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John Menzies plc

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FY2008 Annual Report · John Menzies plc
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Efficiency at the core
Annual Report 2008

John Menzies plc

John Menzies plc is a company with
two operating divisions, Menzies 
Aviation and Menzies Distribution.

Both divisions operate in distinct B2B
sectors where success depends on 
providing a safe, efficient and high-
quality service to their customers 
and partners.

www.johnmenziesplc.com

£30.7m

underlying profit 
before tax

£1,667.1m

revenue

31.3p

underlying earnings
per share

Cautionary statement
This Annual Report contains information which
readers might consider to be forward-looking
statements relating to or in respect of the
financial condition, results, operations and
businesses of John Menzies plc. Any such
statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to future events and
circumstances. There are many factors that
could cause actual results or developments 
to differ materially from those expressed 
or implied by any such forward-looking
statements. Nothing in this Annual Report
should be construed as a profit forecast.

Overview

02 At a glance
04 Chairman’s statement
06 Executive Directors’ team
07 Group strategy

Operating review

08 Group performance
10 Menzies Aviation
16 Menzies Distribution
21 Non-financial Group business risks
22 Group financial review
28 Outlook
29 Corporate social responsibility

Governance

38 Board of Directors
40 Corporate governance statement
46 Report on Directors’ remuneration

Financial statements

56 Independent auditors’ report to 

the members of John Menzies plc

58 Group income statement
59 Group statement of recognised income 

and expense

60 Group and Company balance sheets
61 Group and Company cash flow statements
62 Notes to the accounts
95 Five year summary

96 General information

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

01

 
 
 
 
 
 
At a glance Aviation

One of the world’s largest and most respected
independent ground and cargo handlers.

With over 14,000 employees worldwide servicing over 
500 airline customers at 107 locations in 27 countries, 
we handled more than 600,000 flight turns, 67 million
passengers and 1.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2008.

Passenger
A full ground handling service is available to airlines, including
ticketing, check-in, baggage services and management of
passenger lounges.

Ramp
Out on the ramp we offer load control, passenger and baggage
transfer, and other ramp handling services including aircraft towing
and pushback, cabin cleaning, water services and de-icing.

Cargo
Our service provision includes ramp transfer, load management,
import and export handling, warehousing, trucking, and other
track and trace services. Our AMI business provides airfreight
services and forwarder handling.

£14.1m

underlying
operating profit

£500.9m

revenue

107

locations

27

countries

For further information see page 10
or visit the Menzies Aviation website
www.menziesaviation.com

02 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

At a glance Distribution

A leading provider of added value distribution 
and marketing services to the UK’s newspaper
and magazine supply chain.

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With 4,000 employees at 19 hub and 18 spoke branches
throughout the UK and Ireland, the division is a strongly cash
generative business with around 30% of the newspaper and
magazine wholesale distribution market in the UK. It has 
a track record of investment in innovation and customer 
service delivery. 

Newspaper and magazine distribution
We handle 4.8 million newspapers (5.1 million on Sundays) and
2.2 million magazines (covering 3,000 titles) every day. Deliveries
are made in the early hours of the morning 364 days a year, to
more than 23,000 retail customers from the Northern Isles to 
the Isle of Wight.

Marketing services
Services to multiple and independent retailers include space 
and range planning, racking, displays and sales promotion, category
management and sales-based replenishment. Services to publishers
include supporting the launch of new titles, ongoing sales promotion
and development, and bespoke services such as data analysis
and returns processing.

Field marketing
We provide long-term and short notice resources for field marketing
and promotional campaigns of any size at local or national levels
across the UK and Ireland, such as free newspaper and magazine
distribution, compliance auditing, event organising, point-of-sale
placement, mystery shopping, market research and face-to-face
targeted promotions. 

£23.9m

underlying
operating profit

£1,166.2m

revenue

19

hub branches

18

spoke branches

For further information see page 16
or visit the Menzies Distribution 
website www.menziesdistribution.com

Menzies Distribution
Menzies JV
Others

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 03

Chairman’s statement

While we live in unprecedented times, the Board
believe that with two clearly focused operating
divisions, the Group remains well placed to
benefit from market improvements.

At Menzies Aviation the business continued to grow, entering
significant new markets (India and South Africa) during the year.
These new market entries were successful and will bear fruit for
the division in the coming year. Revenue was hit as customers
faced soaring oil prices and the consumer slowdown impacted
passenger and cargo volumes, particularly in the last quarter.

Menzies Distribution had a good year with profitability increasing
modestly. This represents a good performance in a difficult
market. In particular, the cost and productivity performance was
excellent, with cost savings significantly outstripping inflation.

In the last quarter the translated value of the Group’s US Dollar
and Euro denominated debt substantially increased as a result 
of Sterling weakening against most major currencies. The value of
the Group’s overseas assets, however, also increased substantially
resulting in a £4.7m credit to reserves.

In response to this market downturn and foreign exchange
environment, rapid management actions were taken to reduce
costs and conserve cash to shape the Group to meet its
challenging marketplace.

I am pleased to report that the two banking facilities that were 
up for renewal in the first half of 2009 have been successfully
renewed ahead of schedule. 

In 2009 the Group will focus on cash generation and debt
reduction. Capital expenditure will be less than depreciation 
at both divisions and as a result I expect both Aviation and
Distribution to be comfortably cash generative during the year.
The Group is reviewing its asset base and where appropriate, 
any non-core assets may be disposed of to further reduce debt.

To reflect the Group’s cautious outlook and cash conservation
strategy the Board has decided that it would not be appropriate 
to recommend a final dividend. As a result, the full-year dividend
was 7.56p, which was paid in November 2008.

Board
In September 2008, Iain Napier was appointed as an independent
Non-Executive Director. Iain has extensive knowledge of international
business gained during his executive and non-executive career.
Iain has previously held CEO positions at Taylor Woodrow plc,
Bass Brewers and Bass International Brewers, as well as senior
executive positions at the Ford Motor Company. 

In 2009 the Group 
will focus on cash
generation and debt
reduction. Capital
expenditure will be
less than depreciation
at both divisions, and
as a result I expect
both Aviation and
Distribution to be
comfortably cash
generative during 
the year.

William Thomson
Chairman
John Menzies plc

04 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

In February 2009, Ian Harley was also appointed as an
independent Non-Executive Director. Ian is Chairman of Rentokil
Initial Pension Trustee Limited and spent nine years on the Board
of Abbey National plc as CFO and CEO. Ian’s experiences in the
financial sector will undoubtedly prove beneficial to the Board.

Iain Robertson has indicated that he will retire following the
Annual General Meeting in May 2009, and I thank him sincerely
for the valuable contribution that he has made in the time that 
he has been on the Board. He will be replaced as Chairman of 
the Audit Committee by Ian Harley. Also following the Annual
General Meeting, and in accordance with the Company’s policy 
of refreshing and rotating Committee memberships, David
Coltman will be retiring as Chairman of the Remuneration
Committee, and will be replaced by Iain Napier.

Following Iain Robertson’s retirement, the Board will have 
10 directors including four independent Non-Executive Directors, 
well in excess of the minimum recommended by Corporate
Governance guidelines for a company of our size, and ensures
that the Board is well balanced and able to meet its ambitions 
and the challenges that face the business. 

People
Our staff continue to be our greatest asset, and in businesses
which rely on delivering a service, it is essential that we have 
the best people working for us. 2008 was a challenging and
difficult year, although the changes made and results achieved
across the Group owes a great deal to the commitment of all 
our staff. Their dedication and commitment to providing a quality,
efficient service to our customers continues, and their efforts are
greatly appreciated.

Prospects
2009 will be a challenging year but we have two strong operating
divisions. Menzies Aviation has an excellent reputation with its
airline customers as evidenced by the continuing contract win
and renewal momentum. The marketplace is difficult but the
operating model is resilient and we will continue to seek
attractive airlines in attractive markets.

Menzies Distribution is well placed. The investment in new
technologies and the remodelling of the operating base is 
now delivering real benefits. Publisher contract negotiations 
are gathering pace and I believe we are very well placed to
benefit from any opportunities that may arise. 

While we live in unprecedented times, the Board believe that
with two clearly focused operating divisions, the Group remains
well placed to benefit from market improvements.

William Thomson
Chairman

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Divisional revenue (£m)

Aviation

2008 500.9

2007 393.8

Distribution

2008 1,166.2

2007 1,147.3

Divisional underlying
operating profit (£m)

Aviation

2008 14.1

2007 20.6

Distribution

2008 23.9

2007 23.4

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 05

Executive Directors’ team

Our unique operating structure is built upon 
a strong working partnership between our
Executive Directors.

Executive Directors’
team

Ellis Watson
Managing Director
Menzies Distribution

Craig Smyth
Managing Director
Menzies Aviation

Paul Dollman
Group Finance Director
John Menzies plc

06 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Group strategy

We have a well focused strategy, with two distinct operating divisions, both committed to being
the leader in their respective markets.

Both divisions aim to provide great customer service at the right price with lean cost. We will
continue to seek expansion opportunities for both businesses at the appropriate time.

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Menzies Aviation continued to grow, entering significant new markets (India and South
Africa) during the year. These market entries were successful and will bear fruit for the
division in the coming year.

Get the basics right

Well defined strong
operating model

We do this by:
– Safe and secure
– Great service
– Right price
– Lean cost
– Capital discipline

We do this by:
– Regional density
– Station density
– Product density

Grow from strength

We do this by:
– Attractive airlines
– Attractive markets

Resilient business model

Menzies Distribution had a good year with profitability increasing modestly. 
This represents a good performance in a difficult market.

Drive aggressive 
top line growth

Drive operational 
cost base

Drive outstanding 
customer service

We do this by:
– Regional business
– Irish JVs
– D-Cipher
– The Network
– Contract renewals

We do this by:
– Mitigate inflation
– Continuous productivity 

improvement 

– SAP system

We do this by:
– Improve retail standing
– Constant focus on 
quality measures

– SAP system

Stable platform for growth

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 07

Group performance

The Group has secured all of its long-term facilities 
to 2011 and beyond. 

Revenue in the period for the Group increased by 8% to £1,667m.
Menzies Aviation had a difficult year with its customers facing
unprecedented times as oil prices soared and the consumer
slowdown impacted passenger and cargo volumes. Menzies
Distribution had a good year delivering another stable performance
with revenue 2% higher at £1,166m.

Group underlying profit before tax fell by 19% to £30.7m. Profits
at Menzies Aviation were materially lower than the previous year
largely as a result of extremely difficult trading conditions coupled
with investments in start-ups. After the impact of start-up costs
of £4.2m (2007: £1.9m) to support the continued organic growth
and contract win momentum, the Aviation underlying operating
profit was £6.5m down at £14.1m. 

Aviation revenue increased by 27% in the period. Underlying
operating margin (excluding start-up costs) fell from 5.3% in 2007
to 3.4% in 2008. This was mainly as a result of higher turnover at
AMI, (the cargo forwarding business which attracts lower margins),
the underperformance of the USA cargo business and start-up
and integration costs which restricted profits in 2008 from new
ventures in Scandinavia and South Africa. 

Distribution delivered underlying operating profit of £23.9m, up
£0.5m on last year. Like-for-like sales of magazines were down
year-on-year while newspapers’ like-for-like sales were marginally
ahead. This represents a good performance in a difficult market.
In particular, cost and productivity performance was excellent 
with cost savings comfortably outstripping inflation.

Corporate costs were 50% lower than 2007 at £1.5m for the period. 

Banking facilities
The Group now has all of its long-term facilities secured to 2011
and beyond. Of our short-term facilities, the 364-day facility with
RBS due for renewal in June 2009 has been secured ahead of
schedule through to June 2010 and leaves only the regular annual
working capital facility with HBOS which is not due for renewal
until October. 

Revenue in the 
period for the Group
increased by 8% to
£1,667m. Menzies
Aviation had a 
difficult year with 
its customers facing
unprecedented times
as oil prices soared
and the consumer
slowdown impacted
passenger and cargo
volumes. Menzies
Distribution had a
good year delivering
another stable
performance with
revenue 2% higher 
at £1,166m.

Paul Dollman
Group Finance Director
John Menzies plc

08 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Debt and interest
Net debt before the effect of foreign exchange rates was in line
with forecasts at £144.8m, an increase of £33.5m in the year. 
The weakening of Sterling against most major currencies, and, 
in particular, the US Dollar and Euro in the latter part of the year,
substantially increased the translated value of the Group’s US
Dollar and Euro denominated debt. As a result of this, year-end
net bank debt was £165.0m. Including net derivative liabilities of
£17.6m, the year-end net debt figure rose to £182.6m. At the year
end the Group was comfortably within its banking covenants.

Interest costs of £5.8m were £2.8m higher than last year, £1.7m
reflecting higher net debt levels, owing to the continued investment
programme in Aviation and a reduction of £1.1m in the IAS19 
non-cash pension credit. 

Exceptional items
Group profit before tax and basic earnings per share were
impacted by a net exceptional charge of £7.3m, compared to 
the small exceptional gain of £0.1m in 2007. Menzies Aviation’s
disposal of its interest in Talma Menzies Peru gave rise to a gain
on disposal of £8.2m. This was offset by an impairment charge 
of £3.8m (mainly relating to our investment in Aeroground), a
provision for onerous leases of £5.0m, a bad debt from Sterling
Airlines of £1.3m, and rationalisation and other costs of £5.4m. 

Cash flow and investment
Operating cash flow was £42.5m, a decrease of £14.3m
compared to 2007, reflecting the lower operating profit and higher
exceptional spend. Free cash outflow of £8.7m compared to an
inflow of £14.9m in 2007 also reflects the foreign currency loss 
of £7.7m on a low-cost financing transaction (although this was
exactly matched by tax relief of £7.7m) and higher interest and
tax. The net capital investment above depreciation was £30.0m
principally due to investment in India and South Africa and net
contract wins.

Final dividend
In light of the current economic outlook as well as the Group’s
focus on cash generation and debt reduction, the Board has
decided not to recommend a final dividend, making the full-year
dividend 7.56p.

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Revenue (£m)

2008 1,667.1

2007 1,541.1

2006 1,450.4

2005 1,362.1

2004 1,330.6

Underlying PBT (£m)

2008 30.7

2007 38.0

2006 35.8

2005 39.4

2004 33.6

Free cash flow (£m)

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

(8.7)

14.9

3.2

23.6

26.3

Underlying EPS (pence)

2008 31.3

2007 47.9

2006 46.9

2005 51.9

2004 44.0

Full-year dividend 
per share (pence)

2008 7.56

2007 25.6

2006 20.5

2005 19.5

2004 18.5

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 09

 
Menzies Aviation

With its market leading and resilient business
model, Menzies Aviation provides a great
service, at the right price, to customers across
its global network.

Qantas in LAX

13 November 2008 was
one of the most important
days in our long history at
Los Angeles International
Airport (LAX), as we
began handling 31 turns
per week for Qantas –
including cabin cleaning
services for B747
passenger flights and
handling their Airbus 
A380 flights. During 2009,
this number is expected 
to increase as additional
new aircraft are delivered
to Qantas.

Qantas are now one of 
our largest customers 
in LAX where we provide 
ramp handling, cabin
cleaning, cargo handling 
and engineering services
with a combined
workforce of nearly 
200 staff on the Qantas 
account alone. 

LAX is our largest
individual station in 
the Americas region,
where in total we 
employ approximately
1,200 people.

10

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Star Alliance 
chooses Menzies 
at Heathrow

Six Star Alliance member
carriers appointed
Menzies Aviation as their
new ground handler at
London Heathrow in 2008.
This was Menzies first
deal with a carriers
alliance rather than
individual airlines.

Since October, some 450
flights per week are being
handled at Heathrow
Terminal 1. This deal, 
when added to existing
contracts at Terminal 1
immediately created
station density.

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Safety Award winners
in Hyderabad

In November 2008 our
Menzies JV in Hyderabad,
India, was awarded the
prestigious ‘Safety Award’
under the ‘Best Ramp
Safety Practices’ category,
at the Ground Handling
International annual
conference.

The award was
particularly gratifying 
for the local team, and
reinforces our belief that
the Hyderabad team is
doing a great job in
following strict safety
guidelines and procedures
– a key element of
Menzies Aviation’s
business philosophy.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

11

 
Menzies Aviation

Organic expansion continued, with the division a
net winner of 66 contracts in the year, demonstrating
the value customers see in the high levels of
service provided.

Performance 
Menzies Aviation had a tough year in the face of unprecedented
market uncertainty. 

The rising oil price and the general consumer slowdown led 
to a significant reduction in scheduled flights and cargo volumes,
particularly in quarter four. This was partially offset by early
decisive actions to align the cost base with the challenging
market, together with continued organic growth.

Underlying operating profit fell by £6.5m to £14.1m. This was
largely attributable to very poor cargo volumes, particularly 
in quarter four, and reduced flight schedules as winter flights
were significantly down on the prior year. Start-up costs for 
new ventures of £4.2m were £2.3m higher than the previous 
year as a result of significant new contracts gained.

Organic expansion continued, with the division a net winner 
of 66 contracts in the year (2007: 54), demonstrating the value
customers see in the high levels of service provided. Additionally,
significant new ventures were delivered during the year in India
and South Africa. Both ventures are operating successfully and
will have a positive full year impact in 2009.

Swift and decisive management action was taken to reduce 
the cost base as volumes started to decline, while ensuring high
levels of customer service were maintained. Indirect costs were
reduced by £2m (£4m on an annualised basis). The operations 
in Peru and Hong Kong were sold, generating a further £12.2m 
of cash. Underperforming stations in Fort Myers, Atlanta and
Copenhagen were closed as part of the division’s continued 
focus on its fix/close/sell strategy. Direct costs were also
trimmed in light of the difficult market conditions.

The overall product offering has evolved with ground handling
now representing 54.4% of the divisional turnover and cargo
handling 28.2%. This reflects a greater commercial focus on 
the less operationally geared ground handling operations during
these difficult times.

During this difficult year the strategy of focusing on attractive
airlines in attractive markets proved to be invaluable. Tight cash
management led to only one material bad debt being incurred.
The division has a resilient business model and is well placed 
to quickly benefit when the market strengthens.

The division will
continue to position
itself as the market
leader in the ground
handling market,
focusing on providing
great service to
attractive airlines in
attractive markets.

Craig Smyth
Managing Director 
Menzies Aviation

Revenue (£m)

2008 500.9

2007 393.8

Underlying operating 
profit (£m)

2008 14.1

2007 20.6

12 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

New ventures
During the year, the division entered the Indian aviation market
with a cargo handling operation at Bangalore International Airport
and both cargo and ground handling operations at Hyderabad
International Airport. Licences to operate at both of these brand
new airports were secured after an open tender process and
demonstrate the international reputation that the division has 
for quality and safety. Both operations have performed very 
well and delivered the returns expected.

Ground handling operations at six airports in South Africa
commenced on 1 March 2008. The operations have been a 
huge commercial success with a large number of attractive
airlines becoming customers. Unfortunately, the nature of the
handover from the previous incumbents and airlines’ reluctance
to sign contracts until the eleventh hour, resulted in operations
being overstaffed for much of 2008, which resulted in a drag on
earnings. Staffing has now been reduced to the required levels
and the region’s 2008 exit rate was in line with that anticipated 
at the time of investment.

Three businesses were acquired during the first quarter of 
the year. 

Airline Cargo Resources, a cargo handling business operating 
at the three main gateways in South Africa, was acquired in
January to complement the region’s ground handling operations.

MMA Consolidators Pty Ltd, a South African freight forwarder,
was acquired in March and amalgamated within the division’s
cargo forwarding arm.

In Scandinavia, the ground handling business Novia Sverige AB,
was acquired in March. This strategic acquisition made the
division the largest independent handler in the region, while
creating a regional density in combination with our existing
Scandinavian operations. 

Cargo handling
2008 was a very difficult year for cargo with all the division’s
major cargo hubs suffering significant volume shortfalls. Global
cargo markets, as evidenced by recent IATA statistics, were
significantly down year on year but, in particular, sharply down 
in the fourth quarter. 

During quarter four, the traditional peak cargo months, like-for-like
volume fell 19.7%.

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Key statistics:

107

stations worldwide

27

countries operated in

14,000 

employees

1.7m 

tonnes of cargo 
handled

67m 

passengers handled

602,000

aircraft turns

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 13

 
Menzies Aviation

Menzies Aviation 
Operating Board

Craig Smyth
Managing Director

Stephen Koller
EVP IT

Graeme Jenkins
EVP Finance

Mervyn Walker
EVP Operations

14 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Operations in the USA were impacted by a number of operational
issues highlighted at the half year. These operational issues cost
the division c.£2.0m. Management actions have now resolved
these issues, the benefit of which will be seen during 2009. 

Cargo forwarding
AMI, the world’s largest trade-only airfreight consolidator, made
modest progress in the face of falling cargo volumes. Turnover
was up 54% following the annualisation of acquisitions made 

in the previous year and a good performance from the core
business. During the period, MMA Consolidators Pty Ltd, a
business based in South Africa, was acquired and the combined
business now has a significant presence in the world’s key 
cargo markets. The AMI business represents c.17% of divisional
turnover and although it has a lower average margin than the
other parts of the business, it makes a welcome contribution 
to divisional earnings. 

Ground handling
Organic expansion resulted in absolute turns increasing 
13.7%, demonstrating the strong contract momentum across 
the network and the new regional densities in Scandinavia and
South Africa. Like-for-like turns fell 5.5% as a result of the general
reductions in flight schedules particularly during quarters three
and four. Like-for-like turns in quarter four were down 12.1%.

There were great start-ups at six locations in South Africa. Our
burgeoning relationship with jetBlue in the USA was extended 
to a further four airports. In April, following the acquisition of 
GB Airways by easyJet, the division increased the size of its
operations (from 68 to 102 flights per day) for easyJet at their
biggest hub, London Gatwick. 

In June the division was awarded contracts at London Heathrow
(LHR) by the Star Alliance. This is the first deal made with a carriers’
alliance rather than an individual airline. The contract started
successfully in October and sees the division handle six airlines
under one agreement and provides the division with a scale
operation within Terminal 1 at LHR.

Operations in Denmark ceased in October following the collapse
of Sterling Airlines. This bankruptcy was the only material bad
debt incurred by the division during the year.

Within the Americas, the turnaround of the USA ground handling
business continues and the region performed well. Like-for-like
turns were down 5.7% reflecting lower volumes at Alaska Airlines’
hub in Seattle and the loss of the Spirit Airlines contract early in
the year. However, absolute turns in the USA are up 1.1% due 
to the successful remodelling of the customer base. Contract 
win momentum was excellent, Qantas awarded the division a
three-year contract to handle 44 A380 flights per week at LAX. 
In addition, new contracts were awarded by British Airways,
jetBlue and Virgin America, and the portfolio is strong. 

In China, operations in Hong Kong were sold in October. Despite
the best efforts of the local team it had proved difficult to build
scale in what is a controlled local market with two very strong
local players. 

Strategy
Prior to 2008, the division had delivered five consecutive years 
of growth. During the year, unprecedented events within the
airline industry led to a fall in underlying flight movements and
cargo volumes.

The division will continue to position itself as the quality player 
in the ground handling market, focusing on providing great
service to attractive airlines in attractive markets. 

Given the economic outlook, the division will also focus on 
cost management, productivity, underperforming stations and 
the disposal of non-core assets. Decisive action is already under
way and the fix/close/sell policy will be pursued as is required.

The business model is resilient and the strategy is sound. 

KPIs and key statistics
Menzies Aviation monitors a number of financial and operational
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to help achieve key business
objectives, and they are shown on this page.

The Group’s main financial KPIs are highlighted on page 9 of 
this Annual Report.

Ground handling –
labour hours per turn

2008 31.9

2007 30.5

Ground handling –
on-time performance (%)

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2008 99.5

2007 99.3

Cargo handling – 
tonnes per FTE

2008 485.7

2007 405.0

Aircraft damage –
category A incidents 
per 1,000 turns 

2008 0.09

2007 0.10

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 15

 
Menzies Distribution

With cutting-edge technology and leaner
processes allied to 175 years of experience,
Menzies Distribution is reinventing the 
famous ‘Nightly Miracle’ for the 21st century.

Axon

Following a successful 
trial period, the new 
Axon returns system 
has now been introduced
to the majority of our hub
branches throughout the
UK. Equipped with
advanced optical
technology which 
not only reads barcodes, 
but also recognises front 
and back cover images,
the system increases the
speed of processing and
reduces the number of 
rejections due to barcode
problems. As a result, we
are now scanning more
product in a shorter period
of time and improving 
the service provided 
to both publishers and 
retail customers.

16 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Nightly miracle

Every night, between 
the hours of 12pm and
6am, Menzies Distribution 
performs a meticulously
choreographed logistical
ballet. Menzies
employees, in 19 hub 
and 18 spoke branches,
unload, check, assemble,
separate and pack over
23,000 orders, to be 
dispatched via our 400
Menzies vans and trucks
and fleet of contractors.
Now aided by our Pack 
by Light and HS Packing
systems, this flurry 
of activity will see 
4.8 million newspapers
and 2.2 million magazines
delivered to more 
than 23,000 customers
every day. 

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Blue trucks 
turn green

Menzies Distribution 
has become the first
wholesaler to operate 
a Modec electric vehicle,
following the delivery 
of this 5.5-tonne model
which operates out of our
DNDS branch. The van 
will make 30 drops each
morning throughout 
the Westminster area.
Although its route passes
deep into the heart of 
the Congestion Charging
zone, it will be exempt
from charges due to its
eco-friendly engine. 
The van has already 
made a splash on early
trips around the capital – 
according to DNDS 
driver Gavin Lightfoot, 
“It attracts a lot of 
attention from pedestrians
and other motorists – I’ve
lost count of how many
people have said it looks
like the Mystery Machine
from Scooby Doo!”

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 17

 
Menzies Distribution

The division produced an excellent result reducing
like-for-like costs by £6.4m, more than double the
cost of inflation. This performance validates the
division’s investment in new technologies.

Performance
Menzies Distribution had a good year despite a very difficult
market environment, in particular during the second half of the
year when sales declines began to reflect the challenging market
conditions. Operating profit was up 2.1%, and revenue was up
1.6%, largely reflecting the annualised effect of the acquisition of
Grays of York and the new business in Chester that was secured
in the second half of 2007.

As predicted, the magazine market remained difficult throughout
the year with like-for-like magazine revenue down 4.6%. Newspapers
performed better, with like-for-like revenue up 1.1% as cover price
growth more than offset volume declines. 

In October, contract renegotiations were successfully completed
with our largest customer, News International. New terms have
been secured for five years and the division’s overall market 
share has been maintained. This outcome positions the division
favourably for future publisher negotiations.

During the year, the division entered the Republic of Ireland in a joint
venture with Eason & Son Ltd. The operational network has been
rationalised and Menzies’ standard systems implemented, bringing
enhanced service levels to both publishers and retailers. The joint
venture with Eason & Son Ltd in Northern Ireland performed well
during 2008 after an operationally difficult time in 2007.

Customer service levels were increased after a year of operational
upheaval in 2007. Publisher and retailer feedback was excellent and
the division strives to lead the industry in this vitally important area.

Over the last two
years the division 
has successfully
revolutionised its
operating model. 
As a result, it is now
very well placed to
take advantage of
opportunities that
exist within the
marketplace in the
short to medium term.

Ellis Watson
Managing Director
Menzies Distribution

Revenue (£m)

2008 1,166.2

2007 1,147.3

Underlying operating 
profit (£m)

2008 23.9

2007 23.4

18 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Cost and productivity initiatives
The division produced an excellent result reducing like-for-like
costs by £6.4m, more than double the cost of inflation. 

This performance validates the division’s investment in new
technologies. Over the last two years it has revolutionised
working processes and improved customer service through 
the implementation of semi-automated magazine packing
systems, state-of-the-art high-speed returns machinery,
centralisation of product allocations and the introduction 
of regional contact centres for all customers.

A strategic operational review of the business in March led 
to the launch of further initiatives. Good progress was made 
on reducing transport costs, utilising Optrak route planning
technology, while an incentivised productivity and service level
programme led to significant benefit in all warehouse processes. 

New revenue streams
In August 2008, the division acquired ‘The Network’, one of 
the top 10 field marketing companies in the UK. The acquisition
brings the division a high-quality field marketing operation that
will complement existing field sales activities and our D-Cipher
and Jones Yarrell Leadenhall businesses. 

D-Cipher, the retail category management service business,
continued to build momentum. The business provides full range
planning to retailers including Marks & Spencer, Boots, Tesco 
and Total Petrol, and more than doubled its contribution during 
the year. 

Menzies Digital, the virtual magazine wholesaling venture, 
made further progress during the year. It is now embedded 
in the websites of WH Smith, Asda and ITV.com amongst 
others and offers a large range of the UK’s top selling titles. 
The venture remains in development and progress has been
slower than anticipated as a result of the consumer slowdown,
but this exciting venture – with little fixed cost – is worth 
pursuing at this time. 

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Key Performance
Indicators:

Newspapers delivered 
on time (%)

2008 97.71

2007 97.50

Magazines delivered 
on time (%)

2008 98.64

2007 97.60

Newspaper packing
accuracy (%)

2008 99.82

2007 99.80

Magazine packing 
accuracy (%)

2008 99.57

2007 99.60

Newspaper returns
processed on time (%)

2008 92.01

2007 89.70

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 19

 
Menzies Distribution

The division handles 4.8 million newspapers 
(5.1 million on Sundays) and 2.2 million magazines
(covering 3,000 magazine titles) each day, with
deliveries to more than 23,000 customers.

Menzies Distribution 
Operating Board

George Kirkwood
Finance Director

Tom Boyle
Operations Director

David Speirs
IT Director

David Morton
Strategic Development
Director

Ellis Watson
Managing Director

David McIntosh
Commercial and Marketing
Director

20 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
The OFT announced their findings in relation to newspaper and
magazine distribution in October. The findings were within the
range of outcomes expected. The division is playing a full part in
the industry consultation and is confident that it is well placed to
respond to any potential conclusions.

Strategy
Over the last two years the division has successfully revolutionised
its operating model. As a result, it is now very well placed to take
advantage of opportunities that exist within the marketplace in
the short to medium term.

At all times the division strives to lead the industry in terms of the
customer service provided to our publisher and retail customers.
With the revised operational model in place, the focus is to
aggressively drive top-line growth while continuing to reduce 
the cost base. 

Non-financial Group business risks

The management of the business and the execution of strategy are subject to a number of risks,
beyond those identified in the Group Financial Review on pages 22 to 27 and Note 16 on page 80.

Risks are formally reviewed by each Divisional Operating Board on an annual basis. A formal 
Group-wide review of risks is also performed annually by the Group Board and appropriate
processes and controls are put in place to monitor and mitigate these risks.

The key non-financial business risks affecting the Group are as follows:

Safety and security
This is the risk of safety and security incidents occurring within the business. Both divisions have dedicated
teams who regularly visit operational sites, monitoring health and safety and security issues and drive
improvements. They also monitor legislative and regulatory changes. We work with industry bodies to lead
improvements and to benchmark our performance. Monthly reports are tabled at the Divisional Operating
Boards and the Group Board.

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Changing business environment
This is the risk that we do not respond to a changing business environment. Following stability in the
market environment in 2007 for both Menzies Aviation and Menzies Distribution, 2008 saw a far more
challenging year for Menzies Aviation. A strategy review exercise, which involves a full examination of
market conditions, is held each year prior to budget setting. Board reports from each Managing Director,
reviewing all aspects of market conditions, are tabled for discussion at each meeting. Customer surveys
have been introduced in both divisions which we will repeat regularly.

Investment decisions
This is the risk of making the wrong corporate portfolio investment decisions. An investment review
committee exists which meets whenever it is required to review significant capital expenditure decisions
and all acquisitions and disposals. Projects are measured against a number of strict financial criteria such
as payback, net present value and internal rate of return. Recommendations from the investment review
meetings must be ratified by the Group Board. All potential acquisitions are subject to rigorous due
diligence involving internal and external specialists.

People development
This is the risk that we do not successfully develop our people and lose key management. To mitigate 
this risk, the Group has introduced a leadership development programme and a regular 360 degree
appraisal process. A number of incentive schemes linked to the Group’s results have been designed 
to help retain key managers.

External shock
This is the risk of the business being impacted by a major external shock, such as terrorism, disease, 
or natural disaster. To mitigate this risk, we have emergency response procedures in place at both
divisions, which deal with communication guidelines, customer liaison, staff safety contingency actions
and escalation procedures. In each division, we have developed strong leadership teams with a broad
experience of dealing with a wide variety of operational issues.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 21

 
Group financial review

Shareholders’ funds
Shareholders’ funds decreased by £45.8m during the year to £62.6m, as follows:

Shareholders’ funds at December 2007
Profit for year
Taxation
Dividends
Net actuarial loss
Currency translation
Increase in share capital
Share-based payment
Movement in own shares

Shareholders’ funds at December 2008

Cash flow
The Group generated an operating cash flow of £42.5m in 2008 (2007: £56.8m). Share issues and net
investment disposals in 2008 raised a further £4.9m. Some £46m was invested in the business whilst
dividend and tax payments accounted for £20.1m. Net debt increased from £111.3m to £182.6m. 

Cash flow

£m

Operating profit 
Share-based payments
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangibles
Net pension movement
Working capital
Exceptional items
Cash spend on exceptional items
Dividends from associates and joint ventures 
Non-cash items

Operating cash flow

£m

2008

£m

19.4
0.4
23.6
3.0
(1.3)
(4.0)
7.3
(9.3)
3.3
0.1

42.5

Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Sale of property, plant and equipment

(40.4)
9.1

(32.0)
0.7

Net capital expenditure
Net interest paid
Foreign currency loss
Minority dividends paid
Tax paid

Free cash flow

Equity dividends paid
Additional pension payment
Acquisitions
Other investments
Minority interest acquisition
Intangible asset additions
Shares 

Total movement 
Opening net debt
Currency translation

Closing net debt

The statutory IFRS cash flow statement is shown on page 61.

22 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

(31.3)
(7.6)
(7.7)
–
(4.6)

(8.7)

(15.5)
–
(11.8)
4.1
–
(2.4)
0.8

(33.5)
(111.3)
(37.8)

(182.6)

£m

108.4
9.9
(11.1)
(15.5)
(35.1)
4.7 
0.8
0.4
0.1

62.6

2007

£m

33.2
0.4
21.0
1.6
0.2
(1.5)
(0.1)
(1.2)
4.0
(0.8)

56.8

(31.3)
(5.5)
(2.1)
(0.1)
(2.9)

14.9

(12.8)
(4.3)
(14.9)
(13.5)
(0.4)
(3.0)
2.7

(31.3)
(77.0)
(3.0)

(111.3)

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The cash spend on exceptional items of £9.3m includes £3m paid in January 2008 in respect of a
negotiated dilapidations settlement on a sublet property, where the remaining lease term was 65 years.
The cost of settling this obligation was fully provided during 2007 and the Group’s obligations under this
onerous lease have been renounced.

The weakening of sterling against most major currencies and, in particular, against the US dollar and the
Euro in the latter part of the year, substantially increased the translated value of the Group’s US dollar and
Euro denominated debt. The currency translation movement results from the Group’s policy of hedging its
overseas net assets, which are denominated mainly in US$ and Euro. The translation effect on net debt is
more than offset by the translation effect on net assets resulting in an overall net exchange gain of £4.7m
(2007: £2.4m). This net gain is recognised directly in equity.

Pensions
With effect from 1 May 2006, the main UK pension scheme changed from a final pensionable salary
scheme to an average salary scheme and employee contributions were increased. Benefits accrued to
current active members prior to 1 May 2006 are now linked to future price inflation rather than future 
salary increases. 

Income statement
Current service cost
Expected return on scheme assets
Interest on pension liabilities

Net financial return

Net charge

Balance sheet
Total market value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities

(Deficit)/surplus in scheme
Related deferred tax asset/(liability)

Net pension (liabilities)/assets 

£m

15.8
(13.5)

2008

£m

(2.3)

2.3

–

182.4
(218.0)

(35.6)
10.0

(25.6)

£m

15.1
(11.7)

2007

£m

(3.6)

3.4

(0.2)

250.2
(240.7)

9.5
(2.7)

6.8

The current service cost for 2008 decreased due to the impact of the changes implemented during 
2006 combined with a reduction in the pensionable payroll. The service cost for 2009 is expected 
to reduce slightly.

During 2008 the Group contributed cash of £3.6m to the Fund.

The market value of invested assets decreased by 27% primarily as a result of poor equity and investment
market performance over the year. 

The present value of scheme liabilities decreased by 9.5% over the same period.

The next full actuarial valuation will be carried out as at 31 March 2009.

Non-underlying performance
The results for the year include the following one-off and/or material items, which the Group considers
should be highlighted:

(a) during the year the Group disposed of the 50% interest in the joint venture in Peru, Talma Menzies
SRL, for a consideration of £10.3m, realising a gain of £8.2m. The tax paid on this gain was £0.5m.

(b) as a result of the deterioration in the North American cargo handling market, the acquired goodwill in
respect of Aeroground Inc has been tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 and a goodwill
charge of £3.0m (approximately one-third of the original amount capitalised) has been recognised. 
This goodwill impairment resulted from poor post-acquisition performance exacerbated by recent
global market conditions. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 23

 
Group financial review

(c)

the Group’s investment in associate company Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd has also been
reviewed for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 and restated to reflect current trading performance.
As a result, an impairment charge of £0.8m has been recognised.

(d) £5m has been provided for future obligations in respect of five leasehold properties, which have

become empty during the year.

(e) £6.7m has been charged in respect of the cost of rationalising excess capacity, comprising asset 

write-downs and staff redundancy costs in Menzies Aviation.

Under IFRS, previously capitalised goodwill is no longer amortised. However, these results include an
impairment charge of £1.8m, reflecting the remaining life of the current licence at Menzies Macau Aviation
Services Ltd.

IFRS requires the price paid for a business to be allocated between goodwill and other intangible assets.
The other intangible assets capitalised in Aviation are amortised and this amortisation charge has been
highlighted to present a clearer trading position.

Further details are disclosed in Note 5 to the accounts.

Interest 
The net interest charge is analysed as follows:

Fixed rate sterling term loan
Floating rate sterling loan
US dollar loans
Preference shares
Cash/overdrafts 
Other finance income
Foreign currency loss

Net interest charge

2008
£m

1.9
4.0
2.3
0.1
(0.6)
(2.3)
7.7

13.1

2007
£m

1.9
1.6
2.3
0.1
0.2
(3.4)
2.1

4.8

The sterling term loan is at a fixed rate of 6.23% and is repayable between 2009 and 2020.

Other finance income is the net financial return from the pension scheme under IAS19. The amount has
decreased due to the higher interest cost on the pension liabilities.

During the year the Group executed cross-currency basis swaps which reduced its interest costs by £1.0m.
The foreign currency loss incurred of £7.7m is exactly matched by tax relief of £7.7m.

Taxation
The underlying tax rate for the year was 39.4% compared with 25.5% in 2007 and is analysed as:

Tax due at UK rate
Non tax-deductible items
Unrelieved overseas losses
Utilisation of tax losses

Underlying tax rate

%

28.5
1.5
12.4
(3.0)

39.4

Tax paid during the year was £4.6m. This includes £0.5m paid locally in Peru on the £8.2m gain realised 
on the disposal of the Aviation joint venture operation. 

The tax effect of the exceptional items, described in Note 5(a) to the accounts, is a credit of £1.1m. 

24 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Phased abolition of Industrial Buildings Allowances
In line with the announcement made by the UK Government in the March 2007 Budget the phased abolition
of industrial buildings allowances by the end of March 2011, and the reduction in the rate of capital allowances
applicable to plant and machinery expenditure from 25% to 20% per annum, on a reducing balance basis,
from 1 April 2008, were both enacted in the Finance Act 2008, which received Royal Assent in July.

As previously indicated, the abolition of industrial buildings allowance has resulted in a one-off increase 
in the Group’s deferred tax liability of £5.4m.

The reduction in the rate of capital allowances applicable to plant and machinery, from 25% to 20% per
annum, represents a timing difference only, with the reduction in current year capital allowances being
offset in deferred tax.

Deferred tax assets write-off
In prior years the Group recognised deferred tax assets in relation to losses carried forward by, and other
temporary differences available to, subsidiaries operating mainly in the Netherlands and the USA.

Current trading conditions in these territories are such that is no longer possible to say with a degree of
certainty that, in the short term, future taxable profits will be available against which the carry forward tax
losses, and other temporary differences, can be utilised. As a consequence, the Group has written off
£3.9m of deferred tax assets.

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Acquisitions, intangible assets and disposals
During the year the Group acquired five new businesses. The consideration paid, in excess of the fair 
value of the net assets acquired, has been allocated between goodwill and other intangible assets, mainly
customer contracts.

Capitalised goodwill amounts to £62.3m compared to £53.2m in 2007. This goodwill is no longer amortised
but rather is subject to an annual impairment review. 

Contracts capitalised in the year amount to £10.6m. This amount includes £9.6m in respect of businesses
acquired and £1m capitalised in respect of the new-start contracts in India and South Africa.

Amortisation periods for these contracts are business-stream dependent and vary from zero to 10 years.
Where the contracts are not amortised, they are subject to an annual impairment test at cash-generating
unit level, generally considered to be ‘station’ level.

During the year the Group disposed of its 50% interest in the Aviation joint venture in Peru and the 
wholly-owned Aviation business in Hong Kong.

Property, plant and equipment 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment totalled:

Distribution 
Aviation 

Property
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

0.3
1.3

1.6

8.4
30.3

38.7

Total
£m

8.7
31.6

40.3

During the year, Distribution invested some £5.9m in new technology, including £4.7m on the
implementation of SAP.

Aviation’s capital expenditure mainly comprised equipment to service new contracts. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 25

 
Group financial review

Other investments
The cash spend on joint ventures and associates during 2008 was £8.7m, mainly comprising £8.3m in
support of the new-start contracts in India and £0.3m in support of Swissport Menzies Handling in Spain.

These investments represent mainly plant and equipment to service the business.

Working capital
Working capital movement is analysed as follows:

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

2008
£m

3.1
(9.3)
2.2

(4.0)

2007
£m

(0.4)
(21.0)
19.9

(1.5)

The overall movement in working capital is due in the main to the acquisitions during the year and 
a reduction in year-end inventory held by Menzies Distribution. 

Treasury operations
From a Treasury perspective, the main financial risks faced by the Group are liquidity, interest rate fluctuations
and foreign exchange exposures. The Board has approved policies for each of these risks, which are managed
on a day-to-day basis by Group Treasury. The purpose of these policies, which remained unchanged throughout
the year, is to ensure that adequate funds are available to the Group at all times and that financial risks
arising from the Group’s operating and investment activities are carefully managed. Accordingly, Group
policy is not to enter into transactions of a speculative nature. 

The Group Treasurer reports formally on a monthly basis to a Treasury Committee under the chairmanship
of the Group Finance Director and operates within scope and authorisation levels specified by the Board.

The majority of Menzies Aviation’s stations are located outside the UK and operate in currencies other than
sterling. The rates of exchange to sterling for those currencies which have principally affected the Group’s
results were:

US dollar
Euro

Average
for year to 
Year end
December  31 December
2008

2008

Average
for year to 
Year end
December  29 December
2007

2007

1.866
1.264

1.438
1.034

2.005
1.462

1.993
1.355

Further disclosure in respect of the above is included in Note 16 to the accounts.

26 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Going concern 
At 31 December, the Group had committed borrowing facilities of £199m, with an expiry profile of:

£25m
£20m
£25m 
£50m
£50m
£29m

April 2009
June 2009
October 2009
November 2011
January 2013
March 2020

(renewed until November 2011 as a US$40m facility)
(renewed until June 2010)
(annually renewable)

Since the year end, the April 2009 facility has been renewed as a US$40m facility expiring in November
2011 and the June 2009 facility has been extended until June 2010. The October 2009 facility is an annually
renewable 364 day facility. Under the terms of these facilities, the financial covenants are tested semi-
annually. The Group has complied fully with the financial covenant tests. 

The Group updates trading forecasts covering a forward 15 month period on a regular basis, which together
with the supporting assumptions are reviewed by the Board. Despite the prevailing difficult economic
conditions and the level of uncertainty regarding their duration and severity, the current forecast shows that
the Group is able to operate within both its committed banking facilities and related financial covenants
during this period and the Directors believe that the assumptions underpinning this forecast are both
prudent and reasonable. 

The Directors therefore believe, on the basis of current financial projections and facilities available, that 
the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

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Menzies Aviation
The division will continue to position itself as the quality player in
the ground handling market. The current strategy will be pursued
although given the economic outlook, the division will also focus
on underperforming stations and overall productivity. Decisive
action is already under way and the fix/close/sell policy will be
pursued as is required.

Contract gain momentum continues and the division has been
awarded contracts to handle easyJet at Stansted, Bristol, Budapest,
Ibiza and Tenerife, Etihad in Sydney and Melbourne and Aer Lingus
at London Gatwick. 

Menzies Distribution 
The division will continue to drive cost and productivity initiatives
and new revenue opportunities will be progressed. 

The division will continue to focus on providing excellent customer
service to its publisher and retail customers. The implementation of
SAP will lead to further operational efficiencies and an enhancement
of internal and external reporting. 

Group
The Group is expecting the difficult trading environment to continue
throughout 2009 and has forecast for a further deterioration in
the core markets at Menzies Aviation and Menzies Distribution.
However, we expect this deterioration to be largely offset by
organic growth and cost savings. 

In 2009 the Group will focus on cash generation and debt reduction.
Capital expenditure will be less than depreciation at both divisions,
and as a result both divisions are expected to be comfortably cash
generative during the year. The Group is reviewing its asset base
and any non-core assets may be disposed of to pay down debt.

Since the year end, all banking facilities due for renewal in the
first half of 2009 have been secured and with the cash generative
nature of the Group, the Board expects to operate well within
these facilities.

Current trading at Menzies Aviation is slightly behind our
expectations as a result of weak cargo volumes. Visibility on
cargo volumes is poor and no significant return of volume is
expected in the short term. The Board believes the Aviation
business is well positioned for longer term growth. At Menzies
Distribution, trading is slightly ahead of last year. Management
continue to drive the Group’s cost base rigorously and remain
well positioned to benefit from market recovery.

Outlook

Since the year end, all
banking facilities due
for renewal in the first
half of 2009 have been
secured and with the
cash generative nature
of the Group, the
Board expects to
operate well within
these facilities.

28 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Corporate social responsibility

We take business conduct seriously and have
policies and guidelines in place which set
standards concerning ethics, sound business
practices and wider governance issues. 

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Introduction
We acknowledge the impact our business activities
have on the environment and communities in which
we operate, and have systems in place to identify,
analyse and manage key risks arising from our
operations. This includes ensuring that we comply
with relevant environmental legislation. We recognise
that as an employer we have a responsibility to our
employees for their safety and welfare whilst at
work. This responsibility extends to their training
and development, as well as to setting appropriate
standards for their dealings with customers and
suppliers. We take business conduct seriously 
and have policies and guidelines in place which 
set standards concerning ethics, sound business
practices and wider governance issues.

Board responsibility and 
management framework
The Board member with overall responsibility 
for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
risks is the Group Finance Director. The Divisional
Managing Directors are responsible for ESG 
within their respective divisions. This responsibility 
also specifically includes employees and health 
and safety. Significant ESG issues arising in or
affecting our businesses are discussed at each
Board meeting.

The Company recognises that being a socially
responsible company adds to and enhances 
the Company’s overall value, both short and long 
term. For example, mishandled ESG risks can 
be damaging to the Company’s reputation as an
employer, supplier or business partner. The financial
costs from mishandled ESG risks can affect the
Company’s profitability. The Board therefore has
systems in place, including access to adequate
information, to identify and assess ESG risks, 
and to ensure that these risks, and our exposure 
to them, are managed appropriately.

The principal ESG risks to the Group include: failure
to retain and develop key staff; failure to provide
safe working conditions for staff; failure to have
systems in place that prevent the occurrence of
environmental hazards arising from our operations;
failure to manage risks that can damage corporate
image and reputation; failure to ensure that the
Group’s operations are conducted on a lawful,
sound and ethical basis and in compliance with
Group Policies and Procedures; and failure to carry 
out adequate due diligence or business planning 
on joint venture partners/acquisitions.

It is important that both of our divisions maintain 
an open and productive dialogue with all of our
customers and suppliers, and the Board has tasked
each Divisional Managing Director with ensuring
that these occur. Each Divisional Managing Director
is also responsible for ensuring that customers 
and suppliers uphold high levels of health and
safety and conduct their operations in a lawful,
sound and ethical basis, to minimise potential
reputational and operational risk to the Group.

A description of the Company’s internal control
system for management, particularly of financial
risks is in the Corporate Governance report on
pages 40 to 45. An analysis of the key business 
risks facing the Group appears in the Business
Review on page 21. Although the remuneration 
of Executives is not directly related to attainment 
of ESG objectives, our bonus arrangements 
allow senior managers to base a proportion 
of performance-related pay for Executives on
achieving personal goals such as improving 
staff turnover rates or improving injury or aircraft
incident rates. These flexible arrangements apply 
to station managers at Aviation and branch
managers at Distribution.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 29

 
Corporate social responsibility

1. Health and safety

Introduction
Good health and safety practices are integral 
both to employee welfare and to the success of 
the Group, and each Divisional Managing Director 
is responsible to the Board for Health and Safety 
in their division. We are continually reviewing our
procedures and our training in order to develop 
and adopt methods of working which reduce the
likelihood of accidents occurring. Both divisions
operate in a time-critical environment: newspaper
deliveries work to a tight schedule, with any delay
losing sales for ourselves and our customers.
Ground handling operations focus on aircraft, 
where any slip can delay departure or damage a
customer’s aircraft. Reports on health and safety
performance are the first operating item at all
meetings of the Group Board and at Divisional
Operating Board meetings. They include injury
statistics and trends as well as lessons learned,
training performance, contacts with regulators 
and legislative changes. The Group’s health and
safety policy statement, which is published on 
our website, focuses on establishing a suitable
environment, providing proper training, and
communication and consultation with employees.
Each division has a specialist health and safety
manager, who is supported by local management.

Menzies Aviation
The division has a comprehensive safety
management programme called MORSE (Menzies
Operating Responsibly Safely and Effectively),
which focuses on:

(cid:129) personal injury;

(cid:129) aircraft damages;

(cid:129) damage to equipment;

(cid:129) emergency response;

(cid:129) security awareness; and

(cid:129) avoiding the cost of carelessness.

The MORSE safety management system and
network safety team provide a dedicated resource
within each region to support the field organisation
and ensure we maintain a strong safety compliance
focus. The network team works together to set
policy, agree standard operational procedures and
communicate regular safety awareness information
to the field organisation. With operations at 
107 airports worldwide, our priority has been to
continue standardising safety processes. One key
feature of MORSE is that it incorporates an intranet-
based network reporting and investigation system
for the recording of all incidents, including near
misses, to UK standards. Follow-up action is taken
so that lessons are learned and shared. MORSE 
is continually updated and refreshed to promote 
its safety and security awareness message. A
newly enhanced version was developed in 2008,
and was launched at the start of 2009. Additionally,
the division provided Occupational Health and
Safety certification training with the British Safety
Council for its European regional safety managers,
who successfully achieved an International
Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

An Incident Review Board chaired by the division’s
Managing Director meets monthly to review major
(category A) incidents, shifting the emphasis to
prevention rather than cure. 

Menzies Aviation continues to take a proactive
position with representation on industry groups
such as the International Air Transport Association
(IATA), Airside Safety Group and The International
Aviation Handlers Association (IAHA). Representation
at these groups continues to underpin a strong
message to the industry and regulators that
Menzies Aviation is proactive in their commitment
to safety. Menzies Aviation took a leading role in
successfully lobbying industry stakeholders to
further reduce the maximum permissible weight 
of a single piece of baggage from 32kg to 23kg 
to reduce muscular skeletal injuries to employees,
which was approved and will be incorporated in 
the 2009 IATA Airport Handling Manual.

30 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Menzies Distribution
The most common injuries in this business are
those sustained from manual handling, slips and
trips, and moving objects. Menzies Distribution also
uses the MORSE programme, and the division is
now moving into the final year of its three-year
safety strategy. The year saw the introduction of 
the Supervisors ‘Stepping Up’ training programme
which includes supervisors’ safety responsibilities.
In total, 116 supervisors completed the five day
course with a further 80 to follow in the coming year.

Innovative use of the intranet has made specialist
Ergonomic and Manual handling assessments
available to all managers as well as more detailed
generic assessments. The division continued 
to improve its vehicle movement practices,
separating workplace vehicle movements from
people movements, and has significantly reduced
the possibility of accidents occurring. Our practices
were highly commended in 2005 by the Freight
Transport Association and the Health & Safety
Executive (HSE) which has led to the HSE
publishing a case study on their website
highlighting Menzies Distribution’s safe systems of
work as the blueprint for good working practices. 

Our ‘pack-by-light’ newspaper allocation system has
enabled standardisation of pack sizes, reducing our
exposure to lifting injuries. In terms of motor and
vehicle-related incidents, Distribution continually
keeps its fleet under review to ensure that the
most appropriate vehicles are used for driving/
training purposes, loading/unloading and accessing
routes for making deliveries. Consideration is 
also given to environmental impact when choosing
fleet suppliers. All staff receive health and safety
training relevant to the tasks they perform. CD-
based training materials are also available, including
our driver training programme which covers safety
as well as advanced driving skills to maximise 
fuel savings.

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Injury and incident reporting
Whilst both divisions utilise key performance
measures to monitor trends and to improve 
our performance in this area, they operate in 
very different sectors. Statistics for each division
are analysed individually, as comparing injury 
or incident statistics between them, or overall
Group figures against figures published by
comparator companies would be meaningless. 

In 2008, Menzies Aviation had 79 (2007: 52) injuries
reportable under UK RIDDOR with an equivalent
rate per 100 FTE employees of 2.3 (2007: 1.5). 

In 2008, Menzies Distribution had 51 (2007: 42)
incidents during the year that resulted in injuries
reportable under UK RIDDOR, which is equivalent
to an injury rate per 100 FTE employees of 0.12
(2007: 1.16). The total figure includes businesses
acquired during 2008.

In respect of Menzies Aviation’s overseas
operations, there is no comparable UK RIDDOR, 
as each country where it operates has different
reporting requirements. However, under the
MORSE incident reporting system, all injuries are
reported under standard categories depending on
seriousness, where category A would be for the
most serious incidents. Category A level is not the
same as UK RIDDOR, but it includes major/serious
incidents involving fatality, serious harm, dangerous
occurrence or aircraft damage, including significant
near misses.

There were 100 category A incidents altogether
reported worldwide during 2008 (2007: 107). 
Of the 100 incidents, 54 involved aircraft damage
and 46 involved personal injury. This total of 100
includes injuries reported under UK RIDDOR that
were serious enough to be classed under MORSE
as being category A incidents. To provide some
context, another significant figure that we monitor
is the number of Category A incidents per 100 
FTEs which decreased from 0.33 in 2007, to 0.24 in
2008. We also monitor the figures involving aircraft
damage per 1,000 turns handled, which is an
industry recognised measure. In 2008, our incident
rate per 1,000 aircraft turns for category A aircraft
damage was 0.09 (2007: 0.10) which compares
against an IATA published benchmark figure of 0.67
and IAHA’s figure for 2008 of 0.15 per 1,000 turns. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 31

 
Corporate social responsibility

2. Employees

Recruitment and equal opportunities
The Board expects the Group to conduct its
operations based on sound ethical practices 
which are open and free from discrimination and
harassment, and will not tolerate discrimination in
any form. The Group has adopted and disseminated
appropriate policies and procedures, including clear
guidelines on matters such as competition law,
bribery and whistleblowing. The Board has tasked
each Divisonal Managing Director to be responsible
for the implementation of these policies in their
divisions. The principles of equal opportunities are
recognised through published employment policies
which are designed to attract, retain and motivate
quality staff and to give full consideration to the
employment of disabled people and to staff who
become disabled, including providing support 
and retraining to enable them to continue their
employment. Full consideration is also given to age
discrimination laws and our policies and practices
encourage recruitment and promotion based on
merit, irrespective of factors such as age, gender,
race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

Reward
The Group recognises that its continuing success
depends on the quality and motivation of its
employees. It aims to ensure that its remuneration
practices are competitive, enabling it to attract, retain
and motivate executives and employees who have
the experience, skills and talents to operate and
develop its businesses to their maximum potential. 

Incentives
Employees are able to develop a direct interest 
in the financial performance of the Group through
its savings-related share option scheme, which is
open to all UK employees, of whom over 1,000 
are members.

Options are granted over the Company’s shares at 
a discount of 20% from the prevailing market price
at the time of grant, at an aggregate value based on
savings of up to £250 per month over three years.
Some 750 employees took up their invitation and
subscribed to the 2008 sharesave scheme in which
some 487,000 shares are now held under option. 

For staff in the UK, the Group offers many benefits,
such as a childcare scheme which allows staff to
opt to receive part of their pay in tax-free childcare
vouchers. Other benefits offered to staff,
dependent on grade and location, include: private
medical care, subsidised staff restaurant, gym
membership, life insurance and a company car or
car allowance.

Training
All executives and managers, from the Executive
Directors downwards, undergo an annual review
where feedback is given on the previous year’s
performance and goals for the upcoming year 
are agreed. 

Within Menzies Distribution, developing our 
people has been a key area of focus in 2008 with
the introduction of various initiatives. ‘Stepping Up’
provided 116 supervisors with basic leadership
skills and best practices. ‘Release the Potential’
aimed at first level managers helped employees
understand themselves better and improve the 
way they relate to other people with the intention
of improving business performance. Twelve
managers attended this programme. Fifty-five
managers attended Employment Law seminars
highlighting legislation to be followed and best
practice procedures when it comes to managing
staff. NVQ training was piloted in our warehouses
and will be rolled out to the rest of the business in
2009 and Tachograph training sessions have been
held in co-operation with the Freight Transport
Association sharing best practice.

32 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Leadership development initiatives remain important
in Menzies Aviation and 2008 saw the continuation
of the ‘Leading from the Front’ programme, which
provides supervisory level employees with basic
leadership skills and reinforces the ‘Menzies Way’,
known as SPIRIT. SPIRIT – Safe & Secure, Passion,
Integrity, Reliability, Innovation and Teamwork –
underpins our leadership principles. The programme
is delivered by local management and this ensures
local buy-in to the SPIRIT principles. All new
employees are given induction training designed 
to ensure that they can fulfil their tasks safely and
securely, particularly where this involves lifting. 

All of the Group’s commercial vehicle drivers 
are given driver training specifically designed to
help them to drive safely, economically and with
consideration to those around them. Each division
has resources made available to it to ensure the
training needs of its staff carrying out particular
functions and tasks are fully met. Managers are
also encouraged to foster a work-based culture
based on values espoused as part of a campaign
promoting and providing guidance on ethical business
practices and professional conduct concerning
dealings with all our stakeholder groups such as
customers, suppliers and of course employees.

Communication and consultation
During 2008, both divisions operated a comprehensive
internal communication programme to ensure 
that all employees throughout the Group are kept
informed about the direction and performance of
their own division and of the rest of the Group. 

A programme of employee communications,
differentiated by location and function, was
introduced in Menzies Aviation to provide all staff

with timely information about all aspects of the
Group and division’s performance. Communications
are managed for the audience, with translation into
host languages as necessary. New media is utilised
within Menzies Aviation to bring news bulletins to
all e-mail addresses and to mobile devices. During
2008, more than 120 e-News Bulletins were
delivered, equating to more than 230,000 individual
e-mails. Channels are incorporated into the bulletins
to aid immediate feedback. The division will
continue to use the current system in 2009 along
with other means such as video conferencing. 

2008 saw the Managing Director of Menzies
Distribution continue and expand his programme 
of head office and site seminars; meeting with
management representatives to discuss strategy,
culture and financial results. These sessions are
supplemented by a tri-annual publication ‘Critical
Business Briefing’, a document for senior staff
designed to capture in writing and expand upon 
the themes discussed in each meeting.

Publication of the Menzies Distribution staff
newsletter has also continued, with a survey
conducted during the year to determine in 
which direction staff wished to see the newsletter
progress. A network of local contacts exists
covering each distribution location, with the aim 
of generating more content from the experiences
of colleagues throughout the country. After a wide-
ranging consultative exercise with stakeholders
throughout the division, a regular, dedicated staff
bulletin has been created to raise awareness and
support for the i-SAP project and a project focused
intranet site is due to be launched during 2009.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 33

 
Corporate social responsibility

3. Environment

Environmental policy
The Board acknowledges its responsibilities for
ensuring that environmental risks arising from the
activities of its businesses are properly identified,
managed and controlled, and that its businesses
are compliant with all local laws, as well as with
best practice – the latter where it is practicable.
Each of our two divisions has its own environmental
policy, which has been approved by the Divisional
Operating Boards and is integrated within existing
management structures and implemented through
normal business practices and procedures.

These environmental policies address the 
following areas:

(cid:129) allocating roles, responsibilities and resources;

(cid:129) complying with legislation and best practice;

(cid:129) monitoring, verification and auditing 

of compliance;

(cid:129) data collection, analysis and reporting;

(cid:129) risk identification, assessment and management;

(cid:129) communication and dissemination of information;

(cid:129) adopting technology and working practices that

are modern, environmentally friendly and energy
efficient; and

(cid:129) working with customers and suppliers to address
environmental issues affecting our businesses.

At Group level, environmental issues affecting the
businesses are the responsibility of, and reported 
by, each Divisional Managing Director to the Board.
Environmental risks associated with new
businesses are always assessed as part of our due
diligence process on all acquisitions. Our operating
procedures are reviewed following reporting of any
significant actual or near-miss incidents involving
safety issues or environmental hazards. Operational
management also have to certify periodically

compliance with local environmental regulations.
There were no incidents last year which posed 
a significant environmental risk to the Group’s
operations and systems are in place to try to
prevent their occurrence. These systems are
reviewed periodically.

Fleet and fuel – Menzies Aviation
The division operates various vehicles in connection
with its activities. Typically, these are on and off
airport activities and include: bussing, trucking
(cargo between airports) and air freight couriering
by AMI.

The on-airport activities involve use of specialist
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for both our
ground and cargo handling businesses. The division
has 181 zero emission electrically powered GSE
vehicles in the UK, with many hundreds more
worldwide. Other than some passenger steps 
and baggage or cargo carts (dollies), which need to
be towed, all GSE can be driven and run on diesel,
electricity or LPG. In line with our policy on reduced
emission equipment in 2008 we started refitting
over 45 baggage tractors with a new low emission
specification diesel engine in Los Angeles, USA. 
In accordance with our worldwide policy to use
electrically powered vehicles wherever both
specification and airport infrastructure allow, it was
also decided to utilise electric tractor and trailers 
at our new operation in Stansted in preference 
to traditional diesel trucks. 

All GSE is maintained on a strict check cycle,
approved by the manufacturers, to ensure optimum
efficiency. Other equipment including hydraulic
loaders, aircraft push back tugs, conveyor belt
loaders, and some diesel tow tractors that pull
passenger steps and dollies is, wherever possible,
fitted with the latest low emission standard engines
for the particular equipment type. GSE is not
designed to travel long distances so the mileage 
is low. 

34 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

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We also operate a fleet of forklift trucks for
warehouse activity in our cargo handling operations.
Of these forklift trucks, 91% run on LPG, the
remaining larger machines on diesel and their
average age is between two and six years old. 

Our ‘Connect2Work’ bussing operation at London
Heathrow has a fleet of 30 single-deck passenger
buses (2007: 64) that transport some 29,000
essential airport workers daily to, from and around
the airport. This service is under contract to BAA
who supply our buses with fuel. This service
considerably reduces private car journeys on 
the airport campus.

Menzies Aviation’s UK trucking operation, which
includes the AMI business (which consists of
mainly forwarder handling and courier and air
freight wholesaling) involves a fleet of 20 38-tonne
articulated units with trailers (2007: 20) which
transport cargo between airports, mainly in the UK
and Ireland. Total mileage for 2008 was c.1.5 million
(2007: 1.6 million) miles. These run on low sulphur
fuel and 18 of the trucks are less than three years
old. Any future trucks will be Euro IV standard low
emission vehicles, further increasing the fuel
efficiency of the fleet. The vehicle fleet undergoes 
a six-weekly maintenance check to ensure optimum
engine efficiency. The division also has trucking
operations in the USA and in Sweden, most of
which are provided through subcontractors.

Fleet and fuel – Menzies Distribution
The business operates 432 vehicles (2007: 454),
ranging from light commercial vehicles with a Gross
Vehicle Weight of 2.0-tonne, up to 26-tonne articulated
commercial vehicles. A further 1,211 (2007: 1,173)
vehicles are operated by contractors in the
newspaper and magazine distribution process.

Our fleet comprises diesel-only vehicles on a leased
basis. Lease terms typically run for between three
and five years, ensuring a modern and efficient
fleet. All new additions to our fleet since January
2007 run on Euro IV engines. A MODEC electric
vehicle was added to the fleet in 2008 and is

operated in central London as part of our
assessment of more eco-friendly vehicles. This 
was the second electric vehicle to be used in our
London operations. Menzies Distribution remains
committed to supporting low carbon operations 
and has subsequently extended the trials, with 
a further four electric vehicles for use in London,
Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Third-party contractors carry out some 68% of our
delivery mileage (2007: 68%). The same focus on
costs, regulatory compliance, vehicle suitability and
health and safety which influences the division’s
direct operations is also applied in selection and
management of such subcontractors. 

Mileage and related fuel cost is a significant
overhead in our Distribution business. We have
ongoing activity to address delivery route scheduling
and driver training, both having received increased
focus during 2008. The division began a complete
nationwide route schedule review, which should 
be completed during 2009, and, following close
support from, and pilot programmes developed with,
Skills For Logistics, we are introducing NVQ skills
investment in all drivers. During 2008, we covered
13.8 million miles per annum (2007: 13.6 million)
with our fleet, using 3 million litres of fuel 
(2007: 3 million litres).

Company cars
The Group currently has a fleet of 232 company
cars (2007: 229). In addition to lifecycle costing,
future fleet structure will reflect relative emissions
efficiency, with a commitment to reduction. 

Energy consumption
At Menzies Distribution, energy consumption
during the year amounted to 31m kWh, a decrease
of 11% on 2007. Since October 2007, and following
the carbon reduction review discussed below, all
mainland UK electricity has been procured from
fully ‘green’ renewable resources. The international
nature and the organisational structure of Menzies
Aviation does not allow accurate comparable
figures to be measured.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 35

 
Corporate social responsibility

4. Waste and emissions

Waste
At Menzies Distribution, packaging waste, 
namely cardboard and polythene, and office 
paper are by-products of our activities. We have
waste compactors installed in our 19 hub branches
(2007: 19). The total volume of waste uplifted in
2008 was 5,317 tonnes (2007: 5,747 tonnes), of
which 16.7% (2007: 13.3%) is recycled. Under 
our contracts with newspaper and magazine
publishers, we are responsible for the collection 
of unsold copies from retail outlets. 

For magazine publishers, we are further responsible
for recycling unsold magazines, whereas
newspaper publishers retain the responsibility for
managing the flow of recycling of unsold
newspaper copies.

Newspaper publishers outsource the physical 
uplift and recycling from our premises via 
third-party agents with whom we work closely 
to integrate an efficient transition from our
processes to their collection. 

In 2008, we facilitated the consignment to recycling
of 110,000 tonnes of newsprint (2007: 110,000). 
For magazines, we are responsible for cleansing 
the unsold copies of polythene wrapping and cover
mounted gifts where this is required to facilitate 
the subsequent de-inking process. Thereafter, we
manage a logistics service to consolidate unsold
copy from all of our branches, primarily feeding into
UPM Kymmene’s Shotton Paper Mill for conversion
into future newsprint. 

All unsold magazine products which are not required
for resale are consigned for paper recycling. In
2008, some 60,494 tonnes (2007: 62,444 tonnes)
of unsold magazines were processed for recycling.
The division also handles other unsold products
such as collectible partworks and sticker collections.
These are sent back to publishers for subsequent
re-use. The waste elements stripped from
magazines to cleanse pre-recycling are currently
consigned to landfill. Menzies Distribution is active
in industry initiatives aimed at reducing the volumes
of such material to landfill and supporting initiatives
to increase consumer awareness of the magazine 
recycling opportunity.

Menzies Aviation staff are committed to reducing
unnecessary consumption of resources and
recycling packaging such as polythene, rope and
pallets and as such, the packaging waste figure 
has reduced by over 30% during the year to 
173 tonnes. Staff are encouraged to minimise the
generation of waste where possible and to recycle
any packaging.

Carbon reduction
During 2007, Menzies Distribution worked with 
a team from Heriot-Watt University and their
academic partners in the government-funded
‘green logistics’ project to establish its direct
carbon footprint and (1) benchmark this in relation
to the newspaper and magazine supply chain
overall and (2) establish how our footprint has
evolved over recent years. The exercise proved
revealing and supports the strong link between
operational effectiveness and environmental
impact. The response to the report by Menzies
Distribution in 2008 has been twofold: 

Firstly, significant steps were taken to reduce
carbon emissions within day-to-day practice. 
In warehouses and offices, this has meant a
campaign to discourage unnecessary use of
lighting, and collaboration with energy wholesalers
to acquire Green electricity contracts. On delivery
routes, Menzies Distribution has striven to increase
fuel efficiency, thoroughly reviewing and revising
run networks with the OPTRACK system and
introducing educational programmes for drivers 
to encourage better practice. As discussed earlier, 
the division has also continued to investigate and
implement transport and fuel alternatives including
the electric Modec vehicle which now services the
London area, and the introduction of a number of
‘Eco-Start’ sprinter vans.

Secondly, Menzies Distribution has sought ways 
to encourage greener practice at its partners and
associates. The division’s carbon footprint amounts
to around 37,500 tonnes; however, the newspaper
and magazine supply chain as a whole accounts 
for 4.73 million tonnes. Lobbying others within the
industry is therefore one of the most significant
steps the division can take to reduce carbon
emissions. Menzies Distribution’s newly launched
website, www.enviromenzies.com is the platform
from which the division aims to lead this campaign. 

36 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

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The most significant source of emissions in
Menzies Aviation is from vehicles. Menzies Aviation
is constantly reviewing all options available with
manufacturers with the view to providing the most
fuel-efficient equipment available. Within the last
year, Menzies Aviation has converted a number 
of its fleet from diesel/petrol to electricity or LPG.
Currently, there are 181 vehicles within the UK 
fleet with conversion being extended globally
where the infrastructure exists during 2009.

5. Community involvement, payment policy

Supplier payment policy
The Group does not operate a standard code in
respect of payments to suppliers. Each division is
responsible for agreeing the terms and conditions
under which business transactions with its suppliers
are conducted, including the terms of payment. It 
is Group policy that payments to suppliers be made
in accordance with the agreed terms, provided that
the supplier has performed in accordance with all
relevant terms and conditions. At the year end, the
amount owed to trade creditors by the Group was
equivalent to 37.4 days (2007: 32.8 days) of
purchases from suppliers.

Political donations
It is the Company’s policy not to make political
donations and no political donations were made
during the year (2007: £nil). 

Community involvement
Each year the Board approves a budget for charitable
donations of around 1% of gross dividends for the
previous financial year. Donations are made through
either the John M. Menzies Community Fund or the
Charities Fund. 

The Charities Fund
The Charities Fund is the Company’s main channel
for supporting charitable causes or investing in
community projects. Its activities are managed 
by a Charities Committee, which is chaired by the
Group Finance Director and met three times during
the year. Altogether, the Charities Fund receives
over 300 applications every year from very diverse
charities and projects, both local and international.
In 2008, the Committee reorganised its donation

policy, and now provides larger sums of money to
fewer organisations. Each divisional board is
responsible for nominating charities to which they
wish to provide funding and providing details of what
any donation provided by the Committee will be used
for. The Committee decides which organisations to
support in that year, with charities selected to
represent a broad geographical spread and range 
of benefits to adults and children. All donations
made are intended to make a positive impact on 
the receiving charity, with measurable benefits.

In 2008, a total of £142,500 (2007: £80,000) 
was donated to 27 (2007: 84) organisations. 

Internationally, organisations we supported included
Parikrma Humanity Foundation in Bangalore, India,
which received £8,000. It focuses on breaking 
the poverty cycle and transforming communities 
by providing an environment for children to be
integrated into mainstream society. Other
organisations included the CTU earthquake appeal,
which received £10,000 following the devastating
Sichuan earthquake. 

In the UK, organisations supported included Facing
the World, which provides facial reconstructive
surgery for children which received £10,000, 
the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland),
which received £10,000 and Maggies Cancer 
Care Centres which also received £10,000.

The John M. Menzies Community Fund
The Group employs more than 18,000 people in 
27 countries all around the world, many of whom
participate in various forms of charitable, voluntary
and other community-related work. We are
supportive of these initiatives, and encourage and
support these through the work of our Community
Investment team. The John M. Menzies Community
Fund makes individual cash awards of up to £350
per employee, or £700 per team of employees,
undertaking a charitable or community project.
Such awards are made in consultation with the
Managing Directors of each business. During 2008,
some 21 applications were supported by this Fund
to a total of £8,250.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 37

 
Board of Directors

William Thomson
Non-Executive Chairman 
Note 3

William was appointed
Chairman in 2002, having
been a Non-Executive
Director since 1987. He 
also chairs the Nomination
Committee. He is Chairman
of E G Thomson (Holdings)
Ltd, a shipping and logistics 
group with interests in Asia,
British Assets Trust plc and
Fidelity Japanese Values plc.
(Age 68).

David Coltman
Non-Executive Director, 
Senior Independent Director
Notes 2, 3

David was appointed 
a Non-Executive Director 
in 2001, Senior Independent
Director in 2006 and 
chairs the Remuneration
Committee. He is currently
Chairman of Eredene Capital
plc and Edinburgh Worldwide
Investment Trust plc. He has
held various senior positions
with airlines in the UK and
with United Airlines in
Chicago. (Age 66).

Paul Dollman
Executive Director, 
Group Finance Director

Ian Harley
Non-Executive Director 
Note 1

Paul was appointed as Group
Finance Director in 2002. 
He is also a Non-Executive
Director of Scottish Amicable
Life Association Society. 
A chartered accountant, 
he was previously Finance
Director for William Grant &
Sons Ltd, and has also held
senior financial positions with
Inveresk PLC, Maddox Group
plc and Clydesdale Retail
Group. (Age 52).

Ian was appointed 
a Non-Executive Director of
the Company on 2 February
2009. He is Chairman of
Rentokil Initial Pension
Trustee Limited, having
previously spent eight years on
the Rentokil Initial plc Board,
and is Senior Independent
Director at Remploy Ltd. 
Ian was previously Finance
Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Abbey National plc
and spent nine years on their
Board. He is a chartered
accountant and Fellow and
Past President of the Institute
of Bankers. (Age 58).

Ian Harrison
Non-Executive Director 
Note 1

Dermot Jenkinson
Non-Executive Director 
Notes 2, 3

Octavia Morley
Non-Executive Director 
Notes 1, 2

Iain Napier
Non-Executive Director, 
Note 1, 2

Ian was appointed a Non-
Executive Director in 1987. 
He is a Director of Record
Currency Management Ltd,
an institutional investment
management company
specialising in currency
management for pension
funds worldwide. (Age 52).

Dermot was appointed 
to the Board in 1986 and 
held various executive
responsibilities before
assuming a non-executive
role in 1999. He is founder
and Chairman of beCogent
Ltd, a contact centre and
related consultancy business,
and is a Director of a number
of other private companies.
(Age 54).

Octavia was appointed 
a Non-Executive Director in
2006. She is currently Chief
Executive of Lighterlife Ltd
and was previously Executive
Director, Marketing Director
and Commercial Director at
Woolworths plc, and held
positions as Managing
Director, ecommerce at Asda
Stores Ltd and as Buying and
Merchandising Director at
Laura Ashley plc. (Age 40).

Iain was appointed Non-
Executive Director of the
Company on 16 September
2008. He is currently
Chairman of Imperial Tobacco
Group plc and McBride plc
and is a Non-Executive
Director of the Molson Coors
Brewing Company. He was
previously Group CEO of
Taylor Woodrow plc and prior
to this CEO of Bass Brewers
and Bass International
Brewers. Iain is a chartered
management accountant.
(Age 59).

38 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Iain Robertson
Non-Executive Director 
Note 1

Craig Smyth
Executive Director, 
Menzies Aviation

Ellis Watson
Executive Director, 
Menzies Distribution

John Geddes
Company Secretary

Iain was appointed 
a Non-Executive Director in
2004 and chairs the Audit
Committee. He is a former
Director of The Royal Bank 
of Scotland Group plc, Chair
of Cairn Capital Ltd and BT
Scotland. He is a chartered
accountant. (Age 63).

Craig was appointed to 
the Board in March 2007. 
He was a founder executive
of the Aviation division and
has worked for Menzies
Aviation for 15 years. In 2003,
he moved from being the
Chief Financial Officer into
the operational & commercial
role as Vice President,
Americas and was appointed
Managing Director of
Menzies Aviation in February
2004. He is a chartered
accountant. (Age 41).

Ellis was appointed to the
Board in March 2007 and 
has been Managing Director
of Menzies Distribution since
September 2005. Prior to this
he was Managing Director 
of National Newspapers at
Trinity Mirror plc and of
Celador International. His
media career began with 
nine years at News
International, where latterly
he was Marketing Director.
He was also previously
Chairman of the Newspaper
Publishers Association, the
trade body for daily national
newspapers. (Age 41).

John was appointed as
Company Secretary in 2006. 
A chartered secretary, he
joined the Group in 1997 
and was previously Company
Secretary of Menzies
Aviation. His career has 
also included posts at 
Bank of Scotland plc and
Guinness plc. (Age 40).

G
o
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n
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e

Notes:
1 Member of Audit Committee
2 Member of Remuneration Committee
3 Member of Nomination Committee

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 39

Corporate governance statement

The Board is committed to maintaining high standards
of corporate governance. The Company has applied
throughout the year under review all the provisions of
the Combined Code of Corporate Governance 2006
(the Code), other than the provisions concerning
committee independence explained below.

The Board
Composition
The Board currently consists of 11 Directors, 
eight of whom are Non-Executive (including the
Chairman) and three Executive. The role of the
Chairman is distinct from other positions, is clearly
defined and is Non-Executive. The Company does
not have a Chief Executive, instead it has an
Executive Managing Director for Menzies Aviation,
an Executive Managing Director for Menzies
Distribution and an Executive Group Finance
Director. Each Executive Director has clearly
defined duties and responsibilities to the Board.
Non-Executive Directors are appointed for an initial
term of three years, and all Directors are required
under the Articles to retire and offer themselves 
for re-election at least every three years.

Appointments and retirals
In September 2008, Iain Napier was appointed 
as an independent Non-Executive Director, and 
Ian Harley was appointed as an independent 
Non-Executive Director in February 2009. Iain
Robertson has indicated that he will retire following
the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2009. 

The Board will then have 10 Directors including 
four independent Non-Executive Directors, well 
in excess of the minimum recommended by
Corporate Governance guidelines for a company 
of our size, and ensures that the Board is well
balanced and able to meet the challenges and
opportunities that face the business. 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of
Association, Iain Napier and Ian Harley will stand 
for election at the Company’s AGM in May 2009. 
The Company’s Articles of Association also require
that a third of the Directors, or a number nearest to 
a third, must retire by rotation. The Combined Code
requires Non-Executive Directors serving for more
than nine years to offer themselves up for annual 
re-election. The Directors who therefore retire and,
being eligible, offer themselves for re-election at 
the AGM are William Thomson, Dermot Jenkinson, 
Ian Harrison, Octavia Morley and David Coltman.

William Thomson, who is Chairman, has extensive
leadership skills and experience, providing highly
valued advice and support to the executive
management team. Octavia Morley brings to the
Board extensive experience with major retailers,
whilst David Coltman has substantial industry

40 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

knowledge and expertise in the Aviation Sector.
Dermot Jenkinson contributes from his breadth of
knowledge gained both from his experiences in the
Company and through a wide range of executive
management roles, and Ian Harrison provides
counsel and support to the Board and brings
particular skills relating to pension investment and
currency management. The latter two Directors 
also represent the interests of the Menzies family,
who collectively are our major shareholder. 

All five Directors standing for re-election have
undergone a formal performance evaluation and 
the performance of each continues to be effective
and demonstrates commitment to their role,
including commitment of time for Board and
Committee meetings in addition to their other
duties. The Board recommends to shareholders the
re-election of William Thomson, Dermot Jenkinson,
Ian Harrison, Octavia Morley and David Coltman,
and the election of Iain Napier and Ian Harley.

Independence
Currently, five of the Non-Executive Directors, David
Coltman, Iain Napier, Iain Robertson, Ian Harley and
Octavia Morley, are independent under the terms 
of the Code, where the number required for smaller
companies is two. David Coltman has been Senior
Independent Director since May 2006. 

Dermot Jenkinson and Ian Harrison are not
independent under the terms of the Code 
due to their shareholding and length of service.
However, they not only represent the continuing
involvement of the founding Menzies family, 
but also contribute effectively to the Board and 
the work of its Committees. They bring to the 
Board a breadth of skills and experience from 
their knowledge of the Company and from their
backgrounds in business and general management.

At least two of the members on each of the Audit
and Remuneration Committees are independent
(being a majority) including the Chairman of these
Committees. The Nomination Committee only has
one independent member and in this respect it is
not fully compliant with the Code.

Succession planning and Board recruitment
The Board is aware that it is essential to have a
suitable succession plan in place for when any
members of the Board either move on or retire.
With regards to the replacement of any Executive
Directors, the Board has tasked the Nomination
Committee with reviewing potential internal
candidates and nominating suitable external
candidates as and when such a position arises.
Alongside this, each of the Divisional Operating
Boards have a responsibility to ensure that talented
individuals within the business are nurtured and

given every opportunity to develop their skills, 
such that they might become suitable candidates 
to join the Board.

For the Chairman, the Nomination Committee has
responsibility for ensuring that there is a suitable
candidate on the Board for a smooth transition of
Chairmanship when required.

The Committee will also engage external
recruitment agencies in finding suitable candidates
for either executive or non-executive positions
where required, and any candidate will be expected
to meet with each member of the executive team
and the Nomination Committee prior to any offer
being made.

Board and Committee meetings and attendance
in 2008

Remun-
eration Nomination
Board Committee Committee Committee

Audit

Meetings

W Thomson
P Dollman
C Smyth
E Watson
D Coltman
D Jenkinson
I Harrison
O Morley
I Robertson
I Napier1
I Harley2

10

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
3
–

4

–
–
–
–
–
–
4
4
4
1
–

5

–
–
–
–
5
5
–
5
–
3
–

2

2
–
–
–
2
2
–
–
–
–
–

1 I Napier was appointed to the Board on 

16 September 2008.

2 I Harley was appointed on 2 February 2009, 

after the year end.

A description of the Board’s Committees is provided
below, along with the Chairman and membership 
of each Committee. The Board met 10 times in 2008
and has a formal schedule of matters specifically
reserved to it for decision. These include: strategic
plans, the approval of financial statements,
acquisitions and disposals, major non-recurring
projects and major capital expenditures.

The Board also delegates specific responsibilities
with written terms of reference to the Board
Committees detailed below. Information of an
appropriate quality is issued in a timely manner 
to assist the Board in performing its duties. New
Directors receive an appropriate induction tailored to
their needs. All members of the Board have access
to the advice and services of the Company Secretary
and may take independent professional advice as
appropriate at the expense of the Company. Directors
are also encouraged to visit both divisional operations
and to undertake such activities and training as is

appropriate or may be required or desirable in order
to carry out their duties.

Board Performance Evaluation
The Board is supportive of the principles and
provisions of the Code on Board Performance
Evaluation. The Board’s policy is to conduct
performance evaluations internally on an annual
basis, using external consultants to refresh the
process every three to five years. During 2008, 
an independent external consultant was again used
to undertake a rigorous process of performance
evaluation of the Board and its members, and to
investigate whether any individual Board members
had any concerns that they wished to be addressed.

The Chairman then undertook an informal discussion
with each member of the Board, reviewing
performance and addressing any concerns they 
had relating to their performance, the Board’s
performance and the composition of the Board and
its Committees. The results of the external evaluation
were reported to the Board in January 2009, and
actions are under way to implement the findings.

In addition to this review, the Non-Executive Directors
held one meeting last year without the Chairman
being present, during which his performance 
was reviewed. They also held a meeting with the
Chairman present at which the performance of 
the Executive Directors was discussed.

G
o
v
e
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n
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Communication with shareholders
The Board has developed a comprehensive
programme to ensure that effective communication
with shareholders, analysts and the financial press
is maintained throughout the year. Through its
annual and interim reports, results and other
announcements, as well as through presentations
to institutional shareholders and the dissemination
of information via the Group’s website at
www.johnmenziesplc.com, the Board seeks 
to present its strategy and performance in an
objective and balanced manner.

Shareholders attending the AGM are invited to 
ask questions during the Meeting and also to 
meet the Directors after the formal business of the
Meeting has concluded. The Chairmen of the Board
Committees are also available to answer questions
from any shareholder at the Meeting. Full details 
of proxy votes cast on each resolution are made
available to shareholders at the Meeting and, in
keeping with best practice, are made available 
on the Company’s website after the Meeting.

The Board receives reports at each of its meetings
on any meetings held with shareholders or
analysts. The Chairman and Senior Independent
Director are also available for contact by
shareholders at any time.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 41

Corporate governance statement

Board Committees
The Board has established Committees with
defined terms of reference. The Board’s policy on
the membership of its Committees is that all Non-
Executive Directors should contribute, and to keep
membership fresh, one member of each committee
be changed every two years. The Nomination,
Remuneration and Audit Committees each consist
of three Non-Executive Directors. The Chairmen of
the Audit and Remuneration Committees will be
chosen from Directors who are independent under
the terms of the Code. It is the Board’s intention
that they will serve for three years. The inclusion 
of Dermot Jenkinson on the Remuneration and
Nomination Committees and of Ian Harrison on 
the Audit Committee respectively does not comply
with the Code; however, they provide valuable
experience from their knowledge of the Group’s
operations, and from their backgrounds in business.

The Board has also delegated operational and
strategy implementation matters to the Operating
Boards of Menzies Aviation and Menzies
Distribution, both of which have two Executive
Directors on them.

Nomination Committee
Composition:

Name

W Thomson
D Jenkinson
D Coltman

Title

Chairman
Member
Member

Attendance

2/2
2/2
2/2

The Nomination Committee has terms of reference
modelled closely on those set out in the Code and
its responsibilities include recommending new
Board appointments and succession planning. 
A copy of the terms of reference is available on 
the Company’s website. The Board as a whole is
responsible for making new appointments to the
Board on the recommendation of the Nomination
Committee and nominating recommended
candidates for election by shareholders on first
appointment and thereafter for re-election at
relevant intervals.

During 2008 the Committee reviewed the structure,
balance and composition of the Board and its
Committees and concluded that an additional
independent Non-Executive Director should be
appointed. Iain Napier has joined the Board as an
independent Non-Executive Director. Ian Harley 
has also been appointed as an independent Non-
Executive Director and will replace Iain Robertson,
who will retire following the AGM in May 2009.

42 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Remuneration Committee
Composition:

Name

D Coltman
D Jenkinson
O Morley
I Napier

Title

Chairman
Member
Member
Member

Attendance

5/5
5/5
5/5
3/3

The Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages
46 to 55 details the constitution and role of the
Remuneration Committee, and how the principles
of the Code relating to Directors’ remuneration
have been applied.

Audit Committee
Composition:

Name

I Robertson
I Harrison
O Morley
I Napier

Title

Chairman
Member
Member
Member

Attendance

4/4
4/4
4/4
1/1

The Audit Committee assists the Board in the
execution of its responsibilities for corporate
governance and internal control, and has adopted
terms of reference modelled on those set out in the
Code. The Group Finance Director and certain senior
financial executives as appropriate, together with
representatives from the internal and external audit
teams, attend each meeting. A copy of the terms 
of reference is available on the Company’s website.

The Committee has delegated authority from the
Board for ensuring adherence to the Code provisions
and related guidance concerning the following matters:

(cid:129) monitoring the integrity of the financial statements

and reviewing significant accounting policies,
judgements and estimates contained within them;

(cid:129) reviewing the effectiveness of the internal control
and risk management systems, including control
over financial reporting;

(cid:129) reviewing the effectiveness of the internal audit

function, including the business risk programme;

(cid:129) reviewing the Group’s policies and practices

concerning business conduct, ethics and integrity
and whistleblowing; and

(cid:129) overseeing all aspects of the relationship with 

the external auditors, including their appointment,
the audit process, the supply of non-audit
services and monitoring their effectiveness 
and independence.

The Committee met four times in 2008 and a 
full report of its activities and of findings and
recommendations from each meeting is given to 
the Board. During the year, the Committee formally

reviewed and approved (prior to the Board) draft
annual and interim reports (including the statements
on internal control and the work of the Committee),
associated preliminary and interim results
announcements and the two Interim Management
Statements made by the Company. This aspect of 
its work focused on key accounting policies and
estimates and judgements, including significant or
unusual transactions or changes to these. In doing so
the Committee reviewed the reports of management
and the controls assurance (internal audit) provider and
took into account the views of the external auditors.

The Committee also reviewed the Group’s internal
control structure, approved the scope of work and
fees for the controls assurance provider and debated
whether the internal audit function should be brought
in-house. It concluded that due to the complexity of
the Group’s business and the international nature 
of the aviation business, the internal audit function
was best served by continuing to be outsourced 
to Deloitte & Touche LLP, given their global spread
and resources. Findings from the internal audit
programme (on financial and key non-financial risks)
and areas identified for improvement are reviewed
by the Committee and prioritised for action by
management. The Committee reviews follow-up
reports from management to ensure that any
weaknesses identified in internal audit reports
submitted to it are fully addressed and that
improved procedures are adopted. 

The Committee also reviewed the work of
management on updating the Group’s Business Risk
register, which involved assessing key risks at Group
and divisional level according to their significance,
likelihood and impact, as well as the Company’s
exposure to and management of these risks.

After taking into account reports from the controls
assurance provider, the Committee was satisfied
that management had appropriate risk management
strategies and systems in place to address the
Group’s key business risks. The Committee
reviewed and approved the audit plan, as well as
the findings of the external auditors from its review
of the interim announcement and its audit of the
annual financial statements. It also assessed the
effectiveness of the external auditors and of the
audit process through meetings and interviews
with management and key finance staff. As part 
of this, it keeps under review the objectivity and
independence of the external auditors and the
nature and extent of the non-audit services which
they provide. These services consist mainly of
acquisition-related due diligence, where their
knowledge of the Group’s business processes 
and controls makes them best placed to undertake
this work cost-effectively on the Group’s behalf. 

The external auditors do not deal with the Group’s
tax affairs. The Committee believes that the level
and scope of these non-audit services does not
impair the objectivity of the auditors.

Divisional Operating Boards
The Operating Boards of both Menzies Aviation and
Menzies Distribution consist of senior executives
from within each division, together with the Divisional
Executive Managing Director and the Group Finance
Director. The Boards have responsibility for the day-to-
day running of their division and the implementation
of the strategy for their division agreed by the Group
Board. They also retain responsibility for approving
divisional performance targets consistent with the
strategic objectives set by the Group Board, and
monitoring achievement. The Operating Boards also
have responsibility to make recommendations to the
Group Board and to monitor major initiatives. Each
Operating Board normally meets a minimum of four
times per year.

The three Executive Directors also meet prior to
each Board meeting, with the Chairman joining
them as appropriate. The meetings provide a forum
for sharing ideas and experiences from within the
Operating Divisions. It also allows the common
financial controls, managed at Group level, to be
reviewed and discussed. The composition of the
Menzies Aviation Operating Board is shown on
page 14 and the Menzies Distribution Operating
Board is shown on page 20.

Directors and their interests
Directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the
Company were as follows:

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
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c
e

Name

W Thomson
P Dollman
C Smyth
E Watson
D Jenkinson

I Harrison

D Coltman
O Morley
I Robertson
I Napier1
I Harley2

31 December 29 December
2007

2008

4,000 
14,000
Beneficial
22,467 
60,642
Beneficial
18,720 
54,810
Beneficial
Beneficial
572 
15,055
Beneficial 2,098,360 2,098,360 
Non-beneficial 3,570,360 3,570,360 
See note 1,257,445 2,514,885 
Beneficial 2,434,320 2,122,832 
–
415,000
See note 1,257,445 2,514,885 
35,000 
35,000
Beneficial
– 
–
20,000 
60,000
– 
5,000
–
–

Beneficial
Beneficial

Non-beneficial

1 Appointed 16 September 2008.
2 Appointed 2 February 2009.
Note: These holdings are joint beneficial interests.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 43

Corporate governance statement

In addition to the above holdings, William Thomson
and Iain Robertson, as directors of a subsidiary
which is a trustee of employee benefit trusts in
which they have no beneficial interest, have non-
beneficial interests in 418,361 shares. There have
been no subsequent changes to these interests 
as at 9 March 2009. 

Substantial shareholdings
In addition to the Directors’ interests, the Company
has been notified of the following interests of 3%
or more in its issued ordinary share capital as at 
9 March 2009.

financial year. Under the law, the Directors have
prepared the Group and Parent Company financial
statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted
by the European Union.

In preparing these financial statements, the
Directors have also elected to comply with IFRSs
issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board (‘IASB’). The financial statements are
required by law to give a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the Company and the Group and
of the profit or loss of the Group for that period.

Name

Number of ordinary  % ordinary
share capital 

shares

In preparing the financial statements the directors
are required to:

5,190,000
4,235,807

D C Thomson & Co Ltd
Audley Capital Advisors
Threadneedle Asset 
Management
Aberdeen Asset Managers
Mr D Ramsay
Legal & General 
Investment Management
2,532,009
Mrs P Menzies
2,529,650
Mrs S Speke
2,454,920
2,396,552
Mrs K Slater
AXA Rosenberg Investment 2,214,253

3,266,300
3,199,537
2,589,878

8.62
7.04

5.43
5.32 
4.30

4.21
4.20
4.08
3.98
3.68

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance
The Company maintains liability insurance for the
Directors and Officers of the Company and its
subsidiaries. No Director or Officer was in receipt 
of any indemnity from the Company during the year.

Annual General Meeting
Paper copies of the Notice of Meeting and
explanations of the Special Business to be
transacted at the AGM which will be held on 
21 May 2009 at the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh,
has been circulated to shareholders who have
requested a paper copy. Notification of the
availability of the Notice of Meeting on the
Company’s website has been circulated to all other
shareholders. The Notice can be viewed on the
Company’s website, www.johnmenziesplc.com.

Dividends
The Directors have decided not to pay a final
dividend. This means that the dividend for the full
year was 7.56p per ordinary share, which was paid
on 28 November 2008.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the
Annual Report, the remuneration report and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable
law and regulations. Company law requires the
Directors to prepare financial statements for each

44 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

(cid:129) select suitable accounting policies and then apply

them consistently;

(cid:129) make judgements and estimates that are

reasonable and prudent;

(cid:129) state that the financial statements comply with
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and
IFRSs issued by IASB; and

(cid:129) prepare the financial statements on the going
concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the Group will continue in business.

The Directors are also required by the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services
Authority to include a management report
containing a fair review of the business and a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties
facing the Group and Company. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper
accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the
Company and the Group and enable them to ensure
that the financial statements and the remuneration
report comply with the Companies Act 1985 and, 
as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4
of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and 
the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps
for the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance
and integrity of the website
(www.johnmenziesplc.com). Legislation in the UK
concerning the preparation and dissemination of
financial statements may differ from legislation in
other jurisdictions.

Directors’ statement pursuant to the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules
Each of the Directors confirm that, to the best of
each person’s knowledge and belief:

(cid:129) the financial statements, prepared in accordance
with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true and
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit of the Group and Company; and

(cid:129) the Directors’ report contained in the Annual Report

includes a fair review of the development and
performance of the business and the position of the
Company and Group, together with a description of
the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

Disclosure of information to and reappointment
of auditors
The Directors have confirmed that they are
confident that, so far as they are aware, there is no
relevant audit information of which the Company’s
auditors are unaware. The Directors have confirmed
that they have taken all steps that ought to have
been taken in order to make themselves aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish
that the Company’s auditors are aware of 
that information. A resolution to reappoint
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors to the
Company and to authorise the Board to set their
remuneration will be proposed at the AGM.

Significant agreements – change of control
The Company’s divisions, Menzies Aviation and
Menzies Distribution, have agreements in place
with suppliers and customers, some of which
contain change of control clauses giving rights to
these suppliers and customers on a takeover bid for
the Company. A change of control of the Company
following a takeover bid may cause a number of other
agreements to which the Company or its subsidiaries
are party, such as banking arrangements, property
leases and licence agreements to take effect, alter 
or terminate. In addition, the Directors’ service
agreements and employee share plans would be
similarly affected on a change of control.

Internal control
The Directors are responsible for the Group’s
system of internal control, which covers financial,
operational and compliance controls together with
risk management. Whilst no system can provide
absolute guarantee and protection against material
loss, the system is designed to give the Directors
reasonable assurance that problems can be
identified promptly and remedial action taken as
appropriate. The Directors, through the Board’s
review of risk and the work of the Audit Committee,
have reviewed the effectiveness of the system 
of internal control for the accounting period under
review and consider that it accords with revised
guidance. There were no material weaknesses in
the Group’s system of internal control relating to
financial control during the year. The key features 
of the Group’s internal control system are:

Control environment
A key factor in the Group’s approach to internal
control is the recognition of the need for risk
awareness and the ownership of risk management
by Executives at all levels. Each operating division
has its own Board. A Statement of Group Policies
and Procedures sets out the responsibilities of
these Operating Boards, including authority levels,
reporting disciplines and responsibility for risk
management and internal control. Certain activities,
including treasury, taxation, insurance, pension and
legal matters are controlled centrally with reports
reviewed by the Board as appropriate. 

Risk identification and review
Key identified risks, both financial and non-financial
(the latter including environmental, social and
governance ‘ESG’ risks), are reviewed by the Board
as well as at Operating Board level on an ongoing
basis, with a formal annual review of risks and
controls taking place, supported by the Group’s
Controls Assurance provider.

The Divisional Operating Boards also review 
each division’s performance, strategy and risk
management. Annual compliance statements 
on internal control are certified by each Divisional
Board. A Treasury Review Committee meets
regularly to review the adequacy of the Group’s
facilities against potential utilisation and
commitments, as well as to monitor and manage
the Group’s exposure to interest rate and currency
movements. Further details on how the Board
manages ESG risks in particular is given in the
Corporate Social Responsibility report on pages 
29 to 37.

Financial reporting
There is a comprehensive Group-wide system of
financial reporting. Figures reported include profit,
cash flows, capital expenditure, balance sheet and
relevant performance indicators. Each operating
division prepares an annual budget which is approved
by the Board. Thereafter a formal reforecasting
exercise is undertaken at least twice during the
year. Actual monthly results are monitored against
budget, forecasts and the previous year’s results.
Any significant variances are investigated and acted
upon as appropriate.

Investment appraisal
There are clearly defined investment guidelines 
for capital expenditure. All such expenditure is
subject to formal authorisation procedures, with
major proposals being considered by the Board.
Post-investment appraisals are conducted for all
material capital projects.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 45

Report on Directors’ remuneration

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee determines the
remuneration of the Chairman and the Executive
Directors on behalf of the Board. It has formal
Terms of Reference set by the Board modelled 
on the Combined Code, which are displayed on 
the Company’s website. 

The Committee’s membership is shown on page
42. In accordance with the Company’s policy 
of refreshing the membership on Committee’s
every two years, David Coltman will stand down 
as Chairman at this year’s Annual General Meeting
(AGM) and will be replaced by Iain Napier. 
The Company Secretary is the secretary of 
the Committee. Paul Dollman, Group Finance
Director, who also has responsibility for advising 
on Executive remuneration, attends meetings 
as appropriate. Research commissioned from
Kepler Associates was used by the Committee 
in its determination of Executive remuneration,
bonus payments and incentive schemes. Legal
advice, from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, was
sought by the Committee during the year where 
it felt appropriate.

Members of the Committee have no personal
financial interest (other than as shareholders) 
in the matters to be decided and no day-to-day
involvement in the running of the business of 
the Group. 

Committee review
The Board extended its review of its own
performance to the performance of the Committee
during the year, and as part of the independent
boardroom evaluation, an external evaluator
undertook a survey of the Committee members.
Both the Company Chairman and the Committee
Chairman held individual and confidential
discussions with each member of the Committee
where they were invited to raise any concerns 
or issues that they felt needed addressing. 

Annual General Meeting
A resolution to approve this report on Directors’
remuneration will be tabled at the AGM. The
Chairman of the Committee will be available to
answer questions from shareholders on the report.

Remuneration policy, practice and principles
The Group recognises that its continuing 
success depends on the quality and motivation 
of its employees. The Group aims to ensure that 
its remuneration packages are competitive, thereby

enabling it to attract, retain and motivate Executives
who have the experience, skills and talents 
to operate and develop its businesses to their
maximum potential. This total pay position is
analysed by looking across each of the different
elements of remuneration, including salary,
pension, the annual bonus plan, and long-term
incentives to provide a total remuneration rather
than just the competitiveness of the individual
elements. Pay, salary increases and employment
conditions elsewhere in the Group are taken into
account by the Committee in determining the
remuneration packages for Executive Directors,
along with current external market conditions 
and package competitiveness.

Salary spread/package mix
The total remuneration package is designed to
include performance and non-performance-related
elements. Non-performance elements include
salary, taxable benefits and pension entitlements.
In addition, Executive Directors are entitled 
to participate in the Company’s savings-related 
share option scheme. 

All other parts of the package are performance-
related, and combine a mixture of cash and share-
based incentives, described in detail below. The
performance-based schemes also adopt a variety 
of performance criteria rather than one criteria 
used over all the schemes. This is to ensure that 
the Directors provide a broadly-based growth 
and development plan for the business. The
schemes are designed to reward improvements
within divisional performance (such as the
Divisional Performance Share Plan), as well as 
the performance of the Company against external
factors, such as Performance Share Plan which
measures the Company’s TSR against that of the
FTSE250. The Committee believes that by using a
combination of internal and external targets across
the various schemes, it can better align the
Directors’ interests with the interests of the
shareholders.

It is intended that on-target performance payouts
should be made where the Company achieves its
objectives for the year, which will be a combination
of financial performance of the Group and divisions,
cost savings, business development and other
divisional objectives. Stretch performance will be
paid where the objectives set for the Group have
been exceeded, as well as Executive Directors’
individual targets as set by the Board.

46 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Directors’ salaries are maintained at competitive levels for comparable positions (based on information
provided by Kepler Associates) reflecting, where appropriate, the international nature of the business.
Additional rewards for success are built into the remuneration package through incentives designed to
share with Directors’ profitability of the Group and wealth generated for shareholders. 

In considering and determining suitable remuneration packages for the Executive Directors the Committee
has given full consideration to the relevant best practice provisions set out in the Combined Code. The
Committee also determines the extent to which all performance targets are met, using research findings
as described above.

Distribution of total ‘on-target’ performance remuneration

Salary

Bonus

BCIP

PSP/DPSP

LTIP

2008 (% of total)
2007 (% of total)

56
47

17
19

4
5

15
10

Distribution of total ‘stretch’ performance remuneration

2008 (% of total)
2007 (% of total)

Salary

Bonus

BCIP

PSP/DPSP

26
22

16
13

16
13

27
18

8
7

LTIP

15
13

TIP

–
12

TIP

–
21

Basis for calculations
Cash-based awards are calculated on the real cash value when the award is made.

Share-based awards are calculated on the actual share price on the date that the award is made, not an
anticipated value on vesting date.

Incentive schemes summary

Component

Measured by

Maximum performance summary

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2005 Performance Share 
Plan (PSP Scheme)

Growth in TSR in
comparison to the 
TSR of the FTSE250

A maximum annual award of 100,000 shares
can be made in any year. 

100% payout should TSR exceed the FTSE250
by >30% in a three-year performance period.

2007 Divisional Performance 
Share Plan (DPSP Scheme)

Divisional-based targets

Three-year calendar performance period.

Menzies Aviation
operating profit

A maximum annual award of 100,000 shares
can be made in any year. 

2005 Bonus Co-Investment 
Scheme (BCIP)

Menzies Distribution
split between: 
operating profit
cost savings
new revenue

Measured by the
growth in earnings 
per share in excess 
of growth in the Retail
Price Index

Targets are considered Inside Information
and will be disclosed at the end of every
performance period.

Three-year calendar performance period.

Matching shares will be released to
Executive Directors where growth in EPS
exceeds growth in the RPI of at least 3%.
Growth in excess of 8% will achieve
maximum payout. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 47

Report on Directors’ remuneration

Component

Measured by

Maximum performance summary

Annual Bonus Scheme

Transitional Incentive 
Plan (TIP)

A combination 
of targets:

Individual; 
Group; and 
Divisional 

One-year calendar performance period.

Bonuses are payable at up to 60% of the
individual’s salary, with Executive Directors
payment capped at £200,000.

No bonus is paid at threshold level or below,
rising on a straight-line basis to 100% paid
where stretch targets are achieved.

Divisional-based targets

One-year calendar performance period.

Menzies Aviation
2008 operating profit

Menzies Distribution
split between: 
2008 operating profit
cost savings
new revenue

Group
Group profit before tax

Payout up to a maximum of £250,000 for
Executive Directors based on achievement 
of performance criteria. 

Targets were:
Menzies Aviation: threshold payments
(25%) payable where 2008 divisional
operating profit was £24m, increasing on 
a straight-line basis to maximum payments
(100%) payable where 2008 operating profit
was £27m or greater.

Menzies Distribution: a combination of
threshold payments where 2008 divisional
operating profit was £22m, cost reduction
programme was £3m and new profit streams
generated £2m profit, rising to maximum
payments payable where 2008 divisional
operating profit was £25m, cost reduction
programme was £4.5m and new profit
streams generated £4.7m profit.

Group: threshold payments were made
where the Group’s PBT was £35.3m,
increasing on a straight-line basis to
maximum payments payable where 2008
PBT was £40.3m or greater.

It is expected that Executive Directors will build up a holding of at least 50,000 shares in the Company 
over a period of time. Both Paul Dollman and Craig Smyth hold in excess of 50,000 shares in the Company.
To assist in building up a shareholding, Directors are encouraged to invest up to 50% of their bonus in the
Bonus Co-Investment Scheme. 

Basic salary and benefits
Salaries are reviewed annually, on appointment, or on change in position or responsibility. In conducting
annual reviews of the Executive Directors salaries’, the Committee considers the pay awards and
employment conditions across the Group, the Executive Director’s individual performance, experience, 
as well as the external competitive levels for comparable positions.

In addition to salary, the Executive Directors may receive additional benefits covering car allowance, private
medical insurance and life cover. Craig Smyth and Ellis Watson also received a cash allowance in place of
any pension entitlement above the ‘earnings cap’. Paul Dollman has an unfunded pension undertaking from
the Company to provide in total the same level of pension as if the ‘earnings cap’ did not apply.

48 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Annual bonus scheme
The Executive Directors participate in a discretionary bonus scheme which is subject to the achievement 
of challenging Group and Divisional and personal targets designed to encourage excellent performance.
Bonus payments are non-pensionable.

The 2008 bonus scheme contained performance targets that include threshold and stretch levels derived from
a review of the historical and projected performance of the Group and its peers, together with an analysis of
City analysts’ expectations. Bonuses at the higher end of the range are payable only for demonstrably superior
Group and individual performance and the stretch level represents upper quartile performance. 

Executive Directors receive a bonus payment of £nil on achieving below threshold performance, increasing 
on a straight-line basis to a maximum payment of £200,000 for stretch performance. Up to 20% of any
entitlement is dependent on the extent to which identified personal Key Result Areas (KRAs) are achieved.
Whilst all Directors were entitled to receive a bonus payment in respect of their individual KRAs, they have
each waived their entitlement to receive the payment for 2008. 

For 2008, bonuses were calculated as follows:

Name

P Dollman

C Smyth

E Watson

Measure

Threshold

Target

Achieved

Award
entitlement

Bonus
paid

Group profit before tax
KRA (20% of award)

Aviation EBIT
KRA (20% of award)

Distribution profit
New profit streams
Cost reduction
KRA (20% of award)

£35.3m £40.3m £30.7m

–

–

–

85% £34,000*

£22.5m £26.0m £14.1m

–

–

–

80% £32,000*

–
–

–
–

£23.0m £25.0m £23.9m £44,500
£1,500
£2.1m
£6.2m £50,000
92.5% £37,000*

£4.7m
£4.0m
–

£2.0m
£3.0m
–

£44,500
£1,500
£50,000
–

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*Bonus in respect of KRA waived.

Transitional Incentive Plan
Following the restructuring of the Board in 2007, and acknowledging the unique set of circumstances and
extra responsibility placed upon the Executive Directors and the Divisional Operating Boards, the Company
introduced a Transitional Incentive Plan. Designed to promote retention and stability during a period of
change, this one-off plan operated over a one-year period which commenced on 1 January 2008 and run
concurrently with the Company’s accounting year. 

The performance conditions were based on the achievement of targeted Divisional Financial Results (DFR).
The DFR was set at threshold and stretch level; at the stretch level, the performance target has been set
by the Remuneration Committee as being suitable and challenging and as being equivalent to achieving
upper quartile performance. 

A threshold performance receives a payout of 25% of the individual’s salary rising on a straight-line 
basis to a maximum payout of 100% of salary (capped with a maximum potential payout of £250,000) 
at stretch level. 

At Menzies Distribution, the DFR was based on a combination of the division’s operating profit, reduction 
in operating costs and income from new revenue streams. At Menzies Aviation the DFR was based on the
division’s operating profit and at Group the DFR was based on a profit before tax.

DFR measure

Aviation operating profit
Distribution operating profit
Distribution reduction in operating costs
Distribution income from new revenue streams
Group – profit before tax

Threshold 
target

Stretch
target

Actual
result

£24m
£22m
£3.0m
£2.0m

£27m £14.1m
£25m £23.9m
£6.2m
£4.5m
£2.1m
£4.7m
£35.3m £40.3m £30.7m

Actual payouts under the scheme are detailed on the Directors’ remuneration table on page 54.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 49

Report on Directors’ remuneration

Bonus Co-Investment Plan
Under the Bonus Co-Investment Plan, Executive
Directors may elect to invest up to 50% of their
annual bonus in shares of the Company (net of tax)
which qualify for an award of up to 2:1 matching
shares (based on the gross invested salary)
dependent on achieving a performance target 
set prior to election. 

The performance target for the Plan is for real per
annum Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth above the
Retail Price Index growth over a three-year period,
with the number of shares vesting being calculated 
on a straight-line basis from a nil award at 3% to a
full award at 8% or above. Any dividends accrued
on shares which vest are paid in cash on vesting. 

Following a review of the scheme rules, it has been
discovered that the potential maximum award of
matching shares has previously been understated,
having been calculated on the actual number of
shares purchased by the individual, rather than on
the gross amount of deferred bonus. The revised
figures for each of the outstanding awards are
shown in the table below.

2007 
Original

2007
Revised

2006 
Original

2006 
Revised

P Dollman
C Smyth
E Watson

5,586
3,296
11,426 19,366
1,938
1,144

4,816
4,968
–

8,162
8,420
–

The maximum number of matching shares possible
are shown in table 1 on page 53.

An award of conditional matching shares was made
during the year (subject to performance conditions 
as noted above) at a market price of 534p (2007:
515.5p). They will vest on the day on which the
Company announces its preliminary results for 
the year to December 2010 (2007 share awards:
December 2009). The figures shown above are
maximum entitlements and the actual number of
shares which vest will depend on the performance
conditions being achieved, as set out above.

An award made in 2005 matured in December
2007. The real per annum growth in EPS for the
Company over the performance period of the 
award did not meet threshold levels, and 
therefore no matching shares vested.

Performance Share Plan
Executive Directors may be awarded a number of
conditional shares annually under the Performance
Share Plan (PSP) as determined by the Committee.
The maximum number of conditional shares which
may be awarded to any individual under the rules 
of the PSP in any year is 100,000. At the 2007 
AGM it was the Committee’s stated intention that
no individual would receive an award from both 
the PSP and the Divisional Performance Share Plan
(DPSP) in any given year. However, on reflection
and having reviewed feedback from shareholders,
the Committee decided that an award split
between the two schemes is appropriate. For 
the avoidance of doubt, under no circumstances
will any individual receive combined awards of
more than 100,000 conditional shares (the stated
annual maximum for each participant in each
scheme) in any one year as a result of awards 
under both schemes.

The shares awarded in 2008 will vest after three
years if the Company’s Total Shareholder Return
(TSR) is equal to or outperforms the FTSE250 Index
(the Index) TSR for the three years to December
2010. The number of shares to vest will be based
on the extent of any outperformance, with shares
vesting on a straight-line basis up to 100% of the
award for performance at 30% above the Index’s
TSR. Any dividends accrued on shares which vest
are paid in cash on vesting. 

The maximum number of shares which could vest
under the PSP to Executive Directors are shown 
in table 2 on page 53.

An award of conditional shares was made during
the year (subject to performance conditions as
noted above) at a market price of 487p (2007:
576p). These will vest on the day on which the
Company announces its preliminary results for 
the year to December 2010 (2007 share awards:
December 2009). The figures shown are maximum
entitlements and the actual number of shares
which vest will depend on the performance
conditions being achieved, as set out above.

The award of conditional shares made in 2005
which had a performance period from January 2005
to December 2007 lapsed during the period with
the performance criteria not being met.

50 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Divisional Performance Share Plan
The DPSP is the same in practically all respects 
as the PSP, except that the performance conditions 
are based on the achievement of targeted Divisional
Financial Results (DFR), rather than TSR within 
the PSP. The PSP therefore aligns each divisional
Director to the performance of the Group while 
the performance criteria within the DPSP is 
set against future divisional profitability and is
appropriate given the structure of the Group to
incentivise each Divisional Managing Director. 

When the DPSP was proposed to shareholders 
at the 2007 AGM it was the Committee’s stated
intention that no individual would receive an award
from both the PSP and DPSP in any given year.
However, on reflection and after reviewing feedback
from shareholders, the Committee has decided that
an award split between the two schemes would 
be more appropriate. It is therefore the intention 
of the Committee to split the overall award to each
Divisional Managing Director equally between 
the DPSP and the PSP. For the avoidance of doubt,
under no circumstances will any individual receive
combined awards of more than 100,000 conditional
shares (the stated annual maximum for each
participant in each scheme) in any one year as 
a result of awards under both schemes.

The DFR are set at threshold and stretch level. 
At threshold, 25% of the award will be paid to 
an individual, increasing on a straight-line basis to
100% for stretch or greater achievement. At stretch
level, the performance targets have been externally
verified by Kepler Associates as being equivalent 
to achieving upper quartile performance. 

For Menzies Distribution, the DFR are based on 
a combination of three factors: operating profit;
reduction in operating costs; and income from new
revenue streams. For Menzies Aviation the DFR are
based on operating profit. As the disclosure of these
targets could be considered as a profits forecast and
are viewed by the Committee to be both price and
commercially sensitive, the Committee has decided
that it will retrospectively disclose the threshold and
stretch targets for an award in its report following
the end of the performance period. Disclosure of
the performance targets made during 2008 will
therefore be made in the Committee’s Report 
for the financial year ending 2010.

The maximum number of shares which could vest
under the DPSP to Executive Directors are shown 
in table 3 on page 53.

An award of conditional shares was made during
the year (subject to performance conditions as
noted above) at a market price of 487p (2007: 576p).
These will vest on the day on which the Company
announces its preliminary results for the year to
December 2010 (2007 share awards: December
2009). The figures shown are maximum
entitlements and the actual number of shares
which vest will depend on the performance
conditions being achieved, as set out above.

2009 Performance Share Plan
The Committee has decided to recommend the
introduction of a one-off three-year Performance
Share Plan (2009 PSP), which will offer Executive
Directors the opportunity to benefit from the
potential success of the Company over the
forthcoming three years, as measured by an
increase in the Return On Capital Employed
(ROCE). It will provide for a conditional award to be
made of up to 450,000 ordinary shares for each
participant, over a three-year period. Vesting is
based on attainment of a prescribed performance
criteria (ROCE) and continued employment over a
three-year period. On the Committee’s
recommendation, the Board is proposing to adopt
the 2009 PSP to augment the Company’s existing
share incentive plans as part of the Company’s
policy of ensuring that its remuneration practices
remain competitive. 

Further details of the 2009 PSP are set out in 
the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

Share options
Executive share option scheme
Prior to the introduction of the above share and
incentive schemes, share options were granted 
to each Executive Director normally on an annual
basis at a level of one times salary. All grants 
were discretionary, and awards could be varied
depending on specific circumstances. Paul Dollman
was granted options at three times salary in 2002,
reflecting market conditions at the time of his
recruitment, and an award of one times salary in
2004. The number of shares held in the scheme are
shown in table 4 on page 54, and the cost to the
Company is shown in Note 20 to the accounts.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 51

Report on Directors’ remuneration

Salary 
The salary mix for Non-Executive Directors
comprises a basic payment, and additional
payments for being Chairman or a Committee
member, or the Senior Independent Director. 
It is intended to be a competitive mix broadly 
in line with comparable companies.

Payment
Committee Chairmanship
Committee Membership
SID fee

£32,229
£6,000
£2,500
£14,061

Performance graph
The following graph compares the Company’s total
shareholder return for the five years to December
2008 with the equivalent performance of the
FTSE250 Index. The Directors consider that, given
the scale and global spread of the businesses
within the Group, the most appropriate comparison
is with this index.

250

200

150

100

50

0

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Menzies rebased
FTSE250 rebased

The options are exercisable on a sliding scale if
growth in underlying earnings per share exceeds
RPI plus 3%-8% per annum in the three years 
from grant, adjusted to normalise pension and tax
charges. The performance conditions attaching to
these options have been met in full.

Savings Related Share Option Scheme
The Company operates a H.M. Revenue & Customs
approved Savings Related Share Option Scheme
(the SAYE Scheme) available to all UK-based
employees in the Group, including Executive
Directors. The Company believes that the SAYE
Scheme is an important tool in the motivation 
and retention of staff and at the AGM in 2008 the
Company approved the introduction of a new SAYE
Scheme to replace the one which was due to expire
in September 2008. Further details of the SAYE
Scheme and the cost to the Company are shown 
in Note 20 to the accounts.

The interests of the Directors in the SAYE Scheme
are set out in table 5 on page 54.

Service contracts
The Executive Directors have service contracts 
with the Company, the dates of which are listed 
in the Directors’ Emoluments table on page 54. 
The Group’s practice on notice periods is that they
should be for a period of 12 months’ notice. It is the
Company’s policy that any termination payment be
restricted to the actual loss incurred by the Director.
All Executive directors who served during the year
have service contracts on this basis. The Committee
considers that the notice periods are reasonable
and in the interests of shareholders having due
regard to prevailing market conditions and practice
among companies of comparable size. 

Non-Executive Directors
The Chairman and each of the Non-Executive
Directors have letters of appointment. The letters 
of appointment do not contain any contractual
entitlement to a termination payment and the
Directors can be removed in accordance with the
Company’s Articles of Association. The Chairman
and all Non-Executive Directors are subject to 
re-election by shareholders at least every three
years, with the exception of any Director whose
appointment exceeds nine years, in which case
there is a requirement for annual re-election.

52 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

External appointments
The Board recognises the benefits to the individual and to the Company of involvement by Executive
Directors as Non-Executive Directors on other companies. Prior to accepting an invitation to become 
a Non-Executive Director of another company, an Executive Director must receive approval from the
Chairman. This approval will not be denied where the Chairman is confident that the appointment will 
not interfere in any way with the Director’s ability to perform his duties for the Company or provide a
conflict of interest. Executive Directors are entitled to retain any fees received under these appointments.
During the year, Paul Dollman accepted an external non-executive appointment with Scottish Amicable 
Life Association Society. Details of fees received by Executive Directors are as follows:

Paul Dollman

£25,986 (Scottish Amicable Life Association Society)

Payments to outgoing Directors
No Directors left the Board during the year, and so the Company did not make any payments. It is the
Company’s policy that any termination payments that are made to a Director are mitigated wherever
possible, and will not exceed their entitlement based on their service contract.

Share price
The market price for shares in John Menzies plc ranged from 77.5p to 594p during the 2008 financial 
year and was 106.75p at 31 December 2008.

The following sections of this Report have been audited:

Table 1 – Bonus Co-Investment Plan

P Dollman
C Smyth
E Watson

Table 2 – Performance Share Plan

P Dollman
C Smyth
E Watson

Table 3 – Divisional Performance Share Plan

C Smyth
E Watson

29 Dec
2007
(restated)

33,337
27,786
1,938

29 Dec
2007

95,000
60,000
72,500

29 Dec
2007

35,000
35,000

Granted
during
year

23,792
20,646
12,720

Granted
during
year

70,000
35,000
35,000

Granted
during
year

35,000
35,000

Market
price of
award

534p
534p
534p

Market
price

487p
487p
487p

Market
price

487p
487p

Lapsed
during
year

19,589
–
–

Lapsed
during
year

30,000
30,000
42,500

Lapsed
during
year

–
–

31 Dec
2008

37,540
48,432
14,658

31 Dec
2008

135,000
65,000
65,000

31 Dec
2008

70,000
70,000

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 53

Report on Directors’ remuneration

Table 4 – Executive Share Option Scheme

P Dollman

C Smyth

29 Dec
2007

196,048
58,714

7,500
5,000
5,000
43,062

Granted Exercised
during

during
year

Market
price at
date of
year exercise 

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

7,500
–
–
–

–
–

550p
–
–
–

Lapsed
during
year

–
–

Gain

31 Dec Exercise
price

2008

Date
exercisable
from

Date
exercisable
to

– 196,048
58,714
–

329 08/11/2005 07/11/2012
418 07/05/2007 06/05/2014

– £4,350
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
5,000
5,000
43,062

492 07/04/2001 06/04/2008
348 18/02/2002 17/02/2009
391 28/01/2003 27/01/2010
418 07/05/2007 06/05/2014

Table 5 – Savings Related Share Option Scheme

Granted Exercised
during

during
year

Market
price at
date of
year exercise 

29 Dec
2007

Lapsed
during
year

Gain

31 Dec Exercise
price

2008

Date
exercisable
from

Date
exercisable
to

P Dollman

C Smyth

1,561
510
67

–
–
–
– 1,684

2,123

–

–
–
–
–

–

– 1,561
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
510
67
1,684

467 01/12/2007 01/06/2009
348 01/12/2009 01/06/2010
452 01/12/2010 01/06/2011
285 01/12/2011 01/06/2012

–

452 01/12/2010 01/06/2011

Table 6 – Directors’ emoluments
Directors’ emoluments for the year to 31 December 2008 (29 December 2007) were:

Salary/fees

Benefits

Date of appointment/
(resignation)

2008
£’000

2007
£’000

2008
£’000

2007
£’000

2008
£’000

Transitional
incentive plan

Compensation
for loss 
of office

2008
£’000

2007
£’000

2008
£’000

2007
£’000

2008
£’000

Total

2007
£’000

Bonus

2007
£’000

Chairman
W Thomson

Executive Directors
P Dollman
C Smyth 
E Watson 
P Macdonald 

08/08/2002
20/03/2007
20/03/2007
(20/03/2007)

Non-Executive Directors
D Jenkinson
I Harrison
D Coltman
O Morley
I Napier 
I Robertson

16/09/2008

Notes

162

151

–

–

–

–

–

311
290
308
–

294
211
237
108

34
34
52
34
10
38

33
33
51
33
–
37

14
51
51
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

13
39
42
4

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
96
–

127
110
97
33

–
–
171
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

1,273 1,188

116

98

96

367

171

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

162

151

–
–
–
447

325
341
626
–

434
360
376
592

–
–
–
–
–
–

34
34
52
34
10
38

33
33
51
33
–
37

447 1,656 2,100

(a) For Executive Directors, this is the date of their service contract, and for Non-Executive Directors, the date of appointment 

or latest date of re-election to the Board.

(b) Provision of pension benefits under the Group’s approved pension arrangements is restricted as a consequence of the Finance

Act 1989 (the earnings cap).

54 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Pensions
Scheme benefits
Paul Dollman and Craig Smyth are members of the Menzies Pension Fund, a defined benefit scheme which
provides pension on retirement at age 60 of up to two-thirds of pensionable earnings, or the ‘earnings cap’
if lower, together with additional benefits as detailed below. Pensionable earnings are based on salary
excluding bonuses. Ellis Watson is a member of the defined contribution pension scheme.

Unfunded arrangement
The pensionable salary of Paul Dollman is restricted as a consequence of the ‘earnings cap’. He has an
unfunded pension undertaking from the Company to provide in total the same level of pension as if the
‘earnings cap’ did not apply. This entitlement is effective from his date of appointment as a Director. 

In the case of Craig Smyth and Ellis Watson they both receive a cash payment equal to 20% of their
respective salaries above the earnings cap which is included in other benefits. Pension details are 
as follows:

Transfer
value
of total
accrued
pension
at start
of the
period
£’000

255.0
409.0
260.1
67.5

Increase
in accrued
pension
during
year
(net of
inflation)
£’000 pa

6.5
4.4
3.3
n/a

Total 
accrued 
penions 
at start 
of the 
period
£’000

18.6
30.2
31.3
n/a

Name

P Dollman1
P Dollman2
C Smyth
E Watson3

Notes

Age

52
52
41
41

Transfer
value of
increase at 
31 Dec
2008
(net of
inflation
and

Transfer
value

Total
accrued

of total Director’s
contri-
accrued
butions
Including pension at Director’s pension at
during the
31 Dec
statutory
period
2008
revaluation
£’000
£’000
£’000

contri-
butions)
£’000

31 Dec
2008
£’000

Increase in
value of
pension
during the
period
(net of
director’s
contri-
butions)
£’000

0.6
0.9
0.9
n/a

25.6
35.6
35.6
n/a

76.0
67.4
23.7
(4.1)4

390.0
540.5
357.2
71.5

22.6
–
9.8
6.1

112.4
130.6
87.3
(2.1)

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1 The funded portion of P Dollman’s benefits.

2 The unfunded portion of P Dollman’s benefits.

3 These are fund values as E Watson is a member of the Defined Contribution Scheme.

4 This is an increase in fund value (less inflation and member contributions) as E Watson is a member of a Defined 

Contribution Scheme.

(a) Accrued pension entitlements are the amounts which would be paid at normal retirement date if the Director left service 
as at 30 December 2008, with no allowances for increases in the period between leaving service and normal retirement 
date. The entitlements disclosed above include unfunded benefits.

(b) Transfer values represent the value of the assets which the pension scheme (together with the Company where appropriate)

would need to transfer to another pension provider on transferring its liability in respect of the Directors’ pension entitlements.
They do not represent sums payable to individual Directors.

(c) Transfer values have been calculated in accordance with ‘Retirement Benefit Schemes (GN 11)’ published by the Institute 
of Actuaries and the Faculty of Actuaries. This methodology determines the values attributable to the deferred pensions for
younger members by reference mainly to the UK All-Share Index and for members nearing normal retirement date mainly 
to the Gilts Over 15 Years Index and the Index-linked Over 5 Years (5% inflation) Index.

(d) The total of the transfer values for unfunded pension entitlements as above, held on the Company’s balance sheet at 

31 December 2008 for current and former Directors, calculated on an IAS 19 basis, totalled £817,645 (2007: £810,105), 
from which annual pensions of £17,645 (2007: £16,982 p.a.) are paid to former Directors.

By order of the Board

J F A Geddes
Company Secretary
9 March 2009

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 55

Independent auditors’ report to the members 
of John Menzies plc

We have audited the Group and Parent Company
financial statements (the financial statements) of
John Menzies plc for the year ended 31 December
2008 which comprise the Group Income Statement,
the Group and Parent Company Balance Sheets,
the Group and Parent Company Cash Flow
Statements, the Group and Parent Company
Statement of Recognised Income and Expense and
the related notes. These financial statements have
been prepared under the accounting policies set
out therein. We have also audited the information 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report that is
described as having been audited.

Respective responsibilities of Directors 
and auditors
The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the
Annual Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report
and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European
Union are set out in the Statement of Directors’
Responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial
statements and the part of the Directors’
Remuneration Report to be audited in accordance
with relevant legal and regulatory requirements 
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland). This report, including the opinion, has been
prepared for and only for the Company’s members
as a body in accordance with Section 235 of the
Companies Act 1985 and for no other purpose. 
We do not, in giving this opinion, accept or assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other
person to whom this report is shown or into whose
hands it may come save where expressly agreed 
by our prior consent in writing.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the
financial statements give a true and fair view and
whether the financial statements and the part of
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited
have been properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 1985 and, as regards the Group
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.
We also report to you whether in our opinion the
information given in the Directors’ Report (comprising

those elements identified in the contents list as 
the ‘Directors’ report and business review’) is
consistent with the financial statements.

In addition, we report to you if, in our opinion, the
Company has not kept proper accounting records, 
if we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit, or if information
specified by law regarding Directors’ remuneration
and other transactions is not disclosed.

We review whether the Corporate Governance
Statement reflects the Company’s compliance with
the nine provisions of the Combined Code (2006)
specified for our review by the Listing Rules of 
the Financial Services Authority, and we report if it
does not. We are not required to consider whether
the Board’s statements on internal control cover 
all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the
effectiveness of the Group’s corporate governance
procedures or its risk and control procedures.

We read other information contained in the 
Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent
with the audited financial statements. The other
information comprises only the Directors’ Report,
excluding the audited part of the Directors’
Remuneration Report, and the General Information.
We consider the implications for our report if we
become aware of any apparent misstatements
or material inconsistencies with the financial
statements. Our responsibilities do not extend 
to any other information.

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland)
issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit
includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence
relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements and the part of the Directors’
Remuneration Report to be audited. It also includes
an assessment of the significant estimates and
judgments made by the Directors in the preparation
of the financial statements, and of whether the
accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s
and Company’s circumstances, consistently applied
and adequately disclosed.

56 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

We planned and performed our audit so as to
obtain all the information and explanations which
we considered necessary in order to provide 
us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable
assurance that the financial statements and the
part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to 
be audited are free from material misstatement,
whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or
error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the
overall adequacy of the presentation of information
in the financial statements and the part of the
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited.

Opinion
In our opinion:

(cid:129) the Group financial statements give a true and fair
view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union, of the state of the Group’s affairs
as at 31 December 2008 and of its loss and cash
flows for the year then ended;

(cid:129) the Parent Company financial statements give 
a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the European Union as applied in
accordance with the provisions of the Companies
Act 1985, of the state of the Parent Company’s
affairs as at 31 December 2008 and of its cash
flows for the year then ended;

(cid:129) the financial statements and the part of the

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 
have been properly prepared in accordance with
the Companies Act 1985 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS
Regulation; and

(cid:129) the information given in the Directors’ Report 
is consistent with the financial statements.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
Edinburgh
9 March 2009

Notes:
1. The maintenance and integrity of the John

Menzies plc website is the responsibility of the
Directors; the work carried out by the auditors
does not involve consideration of these matters
and, accordingly, the auditors accept no
responsibility for any changes that may have
occurred to the financial statements since they
were initially presented on the website.

2.Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial
statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 57

 
Group income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2008 (year ended 29 December 2007)

Before

exceptional Exceptional
and other
items
£m

and other
items
£m

Notes

Before
exceptional
and other
items
£m

2008
Total
£m

Exceptional
and other
items
£m

Revenue
Net operating costs

Operating profit
Share of post-tax results of 
joint ventures and associates

Operating profit after joint 
ventures and associates

Analysed as
Underlying operating profit*
Non-recurring items
Intangible amortisation
Share of interest and tax on 
joint ventures and associates

Operating profit after joint 
ventures and associates

Finance income
Finance charges

Profit before taxation
Taxation

(Loss)/profit for the year

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to minority interests

Earnings per ordinary share
Basic
Diluted

1,667.1
(1,636.1)

31.0

–
(11.6)

(11.6)

1,667.1
(1,647.7)

1,541.1
(1,505.2)

19.4

35.9

5.1

(1.5)

3.6

4.8

–
(2.7)

(2.7)

(1.4)

2

3

2

2

36.1

(13.1)

23.0

40.7

(4.1)

36.6

2007
Total
£m

1,541.1
(1,507.9)

33.2

3.4

36.5
–
–

–
(7.3)
(4.3)

36.5
(7.3)
(4.3)

41.0
–
–

5(a)

5(b)

(0.4)

(1.5)

(1.9)

(0.3)

36.1

(13.1)

23.0

40.7

18.1
(23.5)

30.7
(12.1)

18.6

18.6
–

18.6

–
(7.7)

(20.8)
1.0

(19.8)

(19.8)
–

(19.8)

18.1
(31.2)

9.9
(11.1)

(1.2)

(1.2)
–

(1.2)

17.3
(20.0)

38.0
(9.7)

28.3

28.2
0.1

28.3

7

7

8

10

–
0.1
(2.8)

(1.4)

(4.1)

–
(2.1)

(6.2)
4.0

(2.2)

(2.2)
–

(2.2)

41.0
0.1
(2.8)

(1.7)

36.6

17.3
(22.1)

31.8
(5.7)

26.1

26.0
0.1

26.1

31.3p
31.3p

(33.3)p
(33.3)p

(2.0)p
(2.0)p

47.9p
47.7p

(3.7)p
(3.7)p

44.2p
44.0p

*Underlying operating profit is consistently presented adjusting for non-recurring exceptional items, intangible amortisation
associated with goodwill impairment on associate assets and contract amortisation, and the Group’s share of interest
and tax on joint ventures and associates to provide an appreciation of the impact of those items on operating profit.

58 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Group statement of recognised income and expense 
for the year ended 31 December 2008 (year ended 29 December 2007)

(Loss)/profit for the year

Actuarial loss on defined 
benefit pensions
Deferred tax associated with 
defined benefit pensions
Net exchange adjustments

Net (losses)/gains recognised 
directly in equity

Total recognised (loss)/income 
for the year

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to minority interests

Notes

2008
£m

(1.2)

2007
£m

26.1

4

(48.7)

(3.2)

24

13.6
4.7

(30.4)

(31.6)

(31.6)
–

(31.6)

1.0
2.4

0.2

26.3

26.2
0.1

26.3

The Parent Company Statement of Recognised Income and Expense includes a profit for the year of £18.5m
(2007: loss of £5.6m) and a net actuarial loss on defined benefit pensions of £35.1m (2007: loss of £2.2m).
There are no minority interests in the Parent Company.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 59

 
Group and Company balance sheets
as at 31 December 2008 (29 December 2007)

Notes

2008
£m

Company

2007
£m

2008
£m

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Deferred tax assets
Retirement benefit obligations

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Available for sale investment
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Other payables
Derivative financial liabilities
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Shareholders’ equity
Ordinary shares
Share premium account
Investment in own shares
Retained earnings
Capital redemption reserve

Total equity

11

12

13

19

4

14

13

16

16

16

16

15

16

15

16

19

19

4

20

21

21

21

21

Group

2007
£m

78.6
146.9
34.8
4.1
9.5

273.9

12.4
142.2
–
0.6
22.9

178.1

–
36.8
293.4
10.0
–

340.2

–
169.6
–
0.4
2.6

172.6

102.1
169.4
47.1
15.0
–

333.6

9.3
157.4
2.7
0.4
19.6

189.4

(58.6)
(17.1)
(195.8)
(9.9)

(7.8)
(2.9)
(188.9)
(8.7)

(57.7)
(17.1)
(213.8)
–

(281.4)

(208.3)

(288.6)

(92.0)

241.6

(30.2)

(116.0)

243.7

224.2

(126.0)
(0.2)
(0.9)
(8.6)
(7.7)
(35.6)

(179.0)

62.6

15.1
15.8
(3.3)
13.4
21.6

62.6

(124.0)
(0.5)
(0.1)
(5.1)
(5.6)
–

(135.3)

108.4

15.0
15.1
(3.4)
60.1
21.6

108.4

(125.8)
–
(0.9)
–
(5.2)
(35.6)

(167.5)

56.7

15.1
15.8
–
4.2
21.6

56.7

–
38.2
236.7
–
9.5

284.4

–
101.7
–
0.6
1.9

104.2

(6.8)
(2.9)
(163.1)
–

(172.8)

(68.6)

215.8

(124.0)
–
(0.1)
–
(3.8)
–

(127.9)

87.9

15.0
15.1
–
36.2
21.6

87.9

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 March 2009 and signed on its behalf by:

William Thomson, Chairman

Paul Dollman, Group Finance Director

60 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Group and Company cash flow statements
for the year ended 31 December 2008 (year ended 29 December 2007)

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Interest paid
Tax (paid)/recovered

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in joint ventures and associates
Loan repaid by joint venture
Loan repaid by associate
Proceeds from disposal of investments
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Net cash acquired with subsidiaries
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Intangible asset additions
Acquisition of minority interest
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Dividends received

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Repayment of borrowings
Proceeds from borrowings
Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders
Dividends paid to minority interests
Amounts repaid by/(provided to) subsidiaries

Net cash from financing activities

Notes

23

25

24

24

(Decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents

24

Effects of exchange rate movements
Opening net cash and cash equivalents

Closing net cash and cash equivalents*

24

2008
£m

39.2
2.2
(17.5)
(4.6)

19.3

(8.7)
0.5
0.1
12.2
(13.0)
1.2
(40.4)
(2.4)
–
9.1
3.3

(38.1)

0.8
(16.5)
45.9
(15.5)
–
–

14.7

(4.1)

0.3
21.0

17.2

Group

2007
£m

48.5
2.4
(10.0)
(2.9)

38.0

(13.8)
0.1
–
0.2
(16.8)
1.9
(32.0)
(3.0)
(0.4)
0.7
4.0

(59.1)

2.7
–
40.0
(12.8)
(0.1)
–

29.8

8.7

(0.2)
12.5

21.0

2008
£m

(9.9)
0.1
(9.6)
0.7

(18.7)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

0.8
(16.7)
45.9
(15.5)
–
3.9

18.4

(0.3)

0.3
0.8

0.8

Company

2007
£m

(10.5)
0.9
(7.3)
(0.2)

(17.1)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.2)
–
–
–
–

(0.2)

2.7
–
40.0
(12.8)
–
(9.5)

20.4

3.1

(0.2)
(2.1)

0.8

*Net cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand and bank overdrafts.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 61

 
Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting policies

A summary of the more significant accounting
policies, which have been consistently applied, 
is set out below.

The following new standards, amendments to
standards and interpretations have been issued 
but are not effective for 2008 and have not been
adopted early:

IFRS 8 ‘Operating segments’ is effective for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009.

IFRIC 14, IAS 19 ‘The limit on a defined benefit
asset, minimum funding requirements and their
interaction’ is effective for annual periods beginning
on or after 1 January 2008. This standard will have
no impact on reported results.

Amendment to IAS 23 – ‘Borrowing costs’ is
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2009. The impact of this amendment 
will be the removal of the option of immediately
recognising as an expense borrowing costs that
relate to assets that take a substantial period of
time to get ready for use or sale.

IFRIC 11, IFRS 2 ‘Group and Treasury Share
Transactions’ and Amendment to IFRS 2 
(Share-based Payment).

IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations (Revised)’ is
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
1 July 2009.

The Directors believe that the adoption of these
standards and interpretations in future periods 
will have no material impact on the accounts of 
the Group.

New standards, amendments to standards and
interpretations which are mandatory for the year
ended 31 December 2008, and which have been
adopted in these accounts are as follows:

IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’

In accordance with Section 230 of the Companies
Act 1985, no income statement is presented for 
the Company.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated accounts, which have been
prepared under the historical cost convention 
and in accordance with EU endorsed International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), IFRIC
interpretations and the Companies Act 1985
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS,

62 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

incorporate the accounts of the Company and its
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates from 
the effective date of acquisition or to the date of
deemed disposal.

Joint ventures and associates
A joint venture is an entity in which the Group holds
an interest on a long-term basis and which is jointly
controlled by the Group and one or more other
venturers under a contractual agreement.

An associate is an undertaking, not being a
subsidiary or joint venture, over which the Group
has significant influence and can participate in the
financial and operating policy decisions of the entity.

The Group’s share of the results of joint ventures
and associates is included in the Group Income
Statement using the equity method of accounting.
Investments in joint ventures and associates are
carried in the Group Balance Sheet at cost plus
post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of 
the net assets of the entity, less any impairment 
in value. The carrying values of investments in joint
ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.

Revenue
Distribution – revenue is recognised on the 
weekly invoiced value of goods sold, excluding
value-added tax.

Aviation – cargo revenue is recognised at the point
of departure for exports and at the point that the
goods are ready for dispatch for imports. Other
ramp, passenger and aviation-related services
income is recognised at the time the service is
provided in accordance with the terms of the
contract. Revenue excludes value-added and sales
taxes, charges collected on behalf of customers
and intercompany transactions.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost,
including acquisition expenses, less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-
line basis at the following rates:

Freehold and long leasehold properties – 
over 50 years;
Short leasehold properties – over the remaining
lease term; and
Plant and equipment – over the estimated life 
of the asset.

Inventories
Inventories, being goods for resale and
consumables, are stated at the lower of purchase
cost and net realisable value.

Pensions
The operating and financing costs of pensions are
charged to the income statement in the period in
which they arise and are recognised separately. 
The costs of past service benefit enhancements,
settlements and curtailments are also recognised 
in the period in which they arise. The difference
between actual and expected returns on assets
during the year, including changes in actuarial
assumptions, are recognised in the statement 
of recognised income and expense.

Pension costs are assessed in accordance with 
the advice of qualified actuaries.

With regard to defined contribution schemes, the income
statement charge represents contributions made.

Taxation
Current tax is the amount of tax payable or
recoverable in respect of the taxable profit or 
loss for the period.

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability
method, on temporary differences between the
carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance
sheet and its tax base. Deferred tax arising from 
the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a
transaction, other than a business combination, that at
the time of the transaction affects neither accounting
nor taxable profit or loss, is not recognised. Deferred
tax liabilities represent tax payable in future periods
in respect of taxable temporary differences. Deferred
tax assets represent tax recoverable in future periods
in respect of deductible temporary differences, the
carry forward of unused tax losses and the carry
forward of unused tax credits.

Deferred tax is determined using the tax rates and
tax laws that have been enacted or substantively
enacted at the balance sheet date and are expected
to apply when the deferred tax asset is realised 
or the deferred tax liability is settled. Deferred tax 
is provided on temporary differences arising on
investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and
associates, except where the timing of the reversal
of the temporary difference can be controlled and 
it is probable that the temporary difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future. A deferred tax
asset is recognised only to the extent that it is
probable that future taxable profits will be available
against which the asset can be utilised.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in the
income statement except if it relates to an item
recognised directly in equity, in which case it is
recognised directly in equity.

Intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the
excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair
value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the
acquired subsidiary, associate or joint venture at the
date of acquisition. Goodwill acquired is recognised
as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least
annually by assessing the recoverable amount of
each cash-generating unit to which the goodwill
relates. When the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit is less than the carrying amount, 
an impairment loss is recognised.

Any impairment is recognised in the income
statement.

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of joint ventures
and associates is included within the carrying value
of the investment.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before 26 December
2004 (the date of transition to IFRS) has been
retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts subject
to being tested for impairment at that date.

Contracts
The fair value attributed to contracts at the point 
of acquisition is determined by discounting the
expected future cash flows to be generated from
that asset at the risk-adjusted weighted average
cost of capital for the Group. This amount is included
in intangible assets as ‘contracts’ and amortised
over the estimated useful life on a straight-line
basis. Separate values are not attributed to
internally-generated customer relationships.

Contract amortisation is business-stream
dependent. At Distribution, contracts capitalised 
are not amortised due to the very long-term nature
of the business in the UK. These contracts are,
however, tested annually for impairment using
similar criteria to the goodwill test. At Aviation,
contracts are amortised on a straight-line basis over
10 years as this period is the minimum time-frame
management considers when assessing
businesses for acquisition.

Development costs
Development expenditure incurred on individual
projects is carried forward only if all the criteria set
out in IAS 38 ‘Intangible assets’ are met. Following
the initial recognition of development expenditure,
the cost is amortised over the project’s estimated
useful life, usually three to five years.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 63

 
Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting policies continued

Computer software
Costs associated with developing or maintaining
computer software programs are recognised as 
an expense as incurred. Costs that are directly
attributable with the production of identifiable and
unique software products controlled by the Group,
and that will probably generate economic benefits
exceeding costs beyond one year, are recognised
as intangible assets. Direct costs include the costs
of software development employees. Costs are
amortised over their estimated useful lives, usually
three to five years.

Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever
the terms of the lease transfer substantially all 
the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee.
All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets acquired under finance leases are
capitalised in the balance sheet at their fair value or,
if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease
payments, each determined at the inception of the
lease. The corresponding liability to the lessor is
recorded in the balance sheet as a finance lease
obligation. The lease payments are apportioned
between finance charges (charged to the income
statement) and a reduction of the lease obligations.

Rental payments under operating leases are
charged to the income statement on a straight-line
basis over applicable lease periods.

Held for sale investments
Investments are classified as held for sale if their
carrying amount will be recovered principally through
a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.
Held for sale investments are stated at the lower 
of carrying value and fair value less costs to sell.

Trade receivables
If there is objective evidence that the Group will 
not be able to collect all of the amounts due under
the original terms of an invoice, a provision on the
respective trade receivable is recognised. In such
an instance, the carrying value of the receivable is
reduced, with the amount of the loss recognised 
in the income statement.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet
comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term
deposits with an original maturity of three months or
less. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings
in current liabilities in the balance sheet.

Foreign currencies
Foreign currency assets and liabilities of the Group
are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the
balance sheet date. The trading results of overseas
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are
translated at the average exchange rate ruling
during the year, with the exchange difference
between average rates and the rates ruling at 
the balance sheet date being taken to reserves.

Any differences arising on the translation of the
opening net investment, including goodwill, in
overseas subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates,
and of applicable foreign currency loans, are dealt
with as adjustments to reserves. All other exchange
differences are dealt with in the income statement.

Derivative financial instruments and 
hedging activities
The Group uses forward contracts and cross-
currency swaps as derivatives to hedge the risk
arising from the retranslation of foreign currency
denominated items.

The Group has derivatives which are designated 
as hedges of overseas net investments in foreign
entities (net investment hedges) and derivatives
which are designated as hedges of the exchange
risk arising from the retranslation of highly 
probable forecast revenue denominated in 
non-local currency of some of our overseas
operations (cash flow hedges).

In all cases, the derivative contracts entered into 
by the Group have been highly effective during 
the reporting period, and are expected to continue
to be highly effective until they expire. As a result,
all derivatives have been recorded using hedge
accounting, which is explained below.

All derivatives are measured at fair value, which 
is calculated as the present value of all future cash
flows from the derivative discounted at prevailing
market rates.

Changes in the fair value of the effective portion 
of net investment hedges are recorded in equity,
and are only recycled to the income statement 
on disposal of the overseas net investment.

Changes in the fair value of the effective portion 
of cash flow hedges are recorded in equity until
such time as the forecast transaction occurs, 
at which time they are recycled to the income
statement. If, however, the occurrence of the
transaction results in a non-financial asset or
liability, then amounts recycled from equity 

64 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

would be included in the cost of the non-financial
asset or liability. If the forecast transaction remains
probable but ceases to be highly probable then, from
that point, changes in fair value would be recorded 
in the income statement within finance costs.
Similarly, if the forecast transaction ceases to be
probable then the entire fair value recorded in equity
and future changes in fair value would be posted to
the income statement within finance costs.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The Group makes estimates and assumptions
concerning the future. These estimates will, 
by definition, seldom equal the related actual
results, particularly so given the prevailing difficult
economic conditions and the level of uncertainty
regarding their duration and severity.

The Board has considered the critical accounting
estimates and assumptions used in the accounts
and concluded that the main areas of significant 
risk which may cause a material adjustment to the
carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the
next financial year is in respect of the carrying value
of intangible assets and the assumptions used to
calculate pension benefits.

Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group periodically evaluates the net realisable
value of long-lived assets, including goodwill, other
intangible assets and tangible fixed assets, having
regard to a number of factors, including business
plans, projected results and discounted future 
cash flows.

Assets that have an indefinite useful life, such as
goodwill, are not subject to amortisation and are
tested annually for impairment or whenever events
or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable.

Assets that are subject to amortisation are tested
for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstance indicate that the carrying amount 
may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount 
by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and
value in use. The fair value is, in most cases, based
on the discounted present value of the future cash
flows expected to arise from the cash generating
unit to which the goodwill relates, or from the
individual asset or asset group.

Estimates are used in deriving these cash flows and
the discount rate. The complexity of the estimation
process and issues related to the assumptions, risks
and uncertainties inherent with the application of
the intangible and tangible fixed asset accounting
policies affect the amounts reported in the 
financial statements.

In particular, if different estimates of the projected
future cash flows or a different selection of an
appropriate discount rate or long-term growth rate
were made, these changes could materially alter
the projected value of the cash flows of the asset
and, as a consequence, materially different amounts
would be reported in the financial statements.
These estimates are interlinked and specific to 
the circumstances of each asset, so that it is not
appropriate to indicate how reported amounts
might change if different estimates were made.

Pensions
The assumptions include corporate bond yields,
investment return, price and salary inflation and
mortality assumptions. Full details of assumptions
used to calculate the pension assets and liabilities
are found in Note 4.

Exceptional items
Exceptional items are those material items which,
by virtue of their size or incidence, are presented
separately in the income statement to enable a full
understanding of the Group’s financial performance.
These exclude certain elements of intangible asset
impairment and amortisation, which are also
presented separately in the income statement.

Transactions which may give rise to exceptional
items include restructurings of business activities
(in terms of rationalisation costs and onerous lease
provisions) and gains or losses on the disposal 
of businesses.

Dividend distributions
Final ordinary dividends are recognised as liabilities
in the accounts in the period in which the dividends
are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Financial risk factors
The Group is exposed to financial risks: liquidity
risk, interest rate fluctuations, foreign exchange
exposures and credit risk. These are more fully
discussed in Note 16.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 65

 
Notes to the accounts

2. Segmental analysis

Primary business segments

2008

Revenue

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures
Share of post-tax results of associates

Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures and associates

Analysed as:
Pre-exceptional operating profit/(loss)*
Gain on disposal of interest in joint venture
Impairment provisions (Notes 11 and 13)
Onerous lease provision (Note 5)
Rationalisation costs (Note 5)
Contract amortisation (Note 11)
Share of interest on joint ventures and associates
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates

Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures and associates

2007

Revenue

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures
Share of post-tax results of associates

Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures and associates

Analysed as:
Pre-exceptional operating profit/(loss)*
Net gain on exchange of businesses
Dilapidations settlement on onerous lease
Contract amortisation (Note 11)
Goodwill impairment (Note 13)
Share of interest on joint ventures and associates
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates

Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures and associates

Distribution
£m

1,166.2

Aviation
£m

500.9

Corporate
£m

Group
£m

–

1,667.1

22.7
0.1
–

22.8

23.9
–
(0.8)
–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.2)

22.8

Distribution
£m

1,147.3

25.2
0.4
–

25.6

23.4
2.5
–
–
–
(0.1)
(0.2)

25.6

(0.6)
2.5
1.0

2.9

14.1
8.2
(4.8)
(3.8)
(6.7)
(2.5)
(0.3)
(1.3)

2.9

Aviation
£m

393.8

13.4
1.2
1.8

16.4

20.6
–
–
(1.0)
(1.8)
(0.2)
(1.2)

16.4

(2.7)
–
–

(2.7)

(1.5)
–
–
(1.2)
–
–
–
–

(2.7)

Corporate
£m

19.4
2.6
1.0

23.0

36.5
8.2
(5.6)
(5.0)
(6.7)
(2.5)
(0.4)
(1.5)

23.0

Group
£m

–

1,541.1

(5.4)
–
–

(5.4)

(3.0)
–
(2.4)
–
–
–
–

(5.4)

33.2
1.6
1.8

36.6

41.0
2.5
(2.4)
(1.0)
(1.8)
(0.3)
(1.4)

36.6

*Pre-exceptional operating profit/(loss) is defined as operating profit/(loss) excluding intangible amortisation as shown 

in Note 5(b) and exceptional items but including the pre-tax share of results from joint ventures and associates.

66 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

2008

Segment assets
Unallocated assets

Total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities

Segment net assets/(liabilities)
Unallocated net liabilities

Net assets

2007

Segment assets
Unallocated assets

Total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities

Segment net assets/(liabilities)
Unallocated net liabilities

Net assets

Distribution
£m

167.6

Aviation
£m

317.5

Corporate
£m

3.3

(108.3)

(80.7)

(33.6)

59.3

236.8

(30.3)

Distribution
£m

164.8

Aviation
£m

246.4

Corporate
£m

4.3

(109.9)

(66.3)

(21.3)

54.9

180.1

(17.0)

Group
£m

488.4
34.6

523.0

(222.6)
(237.8)

(460.4)

265.8
(203.2)

62.6

Group
£m

415.5
36.5

452.0

(197.5)
(146.1)

(343.6)

218.0
(109.6)

108.4

Unallocated assets comprise retirement benefit obligations, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents.

Unallocated liabilities comprise retirement benefit obligations, borrowings, current income tax liabilities and
deferred tax liabilities.

2008

Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Goodwill impairment (Notes 11 & 13)
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2007

Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Goodwill impairment (Note 13)
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Secondary geographic segments

Distribution
£m

Aviation
£m

Corporate
£m

8.7
5.6
0.5
–
–

31.6
17.1
2.5
4.8
(0.3)

–
0.9
–
–
0.4

Distribution
£m

Aviation
£m

Corporate
£m

8.6
5.5
0.5
–
–

23.3
14.6
1.1
1.8
(0.2)

0.2
0.9
–
–
–

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Group
£m

40.3
23.6
3.0
4.8
0.1

Group
£m

32.1
21.0
1.6
1.8
(0.2)

United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Americas
Rest of the World

Revenue

Capital expenditure

Segment assets

2008
£m

1,316.2
128.2
116.9
105.8

2007
£m

1,282.4
95.4
103.0
60.3

1,667.1

1,541.1

2008
£m

14.4
6.0
7.4
12.5

40.3

2007
£m

12.8
6.8
6.8
5.7

32.1

2008
£m

282.4
55.2
65.9
84.9

488.4

2007
£m

270.4
45.8
51.4
47.9

415.5

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 67

 
Notes to the accounts

3. Net operating costs

Goods for resale and consumables
Other operating charges
Employment costs (Note 4)
Intangible assets amortisation (Note 11)
Depreciation (Note 12)
Exceptional items (Note 5)

Other operating charges include:

Operating leases and hire charges – plant and machinery
Rent of properties
Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2008
£m

1,187.2
81.9
344.7
3.0
23.6
7.3

2007
£m

1,129.9
67.1
288.4
1.6
21.0
(0.1)

1,647.7

1,507.9

13.5
31.4
0.1

10.2
26.2
(0.2)

During the year, the Group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the
Group’s auditors at costs as detailed below:

Audit services

Audit of Parent Company and consolidated accounts
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Non-audit services
Other services

4. Employees

Wages and salaries
Share-based payments
Social security costs

Pension charge

The average number of full-time equivalent persons employed during the year was:

Distribution
Aviation
Corporate

0.2
0.6

0.1

0.2
0.4

0.2

2008
£m

306.0
0.4
28.9

335.3
9.4

344.7

2008
number

3,476
13,676
21

2007
£m

255.3
0.4
24.7

280.4
8.0

288.4

2007
number

3,763
11,661
24

17,173

15,448

The numbers above include 10,140 full-time equivalent persons employed outside the UK (2007: 8,615).

Pension schemes
With regard to the principal Group-funded defined benefit scheme in the UK (the Menzies Pension Fund),
to which the employees contribute, the charge to the income statement is assessed in accordance with
independent actuarial advice from Hymans Robertson LLP (the Actuary), using the projected unit method.
Certain Group subsidiaries operate overseas and participate in a number of pension schemes, which are
largely of a defined contribution nature. The income statement charge for defined contribution schemes
represents the contributions made.

68 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

The pension charge to the income statement is analysed as follows:

Menzies Pension Fund
Other schemes

2008
£m

2.3
7.1

9.4

2007
£m

3.6
4.4

8.0

Financial assumptions
The Actuary undertook a valuation of the Menzies Pension Fund as at 31 December 2008 (2007: 
31 December) under IAS 19.

In deriving the results the Actuary used the projected unit method and the following financial assumptions:

Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase in pensions (prior to 1 April 2006)
Rate of increase in pensions (after 1 April 2006)
Price inflation
Discount rate

2008
%

3.60
3.35
2.50
3.10
6.40

2007
%

3.90
3.55
2.50
3.40
5.90

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on advice from the Actuary in accordance
with published statistics and experience in the business.

The average life expectancy in years of a pensioner retiring at 65 on the balance sheet date is:

Male
Female

2008

18.4
21.2

2007

18.3
21.1

The average life expectancy in years of a pensioner retiring at 65, 20 years after the balance sheet date is:

Male
Female

Fair value of assets (and expected return on assets)

Equities
Bonds
Property
Other

Total value of assets
Defined benefit obligation

Recognised in balance sheet
Related deferred tax asset/(liability) (Note 19)

Net pension (liabilities)/assets

F
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s
t
a
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m
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n
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2008

19.2
22.0

2007

19.2
22.0

2007

Long-term
rate of 
return
%

Value at
December
£m

7.5
5.2
6.5
5.2

165.0
46.0
38.9
0.3

250.2
(240.7)

9.5
(2.7)

6.8

Long-term
rate of 
return
%

2008

Value at
December
£m

7.3
6.1
6.3
2.0

110.5
44.3
26.8
0.8

182.4
(218.0)

(35.6)
10.0

(25.6)

Sensitivity analysis
A reduction in the discount rate will increase the assessed value of the defined benefit obligation and a rise
in the discount rate will decrease the assessed value of the defined benefit obligation. The overall effect of
a change in the discount rate for the Fund of 0.1% would be an increase/decrease to the defined benefit
obligation of around 1.7%/£3.7m.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 69

 
Notes to the accounts

4. Employees continued

The effect of changing the assumption regarding life expectancy by one year longer than the disclosed
table would be to increase the assessed value of the defined benefit obligation by around 3%/£6.5m.

Components of pension expense

Amounts charged to operating profit
Current service cost
Past service cost

Total amount charged to the income statement

Amounts included in finance costs
Expected return on pension scheme assets
Interest on pension liabilities

Net financial return

Pension expense

Amounts recognised in the statement of recognised income and expense

Loss on assets
Gain/(loss) on defined benefit obligation

Actuarial loss

Change in scheme assets during the year

Fair value of assets at start of year
Expected return on assets
Company contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits and expenses paid
Loss on assets

Fair value of assets at end of year

The actual return on scheme assets was a loss of £62.3m (2007: a gain of £12.4m).

Change in defined benefit obligation during the year

Defined benefit obligation at start of year
Current service cost
Past service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Benefits and expenses paid
(Gain)/loss on defined benefit obligation

Defined benefit obligation at end of year

History of experience gains and losses

2008
£m

2.3
–

2.3

15.8
(13.5)

2.3

–

(78.1)
29.4

(48.7)

250.2
15.8
3.6
1.4
(10.5)
(78.1)

182.4

240.7
2.3
–
13.5
1.4
(10.5)
(29.4)

218.0

(Loss)/gain on scheme assets
Actuarial gain/(loss) on 
defined benefit obligation

% of
scheme
assets/
obligations

% of 
scheme
assets/
£m obligations

2008

% of 
scheme
assets/
£m obligations

2007

% of 
scheme
assets/
£m obligations

2006

42.8%

(78.1)

1.0%

(2.7)

5.0%

12.0

9.5%

13.5%

29.4

0.2%

(0.5)

5.0%

11.4

12.2%

(29.4)

2007
£m

3.6
–

3.6

15.1
(11.7)

3.4

0.2

(2.7)
(0.5)

(3.2)

237.2
15.1
7.7
1.6
(8.7)
(2.7)

250.2

231.8
3.6
–
11.7
1.6
(8.5)
0.5

240.7

2005
£m

19.8

70 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

5(a) Exceptional items

Gain on disposal of interest in joint venture
Impairment provisions
Onerous lease provisions
Rationalisation costs
Net gain on exchange of businesses
Dilapidations settlement on onerous lease

Notes

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

2008
£m

8.2
(3.8)
(5.0)
(6.7)
–
–

(7.3)

2007
£m

–
–
–
–
2.5
(2.4)

0.1

(i) During the year the Group disposed of the 50% interest in the joint venture in Peru, Talma Menzies

SRL, for a consideration of £10.3m.

(ii) Following a deterioration in the North American cargo handling market, the acquired goodwill in respect
of Aeroground Inc has been tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 and a goodwill charge of
£3.0m (approximately one-third of the original amount capitalised) has been recognised. This goodwill
impairment resulted from poor post-acquisition performance exacerbated by recent global market
conditions. The recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit was measured based on a value in 
use calculation and a discount rate of 8%.

The Group’s investment in associate company Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd has also been
reviewed for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 and restated to reflect current trading performance.
As a result, an impairment charge of £0.8m has been recognised.

(iii) This provision is in respect of future obligations on five leasehold properties, which have become

empty during the year.

(iv) Costs of rationalising excess capacity comprising asset write-downs and staff redundancy costs 

in the Aviation business.

(v) During 2007, the Group completed joint venture agreements with Eason & Son Ltd combining

newspaper and magazine distribution businesses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 
The fair value of the Group’s shareholding in the combined ventures was considered to be £3.1m. 
As the transferred businesses had no carrying value in the Group’s balance sheet there was effectively
no cost of disposal to offset against the interests received. As a result, a non-cash gain of £3.1m was
created, offset by required transaction costs of £0.6m.

(vi) During 2007, the Group was served with a schedule of dilapidations in respect of a sublet property,
where the remaining lease term was 65 years. As part of the negotiated settlement, the Group’s
remaining obligations under this onerous lease were renounced on 8 January 2008.

F
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5(b) Intangible amortisation

Goodwill impairment
Contract amortisation

Notes

(i)

(ii)

2008
£m

(1.8)
(2.5)

(4.3)

2007
£m

(1.8)
(1.0)

(2.8)

(i) As permitted under the transitional requirements of IFRS 1, the acquisition accounting of business

combinations completed prior to the transition date has not been restated. As a result, assets which were
previously capitalised as goodwill have not been reclassified as other intangible assets. Accordingly,
these financial statements include an impairment charge of £1.8m (2007: £1.8m) reflecting the
remaining life of the current licence at Menzies Macau Aviation Services Ltd.

(ii) This charge relates to contracts capitalised as intangible assets on the acquisition of businesses.

The taxation effect of the exceptional items is a net credit of £1.1m (2007: £0.5m).

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 71

 
Notes to the accounts

6. Directors

A detailed analysis of Directors’ remuneration, together with shareholdings and options, is provided 
on pages 46 to 55.

7. Finance costs

Finance income
Bank deposits
Expected return on pension scheme assets (Note 4)

Finance charges
Bank loans and overdrafts
Preference dividends
Interest on pension liabilities (Note 4)
Foreign currency loss

Net finance costs

2008
£m

2.3
15.8

18.1

(9.9)
(0.1)
(13.5)
(7.7)

(31.2)

(13.1)

2007
£m

2.2
15.1

17.3

(8.2)
(0.1)
(11.7)
(2.1)

(22.1)

(4.8)

During the year, the Group executed cross-currency basis swaps which reduced its interest cost by £1.0m
(2007: £0.6m). The foreign currency loss incurred of £7.7m (2007: £2.1m) is exactly matched by tax relief 
of £7.7m (2007: £2.1m). The tax relief comprises £2.2m (2007: £0.6m) at the standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK of 28.5% (2007: 30%) and a non-taxable exchange gain of £5.5m (2007: £1.5m).

8. Taxation

(a) Analysis of charge in year

Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the year
Overseas tax
Adjustments to prior years’ liabilities

Total current tax

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments to prior years’ liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

Total deferred tax

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

(b) Current and deferred tax related to items accounted for directly in equity

Deferred tax on actuarial loss on retirement benefit obligations
Current tax on net exchange adjustments

Tax credit reported in equity

72 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

2008
£m

0.8
4.8
–

5.6

4.5
–

4.5
1.0

5.5

11.1

2008
£m

(13.6)
(0.7)

(14.3)

2007
£m

0.9
3.5
(2.0)

2.4

0.2
1.0

1.2
2.1

3.3

5.7

2007
£m

(1.0)
(0.7)

(1.7)

(c) Reconciliation between tax charge and the product of accounting profit multiplied by the Group’s
domestic tax rate for the years ended 31 December 2008 and 29 December 2007 is as follows:

Profit before tax

Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax 
in the UK (28.5%) (2007: 30%)
Non-deductible expenses (principally goodwill impairment and 
intangible amortisation)
Depreciation on non-qualifying assets
Unrelieved overseas losses
Profits covered by losses forward
Higher tax rates on overseas earnings
Deferred tax on undistributed reserves of associate
Joint venture and associate post-tax result (included in profit before tax)
Non-taxable exchange gain
Tax-exempt gain on disposal of interest in joint venture
Tax-exempt gain on exchange of businesses
Adjustments to prior years’ liabilities
Increase in deferred tax liability due to the abolition of industrial 
buildings allowances
Write-off of overseas deferred tax assets
Reduction in UK tax rate

At the effective corporation tax rate of 112.1% (2007: 17.9%)

Notes

(i)

(ii)

2008
£m

9.9

2.8

2.8
0.4
3.8
(0.6)
0.8
0.1
(1.0)
(5.5)
(1.8)
–
–

5.4
3.9
–

11.1

2007
£m

31.8

9.5

0.3
0.4
1.9
(2.2)
0.6
(0.2)
(1.0)
(1.5)
–
(0.8)
(1.0)

–
–
(0.3)

5.7

(i)  The phased abolition of industrial buildings allowances by the end of March 2011 was enacted in the

Finance Act 2008, which received Royal Assent in July. As a consequence, there is a one-off increase 
in the Group’s deferred tax liability of £5.4m.

(ii)

In prior years the Group recognised deferred tax assets in relation to losses carried forward by, and
other temporary differences available to, subsidiaries operating mainly in the Netherlands and the USA.
Current trading conditions in these territories are such that it is no longer possible to say with a degree
of certainty that, in the short term, future taxable profits will be available against which the carry forward
tax losses, and other temporary differences, can be utilised. As a consequence, the Group has written
off £3.9m of deferred tax assets.

(d) Factors that may affect future tax charges
The Group has estimated tax losses carried forward, which arose in subsidiary companies operating in the
undernoted jurisdictions, that are available for offset against future profits of those subsidiaries. Deferred
tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these losses as they have arisen in subsidiaries where 
it is not probable that future taxable profits will be available against which such assets could be utilised.

F
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s
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a
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USA
Netherlands
Germany
Australia
South Africa
Hungary
Norway
Sweden

Losses
£m

34.2
21.1
25.8
0.7
2.8
1.1
1.8
0.7

Expiry

Carry forward indefinitely
Not earlier than 1 January 2012
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely

The Group has capital losses in the UK of approximately £15.9m that are available for offset against future
taxable gains arising in the UK. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of these losses.

A deferred tax liability of £0.6m (2007: £0.5m) has been recognised on the unremitted earnings of an associate.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 73

 
Notes to the accounts

9. Dividends

Dividends on equity shares:
Ordinary – Final paid in respect of 2007, 18.4p per share
– Final paid in respect of 2006, 14.4p per share
– Interim paid in respect of 2008, 7.56p (2007: 7.2p) per share

2008
£m

11.0
–
4.5

15.5

2007
£m

–
8.7
4.1

12.8

Dividends of £0.1m (2007: £0.1m) were waived by employee share trusts (Note 21) during the year.

10. Earnings per share

Operating profit
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures and associates
add back: exceptional items (Note 5(a))

intangible amortisation (Note 5(b))
share of tax on joint ventures and associates

Net finance costs (Note 7)

Profit before taxation
Taxation
Exceptional tax
Minority interests

Earnings for the year

Basic
Earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)

Underlying*
Earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)

Number of ordinary shares in issue (millions)
Weighted average
Diluted weighted average

2008
£m

19.4
3.6
–
–
–
(13.1)

9.9
(11.1)
–
–

(1.2)

Basic

2007
£m

33.2
3.4
–
–
–
(4.8)

31.8
(5.7)
–
(0.1)

26.0

Underlying*

2007
£m

33.2
3.4
(0.1)
2.8
1.4
(2.7)

38.0
(5.7)
(4.0)
(0.1)

28.2

2008
£m

19.4
3.6
7.3
4.3
1.5
(5.4)

30.7
(11.1)
(1.0)
–

18.6

(2.0)
(2.0)

44.2
44.0

59.445
59.499

58.871
59.137

31.3
31.3

47.9
47.7

The weighted average number of fully paid shares in issue during the year excludes those held by the
employee share trusts (Note 21). The diluted weighted average is calculated by adjusting for all outstanding
share options which are potentially dilutive, i.e. where the exercise price is less than the average market
price of the shares during the year.

*Underlying earnings are presented as an additional performance measure. They are stated before exceptional items,

intangible amortisation and share of tax on joint ventures and associates.

74

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

11. Intangible assets

Cost
At 29 December 2007
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

Amortisation
At 29 December 2007
Amortisation charge
Impairment provision (Note 5(a))
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

Net book value
At 31 December 2008

At 29 December 2007

Cost
At 30 December 2006
Acquisitions
Exchange of businesses (Note 5(a))
Additions
Currency translation

At 29 December 2007

Amortisation
At 30 December 2006
Amortisation charge
Currency translation

At 29 December 2007

Net book value
At 29 December 2007

At 30 December 2006

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

Computer
software
£m

44.1
2.3
–
13.6

60.0

0.1
–
3.0
5.0

8.1

51.9

44.0

34.2
9.6
1.0
7.1

51.9

1.4
2.5
–
0.5

4.4

47.5

32.8

4.8
–
1.4
–

6.2

3.0
0.5
–
–

3.5

2.7

1.8

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

Computer
software
£m

37.5
5.8
–
–
0.8

44.1

0.2
–
(0.1)

0.1

44.0

37.3

20.1
8.2
3.1
2.6
0.2

34.2

0.4
1.0
–

1.4

32.8

19.7

4.4
–
–
0.4
–

4.8

2.4
0.6
–

3.0

1.8

2.0

Total
£m

83.1
11.9
2.4
20.7

118.1

4.5
3.0
3.0
5.5

16.0

102.1

78.6

Total
£m

62.0
14.0
3.1
3.0
1.0

83.1

3.0
1.6
(0.1)

4.5

78.6

59.0

F
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a
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m
e
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t
s

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 75

 
Notes to the accounts

11. Intangible assets continued

Impairment test for goodwill and contracts
Goodwill
Goodwill is no longer amortised but is tested for impairment. The Group tests goodwill annually for
impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.

The recoverable amounts of the cash-generating units (CGUs) are determined from value in use
calculations. These calculations use future cash flow projections based on financial forecasts approved 
by management. The key assumptions for these forecasts are those regarding revenue growth, net margin
and the level of working capital required to support trading, which management estimates based on past
experience and expectations of future changes in the market.

To prepare value in use calculations, the future cash flow forecasts, which include management
improvement actions, are extrapolated over a 10-year period at estimated average long-term growth rates
for each market (ranging from 0% to 5.8%) using the best available market information (such as Boeing’s
2008 Aviation Industry Review), and discounted back to present value. The discount rate assumptions use
an estimate of the Group’s weighted average cost of capital calculated at 5.3% plus an adjustment for the
uncertainty risk attributable to individual CGUs. The post-tax discount rate used is 8%. The Group have
considered a range of sensitivities in line with Group accounting policy.

Impairment tests were performed for all CGUs during the year ended 31 December 2008.

Contracts
Contract amortisation is business-stream dependent. At Distribution, contracts capitalised are not
amortised due to the very long-term nature of the business in the UK. These contracts are, however, tested
annually for impairment using similar criteria to the goodwill test. At Aviation, contracts are amortised on a
straight-line basis over 10 years as this period is the minimum time frame management considers when
assessing businesses for acquisition.

12. Property, plant and equipment

Long

Short

Long

Short

Group

Company

Freehold leasehold leasehold Plant and
property property property equipment
£m

£m

£m

£m

Freehold leasehold leasehold Plant and
Total property property property equipment
£m
£m

£m

£m

£m

Cost
At 29 December 2007
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Transfers
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

Depreciation
At 29 December 2007
Charge for the year
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

Net book value
At 31 December 2008

At 29 December 2007

42.9
–
0.3
–
(0.2)
0.1

43.1

7.1
0.9
–
–

8.0

1.7
–
0.3
–
(1.0)
0.1

38.5
–
1.0
0.7
(0.3)
2.9

171.2 254.3
0.6
40.3
–
(33.9)
22.8

0.6
38.7
(0.7)
(32.4)
19.7

1.1

42.8

197.1 284.1

0.3
0.2
(0.5)
–

–

15.4
1.9
(0.3)
0.6

17.6

84.6
20.6
(23.9)
7.8

107.4
23.6
(24.7)
8.4

89.1

114.7

40.8
–
–
–
–
–

40.8

3.3
0.9
–
–

4.2

35.1

35.8

1.1

1.4

25.2

23.1

108.0 169.4

86.6 146.9

36.6

37.5

0.6
–
–
–
(0.6)
–

–

0.2
–
(0.2)
–

–

–

0.4

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

1.2
–
–
–
–
–

1.2

0.9
–
0.1
–

1.0

0.2

0.3

76 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Total
£m

42.6
–
–
–
(0.6)
–

42.0

4.4
0.9
(0.1)
–

5.2

36.8

38.2

Long

Short

Long

Short

Group

Company

Freehold leasehold leasehold Plant and
property property property equipment
£m

£m

£m

£m

Freehold leasehold leasehold Plant and
Total property property property equipment
£m
£m

£m

£m

£m

Cost
At 30 December 2006
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation

At 29 December 2007

Depreciation
At 30 December 2006
Charge for the year
Disposals
Currency translation

At 29 December 2007

Net book value
At 29 December 2007

At 30 December 2006

13. Investments

42.8
–
0.2
(0.1)
–

42.9

6.2
0.9
–
–

7.1

35.8

36.6

1.5
–
0.1
–
0.1

1.7

0.2
0.1
–
–

0.3

1.4

1.3

36.8
0.1
1.0
(0.6)
1.2

141.8 222.9
2.8
32.1
(8.3)
4.8

2.7
30.8
(7.6)
3.5

38.5

171.2 254.3

13.5
2.0
(0.4)
0.3

15.4

69.7
18.0
(4.6)
1.5

89.6
21.0
(5.0)
1.8

84.6

107.4

40.8
–
–
–
–

40.8

2.4
0.9
–
–

3.3

23.1

23.3

86.6 146.9

72.1 133.3

37.5

38.4

0.6
–
–
–
–

0.6

0.2
–
–
–

0.2

0.4

0.4

Total
£m

43.4
–
0.2
(1.0)
–

0.3
–
–
(0.3)
–

1.7
–
0.2
(0.7)
–

–

1.2

42.6

0.3
–
(0.3)
–

–

–

–

1.5
0.1
(0.7)
–

0.9

4.4
1.0
(1.0)
–

4.4

0.3

0.2

38.2

39.0

Shares
in joint
ventures
£m

Loans
to joint
ventures
£m

Shares in
associates
£m

Loans to
associates
£m

Group

Company

Other
£m

Total
£m

Subsidiaries
£m

Cost excluding goodwill
At 29 December 2007
New investments/transfers
Share of profits after tax
Dividends received
Impairment provision (Note 5(a))
Reclassified as held for sale
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

Goodwill
At 29 December 2007
Impairment provision (Note 5(b))
Currency translation

At 31 December 2008

At 31 December 2008

At 29 December 2007

8.5
12.7
2.6
(0.2)
–
–
(2.0)
3.2

24.8

–
–
–

–

24.8

8.5

7.3
(4.3)
–
–
–
–
(0.5)
(0.1)

2.4

–
–
–

–

2.4

7.3

9.4
0.3
2.9
(3.1)
(0.8)
(2.7)
–
3.2

9.2

9.2
(1.8)
3.0

10.4

19.6

18.6

0.1
–
–
–
–
–
(0.1)
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

0.1

0.3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

0.3

–
–
–

–

0.3

0.3

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

25.6
8.7
5.5
(3.3)
(0.8)
(2.7)
(2.6)
6.3

36.7

9.2
(1.8)
3.0

10.4

47.1

34.8

236.7
54.3
–
–
–
–
–
2.4

293.4

–
–
–

–

293.4

236.7

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 77

 
Notes to the accounts

13. Investments continued

The Group’s share of the results, assets and liabilities of joint ventures and associates are:

Country of % Interest
held

Incorporation

Revenue
£m

Profit
after tax
£m

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

Joint ventures
Talma Menzies SRL
Freshport BV
EM News Distribution (NI) Ltd
EM News Distribution (Ireland) Limited
Menzies Bobba Ground Handling 
Services Private Ltd
Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore)
Private Ltd
Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Ltd

Associates
Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd
Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd
Swissport Menzies Handling Ute

Peru
Netherlands
UK
Ireland

India

India
India

–
50
50
50

51

49
49

Macau
UK
Spain

29
31.67
39

3.0
0.7
54.9
28.1

0.9

1.6
2.0

6.9
2.6
17.0

117.7

0.4
0.1
0.6
(0.5)

0.5

1.0
0.5

2.5
–
0.4

5.5

–
0.5
6.9
4.3

7.6

15.5
4.2

4.8
–
18.8

62.6

–
(0.1)
(5.8)
(4.8)

(0.8)

(1.8)
(0.8)

(1.1)
–
(13.4)

(28.6)

Although Menzies Bobba Ground Handling Services Private Ltd, Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore)
Private Ltd and Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Ltd are 51% and 49% owned, they are treated as
joint ventures in the Group accounts because the parties to each of the ventures work together with equal
powers to control the entities. Each venturer in the respective entity retains the power of veto, and overall
key strategic, operational and financial decisions require the consent of both parties.

Held for sale
The Group’s 40% interest in Menzies Chengdu Aviation Services Limited, a company incorporated 
in China, has been reclassified as held for sale. The investment is valued at cost of £2.7m.

Company
During the year, as part of an internal Group reorganisation, John Menzies plc subscribed a further £54.3m
in the share capital of subsidiaries.

14. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Less: provision for doubtful debts

Trade receivables – net
Other receivables
Prepayments
Amounts owed by Group companies

2008
£m

111.7
(1.8)

109.9
21.7
25.8
–

157.4

Group

2007
£m

101.1
(1.0)

100.1
17.1
25.0
–

142.2

2008
£m

–
–

–
4.2
1.3
164.1

169.6

Company

2007
£m

–
–

–
5.2
0.8
95.7

101.7

The average credit period on sale of goods is 24.1 days. No interest is charged on any receivables balance.

78 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables

0 – 30 days
30 – 60 days
60 – 90 days
Over 90 days

Movement in the provision for doubtful debts

Balance at the beginning of the year
Amounts provided during the year
Amounts utilised during the year

Balance at the end of the year

Ageing of past due and impaired receivables

30 – 60 days
60 – 90 days
Over 90 days

2008
£m

86.8
19.3
2.5
1.3

Group

2007
£m

78.4
19.2
1.9
0.6

109.9

100.1

Group
£m

1.0
1.6
(0.8)

1.8

Group

2007
£m

–
–
1.0

1.0

2008
£m

0.1
0.1
1.6

1.8

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not include impaired assets.

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

15. Trade and other payables

Due within one year
Trade payables
Other payables
Other taxes and social security costs
Amounts owed to Group companies

Due after more than one year
Other payables

2008
£m

119.7
66.2
9.9
–

195.8

Group

2007
£m

115.7
66.3
6.9
–

188.9

2008
£m

–
11.1
–
202.7

213.8

Company

2007
£m

–
14.1
0.2
148.8

163.1

F
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a
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c
i
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l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

0.2

0.5

–

–

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 79

 
Notes to the accounts

16. Financial instruments

Maturity profile
Borrowings due within one year:
Bank loans and overdrafts
Finance lease creditor
Unsecured loan stock

Net derivative liabilities

Total borrowings due within one year

Borrowings due after one year:

Loans repayable between one and two years
Loans repayable between two and five years
Loans repayable after five years
Preference shares
Finance lease creditor

Net derivative liabilities

Total borrowings due after one year

Total borrowings
Less: Cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits

Net debt

2008
£m

58.4
0.1
0.1

58.6
16.7

75.3

1.6
103.3
19.5
1.4
0.2

126.0
0.9

126.9

202.2
19.6

182.6

Group

2007
£m

7.6
0.1
0.1

7.8
2.3

10.1

52.3
48.1
21.7
1.4
0.5

124.0
0.1

124.1

134.2
22.9

111.3

2008
£m

57.7
–
–

57.7
16.7

74.4

1.6
103.3
19.5
1.4
–

125.8
0.9

126.7

201.1
2.6

198.5

Company

2007
£m

6.8
–
–

6.8
2.3

9.1

52.3
48.1
21.7
1.4
0.5

124.0
0.1

124.1

133.2
1.9

131.3

Other than trade receivables and payables, there are no financial assets or liabilities excluded from 
the above analysis.

No financial assets or liabilities were held or issued for trading purposes.

The Company has issued 1,394,587 cumulative preference shares of £1 each. These shares are not
redeemable and pay an interest coupon of 9% semi-annually.

Borrowing facilities
At 31 December 2008, the Group had undrawn committed facilities of £22.6m (2007: £29.7m) with the
following expiry profile:

Less than one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years

The Group had no undrawn uncommitted facilities (2007: £nil).

2008
£m

19.8
–
2.8

22.6

2007
£m

20.0
2.2
7.5

29.7

80 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Fair values
Set out below is an analysis of the fair and book value of the Group’s financial instruments as at 
31 December 2008.

Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance 
the Group’s operations
Short-term borrowings
Medium-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings

Book
value
£m

75.4
105.8
21.0

202.2

2008

Fair
value
£m

75.5
106.8
23.6

205.9

Book
value
£m

11.4
100.4
22.4

134.2

2007

Fair
value
£m

11.4
100.5
23.0

134.9

Cash and deposits

19.6

19.6

22.9

22.9

The fair value of the fixed rate term borrowing is calculated as the present value of all future cash flows
discounted at prevailing market rates.

Derivative financial instruments

Assets
Forward foreign exchange contracts (current)

Liabilities
Forward foreign exchange contracts (current)
Forward foreign exchange contracts (non-current)

2008
£m

0.4

(17.1)
(0.9)

(17.6)

Group

2007
£m

0.6

(2.9)
(0.1)

(2.4)

2008
£m

0.4

(17.1)
(0.9)

(17.6)

Company

2007
£m

0.6

(2.9)
(0.1)

(2.4)

The fair values of the derivative financial instruments were determined by reference to quoted market
prices. The derivative financial instruments are classified as current or non-current based on the remaining
maturity of the related hedged item.

Forward foreign exchange contracts
The notional principal amounts of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are:

Euro
US dollar
Czech koruna
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Swedish krona
Norwegian krone
Hungarian forint
Indian rupee

2008
million

24.5
56.0
319.2
24.5
8.1
49.1
17.5
325.0
1,289.7

EUR
USD
CZK
AUD
NZD
SEK
NOK
HUF
INR

Group

2007
million

29.1
44.4
319.2
17.1
2.9
33.9
–
–
412.0

2008
million

24.5
56.0
319.2
24.5
8.1
49.1
17.5
325.0
1,289.7

Company

Sterling equivalents

2007
million

29.1
44.4
319.2
17.1
2.9
33.9
–
–
412.0

2008
£m

23.7
38.9
11.5
11.9
3.3
4.3
1.7
1.2
18.4

2007
£m

21.5
22.3
7.8
7.0
1.0
2.6
–
–
5.1

F
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The fair value of provisions, preference shares and other financial liabilities are not considered to be
materially different from their book value.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 81

 
Notes to the accounts

16. Financial instruments continued

Interest rate and currency risk profile of financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities
The interest rate and currency profile of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities (excluding trade
receivables and trade payables) at 31 December 2008 is shown below.

Currency

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Hong Kong dollar
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Norwegian krone
Indian rupee
South African rand
Swedish krona
Other

Floating
rate
financial
assets
£m

Fixed
rate
financial
assets
£m

2008

Total
financial
assets
£m

Floating
rate
financial
assets
£m

Fixed
rate
financial
assets
£m

3.9
3.3
3.2
0.5
1.7
0.3
0.5
0.3
2.0
1.9
2.0

19.6

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

3.9
3.3
3.2
0.5
1.7
0.3
0.5
0.3
2.0
1.9
2.0

6.0
3.3
4.1
0.6
4.2
1.0
1.8
0.4
–
0.6
0.9

19.6

22.9

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

The floating rate financial assets of £19.6m (2007: £22.9m) are at interest rates linked to Base rates 
and LIBID.

Currency

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other
Net derivative liabilities

Floating
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

Fixed
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

131.4
4.4
18.6
–
17.6

172.0

30.2
–
–
–
–

30.2

2008

Total
financial
liabilities
£m

161.6
4.4
18.6
–
17.6

202.2

Floating
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

39.4
4.4
18.6
1.9
2.4

66.7

Fixed
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

31.9
–
35.6
–
–

67.5

2007

Total
financial
assets
£m

6.0
3.3
4.1
0.6
4.2
1.0
1.8
0.4
–
0.6
0.9

22.9

2007

Total
financial
liabilities
£m

71.3
4.4
54.2
1.9
2.4

134.2

Floating rate financial liabilities of £172.0m (2007: £66.7m) comprise bank loans, overdrafts, unsecured 
loan stock, cross-currency basis swaps and forward contracts. Interest on these liabilities is determined 
by reference to short-term rates linked to Base rates and LIBOR.

Sterling fixed rate financial liabilities comprise a loan repayable between 2009 and 2020 of £28.7m 
(2007: £30.0m) on which interest is at a fixed rate of 6.23% (2007: 6.23%), preference shares of £1.4m
(2007: £1.4m) and finance lease creditors of £0.1m (2007: £0.5m). The loan has a weighted average
maturity of six years (2007: seven years).

Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going
concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain 
an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

82 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Financial risk factors
(a) Market risk
(i)   Foreign exchange risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency
exposures, primarily with respect to the US dollar and the Euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from net
investments in foreign operations, recognised assets and liabilities and future commercial transactions.

The Group’s treasury policy is to hedge significant forecast transaction exposures for a maximum of 
18 months forward and to hedge the majority of currency denominated assets. The Group primarily 
uses forward contracts denominated in the relevant foreign currencies to hedge these exposures.

At 31 December 2008, if the UK pound had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the US dollar with all
other variables held constant, reserves for the year would have been £5.1m/£4.2m (2007: £6.2m/£5.1m)
higher/lower, mainly as a result of foreign exchange gains/losses on translation of forward contracts.

At 31 December 2008, if the UK pound had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the Euro with all 
other variables held constant, reserves for the year would have been £2.6m/£2.1m (2007: £2.4m/£2.0m)
higher/lower, mainly as a result of foreign exchange gains/losses on translation of forward contracts.

(ii) Interest rate risk
The Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose
the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value
interest rate risk. The Group’s policy is to minimise exposures by ensuring an appropriate balance of long-
term fixed and short-term floating rates.

At 31 December 2008, 22.0% (2007: 50.3%) of the Group’s borrowings were fixed, the reduction
reflecting the downward movement in interest rates during the year.

At 31 December 2008, if interest rates on UK pound-denominated borrowings had been 0.5% higher/lower
with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been £0.6m (2007: £0.3m)
lower/higher, mainly as a result of higher/lower interest expense on floating rate borrowings.

(b) Credit risk
The Group considers its exposure to credit risk at 31 December to be as follows:

Bank deposits
Trade receivables

2008
£m

19.6
109.9

129.5

2007
£m

22.9
100.1

123.0

For banks and financial institutions, the Group’s policy is to transact with independently rated parties 
with a minimum rating of ‘A’. If there is no independent rating, the Group assesses the credit quality 
of the counterparty taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors.

Further details on the Group’s policy relating to trade receivables can be found in Note 14 to the financial
statements.

(c) Liquidity risk
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities by continuously
monitoring forecast and actual cash flows.

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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 83

 
Notes to the accounts

16. Financial instruments continued

The following is an analysis of the Group’s financial liabilities and derivative financial liabilities into relevant
maturity based on the remaining period at the balance sheet to the contractual maturity date. The amounts
disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Floating rate interest is estimated using
the prevailing rate at the balance sheet date.

2008

Borrowings
Finance leases
Trade and other payables

Derivatives and other financial liabilities:

Net settled derivative contracts – receipts

– payments

Total

2007

Borrowings
Finance leases
Trade and other payables

Derivatives and other financial liabilities:

Net settled derivative contracts – receipts

– payments

Total

17. Operating lease commitments

Due within
1 year

(58.5)
(0.1)
(119.7)

0.4
(17.1)

(195.0)

Due within
1 year

(7.7)
–
(115.7)

Due
between
1 and 2
years

(1.6)
–
(0.2)

–
(0.9)

(2.7)

Due
between
2 and 5
years

(103.3)
–
–

Due over
5 years

(20.9)
(0.2)
–

–
–

–
–

(103.3)

(21.1)

Due
between
1 and 2
years

(52.3)
–
(0.5)

Due
between
2 and 5
years

(48.1)
–
–

Due over
5 years

(23.1)
(0.6)
–

0.6
(2.9)

–
(0.1)

–
–

–
–

(125.7)

(52.9)

(48.1)

(23.7)

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2008
£m

21.4
51.0
31.0

Property

2007
£m

16.6
50.5
56.7

103.4

123.8

Within one year
Within two to five years
After five years

18. Capital commitments

Contracted but not provided – property, plant and equipment

Group

Other

2007
£m

6.9
8.5
0.7

16.1

Group

2007
£m

6.5

2008
£m

9.4
18.7
–

28.1

2008
£m

4.7

Company

Property

2007
£m

0.8
2.7
2.0

5.5

Company

2007
£m

–

2008
£m

0.8
2.5
1.4

4.7

2008
£m

–

84 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

19. Provisions

Deferred tax

Assets
Accelerated capital allowances and other temporary differences
Retirement benefit obligations

Liabilities
Accelerated capital allowances and other temporary differences
Retirement benefit obligations

Net deferred tax (assets)/liabilities

Movement in year:
Income statement – retirement benefit obligations

– other
– exchange adjustments

Statement of recognised income and expense
Transfer to subsidiary

Other – property and restructuring-related

At beginning of year
Provided during year
Utilised during year

At end of year

2008
£m

–
10.0

10.0

5.2
–

5.2

(4.8)

1.0
4.0
–
(13.6)
–

(8.6)

Company

2007
£m

–
–

–

1.1
2.7

3.8

3.8

0.7
0.4
–
(1.0)
1.3

1.4

2008
£m

5.0
10.0

15.0

7.7
–

7.7

(7.3)

1.0
4.5
(0.7)
(13.6)
–

(8.8)

2008
£m

5.1
5.4
(1.9)

8.6

Group

2007
£m

4.1
–

4.1

2.9
2.7

5.6

1.5

2.1
1.0
–
(1.0)
–

2.1

2007
£m

7.0
1.5
(3.4)

5.1

The property and restructuring related provision is in respect of obligations for vacated leasehold properties
where applicable sublet income may be insufficient to meet obligations under head leases.

Contingent liabilities
There are contingent liabilities, including those in respect of disposed and acquired businesses, which are
not expected to give rise to any significant loss to the Group.

In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company has guaranteed certain trading obligations 
of its subsidiaries.

F
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John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 85

 
Notes to the accounts

20. Share capital

Authorised
73,056,248 ordinary shares of 25p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Opening – 59,980,222 ordinary shares of 25p each
Allotted under share option schemes*

Closing – 60,207,940 ordinary shares of 25p each

2008
£m

2007
£m

18.3

18.3

15.0
0.1

15.1

14.8
0.2

15.0

As a result of options being exercised, 227,718 (2007: 724,685) ordinary shares having a nominal value 
of £0.1m (2007: £0.2m) were issued during the year at a share premium of £0.7m (2007: £2.5m).

*Included in this total are 7,500 (2007: 269,089) ordinary shares of 25p each allotted to Directors under the Executive

Share Option Scheme and nil (2007: 78) ordinary shares of 25p each allotted to the Directors under the Savings-Related
Share Option Scheme with a total nominal value of £1,875 (2007: £67,292).

Potential issue of ordinary shares
Certain senior executives hold options to subscribe for shares in the Company under the executive share
option scheme approved by the shareholders, details of which are shown below. Options on 213,462
shares were exercised in 2008 and no options lapsed.

Date of grant

Apr-98
Feb-99
Jan-00
Nov-02
May-03
May-04

Exercise price
(pence)

Exercise
period

2008
Number

2007
Number

492
348
391
329
312
418

2001-2008
2002-2009
2003-2010
2005-2012
2006-2013
2007-2014

–
5,000
5,000
196,048
–
101,776

12,500
5,000
5,000
196,048
200,962
101,776

307,824

521,286

Employees, including senior executives, also hold options to subscribe for shares in the Company under
the Savings-Related Share Option Scheme approved by the shareholders, details of which are shown
below. Options on 14,256 shares were exercised in 2008 and 409,892 options lapsed.

Year of grant

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008

Exercise price
(pence)

Exercise
period

2008
Number

2007
Number

388
467
348
452
285

2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012

–
56,805
293,073
248,141
487,454

22,857
217,916
392,850
372,787
–

1,085,473 1,006,410

Company share option schemes
The Company operates the following share-based payment arrangements:

(a) Executive Share Option Scheme (ESOS)
Options under the ESOS may be granted to Executive Directors and senior employees of the Group on an
annual basis and mature only after three years upon which they become exercisable. The exercise period is
usually seven years from maturity and special rules apply to employees who leave the employment of the
Group due to ill health, retirement or redundancy. Options are granted with a fixed exercise price equal to
the market price of shares under option at the date of grant.

Options granted under the ESOS adopted in September 2000, are subject to performance conditions 
and lapse if these are not achieved. The performance hurdles require that for each annual grant, three-year 
growth targets set by the Board are achieved. Growth is typically measured by growth in underlying earnings
per share (EPS) as compared to RPI plus between 3% and 8% per annum over three years, adjusted to
normalise pension and tax charges.

86 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

(b) Savings-Related Share Option Scheme
The Company operates a savings-related share option scheme which is open to all eligible UK employees.
Typically, all employees are eligible to participate including full and part-time employees. Annual grants of
options are made in September or October each year and become exercisable after three years. Employees
enter into a savings contract with the Yorkshire Building Society, who administer the scheme. The options
are granted at a 20% discount of the share price at the date of grant and lapse if not exercised within six
months of maturity. Special provisions apply to employees who leave their employment due to ill health,
redundancy or retirement.

(c) Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Under the PSP, the Board can grant Executive Directors and senior employees of the Group selected by 
the Remuneration Committee an award of conditional shares. The shares will vest at the end of three years
if Total Shareholder Return (TSR) reaches targets set by the Board. If percentage growth in the Company’s
TSR for the three financial years is greater than the TSR for the FTSE250 Index by 30% or more, then the
percentage of the award vesting is 100%. If the growth is greater than the TSR for the FTSE250 Index but
less than 30% greater, then the percentage of the award vesting will be calculated on a straight-line basis.
If growth is equal to or less than TSR for the FTSE250 Index, then the percentage of the award vesting is
nil. There will be no retesting of performance targets.

Awards may be made by the Board at any time but no award will be made more than 10 years after the
adoption of the PSP. At the end of each three-year performance period, the Remuneration Committee will
notify each participant of the extent to which the performance targets have been met and the number of
shares that will vest. Shares will be met from existing issued shares held under employee benefit trusts.
Participants will also be paid an amount equal to the net dividends on those shares which actually vest
which would have been paid during the performance period.

The conditional shares are not transferrable and lapse immediately if the participant leaves the employment
of the Group, although special rules apply in the case of particular circumstances such as death, ill-health,
redundancy or other circumstances at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. No participant may
be made an award of more than 100,000 shares in any year between both the PSP and the DPSP
schemes. Share awards are valued using scenario-modelling.

(d) Long-Term Incentive Scheme (LTIS)
The terms under which share awards are made under the LTIS to senior employees are the same as for the
PSP, other than as follows. The shares will vest at the end of three years if underlying EPS reaches targets
set by the Board. If the percentage real EPS growth in the Company’s underlying EPS for three financial
years is greater than RPI + 8% pa or more, then the percentage of the award vesting is 100%. If the EPS
growth is greater than the RPI by between 3% and 8% pa, then the percentage of the award vesting will
be calculated on a straight-line basis. If EPS growth is RPI + 3% pa or less, then the percentage of the
award vesting is nil. There will be no retesting of performance targets.

(e) Bonus Co-investment Plan (Plan)
The Plan offers Executive Directors and other senior executives selected by the Board the opportunity to
invest part of their annual cash bonus for a financial year in the Company’s shares, entitling them, provided
certain performance targets are met, to a grant of additional matching shares in the ratio of up to 2:1 of the
gross deferred bonus. The maximum amount of the annual cash bonus which may be eligible for matching
is 50%. The net of tax amount is applied in the purchase of shares.

The first bonus award which qualified for investment in shares under the Plan was the award for the
financial year ended December 2004 and the last qualifying bonus award will be for the financial year 
which commences 10 years after the adoption of the Plan.

Performance targets are based on real growth in earnings measured over three financial years. If the
percentage growth in the Company’s EPS is RPI + 8% or more, then the number of matching shares 
that will vest is two. For EPS growth of between RPI + 3% pa and RPI + 8% pa, the number of matching
shares vesting will be calculated on a straight-line basis. No matching shares will vest for EPS percentage
growth of RPI + 3% pa or less.

Similar provisions apply in respect of dividends, transferability of rights and leavers.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 87

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Notes to the accounts

20. Share capital continued

(f) Shadow Option Scheme
The Company also operated a cash-settled Shadow Option Scheme for certain senior executives up 
to 31 December 2004. Grants were made on a discretionary basis normally once a year. The Shadow
Option price was the market price at the date of grant and the shadow options mature after three years.
The period for exercising was restricted to six months after the date of maturity, after which the shadow
options lapse. Discretionary provisions were applied to leavers. The final maturity under the scheme
happened during 2007 and there are no outstanding awards under the scheme. There will be no further
awards under the scheme.

The performance targets applied were also based on three-year real earnings growth. The 2004 shadow
options were exercisable in 2007 if the percentage EPS growth exceeded RPI + 3%-8% pa, with any gain
capped at 300p per shadow option.

(g) Divisional Performance Share Plan (DPSP)
The DPSP was approved at the AGM in May 2007 and was introduced to more closely align Divisional
Directors and senior employees with the achievement of target divisional financial results (DFR). The DFR
for Distribution is based on operating profits, cost savings and income from new revenue streams whilst
for Aviation it is based on operating profits. The maximum award which can be made to an individual is
100,000 shares per year.

Shares will vest at the end of three-year financial periods. A nil award will be achieved where the DFR is 
at or below the Threshold Performance Target and 100% will vest where the DFR is equal to or greater than
the Stretch Performance Target, with a result between Threshold and Stretch being made on a straight-line
basis. Actual performance targets will be disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in the year
following the expiry of the performance period.

The first award under the plan was made following its adoption in May 2007 and the plan will run for 10 years.

Fair values of share options
Options are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. No performance conditions are included
in the fair value calculations.

The fair value per option granted after November 2002 and the assumptions used in the calculation are 
as follows:

Executive Share
Option Scheme

Savings-Related Option Scheme

Grant date

May 2004

Nov 2002

Sep 2008

Oct 2007

Oct 2006

Oct 2005

Share price at grant date (pence)
Exercise price (pence)
Number of employees
Shares under option
Vesting period (years)
Expected volatility
Option life (years)
Expected life (years)
Risk-free rate
Expected dividends expressed 
as a dividend yield*
Fair value per option (pence)
IFRS 2 charge per option**

418
418
2
101,776
3
25.0%
10
4
5.1%

4.0%
76
70

329
329
1
196,048
3
25.0%
10
4
4.5%

5.2%
50
50

361.75
285
740
487,454
3
25.0%
3.5
3.5
4.6%

4.0%
77
47

547.5
452
506
248,141
3
25.0%
3.5
3.5
4.6%

450
348
452
293,073
3
25.0%
3.5
3.5
4.5%

4.0%
116
71

3.8%
104
63

555.5
467
122
56,805
3
25.0%
3.5
3.5
4.5%

3.8%
132
81

The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility over the last three years. The expected life is the
average expected period to vesting. The risk free rate of return is the zero coupon UK government bonds 
of a term consistent with the assumed award life.

*   Based on the daily 12-month trailing dividend yield averaged over the 12 months prior to valuation date.
** The difference between the fair value and IFRS 2 charge per option is due to adjustments for forfeiture risk.

88 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Grant date

Mar 2006 Apr 2005 May 2008 May 2007 Mar 2006 Mar 2008 Mar 2007 Mar 2006 May 2008 May 2007

Long-Term
Incentive Scheme

Performance Share Plan

Bonus Co-Investment Plan

DPSP

19

582

541.5

Share price at 
grant date (pence)
Number of 
employees
Shares awarded
Contractual life 
3
(years)
Expected departure* 27% 27%
Expected outcome of 
meeting performance 
criteria
Fair value per share 
(pence)
IFRS 2 charge per 
share award**

541.5

205

582

219

3

487

576

530

534

515

530

487

576

2
96,334 94,978 140,000 35,000 105,000 101,384 26,890 19,916 70,000 70,000

20

15

1

3

3

4

2

3

3
0%

3
0%

3

3
0% 14% 14% 14%

3

3

3
0%

3
0%

52% 52% 41% 41% 41% 52% 52% 52% 41% 41%

199

235

217

194

230

530

195

231

199

235

217

194

230

237

195

231

*   Risk of forfeiture.
** Adjusted for forfeiture risk.

Movement in share options
A reconciliation of conditional share movements of executive share options, savings-related share options
and shadow options is shown below:

Executive Share Option Scheme

Savings-Related Option Scheme

2008

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Number

2007

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

2008

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Number

Number

Number

Outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited/Expired
Exercised

521,286
–
–
(213,462)

345
–
–

992,026
–
(2,500)
339 (468,240)

–

356 1,006,410
503,211
492 (409,892)
(14,256)
368

413 1,063,043
377,327
285
425
(190,395)
389 (243,565)

Outstanding at end of year

307,824

360

521,286

345 1,085,473

350 1,006,410

2007

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

386
452
381
380

413

Exercisable

307,824

360

521,286

345

56,805

467

22,857

388

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

Shadow Option Scheme

Performance Share Plans, Long-Term Incentive
Scheme and Bonus Co-investment Plan

2007

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

418
–
–
418

–

–

Number

222,600
–
–
(222,600)

–

–

2008

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Number

597,097
311,384
(248,957)
–

659,524

561
502
582
–

555

2007

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

559
564
555
–

561

Number

583,073
131,890
(117,866)
–

597,097

–

–

–

–

2008

Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Number

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

Outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 89

 
Notes to the accounts

20. Share capital continued

Summary information on all outstanding options

Executive
Share Option Scheme

Savings-Related
Option Scheme

PSP, LTIS and Bonus
Co-investment Plan

2008

2007

2008

2007

2008

2007

Range of exercise prices (pence)
Weighted average exercise price (pence)
Number of shares
Weighted average remaining life (years)
– expected
– contractual

329-418
360
307,824

312-492
344

348-467
413
521,286 1,085,473 1,006,410

285-467
350

487-576
555
659,524

515-584
561
597,097

0.2
3.4

1.2
4.4

2.1
2.1

2.1
2.1

2.2
2.2

2.2
2.2

The weighted average share price during the year for executive share options and savings-related options
exercised over the year was 323p and 389p respectively (2007: 368p and 380p respectively).

Total IFRS 2 charge for share-based incentive schemes
The total charge for the year relating to employee share-based plans was £0.4m (2007: £0.4m), all of 
which related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions. After tax, the total charge was £0.3m
(2007: £0.3m).

21. Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity

Group
At 29 December 2007
Loss for the year
Dividends
New share capital issued
Movement in own shares
Share-based payments
Actuarial loss (net of deferred tax)
Exchange adjustments

At 31 December 2008

At 30 December 2006
Profit for the year
Dividends
New share capital issued
Movement in own shares
Share-based payments
Actuarial loss (net of deferred tax)
Exchange adjustments

At 29 December 2007

Ordinary
shares
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Investment
in own
shares
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

15.0
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–

15.1

14.8
–
–
0.2
–
–
–
–

15.0

15.1
–
–
0.7
–
–
–
–

15.8

12.6
–
–
2.5
–
–
–
–

15.1

(3.4)
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–

(3.3)

(3.5)
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–

(3.4)

60.1
(1.2)
(15.5)
–
–
0.4
(35.1)
4.7

13.4

46.3
26.0
(12.8)
–
–
0.4
(2.2)
2.4

60.1

21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

21.6

21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

21.6

Total
£m

108.4
(1.2)
(15.5)
0.8
0.1
0.4
(35.1)
4.7

62.6

91.8
26.0
(12.8)
2.7
0.1
0.4
(2.2)
2.4

108.4

90 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Company
At 29 December 2007
Profit for the year
Dividends
New share capital issued
Share-based payments
Actuarial loss (net of deferred tax)

At 31 December 2008

At 30 December 2006
Loss for the year
Dividends
New share capital issued
Actuarial loss (net of deferred tax)

At 29 December 2007

Ordinary
shares
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Investment
in own
shares
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

15.0
–
–
0.1
–
–

15.1

14.8
–
–
0.2
–

15.0

15.1
–
–
0.7
–
–

15.8

12.6
–
–
2.5
–

15.1

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

36.2
18.5
(15.5)
–
0.1
(35.1)

4.2

56.8
(5.6)
(12.8)
–
(2.2)

36.2

21.6
–
–
–
–
–

21.6

21.6
–
–
–
–

21.6

Total
£m

87.9
18.5
(15.5)
0.8
0.1
(35.1)

56.7

105.8
(5.6)
(12.8)
2.7
(2.2)

87.9

The profit for the year for the Company of £18.5m (2007: loss of £5.6m) is the same under both IFRS and
UK GAAP.

Other than presentational changes there is no difference in the Company balance sheet.

Investment in own shares
The Company’s ordinary shares are held in trust for an employee share scheme. At 31 December 2008 
the trusts held 1,031,387 (2007: 706,149) ordinary 25p shares with a market value of £1,101,006 (2007:
£4,025,049).

22. Minority interests

At beginning of year
Share of profit after tax
Dividend
Acquired during the year

At end of year

2008
£m

–
–
–
–

–

2007
£m

0.4
0.1
(0.1)
(0.4)

–

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

During 2007, the Group purchased the 26% minority interest in the Big Orange Handling Company Ltd.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 91

 
Notes to the accounts

23. Cash generated from operations

Operating profit/(loss)
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment provisions (Note 5(a))
Share-based payments
Gain on exchange of businesses
Dilapidations on onerous lease
Cash spend on dilapidations on onerous lease
Onerous lease provisions
Cash spend on onerous leases
Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment
Gain on disposal of investment
Pension charge
Pension contributions in cash
Rationalisation costs
Cash spend on rationalisation costs
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables and provisions

Cash generated from acquisitions during the year was not material.

24. Analysis of changes in net borrowings

Cash at bank and in hand
Bank overdrafts

Net cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans due within one year
Loan stock due within one year
Preference shares
Finance leases
Debt due after one year
Net derivative liabilities

2008
£m

19.4
23.6
3.0
3.8
0.4
–
–
(3.0)
5.0
(1.0)
0.1
(8.2)
2.3
(3.6)
6.7
(5.3)
3.1
(9.3)
2.2

39.2

Group

2007
£m

33.2
21.0
1.6
–
0.4
(3.1)
2.4
–
–
–
(0.2)
–
3.6
(7.7)
–
(1.2)
(0.4)
(21.0)
19.9

48.5

2008
£m

(5.4)
1.0
–
–
0.1
–
–
(3.0)
1.2
–
–
–
0.2
(3.6)
0.8
–
–
0.2
(1.4)

(9.9)

2007
£m

Cash flows
£m

Currency
translation
£m

22.9
(1.9)

21.0
(5.7)
(0.1)
(1.4)
(0.6)
(122.1)
(2.4)

(111.3)

(3.6)
(0.5)

(4.1)
(45.9)
–
–
0.3
10.0
6.2

(33.5)

0.3
–

0.3
(4.4)
–
–
–
(12.3)
(21.4)

(37.8)

Company

2007
£m

(5.4)
0.9
–
–
–
–
2.4
–
–
–
–
–
0.3
(7.7)
–
–
–
(0.6)
(0.4)

(10.5)

2008
£m

19.6
(2.4)

17.2
(56.0)
(0.1)
(1.4)
(0.3)
(124.4)
(17.6)

(182.6)

The currency translation movement results from the Group’s policy of hedging its overseas net assets,
which are denominated mainly in US dollar and Euro. The translation effect on net debt is more than offset
by the translation effect on net assets resulting in an overall net exchange gain of £4.7m (2007: £2.4m).
This net gain is recognised directly in equity (Note 21).

92 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

25. Acquisitions

During the year, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital or trading assets of the following businesses:

Aviation

Country of operation

Purchase consideration:

Cash paid
Acquisition costs
Deferred consideration

Total purchase consideration
Fair value of net assets acquired

Goodwill

MMA
Airline Cargo Consolidators
Pty Ltd

Resources

Novia 
Sverige AB

OCS
Baggage
Services

South Africa South Africa
£m

£m

Sweden
£m

0.5
0.1
0.3

0.9
0.9

–

1.2
0.1
1.2

2.5
0.2

2.3

6.4
0.2
–

6.6
6.6

–

UK
£m

0.3
–
–

0.3
0.3

–

Total
£m

8.4
0.4
1.5

10.3
8.0

2.3

The assets and liabilities arising from the acquisitions are as follows:

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

0.9
–
–
–
–

0.9

–
0.1
1.7
0.6
(2.2)

0.2

7.0
0.4
2.6
–
(3.4)

6.6

0.3
–
–
–
–

0.3

8.2
0.5
4.3
0.6
(5.6)

8.0

The Network (Field Marketing 
& Promotions) Company Ltd

Non-current assets:

Intangible assets (contracts) – fair value
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Cash
Current liabilities

Net assets acquired

Distribution

Country of operation

Purchase consideration:

Cash paid
Acquisition costs

Total purchase consideration
Fair value of net assets acquired

Goodwill

The assets and liabilities arising from the acquisitions are as follows:

Non-current assets:

Intangible assets (contracts) – fair value
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Cash
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets acquired

A further performance-related payment of up to £1.6m may become payable in respect of The Network
(Field Marketing & Promotions) Company Ltd up to May 2011.

The acquired businesses contributed revenues of £33.6m and operating profit of £1.7m from the date 
of acquisition. If the businesses had been acquired on 1 January 2008, revenues contributed would have
been £50.7m and operating profit contributed would have been £2.3m.

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 93

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

UK
£m

1.4
0.1

1.5
1.5

–

£m

1.4
0.1
1.5
0.6
(1.8)
(0.3)

1.5

 
Notes to the accounts

26. Disposals

During the year, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in the joint venture in Peru, Talma Menzies SRL, 
for a consideration of £10.3m (Note 5(a)). The Group also sold its 100% interest in Menzies Aviation 
(Hong Kong) Ltd for a consideration equal to net book value.

27. Related party transactions

During the year, the Group transacted with related parties in the normal course of business and on an
arm’s-length basis. Details of these transactions are shown below:

Related party

Group
share
holding
%

Sales to
related
party
£m

Purchases
from
related
party
£m

Freshport BV
Swissport Menzies Handling Ute
Menzies Bobba Ground Handling Services Private Ltd
Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Ltd
EM News Distribution (NI) Ltd
EM News Distribution (Ireland) Ltd

50
39
51
49
50
50

0.4
0.7
0.5
0.2
0.8
0.7

–
–
–
–
–
–

Amounts
owed to
related
party at 31
December
2008
£m

Amounts
owed by
related
party at 31
December
2008
£m

–
–
–
–
2.5
–

–
0.8
–
0.2
–
2.7

Certain activities, including treasury, taxation, insurance, pension and legal matters are provided by the
Parent Company to subsidiary companies and are recharged on a cost-plus basis.

The amounts owed to/(due by) the Parent Company from dealings with subsidiary companies is disclosed
in Notes 14 and 15.

28. Subsidiary companies

The principal subsidiaries, Menzies Distribution Limited, Menzies Group Holdings Limited, Princes 
Street (Jersey) Limited, John Menzies Finance Limited, Menzies Aviation plc and Menzies Aviation
Holdings Limited are ultimately wholly owned by the Company and operate mainly in the United 
Kingdom. The issued share capital of these subsidiaries is mainly in the form of equity shares.

94 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

Five year summary

Revenue
Distribution
Aviation

Operating profit
Distribution
Aviation

Corporate

Underlying operating profit
Exceptional items
Intangible amortisation
Share of interest and tax on joint ventures 
and associates

Profit before interest
Net finance costs
Foreign currency loss

Profit before taxation

Per ordinary share
Dividends
Underlying earnings
Basic earnings

2008
£m

2007
£m

2006
£m

IFRS

2005
£m

UK GAAP

2004
£m

1,166.2
500.9

1,147.3
393.8

1,132.0
318.4

1,093.5
268.6

1,086.6
244.0

1,667.1

1,541.1

1,450.4

1,362.1

1,330.6

23.9
14.1

38.0
(1.5)

36.5
(7.3)
(4.3)

(1.9)

23.0
(5.4)
(7.7)

9.9

23.4
20.6

44.0
(3.0)

41.0
0.1
(2.8)

(1.7)

36.6
(2.7)
(2.1)

31.8

23.7
16.6

40.3
(3.4)

36.9
3.0
(2.2)

(1.0)

36.7
(1.1)
–

35.6

30.7
13.3

44.0
(3.7)

40.3
–
(2.1)

(0.6)

37.6
(0.9)
–

36.7

30.5
10.3

40.8
(4.3)

36.5
7.6
(3.6)

–

40.5
(2.9)
–

37.6

7.56p
31.3p
(2.0)p

25.6p
47.9p
44.2p

20.5p
46.9p
46.4p

19.5p
51.9p
48.2p

18.5p
44.0p
51.0p

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008 95

 
General information

Internet
The Group operates a website which can be found
at www.johnmenziesplc.com. This site is regularly
updated to provide you with information about the
Group and each of its operating divisions. In
particular, all of the Group’s press releases and
announcements can be found on the site together
with copies of the Group’s accounts.

Share registrar and shareholder enquiries
Any enquiries concerning your shareholding should
be directed to the Company’s Registrar and clearly
state the shareholder’s name, address and
Shareholder Reference Number (SRN). 
The contact details are:
Call:
0870 703 6303
Web: www.computershare.com
Email: web.queries@computershare.co.uk
Write: The John Menzies plc Registrar,

Computershare Investor Services PLC, 
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol,
BS99 6ZZ

The Registrar should be notified in writing 
promptly of any change in a shareholder’s 
address. Computershare’s online Investor Centre
also enables you to view your shareholding and
update your address and payment instructions
online. You can register at
www.computershare.com/investor/uk.

In order to register, you will need your Shareholder
Reference Number (SRN), which you can find on
your share certificate or tax voucher.

Share price
The current share price of John Menzies plc
ordinary shares can be seen on the Group’s
website, www.johnmenziesplc.com.

Low cost dealing service
A low cost dealing service has been arranged with
Stocktrade which provides a simple way of buying
or selling John Menzies shares.
Call:

0845 601 0995 (non-UK +44 131 240 0414),
quote reference LOW C0014

Charges
Commission will be 0.5%, subject to a minimum 
of £15. Please note that UK share purchases will 
be subject to 0.5% stamp duty. There will also be 
a PTM (panel for takeovers and mergers) levy of 
£1 for single trades in excess of £10,000.

Settlement
When buying shares you will be required to pay for
your transaction at the time of the deal by debit

96 John Menzies plc Annual Report 2008

card and you should ensure that you have sufficient
cleared funds available in your debit card account to
pay for the shares in full.

ShareGift
If you have only a small number of shares which
would cost more for you to sell than they are worth,
you may wish to consider donating them to the
charity ShareGift (Registered Charity 1052686)
which specialises in accepting such shares as
donations. There are no implications for Capital
Gains Tax purposes (no gain or loss) on gifts of
shares to charity and it is also possible to obtain
income tax relief.
Call:
Web: www.sharegift.org

020 7930 3737

Analysis of shareholding

Number
of holders

% of
holders

Number
of shares

% of
shares

0-1,000
1,000 – 5,000
5,000 – 10,000
10,000 – 100,000
Over 100,000

3,487 82.20

1.32
794,661
1.75
512 12.07 1,051,635
0.80
1.56
484,866
2.31 3,979,724
6.61
1.86 53,897,055 89.52

66
98
79

Totals

4,242

100 60,207,941

100

Payment of dividends
It is in the interests of shareholders and the
Company for dividends to be paid directly into bank
or building society accounts. Any shareholder who
wishes to receive dividends in this way should
contact the Company’s Registrar to obtain a
dividend mandate form. 

9% Preference Shares
Dividends will be paid on 1 April 2009 and 
1 October 2009.

Investor relations
The Group accounts can be downloaded from our
website. For other investor relations enquiries,
please contact John Geddes at:
Call:
Fax:
Web: www.johnmenziesplc.com
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com
Write: John Menzies plc, 108 Princes Street,

0131 225 8555
0131 226 3752

Edinburgh EH2 3AA

Corporate calendar
10 March 2009
Preliminary announcement of Results

1 April 2009
Payment of dividend on 9% Cumulative 
Preference Shares

17 April 2009
Annual Report and Notice of AGM released

14 May 2009*
Management Statement issued

21 May 2009
Annual General Meeting

19 August 2009*
Announcement of Interim Results

1 October 2009
Payment of dividend on 9% Cumulative 
Preference Shares

11 November 2009*
Management Statement issued

*Provisional date

Principal advisers
Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Erskine House
68-73 Queen Street
Edinburgh EH2 4NH

Corporate Financial Advisers and Joint Brokers
RBS Hoare Govett Limited
250 Bishopsgate
London EC2M 4AA

Joint Brokers
Brewin Dolphin
48 St Vincent Street
Glasgow G2 5TS

Principal business addresses
John Menzies plc
108 Princes Street
Edinburgh, EH2 3AA
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Fax: +44 (0) 131 226 3752
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com

Menzies Distribution
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ
Tel: +44 (0) 131 467 8070
Fax: +44 (0) 131 469 4797

Menzies Aviation
Aviation House
923 Southern Perimeter Road
London Heathrow Airport
Hounslow
Middlesex, TW6 3AE
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8750 6000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8750 6001

Designed and produced by Likemind. www.likemind.com

Photography by James Bell.

This report is printed on Regency Satin and Challenger Offset
which are produced using ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC
certified pulp and sourced from an ISO 14001 Mill. The printing
process is managed to prevent pollution.

Printed by Cousin. A carbon neutral company with ISO 14001
accreditation, Cousin recycles all solvents used in the printing
process, making any waste ph neutral, and also holds FSC status.

John Menzies plc
108 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 3AA
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Fax: +44 (0) 131 226 3752
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com
Web: www.johnmenziesplc.com

Registered in Scotland with company number SC34970
Registered office address as above