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John Menzies plc

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FY2016 Annual Report · John Menzies plc
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ANNUAL REPORT AND   
ACCOUNTS 2016

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STR ATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent Auditor’s Report

85 
92  Group Income Statement
93  Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
94  Group and Company Balance Sheets
95 

 Group and Company Statements 
of Changes in Equity
 Group and Company Statements  
of Cash Flows

96 

97  Notes to the Accounts
137  Five Year Summary
138 

 List of all Subsidiary, Joint Venture and  
Associate Undertakings

SHAREHOLDER INFOR M ATION

147 

154 

 Notice of Annual  
General Meeting
 General Information

01  Highlights
02  Our Business at a Glance
04  Chairman’s Statement
Financial Review
06 
 Business Performance Review:  
10 
Menzies Aviation
 Business Performance Review:  
Menzies Distribution

18 

22   Market Overview
24  Our Business Model and Strategy
26  Our Strategy at a Glance
28   Key Performance Indicators
30  Risk Management
34 

 Resources, Relationships  
and Responsibilities

GOVERNANCE REPORTS

42  Chairman’s Introduction
44  Board of Directors
46  Corporate Governance Statement
51  Nomination Committee Report
53  Audit Committee Report
58  Remuneration Committee Report
79  Directors’ Report
84  Directors’ Responsibilities

W H O   W E   A R E

John Menzies plc is a time-critical logistics and  
support specialist. In 36 countries around the world 
our employees provide market-leading service to meet 
our customers’ needs. Wherever you find a Menzies 
logo, you’ll find people delivering around the clock, 
against the clock.

W H AT   W E   D O

Our Operating Divisions provide services to the 
international airline sector and, within the UK, 
to the print media, travel and parcel markets.

In every sphere of our operations, we trade in delivery: 
whether we are bringing parcels to retail, passengers to 
aircraft or cargo from one side of the world to the other, 
our core skills of scheduling, storage and transport 
management are the driving force behind our service offer.

The Group is managed on a Divisional and a geographical 
basis. Our Distribution Division in the UK and Ireland 
operates as one segment. Our Aviation Division is 
managed primarily in three regional segments, with 
the Cargo Forwarding segment managed globally.

We are exposed to growth markets in both Divisions 
and are well-placed both to exploit the growth in air 
travel and to increase our share of the volume in the 
UK logistics market. 

H OW   W E   M A N AG E

O U R   G ROW T H   
M A R K E T S

O U R   
PH I LO S O PH Y

We put our customers at the heart of everything we 
do, focusing on doing our work the right way, every day, 
to strengthen our partnerships with them.

T U R N O V E R *

D I V I D E N D   P E R   S H A R E

£2,076.7m

(2015: £1,993.3m) 

18.5p

(2015: 16.8p)

U N D E R LY I N G   P R O F I T   
B E F O R E   TA X *

£49.7m

(2015: £38.2m)

O P E R AT I N G   
C A S H  F L O W *

£75.0m

(2015: £64.8m)

P R O F I T   B E F O R E   TA X

£19.8m

(2015: £18.2m)

*As defined in Note 1 to the Financial Statements.

1

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONO UR BUSINESS   
AT A G L A N CE

A MERI C A S

JOHN MENZIES 
AROUND  
THE WORLD

With the acquisition of ASIG completing in 
February 2017, our global network now spans 
36 countries, including new operations in Panama, 
the Bahamas and Thailand. An expanded team 
of 35,000 Menzies employees strives to deliver 
excellent experiences for our customers across 
a range of logistics and airport services disciplines 
at 245 locations across the world.

G R O U N D   
H A N D L I N G

L O G I S T I C S

Dedicated to providing 
market-leading service at 
200 airports across the 
globe, this business supports 
millions of passengers 
each year from check-in 
to take-off, on behalf of 
our airline customers.

Pawel Bartoszek, Baggage Handler

E M P L O Y E E S

24,500

L O C A T I O N S

200

2 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Within our geographical  
areas, we deliver four  
key service-lines to  
our customers as  
illustrated below.

Providing final mile delivery 
for approximately 100 
million delivery units each 
year and serving customers 
in the print media, retail, 
travel and parcel logistics 
sectors, this business 
operates one of the largest 
overnight logistics networks 
in the United Kingdom.

E M P L O Y E E S

3,400

L O C A T I O N S

36

 
E ME A

R ES T O F WO R LD

 Americas

 EMEA

 Rest of World

E M P LOY EE S   
(2 017 )

C O U N T R I E S   I N W HICH 
W E O PER ATE (2017 )

35,000

36

D EL I V ERY   U N I T S 
(2 016)

C A R G O   TO N N E S 
H A N D L ED   (2 016)

A I R C R A F T   T U R N S 
(2 016)

100m

1.6m

1.2m

C A R G O   
H A N D L I N G

F U E L L I N G

At 34 stations around the 
world, this business works to 
move clients’ perishable and 
high-value goods on and off 
aircraft in a tightly-timed 
fashion. The business 
also offers access to 
warehousing and trucking 
facilities which help convey 
consignments to the next 
step in the supply chain.

Operating under the ASIG 
brand, our business supports 
airline customers by offering 
‘into-plane fuelling’ services 
at 73 locations.
This business also manages 
59 fuel farms.

E M P L O Y E E S

4,000

L O C A T I O N S

77

E M P L O Y E E S

3,100

L O C A T I O N S

34

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3

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
CH A IR M A N’ S 
STATE MENT

A STRONG YEAR

We are working hard to unlock the potential 
within the Group and your Board and I look  
forward to the future with great confidence.

Dr Dermot F. Smurfit
CHAIR M AN 

4 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

I am pleased to report good progress 
across the Group as we continue to 
build on our strategic objectives in 
both Divisions. We have announced 
a strong set of results and believe we 
are back on track after a period of 
underperformance. Menzies Aviation 
completed the largest acquisition in 
the Group’s history with the US$202m 
acquisition of ASIG in February 2017 
and is extremely well-placed in 
growing markets, whilst Menzies 
Distribution continued to focus on 
delivering new volume through our 
existing markets. We now have a new 
Senior Management team in place all 
of whom, together with your Board, are 
working hard to unlock the significant 
potential that exists within the Group.

G R O U P   S T R U C T U R E
As I outlined in August of last year, 
we are undertaking a review of the 
Group structure to decide whether the 
current situation with two Operating 
Divisions that operate in distinctly 
different markets is the best way to 
create shareholder value. To help with 
the process we appointed Rothschild 
and they are working closely with 
Management as we review our options. 
In addition, at our request, the Trustee 
of the Group’s defined benefit pension 
scheme, in consultation with the 
Company, is reviewing the structure 
of the scheme. The Trustee is being 
advised by Hymans Robertson 
and Grant Thornton and we have 
appointed Lincoln Pensions and PwC 
to advise us in this respect. This work 
continues as we evaluate the options 
that are open to us and I remain 
confident that I will be able to update 
shareholders on the outcome of 
this review at the time of our Interim 
Results in August.

B O A R D   C H A N G E S
During the year we have seen 
significant change within the 
Executive team. Forsyth Black 
became President & Managing 
Director at Menzies Aviation, after 
a successful spell leading our 
Distribution Division, and Giles Wilson 
assumed the role of Chief Financial 
Officer, following senior finance and 
operational roles within the Aviation 
Division. To complete the Executive 
team I asked John Geddes, previously 

Group Company Secretary, to join the 
Board as Corporate Affairs Director in 
November. Your Board and I are 
confident that we now have the 
correct leadership team in place to 
drive the Group forward.

In addition to the Board appointments, 
we also recruited Greg Michael to lead 
our Distribution Division. Greg has 
significant experience of the UK 
logistics market and he will bring his 
own expertise and drive to the Division 
as we continue to create new revenue 
streams away from print media.

In May of last year, Iain Napier intimated 
his intention to step down and he 
retired from the Board at our Annual 
General Meeting. Iain led the Board for 
seven years and I would like to thank 
him for his efforts. Dermot Jenkinson 
then assumed the role of interim 
Chairman and ran the process that led 
to my appointment in June. To complete 
the balance of Non-Executives and 
to implement the findings of our prior 
year Board evaluation, Paul Baines 
was appointed as a Non-Executive 
Director in June. Paul has extensive 
City experience and brings a new and 
welcome dynamic to the Board.

G O V E R N A N C E
As I will discuss later in this document, 
your Board remains committed to 
ensuring that we continue to operate 
within the robust corporate governance 
framework which is in place across 
our networks and which underpins our 
culture and values. Maintaining high 
governance standards is a priority of 
your Board and we believe it key to 
both the successful growth of the 
Group and the generation of sustainable 
shareholder value.

E M P L O Y E E S
Employees are at the heart of everything 
that we do. I would personally like to 
thank all of our 27,000 staff for their 
efforts in 2016. I am also particularly 
pleased to welcome 8,000 new 
employees who join the Menzies 
family following our acquisition 
of ASIG. 

A N   I N T EG R AT ED   A P P R O A C H

Below we summarise the key 
elements that lead to the creation 
and protection of sustainable value. 
Our focused and integrated 
approach has already delivered 
tangible returns for our stakeholders.

Our Vision
We are dedicated to beating 
the clock for the benefit of our 
customers: delivering services 
which are tailored to their needs, 
performed by experts and fitted 
seamlessly into the time-critical 
window for their businesses.

Our Business Model
We employ our people and 
infrastructure, in line with a suite of 
key controls, to complete a pipeline 
of work secured by our contracts 
and thereby generate profit.

  Read more on page 24

Our Strategy

Key Performance Indicators
We monitor a shortlist of critical 
metrics to ensure our performance 
achieves the required standards.

  Read more on page 28

Resources, Relationships 
and Responsibilities
We recognise the impact our 
activities have on the environment, 
the communities in which we operate 
and the wider society around us – 
and operate accordingly.

  Read more on page 34

Risk Management
Risk and uncertainty have the 
potential to hinder our progress 
toward the Group’s strategic 
objectives. We focus on mitigating 
those risks, to provide reasonable 
– although not absolute – 
assurance against material risks.

  Read more on page 30

Customer
ethos 

Emerging
opportunities 

Optimised
investment

Diversified
offer 

Growth
agenda 

  Read more on page 26

Your Board recognises the need to 
retain and develop our employee base. 
In this regard we have strengthened 
our Human Resources (“HR”) function 
across the network with an enlarged 
team and a significant investment 
into HR systems, including a  
pre-employment on-boarding system 
to help us recruit and retain the right 
calibre of employees.

HR developments and also our efforts 
to reduce staff turnover. The Terms of 
Reference for the Committee can be 
found on the Group website.

There is a great deal of work ahead for 
us but it is an incredibly exciting time 
to be part of our business and your 
Board and I look forward to the future 
with great confidence.

Staff turnover is one of the major 
challenges facing the Aviation services 
industry, particularly in the USA, and 
we are attempting to directly address 
this issue. In this regard, I have 
constituted a Human Resources 
Committee of the Board to review all 

Dr Dermot F. Smurfit 
Chairman  
7 March 2017

5

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
FIN A N CI A L RE V IE W

A TR ANSFORM ATIONAL
YEAR

Both Divisions have delivered strong results in the year and we 
are now well-placed for the next chapter of growth. Underlying 
operating profit improved 12% in constant currency and 
operating cash flow 16%.

Giles Wilson
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

6 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

G R O U P   U N D ER LY I N G 
O P ER AT I N G   P R O F I T   I N 
C O N S TA N T   C U R R EN C Y 

+12%

O P ER AT I N G   C A S H   F L O W   
U P   16%   T O 

£75.0m

AV I AT I O N   T U R N O V ER 

+16% 

(+7 %   I N   C O N S TA N T 
C U R R EN C Y )

I N T R O D U C T I O N
I am pleased to be reporting the 
2016 financial performance results 
for John Menzies plc. It has been a 
transformational year for the Group 
which has made for a very exciting 
start to my new role as Chief Financial 
Officer. Our diverse portfolio of 
companies and operations offers 
excellent opportunities to any individual 
seeking a challenge in a dynamic, 
fast-paced environment and, in fact, 
prior to assuming my current position 
I worked in our Aviation Division for 
five years, during which time I had 
the opportunity to be involved in the 
establishment of our Dubai office. 

Our Finance function, supported by 
a focused Group Finance team based 
in our Edinburgh Head Office, spans 
the world with dedicated finance 
professionals working in conjunction 
with our operational and commercial 
teams in 36 countries. I am proud to 
be part of the Menzies team, working 
alongside so many committed and 
passionate individuals, and I look 
forward to fully welcoming our ASIG 
colleagues into the Menzies family.

O U T L O O K
The Group has started the year well. 
The underlying Aviation business is 
continuing to trade positively with 
contract momentum continuing 
and a strong pipeline of opportunities. 
We have completed the acquisition 
of ASIG and are very excited about 
the opportunities ahead of us. Our 
integration plans are on track and 
we will look to take advantage of our 
extended footprint and product offering 
that exists as we look to further 
strengthen the Aviation business.

At Menzies Distribution the softer 
magazine volumes experienced in 
Q4 2016 have continued. Our focus 
remains on cost-savings and finding 
new volume through retail logistics 
where our national coverage provides 
us with previously unexploited 
opportunities and neutral consolidation 
in the parcel market where we will look 
to build scale during the year.

Overall the Board is confident with 
the Group’s outlook for 2017 and will 
look to capitalise on opportunities 
in both Divisions. 

G R O U P   P E R F O R M A N C E   R E V I E W
Group performance in 2016 improved 
with profit before tax ahead of the 
prior year and underlying profit before 
tax up 30%, 17% in constant currency, 
as a result of the delivery against our 
clear and focused strategic objectives 
for both Operating Divisions. Good 
progress was made in Aviation where 
prior year operational issues were 
resolved and contract win momentum 
returned. In Distribution the business 
performed robustly, continuing to 
expand in the UK parcel market and 
within the retail logistics sector as we 
seek to add new volume to our network 
to replace the declines in print media. 

The acquisition of ASIG, which 
announced in September 2016 
and completed in February 2017, 
is transformational for the Aviation 
business and we are focussing our 
efforts on implementing our detailed 
integration programme to realise 
the significant synergy benefits that 
exist, and then look to take advantage 
of the exciting opportunities that the 
combined platform gives us.

Broomhall DaCosta and Bill Watson, 
Baggage Handlers

The Group’s turnover was £2,076.7m 
(2015: £1,993.3m). Underlying profit 
before tax grew to £49.7m (2015: 
£38.2m) following a return to growth 
at our Aviation Division and favourable 
foreign exchange translation. 
Underlying earnings per share rose 
to 47.8p (2015 restated: 37.8p). Profit 
before tax was £19.8m (2015: £18.2m). 

TA X AT I O N   A N D   
E A R N I N G S   P E R S H A R E
As a multinational business 
the Group is liable for taxation in 
multiple jurisdictions around the 
world. Our underlying tax charge for 
the year was £15.9m (2015: £12.2m), 
representing an effective underlying 
tax rate of 32% (2015: 32%).

Underlying earnings per share were 
47.8p (2015 restated: 37.8p), directly 
impacted by the increase in profits. 
Basic earnings per share were 11.8p 
(2015 restated: 14.6p) additionally 
affected by non-recurring items.

F I N A N C E   C O S T S
The net underlying finance charge in 
the year was £5.5m (2015: £6.7m). The 
lower level of costs reflects reduced 
levels of debt and pension interest.

E XC E P T I O N A L   A N D   O T H E R   I T E M S
Included in exceptional items were 
transaction-related costs of £8.8m 
largely relating to the acquisition of 
ASIG. Non-cash costs of £9.6m were 
incurred during the year relating to 
the impairment of goodwill and other 
fixed assets in the Netherlands cargo 
business following loss of earnings as 
a result of lower freighter volumes in 
Amsterdam flown by Martinair.

7

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONIn September 2016 we entered into a 
new syndicated debt facility, comprising 
a US$250m term loan and a £150m 
rolling credit facility, which expires in 
June 2021. The new facility was drawn 
down to fund the acquisition of ASIG 
on 1 February 2017 and repay our existing 
facilities with the exception of £10.0m 
remaining on the RBS term loan. 

We were very pleased by the take-up 
of the new syndicated facility which 
was oversubscribed. We have retained 
our previous banking group of 
Barclays, HSBC, KBC, Lloyds and RBS 
as well as welcoming BNP Paribas, 
SunTrust and Fifth Third into the 
syndication group. As a result, the 
Group’s banking covenants are in a 
strong position with headroom to 
support future growth. 

In February 2017 we entered into 
interest rate swaps to fix 50% of the 
US$250m term loan facility for the 
duration of the loan.

The majority of Menzies Aviation’s 
stations are located outside the UK 
and operate in currencies other than 
sterling. The Group attempts to 
minimise the volatility of the limited 
transactional foreign exchange risk 
as far as possible by using foreign 
exchange forward contracts. 

The translation of profits from 
overseas trading entities is not hedged 
and as a result the movement of 
exchange rates directly affects the 
Group’s reported results. In the year 
the Group benefited from favourable 
movements against the prior year 
particularly against the US dollar, the 
Australian dollar, the euro and other 
European currencies.

FIN A N CI A L RE V IE W 
CO N TINUED

G R O U P   C A S H   F L O W

Underlying operating profit
Depreciation
Dividends from associates and joint ventures
Working capital
Net pension movement
Non-cash items

Operating cash flow
Net capital expenditure
Net interest paid
Regular tax paid
Non-recurring tax paid

Free cash flow
Equity and non-controlling interest  
dividends paid
Additional pension payment
Net acquisitions 
Cash spend on exceptional items
Net proceeds from Rights Issue

Total movement
Opening net debt
Currency translation

Closing net debt

D E F I N E D   B E N E F I T 
P E N S I O N  S C H E M E
As at 31 December 2016, the scheme 
showed a deficit of £71.0m (2015: 
£43.4m), an increase of £27.6m largely 
reflecting a decrease in the discount 
rate applied to the scheme liabilities. 
Following the Trustee’s triennial 
actuarial valuation at 31 March 2015, 
the Trustee and the Company have 
agreed a long-term funding plan 
that results in additional annual 
contributions of £10.7m in the 2016/2017 
pension year rising with the higher of 
inflation and the percentage change 
in annual shareholder dividends up to 
2025, the latter only when exceeding 
2013’s level. 

We are at an advanced stage of talks 
with the Trustee with regard to the 
structure of the Group’s defined 
benefit pension scheme, the Menzies 
Pension Fund, and its liabilities and 
will provide an update in due course. 
On 28 February 2017 we informed 
the active members of the scheme, 
following an extensive consultation 
process, that the Group has taken the 
decision to close the Menzies Pension 
Fund to future accrual on 31 March 2017.

2016
£m

55.2 
22.3 
6.6 
(5.8)
0.1 
(3.4)
75.0 
(24.7)
(3.8)
(10.3)
(5.1)
31.1 

(10.6)
(10.9)
(5.2)
(14.2)
72.9 
63.1
(123.2)
(10.4)
(70.5)

2015
£m

44.9 
21.0 
6.5 
(2.2)
(0.3)
(5.1)
64.8 
(20.3)
(5.1)
(7.7)
–
31.7 

(8.0)
(11.6)
(16.0)
(8.5)
– 
(12.4)
(110.9)
0.1 
(123.2)

C A S H   F L O W   A N D   I N V E S T M E N T
Investments in the year included £5.2m 
for the acquisitions of Renaissance 
Aviation Limited in Bermuda, Thistle 
Couriers Limited and Edinburgh Arts 
and Entertainment Limited and the 
earn-out payment relating to the 
Fore Partnership. Operating cash flow 
was £75.0m (2015: £64.8m). Working 
capital management remains a key 
focus for the business. Free cash 
flow was £31.1m (2015: £31.7m). Net 
capital expenditure totalled £24.7m 
(2015: £20.3m).

T R E A S U R Y
The Group continues to operate on a 
strong financial footing. We benefit 
from a robust balance sheet built from 
strong operating cash flows across 
our Divisions. At the year end, net debt 
was £70.5m (2015: £123.2m), mostly 
reflecting the net proceeds from the 
Rights Issue.

Our net debt to EBITDA ratio was 
0.8 times at 31 December 2016 (2015: 
1.8 times) and interest cover was 
13.0 times (2015: 8.8 times), well within 
our covenanted levels. We had £170.0m 
of committed facilities at the year end 
of which £68.7m were undrawn.

8 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

As a result, the Board confirms that 
it has a reasonable expectation that 
the Group will be able to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over the period of 
assessment of three years.

D I V I D E N D
In line with the Group’s plan to follow 
a progressive policy to increase 
dividends over time, the Board has 
proposed a final dividend of 13.1p per 
ordinary share which is payable on 
3 July 2017 to all shareholders on the 
Company’s Register of Members 
at 26 May 2017. The total paid and 
proposed dividend for the year is 18.5p 
per ordinary share (2015: 16.8p per 
ordinary share), up 10% from last year.

Giles Wilson 
Chief Financial Officer  
7 March 2017

As detailed on pages 30 to 33 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016, the 
Board monitors and assesses the risks 
and uncertainties faced by the Group. 
This includes a consideration of the 
principal risks and material uncertainties 
facing the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, 
future performance or solvency. 
During 2016 this process included 
a detailed strategic review of both 
Aviation and Distribution and a 
detailed three year planning process.

For the purpose of assessing the 
Group’s viability, the Directors focused 
their attention on the principal risks 
that are critical to the Group’s success. 
These are risks concerned with 
changing consumer behaviour, 
increasing employee costs, contract 
renewals, contract tendering, global 
acts of terrorism, security breaches 
and adherence to standard operating 
procedures. Each risk and its impact 
and mitigation is set out on pages 32 
and 33 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

Other than in the event of a catastrophic 
large aircraft incident over a populated 
area, none of the plausible events 
in isolation or in combination would 
prevent the Group from continuing to 
operate and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the period of assessment 
of three years. In the case of such 
a catastrophic aircraft incident, 
the Group would seek to manage the 
timeframe in which any liabilities arose 
in order to continue in operation.

G O I N G   C O N C E R N
The Group’s business activities are set 
out on pages 2 and 3 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016 and the 
principal risks impacting these 
activities are set out on pages 32 and 
33. The Group’s financial position and 
cash flows are set out on pages 94 
and 96 along with an analysis of its 
borrowings in Note 23 on page 134. 
As regards going concern, the Directors 
have considered market and gearing 
risks. Sensitivities to capital and 
liquidity risks are set out in Note 17 
on pages 124 to 129 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016.

The Group updates trading forecasts 
covering a forward 12-month period on 
a regular basis and cash flow forecasts 
show that the Group is capable of 
operating within its committed 
banking facilities and related financial 
covenants for the foreseeable future. 

The Directors, who have reviewed the 
budgets, forecasts and sensitivities 
for the coming year, consider that 
the Group has adequate financial 
resources to enable it to continue 
in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. Accordingly, 
the Directors believe that it is 
appropriate to continue to adopt 
the going concern basis for preparing 
the financial statements.

V I A B I L I T Y   S TAT E M E N T
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(September 2014), the Directors have 
assessed the prospects of the Group 
over a period of three years. The 
Directors believe this period to be 
appropriate because the average length 
of the Group’s customer contracts 
is approximately three years and the 
Group’s planning cycle covers a three 
year period.

9

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONBUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE   
RE V IE W: MENZIES AV I ATIO N

A RETURN   
TO GROW TH

A strong year with a return 
to growth and underlying 
operating profit increase 
in constant currency of 27%.

Forsyth Black
PRESIDENT & M ANAGING DIREC TOR, 

MENZIES AVIATION 

I N T R O D U C T I O N
My first year as President & Managing 
Director of Menzies Aviation has been 
a momentous and transformational 
one and we have achieved a lot in a very 
short space of time. We have successfully 
negotiated and completed the 
acquisition of ASIG, not only making 
Menzies the largest independent 
into-plane fueller in the world, but 
substantially growing our footprint 
across the Americas in particular. We 
have also set the groundwork for entry 
into the ground handling market in 
Oman and Germany and are working 
behind the scenes on entry into other 
markets. Quite apart from our growth 
in fuelling, our other complementary 
service business lines have been 
growing steadily.

In achieving what we have we had 
to ensure that the backbone of our 
business was strong and capable 
of coping with the level and pace of 
change. To that end, we have invested 
in systems, processes and people 
to support our transformation. As 
these roll out across the world, we 
will be setting a new benchmark in 
standardisation through processes 
and technology for our industry. 

Additionally, to ensure we manage our 
business effectively a new Divisional 
Management structure is in place. 

A new leadership level, Executive Vice 
President (“EVP”), has been introduced 
directly beneath me and three regional 
EVPs (Americas, EMEA and Rest of 
World) now report directly into me. 
Each EVP is responsible for all product 
lines within their region, ensuring 
direct accountability, and each works 
with central teams to ensure a 
joined-up approach is in place for 
commercial activities and also in 
relation to our cornerstones of 
safety, security and compliance.

B U S I N E S S   R E V I E W
2016 was a strong year with a return 
to growth. Underlying operating profit 
was significantly ahead of the prior 
year, up £11.1m at £34.2m, and up 
£6.2m on a constant currency basis. 
Turnover was up 16%; 7% on a 
constant currency basis. There was 
a strong delivery against our strategic 
objectives with new hub operations, 
further expansion of complementary 
services, a transformational acquisition 
and a deepening of customer 
relationships. This was underpinned by 
a material and recurring investment in 
infrastructure and people to promote 
standardisation across the business.

Ground handling volume continued to 
grow with a 5% increase during 2016 
driven by contract wins in Europe 
and North America. Cargo handling 
volumes reduced in absolute terms 
during the year by 7% as a result of 
high prior year volume in North America, 
following the West Coast seaport 
strike, and the forecast reduction in 
volume by Martinair in Amsterdam; 
however this was offset by continued 
contract wins in Australia.

Our focus on commercial activities 
continued with 68 net contract wins 
during 2016, adding £45m of 
annualised revenue. Contract gains 
were well spread across the network. 
There were 106 contract renewals 
in the year securing some £81m 
of revenue.

In Oceania, where the contracting 
model can be different with cargo 
and ground handling typically 
awarded within a single contract, 
we won new contracts with Malaysia 
Airlines at three Australian airports 
and renewed Emirates for five years 
at two airports in New Zealand. 
Air Canada, a new customer, started 
up in Sydney and Melbourne.

10 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Within the EMEA region, we 
successfully added a de-icing contract 
with Norwegian Air Shuttle at its hub 
in Oslo which bolts onto our existing 
seven year ground handling agreement 
that commenced in April 2015. 
Significantly, 16 contracts were gained 
at London Gatwick in December 
following the failure of a competitor. 
We are now the largest handler at 
Gatwick with over 30 customers. 
These wins with carriers such as 
Ryanair, Vueling Airlines, Icelandair 
and Thomas Cook Airlines, strengthen 
our UK position and demonstrate that 
contracts must be gained at sustainable 
rates to ensure a robust service can be 
delivered to our customers. 

In the Americas, further progress was 
made with Frontier Airlines where we 
now handle its hub locations at Denver 
and Chicago that represent some 
27,000 turnarounds per annum. 
The Chicago operations started in 
February 2017 and represented over 
5,000 turnarounds. We also had 
significant wins in Los Angeles where 
Virgin America was a returning 
customer and a new contract with China 
Airlines was secured. This progress was 
tempered after Alaska Airlines made 
a strategic business decision to 
transition its ground service contract 
to its in-house provider, McGee Air 
Services, in Seattle effective from 
2 May 2017. We remain a key business 
partner for Alaska Airlines in many 
important markets in both the USA 
and Mexico. We expect our relationship 
with Alaska to remain strong in the 
future, even more so with the recent 
acquisition of ASIG which is a major 
fuelling partner for Alaska. During our 
time in Seattle with Alaska we are proud 
that we made its hub one of the best 
performing in the USA.

In addition to the de-icing contract 
with Norwegian Air Shuttle, our drive 
to add margin accretive complementary 
services contracts, typically where we 
already operate, continued. Lounges 
were opened in Copenhagen, 
Windhoek and Queenstown. Line 
maintenance facilities were added 
in New Zealand and Bermuda.

The opening of a regional office in 
Dubai has been a success and was 
fundamental to the creation of our 
joint venture with Oman Air where we 
expect operations to start by the end 
of H1. Following on from this we will 
open a business development office 

Andrea Petcu 
Passenger Service Agent, 
Heathrow

in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during 
the year to take advantage of the 
emerging opportunities in what 
is a fast-growing region with many 
expanding low-cost carriers. 

We continue to focus on station 
profitability and all underperforming 
stations are scrutinised and turnaround 
plans put in place where appropriate. 
Within the UK our turnaround plans 
are delivering benefits. Prior year 
operational issues at London Gatwick 
and Heathrow are fixed. Loss-making 
contracts elsewhere in the UK are 
being re-priced or not renewed to 
ensure that as we progress we only 
contract at terms that generate 
sustainable returns. In Amsterdam, we 
continue to review our cargo handling 
options where we are facing falling 
volumes and high labour costs. 

To ensure we can achieve market-
leading positions we made significant 
investment in infrastructure during 
2016. A recurring investment of 
£3.0m was made to enhance systems, 
processes and central support 
functions as we ensure that the 
platform that we run the business 
from is fit for purpose as we embark 
upon our next period of growth. 

In February 2016 we acquired the 
business of Renaissance Aviation, 
the exclusive licence holder in 
Bermuda, for £2.5m. Operations 
are fully integrated and the business 
is performing well.

At Air Menzies International (“AMI”), 
our global cargo consolidation and 
forwarding business, performance 
was muted with earnings marginally 
behind the prior year on a constant 
currency basis in line with the 
generally subdued cargo market 
in the first half of the year.

A C Q U I S I T I O N   O F   A S I G
On 16 September 2017 we announced 
the proposed acquisition of ASIG from 
BBA Aviation plc for US$202m. This is 
a truly transformational deal and 
strengthens our position as a 
leading player in the global aviation 
services market.

The deal has strong strategic and 
financial rationale and provides an 
enlarged growth platform in attractive 
growing markets. By putting both 
businesses together there is significant 
synergy potential and the deal will be 
materially earnings enhancing in the 
first full year. The transaction was 
completed on 1 February 2017 and 
detailed integration plans are now 
being implemented. ASIG’s overall 
performance in 2016 was in line with 
the assumptions in our acquisition 
assessment.

ASIG adds some four million into-
plane fuelling turnarounds together 
with the management of fuel farms 
at 59 locations and 100,000 ground 
handling turnarounds. ASIG has over 
600 customers, many of whom are 
also Menzies customers, and we are 
excited by the opportunities that exist 
to broaden our product offering into 
our existing business and into new 
territories. The acquisition will add 60 
new airports and spans seven countries.

An agreement was reached with the 
Competition and Markets Authority 
(“CMA”) to hold the ASIG operations 
at Aberdeen airport separately in order 
to satisfy the requirements of the CMA 
to ultimately divest those operations 
and obtain UK merger clearance.

Forsyth Black 
President & Managing Director, 
Menzies Aviation 
7 March 2017

11

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STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
BUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE RE V IE W:   
MENZIES AV I AT IO N CO NTINUED 
O UR STR ATEG Y IN AC TIO N

FUELLING   SERV ICES

A SIG   ACQUISITION 
C RE ATES   WE A LTH 
OF  OPP ORTUNIT Y

In September 2016 John Menzies plc announced the proposed 
acquisition of ASIG, an airport services business best known 
as a market leader in into-plane (“ITP”) fuelling and fuel farm 
management (“FFM”), for US$202 million.

A   M A J O R   A D D I T I O N   T O 
O U R  S ER V I C E   P O R T F O L I O

The acquisition of ASIG, which 
completed in February 2017, was a 
transformational deal for the Group. 
It creates one of the largest aviation 
services businesses in the world, 
substantially enhancing the Group’s 
network to cover 209 locations in 
34 countries, doubling the size of our 
existing North American operations 
and adding significant scale at major 
international gateways. In particular, 
the acquisition strengthens 
our service offering at major 
intercontinental gateways such as 
London Heathrow, San Francisco, 
Denver and Los Angeles.

The deal also significantly enhances 
Aviation’s product offering, principally 
through entry into the fuelling services

market – ASIG is a leader in ITP 
fuelling and FFM in the USA and the 
UK – and provides greater scale and 
diversification to Menzies Aviation’s 
complementary services such as 
equipment maintenance and 
de-icing. Additionally, the acquisition 
will help strengthen our position 
with key customers through the 
provision of increased services in 
more locations, allowing existing 
customer relationships to be 
leveraged further to accelerate 
growth and new customer 
relationships to be built. 

The strategic rationale for the 
acquisition was compelling and 
in strong alignment with all of 
our stated strategic priorities for 
Aviation, as set out on page 26 
of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

Key numbers
8,000 
employees

have joined us as part of the 
ASIG business.

60 airports

have been added to our network 
via ASIG’s operational presence.

Over 4 million 
fuelling turns

were carried out by ASIG’s ITP 
fuelling business in 2016.

12 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Fuelled
ASIG teams pumped more 
than 10 billion gallons of fuel 
directly into aircraft in 2016.

Serviced
ASIG ground crew 
performed over 100,000 
aircraft turns in 2016.

Locations
ASIG operates at 87 
locations, including 
27 with an overlapping 
Menzies presence.

G
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“ This is a truly transformational deal and I welcome 
all ASIG employees into the Menzies family.

ASIG brings exciting new product lines to the 
Group, giving us great opportunities to further 
strengthen our Aviation business.”

 Forsyth Black 
President & Managing Director, Menzies Aviation

13

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
BUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE RE V IE W:   
MENZIES AV I AT IO N CO NTINUED 
O UR STR ATEG Y IN AC TIO N

“ The efforts of our commercial and 
operational teams at Gatwick throughout 
this period were remarkable. With a successful 
cutover period behind us, our focus is on 
maintaining that standard and delivering a 
consistently excellent service to our customers.”

   Andy Lord 

Executive Vice-President –  
EMEA, Menzies Aviation

Narendra Pankhania, 
Pushback Driver

14 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

G ROUND   H A NDLING

G AT WIC K   SECURES   16   NE W 
CONTR AC T S   IN   L ATE   2 016

Following the withdrawal of a competitor in the marketplace,  
our team successfully secured and implemented 16 new ground 
handling contracts for London Gatwick in the last quarter of 2016, 
adding over 18,000 turns annually to our volume at the airport.

Serviced
Our Gatwick team 
performed over 1,750 
aircraft turns for new 
customers in the final 
quarter of 2016. 

Peak period
With new customers 
included, our ground crews 
simultaneously handle 
between 20 to 30 at a time.

R I S I N G   T O   T H E   C H A L L EN G E

Key numbers 

Beginning in October 2016, our 
Gatwick station experienced one 
of the busiest commercial periods 
in our recent history: we secured 
16 new airline agreements – including 
Ryanair, Vueling Airlines and 
Icelandair – over a three month 
period after a competitor withdrew 
from the market. 

The challenge then fell to our 
operational team to deliver this 
new volume; 141 additional 
colleagues were recruited in 
order to meet demand. 

By 1 December 2016, all of our new 
customers were being handled, 
generating peak periods during the 
day in which 20 to 30 aircraft were 
being serviced simultaneously.

141 
employees

have been recruited by our Gatwick 
team to meet the surge in demand.

Over 18,000 
aircraft turns

will be performed annually at 
Gatwick under the terms of these 
new contracts.

2 new customers

agreed their first partnerships with 
Menzies Aviation in the course of 
these negotiations.

15

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONBUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE RE V IE W:   
MENZIES AV I AT IO N CO NTINUED 
O UR STR ATEG Y IN AC TIO N

G ROUND   H A NDLING

NE W   FRONTIER 
FOR  SIMPLIC IT Y

Our US ground handling subsidiary agreed a deal, beginning 
in September 2016, to handle the low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines  
at its base in Denver. 

A   S H O W   O F   C O N F I D EN C E 
I N O U R   S ER V I C E

From 17 September 2016 Simplicity 
operatives began supporting 60 
daily flights at Denver Airport 
for Frontier. 

Our contract covers the provision 
of ramp handling, passenger, short 
tow and operational services. 

It adds almost 22,500 aircraft turns 
to our annual volume at Denver 
Airport, equivalent to almost a 
quarter of Frontier’s total turns – 
a major show of confidence in 
our capabilities.

It is resourced by a team of 
approximately 250 Simplicity 
employees, bringing our total 
station roster to over 650.

Key numbers
250 employees

have been recruited by our Denver 
team to resource this new contract.

22,500 aircraft 
turns

will be performed annually 
at Denver under the terms 
of the contract.

2.3 million 
passengers

are estimated to fly from Denver 
on Frontier aircraft annually.

Serviced
Our ground crew performed 
over 20,000 aircraft turns 
for Frontier across the 
Menzies network in 2016.

Passengers
An estimated 1.2 million 
passengers flew on Frontier 
aircraft handled by 
Simplicity in 2016.

Locations
Our business handles 
Frontier at 7 of our 
network locations.

16 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

“ The speed with which our team at 
Denver established this operation 
and the service level they have 
delivered for Frontier are a 
tremendous credit to our business.”

   Terry Trainor 

Senior Vice-President, US Operations, Menzies Aviation

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17

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
BUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE RE V IE W: 
MENZIES DISTRIBU TIO N

ROBUST DELIVERY
CONTINUES

Robust delivery continues with underlying 
operating profits broadly flat at £24.7m and 
diversification continues apace.

Greg Michael
M ANAGING DIREC TOR,   

MENZIES DISTRIBUTION 

18 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

I N T R O D U C T I O N
I am absolutely delighted to be joining 
Menzies at this exciting time. I believe 
there are great opportunities available 
for our business to take advantage 
of. We have an experienced and 
dedicated workforce, our existing 
network puts us in a position of 
strength from which to grow and we 
hold a strong market position within 
the print media supply chain. Our 
challenge is to develop our offering 
into new areas in the wider UK 
logistics market. Opportunities exist 
to selectively expand, creating new 
volume to put through our existing 
network. I am very much looking 
forward to working with the team to 
continue building our Menzies’ brand 
capabilities through the development 
of a strategic national network. 

B U S I N E S S   R E V I E W
Distribution delivered a stable 
performance against the prior year as 
underlying operating profit remained 
broadly flat at £24.7m (2015: £25.1m). 
Trading benefited from strong 
football-related sticker sales and an 
excellent cost reduction performance 
which helped mitigate continued 
volume decline and increased cost 
pressure as a result of the introduction 
of the National Living Wage. Our 
strategy to diversify into new market 
segments, reducing our reliance 
on newspapers and magazines, 
continues to make progress with an 
acquisition within Menzies Parcels 
and new contracts delivered in the 
retail logistics sector.

Overall sales of newspapers and 
magazines were in line with 
Management expectations. 
Newspaper volumes were down 7.0% 
on a like for like basis although the 
sector continued to benefit from cover 
price appreciation such that sales 
value on a like for like basis was down 
2.5%. Magazine volumes were down 
9.5% on a like for like basis and 6.0% 
in value terms, albeit the decline was 
steeper in the last quarter. A new five 
year wholesale distribution agreement 
was secured with Northern & Shell 
during 2016 as well as new regional 
distribution contracts with Johnston 
Press in Portsmouth and Northern 
Ireland. These contracts further help 

the Division to plan positively for the 
future with long-term contracts in 
place. Planning has commenced 
for the negotiation of the publisher 
contracts in 2019 and 2020.

Cost savings during 2016 were £5.1m 
representing an excellent performance. 
This result was achieved through 
further productivity initiatives, 
automation within the branch network 
and the annualisation of the prior year 
network re-organisation. 

The National Living Wage legislation 
commenced in 2016 and has had a 
significant impact on our cost base. In 
2016 the cost was £1.8m. This will rise to 
an estimated £2.2m in 2017. During the 
year the majority of the increased cost 
was mitigated by additional cost-
saving initiatives. Going forward we will 
continue to innovate and diversify to 
mitigate the increased cost. 

We continue to progress our 
diversification strategy, creating new 
volume in growing markets to offset 
falling volume within print media. 
During 2016 our retail logistics offering 
signed its first national deal. A contract 
award by WHSmith sees Menzies 
Distribution operate from three of its 
retail distribution centres utilising our 
own network and 80 vehicles of 
varying size to deliver stock to all 1,200 
WHSmith retail outlets across the UK. 
During the year a new distribution 
centre was opened in Exeter which 
enables us to provide a truly national 
service and we hope to leverage new 
contracts following the success with 
WHSmith. 

Menzies Parcels had another busy 
year making a further acquisition, 
Thistle Couriers, based in Aberdeen. 
Thistle Couriers delivers approximately 
1,000 overnight parcels per day in the 
Aberdeen area, further extending the 
service area of Menzies Parcels within 
Scotland. The acquisition is synergistic 
with our existing parcels business and 
property portfolio. 

Our retail consultancy business, the 
Fore Partnership, had a good year, 
renewing a category management 
contract with Marks & Spencer and 

Kevin Finlayson 
Parcels Warehouse Operative, Inverness

securing the supply and category 
management of news into all Aldi 
stores in the UK. 

Performance at Menzies Response 
remained behind expectations due to 
contracts lost and operational issues. 
Plans are in place to resolve these 
issues to turn the business around and 
these measures will be implemented 
during the first half of 2017. 

During the second half of 2016 
we acquired Edinburgh Arts 
and Entertainment Limited, an 
Edinburgh-based leaflet distribution 
business that will bolt onto our existing 
Take One Media business. By combining 
the two businesses we now have a near 
national offering and are well-placed 
to tender for new contracts on a national 
basis across the tourism sector.

In advance of the contract renewal 
process with publishers that 
concludes in 2019-2020 work has 
commenced to scenario plan the 
various options that exist. 

Looking ahead, the proliferation of 
internet shopping continues at pace 
and the UK logistics market is 
forecasting very positive growth 
projections as a result. Menzies 
Distribution is in a strong position 
to grow into this market. We have 

an existing network that operates 
predominantly during the night to 
facilitate the distribution of print 
media and we will utilise this asset 
base during daylight hours. There 
are many opportunities within the 
parcels market and we will continue 
to investigate how we can use our 
existing sophisticated returns 
technology within the wider logistics 
market. To ensure we are able to offer 
the standards required within the 
national parcel carrier market we 
are investing in new technologies 
to ensure our IT offering meets the 
demands of the market. Following the 
opening of a new distribution centre 
in Exeter during the year we are now 
able to offer a UK-wide solution to the 
UK logistics market and will look to 
build on our recent contract wins and 
ensure commercially that the market 
is aware that Menzies Distribution 
is an emerging player in the market. 

Greg Michael
Managing Director,  
Menzies Distribution  
7 March 2017

19

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONBUSINESS PERFO R M A N CE RE V IE W: 
MENZIES DISTRIBU TIO N CO NT INUED 
O UR STR ATEG Y IN AC TIO N

“ Our experience of working with 
Menzies Distribution to-date has been 
excellent… we had a strong desire 
to extend this quality of service and 
flexible approach to the rest of the 
UK, which was a major factor in 
choosing Menzies.”

   David McKinlay 

Supply Chain Director, WHSmith 

Dean Gorman, Delivery Driver

20 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

LO G ISTIC S

RE TA IL   LOGISTICS 
OFFERING   GOES   
N ATION A L

WHSmith selected Menzies Distribution as its logistics partner for 
UK store distribution, trusting our team and our network to control 
deliveries to over 1,200 stores nationwide. 

Retail locations
Menzies Distribution 
delivered to 1,200 
WHSmith locations  
in 2016.

Pallets delivered
Our business delivered 
110,000 pallets to WHSmith 
outlets in 2016.

A   G R O W I N G   PA R T N ER S H I P

Key numbers

The partnership was secured 
following a competitive tender 
process and extended Menzies 
Distribution’s previous relationship 
with WHSmith, which had seen us 
provide the same services in the 
North of England and Scotland. 

Under this new partnership Menzies 
Distribution operates from WHSmith’s 
three existing distribution centres in 
Birmingham, Swindon and Dunstable, 
whilst also delivering to WHSmith’s 
stores from our own network 
of depots. 

To resource the contract, we have 
added almost 80 vehicles and 
welcomed 65 new employees 
to our business.

65 
employees

joined our business to service 
this contract.

1,000 daily 
pallet drops

on average are carried out 
by Menzies’ vehicles to 
WHSmith stores.

220,000 pallets

will be delivered annually under the 
term of this contract.

21

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONC A R G O   H A N D L I N G   M A R K E T 

The air cargo market is driven by 
demand to deliver high value, time-
sensitive cargo across the globe. 
Companies choose to fly high value 
items where delivery within a tight 
time window is worth the additional 
cost of air transportation over land 
or sea. Less than 1% of international 
trade by volume, but 35% by value, 
travels by air. 

Over 50m metric tonnes of cargo are 
transported annually by air around 
the world. There is significant market 
concentration around the world’s 
emerging markets, with nearly 50% 
of the cargo tonnes passing through 
the Middle East and South East Asia.  
According to Boeing’s Current Market 
Outlook 2016-2035, air cargo traffic 
is forecast to grow 4% annually over 
the next two decades.

The market in 2016 suffered both in 
comparison to 2015, when air cargo 
received a one-off boost from port 

services to companies such as 
ASIG/Menzies Aviation, whilst 
retaining ownership of physical assets.

Prior to departure, ITP agents deliver 
the requested amount of jet fuel into 
a designated aircraft, in accordance 
with the specifications of both the 
airline and manufacturer. 

Fuel storage providers focus on 
ensuring that clean jet fuel is received, 
stored and distributed in and out  
of their facility. They are also 

M A RK E T OV ERV IE W

OUR 
M ARKETS

Whilst our Aviation and 
Distribution Divisions operate 
in distinct markets, they are 
related by a common theme: 
the importance of service 
excellence, delivered within 
a time-critical window.

A I RC R A F T   FU EL L I N G   M A R K E T 
( F R O M   1   F EB R UA R Y   2 017 )

The aircraft fuelling market is 
comprised of two parts: into-plane 
(“ITP”) fuelling and airport fuel 
storage. The ITP market provides 
aircraft refuelling services for airline 
customers on behalf of oil companies 
which have sold jet fuel to those 
airline customers; the fuel storage 
market provides on-airport jet fuel 
storage for airlines and fuel suppliers.

In North America, airline customers 
usually outsource these services to 
oil companies or service providers 
such as ASIG/Menzies Aviation 
either individually or through 
consortia. In Europe, the model differs 
in that oil companies maintain a 
stronger presence, retaining partial 
ownership of ITP agents or sub-
contracting ITP and storage 

2 2 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

strikes in North America, and 
through a manufacturing slowdown 
in late 2015 which meant a slow 
start to the year, although volumes 
later recovered.

As cargo handling and digital 
technology proliferate, we expect the 
market to become more competitive. 
Nonetheless, cargo handling 
requires significant investment in 
infrastructure and equipment which, 
coupled with the necessity of 
approval by the appropriate regional 
regulator, creates a substantial 
barrier to entry. 

responsible for the maintenance and 
operation of jet fuel storage facilities 
and accounting of customer fuel 
balances. 

Both types of provider must focus 
on delivering jet fuel in the safest, 
most efficient manner whilst 
adhering to government, industry 
and customer standards.

When operating at an airport these 
markets have the same security, 
control, certification, training and 
vetting issues as ground handling. 
In addition, they require an increased 
focus on environmental issues due 
to the handling of petroleum-based 
products. Large initial investments 
in equipment and, particularly, 
in infrastructure at each station, 
substantial insurance cover levels 
and the need to adhere to exacting 
government and industry standards 
create significant barriers for 
potential new entrants into 
the market.

 
G RO U ND H A ND L IN G M A R K E T 

The ground handling market serves 
the logistical needs of airline 
customers across the world. Service 
providers range from in-house 
organisations maintained by airlines 
to outsourced providers such as 
Menzies Aviation. Ground handlers 
undertake the essential processes 
required to ‘turn’ aircraft, an industry 
term that covers conveying 
passengers from planes after arrival; 

offloading luggage and cargo; 
performing supporting tasks such 
as recharging of on-board batteries; 
reloading new baggage, cargo and 
passengers; and towing or pushing 
the planes into a position from 
which they can take off again. 
Critical support services, such as the 
operation of check-in desks, gates and 
passenger lounges, are also provided 
by ground handling businesses, 
including Menzies Aviation.

In 2016 approximately 33 million 
turns were carried out globally, of 
which an estimated 7.1 million were 
outsourced by the airlines. By 2020, 
there are expected to be approximately 
46 million aircraft turns, of which 
around 9.9 million will be outsourced.

There was notable consolidation 
during 2016, with the handler 
Aviator largely exiting the UK 
market. This event triggered a 
substantial movement of contracts 
to the other established handlers. 
Menzies Aviation’s own recent 

acquisition of ASIG continues this 
consolidating trend. 

A combination of general growth in 
the air passenger market, expected 
to be 4.8% per annum according 
to Boeing’s Current Market Outlook 
2016-2035; particular growth 
amongst low-cost carriers, for whom 
outsourced ground handling is 
central to their business model; and 
a general trend towards increased 
outsourcing amongst full-service 
airlines is expected to maintain the 
pressure to outsource operations 
over the medium to long-term. 

Operating in an airport environment 
brings with it related security and 
control issues, including certification, 
training and security vetting. This, 
combined with initial investment 
in equipment at each station, 
substantial insurance cover levels, 
ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit programme 
for Ground Operations) standards 
and reputation, creates considerable 
barriers for possible market newcomers.

P R I N T   M ED I A   S U P P LY   C H A I N 

The UK print media supply chain is 
structured around the production of 
newspapers and consumer magazines 
by publishers who then deliver the 
products to wholesalers – such 
as Menzies Distribution – for 
consolidation and distribution to 
retail outlets. This process is highly 
time-sensitive given the short 
shelf-life of news products. 

Wholesalers operate long-term 
contracts with both the publishers of 
newspapers and consumer magazines 
and each individual retailer who sells 
the final printed copy. This intermediary 
role places far greater demands on the 
wholesalers than a traditional ‘niche’ 
delivery role would and has required 
significant investment in network 
coverage, transportation efficiencies 
and IT to keep pace with the demands 
of the industry. 

split roughly two-thirds news and 
one-third magazines, and it has been 
in structural decline for decades as 
consumers have increasingly switched 
to other forms of media. 

The impact of digital content has 
escalated in 2016: while UK advertising 
spend as a whole rose 4.4% in 
the year, newspaper and magazine 
advertising revenues declined 
(according to The Advertising 
Association/WARC Expenditure 
Report, Q3 2016). Furthermore, digital 
readers generate less revenue for 
publishers: in a report by Deloitte 
LLP entitled ‘UK News Media: an 
engine of original news content and 
democracy’, the value of a digital 
reader is estimated at £15 per annum 
compared with a traditional print 
media reader at c.£124 per annum. 
Consequently, publishers have 
incentives both to refocus on their 
print products and to seek the most 
cost-effective route to market for 
those products. 

The print media sector is estimated 
to be worth around £2.6bn per annum, 

By concentrating on quality of service, 
process efficiency and economies 

of scale, wholesalers can provide 
that cost-effective delivery and 
maximise profitability in the face 
of declining sales. 

Both the high levels of investment 
required (in an appropriate depot 
network and transport fleet) and the 
exclusivity of publisher distribution 
contracts – which are negotiated in 
five year cycles – present high barriers 
to entry for potential competitors.

2 3

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
 
O UR BUSINESS MO DEL
A ND STR ATEG Y

HOW WE
DELIVER VALUE:
BUSINESS MODEL

John Menzies plc provides support services in 
fast-moving, time-critical markets. We believe 
that the passion of our people, and their 
commitment to delivering great customer 
experiences, are crucial to delivering shareholder 
value – and this belief informs our entire approach 
to doing business.

TEAMWORK

SAFETY &
SECURITY

INTEGRITY

KEY
ACTIVITIES

S US TAI NABLE
VA LUE

KEY
 CONTROLS

OUR
RESOURCES

RELIABILITY

INNOVATION

W H AT   W E   D O 

Our two core Operating 
Divisions aim to deliver market- 
leading service to customers 
under time-critical conditions. 

Wherever you find a Menzies 
logo, you’ll find people 
delivering around the clock, 
against the clock.

PASSION

H O W   W E   D O   I T

Working within a detailed 
corporate governance 
framework, underpinned by a 
robust technical platform, and 
following standard operating 
procedures which establish 
efficient practices in safe, 
secure environments, our 
people operate to the highest 
standards of service delivery.

D E L I V E R I N G   
V A L U E

Employees
We offer varied careers in 
dynamic environments, keeping 
our employees engaged and 
delivering results.

Customers
We work in partnership with 
our customers to ensure our 
service offering is the correct 
one to help them meet their 
own business challenges.

Shareholders
We maintain clear oversight of our 
businesses, making certain that 
our business decisions generate 
real value for our shareholders.

24 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

O U R   S T R AT EG Y

Our strategy aims to optimise our 
returns on existing investments, 
whilst opening pathways to  
new growth.

  Read more on page 26

Optimised investment
Deploying our resources 
in the areas of greatest 
opportunity, and pressing 
them to deliver the best 
possible return, are crucial 
to the creation of 
shareholder value.

Customer ethos
Our customers will favour 
partners who most closely 
understand and support 
their businesses, so we 
focus on deepening our 
relationships with them.

Diversified offer
A diverse service offering 
opens the door to a greater 
share of each customer’s 
spending and potentially 
to entirely new customer 
constituencies.

Emerging opportunities
Our markets do not 
stand still so we pay 
close attention to their 
respective landscapes 
in order to capitalise 
on opportunities as 
they arise.

Growth agenda
Investing the outputs of a 
strongly cash-generative 
business into new 
opportunities drives the 
Group’s future growth.

W H AT   W E   D O 

K E Y   A C T I V I T I E S

The value we deliver to our shareholders ultimately emerges from the key activities in which we specialise.

Ground handling
A set of critical support services 
which support the businesses 
of our airline customers, 
including the handling of 
passengers and baggage 
and the towing of planes.

Cargo handling
The movement of perishable/
high-value goods on and 
off aircraft, alongside the 
warehousing and transportation 
of these goods on behalf of 
our airline customers.

Fuelling
The process of fuelling directly 
into aircraft and managing the 
fuel farm infrastructure which 
supports this service.

Logistics
The picking, packing,  
cross-docking and delivery 
of 100 million packages 
annually for the UK’s 
print media, travel and 
parcel sectors.

K E Y   C O N T R O L S

O U R   R E S O U R C E S

We manage our key resources in line with measured 
standards on safety, security and service, established 
operating processes and governance policies.

Each of our business streams delivers for our customers 
by utilising the skills of our team and the capabilities 
of our infrastructure.

Safety
Our detailed standards, driven 
by our expert safety teams, 
provide clear frameworks 
for safe operations across 
the Group.

Service
Driven by a business-wide focus 
on key accounts, we target and 
monitor the service performance 
of all our operations. 

Process design
Our central teams develop and 
enforce standard protocols 
across all our activities, 
ensuring that we consistently 
work ‘the Menzies way’. 
Additionally, we have made 
significant investment in 
infrastructure to build a leading 
position to scale business 
through enhanced systems, 
processes and people.

People
We have a workforce of over 
35,000 highly trained 
employees who drive 
our productivity.

Contracts
Agreements which typically 
run for three to five years 
provide our businesses with 
a secure pipeline of activity.

Locations
Our established infrastructure 
gives us the reach to serve 
customers from more than  
245 locations on 6 continents.

Transport network
Our dedicated fleet of delivery 
vehicles drives around 
130,000 miles each day, 
operating within exceptionally 
tight deadlines.

P R O T EC T I N G   A N D 
M E A S U R I N G   VA L U E

Governance
A clear structure of corporate 
guidelines upholds our 
standards, ensuring that we 
operate effectively and in 
compliance with regulation.

KPIs
We monitor a shortlist of  
critical metrics to ensure  
that our performance achieves 
the standards required by  
our customers.

Risks
We maintain a register of key 
risks to our businesses which 
we work to mitigate through 
our strategic plans and 
operational processes.

  Read more on page 46

  Read more on page 28

  Read more on page 30

2 5

Our two core Operating 

Divisions aim to deliver market- 

leading service to customers 

under time-critical conditions. 

Wherever you find a Menzies 

logo, you’ll find people 

delivering around the clock, 

against the clock.

H O W   W E   D O   I T

Working within a detailed 

corporate governance 

framework, underpinned by a 

robust technical platform, and 

following standard operating 

procedures which establish 

efficient practices in safe, 

secure environments, our 

people operate to the highest 

standards of service delivery.

G
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D E L I V E R I N G   

Employees

Customers

Shareholders

V A L U E

We offer varied careers in 

We work in partnership with 

We maintain clear oversight of our 

dynamic environments, keeping 

our customers to ensure our 

businesses, making certain that 

our employees engaged and 

service offering is the correct 

our business decisions generate 

delivering results.

one to help them meet their 

real value for our shareholders.

own business challenges.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
O UR STR ATEG Y
AT A G L A N CE

ONE STR ATEGIC 
VISION ACROSS 
THE BUSINESS

Whilst our Operating Divisions are distinct, they 
are united by the need to deliver daily service 
excellence within precise and challenging 
time limits.

This shared central purpose is reflected in our 
common strategic priorities, which provide a 
broad vision of the Group’s path to success and 
translate into Divisional approaches consistent 
with our core thinking.

AV I AT I O N 
P R I O R I T I E S

Our strategic approach has five 
consistent facets across both  
of our Operating Divisions.

P U R S U E   H U B S AND BASES
E R A T E   C O M P L EMENTARY SER
C U S   G E O G R A PHICAL INVES
I N   E M E RGING MAR
A N D  
S   O N   K E Y CUSTO

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S T R A T E G Y

CUSTOMER  ETHOS

EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES

OPTIMISED INVESTMENT

DIVERSIFIED OFFER

GROW TH AGENDA

G

R

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S ON KE Y   C U S T O M E
EUTRAL  P A R C E L   B U S I
ND NETW O R K   O P T I M I
EXPAND MENZ I E S   R E S P O N S
SUSTAIN CAS H   G E N E R A T I O N

S

A

S

S

E

N

T I O

E

D I S T R I B U T I O N 
P R I O R I T I E S

S T R AT EG I C   P R O G R E S S

During the last 12 months, both Divisions 
have executed the clearly defined 
strategic plans detailed in our Annual 
Report and Accounts 2015.

In Distribution we have continued 
our drive to replace falling print media 
volumes with new product volume, 
drawn from the wider UK logistics market. 

This programme has successfully 
delivered new contracts for store delivery 
with multiple retailers, notably WHSmith, 

and within the parcel market where we 
have made a further acquisition, Thistle 
Couriers Limited, to add scale.

In Aviation progress was made against 
all five strands of our strategy. Most 
significant was the US$202m acquisition 
of ASIG, which will help us grow in 
new markets, widen our product 
and customer density, and provide 
considerable scale from which we 
can continue to expand.

26 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

In the year ahead, both Divisions 
will continue to progress their plans 
and deliver against their common 
strategic priorities.

primary avenues by which we will 
deliver this new volume.

Within Aviation our focus is on 
broadening our product offering 
at existing locations, utilising our 
existing infrastructure to deliver 
new services and increase margins. 
The addition of activities such 
as de-icing, lounges and line 
maintenance to our product range 
at  various stations is an example 
of this principle in action. 

Growth 
  agenda

Whether prevailing market 
conditions are good, fair or 
challenging, a business must 
identify a pathway to growth in 
order to ensure future prosperity. 
We believe that a successful 
growth agenda requires both a 
robust business model and access 
to emerging markets. Both our 
Operating Divisions satisfy these 
prerequisites and are well-placed 
to take advantage of our market 
standing as we look to the future. 

Within Distribution our route 
to growth is through forging 
partnerships with new customers, 
which, when allied to our traditional 
contracts, produce sufficient volume 
to sustain and expand our network. 

In Aviation our recent acquisition 
of ASIG neatly demonstrates our 
growth pathway: take part in the 
consolidation of the airline services 
market; expand our product 
portfolio; and ensure that as major 
new opportunities emerge, our scale 
and capability make us a natural 
candidate to seize them. 

Customer  

  ethos

Both our Divisions believe in a 
proactive partnership approach 
to customer relations and, over the 
past two years, have actively sought 
to develop strong commercial 
functions. In Distribution such 
an approach is vital as we start 
to diversify beyond our traditional 
clients and build relations with a 
new customer base. In Aviation a 
focus on global key accounts and 
a co-ordinated approach have paid 
dividends and helped to grow our 
relationships with key customers 
across multiple regions.

Central to our customer ethos is 
ensuring we understand the needs 
and requirements of our customers 
and consistently delivering the level 
of service expected. Attention to 
detail and provision of high-quality 
services deliver success for our 
customers and further strengthen 
our relationships with them.

Emerging  
  opportunities

To continue to prosper we must 
constantly look to the future. Both 
our Divisions operate in fast-moving, 
dynamic markets and by closely 
monitoring advancements we can 
ensure that our strategy is both fit 
for  purpose and aligned to new 
growth areas.

In Distribution we are constantly 
analysing the opportunities within 
the UK logistics market. This 
approach will allow the Division to 
identify the emerging opportunities 
in this rapidly expanding sector; to 
map its unique footprint and vehicle 
assets against their requirements; 
and to concentrate our efforts on 
those which best dovetail with our 
resources and expertise.

Similarly, in Aviation we collect 
commercial intelligence which 
assists in our prioritisation of 
opportunity; for example, tracking 
analysis of aircraft orders to identify 
those regions with the strongest 
growth potential or increasing our 

familiarity with emerging economies 
in which outsourcing may not be 
prevalent. This principle was a driving 
force behind the opening of our 
Dubai office in 2016 and our current 
proposals for an office in Kuala 
Lumpur, Malaysia.

Optimised  
investment

All businesses must invest wisely. 
Operating in growing markets 
presents us with many opportunities 
and we must therefore ensure we 
select only those where the returns 
on our investments are optimised. 
Such an approach involves 
assessing market dynamics, labour 
availability and the general economic 
conditions which exist, all of which 
can influence our potential returns. 

Within Distribution we must 
consistently enhance our investment 
in our branch network to ensure the 
optimum structure is in place in the 
face of declining print media volume. 
In Aviation the acquisition of ASIG in 
February 2017 is a clear example of 
identifying an optimal investment 
target – and in so doing securing 
a new business which will help 
us deliver against each of our five 
strategic pillars in successive years.

Diversified  

  offer

The Group has long recognised 
the value of a diversified offering; 
it was this rationale which led to 
the creation of our Aviation Division. 
Today we consider active efforts 
to  diversify to be a fundamental 
part of our strategic approach.

Within Distribution this principle 
is particularly important given 
the need to replace declining print 
media volumes with new volume 
from additional customers, and is 
addressed through diversification 
into the wider UK logistics market. 
Our growing footprint in both retail 
logistics and in the UK parcel market 
as a neutral consolidator are the 

27

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STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
K E Y PERFO R M A N CE 
IND IC ATO R S

HOW WE 
MEASURE 
OUR DELIVERY

We measure and track our performance against a set 
of key performance indicators (“KPIs”) relevant to our core 
activities. A diverse range of statistics has been selected 
to ensure that a balanced view of our operations and their 
success can be formed.

O P ER AT I O N A L   D EL I V ER Y

Ensuring excellence 
We seek to operate safely 
and securely, maintaining a 
consistently high quality of 
service and skilled workforce. 
Our operational KPIs track 
the extent to which we have 
met this goal.

S A F E T Y   A N D   S E C U R I T Y
Employee injuries per  
100 full-time equivalents

Aircraft damage per  
1,000 turns

0.12

2015: 0.28 
2014: 0.15

0.02

2015: 0.06 
2014: 0.05

Why we measure this
Employees are our greatest asset and deliver 
our industry-leading service. We operate in 
areas with heavy machinery and must ensure 
that training is appropriate to keep injuries to  
a minimum.

Why we measure this
Aircraft damage per 1,000 turns underpins our 
quality service provider reputation and ensures 
we maintain an industry-leading position in  
safety and service delivery. Insurance costs 
are also monitored and controlled. 

M E A S U R I N G   O U R   G R O W T H 
D R I V ER S   A N D   D EL I V ER I N G 
F U T U R E   VA L U E

Delivering profitable growth 
We aim to consistently grow 
the scale and profitability 
of our Operating Divisions. 
These metrics give the 
clearest visibility of our 
success in this area.

Aircraft turns

Aviation turnover growth

 1,246,114
turns

7%

2015: 1,190,370 turns 
2014: 1,100,789 turns

2015: 6% 
2014: 9%

Why we measure this
Ground handling is a growing, dynamic 
marketplace. We monitor aircraft turns 
to ensure Aviation is growing both on 
a like-for-like and absolute basis.

Why we measure this
We are committed to growing our Aviation 
Division. Revenue growth within the Division 
is therefore a key metric.

28 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT 2016

 
 
 
 Improvement on last year
 Decline against last year

PEOPLE AND INTEGRITY
Employee turnover

EFFICIENCY PROCESSES AND CONTROLS
Employee hours per turn –  
Aviation

CUSTOMER SERVICE
On-time performance – 
Distribution

48.7%

29.2hrs

95.4%

2015: 44.2% 
2014: 49.7%

2015: 27.6hrs 
2014: 28.8hrs

2015: 96.5% 
2014: 97.1%

Why we measure this
We strive to employ the right people with 
the right skills. We train and develop our 
staff and therefore monitor employee 
turnover as a key determinant in the 
investment we make in them. Regional and 
seasonal variations exist as we operate in 
many different countries and this KPI is 
measured on a station-by-station basis.

Why we measure this
Narrow-bodied aircraft account for over 85% 
of all aircraft turns within Aviation – and the 
average number of employee hours invested to 
perform each one is a critical measure of how 
efficiently we operate.

Why we measure this
This measurement allows us to measure 
retail delivery times and is a KPI within 
publisher contracts. It is also essential that 
we ensure product is with retailers on time 
in order that sales are not missed.

Operating margin –  
Aviation

Contract renewal  
rate – Aviation

Total shareholder return (“TSR”)  
v FTSE250 over 3 years

3.9%

86.2%

-17%

2015: 3.1% 
2014: 4.1%

2015: 79.1% 
2014: 72.6%

2015: -82% 
2014: -50%

Why we measure this
A standard measurement demonstrating 
our ability to turn our revenue into profit, 
encompassing our efficiency, controls 
and value generation.

Why we measure this
We measure the rate of contracts that we 
successfully tender for and renew. This is a key 
sign of how satisfied our customers are with 
the levels of service and price that we are able 
to provide.

Why we measure this
TSR is the most commonly used measurement 
of value generated for shareholders, capturing 
both capital and dividend growth.

29

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STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
RISK M A N AG E MEN T

EFFECTIVE RISK 
MANAGEMENT IS KEY   
TO OUR SUCCESS

The importance of identifying 
and actively managing the 
financial and non-financial risks 
that the Group faces is at the 
heart of what we do. An effective 
risk management programme 
helps protect our assets and 
promote the interests of 
our stakeholders.

O U R   A P P R O A C H   T O   R I S K
With both our Aviation and Distribution 
Divisions operating in fast-moving and 
dynamic industries, the identification 
and mitigation of risk is vitally 
important. Accordingly, the Board 
places great importance on our risk 
programmes and the systems of 
internal control which are in place, 
receiving regular updates through the 
Audit Committee. The Risk function 
sits centrally within Group to allow 
it to operate independently of both 

Operating Divisions and, since its 
creation in 2015, it has raised the 
profile and awareness of Group risk 
programmes internally and served 
to change cultural attitudes towards 
risk-profiling. Through our risk 
programmes we look to support the 
delivery of our business objectives 
whilst protecting the interests of all 
stakeholders. The existence of a 
strong risk culture within the internal 
decision-making process enhances 
the quality of decision-making and 
safeguards our assets.

Within both Divisions we have an ‘8 
Pillar’ audit programme which allows 
tailored audits of our operations. The 
programme itself and the results of 
these audits help drive standardisation 
across the Group – they promote 
increased transparency, high standards 
and quality service whilst also ensuring 
that our operations are compliant with 
both our internal policies, procedures 
and processes and applicable laws 
and regulatory requirements. The 8 
Pillar programme is kept under 
constant review and is linked to our  

R I S K   M A N AG E M EN T   
FR A M E W O R K

 1st line of defence  
Control, design and  
implementation

 2nd line of defence  
Oversight

 3rd line of defence  
Independent  
assurance

I n ternal Audit

C ompliance

a

M

n a g ement Contr

o
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R I S K

M A N A G E M E N T

F R A M E W O R K

Risk

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J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

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dit universe (e.g. geogr a p h y ,

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Risk Register process to ensure that all 
business risks are reflected, assessed 
and audited. 

Our employees are accountable for 
working to established standards and 
for identifying and escalating risks so 
that they can be appropriately managed. 
We are committed to market-leading 
safety programmes and through our 
M.O.R.S.E. (Menzies Operating 
Responsibly, Safely and Effectively) 
system we log all safety incidents, 
including ‘near misses’, to ensure the 
root cause of each and every incident 
is investigated and lessons learned 
and communicated throughout 
the businesses.

P R I N C I PA L   R I S K S 
A N D U N C E R TA I N T I E S
Our risk profile is subject to rigorous 
and ongoing review, with the results of 
internal audits and operational incidents 
being used by our central Risk team 
to compile our Risk Registers. The Risk 
Registers are assessed on a six-
monthly basis by the Audit Committee 
and risks are reviewed objectively 
during each review. Our risk profile  

therefore continues to evolve. Indeed, 
it is expected that our Risk team will 
be heavily involved in the successful 
integration of ASIG into the Group 
which, in itself, introduces a new 
risk profile. 

The table on pages 32 and 33 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
details the principal risks and 
uncertainties which faced the Group at 
the end of 2016 and which continue to 
do so. These risks, and the wider Risk 
Registers, were subject to detailed 
review by the Board and, whilst they do 
not comprise all of the risks faced by 
the Group, they represent those that 
the Board considers are most significant.

In accordance with the provisions of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(September 2014), the Board takes 
into consideration the principal risks 
in the context of determining whether 
to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting and in assessing the 
prospects of the Company for the 
purpose of preparing the Viability 
Statement. The Going Concern and 
Viability Statements can be found 
on page 9 of the Strategic Report 

contained within this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016.

P R O G R E S S   D U R I N G   2 016
The approach of being a risk-led 
organisation continued to be 
embedded throughout 2016. The 
central Risk team, comprising Health 
& Safety, Security, Insurance, Audit 
and Compliance, maintained a high-
profile presence throughout the Group 
and ensured that the risk appetite of 
the Group was sustained.

In Aviation the implementation of a 
risk radar aimed at assisting regional 
business leaders to predict and 
manage risk has been launched and, 
whilst the model continues to evolve, its 
existence alone is helping to promote 
better informed decision-making. 

Presentations of the work undertaken 
by the Risk team and future plans 
have been provided to the Board 
which wholeheartedly endorses and 
encourages the activities of the team. 
In a business where health, safety 
and security are vital, the Risk function 
will continue to develop and influence 
as we continue to grow.

A P P ROAC H E S   TO   R I S K

Our shareholder 
value-based approach

‘Top down’ approach 
where coverage 
is driven by issues 
that directly impact 
shareholder value, 
with clear and 
explicit linkage to our 
strategic objectives.

I n ternal Audit

C ompliance

n a g e ment Controls

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M A N A G E M E N T

F R A M E W O R K

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e audit universe (e.g. geo g r a p h y   o r   b

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m pliance)
e s s u nit)

s i n

Traditional approach

Traditional ‘bottom up’ 
approach based on 
stakeholder interviews 
and analysis. Focus 
is on coverage of 
identified risk areas, 
geography and 
business operations.

31

F
I

N
A
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C

I

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L

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T
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S

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I

O
N

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RISK M A N AG E MEN T
CO N TINUED

PRINCIPAL   
RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES

Risk and uncertainty have the potential to hinder 
progress toward the Group’s strategic objectives. 
We focus on mitigating those risks, to provide 
reasonable – although not absolute – 
assurance against material risks.

The table below profiles those risks and 
uncertainties that the Board believes 
most significant, together with the activity 
that we undertake to mitigate them.

R ISK A ND D ESC R IP T I O N

IMPAC T

M I T I G AT IN G  FAC TO R S

PRICE OPTIMISATION IN CONTR AC T RENEWAL S/CONTR AC T TENDERING/COMPETITIVE PRESSURE

Failure to negotiate existing contracts at 
acceptable rates or to successfully win new 
contracts on terms that achieve the Group’s 
internal rate of return and risk profile 
threshold criteria.

Inability to renegotiate and retain key 
material contracts at rates that provide 
acceptable returns could significantly 
impact Group earnings.

IN C R E A SED L A B O U R COST S

Our businesses rely on our people. Wage 
inflation is prominent in many of the 
territories in which we operate. There are a 
number of initiatives within the UK and other 
countries to improve wages which could 
impact our businesses.

An inability to pass on statutory increases to 
our customers could materially impact 
profitability e.g. the UK’s National Living Wage.

E MPLOY EE T R A ININ G

The risk that employees are not trained or 
re-trained to mandated levels to adequately 
undertake standard operating procedures.

Inadequate delivery of training and recurrent 
training results in the risk of employee injury, 
poor productivity, poor customer service 
and the likelihood of a vehicle or aircraft 
damage incident.

Our Commercial teams plan ahead to ensure 
readiness for all upcoming contract renewals 
and new business tenders. The Group operates 
a Menzies Commercial Appraisal Committee 
that meets monthly to review all pricing and 
contractual terms before bids are submitted 
for new/repeat business. In addition, we 
constantly strive to innovate within our 
operations to ensure our operational model 
operates with an optimum cost base. 

Contracts with customers increasingly 
contain clauses which specify statutory wage 
increases. We also continue to evolve our 
operating model to optimise our cost base. 
Additionally, resource management tools are 
being rolled-out in our Aviation Division to 
ensure roster outputs meet applicable 
regulations and customer demands whilst 
also providing better productivity.

A focus on training through increased 
resource and training delivery specialists 
together with an increase in standard 
e-learning packages across the Group, 
allowing efficient delivery of training and 
ease of record-keeping. We now also include 
training compliance as part of the monthly 
self-certification process. Training is 
also one of the key pillars in our ‘8 Pillar’ 
audit programme.

SU CC ESSI O N  PL A NNIN G

As the Group expands it is important that 
sufficiently trained and skilled staff are 
available to fill positions created by our 
expanding businesses both at supervisory 
and managerial levels. We must ensure 
sufficient developmental programmes are 
in place to develop our people. We rely on 
having the right people with the right skills 
in the right place at the right time. Without 
effective succession plans the Group risks 
not having sufficient individuals to fill the 
key roles which are required to ensure our 
businesses run smoothly.

The operational and leadership impact of failing 
to have sufficient people, or a stream of trained, 
qualified individuals identified as potential 
future business leaders, could result in 
increased costs, lack of efficiency and a failure 
to deliver on any (or all) of the key strategic 
objectives of the Group. Our brand loyalty could 
be impacted and a competitive disadvantage 
could arise if we were unable to retain internal 
candidates to occupy key roles as they become 
available or we lose individuals with the 
requisite in-depth knowledge and expertise 
due to a lack of internal career opportunities.

Succession plans across the Group exist 
and the Board annually reviews such plans 
for Senior Management and Executive 
Directors. In 2017 a new Board committee 
was constituted, the Human Resources 
Committee, tasked at looking at all aspects 
of our HR offering. Structured development 
programmes are in place aimed at identifying 
and developing key employees while salaries 
and benefits are benchmarked to ensure they 
remain competitive with market standards. 

32 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

R ISK A ND D ESC R IP T I O N

IMPAC T

M I T I G AT IN G  FAC TO R S

G LO BA L AC T O F  T ER RO R ISM 

The risk that a global terrorism event could 
materially affect the airline industry and the 
number of aircraft flights is significantly 
reduced for a period of time.

A global act of terrorism could lead to a 
significant loss in revenue as flights would 
be grounded and air cargo would not 
be transported.

Ground handling cost base is flexible and 
could be flexed to assist in mitigating the 
expected financial impact.

SECU R I T Y  B R E AC H

The risk that a serious security breach or 
incident occurs that is directly attributable 
to the actions of one of our employees or the 
failure of related processes or training.

The impact of a serious security-related incident 
could affect the Group’s reputation, operational 
and, ultimately, financial performance.

A D HER EN C E TO  STA NDA R D O PER AT IN G   PRO C ED U R ES

Within Aviation the adherence to internal 
standard operating procedures and airline 
regulations is vital to ensure the Division 
delivers its business objectives and operates 
safely and securely at all times.

Failure to adhere to standard operating 
procedures can endanger employees and lead 
to poor operational performance; it could 
result in a rise in aircraft damage and personal 
injury incidents. In addition, the reputation of 
the Group would suffer. A poor safety record 
could produce increased operating costs, 
including punitive and compensatory charges 
and increased insurance rates, and ultimately 
lead to the loss of customer contracts.

RO BUST I T S Y ST E M S

Sophisticated IT systems are at the core of 
all our businesses, driving efficiency. System 
downtime could lead to severe operational 
issues and delays to customers. External 
vulnerability to attack is a growing worldwide 
issue which could result in erroneous 
information entering our processing 
systems or commercial data being 
accessed without permission. 

A serious IT outage for a limited period of 
time could have an operational, financial 
and reputational impact.

STA FF T U R N OV ER

High staff turnover leads to low experience 
and skill levels to cover required shifts. This 
could leave our Operating Divisions without 
sufficient skilled employees to deliver our 
business objectives.

Consistently high staff turnover could result 
in both a reduction in service levels and a loss 
of customer contracts. Additionally, a high 
number of inexperienced staff could lead 
to an increase in safety-related incidents.

The Group works closely with airport 
authorities. Rigorous checking and vetting of 
all employees takes place. Central support is 
provided to all stations via the Group Security 
team, utilising the M.O.R.S.E. intranet-based 
safety and security monitoring system which 
provides consistent and regular reporting. 
A dedicated Group Security Officer continues 
to increase standards across the Group and 
raise awareness.

Independent audit programmes exist to 
ensure applicable operating procedures 
are being adhered to and all audit scores 
are reviewed by the senior leadership team. 
A dedicated Operational Excellence team 
helps drive standardisation across the 
network whilst significant investment in 
infrastructure and systems has aided the 
drive for compliance and standardisation. 
Tailored training packages exist and all 
employees undertake full and rigorous 
training. Safety and security are the number 
one priority at every station and are never 
compromised. Industry-leading safety 
systems are utilised. Our internal M.O.R.S.E. 
system is at the heart of all our operations.

During 2016 our IT infrastructure was 
outsourced to SunGard, thereby increasing 
the robustness and reliability of our hardware. 
New plans to mitigate cyber-attacks have 
been put in place through our Project 
Watertight initiative. Disaster recovery plans 
exist and are reviewed periodically.

The Board has a particular focus on staff 
turnover and reviews the position at each 
Board meeting. New initiatives aimed at 
reducing turnover are in place and in the 
Americas region, for example, a dedicated 
function exists to address this issue. 
Investment in onboarding HR systems, which 
vet employees to ensure suitability for the 
role, exist and are gaining traction. At Group 
level, the Human Resources Committee will 
give detailed consideration to staff turnover 
and determine what can be done to make 
an impact in this area.

IN T EG R AT I O N  O F  ACQ U ISI T I O N

The risks associated with the integration of a 
large-scale acquisition: people, systems and 
equipment require to be well-managed and 
failure to do so could impact the services 
provided to customers, result in a failure to 
achieve targeted synergies and ultimately 
decrease staff morale. 

Failure to successfully integrate a scale 
acquisition could lead to a reduction in 
anticipated returns, synergy benefits could 
be missed and reputational damage to the 
Group could arise.

Detailed integration plans are put in place 
for every acquisition, irrespective of size. 
Milestones are set and independently 
checked. Dedicated resources are required 
to ensure that sufficient time is given to each 
element of integration and the achievement 
of all targets.

33

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONRESO URCES, REL ATI O NSHIP S 
A ND RESP O NSIBIL ITIES

RECOGNISING OUR 
RESPONSIBILITIES   

satisfied the requirements to become 
a constituent of the FTSE4Good 
Index Series. 

Created by the global index provider 
FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good 
Index Series is designed to 
measure the performance of 
companies demonstrating strong 
Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) practices. The 
FTSE4Good indices are used by a 
wide variety of market participants 
to create and assess responsible 
investment funds and other products. 

Conducting our operations 
responsibly is central to the culture of 
our business. The Group’s framework 
of policies and guidelines sets clear 
standards to ensure that our business 
activities remain ethical, responsible 
and sound.

Our Corporate Social Responsibility 
Report is published on our website 
and this details the CSR practices, 
strategies and policies which we have 
in place across our Operating Divisions.

FTSE Russell (the trading name 
of FTSE International Limited and 
Frank Russell Company) confirms 
that John Menzies plc has been 
independently assessed according 
to the FTSE4Good criteria, and has 

3 4 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

O U R   P E O P L E
Our people are one of our most 
highly-valued resources – our 
operational performance and the 
delivery of shareholder value are 
dependent upon attracting and 
retaining a highly skilled, motivated 
and talented workforce that reflects 
the diversity of the societies in which 
we operate. We seek to:

•  create an environment of inclusion 
within which our people are treated 
with respect, dignity and in 
accordance with our human 
rights responsibilities;

•  attract, retain and motivate 

a quality and diverse workforce, 
recruiting and promoting on 
the basis of ability; and 

•  develop the capabilities of our 

workforce with a focus on the skills 
required to maintain safe and 
reliable operations and encourage 
our employees to achieve their full 
potential, irrespective of ethnicity, 
national origin, religion, gender 
and gender identity, age, sexual 
orientation, marital status, disability, 
or any other protected characteristic. 

O U R   A P P R O A C H
As our operations continue to expand, 
our global headcount increased from 
25,600 at the end of 2015 to 28,100 
at the end of 2016. Indeed, a key focus 
across the Group is continuing to 
ensure that we recruit and retain 
individuals with the necessary skills 
and results-driven attitude to deliver 
the high standards of performance 
which our stakeholders expect. Where 
possible, we aim to build capability and 
promote from within Group talent 

pools, complementing this with 
selective external recruitment as 
and when required. 

We provide a broad range of 
development opportunities for our 
people, from on-the-job learning 
through to online and classroom-based 
courses to ensure we promote and 
maintain best-in-class standards, 
motivate our employees and support 
the requirements of our businesses. 
Additionally, we regularly review and 
monitor the pay and benefits offered to 
our employees, benchmarking against 
competitors where appropriate. National 
Living Wage is applied as required 
and working hours are determined 
in accordance with applicable laws. 
Our Human Resources team plays 
an integral role and our commitment 
to our people is evidenced by the 
strengthening of this function in 2016 
through the recruitment of specialist 
capability in the areas of Rewards, 
Learning and HR systems. 

G E N D E R   D I V E R S I T Y   ( D E C .  2 016)
E M P L O Y E E S

 19,302

MALE

 8,779

FEMALE

D E C I S I O N - M A K E R S

273

MALE

 85

FEMALE

B O A R D   O F   D I R E C T O R S

8

MALE

1

FEMALE

D I V E R S I T Y   A N D   I N C L U S I O N 
As a global organisation, we aim for 
a workforce which is representative 
of the societies in which we operate. 
We seek to create an environment 
of inclusion and acceptance. Policies 
and procedures for recruitment, 
promotion, training and reward 
promote equality of opportunity 
regardless of background 
and personal circumstances. 
Our recruitment process facilitates 
inclusion and adjustments are 
made to accommodate those 

with additional needs, including 
disabilities, where necessary. Where 
existing employees become disabled, 
our policy is to provide continued 
employment and training 
wherever possible. 

Full consideration is given to equality 
legislation and an analysis of pay and 
benefits relative to the gender split of 
our employees will be reported on in 
accordance with recent legislative 
developments at the relevant time. 

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

R
E
P
O
R
T
S

F
I

N
A
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I

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S
T
A
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M
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S

S
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I

O
N

Pawel Bartoszek and Philip Zigah, Baggage Handlers

35

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
RESO URCES, REL ATI O NSHIP S 
A ND RESP O NSIBIL ITIES CO N TINUED

the regions and communities in which 
we work. All donations must adhere 
to our Ethics Policy and satisfy the 
following selection criteria:

•  efficiency: we aim to be involved 
with charities which are ‘lean’ 
enough for our donation to make 
an impact and not be absorbed 
in administrative costs;
integrity: we aim to make donations 
on a ‘needs’ rather than ‘taste’ 
basis; and

• 

•  effectiveness: we support charities 
that have specific aims and can 
demonstrate how our contribution 
will benefit their cause. 

In addition to the Charities Fund, 
employees are actively encouraged 
to support charitable causes through 
attendance at charitable events 
and via the John Maxwell Menzies 
Community Fund. Under this Fund 
individual cash awards of up to 
£350 per employee or £700 per 
team of employees can be made 
to those undertaking a charitable 
or community project. 

2 016   H I G H L I G H T S
During 2016 the Company donated 
£80,000 out of which:

•  £25,000 was committed to 

organisations focused on assisting 
and empowering the generations 
which preceded us by enabling their 
independence, addressing their 
social needs and/or providing 
health or end-of-life care; and

•  £44,000 was committed to bodies 
supporting and investing in the 
generations which will follow us by 
promoting the wellbeing of children 
and tackling the issues which 
undermine their life chances. 

E M P L O Y E E   E N G A G E M E N T
Our Managers hold regular team and 
one-to-one meetings with their staff, 
complemented by formal processes 
in certain jurisdictions. We seek to 
maintain constructive relationships 
with labour unions across our Group 
and we have an active Employee Forum 
in our Distribution Division where 
employees may voice their opinions 
about future activities and proposals 
within the Division. Employee Forum 
representatives are elected by their 
peers and receive training to build 
and develop the necessary skillset 
required to represent their 
colleagues and present their views 
on significant issues. 

2 016   H I G H L I G H T S
•  2016 saw the introduction and 
worldwide roll-out of our new 
recruitment and applicant tracking 
tool across the Group, supporting 
efficient recruitment processes 
for colleagues and candidates.

•  A new learning management system 

has been developed to hold all 
training material and accurately 
record and report on training 
performance, enabling the delivery 
of training courses and content 
through e-learning directly to 
our employees.

•  Following significant discussion in 
2016 around succession planning 
and staff retention rates, a Human 
Resources Committee was 
constituted by the Board at the 
beginning of 2017. This Committee 
will have overall responsibility for 
key policy decisions relating to 
employees and governance of 
the Group’s people management 
processes. Principal areas of focus 
will include human resources 
structure and standardisation, 
recruitment and succession 
planning and addressing staff 
retention rates. 

O U R   S O C I A L   C O N T R I B U T I O N
John Menzies plc recognises that 
as a socially responsible company we 
must give careful consideration to 
the impact which our operations may 
have on the communities in which 
we operate. We remain cognisant of 
our obligation to do what we can to 
positively influence our community 
relations and we endeavour to 
enhance community life wherever and 
whenever possible. Our community 
investment remains founded upon 
three fundamental objectives:

•  to build relationships within the 

communities in which we operate;
•  to make charitable contributions 
that reflect our shared company-
community values; and
•  to invest in local people and 

industries.

O U R   A P P R O A C H
John Menzies plc is a 
multigenerational business with 
successive generations of the Menzies 
family having served as both leaders 
and, ultimately, custodians of the 
Company as they sought to preserve 
and successfully grow it for passing on 
to future generations. Accordingly, we 
are acutely aware of the connection 
between those who have helped build 
the environment in which we work and 
those who will inherit what is left behind. 

Stemming from this overarching 
theme of the relationship between 
generations, a theme selected to 
reflect the story of the Menzies 
business itself, our charitable giving 
is centred around organisations 
that assist and empower the 
generations that preceded us and 
invest in the wellbeing and opportunities 
of the generations that will succeed us.

Guided by this, the Board of John 
Menzies plc provides an annual 
budget for our Charities Fund. The 
funds available through this are 
allocated to charities, nominated on 
a regional basis, which reflect these 
values and which are also relevant to 

36 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

I N V E S T I N G   I N   F U T U R E   G EN ER AT I O N S

To learn more about this initiative, 
visit https://vimeo.com/189281874

Hospital and the Highland Children’s 
Unit. Menzies has a long-standing 
relationship with the Foundation, 
having provided free delivery services 
to it since 2013.

Ewan Ferguson, Menzies Parcels, 
shops for toys to be donated to the 
ARCHIE foundation

Menzies Distribution enjoys a close 
working relationship with the 
ARCHIE Foundation.

In October 2016 a Menzies delivery 
van packed full of over £2,000 worth 
of toys and games arrived at the 
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital 
before being unloaded and carried 
into a ward by a team of ARCHIE and 
Menzies volunteers.

The toys donated were specifically 
selected for hospital use, being easy 
to keep clean and sterilise to prevent 
the spread of infections.

The ARCHIE Foundation is the official 
charity of the Royal Aberdeen 
Children’s Hospital, Tayside Children’s 

A S S I S T I N G   T H E   O L D ER   G EN ER AT I O N S

Amongst the organisations which the 
Group has supported, perhaps the 
most innovative is Playlist for Life, 
a music and dementia charity 
focused on ensuring that every 
person living with dementia has 
access to a playlist of ‘personally 
meaningful music’ (“PMM”) as a 
gateway to a better life.

Music is neurologically special: such 
is the power of the stimulus that 
monitoring evidence shows that the 
brain of a person listening to music 
becomes active in many different 
areas. Indeed, there is growing 
evidence that PMM can amplify 
these effects for people living with 
dementia, bringing them great 
happiness and helping them 

reconnect with their identities whilst 
improving their awareness and 
enhancing their ability to understand. 

To learn more, visit Playlist for 
Life’s website at: 
www.playlistforlife.org.uk.

37

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONRESO URCES, REL ATI O NSHIP S 
A ND RESP O NSIBIL ITIES CO N TINUED

O U R   E N V I R O N M E N TA L   I M PA C T
With a global network spanning 36 
countries, we endeavour to protect the 
environments in which we operate 
and, to the extent possible, seek to 
integrate environmental sustainability 
into our businesses. During 2016 
the Group made a number of key 
acquisitions in both the Aviation 
and Distribution Divisions and we 
recognise that, in such expansion, 
we must remain cognisant of our 
responsibilities and ensure that 
our environmental management 
processes adapt and evolve 
accordingly. Our practices and 
procedures seek to address the 

growth of our operations in a variety 
of ways, including through the use 
of energy efficient technology, 
investment in systems for data 
collection and analysis and a 
commitment to monitoring and 
auditing our environmental data.

Within this area we strive to:

•  foster and advance energy efficient 
practices throughout our Aviation 
and Distribution networks;
identify, assess and manage 
environmental risks; and

• 

•  comply with all applicable legislative 

and regulatory requirements.

O U R   A P P R O A C H
During 2016 the Group invested 
in ‘Carbon Tracker’ software to 
consolidate each Division’s carbon 
data into a cloud-based system. The 
anticipated outcome of this project 
is that our approach to monitoring 
environmental information will be 
further standardised and the data 
collection process simplified across 
our global network. The system, which 
is scheduled to be implemented 
during 2017, will be constructed 
to analyse the volume of carbon 
consumed on a regional basis, thus 
allowing tailored carbon reduction 
programmes to be implemented. 

G R E E N H O U S E   G A S 
E M I S S I O N S  R E P O R T I N G
Under the Climate Change Act 2008 
and the Companies Act 2006 
(Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013 (the 
“Regulations”), we are mandated 
to disclose the greenhouse gas 
(“GHG”) emissions for which we 
are responsible. Specifically, we are 
required to report, in the form of 
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent 
(“CO2e”), on all material emissions of 
the six gases covered by the Kyoto 
Protocol generated from both direct 
sources and purchased electricity, 
heat, steam and cooling.

To ensure we achieve the transparency 
required and deliver effective emissions 
management, we must implement 
and utilise robust and accepted 
methods. Accordingly, whilst the 
Regulations provide no prescribed 
methodology, we collate our GHG data 
on a quarterly basis and calculate 
our carbon footprint annually using 
the latest Defra (Department for 
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) 
emissions factors.

The period covered for the purposes of 
this GHG Emissions Reporting section 
is 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 
and our calculations are for Scope 1 
and Scope 2 emissions i.e.:

•  buildings-related energy such 
as natural gas (Scope 1) and 
electricity (Scope 2); and
•  vehicle and equipment fuel 
consumption (Scope 1).

Carbon Footprint Ltd (“Carbon 
Footprint”) continues to provide 
independent external verification 
of our data and was engaged by 
us to certify that our 2016 data-sets 
were satisfactory, methodologies 
appropriate and conversion metrics/
calculations sound. As before, and 
with Carbon Footprint’s assistance, 
we continue our endeavours to 
improve our data accuracy and 
report on a global basis.

Carbon Footprint has validated our 
submissions and confirmed that 
for 2016 our emissions factors, 
methodology and GHG calculations 
are robust. Going forward it is our 
intention to use a Carbon Tracker tool 
(as referred to above) which will 
provide a means for data entry to be 
delegated to team members across 
the business, thus engaging them 
on a regular (monthly) basis in energy 
and carbon management. This has 
the benefit of both standardising 
reporting across the business and 
raising awareness of our commitment 
to reducing our carbon footprint.

This Emissions Reporting section is 
incorporated into the Directors’ Report 
contained on pages 79 to 83 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

We also participate in the following UK 
Government-led carbon and energy 
management programmes, further 
details of which are provided below:

• 

 the Energy Savings Opportunity 
Scheme (“ESOS”), which runs 
in four year cycles; and
•  the Carbon Reduction 

Commitment Energy Efficiency 
Scheme (the “CRC Scheme”), 
which is due to be phased-out 
in the next two years.

E S O S
ESOS is a mandatory energy 
assessment scheme which has been 
in force since July 2014 and requires 
larger companies and non-public 
sector organisations in the UK to, 
inter alia, undertake energy saving 
assessments and identify where 
energy savings can be made. Whilst 
the future of ESOS in its current form 
is uncertain, Carbon Footprint was 
appointed our Lead Assessor 
and previously carried-out an  
ESOS-compliant energy audit for 
the relevant period, i.e. 1 January 2014 
to 31 December 2014, to ensure we 
fulfilled our legislative obligations. 

3 8 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

As detailed in our Annual Report and 
Accounts 2015, Menzies Distribution 
remains the holder of its fourth 
consecutive Carbon Trust Standard 
award in recognition of the sustained 
reduction in the Division’s carbon 
footprint. The Division will be applying 
for re-certification during 2017 and in 
doing so intends to highlight a number 
of improvements that were actioned 
throughout 2016 including:

•  an initiative to reduce mileage 
through the use of double 
deck trailers;

•  enforcing energy saving lighting 
at all hubs, spokes and offices 
throughout Distribution; and

As previously disclosed, Carbon 
Footprint identified a number of 
opportunities amounting to over 20% 
of total energy (including buildings 
and direct transport-related energy). 
In order to help achieve this, we are 
implementing an ongoing programme 
of energy management, consisting 
of detailed baselining and monthly 
analysis of sites and identifying 
opportunities for reducing carbon 
and associated costs, including site 
surveys, training and improved 
communications. Such initiatives 
will not only enable us to reduce our 
overall carbon footprint but will also 
form part of our strategy for ESOS 
Phase 2 compliance (2019) if required.

ESOS 

Compliant

carbon 
footprint

TM

C R C   S C H E M E
The CRC Scheme, effective from 
April 2010, is an obligatory emissions 
trading scheme which has the stated 
objective of improving energy 
efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide 
emissions in large public and private 
sector organisations. Under the terms 
of the Scheme we are required to report 
annually on our UK operations’ energy 
usage, a disclosure which continues to 
be of assistance from a GHG reporting 
perspective.

Combustion 
of fossil fuels

Electricity 
purchased 
for  own use

•  the employment of a dedicated 

route efficiency specialist to reduce 
the number of miles driven across 
the Distribution network.

While Distribution accounts for the 
largest part of the Group’s usage of 
carbon producing fuels in the UK, 
Aviation is also focused on reducing 
the carbon emissions arising from 
the tonnes and turns handled at 
each station in the Division. 

2 016   H I G H L I G H T S
• 

Investment in and development of 
a new Carbon Tracker system to 
provide improved monitoring and 

data collection of the Group’s 
carbon footprint.

•  As part of an IT transformation 
exercise, consolidation of four 
separate data centres into one 
facility using cloud computing 
services, thus significantly 
reducing our power consumption 
through the use of more power 
efficient technologies.

•  Significant savings of 97,022 kWh 

were made by Air Menzies 
International (“AMI”) during 2016, 
due principally to re-location to a 
new energy efficient office building 
in Sydney, Australia. 

Measure

2016 Global tonnes of CO2e

2015 
Global 
tonnes 
of CO2e

2016 UK tonnes of CO2e

2015 
UK tonnes
 of CO2e

Group
 Total 

Aviation 
Division

Distribution 
Division

Total

 UK Total

Aviation 
Division

Distribution 
Division

Total

63,841 40,722

23,119

61,719

30,864

7,745

23,119

27,179

21,080 16,057

5,023

19,553

6,443

Total

84,921 56,779

28,142

81,272

37,307

1,420

9,165

5,023

7,469

28,142

34,648

Intensity ratios 
(tonnes of CO2e) 

Per £000 
turnover

Per aircraft 
turnaround

Per £000 
turnover total

0.065

0.023

0.059

0.023

0.068

0.046

0.068

0.124

0.031

0.041

0.041

0.027

0.035

0.025

Due to reductions made in gas 
consumption across Distribution we 
are pleased to report that our latest 
CRC Annual Report (2015-2016 CRC) 
totalled 8,960 tonnes, which is the 
lowest CRC data submission we have 
reported to-date.

Whilst the CRC Scheme is scheduled 
to be abolished at the end of Phase 2 
(2014-2019), our workplans in this 
regard continue to remain underway 
and we will submit our annual 
compliance report to the CRC 
Registry by 31 July 2017.

C A R B O N   T R U S T

The Group is proud of Menzies 
Distribution’s status as a Carbon 
Trust Standard holder for eight 
consecutive years. 

The Standard recognises the 
Division’s commitment to 
measure, manage and reduce 
its carbon footprint.

39

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STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
RESO URCES, REL ATI O NSHIP S 
A ND RESP O NSIBIL ITIES CO N TINUED

H E A LT H ,   S A F E T Y   A N D   S E C U R I T Y
The management of health, safety 
and security risks is embedded within 
our culture and in the way in which we 
conduct our day-to-day operations. 
Stringent risk management practices 
are vital to both employee welfare and 
the success of the Group: operating 
as we do in time-critical environments, 
incidents can result in both increased 
costs and disruption for our businesses 
and customers. We consistently 
review our health, safety and security 
procedures and training and seek to 
develop work processes and protocols 
aimed at minimising the likelihood 
of accidents occurring. We promote 
the attitude that good health, safety 
and security practices are not the 
responsibility of any one individual or 
department – it should be a collective 
effort with every employee assuming 
responsibility for ensuring a safe and 
secure working environment. 

As a risk-led organisation we seek to:

•  guarantee the health, safety and 
security of all our employees;

•  establish policies, procedures and 

processes for identifying, managing 
and minimising risk-related 
accidents and incidents; and

•  drive standardisation and 

transparency in this area to ensure 
the requisite compliance.

W E H AV E A TOTA L O F 2 2 
I S AG O R EG I S T ER ED  G RO U N D 
H A N D L I N G S TAT I O N S

22

Yogesh Parekh, Head of Internal Audit (Operations)

O U R   A P P R O A C H
As detailed on page 30 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016, effective 
risk management is key to our success, 
protecting our assets and promoting 
the interests of our stakeholders, and 
further details of our progress in this 
area can be found on these pages. 

Driven by our ‘8 Pillar’ audit programme, 
applicable to both Divisions, our 
businesses place a premium on 
transparency, high standards and 
quality service. Additionally, our SMART 
(Standard Menzies Audit Reporting 
Tool) operational inspection tool allows 
users across the Group to submit 
a basic audit of activities which they 
observe and serves to encourage 
the continued adoption of risk-
conscious behaviour in our  
day-to-day performance.

2 016   H I G H L I G H T S 
•  The SMART tool continues to play 
a significant role in our Safety 
Management System for both 
Divisions. In 2016 there were 286,581 
inspections conducted via the mobile 
application: 1 every 3 minutes in 
ground handling, 1 every 60 minutes 
in cargo handling and 1 every 72 
minutes in Distribution centres. 
•  A total of 37 audits were completed 
for ground handling and cargo 
handling in 2016 with an overall 
increase is compliance standards 
– ground handling improved by 5% 
and cargo handling by 3%. 
In Aviation a total of 22 stations 
have now achieved IATA/ISAGO 
registration, an international safety 
audit program recognised by our 
customers, airport regulators and 
by the Aviation industry itself. 

• 

4 0 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

W H AT   I S   M .O. R . S . E . ? 
The M.O.R.S.E (Menzies 
Operating Responsibly, Safely and 
Effectively) safety programme is 
the Group’s Safety Management 
System and is a key mechanism 
in our health, safety and security 
strategy. The system promotes a 
risk-conscious culture throughout 
the Group where safety and 
security are a top priority in all 
our operations. 

Communication and awareness 
of our standard operating 
procedures are essential to the 
success of the M.O.R.S.E. system 
and we therefore circulate 
regular updates in this regard, 
underpinned with a strong 
compliance message. 

O P E R AT I N G   W I T H   I N T E G R I T Y
The Group is dedicated to operating 
fairly, honestly and in compliance 
with all applicable laws and ethical 
standards. Wherever we operate in the 
world we believe that we must foster 
a culture in which integrity and 
responsible and ethical values are 
at the very core of all our activities 
and decision-making processes. 

Our fundamental principles are that 
we must:

• 

• 

 uphold the highest standards of 
integrity in all our operations; and
 conduct our activities within the 
parameters of all applicable 
legislative, regulatory and 
ethical requirements.

O U R   A P P R O A C H
Our Ethics Policy applies to all 
Group-operated businesses and 
details the key principles and values 
which we consider represent the 
foundation of sound and fair business 
practices. Built upon this foundation, 
our Compliance programme reflects 
these beliefs and translates them into 
everyday scenarios with the objective 

of providing clear guidance to those 
who represent the Group and ensure 
they act ethically and with integrity 
in their dealings with third parties.

S U P P LY   C H A I N
Both our Aviation and Distribution 
Divisions rely on long-term, working 
relationships with our customers, 
suppliers and business partners. We 
are committed to ensuring that we 
work with third parties to deliver the 
highest standards throughout our 
service supply chain, upholding not 
only the best-in-class service which 
our customers have come to expect 
but also the values to which we 
are committed. 

Our ability to be a safe and 
responsible operator depends, in part, 
on the capability and performance of 
those who assist us to carry out our 
operations. We therefore engage with 
third parties on areas such as health 
and safety, operational performance, 
and ethics: we seek to work with 
organisations which share our 
commitment to ethical and safe 
working practices; we aim to have 
suitable provisions incorporated 
within third party contracts; and 
we expect and encourage our 
employees and contractors to 
behave in a manner which is 
consistent with our Ethics Policy. 

In accordance with the requirements 
of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and 
at the relevant time, we will detail on 
our website the steps we are taking 
to ensure that slavery and human 
trafficking are not taking place in 
any of our supply chains or in any part 
of our business. We are reviewing our 
current policies, practices and training 
in light of this new legislation to ensure 
they are adequate. 

W H I S T L E B L O W I N G ,   A N T I - B R I B E R Y 
A N D   C O R R U P T I O N 
We have a responsibility to our 
employees, our shareholders and the 
countries and communities in which 
we do business to be ethical and 

lawful in all our dealings. Any Group 
representative, whether employee, 
contractor or otherwise, is expected to 
conduct themselves ethically and with 
integrity, impartiality and honesty. We 
consider it essential that our Group 
policies regarding fraud, bribery and 
corruption be clearly understood by 
all who represent us. 

Our zero tolerance position in 
relation to bribery and corruption 
is supported by Group policies and 
procedures which include the conduct 
of risk assessments, the inclusion 
of appropriate clauses in third party 
contracts and staff training. In relation 
to the latter, we provide training to 
those employees for whom we believe 
it is most relevant, depending on, for 
example, the nature or location of their 
role. We seek to develop a culture 
where inappropriate behaviour at all 
levels is challenged.

The Group’s Security team worked 
with whistleblowing hotline experts, 
Expolink, to implement a single 
platform across the Group’s global 
network. The outcome of this was 
that a new whistleblowing programme 
was implemented globally in 2016 
to encourage employees to report 
genuine concerns about malpractice, 
illegal acts or failures, without fear of 
reprisal, victimisation or risk to job 
security. We identify and correct areas 
of non-conformance and take 
disciplinary action where appropriate. 

The Strategic Report on pages 2 to 41 
of this Annual Report and Accounts 
2016 has been approved by the Board 
of Directors in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations 2013.

John Geddes
Group Company Secretary
7 March 2017

41

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONCH A IR M A N’ S IN TRO DU C T IO N

EFFECTIVE   
GOVERNANCE

We remain committed to ensuring that strong governance 
measures are in place throughout our operations and we seek 
to establish that the highest standards are firmly embedded within  
our everyday practices.

Dr Dermot F. Smurfit
CHAIR M AN 

42 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

D E A R   S H A R E H O L D E R , 
On behalf of the Board of John 
Menzies plc I would like to introduce 
our Corporate Governance Report 
for the financial year ended 
31 December 2016.

During my period as Chairman it has 
become obvious to me that a strong 
governance framework is in place 
within Menzies and I am pleased 
to confirm that promoting and 
maintaining high standards of 
corporate governance continue to be 
a priority for us. We remain committed 
to ensuring that rigorous governance 
measures are at the core of our 
operations and recognise that an 
effective governance system is 
essential if we are to continue to 
deliver the Group’s strategy and at the 
same time ensure that enhanced and 
sustainable shareholder returns are 
achieved. Indeed good corporate 
governance is fundamental not only to 
the success of the Group itself but also 
to us, the Board, properly discharging 
our stewardship responsibilities.

As we continue with the execution of 
our strategy it is imperative that our 
Board contains the appropriate balance 
of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge to succeed. Whilst I 
am satisfied that it does so at this 
time, this will be kept under continual 
review. Further, whilst we recognise 
the importance of diversity across our 
business we will continue to recruit 
on the basis of merit and ability rather 
than on a quota-driven basis.

C O N C L U S I O N   
The reports which follow detail how 
we applied the principles of good 
governance during the 2016 financial 
year. Whilst I consider that our Board 
is ably equipped to drive forward the 
Group’s strategy and address any 
challenges which arise, this must 
be done within the appropriate 
governance, regulatory and legislative 
parameters. Going forward, we will 
continue to enhance and refine our 
governance policies and processes 
to ensure that the highest standards 
are embedded within our everyday 
practices and operations.

Dr Dermot F. Smurfit 
Chairman  
7 March 2017

In accordance with the Financial 
Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules we 
are required to report on how we have 
complied with the main principles of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(September 2014) (the “Code”) which 
we fully endorse. It is the view of the 
Board that we have complied with all 
relevant provisions of the Code for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2016 
and continue to do so.

B O A R D   S T R U C T U R E 
A key priority during 2016 was the issue 
of Board succession and, following 
Jeremy Stafford’s resignation and 
a review of our Board structure and 
the landscapes in which we operate, 
Forsyth Black was appointed 
President & Managing Director 
of Menzies Aviation in January 2016. 
Thereafter, Giles Wilson became 
Chief Financial Officer in June 2016, 
following Paula Bell’s resignation, 
and the Executive team was further 
strengthened by the appointment 
of John Geddes, Group Company 
Secretary, to the Board in November 
2016 as Corporate Affairs Director. The 
balance of the Board must meet the 
changing needs of our businesses and 
these appointments are regarded as 
pivotal in the effective implementation 
of the Group’s strategy.

The Nomination Committee continues 
to ensure that the Board is refreshed 
and strengthened when required. 
Indeed, following a process to identify 
suitable independent Non-Executive 
Directors, we were delighted to 
announce the appointment of Paul 
Baines to the Board in June 2016, 
his extensive City experience adding 
a further dimension to the Board’s 
skillsets. Additionally, I assumed the 
position of Chairman in July 2016 
following Iain Napier’s resignation after 
leading the Board for seven years. 

C O M P O S I T I O N   O F   T H E   B O A R D

Executive Director 

3

Independent Non-Executive Director  4

Non-Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Chairman 

L E N G T H   O F   T E N U R E   ( N O N -
E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R S )  

0–3 years 

4–6 years 

7–9 years 

More than 9 years 

B O A R D   B Y   G E N D E R

Executive Male 

Executive Female 

Non-Executive Male 

Non-Executive Female 

1

1

4

0

0

1

3

0

5

1

4 3

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
BOA RD O F D IREC TO R S

BOARD OF 
DIRECTORS

growing e-commerce logistics market. 
Forsyth has a strong track record in 
commercial, managerial and business 
development roles, having previously 
led the inception and development of 
Menzies Aviation in India and Africa.

O T H E R A P P O I N T M E N T S
Director of various Group companies

JOHN GEDDES
E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R :   
C O R P O R AT E   A F F A I R S   D I R E C T O R   & 
G R O U P   C O M P A N Y   S E C R E TA R Y

John was appointed to the Board in 
November 2016 as Corporate Affairs 
Director, having first joined the Group 
in 1997. Prior to this appointment John 
held the position of Group Company 
Secretary, a role which he assumed in 
2006 and which he retains. John has an 
extensive knowledge of both Operating 
Divisions and spent two years working 
within the Aviation Division. Within his 
role, John supports the Board and his 
Executive colleagues and is responsible 
for key areas such as Governance, Risk 
and Investor Relations. 

As a Chartered Secretary John’s career 
has included Company Secretariat 
posts at both Bank of Scotland plc and 
Guinness plc. He is a board member 
of the Airport Services Association, 
an industry body for the world’s major 
ground handling service providers and 
suppliers, and is a member of IATA’s 
Ground Handling Group.

DR DERMOT F. SMURFIT
C H A I R M A N

Dermot became Chairman of the 
Company in July 2016. He was Chairman 
of Powerflute Oyj until December 2014 
and joint Deputy Chairman of Jefferson 
Smurfit Group PLC, a leading packaging 
group, from 1994 to 2003 and its worldwide 
Director of Sales and Marketing from 
1997 until 2003. Prior to this he held a 
number of other senior positions within 
the Group. 

Dermot is the current Chairman of ML 
Capital Group. He is a former Chairman 
of Anker PLC and Peach Holdings PLC, 
both AIM-listed companies, and of the 
World Containerboard Organisation 
and FEFCO, the European Federation 
of Corrugated Board Manufacturers. 
Dermot was previously Chairman 
of Eurolink Motorway Services Limited, 
a toll road operator for one of the largest 
single toll roads in Ireland, a Director of 
both ACE Limited, a major worldwide 
insurance company, and Aon BV, a major 
insurance broking business, and CEO/
Director of the TMG Group, an Irish 
engineering group. He was a Non-
Executive Director of Timber Capital 
Limited and The Forest Company 
Limited until recently.

O T H E R  A P P O I N T M E N T S
Chairman of ML Capital Group

GILES WILSON
E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R :   
C H I E F   F I N A N C I A L   O F F I C E R

Giles was appointed Chief Financial 
Officer of John Menzies plc with effect 
from 1 June 2016. Giles has worked with 
the Group since 2011 in a variety of 
senior roles, including Finance Director 
of Menzies Aviation. Previously he was 
based in Dubai as Senior Vice-President 
of the Group’s African, Middle East 
and Indian operations. A chartered 
accountant, he was formerly Finance 
Director of Commercial Estates Group 
and prior to that held senior finance 
positions at Gallaher Group PLC, 
including Finance Director UK.

O T H E R A P P O I N T M E N T S
Director of various Group companies

FORSYTH BLACK
E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R :   
P R E S I D E N T   &   M A N A G I N G   D I R E C T O R   O F   
M E N Z I E S   A V I AT I O N

Forsyth is President & Managing Director 
of Menzies Aviation and was appointed 
to the Board in January 2016. He has 
been with the Group for 16 years, during 
which time he has occupied predominantly 
senior Aviation roles. Forsyth served 
as Senior Vice-President of Africa, 
the Middle East and India and latterly 
was Managing Director of Menzies 
Distribution. In this role he oversaw 
a successful network rationalisation 
programme together with entry into the 

4 4 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Executive (Corporate Finance Division) 
of Charterhouse Bank. He was thereafter 
appointed Chief Executive of Hawkpoint 
in 2003 and Executive Chairman from 
2009 until 2013. He was a director of 
Collins Stewart Hawkpoint plc from 
2006 until 2012.

GEOFF EATON
N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R

Geoff was appointed to the Board as 
a Non-Executive Director in June 2015. 
Geoff has had an extensive Executive 
career which includes the positions of 
Chief Operating Officer of Premier Foods 
plc and Chief Executive Officer of Uniq plc. 
He has considerable business-to-
business experience in both Europe 
and the United States and is currently 
Chairman of both New England Seafood 
International Limited and Butcher’s 
Pet Care Limited. Geoff is a chartered 
accountant.

O T H E R A P P O I N T M E N T S
Chairman of New England Seafood 
International Limited
Chairman of Butcher’s Pet Care Limited

DERMOT JENKINSON
N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R

Dermot was appointed to the Board 
in 1986 and held various Executive 
responsibilities before assuming a 
Non-Executive role within the Company in 
1999. He was appointed Interim Chairman 
of the Group on 20 May 2016 and 
remained in this position until 25 July 
2016. Dermot was Executive Chairman of 
beCogent, a contact centre and related 
consultancy business, until 2010 when the 
business was sold to Teleperformance SA. 
Thereafter, in 2013, he founded Ascensos 
Limited, a follow-on to beCogent. 
Dermot’s contribution to the Board stems 
from the breadth of knowledge gained 
from both his experiences within the 
Company and a wide range of Executive 
Management roles.

O T H E R  A P P O I N T M E N T S
Executive Chairman of Ascensos Limited
Vice-Chairman of the Scottish Friendly 
Assurance Society
Director of various private companies

PAUL BAINES
N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R

Paul was appointed to the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in June 2016. 
Since 2013 he has held senior advisory 
roles with both Vermilion, a leading 
China-based investment banking firm, 
and Smith Square Partners, a UK-based 
independent corporate advisory firm. 
Prior to joining Hawkpoint Partners in 
2000, Paul held the position of Chief 

DAVID GARMAN

N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R   & 
S E N I O R   I N D E P E N D E N T   D I R E C T O R

David was appointed to the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in June 2015. He 
has a broad range of industrial experience 
and was previously Chief Executive of 
TDG plc (now TDG Limited), a European 
contract logistics and supply chain 
management business, an Executive 

Director of Associated British Foods plc 
and held a variety of management roles 
at United Biscuits. David is currently a 
Non-Executive Director of Troy Income & 
Growth Trust plc and a director of several 
private companies. He has held Non-
Executive directorships at St Modwen 
Properties PLC, Kewill Limited, Victoria 
PLC and Phoenix IT Group PLC within 
the last five years.

O T H E R A P P O I N T M E N T S
Non-Executive Director  
of Troy Income & Growth Trust plc
Director of various private companies

SILLA MAIZEY
N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R

Silla was appointed to the Board as 
a Non-Executive Director in May 2014 
having enjoyed an Executive career 
at British Airways where she worked 
in a number of different functions. 
Most recently, Silla served as Managing 
Director of London Gatwick and 
was previously involved in Finance, 
Procurement, Corporate Responsibility 
and Customer Services. Silla is Chair of 
NHS Business Services Authority and 
was recently appointed a Non-Executive 
Director of Network Rail Limited. She 
is also a Non-Executive Director of the 
Crown Commercial Service, a Government 
Executive agency responsible for 
centralised procurement for government 
departments and the wider public sector. 
Silla is a qualified accountant.

O T H E R A P P O I N T M E N T S
Chair of NHS Business Services Authority
Non-Executive Director of the Crown 
Commercial Service
Non-Executive Director of Network 
Rail Limited

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STATE MENT

CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE   
STATEMENT

The Board remains committed to the principles of good corporate 
governance as it continues to advance the Group’s strategy. 
The Financial Reporting Council’s UK Corporate Governance Code 
(September 2014) (the “Code”) is an integral part of our values 
and we continue to follow the good practice which it recommends. 
The Board considers that the Company has been compliant with 
the provisions set out in the Code throughout 2016. The Code is 
publicly available on www.frc.org.uk. 

The Board believes that the Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
are, when taken as a whole, fair, balanced and understandable, 
providing shareholders with the requisite information to assess 
the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

C O D E   P R I N C I P L E S
A summary of the Company’s key 
corporate governance practices 
is as follows:

L E A D E R S H I P
R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S   O F   T H E   B O A R D
The principal responsibility of the 
Board is to ensure the Company’s 
long-term success by collectively 
directing the Company’s affairs within 
the parameters of the Company’s 
internal control framework whilst 
identifying and managing the 
interests of its internal and external 
stakeholders. In seeking to ensure 
the prosperity of the Company, the 
Board assumes responsibility for 
the overall strategy of the Group 
whilst considering and approving, 

if considered appropriate, potential 
acquisitions and disposals, financial 
statements and major non-recurring 
projects and capital expenditure. In 
addition to consideration of significant 
operational and financial matters, 
the Board also addresses corporate 
governance and social responsibility 
issues together with challenges 
arising in areas as diverse as health 
and safety, employment and the 
environment. In effecting their 
responsibilities as members of the 
Board, the Directors remain cognisant 
of their statutory obligation to act in a 
manner which they consider, in good 
faith, would be most likely to promote 
the success of the Company for the 
benefit of its shareholders as a whole. 

4 6 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

To ensure the effective discharge of its 
responsibilities, the Board gathers on 
a regular basis and during 2016 met 
12 times (as set out on page 47 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016). 
It has a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for its 
consideration, as set out in the Group’s 
Corporate Governance Manual, and is 
made up of nine Directors comprising:

•  the Chairman;
•  three Executive Directors;
•  four independent Non-Executive 

Directors; and

•  one non-independent  

Non-Executive Director.

Biographies for each of these 
Directors can be found on pages 44 
and 45 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

Following Jeremy Stafford’s 
resignation in January 2016, the Board 
structure was reviewed: Forsyth Black 
was appointed President & Managing 
Director of Menzies Aviation and an 
Executive Director of the Company 
whilst Mark Cassie, the Operations 
Director of Menzies Distribution, and 
Paul McCourt, the Finance Director 
of Menzies Distribution, both served 
as Interim Managing Director of 
the Division during 2016 (preceding 
the permanent appointment of 
Greg Michael in January 2017). 
The Managing/Interim Managing 
Directors (as appropriate) of both 
Divisions worked alongside the 
previous Chief Financial Officer, 
Paula Bell, until Giles Wilson’s 
appointment in June 2016 from which 
point they liaised closely with him. 

Additionally, John Geddes, Group 
Company Secretary since 2006, was 
appointed to the Board in November 
2016 as Corporate Affairs Director.

R O L E   O F   B O A R D   M E M B E R S
Chairman
After eight years on the Board and in 
line with the reduction of his other plc 
responsibilities, Iain Napier informed 
the Company of his wish to retire and 
stepped down as Chairman following 
the Company’s annual general 
meeting (“AGM”) in May 2016. Dermot 
Jenkinson, a Non-Executive Director, 
assumed the role of Interim Chairman 

and ran the process to appoint a 
permanent successor. On 25 July 2016 
Dr Dermot F. Smurfit was appointed 
the new Chairman of the Company 
with Dermot Jenkinson continuing on 
the Board as a Non-Executive Director.

The Chairman performs a non-
Executive role which is clearly defined 
and which is distinct from other Board 
positions. His function is to lead the 
Board in strategic discussions and, 
in accordance with the Code, to 
ensure that accurate, clear and timely 
information is available to all Directors. 
The Chairman is available to the 
Executive Directors to discuss any 
concerns or issues which may arise 
and seeks to ensure that risk and 
long-term shareholder value remain a 
key focus for the Executive Directors. 
In conducting Board meetings, the 
Chairman is aware that sufficient time 
needs to be available for the discussion 
of agenda items (with particular 
reference to strategic issues), whilst 
fostering an atmosphere which 
encourages active participation by 
and discussion between all Executive 
and Non-Executive Directors. 

Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors are appointed 
for an initial term of three years and, in 
accordance with the Code, are required 
to challenge constructively both the 

performance of Management and 
the information presented to them 
whilst contributing to the strategic 
development of the Group. They are 
expected to satisfy themselves on 
the integrity of financial information 
and be comfortable that the Group’s 
systems of internal financial controls 
and risk management are rigorous 
and robust.

One new Non-Executive Director, 
Paul Baines, was appointed during 
2016 as it was considered that his 
extensive City experience would add 
an additional dimension to the skillset 
of the Board with particular reference 
to its strategy and risk profile.

David Garman has been Senior 
Independent Director since his 
appointment in August 2015. David is 
expected to make himself available to 
the Company’s shareholders, and other 
stakeholders where required, should 
any issues or concerns arise and 
where discussions with the Chairman 
and/or the Executive Directors are not 
considered appropriate. 

Executive Directors
The role of the Executive Directors is 
to develop and implement the overall 
Group strategy, which has been 
agreed by the Board, on a daily basis. 
They are expected to report regularly 

to the Board on any issues which arise 
within the Group and present their 
proposed resolutions when problems 
occur. 

Each Executive Director has clearly 
defined duties and responsibilities 
which, having been agreed by the 
Board, are regularly reviewed with 
the Chairman. 

As noted above, Forsyth Black was 
appointed President & Managing 
Director of Menzies Aviation and an 
Executive Director of the Company 
in January 2016, whilst Giles Wilson 
assumed the position of Chief 
Financial Officer and John Geddes 
the role of Corporate Affairs Director 
in June 2016 and November 2016 
respectively.

Board Committees
The Board also delegates specific 
responsibilities to the Board 
Committees detailed in the table 
below. These Committees have 
defined Terms of Reference and 
information of an appropriate quality 
is issued to them in a timely manner 
to assist in the performance of their 
duties. It is the Board’s policy that all 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
should contribute to the membership 
of its Committees. 

B O A R D   A N D   C O M M I T T E E   M E E T I N G S   A N D   AT T E N D A N C E   I N   2 016

Audit
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Meetings
D Smurfit
F Black 
G Wilson 
J Geddes
D Jenkinson
S Maizey
D Garman
G Eaton
P Baines

Former Directors
I Napier
P Bell
J Stafford

Appointed/resigned

July 2016
January 2016
June 2016
November 2016
–
–
–
–
June 2016

May 2016
 May 2016
January 2016

Board
121
6/6
12/12
8/8
1/1
10/12
10/12
12/12
12/12
7/8

4/4
4/4
–

3
–
–
–
–
–
3/3
3/3
3/3
2/2

–
–
–

3
–
–
–
–
–
3/3
3/3
3/3
2/2

–
–
–

Note:
1. 

Additionally, four meetings occurred in 2016 at which a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors was present.

5

 –

–
–
–
–
5/5
5/5
5/5
2/2 

2/2
–
–

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STATE MENT CO NTINUED

Our Board Committees comprise solely 
independent Non-Executive Directors, 
with all Committees having four 
members. The Chairs of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees are chosen 
from Directors who are considered 
independent under the terms of the 
Code, whilst the Chairman of the 
Nomination Committee is the Senior 
Independent Director. 

In January 2017, an additional Board 
Committee was constituted called 
the Human Resources Committee. 
This is chaired by Silla Maizey, a  Non-
Executive Director, and comprises 
four members. The purpose of the 
Committee is to assist the Board in 
fulfilling its obligations with regard 
to all HR issues and to ensure that 
adequate and effective policies and 
processes are in place throughout the 
Group, making recommendations to 
Executive Management as and when 
required. Key areas of focus of the 
Committee will include HR structure 
and standardisation, recruitment and 
succession planning and addressing 
staff retention rates. We are a people 
business and we recognise that we 
must continue to invest in this highly- 
valued resource. The constitution of 
the Human Resources Committee will 
assist us in this commitment and will 
guide our approach in dealing with 
staff turnover. 

Additionally, the Board has 
delegated operational and strategic 
implementation matters to the 
Company’s Executive Committee 
which comprises the Executive 
Directors, the Managing Director 
of Menzies Distribution and other 
Senior Executives as required.

E F F E C T I V E N E S S
C O M P O S I T I O N   O F   T H E   B O A R D
The Board recognises that, in 
accordance with the Code, it, together 
with its Committees, must have the 
appropriate balance of skills, knowledge 
of the Company and expertise to 
ensure it can effectively discharge its 
duties and responsibilities. All Directors 
are expected to act in a way which they 
consider, in good faith, would be most 
likely to promote the success of the 
Company for the benefit of its 
shareholders as a whole whilst 
exercising their judgement 
independently from the influences of 
others. Whilst the Board considers the 
current balance between Executive 
and Non-Executive Directors is 
appropriate, it reviews its composition 
annually and pays particular regard 
to the length of tenure of each Director 
to ensure there are identified candidates 
when it is considered the Board needs 
to be refreshed.

During 2016 a recruitment process 
was undertaken following the 
procedure outlined on page 52 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
which, as indicated above, led to the 
appointment of Paul Baines as a 
Non-Executive Director in June 2016. 
This appointment, together with the 
aforementioned appointments of 
Forsyth Black, Giles Wilson, Dr Dermot 
F. Smurfit and John Geddes are 
viewed as further strengthening the 
Board and assisting in the support 
and development of the Company’s 
strategic outlook.

I N D E P E N D E N C E
The Chairman, Dr Dermot F. Smurfit, 
was considered to satisfy the 
independence criteria set out in the 
Code upon his appointment whilst 
four of the Non-Executive Directors 
are considered independent (Silla 
Maizey, Geoff Eaton, David Garman 
and Paul Baines). Having been 
on the Board since 1985, initially 
as an Executive Director and latterly 
as a Non-Executive Director, Dermot 
Jenkinson is not considered 
independent under the Code. Dermot 
is, however, regarded as contributing 
effectively to the Board by providing 
a breadth of experience and depth of 
knowledge of the Company due to his 
time in office, allied to his background 
in business and general management. 

Throughout 2016 and since the end of 
the financial year ending 31 December 
2012, all of the Directors on each of 
the Board Committees have been 
independent in compliance with 
the Code.

S U C C E S S I O N   P L A N N I N G   A N D 
B O A R D   R E C R U I T M E N T
The Board is aware that it is essential 
to have a suitable succession plan 
in place in the event Board members 
either move on or retire and, 
accordingly, reviews its succession 
plans on an annual basis. The Board 
also reviews the composition of each 
of the Board Committees to ensure a 
suitable rotation of Directors occurs.

With regard to the replacement of any 
Executive Director, the Board has 
tasked the Nomination Committee 
with both reviewing potential internal 
candidates and nominating suitable 
external candidates as and when such 
a position arises. Additionally, each of 
the Business Leadership teams has a 
responsibility to ensure that talented 
individuals within the Group are 
nurtured and given every opportunity 
to develop their skills, such that they 
might progress their career within 
the organisation. 

4 8 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

To ensure a smooth transition of 
Chairmanship when required, the 
Nomination Committee continues 
to have responsibility for ensuring that 
there is a suitable candidate on the 
Board or, alternatively, that a suitable 
candidate is identified externally. When 
necessary, the Nomination Committee 
will also engage with external 
recruitment agencies to identify suitable 
candidates for both Executive and 
Non-Executive positions. 

N O M I N AT I O N   P R O C E S S
As detailed above, the Nomination 
Committee is tasked with identifying 
and nominating candidates to the 
Board when a position is identified. It 
operates under formal and transparent 
Terms of Reference and further details 
of its activities can be found on pages 
51 and 52 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016. The Nomination 
Committee regularly reviews the 
structure, size and composition 
(including the skills, knowledge and 
experience) required of the Board as 
against its current position and makes 
recommendations to the Board taking 
into account: 

•  the results of any Board evaluation 

process;

•  the total number of Directors; 
•  the balance of Executive and 

Non-Executive Directors and the 
independent quota of the latter; and

•  the need to ensure appropriate 

collective knowledge and experience, 
the length of service of the Directors 
and diversity factors (including, but 
not limited to, skills mix, regional 
and industry experience and gender).

D I V E R S I T Y
The Board fully supports diversity 
and recognises the benefits which 
diverse viewpoints can bring to key 
decision-making processes. The 
Board is committed to developing 
and encouraging both members of 
the Board and all Group employees to 
achieve their full potential, irrespective 
of gender, race or sexuality. The Board 
is aware of the benefits which 
derive from a diverse board when 
considering any future appointments. 
Notwithstanding this, the Board does 
not believe that setting a quota is the 
most appropriate means by which 
to achieve a balanced Board and all 
appointments will be made on merit 
against objective criteria. 

I N D U C T I O N 
Upon appointment Directors participate 
in a structured induction programme 
to provide familiarity with the business 
of the Group. The programme is tailored 
to the individual needs of each new 
Director and its objective is to ensure 
that any new Director receives a focused 
and appropriate induction which will 
assist them in fulfilling their role both on 
the Board and on any Board Committee 
to which they are appointed. 
Additionally, each new Director spends 
time with the Executive team to 
understand the strategic goals and 
objectives of the Group and discussions 
will take place around current issues 
affecting the Group and in respect of 
operational items. 

Thereafter a new Director will meet 
with the Management teams in the 
businesses and in the Group’s Head 
Office and will undertake various site 
visits to understand how the Divisions 
operate and how the various parts of 
the Group interact. A new Director will 
also participate in structured meetings 
with the Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors to ensure they are familiar 
with the Board, its structures and the 
operating responsibilities associated 
with the position to which they have 
been appointed. Following the site 

visits and meetings, the new Director 
will then have the opportunity to 
discuss whether they have any further 
training requirements with the Group 
Company Secretary and whether 
they would like to arrange any meetings 
with the Company’s major shareholders. 
This programme was followed for 
all Directors who were appointed 
to the Board during 2016, modified 
as appropriate for those who had 
previously been in the employment 
of the Group and tailored to suit 
individual expertise and experience.

T R A I N I N G   A N D   D E V E L O P M E N T
The Board believes that regularly 
updating the knowledge and skills 
of the Board is vital to its proper 
and effective functioning and to 
the attainment of the Company’s 
objectives. The Group Company 
Secretary is responsible for ensuring 
that regular updates are provided to 
the Board in respect of regulatory, 
legislative and governance changes, 
applicable reporting requirements and 
relevant market practices. The annual 
Board evaluation process is used to 
identify any training requirements and/
or areas of weakness and the Group 
Company Secretary subsequently 
works with the Chairman to ensure the 
requisite training is provided, on either 
a Board or an individual basis.

The Board is committed to developing 
talent throughout the Group and 
advocates that appropriate training, 
support and development opportunities 
are afforded to those employees 
identified as displaying potential (as 
and when considered appropriate).

I N F O R M AT I O N   A N D   S U P P O R T
All Directors, including Non-Executive 
Directors, have access to independent 
professional advice at the Company’s 
expense where they consider it 
necessary to discharge their 
responsibilities as Directors of the 
Company. This advice is arranged via 
the Group Company Secretary who 
must make himself available to all 
Directors to provide advice and 
assistance where required. Additionally, 
the Board Committees are supported 
by external professional advisers 
who provide additional information/ 
support and undertake work on 

49

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STATE MENT CO NTINUED

behalf of the relevant Committee 
independent of the Company’s 
Management structure. The Group 
Company Secretary is responsible 
to each Committee for ensuring that 
sufficient resources are available 
to enable it to fully and effectively 
perform its duties together with 
ensuring compliance with Board 
procedures and the Group’s Corporate 
Governance Manual. Directors are 
also encouraged to visit operations 
and to undertake such activities and 
training as is appropriate or may be 
required or desirable for them to 
competently undertake their duties.

Board papers are circulated one week 
prior to all Board meetings to ensure 
that Directors have sufficient time to 
familiarise themselves with the items 
for discussion. The Company uses 
electronic packs to ensure quick and 
secure communication of papers to 
each Director. As part of the annual 
Board evaluation process, Directors 
are asked to confirm whether they are 
happy with the quality and range of 
papers provided to them and whether 
they consider they are presented with 
sufficient contextual information 
upon which to base their decisions.

B O A R D   P E R F O R M A N C E 
E VA L U AT I O N
The Board is supportive of the 
principles and provisions of the 
Code in respect of Board performance 
evaluation and its policy is to conduct 
rigorous internal evaluations of its 
own performance and that of its 
Committees and individual Directors 
on an annual basis. External 
consultants are used to refresh the 
process usually every three years with 
the last evaluation being undertaken 
by an independent external consultant 
in the final quarter of 2014. 

During 2016 the review was conducted 
by the Senior Independent Director, 
David Garman. Each Director 
completed a detailed questionnaire 
and the collated results were reviewed 
collectively by the Board. In addition, 
David Garman conducted one-to-one 
interviews with each Director to 
discuss their responses and any 
personal views they held. The findings 
detailed a number of areas that 
required greater focus going forward. 
The Group’s HR capabilities and the 
ability to tackle staff turnover were 
highlighted together with a need for an 
enhanced customer and competitor 
focus; a requirement to manage 
operational key performance 
indicators closely; and a desire to 
streamline Board papers to ensure 
significant information is clearly 
communicated. Overall, however, 
the review concluded that the 
Board functions effectively.

E L E C T I O N   A N D   R E - E L E C T I O N 
O F  D I R E C T O R S
In accordance with the provisions of 
the Code, all incumbent Directors are 
subject to annual re-election by the 
Company’s shareholders. All other 
Directors are subject to election 
by shareholders at the first AGM 
following their appointment and 
annual re-election thereafter.

A C C O U N TA B I L I T Y
R I S K   A N D   A S S U R A N C E
A key function of the Board is to 
provide assurance that the internal 
controls and operation of the Group 
are sufficient and effective. During 
2016 the Board regularly reviewed the 
processes whereby risks are identified, 
evaluated and managed. The Group’s 
internal audit programme and risk 
management processes were also 
reviewed and updated and the Board 
continues to keep the effectiveness 
of the Group’s system of internal 
control and risk management under 
continued review.

Further details of our risk management 
strategy can be found on pages 30 
and 31 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

R E L AT I O N S  W I T H  S H A R E H O L D E R S
D I A L O G U E
The Board has responsibility for 
communicating with the Company’s 
shareholders and has developed a 
comprehensive programme to ensure 
that effective communication with 
shareholders, analysts and the 
financial press is maintained 
throughout each financial year. 
Through its annual and interim reports, 
results and other announcements and 
the dissemination of information via 
the Company’s website, the Board 
seeks to present its strategy and 
performance in an objective and 
balanced manner. 

Shareholders are invited to ask 
questions during the forthcoming 
AGM and also to meet with the 
Directors after the formal business 
of the AGM has concluded. The Chair 
of each of the Board Committees will 
be available to answer questions 
from any shareholder at the AGM. 
Full details of proxy votes cast on each 
resolution will be released via a London 
Stock Exchange announcement and 
will also be made available on the 
Company’s website as soon as 
reasonably practicable following 
the AGM. 

Directors are, at any time, able to 
request additional meetings with 
major shareholders and any such 
meetings will be arranged via the 
Group Company Secretary. At each 
Board meeting the Board receives an 
update report both on these meetings 
and on analyst meetings and/or 
analyst reports. The Chairman and 
Senior Independent Director are 
also available for the Company’s 
shareholders to contact at any time.

5 0 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

N OMIN ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT

NOMINATION 
COMMIT TEE REPORT

David Garman
NOMINATION COMMIT TEE CHAIR M AN

C O M M I T T E E   M E M B E R S

Name

D Garman1
S Maizey 
G Eaton 
P Baines2
I Napier1

Position

Chairman
Member
Member
Member
Past Chairman

Notes:
1. 

Iain Napier stepped down as Chairman of the Nomination Committee when he resigned 
as Chairman of the Company on 20 May 2016. David Garman assumed the position  
of Chairman at this time.

2.  Paul Baines was appointed to the Nomination Committee upon his appointment as  

a Non-Executive Director on 1 June 2016.

N O M I N AT I O N   C O M M I T T E E
The Terms of Reference of the 
Nomination Committee, a copy of 
which is available on the Company’s 
website, are closely modelled on those 
set out in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (September 2014) (the “Code”). 
The principal responsibility of the 
Nomination Committee is to ensure 
that, collectively and at any given time, 
the members of the Board possess 
the necessary balance of knowledge, 
skills and experience to support and 
develop the strategy of the Company. 
In seeking to achieve this, the 
Nomination Committee will recommend 
new Board appointments as and when 
considered appropriate and will ensure 
that appropriate succession planning 
procedures are in place. In accordance 
with our Terms of Reference, I, as 
the Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee, report our conclusions 
to the Board and it is the Board as 
a whole which is responsible for 
making new appointments upon 
our recommendation.

C O M P O S I T I O N
The Nomination Committee is chaired 
by me, David Garman, the Senior 
Independent Director, and comprises 
solely independent Non-Executive 
Directors. During 2016 Iain Napier 
resigned as Chairman of the Company 
and thus stood down as Chairman of 
the Nomination Committee. The Group 
Company Secretary continues to act as 
Secretary to the Nomination Committee 
pursuant to its Terms of Reference and 
it remains the case that Executive 
Directors may, by invitation, attend 
Nomination Committee meetings 
to discuss specific agenda items.

R O L E   A N D   R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S 
As noted above, the Nomination 
Committee operates under formal and 
transparent Terms of Reference and 
is essentially tasked with identifying 
and recommending candidates to the 
Board when a position is identified or 
becomes available. 

The Nomination Committee’s main 
duties, as set out in its Terms of 
Reference, are as follows: 

•  Evaluate: to evaluate, before 

making a recommendation to 
the Board, the balance of skills, 

51

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N OMIN ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

knowledge and experience on 
the Board and, in light of this 
evaluation, prepare a description 
of the role and capabilities required 
for a particular appointment.
•  Succession plan: to ensure that 

appropriate plans are in place at all 
times for orderly succession of 
Board members, taking into account 
the challenges and opportunities 
facing the Group and what skills and 
expertise may therefore be required 
on the Board in the future.

•  Review leadership and structure: 

to review annually: (i) the structure, 
size and composition (including the 
skills, knowledge and experience) of 
the Board and its Committees and 
make recommendations to the 
Board with regard to any changes; 
and (ii) the leadership needs of the 
organisation, both Executive and 
Non-Executive, with a view to 
ensuring the continued ability 
of the organisation to compete 
effectively in the marketplace. 

Further details on these items can be 
found on, and are incorporated by 
reference into this Nomination 
Committee Report, on pages 48 to 50 
of  this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

M A I N   A C T I V I T I E S   I N   2 016 
During 2016 the Nomination 
Committee met on five occasions. 
Meeting attendance is set out on the 
table on page 47 of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016.

The Nomination Committee gives full 
consideration to succession planning 
for Directors, both Non-Executive and 
Executive, and other Senior Executives 
of the Company in the course of its 
work, taking into account the challenges 
and opportunities facing the Company 
and determining what skills and 
expertise will thus be required on the 
Board in the future. Indeed, a principal 
focus of the Nomination Committee 
during 2016 was to review succession 
plans for both the Board and, more 
generally, for senior business leaders 
within the Group whilst also liaising 
with the Remuneration Committee in 
relation to any service contract and 
remuneration package being offered 
to a proposed Executive Director or 
Managing Director of the Group. 

Before any appointment is made by 
the Board, the Nomination Committee 
evaluates the balance of skills, 
knowledge and experience currently 
on the Board and, in light of this 
evaluation, prepares a detailed 
description of the role and capabilities 
required for a particular appointment. 
In identifying suitable candidates the 
Nomination Committee shall: 

•  use open advertising or the services 
of independent external advisers to 
facilitate the search; 

•  consider candidates from a wide 

range of backgrounds;

•  ensure recruitment is undertaken in 
accordance with the Group’s equal 
opportunities policies; and 

•  consider candidates on merit and 
against objective criteria, ensuring 
that potential appointees have 
sufficient time available to devote 
to the position.

A number of Senior Management 
changes took place within the Group in 
2016 and the Nomination Committee 
played a significant role during this 
period of transition. Indeed, a 
fundamental priority of the Nomination 
Committee was the appointment of 
replacements for the Chief Executive 
Officer, Jeremy Stafford, and the Chief 
Financial Officer, Paula Bell, who left the 
Company in January 2016 and July 2016 
respectively (although the latter 
resigned from the Board in May 2016). 
The Committee led the process which 
resulted in the internal appointments of 
Forsyth Black as President & Managing 
Director of Menzies Aviation in January 
2016 and Giles Wilson as Chief Financial 
Officer in June 2016. 

The Nomination Committee was also 
involved in the process which led to the 
appointment of Dr Dermot F. Smurfit as 
the new Chairman of the Company. 

These appointments, together with 
the appointment of John Geddes as 
Corporate Affairs Director in November 
2016, are viewed as both further 
strengthening the Group’s senior 
leadership team and ensuring that 
individuals of the appropriate calibre 
are in place to lead the Group and drive 
forward its strategic objectives.

Additionally, and as highlighted in the 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015, the 
Nomination Committee continued to 
monitor the leadership requirements of 
both our Divisions and the structure of 
the Board during 2016. This led to the 
Nomination Committee appointing 
independent recruitment consultant 
Korn Ferry, which has no other 
connection with the Company, to assist 
in identifying suitable candidates for 
specific roles before undertaking 
a rigorous interview and reference 
process. The outcome of this process 
was the appointment of Paul Baines, 
as a Non-Executive Director, and Greg 
Michael, as Managing Director of 
Menzies Distribution, in June 2016 
and January 2017 respectively. In 
undertaking this recruitment, the 
Nomination Committee used the 
appointment process outlined in the 
Corporate Governance Statement on 
pages 48 and 49 of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016. The balance of 
skills, knowledge and experience of the 
Board was evaluated and the 
Nomination Committee developed the 
requisite appointment specifications. 

O B J E C T I V E S   F O R   2 017
It is the Nomination Committee’s 
intention to continue to oversee the 
composition and structure of the Board, 
ensuring that the Group is at all times 
structured to successfully deliver its 
strategy and to compete effectively in 
the marketplaces within which it 
operates. During 2017 the Nomination 
Committee will also continue to closely 
monitor the structure, membership and 
succession plans of its Committees 
and, more generally, the leadership 
requirements of our businesses, making 
recommendations to the Board where 
considered appropriate. Additionally 
and in accordance with the Nomination 
Committee’s Terms of Reference, I will 
liaise with the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee in relation to 
the service contract and remuneration 
package to be offered to any proposed 
Executive Director or Managing Director.

On behalf of the Board

David Garman
Nomination Committee Chairman
7 March 2017

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J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

AUD IT COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT

AUDIT COMMIT TEE   
REPORT

Silla Maizey
AUDIT COMMIT TEE CHAIR M AN

B O A R D   M E M B E R S

Name

S Maizey
D Garman 
G Eaton 
P Baines1

A U D I T   C O M M I T T E E
The Audit Committee provides effective 
oversight and governance over the 
financial integrity of the Group’s 
financial reporting to ensure that the 
interests of the Company’s shareholders 
are protected at all times. It assesses the 
quality of the internal and external audit 
processes and ensures that the risks 
which our businesses face are being 
effectively managed.

It is vitally important that we operate 
a culture where the very best controls 
environment exists throughout our 
global operations. Accordingly, the 
Audit Committee not only continually 
reviews and updates our activities 
in line with new legislation but also 
against the context of the evolving 
nature of our operating businesses.

All of the members of the Audit 
Committee are Non-Executive 
Directors and during 2016 the 
Committee continued to be chaired 
by me, Silla Maizey. Other members 
comprised Geoff Eaton, a chartered 
accountant, David Garman and 
Paul Baines, who was appointed to 
the Audit Committee on 1 June 2016 
following his appointment as a 
Non-Executive Director. I will step 
down as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee at the forthcoming annual 
general meeting in May 2017, having 
been appointed Chairman of the 
Company’s newly created Human 
Resources Committee, and Paul 
Baines will assume my position.

Position

Chairman
Member
Member
Member

The composition of the Audit Committee 
meets with the requirements of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 
(September 2014) (the “Code”) but, 
in line with good practice, membership 
is reviewed annually. 

Note:
1. 

Paul Baines was appointed to the Audit Committee upon his appointment as a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 June 2016.

R O L E   A N D   R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
The Audit Committee assists the Board 
in the execution of its responsibilities in 
respect of corporate governance and 
internal control and has adopted Terms 
of Reference modelled on those set out 
in the Code. During 2016 the Group’s 
Chief Financial Officer, Group 
Company Secretary and certain senior 
Financial Executives, together with 
representatives from the internal and 
external audit teams, attended each 

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meeting of the Audit Committee. It is 
a requirement that at least one Audit 
Committee member has suitable 
financial experience and both myself, 
Silla Maizey, and Geoff Eaton are 
accountants, qualified and chartered 
respectively, and have been identified 
as meeting this requirement.

A copy of the Audit Committee’s Terms 
of Reference is available on the 
Company’s website.

The Audit Committee has delegated 
authority from the Board for ensuring 
adherence to the Code provisions and 
related guidance.

R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
The responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee include:

•  reviewing the Company’s financial 

results announcements and 
financial statements and the 
significant judgements and 
estimates contained within them;
•  advising the Board on whether the 
annual report and accounts of the 
Company are, when taken as a whole, 
fair, balanced and understandable 
and provide the information 
necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy;

•  ensuring compliance with 

applicable accounting standards 
and reviewing the appropriateness 
of accounting policies and 
practices which are in place;

•  reviewing the Company’s internal 

financial controls and the 
effectiveness of the internal 
audit function;

•  reviewing the Group’s policies and 
practices concerning business 
conduct, ethics and integrity, 
fraud and whistleblowing; and
•  overseeing all aspects of the 
relationship with the external 
auditor, including its appointment, 
the audit process, the supply of 
non-audit services and monitoring 
its effectiveness and independence.

The Audit Committee also exists 
to safeguard the interests of the 
Company’s shareholders and thus 
seeks to ensure the integrity of 
the published financial statements 
through their rigorous review and 
a full and effective audit process being 
undertaken by the Company each 
financial year. This external audit 
process is currently undertaken by 
Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”).

R E V I E W   O F   A U D I T 
C O M M I T T E E  M E E T I N G S
As scheduled, the Audit Committee 
met three times during 2016. Meeting 
attendance is set out in the table on 
page 47 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

The Audit Committee Chairman 
provides a full report of its activities, 
findings and recommendations to 
the Board after each meeting.

During each financial year the Audit 
Committee Chairman generally 
follows a formal agenda structure 
for each of the meetings which are 
planned. The agenda is reviewed at the 
start of each year by the Committee 
Chairman and the Group Company 
Secretary and they consider the 
inclusion of any items over and above 
the standard items which the Audit 
Committee may wish to review.

Ordinarily the Chairman of the Board 
and the Chief Financial Officer, 
together with the external auditor, are 
given notice of all Audit Committee 
meetings and may be invited to attend 
and speak at any meeting. The external 
auditor has the opportunity to meet 
with the Audit Committee without 
any Executive Directors present 
whenever necessary.

The Audit Committee has the 
authority to seek any information it 
requires from any employee of the 
Company and believes it has received 
sufficient, reliable information from 
Management to enable it to fulfil its 
responsibilities during 2016. The 
Audit Committee can take such 
independent professional advice  
as it considers necessary. 

M A I N   A C T I V I T I E S   I N   2 016
•  The Audit Committee formally 

reviewed and recommended the 
Company’s Annual Report and 
Accounts 2015 (including the 
Statements on Internal Control and 
the work of the Audit Committee) 
and associated business review 
together with the Interim Results 
announcement made by the 
Company. This aspect of its work 
focused on key accounting policies, 
estimates and judgements, 
including significant or unusual 
transactions or changes to these. 
In doing so the Audit Committee 
reviewed the reports of 
Management and the controls 
assurance (internal audit) provider 
and took into account the views 
of the external auditor.

•  The Audit Committee reviewed 
the work of Management which 
involved assessing key risks at 
Group and Divisional level 
according to their significance, 
likelihood and impact, as well as 
the Group’s exposure to and 
management of these risks. The 
Risk Register and evaluation of risk 
constantly evolve and the Audit 
Committee was satisfied that 
Management had appropriate risk 
management strategies and 
systems in place to address the 
Group’s key business risks, such 
strategies and systems having 
been in place throughout 2016 
and up to the date of approval 
of this document.

•  The Audit Committee reviewed 

and adopted an updated internal 
audit plan, increasing the level 
of audits at both the operational 
and controls level.

•  The Audit Committee also reviewed 
the objectivity and independence 
of the external auditor.

•  The Audit Committee reviewed 
the process undertaken by 
Management to support and allow 
the Directors to make the Group’s 
Viability Statement. The Committee 
considered and provided input into 
the determination of the period 
over which viability should be 
assessed; which of the Group’s 
principal risks and combinations 
thereof should be modelled to 
assess the impact on the Group’s 

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liquidity and solvency; and reviewed 
the results of Management’s 
scenario modelling and the reverse 
stress testing of these models.
•  The Audit Committee reviewed 

increased automation within the 
Aviation Division to ensure key 
deliverables were achieved. 
In addition to its standard agenda, 
the Audit Committee welcomed 
presentations from both Divisions 
on key areas of focus. The Audit 
Committee is keen to continue to 
be kept updated on key risk areas 
of safety, security and financial 
control and ad hoc presentations 
will continue to take place 
during 2017.

The primary areas of judgement 
considered by the Audit Committee 
in relation to the financial statements 
contained within this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016 and how these 
were addressed are as follows:

G O O D W I L L   A N D   
I N TA N G I B L E   A S S E T S
The review for impairment of goodwill 
and intangible assets is based on cash 
flow projections to calculate a value in 
use for each area based on forecasts 
prepared by each Division. The 
achievability of the forecast is a risk, 
given inherent uncertainty within any 
financial projection. 

The Audit Committee evaluated 
a paper from Management on the 
results of the impairment assessment. 
Key assumptions were reviewed and 
challenged by the Committee, 
including discount rates, business risk 
factors and cash flow projections 
based on the most recent budget and 
strategic reviews. Actions and factors 
likely to influence levels of impairment 
were reviewed with alternative 
scenarios requested for further 
analysis. Taking into account the 
documentation presented, the Audit 
Committee was satisfied with the 
approach and judgements taken.

P E N S I O N   A C C O U N T I N G
The assumptions made in the 
calculation for scheme liabilities and 
asset returns are underpinned by a 
range of judgements. Assumptions 
were prepared by external actuaries, 
reviewed by Management and 
approved by the external auditor, 
ensuring that they were aligned 
with prevailing economic indicators. 
Changes in assumptions and the 
completeness of disclosures were 
summarised for the Audit Committee. 
The increase in mortality rates was 
specifically noted. The Audit Committee 
was satisfied with the disclosures 
made and judgements taken.

E XC E P T I O N A L   A N D   O T H E R  I T E M S
The Audit Committee considered the 
appropriateness of the measure of 
underlying profits and the classification 
and transparency of items separately 
disclosed as exceptional and other 
items. It was satisfied that the measure 
of underlying profits provided a 
reasonable view of the underlying 
performance of the Group and that 
there was transparent disclosure of 
items shown separately as exceptional 
and other items.

R E V E N U E   R E C O G N I T I O N
The Audit Committee has reviewed the 
work completed by Management in 
the year to ensure that the Group has 
appropriately recognised revenues 
in accordance with its contractual 
obligations during the period, paying 
attention to expected returns. The 
Audit Committee was satisfied with 
the approach and judgements taken.

TA X AT I O N
Provisioning for current and deferred 
tax liabilities and assets requires the 
exercising of judgement. The Audit 
Committee addressed this through 
the receipt of a range of reports from 
Management and a separate Tax 
Committee has been established to 
deal with such requests (see further 
detail below). The Audit Committee 
challenged the appropriateness of 
Management’s views, including the 
extent to which these are supported 
by appropriate external advice. In 

particular, the Committee challenged 
Management’s calculations of 
provisions for items under discussion 
with authorities and of the deferred 
tax assets and liabilities.

P R O V I S I O N S
The Audit Committee has challenged 
the assumptions used by Management 
in determining whether provisions 
are appropriate in relation to onerous 
property leases and ongoing 
litigation matters. 

E X T E R N A L   G R O U P   A U D I T
EY is the appointed external auditor 
to the Group, having been appointed 
in 2009 following a tender process. 
Whilst James Nisbet became lead 
audit partner during 2015 due to Annie 
Graham, the previous lead audit 
partner, being on maternity leave, 
Annie re-assumed this position during 
2016. There are no contractual 
obligations in place which restrict the 
Audit Committee in its choice of 
external audit provider.

It is vitally important that the Audit 
Committee considers that its 
appointed external auditor conducts a 
full and effective audit and, accordingly, 
its performance is subject to annual 
review. In undertaking this review the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee 
seeks the opinion of fellow Committee 
members, the Chief Financial Officer 
and the views of certain members of 
Senior Management who have been 
exposed to/had input into the audit 
process. The Audit Committee reviews 
and approves both the Company’s 
audit plan and the findings of the 
external auditor in respect of its audit 
of the Company’s financial statements, 
carefully monitoring these to ensure 
completeness, accuracy, clarity 
and integrity.

In seeking to ensure the external 
auditor’s effectiveness, the Audit 
Committee keeps its objectivity and 
independence under review together 
with the nature and extent of the 
non-audit services which it provides. 
Historically these non-audit services 
have included dealing with the Group’s 
tax affairs as it was considered its 
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processes and controls made it 
best-placed to undertake this work 
in the most cost-effective manner. 
However, a change in the applicable 
EU regulations regarding non-audit 
fees has meant that from 1 January 
2017 there is a restriction on the work 
that an external auditor can perform 
for a listed company in relation to 
non-audit services. During 2016 
the Company undertook a detailed 
review of the audit and tax services 
provided to it which resulted in 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP being 
appointed as the Group’s tax advisers 
from 1 July 2017.

In 2016, as in previous years, the 
non-audit work undertaken on the 
Group’s behalf by EY was not handled 
by the EY external audit partner 
but managed separately from 
the audit workstream. 

During 2016, audit fees paid to EY 
amounted to £1.0m and non-audit 
fees amounted to £3.3m. Non-audit 
fees included £1.9m in connection with 
the work as Reporting Accountant on 
the prospectus and circular relating 
to the acquisition of ASIG and the 
associated Rights Issue. The Audit 
Committee regularly reviews the 
remuneration received by the external 
auditor for audit services, audit-related 
services and non-audit work to ensure 
a balance of objectivity, value for 
money and compliance with statutory 
duties is maintained. The outcome 
of these reviews in 2016 was that 
performance of the relevant non-audit 
work (excluding the tax services 
referenced above) by EY continued 
to be the most cost-effective way of 
conducting the Group’s businesses 
and that no conflict of interest existed 
between the provision of such audit 
and non-audit services. Additionally, 
such reviews enabled the Audit 
Committee to confirm that the 
Company continued to receive an 
efficient, effective and independent 
audit service from EY.

All non-audit work is put out to tender 
and non-audit fees paid to EY are 
approved by the Chief Financial 
Officer, who reports any significant 
payments or awards of work to the 
Audit Committee. 

With regard to work as Reporting 
Accountant, the Audit Committee 
was satisfied that EY was the most 
appropriate and cost-effective 
provider of this service and therefore 
such appointment was in the best 
interests of the Group. In order to 
ensure auditor independence was 
maintained, the Reporting Accountant 
work was led by a partner and senior 
teams independent of the audit team. 
The Audit Committee believes that the 
level and scope of these non-audit 
services do not impair the objectivity 
of the external auditor.

Following a review held at the conclusion 
of the 2016 audit the Audit Committee 
was satisfied that EY continued to 
provide an effective audit and remained 
independent and objective.

I N T E R N A L   C O N T R O L   A N D 
R I S K  M A N A G E M E N T
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. The Group 
operates an Executive Committee 
which convenes six times per annum 
to review the risk programmes 
and internal audit outcomes and 
ensure that all required actions are 
implemented. All risk and compliance 
programmes are also reviewed quarterly 
by Divisional senior leadership teams. 
Additionally, a Statement of Group 
Policies and Procedures (the 
“Statement”) sets out the 
responsibilities of the Executive 
Committee, including authority 
levels, reporting disciplines and 
responsibility for risk management 
and internal control. 

From January 2017, each Operating 
Division has had a Senior Management 
Committee which meets quarterly 
and reports directly into the Executive 
Committee. These Committees have 
a standard agenda to review, inter alia, 
audit, compliance, HR and safety 
and security issues. The Operating 
Divisions have also adopted Corporate 
Governance Manuals which detail 
the requisite controls in implementing 
the policies and procedures set out 
in the Statement. Certain activities, 
including Treasury, Taxation, Insurance, 
Pensions and Legal, are controlled 
centrally with reports reviewed by the 
Board as appropriate.

During 2016 the Risk Register 
process evolved further. Risks are 
now categorised into 14 areas with 
key identified risks, both financial and 
non-financial (the latter including 
environmental, social and governance 
risks), reviewed by the Board as well 
as the Executive Committee on an 
ongoing basis. A formal six-monthly 
review of risks and controls takes 
place, supported by the Group’s 
controls assurance provider. The 
Executive Committee also reviews 
each Division’s performance, strategy 
and risk management. Annual 
compliance statements on internal 
control are certified by each Division 
and, where appropriate, the Group 
Finance function. Details of the key 
risks identified through this exercise 
are included on pages 32 and 33 of 
this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

A Treasury Review Committee meets 
monthly to review the adequacy of the 
Group’s facilities against potential 
utilisation and commitments and 
to monitor and manage the Group’s 
exposure to interest rate and currency 
movements. Additionally, a Tax 
Committee meets quarterly to assess 
the impact of any tax changes which 
may affect the Group in any of the 
jurisdictions in which it operates.

Further details on how the Board 
manages business risks are shown 
on pages 30 and 31 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016.

5 6 

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The use of a standard accounting 
manual by Finance teams throughout 
the Group ensures that transactions 
and balances are recognised and 
measured in accordance with 
prescribed accounting policies and 
that information is appropriately 
reviewed and reconciled as part of the 
reporting process. Further, the use of 
a standard reporting tool by all entities 
in the Group ensures that information 
is gathered and presented in a 
consistent manner which facilitates 
the production of the consolidated 
financial statements.

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 guidance.

On behalf of the Board

Silla Maizey
Audit Committee Chairman
7 March 2017

I N T E R N A L   A U D I T
The Audit Committee reviewed the 
Group’s internal control structure 
and approved the scope of work 
and fees for external controls 
assurance providers. 

Due to the complexity of the Group’s 
business and the international nature 
of the Aviation business, the Audit 
Committee has decided that the 
internal audit function is best 
served by using a mixture of external 
providers and internal staff. As a 
result the function is delivered by 
a combination of Deloitte LLP 
(“Deloitte”), given its global spread 
and resources, other external 
operational providers as required and 
operational teams. The work undertaken 
by Deloitte primarily focuses on 
financial controls and business 
management with operational branch 
and station audits undertaken by 
external advisers and internal staff.

In accordance with the Financial 
Reporting Council’s Guidance on 
Risk Management, Internal Control 
and Related Financial and Business 
Reporting (September 2014), the 
Directors are responsible for the 
Group’s system of internal control 
which covers financial, operational and 
compliance controls together with risk 
management. The system has been in 
place throughout 2016 and up until the 
date of this Annual Report and Accounts 
2016, except that it did not apply to the 
Group’s material joint ventures.

Findings from the internal audit 
programme (on financial and key 
non-financial risks) and areas 
identified for improvement are 
reviewed by the Audit Committee and 
prioritised for action by Management. 
The Audit Committee reviews follow-
up reports from Management to 
ensure that any weaknesses identified 
in internal audit reports submitted to 
it are fully addressed and improved 
procedures adopted.

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RE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT

REMUNER ATION   
COMMIT TEE REPORT

Geoff Eaton
REMUNER ATION COMMIT TEE CHAIR M AN

C O M M I T T E E   M E M B E R S

Name

G Eaton
S Maizey 
D Garman 
P Baines1

Note:
1. 

Paul Baines was appointed to the Remuneration Committee upon his appointment  
as a Non-Executive Director on 1 June 2016.

Position

Chairman
Member
Member
Member

58 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

S TAT E M E N T   B Y   G E O F F   E AT O N , 
R E M U N E R AT I O N   C O M M I T T E E 
C H A I R M A N
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased 
to introduce the Company’s 
Remuneration Report for the financial 
year ended 31 December 2016. This 
Report details the Remuneration Policy 
for the Company’s Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors and provides 
details of their remuneration for 2016.

Having been appointed in September 
2015 I have now completed my first full 
year as Chairman of the Company’s 
Remuneration Committee and, 
during my tenure to-date, I have been 
keen to ensure that our Executive 
remuneration is fair, balanced and 
reflective of the general markets and 
environments in which we operate.

The Remuneration Policy which 
the Company adopted following 
shareholder approval at its annual 
general meeting (“AGM”) in May 2014 
is designed to both reflect the 
strategic objectives of the Company 
and to drive long-term shareholder 
value. Whilst we continued to operate 
within this Remuneration Policy 
during 2016, a revised Remuneration 
Policy (the “New Policy”) will be put 
forward for shareholder approval at 
the forthcoming AGM to ensure we 
remain compliant with the applicable 
reporting regime. Shareholders will 
have a binding vote on the resolution 
to approve the New Policy.

As you will see in the Policy section 
of this Remuneration Committee 
Report, the New Policy remains 
largely unchanged from the current 
Remuneration Policy. However, we 
have looked at the Remuneration 
Policy afresh, particularly in the 
context of the Company’s current 
position, strategy and performance 
ambitions. We have a new Executive 
Management team which the 
Remuneration Committee 
is keen to align with the Company’s 
performance, whilst ensuring that 
the overall package is balanced and 
reasonable in the context of a FTSE 
SmallCap company. The key changes 
which are reflected in the New Policy 
are as follows:

•  The Share Matching Plan (“SMP”) 
will be discontinued after the 2017 
awards. This will simplify the 
remuneration package and reduce 
the overall headline incentive 
opportunity available. There is no 
change to the Long-Term Incentive 
Plan (“LTIP”) award maximum, 
which will continue at 100% 
of salary.

•  Alignment with shareholders 

will be strengthened through an 
additional 12 month holding period 
for future LTIP awards. The holding 
period will normally continue post 
an Executive leaving.

•  The Remuneration Committee 
considered that the current 
shareholding guidelines of 
200% of salary are excessive for 
a company of John Menzies’ size 
and disproportionate to the level 
of long-term share incentive 
being offered. The shareholding 
guidelines will therefore be 
reduced to 100% of salary. The 
Remuneration Committee believes 
that this level of shareholding, 
together with the new holding 
period requirement, will create 
a strong, but proportionate, 
alignment with shareholders.
It is proposed that Executive 
Directors will enter into new service 
contracts which provide for a 
12 month notice period for both 
the Executive and the Company 
(as opposed to the current six 
month period).

• 

I hope that shareholders will agree 
that overall we have taken a balanced 
approach to Executive remuneration. 
We have reduced maximum incentives 
and introduced holding periods, 
but have also reviewed shareholding 
guidelines and contracts and set 
these at what we consider to be 
reasonable for a company of our size.

B O A R D   C H A N G E S
Having completed seven years as 
Chairman of the Company, Iain Napier 
stepped down from the Board 
following the Company’s AGM in May 
2016. Thereafter Dr Dermot F. Smurfit 
was appointed as the new Chairman 
in July 2016. 

The Remuneration Committee 
determined that it would be 
appropriate for part of the Chairman’s 
fee to be delivered as a fixed number 
of shares. This portion of his fee 
arrangement was approved by 
the  Company’s shareholders at 
the general meeting convened 
on 11 October 2016. Dr Smurfit was 
awarded 20,000 ordinary shares in 
the Company on 17 November 2016 
and, subject to his continuation in 
office, the same number of ordinary 
shares will be part of his fee 
arrangement in 2017 and 2018.

As detailed in the Annual Report 
and Accounts 2015, Jeremy Stafford 
resigned his position as Chief 
Executive Officer and Director 
of the Company in January 2016. 
As previously disclosed (and in 
accordance with section 430(2B) of 
the Companies Act 2006), following 
discussions between Mr Stafford and 
the Company, Mr Stafford received 
a payment of £65,200 (gross) for loss 
of office. He also received a maximum 
contribution of £4,000 plus VAT towards 
legal fees incurred in connection with 
his leaving. No other remuneration 
payment or any payment for loss of 
office has been made to Mr Stafford.

His unvested LTIP and SMP awards 
lapsed in January 2016.

Additionally, Paula Bell resigned from 
the Board in May 2016. She did not 
receive any payments in relation to 
her resignation and her unvested LTIP 
and SMP awards lapsed in May 2016.

Following a review of the 
Management structure, Forsyth Black 
was appointed President & Managing 
Director of Menzies Aviation and an 
Executive Director of the Company in 
January 2016. Giles Wilson was 
appointed Chief Financial Officer 
in June 2016 following Paula Bell’s 
resignation. John Geddes, the Group 
Company Secretary, was appointed to 
the Board in the position of Corporate 
Affairs Director in November 2016 and 
Paul Baines was appointed as 
a Non-Executive Director with 
effect from 1 June 2016. 

The packages of all new Board 
members are in line with the 
Company’s Remuneration Policy 
(and the New Policy). 

LT I P
As disclosed in the Company’s Annual 
Report and Accounts 2015, 2016 awards 
to Executive Directors under the updated 
rules of the Company’s LTIP were based 
on Total Shareholder Return as this was 
considered the most appropriate target 
for rewarding delivery of long-term 
shareholder value. 2017 LTIP awards 
will be made on a similar basis.

However as we progress with 
our strategy, the Remuneration 
Committee will review whether to 
reintroduce a financial measure, such 
as long-term growth, into the LTIP.

R E M U N E R AT I O N   O U T C O M E S
The Remuneration Committee 
has reviewed 2017 base salary 
levels for Executive Directors. On 
appointment to the Board, Forsyth 
Black’s salary was set initially at a 
lower level to allow for increases as 
he developed in the role. Against 
that background the Remuneration 
Committee determined that it 
was appropriate for his salary to be 
increased from £300,000 to £350,000 
from 1 January 2017. Additionally, 
Giles Wilson’s salary will be increased 
from  £300,000 to £325,000 with effect 
from 1 May 2017, an increase which also 
reflects his progress in the role since 
his appointment. John Geddes’ salary 
was reviewed when he was appointed 
to the Board in November 2016.

The 2014 LTIP and Bonus  
Co-Investment Plan awards were 
assessed by the Remuneration 
Committee based on performance to 
31 December 2016. The Remuneration 
Committee determined that the 
relevant performance measures were 
not met and such awards will lapse 
following the Company’s final results 
announcement on 8 March 2017. 
Further details are provided on pages 
71 and 72 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016.

Geoff Eaton
Remuneration Committee Chairman
7 March 2017

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNER ATION 
POLICY

D I R E C T O R S’   R E M U N E R AT I O N :   P R I N C I P L E S
The current Remuneration Policy, which is available at www.johnmenziesplc.com, was approved by the Company’s 
shareholders at its annual general meeting (“AGM”) on 16 May 2014. However, in compliance with section 439A of the 
Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”), the following Remuneration Policy (the “New Policy”) is being put forward for 
shareholder approval at the Company’s 2017 AGM. The New Policy contained here will be subject to a binding vote 
and will take effect immediately upon receipt of such approval from the Company’s shareholders. The Company’s 
Remuneration Policy has been developed to ensure that the Company is well placed to attract, retain and motivate 
Directors with the ability and experience necessary to run the Company successfully, whilst also aligning Executive 
remuneration with the financial returns of its shareholders. The clawback and malus policy remains as included in the 
Company’s Annual Report and Accounts 2015 and the only material differences between the current Remuneration 
Policy and the New Policy are, as set out on page 59 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2016, as follows:

•  We are removing the Bonus Co-investment Plan (“BCIP”)/Share Matching Plan (“SMP”) following 2017. This results 

in a reduction in the headline total opportunity.

•  The current Remuneration Policy provides for a shareholding target of 200% for Executive Directors but this 

is reduced to 100% under the New Policy.

•  All new awards made under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) will have a 12 month retention period 

attached post-vesting. 

•  The service contracts for the Executive Directors provide for a six month notice period for both the Executive and the 
Company (with the exception of Forsyth Black who may terminate his appointment upon giving not less than 12 months’ 
notice). It is proposed that the Executive Directors enter into new service contracts which provide for a 12 month notice 
period for both the Executive and the Company.

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Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

There is no maximum 
opportunity. Salary increases 
will normally be in line with the 
average increase awarded in 
the wider employee population.

Higher increases may be 
made in certain circumstances 
and at the Remuneration 
Committee’s discretion. 
For example, this may include 
(but is not limited to):

• 

increase in the scope  
and/or responsibility 
of an individual’s role;

•  development of an 

individual within the role;
•  corporate events such as 
a significant acquisition 
or Group restructuring 
which impacts the scope 
of a role; and

•  where it is considered 

necessary for the retention 
of an Executive or to reflect 
significant changes in 
market practice.

Maximum annual award 
is 100% of salary. 

1.   B A S I C   S A L A R Y
Attract and retain high 
performing individuals, 
reflecting market value 
of role and Executive’s 
skills and experience.

Normally reviewed annually.
Salaries for 2017 will be:

•  F Black: £350,000
•  G Wilson: £325,000
•  J Geddes: £250,000

The Remuneration 
Committee takes into 
consideration a number 
of factors when setting 
salaries including (but 
not limited to): 

•  the size and scope of an 

individual’s responsibilities;

•  an individual’s skills, 
experience and 
performance;

•  typical salary levels 

for comparable roles 
at appropriate 
comparator companies;

•  pay and conditions 
elsewhere in the 
Company; and
inflation in the 
relevant market.

• 

The annual bonus is paid 
in cash and shares, based 
on the Remuneration 
Committee’s assessment 
of performance during the 
financial year in question. 

20% of any award is paid 
in deferred shares with 
such shares having 
dividend entitlements.

The Remuneration Committee 
may claw back bonus awards 
for a period of three years after 
the end of the relevant bonus 
year in the event of the 
misstatement of accounts 
that materially increased the 
amount of bonus paid or 
misconduct by an employee 
which has or could have led 
to their employment being 
summarily terminated.

The Remuneration Committee 
may increase the level of 
deferral at any time.

2 .   A N N U A L   B O N U S 
Incentivise delivery of 
Group and individual 
objectives and 
enhance performance. 

D E F E R R E D   B O N U S 
I N   S H A R E S
Encourages a longer-
term focus which 
is aligned to 
shareholders 
and discourages 
inappropriate  
risk-taking.

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None, although individual 
and Group performance are 
factors taken into account 
when setting salaries.

All measures and targets 
are reviewed annually and 
set at the start of each 
financial year.

The measures will include 
relevant Group and/or 
Divisional financial 
measures and may include 
performance against Key 
Results Areas (“KRAs”) or 
other strategic measures 
as appropriate.

At least 70% of the 
bonus will be based 
on financial measures.

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Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

B C I P/ S M P 
The BCIP/SMP will 
be discontinued from 
1 January 2018.

3 .   LT I P
To incentivise value 
creation over the 
medium and  
long-term.

To reward the 
execution of the 
Group’s strategy.

To encourage  
longer-term thinking 
and planning.

To align the interests 
of shareholders 
and Directors.

4 .   P E N S I O N
To provide market 
levels of pension 
provision.

Directors can voluntarily invest 
up to 40% of any cash bonus 
awarded, after deduction of 
tax, to acquire contributory 
shares. It is the amount of the 
gross bonus invested which 
determines the number of 
qualifying shares.

Matching shares are awarded 
based on the number of 
qualifying shares.

Vesting of shares is 
dependent on the attainment 
of performance criteria.

Matching shares usually vest 
over three years.

Matching awards may 
incorporate the value of 
dividends over the relevant 
performance period.

Awards under the LTIP may 
be in the form of a conditional 
right to acquire shares or an 
option to acquire shares.

Vesting of shares is 
dependent on the attainment 
of performance criteria over a 
period of at least three years.

After vesting all shares 
must be held for a further 
12 month period.

Directors can participate 
in the Menzies Money 
Purchase Pension Scheme 
or cash equivalent.

F Black and J Geddes 
participate in a defined 
benefit pension scheme. 
The scheme closed to new 
entrants in 2007.

The defined benefit pension 
plans are operated by the 
trustees of the Menzies 
Pension Fund. These 
arrangements were agreed 
prior to 27 June 2012.

Performance criteria are 
reviewed and set at the start 
of each award period.

Matching awards will vest 
based on Group Earnings Per 
Share (“EPS”) performance.

No more than 25% of an 
award vests on the attainment 
of threshold target.

Directors can voluntarily 
invest up to 40% (on a  
gross basis) of any cash 
bonus received.

Investments are matched  
at a maximum of 1:1 with 
shares that vest dependent 
on performance.

The maximum opportunity  
is 32% of salary for the award 
in 2017. No SMP award will 
be granted following the 
2017 awards.

Performance criteria are 
reviewed and set at the start 
of each award period, using 
one or more of relative Total 
Shareholder Return (“TSR”), 
Group EPS performance, 
Return on Capital Employed 
or any other Group financial 
and/or Divisional 
performance measures.

No more than 25% 
of an award vests on 
the attainment of 
threshold target.

None.

Maximum annual grant value 
is 100% of salary.

Under the Menzies Money 
Purchase Pension Scheme 
Directors may receive 
a pension contribution 
of up to 20% of salary.

The Remuneration 
Committee may determine 
that Executive Directors 
receive a cash supplement 
of up to 20% of salary in lieu 
of pension.

The defined benefit 
pension scheme provides 
pension of up to two-thirds 
of pensionable earnings or 
the ‘scheme earnings cap’ if 
lower. Participating Directors 
receive a payment of 20% 
of the difference between the 
cap and their current salary.

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Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

None.

As the cost of providing other 
benefits, including health 
insurance and life assurance, 
may vary from year to year, it 
is not considered practical to 
define a maximum level for 
these or any other benefits.
The level of any relocation 
benefits, allowances and 
expenses will depend on 
the specific circumstances.
There is no overall maximum 
level of benefits.

Monthly contributions of 
up to the HMRC-approved 
limit over a three or five 
year period.

None.

5 .   B E N E F I T S
To provide market 
levels of benefits 
provision.

C O M PA N Y 
S H A R E S AV E   
S C H E M E
This provides the 
Company’s UK 
employees with 
an interest in the 
performance of 
its shares.

S H A R E H O L D I N G 
G U I D E L I N E S
To align the Executive 
Directors with the 
long-term interests 
of shareholders.

Executive Directors receive 
benefits which typically may 
include, but are not limited 
to, private health insurance, 
life assurance, ill-health 
insurance protection and 
a company car allowance. 
Other benefits may be 
operated through salary 
sacrifice. The Remuneration 
Committee may introduce or 
remove benefits offered to 
individuals where it considers 
it appropriate to do so.

Where Executive Directors 
are required to relocate, the 
Remuneration Committee 
may, if considered appropriate, 
offer additional relocation or 
expatriate benefits.

Accumulated savings may 
be used to exercise an option 
to acquire ordinary shares of 
£0.25 each in the Company  
(“Ordinary Shares”).

The option price of such 
Ordinary Shares may be 
discounted by up to the 
HMRC-approved level 
(currently 20%).

Shareholding guidelines 
for Executive Directors are 
100% of salary (built up 
over time).

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Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

C H A I R M A N   A N D 
N O N - E X E C U T I V E 
D I R E C T O R S’   F E E S
To attract Non-
Executive Directors 
of sufficient skills and 
experience to fulfil 
the role.

The fees for Non-Executive 
Directors comprise a basic 
payment plus additional 
payments for being Chairman 
of a Committee, a Committee 
member or for being the 
Senior Independent Director. 
Differential fee levels may be 
paid for Non-Executive 
Directors depending on the 
skills, experience, nationality, 
and responsibilities of 
an individual or additional 
time commitments for 
the role.

The Chairman receives a fee 
for services to the Company.

A portion of Chairman and 
Non-Executive Directors’  
fees may be delivered as 
Company shares.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees 
are reviewed periodically by 
the Board with reference  
to external benchmarking.

Notes:
1. 

Annual bonus 
The annual bonus performance measures have been chosen to provide an appropriate balance between incentivising Executive Directors to meet financial 
targets for the year and to deliver the Group’s KRAs. This balance allows the Remuneration Committee to effectively reward performance against the key 
elements of the Group’s strategy. 
Threshold and stretch targets are derived from a review of the historical and projected performance of the Group and its peers, together with an analysis 
of analysts’ expectations. 

2.  LTIP 

The ultimate goal of the Company is to provide long-term sustainable returns to shareholders. The performance measures are intended to align Executive 
remuneration with this goal. In particular (for 2017): 
Relative TSR – Total shareholder return relative to a relevant peer group is currently considered to be the best measure of the Company’s ultimate delivery 
of value to shareholders. The Remuneration Committee considers that this promotes alignment between Executive Director reward and shareholders’ 
financial returns. Targets are set with reference to wider market practice and are positioned at a level which the Remuneration Committee considers represent 
stretching performance.

3.  Differences in remuneration policy for Directors and other employees 

Remuneration arrangements throughout the Group are based on the principle that reward should be set at competitive levels to support the delivery of the 
Group’s strategy and also attract, retain and motivate individuals who have the necessary skills for each role. Pay differs for employees of different seniority and 
for those operating in different parts of the world. For example, in accordance with market practice and shareholder expectations, the remuneration 
arrangements for Executive Directors place a significant emphasis on long-term performance related pay compared to other employees. The Company also 
operates an HMRC-approved Sharesave Scheme, in which all employees (including Executive Directors) are eligible to participate and which aims to promote a 
sense of ownership amongst staff.

The LTIP and the SMP will be operated in accordance with the rules of the respective plans as approved by shareholders. 
Awards may be adjusted in accordance with the rules approved by shareholders. For example, LTIP and SMP awards may 
be adjusted in the event of any variation of the Company’s share capital. The Remuneration Committee may recommend 
to the Board that it amends the targets applicable to LTIP or SMP awards if an event occurs which causes the Remuneration 
Committee to reasonably consider that, having due regard to the interests of shareholders, the performance targets 
should be varied to ensure a fair measure of performance or a more effective incentive for participants.

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The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and/or payments for loss of office 
(including exercising any discretions available to it in connection with such payments), notwithstanding that they are not 
in line with the New Policy set out above, where the terms of the payment were agreed: (i) before 16 May 2014 (the date 
on which the Company’s first shareholder-approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy came into effect); (ii) before the New 
Policy set out above came into effect, provided that the terms of the payment were consistent with the shareholder-approved 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy in force at the time they were agreed; or (iii) at a time when the relevant individual was not 
a Director of the Company and, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the payment was not in consideration for 
the individual becoming a Director of the Company. For these purposes ‘payments’ includes the Remuneration Committee 
satisfying awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the terms of the payment are ‘agreed’ 
at the time the award is granted.

The Remuneration Committee may make minor amendments to the Remuneration Policy (for regulatory, exchange 
control, tax or administrative purposes or to take account of a change in legislation) without obtaining shareholder 
approval for that amendment.

1.   C L AW B A C K   A N D   M A L U S 
Awards granted during 2016 and onwards to Executive Directors are subject to the following terms:

•  Cash and deferred bonuses may be clawed back for a period of three years after the end of the relevant bonus year 
in the event of the misstatement of accounts that materially increased the amount of bonus paid or misconduct by 
an employee which has or could have led to their employment being summarily terminated.

•  Matching deferred bonus awards and LTIP awards may be clawed back after vesting where the Company is required 
to restate its accounts to a material extent; the Board becomes aware of any material wrongdoing on the part of an 
employee which would have entitled the Company to terminate the employee’s employment; or any other reason the 
Remuneration Committee includes in the relevant terms at the time an award is made. The clawback period will be set 
by the Remuneration Committee.

2 .   R E C R U I T M E N T   P O L I C Y
In determining appropriate remuneration arrangements upon hiring a new Executive Director, the Remuneration 
Committee will take into consideration all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the role, the remuneration being 
forfeited and the jurisdiction the candidate was recruited from. The Remuneration Committee is mindful of the need to 
avoid paying more than is necessary upon recruitment.

Salary should be set to take into account role and responsibilities. For interim positions a cash supplement may be paid 
rather than salary (e.g. a Non-Executive Director taking on an Executive function on a short-term basis).

The Remuneration Committee may make awards on hiring an external candidate to ‘buy out’ remuneration arrangements 
forfeited upon leaving a previous employer. In doing so the Remuneration Committee will take account of relevant factors 
including any performance conditions attached to these awards, the form in which they were granted (i.e. cash or shares) 
and the time over which they would have vested. The key principle should be that buyout awards should not be more 
valuable than those forfeited.

Normally the maximum variable remuneration (excluding buyouts) would be in line with the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy table above. The Remuneration Committee retains the flexibility to determine that for the first year of appointment 
any annual bonus award will be subject to such conditions as it may determine. Against that background, where the 
potential exists that a new Executive Director could have different roles and responsibilities to those currently appointed, 
such responsibilities may require to be reflected in that Executive Director’s remuneration arrangements. Taking this into 
account the Remuneration Committee may, for the first year, make an additional performance-related incentive award 
of up to 50% of salary. The form of any award would be determined at the relevant time.

Where an Executive Director is appointed from within the Group, the normal policy of the Company is that any legacy 
arrangements should be honoured in line with the original terms and conditions. Similarly, if an Executive Director 
is appointed following the Company’s acquisition of, or merger with, another company, legacy terms and conditions 
should be honoured.

In the event of the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, remuneration arrangements will be in line with those 
detailed in the Remuneration Policy table above.

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3 .   S E R V I C E   C O N T R A C T S   A N D   L E T T E R S   O F   A P P O I N T M E N T 
The Executive Directors have service contracts with the Company as detailed below. The Company’s practice on notice 
periods has been that they should be for a period of six months for both the Executive and the Company. The Remuneration 
Committee has determined that, having due regard to prevailing market conditions and practice among companies 
of comparable size, and subject to the New Policy being approved by the Company’s shareholders, the service contracts 
of Executive Directors should contain a 12 month notice period for both the Executive and the Company.

Executive Director

F Black
G Wilson
J Geddes

Date of service contract

Notice period

13/01/2016
15/04/2016
23/11/2016

Terminable on 26 weeks’ notice1
Terminable on 26 weeks’ notice
Terminable on 26 weeks’ notice

Note:
1. 

Forsyth Black may terminate his appointment upon the giving of not less than 52 weeks’ notice.

All Executive Directors’ service contracts and Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment are available for inspection 
at the Company’s registered office.

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 these Directors can be removed in accordance with 
the Company’s Articles of Association. The Chairman and all Non-Executive Directors are subject to annual re-election.

4 .   PAY M E N T S   T O   O U T G O I N G   D I R E C T O R S
Executive Directors will be entitled to receive their basic salary and contractual benefits for any notice period. The Company 
may, in its absolute discretion, elect to terminate an Executive Director’s employment by making a payment in lieu of 
notice of the individual’s salary for that period. The Remuneration Committee may structure any such payments in such 
a way as it deems appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of departure. Any payments of compensation will 
be subject to negotiation and, the Remuneration Policy includes consideration of appropriate mitigation, including 
phasing of payments. 

In the event of a Director’s departure, any outstanding share awards will be treated in accordance with the rules of the relevant 
share plan. The following principles apply for the treatment of remuneration elements following loss of office of a Director:

Annual bonus

Deferred bonus shares

BCIP/SMP

There is no automatic entitlement to annual bonus. Taking into account the 
circumstances of leaving, the Remuneration Committee may award a bonus 
in respect of performance in the relevant financial year with appropriate consideration 
of time pro-rating.
Deferred bonus shares are required to be transferred back to the Company (or the 
Director to pay the market value of such shares to the Company) in circumstances 
of resignation or dismissal. In other circumstances the deferred bonus shares would 
normally be retained by the Director.
If a Director ceases office or employment with the Company any unvested awards will 
lapse unless the individual is a good leaver.

Good leavers are those participants who leave by reason of death, injury, ill-health, 
disability, retirement, redundancy, the transfer of the individual’s employing company 
or business out of the Group or such other circumstances as the Remuneration 
Committee may determine. This discretion will not be exercised where the individual 
is dismissed for misconduct. For good leavers, awards will vest subject to the 
Remuneration Committee’s assessment of the extent to which the performance targets 
have been met and, unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, time 
pro-rating by reference to the proportion of the performance period elapsed.

Under the BCIP and upon death, the matching ratio will be 1:1 unless the Remuneration 
Committee determines that it should apply a lower ratio taking into account the 
particular circumstances, the time elapsed in the performance period and the extent 
to which the performance targets are likely to be achieved. Under the SMP and upon 
death, time pro-rating by reference to the proportion of the performance period 
elapsed will apply unless the Remuneration Committee determines that it would be 
fairer to apply a substantially higher or lower matching ratio taking into account the 
particular circumstances, the time elapsed in the performance period and the extent 
to which the performance targets are likely to be achieved.

6 6 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

LTIP

If a Director ceases office or employment with the Company any unvested awards will 
lapse unless the individual is a good leaver.

Good leavers are those participants who leave by reason of injury, disability, 
retirement (with the agreement of the employing company), redundancy, the transfer 
of the individual’s employing company or business out of the Group or such other 
circumstances as the Remuneration Committee may determine. This discretion 
will not be exercised where the individual is dismissed for misconduct. Awards will 
vest no earlier than the normal vesting date subject to performance to the end of the 
relevant performance period and time pro-rating. The Remuneration Committee 
may determine the extent to which the additional holding period will continue to 
apply post leaving.

If the participant dies, awards will normally vest as soon as practical on a time-
apportioned basis and subject to the Remuneration Committee’s assessment of the 
likelihood that the performance conditions will be met in the ordinary course of events.
The Director will be eligible to receive the standard contribution to the defined 
contribution pension plan, or cash equivalent, during the notice period.
Leavers will be treated in accordance with the rules of the approved Scheme.

The Company may make a contribution towards reasonable legal fees incurred in 
relation to any agreement to cease employment.
The Remuneration Committee should determine the leaving terms for any such award 
at the time of grant.

Pension

Company 
Sharesave Scheme
Benefits

Buyout awards 
and additional  
recruitment awards

The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to make any other payments in connection with a Director’s cessation 
of office or employment where the payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing legal obligation (or by way 
of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of a compromise or settlement of any claim arising in connection 
with the cessation of a Director’s office or employment. Any such payments may include, but are not limited to, amounts 
in respect of accrued leave, paying any fees for outplacement assistance and/or the Director’s legal or professional advice 
fees in connection with his cessation of office or employment.

In the event of a change of control or winding-up of the Company, the treatment of share awards will be in accordance with 
the rules of the relevant share plan which, in summary, are as follows: 

•  LTIP awards may vest upon a change of control, taking into account the Remuneration Committee’s assessment of the 
extent to which the performance targets have been met and the proportion of the performance period that has elapsed. 

•  BCIP/SMP awards may vest upon a change of control and winding-up, subject to the Remuneration Committee’s 

assessment of the extent to which the performance targets have been met and, unless the Remuneration Committee 
determines otherwise, time pro-rating by reference to the proportion of the performance period elapsed.

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C

R
E
P
O
R
T

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

S
H
A
R
E
H
O
L
D
E
R

I

N
F
O
R
M
A
T

I

O
N

67

GOVERNANCE REPORTS 
 
 
RE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

5 .   I L L U S T R AT I O N S   O F   R E M U N E R AT I O N   P O L I C Y
The following charts illustrate the different elements of the Executive Directors’ remuneration under three different 
performance scenarios: ‘Fixed, ‘Mid’ and ‘Maximum’. The assumptions used are provided below the charts.

£’000

1500

1400

1300

1200

1100

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Total: £1,246k

Total: £1,153k

28%

9%

28%

Total: £710k

12%
2%

25%

Total: £434k

28%

9%

28%

Total: £655k

12%
2%

25%

Total: £399k

Total: £841k

30%

9%

30%

Total: £459k
14%
2%
27%

Total: £261k

100%

61%

35%

100%

61%

35%

100%

57%

31%

Fixed

Maximum
Mid
President & MD, Menzies Aviation

LTIP

BCIP/SMP

Annual Bonus

Fixed

Fixed

Mid
Chief Financial Officer1

Maximum

Fixed

Mid
Corporate Affairs Director

Maximum

Component

Base salary
Pension

Benefits
Annual bonus (cash 
and deferred shares)
BCIP/SMP

‘Fixed’

‘Mid’

‘Maximum’

Base salary for 2017
Defined benefit – single figure value for 2016
Defined contribution/cash supplement – value for 2017
Taxable value of annual benefits provided in 2016
50% of salary 

0% of salary

100% of salary 

LTIP

0% vesting

25% vesting

0% of salary

25% vesting  
of 1:1 match

100% vesting of 1:1 match 
on deferral of 40% of 
‘Maximum’ bonus
100% vesting

Notes:
1. 
2. 

Benefits exclude one-off relocation costs provided in 2016.
The values for the BCIP/SMP and the LTIP exclude share price growth following grant or the value of any dividend equivalent payments.

6 .   C O N S I D E R AT I O N   O F   E M P L O Y E E   C O N D I T I O N S   E L S E W H E R E   I N   T H E   G R O U P 
The average base salary increase awarded across the workforce provides a key reference point when determining levels 
of increase for the Executive Directors to ensure that all arrangements remain reasonable. 

The Group employs 35,000 people in 245 locations globally and the Remuneration Committee therefore did not believe 
it practical or reasonable to consult employees on the Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors during 2016. The 
Remuneration Committee took into account employee conditions across the Group when determining the New Policy.

7.   C O N S I D E R AT I O N   O F   S H A R E H O L D E R   V I E W S
The Remuneration Committee reviews shareholder feedback on Executive remuneration matters as well as developments 
in investor body guidelines, and has taken these into account in formulating Executive remuneration policies.

6 8 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

ANNUAL REPORT   
ON REMUNER ATION

T O TA L   R E M U N E R AT I O N   R E C E I V E D   F O R   T H E   Y E A R   E N D E D   31   D E C E M B E R   2 016
The table below provides a single figure of remuneration for each member of the Board, broken down into each element 
of pay and compared to the previous year. 

Jeremy Stafford resigned from the Board on 13 January 2016 whilst Paula Bell and Iain Napier stepped down following the 
Company’s annual general meeting (“AGM”) on 20 May 2016. 

Forsyth Black was appointed to the Board on 13 January 2016, both Giles Wilson and Paul Baines were appointed with 
effect from 1 June 2016, Dr Dermot F. Smurfit became Chairman on 25 July 2016 and John Geddes was appointed to 
the Board with effect from 23 November 2016.

The table below and items 1 to 8 are subject to audit by the Company’s auditor.

Base salary/fee
£’000

Taxable 
benefits1
£’000

Annual bonus
£’000

Bonus
Co-investment
Plan
£’000

Long-term
Incentive Plan
£’000

Total long-term
incentives
£’000

Pension
£’000

Total
remuneration
£’000

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

289
175
27

Executive Directors
F Black2
G Wilson2
J Geddes2
Non-Executive Directors
D Smurfit2,3
D Jenkinson4
S Maizey
D Garman
G Eaton
P Baines2
Former Directors
J Stafford5,6
P Bell5
I Napier5

173
69
46
49
46
25

33 400
188 319
78 188

–
40
45
27
26
–

–
–
–

14
46
2

– 275
– 175
26
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

1
9
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

13
15
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

70
35
9

–
–
–
–
–
–

– 648
– 431
64
–

– 173
69
–
46
–
49
–
46
–
25
–

–
–
–

–
40
45
27
26
–

7
36
–

80
41 493
64 233 398
78 188

–

Notes:
1. 

Benefits offered to Executive Directors include a car allowance and health insurance. Giles Wilson’s benefits for 2016 include £37,000 for relocation costs 
in relation to his appointment to the Board and the Company has agreed to meet some further expenditure in 2017 in relation to his relocation. Details of the 
pension arrangements for each of the Directors are included on page 75 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

2.  Relevant remuneration reflects the individual appointment dates of each of Forsyth Black (13 January 2016), Giles Wilson (1 June 2016), John Geddes 

(23 November 2016), Dr Dermot F. Smurfit (25 July 2016) and Paul Baines (1 June 2016) to the Board.

3.  Part of the Company’s fee arrangement with Dr Smurfit for his services in his first year as Chairman was a cash fee satisfied by way of issue of up to 20,000 ordinary 

shares of £0.25 each in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”). Therefore, in accordance with the resolutions approved by the Company’s shareholders at the general 
meeting convened on 11 October 2016, the Company transferred 20,000 Ordinary Shares out of Treasury to Dr Smurfit on 17 November 2016 at a price of 490.8483 pence 
per Ordinary Share. For the avoidance of doubt, the value of these Ordinary Shares is included in the fee figure for Dr Smurfit.

4.  The figure of £69,000 reflects the pro-rated increase of Dermot Jenkinson’s fee from £40,000 to £188,000 during the period in which he held the office of 

Interim Chairman.

5.  Relevant remuneration reflects the individual leaving dates of each of Jeremy Stafford (13 January 2016), Paula Bell (29 July 2016) and Iain Napier (20 May 2016).
6.  A payment of £65,200 (gross) was also made to Jeremy Stafford for loss of office together with a contribution of £4,000 plus VAT towards legal fees incurred in 
connection with the foregoing. No other remuneration payment or any payment for loss of office of the type specified in section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 
2006 was made to him.

69

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REP O RT CO N TINUED

1.   B A S E   S A L A R Y
Salaries of Executive Directors and other Company staff are reviewed annually. The current salaries for Executive Directors 
are set out below and are usually updated annually on 1 May.

On appointment to the Board, Forsyth Black’s salary was set initially at a lower level to allow for increases as he developed 
in the role. Against that background the Remuneration Committee determined that it was appropriate for his salary to be 
increased from £300,000 to £350,000 from 1 January 2017. Additionally, Giles Wilson’s salary will be increased from 
£300,000 to £325,000 from 1 May 2017.

When determining the remuneration of Executive Directors, the Remuneration Committee takes account of pay and 
employment conditions in the Group as a whole.

F Black1
G Wilson2
J Geddes3

2015 salary

2016 salary

2017 salary

–
–
–

£300,000
£300,000
£250,000

£350,000
£325,000
£250,000

Forsyth Black was appointed President & Managing Director of Menzies Aviation on 13 January 2016.

Notes:
1. 
2.  Giles Wilson was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on 1 June 2016. 
John Geddes was appointed Corporate Affairs Director on 23 November 2016.
3. 

2 .   N O N - E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R S’   A N D   C H A I R M A N ’ S   F E E S
For 2016 the fees policy for Non-Executive Directors was as follows: 

Basic payment
Committee Chairmanship
Committee membership 
Senior Independent Director

Percentage
increase
for 2017

16.7%
8.3%
0%

Fee level

£40,000
£6,000
£2,500
£6,000

Directors receive one fee either for Committee Chairmanship or Committee membership, irrespective of the number of 
Committees on which they serve. The fees paid to Non-Executive Directors in respect of each of the positions detailed 
above are reviewed annually. They were reviewed in March 2017 and it was agreed that no changes would be made in 2017.

The Chairman’s fees comprise a cash fee of £150,000 per annum plus 20,000 Ordinary Shares per annum. The portion of 
fees delivered as Ordinary Shares will also apply in 2017 and 2018. This fee arrangement was approved by shareholders at 
the Company’s general meeting convened on 11 October 2016.

3 .   A N N U A L   B O N U S   S C H E M E
The Executive Directors participate in a discretionary bonus scheme which is subject to the achievement of challenging 
Group, Divisional and personal targets designed to encourage excellent performance. Targets are set by the Remuneration 
Committee at the start of the relevant performance period and taking into account market expectations at that time. 
Bonus payments are non-pensionable.

70 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

2 016   B O N U S   AWA R D S 
For 2016 bonuses were calculated as follows:

Name

Measure

F Black

Group Underlying 
Profit before Tax2 
Group Cash Conversion
KRAs3
G Wilson1 Group Underlying 

Profit before Tax2
Group Cash Conversion
KRAs3
J Geddes Group Underlying 

Profit before Tax2
Group Cash Conversion
KRAs3

Threshold
target

Stretch
target

Performance 
achieved

Weighting
(% of salary)

£38.9m
98%
–

£38.9m
98%
–

£38.9m
98%
–

£42.9m
102%
–

£42.9m
102%
–

£42.9m
102%
–

£44.3m
117%
–

£44.3m
117%
–

£44.3m
117%
–

70%
10%
20%

70%
10%
20%

70%
10%
20%

Overall
achieved

100%
100%
76%

100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
88%

Cash value
of award
£’0004

£275

£175

£26

The targets for Giles Wilson relate to the period from 1 June 2016, when he assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer, and make up 7/12ths of his award.

Notes:
1. 
2.  Calculated in accordance with the Bonus Scheme Rules.
3. 
4. 
5.  Neither Jeremy Stafford nor Paula Bell received any bonus payment in 2016 having resigned from the Board on 13 January 2016 and 20 May 2016 respectively.

The specific KRA targets are considered to be commercially sensitive and it is not considered appropriate to disclose them.
20% of all bonus awards are deferred in the Company’s shares for a three year period to December 2019. 

O P E R AT I O N   O F   P O L I C Y   F O R   2 017   B O N U S   AWA R D S
The performance measures used for 2017 annual bonus awards will not contain a Group Cash Conversion element and will 
comprise Group Underlying Profit before Tax (80%) and KRAs (20%). Performance targets will be disclosed retrospectively 
where considered appropriate as the Board considers that the disclosure of prospective targets is not appropriate due to their 
commercial sensitivity. 

4 .   B O N U S   C O - I N V E S T M E N T   P L A N   (“ B C I P ” ) / S H A R E   M AT C H I N G   P L A N   (“ S M P ” )
Under the BCIP and, from 2016 onwards, under the SMP, Executive Directors are invited to invest up to 40% of any annual 
cash bonus into the BCIP/SMP (as appropriate). As previously indicated, however, it is intended to withdraw the SMP from 
1 January 2018.

2 014   B C I P   AWA R D S 
Awards made under the BCIP in March 2014 were on a 1:1 matching basis. 25% of the matching shares on these awards 
were due to be paid if the threshold target (EPS growth exceeds the Retail Price Index (“RPI”) by 0%) was achieved, rising 
on a straight-line basis to 100% paid at or above stretch target (EPS growth exceeds the RPI by 3%+). Any dividends 
accrued on shares which vest are paid in cash upon vesting. 

The performance period for awards made in 2014 ended on 31 December 2016. The per annum growth in EPS for the 
Company over the performance period of the award was below the threshold level and accordingly the awards will lapse. 

71

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONRE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

2 015   B C I P   AWA R D S
For BCIP awards made in March 2015 performance measures and targets were set as follows: 

Measurement

Threshold target (25% vesting)

Stretch target (100% vesting)

EPS v Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) EPS growth equals CPI growth 

EPS growth exceeds CPI growth by 3%

2 016   S M P   AWA R D S
As detailed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2015, the performance measures and targets for awards made under the 
SMP in March 2016 were as follows:

Measurement

EPS v CPI

Threshold target (25% vesting)

Stretch target (100% vesting)

EPS growth equals CPI growth

EPS growth exceeds CPI growth by 3%

Details of awards made under the SMP in 2016 are shown in the table headed ‘Scheme interests awarded during 2016’ 
on page 74 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

The same performance measures and targets will be used for awards made under the SMP in 2017.

The performance criteria are set at threshold and stretch level. At threshold, 25% of a BCIP/SMP award will vest, increasing 
on a straight-line basis to 100% for stretch or greater achievement.

Outstanding BCIP/SMP awards are as follows: 

Name

F Black1
G Wilson1

J Geddes1
Former Directors
J Stafford2
P Bell2

31 December 
2015

–
3,513³
–
436³

3,959
2,841
9,509

Granted 
during
2016

2,385
–
2,757
–

Market price 
of award

478.0p
646.5p
478.0p
646.5p

–
–
–

375.8p
646.5p
652.0p

Vested 
during
2016

Lapsed 
during
2016

Gain/(loss) 
£’000

31 December 
2016

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

3,959
2,841
9,509

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

2,385
3,513
2,757
436

Performance period

1/1/2016-31/12/2018
1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2016-31/12/2018
1/1/2014-31/12/2016

–
–
–

1/1/2015-31/12/2017
1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015-31/12/2017

Notes:
1. 

The award figures detailed for each of the current Executive Directors have been adjusted to reflect the re-calculated amount following the Rights Issue 
undertaken by the Company in 2016.

2.  All outstanding awards for each of Jeremy Stafford and Paula Bell lapsed upon their resignation from the Board in January 2016 and May 2016 respectively.
3.  As the performance criteria have not been achieved, this award shall lapse following the Company’s final results announcement on 8 March 2017.

5 .   L O N G -T E R M   I N C E N T I V E   P L A N   (“ LT I P ” )
Under the Company’s LTIP all awards are subject to a three year performance period with appropriate targets.

The Company’s LTIP targets are designed to align the interests of the Executive Directors with those of the Company’s 
shareholders and to promote a long-term interest in the success of the Group. 

The performance criteria are set at threshold and stretch level. At threshold, 25% of a LTIP award will vest, increasing 
on a straight-line basis to 100% for stretch or greater achievement.

2 014   LT I P   AWA R D S
LTIP awards made to Executive Directors during the financial year ending 31 December 2014 are detailed below. As the 
performance criteria have not been achieved, these awards shall lapse following the Company’s final results announcement 
on 8 March 2017.

72 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Shares
granted1
G Wilson1 22,460

F Black1 10,392

Threshold
target
£43.4m

Criteria
Menzies
Aviation
underlying
operating profit
TSR v FTSE250 TSR = FTSE250
median
£43.4m

Menzies
Aviation
underlying
operating profit
TSR v FTSE250 TSR = FTSE250
median
£62.9m

Stretch
target
£50.0m

Attainment Weighting
0% 75%

Shares 
vesting
–

Performance period
1/1/2014-
31/12/2016

TSR > FTSE250
median + 30%
£50.0m

TSR > FTSE250
median + 30%
£71.7m

0% 25%

0% 75%

–

1/1/2014-
31/12/2016

0% 25%

0% 50%

–

1/1/2014-
31/12/2016

J Geddes1 19,391 John Menzies plc
underlying profit
before tax

TSR v FTSE250 TSR = FTSE250
median

TSR > FTSE250
median + 30%

0% 50%

Former Directors
J Stafford2 52,631 John Menzies plc
underlying
operating profit
TSR v FTSE250 TSR = FTSE250
median
£62.9m

£62.9m

P Bell2

40,817 John Menzies plc
underlying
operating profit
TSR v FTSE250 TSR = FTSE250
median

£71.7m

–

50%

TSR > FTSE250
median + 30%
£71.7m

50%

–

50%

TSR > FTSE250
median + 30%

50%

–

–

1/1/2014-
31/12/2016

1/1/2014-
31/12/2016

Notes:
1. 

The award figures detailed for each of the current Executive Directors have been adjusted to reflect the re-calculated amount following the Rights Issue 
undertaken by the Company in 2016.

2.  All outstanding awards for each of Jeremy Stafford and Paula Bell lapsed upon their resignation from the Board in January 2016 and May 2016 respectively. 

2 016   LT I P   AWA R D S
As disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2015, performance measures and targets for the LTIP awards made 
in March 2016 were as follows: 

Group performance criteria

TSR v FTSE SmallCap Index

Weighting

100%

Threshold target
(25% vesting)

Stretch target
(100% vesting)

TSR = FTSE
SmallCap median

TSR > FTSE SmallCap
median result + 30%

Details of the LTIP awards made in March 2016 are shown in the table headed ‘Scheme interests awarded during 2016’ 
on page 74 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

O P E R AT I O N   O F   P O L I C Y   F O R   2 017   AWA R D S
The performance measures for LTIP awards made in 2017 will be as follows: 

Group performance criteria

TSR

Weighting

100%

Threshold target
(25% vesting)

Stretch target
(100% vesting)

TSR = FTSE
SmallCap median

TSR = FTSE SmallCap
median result + 30%

73

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONRE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

Outstanding LTIP awards as at 31 December 2016 are shown below: 

Name

F Black1 

G Wilson1

J Geddes1

Former Directors
J Stafford2

P Bell2

31 December 
2015

Granted 
during 2016

Market price 
of award 

Vested 
during 2016

Lapsed 
during 2016

Gain/(loss) 
£’000

31 December 
2016

10,3923
44,098
–
22,4603
43,227
–
19,3913
33,928
–

52,631
103,896
40,817
82,935
–

–
–
76,736
–
–
37,610
–
–
33,571

–
–
–
–
72,159

654p
385p
443p
654p
385p
443p
654p
385p
443p

570p
385p
654p
385p
443p

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
52,631
– 103,896
40,817
–
82,935
–
72,159
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

10,392
44,098
76,736
22,460
43,227
37,610
19,391
33,928
33,571

Performance period

1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015-31/12/2017
1/1/2016-31/12/2018
1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015-31/12/2017
1/1/2016-31/12/2018
1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015-31/12/2017
1/1/2016-31/12/2018

–
–
–
–
–

1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015-31/12/2017
1/1/2014-31/12/2016
1/1/2015–31/12/2017
1/1/2016-31/12/2018

The award figures detailed for each of the current Executive Directors have been adjusted to reflect the Rights Issue undertaken by the Company in 2016.

Notes:
1. 
2.  All outstanding awards for each of Jeremy Stafford and Paula Bell lapsed upon their resignation from the Board in January 2016 and May 2016 respectively.
3.  As the performance criteria have not been achieved, this award shall lapse following the Company’s final results announcement on 8 March 2017.

6 .   S C H E M E   I N T E R E S T S   AWA R D E D   D U R I N G   2 016

F Black1 

G Wilson1

J Geddes1

Former Directors
P Bell2

Maximum 
number of 
shares 
awarded

Share price 
on date of 
grant of 
option

Face
value of 
shares (£)

Percentage 
vesting at 
threshold

Performance period end

76,736

£4.43 £339,940

25%

31/12/2018

2,385

£4.78 £11,400

25%

31/12/2018

704

£4.80

£3,379

n/a

31/11/2019

37,610

£4.43 £166,612

25%

31/12/2018

2,757

£4.78 £13,178

25%

31/12/2018

704

£4.80

£3,379

n/a

31/11/2019

33,571

£4.43 £148,720

25%

31/12/2018

Basis on which
award made

100%
of salary

1:1 matched
on deferred
bonus
n/a

75%
of salary

1:1 matched
on deferred
bonus
n/a

75%
of salary

n/a

356

£4.80

£1,709

n/a

31/11/2019

100%
of salary

72,159

£4.43 £319,664

25%

31/12/2018

Type of interest

LTIP3 –
conditional
shares
SMP3 –
conditional
shares
Save As
You Earn4
LTIP3 –
conditional
shares
SMP3 –
conditional
shares
Save As
You Earn4
LTIP3 –
conditional
shares
Save As
You Earn4

LTIP3 –
conditional
shares

The award figures detailed for each of the current Executive Directors have been adjusted to reflect the Rights Issue undertaken by the Company in 2016.

Notes:
1. 
2.  All outstanding awards for Paula Bell lapsed upon her resignation from the Board in May 2016.
3. 
4.  The exercise price for shares granted under the Save As You Earn scheme is the share price at the date of grant discounted by 20%.

The exercise price for shares granted under the SMP and LTIP is zero.

74 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

LTIP and BCIP/SMP awards are subject to performance conditions and the value delivered on vesting depends on performance 
against pre-defined targets over the relevant period and changes in the Company’s share price between grant and vesting.

The face value of awards is calculated using the share price on the date of grant. The face value of the Save As You Earn 
award is calculated using the share option price under the Sharesave Scheme in the relevant year.

7.   T O TA L   P E N S I O N   E N T I T L E M E N T S
S C H E M E   B E N E F I T S / C A S H   PAY M E N T S   I N   L I E U   O F   P E N S I O N   C O N T R I B U T I O N S
Forsyth Black is a member of the Menzies Pension Fund and accrues 1/60th of his pensionable salary (subject to the 
scheme earnings cap) for each year of pensionable service. 

Giles Wilson was a member of the Menzies Money Purchase Pension Scheme which provides Company contributions 
equivalent to 20% of salary (subject to the scheme earnings cap). Due to annual and lifetime allowance purposes, he 
opted out of the Scheme with effect from 31 March 2016 and now receives a cash payment equivalent to 20% of his 
salary in lieu of pension contribution.

John Geddes is a member of the Menzies Pension Fund and accrues 1/30th of his pensionable salary (subject to the 
scheme earnings cap) for each year of pensionable service.

Where the scheme earnings cap applies, Forsyth Black and John Geddes receive a cash payment equivalent to 20% 
of their salary above the cap.

Neither Paula Bell nor Jeremy Stafford participated in the Menzies Pension Fund whilst Executive Directors. They were entitled 
to join the Menzies Money Purchase Pension Scheme or elect to receive an equivalent cash payment. Both received cash 
payments equivalent to 20% of their salary in lieu of any pension contribution, pro-rated to reflect their respective periods 
in office in 2016. 

U N F U N D E D   A R R A N G E M E N T
The total of the transfer values for unfunded pension entitlements, held on the Company’s Balance Sheet at 31 December 
2016 for former Directors, calculated on an IAS 19 basis, totalled £1,829,597 (2015: £1,529,597), from which annual pensions 
of £59,438 were paid to former Directors (2015: £63,815).

8 .   D I R E C T O R S’   S H A R E H O L D I N G S   A N D   S H A R E   I N T E R E S T S
Executive Directors have been expected to build a shareholding in the Company of 200% of salary but this will reduce 
to 100% under the New Policy (if approved). Executive Directors are given a period of time to build their shareholding.

The following table shows Directors’ shareholdings and share interests as at 31 December 2016 together with share 
options exercised during 2016:

Unvested 
conditional
shares subject
to performance 
conditions (LTIP 
and BCIP/SMP 
awards)

Number of shares 
owned (including 
deferred shares)

Unvested
options over 
shares subject
to savings 
contracts (SAYE)

Vested options 
exercised
during 2016

Unvested 
conditional shares 
not subject to 
performance 
conditions

D Smurfit
F Black
G Wilson
J Geddes
D Jenkinson – Beneficial

– Non-beneficial

S Maizey
D Garman
G Eaton
P Baines

Former Directors
I Napier
P Bell
J Stafford

425,000
10,829
24,406
15,880
67,857
995,000
2,035
13,571
4,000
–

–
–
15,573

–
161,907
124,082
101,841
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
2,203
704
1,041
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
13,780
13,780
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

75

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
RE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

L E G A C Y   AWA R D S
The share interests table above includes the following outstanding awards for current Executive Directors (granted prior 
to their appointment to the Board) as at 31 December 2016: 

Name

F Black1
G Wilson1

J Geddes1

31 December
2015

–
–
–
–
–

Initial value
of award

£124,250
£75,000
£63,740
£75,000
£63,740

Vested 
during
20162

Lapsed 
during
2016

Gain/(loss)
£’000

31 December
2016

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

28,296
13,780
14,515
13,780
14,515

Retention period

1/7/2015-30/6/20182
19/8/2014-19/8/20173
1/7/2015-30/6/20182
19/8/2014-19/8/20173
1/7/2015-30/6/20182

Notes:
1. 

The award figures detailed for each of the current Executive Directors have been adjusted to reflect the re-calculated amount following the Rights Issue 
undertaken by the Company in 2016.

2.  Unvested conditional shares subject to performance conditions (EPS growth of 3% per annum).
3.  Unvested conditional shares subject to continued employment.

9.   E I G H T   Y E A R   H I S T O R I C A L   T S R   P E R F O R M A N C E   A N D   E X E C U T I V E   D I R E C T O R   PAY
The following graph compares the Company’s TSR for the eight years to December 2016 with the equivalent performance 
of the FTSE SmallCap Index. Whilst previously the FTSE250 Index was considered the most appropriate comparative 
Index, after careful consideration the Remuneration Committee decided that from 2016 onwards it would be more 
appropriate to benchmark the Company against the FTSE SmallCap Index. 

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Dec-2008

Dec-2009

Dec-2010

Dec-2011

Dec-2012

Dec-2013

Dec-2014

Dec-2015

Dec-2016

John Menzies plc

FTSE SmallCap

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 (the “Regulations”) require 
companies to show the total remuneration of any director who undertakes the role of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in each 
of the last eight years. As the Company’s Executive structure did not include the role of CEO prior to October 2014 and after 
13 January 2016, the following table shows the required figures for the highest paid Director in each year:

Highest paid  
Director in the year 

2009:
Dollman

2010:
Dollman

2011:
Dollman

2012:
Dollman

2013:
Smyth

January-
October
2014:
Smyth

October-
December
2014:
Stafford

2015:
Stafford

1/1/16-
13/1/16:
Stafford

13/1/16-
31/12/16:
Black

Role

Group
Finance
Director

Group
Finance
Director

Group
Finance
Director

Group
Finance
Director

MD,
Menzies
Aviation

MD,
Menzies
Aviation 

CEO

CEO

CEO   President 
& MD,
Menzies
Aviation

411

648

757

750

3,578

1,735

1,203

725

167

493

75%

74%

74%

63%

46%

22%

40% 100% 100%

84%

–

–

45%

n/a

–

–

–

–

95%

0%

Total remuneration 
(£’000)

Annual bonus award 
(% of maximum)

Long-term incentive 
vesting (% of 
maximum)

Note:
1. 

A payment of £65,200 (gross) was also made to Jeremy Stafford for loss of office together with a contribution of £4,000 plus VAT towards legal fees incurred in 
connection with his loss of office.

76 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

 
10 .   P E R C E N TA G E   C H A N G E   I N   R E M U N E R AT I O N
The Regulations also require companies to show the annual change in base salary, benefits and annual bonus for any 
director undertaking the role of CEO during the financial year in question, in this case regarded as being Forsyth Black, 
together with the average change for all Group employees. Whilst the table below details this information, given the 
geographical spread of the Group’s operations and taking into account the different rates of wage inflation which exist, 
the average for Group employees for comparison with Forsyth Black is based on the total UK employee base.

CEO
Average for Group employees

Base salary
 (% change)

Benefits
(% change)

Annual bonus
(% change)

-25%
+2%

+7% 
0%

n/a1
-43%

Note:
1. 

Percentage change in remuneration for the role of CEO is based on Jeremy Stafford’s 2015 remuneration and Forsyth Black’s 2016 remuneration.  
Jeremy Stafford did not receive a bonus for 2015 and therefore the percentage change in annual bonus cannot be calculated for 2016.

11.   R E L AT I V E   I M P O R TA N C E   O F   S P E N D   O N   PAY
The total Group spend on employee remuneration during 2016 and the immediately preceding financial year is reflected in 
the following table:

Group employee remuneration costs
Dividend distribution
Share buyback

2015

2016

£506.7m
£8.0m
£0m

£582.1m
£10.6m
£0m

12 .   T H E   R E M U N E R AT I O N   C O M M I T T E E
During 2016 the following Non-Executive Directors were members of the Remuneration Committee: 

Name

G Eaton 
D Garman 
S Maizey 
P Baines (appointed June 2016)

Position

Attendance

Chairman
Member
Member
Member

3/3
3/3
3/3
2/2

A D V I S E R S   T O   T H E   R E M U N E R AT I O N   C O M M I T T E E
During 2016 the Remuneration Committee was advised by remuneration consultants from Deloitte LLP. Total fees 
in relation to Executive remuneration consulting were £38,025. Deloitte also provided advice in relation to 
controls assurance.

Deloitte was appointed by the Remuneration Committee. Deloitte is a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group 
and, as such, voluntarily operates under the Code of Conduct in relation to Executive Remuneration Consulting in the 
United Kingdom. Each year the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee agrees the protocols under which Deloitte will 
provide advice to support independence. The Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the advice which it has received 
from Deloitte has been objective and independent.

In addition, legal advice was sought by the Remuneration Committee from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, the Company’s 
solicitors, where considered appropriate.

The Group’s Chief Financial Officer and Group Company Secretary also provided internal support and guidance to the 
Remuneration Committee where appropriate. They are, however, specifically excluded from any matters concerning the 
details of their own remuneration. Members of the Remuneration Committee have no personal financial interest (other 
than as shareholders) in the matters to be decided by the Remuneration Committee and no day-to-day involvement in 
the running of the business of the Group. 

7 7

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONRE MUNER ATIO N COM MIT T EE   
REP O RT CO N TINUED

13 .   R E M U N E R AT I O N   R E S O L U T I O N S
The table below provides the results of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 2015 resolution and the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy 2013 resolution which were tabled at the Company’s AGM in May 2016 and May 2014 respectively:

Resolution

Directors’ Remuneration  
Report 2015
Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy 2013

Votes
for

Percentage

Votes
against

Percentage

Votes total

Votes
withheld

46,397,914

92.88% 3,557,734

7.12% 49,955,648

37,136

36,476,336

99.67%

78,488

0.21% 36,599,865

45,041

An advisory resolution to approve this Remuneration Report will be tabled at the forthcoming AGM, together with a 
binding resolution to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy as set out on pages 60 to 68 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee will be available to answer questions from the Company’s 
shareholders on this Remuneration Report. 

14 .   E X T E R N A L   A P P O I N T M E N T S
The Board recognises the benefits to the individual and to the Company of involvement by Executive Directors as  
Non-Executive Directors on the boards of 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 of the Company. This 
approval will not be denied where the Chairman is confident that the appointment in question will not interfere with the 
Director’s ability to perform their duties for the Company or provide a conflict of interest. Executive Directors are entitled 
to retain any fees received under such appointments. 

On behalf of the Board

Geoff Eaton
Remuneration Committee Chairman
7 March 2017

78 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

D IREC TO R S’ REP O RT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

FOR THE FINANCIAL Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The following sections provide information on those items which are required to be included in this Directors’ Report, 
pursuant to the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”), the Large and Medium-sized Companies 
and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (as amended by the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013) (the “2013 Regulations”) and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (the “FCA”) Listing 
Rules. Some items are incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report, as detailed below.

D I R E C T O R S
All of the Directors who served during 2016 are shown in the table below. Biographies of those Directors who were in office 
at the end of 2016 are included on pages 44 and 45 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2016 and all of these Directors held 
office throughout 2016 with the exception of Forsyth Black, who was appointed to the Board on 13 January 2016; Giles 
Wilson and Paul Baines, who were both appointed as Directors on 1 June 2016; the Company’s Chairman, Dr Dermot F. 
Smurfit, who was appointed to the Board on 25 July 2016; and John Geddes, who was appointed Corporate Affairs Director 
on 23 November 2016. After eight years on the Board Iain Napier stood down from his position as Chairman of the Company 
following the Company’s annual general meeting (“AGM”) on 20 May 2016. Jeremy Stafford and Paula Bell also resigned 
from the Board on 13 January 2016 and 20 May 2016 respectively.

Current and former Directors’ interests in the Company’s ordinary shares of £0.25 each (the “Ordinary Shares”) were as follows:

Name
D Smurfit

G Wilson

F Black

J Geddes

D Jenkinson 

S Maizey

D Garman

G Eaton

P Baines

Former Directors
I Napier

P Bell

J Stafford

Position
Chairman

Chief
Financial
Officer
President &
Managing
Director of 
Menzies Aviation
Corporate
Affairs Director & 
Group Company
Secretary
Non-Executive
Director

Non-Executive
Director
Non-Executive
Director
Non-Executive
Director
Non-Executive
Director

Appointed/
resigned
Appointed
July 2016
Appointed
June 2016

Appointed
January 2016

Appointed
November
2016

Appointed
December
1985

Appointed
May 2014
Appointed
June 2015
Appointed
June 2015
Appointed
June 2016

Chairman

Chief Financial
Officer
Chief Executive 
Officer

Resigned
May 2016
Resigned
May 2016
Resigned
January 2016

Beneficial

31 December
2016
425,000

31 December
2015
n/a

Beneficial 

24,406

Beneficial

10,829

n/a

n/a

Beneficial

15,880

n/a

Beneficial

748,857

1,801,443

Non-beneficial
Beneficial

314,000
2,035

2,432,860
1,500

Beneficial

13,571

10,000

Beneficial

4,000

–

–

Beneficial

Beneficial

Beneficial

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

n/a

15,360

17,519

19,920

79

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIOND IREC TO R S’ REP O RT 
CO N TINUED

There have been no subsequent changes to these interests as at 7 March 2017.

No Director had any material interest in any contract, other than a service contract as set out on page 66 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016.

S U B S TA N T I A L   S H A R E H O L D I N G S
In addition to the Directors’ interests set out above, the Company had been notified of the following interests of 3% 
or more in its Ordinary Shares as at 31 December 2016 and 7 March 2017:

Name

Kabouter Management LLC
Shareholder Value Management AG
Lakestreet Capital Partners AG
D.C. Thomson & Company Limited
Premier Asset Management 

D I R E C T O R S’   A N D   O F F I C E R S’ 
L I A B I L I T Y   I N S U R A N C E
In accordance with the 2006 Act and 
the Company’s Articles of Association 
(the “Articles”), the Company has 
arranged qualifying third party 
indemnities against financial exposure 
which the Directors may incur in the 
course of their professional duties for 
the Company. Equivalent qualifying 
third party indemnities were, and 
remain, in force for the benefit of those 
Directors who stood down from the 
Board during 2016. In addition to these 
indemnities, the Company places 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability 
insurance cover for each Director.

D I V I D E N D S
The Directors recommend the 
payment of a final dividend of 13.1p per 
Ordinary Share (2015: 11.8p), payable 
on 3 July 2017 to shareholders on the 
Company’s Register of Members as at 
the close of business on 26 May 2017. 
The shares will be quoted as ex-dividend 
on 25 May 2017. This final dividend, 
together with the interim dividend of 
5.4p per Ordinary Share (2015: 5.0p) 
paid on 18 November 2016, makes 
a total dividend of 18.5p per Ordinary 
Share for the 2016 financial year.

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
as at 7 March 2017

Percentage of 
issued Ordinary 
Shares

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
as at 31 December 
2016

Percentage of 
issued Ordinary 
Shares

10,000,767
8,513,117
7,124,421
5,163,058
3,778,571

11.95% 10,008,237
10.21% 8,513,117
8.55% 7,124,421
6.20% 5,163,058
4.53% 3,778,571

11.96%
10.21%
8.55%
6.20%
4.53%

P O L I T I C A L   D O N AT I O N S
In accordance with its policy, the Group 
did not give money for political purposes 
nor did it make any donations to 
political organisations or independent 
candidates or incur any political 
expenditure during 2016. 

F I N A N C I A L   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T 
O B J E C T I V E S   A N D   P O L I C I E S
The financial risk management 
objectives and policies, including the 
policy for hedging each major type 
of forecasted transaction for which 
hedge accounting is used, are detailed 
in Note 17 to the Accounts contained in 
this Annual Report and Accounts 2016, 
which information is incorporated by 
reference into this Directors’ Report.

E M P L O Y E E   I N V O LV E M E N T
Details of how the Company involves 
its employees in its business are 
contained in the Strategic Report 
section of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016 (pages 2 to 41), which 
details are incorporated by reference 
into this Directors’ Report.

P O S T   B A L A N C E   S H E E T   E V E N T S
A C Q U I S I T I O N   O F   A S I G  
On 1 February 2017 the Group 
announced the completion of the 
acquisition of 100% of the share capital 
of (and voting rights in) ASIG Holdings 
Ltd and ASIG Holdings Corp for 
US$202m. Further details are set out 
in Note 28 to the Accounts contained 
in this Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

E X P O S U R E   T O   R I S K
The risk exposure of the Group, 
including the exposure to price risk, 
credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow 
risk, is included in Note 17 to the 
Accounts contained in this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016, which 
information is incorporated by 
reference into this Directors’ Report.

D E F I N E D   B E N E F I T 
P E N S I O N  S C H E M E  
On 28 February 2017 the Company 
informed the active members of the 
Company’s defined benefit pension 
scheme, the Menzies Pension Fund, 
that it will ask the Trustee to amend the 
Fund Rules to close the Fund to future 
accrual on 31 March 2017. 

F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S
Details of the use of financial 
instruments and financial risk 
management are included in Note 17 to 
the Accounts contained in this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016, which 
details are incorporated by reference 
into this Directors’ Report.

O U T L O O K
An indication of the likely future 
developments in the business of 
the Company (and its subsidiaries) 
is included in the Strategic Report 
section of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2016 (pages 2 to 41), which 
details are incorporated by reference 
into this Directors’ Report.

8 0 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

R E S E A R C H
The Company is not actively involved 
in research activities.

G E O G R A P H I C A L   S P R E A D
The Company operates in 36 
countries worldwide and details of this 
geographical spread can be found on 
pages 2 and 3 of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016, which details are 
incorporated by reference into this 
Directors’ Report.

E M P L O Y M E N T   P O L I C I E S
Policies regarding the hiring, 
continuing employment and training, 
career development and promotion 
opportunities, for all employees both 
in the UK and worldwide, together 
with reports on employee involvement 
and representation, are contained 
in the Resources, Relationships and 
Responsibilities section of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016 (pages 34 
to 41), which details are incorporated 
by reference into this Directors’ Report.

At the end of 2016 the split of male to 
female employees in the Group was:

Name

Male

Female

Directors
Decision-makers
All employees

8
273
19,302

1
85
8,779

P O L I C Y   A N D   P R A C T I C E   
O N   PAY M E N T   O F   C R E D I T O R S
The Group does not operate a 
standard code in respect of payments 
to suppliers. Each operating business 
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 are made in 
accordance with the agreed terms 
provided that the supplier has 
performed in accordance with all 
relevant terms and conditions. At the 
end of 2016 the amount owed to trade 
creditors by the Group’s Head Office 
was equivalent to 33.9 days (2015: 32.4 
days) of purchases from suppliers.

A U D I T   I N F O R M AT I O N
So far as the Directors in office at the 
date of the signing of this Directors’ 
Report are aware, having made the 
requisite enquiries, there is no relevant 
audit information in terms of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware and 
each Director has taken all reasonable 
steps to make themselves aware of 
any relevant audit information and 
to establish that the auditor is aware 
of that information. Resolutions to 
re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as 
auditor of the Company and to 
authorise the Board to set its 
remuneration will be proposed at 
the Company’s forthcoming AGM.

S H A R E   C A P I TA L   A N D   S T R U C T U R E
The Company has two classes of 
shares: the Ordinary Shares of £0.25 
each and preference shares of £1.00 
each (the “Preference Shares”). As at 
31 December 2016 the Company had 
an issued share capital comprising 
1,394,587 Preference Shares and 
83,636,895 Ordinary Shares. Of these 
83,636,895 Ordinary Shares, 310,338 
were held as treasury shares. During 
2016 the Company did not purchase 
any Ordinary Shares to be held in 
Treasury. Whilst it is the Company’s 
general policy that shares held in 
Treasury will be used for the satisfaction 
of share plan awards, the Company 
transferred 20,000 Ordinary Shares 
out of Treasury to Dr Dermot F. Smurfit 
on 17 November 2016 at a price of 
490.8483p per Ordinary Share. This 
transfer was to reflect the fact that part 
of the Chairman’s fee arrangement for 
his services would be a cash fee to be 
satisfied by way of issue of Ordinary 
Shares, as approved by the Company’s 
shareholders at its general meeting on 
11 October 2016 (the “2016 GM”).

During 2016 the Company did not 
purchase any of its own shares 
for cancellation.

No shares in the capital of the 
Company can be allotted at a discount 
nor can they be allotted except as paid 
up both in regard to nominal amount 
and premium to the minimum extent 
permitted by the 2006 Act.

A R T I C L E S   O F   A S S O C I AT I O N
T R A N S F E R   O F   S H A R E S
There are no restrictions on the 
transfer of shares in the Company 
other than as contained in the Articles. 
Subject to the Articles, the Admission 
and Disclosure Standards of the 
London Stock Exchange and any 
requirements of the FCA, the Directors 
may refuse to register a transfer of 
a certificated share which is not fully 
paid provided that this power will not 
be exercised so as to disturb the 
market in the Company’s shares.

V O T I N G   R I G H T S
Deadlines for exercising voting rights 
and appointing a proxy or proxies to vote 
on the resolutions to be considered at 
the Company’s forthcoming AGM are 
specified in the Notes to the Notice 
of AGM. Every ordinary shareholder 
present in person or by proxy at a 
general meeting of the Company 
shall, on a show of hands, have one 
vote unless, in the case of the latter, 
they have been appointed by more than 
one shareholder and have received 
instructions to vote both in favour 
of and against the same resolution 
in which case they will have one vote 
against that resolution and one vote 
for. On a poll, every shareholder of the 
Company present in person or by proxy 
at a general meeting of the Company 
shall have one vote for every share 
which they hold and, if the holders of the 
Preference Shares have the right to vote 
on any resolution, each such holder shall 
have one vote for every Preference 
Share which they hold.

81

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIOND IREC TO R S’ REP O RT 
CO N TINUED

The holders of the Preference Shares 
shall have no right to receive notice 
of or attend or vote at any general 
meeting of the Company unless either:
(i)  at the date of the notice convening 
the meeting the dividend payable 
on such Preference Shares or a part 
thereof is six months or more in 
arrears; or

(ii) the business of the meeting 

includes the consideration of a 
resolution for reducing the capital 
of or winding-up the Company 
or for altering the objects of the 
Company as stated in its Articles 
or for the sale of the undertaking 
of the Company or any substantial 
part thereof or any resolution 
altering or abrogating any of the 
special rights or privileges attaching 
to the Preference Shares, in which 
circumstances the holders of the 
Preference Shares shall have the 
right to vote on any such resolution.

The Company is not aware of any 
arrangement by which, with the 
Company’s co-operation, financial 
rights carried by its shares are held by 
persons other than the holders of its 
Ordinary Shares or Preference Shares. 
The Company is not aware of any 
agreement between holders of its 
shares which may result in restrictions 
on the transfer of its shares or on 
voting rights attaching thereto.

A L L O T M E N T   A N D   I S S U E 
O F S H A R E S
The Directors are, by shareholder 
resolutions passed at the 2016 AGM 
and then subsequently at the 2016 
GM, authorised to exercise all the 
powers of the Company to allot shares 
in the Company and to grant rights to 
subscribe for, or to convert any security 
into, shares in the Company, up to 
an aggregate nominal amount of 
£13,938,423 of which any amount 
in excess of £8,796,495 may only be 
applied to fully pre-emptive rights issues. 

Such authority and power will expire 
at the Company’s forthcoming AGM 
unless previously revoked, varied or 
renewed. It is proposed that such 
authority and power be renewed by 
shareholder resolutions at this AGM 
but without prejudice to the exercise 
of any such authority and power prior 
to the date of such resolutions. 
Accordingly, shareholders will be asked 
to grant an authority to allot relevant 
securities: (i) up to a nominal amount 
of £6,970,709; and (ii) up to a nominal 
amount of £13,941,418 (after deducting 
from such limit any relevant securities 
allotted under (i)), in connection with 
an offer of a rights issue, such 
authority to apply until the conclusion 
of the AGM to be held in 2018 or, if 
earlier, on 30 June 2018. A special 
resolution will also be proposed to 
confer power upon the Directors to 
make non pre-emptive issues for cash 
in connection with rights issues and 
otherwise up to a nominal amount 
of £1,045,606.

P U R C H A S E   O F   O W N   S H A R E S
The Company is, by shareholder 
resolution passed at the 2016 AGM, 
authorised to purchase up to 6,170,313 
of its Ordinary Shares at a maximum 
price which is equal to the higher of: 
(i)  an amount equal to 105% of the 
average of the middle market 
quotations for such Ordinary Shares 
as derived from the London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List for 
the five business days immediately 
prior to the date of conclusion  
of the contract for any such 
purchase; and 

(ii) the amount stipulated by Article  
5(1) of the EU Buy-Back and 
Stabilisation Regulation 2003 
(being the higher of the price of 
the last independent trade and 
the highest current independent 
bid for an Ordinary Share on the 
trading venues where the market 
purchases by the Company will 
be carried out) and at a minimum 
price of £0.25 per Ordinary Share. 

The Company is also, by shareholder 
resolution passed at the 2016 AGM, 
authorised to purchase up to 
1,394,587 of its Preference Shares  
at a maximum price which is equal 
to the higher of: 
(i)  an amount equal to 110% of the 
average of the middle market 
quotations for such Preference 
Shares as derived from the London 
Stock Exchange Daily Official 
List for the five business days 
immediately prior to the date of 
conclusion of the contract for any 
such purchase; and 

(ii) the amount stipulated by Article  
5(1) of the EU Buy-Back and 
Stabilisation Regulation 2003 
(being the higher of the price of 
the last independent trade and 
the highest current independent 
bid for a Preference Share on the 
trading venues where the market 
purchases by the Company will 
be carried out) and at a minimum 
price of £1.00 per Preference Share. 

These authorities will expire at the 
Company’s forthcoming AGM when it 
is proposed that they be renewed but 
without prejudice to the exercise of 
any such authorities prior to the date 
of such resolutions being put to the 
Company’s shareholders.

A P P O I N T M E N T   O F   D I R E C T O R S
Directors may be appointed by the 
Company by an ordinary resolution 
of its shareholders. The Board may 
appoint a Director either to fill a 
vacancy or as an additional Director 
and any Director so appointed shall 
hold office only until the next AGM 
of the Company following such 
appointment and shall then be eligible 
for re-appointment. If not re-appointed 
at such AGM, such a Director will 
vacate office at its conclusion except 
where a resolution is passed to 
appoint someone in their place (other 
than with effect from a time later 
than the conclusion of the AGM) or 
a resolution for their re-appointment 
is put to the AGM and lost (in either 
which case the retirement takes 
effect from the passing of the 
relevant resolution). 

82 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

E M I S S I O N S   R E P O R T I N G
The information required to be included 
in this Directors’ Report pursuant 
to the 2013 Regulations in respect of 
greenhouse gas emissions is included 
in the Resources, Relationships and 
Responsibilities section of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016 on pages 
38 and 39, which information is 
incorporated by reference into this 
Directors’ Report.

A N N U A L   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G
Notice of the Company’s forthcoming 
AGM is contained at the end of 
this document.

Approved and issued by the Board 
of Directors on 7 March 2017.

John Geddes
Company Secretary 
7 March 2017

An appropriate induction is provided 
by the Company to all new Directors 
and ongoing training is supplied as 
and when it may be required, with 
documentation on the Company and 
its activities distributed to Directors 
on a regular basis. A Director is not 
required to hold shares in the capital 
of the Company.

R E T I R E M E N T   O F   D I R E C T O R S
In accordance with best practice 
principles, all Directors shall retire 
at each AGM of the Company. 

D I R E C T O R S’   P O W E R S
The business of the Company shall 
be managed by the Board which 
may exercise all the powers of the 
Company, whether relating to the 
management of its business or 
otherwise, subject to any restrictions 
contained in the Articles which detail 
the specific powers of the Directors. 
Copies of the Articles may be obtained 
from the Group Company Secretary 
or from the Company’s website at 
www.johnmenziesplc.com.

The Articles can only be amended by 
a special resolution of the Company’s 
shareholders in general meeting.

S I G N I F I C A N T   A G R E E M E N T S   – 
C H A N G E   O F   C O N T R O L
The Group’s operating businesses 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 any of its subsidiaries are 
a party, such as banking arrangements, 
property leases and licence 
agreements, to take effect, alter or 
terminate. Additionally, the Directors’ 
service agreements and employee 
share plans would be similarly affected 
upon a change of control.

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

R
E
P
O
R
T
S

8 3

STRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
D IREC TO R S’ RESP O NSIBIL ITIES

DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Company’s Annual 
Report, Remuneration Report and its 
financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations. 
Company law requires the Directors 
to prepare such financial statements 
for each financial year. Under company 
law the Directors must not approve 
the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the 
Company. 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 those financial statements 
the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies 

in accordance with IAS 8 
Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors, 
and then apply them consistently;

•  present information, including 

accounting policies, in a manner 
that provides relevant, reliable, 
comparable and understandable 
information;

•  provide additional disclosures 

when compliance with the specific 
requirements in IFRSs is insufficient 
to enable users to understand the 
impact of particular transactions, 
other events and conditions on the 
Group’s financial position and 
financial performance; and

•  state that the Group has complied 
with IFRSs, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained 
in the financial statements.

The Directors are responsible for 
keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain 
the Company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position 
of the Company and of the Group 
and enable them to ensure that the 
financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 
of the IAS Regulation. They are also 
responsible for safeguarding the 
assets of the Company and of the 
Group and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities. 

The Directors believe that the Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016, when 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced 
and understandable and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Company’s position 
and performance, business model 
and strategy.

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

8 4 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

D I R E C T O R S’   S TAT E M E N T 
P U R S U A N T   T O   T H E 
D I S C L O S U R E  G U I D A N C E 
A N D T R A N S PA R E N C Y   R U L E S
Each of the Directors confirms that to 
the best of their knowledge and belief: 

•  the financial statements, prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs, give a 
true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and 
profit of the Group as a whole; and
•  the Strategic Report contained in 
the Annual Report and Accounts 
2016 includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of 
the business and the position of the 
Group as a whole, together with 
a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO 
THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC

O U R   O P I N I O N   O N   T H E   F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N T S
In our opinion:

•  John Menzies plc’s Group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) 
give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of 
the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 

Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union;

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

European Union as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, 

as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

W H AT   W E   H AV E   A U D I T E D
John Menzies plc’s financial statements comprise:

Group

Parent company

•  Group Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2016
•  Group Income Statement for the year then ended
•  Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the 

•  Company Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2016
•  Company Statement of Changes in Equity as at 

31 December 2016

year then ended

•  Company Statement of Cash Flows for the year 

•  Group Statement of Changes in Equity as at 

then ended

31 December 2016

•  Related Notes 1 to 28 to the accounts

•  Group Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended
•  Related Notes 1 to 28 to the accounts

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006.

O V E R V I E W   O F   O U R   A U D I T   A P P R O A C H

Risks of material misstatement

•  Assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite life.
•  Assessment of the valuation of defined benefit pension scheme assets and liabilities.
•  Risk of misstatement due to management override, fraud and error specifically 

around revenue recognition.

Audit scope

•  We performed an audit of the complete financial information of four components 

Materiality

and audit procedures on specific balances for a further 30 components.

•  The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures accounted 

for 76% of adjusted profit before tax (“PBT”) and 89% of revenue.
•  Overall Group materiality of £2m which represents 5% of adjusted PBT.

8 5

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONINDEPENDEN T AUD ITO R’ S REP O RT TO T HE   
ME MBER S O F J O HN MENZIES PLC CO N TINUED

O U R   A S S E S S M E N T   O F   R I S K   O F   M AT E R I A L   M I S S TAT E M E N T
We identified the risks of material misstatement described below as those that had the greatest effect on our overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and the direction of the efforts of the audit team. In addressing these risks, 
we have performed the procedures below which were designed in the context of the financial statements as a whole and, 
consequently, we do not express any opinion on these individual areas.

Risk

Assessment of the carrying value 
of goodwill and intangible assets 
with indefinite life (£104.0m, 
2015: £108.3m)

Our response to the risk
We obtained management’s 
impairment assessment and examined 
the calculation methodology and 
sources for key assumptions.

What we concluded to the Audit Committee
We have concluded that the goodwill 
and intangible assets with indefinite 
life balances are materially correct.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 55); accounting policies (page 
97); and Note 11 of the consolidated 
financial statements (page 116).

We focused on this area because the 
assessment of the carrying value of 
these assets is inherently subjective 
due to the judgement involved in 
estimating future cash flows and in 
calculating the discount rate to apply 
to these cash flows.

Assessment of the valuation of 
defined benefit pension scheme 
assets and liabilities (£71.0m, 
2015: £43.4m)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 55); accounting policies (page 
97); and Note 4 of the consolidated 
financial statements (page 108).

We focused on this area because 
the Group is exposed to significant 
pension fund movements, over which 
it has limited control as the quantum 
of a surplus/deficit depends on the 
successful investment policy as 
well as the selection of underlying 
assumptions. Significant judgement 
is required to determine the 
assumptions for future salary and 
pension increases, discount rate, 
inflation, investment returns and 
member longevity, resulting in the 
risk that liabilities are misstated.

We corroborated the key 
assumptions, being the cash 
flows, growth assumptions and 
discount rates supported by our 
valuations specialists.

We performed sensitivity analysis over 
significant assumptions used in the 
models to ascertain the point at which 
an impairment would be triggered and 
considered the likelihood of such 
a change.

We read the disclosure in the 
financial statements in respect of 
management’s impairment testing to 
confirm these are consistent with the 
conclusions of our audit work and meet 
the disclosure requirements of the 
relevant accounting standards.
We reviewed the scheme rules to 
ensure our understanding is current.

We tested the input data used by the 
actuary to company records.

We evaluated the key actuarial 
assumptions with the assistance of our 
specialists to determine if these were 
within an acceptable range.

We verified a sample of assets 
for existence through third party 
confirmations and for valuation using 
market valuations where available or 
other supporting evidence.

We read the disclosure in the financial 
statements in respect of pensions to 
consider whether these are consistent 
with the conclusions of our audit work 
and meet the disclosure requirements 
of the relevant accounting standards.

8 6 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

We have concluded that the pension 
liability is materially correct and that 
management’s judgements in relation 
to underlying actuarial assumptions 
were appropriate.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSRisk

Our response to the risk

What we concluded to the Audit Committee

We concluded that revenue recognised 
in the year is materially correct on the 
basis of procedures performed both at 
Group and by component audit teams.

Risk of misstatement due to 
management override, fraud 
and error specifically around 
revenue recognition

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 55); accounting policies (page 
97); and Note 2 of the consolidated 
financial statements (page 104).

There continues to be pressure on 
the Group to meet expectations and 
targets. Management reward and 
incentive schemes based on achieving 
profit targets may also place pressure 
to manipulate revenue recognition.

Sales arrangements are generally 
straightforward requiring minimal 
judgement to be exercised.

We focused on the application of 
contractual rates within Aviation 
recognising the ongoing contract 
churn in this area and the level of 
returns in the Distribution business 
due to the level of judgement 
being applied. 

These risks include the potential for 
management to intentionally misstate 
revenue recognised.

We also focused on the risk of 
management override of controls 
through the processing of material 
revenue journals.

We tested controls over revenue 
recognition. At ‘full scope components’ 
we employed data analysis techniques 
to correlate sales through to 
cash receipts.

At both full and ‘specific scope 
components’ we performed detailed 
testing of a sample of sales and 
accrued income to ensure that revenue 
had been appropriately recognised in 
line with the underlying contract terms. 
We specifically focused on the revenue 
recognised on new Aviation contracts.

We tested the level of returns of 
newspapers and magazines and 
assessed the impact of expected post 
balance sheet returns on revenues 
recognised in the year.

We performed cut-off testing around 
the period end.

Other audit procedures specifically 
designed to address the risk of 
management override of controls 
include journal entry testing, applying 
particular focus to individually unusual 
and/or material revenue journals.

These procedures were supplemented 
with analytical review procedures and 
enquiry of management.

In the prior year, our report included a risk of material misstatement in relation to risk that items are inconsistently 
(or inappropriately) classified as ‘exceptional and other items’. In the current year we have concluded that the risk 
of misclassification has diminished due to the nature of items now being classified as exceptional and other items.

87

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONINDEPENDEN T AUD ITO R’ S REP O RT TO T HE   
ME MBER S O F J O HN MENZIES PLC CO N TINUED

T H E   S C O P E   O F   O U R   A U D I T
TA I L O R I N G   T H E   S C O P E
Our assessment of audit risk, our 
evaluation of materiality and our 
allocation of performance materiality 
determine our audit scope for each 
entity within the Group. Taken 
together, this enables us to form an 
opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We take into account size, 
risk profile, the organisation of the 
Group and effectiveness of Group 
wide controls, changes in the business 
environment and other factors such 
as recent internal audit results when 
assessing the level of work to be 
performed at each entity.

In assessing the risk of material 
misstatement to the Group financial 
statements, and to ensure we had 
adequate quantitative coverage of 
significant accounts in the financial 
statements, of the 104 (2015: 101) 
reporting components of the Group, 
excluding the parent entity, we 
selected 35 (2015: 34) components 
covering entities within the UK, USA, 
Australia, Netherlands, Spain, Czech 
Republic, South Africa, Dominican 
Republic, India and Macau, which 
represent the principal business units 
within the Group.

Of the 35 components selected, we 
performed an audit of the complete 
financial information of four (2015: 
four) components (full scope 
components) which were selected 
based on their size or risk 
characteristics. For the remaining 31 
(2015: 30) components (specific scope 
components), we performed audit 
procedures on specific accounts 
within each component that we 
considered had the potential for the 
greatest impact on the significant 
accounts in the Group financial 
statements either because of the size 
of these accounts or their risk profile.

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures were:

Components

Percentage of PBT

Percentage of revenue

Full scope
Specific scope

Parent and 
consolidation 
adjustments
Overall 
coverage 

2016
Number

2015
Number

4
31
35

4
30
34

2016
%

90
41
131

2015
%

66
63
129

(55)

(55)

76

74

2016
%

65
24
89

–

89

2015
%

68
22
90

–

90

Percentage of PBT is calculated 
against the adjusted PBT measure 
used to calculate materiality.

The audit scope of specific scope 
components may not have included 
testing of all significant accounts 
of the component but will have 
contributed to the coverage of 
accounts tested for the Group.

The Group audit risk in relation to the 
carrying value of goodwill and 
intangible assets with indefinite life 
and the valuation of defined benefit 
pension scheme assets and liabilities 
was subject to audit procedures by the 
primary team on the entire amount. 
The Group risk of misstatement due to 
management override, fraud and error 
specifically around revenue recognition 
was subject to audit procedures at 
each of the full and specific scope 
components with revenue.

Of the remaining 69 (2015: 67) 
components that together represent 
24% (2015: 26%) of the Group’s 
adjusted PBT, none is individually 
greater than 5% of the Group’s 
adjusted PBT. For these components, 
we performed other procedures, 
including analytical review, 
intercompany eliminations and 
obtaining audit evidence to respond 
to  any potential risks of material 
misstatement to the Group 
financial statements.

C H A N G E S   F R O M   T H E   P R I O R   Y E A R 
To ensure sufficient coverage and to 
add a degree of unpredictability to the 
audit, one component was raised from 
specific to full scope and one lowered 
from full to specific scope, one 
component was raised from  
residual to specific scope and one 
component was reduced from 
specific to residual scope. 

I N V O LV E M E N T   W I T H 
C O M P O N E N T   T E A M S 
In establishing our overall approach 
to the Group audit, we determined 
the type of work that needed 
to be undertaken at each of the 
components by us, as the primary 
audit engagement team, or by 
component auditors from other EY 
global network firms operating under 
our instruction. Of the four full scope 
components, audit procedures were 
performed on two of these directly 
by the primary audit team and two by 
a component audit team. Of the 31 
(2015: 30) specific scope components, 
audit procedures were performed 
on 16 (2015: 16) of these directly by 
the primary audit team. For the 15 
(2015: 14) specific scope components, 
where the work was performed by 
component auditors, we determined 
the involvement that we, as the 
primary team, needed to have with 
each component team to enable us 
to determine that sufficient audit 
evidence had been obtained as a 
basis for our opinion on the Group 
as a whole.

8 8 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSOn the basis of our risk assessments, 
together with our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control environment, 
our judgement was that performance 
materiality was 75% (2015: 75%) of 
our planning materiality, namely £1.5m 
(2015: £1.1m). We have set performance 
materiality at this percentage due 
to historical experience with the 
Company demonstrating an effective 
control environment and low history 
of misstatements.

Audit work at component locations 
for the purpose of obtaining audit 
coverage over significant financial 
statement accounts is undertaken 
based on a percentage of total 
performance materiality. The 
performance materiality set for each 
component is based on the relative 
scale and risk of the component to the 
Group as a whole and our assessment 
of the risk of misstatement at that 
component. In the current year, the 
range of performance materiality 
allocated to components was £0.1m 
to £1.1m (2015: £0.2m to £0.9m).

R E P O R T I N G   T H R E S H O L D
An amount below which identified 
misstatements are considered as 
being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee 
that we would report to them all 
uncorrected audit differences in 
excess of £100,000 (2015: £100,000), 
as well as differences below that 
threshold that, in our view, warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected 
misstatements against both the 
quantitative measures of materiality 
discussed above and in light of other 
relevant qualitative considerations 
in forming our opinion.

S C O P E   O F   T H E   A U D I T   O F   T H E 
F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N T S
An audit involves obtaining evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements sufficient 
to give reasonable assurance that 
the financial statements are free 
from material misstatement, whether 
caused by fraud or error. This includes 
an assessment of: whether the 
accounting policies are appropriate to 
the Group’s and the parent company’s 
circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately 
disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates 
made by the Directors; and the 
overall presentation of the financial 
statements. In addition, we read all the 
financial and non-financial information 
in the annual report to identify material 
inconsistencies with the audited 
financial statements and to identify 
any information that is apparently 
materially incorrect based on, 
or materially inconsistent with, 
the knowledge acquired by us in the 
course of performing the audit. If 
we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or 
inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

R E S P E C T I V E   R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S 
O F   D I R E C T O R S   A N D   A U D I T O R
As explained more fully in the 
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 84, the Directors 
are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for 
being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to 
audit and express an opinion on the 
financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”) (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require 
us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s Ethical Standards 
for Auditors.

The audit work on the UK and 
North America full scope reporting 
units was performed directly by the 
primary audit team covering three 
of the four full scope locations. The 
primary team interacted regularly 
with all component teams through 
emails and teleconferencing where 
appropriate during various stages of 
the audit, reviewed key working papers 
and were responsible for the scope 
and direction of the audit process. 
This, together with the additional 
procedures performed at Group 
level, gave us appropriate evidence 
for our opinion on the Group 
financial statements.

O U R   A P P L I C AT I O N 
O F  M AT E R I A L I T Y
We apply the concept of materiality 
in planning and performing the audit, 
in evaluating the effect of identified 
misstatements on the audit and 
in forming our audit opinion.

M AT E R I A L I T Y
The magnitude of an omission or 
misstatement that, individually or in 
the aggregate, could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic 
decisions of the users of the financial 
statements. Materiality provides 
a basis for determining the nature 
and extent of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the 
Group to be £2.0m (2015: £1.5m), 
which is 5% of adjusted PBT (2015: 
5%) of £39.8m (2015: £28.9m) being 
reported PBT of £19.8m (2015: £18.2m) 
adjusted for exceptional items and 
net impairment losses of £20.1m (2015: 
£10.7m). We believe that adjusted 
PBT provides us with a consistent 
measure of underlying year on year 
performance as it excludes the 
impact of non-recurring items.

P E R F O R M A N C E   M AT E R I A L I T Y
The application of materiality at the 
individual account or balance level. 
It is set at an amount to reduce to an 
appropriately low level the probability 
that the aggregate of uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements 
exceeds materiality.

89

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONINDEPENDEN T AUD ITO R’ S REP O RT TO T HE   
ME MBER S O F J O HN MENZIES PLC CO N TINUED

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are 
required to state to them in an Auditor’s Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit 
work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

O P I N I O N   O N   O T H E R   M AT T E R S   P R E S C R I B E D   B Y   T H E   C O M PA N I E S   A C T   2 0 0 6
In our opinion:

•  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 

Companies Act 2006;

•  based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

 – the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements;

 – the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements;

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have identified no material misstatements in the Strategic Report or Directors’ Report.

M AT T E R S   O N   W H I C H   W E   A R E   R E Q U I R E D   T O   R E P O R T   B Y   E XC E P T I O N

ISAs (UK and 
Ireland) reporting

We are required to report to you if, in our opinion, financial and non 
financial information in the annual report is:

We have no 
exceptions to report.

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or 

•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, 
our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing our 
audit; or 

•  otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to report whether we have identified any 
inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired in the course of 
performing the audit and the Directors’ Statement that they consider 
the annual report and accounts taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the entity’s performance, business model and strategy; and 
whether the Annual Report appropriately addresses those matters that 
we communicated to the Audit Committee that we consider should have 
been disclosed.
We are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 

Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

•  the Parent Company Financial Statements and the part of the Directors’ 

Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the 
accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not 

made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit.

•  a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by 

the Company

We have no 
exceptions to report.

Companies Act 2006 
reporting

9 0 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSListing Rules review 
requirements

We are required to review:

•  the Directors’ Statement in relation to going concern, set out on page 9 

• 

and longer-term viability, set out on page 9; and
 the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the 
Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

We have no 
exceptions to report.

S TAT E M E N T   O N   T H E   D I R E C T O R S’   A S S E S S M E N T   O F   T H E   P R I N C I PA L   R I S K S   T H AT   W O U L D   T H R E AT E N   T H E 
S O LV E N C Y   O R   L I Q U I D I T Y   O F   T H E   E N T I T Y

ISAs (UK and Ireland) 
reporting

We are required to give a statement as to whether we have anything 
material to add or to draw attention to in relation to:

•  the Directors’ confirmation in the Annual Report that they have carried 

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

out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the entity, including 
those that would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity;

•  the disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and 

explain how they are being managed or mitigated;

•  the Directors’ Statement in the Financial Statements about whether  
they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material 
uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue to do so over a period 
of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the Financial 
Statements; and

•  the Directors’ explanation in the annual report as to how they have 

assessed the prospects of the entity, over what period they have done so 
and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their Statement 
as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the entity will be 
able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over 
the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Annie Graham (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Glasgow
7 March 2017

Notes:
1.  The maintenance and integrity of the John Menzies plc web site 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 web site.

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

91

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONGROUP INCOME   
STATEMENT

FOR THE Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 ( Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015)

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(i)
Non-recurring items – transaction 
related items and rationalisation
Non-recurring items – impairment charges
Contract amortisation
Share of interest on joint ventures 
and associates
Share of tax on joint ventures 
and associates
Operating profit after joint ventures 
and associates

Finance income
Finance charges
Other finance charge – pensions

Profit before taxation
Taxation

Profit for the year

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to non-controlling interests

Earnings per ordinary share(ii)
Basic
Diluted

Before
exceptional 
and other 
items
£m

Exceptional 
and other
items
£m

Notes

Before
exceptional
and other
items
£m

Exceptional 
and other
items
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

2
1,981.6
3 (1,935.2)
46.4

–
(26.3)
(26.3)

1,981.6
1,899.2 
(1,961.5) (1,862.8)
36.4 

20.1

– 
(17.6)
(17.6)

1,899.2 
(1,880.4)
18.8 

8.8

(1.3)

7.5

8.5 

(1.5)

7.0 

2

55.2

(27.6)

27.6

44.9

(19.1)

25.8

5
5
5

7
7
4

8

10

55.2

–

55.2

44.9 

– 

44.9 

–
–
–

–

–

(8.8)
(9.6)
(7.9)

(8.8)
(9.6)
(7.9)

0.6

0.6

(1.9)

(1.9)

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

(5.8)
(4.7)
(7.1)

(5.8)
(4.7)
(7.1)

0.7 

0.7 

(2.2)

(2.2)

55.2

(27.6)

27.6

44.9 

(19.1)

25.8 

0.7
(4.6)
(1.6)
49.7
(15.9)
33.8

34.3
(0.5)
33.8

–
(2.3)
–
(29.9)
4.1
(25.8)

(25.8)
–
(25.8)

0.7
(6.9)
(1.6)
19.8
(11.8)
8.0

8.5
(0.5)
8.0

0.8 
(5.6)
(1.9)
38.2 
(12.2)
26.0 

26.2 
(0.2)
26.0 

– 
(0.9)
– 
(20.0)
3.9 
(16.1)

(16.1)
– 
(16.1)

0.8 
(6.5)
(1.9)
18.2 
(8.3)
9.9 

10.1 
(0.2)
9.9 

47.8p
47.7p

(35.9)p
(35.9)p

11.8p
11.8p

37.8p 
37.8p 

(23.2)p
(23.2)p

14.6p 
14.6p 

Notes:
(i)  Underlying operating profit adjusts for non-recurring exceptional items, impairment charges associated with goodwill, joint venture assets and other intangibles, 

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.

(ii)  The 2015 EPS figures have been restated to adjust for the impact of the October 2016 Rights Issue as set out in Note 10.

9 2 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSGROUP STATEMENT OF   
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 ( Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015)

Profit for the year
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined benefit pensions
Actuarial loss on unfunded pension arrangements
Income tax effect on pension arrangements
Impact of UK rate change on deferred tax on pension arrangements

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Movement on cash flow hedges
Movement on net investment hedges
Income tax effect on net investment hedges
Exchange gain/(loss) on translation of foreign operations
Income tax effect of exchange gain/loss on foreign operations
Other comprehensive loss for the year (net of tax) 

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to non-controlling interests

Notes

4

23
23

2016
£m

8.0

(36.8)
(0.3)
7.4
(1.6)

–
(15.2)
3.0
33.1
(4.0)
(14.4)
(6.4)

(5.8)
(0.6)
(6.4)

2015
£m

9.9

5.6 
– 
(1.1)
(0.9)

(0.1)
(1.5)
0.3 
(3.9)
0.6 
(1.0)
8.9 

8.9 
– 
8.9

93

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONGROUP AND COMPANY   
BAL ANCE SHEETS

A S AT 31 DECEMBER 2016 (31 DECEMBER 2015)

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments accounted using the equity method
Investments in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

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

Net current (liabilities)/assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Other payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligation

Net assets
Shareholders’ equity
Ordinary shares
Share premium account
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Merger relief reserve
Retained earnings(i)
Capital redemption reserve
Total shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interest in equity

Total equity

Notes

Group

2016
£m

2015
£m

Company

2016
£m

2015
£m

11
12
13
13
14

15
17

17
17
16

20

17
16
14
20
4

21

21

104.0
127.3
30.9
–
24.2
286.4

16.0
243.6
0.4
38.9
298.9

(39.0)
(6.1)
(249.9)
(11.3)
(4.2)
(310.5)
(11.6)
274.8

(64.7)
(4.0)
(2.8)
(4.0)
(71.0)
(146.5)
128.3

20.9
20.5
(1.6)
(4.6)
67.3
3.2
21.6
127.3
1.0
128.3

108.3 
114.4 
26.4 
– 
12.2 
261.3 

14.7 
201.9 
0.6 
34.1 
251.3 

(3.4)
(2.3)
(217.3)
(10.0)
(4.9)
(237.9)
13.4
274.7

(152.2)
(3.5)
(1.5)
(2.9)
(43.4)
(203.5)
71.2

15.4 
20.4 
(1.8)
(21.6)
–
35.6 
21.6 
69.6 
1.6 
71.2 

–
23.9
–
292.6
10.1
326.6

– 
345.4
0.4
1.0
346.8

(38.5)
(6.1)
(317.1)
–
–
(361.7)
(14.9)
311.7

(64.7)
(4.9)
–
(1.1)
(71.0)
(141.7)
170.0

20.9
20.5
(1.6)
(0.9)
67.3
42.2
21.6
170.0
–
170.0

– 
24.4 
– 
291.0 
2.8 
318.2 

– 
288.1 
0.6 
0.8 
289.5 

(2.9)
(2.3)
(310.3)
–
–
(315.5)
(26.0)
292.2

(152.2)
(5.0)
– 
– 
(43.4)
(200.6)
91.6 

15.4
20.4
(1.8)
(0.9)
–
36.9
21.6 
91.6 
–
91.6 

Note:
(i)  The Group’s profit after tax for the year was £8.0m (2015: £9.9m). The Company’s profit after tax for the year was £46.5m (2015: £19.1m).

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 7 March 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

Dr Dermot F. Smurfit 
Chairman 

Giles Wilson
Chief Financial Officer 

Company No. SC34970

94 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSGROUP AND COMPANY STATEMENTS 
OF CHANGES IN EQUIT Y

A S AT 31 DECEMBER 2016 (31 DECEMBER 2015)

Ordinary
shares
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Treasury
shares
£m

Translation
and hedge
reserves
£m

Merger 
relief 
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Total
shareholders’
equity
£m

Non-
controlling
equity
£m

Total
equity
£m

Group
At 31 December 2015
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
New share capital issued
Rights Issue costs
Share-based payments
Income tax effect of  
share-based payments
Dividends paid
Disposal of own shares

At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2014
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
New share capital issued
Share-based payments
Dividends paid
Repurchase of own shares
Disposal of own shares
At 31 December 2015

Company
At 31 December 2015
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive loss
Total comprehensive income
New share capital issued
Rights Issue costs
Share-based payments
Dividends paid
Disposal of own shares

At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2014
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
New share capital issued
Share-based payments
Dividends paid
Repurchase of own shares
Disposal of own shares
At 31 December 2015

15.4
– 
–
–
5.5
–
–

–
–
–
20.9
15.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
15.4

15.4
–
–
–
5.5
–
–
–
–
20.9
15.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
15.4

20.4
–
–
–
0.1
–
–

–
–
–
20.5
20.3
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
20.4

20.4
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
20.5
20.3
–
–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
20.4

(1.8)
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
0.2
(1.6)
(2.0)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.1)
0.3
(1.8)

(1.8)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
(1.6)
(2.0)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.1)
0.3
(1.8)

(21.6)
–
17.0
17.0
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
69.7
(2.4)
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
(4.6) 67.3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(16.8)
–
(4.8)
(4.8)
–
–
–
–
–
(21.6)

(0.9)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
69.7
(2.4)
–
–
–
(0.9) 67.3
–
(0.8)
–
–
–
(0.1)
–
(0.1)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.9)

35.6
8.5
(31.3)
(22.8)
–
–
0.8

0.3
(10.6)
(0.1)
3.2
29.5
10.1
3.6
13.7
–
0.5
(8.0)
–
(0.1)
35.6

36.9
46.5
(31.3)
15.2
–
–
0.8
(10.6)
(0.1)
42.2
21.8
19.1
3.6
22.7
–
0.5
(8.0)
–
(0.1)
36.9

21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
21.6
21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
21.6

21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
21.6
21.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
21.6

69.6
8.5
(14.3)
(5.8)
75.3
(2.4)
0.8

0.3
(10.6)
0.1
127.3
68.0
10.1
(1.2)
8.9
0.1
0.5
(8.0)
(0.1)
0.2
69.6

91.6
46.5
(31.3)
15.2
75.3
(2.4)
0.8
(10.6)
0.1
170.0
76.3
19.1
3.5
22.6
0.1
0.5
(8.0)
(0.1)
0.2
91.6

1.6 71.2
8.0
(0.5)
(0.1) (14.4)
(6.4)
(0.6)
– 75.3
(2.4)
–
0.8
–

–
0.3
– (10.6)
0.1
–
1.0 128.3
1.7 69.7
9.9
(0.2)
(1.0)
0.2
8.9
–
0.1
–
0.5
–
(8.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
–
0.2
–
1.6 71.2

– 91.6
– 46.5
– (31.3)
– 15.2
– 75.3
(2.4)
–
–
0.8
– (10.6)
0.1
–
– 170.0
– 76.3
– 19.1
3.5
–
– 22.6
0.1
–
0.5
–
(8.0)
–
(0.1)
–
–
0.2
– 91.6

95

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONGROUP AND COMPANY STATEMENTS   
OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 ( Y E AR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015)

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Interest paid
Tax (paid)/received
Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions 
Cash acquired with subsidiaries
Investment in associate
Loan repayment by associate
Redemption of joint venture preference shares
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Intangible asset additions
Proceeds from sale of property,  
plant and equipment
Dividends received from equity  
accounted investments
Net cash flow used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Purchase of own shares
Repayment of borrowings
Proceeds from borrowings
Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders
Net amounts repaid by subsidiaries
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities

(Decrease)/increase in net cash and  
cash equivalents
Effects of exchange rate movements
Opening net cash and cash equivalents
Closing net cash and cash equivalents(i)

Group

2016
£m

46.1
0.7
(7.7)
(15.4)
23.7

(4.7)
0.3
(0.4)
0.3
–
(24.5)
(2.6)

2015
£m

35.9 
0.8 
(5.9)
(7.7)
23.1 

(15.1)
1.3 
– 
– 
0.8
(22.2)
(2.6)

2.4

4.5 

6.6
(22.6)

72.9
–
(64.0)
–
(10.6)
–
(1.7)

(0.6)
4.8
33.9
38.1

6.5 
(26.8)

0.1 
(0.1)
(0.4)
15.3 
(8.0)
– 
6.9 

3.2 
(1.5)
32.2 
33.9 

Company

2016
£m

(15.8)
–
(7.2)
(3.7)
(26.7)

2015
£m

(15.6)
– 
(4.6)
0.6 
(19.6)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

72.9
–
(63.4)
–
(10.6)
28.0
26.9

0.2
–
0.8
1.0

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

0.1 
(0.1)
– 
15.3 
(8.0)
12.1 
19.4 

(0.2)
– 
1.0 
0.8 

Notes

22

25
25

9

23

Note:
(i)  Net cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand and bank overdrafts.

96 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

The consolidated accounts of the 
Group for the year ended 31 December 
2016 were approved and authorised for 
issue in accordance with a resolution 
of the Directors on 7 March 2017. 
John Menzies plc, a public company 
with registered number SC34970 and 
registered address of 2 Lochside 
Avenue, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh 
EH12 9DJ, is a limited company 
incorporated in Scotland and listed 
on the London Stock Exchange.

1.   A C C O U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S
A summary of the more significant 
accounting policies, which have been 
consistently applied, is set out below.

B A S I S   O F   P R E PA R AT I O N
The consolidated accounts, which have 
been prepared under the historical cost 
convention and in accordance with 
EU Endorsed International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), IFRIC 
interpretations and the Companies Act 
2006 applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRS, 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.

As permitted by section 408 of the 
Companies Act 2006, no Income 
Statement is presented by 
the Company.

N E W   A C C O U N T I N G   S TA N D A R D S 
A N D   A M E N D M E N T S   A F F E C T I N G 
T H E   G R O U P
There are no immediate changes to 
UK financial and corporate reporting 
requirements following the UK’s 
decision to leave the European 
Union on 23 June 2016.

The European Markets and Securities 
Authority has issued ‘Guidelines on 
Alternative Performance Measures’ 
which are effective from 3 July 2016 
and which have been followed 
in explaining the Group’s use of  
non-GAAP measures in these 
financial statements. Several 
new accounting standards and 
amendments are applicable for the 
first time in 2016. However, they do 

not impact the annual consolidated 
financial statements of the Group.

•  Amendments to IAS 27: Equity 
Method in Separate Financial 
Statements – effective date 
1 January 2016

•  Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure 

Initiative – effective date 
1 January 2016

•  Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38: 

Clarification of Acceptable 
Methods of Depreciation and 
Amortisation – effective date 
1 January 2016

•  Amendments to IFRS 11: Accounting 

for Acquisitions of Interests in 
Joint Operations – effective date 
1 January 2016
Improvements to IFRS 2012-2014 
cycle – effective date 1 January 2016.

• 

Standards and amendments to 
standards that have been issued 
but are not effective for 2016 and 
have not been early adopted are:

•  Amendment to IAS 7: Disclosure 

Initiative* – effective date  
1 January 2017

•  Amendment to IAS 12: Recognition 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

of Deferred Tax Assets for 
Unrealised Losses* – effective date 
1 January 2017
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments* – 
effective date 1 January 2018
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers* – effective date 
1 January 2018
IFRS 16 Leases* – effective date 
1 January 2019
IFRS 2 Classification and 
Measurement of Share-based 
Payment Transactions* – effective 
date 1 January 2018
Improvements to IFRS 2014-2016 
cycle* – effective date 1 January 2017
IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency 
Transactions and Advanced 
Consideration* – effective date 
1 January 2018

Note:
*  Not yet adopted for use in the European Union. 

The above standards and 
amendments will be adopted in 
accordance with their effective dates 
and have not been adopted in these 
financial statements.

For standards with a future effective 
date, the Directors are in the process 
of assessing the likely impact and look 
to finalisation of the standards before 
formalising their view. Ahead of the 
adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers on 
1 January 2018, management is in 
the process of reviewing all material 
contracts to ensure compliance 
with the new standard. The review 
so far has indicated there are no 
material adjustments.

B A S I S   O F   C O N S O L I D AT I O N
The consolidated accounts of the 
Group include the assets, liabilities 
and results of the Company and 
subsidiary undertakings in which 
John Menzies plc has a controlling 
interest, using accounts drawn up to 
31 December except where entities 
have non-coterminous year ends. In 
such cases, the information is based 
on the accounting period of these 
entities and is adjusted for material 
changes up to 31 December. 
Accordingly, the information 
consolidated is deemed to cover the 
same period for all entities throughout 
the Group.

Control is achieved when the Group 
is exposed, or has rights, to variable 
returns from its involvement with the 
investee and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over 
the investee. Specifically, the Group 
controls an investee if, and only if, the 
Group has all of the following: power 
over the investee (i.e. existing rights 
that give it the current ability to direct 
the relevant activities of the investee); 
exposure, or rights, to variable returns 
from its involvement with the investee; 
and the ability to use its power over the 
investee to affect its returns.

97

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION1.   A C C O U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S 
C O N T I N U E D
Generally, there is a presumption that 
a majority of voting rights results in 
control. To support this presumption 
and when the Group has less than 
a majority of the voting, or similar, 
rights of an investee, it considers all 
relevant facts and circumstances in 
assessing whether it has power over 
an investee, including: the contractual 
arrangement(s) with the other vote 
holder(s) of the investee, rights arising 
from other contractual arrangements, 
and the Group’s voting rights and 
potential voting rights.

The Group reassesses whether or not 
it controls an investee if facts and 
circumstances indicate that there are 
changes to one or more of the three 
elements of control. Consolidation of 
a subsidiary begins when the Group 
obtains control over the subsidiary 
and ceases when the Group loses 
control of the subsidiary. Assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses of 
a subsidiary acquired or disposed 
of during the year are included in the 
consolidated financial statements 
from the date the Group obtains 
control until the date the Group 
ceases to control the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component 
of other comprehensive income are 
attributed to the equity holders of 
the parent of the Group and to the 
non-controlling interests, even if this 
results in the non-controlling interest 
having a deficit balance. When 
necessary, adjustments are made to 
the financial statements of subsidiaries 
to bring their accounting policies into 
line with the Group’s accounting 
policies. All intragroup assets and 
liabilities, equity, income, expenses 
and cash flows relating to transactions 
between members of the Group are 
eliminated in full on consolidation.

A change in the ownership interest of 
a subsidiary, without a loss of control, 
is accounted for as an equity 
transaction. If the Group loses control 
over a subsidiary, it derecognises the 
related assets (including goodwill), 

liabilities, non-controlling interest and 
other components of equity while any 
resultant gain or loss is recognised in 
the Income Statement. Any investment 
retained is recognised at fair value.

J O I N T   V E N T U R E S 
A N D A S S O C I AT E S
A joint venture is a type of joint 
arrangement whereby the parties that 
have joint control of the arrangement 
have rights to the net assets of the 
joint venture. Joint control is the 
contractually agreed sharing of 
control of an arrangement, which 
exists only when decisions about the 
relevant activities require unanimous 
consent of the parties sharing control. 

An associate is an entity over which 
the Group has significant influence. 
Significant influence is the power 
to participate in the financial and 
operating policy decisions of the 
investee, but is not control or joint 
control over those policies. 

The considerations made in 
determining significant influence or joint 
control are similar to those necessary to 
determine control over subsidiaries. 

The Group’s investments in its 
associates and joint ventures are 
accounted for using the equity 
method. Under the equity method, 
the investment in an associate or 
a joint venture is initially recognised 
at cost. The carrying amount of the 
investment is adjusted to recognise 
changes in the Group’s share of net 
assets of the associate or joint venture 
since the acquisition date. Goodwill 
relating to the associate or joint 
venture is included in the carrying 
amount of the investment and is not 
tested for impairment individually. 

The Income Statement reflects the 
Group’s share of the results of 
operations of the associate or joint 
venture. Any change in other 
comprehensive income of those 
investees is presented as part of the 
Group’s other comprehensive income. 
In addition, when there has been 
a change recognised directly in the 
equity of the associate or joint venture, 

98 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

the Group recognises its share of any 
changes, when applicable, in the 
Statement of Changes in Equity. 
Unrealised gains and losses resulting 
from transactions between the Group 
and the associate or joint venture are 
eliminated to the extent of the interest 
in the associate or joint venture. 

The aggregate of the Group’s share of 
profit or loss of an associate and a joint 
venture is shown on the face of the 
Income Statement outside operating 
profit and represents profit or loss 
after tax and non-controlling interests 
in the associate or joint venture. 

After application of the equity method, 
the Group determines whether it is 
necessary to recognise an impairment 
loss on its investment in its associate 
or joint venture. At each reporting date, 
the Group determines whether there is 
objective evidence that the investment 
in the associate or joint venture is 
impaired. If there is such evidence, 
the Group calculates the amount of 
impairment as the difference between 
the recoverable amount of the 
associate or joint venture and its 
carrying value, and then recognises 
the loss within the share of the profit 
of an associate and a joint venture in 
the Income Statement. 

Upon loss of significant influence over 
the associate or joint control over the 
joint venture, the Group measures and 
recognises any retained investment at 
its fair value. Any difference between 
the carrying amount of the associate 
or joint venture upon loss of significant 
influence or joint control and the fair 
value of the retained investment and 
proceeds from disposal is recognised 
in the Income Statement. 

Menzies Bobba Ground Handling 
Services Private Ltd is 51% owned, 
Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) 
Private Ltd and Hyderabad Menzies 
Air Cargo Private Ltd are 49% owned 
and Menzies Macau Airport Services 
Ltd is 29% 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 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDventurer in the respective entity 
retains the power of veto, and overall 
key strategic, operational and 
financial decisions require the 
consent of all parties. 

I N V E N T O R I E S
Inventories, being goods for resale 
and consumables, are stated at 
the lower of purchase cost and net 
realisable value.

The financial statements of each 
associate or joint venture are prepared 
for the same reporting period as the 
Group. The Indian joint ventures have 
a statutory year end of 31 March. 
Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd 
has a statutory year end of 30 April. 
Where necessary, adjustments are 
made to bring the accounting policies 
in line with those of the Group. 

R E V E N U E
In the Aviation business, cargo handling 
and forwarding revenue is recognised 
at the point of departure for exports 
and at the point that the goods are ready 
for despatch 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 relevant contract. 
Revenue excludes value-added and 
sales taxes and charges collected on 
behalf of customers.

In the Distribution business, revenue 
is recognised on the despatched value 
of goods sold, excluding value-added 
tax. Product is sold to retailers on a 
sale or return basis. Revenue for goods 
supplied with a right of return is stated 
net of the value of any returns.

P R O P E R T Y,   P L A N T 
A N D  E Q U I P M E N T
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 or the 
remaining lease term if shorter

Short leasehold properties – over the 
remaining lease term

Plant and equipment – over the 
estimated life of the asset between 
3 and 20 years.

P E N S I O N S
For the defined benefit schemes, 
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, is recognised in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income. 
Pension costs are assessed in 
accordance with the advice of 
qualified actuaries. 

For the defined contribution schemes, 
the Income Statement charge 
represents contributions made.

TA X AT I O N
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 or in other comprehensive 
income, in which case it is recognised 
directly in equity or in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income respectively.

I N TA N G I B L E   A S S E T S
Goodwill
Business combinations since  
1  January 2010 have been and 
continue to be accounted for using 
the acquisition method. The cost of 
an acquisition is measured as the 
aggregate of the consideration 
transferred, measured at the 
acquisition date fair value, and the 
amount of any non-controlling 
interest in the acquiree. Acquisition 
costs incurred are expensed and 
included in exceptional items.

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.

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.

9 9

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION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.

D E R I VAT I V E   F I N A N C I A L 
I N S T R U M E N T S   A N D 
H E D G I N G A C T I V I T I E S
The Group uses forward contracts as 
derivatives to hedge the risk arising 
from the retranslation of foreign 
currency denominated items.

The Group has derivatives that are 
designated as hedges of overseas net 
investments in foreign entities (net 
investment hedges) and derivatives 
that 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 its overseas 
operations (cash flow hedges).

Derivative contracts entered into by 
the Group are expected to continue 
to be highly effective until they expire. 
The effectiveness of these contracts is 
monitored during the year. 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.

1.   A C C O U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S 
C O N T I N U E D
Goodwill arising on the acquisition 
of joint ventures and associates is 
included within the carrying value 
of the investment.

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 
relevant risk-adjusted weighted 
average cost of capital for the Group. 
This amount is included in intangible 
assets as contracts. Separate values 
are not attributed to internally 
generated customer relationships.

Contract amortisation is business-
stream dependent. In the Distribution 
business, capitalised publisher 
contracts are not amortised due to the 
very long-term nature of the business. 
These contracts are tested annually 
for impairment using similar criteria 
to the goodwill test. In the Aviation 
business and core non-publisher 
contracts in the Distribution business, 
most contracts are amortised on a 
straight-line basis over ten years as 
this period is the minimum time-frame 
management considers when 
assessing businesses for acquisition. 
Certain other contracts are amortised 
over the remaining life of the contract.

Computer software
Costs associated with developing 
or maintaining computer software 
programs are recognised as an 
expense as incurred. Costs that are 
directly attributable to 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. These direct costs include 
the costs of software development 
employees. Computer software assets 
are amortised over their estimated 
useful lives, usually three to 
seven years.

L E A S E S
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 
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 the applicable lease periods.

T R A D E   R E C E I VA B L E S
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.

C A S H   A N D   C A S H   E Q U I VA L E N T S
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.

F O R E I G N   C U R R E N C I E S
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. 

10 0  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED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 the occurrence 
of the transaction results in a non-
financial asset or liability, then amounts 
recycled from equity are 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 are 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 are 
posted to the Income Statement within 
finance costs. 

For assets and liabilities that are 
recognised in the financial statements 
on a recurring basis, the Group 
determines whether transfers have 
occurred between levels in the 
hierarchy by reassessing categorisation 
(based on the lowest level input 
that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole) at the end 
of each reporting period.

P R O V I S I O N S
Provisions are recognised when 
the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result 
of a past event and it is probable that 
an outflow of resources embodying 
economic benefits will be required 
to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount 
of the obligation.

S H A R E   C A P I TA L
Ordinary shares are classed as equity. 
Where the Company purchases its 
own shares the consideration paid, 
including any directly attributable 
incremental costs, is deducted 
from the equity attributable to the 
Company’s equity holders until the 
shares are cancelled, reissued or 
disposed of.

S H A R E - B A S E D   PAY M E N T S
Equity-settled share-based payments 
are measured at fair value at the date 
of grant and recognised as an expense 
over the vesting period. The amount 
recognised as an expense is adjusted 
to reflect the actual number of share 
options that vest unless the options 
do not vest as a result of a failure to 
satisfy market conditions. Fair value 
is measured by use of a relevant 
pricing model.

E S T I M AT E S   A N D   J U D G E M E N T S 
The preparation of the consolidated 
accounts requires management 
to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect the 
application of accounting policies 
and the reported amounts of assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses. 
These estimates will, by definition, 
seldom equal the related actual 
results, particularly given changes in 
economic conditions and the level of 
uncertainty regarding their duration 
and severity. 

Estimates and underlying assumptions 
are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period in which the 
estimate is revised and in any future 
periods affected. The most important 
estimates and judgements are set 
out below.

Intangible assets
On the acquisition of a business it is 
necessary to attribute fair values to any 
intangible assets acquired, provided 
they meet the criteria to be recognised. 
The fair values of these intangible 
assets are dependent on estimates of 
attributable future revenues, margins 
and cash flows, as well as appropriate 
discount rates. In addition, the 
allocation of useful lives to acquired 
intangible assets requires the 
application of judgement based on 
available information and management 
expectations at the time of recognition. 
See Note 11 for further details.

Impairment
Impairment testing is carried out on 
any assets that show indications of 
impairment and annually on goodwill 
and intangibles that are not subject 
to amortisation. This testing involves 
exercising management judgement 
about future cash flows and other 
events which are by their nature 
uncertain. See Note 11 for further details.

Retirement benefits
The assumptions underlying the 
calculation of retirement benefits are 
important and based on independent 
advice. Changes in these assumptions 
could have a material impact on the 
measurement of the Group’s retirement 
benefit obligation. See Note 4 for 
further details and sensitivities.

Income taxes
The Group is subject to income tax in 
numerous jurisdictions and significant 
judgement is required in determining 
the provision for tax. There are many 
transactions and calculations for 
which the ultimate tax determination 
is uncertain. The Group recognises 
provisions for tax based on estimates 
of the taxes that are likely to become 
due based on management’s 
interpretation of country specific tax 
law and the likelihood of settlement. 
Management uses the services of 
a professional firm together with an 
in-house tax expert and historical 
experience when assessing tax risks. 
Where the final tax outcome is 
different from the amounts that were 
initially recorded, such differences will 
impact the current income tax and 
deferred tax provisions in the period 
in which such determination is made. 
See Notes 8 and 14 for further details.

101

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONGAAP measurements, is useful 
to investors in providing a basis 
for measuring our operational 
performance. Our management uses 
these financial measures, along with 
the most directly comparable GAAP 
financial measures, in evaluating our 
performance and value creation. 
Non-GAAP measures should not be 
considered in isolation from, or as a 
substitute for, financial information 
in compliance with GAAP. Non-GAAP 
financial measures as reported by the 
Group may not be comparable with 
similarly titled amounts reported by 
other companies.

Contract amortisation relates to 
intangible assets recognised on 
historic acquisitions and therefore 
since it is transaction related it is 
presented as a non-recurring cost in 
order to provide stakeholders and 
management with an appreciation for 
the underlying business performance.

The Group’s share of post-tax profit 
relating to joint ventures and 
associates is included within operating 
profit. IAS 1 Presentation of Financial 
Statements does not prescribe where 
the investor’s share of post-tax profit is 
presented in the Income Statement but 
management presents the results 
within operating profit after joint 
ventures and associates given the 
similarity of those operations to other 
wholly owned business operations.

Below we set out our definitions 
of non-GAAP measures and 
provide reconciliations to relevant 
GAAP measures.

1.   A C C O U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S 
C O N T I N U E D
The Group has in place a pension 
funding arrangement and has also 
claimed a reduced rate of tax in an 
overseas territory, based on the nature 
of its activities in that territory, both of 
which are subject to enquiry by the 
relevant tax authority. The Group does 
not recognise potential benefits from 
such arrangements to its effective 
tax rate until the agreement of the 
relevant tax authority is obtained and 
therefore an appropriate provision is 
held until that point. Other uncertain 
tax provisions are held for potential tax 
authority challenge of our transfer 
pricing arrangements and for tax 
authority challenge against our 
interpretation of local tax legislation 
where application of that legislation 
is unclear. Whilst there is a range 
of potential outcomes for these 
uncertain tax positions, management’s 
best estimate of how these provisions 
may move and impact the Group’s 
Income Statement over the next 
12 months is an increase in the tax 
liability of £1.3m to a decrease in 
the tax liability of £1.0m.

The Group has made an assessment 
of the use of tax losses in calculating 
its deferred tax asset and liability 
including losses in the United States 
of America that may be subject to 
section 382 restrictions should the 
ownership of the Company change 
significantly in the future.

Provisions
The Group exercises judgement 
in determining whether provisions 
are required in relation to onerous 
property leases. Judgement is 
necessary in assessing the likelihood 
of whether or not an alternative use 
can be found for these properties or a 
suitable tenant can be found in order 
to cover the cost of the lease. This 
likelihood will vary depending on the 
size, location and type of property. 
See Note 20 for further details.

Revenue recognition
Judgement must be exercised to 
ensure that revenue is recognised in 
accordance with contractual terms, 
including in relation to the level of 
expected returns. 

E XC E P T I O N A L   I T E M S
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 
restructuring of business activities 
(in terms of rationalisation costs and 
onerous lease provisions), gains or 
losses on the disposal of businesses 
and acquisition transaction and other 
related costs including changes in 
deferred consideration.

D I V I D E N D   D I S T R I B U T I O N S
Final ordinary dividends are 
recognised as liabilities in the 
accounts in the period in which 
the dividends are approved by the 
Company’s shareholders.

F I N A N C I A L   R I S K   FA C T O R S
The Group is exposed to financial risks: 
liquidity risk, interest rate fluctuations, 
foreign exchange exposures and credit 
risk. See Note 17 for further details. 

N O N - G A A P   M E A S U R E S
Our reported results are prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by 
the European Union and applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006. In measuring our 
performance, the financial measures 
that we use include those which have 
been derived from our reported results 
in order to eliminate factors which 
distort period-on-period comparisons. 
These are considered non-GAAP 
financial measures. We believe this 
information, along with comparable 

102  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDTurnover
Turnover comprises revenue from subsidiaries and the Group’s share of revenue from joint ventures and associates.

Revenue
Share of revenue of joint ventures and associates
Turnover

2016
£m

1,981.6 
95.1 
2,076.7 

2015
£m

1,899.2 
94.1 
1,993.3 

U N D E R LY I N G   O P E R AT I N G   P R O F I T
As disclosed on the face of the Income Statement underlying operating profit adjusts for non-recurring exceptional items, 
impairment charges associated with goodwill, joint venture assets and other intangibles, 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. 

U N D E R LY I N G   P R O F I T   B E F O R E   TA X AT I O N
As disclosed on the face of the Income Statement underlying profit before taxation is defined as underlying operating 
profit, less net finance charges and before exceptional and other items.

U N D E R LY I N G   E A R N I N G S   P E R   S H A R E
As disclosed on the face of the Income Statement underlying earnings per share is defined as profit after taxation and 
non-controlling interest before intangible amortisation and impairment and exceptional items, divided by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares in issue.

F R E E   C A S H   F L O W
Free cash flow is defined as the cash generated after net capital expenditure, interest and taxation, before special pension 
contributions, acquisitions, disposals, exceptional items, cash raised, ordinary dividends and net spend on shares.

Cash generated from operations
Adjusted for:

Net interest paid
Exceptional interest paid
Tax paid
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Intangible asset additions
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Special pension contribution
Exceptional cash spend

Free cash flow

2016
£m

46.1

(7.0)
3.2
(15.4)
6.6
(24.5)
(2.6)
2.4
10.9
11.4
31.1

U N D E R LY I N G   O P E R AT I N G   C A S H   F L O W
Underlying operating cash flow is free cash flow before net capital expenditure, net interest paid and taxation.

Free cash flow (as set out above)
Adjusted for:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Intangible asset additions
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Net interest paid excluding exceptional interest
Tax paid

Underlying operating cash flow

2016
£m

31.1

24.5
2.6
(2.4)
3.8
15.4
75.0

2015
£m

35.9 

(5.1)
–
(7.7)
6.5 
(22.2)
(2.6)
4.5 
11.6 
10.8 
31.7 

2015
£m

31.7 

22.2 
2.6 
(4.5)
5.1 
7.7 
64.8

103

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 .   S E G M E N T   I N F O R M AT I O N
For management purposes the Group is organised into two Operating Divisions: Aviation and Distribution. The two Divisions 
are organised and managed separately based upon their key markets. The Aviation Division provides cargo and passenger 
ground handling services across the world. The Distribution Division provides newspaper and magazine distribution 
services along with marketing and logistics services across the UK and Ireland. 

The information presented to the Board for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance 
is focused on the performance of each division as a whole but also contains performance information on a number of 
operating segments within the Aviation Division. The Board assesses the performance of the operating segments based 
on a measure of adjusted segment result before exceptional items, intangible amortisation and share of interest and tax 
on joint ventures and associates. Net finance income and expenditure is not allocated to segments as this activity is 
managed by the central treasury function. 

Segment information is presented in respect of the Group’s reportable segments together with additional geographic 
and Balance Sheet information. Transfer prices between segments are set on an arm’s-length basis.

B U S I N E S S   S E G M E N T   I N F O R M AT I O N

Aviation
Americas
EMEA
Rest of World
Cargo Forwarding

Distribution
Corporate

Joint ventures and associates

Revenue

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

2016
£m

2015
£m

219.8
391.2
139.6
117.5
868.1
1,208.6
– 
2,076.7
(95.1)
1,981.6

173.7
350.7
112.4
112.5
749.3
1,244.0
–
1,993.3
(94.1)
1,899.2

2016
£m

12.9
6.0
10.9
4.4
34.2
24.7
(3.7)
55.2
– 
55.2

2015
£m

9.6
(0.8)
10.0
4.3
23.1
25.1
(3.3)
44.9
–
44.9

In anticipation of the ASIG acquisition on 1 February 2017, the Board has amended the structure of reporting to reflect a 
more geographic organisation rather than a line of business presentation. The Board believes that analysis of the Aviation 
performance on a geographical basis provides the user with the most relevant information and is consistent with the basis 
for internal management review. For comparative purposes in this Annual Report and Accounts the above information is 
also presented under the segmental basis utilised in previous years as set out below.

Revenue

Underlying operating profit/(loss)

Aviation
Ground Handling
Cargo Handling
Cargo Forwarding

Distribution
Corporate

Joint ventures and associates

2016
£m

2015
£m

591.5
159.1
117.5
868.1
1,208.6
– 
2,076.7
(95.1)
1,981.6

 490.0 
 146.8 
 112.5 
 749.3 
1,244.0
–
 1,993.3 
(94.1)
 1,899.2 

2016
£m

13.0
16.8
4.4
34.2
24.7
(3.7)
55.2
– 
55.2

2015
£m

4.1
14.7
4.3
23.1
25.1
(3.3)
44.9
–
 44.9 

10 4  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED 
A reconciliation of segment underlying operating profit/(loss) to profit before tax is provided below.

2016

Notes

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures  
and associates
Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures  
and associates
Net finance expense
Profit before taxation

Analysed as:
Underlying operating profit/(loss)(i)
Transaction and restructure related items
Net impairment loss
Contract amortisation 
Share of interest on joint ventures  
and associates
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates
Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures  
and associates

5 
5 
11 

2015

Notes

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures  
and associates
Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures  
and associates
Net finance expense
Profit before taxation

Analysed as:
Underlying operating profit/(loss)(i)
Rationalisation and acquisition related items
Net impairment loss
Contract amortisation 
Share of interest on joint ventures and 
associates
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates
Operating profit/(loss) after joint ventures  
and associates

Aviation 
£m

7.2

6.5

13.7

34.2
(4.9)
(9.6)
(5.1)

0.6
(1.5)

Distribution
£m

20.7

Corporate
£m

(7.8)

1.0

21.7

24.7
0.2
–
(2.8)

–
(0.4)

– 

(7.8)

(3.7)
(4.1)
–
–

–
– 

Group
£m

20.1

7.5

27.6
(7.8)
19.8

55.2
(8.8)
(9.6)
(7.9)

0.6
(1.9)

13.7

21.7

(7.8)

27.6

Aviation
£m

7.0

5.4

12.4

Distribution
£m

16.8 

Corporate
£m

(5.0)

1.6 

–

18.4 

(5.0)

Group
£m

18.8 

7.0 

25.8 
(7.6)
18.2 

44.9 
(5.8)
(4.7)
(7.1)

0.7 
(2.2)

5 
5 
11 

23.1
(0.2)
(4.7)
(4.6)

0.7
(1.9)

25.1 
(3.9)
–
(2.5)

–
(0.3)

(3.3)
(1.7)
–
–

–
–

12.4

18.4 

(5.0)

25.8 

Note:
(i)  Underlying operating profit/(loss) is defined as operating profit/(loss) excluding intangible amortisation as shown in Note 5 and exceptional items but including 

the pre-tax share of results from joint ventures and associates.

10 5

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 .   S E G M E N T   I N F O R M AT I O N   C O N T I N U E D

2016

Segment assets
Unallocated assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities
Total liabilities

Segment net assets/(liabilities)
Unallocated net liabilities
Net assets

2015

Segment assets
Unallocated assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities
Total liabilities

Segment net assets/(liabilities)
Unallocated net liabilities
Net assets

Aviation
£m

314.2

Distribution 
£m

200.0

Corporate
£m

8.0

(126.6)

(111.3)

(30.4)

187.6

88.7

(22.4)

Aviation
£m

264.8

Distribution
£m

199.7 

Corporate
£m

1.9 

(93.6)

(116.7)

(20.6)

171.2

83.0 

(18.7)

Group
£m

522.2
63.1
585.3

(268.3)
(188.7)
(457.0)

253.9
(125.6)
128.3

Group
£m

466.4 
46.2 
512.6

(230.9)
(210.5)
(441.4)

235.5 
(164.3)
71.2

Unallocated assets comprise deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents. Unallocated liabilities comprise retirement 
benefit obligation, borrowings, current income tax liabilities and deferred tax liabilities.

2016

Capital expenditure – property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditure – intangible assets
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2015

Capital expenditure – property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditure – intangible assets
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Aviation
£m

Distribution
£m

Corporate
£m

23.1
1.8
17.3
5.9
7.2
(0.3)

2.7
0.8
4.3
5.2
–
0.2

0.3
–
0.7
–
–
–

Aviation
£m

Distribution
£m

Corporate
£m

16.4
0.5
15.7
5.8
4.0
(1.0)

4.4 
2.1 
4.6 
4.8 
–
0.4 

–
–
0.7 
–
–
–

Group
£m

26.1
2.6
22.3
11.1
7.2
(0.1)

Group
£m

20.8 
2.6 
21.0 
10.6 
4.0 
(0.6)

10 6  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDG E O G R A P H I C   I N F O R M AT I O N

United Kingdom
United States of America
Others

Note:
(i)  Non-current assets exclude deferred tax assets.

3 .   N E T   O P E R AT I N G   C O S T S

Goods for resale and other direct operating costs
Employment costs
Exceptional items
Net impairment loss
Intangible assets amortisation
Depreciation
Other operating charges

Other operating charges include:

Operating leases and hire charges – plant and equipment
Rent of properties 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Currency translation gain

Revenue

Non-current assets(i)

2016
£m

1,331.9
169.1
480.6
1,981.6

2015
restated
£m

1,363.1
140.3
395.8
1,899.2

Notes

4
5
5
11
12

2016
£m

102.5
44.3
115.4
262.2

2016
£m

1,086.1
582.1
8.8
9.6
11.1
22.3
241.5
1,961.5

2015
restated
£m

110.2
36.8
102.1
249.1

2015
£m

1,110.8
506.7
5.8
4.7
10.6
21.0
220.8
1,880.4

2016
£m

32.1
34.9
(0.1)
(0.4)

2015
£m

27.5 
31.8 
(0.6)
–

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

Audit of the Company and consolidated accounts
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Other assurance services relating to Class 1 circular
Tax compliance
Tax advisory

4 .   E M P L O Y E E S

Wages and salaries
Share-based payments
Social security costs

Pension charge 

2016
£m

0.3
0.7 
1.9
0.4 
1.0 

2016
£m

517.0
0.7
46.6
564.3
17.8
582.1

2015
£m

0.3
0.7 
–
0.5 
0.4 

2015
£m

451.9 
0.5 
40.5 
492.9 
13.8 
506.7 

For the Company, wages and salaries were £1.1m (2015: £1.4m), share-based payments were £0.1m (2015: £0.2m), social 
security costs were £0.1m (2015: £0.2m) and the pension charge was £0.1m (2015: £Nil) for eight employees (2015: eight).

107

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION4 .   E M P L O Y E E S   C O N T I N U E D
The average number of people employed by the Group during the year was:

Aviation 
Distribution 
Corporate

2016

23,677
3,465
34
27,176

2015

21,737 
3,387 
31 
 25,155 

The above includes 18,786 people employed outside the UK (2015: 16,893).

P E N S I O N   S C H E M E S
Defined contribution schemes
Certain Group subsidiaries participate in a number of pension schemes which are of a defined contribution nature 
and some of which operate overseas. The Income Statement charge for defined contribution schemes represents the 
contributions payable.

Defined contribution schemes pension charge

2016
£m

14.6

2015
£m

11.6

Defined benefit scheme
The principal Group-funded defined benefit scheme in the UK is the Menzies Pension Fund (“the Fund”) to which 
employees contribute. The charge to the Income Statement is assessed in accordance with independent actuarial advice 
from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“the Actuary”) using the projected unit method. 

The pension charge to operating profit in the Income Statement relating to the Fund is £3.2m (2015: £2.2m).

Fund financial assumptions and information
The Actuary undertook a valuation of the Fund as at 31 December 2016 (2015: 31 December 2015). In deriving the results the 
Actuary used the projected unit method and the following financial assumptions:

Annual rate of increase in salaries
Annual rate of increase in pensions (prior to 1 May 2006)
Annual rate of increase in pensions (from 1 May 2006 to 1 June 2010)
Annual rate of increase in pensions (after 1 June 2010)
Annual price inflation
Discount rate

2016
%

3.3
3.7
2.2
1.0
3.3
2.7

2015
% 

3.0 
3.5 
2.1 
1.0 
3.0 
4.0 

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on advice that uses published statistics and experience 
in the business.

The average future life expectancy for a pensioner aged 65 on the balance sheet date is:

Male
Female

2016
Years

22.0
23.5

The average future life expectancy at age 65 for a non-pensioner aged 40 on the balance sheet date is:

Male
Female

2016
Years

23.5
24.8

2015
Years

22.2
23.7

2015
Years

23.8
25.0

10 8  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDFurther information regarding the membership of the Fund is:

2016
Active members
Deferred members
Pensioners

2015
Active members
Deferred members
Pensioners

Number

Liability split

Average liability 
duration (years)

401
3,200
2,131
5,732

445 
 3,353 
 2,138 
5,936 

18%
37%
45%
100%

16%
34%
50%
100%

22.8
22.6
13.0
18.3

 21.8 
 21.0 
 11.9 
16.5 

Overall weighted average liability duration is 18.3 years (2015: 16.5 years).

Future benefit payments
Estimated undiscounted benefit payments expected to be paid from the Fund over its life, derived from the data used in 
the triennial valuation of the Fund as at 31 March 2015 is shown on the following graph:

)

m
£
(

s
t
n
e
m
y
a
p
t
fi
e
n
e
b
d
e
t
n
u
o
c
s
i

d
n
U

20

15

10

5

0

2017

2047

2077

Pensioner members

Deferred members

Active members

Fair value of fund assets and liabilities

Equities
Bonds
Investment funds
Liability driven investment funds
Property
Annuity contracts
Cash
Other
Total value of assets
Defined benefit obligation
Recognised in Balance Sheet
Related deferred tax asset  
(Note 14)
Net pension liabilities 

2016

Unquoted
£m

0.3 
–
–
77.2
25.0
7.8
–
12.4
122.7

Quoted
£m

131.5
92.0
6.3
–
–
–
13.0
3.4
246.2

Total value at
31 December
£m

131.8
92.0
6.3
77.2
25.0
7.8
13.0
15.8
368.9
(439.9)
(71.0)

12.1
(58.9)

Quoted
£m

127.4 
130.8 
1.8 
–
4.1 
–
7.3
3.0 
274.4 

2015

Unquoted
£m

Total value at
31 December
£m

0.3 
–
4.0 
–
24.4 
7.0
–
2.3 
38.0 

127.7 
130.8 
5.8 
–
28.5 
7.0
7.3
5.3 
312.4 
(355.8)
(43.4)

7.8 
(35.6)

The Fund holds annuity contracts in respect of a number of members that provide cash flows to the Fund which exactly 
match the benefit payments to these members.

10 9

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
 
 
4 .   E M P L O Y E E S   C O N T I N U E D
Changes in assumptions compared with actuarial assumptions for the value of liabilities are:

0.5% decrease in discount rate
One year increase in life expectancy
0.5% decrease in inflation
0.25% increase in pensions
0.5% decrease in salary increases(i)

2016
£m

481.0
454.4
425.2
449.4
439.9

2015
£m

386.5 
366.5 
334.4
362.8
355.8

Note:
(i)  Active members’ benefits, once accrued, revalue at the Consumer Price Index capped at 1% p.a. and so changes in the level of salary increase do not affect the 

past service liability value.

The sensitivities have been calculated using approximate methods taking into account the duration of the Fund’s 
liabilities. In relation to sensitivities, the Company recognises actuarial gains and losses immediately through the  
re-measurement of the net defined benefit liability.

Pension expense
The components of pension expense are:

Amounts charged/(credited) to operating profit
Current service cost
Administrative costs
Effect of settlements
Total service cost

Amounts included in finance costs
Interest cost on defined benefit obligation
Interest income on Fund assets
Net finance charge

2016
£m

1.9
1.6
(0.3)
3.2

13.9
(12.3)
1.6

2015
£m

2.0 
1.3 
(1.1)
2.2 

13.4 
(11.5)
1.9 

Pension expense

4.8

4.1 

The amounts recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income are:

Returns on assets excluding net interest income
Changes in demographic assumptions
Changes in financial assumptions
Experience
Actuarial (loss)/gain

Changes in Fund assets and defined benefit obligation
The change in scheme assets during the year is:

Fair value of assets at start of year
Interest income 
Returns on assets excluding interest income
Company contributions
Employee contributions
Effect of settlements
Benefits and expenses paid
Fair value of assets at end of year

110 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

2016 
£m

48.9
4.7
(93.3)
2.9
(36.8)

2016 
£m

312.4
12.3
48.9
14.0
0.7
(0.4)
(19.0)
368.9

2015 
£m

(4.9)
(11.2)
17.1
4.6
5.6

2015 
£m

312.9 
11.5 
(4.9)
14.1 
0.7 
(2.2)
(19.7)
312.4 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDThe return on scheme assets (including interest income) was a gain of £61.2m (2015: £6.6m).

The change in defined benefit obligation during the year is:

Defined benefit obligation at start of year
Total service cost
Interest cost
Effect of settlements
Employee contributions
Benefits and expenses paid
Changes in demographic assumptions
Changes in financial assumptions
Experience
Defined benefit obligation at end of year

2016 
£m

355.8
3.5
13.9
(0.7)
0.7
(19.0)
(4.7)
93.3
(2.9)
439.9

2015 
£m

371.9
3.3
13.4
(3.3)
0.7
(19.7)
11.2
(17.1)
(4.6)
355.8

Benefits, regulatory framework and governance of the Fund
The Fund is a registered defined benefit career average revalued earnings scheme subject to the UK regulatory framework 
for pensions, including the Scheme Specific Funding requirements. The Fund is operated under trust and as such, the 
Trustee of the Fund is responsible for operating the Fund and it has a statutory responsibility to act in accordance with the 
Fund’s Trust Deed and Rules, in the best interest of the beneficiaries of the Fund, and UK legislation, including trust law. 
The Trustee and the Company have the joint power to set the contributions that are paid to the Fund.

Risks 
The nature of the Fund exposes the Company to the risk of paying unanticipated additional contributions to the Fund in 
times of adverse experience. 

The most financially significant risks are likely to be: the risk that movements in the value of the Fund’s liabilities are not 
met by corresponding movements in the value of the Fund’s assets; lower than expected investment returns; members 
living for longer than expected and higher than expected actual inflation, pension and salary increase experience.

The sensitivity analysis disclosed above is intended to provide an indication of the impact on the value of the Fund’s liabilities 
of the risks highlighted. 

Asset-liability matching strategies 
At the beginning of 2016 the Fund held a mixture of UK gilts. index-linked gilts and corporate bonds which provided a 
degree of liability hedging. During the year ended 31 December 2016, the Trustee took steps to increase the level of interest 
rate and inflation hedging of the Fund’s liabilities.

In May 2016 the Trustee agreed to de-risk and increase hedging to approximately 30% of liabilities on a gilts basis across 
interest rates and inflation using leveraged liability driven investment (“LDI”) funds. This was funded by reducing the 
Fund’s UK equity allocation and moving a proportion of the Fund’s index-linked gilts into the LDI funds.

Given the increase in interest rates towards the end of the year, the Trustee agreed to increase the Fund’s interest rate 
hedging further to approximately 40% in December 2016 by moving investments from index-linked gilts into LDI funds. 
The Fund’s inflation hedging remains around 30%.

The Trustee’s current investment strategy, having consulted with the Company, is to invest the majority of the Fund’s 
assets in a mix of equities and bonds, in order to strike a balance between maximising the returns on the Fund’s assets 
and minimising the risks associated with lower than expected returns on the Fund’s assets.

The Trustee has implemented a de-risking process such that the Fund’s assets are gradually switched out of equities and 
into bonds as funding improves. This should lead to better matching of assets and liabilities as the Fund matures whilst at 
the same time locking in favourable asset performance. The Trustee is required to regularly review its investment strategy 
in light of the revised term and nature of the Fund’s liabilities and will be next considering this as part of its 2018 valuation 
exercise. The current benchmark is to hold 70% in growth assets such as equities and 30% in bonds including index-linked 
and fixed-interest Government bonds and corporate bonds.

111

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION4 .   E M P L O Y E E S   C O N T I N U E D
Funding arrangements and funding policy that affect future contributions
The triennial valuation process in which the Trustee and the Company agree the long-term funding strategy has been 
concluded and a Schedule of Contributions dated 4 March 2016 has been agreed. The Schedule of Contributions sets out 
the additional contributions required to meet the funding shortfall between the value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities. 
The additional contributions have been agreed as being nine annual contributions of £10.7m per annum rising with the 
higher of RPI or the annual percentage change in dividends and beginning in the year ended 31 March 2017 and continuing 
to the year ended 31 March 2025. The impact of changes in dividends would only apply when dividends paid are at least 
at the level of those paid in 2013.

In total, the Company expects to contribute around £14m to the Fund during the year to 31 December 2017.

The Company has considered the accounting treatment under IFRIC 14 of the current deficit and the impact of the 
minimum funding requirement committed by the Company to 2025. A review of the Fund Rules has confirmed that the 
Group has an unconditional right to a refund of a projected future surplus at some point in the future. There is no 
requirement for the Group to adjust the Balance Sheet to recognise the future agreed deficit recovery contributions.

Other information
Small settlements have occurred over the year. There have been no other Fund amendments or curtailments.

5 .   E XC E P T I O N A L   A N D   O T H E R   I T E M S
E XC E P T I O N A L   I T E M S   I N C L U D E D   I N   O P E R AT I N G   P R O F I T

Acquisition and other transaction related costs(i)
Acquisition related earn-out adjustment(ii)
Rationalisation costs(iii)
Management restructure and strategic review(iv)

2016
£m

(9.1)
0.3 
–
–
(8.8)

2015
£m

(0.4)
(0.2)
(3.5)
(1.7)
(5.8)

Notes:
(i)  Acquisition and other transaction related costs relate to the Rights Issue process and acquisition of ASIG Holdings Ltd and ASIG Holdings Corp. on 1 February 2017 
(acquisition costs £5.7m and integration costs £1.3m) in the Aviation Division as well as other smaller acquisitions including Renaissance Aviation Ltd in Aviation, 
and Thistle Couriers Ltd and Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment Ltd in the Distribution Division (£0.2m total). In addition, aborted Aviation transaction costs were 
£0.9m while restructure consultancy costs were £0.8m and other ongoing transaction costs were £0.2m. In the prior year the costs related largely to the 
acquisition of AJG Parcels Ltd in June 2015 and Oban Express Parcel Service Ltd in Distribution in November 2015.

(ii)  Contingent consideration relating to the acquisition of Fore Partnership was settled for £1.3m being £0.3m lower than anticipated at 31 December 2015 in the 

Distribution Division. In the prior year, a charge was recognised relating to contingent consideration for Fore Partnership which was partly offset by a credit arising 
on settlement of the Orbital Marketing Services Group contingent consideration.

(iii)  In the prior year, costs of £3.3m were incurred rationalising excess capacity in the Distribution Division, Restructuring costs of £0.2m were also incurred in the 

Aviation Division in Spain.

(iv)  In the prior year, costs of £1.7m were incurred relating to redundancy and advisory costs relating to the work performed to reshape the senior management team 

and review the strategic direction of the Group’s business in order to prioritise the opportunities for growth.

E XC E P T I O N A L   I T E M S   I N C L U D E D   I N   F I N A N C E   C H A R G E S

Acquisition related financing costs(i)
Unwind discount costs(ii)

2016
£m

(1.5)
(0.2)

2015
£m

–
(0.2)

Notes:
(i)  Relating to ticking fees and an amortisation of underwriting fees on the new financing facilities agreed in the period required to fund the acquisition of ASIG 

Holdings Ltd and ASIG Holdings Corp. on 1 February 2017.

(ii)  Relating to deferred consideration and onerous lease provisions.

I N TA N G I B L E   A S S E T S   A M O R T I S AT I O N   A N D   I M PA I R M E N T   I N C L U D E D   I N   O P E R AT I N G   P R O F I T

Contract amortisation(i)
Net impairment loss(ii)

2016
£m

(7.9)
(9.6)

2015
£m

(7.1)
(4.7)

Notes:
(i)  Contracts capitalised as intangible assets on the acquisition of businesses.
(ii)  In the Aviation Division an impairment of goodwill of £7.2m and property, plant and equipment of £2.4m was triggered by the loss of volumes with key customers at 
the cargo operations in Amsterdam and the impact this has on the overall business. The recoverable amount of cash-generating unit is £Nil based on a value in 
use methodology utilising a pre-tax discount rate of 9% (2015: 9%). In the prior year, following the loss of licences in the Aviation Division in Spain an impairment 
charge of £4.7m was recognised representing a write-off of intangible assets of £4.0m and other associated assets of £0.7m.

The taxation effect of the exceptional items is a net credit of £2.2m (2015: net credit of £1.7m) in relation to tax deductions 
available for a proportion of the exceptional costs arising during the year. 

112 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED6 .   D I R E C T O R S’   E M O L U M E N T S
Emoluments paid to the Directors of John Menzies plc are:

Salary and fees
Bonus
Termination payments
Pension salary supplement

Gains made on exercise of Long-Term Incentive Plan awards were £Nil (2015: £Nil).

Further details of the Directors’ remuneration are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

7.   F I N A N C E   C O S T S   ( P R E - E XC E P T I O N A L )

Finance income
Bank deposits

Finance charges
Bank loans and overdrafts
Preference dividends

Net finance costs

8 .   TA X AT I O N
TA X   C H A R G E   I N   I N C O M E   S TAT E M E N T

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

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

Retirement benefit obligation

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

TA X   R E L AT E D   T O   I T E M S   C H A R G E D / (C R E D I T E D)   O U T S I D E   I N C O M E   S TAT E M E N T

Deferred tax on actuarial (loss)/gain on retirement benefit obligation
Deferred tax impact of UK rate change on pension arrangements
Deferred tax on share-based payments
Current tax on net exchange adjustments
Deferred tax on net exchange adjustments

2016
£m

1.3 
0.5
0.1
0.1 
 2.0

2016
£m

0.7

(4.5)
(0.1)
(4.6)

(3.9)

2016
£m

1.0 
11.4 
(0.1) 
12.3

(1.5)
(0.6)
(2.1)
1.6
(0.5)

11.8

2016
£m

(7.4)
1.6
(0.3)
0.4
0.6
(5.1)

2015
£m

1.1
–
–
0.2
1.3

2015
£m

0.8 

(5.5)
(0.1)
(5.6)

(4.8)

2015
£m

0.1 
8.9 
0.1 
9.1

(2.6)
(0.2)
(2.8)
2.0 
(0.8)

8.3 

2015
£m

1.1 
0.9 
–
(0.9)
–
1.1 

113

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION8 .   TA X AT I O N   C O N T I N U E D
E F F E C T I V E   TA X   R AT E
The reconciliation between tax charge and the product of accounting profit multiplied by the Group’s domestic tax rate is:

Profit before tax
Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 20.0%  
(2015: 20.25%)
Non-deductible expenses including intangible amortisation
Depreciation on non-qualifying assets
Unrelieved overseas losses
Deferred tax assets written off
Deferred tax asset recognised on overseas losses carried forward
Deferred tax liability recognised on undistributed reserves of overseas subsidiaries
Exceptional items
Utilisation of previously unrecognised losses 
Higher tax rates on overseas earnings
Share of joint venture and associate post-tax result included in profit before tax 
Adjustments to prior years’ liabilities
At the effective corporation tax rate of 59.6% (2015: 45.6%)

2016
£m

19.8

4.0
3.5
0.3
1.5
1.5
(1.6)
1.1
1.8
(0.9)
2.8
(1.5)
(0.7)
11.8

2015
£m

18.2 

3.7 
3.1 
0.4 
1.5 
0.1 
(2.0)
1.2 
0.4 
(0.3)
1.9 
(1.6)
(0.1)
8.3 

Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as part of Finance Bill 2015 (on 26 October 2015) and 
Finance Bill 2016 (on 7 September 2016). These include reductions to the main rate to reduce the rate from 20% to 19% 
from 1 April 2017 and to 17% from 1 April 2020. As the reductions in the main rate of corporation tax were substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, and reduce the tax rate applying when temporary differences reverse on or after 
1 January 2017, it could have the effect of reducing the UK deferred tax assets and liabilities depending upon the timing of 
the reversal of the temporary differences. As most of the temporary differences reversing on or after 1 January 2017 relate 
to the UK pension deficit which has arisen predominantly due to actuarial gains/losses taken to other comprehensive 
income, the reduction in the deferred tax asset has been debited to other comprehensive income and therefore has not 
had an effect on the effective tax rate or on profit for the year.

FA C T O R S   T H AT   M AY   A F F E C T   F U T U R E   TA X   C H A R G E S
The Group has estimated tax losses carried forward which arose in subsidiary companies operating in the undernoted 
jurisdictions and 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.

Colombia
Germany
Namibia
Netherlands
Norway
South Africa
Sweden
United States of America

Losses

2016
£m

3.5 
20.8 
0.4
4.4 
14.7 
8.1
4.3 
31.2 

2015
£m

2.6 
17.8 
–
3.6 
11.9 
5.1 
3.3 
37.1 

Expiry

Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for 4 years
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for up to 20 years

The Group has capital losses in the UK of approximately £10.4m (2015: £10.4m) 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.

114 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED9.   D I V I D E N D S
D I V I D E N D S   PA I D   O N   O R D I N A R Y   S H A R E S

Interim paid in respect of 2016, 5.4p per share
Final paid in respect of 2015, 11.8p per share
Interim paid in respect of 2015, 5.0p per share
Final paid in respect of 2014, 8.1p per share

2016
£m

3.3 
7.3 
–
–
10.6 

2015
£m

– 
–
3.0 
5.0 
8.0 

Dividends of £0.1m were waived on Treasury shares (2015: £Nil).

The Directors are proposing a final dividend in respect of the year to 31 December 2016 of 13.1p per ordinary share, which will 
absorb an estimated £10.9m of shareholders’ funds. Payment will be made on 3 July 2017 to shareholders on the register at 
the close of business on 26 May 2017.

T R E A S U R Y   S H A R E S
Ordinary shares are held for employee share schemes. At 31 December 2016 the Company held 310,338 (2015: 345,176) 
ordinary shares with a market value of £1.8m (2015: £1.4m).

10 .   E A R N I N G S   P E R   S H A R E

Profit for the year as set out in the Income 
Statement
Loss relating to non-controlling interests
Earnings for the year attributable to equity shareholders

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

Underlying(i)
Earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Historical adjusted earnings per ordinary share (pence)

Basic

Underlying(i)

2016
£m

8.0
0.5
8.5

2015
restated
£m

9.9 
0.2 
10.1

2016
£m

33.8
0.5
34.3

2015
restated
£m

26.0 
0.2 
26.2

11.8p
11.8p

14.6p 
14.6p 

13.8p

16.5p

47.8p
47.7p
55.9p

37.8p
37.8p
42.7p

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

71.8
71.9
61.4

69.4
69.4
61.3

Note:
(i)  Underlying earnings is presented as an additional performance measure and is stated before exceptional items, intangible amortisation and impairment.

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

115

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION10 .   E A R N I N G S   P E R   S H A R E   C O N T I N U E D
The 2015 results have been restated to adjust for the impact of the October 2016 Rights Issue with the discount reflected as a 
bonus issue. The restatement adjusts the 2015 results for the impact of the bonus factor, but not the increase in the Group’s 
available capital which has been raised but not deployed in the period due to the related acquisition of ASIG completing on 
1 February 2017. As such, an additional measure, ‘historical adjusted earnings per ordinary share’, has been presented to enable 
the comparison of 2016 performance on a consistent capital base. This has been calculated by adjusting the 2016 weighted 
average number of shares for this measure to remove the full effect of the Rights Issue. The Directors consider that this 
provides an underlying measure that is comparable to underlying earnings per share presented historically.

11.   I N TA N G I B L E   A S S E T S

Cost
At 31 December 2015
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2016

Amortisation and impairment
At 31 December 2015
Amortisation charge
Impairment (Note 5)
Currency translation

At 31 December 2016

Net book value
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

Cost
At 31 December 2014
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

Amortisation and impairment
At 31 December 2014
Amortisation charge
Released on disposal
Impairment (Note 5)
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

Net book value
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

116 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

Computer
software
£m

64.6 
0.4 
– 
– 
12.1 
77.1

12.3 
– 
7.2 
5.8 
25.3 

51.8
52.3

91.6 
2.7 
– 
– 
6.8 
101.1 

46.1 
7.9 
– 
4.7 
58.7 

42.4
45.5

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

59.5 
4.2 
– 
– 
0.9 
64.6 

10.9 
– 
– 
– 
1.4 
12.3 

52.3 
48.6 

90.8 
1.7 
– 
– 
(0.9)
91.6 

34.9 
7.1 
– 
4.0 
0.1 
46.1 

45.5 
55.9 

32.5 
– 
2.6 
(0.1)
– 
35.0 

22.0 
3.2 
– 
– 
25.2 

9.8
10.5

Computer
software
£m

30.4 
– 
2.6 
(0.5)
– 
32.5 

18.8 
3.5 
(0.3)
– 
– 
22.0 

10.5 
11.6 

Total
£m

188.7 
3.1 
2.6 
(0.1)
18.9 
213.2 

80.4 
11.1 
7.2 
10.5 
109.2 

104.0
108.3

Total
£m

180.7 
5.9 
2.6 
(0.5)
– 
188.7 

64.6 
10.6 
(0.3)
4.0 
1.5 
80.4 

108.3 
116.1 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDAs set out in Note 5, the impairment of goodwill of £7.2m relates to the Aviation cargo business in The Netherlands where 
both the goodwill and fixed assets were fully impaired. In the prior year the £4.0m impairment relates to the Aviation 
Division in Spain where the asset was fully impaired.

Goodwill acquired through business combinations and intangible assets with indefinite lives have been allocated at acquisition 
to cash-generating units (“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit from the business combination. The carrying amount of the 
goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives has been allocated to the operating units as per the table below.

Aviation
Americas cargo
Americas other

EMEA cargo
EMEA other

UK ground handling
Other Europe ground handling

Cargo Forwarding USA, Australia and New Zealand
South Africa

Rest of World

Distribution
Core

Parcels

Great Britain
Northern Ireland

2016

2015

Pre-tax 
discount rate 
used in 
impairment 
review
£m

Pre-tax 
discount rate 
used in 
impairment 
review
£m

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

Goodwill
£m

Contracts
£m

8%
9.1%

7%
8%
16%
9.5%
11%
8.5%

8%
8%
8%

10.1
11.7

2.9
3.1
0.4
6.4
2.1
3.2

7.3 
– 
4.6
51.8

9%
10%

8.7%
9%
11%
10%
12%
9%

9%
9%
9%

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

12.9 
3.1 
–
16.0 

8.5
9.9

9.6
3.1
0.4
5.4
1.7
2.2

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–

7.3 
– 
4.2
52.3

12.9 
3.1 
–
16.0 

The CGUs in the above table are presented in a format closely aligned with the segmental information in Note 2.

The Group tests goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are 
indications that these might be impaired. The basis of these impairment tests including key assumptions are set out below.

The recoverable amounts of the 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, capital expenditure 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. 

The value in use calculations use a post-tax discount rate assumption in a range from 5% to 13% (2015: 6% to 9%) based 
on the Group’s weighted average post-tax cost of capital and having considered the uncertainty risk attributable to 
individual CGUs. The equivalent pre-tax discount rate is a range from 7% to 16% (2015: 8% to 13%) as shown in the table 
above. The pre-tax rate has been applied to pre-tax cash flows.

AV I AT I O N
Aviation contracts are amortised on a straight-line basis over ten years as this period is the minimum time-frame management 
considers when assessing businesses for acquisition. The carrying value of Aviation contracts is £14.1m (2015: £15.1m) and 
the average remaining amortisation period is two years (2015: three years).

Value in use calculations are based on Board approved budgets and plans for a three year period and extrapolated for 
a further two year period. Growth rates in the cash flows beyond the three year period have been assumed to be Nil% 
(2015: Nil%). Net margin assumptions are based on historic experience.

Base case forecasts show significant headroom above carrying value for each CGU. Sensitivity analysis has been 
undertaken for each CGU to assess the impact of any reasonably possible change in key assumptions. For all significant 
CGUs there is no reasonably possible change that would cause the carrying values to exceed recoverable amounts.

117

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION11.   I N TA N G I B L E   A S S E T S   C O N T I N U E D
D I S T R I B U T I O N
Distribution publisher contracts are not amortised due to the very long-term nature of the business in the UK. The Group 
distributes to approximately 45% of the UK retail market and has only one major competitor. In such circumstances the 
Board considers that there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the contracts are expected to generate cash 
flows and have been determined to have an indefinite life. These contracts are tested annually for impairment using the 
criteria outlined above.

Value in use calculations are based on Board approved budgets and plans for a three year period and extrapolated for a 
further two year period. This reflects management’s specific business expectations for 2020 and 2021. Growth rates in the 
cash flows beyond the three year period have been assumed to be -8.5% to Nil% (2015: -2% to Nil%). Net margin assumptions 
are based on historic experience.

Base case forecasts show significant headroom above carrying value for each CGU. Sensitivity analysis has been undertaken 
for each CGU to assess the impact of any reasonably possible change in key assumptions. There is no reasonably possible 
change that would cause the carrying values to exceed recoverable amounts.

Most Distribution core non-publisher contracts are amortised on a straight-line basis over ten years as this period is the 
minimum time-frame management considers when assessing businesses for acquisition. The carrying value of 
Distribution non-publisher contracts is £12.3m (2015: £14.3m) and the average remaining amortisation period is five years 
(2015: six years).

12 .   P R O P E R T Y,   P L A N T   A N D   E Q U I P M E N T

Group

Freehold
property
£m

Leasehold
property
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

Company

Freehold
property
£m

32.6
–
0.3
–
–
32.9

8.2
0.8
–
–
–
9.0

Total
£m

287.7
0.6
26.1
(6.2)
29.4
337.6

173.3
22.3
(3.9)
2.4
16.2
210.3

217.3
0.6
24.8
(6.1)
26.6
263.2

137.3
19.4
(3.9)
2.4
14.7
169.9

93.3
80.0

127.3
114.4

23.9
24.4

Cost
At 31 December 2015
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2016

Depreciation
At 31 December 2015
Charge for the year
Disposals
Impairment (Note 5)
Currency translation

At 31 December 2016

Net book value
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

34.8
–
0.1
(0.1)
0.1
34.9

11.7
0.7
–
–
0.1
12.5

22.4
23.1

35.6
–
1.2
–
2.7
39.5

24.3
2.2
–
–
1.4
27.9

11.6
11.3

118 

J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDAs set out in Note 5, the impairment of fixed assets of £2.4m relates to the Aviation cargo business in The Netherlands 
where the assets were fully impaired. Additionally, equipment with a net book value of £1.0m was disposed for 
a consideration of £1.0m and leased back over a five year period under an operating lease arrangement.

Cost
At 31 December 2014
Acquisitions (Note 25)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

Depreciation
At 31 December 2014
Charge for the year
Disposals
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

Net book value
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

13 .   I N V E S T M E N T S

2016

Net book value
At 31 December 2015
Share of profits after tax
Dividends received during the year
Additions
Loan repaid
Currency translation
Other

At 31 December 2016

2015

Net book value 
At 31 December 2014
Share of profits after tax
Dividends received during the year
Other
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

Group

Freehold
property
£m

Leasehold
property
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

Company

Freehold
property
£m

32.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
32.6 

7.5 
0.7 
– 
– 
8.2 

Total
£m

289.2 
1.3 
20.8 
(15.9)
(7.7)
287.7 

169.1 
21.0 
(12.0)
(4.8)
173.3 

218.3 
1.3 
19.7 
(14.8)
(7.2)
217.3 

134.7 
18.3 
(11.3)
(4.4)
137.3 

80.0 
83.6 

114.4 
120.1 

24.4 
25.1

35.0 
– 
– 
(0.2)
– 
34.8 

11.0 
0.7 
– 
– 
11.7 

23.1 
24.0 

35.9 
– 
1.1 
(0.9)
(0.5)
35.6 

23.4 
2.0 
(0.7)
(0.4)
24.3 

11.3 
12.5 

Group

Company

Interest in joint 
ventures
£m

Interest in 
associates
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Subsidiaries
£m

26.1
7.5
(6.3)
–
–
3.3
(0.3)
30.3

0.1
–
–
0.4
(0.3)
0.2
–
0.4

Group

Interest in joint 
ventures
£m

Interest in 
associates
£m

27.3 
7.0 
(7.5)
(0.8)
0.1 
26.1 

0.3 
– 
– 
– 
(0.2)
0.1 

0.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
0.2

Other
£m

0.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.2 

26.4
7.5
(6.3)
0.4
(0.3)
3.5
(0.3)
30.9

291.0
–
–
–
–
1.6
–
292.6

Company

Total
£m

Subsidiaries
£m

27.8 
7.0 
(7.5)
(0.8)
(0.1)
26.4 

290.5 
– 
– 
– 
0.5 
291.0 

119

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION13 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D
M AT E R I A L   J O I N T   V E N T U R E S

2016

Country of incorporation
Statutory year end

Business activity
Interest held – ordinary shares
Interest held – preference shares
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Group’s share of net assets

Summarised Balance Sheet 
Current assets(i)
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets

Note:
(i) 

Includes cash and cash equivalents

Reconciliation of net assets to carrying value
Net assets
Partners’ share of net assets
Unpaid dividends
Carrying amount of the investment

Summarised Income Statement
Revenue
Depreciation and amortisation
Other operating costs
Interest income
Income tax
Profit from continuing operations
Comprehensive income for the year
Group’s share of total comprehensive income

Group’s carrying amount of the investment
At 31 December 2015
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Dividends received during the year
Currency translation

At 31 December 2016

EM News 
Distribution
(NI) Ltd
£m

Menzies Bobba 
Ground Handling 
Services
Private Ltd
£m

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba (Bangalore) 
Private Ltd
£m

Hyderabad 
Menzies Air Cargo 
Private Ltd
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport
Services Ltd
£m

UK

India

India

India

Macau

31 December

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 December

Distribution of 
newspapers and 
magazines in 
Northern Ireland

Ramp and 
passenger 
services in 
Hyderabad

Cargo handling 
services in 
Bangalore

Cargo handling 
services in 
Hyderabad

Ramp, passenger 
and cargo 
handling in Macau

50%
0%
78%
69%

9.2
0.7
(4.8)
5.1

51%
0%
51%
47%

5.6
0.3
(0.5)
5.4

49%
100%
49%
76%

11.3
5.3
(2.0)
14.6

49%
100%
49%
58%

8.5
4.1
(1.9)
10.7

29%
0%
29%
29%

9.7
7.2
(6.2)
10.7

0.1

3.9

9.8

3.9

2.2

5.1
(1.6)
– 
3.5

58.6
(0.2)
(56.3)
–
(0.4)
1.7
1.7
1.4

3.5
1.4
(1.4)
–
3.5

5.4
(2.9)
3.2
5.7

2.5
(0.3)
(2.1)
0.3
–
0.4
0.4
0.2

5.3
0.2
(0.1)
0.3
5.7

14.6
(3.6)
–
11.0

12.3
(0.9)
(6.3)
0.6
(1.6)
4.1
4.1
2.1

9.6
2.1
(2.1)
1.4
11.0

10.7
(4.8)
–
5.9

9.4
(0.2)
(5.8)
0.4
(0.8)
3.0
3.0
1.4

4.2
1.4
(0.4)
0.7
5.9

10.7
(7.5)
–
3.2

33.3
(1.0)
(24.0)
–
(1.0)
7.3
7.3
2.1

2.9
2.1
(2.3)
0.5
3.2

120  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED2015

Interest held – ordinary shares
Interest held – preference shares
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Group’s share of net assets

Summarised Balance Sheet
Current assets(i)
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets

Note:
(i) 

Includes cash and cash equivalents

Reconciliation of net assets to carrying value
Net assets
Partners’ share of net assets
Unpaid dividends
Carrying amount of the investment

Summarised Income Statement
Revenue
Depreciation and amortisation
Other operating costs
Interest income
Income tax
Profit from continuing operations
Comprehensive income for the year
Group’s share of total comprehensive income

Group’s carrying amount of the investment
At 31 December 2014
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Dividends received during the year
Redemption of preference shares
Currency translation
At 31 December 2015

EM News 
Distribution
(NI) Ltd
£m

Menzies Bobba 
Ground Handling 
Services
Private Ltd
£m

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba (Bangalore) 
Private Ltd
£m

Hyderabad 
Menzies Air Cargo 
Private Ltd
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport
Services Ltd
£m

50%
0%
78%
69%

9.7 
1.0 
(5.6)
5.1 

51%
0%
51%
47%

4.6 
0.5 
(0.5)
4.6 

49%
100%
49%
76%

11.8 
5.0 
(4.2)
12.6 

49%
100%
49%
58%

6.8 
2.0 
(1.5)
7.3 

29%
0%
29%
29%

8.9 
5.5 
(4.8)
9.6 

0.1 

3.4 

8.4 

3.2 

2.8 

5.1 
(1.6)
– 
3.5 

61.9
(0.2)
(59.6)
– 
(0.3)
1.8
1.8
1.4

3.5
1.4
(1.4)
–
–
3.5

4.6 
(2.5)
3.2 
5.3 

2.4
(0.3)
(2.0)
0.3
(0.2)
0.2
0.2
0.1

6.3
0.1
(0.4)
(0.8)
0.1
5.3

12.6 
(3.0)
– 
9.6 

10.1
(0.7)
(4.5)
0.8
(1.7)
4.0
4.0
2.0

10.0
2.0
(2.3)
–
0.1
9.8

7.3 
(3.1)
– 
4.2 

8.2
(0.2)
(4.8)
0.3
(1.0)
2.5
2.5
1.2

3.9
1.2
(0.9)
–
–
4.2

2016
£m

1.4

0.3
0.6
0.9

9.6 
(6.7)
– 
2.9 

28.1
(0.8)
(19.6)
– 
(0.9)
6.8
6.8
2.0

3.1
2.0
(2.5)
–
0.3
2.9

2015
£m

0.7 

0.3 
(0.4)
(0.1)

121

G R O U P ’ S   I N D I V I D U A L LY   I M M AT E R I A L   J O I N T   V E N T U R E S   A N D   A S S O C I AT E S

Carrying amount of interests in joint ventures and associates

Share of profit from continuing operations
Currency translation
Total comprehensive income

The listing of joint ventures and associates, along with all subsidiary undertakings, is presented on pages 138 to 146.

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION14 .   D E F E R R E D   TA X

Deferred tax assets
Retirement benefit obligation
Share-based payments
Tax losses
Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liabilities
Overseas tax on unremitted earnings
Other overseas temporary differences
Accelerated capital allowances and other 
temporary differences
Other UK temporary differences

Recognised in Balance Sheet
Deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liability

Movement in net deferred tax assets in the year:
Income Statement: Retirement benefit obligation

Other

Exchange adjustments
Movement on acquisition
Reclassification of corporate tax
Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Group

2016
£m

12.1
0.6
5.8
5.8
24.3

(2.4)
(0.4)

(0.1)
–
(2.9)

24.2
(2.8)
21.4

(1.6)
2.1
1.3
(0.2)
3.6
5.5
10.7

2015
£m

7.8 
0.2 
2.1 
5.5 
15.6

(1.2)
(0.3)

(0.6)
(2.8)
(4.9)

12.2 
(1.5)
10.7 

(2.0)
2.8 
(0.1)
–
–
(2.0)
(1.3)

Company

2016
£m

12.1
0.2
–
0.7
13.0

–
–

(2.9)
–
(2.9)

10.1
–
10.1

(1.6)
0.5
–
–
2.5
5.9
7.3

2015
£m

7.8 
0.1 
– 
– 
7.9

– 
– 

(3.3)
(1.8)
(5.1)

2.8 
– 
2.8 

(2.0)
0.3 
– 
– 
– 
(2.0)
(3.7)

At 31 December 2016, there was a deferred tax liability of £2.4m (2015: £1.2m) for taxes that would be payable on the 
unremitted earnings of certain of the Group’s subsidiaries and its associates or joint ventures. No deferred tax liability 
has been recognised for amounts that are permanently reinvested.

The unrecognised deferred tax liability on the unremitted earnings of the Group’s subsidiaries, associates and joint 
ventures at 31 December 2016 is £1.0m (2015: £1.3m).

15 .   T R A D E   A N D   O T H E R   R E C E I VA B L E S

Trade receivables
Less: provision for doubtful debts
Net trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments 
Amounts owed by Group companies

Group

Company

2016
£m

199.7
(3.8)
195.9
7.2
40.5
–
243.6

2015
£m

164.6 
(3.2)
161.4 
9.3 
31.2 
– 
201.9 

2016
£m

– 
– 
– 
1.0
6.6
337.8
345.4

2015
£m

– 
– 
– 
0.2 
1.1 
286.8 
288.1 

The average credit period on sale of goods is 36.1 days (2015: 31.0 days). Interest is not charged on trade receivables.

12 2  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDA G E I N G   O F   N E T   T R A D E   R E C E I VA B L E S

2016
2015

P R O V I S I O N   F O R   D O U B T F U L   D E B T S

At beginning of year
Amounts provided
Amounts released
Amounts utilised
Currency translation
At end of year

A G E I N G   O F   I M PA I R E D   R E C E I VA B L E S

0 to 30 days
31 to 60 days
61 to 90 days
Over 90 days

Neither past
 due nor
impaired
£m

151.8
134.2

Past due not impaired

31–60 days
£m

61–90 days
£m

over 90 days
£m

35.2
22.0

4.9
4.2

4.0
1.0

Total
£m

195.9
161.4

Group

2016
£m

3.2
1.4
(0.4)
(0.5)
0.1
3.8

Group

2016
£m

0.3
0.3
0.7
2.5
3.8

2015
£m

2.9
1.3
(0.4)
(0.6)
–
3.2

2015
£m

0.2 
0.2 
0.3 
2.5 
3.2 

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 fair value.

16 .   T R A D E   A N D   O T H E R   PAYA B L E S

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

Due after more than one year
Other payables

Group

2016
£m

100.8
118.1
27.1
3.9
–
249.9

2015
£m

98.7 
87.3 
25.9 
5.4 
– 
217.3 

Company

2016
£m

–
17.2
2.3
–
297.6
317.1

2015
£m

– 
13.6 
1.5 
– 
295.2 
310.3 

4.0

3.5

4.9

5.0

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

Included within other payables is contingent consideration and other contingent acquisition related amounts as disclosed 
in Note 17. Amounts included within other payables due within one year are £Nil (2015: £1.6m) and other payables due after 
more than one year are £3.4m (2015: £2.7m).

12 3

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION17.   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S
D E R I VAT I V E   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S

Cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Foreign currency net investment hedges:
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Current net fair value

Group

2016
£m

(0.4)

(5.3)
(5.7)

2015
£m

(0.4)

(1.3)
(1.7)

Company

2016
£m

(0.4)

(5.3)
(5.7)

2015
£m

(0.4)

(1.3)
(1.7)

The Group only enters into derivative financial instruments that are designated as hedging instruments. The fair values 
of foreign currency instruments are calculated by reference to current market rates.

FA I R   VA L U E   H I E R A R C H Y
As at 31 December 2016, the Group held the following financial instruments measured at fair value. The Group uses 
the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1:  quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:  other techniques for which all inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, 

either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:  techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on 

observable market data.

For financial instruments that are recognised at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers 
have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is 
significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

D E R I VAT I V E   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S   A D J U S T E D   T O   FA I R   VA L U E   T H R O U G H   T H E   O T H E R 
C O M P R E H E N S I V E I N C O M E   S TAT E M E N T

2016

Financial assets:
Foreign exchange contracts – hedged
Financial liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts – hedged

2015

Financial assets:
Foreign exchange contracts – hedged
Financial liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts – hedged

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

–

–

0.4 

6.1

–

–

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

–

–

0.6 

2.3 

–

–

Total
£m

0.4 

6.1 

Total
£m

0.6 

2.3 

During the year ended 31 December 2016, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, 
and no transfers into and out of Level 3 fair value measurements.

C A S H   F L O W   H E D G E S
Foreign exchange forward contracts
At 31 December 2016 the Group held foreign currency forward contracts designed as hedges of transaction exposures 
arising from non-local currency revenue. These contracts were in line with the Group’s policy to hedge significant forecast 
transaction exposures for a maximum 18 months forward. The cash flow hedges of non-local revenue were assessed to be 
highly effective.

124  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDInterest rate swaps
The Group’s policy is to minimise exposures to interest rate risk by ensuring an appropriate balance of long-term and 
short-term floating rates. During 2016 the Group had no interest rate swaps in place. At 31 December 2016, 8.6% (2015: 
9.1%) of the Group’s borrowings were fixed.

Fair value of cash flow hedges – currency forward contracts
Current value

2016
Liabilities 
£m

(0.4)
(0.4)

2015
Liabilities
£m

(0.4)
(0.4)

For 2016, if interest rates on Sterling 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 (2015: £0.7m) lower/higher, mainly as a result of higher/lower 
interest expense on floating rate borrowings.

Foreign currency net investment hedges
The Group’s treasury policy is to hedge the exposure of foreign currency denominated assets to minimise foreign exchange 
risk. This is primarily achieved using forward contracts denominated in the relevant foreign currencies. Gains or losses 
on the retranslation of these hedges are transferred to reserves to offset any gains or losses on translation of the net 
investments in the subsidiary undertakings.

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

Currency value

Sterling equivalent

Australian dollar
Canadian dollar
Colombian peso
Czech koruna
Danish krone
Euro
Indian rupee
Mexican peso
New Zealand dollar
Norwegian krone
South African rand
Swedish krona
US dollar

Fair value of foreign currency net investment hedges
Current value

2016
million

24.0
5.5
4,000
115.0
10.0
9.6
810
51.0
3.0
7.0
30.0
50.0
41.5

2015
million

23.9
5.5
4,000
115.0
10.0
15.0
810
51.0
3.0
7.0
30.0
50.0
45.0

2016
£m

14.1
3.3
1.1
3.6
1.1
8.2
9.7
2.0
1.7
0.7
1.8
4.5
33.6

2015
£m

11.8
2.7
0.9
3.1
1.0
11.1
8.3
2.0
1.4
0.5
1.3
4.0
30.5

2016

2015

Assets 
£m

0.4
0.4 

Liabilities
£m

(5.7)
(5.7)

Assets 
£m

0.6 
0.6 

Liabilities
£m

(1.9)
(1.9)

12 5

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION17.   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D
O T H E R   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S
Contingent consideration
The acquisition of PlaneBiz 2015 Ltd in 2014 included options in relation to the 40% shareholding owned by a third party. 
These options take the form of a put option in favour of the third party shareholders for up to 30% of the share capital, 
exercisable in 2018 and 2019. Following the expiry of this put option the Group then has a call option, exercisable for a 
60 day period, for the remaining shares that have not been exercised under the put option. The fair value of the put option 
has been calculated based on the expected discounted cash flows of the underlying value, which is the expected average 
annual EBITDA over the preceding three years multiplied by 5.5. The call option is considered to have a negligible fair value. 

The liabilities for contingent consideration and other acquisition related amounts are Level 3 derivative financial 
instruments.

Fair value of contingent consideration:
Fore Partnership
Fair value of other contingent acquisition related amounts:
PlaneBiz 2015 Ltd

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Maturity

Obligations under finance leases April 2017 to April 2018
Bank overdrafts
Non-amortising bank loans

On demand
January 2017  
to December 2018
March 2020
Non-redeemable

Amortising term loan 
Preference shares

Current
Non-current

2016
£m

–

3.4

Group

Company

2016
£m

0.2
0.8

91.3
10.0
1.4
103.7

39.0
64.7
103.7

2015
£m

0.5
0.2

140.8
12.7
1.4
155.6

3.4
152.2
155.6

2016
£m

–
0.5

91.3
10.0
1.4
103.2

38.5
64.7
103.2

2015
£m

1.6 

2.7 

2015
£m

–
0.2

140.8
12.7
1.4
155.1

2.9
152.2
155.1

To fund the planned acquisition of ASIG, the Group put in place unsecured, committed bank loans that were conditional 
on the acquisition occurring. These loan facilities were put in place in September 2016 and as well as funding the ASIG 
acquisition were to refinance all current bank loans. The new facilities are a $250m term loan and a £150m revolving 
credit facility and both have a maturity of June 2021.

Funds were drawn down to meet the acquisition consideration and to repay the existing facilities on 1 February 2017.

Non-amortising bank loans are drawn against unsecured, committed revolving bank credit facilities maturing between 
January 2017 and December 2018.

The amortising term loan is repayable between 2017 and 2020 with interest payable at a fixed rate of 6.23%. The loan has 
a weighted average maturity of two years (2015: two years).

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.

126  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDNet debt

Derivative financial instruments
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Total borrowings
Less: cash at bank, cash in hand and short-term deposits

The book and fair values are:

Short-term borrowings
Medium-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Finance leases
Bank overdrafts
Total financial liabilities
Less: cash at bank, cash in hand and short-term deposits
Net debt

Group

Company

2016
£m

5.7
103.7
109.4
38.9
70.5

2015
£m

1.7
155.6
157.3
34.1
123.2

2016
£m

5.7
103.2
108.9
1.0
107.9

2016

2015

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

Book value
£m

38.0
63.3
1.4
5.7
0.2
0.8
109.4
38.9
70.5

38.2
64.0
1.4
5.7
0.2
0.8
110.3
38.9
71.4

2.7
150.8
1.4
1.7
0.5
0.2
157.3
34.1
123.2

2015
£m

1.7
155.1
156.8
0.8
156.0

Fair value
£m

3.0
151.7
1.4
1.7
0.5
0.2
158.5
34.1
124.4

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

Other than trade and other 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.

A separate table has not been prepared analysing the Company’s book values and fair values. The £0.5m difference 
in book values relates to interest bearing loans and borrowings and is deemed to be short-term in nature.

At 31 December 2016 the currency and interest rate profile of financial liabilities was:

Sterling denominated
Net derivative liabilities

Floating
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

92.3
5.7
98.0

2016

Fixed
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

11.4
–
11.4

Floating
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

141.5
1.7 
143.2

2015

Fixed
rate
financial
liabilities
£m

14.1
–
14.1

Total
£m

103.7
5.7
109.4

At 31 December 2016 the expiry profile of undrawn committed facilities was:

Between one and two years
Between two and five years

Group

Company

2016
£m

68.7
–
68.7

2015
£m

20.0
44.3
64.3

2016
£m

68.7
–
68.7

Total
£m

155.6
1.7
157.3

2015
£m

20.0
44.3
64.3

127

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION17.   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D
O T H E R   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D
Trade and other receivables and payables
Trade and other receivables and trade and other payables carrying values of £203.1m (2015: £170.7m) and £246.0m (2015: 
£211.9m) respectively, in respect of the Group, and £338.8m and £371.1m (2015: £287.0m and £310.3m), in respect of the 
Company, are assumed to approximate to their fair values due to their short-term nature.

Sensitivity and risk information
Foreign currency sensitivity
For 2016, if Sterling had weakened/strengthened by 10% on currencies that have a material impact on the Group profit 
before tax and equity, with all other variables held constant the effect would have been:

US dollar
US dollar
Australian dollar
Australian dollar
Indian rupee
Indian rupee
Euro
Euro
South African rand
South African rand

2016

2015

Changes in rate

Effect on profit 
before tax
£m

Effect on
equity
£m

Effect on profit 
before tax
£m

Effect on
equity
£m

+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%

1.5
(1.2)
1.0
(0.8)
0.6
(0.5)
0.5
(0.4)
(0.1)
0.1

3.8
(3.1)
1.8
(1.5)
1.3
(1.0)
–
–
0.8
(0.7)

1.0 
(0.8)
0.9 
(0.7)
0.6 
(0.5)
0.5 
(0.4)
–
–

2.1 
(1.7)
1.6 
(1.3)
0.6 
(0.5)
0.9 
(0.7)
0.6 
(0.5)

The impact of the Group’s exposure to all other foreign currencies is not considered to be material to the overall results 
of the Group.

Capital risk
The Group manages its capital structure in order to minimise the cost of capital whilst ensuring that it has access to 
ongoing sources of finance such as the debt capital markets. The Group defines capital as the sum of net debt (see Note 
23) and equity attributable to equity holders of the Company (see Group and Company Statement of Changes in Equity). 
The only externally imposed capital requirements for the Group are debt to EBITDA and interest cover under the terms 
of the bank facilities, with which the Group has fully complied during both the current year and the prior year. To maintain 
or adjust its capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders and/or issue new shares.

Credit risk
The Group considers its exposure to credit risk at 31 December to be:

Bank deposits
Trade receivables

Group

Company

2016
£m

38.9
195.9
234.8

2015
£m

34.1 
161.4 
195.5 

2016
£m

1.0
–
1.0

2015
£m

0.8 
–
0.8 

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.

In addition to the relevant items above, the Company is exposed to credit risk in relation to on-demand amounts owed 
by Group companies.

128  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDLiquidity risk
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities by continuously monitoring 
forecast and actual cash flows. The following is an analysis of the maturity of the Group’s financial liabilities and derivative 
financial liabilities based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date 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. Net values of transaction hedging are disclosed in accordance with the contractual terms 
of these derivative instruments.

2016

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Preference shares
Other liabilities
Trade and other payables
Financial derivatives

2015

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Preference shares
Other liabilities
Trade and other payables
Financial derivatives

Due under
1 year
£m

(40.2)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(127.9)
(85.6)
(253.9)

Due under
1 year
£m

(6.4)
(0.1)
(0.5)
(124.6)
(79.0)
(210.6)

Due between
1 and 2 years
£m

Due between
2 and 5 years
£m

Due over
5 years
£m

(60.8)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(4.0)
–
(65.0)

(6.8)
(0.4)
–
–
–
(7.2)

–
(1.5)
–
–
–
(1.5)

Due between
1 and 2 years
£m

Due between
2 and 5 years
£m

Due over
5 years
£m

(96.3)
(0.1)
–
(3.5)
–
(99.9)

(66.8)
(0.4)
–
–
–
(67.2)

18 .   O P E R AT I N G   L E A S E   C O M M I T M E N T S
The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are:

Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years

19.   C A P I TA L   C O M M I T M E N T S

Contracted but not provided – property, plant and equipment

Group

Property

Other

2016
£m

33.0
63.4
29.5
125.9

2015
£m

28.1 
64.9 
37.7 
130.7 

2016
£m

32.0
53.9
0.1
86.0

Group

Company

2016
£m

1.3

2015
£m

1.5 

2016
£m

–

– 
(1.5)
–
–
–
(1.5)

2015
£m

26.1 
51.6 
0.2 
77.9 

2015
£m

–

129

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 0 .   P R O V I S I O N S

At beginning of year
Provided/(released) during year
Unwind of discount
Utilised during year
Reclassification from accruals
Currency translation loss
At end of year

Current
Non-current

Property

Other

Group

2016
£m

5.4
1.6
0.2
(1.6)
–
0.3
5.9

3.0
2.9
5.9

2015
£m

6.9
1.1
0.1
(2.8)
–
0.1
5.4

2.5
2.9
5.4

2016
£m

2.4
(0.4)
–
(0.1)
0.4
–
2.3

1.2
1.1
2.3

2015
£m

0.2
2.4
–
(0.2)
–
–
2.4

2.4
–
2.4

2016
£m

7.8
1.2
0.2
(1.7)
0.4
0.3
8.2

4.2
4.0
8.2

2015
£m

7.1
3.5
0.1
(3.0)
–
0.1
7.8

4.9
2.9
7.8

The property related provisions are in respect of obligations for vacated leasehold properties where applicable sublet 
income may be insufficient to meet obligations under head leases. The provisions for property costs unwind over the 
period between 2017 and 2041. Other provisions include redundancy and legal claims provisions.

The Company carries £1.1m of provision relating to a legal claim. This is not expected to be utilised within one year.

C O N T I N G E N T   L I A B I L I T I E S
The Company has guaranteed certain trading obligations of its subsidiaries in the normal course of business.

21.   S H A R E   C A P I TA L

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Opening – 61,703,133 ordinary shares of 25p each
Rights Issue(i)
Allotted under share option schemes(ii)
Closing – 83,636,895 ordinary shares of 25p each

2016
£m

15.4 
5.5 
–
20.9 

2015
£m

15.4 
–
–
15.4 

Notes:
(i)  As part of the Rights Issue process 21,922,403 ordinary shares of 25p each were allotted to shareholders.

The provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to Merger Relief (sections 612 and 613) were applied to the above mentioned Rights Issue raised through a cash 
box structure. This resulted in the creation of a merger reserve, after deducting share issue costs of £2.4m. The cash box method of effecting an issue of shares for 
cash enabled the Company to issue shares without giving rise to a share premium.

(ii)  As a result of share scheme allotments, 12,583 (2015: 40,567) ordinary shares having a nominal value of £3,146 (2015: £10,141) were issued during the year at a share 

premium of £58,608 (2015: £150,098).

Employees 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 12,583 shares were exercised in 2016 and 499,151 options lapsed.

Year of grant

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

Note:
(i)  Revised for the Rights Issue in October 2016.

Exercise price
(pence)

Revised exercise 
price(i)
(pence)

Exercise
period

2016
Number

2015
Number

497 
630 
495 
350 
480

2015-2016
557 2016-2017
437 2017-2018
309 2018-2019
424 2019-2020

–
216,702
345,637
472,804
553,750
1,588,893

237,902
251,883
366,493
493,441
– 
1,349,719 

13 0  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED 
C O M PA N Y   S H A R E   S C H E M E S
The Company operates the following share-based payment arrangements:

Savings-related Share Option Scheme
The Company operates a Savings-related Share Option Scheme which is open to all full and part-time employees in 
the UK. 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 administers 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.

Bonus Co-investment Plan (“BCIP”)
The BCIP 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. Since 2010 the ratio of matching shares to contributory shares has been 
set at 1:1. The maximum amount of the annual cash bonus which may be eligible for matching has been set at 40%. The net 
of tax amount is applied in the purchase of shares.

The first bonus award that qualified for investment in shares under the plan was the award for the financial year ended 
December 2004 and the last qualifying bonus award was for the financial year which commenced ten years after the 
adoption of the Plan. A revised plan was approved at the Annual General Meeting of the Company on 15 May 2015 
and the BCIP will be discontinued following 2017. Further details are on page 62.

Performance targets are based on real growth in earnings measured over three financial years. For awards in 2014, 
if the percentage growth in the Company’s Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) is Retail Prices Index (“RPI”) +3% pa or more, then 
the number of matching shares that will vest is one. For EPS growth of between RPI +0% pa and RPI +3% 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 +0% pa or less for any award. For awards in 2015, if the percentage growth in the Company’s EPS is Consumer 
Prices Index (“CPI”) +3% pa or more, then the number of matching shares that will vest is one. If the threshold growth 
in EPS is achieved (CPI +0%) then 25% of the matching shares will be paid. For EPS growth of between CPI +0% pa and 
CPI +3% pa, the number of matching shares vesting will be calculated on a straight-line basis. No matching shares will 
vest for EPS percentage growth below CPI +0% pa for any award.

Long-term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
The LTIP enables divisional and senior management to align more closely with the achievement of target Group and 
divisional financial results. A detailed description of this plan is included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 62.

Shares will vest at the end of three year financial periods. A £Nil award will be achieved where the financial target is at 
or below the threshold performance target and 100% will vest where the results are 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 for Executive Directors are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in the year following the expiry of the 
performance period.

FA I R   VA L U E S   O F   S H A R E   O P T I O N S
Options are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing or Monte Carlo simulation models as appropriate. No performance 
conditions are included in the fair value calculations.

131

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION21.   S H A R E   C A P I TA L   C O N T I N U E D
The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the calculation are:

Date of grant (October)

Share price at grant date (pence)
Exercise price (pence)
Vesting period (years)
Expected volatility
Option life (years)
Expected life (years)
Risk-free rate
Expected dividends expressed as a dividend yield(i)
Fair value per option (pence)
Charge per option (pence)(ii)

2016

592
480
3
33%
3.5
3.5
1.0%
3.0%
152
106

Savings-related Option Scheme

2015

412
350
3
33%
3.5
3.5
1.0%
6.0%
90
63

2014

569
495
3
26%
3.5
3.5
1.4%
3.7%
136
95

2013

799
630
3
25%
3.5
3.5
4.6%
4.0%
143
95

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.

Notes:
(i)  Based on the daily 12 month trailing dividend yield averaged over the 12 months prior to valuation date.

(ii)  The difference between the fair value and charge per option is due to adjustments for forfeiture risk.

Date of grant (March)

Share price at grant date (pence)
Contractual life (years)
Expected departure
Expected outcome of meeting 
performance criteria
Fair value per share (pence)
Charge per share award (pence)(i)

Note:
(i)  Adjusted for forfeiture risk.

BCIP

LTIP

2016

478
3
0%

51%
245
245

2015

376 
3
0%

59%
220
220

2014

647 
3
0%

59%
379
379

2016

443
3
0%

n/a
169
169

2015

404 
3
0%

56%
165
165

2014

654 
3
0%

62%
319
319

M O V E M E N T   I N   S H A R E   O P T I O N S
A reconciliation of conditional share movements of executive share options, savings-related share options and all other 
share-based schemes is:

Savings-related Option Scheme

2016

2015

Weighted
average
exercise
price 
(pence)

468
426
465
492
411

Number

1,427,845
499,297
(536,856)
(40,567)
1,349,719
237,902

Weighted
average
exercise
price 
(pence)

507 
350 
467
395
468 

Number

1,349,719
750,908
(499,151)
(12,583)
1,588,893
215,111

309-557

350-630

1.6

1.6 

Outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited/expired
Exercised
Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable 
Range of exercise prices
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

132  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDBCIP

LTIP

2016

2015

2016

2015

Number

53,522
15,920
(30,723)
38,719

Weighted
average
price
(pence)

Weighted
average
price
(pence)

Weighted
average
price
(pence)

Number

Number

Number

69,391 
577
23,127 
473
669 (38,996) 
461
53,522 
376-647

666  1,159,966
595,076
376 
617 
(720,175)
577  1,034,867

881,429 
527
679,229 
445
568
(400,692) 
527 1,159,966 

376-756

404-654

Weighted
average
price
(pence)

663 
404 
617 
527 
404-773

1.4

1.3 

1.4

1.6 

Outstanding at start of year
Awards made
Lapsed
Outstanding at end of year
Range of award date prices
Weighted average remaining 
contractual life (years)

C H A R G E   F O R   S H A R E - B A S E D   I N C E N T I V E   S C H E M E S
The total charge for the year relating to employee share-based plans was £0.7m (2015: £0.5m), all of which related to 
equity-settled share-based payment transactions. After tax the total charge was £0.6m (2015: £0.5m).

AWA R D   O F   S H A R E S
The Chairman was awarded 20,000 ordinary shares in the year, as part of his remuneration package. The shares were 
issued on 17 November 2016 at a market value of 490.8p per share. It is proposed that should Dr Smurfit continue to retain 
office that a similar award will be made on the second and third anniversaries of the initial award, up to a maximum value of 
£0.1m annually.

2 2 .   C A S H   G E N E R AT E D   F R O M   O P E R AT I O N S

Group

Company

Operating profit/(loss)
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets
Share-based payments
Onerous lease provision
Cash spend on onerous leases
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
Pension charge
Pension credit
Pension contributions in cash
Acquisition, restructure and rationalisation related costs
Cash spend on exceptional items
Acquisition related earn-out adjustment
Net impairment loss 
Increase in inventories
Increase in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables and provisions 

2016
£m

20.1
22.3
11.1
0.7
1.6
(1.5)
(0.1)
3.5
(0.3)
(14.0)
9.1
(9.9)
(0.3)
9.6
(1.3)
(37.3)
32.8
46.1

2015
£m

18.8 
21.0 
10.6
0.5
0.3
(2.8)
(0.6)
3.3
(1.1)
(14.1)
5.3
(8.0)
0.2
4.7
(1.8)
(16.2)
15.8
35.9

2016
£m

(4.1)
0.8
–
0.7
–
–
–
–
–
(14.0)
4.1
(3.3)
–
–
–
–
–
(15.8)

2015
£m

(2.7)
0.7 
–
0.5 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(14.1)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(15.6)

133

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 3 .   C H A N G E S   I N   N E T   B O R R O W I N G S

Cash at bank and in hand
Bank overdrafts
Net cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans due within one year
Preference shares
Finance leases
Debt due after one year
Net derivative liabilities
Net debt

2015
£m

Cash flows
£m

Subsidiaries
acquired
£m

Currency
translation
£m

34.1 
(0.2)
33.9 
(2.7)
(1.4)
(0.5)
(150.8)
(1.7)
(123.2)

(0.3)
(0.6)
(0.9)
(35.3)
–
0.6
87.5
11.2
63.1

0.3
–
0.3
–
–
(0.3)
–
–
–

4.8
–
4.8
–
–
–
–
(15.2)
(10.4)

2016
£m

38.9
(0.8)
38.1
(38.0)
(1.4)
(0.2)
(63.3)
(5.7)
(70.5)

Currency translation movements result from the Group’s policy of hedging its overseas net assets, which are denominated 
mainly in US dollars, Euros and Australian dollars. The translation effect on net debt is offset by the translation effect 
on net assets resulting in an overall net exchange gain of £16.9m (2015: loss of £4.5m). The net gain is recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

2 4 .   C A S H   F L O W   H E D G E   R E S E R V E
The cash flow hedge reserve records the portion of the gains or losses on hedging instruments used as cash flow hedges 
that are determined to be effective.

2 5 .   A C Q U I S I T I O N S
During the period the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of each of Renaissance Aviation Ltd, Thistle Couriers Ltd 
and Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment Ltd.

On 9 February 2016 the Group acquired Renaissance Aviation Ltd, a ground handling company based in Bermuda. The 
Group has acquired the company to develop our presence in the region. These financial statements include the impact 
of ten months’ trading results.

On 9 February 2016 the Group acquired Thistle Couriers Ltd, a logistics company based in Scotland. The Group has 
acquired the company to realise the potential of the existing UK logistics network. These financial statements include 
the impact of ten months’ trading results.

On 29 September 2016 the Group acquired Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment Ltd, a leaflet distribution company based in 
Scotland. The Group has acquired the company to realise the potential of the existing distribution network. These financial 
statements include the impact of three months’ trading results.

Division

Name

Purchase consideration

Cash paid
Deferred consideration

Less: fair value of net assets acquired
Goodwill

Aviation

Distribution

Distribution

Renaissance 
Aviation Ltd
2016
£m

Thistle Couriers 
Ltd
2016
£m

Edinburgh Arts 
and 
Entertainment Ltd
2016
£m

2.3
0.2
2.5
2.5
–

1.1
0.3
1.4
1.0
0.4

0.1
–
0.1
0.1
–

Total
2016
£m

3.5
0.5
4.0
3.6
0.4

Total
2015
£m

6.8 
0.7 
7.5 
3.3 
4.2 

Goodwill recognised with respect to Thistle Couriers Ltd is primarily attributable to the expertise in hard-to-reach logistic 
locations in the UK and synergies with the Group.

13 4  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDThe fair value of assets and liabilities arising from the acquisitions are:

Non-current assets 

Intangible assets (contracts) 
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Cash/overdraft
Current liabilities
Finance leases
Non-current liabilities
Net assets acquired at fair value

Renaissance 
Aviation Ltd
2016
£m

Thistle Couriers 
Ltd
2016
£m

Edinburgh Arts 
and 
Entertainment Ltd
2016
£m

1.9
0.1
0.6
0.1
(0.2)
–
–
2.5

0.6
0.4
0.7
0.2
(0.6)
(0.2)
(0.1)
1.0

0.2
0.1
0.2
–
(0.3)
(0.1)
–
0.1

Total
2016
£m

2.7
0.6
1.5
0.3
(1.1)
(0.3)
(0.1)
3.6

Total
2015
£m

1.7 
1.3 
2.1 
1.3 
(2.4)
(0.7)
–
3.3 

Current assets acquired with Renaissance Aviation Ltd, Thistle Couriers Ltd and Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment Ltd 
include £0.7m, £0.6m and £0.2m of trade receivables at fair value respectively, the gross amount acquired. The fair values 
of the net assets of the companies acquired remain provisional pending the formal completion of the valuation process.

The acquired businesses contributed £0.2m profit before taxation and £5.6m revenue from acquisition date. If the 
businesses had been acquired on 1 January 2016, Group revenue and profit before taxation for continuing operations 
would have been £1,983.2m and £19.9m respectively. Transaction fees of £0.2m relating to these acquisitions were 
incurred and expensed during the period.

On 4 April 2016 the Group acquired 20% of the share capital of Hamilton Aero Maintenance Ltd for a consideration of 
£0.4m. The company provides line maintenance and engineering support services and is based in New Zealand.

C O N T I N G E N T   A N D   D E F E R R E D   C O N S I D E R AT I O N
As set out in Note 5, contingent consideration of £1.3m relating to the Fore Partnership was settled in March 2016. Deferred 
consideration of £0.3m relating to the acquisition of Menzies Parcels Ltd (formerly known as AJG Parcels Ltd) was cash 
settled in May 2016.

2 6 .   R E L AT E D   PA R T Y   T R A N S A C T I O N S
During the year the Group transacted with related parties in the normal course of business and on an arm’s-length basis. 
These sales to and from related parties are made at normal market prices. Details of these transactions are:

Related party

Menzies Bobba Ground Handling Services Private Ltd
Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Ltd
Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd
EM News Distribution (NI) Ltd
EM News Distribution (Ireland) Ltd

Group
share
holding
%

51
49
29
50
50

Amounts owed
to related
party at
31 December
2016
£m

Amounts owed
by related party at
31 December
2016
£m

– 
– 
– 
5.0 
0.1

– 
0.1 
0.1
– 
– 

Sales to
related
party
£m

0.1
0.1
0.3
0.6
1.0

Key management personnel include individuals who are Executive Directors of the Group and those having authority and 
responsibility for planning, directing and controlling activities of the operating divisions as disclosed in the segmental 
analysis. Remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment pension and medical benefits
Termination payments
Share-based payments

2016
£m

5.5
0.5
0.1
0.7
6.8

2015
£m

4.5 
0.5 
–
0.5 
5.5 

135

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 6 .   R E L AT E D   PA R T Y   T R A N S A C T I O N S   C O N T I N U E D
Certain activities, including treasury, taxation, insurance, pension and legal matters are provided by the Company to 
subsidiary companies and are recharged on a cost-plus basis. The amount recharged and settled in respect of 2016 was 
£0.2m (2015: £0.2m).

The amounts owed to and due by the Company from dealings with subsidiary companies are disclosed in Notes 15 and 16.

Transactions between the Company and other Group companies primarily related to financing activities.

2 7.   R E L AT E D   U N D E R TA K I N G S
The subsidiary entities and entities in which John Menzies plc has a significant interest at 31 December 2016 are disclosed 
as an appendix to these financial statements.

2 8 .   E V E N T S   A F T E R   T H E   R E P O R T I N G   P E R I O D
A C Q U I S I T I O N   O F   A S I G
On 1 February 2017, the Group announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% of the voting rights of ASIG Holdings 
Ltd and ASIG Holdings Corp. (together “ASIG”) for $202m. ASIG is a leading aviation services business, providing ground, 
fuel and airport facility services to airlines, airports, oil companies and industry partners in the commercial aviation sector. 
It delivers comprehensive service solutions including into-plane fuelling, fuel farm management, ground handling, aircraft 
technical support services, facilities equipment maintenance and de-icing at 87 airports across seven countries in the 
Americas, Europe and Asia.

The acquisition was a Class 1 transaction under the UK Listing Rules, receiving shareholder approval on 11 October 2016. 
The deal has been funded by a combination of a Rights Issue and borrowings through new facilities comprising a $250m 
term loan and a £150m revolving credit facility with maturities of June 2021.

No further disclosures have been provided in respect of business combinations after the balance sheet date on the basis 
that the initial accounting is not yet complete.

D E F I N E D   B E N E F I T   P E N S I O N   S C H E M E
On 28 February 2017 the Company informed the active members of the Company’s defined benefit pension scheme, 
the Menzies Pension Fund, that it will ask the Trustee to amend the Fund Rules to close the fund to future accrual 
on 31 March 2017. 

136  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUEDFIVE YEAR SUMM ARY

Revenue
Aviation
Distribution

Operating profit
Aviation
Distribution

Corporate

Underlying operating profit
Exceptional and other items
Share of interest and tax on joint ventures  
and associates

Profit before interest
Net finance costs

Profit before taxation

Per ordinary share
Dividends paid
Underlying earnings(i)
Basic earnings(i)

2016
£m

2015  
£m

2014 
£m

2013 
£m

2012 
£m

843.4
1,138.2
1,981.6

728.0
1,171.2 
1,899.2 

718.8
1,184.1 
1,902.9 

702.5
1,202.9 
1,905.4 

679.3
1,224.2 
1,903.5 

34.2
24.7
58.9
(3.7)
55.2
(26.3)

(1.3)
27.6
(7.8)
19.8

23.1
25.1 
48.2 
(3.3)
44.9 
(17.6)

(1.5)
25.8 
(7.6)
18.2 

30.2
24.0 
54.2 
(3.2)
51.0 
(16.4)

(1.5)
33.1 
(7.4)
25.7 

37.8
24.3 
62.1 
(2.0)
60.1 
(8.7)

(1.1)
50.3 
(8.2)
42.1 

34.8
27.5 
62.3 
(1.3)
61.0 
(24.8)

(1.0)
35.2 
(7.1)
28.1 

10.6p
47.8p
11.8p

13.1p 
37.8p 
14.6p 

26.9p 
43.5p 
20.1p 

25.6p 
58.0p 
44.3p 

24.4p 
60.8p 
27.7p

Note:
(i)  Restated to adjust for the impact of the October 2016 Rights Issue as set out in Note 10.

137

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONLIST OF ALL SUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE 
AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS

D E TA I L S   O F   R E L AT E D   U N D E R TA K I N G S   AT   31   D E C E M B E R   2 016
Interests in all of the companies listed below are in the ordinary share capital of these undertakings, except where 
otherwise stated.

Subsidiary undertaking

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Administracion de Servicios en Tierra,  
S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 311, MZ 26 Lote
03-01 Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio
C.P. 77560, Cancun, Quintana Roo

Aeroground, Inc.

United States

Air Marketing Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Air Menzies International (Aust) Pty Ltd

Australia

Air Menzies International (Cape) Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

Air Menzies International (India) Private Ltd

India

Air Menzies International (Netherlands) B.V.

The Netherlands

Air Menzies International (NZ) Ltd

New Zealand

Air Menzies International (USA), Inc.

United States

Air Menzies International Holding (NZ) Ltd

New Zealand

Air Menzies International Ltd

United Kingdom

Air Menzies International SA Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

Airbase Flight Support Ltd

Airbase Flight Support Ltd

Airport Handling Services Srl

Airports Bureau Systems Ltd

AMI Ocean Ltd

AU Logistics Ltd

Australian AirSupport Pty Ltd

Aviation Service Leader (Chile) S.A.

Isle of Man

United Kingdom

Romania

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Australia

Chile

BP Travel Marketing Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Cargo 2000 Ltd

United Kingdom

Cargosave Ltd

United Kingdom

Chester Independent Wholesale  
Newsagents Ltd

United Kingdom

13 8  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Unit 12, Discovery Cove, 1801 Botany Road,
Banksmeadow NSW 2019

New Agents Road, Unit 6, Air Cargo Centre,
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Cargo Terminal 1,
Kempegowda International Airport,
Bangalore 560300

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

c/o Buddle Findlay, Level 18, PwC Tower,
188 Quay Street, Auckland 1140

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

c/o Buddle Findlay, Level 18, PwC Tower,
188 Quay Street, Auckland 1140

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Unit 3 Aviation Park, 17 Pomona Road,
Kempton Park, Johannesburg

66 Athol Street, Douglas IM1 1JE

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Calea Aeroportului 4, Arad

Windmill House, 91-93 Windmill Road,
Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 7EF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Est. Arturo Alessandri, Amunategui 277, 3F,
Santiago

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (65%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSubsidiary undertaking

Cranford Forwarders Bond Ltd

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

Czech GH s.r.o.

DNDS Ltd

Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment Ltd 

United Kingdom

Elmdon Cargo Handling Ltd

United Kingdom

Express Handling (Scotland) Ltd

United Kingdom

FMD Ltd

United Kingdom

Fore Retail Consultancy Ltd

United Kingdom

Heathrow Aviation Services Ltd

United Kingdom

HO/Menzies Investimentos & Transportes 
Investments Limitada

Macau

James Waddell & Company Ltd

United Kingdom

JEM Education Direct Ltd

United Kingdom

JM Nominees Ltd

United Kingdom

JM Secretaries Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies (108) Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies (Birmingham) Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies (Edinburgh) Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies (GB) Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies Corporate Services Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies Digital Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies Distribution Ltd

United Kingdom

Registered address

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

 K Letisti 1049/57, 161 00 Prague 6

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Unit 1 Griffin Business Park, Walmer Way,
Birmingham B37 7UX

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Avenida da Praia Grande 665,
Edificio Great Will

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Direct

139

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONL IST O F A L L SUBSID I A RY, J O IN T V EN T URE A ND   
A SSO CI ATE UNDERTA K IN GS CO N T INUED

Subsidiary undertaking

John Menzies Finance Ltd

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

Registered address

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

John Menzies Holding GmbH

Germany

Rechtsanwaelte Hoelters & Elsing,
Immermannstrasse 40, 40210 Dusseldorf

John Menzies International Ltd

United Kingdom

John Menzies USA Holdings, Inc.

John Menzies USA, Inc.

United States

United States

Jones, Yarrell & Co. Ltd

United Kingdom

Jones Yarrell Leadenhall Ltd

United Kingdom

Leisure Target Tourism Services Ltd

United Kingdom

London Cargo Group Ltd

United Kingdom

London Cargo Handling Ltd

United Kingdom

London Cargo Imports Ltd

United Kingdom

Lonsdale Universal Ltd

United Kingdom

Lonsdale Universal Trustees Ltd

United Kingdom

Luton Ramp Ltd

United Kingdom

Luton Services Ltd

United Kingdom

MA Secretaries Ltd

United Kingdom

MAG Nominees Ltd

United Kingdom

Magazine Solutions Ltd

United Kingdom

Mancargo Ltd

United Kingdom

Manchester Cargo Centre Ltd

United Kingdom

Manchester Handling Ltd

United Kingdom

MASCARGO (Macau) Company Ltd

Macau

14 0  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Avenida da Praia Grande 665,
Edificio Great Will

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSubsidiary undertaking

MCS Trustee Ltd

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

Media on the Move Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation – Portugal – Servicos De 
Carga, Unipessoal, LDA

Menzies Aviation (Africa) Pty Ltd

Portugal

South Africa

Registered address

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Avenida Antonio Augusto de Aguiar,
No. 183, R/C Dto., 1050-014 Lisbon

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Menzies Aviation (Asia Pacific) Ltd

British Virgin Islands  

Newhaven Corporate Services (BVI) Limited,
3rd Floor, Omar Hodge Building, Wickhams Cay I,
PO Box 362, Road Town, Tortola

Menzies Aviation (Australia) Pty Ltd

Australia

Menzies Aviation (Aviation) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (Brasil) Ltda

Menzies Aviation (Canada) Ltd

Brazil

Canada

Menzies Aviation (Cargo) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (Chengdu) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (Czech) s.r.o.

Menzies Aviation (DEL), Inc.

Czech Republic

United States

Menzies Aviation (Denmark) A/S

Denmark

Menzies Aviation (Dominicana) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (EMEA) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (EMEA) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (FR9) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (France) SAS

France

Menzies Aviation (Freighter Handling) B.V.

The Netherlands

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

Avenida Nove de Julho no. 4865, 5 Andar,
Conjunto 51, Sala A, Sao Paulo

6500 Silver Dart Drive, Suite 257,
Mississauga, Ontario L5P 1B2

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

K Letisti 1049/57, 161 00 Prague 6

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Copenhagen Airport, Terminal 2,
Lufthavnsboulevarden 6, 2770 Kastrup

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Luna Arena, Herikerbergweg 238,
1101 CM Amsterdam

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

Aeroport Toulouse Blagnac, Hall C, 
31700 Blagnac

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

Menzies Aviation (Ground Services)  
Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Menzies Aviation (Handling) Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Indirect (65%)

Menzies Aviation (Hungary) Kft

Hungary

Liszt Ferenc Nemzetkozi Repuloter,
Repules Oktatasi Kozpont, 17, sz
H-1185 Budapest

Menzies Aviation (Ibérica) S.A.

Menzies Aviation (India) Private Ltd

Menzies Aviation (Italy) srl

Menzies Aviation (LCC) B.V.

Spain

India

Calle Nunez Morgado 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Plot No-C-04 L, Cargo Terminal-1,
Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli,
Bangalore 560300

Italy

Via Cappuccini 4, 20122 Milan

The Netherlands

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol 

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

141

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONL IST O F A L L SUBSID I A RY, J O IN T V EN T URE A ND   
A SSO CI ATE UNDERTA K IN GS CO N T INUED

Subsidiary undertaking

Menzies Aviation (Lounge) B.V.

Country of incorporation

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (Luton) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Registered address

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 311, MZ 26 Lote
03-01 Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio
C.P. 77560, Cancun, Quintana Roo

Menzies Aviation (Mumbai) Passenger Ltd

Mauritius

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 24 Cybercity, Ebene

Menzies Aviation (Namibia) Proprietary Ltd

Namibia Bougain Villas, 78 Sam Mujoma Drive, Windhoek

Menzies Aviation (New Zealand) Ltd

New Zealand

Menzies Aviation (NL) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (Oslo) AS

Menzies Aviation (Poland) Sp. z o.o.

Menzies Aviation (Romania) S.A.

Norway

Poland

Romania

Menzies Aviation (Santo Domingo) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (Schiphol) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (South Africa) (Cargo) 
Proprietary Ltd

Menzies Aviation (South Africa) (Cleaning) 
Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

South Africa

Menzies Aviation (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

South Africa

George Bolt Memorial Drive,
Auckland Airport, Auckland 2022

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Sigrid Undsets plass, Terminalen,
2060 Gardermoen, 0235 Ullensaker

 ul. Sienna 72/3, 00-833 Warsaw

Henri-Coanda International Airport, Calea
Bucurestilor no 224E, Otopeni City, Ilfov

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Luna Arena, Herikerbergweg 238, 
1101 CM Amsterdam

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

Menzies Aviation (Stockholm) AB

Sweden

Box 197, SE 190-45, Stockholm, Arlanda

Menzies Aviation (Support Services) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (Support) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (Sverige) AB

Menzies Aviation (Sweden) AB

Menzies Aviation (Texas), Inc.

Sweden

Sweden

United States

Menzies Aviation (UK) Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation (USA), Inc.

United States

Menzies Aviation (Venezuela) S.A.

Venezuela

Menzies Aviation (Washington), Inc.

United States

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

Box 197, SE 190-45, Stockholm, Arlanda

Box 51, 230 32 Malmo, Sturup

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Aeropuerto Internacional Simon Bolivar,
Nivel 1, Sector 1, Maiquetia

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Menzies Aviation (Windhoek Lounge) (Pty) Ltd

Namibia Bougain Villas, 78 Sam Mujoma Drive, Windhoek

Menzies Aviation Alicante UTE

Menzies Aviation Almeria UTE

Menzies Aviation Bermuda Ltd

Spain

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Bermuda Thistle House, 4 Burnaby Street, Hamilton HM 11

Menzies Aviation Cargo (Bangalore) Ltd

Mauritius

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 24 Cybercity, Ebene

Menzies Aviation Cargo (Hyderabad) Ltd

Mauritius

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 24 Cybercity, Ebene

Menzies Aviation Cargo (Romania) S.R.L.

Romania

Henri-Coanda International Airport, Calea
Bucurestilor no 224E, Otopeni City, Ilfov

142  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (65%)

Indirect (65%)

Indirect (65%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSubsidiary undertaking

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Menzies Aviation Colombia Holdings S.A.S.

Menzies Aviation Colombia S.A.S.

Colombia

Colombia

Menzies Aviation Contracts (NL) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation Corporate Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation Denmark Lounges A/S

Denmark

Menzies Aviation Finance (USA) LLC

United States

Menzies Aviation Group (Philippines) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation Handling Ltd

United Kingdom

Carrera 7, No 71 – 21 Torre A, Oficina 602,
Bogota

Carrera 7, No 71 – 21 Torre A, Oficina 602,
Bogota

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Menzies Aviation, Copenhagen Airport,
Petersdalvej 13, 1st, 2770 Kastrup

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Luna Arena, Herikerbergweg 238, 
1101 CM Amsterdam

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Menzies Aviation Holdings (Asia Pacific) Ltd

British Virgin Islands  

Newhaven Corporate Services (BVI) Limited,
3rd Floor, Omar Hodge Building, Wickhams Cay I,
PO Box 362, Road Town, Tortola

Menzies Aviation Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd

Australia

Menzies Aviation Holdings (Brasil) Ltda

Brazil

Menzies Aviation Holdings Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation Holdings (Venezuela) S.A.

Venezuela

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Avenida Nove de Julho no. 4865, 5 Andar,
Conjunto 51, Sala A, Sao Paulo

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Aeropuerto Internacional Simon Bolivar,
Nivel 1, Sector 1, Maiquetia

Menzies Aviation Hyderabad (Passenger) Ltd

Mauritius

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 24 Cybercity, Ebene

Menzies Aviation, Inc.

United States

Menzies Aviation International Ltd

United Kingdom

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Menzies Aviation Jerez UTE

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Menzies Aviation Leasing (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 311, MZ 26 Lote
03-01 Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio
C.P. 77560, Cancun, Quintana Roo

Menzies Aviation Murcia-San Javier UTE

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Menzies Aviation plc

United Kingdom

Menzies Aviation Puerto Plata S.A.

Dominican Republic

Menzies Aviation Services (Asia Pacific) LLC

United States

Menzies Aviation Services Ltd

United Kingdom

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

7 and 8 of General Gregorio Luperon,
International Airport, Sosua, Puerto Plata

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Menzies Aviation Services SL

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Menzies Aviation Services Venezuela S.A.

Venezuela

Aeropuerto Internacional Simon Bolivar,
Nivel 1, Sector 1, Maiquetia

Menzies Aviation Spain SL

Menzies Aviation St. Maarten B.V.

Menzies Aviation Washing Denmark A/S

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Sint Maarten

Denmark

P.O. Box 2003, Princess Juliana Airport

Menzies Aviation, Copenhagen Airport,
Petersdalvej 13, 1st, 2770 Kastrup

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

14 3

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONL IST O F A L L SUBSID I A RY, J O IN T V EN T URE A ND   
A SSO CI ATE UNDERTA K IN GS CO N T INUED

Subsidiary undertaking

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Menzies Aviation Washing Oslo AS

Norway

Menzies Cargo Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Cargo Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Client Solutions (USA), Inc.

United States

Menzies Client Solutions Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Digital Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Distribution Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Express Baggage Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Group Holdings Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Marketing Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Parcels Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Security Services B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Select Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Services, Inc.

Menzies Services Ltd

United States

United Kingdom

Menzies Travel Media Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Wholesale Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies World Cargo (Ireland) Ltd

Ireland

Sigrid Undsets plass, Terminalen,
2060 Gardermoen, 0235 Ullensaker

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

First Floor, Riverside Two,
43/49 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay,
Dublin 2

Menzies World Cargo (Rotterdam) B.V.

The Netherlands

Brandenburghbaan 2b, 3045 AK Rotterdam

Menzies World Cargo Amsterdam B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies World Cargo Ltd

United Kingdom

Menzies Worldwide Distribution Ltd

United Kingdom

Anchoragelaan 50, 
1118 LE Luchthaven Schiphol

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Moose Aviation Services AB

MPF Trustee Ltd

Sweden

Box 2, 190 45 Stockholm, Arlanda

United Kingdom

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

14 4  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Direct

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSubsidiary undertaking

Oban Express Parcel Service Ltd

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

Registered address

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Ogden Aviation Services (Chile) Ltda

Chile

Est. Arturo Alessandri, Amunategui 277, 3F,
Santiago

Ogden Cargo Ltd

United Kingdom

Orbital Mailing Ltd

United Kingdom

Orbital Mailing Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Orbital Marketing Services Group Ltd

United Kingdom

Orbital Print Ltd

United Kingdom

Perth Cargo Centre Pty Ltd

PlaneBiz 2015 Ltd 

Australia

New Zealand

PMD Healthcare Marketing Services Ltd

United Kingdom

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

George Bolt Memorial Drive,
 Auckland Airport, Auckland 2022

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Princes Street (Jersey) Ltd

Project Athena (Jersey) Limited 

Reed Aviation Spain SL

Rose Street Nominees Ltd

Jersey

47 Esplanade, St Helier JE1 0BD

Jersey   Elian SPV Corporate Services (Jersey) Limited,
44 Esplanade, St Helier JE4 9WG

Spain

Calle Nunez Morgado, 6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

United Kingdom

Simplicity Ground Services, LLC

United States

Skycare Ltd

United Kingdom

Skyport Handling Ltd

United Kingdom

Skyport Handling Services Ltd

United Kingdom

Skystar Airport Services NZ Pty Ltd

New Zealand

Skystar Airport Services Pty Ltd

Australia

Southampton Airport Cargo Services Ltd

United Kingdom

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

George Bolt Memorial Drive,
 Auckland Airport, Auckland 2022

c/o Norton Rose Fullbright, Level 21,
111 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (60%)

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

145

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
L IST O F A L L SUBSID I A RY, J O IN T V EN T URE A ND   
A SSO CI ATE UNDERTA K IN GS CO N T INUED

Subsidiary undertaking

Take One Media Ltd

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

The London Cargo Centre Ltd

United Kingdom

Thistle Couriers Ltd

United Kingdom

The Menzies Group Ltd

United Kingdom

The Network (Field Marketing & Promotions) 
Company Ltd

United Kingdom

Top Attractions Ltd

United Kingdom

Wyng Group Ltd

United Kingdom

Wyng Roadflight Ltd

United Kingdom

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

2 World Business Centre Heathrow,
Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport,
Hounslow TW6 2SF

Joint venture or associate undertaking

Country of incorporation

AMI Asia HK Ltd

Hong Kong

Room 1403, Causeway Commercial Building,
3 Sugar Street, Causeway Bay

EM News Distribution (Ireland) Ltd 

Ireland

80 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1

EM News Distribution (NI) Ltd

United Kingdom

11 Airport Road West, Belfast BT3 9JZ

Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Ltd

Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) Private Ltd

Menzies Bobba Ground Handling Services 
Private Ltd

Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd

Swissport Menzies Handling PMR UTE

India

India

Air Cargo Terminal, Rajiv Gandhi International
Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad 500409

Plot No-C-04L, Cargo Terminal-1,
Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli,
Bangalore 560300

India H.No.6-3-345/1/2, Flat No. 102, Apurupa Classic,
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034

Avenido de Aeroporto, Edificio Airport 
Logistic Business Centre, 1 andar, sala 52, Taipa

Macau

Spain

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct or indirect
holding (100% unless
otherwise stated)

Indirect (50%)

Indirect (50%)

Indirect (50%)

Indirect (49%); 100%
of preference shares

Indirect (49%); 100%
of preference shares

Indirect (51%)

Indirect (29%)

Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd

United Kingdom

Avenida Central 25, 28042 Madrid 

Indirect (19.5%)

Unit 1 Griffin Business Park, Walmer Way,
Birmingham B37 7UX

Indirect (50%)

Zaankracht Uitzendbureau Schipol B.V. 

The Netherlands

Stationsplein 979, 1117 CE Schiphol

Indirect (30%)

14 6  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTICE OF ANNUAL   
GENER AL MEETING

This document is important and 
requires your immediate attention. 
If you are in any doubt about what 
action you should take you are 
recommended to consult your 
independent financial adviser 
authorised under the Financial 
Services and Markets Act 2000 or, if 
outside the UK, another appropriately 
authorised financial adviser. If you 
have sold or transferred all of your 
ordinary shares in John Menzies plc, 
you should forward this document, 
together with accompanying 
documents, to the purchaser or 
transferee or to the stockbroker, 
bank or other agent through whom 
the sale or transfer was effected, 
for transmission to the purchaser 
or transferee.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual 
General Meeting of John Menzies plc 
(the “Company”) will be held in the 
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The 
Caledonian, Princes Street, Edinburgh, 
EH1 2AB on Friday 12 May 2017 at 
2:00pm (the “Meeting”) to transact 
the following business:

O R D I N A R Y   R E S O L U T I O N S
To consider and, if thought fit, pass 
Resolutions 1-16, each of which will 
be proposed as an ordinary resolution:

1.   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S
To receive the Annual Accounts of the 
Company for the financial year ended 
31 December 2016, the Strategic 
Report and the Reports of the 
Directors and Auditor thereon.

2 .   R E M U N E R AT I O N   R E P O R T
To approve the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration (excluding the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy) as 
set out in the Annual Report and 
Accounts for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2016.

3 .   R E M U N E R AT I O N   P O L I C Y
To approve the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy as set out in the Annual Report 
and Accounts for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2016.

4 .   D I V I D E N D
To declare a final dividend of 13.1 pence 
per ordinary share in the Company 
for the financial year ended 
31 December 2016.

5 -13 .   E L E C T I O N   A N D   
R E - E L E C T I O N   O F  D I R E C T O R S
5.  To elect Dermot Smurfit as 
a director of the Company.

6.  To elect Giles Wilson as a director 

of the Company.

7.  To elect Paul Baines as a director 

of the Company.

8.  To elect John Geddes as a director 

of the Company.

9.  To re-elect Forsyth Black as 
a director of the Company.

10. To re-elect Geoff Eaton as  
a director of the Company.

11.  To re-elect Silla Maizey as a director 

of the Company.

12. To re-elect Dermot Jenkinson as 

a director of the Company.

13. To re-elect David Garman as 
a director of the Company.

14 .   R E - A P P O I N T M E N T 
O F  A U D I T O R
To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as 
the Company’s auditor to hold office 
from the conclusion of this Meeting 
until the conclusion of the next 
general meeting at which Annual 
Accounts are laid before the Company.

15 .   R E M U N E R AT I O N   O F  A U D I T O R
To authorise the directors of the 
Company to fix the remuneration 
of the Company’s auditor.

16 .   A U T H O R I T Y   T O 
A L L O T S H A R E S
That the directors of the Company 
(the “Directors”) be and are hereby 
generally and unconditionally 
authorised, pursuant to section 551 
of the Companies Act 2006 (the 
“2006 Act”), to exercise all powers 
of the Company to allot shares in 
the Company and to grant rights 
to subscribe for, or to convert any 
security into, shares in the Company, 
such rights and shares together being 
“relevant securities”:

(a) otherwise than pursuant to 

paragraph (b) below, up to an 
aggregate nominal amount of 
£6,970,709 (such amount to be 
reduced by the aggregate nominal 
amount of any equity securities (as 
defined by section 560 of the 2006 
Act) allotted under paragraph (b) 
below in excess of £6,970,709); and

(b) comprising equity securities up to 
an aggregate nominal amount of 
£13,941,418 (such amount to be 
reduced by the nominal amount 
of any relevant securities allotted 
under paragraph (a) above) in 
connection with an offer by way 
of a rights issue to: (i) holders of 
ordinary shares in the capital of the 
Company in proportion (as nearly 
as may be practicable) to their 
respective holdings; and (ii) holders 
of equity securities in the capital 
of the Company as required by 
the rights of those securities or as 
the Directors otherwise consider 
necessary, but subject to such 
exclusions or other arrangements 
as the Directors may deem 
necessary or expedient to deal 
with treasury shares, fractional 
entitlements, record dates, legal 
or practical problems arising under 
the laws of any overseas territory or 
the requirements of any regulatory 
body or stock exchange or by virtue 
of shares being represented 
by depository receipts or any 
other matter;

147

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
N OTI CE O F A NNUA L   
G ENER A L MEE TIN G CO N TINUED

and provided that (unless previously 
renewed, varied or revoked) this 
authority shall expire at the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company or, if earlier, the close of 
business on 30 June 2018 save that 
the Company shall be entitled to make 
offers or agreements before the expiry 
of such authority which would or 
might require relevant securities to 
be allotted after such expiry and the 
Directors shall be entitled to allot 
relevant securities pursuant to any 
such offer or agreement as if the 
authority conferred hereby had not 
expired. This authority is in substitution 
for and to the exclusion of all 
unexercised existing authorities 
previously granted to the Directors 
under the 2006 Act but without 
prejudice to any allotment of shares 
or grants of rights already made, 
offered or agreed to be made 
pursuant to such authorities.

S P E C I A L   R E S O L U T I O N S
To consider, and if thought fit, pass 
Resolutions 17 – 20, each of which will 
be proposed as a special resolution:

17.   A U T H O R I T Y   T O   D I S A P P LY 
P R E - E M P T I O N   R I G H T S
That, subject to the passing of 
Resolution 16 in the Notice of Annual 
General Meeting of the Company 
dated 24 March 2017 (the “Section 551 
Resolution”), the directors of the 
Company (the “Directors”) be and are 
hereby empowered pursuant to 
section 570 and section 573 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”) 
to exercise all powers of the Company 
to allot equity securities (within the 
meaning of sections 560(1)–(3) of the 
2006 Act) wholly for cash pursuant to 
the authority conferred by the Section 
551 Resolution and/or by way of a sale 
of treasury shares as if section 561(1) of 
the 2006 Act did not apply to any such 
allotment provided that this power 
shall be limited to:

(a) the allotment of equity securities 

in connection with an offer or issue 
of equity securities (but, in the case 
of an allotment pursuant to the 
authority granted under paragraph 

(b) of the Section 551 Resolution, 
such power shall be limited to the 
allotment of equity securities in 
connection with a rights issue only) 
to: (i) the holders of ordinary shares 
in the capital of the Company in 
proportion (as nearly as may be 
practicable) to their respective 
holdings; and (ii) the holders of 
equity securities in the capital of 
the Company as required by the 
rights of those securities or as the 
Directors otherwise consider 
necessary, but subject to such 
exclusions or other arrangements 
as the Directors may deem 
necessary or expedient to deal 
with treasury shares, fractional 
entitlements, record dates, legal or 
practical problems arising under 
the laws of any overseas territory or 
the requirements of any regulatory 
body or stock exchange or by virtue 
of shares being represented by 
depository receipts or any other 
matter; and

(b) the allotment pursuant to the 

authority granted by paragraph 
(a) of the Section 551 Resolution 
(otherwise than pursuant to 
paragraph (a) of this Resolution 17) 
to any person or persons of equity 
securities up to an aggregate 
nominal amount of £1,045,606, 
representing approximately 5% 
of the issued ordinary share capital 
of the Company as at 24 March 2017;

and provided that (unless previously 
renewed, varied or revoked) this power 
shall expire at the conclusion of the 
next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company or, if earlier, at the close of 
business on 30 June 2018 save that 
the Company shall be entitled to make 
offers or agreements before the expiry 
of such power which would or might 
require equity securities to be allotted 
after such expiry and the Directors 
shall be entitled to allot equity 
securities pursuant to any such offer 
or agreement as if the power conferred 
hereby had not expired. This power is 
in substitution for and to the exclusion 
of all unexercised existing powers 

previously granted to the Directors 
under sections 570 and 573 of the 
2006 Act but without prejudice to any 
allotment of equity securities already 
made or agreed to be made pursuant 
to such powers.

The Board confirms that, in 
accordance with the Pre-Emption 
Group’s Statement of Principles (“PEG 
Principles”), it does not intend to issue 
shares for cash representing more 
than 7.5% of the Company’s issued 
ordinary share capital in any rolling 
three year period to those who are not 
existing shareholders without prior 
consultation with shareholders.

18 .   P U R C H A S E   O F   O W N 
O R D I N A R Y   S H A R E S   B Y 
T H E C O M PA N Y
That the Company be and is hereby 
authorised pursuant to section 701 of 
the Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 
Act”) to make market purchases 
(within the meaning of section 693(4) 
of the 2006 Act) of its own ordinary 
shares of 25p each (“Ordinary 
Shares”), on such terms and in such 
manner as the directors of the 
Company may from time to time 
determine, provided that:

(a) the maximum number of Ordinary 
Shares hereby authorised to be 
purchased is 8,364,852, 
representing approximately 10% 
of the issued ordinary share capital 
of the Company as at 24 March 2017; 

(b) the maximum price which may be 
paid for each such Ordinary Share 
under this authority shall be the 
higher of: 

(i)  an amount equal to 105% of the 
average of the middle market 
quotations for any such Ordinary 
Share as derived from the 
London Stock Exchange Daily 
Official List for the five business 
days immediately prior to the 
date of conclusion of the contract 
for any such purchase; and 

(ii) the amount stipulated by Article 
5(1) of the EU Buy-back and 
Stabilisation Regulation 2003 

14 8  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION2 0 .   L E N G T H   O F   N O T I C E 
O F  M E E T I N G
That a general meeting of the 
Company, other than an annual 
general meeting, may be called 
on not less than fourteen clear 
days’ notice.

By order of the Board of Directors

John Geddes
Company Secretary
24 March 2017

(being the higher of the price 
of the last independent trade 
and the highest current 
independent bid for an Ordinary 
Share on the trading venues 
where the market purchases by 
the Company pursuant to the 
authority conferred by this 
Resolution 18 will be carried out), 
and the minimum price which 
may be paid for any such 
Ordinary Share is 25p, in each 
case exclusive of the expenses 
of purchase (if any) payable by 
the Company; and 

(c) the authority hereby conferred shall 
expire (unless previously renewed, 
varied or revoked) at the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting 
of the Company or, if earlier, the 
close of business on 30 June 2018 
except in relation to the purchase 
of Ordinary Shares for which a 
contract was concluded before 
the authority expired and which 
might or will be executed wholly 
or partly after its expiration and 
the Company may make such 
a purchase in pursuance of such 
contract as if the authority hereby 
conferred had not expired.

19.   P U R C H A S E   O F   O W N 
P R E F E R E N C E   S H A R E S   B Y 
T H E C O M PA N Y
That the Company be and is hereby 
authorised pursuant to section 701 of 
the Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 
Act”) to make market purchases 
(within the meaning of section 693(4) 
of the 2006 Act) of its own 9% 
cumulative preference shares 
of £1 each (“Preference Shares”), 
on such terms and in such manner 
as the directors of the Company 
may from time to time determine, 
provided that:

(a) the maximum number of 
Preference Shares hereby 
authorised to be purchased is 
1,394,587, representing 100% of the 
issued Preference Share capital of 
the Company as at 24 March 2017;

(b) the maximum price which may 

be paid for each such Preference 
Share under this authority shall 
be the higher of: 

(i)  an amount equal to 110% of the 
average of the middle market 
quotations for any such 
Preference Share as derived 
from the London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List 
for the five business days 
immediately prior to the date 
of conclusion of the contract for 
any such purchase; and 

(ii) the amount stipulated by Article 
5(1) of the EU Buy-back and 
Stabilisation Regulation 2003 
(being the higher of the price of 
the last independent trade and 
the highest current independent 
bid for a Preference Share on the 
trading venues where the market 
purchases by the Company 
pursuant to the authority 
conferred by this Resolution 19 
will be carried out), and the 
minimum price which may be 
paid for any such Preference 
Share is £1, in each case 
exclusive of the expenses of 
purchase (if any) payable by 
the Company; and

(c) the authority hereby conferred shall 
expire (unless previously renewed, 
varied or revoked) at the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting 
of the Company or, if earlier, the 
close of business on 30 June 2018, 
except in relation to the purchase 
of Preference Shares for which a 
contract was concluded before 
the authority expired and which 
might or will be executed wholly 
or partly after its expiration and 
the Company may make such 
a purchase in pursuance of such 
contract as if the authority hereby 
conferred had not expired.

149

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONN OTI CE O F A NNUA L   
G ENER A L MEE TIN G CO N TINUED

E X P L A N AT O R Y   N O T E S
The following information provides 
additional background information to 
several of the proposed Resolutions:

R E S O L U T I O N S   2   A N D   3: 
R E M U N E R AT I O N   R E P O R T 
A N D  P O L I C Y
In accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 
Act”), the Company’s Report on 
Directors’ Remuneration (excluding 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy) 
will be put to an annual shareholder 
vote by ordinary resolution. This vote is 
advisory in nature and is in respect of 
the overall remuneration package 
which is in place for directors of the 
Company (the “Directors”) – it is 
not specific to individual levels of 
remuneration nor is the entitlement of 
a Director to remuneration conditional 
on the vote being passed.

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
is, however, subject to a binding 
shareholder vote by ordinary resolution 
at least every three years. As this was 
last approved at the Company’s annual 
general meeting (“AGM”) in May 2014, 
the Company is seeking shareholder 
approval in respect of the proposed 
new Directors’ Remuneration Policy, 
which sets out the Company’s  
forward-looking policy on Directors’ 
remuneration, at the forthcoming AGM. 
Further details of the proposed new 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy are set 
out on pages 60 to 68 of the Annual 
Report and Accounts 2016. If approved 
by shareholders, it will take immediate 
binding effect and, as is currently the 
case, the Company will be unable to 
make a remuneration payment to a 
current or prospective Director or a 
payment for loss of office to a current 
or past Director, unless such payment 
is consistent with the Policy or has 
been approved by a resolution of the 
Company’s shareholders. 

R E S O L U T I O N S   5 –13:   E L E C T I O N 
A N D   R E - E L E C T I O N   O F 
D I R E C T O R S
Biographical details of the Directors to 
be elected or re-elected, as is the case, 
at this year’s AGM can be found on 
pages 44 and 45 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016. Dermot Smurfit, 
Giles Wilson, Paul Baines and John 
Geddes, having been appointed as 
Directors since last year’s AGM, will 
stand for election in accordance with 
the Company’s Articles of Association 
and, in accordance with the principles 
of good governance set out in the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, all other 
Directors who will continue following 
the AGM will seek re-election.

In proposing the election or  
re-election, as is the case, of the 
Directors, the Chairman has 
confirmed that, following rigorous 
internal performance evaluations 
(described on pages 49 and 50 of the 
Annual Report and Accounts 2016), 
each individual continues to make an 
effective and valuable contribution 
to the Board and demonstrates 
commitment to their role.

R E S O L U T I O N S   16   A N D   17: 
A U T H O R I T Y   T O   A L L O T 
S H A R E S A N D   D I S A P P LY   
P R E - E M P T I O N   R I G H T S
The Investment Management 
Association’s Share Capital 
Management Guidelines (the “IMA 
Guidelines”) and the PEG Principles 
permit, and regard as routine, an 
authority to allot up to two-thirds of 
a company’s existing issued share 
capital. They provide that any amount 
in excess of one-third of a company’s 
issued share capital should only 
be applied to fully pre-emptive 
rights issues.

At the Company’s AGM in May 2016, 
the Directors were given authority to 
allot shares in the capital of the 
Company up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £10,283,856, representing 
approximately two-thirds of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share 
capital as at 1 April 2016. At a general 
meeting of the Company held on 11 
October 2016, the Directors were given 
an additional specific authority to allot 
shares in the capital of the Company 
in connection with a rights issue up to 
an aggregate nominal amount of 
£3,654,567. To the extent not 
previously utilised, these authorities 
are due to expire at the end of this 
year’s AGM. 

It is considered appropriate that the 
Directors again be granted authority 
to allot shares in the capital of the 
Company up to a maximum nominal 
amount of £13,941,418, which amount 
represents approximately two-thirds 
of the Company’s issued ordinary 
share capital as at 24 March 2017 and 
thus complies with the IMA Guidelines 
and PEG Principles. Accordingly, 
27,882,836 ordinary shares of 
£0.25 each (the “Ordinary Shares”), 
representing approximately one-third 
of the Company’s issued ordinary 
share capital, may be allotted pursuant 
to a fully pre-emptive rights issue.

The authority sought by Resolution 16 
will last until the conclusion of the next 
AGM of the Company or, if earlier, the 
close of business on 30 June 2018. The 
Directors have no present intention of 
exercising this authority, although 
they have confirmed that should the 
power authorised in Resolution 16 be 
utilised then all Directors would stand 
for re-election at the next AGM (as 
they currently do in accordance with 
the principles of good governance).

15 0  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONAs at 24 March 2017, the Company 
held 310,338 of its Ordinary Shares 
in Treasury. 

Resolution 17 will, if passed, give 
the Directors power, pursuant 
to the authority to allot granted 
under Resolution 16, to allot equity 
securities (as defined in sections 
560(1)–(3) of the 2006 Act) or sell 
treasury shares for cash on a non 
pre-emptive basis without first 
offering them to existing shareholders 
of the Company in proportion to their 
existing shareholdings in limited 
circumstances. This power will permit 
the Directors to allot equity securities:

(a) in relation to a pre-emptive rights 
issue only, up to a maximum 
nominal amount of £13,941,418 
(representing approximately 
two-thirds of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as 
at 24 March 2017); and

(b) in any other case, up to a maximum 

nominal value of £1,045,606, 
representing approximately 5% of 
the issued ordinary share capital of 
the Company as at 24 March 2017 
(the latest practicable date prior to 
publication of this Notice of AGM), 
otherwise than in connection with 
an offer to existing shareholders of 
the Company.

The Directors have no present 
intention of exercising this power. 
Were the Board to exercise this power, 
it confirms that it will make disclosures 
in the announcement regarding the 
issue, and in the subsequent annual 
report, such as those contemplated 
in the Pre-Emption Group Guidance 
issued in May 2016. The power, if 
granted, will expire at the conclusion 
of the next AGM of the Company or, 
if earlier, the close of business on 
30 June 2018.

R E S O L U T I O N S   18   A N D   
19 :   A U T H O R I T Y   T O   
B U Y- B A C K   S H A R E S
These special resolutions give the 
Company authority to make market 
purchases of its Ordinary Shares and 
9% cumulative preference shares (the 
“Preference Shares”) in the market, 
as permitted by the 2006 Act. The 
authorities set the minimum and 
maximum prices and limit the number 
of Ordinary Shares that can be 
purchased to 8,364,852 (representing 
approximately 10% of the issued 
Ordinary Shares as at 24 March 2017) 
and the number of Preference Shares 
to 1,394,587 (representing 100% of 
the issued Preference Shares as at 
24 March 2017).

The authorities, if granted, will expire 
at the conclusion of the next AGM 
of the Company or, if earlier, the close 
of business on 30 June 2018. The 
Directors have no present intention 
of exercising the authority to purchase 
the Preference Shares but will keep 
the matter under review, taking into 
account the financial resources of the 
Company, the Company’s share price 
and future funding opportunities. The 
authority would only be exercised if the 
Directors believed that to do so would 
result in an increase in earnings per 
share and would be in the interests of 
the Company’s shareholders generally.

As at 24 March 2017, the Company held 
310,338 Ordinary Shares in Treasury. 
The Company may make purchases 
of its Ordinary Shares, taking into 
account the financial resources of the 
Company, the Company’s share price 
and future funding opportunities. 
No voting rights attach to Ordinary 
Shares whilst held in Treasury nor 
are dividends payable on them. The 
authority sought under Resolution 18 
will only be exercised if the Directors 
believe that to do so would result in 
an increase in earnings per share 
and would be in the interests of the 
Company’s shareholders generally. 

Any purchase of Ordinary Shares 
would be by means of market 
purchase through the London 
Stock Exchange.

R E S O L U T I O N   2 0 :   L E N G T H 
O F N O T I C E   O F   M E E T I N G
Before the introduction of the 
Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) 
Regulations 2009 (the “Regulations”), 
the minimum notice period permitted 
by the 2006 Act for general meetings 
(other than AGMs) was 14 clear days. 
One of the amendments made to the 
2006 Act by the Regulations was to 
increase the minimum notice period for 
general meetings of listed companies 
to 21 days, but with the ability for 
companies to reduce this period back 
to 14 days (other than for AGMs) 
provided that two conditions are met. 
The first condition is that a company 
offers a facility for shareholders to vote 
by electronic means. This condition is 
met if a company offers a facility, 
accessible to all shareholders, to 
appoint a proxy by means of a website. 
The second condition is that there is 
an annual resolution of shareholders 
approving the reduction of the 
minimum notice period from 21 clear 
days to 14 clear days. The Directors 
have confirmed that they will only use 
the shorter notice period in limited 
circumstances where the proposal 
in question is time-sensitive and 
the short notice would clearly be to 
the advantage of the Company’s 
shareholders as a whole.

Resolution 20 is therefore proposed as 
a special resolution which would be 
effective until the Company’s next 
AGM when it would be intended to 
propose that the approval be renewed.

151

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONN OTI CE O F A NNUA L   
G ENER A L MEE TIN G CO N TINUED

R E C O M M E N D AT I O N
The Directors consider that all these 
Resolutions are in the best interests of 
the Company and its shareholders as 
a whole and are most likely to promote 
the success of the Company. 
Accordingly, they unanimously 
recommend that you vote in favour 
of all the proposed Resolutions.

N O T E S   T O   T H E   N O T I C E   O F   A G M
1.  Information about the AGM is 
available from the Company’s 
website: www.johnmenziesplc.com.

2.  As a shareholder, you are entitled 
to appoint one or more proxies to 
exercise all or any of your rights to 
attend, speak and vote at the AGM. 
A proxy need not be a shareholder 
of the Company. You may appoint 
more than one proxy provided each 
proxy is appointed to exercise rights 
attached to different shares. 
You may not appoint more than 
one proxy to exercise the rights 
attached to any one share.

3.  A Form of Proxy is enclosed. To be 
valid, your Form of Proxy and any 
power of attorney or other authority,  
if any, under which it is signed or a 
notarially certified copy of that power 
of attorney or authority should be 
sent to Computershare Investor 
Services (“Computershare”) at The 
Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol 
BS99 6ZY so as to arrive no later than 
48 hours before the commencement 
of the AGM. No amendments to, or 
submission or withdrawal of, any 
Form of Proxy shall be effective if 
lodged with Computershare less 
than 48 hours before the time 
appointed for the holding of the 
AGM or any adjourned meeting.

4.  It is possible for you to submit 

your proxy votes online. Further 
information on this service can be 
found on your Form of Proxy or, 
if you receive communications 
electronically, voting information 
will be contained within your 
email broadcast. 

5.  If you appoint a proxy, this will not 

prevent you attending the AGM and 
voting in person if you wish to do so.

6.  The right to vote at the AGM is 
determined by reference to the 
Company’s Register of Members 
as at the close of business on 
Wednesday 10 May 2017 or, if the 
AGM is adjourned, at 5:00pm on 
the day two days prior to the 
adjourned meeting. Changes to 
entries on the Register of Members 
after that time shall be disregarded 
in determining the rights of any 
shareholder to attend and vote at 
the AGM. 

7.  As a shareholder, you have the right 
to put questions at the AGM relating 
to the business being dealt with at 
the AGM.

8.  Any person to whom this notice is 
sent who is a person nominated 
under section 146 of the 2006 Act 
to enjoy information rights (a 
“Nominated Person”) may, under 
an agreement between them and 
the shareholder by whom they were 
nominated, have a right to be 
appointed (or to have someone else 
appointed) as a proxy for the AGM. 
If a Nominated Person has no such 
proxy appointment right or does 
not wish to exercise it, they may, 
under any such agreement, have 
a right to give instructions to the 
shareholder as to the exercise 
of voting rights.

9.  The statement of the rights of 
shareholders in relation to the 
appointment of proxies in Notes 2, 
3 and 4 above does not apply to 
Nominated Persons. The rights 
described in these paragraphs can 
only be exercised by shareholders 
of the Company.

10. As at 24 March 2017, the issued 
ordinary share capital of the 
Company comprised 83,648,528 
Ordinary Shares and the Company 
held 310,338 of these Ordinary 
Shares in Treasury. Each Ordinary 
Share carries the right to one vote 
at a general meeting of the 

Company and, therefore, the total 
number of voting rights in the 
Company as at 24 March 2017 
is 83,338,190.

11.  CREST members who wish to 

appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising 
the CREST electronic proxy 
appointment service may do so for 
the AGM and any adjournment(s) 
thereof by utilising the procedures 
described in the CREST Manual. 
CREST personal members or other 
CREST sponsored members, and 
those CREST members who have 
appointed a voting service 
provider(s), should refer to their 
CREST sponsor or voting service 
provider(s), who will be able to take 
the appropriate action on their behalf.

12. In order for a proxy appointment 
made by means of CREST to be 
valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a “CREST Proxy 
Instruction”) must be properly 
authenticated in accordance with 
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s 
specifications and must contain 
the information required for such 
instructions, as described in the 
CREST Manual. The message must 
be transmitted so as to be received 
by the issuer’s agent (ID 3RA50) so 
as to arrive no later than 48 hours 
before the commencement of the 
AGM or any adjourned meeting. 
For this purpose, the time of receipt 
will be taken to be the time (as 
determined by the timestamp 
applied to the shareholder 
information message by the CREST 
Applications Host) from which the 
issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the 
message by enquiry to CREST in 
the manner prescribed by CREST.

13. CREST members and, where 

applicable, their CREST sponsors 
or voting service providers should 
note that Euroclear UK & Ireland 
Limited does not make available 
special procedures in CREST for 
any particular messages. Normal 
system timings and limitations will 
therefore apply in relation to the 
input of CREST Proxy Instructions. 

152  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONIt is the responsibility of the CREST 
member concerned to take (or, if 
the CREST member is a CREST 
personal member or sponsored 
member or has appointed a voting 
service provider(s), to procure that 
their CREST sponsor or voting 
service provider(s) take(s)) such 
action as shall be necessary 
to ensure that a message is 
transmitted by means of the 
CREST system by any particular 
time. In this connection, CREST 
members and, where applicable, 
their CREST sponsors or voting 
service providers are referred, 
in particular, to those sections of 
the CREST Manual concerning 
practical limitations of the CREST 
system and timings.

14. The Company may treat as 

invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction 
in the circumstances set out 
in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the 
Uncertificated Securities 
Regulations 2001.

15. Under section 338 of the 2006 Act, 

shareholders may require the 
Company to give, to shareholders of 
the Company entitled to receive this 
Notice of AGM, notice of a resolution 
which may properly be moved and is 
intended to be moved at the AGM. 
Under section 338A of the 2006 Act, 
shareholders may request the 
Company to include in the business 
to be dealt with at the AGM any 
matter (other than a proposed 
resolution) which may properly 
be included in the business. 

annual accounts and reports were 
laid in accordance with section 437 
of the 2006 Act. The Company 
may not require the shareholder 
requesting any such website 
publication to pay its expenses 
in complying with sections 527 
or 528 of the 2006 Act. Where the 
Company is required to place 
a statement on a website under 
section 527 of the 2006 Act, it must 
forward the statement to the 
Company’s auditor not later than 
the time when it makes the 
statement available on the website. 
The business which may be dealt 
with at the AGM includes any 
statement that the Company has 
been required to publish on a 
website under section 527 of the 
2006 Act.

17.  You may not use any electronic 
address provided either in this 
Notice of AGM or any related 
documents to communicate with 
the Company for any purpose other 
than as expressly stated.

D O C U M E N T S
The following documents will be 
available for inspection during usual 
business hours on any day (except 
Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays) 
from the date of sending this Notice 
of AGM up to and including the date 
of the AGM at the registered office of 
the Company and at the offices of the 
Company’s solicitors, Maclay Murray 
& Spens LLP, at One London Wall, 
London EC2Y 5AB: 

(a) copies of the Directors’ service 

16. It is possible that, pursuant to 

contracts with the Company; and

requests made by shareholders of 
the Company under section 527 of 
the 2006 Act, the Company may be 
required to publish on a website a 
statement setting out any matter 
relating to: (i) the audit of the 
Company’s accounts (including the 
auditor’s report and the conduct of 
the audit) that are to be laid before 
the AGM: or (ii) any circumstances 
connected with an auditor of the 
Company ceasing to hold office 
since the previous meeting at which 

(b) the terms of appointment of the 
Non-Executive Directors of 
the Company.

On the date of the AGM, these 
documents will be available for 
inspection at the venue of the AGM 
from 12 noon until the conclusion 
of the AGM.

153

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONSH A REH O L DER INFO R M AT IO N

GENER AL   
INFORM ATION

I N T E R N E T
The Company operates a 
website which can be found at 
www. johnmenziesplc.com. This site is 
regularly updated to provide you with 
information about the Company and 
its Operating Divisions. In particular, 
all of the Company’s press releases 
and announcements can be found 
on this site together with copies of 
its Annual Reports and Accounts. 

J O H N   M E N Z I E S   I N V E S T O R 
R E L AT I O N S   A P P
The Company has an Investor 
Relations App for iPhone and iPad 
users. The App provides users with 
the Company’s latest share price, 
regulatory and business news, 
annual/interim reports and 
presentations. The App can be 
downloaded via the Company’s 
website or by visiting your App store.

S H A R E   R E G I S T E R   A N D 
S H A R E H O L D E R   E N Q U I R I E S
Any enquiry concerning your 
shareholding should be directed 
to the Company’s Registrar, 
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
(“Computershare”), and should clearly 
state your name, address and 
Shareholder Reference Number 
(“SRN”). The contact details are 
as follows:

Telephone:  
+44 (0) 370 703 6303

Web:  
www.investorcentre.co.uk

Email:  
www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus

A N A LY S I S   O F   S H A R E H O L D I N G S
at 31 December 2016

Shareholding
 (Ordinary Shares)

1-1,000
1,001-5,000
5,001-10,000
10,001-100,000
Over 100,000

Total

Write:  
The John Menzies plc Registrar, 
Computershare Investor Services 
PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

Computershare should be notified 
promptly in writing 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.investorcentre.
co.uk. In order to register, you will 
need your SRN which you can 
find on your share certificate 
or dividend confirmation.

S H A R E   P R I C E
The current price of the Company’s 
ordinary shares of £0.25 each (the 
“Ordinary Shares”) can be viewed 
on the Company’s website at  
www.johnmenziesplc.com.

T E L E P H O N E   S H A R E 
D E A L I N G  S E R V I C E
A share dealing service has been 
arranged with Stocktrade which 
provides a simple way of buying 
or selling shares in the Company. 
To use this service you should call 
the following telephone number and 
quote reference “John Menzies plc 
dial and deal”:

Telephone:  
+44 (0) 131 240 0414

C H A R G E S
Commission for the above share 
dealing service will be at a rate of 1% 
and will be subject to a minimum fee of 
£25. Additionally, UK share purchases 
will be subject to a 0.5% stamp duty 
charge whilst a levy of £1.00 will be 
imposed by the Panel for Takeovers 
and Mergers for single trades in 
excess of £10,000. 

S E T T L E M E N T
You will be required to pay for any 
shares purchased by debit card at 
the time of the transaction. You must 
therefore ensure that you have 
sufficient cleared funds available 
in your debit card account to pay 
for the shares in full.

S H A R E G I F T
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 
No. 1052686) which specialises in 
accepting such shares as donations. 
There are no implications for UK 
Capital Gains Tax purposes (no gain or 
loss) on gifts of shares to charity and it 
is also possible to obtain income tax 
relief. If you wish to do this the details 
are as follows:

Telephone:  
+44 (0) 20 7930 3737

Web:  
www.sharegift.org

Email: 
help@sharegift.org

Number of 
shareholders

Percentage of 
shareholders

Total number of 
Ordinary Shares 
held

Percentage of 
Ordinary Shares 
held

2,962
464
67
117
81
3,691

682,608
80.25
946,504
12.57
476,571
1.82
3.17
4,117,191
2.19 77,414,021
100 83,636,895

0.82
1.13
0.57
4.92
92.56
100.00

15 4  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

P R I N C I PA L   A D V I S E R S
A U D I T O R
Ernst & Young LLP
G1, 5 George Square
Glasgow G2 1DY

C O R P O R AT E   A D V I S E R S
Numis Securities Limited
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Row
London EC4M 7LT

J O I N T   B R O K E R S
Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited
Bond Street House
14 Clifford Street
London W1S 4JU

P R I N C I PA L   B U S I N E S S   A D D R E S S E S
J O H N   M E N Z I E S   P L C
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com

M E N Z I E S   D I S T R I B U T I O N
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 131 467 8070

M E N Z I E S   AV I AT I O N
2 World Business Centre Heathrow
Newall Road
London Heathrow Airport 
Hounslow TW6 2SF
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8750 6000

PAY M E N T   O F   D I V I D E N D S
It is in the interests of both the 
Company and its shareholders for 
dividends to be paid directly into bank 
or building society accounts. Any 
shareholder who wishes to receive 
dividends in this way should contact 
Computershare to obtain a dividend 
mandate form.

9 %   C U M U L AT I V E 
P R E F E R E N C E  S H A R E S
Dividends will be paid on 1 April 2017 
and 2 October 2017.

O R D I N A R Y   S H A R E S
A final dividend of 13.1p per Ordinary 
Share was proposed by the Directors 
on 8 March 2017 and, subject to 
shareholder approval, will be paid 
on 3 July 2017 to shareholders on the 
Company’s Register of Members as 
at close of business on 26 May 2017.

Any interim dividends for the financial 
year ended 31 December 2017 will 
be paid on 17 November 2017 to 
shareholders on the Company’s 
Register of Members as at close of 
business on 20 October 2017.

I N V E S T O R   R E L AT I O N S
For any Investor Relations enquiries, 
please contact us by one of the 
following means:

Telephone:  
+44 (0) 131 225 8555

Web:  
www.johnmenziesplc.com

Email:  
investor.relations@johnmenziesplc.com

Write:  
John Menzies plc, 2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9DJ, 
marked for the attention of 
Emma Wadsworth

155

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE REPORTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSSHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONSH A REH O L DER INFO R M AT IO N

G ENER A L INFO R M ATI O N   
CO N TINUED

C O R P O R AT E   C A L E N D A R
( P R O V I S I O N A L   D AT E S )

8 March 2017
28 March 2017
1 April 2017
12 May 2017
26 May 2017
3 July 2017
15 August 2017
2 October 2017
20 October 2017
17 November 2017

Preliminary announcement of Annual Results
Annual Report and Accounts and Notice of AGM released
Payment of dividend on Preference Shares
AGM
Record date for final dividend on Ordinary Shares
Payment of final dividend on Ordinary Shares
Announcement of Interim Results
Payment of dividend on Preference Shares
Record date for interim dividend on Ordinary Shares
Payment of interim dividend on Ordinary Shares

15 6  J O HN MENZIES PLC – A NNUA L REP O RT A ND ACCO UNT S 2016

Design, consultancy and production 
www.luminous.com

J O H N   M E N Z I E S   P L C
Registered office:
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Fax: +44 (0) 131 220 1491
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com
Web: www.johnmenziesplc.com

Registered in Scotland with company number SC34970

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