

Non current other receivables

Group

Company

2021
£m

64.3

–

1.8

21.1

60.3

9.8

157.3

Group

2021
£m

6.0

4.1

10.1

2020
£m

65.5

–

1.6

21.3

65.3

8.3

162.0

2020
£m

–

0.8

0.8

2021
£m

–

0.9

–

5.4

–

0.6

6.9

Company

2021
£m

–

–

–

2020
£m

7.0

12.3

27.3

46.6

2020
£m

–

1.4

–

4.1

–

0.8

6.3

2020
£m

–

–

–

Contract assets includes contract costs of £6m at 31 December 2021 (2020: £nil) representing commission fees on obtaining new contracts.  
The contract costs are amortised over the life of the contract. Amortisation charged during the year was £0.1m (2020: £nil).

20 Assets held for sale
In June 2021, management agreed a plan to sell the Dive Support Vessel (DSV) known as the Swordfish within the Marine Support division and 
consequently £10.7m of vessels have been reclassified from property plant and equipment. The vessel is being actively marketed by a third party  
ship broker.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

153

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

21 Trade and other payables
Current liabilities

Trade payables

Amounts owed to group undertakings

Taxation and social security

Other payables

Accruals

Deferred consideration

Contract liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other payables

Deferred consideration

Group

 Company

2021
£m

45.0

–

6.7

15.2

72.0

1.6

9.0

149.5

2021
£m

1.3

–

1.3

2020
£m

43.7

–

12.3

10.9

59.7

–

12.7

139.3

2020
£m

1.9

1.7

3.6

2021
£m

4.4

11.6

0.3

3.2

–

–

–

19.5

2021
£m

–

–

–

2020
£m

1.8

3.6

1.1

4.1

–

–

–

10.6

2020
£m

–

–

–

Revenue recognised in the year of £3.5m was included in the contract liabilities at 31 December 2020. 

22 Provisions 

At 1 January 2020

Paid

Charged to income statement

At 31 December 2020

Provided/(released) to income statement

At 31 December 2021

Cost of material
 litigation
£m

Warranty
£m

Group
£m

–

–

–

–

2.0

2.0

0.7

(0.1)

1.0

1.6

(0.5)

1.1

0.7

(0.1)

1.0

1.6

(1.5)

3.1

Provisions are in respect of warranties and are based on managements assessment of the previous history of claims, expenses incurred and an 
estimate of future obligations on goods supplied where a warranty has been provided to the customer. Provisions due within one year were £2.0m 
(2020: £nil) and provisions due greater than one year were £1.1m (2020: £1.6m).

23 Retirement benefit obligations
The Group and Company defined benefit pension scheme obligations relate to the James Fisher and Sons plc Pension Fund for Shore Staff (Shore 
Staff), the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF) and the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (MNRPF). The financial statements 
incorporate the latest full actuarial valuations of the schemes which have been updated to 31 December 2021 by qualified actuaries using 
assumptions set out in the table below. The Group’s obligations in respect of its pension schemes at 31 December 2021 were as follows:

Shore staff 

MNOPF 

MNRPF

154 

Group

Company

2021
£m

(1.0)

(0.9)

–

(1.9)

2020
£m

(8.8)

(1.3)

(0.2)

(10.3)

2021
£m

(1.0)

(0.4)

–

(1.4)

2020
£m

(8.8)

(0.6)

(0.1)

(9.5)

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
Shore staff

The assets of this scheme are held in a separate trustee administered account and do not include any of the Group’s assets. The scheme was closed 
to new members in October 2001 and closed to future accrual on 31 December 2010. The most recent actuarial valuation was as at 31 July 2019. 
It is valued every three years following which deficit contributions and the repayment period are subject to agreement between the Company and the 
Trustees. Estimated contributions to the scheme in 2022 are £1.6m. The weighted average duration of the Shorestaff scheme is 13 years.

MNOPF

The MNOPF is an industry-wide pension scheme which is accounted for as a defined benefit scheme. It is valued every three years and deficits have 
typically been funded over a ten year period. The most recent triennial actuarial valuation of the scheme was as at 31 March 2021 and no additional 
deficit funding was requested by the Trustees. The respective share of the Group and Company in the net retirement benefit obligation of the MNOPF 
are 3.0% (2020: 3.0%) and 1.5% (2020: 1.5%) respectively. Disclosures relating to this scheme are based on these allocations. In accordance with 
IFRIC 14, the defined pension liability has been calculated by adjusting the Company and Group’s share of the Scheme’s assets for the NPV of 
the agreed deficit recovery contributions. Information supplied by the trustees of the MNOPF has been reviewed by the Company’s actuaries. The 
principal assumption in the review is the discount rate on the scheme’s liabilities which was 1.85% (2020: 1.25%). The disclosures below relate to the 
Group’s share of the assets and liabilities within the MNOPF. Estimated contributions to this scheme in 2022 are £0.5m.

MNRPF

The MNRPF is an industry-wide pension scheme which is accounted for as a defined benefit scheme. The most recent actuarial valuation of the 
MNRPF was at 31 March 2020. In accordance with IFRIC 14, the defined pension liability has been calculated by adjusting the Company and Group’s 
share of the Scheme’s assets for the NPV of the agreed deficit recovery contributions. Information supplied by the trustees of the MNOPF has been 
reviewed by the Company’s actuaries. The share of the Group and the Company in the net retirement benefit obligation of the MNRPF are 2.19% and 
0.79% respectively. The principal assumption in the MNRPF valuation is the discount rate on the schemes liabilities which was 1.85% (2020: 1.25%). 
Estimated contributions to this scheme are £nil in 2022.

In 2018, the Trustees became aware of historic legal uncertainties relating to changes to ill-health early retirement benefits payable from the Merchant 
Navy Ratings Pension Fund (MNRPF). The most recent formal actuarial valuation for the Fund was carried out as at 31 March 2020 and the deficit 
included an estimate of the additional liability calculated on a technical provisions basis, there was no equivalent IAS 19 valuation. The estimated sum 
was determined before any detailed work was undertaken by the Trustees it is therefore not considered a reliable basis for the purposes of estimating 
the Group and Company’s share of the obligation under IAS 19.

In order to resolve the issue the Trustee sought directions from the Court, and in February 2022, the High Court approved a settlement in principle. 
Any additional liability is expected to be accounted for at the point that additional contributions are determined by the Trustees in respect of the 
Group and Company’s share as it is only at this point that the Group’s share of any additional liabilities will be able to be reliably estimated. No 
additional accounting liability is recorded as at the balance sheet date.

New issues were identified in 2021 in relation to Fund’s administrative and benefit practices as part of the benefit review carried out by the Fund’s 
lawyers. The Trustee is undertaking further investigations and the potential quantum of these issues at the moment is uncertain.

Actuarial assumptions

The schemes’ assets are stated at their market values on the respective balance sheet dates. The overall expected rates of return on assets reflect 
the risk free rate of return plus an appropriate risk premium based on the nature of the relevant asset category. The principal assumptions used in 
updating the latest valuations for each of the schemes were:

Inflation (%)

Rate of increase of pensions in payment – Shore staff (%)

Discount rate for scheme liabilities (%)

Expected rates of return on assets (%)

Post-retirement mortality: (years)

Shore staff scheme

Current pensioner at 65 male

Current pensioner at 65 female

Future pensioner at 65 male

Future pensioner at 65 female

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

2021

3.40

3.25

1.85

1.85

21.8

23.4

23.3

25.1

2020

2.95

2.90

1.25

1.25

21.8

23.4

23.3

25.0

155

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
Actuarial assumptions cont.

The post-retirement mortality assumptions allow for the expected increase in longevity. The “current” disclosures above relate to assumptions based 
on longevity (in years) following retirement at the balance sheet date, with “future” being that relating to a member who is currently 45 years old.

No adjustments have been made to the mortality assumptions to account for the impact of COVID as the actual Plan experience from the period  
of the pandemic is not yet available and it is too soon to make a credit judgement on the impact of the pandemic on future mortality improvements.

The key sensitivities on the major schemes may be summarised as follows:

Key measure

Shore staff scheme
Discount rate

Rate of inflation

Rate of mortality

MNOPF
Discount rate

MNRPF
Discount rate

Change in
assumption

Change in
deficit

Decrease of 0.25%

Increase by 3.1%

Increase by 0.25%

Increase by 1.8%

Increase in life 
expectancy of 1 year

Increase by 4.5%

Decrease of 0.25%

Increase by 0.01%

Decrease of 0.25%

Increase by 0%

In determining the discount rate, assumptions have been made in relation to corporate bond yields and the expected term of liabilities. As noted 
above, a change in discount rate applied has a significant impact on the value of liabilities.

(a) The assets and liabilities of the schemes at 31 December are:

Group

Company

At 31 December 2021
Gilts/corporate bonds

Other investments

Cash or liquid assets

Fair value of scheme assets

Present value of scheme liabilities

Effect of asset ceiling

Net pension liabilities

At 31 December 2020

Gilts/corporate bonds

Other investments

Cash or liquid assets

Fair value of scheme assets

Present value of scheme liabilities

Effect of asset ceiling

Net pension liabilities

Shore
staff
£m

–

64.8

1.0

65.8

(66.8)

–

(1.0)

Shore
staff
£m

–

60.7

2.2

62.9

(71.7)

–

(8.8)

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

18.8

76.9

1.5

97.2

(87.5)

(10.6)

(0.9)

14.4

14.3

0.3

29.0

(26.1)

(2.9)

–

Group

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

13.8

84.9

0.5

99.2

(92.8)

(7.7)

(1.3)

16.1

13.8

1.0

30.9

(28.5)

(2.6)

(0.2)

Total
£m

33.2

156.0

2.8

192.0

(180.4)

(13.5)

(1.9)

Total
£m

29.9

159.4

3.7

193.0

(193.0)

(10.3)

(10.3)

Shore
staff
£m

–

64.8

1.0

65.8

(66.8)

–

(1.0)

Shore
staff
£m

–

60.7

2.2

62.9

(71.7)

–

(8.8)

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

9.4

38.5

0.7

48.6

(43.8)

(5.2)

(0.4)

5.2

5.1

0.1

10.4

(9.4)

(1.0)

–

Company

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

6.9

42.5

0.3

49.7

(46.5)

(3.8)

(0.6)

5.6

4.7

0.3

10.6

(9.8)

(0.9)

(0.1)

Total
£m

14.6

108.4

1.8

124.8

(120.0)

(6.2)

(1.4)

Total
£m

12.5

107.9

2.8

123.2

(128.0)

(4.7)

(9.5)

Other investments for the Shore staff scheme are unquoted investments.

The MNRPF and MNOPF contributions paid by the Group are not refundable in any circumstances and the balance sheet liability reflects an 
adjustment for any agreed deficit recovery contributions in excess of deficit determined using the Group’s assumptions. Other investments in the 
Shore staff scheme comprise diversified growth funds, liability driven investments, absolute return and private market funds.

156 

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Governance

Financial statements

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
(b) Expense recognised in the income statement 

Group

Company

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

Total
£m

At 31 December 2021
Expenses

Interest cost on benefit obligation

Return on scheme assets 

At 31 December 2020

Expenses

Interest cost on benefit obligation

Return on scheme assets 

Shore
staff
£m

0.1

0.9

(0.8)

0.2

0.1

1.1

(1.1)

0.1

–

1.3

(1.3)

–

–

2.1

(2.0)

0.1

–

0.4

(0.4)

–

–

0.6

(0.6)

–

The actual return on the shore staff plan assets is £4.2m (2020: £6.3m).

(c) Movements in the net defined benefit liability 

At 1 January 2021

Expense recognised in the income 
statement

Contributions paid to scheme

Remeasurement gains and losses

At 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Expense recognised in the income 
statement

Contributions paid to scheme

Remeasurement gains and losses

At 31 December 2020

Shore
staff
£m

8.8

0.2

(1.6)

(6.4)

1.0

0.4

0.1

(1.2)

9.5

8.8

Group

MNOPF
£m

1.3

–

(0.5)

0.1

0.9

3.4

0.1

(2.0)

(0.2)

1.3

MNRPF
£m

0.2

–

(0.2)

–

–

2.0

–

(1.8)

–

0.2

0.1

2.6

(2.5)

0.2

0.1

3.8

(3.7)

0.2

Total
£m

10.3

0.2

(2.3)

(6.3)

1.9

5.8

0.2

(5.0)

9.3

10.3

Shore
staff
£m

0.1

0.9

(0.8)

0.2

0.1

1.1

(1.1)

0.1

Shore
staff
£m

8.8

0.2

(1.6)

(6.4)

1.0

0.4

0.1

(1.2)

9.5

8.8

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

Total
£m

–

0.6

(0.6)

–

–

1.0

(1.0)

–

–

0.1

(0.1)

–

–

0.2

(0.2)

–

Company

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

0.6

–

(0.2)

–

0.4

2.2

–

(1.9)

0.3

0.6

0.1

–

(0.1)

–

–

1.1

–

(1.1)

0.1

0.1

0.1

1.6

(1.5)

0.2

0.1

2.3

(2.3)

0.1

Total
£m

9.5

0.2

(1.9)

(6.4)

1.4

3.7

0.1

(4.2)

9.9

9.5

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

157

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
(d) Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are analysed as follows:

At 1 January 2021

Expenses

Interest cost

Remeasurement loss/(gain):
Actuarial loss/(gain) arising from scheme 
experience

Actuarial (gain)/loss arising from changes  
in demographic assumptions

Actuarial loss arising from changes in  
financial assumptions

Net benefits paid out

At 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Expenses

Interest cost

Remeasurement (gain)/loss:
Actuarial loss/(gain) arising from scheme 
experience

Actuarial (gain)/loss arising from changes  
in demographic assumptions

Actuarial loss arising from changes in  
financial assumptions

Net benefits paid out

At 31 December 2020

Group

Company

Shore
staff
£m

71.7

0.1

0.9

MNOPF
£m

100.5

–

1.3

MNRPF
£m

31.1

–

0.4

Total
£m

203.3

0.1

2.6

Shore
staff
£m

71.7

0.1

0.9

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

50.3

–

0.6

10.7

–

0.1

Total
£m

132.7

0.1

1.6

–

(3.2)

(2.3)

(5.5)

–

(1.7)

(0.4)

(2.1)

(0.1)

(2.6)

(3.2)

66.8

59.3

0.1

1.1

4.1

4.0

6.6

(3.5)

71.7

–

–

(0.5)

98.1

107.2

–

2.1

–

–

(0.2)

29.0

30.7

–

0.6

(6.8)

1.6

–

–

(2.0)

100.5

–

–

(1.8)

31.1

(0.1)

(2.6)

(3.9)

193.9

197.2

0.1

3.8

(1.1)

4.0

6.6

(7.3)

203.3

(0.1)

(2.6)

(3.2)

66.8

59.3

0.1

1.1

4.1

4.0

6.6

(3.5)

71.7

–

–

(0.2)

49.0

54.2

–

1.0

–

–

–

(0.1)

(2.6)

(3.4)

10.4

126.2

10.7

–

0.2

(3.0)

0.5

–

–

(1.9)

50.3

–

–

(0.7)

10.7

124.2

0.1

2.3

1.6

4.0

6.6

(6.1)

132.7

158 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
(e) Changes in the fair value of the plan assets are analysed as follows:

Group

Company

At 1 January 2021

Return on scheme assets recorded in interest

Remeasurement loss/(gain):
Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Contributions by employer

Net benefits paid out

At 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2020

Return on scheme assets recorded in interest

Remeasurement loss/(gain):
Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Contributions by employer

Net benefits paid out

At 31 December 2020

(f) History of experience gains and losses

Shore staff
Fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit obligation

Deficit in scheme

Remeasurement gain/(loss):
Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Remeasurement (loss)/gain on scheme liabilities

MNOPF
Group
Fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit obligation

Deficit in scheme

MNOPF
Company
Fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit obligation

Deficit in scheme

Shore
staff
£m

62.9

0.8

3.7

1.6

(3.2)

65.8

58.9

1.1

5.2

1.2

(3.5)

62.9

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

99.2

1.3

(3.3)

0.5

(0.5)

97.2

103.8

2.0

(6.6)

2.0

(2.0)

99.2

30.9

0.4

(2.3)

0.2

(0.2)

29.0

28.7

0.6

1.6

1.8

(1.8)

30.9

2021
£m

65.8

(66.8)

(1.0)

3.7

(2.7)

2021
£m

97.2

(98.1)

(0.9)

2021
£m

48.6

(49.0)

(0.4)

Total
£m

193.0

2.5

(1.9)

2.3

(3.9)

192.0

191.4

3.7

0.2

5.0

(7.3)

193.0

2020
£m

62.9

(71.7)

(8.8)

5.7

14.7

2020
£m

99.2

(100.5)

(1.3)

2020
£m

49.7

(50.3)

(0.6)

Shore
staff
£m

62.9

0.8

3.7

1.6

(3.2)

65.8

58.9

1.1

5.2

1.2

(3.5)

62.9

MNOPF
£m

MNRPF
£m

49.7

0.6

(1.7)

0.2

(0.2)

48.6

52.0

1.0

(3.3)

1.9

(1.9)

49.7

10.6

0.1

(0.4)

0.1

–

10.4

9.6

0.2

0.4

1.1

(0.7)

10.6

2019
£m

58.9

(59.3)

(0.4)

6.5

2.2

2019
£m

103.8

(107.2)

(3.4)

2019
£m

52.0

(54.2)

(2.2)

2018
£m

53.3

(57.9)

(4.6)

(1.7)

(0.3)

2018
£m

103.7

(108.8)

(5.1)

2018
£m

52.5

(56.1)

(3.6)

Total
£m

123.2

1.5

1.6

1.9

(3.4)

124.8

120.5

2.3

2.3

4.2

(6.1)

123.2

2017
£m

56.1

(61.9)

(5.8)

2.4

1.4

2017
£m

108.8

(115.6)

(6.8)

2017
£m

55.0

(60.0)

(5.0)

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

159

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

23 Retirement benefit obligations cont.
(f) History of experience gains and losses cont.

MNRPF 
Group
Fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit obligation

Deficit in scheme

MNRPF 
Company
Fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit obligation

Deficit in scheme

2021
£m

29.0

(29.0)

–

2021
£m

10.4

(10.4)

–

2020
£m

30.9

(31.1)

(0.2)

2020
£m

10.6

(10.7)

(0.1)

2019
£m

28.7

(30.7)

(2.0)

2019
£m

9.6

(10.4)

(0.8)

2018
£m

24.9

(31.3)

(6.4)

2018
£m

8.6

(10.9)

(2.3)

2017
£m

29.2

(36.4)

(7.2)

2017
£m

10.2

(13.1)

(2.9)

The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses relating to all schemes recognised since 1 January 2004 in the Group and Company statement 
of comprehensive income is a loss of £52.2m (2020: £58.5m). 

(g) Defined contribution schemes 

The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes. The pension charge for the year for these arrangements is equal to the contributions 
paid and was £4.7m (2020: £4.8m).

During the year the Company contributed £0.5m (2020: £0.3m) into defined contribution schemes.

24 Share-based payments
The Group operates a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) in respect of Executive Directors and certain senior employees and details are set out in the 
Director’s remuneration report on pages 94 to 110. It also operates a Sharesave scheme (Sharesave) for eligible employees which is HM Revenue 
and Customs approved.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

The Group recognised an expense in respect of equity-settled share based payments of £0.3m (2020: £0.1m) (Company £0.3m (2020: £0.1m) during 
the year. Conditional awards, in the form of options over shares or conditional rights to have shares transferred to certain employees were granted 
under the LTIP scheme over 386,413 (2020: 309,021) ordinary shares of 25p each.

The weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) and movements in share options during the year are as follows:

Group
Outstanding at 1 January

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December 

2021
Number

449,898

70,868

(138,703)

(97,410)

284,653

44,428

WAEP

£9.86

£11.06

£11.91

£5.44

£10.67

£8.19

2020
Number

354,805

254,341

(69,687)

(89,561)

449,898

142,297

WAEP

£9.62

£10.22

£16.83

£4.51

£9.86

£6.33

nil options

2021
Number

309,021

193,115

(115,723)

–

386,413

–

2020
Number

304,784

146,813

(81,485)

(61,091)

309,021

–

160 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

24 Share-based payments cont.
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised was £11.25 (2020:£13.18). For the share options outstanding at 
31 December 2021, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 1 year and 11 months (2020: 2 years and 1 month). The weighted average 
fair value of options granted during the year was £7.58 (2020: £6.45). The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of the year was 
£5.67 – £20.98 (2020: £5.22 – £20.98).

Company
Outstanding at 1 January

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December 

2021
Number

166,276

5,952

(8,718)

(97,410)

66,100

44,428

WAEP

£7.03

£11.06

£11.49

£5.44

£9.15

£8.19

2020
Number

239,898

21,791

(5,852)

(89,561)

166,276

141,838

WAEP

£6.01

£10.22

£15.68

£4.51

£7.03

£6.30

nil options

2021
Number

196,441

121,253

(71,244)

–

246,450

–

2020
Number

202,553

94,506

(58,878)

(41,740)

196,441

–

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised was £11.25 (2020: £13.12). For the share options outstanding  
at 31 December 2021, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 1 year and 11 months (2020: 1 year and 6 months). The weighted average 
fair value of options granted during the year was £8.71 (2020: £9.26). The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of the year 
was £5.67 – £20.98 (2020: £5.22 – £20.98). The fair value of share based payments has been estimated using the Black-Scholes model for the 
Sharesave and the earnings per share element of the LTIP. The fair value of share based payments relating to the total shareholder return element  
of the LTIP has been estimated using the Monte Carlo model.

The inputs to the models used to determine the valuations fell within the following ranges:

Dividend yield (%)

Expected life of option (years)

Share price at date of grant 

Expected share price volatility (%)

Risk-free interest rate (%)

Sharesave

2021

1.6%

3 – 7

2020

1.6%

3 – 7

£10.74 – £11.04

£12.18 – £12.66

40.0%

35.0%

0.14% – 0.39%

(0.13%) – (0.03%)

All employees, subject to the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, may apply for share options under an employee save as you earn plan 
which may from time to time be offered by the Company. An individual’s participation is limited so that the aggregate price payable for shares under 
option at any time does not exceed the statutory limit. Options granted under the plans will normally be exercisable if the employee remains in 
employment and any other conditions set by the Remuneration Committee have been satisfied. Options are normally exercisable at the end of the 
related savings contract but early exercise is permitted in certain limited circumstances. The performance period will not normally be less than three 
and a half years or greater than seven and a half years. Awards were made of 70,868 options under this scheme on 8 April 2021.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

161

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

25 Business combinations
Year ended 31 December 2021

On 2 June, the Group purchased Subsea Engenuity Ltd for a consideration of up to £0.7m. £0.4m was paid on completion with a further £0.3m of 
deferred consideration. Subsea Engenuity’s innovative technology significantly reduces risk in well abandonment operations and is expected to be 
launched commercially in 2022. The acquired assets includes £0.7m intangible assets.

On 7 July, JF Overseas Ltd purchased an additional 51% shares in James Fisher Nigeria Ltd, thereby increasing its ownership to 100%. This 
transaction did not result in a change of control and is recorded within equity.

Year ended 31 December 2020

On 12 March 2020, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Fathom Systems Group Limited (Fathom), for a total cash consideration of 
£1.0m. Fathom is a leading supplier in the commercial diving industry for diver communications, gas analysis, diver monitoring and integrated diving 
control systems. Costs of £0.2m were incurred in relation to the acquisition of Fathom.

The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are set out below:

Fathom
Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Overdrafts

Trade and other payables

Fair value of net assets acquired

Cash consideration

There were no goodwill adjustments in the year (2020: £nil).

Cash flow in respect of business combinations
Cash paid

Overdrafts acquired

Acquisition of business net of overdrafts acquired 

Deferred consideration paid

Acquisition costs paid

Book
value
£m

0.8

0.1

0.4

0.4

(0.2)

(0.5)

1.0

1.0

Total
£m

1.0

0.2

1.2

6.0

0.7

7.9

Contribution to Group results

The businesses acquired during the period contributed £0.2m loss to the Group’s loss after tax and £1.3m of revenues. If these businesses had been 
acquired at the start of the financial year, the contribution to Group loss after tax would have been £0.3m loss with revenue of £1.7m.

162 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

26 Disposal of business
Year ended 31 December 2021

On 2 November 2021, the Group disposed of its 100% shareholding in James Fisher Testing Services Ltd from its Marine Support division to  
Phenna Group for £5.7m cash consideration. The assets and liabilities disposed were as follows:

Consideration received

Less net assets disposed:
Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Net assets disposed

Gain on disposal

Cash flow from the disposal of businesses
Cash received

Cash and cash equivalents disposed

Costs in relation to businesses sold

£m

5.7

(3.9)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(1.1)

(0.2)

0.5

0.2

(4.9)

0.8

5.7

(0.2)

(0.3)

5.2

On 31 December 2021, the Group disposed of it’s 100% shareholding in James Fisher NDT Ltd from it’s Marine Support division to Irisndt Ltd for 
£1.2m cash consideration. The assets and liabilities disposed were as follows:

Consideration received

Less net assets disposed:
Property, plant and equipment

Right of use assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Net assets disposed

Loss on disposal

Cash flow from the disposal of businesses
Cash received

Cash and cash equivalents disposed

Costs in relation to businesses sold

£m

1.2

(1.0)

(0.6)

(1.2)

(0.1)

0.5

0.7

(1.7)

(0.5)

1.2

(0.1)

(0.2)

0.9

On 16 November 2021, Subtech Group Holdings Pty Ltd sold 51% of its 100% shareholding in Subtech South Africa Pty to Thembani Shipping Pty 
Ltd (21%) and Tacenda Consulting Pty Ltd (30%). Cash proceeds were £0.2m and costs of disposal were £0.1m.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

163

 
Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

26 Disposal of business cont.
Year ended 31 December 2020

On 20 October 2020, the Group disposed of its 80% shareholding in James Fisher Nuclear GmbH for cash consideration of £1.6m. The assets and 
liabilities disposed were as follows:

Consideration received

Less net assets disposed:

Intangible assets

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Net assets disposed

Loss on disposal

Cash flow from the disposal of businesses

Cash received

Costs in relation to businesses sold in the prior year

27 Loans and borrowings
Current liabilities

Overdrafts

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Bank loans 

Loans analysed by currency are repayable as follows:

At 31 December 2021

Currency
Due within one year

Due between one and two years

Due between two and five years

£m

1.6

(2.7)

(0.3)

0.2

(2.8)

(1.2)

Total
£m

1.6

(0.3)

1.3

Group

Company

As restated
2020
£m

79.6

0.2

7.2

87.0

2021
£m

33.5

0.1

9.9

43.5

As restated
2020
£m

54.4

–

0.2

54.6

2021
£m

20.3

–

0.2

20.5

Group

Company

As restated
2020
£m

178.8

25.3

204.1

2021
£m

173.9

36.1

210.0

As restated
2020
£m

178.6

1.5

180.1

2021
£m

173.9

1.4

175.3

Group

Company

GBP

33.5

39.0

134.9

207.4

BRL
0.1

–

–

0.1

Total

33.6

39.0

134.9

207.5

GBP
20.3

39.0

134.9

194.2

164 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

27 Loans and borrowings cont.
At 31 December 2020

Currency

Due within one year

Due between one and two years

Due between two and five years

Group

Company

As restated
GBP

79.6

114.4

64.2

258.2

BRL

0.2

0.2

–

0.4

Total

79.8

114.6

64.2

258.6

GBP

54.4

114.4

64.2

233.0

The interest rates charged during the year ranged from 1.7% to 2.3% (2020: 1.7% to 3.8%). There were no loans secured against the assets of the 
Group or Company in the current or prior period.

Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise:

Cash at bank and in hand

Overdrafts

Group

Company

As restated
2020
£m

93.1

(79.6)

13.5 

2021
£m

68.0

(33.5)

34.5

As restated
2020
£m

11.5

(54.4)

(42.9)

2021
£m

11.7

(20.3)

(8.6)

The Group operates a notional pooling and net overdraft facility whereby cash and overdraft balances held with the same bank have a legal right of 
offset. Where there is no intention to settle amounts net, IAS 32 requires gross balance sheet presentation to separate overdrafts and cash balances. 
The Group has restated both the cash at bank and in hand and overdraft balances for 2020 to show these amounts gross.

Cash at bank and in hand

Overdrafts

Cash at bank and in hand

Overdrafts

This adjustment has no impact on the Group’s net profit or loss, net assets or cash flow statements in 2020.

Group

Adjustment
£m

69.2

(69.2)

–

Company

Adjustment
£m

8.4 

(8.4)

–

2020
£m

23.9

(10.4)

13.5 

2020
£m

3.1

(46.0)

(42.9)

As
Restated
2020
£m

93.1

(79.6)

13.5 

As
Restated
2020
£m

11.5 

(54.4)

(42.9)

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

165

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

28 Reconciliation of net borrowings
Net debt comprises interest bearing loans and borrowings less cash and cash equivalents. 

31 December
2020
£m

13.5

(0.2)

(178.9)

(179.1)

(32.5)

(198.1)

31 December
2019
£m

7.5

(0.3)

(207.4)

(207.7)

(30.2)

(230.4)

Cash
flow
£m

20.9

0.1

5.8

5.9

13.7

40.5

Cash
flow
£m

7.7

0.1

30.1

30.2

13.0

50.9

Other
non cash
£m

Exchange
movement
£m

31 December
2021
£m

–

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

(27.0)

(27.9)

0.1

–

–

–

(0.2)

(0.1)

34.5

(0.1)

(174.0)

(174.1)

(46.0)

(185.6)

Other
non cash
£m

Exchange
movement
£m

31 December
2020
£m

–

–

(0.7)

(0.7)

(15.4)

(16.1)

(1.7)

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

0.1

(2.5)

13.5

(0.2)

(178.9)

(179.1)

(32.5)

(198.1)

Cash and cash equivalents*

Debt due within one year

Debt due after one year

Lease liabilities

Net borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents*

Debt due within one year

Debt due after one year

Lease liabilities

Net borrowings

*  As defined in note 27.

29 Financial instruments
Capital management

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management policy is to maintain a strong credit rating and covenant ratios in order to be able to support 
the continued growth of its trading businesses and to increase shareholder value. The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements 
through operating cash flows, with borrowings in place to fund acquisitions and capital expenditure. At 31 December 2021, the Group had £111.5m 
(2020: £120.2m) of undrawn committed facilities.

The Group is required under the terms of its loan agreements to maintain covenant ratios in respect of net debt to Ebitda and net interest costs  
to underlying earnings before interest. The Group met its covenant ratios for the year ended 31 December 2021. The Directors have prepared 
forecasts of the cash flows for the subsequent 18-month period which indicates that, taking into account the factors noted above, the Group  
will meet its covenant requirements for this period. The total amount that it is able to borrow under existing revolving credit facilities was reduced  
to a maximum of £287.5m (2020: £300m).

The Group manages its capital structure so as to maintain investor, supplier and market confidence and to provide returns to shareholders that will 
support the future development of the business. The Group’s dividend policy is based on the expected growth in sustainable income streams after 
making provision for the retention of capital to invest in growth and acquisitions. In evaluating growth investment opportunities the Group applies a 
hurdle rate of a 15% pre-tax return on capital invested. Capital efficiency is monitored by reference to Return on Capital Employed (Underlying ROCE 
– see note 2.3).

The Group has exposure to the following financial risks:

(a) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. 
These arise principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and from cash balances held with financial institutions. The carrying amount 
of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group. The Group’s 
exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer and the industry and country in which each customer 
operates. The Group has a number of large customers including Government agencies in the UK and overseas, major oil companies and other 
multinational corporations. The ten largest customers of the Group accounted for approximately 22% of Group revenue (2020: 22%). No customer 
accounted for more than 5% (2020: 5%) of Group revenue. New customers are subject to creditworthiness checks and credit limits are subject to 
approval by senior management. Goods are sold subject to retention of title clauses so that in the event of non-payment the Group may have a 
secured claim.

166 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont.
(a) Credit risk cont.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

Receivables 

Cash at bank and in hand

Interest rate swaps used for hedging:
Assets

Forward exchange contracts used for hedging:
Assets

Group

Company

2021
£m

147.3

68.0

0.1

0.1

215.5

As restated
2020
£m

154.5

93.1

–

3.2

250.8

As restated
2020
£m

5.5

11.5

–

3.2

20.2

2021
£m

6.1

11.7

0.1

0.1

18.0

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30 to 60 days terms. At 31 December the value of trade debtors outstanding was:

Not past due

Past due 

Gross trade receivables are analysed:

Not yet due

Overdue 1 to 30 days

Overdue 31 to 60 days

Overdue 61 to 90 days

Overdue 91 to 180 days

Overdue more than 180 days

The movement in the provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows: 

Balance at 1 January

Provided in the year

Written off

Exchange differences

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

Group

2021

Gross
£m

Allowance
£m

40.6

42.4

83.0

 Group

2021
£m

40.6

12.5

5.8

2.2

4.3

17.6

83.0

 Group

2021
£m

19.5

7.3

(7.8)

–

19.0

–

(19.0)

(19.0)

2020
£m

38.7

14.2

7.6

3.8

3.2

17.5

85.0

2020
£m

5.4

17.0

(2.2)

(0.7)

19.5

2020

Gross
£m

38.7

46.3

85.0

Allowance
£m

–

(19.5)

(19.5)

Company

2021
£m

2020
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Company

2021
£m

2020
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

167

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont.
(a) Credit risk cont.
The Group considers that the trade receivables that have not been provided against and are past due by more than 30 days are collectable based 
on historic payment behaviour and extensive analysis of underlying customers’ credit ratings. Based on historic default rates, used to inform our view 
of future expected credit losses, the Group believes that apart from the amounts included in the table above, no impairment allowance is necessary 
in respect of trade receivables. For debts overdue by more than 180 days and where the evidence suggests non-recoverability, the Company makes 
provision for impairment.

Loss allowances for trade receivables and contract assets are measured at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses (ECL) based on 
the simplified approach. When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when 
estimating ECLs, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information (both qualitative and quantitative) that is relevant and available without 
undue cost or effort. The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 90 days overdue.

For contract assets, in the event of a contract issue, specific provision is made where appropriate.

(b) Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group manages its cash resources and 
borrowings to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities as they fall due but in a manner designed to maximise the benefit of those 
resources whilst ensuring the security of investment resources. The Group forecasts the profile of its cash requirements on a monthly basis and 
ensures that sufficient facilities are available to meet peak requirements which occur at predictable times in the year. The Group manages the maturity 
profile of its borrowings by maintaining a regular dialogue with its lenders and ensuring that it commences the renegotiation of facilities sufficiently 
early to allow a comprehensive review of its requirements before completion.

The Group’s revolving credit facilities extend over several accounting periods and fall due for renewal in different accounting periods ensuring that the 
Group negotiations with individual lenders follow an orderly process which does not expose the Group to the possibility of a significant reduction in 
available facilities in any single period.

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including interest payments:

At 31 December 2021

Group

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps used for hedging

Outflow on forward exchange contracts 
used for hedging:

At 31 December 2020

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps used for hedging

Outflow on forward exchange contracts 
used for hedging:

Carrying
amount
£m

Contractual
cash flows
£m

Within 1
year
£m

1 – 2
years
£m

2 – 3
years
£m

3 – 4
years
£m

4 – 5
years
£m

Greater 
than 
5 years
£m

207.5

46.0

150.8

(221.0)

(53.1)

(150.8)

(38.9)

(12.5)

(150.8)

0.1

(0.3)

(0.3)

0.5

404.9

(33.0)

(458.2)

(33.0)

(235.5)

(44.2)

(10.6)

(137.9)

(8.5)

–

(7.4)

–

(3.9)

–

(10.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(54.8)

(146.4)

(7.4)

(3.9)

(10.2)

As restated
£m

As restated
£m

As restated
£m

£m

£m

£m

258.5

32.5

143.7

(269.6)

(34.1)

(143.7)

(85.2)

(8.6)

(143.7)

(118.6)

(6.7)

–

1.0

(0.9)

(0.5)

(0.4)

(3.2)

432.5

(38.6)

(486.9)

(38.4)

(276.4)

(0.2)

(125.9)

(25.4)

(5.9)

(40.4)

(4.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

£m

–

(3.3)

–

–

–

£m

–

(5.3)

–

–

–

(31.3)

(44.7)

(3.3)

(5.3)

168 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Carrying
amount
£m

Contractual
cash flows
£m

Within 1
year
£m

1 – 2
years
£m

2 – 3
years
£m

3 – 4
years
£m

4 – 5
years
£m

Greater 
than 
5 years
£m

194.2

(198.4)

1.6

7.4

0.1

(2.6)

(7.4)

(16.3)

(0.3)

(7.4)

(0.3)

(0.3)

0.5

203.8

(33.0)

(241.7)

(33.0)

(57.3)

(44.2)

(0.3)

(137.9)

(0.3)

–

(0.3)

–

(0.3)

–

(0.9)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(44.5)

(138.2)

(0.3)

(0.3)

(0.9)

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont. 
(b) Liquidity risk cont.
At 31 December 2021

Company

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps used for hedging

Outflow on forward exchange contracts 
used for hedging:

At 31 December 2020

As restated
£m

As restated
£m

As restated
£m

£m

£m

£m

Non-derivative financial liabilities
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

233.0

(244.2)

1.7

6.0

1.0

(2.1)

(6.0)

(0.9)

(60.0)

(0.4)

(6.0)

(118.4)

(0.3)

–

(0.5)

(0.4)

(25.4)

(0.3)

(40.4)

(0.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

£m

–

(0.3)

–

–

–

£m

–

(0.5)

–

–

–

(3.2)

238.5

(38.6)

(291.8)

(38.4)

(105.3)

(0.2)

(119.3)

(25.7)

(40.7)

(0.3)

(0.5)

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps used for hedging

Outflow on forward exchange contracts 
used for hedging:

(c) Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risks on sales, purchases, cash and borrowings denominated in currencies other than Sterling. These 
transactional exposures are mainly to movement in the US Dollar and the Euro. The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its 
transactional exposures. Most forward exchange contracts have maturities of less than one year after the balance sheet date. Forward exchange 
contracts which qualify as effective cash flow hedges are stated at fair value. The principal translation exposures relate to the US Dollar, Norwegian 
Kroner, Singapore Dollar, and Australian Dollar.

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency transactional risk in its principal currencies was as follows based on notional amounts:

Trade receivables

Cash at bank and in hand

Trade payables

Gross balance sheet exposure

Forecast sales

Forecast purchases

Gross exposure

Forward exchange contracts

Net exposure

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

USD
m

54.0

2.8

(8.2)

48.6

145.4

(55.1)

138.9

(44.7)

94.2

31 December 2021

EUR
m

1.8

1.5

(2.9)

0.4

9.7

(15.0)

(4.9)

0.2

(4.7)

NOK
m

–

0.1

(10.8)

(10.7)

0.7

–

(10.0)

–

(10.0)

SGD
m

–

0.7

(0.2)

0.5

–

–

0.5

–

0.5

AUD
m

0.3

–

(0.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

NGN
m

107.1

9.4

(12.3)

104.2

333.0

(83.0)

354.2

–

354.2

169

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont.
(c) Foreign exchange risk cont.

Trade receivables

Cash at bank and in hand

Trade payables

Gross balance sheet exposure

Forecast sales

Forecast purchases

Gross exposure

Forward exchange contracts

Net exposure

USD
m

28.3

6.9

(7.5)

27.7

166.0

(68.5)

125.2

(50.0)

75.2

31 December 2020

EUR
m

0.7

2.0

(2.6)

0.1

9.4

(16.0)

(6.5)

2.3

(4.2)

NOK
m

–

1.8

(8.3)

(6.5)

–

–

(6.5)

–

(6.5)

SGD
m

–

1.4

(0.2)

1.2

0.2

(0.6)

0.8

–

0.8

AUD
m

0.3

4.8

(0.1)

5.0

–

–

5.0

–

5.0

NGN
m

94.4

11.2

(21.1)

84.5

200.0

(50.0)

234.5

–

234.5

Changes in the level of exchange rates will have an impact on consolidated earnings. The following table shows the impact on earnings of a 5% 
strengthening in the exchange rate in the Group’s key currencies against Sterling. The obverse movements would be of the same magnitude. These 
amounts have been calculated by applying changes in exchange rates to the Group’s foreign currency profits and losses and to financial instruments 
denominated in foreign currency.

US Dollar

Other

2021

2020

Equity
£m

(2.4)

(0.4)

(2.8)

Income
statement
£m

(3.4)

–

(3.4)

Equity
£m

(4.0)

(0.3)

(4.3)

Income
statement
£m

(3.1)

(0.3)

(3.4)

Included within operating profit are foreign currency gains of £3.3m (2020: gains of £0.1m).

(d) Interest rate risk
The Group uses interest rate swaps to convert interest rates on certain borrowings from floating rates to fixed hedge exposure to fluctuations in 
interest rates. The interest rate profile of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are set out in the table below:

Fixed rate instruments
Financial liabilities

Variable rate instruments
Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Group

Company

2021
£m

(0.1)

68.0

(207.5)

(139.5)

As restated
2020
£m

(0.1)

93.1

(258.5)

(165.4)

2021
£m

(0.1)

11.7

(194.2)

(182.5)

As restated
2020
£m

(0.1)

11.5

(224.6)

(213.1)

Where hedging criteria are met the Group classifies interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges and states them at fair value. Over the longer term 
permanent changes in interest rates would have an impact on consolidated earnings. At 31 December 2021, a one per cent change in the interest 
rate would have had the following impact:

Variable rate instruments

Interest rate swap

Cash flow sensitivity

170 

2021
Income
statement
£m

(1.4)

0.7

(0.7)

2020
Income
statement
£m

(1.7)

0.8

(0.9)

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont. 
(e) Fair values
There are no material differences between the book value of financial assets and liabilities and their fair value other than set out below:

Group

Liabilities carried at amortised cost
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Trade and other payables

Leases

Preference shares

Company
Liabilities carried at amortised cost

Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Trade and other payables

Leases

Preference shares

2021

2020

Carrying
value
£m

(207.5)

(150.8)

(46.0)

(0.1)

(404.4)

Fair
value
£m

(202.8)

(150.8)

(46.0)

(0.1)

(399.7)

As restated
Carrying
value
£m

As restated
Fair
value
£m

(258.5)

(143.7)

(32.5)

(0.1)

(434.8)

(251.6)

(143.7)

(32.5)

(0.1)

(427.9)

2021

2020

Carrying
value
£m

Fair
value
£m

As restated
Carrying
value
£m

As restated
Fair
value
£m

(194.2)

(189.6)

(233.0)

(225.9)

(7.4)

(1.6)

(0.1)

(7.4)

(1.6)

(0.1)

(6.0)

(1.7)

(0.1)

(6.0)

(1.7)

(0.1)

(203.3)

(198.7)

(240.8)

(233.7)

Note

27

21

27

30

Note

27

21

27

30

Fair value has been determined by reference to the market value at the balance sheet date or by discounting the relevant cash flows using current 
interest rates for similar instruments. The fair value of the financial assets has been assessed by the Directors with reference to the current prospects 
of the investments and associated risks.

Fair value hierarchy
The Group classifies fair value measurement using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs used in making measurements of fair 
value. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

Level 1 

Level 2 

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  
(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

171

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont. 

(e) Fair values cont.
Fair value hierarchy cont.
Financial instruments carried at fair value as set out below:

Group

Financial assets measured at fair value
Forward exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Financial liabilities measured at fair value
Forward exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Leases

Company

Financial assets measured at fair value
Forward exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Financial liabilities measured at fair value
Forward exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value
Unsecured bank loans and overdrafts

Level 2

2021
£m

0.1

0.1

0.2

(0.5)

(0.1)

(202.8)

(46.0)

(249.4)

(249.2)

Level 2

2021
£m

0.1

0.1

0.2

(0.5)

(0.1)

(189.6)

(190.2)

(190.0)

As restated
2020
£m

3.2

–

3.2

–

(1.0)

(251.6)

(32.5)

(285.1)

(281.9)

As restated
2020
£m

3.2

–

3.2

–

(1.0)

(225.9)

(226.9)

(223.7)

There have been no transfers between categories during the period. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts and forward exchange contracts 
are calculated by management based on external valuations received from the Group’s bankers and is based on forward exchange rates and 
anticipated future interest yields respectively.

Fair value hedges – Group and Company
At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 the Group did not have any outstanding fair value hedges.

172 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont. 

(e) Fair values cont.
Cash flow hedges – Group and Company
Forward contracts and interest rate swaps are included within “trade and other payables/trade and other receivables” in the Statement of financial 
position; in “effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges” in the Consolidated statement of other comprehensive income (OCI),  
and in “administrative expenses” within the Income statement.

At 31 December 2021, the Group and Company held forward currency contracts designated to hedge future commitments in US Dollars and Euro. 
The terms of the contracts are as follows:

Sell
US$44.7m

Buy
Euro 0.2m

Maturity

Exchange
rate

Fair value
£m

January 2022 – December 2022

January 2022 – December 2022

1.37

1.10

(0.4)

–

At 31 December 2020, the Group and Company held forward currency contracts designated to hedge future commitments in US Dollars and 
Swedish Krona. The terms of the contracts are as follows:

Sell
US$50m

Buy
Euro 2.3m

Maturity

January 2021 – December 2021

January 2021 – December 2021

Exchange
rate

Fair value
£m

1.26

1.10

3.2

–

The foreign exchange contracts have been negotiated to match the expected profile of receipts. At 31 December 2021, these hedges were assessed 
to be highly effective and an unrealised loss of £3.3m (2020: gain of £0.4m) relating to the hedging instruments is included in equity.

In respect of the Forward contracts, a loss of £0.3m (2020: £0.1m gain) was recognised in the income statement and a loss of £2.9m (2020: £1.7m 
gain) in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income relating to forward contracts.

Interest rate swaps
The Group and Company entered into interest rate swap contracts in respect of Sterling denominated debt to swap a variable rate liability for a fixed 
rate liability. These instruments have been allocated against the Group and Company debt in the tables shown above. Details of the contracts and 
their fair values at 31 December are set out below:

Sterling interest rate swaps

Amount

2021
£m

75.0

2020
£m

75.0

Maturity

Fixed rate
%

30 October 2022

0.5% – 1.2%

Fair value

2021
£m

–

2020
£m

(1.0)

In respect of the Interest rate swaps, an expense of £0.5m (2020: expense of £0.2m) was recognised in the income statement, and a gain of £1.0m 
(2020: £1.2m loss) was recognised in the Consolidated statement of other comprehensive income.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

173

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

29 Financial instruments cont.
Capital management cont. 
(f) Market risk
The Group has the following derivative financial instruments in the following line items in the statement of financial position:

Current assets
Foreign currency forwards – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Total current derivative financial instrument assets

Current liabilities
Foreign currency forwards – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Total current derivative financial instrument liabilities

30 Share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid

In millions of shares
In issue at 1 January

Exercise of share options

In issue at 31 December

Issued share capital

Group

Company

2021
£m

0.1

0.1

0.2

Group

2021
£m

(0.5)

(0.1)

(0.6)

2020
£m

3.2

–

3.2

2020
£m

–

(1.0)

(1.0)

2021
£m

0.1

0.1

0.2

Company

2021
£m

(0.5)

(0.1)

(0.6)

2020
£m

3.2

–

3.2

2020
£m

–

(1.0)

(1.0)

25p Ordinary shares

£1 Cumulative 
Preference shares

2021

50.4

–

50.4

2021
£m

12.6

2020

50.3

0.1

50.4

2020
£m

12.6

2021

0.1

–

0.1

2021
£m

0.1

2020

0.1

–

0.1

2020
£m

0.1

The preference shareholders are entitled to receive 3.5% cumulatively per annum, payable in priority to any dividend on the ordinary shares. The ordinary 
shareholders are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time by the Directors.

Shares all carry equal voting rights of one vote per share held. They also have the right to attend and speak at general meetings, exercise voting 
rights and appoint proxies. Neither type of share is redeemable. In the event of a winding-up order the amount receivable in respect of the cumulative 
preference shares is limited to their nominal value. The ordinary shareholders are entitled to an unlimited share of the surplus after distribution to the 
cumulative preference shareholders.

Treasury shares
54,571 (2020: 9,227) ordinary shares of 25p 

2021
£m

0.6

2020
£m

0.2

The Company has an established Employee Share Ownership Trust, the James Fisher and Sons plc Employee Share Ownership Trust, to meet 
potential obligations under share option and long-term incentive schemes awarded to employees. The historic cost of these shares at 31 December 
2021 was £0.6m (2020: £0.2m). The trust has not waived its right to receive dividends.

In the year ended 31 December 2021, 26,738 (2020: 34,670) ordinary shares with an aggregate nominal value of £6,685 (2020: £8,668) were issued 
to satisfy awards made under the Company’s Executive Share Option Scheme at option prices of 521.67p and 567p (2020: 410p and 522p) per 
share giving rise to total consideration of £530,055 (2020: £404,024). 

During the year the Trust purchased 50,000 (2020: 50,000) of its own shares in the market at an average cost per share of £9.87 (2020: £17.82)  
and a total cost of £0.5m (2020: £0.9m).

174 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

31 Commitments and contingencies
Capital commitments

At 31 December, capital commitments for which no provision has been made in these accounts amounted to:

Capital commitments

Contingent liabilities

Group

Company

2021
£m

1.6

2020
£m

–

2021
£m

–

2020
£m

–

(a)  In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, counter indemnities have been given to banks in respect of custom bonds, foreign exchange 

commitments and bank guarantees.

(b)  A Group VAT registration is operated by the Company and six Group undertakings in respect of which the Company is jointly and severally liable 

for all amounts due to HM Revenue & Customs under the arrangement.

(c)  A guarantee has been issued by the Group and Company to charter parties in respect of obligations of a subsidiary, James Fisher Everard 

Limited, in respect of charters relating to nine vessels. The charters expire between 2022 and 2024.

(d)  Subsidiaries of the Group have issued performance and payment guarantees to third parties with a total value of £33.5m (2020: £48.2m).

(e)  The Group is liable for further contributions in the future to the MNOPF and MNRPF if additional actuarial deficits arise or if other employers liable 
for contributions are not able to pay their share. The Group and Company remains jointly and severally liable for any future shortfall in recovery of 
the MNOPF deficit.

(f)   The Group has given an unlimited guarantee to the Singapore Navy in respect of the performance of First Response Marine Pte Ltd, its Singapore 

joint venture, in relation to the provision of submarine rescue and related activities.

(g)  In the normal course of business, the Company and certain subsidiaries have given parental and subsidiary guarantees in support of loan and 

banking arrangements.

(h)  The Company and its subsidiaries may be parties to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business, and can 

be material in value. Disclosure of contingent liabilities or appropriate provision has been made in these accounts where, in the opinion of the 
Directors, liabilities may materialise. Provisions made against certain receivables and claims are described in note 34 (b) estimates. Note 5 
includes ‘Costs of material litigation’ arising from the process of exiting a number of historic joint venture companies. There are no other significant 
provisions and no individually significant contingent liabilities that required specific disclosure.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

175

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

32 Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties
FCM businesses
The Group has interests of between 40% and 50% in several joint ventures providing ship-to-ship transfer services in Northern Europe and Asia 
through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fendercare Marine Services Limited.

First Response Marine
The Group holds through James Fisher Marine Services Limited (JFMS) a 50% interest in First Response Marine Pte Ltd (FRM). FRM provides 
submarine rescue services to the Singapore government under a 20-year service contract which commenced in March 2009. FRM subcontracts the 
provision of the submarine rescue service to James Fisher Singapore Pte Ltd. JFMS has also provided a loan to FRM of £2.0m to support its day-to-
day operations. The loan which is included in the Group balance sheet as part of the investment in joint ventures is interest bearing and is repayable 
at the end of the project. Interest charged in the period amounted to £0.1m (2020: £0.1m). Dividends received or receivable during the period 
included in the results of the Group are £0.5m (2020: £0.5m). 

JFD Domeyer
The Group has a 50% stake in JFD Domeyer, an entity which provides in-service support and after-market services to customers in Germany.

Pleat Mud Coolers AS
The Group has a 50.1% stake in Pleat Mud Coolers AS, an entity which supplies mud cooling systems to the offshore oil and gas market.

Wuhu Divex Diving Systems
The Group has a 49% stake in Wuhu Divex Diving System Ltd, an entity which manufactures advanced diving systems for the Chinese market.

JF Technologies LLC
The Group has a 49% stake in James Fisher Technologies LLC, an entity which provides specialist design and engineering services including the 
provision of remote control equipment to the North American nuclear decommissioning market.

Details of the transactions carried out with related parties are shown in the table below:

FCM businesses

First Response Marine

JFD Domeyer

Pleat Mud Coolers

Wuhu Divex Diving Systems

JF Technologies LLC

2021
2020

2021
2020

2021
2020

2021
2020

2021
2020

2021
2020

Services to 
related
parties
£m

Sales to 
related
parties
£m

Purchases
from related
parties
£m

Amounts
owed by
parties
£m

–
–

–
3.6

–
–

–
–

0.5
–

–
–

0.6
1.2

–
–

0.6
0.6

0.3
0.5

3.9
0.2

–
–

0.7
1.2

–
–

–
–

0.2
–

–
–

–
0.1

0.1
0.1

1.0
1.0

2.1
2.1

0.9
0.6

0.2
0.3

–
–

Amounts
owed to
parties
£m

0.7
0.7

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Company
The Company has entered into transactions with its subsidiary undertakings primarily in respect of the provision of accounting services, finance and 
the provision of share options to employees of subsidiaries.

The amount outstanding from subsidiary undertakings to the Company at 31 December 2021 was £343.9m (2020: £369.0m). Amounts owed to 
subsidiary undertakings by the Company at 31 December 2021 totalled £11.6m (2020: £3.6m).

The Company has had no expense in respect of bad or doubtful debts of subsidiary undertakings in the year (2020: £nil).

176 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

33 Significant accounting policies 
The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year, are set out below. 

33.1 Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The results of subsidiaries are consolidated for the periods from or to the date on which control has passed. Control exists when the Company 
controls an investee when the investor is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investees and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the investee. Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting from the acquisition 
date, which is the date on which control is passed to the Group. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period 
as the Parent company, using consistent accounting policies. All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated in the 
consolidated financial statements.

Payment for the future services from employees or former owners are expensed. Any payments to employees or former owners in respect of the 
acquisition of the business are capitalised. This is carefully managed during the acquisition process so that former owners and/or employees do not 
receive any incentive payments during an earn-out period. 

Joint arrangements
A joint arrangement is an arrangement over which the Group and one or more third parties have joint control. These joint arrangements are in turn 
classified as:

 ‹ Joint ventures whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities; and
 ‹ Joint operations whereby the Group has rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities relating to the arrangement.

Any investment in joint ventures is carried in the balance sheet at cost plus the Group’s post acquisition share in the change in net assets of the joint 
ventures, less any impairment provision. The income statement reflects the Group’s share of the post-tax result of the joint ventures. The Group’s 
share of any changes recognised by the joint venture in other comprehensive income are also recognised in other comprehensive income.

Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests represent the proportion of profit or loss and net assets not held by the Group and are presented separately in the income 
statement and in the consolidated statement of financial position. Losses applicable to the non-controlling interests in a subsidiary are allocated to the 
non-controlling interests even if doing so causes the non-controlling interests to have a deficit balance.

Put options upon non-controlling interests are sometimes recognised arising from business combinations. An initial option price estimate is recorded 
within payables and a corresponding entry made to other reserves. 

On the acquisition of non-controlling interests, the difference between the consideration paid and the fair value of the share of net assets acquired is 
recognised in equity. Changes to the carrying value of the Put option are similarly recorded within equity. 

Company investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures 
In its separate financial statements the Company recognises its investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures at cost. Income is recognised from 
these investments when its right to receive the dividend is established.

33.2 Foreign currency
Group
The financial statements of subsidiary undertakings are prepared in their functional currency which is the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which they operate. For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each entity are 
translated into UK Sterling, which is the Group’s presentational currency. 

(i) Foreign currency transactions in functional currency
Transactions in currencies other than the entities functional currency are initially recorded at rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the 
transaction. At each subsequent balance sheet date:

(a)  Foreign currency monetary items are retranslated at rates prevailing on the balance sheet date and any exchange differences recognised in the 

income statement;

(b)  Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are not retranslated; and

(c)  Non-monetary items measured at fair value are retranslated using exchange rates at the date the fair value was determined. Where a gain or loss 
is recognised directly in equity, any exchange component is also recognised in equity and conversely where a gain or loss is recognised in the 
income statement, any exchange component is recognised in the income statement.

(ii) Net investment in foreign operations
Exchange differences arising on monetary items forming part of the Group’s net investment in overseas subsidiary undertakings which are 
denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary undertaking are taken directly to the translation reserve and subsequently recognised in the 
consolidated income statement on disposal of the net investment. Exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings to the extent that they are 
used to provide an effective hedge against Group equity investments in foreign currency are taken directly to the translation reserve.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

177

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.2 Foreign currency cont.
Group cont.
(iii) Translation from functional currency to presentational currency
The assets and liabilities of operations, where the functional currency is different from the Group’s presentational currency are translated at the period 
end exchange rates. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the reporting period. All other exchange differences on 
transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. 

Resulting exchange differences are recognised in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income. Tax charges and credits attributable  
to exchange differences included in the reserve are also dealt within the translation reserve.

Company
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on settlement of monetary items or 
on the retranslation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were initially recognised are taken to the income statement.

All exchange differences on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are taken to the income statement, other than investments in 
foreign operations and foreign currency borrowings used to hedge those investments, where exchange differences are taken to the translation 
reserve.

33.3 Financial instruments

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments became effective on 1 January 2018. This standard replaces IAS39 and introduced new requirements for classifying 
and measuring financial instruments and put in place a new hedge accounting model that is designed to be more closely aligned with how entities 
undertake risk management activities when hedging financial and non-financial risk exposures. IFRS 9 has been implemented prospectively from  
1 January 2018 and the impact on the Group has not been material. The key areas of focus for the Group under IFRS 9 are:

 ‹ Expected credit losses being recognised on trade debtors and contract assets recognised under IFRS 15;
 ‹ Hedge accounting and related hedge documentation; and
 ‹ Reclassification of assets held for sale as Other Investments, with these being fair valued at each reporting period.

(a) Financial assets
Trade receivables and debt securities issued are initially recognised when they are originated. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are 
initially recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

A financial asset, other than a trade receivable without a significant financing component, or financial liability is initially measured at fair value plus 
transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially 
measured at the transaction price.

Policy applicable from 1 January 2018
A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it is not designated as fair value through the profit and loss account (FVTPL) and it is held to collect 
contractual cash flows with contractual terms that give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the 
principal amount outstanding.

A debt investment is measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) if it is not designated as at FVTPL, and it is held with the 
objective of collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets with contractual terms that give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are 
solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

On initial recognition of an equity investment not held for trading, the Group can irrevocably elect, on an investment by investment basis, to present 
subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in OCI.

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortised cost or FVOCI, as described above, including derivative financial instruments are 
measured at fair value through profit and loss.

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, including any interest or dividend income, are recognised in the profit and loss.

Financial assets at amortised cost are valued using the effective interest method with the amortised cost reduced by any impairment losses, with 
interest income, foreign exchange gains or losses, impairment and de-recognition gains or losses recognised in profit or loss. 

Debt investments are measured at fair value with interest income calculated using the effective interest method with any foreign exchange gains and 
losses, or impairments, taken through the profit and loss. Other net gains or losses, and those on de-recognition accumulated through the OCI, are 
reclassified in the profit or loss.

Equity investments are measured at fair value with dividends recognised through the profit and loss. Other net gains or losses, are recognised in the 
OCI, and are never reclassified in the profit or loss.

178 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.3 Financial instruments cont.
(b) Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified as measured at amortised cost or FVTPL. A financial liability is classified as at FVTPL if it is classified as held for 
trading, it is a derivative or it is designated as such on initial recognition. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value and net gains and 
losses, including any interest expense, are recognised in profit or loss. 

Contingent consideration is considered to be a financial liability measured at FVTPL.

Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Interest expense, foreign exchange gains 
and losses, and any gain or loss on de-recognition are recognised in profit or loss. 

(c) De-recognition
The Group de-recognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from that asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the 
contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred.

The Group de-recognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire. On de-recognition of a financial 
liability, the difference between the carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid is recognised in profit or loss.

(d) Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge its foreign currency and interest rate risk exposures. Derivatives are initially measured at 
fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are generally recognised in profit or loss. 
The Group designates certain derivatives as hedging instruments to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with highly probable forecast 
transactions arising from changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates and certain derivatives and non derivative financial liabilities as hedges 
of foreign exchange risk on a net investment in a foreign operation.

At inception of designated hedging relationships, the Group documents the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge and 
the economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument, including whether the changes in cash flows of the hedged item 
and hedging instrument are expected to offset each other.

The appropriate level of hedging is monitored by Group Treasury and the Group Board. As part of this review process the following are assessed:

 ‹ the hedging effectiveness to determine that there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument;
 ‹ the hedge ratio; and
 ‹ that the hedged item and instrument are not intentionally weighted to create hedge ineffectiveness.

Cash flow hedges
When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedging instrument, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognised  
in OCI and accumulated in the hedging reserve. Any ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognised immediately in profit 
or loss.

The Group designates only the change in fair value of the spot element of forward exchange contracts as the hedging instrument in cash flow 
hedging relationships.

For all hedged forecast transactions, the amount accumulated in the hedging reserve is reclassified to profit or loss in the same period or periods 
during which the hedged expected future cash flows affect profit or loss.

Cash and short-term deposits included in the statement of financial position comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits with an 
original maturity of three months or less from the original acquisition date. Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise 
cash and short-term deposits, net of bank overdrafts.

If the hedged future cash flows are no longer expected to occur, then the amounts that have been accumulated in the hedging reserve and the cost 
of hedging reserve are immediately reclassified to profit or loss.

Net investment hedges
When a derivative instrument or a non derivative financial liability is designated as the hedging instrument in a hedge of a net investment in a foreign 
operation, the effective portion of, for a derivative, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument or, for a non derivative, foreign exchange gains 
and losses is recognised in OCI and presented in the translation reserve within equity. 

Any ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative or foreign exchange gains and losses on the non derivative is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss. The amount recognised in OCI is reclassified to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment on disposal of the  
foreign operation.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

179

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.3 Financial instruments cont.
(e) Expected credit losses
IFRS 9 introduced a new model for the recognition of impairment losses – the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model. ECL is the expected value 
decrease in an asset. The expected credit loss model constitutes a change from the previous IAS 39 incurred loss model. The key difference between 
incurred and expected is the requirement to consider forward looking scenarios. Credit risk is the risk of financial loss of the Group if a customer or 
counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and 
investments in debt securities. The Group recognises a loss allowance of 100% on trade receivables which are more than 180 days overdue. The 
carrying amounts of financial assets and contract assets represent the maximum credit exposure.

33.4 Intangible assets

Intangible assets, excluding goodwill arising on a business combination, are stated at cost or fair value less any provision for impairment. 

Intangible assets assessed as having finite lives are amortised over their estimated useful economic life and are assessed for impairment whenever 
there is an indication that they are impaired. Amortisation charges are on a straight-line basis and recognised in the income statement. Estimated 
useful lives are as follows:

Development costs 
Intellectual property 
Patents and licences 
Other intangibles 

5 years or over the expected period of product sales, if less
3 to 20 years
5 years or over the period of the licence, if less
5 years

(a) Goodwill arising on a business combination
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary represents the excess of the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration over the aggregate fair 
value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Goodwill is initially recognised at cost and is subsequently measured at 
cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Costs related to an acquisition, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities incurred in connection with a business 
combination, are expensed to the income statement. The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment but more regularly if events 
or changes in circumstances indicate that it may be impaired. When an impairment loss is recognised it is not reversed in a subsequent accounting 
period, even if the circumstances which led to the impairment cease to exist.

(b) Acquired intangible assets
Intangible assets that are acquired as a result of a business combination including but not limited to customer relationships, supplier lists, patents and 
technology and that can be separately measured at fair value on a reliable basis are recorded initially at fair value and amortised over their expected 
useful life. Amortisation is expensed to the consolidated income statement.

33.5 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment losses. Cost comprises expenditure 
incurred during construction, delivery and modification. Where a substantial period of time is required to bring an asset into use, attributable finance 
costs are capitalised and included in the cost of the relevant asset. 

Dry dock overhaul
Dry dock costs for owned and leased vessels are deferred as a component of the related tangible fixed asset and depreciated over their useful 
economic lives until the next estimated overhaul.

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment to their residual value in equal annual instalments over their estimated 
useful lives, as follows:

Freehold property 
Leasehold improvements 
Plant and equipment 
Vessels 

40 years
25 years or the period of the lease, if shorter
Between 5 and 20 years
Between 10 and 25 years

No depreciation is charged on assets under construction.

Residual values of vessels are set initially at 20% of purchase cost or fair value at acquisition, which the Directors believe to be an approximation of 
current residual values. Residual values and estimated remaining lives are reviewed annually by the Directors and adjusted if appropriate to reflect the 
relevant market conditions and expectations, obsolescence and normal wear and tear.

180 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.6 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

At each reporting date the Group asseses whether there are any indications that an asset has been impaired. If any indication exists, an estimate 
of the recoverable amount of the asset is made which is determined as the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. These 
calculations are determined for an individual asset unless that asset does not generate cash inflows independently from other assets, in which case 
its value is determined as part of that group of assets. To assess the value in use, estimated future cash flows relating to the asset are discounted to 
their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessment of the time value of money and risks specific to the asset. 
Where the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered to be impaired and is written down to its recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement.

(a) Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated against the appropriate combination of business units deemed to obtain advantage from 
the benefits acquired with the goodwill. These are designated as cash generating units (CGU). Impairment is then assessed by comparing the 
recoverable amount of the relevant CGU with the carrying value of the CGU’s goodwill. Recoverable amount is measured as the higher of the CGU’s 
fair value less cost to sell and the value in use. Where the recoverable amount of the CGU is less than its carrying amount including goodwill, an 
impairment loss is recognised in the income statement. An impairment loss for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

(b) Impairment of tangible and other intangible assets
If any indiction of a potential impairment exists, the recoverable amount is estimated to determine the extent of any impairment loss. Assets are 
grouped together for this purpose at the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows.

(c) Research and development costs
Research expenditure is expensed in the income statement as incurred.

Expenditure on development which represents the application of research to the development of new products or processes is capitalised provided 
that specific projects are identifiable, technically feasible, and the Group has sufficient resources to complete development. The useful life of projects 
meeting the criteria for capitalisation is determined on a project by project basis. Capitalised development expenditure is measured at cost and 
amortised over its expected useful life on a straight-line basis. Other development costs are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

If an event occurs after the recognition of an impairment that leads to a decrease in the amount of the impairment loss previously recognised the 
impairment loss is reversed. The reversal is recognised in the income statement to the extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its 
amortised cost at the reversal date.

33.7 Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and 
condition. Raw materials, consumables stores and finished goods for sale are stated at purchase cost on a first in, first out basis. Work in progress 
and finished goods are stated at the cost of direct materials and labour plus attributable overheads allocated on a systematic basis based on a 
normal level of activity. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less the estimated costs of completion and sale or disposal.

33.8 Taxation

Corporation tax is provided on taxable profits from activities not qualifying for tonnage tax relief and is recognised in the income statement except  
to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected corporation tax payable or receivable in respect of the taxable profit for the year using tax rates enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, less any adjustments to tax payable or receivable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities included in the financial 
statements and the amounts used for tax purposes, that will result in an obligation to pay more, a right to pay less or to receive more tax, with the 
following exceptions:

 ‹ No provision is made where a deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not  

a business combination that at the time of the transaction affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and

 ‹ No provision is made for deferred tax that would arise on all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests  

in joint ventures where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that the Directors consider that it is probable that there will be suitable taxable profits from 
which the future reversal of the underlying temporary differences and unused tax losses and credits can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset is expected to be 
realised or liability settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax arising on actuarial gains and losses relating to defined benefit pension funds is recorded in other comprehensive income. Where the 
cash contributions made to the schemes exceed the service costs recognised in the income statement the current tax arising is recorded in other 
comprehensive income.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

181

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.9 Leases

The Group leases land and buildings for some of its offices, warehouses and factory facilities. The length of these leases can typically run for up to 
25 years, with most less than 10 years. Some leases include an option to renew the lease for an additional period after the end of the contract term. 
Some leases provide for additional rent payments that are based on changes in local price indices.

Some of the buildings contain extension options that are exercisable by the Group before the end of the non-cancellable contract period. Where 
practicable, the Group includes extension options in new leases to provide operational flexibility, that are exercisable by the Group but not by the 
lessors. The Group assesses at lease commencement whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the extension option, and then reassesses this in 
the event that there is a significant event or change in circumstances within its control.

The Group also leases vessels, with lease terms typically of up to five years and IT equipment and machinery, typically for a duration of less than  
10 years. 

The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach.

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains a lease if the contract conveys 
the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to 
control the use of an identified asset, the Group uses the definition of a lease in IFRS 16.

At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocated the consideration in the contract to each lease 
component on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices. However, for the leases of land and buildings in which it is a lessee, the Group has 
elected not to separate non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, 
which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial 
direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it 
is located less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful 
life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The estimated useful lives of right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, 
if any, and adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the 
interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its 
incremental borrowing rates as the discount rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following:

 ‹ fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments;
 ‹ variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index rate at the commencement date;
 ‹ amounts expected to be payable under a residual guarantee; and 
 ‹ the exercise price under a purchase option that the Group is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Group 

is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Group is reasonably certain not to 
terminate early. 

The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments 
arising from a change in an index or rate if there is a change in the Group’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value 
guarantee, or if the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option.

When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use assets, or it is 
recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is reduced to zero.

The Group presents right-of-use assets and lease liabilities (within “borrowings”) in the statement of financial position.

182 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.9 Leases cont.
Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases of machinery that have a lease term of 12 months 
or less at inception and leases of low-value assets, including IT equipment. The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases  
as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance or an operating lease, making an overall 
assessment of whether the lease transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. If this is the case, 
then the lease is treated as a finance lease, otherwise as an operating lease.

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head lease and sub-lease separately, assessing the classification of the 
sub-lease with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease.

The Group recognises lease payments received under operating leases as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of “other 
income”.

32.10 Pension plans
(i) Defined contribution schemes
Pre-determined contributions paid to a separate privately administered pension plan are recognised as an expense in the income statement  
in the period in which they arise. Other than this contribution the Group has no further legal or constructive obligation to make further contributions  
to the scheme.

(ii) Defined benefit schemes
A defined benefit scheme is a pension plan under which the amount of pension benefit that an employee receives on retirement is defined by 
reference to factors including age, years of service and compensation. The schemes are funded by payments determined by periodic actuarial 
calculations agreed between the Group and the trustees of trustee-administered funds.

The cost of providing benefits is determined using the projected unit credit method, which attributes entitlement to benefits to the current period 
(current service cost) and to current and prior periods (to determine the present value of the defined benefit obligation). Current service costs are 
recognised in the income statement in the current year. Past service costs are recognised in the income statement immediately. When a settlement 
(which eliminates all obligations for benefits already accrued) or a curtailment (which reduces future obligations as a result of a reduction in future 
entitlement) occurs, the obligation and related plan assets are re-measured using current actuarial assumptions and any gain or loss is recognised  
in the income statement.

The interest element of the defined benefit charge is determined by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit liability at the start of the 
period and is recognised in the income statement. A liability is recognised in the statement of financial position which represents the present value  
of the defined benefit obligations at the balance sheet date, less the fair value of the scheme assets and is calculated separately for each scheme.

The defined benefit obligations represent the estimated amount of future benefits that employees have earned in return for their services in current 
and prior periods, discounted at a rate representing the yield on a high quality corporate bond at the balance sheet date, denominated in the same 
currency as the obligations, and having the same terms to maturity as the related pension liability, applied to the estimated future cash outflows 
arising from these obligations. When the calculation results in a benefit to the Group, the recognised asset is limited to the total of any unrecognised 
past service costs and the present value of economic benefits available from any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions  
to the plan. 

Actuarial gains and losses on experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in the statement of other  
comprehensive income.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

183

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.11 Share based payments

Executive savings related share option schemes are operated under which options are granted to employees of the Group. An expense is recognised 
in the income statement with a corresponding credit to equity in respect of the fair value of employee services rendered in exchange for options 
granted, which is determined by the fair value of the option at the date of grant. The amount is expensed over a specified period until the options  
can be exercised (the vesting period).

The fair value of an option is determined by the use of mathematical modelling techniques, including the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the 
Binomial model. Non-market vesting conditions (such as profitability and growth targets) are excluded from the fair value calculation but included in 
assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable.

An estimate is made of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable at each balance sheet date. Any adjustments to the original 
estimates are recognised in the income statement (and equity) over the remaining vesting period with any element of any adjustments relating to 
prior periods recognised in the current period. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest except for awards where vesting is 
conditional upon a market condition (such as total shareholder return of the Group relative to an index). These are treated as vested irrespective of 
whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance conditions are satisfied.

In addition to failure by the employee to exercise an option in accordance with the exercise period allowed by the scheme, an award made to an 
employee under a share option scheme is deemed to lapse when either the scheme is cancelled by the Company, or when an employee, who 
continues to qualify for membership of a scheme, ceases to pay contributions to that scheme. In these circumstances the full remaining unexpired 
cost of the award is expensed in the period in which the option lapses. 

Where the exercise of options is satisfied by the issue of shares by the Company the nominal value of any shares issued from the exercise of options 
is credited to share capital with the balance of the proceeds received, net of transaction costs, credited to share premium.

33.12 Short-term employee benefits

The Group recognises a liability and an expense for short-term employee benefits, including bonuses, only when contractually or constructively 
obliged.

33.13 Share capital and reserves

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Costs attributable to the issue of new shares are deducted from equity from the proceeds.

(a) Treasury shares
Shares issued by the Company which are held by the Company or its subsidiary entities (including the Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT)), 
are designated as treasury shares. The cost of these shares is deducted from equity. No gains or losses are recognised on the purchase, sale, 
cancellation or issue of treasury shares. Consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity.

(b) Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Company shares are held in an ESOP. The finance costs and administration costs relating to the ESOP are charged to the income statement. 
Dividend income arising on own shares is excluded in arriving at profit before taxation and deducted from aggregate dividends paid. 

The Group maintains the following reserves:

Translation reserve
The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of operations whose financial statements are 
denominated in foreign currencies as well as from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Company’s net investment in a foreign subsidiary.

Hedging reserve
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related to hedged 
transactions that have not yet occurred.

184 

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.14 Revenue recognition

Revenue represents income derived from contracts for the provision of goods and services by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings  
to customers in exchange for consideration in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities.

Performance obligations
Upon approval by the parties to a contract, the contract is assessed to identify each promise to transfer either a distinct good or service or a series of 
distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Goods and services are distinct and 
accounted for as separate performance obligations in the contract if the customer can benefit from them either on their own or together with other 
resources that are readily available to the customer and they are separately identifiable in the contract.

Transaction price
At the start of the contract, the total transaction price is estimated as the amount of consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in 
exchange for transferring the promised goods and services to the customer, excluding sales taxes. Variable consideration, such as price escalation,  
is included based on the expected value or most likely amount only to the extent that it is highly probable that there will not be a reversal in the 
amount of cumulative revenue recognised. The transaction price does not include estimates of consideration resulting from contract modifications, 
such as change orders, until they have been approved by the parties to the contract. The total transaction price is allocated to the performance 
obligations identified in the contract in proportion to their relative stand-alone selling prices where appropriate. Given the bespoke nature of many 
of the Group’s products and services, which are designed and/or manufactured under contract to the customer’s individual specifications, there are 
typically no observable stand-alone selling prices. In such cases, stand-alone selling prices are typically estimated based on expected costs plus 
contract margin consistent with the Group’s pricing principles.

Revenue and profit recognition
Revenue is recognised as performance obligations are satisfied as control of the goods and services is transferred to the customer.

For each performance obligation within a contract, the Group determines whether it is satisfied over time or at a point in time. Performance 
obligations are satisfied over time if one of the following criteria is satisfied:

 ‹ the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group’s performance as it performs;
 ‹ the Group’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced; or
 ‹ the Group’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Group and it has an enforceable right to payment for performance 

completed to date.

Point in time revenue includes services provided over periods of up to seven days.

Contracts that satisfy the over time criteria primarily occur in the Group’s Specialist Technical business, either because the customer simultaneously 
receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group’s performance as it performs (typically services or support contracts) or the Group’s 
performance does not create an asset with an alternative use and it has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date (typically 
production contracts).

For each performance obligation to be recognised over time, the Group typically recognises revenue using an input method, based on costs incurred 
in the period. Revenue and attributable margin are calculated by reference to reliable estimates of transaction price and total expected costs, after 
making suitable allowances for technical and other risks. Revenue and associated margin are therefore recognised progressively as costs are 
incurred.

If the over time criteria for revenue recognition are not met, revenue is recognised at the point in time that control is transferred to the customer,  
which is usually when legal title passes to the customer and the business has the right to payment, for example, on delivery.

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

Bid costs
All pre-contract bidding costs which are incurred irrespective of whether the contract is awarded relating to the design, manufacture or operation  
of assets or the provision of services are expensed when incurred.

In some circumstances, the Company incurs costs to obtain a contract with a customer, for example commission fees. These costs are recognised 
initially as an asset within debtors: contract assets and amortised on a systematic basis as the goods and services are transferred to the customer.

Warranty costs
Provision is made for warranties offered with products where it is probable that an obligation to transfer economic benefits to the customer  
in future will arise. This provision is based on management’s assessment of the previous history of claims and probability of future obligations  
arising on a product-by-product basis. Provisions for warranty costs are set out in note 22.

Revenue – operating lease rental income
Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates. Revenue  
is recognised in the income statement on a straight line basis over the period of the hire.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

185

Financial statements

Notes to the financial statements cont.

33 Significant accounting policies cont.
33.15 Other Investments

Other investments which are in unquoted entities are held at fair value and subject to an annual review. The Group elects on an asset by asset basis 
whether fair value movements are posted to the income statement or directly to reserves.

33.16 Intra-group financial instruments

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtness of other companies within the Group, the Company 
considers these to be insurance arrangements and accounts for them as such. In this respect the Company treats the guarantee contract as a 
contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.

33.17 Government grants

During 2020, some employees across the Group were placed on furlough under the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme. Furlough income of £nil 
(2020: £2.3m) in relation to a maximum of 400 employees was recognised during 2020 and as such the Group adopted IAS 20 in accounting for this 
government income. The grant has been recognised as income and matched with the associated payroll costs over the same period.

34 Significant accounting judgements and estimates
In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of 
the Group’s accounting policies and the reported amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The outcome may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed and revised on an ongoing basis.

(a) Judgements

Information about judgements made in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effects on the amounts recognised in the 
consolidated financial statements is included below:

Revenue
Revenue is set out in notes 3 and 33.14. Revenue is recognised as performance obligations are satisfied as control of the goods and services are 
transferred to the customer. The timing of the performance obligations will vary depending on the terms of the sales agreement, the evaluation of the 
specific risks associated with the performance of the contract (for example design, construction and testing) or generally accepted practice where 
there are no specific arrangements in the contract. Areas of judgement relate to construction contract accounting and specifically estimating the 
stage of completion and forecast outturn of the contract which are reliant on the knowledge and expertise of project managers, engineers and other 
professionals.

(b) Estimates
Impairment of goodwill 
Goodwill, which is set out in note 12, of £135.5m (2020: £166.5m) is tested annually for any permanent impairment in accordance with the 
accounting policy in note 33.6. The value in use of the Group’s cash generating units (CGU) requires assumptions about future levels of demand, 
gross margins and cost inflation. Inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting and discounting future cash flows is a key area of judgement. If 
indicators of impairment exist the carrying value of goodwill is compared to its recoverable amount which represents the higher of the net present 
value of the CGU’s forecast cash flow and its carrying value. The assessment also includes sensitivity analysis to identify the range of outcomes and 
the validity of underlying assumptions. 

Income taxes 
Taxation is set out in notes 8, 9 and 33.8. The Group is subject to income taxes in several jurisdictions. Significant judgement is required in 
determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during 
the ordinary course of business. The Group recognises liabilities for anticipated tax risk issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be 
due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such difference will impact the income tax 
and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made. 

The Group has entered the UK tonnage tax regime under which tax on its ship-owning and operating activities is based on the net tonnage of vessels 
operated. Income and profits outside this regime are taxed under normal tax rules. This means that it is necessary to make estimates of the allocation 
of some income and expenses between tonnage and non-tonnage tax activities. These estimates are subject to agreement with the relevant tax 
authorities and may be revised in future periods. 

Tax on separately disclosed items includes a credit of £7.9m, which represents deferred tax recognised on the timing differences created following 
the impairment of dive support vessels during the year ended 31 December 2020. The associated deferred tax asset will be utilised gradually over 
future accounting periods as the tax value of the vessels is amortised in line with rates set by HM Revenue & Customs.

186 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

34 Significant accounting judgements and estimates cont.
(b) Estimates cont.
Provision for impairment of trade receivables
As detailed in note 29, the Group has made doubtful debt provisions of £19.0m (2020: £19.5m) for certain of its receivables that are overdue for 
more than 180 days, which at 31 December 2021 amounted to £17.6m (2020: £17.5m). Due to the period of time elapsed full recovery is uncertain. 
In addition, some of these issues are subject to a contractual process of arbitration or standard legal process and may take some time to resolve. 
Provisions reflect current best estimates of the likely net proceeds that will be received but are subject to uncertainty where the outcome may differ 
materially from current best estimates.

Insurance claims
At any point in time, the Group has a number of insurance claims awaiting resolution and make appropriate best estimates within other debtors of 
recoverable amounts. In April 2018, two vessels collided off the coast of Singapore which resulted in a gas splash which enveloped a vessel owned 
and operated by the Group and resulted in severe engine damage. Whilst the Group’s financial position reflects a best estimate of its the insurance 
claim, the overall outcome is awaiting resolution between the two vessel owners and a 10% change in estimate would impact the income statement 
by £0.2m.

Impairment of vessels 
During the year, impairments totalling £7.7m has been charged in respect of vessels based on the recoverable amount which is the fair market value 
of these assets. The fair market valuation was made with reference to third party valuations and management experience. This fair market valuation  
is based on an orderly transaction between market participants.

(c) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts  
of assets and liabilities within the year ending 31 December 2021 is included in the following notes:

 ‹ notes 12 and 13 – impairment test of intangible assets and goodwill: key assumptions underlying recoverable amounts, including the recoverability  

of development costs; and

 ‹ notes 14 and 15 – impairment test of vessels: key assumptions underlying recoverable amounts.

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

187

Financial statements

Subsidiaries and associated undertakings

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

100%

100%

70%

100%

100%

Marine Support

Deep Sea Operation & 
Maintenance Co. Ltd

Fender Care (Changshu) 
Limited 

Al Khobar City, PO Box 
2716, Al Olaya, 34447, 
Saudi Arabia

Room 1211, Building 4, 
Huifeng Times Plaza, No 22 
Huanghe Road, Changshu 
City, Jiangsu, 215500, 
China

Fender Care Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Fender Care Marine (Asia 
Pacific) Pte Ltd

Singapore(6)

100%

100%

100%

100%

Fender Care Marine 
(Gibraltar) Limited

28 Irish Town, Gibraltar

100%

Fender Care Marine Ltd

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Fender Care Marine 
Products (Asia Pacific) Pte 
Limited

Singapore(6)

Fender Care Marine Sohar 
LLC

Al Batinah Region, PO Box 
37, Sohar, 327

Fendercare Australia Pty Ltd

Fendercare Servicos 
Marinhos do Brasil Ltda

Hughes Marine Engineering 
Limited 

Hughes Sub Surface 
Engineering Limited

James Fisher Asset 
Information Services Limited

James Fisher Marine 
Services Limited 

8D Sparks Road, 
Henderson WA 6166, 
Australia

Avenida Feliciano Sodre 
325, Centro, Niteroi, Rio De 
Janeiro, CEP: 24030-012, 
Brazil

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

James Fisher Maritime 
Deutschland GmbH

Stadthausbrucke 8, 20355 
Hamburg, Germany

James Fisher MIMIC Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

James Fisher Rumic Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

JCM Scotload Ltd

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

100%

100%*

100%

JF STS (Guernsey) Ltd

St Peter Port4

100%***

Maritime Engineers (Asia 
Pacific) Pte Ltd

Singapore, 508929(11)

100%

Maritime Engineers Pty Ltd

Henderson, Australia(10)

Martek Marine Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

100%

Martek-Marine (Asia Pacific) 
Pte Ltd

James Fisher Renouvelables

Namibia Subtech Diving and 
Marine (Proprietary) Limited

3 Church Street, #08-00, 
Samsung Hub, Singapore, 
049483

3 rue de France Comte, 
CS50311, Hauts de 
Quimpcanpoix, 5103, 
Cherbourg, France

Shop 48, Second Floor,  
Old Power Station 
Complex, Armstrong Street, 
Windhoek, Namibia

Prolec Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Rotos 360 Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Servicos Maritimos 
Continental S.A.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil(9)

Strainstall Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Strainstall Middle East 
Limited

Strainstall Singapore Pte Ltd

Ground Floor, 8, Lorong 
Universiti B, Section 16,  
46350 Petaling Jaya 
Selangor Darul Ehsan, 
Malaysia

Vistra (Cayman), Grand 
Pavilion, Hibiscus Way,  
802 West Bay Road, PO 
Box 31119, Grand Cayman,  
KY1-1205, Cayman Islands

50 Raffles Place, #06-00 
Singapore Land Tower,  
Singapore, 048623

Strainstall UK Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Subtech (Pty) Ltd

Durban, South Africa(8)

Subtech Diving & Marine 
Tanzania Limited

Subtech Marine (Pty) Limited

Subtech Middle East Saudi 
Company

Subtech Norte Lda

Subtech Offshore

The Slipway Road, Msasani 
Peninsula, Dar Es Salaam, 
United Republic of Tanzania

PO Box 90757, Shop 
48, Old Power Station 
Complex, Armstrong Street, 
Windhoek, Namibia

Office 102, Al Jazira 
Building, Al Khobar, Saudi 
Arabia

Rua de Se no 114, Distrito 
Urbano 1, Bairro Central,  
Maputo City, Mozambique

Ocra (Mauritius) Limited, 
Level 2, Max City Building,  
Remy Ollier Street, Port 
Louis, Mauritius

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

60%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

70%

100%

100%

100%

Subtech South Africa (Pty) 
Ltd

Durban, South Africa(8)

90%

Testconsult Limited 

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

188 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

Specialist Technical

Cowan Manufacturing Pty 
Limited

BDO Tax (WA) Pty Ltd, 
‘BDO’, 38 Station Street, 
Subiaco, WA6008, Australia

Divex Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

Bibra Lake, Australia(12)

Divex FZE

PO Box 261749, Jebel Ali 
Free Zone, Dubai,  
United Arab Emirates

Divex Limited

Westhill(3)

High Technology Sources 
Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

James Fisher Defence Italy

Via Montevideo, No.27,  
Rome, Italy

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

James Fisher Defence 
Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

James Fisher Defence North 
America Limited

Suite 808, 1220 North 
Market Street, Wilmington 
DE 19801, United States

100%

Oldmeldrum(2)

100%

James Fisher Nuclear 
Limited

James Fisher Singapore 
Pte Ltd

Offshore Oil

Buchan Technical Services 
Limited

James Fisher Marine 
Services Malaysia Ltd

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

Level 1, Lot 7, Block F, 
Sanguking Commercial 
Building Jalan Patau-Patau, 
87000 Labuan FT, Malaysia

James Fisher Marine 
Services Middle East Limited 
FZCO

PO Box 371072, Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates

James Fisher MFE Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

James Fisher Ocean Team 
Limited 

James Fisher Offshore 
Limited

James Fisher Offshore 
Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Suites 4404-10, 44/F, One 
Island East, 18 Westlands 
Road, Taikoo Place, Hong 
Kong

Oldmeldrum(2)

Room A, Ground Floor, 
Lot 7, Block F, Saguking 
Commercial Building Jalan 
Patau-Patau, 87000 Labuan 
FT, Malaysia

Singapore 508929(11)

100%

James Fisher Personnel S.A. 
de C.V.

Ciudad de Mexico, D.F., 
Mexico(13)

JF Nuclear Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

JFD Australia Pty Ltd

BDO, 38 Station Street, 
Subiaco WA 6008, Australia

JFD Limited

Westhill(3)

JFD Ortega B.V.

Vliegveldstraat 100, 
B515, Technology Base, 
Enschede, Netherlands

JFD Singapore Pte Ltd

Singapore, 508929(11)

JFD South Africa (Pty) 
Limited

c/o Mazars, Mazars 
House, Rialto Road, Grand 
Moorings Precinct, Century 
City, Cape Town, SA 7441, 
South Africa

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

JFD Sweden AB

Rindovagen, Rindo Vastra, 
185 41 Vaxholm, Sweden

100%

James Fisher Subsea 
Excavation Incorporated

James Fisher Subsea 
Excavation Mexico S.A. 
de C.V.

James Fisher Subsea 
Excavation Pte Limited 

JF Singapore Holdings 
PTE Ltd

RMSPumptools FZE

21559 Provincial Boulevard, 
Katy TX 77450, United 
States

Ciudad de Mexico, D.F., 
Mexico(13)

133 Cecil Street, #16-01,  
Keck Seng Tower,  
Singapore, 069535

9 Raffles Place, #27-00 
Republic Plaza, Singapore 
048619

1-153, THUB, Dubai Silicon 
Oasis, Dubai,  
United Arab Emirates

RMSPumptools Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

RMSPumptools Saudi 
Industrial Company

Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Scan Tech AS

Stavanger(5)

Scan Tech Personell AS

Stavanger(5)

Scan Tech Produckt 
Personell AS 

Stavanger(5)

Scantech Offshore do Brasil 
Comercio E Servicos Ltda

R 01 223, Lote 146 Quadra 
02, Balneario das Garcas,  
Rio das Ostras, 28.898-
268, Brazil

100%

100%

100%

60%

100%*

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

189

Scantech Offshore Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

Scantech Offshore Pty Ltd

Henderson, Australia(10)

100%

Financial statements

Subsidiaries and associated undertakings cont.

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

Tankships

Holding Companies

Cattedown Wharves Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Everard (Guernsey) Ltd

St Peter Port(4)

F.T. Everard Shipping Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

F.T.Everard & Sons Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

100%

100%

100%*

100%*

James Fisher (Crewing 
Services) Limited

James Fisher (Guernsey) 
Limited

James Fisher (Shipping 
Services) Limited

St Peter Port(4)

100%***

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

James Fisher Crewing (CY) 
Limited

115 Griva Digeni, Trident 
Centre, Limassol, 3101, 
Cyprus

100%

James Fisher Everard 
Limited

Onesimus Dorey 
(Shipowners) Ltd

Scottish Navigation 
Company Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

St Peter Port(4)

100%*

Oldmeldrum(2)

100%

EDS HV Group Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

100%

Fender Care Marine 
Solutions Limited

James Fisher (Aberdeen) 
Limited

James Fisher and Sons 
Nigeria Limited

James Fisher Holdings UK 
Limited

James Fisher Hong Kong 
Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

7th Floor, 1 Kingsway Road, 
Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos,  
Lagos State, Nigeria

99%*

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

Level 17, Silvercord Tower 
2, 30 Canton Road,  
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 
Hong Kong

James Fisher Norway AS

Stavanger(5)

James Fisher Nuclear 
Holdings Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

James Fisher Properties 
Limited

Oldmeldrum(2)

James Fisher Servicos 
Empresariais Ltda

Rua 01 No 223, Quadra 02, 
Lote 146-part,  
Balneario das Garcas, Brazil

100%

100%*

100%*

100%

100%

James Fisher Subtech 
Group Limited

James Fisher Tankships 
Holdings Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%*

JF Australia Holding Pty Ltd

Bibra Lake, Australia(12)

JF Overseas Ghana Limited

The Octogon Building, 7th 
Floor Suite B701,  
Accra Central, Accra, 
Ghana

JF Overseas Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Martek Holdings Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Strainstall Group Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

100%

100%

100%*

100%

100%*

Subtech Group Holdings 
(Pty) Ltd

Briardene, South Africa(14)

100%

190 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Associated undertakings and significant holdings in undertakings other than subsidiary undertakings

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

Marine Support

Eurotestconsult Limited

County Laois, Ireland(7)

Eurotestconsult UK 
Limited

FC Viking Sdn.Bhd

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

Suite 6.01, 6th Floor, Plaza 
See Hoy Chan Jalan Raja 
Chulan, 50200, Kuala Lumpur, 
Malaysia

Fender Care Benelux B.V.

Torontostraat 20, 3197 KN , 
Rotterdam Botlek, Netherlands

Fender Care Marine LLC

Fujairah Port, PO Box 5198, 
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Fender Care Marine SA 
(Pty) Ltd

Unit 4, Thembani House, 
41 Brand Road, Glenwood, 
Durban, 4001, South Africa

Fender Care Marine 
Services LLC

Fender Care Middle 
East LLC 

Fender Care Omega 
(Middle East) FZC

G013, GH-1, Industrial City of 
Abu Dhabi (ICAD-1), Mussafeh, 
PO Box 45628, Abu Dhabi, 
United Arab Emirates

P.O Box 25896, Plot 146/16, 
Emirates Industrial City,  
Sajja Industrial Area, PO Box 
25896, Sharjah,  
United Arab Emirates

E-LOB Office No. E-69G-20, 
PO Box 51602,  
Hamriyah Free Zone – Sharjah, 
United Arab Emirates

Fendercare Marine 
Ghana Limited

11 Aduemi Close, North 
Kaneshie, Accra, Ghana

Fendercare Marine 
Omega India Private 
Limited

JA 1104 – 1106, DLF Tower – 
A, Jasole District Centre, New 
Delhi, 11044, India

James Fisher (Angola) 
Limitada

67 Rua Damiao de Gois, 
Alvalade, Borough, District 
of Maianga, Ingombota 
Municipality, Angola

James Fisher Angola UK 
Limited

Barrow-in-Furness(1)

James Fisher Nigeria 
Limited

34 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, 
Lagos, Nigeria

Nuclear 
Decommissioning Limited

3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign 
Street, Leeds, LS1 4ER

Strainstall Laboratories 
WLL

PO Box 2255, Office No.70, 
Barwa Commercial Avenue, 
Doha, Qatar

Strainstall Middle East 
LLC

PO Box 111007Jebel Ali 
Industrial Area 1, Dubai,  
United Arab Emirates

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

NAME OF COMPANY

ADDRESS

GROUP 
PERCENTAGE OF 
EQUITY CAPITAL

Strainstall Saudi Arabia 
Limited 

PO Box 30124, Riyadh 11372, 
Saudi Arabia

Strainstall Testing Lab 
LLC

PO Box 62579, Abu Dhabi, 
United Arab Emirates

Subtech Offshore 
Services Nigeria Limited

Plot 15, Block 110, Henry 
Ojogho Crescent, Off Road 69, 
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria

Specialist Technical

First Response Marine 
Pte Ltd

16 Benoi Road, 629889, 
Singapore

James Fisher 
Technologies LLC

Units 1 and 2, 1234 Sherman 
Drive,  
Longmont CO 80501, 
Colorado

JFD Domeyer GmbH

Konsul-Smidt-Str. 15, 28217, 
Bremen, Germany

Wuhu Divex Diving 
System Limited

No.58 Yongchang Road, 
Jiujiang District, Wuhu City,  
Anhui Province, PR China

49%**

49%**

49%

50%

49%

50%

49%

(1)  Fisher House, PO Box 4, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HR

(2)  North Meadows, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, AB51 0GQ

(3)  JFD, Westhill Industrial Estate, Enterprise Drive, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB32 6TQ

(4)  4th Floor, West Wing, Trafalgar Court, Admiral Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JA

(5)  Finnestadsvingen 23, 4029 Stavanger, Norway

(6)  6 Pioneer Place, 627705, Singapore

(7)  Unit D, Zone 5, Clonminam Business Park, Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland

(8)  Warehouse 1, 20 Rustic Close, Briardene, Durban, 4051, South Africa

(9)  Rua Tenente Celio, No.150, Bairro Granja Caveleiros, Macae, State of Rio de Janeiro, 

27.930-120, Brazil

(10)  23 Sparks Road, Henderson, WA 6166, Australia

(11)  19 Loyang Lane, Singapore 508929

(12)  54 Bushland Ridge, Bibra Lake WA 6163, Australia

(13)  Gabriel Mancera 1041 Del Valle, Benito Juarez, 03100, Ciudad de Mexico, D.F., Mexico

(14)  20 Rustic Close, Briardene, KwaZulu-Natal, 4051, South Africa

* 

** 

held by the Parent Company (all other subsidiaries are held by an intermediate subsidiary)

consolidated as subsidiary undertakings

***  held by nominee shareholders

50%

50%

49%

50%

49%**

49%**

49%**

49%**

50%

50%

50%

49%*

50%

49%

25%

49%**

49%**

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

191

Financial statements

Group financial record
For the five years ended 31 December

Revenue
Marine Support

Specialist Technical

Offshore Oil

Tankships

Underlying operating profit
Marine Support

Specialist Technical

Offshore Oil

Tankships

Common costs

Net finance costs

Underlying profit before taxation
Separately disclosed items

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation

(Loss)/profit after taxation

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Investment in associates and joint ventures

Working capital

Assets held for sale

Contingent consideration

Pension obligations

Taxation

Capital employed 
Net borrowings

Lease liabilities

Equity

Earnings per share
Basic 

Diluted 

Underlying basic 

Underlying diluted 

Dividends declared per share

Other key performance indicators
Operating margin (%)

Return on capital employed (post tax) (%)

Underlying net gearing (%)

Dividend cover (times)

2021
£m

214.5

133.2

86.3

60.1

494.1

5.0

9.9

11.1

4.8

(2.8)

28.0

(8.3)

19.7

(48.7)

(29.0)

0.8

(28.2)

146.8

122.2

41.8

9.4

62.5

10.7

–

(1.9)

4.7

396.2

147.4

38.2

210.6

396.2

Pence

(55.2)

(55.2)

20.0

20.0

8.0

5.7%

3.6%

70.1%

–

2020
£m

2019
£m

restated*

restated*

2018
£m

274.3

156.5

70.0

60.7

561.5

26.8

21.4

6.8

9.9

(2.8)

62.1

(6.0)

56.1

(0.7)

55.4

(10.1)

45.3

197.5

145.4

–

9.6

96.3

–

(6.0)

(16.1)

(6.7)

420.0

113.6

–

306.4

420.0

2017
£m

235.6

146.0

60.7

57.0

499.3

25.3

19.2

3.2

8.8

(2.4)

54.1

(5.5)

48.6

(1.3)

47.3

(7.9)

39.4

199.2

132.5

–

9.4

109.5

–

(12.8)

(19.8)

(6.5)

411.5

132.5

–

279.0

411.5

311.6

149.4

88.2

67.9

617.1

24.5

18.4

14.2

12.0

(2.8)

66.3

(7.8)

58.5

(10.7)

47.8

(11.1)

36.7

215.2

210.6

27.9

9.9

107.5

–

(8.2)

(5.8)

(10.7)

544.4

203.0

27.4

316.0

546.4

Pence

Pence

Pence

73.1

72.7

93.2

92.8

11.3

10.7%

11.3%

64.8%

8.2

89.5

88.9

90.0

89.5

31.6

11.0%

12.2%

37.2%

2.5

77.5

76.9

79.3

78.7

28.7

10.8%

12.0%

47.7%

2.7

249.4

130.4

78.0

60.4

518.2

10.1

14.0

11.2

8.0

(2.8)

40.5

(9.0)

31.5

(84.0)

(52.5)

(4.8)

(57.3)

186.6

158.2

31.9

8.9

66.6

–

(1.7)

(10.3)

(4.2)

436.0

175.0

23.1

237.9

436.0

Pence

(114.2)

(114.2)

48.0

47.9

8.0

7.8%

6.7%

74.4%

6.0

192 

James Fisher and Sons plc // Annual Report 2021 

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Brokers
Investec Bank (UK) Limited 

30 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7QP

Jefferies International Limited

100 Bishopsgate 
London EC2N 4JL

Financial calendar 
5 May 2022

Annual General Meeting

1 September 2022*

Announcement of 2022 Half Year results

*  Provisional

Investor information

Company Secretary
Jim Marsh

Registered office
James Fisher and Sons plc 
Fisher House, PO Box 4 
Barrow-in-Furness 
Cumbria LA14 1HR

Incorporated in England under Company no. 
211475

www.james-fisher.com

Registrar
Link Group

10th Floor
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds LS1 4DL

Auditor
KPMG LLP

1 St Peters Square 
Manchester M2 3AE

Bankers
Bank of Ireland

4th Floor
Bow Bells House
1 Bread Street
London EC4M 9BE

Barclays Bank PLC 

1st Floor
3 Hardman Street 
Spinningfields
Manchester M3 3HF

DBS Bank Ltd 

London Branch 
One London Wall
London
EC2Y 5EA

Handelsbanken 

First Floor East 
Bridge Mills 
Stramongate 
Kendal LA9 4BD

HSBC UK Bank PLC

2nd Floor
Landmark
St Peters Square
1 Oxford Street
Manchester M1 4BP

Lloyds Bank PLC 

Lovell Park
1 Lovell Park Road
Leeds LS1 1NS

Santander UK plc 

298 Deansgate
Manchester M3 4HH

Debt advisors
N.M.Rothschild & Sons Limited 
82 King Street
Manchester M2 4WQ

Merchant Bankers
E C Hambro Rabben and Partners Ltd 
32-33 St James’s Place
London SW1A 1NR

Disclaimer
This Annual Report has been prepared for the members of the Company only. The Company, its Directors, employees and agents do not accept or 
assume responsibility to any other person in connection with this document and any such responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed. This Annual 
Report contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to future events including, amongst other matters, the economic and business 
circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the Group operates and the availability of financing to the Group. 
As such the forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. Accordingly, whilst it is believed the expectations reflected in these statements 
are reasonable at the date of publication of this Annual Report they may be affected by a wide range of matters which could cause actual results to 
differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements will not be updated during the year. Nothing in this Annual Report should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

Design and Production
www.carrkamasa.co.uk

Annual Report 2021 \\ James Fisher and Sons plc 

193

James Fisher and Sons plc

T: +44 (0) 1229 615 400

F: +44 (0) 1229 836 761

E: enquiries@james-fisher.com

W: www.james-fisher.com