Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Asset Management - Leveraged / M&C Saatchi

M&C Saatchi

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FY2016 Annual Report · M&C Saatchi
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6

 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 

CHAIRMAN 
RESULTS 
NEW BUSINESS 
Strategic report 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
FINANCE DIRECTOR 
BOARD 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
REMUNERATION REPORT 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

2 
5 
7 
9 
10 
12 
16 
18 
24 
26 
91 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The impossible  
must be  
attempted,  
as frequently  
as possible. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN 

Revenues up, profits up, dividend up. 2016 was M&C Saatchi’s best year ever and also our 21st.  
Let’s hope we don’t grow up. Let’s hope we don’t lose the boundless optimism which started the company. 

Graph One shows the number of new start-up companies created in each year since we started. 
Each start-up means a new partner for us.  

Our aim is to be the eternal entrepreneurs, constantly attracting the world’s creative thinkers, people 
who won’t be anybody’s wage-slave, in the belief that a free spirit can satisfy a client’s demands better 
than a fettered one. An unrestricted mind will fly higher, see further and see more. 

Graph Two shows where our record 2016 headline profits come from. Had we not opened new offices, 
started new disciplines, we would be forced down the road of endless acquisition. 

Graph One is the cause of the record revenues, profits and dividends that David and Jamie comment 
on. Graph Two shows that it works. 

If over time, we outperform our peers, it is because our growth is organic and as everyone knows, 
organic growth is sustainable, tastes better and is more satisfying for all.  

For 2017, the plan is to do more of the same but in different areas and different locations, with the 
best possible people. 

Jeremy Sinclair 
Chairman 
15 March 2017 











3 

4 

 
RESULTS 

REVENUE   +26% 
PROFIT   +18% 
EARNINGS   +17% 
EPS   +13% 

All on a headline basis as defined in note 4. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 

 
 
 
NEW BUSINESS 

BBQ Galore  
Bridgestone 
Civil Aviation Authority  
Codorniu  
Com Hem 
Department of Work and 
Pensions  
E.ON 
eBay  
Fox  
Google  
Home Office 
Huawei  
KLIA  

NN Investment Partners 
Pr1ma  
PHE (Antimicrobial 
Resistance) 
Rail Delivery Group 
Reebok  
Shell  
Strongbow  
Sun International 
Tabcorp  
Virgin Red 
Woolworths  
YouTube 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT 

8 

 
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

Summary of results  
2016 saw excellent revenue momentum and earnings growth. Actual revenues grew by 26%, 
with constant currency revenues increasing 19%, whilst we increased like-for-like revenues 
9%. We returned a headline operating margin of 10.2%, down from 10.4% in 2015, with the 
previously announced UK restructuring costs causing the drag. If these are excluded then 
the 2016 headline operating margin increased to 10.9%. The headline profit before tax 
advanced 18% to £23.7m and headline net earnings rose 17%. 

UK 
Like-for-like revenue in the UK was up 5%, with CRM, Sport & Entertainment, PR and Mobile 
continuing to perform particularly positively. We experienced a commendable run of 
account wins across our group of businesses in the year, including Virgin Red, the Home 
Office, NN Investment Partners, E.ON, PHE (Antimicrobial Resistance), the Rail Delivery 
Group, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Work and Pensions. 

M&C Saatchi Mobile was awarded Digital Agency of the Year and Most Effective Media 
Agency of the Year, whilst M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment won Agency of the Year  
(for the fifth time). We are launching Re, our successful Australian brand identity unit,  
in the UK in the first quarter of 2017.  

The UK headline operating profit was 12% down on 2015 but included previously  
announced restructuring costs of £1.6m in the advertising agency unit, which if  
excluded, meant operating profit actually grew 2% on 2015. The headline operating  
margin decreased to 11.7% compared with 2015’s 14.0% but if the restructuring costs  
are excluded then the margin came in at 13.6%. These margins exclude the impact of  
Group recharges. The restructure is complete and the new management team is in  
place and making good progress. 

Europe  
European like-for-like revenues increased 5% year on year. Headline operating profit was  
up 10%, with a headline operating margin of 15.1% (2015: 16.1%).  

Our Stockholm office kept up its strong new business record and won the TV and broadband 
supplier Com Hem. Both Germany and Italy continue to shine, with Italy winning E.ON. In 
France, advertising was still slow but our agency was appointed by YouTube and Google for 
some projects and continues to grow through diversification.  

Our office in Spain is much improved, winning Codorniu and Huawei, and as a consequence 
we are increasing our shareholding from 24% to 51%. We are starting a sponsorship 
company in Madrid as well as opening Clear in Berlin. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
Continued 

Middle East and Africa  
Like-for-like revenues in the Middle East and Africa were up 23%.  

South Africa finished strongly, having lost their Edgars client mid-year but subsequently 
picked up the Sun International and Strongbow accounts. We are making a small acquisition 
in Johannesburg of 51% of Levergy, a sport and entertainment company, which will capitalise 
on the large South African sports market. Our Abu Dhabi lost Etihad and has subsequently 
been rebuilding revenues. Our Dubai office is growing steadily, as is Tel Aviv office.  

Operating profit in the region was up 4% and the headline operating margin dipped to 9.3% 
from 12.3% in 2015.  

Asia and Australia  
In Asia and Australia, like-for-like revenue was up 13% year on year.  

Australia had another good year, winning Woolworths (without a pitch), BBQ Galore, eBay 
and Tabcorp. They were awarded ‘Most Innovative Communications Company in Australia’, 
reflecting some of their ground breaking and pioneering work for their clients. In February 
2017, we acquired 51% of Bohemia, a media buying and planning operation. This add on 
positions us well for satisfying the needs of our clients, who are increasingly seeking a closer 
relationship between their media agency and the content and creative providers. We also 
are launching The Source, our successful UK research operation, in Melbourne.  

Our associate in China, aeiou, had a good second half. Malaysia is still excelling and won the 
KLIA and Pr1ma accounts. Singapore is developing positively and won Shell and Bridgestone.  

Our Mobile operation continues to thrive in the region and we added new offices in New 
Delhi and Bangalore to work alongside our mobile offices in Singapore and Sydney. 

The headline regional operating margin was 11.0% (2015: 9.9%), with the headline operating 
profit ahead an impressive 37% on 2015.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas  
Constant currency revenues increased 97%, with like-for-like up 18%. With the acquisitions’ 
contribution, there was a very good 118% increase in operating profit to £7.0m and a headline 
operating margin of 15.4% (2015: 15.2%). 

Mobile are performing exceptionally well and building a formidable client base across the US.  

The SS+K relationship in New York is thriving. In the light of this outstanding growth, we increased 
our shareholding in SS+K from 33% to 51% in March 2016 and then to 67% in February of this. Also 
in March 2016, we acquired 51% of MCD Partners in New York and Chicago, who specialise in 
customer digital experience. This business is progressing well.  

Our office in Los Angeles lost the UGG account in the first quarter but later in the year won some 
projects for Reebok and Fox. Brazil’s macro-economic factors and trading remained tough, and 
appropriately we made an impairment charge of £3.7m for our Santa Clara associate. 

Both Clear and Sport & Entertainment are planning to open in Los Angeles in the first half and we 
are looking to open an office in Mexico, where the management of our Madrid office has a strong 
network of clients and contacts. 

Outlook 
2016 was an outstanding year for M&C Saatchi. We continue to roll out our proven strategy of 
winning new business and starting new businesses and see positive momentum across our global 
network and business channels.  

The year has started well and we are confident that we will continue to make good progress 
in 2017 and beyond.  

David Kershaw 
Chief Executive 
15 March 2017  

11 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCE DIRECTOR 

Objectives and strategic priorities 

Key performance indicators 
The Group manages its operational performance through a number  
of key performance indicators: 
•   revenue growth, both regionally and within marketing disciplines; 
•   continual improvement of operating margins; 
•   earnings per share growth; 
•   enhancement of net cash from operating activities; and 
•   improvement of the talent levels within the Group, in particular our  
creative capabilities, as well as the reputation and integrity of all  
our businesses. 

Revenue 
Our focus is on revenue growth and margin improvement, leaving our local CEOs  
to manage their cost base to their local currency revenues. Group revenues increased 
26.0%, however excluding currency movement, the main influence being the positive  
effect of a weakening of sterling against most currencies following the Brexit vote, the 
constant currency revenue growth was 19.1% (constant currency basis). Excluding the 
impact of foreign currency movements and corporate transactions, then the like-for-like 
revenue rise was 9.2%. 

Operating profit and margin 
At a Group level, we monitor results on a headline basis. Our headline operating margin 
decreased to 10.2% (2015: 10.4%), however this margin includes £1.6m of restructuring 
costs within the UK advertising agency, which when excluded meant a headline operating 
margin of 10.9% and an improvement of 0.5%. Revenues advanced 25.9% in 2016 to  
£225.4m (2015: £178.9m). This resulted in headline operating profit increasing 24% to 
£23.0m (2015: £18.6m). Statutory operating profit declined to £6.7m (2015: £14.7m)  
with a charge of £16.3m (2015: £3.9m) non-headline items (note 1). 

Headline results 

The Group has used a headline basis to describe its results; this is not a defined term  
in IFRS. The headline results reflect the underlying profitability of our business units by 
excluding all effects of buying and selling equity by the Group; and the accounting effects  
our entrepreneurs holding equity in the business they run (business model). Such business 
model accounting effects, charge the income statement for the Group's fair value liability  
of its local entrepreneurs' equity conversion rights, but do not account for the value 
enhancement they make to our local holdings.  

In addition to headline, we describe our results on a constant currency basis, and on a  
like-for-like basis (constant currency excluding businesses acquired in the year).  

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The items that are excluded from headline results are the amortisation or impairment  
of intangible assets (including goodwill and acquired intangibles, but excluding software) 
acquired in business combinations, changes to deferred and contingent consideration and 
other acquisition related charges taken to the income statement; impairment of investment 
in associates and investments; profit and loss on disposal of associates; and the income 
statement impact of put option accounting and share based payment charges.  
Such exclusions are consistent with our industry peer group. 

The key movements between statutory to headline results. 

£’m 
Headline profit before taxation 

Put option accounting 

Impairment charge 

Provision against investments 

Other non-headline charges 

Statutory profit before taxation 

2016 
23.8 
(8.6) 

(3.7) 

(0.7) 

(4.0) 

6.8 

2015 
20.1 
(4.8) 

(0.9) 

– 

(1.8) 

12.6 

Movement 
3.7 
(3.8) 

% 
18% 

(2.8) 

(0.7) 

(2.2) 

(5.8) 

(46)% 

For a full reconciliation of statutory to headline results see note 1. For constant currency, 
and like-for-like headline results see note 2.  

Statutory results 
The Group’s operations achieved revenue of £225.4m (2015: £178.9m) a growth of 26.0%. 
The Group’s operations statutory profit before tax reduced to £6.8m (2015: £12.5m) and 
basic EPS was 0.20p (2015: 9.08p). 

The reduction in year-on-year statutory profit before tax of £5.7m and the basic earnings 
per share decline, despite the underlying trading operations increasing their profit by £3.7m 
was caused by a number of accounting adjustments. The differences can be seen in note 1, 
and have been caused by an impairment of a Brazilian associate due to the local economic 
climate; an accounting revaluation of an associate when we took control and due to the 
increased IFRS2, share based payment charged in part caused by new businesses and 
growth shares issued in the year.  

Financial income and expense 
The Group’s headline net interest payable was £790k (2015: £472k). The upsurge in interest 
payable arose mainly from enhanced Group borrowing to fund acquisitions during 2016.  

Minority put option revaluations are excluded from the headline results as the charge can 
vary significantly each year and does not reflect the business’s underlying performance.  
The accounting for this produces counterintuitive effects with a rise in our share price  
and upturns in the actual or expected performance of our subsidiaries with put options, 
creating a finance expense charge to our accounts and reducing our profits. The charge  
for non-headline fair value adjustment to minority put option liabilities of £0.6m arose  
from two movements in our share price in 2016, which rose from 326.5p as at 1 January  
to 380.0p as at 31 December, offset by reductions in estimates of minority put liabilities. 
Further details can be seen in note 27. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCE DIRECTOR 
Continued 

Tax 
The effective tax rate on headline profit before tax was 17.3% (2015: 19.2%). The Group 
does not recognise a deferred tax asset on any losses until the future profits of these 
businesses are probable (note 14). The Group benefitted from improved profitability  
from some of the newer offices utilising tax losses brought forward. 

The tax rate on statutory profit before tax was 50.78% (2015: 27.0%). The rise in statutory  
tax rate was predominantly caused by the new non-deductible for tax purposes IFRS2 
charges in 2016, the level of which significantly reduced operating profit. 

Non-controlling interest 
The proportion of headline profits attributable to non-controlling shareholders grew to 
£4.2m (2015: £3.0m), with the uplift coming from the New York additions of MCD and SS+K 
as subsidiaries in March 2016. 

Dividend 
As part of a progressive dividend policy, the Board is proposing to pay a final dividend of 
6.44p per share (2015: 5.60p), giving a total dividend of 8.29p compared to 7.21p in 2015. 
The final dividend will be paid, subject to shareholder approval at the 7 June 2017 AGM,  
on 7 July 2017 to shareholders on the register at 9 June 2017. 

Cash flow, banking arrangements and net assets 
Cash net of bank borrowings at 31 December 2016 was £3.6m compared to £8.5m at  
31 December 2015. The Group continued to generate cash which it used to make small 
tactical acquisitions and fund new offices. The Group spent £12.8m on acquisitions, being 
primarily investments in New York; in March 2016, we acquired 51% of MCD, a customer 
digital experience agency and in the same month raised our shareholding in SS+K from  
33% to 51%. 

To manage these and to fund acquisitions going forward, the Group augmented its banking 
facilities with RBS on 6 January 2016. These comprise a revolving credit facility totalling 
£40.0m, which reduces by £2.0m annually and has been agreed to 30 April 2020. On top  
of the above to fund working capital in the UK, the Group has a £5m debt factoring 
arrangement, of which £3.6m was drawn down at the year end.  

Net assets advanced to £49.4m (2015: £42.0m); the main movements being intangible assets 
up £22.7m, the net cash balance decreased to £3.6m (2015: £8.5m) and the minority put 
option liabilities increasing £8.8m. 

Capital expenditure 
Total capital expenditure for 2016 went up to £4.0m (2015: £2.0m). This was a function of 
refurbishment costs, with investment in fit out costs to improve the working environment  
of network office space. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Associates 
The return from our associates was a profit of £1,530k (2015: £2,017k). There was no  
share of profits from M&C Saatchi SAL, our associate that covers the Middle East and 
North Africa region, as there was in 2015.  

In Asia and Australia, our share of profits from associates of £290k (2015: £325k) came 
mainly from aeiou, our associate in China, whilst our share of our European associates 
based in Russia, Spain and Turkey was a small loss of £3k (2015: £25k profit). The profit 
share of our UK associates, being Blue 449 (formerly Walker Media) was £1,323k (2015: 
£809k) and the share from the Americas, was a loss of £80k (2015: £858k), reducing with 
our New York associate SS+K becoming a subsidiary in March 2016. 

Principal activity, trading review and future developments 
See Directors’ Report on page 18. 

Principal risks and uncertainties 
Client losses can be damaging, although some turnover over time is normal and to be 
expected. Losses can happen for a variety of reasons. Our client profile is in line with  
those of our major competitors, and we continue to convert new clients on the basis  
of our creative excellence, our strategic wisdom, the commitment and brilliance of our 
staff and our diverse portfolio of services. There is also the risk, as a result of client cash 
shortages (caused both by economic and political factors), that budgets and fees are 
reduced or clients stop trading or run out of funding after work has been commissioned. 
Furthermore, as our offerings develop to reflect clients’ changing marketing mix and cross 
selling opportunities, there is less visibility of future income. The other risks the Group 
faces are financial (details of which can be seen in note 6 of the financial statements),  
the risk that valued staff leave, and the risk that regulatory and legal changes affect  
our trading or ownership structures 

Strategic report approval 
By order of the Board 

Jamie Hewitt 
Finance Director 
15 March 2017 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOARD 

JEREMY SINCLAIR 

Chairman 

DAVID KERSHAW 

Chief Executive 

MAURICE SAATCHI 

Executive Director 

BILL MUIRHEAD 

Executive Director 

JAMIE HEWITT 

Finance Director 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN 

INDEPENDENT NON Executive Director 

MICHEAL PEAT 

INDEPENDENT NON Executive Director* 

MICHAEL DOBBS 

INDEPENDENT NON Executive Director** 

*   Michael Peat was appointed as Non-Executive  

Director 8 June 2016. 

**   Michael Dobbs was appointed as Non-Executive  

Director on 1 January 2016. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The Directors submit their report together with the audited financial statements  
of the Group and Company for the year ended 31 December 2016. 

Results and dividends 
The consolidated income statement on page 26 shows the results for the year. The  
Directors approved an interim dividend of 1.85p totalling £1,373,629 (2015: £1,158,000)  
and recommend a final dividend of 6.44p totalling £4,876,000 (2015: £4,033,000). 

Principal activity, trading review and future developments 
The principal activity of the Group during the year was the provision of advertising and 
marketing services. The review of trading, future developments and key performance 
indicators (being revenue growth, headline operating margin, headline earnings per  
share, and cash generation) is on pages 9 to 15. 

Other risks and uncertainties 
The Strategic Report deals with the principal risks and uncertainties. The Group trades 
internationally both through its local offices and via direct contracts in countries where we 
do not have offices. This trade exposes the Group to foreign exchange risk, political risk and 
in some locations physical risk. Other risks the Group is exposed to include client credit risk; 
the risk that the financial markets cause liquidity risk in addition to this client risk (given we 
have financial services clients); and cash flow risks. The Group mitigates such risks through 
monitoring, reviewing the available information and management’s negotiation of contractual 
terms. Further details of our risks and risk management can be seen in note 6.  

Going concern 
Given the strength of the Group’s balance sheet, its net cash, its bank covenants, the risks 
the Group faces (note 6), the expected trading performance and the two-year cash flow 
projections, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.  

The Directors continually review the Group's profit forecasts, and review monthly its 
balance sheet and cash flow forecasts. Annually, or earlier if needed, we review the long 
term (greater than one year) cash flow projections for the Group based on anticipated 
scenarios and acquisitions. If additional funding is required, it is secured before expenditure 
is made, as we have done during the year by extending our bank facility on 4 January 2016 
(note 25).  

Based on this the Directors believe the Group will continue as a going concern for the 
foreseeable future. 

Financial instruments 
Details of the use of financial instruments by the Group are contained in notes 23 to 25  
of the financial statements. 

 18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Political contributions and effect of European Union referendum 
The Group worked on an arm’s-length basis for the campaign to keep the UK part  
of the European Union, as well as providing £5,000 of staff time for free. 

The risks the Group faces with the UK departure from the EU include the following: 
•   We receive dividend flows from our EU operations, which are presently not subject  

to unrecoverable withholding tax, that many non-EU resident Groups suffer. 

•   The Group is dependent on high quality and flexible labour, to allow us to trade in the  
UK and export from the UK. The unknown changes to immigration rules are creating 
uncertainty with our EU staff working in our UK offices. 

•   Increased exchange volatility, with our contracts exporting from the UK creates extra 
risks to the Group, In the short term this has created a benefit to the Group, but such  
a benefit can quickly reverse.  

During the year, the Group made no other political donations (2015: nil). 

Directors 
The names of the Directors are given on pages 16 and 17, biographies can be found  
on our website (www.mcsaatchiplc.com). 

The Board reviews the independence of the Non-Executive Directors on an annual  
basis and considers them independent. All three Non-Executive Directors sit on our 
remuneration committee and audit committee, with Jonathan Goldstein serving as  
Chair of our remuneration committee and as Senior Independent Director and  
Michael Peat serving as Chair of our audit committee.  

The Board met six times during the year. The Board governs in the spirit of the QCA 
corporate governance code for small and mid-size quoted companies. 

Audit committee 
The Audit committee meets formally twice a year with the Group’s Auditor (KPMG LLP), 
planning and reviewing the audit, and considering the Group Auditor’s independence. The 
committee’s Chairman has regular direct contact with the Group’s Auditor. At the end of 
2014, the Group appointed BDO LLP as an internal auditor. The internal auditor has direct 
contact with the Audit committee Chairman.  

Remuneration committee 
Meets on an ad hoc basis, when there is a need to review Executive Directors’ pay  
and rewards. 

Nominations committee 
Meets on an ad hoc basis, when there is a need to appoint new Directors. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
Continued 

Social responsibility 
The Group follows the guidance in the International (Social Responsibility) Standard ISO 
26000 and is accredited for BS OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001. We are in the process of 
registering with CIPS Sustainability Index. 

On top of which, the Group is involved with many campaigns (including paid, low bono and 
pro bono) that help create a socially responsible world. 

Employees and equal opportunities 
The Group’s equal opportunities policy is not to discriminate on any grounds other than 
someone’s ability to work effectively. We will make reasonable adjustments to working 
arrangements or to a physical aspect of the workplace. 

The Group recognises that its principal asset is its employees and their commitment to  
the Group’s service, standards and customers. Decisions are made wherever possible  
in consultation with local management, with succession planning performed on a regular 
basis at all levels. Communication methods to employees vary according to need and  
local business size and can include all methods of communication. 

Slavery and human trafficking statement 
The Group continually monitors its supply chains and operates a zero-tolerance policy  
to slavery and human trafficking as will be reflected in its Modern Slavery Statement. 

Insurance 
The Company purchases insurance to cover its Directors and Officers against costs they 
may incur in defending themselves in legal proceedings instigated against them as a direct 
result of duties carried out on behalf of the Company. 

 20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Substantial shareholdings 
As at 2 March 2016, the Company had been notified by shareholders representing 3%  
or more of issued share capital of the following interests: 

Paradice Investment Management 

Octopus Investments 

Aviva plc and its subsidiaries 

David Kershaw 

Bill Muirhead 

Maurice Saatchi 

Jeremy Sinclair 

Herald Investment Trust plc 

Hargreave Hale 

Invesco Perpetual 

Number of 
shares 
9,249,099 

7,179,682 

5,423,841 

4,127,060 

4,127,060 

4,127,060 

4,127,060 

3,836,433 

3,700,000 

3,079,354 

% 
12.2% 

9.5% 

7.2% 

5.5% 

5.5% 

5.5% 

5.5% 

5.1% 

4.9% 

4.1% 

Regularly updated details of the Directors and substantial shareholders can be found  
on our corporate website www.mcsaatchiplc.com. 

Events since the end of the financial year 
During February 2017, the Group made the following small acquisitions: 
•   A controlling interest in our Spanish associate; 
•   Increased our holding in Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP from 50.1% to 66.7%  

by issuing Group equity; and 

•   Acquired Bohemia an Australian media planning and buying operation. 

The Directors are not aware of any other events since the end of the financial year that  
have had, or may have, a significant impact on the Group’s operations, the results of those 
operations, or the state of affairs of the Group in future years. 

Treasury shares 
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2016, the Directors were given the authority to purchase 
up to 7,210,500 of its ordinary shares. The Directors will seek to renew this authority at the next 
AGM. During the year, the Company held 700,000 of its ordinary shares (“treasury shares”). The 
Directors will use them to fulfil option obligations at a later date. 

Directors’ power to issue shares 
At the AGM in 2016, the Directors were given the authority to issue up to 48,005,000 of its 
ordinary shares of which 7,210,500 were approved to be issued for cash. During the year, 
the Company issued 2,235,177 shares to fulfil options and to acquire equity (note 29). The 
Company did not issue any shares for cash. 

Agreements that vest on change of control 
Depending on the circumstance some of our put option agreements vest on change  
of control. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
Continued 

Directors’ responsibilities 
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Strategic Report, the 
Directors’ Report and the Group and parent company financial statements in accordance  
with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and parent company financial statements 
for each financial year. As required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange, they are 
required to prepare the Group consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the EU and applicable law, and have elected to prepare the parent company financial 
statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. 

Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company 
and of their profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and parent company 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:  
•   select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
•   make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;  
•   for the Group consolidated financial statements, state whether they have been prepared  

in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;  

•   for the parent company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting 

Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained  
in the financial statements; and  

•   prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to 

presume that the group and parent company will continue in business. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to 
show and explain the parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any time the financial position of the parent company and enable them to ensure that its financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such 
steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the group and to prevent and 
detect fraud and other irregularities. 

 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Website publication 
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial information included on the Company’s website (www.mcsaatchiplc.com). 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Auditors 
All the current Directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make 
themselves aware of any information needed by the Company’s Auditors for the purposes  
of their audit and to establish that the Auditors are aware of that information. The Directors 
are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the Auditors are unaware.  

KPMG LLP will be seeking re-appointment as Auditor of the Company and a resolution 
proposing this will be put to the 2017 AGM. 

By order of the Board 

Andy Blackstone 
Company Secretary  
15 March 2017 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT 

Policy on Directors’ remuneration 
Attracting and retaining high calibre executives is a key Company 
objective. We seek to reward them in a way that encourages the 
creation of value for shareholders. 

Directors’ pension arrangements 
The pension contributions, if made, are to the Directors’ money 
purchase pension schemes. 

Directors’ contracts 
All Executive Directors listed in the Remuneration Report have 
service contracts with 12-month notice periods. All Non-
Executive Directors have contracts with a nil to 30-day notice 
period dependent on the circumstances. 

Directors’ options 
At 31 December 2015, no Director held any options. During the 
year, the following options were issued: 

Conditional share awards 
In 2016, four participants paid (by way of a combination of payroll 
taxes and subscription price) £100,727 each for the award. This 
amount is not refundable if the vesting conditions are not met.  
In addition, one participant paid (by way of a combination of 
subscription price and deferred payment) £51,266.75 for the 
award. This amount is not refundable and will be paid in full if  
the vesting conditions are not met. 

Vesting of the awards is subject to: 
•   the achievement of certain earnings and total shareholder 
return (TSR) targets (the “Performance Conditions”)  
measured over the period from 1 January 2015 to 31  
December 2018 (the “Performance Period”); and 

•   the Company's share price being above £5.00 per share  
at a point during the period between 1 January 2019 and  
31 December 2022 (the “Share Price Target”). 

Performance Conditions: 
•   20% of the award will be earned if average diluted EPS growth 
over the Performance Period is above 10%. This 20% level will 
increase to 100% of the award on a straight-line basis if diluted 
EPS growth over the Performance Period is between 10% and 
20% (with 100% of the award being earned if diluted EPS growth  
of 20% or more is achieved). Below 10% diluted EPS growth, no 
award will be earned.  

•   Earned awards will be adjusted by the TSR condition.  

If TSR over the Performance Period is above 50% an earned 
award will be increased by a half; if TSR over the Performance 
Period is between 0% and 50% no adjustment will be made to an 
earned award; if TSR over the Performance Period is below 0% 
then earned awards will be reduced by 25%. The base share 
price used for TSR is 297p being the share price at the time the 
award was valued. 

Subject to the Share Price Target being achieved, an earned 
award, representing shares in M&C Saatchi Worldwide, may  
be exchanged for M&C Saatchi shares. The maximum number  
of M&C Saatchi shares that may be required to be issued under 
the LTIP arrangements is 3,383,605. 

The award caused an accounting charge of £231k in the year 
(2015: nil). 

Other benefits 
No Director of the Company has received or become entitled  
to receive a benefit (other than a fixed salary as an employee/ 
consultant of the Company, the options indicated in this report, 
or a benefit included in the aggregate amount of remuneration 
shown in the financial statements) by reason of a contract  
made by the Company or a related corporation of which he  
is a member or with a company in which he has a substantial 
financial interest. 

By order of the Board 

Andy Blackstone 
Company Secretary 
15 March 2017 

 24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 
Directors 
David Kershaw 

Bill Muirhead 

Maurice Saatchi 

Jeremy Sinclair 

Jamie Hewitt 

Total 

Non-Executive Directors 

Jonathan Goldstein  

Michael Dobbs 

Michael Peat 

Adrian Martin 

Total  

Basic  
salary  
£000 

Bonus1 
£000 

Benefits  
in kind2  
£000 

Pension  
£000 

374 
374 
374 
374 

250 

1,746 

40 

40 

22 

18 

120 

50 

50 

50 

50 

– 

200 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

48 

49 

45 

46 

4 

192 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

– 

– 

15 

16 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total  
£000 

473 

473 

469 

470 

269 

2,154 

40 

40 

22 

18 

120 

TOTAL REWARDS 

1,866 

200 

192 

16 

2,274 

Basic  
salary  
£000 

Bonus  
£000 

Benefits  
in kind1  
£000 

Pension  
£000 

Total  
£000 

2015 
Directors 
David Kershaw 

Bill Muirhead 

Maurice Saatchi 

Jeremy Sinclair 

Jamie Hewitt 

Total 

Non-Executive Directors 

Lloyd Dorfman 

Jonathan Goldstein  

Adrian Martin  

Total  

TOTAL REWARDS  

374 
374 
374 
374 
250 

1,746 

40 
40 
40 

120 

1,866 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

49 
55 
50 
49 
6 

209 

– 
– 
– 

– 

209 

2 
– 
– 
– 
15 

17 

– 
– 
– 

– 

17 

1 These paper bonuses were given as part of the issue conditional share award. 
2  Benefits in kind include car allowances and permanent health insurance benefit.  

425 
429 
424 
423 
271 

1,972 

40 
40 
40 

120 

2,092 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 

Year ended 31 December 

Billings 

Revenue 

Operating costs 

Operating profit 

Share of results of associates and joint ventures 

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Attributable to: 

Equity shareholders of the Group 

Non-controlling interests 

Profit for the year 

Earnings per share 

Basic (pence) 

Diluted (pence) 

Headline results* 
Operating profit 

Profit before tax 
Profit after tax attributable to equity  
shareholders of the Group 
Basic earnings per share (pence) 

Diluted earnings per share (pence) 

* The reconciliation of headline to statutory results above can be found in note 1. 

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Note 
1 

1 

7 

1 

10 

11 

12 

1 

14 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2016  
£000 
458,180 

225,387 

(218,738) 

6,649 

1,530 

440 

(1,828) 

6,791 

(3,451) 

3,340 

144 

3,196 

3,340 

0.20p 

0.19p 

23,037 
23,776 

15,423 

21.07p 
20.55p 

Total 
2015  
£000 
375,107 

178,928 
(164,221) 

14,707 

2,017 
299 
(4,477) 
12,546 

(3,386) 

9,160 

6,474 
2,686 

9,160 

9.08p 
9.04p 

18,578 
20,123  

13,241  

18.57p  
18.49p 

 26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

Year ended 31 December 
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income* 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations before tax 

Other comprehensive income for the year net of tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 

Equity shareholders of the Group 

Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

* All items in consolidated statement of comprehensive income will be reclassified to the income statement. 

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Total  
2016  
£000 
3,340 

6,754 

6,754 

10,094 

6,898 
3,196 

10,094 

Total 
2015  
£000 
9,160 

(1,316) 

(1,316) 

7,844 

5,158 
2,686 

7,844 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

At 31 December 
Non-current assets 

Intangible assets 

Investments in associates 

Plant and equipment 

Deferred tax assets 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Current tax assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Current liabilities 

Bank overdraft 

Trade and other payables 

Current tax liabilities 

Other financial liabilities  

Deferred and contingent consideration 

Minority shareholder put option liabilities 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Other financial liabilities 

Minority shareholder put option liabilities 

Other non-current liabilities 

Total net assets 

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Note 

17 

20 

21 

15 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

15 

25 

27 

28 

2016  
£000 

51,004 

19,277 

10,619 

3,112 

7,455 

91,467 

109,824 

1,057 

32,222 

143,103 

2015  
£000 

28,286 

24,811 

8,197 

1,476 

8,349 

71,119 

87,692 

844 

32,344 

120,880 

- 

(98) 

(115,886) 

(94,533) 

(1,186) 

(3,670) 

- 

(20,216) 

(140,958) 

2,145 

93,612 

(380) 

(28,277) 

(12,950) 

(2,608) 

(44,215) 

49,397 

(1,204) 

(3,155) 

(1,792) 

(16,738) 

(117,520) 

3,360 

74,479 

(30) 

(23,594) 

(7,626) 

(1,208) 

(32,458) 

42,021 

 28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At 31 December 
Equity 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Merger reserve 

Treasury reserve 

Minority interest put option reserve 

Non-controlling interest acquired 

Foreign exchange reserve 

Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to shareholders of the Group 

Non-controlling interest 

Total equity 

Note 

29 

2016  
£000 

749 

24,099 

31,592 
(792) 

(20,598) 

(13,122) 

4,770 
15,871 

42,569 

6,828 

49,397 

2015  
£000 

727 

17,338 

31,592 
(792) 

(12,595) 

(9,233) 

(1,984) 

12,673 

37,726 

4,295 

42,021 

These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 15 March 2017 and signed on its 
behalf by: 

Jamie Hewitt 
Finance Director 
M&C Saatchi plc 
Company Number 05114893 

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

At 1 January 2015 

Acquisitions 

Exercise of put options 

Office closure 

Exchange rate movements 

Issue of shares to minorities 

Issue of minority put options 

Reclassification of minority put  

Option exercise  

Share option charge 

Dividends 

Total transactions with owners 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

At 1 January 2016 

Acquisitions 

Acquisitions of minority interest 

Exercise of put options 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

Issue of shares to minorities 

Issue of options 

Share option charge 

Dividends 

Total transactions with owners 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

At 31 December 2016 

Note 

18 

27 

30 

30 

16 

18 

27 

30 

30 

16 

Share  
capital  
£000 
683 

Share  
premium  
£000 
16,807 

– 

13 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

31 

– 

– 

44 

– 

727 

– 

4 

18 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

22 

– 

749 

– 

224 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

307 

– 

– 

531 

– 

17,338 

– 

1,364 

5,397 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

6,761 

– 

24,099 

Merger  
reserve  
£000 
27,689 

– 

3,903 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,903 

– 

31,592 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Treasury 
reserve 
£000 
(792) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(792) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

31,592 

(792) 

The definitions of the reserves reported in the above can be found in note 5.  

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

 30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MI put option  
reserve  
£000 
(13,070) 

Non-controlling  
interest  
acquired  
£000 
(7,882) 

Foreign  
exchange  
reserves  
£000 
(668) 

– 

1,274 

– 

39 

– 

(2,190) 

1,352 

– 

– 

– 

475 

– 

(12,595) 

(10,249) 

– 
2,366 
– 
(120) 

– 
– 

– 

– 
(8,003) 

– 

(20,598) 

– 

(1,274) 

– 

(77) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1,351) 

– 

(9,233) 

– 

(1,222) 
(2,366) 
– 
(301) 
– 
– 

– 

– 

(3,889) 

– 

(13,122) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1,316) 

(1,984) 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
6,754 

4,770 

Retained  
earnings  
£000 
9,639 
– 

Subtotal  
£000 
32,406 
– 

(48) 

(158) 

– 

– 

– 

306 
(3) 

1,125 

(4,662) 

(3,440) 

6,474 

12,673 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

515 
7,997 
(5,458) 

3,054 

144 

15,871 

4,092 

(158) 

(38) 

– 

(2,190) 

1,658 

335 

1,125 

(4,662) 

162 

5,158 

37,726 

(10,249) 

146 
5,415 
– 

(421) 
– 
515 

7,997 
(5,458) 

(2,055) 
6,898 

42,569 

Non-controlling  
interest  
in equity  
£000 
3,466 
161 
24 

158 

(121) 

1,850 

– 

– 
(338) 

– 

(3,591) 

(1,857) 

2,686 

4,295 

1,919 

– 
(47) 
(10) 

627 

14 

– 

– 

(3,166) 

(663) 

3,196 

6,828 

Total  
£000 
35,872 
161 

4,116 

– 

(159) 

1,850 

(2,190) 

1,658 
(3) 

1,125 

(8,253) 

(1,695) 

7,844 

42,021 

(8,330) 

146 
5,368 
(10) 
206 
14 
515 

7,997 
(8,624) 

(2,718) 

10,094 

49,397 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT  

Year ended 31 December 
Revenue 
Operating expenses 
Operating profit  

Adjustments for: 

Depreciation of plant and equipment 

Loss on sale of plant and equipment 

Loss on sale of software intangibles 

Profit on disposal associate 

Fair value revaluation of associate on step acquisition 

Impairment and amortisation of acquired intangible assets 

Impairment of associate and investments 

Impairment of goodwill 

Amortisation of capitalised software intangible assets 

Equity settled share based payment expenses 

Operating cash before movements in working capital 

Increase in trade and other receivables 

increases in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations 

Tax paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Acquisitions of subsidiaries net of cash acquired 

Disposal of subsidiaries net of cash divested 

Acquisitions of associates 

Disposal of associates 

Acquisitions of investments  

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment 

Purchase of intangibles 

Purchase of plant and equipment 

Purchase of capitalised software 

Dividends received from associates 

Interest received 

Net cash consumed investing activities 

Net cash from operating and investing activities 

The notes on pages 34 to 81 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Note 

2016 
£000 
225,387 

2015 
£000 
178,928 

7 

(218,738) 

(164,221) 

6,649 

14,707 

21 

20 

17 

20,22 

17 

17 

30 

19 

19 

22 

17 

21 

20 

2,668 

542 

10 

 – 

859 
2,324 

4,389 

– 
354 

7,997 

25,792 

2,128 

36 

12 

(217) 

– 

1,940 

– 
889 

98 

1,125 

20,718 

(22,334) 

(17,192) 

19,342 

22,800 

(4,073) 

18,727 

(12,822) 

(263) 

– 

– 

(1,056) 

32 

– 

(3,873) 

(34) 

177 

440 

(17,399) 

1,328 

18,018 

21,544 
(5,326) 

16,218 

(79) 

– 
(3,765) 

325 

(1,366) 

7 

(327) 

(1,970) 

(158) 

1,173 

299 

(5,861) 

10,357 

 32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended 31 December 
Net cash from operating and investing activities 

Financing activities 

Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest 

Issue of shares to minorities 

Repayment of finance leases 

Inception of invoice discounting  

Repayment of invoice discounting 

Inception of bank loans 

Repayment of bank loans 

Interest paid 

Net cash consumed by financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Bank loans and borrowings* 

NET CASH** 

CAPITAL 

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION (at 31 December: 380.0p; 326.50p) 

GEARING RATIO* 

*  Bank loans and borrowings excludes £3,645k (2015: £3,130k) of invoice discounting. 
** Gearing ratio and net cash are not defined under IFRS; see note 5. 

Note 

16 

2016 
£000 
1,328 

(5,458) 
(3,166) 
514 
(36) 
4,455 
(3,943) 
11,433 

(7,191) 
(1,230) 

(4,622) 

(3,294) 

3,270 

32,246 

32,222 

2015 
£000 
10,357 

(4,662) 
(3,591) 

15 
(31) 

3,130 
- 

6,349 
(968) 
(771) 

(529) 

9,828 

(903) 

23,321 

32,246 

25 

(28,582) 

(23,800) 

3,640 

8,446 

284,811 

237,414 

nil 

nil 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 

1. Headline results and earnings per share 
The analysis below provides a reconciliation between the Group’s statutory results and the headline results.  

Amortisation  
of acquired 
intangibles 

Impairment 
of associate 

Provision 
against 
investments 

Revaluation 
of an 
associate on 
acquisition 

Acquisition 
related 
remuneration* 

Put option 
accounting** 
(note 30 & 

(note 17) 
£000 
– 

(note 20) 
£000 
– 

(note 22) 
£000 
– 

(note 20) 
£000 
– 

(note 8) 

note 27) 
£000 
– 

Headline  
results 
£000 
458,180 

2016  
£000 
458,180 

225,387 

6,649 

1,530 

440 
(1,828) 

– 

– 

2,324 

3,738 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

6,791 

2,324 

3,738 

(3,451) 

(659) 

– 

3,340 

1,665 

3,738 

(3,196) 

(256) 

– 

Note 
2 

2 

7 

10 

11 
12 

2 

14 

Year ended 31 
December 2016 
Billings 

Revenue 

Operating profit 

Share of results of 
associates and JV 
Finance income 

Finance cost 
Profit before 
taxation 

Taxation 
Profit for the 
year 
Non-controlling 
interests 
Profit 
attributable to 
equity holders of 
the Group 

– 

651 

– 

– 

– 

651 

– 

651 

– 

– 

859 

– 

– 

– 

859 

– 

859 

– 

– 

225,387 

819 

7,997 

23,037 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

597 

1,530 

440 
(1,231) 

819 

8,594 

23,776 

– 

(4,110) 

819 

8,594 

19,666 

(540) 

(251) 

(4,243) 

144 

1,409 

3,738 

651 

859 

279 

8,343 

15,423 

*   Details of this breakdown can be found in note 8. The non-controlling interest charge is moved to operating profit due to underlying equity being 

defined as a conditional share award. 

**   These values represent put options accounted for as conditional share awards (£7,997k) (note 30) and fair value adjustments to minority put  

option liabilities (£597k) (note 27), the non-controlling interest charge is the additional charge had the put option not been accounted for under  
IFRS2 conditional share awards. 

The Directors believe that the headline results and headline earnings per share provide additional useful information on the underlying 
performance. The headline result is used for internal performance management, calculating the value of subsidiary convertible shares 
and minority interest put options. The term headline is not a defined term in IFRS. 

The items that are excluded from headline results are the amortisation or impairment of intangible assets (including goodwill and 
acquired intangibles, but excluding software) acquired in business combinations, changes to deferred and contingent consideration 
and other acquisition related charges taken to the income statement; impairment of investment in associates and investments; profit 
and loss on disposal of associates; and the income statement impact of put option accounting and share based payment charges.  

 34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of 
remaining 
shares in loss 
making 
associate 

Impairment of 
goodwill 
(note 17)  
£000 
– 

(note 18) 
£000 
– 

Acquisition 
related 
remuneration 

Amortisation  
of acquired 
intangibles 

(note 17) 
£000 
– 

– 

1,940 

– 

– 

– 

1,940 

(541) 

1,399 

2015  
£000 
375,107 

178,928 

14,707 

2,017 

299 
(4,477) 

12,546 

(3,386) 

9,160 

– 

(217) 

– 

– 

– 

(217) 

71 

(146) 

– 

889 

– 

– 

– 

889 

– 

889 

Put option 
accounting* 
(note 30 & 
note27) 
 £000 
– 

– 

1,125 

– 

– 

3,706 

4,831 

– 

Headline  
results 
£000 
375,107 

178,928 

18,578 

2,017 

299 
(771) 

20,123 

(3,856) 

4,831 

16,267 

– 

(3,026) 

(note 8) 
£000 
– 

– 

134 

– 

– 

– 

134 

– 

134 

– 

(2,686) 

(162) 

– 

(178) 

Note 
2 

2 

7 

10 

11 

12 

2 

14 

Year ended  
31 December 
2015 
Billings 

Revenue 

Operating profit 

Share of results of 
associates and JV 
Finance income 

Finance cost 
Profit before 
taxation 

Taxation 
Profit for the 
year 
Non-controlling 
interests 
Profit 
attributable to 
equity holders 
of the Group 

6,474 

1,237 

(146) 

711 

134 

4,831 

13,241 

*   These values represent put options accounted for under IFRS2 (£1,125k) (note 30) and fair value adjustments to minority put  

option liabilities (£3,706k) (note 27). 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

1. Headline results and earnings per share continued 
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing profit attributable to equity holders of the Group by the weighted 
average number of shares in issue during the year. 

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Group 

Basic earnings per share 
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) 

Basic EPS 

Diluted earnings per share* 
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) as above 

Add 

–  Conditional shares 
Total 

Diluted earnings per share 

2016  
£000 
144 

Headline 
2016 
£000 
15,423 

73,193 

0.20p 

73,193 

21.07p 

73,193 

73,193 

1,867 
75,060 

0.19p 

1,867 
75,060 

20.55p 

* All the put options detailed in note 27 are non-dilutive as the exercise price approximates fair value of the underlying non-controlling interest. 

 36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended  
31 December 2015 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Group 

Basic earnings per share 
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) 

Basic EPS 

Diluted earnings per share* 
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) as above 
Add 

–  Conditional shares 
Total 

Diluted earnings per share 

2015  
£000 
6,474 

Headline 
2015 
£000 
13,241 

71,319 

9.08p 

71,319 

18.57p 

71,319 

71,319 

300 
71,619 

9.04p 

300 
71,619 

18.49p 

* All the put options detailed in note 27 are non-dilutive as the exercise price approximates fair value of the underlying non-controlling interest. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

2. Segmental information 

Segmental and headline income statement 

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Billings 
Revenue 
Operating profit excluding Group costs 

Group costs 

Operating profit 

Share of results of associates and JV 

Financial income and cost 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Non-controlling interests 

Profit attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Group 

Headline basic EPS 

UK 
£000 
154,844 

88,504 

10,398 

(4,879) 

5,519  

1,323 

(343) 

6,499  

(811) 

5,688 

(1,320) 

Europe 
£000 
38,504 

26,685 

4,028 

(87) 

3,941  

(3) 

(43) 

3,895 

(1,350) 

2,545 

(494) 

Middle East  
and Africa 
£000 
22,810 

11,673 

1,085 

–  

1,085  

-  

43  

1,128 

(362) 

766 

(326) 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
88,665 

52,531 

5,754 

(343) 

5,411  

290 

124 

5,825 

(1,458) 

4,367 

(844) 

Americas 
£000 
153,357 

Total 
£000 
458,180 

45,994 

225,387 

7,119 

28,384 

(38) 

(5,347) 

7,081 

23,037  

(80) 

(572) 

1,530  

(791) 

6,429 

23,776 

(129) 

(4,110) 

6,300 

19,666 

(1,259) 

(4,243) 

4,368 

2,051 

440 

3,523 

5,041 

15,423 

21.07p 

Non-cash costs included in headline operating profit: 

Depreciation 

Amortisation of software 

Share option charges 

Office locations 

(1,364) 

(268) 

– 

London 

(242) 

(62) 

– 

Paris 
Milan 
Berlin 
Madrid 
Geneva 
Stockholm 
Moscow 
Istanbul 

(185) 

(9) 

– 

(329) 

(13) 

– 

(548) 

(2,668) 

(2) 

– 

(354) 

– 

New York  
Chicago 
Los Angeles  
San Francisco 
São Paulo 

Johannesburg 
Cape Town 
Abu Dhabi 
Dubai 
Beirut 
Tel Aviv 

Sydney 
Melbourne 
New Delhi 
Bangalore 
Islamabad 
Hong Kong 
Shanghai 
Tokyo 
Kuala Lumpur 
Bangkok 
Singapore 

Segmental results are reconciled to the income statement in note 1. Our segmental and headline results are one and the same. The 
above segments reflect the fact that our business is run on an operating unit basis. In accordance with IFRS8 paragraph 12, we have 
aggregated our operating units into regional segments.  

 38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segmental and headline income statement 

Year ended  
31 December 2015 
Billings 

Revenue 

Operating profit excluding Group costs 

Group costs 

Operating profit 

Share of results of associates and JV 

Financial income and cost 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Non-controlling interests 

Profit attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Group 

Headline basic EPS 

UK 
£000 
155,226  

84,159 

11,782 

(4,970) 

6,812 

809  

(527) 

7,094  

(506) 

6,588  

(1,169) 

Europe 
£000 
37,668  

Middle East  
and Africa 
£000 
18,965  

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
68,140  

22,745 

3,668 

(83) 

3,585 

25  

(60) 

3,550  

(1,190) 

2,360  

(658) 

8,549 

1,049 

– 

1,049 

–  

(17) 

1,032  

(268) 

764  

(372) 

42,103 

4,187 

(308) 

3,879 

325  

69  

4,273  

(1,209) 

3,064  

(477) 

Americas 
£000 
95,108  

Total 
£000 
375,107 

21,372 

178,928 

3,253 

23,939 

– 

(5,361) 

3,253 

18,578 

858  

63  

2,017 

(472) 

4,174  

20,123  

(683) 

(3,856) 

3,491  

16,267 

(350) 

(3,026) 

5,419  

1,702  

392  

2,587  

3,141  

13,241 

18.57p 

Non-cash costs included in headline operating profit: 

Depreciation 

Amortisation of software 

Share option charges 

Office locations 

(1,269) 

(9) 

(5) 

London 

(208) 

(51) 

– 

Paris 
Milan 
Berlin 
Madrid 
Geneva 
Stockholm 
Moscow 
Istanbul 

(145) 

(16) 

– 

(242) 

(18) 

– 

(267) 

(2,131) 

(4) 

– 

(98) 

(5) 

New York  
Los Angeles  
San Francisco 
São Paulo 

Johannesburg 
Cape Town 
Abu Dhabi 
Beirut 
Tel Aviv 

Sydney 
Melbourne 
New Delhi 
Hong Kong 
Shanghai 
Tokyo 
Kuala Lumpur 
Bangkok 
Singapore 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

2. Segmental information continued 

Segmental balance sheet 
This note includes balance sheet information required by IFRS8 and other information required by IFRS12. 

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Non-controlling interest in equity at year end 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
during year 

Non-headline amortisation 
Non-headline impairment 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation 

Year ended  
31 December 2015 
Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Non-controlling interest in equity at year end 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
during year 

Non-headline amortisation 
Non-headline impairment 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation 

UK 
£000 
47,912 

56,562 

104,474 

Europe 
£000 
3,861 

19,493 

23,354 

(18,241) 

(20,879) 

(404) 

(439) 

(18,645) 

(21,318) 

2,063 

991 

1,000 
651 
2,307 

1,364 

UK 
£000 
45,905 

44,144 

90,049 

281 

678 

41 
– 
297 

242 

Europe 
£000 
3,416 

16,672 

20,088 

(13,703) 

(18,269) 

(366) 

(140) 

(14,069) 

(18,409) 

1,924 

1,167 

1,031 

– 
1,193 

1,268 

636 

384 

55 

– 
230 

208 

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
1,619 

7,912 

9,531 

(6,910) 

(39) 

(6,949) 

486 

129 

267 
– 
524 

185 

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
600 

5,472 

6,072 

(4,667) 

(21) 

(4,688) 

249 

248 

496 

– 
67 

145 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
4,182 

24,974 

29,156 

Americas 
£000 
30,781 

33,105 

63,886 

Total 
£000 
88,355 

142,046 

230,401 

(20,704) 

(631) 

(21,335) 

(49,152) 

(115,886) 

(1,095) 

(2,608) 

(50,247) 

(118,494) 

1,111 

2,887 

6,828 

797 

77 
– 
543 

329 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
3,318 

17,495 

20,813 

571 

3,166 

939 
3,738 
309 

548 

2,324 
4,389 
3,980 

2,668 

Americas 
£000 
16,404 

36,253 

52,657 

Total 
£000 
69,643 

120,036 

189,679 

(15,337) 

(350) 

(15,687) 

(44,349) 

(96,325) 

(331) 

(1,208) 

(44,680) 

(97,533) 

970 

1,578 

200 

889 
378 

242 

516 

214 

158 

– 
168 

265 

4,295 

3,591 

1,940 

889 
2,036 

2,128 

 40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reportable segment assets are reconciled to total assets as follows: 

Segment assets 

Current tax asset 

Deferred tax asset 

Total assets per balance sheet 

Reportable segment liabilities are reconciled to total liabilities as follows: 

Segment liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Current tax liabilities 

Bank overdraft 

Invoice discounting 

Other financial liabilities 

Minority shareholder put option liabilities 

Total liabilities per balance sheet 

Additional regional splits required for IFRS8 by origin. 

2016 
£000 
230,401 

1,057 

3,112 

2015 
£000 
189,679 

844 

1,476 

234,570 

191,999 

2016 
£000 
(118,494) 

(380) 

(1,186) 

– 

(3,645) 
(28,302) 

(33,166) 

2015 
£000 
(97,533) 

(30) 

(1,204) 

(98) 

(3,130) 

(23,619) 

(24,364) 

(185,173) 

(149,978) 

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Revenue 

Non-current assets  

Year ended  
31 December 2015 
Revenue 
Non-current assets  

UK 
£000 
88,504 

47,912 

Europe 
£000 
26,685 

3,861 

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
11,673 

Australia 
£000 
42,311 

1,619 

2,940 

Asia  
£000 
10,220 

1,242 

Americas 
£000 
45,994 

30,781 

UK 
£000 
84,159 

45,904 

Europe 
£000 
22,745 

3,416 

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
8,549 

Australia 
£000 
33,272 

600 

2,291 

Asia  
£000 
8,831 

1,028 

Americas 
£000 
21,372 

16,404 

Total 
£000 
225,387 

88,355 

Total 
£000 
178,928 

69,643 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

2. Segmental information continued 

Segmental income statement translated at 2015 exchange rates 
It is normal practice in our industry to provide like-for-like results and constant currency results. 

Had our 2016 results been translated at 2015 exchange rates then our constant currency results would have been:  

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Revenue 

Operating profit excluding Group costs 

Group costs 

Operating profit 

Share of results of associates and JV 

Financial income and cost 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Increase/(decrease) in 2016 results caused 
by translation differences 

UK 
£000 
88,504  

10,398  

(4,885) 

5,513  

1,323  

(393) 

6,443  

(799) 

5,644  

44 

Europe 
£000 
23,766  

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
11,356  

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
47,418  

Americas 
£000 
42,106  

3,573  

(78) 

3,495  

(5)  

(43) 

3,447  

(1,197) 

2,250  

295  

1,095  

– 

1,095  

–  

44  

1,139  

(371) 

768  

5,298  

(308) 

4,990  

273  

113  

5,376  

(1,337) 

4,039  

(2) 

328  

6,800  

(38) 

6,762  

(72) 

(510) 

6,180  

(65) 

6,115  

185  

Total 
£000 
213,150 

27,164 

(5,309) 

21,855  

1,519  

(789) 

22,585  

(3,769) 

18,816  

850 

Had our 2016 results been translated at 2015 exchange rates, with the companies we owned in 2015, then our like-for-like results 
would have been:  

Year ended  
31 December 2016 
Revenue 

Operating profit excluding Group costs 

Group costs 

Operating profit 

Share of results of associates and JV 

Financial income and cost 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 
Increase/(decrease) in 2016 results caused 
by translation and acquisition differences 

UK 
£000 
88,504  

10,398  

(4,885) 

5,513  

1,323  

(393) 

6,443  

(799) 

5,644  

44 

Europe 
£000 
23,766  

Middle East 
and Africa 
£000 
10,557 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 
47,418  

Americas 
£000 
25,294 

3,573  

(78) 

3,495  

(5)  

(43) 

3,447  

(1,197) 

2,250  

295  

1,095  

– 

1,095  

–  

44  

1,139  

(371) 

768  

(2) 

5,298  

(308) 

4,990  

273  

113  

5,376  

(1,337) 

4,039  

3,934 

(38) 

3,896 

555 

(454) 

3,997  

123 

4,120 

Total 
£000 
195,539 

24,298 

(5,309) 

18,989  

2,146  

(733) 

20,402  

(3,581) 

16,821  

The key currencies that affect us and the average exchange rates used were: 

US dollar 

Malaysian ringgit 

Australian dollar 

South African rand 

Brazilian real 

Euro 

 42 

328  

2,180  

2,845 

2016 
1.3558 

5.6104 

1.8247 

19.9843 

4.7442 

1.2244 

2015 
1.5282 

5.9695 

2.0354 

19.5022 

5.0952 

1.3780 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Group subsidiaries  
The Group believes that local entrepreneurs should own a local stake in their destiny. This is reflected in the list below and the 
accounting effects in notes 20, 27 and 30.  

The principal group subsidiaries and associated companies are: 

As at 31 December 2016 

UK 
Audience Communications Ltd**	
  

Clear Ideas Consultancy LLP**	
  

Clear Ideas Ltd**	
  

FYND Media Ltd 

Horizon PR Ltd**	
  

Human Digital Ltd** 

Influence Communications Ltd	
  

Lean Mean Fighting Machine Ltd**	
  

LIDA (UK) LLP**	
  
LIDA Ltd** & ***	
  
M&C Saatchi (UK) Ltd** & ***	
  
M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi European Holdings Ltd**	
  
M&C Saatchi Export Ltd** & ***	
  
M&C Saatchi German Holdings Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi International Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi Marketing Arts Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi Middle East Holdco Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd**	
  
M&C Saatchi Network Ltd** & ***	
  

M&C Saatchi PR International Ltd** 

M&C Saatchi PR Ltd** 

M&C Saatchi PR UK LLP**	
  

M&C Saatchi Russia Ltd** 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Ltd** & ***	
  

M&C Saatchi WMH Ltd**	
  

M&C Saatchi World Services LLP**	
  
M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd** & ***	
  
Play London Ltd	
  
Re Worldwide Ltd** 
SaatchInvest Ltd**	
  
Talk Content Ltd 
Talk PR Ltd** & *** 
Talk Store PR Ltd 

Talk Tech PR Ltd 

Country 

Effective % 
ownership 

United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 

United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom	
  

United Kingdom	
  

United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom	
  
United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

100	
  
100	
  
100	
  
100 

80	
  
100 
95	
  
100	
  
99	
  
100	
  
100	
  
80	
  
96	
  
100	
  
96	
  
100	
  
50	
  
55	
  
80	
  
90	
  
100	
  
100	
  
100	
  
60	
  
50	
  
73	
  

97	
  

100	
  
80 
100	
  
100	
  
100 
100	
  
46 

51 

51 

51 

Activities 

Dormant  
Marketing 	
  
Marketing 	
  
Media Buying 

PR Agency (joint venture)	
  
Research 
Dormant	
  
Advertising	
  
Direct Marketing	
  
 Direct Marketing	
  
Adverting	
  
Advertising	
  
Holding Company	
  
Advertising	
  
Holding Company	
  
Holding Company	
  
Advertising	
  
Talent Management	
  
Holding Company	
  
Mobile Marketing	
  
Holding Company	
  
PR Agency	
  
PR Agency	
  
PR Agency	
  
Advertising	
  
Marketing	
  
Sport Sponsorship & 
Entertainment PR Agency	
  
Holding Company	
  
Marketing	
  
Holding Company	
  
Dormant	
  
 Dormant 
Holding Company	
  
Dormant 

PR Agency 

Dormant 

Dormant 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
NOTES 
Continued 

3. Group Subsidiaries continued  

As at 31 December 2016 

UK 
The Source (London) Ltd** 

The Source (W1) LLP** 

Tricycle Communications Ltd** 

Walker Media Ltd 

EUROPE 

M&C Saatchi PR srl 

Media By Design Spain SA 

FCINQ SAS 
M&C Saatchi Gad SAS 
M&C Saatchi Little Stories SAS 
M&C Saatchi One SARL 
Paris Gad Holding SAS 
M&C Saatchi Berlin GmbH 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment GmbH 
M&C Saatchi Sun GmbH 
M&C Saatchi SpA 
M&C Saatchi International Holdings BV 
Clear Netherlands BV 
M&C Saatchi Madrid SRL 
M&C Saatchi Digital SL 
M&C Saatchi AB 
M&C Saatchi (Switzerland) SA 
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA 
M&C Saatchi Bahrain WLL 
M&C Saatchi Tel Aviv Ltd 
Creative Spark Interactive (Pty) Ltd*** 
Dalmation Communications (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Abel (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Africa (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Connect (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment South Africa Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Istanbul  
M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC 

M&C Saatchi Fz LLC 

M&C Saatchi SAL 

 44 

Country 

Effective %  
ownership 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

Germany 

Germany 

Germany 

Italy 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Netherlands 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Sweden 

Switzerland 

Bahrain 

Israel 

Lebanon 

South Africa 

South Africa 

South Africa 

South Africa 

South Africa 

South Africa 

Turkey 

United Arab Emirates 

United Arab Emirates 

88 

76 

80 

25 

88 

100 

80 

100 

60 

75 

64 

91 

80 

80 

100 

100 
24* 

24 

24 

60 

88 

100 

80 

10 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

25 

80 

100 

Activities 

Research Agency 

Research Agency 

Holding Company 

Media Agency (Associate) 

Website Construction 

Advertising 

PR Agency 

Digital Marketing 

Holding Company 

Advertising 
Sport Sponsorship & 
Entertainment PR Agency 
Dormant 

Advertising 

PR Agency 

Holding Company 

Dormant 
Direct Marketing (Associate) 

Digital Advertising (Associate) 

Media Agency (Associate) 

Advertising and Marketing 

Advertising 

Dormant 

Advertising 
Advertising (Associate) 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Dormant 
Advertising (Associate) 

Advertising 

Advertising 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
As at 31 December 2016 

Country 

Effective  
% ownership 

Activities 

ASIA AND AUSTRALIA 

Saatchi Ventures Pty Ltd 

Bang Pty Ltd 
Bellwether Global Pty Ltd 
Brands In Space Pty Ltd 
Bright Red Oranges Pty Ltd 
Clear Australia Pty Ltd 
Go Studios Pty Ltd 
LIDA Australia Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Asia Pac Holdings Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Direct Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Melbourne Pty Ltd 
Park Avenue PR Pty Ltd 
Re Team Pty Ltd 
Tricky Jigsaw Pty Ltd 
eMCSaatchi Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Advertising (Shanghai) Ltd 
Clear Asia Ltd  
M&C Saatchi Asia Ltd 
M&C Saatchi (HK) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Communications Pvt Ltd 
February Communications Pvt Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Ltd 
M&C Saatchi (M) Sdn Bhd 
M&C Saatchi World Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd 
Clear Ideas (Singapore) Pte Ltd 
M&C Saatchi (S) Pte Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Mobile Asia Pacific Pte Ltd 
Love Frankie Ltd 

Intelligence Factory Sdn Bhd 

Design Factory Sdn Bhd 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

China 

Hong Kong 

Hong Kong 

Hong Kong 

India 

India 

Japan 

Malaysia 

Malaysia 

Malaysia 

Pakistan 

Singapore 

Singapore 

Singapore 

Thailand 

76 

80 

80 

80 

100 

80 

80 

80 

100 

80 

48 

48 

80 

76 

60 

68 

80 

40 

93 

100 

40 

95 

20 

10 

49 

49 

49 

41 

93 

80 

95 

20 

Branding and Digital Marketing 

PR Agency 

Design 

Design 

Marketing Strategy  
Finished Art & Production 
Management Studio 
Digital Marketing 

Advertising 

Holding Company 

Direct Marketing 
Sport Sponsorship & Entertainment 
PR Agency 
Advertising 

PR & Marketing 

Marketing  

Holding Company 

Marketing  

Dormant 
Consultancy (Associate) 

Dormant 

Advertising 

Advertising (Associate) 

Advertising 

Advertising (Associate) 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Marketing (joint venture)  

Marketing  

Advertising 

Mobile Marketing 

Marketing (Associate) 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

3. Group Subsidiaries continued  

As at 31 December 2016 

Country 

Effective %  
ownership 

AMERICAS 

LIDA NY LLP 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc. 

M&C Saatchi Brasil Comunicação Ltda 

M&C Saatchi Brasil Participacoes Ltda 

Lily Participacoes Ltda 
Santa Clara Participacoes Ltda 
M+C Saatchi/Insight Pesquisa & Planejamento Ltda 
Clear USA LLC 
M&C Saatchi Agency Inc. 
M&C Saatchi Mobile LLP 
M&C Saatchi Share Inc. 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment NY LLP 
Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP 
M&C Saatchi NY LLP 

World Services US Inc. 

M&C Saatchi PR LLP 

Clear NY LLP 

Brazil 

Brazil 

Brazil 

Brazil 

Brazil 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

100 

60 

100 

25 

100 

91 

51 

100 

90 

99 

100 

75 

93 

51* 

100 

80 

100 

Activities 

Holding Company 

Advertising 

Holding Company 

Advertising (Associate) 

Dormant 

Marketing  

Direct Marketing 

Holding Company 

Advertising 

Mobile Marketing 

PR 

Marketing  
Sport Sponsorship & 
Entertainment PR Agency 
Marketing Consultant 
(Associate) 
Dormant 

Dormant 

Dormant 

*   Following year end, step acquisitions have been made to increase these shareholdings. 
**   This subsidiary undertaking is exempt from the Companies Act 2006 requirements relating to the audit of their individual accounts by virtue of 

Section 479A of the Act as M&C Saatchi plc has guaranteed the subsidiary company under Section 479C of the Act. 

***  With the exception of M&C Saatchi Network Ltd and Creative Spark Interactive (Pty) Ltd where all our equity is directly held by M&C Saatchi plc, 

all other subsidiary companies’ equity is either in part or wholly held indirectly via subsidiaries of M&C Saatchi plc. 

Most of our subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures (entities) have different classes of equity so that board representation reflects 
parties equity splits, and minorities can be protected from right changes, in all other regards our entities equity ranks pari passu.  

List of the entities local registered address can be found in note 43. 

M&C Saatchi plc exists as a holding company with all direct client relationships performed by its indirect subsidiaries. The results of 
the entities reflect the result of the Group less the results of M&C Saatchi plc.  

 46 

 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Summary accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. 

Going concern 
Given the strength of the Group’s balance sheet, its net cash,  
its bank covenants, the risks the Group faces (note 6), the 
expected trading performance and the two-year cash flow 
projections, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future.  

The Directors continually review the Groups profit forecasts, 
and reviews monthly its balance sheet and cash flow forecasts. 
Annually, or earlier if needed, we review the long term (greater 
than one year) cash flow projections for the Group based on 
anticipated scenarios and acquisitions. If additional funding is 
required, it is secured before expenditure is made, as we have 
done during the year by extending our bank facility on 4 January 
2016 (note 25).  

Based on this the Directors believe the Group will continue as 
a going concern for the foreseeable future. 

Headline results 
The Directors believe that the headline results and headline 
earnings per share provide additional useful information on 
the underlying performance of the business. The headline 
results reflect the underlying profitability of our business  
units by excluding all effects of buying and selling equity by  
the Group; and the accounting effects of our entrepreneurs 
holding equity in the business they run (business model).  
Such business model accounting effects charge the income 
statement for the Groups fair value liability of its local 
entrepreneurs' equity conversion rights, but does not account 
for the value enhancement they make to our local holdings.  

In addition, the headline results are used for internal 
performance management and minority shareholder put 
option liabilities. The term 'headline' is not a defined term  
in IFRS. Note 1 reconciles reported to headline results.  

Our segmental reporting (note 2) reflects our headline results 
in accordance with IFRS8.  

The items that are excluded from headline results are the 
amortisation or impairment of intangible assets (including 
goodwill and acquired intangibles, but excluding software) 
acquired in business combinations, changes to deferred  
and contingent consideration and other acquisition related 
charges taken to the income statement; impairment of 
investment in associates and investments; profit and loss on 
disposal of associates; and the income statement impact of 
put option accounting and share based payment charges.  
See Note 3 for a reconciliation between the Group’s statutory 
results and the headline results. 

Accounting developments and changes 
There were no significant accounting developments or  
changes during 2016 that affect these accounts. Other  
future developments are described in note 34. 

IFRS elections 
IFRS provides certain options available within accounting 
standards. Material judgements we have made, and continue  
to make, include goodwill and intangible asset acquisitions  
where the Group does not recognise the non-controlling  
interests share of goodwill. 

Critical accounting policies 
Revenue recognition 
Billings comprises the gross amounts billed to clients in 
respect of commission based and fee based income together 
with the total of other fees earned. Revenue comprises 
commission and fees earned in respect of amounts billed. 
Revenue and billings are stated exclusive of VAT, sales taxes 
and trade discounts. 

Each type of revenue is recognised on the following basis: 
a)  Project fees are recognised over the period of the relevant 
assignments or agreements, in line with incurred costs.  
The primary input of all work performed under these 
arrangements is labour. As a result of the relationship 
between labour and cost, there is normally a direct 
relationship between costs incurred and the proportion  
of the contract performed to date. 

b)  Retainer fees are spread over the period of the contract  

on a straight-line basis.  

c)  Commission on media spend is recognised when the 

advertisements appear in the media. 

Subsidiary acquisitions 
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the 
purchase method. The cost of acquisition is measured at  
the aggregate of the fair values of the assets given, liabilities 
incurred or assumed and the equity instruments issued by  
the Group in exchange for control. The identifiable assets and 
liabilities (including contingent liabilities) acquired that meet 
the conditions for recognition under IFRS3 are recognised at 
their fair values at the date of acquisition. 

The interest of minority shareholders in the acquiree is initially 
measured at the minority’s proportion of the net fair value of  
the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognised.  

All acquisition costs are expensed to the income statement in 
the period that they occur. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

Goodwill 
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary is recognised as 
an asset, being the excess of consideration paid over the interest in 
the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Cost comprises 
the fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed (contingent and 
deferred consideration) and equity instruments issued. 

In 2009 and before, where the Group increased its stake  
in a subsidiary, goodwill equals the difference between the 
consideration paid and the fair value of the minority interest 
acquired. In 2010 and beyond, such balances are taken to 
reserves in accordance with IAS27. The amendment to the 
standard did not require retrospective restatement. 

Goodwill relating to associates is included within the carrying 
value of the investment in associates. 

Employee benefits – equity settled share based payments 
In addition to the put option liabilities, some entities have issued 
put options which are forfeited on termination of employment  
of the minorities. As such, these arrangements are treated as 
share based payment and accounted for under IFRS2, as 
opposed to IAS39. The cost of such equity settled transactions 
with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at  
the date at which they are granted, including assumptions non-
market vesting conditions such as, profitability and sales growth 
targets. Subsequent changes in the likelihood of achieving such 
non-market conditions are reflected as adjustments to the share 
option charge over the vesting period. Where awards depend  
on future events, we assess the likelihood of these conditions 
being met and make an appropriate charge at the end of each 
reporting period. The credit for equity settled transactions  
is taken to retained earnings. 

Following initial recognition, goodwill is carried at cost less any 
accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill recognised under UK 
GAAP prior to the date of transition to IFRS is stated at net book 
value as at that date. 

Assets and liabilities in respect of put options held by 
shareholders in associates are accounted for as derivatives  
and not recognised until the Group gains control and fully 
consolidates the entity. 

The remaining accounting policies, details of IFRS13 hierarchy 
and additional details on the above are set out in note 34. 

Put option conditional shares awards 
The cost of awards to employees of subsidiary undertakings 
classified as conditional shares awards is accounted for as a 
share option under IFRS2 and is charged to the income statement 
over the period of the award.  

On exercise, the share for share exchange is treated at nominal 
value or initial acquired value.  

Dividends paid to employees of subsidiaries who have conditional 
share awards are expensed as employee remuneration. 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to 
each of the Group’s cash generating units expected to benefit 
from the combination. Cash generating units to which goodwill 
has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more 
frequently when there is an indication of impairment. Any 
impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement 
and is not subsequently reversed. 

The impairment test is based on management’s projections for 
the next five years and regional growth rates thereafter. 

Goodwill arising from foreign investments is retranslated at the 
year end rate. 

Minority shareholder put option liabilities 
The equity partners In the Group’s subsidiaries hold put options 
that allow them to require the Group to purchase their non-
controlling interest on exercise. The put options can be 
exchanged for either a variable number of shares or cash.  
The Group has elected to account for these as put option 
liabilities under IAS32 and measures them at the present value  
of the amounts expected to be payable on exercise; this is 
deemed a proxy for fair value. The fair value is remeasured at 
each period end with the movements being recognised in the 
income statement in finance income or cost. 

On inception of a put option, the liability is recognised on the 
balance sheet and a corresponding debit is included in the 
minority interest put option reserve (note 5). 

On exercise, the liability is extinguished, and its related minority 
interest put option reserve is moved to the non-controlling 
interest acquired reserve (note 5). 

 48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
5. Definition of terms 

Foreign exchange reserve 
For overseas operations, results are translated at the annual 
average rate of exchange and balance sheets are translated  
at the closing rate of exchange. The annual average rate  
of exchange approximates to the rate on the date that the 
transactions occurred. Exchange differences arising from  
the translation of foreign subsidiaries are taken to a separate 
component of equity. Such translation differences will be 
recognised as income or expense in the period in which the 
operation is disposed of. 

Gearing ratio 
Gearing ratio is equal to net debt divided by market capitalisation 
at the balance sheet date. 

Key management 
Key management has been defined as the persons discharging 
managerial responsibilities (PDMRs) of the Group. 

Net cash (debt) 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year less  
external borrowings (excluding any capitalised finance cost, 
finance leases and debt factoring). 

Merger reserve 
Premium paid for shares above the nominal value of  
share capital, caused by the acquisition of more than 90%  
of subsidiaries’ shares. The merger reserve is released to 
retained earnings when there is a disposal or impairment  
charge or amortisation charge posted in respect of the 
investment that created it. 

Minority interest put option reserve 
Corresponds to the initial fair value of the liability in respect  
of the put options at creation. When the put option is exercised, 
the related amount in this reserve is taken to non-controlling 
interest acquired reserve. All revaluations of put options  
are expensed via the income statement to profit and loss reserve. 

Non-controlling interest 
Contains the non-controlling interest’s share of equity reserves  
of our subsidiaries. 

Non-controlling interest acquired reserve 
From 1 January 2010, a non-controlling interest acquired  
reserve is used when the Group acquires an increased stake  
in a subsidiary. If the stepped acquisition is due to a put option 
then the non-controlling interest acquired reserve is equal to the 
minority interest put option reserve transferred less book value 
of the minority interest acquired. Otherwise the non-controlling 
interest acquired reserve is equal to the consideration paid less 
book value of the minority interest acquired. If the equity stake  
in the subsidiary is subsequently sold, then balances from this 
reserve will be taken to retained earnings. 

Retained earnings 
Cumulative gains and losses recognised. 
Share premium
 
Premium paid for shares above the nominal value of share 
capital, where that premium was not taken to merger reserve. 

Treasury reserve 
Amount paid for own shares acquired 

6. Risk and risk management 

The Group has identified specific categories of business risk  
and developed policies for their management and control.  
These policies are kept under constant review as risk and  
risk perceptions change. 

Currency risk 
(see below, and note 23 and 24)   
Interest rate risk 
(note 13) 
Share price risk 
(note 27) 

Market risk 
(see below) 
Credit risk 
(note 23) 
Talent risk 
(Directors’ report) 

Income statement currency exposure 
The Group’s results are presented in sterling and are subject to 
fluctuation as a result of exchange rate movements. The Group 
continues to review its exposure to exchange rate movements 
and considers methods to reduce the exchange rate risk. 

2016 profits would have changed as follows, had average 
exchange rates been changed by: 

Increase/(decrease)  
in profit before tax  
£000 
(1,177) 
1,439 

Increase/(decrease)  
in profit after tax  
£000 
(868) 
1,061 

Exchange rate 
+10% 
(10)% 

See note 2 for the income statement translated at prior year 
exchange rates. 

Market risk 
The Group does not have a substantial market share in any 
market. The key risk the Group is exposed to is the loss of  
clients. The Group has policies to monitor client feedback  
and act where there are issues. 

Largest clients as 
a %  
of total revenue 
Top client 
Top 10 
Top 15 
Top 30 

2016 
% 
4.9 
30.5 
39.5 
54.2 

2015 
% 
5.9 
30.4 
42.8 
56.2 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

Liquidity risk 
Centrally the Group ensures that bank facilities are available to  
meet the Group’s liquidity needs. Liquidity is monitored centrally  
and managed locally. Spare local cash is released to the centre  
by way of dividends and loan repayments. In managing its liquidity 
risk, management considers its net cash and minimises its gearing 
ratio, and where working capital is utilised to fund the business, 
management makes sure that the Group has sufficient bank facilities 
to cope with an unwinding of positive working capital flows and to 
fund the negative working capital effect of revenue growth. Our bank 
debt maturity analysis can be seen in note 25 and financial liability 
maturity analysis can be seen in note 24. 

Capital risk 
The Group’s capital reserves consist of all its equity reserves  
with the exclusion of the minority interest put option reserve.  
Capital reserves safeguard the Group’s going concern, as well as 
providing adequate return to its shareholders. The capital reserves 
total £69,995k (2015: £54,616k ). The Group minimises the amount 
of debt it uses to finance its activities, to reduce the risk to the 
shareholders. Excess working capital is used to reduce debt. 
Excess cash is used to invest or is returned to shareholders by 
way of dividend or through buying shares into treasury. Our key 
process for managing capital is regular Board reviews of our 
capital structure and needs. 

Key estimates 
Management’s estimates of the future profitability of the Group 
can be significantly affected by single account wins or losses, and 
to a lesser extent by the estimated phase of a project, exchange 
rates and underlying economic growth rates. We have therefore 
based our estimates on the budgets for the coming year and 
estimated growth rates and margins thereafter. 

Changes in these underlying assumptions could give rise  
to material adjustments as set out in the following notes: 
Note 17 – Intangible assets – goodwill estimation of value in use; 
Note 27 – Minority shareholder put options liabilities; and  
Note 30 – Share based payments – initial measurement of 
Conditional share awards. 

Sensitivities to accounting estimates 
Our results and financial position are sensitive to assumptions 
made in determining accounting estimates, as set out below. 
Management are satisfied with the exception of companies 
acquired in the year and Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) which was 
impaired last year. No possible changes in key assumptions,  
apart from a significant loss of clients by a CGU, would cause the 
recoverable amount of any of our CGUs to be below their carrying 
amount. Management have tested the key assumptions of pre-tax 
discount rates and management forecasts and projections by 
adjusting them individually 5% and 20% respectively as well as 
comparing management forecasts to historic results. None of 
these sensitivity tests lead to further impairments. 

Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) was impaired in 2015, and continues  
to trade around the forecast used to justify the impairment. 
Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP and M&C Saatchi Middle East 
Fz LLC were acquired in the year, thus its carrying value is close to 
its recoverable amount. In testing our key assumptions on Bang Pty 
Ltd, Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP and M&C Saatchi Middle 
East Fz LLC, increasing pre-tax discount rates by 5% results in a 
£3.1m potential impairment and reducing management forecast  
by 20% creates a £0.5m potential impairment.  

Key judgements 
Management has made the following key judgements, which have  
a significant effect: deciding which of its shareholder contracts are 
share options and which are put options (whether created through 
acquisitions or organic); deciding to what extent tax losses are 
recognised as an asset in the balance sheet; useful lives of assets – 
tangible and intangible; recoverability of amounts receivable; and 
to use a discount to value an associate when it is created from 
selling a controlling stake in a subsidiary. 

Projections 
Projections take account of management’s view of the local 
operations future profitability given expected market growth, 
inflation, exchange rates and rapidly growing/shrinking markets. 
They are based on our budgets for 2017. 

They are used in calculating the fair value of minority put options, 
management’s assessment of value in use calculations, to identify 
goodwill impairment indicators and in calculating the value of 
conditional share awards.  

IFRS13 disclosures with respect of fair value have been detailed 
in note 34 and relevant notes. 

 50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 
8 

17 

17 

17 

21 

7. Operating costs 

Year ended 31 December 
Total staff costs 

Other costs 

Operating costs 

Other costs include: 

Profit on exchange 

Amortisation of intangibles 

–  Acquired intangibles 

–  Capitalised software 

Goodwill impairment 

Associate impairment 

Fair value revaluation of associate on acquisition 

Provision against investments 

Depreciation of plant and equipment 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets 

Year ended 31 December 

Operating lease rentals 

Plant 

Property 

Property sublease receipts 

Year ended 31 December 
Total commitments 
Plant and equipment 

Commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

–  Within one year 

–  Between two and five years 

Property 

Commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

–  Within one year 

–  Between one and five years 

–  Greater than five years 

Sublease receipts 

Commitments for future minimum lease receipts under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

–  Within one year 

–  Between one and five years 

–  Greater than five years 

For further details of finance leases, see in note 25 

2016 
£000 
157,481 

61,257 

Total 
2015 
£000 
118,089 

46,132 

218,738 

164,221 

859 

1,134 

2,324 

354 

- 

3,738 

859 

651 

2,668 

542 

1,940 

98 

889 
- 

- 

- 

2,128 

36 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

514 

7,556 

8,070 

(180) 

7,890 

650 

6,777 

7,427 

(506) 

6,921 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

913 

1,134 

2,047 

552 

594 

1,146 

9,059 

31,993 

11,033 

52,085 

7,077 

24,970 

13,354 

45,401 

(432) 

(1,554) 

(384) 

(544) 

(946) 
- 

(2,370) 

(1,490) 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

8. Staff costs 
Staff costs (including Directors) comprise: 

Year ended 31 December 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Defined contribution pension scheme costs 

Other staff benefits 

Acquisition related remuneration 
Allocations and dividends paid to conditional share award holders 
Contingent acquisition cost with leaver provision (note 18) 

Share based incentive plans  

Cash settled 

Equity settled 

Total staff costs 

Staff cost to revenue ratio 

Staff numbers 

UK 

Europe 

Middle East and Africa 

Asia and Australia 

America 

2016 
£000 

127,233 

15,085 

1,697 

4,650 

148,665 

540 

279 

819 

- 

7,997 

7,997 

157,481 

70% 

743 

326 

277 

611 

361 

2,318 

2015 
£000 
99,898 

11,019 

3,108 

2,779 

116,804 

- 

134 

134 

26 

1,125 

1,151 

118,089 

66% 

789 

298 

227 

532 

240 

2,086 

Pensions 
The Group does not operate any defined benefit pension schemes. The Group makes payments, on behalf of certain individuals, 
to personal pension schemes. 

Payments of £1,697k (2015: £3,108k) were made in the year and charged to the income statement in the period they relate to.  
At the year end there were unpaid amounts included within accruals totalling £156k (2015: £133k). 

2016 
£000 
3,062 

17 

1,366 

4,445 

2015 
£000 
4,140 

34 

779 

4,953 

Key management remuneration 

Short term employee benefit 

Post-employment benefit 

Share based payments 

Total 

 52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Auditors’ remuneration 
Services provided by the Group’s Auditors and network firms. 

Year ended 31 December 
Audit services 

Audit of the Company and its consolidated accounts 

Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

Other services provided by the Auditors 

Taxation compliance services 

Other advice 

Total 

10. Share of associates and joint ventures 

Year ended 31 December 
Share of associates’ profit before taxation 

Share of associates’ taxation 

For further details of associates, see note 20. 

11. Finance income 

Year ended 31 December 
Bank interest receivable 

Other interest receivable 

Total finance income 

12. Finance costs 

Year ended 31 December 
Bank interest payable 

Interest payable on finance leases 

Total interest payable 

Fair value adjustments to minority shareholder put option liabilities (note 27) 

Total finance costs 

2016 
£000 

239 

201 

440 

20 

1 

21 

461 

2016 
£000 
1,981 
(451) 

1,530 

2016 
£000 
338 

102 

440 

2016 
£000 
(1,227) 

(4) 

(1,231) 

(597) 

(1,828) 

2015 
£000 

227 

173 

400 

31 

1 

32 

432 

2015 
£000 
2,386 
(369) 

2,017 

2015 
£000 
181 

118 

299 

2015 
£000 
(766) 

(5) 

(771) 

(3,706) 

(4,477) 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

13. Interest rate risk  

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on both interest-bearing assets and liabilities. The majority of interest paying and earning 
assets are exposed to UK interbank rates (non-sterling denominated loans are at local interbank rates). An analysis of net interest  
by our segmented geographic regions is provided in note 2. 

At the year end, the Group had a £38.0m bank facility, which expires in April 2020. The facility can borrow in sterling, US dollars or 
euros. At 31 December 2016, £28.3m (2015: £23.8m) of this loan was drawn down. 

The Group regularly reviews its treasury structures to minimise commercial interest rate margins. 

For further details of Group borrowings, see note 25. 

14. Taxation 

Year ended 31 December 
Current taxation 

Taxation in the year 

–  UK 

–  Overseas 

Withholding taxes payable 

Adjustment for over provision in prior periods 

Total 

Deferred taxation 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses* 

Effect of changes in tax rates 
Total 

Total taxation 

* Recognised to reflect the probable future corporation tax that we can reclaim.  

2016  
£000 

2015  
£000 

891 

3,700 

(49) 
(104) 

4,438 

106 
(1,093) 

– 

(987) 

3,451 

817 

3,919 

5 

(526) 

4,215 

(46) 

(788) 

5 

(829) 

3,386 

 54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. Taxation continued 

The differences between the actual tax and the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied to profits for the year are as follows: 

Year ended 31 December 
Profit before taxation 

Taxation at UK corporation tax rate of 20.00%  
(2015: 20.25%)  
Tax effect of associates 

Non-controlling interest share of partnership income 

Expenses not deductible for tax 

Option charges not deductible for tax 

Different tax rates applicable in overseas jurisdictions 

Effect of changes in tax rates on deferred tax 

Withholding taxes payable 

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Adjustment for current tax over provision in prior periods 

Adjustment for deferred tax over provision in prior periods 

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised 

Fair value adjustments on minority shareholder put options 

Impairment of goodwill and investment in associates 

Total taxation 

Statutory tax rate 

Year ended 31 December 
Headline profit before taxation (note 1) 

Taxation at UK corporation tax rate of 20.00% 
(2015: 20.25%)  
Tax effect of associates 
Non-controlling interest share of partnership income 

Expenses not deductible for tax 

Option charges not deductible for tax 

Different tax rates applicable in overseas jurisdictions 

Effect of changes in tax rates on deferred tax 

Withholding taxes payable 

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses 

Adjustment for current tax under provision in prior periods 

Adjustment for deferred tax over provision in prior periods 

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised 
Headline taxation (note 3) 

Headline effective tax rate  

2016  
£000 
6,791 

(1,358) 

306 

467 

(484) 

(1,698) 

(826) 

– 
49 

– 

1,093 

104 

– 

(107) 

(119) 

(878) 

(3,451) 

50.8% 

2016 
£000 
23,776 

(4,755) 

306 

467 

(484) 

– 

2015  
£000 
12,546 

(2,541) 

409 

191 

(378) 

(256) 

(1,099) 

(5) 

(5) 

– 

788 

526 

– 

(86) 

(750) 

(180) 

(3,386) 

27.0% 

2015 
£000 
20,123 

(4,075) 

409 

191 

(378) 

– 

(1,055) 

(1,194) 

– 

49 

– 

1,193 

104 

– 

65 

(4,110) 

17.3% 

(5) 

(5) 

– 

788 

526 

– 

(113) 

(3,856) 

19.2% 

As can be seen above, the largest driver of tax charge is our local entities profitability, local tax rates, recognition of previously 
unrecognised tax losses and our disallowable share based payment charges. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

15. Deferred taxation  

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

At 31 December  
Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Net deferred tax 

The movement on the net deferred tax asset is as follows: 

At 1 January 

Exchange differences 

Income statement credit 

Acquisitions 

At 31 December 

2016 
£000 
3,112 
(380) 

2,732 

2016 
£000 
1,446 

303 

987 
(4) 

2,732 

The following is the deferred tax asset (liability) recognised by the Group and movements in 2016 and 2015: 

At 1 January 2015 

Exchange differences 

Income statement credit/(charge) 

Acquisitions 

At 31 December 2015 

Exchange differences 

Income statement credit/(charge) 

Acquisitions 

At 31 December 2016 

Capital 
allowances and 
amortisation 
£000 
(264) 

Tax losses  
£000 
528 

2 

284 

(292) 

(270) 

(56) 

683 

(4) 

353 

(40) 

44 

– 

532 

173 

222 

927 

Options and  
bonus  
accruals  
£000 
124 

– 

(124) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Working  
capital 
differences  
£000 
705 

(146) 

625 

– 

1,184 

186 

82 

1,452 

2015 
£000 
1,476 
(30) 

1,446 

2015 
£000 
1,093 

(184) 

829 
(292) 

1,446 

Total  
£000 
1,093 

(184) 

829 

(292) 

1,446 

303 

987 

(4) 

2,732 

Within capital allowances and amortisations, £309k (2015: £534k) relates to intangibles created as part of acquisition accounting.  

 56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15. Deferred taxation continued 

Unrecognised deferred tax asset in respect of carried forward tax losses: 

At 1 January 2016 

Exchange differences 

Change in potential tax rates 

Disposal 

Losses utilised in year 

Losses in year 

At 31 December 2016 

Expiry date of losses: 

One to five years 

Five to ten years 

Ten years or more 

Total 

Loss  
£000 
9,734 

1,905  

- 
(665) 

(5,692) 

13 

5,295 

2016  
£000 
26 

1,211 

336 

1,573 

Deferred  
tax impact  
£000 
3,327 

660  

(334) 

(233) 

(1,852) 

5 

1,573 

2015 
£000 
23  

1,791 

1,513 

3,327 

A deferred tax asset in respect of certain losses in overseas territories has not been recognised as there is insufficient certainty of 
future taxable profits against which these would reverse. 

16. Dividends 

Year ended 31 December 
2015 final dividend paid 5.60p on 8 July 2016 (2014: 4.87p)* 

2016 interim dividend paid 1.85p on 11 November 2016 (2015: 1.61p) 

2016  
£000 
4,084 

1,374 

5,458 

2015 
£000 
3,504 

1,158 

4,662 

*   2015 dividend has been restated to reflect the number of shares in issue when the dividend was paid, as opposed to the number of shares in  

existence at 31 December 2015. 

The 2016 proposed final dividend of 6.44p, totalling £4,876k. The dividends relate to the profit of the following years: 

Year ended 31 December 
Interim dividend paid 1.85p on 11 November 2016 (2015: 1.61p) 

Final dividends payable 6.44p on 7 July 2017 (2015: 5.60p) 

Headline dividend cover 

2016  
£000 
1,374 

4,876 

6,250 

2.5 

2015 
£000 
1,158 

4,033 

5,191 

2.6 

Headline dividend cover is calculated by taking headline profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders and dividing it by the  
total dividends that relate to that year’s profits. The Group seeks to maintain a long-term headline dividend cover of between 2  
and 3. Retained profits are used to reinvest in the long term growth of the Group through funding working capital and investing 
activities; and to repaying bank debt. 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

17. Intangible assets 

Cost 

At 1 January 2015 

Exchange differences 

Acquired 

Acquired through business combination 

Disposal 

At 31 December 2015 

Exchange differences 

Acquired 

Acquired through business combination 

Disposal 

Disposal of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2016 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

At 1 January 2015 

Exchange differences 

Amortisation charge* 

Impairment 

Disposal 

At 31 December 2015 

Exchange differences 

Amortisation charge* 

Disposal 

Disposal of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 
At 1 January 2015 

At 31 December 2015 
At 31 December 2016 

* Charged to income statement. 

Goodwill 
£000 

Brand name 
£000 

Customer 
relationships 
£000 

Software 
£000 

33,788  

(305) 

– 

288 

– 

33,771 

804  

– 

17,392 

– 

– 

51,967  

7,151  

– 

– 

889 

– 

8,040 

1 

– 

– 

– 

8,041  

26,637 
25,731 

43,926  

3,405  

(24) 

53 

729 

– 

4,163 

264 

– 

2,284 

– 

(65) 

6,646  

1,557  

(5) 

1,486 

– 

– 

3,038 

200 

1,237 

– 

(65) 

4,410  

1,848 
1,125 

2,236  

6,063  

(74) 

285 

282 

– 

6,556 

328 

– 

4,757 

– 

– 

11,641  

5,564  

(60) 

370 

84 

– 

5,958 

278 

1,087 

– 

– 

7,323  

499 
598  

4,318  

1,023  

(60)  

793  

–  

(71)  

1,685 

131 

38 

– 

(134) 

– 

1,720 

865  

(50) 

98  

–  
(60) 

853  

113 

354 

(124) 

– 

1,196 

158 
832  

524 

Total 
£000 

44,279  

(463) 

1,131 

1,299 

(71) 

46,175 

1,527 

38 

24,433 

(134) 

(65) 

71,974 

15,137  

(115) 

1,954 

973 
(60) 

17,889 

592 

2,678 

(124) 

(65) 

20,970 

29,142 
28,286 

51,004 

Goodwill’s accumulated amortisation and impairment all relate to impairments, all other columns relate to amortisations. 

 58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash generating units (CGU). Goodwill is made up of: 

Cash generating units (CGUs) 
M&C Saatchi UK Group 
LIDA Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Export Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd 
Clear Ideas Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Berlin GmbH 
M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC (Dubai)* 
Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD (South Africa) 
M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd (Australia) 
Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) 
Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP* 
LIDA NY LLP* 
Total of the four CGUs with goodwill less than £0.5m 
Total 

Goodwill 
31 December  
2016 
£000 
5,977 
1,462 
690 
600 
1,814 
539 
9,508 
1,326 
749 
248 
2,759 
621 
10,951 
5,692 
990 

43,926 

Goodwill 
31 December  
2015 
£000 
5,977 
1,462 
690 
600 
1,814 
539 
9,508 
1,143 
– 
181 
2,379 
521 
– 
– 
917 
25,731 

Segment 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
Europe 
Middle East and Africa 
Middle East and Africa 
Asia and Australia 
Asia and Australia 
Americas 
Americas 
Various 

* Apart from these CGUs, whose movements are described in this note, all other movements are due to exchange (note 18) 

Goodwill and other intangibles are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances  
indicate that the assets may be impaired. All recoverable amounts are from future trading and not from the sale of unrecognised 
assets or other intangibles i.e. the value in use. The 2016 review was undertaken in the last quarter of the year in conjunction with  
our annual business planning process; no goodwill and other intangible asset impairments were identified (2015: £973k). 

Management have approved the forecasts for 2017 and have prepared additional projections based on the 2017 numbers for the next four 
years. These were used as the basis for determining the recoverable amount of each CGU. In making the forecasts management has reflected 
on past performance and the present business and economic prospect. Details of uncertainties in our forecasts are described in note 6. 

In conducting the review, we used a residual growth rate of 3% from year five onwards and a market beta of 1.0 for UK, 1.0 for 
Europe, and 1.2 for rest of world. 

The pre-tax discount rates are based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted for specific risks relating to the 
country and market in which the CGU operates. 

Management are satisfied, with the exception of some of the companies acquired in the year and Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) which  
was impaired last year, no possible changes in key assumptions, apart from a significant loss of clients by a CGU, would cause the 
recoverable amount of any of our CGUs to be below their carrying amount. Management have tested the key assumptions of pre-tax 
discount rates and management forecasts and projections by adjusting them individually 5% and 20% respectively as well as 
comparing management forecasts to historic results. None of these sensitivity tests lead to further impairments.  

Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) was impaired in 2015, and continues to trade around the forecast used to justify the impairment. Shepardson 
Stern & Kaminsky LLP and M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC were acquired in the year, thus its carrying value is close to its recoverable 
amount. In testing our key assumptions on Bang Pty Ltd, Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP and M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC, 
increasing pre-tax discount rates by 5% results in a £3.1m potential impairment and reducing management forecast by 20% creates  
a £0.5m potential impairment.  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

17. Intangible assets continued 

Key assumptions 
UK 

Asia and Australia 

Middle East and Africa 

Europe 

Americas 

Residual 
growth 
rates 
2015 and 2016 
% 
3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

Pre-tax 
discount 
rates 
2016 
% 
11-13 

12-17 

10-14 

12-16 

13-14 

Pre-tax 
discount 
rates 
2015 
% 
11-13 

12-16 

14-16 

11-15 

n/a 

We do not expect the residual growth rates to exceed the long term growth rates for these types of business in each location. 

Brand name 
This is made up of the brands that we acquired with acquisitions.  

Brand name 
Clear 

Inside Mobile 

Direct One 

Bang 

ST&P 

Merlin Elite 

CGU 
Clear Ideas Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi GAD SAS 

Bang Pty Ltd (Australia) 
Samuelson Talbot & Partners Pty 
Ltd (Australia) 
M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd 

Lean Mean Fighting Machine  M&C Saatchi (UK) Ltd 

Mademoiselle Scarlett 

M&C Saatchi GAD SAS* 

Heavenspot 

Ben Natan Golan 

Creative Spark 

Expression 

SS+K 

MCD 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc 

M&C Saatchi Tel Aviv  

Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD 

M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC 
Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP 

LIDA NY LLP 

* Disposed of during the year. 

Year acquired 
2007 

Cost 2016 
£000 
2,640 

Cost 2015 
£000 
2,640 

2010 

2010 

2012 

2013 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2015 

2015 

2015 

2016 

2016 

2016 

103 

89 

280 

50 

186 
82 

- 

64 

590 

278 

25 

1,670 

589 

6,646 

103 

79 

245 

44 

186 

82 

56 

53 

483 

192 
- 
- 

- 

4,163 

Amortisation 
period 
3 years 

Immediately 

Infinity 

3 years 

Immediately 

Immediately 

Immediately 

Immediately 

Immediately 

Immediately 

1 year 

Immediately 

5 years 

5 years 

There is no foreseeable limit to the duration of ‘Direct One’ brands as we continue to use them for existing and future clients;  
hence the brand has been treated as having an indefinite life.  

 60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. Acquisitions  
During the year, the Group made acquisitions in US (Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP and LIDA NY LLP), and UAE (M&C Saatchi 
Middle East Fz LLC ) to enhance its service and offering. The Acquisition of 18% of Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP converted from 
an associate (note 20) to a subsidiary.  

Income statement effects of 2016 acquisitions 
The results of these three acquisitions included in the consolidation and their full year results are as follows: 

Shepardson Stern & 
Kaminsky LLP 

Note 

LIDA NY LLP 

M&C Saatchi Middle 
East Fz LLC 

Total 
£000 

2016 

Date of acquisition 

Revenue in consolidation 

Profit before tax in consolidation 

Full year revenue 

Full year profit before tax 

Goodwill on 2016 acquisition 

2016 
Consideration, satisfied by: 
Cash 
Fair value of associate  

Exchange rate adjustment 

Total consideration 

Less 

–  Fair value of net assets made up of: 

Brand name intangible 

Customer relationship intangible 

Plant and equipment 

Deferred tax asset 

Other non-current assets 

Cash 

Other current (liabilities)/assets 

Non-controlling interests share  

–  Total fair value of net assets 

Goodwill arising 

17 

1 March 

1 March 

1 March 

10,977  

1,691  

12,599 

1,545 

8,015  

678  

9,751 

770 

901  

(94) 

974 
(103) 

Shepardson Stern & 
Kaminsky LLP* 

Note 

LIDA NY LLP* 

M&C Saatchi Middle 
East Fz LLC 

4,568  
7,700  

1,192  

13,460  

1,670  

2,176 

970  

15  

146  

1,610  
(2,159) 

(1,919) 

2,509  

10,951  

7,818  
- 
760  

8,578  

589  

2,298 

222  

- 
- 
1,254  
(1,477) 

- 

2,886  

5,692  

1,021  
- 
143  

1,164  

25  

284 

7  

- 
- 
31  

68  

- 

415  

749  

19,893  

2,275  

23,324 

2,212 

Total 
£000 

13,407  
7,700  

2,095  

23,202  

2,284  

4,758 

1,199  

15  

146  

2,895  
(3,568) 

(1,919) 

5,810 

17,392 

* An external independent valuation was carried out on Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP and LIDA NY LLP Intangibles. 

Goodwill relates to value of the business’s staff. There is local tax deduction for goodwill (with the exception of UAE where there  
is no tax). 

As part of the Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP acquisition, put options were negotiated over remaining capital rights (note 27). 

LIDA NY LLP shareholders have put options that have been defined as a share based payment (note 30) as payments are redistributed 
amongst remaining employees on termination of employment (collective or individual) and therefore have been accounted for within  
staff costs (note 8) in accordance with IFRS3. As a consequence, the non-controlling interest charge is taken as a staff cost In statutory 
accounts (for headline numbers, to allow comparability to rest of the Group, the non-controlling interest charge Is included in non-
controlling interest).  

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

18. Acquisitions continued 

During 2015 the Group made minor acquisitions in South Africa (Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD), Israel (Ben Natan Golan Ltd) 
and France (Mademoiselle Scarlett SAS) to enhance its service and offering. 

Income statement effects of 2015 acquisitions 
The results of these three small acquisitions included in the consolidation are a revenue of £711k and profit before tax and intangible 
amortisation of £10k. Had the results been consolidated for the full year the revenue would have been £1,395k and profit before tax 
and intangible amortisation £180k, the majority of these profit values relate to Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD. 

Goodwill on 2015 acquisition 

2015 
Consideration, satisfied by: 

Cash 

Deferred consideration 

Total consideration 

Less 

–  Fair value of net assets made up of: 

Intangibles*  

Plant and equipment 

Other non-current assets 

Cash 

Other current liabilities 

Deferred tax liability 

Non-controlling interests share  

–  Total fair value of net assets 

Goodwill arising 

Note 

17 

Total 
£000 

191 

392 

583 

1,011  

47  

14 

267  
(609)  

(274) 

(161) 

295  

288 

* No post yearend adjustments have been made to these aggregated values. 

Of the £191k cash paid, £148k relates to our acquisition in Israel, and £43k relates to a small acquisition in France (which was 
subsequently disposed on in 2016). The £392k deferred consideration relates to Creative Spark (South Africa).  

Goodwill relates to value of the business’s staff. There is no local tax deduction for goodwill. 

As part of the acquisition, put options were negotiated over remaining capital rights (note 27). In addition, the shareholder 
(management) of Creative Spark (South Africa) are entitled to further payments depending on the future performance of the 
company. These payments are forfeited upon termination of employment (collective or individual) and therefore have been  
accounted for within staff costs (note 8) in accordance with IFRS3. 

 62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19. Cash consumed by acquisitions 

Cash consideration 
–  Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP 

–  LIDA NY LLP 

–  M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC 

–  One/Three small purchases of non-controlling interest’s equity  

– Deferred and contingent consideration paid (note 26) 

– Two small acquisitions 

Less cash and cash equivalents acquired 

Purchase of associates 

20. Associates and joint venture 

2016 
£000 

(4,568) 

(7,818) 

(1,021) 
(344) 

(1,966) 

–  

(15,717) 

2,895 

(12,822) 

– 

(12,822) 

2015 
£000 

– 

– 

– 

(155) 
– 

(191) 

(346) 

267 

(79) 

(3,765) 

(3,844) 

The Group invests in associates and joint ventures, either to deliver its services to a strategic market place or to gain strategic mass 
by being part of a larger local or functional entity. 

The following associates and joint ventures are included in the consolidated financial statements: 

Name 
Walker Media Limited  

M&C Saatchi Russia Limited 

M&C Saatchi S.A. and subsidiaries 

M&C Saatchi Istanbul 

M&C Saatchi SAL** 
M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) 
Limited**** 
February Communications Private 
Limited 
M&C Saatchi Ltd*x 
M&C Saatchi World Services 
Pakistan (PVT) Ltd (joint venture) 
Love Frankie Ltd 

Santa Clara Participacoes Ltda* 

Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky LLP*** 

Total 

Nature of 
business 
Media buying 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 
Development 
communications 
Advertising 

Advertising 

Advertising 

Country of 
incorporation 
or registration 
UK 

UK 

Spain 

Turkey 

Lebanon 

Investment in associate  
2015 
£000 
9,572 

2016 
£000 
10,897 
– 
– 
460 
– 

38 

– 

387 

– 

China 

7,529 

3,346 

India 

Japan 

Pakistan 

Thailand 

Brazil 

USA 

277 

– 

– 

114 
– 

– 

19,277 

214 

– 

– 

86 

3,383 

7,785 

24,811 

Proportion of voting rights 
and ordinary share capital 
held at 

2016 
25% 

2015 
25% 

50% 

25% 

25% 

10% 

40% 

20% 

10% 

50% 

25% 

25% 

51% 

50% 

25% 

25% 

10% 

20% 

20% 

60% 

50% 

25% 

25% 

33% 

*   £3,738k impaired In 2016, difference due to exchange movement. 
**   Influence exerted through our board membership and contractual relationship, this entity services other countries in the region. 
***  In March 2016 a controlling stake was acquired. The revaluation of associate at time of acquisition created a £859k charge to income statement 

(note 18). 

**** 20% acquired In 2016 by way of issuing Group shares to value of £3,605k. This entity trades as M&C Saatchi aeiou. 
*x   50% was sold to management for nominal value of this loss making entity during August 2016.  

All shares in associates are held by subsidiary companies, and have no special rights. Where the associate has a right to use our brand 
name we have a right to withdraw the brand name to stop it being lost, or protect it from damage. In the case of joint ventures, all key 
decisions have to be jointly agreed. The risk the Group is exposed to from its associates and joint ventures is our investment, our brand 
name and undistributed dividend flows.  

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

20. Associates and joint venture continued 

At 1 January 

Exchange movements 

Acquisition of associates 

Transferred to subsidiary following acquisition 

Contingent consideration 

Impairment of associate 

Dividends  

Share of profit after taxation 

Profit on disposal 

At 31 December 

Summarised financial information 

2016 
£000 
24,811 
2,521 

3,605 
(9,275) 

– 
(3,738) 
(177) 
1,530 
– 

19,277 

2015 
£000 
18,731 
(146) 

3,765 
– 

1,400 

– 

(1,173) 

2,017 
217 

24,811 

UK 
£000 

Europe 
£000 

Middle 
East and 
Africa  
£000 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 

Americas 
£000 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

22,591  

3,142  

6,727  

6,727  

5,314  

196  

185  

150  

3,590  
(1,323) 

(1,538) 

(1,538) 

5,502  

1,343  

1,177  

913  

4,758  
(502) 

(555) 

(605) 

39,583  

42,457  

6,441  

5,996  

4,234  

7,621 

7,514 

5,507 

Income statement 

Revenue 

Operating profit 

Profit before taxation 

Profit after taxation 
The Group’s share of the results  
of associates 

1,323  

(3) 

Dividends received from associates  
in the year 

– 

19 

Balance sheet 
Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Net current assets/(liabilities) 
Our share  
Losses not recognised 
Goodwill 
Investment in associates 

UK 
£000 

Europe 
£000 

71,090  

(58,538) 

12,552  
3,126  
–  
7,775  
10,901  

3,602  

(4,201) 

(599) 
(139) 
221  
377  
459  

 –  

– 

290  

(80) 

1,530  

2,017 

158 

– 

177 

1,173 

Middle 
East and 
Africa  
£000 

Asia and 
Australia 
£000 

Americas 
£000 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

2,748  

(8,984) 

(6,236) 
(624) 
624  
– 
– 

6,928  

(2,910) 

4,018  
1,495  
–  
6,422  
7,917  

2,484  

(3,450) 

(966) 
(41) 
41  
– 
– 

86,852  
(78,083) 
8,769  
3,817  
886  
14,574  
19,277  

80,759 

(69,768) 

10,991  
3,261  
689  
20,861  
24,811  

The UK is represented by Blue 449 (Walker Media Limited), which contributed all the profit during the period. Similarly, the US is 
represented by Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky LLP, which accounts for £(63)k of the £(80)k loss. As such, the summary financial 
information has not been disaggregated further. 

 64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21. Plant and equipment 

Cost 

At 1 January 2015 

Exchange differences 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries  

Disposals 

Disposal of subsidiaries 

At 31 December 2015 

Exchange differences 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries  

Disposals 

Disposal of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2016 

Depreciation 

At 1 January 2015 

Exchange differences 

Depreciation charge 

Disposals 

Disposal of subsidiaries 

At 31 December 2015 

Exchange differences 

Depreciation charge 

Disposals 

Disposal of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 

At 1 January 2015 

At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2016 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 

Furniture, 
fittings and 
other 
equipment 
£000 

Computer 
equipment 
£000 

Motor 
 vehicles 
£000 

6,646 
(113) 

819 

11 

(75) 

– 

7,288 

487 

2,088 

751 

(670) 

– 

9,944 

2,719 

(94) 

774 

(76) 

– 

3,323 

301 

967 

(333) 

– 

4,258 

3,927 

3,965 

5,686 

6,691 
(152) 

384 

14 

(111) 

– 

6,826 

436 

1,606 

259 

(483) 

(69) 

8,575 

3,599 

(77) 

685 

(138) 

– 

4,069 

273 

410 

(295) 

(46) 

4,411 

3,092 

2,757 

4,164 

5,011 
(108) 

762 

22 

(194) 

– 

5,493 

448 

266 

191 

(483) 

(44) 

5,871 

3,675 

(84) 

647 

(133) 

– 

4,105 

333 

1,265 

(471) 

(38) 

5,194 

1,336 

1,388 

677 

126 
(15) 

71 

– 

(42) 

– 

140 

32 

20 

0 

(36) 

– 

156 

72 

(8) 

22 

(33) 

– 

53 

16 

26 

(31) 

– 

64 

54 

87 

92 

Net book value of assets, included in the above balances which have been purchased through finance lease arrangements are: 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 
– 

– 

– 

Furniture, 
fittings and 
other 
equipment 
£000 
– 

12 

5 

Computer 
equipment 
£000 
169 

119 

89 

Motor 
 vehicles 
£000 
61 

78 

95 

At 1 January 2015 

At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2016 

Total 
£000 

18,474 
(388) 

2,036 

47 

(422) 

– 

19,747 

1,403 

3,980 

1,201 

(1,672) 

(113) 

24,546 

10,065 

(263) 

2,128 

(380) 

– 

11,550 

923 

2,668 

(1,130) 

(84) 

13,927 

8,409 

8,197 

10,619 

Total 
£000 
230 

209 

189 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

22. Other non-current assets 

Investments* 

Rent deposits 

Loans to associates** 

Loans to employees*** 

Call option provision 

Total other non current assets 

2016 
£000 
3,758 

1,815 

– 

1,828 

54 

7,455 

2015 
£000 
3,353 

1,110 

2,336 

1,496 

54 

8,349 

*   The Group engages in corporate venturing by investing in start-up companies that have technologies that relate to or could enhance the services the Group 

provides, or could become users of the Group’s services when matured. Under IFRS13, these items are valued as level 3 financial instruments and have been 
recorded at cost, which was deemed fair value on the date of acquisition. Given the start-up nature of these investments, these are not remeasured to fair  
value at each reporting date, as fair value cannot be reliably measured. However, the values of these investments are regularly reviewed and considered for 
impairment, which would be recorded in the income statement immediately. Three entities had indications of impairment, being scaled down operations, and  
no alternative value to their assets. The Group intends to realise its investments over a three to ten-year period either through sale of the equity or receipt  
of dividends. 
In 2016 we acquired a controlling Interest in Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky LLP, the USD3.5m working capital loan, has been reclassified as an 
intercompany balance. The terms of this loan reflect an arm’s-length transaction.  

**  

***   This related to the AUD3.1m (balance at 31 December 2015, AUD3.0m) loans that the Group lent local management of M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd,  

in 2015, to enable them to acquire 20% of that business. The full recourse loan is repayable in full if the purchasers no longer have a beneficial interest 
in the shares of the Australian Group, or are no longer employed. The loan is unsecured and charged interest at 0.1% above the five-year Australian 
interbank rate at the date the loan was advanced. The carrying value of the loan approximated to fair value. 

The movement in investments during the year is as follows: 

At 1 January 

Acquisition of investments 

Provision against investments* 

At 31 December 

2016 
£000 
3,353 
1,056 
(651) 

3,758 

2015 
£000 
1,987 
1,366 
– 

3,353 

 66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables 

Provision for bad debts 

Net trade receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Amounts due from associates 

VAT and sales tax recoverable 

Other debtors 

Total trade and other receivables 

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. 

Movement in the bad debt provision 

As at 1 January 

Exchange movements 

Charged to the income statement* 

Acquired 

Released to income statement 

Utilisation of provision 

As at 31 December 

2016 
£000 
80,943 

(2,107) 

78,836 

23,401 

920 

1,554 

5,113 

109,824 

2016 
£000 
(232) 

(43) 

(2,070) 

(69) 
9 

298 

2015 
£000 
59,651 

(232) 

59,419 

20,061 

654 

1,140 

6,418 

87,692 

2015 
£000 
(184) 

7 
(132) 

– 

– 

77 

(2,107) 

(232) 

*  £1,890k of this provision relates to the billing to one client, where the work was completed in 1st quarter of 2016. At that point we recognised the remaining 
revenue on the job as local management believed, at the time, that the entire amount would be paid into our sterling UK bank account. Local management 
still believe that the debt will be paid and the client has the cash, however due to local currency controls the client is unable to remit payment out of the 
country. There is no indication when the currency controls will be lifted. Given this situation we believe it prudent to fully provide for the amount while 
continue to work for the repatriation of the cash.  

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

23. Trade and other receivables continued 

As at 31 December, the following trade receivables were past their due date (of zero to three months) but not impaired.  
It is management’s belief that these debts will be fully repaid. 

Three to six months 

Over six months 

Total net trade receivables 

2016 
£000 
3,245 

758 

78,836 

2016 
% 
4% 

1% 

100% 

The carrying amount of the Group’s trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies: 

Sterling 

US dollars 

Australian dollars 

Malaysian ringgit 

Euros 

South African rand 

Brazilian real 

Other 

2016 
£000 
35,715 

34,488 

13,022 

3,682 

13,784 

1,965 

1,234 

5,934 

2016 
% 
33% 

31% 

12% 

3% 

13% 

2% 

1% 

5% 

2015 
£000 
1,250 

612 

59,419 

2015 
£000 
38,004 

21,434 

7,052 

1,956 

9,878 

2,179 

1,713 

5,476 

2015 
% 
2% 

1% 

100% 

2015 
% 
43% 

25% 

8% 

2% 

11% 

3% 

2% 

6% 

109,824 

100% 

87,692 

100% 

Credit risk 
The Group monitors credit risk at both a local and Group level. Credit terms are set and monitored at a local level according to  
local business practices and commercial trading conditions. The age of debt, and the level of accruals and deferred income is 
reported regularly. Age profiling is monitored both at local customer level and at consolidated entity level. Bad debt provisions  
are determined locally. There is only local exposure to debt from our significant global clients. Whilst the Group has some exposure  
to foreign currency risk, this is limited by the proportion of debt denominated in sterling. The Group continues to review its debt 
exposure to foreign currency movements and will review efficient strategies to mitigate risk as the Group’s overseas debt increases. 

There are no significant concentrations of credit risk in the Group. 

24. Trade and other payables 

Amounts falling due within one year 

Trade creditors 

Sales taxation and social security payables 

Employment benefit accruals 

Amounts due to associates 

Accruals and deferred income 

Other payables 

2016 
£000 
(45,700) 

(7,258) 

(1,130) 

(2,155) 

(51,314) 

(8,329) 

(115,886) 

2015 
£000 
(37,970) 

(7,946) 

(1,195) 

– 

(43,349) 

(4,073) 

(94,533) 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 

Settlement of trade and other payables is in accordance with our terms of trade established with our local suppliers. 

 68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The carrying amount of the Group’s trade and other payables are denominated in the following currencies: 

Amounts falling due within one year 

Sterling 

US dollars 

Australian dollars 

Malaysian ringgit 

Euros 

South African rand 

Brazilian real 

Other 

2016 
£000 

(34,357) 

(39,391) 

(13,936) 

(4,258) 

(14,084) 

(1,136) 

(2,271) 

(6,453) 

2016 
% 

29% 

34% 

12% 

4% 

12% 

2% 

2% 

5% 

2015 
£000 

(36,284) 

(27,090) 

(9,413) 

(2,530) 

(10,814) 

(1,598) 

(1,667) 

(5,137) 

2015 
% 

38% 

29% 

10% 

3% 

11% 

2% 

2% 

5% 

(115,886) 

100% 

(94,533) 

100% 

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities and derivative financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the 
period remaining until the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows 
(including interest), and therefore will not reconcile with amounts disclosed on the consolidated balance sheet: 

Non-derivatives 

Up to six months 

Six to twelve months 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Put options 

Up to six months 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Total derivatives and non-derivatives 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

(87,669) 

(77,310) 

(13) 

(12) 

(30,445) 

(24,576) 

(118,127) 

(101,898) 

(20,216) 

(12,952) 

(33,514) 

(16,739) 

(7,974) 

(24,713) 

(151,295) 

(126,611) 

The value of put options represents the minority shareholder put option liability excluding any discount for time. The majority of these 
financial instruments will be fulfilled by the issue of equity (note 27). 

The above table is an indicator of our liquidity risk. The risk is mitigated by the receipt of cash from trade and other receivables,  
and in the case of put options, the majority of the liability will be fulfilled by the issue of equity (note 29). 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

25. Other financial liabilities 

Amounts falling due within one year 

Obligations under finance leases 
Invoice discounting 

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts  
are due as follows: 

2016 
£000 
(25) 
(3,645) 
(3,670) 

2015 
£000 
(25) 
(3,130) 
(3,155) 

In one year or less, or on demand 
In more than one year but not more  
than two years 

2016 
£000 
(25) 

(18) 
(43) 

2015 
£000 
(25) 

(39) 
(64) 

26. Deferred and contingent consideration 

Amounts falling within one year 

–  Deferred (note 18) 

–  Contingent (note 20) 

At 1 January 

Exchange difference 

Associate increase in contingency* 

Acquisition 

Consideration paid (note 19) 

At 31 December 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

– 

– 

– 

2016 
£000 
(1,792) 

(131) 
(43) 

– 
1,966 

(392) 
(1,400) 

(1,792) 

2015 
£000 
– 

– 
(1,400) 

(392) 
– 

– 

(1,792) 

* This all relates to payments to Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky LLP,  
   before we gained a controlling interest. 

Invoice discounting relates to borrowings secured against trade 
receivables in the UK. The amounts borrowed represent 60% of 
the receivable balance pledged. As at the balance sheet date, 
£1.9m was not drawn under this facility. Interest is accrued at 
1.75% per annum on amounts drawn 

Amounts falling due after one year 

Obligations under finance leases 

Secured bank loans 

2016 
£000 
(18) 

2015 
£000 
(39) 

(28,259) 

(23,555) 

(28,277) 

(23,594) 

The carrying value of bank loans approximates to their fair value. 

Secured bank loans 
At the year end, the Group had a banking facility of up to £38.0m 
(2015: £30.0m) plus a one year £0.3m (2015: £0.3m) overdraft 
facility. The banking facility reduces by £2.0m annually. The facilities 
have floating rates of interest set at 1.75% above LIBOR and the 
overdraft has floating rates of interest set at 1.75% above the 
Bank of England base rate.  

The banking facility matures on 30 April 2020. 

Our operations in India have overdrafts and local short term bank 
loans that are guaranteed by the Group. The balances outstanding  
at the year end was nil (2015: £98k). 

Gross secured bank loans 
Capitalised finance costs 
Net secured bank loans 
Future interest payable on secured bank loans 
at balance sheet date 
Total secured bank loans  
and future interest 

2016 
£000 
(28,582) 
323 
(28,259) 

2015 
£000 
(23,800) 
245 
(23,555) 

(2,406) 

(894) 

(30,665) 

(24,449) 

Total secured bank loans and future interest are due as follows: 

In one year or less, or on demand 
In more than one year but not more  
than five years 

2016 
£000 
(722) 

2015 
£000 
(671) 

(29,943) 
(30,665) 

(23,778) 
(24,449) 

 70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27. Minority shareholder put option liabilities 

The movements in the year relating to the minority interest put 
options that are payable in cash and in equity are as follows: 

Some of our subsidiaries’ local entrepreneurs (minorities) have  
the right to a put option. The put options give the minorities a right 
to exchange their minority holdings in the subsidiary into shares in 
M&C Saatchi plc or cash (as per the agreement). 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

(1,300) 

(1,136) 

(18,916) 

(15,602) 

(20,216) 

(16,738) 

(1,999) 

(10,951) 

(12,950) 

(1,805) 

(5,821) 

(7,626) 

(33,166) 

(24,364) 

2016 
£000 
(24,364) 

2015 
£000 
(24,543) 

(82) 

(138) 

(10,249) 

(2,190) 

2,126 

– 

4,555 

1,658 

Cash based 
At 1 January 

Exchange difference 

Reclassified to/(from) share based 

Additions* 

Exercises 

Income statement charge due to 

–  Change in estimates 

–  Change in share price 

–  Time 

At 31 December 

2016 
£000 
(2,941) 
(82) 

(319) 

– 

– 

280 
(235) 

(2) 

2015 
£000 
(1,209) 

(138) 

385 

(2,190) 

– 

201 

10 

– 

(3,299) 

(2,941) 

* Relating to Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD and M&C Saatchi  
  Agency Pty Ltd.  

Equity based 
At 1 January 

Additions 

Exercises 

Reclassified (from)/to cash based 

Reclassification** 

Income statement charge due to 

2016 
equity*  
(6,562) 

2016 
£000 
(21,423) 

2015 
£000 
(23,334) 

(2,697) 

(10,249) 

546 

2,126 

319 

– 

– 

4,555 
(385) 

1,658 

2,698 

(4,108) 

(3,044) 

(294) 

184 

7 

(7,860) 

(29,867) 

(21,423) 

84 

– 

710 

137 

(78) 

2,978 
(3,279) 

(296) 

(597) 

(3,907) 

194 

7 

(3,706) 

–  Change in estimates 

–  Change in share price 

–  Time 

At 31 December 

Amounts falling due within one year 

–  Cash 

–  Equity 

Amounts falling due after one year 

–  Cash 

–  Equity 

At 1 January 

Exchange difference 

Additions 

Exercises 

Reclassification** 

Income statement charge due to 

–  Change in estimates 

–  Change in share price 

–  Time 

Total income statement charge 

At 31 December 

(33,166) 

(24,364) 

*   The estimated number of M&C Saatchi plc shares that will be issued,  

in thousands, to fulfil. 

**   The reclassification relate to M&C Saatchi LA Inc and M&C Saatchi  

(S) Pte Ltd where, due to changes in shareholder agreements, the 
put options are now accounted for as conditional share awards 
under IFRS2 (note 30).  

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

27. Minority shareholder put option liabilities 
continued 

Put options are exercisable from: 

Subsidiary  
M&C Saatchi Marketing Arts Ltd 

M&C Saatchi (M) SDN BHD 

M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment Ltd 

Influence Communications Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Europe Holdings Ltd 

M&C Saatchi German Holdings Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Communications Pty Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Berlin GmbH 

FCINQ SAS 

Clear Ideas Consulting LLP 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment LLP 
(US) 
Clear Ideas Consulting LLP 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment  
Pty Ltd 
Talk PR Ltd 

M&C Saatchi UK PR LLP 

M&C Saatchi Corporate SAS 

M&C Saatchi (Switzerland) SA 

M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd 

The Source (London) Ltd 

Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP* 

M&C Saatchi Brazil Comunicação LTDA 

Samuelson Talbot & Partners Pty Ltd  

M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd 

Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP* 

Creative Spark Interactive (PTY) LTD 

M&C Saatchi Agency Pty LTD 

Year 
2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

2018 

2018 

2018 

2020 

2020 

* New put options in 2016. 

% of 
subsidiaries’ 
shares 
exchangeable 
50.0 

20.0 

2.8 

5.0 

4.0 

4.0 

13.0 

10.0 

15.0 

12.5 

27.5 

12.5 

49.0 
49.0 

27.5 

29.8 

20.0 

22.5 

24.0 

16.7 

40.0 

8.8 

22.5 

33.3 

10.0 

20.0 

At each period end, the fair value of the put option liability is 
calculated in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement,  
and any movement is charged to the income statement. Where 
the agreement gives a right to convert to a variable number of 
shares (rather than a value), the number of shares is converted 
to a value by using the period end share price (2016: 380.0p, 
2015: 326.5).

Result 
+10% 

(10)% 

 72 

The liability will vary with our share price and with the results of 
the subsidiary companies. Current liabilities are determined by  
our year end share price and the 2016 results of the companies 
who can exercise in 2017. Non-current liabilities are determined  
by our year end share price and the projected results of the 
companies who can exercise after 2016. The projected results 
show management’s best estimate of the growth rates and margin 
of the companies who can exercise after 2016. Given that these 
companies are small, single account wins/losses can have 
a significant effect on their results. Such account wins are far 
more significant than changes to exchange rates and underlying 
economic growth rates. 

The fair value of minority shareholder put option liabilities is 
measured using some inputs that are not based on observable 
market data (i.e. IFRS13, level 3 fair value measurement). 

Share price risk 
Changes in our year end share price will impact the fair value 
adjustment to minority shareholder put options. The year end 
share price was 380.0p (2015: 326.5p). The 2016 charges would 
have changed as follows, had the share price been: 

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
in profit 
before and 
after tax 
£000 
£(2,181) 

£(1,470) 

– 

£1,727 

£3,463 

Movement 
% 
+21% 

+11% 

– 

(11)% 

(21)% 

Share price 
460.0p 

420.0p 

380.0p 

340.0p 

300.0p 

Forecast accuracy 
Difference in actual and projected results of the companies could 
have an impact on the fair value adjustments as follows (assuming 
no change in the Group’s forecast): 

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
in profit 
before and 
after tax 
£000 
£(1,103) 

£1,287 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28. Other non-current liabilities 

29. Issued share capital 

Employment benefit provisions* 

Other 

2016 
£000 
(446) 

(2,162) 

(2,608) 

2015 
£000 
(226) 

(982) 

(1,208) 

* This relates to long term service leave in some locations. 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

At 1 January 2015 

Fulfilment of options 
Acquisition of 10% M&C Saatchi 
Mobile Ltd 
Acquisition of 4.9% M&C Saatchi 
Mobile LLP (USA) 
Acquisition small percentages of 
three UK subsidiaries 
At 31 December 2015 
Acquisition 10% M&C Saatchi Berlin 
GmbH 
Acquisition 20% M&C Saatchi (Hong 
Kong) Limited 
Acquisition of 20% M&C Saatchi 
Mobile SpA (Italy) 
Acquisition small percentages of a 
UK and a US subsidiary 
At 31 December 2016 

Number of 
shares  
68,378,629 

3,057,012 

1,019,267 

192,289 

67,822 
72,715,019 

155,812 

1,269,458 

419,970 

389,937 
74,950,196 

1p Ordinary 
shares 
£000 
683 

31 

10 

2 

1 
727 

1 

13 

4 

4 
749 

The Group holds 700,000 of the above M&C Saatchi plc shares  
in treasury. 

Capital management 
The Group aims to use cash generated from our operations  
to fund growth. Debt is used to fund short term investment 
and working capital cycles.  

Long term and major investment obligations are fulfilled by 
issuing equity (e.g. put options (note 27)). In this way, we reduce  
the financial risk of debt markets being closed or rationed.  
The Group will minimise the amount of equity issues when  
long term and major investment obligations vest by using  
any available cash instead of equity.  

Our long term targets are to be debt free and to minimise the 
dilution to our shareholders and maximise our organic growth. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

30. Share based payments 

Some of our subsidiaries’ local entrepreneurs (“minorities”) have the right to a put option. The put options give the minorities a right 
to exchange their minority holdings in the subsidiary into shares in M&C Saatchi plc, in the event that they are no longer employed by the 
Group either the Group buys back the local equity at a price reflecting the value on their departure or other local entrepreneurs receive 
the local equity (as per the agreement). Due to the changing right of the local equity, the local minority has been accounted as a share 
based payment under IFRS2.  

Share based payments include vested share options and conditional share awards. 

Expense recognised in year: 

Equity settled  

Cash settled  

Total 

Vested share options 

At 1 January 2015 

Exercised paid in equity* 

At 31 December 2015 

Vested 

At 31 December 2016 

2016 
£000 
7,997 
– 

7,997 

2015 
£000 
1,125 

26 

1,151 

Conditional 
share awards 
– 

LTIP 
55,379 

New 
LTIP 
2,771,736 

2012 LTIP 
229,897 

UK growth  
shares 
– 

Total  
number 
3,057,012 

– 

– 

2,107,224 

2,107,224 

(55,379) 

(2,771,736) 

(229,897) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(3,057,012) 

– 

2,107,224 

2,107,224 

* The average price when these options were exercised was n/a (2015: 317.3p). 

The LTIP was conditional that the employee remains employed by the Group on the day of exercise; the vested options do  
not have this condition. Further details of these old share options can be found in the 2014 Annual Report. 

Conditional share awards  
Minority interest put options with leaver provisions 
In addition to the put option liabilities described in note 27, the following entities have issued put options which are forfeited on 
termination of employment of the minorities. As such, these arrangements are treated as share based payment and accounted  
for under IFRS2, as opposed to IAS39. 

The fair value of these options is determined on the date of grant based on the value of the underlying subsidiary and the number  
of shares in M&C Saatchi plc expected to be issued on exercise. The fair value of the subsidiary shares is established by means  
of a Monte Carlo model and the number of shares to be issued are determined in line with the formula prescribed in the respective 
shareholder agreements. Typically, these are with reference to the profitability of the subsidiary over the vesting period in the context 
of overall Group profits such that profit growth in the underlying business would result in a larger number of shares to be issued.  

The fair value is charged to the income statement over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.  

 74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share 
price at 
grant 
date 
£3.23 

Vesting 
period 
years 
2 

Dividend 

yield  Volatility 
28% 
1.94% 

M&C Saatchi Network Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Network Ltd 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc** 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Mobile  
Singapore 

M&C Saatchi (S) Pte Ltd** 

M&C Saatchi Tel Aviv Ltd 
LIDA NY LLP 

LIDA NY LLP 

M&C Saatchi SpA 

Paris GAD Holding SAS 

M&C Saatchi Share Inc 

M&C Saatchi AB 

M&C Saatchi Middle East 
Holdco Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd  

M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

M&C Saatchi Berlin GMBH 

Grant 
date 
05/05/15 

05/05/15 

16/12/04 

15/01/15 

03/12/15 

03/12/15 

03/12/15 

26/11/15 

26/11/15 

26/11/15 

£3.23 

£1.30 

£3.15 

£3.32 

£3.32 

£3.32 

£3.27 

£3.27 

£3.27 

24/06/15 

£3.16 

01/09/13 

21/04/15 

15/03/16 

15/03/16 

09/12/15 

24/02/16 

12/06/15 

11/02/14 

23/03/16 
01/06/16 

18/07/16 

23/08/16 

23/08/16 

23/08/16 

28/10/16 

28/10/16 

28/10/16 

14/12/16 

£2.68 

£3.28 

£3.14 

£3.14 

£3.33 

£2.98 

£3.30 

£3.03 

£3.23 
£3.38 

£2.95 

£3.67 

£3.67 

£3.67 

£3.29 

£3.29 

£3.29 

£3.29 

4 

15 

5 

4 

5 

6 

4 

5 

6 

4 

6 

5 

1 

3 

3 

4 

5 

4 

3 
3 

2 

1 

2 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1.94% 

1.78% 

1.99% 

0.70% 

1.89% 

1.87% 

1.91% 

1.91% 

1.91% 

1.98% 

1.85% 

1.91% 

2.30% 

2.30% 

1.88% 

2.42% 

2.19% 

1.80% 

2.23% 
2.13% 

2.44% 

2.03% 

2.03% 

2.03% 

2.27% 

2.27% 

2.27% 

2.26% 

Fair value of 
option (per 
M&C Saatchi 
plc share 
issued)* 
£3.10 

Company 
dividend 

rights  PE Cap 
No 

No 

£2.93 

£1.00 

£2.85 

£3.21 

£3.19 

£3.06 

£3.00 

£2.94 

£2.84 

£1.53 

£0.96 

£3.26 

£3.09 

£2.95 

£3.11 

£2.72 

£2.78 

£2.61 

£3.02 
£0.77 

£0.45 

£3.60 

£3.51 

£3.38 

£3.23 

£3.15 

£3.04 

£2.98 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 
No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

12 

12 

No 

8 

8 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 
No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Vesting 
date*** 
15/04/17 

15/04/19 

15/04/20 

15/04/20 

15/04/20 

15/04/21 

15/04/22 

15/04/20 

15/04/21 

15/04/22 

15/04/20 

15/04/19 

15/04/20 

30/11/16 

30/11/18 

15/04/19 

01/05/20 

15/04/20 

01/12/17 

15/04/19 
01/01/19 

01/01/19 

27/08/17 

14/10/18 

15/04/20 

27/08/17 

14/10/18 

15/04/20 

15/04/21 

Risk 
free 
rate 
0.70% 

1.20% 

1.64% 

1.04% 

1.17% 

1.35% 

1.48% 

1.16% 

1.32% 

1.47% 

43% 

45% 

54% 

27% 

42% 

54% 

26% 

42% 

54% 

43% 

1.54% 

63% 

44% 

25% 

25% 

28% 

27% 

41% 

48% 

27% 
28% 

29% 

33% 

31% 

31% 

41% 

33% 

30% 

31% 

1.84% 

1.20% 

0.57% 

0.57% 

1.23% 

1.23% 

0.81% 

1.22% 

0.57% 
0.81% 

0.81% 

0.11% 

0.11% 

0.12% 

0.11% 

0.11% 

0.12% 

0.56% 

*   The valuation was made using a Monte Carlo model. 
**   Reclassified from minority interest put option In 2015, due to new shareholder agreement being issued (note 27). 
***  The vesting date is set in the agreements on the date that the Group’s Annual Report is published. These dates are estimates based  

on our historic timetable. 

The actual number of M&C Saatchi plc shares that these minority interests will convert into is based on the entities’ proportion of 
Group profits. Based on our future forecasts, that have not been discounted for risk, the following number of shares are likely to  
vest, giving rise to the following accounting charges. 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

30. Share based payments continued 

M&C Saatchi Network Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Network Ltd 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc** 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Shop Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Accelerator Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Mobile  
Singapore 

M&C Saatchi (S) Pte Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Tel Aviv Ltd 

LIDA NY LLP 

LIDA NY LLP 

M&C Saatchi SpA 

Paris GAD Holding SAS 

M&C Saatchi Share Inc 

M&C Saatchi AB 
M&C Saatchi Middle East 
Holdco Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd  

M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

M&C Saatchi Mobile USA 

% 
shareholding 
in entity 
0.0% 

5.0% 

6.0% 

4.0% 

*9.2% 

*9.2% 

*9.2% 

6.7% 

6.7% 

6.7% 

Vesting 
date 
15/04/17 

15/04/19 

15/04/20 

15/04/20 

15/04/20 

15/04/21 

15/04/22 

15/04/20 

15/04/21 

15/04/22 

5.0% 

15/04/20 

20.0% 

15/04/19 

*20.0% 

15/04/20 

24.5% 

24.5% 

20% 

40% 

20% 

40% 

20% 
0% 

0% 

10% 

10% 

10% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

30/11/16 

30/11/18 

15/04/19 

01/05/20 

15/04/20 

01/12/17 

15/04/19 
01/01/19 

01/01/19 

27/08/17 

14/10/18 

15/04/20 

27/08/17 

14/10/18 

15/04/20 

M&C Saatchi Berlin GMBH 

13% 

15/04/21 

Fair value of 
option (Per 
M&C Saatchi 
plc share 
issued) 
£3.10 

Estimated 
number of 
shares at 
vesting 
000 
300 

Total  
accounting 
charge at  
vesting 
£000 
£931 

Accounting 
charge 
2016 
£000 
£479 

Accounting 
charge 
2015 
£000 
£311 

£2.93 

£1.00 

£2.85 

£3.21 

£3.19 

£3.06 

£3.00 

£2.94 

£2.84 

£1.53 

£0.96 

£3.26 

£3.09 

£2.95 

£3.11 

£2.72 

£2.78 

£2.61 

£3.02 
£0.77 

£0.45 

£3.60 

£3.51 

£3.38 

£3.23 

£3.15 

£3.04 

£2.98 

881 

184 

123 

26 

25 

23 

47 

54 

51 

66 

360 

32 

631 

648 

428 

0 

0 

301 

7 
1,271 

127 

1,112 

1,139 

622 

476 

488 

265 

250 

£2,581 

£656 

£184 

£350 

£83 

£79 

£72 

£141 

£158 

£145 

£101 

£347 

£104 

£1,950 

£1,911 

£1,332 

£0 

£0 

£787 

£22 
£977 

£57 

£4,000 

£4,000 

£2,106 

£1,537 

£1,537 

£806 

£746 

£12 

£67 

£19 

£14 

£11 

£32 

£29 

£23 

£21 

£62 

£14 

£1,950 

£562 

£422 

£0 

£0 

£597 

£6 
£220 

£11 

£1,409 

£665 

£206 

£325 

£137 

£41 

£7 

£430 

£131 

£64 

£2 

£1 

£1 

£3 

£3 

£2 

£11 

£144 

£22 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

9,937  

£27,044 

£7,997 

£1,125 

* Shareholder left Group In the year and the shares were bought back by the Group. 

In creating the accounting charge, we have assumed that all shareholders will be employed at time of vesting.

 76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31. Post balance sheet events 

33. Related party transactions 

During February 2017, the Group made the following small 
acquisitions: 
•   £0.4m paid to company to acquire a controlling interest  

in our Spanish associate; 

•   £2.6m paid in M&C Saatchi plc equity to increase our  

holding in Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP from 50.1%  
to 66.7% by issuing Group equity; and 

•   Acquired Bohemia, an Australian media planning and  

buying operation. 

32. Commitments 

Capital commitments 
There are no other significant capital commitments contracted 
for but not provided. 

Operating leases 
Commitments under operating leases are reported within note 7. 

Key management remuneration 
Key management remuneration is disclosed in note 8. 

Unaudited detail on Directors’ remuneration is disclosed  
in the Remuneration Report on pages 24 and 25. 

Other related parties 
During the year, the Group entered into the following 
transactions with related parties: 

Tom Dery is a director of Australian Cancer. During the year  
the Group passed on no third party costs to Australian Cancer  
(2015: £30k), and charged them £9k (2015: £4k) in fees, of which 
nil (2015: nil) was outstanding at the year end. 

Lara Hussein has an equity interest in Brand Energy. During 
the year, the Group was charged, on an arm’s-length basis,  
by Brand Energy £713k (2015: £465k), of which £512k (2015: nil)  
was unpaid at the year end. 

An Australian employee’s wife owns Rapid Films Pty Ltd; purchase 
was made at an arm’s-length basis. £77k was owed at year end 
(2015: £167k).  

To assist the local directors to acquire 20% of M&C Saatchi 
Agency Pty Ltd in 2015, loans of AUD3.6m were issued. At the 
year end, the balance of the loan was AUD3.1m (see note 22  
for further details). 

Maurice Saatchi is a trustee of Josephine Hart Foundation. During 
the year the Group charged, on an arm’s-length basis, Josephine  
Hart Foundation £92k (2015: £44k), of which nil (2015: £2k) was 
outstanding at the year end. 

In 2015 the Group lent Antoine Barthuel, an arm’s-length interest-
bearing Euro 150k loan, the balance of the loan was Euro 150k at 
the year end.  

During the year, M&C Saatchi Italy's directors sold 20% of the 
company’s equity in exchange for 419,970 PLC shares.  

To assist the local directors Saatchi LA Inc in 2016, loans of 
USD400k were issued. At the year end, the balance of the loan 
was USD400k. 

During the year, the Group made purchases of £3,138k (2015: 
£37k) from its associates. At 31 December 2016, there was 
£2,801k due to associates in respect of these transactions  
(2015: £799k). During the year, £150k (2015: £374k) of fees were 
charged by Group companies to associates. At 31 December 2016, 
associates owed Group companies £409k (2015: £3,251k). 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate venturing investments  
Investments in debt and equity securities held by the Group are 
classified as being available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, 
with any resultant gain or loss being recognised directly in equity  
(in the fair value reserve), except for impairment losses and,  
in the case of monetary items such as debt securities, foreign 
exchange gains and losses. When these investments are 
derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised 
directly in equity is recognised in profit or loss. Where these 
investments are interest-bearing, interest calculated using  
the effective interest method is recognised in profit or loss. 

Associates and joint ventures 
Associates and joint ventures are all entities over which the Group 
has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a 
shareholding of between 10% and 50% of the voting rights, minority 
or equal board representation and, in case of shareholdings of 
between 10% and 20%, the Group treats the entity as an associate 
where there are significant minority and contractual protections 
that allow us to influence dividend and investment flows. 
Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for 
using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised 
at cost. The Group’s investment in associates and joint ventures 
includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated 
impairment loss. The Group’s share of its associates’ and joint 
ventures’ post acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the 
income statement, and its share of post acquisition movements is 
recognised in other comprehensive income. The cumulative post 
acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount  
of the investment. When the Group’s share of losses in an 
associate or joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in  
the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the 
Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. 

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its 
associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest  
in the associates. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless 
the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the  
asset transferred. Accounting policies of associates have  
been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with  
the policies adopted by the Group. 

NOTES 
Continued 

During the year, the Company recharged its subsidiaries and  
indirect subsidiaries with £818k (2015: £821k) of its costs, £559k 
(2015: £223k) of interest. The balance outstanding can be seen in 
notes 37, 38 and 39. 

34. Accounting policies 

Critical accounting policies are set out in note 4.  

Additional accounting policies followed by the Group are: 

Cost convention 
The financial statements have been prepared under the  
historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of  
certain financial instruments. 

Basis of consolidation 
The M&C Saatchi plc consolidated financial statements 
incorporate the financial statements of M&C Saatchi plc  
and entities (including special purpose entities) controlled  
by M&C Saatchi plc (and its subsidiaries). Control is achieved 
where M&C Saatchi plc has the power to govern the financial  
and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from 
its activities. Where subsidiaries are acquired in the year, their 
results and cash flows are included from the date that we gain 
control up to the balance sheet date. 

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial 
statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies  
into line with those used by other members of the Group.  
All intra Group transactions, balances, income and expenses  
are eliminated on consolidation. 

Where a consolidated company is less than 100% owned by the 
Group, the non-controlling interest share of the results and net 
assets is recognised at each reporting date. 

Disposals of subsidiaries’ equity that do not affect control 
The difference between the consideration received and the credit to 
the non-controlling interest reserve is credited directly to retained 
earnings. In the event that equity had previously been acquired under 
this revised standard then such a disposal will result in a release 
from non-controlling interest acquired reserve to retained earnings. 

Acquisitions of subsidiaries’ equity that do not  
affect control 
From 1 January 2012, acquisitions of subsidiaries’ equity that do  
not affect control have been accounted for using non-controlling 
interest acquired reserve. How the non-controlling interest 
acquired reserve is used is described in note 5. 

 78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations 
Discontinued operations are a component of the Group’s 
business that represents a separate major line of business  
or geographical area of operation that has been disposed of  
or is held for sale. Classification as discontinued operations 
occurs upon disposal or when the operation meets the criteria  
to be classified as held for sale, if earlier. When an operation is 
classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative income 
statement is restated as if the operation has been discontinued 
from the start of the comparative period. 

Intangible assets 
Separately acquired intangible assets are capitalised at cost. 
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are 
capitalised at fair value at the date of acquisition if they arise from 
contractual or other legal rights, and sufficient information exists 
to measure the fair value of the asset. Intangible assets that  
relate to associates are included within the carrying value of the 
investment in associates. The amounts ascribed to such intangibles 
are arrived at by using appropriate valuation techniques. 

Intangible assets are stated at historical cost less accumulated 
amortisation and impairment. 

Amortisation is provided to write off the cost of all intangible 
assets, less estimated residual values, evenly over their 
expected useful lives.  

The charge in the income statement is included in operating 
costs. Intangible assets are amortised to residual values over  
the useful economic life of the asset as follows: 

Software 
Customer relationships 
Brand name 

–  three years 
–  one to five years 
–  zero to infinity 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents include, for the purposes of the 
balance sheet and cash flow statement, cash at bank and in  
hand and deposits with an original maturity of three months  
or less, net of legally offsettable overdraft, which are managed  
as part of cash balances. 

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

Assets held under finance lease agreements are treated as if 
they had been purchased outright. The amount capitalised is the 
present value of the minimum lease payments payable over the 
term of the lease. The corresponding leasing commitments are 
shown as amounts payable to the lessor. Lease payments are 
apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease 
obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability. 

Where operating lease agreements include a fixed uplift for  
rental payments, the expense is straight-lined, except in cases 
where another systematic basis better represents the benefit  
to us. Reverse premiums and similar incentives to enter into 
operating lease agreements are initially recorded as deferred 
income and released to profit or loss on a straight-line basis  
over the lease term. 

Segmental reporting 
Segmental reporting reflects how management controls the 
business. Sales between business units are on an arm’s-length 
basis. The assets and liabilities of the segments reflect the  
assets and liabilities of the underlying companies involved. 

The need for any intangible asset impairment write down is 
assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset  
against the higher of value in use and fair value less cost to sell. 

Our business is run on an operating unit basis. In accordance  
with IFRS8 paragraph 12, we have aggregated our operating  
units into regional segments.  

Plant and equipment 
Tangible fixed assets are stated at historical cost less 
accumulated depreciation. 

Employee benefits – pensions 
Contributions to personal pension plans are charged to the 
income statement in the period in which they are due. 

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of all fixed assets, less 
estimated residual values, evenly over their expected useful lives. 

Depreciation is calculated at the following annual rates: 
Leasehold improvements 
Furniture and fittings 
Computer equipment 
Other equipment 
Motor vehicles 

–  over the period of the lease 
–  10% in equal instalments  
–  33% in equal instalments 
–  25% in equal instalments 
–  25% in equal instalments 

The need for any fixed asset impairment write down is assessed 
by comparison of the carrying value of the asset against the 
higher of fair value less cost to sell and the value in use. 

Employee benefits – cash share based compensation 
For cash settled share based payments, a liability is recognised 
for the amount payable at the balance sheet date with a 
corresponding charge being made to the profit and loss  
account. Where payments depend on future events, an 
assessment is made of the likelihood of these conditions being 
met in determining the amounts to be recorded. Where cash 
settled share options are only part of the way through their 
vesting period, the liability and profit and loss account charge  
are adjusted to reflect the proportion of the vesting period that 
has been covered up to the balance sheet date. 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

34. Accounting policies continued 

Taxation 
Current tax, including UK and foreign tax, is provided for using  
the tax rates and laws that have been substantively enacted at  
the balance sheet date. 

Foreign currency 
Foreign currency transactions arising from normal trading 
activities are recorded in functional currency at the rate 
prevailing at the date of the transaction. 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies  
at the year end are translated at the year end exchange rate.  
Where they form part of the net investment in foreign operations,  
the gain or loss is charged directly to the foreign exchange reserve. 

Foreign currency gains and losses are credited or charged to the 
income statement as they arise. 

For overseas operations, results are translated at the average rate 
of exchange and balance sheets are translated at the closing rate of 
exchange. The average rate of exchange approximates to the rate 
on the date that the transactions occurred. Exchange differences 
arising from the translation of foreign subsidiary results are taken  
to a separate component of equity. Such translation differences 
will be recognised as income or expense in the period of disposal. 

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities principally include  
the following: 

Trade receivables 
Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated  
at amortised cost. Impairment provisions are recognised  
when there is objective evidence that the Group will be unable 
to collect all of the amounts due under the terms receivable. 

Trade and other liabilities 
Trade and other liabilities are not interest-bearing and are stated  
at their amortised cost. 

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on 
temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets  
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated 
financial statements. However, deferred tax is not provided for 
temporary differences that arise: from initial recognition of an 
asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination 
that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor 
taxable profits or loss; and on the initial recognition of goodwill. 

Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date  
and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset 
is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.  

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is  
probable that future taxable profit will be available against  
which the temporary differences can be utilised. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising 
on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the 
timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled 
by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there  
is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and the Group intends to settle its current  
tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

Dividends 
Interim dividends are recorded when they are paid and the final 
dividends are recorded when they become legally payable. 

Earnings per share 
The dilutive effect of unvested outstanding options is calculated 
based on the number that would vest had the balance sheet date 
been the vesting date. This dilution is reflected in the computation 
of diluted earnings per share.
 

 80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification of financial instruments 
The financial assets and liabilities of the Group are classified  
into the following financial statement captions in accordance  
with IAS39 financial instruments: 

Loans and receivable 
Measured at amortised cost, separately disclosed as cash and 
cash equivalents; current tax assets; trade and other receivables 
(with the exclusion of prepayments); and loans to employees 
within other non-current assets. 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
Separately disclosed as minority shareholder put option liabilities. 

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 
Separately disclosed as trade and other payables; current tax 
liabilities; other financial liabilities; deferred and contingent 
consideration; and other non-current liabilities. 

IFRS13 hierarchy – Capital structure and finance cost 

Level 1 
Fair values measured using quoted (unadjusted) prices in active 
markets for assets and liabilities (e.g. cash, debtors and creditors). 

Level 2  
Fair values using inputs, other than quoted prices including within 
Level 1, that are observable for assets or liability either directly 
or indirectly. The Group does not hold such items at year end, 
though may hold such items during the year. These items include 
forward foreign exchange contracts. 

Level 3 
Fair values measured using inputs for assets or liabilities  
that are not based on observable market data. Such items 
include the Group’s put option liability, contingent consideration, 
investments, and some inputs to profit based share options. 

Bank borrowings 
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recorded as 
the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Direct issue costs 
are amortised over the period of the loans and overdrafts to which 
they relate. Finance charges, including premiums payable on 
settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are charged to 
the income statement using the effective interest method and are 
added to the carrying value of the instrument to the extent that 
they are not settled in the period in which they arise. 

Equity instruments 
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 

Standards effective for the first time this year 
There are no significant new and amended standards that 
became effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 
2015. The Directors consider the impact of the minor changes  
in the year on the Group and conclude that none are material  
to the Group’s results and financial position.  

Standards not yet effective 
New standards, amendments and interpretations to existing 
standards that are mandatory for the Group’s accounting periods 
beginning after 1 January 2016 and which the Group has decided 
not to adopt early. None of these standards have a material effect 
on our accounts. Those that are relevant to the Group are: 

Treasury shares 
When the Group reacquires its own equity instruments, those 
instruments (treasury shares) are debited to treasury reserve.  
No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, 
sale, issue or cancellation of the Group’s treasury shares.  
Such treasury shares may be acquired and held by other 
members of the Group. Consideration paid or received is 
recognised directly in equity. 

IFRS15 Revenue from Contracts with customers, replaces IAS18 
Revenue and all other revenue related standards. Effective for 
accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. We  
will be transitioning in 2018 restating 2017 opening balances. Our 
initial review is that on a portfolio basis It will have an immaterial 
effect, however there is a large risk that different auditors will 
interpret the standards differently, we await the interpretation  
as practices develop. 

IFRS9 Financial Instruments will eventually replace IAS39 in its 
entirety. (Effective for accounting periods beginning on or after  
1 January 2018.)* 

IFRS16 Leases will replace IAS17. (Effective for accounting 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. We will be 
transitioning in 2018 restating 2017 opening balances.) 

* These standards have not yet been endorsed by the EU. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 

At 31 December 
Non-current assets 

Investments 

Intangible assets 

Deferred tax assets 

Other non-current assets 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash at bank 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Deferred consideration 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Noncurrent Liabilities  

Other financial liabilities  

Total net assets 

Capital and reserves 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Merger reserve 

Treasury reserve 

Share based payment reserve 

Profit and loss account 

Shareholders’ funds 

Note 

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

36 

91,225 

83,459 

37 

38 

39 

40 

40 

– 

2,250 

93,515 

55,800 

258 

56,058 

(29,069) 
– 

(29,069) 

26,989 

120,504 

66 

– 

13,496 

97,021 

47,842 

1,407 

49,249 

(35,153) 

(392) 

(35,545) 

13,704 

110,725 

(17,577) 

102,927 

(23,555) 

87,170 

749 

24,099 

63,197 
(792) 

8,891 

6,783 

102,927 

727 

17,338 

63,197 
(792) 

1,125 

5,575 

87,170 

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 15 March 2017 and signed on its behalf by: 

Jamie Hewitt 
Finance Director 
M&C Saatchi plc 
Company Number 05114893 

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account.  
Included within the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2016 is a profit after tax of £6,435k  
(2015: loss £1,138k). 

The notes on pages 84 to 85 form part of these financial statements. 

 82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

At 1 January 2015 

Options exercised 

Share option charge 

Put options exercised 

Dividends paid 

Profit for the year 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Share option charge 

Put options exercised 

Dividends paid 

Profit for the year 

Share 
capital 
£000 
683 

Share 
 premium  
£000 
16,807 

Merger 
reserve 
£000 
59,294 

Treasury 
reserve 
£000 
(792) 

31 

– 

13 

– 

– 

727 

– 

22 

– 

– 

307 

– 

224 

– 

– 

17,338 

– 

6,761 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,903 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

63,197 

(792) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Share 
based 
payment 
reserve 
£000 
– 

– 

1,125 

– 

– 

– 

1,125 

7,766 

– 

– 

– 

Profit  
and loss 
account 
£000 
11,713 

(338) 

– 

– 

(4,662) 

(1,138) 

5,575 

231 

– 

(5,458) 
6,435 

Total 
£000 
87,705 

– 

1,125 

4,140 

(4,662) 

(1,138) 

87,170 

7,997 
6,783 

(5,458) 

6,435 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2016 

749 

24,099 

63,197 

(792) 

8,891 

6,783 

102,927 

The notes on pages 84 to 85 form part of these financial statements. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 

35. Accounting policies 

The financial statements have been prepared under the  
historical cost convention in accordance with the reduced 
disclosure framework of FRS 101. The amendments to  
FRS 101 (2014/15 cycle) issued July 2015 and effective 
immediately have been applied. 

In adopting the reduced disclosure framework of FRS101, the 
Company has made the following exemptions from disclosure: 

•   the cash flow statement and related notes; 
•   disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned 

subsidiaries; 

•   disclosures in respect of capital management;  
•   the effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; and 
•   an additional balance sheet for the transition to FRS101. 

Accounting policies applied 
The following principal accounting policies have been applied: 

(a) Valuation of investments 
Investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost, less any 
provision for impairment. 

(b) Pensions 
Contributions to personal pension plans are charged to the  
profit and loss account in the period in which they are due. 

(c) See Group policy (note 34 and note 4) 
See Group policy for current tax, deferred tax, share based 
payments and borrowings. 

(d) Share based payments in Company 
The cost of awards to employees of subsidiary undertakings 
classified as conditional shares awards is accounted for as  
an additional investment in the employing subsidiary. 

(e) Dividends 
Interim dividends are recorded when they are paid and the final 
dividends are recorded when they become legally payable. 

(f) Treasury shares 
When the Company reacquires its own equity instruments,  
those instruments (treasury shares) are deducted from equity. 
No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, 
sale, issue or cancellation of the Company’s treasury shares. 
Such treasury shares may be acquired and held by the Company 
or by other members of the Group. Consideration paid or 
received is recognised directly in equity. 

36. Investments in subsidiary undertakings 

At 1 January 

Acquisition of a subsidiary*  

Conditional share awards ** 

At 31 December 

2016 
£000 
83,459 

- 

7,766 

91,225 

2015 
£000 
81,942 

392 

1,125 

83,459 

The direct and indirect subsidiary undertakings are listed in note 
3 to the consolidated financial statements. 

*   Acquisition of 50.1% of Creative Spark Interactive (Pty) Ltd (note 18). 
**   Conditional share awards (Minority interest put options with leaver 

provisions) (note 30). 

 84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37. Other non-current assets 

39. Creditors falling due within one year 

Trade creditors 

Amounts due to subsidiaries* 

Accruals and deferred income 

* Repayable on demand. 

2016 
£000 
(174) 
(28,490) 
(405) 

2015 
£000 
(243) 
(34,560) 
(350) 

(29,069) 

(35,153) 

40. Creditors falling due after more than one year 

Bank loans 

See note 25 for more details. 

2016 
£000 
(17,577) 

2015 
£000 
(23,555) 

Amounts from subsidiary undertakings 

Loan to assist equity purchase** 

Loans to subsidiary employees* 

Total  

2016 
£000 
– 

435 

1,815 

2,250 

2015 
£000 
12,000 
– 
1,496 

13,496 

*   This related to the AUD3.6m (current balance AUD3.0m) loans that 
the Group lent local management of M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd,  
in 2015, to enable them to acquire 20% of that business. The full 
recourse loan is repayable in full if the purchasers no longer have  
a beneficial interest in the shares of the Australian Group, or are no 
longer employed. The loan is unsecured and charged interest at 0.1% 
above the five-year Australian interbank rate at date loan advanced. 
The carrying value of the loan approximated to fair value. 
**   Loan to South African indigenous equity holders to enable them  
to acquire equity in South African subsidiary in accordance with  
local laws. 

38. Trade and other receivables 

Amounts due less than one year 
Amounts from subsidiary undertakings* 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Corporation tax debtor 

Other debtors 
Total trade debtors and 
other receivables 

2016 
£000 
54,334 
85 
1,049 
332 

2015 
£000 
46,816 
33 
993 
– 

55,800 

47,842 

*  Repayable on demand. Amounts receivable from subsidiary 

undertakings include receivables relating to exercised put options.  
As detailed in notes 4 and 27, the Group has a number of put option 
arrangements in place. On exercise of these put options, the Company 
is required to issue shares in exchange for the shares of the minority 
interests. Where the Company’s shareholding of the acquired 
subsidiary becomes equal to or higher than 90% as a result, amounts 
are credited to the Merger Reserve on exercise.  

The acquired shares are then immediately sold to subsidiaries of the 
Company, thereby creating an intercompany receivable and eliminating 
the Company’s increase in investments. 

During the year, put option liabilities of £2.8m were exercised in 
relation to The Source (London) Ltd, M&C Saatchi PR UK LLP and  
three smaller international subsidiaries (note 27). These liabilities  
are not recorded in the books of the Company as these are treated  
as derivative instruments with a negligible fair value. 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 
Continued 

41. Directors’ remuneration 

Total for nine Directors: 

Directors’ salaries and benefits 

Bonuses* 
Contribution to money purchase  
pension schemes 
Total remuneration before  
accounting charges 
Share option charges 

Highest paid Director: 

Directors’ salaries and benefits 

Bonus* 
Contribution to money purchase  
pension schemes 
Total remuneration before  
accounting charges 
Share option charges 

During the year, no (2015: 2,827,115) M&C Saatchi plc shares 
were issued to Executive Directors, in return for Directors’ 
interest in M&C Saatchi Worldwide Ltd B ordinary shares. 

The number of Directors with a money purchase pension scheme 
was 5 (2015: 5). 

The Directors are the key management personnel of the Company. 

42. Related parties 

During the year, the Company charged a management recharge to 
subsidiaries totalling £818k (2015: £821k). £372k (2015: £45k) was 
due in relation to this management recharge from subsidiaries as  
at the balance sheet date. Including these amounts the Company 
also provides short term working capital loans to and borrows 
funds from certain subsidiaries, disclosed in notes 37, 38 and 39. 
The amounts due from subsidiary undertakings payable in cash  
of £54,334k (2015: £58,816k) is net of £5,881k (2015: £5,874k) 
provisions for doubtful accounts.  

Further details of related parties of the Company are provided  
in note 33.  

2016 
£000 

2015 
£000 

2,058 

200 

16 

2,274 
231 

2,505 

2016 
£000 

422 

50 

1 

473 
55 

528 

2,075 

- 

17 

2,092 
31 

2,123 

2015 
£000 

429 

– 

– 

429 
– 

429 

* The bonus relates to equity in a subsidiary company issued at under 
value. The Director paid personally the tax on this bonus. Unaudited 
detail on Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in the Remuneration 
Report on pages 24 and 25. These numbers include accounting charges 
for the LTIP schemes which the Remuneration Report excludes. 

 86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43. List of registered addresses 

Country 

Australia 

Bahrain 

Brazil 

China 

France 

Entity 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Pty Ltd 
Park Avenue PR Pty Ltd 
Saatchi Ventures Pty Ltd 
Tricky Jigsaw Pty Ltd 

Bellwether Global Pty Ltd 
Brands in Space Pty Ltd 
Lida Australia Pty Ltd 

Bright Red Oranges Pty Ltd 
Go Studios Pty Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Direct Pty Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd 
Re Team Pty Ltd 
EMCSaatchi Pty Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Asia Pac Holdings Pty Ltd 

Bang Pty Ltd 
Clear Australia Pty Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Melbourne Pty Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Bahrain WLL 

Lily Participacoes Ltda 

M&C Saatchi Brasil Comunicação Ltda 
M&C Saatchi Brasil Participacoes Ltda 
M+C Saatchi/Insight Pesquisa & Planejamento Ltda 

Santa Clara Participacoes Ltda 

M&C Saatchi Advertising (Shanghai) Ltd 

FCINQ SAS 
M&C Saatchi Gad SAS 
M&C Saatchi Little Stories SAS 
M&C Saatchi One SARL 
Paris Gad Holding SAS 

Registered Address 
99 Macquarie Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Level 12, 131 Macquarie Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Level 6 131 Macquarie Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Unit 6 223-227 O’Sullivan Road,  
Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 

Level 12, 131 Lucouarel Street  
Sydney NSW 2000 

Unit 19, 285A Crown Street 
Surry Hills NSW 2010 

Level 1, 437 St Kilda Road 
Melbourne VIC 3004 

51,122,1605,316 
Manama Center 

Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 1355 
Jardim Paulistano 16 Andar, Sal 
Sao Paulo 
01452-919 

Rua Girassol, 925/927 
1st Floor, Vila Madalena, 05433-002 

Rua Wisard, 305, Vila Madalena 
3 Andar-Con, Sao Paolo 

Room 227, Guichang Road 
Pudong, Shanghai 

32 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires 
75002 Paris  

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Registered Address 
Munzstrasse 21-23 
10178, Berlin 

29/F Cambridge House, Taikoo Place 
979 King's Road, Quarry Bay 

6/F Alexandra House 
18 Chater Road, Central 

2 Palam Mang, Vasant Vihar 
New Delhi, 110057 

141B Shahpur Jat 
New Delhi 

Viale Monte Nero, 27 
20135, Milan 

1 Abba Even, Boulevard 
Herzlia 4672519 

26-1 Ebisy-Nishi 1-Chome 
Shibuya- Ku, Tokyo 

Quantum Tower, Charles Malek Avenue 
St Nicolas, Beirut 

Unit 10-2, 10th Floor, Bangunan Malaysia RE 
17 Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights 
50490 Kuala Lumpur 

36 Golden Square 
London W1F 9EE, UK 

Keizersgracht 203 
Amsterdam 

48M, Block 6 
P.EC.H.S, Karachi 

21 Media Circle #05-09/10 
Infinte Studios, 138562 

152 Ann Crescent, Sandton 
Johannesburg, 2196 

Media Quarter, 5th Floor, Corner 
Somerset and De Smit Street, Ded 
Waterkant, Cape Town 

NOTES 
Continued 

43. List of registered addresses continued 

Country 

Germany 

Hong Kong 

India 

Italy 

Israel 

Japan 

Lebanon 

Malaysia 

Entity 
M&C Saatchi Berlin GmbH 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment GmbH 
M&C Saatchi Sun GmbH 

Clear Asia Ltd  
M&C Saatchi (HK) Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Asia Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Communications Pvt Ltd 

February Communications Pvt Ltd 

M&C Saatchi SpA 
M&C Saatchi PR srl 

M&C Saatchi Tel Aviv Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Ltd 

M&C Saatchi SAL 

M&C Saatchi (M) Sdn Bhd 
Design Factory Sdn Bhd 
Intelligence Factory Sdn Bhd 

Netherlands 

M&C Saatchi International Holdings BV 

Clear Netherlands BV 

M&C Saatchi World Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd 

Clear Ideas (Singapore) Pte Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Mobile Asia Pacific Pte Ltd 
M&C Saatchi (S) Pte Ltd 

Creative Spark Interactive (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment South Africa 
Pty Ltd 

Dalmation Communications (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Abel (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Africa (Pty) Ltd 
M&C Saatchi Connect (Pty) Ltd 

Pakistan 

Singapore 

South Africa 

 88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Spain 

Sweden 

Switzerland 

Thailand 

Turkey 

Entity 
M&C Saatchi Madrid SRL 
M&C Saatchi Digital SL 
Media By Design Spain SA 

M&C Saatchi AB 

M&C Saatchi (Switzerland) SA 

Love Frankie Ltd 

M&C Saatchi Istanbul 

United Arab Emirates 

M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC 

M&C Saatchi Fz LLC 

United Kingdom 

All UK entities except for the following: 

USA 

Clear Ideas Ltd 
Clear Ideas Consultancy LLP 

Talk Content Ltd 
Talk PR Ltd 
Talk Store PR Ltd 
Talk Tech PR Ltd 

Walker Media Ltd 

Clear USA LLC 
Clear NY LLP 
M&C Saatchi PR LLP 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment NY LLP 
Shepardson Stern & Kaminsky LLP 
M&C Saatchi Agency Inc. 
M&C Saatchi NY LLP 

LIDA NY LLP 

M&C Saatchi LA Inc. 
M&C Saatchi Share Inc. 
World Services US Inc. 

M&C Saatchi Mobile LLP 

Registered Address 
Calle Gran Via, 27 
28013, Madrid 

Skeppsbron 16 
11130, Stockholm 

Boulevard Carl-Vogt 83 
1205, Geneve 

571 RSU Tower, 10th Floor 
Soi Sukhumvit 31, Sukhumvit Road 
Wattana District, Bangkok 

Acarkent Mah. 1 
Cadde No 132B Beykoz, Istanbul 

Al Thuraya Tower 1, Floor 14, Office 1404 
Dubai Media City, Dubai, 62614 

PO Box: 77932 
Abu Dhabi 

36 Golden Square 
London W1F 9EE 

2 Golden Square 
London, W1F 9HR 

3-5 Rathbone Place 
London, W1T 1HJ 

Pembroke Building, Kensington Village,  
Avonmore Road, London, W14 8DG 

88 Pine Street, 30th Floor 
New York NY 10005 

138 W 25th Street 
New York NY 10001 

2032 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404 

625 Broadway, 6th Floor 
New York, NY 10012 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF M&C SAATCHI PLC 

Opinion on other matters prescribed  
by the Companies Act 2006 

In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and  
the Directors’ Report for the financial year is consistent with the 
financial statements.  

Based solely on the work required to be undertaken in the course of 
the audit of the financial statements and from reading the Strategic 
report and the Directors’ report: 
•   we have not identified material misstatements in those reports; 

and  

•   in our opinion, those reports have been prepared in accordance 

with the Companies Act 2006.  

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters 
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if,  
in our opinion:  
•   adequate accounting records have not been kept by the  
parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have 
not been received from branches not visited by us; or  

•   the parent company financial statements are not in 

agreement with the accounting records and returns; or  
•   certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified 

by law are not made; or  

•   we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit. 

John Bennett  
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL 
United Kingdom 
15 March 2017 

We have audited the financial statements of M&C Saatchi plc  
for the year ended 31 December 2016 set out on pages 26 to 89. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law 
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the EU. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in the preparation of the parent company financial 
statements is applicable law and UK Accounting Standards (UK 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework. 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state 
to the Company’s members those matters we are required to 
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and  
the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for  
this report, or for the opinions we have formed.  

Respective responsibilities of Directors  
and auditors 

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 22, the Directors are responsible  
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility  
is to audit, and express an opinion on, the financial statements  
in accordance with applicable law and International Standards  
on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to 
comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards  
for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 

A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements 
is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. 

Opinion on financial statements 

In our opinion:  
•   the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 

the Group’s and the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2016 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
 

•   the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
•   the parent company’s financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice; and  

•   the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

 90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Advisors 
Nominated advisor and broker 
Numis Securities Ltd 
The London Stock Exchange Building 
10 Paternoster Square 
London EC4M 7LT 
www.numiscorp.com 

Solicitors 
Olswang 
90 High Holborn 
London WC1V 6XX 
www.olswang.com 

Auditor 
KPMG LLP 
15 Canada Square 
Canary Wharf 
London E14 5GL 
www.kpmg.co.uk 

Bankers 
National Westminster Bank Plc 
1 Princes Street 
London EC2R 8BP 
www.natwest.com 

Registrars 
Computershare Investor Services Plc 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS13 8AE 
www.computershare.com 

Secretary and registered office 
Andy Blackstone 
M&C Saatchi plc 
36 Golden Square 
London W1F 9EE 
www.mcsaatchiplc.com 

Country of registration 
England and Wales 

Company number 
05114893 

Investor relations website 
www.mcsaatchiplc.com  

Corporate events 
AGM 
7 June 2017 

Final 2016 dividend paid 
7 July 2017 

To those on the register on 
9 June 2017 

Interim 2017 statement 
25 September 2017 

Interim 2017 dividend paid 
10 November 2017 

To those on the register on 
27 October 2017 

Preliminary announcement of 2017 result 
Late March 2018 

Designed and produced by Addison Group 
www.addison-group.net 

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