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John Menzies plc

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FY2020 Annual Report · John Menzies plc
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React.
Reset.
Rebuild.

John Menzies plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2020

INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CHAIRMAN & CEO

Welcome to our Annual Report  
and Accounts 2020. 

During what continues to be an 
unprecedented period for the aviation 
industry, I am pleased to be able  
to introduce our year in review. 

In acknowledgement of this and the 
impacts experienced from COVID-19, 
we have shared details and stories 
relating to the Group’s initial response 
to protect our business and People, 
how we reset our business practices 
and focus, and how we are building 
back even better for the future. 

We look forward to 2021, proud  
of how far we’ve come since 1833. 

Philipp Joeinig
Chairman & CEO
9 March 2021

STRATEGIC REPORT 

1-71

GOVERNANCE REPORTS 

72-130

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

131-216

Highlights 

Who We Are and What We Do 

Our Purpose 

How We Responded to COVID-19 

Chairman and Chief Executive  
Officer’s Statement 

Market Review 

Business Model 

Our Strategy 

1

2

4

6

12

16

18

Chairman and Chief Exectutive Officer’s 
Introduction to Corporate Governance 

Our Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Nomination Committee Report 

Audit Committee Report 

72

76

78

89

95

Human Resources Committee Report 

100

Remuneration Committee Report 

20

Strategic Committee Report 

103

122

124

Key Performance Indicators 

21

Directors’ Report 

Business Review 

Chief Financial Officer’s Review 

Risk Management 

22

32

36

Responsible Business and Sustainability  46

Section 172 Statement 

64

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  130

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated Income Statement  

Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income  

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Statement  
of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement  
of Cash Flows  

Notes to the Consolidated  
Financial Statements 

Company Financial Statements 

Five Year Summary 

Subsidiary, Joint Venture  
and Associate Undertakings  

131

143

144

145

146

147

148

194 

201

202

SHAREHOLDER  
INFORMATION 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

General Information 

217-228

217

225

Strategic Report

IN THIS REPORT

Our purpose

React.

 Read more on page 4

 Read more on pages 6 and 7

Reset.

Rebuild.

 Read more on pages 8 and 9

 Read more on pages 10 and 11

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
•  Revenue down 37% in constant currency, with decrease in flight activity  

leading to a 49% year on year reduction in flight volumes in ground handling  
and fuel services.

•  Air cargo services more resilient and cargo forwarding business delivered  

a record performance, boosted by strong yields.

•  Revenue impact partly mitigated by significant cost management and global 

government support schemes, limiting the underlying operating loss to £18.5m 
before exceptional costs.

•  Exceptional costs of £70.2m primarily reflect costs of reshaping the cost base, 

one off costs associated with refinancing, asset write downs and the resolution  
of historical claims.

•  Underlying operating cash flow, ahead of expectations, resulted in year end  

net borrowings of £355.9m, with undrawn banking facilities and available cash  
of £141.8m.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
•   Commenced operations in Baghdad.
•  Acquisition of Royal Airport Services completed in January 2021, delivering 

ground and air cargo services at eight locations across Pakistan.

•  Five year contract signed with Wizz Air at their main hub in Budapest.
•  Significant air cargo contracts with Qatar Airways at seven locations  

on three continents.

•  Outsourcing gains from Qantas across Australia.

 View more online

Our investor site gives  
you direct access to 
further information  
about John Menzies plc:

https://menziesaviation.
com/investor-centre/

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

1

Strategic Report

WHO WE ARE

Menzies Aviation is a leading global provider of landside 
and airside services operating in 198 airports in 34 
countries, across 6 continents. Best in class safety and 
security is the number one priority each and every day. 
Menzies Aviation manages its operating locations in three 
regional segments: Americas, EMEA and Rest of World.

OPERATING LOCATION REVENUE BY REGIONAL SEGMENT

Americas

45%

EMEA 

41%

NUMBER OF STATIONS BY REGIONAL SEGMENT

Americas

108

EMEA 

65

Rest of World 

14%

Rest of World 

25

TOP 10 CUSTOMERS BY REVENUE

Air China
Air France-KLM
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
easyJet

Frontier Airlines
IAG
Qatar Airways
Southwest
United Airlines

WHAT WE DO

We operate in a range of markets that serve the 
needs of the growing Aviation Services sector. 
Our core products are: 

Ground services

Air cargo services

Air cargo travels the world every day either  
in dedicated freighter aircraft or in the holds of 
passenger aircraft. We provide an important role  
in this vital part of global logistics. We support  
our airline customers with reliable, safe, secure  
and timely handling of their cargo. These 
shipments tend to be high value and/or time 
critical. Our role includes receiving cargo, security 
screening, storing and readying it for onward 
transit. We also wholesale air cargo capacity. 

 Read more page 19

We provide frontline airport services, both above 
and below wing, ensuring passengers and aircraft 
complete journeys efficiently and on schedule.

Our services include welcoming and serving 
passengers at check-in and baggage drops, 
sorting, loading and unloading baggage, ramp 
handling services, de-icing aircraft in icy conditions, 
cleaning cabins ready for the next flight, providing 
premium experiences for travellers via executive 
lounges, VIP meet-and-greet services, and more.

Every passenger journey can have multiple seen 
and unseen interactions with Menzies and we 
always do our best to deliver safe and trusted 
service and a world-class passenger experience  
for every customer, every time.

 Read more page 18

Fuelling services

We provide into-plane fuelling services and  
fuel farm management to airlines, airports, oil 
companies and other partners across the world.

Managing the refuelling of aircraft and the 
infrastructure required to support this service,  
is a precision activity which must operate to 
exacting government and industry standards, 
including safety and environmental regulations.

 Read more page 19

2

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

3

Strategic ReportOUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is to provide 
safe and trusted aviation 
services and flexible 
solutions, serving the needs 
of our customers now and 
for the future. 

Our purpose is underpinned by our vision, ethos, 
values and strategy, which together help us achieve 
our goals and deliver value for all our stakeholders. 

OUR VISION

Our vision is to make Menzies 
Aviation the handling provider  
of choice wherever we operate  
by always being solutions oriented 
and working with our customers  
to deliver their goals safely  
and securely.

OUR ETHOS

•  People
•  Passion
•  Pride
•  Since 1833

People are at the heart of the 
company. We are passionate about 
providing great customer service 
and we take pride when a job is 
done well. Our heritage is part of 
who we are. 

  Read more about people, culture and approach  
to sustainability on pages 46 to 63

  Read more about our stakeholders on page 19

  Read more about our strategy on page 20

4

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

OUR CORE VALUES

Each core value reflects a key 
ingredient for making Menzies  
a great business. Helping us  
create and maintain an ethical  
and inclusive culture, guide our 
decisions and actions and deliver 
the best for our customers. 

   We put SAFETY and  

SECURITY first

   We are one Menzies  

TEAM – everyone matters

   We are AGILE AND 

RESPONSIVE

   We DO THE RIGHT  

THING, always

   We deliver for  

our CUSTOMERS

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

5

Strategic ReportHOW WE RESPONDED TO COVID-19

Our initial response to the COVID-19 crisis

 React.

The first signs of the impact of COVID-19 were 
seen by our team in Macau when flights from 
mainland China stopped in January. This was 
swiftly followed by widespread border closures 
and national lockdowns in Europe in February  
and around the world in March. 

Whilst some airports closed completely, others 
maintained an essential skeleton service which saw 
our colleagues assisting with a variety of services 
including repatriation flights and emergency cargo 
of personal protective equipment and medical 
personnel. Such was the demand for cargo space, 
our teams had to devise new ways to unload cargo 
packed in passenger seats.

We reacted quickly to reduce the number of 
employees in the workplace to match the levels 
of flight activity and to respond to emerging 
guidance around social distancing. At the height 
of the restrictions our headcount was half the 
level at the same point in 2019. This was achieved 
by reducing agency personnel and placing many 
permanent staff on different types of leave 

including temporary leave and government 
funded furlough schemes. The majority of our 
office based employees moved to working from 
home supported by our recent investment in 
Microsoft Teams. 

In this initial period, non-essential capital 
expenditure and discretionary spend was halted 
and all unnecessary ground service equipment 
was tracked and ‘mothballed’. New 
communication channels including an employee 
extranet were created to provide a simple way for 
our colleagues around the world to stay in touch 
with the business.

Supporting repatriation flights
In April, our team in Sydney 
welcomed the longest flight  
ever made by Austrian Airlines.  
The record-breaking flight returned 
to Austria with 280 nationals who 
had been stranded due to the 
COVID-19 outbreak. 

Supporting communities 
In March some members of our 
Oslo team swapped their Menzies 
uniforms for the Norwegian Home 
Guard uniform and supported the 
rescue and repatriation operation  
at Oslo airport.

Team leader ensuring 
accurate load 
reconciliation

Special cargo 
In April, the Menzies team in  
St. Maarten handled four special 
flights bringing mobile medical 
units sent from the Netherlands to 
help St. Maarten and St. Eustatius.

The eight units, known as 
hospitainers, come fully equipped 
with intensive care beds and were 
sent by the Dutch Ministry of 
Health, Welfare and Sport to 
supplement the capacity of the 
Caribbean islands. 

6

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

7

Strategic ReportHOW WE RESPONDED TO COVID-19 CONTINUED

How we adapted and evolved our operations

 Reset.

As air travel began to increase again over the 
summer, our first priority was the continued roll 
out of COVID-19 safety measures and training  
for all returning team members.

We supplemented this with ‘Welcome back’ 
refresher training in areas such as driver safety  
to make sure no skills had become rusty while  
our colleagues were not in the workplace.

Our good relationships with major customers 
helped us develop coordinated plans to match 
resourcing levels to the fluctuating flight volumes 
which were a feature of the summer schedules 
and continued on throughout the year. Previous 
pricing arrangements which were based on  
full schedules no longer applied in many cases 
because of the large drop in flight volumes. 
Therefore a process of negotiations to reset 
pricing arrangements was put in place by our 
commercial teams in all regions. Our ground 
service equipment managers began similar 
negotiations with our equipment suppliers  
to ‘hand back’ all surplus equipment.

Our teams continued to flex both in size and to 
respond to changing schedules and last minute 
changes with willingness and professionalism.  
We have done everything possible to minimise 
job losses across the network by accessing all 
government supports available and implemented 
part-time working, shorter working weeks and 
voluntary severance programmes. We also 
investigated alternative work options and 
provided wellbeing and career support through 
specialist websites in the UK, Australia, Norway 
and the Czech Republic. 

Support for our leaders continued by adapting 
our ‘Living Leadership’ development programme 
for online delivery with great success.

Chartering planes for AMI 
Our cargo forwarding business,  
Air Menzies International, reacted 
swiftly and innovatively to the 
shortage of passenger flights over 
the spring and summer. They 
chartered their own aircraft and 
filled them with air cargo to meet 
unprecedented demand and helped 
to keep cargo moving on key trade 
routes such as Los Angeles to 
Sydney. 

Supporting employees  
on furlough
We supported several initiatives in 
the UK to offer furloughed Menzies 
staff opportunities to work and 
support key services at the same 
time. Some, like Dajean Smith, 
supported the Asda supermarket in 
their distribution centre whilst many 
others joined Royal Mail to support 
the run up to Christmas.

Melbourne Cargo Team
In August, when Melbourne was 
experiencing its highest infection 
levels since the pandemic began, 
our cargo team came to the rescue 
of a competitor cargo and ground 
handling operator.

They had been forced to close  
by the state’s health authority due 
to the diagnosis of positive cases 
within their team. The Menzies 
team stepped in and took on  
their entire cargo workload which 
included urgent medical supplies 
for hospitals and the wider 
community.

The unexpected volumes doubled 
regular throughput but the team 
rose to the challenge, attracting 
much praise and positive feedback.

Preparing the headset 
ahead of pushing back 
the aircraft

8

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

9

Strategic ReportHOW WE RESPONDED TO COVID-19 CONTINUED

Pushback commences 
at London Heathrow

Loganair 
With our long Scottish history,  
we were naturally delighted to 
announce a new three year ground 
services contract with Scotland’s 
major carrier, Loganair, in 
November. 

Budapest successes
Budapest was the centre of  
two commercial wins this year. In 
August the team welcomed new 
customer, Cargolux for the first 
time. And in September, Wizz Air, 
Europe’s fastest growing airline, 
awarded the team a five year 
contract to deliver passenger, ramp 
and cleaning services, building  
on our existing relationships in 
London, Prague, Cluj, Timisoara, 
Iasi and Sibiu.

Preparing to move vaccines 
around the world 
In autumn, a specialist project team 
of senior cargo managers began 
working with airport authorities 
around the world to prepare for the 
global transportation of vaccines.
They focused on three things to 
expand our capacity and make sure 
we were ready to support our airline 
customers:
•  Availability of temperature-
controlled facilities and 
equipment.

•  Maximising our existing 

infrastructure on key logistical 
lanes. 

•  Expedited handling from ramp 
through the cargo warehouse  
to handle vulnerable vaccine 
shipments quickly and reliably  
in all airport environments.

How we gained strength through our strategic decision making

 Rebuild.

Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a strong year 
commercially with key contracts won across the 
product portfolio and we successfully deepened 
relationships with a number of key airlines.

Major new contracts were announced with 
customers such as with Qatar Cargo in seven  
new locations, Cargolux and Wizz Air in 
Budapest, Jetstar in Melbourne, Swoop Air  
in Toronto, Mango Airlines and Lift Air in  
South Africa, and Loganair in Scotland.

This was matched with good progress with our 
strategy to diversify through entering emerging 
aviation services markets. The effort and patience 
to establish a ground and cargo service business 
at Baghdad, Iraq reached a successful conclusion 
and operations started in January 2021. In 
November, we received news about a new licence 
to enter the Cyprus market and the year ended 
with the announcement of the acquisition of a 
majority stake in Royal Air Services in Pakistan. 

Meanwhile our cargo teams came together across 
the world to prepare for the transportation of 
COVID-19 vaccinations in numbers and on routes 

which have never been seen before. This involved 
providing updated training on vaccine handling 
for all of our global cargo operational team, which 
was developed to support our application in some 
key airports for IATA CEIV Pharmaceutical –  
the industry quality benchmark for handling 
pharmaceuticals. 

As an unprecedented year came to a close,  
we announced the formation of the Menzies 100, 
an initiative to support our leaders across the 
globe to work more closely together. They are  
all individuals who lead our regions, countries, 
support functions and largest stations globally 
and will play a key part in leading our Menzies 
teams as we rebuild and grow throughout 2021 
and beyond.

10

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

11

Strategic ReportCHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT

Ready to 
emerge 
strongly

I want to start by saying thank you to our 
employees worldwide for their response  
to the challenges caused by the pandemic. 

Our teams have acted admirably 
throughout, reacting efficiently to  
a constantly evolving situation and 
continuing to serve our customers 
safely and sensitively, often in 
difficult circumstances. They 
should be proud of the part they 
have played in helping us navigate 
this year.

Growth Strategy
During the year we responded 
proactively as the COVID-19 crisis 
unfolded, taking difficult decisions 
where required to protect the 
Company and continued to stay 
focused on executing our long 
term growth strategy, ensuring we 
are ready to emerge strongly as 
the aviation market recovers. 

Our long term growth strategy  
is centred on our five strategic 
priorities:

1.  Optimise portfolio mix
We are targeting a wider spread of 
activities by promoting the organic 
growth of air cargo and fuelling 
services. We will continue to grow 
our ground services business but 

our focus will be on areas  
where we know future growth 
opportunities are stronger and 
returns will be higher. We are  
also pursuing selective growth  
of our ancillary services offering, 
where operating margins are 
typically higher.

2.  Targeted growth
We are expanding our network into 
emerging markets where margins 
are typically higher, the recovery 
rate is forecast to be considerably 
stronger and there is potential  
for Menzies to enhance standards 
and processes for customers. 
Expanding our network into  
these markets with strong growth 
dynamics will be a key part of our 
growth, utilising all of our product 
categories. Within the ground 
handling market, we will target 
high volume, high value contracts 
in key locations making better  
use of resources and enabling 
increased customer service and 
engagement. Where market 
dynamics are favourable, we will 
also seek to selectively expand  
our ancillary product portfolio.

3.  Focus on margin improvement
We are committed to driving a 
structural improvement in the 
Group’s operating margin. This  
will be achieved by focusing our 
organic and inorganic growth in 
structural growth markets, a 
relentless focus on strong cost 
management and active portfolio 
management across the existing 
business.

4.  Customer orientated
Having strong customer 
relationships is the key to success 
in our industry. We seek to be 
solutions orientated, working with 
customers to deliver their goals 
with the aim of making Menzies 
Aviation the handling provider of 
choice wherever we operate. Our 
customer relationships have never 
been so important as they were in 
2020. As the industry emerges 
from the pandemic, we believe 
their strength will be vital to the 
delivery of our growth strategy. 

5.  People centric
This year we have put people at 
the heart of the Menzies brand. 
Since 1833, it is the people at 
Menzies who have made us unique 
and we recognise that investing  
in our employees will be a key 
component of our success. We 
want to build a team of motivated 
and passionate people who we  
will support with industry leading 
working environments, training  
and leadership.

Despite the challenges we faced  
in 2020, we have demonstrated 
tangible success in delivering  
on our strategy. Operations have 
now commenced in Iraq and our 
acquisition in Pakistan has recently 
completed. With significant 
contract wins with Qantas, Qatar 
Airways and Wizz Air, and these 
new operations, we have 
demonstrated our strong emerging 
market and fast growing market 
focus. I am particularly excited  
by the strength of our new 
opportunities pipeline across  
our full suite of products for the 
remainder of 2021 and beyond.

Aviation Market Recovery 
The impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on both the global 
economy and global aviation 
markets in 2020 was 
unprecedented. However, with 
vaccine programmes being  
rolled out across the world, there  
is cause for cautious optimism as 
we look to the future.

As predicted, passenger markets  
in the first quarter of 2021 have 
remained weak, and we anticipate 
a slow recovery starting in the 
second quarter with a more 
sustained recovery in the second 
half of 2021. We do not anticipate 
global aviation activity levels 
making a full recovery to 2019 
levels until 2023. Analysing our 
markets, we believe that domestic 
and regional passenger travel will 
recover earlier and faster driven by 
narrow bodied, single aisle aircraft, 
with long haul travel recovering 

OUR VISION AND VALUES

We expect all of our employees to role model and champion our 
values, to create a culture where everyone feels supported in their 
role and can perform at their highest level. 

We put SAFETY & SECURITY first

We are one Menzies TEAM – everyone matters

We are AGILE AND RESPONSIVE

We DO THE RIGHT THING, always

We deliver for our CUSTOMERS

more slowly. This partly reflects 
forecast demand and also reflects 
the impact of the long haul 
capacity removed by airlines 
during the crisis. This trend would 
play to Menzies’ strengths, given 
our long standing core focus on 
servicing high volume, narrow 
bodied, single aisle aircraft.

The competitive environment 
remains relatively unchanged from 
a year ago, with global government 
support schemes ensuring that the 
raft of business closures that might 
ordinarily result from such a severe 
downturn has not occurred. 
However, as this support reduces 
and aviation volumes gradually 
return, we do expect to see this 
dynamic change. 

As we look to the future, I am 
confident that due to our proactive 
approach, our restructured cost 
base and reshaped business 
portfolio will enable us to start 
generating structurally improved 
operating margins as volumes 
recover.

I am pleased that, whilst we had to 
work with our banking partners to 
renegotiate our covenants through 
to June 2022, we did not take on 
more borrowing and therefore have 
maintained a healthy liquidity 
position throughout the year. We 
are also confident that our current 
forecasts are robust and we will 
continue to trade within our agreed 
covenant limitations. 

Group Performance Overview 
2020 has presented the business 
with a number of significant 
challenges. Until the impact of the 
restrictions on flight volumes 
imposed as the COVID-19 
pandemic accelerated globally in 
late March 2020, the Group had 
been trading well, with the cost 
reduction actions taken and the 
renewed focus on commercial 
activity showing positive results.

The many travel restrictions 
imposed due to the outbreak  
of COVID-19 have significantly 
affected the Group’s revenue,  
with ground and fuelling services 
particularly badly impacted by  
the dramatic reduction in flights. 
Ground service turns were down 

12

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

13

Strategic Report 
 
 
 
  
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT CONTINUED

59% in the year and fuelling service 
events were down 46%. Our air 
cargo handling and our cargo 
forwarding service lines have  
been more resilient with reduced 
capacity on passenger flights 
driving yields to historical highs. 
Overall, air cargo service tonnage 
was down 18%.

Swift and decisive actions were 
taken in response to the impact  
of the flight restrictions. We have 
flexed our headcount in line with 
projected volumes, agency 
personnel schemes have been 
discontinued, underutilised staff 
have been put on furlough and in 
some countries, regrettably some 
staff were made redundant. We 
have optimised our use of the 
various government support 
schemes around the world, some  
of which have added to the Group’s 
level of liquidity. In addition, only 
essential capital expenditure has 
been authorised and discretionary 
spend is at a historically low level. 
Our actions taken and our strict 
credit and expense control has 
resulted in a strong and sustainable 
level of liquidity. 

Revenue for the year was £824.2m 
(2019: £1,325.6m), a 37% reduction 
in constant currency from the prior 
year. The Group recorded an 
operating loss of £96.2m in the 
year compared with a £39.6m 
profit in the prior year. Excluding 
exceptional and other items, the 
underlying operating loss for the 
year was £18.5m compared with a 
profit of £52.5m in the prior year. 
The reduction in profit was a  
direct result of the impact of the 
flight restrictions imposed by 
governments in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The loss  
was mitigated by various grants 
received and released during  
the year totalling £139.2m. Grant 
income is released from when 
monies are received over the 
period in which in-country revenue 

Philipp Joeinig, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of John Menzies 
plc said:

 “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about 

unprecedented challenges to our business as  
the effects on travel continued to have a 
significant impact on our global operations. 
Despite the difficulties it presented we acted 
decisively, adjusting the size of our operations 
and ensuring sufficient liquidity was maintained. 
We remain a strong business and well placed to 
benefit as the market recovers and the industry 
returns to structural growth.”

is expected to be impacted by 
travel restrictions in response to 
COVID-19. The release is calculated 
as a set proportion of payroll 
expense until the monies are 
utilised. The most significant grant 
was US$82.8m grant funding from 
the US government of which 
£38.9m was recognised as grant 
income in the year. The loss before 
tax was £120.5m (2019: profit of 
£17.3m). The underlying loss per 
share was 61.8p (2019: 24.9p 
earnings per share).

Our commercial teams around the 
world have been very active in the 
period and have made encouraging 
progress winning and renewing 
significant new business, and also 
preparing to start-up in new 
stations in new regions of the 
world. In 2020 we added a number 
of significant contracts and our net 
gain in annualised revenue was 
significantly up on previous years. 
The emphasis has been on all areas 
of the business, not only ground 
services but also the higher margin 
air cargo and fuelling services 
businesses. 

Our response to the flight 
restrictions has been swift and 
decisive. We have engaged with 
our customers to seek and secure 
interim price arrangements and 

also to match as closely as possible 
our headcount to the expected 
volumes of flights. Consequently, 
we have had to reduce our 
headcount. At the height of the 
COVID-19 related flight restrictions, 
our headcount was 50% lower  
than the same period in the prior 
year, with agency personnel 
arrangements ended, and many 
permanent staff on temporary 
leave or furlough schemes. Since 
then, staff have begun to return to 
work and at the end of the year our 
workforce was around 18,000, 40% 
lower than the previous year. 

In the first half of 2021, we will 
continue to welcome back more  
of our people as we scale up our 
operations to meet the growing 
volumes of flights. As we will be a 
smaller business in the near term, 
we recognise the significant impact 
this has had on our colleagues  
that have left us. Throughout the 
process of change we have been 
doing everything we can to 
minimise the number of job losses 
across the network. To ensure we 
are as competitive as possible as 
the recovery continues, we have 
addressed multiple contract terms 
at single locations by working with 
our staff to harmonise pay and 
conditions. We believe that our 
success in harmonisation is vital to 

ensure that we can compete 
effectively and win new profitable 
business.

Outlook
The Board is confident about the 
Group’s long term outlook. Despite 
the crisis we are well placed to 
prosper as the aviation sector 
gradually recovers. We have a clear 
strategy in place, based around our 
strategic priorities and we believe 
this disciplined approach will 
deliver sustainable growth in  
the future.

As anticipated, the aviation sector 
in the first quarter of 2021 
continues to be heavily impacted 
by ongoing travel restrictions. 
Continued tight control on costs 
and ongoing support from global 
government schemes have enabled 
us to maintain our operational 
capability as well as a strong 
liquidity position. As the market 
recovers and we exit the pandemic, 
we are ready to scale up our 
operations to meet the demands of 
our customers. 

Overall, we anticipate a slow 
increase in volumes through the 
second quarter with a stronger 
recovery during the second half  
of the year. However, we currently 
do not anticipate a return to the 
volumes witnessed in full year 2019 
before full year 2023. As the 
markets recover, our restructured 
cost base and reshaped business 
portfolio should enable the Group 
to generate structurally improved 
operating margins from growth  
in revenues. 

Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a 
strong year commercially with key 
contracts won across the product 
portfolio and we successfully 
deepened relationships with a 
number of key airlines. Our pipeline 
in all geographic regions is strong 
as we continue to seek out new 
opportunities, and as a result we 
expect further strategic progress 

during the year. Since the year end, 
we have commenced operations at 
five new locations in Canada with 
WestJet. We have also successfully 
strengthened our well established 
relationship with Qantas in 
Australia following the award of an 
outsourcing contract for domestic 
ground handling to Menzies at  
four airports across Australia.
Despite anticipated ongoing low 
flight volumes, we expect that  
the Group will maintain significant 
liquidity headroom throughout the 
year ahead. Once activity levels 
start to recover, Menzies’ strong 
fundamental cash generation will 
provide the Group with the 
capability to invest in support of 
our commercial objectives and 
reduce leverage. 

Governance
As a Company we are dedicated  
to understanding how we can be 
better and this year we are focused 
on making big changes to enhance 
our Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) impact. We will 
shortly be launching our own ESG 
vision and targets in this year’s 
Annual Report. 

I am committed to promoting  
good governance and the 
principles of the Corporate 
Governance Code. During the year, 
following the departure of Giles 
Wilson, it was agreed that I also 
assume the position of Chief 
Executive Officer to best navigate 
the Company through the 
immediate crisis, effectively 
execute our strategy and deliver 
growth in the years to come. I am 
delighted with the progress we 
have made and with the strong 
team I work with.

We are also in the process of 
recruiting a further non-executive 
director. The Board is focused on 
finding the right candidate who  
will add to our existing skill set and 
assist in driving forward our growth 
agenda. This process continues and 

we are confident to make an 
announcement later this year. 

Finally, I would like to thank 
everyone who has been supportive 
during the year. In particular our 
shareholders, customers and 
suppliers together with my fellow 
colleagues around the world. 
Whilst we still live in very uncertain 
times, I look forward with 
confidence and see a prosperous 
future for the Group.

 “ Looking forward we 

will continue to deliver 
against our strategic 
priorities. We are 
winning new contracts, 
entering new markets 
and optimising our 
portfolio. As flight 
volumes recover,  
I am confident  
that we will emerge  
as a more agile, 
resilient and profitable 
business with a sharply 
focused footprint  
and portfolio.”

Philipp Joeinig
Chairman & CEO
9 March 2021

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15

Strategic Report 
MARKET REVIEW

Responding  
to market 
opportunities

Following the restructure of our commercial teams  
in 2019, we were well positioned in 2020 to maximise 
market opportunities in a challenging environment. 

GLOBAL AND INDUSTRY MARKET TRENDS

Air cargo services
Despite the challenges of the 
pandemic, air cargo continues to 
travel the world every day usually 
in dedicated freighter aircraft or  
in the holds of passenger aircraft. 
2020 saw a significant increase  
in carriers operating passenger 
aircraft to carry only air cargo.  
This resulted in cargo volumes 
remaining at the same levels as 
2019 levels in many locations 
despite a reduction in scheduled 
activity by most carriers. 

Our role involves the acceptance, 
security screening, build up, 
breakdown and delivery of the 
cargo at the airport. We continued 
to support our airline customers 
with reliable, safe, secure and 
timely handling of cargo which, this 
year, included vast quantities of 
personal protective equipment for 
frontline health workers. Our teams 
handled many chartered aircraft 
operations at short notice carrying 
much needed supplies related to 
the pandemic across our network.

Fuelling services
Menzies is the major global player  
in the aircraft fuelling sector with 
extensive operations in North 
America, UK and France. We are a 
specialist, independent aviation fuel 
management partner with over 70 
years’ experience and have strong 
relationships with airlines, airports 
and oil company partners. 

Fuelling services comprise two 
activities: the management of fuel 
farm assets and the provision of 
into-plane fuelling when aircraft need 
to be ready for takeoff. Fuel farm 
operations are usually centred on jet 
fuel storage facilities but may also 
include the management of 
underground hydrant facilities at 
some larger airports.

Our services form a critical part of 
the supply chain as we ensure fuel 
supplies are received, stored and 
distributed safely to each individual 
aircraft. Our focus is on safety, 
environment, quality assurance and 
corporate governance and we 
operate to exacting safety and 
technical standards laid down by 

governing bodies, the fuels industry 
and our customers.

Various commercial models can  
be deployed with Menzies as we 
contract directly with airlines, 
consortia, airports or in the capacity 
of a subcontractor to oil companies.

As with all sectors of the aviation 
industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has 
affected the fuelling services business 
in the short term, particularly with 
regard to into-plane fuelling volumes, 
although the impact has varied 
greatly across our network of fuel 
services. However, there continues to 
be a consistent requirement for the 
ongoing activity around fuel farms, 
ensuring these facilities are managed 
and maintained properly whatever 
the fluctuations in fuel demand.

The outlook remains positive and  
we see further potential for oil 
companies to divest operations, 
creating more opportunities for both 
fuel infrastructure management and 
into plane fuelling. These are being 
actively pursued.

Ground services
Ground services are an intrinsic 
part of the aviation value chain. 
Every passenger aircraft has to be 
handled as efficiently and as safely 
as possible when it is on the 
ground. This involves activities 
such as ensuring all passengers, 
baggage and cargo are safely 
loaded and unloaded, passengers 
are properly checked in and 
boarded to the aircraft, cabin  
areas are cleaned and prepared  
for departure and in colder 
weather that aircraft are de-iced 
before flying.

Menzies offers these key services 
at some 198 airports around the 
world. We are one of four major 
global players in the market and 
can offer services at multiple 
locations across their networks  
to global or multi-regional airlines, 
allowing us to build far reaching 
relationships. To do this we place 
great value on our industry leading 
approach to safety and compliance 
backed up by a rigorous approach 
to training and developing our 
frontline teams.

 “ Various commercial 

models can be 
deployed with 
Menzies as we 
contract directly  
with airlines, 
consortia, airports  
or in the capacity  
of a subcontractor  
to oil companies.”

Airline customers seek the 
following key attributes from a 
ground services provider: a strong 
service ethos, a robust approach  
to risk management, commercial 
terms that represent value for 
money and the ability to deliver 
continuous improvement. Most 
airlines across the globe are willing 
to outsource these services away 
from major hub operations 
because setting up their own 
ground services function is likely  
to be less cost effective when 
compared with the synergies in 
labour and equipment generated 
by the scale of operations of major 
handlers such as Menzies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had  
a substantial impact on passenger 
aircraft flights and we have seen 
large year-on-year reductions in 
turns handled between 2019 and 
2020. The impact has varied across 

our different operating regions 
with intercontinental flights 
particularly affected, although the 
pandemic has driven demand in 
some services such as the handling 
of repatriation flights, enhanced 
cabin cleaning protocols and more 
extensive passenger services 
check-in procedures.

Looking ahead, there is still huge 
potential for further outsourcing in 
the market, and for experienced 
ground services providers to bring 
their expertise to bear on emerging 
markets. With our well established 
credentials and huge experience 
with most of the world’s most 
prominent airlines, Menzies is well 
placed to benefit from further 
growth in the market.

Global and Industry Statistics

Scheduled passenger numbers 
(millions)

Freight tonnes  
(millions)

2021F

2,808

2020E

1,795

2019

4,543

2021F

2020E

2019

61.2

54.2

61.3

Fuel consumption 
(billion gallons)

Flights  
(millions)

2021F

2020E

2019

65

51

2021F

22.2

2020E

16.4

96

2019

38.9

Source: IATA Fact Sheet, November 2020, 
https://www.iata.org/

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17

Strategic Report18

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

19

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

WHAT SETS US APART

DELIVERING STAKEHOLDER VALUE

We want to be the handling provider of choice wherever we 
operate by always being solutions oriented and working with  
our customers to deliver their goals safely and securely, delivering 
stakeholder value and sustainable returns.

We are very proud of our heritage and the part that we’ve played as a trusted 
service provider since 1833. We are striving to build a stronger legacy for 
the next generation by serving the sustainable growth needs of the aviation 
services sector.

Key resources and inputs

Key resources are essential in the delivery of our strategy.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR NETWORK 

IT AND INNOVATION

We have a workforce of 23,000 
highly trained employees who  
drive our productivity.

An established network gives us  
the reach to service customers  
from more than 198 locations in  
34 countries.

We seek out and invest in new 
solutions to support stronger 
performance, improved data and 
greater efficiency and prioritise new 
thinking in order to find innovative 
ways of satisfying our customers 
and gaining competitive advantage. 

PARTNERS

GOVERNANCE

We have reinvigorated our approach
to engaging with our customers
and developing trusted and
valued relationships with all
our stakeholders.

We provide clear corporate
governance and compliance
processes and controls to drive
quality, reduce risk and support
effective working throughout
our business.

Our strategy

We are passionate about being a customer-centric business: engaging with  
our customers to meet their needs and delivering safe, secure and innovative 
solution-oriented services. We are focused on driving profitable organic 
growth, developing in emerging markets and maximising our impact and 
offering at our key locations across our global network.

1

OPTIMISED  
PORTFOLIO MIX

2

TARGETED 
GROWTH

3

FOCUS ON 
MARGIN 
IMPROVEMENT

4

CUSTOMER 
ORIENTATED

5 

PEOPLE  
CENTRIC

Our enablers:

SAFETY & SECURITY

COMMERCIAL

TECHNOLOGY

PEOPLE

 Read more about our strategy on page 20

Ground services

We provide frontline airport services,  
both above and below the wing, ensuring 
passengers, crew and aircraft complete 
journeys efficiently and on schedule. 

Our fully rounded ground services offering 
includes: tailored passenger check-in 
services, customer relations, VIP meet and 
greet experiences, executive lounge services, 
full ramp handling services, baggage sorting, 
loading and tracing, de-icing services,  
cabin cleaning and presentation, asset 
maintenance, aircraft washing, and more.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES US
Our teams take immense pride in delivering 
quality, efficient service through best practice 
processes, industry leading solutions, and 
exceptional risk and safety management.

18

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Fuelling services

We provide into-plane fuelling services and 
fuel farm management to airlines, airports, 
oil companies and other partners across  
the world, adhering to highest standards  
of safety at all times.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES US
We are recognised for our safe operations 
and seek to support airlines and oil 
companies in trialling and implementing 
new safe aviation fuel initiatives. We work 
with our customers to offer and develop 
flexible, sustainable solutions that improve 
efficiency, service and changing industry 
needs. 

We believe that proactive and effective consideration and engagement 
with our stakeholders when making decisions is key to creating value, 
ensuring our long term success and achieving our purpose to provide 
safe and trusted aviation services and flexible solutions, serving the 
needs of our customers now and for the future. 

SHAREHOLDERS

We seek to maintain an open and effective 
dialogue with our shareholders and shareholder 
bodies, and always act in a way that is likely to 
enrich the success of the Company for the benefit 
of its members as a whole. 

EMPLOYEES

We offer varied careers in dynamic environments, 
ensuring our employees remain engaged in 
delivering results. The safety, wellbeing and 
ongoing development of our employees is core  
to developing pride in the workplace and creating 
great teams. 

SUPPLIERS

We seek to work with suppliers who share the 
same values and sustainable aspirations as we do 
and who can support our growth and add value  
to our business. Developing resilient, ethical and 
sustainable supply chains globally is our priority.

CUSTOMERS

We work with customers to ensure our service 
offering is the right one to help them meet their 
own business challenges. As a professional 
aviation services business, our customers benefit 
from our best in class services, approach to safety 
and flexible technical solutions.

COMMUNITIES & ENVIRONMENT

We rely on, and aim to make a positive impact on, 
the local communities and environments in which 
we operate by reducing environmental impacts, 
creating employment opportunities, supporting 
local charities and community initiatives and 
providing sustainable solutions for our customers.

Air cargo services

We manage the global transportation of 
high value and time critical cargo by 
accepting, storing and preparing cargo for 
worldwide transit for our airline and cargo 
customers throughout our multi-airport 
location network. Within our cargo 
forwarding business, we are a neutral 
consolidator of air cargo, providing 
wholesale airfreight and express  
services exclusively to freight forwarders, 
packaging companies, customs brokers  
and courier agents. 

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES US
Decades of experience, supported by 
cost-effective and smart logistics solutions 
and our highly trained and dedicated teams 
means we are trusted to provide a reliable 
and secure service. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

19

Strategic ReportOUR STRATEGY

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Building back 
better

During 2020 we re-affirmed our strategic approach 
and re-aligned our priorities. With a strong leadership 
team in place and clear direction, we have the 
ingredients in place to build back better, deliver  
our strategy and grow sustainably.

Our strategy

1

OPTIMISED  
PORTFOLIO  
MIX

Targeting a wider 
spread of activities by 
promoting the organic 
growth of air cargo and 
fuelling services. We will 
continue to grow our 
ground services 
business but our focus 
will be on areas where 
we know future growth 
opportunities are 
stronger and returns will 
be higher. We are also 
pursuing selective 
growth of our ancillary 
services offering, where 
operating margins are 
typically higher.

What we did in 2020

2

TARGETED  
GROWTH

3

FOCUS ON MARGIN 
IMPROVEMENT

4

CUSTOMER 
ORIENTATED 

5 

PEOPLE  
CENTRIC

Expanding our network 
into emerging markets 
with strong recovery 
growth dynamics and 
higher margins will be a 
key part of our growth, 
utilising all of our 
product categories. 
Within the ground 
handling market, we will 
target high volume, high 
value contracts in key 
locations making better 
use of resources and 
enabling increased 
customer service and 
engagement. Where 
market dynamics are 
favourable, we will also 
seek to selectively 
expand our ancillary 
product portfolio.

We are committed to 
driving a structural 
improvement in the 
Group’s operating 
margin. This will be 
achieved by focusing 
our organic and 
inorganic growth in 
structural growth 
markets, a relentless 
focus on strong cost 
management and active 
portfolio management 
across the existing 
business.

People are at the heart 
of the Menzies brand. 
Since 1833, it’s the 
people at Menzies who 
have made us unique 
and we recognise  
that investing in our 
employees will be a  
key component of  
our success. We want  
to build a team of 
motivated and 
passionate people who 
we will support with 
industry leading 
working environments, 
training and leadership.

Having strong customer 
relationships is vital to 
success in our industry. 
We seek to be solutions 
orientated, working with 
customers to deliver 
their goals with the aim 
of making Menzies 
Aviation the handling 
provider of choice 
wherever we operate. 
Our customer 
relationships have never 
been so important as 
they were in 2020. As 
the industry emerges 
from the pandemic, we 
believe their strength 
will be vital to the 
delivery of our growth 
strategy. 

• Developed new key 

• Prepared for our  

• Renegotiated 

• Developed new key 

customer relationships 
across all markets 
including significant 
cargo contract wins 
with Qatar Airways.

new operations in  
Iraq and Pakistan.
• Secured operating 
licences at Paphos 
and Larnaca in 
Cyprus. 

customer contracts  
to reflect fluctuating 
volumes.

• Exited unprofitable 

locations. 

• Secured enhanced 

contractual terms with 
some customers. 

customer relationships 
and deepened existing 
partnerships e.g. 
Qantas across 
Australia and new 
five-year Wizz Air in 
Budapest and Oslo.

• Implemented  
new employee 
communications e.g. 
via Microsoft Teams, 
employee surveys, 
employee extranet. 
• Delivered leadership 

training virtually.

We measure and track our performance against a carefully selected set of financial 
and non-financial key performance indicators to provide a balanced assessment of the 
performance of our operations and progress against the Group’s strategic objectives.

Operational delivery success

Employee turnover (%) 

Employee hours  
per fuelling services turn

Employee hours  
per ground services turn

2020

2019

2018

65.1

58.2

61.4

2020

2019

2018

2.1

1.8

1.7

2020

2019

2018

39.6

32.7

31.9

Why we measure this
Our people are our most important resource and so 
employee turnover is an important measure for how 
our business is performing. This KPI is measured on 
a station-by-station basis to ensure that we are able 
to identify and address trends that impact turnover. 
The challenges of 2020 have meant that our overall 
turnover has increased compared to 2019. However, 
our voluntary turnover rate has reduced significantly 
showing that our people recognise our strong 
leadership through crisis and are responding 
positively to our employee value proposition.

Why we measure this
Into-plane fuelling is a core service for our business 
and measuring the average number of employee 
hours utilised for each fuelling turn provides critical 
information on how efficiently we perform this 
activity throughout our operations.

Why we measure this
Although changes in the mix of wide and 
narrow-bodied aircraft handled by our business  
can impact this measure, the average number of 
employee hours invested to perform each ground 
handling turn remains a critical measure of how 
efficiently we operate.

Strategic link – People centric

Strategic links – Focus on margin improvement

Strategic link – Focus on margin improvement

Employee serious injuries  
per 100 full-time equivalents

Serious aircraft damage  
per 1,000 turns

Daily cargo volumes (tonnes) 

2020

2019

2018

0.15

0.19

0.16

2020

2019

2018

0.015

0.016

0.018

2020

2019

2018

3,301

4,110

4,384

Why we measure this
Our People 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 minimise injuries.

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.

Why we measure this
The average volume of cargo handled each day is  
a key measure for how effectively and efficiently our 
cargo operations operate, and an indicator of cargo 
business growth. 

Strategic link – People centric

Strategic link – Customer orientated

Strategic link – Targeted growth

Delivering  
value and  
profitable 
growth

Group revenue growth (%)

Contract renewal rate (%)

2020

-37.8

2019

2018

2020

2019

2018

2.7

1.4

83.5

79.7

80.1

Why we measure this
We are committed to growing our Aviation business 
and revenue growth is therefore a key metric.

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

Strategic link – Targeted growth

Strategic link – Customer orientated

Underlying operating margin (%) 

Total shareholder return v FTSE 
SmallCap over three years (%)

2020

-2.2

2020

-68.4

2019

2018

4.0

4.3

2019

2018

-38.8

31.0

Why we measure this
Underlying operating margin is a standard 
measurement demonstrating our ability to turn our 
revenue into profit, encompassing our efficiency, 
controls and value generation.

Strategic link – Optimised portfolio mix

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

Strategic link – Optimised portfolio mix, Targeted 
growth, Focus on margin improvement, Customer 
orientated, People centric

20

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

21

Strategic Report 
 
“ Our work to optimise 

the portfolio mix 
resulted in a number 
of notable contract 
wins and renewals.”

and profitable. However, the 
ground services operations in 
Canada, Mexico and Colombia 
were severely impacted, with 
operations in Colombia closed  
at one point. 

Profitability was less affected 
compared with other regions due 
to the cost saving measures put  
in place in response to the crisis, 
which resulted in the closure of 
operations at Boston, Newark, New 
Orleans and Tijuana, together with 
the impact of government support. 
The US business received $82.8m 
of job support grants under the 
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and 
Economic Security Act that has 
provided welcome financial relief 
for Menzies in the USA and other 
key suppliers and carriers across 
the country’s airline industry. Due 

to the significant support given to 
the US based airlines, we did see 
some evidence of in-sourcing and 
this resulted in the loss of our 
ground handling contract with 
United Airlines in Denver. Although 
this loss was partly mitigated by 
ancillary services wins elsewhere in 
the USA with the airline. We do not 
expect a significant change to the 
market dynamics in North America 
and see any insourcing as a 
short-term trend only. Important 
government support, albeit on a 
lesser scale, was received in 
Canada in the form of emergency 
wage subsidies. 

In terms of our strategic priorities, 
as well as the portfolio management 
action taken to close the stations 
mentioned above, our work to 
optimise the portfolio mix resulted 

Cargo operations in progress  
at London Heathrow

BUSINESS REVIEW

Responding to  
the pandemic, 
region by region

The impact of travel restrictions was felt 
differently in each of our three business 
regions. While domestic travel continued  
in the Americas, EMEA saw the largest 
reduction in flight schedules and air cargo 
proved to be a resilient feature of the 
market in Australia and New Zealand.

IN THE BUSINESS REVIEW

Americas 

Europe, Middle East and Africa  

Rest of World 

Case study: Global Partnerships 

Cargo Forwarding 

Case study: New Markets  

Case study: Ramp Safety 

22

24

25

26

27

28

30

Americas
In the Americas region, the impact 
of flight restrictions in response to 
the pandemic has not been as 
great as in other parts of the world, 
reflecting the significant proportion 
of the business that is regional 
rather than intercontinental and 
therefore less affected by the 
international flight restrictions.  
In the USA, cargo volumes held  
up well with our two largest 
operations in Los Angeles and  
San Francisco maintaining volumes 
close to pre-pandemic levels.  
The US fuelling and ground service 
businesses saw volumes drop in 
the second quarter of the year  
and then modestly improve in  
the second half. In the rest of  
the region, Canada fuel farm 
management and the Canadian 
and Colombian air cargo 
businesses remained steady  

22

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

23

Strategic ReportBUSINESS REVIEW CONTINUED

Ready to welcome and  
serve passengers

in a number of notable contract 
wins and renewals. We successfully 
added Qatar Airways air cargo 
services at Los Angeles and San 
Francisco evidencing our growing 
relationship with Qatar Airways 
globally and renewed multi-station 
fuelling services agreements with 
UPS and FedEx. Within the region, 
our focus on emerging market 
growth saw the successful renewal 
of ramp services with VivaAerobus 
across 21 stations in Mexico. 

Our focus on margin improvement 
gained traction with enhanced 
commercial terms secured in  
many locations including with  
Air France-KLM at five air cargo 
service operations in Canada and 
at Bogota. We also successfully 
negotiated short-term rate 
improvements with airlines across 
the region in response to lower 
volumes during the pandemic.

EMEA 
The EMEA region saw the largest 
reduction in flight schedules with 
ground handling turns down 64% 
compared with prior year. Our 
ground services business in the UK, 
Spain, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia 
and South Africa were severely 
disrupted in the second quarter, 
however there was an improvement 
in volumes in the second half of  
the year. 

Within the fuelling services 
business in the UK and France, 
margins were maintained due to 
the fee-per-service nature of the 
contracts, although volume was 
significantly down. Cargo volumes 
in Amsterdam remained strong, 
and our cargo operations at 
London Heathrow have been 
running ahead of the prior year 
since the large contract win with 
Qatar Airways in June. 

The profit impact of the decline in 
revenues has been partly mitigated 
by strong cost control, government 
support schemes and tough 
decisions regarding uneconomic 
operations. We ceased agency 
personnel arrangements, where 
appropriate employees were 
furloughed through government 
schemes, and regrettably, a 
number of redundancy 
programmes were undertaken. 
Government support schemes have 
had a positive impact on Menzies’ 
ability to maintain the right level of 
staffing particularly in the UK, the 
Netherlands and Sweden. 

In the UK, we ceased ground 
service operations at Birmingham, 
Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, Newcastle 
and Stansted. We have also where 
possible engaged with our 
workforce to harmonise labour 
agreements in order to become  
a leaner organisation and be  
in a better position to win new 
business. 

Despite the crisis we have 
continued to make progress  
with our strategic priorities  
in the region. We are currently  
in negotiations with a number  
of airlines across the region for 
improved pricing and other 
recompense in response to  

the changes in flight volumes.  
In the UK, we won ground service 
contracts with Loganair at 
Edinburgh, Glasgow and London 
Heathrow, and with TUI Airways  
at Glasgow, London Gatwick and 
Manchester. We also won Wizz Air 
ground services business at Oslo, 
which partly mitigates the 
significant reduction in Norwegian 
Air Shuttle volumes following  
the airline’s decision to downsize 
operations. Other wins included 
Volotea at Nantes and TUI Airways 
at Gothenburg.

Within the region, we made 
considerable progress with our 
strategy to expand into emerging 
markets. We were delighted to win 
the Wizz Air ground services 
contract at Budapest, the carrier’s 
home airport. We also added a 
contract with LIFT Airline at 
Johannesburg and we were 
awarded an operating licence at 
Larnaca and Paphos in Cyprus 
ahead of commencing ground 
service operations in February 
2021. Since the year end, the 
acquisition of Royal Airport 
Services has completed, bringing 
ground and air cargo services at 
eight locations across Pakistan, 
while operations have commenced 
at Baghdad. 

As well as the new air cargo 
services in Pakistan, our work to 
optimise the portfolio mix and 
target a better spread of activities 
resulted in us winning cargo 
contracts with Cargolux at 
Budapest and Qatar Airways at 
London Heathrow. The contract 
with Qatar Airways embodies our 
strategic priority of customer 
engagement and the growing 
prevalence of regional or global 
agreements. The contract is part of 

a joint approach to develop Qatar 
Airways global cargo network in a 
handling partnership programme. 

Rest of World 
The Rest of World region focuses 
on Australasia and South East Asia. 
As with the rest of the Group, 
volumes were depressed in the 
region with air cargo tonnage 
down 24% and ground services 
58% lower than prior year. Our 
operations in Macau, China felt  
the impact of the government 
restrictions in response to the 
pandemic virtually all year, as it 
was one of the first territories to  
be impacted. Passenger flights 
were severely impacted, however 
air cargo traffic remained at 
pre-pandemic levels for most  
of the year. 

The air cargo business was resilient 
in both Australia and New Zealand. 
Profitability in the two countries 
was maintained through the 
handling of emergency relief 
flights, cargo only aircraft where 
cargo replaced passengers on the 
main deck, and the optimisation of 
government job retention schemes, 
particularly in Australia. Our 
fuelling services business in 
Thailand has been mothballed  
and is unlikely to restart unless 
sufficient scale can be achieved.

The Rest of World region is a key 
area in terms of our strategic 
priority of delivering emerging 
market growth. Stronger forecast 
economic growth and the 
demographic trend of a growing 
middle class means this region  
is expected to experience 
significantly higher growth in 
aviation activity over the next 20 
years compared with many other 
geographical regions. 

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Strategic ReportBUSINESS REVIEW CONTINUED

STRATEGY IN ACTION
CASE STUDY

Developing global 
partnerships

Qatar Airways and Menzies
A renewed focus on our global cargo business – 
with a strategy to partner with global carriers at 
multiple locations – began to deliver results in 2020. 
This enabled us to play our part throughout the 
year in the international response to COVID-19  
by carrying vast loads of urgent cargo, including 
medical supplies and PPE, around the world. 

Strategic link

1.  OPTIMISED PORTFOLIO MIX

2.  TARGETED GROWTH

4.  CUSTOMER ORIENTATED

and proactively responded to the 
change in cargo capacity to find 
solutions for its customers, 
chartering aircraft and filling them 
with air cargo demand on key 
trade lanes.

Cargo is tracked and monitored  
using handheld scanners

With Menzies Aviation now a 
recognised and certified Qatar 
Airways Network Handling 
Partner, the partnership 
extended to Australia and New 
Zealand in November to provide 
both cargo and ground handling 
services in Sydney, Melbourne, 
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth as 
well as Auckland.

The partnership deepened further 
with new contracts to service 
Qatar on the West Coast of the 
USA with cargo and freighter 
aircraft handling commencing in 
Los Angeles in November and 
further cargo support for Qatar 
Airway’s new location San 
Francisco announced in 
December.

Existing contracts in Macau and 
Bucharest were also further 
extended.

The year ended with a 
partnership covering 14 locations, 
with combined cargo volumes 
exceeding 200,000 tonnes  
per annum.

During the year we successfully 
grew and optimised our portfolio in 
the region, adding ground services 
and air cargo services contracts 
with Qatar Airways at Sydney, 
Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide and 
air cargo services at Auckland.  
We also won a contract to provide 
high volume, narrow bodied ground 
services with Jetstar Airways at 
Melbourne. Operations in Indonesia 
progressed with the PT Mitra Adira 
Utama air cargo business now 
successfully integrated.

Cargo Forwarding 
During the year our cargo 
forwarding business, Air Menzies 
International (AMI) performed 
strongly, strengthening its position 
as one of the world’s largest 
neutral providers of airfreight  
and express services. 

AMI has benefited from restricted 
cargo capacity reflecting the 
grounding of many international 
passenger flights. Despite fewer 
bookings, the size and yield  
of each booking has been 
considerably higher than in recent 
years. While the impact of the 
reduction in cargo capacity across 
the industry provided positive 
momentum to the business during 
the year, the business also swiftly 

 “In July, we announced a new partnership 
with Qatar Airways, the world’s leading 
cargo carrier, to provide cargo handling, 
freighter aircraft handling and cargo 
transportation to/from aircraft at  
London Heathrow.”

In July, we announced a new 
partnership with Qatar Airways,  
the world’s leading cargo carrier, to 
provide cargo handling, freighter 
aircraft handling and cargo 
transportation to/from aircraft  
at London Heathrow.

The contract saw Qatar Airways 
move into Menzies’ newly renovated 
facilities in September 2020 as the 
first step of a joint approach to 
develop Qatar Airways’ global 
cargo network handling partnership 
programme. 

Warehouse capacity at our new 
Heathrow facilities exceeds 7,000 
square meters, the largest dedicated 
warehouse capacity solution ever 
provided by Menzies at Heathrow, 
and includes a timely investment  
in special product handling 
capabilities with a focus on 
pharmaceutical and temperature 
controlled commodities.

Qatar cargo volumes  
(tonnes per annum)

200k+

Menzies London Heathrow cargo 
warehouse capacity (square metres)

7,000+

Welcoming Qatar Airways to the Menzies 
warehouse at London Heathrow

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STRATEGY IN ACTION 
CASE STUDY

New markets in 
Pakistan and Iraq

Strategic partnerships deliver on our objective  
to expand Menzies geographical footprint.

In December 2020, we announced our entry to the 
growing aviation services market in Pakistan with 
the acquisition of a majority share in Royal Airport 
Services Ltd (RAS). 

Strategic link

1.  OPTIMISED PORTFOLIO MIX

2.  TARGETED GROWTH

3.  FOCUS ON MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

Founded in 2007, RAS is one of 
Pakistan’s leading aviation services 
businesses and provides ground 
and cargo handling services, airline 
ticketing and cargo sales across  
the country. They handle both 
domestic and international carriers 
such as Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, 
Oman Air and SriLankan Airlines 
from eight airports: Islamabad 
(both international and domestic), 
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, 
Faisalabad and Quetta. 

Pakistan is the world’s fifth most 
populous country and South Asia’s 
second largest economy. There are 
more than 66,000 flights annually 
to its major airports. The 
acquisition enables Menzies to 
enter this attractive growth market. 

 “The aviation industry is a key driver  
for Iraq’s economy and Baghdad  
is its largest international airport.  
The Government has plans to expand  
it significantly through upgrading  
its infrastructure and services.”

We are delighted to have  
the insight, connections and 
knowledge of the region offered  
by partnering with a company such 
as RAS. We look forward to sharing 
our world class safety and security 
systems, technology, experience 
and commercial acumen with  
the 1,500 employees across all 
service lines. 

Together we aim to improve 
aviation safety and security  
and foster further growth in the 
passenger and cargo sectors of this 
market, which will help to develop 
the Pakistan travel and tourism 
market further. RAS has 
demonstrated the ability to grow 
successfully and with our additional 
scale and global reach, there is 
good potential to generate further 
opportunities in the region.

A team of our highly trained 
managers were deployed in 
January and February to assist in 
the integration of the business and 
training our new colleagues ahead 
of the operational start.

New Partnerships in Iraq
December provided further 
momentum to the growth of 
Menzies in the region with official 
notification from The Iraqi Civil 
Aviation Authority (ICAA) that  
an operating license had been 
awarded to our joint venture, The 
United Iraqi Company for Airports 
and Ground Handling Services 
Limited – trading as MASIL – for 
ground handling services at 
Baghdad International Airport. 

MASIL is a partnership between 
Iraqi Airways, Menzies Aviation, 
Air BP and Al Burhan Group to 
provide a range of services at 
Baghdad International Airport, 
including passenger and 
executive services, ramp and 
ground handling services, flight 
operations, cleaning and ground 
support equipment, aircraft 
refuelling, cargo services and 
warehouse operations. 

The aviation industry is a key  
driver for Iraq’s economy and 
Baghdad is its largest 
international airport. The 
Government has plans to expand 
the airport significantly through 
upgrading its infrastructure  
and services.

The MASIL partners intend to 
draw on their collective global 
industry experience and world 
class standards to further improve 
the customer experience and 
safety standards at the airport.  
A number of our experienced 
managers have taken up key 
positions to offer technical advice 
on maintenance, quality assurance 
and HSE standards in addition  
to oversight of operations and 
training requirements. One of the 
key aims of MASIL will be to train 
Iraqi nationals so that they can 
take on senior positions. 

Operations successfully 
commenced on 21 January 2021.

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STRATEGY IN ACTION
CASE STUDY

GHI Award for  
Ramp Safety

We were delighted to be recognised this year  
for our industry leading work in ramp safety

The Menzies SMART app is a mobile digital  
audit tool used by managers to monitor  
compliance with operating procedures  
throughout the Menzies network. 

Strategic link

3.  FOCUS ON MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

4.  CUSTOMER ORIENTATED

5.  PEOPLE CENTRIC

The SMART app was designed and 
built in-house and this year we 
introduced a new employee 
recognition feature. We have been 
impressed with the impact it has 
had across the network and were 
delighted when it was awarded the 
Ramp Safety award at the annual 
Ground Handling Industry awards.

This new feature gives managers  
a way to offer positive recognition 
of good safety behaviour when 
employees do something special  
or go above and beyond. The  
app gives the option to raise an 
‘excellence’ rating during an audit 
therefore quickly recognising and 
reinforcing positive behaviour. 

The reasons for the nominations 
range from good COVID-19 hygiene 
practices, leading by example on 
safety and security processes, 
helping distraught customers who 
have had their flight cancelled, acts 
of kindness and diligently following 
social distancing guidelines.

Each ‘excellence’ rating is recorded  
in the SMART app against the 
employee’s name and badge/payroll 
number. All the ‘excellence’ ratings 
awarded in a station are added to a 
board. The more ratings an employee 
receives, the higher they move up the 
leader board. At the end of each 
month, station managers use the 
metric as one of the key inputs to 
local recognition programmes.

Yogesh Parekh, SVP Risk, explains  
the thinking behind the new feature:
“We have found that recognising 
good work has proved to be much 
more powerful than just raising 
compliance findings to drive 
continual improvement and  
better results.” 

Cargo General Manager uploading  
a SMART inspection

SMART app Inspections  
carried out during 2020 
(excluding workplace 
inspections)

Percentage of SMART app 
Inspections with  
zero findings 2020 

235,771

95%

Workplace Inspections carried out via SMART app in 2020

1 every 15 minutes

 “Menzies SMART app is a very strong initiative 

in terms of innovation and enhancements 
of safety and has a company wide impact on 
safety. The SMART app initiative reinforces 
positive behaviours, and this is an excellent 
way to build a learning safety culture.” 

The GHI judges comments

By doing this, we are:
•  promoting a safe, friendly, 

secure environment in line with 
our MORSE (Menzies Operating 
Responsibly Safely & 
Effectively) principles and 
charter;

•  encouraging good attitudes  
to learning and co-operation; 
and

•  influencing colleagues to make 

the right choices.

Since the launch of the new 
feature in January 2020, our  
near miss and hazard reporting 
has increased on average 24% 
month on month for ‘Aircraft 
Damage Found on Arrival’ events 
across our network. ‘Found on 
Arrival’ is when employees check 
the aircraft prior to positioning 
equipment to spot if there is any 
existing damage. 

This could be seen as a 
surprising statistic given the 
reduced number of flights 
operating during 2020 but, as 
Yogesh explains, we consider this 
trend to be the positive effect of 
the new employee recognition 
feature and why it demonstrates 
a good culture of reporting:

“Though it sounds counter-
intuitive, we are pleased to see 
an increase in reporting and view 
it as a sign of maturity in the risk 
culture throughout Menzies. 

By recognising employees  
who spot hazards or damage,  
we are publicly and positively 
reinforcing these safety 
behaviours and it’s leading  
to increased reporting.”

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Strategic ReportCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REVIEW

Responding 
proactively 

I am pleased to present my review  
of what has been a challenging year 
for the Group, and my second as 
Chief Financial Officer.

Financial Overview
Banking Facilities
As previously reported, the 
Company completed the refinance 
of the Group’s bank facilities in 
January 2020 that were due to 
mature in 2021 and replaced them 
with a US$235m amortising loan 
and a £145m revolving credit 
facility, both due to mature in 
January 2025. In response to the 
financial impact of the pandemic 
related flight restrictions, the 
Company agreed a revised 
temporary banking covenant 
structure with its banking group  
for the facilities in August. 

The new covenant structure 
provides sufficient flexibility to 
support the Group through the 
expected recovery period. The  
key terms are that a net leverage 
covenant is suspended and 
replaced with a minimum EBITDA 
covenant and a new covenant 
requiring the Group to keep a 
minimum of £45m liquidity. The 
interest cover covenant is also 
suspended. The revised covenant 

structure will remain in place  
until the earlier of June 2022 or 
whenever the Group’s leverage as 
measured on a pre-IFRS 16 basis 
remains below 3.0 times for three 
consecutive quarters. At that point, 
the Group will revert to the original 
net leverage and interest cover 
covenants for the remainder of the 
facilities’ term. The interest margin 
is 4.0% and will reduce to 3.5% 
when the Group’s leverage, as 
measured on a pre-IFRS 16 basis, 
falls back below 3.0 times.

Exceptional Items in Operating 
Profit
Exceptional items in operating 
profit were a £70.2m charge to 
profits (2019: £4.7m) comprised 
£58.8m of restructuring incurred  
to reshape the business in response 
to and because of the COVID-19 
pandemic travel restrictions, 
transaction related costs of  
£2.4m, primarily to set up the  
new business in Iraq and £9.0m  
of costs to reimburse the insurer  
in respect of a claim from 2017.

The COVID-19 pandemic 
restructuring costs comprised 
£27.1m of costs incurred to write 
down assets, and £31.7m of 
restructuring costs that comprised 
£27.0m of costs to resize the 
business as a result of the 
downturn in volumes, and £4.7m of 
professional and advisory fees to 
secure the successful renegotiation 
of the new covenant structure.

Interest and Taxation
The Group’s underlying net finance 
costs were £20.4m (2019: £22.1m).

As a multinational business, the 
Group is liable for taxation in 
multiple jurisdictions around the 
world. The Group’s underlying tax 
charge for the period was £14.2m 
(2019: £9.5m) representing an 
effective underlying tax rate of 
-37% (2019: 31%). The increase was 
mainly due to derecognising 
deferred tax assets in various 
jurisdictions.

Loss per Share
The Group’s underlying loss per 
share was 61.8p (2019: 24.9p 
earnings per share). The reduction 
was a result of the decrease in 
underlying profits and the increase 
in the effective underlying tax rate. 
The corresponding basic loss per 
share was 151.1p (2019: 12.8p per 
share for continuing and 
discontinued operations).

Defined Benefit Retirement 
Obligation
The reported UK defined benefit 
retirement obligation has increased 
by £1.4m since 31 December 2019 
to £6.7m. This relatively small 
increase is attributable to effective 
hedging strategy as the £39.1m 
adverse impact of lower discount 
rates on future liabilities was 
mostly offset by £32.1m positive 
impact of returns on the pension 
scheme assets and £3.7m of 
contributions from the Group. 

Impact of Foreign Currency 
Movements
The majority of the Group’s 
operations are located outside  
the UK and account in currencies 
other than the Group’s reporting 
currency. The Group hedges the 
sterling exposure of foreign 
currency denominated assets to 
manage the impact of currency 
movements in the Group’s net 
assets using forward contracts. The 
translation of profits from overseas 
trading entities is not hedged, and 
as a result the movement of 
exchange rates affects the Group’s 
reported results. In 2020, there was 
minimal impact on the Group’s 
results due to exchange rate 
movements against the prior year. 
Net borrowings are also subject to 
foreign currency movements, 
primarily on the US dollar 
denominated term loan and 
non-sterling lease liabilities. 

Dividend
No dividend is to be paid in respect 
of the 2020 results (2019: 6.0p  
per share).

Group Liquidity
The Group has been effective in the 
proactive management of cash and 
liquidity. Underlying operating cash 
flow was £149.6m (2019: £134.9m). 
The increase was largely the result 
of strong debtor collections and 
upfront support from governmental 
agencies. Working capital 
management remains a key focus 
for the business. Cash generated 
from operations was £113.7m 
(2019:£104.1m). Free cash flow was 
£105.7m (2019: £81.1m). Net capital 
expenditure was £20.7m (2019: 
£21.5m). The resulting net cash  
and cash equivalents on hand  
at 31 December 2020 was  
£121.8m, £48.8m higher than 
31 December 2019. 

At 31 December 2020 reported net 
borrowings were £355.9m (2019: 
£391.5m) largely reflecting lower 
lease liabilities. Net debt used for 
measuring leverage for banking 
covenant purposes, particularly 
excluding the impact of reporting 
leases under the IFRS 16, was 
£214.7m (2019: £216.6m). The 
Group had £316.9m of committed 
banking facilities at 31 December 
2020, of which £296.9m were 
drawn.

Going Concern
The UK Corporate Governance 
Code requires the Directors to 
state whether the Board considers 
it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements, 
and to identify any material 
uncertainties to the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going 
concern over a period of at least  
12 months from the date of 

approval of the financial 
statements. In adopting the going 
concern basis for preparing these 
financial statements, the Board has 
considered the Group’s business 
activities, together with factors 
likely to affect its future 
development, its performance and 
principal risks and uncertainties. 
The spread of COVID-19 has 
precipitated an unprecedented 
level of air travel restrictions being 
imposed by governments across 
the world. Although this has had  
a broadly positive impact on  
cargo handling and forwarding 
businesses, it has had a negative 
impact on flight volumes that drive 
the ground and fuelling services 
businesses.

After reviewing the current liquidity 
position, financial forecasts and 
stress testing of potential risks  
and based on the current funding 
facilities outlined, the Board has  
a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and Group has sufficient 
resources to continue in 
operational existence for the 
foreseeable future, which is for  
the period to 30 June 2022.  
The Group has a strong liquidity 
position. As a result, the Board 
continues to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the Company and Group 
financial statements. The period of 
Management’s going concern 
assessment is the period to 
30 June 2022. 

In the event of further severe 
downside risks beyond the 
Company’s severe but plausible 
downside case, as outlined in note 1 
of the consolidated financial 
statements, the Board has 
identified a material uncertainty 
arising as a result of the impact 
that prolonged international travel 
restrictions could have on the 

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33

Strategic Report 
 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Underlying EBITDA
Working capital
US government support movement
Other items

Underlying operating cash flow
Net capital expenditure
Net interest paid
Tax paid

Free cash flow
Equity dividends paid
Additional pension payment
Cash spend on exceptional items
Shares and other
Principal element of lease repayments
Proceeds from borrowings

Increase in cash

2020
£m

69.9
53.2
23.9
2.6

149.6
(20.7)
(20.7)
(2.5)

105.7
–
(3.7)
(32.9)
0.1
(59.9)
46.6

55.9

2019
£m

138.7
(2.7)
–
(1.1)

134.9
(21.5)
(20.5)
(11.8)

81.1
(17.3)
(12.1)
(12.4)
(0.8)
(57.1)
39.1

20.5

delayed recovery of the business 
that, were they not adequately 
mitigated as they have so far, may 
cause a breach of the leverage and 
interest cover covenants on the 
Company’s unsecured facilities at 
30 June 2022, a date over two 
years after the start of the 
pandemic. If such circumstance 
were to arise, the Company would 
have sufficient time to take steps 
to further mitigate any risk arising 
and, if necessary, to seek to agree 
with its lenders, as it did following 
the outbreak of the pandemic, a 
further waiver of or variation to 
such covenants.
Further details on the going 
concern are outlined in Note 1 of 
the consolidated financial statements. 

Viability statement
The Directors have assessed the 
prospects of the Group over a 
period of three years updated to 
take account of any changes in 
risks, opportunities and market 
conditions in order to comply  
with the viability statement 
requirements of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The Board has 
also considered risks that would 

threaten the Group’s business 
model, future performance, 
solvency and/or liquidity beyond 
31 December 2023. The first year  
of the review of prospects was  
the Group’s budget for the 2021 
financial year, adjusted for any 
known material changes since  
the budget was approved. 

Report and Accounts 2020. For 
assessing the Group’s viability, the 
Directors focused their attention 
on the principal risks that are 
critical to the Group’s success. 
Each risk and its impact and 
mitigation are set out on pages  
40 to 45 of this Annual Report  
and Accounts 2020. 

The period to 31 December 2023 
was chosen because the Board 
considers this a reasonable period 
over which to assess the financial 
position and performance of the 
Group, although it recognises the 
increased challenge in forecasting 
accuracy when developing financial 
forecasts during the COVID-19 
pandemic. 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.

The Group faces a number of risks 
and those risks that the Board has 
currently assessed as being the 
principal risks are set out in the 
Strategic Report of this Annual 

Stress testing of the Group’s 
financial forecasts has been 
undertaken with reference to a 
number of severe but plausible 
scenarios involving its principal 
risks. The scenario analysis 
undertaken included stress testing 
and constructing scenarios that 
would threaten the Group’s 
viability, then assessing the 
likelihood of those scenarios 
occurring. The stress testing also 
considered the availability and 
effectiveness of the mitigating 
actions that could realistically  
be taken to avoid or reduce the 
impact or occurrence of the 
underlying risks. In assessing the 
likely effectiveness of such actions, 
the conclusions of the Board’s 
monitoring and review of risk 
management and internal control 

systems, as described on pages  
36 and 39, were taken into account. 
The financial forecasts and the 
scenario analysis considered 
profitability, cash flows and 
financial covenant compliance. 

The Group’s exposures to external 
factors such as international travel 
and border restrictions resulting 
from additional COVID-19 variants, 
global acts of terrorism and 
environmental risks have also  
been considered. 

In the case of an ongoing impact  
of the response to COVID-19, 
Management has undertaken a 
review of the financial impact were 
the recovery in air traffic volumes 
to be lower than expected, 
reflected in a severe but plausible 
downside scenario using the 
assumptions outlined in the going 
concern assessment in note 1 of the 
consolidated financial statements. 

These assumptions have been 
extended out for the full year 2022 
and to 2023. The key assumptions 
are that the impact of COVID-19 is 
not more prolonged or significant 
than the severe but plausible 
downside case, and that there is  
no further government support 
beyond what has been committed 
in writing only. If the impact of 
COVID-19 is more prolonged or  
no further government support 
received, Management would take 
further steps to restructure to drive 
further cost savings.

The Group currently has significant 
available liquidity, as outlined  
on page 33 of this Annual Report. 
The Group has £26.2m of US 
government loans that are not due 
to mature for ten years and has 
£300.8m of committed bank 
facilities in place for the period to 
January 2025. The Company has 
secured revised covenants with 
lenders on the bank facilities. The 

Revenue

£824.2m

Underlying operating cash flow

£149.6m

revised covenants cover minimum 
liquidity levels and minimum 
EBITDA as at the quarterly 
measurement dates to 31 March 
2022. The next testing of those 
covenants will be in respect of  
the quarter ending 31 March 2021. 
For the measurement period on 
30 June 2022, the covenants revert 
to interest cover and leverage 
covenants per the original terms of 
the banking facilities and are then 
tested each six months thereafter. 
To the extent that Company were 
to need further waivers or 
variations in later periods, the 
Company would engage with its 
banks early to seek to negotiate 
covenant waivers or variations. The 
Group may have access to a variety 
of additional funding options 
including the sale of assets, share 
placings with new or existing 
shareholders or a rights issue, none 
of which has been considered in 
the viability statement. In light of 
all of these factors, the Board 
considers liquidity risks relatively 
low for the purposes of its longer 
term viability assessment.

The Board concluded that it has  
a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due. The result 
of the downside stress testing 
illustrated that the Group faces 
little short term risk to its liquidity. 
It is conceivable that scenarios 

more severe than the severe but 
plausible case as set out in Note 1 
of the consolidated financial 
statements could risk a breach  
of leverage and interest cover 
covenants as at 30 June 2022 on 
the Group’s facilities maturing in 
January 2025. Ahead of such a 
scenario potentially arising, the 
Company would take steps to 
ameliorate the risk of occurrence, 
for example, continuing to optimise 
additional governmental support 
and taking further operating cost 
and cash saving measures with the 
aim of ensuring the viability of the 
Group over the three year period. 

Any such assessment is subject to 
a degree of uncertainty that can be 
expected to increase the longer the 
time horizon.

The Board confirms that it has a 
reasonable expectation that the 
Company and the Group will be 
able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the period to 31 December 
2023 based on its assessment of 
the Group’s prospects and viability. 
In making this statement, the 
Directors have assumed that, under 
the downside stress test scenario, 
the Company may need to take 
steps to mitigate any risk of a 
breach of its leverage and interest 
cover covenants at 30 June 2022 
on the Company’s unsecured 
facilities maturing in January 2025. 
If such circumstance were to arise, 
the Company would seek to agree 
with its lenders, as it did following 
the outbreak of the pandemic, a 
further waiver of or variation to 
such covenants.

Alvaro Gomez-Reino
Chief Financial Officer
9 March 2021

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Strategic ReportRISK MANAGEMENT

An effective 
approach to risk 
management 

Effective identification and management of risks  
has arguably never been so important. The risks that 
materialised during 2020 in relation to the global 
COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that early 
identification and a clear and decisive mitigating 
response can make a significant difference to how 
successful a businesses may be in navigating their 
way through the resulting challenges and issues. 

It is essential the Group has in  
place a robust risk management 
programme if we are to continue  
to safeguard the Group’s assets, 
protect the welfare of our people 
and, more generally, promote the 
interests of its stakeholders. That’s 
why the Group’s central corporate 
affairs function, as well as central 
and regional risk and audit functions, 
perform a key role in working with 
all business areas, identifying, 
evaluating and managing the 
financial and non-financial risks  
that the Group faces. 

During development of our 
sustainability materiality 
assessment undertaken in 2020, 
Risk management was recognised 
as a priority for the Group. Ensuring 
we continually test the strength of 
our risk management programme 
and drive our risk management 
agenda and culture is critical in 
ensuring risks are identified and 
managed appropriately. Our ‘Three 
Lines of Defence’ model provides 
an effective way to ensure risk 
management and controls within 
our business are effectively 
communicated to all our 
employees. All levels of 
Management must assume 
responsibility for maintaining 
effective internal controls and  
for executing risk and control 
procedures on a day to day basis. 

RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

1st line of defence
Control, design and implementation

2nd line of defence
Oversight

3rd line of defence
Independent assurance

INTERNAL AUDIT

COMPLIANCE

MANAGEMENT  
CONTROLS

INHERENT 
RISK

RESIDUAL 
RISK

RISK MANAGEMENT 
FRAMEWORK

RISK

Risk Management Process, 
Assessment and Monitoring
The Group’s Risk Framework is 
underpinned by our ‘8 Pillar’ and ‘5 
Star’ Programmes, which both help 
to validate and inform our Group 
Risk Register. The 8 Pillar 
Programme prescribes the 
minimum standards that are 
expected throughout our 
operations, whilst the 5 Star 
Programme allows us to audit on 
what matters the most and drives 
improved compliance behaviour 
within the operation. Both 
programmes provide the necessary 
oversight and assurance that risks 

are adequately managed, and 
continuous improvement is 
achieved. In addition to this bottom 
up approach, the Group’s Risk 
Register incorporates corporate 
level risks identified through a 
top-down approach. 

Our overarching Risk Register 
process is designed to identify risk, 
establish the level of each risk by 
considering ‘Probability of Risk 
Occurrence’ against the impact  
of Financial, Operational and 
Reputational risk in each of the 
various categories and seeks to 
mitigate such risks. 

Risks are typically categorised into 
16 areas with key identified risks 
and emerging risks, both financial 
and non-financial (the latter 
including environmental, social and 
governance risks), reviewed by 
both the Board and the Executive 
Committee on an ongoing basis. 
Supported by the Group’s controls 
assurance provider, formal six-
monthly review of risks and 
controls occurs. Annual 
certifications on internal control 
compliance are undertaken and the 
standard agenda of the Executive 
Committee includes the review of 

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37

Strategic ReportRISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

APPROACHES TO RISK

Our shareholder value-based approach

Coverage is driven by issues that directly impact shareholder value, with clear and explicit linkage  
to our strategic objectives. 

•  Identify shareholder value-creating activities
•  Understand enterprise risks (Strategic, Financial, Operational and Governance)
•  Evaluate impact to shareholder value

TOP DOWN

AUDIT PLAN

BOTTOM UP

Traditional approach 

Based on stakeholder interviews and analysis with focus on coverage of identified risk areas, geography 
and business operations. 

•  Evaluate impact of risks within audit universe
•  Identify risks (Financial, Operational and Compliance)
•  Define audit universe (e.g. geography or business unit)

audit, compliance and safety and 
security issues and risks. From  
a Finance perspective, the Tax 
Committee continues to convene 
on a two-monthly basis to ensure 
the potential impact of any global 
tax changes has been properly 
assessed whilst the Treasury 
Review Committee also meets on  
a two-monthly basis 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.

Environment, social and 
governance related risks, and in 
particular emerging climate-related 
risks that may impact the Group 
are incorporated into the Group 
Risk Register and reviewed by the 
Executive Committee. Climate risk 

has been captured as an emerging 
risk, rather than a principle risk at 
this time. A detailed assessment 
will be undertaken on climate-
related risk during 2021, as part of 
our new approach to sustainability 
reporting and as we seek to 
establish increased transparency 
through our reporting in this area 
going forward. 

The table on pages 40 to 45 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020 
sets out the principal risks and 
uncertainties, extracted from the 
Risk Register, that the Group faced, 
and continues to face, at the end  
of 2020 and the key control 
mechanisms it has in place to 
mitigate them. Whilst the tables  
do not comprise of all risks faced 
by the Group, they represent  
those that the Board considers  
are most significant. 

“ Ensuring we 

continually test the 
strength of our risk 
management 
programme and drive 
our risk management 
agenda and culture  
is critical in ensuring 
risks are identified  
and managed 
appropriately.”

“ We will continue to evolve and assess the 
Group’s Risk Management Processes and 
Executive oversight to ensure these remain 
relevant and robust, ensuring we continue 
to protect the Group and it’s stakeholders 
as we progress through 2021.”

The most notable change from 
2019 is the evolvement of the 
Principle Risk resulting from the 
response to the COVID-19 
pandemic. During 2020, a detailed 
process was undertaken to identify 
associated risks, resulting impacts, 
mitigating factors and controls. 
This is reviewed frequently by 
senior and executive management 
to ensure all risks continue to be 
understood and managed. 

During 2020 we continued to roll 
-out and to embed the Group’s 
Menzies Operating Responsibly, 
Safely and Effectively (MORSE) 
ethos and web-based integrated 
MORSE system. This provides a 
more automated risk solution and 
promotes a risk conscious culture 
throughout the Group’s operations 
where safety and security are the 
top priority, thereby helping to 
lessen and manage risk exposure. 

We will continue to evolve  
and assess the Group’s Risk 
Management Processes and 
Executive oversight to ensure  
these remain relevant and robust, 
ensuring we continue to protect 
the Group and its stakeholders as 
we progress through 2021. 

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director  
& Group Company Secretary
9 March 2021

Brexit was another area that 
demanded increased focus during 
2020 in the lead up to the exit date 
on 1 January 2021 with steps taken 
to ensure affected employees and 
resources were suitably protected 
from any resulting impact and 
business continuity plans were 
updated to reflect any risk to the 
Group’s supply chain. Commercial 
teams have also been working  
to assess and mitigate any 
potential fallout from changes  
to UK-European flight schedules, 
amongst other areas. 

Risk Appetite
The Group’s risk appetite is 
reflected in the control and 
assessment criteria in place for 
each principle risk and key Group 
activities. It is subject to rigorous 
and constant review and we will 
therefore continue to evaluate  
and evolve our approach to risk 
throughout 2021. 

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39

Strategic Report 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

The Board has undertaken a robust assessment of the principal risks and uncertainties 
facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity. The table below lists those risks and uncertainties  
that the Board considers most significant and details the key mechanisms which we 
employ to mitigate them.

Strategic link

1. OPTIMISED PORTFOLIO MIX

2. TARGETED GROWTH

3. FOCUS ON MARGIN IMPROVEMENT

4. CUSTOMER ORIENTATED

5. PEOPLE CENTRIC

RISK CATEGORY

RISK

STRATEGIC 
LINK

RISK DESCRIPTION

IMPACT 

KEY CONTROL MECHANISM

Risk change

Increasing 

Decreasing 

No change 

New 

Emerging  

CHANGE 
FROM 2019 

PANDEMIC

COVID-19 Pandemic

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

SAFETY

Adherence to Standard 
Operating Procedures

2. 4. 5.

The risk to the aviation business has significantly 
increased with the effects of COVID-19 
pandemic and the potential for future 
pandemics. Further details in this regard can  
be found on pages 12 to 15 and 32 to 35 of  
the Strategic Report of this Annual Report  
and Accounts 2020. 

The risk of a breach of/failure to comply with  
our internal and airline standard operating 
procedures or regulations, which are key to 
ensuring that the Group delivers its strategic 
objectives and operates safely and securely  
at all times.

IT

System Availability  
& Integrity

2. 4.

TRAINING

Training Resource

1. 2. 4.

The risk of a cyber-attack that compromises  
the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability  
of systems. Sophisticated IT systems are at  
the core of our business, driving efficiency  
and underpinning our operations.

The risk that there is inadequate training 
resource available and employees are not 
trained, or refresher training is not provided  
in a timely manner.

The ongoing impact of  
COVID-19 could further affect  
the Group’s operational 
performance, the health  
and wellbeing of our people 
and financial performance.

Developments in this area remain under continual review to ensure we are 
positioned to react and adapt as required. Our COVID-19 response plan 
incorporated a number of measures including, but not limited to, dedicated 
communication channels for our employees, the implementation of a 
bespoke COVID-19 workplace inspection conducted on our SMART app, 
remote independent COVID oversight checks of the measures implemented 
at our locations, a robust employee return to work programme and 
continuous monitoring of the Group’s operating position.

Dedicated teams seek to drive standardisation across the network whilst 
further investment in infrastructure and systems will aid the drive for 
compliance and standardisation.

Tailored training packages exist, and all employees undertake full and 
rigorous training (as applicable). Safety and security are the number one 
priority at every station and are never compromised. In addition, each 
geographic region has a dedicated SVP Risk in place to drive continuous 
improvement.

MORSE and our 10 Golden Rules are at the heart of all our operations. 

Improved security has been provided with the outsourcing of our physical 
hardware data centres, and associated support, to a third-party outsourcing 
specialist. Appropriate plans and controls to mitigate risks to an acceptable 
level have been put in place through our Cyber Security Programme 
including: double authentication; move to office 365; software monitoring 
and periodic review of Response and Disaster Recovery plans.

Each station has someone who is responsible for training and our learning 
and development platforms increase resilience and transparency of our 
employee training records. The functionality of the systems is such that they 
allow training to be delivered in a more efficient manner, reduces variation 
and simplifies the record-keeping process. A review of training resource 
against headcount and services at each station is taking place throughout 
our regions and will be continually monitored and reviewed.

Failure to adhere to standard 
operating procedures could 
endanger employees and 
negatively impact both 
operational performance  
and the Group’s reputation. 
An increase in incidents may 
arise and, in turn, a poor 
safety record could impact us 
financially with significant 
insurance rates, produce 
increased operating costs and 
lead to the loss of customer 
contracts.

A serious IT systems outage 
and/or unauthorised access to 
the Group’s network for even 
a limited period of time could 
have a significant operational, 
financial and/or reputational 
impact.

Failure to have sufficient 
training resource to deliver 
adequate training or refresher 
training could give rise to 
actual or potential safety, 
security and/or quality 
breaches. In addition to 
endangering employees and 
negatively impacting both our 
safety record and operational 
performance, the reputation 
of the Group would suffer.

40

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41

Strategic ReportRISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

RISK CATEGORY

RISK

STRATEGIC 
LINK

RISK DESCRIPTION

IMPACT 

KEY CONTROL MECHANISM

CHANGE 
FROM 2019 

SECURITY

Insider Threat

4. 5.

The risk that a serious security breach or 
incident occurs that is directly attributable to 
the actions of one of our employees, former 
employees or contractors.

PRIVACY

Data Breach

4. 5.

Risk of breach of data by inadequate  
data handling.

HUMAN 
RESOURCES

Succession Planning

5.

FINANCE

Menzies Pension Fund

3.

The risk that the Group does not have a 
structured and/or effective succession planning 
programme in place that ensures the necessary 
pool of talent exists from which to identify  
the correct individuals to occupy positions that 
may arise, whether supervisory, managerial or 
otherwise. Our operations rely on having the 
right people with the right skills in the right 
place at the right time.

The risk associated with the Group’s historic 
defined benefit pension scheme in the UK.  
The scheme closed to new members in 2003 
and to future accrual in 2017 and is currently  
in deficit. The Group is required to make cash 
contributions to address this deficit and the 
potential exists that the deficit increases due  
to poor asset returns or because of an increase 
in liabilities arising from current financial 
assumptions differing from experience.

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

The Group works closely with airport authorities. Rigorous checking and 
vetting of all employees takes place. Central support is provided to all 
stations via Group Security team with our MORSE intranet-based safety and 
security system providing consistent and regular reporting. A dedicated VP 
Security Management Systems continues to raise standards across the Group 
and reinforce awareness. In addition, a project is underway to develop an 
even more robust security programme with a view of improving policies, 
procedures and reporting metrics to measure awareness and effectiveness  
of programme.

A major data breach could 
result in regulatory action, 
including administrative fines 
of up to 4% of global annual 
turnover, litigation brought 
against the business, the 
termination of customer 
contracts and severe 
reputational damage.

The operational and leadership 
impact of failing to have robust 
succession plans in place could 
result in increased costs to the 
business, 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 arise 
if we were unable to retain 
internal candidates to occupy 
key roles as they become 
available or we lose individuals 
with the requisite knowledge 
and expertise due to a lack  
of career opportunities.

An increase in the scheme 
deficit could result in a 
requirement to increase the 
current cash contributions 
which in turn could reduce the 
amount that the Group can 
invest in growth business 
opportunities.

We launched a new data protection training and awareness campaign in  
2019 and we continue to promote a culture of engagement. Our Information 
Security Incident Policy, together with our Incident Response process, have 
been implemented and communicated. To strengthen our data incident 
controls and awareness programme, efforts to review these will continue 
throughout 2021.

Succession plans are in place across the Group and are monitored by both 
Regional and departmental teams as well as centrally. Regular reviews are 
conducted to assess where succession risk may exist so steps can be taken 
to mitigate accordingly. A project is ongoing to review the reward & 
recognition, training and development provided to our leadership population 
and their potential future successors, which should tackle attrition and calibre 
of the leadership population. Additionally, each region has a HR Senior 
Manager who is accountable for creating robust succession plans.

The decision to close the Fund to future accrual was a key determinant in 
reducing the risk associated with the scheme as changes in the scheme 
liabilities now only result from a change in liabilities relating to past service, as 
opposed to a further increase as a result of current and future service. The 
ongoing controls adopted by the Group to manage this risk include working 
closely with the Pension Trustee and its advisers to ensure that investment 
performance and liability experience are reviewed regularly; diversifying 
pension assets so that the impact decreases in the value of certain asset 
classes is minimised; and ensuring that the scheme has the optimum 
investment policy by matching asset profiles with associated liabilities taking 
into account the future likely mortality of members, investment returns and 
inflation.

42

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43

Strategic ReportRISK DESCRIPTION

IMPACT 

KEY CONTROL MECHANISM

CHANGE 
FROM 2019 

RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

RISK CATEGORY

RISK

FINANCE

Breach of Banking 
Covenants

STRATEGIC 
LINK

1. 2. 4.

The risk arising from the difficulties in financial 
forecasts associated with estimating the impact 
of COVID-19 on short and medium profitability 
and liquidity. In the event of risks beyond the 
Company’s severe but plausible downside case, 
the Board has identified a material uncertainty 
arising as a result of the impact that 
international travel restrictions could have on  
the delayed recovery of the business that, were 
they not adequately mitigated as they have 
been so far and the Directors expect will 
continue, may risk a breach of the banking 
leverage and interest cover covenants at 30 
June 2022. Further details in this regard can be 
found on pages 32 to 35 of the Chief Financial 
Officer’s Statement and pages 95 to 99 of the 
Audit Committee Report of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2020.

EXTERNAL  
SHOCK

Impact of Brexit  
to UK and European 
Operations

1. 2. 3. 4.

The risk that business becomes more 
challenging within the European Union  
following the UK’s exit.

EMERGING RISKS

ENVIRONMENTAL

Climate change

2. 3. 4. 5.

Rising climate change concerns on a global 
basis have led and could lead to additional  
legal and/or regulatory measures, additional 
compliance obligations and operational 
restrictions and potentially over time a 
decreasing demand for aviation services.

The risk that performance is 
not accurately forecast and 
therefore issues including 
availability of liquidity and 
compliance with banking 
covenants arise.

To ensure the business is correctly resourced in response to the challenges 
posed by COVID-19, the Group have a number of measures in place to ensure 
liquidity is appropriately managed including, but not limited to, discussions 
with suppliers, customers, staff, banks and governments. This risk is 
consistently monitored and remains a key focus.

The resulting impacts of Brexit 
affecting/restricting the free 
movement of persons 
resulting in staff recruitment 
issues (during peak seasons in 
particular) and impacting the 
operations of our customers.

Developments in this area remain under continual review. During 2020 our 
teams assessed the potential impact and implemented strategies to ensure 
our operations remain adequately resourced. Our Commercial team 
implemented a strategy aimed at achieving the optimum combination  
of service portfolio and geography to offset any potential UK-European  
flight reduction. 

Many major airlines serving the UK have split or are splitting their AOC into 
UK and the European Union to mitigate their risk, in turn mitigating ours. 
Additionally, Business Continuity Plans have been reviewed to ensure our 
supply chain is protected and suppliers have adequate plans in place.

The business has initiated a Sustainability Programme to develop a 
Sustainability Strategy and set goals and targets aligned to the most material 
issues for our business across the environmental, social and governance 
spectrum. This includes a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2033. 

We are working towards improving our reporting and climate related 
disclosures, becoming compliant with the Task Force on Climate Disclosures 
reporting framework.

Our programme actions and targets are focused on developing sustainable 
services and solutions and improving our customer proposition.

If the business is unable to: 
develop and disclose our 
approach and response to 
ESG related issues (including 
impacts from climate change); 
develop sustainable solutions 
that are both economically 
viable; and, meet the evolving 
need for sustainable services 
in the aviation sector, we 
could experience additional 
costs or financial penalties 
and/or a reduced demand for 
our services. This could result 
in a material adverse effect on 
our earnings, cash flows and 
financial condition. 

44

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45

Strategic ReportRESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Sustainability  
in Action 

As market forces and the regulatory environment 
shine a spotlight on the importance of improving 
sustainability performance, it is becoming critical 
that businesses of all sizes from every sector  
start to define and create their own sustainability 
strategy and pathway. 

In our 2019 report we outlined  
our intentions to develop our 
Sustainability Strategy and 
Programme, including setting 
goals and targets across the 
environment, social and 
governance (ESG) spectrum. 

Despite our focus in initially being 
diverted to respond to the impacts 
resulting from COVID-19, it was 
universally agreed that our 
sustainability journey was a priority in 
growing our business responsibly and 
rebuilding a better Menzies for the 
future. We commenced our Board-
sponsored Sustainability Programme 
in September 2020, with the support 
of external sustainability consultants. 

The key aims for our programme 
were to create a Sustainability 
Strategy and start setting group wide 
priorities, actions and targets which in 
turn would help to:
•  inspire and engage employees
•  identify and implement ways to 
operate more efficiently whilst 
reducing our environmental impact

•  reduce and offset our carbon 

emissions

•  support customers in their own 

sustainability initiatives

•  take the lead in being a safe and 
responsible aviation services 
partner

•  create long term value

Our Approach
Our first step was to undertake a 
materiality assessment to identify 
the most relevant and material 
issues for our business. We used  
a recognised approach, which 
included:

Issue identification
An initial list of potential issues 
related to ESG topics was created 
from a wide range of sources 
including sustainability frameworks 
and indices, internal and external 
documents, trade associations, 
peers and competitors, brokers’ 
notes, media and social media. The 
list of over 200 issues was reviewed 
to select the topics deemed to be 
most material to our business, 
which were then given clear 

46

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

definitions, grouped into 12 
categories and sense checked.

S AFETY

Material issues categories
1   Ethical business 
2   Legally compliant
3   Employee engagement
4   Risk management
5   Human rights
6   Health & safety
7   Community support
8   Diversity & inclusion
9   Effect of climate change  

on Menzies

10   Our environmental impact 
11    Water usage 
12   Waste management

Stakeholder engagement
During our thorough engagement 
programme we conducted both 
L E G A L  & ETHICAL
quantitative and qualitative 
research. The material issues 
identified were included in a survey 
questionnaire that was made 
available to over 2,000 employees. 
We conducted internal and external 
stakeholder interviews using an 
open-ended questioning approach, 
which enriched and informed the 
process. The results of the research 
was presented to our Executive 
and Senior Management and the 
issues explored before gaining 
consensus on our 12 material issues 
and relative priorities. 

Baseline materiality matrix and 
strategy synopsis
Using the insights gained in the 
engagement process, we created 
our baseline materiality matrix and 
strategic synopsis, which informed 
development of our Sustainability 
Strategy and setting of our initial 
goals and targets. 

Bringing our Strategy to Life
Our sustainability journey
Our Sustainability Strategy is closely 
aligned to our purpose of providing 
safe and trusted aviation services 
for every customer, every time. It 
encapsulates and defines four key 
segments identified as being of the 
highest priority for our business, 
including ‘Safety’, ‘People’, 
‘Environment’ and ‘Legal & Ethical’.
We also recognise the importance 

“ Our sustainability journey was a priority  
in growing our business responsibly and 
rebuilding a better Menzies for the future.”

 Read more about our journey on page 49

to our business of how we engage 
and support local communities, our 
people’s wellbeing, and how good 
governance can shape a strong, 
safe and ethical culture. Each of 
these areas has touchpoints across 
each segment and as such, are 
additional core elements of our 
Sustainability Strategy. 

Our Sustainability Strategy not only 
complements our purpose but also 
aligns with our vision, values and 
overarching strategic business 
pillars. It will form an important 

part of our business going forward: 
influencing our planning, shaping 
future KPIs and helping to deliver 
value to all our stakeholders. 

Actions, goals and commitments 
We worked with teams across our 
business to set meaningful and 
measurable global goals and 
targets, outlining our commitments 
for the short, mid and longer term. 
We intend further developing  
our goals and targets as our 
sustainability journey continues and 
will review these annually to ensure 

S A F E T Y

•  Zero injuries
•  Zero damage
•  Improve our safety 

culture

PEOPLE

•  Optimise training
•  Increase development
•  Improve engagement
•  Diverse and balanced 

workforce

T
N
E
M
N
O
R
I
V
N
E

•  Carbon neutral 

by 2033

•  Zero fuel spills
•   Support the 

climate agenda

W E LLBEING 

UNIT Y  

M
M
O
C

Acting ethically 
and responsibly

A

N

C
E

L

E

G

A

L

•  Zero tolerance to 

&

G

O

V

E

R

N

unethical behaviour
•  Ethical supply chain
•  Fully compliant
•  Cyber secure

E

T

H

I

C
A
L

Our sustainability strategy
Evolving our business since 1833 to take the lead in providing sustainable aviation services

Our sustainability strategy

Evolving our business since 1833 to take the lead in providing sustainable aviation services

People.
Passion.
Pride.

Environment

Safety

People

Legal & Ethical

We will take action to protect 
our environment and are 
starting a journey to become 
carbon neutral by 2033.

We are committed to providing 
safe and trusted aviation 
services for our customers and 
to making sure our people 
return home safely at the end 
of each day, by promoting and 
improving our safety culture 
through our MORSE code.

A skilled and dedicated 
workforce is the heartbeat 
of our business. We aim to 
create an inclusive working 
environment, and 
fundamental to our success 
is ensuring that we recruit, 
develop and retain a diverse 
workforce.

Ensuring the highest ethical 
business and governance 
practices are adhered to 
everywhere we operate; 
nurturing an ethical culture 
that is vital to both our 
success and the delivery of 
sustainable value for all our 
stakeholders.

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

47

Strategic Report 
 
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUED

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION CONTINUED

they remain relevant and to track 
progress. As goals are realised,  
new goals and targets will be set.

In order to help achieve our global 
goals and targets, we have created 
a roadmap outlining our vision and 
setting commitments for 1 year, 2-3 
years, 5-10 years (and beyond in 
some cases). These are supported 
by action plans utilising existing 
and new business drivers, software 
systems, processes, policies and 
communications.

Our goal of becoming carbon 
neutral by 2033 will coincide 
with the 200th anniversary  
of our business – a truly 
significant way to acknowledge 
the longevity and continued 
evolution of our business. 

“ Our Sustainability Programme has invigorated 
and inspired us, and we are confident it will  
help ensure our business grows responsibly  
and prospers.”

We have reviewed alignment of our 
own goals and targets with the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals 
and intend formalising our 
commitment by becoming a 
signatory to the UN Global 
Compact in 2021, supporting the 
UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development.  

Governance and Reporting
Our Sustainability Programme team 
will continue to develop our 
approach to Sustainability, our 

reporting and to drive progress, 
however, overall responsibility and 
sponsorship remains with our 
executive sponsors and the Board. 
During 2021, we will review our  
ESG governance structure and 
implement changes that will 
improve the effectiveness of 
governance in this area and to the 
business overall. 

We are committed to improving 
transparency and the way we 
report and communicate on our 
Sustainability Strategy and ESG 
issues. During 2021, we will 
undertake our first assessment 
using the Task Force for Climate 
Disclosure (TCFD) framework in 
order to prepare our first report 
aligned with the TCFD 
requirements, to be published 
within the Group’s 2021 Annual 
Report and Accounts. We are 
targeting to become fully 
compliant in this area by 2023 as 
our assessment, processes and 
reporting matures. 

The following pages within the 
‘Responsible Business’ section of 
our Annual Report and Accounts 
2020 share further details of our 
commitment to being a good 
corporate citizen, conducting our 
business ethically and with integrity, 
focusing on and engaging with our 
People, ensuring the safety of our 
operations and people, and 
detailing our environmental 
achievements and reporting. 

Our Sustainability Programme has 
invigorated and inspired us, and  
we are confident it will help ensure 
our business grows responsibly  
and prospers. 

48

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Our Sustainability Journey

In 2020 we worked hard behind the scenes to create our own Sustainability Strategy and 
roadmap, defining the approach for us to become a more sustainable business. We have 
developed a plan that sets out our intentions, ambitions and targets in relation to reducing 
our carbon footprint, as well as other environmental issues, how we make our environments 
safe, develop or people and embed our ethical, cultural and socially responsible initiatives.

2020

Developing our Sustainability Strategy

Identify
We identified and defined the 
most material sustainability 
issues that will have the greatest 
impact on our business and 
underpin the basis for our 
sustainability strategy.
•  Over 200 material issues 
identified and assessed 
•  14 issues taken forward for 

deeper exploration

Engage
We engaged with a wide range of 
internal and external stakeholders 
through qualitative and quantitative 
research methods to test and qualify 
the material issues identified.
•  407 employee survey responses
•  10 key stakeholder interviews 
including senior management, 
investors, customers and supply 
partners

•  Senior management workshop

Prioritise
The top priority issues were  
taken forward into the strategy 
development stage. We have set 
clear goals and actions to be 
implemented across the business 
functions and regions for the near, 
mid and longer terms.
•  Four key focus areas
•  Clear plan, goals and actions set

Embedding sustainability into our business

2021

Reporting
Review and develop our 
systems and processes  
to report progress against 
targets and commitments 
•  Establish baselines  

and reporting 
•  Audit and monitor
•  Report against baselines

Processes
Review and develop our 
systems and processes to 
deliver the sustainability 
programme
•  Optimise operational 

training

•  Harmonise tools  

and systems

People
Support and develop  
our people to deliver the 
actions and targets set.
•  Increase management 

development 

•  Embed safety culture
•  Improve employee 

engagement

•  Review and embed 

•  Focus on Diversity  

policies and governance

and Inclusion

ESG 
framework 
published

Signatory  
to UN Global 
Compact

2022

2023

2033

Integrating 
sustainability into  
our supply chain

TCFD reporting 
launched

Having established a solid foundation 
within Menzies’ operations the  
focus going forward will be to embed 
sustainability deeper into our supply chain
•  Partner with ESG focused suppliers
•  Onboard and monitor
•  Supplier audit and support

Become  
carbon neutral

Fully compliant 
and aligned  
with reporting 
requirements 
such as TCFD/
SASB standards 

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Strategic Report 
 
 
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUED

Ethics, Integrity  
and Compliance

2020 presented new challenges but also many  
new opportunities from an ethical and compliance 
perspective. As recognised within our Sustainability 
Framework, ethical and legal compliance is a key 
priority for the Group. Excellent governance practices 
and nurturing an ethical culture are vital to our 
success and supporting the delivery of sustainable 
value for all our stakeholders, as well as helping to 
create a business our People can be proud of. 

O U R   L E G A L  & ETHICAL GOALS

Zero tolerance to 
unethical behaviour

Ethical supply chain

Fully compliant

Cyber secure

Our Global Compliance Programme
Our global compliance programme 
comprises the standards, policies, 
training and guidance across the 
corporate compliance spectrum. 
Our Code of Conduct (Code) is  
at the heart of our programme.  
It provides direction and guidance 
for all our People as to the 
behaviours and values we expect 
when conducting business, making 
decisions and engaging with each 
other and external stakeholders. 
Making our Code and our global 
compliance programme part of  
our ‘every day’ will help us to 
nurture a safe, respectful, and 
trusting working environment and 
to always operate with honesty, 
fairness, integrity and transparency. 

Integrating our compliance 
programme within any new business 
or joint venture partnership is a 
critical step to ensuring awareness, 
understanding and compliance 
across our whole Group of the high 

standards, good governance  
and ethical conduct we expect. 

We review all policies within our 
compliance programme annually, 
ensuring they continue to meet the 
relevant standards and legislation, 
as well as alignment with our 
ethical expectations. All our 
compliance related policies are 
widely translated making these as 
accessible as possible. 

During 2020 we launched our new 
group wide Gifts and Hospitality 
Policy along with an online Gifts 
and Hospitality Register, replacing 
our previous registers and 
improving monitoring and 
auditability. Our Code was updated 
during the year and relaunched at 
the start of 2021, ensuring all our 
People have clear and up to date 
guidance on conducting business 
ethically and in compliance with 
applicable regulations and 
legislation. 

Additionally, our Data Protection 
related policies and guidance were 
also updated and recently 
relaunched. 

As captured in our sustainability 
strategy and goals, ensuring the 
Group’s supply chains are 
sustainable and ethical is a key 
priority. Our Third Party Code of 
Conduct will be revised during 2021 
to reflect our updated internal 
Code and increased ESG related 
expectations on our third parties. 
Our Third Party Code of Conduct 
continues to form part of all new 
contractual arrangements with our 
suppliers, contractors and other 
partners, further demonstrating our 
commitment to operating ethically 
and in compliance with legislation, 
across our supply chains. The 
management of our third parties 
including joint venture partners, 
contractors, intermediaries and 
suppliers remains a high priority 
and area of focus of our 
compliance programme. 

Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
The Group takes a zero tolerance 
approach to any form or bribery or 
corruption taking place, anywhere 
across our business and in our 
partnerships. Our Anti-Bribery and 
Anti-Corruption Policy and Gifts and 
Hospitality Policy and procedures 
address this topic and make clear 
our expectations (as do our Code 
and Third Party Code). Our 
e-learning and tailored training 
modules provide further guidance 
to employees. This is an area we 
review regularly and discuss with 
our executive and senior teams, 
ensuring the importance of 
compliance is clear and understood. 

Speak Up Culture 
During 2020, we selected and 
implemented a new ‘Speak Up’ 
hotline provided by People  
InTouch, replacing our old 
whistleblowing hotline. Our 
previous Whistleblowing Policy  
was replaced with a new Speak Up 
Policy and Guidance, outlining our 
commitment to supporting a Speak 
Up culture and providing better 
information and support for any  
of our People who may wish to 
make a report or raise a concern 
confidentially and anonymously. 
We take all reports and complaints 
in relation to improper conduct, 
breaches of regulation or legislation 
or other forms of unethical 
behaviour seriously. Our People  
can be assured that all reports  
are treated confidentially and 
addressed and that they will  
be protected at all times.

Training and Communication
Our compliance programme 
includes mandatory e-learning 
modules covering core compliance 
topics including, but not limited to, 
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption, 
Data Privacy and Protection, 
Modern Slavery and Human 
Trafficking, Conflicts of Interest and 
Gifts and Hospitality. Training is also 
delivered face-to-face in person or 
via Microsoft Teams, with certain 
employee groups including senior 
and Executive teams.

TRACE
We are pleased to continue our 
membership with TRACE, 
underlining our zero tolerance 
approach to bribery and 
corruption. TRACE is a globally 
recognised compliance 
organisation that provides 
multinational companies and 
their commercial intermediaries 
with anti-bribery compliance 
support and is a leading 
provider of cost-effective third 
party risk management 
solutions. Members and clients 
include hundreds  
of multinational companies 
headquartered worldwide.  
For more information, visit  
www.TRACEinternational.org

Our plans to launch our new  
Code of Conduct e-learning 
module were postponed in 2020, 
while we updated and launched our 
new Code. This has been launched 
globally in early 2021 and will be 
mandatory for every one.

By increasing awareness and 
sharing guidance with our People 
through different methods, we can 
better bring our compliance 
programme to life and support our 
People. Examples of different areas 
we have supplemented with 
additional communications during 
2020 include modern slavery and 
human rights, data protection, 
sanctions and anti-bribery and 
anti-corruption. 

A Holistic Approach
By working collaboratively with 
departments across the Group, we 
build trusted working relationships 
and encourage open dialogue that 
enables our Compliance team to 
support day-to-day and embed 
good ethical practices and 
governance that create our ethical 
culture. Our Executive teams lead 
by example and help disseminate 
the message of compliance, ethics 
and legal compliance. 

Human Rights and Our Response to Modern Slavery

The Group’s latest annual Anti-
Slavery and Human Trafficking 
Statement was published during 
2020 for 2019 and is available  
on our company websites and  
in the UK and Australian modern 
slavery statement registers. Our 
2019 Statement was our first joint 
statement satisfying reporting 
requirements under both the UK 
Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the 
new Australian Modern Slavery Act 
(Commonwealth), although our 
submission for this first year under 
the Australian legislation was 
voluntary, becoming mandatory  
for our 2020 reporting period.

We do not tolerate any form of 
slavery or forced labour within 
our business or any of our supply 
chains. As such, our Statement 
outlines our response and steps 
taken to address modern slavery 
and human trafficking risks and 
ensuring that slavery and human 
trafficking do not occur in our 
supply chains or any part of  
our business. 

https://menziesaviation.com/
wp-content/uploads/2020/09/
jmplc-anti-slavery-and-human-
trafficking-statement-
fye-311219.pdf

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Strategic ReportRESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUED

People
2020 was an extraordinary year, 
with the COVID-19 pandemic 
dominating all of our working and 
personal lives. On behalf of the 
whole of the Menzies family, we 
recognise our colleagues who 
tragically lost their lives to 
COVID-19 in 2020, and express 
gratitude to all of our 23,000 
colleagues who have adapted  
in many different ways to the 
challenges that we faced. Our 
thanks also go to the people  
who have left.

Our People have shown 
determination and agility in 
responding to the challenges 
presented to them both personally 
and in their working lives because 
of the global responses to 
COVID-19. Providing our essential 
services, through the movement  
of people and critical supplies, has 
never been more important and 
thousands of our workers left their 
homes to deliver these essential 
services for customers and 
communities every day. With the 
help of government wage support 
schemes globally, many other 
colleagues agreed to take time 
away from the business as our 
customers grounded flights in 
response to restrictions on travel. 

A warm welcome for passengers  

O U R   P EOPLE GOALS

Optimise training

Increase development

Improve engagement

Diverse and balanced 
workforce

Our People  
and Culture

Our People are what sets us apart from our competitors, 
they are the driving force behind our operational 
achievements – their unrivalled commitment to setting  
high standards, their enthusiasm to deliver for our 
customers and their drive to deliver results.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the 
aviation sector, we reduced the  
size of our skilled and talented 
workforce, and end the year with  
a workforce that is 29% smaller 
than when we started. We have 
maximised efficiencies in our 
remaining workforce, multi-skilling 
employees to allow for greater 
flexibility as we dealt with 
fluctuating flight schedules and 
restructuring our management and 
support functions to ensure that 
we emerge from this global crisis, 
positioned to achieve our strategic 
growth plans. 

Protecting the safety and well-
being of our People, and all of 
those that we come in contact 
with, was our top focus. We 
adapted the way that we work, to 
make our workplaces as safe as 
possible. With our customer flight 
schedules drastically different from 
what we would usually plan for, and 
the time-critical movement of 
goods an essential part of our 
offering, we adapted our ways of 
working to deliver the new norm. 
We developed a process for our 
employees to return to the business 
from various furlough schemes that 
would keep them, their colleagues 
and, our customers safe and 
secure. We supported our 
colleagues with refresher training 
and a new skill set, to adapt to 
working environments that look 
very different to those they left. 

We found new ways to respond  
to the challenges, working closely 
with companies in other sectors, 
including the food sector, and  
with mail and vaccine distribution 
efforts, who were facing challenges 
that were different to our own,  
to find opportunities for colleagues 

 “ Our People have shown determination  

and agility in responding to the challenges 
presented to them both personally and in  
their working lives.”

to work, and to provide essential 
service during the pandemic.  
We doubled down on our 
communication efforts, with 
twice-weekly Executive 
communications at the peak of  
the crisis, and the opportunity  
for employees globally to ask our 
Chief Operating Officer questions 
directly. We helped our station 
managers stay in touch with both 
active and furloughed colleagues, 
by creating a weekly newsletter  
for them to tailor and issue to  
their own teams. We developed  
a bespoke online website (www.
wearemenzies.com) and portals  
to allow frontline colleagues easy 
access to Company updates, to 
provide outplacement support  
and, where possible, redeployment 
opportunities and to create a pool 
of talent to reconnect with when 
opportunities arise.

Despite all of the challenges  
that we faced, it is extremely 
encouraging to also be able to 
report progress in our three core 
focus areas:
•  Attracting and retaining the best.
•  World class training and career 

development.

greater visibility of training 
compliance. We launched our 
virtual living leadership programme 
and created a bespoke online 
course focusing on safety 
leadership, which will be launched 
globally in 2021. We ran our first 
global engagement survey, 
monitoring employee views in  
the keys areas of communication 
and safety, and we updated our 
succession planning process with  
a renewed focus on the diversity of 
our top leadership group. With so 
many colleagues going the extra 
mile in 2020, all of those who were 
nominated by their peers for entry 
into the Ground Handling 
International Awards, were 
individually recognised with direct 
communications from senior 
leadership. 

As we rebuild and recover from the 
impacts of the pandemic, in 2021 
we will continue to focus on:
•  reconfiguring our workforce, 

making sure we are competitive 
and structured to deliver our 
strategy;

•  enhancing the capability of our 
managers as we recover and 
rebuild;

•  Creating an engaged team giving 

•  refocusing our efforts on creating 

great service. 

a strong & diverse  
bench of future leaders; 

We made positive strides in 
reducing our voluntary turnover. 
Our learning management system 
was added to over 80 of our 
stations globally, allowing for 

•  re-engaging with our workforce 
as they return from furlough 
schemes globally; and

•  ensuring our HR systems support 

our regulatory compliance.

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OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE CONTINUED 
CASE STUDY

Living Leadership 

In 2019, Menzies launched the Living Leadership 
programme, a bespoke leadership development 
programme designed in conjunction with Menzies  
leaders from around the globe.

The programme covers leadership 
style and impact, how to create  
and maintain a positive workplace 
culture, how to communicate and 
lead a team and how to manage 
our resilience. 

We first launched our Living 
Leadership programme in late  
2019, however the COVID-19 
pandemic meant we had to  
adapt the programme and move  
to online virtual delivery in 2020. 

Our pilot online programme was 
launched, with Menzies leaders 
attending six two-hour sessions 
over a three week period and being 
joined by some of our Executive 
Leaders to hear their views on 
leadership. 

Number of Living Leadership 
courses attended since 2019

555

Kim Rohleder, General Manager, Wichita Airport said:
 “I really enjoyed the Living Leadership programme. I learned a lot about 
myself and how to better communicate as a leader. It really makes  
you see where you can make improvements on how you interact  
with fellow employees and help your own wellbeing as well.”

Juliet Thomson, EVP People, commented: 
 “Supporting our managers with their 
development is a key priority for Menzies. 
Despite the challenges Menzies has faced 
this year, I’m delighted that we’ve been 
able to adapt the programme to continue 
its rollout. It is fantastic to hear such 
positive feedback from the managers who 
have participated in the programme this 
year from around the globe. I am looking 
forward to many more of our managers 
having the opportunity to participate in the 
Living Leadership programme next year.”

Employees enrolled into our new 
learning management system in 
2020

9,000

Employees self-enrolled in one or 
more personal development 
leadership courses in 2020

381

Diversity Targets
As part of our wider Sustainability 
Programme, we have set diversity 
targets initially focused on 
improving the gender balance 
within our leadership population,

We will strive to: 
•  Increase the proportion of 

females in our senior leadership 
population to at least 25% by 
2025. 

•  Increase the proportion of 

females in our middle leadership 
population to at least 40% by 
2033. 

Our targets are aligned with the 
International Air Transport 
Association’s 25by25 industry-wide 
campaign aimed at shifting key 
diversity and inclusion metrics 
across the aviation industry by  
25%, or up to a minimum of 25%  
by 2025. 

We will also focus on making  
our working environments more 
inclusive, and on improving our 
diversity in underrepresented roles 
within our frontline operations. 

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Supporting our 
Communities

2020 was a year unlike any other and our community 
engagement and support reflected that. Our commitment 
to support the communities in which we operate is 
unwavering and we look forward to embracing new and 
alternative opportunities for engagement and support  
in 2021 and beyond. 

As the year began unfolding  
and we became alert to the 
uncertainties posed by the 
pandemic and the resulting 
disruption to air traffic, we reacted 
by changing our original planned 
approach, sadly halting our 
financial charitable giving.  
Only a small handful of donations 
were made early on in the year.  
We hope to reinstate our charitable 
giving in 2021, continuing with  
our theme of ‘Communities and 
Climate’ but remain mindful of  
the continued challenges we face. 

Instead, we sought new 
opportunities to support and 
engage with our local communities 
and we are extremely proud of all 
our People who, while furloughed, 
elected to support other businesses 
who needed help responding to 
increased demands in, such as 
Royal Mail and Asda. 

Our People who remained in the 
operation supported repatriation 
flights, handled cargo loads of 
COVID-19 vaccinations and vital 
PPE and other emergency cargo, 
and kept cargo moving in 
alternative ways including filling 
seats of passenger planes. 

During the year we held a film 
competition for all our People, who 
embraced the challenge of creating 
their own versions of the popular 
‘Don’t Rush’ video challenge.  
Our Denver station submitted  
with winning entry and chose to 
donate their US$700 prize to The 
Wounded Warrior Project (TWWP). 
In addition, the team also arranged 
to do some charity work for them 
such as helping with food bank, 
cleaning, and building. TWWP 
helps US veterans and service 
members who incurred a physical 
or mental injury, illness, or wound 
while serving in the military. Many 
of the entries showed just how 
much pride our People have in 
being part of Menzies and it was 
great to see our teams join 
together. 

On 24 September, Menzies teams 
across South Africa celebrated 
Heritage Day by dancing to the 
song Jerusalema! The request for 
people to take part came from the 
President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as he 
sought to lift the nation’s spirits by 
asking everyone to ‘show the world 
what we are made of.’

As we look to rebuild a more 
sustainable Menzies for the future, 
we will continue seeking out new 
ways to engage with and support 
communities, taking inspiration 
from our People, as well as inspiring 
them, and making them proud of 
our endeavours.

Our Budapest cargo team making sure medical supplies  
and other cargo reaches those who need it most

A selection of Menzies team entrants and the winners  
from our ‘Don’t Rush’ video challenge

The US Ambassador to South Africa with the Menzies team  
at OR Tambo International Airport, welcoming the delivery  
of a consignment of protective equipment, donated by the  
US Government and Our Menzies team in Namibia

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Building Towards 
a Greener Future

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant 
impact on the environment. In particular, lockdown 
measures and travel restrictions have contributed 
to large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. 

We believe that an increased  
focus on sustainability will position 
us as a credible global leader  
and contribute to the recovery  
of our industry. 

Reacting to the Pandemic
Immediate actions were taken  
in response to COVID-19 to scale  
back the fleet size to match flight 
volumes. The active fleet was 
reduced by mothballing or parking-
up non-essential equipment leading 
to a reduction in fuel use and 
emissions. Further to this, efforts 
were made throughout 2020  
to reshape our ground support 
equipment (GSE) fleet, with a  
focus on removing older and less 
environmentally friendly vehicles 
and retaining newer, lower  
emission vehicles.

Travel restrictions during 2020 led 
to a reduction in business travel 
and increased adoption of new 
ways of working, including greater 
use of communication platforms 
such as Microsoft Teams. Reviewing 
our approach to remote working 
and travel going forward will enable 
continued reductions in emissions 
and energy use in our office spaces.

Investing in Equipment
During 2020 we continued to 
identify opportunities to invest  
in renewing our ground support 
equipment fleet and support the 
transition to electric equipment 
where possible.

At Gothenburg and Stockholm 
airports in Sweden, a new contract 
with Qatar Airways created an 
opportunity to invest in three new 
electric baggage tractors and two 
new electric aircraft loaders. An 
electric towbarless tractor was also 
added to the operation in Stockholm.

In South Africa, a new contract  
with Mango Airlines allowed us to 
invest in 27 new items of electric 
equipment, as reported on page  
61 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020.

standard container loaders – one  
in Ontario, Canada, and retired two 
older container loaders in our fleet. 

Energy Efficient Actions –  
think globally, act locally
As well are replacing old 
equipment, we continue supporting 
our teams in implementing local 
initiatives to reduce energy us and 
lessen environmental impacts.  
In 2020 this included installation  
of LED lighting across multiple 
locations including our airport 
offices in Prague, Bucharest, Cluj 
and Sibiu, as well as our cargo 
facilities in Amsterdam, Bucharest, 
and London Heathrow. Our teams 
are increasingly using digital 
solutions to reduce paper usage 
and are increasing recycling of 
waste items such as batteries  
and paper. 

In the USA we continued to  
replace older, less efficient GSE  
to support our compliance with US 
Environmental Protection Agency, 
Tier 4 standards. We introduced 
seven new fuelling vehicles across 
four locations replacing seven older 
vehicles with Tier 3 or older diesel 
engines, and two new Tier 4 

Resetting our Thinking
Building toward a greener future 
requires a strong framework and  
a clear, ambitious sustainability 
strategy. The environmental targets 
in our new sustainability strategy  
will define the actions we take to 
improve our performance, realise our 
goals and meet our commitments. 

Global and UK emissions and underlying energy use

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
(tonnes of CO2e)
Scope 1 – Combustion of fossil fuels

Scope 2 – Electricity purchased for own use

Total

Intensity ratio 
(tonnes of CO2e/£000 turnover)
Total

Underlying Energy Use 
(kWh)

Total

Global 2020

Global 2019

UK 2020

UK 2019

74,496

18,077

92,573

107,447

22,287

129,734

12,324

1,419

13,743

13,401

1,073

14,474

0.11

0.098

0.08

0.05

374,306,304

N/A 52,930,070

N/A

O U R   E N V I R ONMENT GOALS

Carbon neutral 
by 2033

Zero fuel spills

Support the 
climate agenda

The reduction in CO2 emissions in 
2020 is set to be the largest year-to-
year reduction on record, with the 
International Energy Agency (IEA) 
projecting a decline of 8% (or 2.6 Gt).

The disruption to the aviation 
industry and reduction in flight 
volumes has seen our CO2 emissions 
mirror the global trend with a 
reduction of 29% (or 37,000 tonnes 
of CO2) compared to 2019.  
This reduction is equivalent to taking 
8,000 passenger vehicles off the road 
for one whole year.

We have also seen a renewed focus 
from governments, regulators, our 
customers and suppliers, who are 
linking their recovery efforts with 
sustainability plans to ensure the 
decline in emissions is not just 
temporary. As the clean energy 
transition gathers momentum, we 
have a key role to play in supporting 
development of a greener and more 
sustainable aviation industry for  
the future.

As a business, we are committed to 
reducing emissions and protecting 
our environment. As the aviation 
industry recovers and flight volumes 
increase, we will be ready to take 
advantage of this opportunity to 
build towards a greener future.  

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RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUED

ENVIRONMENT CONTINUED

ENVIRONMENT
CASE STUDY

Scope 1 emissions account for  
80% of our total emissions and  
fuel use in our GSE is our single 
biggest contributor. With this  
in mind, responsibility for setting 
targets and objectives to reduce 
our emissions now resides with  
our GSE team, who can make the 
biggest impact in this area. A new 
focused GSE strategy for our global 
fleet will enable us to plan and 
deliver on our commitment to 
become carbon neutral by 2033. 

We will continue building 
relationships with trade bodies, key 
suppliers, and partners, and ensure 
we engage with those who can 
support us in removing barriers  
to green innovation and adoption.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions  
(GHG) Reporting 
In line with the Climate Change Act 
2008, and the obligations imposed 
by the Companies Act 2006 
(Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013 (the 
regulations) and the Companies 
(Directors’ Report) and Limited 
Liability Partnerships (Energy and 
Carbon Report) Regulations 2018 
(the regulations) we are mandated 
to disclose the greenhouse gas 
emissions and energy use from our 
operations for the period 1 January 
2020 to 31 December 2020, 
specifically: 
•  Scope 1 emissions – direct 

emissions from our operations, 
namely the combustion of fuel 
and operation of any facility; and

•  Scope 2 emissions – indirect 
emissions from electricity 
purchased for our own use.

Methodology
Our emissions reporting is carried 
out in accordance with the UK 
Government’s Environmental 
Reporting Guidelines and WBCSD/
WRI’s GHG Protocol Corporate 
Standard. We collected fuel and 

electricity use data from our 
financial accounting databases and 
converted into CO2e using emission 
factors issued by the Department 
for Business, Energy, and Industrial 
Strategy (BEIS) and International 
Energy Agency.

As in 2019, ITPEnergised were 
appointed to provide independent 
assurance on the accuracy and 
completeness of our greenhouse 
gas emissions data and to confirm 
that the Group has met the 
requirements of the UK 
Government’s Streamlined Energy 
and Carbon Reporting (SECR) 
legislation.

Independent Assurance Statement 
Menzies Aviation appointed 
ITPEnergised to provide 
independent assurance and 
verification of their 2020 
greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) 
that are reported in this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020. 

Verification has been undertaken 
using the principles in BS EN ISO 
14064-3:2012 for GHG verification. 
The WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol 
and the DEFRA Corporate GHG 
Reporting Guidance were also 
referenced during the limited 
assurance process. 

Recommendations for 
improvement have been made on 
the basis of potentially significant 
findings from the GHG assurance 
process. 

The energy usage quantified by 
Menzies as part of the Streamlined 
Energy and Carbon Reporting was 
also checked and no errors were 
identified.

ITPEnergised is an independent 
professional services company that 
specialises in environmental and 
energy consulting and advisory 

services. ITPEnergised operates  
a certified Quality Management 
System which complies with the 
requirements of ISO 9001:2015,  
and accordingly maintains a 
comprehensive system of quality 
control including documented 
policies and procedures regarding 
compliance with ethical 
requirements, professional 
standards and applicable legal  
and regulatory requirements. Our 
assurance team has not been 
involved with Menzies business 
activities or had any involvement  
in data gathering.

Our Emissions in 2020
An overall reduction in emissions 
from 2019 to 2020 of 29% was 
observed across our operations, 
the majority of this attributable to 
global restrictions on travel and 
flights and the rest due to energy 
efficiency actions mentioned 
above. A reduction in emissions 
was observed for all countries with 
the exception of Romania, which 
reported a 54% increase. This 
increase is attributable to the 
growth of operations in Romania, 
including ramp operations in Sibiu 
and pushback operations in 
Bucharest. 

To comply with SECR legislation we 
are required to include emissions 
from hire cars and personal 
vehicles used for business purposes 
within our Scope 1 emissions. 
Although this represents a small 
fraction of our overall emissions, we 
are reassessing our data capture 
processes to ensure this activity  
is fully and accurately reported  
for 2021. 

During 2021, we also intend  
to review and implement 
recommendations made by 
ITPEnergised to improve the 
accuracy of our emissions data 
more generally.

Mango Airlines start-
up, South Africa

Investing in new electric equipment is a key part of 
new contracts and reducing our carbon footprint. 
The start-up of operations with Mango Airlines in 
March 2020 saw the group purchase 15 new electric 
belt loaders and 12 new electric baggage tractors 
across three airports in South Africa: Johannesburg, 
Cape Town, and Durban.

The three-year contract with 
Mango Airlines is expected to 
handle 22,620 turns per annum. 
The electric belt loaders and 
baggage tractors will reduce 
fuel usage and emissions 
compared to using 
conventional diesel equipment.

We remain committed to 
supporting all our customers’ 
sustainability ambitions and 
utilising electric equipment will 
help Mango Airlines and South 
African Airways Group to 

minimise the impact of their 
activities on the environment.

The electric equipment for  
this start-up was provided by 
Charlatte, one of the industry 
leaders in electric GSE, and  
we continue to work with 
manufacturers to provide 
sustainable equipment 
solutions.

Johannesburg
•  8 new electric belt loaders 
•  7 new electric baggage tractors 

Cape Town
•  5 new electric belt loaders 
•  3 new electric baggage tractors 

Durban
•  2 new electric belt loaders 
•  2 new electric baggage tractors

New electric equipment ready  
for use with Mango Airlines

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Strategic ReportRESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUED

Health, Safety  
and Security

The safety and security of our operations and  
our People is our number one priority, it’s part  
of our DNA, reflected in our purpose, our values 
and strategy. 

The safety and security of our 
operations and our People is our 
number one priority, it’s part of our 
DNA, reflected in our purpose, our 
values and strategy. We aim to lead 
the way and set the highest health, 
safety and security risk standards 
by evolving our safety practices 
and embedding a safety mindset 
everywhere we operate. Creating 
safe and secure environments for 
our People, customers and other 
airport users is core to ensuring 
sustainable growth and success. 

Association (IATA) Ground 
Operations Manual (IGOM) and 
IATA Cargo Handling Manual 
(ICHM) respectively, ensuring we 
continue to coordinate all of our 
procedures and quality materials  
to the highest industry standards  
at all times. Collaborating with our 
industry organisations and partners 
is high on our agenda, most 
recently, leading a project with  
the Aviation Suppliers Association 
(ASA) on industry aircraft damage 
benchmarking. 

Our MORSE (Menzies Operating 
Responsibly, Safely and Effectively) 
Code and new MORSE Charter lay 
the foundations and principles for 
how we approach health, safety 
and security and their clear and 
simple messages are reinforced and 
embedded throughout our global 
network. This is supported by our 
detailed health, safety, security 
policies, standards and processes 
contained within our manuals.  
Our Menzies Ground Operations 
Manual (GOM) and Menzies Cargo 
Handling Manual (MCHM) fully align 
with the International Air Transport 

Good governance and oversight  
are key to managing our risks  
and incidents, and measuring our 
success. Our Risk team holds 
Safety and Security Action Group 
meetings, which are interactive 
sessions focused on identifying  
and sharing learnings from real 
incidents. Our Risk team manages 
our ‘8 Pillar’ self-certification 
process and our ‘5 Star’ audit 
programmes across our global 
network. These programmes drive 
improved compliance behaviour  
by prescribing, monitoring and 
measuring the minimum standards 

O U R   S A FETY GOALS

Zero injuries

Zero damage

Improve our safety 
culture

Reduction in serious employee 
injuries per 100 FTE’s in 2020

21%

Number of serious aircraft damage 
incidents per 1,000 turns in 2020

0.015

-6% on 2019

Workplace inspections for COVID-19 
safety measures per week 

1,000

that are expected throughout our 
operations and allowing us to audit 
on what matters the most.

notable impact on safety reporting, 
with more hazards being recorded 
and fewer incidents occurring. 

grounded in recent months.  
These are excellent additions to  
our suite of existing systems that 
support our Risk and operational 
teams, including our integrated risk 
and incident management systems 
and award-winning self-certification 
SMART app (on page 30).

We look forward to further 
developing our health, safety  
and security culture throughout  
our global network in 2021. 

During 2020 we also implemented 
new systems and tools to help 
reduce our risk of incidents 
including Tow Team Warning 
System (TTWS) kits and 
SmartDrive video solutions for 
vehicles (see case study below). 
Our TTWS kits are now widely used 
across our operations to assist on 
difficult tows and pushes, and help 
to reduce aircraft damage 
occurrences, particularly in 
congested airfields where increased 
numbers of aircraft have been 

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY 
CASE STUDY

Safety Smart

During 2020, we invested in SmartDrive, which  
was installed in 560 fuel tankers across the US and 
Canada. SmartDrive is an award-winning video-based 
safety program that coaches drivers in developing 
good driver skills and habits as well as improving 
awareness.

SmartDrive has already delivered a positive impact and we believe 
it to be one of the best safety tools we have implemented to help 
coach and continually adapt our processes to make the workplace 
a safer environment for all. In addition to developing better driving 
habits, the system has helped to reduce the number of accidents 
as well risk of accidents, and therefore the cost of damage, 
improved overall safety and improved fuel efficiency.

We are now furthering our use of SmartDrive, not only to promote 
safer driving practices but to improve incident investigations and 
implement evidence-based accident prevention programmes. 

•  Installed in 560 fuel tankers 
•  Fuel tanker incident rates decreased by almost 50%

We reacted quickly to the new 
health and safety risks and 
challenges resulting from the of  
the COVID-19 virus, through our 
COVID-19 response plan. We put 
safety first, of our People, 
passengers and all those in our 
working environments. We adapted 
and implemented new measures, 
processes and communications 
tools, sourced new personal 
protective equipment (PPE) and 
cleaning equipment. We continue 
adhering to local guidelines and 
best practice processes, across  
a range of different working 
environments and different 
geographies. We also implemented 
stringent monitoring and auditing 
checks to ensure compliance and 
effectiveness. In addition to our 
own checks and audits, we received 
unannounced workplace checks 
from government authorities,  
which received zero findings. Our 
practices in this area continue to 
evolve and more recently focused 
on implementing new employee 
re-boarding processes and 
protocols, welcoming those 
returning from furlough an ensuring 
knowledge and skills were 
refreshed and up to date. 

We held our annual MORSE Month 
in November 2020, which was a 
great success. Each week was 
aligned to one of the four elements 
of MORSE: Operating, Responsibly, 
Safely, Effectively. Resources 
including and employee survey, 
videos, activities for teams, focused 
news items and competitions were 
delivered to teams, to help promote 
a positive risk culture and keep the 
MORSE message alive. There were 
more than 27,000 page views on 
our internal MORSE web pages,  
126 poster entries and 400 active 
participants via Microsoft Teams, as 
well as 1 in 5 employees responding 
to the survey. This resulted in a 

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63

Strategic ReportSECTION 172 STATEMENT

S172 Companies Act 2006 
Following the changes 
implemented across the Group 
during 2019, Menzies entered 2020 
with renewed vigour to deliver long 
term sustainable value for our 
shareholders and stakeholders  
with the highest levels of safety 
and security. Despite the 
unprecedented disruption to the 
aviation sector and the volatile 
market conditions experienced 
throughout 2020, everyone at 
Menzies, from the top down, 

remained focused on delivering  
our defined strategy and being a 
solutions driven service provider  
of choice to our customers. 

The Board, Executive team and 
senior management have taken 
many hard decisions in order  
to reduce the Group’s cost base 
and right size its operations in 
alignment with the reduced volume 
of air traffic. These hard decisions 
were not taken lightly but were 
taken decisively to ensure the 

Group has the correct platform  
to emerge stronger from the 
challenges posed by the COVID-19 
pandemic and be a leaner, more 
agile and more profitable business 
with price-competitiveness and 
customer-centricity at its core.  
We are seeing the benefits of the 
decisive actions taken with the 
successful renewal of several key 
contracts and important contract 
wins across our air cargo and 
ground services portfolios. 

In striving to provide safe and 
trusted aviation services, for  
every customer, every time, we  
are mindful of the fact that our 
business impacts, and is impacted 
by, many stakeholders. We believe 
that proactive and effective 
consideration of, and engagement 
with, our broad range of 
stakeholders when making 
decisions is fundamental to 
ensuring our long term success. 
Our Code of Conduct, together 
with our vision, ethos and core 
values help to create a culture 

where our People, both at a Board 
level and throughout the Company, 
are empowered to make the best 
decisions in the interests of the 
Company and all of its 
stakeholders. Further details on the 
Company’s purpose are included 
on page 4 of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2020.

The Directors understand the legal 
duties which they must consider 
when making decisions that impact 
on the Company’s stakeholders 
and training is given during the 

year to refresh and update within 
the Company’s wider governance 
framework.

Set out in the below table are our 
key stakeholder groups, detailing 
how the Board has considered the 
issues and factors that impact 
them and how engagement has 
impacted Board decisions and 
Company strategies during the 
2020 financial year.

STAKEHOLDERS

SIGNIFICANCE TO 
BUSINESS

KEY ISSUES AND FACTORS

ENGAGEMENT 

EXAMPLES OF DECISION IMPACTED 
BY THE ENGAGEMENT 

LINKS

SHAREHOLDERS

The Board is accountable to its 
shareholders and must act in a 
way that is likely to promote 
the success of the Company 
for the benefit of its members 
as a whole. The Company 
seeks to maintain effective 
dialogue with its shareholders 
and shareholder bodies, to 
ensure that their views and any 
concerns they may have are 
understood and considered.

Based on the Board’s own assessment and feedback received 
during the 2020 financial year, the Board understands that 
the following are the key concerns of our shareholders:

•  The Group’s operations and strategies.

•  The Group’s financial performance and commercial 

success.

•  Opportunity for dialogue with Executive and Non-

Executive Directors on key matters such as financial 
performance and executive remuneration.

•  The Group’s sustainability and environmental impact.

•  The process by which capital is allocated to drive long term 

shareholder value.

Engagement with our shareholders is led by the 
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chairman 
and the Executive team via a variety of methods and 
forms including:

•  Shareholder questions submitted via email that 

were answered by Directors in advance of the AGM 
held in May 2020. Directors also held a number of 
telephone calls with various shareholders after the 
AGM.

•  Results road shows (held in person in March 2020 

and virtually in September 2020) led by the 
Executive team. Detailed investor one-to-one 
sessions following final year end and interim 
results.

•  Periodic trading updates.

•  The Executive team and senior management 

engaged regularly with investors during 2020. 
However, arranging site visits and attendance at 
investor relation conferences did not take place 
due to COVID-19 restrictions.

•  Engagement with shareholder bodies to better 

understand their reasons for voting 
recommendations at the 2020 AGM and looking 
forward to the 2021 AGM.

•  The Board‘s decision to initiate a number of 
initiatives (e.g. the deferral of non-essential 
capital investment, selected asset sales, 
temporary 20% reduction in Director and 
senior management fees and salaries and 
the suspension of dividend payments) in 
order to keep a tight control on cost 
management and to improve the Group’s 
financial position.

•  The Strategic Committee continued to 

review, and where appropriate recommend 
to the Board for final approval, commercial 
proposals resulting in material allocations 
of the Group’s capital and investment in 
emerging markets such as Iraq and 
Pakistan.

•  Feedback from engagement influenced 
and guided the Group’s revised strategy 
and portfolio balance.

•  Review of the composition of Board 
constituted committees to ensure 
compliance with the Corporate Governance 
Code (July 2018) following shareholder and 
shareholder advisory body feedback. 

Corporate 
Governance 
Statement 
pages 78-88

Remuneration 
Committee 
Report pages 
103-121

Chief 
Financial 
Officer’s 
Statement 
pages 32-35

Strategic 
Committee 
Report pages 
122-123

Business 
Model  
pages 18-19

Strategy  
page 20

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Strategic ReportSECTION 172 STATEMENT CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDERS

SIGNIFICANCE TO 
BUSINESS

CUSTOMERS

Delivering a service that meets 
the needs of our customers  
in all of the markets that we 
operate is fundamental to  
our success.

KEY ISSUES AND FACTORS

ENGAGEMENT 

Based on the Board’s own assessment and feedback received 
during the 2020 financial year, the Board understands that 
the following are the key concerns of our Customers:

•  Competitive pricing structure. 

•  Our long term viability as a supplier.

•  Our safety incident record.

•  Our ability to improve and advance our service offering  

in an environmentally sustainable manner.

•  Innovative solutions.

Continued focus on customers, with the Board 
receiving regular updates on the business’s  
customer profile.

The Executive team and senior management 
engaged directly with customers and their senior 
leadership teams on several occasions and covering  
a variety of topics such: 

•  Implementation of new technology to drive 

innovation and increase safety.

•  Implementation of COVID-19 operational and 
safety measures to keep our staff and our 
customers’ staff safe and secure.

•  Customers’ operational schedules and interim 
pricing plans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•  COVID-19 vaccine handling and distribution.

•  Progress on global master agreements with  

key customers.

•  The Executive team and senior management 

engaged with customers, suppliers, and other 
stakeholders at the virtual Ground Handling 
International Conference.

•  The Executive team and senior management 

utilised virtual platforms as a means to engage 
with customer across a verity of areas such as 
performance review meetings, commercial 
discussions and operational updates.

EXAMPLES OF DECISION IMPACTED 
BY THE ENGAGEMENT 

LINKS

•  Introduction of a new bid management 

process to better align our service 
offering with customer objectives.

•  Developing our global master agreements 

with key customers facilitating a 
smoother contractual interface, increasing 
our ability to secure future contract wins, 
whilst meeting our customers’ specific 
needs.

•  Investment in airside safety technology 

such as SmartDrive and Tow Team 
Warning System.

•  Working closely with Budapest Airport 
and a number of airlines to facilitate the 
essential distribution of vaccines in 
accordance with relevant technical 
requirements for strict temperature 
control, transportation and storage.

•  Reshaping and right sizing our fleet of 

ground support equipment with a focus 
on removing older, less environmentally 
friendly vehicles and replacing them with 
electric vehicles, where possible.

CEO & 
Chairman’s 
Statement 
pages 12-15

Strategy  
page 20

Developing 
global 
partnerships 
case study 
pages 26-27

GHI ramp 
safety award 
case study 
pages 30-31

Responsible 
Business 
pages 46-63

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Strategic ReportSECTION 172 STATEMENT CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDERS

SIGNIFICANCE TO 
BUSINESS

KEY ISSUES AND FACTORS

ENGAGEMENT 

EXAMPLES OF DECISION IMPACTED 
BY THE ENGAGEMENT 

LINKS

OUR EMPLOYEES

We have over 23,000 
experienced, diverse and 
dedicated People who make 
our business what it is. We rely 
on our People to uphold our 
vision, ethos and core values  
to deliver on our strategic 
priorities and to create long 
term sustainable value for our 
shareholders and stakeholders 
with the highest levels of 
safety and security.

Based on the Global employee engagement survey as 
presented to the Board during the 2020 financial year, the 
Board understands that the following themes were raised:

•  Regular communication has been important during the 

pandemic and employees want the frequent updates on 
business performance to continue throughout our recovery 
and beyond.

•  There were many examples of leaders and employees 

going the extra mile to look after each other and following 
COVID-19 procedures to remain safe and healthy.

•  There were a few isolated areas where employees felt more 
could be done to ensure COVID-19 protection measures 
like social distancing, hand sanitiser and cleaning materials 
were adhered to.

•  We have more work to do to build an open reporting 

culture where every Menzies employee feels confident to 
speak up and a clear understanding of the importance of 
telling us when something is not right.

•  We need to provide our managers at all levels with more 
support to communicate effectively with their teams, and 
with their own development as leaders.

The Board constituted HR Committee allows for 
regular overview and input to matters important  
to our People and initiatives across the Group. The 
Group’s EVP People presented to the HR Committee 
on findings from the global employee engagement 
survey. 

The Executive team and senior management issued 
biweekly communications to keep all staff updated 
on how the business was reacting to the challenges 
presented and held Q&A session to understand the 
key issues being faced on the ground. 

A bespoke employee engagement website was 
created along with web portals to allow our staff  
who were temporarily away from the business with  
a means to keep up to date with developments, 
training and provide outplacement support and 
redeployment opportunities.

Responsible 
Business 
pages 46-63

Nomination 
Committee 
Report pages 
89-94

HR 
Committee 
Report pages 
100-102

Corporate 
Governance 
Statement 
pages 78-88

The Board endorsed Management’s 
commitment to the following areas, based 
on the feedback received from employees:

•  Regular communications will continue 
and will be transparent on the Group’s 
progress as we take steps to recover from 
the impact of the pandemic.

•  Our Risk team will work with local teams 
to ensure the isolated COVID-19 safety 
issues raised as part of the survey are 
addressed.

•  Our managing safety programme was 
created and will be launched in 2021.

•  Review of our employee confidential 

reporting portal Expolink was conducted 
in 2020 resulting in a new service being 
SpeakUp portal being introduced during 
2021.

•  Review and ‘top down’ roll out of our 
Living Leadership programme, our 
Menzies bespoke leadership development 
programme with an increase in online 
modules available to managers so that 
they can work on their development at 
their own pace.

•  Development of WeAreMenzies.com will 
continue into 2021 and will continue to 
support station managers to make 
information easy to access for all 
employees.

SUPPLIERS

Strong working relationships 
with our suppliers is crucial to 
the effectiveness of our entire 
operation, enhancing our 
efficiency and creating value.

Based on the Board’s own assessment and feedback received 
during the 2020 financial year, the Board understands that 
the following are the key concerns of our suppliers:

•  Ability to create effective longstanding relationships that 

are mutually beneficial.

•  Negotiation of favourable payment terms.

•  That the Group acts and continues to ethically, fairly and 
transparently ensuring the integrity of its supply chain.

In addition, the Group expects its suppliers to demonstrate 
their own commitment to acting ethically, fairly and with 
integrity, helping to add value and ensure a solid and 
sustainable supply chain.

•  We continue to strengthen the relationships we 
have with our suppliers across all our service 
offerings and global network, which in 2020 
included engagement with our top and regular 
suppliers to better maximise value, review 
contractual arrangements and pursue Master 
Services Agreements where possible, in order to 
safeguard and secure our supply chain during 
uncertain times. 

•  Suppliers are provided with our Third Party Code 
of Conduct, clearly communicating the expected 
standards of behaviour. This is made available 
when engaging in new contracts or renewals and  
is available publicly on our company website.

•  We continue to work with key suppliers to 
establish long term strategic relationships.

•  The Board is supportive of the Company’s 

commitment to long term strategic 
relationships with our closest supplier 
partners, increasing the cost efficiency  
and integrity of our supply chains across 
our network.

•  We are working with our suppliers to 

ensure that they operate in line with our 
Third Party Code of Conduct requirements.

•  Changes to our due diligence criteria and 

processes for engaging with and assessing 
our suppliers will take place during 2021, 
reflecting our commitment to our 
sustainability programme and our 
continued commitment to ensuring an 
ethical supply chain generally.

Business 
Model page 18

Responsible 
Business 
pages 46-63

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Strategic ReportSECTION 172 STATEMENT CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDERS

SIGNIFICANCE TO 
BUSINESS

KEY ISSUES AND FACTORS

ENGAGEMENT 

EXAMPLES OF DECISION IMPACTED 
BY THE ENGAGEMENT 

LINKS

LOCAL 
COMMUNITIES  
AND THE 
ENVIRONMENT

We rely on, and aim to make a 
positive impact on, the local 
communities and environments 
in which we operate, as well as 
the environment and climate 
change more generally, 
wherever possible.

The Board understands that the following are the key 
concerns of our local communities and wider stakeholder 
population including employees, customers and shareholders:

•  Job opportunities and impact on the local economy.

•  Our impact on the environment and the promotion of 

sustainable ways of working.

•  Demonstrating good corporate citizenship and supporting 

communities.

•  Disclosure of our approach to including identifying and 

managing climate risks for our business.

•  Disclosure of our approach to material Environmental, 

Social and Governance (ESG) topics generally. 

•  We supported local communities through our 

initiatives with furloughed staff, working closely 
with companies in other sectors, including the food 
sector, and with mail and vaccine distribution 
efforts, to provide essential service during the 
pandemic. 

•  We provided support to employees and their 

families particularly affected by COVID-19 through 
the John Menzies Benevolent Fund trust. 

•  We undertook a materiality assessment across ESG 
topics, engaging with stakeholders both internally 
and externally to help us identify our priorities in 
these areas.

Responsible 
Business 
pages 46-63

•  The Board committed to continuing to 
develop our sustainability programme 
during 2020 including development of our 
sustainability strategy, targets and 
identifying and implementing changes and 
initiatives across our global business that 
will deliver value, engage our employees 
and our customers, and reduce our impact 
on the environment, including our carbon 
footprint.

•  The Board acknowledged that increased 

engagement and disclosure of our 
approach to climate risk and sustainability 
will take place via SECR reporting 
incorporated on pages 58 and 60 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020, along 
with publication of our sustainability 
strategy and goals, which will be furthered 
by our alignment with the Task Force on 
Climate-Related Financial Disclosures 
reporting framework in the Annual Report 
and Accounts 2021.

•  The Board committed to supporting local 
communities and we will look at new ways 
and opportunities for this. 

•  The Board has continued its support of 

management to focus on the development 
of and investment in innovative and 
environmentally sustainable solutions and 
equipment.

DEBT PROVIDERS

By providing funds for the 
Group’s working capital and 
general corporate purposes, 
our debt providers play an 
important role in our business.

•  The Group’s operations and strategies.

•  The Group’s financial performance and commercial 

success.

•  Compliance with agreed covenant structure.

The Group’s committed debt facilities are provided 
by a syndicate of relationship banks. Maintaining a 
close and supportive relationship with these banks  
is led by the Chief Financial Officer and Group 
Treasurer.

During 2020 these relationships were strengthened by:

•  Monthly reporting on financial performance.

•  Frequent update meetings held between the 

syndicate of relationship banks and the Executive 
team and senior management.

•  Invitations to interim and final year end results.

Regular engagement with relationship banks 
during 2020 enabled the Company to 
complete a revised banking covenant 
structure providing additional flexibility to 
support the Group as the aviation industry 
recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic.

Chief 
Financial 
Officer’s 
Review  
page 32

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director  
& Group Company Secretary
9 March 2021 

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Strategic ReportCHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S INTRODUCTION TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

React. 
Reset. 
Rebuild.

As we emerge from the challenging  
market conditions of 2020, the Board 
continues its focus on the long term  
success of the Company and to  
grow the business in a prudent  
and structured manner.

Dear Shareholder, 

On behalf of the Board of John 
Menzies plc, I would like to 
introduce our Governance Reports 
for the financial year ending 
31 December 2020. As you will see, 
these reports provide information 
on the workings of the Board and 
its Committees, together with 
details of our systems of internal 
control and risk management, and 
describe how the Company has 
applied the principles of good 
corporate governance contained  
in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (July 2018) (the Code). 

It is the role of the Board to shape 
and drive the direction of the Group 
and oversee the delivery of its 
business objectives and execution 
of its strategy. As we emerge from 
the challenging market conditions 
of 2020, the Board continues its 
focus on the long term success  
of the Company and to grow  
the business in a prudent and 
structured manner. Following a 
detailed review of the Group’s 
structural cost base, together with 

good commercial momentum and 
customer engagement throughout 
the year, the Board is confident the 
Group has the platform to continue 
the improvement of its operating 
margins and provide consistent cash 
generation. This, married with our 
rebased growth strategy, will build  
a solid foundation for the Group  
to provide its stakeholders with 
sustainable value. The Board is  
also committed to contributing to 
wider society and recognises the 
importance of wider environmental 
matters affecting the areas in which 
the Group operates as well as 
potential or emerging environmental 
risks and considerations impacting 
our business. Further details on the 
Group’s activities in this regard can 
be found on pages 46 to 61 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

2020 saw further changes to the 
Group’s Executive leadership with 
Giles Wilson stepping down as 
Chief Executive Officer and leaving 
the Company in August 2020. On 
behalf of the Board, I would like to 
take this opportunity to extend our 
thanks to Giles for the substantial 
contribution he made to the Group 
in his various senior leadership 
roles over the last nine years. 

As a result of Giles’ departure, the 
Nomination Committee undertook 
a rigorous and robust review of the 
optimum Board structures available 
to the Company whilst being 
mindful not to add additional 
complexity and management 
distraction during a period of very 
challenging market conditions. The 
Nomination Committee considered 
the Code requirements, as well as 
the interests of the Company’s 
shareholders, wider stakeholders 
and the business impact of ongoing 
external factors. Following this 
review, the Nomination Committee 
recommended to the Board that 
my extensive aviation industry and 
senior leadership experience made 
me the ideal candidate to lead  

both the Company and the Board 
in the combined role of Chairman  
& Chief Executive Officer. 
I am extremely proud and honoured 
to take up this role in which I will  
be fully supported by the existing 
Executive Directors and senior 
management team. Together we  
are engaged in reshaping the 
competitive, commercial and 
strategic direction of the Group, 
with the goal of bolstering our 
market position as the solutions 
driven service provider of choice  
to our customers.

In accordance with its terms of 
reference, it is a key responsibility 
of the Nomination Committee to 
ensure that the Group has a Board 
structure with the requisite 
combination of skills, experience 
and knowledge to effectively 
discharge its duties whilst driving 
the business forward. Therefore, the 
Nomination Committee will keep 
the effectiveness of the current 
structure under review. 

Further details on the leadership 
changes referred to above can be 
found in the Corporate Governance 
Statement on pages 78 to 88 and 
the Nomination Committee Report 
on pages 89 to 94 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020.

Along with other businesses across 
the globe, the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic restricted our ability to 
hold face to face meetings with our 
stakeholders, meaning we were not 
alone in adopting new methods of 
engagement. Technology such as 
Microsoft Teams and other virtual 
platforms were important tools 
adopted across all areas of the Group 
in maintaining key internal and 
external relationships and keeping 
lines of communication fully open.  
As we return to a more normalised 
trading environment and when it is 
safe to do so, the Board very much 
looks forward to returning to 
traditional methods of engagement 

whilst also building on the use  
of technology to ensure regular  
and meaningful dialogue with 
stakeholders is maintained. 

Undoubtedly, our customers and 
our People are the key to our 
success as a business. I am 
immensely proud of the lengths 
many of our People have gone  
to deliver critical services to our 
customers safely and securely. Our 
passion to deliver the safest and 
most secure landside and airside 
services was recognised by our 
Risk team winning the Ramp Safety 
Award 2020 at the recent Pride of 
Ground Handling awards. This 
award underscores the passion we 
have as a business to be recognised 
as the undisputed premium brand 
in the aviation services sector.

Led by our Executive team, 
regional leadership teams and 
senior commercial and operational 
management, we intensified our 
customer engagement throughout 
the year to fully understand and 
work with our customers to provide 
solutions during the unprecedented 
operational and commercial 
challenges posed by the pandemic. 
This has allowed us to deepen  
our customer relationships as  
we look to grow our respective 
businesses together.

Further details of our stakeholder 
engagement can be found on pages 
46 to 61 and 64 to 71 of the 
Strategic Report, and on pages 87 
to 88 the Corporate Governance 
Statement and on pages 100 to 102 
of the Human Resources Committee 
Report included within this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020.

In accordance with the Financial 
Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules, 
we are required to report on how 
we have complied with the 
Principles and Provisions of the 
Code during the 2020 financial 
year. I am pleased to confirm that 

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73

Governance ReportsCHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S INTRODUCTION TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Composition of the Board

  Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director
 Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
 Non-Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Board diversity and tenure

0-2 years 

 3-6 years 

7-9 years

  Male
  Female

Board tenure

1

2

4

2
4
1

  0-2 years 
  3-6 years 
  7-9 years 

the Board is of the view that the 
Company has been broadly 
compliant with the Principles and 
Provisions of the Code. However,  
as a result of the Board changes 
described above and below, the 
Company was not compliant with 
the following elements of the Code:
•  Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff, whom 

the Board considers to be a 
non-independent Non-Executive 
Director, was appointed as a 
member of the Remuneration 
Committee in June 2019. The 
Board remained aware that this 
appointment does not conform 
with Provision 32 of the Code. 
Following shareholder voting on 
Christian’s election to the Board  
at the 2020 AGM, Christian  
held constructive and helpful 
discussions with shareholders  
and proxy advisory bodies in 
order to fully understand the 
reasons behind shareholder  
voting and proxy agency voting 
recommendations. Having listened 
to and taken on board their  
views and having considered the 
matter very carefully, particularly 
in relation to the sentiment of 
recent engagements and the 
independence requirements  
set out in the Code, Christian 
decided to step down from the 
Remuneration Committee in 
February 2021. Accordingly, the 
Remuneration Committee was 
compliant with Code Provision 32 
from that point onwards.

•  From 1 January 2020 to 31 August 

2020, the Company remained 
non-compliant with Principle G 
and Provision 11 of the Code due 
to the fact that at least half of the 
Board (excluding the Chairman) 
were considered by the Board  
not to be independent. Following 
Giles Wilson’s departure from  
the Company in August 2020,  
the Board’s composition reverted 

to having at least half of its 
members as being independent 
(excluding the Chairman), in 
accordance with the Code.

•  As detailed above, the 

combination of the roles of 
Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer resulted in the Company 
being non-compliant with 
Principle G and Provision 9 of the 
Code. The Committee and the 
Board takes very seriously the 
importance of good corporate 
governance and the link this  
has with long term sustainable 
success. The Board remains 
satisfied that there is sufficiently 
robust scrutiny, independent 
oversight and constructive 
challenge by the Deputy 
Chairman and other Non-
Executive Directors on Board 
matters, ensuring that no one 
individual possesses unfettered 
decision-making powers and that 
the Board remains fully able to 
discharge its duties and 
responsibilities effectively.

The Reports that follow detail the 
corporate governance measures 
that we have in place, including our 
systems of risk management and 
internal control, and provide insight 
on the activities and considerations 
of the Board and its Committees 
during 2020.

I, together with the Board, very 
much look forward to developing 
our governance framework further 
and leading the Company during 
2021 and beyond.

Philipp Joeinig
Chairman & CEO
9 March 2021

THE BOARD
Principal responsibility is to ensure the long term success of the Company, assuming 
responsibility for the Group’s overall strategy and providing shareholders and stakeholders 
with value and contributing to wider society.

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

NOMINATION  
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

Monitors the integrity of the 
Group’s financial reporting and 
financial statements, reviews the 
effectiveness of internal controls 
and risk management, and  
oversees the relationship  
with the external auditor.

Oversees the development of a  
diverse pipeline of talent for orderly 
succession to Board and Senior 
Management positions and to  
ensure the Board has the requisite 
combination of skill, experience and 
knowledge to effectively discharge its 
duties and support Group strategy.

Determines and agrees the 
Company’s remuneration policy  
in respect of Executive Directors 
and the Chairman & CEO, together 
with their specific remuneration 
packages, ensuring they support 
Group strategy and promote long 
term sustainable success.

HUMAN RESOURCES

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE 

Assists the Board in fulfilling its human resources  
and employee engagement obligations and ensures 
standardisation, adequacy and effectiveness of structure, 
policies and process.

Keeps under review the delivery of the Group’s strategy 
and structure, evaluating strategic decisions, including 
significant capital investments and potential merger and 
acquisition activity.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Responsibility for the overall delivery of the Group’s strategy, reviewing in detail the 
business’s operational, financial and commercial performance.

UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

The Board is committed to the principles of good corporate governance contained in the UK Corporate Governance Code (July 
2018), published by the Financial Reporting Council and is available on its website at www.frc.org.uk. The Company follows the good 
practice that the Code recommends and the Board considers, subject to where it was explained otherwise in this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020, that the Company has applied the Principles and complied with the Provisions set out in the Code throughout 2020, 
as detailed in this Statement and the associated reports. The Board believes that the Annual Report and Accounts 2020 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.

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75

Governance Reports 
 
 
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NAME AND TITLE

Philipp Joeinig
Chairman & Chief 
Executive Officer

David Garman
Deputy Chairman and 
Senior Independent 
Director

Alvaro Gomez-Reino 
Lago De Lanzos  
(Alvaro Gomez-Reino)
Chief Financial Officer

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director 
& Group Company 
Secretary

Silla Maizey 
Non-Executive Director

Paul Baines 
Non-Executive Director

Christian  
Kappelhoff-Wulff 
Non-Executive Director

June 2017

June 2015

December 2019

November 2016

May 2014

June 2016

May 2019

DATE OF 
APPOINTMENT

EXPERIENCE  
AND SKILLS

Philipp Joeinig was 
appointed Chairman & 
CEO of John Menzies plc 
on 1 September 2020. 
Philipp is a solution 
oriented and focused 
leader with over 15 years  
of experience in aviation 
services. He held various 
executive leadership roles 
at Swissport International 
Limited and was a member 
of the management board 
over a 10 year period. 
Philipp brings with him  
a strong leadership 
track-record, capital 
allocation, and a wealth of 
aviation service-industry 
experience.

David brings 
comprehensive industrial 
and logistics sector 
expertise to the Board.  
He was previously Chief 
Executive of TDG plc, a 
European contract logistics 
and supply chain 
management business;  
an Executive Director of 
Associated British Foods 
plc; held non-executive 
directorships at St Modwen 
Properties PLC, Kewill 
Limited, Victoria PLC and 
Phoenix IT Group PLC: and 
occupied a variety of 
management roles at 
United Biscuits.

Alvaro brings significant 
financial, business 
development and 
international business 
experience in the support 
services and aviation 
services industry where  
he previously was Chief 
Financial Officer at 
Swissport International 
Limited. Alvaro led the 
Group’s financial matters 
across more than 45 
countries including 
complex financing 
structures and several M&A 
transactions. Alvaro 
previously held senior 
finance positions with 
Amey plc, Ferrovial, Ahold 
and Hewlett Packard.

Director of various Group 
companies.

John has held the position 
of Group Company 
Secretary since 2006, 
having joined the Group  
in 1997, and was appointed 
to the Board in 2016 as 
Director of Corporate 
Affairs. John possesses a 
keen and comprehensive 
understanding of the 
aviation services market 
and his responsibilities 
include 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.

Board member of  
the Airport Services 
Association and a  
Director of various  
Group companies.

Silla is a qualified 
accountant and brings vast 
experience of the air travel 
industry to the Board.  
She enjoyed an executive 
career at British Airways 
(1978-2012) holding a 
number of roles within 
finance, procurement, 
corporate responsibility 
and customer services 
including Managing 
Director of London 
Gatwick.

Paul brings extensive 
corporate finance 
experience, having been 
CEO and Executive 
Chairman of Hawkpoint 
(2003-13), and, previously, 
Chief Executive of 
Charterhouse Bank 
(Corporate Finance). He 
sat on the Collins Stewart 
plc board 2006-12. Since 
2013 he remains senior 
adviser to Smith Square 
and Vermillion, respectively 
UK and Chinese 
investment banking firms. 
He is Chairman of the 
Shareholder Committee  
of the Shepherd Building 
Group.

Christian brings strong 
capital allocation and 
strategic skills to the 
Board. He has 11 years’ 
experience as an investor 
in mid-sized European 
companies. Christian is the 
founder and Chief 
Executive Officer of 
Lakestreet Capital Partners 
AG, an investment firm 
based in Zug, Switzerland. 
Prior to Lakestreet Capital 
Partners AG, Christian was 
a Director of Goldsmith 
Capital Partners AG, 
working directly for its 
founder for five years.

Chair of NHS Business 
Services Authority, 
Non-Executive Director of 
the Crown Commercial 
Service and Non-Executive 
Director of Network Rail 
Limited.

Chairman of the 
Shareholder Committee of 
Shepherd Building Group 
Limited, Senior Adviser to 
Smith Square Partners and 
Senior Adviser to Vermilion 
Partners.

Chief Executive Officer  
of Lakestreet Capital 
Partners AG.

OTHER  
APPOINTMENTS

Director of Claphique 
Invest & Development AG 
and Board member of 
Karin Privatstiftung.

Director of various  
Group companies.

Non-Executive Director  
of Troy Income & Growth 
Trust plc, Senior 
Independent Director  
of Speedy Hire Plc and 
Director of various private 
companies.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP KEY

  Audit Committee

  Nomination Committee

  Remuneration Committee

  Human Resources Committee

  Strategic Committee

  Indicates Committee Chair

COMMITTEES

–

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77

Governance ReportsCORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Overview
This Report sets out the Board’s corporate governance structures from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. 
Together with the other Board constituted committee reports on pages 89 to 123 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020, it includes details of how the Company has applied and complied with the principles and 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (July 2018) (the Code), published by the Financial Reporting 
Council. The Code is supported by the FRC’s Guidance on Board Effectiveness, which the Board uses to 
support its approach to governance and decision making.

Board Composition 
At the time of publication, and as detailed in the diagram on page 74 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, 
membership of the Board is constituted as follows:
•  the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer;
•  two Executive Directors; 
•  three independent Non-Executive Directors; and
•  one non-independent Non-Executive Director.

The Nomination Committee ensures that the size and composition of the Board is subject to ongoing scrutiny 
and that the appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge exists. Following the 
resignation of Giles Wilson (Chief Executive Officer) in June 2020, the Nomination Committee’s key 
responsibilities during the course of 2020 were to identify, taking into account Board structure, continuity  
of leadership and expertise, the most suitable candidate for the role of Chief Executive Officer and the 
appointment of a new independent Non-Executive Director. 

From 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2020, the Company remained non-compliant with Code Principle G and 
Provision 11 due to the fact that at least half of the Board (excluding the Chairman) were considered by the 
Board not to be independent. Following the departure of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in August 
2020, the Board’s composition reverted to having at least half of its members as being independent (excluding 
the Chairman), in accordance with the Code.

Following Giles Wilson’s departure from the Company, the Nomination Committee and the Board reviewed  
the executive management structure in order to provide stability and continuity of senior leadership to both  
the Board and the Company. The Nomination Committee considered the Code requirements, as well as the 
interests of the Company’s shareholders, stakeholders and the business impact of ongoing external factors.  
At the conclusion of its review, the Nomination Committee identified and recommended to the Board that 
Philipp Joeinig’s extensive aviation industry and senior leadership experience made him the ideal candidate  
to lead both the Company and the Board in a combined role as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, fully 
supported by the existing Executive Directors and senior management team. The Board accepted the 
Nomination Committee’s recommendation and Philipp Joeinig’s combined role of Chairman & Chief Executive 
Officer became effective from 1 September 2020. In accordance with its Terms of Reference, this appointment 
will be kept under review by the Nomination Committee. 

The Nomination Committee and the Board are keen to identify a new independent Non-Executive Director 
possessing the right balance of skills, knowledge and industry experience to further enhance the Board’s overall 
skillset, as well as rebalancing the Board’s composition of majority independence and compliance with Principle 
G and Provision 11 of the Code. The Board will update shareholders on this matter in due course. 

Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff, whom the Board considers to be a non-independent Non-Executive Director due  
to the Chief Executive Officer position he holds with Lakestreet Capital Partners AG, one of the Company’s 
substantial shareholders, stepped down as a member of the Remuneration Committee in February 2021. 
Following shareholder voting on Christian’s election to the Board at the 2020 AGM, Christian held constructive 
and helpful discussions with shareholders and proxy advisory bodies in order to fully understand the reasons 
behind shareholder voting and proxy agency voting recommendations. Having listened to and taken on board 
their views and having considered the matter very carefully, particularly in relation to the sentiment of recent 
engagements and the independence requirements set out in the Code, Christian decided to step down from the 
Remuneration Committee. Following this change, the Remuneration Committee’s membership is now compliant 
with Code Provision 32. 

Further details on Board changes are included on pages 89, 94 and 104 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Biographical information on the current Board can be found on pages 76 and 77 this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020. In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Nomination Committee will keep Board 
composition under review during 2021 to ensure the leadership needs of the organisation are satisfied and the 
Company is at all times well-placed to execute its strategy and compete effectively in the markets in which it 
operates. Any new Director would be subject to election by shareholders at the first AGM following their 
appointment and, together with all incumbent Directors and in accordance with best practice principles, 
subject to annual re-election thereafter.

Board Responsibilities
The principal responsibility of the Board is to promote the long term success of the Company for the benefit of 
its stakeholders and shareholders. In discharging such responsibility, it must ensure that the Company’s affairs 
are always conducted within the parameters of the Group’s internal control framework and the interests of 
internal and external stakeholders appropriately identified and managed. Whilst determining and overseeing 
delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives, the Board also assumes governance and regulatory responsibilities 
across a diverse range of topics (for example, health and safety, risk and compliance) and has a formal schedule 
of matters specifically reserved for its attention. This includes, without limitation, consideration and, if 
appropriate, approval of: the Group’s financial statements; going concern statements at half year and year end; 
its viability statement; and key financial and operational items such as potential disposals and acquisitions, 
capital expenditure above certain thresholds and major non-recurring projects.

Additionally, the Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal control, covering financial, 
operational, compliance, and risk management and for annually reviewing their effectiveness. Whilst the Audit 
Committee has delegated responsibility from the Board to review the effectiveness of these systems, the 
day-to-day responsibility for such systems, including deployment and maintenance, rests with the relevant 
members of the senior management team. The Board ensures that it regularly reviews their effectiveness and 
actively monitors the processes by which principal and emerging risks are identified, evaluated and managed. 
Further details on how the Board manages business risks are included on pages 36 to 45 of this Annual Report 
and Accounts 2020.

To ensure the full and proper discharge of its duties, the Board convenes on a regular basis and met six times 
during 2020, in line with the agreed plan of business for the year. Additionally, and as set out in the table on 
page 80, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation industry, the Board met a further 
12 times in the year to consider and monitor a number of business critical matters. More information on the 
matters considered are detailed in the table on pages 81 and 84. 

Agendas for each Board meeting are developed from the Board’s annual plan of business and tailored to reflect 
the current status of projects, strategic workstreams and the overarching operating context. Finalisation of 
Board meeting content is a collaborative process involving the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Group 
Company Secretary, who ensure adequate time is allocated for each Board meeting to support effective and 
constructive discussion. Board papers are circulated one week prior to all Board meetings through a secure 
electronic platform, allowing Directors adequate time to familiarise themselves with the items for discussion, 
whilst the annual Board evaluation process affords Directors the opportunity to comment on the quality and 
content of Board packs. At Board meetings, Directors receive and consider presentations from Executive 
Directors and other relevant colleagues or external advisers, as appropriate.

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79

Governance ReportsStakeholders 
impacted

People
Customers
Shareholders
Suppliers
Debt Providers

Key areas of activity

Matters considered

Outcome

Board Structure

Key priorities of the Board 
(and its Nomination 
Committee) were to:

•  Philipp Joeinig was appointed  

to a combined role of Chairman  
& CEO in September 2020. 

•  Independent recruitment 

consultants Egon Zehnder 
Associates were instructed to 
commence a search to identify 
candidates for the appointment of 
a new independent Non-Executive 
Director.

Fill the vacant position  
of Chief Executive Officer 
with the correct calibre of 
person with the requisite 
combination of skill, 
experience and knowledge 
following the departure  
of Giles Wilson from the 
Company and the Board  
in August 2020. 

Identify a new independent 
Non-Executive Director 
possessing the right 
balance of skills, knowledge 
and industry experience  
to further enhance the 
Board’s overall skillset, as 
well as rebalancing the 
Board’s composition of 
majority independence and 
compliance with the Code.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

Board Committees
The Executive Management Board, led by the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer in his combined role, 
comprises the Executive Directors and other members of senior management. The Executive Management 
Board has Board-delegated responsibility for the overall delivery of the Group’s strategy, reviewing in detail the 
business’s operational, financial and commercial performance. During 2020 the Executive Management Board’s 
focus was on: the safety and security of our People; reviewing and rebuilding operations; right sizing the 
business as flight volumes return; the delivery of safe and secure operations; and further developing and 
deepening our customer relationships. The Executive Management Board will also focus on delivering organic 
and inorganic growth while ensuring a safe, secure and consistent service for our customers. Environmental 
matters will continue to be an area of the Executive Management Board’s responsibility as we strive to reduce 
our carbon footprint and respect the environments in which we operate. This forms part of the Group’s 
Sustainability Strategy for which the Executive Management Board has overall responsibility. This outlines the 
Group’s commitments and goals across environmental, social and governance topics alongside a roadmap for 
delivery. Further details can be found on pages 46 to 63 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

The Board also delegates certain responsibilities to the Board Committees detailed in the table below; 
specifically, the Nomination Committee, Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee, Remuneration 
Committee and Strategic Committee. Further information on all Board Committees can be found on pages 89 
to 123 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020 and the defined Terms of Reference of each are available on 
the Company’s website.

Committee membership is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure a suitable balance and rotation of 
Directors. The Chair of each of the Audit and Human Resources Committees is selected from Directors who  
are considered independent under the Code. The Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director, David 
Garman, serves as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. In accordance with 
Provision 32 of the Code, David Garman has served on the Remuneration Committee since 2017. 

Directors must exercise their judgment independently, free from the influences of others and the independence 
of individual Directors is reviewed on an ongoing basis, considering the characteristics of independence 
contained within the Code. The Nomination Committee considers that, other than Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff, 
each of the Non-Executive Directors continues to be independent in character and judgment in line with the 
Code. As previously stated, Christian is considered not to be independent. However, the Nomination Committee, 
having carefully considered the matter, continues to have the opinion that Christian’s strong capital application 
skills and strategic experience strengthens the Board’s overall skillset.

Meetings
P Joeinig
D Garman
A Gomez-Reino
J Geddes
P Baines
C Kappelhoff-Wulff3
S Maizey
Former Directors
G Wilson4

Appointed/ 
Resigned

Jun. 2017
Jun. 2015
Dec. 2019
Nov. 2016
Jun. 2016
May 2019
May 2014

Board1

18
18/18
18/18
18/18
17/18
18/18
17/18
17/18

Aug. 2020

15/15

Nomination 
Committee

Audit 
Committee

Human 
Resources 
Committee2

Remuneration 
Committee2

Strategic 
Committee

1
1/1
1/1
–
–
1/1
–
1/1

–

3
–
3/3
–
–
3/3
–
3/3

–

1
–
1/1
–
0/1
–
–
1/1

–

4
–
4/4
–
–
4/4
4/4
4/4

–

6
6/6
6/6
–
–
–
6/6
–

4/4

Notes:
1. 

12 additional Board meetings took place between March 2020 and June 2020 in order to assess and respond to the challenges presented  
by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2.  Juliet Thomson attends the Human Resources Committee and Remuneration Committee in her capacity as EVP People. 
3. 
4.  Giles Wilson attended all required Board and Committee meetings until the cessation of his employment with the Company on 31 August 2020.

In February 2021 Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff stepped down as a member of the Remuneration Committee.

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81

Governance ReportsStakeholders 
impacted

People 
Customers 
Shareholders 
Suppliers
Debt Providers

Stakeholders 
impacted

People
Customers
Shareholders
Suppliers
Debt Providers
Local 
Communities 
and the 
Environment

Key areas of activity

Matters considered

Outcome

Strategy Development

In light of the new Board 
structure and evolving 
aviation services market, a 
key focus for the Board was 
to review and rebalance its 
portfolio and product 
offering, entry into new and 
emerging markets and to 
build a platform from which 
the Company can grow as 
volume returns to the 
aviation services market.

•  Executive Management Board, led 

by the Chairman & CEO, held 
monthly virtual sessions as well as 
multi-day workshops throughout 
the year, undertaking a detailed 
review across all financial, 
operational, risk and commercial 
functions within the Group.

•  Consolidated data from across  

the aviation services industry cross 
referenced against Group data 
identifying and agreeing a rich 
pipeline of organic and inorganic 
growth opportunities across the 
Group’s core product offerings.
•  Engaged with external consultants 
to assist in development of the 
Group’s sustainability strategy and 
road map, as well as setting 
measurable goals to monitor 
progress. Delivering increased 
transparency and focus on ESG 
priorities for our business and 
stakeholders whilst generating 
value and delivering our 
sustainability objectives.

•  Finalisation of the Group’s growth 
strategy and identification of key 
deliverables to measure success.
•  Key output and recommendations 
concluded in quarter four of 2020 
and incorporated into the 2021 
budget and three year plan.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

Key areas of activity

Matters considered

Outcome

Key Business Priorities

In addition to the time
allocated during Board 
meetings to discuss 
business performance, the 
Board focused on the 
following matters in order 
to meet the Board’s 2020 
expectations and respond 
to the significant challenges 
presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic:
•  Group liquidity. 
•  Review and restructure of 

structural cost base.

•  Revised banking 

covenant structure.

•  Risk and safety matters.
•  Workforce engagement.
•  Customer and wider 

stakeholder engagement.

•  Organic and inorganic 

growth.

•  People agenda.
•  Business and sales 

development.

•  Decisive management action 
taken to deliver material cost 
savings across the Group, ensuring 
sufficient liquidity capable of 
supporting the Group’s 
requirements into 2021 whilst 
retaining a robust and flexible 
financial position to navigate 
through the pandemic. 

•  Execution of a revised banking 

covenant structure with Group’s 
lenders, providing additional 
flexibility to manage through 
market uncertainties in the short 
to medium term.

•  Utilisation of government support 
and furlough schemes across the 
network, positively impacting on 
the Group’s liquidity position and 
mitigating the number of 
compulsory job losses.

•  Identification of emerging risks 

and the safety measures required 
to mitigate against them. 
•  Weekly communications and 
online Q&A sessions with 
Executive Management Board and 
senior management available to all 
employees detailing the Group’s 
response, safety measures and 
important operational matters.
•  Dedicated website for staff on 

temporary leave from the business 
to keep them informed of 
developments.

•  Focused customer engagements, 
key contract renewals and wins 
despite challenging market 
conditions.

•  Root and branch review of station 

profitability and structured 
remediation plans for station 
improvement.

•  Introduction of the Menzies 100, 
identifying the top 100 senior 
leaders from across each region, 
function and critical operational 
roles within the Group to further 
enhance the pipeline of talent for 
the orderly succession to senior 
management positions. 

•  Entry into new and emerging 

markets such as Greece, Cyprus, 
Iraq and Pakistan.

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83

Governance ReportsStakeholders 
impacted

People 
Customers 
Shareholders 
Suppliers 
Local 
Communities 
and the 
Environment

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

Key areas of activity

Matters considered

Outcome

Corporate Governance

The Board, with assistance 
from the Group Company 
Secretary, took the 
opportunity to review: 
Committee Terms of 
Reference; stakeholder 
engagement; workforce 
engagement; succession 
planning; and diversity.  
The purpose was to identify 
where the existing 
engagement between 
leadership and employees 
across the business 
required further 
development against the 
challenges presented in  
the year to further support 
the Board in its decision-
making.

•  Noted the practices implemented 

during 2019 to facilitate 
communication with stakeholders 
and how previous momentum in 
this area could continue in 2020 
given the challenges presented by 
the COVID-19 pandemic. For more 
information on engagement, see 
pages 64 to 71 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020.

•  Review of Non-Executive, 

Executive and senior management 
succession planning. As mentioned 
above, holding strategy sessions 
to ensure robust succession plans 
are in place, securing a diverse 
pipeline of talent for the future.
•  External training and Q&A session 

provided on the Corporate 
Insolvency and Governance  
Act 2020.

•  Annual consideration of whether 

all Directors had time to discharge 
their duties effectively, which is 
established during the 
appointment process and is 
subject to ongoing monitoring.
•  Consideration of section 172(1)  

of the Companies Act 2006 and 
the requirement under the Code 
requiring Directors to describe 
how matters set out in section 
172(1) have been considered in 
Board discussions and when 
carrying out their duties.

Role of Board Members 
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 
In his role as Chairman, Philipp Joeinig leads the Board in the determination and development of  
the Company’s strategic aims ensuring the necessary resources are in place to meet its objectives whilst also 
promoting Board effectiveness and general Board relations. In chairing Board meetings, Philipp seeks to foster 
an atmosphere that encourages constructive debate and discussion between Board members whilst ensuring 
the appropriate focus is given to key strategic agenda items, the support of business development, organic  
and non-organic growth opportunities, and delivering long term shareholder value. 

In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Philip provides the necessary leadership to the Group, overseeing its 
day-to-day management with the support of the other Executive Directors and senior management to help 
guide and implement strategic planning, key projects and the shaping and oversight of the implementation  
of key initiatives. Executive Directors may discuss issues of concern with the Chairman who is also actively 
engaged with the Company’s stakeholders, shareholders and the wider investment community. 

Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director
David Garman has been the Senior Independent Director of the Company since August 2015 and was 
appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Company in July 2019. He continues to support the Chairman & Chief 
Executive Officer in the discharge of his responsibilities and also makes himself available to the Company’s 

shareholders and other stakeholders when discussions with the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and/or 
Executive Directors are not considered appropriate. David is also on hand to provide the Chairman & Chief 
Executive Officer with advice and guidance in relation to FCA requirements and general UK related corporate 
governance matters if requested to do so. In accordance with the Code, David leads the Chairman’s annual 
performance appraisal in addition to the annual Board effectiveness evaluation.

Executive Directors
Together with the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Directors set and ensure the delivery of the 
Group’s stated strategic objectives whilst providing the necessary leadership to the Group and overseeing its 
day-to-day management. The Executive Directors report directly to the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and 
to the Board, keeping the Board apprised of key strategic, financial and operational developments and on any 
issues or concerns that may arise. The Executive Directors have individual duties and responsibilities aligned 
with their specific function although these may vary in line with business requirements.

Non-Executive Directors
In accordance with the Code, our Non-Executive Directors provide independent and constructive challenge  
and assist in the development of strategic proposals. They are also expected to scrutinise and hold to account 
the performance of management and all Executive Directors against agreed performance objectives. In line 
with best practice they must participate in the Chairman’s annual evaluation. Additionally, they must satisfy 
themselves on the integrity of the Group’s financial information and be comfortable that its systems  
of internal financial controls and risk management are both rigorous and robust.

Board recruitment and succession planning
As noted above, the size and composition of the Board is monitored on an ongoing basis by the Nomination 
Committee, who assess whether the Board has the right mix of skill sets, experience and the ability to provide 
constructive challenge and has regard to other key factors such as diversity. The Board is aware of the 
requirement to ensure that appropriate plans are in place for the orderly succession of the Board and senior 
management and that a diverse pipeline for succession to these positions is in place. Succession was a key 
consideration, both at a Board and senior management level by the Group during 2020 and will be under 
continual review throughout 2021 and beyond. If the need arises to fill or create a new Board position, whether 
Executive or Non-Executive, the Nomination Committee is tasked with considering suitable internal candidates 
and also nominating external candidates, in relation to which it may employ the services of external recruitment 
agencies. The Committee must also ensure that contingency plans are in place to provide for Chairman 
continuity especially in regard to tenure restrictions under the Code.

Induction
All new Directors are required to participate in a structured induction programme upon appointment.  
Whilst this encompasses standard governance and regulatory items aimed at ensuring that they fully 
understand, and are equipped to effectively discharge their duties as directors of a listed company (and, as 
appropriate, members of any Board Committees), it is also tailored to the individual training and developmental 
needs of new Directors. Additionally, the programme includes a comprehensive introduction to the Group  
itself, providing new Board appointees with a firm understanding of the Group’s operations, its stated strategic 
objectives, the markets in which it operates and the risks and challenges to be addressed. Structured meetings 
will be arranged with the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Non-Executive Directors around the 
functioning of the Board, its Committees and associated operating responsibilities and governance 
requirements, whilst new Directors will also spend time with the Executive Directors and relevant members  
of senior management to develop familiarity with key strategic and operational items.

Development
It is the Group Company Secretary’s responsibility to ensure that as and when required: (i) all Directors have 
access to independent professional advice, at the Company’s expense, to allow them to effectively discharge their 
duties; and (ii) Board Committees have the necessary resources available, including external professional support, 
to properly execute the responsibilities incumbent upon them. More generally, the Group Company Secretary is 
available at all times to provide support and guidance to both individual Directors and Board Committees.
The Board acknowledges that the regular training and upskilling of its members is key to its effective functioning 
and, accordingly, a number of measures are in place to ensure Directors are kept apprised of relevant governance, 
regulatory and policy developments – for example, the attendance of guest speakers at Board meetings and the 
inclusion of targeted updates within Board packs. The annual Board evaluation process remains a key tool by 
which to identify the training requirements of individual Directors and the Board more generally, together with 
areas that may require particular focus or strengthening.

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Development continued
The Board is encouraged to hold Board and Committee meetings in conjunction with site visits across our 
network. This is an important means for the Board to increase their understanding of the Group’s operations 
and markets and provides a welcome touchpoint for the workforce to engage with the Directors. Due to the 
travel restrictions implemented across our network due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was very limited 
opportunity for the Board to undertake site visits as is ordinarily the case. As and when it becomes safe to do 
so, the Board very much looks forward to visiting our operations, engaging face to face with our People and 
discussing matters of importance to them. Further details on employee engagement can be found at pages  
100 to 102 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Board believes that there exists a balanced range of skill sets, experience and backgrounds amongst our 
existing Executive and Non-Executive Directors but acknowledges there is still progress to be made on 
appointments to the Board that promote diversity from a gender, social and ethnic background perspective. 

The current members of the Board have extensive aviation industry experience and highly relevant skills derived 
from serving in a range of executive and non-executive positions, in other customer-facing service delivery 
businesses, both within the UK and internationally. As previously stated, the Board has instructed external 
recruitment consultants to identify a candidate possessing the right balance of skills, knowledge, and industry 
experience to further enhance the Board’s overall skillset. The Board will continue to appoint on the basis of 
merit, whilst working to broaden the diversity of its talent pool in all respects.

Currently, female representation on the Board equates to 14%. The representation of females in our senior 
management roles is 24%. In line with the revised regulations as a result of COVID-19, UK Gender Pay Gap 
reporting was suspended for the 2019/20 reporting period. The Group looks forward to reporting against 
progress in this regard for 2020/21. 

The Group aims to be an inclusive employer and the Board is highly supportive of the initiatives in place to 
promote diversity and inclusion throughout the business, including the establishment of an Equality, Diversity and 
Inclusion Focus Group. In 2020, Executive Management Board worked with the Human Resources Committee to 
create a new succession and talent planning programme to support and develop identified successors to key 
leadership and business critical roles within the Group ensuring that a pipeline of talent within the Company’s ranks 
are rich in diversity. Further details can be found on pages 100 to 102 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020. 

As part of the Group’s wider sustainability programme, a key focus will be on evaluating diversity within our 
leadership population and global graded management population. In 2020, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 
online-learning module was launched, an interactive course which all employees will complete globally and 
which highlights the importance of creating an inclusive and fair working environment. In order to target future 
female leaders within the business a dedicated ‘Women in Leadership’ development programme will be rolled 
out in 2021. The Group is also working at a local level to introduce programmes to target under represented 
populations. An example of which is a focus is on women working within the ramp operations in our Australian 
business. 

Board Evaluation
During 2020 David Garman, the Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director, led the annual Board 
effectiveness evaluation. This involved one-to-one discussions with each Director to understand and evaluate 
their responses to a concise Board questionnaire, the results of which the Board also collectively reviewed.  
The overall conclusion was that the Board functions in an effective manner, being strong in the areas of 
chairmanship, governance, risk and financial management. It was generally acknowledged that many of 2020’s 
priorities were overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention diverted to liquidity, funding and 
restructuring issues as revenue and volumes declined. The successful funding initiatives and operational 
management response to the crisis means that the Board can refocus on the growth agenda as the industry 
moves towards recovery. Certain matters highlighted for more detailed discussion included deeper analysis of 
the Group’s commercial proposition and the key initiatives required to deliver the growth strategy, as this was 
seen as pivotal in articulating the equity story to the investment community. Further evaluation outcomes were 
the Group’s entry into emerging markets. This placed additional focus on the Group’s risk management 
protocols with reporting requiring to be adapted accordingly and the number of Nomination Committee 
meetings held in each year  

to be increased to two per year. Governance matters were considered to be well managed but key areas of 
compliance, such as ESG related matters, required further development. It was also noted that Board materials 
be further developed to include additional details on key operational KPIs, review of investments and customer 
and competitor analysis. 

The Board remains a strong advocate of the principles and provisions of the Code regarding performance 
evaluation and may, periodically, engage external consultants to ensure the Company’s evaluation process is  
fit for purpose and refreshed as appropriate. 

Whilst it was welcomed that a renewed customer-centric approach had been adopted, it was noted that this 
must be developed further in order to deepen our customer relationships and drive organic growth. The Board 
remains aware of the importance of majority independence and gender balance under the Code and will be 
mindful of this when considering future appointments. Despite this area of non-compliance, the Board 
considers that it had, and continues to have, the appropriate balance of skills, knowledge and experience to 
enable it to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively and that each Director provided objective and 
constructive challenge to management. 

Shareholder Engagement
The Board is cognisant of the importance of maintaining a clear dialogue with the Company’s stakeholders and 
shareholders, in line with the Code. Accordingly, the Company implemented a revised programme of activity  
to ensure that effective and constructive communication took place despite the social distancing and other 
COVID-19 related restrictions in place throughout 2020. The Company’s website contains a dedicated Investor 
Centre through which the Company disseminates its announcements, results and reports and was relaunched  
in 2020, providing an enhanced and more user friendly experience for shareholders and other stakeholders.

In March 2020, the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (Regulations) 
were passed into law with immediate effect prohibiting public gatherings of more than two people, except 
where the gathering was “essential for work purposes”. Applicable advice at that time was that attendance at a 
general meeting by a shareholder, (other than one specifically required to form the quorum for that meeting), 
did not satisfy the “essential for work purposes” criteria. The Board reviewed the options available to it in order 
for the Company to hold its 2020 AGM in accordance with the Regulations and also protect the safety and 
wellbeing of its staff and shareholders. Accordingly, the 2020 AGM was held on 1 May 2020 with the minimum 
number of Directors and shareholders present in person required to ensure the meeting was quorate, with all 
other Directors and advisers joining the meeting remotely. In advance of the meeting, shareholders were 
actively encouraged to email any questions they intended to ask at the meeting to a dedicated Company email 
address. The Company was pleased to receive a number of questions which were circulated to the Board and 
answered promptly. At the conclusion of the formal business of the meeting, members of the Board, including 
the Board Committee Chairs, made themselves available to hold one-to-one calls with shareholders. 

Throughout 2020, the usual analysts and investors meetings took place by way of a combination of physical, 
telephone or virtual meetings. The full year and interim results presentations took place in London in March 
2020, by way of a physical meeting, with the September interim results being broadcast by way of a live 
webcast via the Company’s website. The Board very much looks forward to being able to return to holding 
physical shareholder roadshows and will continue to utilise and harness technology and virtual means to hold 
such events until it safe to do so.

Further, as part of the Company’s investor relations programme, a key shareholder and analyst update report  
is a standard Board agenda item to ensure the Board has full visibility on the engagement activities being 
undertaken and the feedback from shareholders on matters important to them.

Customer Engagement
2020 presented a year of unique challenges for the Group and for our customers due to the unprecedented 
and significant impact travel restrictions had on the aviation industry. Despite the challenging market 
conditions, we maintained regular and constructive dialogue with our customers in order to fully understand 
their needs and how we could facilitate and deliver solutions to help them deliver to their customers. This has 
allowed us to forge deeper partnerships with our customer as we strive to grow our respective businesses 
together as the industry emerges from the pandemic. 

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NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Customer Engagement continued
The ability for the Executive Directors and senior managers to have face-to-face meetings with our key 
customers during the year was very much restricted due to external factors. Through the use of virtual platforms 
for review meetings, commercial discussions and operational updates we were able to adapt our approach and 
ensure that we engaged frequently with our customers. We also connected with many of our customers and 
suppliers at the virtual Ground Handling International event in December 2020. Our commercial teams have used 
the pandemic as a catalyst to re-evaluate and strengthen our approach to sales planning and the targeting and 
management of major bids and business development opportunities, ensuring our commercial proposals are 
closely aligned to our customers’ objectives. Our sales capability has been significantly enhanced with leadership 
appointments to our cargo sales, commercial and business development teams. 

By putting our customers first, listening to their views and providing best-in-class and competitive solutions,  
we continue to deepen and strengthen these key relationships which in turn generates a positive impact for  
our shareholders, people, suppliers and other important stakeholders across our network. Our Executive team 
and senior management strongly believe our approach in this area is now delivering tangible results across the 
globe, as evidenced by recent wins with Qatar Airways in the USA, Europe and Oceania, Cargolux and Wizz Air 
in Budapest, Qantas in four key airports in Australia, Jetstar in Melbourne, Swoop in Toronto, Mango Airlines 
and Lift Air in South Africa, and Loganair in Scotland.

Workforce Engagement
During 2020, the Board had to adapt the methods used to engage with employees to enhance the employee 
voice in the boardroom. The key priority throughout the year was to protect the safety and wellbeing of our 
employees and all of those that we come in contact with. Therefore, we were unable to hold the employee 
forums as had been planned. The Board remains committed to this as being an effective forum to ensure an 
open dialogue between the workforce and the Board looks forward to re-introducing such forums in due course. 

The Board recognises the importance of engagement with employees as a means of gauging workforce 
alignment to the Group’s vision, ethos and core values. This is key in any year and no more so than in 2020. 
Adapting to fluctuating flight schedules and air traffic volumes meant that we ended the year with 30% fewer 
employees than we started with and had many employees away from work on leave or on various furlough 
schemes. This placed a greater importance and emphasis on regular and meaningful engagement with our 
workforce. At the peak of the pandemic, the Executive and senior management issued biweekly 
communications to keep all staff updated on how the business was reacting to the challenges presented and 
held Q&A session to understand the key issues being faced on the ground. A bespoke website called 
wearemenzies.com was created along with web portals to allow our staff who were temporarily away from the 
business with a means to keep up to date with developments, training and provide outplacement support and 
redeployment opportunities. Partnerships were formed with employers to provide opportunities for alternative 
or additional work. This was particularly positive in the UK where partnerships were formed with Asda, Royal 
Mail and Feed the Nation. 

As part of the Board and senior management’s desire to understand the views of employees and to make 
decisions driven by the input and feedback of employees, the Company launched its first global employee 
feedback survey. The survey focused on questions across two core themes: how well informed employees felt 
as the Company navigated through the challenges presented by COVID-19; and the effectiveness of steps the 
Company was taking to ensure employees were kept safe. One in five of Menzies employees across 26 countries 
took part in the survey and the Board was pleased to receive a high level of positive scores across all questions 
despite the extraordinary challenges presented throughout 2020. 

As part of the Board’s ongoing commitment to operating safely and ethically, a new whistleblowing service has 
been introduced enabling any employee to be able to report potential concerns or breaches confidentially and 
with complete anonymity. This is operated by an independent third party where employees can make contact 
either by telephone or secure website.

Further details of People initiatives can be found in pages 52 to 57 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020. 

Terms of Reference
The Nomination Committee operates under Terms  
of Reference that can be found on the Company’s 
website. These were reviewed during 2020 to ensure 
they properly align with the applicable provisions of 
the Code.

Board Composition 
From 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2020, the Company 
remained non-compliant with Principle G and 
Provision 11 of the Code due to the fact that at least 
half of the Board (excluding the Chairman) were 
considered by the Board not to be independent. 
Following Giles Wilson’s unexpected resignation as 
Chief Executive Officer in June 2020, the Board’s 
composition reverted back to having at least half of  
its members as being independent (excluding the 
Chairman), in accordance with the Code.

As previously reported, 2019 was a year of significant 
management changes with the departure and 
replacement of a number of Directors. At that time, 
the Committee and Board considered it had the 
appropriate balance of skills, knowledge and 
experience to effectively discharge its duties and 
responsibilities. However, following Giles Wilson’s 
departure from the Company in August 2020, the 
Committee and Board recognised the pressing need 
to review the executive management structure in 
order to provide stability and continuity of senior 
leadership to both the Board and the Company. 

The Committee undertook a rigorous and robust 
review of the optimum Board structures available to it 
whilst being mindful not to add additional complexity 
and management distraction during a time when the 
Aviation industry was experiencing significant adverse 
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee 
considered the Code requirements, as well as, the 
interests of the Company’s shareholders, customers, 
People, other stakeholders and the business impact  
of ongoing external factors. This resulted in the 
Committee identifying and recommending to the 
Board that Philipp Joeinig’s extensive aviation industry 
and senior leadership experience made him the ideal 
candidate to lead both the Company and the Board  
at this time, fully supported by the existing Executive 
Directors and senior management team. The Board 
accepted the Committee’s recommendation and 
Philipp Joeinig’s combined role of Chairman & Chief 
Executive Officer became effective from 1 September 
2020 and, in accordance with its Terms of Reference, 
will be kept under review by the Committee. 

David Garman
Chair of the Nomination 
Committee

Committee Members

Name

D Garman
P Baines
S Maizey
P Joeinig1

Position

Attendance

Chair
Member
Member
Member

1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1

Note:
1.  On 26 June 2020 Philipp Joeinig stepped down as Chair of the 
Committee with immediate effect upon his appointment to the 
combined role of Chairman & CEO. Philipp was not present at the 
meeting when matters relating to his position within the Company 
were being discussed.

Welcome to the Report of the Nomination Committee 
for the 2020 financial year. The Committee comprises 
majority independent Non-Executive Directors and is 
chaired by me, David Garman, as Deputy Chairman 
and Senior Independent Director. John Geddes, 
Director of Corporate Affairs and the Group Company 
Secretary, continued as Secretary of the Committee 
whilst other Executive Directors and members of 
Senior Management attended Committee meetings  
by invitation if a particular agenda item required  
their input. 

The Committee had one formal meeting during the 
year but engaged frequently in addition to this on 
matters such as Board composition, appointments  
and other relevant Committee business. Membership 
of the Committee and meeting attendance during 
2020 is set out above. The Committee remained in full 
compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(July 2018) (the Code) recommendation that a 
majority of members be independent.

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The Committee and the Board were fully aware that their decision to stabilise the leadership of the business by 
combining the roles of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer would result in the Company being non-compliant 
with Principle G and Provision 9 of the Code. The Committee and the Board takes very seriously the importance 
of good corporate governance and the link this has with long term sustainable success. The Committee and the 
Board are also fully cognisant of the spirit in which the Principles of the Code should be applied and the inbuilt 
flexibility within the Code when a Company is not compliant with its Principles and/or Provisions. With this 
borne in mind, the Board remains satisfied that there is sufficiently robust scrutiny, independent oversight and 
constructive challenge by the Deputy Chairman and other Non-Executive Directors on Board matters, ensuring 
that no one individual possesses unfettered decision-making powers and that the Board remains fully able to 
discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively.

In order to further enhance the overall composition of the Board, the Committee recommended that a new 
independent Non-Executive Director be recruited to join the Board. Accordingly, the Committee appointed 
independent recruitment consultants Egon Zehnder Associates, which has no other connection with the 
Company or individual Directors, to assist in identifying potential candidates for the appointment to this 
position. The Committee and Board are keen to identify a candidate possessing the right balance of skills, 
knowledge and industry experience to further enhance the Board’s overall skillset, as well as, rebalancing the 
Board’s composition of majority independence and compliance with Principal G and Provision 11 of the Code. 
The Board will update shareholders on this matter in due course. 

Function and Responsibilities
The primary functions of the Nomination Committee are to oversee the development of a diverse pipeline  
of talent for orderly succession to Board and senior management positions and to ensure the Board has the 
requisite combination of skill, experience and knowledge to effectively discharge its duties. The Committee 
therefore regularly evaluates Board composition with this in mind and is responsible for identifying and 
recommending candidates to the Board when an appropriate position arises.

The Committee, together with the Board, is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across the Group 
and at Board level. As a Board, we are proud that diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our culture. Our 
People are our most valued asset and are a key stakeholder in our business. As a result of the impact of 
COVID-19 across our network, we will continue to strive to rebuild our workforce, ensuring it is reflective of  
the diversity of our customers and the regional, national and international communities in which we operate.

As detailed in its Terms of Reference, the key duties of the Committee, together with the main activities 
undertaken during 2020, are detailed in the following table. The Committee may engage such advisers,  
internal or external, as it considers either necessary and/or desirable to ensure the effective discharge of its 
responsibilities. 

Leadership and 
structure

Responsibility

Main activities in 2020

Prior to making a 
recommendation and as set 
out above, evaluate the 
balance of skills, 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.

Combination of the roles of Chairman & CEO
Following Giles Wilson intimating his intention to resign  
as CEO in June 2020, it was proposed by the Committee 
and recommended to the Board that the roles and 
responsibilities of Chairman & CEO be combined into a 
single role. After due and careful consideration of skills, 
experience and expertise required for this position, the 
Committee identified Philipp Joeinig as the most suitable 
candidate and recommended his appointment to the 
Board.

Executive 
Remuneration

Liaise closely with the 
Remuneration Committee in 
relation to the service contract 
and remuneration package to 
be offered to any proposed 
Executive Director.

Identification of Board candidates
The Committee and Board are keen to identify a candidate 
possessing right balance of skills, knowledge and industry 
experience to take up the position as an independent 
Non-Executive Director in order to further enhance the 
Board’s overall skill set and engaged with Egon Zehnder 
Associates in this respect.

Following the proposal to appoint Philipp Joeinig to the 
combined role of Chairman & CEO, the Committee, in 
conjunction with the Remuneration Committee, considered 
the remuneration package to be offered to him and 
engaged with FIT, the Company’s remuneration consultants, 
to benchmark the proposed salary to ensure it was 
commensurate with the Company’s peers and the wider 
market. At the same time FIT also benchmarked the 
remuneration packages of Alvaro Gomez-Reino, the 
Company’s CFO and John Geddes, the Director of 
Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary. It was thereafter 
considered appropriate that:
•  Philipp Joeinig’s salary be increased from £180,000 to 

£405,000 to reflect the significant increase in his duties, 
effective from his appointment to the combined role on 
1 September 2020; and

•  John Geddes and Alvaro Gomez-Reino’s salaries remain 

unchanged at £275,000 and £285,000 respectively.

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Responsibility

Main activities in 2020

Responsibility

Main activities in 2020

Evaluation

Annually review: (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, both 
Executive and Non-Executive, 
with a view to ensuring the 
continued ability of the 
organisation to compete 
effectively in the marketplace.

As detailed above, 2020 saw a key change to the 
leadership of the Company, Board and composition of its 
Committees.

The Committee led the evaluation process, ensuring at all 
times that the Board, together with its Committees, has the 
required balance of skills, knowledge and experience.

Taking into account the relevant skillsets and length of 
service of each Director, together with the revised 
leadership structure of the Board, the Committee 
concluded it was satisfied that the Board’s current 
composition was fit for purpose despite not being 
compliant with Principal G and Provision 9 of the Code for 
periods of 2020 (as set out on pages 86 and 87 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020). This view was 
endorsed by the annual Board evaluation process.

Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff is considered not to be 
independent due to the CEO position he holds with 
Lakestreet Capital Partners AG, a substantial shareholder in 
the Company. The Committee remained aware that his 
membership of the Remuneration Committee did not 
conform with Code Provision 32. Following shareholder 
voting on Christian’s election to the Board at the 2020 
AGM, Christian held constructive and helpful discussions 
with shareholders and proxy advisory bodies in order to 
fully understand the reasons behind shareholder voting and 
proxy agency voting recommendations. Having listened to 
and taken on board their views and having considered the 
matter very carefully, particularly in relation to the 
sentiment of recent engagements and the independence 
requirements set out in the Code, Christian decided to step 
down from the Remuneration Committee in February 2021. 
Both Christian and the Committee take very seriously the 
importance of good corporate governance and the 
important role independence plays in relation to Board 
effectiveness. Accordingly, the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee accepted Christian’s proposal to step down, 
resulting in the Remuneration Committee being compliant 
with Code Provision 32 from that point onwards.

Furthermore, the Committee identified and recommended 
to the Board that, to further enhance the overall skillset of 
the Board and to ensure an appropriate level of corporate 
governance and independence, Egon Zehnder Associates, 
an independent recruitment consultancy, be engaged to 
assist in identifying potential candidates for the 
appointment of a new independent Non-Executive Director.

In line with the Committee’s Terms of Reference, it was 
agreed that a further review of the Board’s composition 
would be conducted in 2021 to ensure its composition was 
in alignment with current and proposed strategic 
developments and the requirements of the Code.

The Nomination Committee is tasked with focusing on 
succession planning from a Board and Executive 
Management Board, comprising the next immediate level of 
senior management, perspective.

Following detailed discussions and consideration of length 
of service to-date it was agreed that no issues in relation to 
Non-Executive Director succession required immediate 
attention. However, succession planning in this area would 
be kept under regular review.

The quality of the current succession planning 
arrangements was subject to detailed review. The 
Committee considered potential areas of vulnerability 
within the planning process against a backdrop of the tight 
cost controls implemented across the Group due to the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee, working 
with the HR Committee, concluded that, where possible, 
the pipeline for succession to senior management positions 
should be fostered from within the Group. To deliver the 
succession pipeline the ‘Menzies 100’ was created, which is 
a group of the top 100 senior leaders from across each 
region, function and critical operational roles within the 
Group. This cohort will participate in regular leadership 
updates, development sessions and bespoke development 
opportunities to increase their skill levels with succession 
plans for each of these roles being closely reviewed and 
monitored.

The Committee noted selecting the top 100 leaders across 
the Group was a key project and would enhance the 
Group’s succession planning by ensuring individuals of the 
requisite calibre were being developed and given the tools 
to succeed. Accordingly, all matters relating to succession 
planning and the development of the Menzies 100 would 
remain a key area of focus for both the Committee and HR 
Committee throughout 2021 and beyond, ensuring there is 
rich and diverse pipeline of talent for succession, allowing 
the Company to deliver on its growth strategy.

During 2020, the Board were reminded of their duty to 
undertake training and development and the facilities made 
available to them to by the Company in this regard. Specific 
external training was provided to the Board on the 
Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 together 
with regular updates on other key measures implemented 
by the UK and Scottish Governments to allow companies to 
navigate their way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Succession 
planning

Ensure that appropriate plans 
are in place for the orderly 
succession of the Board and 
senior management and that a 
diverse pipeline for succession 
to these positions is in place, 
taking into account the 
challenges and opportunities 
facing the Company and what 
skills and expertise are 
therefore required in the 
future.

Training and 
Development

The Chairman leads the 
training and development of 
the Board and of individual 
Directors and regularly reviews 
and agrees with each Director 
their individual and collective 
training and development 
needs. For Directors joining 
the Board, the Chairman 
ensures that on appointment 
each Director receives a full, 
formal and structured 
induction which reflects a 
Director’s skills, experience 
and Board role.

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93

Governance ReportsNOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In addition to the areas detailed above, the Nomination Committee also considered the following items during 2020:
•  The Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment were reviewed, in conjunction with the Group Company 
Secretary, to ensure they remained fit for purpose. At the conclusion of the review, it was agreed that the 
letters of appointment remained the appropriate terms and did not require amendment.

•  That matters relating to workforce engagement, employee engagement surveys and the subsequent 

reporting outcomes relating to these remains within the remit of the Human Resources Committee. This was 
agreed by the Board and further details on these matters can be found on pages 100 to 102 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020.

Diversity, Inclusion and Succession
The Board is committed to building a diverse pipeline of talent across all areas of the Group including, at Board 
and senior management level in line with the Company’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. The Board 
acknowledges its perspective and approach can be greatly enhanced through gender, social and ethnic 
backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths, tenure and relevant experience. Although new appointments 
are based on merit against objective criteria, careful consideration is given to the benefits of improving and 
complementing the diversity, skills, experience and knowledge of the Board wherever possible.

In making recommendations to the Board, the Committee makes sure that the Board is made up of competent 
individuals with the necessary balance of skills and experience required to ensure that the Board can function 
effectively. Moreover, the Board and Company rigorously endorse the advantages that diversity brings to the 
Boardroom and the wider business more generally. 

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is implemented through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan. 
Progress against actions and objectives set out in the Plan will be reported by the Equality, Diversity and 
Inclusion Focus Group to the Board via the Human Resources Committee. The suitability and adequacy of this 
Policy is assessed periodically by the Focus Group and updated accordingly. The Policy dovetails with a key 
element of the Company’s strategy: to attract, develop and retain the most talented people and to be a place 
where our People are free to be themselves, no matter their identity or background. By creating a richly diverse 
working environment in which individuals can utilise their skills and talents to the full without fearing 
discrimination, bullying, victimisation/retaliation or harassment, we aim to create a culture where our People 
flourish and reach their fullest potential.

The Committee takes seriously the requirement to ensure the Board and senior management team are balanced 
from a gender perspective and remains committed to make progress in this area. Through the natural cycle of 
Board and senior management renewals, the Board intends to broaden diversity beyond gender diversity alone, 
to reflect the diversity of our customers and the regional, national and international communities in which we 
operate. As at 9 March 2021 there was one female Director (14%) on the Board and the representation of 
females in our senior management was 20%.

As can be seen from the table above, succession planning and internal leadership requirements remained a key 
focus of the Committee during 2020. This will continue to be the case during 2021 as investment in the Menzies 
100 continues. The Committee remains confident it has a robust succession plan in place ensuring that, as our 
business rebuilds, the right people are in the right place to lead, contribute to and maximise the success of our 
global operations. 

Further information on the above matters, including the measures which the Group takes to support diversity, 
can be found on, and is incorporated by reference into, this Nomination Committee Report on pages 86 and 88 
of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

On behalf of the Nomination Committee

David Garman
Chair of the Nomination Committee
9 March 2021

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Whilst no systems of internal control can provide 
absolute assurance against material loss or disruption, 
the Group’s systems are designed to provide the 
Directors with reasonable assurance that risks can  
be promptly identified and the appropriate remedial 
action taken where necessary. The Audit Committee 
carefully considered and evaluated the effectiveness  
of these controls for the period from 1 January 2020 to 
the date of approval of this document. The Committee 
concluded that the Group has sound systems of risk 
management and internal controls in place, further 
details on which can be found on pages 36 and 45  
of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Additional key responsibilities of the Audit Committee 
include, but are not limited to the following:
•  Reviewing the Company’s financial results 

announcements and financial statements, including 
the significant judgments and estimates contained 
within them.

•  Ensuring compliance with applicable accounting 
standards and reviewing appropriateness of the 
accounting policies and practices in place.

•  Advising the Board on whether the Company’s 
annual report and accounts are, when taken as  
a whole, fair, balanced and understandable and 
provide the requisite information in order that 
shareholders and other stakeholders can assess  
the Company’s performance, business model  
and strategy.

•  Reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of  

the Group’s internal control and risk management 
systems, particularly principal and emerging risks 
that could threaten the Company’s business model.

•  Reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness  

of the internal audit function and Management’s 
responsiveness to any findings and recommendations.

•  Reviewing the Group’s policies and practices 

concerning business conduct, ethics, integrity  
and fraud. 

•  Overseeing all aspects of the relationship with  
the external auditor, including its appointment,  
the external audit process taking into account 
relevant UK professional and regulatory 
requirements, and monitoring its effectiveness, 
objectivity and independence.

•  Developing and implementing policy on the 

engagement of the external auditor to supply 
non-audit services, ensuring there is prior approval 
of non-audit services considering the impact this 
may have on independence, taking into account  
the relevant regulations and ethical guidance  
in this regard, and reporting to the Board on  
any improvement or action required.

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

95

Paul Baines
Chair of the Audit Committee

Committee Members

Name

P Baines
D Garman
S Maizey

Position

Attendance

Chair
Member
Member

3/3
3/3
3/3

Welcome to the Audit Committee Report for the 2020 
financial year. I am pleased to report that throughout 
the year the Committee continued to assist the Board 
of Directors in discharging its oversight responsibilities 
in respect of the Company’s internal financial controls 
and, ultimately, safeguarding the interests of its 
stakeholders, including its shareholders.

The Audit Committee operates under Terms of 
Reference that can be found on the Company’s 
website. These were reviewed during 2020 to ensure 
that they continue to be properly aligned with the 
applicable provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (July 2018) (the Code).

Whilst the Board has overall responsibility for the 
Group’s systems of internal controls, the Audit 
Committee has delegated responsibility to review  
the effectiveness of such controls. The Committee’s 
principal role is to assess the quality of the Group’s 
internal and external audit processes and ensure  
that the risks that our business faces: financial,  
IT, operational, compliance-related, emerging or 
otherwise, are effectively managed and, where 
possible, mitigated.

Governance ReportsAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

To fulfil its role properly and ensure the effective discharge of its duties, the Audit Committee may take such 
independent professional advice and request any information from any Group employee, including Executive 
Directors, as it considers necessary. The Audit Committee may also meet with the external auditors and the 
internal audit team in the absence of Executive Directors and other Group employees, allowing for any items  
of concern to be raised with or by them.

Meetings and Principal Activities
The Audit Committee met, as scheduled, three times with meeting attendance set out in the table on page 80 
of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020. The Audit Committee comprised three Non-Executive Directors 
during 2020: Silla Maizey, a qualified accountant, David Garman and myself.

The current composition of the Audit Committee meets with the requirements of the Code, possessing 
competence relevant to the sector in which the Company operates. In line with good practice, membership  
will continue to be reviewed annually.

All Committee meetings were held prior to a full Board meeting which afforded me the opportunity to provide 
a comprehensive update on the Committee’s discussions and recommendations to those Directors not in 
attendance. The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Group Company Secretary, 
together with certain senior members of the Finance team and representatives from the external and internal 
audit teams, were given notice of all Audit Committee meetings and invited to attend and speak where 
considered appropriate.

I met with the Group Company Secretary at the start of the year to agree the agenda for the 2020 Audit 
Committee meetings and identify non-standard agenda items that required consideration over the following 
months. The Committee also received ad-hoc presentations from members of the Management team on  
a variety of key issues throughout 2020.

The principal activities that the Audit Committee undertook from 1 January 2020 to the date of approval of this 
document were as follows:
•  Formal review of the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts 2020, including the Statements on Internal 
Control, the work of the Audit Committee and the associated business review. The Audit Committee also 
formally reviewed the Interim Results 2020 announcement made by the Company. The Audit Committee’s 
work focused on key accounting policies, estimates and judgments, including significant or unusual 
transactions. In doing so, the Audit Committee reviewed the reports of Management and the internal audit 
team. It also considered the views of the external auditor in relation to the Annual Report and Accounts 2020. 
The Audit Committee concluded that a recommendation be made to the Board that the required disclosure 
set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities could be made, as set out on page 130 of this Annual 
Report and Accounts 2020.

•  Review of the risk management work of Management, which involved assessing key risks according to their 
significance, likelihood and impact, in addition to 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 
emerging and principal business risks, such strategies and systems having been in place throughout 2020 
and up to the date of approval of this document.

•  Review and adoption of the annual internal audit plan ensuring that the audits addressed risks identified 

relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and that the reviews conducted were safe and effective.

•  Review of the forecasts of the business to ensure that the statements concerning the affirmation of the 

Group’s going concern and of future viability were balanced and understandable. 

•  Consideration of the objectivity and independence of the external auditor.

Annual Report and Accounts 2020
The primary areas of review by the Audit Committee, and the key assumptions, estimates and judgments 
considered and addressed in relation to the financial statements contained within this document are as follows:

Going concern and future viability
The Audit Committee reviewed Management’s assessment of going concern and future viability and in 
particular the potential financial impact of the risk represented by the travel restrictions in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

The Audit Committee reviewed the current liquidity position, Management’s financial forecasts including  
stress testing of potential risks, and Management’s conclusions that there is a reasonable expectation that  
the Company and Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the period of going concern 
assessment; and that in the event of the impact of international travel restrictions extending beyond that 
assumed in Management’s severe but plausible downside case there is a material uncertainty of risk of a breach 
of the banking leverage and interest cover covenants under the Group’s unsecured facilities as measured at 
30 June 2022. The Audit Committee agreed that if such circumstance were to arise it would be appropriate for 
the Company to take steps to further mitigate any such risk and, if necessary, to agree with its lenders, as it did 
following the outbreak of the pandemic, a further waiver of or variation to such covenants. 

The Audit Committee concluded that the disclosures in this Annual Report and Accounts 2020 regarding the 
Group’s going concern and future viability were balanced and understandable, and recommended to the Board that 
the required disclosures as set out on pages 33 to 35 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020 could be made.

Revenue recognition
The Audit Committee has reviewed the work completed by management to ensure that the Group has 
appropriately recognised revenues in accordance with its contractual obligations during the financial year.  
The Audit Committee was satisfied with the approach and revenue recognition taken.

Exceptional and other items
The Audit Committee considered the appropriateness of the measure of underlying losses and the classification 
and transparency of items separately disclosed as exceptional and other items. It was satisfied that the measure 
of underlying loss 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.

Provisions
The Audit Committee reviewed the analysis of provisions made by Management and challenged the 
assumptions used in determining whether provisions are appropriate, particularly in relation to the impact of 
past events on insurance costs matters, onerous contracts and non-rent obligations under certain leases, and 
were satisfied that appropriate disclosures have been made.

Goodwill and intangible assets
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 Group forecasts. 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 judgments taken.

Taxation
Provisioning for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets requires the exercising of judgment. The Audit 
Committee addressed this through the receipt of a range of reports from Management and a separate tax 
committee exists to deal with such requests. Further details can be found on page 38 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020. The Audit Committee challenged the appropriateness of Management’s views, including the 
extent to which these were supported by appropriate external advice. In particular, the Committee challenged 
Management’s calculations of provision for items under discussion with relevant authorities and of the deferred 
tax assets and liabilities.

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97

Governance ReportsAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Annual Report and Accounts 2020 continued
Retirement obligation accounting
A range of judgments underpins the assumptions made in the calculation of UK defined benefit pension 
scheme liabilities and assets. Assumptions were prepared by external actuaries and reviewed by Management, 
ensuring they were aligned to prevailing economic indicators. Changes in assumptions and the completeness  
of disclosures were then summarised for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee was satisfied with the 
disclosures made and judgments taken.

COVID-19 impact 
COVID-19 has had a major impact on the business and this has increased the degree and complexity of 
judgmental decisions that have needed to be reflected in the financial statements. The finance team had also  
to quickly adapt to the restrictions that remote working imposed and the Audit Committee is satisfied that the 
financial control environment has been maintained.

COVID-19 related government assistance 
The Audit Committee recognised the key sources of governmental support primarily comprise the Coronavirus 
Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the US government, the Coronavirus Job 
Retention Scheme in the UK and the JobKeeper Scheme in Australia and, after taking into account the external 
auditor’s view, concluded that the accounting treatment and disclosures in the financial statements were 
appropriate.

Internal Control and Audit
The internal audit function has continued to develop with in-house operational and financial teams conducting 
the significant majority of reviews. Third party specialists are used to carry out specific scope internal audits 
when their services are required. The Audit Committee has reviewed this model in 2020 and concluded that  
this model provides the correct level of effectiveness whilst taking into consideration the global footprint and 
nature of the Group’s operations. 

The internal audit findings are presented to the Audit Committee and prioritised by Management for action 
with follow-up reports subject to the Committee’s careful scrutiny to ensure that the necessary corrective 
measures are implemented.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Audit Committee has reviewed the work carried out by the internal 
audit teams to ensure use of remote working is optimised. The Audit Committee has concluded that the quality 
of assurance provided remains effective, and the frequency and breadth of the reviews of the operational and 
financial reporting centres has been more than maintained. 

As noted above, the Audit Committee has concluded that the Group has effective systems of risk management 
and internal controls in place to provide the Directors with reasonable but not absolute assurance that risks  
can be promptly identified and appropriate remedial action taken to protect against material loss or disruption. 
Further details on this can be found within the Risk Management section contained on pages 36 to 45  
of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

External Audit
The reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) to conduct the Group audit engagement for the 2020 financial 
year was recommended by the Audit Committee to the Board and approved by shareholders at the Company’s 
2020 Annual General Meeting. Kevin Weston was lead Audit Partner for the reporting period in question. The 
Audit Committee’s choice of external audit provider is not restricted by any contractual obligations and was 
last put out to a fully competitive tender in 2018. The appointment of external auditors is reassessed annually. 

It is vitally important that the Audit Committee consider that its appointed external auditor conducts a full and 
effective audit and its performance is subject to annual review. In undertaking this review, as the Chair of the 
Audit Committee, I seek the opinion of fellow Committee members, the Chief Financial Officer and the views  
of certain members of Management who have been exposed to or had input into the external audit process. 

The Audit Committee reviews and approves both the external auditor’s audit plan and its findings in respect of 
its audit of the Company’s financial statements, carefully monitoring these to ensure completeness, accuracy, 
clarity and integrity.

The Audit Committee regularly monitors the objectivity and independence of the external auditor to ensure its 
continued effectiveness, value for money and compliance with statutory duties. The nature and extent of EY’s 
non-audit services are also subject to consideration. In 2020, any non-audit work performed by EY continued to 
be managed separately from the audit workstream and distinct from the work undertaken by the external audit 
partner. The arrangement is viewed as the most cost-effective process to undertake the services in question. 

All non-audit work conducted by professional accounting firms is put out to tender. The Chief Financial Officer 
approves all non-audit work awards and fees paid to EY and reports any significant awards of work or 
payments to the Audit Committee. For the 2020 financial year, EY’s audit-related fees amounted to £1.2m and 
non-audit fees were £Nil. Following a review at the conclusion of the 2020 audit of the Company’s financial 
statements, the Audit Committee was satisfied that EY continued to provide an effective audit.

On behalf of the Audit Committee

Paul Baines
Chair of the Audit Committee
9 March 2021

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99

Governance ReportsHUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT

Silla Maizey
Chair of the Human 
Resources Committee

Committee Members

Name

S Maizey 
D Garman
J Geddes1
J Thompson2
G Wilson3 
C Hall4

Position

Attendance

Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member

1/1
1/1
0/1
1/1
0/1
0/1

Notes:
1.  John Geddes was unable to attend the meeting due to being  

on leave. 

2.  Juliet Thomson attends the HR Committee in her capacity  

as EVP People.

3.  Giles Wilson stepped down from the Committee on 31 August 2020 

following his resignation from the Company. 

4.  Claire Hall stepped down from the Committee on 1 March 2020 

following her resignation from the Company.

I am pleased to introduce the Report of the Board-
constituted Human Resources (HR) Committee for  
the 2020 financial year. The main priorities of the  
HR Committee are detailed in its Terms of Reference, 
which are available on the Company’s website. These 
are: (i) assisting the Board in fulfilling its obligations in 
respect of all HR matters; (ii) ensuring standardisation 
of HR structure, policies and process; (iii) reviewing, 
monitoring and making recommendations to 
Executive management with regard to all HR matters 
and (iv) monitoring and reporting to the Board 
matters reported to the independent whistleblowing 
hotline available to our People. The HR Committee 
also has responsibility for overseeing the mechanism 
used by the Board to engage with our People and for 
monitoring wider workplace culture, both of which 
were key focus areas for the HR Committee in 2020 
and areas that will be kept under regular review.

Composition and Meetings 
I would like to formally welcome Juliet Thomson  
as a member of the Committee. Juliet is a qualified 
employment lawyer and has served the Company 
since 2014 in a variety of management and leadership 
roles, including leading in areas such as employment 
law, employee relations, governance and compliance. 
Following Claire Hall’s decision to leave the business, 
Juliet was appointed as EVP People in March 2020 
and provides senior leadership across the global  
HR function as the Group progresses its HR strategy.  
I would also like to take this time to thank Claire for 
her valued contribution to the Committee and 
Company during her time.

Due to the Board and Executive Directors’ close focus 
on operational and financial matters during the first 
three quarters of 2020, the Committee held one 
extended formal meeting during the year in place of 
the two separate meetings it would normally hold.  
To ensure that key employee issues were discussed  
at Board level during the COVID-19 pandemic, Board 
papers were adapted to incorporate weekly updates 
so the Board were fully aware of all key issues 
affecting our teams across our network. The 
Committee also engaged frequently with the Board 
and Executive management on other matters such  
as Board composition, appointments and key People 
issues across the Group. Other Board members 
attended the HR Committee meeting in November, 
demonstrating the Board’s ongoing commitment to 
People related matters and to understanding the 
views of employees.

As will be expected, much of the Committee’s focus 
was on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on  
the Company’s employees and the measures taken by 
the Company to ensure employee safety and general 
wellbeing during these unprecedented times. 

I am pleased to report that the HR function, working closely alongside other functions within the business, 
reacted swiftly to the significant pressures placed on the business as global air traffic volumes declined in 
March 2020. A number of initiatives were rolled out from the top down across the network to help tighten the 
Company’s cost base in line with the reduction in air traffic volumes. Examples of such initiatives were salary 
reductions, periods of paid/unpaid leave, reduced working hours and short/part-time working. I would like to 
thank all of the employees who took part in these initiatives and the part they have played in the Company’s 
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the course of 2020, HR functions across the network liaised closely with operational teams to ensure 
that safety measures were implemented effectively and consistently in order to protect the Company’s 
workforce and to ensure that the critical services that the Company provides across the globe were able  
to continue. There was a significant focus on ensuring that where possible all available furlough, job retention 
and wage support schemes were utilised in order to mitigate job losses and help retain the Company’s highly 
skilled and committed workforce through globally implemented lockdowns. However, due to the pandemic’s 
unprecedented impact on our sector and following a detailed review of the Company’s structural cost base, 
redundancies across the Group were unavoidable and led to a reduction in the Company’s head count by 30% 
compared to the corresponding period in 2019. 

The HR Committee were kept informed regarding the significant changes that were made to the Executive and 
senior management and support structures this year, as structural changes were implemented across the Group 
to ensure that it was well positioned to deal with the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Progress during 2020
In addition to managing and, where possible, mitigating the impact of COVID-19, during the course of 2020 the 
HR Committee monitored the Group’s progress against its key HR priority areas of:
•  attracting and retaining the best people;
•  world class training and career development; and
•  creating an engaged team giving great service.

Employee Retention 
During 2020 the Committee continued to monitor progress on our global staff labour turnover rate as an 
indicator on the progress of initiatives introduced to help motivate, train and retain the Company’s workforce. 
While labour turnover continued to present challenges, particularly in light of the external factors out with  
the Company’s control, the HR Committee saw real improvements being made in this area, with the overall 
labour turnover rate remaining flat throughout the 2020. This can be seen as a positive indication of how  
the Company has addressed voluntary turnover within the business and also reflects the change in global job 
markets in 2020. Voluntary leavers accounted for nearly 60% of all leavers in the 12 months up to September 
2018. This percentage has been steadily declining and this decrease in voluntary leavers has been offset by the 
unfortunate but unavoidable increase in leavers due to company-initiated terminations and the lapsing of fixed 
term contracts as part of our COVID-19 response. 

Workforce Engagement 
The HR Committee received a detailed overview of the additional communication measures put in place by the 
Company during the pandemic. This was of critical importance, particularly with many employees away from 
the business on various furlough schemes/working from home and provided employees with opportunities to 
ask questions directly of senior level management during times of such significant global uncertainty. Details of 
initiatives put in place to support employees throughout the pandemic, as well as support for those who were 
leaving the Company, were provided to the Committee. Further details can be found of pages 52 to 57 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020. 

In addition, as part of the Board and Management’s desire to make decisions driven by the input and feedback 
of employees, and to continue to drive workplace culture improvements, the Company launched its first global 
employee feedback survey. The survey consisted of questions across two core themes, namely Communication 
and Safety with a view to ensuring that the employee voice is heard at Board level. The aim of the first survey 
was to understand:
•  how well informed employees felt as the Company navigated through the challenges presented by COVID-19; and
•  the effectiveness of steps the Company was taking to ensure employees were kept safe.

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101

Governance Reports 
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Workforce Engagement continued
One in five of Menzies employees across 26 countries completed the survey and the Committee was 
encouraged to receive positive scores across all questions despite the extraordinary challenges presented 
throughout 2020. The HR Committee were provided with oversight of the core themes arising from employee 
feedback, and of the commitments made by management as a result, such as maintaining the high levels of 
communication that had commenced during the pandemic and implementing leadership training for managers. 

Succession Planning and Diversity
Workforce succession planning was also a focus for the HR Committee this year. Working with the Executive 
Management Board, the HR function reviewed existing plans and further enhanced these by introducing a new 
succession and talent planning programme to monitor more closely and support identified successors for 
critical and leadership roles throughout the Group. In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Committee 
regularly reviews the talent and succession plans for critical roles to ensure that a pipeline rich in diversity is in 
place for the orderly success of key leadership roles throughout the Group. In addition to this, the Committee 
was pleased to hear that the Company’s regional teams have conducted their own succession planning 
focussing on key operational roles.

Training and Development
Throughout 2020, many employees across the network spent time away from the business as various furlough 
and wage support schemes were utilised by the Group. Against a backdrop of significant changes to the 
operational working environment, and working closely with the Risk and Regional teams, the Committee was 
pleased to note that the HR function co-created in conjunction with the Group’s Risk function a ‘return to work’ 
process which ensured operational teams could return safely and confidently to the execution of their duties. 

Taking into account feedback obtained through the Group’s pilot engagement survey in 2018, and feedback 
from the workforce through other workforce engagement measures, the HR Committee monitored the 
development and launch of the Group’s Living Leadership Development Programme. This is a bespoke 
leadership development programme designed by the Company to promote positive leadership behaviours  
and a greater understanding of how leaders’ own behaviours impacts workforce engagement, workplace 
culture and drives performance. Throughout the year, a Virtual Living Leadership Programme was created to 
allow the continued rollout of the Programme given that it would not be possible to execute the full ‘in person’ 
rollout as planned for 2020. 

Looking Forward
The HR Committee was pleased to report the good progress made across its key areas of responsibility despite 
the additional work streams the Company faced because of COVID-19 related matters this year. I look forward 
to the Board continuing its engagement with employees in 2021 through regular employee sentiment surveys  
as well as through interactions with front line teams. The HR Committee will monitor the impact the further 
roll-out of the Group’s Living Leadership Development Programme and other people related development 
initiatives have on the workforce and culture across the Group. 

Further details on the Company’s People focus, can be found on pages 52 to 57 of this Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020.

On behalf of the Human Resources Committee

Silla Maizey
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
9 March 2021

•  Agreed award levels and set targets for the 2020 

annual bonus (both financial and strategic objective 
measures) and the 2020 LTIP awards.

•  Reviewed market and corporate governance 

updates to ensure the Remuneration Committee 
remained up to date against a backdrop of an 
evolving governance landscape and best practice.
•  Reviewed and updated the Terms of Reference of 

the Remuneration Committee to ensure they reflect 
the requirements of the Code.

In addition, the Remuneration Committee has ensured 
that the current Remuneration Policy and practices are 
consistent with the six factors set out in Provision 40 
of the Code:
•  Clarity: The Remuneration Policy is well understood 
by our Executive Directors and senior management 
team and has been clearly articulated to our 
shareholders and representative bodies (both on  
an ongoing basis and during consultation when 
changes were being made).

•  Simplicity: The Committee is mindful of the need  
to avoid overly complex remuneration structures 
which can be misunderstood and deliver unintended 
outcomes. Therefore, a key objective of the 
Committee is to ensure that our Executive 
Remuneration Policy and practices are 
straightforward to communicate and operate.

•  Risk: Our Remuneration Policy has been designed 

to ensure that inappropriate risk-taking is 
discouraged and will not be rewarded via: (i) the 
balanced use of both short and long term incentives 
which employ a blend of financial, non-financial and 
shareholder return targets; (ii) the significant role 
played by equity in our incentive plans; and (iii) 
malus/clawback provisions.

•  Predictability: Our incentive plans are subject to 
individual caps, with our share plans also subject  
to market standard dilution limits.

•  Proportionality: There is a clear link between 

individual awards, delivery of strategy and our  
long term performance. In addition, the significant 
role played by incentive/‘at-risk’ pay, together with 
the structure of the Executive Directors’ service 
contracts, ensures that poor performance is not 
rewarded.

•  Alignment to culture: Our Remuneration Policy  
is aligned to culture through the use of metrics in 
both the annual bonus, LTIP and Transformation 
Incentive plan (TIP) (further details of which are 
contained in the Remuneration Policy Report below) 
that measures performance against specific key 
result areas (KRAs).

David Garman
Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee

During 2020 the following Non-Executive Directors 
were members of the Remuneration Committee:

Committee Members2

Name

Position

Attendance

David Garman
Paul Baines
Silla Maizey
Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff1

Chair
Member
Member
Member

4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4

Notes:
1.  Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff stepped down as a member of the 

Remuneration Committee in February 2021.

2.  Juliet Thomson also attends the Remuneration Committee meetings 

by invitation in her capacity as EVP People.

In addition, Executive Directors and senior management 
may attend Committee meetings by invitation.

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.

Key Remuneration Committee Activities in the Year
•  Reviewed annual salaries and remuneration 
arrangements for the Directors and senior 
management to ensure they are commensurate  
with their level of responsibility with the Group  
and aligned with the Company’s values.

•  Reviewed achievement against targets set and 

determined the appropriate course of action for 
satisfaction of awards for the 2019 annual bonus  
in the context of wider business performance.

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Advisers to the Remuneration Committee
During 2020 the Remuneration Committee was advised by remuneration consultants, FIT Remuneration 
Consultants LLP (FIT), who were appointed in 2019 following a competitive tendering process. Total fees in 
relation to Executive remuneration consulting were charged on a retained basis and were £30,000 (ex. VAT). 
FIT, as a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group, voluntarily operates under the Code of Conduct in 
relation to Executive Remuneration Consulting in the UK. Each year the Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
agrees the protocols under which FIT will provide advice to support independence. FIT have no other 
connection with the Company or any of its individual directors. 

In addition, legal advice was sought by the Remuneration Committee from the Company’s solicitors, Dentons 
UK and Middle East LLP, where considered appropriate.

The Executive Directors and senior executives 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. 

ANNUAL STATEMENT
I am pleased to present, on behalf of the Board, the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 
31 December 2020. This report is comprised of three parts, namely:
•  This Annual Statement, which summarises our approach in respect of remuneration for the year just ended 

and remuneration for 2021.

•  The Remuneration Policy Report, which provides a summary of the current Remuneration Policy.  

No changes to the Remuneration Policy are being proposed at the 2021 AGM.

•  The Annual Report on Remuneration, which sets out payments and awards made to the Directors in 2020, 

details the link between Company performance and remuneration for 2020 and sets out how the 
Remuneration Policy will be operated for 2021.

Accordingly, at our 2021 AGM, there will be one remuneration related resolution presented, being the normal 
annual advisory vote on our Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

Board Changes 
As announced on 26 June 2020, Giles Wilson resigned from the Board with effect from 31 August 2020.  
In order to provide stability and continuity of senior leadership to both the Board and the Company and also 
streamline the executive structure, Philipp Joeinig, Executive Chairman, agreed to replace Giles Wilson, greatly 
expanding his executive remit to take a leading role in the strategic and operational day to day running of the 
Group. All members of the Executive Management Board report directly to Philipp Joeinig in his combined role 
of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. Further details on Board changes are included on pages 78 and 89 to 94 
of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff is considered not to be independent due to the CEO position he holds with 
Lakestreet Capital Partners AG, a substantial shareholder in the Company. The Nomination Committee and 
Board remained aware that his membership of the Remuneration Committee did not conform with Code 
Provision 32. Following shareholder voting on Christian’s election to the Board at the 2020 AGM, Christian held 
constructive and helpful discussions with shareholders and proxy advisory bodies in order to fully understand 
the reasons behind shareholder voting and proxy agency voting recommendations. Having listened to and 
taken on board their views and having considered the matter very carefully, particularly in relation to the 
sentiment of recent engagements and the independence requirements set out in the Code, Christian decided  
to step down from the Remuneration Committee in February 2021 resulting in the Committee being compliant 
with Code Provision 32 from that point onwards.

2020 Remuneration
As announced on 27 March 2020, and as a result of the initial impact of COVID-19 on the Group’s financial 
performance, a number of initiatives were rolled out across the Group in order to mitigate the financial risks 
presented by the unprecedented reduction in global air traffic. Such measures included Executive, Non-
Executive and senior management taking a voluntary 20% reduction in their salaries and fees for a period of 
four months. 

Following the departure of Giles Wilson on 31 August 2020 and the decision to combine the role of Chairman & 
Chief Executive Officer going forward, Philipp Joeinig’s base salary was increased from £180,000 to £405,000 
to reflect the significant increase in the scope of his role from this date noting that Giles Wilson would not be 
replaced. In addition, reflecting his enhanced role, the Remuneration Committee also considered it appropriate 
for Philipp Joeinig to participate in the Executive Management’s annual bonus plan, aligning elements of his 
overall remuneration package with the other Executive members of the Board.

For the 2020 annual bonus plan, the Remuneration Committee reviewed Group underlying profit before tax 
performance and the performance KRAs which were set at the start of the year and covered a number of key 
operational and strategic areas. After reviewing the performance of the Company during 2020 and noting the 
challenges in respect of COVID-19, the Committee determined that no annual bonus should be payable to the 
Executive Directors.

The 2018 LTIP awards were assessed by the Remuneration Committee based on performance to 31 December 
2020. The Remuneration Committee determined that the relevant performance measures were not met and all 
awards will lapse in March 2021.

2021 Remuneration
In respect of remuneration arrangements for 2021:
•  Having reviewed base salary levels in 2020 and noting the continuing impact of COVID-19, the Remuneration 

Committee has determined that the Executive Directors will not receive a salary increase in 2021;

•  The 2021 annual bonus plan will continue to be capped at 100% of salary with performance metrics based  
on underlying profit before tax performance and performance KRAs. As detailed above, reflecting Philipp 
Joeinig’s significantly expanded role, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer will be eligible to participate  
in the annual bonus for 2021 on terms aligned with the other Executive Directors;

•  2021 LTIP awards are expected to be granted over shares with a value equal to 100% of salary with 

performance targets based on Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Earnings per Share (EPS) performance 
conditions. The Committee will agree and set TSR and EPS targets within six months of the date of grant of 
the 2021 LTIP. Full details of the TSR and EPS targets applicable to the 2021 LTIP will be published by RNS as 
soon as they are agreed. No further TIP awards will be granted in 2021. Notwithstanding his enhanced role, 
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will not be eligible to receive 2021 LTIP awards, although his 
participation will be kept under review.

As noted in the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report, the Committee reviewed pension contributions paid to 
new Executive Directors and aligned employer pension contributions to be equal to the amount paid to graded 
managers within the workforce. The Committee is aware that a number of UK advisory bodies and investors 
remain concerned about existing pension contributions paid to Executive Directors which are significantly 
higher than those within the wider workforce. Accordingly, the Remuneration Committee will review pension 
provision for incumbent Directors in light of prevailing market practice and advice from relevant advisory 
bodies as part of the review of the Remuneration Policy in advance of the 2022 AGM to enable shareholders  
to vote on the Committee’s proposed approach at that time.

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

David Garman
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
9 March 2021

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REMUNERATION POLICY REPORT
The current Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved at a general meeting of the shareholders of the 
Company held on 17 September 2019 (Remuneration Policy) and took effect immediately. A summary of the 
Remuneration Policy is set out below (the full Remuneration Policy is available on the Company’s website at: 
www.menziesaviation.com). 

Directors’ Remuneration: Principles
The Remuneration Policy was developed to ensure that the Company is well placed to attract, retain and 
motivate its Executive Directors with the ability and experience necessary to run the Group successfully, whilst 
also aligning executive remuneration with the financial returns of its shareholders.

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Basic Salary

Attract and retain 
high performing 
individuals, 
reflecting market 
value of role and 
Executive Directors’ 
skills and 
experience

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

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

Normally reviewed annually.

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 Group; and

•  inflation in the relevant market.

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 Director or 
to reflect significant 
changes in market practice.

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Annual Bonus 

Incentivise 
Executive Directors 
(excluding the 
Company’s 
Executive 
Chairman) to 
deliver Group and 
individual 
objectives and 
enhance 
performance (see 
Note 1)

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

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

Maximum annual award is 
100% of salary for Executive 
Directors (excluding the 
Executive Chairman).

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

The measures will 
include relevant 
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.

Bonus in Deferred Ordinary Shares (“Deferred Bonus Shares”)

Encourage a 
longer-term focus 
which is aligned to 
ordinary 
shareholders and 
discourages 
inappropriate 
risk-taking

20% of any bonus award is paid in 
Deferred Bonus Shares with such 
ordinary shares having dividend 
entitlements/dividend equivalents.

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

20% of any bonus award.

None.

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Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

2019 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTIP”)

Total shareholder 
return (“TSR”), 
earnings per share 
(“EPS”), return on 
capital employed or 
any other Group 
financial and/or 
strategic 
performance 
measures.

All measures and 
targets are 
reviewed annually 
and set prior to 
each grant.

No more than 25% 
of an award will 
vest on the 
attainment of 
threshold 
performance.

Absolute TSR.

To reward the 
execution of the 
Group’s strategy 
and align the 
interests of ordinary 
shareholders and 
Executive Directors 
(excluding the 
Executive 
Chairman)

Conditional right to acquire 
ordinary shares or an option to 
acquire ordinary shares.

100% of salary for Executive 
Directors (excluding the 
Executive Chairman).

Vesting of awards is subject to 
continued service and performance 
targets, which are measured over  
a three year period.

Dividend equivalents may  
be payable to the extent that 
awards vest.

A two year holding period will 
apply to all 2019 LTIP awards 
granted to Executive Directors.

850,000 ordinary shares in 
respect of the Executive 
Chairman only, subject to  
an equivalent personal 
investment in ordinary 
shares.

2019 Transformation Incentive Plan (“2019 TIP”)

To incentivise and 
reward the 
Executive Chairman 
for delivering 
absolute total 
shareholder return 
(TSR) and align the 
interests of ordinary 
shareholders and 
the Executive 
Chairman

Conditional right to acquire 
ordinary shares or an option  
to acquire ordinary shares.

Vesting of awards is subject to 
personal investment in ordinary 
shares, continued service and 
performance targets which are 
measured over a minimum of  
a three year period.

Dividend equivalents may  
be payable to the extent that 
awards vest.

A two year holding period  
will apply.

Pension

Provide market 
levels of pension 
provision to 
Executive Directors 
(excluding the 
Executive 
Chairman)

Existing Executive Directors can 
participate in the John Menzies 
Money Purchase Pension Scheme 
and/or cash equivalent.

New Executive Directors: 
workforce aligned pension 
provision.

None.

Existing Executive Directors 
(excluding the Executive 
Chairman): pension 
contribution and/or cash 
supplement of up to 20% of 
salary.

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Benefits

Provide market 
levels of benefits 
provision

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.

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.

Company’s Sharesave Scheme

Provide the 
Company’s UK 
employees with  
an interest in the 
performance of its 
ordinary shares.

Accumulated savings may be used 
to exercise an option to acquire 
ordinary shares. The option price  
of such ordinary shares may be 
discounted by up to the HMRC 
approved level (currently 20%).

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

None.

Shareholding guidelines for 
Executive Directors are 200%  
of salary (built up over time).

None.

None.

Shareholding 
guidelines align the 
Executive Directors 
with the long term 
interests of ordinary 
shareholders.

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Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Non-Executive Directors’ Fees

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 Board Committee, a 
Committee member or for being 
the Senior Independent Director.

None.

None.

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.

Any Non-Executive Chairman 
would receive a fee for his services 
to the Company.

A portion of any Non-Executive 
Chairman’s fee and the Non-
Executive Directors’ fees may be 
delivered as ordinary shares.

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

The Company repays any 
reasonable expenses that a 
Non-Executive Director incurs in 
carrying out their duties as a 
director, including travel, hospitality 
related and other benefits (e.g. 
office costs), and any tax liabilities 
thereon, where appropriate.

Notes:
1.  Annual bonus

Annual bonus performance measures have been chosen to provide an appropriate balance between incentivising Executive Directors (excluding 
the Executive Chairman) 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. In addition, reflecting 
Philipp Joeinig’s enhanced role, the Remuneration Committee considered it appropriate for him to participate in the Executive Management’s 
annual bonus plan, aligning elements of his overall remuneration package with the other Executive members of the Board.

2.  2019 LTIP

The ultimate goal of the Company is to provide long term sustainable returns to ordinary shareholders. The performance measures are intended 
to align Executive Director (excluding the Executive Chairman) remuneration with this goal. Targets are set with reference to the strategic goals 
of the Group and wider market practice and are positioned at a level which the Remuneration Committee considers to represent stretching 
performance.

3.  2019 TIP

The ultimate goal of the Company is to provide long term sustainable returns to ordinary shareholders. The absolute TSR targets are intended to 
align the Executive Chairman’s remuneration with this goal.

4.  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 the Executive Directors and senior executives place a more significant emphasis  
on long term performance related pay compared to employees. The Company also operates a 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 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 Remuneration 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 Remuneration 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 
and, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual 
becoming a Director. For these purposes ‘payments’ includes the Remuneration Committee satisfying awards of 
variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over ordinary shares, the terms of the payment are ‘agreed’ 
at the time the award is granted.

Payments may be made in respect of existing awards under the Company’s Bonus Share Plan and the previous 
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) and the Remuneration Committee may exercise any discretions available to it 
in connection with such awards in accordance with the shareholder-approved Directors’ remuneration policy in 
force at the time awards were made.

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.

Malus and Clawback
Malus and clawback provisions operate in respect of annual bonus and past LTIP awards. Following ordinary 
shareholder approval at the 17 September 2019 General Meeting (the “General Meeting”), for the 2020 annual 
bonus and any awards under the 2019 LTIP and 2019 TIP granted after the General Meeting, malus and 
clawback provisions may be applied during the performance period or within three years from payment/vesting 
in the event of:
•  a material misstatement of financial results for any period;
•  an error or inaccurate or misleading information or assumptions;
•  circumstances which would warrant or would have warranted summary dismissal;
•  a material failure of risk management by the Company or a relevant business unit;
•  the Company or a relevant business unit having suffered a material downturn in its financial performance; or
•  circumstances which, in the Remuneration Committee’s opinion, have or could have a sufficiently significant 

impact on the reputation of the Company or of any company in the Group.

Recruitment Policy
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 would 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 ordinary 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 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 per cent of salary. The form of any 
award would be determined at the relevant time.

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Recruitment Policy continued
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.

Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment
The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Affairs Director & Group Company Secretary have 
service contracts with the Company as detailed below. The Company’s practice is that the service contracts of 
Executive Directors should contain a 12 month notice period for both the Executive Director and the Company. 

Executive Director

Philipp Joeinig

Date of Service Contract

23 December 2020

Alvaro Gomez-Reino 

12 October 2019

John Geddes

2 June 2017

Notice Period

12 months

12 months

12 months

Each of the Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment. The letters of appointment do not contain 
any contractual entitlement to a termination payment and the Non-Executive Directors can be removed in 
accordance with the Company’s articles of association.

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

All Directors are subject to annual re-election.

Payments to Outgoing Executive Directors
Executive Directors will be entitled to receive their basic salary and any contractual benefits for any notice 
period. The Company may, in its absolute discretion, elect to terminate an Executive Director’s contract 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 an Executive 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 an 
Executive Director:

Annual 
Bonus

Deferred 
Bonus 
Shares

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, where relevant.

Deferred Bonus Shares are required to be transferred back to the Company (or the Executive 
Director to pay the market value of such ordinary shares to the Company) in circumstances of 
resignation or dismissal. In other circumstances the Deferred Bonus.

Shares would normally be retained by the Executive Director.

2019 LTIP

If an Executive Director ceases office or employment with the Company before the end of the 
performance period any unvested 2019 LTIP 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.

If an Executive Director ceases office or employment with the Company during the holding 
period, 2019 LTIP awards would normally be retained unless the individual leaves due to 
misconduct.

Awards will normally vest on the normal vesting date subject to performance to the end of the 
relevant performance period and time pro-rating (unless the Remuneration Committee decides 
that awards should vest early and/or that time pro-rating should be disapplied in part or in full). 
Any post vesting holding period will normally continue to apply post cessation.

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.

2019 TIP

If the Executive Chairman ceases office with the Company before the end of the performance 
period any unvested TIP Awards will lapse unless the individual is a good leaver. Good leavers 
are those participants who leave by reason of death, ill-health, injury or disability, or the exercise 
of the Remuneration Committee’s discretion. This discretion will not be exercised where the 
individual is dismissed for misconduct.

Should the Executive Chairman revert to Non-Executive Chairman during the three-year vesting 
period, the Matching Award will continue on the agreed terms (i.e. there would be no 
acceleration of vesting and no time pro-rating to reflect the change in role).

If the Executive Chairman ceases employment or office with the Company during the holding 
period, awards made under the 2019 TIP would normally be retained unless the individual leaves 
due to misconduct.

Awards for good leavers will normally vest on the normal vesting date subject to performance 
to the end of the relevant performance period and time pro-rating (unless the Remuneration 
Committee decides that awards should vest early and/or that time pro-rating should be 
disapplied in part or in full). Any post vesting holding period will normally continue to apply 
post cessation.

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 performance conditions.

Pension

An Executive Director will be eligible to receive the standard contribution to the defined 
contribution pension plan, or cash equivalent, during the notice period, where relevant.

Leavers will be treated in accordance with the rules of the approved Sharesave 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.

Sharesave 
Scheme

Benefits

Buyout 
awards and 
additional 
recruitment 
awards

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Payments to Outgoing Executive Directors continued
The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to make any other payments in connection with an Executive 
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 an Executive 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 Executive Director’s legal or professional advice fees  
in connection with his cessation of office or employment.

In the event of a change of control, the Remuneration Committee may determine the extent to which any 
annual bonus should be payable and awards made under the 2019 LTIP and 2019 TIP may vest, taking into 
account performance conditions and time pro-rating (unless the Remuneration Committee decides to disapply 
time pro-rating).

Consideration of Employee Conditions Elsewhere in the Group
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. 
Given the number of employees and diverse locations, the Remuneration Committee did not believe it practical 
or reasonable to consult employees on the new Remuneration Policy. That said, the Remuneration Committee 
did take into account employee conditions across the Group when determining the Remuneration Policy.

Consideration of Shareholder Views
The Remuneration Committee reviews shareholder feedback on remuneration matters as well as developments 
in investor body guidelines and has taken these into account in formulating Executive Director remuneration 
policies.

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
Total Remuneration Received for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
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. 

The table below and the subsequent sections 1 to 8 are subject to audit by the Company’s auditor.

Base salary/fee 
£000

Taxable 
benefits2  
£000

Annual bonus 
£000

LTIP  
£000

Pension3 total 
£000

Total 
remuneration 
£000

Total Fixed 
Remuneration

Total Variable 
Remuneration

20201

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Executive Directors

P Joeinig

2454

266

A 
Gomez-
Reino

85

24

10

51

–

46

J Geddes

257

265

15

15

Non-Executive Directors

P Baines

D Garman

P Joeinig

C 
Kappelhoff-
Wulff

43

86

–

43

46

71

24

28

S Maizey

43

46

Former Directors

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

G Wison7

249

371

9

15

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

29

–

26

255

346

85

30

255

346

85

30

755

53

347

333

347

333

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

43

86

–

43

46

71

24

28

43

86

–

43

46

71

24

28

43

46

43

46

53

74

311

460

311

460

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Notes:
1.  All Executive and Non-Executive Directors took a temporary 20% reduction in their salary/fee, commencing April 2020 to July 2020.
2.  Taxable benefits offered to Executive Directors comprise a car allowance and health insurance. Due to restrictions on global travel as a result of 

COVID-19, Alvaro Gomez-Reino was unable to relocate during 2020 as agreed at the point of his joining. The Company incurred £9,000 of initial 
relocation costs on his behalf in 2020 and has agreed to meet further relocation costs to be incurred by him during 2021. 

3.  Details of the pension arrangements for each of the Directors are included on page 118 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020. The 20% 

reduction referred to in Note 1 above was not applied to pension contributions. 

4.  Philipp Joeinig’ salary reflects his increase in salary from £180,000 to £405,000 on 1 September 2020 following his appointment as Executive 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

5.  Along with other similarly impacted employees, John Geddes received a payment of £20,270 in recognition of his consent to the closure to 

accrual of the Menzies Pension Fund in 2017. This is included in the pension total figure on page 114.

6.  Alvaro Gomez-Renio’s 2019 taxable benefits and pension totals have been restated as they were incorrectly disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report 

and Accounts. 

7.  Giles Wilson resigned from the Board effective 31 August 2020.

1. Base Salary
Salaries of Executive Directors and other Company staff are reviewed annually. The current salaries for the 
Executive Directors are set out below and are usually reviewed annually on 1 May. 

It has been determined that each of Philipp Joeinig, Alvaro Gomez-Reino and John Geddes will not receive a 
salary increase in 2021.

When determining the remuneration of the Executive Directors, the Remuneration Committee takes account of 
pay and employment conditions in the Group as a whole.

P Joeinig

A Gomez-Reino

J Geddes

2019

2020 

2021 

£180,000

£405,000

£405,000

£285,000

£285,000

£285,000

£275,000

£275,000

£275,000

% increase 
for 2021

0

0

0

Note:
Following the departure of Giles Wilson on 31 August 2020 and the decision to combine the role of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 
going forward, Philipp Joeinig’s base salary was increased from £180,000 to £405,000 to reflect the significant increase in the scope of 
his executive remit to take account of his leading role in the strategic and operational day to day running of the Group, with all members 
of the Executive Management Board reporting directly to him.

2. Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Directors’ and Chair fees 
The fee policy for Non-Executive Directors for 2021 is as follows: 

Deputy Chairman

Base fee

Committee Chair

Committee membership 

Senior Independent Director

2020

2021

£80,000

£80,000

£40,000

£40,000

£6,000

£2,500

£6,000

£6,000

£2,500

£6,000

% increase  
for 2021

0

0

0

0

0

Directors receive one fee either for Board Committee chairmanship or Board Committee membership, 
irrespective of the number of Board 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 2021 and 
it was agreed that no changes would be made at this time.

114

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

115

Governance ReportsREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

3. Annual Bonus for 2020
For 2020 bonuses were calculated as follows:
Financial performance (80% of awards)

Measure

Weighting 
(percentage of 
salary)

Threshold target

Stretch target

Performance
achieved

Overall achieved 
(percentage of 
salary)

Group Underlying Profit before Tax 

80

£45.5m

£50.3m

(£38.0m)

0

KRA performance (20% of awards)
The KRAs for the Executive Directors were set at the start of the year and covered a number of key operational 
and strategic areas including:

KRAs – Alvaro Gomez-Reino

Deliver a targeted level of new EBITDA 2020 exit rate from business development opportunities.
Strengthen leadership of regional finance teams.
Internal audit actions to be agreed, completed to deadline and reviews completed in accordance 

with the 2019 plan.

Review equipment financing strategies comparing different available options.
Complete bank refinancing within agreed parameters.
Targeted improvements in both Group days of sale outstanding and operating margins.
Targeted number of new investors to be added to the shareholder register.

KRAs – John Geddes

Targeted reduction in safety and security incidents.
Master service agreements reached with a certain number of key account customers.
Targeted number of new investors to be added to the shareholder register.
Targeted number of key account airlines adopting the Menzies audit programme.
Agreed number of investment banks to be following the Group by year end.

Weight %

14.3%
14.3%

14.3%
14.3%
14.3%
14.3%
14.3%

Weight %

20%
20%
20%
20%
20%

Total annual bonus awards

Name

A Gomez-Reino

J Geddes

Financial 
performance 
achieved 
(percentage of 
salary)

KRA 
performance 
achieved 
(percentage of 
salary)

Overall achieved 
(percentage of 
salary)

Cash value
of award 
£000 

0

0

N/A

N/A

0

0

£0

£0

4. LTIP awards vesting in respect of performance ending 31 December 2020
2018 LTIP awards granted to Executive Directors, which are due to vest in 2021 based on performance to 
31 December 2020, are as follows:

Criteria

TSR v FTSE SmallCap 

Name

J Geddes

Weighting

Threshold target 
(25% vesting)

Stretch target 
(100% vesting)

100% TSR = FTSE
SmallCap
median

TSR > FTSE
SmallCap
median 
+30%

Attainment

0%

Overall vesting 
(percentage of 
maximum)

Performance 
period

0%

1/1/2018
–31/12/2020

Shares 
granted

36,603

Shares 
vesting

0

Note:
Awards held by Giles Wilson lapsed at cessation of his employment. Alvaro Gomez-Reino formally joined the Company as Chief Financial 
Officer in December 2019 and therefore did not participate in the 2018 LTIP.

116

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

5. LTIP awards granted in 2020
The following LTIP awards were granted on 16 March 2020: 

Basis of award granted

Nil-cost options 
awarded

Face value of 
awards £000’s

Maximum 
vesting

G Wilson1

100% of salary

A Gomez-Reino

100% of salary

J Geddes

100% of salary

133,333

95,000

91,666

£1532

£1092

£1052

100%

100%

100%

Percentage 
vesting for 
threshold 
performance

Vesting period 
(Performance 
period)

25%

25%

25%

Three years 
from grant
(Three years to 
31 December 
2022)

Notes:
1.  Awards lapsed on cessation of employment
2.  Based on a share price of 115p at the date of grant

The following performance targets will operate:
•  For 50% of awards: 25% of this part of awards will vest for earnings per share (“EPS”) growth of RPI+3% p.a., 
increasing pro-rata to 100% vesting of this part for EPS growth of RPI+8% p.a. as measured over the three 
financial years ending 31 December 2022. 

•  For 50% of awards: 25% of this part of awards will vest for median Total Shareholder Return against the 
constituents of the FTSE SmallCap increasing pro-rata to 100% of this part vesting for median plus 30% 
measured over the three financial years ending 31 December 2022.

Awards will vest subject to continued employment and the performance targets detailed above on 
31 December 2022. In addition, dividend equivalents may be awarded in additional Ordinary Shares and a 
two-year holding period will apply, to the extent that awards vest.

6. Scheme Interests as at 31 December 2020
Outstanding LTIP and TIP awards as at 31 December 2020 are shown below:

Name

31 December 
2019

Granted 
during 
2020

Market price 
of award

Vested 
during 
2020

Lapsed 
during 
2020

Gain/(loss) 
£000

31 December 
2020

Performance 
period

P Joeinig

TIP

850,000

–

390p

A Gomez-
Reino

LTIP

–

95,000

115p

J Geddes

LTIP

43,1781

LTIP

36,603

LTIP

50,925

–

–

–

579p

683p

405p

LTIP

–

91,666

115p

G Wilson

LTIP

51,8131

LTIP

47,5843

LTIP

74,0743

–

–

–

579p

683p

405p

LTIP

–

133,3333

115p

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

43,1781

–

–

–

51,8131

47,5843

74,0743

133,3333

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

850,000

95,000

43,1781

36,6032

50,925

91,666

–

–

–

–

18/09/2019
-31/12/2022

1/1/2020 
-31/12/2022

1/1/2017 
-31/12/2019

1/1/2018 
-31/12/2020

1/1/2019 
-31/12/2021

1/1/2020 
-31/12/2022

1/1/2017 
-31/12/2019

1/1/2018 
-31/12/2020

1/1/2019 
-31/12/2021

1/1/2020 
-31/12/2022

Notes:
1.  This award lapsed following the Company’s final results announcement on 10 March 2020.
2.  As the performance criteria have not been achieved, this award shall lapse following the Company’s final results announcement on  

9 March 2021.

3.  Lapsed on cessation of employment. 

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

117

Governance ReportsREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

7. Total Pension Entitlements
Giles Wilson received a cash payment equivalent to 20% of his salary in lieu of pension contribution up to 
cessation of his employment. John Geddes and Alvaro Gomez-Reino received cash payments of 20% of salary 
and 10% of salary respectively in lieu of pension contribution. The Chairman & CEO does not receive any 
pension contribution.

8. Directors’ Shareholdings and Share Interests
Executive Directors are expected to build a shareholding in the Company of 200% of salary under the 
Remuneration Policy. The Remuneration Committee believes that shareholding guidelines of 200% of salary, 
coupled with post vesting holding periods on share awards create a strong, but proportionate, alignment with 
shareholders and further align Executive interests with sustained value creation. Executive Directors are given  
a period of time to build their shareholding in the Company. The following table shows Directors’ shareholdings 
and share interests as at 31 December 2020:

Number of Ordinary 
Shares owned 
(including Deferred 
Bonus Shares)

Unvested conditional 
Ordinary Shares 
subject to 
performance 
conditions  
(2019 LTIP  

and 2019 TIP)

Unvested Ordinary 
Shares subject
to savings
contracts (SAYE)

Vested options 
exercised during 2020

Unvested conditional 
Ordinary Shares not 
subject to 
performance 
conditions

P Joeinig

1,300,000

850,000

A Gomez-Reino 

80,000 

J Geddes 

D Garman

P Baines

67,771

60.871

3,000

C Kappelhoff-Wulf

5,450,643

S Maizey

5,450

95,000

179,194

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

9. Ten Year Historical TSR Performance and Executive Director Pay
The following graph compares the Company’s TSR for the ten years to 31 December 2020 with the equivalent 
performance of the FTSE SmallCap Index. 

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
010

2

011
2

012
2

013
2

014
2

015
2

016
2

017
2

018
2

019
2

0
2
0
2

John Menzies plc              FTSE Small Cap

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 ten years. As the Company’s Executive structure did not 
include the role of CEO prior to October 2014 and until 5 September 2018, the following table shows the 
required figures for the highest paid Director in each year:

Role

Total 
remuneration 
(£000)

Annual bonus 
award 
(percentage  
of maximum)

Highest paid  
Director in year

2011: 
Dollman

2012: 
Dollman

2013:  
Smyth

Jan.–Oct. 
2014:  
Smyth

Oct.–Dec. 
2014: 
Stafford

2015: 
Stafford

1/1/16 
–13/1/16: 
Stafford

13/1/16 
–31/12/16: 
Black

2017:  
Wilson

2018:  
Black

1/1/19 
–13/3/19 
Black

13/3/19 
–31/12/19 
Wilson

1/1/20 
–31/8/20
Wilson

1/9/20 
–31/12/20
Joeinig

Group 
Finance 
Director

Group 
Finance 
Director

MD,  
Menzies 
Aviation

MD,  
Menzies 
Aviation

CEO

CEO

CEO

President & 
MD,  
Menzies 
Aviation

Chief 
Financial 
Officer

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

Chairman 
& Chief 
Executive 
Officer

3,578

1,735 1,203

725

167

493

411

648 1,240

1,308

972

3973

249

1354

74

63

46

–

45

–

–

–

–

95

98

98

0

0

0

0

0

100

100

0

0

0

0

100

100

84

–

n/a

Long term 
incentive vesting 
(percentage  
of maximum)

Notes:
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.

2.  Forsyth Black received a gross payment of £94,000 for his loss of office together with a maximum contribution of £10,750 plus VAT towards 

legal fees incurred in connection with his leaving. Mr Black received an annual bonus for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, 
commensurate to time served in that financial year and calculated in accordance with normal procedures after the end of the financial year. 
3.  Giles Wilson held the position of Chief Financial Officer until 12/03/2019 following which he was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer. On 

6 June 2019 Giles Wilson was confirmed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on a permanent basis. 

4.  Giles Wilson’s employment with the Company ended on 31 August 2020, following which Phillip Joeinig was appointed in a combined roll of 

Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.

10. Board Changes 
Giles Wilson stepped down from the Board, and his employment with the Company ended, on 31 August 2020. 
Remuneration arrangements in respect of Mr Wilson’s departure were in line with the Remuneration Policy. 
Mr Wilson’s salary, pension and benefits were paid until the end of his employment, he will not receive an annual 
bonus for 2020 and his outstanding long term incentive plan awards lapsed at cessation. No other 
remuneration payment or any payment for loss of office was made to Mr Wilson.

11. Percentage Change in Remuneration
The percentage change in remuneration between 2019 and 2020, excluding LTIP and pension contributions, for 
the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Non-Executive Directors and for other employees in the Group on a 
full time equivalent basis was as follows:

Executive Directors

P Joeinig

A Gomez-Reino 

J Geddes 

Non-Executive Directors

D Garman

P Baines

C Kappelhoff-Wulf

S Maizey

Percentage change 2019-2020

Wages and 
salaries1

Benefits

Annual bonus

125%

-7%

-3%

22%

-7%

-7%

-7%

0% 

22% 

0% 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

0%

0%

0%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Employee Population

-15%

-3%

-50%

Note: 
1. All Executive and Non-Executive Directors took a temporary 20% reduction in their salary/fee, commencing April 2020 to July 2020.

118

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

119

Governance Reports 
 
 
 
 
 
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

12. Relative Importance of Spend on Pay
The total Group spend on employee remuneration during 2020 and the immediately preceding financial year is 
reflected in the following table:

Group employee remuneration costs

Dividend distribution

Share buyback

2020

2019

£419.9m

£813.6m

£Nil

£Nil

£17.3

£Nil

13. CEO Pay Ratio
The data shows how the CEO’s single figure remuneration for 2020 compares to equivalent single figure 
remuneration for full-time equivalent UK employees, on a Group basis, ranked at the 25th, 50th and 75th 
percentile. Prior year data is also presented.

Year

2020

2019

Method

25th percentile pay ratio

Median pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

Option A

Option A

22 : 1

26 : 1

18 : 1

19 : 1

14 : 1

15 : 1

In calculating the Single Total Figure of Remuneration for the CEO, total remuneration for Giles Wilson and 
Philipp Joeinig, as taken from the single figure table on page 114, was pro-rated to reflect the time served by 
each individual as CEO in 2020. This approach was also taken in 2019 to reflect the time served as CEO by Giles 
Wilson and Forsyth Black during 2019. 

In calculating the remuneration for the three comparators, the prescribed methodology for Option A was used. 
Their earnings can be summarised as follows:

Year

2020

2019

Salary

Total pay and benefits

25th %tile

Median

75th %tile

25th %tile

Median

75th %tile

£19,829

£22,600

£30,809

£20,337

£24,946

£17,970

£23,770

£31,990

£18,032

£24,689

£31,724

£32,790

Total remuneration for the CEO reduced between 2019 and 2020. Total remuneration increased slightly for the 
25th percentile and median comparators, while it fell slightly for the 75th percentile comparator. This has 
resulted in a reduction in the pay ratios at each level which is a positive development. 

Given that the Company has used the most statistically robust method of calculating the CEO pay ratio (Option 
A), the median ratio is considered to be consistent with the Company’s wider policies on employee pay, reward 
and progression.

14. Remuneration Resolutions
The table below provides the results of the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report resolution, tabled at the 
Company’s 2020 AGM, and the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Policy resolution, tabled at the Company’s 
general meeting in September 2019:

15. External Appointments
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 there is no concern with 
regard to overboarding and 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.

16. Implementation of the Remuneration Policy for 2021
The Committee intends to operate the Remuneration Policy for 2021 as follows:
•  Having reviewed the base salary levels of the Chairman & CEO and the Executive Directors, the Remuneration 

Committee has determined that each of Philipp Joeinig, Alvaro Gomez-Reino and John Geddes will not 
receive a salary increase at this time.

•   No changes will be made to pension at this time although cognisant of the Investment Association’s desire 
for pension provision to be aligned to that provided to the workforce, pension provision will be reviewed 
during 2021 in advance of a new remuneration policy which will be presented to shareholders at the  
2022 AGM.

•   The annual bonus will continue to be capped at 100% of salary and the performance metrics will be similar  
to those operated for 2020. The performance targets, which are currently considered to be commercially 
sensitive, will be disclosed retrospectively in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

•  LTIP awards for 2021 for Executive Directors (excluding the Executive Chairman) will be granted over shares 

with a value of 100% of salary. While the Committee did consider a reduction to award levels as it did in 
relation to the 2020 LTIP, it concluded that 100% of salary award levels are appropriate for 2021 noting that 
past LTIP awards are significantly underwater. 100% of salary award levels are not above market practice and 
the Committee has discretionary powers to reduce awards if there is deemed to be a windfall gain. The 
Committee will agree and set TSR and EPS targets within six months of the date of grant of the 2021 LTIP. 
Full details of the TSR and EPS targets applicable to the 2021 LTIP will be published by RNS as soon as they 
are agreed.

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

David Garman
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
9 March 2021

Resolution

Votes for

Percentage

Votes 
against

Percentage

Votes 
total

47,254,089

82.98

9,690,558

17.02

56,944,647

Votes 
withheld

13,196

53,386,983

95.33

2,615,617

4.67

56,002,600

9,668

2019 Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy 

2020 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report 

An advisory resolution to approve this Remuneration Report will be tabled at the forthcoming AGM. 
The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee will be available to answer questions from the Company’s 
shareholders on this Remuneration Report. 

120

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

121

Governance Reports•  scrutinising and recommending to the Board 

significant capital applications such as 
harmonisation of the terms of our UK workforce, 
renewal of the leases for the Group’s London 
Heathrow and Amsterdam cargo facilities and the 
implementation of Kronos Dimensions Time and 
Attendance recording software across the network;
•  monitoring the pipeline of commercial opportunities 
across the network and key customer, supplier and 
organic and inorganic growth opportunities within 
the industry; and

•  reviewing and monitoring the Group’s covenant 
compliance following the successful negotiation 
with the Group’s lenders on a revised covenant 
package.

Additional information on the key areas of the Group’s 
strategy can be found on pages 18 and 20 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

I look forward to reporting to you next year on the 
activities undertaken in 2021 as we aim to deliver our 
defined strategy and return to a normalised trading 
environment.

On behalf of the Strategic Committee

Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff
Chair of the Strategic Committee
9 March 2021

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE REPORT

Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff 
Chair of the Strategic Committee

Committee Members

Name

Position

Attendance

C Kappelhoff-Wulff
P Joeinig
D Garman
A Gomez-Reino
G Wilson1

Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member

6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
4/4

Note:
1.  Giles Wilson stepped down as a member of the Strategic Committee 
on 31 August 2020 and so only attended four meetings during  
the year.

I am pleased to introduce the report of the Board-
constituted Strategic Committee Report for the 2020 
financial year. The Strategic Committee is chaired by 
me, Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff and comprises 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

In addition to Strategic Committee members, other 
Board members and members of senior management 
also regularly attended our Strategic Committee 
meetings throughout the year demonstrating the 
Board’s ongoing commitment to strategy 
development and execution.

Meetings and Purpose
The Strategic Committee convened six times during 
2020 with its primary purpose being to assist the 
Board in monitoring the delivery of the Group’s 
strategy and structure and to evaluate all future key 
strategic decisions, including significant capital 
investments and any potential merger, disposal and/or 
acquisition activity.

Role and Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Strategic Committee 
are detailed in its Terms of Reference which are 
available on the Company’s website. These are: (i) 
considering and reviewing (and, where the Committee 
thinks appropriate, recommending to the Board) all 
potential acquisitions and disposals of any business or 
business unit or significant asset by any member of the 
Group which may be contemplated by the Group as 
well as any proposed merger, joint venture, profit 
sharing or similar transaction involving any member of 
the Group; (ii) the review of key strategic projects; (iii) 
the review of industry developments surrounding 
merger and acquisition activity in the Aviation sector; 
and (iv) the review of major organic ventures requiring 
significant capital expenditure. The Strategic 
Committee also has oversight of Group strategy which 
feeds into the Group’s strategic planning and any 
proposed diversification into new products or markets.

Key activities undertaken in the reporting year in 
question were:
•  reviewing and assessing the strategic rationale and 
commercial viability of inbound strategic proposals 
and making recommendations to the Board;

•  reviewing and recommending to the Board entry 
into emerging markets such as the 51% stake 
acquired in Royal Airport Services Private Limited, 
an existing successful ground handling, cargo 
handling and airline ticketing company in Pakistan, 
our joint venture with Iraqi Airways, Air BP Limited 
and Al Burhan Group for the delivery of a full suite 
of ground handling, cargo and fueling services at 
Baghdad International Airport and investment in 
new countries such as Greece and Cyprus; 

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Governance ReportsDIRECTORS’ REPORT

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

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), the Companies 
(Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (the FCA) Listing Rules and 
the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. Some items are incorporated by reference into this Directors’ 
Report, as detailed below.

Directors
All of the Directors who served during 2020 are shown in the table below. Biographies of those Directors who 
were in office at the end of 2020 are included on pages 76 and 77 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020 
and all of these Directors held office throughout 2020.

Current and former Directors’ interests in the Company’s Ordinary Shares of £0.25 each (the Ordinary Shares) 
were as follows:

Name

Position

Appointed/resigned

31 December 
2020

31 December  

2019

P Joeinig
D Garman
A Gomez-Reino
J Geddes

Executive Chairman & 

CEO

Deputy Chairman
Chief Financial Officer
Corporate Affairs  
Director & Group 
Company Secretary

Beneficial
Appointed Jun. 2017
Appointed Jun. 2015 Beneficial
Appointed Dec. 2019 Beneficial
Appointed Nov. 2016 Beneficial

1,300,000
60,871
80,000
67,771

1,300,000
40,871
–
67,771

P Baines
C Kappelhoff-Wulff Non-Executive Director Appointed May 2019 Non-beneficial
S Maizey

Non-Executive Director Appointed May 2014 Beneficial

Non-Executive Director Appointed Jun. 2016 Beneficial

3,000
5,450,643
5,450

3,000
5,450,643
5,450

Former Directors
G Wilson

Chief Executive Officer Resigned Aug. 2020

Beneficial

–

79,134

There have been no subsequent changes to these interests as at 9 March 2021.

No Director had any material interest in any contract, other than a service contract as set out on page 112 of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020.

Substantial Shareholders
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 2020 and 9 March 2021:

Name

Mithaq Capital
Lakestreet Capital Partners AG
Sterling Strategic Value Fund S.A.
DC Thomson & Company Limited
Axxion S.A.1

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
as at  

9 March 2021

Percentage of 
issued Ordinary 
Shares as at  

9 March 2021

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
as at  
31 December 
2020

Percentage of 
issued Ordinary 
Shares as at 
31 December 
2020

7,499,460
5,450,643
5,283,374
5.004,488
4,000,000

8.90
6.47
6.27
5.94
4.74

7,499,460
5,450,643
5,373,374
5,004,488
4,748,550

8.90
6.47
6.37
5.94
5.63

Note:
1.  Axxion S.A. acting on behalf of Frankfurter Aktienfonds für Stiftungen and Frankfurter Stiftungsfonds.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance 
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 the Director who stood down from the Board during 2020. In addition to 
these indemnities, the Company places Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance cover for each Director.

Dividends 
In accordance with the Company’s Full Year Results 2020 released to the London Stock Exchange on 9 March 
2021, the Board believed it prudent and in the best interests of shareholders to continue the temporary suspension 
of the dividend and therefore, recommended not paying a final dividend or interim dividend for the year. 

Political Donations
In accordance with its policy, the Group did not give any money for political purposes nor did it make any 
donations to political organisations or independent candidates or incur any political expenditure during 2020.

Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies
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 16 to the Accounts contained  
in this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, which information is incorporated by reference into this Directors’ 
Report.

Exposure to Risk
The risk exposure of the Group, including the exposure to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk, 
is included in Note 16 to the Accounts contained in this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, which information  
is incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report.

Financial Instruments
Details of the use of financial instruments and financial risk management are included in Note 16 to the Accounts 
contained in this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, which details are incorporated by reference into this 
Directors’ Report.

Workforce Engagement
Details of how the Company engaged with its workforce during the period are contained in the Strategic 
Report (pages 52 to 55) and the Human Resources Committee Report (pages 100 to 102) which details are 
incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report.

Customer and Supplier Engagement
Details of how the Company engaged with its customers and suppliers are contained in the Strategic Report 
(pages 64 to 71) of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020 which details are incorporated by reference into  
this Directors’ Report.

Events after the Reporting Period
On 26 January 2021 the Group acquired a 51% share of Royal Airport Services for a cash consideration of £7.3m. 
Royal Airport Services provide a range of aviation services including ground and cargo services and airline 
ticketing in Pakistan. The business handles both domestic and international airlines at eight airports. The acquisition 
accounting is not yet complete as control has recently been obtained. No further disclosures are provided on 
the assets and liabilities acquired.

Since the year end, the Group has received US$49.3m of funding comprising US$35.9m grant funding and  
a US$13.4m loan note under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the USA.

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125

Governance ReportsDIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 CONTINUED

Outlook
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 2020 (pages 1 to 63), which details are 
incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report.

Research and Development
The Company (nor any subsidiaries included in its consolidation) is not actively involved in activities in the field 
of research and development.

Geographical Spread
The Company operates in 34 countries worldwide and details of this geographical spread can be found on 
page 2 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, which details are incorporated by reference into this 
Directors’ Report.

Employment Policies
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 Responsible Business section of this Annual Report and Accounts 
2020 (pages 46 to 63), which details are incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report.

At the end of 2020 the split of male to female employees in the Group was:

Employee Group

Directors
Decision-makers
All employees

Male

6
255
16,377

Female

1
97
7,250

Full and fair consideration is given to all applications for employment; Group policies dictate that during the 
recruitment process all individuals are treated equitably, including those with disabilities. Where employees 
become disabled whilst employed by the Group we would seek to ensure that their employment could continue 
or alternative employment arranged whenever reasonable and practicable to do so, subject to any necessary 
training taking place and making reasonable adjustments where necessary. All employees, irrespective of 
whether they have a physical or mental disability, are given the same opportunities within the Group in  
terms of training, career development and promotion. Our policies and procedures for recruitment, training, 
promotion and reward promote equality of opportunity, regardless of background and personal circumstances.

Policy and Practice on Payment of Creditors
The Group does not operate a standard code in respect of payments to suppliers with each operating business 
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. The amount owed to trade creditors represented 31 days of purchases from suppliers 
(2019: 22 days). 

Audit Information
So far as the Directors in office at the date of signing of this Directors’ Report are aware, having made the 
requisite enquiries, there is no relevant audit information (as defined in section 418 of the 2006 Act) 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 annual general meeting (AGM).

Share Capital and Structure 
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 2020 the Company had an issued share capital comprising 
1,394,587 Preference Shares (representing approximately 2% of the Company’s issued share capital) and 
84,490,964 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 98% of the Company’s issued share capital). Of these 
84,490,964 Ordinary Shares, 184,769 were held as treasury shares. It is the Company’s policy that shares held  
in treasury are to be used for the satisfaction of share plan awards.

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.

Articles of Association
Transfer of shares
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 that is not  
fully paid provided that this power will not be exercised so as to disturb the market in the Company’s shares.

Voting rights
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 on 14 May 2021 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.

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 cooperation, 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.

Allotment and Issue of Shares
At the 2020 AGM, the Directors sought authorisation 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 £14,051,553 of which any amount in excess of £7,025,776 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. As at the date of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020,  
no such shares have been issued. It is proposed that such authority and power be renewed by shareholder 
resolution at this AGM but without prejudice to the exercise of any such authority and power prior to the date 
of such resolution. Accordingly, shareholders will be asked to grant an authority to allot relevant securities: 

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127

Governance ReportsDIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 CONTINUED

Allotment and Issue of Shares continued
(i)  up to a nominal amount of £7,025,516; and 
(ii)    up to a nominal amount of £14,051,032 (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 2022 or, if earlier, close of business on 30 June 2022.

Purchase of Own Shares
The Company is, by shareholder resolution passed at the 2020 AGM, authorised to purchase up to 8,430,932  
of its Ordinary Shares at a maximum price which is 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 2020 AGM, authorised to purchase up to 
1,394,587 of its Preference Shares at a maximum price which is 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.

As at the date of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, no such shares have been purchased. 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.

Directors
Appointment of Directors
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).

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. Further details in respect of the induction and training of Directors can be found on pages 85 
and 86 of this Annual Report and Accounts 2020, which details are incorporated by reference in this Directors’ 
Report. A Director is not required to hold shares in the capital of the Company.

Retirement of Directors
In accordance with best practice principles, all Directors shall retire at each AGM of the Company.

Directors’ powers
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.menziesaviation.com.

Directors’ conflicts
The Articles permit the Board to consider and authorise situations where a Director has an actual or potential 
conflict of interest in relation to the Group. The Company maintains a conflicts of interests register which is 
reviewed annually by the Board. In addition, prior to each Board meeting, the Directors are asked to declare any 
conflicts they may have with regard to the business of the meeting. Directors who declare a conflict of interest 
may be authorised by the rest of the Board to participate in decision-making in accordance with section 175 of 
the 2006 Act.

Amendments to the Articles
The Articles can only be amended by a special resolution of the Company’s shareholders in general meeting.

Significant Agreements – Change of Control
The Group has agreements in place with suppliers and customers, some of which contain change of control 
clauses giving rights to these suppliers and customers, such as termination rights, 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.

Emissions Reporting
The information required to be included in this Directors’ Report pursuant to the 2013 Regulations in respect  
of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption is included in the Responsible Business section of this 
Annual Report and Accounts 2020 on pages 46 to 63, which information is incorporated by reference into  
this Directors’ Report. 

Annual General Meeting
Notice of the Company’s forthcoming AGM on Friday 14 May 2021 is contained at the end of this document. 
Approved and issued by the Board of Directors.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director & Group Company Secretary
9 March 2021

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129

Governance ReportsSTATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC

Financial Statements

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable United Kingdom law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 
have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with international 
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Under company law the 
directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the group and the company and of the profit or loss of the group and the company for that period. 

Under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, group financial statements are 
required to be prepared in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRSs) adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

In preparing these 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;

•  make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  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 and company financial 
position and financial performance; 

•  in respect of the group financial statements, state whether international accounting standards in conformity with  
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and IFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation(EC) No 1606/2002 as it 
applies in the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in  
the financial statements;

•  in respect of the parent company financial statements, state whether international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, have been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the company 

and/ or the group will not continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
company’s and group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 
company and the group and enable them to ensure that the company and the group financial statements comply  
with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company 
and group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible for preparing a strategic report, directors’ 
report, directors’ remuneration report and corporate governance statement that comply with that law and those 
regulations. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information 
included on the company’s website. 

Directors’ Statement Pursuant to the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
The directors confirm, to the best of their knowledge:
•  that the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in 

conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and IFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation(EC)  
No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position 
and profit of the parent company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; 

•  that the annual report, including the strategic report, includes a fair review of the development and performance  
of the business and the position of the company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

•  that they consider the annual report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 

information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s position, performance, business model and strategy.

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director & Group Company Secretary
9 March 2021

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Opinion
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 2020 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Accounting 
Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial 
Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union; 

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International 
Accounting Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applied in 
accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies 

Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements of John Menzies plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries  
(the ‘Group’) for the year ended 31 December 2020, which comprise:

Group

Parent Company

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2020

Balance sheet as at 31 December 2020

Consolidated income statement for the year then ended Statement of changes in equity for the year then ended

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for 
the year then ended

Statement of cash flows for the year then ended 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the 
year then ended

Related Notes 1 to 15 to the financial statements 
including a summary of significant accounting policies

Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year  
then ended

Related Notes 1 to 28 to the financial statements, 
including a summary of significant accounting policies

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International 
Accounting Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) 
No. 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union, as regards the parent company financial statements, as 
applied in accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and 
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities 
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance 
with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the 
FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion.

Material uncertainty related to going concern
We draw attention to Note 1 in the financial statements, which indicates that there is a material uncertainty 
arising as a result of the impact that international travel restrictions could have on the delayed recovery of the 
business that may risk a breach of the leverage and interest cover covenants at 30 June 2022. As stated in Note 
1, these events or conditions, indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the 
Group and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of 
this matter.

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

131

Governance ReportsFinancial Statements

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC CONTINUED

Material uncertainty related to going concern continued
We draw attention to the viability statement in the Annual Report on page 34, which indicates that an 
assumption to the statement of viability is the Group’s ability to obtain waivers from lenders in respect of the 
possible breach of leverage and interest cover covenants at 30 June 2022 under a severe downside stress case. 
The Directors consider that the material uncertainty referred to in respect of going concern may cast significant 
doubt over the future viability of the Group and Company should these events arise. Our opinion is not 
modified in respect of this matter.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis  
of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’ 
assessment of the Group and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting included:

How we evaluated management’s assessment and the key observations arising with respect to that evaluation.

Risk assessment procedures
•  We have obtained an understanding of management’s basis for use of the going concern basis of accounting. 
To challenge the completeness of this assessment, we have independently identified factors that may indicate 
events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
Events or conditions were identified, and we have designed our audit procedures to evaluate the effect of 
these risks on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Management’s method 
•  In conjunction with our walkthrough of the Group’s financial statement close process, we confirmed our 

understanding of management’s going concern assessment process and also engaged with management 
early to ensure all key factors were considered in their assessment;

•  We obtained management’s board approved forecast cash flows and covenant calculation covering the 
period of assessment from the date of signing to 30 June 2022. The Group has modelled a number of 
adverse scenarios in their cash forecasts and covenant calculations in order to incorporate the impact  
that prolonged international travel restrictions could have on the delayed recovery of the business;
•  Using our understanding of the business, we evaluated whether the forecasting method adopted by 

management in assessing going concern and concluded it to be appropriate; 

•  We performed a walkthrough of the method and observed that the forecasts were prepared by local 

management in each jurisdiction with oversight from Group management. We consider this to be appropriate 
given COVID-19 impacts differ by geography including the restrictions, availability of government support 
and impact on trading conditions;

•  We tested to ensure that the forecasts were mathematically accurate; 
•  We considered past historical accuracy of management’s forecasting; 
•  We evaluated management’s COVID-19 impact on the forecasts by comparing to the actual impact 

experienced by the Group in 2020; and

•  We inquired of management as to its knowledge of events or conditions beyond the period of management’s 

assessment and read a variety of external aviation market sector recovery sources to challenge and 
corroborate management’s macro assumptions used in the assessment. In doing so, we also considered the 
consistency of information obtained from other areas of the audit such as the forecasts used for impairment 
and viability assessments. 

Assumptions, stress testing and management’s plans for future actions 
•  We evaluated the relevance and reliability of the underlying data used to make the assessment by challenging 

operational management in the UK, USA and Australia on the assumptions underpinning the forecasts.  
We supplemented this with a forecasting and budgeting questionnaire sent to component teams to evaluate 
the budgeting process undertaken by management and related assumptions;

•  We determined whether there was appropriate evidence for the revenue and cost assumptions underlying 

the assessment through assessing management’s assumptions as a percentage of prior period actual results 
and comparing these to external aviation market sector recovery sources and considered whether there was 
any indication of management bias;

•  We reviewed external aviation industry reports and market data for indicators of contradictory evidence, 

including press reports to consider the latest information regarding border closures and travel restrictions 
and used this to stress test management’s models. 

•  We performed reverse stress testing and evaluated management’s reverse stress testing on the forecasts  
to understand how severe the downside scenarios would have to be to result in the elimination of liquidity 
headroom or a covenant breach;

•  We assessed the plausibility of management’s downside scenarios by evaluating the actual COVID-19 impact 

on the Group to date and reading industry analysis from independent third parties that represent the industry 
to consider the wider outlook for the industry as a whole; and

•  We evaluated management’s controllable cost mitigations, largely variable pay and overhead reductions in 

order to determine whether such actions are feasible in the circumstances and considering the restructuring 
and related savings that have already taken place during 2020.

Debt facilities and liquidity
•  Through the involvement of our debt advisory specialists, we performed a detailed review of the borrowing 
facilities to assess their continued availability to the Group through the going concern period and to ensure 
completeness of covenants identified by management. 

•  We reviewed the accuracy of management’s covenant forecast model, verifying inputs to board approved 

forecasts and facility agreement terms;

•  We verified the replacement of the previous leverage and interest cover banking covenants at September 

2020 with the requirement to maintain a minimum level of available liquidity of £45m and meet pre-
determined minimum EBITDA levels for the quarter ends from September 2020 to March 2022;

•  We verified the original leverage and interest cover banking covenants that will be measured quarterly from 
June 2022 quarter end that require the Group to maintain leverage less than 3:1 and interest cover greater 
than 3:1 at each measurement date;

•  In respect of loans received from the US government as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 

Security Act, we obtained a confirmation from the lender; and

•  We read correspondence with governments in order to understand the terms of other government assistance 
that continues to support the Group, including Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Job Keeper Payment in 
Australia by assessing the impact of the assistance on forecast cash flows. 

Disclosures
•  We considered whether management’s disclosures, in the Annual Report and financial statements, sufficiently 

and appropriately capture the impacts of COVID-19 on the going concern assessment and through 
consideration of relevant disclosure standards. 

Our key observations
We have observed that the ground and fuel services business area is experiencing a high level of disruption 
from the impact of international flight restrictions in response to the pandemic. The cargo and freight 
forwarding business area is not expected to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 in the going concern 
assessment period. 

The Group has access to committed bank facilities comprising its fully drawn US$235m term loan and the 
£145m revolving credit facility, both available until the maturity dates of January 2025, and loans from the US 
government having a maturity date of 2030. 

Until 31 March 2022, the Group agreed more relaxed banking covenants that relate to maintaining a minimum 
liquidity of £45m and exceeding predetermined minimum EBITDA levels, measured quarterly. At 30 June 2022, 
the covenants revert to an interest cover exceeding 3:1 and a leverage ratio not exceeding 3:1, both as stipulated 
in the Group’s banking facilities prior to the agreement of its revised covenant terms and measured quarterly. 

Management’s model includes controllable variable cost savings relating to payroll, equipment and property 
costs which are based on the restructuring of the business that has taken place in 2020. 

In the event of multiple risks beyond the severe but plausible downside case, there is a material uncertainty 
arising as a result of the impact that international travel restrictions could have on the delayed recovery of  
the business that may risk a breach of the banking leverage and interest cover covenants at 30 June 2022.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC CONTINUED

Conclusion
In relation to the Group and parent company’s reporting on how they have applied the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in respect of the directors’ 
identification in the financial statements of any material uncertainties to the Group and parent company’s ability 
to continue to do so over a period to 30 June 2022 from the date of approval of the financial statements.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in  
the relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted,  
this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Overview of our audit approach

Audit scope

•  We performed an audit of the complete financial information of two 
components and audit procedures on specific balances for a further 
30 components.

•  The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures 

accounted for 83% of adjusted profit before tax, 82% of revenue and 82%  
of total assets.

Key audit matters

•  Management override of controls, specifically in relation to revenue 

recognition and government assistance.

•  Carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.
•  Valuation of defined benefit pension scheme liabilities.

Materiality

•  Overall Group materiality of £1.2m which represents 0.15% of revenue.

An overview of the scope of the parent company and Group audits 

Full scope

Specific scope and consolidation 
adjustments

Overall coverage

Components

Percentage of PBT*

Percentage  
of revenue

Percentage of  
total assets

2020

2019

2020

2

30

6

32

23

60

83

2019

36

45

81

2020

26

56

82

2019

43

37

80

2020

40

42

82

2019

48

32

80

* 

Percentage of profit before tax is calculated on an absolute basis against the adjusted profit before tax measure.

Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality 
determine our audit scope for each company 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 company.

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 148 (2019: 145) 
reporting components of the Group, we selected 32 components (2019: 38) covering entities within the UK, 
USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, South Africa, the Netherlands, India 
and Mexico which represent the principal business units within the Group.

Of the 32 components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of two 
components (“full scope components”) that were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the 
remaining 30 components (“specific scope components”), we performed audit procedures on specific accounts 
within that component that we considered had the potential for the greatest impact on the significant accounts 
in the financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or their risk profile. 

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures accounted for 83% of the Group’s revenue 
measure to calculate materiality. In the prior year, adjusted PBT was used to calculate materiality and the 
reporting components accounted for 81% of this in 2019. In summary, reporting components accounted for 82% 
(2019: 80%) of the Group’s revenue, 83% (2019: 81%) of adjusted PBT and 82% (2019: 80%) of the Group’s total 
assets. For the current year, the full scope components contributed 26% of Group revenues. In the prior year, 
the full scope components contributed 36% of Group adjusted PBT used to calculate materiality. In summary, 
full scope components accounted for 26% (2019: 43%) of the Group’s revenue, 23% (2019: 36%) of the Group’s 
adjusted PBT and 40% (2019: 48%) of Group’s total assets. The specific scope components contributed 56% of 
Group revenues. In the prior year, the specific scope components contributed 45% of Group adjusted PBT used 
to calculate materiality. In summary, specific scope components accounted for 56% (2019: 37%) of the Group’s 
revenue, 60% (2019: 45%) of the Group’s adjusted PBT and 42% (2019: 32%) of Group’s total assets. The audit 
scope of these components may not have included testing of all significant accounts of the component but  
will have contributed to the coverage of significant accounts tested for the Group. We also instructed three 
locations to perform specified procedures over certain aspects of costs and deferred consideration.

Of the remaining 116 components that together represent 17% of the Group’s revenue none is individually 
greater than 2% of the Group’s revenue. For these components, we performed other procedures, including 
analytical review to respond to any potential risks of material misstatement to the Group financial statements.

Changes from the prior year 
We have classified two entities as full scope and thirty entities as specific scope in the current year compared 
to four entities as full scope and thirty as specific scope in the prior year. This is due to significant variances in 
Group performance as a result of the flight restrictions in place in response to COVID-19 which has impacted 
relative performance and size of component in relation to the overall Group. We are satisfied in the reduction  
of full scope entities given the size of the UK and US business in relation to the wider Group. We have ensured 
that in specific scope entities that we have scoped in enough coverage of Group balances which in turn as 
given us more coverage over revenue, adjusted PBT and total assets compared to the prior year.

Involvement with component teams 
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 2 full scope components, 
audit procedures were performed on both of these directly by the primary audit team. For the 30 specific 
scope components, the majority of work is performed component auditors, we determined the appropriate 
level of involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained as a basis  
for our opinion on the Group as a whole. The Group audit team adapted their approach to interact with and 
oversee local EY teams in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed  
by governments, we did not complete our planned visits to the locations. In lieu of these visits, we maintained 
continuous dialogue with our local EY teams. This included: additional meetings with our component teams and 
local management via videoconference and performing remote review of the key workpapers associated with 
the component teams’ audit procedures. 

The Group audit engagement partner participated in the closing meetings for all full scope components.

The performance of the year end audit was also required to be conducted remotely due to COVID-19 
restrictions and social distancing requirements at both component and Group locations. This was supported 
through remote access to the Group’s financial systems and the use of EY software collaboration platforms for 
the secure and timely delivery of requested audit evidence. Due to COVID-19, we have been unable to perform 
physical site visits due to travel restrictions. The primary team interacted regularly with the component teams 
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.

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Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit  
of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those that had the 
greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of 
the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as 
a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. In addition to 
the matter described in the material uncertainties related to going concern section, we have determined the 
matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report.

Key observations 
communicated to the Audit 
Committee 

We concluded that 
revenue and government 
assistance recognised  
in the year is materially 
correct on the basis of 
procedures performed  
by the primary audit  
team and component 
audit teams. 

We concluded that 
revenue and government 
assistance have been 
appropriately classified 
and disclosed in the 
financial statements.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Management override of controls, 
specifically in relation to revenue 
recognition and government 
assistance 

We obtained an understanding of the key controls 
and processes in place over revenue recognition 
and government assistance and in particular, the 
recording of manual journal entries.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 95); Accounting policies (page 
148); and Note 2 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (page 159)

There is a risk that the financial 
statements as a whole are not free 
from material misstatement due to  
the risk of management override of 
controls whether caused by fraud or 
error. Revenue recognition is an area  
of focus for our audit in considering 
possible areas of management bias 
and fraud. We recognise that sales 
arrangements for the Group are 
generally low value, high volume and 
straightforward in nature, requiring 
minimal judgment to be exercised. 
Accordingly, we focus on the 
appropriate application of contractual 
rates to address the risk that 
contracted rates are incorrectly 
amended in the system. For non-
contractual revenue streams, we focus 
our testing on manual journals.

Government assistance received  
is also an area of audit focus. 

The key sources of funding primarily 
comprise the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,  
& Economic Security Act (CARES) 
from the US Government, the 
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  
in the UK and the JobKeeper Scheme 
in Australia. Under these schemes 
there is minimal estimation uncertainty 
and thus the risk is focussed on the 
potential for management override  
as monies could be claimed which  
the Group is not entitled to.

We used IT specialists to test the Group’s in house 
billing application that stores contractual rates.

At both full and specific scope components we 
performed detailed testing of a sample of sales 
through inspection of underlying contracts, invoice, 
and cash receipts to evidence that revenue had 
been appropriately recognised. 

We utilised our data analytical tools to correlate 
sales to debtors and cash for both contract and 
non-contract-based revenue. We tested a sample 
of non-correlating entries to third party evidence  
to ensure that revenue had been appropriately 
recognised.

The primary audit team performed risk assessment 
analytics by utilising a billing analytics tool to 
capture all billings by station and airline at all in 
scope components for contractual revenues to 
allow us to focus our substantive testing on 
unusual items and outliers (e.g. unusual contract 
rates, new contracts identified) from a complete 
population of revenue transactions for in scope 
locations. For the sample selected, we enquired of 
management and inspected underlying contracts 
and agreed a sample of flights to a third party 
flight register. These procedures were 
supplemented with analytical review procedures 
and enquiry of management. 

We performed journal entry testing, applying a 
particular focus to individually unusual and/or 
material revenue manual journals posted 
throughout the year. We agreed journals to 
supporting evidence to confirm that the revenue 
recognised was appropriate, had an appropriate 
business rationale and was in line with the Group’s 
accounting policy.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Key observations 
communicated to the Audit 
Committee 

Management override of controls, 
specifically in relation to revenue 
recognition and government 
assistance (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2020 
the Group recognised government 
assistance, in relation to COVID-19 
grant income, of £139.2m (2019: nil) 
and recognised CARES loans of 
$35.6m.

Carrying value of goodwill and 
intangible assets

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 95); Accounting policies (page 
148); and Note 10 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (page 168).

The significant risk relates to the 
potential misstatement of goodwill  
and intangibles. 

COVID-19 has resulted in the Group 
having to reduce its workforce 
significantly and there is a risk that  
this has a lasting impact on the 
business that could result in the 
impairment of goodwill and intangible 
assets. The risk is therefore elevated 
compared to 2019.

Assessing the appropriateness of 
forecasts/budgets, growth rates and 
discount rates requires management 
to exercise judgment that brings 
inherent risk due to estimation 
uncertainty. 

Management’s impairment assessment 
as at 31 December 2020 concluded 
that there remained headroom  
and no impairment charge should  
be recognised in relation to the 
intangible assets.

In relation to government assistance received,  
we agreed a sample of costs to supporting records 
to verify the integrity of any claims.

In respect of the CARES loan received, we obtained 
a letter from the US bank providing the funding to 
confirm the debt portion of the assistance. 

We selected a sample of income from government 
assistance received globally and agreed this to bank 
statements and other records where appropriate.

We assessed the adequacy of disclosures within  
the financial statements, particularly in relation to 
COVID-19 government assistance and loans. We also 
checked the classification of the income was correct.

All audit work in relation to this key audit matter  
was undertaken by the primary and component 
audit teams.

We obtained an understanding of the key controls 
and processes in place over management’s 
impairment assessment and the appropriateness  
of the assumptions within the impairment models. 

We obtained management’s impairment 
assessment which concluded that there are 
indicators present due to the impact of COVID-19 
on the various Group businesses.

We performed substantive audit procedures and 
did not rely on controls.

We challenged the assumptions forming the basis 
of the cashflows including the impact of COVID-19, 
long term profitability of the cash generating units, 
terminal growth rates and savings from 
restructuring. This included reviewing International 
Air Transport Association reports on forecast flight 
volumes for potential contradictory evidence.

We assessed management’s ability to accurately 
forecast by comparing prior forecasts to actual 
results.

We assessed consistency between the budget  
that formed the going concern assessment and  
the forecasts within the cash generating units.

We assessed the discount rate used in the 
impairment models with the assistance of  
EY’s valuation experts. We then applied the EY 
recalculated discount rates to management’s 
models to assess if impairment were to occur.

We performed sensitivity testing of the key 
assumptions; revenue, aircraft turns, weighted 
average cost of capital and recovery period from 
COVID-19 to determine if there remained headroom.

We tested the mathematical accuracy of the 
impairment assessment. 

We assessed the adequacy of disclosures within  
the financial statements.

Based on the audit 
procedures performed in 
relation to goodwill and 
intangible assets, we 
consider the year end 
carrying value to be 
appropriate.

We consider disclosures 
made in the accounts to 
be adequate to explain 
the estimates made by 
management and 
sensitivities should events 
differ from those assumed 
in the impairment models.

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Key audit matters continued

Risk

Our response to the risk

Valuation of defined benefit pension 
scheme liabilities. 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 95); Accounting policies (page 
148); and Note 22 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (page 184).

At 31 December 2020 the Group 
recognised a net pension deficit of 
£6.7m (2019: £4.4m). 

The significant risk relates to the 
potential misstatement of the gross 
pension liabilities of £374.4m (2019: 
£348.1m) due to the significant 
judgments being exercised by 
management in determining the 
appropriate underlying actuarial 
assumptions. 

The principal assumptions include life 
expectancies of scheme members, 
discount rate and inflation rate which 
gives rise to estimation uncertainty.

We understood and walked through management’s 
process and methodology for calculating the 
pension liability. 

We evaluated the competence and objectivity  
of management’s external actuarial specialists. 

Through the involvement of our pension actuarial 
specialists, we corroborated key assumptions 
(including discount rate, life expectancies of scheme 
members and inflation rate) using external third- 
party data and independently assessed the 
assumptions to allow us to determine whether  
the Group’s assumptions are within an appropriate 
range.

We test the input data used by the scheme 
actuaries in the calculation of the pension liability 
through the inspection of pensionable salary data 
from payroll reports.

We assessed the adequacy of disclosures within  
the financial statements.

All audit work in relation to this key audit matter  
was undertaken by the primary audit team, with  
the assistance of our actuarial specialists. 

Key observations 
communicated to the Audit 
Committee 

We conclude that the 
valuation of the gross 
pension liability is 
materially correct and  
that management’s 
judgments in relation  
to underlying actuarial 
assumptions are 
appropriate.

We are satisfied with the 
adequacy of disclosure 
within the financial 
statements. 

In the prior year, our auditor’s report included a key audit matter in relation to the COVID-19 impact on the 
going concern assessment. In the current year, due to the changes within ISA 570 Revised, Going Concern  
is now considered in the “Material uncertainty related to going concern” section of this opinion above. 

The prior year auditor’s report also included classification of exceptional items as a key audit matter (‘KAM’).  
In the current period, the classification of exceptional items has been deemed less subjective by the audit team 
and thus has not been included as a KAM.

Carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets has been included as a KAM for 2020 as a result of the 
heighted risk caused by COVID-19 related disruptions on the business.

Our application of materiality 
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. 

Materiality
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.

Using professional judgment, we determined materiality for the Group to be £1.2 million (2019: £1.4 million), 
which is 0.15% of revenue (2019: 5%) of adjusted profit before tax (“PBT”). We believe that revenue provides  
us with a key indication of the Group’s performance in the current environment. In determining our benchmark 
for materiality, we considered a number of different metrics used by investors and other users of the financial 
statements. We consider that analysts are focused on the speed at which underlying operations and revenue 
are returning to normal. Setting materiality when the businesses of the Group have been impacted by COVID-19 
requires greater auditor judgment. We continue to believe that a materiality based on profit before tax is 
appropriate given the nature of the Group, but 2020 results have been distorted as a result of the response of 
various governments to the pandemic. We have further considered the appropriateness of this materiality by 
considering the equity of the Group, and on the basis that our materiality is 2.6% of equity we remain satisfied 
that our chosen basis is an appropriate measure of materiality. In selecting revenue as the basis of materiality, 

we have chosen 0.15% of revenues, which is below our normal materiality range of 0.5%-2%. This reflects the 
current year risks associated with COVID-19.

This approach is a change from the prior year (which was based on 5% of adjusted PBT).

We determined materiality for the parent company to be £1.6m (2019: £1.7m), which is 0.5% (2019: 0.5%) of 
total assets. The materiality determined for the standalone parent company financial statements exceeds the 
Group materiality as it is determined on a different basis given the nature of the operations. For the purposes of 
the audit of the Group financial statements, our procedures, including those on balances in the parent company, 
are undertaken with reference to the Group materiality and performance materiality set out in this report. 

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and there no was reason to change.

Performance materiality
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.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, 
our judgment was that performance materiality was 75% (2019: 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £0.9m 
(2019: £1.1m). We have set performance materiality at this percentage due to the past history of misstatements, 
our ability to assess the likelihood of misstatements, the effectiveness of the internal control environment and 
other factors affecting the entity and its financial reporting. 

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 £0.2m to £0.5m (2019: £0.2m to £0.8m). 

Reporting threshold
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 £60,000 (2019: £70,000), which is set at 5% of planning materiality, 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.

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the five year review 
and shareholder information set out on pages 201 to 216, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s 
report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent 
otherwise explicitly stated in this report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information  
is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit  
or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent 
material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial 
statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material 
misstatement of the other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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Financial StatementsINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC CONTINUED

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, 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 and those reports have been 
prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements;

•  the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting 

processes and about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure 
Rules and Transparency Rules sourcebook made by the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA Rules), is 
consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements; and

•  information about the company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its administrative, 
management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the 
FCA Rules.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent company and its environment 
obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in:
•  the strategic report or the directors’ report; or
•  the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting 

processes and about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 
requires us 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; or
•  a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by the Company.

Corporate Governance Statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability 
and that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Group and Company’s compliance with 
the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Statement specified for our review.

Aside from the impact of the matters disclosed in the material uncertainties related to going concern section, 
based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of 
the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained during the audit:
•  Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting 

and any material uncertainties identified set out on page 33;

•  Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the company’s prospects, the period this assessment covers 

and why the period is appropriate set out on page 34;

•  Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 75;
•  Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out 

on page 40;

•  The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal 

control systems set out on page 36; and

•  The section describing the work of the audit committee set out on page 95.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 130, the Directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group and parent 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern 
and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or  
the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our 
opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in 
accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise 
from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures 
in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The risk of not detecting 
a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud 
may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through 
collusion. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is 
detailed below.

However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged 
with governance of the company and management. 

•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Group and 
determined that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting framework (IFRS, Companies Act 
2006, the UK Corporate Governance Code and the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority) and the relevant 
tax compliance regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. In addition, we concluded that 
there are certain significant laws and regulations relation to health and safety, employee matters, 
environments and bribery and corruptions practices; 

•  We understood how the Group is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management, 
internal audit, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the Company Secretary. We 
corroborated our enquiries through our review of Board minutes, papers provided to the Audit Committee 
and correspondence received from regulatory bodies and noted that there was no contradictory evidence;
•  We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how 

fraud might occur by embedding forensic specialist into our Group team. Our forensic specialists worked with 
the Group engagement team to identify the fraud risks across the business. We enquired with management 
within various parts of the business to understand where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud. 
We also considered performance targets and their influence on efforts made by management to manage 
earnings or influence the perceptions of analysts. Where this risk was considered higher, we performed audit 
procedures to address the fraud risk; and

•  Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws 

and regulations. Our procedures included a review of board minutes to identify any non-compliance with laws 
and regulations, a review of the reporting to the Audit Committee on compliance with regulations, enquiries 
of general counsel and management as well as utilisation of data analytical tools to review for potential 
non-compliance with laws and regulations with a focus on manual journals which have heightened risk 
by nature.

140

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

141

Financial StatementsINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF JOHN MENZIES PLC CONTINUED

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 (YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019)

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements continued
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud 
continued
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the
Financial Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms 
part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address 
•  Following the recommendation from the audit committee, we were appointed by the company on 6 July 2019 

to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2019 and subsequent financial periods. 
•  The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is 12 years, 

covering the years ending 31 December 2009 to 31 December 2020.

•  The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or the 

parent company and we remain independent of the group and the parent company in conducting the audit. 

•  The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee.

Use of our report
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. 

Kevin Weston 
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Edinburgh
9 March 2021

Continuing operations
Revenue
Net operating costs

Operating (loss)/profit before joint 

ventures and associates

Share of post-tax results of joint 

ventures and associates

Operating (loss)/profit

Analysed as:
Underlying operating (loss)/profit(i)
Exceptional items – transaction related 

and integration

Exceptional items – restructuring 

related

Exceptional items – asset impairment
Exceptional items – estimated credit 

loss

Exceptional items – insurance and 

other legal settlements

Acquired intangible asset amortisation
Share of joint ventures and associates 

interest

Share of joint ventures and associates tax

Operating (loss)/profit 

Finance income
Finance charges excluding retirement 

benefit obligation interest

Retirement benefit obligation interest

(Loss)/profit before taxation
Taxation

(Loss)/profit for the year from 

continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Profit for the year from discontinued 

operations

(Loss)/profit for the year

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to non-controlling interests

Earnings per ordinary share
Continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
Continuing and discontinued operations
Basic 
Diluted 

5

5
5

5

5
5

6

6
22

7

27

9
9

9
9

Before 
exceptional 
and other 
items  
£m

Exceptional 
and other 
items  
£m

Notes

Before 
exceptional  
and other  
items 
£m

Exceptional 
and other 
items 
£m

2020  
£m

2019
£m

2
3

824.2
(844.4)

–
(76.8)

824.2
(921.2)

1,325.6
(1,280.7)

–
(11.3)

1,325.6
(1,292.0)

(20.2)

(76.8)

(97.0)

44.9

(11.3)

33.6

12

2 

1.7

(0.9)

0.8

(18.5)

(77.7)

(96.2)

7.6

52.5

(1.6)

(12.9)

(18.5)

–

(18.5)

52.5

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

(2.4)

(2.4)

(31.7)
(17.8)

(31.7)
(17.8)

(9.3)

(9.3)

(9.0)
(6.6)

–
(0.9)

(9.0)
(6.6)

–
(0.9)

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

(18.5)

(77.7)

(96.2)

0.2

–

0.2

(20.6)
–

(38.9)
(14.2)

(3.9)
–

(81.6)
6.3

(24.5)
–

(120.5)
(7.9)

52.5

0.6

(22.3)
(0.4)

30.4
(9.5)

6.0

39.6

52.5

5.1

–

5.1

(10.2)
(5.4)

(10.2)
(5.4)

–

–

5.8
(6.6)

0.2
(1.8)

(12.9)

–

(0.2)
–

(13.1)
1.2

5.8
(6.6)

0.2
(1.8)

39.6

0.6

(22.5)
(0.4)

17.3
(8.3)

(53.1)

(75.3)

(128.4)

20.9

(11.9)

9.0

–

(53.1)

(52.1)
(1.0)

(53.1)

–

–

(75.3)

(128.4)

(75.3)
–

(127.4)
(1.0)

(75.3)

(128.4)

(61.8)p
(61.8)p

(89.3)p
(89.3)p

(151.1)p
(151.1)p

(61.8)p
(61.8)p

(89.3)p
(89.3)p

(151.1)p
(151.1)p

–

20.9

21.0
(0.1)

20.9

24.9p
24.9p

24.9p
24.9p

1.7

(10.2)

(10.2)
–

(10.2)

(14.1)p
(14.1)p

(12.1)p
(12.1)p

1.7

10.7

10.8
(0.1)

10.7

10.8p
10.8p

12.8p
12.8p

142

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Note:
(i)  Underlying operating (loss)/profit adjusts for exceptional items, impairment charges associated with non-current assets, amortisation relating to 
acquired contract, customer relationship and brand intangibles 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 (loss)/profit.

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

143

Financial StatementsCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 (YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019)

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 (31 DECEMBER 2019)

(Loss)/profit for the year
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined benefit retirement obligation
Actuarial loss on unfunded retirement benefit obligation
Income tax effect on defined benefit retirement obligation
Loss on equity instrument at fair value through other comprehensive income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Movement on cash flow hedges
Income tax effect on cash flow hedges
Movement on net investment hedges
Income tax effect on net investment hedges
Exchange gain/(loss) on translation of foreign currency net assets
Income tax effect of exchange loss on foreign currency net assets

Other comprehensive loss for the year

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 

Attributable to equity shareholders
Attributable to non-controlling interests

Note

22 

2020  
£m

(128.4)

(3.8)
(0.3)
–
–

(2.1)
0.4
(1.2)
0.2
2.3
(0.2)

(4.7)

(133.1)

(132.1)
(1.0)

(133.1)

2019
£m

10.7

2.0
(0.1)
(0.4)
(2.0)

(1.9)
0.3
0.7
(0.1)
(8.1)
–

(9.6)

1.1

1.2
(0.1)

1.1

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Other investments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax receivables
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

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

Net (liabilities)/assets

Ordinary shares
Share premium account
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Merger relief reserve
Retained earnings
Capital redemption reserve

Total shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interest in equity

Equity

Notes

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

10
11
12
12
13

14

16
18

16
16
15

21

16
15
16
13
21
22

23

167.1
236.5
14.0
0.1
21.2

438.9

5.7
185.1
1.8
0.2
209.1

401.9

178.1
278.1
16.2
0.2
23.7

496.3

5.8
242.7
3.9
0.8
90.5

343.7

(137.0)
(0.8)
(233.7)
(14.4)
(45.0)

(91.6)
(0.2)
(187.2)
(12.4)
(55.2)

(430.9)

(346.6)

(29.0)

(2.9)

409.9

493.4

(425.0)
(0.4)
(2.4)
(3.1)
(17.3)
(6.7)

(390.8)
(0.5)
(0.2)
(3.1)
(6.2)
(5.3)

(454.9)

(406.1)

(45.0)

21.1
23.6
(1.2)
(17.8)
67.3
(158.5)
21.6

(43.9)
(1.1)

(45.0)

87.3

21.1
23.5
(1.2)
(17.2)
67.3
(27.7)
21.6

87.4
(0.1)

87.3

144

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 March 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Philipp Joeinig 
Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer

Alvaro Gomez-Reino
Chief Financial Officer 

Company No. SC34970 

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

145

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 (31 DECEMBER 2019)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 (YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019)

At 31 December 2019
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive 

loss

Total comprehensive loss

Share capital issued
Share-based payments

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

Equity 
£m

21.1
–

23.5
–

(1.2)
–

(17.2) 67.3
–

–

(27.7)
(127.4)

21.6
–

87.4
(127.4)

(0.1) 87.3
(1.0) (128.4)

–

–

–
–

–

–

0.1
–

–

–

–
–

(0.6)

(0.6)

–
–

–

–

–
–

(4.1)

(131.5)

–
0.7

–

–

–
–

(4.7)

–

(4.7)

(132.1)

(1.0) (133.1)

0.1
0.7

–
–

0.1
0.7

At 31 December 2020

21.1

23.6

(1.2)

(17.8) 67.3 (158.5)

21.6

(43.9)

(1.1) (45.0)

At 31 December 2018
Impact of adoption  

of IFRS 16

Adjusted equity at 
1 January 2019
Profit/(loss) for  

the year

Other comprehensive 

loss

Total comprehensive 

(loss)/income

Share capital issued
Share-based payments
Income tax effect  
of share-based 
payments

Subsidiaries acquired 

(Note 24)

Recapitalisation  
of subsidiary

Expiry of acquisition 
related options  
(Note 16)

Dividends paid (Note 8)
Repurchase of  

Company’s shares

Disposal of  

Company’s shares

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

Equity 
£m

21.1

23.1

(2.6)

(8.1) 67.3

(17.2)

21.6

105.2

(3.9)

101.3

–

–

–

–

–

(1.6)

–

(1.6)

–

(1.6)

21.1

23.1

(2.6)

(8.1) 67.3

(18.8)

21.6

103.6

(3.9) 99.7

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

0.4
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

(1.0)

2.4

(1.2)

–

(9.1)

(9.1)

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

10.8

(0.5)

10.3

–
0.8

(0.3)

–

–

–
(17.3)

–

(2.4)

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

(17.2) 67.3

(27.7)

21.6

10.8

(0.1)

10.7

(9.6)

–

(9.6)

1.2

0.4
0.8

(0.3)

–

–

–
(17.3)

(1.0)

–

87.4

(0.1)

–
–

–

1.1

0.4
0.8

(0.3)

2.2

2.2

0.5

0.5

1.6
(0.4)

1.6
(17.7)

–

–

(1.0)

–

(0.1) 87.3

At 31 December 2019

21.1

23.5

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Interest paid on lease liabilities
Other interest paid including arrangement fees
Tax paid

Net cash flow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions 
Cash acquired with subsidiaries
Investment in joint ventures
Disposal of joint venture
Disposal of minority equity investment
Increased disposal consideration
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 Company’s shares
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings excluding leases
Principal element of lease repayments
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders

Net cash flow used in financing activities

Increase in net cash and cash equivalents
Effects of exchange rate movements
Opening net cash and cash equivalents(i)

Closing net cash and cash equivalents(i)

Note:
(i)  Net cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and bank overdrafts.

Notes

17

24
24
12
12

8

18

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

113.7
0.2
(7.3)
(16.4)
(2.5)

87.7

–
–
–
–
–
–
(24.2)
(1.0)
4.5
2.1

(18.6)

0.1
–
46.6
–
(59.9)
–
–

(13.2)

55.9
(6.0)
71.9

121.8

104.1
0.6
(7.6)
(13.5)
(11.8)

71.8

(7.2)
0.4
(0.4)
2.6
3.0
1.8
(29.7)
(5.3)
13.5
6.3

(15.0)

0.4
(1.0)
50.0
(10.9)
(57.1)
(0.4)
(17.3)

(36.3)

20.5
(3.1)
54.5

71.9

146

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

147

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in 
accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies  
Act 2006 and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union, incorporate the financial statements of  
the Company and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates from the effective date of acquisition or to  
the date of deemed disposal.

The Strategic report on pages 1 to 71 of this Annual Report and Accounts include information on the actions 
taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for the Group and the Group’s financial position  
and liquidity. Page 33-35 and 97 of this Annual Report and Accounts provide additional information on the 
Directors’ assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, and of its longer term viability. 
Page 97 of this Annual Report and Accounts includes information on the Audit Committee’s consideration  
of going concern, and the work and conclusions of the Audit Committee in respect of that.

Going concern
The UK Corporate Governance Code requires the Directors to state whether the Board considers it appropriate 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements, and to identify any 
material uncertainties to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at least 12 
months from the date of approval of the financial statements. In adopting the going concern basis for preparing 
these financial statements, the Board has considered the Group’s business activities, together with factors likely 
to affect its future development, its performance and principal risks and uncertainties. The spread of COVID-19 
has precipitated an unprecedented level of air travel restrictions being imposed by governments across the 
world. Although this has had a broadly positive impact on cargo handling and forwarding businesses, it has had 
a negative impact on flight volumes that drive the ground and fuelling services businesses.

After reviewing the current liquidity position, financial forecasts and stress testing of potential risks and based 
on the current funding facilities outlined, the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group 
has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, which is for the period 
to 30 June 2022. The Group has a strong liquidity position. As a result, the Board continues to adopt the  
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Company and Group financial statements. The financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 were approved by the Board on 9 March 2021. The period  
of management’s going concern assessment is the period to 30 June 2022. 

In the event of further severe downside risks beyond the Company’s severe but plausible downside case, the 
Board has identified a material uncertainty arising as a result of the impact that international travel restrictions 
could have on the delayed recovery of the business that may risk a breach of the leverage and interest cover 
covenants at 30 June 2022. If such circumstance were to arise, the Company would take steps to further 
mitigate any risk arising and, if necessary, to seek to agree with its lenders, as it did following the outbreak  
of the pandemic, a further waiver of or variation to such covenants.

Going concern assessment
Travel restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on revenues 
generated from ground services and into-plane fuelling. In order to respond to the ongoing market uncertainty 
over the going concern period, significant management actions have been taken in response, including cost 
saving measures, the application for and the receipt of significant government support in several countries 
(including loans and grant monies received from the US government as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and 
Economic Security Act, JobKeeper Payment in Australia and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the UK), 
tight cash management and the successfully agreed revised covenant structure with the Group’s banks.

The structural changes to the cost base and the continuing expansion into emerging markets gives confidence 
that the Group will be in a better place to benefit from the recovery in passenger volumes. In addition, the 
balance of revenue streams that the Group has within its business model has given some protection against  
the level of decline in passenger related volumes experienced due to travel restrictions imposed on airlines in 
response to COVID-19. 

This balance includes exposure to less impacted markets such as cargo handling, cargo forwarding and fuel 
farm management, a greater proportion of ground services and into-plane fuelling revenues being generated 
from less impacted domestic and regional travel rather than international travel, and the geographical spread  
as a result of operating in over 30 countries. 

Assumptions and stress testing
The Board considered the liquidity position and forecast EBITDA in the Group’s financial forecasts prepared to 
30 June 2022, recognising the challenges around reliably estimating and forecasting the effects of COVID-19 
particularly on the ground and fuel service businesses. The key areas of forecasting uncertainty include the 
extent and duration of border and travel restrictions in the countries in which the Group operates and the 
recovery in ground and fuel services aircraft turns. 

In reaching its conclusion on the going concern assessment, the Board also considered the findings of the  
work performed to support the statement on the long term viability of the Company and the Group. As noted 
below, this included assessing forecasts of severe but plausible downside scenarios and further downside stress 
testing related to the Company’s principal risks, notably the extent to which the recovery in the ground and fuel 
services businesses assumed in its base case forecasts is at risk.

The relevant forecast revenue assumptions as a percentage of the average pre-COVID-19 levels for the 
impacted ground and fuel services in the first half of 2021, second half of 2021 and for the first half of 2022 
under the base case and a severe but plausible downside case are set out below.

Base case

Severe but plausible downside case

H1 2021

H2 2021

H1 2022

51%

48%

62%

54%

79%

63%

These assumptions reflect the Company’s view on the likely rate of recovery along with information from some 
of the Group’s largest airline customers. The percentages have been benchmarked against various recovery 
scenarios prepared by external third parties including the European Organisation for the Safety of Air 
Navigation, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association. 

The Group has taken actions in response to the impact of the ongoing travel restrictions to increase the 
resilience of the business, reflecting the restructure of the business that has taken place during 2020 and  
the revised cost base that has resulted in a leaner and more agile workforce. These overhead and labour  
cost savings are largely within the control of management and therefore the Board is confident they can  
be implemented. The controllable cost mitigating actions have been considered in the severe but plausible 
scenario. 

In the Company’s assumptions, government assistance has been assumed only for the period committed by  
the authorities in writing. However, the Board is hopeful that this support will continue, commensurate with the 
impact of travel restrictions and through the period during which such travel restrictions persist, as experienced 
in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.

Liquidity and EBITDA headroom
The Group’s main committed borrowing facilities comprised its fully drawn US$235m term loan and the  
£145m revolving credit facility, both available until their maturity dates of January 2025, and loans from the  
US government having a maturity date of 2030. The US dollar term loan has repayment instalments of US$10m 
that fell due in January 2021 and US$15m that is to fall due in each of January 2022, 2023 and 2024. As at 
31 December 2020, the Group’s available liquidity comprised of £20.0m of undrawn revolving credit facility  
and £121.8m of net cash balances across the Group. 

The Group must comply with certain banking covenants measured quarterly. Until 31 March 2022, these relate 
to maintaining a minimum liquidity of £45m and exceeding predetermined minimum EBITDA levels. At 30 June 
2022 the covenants revert to an interest cover exceeding three times and a net debt to EBITDA ratio as 
measured on a pre-IFRS 16 basis not exceeding three times, both as stipulated under the Group’s banking 
facilities prior to the agreement of the revised covenant structure. 

148

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

149

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Significant Accounting Policies continued
Going concern continued
Liquidity and EBITDA headroom continued
Under both the base case scenario and the severe but plausible downside cases, the Group is forecast to have 
positive headroom against its two banking covenants for minimum liquidity and minimum EBITDA measured 
quarterly through to 31 March 2022, and against its original interest cover and leverage covenants in place and 
measured at 30 June 2022, the end of the going concern period. 

A further downside stress test, beyond the severe but plausible downside case, considering the impact of 
continued international travel restrictions has been considered. Were impacted ground and fuel services 
businesses volumes in the first half of 2022 to be less than 54% of pre-COVID-19 levels, and the impacts were 
not to be adequately mitigated, there could be a leverage and interest cover breach at the 30 June 2022 
measurement date. If such circumstance were to arise, the Company would take steps to further mitigate any 
risk arising and, if necessary, to seek to agree with its lenders, as it did following the outbreak of the pandemic, 
a further waiver of or variation to such covenants.

Going concern statement
After reviewing the current liquidity position, financial forecasts and stress testing of potential risks and based 
on the current funding facilities outlined, the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company and the 
Group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, which is for the 
period to 30 June 2022. As a result, the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the Company and Group financial statements. 

In the event of further severe downside risks beyond the Company’s and Group’s severe but plausible downside 
case, the Board has identified a material uncertainty arising as a result of the impact that international travel 
restrictions could have on the delayed recovery of the business that risk a breach of the leverage and interest 
cover covenants at 30 June 2022 that may cast significant doubt upon the Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. If such circumstance were to arise, the Company would seek to agree with its lenders, as it did 
following the outbreak of the pandemic, a further waiver of or variation to such covenants, in order to continue 
as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Company 
and the Group were unable to continue as a going concern.

New accounting standards and amendments 
Five new accounting amendments are applicable for the first time in 2020. However, they have no material 
impact on the financial statements of the Group. These new standards are:

Amendment to IFRS 16 Leases – COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions – effective date 1 June 2020
Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations – effective date 1 January 2020
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 17 – Rate Benchmark Reform – effective date 1 January 2020
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 – Definition of Material – effective date 1 January 2020
Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards – effective date 1 January 2020

Standards and amendments to standards that have been issued that are applicable for the Group but are not 
effective for 2020 and have not been early adopted are:

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, including Amendments to IFRS 17(i) – effective date 1 January 2023
Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-
current(i) – effective date 1 January 2023
Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations; IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment; IAS 37 Provisions, 
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; Annual Improvements 2018-2020(i) – effective date 1 January 2022
Amendments to IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts – deferral of IFRS 9 – effective date 1 January 2021
Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure  
of Accounting policies(i) – effective date 1 January 2023
Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition  
of Accounting Estimates(i) – effective date 1 January 2023

Note:
(i) 

IFRS 17 and other amendments and improvements set out above are not yet adopted for use in the European Union.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Group comprise the assets, liabilities and results of the Company 
and subsidiary undertakings in which the Company has a controlling interest using accounts drawn up to 
31 December except where entities do not have coterminous year ends. In such cases the information is based 
on the accounting period of these entities and is adjusted for trading results and material changes up to 
31 December. 

Controlled interests
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 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.

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 the 
relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including: contractual 
arrangements with other vote holders 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 outlined above. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins 
when the Group obtains initial 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 first 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 Company’s equity holders 
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 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 the related assets including goodwill, liabilities,  
non-controlling interests and other components of equity are derecognised, while any resultant gain or loss  
is recognised in the Income Statement. Any investment retained is recognised at fair value.

Joint ventures and associates
A joint venture is an arrangement where two or more parties have joint control of the net assets of the joint 
arrangement. 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.  
The investments in an associate or a joint venture are initially recognised at cost. The carrying amount of 
investments are 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. 

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Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Significant Accounting Policies continued
Basis of consolidation continued
Joint ventures and associates continued
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 Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income. If there has been a change recognised directly in the equity of the 
associate or joint venture, 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. 

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 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. 

In India Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) Private Ltd is 49% owned and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd 
in China is 29% owned. They are treated as joint ventures in the consolidated financial statements as the parties 
to each of the ventures work together with equal powers to control the entities. Each venturer in the respective 
entity retains the power of veto, and overall key strategic, operational and financial decisions require the 
consent of all parties. 

The financial statements of each associate or joint venture are prepared for the same reporting period as the 
Group. The Group’s Indian joint venture has a statutory year end of 31 March. Where necessary, adjustments are 
made to bring the accounting policies in line with those of the Group. 

Revenue recognition
Ramp, passenger, into-plane fuelling and other aviation related services income is recognised at the time the 
service is provided in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract. Air cargo services revenue is recognised 
at the point of departure for exports and at the point that the goods are ready for despatch for imports. Revenue 
excludes value added and sales taxes and charges collected on behalf of customers.

The timing of customer billing in relation to the satisfaction of performance obligations results in amounts being 
recorded in the Balance Sheet for accrued and deferred income. Individual billing arrangements vary by customer 
and contract. Accrued income is recognised on contracts for which performance obligations have been satisfied 
but have not yet been billed to customers at the Balance Sheet date. When the recovery of such amounts 
becomes unconditional, the customer is billed and the amounts are transferred to trade receivables. Deferred 
income is recognised in respect of payments received from customers in advance of the Group fulfilling its 
performance obligations under contracts.

Franchise and consortia fees represent revenue earned from periodic management fees for fuel farms and 
franchising arrangements, which are recognised in accordance with contractual rates over time.

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

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

Government grants
Government grants are recognised in the Income Statement on a systematic basis over the periods in which the 
Group recognises expenses for the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate. Unutilised 
income at the period end is recognised in deferred income on the Balance Sheet. Government grants are 
recognised when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all conditions attached to  
the grant will be complied with.

Exceptional items
Exceptional items are those material items which, by virtue of their size or incidence, are presented separately in 
the Income Statement to enable a full understanding of the Group’s financial performance. Transactions that may 
give rise to exceptional items include asset write downs and impairments, restructuring of business activities in 
terms of rationalisation costs and onerous lease provisions, one off costs relating to reducing long term pension 
liabilities and insurance claim settlements, gains or losses on the disposal of businesses and significant assets, and 
acquisition transaction and other related costs including acquired intangible asset amortisation and changes in 
deferred consideration.

Intangible assets
Goodwill
Business combinations are 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 acquired is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least annually by assessing the 
recoverable amount of each cash generating unit to which the goodwill relates. When the recoverable amount 
of the cash generating unit is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised. Any impairment 
is recognised in the Income Statement. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of joint ventures and associates is 
included within the carrying value of the investment.

Contracts, customer relationships and brands
The fair value of intangible assets attributed to contracts, customer relationships and brands 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. Values are not attributed to internally 
generated customer relationships and brands.

Most contracts, customer relationships and brand assets are amortised on a straight line basis over ten years  
as this period is the minimum timeframe Management considers when assessing businesses for acquisition. 
Certain other intangible assets are amortised over the remaining life as appropriate.

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 software products controlled by 
the Group, and that are expected to generate economic benefits exceeding costs, are recognised as intangible 
assets. Computer software assets are amortised over their estimated useful lives, usually three to seven years.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, including costs to acquire, less accumulated depreciation. 
Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis at the following rates:
Freehold and long leasehold properties – over the shorter of the remaining lease term and 50 years.
Short leasehold properties – over the remaining lease term.
Plant and equipment – over the estimated life of the asset between three and 20 years.

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Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Significant Accounting Policies continued
Leases
As lessee for leases after 1 January 2019 the Group measured right of use assets at cost comprising the amount 
of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs, and any lease payments made at or 
before the commencement date. Payments associated with short term leases and leases of low value assets  
are recognised on a straight line basis as an expense in the Income Statement. Short term leases are leases with 
a lease term of 12 months or less. Low value assets comprise computer equipment and small items of office 
furniture where the cash value when new is less than US$5,000. The non-lease proportion of the lease 
payments for one significant leasing vendor has been determined at 50%. 

As lessor, the Group charges rental income under operating leases to the Income Statement on a straight line 
basis over the applicable lease periods.

Inventories
Inventories are goods for resale and consumables and are stated at the lower of purchase cost and net 
realisable value. The cost of jet fuel and de-icing fluids are determined on a weighted average basis. The cost  
of spares and other inventory is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents 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.

Financial instruments
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or 
equity instrument of another entity.

Financial assets
Financial assets are classified at initial recognition and subsequently measured at amortised cost or fair value 
through Other Comprehensive Income. In order for a financial asset such as a debt instrument to be classified 
and measured at amortised cost it needs to give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and 
where applicable interest on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is performed at an instrument 
level. For the purposes of subsequent measurement, the Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if 
the financial asset is both held in order to collect contractual cash flows and the contractual terms of the 
financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on 
the principal amount outstanding. Financial assets at amortised cost are subject to impairment assessment and 
comprise trade receivables and accrued income as set out in Note 14. Where a provision is recognised the 
carrying value of the receivable is reduced with the amount of the loss recognised in the Income Statement.

Financial assets such as equity instruments and derivatives held for hedging purposes are measured through 
Other Comprehensive Income. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of derivatives are recorded in 
equity and are only recognised in the Income Statement on disposal of the overseas net investment and any 
ineffective portion is also recognised in the Income Statement.

A financial asset is derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired or the 
Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset to a third party. Further disclosures relating 
to impairment of financial assets are set out as follows: Note 14 includes disclosures relating to trade receivables 
including accrued income and Note 16 includes disclosures relating to instruments at fair value through Other 
Comprehensive Income.

The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses based on the difference between the contractual 
cash flows due in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, 
discounted if material. For trade receivables and contract assets the Group has adopted the simplified 
approach in calculating expected credit losses. The Group recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime 
expected credit losses at each reporting date. Provisions are calculated based on the Group’s historical credit 
loss experience, adjusted for forward looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment. 
Further information specific to credit risk management is set out in Note 14. 

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified at initial recognition as borrowings, payables or derivatives designated as 
hedging instruments as an effective hedge. All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the 
case of borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs. The Group’s financial liabilities 
include trade and other payables, borrowings including bank overdrafts, and derivative financial instruments.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement when the liabilities are 
derecognised. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and 
fees or costs, with the charge included as finance costs in the Income Statement. A financial liability is 
derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. 

Liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net 
present value of fixed payments and variable lease payments that are based on a specified index or rate. The 
lease payments are discounted using each lessee’s incremental borrowing rate in the same geographic location 
if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. This rate is the interest rate the lessee would 
have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value over a similar term and with 
similar security to the right of use asset in a similar economic environment. 

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as either cash flow hedges when hedging the 
exposure to variability in cash flows or hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation.

Cash flow hedges comprise interest rate swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts that are used to hedge 
the risks arising from interest rates and the retranslation of foreign currency denominated items. 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 recognised in the Income Statement. If the transaction results in a 
non-financial asset or liability, 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, 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, the entire fair value recorded in equity and future changes in fair value are 
recognised in the Income Statement within finance costs. 

Net investment hedges comprise derivatives that are designated as hedges of overseas net investments in 
foreign currency denominated entities. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of net investment 
hedges are recorded in equity and are only recognised in the Income Statement on disposal of the overseas  
net investment.

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract  
is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when 
the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative. At inception the hedge 
relationship is designated and documented and the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking 
the hedge is noted. Derivative contracts entered into are expected to continue to be highly effective until they 
expire. The effectiveness of these contracts is monitored during the year. 

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

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

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Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Significant Accounting Policies continued
Taxation continued
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 the Statement  
of Changes in Equity or in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as appropriate.

Provisions
Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing and amount. 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.

Retirement benefit obligation
For the defined contribution pension schemes, the Income Statement charge represents contributions made. 
For the defined benefit pension scheme, 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 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 charges are assessed in 
accordance with the advice of a qualified actuary. 

Share capital
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.

Share-based payments
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.

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

Assumptions, estimates and judgments 
The preparation of the consolidated accounts requires Management to make assumptions, estimates and 
judgments 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. 

Assumptions and estimates
Management has made a number of accounting assumptions and estimates which, if they transpire to be 
materially incorrect, have a risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities in the future. 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 assumptions and estimates are set out below.

Fair value of 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 judgment based on available 
information and Management expectations at the time of recognition. See Note 10 for further details.

Impairment of intangible assets and investments
Management performs an impairment review on any assets that show indications of impairment and annually 
on goodwill and intangibles that are deemed to have indefinite lives. Management’s impairment review of 
goodwill involves exercising judgment about future cash flows and other events that are by their nature 
uncertain. Management has disclosed the pre-tax discount rates used when performing this review in Note 10. 
No impairments were identified in the current year. 

Retirement benefit obligation
Management is responsible for making a number of financial and demographic assumptions in relation to the 
defined benefit pension scheme that has a direct impact on the pension deficit recognised within the financial 
statements. The assumptions underlying the calculation of the retirement benefit obligation are important and 
Management has determined the appropriate estimates based on independent actuarial advice. Changes in these 
assumptions could have a material impact on the measurement of the Group’s retirement benefit obligation.  
See Note 22 for further details.

Judgments
The following are key judgments, apart from those involving estimations which are dealt with separately above, 
that Management has made in the process of applying the accounting policies and that have a significant effect 
on the amounts recognised within the financial statements. 

Leases
Judgment is exercised in determining the non-lease component for one significant leasing vendor.  
Judgment is necessary in assessing the non-lease proportion of the lease payments and has been determined 
at 50% after reviewing a range of sample data provided by the lessor. See Note 20 for further details.

Provisions
Judgment is exercised in determining whether provisions are required in relation to workers’ compensation 
claims and legal claims. Judgment is necessary in assessing the veracity, measurement and probability of the 
claims. Management has reviewed available external and internal information relating to these types of claims 
and has made appropriate provisions accordingly. Judgment is exercised in determining whether provisions  
are required in relation to insurance, warranties and claims. Management has reviewed available external and 
internal information relating to these items and has made appropriate provisions accordingly. See Note 21 for 
further details.

Income taxes
The Group is subject to income tax in a number of jurisdictions and judgment is required in determining the 
provision for tax. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is 
uncertain. Provisions for tax are recognised by estimating the taxes that are likely to become due, based on 
Management’s interpretation of country specific tax law and the likelihood of settlement. Management has used 
the services of a professional firm together with the expertise and historic experience of the Group’s in-house 
tax team 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. Management have considered the measurement of each uncertain tax position 
under the principles of IFRIC 23, applying either a most likely outcome or expected value approach based upon 
which method better predicts the resolution of each uncertainty.

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Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

1. Significant Accounting Policies continued
Assumptions, estimates and judgments continued
Judgments continued
Income taxes continued
A provision is held against a claim for a reduced rate of tax in an overseas territory based on the nature of its 
activities in that territory, which is subject to enquiry by the relevant tax authority. The potential benefit to the 
effective tax rate from that claim is not recognised 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 transfer pricing arrangements, deemed distributions of profits, the tax 
treatment of interest and foreign exchange differences on certain intercompany loans and for tax authority 
challenge against the interpretation of local tax legislation where the application of that legislation is unclear. 
Whilst there is a range of potential outcomes for these uncertain tax positions, based on management’s 
experience of such issues, on conclusion of the open positions it is believed that a likely range of outcomes  
is an additional tax liability of up to £3.0m and a reduction in the tax liability of around £2.3m.

Deferred tax assets on tax losses carried forward have been recognised despite current year losses being 
incurred within Mexico of £1.4m, France of £0.5m and in the Czech Republic of £0.5m, as there is sufficient 
evidence in the form of projected future profitability to conclude that these losses will be recoverable in the 
foreseeable future. See Notes 7 and 13 for further details.

Non-GAAP measures
The Group’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union. In measuring our performance, the financial measures that are used include those that have 
been derived from the reported results in order to eliminate factors that distort period-on-period comparisons. 
These are considered non-GAAP financial measures. This information, along with comparable GAAP 
measurements, is useful to investors in providing a basis for measuring our operational performance. 
Management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, 
in evaluating 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, customer relationship and brand amortisation
As disclosed above, contract, customer relationship and brand amortisation relates to intangible assets 
recognised on historic acquisitions and since it is transaction related it is presented separately in order to 
provide an appreciation for underlying business performance. 

Share of earnings from joint ventures and associates
As disclosed in the Income Statement, the Group’s share of post-tax profit relating to joint ventures and 
associates is included within operating profit given the similarity of those operations to wholly owned businesses.

Underlying operating profit
As disclosed on the face of the Income Statement, underlying operating profit adjusts for non-recurring 
exceptional items, impairment charges associated with non-current assets, joint venture assets and other 
intangibles, contract, customer relationship and brand amortisation and the Group’s share of joint ventures  
and associates interest and tax to provide an appreciation of the impact of those items on operating profit. 

Underlying operating profit and the reconciliation to operating profit are set out on the face of the Income Statement.

Underlying profit before taxation
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 items as set out above in the underlying 
operating profit definition.

Underlying earnings per share
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. The calculation of underlying earnings  
per share is set out in Note 9.

Free cash flow 
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, capitalised lease 
repayments, ordinary dividends and net spend on shares.

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

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
Additional retirement benefit obligation contribution
Exceptional cash spend(i)

Free cash flow

113.7

104.1 

(23.5)
2.8
(2.5)
2.1
(24.2)
(1.0)
4.5
3.7
30.1

105.7

(20.5)
– 
(11.8)
6.3 
(29.7)
(5.3)
13.5 
12.1 
12.4 

81.1 

Note:
(i)  Current year exceptional spend relates mainly to redundancy and workforce restructuring costs as set out in Note 5.

Underlying operating cash flow
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

2020 
£m

105.7

24.2
1.0
(4.5)
20.7
2.5

2019
£m

81.1 

29.7 
5.3 
(13.5)
20.5 
11.8 

149.6

134.9 

2. Segment Information
The Group provides ground and air cargo services as well as into-plane fuelling and fuel farm management 
services across the world. Cargo forwarding services are separately disclosed, as they are distinct from the 
other types of aviation related services provided and are provided globally. 

The Board assesses the performance of the operating segments based on underlying operating profit/(loss). 
These results are before exceptional items, intangible amortisation and share of interest and tax on joint 
ventures and associates. Transfer prices between segments are set on an arm’s length basis.

158

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159

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2. Segment Information continued
Business segments
Segmental revenue and the reconciliation of segmental underlying operating (loss)/profit to (loss)/profit before 
tax for the period is set out below.

Note

Americas 
£m

EMEA  
£m

Rest  
of World 
£m

Cargo 
Forwarding 
£m

Group  
£m

2020
Revenue

290.9

269.5

91.8

172.0

824.2

Underlying operating profit/(loss)(i),(ii)
Exceptional items – transaction related
Exceptional items – restructuring related
Exceptional items – asset impairment
Exceptional items – estimated credit loss
Exceptional items – insurance
Acquired intangible asset amortisation
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates

5
5
5
5
5
5

16.7

(51.3)

8.8

7.3

Operating loss

Net finance expense

Loss before taxation

2019
Revenue

Note

Americas 
£m

EMEA  
£m

Rest  
of World 
£m

Cargo 
Forwarding 
£m

Group  
£m

464.3 

552.5 

161.3 

147.5 

1,325.6 

Underlying operating profit(i),(ii)
Exceptional transaction related and integration
Exceptional legal settlements and other
Exceptional restructuring and pension related items
Acquired intangible asset amortisation
Share of interest on joint ventures and associates
Share of tax on joint ventures and associates

5
5
5
5

Operating profit

Net finance expense

Profit before taxation

20.9 

13.4 

12.2 

6.0 

52.5 
5.1
5.8
(15.6) 
(6.6)
0.2 
(1.8)

39.6 

(22.3)

17.3

Notes:
(i)  Underlying operating (loss)/profit is defined as operating (loss)/profit excluding intangible amortisation as shown in Note 5 and exceptional 

items but including the pre-tax share of results from joint ventures and associates.

(ii)  Included within underlying operating (loss)/profit are the Group’s share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates in EMEA £2.3m and  

Rest of World £(0.6)m (2019: EMEA £2.9m and Rest of World £4.7m).

(18.5)
(2.4)
(31.7)
(17.8)
(9.3)
(9.0)
(6.6)
(0.9)

(96.2)

(24.3)

(120.5)

The information reported to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in his capacity as chief operating 
decision maker does not include an analysis of assets and liabilities by segment and accordingly no such 
information is presented.

Americas
EMEA
Rest of World
Cargo Forwarding

Capital expenditure

Depreciation(i)

Amortisation

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

9.0
18.5
2.2
0.7

30.4

21.3
8.2
3.3
1.4

34.2

36.1
36.1
10.3
3.9

86.4

36.6
33.9
10.7
3.5

84.7

4.6
2.3
1.3
0.5

8.7

4.5
2.2
1.2
0.3

8.2

Note:
(i) 

Includes £63.1m of depreciation relating to IFRS 16 right of use assets (2019: £62.0m).

Geographic information

USA
UK
Australia
Others

Note:
(i)  Non-current assets exclude deferred tax assets and derivative financial assets.

Revenue by performance obligation

At the point of service
Franchise and consortia fees

Revenue

Non-current assets(i)

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

265.4
172.4
102.9
283.5

824.2

372.1
287.6
161.2
504.7

1,325.6

153.0
91.7
40.0
133.0

417.7

192.3
96.5
44.1
139.7

472.6

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

800.0
24.2

824.2

1,298.2
27.4

1,325.6

Revenue is earned at the point of service in each segment of the business. Franchise and consortia fees are 
earned in Americas and EMEA.

The business provides customers with a comprehensive handling service whilst aircraft are on the ground, 
encompassing a variety of critical support services including baggage handling, cleaning, fuelling, de-icing  
and towing. The level of service required can vary according to conditions therefore judgment is exercised in 
determining the distinct performance obligations under the contract. Performance obligations under ground 
services, fuelling services and air cargo services contracts constitute a package of services provided together 
within a single aircraft turnaround. The interrelated activities are considered to be integrated in providing a 
single turnaround to customers. Revenue on these contracts is recognised according to the actual work carried 
out, typically governed by a schedule of agreed rates, at the time the service is provided.

Within air cargo services the business also undertakes cargo forwarding services where contracts with 
customers to fulfil the single performance obligation to facilitate the transportation of goods from one location 
to another. The business directs the performance of this obligation, selecting carriers to use. Revenue is 
recognised at the point of delivery as this is the point at which the revenue is significantly assured. 

Franchise and consortia fees represent revenue earned from periodic management fees for fuel farms and 
franchising arrangements, which are recognised in accordance with contractual rates over time.

160

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161

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

3. Net Operating Costs

The average number of people employed during the year is provided below.

Goods for resale and other direct operating costs
Consumable supplies
Inventory written off
Employment costs
Lease costs relating to non-lease component and short term leases of plant 

and equipment

Lease costs relating to short term property leases
Depreciation 
Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Exceptional items
Intangible assets amortisation 
Other operating charges

Notes

4

11

5
10

The Group obtained services from the Group’s auditor at costs as provided below.

Audit of the Company and consolidated accounts
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Transaction advisory services

4. Employee Costs 

Wages and salaries
Government payroll subsidies(i)
Share-based payments
Social security costs

Pension charge 

2020 
£m

143.6
24.9
–
419.9

18.0
10.2
86.4
0.1
70.2
8.7
139.2

921.2

2020 
£m

0.3
0.9
–

2020 
£m

500.1
(139.2)
0.7
42.3

403.9
16.0

419.9

2019 
£m

148.7
24.4
0.5
813.6

24.4
13.4
84.7
(1.7)
4.7
8.2
171.1

1,292.0

2019 
£m

0.3
1.0
1.0

2019 
£m

727.4
–
0.8
62.6

790.8
22.8

813.6

Note:
(i)  The Group benefits from various COVID-19 related government grants and assistance programmes in many countries around the world, most 

notably the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the USA, and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in  
the UK.

During 2020, the Group received US$118.4m of governmental funding under the CARES Act. This comprised US$82.8m of grant funding to 
support the payroll of the US business and US$35.6m as a loan note as set out in Note 16. The purpose of the grant income is to support the 
business through the period when aviation activity has been most adversely impacted by the pandemic. As there in no specific period over 
which the grant funding is to be utilised Management has applied judgment in determining the appropriate systematic basis to recognise the 
grant income for the Group. Grant income is released from when monies are received over the period in which in-country revenue is expected  
to be impacted by travel restrictions in response to COVID-19. The release is based on the expected revenue level compared to 2019 revenue  
and applied to expected payroll over the anticipated recovery timeline at date of receipt. The unutilised grant funding at 31 December 2020  
is included in Trade and Other Payables on the Balance Sheet and disclosed separately in Note 17 Cash Generated from Operations. The Group 
has complied with the grant agreement and applicable US law in the year. As set out in Note 28 Events After The Reporting Period, after the 
reporting period a further US$49.3m was received in February 2021 comprising US$35.9m grant funding and a US$13.4m loan note.

Under the CJRS scheme, grant income is claimed in respect of certain costs to the Group of furloughed employees. The grant income 
recognised of £46.5m reflects the costs incurred in the UK in the year ended 31 December 2020 that are eligible to be included in claims  
to the extent Management considers there to be reasonable certainty that the grant will be received. 

USA
UK
Australia
Others

2020

6,585
5,556
2,131
12,617

2019

8,608
6,638
2,225
14,917

26,889

32,388

Retirement benefit obligation charge
Certain 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. A defined benefit scheme is operated in the UK as set out in Note 22.

The retirement benefit obligation charge to underlying operating profit is provided below.

Defined contribution schemes 
Defined benefit scheme

5. Exceptional and Other Items
Exceptional items included in operating profit

Acquisition and transaction related costs(i)
Acquisition integration costs(ii)
Acquisition claims settlement(iii)
Restructuring and pension de-risking costs(iv)
Asset impairments(v)
Estimated credit loss(vi)
Insurance and other legal settlements(vii)

2020 
£m

14.7
1.3

16.0

2020 
£m

(2.4)
–
–
(31.7)
(17.8)
(9.3)
(9.0)

(70.2)

2019 
£m

21.8
1.0

22.8

2019 
£m

(3.9)
(3.3)
12.3
(10.2)
(5.4)
–
5.8

(4.7)

Notes:
(i)  Acquisition and transaction related costs comprise £2.4m of joint venture set up costs. In the prior year, acquisition and transaction related costs 
comprised £2.9m of costs in relation to aborted potential transactions, £0.9m of joint venture set up costs and £0.1m of other related costs. 

(ii)  In the prior year, acquisition integration costs related to the integration of the Airline Services business in the UK.
(iii)  In the prior year, a net credit acquisition claims settlement of £12.3m was recognised. 
(iv)  Restructuring costs include £23.1m of redundancy and workforce restructure costs, £4.7m for professional adviser fees related to the 

renegotiation of covenants of the Group’s banking facilities and £3.9m in station closure costs all in response to the need to resize the business 
following the result of the governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the prior year, restructuring costs comprised £8.0m of 
redundancy payments and £1.3m of station closure costs. Professional fees of £0.9m were also incurred to complete a programme to derisk  
the UK defined benefit pension scheme. 

(v)  Asset impairments include £8.0m of owned equipment assets and £9.8m of leased property and equipment assets following a review of 

post-COVID-19 asset utilisation. In the prior year £5.4m of asset write-downs and refurbishments related to an asset optimisation programme 
were recognised.

(vi)  Estimated credit losses of £9.3m were incurred as a result of certain airlines facing financial difficulties due to flight restrictions in response  

to COVID-19.

(vii) Insurance and other legal settlement costs of £9.0m relate to unanticipated reimbursement of costs to the insurers in respect of an incident  
that occurred in 2017. No further reimbursement to the insurer is anticipated. In the prior year, other legal settlements resulted in a net credit  
of £5.8m.

Exceptional items included in finance charges

Impact of renegotiated banking facilities(i)

Note:
(i)  The Group’s bank facilities were revised during the year resulting in a fair value charge of £3.9m.

2020 
£m

(3.9)

2019 
£m

–

162

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163

Financial Statements 
 
Effective tax rate
The reconciliation between tax charge and the product of accounting profit multiplied by the Group’s domestic 
tax rate is provided below.

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

(Loss)/profit before tax

(120.5)

17.3

(Loss)/profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of UK corporation tax of 19% (2019: 

19%)

Income not taxable and non-deductible expenses including intangible amortisation
Impact of changes in tax rates
Profits covered by brought forward tax losses
Unrelieved overseas losses
Deferred tax asset recognised on overseas losses carried forward
Deferred tax asset not recognised on losses and other temporary differences
Deferred tax asset written off
Exceptional deferred tax asset not recognised on losses and temporary differences
(Lower)/higher tax rates on overseas earnings
Share of joint venture and associate post-tax result included in (loss)/profit before tax 
Adjustments to prior years’ liabilities
Corporation tax provision movement

(22.9)
2.7
(1.3)
(6.2)
6.8
(0.7)
15.5
10.2
2.1
(0.4)
(0.7)
0.2
2.6

7.9

3.3
2.2
0.1
(0.2)
(0.2)
(2.5)
1.8
4.1
(1.0)
2.8
(1.5)
(2.2)
1.6

8.3

The effective tax rate of -6.6% (2019: 48%) was driven mainly by the trading activities of the Group and the 
significant loss incurred in the year, as the effective tax rate was negatively impacted by deferred tax assets 
written off and deferred tax credits in the year not recognised as a result. As trading profits return to a more 
normal level in the future, we would expect the effective tax rate to move towards a more stable rate, 
comparable with previous years.

The main rate of UK corporation tax remains at 19%. However on 3 March 2021 it was announced that the UK 
corporation tax rate will increase from 19% to 25% on 1 April 2023. 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

5. Exceptional and Other Items continued
Acquired intangible assets amortisation included in operating profit
Acquired intangible asset amortisation costs incurred were £6.6m (2019: £6.6m). The amortisation relates  
to contract, customer relationship and brand assets recognised on the acquisition of businesses. 

Tax effect of exceptional items
The taxation effect of the exceptional items is a net credit of £5.1m (2019: net charge of £1.4m) due to tax 
deductible costs incurred during the year, offset in part by deferred tax credits not taken on tax deductions 
available for a proportion of the exceptional costs arising during the year, following a reassessment of the 
profitability of the UK business.

6. Net Finance Costs

Finance income
Bank deposits

Finance charges
Bank loans and overdrafts
Option to protect the year end debt value
Lease liabilities
Government loans
Preference dividends

7. Taxation
Tax charge in the Income Statement

Current tax
UK corporation tax on (loss)/profit 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 (loss)/profit

Tax related to items charged/(credited) outside the Income Statement

Deferred tax on actuarial gain on retirement benefit obligation
Deferred tax on share-based payments
Current tax on net exchange adjustments
Deferred tax on net exchange adjustments
IFRS 16 transition adjustment

2020 
£m

0.2

(12.7)
–
(7.3)
(0.5)
(0.1)

(20.6)

(20.4)

2020 
£m

0.1
5.6
0.5

6.2

2.9
(0.3)

2.6
(0.9)

1.7

7.9

2020 
£m

–
–
–
0.5
–

0.5

2019 
£m

0.6

(13.0)
(1.6)
(7.6)
–
(0.1)

(22.3)

(21.7)

2019 
£m

(0.4)
11.6
(0.7)

10.5

(2.5)
(1.5)

(4.0)
1.8

(2.2)

8.3

2019 
£m

0.4
0.3
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.3)

0.2

164

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

165

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

7. Taxation continued
Factors that may affect future tax charges
The Group has tax losses carried forward that 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. The losses carried forward 
are set out below.

Colombia
Denmark
Germany
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
Namibia
Norway
St Maarten
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Thailand
The Netherlands
UK
USA

Expiry

Carry forward for up to 12 years
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for 5 years
Carry forward for 5 years
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for up to 10 years
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for 5 years
Carry forward for 4 years
Carry forward indefinitely
Carry forward for up to 20 years/indefinitely

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

1.3
5.7
12.6
2.1
0.2
1.6
0.4
23.6
2.2
18.6
4.8
4.2
1.4
6.5
127.5
–

0.4
–
10.9
–
0.1
0.6
0.3
18.3
–
16.0
–
–
2.5
0.4
36.0
41.2

The UK also has deferred tax assets not recognised on other temporary differences of £27.8m (2019: £Nil), 
including temporary differences arising on property, plant and equipment, share-based payments, retirement 
benefit obligations, accruals and provisions.

8. Dividends

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Interim paid in respect of 2019, 6.0p per share
Final paid in respect of 2018, 14.5p per share

2020 
£m

–
–

–

2019 
£m

5.1
12.2

17.3

Given the impact of flight restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of the Group in 2020 
and the ongoing uncertainty of the extent of the impact on the aviation industry, the Board believes it prudent and  
in the best interests of shareholders to suspend the dividend for the time being. The Board is therefore not 
recommending a final dividend payment for the year.

9. Earnings Per Share

(Loss)/profit for the year after tax as set out in the Income 

Statement

Adjustment to exclude result relating to non-controlling interests

(Loss)/earnings for the year attributable to equity shareholders

Basic earnings per ordinary share
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

Underlying earnings per ordinary share(i)
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share 

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

Basic

Underlying(i)

2020 
£m

(128.4)
1.0

(127.4)

2019 
£m

10.7
0.1

10.8

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

(53.1)
1.0

(52.1)

20.9
0.1

21.0

(151.1)p
(151.1)p

12.8p
12.8p

84.3
84.3

84.2
84.2

(61.8)p
(61.8)p

24.9p
24.9p

Continuing operations
(Loss)/profit for the year after tax as set out in the Income Statement
Adjustment to exclude result from discontinued operations
Adjustment to exclude result relating to non-controlling interests

(Loss)/earnings for the year attributable to equity shareholders

(128.4)
–
1.0

(127.4)

10.7
(1.7)
0.1

9.1

(53.1)
–
1.0

(52.1)

20.9
–
0.1

21.0

Basic earnings per ordinary share
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share 

Underlying earnings per ordinary share(i)
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

Discontinued operations
(Loss)/profit for the year after tax as set out in the  

Income Statement

Adjustment to exclude result from continuing operations

Earnings for the year attributable to equity shareholders

Basic earnings per ordinary share
Earnings per ordinary share
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 

Underlying earnings per ordinary share(i)
Earnings per ordinary share 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share

(151.1)p
(151.1)p

10.8p
10.8p

(128.4)
128.4

–

–
–

10.7
(9.0)

1.7

2.0p
2.0p

(61.8)p
(61.8)p

24.9p
24.9p

(53.1)
53.1

–

–
–

20.9
(20.9)

–

–
–

Note:
(i)  Underlying earnings is presented as an additional performance measure and is stated before exceptional items.

166

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

167

Financial Statements 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

9. Earnings Per Share continued
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 (i.e. where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the shares during the 
year). There was no impact of these share options on the diluted weighted average number of shares (2019: Nil) 
and there was no anti-dilutive impact on basic or underlying EPS in the year. 

10. Intangible Assets

Cost
At 31 December 2019
Additions
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Amortisation and impairment
At 31 December 2019
Amortisation charge
Impairment(i)
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Net book value
At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

Contracts, 
customer 
relationships  
and brands 
£m

Goodwill 
£m

Computer 
software 
£m

153.6
–
(2.4)

108.8
–
0.4

19.2
1.0
–

Total 
£m

281.6
1.0
(2.0)

151.2

109.2

20.2

280.6

23.4
–
–
(0.9)

22.5

128.7

130.2

68.4
6.6
–
1.1

76.1

33.1

40.4

11.7
2.1
1.1
–

14.9

5.3

7.5

103.5
8.7
1.1
0.2

113.5

167.1

178.1

Note:
(i)  Computer software assets of £1.1m were impaired following a review of post-COVID-19 asset utilisation. Along with other impairments, this 

amount is included in the £8.0m exceptional charge set out in Note 5.

Cost
At 31 December 2018
Subsidiaries acquired (Note 24)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Amortisation and impairment
At 31 December 2018
Amortisation charge
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

Contracts, 
customer 
relationships  
and brands 
£m

Goodwill 
£m

Computer 
software 
£m

136.8
20.5
–
–
(3.7)

153.6

24.4
–
(1.0)

23.4

130.2

112.4

103.8
6.2
–
–
(1.2)

108.8

61.5
6.6
0.3

68.4

40.4

42.3

14.6
–
5.3
(0.7)
–

19.2

10.1
1.6
–

11.7

7.5

4.5

Total 
£m

255.2
26.7
5.3
(0.7)
(4.9)

281.6

96.0
8.2
(0.7)

103.5

178.1

159.2

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated at acquisition to cash generating units 
(CGUs) that are expected to benefit from the business combination. The carrying amount of the goodwill has 
been allocated to the operating units as provided below.

Americas 

EMEA

Rest of World
Cargo Forwarding

Ground services
Cargo services
Ground handling
Cargo services

2020

2019

Pre-tax 
discount 
rate used in 
impairment 
review

10%
9%
11%
11%
11%
11%

Pre-tax 
discount 
rate used in 
impairment 
review

10%
9%
12%
10%
9%
11%

Goodwill 
£m

55.0
9.9
45.1
2.8
7.4
8.5

128.7

Goodwill 
£m

55.6
9.5
45.1
2.8
8.3
8.9

130.2

The Group tests goodwill 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 7% to 8% (2019: 7% to 
8%) 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 9% to 11% (2019: 9% to 12%) 
as shown in the table above. The pre-tax rate has been applied to pre-tax cash flows.

Value in use calculations are based on Board approved budgets and outlooks extrapolated out for five years. 
Growth rates in the cash flows beyond three years have been assumed to be Nil% (2019: 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 are no reasonably possible 
changes that would cause the carrying values to exceed recoverable amounts.

168

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169

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

11. Property, Plant and Equipment

Cost
At 31 December 2019
Additions
Right of use assets recognised
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Depreciation
At 31 December 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals
Impairment(i)
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Net book value
At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

Cost
At 31 December 2018
Impact of adoption of IFRS 16

Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Acquisitions (Note 24)
Additions
Right of use assets recognised
Disposals
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation
At 31 December 2018
Impact of adoption of IFRS 16

Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals
Impairment
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

Owned 
freehold 
property 
£m

Leasehold 
property 
improvements
£m

Right of 
use asset 
property
£m

Right of 
use asset 
subleased 
as lessor
£m

Owned 
plant and 
equipment
£m

Right of 
use asset 
plant and
equipment
£m

5.8
0.1
–
–
0.4

6.3

4.3
0.1
–
–
–

4.4

1.9

1.5

11.8
–

11.8
–
0.3
–
(6.1)
(0.2)

5.8

5.6
–

5.6
0.2
(1.5)
–
–

4.3

1.5

6.2

51.5
2.2
–
(1.4)
0.3

109.4
–
44.6
(19.8)
1.1

52.6

135.3

34.5
2.7
(1.1)
–
0.4

30.5
37.4
(17.2)
–
0.2

36.5

50.9

16.1

17.0

84.4

78.9

51.8
–

51.8
0.1
1.3
–
(0.4)
(1.3)

51.5

33.4
–

33.4
2.1
(0.4)
–
(0.6)

34.5

–
97.9

97.9
–
–
15.2
(0.8)
(2.9)

109.4

–
0.6

0.6
29.8
(0.1)
1.0
(0.8)

30.5

17.0

18.4

78.9

–

0.8
–
–
–
–

0.8

0.2
–
–
–
–

0.2

0.6

0.6

–
–

–
–
–
0.8
–
–

0.8

–
–

–
–
–
0.2
–

0.2

0.6

–

Total 
£m

517.1
29.4
50.6
(97.2)
2.1

234.1
27.1
–
(29.2)
(0.4)

115.5
–
6.0
(46.8)
0.7

231.6

75.4

502.0

138.6
20.5
(24.3)
6.3
(0.4)

30.9
25.7
(23.8)
–
–

239.0
86.4
(66.4)
6.3
0.2

140.7

32.8

265.5

90.9

95.5

42.6

84.6

236.5

278.1

218.1
–

218.1
4.2
27.3
–
(9.2)
(6.3)

234.1

126.7
–

126.7
20.4
(5.1)
–
(3.4)

–
117.9

117.9
2.7
–
4.5
(6.6)
(3.0)

115.5

–
–

–
32.2
(1.2)
0.6
(0.7)

281.7
215.8

497.5
7.0
28.9
20.5
(23.1)
(13.7)

517.1

165.7
0.6

166.3
84.7
(8.3)
1.8
(5.5)

138.6

30.9

239.0

95.5

91.4

84.6

–

278.1

116.0

12. Investments 
The movement of the net book value of investments is set out below.

Net book value
At 31 December 2019
Share of post-tax results
Dividends received during the year
Disposal
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Net book value
At 31 December 2018
Share of post-tax results
Dividends received during the year
Additions
Revaluation
Disposal(i)
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Interest in 
joint 
ventures 
£m

Interest in 
associates 
£m

16.1
0.8
(2.9)
–
(0.2)

13.8

0.1
–
–
–
0.1

0.2

Other 
£m

0.2
–
–
(0.1)
–

0.1

Total 
£m

16.4
0.8
(2.9)
(0.1)
(0.1)

14.1

Interest in 
joint 
ventures 
£m

Interest in 
associates 
£m

Other 
£m

Total 
£m

18.9
6.0
(5.5)
0.4
–
(2.7)
(1.0)

16.1

0.4
–
–
–
–
(0.6)
0.3

0.1

5.2
–
–
–
(2.0)
(3.0)
–

0.2

24.5
6.0
(5.5)
0.4
(2.0)
(6.3)
(0.7)

16.4

Note:
(i)  The principal disposals during the prior year relate to the closure of the Hyderabad ground handling operations and the disposal of the 

remaining 10% interest in the Distribution business. The Menzies Bobba Ground Handling Service Private Ltd business at Hyderabad was wound 
up and cash proceeds of £2.6m were received on 1 July 2019 resulting in an exceptional gain of £0.2m as set out in Note 5. The 10% equity 
investment of £5.0m in Endless Newco1 Ltd, the parent entity of the former Distribution business, was disposed on 13 September 2019 for £3.0m. 
Immediately prior to the disposal the investment was written down by £2.0m. 

Material joint ventures

2020

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

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba 
(Bangalore) 
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport  
Services Ltd 
£m

India

China

31 March 31 December

Cargo  
handling  
services in 
Bangalore

49%
100%
49%
67%

Ground  
handling  
and cargo 
handling in 
Macau

29%
–
29%
29%

170

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171

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

12. Investments continued

2020

Summarised Balance Sheet and reconciliation to carrying value
Cash
Other current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets
Partners’ share of net assets

Carrying amount of the investment

Summarised Income Statement
Revenue
Depreciation and amortisation
Other operating costs
Exceptional items
Interest income
Income tax

Profit/(loss)

Comprehensive income/(loss) for the year
Group’s share of total comprehensive income/(loss)

Carrying amount of investment
At 31 December 2019
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Dividends received during the year
Currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba 
(Bangalore) 
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport  
Services Ltd 
£m

5.6
1.9
7.2
(2.6)
–

12.1
(4.0)

8.1

13.3
(1.0)
(7.2)
–
0.2
(1.6)

3.7

3.7
1.8

8.8
1.8
(2.0)
(0.5)

8.1

3.6
2.3
7.9
(3.3)
(0.5)

10.0
(7.1)

2.9

14.5
(1.4)
(16.2)
(0.2)
–
–

(3.3)

(3.3)
(1.0)

4.8
(1.0)
(0.9)
–

2.9

2019

Interest held – ordinary shares
Interest held – preference shares
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Group’s share of net assets

Summarised Balance Sheet and reconciliation to carrying value
Cash
Other current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets
Partners’ share of net assets

Carrying amount of the investment

Menzies Bobba 
Ground Handling 
Services  
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba 
(Bangalore) 
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport  
Services Ltd 
£m

–
–
–
–

4.2
1.0
–
(0.2)
–

5.0
(5.0)

–

49%
100%
49%
65%

5.0
1.8
8.6
(1.9)
–

13.5
(4.7)

8.8

29%
–
29%
29%

8.8
7.7
9.3
(8.8)
(0.5)

16.5
(11.7)

4.8

2019

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

Carrying amount of investment
At 31 December 2018
Group’s share of total comprehensive income
Dividends received during the year
Disposal
Currency translation

At 31 December 2019

Individually immaterial joint ventures and associates

Carrying amount of interests in joint ventures and associates

Share of profit
Currency translation

Total comprehensive income

Menzies Bobba 
Ground Handling 
Services  
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Aviation 
Bobba 
(Bangalore) 
Private Ltd 
£m

Menzies Macau 
Airport  
Services Ltd 
£m

1.1
(0.3)
(0.6)
0.3
(0.4)

0.1

0.1
0.1

2.5
0.1
(0.2)
(2.3)
(0.1)

–

15.0
(1.1)
(9.2)
0.4
(2.1)

3.0

3.0
1.5

10.1
1.5
(2.4)
–
(0.4)

8.8

2020 
£m

3.0

–
0.4

0.4

51.9
(1.4)
(34.4)
–
(1.9)

14.2

14.2
4.1

3.7
4.1
(2.8)
–
(0.2)

4.8

2019 
£m

2.6

0.3
–

0.3

The listing of joint ventures and associates, along with subsidiary undertakings, is presented on pages 202 to 216.

13. Deferred Tax

Deferred tax assets
Retirement benefit obligation
Share-based payments
Tax losses
Deferred income taxed in advance 
Other temporary differences(i)

Deferred tax liabilities
Intangible assets
Other overseas temporary differences

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

–
–
9.1
6.1
6.0

21.2

(1.4)
(1.7)

(3.1)

0.9
0.6
15.9
–
6.3

23.7

(1.4)
(1.7)

(3.1)

172

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

173

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13. Deferred Tax continued

The credit risk exposure on the Group’s trade receivables and accrued income is set out below.

Net recognised in Balance Sheet

Movement in net deferred tax assets in the year:
Income Statement: retirement benefit obligation
Income Statement: other
Exchange adjustments
Transaction related movements
Tax related to items credited outside the Income Statement

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

18.1

20.6

(0.9)
(0.8)
(0.3)
–
(0.5)

(2.5)

(1.8)
4.0
(0.4)
(1.2)
(0.3)

0.3

Note:
(i)  Other temporary differences predominantly includes deferred income taxed in advance, accruals that are deductible when settled, provisions 

and temporary differences arising on property, plant and equipment.

The value of unremitted earnings of the Group’s subsidiaries on which no deferred tax liability has been 
provided is £25.9m (2019: £27.0m). No deferred tax liability has been recognised on the basis that the Group 
can control the timing of the remittance of these reserves and there are currently no plans for these reserves to 
be remitted.

14. Trade and Other Receivables

Trade receivables
Less: provision for estimated credit loss

Net trade receivables
Accrued income
Consortia related receivables
Prepayments
Other receivables 

2020
£m

113.1
(13.1)

100.0
23.1
6.4
18.3
37.3

185.1

2019 
£m

142.8
(2.5)

140.3
27.3
7.7
14.6
52.8

242.7

The average credit period on sale of goods is 44 days (2019: 39 days). Interest is not charged on trade 
receivables.

During the year £23.1m of accrued income at 31 December 2020 was recognised in the Income Statement 
(2019: £27.3m).

Consortia related receivables include re-billable expenses and restricted cash relating to fuel farm management 
services. Restricted cash represents funding received from customers and held in a fiduciary capacity to be 
used on their behalf to satisfy fuel farm cash funding requirements within 12 months and is therefore classified 
as a current asset. 

Credit risk management
Customer credit risk is managed by each business unit subject to the Group’s established policy, procedures and 
controls relating to customer credit risk management. New customers are subject to formal credit checks. Credit 
terms for new customers cannot exceed 30 days without prior approval. New contracts and renewals with 
existing customers are subject to credit worthiness checks. Existing or previous trading experiences are taken 
into account before making a recommendation on terms. Receivables 12 months overdue are provided in full 
unless there is clear evidence of collectability. Bad debts written off require prior approval. 

An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure expected 
credit losses. Days past due is a key indicator of rates. The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with 
respect to trade receivables and contract assets as low due to its wide customer base. There is minimum risk 
relating to consortia related receivables due to funding received in advance for fuel farm operations. 

2020

Estimated credit loss rate
Gross carrying amount
Expected credit loss

2019

Estimated credit loss rate
Gross carrying amount
Expected credit loss

Allowance for expected credit loss

At beginning of year
Amounts provided
Amounts released
Amounts utilised
Currency translation

At end of year

15. Trade and Other Payables

Due within one year
Trade payables
Accruals
Government grant
Deferred income
Consortia related payables
Other taxes and social security costs
Other payables

Due after more than one year
Other payables 

Accrued 
income 
£m

–
23.1
–

Accrued 
income 
£m

–
27.3
–

Trade receivables

Current
£m

31-60 days
£m

61-90 days
£m

0.6%
69.9
0.4

8.3%
21.8
1.8

28.0%
6.4
1.8

Trade receivables

Current
£m

31-60 days
£m

61-90 days
£m

0.2%
108.4
0.2

0.4%
24.5
0.1

4.7%
4.3
0.2

Over  

90 days
£m

61.0%
15.0
9.1

Over  

90 days
£m

36.0%
5.6
2.0

2020
£m

2.5
11.4
(0.2)
(0.7)
0.1

13.1

2020
£m

46.0
116.1
23.9
3.4
8.2
5.4
30.7

233.7

Total
£m

113.1
13.1

Total
£m

142.8
2.5

2019 
£m

3.9
0.6
(1.7)
(0.2)
(0.1)

2.5

2019 
£m

36.5
105.0
–
1.2
9.7
7.7
27.1

187.2

0.4

0.5

The carrying value of trade and other payables approximates fair value.

Included within other payables is contingent consideration and other contingent acquisition related amounts as 
disclosed in Note 16. Such amounts included within other payables due within one year are £1.7m (2019: £1.6m). 

During the year £1.2m of deferred income at 31 December 2019 was recognised in the Income Statement (2019: £2.4m).

174

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175

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

16. Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments 
Recognised in the Balance Sheet

Current asset
Current liability
Non-current liability

Net fair value

Adjusted to fair value through the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps
Foreign currency net investment hedges:
Foreign exchange forward contracts

Net fair value

2020  
£m

0.2
(0.8)
(2.4)

(3.0)

2019 
£m

0.8
(0.2)
(0.2)

0.4

2020  
£m

2019 
£m

(2.4)

(0.2)

(0.6)

(3.0)

0.6

0.4

The Group is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed 
using derivative instruments are foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. 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. 

The Group uses a hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation 
technique as set out below.

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 that use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based 
on observable market data.

During the year, all derivative financial instruments were measured using Level 2 fair value measurements  
(2019: all Level 2). 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. 

Cash flow hedges 
During the year the Group held foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges of transaction 
exposures arising from revenue in foreign currencies. 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  
for revenue in foreign currencies were assessed to be highly effective therefore there is no ineffectiveness 
recognised within the Income Statement. At the year end on 31 December 2020 the Group did not hold any 
hedges of transaction exposures. 

The notional value of forward contracts utilised to hedge forecast foreign currency transaction exposures  
at 31 December is £Nil (2019: £16.5m, all expired within 12 months). 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.

The Group’s amortising interest rate swaps were replaced by new interest rate swaps of the same value but 
which do not amortise and run to 29 January 2025. The interest on the loan received in the US under the 
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is fixed. At 31 December 2020, 31.9% (2019: 30.4%) 
of the interest on the Group’s external borrowings was fixed. 

Fair value of cash flow hedges – interest rate swaps

Non-current value

2020

2019

Liabilities 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

(2.4)

(0.2)

(2.4)

(0.2)

Foreign currency net investment hedges
The Group’s 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 foreign currency net investment hedges 
were assessed to be highly effective.

Fair value of foreign currency net investment hedges

Current value

2020

2019

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

0.2

0.2

(0.8)

(0.8)

0.8

0.8

(0.2)

(0.2)

The notional value of forward contracts designated as foreign currency net investment hedges at 31 December 
2020 is £36.5m (2019: £42.8m), all of which expire within 12 months.

The notional principal amounts of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts relating to the most 
significant currencies for the Group is provided below.

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

Currency value

Sterling equivalent

2020  

m

2019 
m

2020  
£m

2019 
£m

13.0
11.5
5,100
115.0
5.0
7.6
424.0
26.0
5.0
15.0
30.0
50.0

18.0
11.5
5,100
115.0
15.0
2.1
424.0
51.0
5.0
35.0
30.0
50.0

7.3
6.6
1.1
3.9
0.6
6.8
4.2
1.0
2.6
1.3
1.5
4.5

9.6
6.7
1.2
3.8
1.7
1.8
4.5
2.0
2.5
3.1
1.6
4.0

Other financial instruments
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 took the form of a put option in favour of the third party shareholders for up to 30% 
of the share capital, exercisable in 2019, while the Group holds call options over 25% of the unexercised amount. 
During the prior year options relating to 15% of the share capital lapsed while the options relating to the 
remaining 15% were exercised and remain outstanding as a £1.7m payable at 31 December 2020. 

The acquisition of GTO Global Logistics Inc during the prior year included an earn out mechanism relating  
to the future profitability of the business. There is a base earn out and a growth earn out mechanism that 
compares actual EBITDA generated by the business over a three-year period compared to stipulated profit 
levels. The maximum amount payable is £0.4m and the minimum amount payable £Nil. 

As part of the acquisition accounting process the amount provided in the prior year as deferred consideration 
was £0.2m and this remains unchanged at the year end. The liabilities for contingent consideration and other 
acquisition related amounts are Level 3 derivative financial instruments. 

176

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177

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

16. Financial Instruments continued
The fair value of contingent acquisition related amounts is set out below.

PlaneBiz 2015 Ltd
GTO Global Logistics Inc

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Bank overdrafts
Non-amortising sterling bank loans
Amortising US dollar term loan
US government loan
Spanish government backed loans
French government backed loans
Lease liabilities
Preference shares

Current value
Non-current value

Maturity

On demand
January 2025
January 2025
January 2030
June 2025
July 2021
Various
Non-redeemable

2020 
£m

1.7
0.2

2020 
£m

87.3
125.0
175.8
26.2
3.6
1.3
141.4
1.4

2019 
£m

1.6
0.2

2019 
£m

18.6
109.0
177.9
–
–
–
175.5
1.4

562.0

482.4

137.0
425.0

562.0

91.6
390.8

482.4

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.

Refinancing
In January 2020 the Group completed the refinance of its bank facilities maturing in June 2021, replacing them 
with a US$235m amortising term loan and a £145m revolving credit facility both due to mature in January 2025. 
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Group, a new covenant package was agreed with the Company’s lending 
syndicate to ensure that these facilities remain in place. This agreement secures additional flexibility to support 
the Group through to June 2022. Beyond this date the Group will revert to the original covenants for the 
remainder of the facilities’ term. The key terms of the new covenant package are: the net leverage covenant  
is replaced with a minimum EBITDA covenant tested on a quarterly basis; a new minimum liquidity covenant 
requiring the Group to keep a minimum of £45m liquidity; a new interest margin of 4.0% while the Group  
is above 3.5x net debt to EBITDA, as measured and on a pre-IFRS 16 basis; and interest cover covenant is 
suspended. The new covenant package will remain in place until the earlier of June 2022 or Group leverage,  
as measured and on a pre-IFRS 16 basis, being below 3.0:1 for two consecutive quarters.

As set out in Note 5, a fair value adjustment of £3.9m was recognised as an exceptional charge and increased 
debt relating to increased interest margin agreed under the revised facilities. This increased debt will be 
amortised over the remaining term of the facility.

Government grant and loan financing
Between June and September 2020 the Group received US$118.4m of federal funding in the USA under the 
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This comprised US$82.8m of grant funding to 
support the payroll of the USA business and US$35.6m in the form of a loan note. The loan note is a ten year 
non-amortising term loan that attracts 1.0% cash and 3.0% non-cash interest during the first five years. After the 
fifth year the interest rates increase annually by 1.0% each year, capped at 8.0%. There are no early repayment 
penalties relating to this loan. The loan note is included within proceeds from borrowings in the Statement of 
Cash Flows. The Group has complied with the grant agreement and applicable US law in the period. The Group 
has also complied with the requirements of the separate loan note during the period. 

On 3 June 2020 the Group received support in Spain where the Group received a £3.6m bank loan that is 
backed by an 80% guarantee from the Spanish government. This five year term loan amortises monthly over 
four years from July 2021 and attracts a margin of 2.5% above EURIBOR, with a minimum rate payable of 2.5%.

On 15 July 2020 the Group received support in France where the Group received a £1.3m bank loan, guaranteed 
by the French government. This loan attracts a margin of 0.25% above EURIBOR for the first year. After the  
first year the loan can be repaid immediately or over a period from one to five years. The interest rate for the 
repayment period is EURIBOR+1% for one to two years duration and EURIBOR+2% for the three to five year 
period.

Net borrowings

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Total borrowings
Less: cash at bank, cash in hand and short term deposits

2020 
£m

562.0
3.0

565.0
(209.1)

355.9

2019 
£m

482.4
(0.4)

482.0
(90.5)

391.5

The book and fair values of net borrowings is provided below.

2020

2019

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

Short term bank borrowings
Medium term bank borrowings
Long term borrowings
Short term lease liabilities
Long term lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Bank overdrafts

8.7
293.1
31.5
41.0
100.4
3.0
87.3

8.7
293.1
31.5
41.0
100.4
3.0
87.3

Total financial liabilities
Less: cash at bank, cash in hand and short term deposits

565.0
(209.1)

565.0
(209.1)

16.2
270.7
1.4
56.8
118.7
(0.4)
18.6

482.0
(90.5)

16.2
270.7
1.4
56.8
118.7
(0.4)
18.6

482.0
(90.5)

Net borrowings

355.9

355.9

391.5

391.5

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.

The currency and interest rate profile of financial liabilities is provided below.

Sterling denominated
US dollar denominated
Australian dollar denominated
Euro denominated
Other denominated

Floating 
rate
financial
liabilities 
£m

184.9
121.7
–
6.8
1.2

314.6

2020

Fixed rate
financial
liabilities 
£m

34.1
154.9
23.1
5.6
29.7

Floating 
rate
financial
liabilities 
£m

118.8
96.7
–
–
1.0

2019

Fixed rate
financial
liabilities 
£m

34.0
149.2
27.2
21.2
34.3

Total 
£m

219.0
276.6
23.1
12.4
30.9

247.4

562.0

216.5

265.9

Total 
£m

152.8
245.9
27.2
21.2
35.3

482.4

At 31 December 2020 undrawn committed facilities of £20.0m expired between two and five years (2019: 
£41.0m between two and five years).

178

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179

Financial Statements2020

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
Preference shares
Trade and other payables
Financial derivatives

2019

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
Preference shares
Trade and other payables
Financial derivatives

Due under  
1 year 
£m

Due between  
1 and 2 years
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years
£m

Due over  
5 years
£m

109.4
47.3
0.1
76.7
37.1

270.6

24.0
40.2
0.1
0.4
0.7

65.4

338.4
55.3
0.4
–
1.3

395.4

–
19.9
1.5
–
–

21.4

Due under  
1 year 
£m

Due between  
1 and 2 years
£m

Due between  
2 and 5 years
£m

Due over  
5 years
£m

35.3
62.6
0.1
63.6
42.3

203.9

275.8
46.5
0.1
0.5
– 

322.9

–
68.1
0.4
–
–

68.5

–
20.4
1.5
–
–

21.9

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because 
of changes in market interest rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates 
primarily to the Group’s long term debt obligations with floating interest rates. 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 
and by maintaining interest rate swaps.

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 £0.7m (2019: £0.5m) lower/higher, as a result of higher/
lower interest expense on floating rate borrowings. 

If interest rates on US dollar denominated borrowings had been 0.5% higher/lower with all other variables held 
constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been £0.5m (2019: £0.5m) lower/higher, mainly as a result of 
higher/lower interest expense on floating rate borrowings.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

16. Financial Instruments continued
Trade and other receivables and payables
Trade and other receivables and trade and other payables carrying values of £137.3m (2019: £193.1m) and 
£192.8m (2019: £168.6m), respectively, in respect of the Group which approximate their fair values due to  
their short term nature.

Sensitivity and risk information
Foreign currency sensitivity
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate because  
of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates 
relates primarily to the Group’s operating activities and the Group’s net investments in foreign subsidiaries.  
The impact of sterling weakening/strengthening by 10% on currencies that have a significant impact on the 
consolidated profit before tax and equity, with all other variables held constant, is set out below.

US dollar
US dollar
Euro
Euro
Australian dollar
Australian dollar

Changes in rate

Effect on profit 
before tax
£m

Effect on 
equity
£m

Effect on profit 
before tax
£m

Effect on 
equity
£m

2020

2019

+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%
+10%
-10%

1.9
(1.5)
(1.7)
1.4
1.1
(0.9)

(2.2)
1.8
(1.3)
1.1
3.1
(2.6)

2.8
(2.3)
1.4
(1.1)
1.0
(0.8)

(0.5)
0.6
0.4
(0.3)
1.0
(0.9)

Capital risk
The Group capital structure is managed 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 borrowings (as set out in Note 18) and equity attributable to equity holders of the Company (as set out in 
the Group and Company Statement of Changes in Equity). The key terms of the new covenant package agreed 
during the year are set out above. To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend 
payment to shareholders and/or issue new shares. 

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer 
contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities, primarily 
trade receivables, and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks as set out below.

Bank deposits
Trade receivables
Accrued income

2020
£m

209.1
100.0
23.1

332.2

2019
£m

90.5
140.3
27.3

258.1

For banks and financial institutions, the Group’s policy is to seek to transact with independently rated parties with a 
minimum rating of ‘A’. If there is no independent rating the credit quality of the counterparty is assessed taking into 
account factors including its financial position and past experience. In addition, as the Group utilises a number of different 
banks in different geographical locations the concentration risk is deemed minimal but is continually kept under review. 
For trade receivables and accrued income the Group’s credit risk policy and management process is set out in Note 14.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is managed 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 consolidated 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.

180

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181

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

17. Cash Generated from Operations

(Loss)/profit before tax(i)
Net interest charge
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures and associates
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets
Share-based payments expense
Cash spend on onerous leases
Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment
Pension charge
Pension contributions in cash
Continuing operations exceptional items
Discontinued operations exceptional items
Cash spend on exceptional items(ii)
Government grant funding received
Decrease/(increase) in working capital 

2020 
£m

(120.5)
24.3
(0.8)
86.4
8.7
0.7
(2.9)
0.1
1.3
(3.7)
70.2
–
(27.2)
23.9
53.2

2019 
£m

19.0
22.3
(6.0)
84.7
8.2
0.8
(0.9)
(1.7)
1.0
(12.1)
4.7
(1.7)
(11.5)
–
(2.7)

113.7

104.1

Notes:
(i)  Prior year includes both continuing and discontinued operations.
(ii)  Current year spend relates mainly to redundancy and workforce restructuring costs as set out in Note 5.

18. Changes in Net Borrowings

31 December 
2019 
£m

Lease liabilities
recognised during 
the year less 
terminations
£m

Cash flows 
£m

Fair value 
movements 
£m

Currency 
translation 
£m

31 December 
2020 
£m

Cash at bank and in hand

Bank overdrafts

Net cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans due within one year
Lease liability due within one year
Preference shares
Government loans due after one year
Debt due after one year
Lease liability due after one year
Net derivative assets/(liabilities)

Net borrowings

90.5

(18.6)

71.9
(16.2)
(56.8)
(1.4)
–
(270.7)
(118.7)
0.4

(391.5)

–

–

–
–
(1.1)
–
–
–
(23.1)
–

(24.2)

123.3

(67.4)

55.9
7.5
17.4
–
(26.2)
(27.9)
42.5
(0.1)

69.1

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
(3.9)
–
(3.3)

(7.2)

(4.7)

(1.3)

(6.0)
–
(0.5)
–
–
5.5
(1.1)
–

(2.1)

209.1

(87.3)

121.8
(8.7)
(41.0)
(1.4)
(26.2)
(297.0)
(100.4)
(3.0)

(355.9)

As set out in the Statement of Cash Flows, proceeds from borrowings were £46.6m (2019: £50.0m) and 
repayments of borrowings were £0.5m (2019: £10.9m). The principal element of lease payments were £59.9m 
(2019: £57.1m). 

Currency translation movements result from the Group’s policy of hedging 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, which resulted in an overall net exchange gain of £1.1m (2019: loss of £7.5m). 
The net gain is recognised in other comprehensive income.

19. Capital Commitments

Contracted but not provided – property, plant and equipment

2020
£m

0.1

2019
£m

4.1

20. Leasing
The Group leases various offices, warehouses, ground handling equipment and vehicles as a lessee. Lease 
contracts are typically entered into for fixed periods of one to ten years but may have break options or 
extension options as set out below. The Group’s obligations under its leases are secured by the lessor’s title to 
the leased assets. The Group also has certain leases of property and equipment with lease terms of 12 months 
or less and leases of office equipment with low value. The Group applies the short-term lease and low value 
assets recognition exemptions for these leases.

The carrying amounts of right of use assets recognised and the movements during the year are set out in Note 
11. The carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the year are set out in Note 16 and Note 
18. The maturity profile of the Group’s lease liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments are set out 
in Note 16 along with the currency and interest rate profile. Cash outflows relating to both capitalised and 
non-capitalised leases were £95.2m (2019: £102.5m). 

The following are the lease related amounts recognised in the Income Statement.

Depreciation charge of right of use assets
Interest charge on lease liabilities
Expense relating to short-term leases

Notes

11
6

2020
£m

63.1
7.3
14.8

85.2

2019 
£m

62.0
7.6
22.8

92.4

The Group has lease commitments relating to non-lease components of contracts as well as short-term leases 
where the exemption from capitalisation has been utilised. Future aggregate minimum commitments under 
non-capitalised leases are set out below.

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

2020
£m

11.2
8.4
3.6
0.5
0.1
–

23.8

2019 
£m

18.7
14.7
14.6
4.2
0.2
0.1

52.5

Extension and termination options are included in a number of leases across the Group. These terms are used 
to maximise operational flexibility in terms of managing contracts. In determining the lease term applicable  
for accounting purposes, Management considers facts and circumstances that create economic incentive to 
exercise an extension option or not to exercise a termination option. Extension options are only included in the 
lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended or not terminated. The assessment is reviewed if a 
significant event or significant change in circumstances occurs which affects this assessment and that is within 
the control of the lessee. 

As lessor, the Group has entered into one operating lease consisting of one floor of an office building. Rental 
income recognised by the Group during the year was £0.2m (2019: £0.2m). Future minimum rentals receivable 
under the non-cancellable operating lease as at 31 December 2020 are £0.3m (2019: £0.3m) within one year 
and £0.5m between two and five years (2019: £0.8m). This subleased asset is disclosed separately in Note 11. 

182

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183

Financial Statements 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Provisions

At 31 December 2019
Provided during year
Utilised during year
Reclassifications
Currency translation gain

At 31 December 2020

Current
Non-current

At 31 December 2018
Impact of adoption of IFRS 16

Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Provided/(released) during year
Utilised during year
Reclassifications
Subsidiaries acquired
Currency translation gain

At 31 December 2019

Current
Non-current

Insurance
£m

Legal and 
employee related
£m

Property 
and 
equipment
£m

32.7
14.5
(2.3)
–
(1.0)

43.9

34.2
9.7

43.9

27.0 
– 

27.0
12.9 
(7.2)
– 
– 
– 

32.7

32.7
– 

32.7 

20.7
6.7
(17.8)
0.1
–

9.7

4.5
5.2

9.7

26.8 
– 

26.8
4.5 
(7.2)
(3.1) 
– 
(0.3)

20.7 

16.8 
3.9 

20.7 

5.2
2.2
(2.9)
(0.2)
–

4.3

2.6
1.7

4.3

4.9 
(3.1)

1.8
3.7 
(0.9)
0.2 
0.6 
(0.2)

5.2 

3.3 
1.9 

5.2 

Other
£m

2.8
4.6
(3.0)
–
–

4.4

3.7
0.7

4.4

1.2 
–

1.2
(0.5)
(0.4)
– 
2.6 
(0.1) 

2.8 

2.4 
0.4 

2.8 

Group
£m

61.4
28.0
(26.0)
(0.1)
(1.0)

62.3

45.0
17.3

62.3

59.9 
(3.1)

56.8
20.6 
(15.7)
(2.9)
3.2 
(0.6)

61.4 

55.2 
6.2 

61.4 

Insurance provisions relate to anticipated settlement obligations arising from past events. Reimbursement 
receivable assets of £19.2m (2019: £34.4m) relating to insurance and legal provisions are included in other 
receivables in Note 14. The timing and amount of these liabilities is uncertain and is based on estimates using 
available information on the claims and historical experience of similar claims. As set out in Note 5 an 
exceptional cost was recognised as a provision during the year and remains outstanding at year end.

Legal and employee related provisions include amounts in respect of the cost of settling workers’ compensation 
claims in the USA. The timing and amount of these liabilities is uncertain and is based on estimates using 
available information on the claims and historical experience of similar claims. Property, plant and equipment 
provisions include equipment refurbishments and dilapidation obligations on leasehold properties that the 
Group has exited or anticipate exiting within the next two years, and non-rent costs associated with two empty 
retail premises on long leaseholds. Other provisions mainly comprise of amounts recognised in relation to 
vendor settlement negotiations.

22. Retirement Benefit Obligation
Defined benefit scheme
The principal Group-funded defined benefit pension scheme is the Menzies Pension Fund (the Fund) in the UK. 
The Fund closed to future accrual in March 2017. The scheme valuations were assessed in accordance with 
independent actuarial advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers (the Actuary). 

Fund financial assumptions and information
The Actuary undertook a valuation of the Fund as at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019) based on the 
Fund’s membership data as at 31 March 2018. In deriving the results the Actuary used the financial assumptions 
as set out below.

Price inflation
Discount rate
Rate of increase on pensions accrued before 2006
Rate of increase on pensions accrued after 2006

2020
%

2.9
1.3
3.5
2.1

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are based on advice that uses published statistics and 
experience in the business.

The average future life expectancy for a pensioner aged 65 is set out below.

Male
Female

The average future life expectancy at age 65 for a non-pensioner aged 45 is set out below.

Male
Female

The membership of the Fund is set out below.

Deferred members
Pensioners

The liability split of the Fund by membership is set out below.

Deferred members
Pensioners

The average liability duration of the Fund by membership is set out below.

Deferred members
Pensioners

2019
%

3.0
2.0
3.5
2.1

2019
Years

21
23

2019
Years

22
24

2020
Years

21
23

2020
Years

22
24

2020

2019

2,884
1,699

4,583

3,001
1,705

4,706

2020

56%
44%

2020
Years

21
12

2019

54%
46%

2019
Years

21
12

Overall weighted average liability duration is 17 years (2019: 17 years).

Future Fund benefit payments 
Estimated undiscounted benefit payments expected to be paid from the Fund over its life is set out below.

)

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

2021

2050

2080

Deferred members

Pensioner members

184

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

185

Financial Statements 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22. Retirement Benefit Obligation continued
Pension expense
The charge to the Income Statement is assessed in accordance with independent actuarial advice from  
the Actuary using the projected unit method. The components of pension expense are set out below.

Amounts charged to operating profit 
Administrative costs

Amounts included in finance costs 
Interest cost on defined benefit obligation
Interest income on Fund assets

Net finance charge

Pension expense

2020
£m

1.3

6.6
(6.6)

–

1.3

The components of the actuarial (loss)/gain in the consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income are:

Returns on assets excluding interest income
Changes in demographic assumptions
Changes in financial assumptions
Experience

Actuarial (loss)/gain

Changes in Fund assets and defined benefit obligation

Fair value of assets at start of year
Interest income 
Returns on assets excluding interest income
Company contributions
Benefits and expenses paid

Fair value of assets at end of year

Return on scheme assets including interest income

Defined benefit obligation at start of year
Administrative costs
Interest cost
Benefits and expenses paid
Changes in demographic assumptions
Changes in financial assumptions
Experience

Defined benefit obligation at end of year

2020
£m

32.1
4.1
(39.1)
(0.9)

(3.8)

2020
£m

342.8
6.6
32.1
3.7
(17.5)

367.7

38.7

2020
£m

348.1
1.3
6.6
(17.5)
0.9
39.1
(4.1)

374.4

2019
£m

1.0

8.9
(8.5)

0.4

1.4

2019
£m

36.9
2.7
(39.1)
1.5

2.0

2019
£m

305.0
8.5
36.9
12.1
(19.7)

342.8

45.4

2019
£m

323.0
1.0
8.9
(19.7)
(2.7)
39.1
(1.5)

348.1

The fair value of Fund assets and liabilities is set out below.

Equities
Bonds
Investment funds
Liability driven investment funds
Property
Annuity contracts(ii)
Cash
Other

Assets
Defined benefit obligation

Recognised in Balance Sheet
Related deferred tax asset (Note 13)

Net retirement obligation

2020

2019

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted(i)
£m

Total 
£m

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted(i) 
£m

Total 
£m

89.2
100.3
8.0
–
–
–
18.4
–

215.9

–
–
40.4
57.4
24.1
5.0
–
–

126.9

62.7
110.9
17.4
–
–
–
27.5
0.6

219.1

–
–
28.3
84.0
23.4
5.1
–
7.8

148.6

62.7
110.9
45.7
84.0
23.4
5.1
27.5
8.4

367.7
(374.4)

(6.7)
–

(6.7)

89.2
100.3
48.4
57.4
24.1
5.0
18.4
–

342.8
(348.1)

(5.3)
0.9

(4.4)

Notes:
(i)  The valuations of unquoted assets have been determined by reference to appropriate manager valuation reports.
(ii)  The Fund holds annuity contracts in respect of a number of members that provide cash flows to the Fund that match the benefit payments  

to these members.

The value of Fund liabilities at various assumptions is set out below.

0.5% decrease in discount rate
One year increase in life expectancy
0.5% decrease in inflation
0.25% increase in pensions

2020
£m

406.9
392.4
359.3
384.0

2019
£m

377.4
363.3
334.5
357.0

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately through the remeasurement of the net defined  
benefit liability.

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 statutory funding regime. 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 interests 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 of the Fund 
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 that the movements in the value of the Fund’s liabilities are not met by 
corresponding movements in the value of the Fund’s assets as a result of lower than anticipated discount rates; 
lower than expected investment returns; members living for longer than expected; and higher than expected 
actual inflation and pension 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. 

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187

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22. Retirement Benefit Obligation continued
Asset-liability matching strategies 
The Trustee’s current investment strategy 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 derisking 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 current benchmark  
is to hold 60% in growth assets such as equities and 40% in bonds including index-linked and fixed interest 
Government bonds and corporate bonds with hedging of liabilities across interest rates (50% hedged) and 
inflation (50% hedged) using LDI funds.

The Company and Trustee have agreed changes to the investment strategy to increase diversification of growth 
assets, invest in income generating assets classes such as credit and increase the level of interest rate and 
inflation hedging. The Trustee has begun implementing these changes and expects to complete the process  
in the first half of 2021.

The triennial valuation process in which the Company and Trustee agree the long term funding strategy  
was concluded for 31 March 2018 and a schedule of contributions agreed and dated 29 November 2018.  
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  
monthly contributions totalling £9.4m per annum rising with the higher of the UK retail price index or the 
annual percentage change in dividends beginning in December 2018 and continuing to the year ended 31 March 
2026. The Company and the Trustee have agreed that reasonable adjustment be made for the impact of any 
equity raising or change in equity, recognising the actual percentage increase in dividend per share. 

The value of the net liabilities of the fund at 31 March 2018 as measured on the Trustee’s technical provisions 
basis was approximately £73m and the funding level, being the ratio of assets to liabilities measured on  
the technical provisions basis was 80%. The Company and the Trustee have agreed that the schedule of 
contributions may be revised should the funding level reach 98% following any quarter end before 31 March 
2026. The purpose of any revision would be to ensure that contributions are sufficient to reach 100% by 
31 March 2026 without the possibility of overfunding at that time. The next triennial valuation of the Fund  
will be effective as at 31 March 2021.

The Company expects to contribute around £8.4m to the Fund during the year to 31 December 2021.

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 of members’ retirement obligations have occurred over the year. As set out in Note 5, there 
were £0.9m of costs incurred in the prior year relating to de-risking the defined benefit pension obligation and 
modernising the death in service portion of the deferred contribution scheme.

23. Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Opening – 84,467,894 ordinary shares of 25p each

Closing – 84,490,964 ordinary shares of 25p each(i)

2020
£m

21.1

21.1

2019
£m

21.1

21.1

Notes:
(i)  As a result of share scheme allotments, 23,070 (2019: 104,180) ordinary shares having a nominal value of £Nil (2019: £Nil) were issued during the 

year at a share premium of £0.1m (2019: £0.4m).

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 17,184 shares were 
exercised in 2020 and 668,509 options lapsed.

Year of grant

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Exercise 
price

Exercise 
period

424p
567p
470p
317p
91p

2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024

2020 
Number

–
261,616
341,855
335,930
741,478

2019 
Number

192,836
412,267
528,972
486,869
–

1,680,879

1,620,944

Company share schemes
The Company operates the following share-based payment arrangements as set out below. 

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 United Kingdom. Annual grants of options are made in September or October each year and 
become exercisable after three years. Employees enter into a savings contract administered by a third party. 
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.

Value Creation Plan
In the prior year awards under the Value Creation Plan (VCP) were withdrawn and therefore no accounting 
charge has been made in relation to the VCP during the year.

Share Matching Plan (SMP)
The SMP offered 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 SMP was approved at the Annual General Meeting of the Company on 15 May 2014 and discontinued from 
2017. There were no outstanding shares under option at 31 December 2020 under this scheme.

Performance targets are based on real growth in earnings measured over three financial years. For awards  
in 2017, if the percentage growth in the Company’s EPS is Consumer Prices Index +3% p.a. 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% p.a. and CPI +3% p.a., 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% p.a. 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 108.

Shares will vest at the end of three year financial periods. A £Nil award will be achieved where the financial 
results are below the threshold performance target, 25% if at threshold 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.

188

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

189

Financial StatementsNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Share Capital continued
Fair values of share options
Options are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing and the Monte Carlo simulation models.  
No performance conditions are included in the fair value calculations.

The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the calculation is set out below.

Date of grant (November)

Share price at grant date
Exercise price 
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
Charge per option(ii)

Savings related Option Scheme

2020

115p
91p
3
55%
3.5
3.5
-0.1%
–
37p
25.9p

2019

396p
317p
3
22%
3.5
3.5
0.3%
4.3%
73p
51p

2018

588p
470p
3
23%
3.5
3.5
1.0%
3.7%
97p
68p

2017

709p
567p
3
33%
3.5
3.5
1.0%
3.0%
184p
129p

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 
Contractual life (years)
Expected leavers
Expected outcome of meeting  

performance criteria

Fair value per share
Charge per share award, adjusted for forfeiture risk

Movement in share options

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)

2020

115p
3.0
0%

n/a
42p
42p

LTIP

2019

401p
3.4
0% 

n/a
183p
183p

2018

683p
3.0
0% 

n/a
225p
225p

Savings-related Option Scheme

2020

2019

Weighted
average
exercise 
price 
(pence)

443
91
343
424

287

Number

1,741,771
491,906
(507,675)
(105,058)

1,620,944

412,267

Weighted
average
exercise 
price 
(pence)

491
317
496
369

443

Number

1,620,944
745,628
(668,509)
(17,184)

1,680,879

261,616

91-567

317-567

1.9

1.6

BCIP/SMP

LTIP

2020

2019

2020

2019

Outstanding at start  

of year

Awards made
Lapsed
Exercised

Outstanding at end  

of year

Range of award  

date prices

Weighted average 

remaining contractual 
life (years)

Number

2,550
–
(2,550)
–

–

–

Weighted
average 
price 
(pence)

637
–
637
–

–

–

Weighted
average 
price 
(pence)

Weighted
average 
price 
(pence)

Number

Weighted
average 
price 
(pence)

Number

550
–
637
478

900,431
692,019
(606,606)
–

528
115
287
–

940,346
395,636
(116,701)
(318,850)

557
405
583
443

Number

9,453
–
(1,761)
(5,142)

2,550

637

985,844

283

900,431

528

637

115-683

405-683

0.3

1.6

1.3

Charge for share-based incentive schemes
The total charge for the year relating to employee share-based plans was £0.7m (2019: £0.8m), all of which 
related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions. After tax the total charge was £1.3m (2019: £0.4m). 
The tax charge of £0.6m relates to the write off of the opening deferred tax asset held on employee share-
based plans (2019: £0.4m credit).

Treasury shares
Ordinary shares are held for employee share schemes. At 31 December 2020, the Company held 181,642 (2019: 
181,642) ordinary shares with a market value of £0.5m (2019: £0.9m).

24. Acquisitions
There were no acquisitions during the year. Aggregated details relating to the prior year are set out below and 
detailed more fully in the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts.

2019 
£m

Purchase consideration:
Cash paid
Trading and working capital funding to date of completion
Working capital adjustment
Fair value of existing equity interest in associate
Deferred consideration

Less: non-controlling interest acquired at fair value
Less: fair value of net assets acquired

Goodwill

21.0
6.1
0.2
0.8
0.2

28.3
(2.2)
10.0

20.5

190

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

191

Financial Statements26. Related Undertakings
The subsidiary entities and entities in which the Company has a significant interest at 31 December 2020  
are disclosed as an appendix to these financial statements.

27. Discontinued Operations
In 2018 the Group disposed of Menzies Distribution Ltd and its subsidiaries and in 2019 an exceptional gain  
of £1.7m was recognised.

28. Events After The Reporting Period
On 26 January 2021 the Group acquired a 51% share of Royal Airport Services for a cash consideration of £7.3m. 
Royal Airport Services provide aviation services including ground and cargo services and airline ticketing in 
Pakistan. The business handles both domestic and international airlines at eight airports. The acquisition 
accounting is not yet complete as control has recently been obtained. No further disclosures are provided  
on the assets and liabilities acquired.

Since the year end, the Group has received US$49.3m of funding comprising US$35.9m grant funding and  
a US$13.4m loan note under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act in the USA.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Acquisitions continued
The fair value of assets and liabilities arising from the acquisitions were:

Intangible assets – contracts and customer relationships 
Other investments
Deferred tax assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Cash

Current borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Non-current borrowings
Non-current payables
Deferred tax liability

Net assets acquired at fair value

2019 
£m

6.2
0.2
0.1
7.0
1.6
7.7
0.4

(0.9)
(5.9)
(3.2)
(1.8)
(0.1)
(1.3)

10.0

There have been no changes to the provisional fair values of the net assets acquired in the prior year. 

25. Related Party Transactions
During the year the Group transacted with related parties in the normal course of business and on an arm’s length 
basis. These sales to and from related parties are made at normal market prices and details are set out below.

Related party

Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd
Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) Private Ltd

Group 
share 
holding
%

29
49

Sales to
related
party
2020
£m

0.5
0.1

Amounts owed
by related
party at
31 December
2020
£m

0.1
0.1

Sales to
related
party
2019
£m

0.5 
0.1 

Amounts owed
by related
party at
31 December
2019
£m

0.1 
0.1 

Remuneration of key management personnel, who comprise Directors of the Company and those having 
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling activities of the business as disclosed in  
the segmental analysis is set out below.

Short term employee benefits
Post-employment pension and medical benefits
Termination benefits
Share-based payments

2020
£m

2.7
0.3
–
0.7

3.7

2019
£m

2.6
0.4
0.6
0.8

4.4

192

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

193

Financial StatementsCompany Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 (31 DECEMBER 2019)

Ordinary 
shares  
£m

21.1
–
–

–

–
–

Share 
premium 
account  

£m

23.5
–
–

–

0.1
–

Treasury 
shares  
£m

Hedge 
reserve  

£m

(1.2)
–
–

–

–
–

(1.6)
–
(1.7)

(1.7)

–
–

Merger 
relief 
reserve  

£m

67.3
–
–

–

–
–

At 31 December 2019
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive loss

Share capital issued
Share-based payments

At 31 December 2020

21.1

23.6

(1.2)

(3.3)

67.3

Retained 
earnings  

£m

40.6
(15.4)
(4.1)

(19.5)

–
0.7

21.8

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  

£m

21.6
–
–

–

–
–

Equity  
£m

171.3
(15.4)
(5.8)

(21.2)

0.1
0.7

21.6

150.9

At 31 December 2018
Impact of adoption of  

IFRS 16

Adjusted equity at 
1 January 2019
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive 

(loss)/income

Share capital issued
Share-based payments
Income tax effect of 

share-based payments

Dividends paid
Repurchase of own shares
Disposal of own shares

Ordinary 
shares  
£m

21.1

–

21.1
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
account  

£m

23.1

–

23.1
–
–

–

0.4
–

–
–
–
–

At 31 December 2019

21.1

23.5

Treasury 
shares  
£m

(2.6)

–

(2.6)
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
(1.0)
2.4

(1.2)

Hedge 
reserve  

£m

–

–

–
–
(1.6)

(1.6)

–
–

–
–
–
–

Merger 
relief 
reserve  

£m

67.3

Retained 
earnings  

£m

43.7

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  

£m

21.6

Equity  
£m

174.2

–

(1.6)

–

(1.6)

67.3
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

42.1
17.9
(0.2)

17.7

–
0.8

(0.3)
(17.3)
–
(2.4)

40.6

21.6
–
–

172.6
17.9
(1.8)

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

16.1

0.4
0.8

(0.3)
(17.3)
(1.0)
–

21.6

171.3

(1.6)

67.3

Company Financial Statements
BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 (31 DECEMBER 2019)

Notes

2020  
£m

2019 
£m

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Current tax receivable
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Provisions
Retirement benefit obligation

Net assets

Ordinary shares
Share premium account
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Merger relief reserve
Retained earnings(i)
Capital redemption reserve

Equity

5
6
8

9

11

11
11
10
12

11
11
12
14

15

0.2
121.6
0.2

122.0

597.5
0.1
0.2
15.8

613.6

0.8
121.6
6.1

128.5

504.2
0.1
0.8
16.8

521.9

(67.5)
(0.8)
(201.5)
(3.4)

(27.7)
(0.2)
(162.1)
(7.3)

(273.2)

(197.3)

340.4

462.4

324.6

453.1

(300.3)
(2.4)
(2.1)
(6.7)

(276.3)
(0.2)
–
(5.3)

(311.5)

(281.8)

150.9

21.1
23.6
(1.2)
(3.3)
67.3
21.8
21.6

150.9

171.3

21.1
23.5
(1.2)
(1.6)
67.3
40.6
21.6

171.3

Note:
(i)  Loss after tax for the year was £15.4m (2019: profit £17.9m).

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 March 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Philipp Joeinig 
Chairman 

Alvaro Gomez-Reino
Chief Financial Officer 

Company No. SC34970 

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195

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Company Financial Statements
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 (YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019)

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid on lease liabilities
Other interest paid including arrangement fees
Tax paid

Net cash flow used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Disposal of minority equity investment
Increased disposal consideration
Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Net cash flow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Purchase of own shares
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Principal element of lease repayments
Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders
Net amounts (lent to)/repaid by subsidiaries

Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities

(Decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents
Opening net cash and cash equivalents(i)

Closing net cash and cash equivalents(i)

Note:
(i)  Net cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and bank overdrafts.

Notes

13

7

4

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

(18.9)
(0.2)
(15.7)
–

(34.8)

–
–
–

–

0.1
–
15.5
–
(0.9)
–
(31.7)

(17.0)

(51.8)
7.4

(44.4)

(22.1)
(0.1)
(12.8)
(0.1)

(35.1)

3.0
1.8
(0.4)

4.4

0.4
(1.0)
50.0
(10.9)
(0.3)
(17.3)
31.7

52.6

21.9
(14.5)

7.4

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2020 were approved and authorised 
for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 9 March 2021. 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. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Company are the same as those set out in the consolidated 
financial statements. They have consistently been prepared under the historical cost convention and in 
accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies  
Act 2006.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, no Income Statement is presented by the Company.

New accounting standards and amendments
The new accounting standards and amendments applicable for the Company for the first time in 2020 are the 
same as those set out in the consolidated financial statements. 

Assumptions, estimates and judgments
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires Management to make assumptions, estimates 
and judgments 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. 

Management considers the items where the largest estimates and judgments have been made in the 
Company’s accounts relate to the retirement benefit obligation and income taxes. Details are set out  
in the consolidated financial statements.

2. Audit Fees
During the year, the Company obtained services from the Group’s auditor at costs set out in the consolidated 
financial statements. 

3. Directors’ Emoluments

Salary, fees and benefits
Termination benefits
Pension salary supplement

2020 
£m

1.3
–
0.2

1.5

2019 
£m

1.1
0.6
0.2

1.9

No gains were made on the exercise of Long Term Incentive Plan awards (2019: same). There were eight 
employees of the Company, all of whom were members of the Board (2019: eight). Key Management personnel 
are the same as the individuals who are Directors of the Company. 

Further details of the Directors’ remuneration are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

4. Dividends
No dividends were paid in the year. Details of the dividends paid are set out in Note 8 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

196

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

197

Financial StatementsCompany Financial Statements
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Cost
At beginning of year
Additions
Disposals

At end of year

Depreciation
At beginning of year
Charge for the year
Disposals

At end of year

Net book value
At end of year

At beginning of year

Right of use 
asset 
property
£m

Right of use 
asset 
subleased 
as lessor
£m

2020  
£m

0.9
–
–

0.9

0.7
0.2
–

0.9

–

0.2

0.8
–
–

0.8

0.2
0.4
–

0.6

0.2

0.6

1.7
–
–

1.7

0.9
0.6
–

1.5

0.2

0.8

2019  
£m

7.7 
0.4 
(8.1)

1.7 

2.1 
0.5 
(2.5)

0.9 

0.8

5.6 

6. Investments in Subsidiaries
During the year there was no change in the investment in subsidiary entities of £121.6m (2019: £121.6m).

7. Other Investments
In the prior year the Company’s 10% equity investment of £5.0m in Endless Newco1 Ltd was disposed on 
13 September 2019 for £3.0m. 

8. Deferred Tax

Deferred tax assets
Retirement benefit obligation
Share-based payments
Tax losses
Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liabilities
Accelerated capital allowances and other temporary differences

Net recognised in the Balance Sheet

Movement in net deferred tax assets in the year:
Income Statement: retirement benefit obligation
Income Statement: other
Tax related to items credited outside the Income Statement

2020  
£m

2019 
£m

–
–
–
0.2

0.2

–

–

0.2

0.9
0.2
4.2
0.8

6.1

–

–

6.1

(0.9)
(4.9)
–

(5.8)

(1.8)
1.4
(0.3)

(0.7)

9. Trade and Other Receivables

Prepayments
Amounts owed by other Group companies
Other receivables

10. Trade and Other Payables

Accruals
Amounts owed to other Group companies 
Other payables

2020  
£m

5.0
592.5
–

597.5

2020  
£m

0.9
197.8
2.8

201.5

2019 
£m

1.7
502.3
0.2

504.2

2019 
£m

1.8
155.3
5.0

162.1

11. Financial Instruments
Details relating to financial instruments are set out in Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements. 
Information specific to the Company is set out below.

Net borrowings

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Total borrowings

Less: cash at bank, cash in hand and short-term deposits

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Bank overdrafts
Non-amortising sterling bank loans
Amortising US dollar term loan
Lease liabilities
Preference shares

Maturity

On demand
January 2025
January 2025
Various
Non-redeemable

Current value
Non-current value

2020  
£m

367.8
3.0

370.8

(15.8)

355.0

2019  
£m

304.0
(0.4)

303.6

(16.8)

286.8

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

60.2
125.0
175.8
5.4
1.4

367.8

67.5
300.3

367.8

9.4
109.0
177.9
6.3
1.4

304.0

27.7
276.3

304.0

Non cash movements
As set out in Note 18, non cash movements during the year comprise a £3.9m adverse fair value adjustment  
in bank debt, £3.3m adverse fair value adjustment on derivatives and £5.5m favourable currency translation  
on bank debt.

Trade and other receivables and payables
Trade and other receivables and trade and other payables carrying values of £592.5m and £201.5m  
(2019: £502.5m and £162.1m) approximate their fair values.

198

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199

Financial StatementsCompany Financial Statements
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY

11. Financial Instruments continued
Credit risk
Exposure to credit risk is set out in the table below.

Bank deposits

2020  
£m

15.8

2019  
£m

16.8

Revenue
Americas
EMEA
Rest of World
Cargo Forwarding

Underlying operating (loss)/profit
Exceptional and other items
Share of joint ventures and associates interest and tax

(Loss)/profit before interest
Net finance costs

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Per ordinary share
Dividends paid
Underlying (loss)/earnings
Basic (loss)/earnings

For banks and financial institutions, the Company’s policy is to transact with independently rated parties  
with a minimum rating of ‘A’. If there is no independent rating, the Company assesses the credit quality  
of the counterparty taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. As the 
Company utilises a number of different banks the concentration risk is deemed minimal but is continually  
kept under review.

In addition to the relevant items above the Company is exposed to credit risk in relation to on demand amounts 
owed by other Group companies. The amounts owed to and due by the Company from dealings with subsidiary 
companies are disclosed in Notes 9 and 10. Transactions between the Company and other Group companies 
primarily related to financing activities.

12. Provisions
The Company carries an insurance provision of £3.1m (all current). In the prior year this provision was £5.9m  
(all current). 

The Company also carries an onerous lease provision of £2.4m (£0.3m current and £2.1m non-current).  
In the prior year this provision was £1.5m (£0.3m current and £1.2m non-current). 

13. Cash Generated from Operations

Loss before tax
Net interest charge
Depreciation 
Share-based payments expense
Pension contributions in cash
Net movement relating to exceptional items
Increase in working capital 

2020  
£m

(12.5)
4.0
0.6
0.7
(3.7)
–
(8.0)

(18.9)

2019  
£m

(11.0)
2.8
0.5
0.8
(12.1)
(2.1)
(1.0)

(22.1)

14. Retirement Benefit Obligation
Details of the Company’s defined benefit pension scheme in the UK are set out in Note 22 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

15. Share Capital
Details of Company share capital, including issuance of new shares in the year, are set out in Note 23 of the 
consolidated financial statements. Details of share-based payments are set out in Note 23 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

2020  
£m

2019  
£m

2018  
£m

2017  
£m

2016  
£m

290.9
269.5
91.8
172.0

824.2

(18.5)
(76.8)
(0.9)

(96.2)
(24.3)

(120.5)

464.3
552.5
161.3
147.5

463.8 
517.3 
157.6 
152.3 

460.4 
508.2 
162.6 
142.4 

219.8 
376.8 
130.0 
116.8 

1,325.6

1,291.0

1,273.6

843.4

52.5
(11.3)
(1.6)

39.6
(22.3)

17.3

55.1 
(19.8)
(1.3)

34.0 
(12.4)

21.6 

53.1 
(29.7)
(1.0)

22.4 
(12.5)

9.9 

30.5 
(23.7)
(0.9)

5.9 
(7.8)

(1.9)

–

(61.8)p
(151.1)p

20.5p
24.9p
10.8p

20.5p 
37.6p 
14.6p 

19.1p 
33.7p 
0.1p 

17.2p 
21.8p 
(11.2)p

200

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

201

Financial StatementsDirect or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Aircraft Service  
International Group  
Holdings (Thailand) Ltd

Aircraft Service  
International Group, Inc.

Aircraft Service 
International, Inc.

Airports Bureau  
Systems Ltd

Thailand

USA

USA

UK

AMI Asia HK Ltd

China

SUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS

Interests in all of the companies listed below are in ordinary share capital of these undertakings, except where 
otherwise stated.

AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Administracion de Servicios 
en Tierra, S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Aeroground, Inc.

USA

Air Marketing Services Ltd

UK

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.

Air Menzies International 
(NZ) Ltd

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Air Menzies International 
(USA), Inc.

USA

Air Menzies International 
Cargo (Canada) Ltd

Canada

Air Menzies International 
Holding (NZ) Ltd

New Zealand

Air Menzies International Ltd UK

Air Menzies International SA 
Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

Airbase Flight Support Ltd

Isle of Man

Airbase Flight Support Ltd

UK

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 
311, MZ 26 Lote 03-01 
Boulevard Luis Donaldo 
Colosio C.P. 77560, Cancun, 
Quintana Roo

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

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 Schiphol

c/o Buddle Findlay, Level 18, 
PwC Tower, 188 Quay Street, 
Auckland 1140

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2800 Park Place, 666 
Burrard Street,
Vancouver V6C 2Z7

c/o Buddle Findlay, Level 18, 
PwC Tower, 188 Quay Street, 
Auckland 1140

5 The Enterprise Centre, 
Kelvin Lane, Crawley RH10 
9PT

Unit 3 Aviation Park,  
17 Pomona Road, Kempton 
Park, Johannesburg

66 Athol Street, Douglas  
IM1 1JE

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Indirect (65%)

AMI Ocean Ltd

UK

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (65%)

Indirect

Indirect

ASIG (Thailand) Co. Ltd

Thailand

ASIG (U.K.) Limited

UK

ASIG Ground Handling 
Canada Ltd

Canada

ASIG Holdings  
(Barbados) Ltd

Barbados

ASIG Holdings Corp.

USA

ASIG Holdings Ltd

UK

ASIG Lounge, Inc.

USA

ASIG Manchester Ltd

UK

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (49.6%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (27%)

Indirect

Direct

Indirect (51%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

7th-9th & 16th Floor, 
Bubhajit Building, 20 North 
Sathorn Road, Silom, 
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

Windmill House,  
91-93 Windmill Road,  
Sunbury-on-Thames  
TW16 7EF

Room 1403, Causeway 
Commercial Building, 3 
Sugar Street, Causeway Bay, 
Hong Kong

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

7th-9th & 16th Floor, 
Bubhajit Building, 20 North 
Sathorn Road, Silom, 
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

6500 Silver Dart Drive,  
Suite 257, Mississauga, 
Ontario L5P 1B2

Suite 1, Ground Floor,  
The Financial Services 
Centre, Bishop’s Court Hill, 
St. Michael

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

202

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203

Financial StatementsSUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

ASIG Tanking  
(Thailand) Ltd

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Thailand

Australian Air Support  
Pty Ltd

Australia

Aviation Consultancy 
Services Ltd

Aviation Service (Iraq) 
Limited

UK

UK

Aviation Service Leader 
(Chile) S.A.

Chile

Boker Aeroclean Ltd

UK

Cargo 2000 Ltd

Cargosave Ltd

Coronet Aviation  
Services Ltd

Cranford Forwarders  
Bond Ltd

UK

UK

UK

UK

Czech GH s.r.o.

Czech Republic

DNDS Ltd

Elmdon Cargo  
Handling Ltd

UK

UK

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (40%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (40%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect (50%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

7th-9th & 16th Floor, 
Bubhajit Building, 20 North 
Sathorn Road, Silom, 
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Est. Arturo Alessandri, 
Amunategui 277, 3F, 
Santiago 

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

K Letisti 1049/57, 161 00 
Prague 6

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Express Handling  
(Scotland) Ltd

FMD Ltd

UK

UK

Gold Cost Air Terminal 
Services Pty

Australia

Hamilton Aero  
Avionics Ltd

New Zealand

Hamilton Aero  
Maintenance Ltd

New Zealand

Heathrow Aviation  
Services Ltd

UK

HO/Menzies Investimentos  
& Transportes Investments 
Limitada

China

JM Nominees Ltd

UK

JM Secretaries Ltd

UK

John Menzies (108) Ltd

UK

John Menzies  
(Birmingham) Ltd

John Menzies  
(Edinburgh) Ltd

UK

UK

John Menzies (GB) Ltd

UK

John Menzies Corporate 
Services Ltd

UK

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect

Indirect (50%)

Indirect

Indirect (50%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Direct

Direct

Direct

Direct

Direct

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Two Snowhill, Snow Hill, 
Birmingham B4 6GA

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

Boyd & Ingram Roads, 
Hamilton Airport, 
P.O. Box 11078, Hillcrest,  
Hamilton 3251

Boyd & Ingram Roads, 
Hamilton Airport, P.O.  
Box 11078, Hillcrest,  
Hamilton 3251

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Avenida da Praia Grande 
665, Edificio Great Will, 
Macau

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park,  
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park,  
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

204

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205

Financial StatementsSUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

John Menzies  
Distribution Ltd

John Menzies  
Finance Ltd

UK

UK

John Menzies  
Holding GmbH

Germany

John Menzies  
International Ltd

John Menzies  
Property 1 Ltd

John Menzies  
Property 2 Ltd

John Menzies  
Property 3 Ltd

UK

UK

UK

UK

John Menzies USA  
Holdings, Inc.

USA

John Menzies USA, Inc.

USA

London Cargo  
Group Ltd

London Cargo  
Handling Ltd

London Cargo  
Imports Ltd

UK

UK

UK

Lonsdale Universal Ltd

UK

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Rechtsanwaelte Hoelters & 
Elsing,
Immermannstrasse 40, 
40210 Dusseldorf

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park,  
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington,  
Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Direct

Direct

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Lonsdale Universal  
Trustees Ltd

Luton Ramp Ltd

UK

UK

Indirect

Luton Services Ltd

UK

Indirect

Direct

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

MA Secretaries Ltd

UK

MAG Nominees Ltd

UK

Mancargo Ltd

Manchester Cargo  
Centre Ltd

UK

UK

Manchester Handling Ltd

UK

MCS Trustee Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation – Portugal 
– Servicos De Carga, 
Unipessoal, Lda

Portugal

Menzies Aviation (Africa) 
Pty Ltd

South Africa

Menzies Aviation  
(Asia Pacific) Ltd

British Virgin Islands

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park,  
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Avenida Antonio  
Augusto de Aguiar,  
No. 183, R/C Dto.,  
1050-014 Lisbon

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International 
Airport, Cape Town

Newhaven Corporate 
Services (BVI) Limited,  
3rd Floor, Omar Hodge 
Building, Wickhams Cay I, 
PO Box 362, Road Town, 
Tortola

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

206

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

207

Financial StatementsSUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Menzies Aviation  
(ASIG Ground Handling)  
Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(ASIG) Ltd

UK

UK

Menzies Aviation  
(Australia) Pty Ltd

Australia

The Netherlands

Brazil

Canada

Menzies Aviation  
(Aviation) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(Brasil) Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(Canada) Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(Cargo) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(Chengdu) Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(Czech) s.r.o.

Czech Republic

Menzies Aviation (DEL), Inc. USA

Menzies Aviation  
(Denmark) A/S

Denmark

Menzies Aviation 
(Dominicana) Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(EMEA) Ltd

UK

UK

Menzies Aviation  
(Europe) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation (FR9) B.V.

The Netherlands

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

Anchoragelaan 50, 1118 LE 
Schiphol

Avenida Nove de Julho no. 
4865, 5 Andar, Conjunto 51, 
Sala A, Sao Paulo

10 Carlson Court, Suite 300,
Toronto, Ontario M9W 6A2

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

K Letisti 1049/57, 161 00 
Prague 6

251 Little Falls Drive,  
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Copenhagen Airport, 
Terminal 2, 
Lufthavnsboulevarden 6, 
2770 Kastrup

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

The Netherlands

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

UK

Menzies Aviation  
(France) SAS

Menzies Aviation  
(Freighter Handling) B.V.

France

Aeroport Toulouse Blagnac, 
Hall C, 31700 Blagnac

The Netherlands

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Menzies Aviation  
(Fuelling) France

France

Menzies Aviation (Fuelling) 
Spain

Spain

Menzies Aviation (Ground 
Services) Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

Menzies Aviation (Handling) 
Proprietary Ltd

South Africa

Menzies Aviation  
(Hungary) Kft.

Hungary

Menzies Aviation  
(Ibérica) S.A.

Menzies Aviation (India) 
Private Ltd

Spain

India

Menzies Aviation  
(Ireland) Limited

Republic of Ireland

Aeroport Toulouse Blagnac, 
Hall C, 31700 Blagnac

Calle Nunez Morgado 6-Bj 
Dc, 28036 Madrid

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

Unit F4, CTX Business Park, 
Cape Town International 
Airport, Cape Town

Liszt Ferenc Nemzetkozi 
Repuloter, Repules Oktatasi 
Kozpont, 17, sz H-1185 
Budapest

Calle Nunez Morgado 6-Bj 
Dc, 28036 Madrid

Plot No-C-04L, Cargo 
Terminal-1, Kempegowda 
International Airport, 
Devanahalli, Bangalore 
560300

First Floor, Riverside Two, 
43/49 Sir John Rogerson’s 
Quay, Dublin 2

Menzies Aviation (Italy) srl

Italy

Via Carducci 11, 20123, Milan

Menzies Aviation (LCC) B.V.

The Netherlands

Menzies Aviation  
(Lounge) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(Luton) Ltd

The Netherlands

UK

Menzies Aviation (Mexico) 
S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Menzies Aviation (Namibia) 
Proprietary Ltd

Namibia

Menzies Aviation  
(New Zealand) Ltd

New Zealand

Menzies Aviation (NL) Ltd

UK

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 
311, 
MZ 26 Lote 03-01 
Boulevard Luis Donaldo 
Colosio C.P. 77560, Cancun, 
Quintana Roo

Bougain Villas, 78 Sam 
Nujoma Drive, Windhoek

George Bolt Memorial Drive, 
Auckland Airport, Auckland 
2022

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (65%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

208

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

209

Financial StatementsSUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Menzies Aviation (Oslo) AS Norway

Menzies Aviation (Poland) 
Sp. z.o.o.

Poland

Menzies Aviation  
(Romania) S.A.

Romania

Menzies Aviation  
(Santo Domingo) Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation  
(Schiphol) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(South Africa) (Cargo) 
Proprietary Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
(South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

Menzies Aviation 
(Stockholm) AB

Menzies Aviation  
(Support Services) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(Support) B.V.

Menzies Aviation  
(Sverige) AB

Menzies Aviation  
(Sweden) AB

Menzies Aviation  
(Texas), Inc.

The Netherlands

South Africa

South Africa

Sweden

The Netherlands

The Netherlands

Sweden

Sweden

USA

Menzies Aviation (UK) Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation (USA), Inc. USA

Menzies Aviation 
(Venezuela) S.A.

Venezuela

Menzies Aviation 
(Washington), Inc.

USA

Menzies Aviation (Windhoek 
Lounge) (Pty) Ltd

Namibia

Menzies Aviation  
Bermuda Ltd

Bermuda

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

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

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

Box 197, SE 190-45, 
Stockholm, Arlanda

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Box 197, SE 190-45, 
Stockholm, Arlanda

Box 51, 230 32 Malmo, 
Sturup

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Aeropuerto Internacional 
Simon Bolivar, Nivel 1,  
Sector 1, Maiquetia

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Bougain Villas, 78 Sam 
Nujoma Drive, Windhoek

Thistle House, 4 Burnaby 
Street, Hamilton HM 11

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (65%)

Indirect (65%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Menzies Aviation Bobba 
(Bangalore) Private Ltd

India

Menzies Aviation Cairns Pty 
Ltd

Australia

Menzies Aviation Cargo 
(Bangalore) Ltd

Menzies Aviation Cargo 
(Hungary) Kft.

Menzies Aviation Cargo 
(Hyderabad) Ltd

Menzies Aviation Cargo 
(Romania) S.R.L.

Mauritius

Hungary

Mauritius

Romania

Menzies Aviation Colombia 
Holdings S.A.S.

Colombia

Menzies Aviation  
Colombia S.A.S.

Colombia

Plot No-C-04L, Cargo 
Terminal-1, Kempegowda 
International Airport, 
Devanahalli, Bangalore 
560300

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 
24 Cybercity, Ebene

H-2220 Vecses, Lorinci str. 
59, C Building, Budapest

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 
24 Cybercity, Ebene

Henri-Coanda  
International Airport,  
Calea Bucurestilor no 224E, 
Otopeni City, Ilfov

Carrera 7, No 71 – 21 Torre A, 
Oficina 602, Bogota

Carrera 7, No 71 – 21 Torre A, 
Oficina 602, Bogota

Menzies Aviation Contracts 
(NL) B.V.

The Netherlands

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Menzies Aviation Corporate 
Services Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation Cyprus 
Limited

Cyprus

Menzies Aviation Denmark 
Lounges A/S

Denmark

Menzies Aviation 
Deutschland Verwaltungs 
GmbH

Germany

Menzies Aviation Finance 
(USA) LLC

USA

Menzies Aviation Fuelling 
(Canada) Ltd

Canada

Menzies Aviation Fuelling 
Panama, Inc.

Panama

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Karaiskaki, 13, 3032 
Limassol

Menzies Aviation, 
Copenhagen Airport, 
Petersdalvej 13, 1st, 2770 
Kastrup

Carl-Theodor-Strasse 6, 
40213 Dusseldorf

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

6500 Silver Dart Drive, Suite 
257, Mississauga, Ontario 
L5P 1B2

c/o Patton, Moreno & Asvat, 
Capital Plaza, 8th Floor, 
Roberto Motta Ave., Costa 
del Este, Panama City

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (49%);
100% of preference shares

Indirect (50%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (75%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Menzies Aviation Greece 
S.A.

Greece

280 Kifissias Avenue, 
Chalandri of Attica

Indirect (75%)

210

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211

Financial StatementsCountry of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

SUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Menzies Aviation Group 
(Philippines) B.V.

Menzies Aviation Ground 
Services GmbH

Menzies Aviation  
Handling Ltd

The Netherlands

Germany

UK

Menzies Aviation Holdings 
(Asia Pacific) Ltd 

British Virgin Islands

Menzies Aviation Holdings 
(Australia) Pty Ltd

Australia

Menzies Aviation Holdings 
(Brasil) Ltda

Brazil

Menzies Aviation Holdings 
(Venezuela) S.A.

Venezuela

Menzies Aviation  
Holdings Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation Hyderabad 
(Passenger) Ltd

Mauritius

Menzies Aviation 
International Ltd

UK

Menzies Aviation Leasing 
(Mexico) S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Menzies Aviation Pakistan 
(Private) Ltd

Pakistan

Menzies Aviation plc

UK

Menzies Aviation Puerto 
Plata S.A.

Dominican Republic

Menzies Aviation Services 
(Asia Pacific) LLC

USA

Anchoragelaan 50, 1118 LE 
Schiphol

Carl-Theodor-Strasse 6, 
40213 Dusseldorf

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Newhaven Corporate 
Services (BVI) Limited, 3rd 
Floor, Omar Hodge Building, 
Wickhams Cay I, PO Box 
362, Road Town, Tortola

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

Avenida Nove de Julho no. 
4865, 5 Andar, Conjunto 51, 
Sala A, Sao Paulo

Aeropuerto Internacional 
Simon Bolivar, Nivel 1,  
Sector 1, Maiquetia

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

5th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 
24 Cybercity, Ebene

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Plaza Alamos Local 2, SM 
311, MZ 26 Lote 03-01 
Boulevard Luis Donaldo 
Colosio C.P. 77560, Cancun, 
Quintana Roo

Office No. 311, 3rd Floor, The 
Forum, Khayaban-e-Jami, 
Clifton, Block 9, Karachi

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

7 and 8 of General Gregorio 
Luperón, International 
Airport, Sosua, Puerto Plata

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (60%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Menzies Aviation  
Services Ltd

Menzies Aviation  
Services SL 

UK

Spain

Menzies Aviation Services 
Venezuela S.A.

Venezuela

Menzies Aviation Spain SL

Spain

Menzies Aviation  
St. Maarten B.V.

Sint Maarten

Menzies Aviation Washing 
Denmark A/S

Denmark

Menzies Aviation Washing 
Oslo AS

Norway

Menzies Aviation, Inc.

USA

Menzies Bobba Ground 
Handling Services Private 
Ltd

India

Menzies Cargo Ltd

UK

Menzies Cargo Services Ltd UK

Menzies Client Solutions 
(USA), Inc.

USA

Menzies Client Solutions Ltd UK

Menzies Express  
Baggage Ltd

Menzies Group  
Holdings Ltd

UK

UK

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Calle Nunez Morgado  
6-Bj Dc, 28036 Madrid

Aeropuerto Internacional 
Simon Bolivar, Nivel 1,  
Sector 1, Maiquetia

Calle Nunez Morgado 6-Bj 
Dc, 28036 Madrid

P.O. Box 2003, Princess 
Juliana Airport

Menzies Aviation, 
Copenhagen Airport, 
Petersdalvej 13, 1st, 2770 
Kastrup

Sigrid Undsets plass, 
Terminalen, 2060 
Gardermoen, 0235 
Ullensaker

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

H.No.6-3-345/1/2, Flat No. 
102, Apurupa Classic, Road 
No. 1, Banjara Hills, 
Hyderabad 500034

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (51%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

212

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

213

Financial StatementsDirect or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (29%)

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

PT. Menzies Aviation 
Indonesia

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Indonesia

SUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Menzies Macau Airport 
Services Ltd

China

Avenido de Aeroporto, 
Edificio Airport Logistic 
Business Centre, 1 andar, sala 
52, Taipa, Macau

Menzies Security  
Services B.V.

The Netherlands

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Menzies Services Ltd

UK

Menzies Services, Inc.

USA

Menzies Wholesale Ltd

UK

Menzies World Cargo 
(Amsterdam) B.V.

Menzies World Cargo 
(Rotterdam) B.V.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands

Menzies World Cargo Ltd

UK

Menzies Worldwide 
Distribution Ltd

UK

Moose Aviation  
Services AB

MPF Trustee Ltd

Sweden

UK

Ogden Aviation Services 
(Chile) Ltda

Chile

Ogden Cargo Ltd

UK

Perth Cargo Centre  
Pty Ltd

Australia

PlaneBiz 2015 Ltd 

New Zealand

Princes Street (Jersey) Ltd

Jersey

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh 
EH12 9DJ

Anchoragelaan 50,  
1118 LE Schiphol

Brandenburghbaan 2b, 3045 
AK Rotterdam

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh 
EH12 9DJ

Box 2, 190 45 Stockholm, 
Arlanda

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh 
EH12 9DJ

Est. Arturo Alessandri, 
Amunategui 277, 3F, 
Santiago 

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

George Bolt Memorial Drive, 
Auckland Airport,  
Auckland 2022

47 Esplanade, St. Helier  
JE1 0BD

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (60%)

Direct

PT. Mitra Adira Utama

Indonesia

Rose Street Nominees Ltd

UK

Simplicity Ground  
Services, LLC

Skycare Ltd

USA

UK

Skyport Handling Ltd

UK

Skyport Handling  
Services Ltd

UK

Skystar Airport Services  
NZ Pty Ltd

New Zealand

Skystar Airport Services  
Pty Ltd

Australia

Smarter Asset  
Management Ltd

Southampton Airport  
Cargo Services Ltd

The London Cargo  
Centre Ltd

UK

UK

UK

The Menzies Group Ltd

UK

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (51%)

Indirect (51%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (26%)

Indirect

Indirect

Direct

Area Cargo Bandara 
Soekarno Hatta, Kel. Pajang, 
Kec. Benda, Jakarta Barat, 
Jakarta

Taman Palem Lestari, Ruko 
Galaxy, Blok O No. 6, Kel. 
Cengkareng Barat, Kec. 
Cengkareng, Jakarta Barat, 
Jakarta

2 Lochside Avenue, 
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh 
EH12 9DJ

251 Little Falls Drive, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

George Bolt Memorial Drive, 
Auckland Airport, Auckland 
2022

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright, 
Level 21, 111 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000

Basepoint Centre, Isidore 
Road, Bromsgrove 
Enterprise Park, Bromsgrove 
B60 3ET

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

214

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

215

Financial StatementsSUBSIDIARY, JOINT VENTURE AND ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKINGS CONTINUED

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Shareholder Information

Country of incorporation

Registered address

Subsidiary, joint venture  
and associate undertakings

The United Iraqi Company 
for Airports and Ground 
Handling Services Limited

Worldwide Magazine 
Distribution Ltd

Wyng Group Ltd

Iraq

UK

UK

Wyng Roadflight Ltd

UK

Zaankracht Uitzendbureau 
Schiphol B.V. 

The Netherlands

Baghdad International 
Airport, Airport Street, 
Baghdad

Two Snowhill, Snow Hill, 
Birmingham B4 6GA

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

MW1 Building, 
557 Shoreham Road,
London Heathrow Airport, 
Hounslow TW6 3RT

Stationsplein 979, 1117 CE 
Schiphol

Direct or indirect holding  

(100% unless otherwise stated)

Indirect (28%)

Indirect (50%)

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect (30%)

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 United Kingdom, 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 (but not the personalised form of proxy) 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.

Our preference had been to welcome shareholders in person to our 2021 Annual General Meeting, particularly 
given the constraints we faced in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the Scottish 
Government’s current COVID-19 restrictions in relation to public gatherings, and to prioritise the health and 
safety of our shareholders and other stakeholders who would ordinarily choose to attend the meeting, we are 
proposing to hold our 2021 Annual General Meeting as a combined physical and electronic meeting. Due to  
the current restrictions, shareholders will not be permitted to attend the physical location for the 2021 Annual 
General Meeting in person but can attend in person using electronic means. Given the constantly evolving 
nature of the situation, if it subsequently becomes possible to welcome a number of shareholders to the venue, 
attendance in this way is likely to be restricted in terms of numbers and we would therefore still encourage 
shareholders not to attend the venue in person and instead to participate in the meeting electronically.  
Any updates to the position will be included on our website at www.menziesaviation.com/investor-centre. 

We strongly encourage shareholders to vote on the relevant resolutions online or by appointing Chairman of  
the meeting as their proxy in advance of the meeting. This will ensure that your vote will be counted even if 
attendance at the meeting is restricted or you or any other person appointed as a proxy are unable to attend. 
Details of: (i) how to return the proxy appointment and timing of return; and (ii) electronic voting arrangements  
can be found on pages 223 to 226 of this Notice of Annual General Meeting. Any shareholder questions can be  
sent to investor.relations@johnmenziesplc.com in advance of the meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of John Menzies plc (the “Company”) will be held at 
the registered office of the Company, 2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ on Friday 14 May 
2021 at 2:00pm (the “2021 Annual General Meeting”) to transact the following business:

Ordinary Resolutions
To consider and, if thought fit, pass Resolutions 1-12, each of which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution:

1. Report and Accounts
To receive the Annual Accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2020, the Strategic 
Report and the Reports of the Directors and Auditor thereon.

2. Remuneration Report
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 2020.

3–9. Re-election of Directors
3.  To re-elect Paul Baines as a director of the Company.
4.  To re-elect David Garman as a director of the Company.
5.  To re-elect John Geddes as a director of the Company.
6.  To re-elect Alvaro Gomez-Reino as a director of the Company.
7   To re-elect Philipp Joeinig as a director of the Company.
8.  To re-elect Christian Kappelhoff-Wulff as a director of the Company.
9.  To re-elect Silla Maizey as a director of the Company.

10. Re-appointment of auditor
To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s auditor to hold office from the conclusion of this 2021  
Annual General Meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which Annual Accounts are laid  
before the Company.

216

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John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

217

Financial StatementsNOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING CONTINUED

11. Remuneration of auditor
To authorise the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration of the Company’s auditor.

12. Authority to allot shares
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 £7,025,516 (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 £7,025,516); and

(b)  comprising equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £14,051,032 (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;

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, at the close of business on 30 June 2022 save that, in each 
case, 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.

Special Resolutions
To consider, and if thought fit, pass Resolutions 13-17, each of which will be proposed as a special resolution.

13. Authority to Disapply Pre-Emption Rights
That, subject to the passing of Resolution 12 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Company dated 
31 March 2021 (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 13) or sale of treasury shares up to an aggregate nominal amount 
of £1,053,827;

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 2022 save that, in each 
case, 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.

14. Further authority to disapply pre-emption rights
That, subject to the passing of Resolution 12 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Company dated 
31 March 2021 (the “Notice of AGM”) (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, in addition to any authority granted under resolution 13 of the Notice of 
AGM, 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:
(a)  limited to the allotment to any person or persons of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount  

of £1,053,827;

(b)  used only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used within six months after  
the original transaction) a transaction which the Directors determine to be an acquisition or other capital 
investment of a kind contemplated by the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most 
recently published by the Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this notice, 

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 2022 save that, in each 
case, 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.

15. Purchase of own ordinary shares by the Company
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 8,430,619, representing 

approximately 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 March 2021;

(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)  an amount equal to 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 15 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, at the close of business on 30 June 2022 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.

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16. Purchase of own preference shares by the Company
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 31 March 2021;

(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)  an amount equal to 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 16 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, at the close of business on 30 June 2022, 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.

17. Length of notice of meeting
That a general meeting (other than an annual general meeting) may be called on not less than 14 clear days’ notice, 
provided that the authority for this Resolution shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of 
the Company.

Approved and issued by the Board of Directors. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors

John Geddes
Corporate Affairs Director & Group Company Secretary
31 March 2021

Registered office:
2 Lochside Avenue 
Edinburgh Park 
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

Registered in Scotland 
with company number SC34970

Explanatory Notes
The following information provides additional background information to several of the proposed Resolutions:

Resolution 2: Remuneration Report
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 (the “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 Remuneration Policy is, however, subject to a binding shareholder vote by ordinary resolution at least 
every three years. A new Remuneration Policy was proposed and approved at a general meeting of the Company 
held on 17 September 2019, further details of which are set out on pages 106 to 114 of the Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020. The Company cannot 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 Remuneration 
Policy or has been approved by a resolution of the Company’s shareholders.

Resolutions 3–9: Re-election of Directors
Biographical details of the Directors to be re-elected at this year’s annual general meeting (“2021 Annual General 
Meeting”) can be found on pages 76 and 77 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020. In accordance with the principles 
of good governance prescribed by the UK Corporate Governance Code (July 2018), all Directors who it is intended will 
continue in office following the 2021 Annual General Meeting will seek re-election. In proposing the re-election of the 
Directors, the Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer has confirmed that, following rigorous internal performance 
evaluations (described on pages 86 and 87 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020), each individual continues to make 
an effective and valuable contribution to the Board and demonstrates commitment to their role.

Resolution 12: Authority to allot shares
The Investment Association’s Share Capital Management Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) and the Pre-Emption Group 
Principles (the “Pre-Emption 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 annual general meeting in May 2020, the Directors sought authority to allot shares in the capital 
of the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of £14,051,553, representing approximately two-thirds of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 27 March 2020. This authority was duly passed by shareholders.

It is considered appropriate that the Directors be granted authority to allot shares in the capital of the Company  
up to a maximum nominal amount of £14,051,032, which amount represents approximately two-thirds of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 31 March 2021 and thus complies with the Guidelines. Accordingly, 
28,102,064 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.

As at 31 March 2021 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice of AGM) the Company held 
184,769 of its Ordinary Shares in Treasury.

Resolutions 13 and 14: Authority to disapply pre-emption rights
Resolutions 13 and 14 will give the Directors authority to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company pursuant 
to the authority granted under Resolution 12 above for cash without complying with the pre-emption rights in the 
Companies Act 2006 (“2006 Act”) in certain circumstances. This disapplication authority is in line with institutional 
shareholder guidance, and in particular with the Pre-Emption Group’s Statement of Principles. The Pre-Emption 
Principles were revised in March 2015 to allow the authority for an issue of shares for cash otherwise than in 
connection with a pre-emptive offer to include: (i) an authority over 5% of a company’s issued share capital for use 
on an unrestricted basis; and (ii) an additional authority over a further 5% of a company’s issued share capital for use 
in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment announced contemporaneously with the issue, or 
which has taken place in the six month period preceding the announcement of the issue.

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Resolutions 13 and 14: Authority to disapply pre-emption rights continued
Resolution 13 will permit the Directors to allot: (a) equity securities (as defined in sections 560(1) – (3) of the 2006 
Act) for cash up to a maximum nominal amount of £14,051,032 (representing approximately two-thirds of the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 March 2021) on an offer to existing shareholders on a pre-emptive 
basis (that is including a rights issue or an open offer), with one-third being available only in connection with a rights 
issue (in each case subject to any adjustments, such as for fractional entitlements and overseas shareholders, as the 
Directors see fit); and (b) equity securities for cash and to sell treasury shares up to a maximum nominal value of 
£1,053,827 (representing approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 March 2021) 
otherwise than in connection with a pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders.

Resolution 14 will permit the Directors to allot additional equity securities for cash and sell treasury shares up to a 
maximum nominal value of £1,053,827, representing approximately a further 5% of the issued ordinary share capital 
of the Company as at 31 March 2021, otherwise than in connection with a pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders 
for the purposes of financing or refinancing a transaction as contemplated by the Pre-Emption Principles described 
above. The Board considers that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders generally that the 
Company should seek the maximum authority permitted by the Pre-Emption Principles and have the flexibility 
conferred by Resolutions 13 and 14 to conduct a pre-emptive offering without complying with the strict 
requirements of the statutory pre-emption provisions and to finance business opportunities quickly and efficiently 
when they arise in line with the Company’s strategy for growth. The Directors believe that it is appropriate to seek 
the additional 5% authority in Resolution 14 to give the Company the flexibility that this resolution affords. The Board 
confirms that, in accordance with the Pre-Emption 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 (save in accordance with Resolution 14) without prior consultation with shareholders.

The authority contained in Resolutions 13 and 14 will expire upon the expiry of the authority to allot shares conferred 
in Resolution 12 (that is at the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if earlier, on 30 June 2022).

Resolutions 15 and 16: Authority to buy-back shares
Special resolutions 15 and 16 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 8,430,619 
(representing approximately 10% of the issued Ordinary Shares as at 31 March 2021) and the number of Preference 
Shares to 1,394,587 (representing 100% of the issued Preference Shares as at 31 March 2021).

The authorities, if granted, will expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if 
earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2022. 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 31 March 2021, the Company held 184,769 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 15 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.

Resolution 17: Length of notice of meeting
The Companies Act 2006 requires that all general meetings (other than an annual general meeting) must be held on 
21 clear days’ notice unless shareholders agree to a shorter notice period which is subject to a minimum of 14 clear 
days’ notice. In order to be able to call a general meeting on less than 21 clear days’ notice the Company must make 
an electronic means of voting available to all shareholders for the meeting. This condition is met by the Company 
providing the facility for shareholders to appoint a proxy via an online shareholder portal operated by our Registrars. 
It is not the Company’s intention to use the shorter notice period as a matter of routine but only when the flexibility 
is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be in the interests of shareholders as a whole. If given, 
this approval will be effective until the end of the next annual general meeting.

Recommendation
The Directors consider that all the above 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 proposed Resolutions.

Notes to the Notice of AGM
1.  Information about the 2021 Annual General Meeting is available from the Company’s website at  

www.menziesaviation.com/investor-centre.

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 2021 Annual General Meeting. 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. Given the 
current restrictions on public gatherings, it is unlikely that you or any person you appoint as a proxy will be able 
to attend the physical meeting. You are therefore strongly encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the meeting 
as your proxy for the purposes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting and/or to attend the 2021 Annual General 
Meeting in person electronically. 

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 2021 Annual General Meeting. 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 2021 Annual General Meeting 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 2021 Annual General Meeting and voting in person 
you wish to do so, whether electronically or in person at the physical meeting should this be permitted under 
applicable COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time. 

6.  The right to vote at the 2021 Annual General Meeting is determined by reference to the Company’s Register  
of Members as at the close of business on Wednesday 12 May 2021 or, if the 2021 Annual General Meeting is 
adjourned, at 8:00pm 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 2021 Annual General Meeting.

7.  As a shareholder, you have the right to put questions at the 2021 Annual General Meeting relating to the business 

being dealt with at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Shareholders are encouraged to submit questions in 
advance of the meeting to the following address: Investor.Relations@johnmenziesplc.com. Shareholders may also 
ask questions verbally or electronically during the meeting and more details on how to do this are contained in 
the Instructions and process for the 2021 Annual General Meeting information provided with this Notice of AGM. 
A list of all questions asked will be published on the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after 
the conclusion of the 2021 Annual General Meeting. 

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 
2021 Annual General Meeting. 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 31 March 2021, the issued ordinary share capital of the Company comprised 84,490,964 Ordinary Shares 

and the Company held 184,769 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 
31 March 2021 is 84,306,195.

11.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment 

service may do so for the 2021 Annual General Meeting 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.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Notes to the Notice of AGM continued
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 2021 Annual General Meeting 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.  
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 2021 Annual General Meeting. Under section 338A of the 2006 Act, shareholders 
may request the Company to include in the business to be dealt with at the 2021 Annual General Meeting any 
matter (other than a proposed resolution) which may properly be included in the business.

16. It is possible that, pursuant to 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 2021 Annual General Meeting; or (ii) any circumstances connected with an auditor of the Company 
ceasing to hold office since the previous meeting at which 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 2021 Annual General Meeting 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.

Instructions and process for attendance at the 2021 Annual General Meeting
To join the online meeting, please visit: meetings.computershare.com/MAVJ7GQ

1. Entry to the 2021 Annual General Meeting, Conduct of Proceedings
To facilitate entry to the electronic meeting, shareholders are requested to use their Shareholder Reference Number 
(SRN) and PIN shown on their attendance card/Form of Proxy to log in to the meeting on their electronic device 
(whether by smart phone, tablet or PC). For further information please refer to the section Entry to the Meeting on 
page 225 of this Notice of AGM. Persons who are not shareholders of the Company (or their appointed proxy or 
corporate representative) will not be able to attend the 2021 Annual General Meeting unless prior arrangements 
have been made with the Company.

Where a member is appointing a third party as their proxy to attend the meeting on their behalf or, where a 
corporate member is appointing someone as their representative, the appointee’s contact email address and, in the 
case of an individual representing a corporate member, a copy of the Letter of Representation, must be provided to 
Computershare by emailing corporate-representatives@computershare.co.uk to enable the provision of access 
credentials. Access credentials will be emailed to the appointee one working day prior to the meeting. 

2. Appointment of Proxies 
A member is entitled to appoint another person as their proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and  
to speak and vote on their behalf at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the 
company. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the 2021 Annual General Meeting provided 
that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. 

Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by email on corporate-representatives@computershare.co.uk 
or alternatively call 0370 703 6303, providing details of your proxy appointment including their email address so 
that unique credentials can be issued to allow the proxy to access the electronic meeting. Access credentials will be 
emailed to the appointee one working day prior to the meeting. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday 
(excluding bank holidays).

3. Corporate Representatives
A corporation which is a shareholder can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise, on its 
behalf, all its powers as a member provided that no more than one corporate representative exercises powers over 
the same share. 

Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by emailing corporate-representatives@computershare.co.uk 
providing details of your appointment including their email address, confirmation of the meeting they wish to attend 
and a copy of the Letter of Representation, so that unique credentials can be issued to allow the corporate 
representative to access the electronic meeting. Access credentials will be emailed to the appointee one working 
day prior to the meeting. If documentation supporting the appointment of the corporate representative is supplied 
later than the deadline for appointment of a proxy (48 hours prior to the meeting), issuance of unique credentials  
to access the meeting will be issued on a best endeavours basis. 

4. Entry to the Meeting
In order to participate at the meeting, you will need to visit meetings.computershare.com/MAVJ7GQ on your device 
operating a compatible browser using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari. 

Please note that:
•  Internet Explorer is not supported. 
•  It is highly recommended that you check your system capabilities in advance of the meeting day. 

If you are a shareholder, you can use your unique Shareholder Reference Number and PIN as displayed on your 
Form of Proxy/attendance card. If you are an appointed proxy or a corporate representative you will have had to  
be provided with a unique control number to enter the meeting and exercise your rights. These credentials will be 
issued one working day prior to the meeting, conditional on evidence of your proxy appointment or corporate 
representative appointment having been received and accepted. If you have not been provided with your meeting 
access credentials, please ensure you contact Computershare on the morning of the meeting, but no later than 1 
hour before the start of the meeting. 

Access to the meeting via meetings.computershare.com/MAVJ7GQ will be available from 14 May 2021 at 1.30 pm. 
Where telephone lines are provided these will be activated 30 minutes prior to the meeting start time. During the 
meeting, you must ensure you are connected to the internet at all times in order to vote when the Chair 
commences polling on resolutions being put to the meeting. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure 
connectivity for the duration of the meeting. 

5. Accessing the telephone line
To be able to speak or ask a question verbally at the meeting, you must dial into the meeting using the number and 
Access Code provided below. The conference line will only be accessible at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the 
meeting. Local phone calls will not be charged. 

Local (United Kingdom): 020 3936 2999 Local (International): +44 20 3936 2999 Access Code: 345715

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Instructions and process for attendance at the 2021 Annual General Meeting continued
6. Questions
Questions will be invited during the meeting. Questions can be asked verbally via the dedicated telephone line, 
details of which are noted above.

Telephone Share Dealing Service
A share dealing service has been arranged with Jarvis Investment Management Limited which provides a simple 
way of buying or selling shares in the Company. To use this service you should visit www.dialndeal.co.uk or call the 
following telephone number and quote reference “John Menzies plc dial and deal”:

Shareholders attending electronically may ask questions via the website by typing and submitting their question in 
writing via the Q&A facility. Select the Q&A icon from within the navigation bar, choose your topic (if appropriate) 
and type your question in the question box then press send.

Shareholders are encouraged to submit questions in advance of the meeting to the following address:  
Investor.Relations@johnmenziesplc.com. 

A list of all shareholder questions asked will be published on the Company’s website as soon as reasonably 
practicable after the conclusion of the meeting. 

7. Technical Issues
If you experience any technical issues with the website you may either call our registrar on  
the telephone number provided on the website or once you have entered the meeting, you can raise your question 
using the chat function. If you have technical issues prior to the start of the meeting you should contact our registrar 
on the shareholder helpline. 

Documents
Subject to public health advice, the following documents will be available for review or 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, Dentons UK and Middle East LLP, at One Fleet Street, London EC4M 7RA:
(a)  copies of the Directors’ service contracts with the Company; and
(b)  the terms of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors of the Company. 

These documents will also be available for review or inspection on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s 
website (www.menziesaviation.com/investor-centre).

On the date of the 2021 Annual General Meeting, these documents will be available for inspection at the venue of 
the 2021 Annual General Meeting from 9:00am until the conclusion of the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

Internet
The Company operates a website which can be found at www.menziesaviation.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 and other shareholder documentation.

Share Register and Shareholder Enquiries
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
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 to 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.

Share Price
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.menziesaviation.com.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1892 700849

Commission for this share dealing service will be at a fixed rate of £27.50. 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 on Takeovers and Mergers 
for single trades in excess of £10,000.

You will be required to pay for any shares purchased by debit card at the time of the transaction. You must therefore 
ensure you have sufficient cleared funds available in your debit card account to pay for the shares in full.

ShareGift
If you only have a small number of shares which may be uneconomic to sell, 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 then the details are as follows:

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7930 3737 Web: www.sharegift.org Email: help@sharegift.org

Payment of Dividends
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% Cumulative Preference Shares
Dividends will be paid on 1 April 2021 and 1 October 2021.

Ordinary Shares
In accordance with the Company’s Full Year Results 2020 released to the London Stock Exchange on 9 March 2021, the 
Board believes it prudent and in the best interests of shareholders to continue the temporary suspension of the dividend. 

Investor Relations
For any Investor Relations enquiries, please contact the Company by one of the following means:

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 225 8555 Email: Investor.Relations@johnmenziesplc.com
Write: John Menzies plc, 2 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9DJ, marked for the attention of  
John Geddes, Corporate Affairs Director & Group Company Secretary

Analysis of Shareholdings 
At 31 December 2020 Shareholding

Shareholding 
(Ordinary Shares)

1-1,000
1,001-5,000
5,001-10,000
10,001-100,000
Over 100,000

Totals

Number of 
shareholders

Percentage of 
shareholders

Total No. of 
Ordinary Shares 
held

Ordinary Shares 
held

2,919
479
58
123
86

3,665

79.64
13.07
1.58
3.36
2.35

708,533
966,267
431,126
4,660,314
77,724,724

100 84,490,964

0.84
1.14
0.51
5.52
91.99

100

Web: www.investorcentre.co.uk Email: www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus
Write: The John Menzies plc Registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol 
BS99 6ZZ

226

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

227

Shareholder InformationPrincipal Advisers
Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
3rd Floor, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EB

Joint Corporate Brokers
Peel Hunt
100 Liverpool Street
London
EC2M 2AT
United Kingdom

Berenberg
60 Threadneedle Street
London
EC2R 8HP

Principal Business Addresses
John Menzies plc
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh
EH12 9DJ

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com

Menzies Aviation
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh
EH12 9DJ

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 467 8070

Corporate Calendar
(Provisional dates)

9 March 2021 

1 April 2021 

8 April 2021 

14 May 2021 

31 August 2021 

1 October 2021 

GENERAL INFORMATION CONTINUED

Preliminary announcement of Annual Results

Payment of dividend on Preference Shares

Annual Report and Accounts and Notice of AGM released

AGM

Announcement of Interim Results

Payment of dividend on Preference Shares

228

John Menzies plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Shareholder InformationJOHN MENZIES PLC
Registered office:
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh EH12 9DJ
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 8555
Fax: +44 (0) 131 220 1491

Email: info@johnmenziesplc.com

Web: www.menziesaviation.com 

Registered in Scotland with 
company number SC34970