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FY2015 Annual Report · K+S
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STRONGER 
TOGETHER

Annual Report 2015

WE ARE

Contents

Steadfast Group

Financial Highlights

Message from the Chairman

Message from the Managing Director & CEO

Steadfast Network Brokers

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

Steadfast Strategic Partners

Sustainability

Board of Directors

Senior Management Team

Chief Financial Officer Report

2015 Financial Report

02

04

05

06

08

10

12

14

15

16

18

20

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015

NETWORK BROKERS, 
UNDERWRITING AGENCIES, 
COMPLEMENTARY 
BUSINESSES &  
STRATEGIC PARTNERS.  
STRONGER TOGETHER. 

OUR VISION
To enhance the value 
of Steadfast-aligned 
businesses through  
our combined 
strength, creating 
exceptional value for 
our shareholders.

In the past 12 months we have 
strengthened our network 
of insurance brokers and 
underwriting agencies by 
enhancing the services we provide 
to them and by adding new brokers 
and agencies to the network. 

We have strengthened our 
strategic relationships with insurers 
and other partners by working 
together to identify and develop 
growth opportunities.

These initiatives are reflected in 
our strong financial performance, 
despite soft markets, and place 
us in a strong position to capitalise 
on improving market conditions.

Steadfast was established in  
1996 by bringing together 
independently owned insurance 
brokers and using the power of 
numbers to create better insurance 
solutions for their clients.

Nineteen years on:

   We are the largest distribution 
channel of general insurance 
products across Australia and 
New Zealand. 

   We are the largest group of 
underwriting agencies in Australia 
and New Zealand, distributing 
products and services through the 
Steadfast network, and through 
other networks and brokers.

   We provide our network with 
access to close to 160 broker 
services including complimentary 
solutions like premium funding, 
legal services, technology and 
back office support.

1   

Steadfast Group

Network  
Brokers
FY15 GWP ($ billion)

Steadfast Group 
provides services 
to 304 Steadfast 
Network Brokers 
funded by Marketing 
& Administration 
(M&A) Fees from 
Strategic Partners 

Underwriting 
Agencies
FY15 GWP ($ million)

Equity interests in 22 
underwriting agencies 
which distribute 
products through the 
Steadfast Network  
and through other 
networks and brokers

$4.4b

$385m

Complementary Businesses
provide cross-selling opportunities and cost efficiencies to the Group

Life

Specialist life insurance 
broker, 50% owned

Technology service 
arm for Steadfast- 
aligned businesses

Back office service 
provider, 100% owned

Reinsurance broker,  
50% owned

Steadfast Virtual 
Underwriter, an 
electronic insurance 
transaction solution

Insurance legal 
practice, 25% owned

50% joint venture in  
premium funder

FY15 GWP funded ($ billion)

$1.3b

Largest general insurance intermediary network in Australia

$4.8b

$18.4b

26% 

market share 
in 2014*

2   

SOURCE: Steadfast and APRA Intermediated 
General Insurance Statistics, December 2014.
*Based on 2014 GWP on a run rate basis.

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Business Highlights 2014/2015

  DELIVERED on growth and earnings guidance 
in a soft market

 ACQUIRED four brokers, one reinsurance broker 
and a New Zealand broker network with annual 
GWP of ~$515 million and 11 underwriting agencies 
with annual GWP of ~$570 million

 ENHANCED the network portfolio through the 
launch of a retail product offering, Steadfast Direct, 
and a life insurance offering through a strategic 
partnership with MetLife 

 ESTABLISHED Steadfast New Zealand to create  
a similar platform to Steadfast Australia

 GREW share of intermediary general insurance 
market and became the largest underwriting 
agency group in Australia

 BUILDING a presence in Asia to place Asian risks 
for Steadfast Network Brokers in Australia and 
New Zealand

Footprint across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore

1

Singapore

76

Western Australia

5

Northern Territory

48

South Australia

152

Queensland

192

New South Wales

174

Victoria

747  

Offices

56

North Island

14

South Island

11

Canberra

18

Tasmania

3   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Financial Highlights

Underlying NPAT1  
$ million

Underlying Cash EPS1  
cents per share

2015 Dividend 
cents per share

$42m

9.79cps

5.0cps

Up 30% 

year-on-year

Up 23% 

year-on-year

Up 11% 

year-on-year

Network Brokers GWP ($b) 
$4.4b Up 8.4% year-on-year 

Underwriting Agencies GWP ($m) 
$385m Up 165% year-on-year 

Network Brokers and  
Agencies Billings $ billion

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

3.9

4.1

4.4

3.4

3.0

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

400

300

200

100

0

385

$6.1b

Consists of GWP and fees  
plus levies and taxes

145

114

51

46

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

Fees & Commissions ($m)1 
$234m Up 98% year-on-year

EBITA pre Corporate Office1 
Expenses ($m) 
$99m Up 40% year-on-year

250

200

150

100

50

0

118

104

85

90

99

70

61

52

54

234

100

80

60

40

20

0

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

1  Underlying FY15 results compared to underlying pro-forma FY14 results. Adjustments to statutory results outlined on page 18 under “Reconciliation of NPATA”.

4   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Message from the Chairman

Steadfast has achieved  
strong growth in  
its second year as  
a listed entity.

For the 2015 financial year, Steadfast Group 
(“Steadfast”) reported an increase of: 

•  72% in revenue to $299 million1;

•  30% in net profit after tax to $42 million1; 

•  23% in cash earnings per share to 9.79 

cents1; and

•  11% in the full year (fully franked) 
dividend of 5.0 cents per share. 

The growth for the year was primarily 
due to acquisitions and actions taken 
to improve the efficiency of our business. 
Growth was curtailed by lower premium 
rates during the past 12 months. 

In line with our strategy, Steadfast made 
a number of acquisitions. We acquired four 
insurance brokers, one reinsurance broker, 
a New Zealand broker network and 
11 underwriting agencies for total 
consideration of over $400 million. 
Our acquisition criteria of earnings 
accretion in year one and cultural and 
strategic fit remain unchanged. 

Transformational acquisitions
Most of the consideration was spent on 
Calliden’s eight underwriting agencies and 
two QBE underwriting agencies, which 
together transformed Steadfast into the 
largest underwriting agency group in 
Australia and New Zealand. It is unusual for 
such large acquisition opportunities to 
materialise and we are grateful for the 
support from our shareholders for 
providing the funds that enabled us to 
purchase businesses of such size and 
importance to the future growth of 
Steadfast. 

Network broker growth
Gross written premiums (GWP) placed by 
Steadfast Network Brokers were $4.4 billion, 
up 8.4% compared to FY14 despite soft 
market conditions. The growth in our 
network was driven by acquisitions, 
particularly the purchase in July 2014 of the 

Allied Insurance Group, a New Zealand 
broker network, and the acquisition in 
August 2014 of Ausure Group, a network 
of authorised representatives. As a result, 
we have strengthened our position as the 
largest general insurance network broker 
in Australia and as a leading player 
in New Zealand. 

Capital management
To fund the acquisitions announced in 
February 2015 (“the Acquisitions”), Steadfast 
conducted a $300 million equity raising 
(“Equity Raising”). We were extremely 
pleased with the support, both from our 
institutional and retail shareholders, 
manifested by the high take-up rates of the 
1:3 non-renounceable entitlement offer. 

By 1 April 2015, we successfully completed 
the Equity Raising and the Acquisitions, and 
increased our market capitalisation to over 
$1 billion. A high percentage of shares – 
approximately 30% – are still owned by 
Steadfast brokers and agencies, which 
highlights their commitment to the 
Steadfast Group and its future success.

We enter FY16 with a much larger balance 
sheet, excellent operating results, a healthy 
acquisition pipeline and a sound outlook. 
These have enabled the Board to raise the 
Group’s target debt to equity plus debt ratio 
from 20% to 25%. This change has allowed 
us to lock in debt facilities of $285 million 
and provides us with capacity of 
$110 million for future acquisitions and 
deferred settlements (after funding 
$20 million of deferred settlements by the 
end of September 2015). These new debt 
facilities have been established since year 
end. Details are included in the 2015 
Financial Report. 

Dividends
Our strong growth in profits and cash flow 
has allowed your Board to declare a final 
2015 dividend of 3.0 cents per share, fully 

franked. This resulted in a full year 2015 
dividend of 5.0 cents per share, fully 
franked, an increase of 11% year-on-year. 
The full year dividend is in line with our 
target payout ratio of between 65% and 
85% of net profit after tax. 

Corporate governance
Corporate governance remains a key role 
for your Board. In addition to reviewing and 
updating the Board Charters and Policies 
every year to ensure they are relevant, we 
gather feedback from the market by 
holding meetings with proxy advisors and 
shareholder associations. The Board is 
pleased to again report that the strong 
corporate governance and risk 
management in place have enabled 
Steadfast to report no material breaches 
during the year. 

Summary 
In closing, I would like to thank all those 
who have made Steadfast stronger, 
including our valued employees, our 
brokers, our underwriting agencies, our 
Strategic Partners and our end customers. 
I would also like to extend my gratitude to 
my fellow Directors, particularly our 
Managing Director & CEO, for their insight 
and support in guiding Steadfast through 
another very successful year. Under the 
leadership of Robert Kelly and his senior 
management team, the Group has 
delivered on its strategic initiatives to grow 
the business both organically and through 
acquisitions to produce outstanding results.

We look forward to another year of strong 
growth for the benefit of our shareholders.

Frank O’Halloran AM
CHAIRMAN

1  Underlying FY15 results compared to underlying pro-forma FY14 results. Adjustments to statutory results outlined on page 18 under “Reconciliation of NPATA”.

5   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Message from the Managing Director & CEO

Stronger together 
and delivering on 
earnings guidance 
and strategic initiatives.

Over the past two years, 
Steadfast has become a leading 
co-owner and consolidator 
of broker businesses, 
underwriting agencies 
and other complementary 
businesses in Australia and 
New Zealand. This is in 
addition to being the largest 
general insurance intermediary 
network in Australia. 

At the same time, we have 
exceeded our cash earnings 
per share growth targets and 
made significant progress 
with our strategic initiatives.

Financial performance
In 2014/2015, Steadfast Group reported 
underlying net profit after tax and before 
amortisation (NPATA) of $57 million, 
up 38% year-on-year1. Including our 
$300 million equity raising in February 
and March 2015, the growth in underlying 
cash earnings per share was 23% and in 
line with our revised guidance and well 
ahead of our initial FY15 guidance. 

2014/2015 acquisitions
Acquisitions transacted during the financial 
year enabled us to achieve strong growth 
despite soft market conditions. They 
include four broker businesses, one 
reinsurance broker and a New Zealand 
broker network with annual GWP of around 
$515 million, and 11 underwriting agencies 
with annual GWP of about $570 million. 
Each acquisition met our criteria for 
cultural and strategic fit as well as being 
cash EPS accretive. Most acquisitions came 
from within our network or from long-term 
strategic partnerships, where Steadfast 
played a major role in the distribution of 
their niche products. 

Underwriting agencies
The Calliden and QBE acquisitions have led 
us to become the largest group of 
underwriting agencies in Australia and 
New Zealand and have diversified our 
earnings mix. To manage the expanded 
group effectively, we appointed Simon 
Lightbody as the CEO of Steadfast 
Underwriting Agencies. Together with his 
newly formed support team and our due 
diligence, finance and technology teams, 
Simon has ensured the integration process 
has been smooth and expeditious.

Pages 10 and 11 highlight how significantly 
the underwriting agency group has grown 
and lists each of our agency brands with a 
description of their specific market segment.

Network brokers
Growth opportunities provided to our 304 
network brokers include enhancing their 
network service offering, creating back 
office cost synergies and strengthening our 
Strategic Partner relationships. 

Pages 8 and 9 outline some of the key 
services we provide to our brokers and 
explain why Steadfast Network Brokers are 
able to consistently outperform the market. 

Two recent important product 
enhancements made to the network are 
worth highlighting. 

First, Steadfast has partnered with MetLife 
to provide our brokers with an exclusive 
line of life products tailored to the SME 
market. Since the strategic partnership was 
announced in November 2014, Steadfast 
Network Brokers are selling MetLife 
products either directly or through our life 
broker, Steadfast Life.

Second, we launched a retail insurance 
offering to the network, Steadfast Direct, 
to “take back the farm”. Since our pilot with 
a small group of brokers in May 2015 and 
the launch in July 2015, our brokers have 
generated ~$4 million in premiums 
through Steadfast Direct and are excited 
about the prospect of being able to sell 
competitive retail home and motor 
products to clients.

1  Underlying FY15 results compared to underlying pro-forma FY14 results. Adjustments to statutory results outlined on page 18 under “Reconciliation of NPATA”.

6   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 20152014/2015 acquisitions

Brokers

Underwriting agencies

Allied Insurance Group
New Zealand broker network

Ausure Group
network of authorised representatives

Steadfast Re
reinsurance broker

IMC
trade credit insurance broker

Calliden
ARGIS
A+HPRO
calliden home
Residential Builders
Dawes
IUA
Mansions of Australia
QUS

BCB
specialises in insurance for strata market

IC Frith
2nd member of the Steadfast Network

CAIP

CHU

UAA

Cost saving initiatives
Our brokers are benefiting from cost 
savings through our hubbing and common 
back office services initiatives. We have 
created eight hubs in six states by merging 
26 brokers together and are very close to 
achieving our goal of extracting a total 7% 
cost saving for each hub over a two year 
period. Cost savings have also been made 
with a number of our brokers taking 
advantage of back office services provided 
by our subsidiary, White Outsourcing. 
Furthermore, we are starting to generate 
savings and improved service levels from 
offshoring in Vietnam and the Philippines. 
All of these initiatives mean we are well 
positioned for margin improvements as the 
market hardens. 

Strategic Partners
On behalf of our brokers, Steadfast deals 
with over 200 Strategic Partners including 
some of the world’s leading insurance 
providers. The importance of our 
partnerships and recent partner 
developments can be found on pages  
12 and 13.

Senior management team
In April we rolled out a new corporate 
structure, which promoted three recent 
hires to the senior management team 
– Nick Cook, Adrian Humphreys and 
Duncan Ramsay. Their impressive 
biographies as well as those of the rest 
of our senior management team can be 
found on pages 16 and 17. I feel very 
fortunate to have such a strong, diverse 
team of people working on the Group’s 
strategic initiatives. Part of this new 
structure has included more resources 
behind business development, human 
resources, marketing and technology, to 
help our subsidiaries and brokers. 

New Zealand
We have made significant progress in 
New Zealand, building a similar platform 
to that of Steadfast Australia. The Allied 
Insurance Group, acquired in July 2014, 
provided us with a local vehicle to provide 
services to brokers in New Zealand and 
has increased our share of the general 
insurance intermediary market to 10%. 
This places us in a strong negotiating 
positiion with our Strategic Partners to 
fund enhancements to our brokers’ service 
offering and to drive top line growth for 
all parties. 

Asia
We are starting to build a meaningful 
presence in Asia with affiliated brokers 
based in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, 
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and 
Vietnam. These brokers are assisting our 
Australian and New Zealand broker 
networks to place business in Asia.  
The next 12 months will see a focus  
on developing an Asian broker network 
and exploring the portability of our 
underwriting agencies, reinsurance  
brokers and life broker into Asia.

Outlook
Throughout Steadfast’s 19-year history,  
the Group has demonstrated strong 
growth despite the ebbs and flows of 
the general insurance cycle. This is as 
a result of our defensive SME customer 
base and only a 2% exposure to the 
high-end corporate market. This is also 
due to our resilient business model – well 
diversified by broker, agency, geographic 
region and product line – and our business 
strategy, which reflects multiple growth 
opportunities on an organic basis and 
through acquisitions.

Based on the anticipated uplift from 
acquisitions made during the past 
12 months and flat market conditions, 
we are providing FY16 cash EPS growth 
guidance of between 10% and 14%. 
This assumes no further material 
acquisitions. Please note our key risks 
on pages 26 and 27.

Thank you
The entrepreneurial spirit that established 
the company in 1996 is evident in what has 
been achieved over the past 12 months 
and since the company listed on the ASX in 
August 2013. Steadfast was founded on the 
premise “none of us is as good as all of us” 
which remains true today. Our growth and 
success have been made possible by 
everyone who has become part of the 
Steadfast Group – our brokers, our 
underwriting agencies, our complementary 
businesses, our Strategic Partners and of 
course our valued employees, senior 
management team and board members. 
Thank you for all your hard work this year 
and for validating the strength of our 
business proposition. 

Robert Kelly
MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO

7   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Steadfast Network Brokers Advantage:  
we are the largest general insurance broker network  
in Australia and New Zealand

Since 1996, we have been doing all we can 
to help our brokers differentiate themselves 
in the market. 

Our innovative, best-in-class products 
and services are only available through 
the Steadfast Network. This exclusivity 
plus Steadfast’s market access gives our 
brokers a real competitive advantage. 
Although our negotiating position is 
important, it is our services and support 
system that provides expert guidance 
to every Steadfast Network Broker. 

Our brokers live in local communities so 
they know their clients and can give them 
genuine personal services backed by the 
strength of Steadfast.

Steadfast Network Brokers also benefit 
from access to niche products and 
services through our equity ownership in:

•  22 underwriting agencies

•  a life broker

•  a reinsurance broker

•  Macquarie Pacific Funding 

•  a back office service provider

•  a leading insurance legal practice

•  a leading technology service arm

To grow the Steadfast Network Brokers’ 
business further, we have been running a 
national brand awareness campaign since 
January 2015. This year’s campaign has 
included TV, billboard and digital marketing 
advertising with a “Fear Less” message, 
sponsorships (Nissan V8 supercars and 
Brisbane Roar soccer team) and updated 
broker marketing material.

The Steadfast Advantage
Part of the Steadfast Group DNA is about 
helping each other based on our saying 
“none of us is as good as all of us.” 

Below is a list of some of the ways we help 
our brokers and in turn their clients:

Best-in-class policies
Steadfast Network Brokers have the benefit 
of exclusive Steadfast-negotiated policies 
that offer broader coverage and better 
pricing than the standard product offerings 
of the major insurers and underwriting 
agencies. 

Market access
Steadfast has solid relationships with a 
significant number of insurers, underwriters 
and specialist insurance providers – 
referred to as our Strategic Partners. 
Steadfast Network Brokers have 
unrestricted access to our Strategic 
Partners and therefore an extensive market 
of product and service providers. 

Helplines
Our helplines are an essential part of the 
online support we provide to our broker 
network. Advice is provided by experts in 
the following areas:

•  Compliance

•  Contractual Liability

•  Human Resources and Industrial 

Relations

•  Legal Advice

•  Technical Assistance

Steadfast Triage
Steadfast Triage is a managed escalation 
process designed to support brokers in 
areas impacting client interaction and 
business relationships, including claims, 
ethics and placement issues. Working 
closely with brokers, we help to clarify 
the facts, apply established standards of 
best practice and assist with the resolution 
of disputes involving customers directly 
with our insurer contacts. 

Steadfast Virtual Underwriter
Steadfast Virtual Underwriter (SVU) is an 
innovative web-based tool, developed and 
funded by Steadfast, that enables Steadfast 
Network Brokers to obtain multiple, 
detailed quotes from a variety of Strategic 
Partners using only one data input. The 
SVU empowers our brokers and their 
clients by delivering the information they 
need to make an informed choice, quickly 
and cost efficiently.

Training and networking events
We run training workshops and have 
developed “Steadfast Campus”, an online 
training tool, to provide our brokers with 
opportunities to broaden their knowledge 
and skill base. 

Steadfast networking events include Town 
Hall meetings three times a year and the 
annual Steadfast Convention. The Town 
Hall meetings keep brokers up to date with 
new developments and are used to gather 
feedback on initiatives. The Steadfast 
Convention is the largest insurance 
conference in Australia, attended only by 
Steadfast Network Brokers, Strategic 
Partners and service providers.

8   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015

Steadfast’s 17th Convention was attended 
by over 2,100 people including brokers 
from across Australia, New Zealand and 
Asia. Amidst the networking, presentations 
and festivities, over $200,000 was raised for 
Heart Kids SA and NT.

2,100+

People attended

$200,000

Raised for Heart Kids SA and NT

9   

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies:  
we are the largest underwriting agency group 
in Australia and New Zealand

Brand strength
One of the aspects that sets SUA apart 
from other agency groups is our strong 
belief in brand strength. 

Where others try to rebrand agencies 
when acquired, Steadfast aims to highlight 
each agency’s specialised service by 
preserving its brand and unique offering. 
This is particularly important as around 50% 
of SUA business is placed with non-
Steadfast brokers.

To promote the brands as well as the 
Steadfast Underwriting Agencies group, 
SUA has created an app that can be 
downloaded from its website at 
www.steadfastagencies.com.au

This app provides up-to-date product 
information, access to a variety of 
underwriters, contact options to each 
agency, news, and tools to channel 
servicing claims, make enquiries and 
update accounts.

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies 
(“SUA”) growth
Our underwriting agency business today 
has changed significantly over the past 
12 months. 

We have gone from 10 agencies,  
15 products and annual run rate GWP of 
$200 million to 22 agencies, 70 products 
and annual run rate GWP of $765 million. 

Most of the growth has stemmed from 
acquisitions transacted during the year, 
including CAIP Income Protection, 
Calliden’s eight agencies, and two  
agencies previously owned by QBE –  
CHU Strata Insurance and Underwriting 
Agencies of Australia. The other addition to 
our suite is Emergence, a start-up backed 
by Steadfast, Hollard Insurance Group and 
the two co-founders/managers. 
Emergence specialises in emerging risks, 
with an initial focus on cyber insurance.

Both the Calliden and the QBE agencies 
transformed SUA into the largest 
underwriting agency group in Australia  
and New Zealand, giving Steadfast 
opportunities to benefit from economies  
of scale and cross-selling potential  
for the rest of the Steadfast Network.

Number of agencies

FY14

10 

FY15

22 

Number of products

FY14

15 

FY15

70 

Annual run rate GWP $m

FY14

FY15

200  765 

Distribution mix

50%
Non-Steadfast 
brokers

50%
Steadfast Network 
Brokers

10   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

Personal accident and 
sickness, and travel

Complete farm package

Income protection

Home and contents for 
owner-occupied homes

Residential and 
commercial strata

Specialist/exotic motorcar 
and motorcycle

Emerging risks

Community care, 
entertainment and hospitality, 
and security

Builders’ warranty

Stand-alone cash flow 
insurance focused on SME

High-value homes

Strong focus on SME 
insurance programs

Building and 
construction industry

Marine and motorcycle

Professionals including 
engineers, architects 
and doctors

Specialised equipment, 
tradesmen and small business, 
and marine transit

Property insurance

Hard-to-place risks, exclusive to 
Steadfast Network Brokers

Sports and leisure-
related businesses

Hard-to-place and complex 
risks, including 
environmental liability

Mobile plant and equipment

Hospitality, leisure and 
entertainment sector

11   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015

Steadfast Strategic Partners:  
are some of the world’s leading insurance providers

A fundamental strength of Steadfast is 
the power of our strategic partnerships. 
Our size provides us with strength and 
scale when negotiating with insurers, 
enabling Steadfast to offer brokers and 
their clients access to a broad choice of 
insurance products, exclusive policies and 
a unique claims escalation process.

Our scale and solid reputation provides 
Steadfast with opportunities and  
access to international markets.  
We work with Lloyd’s of London on 
international risk appetite and business 
placement and, as an industry leader, 
influence and implement standards 
through our affiliation with ACORD – 
Asia/Pacific region.

We continue to strengthen our 
relationships with existing Strategic 
Partners but also look to develop new 
strategic partnerships. 

In the past 12 months, we have 
strengthened our relationships with 
existing Strategic Partners including QBE 
– through the acquisition of CHU, BCB 
and UAA – and IAG, the underwriter  
of Steadfast Direct home and  
motor products. 

We have formed new strategic 
partnerships with MetLife, the  
exclusive distributor of MetLife’s SME life 
insurance offering in Australia, and with 
Munich Re, the acquirer of Calliden’s 
underwriting business. 

Furthermore, we have developed 
strategic partnerships aligned to 
Steadfast New Zealand.

“An important element of the sale is the  
10 year exclusive distribution agreement  
we have entered into with Steadfast to  
retain the underwriting business provided  
by the agencies. We look forward to 
continuing to work closely with Steadfast 
and CHU, CUA [BCB] and UAA to further 
grow our program business.” 

John Neal 
QBE Insurance Group CEO

Quote from QBE’s 
16 February 2015 
market release 
announcing the sale 
of CHU, BCB and UAA 
to Steadfast Group

“Steadfast, obviously, is already an important 
partner of IAG, and we see that will just 
strengthen the partnership even further.” 

Mike Wilkins 
IAG Managing Director & CEO

In response to a 
question asked about 
Steadfast Direct at  
IAG’s briefing on  
16 June 2015 
announcing its 
partnership with 
Berkshire Hathaway

“Steadfast is the leading broker of risk 
products to SMEs and partnering with  
them is a natural fit for us in this segment  
of the market.” 

Quote from MetLife’s 
3 November 2014 
market release 
announcing a 
strategic partnership 
with Steadfast Group 

Deanne Stewart 
MetLife CEO

“We look forward to a long-term  
partnership with Steadfast, which will  
enable us to jointly develop profitable  
target-niche and commercial business.” 

Quote from Munich 
Re’s 27 August 2014 
market release 
announcing its 
acquisition of Calliden 
Insurance Operations 

Ludger Arnoldussen 
Member of Munich Re’s Board of Management  
responsible for Germany, Asia Pacific and Africa

12   

Major Insurer Partners

New Insurer Partners 

Premium Funders

13   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Sustainability

At Steadfast, we aim to make a difference 
to our valued employees, our brokers and 
agencies, our Strategic Partners, our 
shareholders and to our community. This 
stems from our vision which is to enhance 
the value of Steadfast-aligned businesses 
through our combined strength, creating 
exceptional value for our shareholders.

Our approach to sustainability reflects 
our priority to support good corporate 
governance practices, identify and 
manage risks, take a responsible approach 
to broker services, develop and retain a 
diverse, engaged and talented workforce 
and make worthwhile contributions to 
our communities.

Governance and sustainability
Our Board of Directors governs the Group in 
a manner consistent with our vision, our 
strategy and our commitment to a 
transparent and high quality governance 
system. The Board has established a number 
of committees to assist it in exercising its 
authority and to monitor the performance 
of the Group, namely the Audit & Risk 
Committee, the Nomination Committee 
and the Remuneration & Succession 
Planning Committee. Further details in 
relation to our corporate governance can be 
found in our Corporate Governance 
Statement, lodged with the ASX on 26 
August 2015 and on our website.

Identifying and managing risks
Our focus on sustainability incorporates the 
establishment of a risk management 
framework which is designed to identity 
and manage material risks on an ongoing 
basis. The soundness and effectiveness of 
that framework is reviewed regularly and 
includes internal audits and assessments of 
risk of the corporate office as well as of the 
Group’s subsidiaries.

Steadfast has exposure to economic risks and 
they are included in the Risks Section of the 
Directors’ Report. The nature of Steadfast’s 
business of insurance intermediation and 
provision of services to insurance brokers 
mean that currently Steadfast considers it 
does not have any material exposure to 
environmental and social sustainability risks.

Leadership in the insurance industry
Two of our Executives have leadership 
roles in regulating the insurance markets:

Robert Kelly, Managing Director & CEO, has 
been an active member of ACORD since 
2000 and in 2014 was awarded the ACORD 
Rainmaker Award, a special honour 

14   

To show our support of women in 
leadership roles, we became a platinum 
member of Head Over Heels, a non-profit 
organisation whose mission is to increase 
the representation of women 
entrepreneurs leading high growth 
businesses. Heads Over Heels works with 
senior business and community leaders as 
well as a select group of CEOs to provide 
senior business women with access to 
strategic networks. 

Community contribution 
Steadfast Group and its subsidiaries actively 
support the communities in which we live 
and work, typically donating around one 
percent of net profit after tax to charitable 
causes each financial year.

The Group created the Steadfast 
Foundation to facilitate grants and 
charitable contributions that support 
charities helping people to overcome 
adversity, with more than $900,000 raised 
since 2011. Charities are often chosen 
based on the recommendations of our 
brokers, and include cancer research and 
support, mental health, surf lifesaving, 
children’s causes and charities supporting 
the homeless and disadvantaged.

As well as the ongoing activities of the 
Steadfast Foundation, Steadfast Network 
Brokers help raise funds each year for a 
local charity based near the location of the 
annual Steadfast Convention. In 2015, 
Convention attendees donated over 
$200,000 to Heart Kids South Australia and 
Northern Territory. During the past year, 
Steadfast Group and our subsidiaries have 
raised more than $650,000 for charities.

One of our subsidiaries, White Outsourcing, 
does its part by providing services pro 
bono to the Future Generation Investment 
Company, an ASX-listed investment 
company which channels some of its 
profits to charities aimed at improving the 
lives of vulnerable children. 

Finally, this year Steadfast participated in the 
Sydney City to Surf event by sponsoring 
employees and providing a marquee and 
food after the event. Over 70 employees 
from Steadfast-aligned businesses 
participated in the 14km run.

presented to organisations and individuals 
that have shown outstanding 
achievements in the advancement of 
standards for the insurance industry. 

Allan Reynolds, Executive General Manager 
– Direct & New Zealand, was appointed 
to the Board of the Australian and 
New Zealand Institute of Insurance 
and Finance (ANZIIF) in May 2015. 

Responsible broker services 
We encourage our insurance brokers to 
act in the best interests of their clients and 
to act responsibly towards underwriters 
by providing them with ongoing training, 
up to date product developments, 
regulatory announcements and a diverse 
choice of products and services from a 
wide range of insurance companies and 
other service providers. 

Diverse, engaged and talented people 
A company’s ability to execute its strategy 
depends on having outstanding talent, fully 
engaged and behaving in the right way. We 
now have a Human Resources team of 
eight to manage the staff of the Group and 
its entities and to ensure they are engaged 
to deliver improved business performance. 

We have a diverse group of people at 
Steadfast – both at the corporate office 
level and throughout the entities which are 
controlled by our organisation. This is 
because our hiring practices are based on 
the experience and skills required for a role 
rather than on the age, gender or ethnic 
background of a person. 

A recent survey found that 49% of Steadfast 
corporate office employees were born 
outside of Australia, including Asia, Africa, 
Europe, North America, South America and 
New Zealand. 

Each year we survey the Group to monitor 
gender diversity in leadership, 
management, the corporate office and its 
controlled entities. The results of the survey 
show a high percentage of women in the 
organisation and a healthy percentage of 
women in leadership positions:

– Women on the Board 

– Women on the 2015  

Executive Management Team 

– Women in the corporate office 

17%

43%

49%

– Women in management positions  

in Steadfast controlled entities 

28%

– Women in Steadfast  
controlled entities 

61%

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Board of Directors

Frank O’Halloran, AM 
Non-Executive Chairman (independent)

Robert Kelly 
Managing Director & CEO

David Liddy 
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Frank had over 35 years’ experience at QBE 
where he was Group CEO from 1998 until 
2012. He also worked with Coopers & 
Lybrand for 13 years where he started his 
career as a Chartered Accountant. Frank 
was President of the Insurance Council of 
Australia in 1999–2000 and was inducted 
into the International Insurance Hall of 
Fame in 2010. He was appointed Chairman 
of the Sydney Red Shield Committee in 
January 2015.

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has over 
45 years’ industry experience. He is ranked 
equal first most influential person in 
insurance by Insurance News and was 
awarded the ACORD Rainmaker Award in 
2014. Robert is a Qualified Practising 
Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA, a Senior 
Associate of ANZIIF Certified Insurance 
Professional and holds Diplomas in 
Financial Services and in Occupational 
Health and Safety, and a Graduate Diploma 
in Australian Risk Management.

David has over 43 years’ experience in 
banking, including postings in London and 
Hong Kong. He was Managing Director of 
Bank of Queensland from 2001 to 2011. 
David is currently Chairman of Collection 
House Limited and a Director of Emerchants 
Limited. He is a Senior Fellow of the 
Financial Services Institute of Australasia 
and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors.

Anne O’Driscoll 
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Philip Purcell
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Greg Rynenberg
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Anne has over 30 years of business 
experience. A Chartered Accountant since 
1984, she was CFO of Genworth Australia 
from 2009 to 2012 following more than 
13 years with IAG. Anne is on the boards of 
Infomedia Limited, Commonwealth Bank’s 
insurance subsidiaries (CommInsure) and 
MDA National Insurance Pty Limited. 
She is a Fellow of ANZIIF and a graduate of 
the Australian Institute of Company Directors 
course and Harvard’s Advanced 
Management Program.

Philip has over 40 years’ experience in 
the insurance and legal industries. He has 
been a partner at Dunhill Madden Butler, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal and 
Ebsworth & Ebsworth and has held two 
board positions with GE in Australia. Philip 
currently is a consultant to Norton Rose 
Fulbright, a leading global legal practice, 
and also assists clients who are engaged 
in commercial transactions or mediation 
of commercial disputes.

Greg has 40 years of experience in the 
general insurance broking industry with 
31 years spent running his own business, 
East West Group. East West Group is a 
Steadfast Network Broker but not a Steadfast 
equity broker. Greg is a Qualified Practising 
Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA and an 
Associate of ANZIIF. He holds an Advanced 
Diploma in Financial Services (General 
Insurance Broking) and was named NIBA 
Queensland Broker for 2014.

15   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Senior Management Team

Our senior 
management team 
has the depth 
and breadth of 
experience needed 
to drive the Group’s 
strategic initiatives 
and ultimately, the 
growth and success 
of Steadfast.

Robert Kelly 
Managing Director & CEO

Stephen Humphrys
Chief Financial Officer

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has  
over 45 years’ industry experience. He is 
ranked equal first most influential person 
in insurance by Insurance News and was 
awarded the ACORD Rainmaker Award 
in 2014. Robert is a Qualified Practicing 
Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA, 
a Senior Associate of ANZIIF Certified 
Insurance Professional and holds Diplomas 
in Financial Services and in Occupational 
Health and Safety, and a Graduate Diploma 
in Australian Risk Management.

Stephen joined Steadfast in 2013 and has 
over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered 
Accountant and extensive expertise in 
acquisitions and integrations. As Managing 
Director of Moore Stephens Sydney for 
10 years and Chairman of Moore Stephens 
Australasia for three, he played a key role 
in placing Moore Stephens into the top 
10 accounting firms in Australia. Stephen 
is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants and a registered tax agent.

Nick Cook
Executive General Manager  
– Partner & Broker Services

Linda Ellis
Group Company Secretary & 
Corporate Counsel 

Samantha Hollman
Executive General Manager  
– Projects, Brand, People

Nick, who joined Steadfast in February 
2015, has over 12 years’ experience at 
Zurich Financial Services, including three as 
the Head of Customer and Proposition 
Development (where he was responsible 
for the performance of Zurich products and 
propositions in the marketplace) and nine 
years as a distribution manager. He has an 
Associate ANZIIF membership and has 
graduated from both the AGSM Leadership 
Program and the Prosci Organisational 
Change Management Program.

Linda joined Steadfast in 2013 and is a 
lawyer with over 15 years’ experience at 
international law firms including Mallesons 
Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood 
Mallesons), Atanaskovic Hartnell and 
Clifford Chance. Linda has diverse 
experience in corporate and commercial 
law, including mergers and acquisitions, 
capital markets and corporate governance. 
She is admitted to practice as a solicitor of 
the Supreme Court of NSW.

Sam joined Steadfast in 2000 and has more 
than 20 years’ experience in the insurance 
industry. She has held key roles in broker 
services, project management, and 
marketing and communications. Sam 
works closely with the Managing Director & 
CEO and the Board, implementing strategic 
initiatives for the Group, including 
marketing trips overseas to review these 
projects on an international level. She also 
oversees human resources and marketing 
for the Group.

16   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Adrian Humphreys
Adrian Humphreys
Executive General Manager  
Executive General Manager  
– Business Development
– Business Development

Simon Lightbody 
Chief Executive Officer of 
Steadfast Underwriting Agencies 

Duncan Ramsay
General Counsel 

Adrian joined Steadfast in January 2015 
Adrian joined Steadfast in January 2015 
in a new role to help brokers grow their 
in a new role to help brokers grow their 
business. He was previously Managing 
business. He was previously Managing 
Director of Lloyd’s Australia where he  
Director of Lloyd’s Australia where he  
grew the business by 84% to over $2 billion 
grew the business by 84% to over $2 billion 
in under five years whilst increasing the 
in under five years whilst increasing the 
number of agencies. Adrian has more  
number of agencies. Adrian has more  
than 10 years’ experience in insurance, 
than 10 years’ experience in insurance, 
working for both Lloyd’s of London and 
working for both Lloyd’s of London and 
Aon. Prior to insurance, he worked at  
Aon. Prior to insurance, he worked at  
KPMG Financial Services.
KPMG Financial Services.

Simon has worked in the insurance 
industry for 25 years in both the UK (at 
Lloyd’s of London) and Australia, including 
nine years within his own business, 
Miramar Underwriting Agency. Steadfast 
entered into the underwriting agency 
market in 2005 as a 50% joint venture 
partner of Miramar and as part of the 
IPO acquired the remaining balance.

Duncan began with Steadfast in June 2014 
after 20 years at QBE Insurance Group. 
His previous role was General Counsel 
and Company Secretary at QBE. He was 
also a director or secretary of a number 
of QBE controlled entities and acted as 
chairman of the policy committee and 
a trustee respectively of QBE sponsored 
superannuation plans in Australia and 
New Zealand. Duncan’s legal career 
commenced in 1986 with Freehills. 

Allan Reynolds
Executive General Manager 
– Direct & New Zealand 

Peter Roberts
Executive General Manager  
– Integration Synergies

Dana Williams
Chief Operating Officer 

Allan joined Steadfast in 2002 and in April 
2015 took on the Direct and New Zealand 
portfolios. With a background in product 
development and distribution, corporate 
strategy and portfolio management, Allan 
has more than 40 years of industry 
experience in general insurance broking. 
He holds a Diploma of Business Studies 
(Insurance), is a Certified Insurance 
Professional and is a Fellow, honorary 
member and board member of ANZIIF.

Peter, who joined Steadfast in 2013, is 
also the Managing Director of White 
Outsourcing, which he joined in 1996.  
He is also company secretary of three 
listed investment companies and 
Macquarie Pacific Funding. Peter has over 
25 years’ experience in accounting and 
back office services to the financial services 
sector, is a member of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants and commenced 
his career in accounting with KPMG.

Dana joined Steadfast in January 2014 and 
was promoted to COO in June that year. 
Her focus is on working with Steadfast 
equity brokers to improve their operations, 
as well as on acquisitions, including due 
diligence and integration. Dana has 
25 years’ business experience, including 
15 in insurance. She has held senior roles 
at Hub International and Marsh, holds 
a Bachelor of Engineering and an MBA, 
and is a Certified Public Accountant.

17   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Chief Financial Officer Report

Since the IPO, Steadfast 
has delivered a 20% 
CAGR in underlying 
cash earnings per share.

12.5

FY13–FY15 underlying cash EPS

Underlying earnings reconciliation

2 0 %   C A G R

7.94

6.77

Year ended 30 June, $million

9.79

Revenue

Underlying EBITA

Underlying NPATA

Underlying Cash EPS (NPATA per share)

Reconciliation of NPATA:

Statutory net profit attributable to shareholders

Amortisation

Statutory NPATA before adjusting items

Change in value of investments

Stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs

Share based payment expense on share options  
and executive loans and shares

Trading of IPO businesses pre IPO

Deferred acquisition adjustments

Income tax 

Underlying NPATA 

Growth in underlying EBITA: FY11–FY15

2014

173.4

62.3

41.2

7.94

25.1

8.8

33.9

(4.0)

2.9

5.3

3.1

–

–

41.2

2013

155.9

57.4

35.2

6.77

(13.4)

7.1

(6.3)

–

13.3

10.5

17.7

–

–

35.2

2015

298.7

90.4

56.7

9.79

42.1

14.7

56.8

(0.6)

3.3

(1.2)

–

(0.9)

(0.6)

56.7

99

90

52

51

59

54

61

57

70

62

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

 EBITA pre CO

 EBITA post CO

Note: FY15 results have been adjusted to reflect underlying financial performance. Historical results are 
adjusted and pro-forma’d to assume the Pre-IPO Acquisitions and the IPO Acquisitions have been included for 
the full reporting period.

10.0

7.5

5.0

2.5

0.0

FY13

FY14

FY15

Growth in earnings
Steadfast has reported significant growth  
in top line revenue and bottom line 
earnings for the second successive year 
since listing. Top line revenue grew by  
72% to $299 million. Underlying net profit 
after tax and before amortisation (“NPATA”) 
rose 38% year-on-year to $57 million. The 
table on your right reconciles underlying 
NPATA to the statutory net profit 
attributable to shareholders.

The growth in earnings has been achieved 
via acquisitions of a number of insurance 
brokerages and underwriting agencies 
during the year. In total, the Group 
expended over $400 million on 
acquisitions which were funded by the 
$300 million 1:3 rights issue and placement 
and our debt facility. This is shown in the 
chart on your right that details the growth 
in earnings before interest expense, 
taxation and amortisation charges.

The full impact of these acquisitions will be 
felt in FY16 when a full year’s earnings will 
be derived. Of note, the Calliden agencies 
were acquired on 23 December 2014 and 
the QBE agencies, 1 April 2015.

18   

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Margins
Softer market conditions prevailed during FY15. Whilst this typically places pressure 
on commission income, our business was able to achieve higher volumes, which allowed 
them to maintain and grow their revenues. This additional volume necessitated 
an increase in headcount which masked margin growth for brokers. Pleasingly, our hubs 
are achieving cost synergies as they merge their businesses. The margins being generated 
by our brokers and underwriting agencies are shown below:
38%

36%

34%

32%

30%

28%

26%

24%

  Brokers 
  Agencies 
  Total EBITA margin (pre CO) 

FY13

FY14

FY15

This shows margins broadly returning to FY13 levels due to the impact of softer 
market conditions. 

Earnings mix
With the acquisition of a number of agencies during FY15, the earnings mix of Steadfast 
has changed, with a higher concentration of earnings now in underwriting agencies. 
When a full year’s earnings from acquisitions is considered, our earnings mix is now fairly 
equally weighted to insurance broking and underwriting agencies, as demonstrated by the 
graphs below:

FY14 EBITA per CO split1 

Run Rate FY15 EBITA per CO split2 

 Insurance broking 

 Complementary businesses 

 Underwriting agencies 

71%

18%

11%

 Insurance broking 

 Underwriting agencies 

 Complementary businesses 

45%

44%

11%

1  Based on FY14 IFRS underlying pro-forma EBITA pre Corporate Office expenses

2  Based on FY15 IFRS underlying EBITA pre CO using normalised historical full year EBITA for acquisitions including Calliden, 

QBE agencies and IC Frith acquisitions.

Solid network growth
Steadfast Network Brokers’ GWP increased by 8.4% year-on-year to $4.4 billion, despite softer 
market conditions. Of this $300 million increase, over $200 million was from Steadfast 
New Zealand, our broker network in New Zealand which was acquired in July 2014.

Strong balance sheet
The equity raising conducted in February 
and March 2015 was well supported by 
Steadfast shareholders and resulted in an 
injection of $300 million of share capital 
onto our balance sheet. Having completed 
the equity raise, Steadfast has now 
negotiated new $285 million multi-bank 
debt facilities with three and five year 
tenors to fund our future needs. At 30 June 
2015, we had utilised $145 million of our 
debt facilities and had a gearing ratio of 
15%. If fully drawn, the $285 million loan 
would represent a 25% gearing ratio 
(defined as corporate debt divided by 
corporate debt plus equity).

Dividends
In April 2015 an interim dividend of 
2.0 cents per share was paid. This, together 
with the final dividend declared of 3.0 cents 
per share payable in October, brings our 
total dividends for the year to 5.0 cents 
per share, all fully franked. This is in line 
with our target dividend payout ratio of 
65%-85% of net profit after tax (“NPAT”), 
and an increase of 11% over the prior 
year dividends.

Cash flow
The businesses in which we invest are 
required to dividend a minimum 75% of 
their NPAT within 45 days of half year end. 
With minimal working capital and capital 
expenditure, this payout ratio has been 
exceeded each half year. This allows 
Steadfast to convert a high percentage of 
profit into free cash flow for Steadfast 
shareholders, as profits are typically derived 
annually on the renewal of insurance 
policies. During the FY15 year, Steadfast 
converted 93% of NPAT and 79% of NPATA 
into cash flow from operations.

Robust financial reporting
I am pleased to report that we have a 
robust structure in place to consolidate the 
results and manage the financial risks for a 
much larger group. This includes robust 
financial reporting systems and strong 
finance, risk and IT teams. My thanks to all 
those behind the financial reporting and 
analysis process which provides 
management, the network and our 
shareholders with the data they need to 
make informed and timely decisions.

Marketing & Administration (M&A) fees grew by a healthy 13.8% in FY15, reflecting 
additional GWP written with Strategic Partners, combined with an increase in M&A rates for 
certain products as well as an increase in the quantum of products attracting M&A fees. 

Stephen Humphrys
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

19   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 20152015 Financial Report Contents

Directors’ report

Remuneration report – audited

Lead auditor’s independence declaration

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated statement of profit or loss  
and other comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Directors’ declaration

Independent auditor’s report

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.   General information

Note 2.  Significant accounting policies

Note 3. 

 Critical accounting judgements, 
estimates and assumptions

Note 4.  Operating segments

Note 5.  Earnings per share

Note 6.  Dividends

Note 7. 

Intangible assets and goodwill

Note 8.  Borrowings

Note 9. 

 Notes to the statement of changes in 
equity and reserves

Note 10.  Business combinations

Note 11.  Subsidiaries

Note 12.  Investments in associates

Note 13.  Investment in joint venture

Note 14.  Financial instruments

Note 15.  Contingencies

Note 16.  Commitments

Note 17.  Events after the reporting period

Note 18.  Profit and loss information

Note 19.  Share-based remuneration

Note 20.  Taxation

Note 21.  Notes to the statement of cash flows

Note 22.  Related party transactions

Note 23.  Parent entity information

Note 24.  Remuneration of auditors

21

30

47

48

50

52

54

55

94

95

55

55

59

60

62

63

64

66

67

69

74

77

80

81

83

83

84

84

85

87

89

90

92

93

20   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial statements of Steadfast Group Limited (Steadfast or the Company) 
and its subsidiaries, and the Group’s interests in associates and a joint venture (Steadfast Group or the Group) for the financial year ended 
30 June 2015 (FY15) and the auditor’s report thereon.

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company at any time during or since the end of the financial year are as follows. Directors were in office for the 
entire period unless otherwise stated.

Name

CHAIRMAN

Frank O’Halloran, AM

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO

Robert Kelly

OTHER DIRECTORS

David Liddy

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

FORMER DIRECTOR

Jonathan Upton

Date of appointment

21 October 2012

18 April 1996

1 January 2013

1 July 2013

1 February 2013

10 August 1998

Retired 29 October 2014

DIRECTORSHIPS OF OTHER LISTED COMPANIES
Directorships of other listed companies held by the Directors in the three years preceding the end of the financial year are as follows.

Name

Company

Period of directorship

Frank O’Halloran, AM

QBE Insurance Group Limited

From 1984 to August 2012

SubZero Group Limited

From December 2013

Robert Kelly

David Liddy

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Jonathan Upton

None

Collection House Limited

Emerchants Limited

Infomedia Limited

None

None

None

From March 2012

From April 2012

From December 2014

Particulars of the Directors’ qualifications and experience are set out under Board of Directors on page 15.

COMPANY SECRETARIES

LINDA ELLIS, BEC, LLB (HONS 1)
Linda Ellis joined the Company in June 2013 as Group Company Secretary & Corporate Counsel. Linda is a lawyer with over 15 years’ 
experience. Further details of Linda’s experience are set out under Management Team on page 16.

PETER ROBERTS, BBUS, CA 
Peter Roberts was appointed Company Secretary in May 2013 and has over 25 years’ experience in the fields of chartered accountancy 
and specialised back office services to the financial services sector. Peter is also Executive General Manager – Integration Synergies. 
Further details of Peter’s experience are set out under Management Team on page 17.

21   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS

The number of Directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of Directors) and number of meetings attended by each of the 
Directors of the Company during the financial year were as follows.

Director

Board

Audit & Risk Committee

Nomination Committee

Remuneration & 
Succession Planning 
Committee

Total number of 
meetings held

Frank O’Halloran, AM

Robert Kelly

David Liddy

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Jonathan Upton

9

4

4

4

Eligible to 
attend as a 
member

Attended as 
a member

Eligible to 
attend as a 
member

Attended as 
a member

Eligible to 
attend as a 
member

Attended as 
a member

Eligible to 
attend as a 
member

Attended as 
a member

9

9

9

9

9

9

3

9

9

9

9

9

9

3

4

–

4

4

4

4

1

4

–

4

4

4

4

1

4

4

4

4

4

4

1

4

4

4

4

4

4

1

4

–

4

4

4

4

1

4

–

4

4

4

4

1

Particular details of the responsibilities of the members of the Board and the various committees are set out in the Corporate Governance 
Statement lodged with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on the same date as this report and available in the corporate governance 
section of the Steadfast Investor website (www.investor.steadfast.com.au).

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the Group during the financial year were the provision of services to Steadfast Network Brokers, the distribution 
of insurance policies via insurance brokerages and underwriting agencies and related services.

22   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

A. OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

EBITA* – consolidated entities

Share of EBITA from associates and joint venture

EBITA from core operations – pre-corporate expenses

Corporate expenses

EBITA from core operations – post-corporate expenses

Finance costs (net of interest received on surplus cash held)

Amortisation expense

Profit before income tax before non-trading items

Income tax expense on profit before non-trading items

Profit after income tax before non-trading items

Non-trading items:

Income

Expenses

Income tax expense on non-trading income and expenses

Non-trading income tax (expense)/benefit

Net profit after income tax for the year 

Non-controlling interests

Net profit after income tax attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Other comprehensive income attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Total comprehensive income after income tax attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

* EBITA refers to Earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation.

The increase in comprehensive income after tax was mainly due to:

Note

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

2015
$’000

78,408

20,357

98,765

(8,396)

90,369

(5,333)

2014
$’000

40,270

23,056

63,326

(8,130)

55,196

(1,130)

(16,530)

(10,158)

68,506

43,908

(20,511)

(14,468)

47,995

29,440

3,186

(3,302)

(459)

585

48,005

(5,901)

42,104

(1,047)

41,057

4,732

(9,298)

2,568

–

27,442

(2,355)

25,087

653

25,740

•  profits generated from acquisitions post listing, including the acquisition of the Calliden Group via a Scheme of Arrangement in 

December 2014 and the acquisition of two underwriting agencies and an insurance broker from QBE (“QBE agencies”) in April 2015;

•  profits generated from a full twelve months of ownership of businesses acquired upon successful listing on the ASX in August 2013 – 

the 2014 accounts reflected approximately eleven months of trading; and

•  increased marketing & administration fees in Australia and New Zealand.

This additional income was partially offset by:

•  additional amortisation ($5.645 million) and financing costs ($3.401 million) to fund these acquisitions;

•  non-trading one-off costs of $3.302 million which includes stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs incurred in acquiring 

Calliden Group and the QBE agencies; and

•  higher income tax expense on the increased scale of operations.

Some of the financial data in the table above, namely the EBITA-related items, is not disclosed in accordance with current Australian 
Accounting Standards requirements. However, all financial data is based on the information disclosed in the audited financial statements 
and notes to the financial statements of the Group and follow the recognition requirements of Australian Accounting Standards.

23   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015B. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

I. Financial position
The total assets of the Group as at 30 June 2015 were $1,615.507 million compared to $821.877 million as at 30 June 2014. The increase 
was mainly attributable to the addition of assets from acquired businesses throughout the year as detailed in Note 10 to the accounts.

Total liabilities of the Group as at 30 June 2015 were $773.942 million compared to $296.839 million as at 30 June 2014. The increase 
was mainly attributable to:

•  the assumption of liabilities in the books of the newly acquired businesses; and

•  the $140.973 million increase in bank loans, principally to fund acquisitions.

The increase in the Group’s equity from $525.038 million at 30 June 2014 to $841.565 million at 30 June 2015 largely reflects:

•  $300.002 million of share capital issued (less capital raising costs) from the placement and 1:3 rights issue in February and March 2015;

•  $5.558 million of new shares issued from the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP); and

•  Retention of profits not paid as dividends.

The Group has a revolving line of credit facility that will allow the Group to borrow up to $180.000 million. As at balance date, the Group 
had the ability to borrow an additional $32.891 million from this facility. Subsequent to balance date, this $180.000 million facility was 
replaced with a $285.000 million syndicated facility as detailed further in this report and in Note 8 to the accounts.

II. Cash from operations
The net operating cash flows, before broking trust account movements, of $44.778 million are higher than those for the prior period, 
reflecting the increased scale of operations of the Group. This amount represents the derivation of the profits for the period, apart from 
the delayed receipt of dividends from associates which are contracted to be received half yearly (typically no later than 45 days post 
December half year end and June year end). 

The net cash inflow from operating activities for the year ended 30 June 2015 was $66.999 million compared to $5.463 million for the 
year ended 30 June 2014. The net inflows of $66.999 million include a net inflow of $22.221 million to broking accounts and net inflows 
from the balance of operating activities of $44.778 million as detailed above. 

III. Other significant cash movements
The Company raised $300.002 million in cash on issuing new shares in February and March 2015 via a placement and a 1:3 rights 
entitlement offer. The cash raised was used to fund the following:

•  acquisition of the QBE agencies and certain businesses owned by IC Frith Australia; and

•  transaction costs (net) of $5.801 million in relation to the offer.

IV. Capital management 
As at 30 June 2015, the Company had a total of 743.414 million ordinary shares on issue. This is an increase of 241.776 million shares 
since 30 June 2014. The increase was due to 3.679 million shares from DRP participation, and the placement of shares (70.311 million) 
in February 2015, together with the 1:3 rights entitlement (167.786 million) in March 2015.

The Board leverages the Group’s equity, adopting a maximum 25% gearing ratio (defined as corporate debt: corporate debt and equity). 
As at 30 June 2015, the Company had a 14.9% gearing ratio (2014: 2.3%).

24   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015STRATEGY AND PROSPECTS

Steadfast’s business strategy is to increase shareholder value through maintaining and growing its market position in the provision 
of insurance distribution and related services, with a core focus on general insurance intermediation. The table below details the key 
strategies of the Group together with accomplishments to date and the prospects for future years. Also relevant to an assessment of 
the Company’s prospects is an assessment of risks facing the Company and the industry generally and the risk management strategies 
in place to address these risks. These are discussed in the next section.

Strategy

FY15 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

Continuing to enhance 
the services we provide 
to all network brokers

Building and enhancing 
our strategic relationships 

•  Expansion into New Zealand market

•  Expand the services offered to the Steadfast 

•  Regular network “Town Hall” meetings

•  National marketing campaigns

•  Addition of Calliden Group to Steadfast 

Virtual Underwriter (SVU) platform

•  Net addition of five new brokers to 

Steadfast Network

•  Pilot of Steadfast Direct retail insurance 
products and the technology behind it

New Zealand Network

•  Increase SVU penetration by adding more insurers 

to the platform

•  Continued promotion of SVU to Steadfast 

Network Brokers

•  Roll out of Steadfast Direct across the Network

•  Continue to expand and refine broker services

•  Continued product development

•  Further products added to the strategic product list

•  Continued promotion of products which generate 

•  New strategic partners added, including Munich Re

•  More insurers added to the SVU platform

•  Partnership with MetLife to enhance life 

insurance offering

•  Partnership with Berkshire Group and IAG 

to develop Steadfast Direct

•  Equity position in a new underwriting agency 

for emerging risks

enhanced marketing and administration fees

•  Continue to increase strategic product offerings 

and develop new partnerships

•  Continued initiatives to increase the rate of M&A fees 

and the range of products to which they apply

•  Joint ventures with strategic partners

Growing profitability 
of our businesses

•  Continued hubbing in each State

•  Deliver synergies for each hub

•  Extraction of cost synergies in the hubs

•  Implement cost saving initiatives, including back 

•  Continued development of Project 360 which 

office services

will automate certain key back office transactions

•  Expand hubs by adding more brokers

•  Developed strategic partnerships aligned to 

•  Pilot and roll out Project 360

Steadfast New Zealand

•  Grow Steadfast New Zealand

•  Implement further initiatives to cross sell underwriting 

agency services into the Steadfast Network

•  Continue to increase Macquarie Pacific Funding 

penetration in Steadfast Network

Generating growth 
through acquisitions

•  Acquired a number of businesses, including:

•  Continue to apply strict cultural and financial 

 – 11 underwriting agencies (now the largest 

portfolio of underwriting agencies in Australia 
and New Zealand);

 – a number of insurance brokers;

 – authorised representative group, Ausure;

 – the Allied network in New Zealand;

 – a reinsurance broker

•  Developed a pipeline of potential acquisitions 
with a number under active consideration

acquisition guidelines including that acquisitions 
be earnings accretive in first 12 months using a 
75% equity and 25% debt funding assumption

•  Continue to actively convert acquisition 

opportunities, including insurance brokers and 
underwriting agencies

•  Extract synergies from acquisitions

25   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Strategy

FY15 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

Explore and develop 
opportunities in Asia

•  Established Steadfast Asia Network (co-broking 

•  Work with regulatory authorities to set up Steadfast 

of risks that are referred from Australia) 

cluster in Asia

•  Consider equity in Asian brokerages

•  Ensure portability of our owned underwriting 

agencies, reinsurance brokers and life brokers into 
Asian market

Keep our brand 
reputable and strong

•  Created brand awareness through national 
marketing program for broker network 
including TV, billboard and online advertising 
plus sponsorship of Nissan V8 Supercars and 
Brisbane Roar

•  Continue to grow brand awareness

•  Expand brand into Steadfast Direct market

•  Promote 22 different Steadfast Underwriting Agency 

brands to broking industry

RISKS

In seeking to achieve our strategic goals, Steadfast is subject to a number of risks which may materially adversely affect operating and 
financial performance. Steadfast adopts a rigorous risk management process which is an integral part of the Company’s corporate 
governance structure but some risks are outside the Group’s control. Some of the key risks (in no particular order) include: 

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

Acquiring and holding 
equity in operating 
businesses

•  Deficiencies in due diligence by Steadfast

•  Stringent due diligence

•  Transition to new owners may be disruptive 

and costly

•  Selecting acquisitions which are expected to 
transition well and have a good cultural fit

•  Potential unknown or contingent liabilities

•  Tight acquisition and shareholders’ agreements

•  Reliance on partners performing satisfactorily

•  Thorough transition management

•  Insufficient funding to capitalise on opportunities

•  Close oversight and audit of ongoing operations, 
profit margins, including continual reporting and 
reviews

•  Ongoing monitoring of available capital and 

resources

•  Ongoing monitoring of profit and margins

People risk

•  Loss of key executives

•  Succession planning

•  Loss of key individuals in operating businesses 

•  Appropriate restraints to protect ongoing business

with consequential material business interruption

•  Potential loss of key customer relationships

•  Market competitive remuneration

•  Career development opportunities

•  Investments which are subject to a permanent 

•  Close monitoring of investments

decrease in value 

•  Investment write down or impairment results in 

an expense for the Group

•  Strategic partners may seek to reduce rates of 

M&A fees paid to Steadfast

•  Insurers may seek to reduce rates of commission 

paid to brokers

•  Steadfast works with management of businesses 
in which Steadfast is invested to optimise results

•  Diversity of earnings via a number of revenue 
sources eg M&A fees, profits from operating 
businesses derived from commission and other 
revenue

•  Continue to engage strategic partners and offer a 
powerful value proposition to them to justify the 
M&A fees and commission rates

•  Operating businesses seek to increase fees to 
mitigate any loss of commission arising from 
reduced premiums

Investment 
impairment risk

Reduction in rates 
for marketing and 
administration fees, 
commission rates 
or advice fees

26   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

Fraud or embezzlement 
of Group or client funds

•  Particularly in operating businesses 

•  Appropriate policies and procedures implemented 

where Steadfast does not control the 
day-to-day operations

and regularly reviewed

•  Fidelity insurance held

•  Implement Project 360

Loss of Steadfast Network 
Brokers

•  Network Brokers can leave the Steadfast 
Network at any time, potentially resulting 
in a reduction in M&A fees for Steadfast

•  Provision of excellent services and support to 

Steadfast Network Brokers

•  Continue to share M&A fees in the form of Network 

Broker rebates with members

•  Considerable ongoing engagement with Network 
Brokers including seeking and addressing feedback

Reliance on strategic 
partners

•  Potential reduction in M&A fees (and commission 
due to lower gross written premium (GWP)) if 
strategic partners are lost and not replaced 
within appropriate timeframe

•  Significant effort expended in maintaining and 

strengthening relationships with strategic partners 
of which most are longstanding

•  Continually adding new strategic partners

Increased competition 
or market change

•  Increased competition from new entrants and 

existing market participants, including increased 
commoditisation of business insurance products

•  Diversity in investments (ie portfolio of underwriting 
agencies, premium funding and complementary 
services as well as insurance broking)

•  Changes in the remuneration model for 

•  Diversity in earnings (eg M&A fees as well as profits 

insurance brokers or underwriting agencies

from investments)

•  Increased competition or change in market 

•  Geographical spread of the businesses of 

structure for premium funding

subsidiaries and associates

•  More customers buying direct from insurers 

through the internet

Information technology 
(IT) systems risk

•  Risk of data loss/fraud, system breakdown

•  Back-up, restoration and recovery procedures

•  Potential material adverse effect on ability to 

•  IT security guidelines implemented

deliver services and profitability

•  IT risk assessment program and other procedures

Reduction in GWP 
in the Australian and 
New Zealand general 
insurance markets

•  Group has a number of revenue sources linked 
to size and growth of GWP in Australian and 
New Zealand markets

•  GWP is influenced by factors including pricing 
decisions by insurers and level of demand for 
general insurance products (which can be 
influenced by economic conditions)

•  Any softening in local and global economic 
conditions would be expected to lead to a 
softening in the level of GWP

Regulatory risk

•  Risk that Steadfast’s subsidiaries and associates 

may individually not comply with their Australian 
Financial Services Licence requirements or 
financial services regulation more generally 
and their licence may be in the worst case 
suspended or withdrawn

•  Initiatives to increase the size of the Steadfast 

Network, make further investments in insurance 
brokers and underwriting agencies and other 
strategic initiatives (including increasing fee income) 
have the capacity to partially offset pressure on 
profitability of any softening in GWP

•  SME sector, which accounts for 85%+ of Steadfast’s 
total GWP sold through the Steadfast Network, has 
historically experienced higher growth in GWP with 
less volatility compared to the large corporate sector

•  Growth in other markets eg Steadfast Direct

•  Initial due diligence on acquisition includes reviews 
of historical and current compliance. Steadfast also 
provides a range of services to advise and assist the 
entities within the Group with regulatory change 
and compliance

•  Continue to monitor the entities within the Group 

•  Risk that regulatory changes may impact the 

from an operations viewpoint

Group’s or entities within the Group’s business 
model either through costly and burdensome 
regulations or from the structure and 
management of the operations

•  An ongoing internal audit program, which includes 

a review of compliance

•  Along with other broker representative organisations, 

the Group monitors and consults on regulatory 
changes with the regulators to ensure changes are 
introduced in the most efficient way for the industry 
and to minimise unintended consequences

27   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015DIVIDENDS

Details of dividends paid or declared by the Company are set out in Note 6 to the accounts.

During the financial year ended 30 June 2015, a final dividend for 2014 of 2.7 cents per share and an interim dividend for 2015 of 2.0 cents 
per share were declared and paid, both fully franked.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

During the financial year ended 30 June 2015:

•  the Company acquired a number of underwriting agencies (including Calliden Group, CHU and UAA) to become the largest 

underwriting agency group in Australia and New Zealand;

•  the Group acquired an insurance broking network in New Zealand;

•  the Group acquired an authorised representative group, Ausure; and

•  the Group acquired a number of insurance brokers and a reinsurance broker.

These acquisitions were funded partially by debt and partially via an equity raising in February and March 2015 as detailed above. 
Apart from the above, there were no other significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group.

EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO REPORTING DATE

Subsequent to 30 June 2015, the following events occurred:

•  the Board declared a final dividend of 3.0 cents per share, 100% franked;

•  the Group replaced its $180.000 million debt facility with a multi bank $285.000 million syndicated facility (refer Note 8 to the accounts).

Further details are set out in Note 17 to the accounts.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

The Group’s operations are not subject to any particular significant environmental regulations under a law of the Commonwealth or 
of a State or Territory legislation.

28   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF OFFICERS

The Company has entered into deeds of access, insurance and indemnity, with each Director and officer which contain rights of access 
to certain books and records of the Company for a period of seven years after the Director and officer ceases to hold office. This seven 
year period can be extended where certain proceedings or investigations commence before the seven year period expires. 

In respect of the indemnity of the Directors and officers, the Company is required, pursuant to the constitution, to indemnify all Directors 
and officers, past and present, against all liabilities allowed under law. Under the deed of access, insurance and indemnity, the Company 
indemnifies parties against all liabilities to another person that may arise from their position as a Director or an officer of the Company or 
its subsidiaries to the extent permitted by law. The deed stipulates that the Company will meet the full amount of any such liabilities, 
including reasonable legal costs and expenses. 

In respect of insurance being obtained on behalf of the Directors and officers, the Company may arrange and maintain Directors and 
officers’ insurance for its Directors and officers to the extent permitted by law. Under the deed of access, insurance and indemnity, the 
Company must obtain such insurance during each Director and officer’s period of office and for a period of seven years after a Director 
or an officer ceases to hold office. This seven year period can be extended where certain proceedings or investigations commence 
before the seven year period expires.

Disclosure of the insurance premiums and the nature of liabilities covered by such insurance are prohibited by the relevant contracts 
of insurance.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES

During the financial year, KPMG, the Group’s auditor, has performed certain other services in addition to their statutory duties.

The Board has considered the non-audit services provided by the auditor and is satisfied that the provision of those non-audit services is 
compatible with, and did not compromise, the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services were subject to the corporate governance procedures adopted by the Group and have been reviewed by the 

Audit & Risk Committee to ensure they do not impact the integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

•  the non-audit services provided do not undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code 
of Ethics for Professional Accountants, as they did not involve reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own work, acting in a management 
or decision-making capacity for the Group, acting as an advocate for the Group or jointly sharing risks and rewards. 

Details of the amounts paid to the auditor of the Group, KPMG, and its network firms, for audit and non-audit services provided during 
the financial year are provided in Note 24 to the financial statements.

LEAD AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

The lead auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 47 and forms part of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 
30 June 2015.

29   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Remuneration Report – Audited

A. INTRODUCTION

The remuneration report outlines Steadfast’s remuneration philosophy, framework and outcomes for the financial year ended 
30 June 2015 (FY15) for all key management personnel (KMP), including all Non-executive Directors and the Executive Team made 
up of the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) and his direct reports. KMP are those persons having authority 
and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity, directly and indirectly.

The current KMP of the Group for the entire financial year unless otherwise stated, are as follows. 

TABLE 1 – NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Name

Frank O’Halloran, AM (Chairman)

David Liddy

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Jonathan Upton

Date of appointment

21 October 2012

1 January 2013

1 July 2013

1 February 2013

10 August 1998

9 May 2005. Retired 29 October 2014

Frank O’Halloran is Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

David Liddy is Chairman of the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee.

Anne O’Driscoll is Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Other than Jonathan Upton who retired 29 October 2014, all Non-executive Directors listed in Table 1 above are independent directors.

TABLE 2 – EXECUTIVE TEAM 

Name

Role

Robert Kelly 

Managing Director & CEO

Stephen Humphrys

Chief Financial Officer

Dana Williams

Linda Ellis*

Chief Operating Officer

Group Company Secretary & Senior Counsel

Date of appointment

18 April 1996

2 January 2013

28 January 2014

3 June 2013

Samantha Hollman

Executive General Manager – Project, Brand, People

4 January 2000

Allan Reynolds 

Peter Roberts*

Executive General Manager – Direct & New Zealand

5 December 2002

Executive General Manager – Integration Synergies

1 August 2013

1 July 2015

Simon Lightbody

CEO, Steadfast Underwriting Agencies 

*  Ceased to be a KMP on 1 July 2015.

Remuneration is a highly technical subject in the current regulatory and reporting environment. In writing this report, our aim is to 
present information in a way which is easy to be understood by the readers as well as to meet our legal obligations. In sections B to D, 
we concentrate on providing the structure and value of remuneration of the Executive Team. Other relevant and technical information 
is provided in section G, Additional information, for those readers who want to understand the executive remuneration in more detail.

The structure of the remuneration report is as follows.

Section

Details

B

C

D

E

F

G

30   

Remuneration governance

Executive remuneration structure

Executive remuneration details

Non-executive Directors remuneration 

Non-executive Directors remuneration details

Additional information

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015B. REMUNERATION GOVERNANCE

This report meets the remuneration reporting requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and Accounting Standard AASB 124 Related 
Party Disclosures. The term remuneration used in this report has the same meaning as compensation as prescribed in AASB 124. 

I. REMUNERATION & SUCCESSION PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing and determining remuneration 
arrangements for the Non-executive Directors and the Executive Team made up of the Managing Director & CEO and his direct reports 
listed in the KMP tables above.

II. REMUNERATION PHILOSOPHY
The objective of the Group’s executive remuneration framework is to ensure reward for performance is competitive and appropriate 
for the results delivered. The framework aligns executive reward with achievement of strategic objectives and the creation of value for 
shareholders and conforms to market practice for delivery of remuneration.

The Board embodies the following principles in its remuneration framework:

•  a performance based reward structure;

•  competitive and reasonable rewards to attract and retain high calibre executives;

•  strong links between executive rewards and shareholder value;

•  a significant proportion of executive remuneration is at risk, and is linked to achievement of pre-determined performance targets; and

•  transparent reward structures.

III. INVOLVEMENT OF EXTERNAL REMUNERATION ADVISORS
The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee directly engages and considers market remuneration data from remuneration 
consultants as required. The data provided by remuneration consultants is used as a guide for remuneration decisions in respect of the 
Executive Team. For the financial year ended 30 June 2015, remuneration consultant Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd (“Mercers”) was 
engaged to provide information on fixed remuneration packages and incentives to the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee.

No remuneration recommendations as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 were provided by Mercers.

C. EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION STRUCTURE

The listing of the Company necessitated the introduction of a remuneration structure which aligns with the current ASX Corporate 
Governance Practice and commenced operation from 1 July 2013 (FY14).

The Group aims to reward executives with a level of remuneration commensurate with their responsibilities and position within the 
Group and their ability to influence shareholder value creation.

The remuneration framework links rewards with the strategic goals and performance of the Group and provides a market competitive 
mix of both fixed and variable rewards. The Group has adopted an approach to position fixed remuneration and total remuneration at 
the 75th percentile (depending on the time the executive has been in their position). 

The key elements of the executive remuneration are:

•  fixed remuneration consisting of cash salary, superannuation and non-monetary benefits;

•  an annual incentive referred to as short term incentive (STI) plan; and

•  a long term incentive referred to as long term incentive (LTI) plan.

The Board believes that the fundamental driver for executive remuneration should be long term financial performance that generates 
value for Steadfast shareholders. The at risk (or variable) remuneration components of the Executive Team are set by referencing to 
regulation and current market practices. To ensure the Executive Team remain focused on long term outcomes without encouraging 
excessive risk taking, the following conditions apply:

•  financial performance hurdle – diluted earnings per share (EPS) growth has been chosen to meet and align with shareholders’ objectives;

•  operating performance hurdle – each member of the Executive Team has set annual performance objectives aligned to the Group’s 

strategic objectives and must achieve at least 60% of those objectives to be eligible for any STI and LTI;

•  40% of the STI is granted as deferred equity awards and is intended to be satisfied by the issue or transfer of ordinary shares in the 

capital of the Company over a three year period from the grant date – being one third at the end of years one, two and three;

•  subject to meeting the personal and financial objectives, vesting of the LTI occurs after three years from the grant date and is satisfied 

by the issue or transfer of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company; and

•  the Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested performance related remuneration (such as STI – Cash, STI – deferred 

equity awards and LTI) downwards if it is appropriate to do so. This discretion, while not specifically mentioned, applies to all the 
following comments on applicable dates for vesting of share-based payment awards.

31   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015The targeted remuneration mix for:

•  the MD & CEO is 36% fixed and 64% variable (at risk); 

•  other members of the Executive Team are in the range of 44% to 54% fixed and 46% to 56% variable (at risk). 

Table 4 provides a breakdown of the three elements of the total remuneration for the Executive Team, measured at maximum level 
and FY15 actual.

Table 3 provides a snapshot of the key elements comprising executive team remuneration as well as the purpose, performance hurdles 
(where applicable) and the FY15 outcome. Table 3A provides executive team remuneration changes from FY16 onwards.

TABLE 3 – SNAPSHOT OF EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION STRUCTURE AND FY15 OUTCOME

Form of 
remuneration

Purpose and link  
to strategy

a. Fixed remuneration 

Cash salary and 
superannuation 

Helps to attract 
and retain high 
calibre executives

Reflects individual 
role, experience 
and performance

Non-monetary 
benefits

Helps to attract 
and retain high 
calibre executives

b. Variable and at risk remuneration

Short term 
incentive (STI)

Recognises the 
contributions and 
achievements 
of the Executive 
Team and helps 
to attract and 
retain talent

Operation and outcome for FY15

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Reviewed annually by the Remuneration & 
Succession Planning Committee and fixed 
for 12 months, with any changes effecting 
from 1 July each financial year. Decision 
influenced by:

•  role, experience and performance;

•  reference to comparative remuneration in 

the market; and

•  total organisational salary budgets.

FY15 outcome
The Board approved an overall 6.7% increase 
in fixed remuneration for the Executive Team 
to reflect the growth of the Group.

Executive Team is provided with car parking, 
income protection and life insurance.

FY15 outcome
No change from FY14.

STI Plan consisting of cash and deferred 
equity award commenced in FY14.

EPS growth measured against the FY14 
results used in arriving at the STI for FY14.

FY15 outcome
STI was awarded in the range of 50% 
to 125% of fixed pay approved by Board. 
The STI awards are:

•  60% cash award will be paid in 

September 2015; and

•  40% deferred equity award to be 

granted on 26 August 2015.

Refer to Table 6 for details of STI awarded.

Target at 36% 
to 54% of total 
remuneration

Personal objectives set 
each year

Car parking cost 
per annum: 
$5,000

Income 
protection and 
life insurance: 
$10,000

Both STI and LTI 
are discretionary, 
performance 
based, at risk 
reward 
arrangements

The combined 
total of STI and 
LTI is targeted at 
46%–64% of total 
remuneration

Personal objectives set 
each year

STI – Cash award  
(60% of total STI)
•  achievement of personal 

objectives

•  diluted earnings per share 
(EPS) minimum growth 
hurdle of 5% to be met

STI – Deferred equity 
award (40% of total STI)
•  continuous employment 

for the vesting period split 
one third over one, two 
and three years; and

•  diluted EPS minimum 
growth hurdle of 5% 
to be met

32   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015Form of 
remuneration

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation and outcome for FY15

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Long term 
incentive (LTI)

Provides 
opportunity for 
the Executive 
Team to acquire 
equity in the 
Company as 
a reward for 
increasing 
EPS over the 
longer term and 
helps to attract 
and retain talent

LTI Plan consisting of deferred equity award 
commenced in FY14.

EPS growth is measured against the FY14 EPS 
used in arriving at the STI for FY14.

FY15 outcome
LTI based on the percentage of fixed 
remuneration of the Executive Team 
was awarded and approved by the Board. 
The actual number of deferred equity 
awards will be granted on 26 August 2015.

Refer to Table 8 for details of LTI awarded.

LTI – Deferred equity 
award (100%)
•  continuous employment 
and performance rating 
to be met for the three 
year vesting period; and

•  the Group’s average 

diluted EPS increasing 
by a compound 10% per 
annum over the three 
year vesting period

As part of the ongoing review of remuneration, the STI and LTI plans were refined to ensure incentives aligned with our remuneration 
philosophy and market competitiveness. The Board approved the remuneration changes as set out below in Table 3A for the financial 
year ending 30 June 2016 (FY16) to ensure there was more remuneration “at risk” for the Managing Director & CEO and the CFO. 
This was achieved via increased maximum STI of 150% for the Managing Director & CEO (was 125%) and an increased STI of 100% 
for the CFO (was 75%). The Board believes this to be more in line with the market and will motivate these executives to outperform.

TABLE 3A – EXECUTIVE AT RISK REMUNERATION CHANGES FOR FY16

Remuneration changes

FY15 terms

FY16 new terms

Target remuneration mix

The MD & CEO had a maximum potential fixed: 
variable remuneration mix of 36%:64%.

The MD & CEO to have a maximum potential fixed: 
variable remuneration mix of 33%:67%.

The CFO had a maximum potential fixed:  
variable remuneration mix of 44%:56%.

The CFO to have a maximum potential fixed:  
variable remuneration mix of 40%:60%.

LTI

Conditional rights attract notional dividends.

Conditional rights do not accrue notional dividends.

TABLE 4 – MAXIMUM POTENTIAL AND FY15 ACTUAL REMUNERATION MIX

Fixed remuneration

At risk

STI – cash 

STI – deferred*

LTI*

Total at risk

Maximum potential

FY15 Actual

MD & CEO 
%

Other 
executives 
%

MD & CEO 
%

Other 
executives 
%

36%

44%–54%

36%

44%–54%

28%

18%

18%

64%

100%

15%–20%

10%–13%

19%–25%

46%–56%

100%

28%

18%

18%

64%

100%

15%–20%

10–13%

19–25%

46%–56%

100%

*  During the year, there was no STI – deferred or LTI vested. Deferred rights granted are subject to vesting conditions being met in 

the future.

33   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015I. REMUNERATION OUTCOME FOR FY15
The following sections provide further details on how the at risk components (being STI and LTI) of the Executive Team’s remuneration 
were determined and how that linked to the performance of the Group and the shareholders’ value.

a. Short term incentives 
The STI Plan, consisting of cash and deferred equity awards, commenced in FY14 and is designed to recognise the contributions and 
achievements of the Executive Team when outstanding financial results and individual performance objectives are achieved.

Details of the STI Plan are explained in Table 5 below.

Table 5 – Key details of the STI Plan for FY15

Potential maximum STI

MD & CEO can earn up to 125% of his annual fixed remuneration. 

Performance measures

The other executives within the Executive Team can earn 50% to 75% of their annual fixed remuneration.

Non-financial measures – personal, cultural and behavioural objectives as agreed. At least 60% of the 
objectives must be achieved by the members of the Executive Team to be eligible for any STI. The 
objectives agreed for the MD & CEO for FY15 were improving margins from underwriting agency 
businesses, successful integration of acquisitions, empowering executives, succession planning 
implementation and successful implementation of new technology for back office efficiencies. The MD 
& CEO achieved a substantial majority of his non-financial objectives and through astute negotiation and 
subsequent acquisition of a number of underwriting agencies, built the largest portfolio of underwriting 
agencies in Australia and drove the Company to achieve 16.4% diluted EPS growth in FY15.

Financial measures – no STI will be payable unless at least 5% EPS growth is achieved against the FY14 
pro forma EPS of 6.466 cents. Maximum STI can be awarded if the EPS growth is 15% or more.

Testing and approval of 
performance measures

The MD & CEO’s STI is recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee based 
on the financial and his non-financial performance outcome and approved by the Board.

The STI of other members of the Executive Team is recommended by the MD & CEO to the Remuneration 
& Succession Planning Committee, based on their financial and non-financial performance outcome and 
recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee and approved by the Board.

Rationale for choosing 
performance measures

The non-financial measures are chosen to ensure each member of the Executive Team performs specific 
tasks that support the success of Steadfast.

The financial measure of EPS growth is chosen to ensure long term shareholder value is achieved.

Forms of STI reward 
elements

60% is paid as cash, normally in September following the end of financial year.

40% is granted as deferred equity award (DEA) of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares and vesting 
over a three year tenure hurdle from the grant date – split one third over one, two and three years.

Key terms of DEA

DEA of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares are normally granted in August following the 
financial year.

These rights are granted to the participants at no cost, to the dollar value of their DEA awarded.

The number of conditional rights granted is calculated based on the weighted average share price over 
the five trading days before the grant date.

The participants in the STI Plan become eligible to receive one Steadfast ordinary share per conditional 
right subject to their continuing employment with the Group over the vesting period post grant date.

These rights will accrue notional dividends and any bonus element inherent in any rights issue, which 
will be paid as additional shares upon vesting.

Forfeiture conditions

The Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested performance related remuneration 
(such as STI – Cash, STI – deferred portion) downwards if it is appropriate to do so. 

The conditional rights will be forfeited if the executive resigns before the vesting date.

When an executive ceases employment in special circumstances, such as redundancy, any unvested 
rights may be paid in cash and/or Steadfast ordinary shares, subject to Board discretion.

The Executive Team met their non-financial performance objectives and the Group achieved an underlying diluted EPS growth 
of 16.4% for FY15. 

34   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015The underlying diluted EPS for FY15 will be the base for FY16 EPS growth calculations (refer Table 9).

Details of maximum potential STI and actual STI awarded to each members of the Executive Team are provided in Table 6 below.

Table 6 – Actual STI outcomes for FY15 

Maximum 
STI 
potential

Actual STI outcome

STI – cash outcome 
(60% of outcome)

STI – deferred equity 
award outcome 
(40% of outcome)

(% of  
fixed pay)

(% of 
maximum)

(% of  
fixed pay)

(% of  
fixed pay)

($)

(% of  
fixed pay)

125%

75%

75%

50%

50%

50%

50%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

125%

75%

75%

50%

50%

50%

50%

75%

45%

45%

30%

30%

30%

30%

618,750

213,750

180,000

90,000

78,347

105,719

92,400

50%

30%

30%

20%

20%

20%

20%

($)*

412,500

142,500

120,000

60,000

52,231

70,479

61,600

Robert Kelly

Stephen Humphrys

Dana Williams

Linda Ellis

Samantha Hollman

Allan Reynolds 

Peter Roberts 

Table note
*  The number of conditional rights to be granted to the Executive Team has been determined by the dollar value of the DEA outcome 

divided by the weighted average share price over the five trading days prior to the date of this report.

b. Long term incentives 
The LTI Plan in the form of DEAs commenced in FY14 and is designed to provide the Executive Team with the opportunity to acquire 
equity in Steadfast as a reward for increasing earnings per share over the longer term.

Details of the LTI Plan are explained in Table 7 below.

Table 7 – Key details of the LTI Plan for FY15

Potential maximum LTI

The MD & CEO can earn up to 50% of his annual fixed remuneration. 

The other executives within the Executive Team can earn 35% to 50% of their annual fixed remuneration.

Approval of the LTI

The Board approves the LTI based on the financial and non-financial performance outcome as 
recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee.

Forms of LTI reward 

DEA of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares and vesting after a three year tenure hurdle and 
meeting future performance hurdles from the grant date.

Future performance hurdles Non-financial measures – personal, cultural and behavioural objectives aligned to the Group’s strategic 
objectives as agreed with the Board. At least 60% of the objectives must be achieved by the members 
of the Executive Team to be eligible to any LTI. The FY15 achievements are shown in the “Strategy and 
Prospects” section of the Directors’ Report and include items such as the development of the new 
strategic relationship with Munich Re and MetLife, an uplift in underwriting agency margins, the successful 
integration of FY14 acquisitions, the expansion into New Zealand, the development and pilot of Steadfast 
Direct as well as the acquisition of a number of underwriting agencies, insurance brokers, an authorised 
representative group and a reinsurance broker.

Financial measures – no LTI will be vested unless the Group’s average compound diluted EPS growth of 
10% per annum or more over the three year vesting period is achieved.

Rationale for choosing 
performance measures

The financial measure of EPS growth is chosen to ensure long term shareholders value is achieved. 

The non-financial measures are chosen to ensure each member of the Executive Team performs specific 
tasks that support the success of Steadfast.

35   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Key terms of DEA

DEA of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares are normally granted on the date the audited 
financial results are announced. 

These rights are granted to the participants at no cost, to the dollar value of a percentage of their fixed 
remuneration in accordance with the LTI Plan.

The number of conditional rights granted is calculated based on the weighted average share price over 
the five trading days before the grant date.

The participants in the LTI Plan become eligible to receive one Steadfast ordinary share per conditional 
right, subject to their continuing employment with the Group for the three year period from the grant date 
and meeting performance hurdles, subject to Board discretion.

These rights will accrue notional dividends and any bonus element inherent in any rights issue, which will 
be paid as additional shares upon vesting.

Forfeiture conditions

The Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested LTI downwards if it is appropriate to do so. 

The conditional rights will be forfeited if the executive resigns before the vesting date.

When an executive ceases employment in special circumstances, such as redundancy, any unvested 
rights may be paid in cash and/or Steadfast shares subject to Board discretion.

Table 8 – LTI awarded for the year ended 30 June 2015 

Robert Kelly 

Stephen Humphrys

Dana Williams

Linda Ellis

Samantha Hollman

Allan Reynolds 

Peter Roberts

Fixed pay 
($)

Maximum LTI 
(% of fixed pay) 

LTI – deferred 
equity awards 
($)*

825,000

475,000

400,000

300,000

261,155

352,396

308,000

50%

50%

50%

35%

35%

50%

35%

412,500

237,500

200,000

105,000

91,404

176,198

107,800

*  The number of conditional rights to be granted to the Executive Team has been determined by the dollar value of the DEA outcome 

divided by the weighted average share price over the five trading days prior to the date of this report. 

II. SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENTS
There is no specific policy requiring the Executive Team to hold any Steadfast’s ordinary shares. However, the Executive Team acquire 
Steadfast’s ordinary shares, through the following means:

•  re-weighting shares allocated to the shareholders who held ordinary shares before the Company’s change of constitution as approved 

by its Extraordinary General Meeting in June 2013; 

•  subscription for ordinary shares as part of the Company’s initial public retail and institutional offer and subsequent rights issues;

•  for three executives, acquisition of Executive Shares through the Executive Loan Arrangement (for further details, refer to section G.III. 

Executive loans and Executive Shares, and Table 15 – Movement of Executive loans);

•  participation in the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan;

•  conditional rights conversion into ordinary shares at the end of August 2014 (refer to Table 14 – Conditional rights allocated to the 

Executive Team for further details); and

•  potential vesting of DEAs granted through the STI and LTI Plans in the financial years from 1 July 2014 onwards (refer to Table 3 – 

Key elements of executive remuneration for further details of the STI and LTI Plans).

Table 16 provides movements of Steadfast’s ordinary shares held by the Executive Team during the current financial year.

36   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015III. HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 
The following table outlines the returns of the Group delivered to its shareholders. The Company has experienced significant 
development and transformation to facilitate its successful listing on the ASX in August 2013. As a result, historical analysis of financial 
performance for the financial years prior to 2014 does not provide meaningful comparative information to the users of this report.

Table 9 – Key financial performance indicator

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Net profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company ($’000)

2,810

6,174

(13,437)*

25,087

42,104

* The adjusted earnings for 2013 was $7.075 million after adjusting for non-trading items.

The EPS used for determining STI and LTI for FY15 excludes non-trading income and expenses approved by the Board. This is consistent 
with the FY14 pro forma EPS used as the base for determining FY14’s STI and LTI awards. The reconciliation on the reported EPS to the 
adjusted EPS used for STI and LTI is as follows:

2015

Reported net profit attributable to owners of the Company 

Less: non-trading income (Note 4 (iv))

Add: non-trading expenses (Note 4 (v))

Less: non-trading tax benefit

Adjusted pro forma net profit attributable to owners of the Company 

Adjusted pro forma diluted EPS (cents per share)*

2014

Reported net profit attributable to owners of the Company 

Less: non-trading income, pre tax 

Add: non-trading expenses, pre tax 

Add: July 2013 trading results, pre tax

Less: tax effect on the above 

Adjusted pro forma net profit attributable to owners of the Company 

Adjusted pro forma diluted EPS (cents per share)*

Growth from FY14 (%)

$’000

42,104

(3,186)

3,302

(126)

42,094

7.24 cents

25,087

(3,996)

8,562

4,507

(1,738)

32,422

6.22 cents

16.4%

* The diluted EPS is adjusted for the bonus element of the rights issue completed in March 2015.

EPS used in the future periods for determining STI and LTI awards will exclude any reversal of the effective interest expense on the 
Executive loans. 

D. EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION DETAILS

The table below provides remuneration details for the Executive Team (including the MD & CEO and his direct reports). 

For an executive who was newly appointed to the Executive Team during either financial year, the remuneration information provided in 
the table below relates to the period from the date of their appointment as KMP to the year ended 30 June. Refer to Table 2 – Executive 
Team for KMP who were appointed during the financial year ended 30 June 2014. 

37   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015TABLE 10 – TOTAL EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION OF THE GROUP

Short term employment benefits

Post 
employ-
ment 
benefits

Other 
long term 
employ-
ment 
benefits

Sub total 
(excluding 
share-based 
payments)

Table note

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Share- 
based 
payments

(6)

Total

Cash salary 
and leave 
accruals 
$

Short term 
incentive 
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits 
(refer  
Table 10a) 
$

Super- 
annuation 
$

Long 
service 
leave 
accruals 
$

$

$

$

Current Executive Team (including Managing Director & CEO):

Robert Kelly, Managing Director & CEO

2015

2014

983,104

618,750

22,456

809,011

552,240

2,613,658

Stephen Humphrys, Chief Financial Officer

2015

2014

465,741

213,750

16,864

409,474

181,892

534,844

Dana Williams, Chief Operating Officer*

2015

2014

390,258

180,000

154,579

42,253

Linda Ellis, Group Company Secretary & General Counsel

2015

2014

266,208

254,433

90,000

79,894

15,806

5,761

17,626

12,247

18,783

17,775

18,783

15,888

18,783

8,887

18,783

17,775

21,276

1,664,369

354,025

2,018,394

14,976

4,007,660

126,304

4,133,964

10,265

725,403

144,143

869,546

8,207

1,150,305

128,001

1,278,306

7,777

2,688

5,917

5,216

612,624

214,168

88,424

701,048

5,638

219,806

398,534

369,565

63,009

61,667

461,543

431,232

Samantha Hollman, Executive General Manager – Projects, Brand, People 

2015

2014

248,237

242,713

78,347

72,242

13,327

12,306

Allan Reynolds, Executive General Manager – NZ and Direct

2015

2014

345,546

105,719

11,080

323,763

98,158

478,007

Peter Roberts, Executive General Manager – Integration Synergies

2015

2014

299,730

303,836

92,400

80,927

10,083

9,034

18,783

17,498

18,783

17,621

18,783

23,237

(10,802)

347,892

15,724

360,983

55,649

59,351

403,541

420,334

8,701

6,426

489,829

90,881

580,710

923,975

110,508

1,034,483

7,005

428,001

17,464

434,498

64,220

20,680

492,221

455,178

*  Dana Williams joined Steadfast on 28 January 2014. From 1 July 2014, Ms Williams was appointed as Chief Operating Officer. 

In Table 10 above, her remuneration for the financial year ended 30 June 2014 was only for a part year.

I. Table notes
(1)  Cash salary includes amounts paid in cash plus any salary sacrifice items. Annual leave accruals are determined in accordance with 

Accounting Standard, AASB 119 Employee Benefits.

(2)  The 2015 short term incentive (STI) represents 40% of the total STI awarded and approved by the Board and will be paid in cash in 

September 2015. 

(3)  This amount includes car parking and the relevant fringe benefit tax, cost of income protection, and life insurance and other benefits 

provided by the Group.

In the year ended 30 June 2014, the non-monetary benefits also included the effective interest on the interest free Executive loans 
provided by Steadfast to four members of the Executive Team (over the full five year loan period) to acquire Executive shares at $1.00 with 
a discount of $0.15 per share. Details of the interest free Executive loans and Executive shares are provided in section G.III. in this report. 
Executive loans’ effective interest and the discount on Executive shares are provided in Table 10a for the three remaining executives. 

38   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015Table 10a – Breakdown of non-monetary benefits

Robert Kelly 

2015

2014

Stephen Humphrys

2015

2014

Allan Reynolds 

2015

2014

Deemed 
interest 
expense 
during  
the year 
$

Deemed 
interest 
expense for 
future years 
$

Total 
effective 
interest on 
Executive 
loans 
$

Discount on 
Executive 
shares 
$

Other non-
monetary 
benefits 
$

Total non-
monetary 
benefits 
$

–

–

–

–

22,456

22,456

337,623

1,504,006

1,841,629

750,000

22,029

2,613,658

–

–

–

–

67,495

300,831

368,326

150,000

16,864

16,518

16,864

534,844

–

–

–

–

60,797

270,696

331,493

135,000

11,080

11,514

11,080

478,007

(4)  Superannuation contribution is paid in line with legislative requirements.

(5)  Long service leave accruals are determined in accordance with Accounting Standard, AASB 119 Employee Benefits.

(6)  During the 2013 financial year, four members of the Executive Team were allocated conditional rights which converted to ordinary 
shares free of costs at the end of August 2014 due to continuing employment at that time and their performance meeting the 
minimum criteria as agreed. Details of the conditional rights are provided in Table 14 – Movement of conditional rights in section G.II. 
in this report. An allocated portion of the unvested conditional rights is included in Table 10 above. The value of the conditional rights 
is calculated based on the expected share price, less expected dividends without discounting (due to immaterial time value over the 
vesting period).

E. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

I. STRUCTURE AND POLICY
Non-executive Directors’ fees are determined within an aggregate Directors’ fee pool limit which is reviewed periodically and 
recommended for approval by shareholders. 

The fee structure is designed to provide the Group with the ability to attract and retain directors of the highest calibre.

The aggregate amount of remuneration sought to be approved by shareholders and the manner in which it is paid to Directors is 
reviewed annually. The Board considers advice from external consultants as well as fees paid to Non-executive Directors of comparable 
companies when undertaking the review process.

For the financial year ended 30 June 2015, a remuneration consultant (Mercers) was engaged to provide information on Non-executive 
Director remuneration to the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee. No recommendation as defined by the Corporations Act 
2001 was provided by Mercers.

II. BOARD AND COMMITTEE FEES
Independent and non independent Non-executive Director remuneration consists of three elements:

•  Board fees;

•  committee fees; and

•  superannuation which is paid in line with legislative requirements.

Directors do not receive retirement benefits beyond superannuation contributions and do not participate in any incentive programs.

Directors may also be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in attending to the Company’s affairs.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 14 June 2013 the shareholders approved the maximum aggregate Directors’ fee pool of 
$900,000 per annum for each financial year effective from 1 July 2013.

39   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
Table 11 – Steadfast’s Board or committee annual fee (inclusive of superannuation)

Board/committee

Board

Audit & Risk Committee

Role

Chairman

Non-executive Directors

Chairman

Non-executive Directors

Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee

Chairman

Non-executive Directors

2015 
$

2014 
$

200,000

100,000

200,000

100,000

7,500

2,500

7,500

2,500

7,500

–

7,500

–

No additional remuneration will be paid for the Chairman and members of the Nomination Committee nor any directorships of subsidiaries.

F. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION DETAILS

The table below provides remuneration details of the Non-executive Directors on the Company’s Board.

TABLE 12 – TOTAL DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION OF THE GROUP

Current Directors

Frank O’Halloran, AM

2015

2014

David Liddy

2015

2014

Anne O’Driscoll

2015

2014

Philip Purcell

2015

2014

Greg Rynenberg

2015

2014

Jonathan Upton, retired 29 October 2014

2015

2014

Short term employment benefits

Post  
employment 
benefits

Board fees 
$

Other boards and 
committee fees 
$

Superannuation 
$

182,215

183,066

92,740

91,533

92,740

91,533

90,890

91,533

90,890

91,533

30,296

91,533

5,000

–

10,000

6,865

10,000

6,865

5,000

–

5,000

–

1,667

–

17,785

16,934

9,760

9,102

9,760

9,102

9,110

8,467

9,110

8,467

3,037

8,467

Total

$

205,000

200,000

112,500

107,500

112,500

107,500

105,000

100,000

105,000

100,000

35,000

100,000

Jonathan Upton’s remuneration and other related party transactions with Steadfast IRS are provided in section G.V.a. in this report.

40   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015SHAREHOLDINGS REQUIREMENTS
Non-executive Directors are not required under the Company’s constitution to hold any Steadfast’s ordinary shares. 

However, contained in each Director’s letter of appointment from the Company is a term and condition that the Non-executive Directors 
must hold an amount equal to 50% of their annual remuneration in the Company’s ordinary shares by the end of their second year in office. 

Table 16 provides movements of Steadfast’s ordinary shares held by the Non-executive Directors during the current financial year.

G. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I. EXECUTIVE SERVICE AGREEMENTS
Steadfast has ongoing executive service agreements (Executive Agreements) with each of the members of the Executive Team. These 
Executive Agreements may be terminated by written notice from either party or by the Company making a payment in lieu of notice. 

The Executive Agreements outline the components of remuneration paid to executives and require the remuneration of executives to 
be reviewed annually. The Executive Agreements do not require the Company to increase base salary, pay a short term incentive or offer 
a long term incentive in any given year. 

The table below contains the key terms of the Executive Team’s Executive Agreements. The Executive Agreements do not provide for any 
termination payments, other than payment in lieu of notice by the Company.

Table 13 – Key terms of executive service agreements

Name

Notice period  
from the Company

Notice period  
from the employee

Termination provisions in relation  
to payment in lieu of notice

Robert Kelly* 

12 months

Stephen Humphrys

Dana Williams

Linda Ellis 

Samantha Hollman

Allan Reynolds

Peter Roberts

Simon Lightbody

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

12 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

12 months fixed remuneration

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration

6 months fixed remuneration

*  Mr Kelly has agreed not to terminate his employment contract before 31 December 2017.

In accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001, termination provisions could include the payment of unused annual 
leave and long service leave accruals where applicable.

a. Retrenchment entitlements 
In the event of redundancy, Mr Kelly will be paid an amount equal to 12 months fixed remuneration.

b. Termination under other situations 
In the event of gross negligence or gross misconduct, the Company may terminate the Executive Agreement immediately by notice in 
writing and without payment in lieu of notice.

41   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015II. CONDITIONAL RIGHTS
During the financial year ended 30 June 2013, the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee approved the allocation of conditional 
rights to selected employees who contributed to the listing of the Company. The conditional rights allocated were free of cost and 
converted to one ordinary share per right at the end of August 2014 due to the continuing employment at that time and the performance 
of the employee meeting the minimum criteria as agreed by the MD & CEO for his direct reports (or the Remuneration & Succession 
Planning Committee for the MD & CEO). 

In August 2014, the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee approved the allocation of conditional rights to the Executive 
Team being the deferred equity award (DEA) portion of the STI and LTI based on FY14 results, which vest 31 August 2017 and 31 August 
2019 respectively should all conditions of vesting be met. These conditional rights participated in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) 
in October 2014 and April 2015 for the final FY14 dividends and half year FY15 interim dividends respectively. Additionally, the shares that 
have been set aside for the Executive Team based on the FY14 results would have been able to participate in the benefits of the rights 
issue in March 2015. To compensate the Executive Team for the value of the rights issue benefit foregone, an additional 5.15% of conditional 
rights were awarded.

The table below provides the number of conditional rights held by members of the Executive Team at 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015. 

Table 14 – Movement in conditional rights

Robert Kelly

Stephen Humphrys

Linda Ellis

Samantha Hollman

Allan Reynolds 

Peter Roberts

Dana Williams

Balance 
30 June  
2014 
Number

Converted 
to shares 
31 August 
2014 
Number

FY14 STI 
granted 
Number

FY14 LTI 
granted 
Number

DRP 
granted 
Number

Rights 
entitlement 
Number

–

–

263,724

100,000

(100,000)

50,000

50,000

(50,000)

(50,000)

100,000

(100,000)

–

–

–

–

86,863

38,154

34,738

46,876

38,646

20,178

279,369

152,220

69,551

63,325

122,073

69,181

36,782

16,922

7,449

3,356

3,055

5,264

3,360

1,774

27,969

12,313

5,547

5,050

8,701

5,553

2,933

Balance 
30 June 
2015 
Number

587,984

258,845

116,608

106,168

182,914

116,740

61,667

300,000

(300,000)

529,179

792,501

41,180

68,066

1,430,926

The fair value of the conditional rights as recognised at 30 June 2014 and 31 August 2014 is $0.98.

The fair value of the conditional rights awarded in August 2014 for the DEA portion of the STI based on FY14 results is $1.4312 for Robert 
Kelly and $1.3253 for all other KMP.

The fair value of the conditional rights awarded in August 2014 for the DEA portion of the LTI based on the FY14 results is $1.4001 for 
Robert Kelly and $1.2908 for all other KMP.

The fair value of the Rights Entitlement Number represents the impact of discount on the rights issue in February 2015 not available to 
the KMP.

III. EXECUTIVE LOANS AND EXECUTIVE SHARES
In the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 14 June 2013, the shareholders approved the making by the Company of full recourse 
loans to four members of the Executive Team. They have entered into loan agreements with the Company (Executive Loan Agreements). 
Under the Executive Loan Agreements, the Company provided loans to these executives with the loan proceeds to be used only to fund 
the acquisition of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company at a fixed price of $1.00 per share pursuant to the Company’s initial retail 
and institutional offer (Executive Shares). 

The loans were intended:

•  to recognise and reward the services and contributions provided by these executives to the development and ongoing transformation 

of the Company;

•  to assist in the retention of these executives; and

•  as part of the Company’s remuneration strategy to align the interests of the Executive Team to shareholder value.

42   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015The key terms of the Executive Loan Agreements are:

•  interest free, unsecured and full recourse loans; 

•  all dividends in respect of Executive Shares must be applied towards repayment of the loans; and

•  to be repaid in full five years after the date on which the loans are provided.

The Executive Shares are subject to escrow restrictions. Apart from the exceptions as noted below, the key restrictions are:

•  for the period from the receipt by the executives of the Executive Shares until the end of the term of the loan (or upon the loan being 

accelerated due to an event of default) the executives agreed not to dispose of the Executive Shares or grant security over the 
Executive Shares (subject to certain exceptions as set out below) without the prior consent of the Board; and

•  the executives agreed to the application of a holding lock in respect of the Executive Shares.

During the financial year ended 30 June 2014, the Executive loans were recognised at fair value. The Executive loans were interest free 
loans, and the Executive Shares were issued at a fixed price of $1.00 (being the minimum price to meet the condition of listing). The fixed 
price was different to the final share price of the Company when listed on the ASX in August 2014. A share-based payments expense on 
Executive Shares of $4.015 million was recorded in FY14 to recognise the difference between the cost and the fair value of the Executive 
loans. The share-based payments expense of $4.015 million is likely to be reversed over the period to the final repayment date.

The exceptions to the above escrow restrictions on Executive Shares are:

•  if the disposal does not cause the executive to breach the trading restrictions and the Executive Shares are disposed of during the 
permitted trading window under the Executive Loan Agreements. Under the trading restrictions, each executive may only sell their 
Executive Shares as below:

Period 

Cumulative amount of Executive Shares that may be sold

12 months ended 31 August 2015

12 months ended 31 August 2016

12 months ended 31 August 2017

12 months ended 31 August 2018

12 months ended 31 August 2019

≤ 20% of total Executive Shares

≤ 40% of total Executive Shares

≤ 60% of total Executive Shares

≤ 80% of total Executive Shares

≤ 100% of total Executive Shares

•  should the executive leave, then the shares are not subject to the trading restrictions noted above. 

•  the proceeds from the disposal of the Executive Shares are to be applied towards the repayment of the Executive loans first, in the 

same proportion as the percentage of total Executive Shares disposed. The executives are entitled to retain any profits or gains from 
the disposal of the Executive Shares. 

•  the disposal is made in the event of the death of the executive, the executive being declared bankrupt or the executive ceasing to be 

employed by the Company as a consequence of termination of an employment contract, ill health or retirement.

Table 15 below provides the amount of the Executive loans provided to three executives and the fair value at the drawn down date and 
movement during the financial year. Table 16 provides details of Executive Shares acquired on 2 August 2013 (date of listing of the Company).

Table 15 – Movement of Executive loans – FY15

Robert Kelly 

Stephen Humphrys

Allan Reynolds 

Fair value  
of Executive 
loans drawn 
down at 
start of  
the year 
$

Face value 
of Executive 
loans 
$

Deemed 
interest 
income 
during  
the year 
$

Fair value  
of Executive 
loans at the 
end of  
the year 
$

Repayment 
during  
the year 
$

5,000,000

3,405,994

 368,316

(235,000)

 3,539,310

1,000,000

900,000

681,169

613,104

 73,631

 66,324

(47,000)

 707,800

(42,300)

 637,128

6,900,000

4,700,267

 508,271

(324,300)

 4,884,238

43   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015IV. SHAREHOLDINGS OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Table 16 below summarises the movement in holdings of ordinary shares during the year and the balance at the end of the financial year 
both in total and held nominally by related parties of Non-executive Directors and the Executive Team. 

Table 16 – Movement of shareholding interests of Non-executive Directors in accordance with section 205G of the Corporations 
Act 2001 and the Executive Team – FY15

Total shares 
held at  
1 July  
2014 
Number

Conditional 
rights 
allotted 
31 August 
2014 
Number

Purchases 
Number

Sales 
Number

1,147,825

5,249,348

217,391

108,695

110,956

537,926

2,196,307

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

800,001

124,674

249,276

54,348

49,186

175,362

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,196,307)

1,000,000

100,000

366,667

–

61,597

173,913

913,199

1,656,519

–

50,000

50,000

100,000

–

–

85,744

75,682

6,719

Shares 
allocated 
via DRP 
Number

Total shares 
held at  
30 June 
2015 
Number

Shares held 
nominally 
at 30 June 
2015(a) 
Number

–

1,947,826

1,252,174

4,237

5,378,259

–

–

–

11,628

–

–

–

2,009

6,116

466,667

163,043

160,142

724,916

–

1,466,667

–

199,350

305,711

414

1,020,332

378,259

466,667

163,043

160,142

724,916

–

–

–

–

238,387

20,332

–

–

–

–

–

–

(646,736)

–

1,009,783

1,009,783

Frank O’Halloran, AM(b)

Robert Kelly(b) 

David Liddy(b)

Anne O’Driscoll(b)

Philip Purcell(b)

Greg Rynenberg(b)

Jonathan Upton(b) (c)

Stephen Humphrys

Dana Williams

Linda Ellis

Samantha Hollman

Allan Reynolds 

Peter Roberts

Footnotes to Table 16
(a)  Shares held nominally are included in the column headed Total shares held at 30 June 2015. Total shares are held directly by the KMP 
and indirectly by the KMP’s related parties, inclusive of domestic partner, dependants and entities controlled, jointly controlled or 
significantly influenced by the KMP.

(b)  For the Directors, total shares held directly and nominally also represented the relevant interest in the listed securities, being ordinary 
shares of the Company, as notified by the Directors to the ASX in accordance with section 205G(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, at 
the date of this Directors’ Report.

(c)  Individual shareholdings decreased to nil upon cessation as a Director of the Company.

44   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015V. KMP OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

a. Related party transactions with Jonathan Upton, a Non-executive Director

i. Jonathan Upton’s related party transactions with Steadfast IRS
Jonathan Upton was the Managing Director of Steadfast IRS. Whilst he was a Director of the Company, Mr Upton received remuneration 
from managing the entity. Details of remuneration received or receivable are:

Short term employment benefits

Cash salary and leave accruals

Non-monetary benefits

Post-employment benefits

Superannuation

Other long term employment benefits

Long service leave accruals

Total

2015 
$

2014 
$

108,774

275,710

3,613

11,061

8,557

23,248

1,449

8,625

122,393

318,644

Mr Upton held equity interests in Steadfast IRS directly and indirectly through his 100% ownership interest in Upton Grange Australia Pty 
Limited and Upton Grange Pty Limited. An interim dividend of $70,050 was received by Mr Upton during the year.

The following transactions occurred between Steadfast Group and Steadfast IRS by Mr Upton: 

Sale of goods and services

Marketing and administration fees received from Steadfast IRS, based on the same terms  
as other Steadfast Network Brokers

5,684

8,849

Payment for goods and services

Estimated Steadfast Network Broker rebate expense to Steadfast IRS

40,290

34,989

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date between Steadfast Group and Steadfast IRS and these intercompany 
balances are fully eliminated on consolidation:

Current receivable and payable

Trade receivables from Steadfast IRS

Trade payables to Steadfast IRS

Non-current loan receivable

Loan receivable from Steadfast IRS

–

–

138,421

2,151

– 10,985,171

The loan receivable from Steadfast IRS as at 30 June 2014 included accrued interest of $269,721. 

The key terms of the loan are:

•  variable interest rate based on the Macquarie Bank Reference Rate plus a margin of 1.7% per annum;

•  the borrower may elect to fix the interest rate for periods between one and five years at the rate nominated by the lender from time 

to time;

•  the loan’s maturity date is 15 years after the day of first drawdown; and

•  monthly repayment will commence 12 months after the first drawdown or at a later date as may be agreed in writing by the lender at 

its absolute discretion.

45   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015b. Other KMP related party transactions
The following transactions occurred with Directors’ (Robert Kelly and Greg Rynenberg) related parties which are part of Steadfast Network 
but are not part of Steadfast Group:

i. Sale of goods and services

Marketing and administration fees received from Directors’ related entities  
on normal commercial terms

ii. Payment for goods and services

Estimated Steadfast Network Broker rebate expense to Directors’ related entities  
on the basis as determined by the Board

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties:

iii. Current receivable from related parties

Trade receivables from Directors’ related entities

ROUNDING

2015 
$

2014 
$

26,143

19,692

49,272

55,767

52,917

47,660

The Group is of the kind referred to in the class order 98/100 dated 10 July 1998 issued by the Australian Securities & Investments 
Commission. In accordance with that class order, amounts in the Directors’ Report and financial report have been rounded to the 
nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Signed at Sydney on 26 August 2015 in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Frank O’Halloran, AM
Chairman

Robert Kelly
Managing Director & CEO

46   

Directors’ Report continuedSteadfast Group Annual Report 2015Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration
UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001

TO THE DIRECTORS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit for the financial year ended 30 June 2015, there have been:

•  no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and

•  no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

KPMG

Andrew Dickinson 
Partner

Sydney
26 August 2015

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with 
KPMG International Cooperative (“KMPG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

47   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Note

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

12

13

18

18

20

246,413

112,132

(49,446)

(13,236)

196,967

29,619

6,358

32,452

98,896

26,361

4,358

23,922

265,396

153,537

8,293

2,138

565

3,463

10,139

3,196

4,445

435

279,855

171,752

(110,555)

(26,672)

(37,740)

(9,270)

(9,287)

(12,881)

(2,702)

(4,417)

(3,302)

63,029

(15,024)

48,005

(73,971)

(11,530)

(27,043)

(7,084)

(5,299)

(7,236)

(1,689)

(1,016)

(3,283)

33,601

(6,159)

27,442

(1,486)

445

(1,041)

46,964

933

(280)

653

28,095

REVENUE

Fee and commission income

Less: Brokerage commission paid

Net fee and commission income

Marketing and administration fees

Interest income

Other revenue

Share of profits of associates accounted for using the equity method

Share of profits of joint venture accounted for using the equity method

Profit on fair value of investments

Other income

EXPENSES

Employment expense

Selling expense

Administration, brokers’ support service and other expenses 

Steadfast Network Broker rebates expense

Occupancy expense

Amortisation expense

Depreciation expense

Finance costs

Stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit after income tax expense for the year

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

ITEMS THAT MAY BE RECLASSIFIED SUBSEQUENTLY TO PROFIT OR LOSS

Net movement in foreign currency translation reserve

Income tax expense on other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

48   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015PROFIT FOR THE YEAR IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

Note

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

5,901

42,104

48,005

5,907

41,057

46,964

2,355

25,087

27,442

2,355

25,740

28,095

5

5

7.26

7.24

5.25

5.24

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the notes to the 
financial statements.

49   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash held on trust

Receivables from broking/underwriting agency operations

Other receivables

Related party loans receivable

Other

Total current assets

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Related party loans receivable 

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Investments in associates

Interest in joint venture

Intangible assets

Goodwill

Other

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Bank overdrafts

Payables on broking/underwriting agency operations

Other payables

Borrowings

Income tax payable

Provisions

Deferred consideration

Total current liabilities

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Borrowings

Other payables

Deferred tax liabilities 

Deferred consideration

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

50   

Note

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

22

22

20

12

13

7

7

8

8

67,648

172,155

38,551

76,679

311,521

133,460

27,507

16,680

927

3,386

914

1,730

583,144

268,014

7,500

25,777

10,357

7,710

19,825

5,817

122,351

144,388

3,446

180,952

4,425

76,606

669,321

289,162

12,659

1,032,363

1,615,507

5,930

553,863

821,877

632

654

429,012

188,222

43,380

23,706

453

4,168

11,851

27,506

862

4,929

6,388

13,598

517,002

238,359

8

160,910

20

1,284

59,810

27,821

7,115

256,940

773,942

841,565

19,528

1,285

25,865

6,454

5,348

58,480

296,839

525,038

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015EQUITY

Share capital

Treasury shares held in trust

Foreign currency translation reserve

Share-based payments reserve

Undistributed profits reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to the owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

CORPORATE GEARING RATIO

Note

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

9

9

787,946

488,187

(3,018)

(237)

3,130

6,562

(10,698)

39,196

(1,070)

810

3,187

6,328

(2,578)

20,937

822,881

515,801

18,684

9,237

841,565

525,038

9

14.9%

2.3%

The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements.

51   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Equity attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Non- 
controlling 
interests

Total 
equity

Treasury 
shares 
held in 
trust 
$’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
$’000

Share- 
based 
payments 
reserve 
$’000

Un- 
distributed 
profits 
reserve 
$’000

Share 
capital 
$’000

Other 
reserves 
$’000

Retained 
earnings 
$’000

$’000

$’000

2015

Balance at 1 July 2014

488,187

(1,070)

810

3,187

6,328

(2,578)

20,937

9,237

525,038

Profit after income tax 
expense for the year

Other comprehensive 
income for the year, 
net of tax

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

TRANSACTIONS WITH 
OWNERS IN THEIR 
CAPACITY AS OWNERS:

Contributions of equity,  
net of transaction costs 
(Note 9)

Shares issued for Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan (Note 9)

Shares acquired and held  
in trust (Note 9)

Share-based payments  
on Executive Shares and 
employee share plans

Shares allotted through 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan 
(Note 9)

Shares allotted to 
employees under Employee 
Conditional Rights Scheme

Transfer of retained 
earnings to profit reserve

Put option liability on 
acquisition of subsidiaries

Acquisition of non-
controlling interests 

Changes in part equity 
interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control 

Dividends declared and paid 

–

–

–

294,201

5,558

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,931)

–

(63)

1,046

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,047)

(1,047)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

989

–

(1,046)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

23,845

–

–

–

804

–

(8,924)

(23,611)

–

–

42,104

5,901

48,005

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

(1,041)

42,104

5,907

46,964

–

–

–

–

–

–

(23,845)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

294,201

5,558

(2,931)

989

(63)

–

–

804

2,850

2,850

4,970

(3,954)

(4,280)

(27,891)

Balance at 30 June 2015

787,946

(3,018)

(237)

3,130

6,562

(10,698)

39,196

18,684

841,565

52   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Equity attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Non- 
controlling 
interests

Total 
equity

Treasury 
shares 
held in 
trust 
$’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
$’000

Share- 
based 
payments 
reserve 
$’000

Un- 
distributed 
profits 
reserve 
$’000

Other 
reserves 
$’000

Retained 
earnings 
$’000

$’000

$’000

2014

Balance at 1 July 2013

Profit after income tax 
expense for the year

Other comprehensive 
income for the year, 
net of tax

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

TRANSACTIONS WITH 
OWNERS IN THEIR 
CAPACITY AS OWNERS:

Contributions of equity,  
net of transaction costs 
(Note 9)

Shares issued for Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan (Note 9)

Shares acquired and held  
in trust (Note 9)

Share-based payments  
on Executive Shares and 
employee share plans

Share-based payments  
on share options granted

Transfer of retained 
earnings to profit reserve

Put option liability on 
acquisition of subsidiaries

Acquisition of non-
controlling interests 

Changes in part equity 
interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control 

Dividends declared and paid 

Share 
capital 
$’000

317

–

–

–

486,867

1,003

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,070)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

157

–

653

653

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,822

365

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,328

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(804)

–

(1,774)

11,195

713

12,382

25,087

2,355

27,442

–

–

653

25,087

2,355

28,095

–

–

–

–

–

(6,328)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

486,867

1,003

(1,070)

2,822

365

–

(804)

7,596

7,596

679

(1,095)

–

(9,017)

(2,106)

(11,123)

Balance at 30 June 2014

488,187

(1,070)

810

3,187

6,328

(2,578)

20,937

9,237

525,038

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements.

53   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees, and Network Broker rebates

Dividends received from associates and joint venture

Interest received

Interest and other finance costs paid

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities before customer trust accounts movement

Net movement in customer trust accounts (net cash receipts/payments on behalf of customers)

Net cash from operating activities

21

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Payment for acquisitions of subsidiaries and business assets, net of cash acquired and repayment  
of subsidiaries’ loans

Payments for investments in associates and joint venture

Proceeds on part disposal of investments on scheme of arrangement

Proceeds on part disposal of investments in subsidiaries on hubbing arrangements

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangible assets

Net cash used in investing activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issue of shares

Payments of transaction costs on issue of shares

Payments for purchase of treasury shares

Repayment of related party loan

Repayment of non-related party loans

Provision of related party loans

Provision of non-related party loans

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Dividends paid to owners of Steadfast Group Limited, net of Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

Note

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

258,897

138,443

(214,604)

(124,092)

14,622

4,943

(4,417)

(14,663)

44,778

22,221

66,999

7,163

3,701

(1,016)

(7,801)

16,398

(10,935)

5,463

(374,468)

(116,355)

(8,901)

(70,222)

47,112

6,145

(1,803)

(1,301)

–

6,875

(1,751)

(241)

(333,216)

(181,694)

300,002

333,703

(8,287)

(2,931)

927

4,090

(221)

(1,660)

(15,896)

(1,070)

196

–

(2,993)

–

139,421

12,524

(18,196)

(37,015)

(18,053)

(4,280)

390,812

124,595

114,576

(8,014)

(2,106)

279,329

103,098

11,478

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

21

239,171

114,576

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements.

54   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Notes to the Financial Statements
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

NOTE 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 

This general purpose financial report is for the year ended 30 June 2015 and comprises the consolidated financial statements for 
Steadfast Group Limited (Steadfast or the Company) and its subsidiaries, and the Group’s interests in associates and a joint venture 
(Steadfast Group or the Group). These financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Steadfast’s functional and 
presentation currency.

The Company is a for-profit listed public company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office 
and principal place of business is Level 3, 99 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

A description of the nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities is included in the Directors’ Report, which is not part 
of the financial report.

This general purpose financial report was authorised for issue by the Board on 26 August 2015.

The flow of information is grouped as follows:

•  significant accounting policies and critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions – Notes 2 and 3;

•  key financial indicators of the Group – Notes 4 to 6;

•  significant assets and liabilities – Notes 7 to 8;

•  equity related matters – Note 9;

•  group structure – Notes 10 to 13;

•  risk and unrecognised items – Notes 14 to 16; and

•  additional information and disclosures required by Accounting Standards – Notes 17 to 24.

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
This financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards and other 
authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, as appropriate for for-profit oriented entities and the 
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) refer to the overall framework of standards and pronouncements approved by 
the International Accounting Standards Board. IFRS forms the basis of the Australian Accounting Standards. This financial report 
of the Group complies with IFRS.

B. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT
The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this financial report are set out below. The accounting policies adopted 
in the preparation of this financial report have been applied consistently by all entities in the Group and are the same as those applied for 
the previous reporting period unless otherwise noted. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, 
modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of certain non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities.

I. New and amended standards adopted by the Group 
The Group has adopted the following revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board that are mandatory for the year ended 30 June 2015. Adoption of these standards has not had any material effect on the 
financial position or performance of the Group.

Title

Description

AASB 1031

Materiality

AASB 2014–1

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards: Part A and Part C

AASB 2013–3

Amendments to AASB 136 – Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets

AASB 2013–9

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Conceptual Framework, Materiality and Financial 
Instruments: Part B

55   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

II. Reclassification of comparatives 
Certain prior year comparative information has been revised in this financial report to conform to the current period’s presentation. 
The reclassifications are for:

•  improving readability of the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income by providing further breakdown 

of income; and

•  measurement period adjustments to goodwill, intangible assets and its associated deferred tax liability recognised on prior year 

business combinations.

III. Rounding
The Group is of the kind referred to in the class order 98/100 dated 10 July 1998 issued by the Australian Securities & Investments 
Commission. In accordance with that class order, amounts in this financial report have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, 
unless otherwise stated.

C. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

I. Business combinations
The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration 
transferred in the acquisition is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. The excess of the consideration 
transferred over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and non-controlling interests is recorded as goodwill. If the consideration 
transferred is less than the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and non-controlling interests, the difference is recognised directly 
in profit or loss. Costs of acquisition are expensed as incurred, except if it related to the issue of debt or equity securities. 

II. Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns 
from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements 
of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group from the date on which control commences until the 
date on which control ceases. 

III. Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests (NCI) are measured at their proportionate share of the acquired subsidiaries’ identifiable net assets at the date 
of acquisition. For the operations and business being put into a business hub, NCI represent the fair value at the hubbing date. Changes 
in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. 

IV. Loss of control
When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related NCI and other 
components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured 
at fair value when control is lost. 

V. Interests in equity-accounted investees
The Group’s interests in equity-accounted investees comprise interests in associates and a joint venture. Associates are those entities in 
which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint venture is an 
arrangement in which the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights 
to its assets and obligations for its liabilities. 

Interests in associates and the joint venture are accounted for using the equity method. They are initially recognised at cost, which 
includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Group’s share of the profit or loss of associates and the joint venture is 
included in the Group’s profit or loss. 

VI. Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in full. 

56   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

D. REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefit will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. 
Revenue is recognised to the extent that there is no future obligation. Where there is a future obligation, a portion is deferred over the 
expected service period. 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable.

I. Fees and commission income
Commission, brokerage and fees are recognised when the related service has been provided and it is probable that the Group will be 
compensated for services rendered and the amount of consideration for such services can be reliably measured. This is deemed to be 
the invoice date. An allowance is made for anticipated lapses and cancellations. 

II. Marketing and administration fees
The Company has negotiated with strategic partners, such as insurers, premium funders and underwriting agencies, to receive marketing 
and administration fees based on the amount of business placed with those entities for the Group’s preferred products. These amounts 
are recognised as revenue when base premium is placed (in the case of insurers and underwriting agencies) or premiums funded (in the 
case of premium funders).

III. Claims experience benefit
The Group may receive a claims experience benefit payment or payments in respect of certain types of insurance products placed with 
insurance companies. Revenue is recognised for a claims experience benefit for a particular policy year when it is likely that a claims 
experience benefit is receivable and the amount can be measured reliably.

Factors taken into account in recognising a claims experience benefit include the number of years that have passed since the end of a 
policy year and whether various claims have been closed or can be reliably measured.

IV. Other revenue
Other revenue is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

E. TAXATION

Tax consolidation
The Company (the head entity) and its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries have formed an income tax consolidated group under the 
tax consolidation regime. As a consequence, these entities are taxed as a single entity and the deferred tax assets and liabilities of these 
entities are offset in the consolidated financial statements. 

In addition, certain controlled subsidiaries and their wholly owned Australian subsidiaries have formed income tax consolidated groups 
under the tax consolidation regime. These entities are also taxed as a single entity and the deferred tax assets and liabilities of these tax 
consolidated groups are offset in the consolidated financial statements.

F. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, deposits held at call with financial institutions, and other short term, highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. This includes cash 
held by the subsidiaries for business operations/operating expenses purposes.

Cash held on trust relates to cash held for insurance premiums received from policyholders which will ultimately be paid to underwriters. 
Cash held on trust cannot be used to meet business operations/operating expenses other than payments to underwriters and/or refunds 
to policyholders.

G. RECEIVABLES FROM BROKING/UNDERWRITING AGENCY OPERATIONS
Receivables from broking/underwriting agency operations are initially recognised based on the invoiced amount to customers. After 
initial recognition, provision is made for lapses or cancellations of insurance policies or other matters that may lead to non-collection.

These receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 to 60 days. Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis.

57   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

H. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Identifiable intangible assets acquired separately or in a business combination (mainly customer relationships and capitalised software) 
are initially measured at cost.

The cost of an intangible asset acquired in a business combination is its fair value as at the date of acquisition. The useful lives of these 
intangible assets are assessed on acquisition.

Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and provision for impairment. 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over their useful lives, currently estimated to be up to 10 years, and their useful lives are 
reviewed annually. 

I. PAYABLES ON BROKING/UNDERWRITING AGENCY OPERATIONS
These amounts represent insurance premium payable to insurance companies for broking/underwriting agency operations on amounts 
invoiced to customers and liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial period and which are 
unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 to 90 days of recognition.

J. AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND NOT YET EFFECTIVE
The Company has not early adopted and applied any new, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations that are not 
yet mandatory for the year ended 30 June 2015.

The Company intends to adopt new, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations in the operating year commencing 
1 July after the effective date of these standards and interpretations as set out in the table below.

Description

Effective date

Operating year

Note

(i)

(i)

(i)

Title

AASB 9

Financial Instruments

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

AASB 2009–11, AASB 2010–7 &  
AASB 2012–6

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards  
arising from AASB 9

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

AASB 15

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

Table note
(i)  These changes are not expected to have a significant financial impact, if any.

58   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 3. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, 
liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical 
experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events management believes to be reasonable under the 
circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates may differ from the related actual results. The judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to the 
respective notes) during the year ended 30 June 2015 are discussed below.

A. FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS ACQUIRED
The Group measures the net assets acquired in a business combination at their fair value at the date of acquisition. If new information 
obtained within one year from the acquisition date about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date identifies adjustments 
to the fair value, then the amounts recognised as at the acquisition date will be retrospectively revised.

Fair value is estimated with reference to the market transactions for similar assets or discounted cash flow analysis.

B. DEFERRED CONSIDERATION
The Group has made a best estimate of the amount of consideration payable for the acquisitions where there is a variable purchase price 
(generally, a multiple of revenue or future period earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation (EBITA)) after performing due 
diligence on the acquisition. Should the final EBITA vary from these estimates, the Group will be required to increase or reduce the final 
consideration payable and recognise the difference as expense or income.

C. GOODWILL
Goodwill is not amortised but assessed for impairment annually or when there is an evidence of impairment.

The recoverable amount of goodwill is estimated using the higher of fair value or the discounted cash flow analysis of the relevant cash 
generating unit (CGU) deducting the carrying amount of the identifiable net assets of the CGU. Key assumptions used in the calculation 
of recoverable amounts are the discount rates, terminal value growth rates and EBITA growth rates.

D. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The carrying amounts of intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication 
of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated on the same basis as goodwill above.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

E. ESTIMATION OF USEFUL LIVES OF ASSETS
The Group determines the estimated useful lives and related depreciation and amortisation charges for its property, plant and equipment 
and finite life intangible assets. The useful lives could change significantly as a result of technical innovations or some other event. The 
depreciation and amortisation charge will increase where the useful lives are less than previously estimated or technically obsolete or 
non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold will be written off or written down.

F. RECOVERY OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and operating tax losses only if the Group considers it is probable 
that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

G. REBATES ACCRUALS
Included in accrued expenditure is an accrual for rebates from the Group to Steadfast Network Brokers which is calculated based on a 
percentage of eligible income received and receivable from the Group’s insurance and premium funding partners. 

59   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS 

The Company’s corporate structure includes equity investments in insurance intermediary entities (insurance broking, underwriting 
agencies and premium funders) and complementary businesses. Discrete financial information about each of these entities is reported to 
management on a regular basis and accordingly management considers each entity to be a discrete business operation. The Company 
believes that all of the Group’s equity investments in insurance intermediary entities exhibit similar economic characteristics and have 
therefore been aggregated into a single reporting segment, being the general insurance intermediary sector. This assessment is based 
on each of the business operations having similar products and services, similar types of customer, employing similar operating processes 
and procedures and operating within similar regulatory environments. The Group is in the business of distributing and advising on 
insurance products in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

In addition to reviewing performance based on statutory profit after tax, the Chief Operating Decision Maker (being the Managing 
Director & CEO) also reviews the additional performance measure earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation (EBITA) broken 
down by consolidated entities, associates and joint venture.

The additional performance measures, EBITA and other related information (broken down by consolidated entities, and associates and 
joint venture) provided on a regular basis to the Chief Operating Decision Maker are outlined in the table below.

Table 
note

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

2015

Total
$’000

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

2014

Total
$’000

EBITA – consolidated entities

77,028

1,380

78,408

39,618

652

40,270

Share of EBITA from associates and joint 
venture (Note 12, 13)

EBITA from core operations  
– pre-corporate expenses

Corporate expenses

EBITA from core operations  
– post-corporate expenses

Finance costs (net of interest received  
on surplus cash held)

Amortisation expense 

Profit before income tax from core 
operations before non-trading items

Income tax expense on profit before 
non-trading items

Profit after income tax before  
non-trading items

Non-trading items:

Income

Expenses

Income tax expense on non-trading 
income and expenses

Non-trading income tax (expense)/benefit

Net profit after income tax for the year 

Non-controlling interests

Net profit after income tax attributable 
to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Other comprehensive income attributable 
to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Total comprehensive income after income 
tax attributable to owners of Steadfast 
Group Limited

20,048

309

20,357

22,414

642

23,056

97,076

(8,396)

1,689

–

98,765

(8,396)

62,032

(8,130)

1,294

–

63,326

(8,130)

88,680

1,689

90,369

53,902

1,294

55,196

(i)

(ii)

(5,321)

(16,006)

(12)

(524)

(5,333)

(16,530)

(1,130)

(9,814)

–

(1,130)

(344)

(10,158)

67,353

1,153

68,506

42,958

950

43,908

(iii)

(19,916)

(595)

(20,511)

(13,892)

(576)

(14,468)

47,437

558

47,995

29,066

374

29,440

(iv)

(v)

3,186

(3,302)

(459)

585

47,447

(5,901)

–

–

–

–

558

–

3,186

(3,302)

(459)

585

48,005

(5,901)

4,732

(9,298)

–

2,568

27,068

(2,299)

–

–

–

–

374

(56)

4,732

(9,298)

–

2,568

27,442

(2,355)

41,546

558

42,104

24,769

318

25,087

(1,047)

–

(1,047)   

653

–

653

40,499

558

41,057

25,422

318

25,740

60   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
 
NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS continued

Table notes
(i) Breakdown of finance costs net of interest received on surplus cash held are as below.

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

2015

Total
$’000

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Finance costs – consolidated entities* 

(4,417)

–

(4,417)

(72)

Finance costs – associates and joint venture  
(Note 12, 13)

(904)

(5,321)

(12)

(12)

(916)

(5,333)

(1,058)

(1,130)

*  2014: net of interest received on surplus cash held at IPO

(ii) Breakdown of amortisation expenses are as below.

Other
$’000

–

–

–

2014

Total
$’000

(72)

(1,058)

(1,130)

Amortisation expense – consolidated entities

(12,429)

(452)

(12,881)

(6,958)

(278)

(7,236)

Amortisation expense – associates and joint 
venture (Note 12, 13)

(3,577)

(16,006)

(72)

(524)

(3,649)

(16,530)

(2,856)

(9,814)

(66)

(344)

(2,922)

(10,158)

(iii) Breakdown of income tax expense on profit before non-trading items are as below.

Income tax expense – consolidated entities

(14,625)

(525)

(15,150)

(8,312)

(415)

(8,727)

(5,291)

(19,916)

(70)

(595)

(5,361)

(5,580)

(20,511)

(13,892)

(161)

(576)

(5,741)

(14,468)

Income tax expense – associates and joint venture 
(Note 12, 13)

(iv) Breakdown of non-trading income are as below.

Net profit on change in value of investments

Executive loans fair value adjustment on part 
repayment of loan

Deemed interest revenue on interest free 
Executive loans

Net gain on settlement or reassessment of 
deferred consideration liability

565

971

711

939

3,186

(v) Breakdown of non-trading expenses are as below.

Stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs

(3,302)

Share-based payments and write down of 
Executive loans

–

(3,302)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

565

971

711

939

3,186

3,996

–

736

–

4,732

(3,302)

(3,283)

–

(3,302)

(6,015)

(9,298)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,996

–

736

–

4,732

(3,283)

(6,015)

(9,298)

61   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
 
NOTE 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE 

A. REPORTING PERIOD VALUE

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

B. RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS USED IN CALCULATING EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit after income tax

Non-controlling interests

Profit after income tax attributable to the owners of Steadfast Group Limited for calculation of basic  
and diluted earnings per share

C.  RECONCILIATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN CALCULATING 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

I. Weighted average number of ordinary shares issued(c)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares issued

Weighted average number of treasury shares held in trust

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share

II. Weighted average number of dilutive potential ordinary shares related to(c)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Effect of share-based payments arrangements(a)

Effect of deemed bonus shares on share options(b)

2015 
cents

2014 
cents

7.26

7.24

2015
$’000

5.25

5.24

2014
$’000

48,005

(5,901)

27,442

(2,355)

42,104

25,087

2015
Number  
in ‘000

2014
Number  
in ‘000

581,306

478,224

(1,460)

(622)

579,846

477,602

579,846

477,602

522

967

411

1,114

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share

581,335

479,127

The weighted average number of ordinary shares or dilutive potential ordinary shares is calculated by taking into account the period from 
the issue date of the shares to the reporting date unless otherwise stated as below.

(a)  Steadfast operates share-based payments arrangements (being an employee conditional rights scheme, a short term incentive plan 
and a long term incentive plan) where eligible employees could receive conditional rights instead of cash. One conditional right will 
convert to one ordinary share subject to vesting conditions being met. These share-based payments arrangements are granted to 
employees free of costs and no consideration will be paid on conversion to Steadfast’s ordinary shares. These arrangements have a 
dilutive effect to the basic earnings per share (EPS) in the current reporting period. 

(b)  3.000 million share options were issued to a key management personnel of an acquired business with an exercise price of $1.00 per 

share. Because the average share price exceeds the exercise price, 0.967 million shares are deemed to be bonus shares. 

(c)  A bonus factor was applied to the weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating both the basic and diluted EPS to 

restate EPS for the rights issue completed in March 2015.

62   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 6. DIVIDENDS 

A. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES

2015

2015 interim dividend

2014 final dividend

2014

Cents  
per share

2.0

2.7

Total  
amount 
$’000

10,067

13,544

Payment date

14 April 2015

8 October 2014

Tax rate for 
franking credit

Percentage 
franked

30%

30%

100%

100%

2014 interim dividend

1.8

9,017

14 April 2014

30%

100%

It is standard practice that the Board declares the dividend for a period after the relevant reporting date. A dividend is not accrued for until 
it is declared and so the dividends for a period are generally recognised and measured in the financial reporting period following the 
period to which the dividends relate.

The dividends recognised in the current reporting period include $0.063 million (2014: $0.013 million) paid in relation to treasury shares 
held in a trust controlled by the Group. All the treasury shares participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. 

B. DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company targets a dividend payout ratio in the range of 65% to 85% of net profit after tax attributable to shareholders of the 
Company with a minimum dividend payout ratio of 50% of net profit after tax and before amortisation expense.

C. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
The Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) that allows equity holders to elect to receive their dividend entitlement in the 
form of the Company’s ordinary shares. The price of DRP shares is the average share market price, less a discount if any (determined by 
the Directors) calculated over the pricing period (which is at least five trading days) as determined by the Directors for each dividend 
payment date and in accordance with the published terms of the DRP.

D. DIVIDEND NOT RECOGNISED AT REPORTING DATE
On 26 August 2015, the Board resolved to pay the following dividend. As this occurred after the reporting date, the dividends declared 
have not been recognised in this financial report.

2015

Cents  
per share

Total  
amount 
$’000

Payment date

Tax rate for 
franking credit

Percentage 
franked

2015 final dividend

3.0

22,302

14 Oct 2015

30%

100%

The Company’s DRP will operate by issuing ordinary shares to participants by issuing new shares with an issue price per share of the 
average market price as defined by the DRP terms with 2.5% discount applied and a record date of 15 September 2015. The last election 
notice for participation in the DRP in relation to this final dividend is 16 September 2015.

63   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 6. DIVIDENDS continued

E. FRANKING CREDITS

Franking account balance at reporting date at 30%

Franking credits/(debits) to arise from payment/(refund) of income tax payable

Franking credits available for future reporting periods

Franking account impact of dividends declared before issuance of financial report  
but not recognised at reporting date

Franking credits available for subsequent financial periods based on a tax rate of 30%

2015
$’000

31,795

(2,614)

29,181

(9,558)

19,623

2014
$’000

8,248

1,588

9,836

(5,805)

4,031

The above amounts represent the balance of the franking account as at the end of the financial year, adjusted for:

•  franking credits/(debits) that will arise from the payment/(refund) of the amount of the provision for income tax relating to the parent 

entity at the reporting date;

•  franking debits that will arise from the payment of dividends not recognised as a liability at the reporting date; and

•  franking credits that will arise from the receipt of dividends recognised as receivables at the reporting date.

NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Customer 
relationships
$’000

Capitalised 
software
$’000

Other 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Total 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Goodwill
$’000

4,095

200,696

669,321

(631)

(19,744)

–

3,464

180,952

669,321

–

18

76,606

289,162

1,299

–

4,077

117,315

384,373

(1,802)

(4,214)

–

–

415

(631)

(12,881)

–

–

3,464

180,952

669,321

2015

A. COMPOSITION

At cost

Accumulated amortisation

B. MOVEMENTS 

Balance at the beginning of the financial year*

Additions

Additions through business combinations

Reduction in intangibles upon loss of control

Amortisation expense transferred to other reserve on hubbing

Amortisation expense

Balance at the end of the financial year

194,440

(18,698)

175,742

75,964

–

113,238

(1,802)

415

(12,073)

175,742

2,161

(415)

1,746

642

1,281

–

–

–

(177)

1,746

64   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL continued

Customer 
relationships
$’000

Capitalised 
software
$’000

Other 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Total 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Goodwill
$’000

2014

C. COMPOSITION

At cost*

Accumulated amortisation*

D. MOVEMENTS

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Changes in cash consideration 

Additions

Additions through business combinations*

Reduction in intangibles upon loss of control

Amortisation expense

Balance at the end of the financial year

83,004

(7,040)

75,964

7,918

–

–

79,291

(4,063)

(7,182)

75,964

880

(238)

642

5

–

241

450

–

(54)

642

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

83,884

289,162

(7,278)

–

76,606

289,162

7,923

28,131

–

241

(601)

–

79,741

281,980

(4,063)

(7,236)

(20,348)

–

76,606

289,162

E. AMORTISATION RATES

10.0% 20.0–100.0%

33.3%

*  The comparative information has been revised to recognise measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts recognised 

on prior period’s business combinations.

F. IMPAIRMENT TESTING OF IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL 
The Group performs impairment testing for all goodwill on an annual basis and for any identifiable intangibles which have impairment 
indicators. There was no impairment provision for the year ended 30 June 2015 (2014: no impairment provision). 

In performing impairment testing, each subsidiary acquired or portfolio of businesses acquired is considered a separate cash generating 
unit (CGU) or grouped into one CGU where operations are linked.

To conduct impairment testing, the Group compares the carrying value with the recoverable amount of each asset. The recoverable 
amount is the higher of:

•  value in use – a discounted cash flow model, based on a five year projection on the approved budget of the tested CGUs with a 

terminal value; and

•  fair value – based on the Group’s estimates of sustainable earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation (EBITA) for each CGU 

multiplied by an earnings multiple appropriate for similar businesses less costs to sell.

The following table sets out the key assumptions for the value in use model.

Post tax discount rates(a)

Pre tax discount rates

Revenue growth rate(b) – one year to five years extrapolation

Long term revenue growth rate(c) 

2015
%

2014
%

10.0% or 11.7%

10.6% or 12.4%

12.6% or 15.2%

13.3% or 16.0%

4.0% per annum

4.0% per annum

4.0% per annum

4.0% per annum

(a)  Post tax discount rates reflect the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC), adjusted for additional risks specific to each CGU. 
The WACC takes into account market risks, size of the business, current borrowing interest rates, borrowing capacity of the businesses 
and the risk free rate. External advice has been sought in relation to the determination of appropriate discount rates to be used.

(b)  The Group has estimated a revenue growth of 4.0% per annum for the financial years between 2016 and 2020 based on short term 

industry forecasts and current performance.

(c)  The Group considers that a long term revenue growth rate of 4.0% is appropriate, based on the current market conditions and 

historical Gross Written Premium (GWP) trends.

No reasonable possible change in assumptions would result in the recoverable amount of a CGU being materially less than the carrying value.

65   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 8. BORROWINGS 

A. BANK LOANS

Current 

Non-current

B. BANK FACILITIES AVAILABLE

I. Bank facilities drawn down

Bank loans

Lines of credit (bank overdrafts)

II. Undrawn bank facilities 

Bank loans

Lines of credit 

III. Total bank facilities available

Bank loans

Lines of credit

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

453

160,910

161,363

862

19,528

20,390

161,363

20,390

632

654

161,995

21,044

32,891

63,610

368

346

33,259

63,956

194,254

1,000

195,254

84,000

1,000

85,000

The outstanding borrowings as at 30 June 2015 represent bank loans drawn:

•  $147.109 million (out of the $180.000 million facility) by the Company principally to fund acquisition of subsidiaries (2014: $12.524 

million); and

•  by certain subsidiaries of the Group to support their operations.

C. BANK FACILITY DETAILS 
At 30 June 2015, the Company had a $180.000 million revolving line of credit facility (30 June 2014: $85.000 million) with Macquarie 
Bank Limited (Macquarie Bank).

D. KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BANKING FACILITIES
As at 30 June 2015, $161.995 million of debt (including bank overdrafts) had been drawn down by the Group. The key terms and 
conditions of the revolving line of credit facility with Macquarie Bank for Steadfast as at 30 June 2015 were as follows. 

•  The undrawn facility is calculated with reference to the borrowings of the Company, leaving an $32.891 million undrawn facility 

at balance date.

•  Variable interest rate, based on a margin above BBSW, payable monthly.

•  The Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the Guarantors) had granted a guarantee and indemnity in favour of Macquarie Bank 

in respect of the Company’s obligation under the Macquarie Bank’s revolving line of credit facility.

•  The Company and the Guarantors had granted various securities to secure the Macquarie Bank facility including:

 – security interests over all of their present and after-acquired assets and undertakings in favour of Macquarie Bank including shares 

in subsidiaries and associates;

 – mortgages over Levels 1, 3 and 5, 97–99 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000, in favour of Macquarie Bank; and

 – mortgages over any money or negotiable instrument received in payment of any claim on, or on cancellation of, any insurance 

policy in respect of the above property in favour of Macquarie Bank.

The Macquarie Bank’s revolving line of credit facility contains a number of representations, warranties and undertakings (including 
financial covenants and reporting obligations) from the Company and the Guarantors that are customary for a facility of this nature, 
including covenants ensuring that the Company maintains a Company debt to EBITDA ratio below agreed levels and a Company debt 
service cover ratio above agreed levels. There were no breaches of covenants or default during the year.

66   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 8. BORROWINGS continued

E. RE-FINANCING OF BANK FACILITIES AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
Since balance date the Company has entered into a multi-bank syndicated facility with Macquarie Bank and ANZ Banking Group 
of $285.000 million to replace the $180.000 million facility with Macquarie Bank. The $180.000 million facility was fully repaid on 
13 August 2015.

The new multi-bank syndicated facility includes the following key terms:

•  $285.000 million facility consisting of a three year tranche of $235.000 million and a five year tranche of $50.000 million;

•  The three year tranche has the potential for 2 one year extensions by agreement of all parties at the end of the first and second year 

of the facility;

•  Variable interest rate based on BBSY plus a margin;

•  The facility is guaranteed by certain wholly owned subsidiaries and is secured;

•  Other terms and conditions are consistent with a facility of this size and nature and the circumstances of Steadfast.

F. BORROWING BY ASSOCIATES
As at 30 June 2015, the associates had a total of $38.424 million of bank borrowings (including bank overdrafts and loans).

NOTE 9. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND RESERVES

2015
Number of 
shares in 
’000

2014
Number of 
shares in 
’000

2015

2014

$’000

$’000

A. SHARE CAPITAL

Reconciliation of movements

Issued ordinary shares, fully paid at the beginning of the financial year (a)

Conversion to preferred capital shares 

Shares issued on the ASX (b)

Less: Transaction costs on issue of ordinary shares, net of income tax

Shares issued for the Dividend Reinvestment Plan

501,638

–

1

(1)

488,187

–

317

–

238,097

500,971

300,002

498,944

–

3,679

–

667

(5,801)

(12,077)

5,558

1,003

Issued ordinary shares, fully paid at the end of the financial year

743,414

501,638

787,946

488,187

(a)  Ordinary shares in the Company have no par value and entitle the holder to participate in dividends as declared from time to time. 

All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s residual assets. 

(b)  The following ordinary shares were issued as a result of the capital raise:

 – on 26 February 2015, 146.035 million ordinary shares were issued being placement to institutional investors and the institutional 

Accelerated Non-Renounceable Pro-rata Entitlement Offer (ANREO); and

 – on 11 March 2015, 92.062 million ordinary shares were issued being the retail ANREO.

B. TREASURY SHARES HELD IN TRUST

Reconciliation of movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Shares allocated to employees

Shares acquired

Shares allotted through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Balance at the end of the financial year

2015
Number of 
shares in 
’000

2014
Number of 
shares in 
’000

2015

2014

$’000

$’000

754

(737)

1,977

42

2,036

–

–

745

9

754

1,070

(1,046)

2,931

63

3,018

–

–

1,057

13

1,070

Treasury shares are ordinary shares of Steadfast bought on market by the trustee (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group) of an employee 
share plan for meeting future obligations under that plan when conditional rights vest and shares are allocated to participants.

67   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 9. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND RESERVES continued

C. CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group’s objectives when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue its listing 
on the ASX, provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimum capital structure to minimise 
the cost of capital, within the risk appetite approved by the Directors.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to 
shareholders, issue new shares, take on borrowings or sell assets to reduce debt. 

The Group monitors capital on the basis of corporate gearing ratio, which is calculated as borrowings attributable to the Company 
(corporate borrowings) divided by total equity and corporate borrowings. During FY15, the Company’s target corporate gearing ratio 
was raised from 20% to 25%. The gearing ratio at reporting date is as follows.

Corporate borrowings

Total equity

Total equity and corporate borrowings

Corporate gearing ratio

D. NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESERVES

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

147,109

841,565

988,674

14.9%

12,524

525,038

537,562

2.3%

I. Foreign currency translation reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve records the foreign currency differences from the translation of the financial information of 
foreign operations that have a functional currency other than Australian dollars. 

II. Share-based payments reserve
The share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value at grant date of equity settled share-based remuneration provided 
to employees and a key management personnel of a subsidiary and the discount on Executive Shares.

III. Other reserves
The other reserves are used to recognise other movements in equity including the fair value of put options issued to a shareholder of a 
subsidiary over that subsidiary’s shares and the net effect on disposal of partial equity ownership in subsidiaries without loss of control.

IV. Undistributed profits reserve
The undistributed profits reserve consists of the current financial period’s net profit attributable to owners of the Group and any retained 
amount carried forward from prior periods transferred from retained earnings. This reserve may be used to pay dividends declared by 
the Directors.

68   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

A. ACQUISITIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
In accordance with the Group’s strategy, the Group completed a number of acquisitions during the year.

Acquisition of subsidiaries 
The following disclosures provide the provisional financial impact to the Group at the acquisition date. Only the top five acquisitions 
by consideration are disclosed separately. The other acquisitions are not individually material and are disclosed in aggregate. The top five 
are as follows:

•  CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd (CHU), an underwriting agency for the residential and commercial strata market. The Group 

acquired 100% of the share capital in CHU on 1 April 2015;

•  Underwriting Agencies of Australia Pty Ltd (UAA), an underwriting agency servicing the mobile plant and equipment sector. The Group 

acquired 100% of the share capital in UAA on 1 April 2015;

•  Eight underwriting agencies from Calliden Group Ltd (Calliden Group), an ASX listed general insurance company headquartered in 

New South Wales. The acquisition occurred on 23 December 2014 and was achieved by a scheme of arrangement under which the 
Group acquired 100% of the share capital in Calliden Group (including an insurer and several agencies) and then immediately on sold 
the general insurance operations and two underwriting agencies to Munich Holdings of Australasia, a subsidiary of Munich Re. 

•  IC Frith Group (IC Frith), consisting of ICF (Australia) Pty Ltd and its controlled entities excluding the warranty business, and IC Frith (NZ) 
Limited and its controlled entities excluding the New Zealand based insurer. IC Frith is an insurance broker headquartered in New South 
Wales. The Group acquired 100% of the share capital in ICF (Australia) Pty Ltd and 90% of the share capital in IC Frith (NZ) Limited 
on 2 April 2015.

•  Ausure Group (Ausure), consisting of Ausure Group Pty Ltd and its controlled entities. Ausure is an authorised representative network 
of insurance professionals in 150 locations across Australia. The Group acquired 73.82% of the share capital in Ausure Group Pty Ltd 
on 1 August 2014.

a. Consideration paid/payable

2015

Cash (a)

Deemed consideration (b)

Deferred consideration (c)

Scrip for scrip (d)

Total

CHU
$’000

UAA
$’000

Calliden 
Group
$’000

IC Frith
$’000

Ausure
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

Total
$’000

155,200

119,200

46,962

22,146

13,265

42,084

398,857

–

241

–

–

27,304

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,122

11,576

–

–

155,441

146,504

46,962

29,268

24,841

5,370

6,141

15,614

69,209

5,370

52,384

15,614

472,225

(a)  Amounts shown as consideration for Calliden Group are net of proceeds from the immediate on-sale of certain assets to Munich 

Holdings of Australasia. The net consideration consists of gross consideration of $94.074 million less proceeds from Munich Holdings 
of Australasia of $47.112 million. The identifiable assets and liabilities acquired shown in Note 10.A.b. are the details relevant to the 
interests retained by the Group.

(b)  This amount represented the acquisition date fair value of the original investment in Webmere Pty Ltd (Webmere) and Finn Foster & 

Associates Pty Ltd (Finn Foster) when the Group increased its shareholding and gained control of these entities. 

(c)  Pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreements, some of the consideration will be settled based on future years’ actual financial 

performance and thus was recognised as deferred consideration by the Group. The deferred consideration is estimated based on a 
multiple of forecast revenue and/or earnings. Any variations at the time of settlement will be recognised as an expense or income in 
the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The deferred consideration shown above represents:

 –   $25.860 million of the deferred consideration is subject to a maximum upwards or downwards adjustment of 20% of the upfront 

cash payment of $290.000 million. The final deferred consideration will therefore fall within the range of $58.000 million refund to 
$58.000 million additional payment;

 –   $22.151 million of deferred consideration for which the maximum amount of payment is unlimited; and

 –   $4.373 million of deferred consideration which is fixed.

(d)  Some hubbing arrangements were partially completed using the hubbing entity’s scrip (refer Note 21C).

69   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

b. Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired

2015

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables*

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Identifiable intangibles 

Other assets

CHU
$’000

5,738

8,627

301

1,771

UAA
$’000

6,869

28,728

115

172

36,828

33,531

248

197

Calliden 
Group
$’000

12,300

31,968

5,410

975

17,645

2,881

IC Frith
$’000

6,103

6,265

657

306

5,996

140

Ausure
$’000

30,464

1,783

344

336

5,985

2,031

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

28,965

13,091

812

721

Total
$’000

 90,439

90,462

7,639

4,281

17,330

117,315

465

5,962

Trade and other payables

(7,486)

(28,067)

(46,606)

(6,353)

(30,108)

(35,333)

(153,953)

Income tax payable

Provisions

–

(973)

–

(481)

(213)

(844)

(175)

(955)

Deferred tax liabilities

(11,049)

(10,280)

(5,608)

(2,058)

Other liabilities

(4,138)

(44)

(15,524)

Total net identifiable assets/(liabilities)

29,867

30,740

2,384

–

9,926

(1,478)

(410)

(2,073)

(1,217)

5,657

(800)

(2,454)

(3,562)

(7,107)

(2,666)

(6,117)

(34,630)

(28,030)

12,128

90,702

*  The trade receivables comprise contractual amounts and are expected to be fully recoverable.

c. Goodwill on acquisition

2015

CHU
$’000

UAA
$’000

Calliden 
Group
$’000

IC Frith
$’000

Ausure
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

Total
$’000

Total consideration paid/payable

155,441

146,504

46,962

29,268

24,841

69,209

472,225

Total net identifiable (assets)/liabilities 
acquired

(29,867)

(30,740)

(2,384)

(9,926)

(5,657)

(12,128)

(90,702)

Non-controlling interests acquired

–

–

–

577

Goodwill on acquisition*

125,574

115,764

44,578

19,919

1,417

20,601

856

2,850

57,937

384,373

*  The majority of goodwill relates to benefits from the combination of synergies as well as the acquired subsidiaries’ ability to generate 

future profits. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

d. Financial performance of acquired subsidiaries
The contribution for the period since acquisition by the acquired subsidiaries to the financial performance of the Group is outlined in the 
table below.

2015

Revenue

EBITA

Profit after income tax

CHU
$’000

11,012

5,946

3,507

UAA
$’000

7,434

5,494

3,250

Calliden 
Group
$’000

12,293

6,404

2,831

IC Frith
$’000

5,387

1,871

1,273

Ausure
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

8,761

4,328

2,276

18,503

6,818

4,033

Total
$’000

63,390

30,861

17,170

If the acquisitions of subsidiaries occurred on 1 July 2014, the Group’s total revenue and profit after income tax attributable to the owners 
of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2015 would have been $362.699 million and $59.727 million respectively.

70   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

e. Acquisition-related costs
The Group incurred acquisition-related costs, being external accounting, stamp duty, consultancy and legal fees for business interests 
acquired during the year ended 30 June 2015. Acquisition costs incurred for the Calliden Group was $1.190 million and for CHU and 
UAA was $1.740 million. Acquisition costs for all other acquisitions was $0.372 million.

The acquisition-related costs totalling $3.302 million have been included in stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs in the Group’s 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 

B. ACQUISITIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014

I. Acquisitions on 7 August 2013
On 7 August 2013, the Group acquired equity interests in a total of 59 insurance broking businesses (Steadfast Equity Brokers), three 
underwriting agencies, and two complementary services businesses. 

All of the acquired businesses had existing management teams who continue to be primarily responsible for ongoing day-to-day 
management of each individual business. For the 12 businesses in which the Group acquired 100% ownership, the Group either 
contracted with existing management to continue to operate the business or had an intention to merge the business with another 
Steadfast Equity Broker, consistent with the Group’s hubbing strategy.

The acquisitions of equity interests ranged from 25% to 100% and the consideration paid for individual investments ranged from 
$0.646 million to $78.200 million. For all those investees classified as subsidiaries, the Group had over 50% of the voting rights or 
less than 50% but with power to have control.

II. Other acquisitions during the year ended 30 June 2014
In addition to the major acquisitions completed on 7 August 2013, the Group also made the following acquisitions:

•  On 13 December 2013, the Group acquired 60% of the share capital of Protecsure Pty Limited, a non-aligned underwriting agency;

•  On 3 April 2014, the Group acquired 70% of the share capital of NM Insurance Pty Limited (Nautilus Marine), a Steadfast strategic 

partner. Nautilus Marine is a leading underwriting agency operating across Australia and New Zealand that specialises in marine and 
motorcycle insurance;

•  On 5 May 2014, the Group acquired an interest in the MECON Winsure Insurance Group, being 76% of the MECON business and 
100% of the Winsure business. MECON Winsure is an underwriting agency that specialises in providing insurance to the building 
and construction industry across Australia. They offer tailored end to end insurance solutions exclusively through broking partners.

•  On 18 June 2014, the Group acquired IMC Trade Credit Solutions Pty Ltd (IMC) through the Group’s subsidiary, National Credit 

Insurance (Brokers) Pty Ltd. IMC is a specialised trade credit insurance brokerage.

III. Acquisition of subsidiaries 
The following disclosures provide the financial impact to the Group at the acquisition date, 7 August 2013 (for 64 businesses) and other 
acquisitions completed as listed in section B.II above, subject to any adjustments on settlement of deferred consideration. For some of 
the businesses, the disclosures include the impact of the broking business and operations being transferred into a business hub. Any such 
adjustments are made by expense or credit in the statement of comprehensive income. Only the top five acquisitions by consideration 
are disclosed separately. The other acquisitions are disclosed in aggregate. 

The top five acquisitions were as follows:

•  RIB Group Holdings Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (RIB Group), an insurance broker based in Queensland;

•  National Credit Insurance (Brokers) Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (NCIB), an insurance broker based in South Australia;

•  Brecknock Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (Brecknock), an insurance broker based in South Australia; 

•  GWS Pty Ltd (GWS), an insurance broker based in Victoria; and

•  Mega Capital Holdings Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Mega Capital), an insurance broker based in Victoria.

71   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

a. Consideration paid/payable

2014

Cash

Consideration shares(a)

Deemed consideration(b)

Deferred consideration(c)

Scrip for scrip(d)

Total

RIB Group
$’000

NCIB
$’000

Brecknock
$’000

41,400

36,800

–

–

–

29,667

17,473

–

–

–

–

852

–

–

–

78,200

29,667

18,325

GWS
$’000

8,611

3,364

–

–

6,018

17,993

Mega 
Capital
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

16,244

575

–

–

–

78,558

34,669

6,112

10,441

14,658

Total
$’000

191,953

76,260

6,112

10,441

20,676

16,819

144,438

305,442

(a)  The consideration shares were valued at $1.15 per share at settlement based on the initial public offer price when the Company 

listed on the ASX.

(b)  This amount represented the original investment in Miramar Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd (Miramar) when the Group increased 

its shareholding in Miramar from 50% to 100%.

(c)  Pursuant to the Share and Unit Purchase Agreements, some of the consideration will be settled based on the actual financial 

performance for the financial year ending 30 June 2014 and thus was recognised as deferred consideration by the Group. 
The deferred consideration is estimated based on the assumption that the acquirees will meet the forecast revenue and/or earnings 
target. Any variation at time of settlement will be recognised as an expense or credit in the statement of comprehensive income. 

(d)  Some hubbing arrangements were partially completed on a scrip for scrip basis.

b. Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired 

2014

RIB Group
$’000

NCIB
$’000

Brecknock
$’000

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables(a)

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Identifiable intangibles

Other assets

12,819

9,020

258

79

19,862

–

13,719

17,208

1,734

510

9,567

184

5,824

11,763

578

79

4,301

980

GWS
$’000

2,719

3,903

243

88

5,451

20

Mega 
Capital
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

5,336

3,773

117

71

4,036

101

55,146

47,742

3,991

1,181

36,524

306

Total
$’000

95,563

93,409

6,921

2,008

79,741

1,591

Trade and other payables

(20,918)

(25,698)

(15,888)

(7,093)

(8,342)

(86,979)

(164,918)

Income tax payable

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Other liabilities

Total net identifiable assets/(liabilities)(b)

(494)

(358)

(6,419)

(7,507)

6,342

(54)

(2,063)

(4,807)

(13,113)

(2,813)

(90)

(221)

(1,951)

(972)

4,403

(343)

(419)

(1,770)

(1,545)

1,254

25

(217)

(1,970)

(6,018)

(2,926)

(9,296)

(1,266)

(12,901)

(29,114)

(56)

(18,728)

(41,921)

3,578

18,294

31,058

(a)  The trade receivables comprise contractual amounts and are expected to be fully recoverable.

(b)  The comparative information has been revised to recognise measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts recognised 

on prior period business combinations.

72   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

c. Goodwill on acquisition

2014

RIB Group
$’000

NCIB
$’000

Brecknock
$’000

GWS
$’000

Mega 
Capital
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

Total
$’000

Total consideration paid/payable

78,200

29,667

18,325

17,993

16,819

144,438

305,442

Total net identifiable (assets)/liabilities 
acquired

Non-controlling interests acquired

Goodwill on acquisition*

(6,342)

2,813

(4,403)

(1,254)

(3,578)

(18,294)

(31,058)

1,268

73,126

–

32,480

1,211

15,133

1,801

18,540

715

2,601

7,596

13,956

128,745

281,980

*  The majority of goodwill relates to benefits from the combination of synergies as well as the acquired subsidiaries’ ability to generate 

future profits. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

d. Financial performance of acquired subsidiaries
The contribution by the acquired subsidiaries to the financial performance of the Group from the acquisition date to 30 June 2014 is 
outlined in the table below.

2014

Revenue

EBITA

Profit after income tax

RIB Group
$’000

NCIB
$’000

Brecknock
$’000

15,327

25,653

7,218

3,911

3,326

1,988

7,214

1,918

1,168

GWS
$’000

6,358

2,638

1,702

Mega 
Capital
$’000

Other 
acquisitions
$’000

9,698

2,379

1,638

59,060

12,590

8,352

Total
$’000

123,310

30,069

18,759

If the acquisitions of subsidiaries occurred on 1 July 2013, the Group’s total revenue and profit after income tax attributable to the owners 
of the Group (without taking into account the cost of funding the acquisitions) for the year ended 30 June 2014 would have been 
$245.325 million and $43.395 million respectively.

e. Acquisition-related costs
The Group incurred acquisition-related costs, being external legal fees and due diligence costs for business interests acquired during the 
year ended 30 June 2014. The amounts incurred could not be separately identified by individual acquisition as there were concurrent 
acquisition activities for all businesses acquired throughout the year.

The legal fees and due diligence costs have been included in stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs in the Group’s consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income. 

IV. Investments in associates
The table below provides aggregated information on the 41 businesses which are treated as investments in associates. The consideration 
paid/payable ranged from $0.646 million to $11.948 million. The Group increased its equity interest in Rothbury Group Ltd from 17.9% to 
30.1% on 7 August 2013.

Total assets and total liabilities are the aggregated balance of all the acquired associates as a whole and not just the Group’s share. These 
balances are based on the acquired associates’ financial position at acquisition date. The financial information for any entity with overseas 
operations is translated using the exchange rate at the relevant reporting year end date. 

73   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

a. Consideration and financial position of acquired associates

2014

Total consideration

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Total 
$’000

139,251

393,435

295,267

b. Financial performance of acquired associates
The financial performance of the acquired associates in the table below is based on the percentage holding in the equity interests of 
each acquired associate for the financial period since acquisition. 

2014

Revenue

EBITA

Profit after income tax

NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES

Total 
$’000

61,776

16,298

9,269

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following key subsidiaries.

Name 

A. PARENT ENTITY

Steadfast Group Limited

B. SUBSIDIARIES – OPERATING ENTITIES

I. Insurance broking businesses

Steadfast Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Ausure Group Pty Ltd and its related entities

Body Corporate Brokers Pty Ltd

Brecknock Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Capital Insurance (Broking) Group Pty Ltd and Capital Insurance Broking 
Group Unit Trust

Centrewest WTF Pty Ltd

Commercial Industrial Insurance Consultants Pty Ltd

Corporate Insurance Brokers Ballina (NSW) Pty Ltd and Corporate 
Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Cyclecover Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Underwriting Group Pty Ltd)

Finn Foster & Associates Pty Ltd

Gallivan, Magee & Associates Pty Ltd

Garaty Murnane Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

GWS Pty Ltd and its related entities

ICF (Australia) Pty Ltd 

IC Frith (NZ) Limited

Insurance Broking Queensland Pty Ltd

Les Wigginton Pty Ltd

Logan Group Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

74   

Table 
note

Country of 
incorporation

Ownership interest

2015 
%

2014 
%

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

(iii)

(i)

(vi)

(ix)

(i)

(i)

(iv)

(i)

100.00

73.82

100.00

80.80

47.00

67.00

83.00

80.00

100.00

60.00

83.00

60.00

83.00

100.00

90.00

64.00

80.00

70.70

100.00

–

–

72.50

47.00

67.00

–

80.00

100.00

–

80.00

–

80.00

–

–

–

–

85.00

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES continued

Name 

Masterman Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and Robert Masterman Insurance 
Broking Unit Trust

Jakomil Pty Ltd and The Milbar Unit Trust

Mega Capital Holdings Pty Ltd

Multi-Functional Policies Pty Ltd

National Credit Insurance (Brokers) Pty Ltd (incorporating IMC Trade Credit)

Newmarket Grand West Pty Ltd (formerly Grand West Pty Ltd)

PID Holdings Pty Limited

Professional Risk Placements Pty Ltd

Queensland Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and QIS Financial Services Pty Ltd

RIB Group Holdings Pty Limited and its subsidiaries (RIB Group)

RSM Financial Services Pty Ltd

Saunders Higgins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Sawtell & Salisbury Pty Ltd and Sawtell & Salisbury Unit Trust

Steadfast IRS Pty Limited

Steadfast NZ Limited (formerly Allied Insurance Group Limited)

Steadfast Re Pty Ltd

Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd 

V.F.P. Insurance Brokers Pty Limited

Waveline Investments Pty Ltd

Webmere Pty Ltd

II. Underwriting agency businesses

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies Holdings Pty Ltd

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies Holdings Services Pty Ltd

Associated Marine Underwriting Agency Pty Limited

CAIP Services Pty Ltd

Calliden Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd

Grange Underwriting Pty Ltd

Hostsure Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Miramar Underwriting Agency Pty Limited

NM Insurance Pty Ltd 

Procover Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Protecsure Pty Limited

Sports Underwriting Australia Pty Ltd

Steadfast Placement Solutions Pty Ltd

Underwriting Agencies of Australia Pty Ltd

Winsure Underwriting Pty Limited

WM Amalgamated Pty Ltd 

Table 
note

Country of 
incorporation

Ownership interest

2015 
%

2014 
%

(i)

(ii)

(i)

(i)

(v)

(i)

(i)

(i)

(i)

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

83.00

67.00

80.00

80.80

86.95

100.00

100.00

100.00

80.00

80.00

100.00

70.70

64.00

100.00

100.00

50.00

70.70

80.80

67.00 

64.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

64.00

100.00

100.00 

70.00 

100.00

90.00 

80.00

100.00

100.00

100.00 

86.00 

80.00

67.00

80.00

–

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

80.00

80.00

100.00

87.52

100.00

80.00

–

–

87.52

–

67.00 

–

100.00

–

–

–

–

–

–

100.00

100.00 

70.00 

100.00

60.00 

80.00

100.00

–

100.00 

76.00 

75   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES continued

Name 

III. Complementary businesses

Actionquote Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Steadfast Convention Pty Ltd

Steadfast Foundation Pty Ltd

Steadfast Share Plan Nominee Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technologies Pty Ltd

White Outsourcing Pty Limited

Table 
note

Country of 
incorporation

(viii)

(vii)

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Ownership interest

2015 
%

2014 
%

100.00

100.00

100.00 

100.00

100.00

100.00

–

100.00

100.00 

100.00

100.00

100.00

Table notes
(i)  The following entities went through internal restructuring – transferring the equity interests of the broking business and its operations 
into a business hub headed by another entity within the Group (hubbing) during the financial year. The ownership interest in the table 
above represents the ownership interest post restructuring:

 – Queensland hub – On 13 March 2015, the Group increased its equity interest in Webmere Pty Ltd (Webmere) from 49.00% to 

50.50%, which resulted in Webmere becoming a subsidiary of the Group. In April 2015, the Group sold its 100.00% equity interest 
in Sawtell & Salisbury to Webmere. Webmere also acquired 100.00% of the share capital in an underwriting agency, Grange 
Underwriting Pty Ltd. Webmere issued additional shares to the Group to fund these acquisitions, which increased the Group’s 
shareholding in Webmere to 76.00%. In May 2015, the Group sold 12.00% of its equity interest in Webmere. As a result of these 
transactions, the Group holds 64.00% equity interest in the combined operations. 

 – Tasmania hub – On 12 September 2014, the Group sold its 85.00% equity interest in Logan Group Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd 

(Logan) to Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (Steadfast Taswide), which also acquired the remaining 15.00% of Logan 
from the non-controlling interest. The Group subsequently sold down its equity interest in Steadfast Taswide and retains 70.70% 
equity interest in this hubbed operation. 

 – Finn Foster hub – On 23 January 2015, the Group sold its 49.00% equity interest in Garaty Murnane Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd 
(Garaty) to Finn Foster & Associates Pty Ltd (Finn Foster) in consideration for additional shares in Finn Foster. The Group also 
subscribed for additional shares in Finn Foster, which used the funds raised to acquire the remaining 51.00% of Garaty from the 
controlling interest. After these transactions, both Garaty and Finn Foster became subsidiaries of the Group with the Group holding 
60.00% equity interest in this hubbed operation. 

 – Adelaide hub – On 13 August 2014, the Group sold its 49.00% equity interest in Multi-Functional Policies Pty Ltd (MFP) to 

Brecknock Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (Brecknock), which also acquired the remaining 51.00% of MFP from the controlling interest. 
On 16 September 2014, the Group acquired the share capital held by a non-controlling interest in Brecknock. As a result of these 
transactions, MFP became a subsidiary of the Group and the Group’s equity interest in this hubbed operation increased to 75.80%. 
On 27 March 2015, Brecknock acquired all the issued shares of V.F.P. Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (VFP) for cash consideration. 
On the same date, the Group sold 5.00% of its equity interest in Brecknock to the vendor of VFP. On 19 June 2015, the Group 
acquired 10.00% of share capital held by a non-controlling interest in Brecknock. Consequently, the Group retains 80.80% in this 
hubbed operation. 

(ii)  On 12 September 2014, National Credit Insurance (Brokers) Pty Ltd (NCIB) issued shares to its management under an employee 
share scheme. After the share issue, the Group’s equity interest in NCIB decreased from 100.00% to 86.95%. The consideration 
payable by NCIB management was referable to the purchase price of the company by Steadfast.

(iii)  The Group acquired 73.82% of equity interest in Ausure Group Pty Ltd (Ausure Group), which holds 65.00% equity interest in Ausure 
Financial Services Pty Ltd (Ausure Financial Services). Hence, the Group’s effective equity interest in Ausure Financial Services is 
47.98%. Ausure Financial Services remains a subsidiary of the Group by reason of the Group’s controlling interest in Ausure Group, 
which has a controlling interest in Ausure Financial Services. 

76   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES continued

(iv)  The Group acquired Ausure Brisbane Pty Ltd and Les Wigginton Pty Ltd through RIB Group Holdings Pty Ltd, an existing subsidiary of 
the Group. The 80.00% equity interest in Ausure Brisbane Pty Ltd and Les Wigginton Pty Ltd represents the Group’s effective interest 
in these entities. 

(v)  Although the Group acquired only 50.00% of equity interest in Steadfast Re Pty Ltd, the Group effectively has control over Steadfast 
Re as the Group has the right to appoint (and has appointed) half of the directors of Steadfast Re and the Group has the ability to 
direct the key financial and operating activities of Steadfast Re under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement. 

(vi)  Although the Group holds only 47.00% of equity interest in Capital Insurance (Broking) Group Pty Ltd and Capital Insurance Broking 

Group Unit Trust (trading as Hervey Bay Maryborough Insurance Brokers (Hervey Bay)), the Group effectively has control over Hervey 
Bay as the Group has the right to appoint (and has appointed) half of the directors of Hervey Bay. Therefore it is classified as a 
subsidiary. 

(vii)  A trustee for Steadfast employee share plans.

(viii) A trustee for Steadfast Foundation, a charitable foundation.

(ix)  On 2 June 2015, GWS Pty Ltd acquired 100.00% of Commercial Industrial Insurance Consultants. The 83.00% equity interest in 

Commercial Industrial Insurance Consultants represents the Group’s effective interest in this entity.

NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

A. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Acquisition of associates

Reclassification of investment in associates to investment in subsidiaries*

Disposal of associates through hubbing arrangements

Share of EBITA from associates

Less share of:

Finance costs

Amortisation expense

Income tax expense

Share of associates’ profit after income tax

Dividend received/receivable 

Net foreign exchange movements

Balance at the end of the financial year

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

144,388

8,219

4,204

139,251

(16,927)

(9,450)

(5,503)

16,653

46

17,732

(686)

(3,169)

(4,505)

8,293

(778)

(2,443)

(4,372)

10,139

(11,505)

(4,799)

(599)

982

122,351

144,388

*  The associates Garaty, Finn Foster, MFP and Webmere entered into hubbing arrangements during the year and are now classified as 

subsidiaries – see Note 11.

77   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES continued

B. DETAILS OF ASSOCIATES
Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Information relating to key associates is set out below.

Name

I. Insurance broking businesses

Armbro Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Armstrong’s Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and Armstrong’s Insurance Brokers Unit Trust

Ausure Group Pty Ltd – associates thereof

Austcover Holdings Pty Ltd

Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty Ltd and Liability Brokers Pty Ltd

Commercial Industrial Insurance Consultants Pty Ltd

Consolidated Insurance Agencies Pty Ltd

Covercorp Pty Ltd

Edgewise Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and The Bradstock GIS Unit Trust

Empire Insurance Services Pty Ltd and McLardy McShane & Associates Pty Ltd(a)

Finn Foster & Associates Pty Ltd(a)

Finpac Insurance Advisors Pty Ltd

Garaty Murnane Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd(a)

Gardner Insurance Brokers Qld Pty Ltd

Glenowar Pty Ltd

IPS Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

J.D.I (YOUNG) Pty Limited

Johansen Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

King Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd(a)

Lanyon Partners Consolidated Pty Ltd

McKillop Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Melbourne Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Multi-Functional Policies Pty Ltd(a)

NCA Insurance Services Pty Ltd

Optimus 1 Pty Ltd

Paramount Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Phoenix Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Pollard Advisory Services Pty Ltd

QUS Pty Ltd

Rose Stanton Insurance Brokers Pty Limited

Rothbury Group Limited(b)

RSM Group Limited

Sapphire Star Pty Ltd

Scott & Broad Pty Ltd

Southside Insurance Brokers Pty Limited

78   

Ownership interest

Equity accounted

2015
%

2014
%

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

40.00

25.00

23.99

49.00

49.00

–

49.00

49.00

25.00

37.00

–

49.00

–

49.00

49.00

40.00

25.00

48.00

37.00

45.00

49.00

49.00

–

49.00

25.00

25.00

46.00

49.00

46.50

49.00

30.00

49.00

30.00

49.00

49.00

40.00

25.00

–

49.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

25.00

37.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

40.00

25.00

48.00

49.00

45.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

49.00

25.00

25.00

46.00

49.00

–

49.00

30.00 

49.00

30.00

49.00

49.00

1,572

798

1,124

12,800

3,490

–

3,734

1,174

2,066

3,657

–

1,109

–

1,367

4,289

3,243

774

4,724

–

5,053

4,979

1,564

–

3,471

596

1,004

5,046

4,700

934

760

1,569

779

–

13,260

3,403

2,369

3,780

1,208

2,123

3,731

7,566

1,105

4,690

1,429

4,407

3,329

745

4,822

2,319

5,146

5,111

1,631

1,171

3,576

642

971

5,155

4,717

–

777

14,774

13,857

6,071 

1,433

8,971

662

6,284

1,478

9,076

665

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES continued

Name

Ownership interest

Equity accounted

2015
%

2014
%

2015
$’000

2014
$’000

Steadfast Life Pty Ltd (formerly Finserve Solutions Pty Limited)

50.00

50.00

2,957

3,083

Tudor Insurance Australia (Insurance Brokers) Pty Ltd and Tudor Insurance 
Agency Unit Trust

Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Limited and D&E Watkins Unit Trust

Webmere Pty Ltd(a)

II. Underwriting agencies businesses

Emergence Insurance Group Pty Ltd

Sterling Insurance Pty Limited

Tradewise Insurance Pty Ltd

III. Complementary businesses

Meridian Lawyers Limited

48.00

35.00

–

25.00

39.50

48.00

48.00

35.00

49.00

–

39.50

–

2,050

1,860

–

231

7,340

–

2,037

1,885

4,569

–

7,612

–

25.00

25.00

1,974

2,311

(a)  The following entities went through internal restructuring – transferring the equity interests of the broking business and its operations 
into a business hub headed by another entity within the Group (hubbing). The ownership interest in the table above represents the 
ownership interest post restructuring:

 – The Group sold its 49.00% equity interest in King Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (King) to McLardy McShane & Associates Pty Ltd 

(McLardy McShane). McLardy McShane also acquired the remaining 51.00% of King from the controlling interest. As a result, the 
Group’s effective equity interest in King decreased to 37.00%. 

 – The Group sold its 49.00% equity interest in Garaty to Finn Foster in consideration for additional shares in Finn Foster. The Group 

also subscribed for additional shares in Finn Foster, which used the funds raised to acquire the remaining 51.00% of Garaty from the 
controlling interest. After these transactions, both Garaty and Finn Foster became subsidiaries of the Group with the Group holding 
60.00% equity interest in this hubbed operation – see Note 11.

 – The Group sold its 49.00% equity interest in MFP to Brecknock. Brecknock also acquired the remaining 51.00% of MFP from the 

controlling interest. As a result, MFP became a subsidiary of the Group – see Note 11.

 – The Group increased its equity interest in Webmere which resulted in Webmere becoming a subsidiary of the Group – see Note 11.

(b)  All entities have their principal operations in Australia with the exception of Rothbury Group Limited whose principal operation is in 

New Zealand. 

C. SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ASSOCIATES

I. Disclosure in aggregate
These disclosures relate to the investment in all associates in aggregate. The figures below represent the financial position and performance 
of the associates as a whole and not just the Group’s share.

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

EBITA

Profit/(loss) after income tax from continued operations

Total comprehensive income

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

252,303

109,544

230,980

35,354

95,513

166,309

41,036

26,056

26,056

268,398

110,278

243,243

27,456

107,977

159,643

45,572

30,472

30,472

79   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 13. INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE

A. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Share of EBITA from joint venture

Less share of:

Finance costs

Amortisation expense

Income tax expense

Share of joint venture’s profit after income tax

Dividend received/receivable 

Balance at the end of the financial year

B. DETAILS OF JOINT VENTURE

Name

2015 
$’000

4,425

3,704

(230)

(480)

(856)

2,138

(3,117)

3,446

2014 
$’000

3,593

5,324

(280)

(479)

(1,369)

3,196

(2,364)

4,425

Ownership interest

2015
%

2014
%

Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries (Macquarie Pacific Funding Group)

50.00

50.00

Macquarie Pacific Funding Group, which has a business name of Macquarie Pacific Funding, is an insurance premium funding provider. 
Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Ltd, the holding company of the Macquarie Pacific Funding Group, is incorporated in Australia. It has 
operations in both Australia and New Zealand.

Macquarie Bank Limited and the Company, the joint venture partners, have an equal equity interest in Macquarie Pacific Funding Group.

C. SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF JOINT VENTURE
These disclosures relate to the financial position and financial performance of the joint venture as a whole and not just the Group’s share. 

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

17,212

7,429

10,785

6,629

7,227

51,578

7,408

4,276

4,276

24,567

9,565

17,228

7,675

9,229

56,299

10,637

6,392

6,392

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

EBITA

Profit/(loss) after income tax

Total comprehensive income

80   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

A. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk 
management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the 
financial performance of the Group. The Group uses different methods to measure different types of risk to which it is exposed. 
These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case of interest rate risk and ageing analysis for credit risk.

Risk management is carried out by senior finance executives (finance) under policies approved by the Directors. These policies include 
identification and analysis of the risk exposure of the Group and appropriate procedures, controls and risk limits. Finance identifies, 
evaluates and may hedge financial risks within the Group’s operating units. Finance reports to the Directors on a regular basis.

B. MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk
As at the reporting date, the Group had the following variable rate bank accounts and borrowings.

Cash at bank

Cash on deposit

Bank overdrafts

Bank loans

2015

2014

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

1.63

2.85

6.65

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

1.93

3.42

7.00

Balance 
$’000

193,607

46,149

(632)

Balance 
$’000

94,510

20,698

(654)

3.85*

(161,363)

5.23*

(20,390)

77,761

94,164

* Weighted average interest rate excludes any applicable line fee. 

The Group held $0.047 million (2014: $0.022 million) cash in hand which did not generate any interest income at the end of the 
financial year. 

An increase/decrease in interest rates of one hundred (2014: one hundred) basis points would have an adverse/favourable effect on 
profit/(loss) after tax of $0.544 million (2014: adverse/favourable effect of $0.659 million) per annum.

The basis point change is based on the expected volatility of interest rates using market data, historical trends over prior years and the 
Group’s ongoing relationships with financial institutions.

C. CREDIT RISK
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group 
obtains guarantees where appropriate to mitigate credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date to recognised 
financial assets is the carrying amount, net of any provisions for impairment of those assets, as disclosed in the statement of financial 
position and notes to the financial statements. The Group does not hold any collateral.

Credit risk of the Group mainly arises from cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and a loan to the joint venture. 

Although there is a concentration of cash and cash equivalents held with a major bank, credit risk is not considered significant as 
amounts owing to the underwriters are only paid upon collection of the associated receivable.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is concentrated in the financial services industry with parties which are considered to be of sufficiently 
high credit quality to minimise credit risk losses. Receivables include amounts due from policyholders in respect of insurances arranged 
by controlled entities. Insurance brokers and underwriting agencies have credit terms of up to 90 days from policy inception to pay funds 
received from policyholders to insurers. Should policyholders not pay, the insurance policy is cancelled by the insurer and a credit given 
against the amount due. Commission revenue is recognised after taking into account an allowance for expected revenue losses on 
policy lapses and cancellations, based on past experience.

The loan to a joint venture is provided with a fixed maturity date, seven years from March 2013. The credit risk from the joint venture party 
is considered to be low as it is a loan secured by all present and future assets of the joint venture party.

81   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

D. LIQUIDITY RISK
Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the Group to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) and available 
borrowing facilities to be able to pay debts as and when they become due and payable.

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing facilities, continuously monitoring actual 
and forecast cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

The following tables detail the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based 
on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the financial liabilities are required to be paid. 

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

1 year  
or less 
$’000

Between  
1 to 2 years 
$’000

Between  
2 to 5 years 
$’000

Over  
5 years 
$’000

Total 
contractual 
maturities 
$’000

2015

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Payables on broking/underwriting agency operations*

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Interest bearing

Bank loans

Total non-derivatives

2014

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

429,012

43,380

27,506

–

1,284

27,821

–

–

–

–

–

–

429,012

44,664

55,327

3.85

470

155,253

500,368

184,358

12,110

12,110

579

579

168,412

697,415

Payables on broking/underwriting agency operations*

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Interest bearing

Bank loans

Total non-derivatives

188,222

23,706

13,598

862

226,388

–

1,285

6,454

746

8,485

5.23

–

–

–

–

–

–

188,222

24,991

20,052

14,657

14,657

4,125

4,125

20,390

253,655

*  Paid to underwriters only upon receipt of premiums from customers.

E. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group’s deferred consideration liability is measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. The following table gives 
information about how the fair value of this financial liability is determined, including the valuation technique and inputs used. For the 
Group’s financial instruments not measured at fair value, the carrying amount of these financial instruments provides a reasonable 
approximation of their fair values. 

Financial 
instrument

Deferred 
consideration

Fair value 
hierarchy

Level 3

Valuation technique

Significant  
unobservable inputs

Relationship of unobservable 
inputs to fair value

The fair value is calculated based 
on an agreed multiple of forecast 
EBITA or fees and commissions

Forecast EBITA or fees 
and commissions

The estimated fair value would 
increase/(decrease) if:

 – The forecast EBITA was 

higher/(lower)

82   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

The following table shows a reconciliation from the opening balance to the closing balance of the deferred consideration. 

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Settlement of deferred consideration

Assumed in business combination (Note 10)

Assumed in step up acquisitions and hubbing arrangements

Gain/(loss) recognised in profit or loss from settlement or reassessment

2015 
$’000

20,052

(19,775)

52,384

1,727

939

2014 
$’000

9,864

(8,142)

10,441

8,087

(198)

Balance at the end of the financial year

55,327

20,052

NOTE 15. CONTINGENCIES

A. CONTINGENT ASSETS 

Claims experience benefit 
The Group may receive a claims experience benefit payment or payments in respect of certain types of insurance products placed with 
insurance companies. Where the revenue recognition criteria for those insurance products’ claims experience benefit have not been met, 
the timing and amount of any such payments are still too uncertain and dependent upon future events. In these circumstances it is not 
practical to include an estimate of the financial effect of any potential claims experience benefit as considered by AASB 137.

B. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

Debt guarantees provided to associates
The Group has guaranteed loan facilities to associates which are limited to the shares held by the Group in each entity. The value of each 
guarantee is dependent on a valuation of the shares which support the guarantee. Subsequent to balance date these guarantees have 
been removed.

Macquarie Bank put options
The Group has granted options to Macquarie Bank Limited (“Macquarie”) to enable Macquarie to put shares held by other shareholders 
in associates to the Group at fair value if Macquarie enforces its security over those shares. These have been granted in relation to shares 
held by other shareholders in associates over which Macquarie holds a security interest to secure indebtedness by those shareholders.

NOTE 16. COMMITMENTS

Contracted non-cancellable leases for property, plant and equipment committed at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities or 
payables are provided below.

OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

Within one year

One to five years

Over five years

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

8,421

13,041

1,413

22,875

3,926

6,305

986

11,217

83   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 17. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD 

A. FINAL DIVIDEND 
On 26 August 2015, the Board declared a final dividend for 2015 of 3.0 cents per share, 100% franked. The dividend will be paid on 
14 October 2015.

B. RE-FINANCING OF BANK FACILITIES
On 12 August 2015 the Company has entered into a multi-bank syndicated facility with Macquarie Bank and ANZ Banking Group for 
$285.000 million to replace the $180.000 million facility with Macquarie Bank. Refer Note 8.E.

NOTE 18. PROFIT AND LOSS INFORMATION

This note provides further information about individual items recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

A. STAMP DUTY, DUE DILIGENCE AND RESTRUCTURE COSTS*

Stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs on acquisition of businesses

3,302

3,283

*  The stamp duty, due diligence and restructure costs are considered to be non-trading expenses and arose due to specific activities to 

facilitate the acquisition of businesses in the current financial year. 

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

B. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Contributions to defined contribution superannuation funds

Share-based payments

C. RENTAL EXPENSE RELATING TO OPERATING LEASES

Minimum lease payments

D. PROFIT/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

Profit on fair value of investments (a)

Net profit/(loss) on disposal of part interest in investments (b)

2015

7,767

989

4,960

3,187

7,482

4,027

565

–

4,445

(449)

(a)  This amount represented a profit of $0.565 million recognised as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in Webmere Pty 
Ltd (Webmere). The Group increased its shareholding in Webmere from 49.00% to 50.50% (and subsequently increased it to 64.00%).

2014

(a)  This amount represented:

 – a profit of $4.611 million recognised as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in Miramar Underwriting Agency 

Pty Ltd (Miramar). The Group increased its shareholding in Miramar from 50.00% to 100.00% (refer to Note 10 for further details); 

 – a net loss of $0.166 million on re-assessment of deferred consideration on acquisitions of businesses, being the reduction in 

amounts recognised previously based on updated information.

(b)  This amount was presented as part of the administration, brokers’ support service and other expense on the statement of 

comprehensive income.

84   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 19. SHARE-BASED REMUNERATION

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS – EMPLOYEE RELATED
Share-based remuneration encourages employee share ownership, links employee reward to the performance of the Group and assists 
with retention of key personnel.

The Company intends to settle its obligations under share-based payment arrangements by the on-market purchase of the Company’s 
ordinary shares which will be held in trust. The Group has established a practice of purchasing a tranche of shares on or near grant date 
at the prevailing market price to facilitate building up a portfolio sufficient to meet the obligations when rights vest.

Trading in the Company’s ordinary shares awarded under the share-based remuneration arrangements is covered by the same restrictions 
that apply to all forms of share ownership by employees. These restrictions limit an employee trading in the Company’s ordinary shares 
when they are in a position to be aware, or are aware, of price sensitive information. 

The Group has the following types of share-based remuneration arrangements provided to employees; each arrangement has different 
purposes and different rules:

•  conditional rights;

•  short term incentive plan; and

•  long term incentive plan. 

The share-based payments are included in the employee expenses line in the statement of comprehensive income.

I. Senior management and executive share plans
The senior management and executive share plan arrangements are awarded based on the terms and conditions as set out in the short 
term and long term incentive plans. The awards in these two plans when granted may be in the form of cash and/or conditional rights. 
The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee has approved the participation of each individual in these arrangements as well as 
the actual awards based on the performance conditions in these two plans being met.

a. Short term incentive plan
The short term incentive (STI) plan commenced operation during the financial year ended 30 June 2014. The STI plan is a discretionary, 
performance-based, at risk reward arrangement. STI will be awarded based on each participant’s performance hurdles and whether the 
financial performance hurdles of the Group are met. 

The key terms of the STI plan are:

•  total STI will be awarded and settled in the form of cash and conditional rights as approved by the Board if diluted EPS growth targets 

and individual participant’s performance criteria for the performance period (ie 1 July to 30 June) are met. If met:

 – 60% of STI will be settled in the form of cash and will be paid annually in September after the performance period; and

 – 40% of STI awarded will be deferred and granted in the form of conditional rights;

•  conditional rights (rights) are granted for nil consideration;

•  the vesting condition of rights is not market related and requires the participant to continue in relevant employment for a three year 

tenure from the grant date of the rights (retention period), split one third over one, two and three years;

•  notional dividends will accrue on the rights during the retention period;

•  when vesting (after completion of the retention period), each right will be converted into one Steadfast ordinary share per right for nil 

consideration upon exercise by the participant. The notional dividend will be converted into the equivalent number of Steadfast 
ordinary shares based on the Dividend Reinvestment Plan issue price applicable to each dividend; 

•  the Board has discretion to settle the rights in cash instead of Steadfast ordinary shares; and

•  if the vesting condition is not met then the rights lapse.

The first STI award was approved by the Board on 25 August 2014. Further details of the 2015 STI in relation to the Group’s executives 
(being key management personnel of the Group) are disclosed in the Remuneration Report for the current financial year.

85   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 19. SHARE-BASED REMUNERATION continued

b. Long term incentive plan
The long term incentive (LTI) plan commenced operation during the financial year ended 30 June 2014. The LTI plan is a discretionary, 
performance-based, at risk reward arrangement. LTI will be awarded based on the Board’s approved percentage of the fixed remuneration 
for each participant (in the range of 35% to 50%). 

The key terms of the LTI plan are:

•  LTI will be awarded in the form of conditional rights as approved by the Board and will be granted in August following the end of each 

financial year; 

•  conditional rights (rights) are granted for nil consideration;

•  the vesting condition of rights is not market related and is conditional on meeting the following performance hurdles:

 – the participants meeting their individual performance hurdles during the three year employment tenure from the grant date of the 

rights (retention period); and

 – the Group’s achieving a 10% average compound per annum diluted EPS growth during the retention period;

•  notional dividends will accrue on the rights during the retention period; and

•  the vesting is conditional on there being no material adverse deterioration of the EPS growth during the performance period before the 

exercise of the rights;

•  before vesting, the Board will determine the number of rights to vest based on the combined outcome of the performance hurdles;

•  when vesting (after completion of the retention period), each right will be converted into one Steadfast ordinary share per right for nil 

consideration upon exercise by the participant. The notional dividend will be converted into an equivalent number of Steadfast ordinary 
shares based on the Dividend Reinvestment Plan issue price applicable to each dividend; 

•  the Board has discretion to settle the rights in cash instead of Steadfast ordinary shares; and

•  if the vesting conditions are not met then the rights lapse.

The first LTI award was approved by the Board on 25 August 2014. Further details of the 2015 LTI in relation to the Group’s executives 
(being key management personnel of the Group) are disclosed in the Remuneration Report for the current financial year.

II. Employee share plan

Conditional rights
During the financial year ended 30 June 2013, the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee approved the allocation of 
conditional rights to various employees who contributed to the ASX listing of the Company. 

The key terms of the conditional rights allocated include:

•  rights allotted free of cost to those employees;

•  conversion to one ordinary share per right at the end of August 2014 subject to the continuing employment at that time and the 

performance of the employee meeting the minimum criteria as agreed by management. 

No conditional rights were granted during the year ended 30 June 2015 (2014: nil). 

736,500 rights vested as at 30 June 2015 (2014: nil).

86   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 20. TAXATION

A. INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)/BENEFIT

Profit/(loss) before income tax (expense)/benefit

Income tax (expense)/benefit at statutory tax rate of 30%

Tax effect of amounts which are not (deductible)/taxable in calculating taxable income:

Share of after tax profits of associates and joint venture

Non-deductible expenses – including acquisition costs

Other amounts deductible upon acquisition

Other miscellaneous

Losses not previously required

Over/(under) provision for income tax of prior periods

Income tax (expense)/benefit

B. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)/BENEFIT

Current tax

Movement in deferred tax assets

Movement in deferred tax liabilities

Adjustments for current tax of prior periods

C. INCOME TAX ON ITEMS RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

D. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

I. Composition

Accrued expenses

Provisions

Software development pool and capitalised project

Expenditure claimable over five years

Executive loans

Employee share scheme

Deferred income

Others

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

63,029

33,601

(18,909)

(10,080)

3,129

(878)

585

1

777

4,000

(1,392)

1,300

44

–

(15,295)

(6,128)

271

(31)

(15,024)

(6,159)

(13,234)

(9,169)

55

(2,116)

271

930

2,111

(31)

(15,024)

(6,159)

2,819

186

3,005

1,467

5,342

142

5,233

547

339

2,238

2,071

5,194

(294)

4,900

412

3,012

340

4,261

1,042

356

412

389

17,379

10,224

87   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 20152015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

5,817

4,407

10,224

55

2,819

4,281

17,379

(7,022)

10,357

52,219

11,845

1,420

90

35

265

958

138

1,954

2,092

930

5,194

2,008

10,224

(4,407)

5,817

22,786

5,879

479

140

32

–

956

66,832

30,272

25,865

4,407

30,272

2,116

(186)

34,630

66,832

(7,022)

59,810

1,021

1,954

2,975

(2,111)

294

29,114

30,272

(4,407)

25,865

NOTE 20. TAXATION continued

II. Movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Add: reversal of offset against deferred tax liabilities

Gross balance at the beginning of the financial year

Credited to profit or loss 

Credited to equity

Additions through business combinations 

Balance at the end of the financial year before offset

Less: offset against deferred tax liabilities 

Balance at the end of the financial year

E. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

I. Composition

Intangible assets

Receivables

Accrued income

Property, plant and equipment

Prepayments

Acquisition adjustments

Other

II. Movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Add: reversal of offset against deferred tax assets

Gross balance at the beginning of the financial year

Credited to profit or loss 

Charged to equity

Additions through acquisitions

Balance at the end of the financial year before offset

Less: offset against deferred tax assets 

Balance at the end of the financial year

88   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 21. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

A. COMPOSITION

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash held on trust

Bank overdrafts

B. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit after income tax expense for the year

Adjustments for

Depreciation and amortisation and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Share of profits of associates and joint venture

Income tax paid

Profit on fair value of investment

Dividends received from associates/joint venture

Capitalised interest on loans

Executive loans fair value adjustment

Loss on sale of associate

Expense/(profit) on settlement of deferred consideration

Share-based payments and incentives accruals

Change in operating assets and liabilities

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax assets

(Increase)/decrease in other assets

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in income tax payable

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liabilities

Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Net cash from operating activities

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

67,648

172,155

38,551

76,679

(632)

(654)

239,171

114,576

48,005

27,442

15,734

9,012

(10,431)

(13,335)

(14,663)

(565)

14,622

(1,415)

(971)

–

(939)

2,301

(7,801)

(4,445)

7,163

–

3,279

(51)

–

4,391

(99,145)

(35,605)

(37)

341

107,291

15,321

(260)

(7,657)

(533)

66,999

(3,787)

731

12,829

11,754

(1,800)

(3,862)

(452)

5,463

C. SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS IN RELATION TO INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

I. Investing activities
During the financial year ended 30 June 2015, the Group completed a number of acquisitions (investing activities) to effect hubbing 
arrangements using the scrip of certain subsidiaries (refer Note 10).

II. Financing activities
During the financial year ended 30 June 2015, the following ordinary shares issued were not settled by cash:

•  $5.558 million dividends under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan were settled by the allotment of 1.715 million ordinary shares at $1.5000 

per share in lieu of cash, and 1.964 million ordinary shares at $1.5200 per share in lieu of cash.

89   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION 
The aggregate remuneration received/receivable by the Directors and other members of key management personnel of the Group 
is set out below.

Short term employee benefits*

Post employment benefits

Long term benefits

Share-based payments

2015 
$

2014 
$

4,480,815

10,348,970

131,484

196,995

50,138

48,255

860,351

512,149

5,522,788

11,106,369

*  For the year ended 30 June 2014, short term employee benefits included $4,358,552 write down of executive loans and $1,635,000 

of share discount.

B. TRANSACTIONS WITH SUBSIDIARIES 
All transactions that have occurred among the subsidiaries within the Group have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.

C. TRANSACTIONS WITH OTHER RELATED PARTIES 
The following transactions occurred with related parties:

I. Sale of goods and services

Marketing and administration fees received from associates on normal commercial terms

147,293

103,266

Marketing and administration fees received from joint venture on normal commercial terms

2,957,507

3,153,676

Commission income received/receivable from associates on normal commercial terms

73,429

85,888

II. Interest income

Interest income received/receivable from joint venture

255,011

285,422

III. Payment for goods and services

Estimated Steadfast Network Broker rebate expense paid or payable to associates on the basis 
as determined by the Board 

Commission expense paid/payable to associates on normal commercial terms

Service fees paid to associates

IV. Receivable from and payable to related parties

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties:

a. Current receivables

Trade receivables from associates

Trade receivables from joint venture

Dividend receivable from associates

b. Current payables

Trade payables to associates

90   

935,966

1,262,575

2,652,969

1,613,420

43,604

1,690,997

5,953,360

4,261,029

137,366

144,863

84,086

–

151,753

124,964

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS continued

V. Loans to/from related parties
The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to loans with related parties:

a. Current receivables

Loan to joint venture(a)

Executive loans(b)

b. Non-current receivables

Loan to joint venture(a)

Executive loans(b)

Loans to associates

2015 
$

2014 
$

603,125

324,300

927,425

603,125

310,500

913,625

2,412,500

3,015,625

4,559,947

4,389,769

527,442

305,000

7,499,889

7,710,394

(a)  The loan to the joint venture, Macquarie Pacific Funding Group (MPF) has a face value of $3,015,625. The loan receivable balance 

includes $nil accrued interest (2014: $nil). 

The key terms and conditions of this loan are:

 – variable interest rate based on the aggregate of Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL) Reference Rate and a margin of 2% per annum. 

The MBL Reference Rate refers to the interest rate determined by MBL and published by MBL at any time on its website; 

 – the loan is repayable seven years from the date of initial advance, which occurred in March 2013; and

 – the loan is secured by all present and future assets of MPF.

(b)  Executive loans were provided to four Steadfast executives as interest free loans for them to acquire Steadfast ordinary shares when 

the Company was listed on the ASX. 

The key terms and conditions of these loans are:

 – interest free, unsecured and full recourse loans; 

 – dividends received from the acquired shares to be applied towards part repayment of the loans; and

 – to be repaid in full five years after the date on which the loans were provided.

91   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 23. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION 

The financial information provided in the table below is only for Steadfast Group Limited, the parent entity of the Group.

A. STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit after income tax

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

B. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Share capital

Reserves

Total equity

2015 
$’000

2014 
$’000

23,844

(744)

23,100

8,381

–

8,381

35,502

39,718

970,400

538,921

25,994

173,506

28,246

42,023

787,946

488,187

8,948

8,711

796,894

496,898

C. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent with those of the Group, as disclosed in Note 2, except for Investments in 
subsidiaries, associates and joint venture which are accounted for at cost, less any impairment. Dividends received are recognised as 
income by the parent entity.

D. GOING CONCERN
The parent entity financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. 

E. GUARANTEES ENTERED INTO BY THE PARENT ENTITY IN RELATION TO THE DEBTS OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES
The parent entity had no guarantees in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2015 and 30 June 2014.

F. CONTINGENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES
The Company is exposed to the contingent assets and liabilities set out in Note 15.

G. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The parent entity had no capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as at 30 June 2015 and 30 June 2014.

92   

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015NOTE 24. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

A. KPMG

I. Audit and review services

2015 
$

2014 
$

Audit or review of the financial statements of the Company and certain subsidiaries

1,276,212

1,068,708

II. Other assurance, taxation and due diligence services

Other assurance services

Due diligence services

Other services

Taxation compliance and other advisory services

B. OTHER AUDITORS

I. Audit and review services

Audit or review of the financial statements

II. Services other than audit and review of financial statements

Other services

Taxation advisory services

Other services

720,427

72,209

193,387

913,814

25,000

97,209

193,864

153,311

119,388

24,410

143,798

46,498

139,436

185,934

93   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Directors’ Declaration

In the opinion of the directors of Steadfast Group Limited (‘the Company’):

•  the consolidated financial statements and notes that are set out on pages 48 to 93 and the Remuneration report in sections B to 

G of the Directors’ report, are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

 – giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2015 and of its performance, for the financial year ended 

on that date; and

 – complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

•  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

The directors have been given the declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 from the chief executive officer 
and chief financial officer for the financial year ended 30 June 2015. 

The directors draw attention to Note 2A to the consolidated financial statements, which includes a statement of compliance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards.

Signed at Sydney on 26 August 2015 in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

Frank O’Halloran, AM
Chairman

Robert Kelly
Managing Director & CEO

94   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Independent Auditor’s Report
TO THE OWNERS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL REPORT

We have audited the accompanying financial report of Steadfast Group Limited (the company), which comprises the consolidated 
statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, and consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended on that date, notes 1 to 24 
comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information and the directors’ declaration of the Group 
comprising the company and the entities it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL REPORT 
The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with 
Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to 
enable the preparation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error. In note 2, the 
directors also state, in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, that the financial 
statements of the Group comply with International Financial Reporting Standards.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with 
Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit 
engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material 
misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The 
procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s 
preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the 
directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report. 

We performed the procedures to assess whether in all material respects the financial report presents fairly, in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 2001 and Australian Accounting Standards, a true and fair view which is consistent with our understanding of the 
Group’s financial position and of its performance. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

INDEPENDENCE
In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.

AUDITOR’S OPINION
In our opinion:

(a)  the financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2015 and of its performance for the year ended on that 

date; and 

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

(b)  the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in note 2.

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KMPG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

95   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015REPORT ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2015. The directors of the 
company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration report in accordance with Section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in 
accordance with auditing standards.

AUDITOR’S OPINION
In our opinion, the remuneration report of Steadfast Group Limited for the year ended 30 June 2015, complies with Section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

KPMG

Andrew Dickinson
Partner

Sydney
26 August 2015

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KMPG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

96   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Shareholders’ Information
AS AT 18 AUGUST 2015

ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

There were 743,413,768 fully paid ordinary shares held by 3,660 shareholders. All the shares carry one vote per share and carry the rights 
to dividends.

DISTRIBUTION OF SHAREHOLDERS

The number of shareholders by size of holding is as follows:

Range

100,001 and over

10,001 to 100,000

5,001 to 10,000

1,001 to 5,000

1 to 1,000

Total

Number  
of holders

Number  
of shares

% of  
issued capital

 527 

 1,527 

 524 

 793 

 289 

 687,306,353 

 49,615,953 

 3,977,806 

 2,347,613 

 166,043 

92.45

6.67

0.54

0.32

0.02

 3,660 

 743,413,768 

100.00

There were 78 shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel ($500) based on a market price of $1.54 at the close of trading 
on 18 August 2015.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

JCP Investment Partners

Mackay Insurance Services Pty Ltd 

AMP Limited

Investors Mutual Ltd

Date of notice

Number 
 of shares

% of 
 issued capital

16/05/14

07/08/13

05/08/15

02/06/15

49,201,247

32,000,000

37,484,670

37,201,386

9.81

6.38

5.04

5.00

This information is based on substantial holder notices lodged with the ASX, some of which date back to before the Steadfast Equity 
Raising in February and March 2015.

97   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Shareholders’ Information continued
AS AT 18 AUGUST 2015

TWENTY LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS

Name 

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

National Nominees Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

RBC Investor Servcies Australia Nominees Pty Limited

Mackay Insurance Services Pty Ltd 

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

AMP Life Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited  

Mackay Insurance Services Pty Ltd 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited

Argo Investments Limited

Mr Robert Bernard Kelly

RC & IP Gilbert Pty Ltd

Yabby Investments Pty Ltd the Steven Gilbert Family a/c

RM & JA Alford Investments Pty Ltd

Samepham Investments Pty Ltd

Number 
 of shares

% of  
issued capital

113,769,467

107,092,853

15.30

14.41

68,738,695

35,838,005

29,849,687

29,800,000

22,953,623

16,987,901

13,371,368

12,469,905

10,000,001

9,696,515

8,569,377

7,974,237

5,000,000

4,900,000

4,000,000

3,185,000

2,656,004

2,533,172

9.25

4.82

4.02

4.01

3.09

2.29

1.80

1.68

1.35

1.30

1.15

1.07

0.67

0.66

0.54

0.43

0.36

0.34

Mr David Ingram

Total

DIVIDEND DETAILS

Dividend

Interim 

Final

509,385,810

68.52

Franking

Amount per share

DRP issue price

Payment date

Fully franked

Fully franked

2.0 cents

3.0 cents

 $1.52 

14 April 2015

*

14 October 2015

The final dividend has an ex-dividend date of 11 September 2015, a record date of 15 September 2015, a payment date of 14 October 
2015 and is eligible for Steadfast’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) based on a 2.5% discount.

* The DRP issue price for the final dividend is scheduled to be announced on 30 September 2015.

98   

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2015Corporate Directory

DIRECTORS

Frank O’Halloran, AM (Chairman)
Robert Kelly (Managing Director & CEO)
David Liddy
Anne O’Driscoll
Philip Purcell
Greg Rynenberg

COMPANY SECRETARIES

Linda Ellis
Peter Roberts

NOTICE OF AGM

The annual general meeting of Steadfast Group Limited will be held on 
Friday 30 October 2015 at 10.00 am at The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, 
27 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

CORPORATE OFFICE

STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED
Level 3
99 Bathurst Street
Sydney NSW 2000 

Postal Address
PO Box A980
Sydney South NSW 1235

phone: 02 9495 6500 
email: investor@steadfast.com.au 
website: steadfast.com.au

SHARE REGISTRY

LINK MARKET SERVICES
Level 12
680 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 

Postal Address
Locked Bag A14
Sydney South NSW 1235 

phone: 1300 554 474 
email: registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au 

STOCK LISTING

Steadfast Group Limited ordinary shares are listed  
on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX code: SDF).

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Steadfast Group Limited 
ABN 98 073 659 677
www.steadfast.com.au

Annual Report 2015