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FY2015 Annual Report · Man Group
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A   D I V E R S I F I E D   M A N   G R O U P

Man Group plc
Annual Report
for the year ended 31 December 2015

M A N   G R O U P
A N N U A L   R E P O R T
2 0 1 5

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M A N   G R O U P   O V E R V I E W

Man Group is one of the world’s largest independent active 
investment managers, and a leader in liquid investment 
strategies. Headquartered in London, Man has a developed 
distribution network, offices in every major financial region and 
is regulated in 13 jurisdictions. Man operates an integrated 
business model with all back and middle office functions, 
together with sales and marketing handled centrally, servicing 
our four investment engines as described below.

E M PLOY E E S

1,230

F U N D S U N D E R M A N AG E M E N T 
( F U M )

$78.7bn

See pages 12 to 13 for more details

Man AHL (AHL) is a quantitative 
investment manager with an 
extensive history of performance 
and innovation and funds under 
management of $16.9 billion.

A pioneer in the application of 
systematic trading, AHL has 
been serving institutional and 
private clients since 1987 and 
has a range of momentum and 
non momentum strategies.

AHL’s 115 investment 
professionals are based in 
London, Oxford, Hong Kong 
and Pfäffikon.

Acquired by Man Group in  
2012, Man FRM (FRM) is a 
hedge fund investment specialist 
with $12.3 billion of funds 
under management and a 
predominantly institutional  
client base.

FRM has an open architecture, 
full service hedge fund platform 
including partnership solutions, 
a leading managed account 
platform and commingled 
strategies.

FRM’s 52 research and 
investment staff are based in 
London, New York, Tokyo, 
Guernsey and Pfäffikon.

See pages 18 to 19  
for more details

See pages 22 to 23  
for more details

Founded in 1995 and acquired 
by Man Group in 2010, Man 
GLG (GLG) is a discretionary 
fund manager with funds under 
management of $30.5 billion that 
delivers alternative and long only 
investment strategies across 
asset classes, sectors and 
geographies.

The majority of GLG’s 141 
investment professionals are 
based in London but it also has 
investment teams in New York, 
Hong Kong and Pfäffikon.

GLG has a range of institutional 
and private clients from across 
the globe.

Established in 1989 and acquired 
by Man Group in 2014, Man 
Numeric (Numeric) is a Boston-
based, quantitative equity 
manager with $19.0 billion 
of funds under management 
invested across almost every 
equity market in the world 
through long only and long  
short strategies.

Numeric’s 29 investment 
professionals manage assets 
for institutional clients globally, 
including corporate and public 
pension plans, foundations, 
endowments, and sovereign 
funds.

See pages 20 to 21  
for more details

See pages 24 to 25  
for more details

    
    
    
    
  
O U R   J O U R N E Y

Over the last five years, Man has become 
a larger, more diversified provider of liquid 
investment strategies, with a greater focus 
on serving institutional clients. We have 
reduced our cost base to a level which 
reflects the economics of our business  
and flows.  

2 010 1

2 015 2

F U M (BI LLIO N)

39.4

78.7

BY M A N AG E R

 AHL
 GLG
 FRM
 Numeric

BY PR O D U C T

 Guaranteed
 Alternative
 Long only

BY C L I E N T 
T Y PE

 Institutional
 Retail

BY C L I E N T 
D O M I C I L E

 EMEA
 Asia
 Americas

C O N T E N T S

Strategic report
Man Group overview 
Our journey 
A diversified Man Group 
2015 highlights 
Chairman’s statement 
Chief Executive’s review 
Our business model 
Strategic framework 
Progress against strategy 
Investment Management review 
Chief Financial Officer’s review 
Risk management 
People and corporate responsibility 
Man Group’s literary sponsorships 
Charitable Trust 

IFC
01
02-07
08
09
10
12
14
16
18-25
26
34
38
43
44

1  As at 31 March 2010 

2  As at 31 December 2015

Corporate governance
Board of directors 
Corporate governance report 
Audit and Risk Committee report 
Nomination Committee report 
Directors’ remuneration report 
Directors’ report 

Notes to the Parent Company
financial statements 
Five year record 

Other information
Shareholder information 

46
49
57
61
64
88

136
138

139

Financial statements
90
Directors’ responsibility statement 
92
Independent auditors’ report 
Group income statement 
96
Group statement of comprehensive income  96
97
Group balance sheet 
98
Group cash flow statement 
99
Group statement of changes in equity 
100
Notes to the Group financial statements 
135
Parent Company financial information 

The Strategic report, set out on 
the inside front cover and on 
pages 1 to 45, was approved 
by the Board and signed on its 
behalf by: Emmanuel Roman, 
Chief Executive Officer

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 01 

 
A broad range of 
investment styles

Over the past five years we have broadened  
our portfolio of businesses and those businesses 
in turn have broadened their range of products 
and strategies. 

Man Group’s investment managers have 
expertise across a diverse range of strategies 
to ensure that the firm can offer products  
to meet differing investor appetite for risk  
and rewards.

We manage over $35 billion in quantitative 
strategies through AHL and Numeric. AHL is a 
systematic investment specialist that focuses 
on delivering a range of absolute return, long-
only and momentum-based quantitative funds. 
Numeric is a fundamentally driven quantitative 
asset manager with disciplined, systematic 
investment processes offering long only, 
active extension, and hedged equity strategies 
across regions, styles, and capitalisations.

Our discretionary expertise focuses on 
equities and credit as well as multi-asset 
investment strategies. GLG encompasses 
multiple investment teams, that deliver  
a range of absolute return and long only 
strategies across asset classes, sectors  
and geographies.

FRM is one of the largest, independent 
alternatives specialists based in Europe  
with a predominantly institutional client base. 
Responsible for open-architecture hedge  
fund and alpha strategy solutions for 
institutional investors, including fund of  
hedge funds, client advisory solutions, 
outsourced research and consulting.

FUM by style 

$78.7bn

 Equities
 Momentum
 Credit & convertibles
 Managed accounts
 Fund of funds
 Multi-strategy

$bn

38.1
11.9
11.4
5.8
6.5
5.0

Left to right 
Pierre Lagrange, Chairman, Man Asia and Senior Managing Director, Man GLG
Robyn Grew, Global Head, Legal & Compliance 
Luke Ellis, President, Man Group

02 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

GUARANTEEDALTERNATIVELONG ONLYfuturesA DIVERSIFIED MAN GROUP“ First, foremost and always, we 
focus on delivering superior risk 
adjusted performance.”

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 03 

FOFsEQUITY SYSTEMATICfuturesSTRATEGIC REPORT 
Serving clients 
through a global 
distribution framework

Over the past five years our business has become more
institutional in nature. More recently we have been the 
beneficiary of a trend whereby large institutional clients 
seek to put more money to work with fewer managers.

With a well established network of 12 offices 
in key locations and developed regulatory 
relationships in all of the markets in which we 
operate, Man Group has a powerful level of 
insight into investor preferences as well as 
regulatory requirements.

Our regional offices are predominantly staffed 
by local people who provide investors and 
distributors with specialist regional expertise. 

S A L E S

Man Group operates two distinct distribution 
models, marketing directly to institutions whilst 
accessing private investors via third-party 
intermediaries. 

$22.9bn

Net inflows of $0.3bn in 2015. 

Client service is an essential part of our growth 
strategy. Our extensive global distribution 
network, long established local relationships 
and high quality technology enabled investor 
reporting give us a competitive advantage.

S A L E S PE O PL E

122

Left to right 
Eric Burl, Co-Head, Global Sales & Marketing and Head of Man Americas
René Herren, Deputy Head, Global Sales & Marketing
Tim Rainsford, Co-Head, Global Sales & Marketing

04 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

A DIVERSIFIED MAN GROUP 
 
“ Clients and their 
interests are at the heart 
of everything we do.”

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 05 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
A range of options for
long-term growth

We have a diverse business with many opportunities 
for long-term growth and a set of options over a range 
of uncorrelated performance fee streams. 

In addition to growing assets through 
performance and sales we look to develop 
the business by attracting talent, adding 
investment teams and taking advantage 
of acquisition opportunities where we can 
generate an attractive return on capital.

We offer an entrepreneurial investment 
management culture within an institutional 
framework. Through this, we are able to attract 
high quality talent which provides further 
options for growth.

Growth may be supplemented through 
M&A, taking advantage of acquisition and 
consolidation opportunities where we can 
generate an attractive return on capital. Our 
capital management policy of paying out net 
management fee profits to shareholders and 
building surplus capital from performance fee 
profits gives us the flexibility to do this. 

FUM acquired through recent acquisitions 

$22.3bn

 Numeric 
 Pine Grove
 Silvermine
 NewSmith
 BAML fund of funds

$bn

15.2
1.0
3.8
1.2
1.1

Emmanuel Roman, Chief Executive Officer

06 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

A DIVERSIFIED MAN GROUP“ We continue to focus on 
developing and diversifying  
our business, through select 
acquisitions and hiring senior 
talent, providing further options 
for growth and broadening  
our offering to clients.”

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 07 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
H I G H L I G H T S
2 0 1 5

 – 8% growth in FUM driven by acquisitions
 – Adjusted profit before tax down 17%  

on 2014 due to lower AHL performance 
fees 

 – Strong cash generation with adjusted 

EBITDA of $422 million, a margin of 39%

 – Statutory pre-tax profit of $184 million 

(2014: $384 million)

 – Mixed performance in the year to  

31 December 20151: AHL Diversified 
Programme -2.7%; GLG Multi-Strategy 
+6.1%; FRM Diversified II strategy +1.0%; 
Japan CoreAlpha strategy slightly 
outperformed its relevant benchmark; 
and Numeric net asset weighted 
outperformance of 3.0%2 

 – Acquisitions completed in 2014 and 
early 2015 now integrated into the 
business 

 – Regulatory capital surplus of $453 

million at 31 December 2015  

 – Proposed dividend for the year equating 
to adjusted management fee earnings 
per share of 10.2 cents per share. 
Proposed final dividend of 4.8 cents per 
share. Payable at a rate of 3.40 pence 
per share. Total dividend for the year up 
9% in sterling

1  Figures shown net of representative management and performance fees.
2  Numeric’s net asset weighted alpha for the year to 31 December 2015 is calculated 
using the asset weighted average of the performance relative to the benchmark for 
all non-restricted strategy composites (representing approximately two-thirds of 
Numeric’s FUM) available net of the highest management fees and, as applicable, 
performance fees that can be charged. 

F U N D S U N D E R M A N AG E M E N T 
( F U M )

S A L E S

$78.7bn

$22.9bn

Up 8% from $72.9bn at 31 December 
2014.

Up 5% from $21.9bn for the year ended 
31 December 2014. 

N E T I N F LOW S

R E V E N U E

$0.3bn

Compared to net inflows of $3.3bn in the 
year ended 31 December 2014. 

$1,135m

Gross revenue comprised $833m of 
management fees and $302m of 
performance fees. Revenue was $1,150m 
for the prior period.

A D J U S T E D PR O F I T 
B E FO R E TA X

$400m

S TAT U TO RY PR O F I T   
B E FO R E TA X

$184m

Comprises adjusted net management fee 
income of $194m and net performance 
fee income of $206m. Adjusted profit 
before tax for year ended 31 December 
2014 was $481m. 

A full reconciliation between the statutory 
profit and adjusted profit for the year is 
given in Note 2 of the financial statements. 
The statutory profit before tax for the year 
ended 31 December 2014 was $384m.

A D J U S T E D M A N AG E M E N T 
F E E E A R N I N G S PE R S H A R E

A D J U S T E D D I LU T E D   
E A R N I N G S PE R S H A R E

10.2¢

21.1¢

Adjusted management fee earnings per 
share for the year ended 31 December 
2014 were 10.1 cents. 

Down 14% compared to the year ended 
31 December 2014. 

S TAT U TO RY E A R N I N G S   
PE R S H A R E

10.0¢

A reconciliation between statutory and 
adjusted diluted earnings per share is 
given in Note 11 to the financial 
statements. Diluted profit per share for 
the year ended 31 December 2014 was 
20.5 cents. 

08 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
C H A I R M A N ’ S   S T A T E M E N T

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

OV E RV I E W O F T H E Y E A R
2015, and the second half of the year in 
particular, was a period of extreme volatility 
across all asset classes, heavily influenced by 
political and economic uncertainty in China and 
globally. This created challenging trading and 
performance conditions for Man and tested 
investor appetite for risk. 

In this context, investment performance across 
Man’s range of strategies was reasonable and 
we recorded a small net inflow for the year. As 
the headline results on the opposite page show, 
we delivered solid profitability with adjusted 
management fee profits in line with 2014, and 
performance fee profits down following a very 
strong year for AHL in 2014. The Board focuses 
on adjusted profit as this reflects the recurring 
revenue and costs that drive our cash flow 
generation. Statutory profit was $184 million 
compared to a statutory profit of $384 million 
in 2014 due to lower performance fee profits, 
an impairment of FRM goodwill at the half year 
and an increase in the future earn-out payment 
to Numeric as the acquisition has performed 
significantly better than expected. 

B OA R D FO C U S D U R I N G 2 015
With the cost reduction programme complete 
and an improvement in the Group’s capital 
efficiency, the focus of the Board during the 
year centred on delivery of investment returns, 
organic growth and talent management. 

The Board spent a significant amount of time 
reviewing the progress and performance 
of the recently acquired businesses and 
management’s delivery of value against 
plan. We also monitored how well these 
businesses had been integrated onto the 
Man platform, ensuring that they were being 
managed appropriately from an operational risk 
perspective. We are particularly pleased with 
the progress of the Numeric acquisition and 
that the smaller new businesses have added 
both scale and breadth to the product platform. 

We spent time assessing the performance of 
the new investment management talent that 
has been hired into the business over the past 
few years, particularly at GLG. We are pleased 
that a number of the hires have built compelling 
track records and are starting to see traction 
from an asset raising perspective.

Managing change is a key requirement in 
today’s fast moving markets and we recognise 
that succession planning and building a 
suitably deep and broad talent pool are key 
to our continued success. The promotion of 
management depth and ambition has been a 
key area of focus during the year and we have 
spent time discussing with the executives their 
ongoing work to promote career development 
and mobility of talent within the business. 

In addition, the Board has spent time discussing 
people and the culture of the business, 
encouraging management in its promotion 
of diversity at all levels of the business and 
monitoring the implementation and impact of 
Man’s set of core business values. An employee 
survey was undertaken during the year and the 
Board reviewed, with management, the results 
of this survey and the actions that were being 
taken to address the key themes emerging.

D I V I D E N D
In line with our previously stated policy, the 
Board has announced a recommended final 
dividend of 4.8 cents per share, subject to 
approval by shareholders at the 2016 AGM. 
This year we have decided to retain all of the 
surplus capital generated by the business 
to fund potential acquisitions. Net of the 
proposed dividend, we currently have surplus 
capital of approximately $480 million. Last 
year, management reviewed a large number of 
acquisition opportunities but were unable to find 
transactions on acceptable terms. The Board 
believes that, given evolving market dynamics, 
there is sufficient probability of finding attractive 
acquisitions to execute in 2016 that we have 
decided to retain all of our surplus capital. 

Conditions may of course change and we will 
review this decision throughout the year. 

B OA R D C H A N G E S
After almost nine years as Chairman I will retire 
from the Board at the AGM in May. It has been 
a privilege to lead the Board through a period 
of very substantial change for Man and I feel 
that I am leaving the Group in capable hands. 
We have in place a strong executive team who 
over the past three years have created a more 
diversified business with multiple options for 
growth, and improved the Group’s operational 
and capital efficiency. 

I am delighted that Ian Livingston (Lord 
Livingston of Parkhead) is to succeed me 
as Chairman, subject to his reappointment 
by shareholders at the AGM. Ian joined the 
Man Group Board in January with almost two 
decades of board level FTSE 100 experience, 
most recently as Group Chief Executive Officer 
of BT Group Plc (“BT”) from 2008 to 2013. He 
has been a serving member of the UK House of 
Lords since 2013 and was previously Minister 
of State for Trade and Investment for the UK 
Government from December 2013 to May 2015. 
He brings with him experience of successfully 
growing a complex international business and 
navigating regulatory environments around 
the world. He has a strong track record of 
innovative leadership during a time of profound 
change for BT that will be invaluable to the Man 
Group Board and executive team. 

In January, Richard Berliand was appointed 
as a non-executive director and member of 
the Board’s Remuneration Committee. It is 
intended that Richard will succeed Phillip 
Colebatch as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee following the AGM in May. Richard 
brings over 30 years of experience in the 
financial services sector and has proved himself 
a very capable leader during an extremely 
challenging period for the industry. He will be a 
highly valued adviser to our executive team.

I should like to thank Man’s employees for their 
dedication and hard work during my tenure 
as Chairman. I am confident that I leave the 
Group with an excellent Board and executive 
team able to confront the challenges ahead and 
deliver value for shareholders.

J O N A I S B I T T
Chairman

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 09 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
C H I E F   E X E C U T I V E ’ S   R E V I E W

2015 has been another challenging year in terms of trading 
conditions and investor risk appetite. Against this backdrop  
we continued to focus on delivering superior risk adjusted  
returns for our clients, creating a more diversified product  
offering, integrating our recently acquired businesses and  
running the Group efficiently. 

Emmanuel Roman
Chief Executive Officer

10 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

OV E RV I E W
Performance across our investment managers 
during 2015, while mixed was reasonable against 
a difficult market backdrop. AHL’s momentum 
strategies had a strong start to the year but 
were impacted by reversals in the second 
and fourth quarters. GLG’s equity long short 
strategies had a good year and the majority of 
its long only strategies ended the year ahead of 
benchmarks, although certain strategies were 
some way behind. Numeric posted strong net 
outperformance versus benchmark and FRM’s 
performance was solid. Flows were slightly 
positive in the year with net outflows of $2.6 billion 
in the first half of the year broadly offset by net 
inflows of $2.9 billion in the second half of the year. 
The acquisitions of Silvermine, NewSmith and 
the BAML fund of funds portfolio at the beginning 
of the year drove an 8% increase in funds under 
management to $78.7 billion at 31 December 
2015. Adjusted management fee profit before 
tax was down 2% and adjusted management 
fee EPS was up 1% at 10.2 cents. Total adjusted 
profit before tax decreased however by 17% 
compared to 2014 mainly as a result of lower AHL 
performance fees. Our business continues to be 
strongly cash generative with adjusted EBITDA 
(a good proxy for operating cash flow) of $422 
million in 2015 compared to $492 million in 2014.

P R O G R E S S   A G A I N S T 
S T R AT E G I C   P R I O R I T I E S
PE R FO R M A N C E 1 
Investment performance continues to be the 
most important factor in our success.  

AHL’s momentum strategies ended 2015 
with performance ranging from –2.7% (AHL 
Diversified) to +3.2% (AHL Evolution). Returns 
were impacted by the sharp reversal in 
European bond markets at the end of April and 
in grain markets during June, and by volatility 
in equities and FX, particularly in the fourth 
quarter. By contrast, AHL’s multi-strategy 
quantitative fund AHL Dimension, which has 
assets of $4.1 billion, had a much better year 
and was up 6.9%.  

1  Figures shown net of representative management  

and performance fees.

Numeric’s range of strategies performed 
well in 2015 with overall net asset weighted 
outperformance versus benchmark of 3.0%1. 
The stronger performing strategies were the 
active extension (130/30) international strategies 
that outpaced their respective benchmarks. 

2015 was a year of two halves for discretionary 
hedge fund performance at GLG. While the 
majority of our alternative strategies produced 
solid alpha, returns were largely generated in 
the first half. In the subsequent six months, 
investors were forced to navigate violent 
sector rotations while buffeted with bouts of 
volatility. However, GLG’s alternative funds were 
resilient; the flagship European Long Short 
strategy posted a net return of 7.6% whilst 
funds from the recently acquired NewSmith 
business delivered strong performance, 
highlighting a smooth integration. Within credit 
and convertibles, GLG’s strategies generally 
delivered positive returns against a backdrop of 
US rate uncertainty and heightened volatility in 
some sectors.  

In equities, GLG’s long only strategies broadly 
outperformed markets. The flagship Japan 
CoreAlpha strategy built on its impressive long-
term track record, slightly outperforming the 
TOPIX’s 2015 return of 12.1%. The Continental 
European Growth strategy finished the year with 
26% excess return and the Undervalued Assets 
strategy returned 9.0% above the FTSE all-
share. A handful of strategies underperformed 
with the Strategic Bond and North American 
equity strategies underperforming their relevant 
benchmarks by 5.2% and 10.7% respectively. 

FRM products had mainly positive performance 
during 2015 with FRM Diversified II making 
a positive return of 1.0%, 0.5% ahead of its 
benchmark. 

Situations and we have added a number of 
talented managers to our European Equity 
alternatives team, including Moni Sternbach who 
is managing our European Mid-Cap alternative 
equity strategy. In the long only business we 
appointed Guillermo Osses as Head of Emerging 
Market Debt, while Simon Pickard and Edward 
Cole joined the firm to run an Unconstrained 
Emerging Market Equity strategy. Recent 
hires continue to make progress; Pierre-Henri 
Flamand’s Value Opportunities strategy has 
performed well since its launch in 2014, Henry 
Dixon’s Undervalued Asset strategy continues 
to perform well and is raising assets with 
FUM of over $450 million, while Rory Powe’s 
European Equity strategy has had very strong 
performance and we are beginning to market 
that strategy. 

At FRM, we completed the acquisition of the 
fund of funds business of Bank of America Merrill 
Lynch, adding a $1.1 billion portfolio of multi-
strategy and strategy-focused funds to FRM, 
supported by a proven distribution platform. 
From an asset raising perspective we made 
good progress in our managed accounts offering 
and were awarded a $2.0 billion mandate by a 
large US-based State Pension Plan and two fund 
of funds mandates from UK local government 
pension schemes, totalling $0.4 billion during 
the year.

To complement our organic growth, we 
continue to look at other possible acquisitions, 
in the private markets, fund of funds and long 
only spaces, seeking to ensure we remain 
disciplined on price, structure and cultural fit. 
The asset management M&A environment was 
very robust last year, and despite reviewing a 
large number of opportunities we were unable 
to find acquisition targets on reasonable terms. 
We remain patient.

B U S I N E S S D E V E LO PM E N T
During the year we made good progress in 
integrating the businesses acquired during 2014 
and we continued to develop options for growth 
across our investment businesses. 

We saw strong organic growth at AHL during 
the year with $2.1 billion of net flows. The 
business continues to become more diversified 
by product with over 60% of assets now in non-
traditional strategies. The Numeric business 
continues to perform well and since acquisition 
in September 2014, Numeric has raised gross 
assets of $6.5 billion, with total FUM increasing 
25% to $19.0 billion. During the year good 
progress was made to integrate Numeric’s 
operations onto the Man platform. 

At GLG we completed the acquisitions of 
Silvermine and NewSmith at the beginning of the 
year and we continue to attract talent to broaden 
out both our alternatives and long only product 
offering. In the Alternatives business Himanshu 
Gulati joined in early 2015 as Head of US Special 

D I S T R I B U T I O N E F F E C T I V E N E S S
2015 saw a 5% increase in gross sales to $22.9 
billion, with strong Numeric sales being partially 
offset by lower sales of GLG equity long short 
strategies compared to 2014. Sales for the 
year included mandates from three different 
institutional clients which were each over $1 
billion. Redemptions during the year were 
$22.6 billion, up from $18.6 billion in 2014, and 
included $2.8 billion of redemptions from one 
client in the Japan Core Alpha strategy despite 
strong performance. 

The majority of the demand continues to come 
from institutions with institutional sales in the 
period constituting 67% of total sales. Over 
the past five years our business has become 
much more institutional in nature with 74% of 
FUM now run for institutions globally. Our third-
party retail business continues to be extremely 
important to us, but we hope to be a beneficiary 
over time of a continued trend whereby large 
institutional clients seek to put more money to 
work with fewer managers. This trend has been 

1  Numeric’s net asset weighted alpha for the year ended 31 December 2015 is calculated using the asset weighted 
average of the performance relative to the benchmark for all non-restricted strategy composites (representing 
approximately two-thirds of Numeric’s FUM) available net of the highest management fees and, as applicable, 
performance fees that can be charged.  

seen in our own business over the last three 
years and presents an opportunity for us in the 
long run.

From a geographical perspective EMEA 
continues to be our biggest market, with sales 
from this region comprising 61% of the total 
in 2015. The critical North American market 
remains a key geographical focus for future 
growth and $5 billion of total sales were from 
the Americas in 2015, up around 160% from 
2014. 24% of assets are now managed on behalf 
of North American clients. Sales from the Asia 
Pacific region comprised 17% of the total which 
included three mandates totalling $1.6 billion. 

E F F I C I E N CY
Having completed the cost reduction 
programme ahead of schedule in 2014, our 
focus in 2015 shifted towards sustaining 
our focus on efficiency and ensuring that 
our cost base enables us to address both 
the opportunities and risks in our business 
appropriately. We continue to invest in new 
investment talent as outlined above and there 
are a number of areas in which we are investing 
in the infrastructure of our business which will 
be reflected in increased capital expenditure 
over the next few years. 

Our balance sheet remains strong and liquid 
and as we have previously outlined we have 
increased the capacity of our seed capital 
programme to help to grow the business as we 
launch new products over time. Our surplus 
capital stands at around $480 million proforma 
for second half earnings and our final dividend 
and accordingly we retain the flexibility to take 
advantage of acquisition opportunities.

O U T LO O K 
We continue to operate in a challenging and 
uncertain environment, as amply demonstrated 
by markets year to date. However after the 
progress made against our strategic objectives 
in 2015, we are better positioned as a Group to 
grow our business profitably over time. We have 
a more diversified offering to clients and a range 
of attractive options for growth. If we are able to 
continue to deliver superior risk adjusted returns 
for our clients we will be able to grow assets 
steadily by leveraging our global distribution. 
As we continue to manage our business and 
balance sheet efficiently, we can in turn provide 
attractive returns for our shareholders. 

I would like to conclude by thanking the 
management team and everyone at Man for 
the commitment, expertise and hard work they 
have contributed this year enabling the firm to 
continue to make good progress against each 
of our strategic objectives.

E M M A N U E L R O M A N
Chief Executive Officer

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 11 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
O U R   B U S I N E S S   M O D E L

The success of our business model begins and 
ends with investment performance: our investment 
managers must deliver strong, risk adjusted long-
term returns for our investors.

S
T

N

K 
E
I
L

C

S
I
R

R

U

R
O

E

C

N

A

M

E

P

S

U

S

N

R

O
I
R
O

R

F

R

O

G
U

N
I
T
T
A
E

R

D

E
P

F

R

R

E

N

E
T
S

E

G

U

J

D

A

E

N

S

O

U

F

R

I

O

N

D

U

I

R

G

S

E

T

F

D

I

F

R

S

I

E

T

C

B

R

O P E R A T I N G 
A N D   A L L O C A T I N G 
C A P I T A L 
E F F I C I E N T L Y

U

T

I

I

B

V

T

U

I

T

E

O

N

N

I

O

E

S

N

S

G R O W T H

H I R I N G   O R   A C Q U I R I N G   T H E 
B E S T   I N V E S T M E N T   T A L E N T

12 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance

Distribution

Growth

Operating  
efficiency and  
capital discipline

Man Group’s investment managers have expertise 
in a diverse range of strategies which offer 
investment returns matched to investor appetite  
for risk and reward. We aim to generate superior 
risk-adjusted returns for our clients through the 
quality of our research, the talent of our investment 
managers and the strength of our operations and 
risk infrastructures.

See pages 18 to 25 for our performance review

Man Group is able to offer a wide range of 
liquid investment strategies and formats across 
geographies to meet the needs of the investor. 
These include quantitative and discretionary, long 
only and long short, single and multi-manager. 
We distribute our products and solutions directly 
to institutions and to private investors via a unique 
global network of intermediaries.

See pages 04 to 05 for more about distribution

We have a diverse business with many options for 
long-term growth. In addition to growing assets 
through performance and sales we look to grow 
the business by attracting talent, adding investment 
teams and taking advantage of acquisition 
opportunities where we can generate an attractive 
return on capital.

See pages 06 to 07 for more about growth

At the core of our investment management and 
distribution is strong operational infrastructure, 
risk management, people management and 
governance, which ensures the sustainability of our 
business model and enables us to take advantage 
of new business opportunities. We strive to 
maintain our operating discipline and manage our 
balance sheet efficiency.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 13 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
  
  
  
S T R A T E G I C   F R A M E W O R K

Markets remain volatile, creating a challenging and uncertain 
environment in which to operate. Against this backdrop, we 
continue to focus on the areas we can control and on creating a 
diversified business with multiple options for growth, leaving us 
better positioned to deal with different market conditions.

Strategic priorities

Risks

1  Performance
Generating superior risk adjusted returns 
for our clients

Man Group identifies its principal risks across the firm and 
assesses their likely impact. We measure and monitor the 
size of our risks, and implement controls and transactions 
to reduce and hedge exposures in order to ensure that they 
stay within our risk appetite framework. 

Related strategic 
priority

2  Distribution
Ensuring distribution effectiveness

Investment underperformance risk
This is the key risk Man Group has to accept if it is 
to undertake its business.

1  

3  Growth
Developing options for growth across  
our investment businesses

4  Operating efficiency and  
capital discipline
Operating as efficiently as possible,  
both from a cost and a balance sheet 
perspective

See pages 15 to 16 for how we performed against our strategic 
priorities

14 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Regulatory risk
Man Group is licensed in 13 jurisdictions, which 
results in it being subject to a matrix of regulations.

1   2   3   4  

Balance sheet market risk
The risk of Man Group losing capital due to a 
decline in the value of the seeding book and/or the 
Group having insufficient liquidity resources to meet  
its obligations in volatile market conditions.

1   3   4  

Operational risk
Resulting from human error, inadequate or failed 
internal processes and systems or from external 
events.

Information security risk
The risk of loss resulting from cyber-crime, 
malicious disruption to our networks or from 
the theft, misplacing, interception, corruption or 
deletion of information.

Discretionary trading risk
The risk that investment managers either 
intentionally or unintentionally fail to execute and/
or book trades correctly, or fail to adhere to 
investment mandates or regulatory rules.

Credit/counterparty risk
A counterparty with which the funds or Man Group 
have financial transactions fails to deliver back 
investor or shareholder assets.

Legal risk
The global nature of Man Group’s business, with 
corporate and fund entities located in multiple 
jurisdictions and a diverse investor base make it 
subject to a wide range of laws and regulations.

Reputational risk
The risk that an incident or negative publicity 
undermines our reputation as a leading alternative 
investment manager.

1   2   3   4  

1   2   3   4  

1  

1   2   3   4  

1   2   3   4  

1   2   3   4  

Key staff retention risk
The risk that a key person to the business leaves or 
is unable to perform their role.

1   2   3   4  

See pages 34 to 37 for our full risk profile

    
  
Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Remuneration

Our four financial KPIs as listed below illustrate and 
measure the relationship between the investment 
experience of our fund investors, our financial performance 
and the creation of shareholder value over time. 

Executive director remuneration is directly linked to strategy 
and performance, with particular emphasis on matching 
rewards to results over the long term. 

Investment performance of 
key funds against relevant 
benchmarks

Net FUM flows for the period 
as a percentage of opening 
FUM (Target 0%–10%)

AHL – not met
FRM – met
GLG – met
Numeric – met

0.4%

Related strategic priority
1  

Related strategic priority
1   2   3  

Adjusted management fee 
EBITDA margin (Target 
25%–40%)

Adjusted management fee 
EPS growth (Target 0%–20% 
plus RPI)

27.2%

Related strategic priority
1   2   3   4  

1.0%

Related strategic priority
1   2   3   4  

See pages 26 and 27 for full key performance indicators

Linked to strategy 
A substantial portion of executive director 
remuneration is linked to success in implementing 
the Company’s strategy. 

Progress against the Group’s strategic priorities 
and Group key performance indicators (KPIs) 
provide key metrics for determining the short-term 
annual cash bonus and the long-term deferred 
bonus.

  See pages 71 
to 74 of the 
Directors’ 
remuneration 
report for more 
information

Performance related
The variable components of total remuneration are 
linked to performance, and the long-term deferred 
bonus is awarded in shares further aligning 
interests with shareholders.

  See pages 71 
to 74 of the 
Directors’ 
remuneration 
report for more 
information

High pay requires high performance. Achieving the 
maximum pay requires sustained high performance 
over several years.

Long-term shareholder alignment
The structure of pay is designed to reflect the 
long-term nature of the Group’s business. The 
long-term deferred bonus is awarded in shares with 
the vesting period set at three to five years after 
each three-year performance period, creating a six 
to eight-year period in total during which executive 
reward is fully aligned with shareholder interests.

Shareholder engagement
The Remuneration Committee actively seeks 
to understand shareholder preferences and be 
transparent in explaining its policy and practice. 
During 2015 the Remuneration Committee 
Chairman met personally with a number of major 
shareholders and certain shareholder voting bodies 
to obtain feedback on the Remuneration policy and 
to respond to any areas of interest or concern.

  See pages 64 
to 66 and pages 
73 to 74 of 
the Directors’ 
remuneration 
report for more 
information

  See pages 
65 and 70 of 
the Directors’ 
remuneration 
report for more 
information

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 15 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
    
P R O G R E S S   A G A I N S T   S T R A T E G Y

During the year we have made progress against the strategic 
priorities set out in last year’s Annual Report, aimed at generating 
superior risk adjusted returns for our clients and positioning the 
firm for future growth, whilst controlling costs and maximising the 
efficiency of our balance sheet.

Strategic priorities

Objectives we set in 2015

How we performed against those objectives Objectives for 2016

Performance
Generating superior risk adjusted 
returns for our clients

–  Continued focus on research at AHL to build new markets and 

–   110 new markets added to AHL’s trading programmes during 2015 

–   Continued to focus on research at AHL by delivering new models 

asset classes 

–   Key research staff at Numeric have had the opportunity to spend 

and accessing new markets 

–   Collaboration between AHL and Numeric to further enhance 

time working in London with their new colleagues  

–   Collaboration between AHL and Numeric to further enhance 

research efforts in both managers 

–   Focus on improving areas of underperformance in GLG 

alternatives strategies in 2014 

–   Significant improvement in GLG equity long short performance 

research efforts in both managers 

with the strategy delivering net returns of 7.6% in 2015 

–   Focus on improving areas of underperformance in certain GLG 

alternatives and long only strategies in 2015 

Distribution
Ensuring distribution effectiveness

–   Market AHL’s momentum strategies off the back of strong 

–   $4.7 billion of gross sales at AHL in 2015 including $1.9 billion into 

–   Market AHL’s strategies given their solid three-year track record 

performance in 2014 

momentum strategies and $2.0 billion into AHL Dimension 

–   Continue to leverage Man Group’s global distribution capability to 

–   Develop and launch UCITS products at Numeric to build track 

–   $4.4 billion of gross sales at Numeric in 2015 and $6.5 billion since 

grow assets in acquired businesses 

records and market to investors over time 

acquisition including approximately $2.0 billion related to leveraging 

–   Continue to improve coverage and asset raising in the US 

–   Leverage Man Group’s global distribution capability to grow assets 

Man Group’s global distribution capability 

–   At FRM continue to partner with institutional clients to provide 

in acquired businesses 

–   $5.0 billion of gross sales in North America in 2015 including a $2.0 

managed account solutions and advisory services for their hedge 

–   Continue to improve coverage and asset raising in the US 

billion mandate win from a state pension plan at FRM 

fund allocations

–   Continue to develop relationships with existing clients with a 

focus on both asset raising as well as asset retention   

Growth
Developing options for growth across 
our investment businesses

–   Continue to develop additional momentum and non-momentum 

–   Launched Evolution Frontier, which applies AHL’s core momentum 

–   Continue to innovate at AHL by delivering new strategies and 

products at AHL 

–   Continue to look for high-calibre investment talent at GLG to 

support the growth of our existing products as well as to support 
the expansion of our alternatives and long only product offering 
–   Continue to look at other possible bolt-on acquisitions ensuring 
that we remain disciplined on price, structure and cultural fit 

models to an innovative set of markets 

accessing new data 

–   Hired new teams at GLG focusing on Event Driven investing 

–   Continue to look for high-calibre investment talent at GLG to 

and European Mid-Cap and a team that seeks to capitalise on 

support the growth of our existing products as well as to support 

US distressed opportunities in the alternatives business and an 

the expansion of our alternatives and long only product offering 

Emerging Markets team in the long only business

–   Continue to focus on the US as a region for growth both from a 

–   Completed acquisitions of Silvermine and NewSmith. Silvermine 

distribution and acquisition perspective 

provides GLG with increased expertise in US credit markets and 

–   Continue to look at other possible acquisitions, for example in 

the NewSmith deal helps to strengthen GLG’s equity platform, 

private markets and long only strategies, ensuring that we remain 

while enhancing our footprint in the Japanese market 

disciplined on price, structure and cultural fit 

–   Enhanced FRM’s business with the completion of an important 

new distribution relationship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch 

through the acquisition of its fund of hedge funds offering 

–   Focus on sustaining our efficiency and ensuring that our cost base 
enables us to address the risks and opportunities in our business 
appropriately 

–   Integrate the operational functions of our acquired businesses 
–   Maintain focus on balance sheet efficiency including ensuring our 

seeding portfolio is managed effectively 

–   Businesses acquired in 2014 and early 2015 now fully integrated 

  –   Focus on sustaining our efficiency and ensuring that our cost 

on the Man platform

base enables us to address the risks and opportunities in our 

–   Maintained cost discipline allowing for investment in infrastructure 

business appropriately 

in certain parts of the business 

–   Maintain focus on balance sheet efficiency including ensuring our 

–   Expanded seeding programme with a VaR limit of $75 million set 

seeding portfolio is managed effectively 

–   Completion of $175 million share repurchase 

Operating efficiency and  
capital discipline
Operating as efficiently as possible, 
both from a cost and a balance 
sheet perspective

16 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Strategic priorities

Performance

Generating superior risk adjusted 

returns for our clients

Objectives we set in 2015

How we performed against those objectives Objectives for 2016

–  Continued focus on research at AHL to build new markets and 

asset classes 

–   110 new markets added to AHL’s trading programmes during 2015 
–   Key research staff at Numeric have had the opportunity to spend 

–   Continued to focus on research at AHL by delivering new models 

and accessing new markets 

–   Collaboration between AHL and Numeric to further enhance 

time working in London with their new colleagues  

–   Collaboration between AHL and Numeric to further enhance 

research efforts in both managers 

–   Focus on improving areas of underperformance in GLG 

alternatives strategies in 2014 

–   Significant improvement in GLG equity long short performance 

research efforts in both managers 

with the strategy delivering net returns of 7.6% in 2015 

–   Focus on improving areas of underperformance in certain GLG 

alternatives and long only strategies in 2015 

Distribution

Ensuring distribution effectiveness

–   Market AHL’s momentum strategies off the back of strong 

performance in 2014 

–   Develop and launch UCITS products at Numeric to build track 

records and market to investors over time 

–   Leverage Man Group’s global distribution capability to grow assets 

in acquired businesses 

–   Continue to improve coverage and asset raising in the US 

–   $4.7 billion of gross sales at AHL in 2015 including $1.9 billion into 

momentum strategies and $2.0 billion into AHL Dimension 

–   Market AHL’s strategies given their solid three-year track record 
–   Continue to leverage Man Group’s global distribution capability to 

–   $4.4 billion of gross sales at Numeric in 2015 and $6.5 billion since 
acquisition including approximately $2.0 billion related to leveraging 
Man Group’s global distribution capability 

–   $5.0 billion of gross sales in North America in 2015 including a $2.0 

billion mandate win from a state pension plan at FRM 

grow assets in acquired businesses 

–   Continue to improve coverage and asset raising in the US 
–   At FRM continue to partner with institutional clients to provide 

managed account solutions and advisory services for their hedge 
fund allocations

–   Continue to develop relationships with existing clients with a 

focus on both asset raising as well as asset retention   

Growth

Developing options for growth across 

our investment businesses

products at AHL 

–   Continue to look for high-calibre investment talent at GLG to 

support the growth of our existing products as well as to support 

the expansion of our alternatives and long only product offering 

–   Continue to look at other possible bolt-on acquisitions ensuring 

that we remain disciplined on price, structure and cultural fit 

–   Continue to develop additional momentum and non-momentum 

–   Launched Evolution Frontier, which applies AHL’s core momentum 

–   Continue to innovate at AHL by delivering new strategies and 

models to an innovative set of markets 

accessing new data 

–   Hired new teams at GLG focusing on Event Driven investing 

–   Continue to look for high-calibre investment talent at GLG to 

and European Mid-Cap and a team that seeks to capitalise on 
US distressed opportunities in the alternatives business and an 
Emerging Markets team in the long only business

–   Completed acquisitions of Silvermine and NewSmith. Silvermine 
provides GLG with increased expertise in US credit markets and 
the NewSmith deal helps to strengthen GLG’s equity platform, 
while enhancing our footprint in the Japanese market 

–   Enhanced FRM’s business with the completion of an important 
new distribution relationship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
through the acquisition of its fund of hedge funds offering 

support the growth of our existing products as well as to support 
the expansion of our alternatives and long only product offering 
–   Continue to focus on the US as a region for growth both from a 

distribution and acquisition perspective 

–   Continue to look at other possible acquisitions, for example in 

private markets and long only strategies, ensuring that we remain 
disciplined on price, structure and cultural fit 

Operating efficiency and  

capital discipline

Operating as efficiently as possible, 

both from a cost and a balance 

sheet perspective

–   Focus on sustaining our efficiency and ensuring that our cost base 

enables us to address the risks and opportunities in our business 

appropriately 

–   Integrate the operational functions of our acquired businesses 

–   Maintain focus on balance sheet efficiency including ensuring our 

seeding portfolio is managed effectively 

–   Businesses acquired in 2014 and early 2015 now fully integrated 

on the Man platform

–   Maintained cost discipline allowing for investment in infrastructure 

in certain parts of the business 

–   Expanded seeding programme with a VaR limit of $75 million set 
–   Completion of $175 million share repurchase 

  –   Focus on sustaining our efficiency and ensuring that our cost 
base enables us to address the risks and opportunities in our 
business appropriately 

–   Maintain focus on balance sheet efficiency including ensuring our 

seeding portfolio is managed effectively 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 17 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
M A N   A H L
S C I E N C E   A P P L I E D   T O   F I N A N C E

Established in 1987, Man AHL is a leading 
quantitative investment manager with funds 
under management of $16.9 billion. A pioneer 
in systematic trading, AHL offers alternative  
and traditional strategies to a predominantly 
institutional client base, in a variety of funds  
and customisable managed accounts. 

Headquartered in London, AHL employs over 
115 investment professionals in six locations  
and benefits from a unique collaboration with  
the University of Oxford.

Tim Wong
Chairman, AHL

Sandy Rattray
Chief Executive Officer, AHL

18 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

S T R AT E G I E S OV E RV I E W
AHL broadly offers four types of investment 
programme:
 – Momentum: AHL’s institutional 

flagship programme, AHL Alpha, uses 
sophisticated algorithms to identify 
trends. The original investment strategy 
of AHL, trend following has been able to 
profit in both rising and falling markets 
and exhibits low correlation to other asset 
classes, notably equities. In addition to 
futures and forwards instruments that 
are typically traded by trend-following 
managers, AHL specialises in trading, 
through the AHL Evolution Programme, 
a range of non-traditional markets that 
are highly liquid, typically OTC, and 
are not widely traded by peers. These 
include interest-rate swaps, credit and 
power derivatives, for example, which 
have been highly resilient to choppy 
market conditions that resulted from 
unprecedented levels of central bank 
intervention in the years immediately 
following the Credit Crisis. In 2015 AHL 
broadened its trend-following offering 
further through the AHL Evolution Frontier 
Programme, which leverages operational 
and execution strengths in order to 
access less liquid markets. 

 – Multi-strategy: AHL’s flagship multi-
strategy programme, AHL Dimension, 
comprises a broad mix of high-conviction 
systematic models, spanning technical, 
fundamental, and momentum styles. 
It utilises a wide universe of highly 
liquid markets covering the major asset 
classes of equity, FX, fixed income 
and commodities, and incorporates 
an allocation to the AHL Evolution 
programme. Because of the range of 
strategies employed, multi-strategy 
programmes are designed to perform in  
a wide variety of market environments.
 – Sector-based: These strategies allow 
investors to access specialised, sector 
or theme specific investment strategies 
across equity, currency and volatility 
markets.

 – Alpha capture: These strategies use 
quantitative techniques to capture the 
best ideas from leading equity brokers  
to construct long only portfolios.

D I V E R S I F I CAT I O N A N D 
I N S T I T U T I O N A L I S AT I O N 
Over the course of 2015, AHL continued the 
transition to being a diversified quantitative 
manager, whilst maintaining an emphasis on 
momentum. The AHL business has become 
more diversified by product (for example 
the AHL Dimension and AHL Evolution 
Programmes now comprise around 50% of 
total AHL assets between them), and net flows 
in AHL Dimension accounted for around 90% of 
total net flows for Man AHL in 2015. 

In addition, AHL’s shift to becoming a largely 
institutional fund manager has occurred at the 
same time as our increasing development of 
new strategies: 74% of our clients are institutional 
investors today. We have found that many 
institutional investors around the world value a 
rigorous systematic approach. In particular, the 
fact that we are more transparent than most 
other styles of investing has been important to 
these clients. With no emotion involved in the 
investing process, the mood or even presence 
of any particular individual at AHL has rather little 
day to day impact on performance. 

G R OW T H
We are very positive on the future of systematic 
investing. We live in a world where the amount 
of available data is increasing at an incredible 
rate – an oft quoted study suggests that 90% of 
the world’s data is less than two years old. Only 
computer-driven processes are able to harness 
this amount of data and make sense of it. We 
also live in a world where you are increasingly 
likely to be flown in an aeroplane by computer, 
where your car will contain an enormous 
amount of computer code and will in the next 
few years very likely become self-driving. 

Our bodies are kept alive by complex algorithms 
in hospital intensive care wards. So it would be 
remarkable if systematic investing were not to 
increase significantly. 

There will of course be the naysayers, and it 
remains the case that some types of information 
are hard to process (corporate bond covenants 
for example). But the idea that humans can 
forecast and adapt to regime change while 
systematic strategies cannot is untrue on 
several levels. Humans have generally proven 
quite poor at adapting to regime change, and 
machine learning in particular can pick up very 
rapidly on new environments. Much of our 
research efforts are in this area today, and we 
are excited about the future for AHL and for the 
opportunity to serve our clients.

FUM by strategy

$16.9bn

 Traditional trend following
 Non-traditional trend following
 Multi-strategy
 Sector based, Alpha capture, other

$bn

6.7
5.2
3.0
2.0

Performance across AHL funds Annualised net returns

Fund (inception date)

1yr

3yr

5yr

Inception

AHL Alpha (17.10.95)
AHL Diversified (26.03.96)
AHL Evolution (26.09.05)
AHL Dimension (03.07.06)
HFRI Fund Weighted Composite Index (31.12.89)

1.5%
-2.7%
3.2%
6.9%
-1%

7.1%
8.1%
13.2%
8.5%
3.6%

3.6%
3.0%
14.7%
4.3%
2.3%

12.5%
13.2%
14.8%
6.3%
10.1%

Source: Man database
AHL Alpha – AHL Strategies PCC ltd: Class Y AHL Alpha USD from 25 Sept 2012 to 30 Sept 2013, AHL Alpha plc prior. 
AHL Alpha (Cayman) Limited from 30 Sept 13. The track record has been adjusted to reflect the proposed fee structure 
of the AHL Alpha Programme (1% management fee, 20% performance fee).

AHL Diversified – Man AHL Diversified (Guernsey) USD from 29 Oct 2012, Man AHL Diversified plc prior.

AHL Evolution – AHL (Cayman) SPC – Class A1 USD Shares from 30/11/12 linked to AHL Investment Strategies SPC: 
Class E AHL Evolution USD Notes from 30/11/11 and prior to this AHL Strategies PCC Ltd: Class G AHL Evolution USD 
Shares. AHL returns are shown on a month end to month end basis to be directly comparable to competitors. Hence 
returns use estimates and will differ from the officially reported figures that are based on finals.

AHL Dimension is represented by AHL Strategies PCC Limited: Class B AHL Dimension USD Shares from 3 July 2006 to 
31 May 2014, and by AHL Dimension (Cayman) Ltd – USD Shares from 1 June 2014. Performance is net of all fees.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 19 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
M A N   G L G
G R E A T   M I N D S ,   T H I N K I N G   D I F F E R E N T L Y

2015 was an important year for Man GLG as we 
celebrated our 20 year anniversary. GLG was originally 
established in 1995 and has evolved over the past two 
decades to become a leading discretionary fund 
manager that offers a comprehensive range of 
alternative and traditional strategies. 

From the beginning, GLG was defined by its 
entrepreneurial spirit and culture of excellence.  
We have built on this culture over the last 20 years, 
continuing to attract exceptional talent and broaden  
our range of expertise, whilst remaining completely 
focused on delivering performance to our clients.

Mark Jones
Co-Chief Executive Officer, GLG

Teun Johnston
Co-Chief Executive Officer, GLG

20 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

S T R AT E G I E S OV E RV I E W 
GLG manages a diverse range of alternative 
and traditional investment strategies that 
focus on equities and credit as well as multi-
asset investment strategies.
 – Equities: GLG’s equities business 

comprises a range of alternative and long 
only strategies with investment expertise 
covering each of the major regions 
and specialist sectors. A wide range of 
investment approaches and styles are 
pursued by the various investment teams.

 – Credit: GLG’s alternative and long only 

credit strategies span the credit spectrum 
and capital structure. Our alternative 
credit strategy incorporates a diverse 
range of approaches and asset classes 
including relative value, distressed debt, 
event driven, capital structure arbitrage 
and convertible bond arbitrage strategies. 
Our long only credit strategies include 
investing in corporate bonds, convertible 
bonds and asset-backed securities with a 
range of approaches applied to each.

 – Multi-asset: GLG’s Multi-asset strategies 

consist of alternative and long only 
strategies. Our multi-asset strategies 
comprise a variety of investment 
approaches and styles.

FO C U S A N D R E C E N T D E V E LO PM E N T S
We believe that success in discretionary fund 
management is largely determined by the 
calibre of investment professionals managing 
our investment strategies and the strength of 
the operating environment. We continually strive 
to strengthen our business and recently have 
focused on:
1.  Broadening our long only offering 
2.  Improving our alternative product mix 
3.  Developing our structured credit capability 

Our focus has been to add high calibre 
investment teams within our long only business 
in order to diversify our client offering. Within 
equities, we hired a UK focused value team 
and a European focused growth team during 
2013/2014 while adding an Emerging Markets 
strategy in late 2015. Our European growth and 
UK value funds have both achieved first quartile 
rankings since launch and have gained traction 
in the marketplace. By contrast the Total 
Return strategy which was launched in 2013 
underperformed and as a result was closed in 
the middle of 2015. 

In terms of our alternative equities strategies, 
we recently hired teams focusing on Event-
Driven investing and European Mid-Cap, both 
of which are areas we believe have high alpha 
potential. In early 2015, we also employed a 
highly experienced team that seeks to capitalise 
on US distressed opportunities. Additionally, we 

continue to broaden the range of investment 
strategies managed within our flagship 
European Long Short fund. 

Early 2015 also proved to be significant in terms 
of merger activity, with the completion of the 
acquisition of US CLO manager Silvermine 
Capital Management in January, and the 
acquisition of the investment management 
business of NewSmith LLP. The Silvermine 
transaction provides GLG with increased 
expertise in US credit markets and expands 
the firm’s North American presence. From a 
similar perspective, the NewSmith deal helps 
to strengthen GLG’s equities platform, while 
enhancing our footprint in the Japanese market.

PR I O R I T I E S FO R 2 016 
Our key focus will continue to be on delivering 
strong performance. We will also aim to 
broaden our product range as compelling 
opportunities arise. 

One such example is the development of our 
Emerging Markets Fixed Income business. 
We recently announced the hiring of Guillermo 
Osses, a highly experienced and successful 
Emerging Markets Fixed Income portfolio 
manager. Guillermo joined GLG in early 2016 
and will be based in New York. We aim to 
launch a series of Emerging Market Fixed 
Income strategies managed by Guillermo and 
his team in H2 2016. 

FUM by strategy

GLG track record 1 April 1997 to 31 December 2015

GLG Alternative Strategies 
Dollar-Weighted Composite1
GLG Long Only Dollar 
Weighted Composite2

MSCI World Net Total Return Index 
hedged to USD monthly return
Citigroup World Government 
Bond Index

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

$30.5bn

 Equity alternative
 Equity long only
 Credit and convertibles alternative
 Credit and convertibles long only
 Multi strategy alternative

$bn

5.7
12.5
9.7
1.7
0.9

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

Source: Man database, Bloomberg and MSCI. There is no guarantee of trading performance and past or projected 
performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency 
fluctuations. Please note that the HFRI index performance over the past 4 months is subject to change. World stocks: 
MSCI World Net Total Return Index hedged to USD.

1   Represented by the GLG Alternative Strategies Dollar-Weighted Composite. GLG alternative strategy dollar-weighted 
average returns are calculated as the composite performance of the alternative strategy funds and funds that have 
closed, in addition to managed accounts managed in accordance with alternative strategies, weighted by the sum of 
the prior month-end AUM.

2   Represented by the GLG Long Only Dollar-Weighted Composite. GLG long only dollar-weighted average returns are 

calculated as the composite performance of the long only strategy funds and funds that have closed, in addition to 
managed accounts managed in accordance with long only strategies, weighted by the sum of the prior month-end 
AUM. 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 21 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
M A N   F R M
D Y N A M I C   A N D   O N - G O I N G   P A R T N E R S H I P S

Man FRM is a global alternative investment specialist, 
with a predominantly institutional client base.  
Established in 1991, FRM joined forces with Man Group 
in 2012. We provide an open architecture, full service 
hedge fund offering, with customised and advisory 
solutions, commingled strategies, a leading, 
technologically innovative managed account platform 
and Clarus, a sophisticated online reporting tool. 

With 52 investment professionals based in London,  
New York, Tokyo, Guernsey and Pfäffikon (Switzerland), 
FRM manages $12.3 billion. Our multi-manager solutions 
include multi-strategy and customised portfolios. 

Keith Haydon
Chief Investment Officer, FRM

Michelle McCloskey
President, FRM

22 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

A B R OA D E R O F F E R I N G
Since linking with Man Group, FRM has 
broadened its capabilities in risk management, 
research and hedge fund solutions provision, 
while leveraging the benefits of a global 
investment platform. In 2014, FRM successfully 
enhanced its presence in the North American 
market after joining forces with Pine Grove Asset 
Management LLC, a US-based credit-focused 
multi-manager firm. Pine Grove elevated FRM’s 
suite of investment offerings, including SEC-
registered US 40 Act funds and complementary 
multi-manager hedge fund products. 

In the second quarter of 2015, FRM built on 
its involvement in the US market by assuming 
responsibility for several multi-strategy and 
strategy-focused alternative funds previously run 
by Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments. This 
has considerably expanded both FRM’s range 
of funds and its appeal to US investors. Working 
with the wealth management network of Bank of 
America Merrill Lynch, FRM is able to offer US 40 
Act and other funds, and grow our business in 
the world’s largest investment market.  

M A N AG E D AC C O U N T S   
FRM operates one of the leading buy-side 
managed account platforms with FUM of $8.9 
billion invested across portfolio and customised 
managed accounts. For each customised 
managed account client, FRM creates a unique, 
customised managed account solution that 
draws on our suite of risk, operational and 
administrative services. In 2015, this specialist 
hedge fund service attracted additional globally 
recognised institutional investors. We expect 
further client success in 2016 as institutional 
investors combine expanding the scope of their 
investment universe with a determination to 
benefit from best-in-class levels of transparency, 
risk management and operational control 
through FRM’s managed account solutions. 

FUM by strategy

$12.3bn

 Diversified FoHFs
 Thematic FoHFs
 Segregated funds
 Infrastructure managed accounts

I N N OVAT I V E S O LU T I O N S
In 2015, FRM worked with a range of new and 
existing clients to design bespoke investment 
portfolios and develop innovative approaches to 
fee levels. An example of this is our developing 
relationship with the UK’s Local Government 
Pension Scheme. We have pioneered an 
approach that provides each local plan with 
a bespoke investment solution customised 
for its pension needs, but which allows all the 
schemes that join the platform to benefit from 
improved fee levels created by the effects of 
increased scale. We expect further progress 
with this initiative and others in the coming year. 

A LT E R N AT I V E B E TA 
Recently, FRM has worked with clients to boost 
portfolio risk efficiency and generate return 
streams that do not depend on ever rising 
asset prices. We term this approach ‘alternative 
beta’, and in 2015 this evolved into a stand-
alone investment solution. This development 
demonstrates both the expansion of FRM’s 
capabilities as well as the synergy benefits that 
institutional investors can leverage from Man’s 
group-wide expertise. At the end of 2015 we 
managed around $680 million in alternative beta 
allocations and we are encouraged by the level 
of client interest this product is attracting.  
We believe that institutional investors’ appetite for 
the risk/reward opportunities offered by hedge 
funds continues to grow. FRM’s commitment to 
performance and client service is expected to 
help our business progress in 2016.   

FRM Diversified II performance

FO C U S FO R 2 016
2016 is a special landmark – FRM is celebrating 
its 25th anniversary of advising and serving 
hedge fund investors. It also coincides with the 
coming of age of our business in North America 
where we have enjoyed renewed success in 
partnering with institutional clients to provide 
managed account solutions and advisory 
services for their hedge fund allocations. 

As a leading hedge fund investor, we have 
developed a number of in-house solutions 
to address the challenges faced in our own 
portfolios. In recent years, the greatest demand 
has been to foster sufficient levels of risk to 
generate the return profiles that our clients need 
to meet their obligations. 

Drawing on the resources of one of the world’s 
pre-eminent investment groups, FRM offers a 
comprehensive suite of innovative hedge fund 
solutions to help investors generate better 
risk-adjusted returns. Our capabilities, including 
a multi-format range of liquid alternative 
investment options and proprietary risk 
management software tools, are set to develop 
further in 2016. 

We work with clients globally to share ideas 
and source the best hedge fund investment 
solutions for the challenges they face. FRM’s 
commitment to this will shape our focus in 2016 
and beyond.

FRM Diversified II
Citigroup World Government Bond Index
MSCI World Net Total Return Index

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

$bn

5.0
1.5
3.0
2.8

Source: Man database
FRM Diversified II: To highlight the performance and risks associated with FRM Diversified II Fund SPC - Class A USD 
(‘the fund’) prior to Jan 2004, FRM has created the FRM Diversified II pro forma using the following methodology: i) for 
the period Jan 1998 to Dec 2003, by using the returns of Absolute Alpha Fund PCC Limited – Diversified Series Share 
Cell (‘AA Diversified - USD’) adjusted for fees and/or currency, where applicable. For the period Jan 2004 to Feb 2004, 
the returns of the fund’s master portfolio have been used, adjusted for fees and/or currency, where applicable. Post 
Feb 2004, the fund’s actual performance has been used, which may differ from the calculated performance of the 
track record. There have been occasions where the 12-months’ performance to date of FRM Diversified II has differed 
materially from that of AA Diversified. Strategy and holdings data relates to the composition of the master portfolio.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 23 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
M A N   N U M E R I C
F U N D A M E N T A L L Y - D R I V E N

Man Numeric’s quantitative approach to investing is 
disciplined and analytical, yet reflective and collegial. 
Numeric’s goal is to maximise the total dollars of  
excess return in clients’ portfolios while taking a  
prudent level of risk.  

With 29 investment professionals based in Boston, 
Numeric manages $19.0 billion across a range of long 
only and long short, fundamentally based strategies.  

Mike Even
President & Chief Executive Officer, Numeric

Shanta Puchtler
Chief Investment Officer – Director of Research, Numeric

24 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

S T R AT E G I E S OV E RV I E W
Numeric’s fundamentally-driven systematic 
investment process seeks to outperform 
the market by buying inexpensive stocks 
with improving fundamentals and catalysts 
for growth. The firm generates alpha 
by outperforming regional and global 
benchmarks in the US, Europe, Japan and 
Emerging Markets, and by delivering returns 
from its long short market neutral strategies. 
Numeric manages assets for institutional 
clients globally, including corporate 
and public pension plans, foundations, 
endowments, and sovereign funds. 
 – Long only: Numeric has been managing 
quantitative long only equity strategies 
since our first US large cap strategy 
was launched in 1989. The investment 
philosophy and models we use are based 
on our long-standing beliefs in valuation 
and information flow signals. We now 
manage strategies utilising this same 
investment philosophy in US, non-US, 
regional, and global equities across 
various styles and market capitalisations. 
Our disciplined portfolio construction 
process is designed to identify alpha 
and control sector and stock-specific 
exposure. 

 – Alternative: Numeric has managed 
market neutral strategies since 1990 
with the launch of a US market neutral 
strategy. We currently manage market 
neutral strategies in US, non-US, regional, 
and global equities. Our market neutral 
strategies are benchmarked to the US 
Treasury Bill Rate and are designed 
to benefit from both long and short 
positions. The portfolios are designed to 
be dollar and sector neutral.  

I N I T I AT I V E S
From the point of acquisition by Man Group in 
September 2014 to the end of 2015, Numeric’s 
assets grew by 25% to a total of $19 billion 
driven by strong performance and sales into 
both long only and alternatives strategies. 

During 2015 sales totalled $4.4 billion and since 
acquisition have been $6.5 billion. In the latter 
half of 2015, Numeric started to benefit from 
working with Man Group’s distribution network, 
generating approximately $2 billion of sales. 
Performance remains strong with over 90% 
of Numeric’s current quantitative strategies 
outperforming their selected benchmark over 
one, three and five years.

During 2015, Numeric launched several new key 
strategies, including UCITS funds, leveraging 
Man Group’s resources and expertise and 
offering investors in the European market 
access to two of the firm’s core strategies for 
the first time. The UCITS funds include the 
Man Numeric Emerging Markets Equity, Man 
Numeric Alternative Market Neutral Equity, 
Man Numeric US Large Cap Equity, and Man 
Numeric Global Equity funds. We also launched 
the Man Numeric International Small Cap 
Offshore and the Man Numeric International 
Alpha funds. 

The integration activities have allowed Numeric 
to benefit from Man Group’s infrastructure, 
technology, globalisation of compliance efforts 
and some of its distribution capabilities to 
further support our strategies. 

Organisationally, the Numeric team has had 
a productive year focusing on research, 
exploring collaboration opportunities with Man 
Group, and hiring and training new people.  
Additionally, key research staff from Numeric 
have had the opportunity to spend time working 
in London with their new colleagues, providing 
an opportunity for the sharing of ideas and 
expertise. 

LO O K I N G A H E A D
Numeric has expanded across a broad range of 
geographies and hedge fund styles to meet the 
expectations and aspirations of our investors 
and our people. 

Looking forward, our business plans will remain 
focused on building strategic relationships 
with key institutional clients including private 
and public pension plans, endowments and 
foundations, and funds of funds. Our core 
principles have been in place since the firm’s 
founding in 1989 and our business plan remains 
the same; namely, we strive to add value 
to our clients’ portfolios above their stated 
benchmarks using our proprietary quantitative 
investment process and commitment to 
research initiatives.

In addition, Numeric’s research efforts will focus 
on identifying new asset classes and regions 
to exploit market inefficiencies. It will continue 
to innovate and grow without sacrificing either 
capacity or its focus on alpha generation.  

FUM by strategy

Numeric net asset weighted alpha

2.8%

3.0%

$19.0bn

 Alternatives
 Global long only
 Emerging markets long only
 US large cap long only
 US small cap long only

$bn

1.3
10.8
2.1
2.9
1.9

2014

2015

Source: Man database. Numeric’s net asset 
weighted alpha for the years to 31 December 2015 
and 31 December 2014 is calculated using the asset 
weighted average of the performance relative to the 
benchmark for all non-restricted strategy composites 
(representing approximately two-thirds of Numeric’s 
FUM) available net of the highest management fees and, 
as applicable, performance fees that can be charged.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 25 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
C H I E F   F I N A N C I A L   O F F I C E R ’ S   R E V I E W

Jonathan Sorrell
Chief Financial Officer

K E Y PE R FO R M A N C E I N D I CATO R S
Our financial KPIs illustrate and measure the 
relationship between the investment experience 
of our fund investors, our financial performance 
and the creation of shareholder value over  
time. Our KPIs are used on a regular basis  
to evaluate progress against our four key 
priorities: performance, distribution, growth  
and efficiency.

The results of our KPIs this year continue to 
reflect the volatile operating environment, with 
strong net investment outperformance for 
Numeric, solid performance from FRM and 
GLG, and mixed performance for AHL with AHL 
Diversified, the KPI strategy, underperforming 
other AHL strategies. Net inflows achieved in 
quant strategies were almost completely offset 
by outflows in discretionary strategies. The shift 
towards lower margin institutional assets has 
continued to lower blended net management 
fee margins, however the discipline we have 
maintained regarding our cost base has 
reduced the impact on our profitability and  
EPS growth.

OV E RV I E W
Our financial results in 2015 reflect mixed 
performance against a challenging market 
backdrop, with a range of returns across AHL’s 
strategies, a solid year for GLG and FRM’s 
strategies, and strong net outperformance from 
Numeric compared to benchmarks.

As Manny has noted, Man continues to 
focus on cost efficiency as a source of value. 
This year total costs before adjusting items 
increased by $79 million, driven largely by 
the impact of acquisitions, the compensation 
structure of certain GLG strategies and adverse 
year on year foreign exchange movements.

FUM increased by 8% from $72.9 billion at 
the beginning of the year to $78.7 billion at 
31 December 2015. We added $6.1 billion of 
FUM through the acquisitions of Silvemine, 
NewSmith and the BAML fund of funds 
business, with the remainder of the movement 
in FUM reflecting net inflows of $0.3 billion for 
the year and positive investment performance 
of $2.4 billion, partly offset by adverse foreign 
currency and other movements ($3.0 billion). 

Net management fee revenue increased by 
6% from $715 million to $759 million in 2015, 
primarily as a result of the increase in average 
FUM of 29%, driven by the inclusion of Numeric 
FUM for a full year in 2015 and FUM acquired 
in the first half of 2015. Offsetting this, average 
net management fee margins have continued to 
decline over the year as a result of the ongoing 
mix shift toward lower margin institutional 
assets and long only funds, with institutional 
assets now constituting 74% of total FUM and 
long only constituting 42% of total FUM.

Performance fee revenues have decreased by 
11% from $340 million to $302 million, largely 
as a result of lower performance fees from AHL 
after a strong year in 2014, partially offset by 
an increase in performance fees from Numeric 
following strong performance.

As a result of these revenue and cost drivers, 
our adjusted profit before tax was $400 million, 
down 17% from $481 million the prior year, and 
adjusted diluted earnings per share were 21.1 
cents (2014: 24.4 cents). Our statutory profit 
before tax was $184 million (2014: $384 million), 
reflecting adjusting items of $216 million, which 
primarily relate to amortisation of purchased 
intangible assets and increases in the fair value 
of the contingent consideration payable in 
relation to Numeric as a result of better than 
expected flows and margins. The business 
continues to generate strong operating cash 
flows. Cash flows from operating activities, 
excluding working capital movements, were 
$402 million for the year.

Our balance sheet remains strong and liquid 
with net tangible assets of $0.7 billion or 41 
cents per share at 31 December 2015. Our 
regulatory capital surplus is $453 million 
at 31 December 2015, and we have a net 
cash position of $437 million. We continue 
to enhance the efficiency of our capital and 
funding. We renegotiated our revolving credit 
facility during the year, reducing it in size from 
$1,525 million to $1,000 million, and with a 
reduction in costs and an extension to June 
2020. In the first half, we completed a $175 
million share repurchase, acquiring 3% of our 
issued share capital.

26 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
K E Y   P E R F O R M A N C E   I N D I C AT O R S

Investment performance  

Target: Key fund vs benchmark

 Actual 

 Benchmark

AHL 2015
-2.7

7.9

3.4

0.9

33.8

32.0

12.7

13.9

2014

Numeric 2015

3.0%

0.0

20142

2.8%

0.0

GLG 2015
3.6

-3.6

2014

-5.9

-0.6

FRM 2015
1.0

0.5

2014

2.7

3.1

The investment performance KPI measures the net 
investment performance for our four managers (AHL, 
Numeric, GLG and FRM). For AHL, GLG and FRM, 
investment performance is represented by key funds 
against relevant benchmarks. The Numeric KPI has 
been added with effect from 1 January 2015, and 
monitors the net asset weighted outperformance or 
underperformance (alpha)1 based on a predetermined 
benchmark by strategy. The target for the investment 
performance KPI is to exceed the relevant 
benchmarks. 

The key funds and the relevant benchmarks are 
AHL Diversified vs. three key peer asset managers 
for AHL (the target being to beat two of the three 
peers), the GLG Alternative Strategies Dollar-Weighted 
Composite vs. HFRX for GLG and FRM Diversified II 
vs. HFRI Fund of Funds Conservative Index for FRM. 
For Numeric, net asset weighted outperformance 
is based on a benchmark against competitors by 
Numeric strategy. 

The performance of the key funds compared 
to the benchmarks gives an indication of the 
competitiveness of our investment performance 
against similar alternative investment styles offered by 
other investment managers. This measures our ability 
to deliver superior long-term performance to investors. 

We achieved three out of the four performance 
targets. FRM and GLG both met the benchmark in 
2015 as their performance metrics exceeded their 
relevant benchmark. Numeric had positive net alpha 
in 2015 and therefore met the KPI. AHL did not meet 
the target for 2015 as the performance of its key fund 
was below all three of the relevant peer benchmarks. 
Further investment performance information is 
provided on pages 10 to 11.

1  Numeric’s net asset weighted alpha for the year ended 31 December 2015 is calculated using the asset weighted 
average of the performance relative to the benchmark for all non-restricted strategy composites (representing 
approximately two-thirds of Numeric’s FUM) available net of the highest management fees and, as applicable, 
performance fees that can be charged.  

2  Numeric net outperformance was not reported as a KPI in 2014 due to the acquisition of this business on  

5 September 2014.

Adjusted management fee EBITDA margin % 
Target: 25%-40%

Net flows % 
Target: 0%-10% net inflows

Adjusted management fee EPS growth % 
Target: 0%-20% +RPI

36.0

30.3

27.2

-6.3

6.1

0.4

-14

28

1

2013

2014

2015

2013

2014

2015

2013

2014

2015

This KPI measures adjusted management fee EBITDA 
as a percentage of net revenues (gross management 
fee revenue and income from associates less cash 
distribution costs). Our adjusted management fee 
EBITDA margin is a measure of our underlying 
profitability. The adjusted management fee EBITDA 
margin of 27.2% was within the target range for the 
year ended 31 December 2015. This margin has been 
declining as a result of the roll off of higher margin 
guaranteed product FUM and the general product mix 
shift from higher margin retail assets to lower margin 
institutional and long only assets.

This KPI measures net FUM flows for the period as a 
percentage of opening FUM, with net flows defined 
as gross sales less gross redemptions. Net flows are 
the measure of our ability to attract and retain investor 
capital. FUM drives our financial performance in terms 
of our ability to earn management fees. Net flows were 
within the target range in 2015 with a net inflow of 
0.4%, compared to a net inflow of 6.1% for the year to 
31 December 2014. The reduced level of net inflows 
in 2015 is largely as a result of higher redemptions, 
including a large one-off redemption from the Japan 
CoreAlpha fund during the period.

This KPI measures our adjusted management fee 
EPS growth, where adjusted management fee EPS 
is calculated using post-tax profits excluding net 
performance fees and adjusting items, divided by the 
weighted average diluted number of shares. Adjusted 
management fee EPS growth measures the overall 
effectiveness of our business model, and drives 
both our dividend policy and the value generated 
for shareholders. The adjusted management fee 
EPS growth of 1.0% was not within the target range 
for 2015 (target of 0%-20% plus RPI of 1.2%). The 
adjusted management fee EPS growth of 1.0% in 
2015 is a result of the accretive impact of the share 
repurchase programme which has reduced the 
number of shares, largely offset by a 2% decrease in 
net management fee profits.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 27 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
C H I E F   F I N A N C I A L   O F F I C E R ’ S   R E V I E W   C O N T I N U E D

F U N D S   U N D E R   M A N A G E M E N T   ( F U M )

$bn

FUM at 31 December 2014
Sales
Redemptions

Net inflows/(outflows)
Investment movement
Foreign currency movement
Other movements
Acquisitions of Silvermine, BAML 

fund of fund assets and NewSmith

FUM at 31 December 2015

Alternative

Long only

Quant (AHL/
Numeric)

Discretionary 
(GLG)

Fund of funds 
(FRM)

Quant (AHL/
Numeric)

Discretionary 
(GLG)

Total excluding 
Guaranteed

Guaranteed

12.9
4.7
(2.0)

2.7
0.6
(0.4)
0.6

–

16.4

14.5
3.9
(4.7)

(0.8)
0.4
(0.9)
(1.0)

4.1

16.3

10.8
3.3
(2.7)

0.6
(0.2)
(0.2)
(0.2)

1.1

11.9

16.7
4.4
(2.6)

1.8
0.1
–
–

–

18.6

16.0
6.6
(10.2)

(3.6)
1.6
(0.7)
–

0.9

14.2

70.9
22.9
(22.2)

0.7
2.5
(2.2)
(0.6)

6.1

77.4

2.0
–
(0.4)

(0.4)
(0.1)
(0.2)
–

–

1.3

Total

72.9
22.9
(22.6)

0.3
2.4
(2.4)
(0.6)

6.1

78.7

Q UA N T A LT E R N AT I V E PR O D U C T S ( A H L / N U M E R I C )
Quant alternative FUM increased by 27% during the year, primarily as a 
result of net inflows and positive investment performance. Sales were 
$4.7 billion, which included three institutional mandates totalling $2.4 
billion into the Dimension and Alpha strategies. Redemptions were 
$2.0 billion, and were mainly from retail investors in AHL Diversified and 
AHL Alpha. The positive investment movement was a result of strong 
performance for AHL Dimension, AHL Evolution, and AHL Alpha. 
Negative foreign exchange movements were due to 18% of Quant 
alternatives FUM being denominated in Australian Dollars. The positive 
other movements relate to re-gearing.

D I S C R E T I O N A RY A LT E R N AT I V E PR O D U C T S (G LG )
Discretionary alternative FUM increased by $1.8 billion during the year. 
The acquisitions of Silvermine and NewSmith added $4.1 billion to FUM.  
Net outflows of $800 million were mainly from European and North 
American equity strategies. The positive investment performance was 
driven by strong performance in the equity long short strategies. Negative 
foreign exchange movements related primarily to the strengthening of 
the US Dollar against the Euro and Sterling. At 31 December 2015, 56% 
of Discretionary alternative FUM was denominated in US Dollars, 36% in 
Euros and 3% was in Sterling. The negative other movements relate to 
Silvermine and Pemba maturities. 

F U N D O F F U N D S PR O D U C T S ( F R M )
Fund of funds FUM increased by $1.1 billion during the year, primarily 
as a result of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch fund of funds portfolio 
acquisition in the first half of the year. Sales of $3.3 billion included 
$2.0 billion from a large North American based pension fund into an 
infrastructure mandate. Redemptions of $2.7 billion included $700 
million from a European pension fund’s infrastructure investment and 
$600 million from FRM Diversified strategies. The negative investment 
performance primarily related to some of the larger managed account 
mandates. The negative foreign exchange movements were primarily 
due to the strengthening of the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen and 
Euro. At 31 December 2015, 56% of alternative fund of fund FUM was 
denominated in US Dollars, 31% in Yen and 5% in Euro. 

Q UA N T LO N G O N LY PR O D U C T S ( A H L / N U M E R I C )
Quant long only FUM increased by $1.9 billion during the year, primarily 
as a result of net inflows. The net inflows for Numeric mainly related to 
$900 million for Numeric Global Strategies, $800 million for Numeric US 
Small Cap strategies, and $400 million for Numeric Emerging Markets.  
Although investment performance in quant long only products was 
broadly flat for the year, net asset weighted outperformance for Numeric 
in 2015 was 3.0% alpha1. At 31 December 2015, 98% of quant long only 
FUM was denominated in US Dollars.

1  Numeric’s net asset weighted alpha for the year to 31 December 2015 is calculated 
using the asset weighted average of the performance relative to the benchmark for 
all non-restricted strategy composites available (representing approximately two-
thirds of Numeric’s FUM) net of the highest management fees and, as applicable, 
performance fees that can be charged.

28 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

D I S C R E T I O N A RY LO N G O N LY (G LG )
Discretionary long only FUM decreased by 11%, driven by net outflows. 
Sales were $6.6 billion and included $4.4 billion into Japan CoreAlpha, 
$800 million into global fixed income strategies, $600 million into European 
equity strategies and $400 million into UK equity strategies. Redemptions 
were $10.2 billion, of which $7.2 billion related to Japan CoreAlpha, 
including $2.8 billion of redemptions from a single client in the first half of 
the year. The positive investment performance was primarily a result of 
strong investment performance from Japan CoreAlpha. The NewSmith 
acquisition added $900 million to discretionary long only FUM. Negative 
foreign exchange movements related to the strengthening of the US 
Dollar against Sterling and Japanese Yen. At 31 December 2015, 58% of 
discretionary long only FUM was denominated in Sterling, 19% was in Yen 
and 14% was in US Dollars.

G UA R A N T E E D PR O D U C T S
Guaranteed product FUM, our highest margin product grouping, 
reduced by $700 million in 2015. There were no sales during the year and 
redemptions totalled $400 million. The weighted average life to maturity of 
the guaranteed product range is 3.6 years, with $500 million scheduled 
to mature in 2016, the majority of which will mature during H1 2016, and 
$100 million in 2017. Investment performance for guaranteed products 
was negative during the year. Negative foreign exchange movements 
were as a result of 67% of FUM being denominated in Australian Dollars.

S U M M A RY I N C O M E S TAT E M E N T
Investment performance and fund flows drive the economics of 
our business. Management fees are typically charged for providing 
investment management services at a percentage of each fund entity’s 
gross investment exposure or NAV. Performance fees are typically 
charged as a percentage of investment performance above a benchmark 
return or previous higher valuation ‘high water mark’.

Man is fundamentally a people business and the majority of our costs 
comprise payments to individuals whether they are our investment 
managers who manage investor assets, third-party intermediaries or 
internal sales staff who distribute our products, or the teams that manage 
our operations and infrastructure.

$m

Management and other fees
Share of after tax profit of associates
Distribution costs

Net management fee revenue
Performance fees (including investment 

income/gains1)

Net revenue

Asset servicing
Compensation
Other costs

Total costs

Net finance expense

Adjusted profit before tax

Adjusting items

Statutory profit before tax

Adjusted net management fee profit before 

tax

Adjusted net performance fee profit before 

tax

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

833
3
(77)

759

326

1,085

(32)
(462)
(177)

(671)

(14)

400

(216)

184

194

206

810
9
(104)

715

367

1,082

(27)
(391)
(174)

(592)

(9)

481

(97)

384

198

283

Diluted EPS (statutory)

10.0 cents

20.5 cents

Adjusted net management fee EPS

10.2 cents

10.1 cents

Adjusted diluted EPS

21.1 cents

24.4 cents

1 

Includes the adding back of $9 million (2014: nil) of third-party share of losses relating 
to line-by-line consolidated fund entities. 

G R O S S M A N AG E M E N T F E E S A N D M A R G I N S
Gross management fees increased by 3% during the year. While average 
assets went up 29% year on year, the total gross management fee 
margin decreased from 131 basis points for the year ended 31 December 
2014 to 106 basis points for the year ended 31 December 2015. The 
total net management fee margin (defined as gross management fees 
less external distribution costs) has decreased from 114 basis points to 
96 basis points in 2015. These reductions are due to a continued mix 
shift towards institutional assets, particularly in the alternatives quant 
category, and the full year impact of including Numeric’s assets (acquired 
in September 2014) which have a blended margin of around 40 basis 
points. The reduction in margin is less at the net level as there are higher 
distribution costs associated with retail FUM than institutional FUM. This 
product mix shift and consequent reduction in overall margin is likely to 
continue as we sell more open ended alternative and long only product, 
particularly to institutions, and there are no sales of guaranteed products. 

During 2015, the alternatives quant net management fee margin 
reduced by 50 basis points as a result of the continued mix shift towards 
institutional assets, with around 80% of the net inflows from institutional 
investors into AHL Dimension and AHL Alpha, where the gross margin 
was around 1%. The inclusion of a full year of Numeric quant alternatives 
assets, which have a margin of around 1%, has also been a contributing 
factor. Going forward, it is expected that this margin will decline further 
with the continued shift towards institutional assets.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 29 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
C H I E F   F I N A N C I A L   O F F I C E R ’ S   R E V I E W   C O N T I N U E D

N E T M A N AG E M E N T F E E R E V E N U E

Year ended  
31 December 2015

Year ended  
31 December 2014

Net 
margin

1.5%
1.0%
0.8%
0.3%
0.8%
4.6%

$m

235
170
83
60
121
78
9

Net 
margin

1.9%
1.2%
0.9%
0.3%
0.7%
4.1%

$m

188
207
96
20
109
73
13

756

1.0%

706

1.1%

3

759

9

715

Quant alternatives
Discretionary alternatives
Fund of fund alternatives
Quant long only
Discretionary long only
Guaranteed
Other income1

Net management fee revenues 
before share of after tax profit 
of associates

Share of after tax profit of 

associates

Net management fee revenues

1  Other income primarily relates to distribution income from externally managed 

products.

Net management fee margins in the discretionary alternative category 
reduced by 26 basis points during the year, primarily as a result of the 
Silvermine acquisition in the first half where margins are around 44  
basis points. 

The net margin for the fund of funds category was 6 basis points lower 
compared to 2014. Looking forward we would expect the alternatives 
fund of fund margin to trend down as we see a greater proportion of 
sales into lower margin mandates, including infrastructure managed 
account mandates where margins are between 15 to 25 basis points.

The long only quant net management fee margin has remained 
consistent with the prior year at 34 basis points as the Numeric inflows in 
2015 have been at a similar margin to the existing long only quant FUM.

The long only discretionary net management fee margin increased by 
7 basis points as a result of $2.8 billion of redemptions from a single 
client which were assets at a lower margin than the existing long only 
discretionary FUM.

The guaranteed product net management fee margin increased by 59 
basis points compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. In 2014, 
the margin decreased as a result of one-off accelerated amortisation of 
placement fees related to redemptions and the net de-gear in the first half 
of the year. 

PE R FO R M A N C E F E E S ( I N C LU D I N G I N V E S T M E N T I N C O M E /
G A I N S )
Gross performance fees for the year were $302 million compared to 
$340 million in 2014, $218 million (2014: $272 million) from AHL (including 
$22 million relating to guaranteed products, compared to $25 million in 
2014), $37 million (2014: $37 million) from GLG, $40 million (2014: $23 
million) from Numeric and $7 million (2014: $8 million) from FRM. At 31 
December 2015, around 42% of AHL open ended products ($7 billion) 
were above performance fee high water mark and of the $7.4 billion 
performance fee eligible Numeric products, 92% were outperforming the 
relevant benchmark at 31 December 2015. Around 34% of eligible GLG 
assets ($3.7 billion) were above high water mark and around a further 
38% ($4.1 billion) within 5% of earning performance fees, and FRM 
performance fee eligible products were on average approximately  
4.3% below high water mark. 

30 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Man Group benefits from a portfolio of performance fee streams across a 
variety of strategies that are charged on a regular basis at different points 
in the year. 98% of AHL FUM is performance fee eligible, of which 64% 
have performance fees that crystallise annually, 23% daily or weekly, and 
13% monthly. The majority of GLG’s performance fees crystallise semi-
annually in June or December. Around 50% of Numeric performance 
fee eligible FUM crystallises annually in November, with the remainder 
crystallising at various points during the year.

Investment gains of $24 million (2014: $27 million), including the adding 
back of $9 million of third-party share of losses (2014: nil), primarily relate 
to gains on seeding investments. Third-party share of losses relates to 
certain fund entities in which Man holds an investment which require line-
by-line consolidation of the fund into the Group’s results, as a result of a 
control assessment as defined by the applicable accounting standards. 
The funds requiring line-by-line consolidation in the year to 31 December 
2015 made a loss, and therefore the $9 million credit represents the third-
party share of these losses.

D I S T R I B U T I O N C O S T S
Distribution costs comprised $74 million of investor servicing fees and  
$3 million of placement fees. 

Investor servicing fees are paid to intermediaries for ongoing investor 
servicing. Servicing fees have decreased by $15 million to $74 million 
in 2015 primarily due to the continued mix shift towards institutional 
assets, particularly in the alternatives quant category, and the roll-off of 
guaranteed product FUM.

Placement fees are paid for product launches or sales and are capitalised 
and amortised over the expected investment holding period. The reduction 
in placement fees is due to limited new payments in recent years and the 
roll-off of amortisation of the previously capitalised balances.

A S S E T S E RV I C I N G
Asset servicing costs (including custodial, valuation, fund accounting and 
registrar functions) were $32 million (2014: $27 million). Asset servicing 
costs equate to around 5 to 6 basis points on FUM, excluding Numeric, 
and vary depending on transaction volumes, the number of funds, and 
fund NAVs. The $5 million increase in asset servicing compared to 2014 
is largely due to the increase in average FUM over the year.

C O M PE N S AT I O N C O S T S
Compensation costs comprise fixed base salaries, benefits, variable 
bonus compensation (cash and amortisation of deferred compensation 
arrangements) and associated social security costs.

Total compensation costs, excluding adjusting items, increased from 
$391 million in 2014 to $462 million in 2015, an increase from 36% to 
43% of net revenue. This was driven by the increase in headcount due to 
current and prior year acquisitions ($34 million), higher GLG performance 
related compensation ($24 million), and a less favourable hedged US 
Dollars to Pounds sterling rate in 2015 compared to the hedged rate in 
2014 ($10 million). The compensation structure for the GLG equity long 
short strategies teams is based on gross profits, which in 2015 were 
in excess of performance fees generated by the strategies given they 
started the year below high water mark. Additionally, compensation 
costs include an increased year-on-year charge of $5 million as a result 
of the 2014 change in application of the accounting policy for deferred 
compensation, which impacts the charges relating to deferred share and 
fund awards granted from 2015 onwards.

OT H E R C O S T S
Other costs, excluding adjusting items, were $177 million for the year 
compared to $174 million for the year to 31 December 2014. These 
comprise cash costs of $161 million (2014: $150 million) and depreciation 
and amortisation of $16 million (2014: $24 million). The $11 million, or 7%, 
increase in cash costs reflects the impact of the less favourable hedged 
sterling rate in 2015 ($10 million) and to a lesser extent the costs of the 
newly acquired businesses ($6 million), partially offset by continued 
efforts to remain disciplined on costs which has resulted in a lower 
underlying other costs base compared to 2014. The $8 million decrease 
in depreciation and amortisation is due to lower capital expenditure in 
recent years, which is expected to increase in the future due to higher 
2015 investment in operating platforms and business infrastructure  
($13 million) and planned capital expenditure of between $40 million  
and $50 million over the next two to three years.

N E T F I N A N C E E X PE N S E
Net finance expense, excluding adjusting items, was $14 million for the 
year (2014: $9 million). The increase is due to the full year interest charge 
for the ten-year fixed rate reset callable guaranteed subordinated notes 
(Tier 2 capital) issued in September 2014, as well as the write off the 
remaining $2 million of capitalised costs relating to the previous revolving 
credit facility, which was renegotiated in June 2015. Finance expense 
includes a charge of $3 million relating to the undrawn revolving credit 
facility, which is as a result of the annual charge reducing from $4 million 
to $2 million on renegotiation of the facility in June 2015.

A D J U S T E D PR O F I T B E FO R E TA X E S
Adjusted profit before tax is $400 million compared to $481 million 
for the previous year. The adjusting items in the year of $216 million 
(pre-tax) are summarised in the table below and detailed in Note 2 to 
the Group financial statements. The directors consider that the Group’s 
profit is most meaningful when considered on a basis which excludes 
acquisition and disposal related items (including non-cash items such as 
amortisation of purchased intangible assets and deferred tax movements 
relating to the recognition of tax losses in the US), impairment of assets, 
restructuring costs, and certain non-recurring gains or losses, which 
therefore reflects the recurring revenues and costs that drive the Group’s 
cash flow.

Adjusting items $m

Acquisition related professional fees and other integration 

costs

Impairment of FRM goodwill
Insurance recovery for legal claims
Revaluation of contingent consideration creditors
Unwind of contingent consideration discount
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other adjusting items (net)

Total adjusting items (excluding tax)

Recognition of deferred tax asset (see opposite)

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

(4)
(41)
6
(62)
(17)
(92)
(6)

(216)

11

A D J U S T E D N E T M A N AG E M E N T F E E A N D N E T PE R FO R M A N C E 
F E E PR O F I T B E FO R E TA X
Adjusted net management fee profit before tax was $194 million 
compared to $198 million in 2014 as the increase in gross management 
fees was more than offset by an increase in costs. Adjusted net 
performance fee profit before tax of $206 million (2014: $283 million) for 
the year reflects the lower performance fees of AHL, in conjunction with 
the above outlined GLG bonus allocation which is not directly attributable 
to performance fees generated in the year.

$m

Gross management and other fees
Share of after tax profit of associates
Less:
Distribution costs
Asset services
Compensation
Other costs
Net finance expense

Adjusted net management fee profit 

before tax

Performance fees
Gains on investments and other financial 

instruments1

Less:
Compensation
Finance expense

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

833
3

(77)
(32)
(351)
(177)
(5)

194

302

24

(111)
(9)

810
9

(104)
(27)
(310)
(174)
(6)

198

340

27

(81)
(3)

Adjusted net performance fee profit 

before tax

206

283

1    Includes the adding back of third-party share of losses relating to interests in 

consolidated funds as shown on the Group income statement.

TA X AT I O N
The effective tax rate on adjusted profits was 10% for the year, which 
is consistent with the effective tax rate for 2014. This is lower than the 
underlying rate of around 13% due to the release of tax provisions that 
are no longer needed.

The underlying rate of 13% in 2015 is lower than the underlying rate of 
17% in 2014 due to a lower UK tax rate and a higher proportion of profits 
being earned in the US where we are paying a minimal level of tax due 
to relief from available past operating losses and tax amortisation of 
acquired intangible assets. We have $225 million of accumulated US tax 
losses which we can offset against the future profits from US entities 
and will reduce taxable profits. In addition, we have $537 million of tax 
deductible goodwill and intangibles, largely relating to the Numeric (2014) 
and Ore Hill (2008) acquisitions, which is amortised for tax purposes in 
the US over 15 years and which will also reduce the US taxable profit in 
future periods. We therefore continue to expect not to pay federal tax in 
the US for a significant number of years. Based on forecast US taxable 
profits and consistent with the methodology applied in 2014, Man has 
recognised a deferred tax asset of $19 million, which represents probable 
tax savings over a three year forecast period due to utilisation of these 
losses and tax amortisation of intangibles. This has resulted in an  
$11 million credit to the tax expense in 2015, following an $8 million  
credit in 2014, which are included as adjusting items.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 31 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
C H I E F   F I N A N C I A L   O F F I C E R ’ S   R E V I E W   C O N T I N U E D

Balance sheet $m

Cash and cash equivalents
Fee and other receivables

Total liquid assets
Payables

Net liquid assets
Investments in fund products and other 

investments
Pension asset
Investments in associates
Leasehold improvements and equipment

Total tangible assets
Borrowings
Net deferred tax liability

Net tangible assets
Goodwill and other intangibles

Shareholders’ equity

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

607
303

910
(750)

160

581
48
30
44

863
(149)
(10)

704
1,511

2,215

738
396

1,134
(697)

437

460
45
30
52

1,024
(149)
(36)

839
1,595

2,434

L I Q U I D I T Y
Operating cash flows were $355 million during the year and cash and 
cash equivalents balances were $586 million at year end, excluding cash 
relating to consolidated fund entities. 

$m

Cash at 31 December 2014
Operating cash flows before working capital movements
Working capital movements (including seeding)
Payment of dividends
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Share repurchase (including costs)
Payment of acquisition related contingent consideration
Other movements

Cash and cash equivalents

Less cash held by consolidated fund entities

Cash at 31 December 2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

738
402
(47)
(193)
(38)
(176)
(46)
(33)

607

(21)

586

Working capital movements principally relate to an increase in seeding 
investments of $173 million, including fair value adjustments, partially 
offset by a decrease in loans to funds of $53 million and a decrease in fee 
receivables of $71 million at the year end.

In June we renegotiated our revolving credit facility, reducing its size 
from $1,525 million to $1,000 million, and extending the maturity to 2020 
(with two one-year extension options). The facility remains available and 
undrawn and the reduction in the size of the facility, coupled with an 
improved credit rating from Fitch (from BBB to BBB+), has resulted in 
annual commitment fee savings of around $3 million. The management 
of liquidity and capital are explained in Note 15 and Note 23 to the Group 
financial statements, respectively.

CA S H E A R N I N G S ( E B I T DA )
The Group continues to generate strong cash earnings. As the Group 
has a number of non-cash items in the income statement it is important 
to focus on cash earnings to measure the true earnings generation of our 
business. The table below gives a reconciliation of adjusted profit before 
tax to adjusted EBITDA. The main differences are net finance expense, 
depreciation and amortisation, and deferred compensation charges 
relating to share and fund product awards. Our adjusted EBITDA/net 
revenue margin was 38.8% (2014: 44.8%), which can be divided between 
margin on management fees of 27.2% (2014: 30.3%) and performance 
fees of 66.0% (2014: 73.8%). The EBITDA management fee margin has 
decreased compared to 2014 as a result of the continued product mix 
shift from higher margin retail assets to lower margin institutional and long 
only assets, and the EBITDA performance fee margin has decreased 
largely as a result of performance fee variable compensation paid in 
relation to certain GLG strategies, as outlined on page 30.

R E C O N C I L I AT I O N O F A D J U S T E D PB T TO A D J U S T E D E B I T DA

$m

Adjusted PBT
Add back:
Net finance expense
Depreciation
Amortisation of capitalised computer 

software and placement fees

Current year amortisation of deferred 

compensation

Less: Deferred compensation awards 

relating to the current year

Adjusted EBITDA

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

400

481

14
13

6

53

(64)

422

9
21

18

42

(79)

492

B A L A N C E S H E E T
The Group’s balance sheet is strong and liquid.

Cash and cash equivalents have decreased during the year largely 
as a result of dividends on ordinary shares ($193 million), the share 
repurchase and associated costs ($176 million) and a net increase in 
seeding investments ($173 million) and the purchase of Silvermine, 
NewSmith and the BAML fund of funds business, net of cash acquired 
($38 million), partially offset by other cash inflows from operating activities 
($528 million). Goodwill and other intangibles have decreased in 2015 
due to amortisation of $98 million, partially offset by the acquisitions of 
Silvermine, NewSmith and the BAML fund of funds business.

32 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

G O I N G C O N C E R N
The directors have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation 
that Man has adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
for the foreseeable future, and have accordingly prepared the Group 
financial statements on a going concern basis. Please refer to the 
viability statement on page 34 and also to Note 1 to the Group financial 
statements for further details.

R E G U L ATO RY CA PI TA L
Man is compliant with the FCA’s capital standards and has continued to 
maintain significant surplus regulatory capital throughout the year. At 31 
December 2015, surplus regulatory capital over the regulatory capital 
requirements was $453 million.

The increase in the Group financial resources of $48 million during 2015 
primarily relates to:

(1)  H2 2014 post-tax net performance fee income and other reserve 

movements of $169 million;

(2)  H1 2015 post-tax net performance fee income and other reserve 

movements of $113 million (H2 2015 performance fees will be added 
once audited in February 2016); partly offset by

(3)  The share repurchase programme of $176 million (including costs); 

and

(4)  The acquisitions of Silvermine, NewSmith and the BAML fund of funds 
business, which have increased the intangibles deduction from Tier 1 
capital by $58 million.

The increase in the Group financial resources requirement of $14 million 
primarily relates to a net increase of $53 million driven by seeding 
investments in fund products, partly offset by the impact of a lower 
capital requirement on various receivables balances ($14 million), loans to 
funds ($14 million) and cash ($11 million).

G R O U P ’ S R E G U L ATO RY CA PI TA L P O S I T I O N

$m

Permitted share capital and reserves
Less deductions (primarily goodwill and 

other intangibles)

Available Tier 1 Group capital
Lower Tier 2 capital – subordinated debt
Other Tier 2 capital

Group financial resources
Less financial resources requirement

Surplus capital

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

2,087

2,101

(1,485)

(1,564)

602
149
3

754
(301)

453

537
149
20

706
(287)

419

D I V I D E N D S A N D S H A R E R E PU R C H A S E S 
Man’s dividend policy is that we will pay out at least 100% of adjusted 
net management fee earnings per share (EPS) in each financial year by 
way of ordinary dividend. In addition, Man expects to generate significant 
surplus capital over time, primarily from net performance fee earnings. 
Available surpluses, after taking into account our required capital 
(including accruals for future earn-out payments), potential strategic 
opportunities and a prudent buffer, will be distributed to shareholders 
over time, by way of higher dividend payments and/or share repurchases. 
Whilst the Board considers dividends as the primary method of returning 
capital to shareholders, it will continue to execute share repurchases 
when advantageous.

Adjusted net management fee EPS is considered the most appropriate 
basis on which to routinely pay ordinary dividends as this represents the 
most stable and regenerating earnings base of the business, and enables 
the Board to utilise performance fee earnings each year in the most 
advantageous manner to support the Group’s strategy. 

The Board is proposing a final dividend for 2015 of 4.8 cents per share, 
which together with the interim dividend of 5.4 cents per share, equates 
to the adjusted net management fee EPS for 2015 of 10.2 cents per 
share. The reconciliation of adjusted net management fee EPS to 
statutory profits is provided in Note 11 to the Group financial statements 
(page 107).

In addition to the proposed 2015 final dividend, in line with the above 
stated policy, the Board has decided to retain all of the surplus capital 
generated by the business to fund potential acquisitions. Conditions 
may of course change and the directors will review the decision in line 
with normal practice throughout 2016. Details of the share repurchase 
programme conducted in 2015 are given in Note 23 to the Group financial 
statements on page 121.

The proposed final dividend equates to around $81 million, which is 
more than covered by the Group’s available liquidity and regulatory 
capital resources. As at 31 December 2015, the Group’s cash, less those 
balances ring-fenced for regulatory purposes, amounted to $0.5 billion 
and the undrawn committed revolving credit facility was $1.0 billion, 
as set out in Note 15 to the Group financial statements. The Group 
regulatory capital surplus, before these distributions, was $453 million 
at the year end, as shown on this page. Man Group plc’s distributable 
reserves are $1.9 billion before payment of the proposed final dividend  
or execution of the share repurchases.

Key dates relating to the proposed final dividend are: ex-dividend date 21 
April 2016; record date 22 April 2016; AGM to approve the final dividend 6 
May 2016; and payment date 13 May 2016. Further details on the Group’s 
dividend can be found in the Shareholder Information section on page 139.

As at 31 December 2015 there has been no change to the Internal Capital 
Guidance scalar that is applied as part of the calculation of the financial 
resources requirement.

J O N AT H A N S O R R E L L
Chief Financial Officer

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 33 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T
A N   I N T E G R A T E D   A P P R O A C H   T O   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T

from left to right
Geoff Galbraith, Global Head,  
Operations & Technology
Jonathan Eliot, Chief Risk Officer
Jasveer Singh, General Counsel

Risk management is an essential component 
of our approach, both to the management of 
investment funds on behalf of investors, and  
the management of Man Group’s business  
on behalf of shareholders.

Ultimate responsibility for risk management rests 
with Man Group’s Board, however, accountability 
is embedded throughout all layers of the 
business. Our risk management framework 
requires that the business operates within 
acceptable risk tolerances, as defined by the 
Board’s risk appetite. Our governance structure 
provides a foundation for ongoing oversight in a 
dynamic environment. Independent fund boards 
are responsible for protecting the interests of 
fund investors.

D E V E LO PM E N T S I N 2 015
Investment underperformance continues 
to be the biggest risk facing the Group. 
A diverse product range gives Man 
shareholders protection against concentrated 
underperformance from any one sector.  
The Group has continued to bolster its broad 
range of investment styles and products  
in key markets.

The expansion of our diversified product 
offering is supported by our balance sheet, 
which we have utilised to further increase the 
capacity of the seeding programme. 2015 
has seen the launch of several new GLG and 
Numeric funds, as well as the growth of the 
collateralised loan obligation (CLO) business 
in Europe and North America. Whilst the 
Group is exposed to a decline in value of these 
investments, supporting the development 
of new products increases and diversifies 
revenues further.

Our operating model is reliant on technology 
therefore the heightened threat from 
cyber‑crime remains an area of increased  
focus for the Group.

Man Group is currently regulated by 16 
regulators in 13 jurisdictions; the Group 
continues to focus on keeping our operational 
and risk management frameworks effective for 
our evolving global business. In the ‘Principal 
risks and mitigants’ section on pages 36 to 
37 we have noted a number of regulatory 
developments. Regulation continues to evolve 
at different paces across the world.

We continue to seek the most efficient ways 
to fund our regulatory capital and liquidity 
requirements. In May, we completed a share 
repurchase, returning $175 million of capital to 
shareholders.

Our counterparty risk exposures at both 
corporate and fund level are closely monitored. 
The risk to the Group’s balance sheet from 
counterparty defaults remains low. We 
are conscious, however, of the continued 
risk of individual events, or downturns in 
market sentiment and we continue to take a 
conservative approach to counterparty selection.

A S S E S S M E N T O F PR I N C I PA L R I S KS
The directors confirm that they have carried 
out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Company, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity.

The directors describe these principal risks 
and explain how they are being managed or 
mitigated on pages 36 to 37.

V I A B I L I T Y S TAT E M E N T
 – The Directors confirm that they have a 

reasonable expectation that the Group will 
continue to operate and meet its liabilities, 
as they fall due, for the next three years. 
The Directors’ assessment has been 
made with reference to the Group’s 
current position and prospects, the 
Group’s strategy, the Board’s risk appetite 
and the Group’s principal risks and how 
these are managed, as described in this 
section of the Annual Report. A three year 
period was selected as this is consistent 
with the Group’s business planning 
horizon. 

 – The strategy and associated principal 
risks form the basis of the Group’s 
medium‑term plan. This covers a three 
year period, and includes downside 
scenario testing. The Group’s medium‑
term plan is built by aggregating the 
expected business performance across 
the Group, and then stressing key 
business assumptions (particularly those 
regarding investment performance and 
fund flows). 

 – The plan is also stress tested in a 

number of downside scenarios as part 
of the Group’s Internal Capital Adequacy 
Assessment Process (ICAAP). The Board 
also receives regular updates throughout 
the year of the internally assessed level of 
economic capital requirement, relative to 
available capital supply. 

 – The medium‑term plan and ICAAP 

assessments are augmented throughout 
the year by regular briefings at the Audit 
& Risk Committee by business unit heads 
on strategy, risk and controls, as well as 
dashboards across risk, compliance, 
finance and internal audit. The principal 
risks are considered within the Board’s 
risk appetite framework.

34 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

M A N ’ S R I S K A PPE T I T E S TAT E M E N T S
The risk appetite statements are set by the 
Board and cover all significant risk categories. 
They apply to both the investment management 
functions and Man Group itself. The statements 
express the Board’s appetite for risk, promote 
a risk aware culture and set out objectives and 
boundaries for Man Group’s business.

The primary goal of risk management is to 
support the achievement of the Group’s 
objectives by encouraging an appropriate 
balance between risk‑seeking and risk‑averse 
activities, in a controlled and regulatory 
compliant context.

The governance framework and control 
environment within the Group have been 
designed to manage risks in accordance with 
risk appetite. The Board and ARCom receive 
regular reporting on the Group’s risk profile and 
adherence with risk appetite. In the event that 
breaches to risk appetite occur, these will be 
resolved in line with the Group’s procedures 
and processes. The statements are reviewed 
periodically by the Board.

A summary of the new risk appetite statements 
is available at www.man.com.

M A N G R O U P ’ S G OV E R N A N C E

The committees below have been given a 
mandate by the Board and the CEO to oversee 
the risk management framework. These 
committees provide assurance to the Board 
that risk has been managed according to the 
risk appetite statements.

B OA R D

C E O

AU D I T A N D R I S K C O M M I T T E E

E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E

The Executive Committee is accountable 
for all risks assumed in the business and is 
responsible for the execution of appropriate 
risk management discipline.

The Audit and Risk Committee (ARCom) is a 
committee of the Board which has oversight 
of the Assurance functions (see page 57 for  
further detail). 

R I S K & F I N A N C E C O M M I T T E E

The Risk & Finance Committee (RAF) oversees the operational, regulatory and reputational risks 
faced by the Group and the internal control environment. It also approves actual and contingent use 
of the Group Balance Sheet and monitors the adequacy of economic capital and liquidity buffers. 
The RAF is chaired by the Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

T H R E E L I N E S O F D E F E N C E

1S T

2 N D

3 R D

B U S I N E S S 
M A N AG E M E N T

C O M PL I A N C E

‘ I N B U S I N E S S ’ 
R I S K   
M A N AG E M E N T

R I S K

I N T E R N A L 
AU D I T

E X T E R N A L 
AU D I T

O PE R AT I O N A L 
M A N AG E M E N T

The overall risk management framework at 
Man Group is based on the three lines of 
defence, and is overseen by the Audit and Risk 
Committee as delegated by the Board.

The framework instils the principles of direct 
responsibility for risk management in each 
business unit. Embedding accountability 
at the business level is the ‘first line of defence’.

The business units are monitored by a number 
of risk control functions (i.e. Risk, Compliance), 
which form the ‘second line of defence’.

The independent review and oversight 
provided by Internal Audit is the ‘third line of 
defence’, which independently evaluates the 
adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management, control and governance 
processes.

Although Man Group and the investors in its 
products are susceptible to losses, we believe 
our risk management framework supports 
long‑term value through the process of risk‑
aware decision making.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 35 

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P R I N C I P A L   R I S K S 
A N D   M I T I G A N T S

Our comprehensive risk framework 
includes strategic, financial and operational 
risks to both Man Group and our funds. 

R I S K S

M I T I G A N T S

1. Investment underperformance risk
Fund underperformance on an absolute basis, relative to a benchmark 
or relative to peer groups would reduce FUM and may result in lower 
subscriptions and higher redemptions. This risk is exacerbated at times 
of volatile markets. This may also result in dissatisfied clients, negative 
press and reputational damage.

Lower FUM results in lower management fee revenue and 
underperformance results in lower performance fees, if any.

The breakdown of Man Group’s FUM and revenue margins by product 
line are shown on pages 28 and 30 respectively.

Adverse market moves and high volatility may sharply increase the 
demands on the liquid resources in Man Group’s funds. Market stress 
and increased redemptions could result in the deterioration of fund 
liquidity and in the severest cases this could lead to the gating of funds.

2. Regulatory risk
Man Group offers an increasingly wide range of investment products 
covering multiple strategies from a global network of offices. It is licensed 
in 13 jurisdictions, which results in Man Group being subject to a matrix 
of regulations.

Man Group is regulated by 16 regulators. The Financial Conduct Authority 
in the UK is the lead regulator.

Notable regulatory developments include the upcoming implementation 
of UCITS V, MiFID II and the Market Abuse Regulation.

3. Balance sheet market risk
The main sources of market risk are:

Man Group uses capital to seed new funds as part of the ongoing 
business to build our fund offering and expand product distribution. Man 
Group is exposed to a decline in value of the seeding book.

Man Group underwrites the risks related to the UK defined benefit 
pension plan which closed to new members in 1999 and future accrual 
in 2011. The plan is fully funded, but is exposed to changes in net asset 
versus liability values.

Volatile markets can place additional, often short term, demands on 
the balance sheet. Man Group is exposed to having insufficient liquidity 
resources to meet its obligations.

4. Operational risk
Operational risk is defined as the risk resulting from inadequate or failed 
internal processes, people, systems, or from external events.

Man Group continues to outsource a number of functions that were 
previously performed internally. The risk is that the outsourced service 
providers do not perform as required, resulting in knock‑on implications 
for our business as a whole. 

Acquisitions into the Group introduce short‑term integration risks.

This is the key risk Man Group has to accept if it is to undertake its 
business. Man Group’s investment businesses each have clearly defined 
investment processes designed to target and deliver on the investment 
mandate of each product.

Fund and manager performance is closely monitored, and we focus on 
hiring and retaining highly skilled professionals who are incentivised to 
perform within the parameters of their mandate.

Man Group’s diversified range of products and strategies across 
the alternatives marketplace mitigates the risk to the business from 
underperformance of any particular strategy.

Man Group conducts regular liquidity tests on its funds and endeavours 
to manage resources in such a way as to meet all demands for fund 
redemptions according to contractual terms.

Man Group supports proportionate and thoughtful global regulation and 
initiatives that develop the regulatory environment.

Man Group continuously assesses whether the products it markets comply 
with new regulations as they emerge and change. In this respect, the 
Company conducts an independent review process for all products.

Man Group continues to liaise directly and indirectly with competent 
authorities e.g. FCA, IOSCO, ESMA, HMT, NFA, DFSA and CSRC through 
its Compliance department which consists of approximately 42 specialists 
covering Corporate, Investment Management, Sales and Marketing and 
Financial Crime. Compliance is located across six jurisdictions.

Requests for seeding capital are assessed on their strategic rationale for 
the business. Approvals are granted by the Seed Investment Committee 
(SIC), which is comprised of senior management, Risk and Treasury. 
Investments are subject to risk limits, an exit strategy and are hedged to a 
benchmark where appropriate. The positions are monitored regularly by 
Group Risk and reviewed by the SIC.

Asset reallocations by the UK pension plan trustees in 2015 sought to 
minimise the Equity and net UK interest rate risks. Longevity risk remains 
but is uncorrelated to Man Group’s other risks.

Man Group has access to a revolving credit facility and maintains a 
liquidity surplus.

Risk and Control Self‑Assessment (RCSA) is at the core of our assessment 
of operational risks. Key risk indicators and operational risk events are 
regularly reviewed so that our assessment of operational risks correctly 
reflects the Group’s operational risk profile. These assessments are 
subject to independent review by Risk and Internal Audit, who also provide 
assurance over the adequacy of the Group’s control processes.

Man Group’s operations team have implemented a methodology 
(including KPI monitoring) to confirm that outsourced service providers 
are delivering as required. This process is monitored by the Risk & 
Finance Committee and ARCom. 

Man Group’s executive team is experienced in managing integrations. 
Our risk and compliance teams independently review the assessment of 
integration risks and the appropriateness of risk mitigation plans.

36 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
R I S K S

M I T I G A N T S

5. Information security risk
Technology and information security are central to Man Group’s 
business. Information security risk is defined as the risk of loss resulting 
from cyber‑crime, malicious disruption to our networks or from the theft, 
misplacing, interception, corruption or deletion of information.

Cyber‑crime attacks continue to grow in terms of scale and complexity. 
We have deployed a number of preventative and detective controls to 
defend our IT systems against cyber‑attack. These include penetration 
tests, monitoring for targeted attacks, regular security awareness 
training for employees, a specialist security company monitoring 
our networks and regular access reviews. However, the fast pace of 
innovation by cyber‑criminals makes it particularly challenging to assess 
the effectiveness of our defences and deliver protection against this 
increasing threat.

6. Discretionary trading risk
The risk that investment managers either intentionally or unintentionally 
fail to execute and/or book trades correctly, or fail to adhere to investment 
mandates or regulatory rules. This includes insider dealing and market 
abuse, misrepresenting trading positions/trades and misallocation 
between funds. Man Group may need to compensate for any losses 
arising from such trades, as well as face the possibility of fines, lawsuits 
and reputational damage.

Front office systems provide automated checks and controls at portfolio 
and trade level. Each investment management business has dedicated 
risk management personnel who monitor portfolio profiles and provide 
independent challenge.

In addition all fund managers are required to undertake regular 
mandatory training so that they are aware of due processes and their 
responsibilities related to the placing of trades.

7. Credit/counterparty risk
The risk that a counterparty with which the funds or Man Group have 
financial transactions becomes distressed.

Shareholders and investors in Man funds and products are exposed 
to credit risk of prime brokers, clearing houses, depository banks and 
guarantee providers.

Man Group also provides loans to guaranteed products, and so is 
subject to counterparty risk to certain investor funds.

Man Group diversifies its deposits across a number of the strongest 
financial counterparties, each of which is approved and regularly 
reviewed for creditworthiness by the Counterparty Monitoring 
Committee, a sub committee of the Risk and Finance Committee. The 
Group Risk function monitors the credit spreads and ratings of the 
approved counterparties on a daily basis.

Guaranteed products are closely monitored, and leverage is actively 
adjusted such that the risk of default related to balance sheet loans to 
funds is small.

8. Legal risk
The global nature of Man Group’s business, with corporate and fund 
entities located in multiple jurisdictions and a diverse investor base makes 
it subject to a wide range of laws. Failure to comply with these laws and 
regulations may put Man Group at risk of fines, lawsuits or reputational 
damage.

Man Group operates a global legal framework which underpins all 
aspects of its business and is resourced by experienced legal teams.

These teams are physically located in Man Group’s key jurisdictions 
helping them to understand the context and impact of any legal 
requirements.

In response to the financial crisis, an unprecedented number of new 
laws have arisen which are applicable to Man Group. While the legislative 
response has been global, implementation is local which leads to 
variations of approach between key jurisdictions. Failure to stay abreast 
of, analyse and respond to these new and varied laws may expose Man 
Group to the risks outlined above.

Emphasis is placed on proactively analysing new legal developments to 
assess likely impacts and mitigate risks.

9. Reputational risk
The risk that an incident or negative publicity undermines our reputation 
as a leading alternative investment manager. Reputational damage could 
result in significant redemptions from our funds, and could lead to issues 
with external financing, credit ratings and relations with our outsourcing 
providers.

Our reputation is dependent on both our operational and fund 
performance. Integrity is fundamental to ensuring Man Group is able 
to attract investment in funds. Our governance and control structure 
helps mitigate operational concerns, and our attention to people and 
investment processes aim to establish that we comply with accepted 
standards of investment management practice.

10. Key staff retention risk
The risk that a key person to the business leaves or is unable to perform 
their role.

Man Group has been able to attract and retain an array of talented 
individuals across the Group. Business and investment processes are 
designed with a view to continue this trend and minimise the impact of 
losing any key individuals. However, the nature of Man’s business means 
that this is a risk that Man Group must accept.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 37 

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P E O P L E   A N D   C O R P O R A T E   R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y

PEOPLE
In investment management our people are our assets and 
losing them is one of our biggest risks. We focus on 
delivering superior performance and excellent client 
service by attracting, developing and retaining the best 
individuals. By coaching and encouraging our people to 
be the best within a highly meritocratic culture, we retain 
them as they become leaders in their field.

E M PLOY E E S

1,230

People by function %

21

31

15

33

19

33

17

31

19

33

18

30

21

39

19

21

December
2015

December
2014

December
2013

June
2011

Investment management
Sales and Marketing
Product and Client Operations and Technology
Central management and support

Note:
Job function based on Business Unit, not individual role.

To achieve superior performance for our clients 
and shareholders we need to have the right 
people in the right roles, fully motivated and 
competitively paid. We are very conscious of the 
need to provide appropriate development for 
our highly talented and increasingly international 
workforce. Encouraging effective collaboration 
and teamwork across the Company, within the 
bounds of regulation and good governance, is a 
key part of our strategy.

TA L E N T
It remains vitally important to maintain a strong 
pipeline of talented individuals for the future 
of the business. Our investment management 
graduate programme and structured summer 
internship programme launched in 2014 
remain extremely popular and have enabled 
us to attract high quality junior talent. We 
currently have seven trainees on the graduate 
programme and have five more graduate 
trainees (two of whom were 2015 interns) joining 
in 2016. Each graduate undertakes a two-year 
programme, rotating through placements in 
AHL, FRM, GLG and Sales which will equip 
them with a broad knowledge of our products 
and overall business. Following the success of 
the 2014 and 2015 summer intern programmes, 
we have hired another five interns who will 
spend ten weeks with us in the summer of 
2016, working on key projects with a view to 
successful interns being offered a place on the 
following year’s graduate programme.

We focus on retention through our annual 
performance evaluation and continuous 
succession planning processes. The annual 
review is a valuable opportunity for managers to 
give individuals feedback on their performance 
and how their careers can progress with the 
Company, particularly during difficult times. 
Our ongoing succession planning process 
is designed to mitigate continuity risks by 

identifying key individuals for retention and 
further development. During 2015 we had a 
number of internal moves which have enabled 
us to support individual career development 
and cross-train high potential employees. We 
were also pleased to see minimal voluntary 
resignations of key individuals during 2015 
against the backdrop of a general reduction in 
voluntary turnover versus 2014.

During 2015, the acquisitions of NewSmith LLP 
and Silvermine resulted in the arrival of a new 
pool of talent at the firm, and we welcomed 38 
new members of staff in total.

We also made a number of key hires throughout 
the year including Moni Sternbach who joined 
Man GLG to run a European Mid-Cap Fund, 
Asim Nurmohamed who joined Man GLG 
as a Senior Portfolio Manager in the equity 
alternatives team and more recently Guillermo 
Osses who was hired to run an Emerging 
Markets debt fund for Man GLG. Outside of 
investment management, Kate Squire joined 
Man as Head of Compliance & Regulatory.

In 2013, we hired apprentices for the first 
time in the UK through participation in the 
Evening Standard’s Ladder for London 
initiative – a scheme which helps tackle 
youth unemployment in London. Our second 
cohort of apprentices joined in April 2015 in 
Operations, Technology, Finance, Legal and 
Administration. To ensure the apprentices 
received maximum benefit from their work 
placements, they were supported by 
supervisors, assigned buddies and human 
resources. They were also given regular 
exposure to management through discussion 
sessions at which they provided progress 
updates to members of the senior leadership 
team. The programme gives the apprentices 
wide-ranging and valuable experience which 

38 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

will help them build their careers. One 2013 
apprentice was successful in receiving an offer 
of a full-time permanent position following 
completion of the apprenticeship. We are keen 
to continue supporting this initiative so intend to 
take on another cohort of apprentices in 2016.

H E A D C O U N T
Some organic growth along with the acquisitions 
mentioned previously mean Group headcount 
including contractors and consultants has 
increased from 1,078 at 31 December 2014 to 
1,230 at 31 December 2015. The ratio of support 
function employees to front office remains 
approximately one to one, which we believe to 
be in line with industry best practice.

R E M U N E R AT I O N & B E N E F I T S
Our remuneration policies and practices are 
designed to enable us to remain competitive 
in the increasingly global markets in which 
we operate. Remuneration packages include 
combinations of the following elements – salary, 
annual performance bonus and deferred 
share/fund awards, along with other non-cash 
benefits. The bonus deferral arrangement is a 
key mechanism for focusing employees on Man 
Group’s long-term performance.

Employee welfare is an important consideration 
and we regularly benchmark our benefits 
packages to ensure we are competitive and 
in line with the market. During 2015 we again 
conducted a full review of our benefits offerings, 
resulting in new/improved benefits to be 
introduced in 2016. One such example in the 
UK is the introduction of a new benefit option 
which offers increased flexibility to purchase 
additional life cover (in excess of the core cover 
amount) for staff members and their partners.
During 2015 we again offered our UK-based 
employees the opportunity to participate in 
the Man Group Sharesave Scheme at the 
maximum limit and discount allowed by HMRC.

See pages 64 to 87 for the Directors’ 
remuneration report

E Q UA L I T Y A N D D I V E R S I T Y
Man Group’s culture is based on mutual 
respect for others and discrimination by any 
individual on the grounds of age, disability, 
gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or 
educational background is not tolerated. We 
offer tangible support through our employee 
assistance programmes, which are designed 
to assist individuals with aspects of their lives 
outside the workplace which may affect their 
ability to perform.

Full and fair consideration is given by Man to 
applications for employment made by disabled 
persons, having regard to their aptitudes and 
abilities. Man Group’s Global Inclusion Policy 
outlines our commitment to ensuring a diverse 
workforce and our opposition to discrimination 
of any form, including on the basis of disability. 
The Company ensures that disabled persons 
are fairly treated in respect of training and 
career development. For those who become 
disabled during their employment, reasonable 
adjustments are made and ongoing support is 
provided as required to enable the individual to 
continue working.

Achieving a better balance between male and 
female employees across the business and 
particularly at a senior level, is a challenge 
many financial services organisations face and 
it continues to be a key priority for Man Group. 
We remain committed to promoting gender 
diversity at all levels, and we currently have two 
women in senior roles who sit on the Executive 
Committee (as shown in the table overleaf). Our 
recruitment policy has the objective of securing 
50% female representation on long lists of 
candidates (internal and external) for senior 
roles and we engage executive search firms 
who have signed up to the Voluntary Code of 
Conduct on gender diversity and best practice. 
Agency partners have been asked to read and 
acknowledge our Global Inclusion Policy.

E M PLOY E E T U R N OV E R

8%

Staff by gender %

29

71

14

86

11

89

Total
workforce

Male
Female

Senior
managers

Board of
directors

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 39 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
    
P E O P L E   A N D   C O R P O R A T E   R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y   C O N T I N U E D

We also currently have several initiatives in place 
to support and encourage our female talent. 
Man Group continues to develop DRIVE as an 
internal support network, with a programme of 
regular events to inform and support women 
within the firm, as well as providing networking 
opportunities both internally and externally. 
Alongside this initiative, Man Group has also 
developed and piloted a mentoring programme 
for high potential employees, one key aim 
of this is to help and retain female talent. An 
additional initiative agreed in 2015 was a pilot 
returner programme – this scheme targets 
individuals who have taken a career break 
and now wish to return to the workforce. We 
focused our search on candidates with front 
office experience and were pleased to shortlist 
several high calibre female applicants for 
interviews, with a view to any new hires joining 
by Q2 2016. The programme offers a level of 
flexibility in terms of working hours, and we are 
starting to see an increase in flexible working 
more generally around the business – a positive 
step to support the large proportion of our 
workforce who have children or other caring 
responsibilities.

Man Group is committed to increasing female 
participation in its graduate programme, and in 
2015 we predominantly focused our campus 
marketing activity in direct support of this 
objective, by focusing on relevant university 
courses, societies and clubs that helped 
inform our targeted recruitment. Furthermore, 
we have started to sponsor the European 
Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad as part of our 
effort to support and encourage female talent 
in the potential pipeline for financial services 
careers. There is evidence that these initiatives 
are beginning to have an impact as we saw 
twice as many females attending our graduate 
assessment centres in 2015 as had attended 
in previous years, with two female candidates 
being selected for our 2016 graduate intake.

During 2015, Man initiated partnerships with 
SEO London and Investment 2020 to help us 
source talent from more diverse backgrounds, 
and we have been pleased to see increased 
diversity in our graduate and intern applications 
as a result of these collaborative efforts.

Man Group strongly believes in the benefits 
of a diverse and multi-cultural workforce and 
is confident that the current multifaceted 
approach will enable the firm to progress its 
diversity agenda.

M A N G R O U P E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E

Manny Roman

Chief Executive Officer, Man Group

Eric Burl

Co-Head, Global Sales & Marketing and Head of Man Americas

Jonathan Eliot

Chief Risk Officer

Luke Ellis

Mike Even

President, Man Group

President & Chief Executive Officer, Numeric

Geoff Galbraith

Global Head, Operations & Technology

Robyn Grew

Global Head, Legal & Compliance 

Keith Haydon

Chief Investment Officer, FRM

René Herren

Deputy Head, Global Sales & Marketing

Teun Johnston

Co-Chief Executive Officer, GLG

Mark Jones

Co-Chief Executive Officer, GLG

Pierre Lagrange

Chairman, Man Asia & Senior Managing Director, GLG

Michelle McCloskey

President, FRM

Shanta Puchtler

Chief Investment Officer – Director of Research, Numeric

Tim Rainsford

Co-Head, Global Sales & Marketing

Sandy Rattray

Chief Executive Officer, AHL 

Jasveer Singh

General Counsel

Jonathan Sorrell

Chief Financial Officer

Tim Wong

Chairman, AHL 

E M PLOY E E S H A R E 
OW N E R S H I P

5.7%

40 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

D E V E LO PM E N T, E N G AG E M E N T A N D 
S U PP O R T
In order to maximise the potential of our 
employees, we work with all areas of the 
business to support training and development 
needs. This covers a wide range of initiatives 
including technical courses, team development 
and individual executive coaching. In 2015, we 
introduced a new soft skills training programme, 
offering bite size modules with each focusing 
on a different core topic. We also introduced a 
senior mentoring programme which pairs Board 
members with individuals on the Executive 
Committee to offer further development to our 
senior executives. 360˚ review processes are 
increasingly being used to gather feedback, 
enabling individuals to receive comments from 
a number of sources which supports their 
development. In addition, we run a number of 
in-house educational events such as Business 
Education sessions and informal breakfast 
discussions hosted by members of the 
Executive Committee.

Employees receive regular updates and 
presentations on Company results and 
major decisions which affect them through 
face to face meetings or, if necessary, via 
video link. The Man intranet is used to 
provide supplementary updates from senior 
management on all aspects of our business 
and is a crucial part of the dissemination of 
knowledge and information.

Maintaining high levels of engagement from our 
workforce is vital in order to sustain our position 
as an industry market leader. During 2015 we 
conducted a global employee survey to gather 
feedback on areas such as culture, leadership, 
career opportunities and communication. We 
achieved an excellent response rate (77%) 
and saw good evidence of job satisfaction 
and trust in the senior leadership team, along 
with positive endorsement of our business 
principles. We also now offer long service 
awards to recognize those individuals who have 
completed 10 years’ and 20 years’ service with 
the Company.

Our Global Mobility Programme enables us 
to meet specific business needs within given 
markets or business areas. Assigning people 
overseas assists us in attracting, retaining and 
developing our people in order to meet our 
business goals and strengthen our geographic 
footprint. This creates a diverse talent pool with 
varied perspectives and enhanced sharing of 
our knowledge base.

B U S I N E S S PR I N C I PL E S
At Man Group, we are committed to conducting 
our business in accordance with the principles 
outlined below, which we believe will enable 
us to be the best we can be and which we 
continue to embed within all areas of the 
business. We strive to deliver outstanding 
results for our clients, whose interests always 
come first and are the focus of our firm. We aim 
for excellence and expect the highest standard 
of quality of work from everyone across the firm. 

We always do the right thing, conducting 
our business with the highest standards of 
behaviour, honesty and integrity. We continue 
to invest in talent, technology and research 
to ensure we provide a differentiated offering, 
underpinned by leading experience, expertise 
and innovation. We provide an inclusive work 
environment, where reward and progression are 
based solely on merit.

Man Group’s business principles are designed to 
distil and define the firm’s key priorities, focus and 
culture. The principles are displayed in Man Group’s 
offices internationally to promote a common 
understanding of the firm’s values:

Performance

Excellence

First, foremost and always, we focus 
on delivering superior risk adjusted 
performance.

Good is not enough, we strive  
to be excellent in all we do.

Clients

Differentiation

Our clients are at the heart of 
everything we do.

We seek to be differentiated  
and original in our thinking.

Responsibility

Meritocracy

We always do the right thing and 
conduct our business with the 
highest standards of integrity.

We succeed through talent, 
commitment, diligence and 
teamwork.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 41 

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P E O P L E   A N D   C O R P O R A T E   R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y   C O N T I N U E D

CORPOR ATE RESPONS IBILIT Y
Our corporate responsibility strategy is to pursue  
and evidence where possible the high standards  
of behaviour, both corporate and individual, which 
underpin our reputation and maintain the trust and  
loyalty of our key stakeholders. We focus on five  
key areas of corporate responsibility:

WO R L D C L A S S G OV E R N A N C E A N D R I S K 
M A N AG E M E N T
Man Group strives to deliver the highest 
standards of governance and risk management. 
We have long recognised the importance of 
corporate governance practices that help 
to ensure effective oversight and strong 
accountability. With our scale, we are well-
positioned to implement and manage these 
practices effectively across our platform, as we 
strive to deliver industry leading governance 
and risk management.

R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S TO O U R M A R K E T 
PL AC E
Man Group is committed to the highest 
standards of ethical conduct and actively 
supports collaboration of the alternative 
asset management industry in developing 
and committing to standards of responsible 
investment.

The Hedge Fund Standards were drawn 
up in 2007 to address key issues relating to 
the hedge fund industry and best practice, 
covering the areas of disclosure, valuation, 
risk management, fund governance and 
shareholder conduct. Man Group is a founding 
signatory of the Hedge Fund Standards Board 
(HFSB) which was fully established in 2008 as 
a guardian to the Standards with the goal of 
creating a framework for promoting integrity, 
transparency and good governance in the 
industry.

M A N AG I N G O U R PE O PL E
Man Group aims to create an environment 
which enables our staff to reach their full 
potential. We encourage our teams to work 
together to help each other develop and 
succeed professionally and personally by 
providing a workplace which is healthy, safe, 
and offers guarantees of fairness and equal 
opportunities. As a responsible business, 
we constantly review our procedures which 
support the development and retention of 
talent including performance management 
programmes, flexible working policies, 
health and well-being initiatives, and our 
comprehensive benefits scheme.

42 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

C O N T R I B U T I N G TO O U R C O M M U N I T I E S
Man Group is actively involved in charitable 
initiatives and volunteering opportunities 
local to the firm’s offices through its ManKind 
Programme. ManKind gives employees the 
opportunity to take two additional days paid 
leave per annum to volunteer with charities 
supported by the Man Charitable Trust or with a 
charity of their choice. Furthermore, we have a 
worldwide commitment to promoting literacy in 
children, underscored through our sponsorship 
of the Man Booker Prize. We are very conscious 
of the impact of our organisation on our 
community and have taken steps to ensure we 
are contributing positively to those around us.

PR OT E C T I N G T H E E N V I R O N M E N T
Whilst our environmental impact is relatively 
limited, we strive to deliver clear and transparent 
reporting that makes sense of the measurable 
elements within our control and respond to 
external risk and expectations. We look to 
take all practicable and economic measures 
to conserve and reduce energy consumption 
at our offices around the world. We monitor 
our impacts using Credit 360, a system that 
measures relevant data and generates reports 
which provide practical guidance in identifying 
our impacts and managing their reduction.

M A N   G R O U P ’ S   L I T E R A R Y 
S P O N S O R S H I P S

Man Group sponsors two 
major literary prizes – the 
annual Man Booker Prize 
for Fiction and the recently 
evolved Man Booker 
International Prize.

A Brief History of Seven Killings, by Marlon 
James, Man Booker Prize winner 2015.

The 2015 Man Booker International Prize 
was awarded to Hungarian author László 
Krasznahorkai. On announcing the winner, 
Chair of judges Marina Warner commented:

“László Krasznahorkai is a visionary writer 
of extraordinary intensity and vocal range 
who captures the texture of present day 
existence in scenes that are terrifying, 
strange, appallingly comic, and often 
shatteringly beautiful.” 

The 2015 prize highlighted the growing 
importance of quality fiction in translation,  
with eight out of ten of the finalists having  
been originally published in a language other 
than English. 

Sponsorship of the prizes underscores Man 
Group’s charitable focus on literacy and 
education as well as the firm’s commitment 
to excellence and entrepreneurship. Together 
with the wider charitable activities of the 
Booker Prize Foundation, the prizes play a very 
important role in promoting literary excellence 
on a global scale that the firm is honoured  
to support.

2015 shortlist.

© Jamie Airey

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 43 

Man Group has sponsored the Man Booker 
Prize for Fiction since 2002. Launched in 
1969, the prize receives worldwide recognition 
and aims to promote excellence in fiction by 
awarding the best full-length novel published 
in the English language that year. 2014 saw the 
expansion of the prize to include entries from 
writers of all nationalities, writing originally in 
English and published in the UK. 

Winning the Man Booker Prize is considered the 
ultimate accolade by many writers. As former 
prize-winner Graham Swift commented:

“Prizes don’t make writers and writers 
don’t write to win prizes, but in the near-
glut of literary awards now on offer… it’s 
the one which, if we’re completely honest, 
we most covet.”

Jamaican-born writer Marlon James won 
the 2015 Man Booker Prize for Fiction with 
his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, a 
686-page epic with over 75 characters and 
voices. Through a myriad of voices, the book 
retells the near mythic assassination attempt of 
Bob Marley, to create a rich, polyphonic study 
of violence, politics and the musical legacy of 
Kingston of the 1970s.

“It moves at a terrific pace and will  
come to be seen as a classic of our 
times”, said Michael Wood, Chair of 
judges. James was presented with the 
Prize by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall 
and Man Group’s Chief Executive Officer, 
Emmanuel Roman, on 13 October 2015,  
at London’s Guildhall.

Man Group is also the sponsor of the Man 
Booker International Prize, which, from 2016, 
will be awarded annually on the basis of a single 
book, translated into English and published 
in the UK, rather than as previously every two 
years for a body of work. Both novels and 
collections of short stories will now be eligible 
for the prize.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
C H A R I T A B L E   T R U S T

Whilst the broader economic environment in the United 
Kingdom has arguably improved compared to recent 
years, our experience is that the voluntary sector remains 
in a state of transition. Small charities continue to be 
challenged by the public sector spending cuts despite 
their credible efforts to secure funding from the private 
sector which itself is emerging from the recession amidst 
a volatile economic and political landscape. 

Registered charity no: 275386

In 2015, the Trust continued to focus its grant-
making activity on charities that were able to 
demonstrate an improvement in literacy and 
numeracy skills whilst more broadly raising 
educational attainment. Literacy and numeracy 
skills are acknowledged as being essential to 
the happiness, health and economic wellbeing 
of individuals and society. It is well documented 
that low levels of these skills lead to a large 
number of poor outcomes and are linked 
to unemployment or dependence on state 
benefits, low wages and poor health.

The Trust continued to utilise its reserves in 2015, 
spending $615,000 on charitable donations 
and employee engagement programmes in 
the period. Wherever practicable, the Trust 
seeks to leverage the grants made to charities 
by encouraging them to raise capital through 
other funding sources at the same time. In the 
UK our supported projects benefited thousands 
of vulnerable children, young people and 
adults living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, 
providing them with the essential skills they 
need to succeed in life and make a positive 
contribution to society.

Our supported charities also gained from the 
time and effort given by Man Group employees 
through our ManKind community volunteering 
programme. ManKind gives employees the 
opportunity to take two additional days paid 
leave per annum to volunteer with charities 
supported by the Man Charitable Trust or with 
a charity of their choice. The positive social 
benefits that stem from employees’ skills, 
experience and knowledge can make a real 
difference to local communities. Volunteering 
also provides a highly cost-effective and 
valuable method of achieving positive learning 
and development benefits for our employees 
and we are delighted that once again a good 
proportion of Man employees volunteered their 
time, experience and skills during the past year.

44 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Man volunteers provided support to those 
in need in the local community, undertaking 
a range of activities including running 
financial literacy programmes and weekly 
reading sessions for primary school children, 
transforming outdoor spaces and sorting and 
packaging food at a local foodbank. Man Group 
has also hosted a number of career insight 
days at the London offices, providing staff 
the opportunity to share their knowledge and 
experience, and giving young people an insight 
into the professional world in order to enhance 
their employability skills and careers education, 
whilst inspiring them to access careers they 
might not know about. 

 Man Group employees often take part in charitable 

fundraising on behalf of the Man Charitable Trust 
annual charity.

Employees additionally took part in a number 
of volunteering and fundraising activities for our 
annual charity, the Children’s Cancer Recovery 
Project, supporting their work with children and 
families coping with a child’s cancer diagnosis. 
Employees ran, jumped out of aeroplanes, 
baked cakes and raised funds through a 
“Christmas jumper” day.

We would like to express our thanks to all the 
Man employees who supported our charitable 
programmes during the year and to those who 
donated via their Give as You Earn accounts.  
In 2016, the Trust intends to continue to provide 
support to charities that are able to evidence 
their ability to improve literacy and numeracy 
outcomes.

F E AT U R E D G R A N T S
The Man Charitable Trust 
awards grants to charities 
that work towards raising 
the levels of literacy and 
numeracy in the UK. 
Examples of Grants 
awarded in 2015 include:

 C I T Y G AT E WAY

City Gateway exists to bring hope to local 
communities living in intergenerational poverty 
and social exclusion. They work to build trust 
with some of the most vulnerable individuals 
and tackle complex needs with a well-rounded 
and personalised approach that sees award 
winning results. City Gateway builds bridges 
to the hardest-to-reach individuals to advise, 
mentor and train people for healthier lives, a 
solid education for career progression and life-
changing work opportunities. 

The Trust’s donation has gone towards funding 
the Formal Education Programme for 2015-17, 
which specifically targets teaching 19-24 year 
olds in English and Mathematics. 

 W E S T S I D E S C H O O L 

Westside School provides an alternative 
education approach supporting pupils aged 
13-16 years who have been excluded from 
mainstream schooling. Westside became a free 
school in 2014, the first alternative provision in 
London, and offers seven GCSE’s with English, 
Mathematics, Science and Computer Science 
as core subjects along with Citizenship, Child 
Development and Art, as well as a range 
of vocational courses including Cooking, 
Mechanics, and Hair & Beauty. The school 
deals with a wide range of students’ needs, 
from autism, dyslexia, to anger management 
issues and English as an Additional Language. 

The Trust’s donation has supported the Student 
Development Programme, which aims to 
upgrade current methods and procedures, 
equipping the students so that they can 
confidently sit their GCSEs and gain the life 
skills that enable them to participate fully and 
productively in the wider community.

 L I F T FO R L E A R N I N G

LIFT for Learning is a charitable development 
hub creating and delivering projects to inspire 
learning. It is dedicated to inspiring the belief 
that every child, young person and adult 
deserves a fair and equal chance to flourish in 
education, by harnessing the digital medium as 
a powerful tool for building traditional literacy 
skills and the new forms of digital literacy. The 
charity aims to make targeted interventions 
that reach and engage those most at risk of 
long-term social exclusion and to exemplify 
successful ways of advancing the acquisition 
of literacy. 

The Trust’s donation has supported the 
development of an online safety project 
“Protecting The Most Vulnerable Children 
Online”. This strategy aims to fill a major gap in 
the current provision, as children struggling with 
literacy have very little grasp of what personal 
information actually means which results in 
vulnerability online.

S PR I N G B OA R D FO R C H I L D R E N 
Springboard works to improve the life 
opportunities of disadvantaged children  
who are at risk of being left behind in the 
education system due to literacy challenges. 
The charity aims to service children in socially 
and economically disadvantaged areas, to  
help them acquire basic literacy skills and  
help raise their expectations of themselves  
and their future.

The Trust’s donation has gone towards 
supporting the Springboard Expert programme, 
for children facing the greatest learning 
challenges, who need highly trained specialists 
to teach them strategies for reading and writing 
that are tailored to their needs.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 45 

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

Jon Aisbitt 
Chairman of the Board and Chairman of 
the Nomination Committee

Richard Berliand
Independent non-executive director

Date of appointment
Jon was appointed to the Board as a 
non-executive director in August 2003 
and was appointed non-executive 
Chairman in September 2007. 

Date of appointment
Richard was appointed to the Board 
as a non-executive director in January 
2016. 

Background and career
Prior to joining the Board, Jon was 
a Partner and Managing Director in 
the Investment Banking Division of 
Goldman Sachs based in New York, 
London and Sydney. 

Background and career
Richard held a number of senior roles at 
J.P. Morgan over a 23 year career at the 
bank, including Global Head of Prime 
Services, Global Head of Cash Equities 
and Chairman of J.P. Morgan’s Market 
Structure practice.

Areas of expertise 
Jon has over 20 years’ experience
in international corporate finance. He 
has significant technical knowledge 
of capital markets and the complex 
regulatory backdrop in which they 
operate. Since being appointed as 
Chairman of Man Group, Jon has 
navigated the Company and the 
Board through significant change and 
has encouraged the development 
of the Group’s strategy through the 
introduction of new and diversified 
investment styles.

Areas of expertise
Richard has a wealth of experience 
in the financial services sector 
gained through a number of senior 
executive roles. He also brings 
extensive experience from a diverse 
range of international non-executive 
positions, providing him with a valuable 
understanding of the current regulatory 
environment.

Phillip Colebatch 
Senior Independent Director  
and Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee

Date of appointment
Phillip was appointed to the Board as 
a non-executive director in September 
2007. He was appointed as Chairman 
of the Remuneration Committee in 
2008 and Senior Independent Director 
in August 2013.

Background and career
Before joining the Board, Phillip was 
a member of the Executive Board of 
Credit Suisse Group, first as Chief 
Financial Officer and then as CEO of 
Credit Suisse Asset Management. 
Phillip was subsequently a member 
of the Executive Board of Swiss 
Reinsurance Company.

Areas of expertise 
Phillip has extensive strategic, financial, 
operational and markets experience 
gained through his various senior 
positions in global financial institutions.

Current external roles
Jon is Deputy Chairman of New 
Forests Company Holdings Limited 
(African sustainable forestry and 
timber processing) and a non-
executive director of Pro Bono Bio plc 
(biotechnology).

Current external roles
Richard is Deputy Chairman of 
Deutsche Börse AG in Frankfurt and 
a non-executive director of Rothesay 
Life Limited. He is also Chairman of 
ITRS Global Holdings Limited, a non-
executive director of Mako Europe Ltd 
and a member of the CFTC Global 
Markets Advisory Committee in 
Washington D.C.

Current external roles
Phillip is a non-executive director of 
Lend Lease Corporation and is on 
the Boards of Trustees of the LGT 
Group Foundation and the Prince of 
Lichtenstein Foundation.

Committee membership
Jon is Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee and a member of the 
Remuneration Committee. He attends 
Audit and Risk Committee meetings by 
invitation. 

Committee membership
Richard is a member of the 
Remuneration Committee and the 
Nomination Committee. Following 
the Board search for an appropriate 
director to succeed Phillip Colebatch 
as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, it is intended that Richard 
will assume this role following the 
Company’s 2016 AGM.

Committee membership
Phillip is Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee and a member of the Audit 
& Risk Committee and the Nomination 
Committee. Following the Board search 
for an appropriate director to succeed 
Phillip as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, it is intended that Richard 
Berliand will assume this role following 
the Company’s 2016 AGM. 

46 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

John Cryan
Independent non-executive director

Andrew Horton

Matthew Lester

Lord Livingston of Parkhead

Emmanuel Roman

Independent non-executive director

Independent non-executive director 

Independent non-executive director and 

Chief Executive Officer

and Chairman of the Audit and Risk 

Chairman designate

Committee

Date of appointment
John was appointed to the Board as a 
non-executive director in January 2015.

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Andrew was appointed to the Board 

Matthew was appointed to the Board 

Ian was appointed to the Board as a 

Emmanuel (Manny) was appointed 

as a non-executive director in August 

as a non-executive director in May 2011. 

non-executive director and Chairman 

to the Board in May 2011. He was 

2013.

designate in January 2016. 

appointed President of Man Group 

in August 2012 and Chief Executive 

Officer in February 2013.

Background and career
John is Co-CEO of Deutsche Bank AG. 
He previously held a number of senior 
roles at UBS AG over a career spanning 
more than 25 years with the banking 
group, during which time he served 
as Group Chief Financial Officer and 
Chairman and CEO of UBS AG EMEA. 
Following his time at UBS, John was 
president of Temasek International’s 
European Operations. 

Areas of expertise 
John has extensive knowledge of 
international financial markets gained 
from experience at leading global 
financial institutions and brings 
significant knowledge of the regulatory 
environment in which Man Group 
operates.

Background and career

Background and career

Background and career

Background and career

Andrew has served on the Board of 

Matthew is Chief Finance Officer of 

Ian served as Minister of State for Trade 

Manny joined Man as Chief Operating 

Beazley plc since 2003, first as Group 

Royal Mail plc. He was Group Finance 

and Investment from 2013 to 2015. Prior 

Officer in October 2010 following the 

Finance Director and since 2008, as 

Director of ICAP from 2006 to 2010 

to this, he was Group Chief Executive 

acquisition of GLG. He joined GLG in 

Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his time 

and prior to that held a range of senior 

Officer of BT Group Plc, having 

2005 as Co-Chief Executive Officer 

at Beazley, Andrew held a number of 

finance roles at Diageo, including 

previously served as Chief Executive 

after 18 years with Goldman Sachs 

financial positions within ING, NatWest 

Group Financial Controller and Group 

Officer of BT Retail and as Group Chief 

where he was Co-Head of Worldwide 

and Lloyds bank.

Treasurer. 

Financial Officer. Before joining BT, he 

Global Securities and Co-Head of the 

was Chief Financial Officer of Dixons 

European Securities Division.

Group plc. 

Areas of expertise 

Areas of expertise 

Areas of expertise

Areas of expertise 

Andrew has over 25 years of broad 

Matthew has substantial financial 

With almost two decades of board 

Manny has a strong and varied 

financial services experience with 

management and regulatory 

level FTSE 100 experience, Ian 

investment management background 

significant exposure to operating at 

expertise. He also has significant 

brings extensive knowledge and 

and extensive trading, operational and 

Board level. Given Andrew’s banking, 

listed company experience acquired 

understanding of successfully growing 

business management experience. 

financial markets and insurance 

background, he is well placed to 

through his role at ICAP and through 

a complex international business and 

Since his appointment as CEO, 

the flotation of Royal Mail plc on the 

navigating regulatory environments 

Manny has led the Company in 

contribute to Man Group’s strategic 

London Stock Exchange. Matthew’s 

around the world. He has a strong 

diversifying its product range and 

development, risk management 

and financial reporting. Andrew’s 

international experience has also 

experience, coupled with his role 

track record of innovative leadership 

increasing its international presence 

as Chairman of Man Group’s Audit 

that will be invaluable to the Board and 

through disciplined acquisitions. He 

and Risk Committee, allows him to 

executive team.

allowed him to provide valuable input 

provide substantial insight into the 

to Man Group’s increased international 

Group’s financial reporting and risk 

presence.

management processes.

also has overseen the restructure of 

the Company’s cost base. Details of 

Manny’s achievements during 2015 can 

be found on page 71.

Current external roles
John is Co-CEO of Deutsche Bank AG.

Current external roles

Current external roles

Current external roles

Current external roles

Andrew is Chief Executive Officer of 

Matthew is Chief Finance Officer of 

Ian is a serving member of the House of 

Manny is a trustee of the Hedge Fund 

Beazley plc.

Royal Mail plc. He is also on the main 

Lords. He is Deputy Chairman of Dixons 

Standards Board Limited and a non-

Committee of the Hundred Group of 

Carphone plc and a non-executive 

executive director of Penguin Random 

Finance Directors where he chairs 

director of Celtic plc and Belmond Ltd.

House Limited.

the Investor Relations and Markets 

Committee.

Committee membership
John is a member of the Nomination 
Committee. 

Committee membership

Committee membership

Committee membership

Committee membership

Andrew is a member of the Audit and 

Matthew is Chairman of the Audit and 

Ian is a member of the Audit and Risk 

Manny regularly attends Audit and Risk 

Risk Committee and the Nomination 

Risk Committee and a member of the 

Committee, Remuneration Committee 

Committee, Remuneration Committee 

Committee.

Nomination Committee.

and Nomination Committee. 

and Nomination Committee meetings 

by invitation. He is Chairman of the 

Executive Committee.

the Nomination Committee

and Chairman of the Remuneration 

Committee

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Date of appointment

Jon was appointed to the Board as a 

Richard was appointed to the Board 

Phillip was appointed to the Board as 

John was appointed to the Board as a 

non-executive director in August 2003 

as a non-executive director in January 

a non-executive director in September 

non-executive director in January 2015.

and was appointed non-executive 

2016. 

Chairman in September 2007. 

2007. He was appointed as Chairman 

of the Remuneration Committee in 

2008 and Senior Independent Director 

in August 2013.

Background and career

Background and career

Background and career

Background and career

Prior to joining the Board, Jon was 

Richard held a number of senior roles at 

Before joining the Board, Phillip was 

John is Co-CEO of Deutsche Bank AG. 

a Partner and Managing Director in 

J.P. Morgan over a 23 year career at the 

a member of the Executive Board of 

He previously held a number of senior 

the Investment Banking Division of 

bank, including Global Head of Prime 

Credit Suisse Group, first as Chief 

roles at UBS AG over a career spanning 

Goldman Sachs based in New York, 

Services, Global Head of Cash Equities 

Financial Officer and then as CEO of 

more than 25 years with the banking 

London and Sydney. 

and Chairman of J.P. Morgan’s Market 

Credit Suisse Asset Management. 

group, during which time he served 

Structure practice.

Phillip was subsequently a member 

as Group Chief Financial Officer and 

of the Executive Board of Swiss 

Chairman and CEO of UBS AG EMEA. 

Reinsurance Company.

Following his time at UBS, John was 

president of Temasek International’s 

European Operations. 

Areas of expertise 

Areas of expertise

Areas of expertise 

Areas of expertise 

Jon has over 20 years’ experience

Richard has a wealth of experience 

Phillip has extensive strategic, financial, 

John has extensive knowledge of 

in international corporate finance. He 

in the financial services sector 

operational and markets experience 

international financial markets gained 

has significant technical knowledge 

gained through a number of senior 

gained through his various senior 

from experience at leading global 

of capital markets and the complex 

executive roles. He also brings 

positions in global financial institutions.

financial institutions and brings 

significant knowledge of the regulatory 

environment in which Man Group 

operates.

regulatory backdrop in which they 

extensive experience from a diverse 

operate. Since being appointed as 

range of international non-executive 

Chairman of Man Group, Jon has 

positions, providing him with a valuable 

navigated the Company and the 

understanding of the current regulatory 

Board through significant change and 

environment.

has encouraged the development 

of the Group’s strategy through the 

introduction of new and diversified 

investment styles.

Current external roles

Current external roles

Current external roles

Current external roles

Jon is Deputy Chairman of New 

Richard is Deputy Chairman of 

Phillip is a non-executive director of 

John is Co-CEO of Deutsche Bank AG.

Forests Company Holdings Limited 

Deutsche Börse AG in Frankfurt and 

Lend Lease Corporation and is on 

(African sustainable forestry and 

a non-executive director of Rothesay 

the Boards of Trustees of the LGT 

timber processing) and a non-

Life Limited. He is also Chairman of 

Group Foundation and the Prince of 

executive director of Pro Bono Bio plc 

ITRS Global Holdings Limited, a non-

Lichtenstein Foundation.

(biotechnology).

executive director of Mako Europe Ltd 

and a member of the CFTC Global 

Markets Advisory Committee in 

Washington D.C.

Committee membership

Jon is Chairman of the Nomination 

Committee membership

Richard is a member of the 

Committee membership

Committee membership

Phillip is Chairman of the Remuneration 

John is a member of the Nomination 

Committee and a member of the 

Remuneration Committee and the 

Committee and a member of the Audit 

Committee. 

Remuneration Committee. He attends 

Nomination Committee. Following 

& Risk Committee and the Nomination 

Audit and Risk Committee meetings by 

the Board search for an appropriate 

Committee. Following the Board search 

invitation. 

director to succeed Phillip Colebatch 

for an appropriate director to succeed 

as Chairman of the Remuneration 

Phillip as Chairman of the Remuneration 

Committee, it is intended that Richard 

Committee, it is intended that Richard 

will assume this role following the 

Berliand will assume this role following 

Company’s 2016 AGM.

the Company’s 2016 AGM. 

Jon Aisbitt 

Richard Berliand

Phillip Colebatch 

John Cryan

Chairman of the Board and Chairman of 

Independent non-executive director

Senior Independent Director  

Independent non-executive director

Andrew Horton
Independent non-executive director

Matthew Lester
Independent non-executive director 
and Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee

Lord Livingston of Parkhead
Independent non-executive director and 
Chairman designate

Emmanuel Roman
Chief Executive Officer

Date of appointment
Andrew was appointed to the Board 
as a non-executive director in August 
2013.

Date of appointment
Matthew was appointed to the Board 
as a non-executive director in May 2011. 

Date of appointment
Ian was appointed to the Board as a 
non-executive director and Chairman 
designate in January 2016. 

Date of appointment
Emmanuel (Manny) was appointed 
to the Board in May 2011. He was 
appointed President of Man Group 
in August 2012 and Chief Executive 
Officer in February 2013.

Background and career
Andrew has served on the Board of 
Beazley plc since 2003, first as Group 
Finance Director and since 2008, as 
Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his time 
at Beazley, Andrew held a number of 
financial positions within ING, NatWest 
and Lloyds bank.

Background and career
Matthew is Chief Finance Officer of 
Royal Mail plc. He was Group Finance 
Director of ICAP from 2006 to 2010 
and prior to that held a range of senior 
finance roles at Diageo, including 
Group Financial Controller and Group 
Treasurer. 

Background and career
Ian served as Minister of State for Trade 
and Investment from 2013 to 2015. Prior 
to this, he was Group Chief Executive 
Officer of BT Group Plc, having 
previously served as Chief Executive 
Officer of BT Retail and as Group Chief 
Financial Officer. Before joining BT, he 
was Chief Financial Officer of Dixons 
Group plc. 

Background and career
Manny joined Man as Chief Operating 
Officer in October 2010 following the 
acquisition of GLG. He joined GLG in 
2005 as Co-Chief Executive Officer 
after 18 years with Goldman Sachs 
where he was Co-Head of Worldwide 
Global Securities and Co-Head of the 
European Securities Division.

Areas of expertise 
Andrew has over 25 years of broad 
financial services experience with 
significant exposure to operating at 
Board level. Given Andrew’s banking, 
financial markets and insurance 
background, he is well placed to 
contribute to Man Group’s strategic 
development, risk management 
and financial reporting. Andrew’s 
international experience has also 
allowed him to provide valuable input 
to Man Group’s increased international 
presence.

Areas of expertise 
Matthew has substantial financial 
management and regulatory 
expertise. He also has significant 
listed company experience acquired 
through his role at ICAP and through 
the flotation of Royal Mail plc on the 
London Stock Exchange. Matthew’s 
experience, coupled with his role 
as Chairman of Man Group’s Audit 
and Risk Committee, allows him to 
provide substantial insight into the 
Group’s financial reporting and risk 
management processes.

Areas of expertise
With almost two decades of board 
level FTSE 100 experience, Ian 
brings extensive knowledge and 
understanding of successfully growing 
a complex international business and 
navigating regulatory environments 
around the world. He has a strong 
track record of innovative leadership 
that will be invaluable to the Board and 
executive team.

Areas of expertise 
Manny has a strong and varied 
investment management background 
and extensive trading, operational and 
business management experience. 
Since his appointment as CEO, 
Manny has led the Company in 
diversifying its product range and 
increasing its international presence 
through disciplined acquisitions. He 
also has overseen the restructure of 
the Company’s cost base. Details of 
Manny’s achievements during 2015 can 
be found on page 71.

Current external roles
Andrew is Chief Executive Officer of 
Beazley plc.

Current external roles
Matthew is Chief Finance Officer of 
Royal Mail plc. He is also on the main 
Committee of the Hundred Group of 
Finance Directors where he chairs 
the Investor Relations and Markets 
Committee.

Current external roles
Ian is a serving member of the House of 
Lords. He is Deputy Chairman of Dixons 
Carphone plc and a non-executive 
director of Celtic plc and Belmond Ltd.

Current external roles
Manny is a trustee of the Hedge Fund 
Standards Board Limited and a non-
executive director of Penguin Random 
House Limited.

Committee membership
Andrew is a member of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and the Nomination 
Committee.

Committee membership
Matthew is Chairman of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and a member of the 
Nomination Committee.

Committee membership
Ian is a member of the Audit and Risk 
Committee, Remuneration Committee 
and Nomination Committee. 

Committee membership
Manny regularly attends Audit and Risk 
Committee, Remuneration Committee 
and Nomination Committee meetings 
by invitation. He is Chairman of the 
Executive Committee.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 47 

GOVERNANCE 
B O A R D   O F   D I R E C T O R S   C O N T I N U E D

Dev Sanyal
Independent non-executive director

Nina Shapiro
Independent non-executive director

Jonathan Sorrell
Chief Financial Officer

Date of appointment
Nina was appointed to the Board as a 
non-executive director in October 2011.

Date of appointment
Jonathan was appointed to the Board 
as Chief Financial Officer in June 2012.

Date of appointment
Dev was appointed to the Board as a 
non-executive director in December 
2013.

Background and career
Dev has held a number of senior 
financial and line management positions 
with BP in a global career spanning 
25 years. Positions include Group 
Treasurer, Chairman of BP Investment 
Management, Business Chief 
Executive, Executive Vice President, 
Strategy and Integration and member of 
BP’s Group Executive Committee.

Areas of expertise 
Dev has extensive knowledge of capital 
markets, asset and risk management, 
trading and foreign exchange gained 
from his role as BP Group Treasurer 
and Chairman of BP Investment 
Management Ltd. He also has broad 
international experience and wide 
ranging operational expertise in senior 
executive roles and is, therefore, able 
to contribute to the development and 
execution of Man Group’s business 
strategy and global relationships.

Background and career
Nina held several senior management 
and operating roles at the World Bank 
and has led numerous investments 
in emerging markets. From 2000 
to 2011, Nina was a member of the 
Management Group and was Vice 
President, Finance, and Treasurer of 
the International Finance Corporation 
(the World Bank’s private sector 
arm). In that role she managed liquid 
asset investment and capital market 
fundraising.

Areas of expertise 
With extensive experience in 
international financial markets and 
in-depth knowledge of investment in 
emerging markets, Nina has particular 
insight into financial policy and market 
development. This perspective helps to 
support Man Group in its international 
expansion.

Current external roles
Dev currently serves at BP as Chief 
Executive, Alternative Energy, 
Executive Vice President, Regions 
with responsibility for Europe and Asia 
regions and a member of the Group 
Executive Committee. He is also a 
member of the Accenture Global 
Energy Board, a member of the Board 
of Advisors of The Fletcher School of 
Law and Diplomacy and Vice Chairman 
of the Centre for China in the World 
Economy at Tsinghua University.

Current external roles
Nina is a director of Zyfin (an originator 
of ETFs for emerging markets) and 
Mountain Partners (an accelerator 
for early technology ventures). She 
also is on the Advisory Boards of 
Zurich Insurance Group’s Investment 
Management Advisory Council, the 
New Silk Route PE Fund and the 
Carbon Trust. 

Committee membership
Dev is a member of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and the Nomination 
Committee.

Committee membership
Nina is a member of the Remuneration 
Committee and the Nomination 
Committee.

48 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Background and career
Jonathan joined Man in August 2011 
as Head of Strategy and Corporate 
Finance. Prior to this, he spent 13 years 
at Goldman Sachs, where he worked in 
the Investment Management, Securities 
and Investment Banking Divisions, 
latterly leading investments in a broad 
range of hedge fund firms.

Areas of expertise 
Jonathan’s experience of financial 
markets, particularly his extensive 
knowledge of the hedge fund industry 
and strong background in strategy 
and execution, has supported the 
development of Man’s strategy, 
including M&A activity that has 
strengthened Man’s footprint in the 
US. He has also brought clear focus on 
financial efficiency through the delivery 
of challenging cost saving initiatives 
and the restructuring of Man Group’s 
balance sheet. Details of Jonathan’s 
achievements during 2015 can be 
found on page 72.

Current external roles
Jonathan is a director of Nephila 
Holdings Limited.

Committee membership
Jonathan regularly attends Audit and 
Risk Committee meetings by invitation 
and attends Remuneration Committee 
meetings for certain items of business. 
He is also a member of the Executive 
Committee.

C O R P O R A T E 
G O V E R N A N C E   R E P O R T

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to report to you on the Board’s activities and development 
in my last year as Chairman of Man. 

As indicated in my Chairman’s statement, after a year of major 
acquisition in 2014 the Board’s focus turned to reviewing against plan 
the performance of the businesses acquired, monitoring the progress 
of their integration into Man’s operational infrastructure and testing the 
risk management which had been put in place. The Board also reviewed 
Man’s investment in people, exploring the success of the new investment 
managers hired into GLG, the development and mobility of the internal 
talent pool and the dissemination throughout the Group of the set of core 
business principles introduced by the executive team in 2014. 

2015 was also a year of building future talent for the Board. While Phillip 
Colebatch was leading the search for my successor as Chairman, I 
concentrated on the search for his successor as Remuneration Committee 
Chairman. Both appointments were successfully completed around the 
turn of the year and will provide excellent leadership for the future. 

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to lead Man’s Board for the last 
nine years through a period of profound change for the business and the 
industry as a whole. I would like to thank my fellow Board members and 
the executive management for their unfailing support and effort through 
what have often been uncertain and testing times. I am confident in the 
strength of the team that I hand over to Ian and wish my colleagues all the 
best for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 49 

GOVERNANCE 
 
 
C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E   R E P O R T 
C O N T I N U E D

B OA R D LE A D E R S H I P

E X PE R I E N C E

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Board composition
One of my most important jobs during my time as Chairman has been 
to build a Board which has the right balance of skills, experience and 
outlook to meet the changing needs of the business and to provide 
maximum support and challenge to the executive team. The nature and 
structure of Man’s business has evolved significantly over the last nine 
years and the changes in the profile of the Board reflect the scale of that 
change. While all its members continue to have in-depth financial and 
fund management experience of various kinds, the Board has been fully 
refreshed in recent years with the appointment of four independent non-
executive directors who are serving executives in other companies. These 
individuals bring current operational experience and insights which are 
highly valued by Man’s executive team. The analyses of our membership 
opposite show the strength of the Board’s membership in terms of the 
range of relevant experience our directors offer and the period over which 
they have been building their knowledge of the business. 

One of the areas where we still have progress to make is the promotion 
of further diversity. As part of this, we are exploring different ways to 
attract appropriate female candidates to the Board and hope that a 
new approach, as detailed in the Nomination Committee report, will 
prove successful during 2016. I feel, nonetheless, that I am leaving Ian 
with a very experienced, high quality and committed executive and 
non-executive team. Full details of individual Board members’ career 
experience and role on the Board are given on pages 46–48.

Board roles and relationships
The way in which Board members work together is as important as 
the individual skills they bring. I have, as Chairman, enjoyed a strong 
relationship with our CEO. Full details of our respective roles on the 
Board are given on our website. Manny’s response to my non-executive 
colleagues is constructive and candid and the executive team is always 
open to the Board’s requests for more detail and insights into the 
business, whether that be on the tracking of acquisitions, the success of 
new hires or on industry and external market trends. The executives very 
much welcome the sharing of advice and experience by Board members 
who, as full time executives elsewhere, are working on similar challenges 
in their own organisations. These include issues such as cyber protection, 
the roll-out and testing of business principles, and management 
development and succession. There is a strong and growing appetite 
on the part of every Board member to maximise the non-executives’ 
contribution to all areas of the Board’s operation and to leverage the skills 
and experience they offer.

Our non-executives also meet as a separate group on occasion without 
the executive team. They take advantage of informal dinners to hear at 
first hand about the business from Executive Committee members and 
other senior management below Board level. This also gives the Board 
the opportunity to test management development and succession 
planning needs and to get a better sense of the talent available to provide 
the executive leadership of the future.

Our Senior Independent Director (SID), Phillip Colebatch, has played a 
vital role this year in his leadership of the search for my successor, details 
of which are given in the Nomination Committee report. As Chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee, he led the shareholder consultation on 
the changes to our remuneration policy and our ongoing programme 
of shareholder engagement on remuneration during the year. Details 
of these activities are given in the Directors’ Remuneration report. A full 
outline of Phillip’s role as SID is given on our website. 

50 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

100%

F I N A N C E

100%

O PE R AT I O N A L

64%

R I S K M A N AG E M E N T

55%

Tenure years

TE N U R E

0-3 years 
3-6 years 
6+ years 

AT TE N DA N C E R ECO R D

Jon Aisbitt, Chairman

Phillip Colebatch1

John Cryan

Andrew Horton1

Matthew Lester

Emmanuel Roman

Dev Sanyal

Nina Shapiro

Jonathan Sorrell

%

46
36
18

Attendance 
record

10/10

9/10

10/10

9/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

Note:
1  Owing to conflicting business commitments, Phillip Colebatch and Andrew 

Horton were each unable to attend one meeting. However, they received and 
reviewed the papers to be considered in advance and directed questions to the 
Chairman which were addressed in the meeting.

Non-executive independence and consideration of conflicts
I believe that, as shown in the feedback from our external Board 
evaluation, our non-executive directors bring a robust scrutiny and level 
of challenge to management proposals. Their independence is regularly 
assessed as part of the annual Board evaluation and we consider each 
one to be totally independent in spirit and in role. In-depth due diligence 
at the time of each director’s appointment ensures that any potential 

 
conflicts of interest are fully explored. Board members are required to notify 
me on a continuing basis of any changes in their external appointments 
or interests which may create a potential conflict with their service on 
the Board in order that the implications may properly be addressed. The 
appointment of John Cryan as co-CEO of Deutsche Bank last July was 
carefully considered by the Board and the executive team. As a result, we 
concluded that the potential conflict of interest arising from his executive 
position at Deutsche Bank meant that he should step down from his 
position as Chairman and member of the Remuneration Committee but 
that he should remain on the Board as a non-executive director. 

Board direction and oversight
The Board’s principal responsibility is to promote the long-term success 
of the Company in line with its culture and values. In doing this, it must 
ensure that it delivers the right balance between short-term and long-
term objectives and creates sustainable shareholder value. To provide 
oversight of financial reporting and risk management and to protect 
shareholder interests in respect of executive remuneration and the future 
leadership of the business, it delegates certain functions to three main 
Board Committees whose functions are summarised below. 

BOA R D

AU D IT A N D R I S K CO M M IT TE E

R E M U N E R ATI O N 
CO M M IT TE E

N O M I N ATI O N 
CO M M IT TE E

 – Reviews the integrity of the Company’s 
financial reports and statements prior to 
approval by the Board.

 – Reviews and reports to the Board on the 
effectiveness of Man’s risk management 
and internal controls framework.
 – Recommends to the Board the 

appointment of the external auditor 
and reviews the effectiveness and 
independence of the external auditor.
 – Approves the Internal Audit plan and 

reviews the effectiveness of the Internal 
Audit function and management’s 
response to their findings.

 – Recommends to the Board for approval 

the principles and structure of the 
Company’s executive remuneration policy.

 – Recommends to the Board for approval 
the quantum of the Company’s variable 
compensation pool.

 – Recommends to the Board for approval 
the annual objectives and compensation 
for individual executive directors.

 – Approves the compensation for Executive 
Committee members and FCA Code staff.

 – Determines the contractual termination 
terms for executive directors and any 
severance payments.

 – Keeps the Board’s skill and experience 
base under regular review in light of 
business changes and agrees with 
the Board the role specification for any 
proposed new appointments.

 – Conducts the search and selection 

process for new directors and 
recommends proposed appointees to the 
Board.

 – Reviews senior executive development 

and succession plans to ensure continuity 
of resource at, and just below, Board level.
 – Reviews and recommends the renewal of 
non-executive director appointments. 

See pages 57 to 60 for the Audit  
and Risk Committee Report

See pages 64 to 87 for the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

See pages 61 to 63 for the Nomination 
Committee Report

Full Committee terms of reference, which are approved by the Board, can be found on our website. Details of the work of the Committees during the 
year are given in the separate Committee reports highlighted above.

Matters reserved for Board decision
In discharging its responsibility for the direction and governance of 
the business, the Board has adopted a schedule of matters which are 
reserved for its decision alone. These are key matters determining the 
purpose, value and structure of the business including:
 – Strategy
 – Oversight of business performance 
 – Major acquisitions and disposals and new business developments
 – Capital structure and corporate status
 – Risk appetite, risk management and internal controls
 – Annual Budget and Medium Term Plan
 – Borrowings and Treasury policies
 – Financial reporting and communications with shareholders
 – Dividends
 – Board appointments

A full list of the matters reserved for Board decision is available on our 
website. 

All other matters fall within the responsibility and decision of the CEO who 
has established a separate Group authorities framework through which 
he delegates certain decisions to individuals and specific management 

groups. The CEO is assisted in managing the business by the Executive 
Committee which operates under his direction and authority. The 
Executive Committee helps implement the Board approved strategy and 
manages financial and operational performance. It is also accountable 
for all risks assumed in the business and for the execution of appropriate 
risk management discipline. Executive Committee membership is given 
on page 40.

Board meetings and agendas
The Board held ten formal meetings during 2015, including a one-and-
a-half day strategy review. The tables on page 52 give a sense of the 
Board’s core agenda at every meeting, the recurring annual cycle of 
business and specific items of focus in 2015. Man’s President, Luke Ellis, 
regularly attends meetings to give the Board an update on the progress 
and performance of Man’s investment managers and to provide insights 
into industry performance and market trends. Executives from Investment 
Management, Sales, Operations and Group Risk are invited to report 
direct to the Board on progress and business developments within 
their areas. The Global Head of Legal and Compliance keeps the Board 
updated on any regulatory issues arising in the business, new areas of 
FCA focus and the potential impact of external regulatory developments.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 51 

GOVERNANCE 
C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E   R E P O R T 
C O N T I N U E D

  A R E A S O F BOA R D FO C U S I N 2 015

Regular core agenda

 – CEO review of markets and economic backdrop, investment 

 – Reports by Committee Chairmen on matters discussed at previous 

performance, fund flows and people moves

 – Updates on acquisition opportunities 
 – Review of financial performance against plan

Committee meetings

 – Business updates including Group Risk Dashboard, Investor Relations 

Update and Operations and Technology Report

Full year programme

February
 – Reviewed and approved 2014 Group bonus pool and executive 

September
 – Reviewed external risks which posed a potential threat to Man’s 

directors’ remuneration on the recommendation of the Remuneration 
Committee

 – Approved Final FY15 Budget and FY15–17 Medium Term Plan
 – Approved 2014 final dividend and $175 million share buyback 
 – Undertook annual review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 

management and internal control processes 

 – Approved 2014 Annual Report 

March
 – Approved a new Directors’ remuneration policy for vote by 

shareholders

 – Approved the Notice of 2015 AGM

business

 – Discussed talent management and succession planning initiatives 

including front office recruitment activity

 – Discussed an update by the Operations and Technology team on the 
objectives, strategy and outlook for their part of the business in 2016 
and beyond

November
 – Presentation on Global Sales strategy and progress from the Co-

Heads of Global Sales

 – Reviewed the assumptions for the FY16 Budget and FY16–18 Medium 

Term Plan

 – Received an update on cyber security assessment, staff awareness 

May
 – Reviewed the seeding book and approved an increase in the cap and 

training and protection

 – Discussed Board succession and diversity initiatives

the value at risk limit (VaR) 

 – Started regular tracking of progress against plan on recent acquisitions
 – Considered pre-AGM feedback on Directors’ remuneration policy

December
 – Reviewed 2015 from a market perspective – changes in register, 

June
 – Approved the refinancing of the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) at a 

reduced level ($1 billion)

 – Board Strategy review (see further details below)

July
 – Reviewed and approved the 2015 ICAAP
 – Discussed feedback from employee survey and management actions 

buyside sentiment and price volatility

 – Preliminary approval of FY16 Budget and FY16-18 Medium Term Plan 

subject to year end numbers

 – Received presentations on machine learning by AHL and the 

development of Man’s alternative beta solution by the CIO of FRM

 – Discussed the output of the 2015 Board evaluation
 – Reviewed non-executive directors’ fees and the annual update on 

directors’ external appointments

 – Approved revised terms of reference for the Audit and Risk and 

proposed in response

Remuneration Committees

 – Discussed action points from the Board Strategy review
 – Considered Half-Year Risk Update
 – Approved 2015 interim dividend and Interim Report
 – Approved 2015 Sharesave Offer
 – Reviewed and approved updated Global Inside Information Policy, 

Share Dealing Code and disclosure of inside information procedures 

 – Reviewed and approved updated schedule of matters reserved for 

Board decision

Board Strategy review:

 – Received presentation from Barclays Strategic Consulting on hedge 

 – Reviewed the build out of AHL beyond trend following and its 

fund trends and outlook

collaboration with Numeric

 – Discussed strategic objectives in relation to product development, 

Sales capacity and growth

 – Reviewed the restructuring and development of the GLG alternatives 

 – Reviewed FRM performance and flows 
 – Reviewed Numeric integration and strategic direction
 – Reviewed Global Sales plans with particular focus on the US growth 

business, the build out of the long only franchise and the development 
of the CLO business

strategy

52 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
B OA R D ACC O U NTA B I LIT Y

Board responsibility for risk management and internal controls
In accordance with the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the “Code”), the Board is required to monitor the Company’s risk 
management and internal control systems on an ongoing basis and, 
at least annually, carry out a review of their effectiveness and report on 
this review to shareholders. Details of the Company’s ongoing process 
for identifying, evaluating and managing the principal risks faced by the 
Company are contained in the Risk management section on pages 34 to 
37, together with details of those principal risks and their related mitigants. 
A summary of the Company’s risk management and internal control 
systems, including those relating to the financial reporting process, is 
given below. These systems have been in place throughout the year and 
up to the date of this report.

Financial reporting controls
The Group operates a financial controls framework which is designed 
to provide assurance that proper accounting records are adequately 
maintained and that financial information used within the business and 
for external publication is reliable and free from material misstatement, 
thereby safeguarding the Company’s assets.

This framework is managed through a process whereby control owners 
certify that key preventative and detective controls have been performed 

and are operating effectively. These include balance sheet reconciliations 
and financial statement preparation processes. A sample of these control 
certifications is independently spot checked to provide assurance that 
they have been correctly certified. 

During the year, formal monitoring of the results of the certification 
process is carried out by senior management. Any material points of note 
are escalated to the Audit and Risk Committee (ARCom).

Financial reporting
Fair, balanced and understandable assessment
The processes that were developed and reported on last year to 
support the Board’s presentation of a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of the Company’s position and prospects have also been 
applied during 2015. Particular reliance is placed on the conclusions 
and recommendations arising from the ARCom’s comprehensive review 
of the Interim and Annual Report to ensure that there is consistency 
between the narrative reporting and the financial information. Further 
details of the ARCom’s review process can be found on page 58. All 
contributors to the Company’s financial statements and Annual Report 
are made aware of the fair, balanced and understandable requirement.  
Executive Committee members and the heads of relevant business units 
carry out an extensive review and verification exercise to support the 
accuracy of the disclosures.

Board review of risk management and internal control systems 
The Company’s risk management and internal control systems aim to safeguard assets, maintain proper accounting records and provide  
assurance that the financial information used in the business and published externally is robust and reliable. The systems are designed to manage 
key risks, rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. The systems comply with the FRC’s Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting.

Whilst the Board retains overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of risk management and internal control, it has delegated oversight of this to 
the ARCom. 

To support its ongoing risk oversight responsibilities, the ARCom regularly reviews and considers:
 – summary dashboards for risk, internal controls, the financial controls framework and compliance;
 – presentations on the strategy and risk and control profile of the Group’s key business areas and in-depth reviews of the Group’s business functions;
 – reports from the Risk & Finance Committee which monitors the effectiveness of risk mitigation through regular review of Risk and Control Self-

Assessments carried out by management as the first line of defence, scenario analysis, key risk indicators and operational risk event reports; and 

 – reports from Internal Audit regarding the operation and effectiveness of internal controls. The Internal Audit programme is designed to provide 

objective assurance on the business areas, key controls and processes that are most significant in terms of the Group’s risk profile. 

During the year, a number of operational and regulatory matters that had occurred were reported to the ARCom. Whilst Man sought to improve its 
processes as a result, these matters were not considered sufficiently material in number or nature either to require separate disclosure in the financial 
statements or to indicate that the control environment had not been working effectively.

The report from the Chairman of the ARCom on pages 57 to 60 provides further information on how the ARCom has discharged its risk oversight 
responsibilities during the year.

The Board receives regular reports from the Chairman of the ARCom, business management and Group Risk on the risks to the achievement of 
the Group’s operational and financial objectives, together with assurance that the level of risk retained is consistent with and being managed in 
accordance with the Board’s risk appetite and with business planning. These reports include current and forward looking assessments of capital 
and liquidity adequacy and a summary ‘risk dashboard’.

Annual review of risk management and internal controls
In addition to its ongoing monitoring of the Group’s risk management and internal controls, the Board has conducted a specific annual review of their 
effectiveness during the year and for the period up to the date of this Annual Report. This review covered all principal risks and included a review of 
all significant operational risk events and Internal Audit findings raised during the period. The Board also considered the potential impact of certain 
risks identified by the business, the outcome of the firm-wide Risk and Control Self-Assessment process performed by business management and 
the quality of the controls in place to mitigate these risks. 

Following this review, the Board concluded that the Group’s risk management processes were effective and that there were no significant 
weaknesses or failings in the system of internal controls.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 53 

GOVERNANCE 
C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E   R E P O R T 
C O N T I N U E D

B OA R D E FFECTI V E N E S S

Board induction
We arrange a comprehensive and tailored induction programme for our 
non-executive directors as soon as possible after their appointment. The 
programme is built around one-to-one meetings with members of our 
Executive Committee, the Heads of Group functions and the Company 
Secretary covering the broad areas of business set out in the table below.

Ian Livingston and Richard Berliand, who joined the Board in January 
2016, have recently worked through this programme. In addition, Ian 
has spent time talking to Board members and other people in the 
business about all aspects of Man’s operation and culture. In his role 
as Remuneration Committee member and prospective Remuneration 
Committee Chairman, Richard received a briefing on current themes and 
developments in executive remuneration for FTSE companies and Man’s 
particular positioning and challenges. He will also have meetings with our 
remuneration advisers and legal advisers on remuneration matters.

We always seek feedback from our new Board members on the content 
and format of the induction programme in order to keep it refreshed  
and well targeted. Further details of the programme can be found on  
our website.

Board education and development
Man’s business
Board members regularly identify business areas and external market 
trends about which they would like a better understanding. In 2015 
the Board was keen to learn more about the development of Man’s 
alternative beta product and participated in an in-depth discussion with 
the CIO of FRM about the scale of the opportunity and the challenges 
and risks attached. This is a key growth area which the Board will follow 
closely in 2016. It was also interested to learn from the AHL team about 
the application of machine learning in terms of pattern prediction and 
recognition to the development of AHL models. Understanding the drivers 
of the Sales opportunity and making further inroads into the US market 
continue to be high on the Board’s agenda. In response to this interest, 
the Co-Heads of Global Sales discussed with the Board the prospects for 
and limitations on sales growth in different countries and the challenges 
attaching to the achievement of the 2016 Global Sales budget. 

Regulation
Our Board members are committed to keeping up-to-date on the ever 
widening range of regulatory issues which may impact their governance 
responsibilities. Details of briefings and workshops offered by external 
firms are circulated by the Company Secretary as an adjunct to the 
discussion of specific regulatory topics at Board meetings by our 
auditors, remuneration and other advisers. During the year the Board 
received refresher training on the Disclosure and Transparency Rules in 
respect of the protection and timely disclosure to the market of inside 
information as context for its review of the Company’s updated inside 
information and share dealing code processes. 

B O A R D   I N D U C T I O N   P R O G R A M M E

B U S I N E S S R E V I E W

M A R K E T 
P O S I T I O N I N G & 
PE R C E P T I O N

R E G U L ATO RY 
E N V I R O N M E N T

PE O PL E , C U LT U R E 
A N D VA LU E S

B OA R D PR O C E D U R E S 
& G OV E R N A N C E 
F R A M E WO R K

 – Strategic direction and 

priorities 

 – Analysis of markets in 
which Man operates
 – Overview of AHL, GLG, 

 – Review of financial and 
market performance
 – Recent analyst and 
media coverage

 – Analysis of shareholder 

 – Overview of the 
Group’s key 
compliance and 
regulatory policies
 – Recent changes in 

FRM and Numeric 
 – Sales and distribution
 – Operations and 
technology  

 – Risk appetite and 

framework

base and investor 
perception
 – Shareholder 
engagement

regulatory landscape

 – Hot topics and key 

priorities for regulators 
including relevant 
thematic reviews
 – Impact of upcoming 

regulatory 
developments on the 
Group including MiFID 
II, UCITS V and Senior 
Manager Regime

 – Discussion of key 
business principles

 – Key people and 
succession plans

 – HR priorities including 
diversity, training and 
talent pipeline
 – HR structure 

and outsourcing 
arrangements

 – Board processes and 

relationships

 – Board interaction with 
key business areas
 – Overview of listed 

company structure and 
governance framework

 – Listed company 

obligations

 – Directors’ duties and 

responsibilities

54 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

The IDDAS report was presented to the Board in December 2015 
and reviewed in more detail at the February 2016 meeting. The Board 
discussed the themes arising and agreed a number of actions to address 
the main areas identified for development in 2016 on which we will report 
next year. 

Review of individual performance
I met and discussed with each of the directors individually the evaluation 
feedback on their contributions to the Board during the year. These 
conversations identified areas where directors might bring additional 
benefit to the Board and explored opportunities for their further 
development in the role. Phillip Colebatch, in his role as SID, provided 
feedback to me on my contribution as Chairman.

S H A R E H O LD E R E N G AG E M E NT

The Board is committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with 
investors and is keen to understand the views of major shareholders.  
The Head of Investor Relations regularly attends Board meetings to report 
on important changes in the share register, share price performance, 
investor sentiment and areas of enquiry. The Board also receives regular 
detailed feedback on investor perceptions of the CEO and CFO.

Institutional investors
The Company has developed a comprehensive investor relations 
programme through which the Head of Investor Relations, CEO and 
CFO maintain a continuous dialogue with institutional investors on 
performance, plans and objectives. This is achieved through one-to-one 
meetings throughout the year and participation in UK, US and European 
investor roadshows and investor conferences. Details of the 2015 
Calendar of Investor Events are provided on the following page. 

During 2015, the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and the 
Company Secretary spent considerable time consulting with major 
shareholders and shareholder representative bodies on proposed 
adjustments to the executive incentive limits within our remuneration 
policy. Further details of this engagement on remuneration matters are 
provided in the Directors’ Remuneration report on page 65.

Key areas which the CEO and CFO have discussed with investors during 
the year have been:
 –  Progress of recent acquisitions, in particular Numeric
 –  Progress on US distribution
 –  M&A – potential new acquisitions
 –  Flows pipeline

2015 Board evaluation
In considering its approach to the 2015 evaluation, the Board took 
account of the planned succession in the first half of 2016 of a Chairman 
who was new to Man and who would wish to introduce his own ideas 
on the operation and effectiveness of the Board. It was also aware of the 
ongoing search for and appointment of a new non-executive director and 
prospective Remuneration Committee Chairman. In these circumstances 
the Board decided that, after two internal evaluations, there would be 
value in carrying out an external evaluation but that this should be done 
on a light touch basis. The evaluation was structured around one-to-
one conversations with Board members to cover action points arising 
from the 2014 evaluation and to stimulate comment on areas of current 
interest and on things which it was considered the Board did least well. 
It was also agreed that there should be conversations with a number 
of senior executives who regularly attended Board meetings to test the 
level of Board challenge of their proposals and ask what further support 
and contribution Board members could provide. The intention was that 
the evaluation should be structured as a forward looking review with the 
emphasis on what could be achieved in the future. 

IDDAS Limited was selected to carry out the work, focusing on the 
effectiveness of the Board, the contribution of individual directors, and 
the operation of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nomination 
Committee. IDDAS Limited has no other connection with the Company. 
The effectiveness of the Remuneration Committee was the subject of 
an internal review facilitated by the Company Secretary. The findings 
and priority areas of focus arising from the Committee evaluations 
are discussed in the separate Committee reports. A summary of the 
key strengths and main areas for development identified in the Board 
evaluation is set out below.

   K E Y   A R E A S   O F 
P R O G R E S S / S T R E N G T H

 – Board composition: the appointment of new non-executive 

directors has strengthened the industry and corporate experience 
on the Board and resulted in a well balanced team.

 – Board relationships and challenge: relationships are described 
as open, respectful and constructive. Board members feel able 
to contribute and challenge freely; there are healthy differences of 
opinion and no signs of group think.

 – Ethics: Board members expressed a high degree of confidence in 

the ethical standards set for the business by the CEO.

 – Secretariat: the Board feels well served in matters of governance 

and administration by the Company Secretariat. 

   M A I N   A R E A S   F O R 
D E V E L O P M E N T

 – Strategy: drilling down on the big strategic questions including the 
direction of the industry, the acquisition strategy and the delivery of 
value from Man’s existing and future footprint.

 – Investment in people: monitoring the outcomes of investment in 

people against a more detailed strategy.

 – Talent and succession: reviewing the executive talent pool, 

seeking more interaction with the senior team below the CEO and 
creating robust succession plans for the top roles. 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 55 

GOVERNANCE 
 
 
C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E   R E P O R T 
C O N T I N U E D

Private investors
Our private investors are encouraged to access the Company’s Interim 
and Annual Reports and half-year and final results presentations on 
our website. Other useful information such as historic dividend records 
and shareholder communications is also available on the website. 
Shareholders can use the site to access our Registrars’ Shareview 
website (www.shareview.co.uk) where their shareholding account can be 
managed online.

We are always keen to understand the views of and answer questions 
from private investors and offer a dedicated shareholder mailbox 
(shareholder@man.com) for this purpose. We also have a separate 
mailbox for use in respect of AGM queries (agm@man.com).

Shareholder meetings
Shareholders are invited to attend our AGM in May each year. At our 2015 
AGM, Manny Roman gave shareholders an overview of the progress 
of the business and our future plans and outlook. This was followed by 
the opportunity for shareholders to ask questions about the resolutions 
before the meeting and about the business more generally. We look 
forward to meeting shareholders again and providing a further business 
update at our 2016 AGM in May this year.

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

 2 0 1 5   C A L E N D A R   O F   
I N V E S T O R   E V E N T S

FEB

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

2014 year end results released
UK investor roadshow

UK and US investor roadshows 
Investor engagement on proposed remuneration policy 
changes
BAML Group investor meeting
AHL investor meeting
Morgan Stanley Annual European Financials conference

Dialogue with investors on AGM remuneration 
resolutions

Q1 2015 Trading Statement
Annual General Meeting
Citi Investor Group meeting

Paris investor roadshow
Autonomous Research: Financials Rendez-Vous

2015 interim results released
UK investor roadshow 

UK investor roadshow

Barclays Global Financial Services Conference 
(New York)
UK and US investor roadshows

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Annual Banking and 
Insurance Conference
Q3 2015 Trading Statement

Frankfurt, Geneva and Zurich investor roadshow
JP Morgan ‘Best of British’ conference
Renewed engagement on executive remuneration with 
shareholder representative bodies

Citi ‘Diversified Financials’ conference

S TATE M E NT O F CO M PLI A N C E

The Company has, throughout the year ended 31 December 2015, 
applied the principles of and complied with the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code dated September 2014 except in the 
following respects:

Remuneration Committee membership
Provision D.2.1 of the Code requires the Remuneration Committee (the 
‘Committee’) to consist of at least three independent non-executive 
directors. Prior to John Cryan’s appointment as an independent 
non-executive director and member of the Committee on 15 January 
2015, the Committee comprised only two independent non-executive 
directors, Phillip Colebatch and Nina Shapiro, in addition to our 
Chairman. John Cryan ceased to be a member of the Committee 
following his appointment as Co-CEO of Deutsche Bank on 1 July 
2015 and as a result the Committee reverted to comprising only two 
independent non-executive directors for the remainder of the year. 
Ian Livingston and Richard Berliand were appointed as independent 
non-executive directors and as members of the Committee on 1 
January and 19 January 2016 respectively, bringing the total number of 
independent non-executive directors on the Committee to four.

Setting executive directors’ and Chairman’s remuneration
Provision D.2.2 of the Code requires that the Remuneration Committee 
(the ‘Committee’) should have delegated responsibility for setting the 
remuneration of all the executive directors and the Chairman. The terms 
of reference of the Committee provide that the Committee has authority 
only to recommend, for approval by the Board, executive directors’ 
remuneration and the remuneration of the Chairman1. The Board 
believes that, given the importance for the business of motivating the 
executive team to deliver the Company’s strategy, it is appropriate for 
all non-executive Board members, rather than just those who sit on the 
Committee, to determine the executive directors’ compensation. It also 
believes that, in order to provide transparency and allow the views of all 
the directors, executive and non-executive, to be taken into account, 
it is appropriate for all Board members to determine the Chairman’s 
remuneration.

1  This authority is given subject to the proviso that no Board member should 
participate in the recommendation or approval of his or her compensation. 

Other information
Certain additional information in relation to the Company’s share 
capital, the powers of the directors and amendments to the articles 
of association that is required to be disclosed in the Corporate 
Governance report pursuant to DTR 7.2.6 may be found in the 
Directors’ report on pages 88 to 89.

56 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
A U D I T   A N D   R I S K   C O M M I T T E E 
R E P O R T

Matthew Lester
Chairman, Audit and Risk Committee

Dear Shareholder

During the year, the Audit and Risk Committee (the ‘Committee’) 
continued to support the Board in its assessment of the integrity of the 
Group’s financial reporting, monitor the effectiveness of the Group’s 
systems of risk management and internal controls, and oversee the 
activities of the Group’s Internal Audit function and its external auditor.  

The Committee has also devoted significant time to developing its 
understanding of the risk and control profile of key business areas and 
to assessing and overseeing the implementation of new requirements 
around risk management and internal controls introduced by the latest 
edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’).

CO M P O S ITI O N A N D AT TE N DA N C E
I am supported in my role as Chairman of the Committee by four other 
Committee members: Phillip Colebatch, Andrew Horton, Dev Sanyal and, 
latterly, Ian Livingston who joined the Committee in January 2016. It is 
the intention that Ian Livingston will succeed Jon Aisbitt as Chairman of 
the Board following the 2016 AGM, at which time he will step down as a 
member of the Committee.

All members of the Committee are independent, non-executive directors 
and bring extensive financial and commercial experience from a variety 
of industries, further details of which are provided on pages 46 to 48. As 
Chief Finance Officer of Royal Mail plc, I am considered to have recent 
and relevant financial experience for the purposes of the Code. 

During the year, we met on six occasions with attendance at these 
meetings set out below: 

Attendance 
record

Matthew Lester (Chair)

Phillip Colebatch

Andrew Horton

Dev Sanyal

6/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

The Board Chairman, CEO and CFO are invited to attend Committee 
meetings along with the Chief Risk Officer, Global Head of Legal 
and Compliance, Financial Controller, Head of Internal Audit and 
representatives from Deloitte, the Group’s external auditor. 

At the end of each meeting, I meet with the Head of Internal Audit and 
representatives from Deloitte in the absence of management. Following 
each Committee meeting, I communicate the key areas of discussion and 
make recommendations to the Board as appropriate.

RO LE S A N D R E S P O N S I B I LITI E S
The Committee is integral to Man Group’s governance framework 
through its oversight of the Group’s financial reporting, risk management 
and internal controls, and internal and external audit. The Committee’s 
roles and responsibilities are outlined in further detail below. These 
are derived from the Committee’s terms of reference (available on 
the Company’s website) which are reviewed by the Committee on an 
annual basis and referred to the Board for approval. Details of how 
the Committee has discharged these responsibilities are set out in the 
section entitled ‘Key items considered during the year’.

Financial Reporting

 – Monitor the integrity of the financial information contained in the 

interim and annual financial statements with particular focus on key 
accounting policies and judgements. 

 – Review the longer-term viability and going concern statements and 

recommend their approval to the Board. 

 – Advise the Board on whether the Committee believes the Interim 
and Annual Reports to be fair, balanced and understandable.

Risk Management, Internal Controls and Compliance

 – Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of 

risk management and internal controls (please refer to page 53 for 
further details of the Committee’s ongoing monitoring and review of 
the Group’s systems of risk management and internal controls).

 – Ensure that a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group has been undertaken and advise the Board on the 
management and mitigation of these risks. 

 – Review the effectiveness of the Group’s regulatory reporting 

activities, Compliance function and arrangements for staff to raise 
concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial 
reporting or other matters. 

 – Report to the Remuneration Committee any findings in relation 
to risk matters which may impact its decision on discretionary 
remuneration payments.

Internal Audit

 – Approve the annual Internal Audit plan and Charter and Internal 

Audit activities.

 – Review the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function.
 – Review all significant Internal Audit recommendations and oversee 

progress in addressing these.

External Audit

 – Recommend the appointment, and determine the remuneration 
of, the external auditor, including reviewing the external auditor’s 
effectiveness and independence.

 – Review and approve the external audit plan and the external 

auditor’s control procedures.

 – Review the findings of the external audit and the external auditor’s 
management letter and oversee management action to address 
findings where necessary.

 – Approve and monitor the policies relating to the provision of non-
audit services by the external auditor and the hiring of personnel 
from the external auditor.

 – Arrange for the external audit to be put out to tender as often as is 
required by applicable law, rules, regulations and best practice.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 57 

GOVERNANCE 
 
A U D I T   A N D   R I S K   C O M M I T T E E   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

Structure and format of meetings 
The Committee has an annual forward agenda in place with agenda items 
scheduled to coincide with key events in the financial reporting cycle, 
specific risk matters that the Committee has identified and standing items 
that the Committee is required to consider in accordance with its terms of 
reference. The annual agenda is supported by agenda setting meetings 
held in advance of each Committee meeting which I attend, along with 
members of the senior management team, to identify key issues impacting 
the business that may require consideration by the Committee. I meet 
privately with the Head of Internal Audit following each of these meetings.

Management submit reports and presentations to the Committee on key 
financial reporting, risk, compliance and audit matters and attend Committee 
meetings (as previously described) to highlight significant issues and respond 
to queries raised by the Committee in respect of these matters. At each 
meeting, the Committee considers dashboards on the key risks impacting 
the business, compliance matters, the financial controls framework and 
internal controls. These dashboards are designed to focus on any matters 
that may require further discussion by the Committee.

K E Y ITE M S C O N S I D E R E D D U R I N G TH E Y E A R
Financial reporting 
Accounting judgements and significant accounting matters 
As part of the process for monitoring the integrity of the financial 
information contained in the interim and annual financial statements, 
the Committee reviewed the key accounting judgements and policies 
adopted by management and confirmed that these were appropriate. 
The significant areas of judgement identified by the Committee, in 
conjunction with management and the external auditor, are set out in  
the table on the opposite page together with a number of other areas  
that the Committee deemed to be significant in the context of the 
financial statements. 

Fair, balanced and understandable assessment
At the request of the Board, the Committee considered whether the 
Interim and Annual Reports were fair, balanced and understandable 
and provided the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s performance, business model and strategy. The Committee 
reviewed the interim and annual financial statements in conjunction with 
the narrative sections of the reports to ensure that there was consistency 
in the information reported, that appropriate weight had been given to 
both positive and negative aspects of business performance and that key 
messages had been presented coherently. The Committee concluded that, 
taken as a whole, the Interim and Annual Reports were fair, balanced and 
understandable. Further details of processes supporting the fair, balanced 
and understandable assessment can be found on page 53.

Risk management, internal controls and compliance 
The Committee spent considerable time discussing the new 
requirements around risk management and internal controls introduced 
by the latest edition of the Code. Particular focus was given to the 
requirement for the Board, either directly or through the Committee, to 
monitor the Group’s risk management and internal control systems on an 
ongoing basis. The Committee is satisfied that, through its regular review 
of dashboards described above, its in-depth assessment of key business 
areas and functions (referred to below) and its ongoing review of progress 
against the Internal Audit Plan, it is monitoring the effectiveness of the 
Group’s systems of risk management and internal control on an ongoing 
basis. Further details can be found in the Corporate Governance report 
on page 53.

Oversight of risk and control environment – key business areas
As mentioned above, the Committee continued to develop its 
understanding of the risk and control environment within key business 
areas. Representatives from the Group’s Sales team, Numeric and AHL 
were invited to present to the Committee on the risk and control profile 
of their respective business areas. The presentations followed a similar 

58 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

structure to those provided by AHL, GLG and FRM, which I reported 
on last year, and were designed to enable the Committee to assess, 
in context, the significant risks perceived by each business area and 
the controls in place to mitigate these risks to the extent desired. The 
Committee was particularly keen to understand the extent to which a 
shift in product focus impacted the Sales team from a risk perspective, 
how Numeric’s risk processes and controls had evolved post-acquisition 
and whether there had been any changes in AHL’s risk and control profile 
since the presentation provided in 2014. 

Representatives from AHL were also invited to present to the Committee 
during the year to discuss the processes for defining and dealing with 
potential operational events within AHL. The Committee sought to 
understand the cause and impact of these events and the changes that 
had been made to strengthen the controls in this area. 

Oversight of risk and control environment – key functional areas
The Committee also reviewed a number of the Group’s key functional areas 
including Compliance, Finance and IT and Operations. In accordance with 
the Committee’s forward agenda, an in-depth review of the Group’s Risk 
function will take place in H1 2016 and will be reported on next year.

Compliance
During the year, the Global Head of Legal and Compliance presented the 
2015 Compliance Plan to the Committee. This outlined the Compliance 
function’s strategic goals and the development and implementation of 
various policies and processes to support the function in meeting these 
goals. Consideration was given to the regulatory environment within 
which the Group operated, particularly in the context of the recently 
acquired businesses in the US and the integration of these companies 
onto the Group’s existing compliance platforms.

Finance
The Committee also considered a presentation from the Group Financial 
Controller on the Finance function’s governance arrangements and 
the key areas of focus during 2015 in terms of process and system 
improvements. Given the function’s global presence, the Committee 
was particularly keen to understand the processes that were in place to 
retain oversight centrally and the extent to which the recently acquired 
businesses had been integrated onto the Group’s finance systems and 
financial control framework. 

IT and Operations
The Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Head 
of Business Operational Risk were invited to attend several meetings 
throughout the year to update the Committee on changes impacting the 
risk and control environment of the IT and Operations function. 

Given the increased risk of cyber-attacks faced by all companies, the 
Committee dedicated significant time to understanding the Company’s 
response to this heightened threat, further details of which can be found 
in the ‘Principal risks and mitigants’ section on pages 36 and 37. The 
Committee reviewed and discussed the initiatives that were being rolled out 
across the business to help improve the firm’s defences against this risk. 

Outsourcing risk also continued to be an area of focus, particularly in light 
of one of Man’s key service providers exiting from its fund administration 
and transfer agency businesses. The Committee discussed and 
endorsed management’s recommendation in respect of the appointment 
of an alternative provider for these services.

Consideration was also given to proposed improvements to the processes 
and controls around identity access management, key personnel changes 
within Operations and resourcing within the Technology team.

AC CO U NTI N G J U D G E M E NT S A N D S I G N I FI CA NT ACCO U NTI N G M AT TE R S

Area of consideration

Role of the Committee

Conclusion

Goodwill impairment 
Goodwill for each of the Group’s cash 
generating units (GLG, AHL, FRM and 
Numeric) is tested for impairment at least 
annually through the application of a ‘value in 
use’ model. This is judgemental in nature as 
it requires estimates concerning future cash 
flows, growth rates and associated discount 
rates to be taken into account. 

Please refer to Note 13 in the Group financial statements 
for further details.

Investment in funds

The Group holds investments in a number 
of funds which it manages. Judgement is 
required to be exercised in terms of assessing 
whether these investments are controlled 
by the Group and therefore need to be 
consolidated into the Group’s balance sheet.

The valuation of the Group’s illiquid 
investments, seeding book and CLO 
portfolio, together with the underlying 
processes to support the valuation, also 
require careful consideration.

Please refer to Note 16 in the Group financial statements  
for further details.

Adjusting items

The directors focus on profit before adjusting 
items (adjusted profit) as this reflects the 
underlying trends in the business and the 
recurring revenue and costs that drive the 
Group’s cash flow. Adjusting items relate to 
non-recurring items or those resulting from 
acquisition and disposal related transactions. 

Please refer to Note 2 in the Group financial statements 
for further details.

Rebates and commissions

The effectiveness of the processes and 
controls around accurately accruing for 
rebates and commissions is considered to 
be important in ensuring that a true and fair 
view of the Group’s operations is presented.

The Committee considered reports from 
management outlining the methodology for 
the impairment assessment and challenged 
the assumptions underpinning the goodwill 
valuation model with specific focus on the 
sensitivity of the model. During the year, 
management proposed that FRM goodwill be 
impaired by $41 million for the six months to 
30 June 2015 due to a decline in FUM versus 
forecast and an increase in costs as a result 
of adverse FX movements during the six 
month period.

After extensive discussion and challenge, the 
Committee confirmed that the FRM goodwill 
impairment was appropriate in respect of the 
Interim Report but that no further impairment 
was required in any of the cash generating 
units at the year end.

The Committee reviewed management’s 
assessment of the investments which the 
Group is deemed to control in accordance 
with IFRS 10. 

The Committee concluded that it was 
satisfied with management’s assessment 
of the entities which are deemed to be 
controlled by the Group and the associated 
accounting treatment.

The Committee reviewed and discussed 
reports from management outlining the 
processes that were followed both internally 
and by outsourced providers to value the 
illiquid portfolio, seeding book and CLO 
portfolio.

The Committee confirmed that it was 
comfortable with the valuation of the illiquid 
portfolio, seeding book and CLO portfolio, 
and the methodology on which these 
valuations were based.

The Committee reviewed and challenged 
the adjusting items contained in the Group 
financial statements and considered whether 
there was consistency of approach from 
period to period, an appropriate symmetry 
between losses and gains and whether the 
reversal of any accruals previously classified 
as adjusting items was maintained.

The Committee concluded that the adjusting 
items were appropriate and provided a fair 
assessment of the underlying profitability of 
the business.

During the year, the Committee closely 
monitored improvements to rebate and 
commission reporting which the Committee 
identified as an area of focus for 2015. At the 
Committee’s request, the Head of Financial 
Operations provided an update at each 
meeting summarising the progress that had 
been made in implementing an integrated 
technology platform to automate these 
processes and strengthen the controls in  
this area. 

The Committee has concluded that the 
improvements to processes and controls 
in relation to rebates and commissions are 
appropriate and is satisfied with the action 
that management has taken to date.

Viability

The Committee is required to report to the 
Board on whether there is a reasonable 
expectation that the Company will be 
able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period of 
their assessment, drawing attention to any 
qualifications, or assumptions as necessary. 

The viability statement can be found on page 34.

The Committee discussed the requirements 
introduced by the 2014 edition of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code regarding 
the preparation of the Company’s viability 
statement which included consideration of 
the proposed three-year assessment period 
in line with the Group’s business planning 
horizon and the processes supporting the 
assessment of the Group’s viability. 

The Committee concluded that the three-
year assessment period was appropriate and 
recommended the draft viability statement to 
the Board for approval.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 59 

GOVERNANCE 
A U D I T   A N D   R I S K   C O M M I T T E E   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

Internal audit
The Group’s Internal Audit function continues to be performed by KPMG. 
At each meeting, the Committee considered Internal Audit progress 
reports presented by the Head of Internal Audit, with particular focus on 
the extent to which deadlines were being achieved and management’s 
response to the recommendations contained in the reports. Whilst no 
significant weaknesses were identified in any of the Internal Audit reports, 
a number of improvements to certain processes and controls were 
implemented in response to the recommendations put forward.

In accordance with the non-audit services policy, any potential services 
to be provided by the external auditor, which are not excluded under the 
non-audit services policy but which have an expected value of $75,000 or 
more, must be approved by the Committee in advance. The Committee’s 
approval is also required where the pre-approved fees in any financial 
year exceed $2 million in aggregate (provided this does not exceed the 
70% cap on non-audit services as a percentage of the statutory audit fee 
introduced by EU independence legislation).

During the year, the Committee approved the appointment of a new 
Head of Internal Audit who will succeed the current Head of Internal 
Audit in 2016. It also reviewed and approved the 2016 Internal Audit Plan 
(the ‘Plan’) which included details of the audits to be performed during 
2016 and the resources required to deliver the Plan. The Committee has 
agreed to monitor and formally review the Plan during the course of 2016 
to ensure that it remains appropriate. 

External audit
Effectiveness of external audit process
As reported last year, the Committee decided to defer its formal 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the external audit process until 
Deloitte had completed its first audit cycle. At the May 2015 meeting, 
the Committee considered responses to a questionnaire which had 
been completed by Committee members and various members of the 
management team. The questionnaire focussed on several components 
of the external audit process including the quality of the audit partner 
and team, planning and execution of the audit, communication with the 
Committee and the external auditor’s independence and objectivity. 
The responses indicated that Deloitte had made a strong start in the 
first year of the audit engagement and had become familiar with the 
Group’s control environment and key accounting issues. A number of 
areas, primarily around resourcing and the prioritisation of audit risks, 
were identified as requiring further consideration and the Lead Audit 
Partner, Mark FitzPatrick, set out his plans to address these issues in the 
2015 Audit Plan (see below). After extensive discussion, the Committee 
concluded that the external audit process in respect of the 2014 financial 
statements had been effective.

2015 external audit plan
During the year, the Committee reviewed and approved the 2015 external 
audit plan, including the proposed materiality threshold, the scope of 
the audit and the significant audit risks. As part of this discussion, the 
Committee considered the findings of the review undertaken by the 
FRC’s Audit Quality Review (AQR) team of Deloitte’s audit of the Group’s 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014, which the 
AQR team had selected as part of their 2015 annual inspection of audit 
firms. The focus of the review was to identify areas where improvements 
were required rather than highlighting areas where work was performed 
at or above the expected level. I received a full copy of the findings and 
discussed these with Deloitte. The Committee has confirmed that no 
significant areas for improvement were identified within the report and 
that it is satisfied that there is nothing in the report which might have a 
bearing on Deloitte’s appointment.

Auditor independence and the provision of non-audit services
In order to safeguard the independence and objectivity of the 
external auditor, the Committee is responsible for the development, 
implementation and monitoring of the Group’s policies on the provision 
of non-audit services by the external auditor and the hiring of personnel 
from the external auditor. The Committee reviewed and approved these 
policies during the year.

60 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

The table below shows the remuneration paid to Deloitte in 2014 and 
2015.

2015
$000

2014
$000

Fees payable to the external auditor 

for the audit of the Company and the 
consolidated financial statements

Other services:
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 

pursuant to legislation

Audit-related assurance services

Tax advisory services

Other assurance services

All other services

597

450

1,543

273

44

–

51

1,435

265

208

453

82

Total auditor’s remuneration

2,508

2,893

Following a formal assessment of the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity at its meeting in February 2016, the Committee concluded 
that Deloitte continued to be independent and objective.

Reappointment of Deloitte as external auditor
As previously reported, the Committee led an external audit tender 
process in 2013, pursuant to which Deloitte LLP was formally appointed 
as the Group’s external auditor by shareholders. In accordance with 
the Code and the Competition and Markets Authority Order 2014, the 
Company will be required to put its external audit process out to tender 
again in 2023 at the latest. The Committee will continue to monitor legal 
and regulatory developments around audit retendering and auditor 
rotation to ensure the Company continues to comply with all relevant 
requirements in this area. 

Following the Committee’s review of the effectiveness of the external 
audit process and its assessment of the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity, it has recommended the reappointment of Deloitte as the 
Group’s external auditor to the Board for approval by shareholders at the 
2016 Annual General Meeting.

Committee evaluation
During the year, the effectiveness of the Committee was reviewed by 
an external consultant as part of the wider Board evaluation process. 
Interviews were conducted with all Committee members and regular 
attendees, the results of which confirmed that Committee was operating 
effectively. Responses indicated that the Committee meetings were well 
structured and that constructive and appropriate challenge was provided 
by all members. Whilst it was felt that there was a suitable balance 
between financial reporting and risk matters, an area that was identified 
as requiring further consideration was around whether strategic risk 
should be discussed by the Committee or at Board level. The Committee 
has referred this feedback to the Board and appropriate action will be 
taken during 2016 to reflect the outcome of this discussion.

Matthew Lester
Chairman, Audit and Risk Committee

N O M I N A T I O N   C O M M I T T E E   R E P O R T

Jon Aisbitt, Nomination 
Committee Chairman

Dear Shareholder

2015 was a busy year for the Nomination Committee (the ‘Committee’) 
with considerable time spent on the search for my successor as 
Chairman of the Board and for a new non-executive director to take on 
the role of Remuneration Committee Chairman. Phillip Colebatch, as 
Senior Independent Director, led the Board Chairman search from the 
start of the year. Full details of the timeline and key steps in this process, 
in which I took no active part, are set out on page 63. The search for a 
new Remuneration Committee Chairman was triggered by John Cryan 
stepping down from that role following his appointment as co-CEO of 
Deutsche Bank in July. I led this search independently of the search for 
my successor using the services of a different search firm and ensured 
that no candidates were under consideration for both roles. Details of this 
process are given on page 62. 

Ian Livingston
We are very pleased with the outcome of our searches and the 
key appointments we have been able to make. Ian Livingston was 
appointed as a non-executive director and as a member of all the main 
Board Committees with effect from 1 January 2016. Subject to his 
reappointment by shareholders at the 2016 AGM, he will succeed me as 
Chairman at the conclusion of that meeting. Ian has a broad knowledge 
of capital markets, well established links with the financial community 
and extensive executive and non-executive Board experience. As the 
former CEO of BT Group, he brings to Man proven success in leading 
the integration and development of overseas businesses and in-depth 
operational expertise. His international and client driven background will 
also assist in the furthering of Man’s relationships with Regulators and 
Governments worldwide and the building of key client relationships. 

Richard Berliand 
Richard Berliand emerged as the leading contender in our search for a 
new non-executive director. He was appointed to the Board and to the 
Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee on 19 January 
2016 and, subject to his reappointment by shareholders at the 2016 
AGM, will succeed Phillip Colebatch as Remuneration Committee 
Chairman at the conclusion of that meeting. Richard brings extensive 
experience of the markets and regulatory environment in which Man 
operates, a close understanding of its business and clients and in-
depth operational expertise. As a global markets professional with a 23 
year career at J.P. Morgan, he is very familiar with the structuring and 
dynamics of executive pay within a high performance high bonus culture.

Board composition and gender diversity
Feedback from our recent Board evaluation, which included the views of 
both Board members and executive attendees, confirms the progress 
that has been made in building the Board’s strength and credibility. With 
the diverse background of the current team of non-executive directors, 
it has the full range of skills and experience required to move beyond the 
day to day and tackle the long-term business challenge. 

We recognise, nonetheless, that there is still work to do in attracting 
female directors to our Board. The report below highlights a new 
approach we are exploring in support of this objective and we look 
forward to benefiting from the increased diversity of outlook and decision 
making that success in our endeavour may bring. 

Full details of the Committee and its activities during the year are given 
below. I have every confidence in the continued progress of its work and 
wish it every success for the future.

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

M E M B E R S H I P A N D M E E TI N G S
All our non-executive directors are members of the Committee and 
meetings are normally attended by Manny Roman. Five formal meetings 
were held during the year as shown in the attendance table below with 
substantial informal communication and dialogue between meetings 
to support and progress the Board searches. In addition, Committee 
members continued to take advantage of non-executive dinners to 
discuss people and executive succession issues. The main functions of 
the Committee are set out in the Board governance chart on page 51 and 
full terms of reference can be found on our website. 

Jon Aisbitt, Chairman

Phillip Colebatch

John Cryan

Andrew Horton

Matthew Lester

Dev Sanyal

Nina Shapiro

Attendance 
record

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 61 

GOVERNANCE 
N O M I N A T I O N   C O M M I T T E E   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

C O M M IT TE E ACTI V ITI E S D U R I N G TH E Y E A R 
In addition to the search for a new Chairman of the Board and a new 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, the Committee addressed 
the following specific areas: 

Executive development and succession
 – Discussed career development opportunities for top executives.
 – Reviewed with the Board the continued evolution of Group succession 

plans, the identification of business critical roles and progress on 
mentoring, coaching, cross-training and internal moves. 
 – Introduced a “NED/executive pairing” initiative to support the 

development of Executive Committee members.

Renewal of non-executive director appointments*
 – Reviewed and recommended to the Board the reappointment of 

Andrew Horton and Dev Sanyal to the Board for a second three-year 
term, taking account of the positive feedback on their contribution to 
the Board from the 2015 Board evaluation. 

*  Mr Horton and Mr Sanyal were absent from and took no part in these discussions.

Diversity
 – Appointed The Zygos Partnership (Zygos), who have no other 

connection with the Company, to carry out a broad search to identify, 
for future development and mentoring, talented female candidates with 
the business knowledge and skills required to serve as directors on 
Man’s Board but who currently have limited Board level experience.

C O M M IT TE E E VA LUATI O N
IDDAS Limited carried out an external evaluation of the effectiveness 
of the Committee during the year as part of the broader 2015 Board 
evaluation. The feedback suggested that the Committee had worked 
well to achieve the new Board Chairman and Remuneration Committee 
Chairman appointments. There was appreciation of the Committee’s 
considered approach to the timing of Board appointments and innovative 
thinking on ways to attract high quality people to the Board. 

 A PP O I NTM E NT O F R I C H A R D B E R LI A N D

June 2015 – search decision
 – Following the announcement of the appointment of John Cryan as 
co-CEO of Deutsche Bank, I contacted all Committee members 
to agree the urgent need to search for a new Remuneration 
Committee Chairman and to recommend to the Board the 
reappointment of Phillip Colebatch to that role in the interim period. 

 – Zygos was appointed to carry out the search. 

July 2015 – review of long list
 – The Committee reviewed and shared feedback on a list of 
candidates researched by Zygos who had confirmed their 
interest in the role. The list profiled the candidates against the 
key competencies and experiences required and highlighted any 
potential conflicts of interest identified by Manny Roman.
 – The Committee identified selected candidates for interview.

August 2015 – interview process
 – The short listed candidates were interviewed by Manny and me.

September 2015 – selection decision
 – Manny and I gave feedback on the interviews to the Committee 
and identified Richard Berliand as our preferred candidate. 
Arrangements were then made for him to meet the rest of the 
Board. 

 – Following these meetings, the Committee recommended Richard’s 
appointment to the Board. The Board approved the appointment 
subject to receipt by me of supportive live references and FCA 
approval.

November 2015 – FCA review
 – Formal application for FCA approval was submitted.

January 2016 – announcement
 – FCA approval was received and the appointment was announced.

The main priorities identified for the Committee for 2016 were:
 – the pursuit of the new gender diversity initiative as part of the continued 

refreshing of the Board;

 – encouraging the further development of talent management and 

succession planning processes and output across the business; and
 – formal discussion of succession for the top executive roles, including 

the CEO and CFO.

Jon Aisbitt
Chairman

62 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
  A PP O I NTM E NT O F I A N LI V I N G S TO N

In December 2014, the Chairman reported to the Committee that 
he had discussed with each Board member individually his broad 
retirement plans and the arrangements which, when appropriate, might 
be put in place to ensure a timely, orderly and successful handover. 
I was invited, as Senior Independent Director, to lead the search for 
his successor and set out below the main considerations and stages 
involved in that work.

December 2014 – governance and process
 – The Committee reviewed and agreed the adoption of a best practice 

procedure for the conduct of the search. This reflected current 
governance requirements and discussions with other major listed 
companies which had recently managed a chairman succession. It 
also took account of the need for the Board to derive benefit from 
the current Chairman’s views on the search while distancing him 
completely from any involvement in the decision making process in 
accordance with governance requirements.

January 2015 – private discussion with Committee members
 – I held private discussions with individual Committee members to 
establish whether any current non-executive directors might be 
candidates for the role.

February 2015 – decision on search firm, role specification and 
process
 – The Committee:

1.  considered the search firms which were the principal contenders for 
the assignment in light of those firms’ understanding of the current 
Board and executive team. It agreed to appoint Egon Zehnder (EZ) 
using the same lead consultant who had worked on other recent 
Board searches. EZ have no other connection with the Company. It 
decided not to take any public steps in the search process until a firm 
decision had been made on Jon Aisbitt’s retirement date and this had 
been publicly announced.

2.  agreed a detailed role and person specification which took account 
of the current stage of development of the business, the stakeholder 
dimension, the interaction with the executive team and the signals to 
be given to staff and to the market. This was based on feedback from 
a series of meetings I had with all the non-executive and executive 
directors.

3.  appointed a sub-Committee to take forward the search process 
chaired by me and comprising Matthew Lester, Dev Sanyal and 
Manny Roman, thereby ensuring an appropriate balance of executive 
and non-executive membership and length of tenure on the Board.

4.  approved a step plan, for implementation by the sub-Committee 

when appropriate, covering the review of a long list, the identification 
and selection of short listed candidates and the interview process. A 
protocol for reports to and decisions to be made by the full Committee 
at key stages was established.

May 2015 – review of long list
 – Following the announcement of Jon Aisbitt’s retirement, the sub-
Committee considered a discussion list of possible candidates 
produced by EZ, identified an initial long list for EZ to approach 
and, on the basis of EZ’s feedback, agreed a short list for 
recommendation to the Committee.

June 2015 – confirmation of short list
 – The Committee reviewed the EZ feedback and the CVs of the 
recommended candidates and agreed that each should be 
interviewed.

July 2015 – interview process
 – The short listed candidates were interviewed by Manny Roman and 

me. Feedback was provided to the Committee which agreed that the 
preferred candidates should be interviewed by the remaining sub-
Committee members.

September 2015 – selection decision
 – Ian Livingston was recommended to the Committee as the sub-

Committee’s preferred candidate. The non-executive directors not on 
the sub-Committee interviewed and endorsed the sub-Committee’s 
conclusion.

 – The Committee agreed to recommend Ian’s appointment to the 
Board subject to the receipt by me of supportive live references. 

November 2015 – Board approval and FCA review
 – The Board approved Ian’s appointment subject to FCA approval.  
Ian then had a ‘due diligence’ meeting with Jon Aisbitt. I agreed 
contractual terms with Ian on the basis recommended by the 
Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board.

 – Formal application for FCA approval was submitted.

December 2015 – announcement
 – FCA approval was received and the appointment was announced. 

Phillip Colebatch
Senior Independent Director

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 63 

GOVERNANCE 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T
1 .   C H A I R M A N ’ S   A N N U A L   S T A T E M E N T

Short-term incentives
These are used to incentivise performance against annual objectives  
set by the Board for individual executive directors each year. The 
maximum value which may be awarded under our short-term incentives, 
as approved at the 2015 AGM, is 300% of salary. The annual objectives 
reflect the Board’s view of the immediate operating imperatives which 
will help to build longer-term business growth. In setting and reporting on 
these objectives, we are conscious of investor appetite for the adoption 
and disclosure of quantitative objectives against which shareholders can 
assess executive performance and the Committee’s reward decisions. 
Man’s two executive directors are responsible for the overall development 
of the business in terms of driving strategy, providing structure and 
leading culture. Their objectives will, therefore, tend to be more qualitative 
and descriptive than quantitative. While some of the CFO’s objectives 
may lend themselves more to quantification in terms of the achievement 
of budgetary and other metrics, the CFO has a broad remit and works 
closely with the CEO on all major strategic and other key objectives. It 
should also be noted that, when setting annual objectives, the Committee 
is keen to avoid any risk of duplicating the reward of achievement against 
the same quantitative measures of performance which are targeted 
under the Company’s Deferred Executive Incentive Plan (DEIP) which is 
discussed below.

Long-term incentives
The DEIP incentivises long-term performance by delivering deferred share 
awards against a balanced scorecard of performance metrics which drive 
the achievement of long-term shareholder value. 80% of this scorecard 
is composed of the four quantitative KPIs which we use to measure 
progress against our key business priorities as discussed on page 26 and 
27. The remaining 20% relates to the development of management talent 
and business culture and its achievement is assessed by the Committee. 
The Board believes that together the DEIP’s quantitative metrics create 
a very broad and stretching incentive framework and that maintaining a 
high level of achievement against each individual metric consistently over 
the three-year performance period represents a considerable challenge.

Downward discretion
An important point to note is that, once the percentage of bonus earned 
under the DEIP metrics is established, the Committee then considers 
and has full discretion to decide, within the shareholder approved limits, 
the multiple of salary to which that percentage should be applied. It 
should be stressed that this discretion is downward only i.e. the multiple 
determined cannot exceed the maximum 525% of salary approved 
by shareholders at the 2015 AGM. In considering this multiple, the 
Committee takes account of any performance issues not reflected in the 
DEIP metrics and any other relevant factors such as overall corporate 
performance, shareholder return and experience, internal relativities and 
the current public and private fund management competitor landscape.

The Committee considers that this structure is superior to the more 
traditional approach where a fixed amount is awarded and then adjusted 
only according to the proportion determined by the performance criteria. 
The Man structure allows the proportion to be adjusted downwards not 
only in accordance with the specified performance criteria but also with 
the Committee’s overall evaluation of performance taking into account 
any matter which the Committee considers appropriate.  

In the case of the annual bonus determined under the short-term 
incentives, the Committee also only has discretion to make downward 
adjustments below the maximum multiple approved in the remuneration 
policy.

Phillip Colebatch, Remuneration 
Committee Chairman 

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present our Directors’ Remuneration report for 2015 
which we will be submitting to shareholders for approval at our 2016 
Annual General Meeting. 

2015 remuneration policy – increase in incentive limits
At the 2015 AGM we obtained shareholder approval for an adjustment 
to the executive incentive limits within our remuneration policy in order 
to increase the range of opportunity available to the Remuneration 
Committee (the ‘Committee’). We consulted widely with our major 
shareholders and with shareholder representative bodies before making 
this change and reduced the quantum of the initially contemplated 
increase in the limits in response to their feedback. The structure of our 
incentives in terms of annual cash bonus and long-term deferred shares 
was left unchanged, as were the quantitative metrics applicable to the 
determination of the deferred share element. The purpose of the change 
was to provide the flexibility required to recognise and reward, if and 
when appropriate, any future strong levels of executive performance. 
Without this flexibility, the Board was concerned that it might not be able 
to award compensation which was commensurate with any such higher 
performance and was competitive in the market place within which the 
Company operates. It will continue to apply the same challenge and 
rigour in its assessment of executive performance and reward as it has 
demonstrated in the past. 

The remuneration policy approved at the 2015 AGM is set out on pages 
82 to 87 for easy reference. This provides the context for the award 
decisions made by the Committee in respect of executive performance 
during 2015 which are discussed later in this report. As a reminder, and 
for shareholders who are new to the Company, a summary of the main 
features of our executive incentive structures, as approved at the 2015 
AGM, is set out as follows.

64 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Shareholder alignment
The value of the DEIP award determined by the Committee is deferred 
into shares which will only vest, subject to the director remaining with 
the Company, some three to five years later. The ultimate value of the 
award to the director at the time of eventual vesting will be aligned with 
shareholder return and experience in the intervening period. The structure 
of the DEIP thus creates a long-term performance and holding time 
horizon of six to eight years in line with Investment Association principles 
and institutional shareholder expectations. In addition, the balance of 
our short-term and long-term incentives means that executive reward is 
very much weighted, in terms of opportunity, towards long-term deferred 
share value.

Malus and clawback
The structure and quantum of opportunity provided by the DEIP have 
the potential to create a very substantial level of deferred and unvested 
remuneration which is subject to malus for misstatement or gross 
misconduct under the existing DEIP provisions. For example, an annual 
award of 50% of the DEIP maximum on average would lead to a value of 
10.5 times salary being at risk and subject to malus at any given time. 

During the year, the Committee considered how the potential for 
clawback of annual bonus awards and vested DEIP deferred awards 
might most effectively and equitably be introduced into our remuneration 
framework. 

Malus and clawback need to be considered together as it is their 
combination which establishes the scope and extent of the remedies 
available to the Committee in the event that previous compensation 
awards appear unjustified in light of later information. Because of the 
structure of Man’s DEIP, as illustrated above, the malus provisions in 
Man’s plan already provide very significant potential for adjustment 
of past awards. Nevertheless, the Committee could envisage highly 
unlikely and extreme circumstances where a further reduction in past 
compensation might be appropriate and has thus introduced a clawback 
provision against previously vested DEIP and cash bonuses. This 
provision could be operated in the event of Gross Misconduct as defined 
in the rules of the DEIP and would allow clawback of DEIP bonuses which 
had vested or cash bonuses that had been awarded at any time following 
the event of Gross Misconduct and within the period of three years 
ending with the date of the Committee’s determination of the clawback. 

Gross Misconduct includes circumstances where the director is 
convicted of a financial crime relating to the business, is prohibited as 
a result of a criminal offence from serving as a director of a company 
in the UK or US, or is banned or suspended by the UK or US regulator 
from operating within the business in the UK or US. In considering the 
operation of malus and clawback, it is likely that the Committee would 
look first to reduce, to zero if appropriate, the current year’s incentive 
compensation. In the event that the Committee considered that this was 
inadequate, the Committee would then look to the malus provisions and, 
finally, to the clawback provisions.

Shareholder engagement
Although the majority of our shareholders voted in favour of our 
remuneration policy and Remuneration report at the 2015 AGM, a 
significant percentage did not. Full details of the voting outcomes are 
given in Table R1 on page 70. Those shareholders who voted against 
our policy did so mainly on the basis of the increase in the incentive 
limits available to the Committee to reward our executives. Some cited 
the absence of clawback provisions as an issue. Concerns about our 
Remuneration report related mainly to the annual bonus awards and the 
increase in base salary for our CFO, Jonathan Sorrell.

In response to this feedback and as part of our ongoing engagement 
programme, we held meetings with shareholder representative bodies 
towards the end of 2015 to explore their views and further explain our 
thinking. In discussing our remuneration policy, we emphasised that the 
increase in the incentive limits should be seen only as an enabler for the 
award of higher compensation should the Committee consider that the 
level of performance warranted its use. Shareholders will continue to have 
the opportunity to judge and express their views on the Committee’s 
application of those limits in their vote on the Remuneration report each 
year. We pointed out that even with the increase in incentive limits, the 
combined short and long-term opportunity available to our executives 
in terms of multiple of salary remains below the median offered by the 
Company’s UK and US listed peer group. We also noted that incentives 
for private market managers and many US listed asset managers, against 
which the Company regularly competes for talent, are uncapped. 

As is evident from the details later in this Remuneration report, the 
directors concluded that they would not utilise any of the additional 
flexibility to award higher multiples of salary in the 2015 compensation 
decisions.

During our discussions with shareholder representative bodies, it was 
clear that there was some interest in understanding the peer groups 
that Man considers potentially relevant to compensation matters. Peer 
groups and benchmarking are just two of the inputs into the Committee’s 
compensation discussions as Man seeks talent in a competitive 
market and it is important for the Committee to understand what Man’s 
competitors may be offering in their own recruiting. It would not be in 
shareholders’ interests, for example, to lose an executive director or any 
other valued member of staff for compensation reasons only to find that it 
was necessary to pay considerably more in order to recruit a replacement. 
The details of relevant peer groups are set out in section 2.6 on page 69, 
but in summary, we consider three such groups: listed asset managers 
and related businesses in the UK; listed asset managers and related 
businesses in the US; and the private hedge fund industry.

Review of performance for 2015
The Committee believes that the executive team has made good 
progress during the year in pursuing the Company’s objectives and 
building for the future. It has successfully integrated the Numeric, 
Silvermine and NewSmith acquisitions and the Merrill Lynch assets. 
Management talent acquired with these businesses has been moved 
into key Group roles and a number of new senior portfolio managers 
have been hired to run GLG strategies targeted for growth. Infrastructure 
updates and operational changes have delivered significant efficiency 
benefits and further strengthened the internal control environment across 
many areas of the firm.

Fund performance has been mixed with AHL’s trend following strategies 
buffeted by market volatility driven by macro-economic trends and central 
bank intervention. Numeric continues to deliver strong performance and 
promising flows. Some GLG strategies have done better than others, 
but overall GLG performance is up on the previous year. FRM has been 
boosted by strong flows from North American institutional mandates. 
Investment performance and fund flows are two of the criteria used in 
determining performance under the DEIP.

The outturn for the year is summarised in the ‘Highlights’ section on page 
8. The remuneration we have awarded for 2015, as discussed in this 
report, takes account of both the financial achievement for the year and 
the steps that have been taken to build the basis for stable and diversified 
future growth.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 65 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D
2 .   D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T   2 0 1 5

Long-term DEIP awards
Tables R5 and 6 on pages 73 and 74 set out: (a) the arithmetic calculation 
of the executive directors’ achievement against the quantitative KPIs 
which account for 80% of their potential deferred bonus awards; and (b) 
the Committee’s assessment of their achievement against the remaining 
20% attributable to culture and talent issues. Last year was also the first 
year in which the transition to the three-year performance period was 
complete with awards in 2015 being based upon the performance for 
2013, 2014 and 2015. All future years of the DEIP’s operation will measure 
performance over three years.

In the three-year period from 2013 to 2015, the senior management team 
led by Man’s two executive directors has made significant progress in 
restructuring the organisation, replacing staff where needed, recruiting 
new talent and developing a culture appropriate for Man’s future. Since 
this is the first full three-year cycle, we have set out on page 74 a more 
detailed summary of the progress made in those areas over that three-
year period.

The combination of the quantitative and qualitative performance criteria 
resulted in a performance achievement of 47.5%. Having arrived at this 
percentage achievement, the Committee has full discretion to apply this 
percentage to any multiple of award up to the maximum allowed by the 
remuneration policy. At last year’s AGM shareholders approved a change 
in the maximum limit applicable to the DEIP for 2015 from 350% of salary 
up to 408% in respect of 2015 achievement. However, the Committee’s 
evaluation was that it would not use the increased flexibility approved 
by shareholders; for 2015 the Committee applied the percentage 
performance achievement to the same multiple of salary, namely 350%, 
as was used for achievement in 2014.

Committee agenda for 2016
Each year, the Committee reviews feedback received from shareholders 
and the structure of both short and long-term incentives in light of the 
changing market place and Man’s evolving strategy and development. 
These items will again be an important part of the 2016 agenda.

Phillip Colebatch
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

Executive reward decisions
Tables R3 to R7 on pages 71 to 74 set out the reward decisions which the 
Committee has made in respect of the executive directors’ achievement 
against their individual annual objectives during 2015 and the balanced 
scorecard of quantitative metrics and qualitative judgement under the DEIP.

Executive compensation is a key element of Man’s business model and, 
as such, final judgement is exercised at a meeting of the full Board. In 
applying its judgement, the Board considers all aspects of the proposed 
compensation of the executive directors and all members of the senior 
management team. This includes an overall view on Man’s business 
performance and positioning for the future, the environment in which that 
performance was achieved, internal relativities, retention issues and, with 
the help of our remuneration consultants, consideration of compensation 
at selected peers and competitors, as detailed elsewhere in this report. 
The comparison with both the UK and US public peer groups has shown 
that the total compensation of our executive directors remains at the low 
end of both CEO and CFO remuneration.

Annual bonus awards
Manny Roman
Manny’s achievements against the objectives set by the Board at the 
beginning of the year are set out in detail in Table R3 on page 71. Manny 
met all his short-term objectives and overall Man’s performance in 2015 
was solid. Having considered all other relevant factors including the 
difficult market conditions in 2015 and the drivers of the 2014 results, the 
Committee did not feel it appropriate to use any of the increased multiple 
approved by shareholders in the 2015 AGM and awarded Manny a bonus 
of 250% of salary, which is 83.3% of the maximum available award.

Salary review
Manny’s salary has not changed since he joined the firm over five years 
ago. As evidenced by Man’s relative TSR, since Manny was appointed 
CEO three years ago the Company has performed well and the 
management team he has led has transformed the business. A review 
by the Committee shows that Manny’s total compensation is one of the 
lowest both in the peer groups generally and, importantly, relative to peer 
performance. Whilst Manny’s base salary is above that of a number of 
CEOs in the peer groups, he is also already a very significant shareholder 
in the Company. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that the most 
effective way to recognise Manny’s low relative total compensation in 
relation to performance and his very significant personal contribution was 
to award Manny a 10% salary increase effective 1 January 2016.

Jonathan Sorrell
Jonathan’s objectives and the details of his achievements are set out in 
Table R4 on page 72. Jonathan achieved all objectives set for him at the 
beginning of the year. Our overall conclusion, supported by shareholder 
feedback, is that Jonathan had a further excellent year as CFO. 
Nevertheless, the Committee did not feel it to be appropriate to award 
an annual bonus of the maximum multiple and awarded him a bonus of 
250% of salary, 83.3% of the maximum available. The award of the same 
percentage of maximum as the CEO reflects a similar strong level of 
individual performance and their work together as a team in driving  
the business.

66 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Directors’ remuneration report contents

R E M U N E R ATIO N CO M M IT TE E

1.  Chairman’s annual statement 

2.  Directors’ remuneration report 2015 

Remuneration Committee 

2.1  Membership and attendance 

2.2 

Independent advisers 

2.3  Meeting schedule 

2.4  Committee activities during 2015 and the early  

part of 2016 

2.5  2015 Committee evaluation 

2.6  Benchmarking and peer group 

2.7  Shareholder voting and engagement 

Remuneration outcomes in 2015 

2.8  Single total figure of remuneration for  

executive directors 

2.9  Short-term annual bonus in respect of  

2015 performance 

2.10  Long-term deferred bonus in respect of  

2015 performance under the Deferred Executive  
Incentive Plan 

2.11  Single total figure of remuneration for  

non-executive directors 

2.12  Percentage change in CEO remuneration 

2.13  Relative importance of spend on pay 

2.14  Review of past performance 

2.15  Payments for loss of office and payments  

to past directors (audited) 

2.16  Directors’ interests 

2.17  Retirement benefits 

Implementation of directors’ remuneration policy  
for 2016 

2.18  Base salary 

2.19  Short-term annual cash bonus for 2016 

2.20  Long-term deferred bonus for 2016 under the  

Deferred Executive Incentive Plan 

2.21  Non-executive director remuneration policy for 2016 

3.  Directors’ remuneration policy 

3.1.  Executive directors’ remuneration policy 

3.2  Performance measures selection and approach  

to target-setting 

3.3  Differences between executive directors’ and  

employees’ remuneration 

3.4  Shareholding guidelines 

3.5  Non-executive directors’ remuneration policy 

3.6 

Illustrative pay for performance scenarios 

3.7  Approach to recruitment remuneration 

3.8  Non-executive directors 

3.9  Service contracts and exit payment policy 

3.10  External appointments 

3.11  Consideration of conditions elsewhere in the Company 

3.12  Consideration of shareholder views 

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The Committee’s role is to: 
 – determine and agree with the Board the Company’s remuneration 
philosophy and the principles of its remuneration policy, ensuring 
that these are aligned with business strategy, objectives and values, 
comply with all regulatory requirements and promote long-term 
shareholder interests;

 – recommend to the Board the specific remuneration policy for 

the executive directors, for approval by shareholders, and make 
remuneration decisions within that approved policy;

 – recommend to the Board for approval the total annual compensation 
for individual executive directors based on their achievement against 
objectives set by the Committee and Board at the start of the year;

 – recommend to the Board the remuneration of the Chairman; and 
 – approve the total annual compensation for Executive Committee 

members and Remuneration Code staff.

Full terms of reference for the Committee, which are reviewed on an 
annual basis, are available on the Company’s website.

2.1 Membership and attendance
The Committee members at the date of this report are Phillip Colebatch 
(Chairman), Jon Aisbitt, Richard Berliand, Ian Livingston and Nina 
Shapiro. Ian Livingston and Richard Berliand were appointed members 
of the Committee on their appointment to the Board with effect from 
1 January and 19 January 2016 respectively. All the other Committee 
members held office throughout 2015. 

John Cryan was appointed a member of the Committee on 15 January 
2015 and became Chairman of the Committee in succession to Phillip 
Colebatch with effect from the end of the 2015 AGM on 8 May. He stood 
down as a member and Chairman of the Committee with effect from 
1 July following his appointment as co-CEO of Deutsche Bank. Phillip 
Colebatch resumed the Chairmanship of the Committee from that date. 
It is proposed that, subject to his reappointment by shareholders at the 
2016 AGM, Richard Berliand will succeed Phillip Colebatch as Committee 
Chairman on the conclusion of that meeting. 

Committee meetings are regularly attended by Manny Roman and 
Jonathan Sorrell. The Committee is supported by members of the HR, 
Compliance and Executive Incentive Plans teams who attend meetings 
when required to provide information and advice on remuneration, 
regulatory and executive incentive plan matters. The Company Secretary 
acts as Secretary to the Committee and supports the shareholder 
engagement programme. 

At the end of each meeting there is an opportunity for private discussion 
between Committee members without the presence of executive directors 
and management. No Committee member or attendee is present when 
matters relating to his or her own remuneration are discussed.

2.2 Independent advisers
Kepler, a brand of Mercer (Kepler), provide the Committee with advice 
on a range of remuneration matters including the benchmarking of 
directors’ compensation in the asset management sector, trends in 
market practice and regulatory disclosures. Neither Kepler nor any of 
the Mercer group of companies of which Kepler are a part provide any 
other services to the Company. Kepler have confirmed that they have 
no other business or personal relationship with any employee of the 
Company or member of the Committee. The Committee is satisfied on 
this basis that Kepler are able to serve as an objective and independent 
remuneration adviser. The total fees paid to Kepler in 2015 were £61,518. 
The Committee also received legal advice from Herbert Smith Freehills 
LLP on compliance with legislation relating to executive incentive plans 
and other remuneration matters.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 67 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

2.3 Meeting schedule
The Committee met six times during 2015 with attendance by members 
as indicated below. In addition, certain urgent proposals relating to 
compensation for new hires were circulated and agreed by email prior to 
formal ratification at subsequent meetings.

Shareholder engagement and reporting
 – Reviewed shareholder voting and feedback on the 2015 AGM 

remuneration policy and report resolutions.

 – Planned shareholder engagement programme and discussed 

feedback received.

Phillip Colebatch

Jon Aisbitt

John Cryan1

Nina Shapiro

Meetings attended

6/6

6/6

2/2

6/6

Note:
1  John Cryan was a member of the Committee between 15 January and 30 June 2015. 

He attended all Committee meetings held during that period.

2.4 Committee activities during 2015 and the early part of 2016
The summary below sets out the main issues considered and decisions 
made by the Committee in the period following the publication of the 
2014 Remuneration report up to the current date.

Executive director compensation
 – Assessed CEO and CFO performance against their 2015 short-term 
objectives and recommended annual cash bonus proposals to the 
Board.

 – Reviewed the percentage of long-term deferred share bonus earned 

under the quantitative metrics of the DEIP and determined the 
percentage of bonus earned by the CEO and CFO under the Culture 
and Talent element.

 – Discussed and determined the salary multiple to be applied to the total 

bonus earned under the DEIP for recommendation to the Board.
 – To provide the business context for all the above reward decisions, 

reviewed the available benchmarking for the CEO and CFO roles within 
UK listed asset managers and such other data as could be obtained 
for the private manager and US hedge fund market (please see section 
2.6 for further details).

Executive compensation below Board level
 – Reviewed and challenged the 2015 bonus pool proposed by 

management in relation to the Company’s performance for the year 
prior to recommendation to the Board.

 – Approved bonus deferral policies for different groups of staff including 

the introduction of deferral for Numeric.

 – Approved total compensation proposals for Executive Committee 
members, taking account of the CEO’s appraisal of their individual 
performance for 2015 and their adherence to the Company’s  
business values.

 – Approved the total compensation for BIPRU and AIFMD Remuneration 

Code and senior control staff.

 – Approved the total compensation for staff earning over $1 million, 

taking account of the CEO’s appraisal of their performance for 2015 
and reports from the Risk and Compliance functions on any related 
risk issues arising during the year. 

 – Approved total guaranteed compensation above $1 million proposed 

for new senior portfolio manager hires. 

 – Reviewed 2015 Directors’ Remuneration report taking account of best 
practice recommendations, institutional shareholder guidelines and 
specific investor feedback.

Clawback
 – Introduced clawback provisions as described more fully on page 65.

Financial regulation and governance
 – Reviewed ongoing regulatory developments on remuneration and their 

implications for the Company’s business.

 – Reviewed the Company’s updated remuneration policy and FCA 
Remuneration Policy Statement in line with BIPRU and AIFMD 
requirements.

 – Approved updates to the list of Remuneration Code staff and minor 

changes to the operation of deferred share and fund product  
incentive plans.

 – Approved the introduction of deferred cash plans for use in connection 

with buy-out awards for new hires and approved the grant of 
buy-out awards for new senior portfolio managers in line with FCA 
requirements. 

2.5 2015 Committee evaluation
Following a mid-year review of the priority actions identified in the 2014 
evaluation, at the year end the Committee undertook an evaluation 
facilitated by the Company Secretary of its operation and effectiveness 
during 2015. This asked broad questions about what the Committee 
could do better, its priorities for 2016, its strengths and what additional 
expertise, input and resource it required.

In the evaluation feedback, the Committee expressed appreciation of 
Phillip Colebatch resuming the Chairmanship of the Committee following 
John Cryan having to step down at the end of June. It identified the 
induction of and smooth transition to a new Committee Chairman as a 
key priority and agreed the following specific areas of focus for 2016:

 – continue the Committee’s engagement with shareholders on the 

Company’s executive remuneration strategy;

 – review the effectiveness of the DEIP;
 – deliver a remuneration framework for executive directors which will 

continue to support the reward and retention of talent;

 – ongoing consideration of the impact of changing regulatory 

requirements;

 – further focus on incentive structures for different groups of executives 

below Board level; and

 – review the advice and market intelligence available to the Committee.

68 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
2.6 Benchmarking and peer groups 
Benchmarking is one of a number of factors considered by the 
Committee in its deliberations on remuneration as it is important that 
the Committee understands the level of remuneration paid by Man’s 
competitors for similar positions and which they may be offering in the 
market place.  

Man variously uses three separate peer groups as detailed in the tables 
below. These are:
1.   a group of asset managers and related businesses listed on the 

London Stock Exchange;

2.  a group of similar businesses listed on the New York Stock Exchange 
with a market cap of between one quarter and four times that of Man; 
and

3.  businesses within the privately owned hedge fund industry for which 
non-public information regarding remuneration is obtained by Man in 
the normal course of business discussions in that industry. 

All three of these sources are relevant.

Many of Man’s senior staff are geographically mobile, particularly 
between London and New York and an explicit consideration of 
remuneration levels in both of these geographies is relevant. Man is 
one of the few listed companies anywhere in the world that operates 
in the hedge fund industry. The majority of businesses in this industry 
are privately owned and systematic remuneration data is not publicly 
available. Nevertheless, Man competes for talent against these 
businesses and staff move between Man and these private companies. 

Man operates globally – in the geographic footprint of its operations, 
in its clients and in the asset classes which it produces. It also 
manufactures and distributes hedge funds, long only funds and 
quantitative funds. None of the companies referred to below have these 
same characteristics and, although some of them are larger than Man, 
the Committee believes that, while they are broadly comparable, Man 
tends to be more diverse geographically and have a wider range of fund 
strategies. However, these groups share some of Man’s characteristics 
and, in some cases, information regarding the remuneration of directors 
is publicly available.

The privately owned hedge fund market is made up of a large number 
of participants, some of them small and single product and others 
very large. As noted earlier, little information is available publicly on 
the compensation quantum and structures in these businesses. The 
senior management of those few hedge fund companies which are 
publicly listed are generally the founders of the original private company 
who retained very significant shareholdings at the time of listing. Man 
endeavours to make up this gap in publicly available data by reviewing 
information it receives in the course of industry dialogue from a group of 
privately owned peers, some of whom are outlined in the table below.  
Man has also obtained direct information about remuneration in those 
privately held companies that Man has acquired.

Interpreting peer group data and benchmarking involves a number of 
complexities and the Committee looks at this data to provide important 
market context for its decisions. 

U K   L I S T E D   P E E R   G R O U P

U S   L I S T E D   P E E R   G R O U P

P R I V A T E   M A N A G E R 
P E E R   G R O U P

 – M&G
 – Schroders
 – 3i
 – Investec Asset Management
 – Henderson
 – ICAP
 – Close Brothers
 – Jupiter
 – Ashmore
 – ICG
 – Tullett Prebon

 – KKR
 – Affiliated Managers
 – Oaktree Capital
 – Carlyle
 – Legg Mason 
 – Eaton Vance
 – Federated Investors
 – Janus Capital
 – Waddell & Reed
 – Artisan Partners
 – Fortress Investment
 – Apollo Investment

 – AKO
 – Arrowgrass
 – Bluecrest
 – Brevan Howard
 – Bridgewater
 – Capula
 – Cheyne
 – Citadel
 – Egerton
 – Lansdowne Partners
 – Winton

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 69 

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D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

2.7 Shareholder voting and engagement
At the AGM held on 8 May 2015, votes cast by proxy and at the meeting in respect of directors’ remuneration were as follows:

Resolution

Votes for

% for

Votes against

% against

Total votes cast

Table R1

Votes withheld 
(abstentions)

Approve the directors’ remuneration policy

591,048,110

57.16%

442,929,218

42.84% 1,033,977,328

12,680,269

Approve the annual report on remuneration

668,201,898

65.02%

359,548,263

34.98% 1,027,750,161

18,907,436

Details of the reasons behind the significant percentage of votes cast against these resolutions and actions taken by the Committee in response are 
provided in the Chairman’s annual statement on page 65.

R E M U N E R ATIO N OUTCO M E S I N 2 015 

2.8 Single total figure of remuneration for executive directors
The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration received by each director for the year ended 31 December 2015 and the prior year.

Single total figure of remuneration for executive directors (audited)

Table R2

All figures in USD

Salary

Taxable benefits3

Short-term variable

Long-term variable4

Pension benefits5

Other6

Total

Executive directors

Emmanuel Roman1

Jonathan Sorrell

2015

2014

2015

2014

1,000,000

1,000,000

718,7502

625,000

60,292

56,122

2,553

2,776

2,500,000

2,500,000

1,796,875

1,562,500

1,662,500

1,400,000

1,194,922

875,000

142,538

109,813

89,421

86,695

1,880

1,857

1,880

1,857

5,367,210

5,067,792

3,804,401

3,153,828

Notes:
1  Emmanuel Roman stepped down as a non-executive director of Grupo Prisa SA on 25 March 2015. For 2014, he received fees of €124,500 (€30,000 was awarded as shares) and 

for 2015, he received fees of €31,125 (€7,500 was awarded as shares) in respect of this directorship. The figures in Table R2 do not include these fees.

2  Pro-rata requirement based on Jonathan Sorrell’s base salary increase from $625,000 p.a. to $750,000 p.a. with effect from 1 April 2015.
3  Taxable benefits comprise private medical insurance.
4  Long-term variable remuneration is subject to deferral under the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan. Please refer to Tables R5 to R8 for further information. 
5  Pension benefits are paid into the Man Group Personal Pension with any contributions exceeding the annual allowance paid as cash on a cost neutral basis to the Company.
6 

‘Other’ refers to non-taxable benefits (including life insurance and Group income protection).

70 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2.9 Short-term annual bonus in respect of 2015 performance 
The short-term annual cash bonus is based on the Committee’s assessment of executive directors’ performance against objectives agreed by the 
Board at the beginning of the year. Tables R3 and R4 show the results of this assessment for 2015.

Chief Executive Officer (audited)

Table R3

Assessment category

Objectives

Achievements

Strategy, structure and people

 – Strengthen the US footprint through asset 

raising.

 – Achieved $4.6 billion of sales to North 
American clients which is encouraging.

 – Review and execute, with appropriate 

 – NewSmith acquired in April 2015. Reviewed in 

scepticism and cost discipline, acquisition 
opportunities which complement the existing 
business and generate attractive returns.

 – Develop, implement and monitor the adoption 
of firm-wide business values which promote a 
top quality asset management culture.

excess of 100 other potential prospects.

 – Business principles successfully embedded 

across the firm including within the 
recruitment process; adherence to these 
is considered when determining year end 
compensation.

Performance and sales

 – Integrate recent acquisitions and maintain 

 – Ongoing activity to continue the integration 

high quality leadership across the full product 
range.

process, both in terms of system 
consolidation and movement of acquired 
talent into central Group roles. GLG, 
FRM and Numeric all performed above 
relevant benchmarks; AHL Dimension and 
Evolution performed well, up 7.4% and 3.2% 
respectively.

 – Continue to grow assets under management.

 – Achieved net inflows for Q3 and Q4, 

generating a small net inflow for the year.  
Achieved 6% average net inflows for 
alternatives.

Financial health

 – Maintain a sharp focus on cost control.

 – 2015 costs came in 4% under budget.

Risk, compliance and reputation

External stakeholder engagement

 – Simplify control structures by merging Legal 
and Compliance while maintaining robust 
regulatory control departments, new senior 
hires and effective succession planning.

 – Pursue effective engagement with the 
Regulator (FCA), shareholders and the 
marketplace.

Percentage of short-term annual bonus awarded

Percentage of salary applied (maximum 300%)

Actual award as a percentage of maximum opportunity

Quantum of award

 – The merger between the Legal and 

Compliance functions was completed in 
2015, along with the hire of a new Head of 
Compliance & Regulatory to bring additional 
senior experience to the regulatory function.

 – Introductory meeting held with new FCA 

Director of Supervision and Authorisations.  
Shareholder meetings held after year end 
and interim results. Extensive engagement 
with global media to build Man’s external 
profile and communicate key messages and 
updates.

100%

250%

83.3%

$2,500,000

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Chief Financial Officer (audited)

Table R4

Assessment category

Objectives

Achievements

Strategy, structure and people

 – Integrate operational and technology 
infrastructure of acquired businesses.

 – Deliver key infrastructure improvements across 
the business for efficiency and productivity 
gains.

 – NewSmith and Merrills were immediately 

integrated in terms of infrastructure. Numeric 
integration was predominantly completed in 
2015 (with final pieces delivered in January 
2016) with cost saving target achieved.
 – New systems and processes successfully 
generated significant efficiency benefits 
across the firm, alongside infrastructure 
updates and improvements which have been 
delivered within initial budget.

 – Review and execute, with appropriate 

 – NewSmith acquired in April 2015. Reviewed in 

scepticism and cost discipline, acquisition 
opportunities which complement the existing 
business and generate attractive returns.
 – Identify externally and develop internally a 

strong pipeline of hedge fund, long only and 
sales talent.

excess of 100 other potential prospects.

 – Worked closely with Head of Business 

Development to leverage proactively a range 
of contacts to bring in high quality investment 
talent to hedge fund, long only and 
distribution activities. Discussion with a strong 
pipeline of talent continues in 2016.

 – Pursue firm wide diversity, including gender 

 – A range of initiatives in support of Man’s 

diversity initiatives, to attract a broader 
candidate pool.

diversity agenda including partnerships with 
SEO and Investment 2020, female focused 
events and campus marketing activity, 
returner programme and development of 
DRIVE (diversity network).

P&L and financial health

 – Deliver the 2015 cost budget.

 – Maintained strong focus on cost control and 

 – Restructure the Revolving Credit Facility.

 – Manage the new seeding programme within 

agreed parameters.

Risk, compliance and reputation

 – Devise and implement a new FUM, revenue 
and commissions reporting framework to 
improve management, financial reporting and 
internal control.

 – Maintain and enhance the control 

environment.

External stakeholder engagement

 – Pursue Investor Relations efforts to 

communicate the equity story to analysts, 
shareholders and potential investors. 

Percentage of short-term annual bonus awarded

Percentage of salary applied (maximum 300%)

Actual award as a percentage of maximum opportunity

Quantum of award

costs were 4% under 2015 budget.
 – Revolving Credit Facility for $1 billion 

implemented.

 – Actively managed the seeding programme 
through regular reviews of seeding book 
positions, performance and Man’s overall 
risk position together with forward looking 
approach to consider forecast liquidity and 
implications for future seeding. 11 new 
strategies were seeded, 4 seeding positions 
were fully exited leaving the seeding book 
P&L flat for the year.

 – New system and processes implemented 

which improve reporting of FUM, revenue and 
commissions while enhancing the internal 
control environment by automating all Group 
sales calculations on a single platform.
 – Regular monitoring/review of controls and 

processes has enabled the development of a 
low risk, robust control environment in which 
risks are identified and effectively mitigated.

 – Undertook a full programme of meetings 
with existing/potential shareholders to 
communicate the equity story, Man’s 
investment case and the evolution of the 
business over the past five years. Excellent 
feedback received.

100%

250%

83.3%

$1,796,875

72 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2.10 Long-term deferred bonus in respect of 2013 to 2015 performance under the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan (‘DEIP’)
The long-term deferred bonus plan awards are determined by an assessment against a balanced scorecard of performance criteria for each executive 
director, with 80% determined by financial criteria and 20% non-financial criteria. Tables R5 to R7 show the result of this assessment for the awards 
to be granted in 2016. For the financial metrics, performance is measured against Man’s financial KPIs for each of the three preceding reporting years 
(2013, 2014 and 2015) and then averaged. Additional information on Man’s financial KPIs is set out on page 27. The non-financial metric is assessed 
over the three-year performance period.

Long-term deferred bonus – assessment of achievement under financial KPIs (audited)

Performance targets1

Actual performance

Measure

Threshold

Maximum

2013

2014

2015

1. Investment 
performance

Net performance > 
benchmark for 3/42 
investment managers

Achieved 1 
out of 3

Achieved 1 
out of 3

Achieved 3 
out of 4

Average 
over 3 year 
performance 
period

Achieved 3 
out of 4 
over the 
performance 
period

Percentage 
of target 
achieved 
over 3 year 
performance 
period

Weighting

Table R5

Bonus 
outcome, 
after 
weighting

75.0%

25%

18.8%

2. Net flows

0%

3. Adjusted 
management fee 
EBITDA margin

25%

10%

40%

-6.3%

6.1%

0.4%

0.1%

0.7%

25%

0.2%

36.0%

30.3%

27.2%

31.2%

41.1%

15%

6.2%

4. Adjusted 
management  
fee EPS growth

RPI + 0%

RPI + 20%

-16.8%

26.2%

-0.2%

3.1%

15.3%

15%

2.3%

Percentage achieved under financial KPIs (maximum of 80%)

27.5%

Notes:
1  To the extent the actual performance is between the threshold and maximum targets for net flows, adjusted management fee EBITDA margin and adjusted management fee EPS 

growth KPIs, the criteria is met proportionally.

2  Three investment managers (AHL, GLG and FRM) were used to assess investment performance in 2013 and 2014. Numeric was added as a fourth investment manager in 2015. 

Comments on 2015 performance against financial KPIs:

1. Investment performance
In 2015, GLG, FRM and 
Numeric all achieved positive 
performance which was in 
excess of their respective 
benchmarks. AHL did not 
meet its target. Over the full 
performance period, AHL, GLG 
and Numeric have met their 
targets, whilst FRM is slightly 
below its target. This means 
that three out of the four targets 
have been met over the full 
performance period.

2. Net flows
In 2015, a small net inflow was 
recorded. Inflows in quant 
products and fund of funds 
were partly offset by outflows 
in discretionary alternative and 
long only products.

3. Adjusted management 
fee EBITDA margin
In 2015, the adjusted 
management fee EBITDA 
margin was within the target 
range, albeit lower than in 
previous years, reflecting the 
continued mix shift from higher 
margin retail assets to lower 
margin institutional assets and 
a general trend of new sales 
being achieved at lower gross 
margins than in previous years.

4. Adjusted management 
fee EPS growth
In 2015, the adjusted 
management fee EPS growth 
in excess of RPI was marginally 
negative and significantly 
lower than in 2014, reflecting 
lower management fee gross 
margins.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 73 

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Long-term deferred bonus – assessment of achievement under non-financial KPI (audited)

Table R6

Culture and Talent
As is well known, the ramifications of the global financial crisis which began in 2008 were widespread and deep. The crisis had a significant impact on 
the hedge fund industry, including Man. Man responded to this by analysing its strategy, its cost base, its product platform, its geographic footprint 
and its people and it was clear to the Board that material changes were required across all these dimensions. A new CEO and CFO were appointed 
in 2013 and 2012 respectively and charged with clearly defining the strategic plan, its implications across product, geography, senior management, 
talent and culture and with implementing the necessary changes. Man has just completed the first three full years, 2013-15 inclusive, in the tenure of 
that new CEO and CFO.

Over that three year period, Man’s two executive directors, working as a team, have:
1.  Redefined Man’s desired product platform.
2.  Where necessary, changed elements of the existing Man product platforms, including changes to the leadership of those platforms.
3.  Instituted a strong culture of individual ethics and risk management in which control functions are empowered and respected.
4.  Progressively changed the organisational structure to align with the strategic direction.
5.  Analysed Man’s geographic footprint and changed where necessary the products, services and management of Man’s overseas offices.
6.  Built a new senior management team from both internal talent and with external hires.
7.   Made a number of key hires into leadership positions on product platforms, sales organisations and general management.
8.   Redefined Man’s culture, integrated the acquired organisations and newly hired talent and promulgated that desired culture in to these new  

arrivals to Man.

9.  Put significant new momentum behind developing key staff, both at senior levels as potential successors to the senior management team and at 

entry level to provide a talent pipeline for the future.

10. Increased diversity through a number of initiatives including new recruitment practices, apprenticeships, support networks and collaboration with 

external organisations who source diverse talent.

Culture, talent and diversity are continuing tasks. Over the last three years, Man’s two executive directors and the senior management team have built 
a very solid foundation on which to continue building these key elements of the organisation. 

Percentage achieved under non-financial KPI (maximum of 20%)

20%

Long-term deferred bonus – aggregate achievement under financial and non-financial KPIs (audited)

Table R7

Financial KPIs

Non-financial KPI

Total percentage achieved

Percentage of salary applied (maximum 408%1)

Actual award as a percentage of maximum opportunity

 27.5%

 20.0%

 47.5%

350%

40.7%

Note:
1  

 To ensure that the increase in maximum opportunity approved by shareholders at the 2015 AGM does not apply retrospectively, the maximum opportunity will increase 
progressively until reaching 525% of salary for awards made in respect of performance in the period 2015 to 2017. The awards detailed above reflect one year of performance 
(2015) under the new limit (525%) and two years of performance (2013 and 2014) under the old limit (350%). The 408% maximum opportunity is a weighted blend (one third of the 
new limit and two thirds of the old limit) for that period. This maximum opportunity has not been used in respect of the bonus awarded in 2015.

Quantum of award:

Emmanuel Roman

Jonathan Sorrell

Scheme interests to be awarded under the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan (‘DEIP’ in relation to 2015) 
(audited)

$1,662,500

$1,194,922

Table R8

Executive director

Emmanuel Roman

Jonathan Sorrell

Award (% of 
maximum 
opportunity1)

Award value2

(USD)

End of holding 
period date

40.7% $1,662,500

40.7% $1,194,922

Mar-21

Mar-21

Notes:
1  Please see Note 1 in Table R7 for further details of the maximum opportunity for 2015.
2  The awards to be made in 2016 in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2015 are calculated according to performance against a balanced scorecard, as shown in 

Tables R5 and R6. The monetary value of these awards will be converted into a number of shares using the USD/GBP rates and mid-market share price quoted on the award date. 
The awards will be granted as conditional awards of shares and will vest three to five years after grant, subject to the DEIP rules. Details of awards made under the DEIP in relation 
to performance in 2013 and 2014 can be found in Table R16.

74 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2.11 Single total figure of remuneration for non-executive directors
The table below sets out a single figure for the total remuneration received by each non-executive director for the year ended 31 December 2015 and 
the prior year.

Single total figure of remuneration for non-executive directors (audited)

Table R9

All figures in GBP

Jon Aisbitt

Phillip Colebatch1

John Cryan1

Andrew Horton

Matthew Lester

Dev Sanyal

Nina Shapiro

Total fees

2015

2014

450,000

450,000

112,789

115,000

69,423

80,000

95,000

80,000

75,000

0

80,000

95,000

80,000

75,000

Note:
1  John Cryan was appointed a member of the Board and Remuneration Committee on 15 January 2015 and became Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in succession 

to Phillip Colebatch with effect from the end of the 2015 AGM on 8 May. He stood down as a member and Chairman of the Committee with effect from 1 July 2015 following his 
appointment as co-CEO of Deutsche Bank. Phillip Colebatch resumed the Chairmanship of the Committee from that date. 

2.12 Percentage change in CEO remuneration
The table below sets out the percentage change in remuneration for the CEO and staff.

Percentage change in CEO remuneration

Salary

Taxable benefits

Short-term variable

2015

CEO

2014

Table R10

All Staff

All figures in $’000s

% change

% change1

1,000

60

2,500

1,000

56

2,500

0

7

0

52

(1)

(4)3

Notes:
1  Figures are calculated on a per capita basis. 
2  This is the percentage change in US dollar terms which includes an adverse exchange rate movement. If based on the underlying currencies in which staff are paid, the salary per 

capita remained unchanged.

3  For staff, short-term variable remuneration includes both variable cash compensation and deferred awards relating to the current year.

2.13 Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows the year-on-year change in total employee expenditure compared to the change in shareholder distributions.

Relative importance of spend on pay

Total employee expenditure1

Shareholder distributions2

Table R11

% 
change

18

33

2014 
$m

391

278

2015 
$m

462

369

Notes:
1  Remuneration paid to or receivable by all employees (i.e. accounting cost). Refer to Note 7 to the financial statements for further details. 
2  Distributions to shareholders (dividends paid of $193 million and repurchase of shares of $176 million in the year). 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 75 

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2.14 Review of past performance
The performance graphs below compare the Company’s total shareholder return performance against the FTSE 350 Financial Services Index. The 
graphs cover both the required reporting period (Table R12a) and the three-year period since the current CEO and CFO were appointed (Table R12b). 
Man Group operates in the alternative investment management sector and is listed on the FTSE 250 Index on the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE 
350 Financial Services Index has been chosen as it is the most appropriate comparator to cover a period when Man has been in both the FTSE 100 
and FTSE 250. The majority of Man Group’s direct competitors are unlisted and equivalent information for these firms is not available.

300

250

200

150

100
100 100

9
0
r
a
M

151

121

0
1
r
a
M

178

136

1
1
r
a
M

150

180

75

1
1
c
e
D

56

2
1
c
e
D

Table R12a

289

300

263

250

200

150

100
100 100

125

143

4
1
c
e
D

5
1
c
e
D

2
1
c
e
D

236

63

3
1
c
e
D

Table R12b

256

161

5
1
c
e
D

225

146

4
1
c
e
D

131

113

3
1
c
e
D

Man Group TSR (March 09 – Dec 15)
FTSE 350 Financial Services TSR (March 09 – Dec 15)

Source: Datastream

Man Group TSR (Dec 12 – Dec 15)
FTSE 350 Financial Services TSR (Dec 12 – Dec 15)

Source: Datastream

Historical CEO remuneration

Accounting period ended

CEO single figure 

E Roman

($’000s)

Short-term 

variable award 
(as a percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity)3

Long-term 

variable award 
(as a percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity)4

P Clarke

E Roman

P Clarke

E Roman

P Clarke

31 March
2010

n/a

6,299

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

31 March

31 December

20111

n/a

8,173

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

20112

n/a

6,437

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

31 December
2012

31 December
2013

31 December
2014

31 December
2015

Table R13

n/a

1,048

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

3,397

978

70%

0%

17%

0%

5,068

n/a

100%

n/a

40%

n/a

5,367

n/a

83.3%

n/a

40.7%

n/a

Notes:
1  Salary and benefits are for 12 months and bonus for 9 months. 
2  Salary and benefits are for 9 months and bonus for 12 months. 
3  For the accounting periods ended up to and including 31 December 2012, as there was no cap on the overall maximum bonus awards, the percentage of maximum opportunity is 

not shown. 

4  Peter Clarke stepped down as CEO with effect from 28 February 2013 and was on garden leave until his retirement on 10 December 2013. Emmanuel Roman became CEO on 28 

February 2013. 

2.15 Payments for loss of office and payments to past directors (audited)
There were no remuneration payments made for loss of office or remuneration payments made to former executive directors during the year.

Conditional share awards granted under the Deferred Bonus Share and Option Plan (DBSOP) to former directors Peter Clarke and Kevin Hayes, 
as reported under Table R19 in the annual report on remuneration for the financial year ended 31 December 2013, vested on 12 March 2015. 
Consequently, Peter Clarke received a transfer of 879,683 shares and Kevin Hayes received a transfer of 293,223 shares (which numbers include 
shares representing dividend accrual over the vesting period). 

During the year, the DBSOP option granted to Peter Clarke in 2011 over 3,629,238 shares and the DBSOP option granted to Kevin Hayes in 2011 over 
777,693 shares each lapsed. Consequently, there are no outstanding options or awards held by Kevin Hayes, and only the DBSOP options granted 
to Peter Clarke in 2010 and 2012 (as reported under Table R19 in the annual report on remuneration for the financial year ended 31 December 2013) 
remain outstanding. As each of these options is now currently exercisable, no further disclosure in respect of these options will be made until such 
time as the options are exercised or lapse.

76 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.16 Directors’ interests 

Directors’ interests in shares of Man Group plc (audited)

Executive directors 

Emmanuel Roman3

Jonathan Sorrell

Non-executive directors 

Jon Aisbitt

Phillip Colebatch

John Cryan4

Andrew Horton

Matthew Lester

Dev Sanyal

Nina Shapiro

Table R14

Number of 
ordinary 
shares1 
31 December 
20152

Number of 
ordinary
 shares1
31 December 
2014

18,745,969

18,745,969

596,061

544,361

1,681,251

1,681,251

10,000

10,000

–

50,000

22,692

67,191

28,258

–

50,000

22,692

64,287

28,258

Notes:
1  All of the above interests are beneficial. 
2  There has been no change in the directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of Man Group plc from 31 December 2015 up to 23 February 2016, being the latest practicable date 

prior to the publication of this report.

3   Emmanuel Roman also holds 50,000 Deferred Sterling shares of £1 each. These shares are held to satisfy a requirement of the Companies Act 2006 and carry no voting rights or 

rights to distributions. 

4   John Cryan was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 15 January 2015.

The market price of the Company’s shares at the end of 31 December 2015 was 175.5 pence. The highest and lowest daily closing share prices 
during the 12 month financial period were 217.6 pence and 139.8 pence respectively.

Executive directors’ shareholdings measured against their respective shareholding requirement as at 
31 December 2015

Table R15

Executive directors

Emmanuel Roman

Jonathan Sorrell

Shares owned

shareholding2 

outright1

(USD)

Value of 

Salary 
(USD)

Shareholding 
requirement as 
a % of salary

Current 
shareholding as 
a % of salary

Requirement 
met?

18,745,969 48,480,225

1,000,000

596,061

1,541,514

718,7503

200%

100%

4848%

214%

Yes

Yes

Notes: 
1  Details of unvested share awards can be found in Tables R16 to R19. 
2  Shareholdings valued at 31 December 2015 share price of £1.755 and an exchange rate of £1=$1.4736.
3  Pro-rata requirement based on Jonathan Sorrell’s salary increase from $625,000 p.a. to $750,000 p.a. with effect from 1 April 2015.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 77 

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2.16 Directors’ interests continued
Directors’ interests in shares and options under Man Group long-term incentives

Conditional share awards under the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan (DEIP)1 – subject to service 
conditions (audited)

Table R16

Executive director

Emmanuel Roman

Jonathan Sorrell

Date of  
grant

1 January  

2015

Granted during
year2

Dividends
accruing3

31 December  

2015

Mar-144

369,692

—

16,974

386,666

Mar-155

—

484,902

Mar-144

231,056

—

Mar-155

—

303,063

22,263

10,608

13,914

507,165

241,664

316,977

Notes:
1  The Company’s obligations for the conditional awards granted under the DEIP are hedged by the Employee Trust. 
2  The award values included in Table R6 in the Directors’ remuneration report for the financial year ended 31 December 2014 were converted into the number of shares shown 

above using the GBP/USD rate of 1.4944 and a share price of £1.932, being the mid-market share price on 11 March 2015. These awards attract dividend accruals. Further details 
of the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan can be found in section 2.10 of this report. 

3  On 15 May 2015 dividend accruals of 18,993 and 11,871 shares were added to Emmanuel Roman and Jonathan Sorrell’s awards respectively based on a Sterling dividend of 3.95 
pence. On 2 September 2015, dividend accruals of 20,244 and 12,651 shares were added to Emmanuel Roman and Jonathan Sorrell’s awards respectively based on a Sterling 
dividend of 3.47 pence. 

4  Award vests in three equal instalments in March 2017, March 2018 and March 2019.
5  Award vests in three equal instalments in March 2018, March 2019 and March 2020.

Conditional share award under the Deferred Bonus Share and Option Plan (DBSOP)1 – subject to service 
conditions (audited)

Table R17

Executive director

Jonathan Sorrell

Date of  
grant

1 January 
2015

Granted during
year

Dividends 
accruing2

31 December 
2015

Mar-13

1,160,690

–

53,297

1,213,987

Notes:
1  The Company’s obligations for conditional awards granted under the DBSOP are hedged by the Employee Trust. These awards attract dividend accruals. 
2  On 15 May 2015 dividend accruals of 25,800 shares were added to Jonathan Sorrell’s awards based on a Sterling dividend of 3.95 pence. On 2 September 2015, dividend 

accruals of 27,497 shares were added based on a Sterling dividend of 3.47 pence.

Options granted under the Man Group Deferred Share and Fund Product Plans – subject to service conditions (audited) 

Table R18

Executive director

Jonathan Sorrell1

Deferred Share Plan (DSP) 

Fund Product Plan (FPP)2

Date of  
grant

1 January  

2015

Exercised 
during period

Mar-12

Mar-12

97,738

1,063

97,738

1,063 

31 December  

Earliest exercise  

2015

–

–

date

n/a

n/a

Latest 
exercise  

date

n/a

n/a

Notes:
1  Jonathan Sorrell was granted nil-cost options under the above Plans prior to his appointment as a director. 
2  Award granted over a number of fund units in Man GLG Multi-Strategy UCITS product. 

Options granted under the Man Group Sharesave Scheme (audited)

Table R19

Executive director

Jonathan Sorrell

Number of options

Date of  
grant

1 January  

2015

Granted during 
year

31 December 
2015

Option price

Earliest exercise 
date

Latest exercise 
date

Aug-12

Sept-14

23,076

16,833

–

–

23,076

16,833

65.0p

90.0p

Oct-17

Oct-19

Mar-18

Mar-20

2.17 Retirement benefits
Emmanuel Roman and Jonathan Sorrell are not eligible for any defined benefits under the Man Group plc Pension Plan.

78 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

I M PLE M E NTATIO N O F D I R ECTO RS’ R E M U N E R ATI O N PO LI CY FO R 2 016

2.18 Base salary
Salaries are reviewed annually following the year end taking into account market benchmarks for executives of comparable status, responsibility  
and skill.

Manny’s salary has not changed since he joined the firm over five years ago. As evidenced by Man’s relative and absolute TSR, since Manny was 
appointed CEO three years ago (see graph in table R12b), the Company has performed well and the management team he has led has transformed 
the business. A review by the Committee shows that Manny’s total compensation is one of the lowest in the UK and US listed peer group. Manny 
is already a very significant shareholder in the Company. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that the most effective way to recognise Manny’s 
personal contribution, his low relative total compensation in relation to performance and the fact that his salary had not been adjusted for over five 
years was to award Manny a 10% salary increase. The Committee has therefore recommended and the Board has agreed that Manny’s salary be 
increased from $1,000,000 to $1,100,000 per annum with effect from 1 January 2016.

Base salary of executive directors

Base salary at

1 January 2015

1 January 2016

Notes:
1  Jonathan Sorrell’s base salary increased from $625,000 p.a. to $750,000 p.a. with effect from 1 April 2015. 
2  Manny Roman’s base salary increased from $1,000,000 p.a. to $1,100,000 p.a. with effect from 1 January 2016. 

2.19 Short-term annual cash bonus for 2016 
The objectives for the 2016 bonus set by the Committee are around:
i.  Strategy, structure and people 
ii.  P&L performance and sales
iii.  Financial health
iv.  Risk, compliance and reputation
v.  External stakeholder engagement

Table R20

Jonathan  
Sorrell

Emmanuel 
Roman

$625,0001 $1,000,000

$750,000 $1,100,0002

The Remuneration Committee considers that the disclosure in advance of quantified objectives may provide an unfair advantage to Man Group’s 
competitors, most of whom are not listed and are not required to disclose this information. Details of the 2016 objectives set by the Board and the 
achievements of each of the executive directors will be included in the Directors’ Remuneration report for the year ended 31 December 2016.

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2.20 Long-term deferred bonus for 2016 performance under the Deferred Executive Incentive Plan 
The KPIs and thresholds that will be used to measure performance are set out below.

Balanced scorecard of financial and non-financial metrics1

Table R21

Financial KPIs

Definition

Target

Investment performance 
(25%)

 – Measure net performance of four managers 
(represented by key funds) vs. respective 
benchmarks.

 – Key funds/benchmark:

 – Man AHL Diversified/two of three competitors.
 – Numeric asset-weighted net return/composite 

benchmark.

 – Relevant period: performance is measured over the 
reporting year (first to last trading days of the year). 

 – Criteria type: binary outcome. 
 – Criteria for each fund over the relevant period:

 – If Net Performance ≤ Benchmark Performance, 

criteria is not met. 

 – If Net Performance > Benchmark Performance, 

 – GLG Alternative Strategies Dollar Weighted 

criteria is met. 

Composite/HFRX.

 – Weighting: each fund is ascribed a 1/4 weighting

Net flows (25%)

 – FRM Diversified II/HFRI FoF: Conservative Index.

 – Measure net FUM flows annually.
 – Net Flows are defined as, over a reporting year:

 – (Gross Sales – Redemptions)/Start of Year FUM, 

expressed in %.

 – Relevant period: net flows are measured over the 

reporting year. 

 – Criteria type: sliding scale. 
 – Criteria for the relevant period:

 – If Net Flows ≤ 0%, criteria is not met. 
 – If Net Flows ≥ 10%, criteria is met in full.
 – If 0% < Net Flows < 10%, criteria is met 

proportionally.

Adjusted2 management fee 
EBITDA margin (15%)

 – Measure management fee EBITDA margin.
 – Adjusted management fee EBITDA margin defined 
as, over a reporting year, adjusted management 
fee EBITDA/Net Revenues.

 – Relevant period: Adjusted management fee EBITDA 

margin is measured over the reporting year. 

 – Criteria type: sliding scale. 
 – Criteria for the relevant period: 

 – If adjusted management fee EBITDA margin 

≤ 25%, criteria is not met. 

 – If adjusted management fee EBITDA margin 

≥ 40%, criteria is met in full. 

 – If 25% < adjusted management fee EBITDA 
margin < 40%, criteria is met proportionally.

Adjusted2 management fee 
EPS growth (15%)

 – Measure adjusted management fee EPS growth, i.e. 

 – Relevant period: Adjusted management fee EPS 

growth in minimum ordinary dividend per share.
 – Adjusted management fee EPS growth defined as:
 – (Current Year Adjusted Management Fee EPS/
Previous Year Adjusted Management Fee EPS) 
-1, expressed in %.

growth is measured over the reporting year.

 – Criteria type: sliding scale.
 – Criteria for the relevant period:

 – If adjusted management fee EPS growth ≤ 0% 

plus RPI, criteria is not met.

 – If adjusted management fee EPS growth ≥ 20% 

plus RPI, criteria is met in full.

 – If 0% plus RPI, < adjusted management fee 
EPS growth < 20% plus RPI, criteria is met 
proportionally.

Non-financial metrics

Culture and talent (20%)

 – Fostering a culture of effective dealings with all stakeholders. 
 – Building and retaining a collaborative, motivated and aligned senior management team. 
 – Having an appropriate succession plan in place for senior management. 
 – Attracting and retaining high quality staff motivated by appropriate, balanced incentives.

The Remuneration Committee will review the balanced scorecard of metrics prior to the start of each financial year and may amend them so that 
they remain appropriately challenging.

Notes:
1  The performance period for 2017 awards will be the three-year performance period 2014 to 2016 and will be assessed at the end of the 2016 financial year. For the financial 

metrics, performance will be measured for each of the years and then averaged. The non-financial metric is assessed over the three-year performance period.

2  Adjusting items are material items which are excluded by virtue of their size or nature in order to aid comparability from period to period and to show the underlying profitability of 

the business.

80 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2.21 Non-executive director remuneration policy for 2016
There has been no increase in fees for the Chairman since his appointment in 2007 or for non-executive directors since 2009. The Board has agreed 
that the Senior Independent Director fee will increase to £15,000 p.a. with effect from the date of the 2016 AGM.

Non-executive directors’ fees for 2016

All figures in GBP
Position

Chairman of the Board 

Board fee1

Senior Independent Director

Audit and Risk Committee chair

Other Audit and Risk Committee members

Remuneration Committee chair

Other Remuneration Committee members

Notes:
1 
2  Pro-rated to take account of the increase in fee with effect from the date of the 2016 AGM.

Includes Nomination Committee membership (all non-executive directors are members of the Nomination Committee).

For and on behalf of the Board

Phillip Colebatch
Remuneration Committee Chairman
24 February 2016

2016

2015

450,000

450,000

65,000

13,2762

30,000

15,000

25,000

10,000

65,000

10,000

30,000

15,000

25,000

10,000

Table R22

% 
increase

0

0

32.76

0

0

0

0

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3 .   D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   P O L I C Y

3.1. Executive directors’ remuneration policy
Aligning the interests of the executive directors with those of shareholders and with Man Group’s strategic goals is central to Man Group’s 
remuneration policy. 

In line with shareholders’ interests being managed within a robust governance framework, the Company aims to retain and incentivise high calibre 
executive directors by paying competitive base salary and benefits, together with a short-term annual bonus and a long-term deferred bonus linked to:

 – profits and contribution; 
 – the achievement of individual objectives which are consistent with the strategy of the Company and building sustainable profitability; 
 – the achievement of long-term strategic KPIs in line with the long-term focus of the Company; 
 – the creation of long-term shareholder value; 
 – ongoing oversight of a robust risk management framework; 
 – maintenance of strong capital and liquidity positions; and 
 – addition of senior talent, building succession for leadership and setting a strong governance structure for the Board’s delegated authorities. 

This section of the report sets out the remuneration policy for executive and non-executive directors which shareholders approved at and which 
was effective from the 2015 AGM, on 8 May 2015. The remuneration policy has been included in this Annual Report in full (using updated data in the 
scenario charts) to provide the context within which the Committee has conducted its work during the year and has been updated for the inclusion of 
clawback provisions in respect of incentive awards. 

Executive directors’ remuneration policy 

Table R23

Function

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Base salary
Based on experience and 
individual contribution to 
leadership and Company 
strategy

Salaries are reviewed annually following 
the year end taking into account 
market ranges for executives of 
comparable status, responsibility and 
skill in companies of similar size and 
complexity to Man with consideration 
also given to sector relevance.

There is no set maximum 
salary for executive directors. 
In reviewing salaries the 
Remuneration Committee 
takes into account company 
performance, salary increases 
below Board level, time 
since the last increase, 
market practice and total 
compensation opportunity.

Continued good performance.

Pension
To provide an opportunity 
for executives to build up 
income on retirement

Benefits
To provide non-cash 
benefits which are 
competitive in the 
market in which the 
executive is employed

Sharesave
To encourage UK-based 
employees to own 
Man Group shares

Group Personal Pension (GPP), or a 
similar contribution to an alternative 
arrangement is provided. For those 
exceeding HM Revenue & Customs 
pension allowances, cash allowances 
are provided at no additional cost 
to Man.

Benefits include family private 
medical insurance, life assurance and 
permanent health insurance.

Flexible benefits can be purchased 
from base salary.

Other ad-hoc benefits such as 
relocation can be offered, depending 
on personal circumstances.

The Man Group Sharesave Scheme 
is an all-employee plan. The executive 
directors who participate in the 
Sharesave Scheme are granted options 
over Man shares and make monthly 
savings from their post-tax salary. 
Options are granted at a 20% discount 
to market price on the date of grant.

The maximum employer 
contribution is 20% of 
pensionable base salary.

None.

It is not anticipated that the 
total taxable benefits for any 
executive director will normally 
exceed 10% of salary.

None.

Savings capped at HM 
Revenue & Customs limits.

In accordance with HM Revenue 
& Customs requirements.

82 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Executive directors’ remuneration policy continued

Table R23

Function

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

The maximum award is 300% 
of salary.

The bonus is based on the Remuneration 
Committee’s assessment of executive 
directors’ performance over a financial 
year against objectives, which cover:

Executive Incentive 
Plan 
Short-term annual cash 
bonus

To incentivise and reward 
strong performance 
against annual financial 
and non-financial targets

Objectives are set at the start of 
the year. At the end of the year, the 
Remuneration Committee considers 
the extent to which these have been 
achieved and sets the award level. 
Awards are normally paid in cash.

Clawback provisions apply for gross 
misconduct.

Executive Incentive 
Plan
Long-term deferred bonus

To engage and motivate 
senior management 
to deliver on KPIs and 
support implementation of 
the Company’s strategy.

The deferred awards will 
be determined in relation 
to performance measured 
against the balanced 
scorecard metrics set out 
in the performance metrics 
column. 

The maximum deferred award 
opportunity will gradually 
increase to 525% of salary as 
follows:

 – 2016 awards: 408%
 – 2017 awards: 467%
 – 2018 awards: 525%

This staged increase ensures 
that the incentive opportunity 
for performance years 
completed prior to the date 
on which the policy change 
became effective is not 
increased retroactively.

Deferred shares are awarded subject 
to an assessment based on the three 
prior years’ performance against 
financial and non-financial objectives 
set at the start of that three year 
performance period. Performance 
is measured for each of the three 
reporting years and then averaged.

Transitional arrangements of one, two 
and three-year performance periods 
will apply for new executive directors, 
to ensure that they do not receive an 
award based on performance pre-
dating their hire.

For any deferred shares awarded, 
the vesting period is set at a further 
three to five years after the end of the 
relevant performance period. This 
creates, with the performance and 
vesting periods combined, a total time 
horizon of six to eight years. During 
the three to five year vesting period, 
the value of any shares awarded will 
be fully aligned with and dependent on 
shareholder experience and value over 
that time.

The number of shares subject to an 
award is increased by reference to any 
dividends paid between the grant and 
vesting date of an award. Such shares 
vest only when the shares subject to an 
award vest.

Malus provisions may apply for 
misstatement or misconduct. 
Clawback provisions apply for Gross 
Misconduct.

1.  Strategy, structure and people 
2.  P&L performance and sales
3.  Financial health
4.  Risk, compliance and reputation
5.  External stakeholder engagement

The outcome of performance against 
these objectives will be reported in the 
Directors’ remuneration report for the 
financial year in consideration.

Based on a balanced scorecard of 
performance criteria for each executive 
director.

80% of the award is based on financial 
criteria, comprising:

 – Investment performance 25%
 – Net flows 25%
 – Adjusted management fee EBITDA 

margin 15%

 – Adjusted management fee EPS growth 

15%

The remaining 20% of an award is based 
on the Remuneration Committee’s 
assessment of performance against  
non-financial criteria including culture  
and talent.

The Remuneration Committee initially 
assesses executive director performance 
against the metrics outlined above to 
determine the percentage of award 
earned for the performance period. It 
then has full discretion to decide the 
multiple of salary (between 0% up to 
the maximum set out in the Opportunity 
column) to which the percentage of 
award determined by the metrics should 
be applied. In deciding this multiple, it 
takes account of any performance issues 
not included in the DEIP metrics and any 
other relevant factors such as overall 
corporate performance, shareholder 
return and experience, internal relativities 
and the current public and private fund 
manager competitor landscape. Under no 
circumstances can the maximum set out 
in the Opportunity column be exceeded. 

The Remuneration Committee may adjust 
the weighting or definition of the above 
performance criteria from time to time, to 
reflect changes in strategic priorities.

Notes to the policy table:
In implementing the above remuneration policy, the Remuneration Committee shall have regard to all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including the principles and provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the UKLA Listing Rules, the Financial Conduct Authority Remuneration Code of practice on remuneration policies, the AIFM Remuneration 
Code, and to leading investor representative body guidelines (including the Investment Association, ISS and the PLSA).

Please note that any commitments made prior to, but due to be fulfilled after, the approval and implementation of the remuneration policy approved by shareholders will be honoured. 
In addition to the elements of remuneration detailed in the policy table, the Remuneration Committee may consider it appropriate to grant an award under a different structure in order 
to facilitate the recruitment of an individual, exercising the discretion available under the UKLA Listing Rules (see details in the paragraph ‘Approach to recruitment remuneration’). 

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3.2 Performance measures selection and approach to target-setting
Annual objectives are set according to immediate priorities identified by the Board and management and will be reviewed and adjusted annually to 
reflect changing priorities. The long-term performance metrics are in line with the long-term strategic focus of the Company and will be reviewed as 
required in line with any changes in strategic direction.

3.3 Differences between executive directors’ and employees’ remuneration
Executive Committee members are eligible to participate in the Executive Incentive Plan alongside executive directors to align the remuneration of the 
most senior management. However, in line with market practice in alternative investment funds, their incentive payouts are uncapped.

Employee remuneration includes base salary, benefits, an annual performance bonus and, for senior contributors, long-term share and fund-based 
deferrals. The level of deferral increases as total compensation increases. This provides alignment with shareholders and the future performance of the 
Company and with the interests of investors in funds managed by the Company.

Sales staff have a specific bonus scheme to reinforce asset gathering and retention whilst aligning interests on costs. 

3.4 Shareholding guidelines
In order to align the interests of executive directors and shareholders, Man Group requires its executive directors to maintain a proportion of Man 
Group shares calculated with reference to their base salary. The Chief Executive Officer is required to maintain a shareholding of 200% of base salary. 
Other executive directors are required to maintain a shareholding of 100% of base salary. Executive directors are required to build up this shareholding 
on joining the Board and after a reduction in share price. Incumbents will build up to the prescribed shareholdings with (post-tax) vested shares where 
not already at or above this level.

In addition, as explained in Table R23, the long-term deferred bonus element of the Executive Incentive Plan has been designed so that executive 
directors have the potential to build up over time a significant holding of unvested shares, subject to ongoing service, which are fully aligned with 
shareholder experience and value. However, these shares are not taken into account in the calculation of the level of directors’ holdings measured 
against our shareholding guidelines which require the holding of totally unrestricted and disposable shares.

3.5 Non-executive directors’ remuneration policy
Non-executive directors have formal letters of appointment. These do not contain any notice provisions or provision for compensation in the event of 
early termination. The current Chairman has a contract with the Company which provides that his appointment as Chairman is terminable on three 
months’ notice; there are no notice provisions relating to his appointment as a director. The incoming Chairman has a contract with the Company 
which provides that his appointment is terminable on six months’ notice. The Board’s policy is to appoint non-executive directors for an initial three-
year term, subject to retirement and reappointment by shareholders annually at the AGM, which may be followed by a further three years by mutual 
agreement. Any further extension will be subject to rigorous review. The initial dates of appointment of the non-executive directors to the Board are 
shown on pages 46 and 48 of this 2015 Annual Report, and their current fee levels are provided in the Directors’ remuneration report on page 81. 
Non-executive directors are also encouraged to build a shareholding in the Company.

Details of the policy on fees paid to our non-executive directors are set out in the table below.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration policy

Table R24

Function

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Fees
To attract and retain non-executive 
directors of the highest calibre and 
experience relevant to Man Group

Fees are reviewed annually by the 
Board at the year end taking into 
account market benchmarks for 
non-executives of companies of 
similar size and complexity to Man 
Group with consideration of sector 
relevance.

Any fee increases for non-
executive directors will not 
normally exceed the average 
increase in the market. A fee 
increase may be above this level 
if there is a significant change 
in time commitment required or 
scope of the role.

None.

The Chairman’s remuneration 
is recommended by the 
Remuneration Committee and 
approved by the Board. Neither 
the Chairman nor the non-
executive directors take part in 
discussions or vote on their own 
remuneration.

Non-executive directors receive 
a base fee for Board service 
and additional fees for Board 
Committee membership and 
other responsibilities. They do not 
participate in any share option or 
share incentive plans.

84 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

3.6 Illustrative pay for performance scenarios
Although executive directors will be assessed individually for their short-term awards, the chart below provides an illustration of some of the potential 
2017 reward opportunities for executive directors in respect of the 2016 performance year, and the potential split between the different elements of 
remuneration under three different performance scenarios: ‘minimum’, ‘mid-point’ and ‘maximum’. 

Projected pay under three performance scenarios ($000)

Projected pay under three performance scenarios ($000)

Maximum

14%

CEO

Mid-point

24%

34%

30%

53%

46%

$5,537

Minimum

100%

$1,320

13%

Maximum

14%

34%

53%

$6,650

CFO

Mid-point

24%

30%

46%

$3,775

Minimum

100%

$900

13%

n Salary & benefits

n Annual cash EIP

n Long-term EIP

Table R25

$9,753

Assumptions used:
 – The ‘minimum’ scenario reflects base salary, pension and benefits as disclosed in the Single Figure of Total Remuneration (i.e. fixed remuneration) 

which are the only elements of the executive directors’ remuneration packages not linked to performance during the year under review.

 – The ‘mid-point’ scenario reflects fixed remuneration as above, plus a bonus payout of 150% of salary for the short-term award (being half of the 

maximum short-term award) and a deferred bonus award of 233.5% of salary (being half of the maximum deferred award).

 – The ‘maximum’ scenario reflects fixed remuneration as above, plus a full bonus payout of the maximum of 300% of salary for the short-term annual 

cash bonus award and the maximum of 467% of salary for the deferred bonus award.

 – The illustrations are based on initial award value and do not, therefore, reflect potential share price appreciation or any dividends received over the 

deferral periods.

3.7 Approach to recruitment remuneration
External appointment

Approach to recruitment remuneration

Table R26

Component

Base salary

Pension

Benefits

Sharesave

Approach

Maximum grant value

Base salary will be determined to provide competitive total 
compensation in relation to relevant market practice, experience and 
skills of the individual, internal relativities and their current compensation.

None

Pension contributions or an equivalent cash supplement will normally be 
set in line with existing policy.

Benefits may include (but are not limited to) private medical insurance, 
life assurance, permanent health insurance, Group income protection 
and any necessary relocation expenses.

New appointees will be eligible to participate in any all-employee share 
schemes the Company offers.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Executive Incentive Plan 
Short-term annual cash bonus

The remuneration structure described in the policy table will apply to 
new appointees with the relevant maximum being pro-rated to reflect  
the proportion of employment over the year.

300% of salary

Executive Incentive Plan
Long-term deferred bonus

New appointees may be granted awards under the long-term deferred 
bonus on the same terms as other executive directors, as described in 
the policy table.

525% of salary

The performance periods used for determining the awards will be 
gradually increased until the new appointee has completed three full 
financial years at Man Group.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 85 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N   R E P O R T   C O N T I N U E D

3.7 Approach to recruitment remuneration continued
In determining the appropriate remuneration, the Remuneration Committee will take into consideration all relevant factors (including quantum, nature 
of remuneration and the jurisdiction from which the candidate was recruited) to ensure that arrangements are in the best interests of both Man Group 
and its shareholders. 

With respect to a new appointment the Remuneration Committee may ‘buy out’ incentive arrangements, including bonuses, forgone on leaving a 
previous employer, and awards made under such ‘buy out’ arrangements may be in addition to the remuneration outlined in the table above. In doing 
so, the Remuneration Committee will consider relevant factors including any performance conditions attached to those incentive arrangements and 
the likelihood of those conditions being met. In defining the size of this ‘buy out’ award, the Remuneration Committee would ensure that its fair value 
is no higher than the fair value of the incentive arrangements forgone. The Remuneration Committee may also consider it appropriate to structure any 
such ‘buy out’ award differently to the structure described in the policy table including whether appropriate performance conditions should apply, 
exercising the discretion available under the UKLA Listing Rules. 

The Remuneration Committee does not intend that such ‘buy out’ awards will be made as a matter of routine; on the contrary, although the 
Remuneration Committee cannot anticipate every circumstance which it might face in the future, it is expected that any such awards made under the 
UKLA Listing Rules will only be contemplated in exceptional circumstances, will be reviewed and approved by the full Board and described fully in the 
subsequent year’s Directors’ remuneration report.

Internal appointment
For the appointment of a new executive director by way of internal promotion, the Remuneration Committee’s approach will be consistent with the 
policy for external appointees detailed above. Where an individual has contractual commitments made prior to their promotion to the Board, the 
Company will continue to honour these commitments. 

3.8 Non-executive directors
When recruiting a new non-executive director, the Board will utilise the policy as set out in Table R24 on page 84. A base fee in line with the prevailing 
fee schedule would be payable for Board membership, with additional fees payable for acting as Senior Independent Director or as a member or 
Chairman of a Board Committee.

3.9 Service contracts and exit payment policy

Service contracts

Element

Contract dates

Condition

Jonathan Sorrell: 28 September 2012

Emmanuel Roman: 7 February 2013

Current appointment

No fixed term

Notice period (by either Company 
or director)

Emmanuel Roman: 12 months

Jonathan Sorrell: 6 months

Table R27

Contractual entitlement to fixed bonus 
or share-based incentive

None

The Company’s policy is that notice periods will not exceed 12 months

Provisions for contract termination

Short-term annual cash bonus

Under both contracts the Company can opt to terminate immediately by making a payment in lieu of 
the notice period or part of it. Emmanuel Roman’s contract requires payment of base salary only in lieu. 
Jonathan Sorrell’s contract requires payment of base salary plus the value of pension contributions 
(or alternative cash allowance) and certain other insured benefits in lieu.

Payments in lieu are to be made in monthly instalments unless the Company and the executive director 
agree otherwise.

Unless the Company decides otherwise both executive directors have a duty to mitigate their losses 
arising from termination of their employment; any replacement earnings earned in what would otherwise 
have been the notice period will reduce the obligation on the Company to make payments in lieu.

The service contracts do not oblige the Company to pay any cash bonus to executive directors and 
bonuses are awarded at the Board’s discretion following a recommendation from the Remuneration 
Committee. Payment of any cash bonus is conditional upon the executive director being in employment 
and not under notice at the payment date.

Long-term deferred bonus and  
other awards

The treatment of deferred bonuses and other long-term awards is governed by the relevant Plan rules as 
explained below.

86 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

3.9 Service contracts and exit payment policy continued
To protect Man Group’s business interests the executive directors’ service contracts contain covenants which restrict the executives’ ability to solicit or 
deal with clients and their ability to solicit senior employees. Emmanuel Roman has also entered into a broader non-compete covenant for an agreed 
period post termination. 

Further, the Board has the right, at its discretion, to require Jonathan Sorrell to comply with a broader non-compete covenant for up to six months 
post termination to provide additional protection for the Company. If the Board exercises this right, the Company will pay an additional amount up to 
six months’ base salary and the value of pension contributions (or alternative cash allowance) and certain other insured benefits so that he is not left 
without income during the time when the Board wishes the non-compete to operate. This amount is paid in two equal instalments and is reduced by 
any payments made in lieu of notice.

Executive directors’ service contracts are available to view at the Company’s registered office.

When considering exit payments, the Remuneration Committee reviews all outstanding incentive awards and assesses outcomes that are fair to both 
shareholders and participants. The table below summarises how long-term deferred awards are typically treated in specific circumstances, with the 
final treatment remaining subject to the Remuneration Committee’s discretion.

Long-term deferred bonus and other share awards

Table R28

Reason for leaving

Good leaver1

Timing of vesting

Calculation of vesting/payment

Follows normal vesting schedule (except in the 
case of death where the Remuneration Committee 
may allow early vesting).

Awards vest on a time pro rata basis under the 
long-term deferred bonus of the Executive Incentive 
Plan. No time pro-rating applies under the Deferred 
Bonus Share and Option Plan2.

Any other reason

All awards lapse.

Notes:
1  Good leaver reasons include death, retirement, ill-health, injury or disability, redundancy, sale of the company or business in which the individual was employed, leaving with 
agreement of the Company if the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that an orderly handover has been organised and performed. The Remuneration Committee may also 
decide, in its discretion, to grant good leaver status in other exceptional circumstances and will take into account the reason for leaving and the executive director’s performance 
up to the date employment ceases.

2  Jonathan Sorrell was granted a conditional share award under the Deferred Bonus Share and Option Plan in March 2013.

3.10 External appointments
With the approval of the Board in each case, and subject to the overriding requirements of the Company, executive directors may accept a limited 
number of external appointments as non-executive directors of other companies and retain any fees received. Details of external directorships held by 
executive directors, including associated fees, are provided in the Directors’ remuneration report for the relevant year.

3.11 Consideration of conditions elsewhere in the Company
In assessing executive director remuneration, internal relativities within the Company are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee. These internal 
reviews cover the individual elements of base salaries, benefits and total compensation. 

3.12 Consideration of shareholder views 
The Remuneration Committee takes into account shareholder views received in relation to remuneration resolutions to be considered at the AGM 
each year and guidance from shareholder representative bodies more broadly. The Remuneration Committee considers shareholder feedback an 
important input when forming remuneration policy and regularly reviews Man Group’s remuneration policy against the guidelines of key institutional 
shareholders and their representative bodies.

The above remuneration policy was discussed with a number of Man Group’s major shareholders and certain shareholder voting bodies in early 2015 
and reflects the views expressed in that consultation. 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 87 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E P O R T

The Directors present their report,  
together with the audited consolidated 
financial statements, for the year ended  
31 December 2015 (the ‘year’).

Man Group plc is incorporated as a public limited company and is 
registered in England with the registered number 08172396 (the 
“Company”). The Company’s registered office is Riverbank House,  
2 Swan Lane, London EC4R 3AD.

Directors
Details of the current directors, together with their biographies, can be 
found on pages 46 to 48. Ian Livingston and Richard Berliand were 
appointed as non-executive directors following the year end on 1 January 
and 19 January 2016 respectively. All of the other directors served for the 
duration of the year with the exception of John Cryan who was appointed 
as a non-executive director on 15 January 2015.  

Details of the directors’ interests in the Company’s shares are given on 
page 77 of the Annual Report.

Powers of directors
The Board is responsible for the management of the business of the 
Company and may exercise all the powers of the Company subject to the 
provisions of relevant statutes and the Company’s Articles of Association 
(the ‘Articles’). A copy of the Articles is available on the Company’s 
website and by request from the registered office of the Company. The 
Articles may be amended by special resolution of the shareholders.

Appointment, retirement and replacement of directors
The appointment, retirement and replacement of directors are governed 
by the Articles, the UK Corporate Governance Code and the Companies 
Act 2006. Under the Articles, the Board has the power to appoint further 
directors during the year, but any director so appointed must stand for 
reappointment at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). In accordance 
with the Articles, one-third of the Board must retire by rotation at each 
AGM and may stand for reappointment. In practice, and in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Board members retire and 
offer themselves for reappointment at each AGM.

The Articles give each director the power to appoint any person to be his 
alternate, such appointment being subject to Board approval where the 
proposed alternate is not an existing director of the Company.

Directors’ indemnities and insurance cover
The Company has maintained qualifying third-party indemnity provisions 
for the benefit of its directors during the year and these remain in force 
at the date of this report. The indemnity is granted by the Company to 
new directors on their appointment and covers, to the extent permitted 
by law, any third-party liabilities which they may incur as a result of their 
service on the Board. The Company arranges directors’ and officers’ 
liability insurance to cover certain liabilities and defence costs which 
the Company indemnity does not meet. Neither the indemnity nor the 
insurance provides any protection in the event of a director being found to 
have acted fraudulently or dishonestly in respect of the Company.

Shares
Share capital
Details of movements in issued share capital, together with the rights 
and obligations attaching to the Company’s shares, are set out in Note 
23 to the financial statements. This Note also provides information on the 
Company’s unexpired authority to purchase its own shares and details of 
the shares purchased by the Company during the year.

Substantial voting interests
As at 31 December 2015 the Company had been notified of the 
following voting interests in the ordinary share capital of the Company in 
accordance with DTR 5 of the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules 
(DTR 5). Percentages are shown as notified, calculated with reference to 
the Company’s disclosed share capital as at the date of the movement 
triggering the notification.  

Shareholder

Number of 
shares notified 
to the Company 

Percentage of 
issued share 
capital

Odey Asset Management LLP

107,786,770

5.91%

Société Générale Option Europe, Société 
Générale Acceptance N.V., and Société 
Générale Issuer1

TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC 

67,993,182

4.00%

and Teachers Advisors, Inc.2

67,877,246

3.99%

Notes:
1  As at 31 December 2015, Société Générale Option Europe, Société Générale 

Acceptance N.V., and Société Générale Issuer (together, ‘Société Générale’) had 
notified 67,993,182 voting rights attached to the Company’s issued share capital. 
The majority of these (59,969,151) related to cash-settled derivatives with no voting 
rights which are however required to be notified to the Company under DTR 5.3.1R(1)
(b), being financial instruments with a similar economic effect to qualifying financial 
instruments. The remaining 8,024,031 consisted of direct and indirect interests in 
voting rights attached to shares in the Company. 

2  As at 31 December 2015, TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC (‘TIAA-CREF’) 

had notified 32,356,401 voting rights attached to the Company’s issued share capital. 
Teachers Advisors, Inc., which is affiliated with TIAA-CREF, had notified 35,520,845 
such voting rights.

No changes to the above were disclosed to the Company in accordance 
with DTR 5 during the period 1 January to 22 February 2016 inclusive.

Restriction on voting rights
Where shares are held in employee benefit trusts for the satisfaction of 
awards made under the Company’s share schemes, under the trust 
deeds the trustees have discretion to vote or abstain from voting.

Share transfer restrictions
The Board may decline to register a transfer of any share which is not a 
fully paid share. In addition, registration of a transfer of an uncertificated 
share may be refused in the circumstances set out in the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations and where the number of joint holders exceeds 
four.

Change of control
The Company’s employee share incentive schemes contain provisions 
whereby, upon a change of control of the Company, outstanding options 
and awards would vest and become exercisable, subject to any prorating 
that may be applicable.

Independent auditor
The Company’s auditor, Deloitte LLP, has indicated its willingness to 
continue in office and a resolution to reappoint Deloitte LLP as auditor of 
the Company will be proposed at the 2016 AGM.

88 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Carbon emissions reporting
The information below details our mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas 
emissions for the year pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013.

Where Man is the landlord of a property and electricity costs are incurred 
on behalf of sub-tenants, these costs are on-charged to the sub-tenants 
as the users of the electricity. Accordingly, no emissions data for energy 
usage incurred on behalf of sub-tenants is included in Man Group’s 
reportable emissions above.

Around 78% (2014: 82%) of our overall emissions relate to purchased 
electricity and gas usage across our various geographical locations, with 
the remaining 22% (2014: 18%) relating to air travel. All emissions are 
reported in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). 

Man Group’s emissions by scope

Scope

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Total

Source

Natural gas

Electricity

Air travel

Tonnes of CO2e emissions
Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

380

8,142

2,472

10,994

326

7,411

1,753

9,490

Reported emissions have been calculated using an intensity metric 
which will enable us to monitor emissions independent of activity. As 
Man Group is a people-related business, we expect that any changes to 
headcount will impact the property space we occupy and the amount of 
business travel we have. Therefore, emissions per employee are the most 
appropriate metric for our business, as shown in the table below. The 
average number of employees in 2015 was 1,106 (2014: 1,001).

Disclosures of emissions related to business travel are restricted to flight 
costs as a result of the CO2e emission convertible data relating to other 
means of transport (i.e. taxis) not being available.

Further disclosures
Information fulfilling the further disclosure requirements contained in 
the Companies Act 2006, Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and 
the FCA’s Listing Rules and Disclosure and Transparency Rules, where 
applicable to the Company, can be found in the following sections of 
the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2015 which are 
incorporated into the Directors’ report by reference:

Future developments in the business
Research and development activities
Dividend
Dividend waiver
Employment policy and employee involvement
Financial risk management and financial 

 Pages

10-25
18-25
33, 107, 139-40
119
38-42

instruments

112-113, 129-131

Corporate governance report including internal 

control and risk management statements
Directors’ responsibility statement including 
disclosure of information to the auditors

49-56

90

Emissions per employee

Scope

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Emissions per employee

Tonnes of CO2e emissions
Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

0.3

7.4

2.2

9.9

0.3

7.4

1.8

9.5

For and on behalf of the Board

Rachel Rowson
Company Secretary
24 February 2016

As expected, natural gas and energy emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 
2) have increased in line with the increase in employees in the year. Air 
travel emissions (Scope 3) have increased overall and per employee in 
2015 primarily as a result of levels of acquisition-related integration activity 
during the year.

Methodology
For practical reasons, emissions data was gathered for the first nine 
months of each year and, as appropriate, extrapolated in order to 
calculate the full year emissions. Based on the nature of our emissions 
and the consistency month on month, we believe this is an appropriate 
representation of the annual emissions.

In order to compile the reportable emissions data from our offices, 
electricity and gas meter readings have been obtained from our energy 
suppliers. For some of our smaller offices we are not charged for energy 
usage separately as these costs are incorporated into the service fees for 
our premises. These emissions have not been included in the reported 
total above, due to the data being unavailable, and relate to offices for the 
use of 16 employees (2014: nine employees).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 89 

GOVERNANCE 
D I R E C T O R S ’   R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y   S T A T E M E N T

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare such financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the directors are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union 
and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have also chosen to prepare 
the Parent Company financial statements in accordance with Financial 
Reporting Standard 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 and the profit or loss of the Company and Group for that period. 

In preparing the Parent Company financial statements, the directors are 
required to:
 – select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 – make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent;

 – state whether Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework has 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 Company will continue in business.

In preparing the Group financial statements, International Accounting 
Standard 1 requires that directors:
 – properly select and apply accounting policies;
 – present information, including accounting policies, in a manner 

that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 
information; 

 – provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific 

requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand 
the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on 
the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

 – make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going 

concern.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of 
the Company and Group and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also 
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and Group,  
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection  
of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in  
other jurisdictions.

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are on pages 46 to 48, 
confirm that, to the best of each person’s knowledge and belief:
 – the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant 

financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

 – the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and 

performance of the business and the position of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; 
 – the Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, 
balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Company’s and Group’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy; and 

 – there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s auditor is 
unaware, and that they have taken all steps that they ought to have 
taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that Man’s auditor is aware of 
that information.

90 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Financial statements contents

Audited information 

Group income statement 

Group statement of comprehensive income 

Group balance sheet 

Group cash flow statement 

Group statement of changes in equity 

Parent Company financial information 

Basis of preparation 

Significant accounting policies schedule 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Revenue 

Income or gains on investments and  
other financial instruments 

Distribution costs 

Asset servicing 

Compensation 

Other costs 

Finance expense and finance income 

Taxation 

Earnings per ordinary share 

Dividends 

Goodwill and acquired intangibles 

Other intangibles 

Cash, liquidity and borrowings 

Investments in fund products and other investments 

Fee and other receivables 

Trade and other payables 

Provisions 

Investments in associates 

Leasehold improvements and equipment 

Deferred compensation arrangements 

Capital management 

Pension benefits 

Segmental analysis 

Geographical disclosure 

Foreign currencies 

Fair value of financial assets/liabilities 

Related party transactions 

Financial guarantees and commitments 

Other matters 

Group investments 

Independent auditor’s report 

Unaudited information

Five year record 

Note 

1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28  

29 

30 

31 

32 

96

96

97

98

99

135

100

101

101

102

102

102

103

103

104

104

105

106

107

107

111

112

113

117

117

118

118

119

119

121

123

127

128

128

129

131

131

132

132

92

138

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 91 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I N D E P E N D E N T   A U D I T O R ’ S   R E P O R T   T O   T H E   M E M B E R S  
O F   M A N   G R O U P   P L C

Opinion on financial statements of Man Group plc
In our opinion:

 – the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 
of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 
December 2015 and of the Group’s profit for the year then 
ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

 – the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice, including FRS 101 “Reduced 
Disclosure Framework”; and

 – the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and as 
regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation.

The financial statements comprise the Group income statement, the 
Group statement of comprehensive income, the Group and Parent 
Company Balance sheets, the Group cash flow statement, the Group 
and Parent Company Statement of changes in equity and the related 
Notes 1 to 32 for the Group and 1 to 7 for the Parent Company. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of 
the Group financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 101 
“Reduced Disclosure Framework”.

Going concern and the directors’ assessment of the principal 
risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the Group
As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the directors’ 
statement regarding the appropriateness of the going concern basis of 
accounting contained within Note 1 to the financial statements and the 
directors’ statement on the longer-term viability of the Group contained 
within the strategic report on page 34. 

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

 – the directors’ confirmation on page 34 that they have carried out a 

robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including 
those that would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity;

 – the disclosures on pages 36-37 that describe those risks and explain 

how they are being managed or mitigated;

 – the directors’ statement in Note 1 to the financial statements about 
whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing them and their identification of any 
material uncertainties to the Group’s ability to continue to do so over 
a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements;

 – the director’s explanation on page 34 as to how they have assessed 
the prospects of the Group, over what period they have done so and 
why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement 
as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will 
be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We agreed with the directors’ adoption of the going concern basis of 
accounting and we did not identify any such material uncertainties. 
However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 
this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

Independence
We are required to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors and we confirm that we are independent 
of the Group and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in 
accordance with those standards. We also confirm we have not provided 
any of the prohibited non-audit services referred to in those standards.

92 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
The assessed risks of material misstatement described below are those that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, the allocation of resources 
in the audit and directing the efforts of the engagement team.

Risk

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Impairment of goodwill 
As at 31 December 2015, total goodwill on the balance sheet amounted 
to $907m (2014: $936m), which equates to 27% (2014: 28%) of total 
assets.

The Group’s assessment of whether there is an impairment of goodwill 
within each of the four identified cash generating units (“CGUs” or 
investment engines) is a judgemental process. This requires estimates 
concerning future cash flows, multiples, growth rates based upon 
management’s view of future business prospects, investment 
performance and the associated discount rates. 

At the half year there was a material impairment to the goodwill of the 
FRM CGU of $41m; therefore this CGU has been a particular area of 
focus. In addition, as a result of the acquisition of Numeric in 2014 
and its growth and integration within the wider business during 2015, 
management have reassessed their cost allocation model to reflect the 
costs allocated to the different CGUs. The cost allocations are necessarily 
subjective and accordingly this creates audit risk.

We used our modelling experts to assess the principles and integrity of 
the goodwill model to determine whether it was structured appropriately. 

We worked with our valuation specialists to challenge the key 
assumptions used in the goodwill model including the discount rate 
and the multiples applied to the separate CGUs by comparing these 
assumptions against industry benchmarks.

We compared the discount rate used by the Group to reflect its cost of 
capital to that used by entities with similar risk profiles and independently 
recalculated the Group’s cost of capital. 

We considered the accuracy of the cash flow forecasts based on our 
understanding of the future prospects of the business by:
 – following a series of discussions with key management across each of 

the CGUs;

 – performing a retrospective review of the accuracy of previous forecasts; 
 – agreeing key historical inputs to audited data; and 
 – by challenging management where any conflicting evidence was 

See Note 13 to the financial statements which gives further detail in 
relation to the Goodwill balance.

obtained.

We performed an independent sensitivity analysis over key assumptions 
to determine the impact of changes to those assumptions to the value in 
use of each CGU, and hence to identify if such changes would trigger a 
potential impairment.

As an additional data point, we recalculated management’s reconciliation 
of the total valuation of the CGUs to the market value of the Group based 
upon the share price at year end.

Further, we discussed the basis of the cost reallocation with management 
and performed an independent analysis over a sample of the business 
units in question to assess whether the revised allocation was 
appropriate.

Revenue recognition
To record management and performance fee transactions, the Group 
has numerous manual processes in place. In addition, there are multiple 
service providers that add to the intricacy of the process. 

We performed detailed walkthroughs of the revenue control processes 
and tested the design and implementation of key controls identified 
during this process.

Furthermore, the accuracy and completeness of the management 
and performance fees depend on the effective communication of any 
changes to underlying agreements between several parties. 

We have substantively tested in excess of 500 revenue samples by 
independently assessing the fee based on underlying legal documents 
and independent valuation reports, and comparing this to the fee 
recorded by management.

As a result of the complexity of the transactions and multiple interactions 
required, there is no standardised process across the Group. This creates 
a risk that revenue is not recorded or not recognised in line with the latest 
governing documents.

We performed additional procedures on the underlying legal documents 
given to us by management to determine whether they were the most 
up-to-date documents for the time period tested.

Further explanation is included within Note 3 to the financial statements.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 93 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
I N D E P E N D E N T   A U D I T O R ’ S   R E P O R T   T O   T H E   M E M B E R S  
O F   M A N   G R O U P   P L C   C O N T I N U E D

Risk

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Completeness and accuracy of revenue rebates and 
distribution costs
Revenue is recorded net of rebates due to investors whilst fees paid to 
intermediaries for distribution services are recorded within distribution 
costs.

The Group has relationships with more than 1,000 intermediaries and 
clients. The recording of these balances is based on highly manual 
processes and is reliant on effective communication between multiple 
areas of the business on a case by case basis when agreements are 
reached. Hence there is an increased risk of error within this balance, 
specifically that the liability is not recorded.

Additionally, many of the accruals are aged, as it can take a long period  
of time to finalise negotiations. As a result, there is an increased risk that 
the liabilities recorded are not valid.

We performed detailed walkthroughs of the rebate and commission 
control processes and assessed the design and implementation of the 
current control environment.

For a sample of clients, we have independently recalculated the 
rebate and/or distribution fees based on underlying legal documents 
and supporting valuations. We have assessed the year end listing of 
rebate and distribution cost liabilities to determine whether any appear 
unfounded. For a sample of investors and intermediaries, we have 
determined whether an accrual should be recognised at year end based 
on agreements with the client to check the completeness of the year end 
accrual. Furthermore, we have tested all distribution payments made 
during January that individually exceed $50,000 to determine whether 
they have been recorded in the correct period.

Consolidation of the Group’s investments 
The Group holds investments in a number of funds which it manages, 
as described in Note 16. The accounting for the investments requires 
judgment in determining whether power and control exists and hence 
whether investments are held on the balance sheet at fair value or are 
consolidated, as required by IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. 
As a result of this assessment, $213m (2014: $0m) in net assets have 
been consolidated on a line by line basis within the Group’s balance 
sheet, $119m (2014: $153m) recorded as net non-current assets held for 
sale and $269m (2014: $307m) as investments in fund products and other 
investments. Together, these items represent 27% (2014: 19%) of the 
Group’s net assets.

See Note 16 to the financial statements which gives further detail in 
relation to the Group’s investments.

We performed a walkthrough of the processes by which the Group 
controls these investment decisions and how these investments are 
subsequently monitored for consolidation triggers and recorded. We also 
tested the design and implementation of the key controls in operation 
during the year. 

We independently assessed whether a sample of funds held at year end 
should be consolidated. This included 100% testing of the funds included 
in the listing maintained by management of those funds considered to be 
most “at risk” of potential consolidation. We assessed each fund included 
in the listing referred to above by considering the size of the holding 
per custodian statements as well as the contractual arrangements. In 
particular we focussed on investments in collateralised loan obligations 
(“CLOs”) where control is not necessarily dictated by percentage 
ownership of equity shares.

Last year our audit report included three other risks which are not 
included in our audit report this year: IFRS 12 disclosure requirements 
for investments in funds (which was a new reporting requirement in 
2014 and has now been implemented), acquisition accounting (as there 
have been no significant acquisitions during the year) and taxation (as 
the tax provisions have largely been finalised and methodology for the 
recognition of the deferred tax asset was analysed in detail in the prior 
year).

In addition, we have included a new risk in 2015 relating to revenue 
rebates and distribution costs. This is a complex area of accounting and 
is highly manual, thus susceptible to error. Management implemented 
a number of new processes and controls around the monitoring and 
recording of these costs during the year, hence there was increased audit 
effort in considering these new processes.

The description of risks above should be read in conjunction with the 
significant issues considered by the Audit and Risk Committee discussed 
on page 59.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do 
not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial 
statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a 
reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. 
We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in 
evaluating the results of our work.

We determined materiality for the Group to be $22.0 (2014: $19.5m). As 
performance fees are variable and can fluctuate significantly year on year, 
we have taken an average of the current year and prior year adjusted 
profit before tax (in order to create a more stable basis) and calculated 
materiality to be five per cent of this figure. The adjusted profit before 
tax number is explained in Note 2 to the financial statements, and the 
calculated materiality is below 1% of equity. Adjusted profit before tax is a 
relevant benchmark as it is a key figure used by analysts in assessing the 
performance of the business.

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report 
to the Committee all audit differences in excess of $440,000 (2014: 
$400,000), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit 
and Risk Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when 
assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group 
and its environment, including group-wide controls, and assessing the 
risks of material misstatement at the group level. This is consistent with 
the approach adopted in the prior year. Based on that assessment, 
we focused our group audit scope primarily on the audit work at seven 
geographical locations. This included the full audit of fifteen subsidiaries 
across the UK, the US, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, the Cayman 
Islands and the Channel Islands. A further fourteen subsidiaries across 
the UK, the Channel Islands and the US were subject to an audit of 
specified account balances where the extent of our testing was based 
on our assessment of the risks of material misstatement and of the 
materiality of the Group’s operations at those locations. These seven 
geographical locations represent the principal business units and 
account for 96% (2014: 98%) of the Group’s total assets, 99% (2014: 

94 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified 
any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the audit 
and the directors’ statement that they consider the annual report is 
fair, balanced and understandable and whether the annual report 
appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated to the Audit 
and Risk Committee which we consider should have been disclosed. 
We confirm that we have not identified any such inconsistencies or 
misleading statements.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, 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). We also comply with International Standard on Quality Control 
1 (UK and Ireland). Our audit methodology and tools aim to ensure that 
our quality control procedures are effective, understood and applied. Our 
quality controls and systems include our dedicated professional standards 
review team and independent partner reviews.

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.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused 
by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately 
disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made 
by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the 
annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially 
incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge 
acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware 
of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider 
the implications for our report.

Mark FitzPatrick (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
London, UK
24 February 2016

97%) of the Group’s revenue and 98% (2014: 96%) of the Group’s profit 
before tax. They were also selected to provide an appropriate basis for 
undertaking audit work to address the risks of material misstatement 
identified above. Our audit work at the twenty nine subsidiaries was 
executed at levels of materiality applicable to each individual entity 
which were lower than Group materiality and ranged from $370,000 to 
$22m (2014: $250,000 to $19m). At the Parent Company level we also 
tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical procedures 
to confirm our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material 
misstatement of the aggregated financial information of the remaining 
components not subject to audit or audit of specified account balances. 

The group audit team continued to follow a programme of planned visits 
that has been designed so that the Senior Statutory Auditor or a senior 
member of the group audit team visits each of the locations where the 
group audit scope was focused at least once a year. During the current 
year visits were made to New York, Boston, Switzerland and Australia. 
Books and records for subsidiaries located within Ireland, the Cayman 
Islands and the Channel Islands are maintained within the UK and are 
audited by the group audit team.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:
 – the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been 
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and
 – the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report 
for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is 
consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in  
our opinion:
 – we have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit; or

 – 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.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our 
opinion certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration have not been 
made or the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 
is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. We have 
nothing to report arising from these matters.

Corporate Governance Statement
Under the Listing Rules we are also required to review part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement relating to the company’s compliance 
with certain provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. We have 
nothing to report arising from our review.

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report
Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), we are 
required to report to you if, in our opinion, information in the annual  
report is:
 – materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or

 – apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 

with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing 
our audit; or

 – otherwise misleading.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 95 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
G R O U P   I N C O M E   S T A T E M E N T

$m

Revenue:

Gross management and other fees
Performance fees

Income or gains on investments and other financial instruments
Third-party share of losses relating to interests in consolidated funds
Revaluation of contingent consideration
Distribution costs
Asset servicing
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Compensation
Other costs
Impairment of FRM goodwill
Share of after tax profit of associates
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries and other interests
Finance expense
Finance income

Profit before tax

Taxation expense

Statutory profit for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Earnings per share:
Basic (cents)
Diluted (cents)

Note

3
3

4
16.3
2
5
6
13
7
8
13
20
2
9
9

10

11

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014 

833
 302 

810
 340 

 1,135 

 1,150 

15
9
(62)
(77)
(32) 
(92) 
(462) 
(181) 
(41)
3 
– 
(34) 
 3 

 184 

(13) 

171 

27
–
17
(104) 
(27) 
(72) 
(394) 
(202) 
–
 9 
(4) 
(19) 
 3 

384

(19) 

365 

10.1 
10.0 

 20.8 
 20.5 

Adjusted profit before tax

2

 400 

 481

G R O U P   S T A T E M E N T   O F   C O M P R E H E N S I V E   I N C O M E

$m

Statutory profit for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Remeasurements of post-employment benefit obligations
Current tax credited on pension revaluation
Deferred tax credited on pension revaluation

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Available for sale investments:

Transfers from Group statement of comprehensive income upon sale or impairment

Cash flow hedges:

Valuation losses taken to equity
Transfer to Group income statement
Deferred tax credited on cash flow hedge movements

Net investment hedge
Foreign currency translation
Recycling of FX revaluation on liquidation of subsidiaries 

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Other comprehensive expense for the year (net of tax)

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

 171 

 365 

(21) 
4
2 

(15) 

(1)

(9) 
18
2 
 14 
 (21) 
(1) 

2 

(13)

158

(21) 
4 
– 

(17) 

–

(16) 
(17) 
3 
 13 
 (24) 
– 

(41) 

(58) 

307

96 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
G R O U P   B A L A N C E   S H E E T

$m

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Fee and other receivables
Investments in fund products and other investments
Pension asset
Investments in associates
Leasehold improvements and equipment
Goodwill and acquired intangibles
Other intangibles
Deferred tax assets1

Non-current assets held for sale

Total assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Current tax liabilities
Third-party interest in consolidated funds
Borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities1

Non-current liabilities held for sale

Total liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

At 
31 December 
2015

At 
31 December 
2014

Note

15
17
16
24
20
21
13
14
10

16

18
19

16
15
10

16

607
303
598
48
30
44
1,497
14
59

3,200

188

3,388

660
58
32
136
149
69

1,104

69

1,173

2,215

738
396
307
45
30
52
1,582
13
47

3,210

186

3,396

581
65
51
–
149
83

929

33

962

2,434

Capital and reserves attributable to the owners of the Parent Company

23

2,215

2,434

Note:
1  The deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, which were presented on a net basis on the face of the Group balance sheet in the Annual Report for the year ended  

31 December 2014, have been reclassified in the comparative to provide the gross figures as included in Note 10.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 February 2016 and signed on its behalf by:

Emmanuel Roman  
Chief Executive Officer 

Jonathan Sorrell
Chief Financial Officer

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 97 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
G R O U P   C A S H   F L O W   S T A T E M E N T

$m

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period
Adjustments for:
Income tax
Net finance expense
Share of after tax profits of associates
Revaluation of contingent consideration
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries and other interests
Reassessment of the litigation provision
Depreciation and impairment of leasehold improvements and equipment
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of other intangible assets
Share-based payment expense
Fund product based payment charge1
Impairment of FRM goodwill 
Defined benefit pension plans (including repayments/(contributions))
Other non-cash movements

Changes in working capital:
Decrease in receivables
Increase in other financial assets2,3
Decrease in payables

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Income tax paid 

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of leasehold improvements and equipment
Purchase of other intangible assets
Acquisition of subsidiaries and other intangibles, net of cash acquired
Payment of contingent consideration in relation to acquisitions
Interest received
Dividends received from associates

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares
Proceeds from borrowings (net of costs)
Purchase of own shares by the Employee Trusts and Partnerships
Share repurchase programme (including costs)
Dividends paid to Company shareholders

Cash flows from financing activities

Net decrease in cash
Cash at the beginning of the year

Cash at year end3

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

Note

 171 

 365 

 13
 31

(3) 
62 
– 
– 
13 
 92 
 5 
 18 
35
41 
 (27) 
16 

 19
 16 
(9) 
(17) 
 4 
(6)
 21 
 72 
 16 
 11 
30
 – 
 3 
(16) 

 467 

509 

101
(118) 
(30) 

 420 
(16) 
(49) 

 355 

(5) 
(7) 
(38) 
(46) 
 2 
 3 

(91) 

 7 
– 
(33) 
(176) 
(193) 

(395) 

(131)
 738 

 607 

 12 
(139) 
(242) 

 140 
(3) 
(13) 

 124 

(3) 
(9) 
(227) 
(8) 
 3 
 10 

(234) 

 2 
149
(16) 
(116) 
(163) 

(144) 

(254) 
 992 

 738 

15

Notes:
1  

In the current year the fund product based payment charge has been separately identified as a non-cash charge, a change in presentation within operating cash flows compared 
to the prior year when this was included within changes in working capital. The directors consider that this better reflects the nature of these movements.

2  For the comparative period ‘Purchase of investments in fund products for deferred compensation awards and other investments’ and ‘Net proceeds from sale of investments 

in fund products for deferred compensation awards and other investments’ have been reclassified from investing activities to ‘Increase in other financial assets’ within operating 
activities. The directors consider that this better reflects the nature of these cash flows and matches these with the related underlying transactions. 
Includes $21 million (2014: nil) of restricted cash relating to consolidated fund entities (Note 16).

3  

98 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
G R O U P   S T A T E M E N T   O F 
C H A N G E S   I N   E Q U I T Y

$m

At beginning of the year
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive (expense)/income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share-based payments
Purchase of own shares by the Employee Trusts
Share repurchase programme (including costs)
Dividends

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent  
Year ended 31 December 2015

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent  
Year ended 31 December 2014

Share capital 
and capital 
reserves

Revaluation 
reserves 
and retained 
earnings

Total equity

 1,193 
– 
–

– 

7 
– 
–
–

 1,241 
 171 
(13) 

 158 

15
(30) 
(176)
(193) 

 2,434 
 171 
(13) 

 158 

 22 
(30) 
(176)
(193) 

Share capital 
and capital 
reserves

 1,191 
– 
–

– 

 2 
– 
–
–

Revaluation 
reserves 
and retained 
earnings

 1,216 
 365 
(58) 

 307 

11
(14) 
(116)
(163) 

Total equity

 2,407 
 365 
(58) 

 307 

 13 
(14) 
(116)
(163) 

At year end (Note 23)

 1,200 

 1,015

 2,215 

 1,193 

 1,241 

 2,434 

The proposed final dividend would reduce shareholders’ equity by $81 million (2014: $106 million) subsequent to the balance sheet date.

Details of share capital and capital reserves, revaluation reserves and retained earnings and related movements are included in Note 23.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 99 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

1 .   B A S I S   O F   P R E P A R A T I O N

Accounting policies
The audited consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and 
interpretations (IFRICs) as adopted by the EU and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. Man’s 
principal accounting policies have been consistently applied across the Group in the preparation of the financial statements. Accounting policies 
are included in the relevant sections, and significant policies are provided below. The impact, if any of new accounting standards and amendments 
applicable to the year ended 31 December 2015 and accounting standards that are not yet effective are outlined below.

Consolidated group and presentation currency
The consolidated group is Man Group plc (the Company) and its subsidiaries (together the Group or Man). The stand-alone Parent Company financial 
statements of Man Group plc have been included as separate financial statements, starting on page 135. The majority of revenues, assets, liabilities 
and funding are denominated in United States Dollars (USD) and therefore Man’s presentation currency is USD.

The consolidated financial information contained within these financial statements incorporates the results, cash flows and financial position of 
the Company and its subsidiaries for the year to 31 December 2015 (Note 32). Subsidiaries are entities (including structured entities) controlled by 
Man and are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to Man until the date that control ceases. Control exists when Man has the 
power to direct the relevant activities, exposure to significant variable returns and the ability to utilise power to affect those returns. All intercompany 
transactions, balances, income and expenses between Group entities are eliminated on consolidation.

Business combinations (acquisitions) are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value at the 
acquisition date of assets transferred, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued by the Group. The fair value of an acquisition is calculated at 
the acquisition date by recognising the acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities at their fair values at that date. Costs relating to acquisitions are 
recognised in the Group income statement as incurred. The acquisition date is the date on which Man effectively obtains control of the acquiree. Any 
contingent consideration will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration 
will be recognised in the Group income statement and classified as an adjusting item.

Man’s relationship with independent fund entities
Man acts as the investment manager/advisor to fund entities. Man assesses such relationships on an ongoing basis to determine whether each fund 
entity is controlled and therefore consolidated into the Group’s results. Having considered all significant aspects of Man’s relationships with fund 
entities, the directors are of the opinion that, although Man manages the assets of certain fund entities, where Man does not hold an investment in 
the fund entity the characteristics of control are not met, and that for most fund entities: the existence of independent boards of directors at the fund 
entities; rights which allow for the removal of the investment manager/advisor; the influence of investors; limited exposure to variable returns; and the 
arm’s length nature of Man’s contracts with the fund entities, indicate that Man does not control the fund entities and their associated assets, liabilities 
and results should not be consolidated into the Group financial statements. Assessment of the control characteristics for all relationships with fund 
entities led to the consolidation of nine fund entities for the year ended 31 December 2015 (2014: five), as detailed in Note 16. An understanding of the 
aggregate funds under management (FUM) and the fees earned from the fund entities is relevant to an understanding of Man’s results and earnings 
sustainability and this information is provided in the Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 28 and 30. 

Judgemental areas and accounting estimates
The determination of fair values for contingent consideration in relation to recent acquisitions and the valuation of goodwill and acquired intangibles 
(Note 13), whether the Group controls certain funds through its investments in fund products and is required to consolidate them (Note 16.3) and 
classification of adjusting items (Note 2) are the most significant areas of judgement and have been an area of focus for the Group Board, and in 
particular the Audit and Risk Committee, during the year. The report of the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee discusses the involvement of 
the Committee in this evaluation on page 59. 

Going concern
Man’s business activity is discussed on pages 1 to 42, together with the significant risk factors (pages 34 to 37). Man’s liquidity and capital positions 
are set out in Note 15 and 23 respectively. The directors monitor Man’s capital and liquidity positions and forecasts throughout the year, and in 
addition they have approved a budget, medium-term financial plan, and a capital and liquidity plan, which cover the foreseeable future and include 
rigorous analysis of stressed capital and liquidity scenarios. The directors have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that Man has 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Group and Parent financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis using the historical cost convention, except for the measurement at fair value of certain financial instruments that 
are held at fair value through profit or loss or available-for-sale. The directors have also made a longer term viability statement, as set out on page 34. 

Financial reporting controls
The Group’s systems of internal control aim to safeguard assets, ensure that proper accounting records are maintained, and ensure that the financial 
information used in the business and published externally is robust and reliable. The Group’s systems of internal controls, including financial reporting 
controls, comply with the FRC’s ‘Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting’. The Corporate 
governance report is provided on pages 49 to 56.

100 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

1 .   B A S I S   O F   P R E P A R A T I O N   C O N T I N U E D

Significant accounting policies schedule

Policy

Revenue
Taxation
Goodwill and acquired intangibles
Investments in fund products
Deferred compensation arrangements
Pension benefits

Note

Page

3
10
13
16
22
24

102
105-106
108
114-116
119
123-124

Impact of new accounting standards
A number of amendments to existing standards and interpretations have been issued, some of which are mandatory for the year beginning 1 January 
2015, with the remaining becoming effective in future periods.

The Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010–2012 and 2011–2013 Cycle were adopted by Man in the current year, which have not had a significant impact. 

There are no new or revised standards and interpretations issued (as endorsed by the EU) but not yet effective which are expected to have a 
significant impact on the Group financial statements of Man. 

2 .   A D J U S T E D   P R O F I T   B E F O R E   T A X

Statutory profit before tax is adjusted to give a better understanding of the underlying profitability of the business. The directors consider that the 
Group’s profit is most meaningful when considered on a basis which excludes acquisition and disposal related items (including non-cash items such 
as amortisation of purchased intangible assets and deferred tax movements relating to the recognition of tax losses in the US), impairment of assets, 
restructuring costs, and certain non-recurring gains or losses, which therefore reflects the recurring revenues and costs that drive the Group’s cash 
flow. The directors are consistent in their approach to the classification of adjusting items period to period, maintaining an appropriate symmetry 
between losses and gains and the reversal of any accruals previously classified as adjusting items. These are explained in detail either below or in the 
relevant note.

$m

Statutory profit before tax
Adjusting items:
Litigation, regulatory and other settlements
Reassessment of the litigation provision
Acquisition and disposal related:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Impairment of FRM goodwill
Revaluation of contingent consideration
Unwind of contingent consideration discount
Other costs – professional fees and other integration costs
Compensation – restructuring
Recycling of FX revaluation to the Group income statement on liquidation of subsidiaries
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries and other interests

Other costs – restructuring

Adjusted profit before tax
Tax on adjusted profit1

Adjusted profit after tax

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

Note

184

384

8

13
13
13
9
8
7
8

8

(6)
–

92
41
62
17
4
–
(1)
–
7

400
(39)

361

24
(6)

72
–
(17)
7
9
3
–
4
1

481
(46)

435

Note:
1  The difference of $26 million (2014: $27 million) between tax on statutory profit and tax on adjusted profit is made up of a tax credit of $15 million (2014: $19 million credit) on 

adjusting items and a tax credit of $11 million (2014: $8 million) relating to the recognition of a deferred tax asset which is classified as an adjusting item (Note 10).

The credit of $6 million to litigation, regulatory and other settlements in 2015 relates to an insurance recovery of prior year costs incurred in association 
with legal claims, which were included as an adjusting item in previous years, and the 2014 charge relates to legal claims which are partially linked to 
this recovery. In 2014 the $6 million reduction in the litigation provision relates to reassessment of potential legal claims (Note 19).

Amortisation of acquired intangibles primarily relates to investment management contracts and brands recognised on the acquisition of GLG, FRM 
and Numeric. Amortisation charges relating to Numeric of $18 million are included for a full year in 2015, and $7 million relates to the newly acquired 
Silvermine, NewSmith and BAML fund of funds business intangibles (Note 13).

The FRM goodwill was impaired by $41 million during the first half of the year, largely as a result of lower sales and higher redemptions of fund of funds 
products than anticipated (Note 13).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 101 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 .   A D J U S T E D   P R O F I T   B E F O R E   T A X   C O N T I N U E D

The revaluation of contingent consideration is an adjustment to the fair value of expected acquisition earn-out payments. The charge of $62 million in 
the current year primarily relates to Numeric, with a $61 million increase in the contingent consideration creditor as a result of increased management 
fee margins compared to forecast, as well as higher than forecast FUM due to flows and performance in 2015. The revaluation credit in 2014 relates to 
FRM, primarily as a result of lower than anticipated net management fee run rates since acquisition. 

The unwind of the discount on contingent consideration in 2015 primarily relates to Numeric ($12 million), with the remainder arising from the FRM, 
Silvermine, NewSmith, BAML fund of funds and Pine Grove contingent consideration, and is included within finance expense (Note 9).

Acquisition related professional fees and other integration costs of $4 million relate to the acquisitions of the Silvermine, NewSmith, BAML fund of 
funds and Numeric businesses. In 2014 the acquisition related compensation and other costs relate to staff termination, legal and other advisory fees 
relating to the Numeric and Pine Grove transactions, as well as the costs of integrating our operating platforms. Compensation costs incurred as part 
of restructuring are accounted for in full at the time the obligation arises, following communication of the formal plan, and include payments in lieu of 
notice, enhanced termination costs, and accelerated share-based payment and fund product based charges. 

In 2015, some of the Group’s foreign subsidiaries were liquidated, which had accumulated foreign currency translation reserves of $1 million at the 
date of liquidation. Upon liquidation of these subsidiaries the related foreign currency translation gain was recycled to the Group income statement. 
The $4 million loss on disposal of subsidiaries and other interests in 2014 is the result of the Group selling two of its subsidiaries to local management 
in May 2014. 

Other restructuring costs principally relate to an increase in the onerous property lease provision relating to Riverbank House (our main London office 
and headquarters), as a result of a contractual market-linked rental increase triggered in 2015, consistent with treatment of this onerous lease as an 
adjusting item upon initial recognition. In 2014, the $1 million of restructuring costs relates to an onerous lease on our New York property. 

3 .   R E V E N U E

Fee income is Man’s primary source of revenue, which is derived from the investment management agreements that we have in place with the fund 
entities. Fees are generally based on an agreed percentage of the valuation of net asset value (NAV) or FUM and are typically charged in arrears. 
Management fees net of rebates, which include all non-performance related fees and interest income from loans to fund products, are recognised in 
the year in which the services are provided. 

Performance fees net of rebates relate to the performance of the funds managed during the year and are recognised when the quantum of the fee 
can be estimated reliably and has crystallised. This is generally at the end of the performance period or upon early redemption by a fund investor. Until 
the performance period ends market movements could significantly move the NAV of the fund products. For AHL, GLG and FRM strategies, Man will 
typically only earn performance fee income on any positive investment returns in excess of the high water mark, meaning we will not be able to earn 
performance fee income with respect to positive investment performance in any year following negative performance until that loss is recouped, at 
which point a fund investor’s investment surpasses the high water mark. Numeric performance fees are earned only when performance is in excess 
of a predetermined strategy benchmark (positive alpha), with performance fees being generated for each strategy either based on achieving positive 
alpha (which resets at a predetermined interval, i.e. every one to three years) or exceeding high water mark.

4 .   I N C O M E   O R   G A I N S   O N   I N V E S T M E N T S   A N D   O T H E R   F I N A N C I A L 
I N S T R U M E N T S

The net gains on investments and other financial instruments primarily relate to gains on seeding investments.

5 .   D I S T R I B U T I O N   C O S T S

$m

Distribution costs

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

77

104

Distribution costs paid to external intermediaries are directly related to their marketing activity and the investors serviced by them. The distribution 
expense is therefore variable with FUM and the associated management fee income.

Distribution costs of $77 million (2014: $104 million) comprise investor servicing fees of $74 million (2014: $89 million) and product placement fees 
of $3 million (2014: $15 million). Servicing fees, which are paid to intermediaries for ongoing investor servicing and are expensed as incurred, have 
decreased primarily as a result of the continued mix shift towards institutional assets, particularly in the quant alternatives category, and the roll-off 
of guaranteed product FUM. Placement fees, which are paid for product launches or sales and are capitalised and amortised over the expected 
investment holding period (Note 14), have reduced due to limited new payments in recent years and the roll-off of amortisation of the previously 
capitalised balances.

102 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

6 .   A S S E T   S E R V I C I N G

Asset servicing includes custodial, valuation, fund accounting and registrar functions performed by third parties under contract to Man, on behalf of 
the funds. The cost of these services is based on FUM, and vary depending on transaction volumes, the number of funds, and fund NAVs. 

7 .   C O M P E N S A T I O N

$m

Salaries
Variable cash compensation
Share-based payment charge
Fund product based payment charge
Social security costs
Pension costs

Compensation costs – before adjusting items
Acquisition related costs (Note 2)

Total compensation costs

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

158
212
18
35
33
6

462
–

462

136
174
12
30
33
6

391
3 

394

Compensation is our largest cost and an important component of our ability to retain and attract talent at Man. In the short term the variable 
component of compensation adjusts with revenues and profitability of the relevant business units. In the medium term the active management of 
headcount can reduce fixed compensation, if required.

Compensation costs in total are $462 million (2014: $391 million), before adjusting items, or 43% of net revenue (2014: 36%). Net revenue is defined 
as gross management and other fees, performance fees, income or gains on investments and other financial instruments, share of after tax profit of 
associates, less distribution costs. Salaries and variable cash compensation are charged to the Group income statement in the year in which they are 
incurred, and include partner drawings.

The increase in total compensation costs is due to the increase in headcount as a result of the Silvermine and NewSmith acquisitions (Note 13), as well 
as inclusion of Numeric and Pine Grove for the full year in 2015, a less favourable hedged Pounds sterling to USD rate in 2015 (1.66) compared to the 
hedged rate in 2014 (1.52), and higher GLG performance related compensation. The compensation structure for the GLG equity long short strategies 
teams is based on gross profits, which in 2015 were in excess of performance fees generated by the strategies given they started the year below high 
water mark. Additionally, compensation costs include an increased year-on-year charge of $5 million as a result of the 2014 change in application of 
the accounting policy for deferred compensation, which impacts the charges relating to deferred share and fund awards granted from 2015 onwards.

The accounting for share-based and fund product based compensation arrangements is detailed in Note 22. The unamortised deferred 
compensation at year end is $49 million (2014: $22 million), largely increasing as a result of the change in application of accounting policy for deferred 
awards which weights the related vesting expense more in the future compared to previously, which has a weighted average remaining vesting period 
of 2.1 years (2014: 1.3 years).

Pension costs relate to Man’s defined contribution and defined benefit plans (Note 24).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 103 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

8 .   O T H E R   C O S T S

$m

Occupancy
Technology and communication
Temporary staff, recruitment, consultancy and managed services
Legal fees and other professional fees
Benefits
Travel and entertainment
Audit, accountancy, actuarial and tax fees
Insurance
Marketing and sponsorship
Other cash costs, including irrecoverable VAT

Total other costs before depreciation and amortisation and adjusting items

Depreciation and amortisation

Other costs – before adjusting items
Acquisition and disposal related (Note 2)
Litigation, regulatory and other settlements (Note 2)
Reassessment of litigation provision (Note 2) 
Restructuring (Note 2)
Recycling of FX revaluation on liquidation of subsidiaries

Total other costs

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

34
34
20
17
13
12
8
7
6
10

161

16

177
4
(6)
–
7
(1)

181

33
32
25
13
12
9
8
7
6
5

150

24

174
9
24
(6)
1
–

202

Other costs, before depreciation and amortisation and adjusting items, are $161 million in the year, compared to $150 million in the prior year, which 
reflects the impact of the less favourable hedged Pounds sterling to USD rate in 2015 and, to a lesser extent, a full year of other costs relating to prior 
year acquisitions and a portion of the Silvermine and NewSmith businesses acquired in 2015 (Note 13), partially offset by continued efforts to remain 
disciplined on costs which has resulted in a lower underlying other costs base compared to 2014.

Auditors’ remuneration, including advisory and professional services, is disclosed in more detail in the Corporate governance section on page 60.

9 .   F I N A N C E   E X P E N S E   A N D   F I N A N C E   I N C O M E

$m

Finance income:

Interest on cash deposits and US Treasury bills

Total finance income

Finance expense:

Interest payable on borrowings
Revolving credit facility costs and other (Note 15)

Total finance expense – before adjusting items

Unwind of contingent consideration discount (Note 2)

Total finance expense

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

3

 3 

(9) 
(8) 

(17) 

(17) 

(34) 

3

 3 

(3) 
(9) 

(12) 

(7) 

(19)

Interest payable on borrowings has increased for the year ended 31 December 2015 due to the inclusion of a full year of interest expense on the notes 
issued in September 2014 (Note 15). 

104 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
1 0 .   T A X A T I O N

$m

Analysis of tax charge/(credit) for the year:
Current tax:
UK corporation tax on profits of the period
Foreign tax
Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Recognition of US deferred tax asset

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

37
15
(17)

35

(11)
(11)

(22)

13

54
17
(30)

41

(14)
(8)

(22)

19

Man is a global business and therefore operates across many different tax jurisdictions. Income and profits are allocated to these different jurisdictions 
based on transfer pricing methodologies set in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The effective tax rate results from 
the combination of taxes paid on earnings attributable to the tax jurisdictions in which they arise. The majority of the Group’s profit was earned in the 
UK, Switzerland and the US. The current effective tax rate of 7% (2014: 5%) differs from the underlying rate principally as a result of the incremental 
recognition of a US deferred tax asset of $11 million (2014: $8 million), as detailed on page 106, and the reassessment of tax exposures in Europe 
during the year, partly offset by the impairment of the FRM goodwill on which no tax relief is received. The effective tax rate is otherwise consistent 
with this earnings profile. The effective tax rate on adjusted profits (Note 2) is 10% (2014: 10%). 

The tax on Man’s total profit before tax is lower than the amount that would arise using the theoretical effective tax rate applicable to profits/(losses) of 
the consolidated companies as follows:

$m

Profit before tax
Theoretical tax charge at UK rate: 20.25% (2014: 21.50%)
Effect of:

Overseas tax rates compared to UK
Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous periods
Impairment of goodwill and other adjusting items
Share-based payments
Recognition of US deferred tax asset
Other

Total tax charge

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

184
37

(8)
(17)
9
(2)
(11)
5

13

384
83

(20)
(30)
(1)
(3)
(8)
(2)

19

In the current year the adjustments to the tax charge in respect of previous periods largely relates to the reassessment of tax exposures in the UK 
and Switzerland. In 2014 this primarily related to the release of $25 million due to reassessment of tax exposures associated with our Asia Pacific 
operations.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that 
taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax is calculated at the rates expected to be 
applied when the deferred tax asset or liability is realised. 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 105 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 0 .   T A X A T I O N   C O N T I N U E D

Movements in deferred tax are as follows:

$m

Deferred tax liability
At 1 January
Credit to the income statement 

Deferred tax liability at 31 December

Deferred tax asset
At 1 January 
Credit to the income statement 
Credit directly to equity
Other currency differences

Deferred tax asset at 31 December

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

(83)
14

(69)

47
8
4
–

59

(97)
14

(83)

39
8
2
(2)

47

The deferred tax liability of $69 million (2014: $83 million) relates to deferred tax arising on acquired intangible assets.

The deferred tax asset of $59 million (2014: $47 million) principally relates to US tax losses and intangible assets of $19 million (2014: $8 million), 
defined benefit pension schemes of $9 million (2014: $8 million), employee share schemes of $15 million (2014: $17 million), and tax allowances over 
depreciation of $11 million (2014: $14 million). The deferred tax asset income statement credit of $8 million (2014: $8 million) relates to the recognition 
of the deferred tax asset in respect of US losses of $11 million (2014: $8 million), a decrease in the deferred tax asset on employee share schemes of 
$2 million (2014: $7 million increase), a decrease in the deferred tax asset arising on tax allowances over depreciation of $3 million (2014: $4 million) 
and an increase in the deferred tax asset on other temporary differences of $2 million (2014: $3 million decrease in deferred tax liability). The credit to 
other revenue reserves of $4 million (2014: $2 million) relates to movements in the pension accrual and unrealised cash flow hedge balance.

The Group has accumulated deferred tax assets in the US of $172 million (2014: $191 million). These assets principally comprise accumulated 
operating losses from existing operations and future amortisation of goodwill and intangibles assets generated from acquisitions that will be available 
to offset future taxable profits in the US. In the prior year, $8 million of these was recognised for the first time, triggered by the acquisition of Numeric, 
which gave rise to a higher degree of certainty that the US business will earn taxable profits in future periods. A deferred tax asset of $19 million has 
been recognised on the Group balance sheet in the current year, representing amounts which can be offset against probable future taxable profits, 
an increase of $11 million from that recognised at 31 December 2014. Probable future taxable profits are considered to be forecast profits for the 
next three years only, consistent with the Group’s business planning horizon. As a result of the recognised deferred tax asset and the remaining 
unrecognised available US deferred tax assets of $153 million (2014: $183 million), Man does not expect to pay federal tax on any taxable profits  
it may earn in the US for a number of years. Accordingly, any movements in this US tax asset are classified as an adjusting item in Note 2.

1 1 .   E A R N I N G S   P E R   O R D I N A R Y   S H A R E   ( E P S )

The calculation of basic EPS is based on post-tax profit of $171 million compared to a profit of $365 million in the prior year, and ordinary shares of 
1,694,081,544 (2014: 1,754,177,715), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue during the period after excluding the shares 
owned by the Man Employee Trusts. For diluted EPS, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion  
of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, being ordinary shares of 1,714,925,166 (2014: 1,778,702,369).

The details of movements in the number of shares used in the basic and dilutive EPS calculation are provided below.

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Total
 number 
(million)

 1,756.3 
 3.5 
(59.0) 

 1,700.8 
(22.1) 

 1,678.7 

Total 
number
 (million)

 1,823.7 
 1.4 
(68.8) 

 1,756.3 
(21.1) 

 1,735.2 

Weighted 
average 
(million)

 1,756.3 
1.9
(42.0) 

 1,716.2 
(22.1) 

 1,694.1 
 17.1 
 3.7 

 1,714.9 

Weighted 
average 
(million)

 1,823.7 
 1.1 
(45.9) 

 1,778.9 
(24.8) 

 1,754.1 
 21.2 
 3.4 

 1,778.7

Number of shares at beginning of year
Issues of shares
Repurchase of own shares

Number of shares at period end
Shares owned by Employee Trusts

Basic number of shares
Share awards under incentive schemes
Employee share options

Diluted number of shares

106 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
1 1 .   E A R N I N G S   P E R   O R D I N A R Y   S H A R E   ( E P S )   C O N T I N U E D

The reconciliation from EPS to adjusted EPS is given below:

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Basic and 
diluted post-
tax earnings 
$m

Basic 
earnings 
per share 
cents

Diluted 
earnings 
per share 
cents

Basic and 
diluted post-
tax earnings 
$m

Basic 
earnings 
per share 
cents

Diluted 
earnings 
per share 
cents

171 
 216 
(26) 

 361 
(206) 
20

 175 

10.1 
 12.7 
(1.5) 

 21.3
(12.1) 
1.2

 10.4 

 10.0 
 12.6 
(1.5) 

 21.1
(12.1) 
1.2

 10.2 

 365 
 97 
(27) 

 435 
(283) 
27

 179 

 20.8 
 5.5 
(1.5) 

 24.8
(16.2) 
1.7

 10.3 

 20.5 
 5.4 
(1.5) 

 24.4 
(15.9) 
1.6

 10.1

Earnings per share
Items for which EPS has been adjusted (Note 2)
Tax adjusting items (Note 2)

Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted net performance fee profit before tax
Tax on adjusted net performance fee profits

Adjusted management fee earnings per share

1 2 .   D I V I D E N D S

$m

Ordinary shares
Final dividend paid for the year to 31 December 2014 – 6.1 cents (2013: 5.3 cents)
Interim dividend paid for the six months to 30 June 2015 – 5.4 cents (2014: 4.0 cents)

Dividends paid during the year

Proposed final dividend for the year to 31 December 2015 – 4.8 cents (2014: 6.1 cents)

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

104
89

193

81

95
68

163

106

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised directly in equity in Man’s financial statements in the period in which the dividend is 
paid or, if required, approved by the Company’s shareholders.

1 3 .   G O O D W I L L   A N D   A C Q U I R E D   I N T A N G I B L E S

$m

Cost:
At beginning of the year
Acquisition of business2
Currency translation
Other adjustment3

At year end

Amortisation and impairment:
At beginning of the year
Amortisation
Impairment4

At year end

Net book value at year end

Allocated to cash generating units as follows:
AHL
GLG
FRM
Numeric

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

IMCs and 
other 
acquired
intangibles1

Total

Goodwill

IMCs and 
other 
acquired
intangibles1

 924 
36
–
–

 960

(278) 
(92) 
– 

(370) 

590 

–
392
37
161

 3,283 
 58 
(10) 
–

 3,331 

(1,701) 
(92) 
(41) 

(1,834) 

 1,497 

 454 
 614 
 134 
 295 

 2,231 
 137 
(8) 
(1)

 2,359 

(1,423) 

–
–

(1,423) 

 936 

461
201
140
134

 726 
198
–
–

 924 

(206) 
(72) 
– 

(278) 

 646 

–
431
36
179

Goodwill

 2,359 
 22 
(10) 
–

 2,371 

(1,423) 

–
(41)

(1,464) 

 907 

454
222
97
134

Total

 2,957 
 335 
(8) 
(1) 

 3,283 

(1,629) 
(72) 
– 

(1,701) 

 1,582 

 461 
 632 
 176 
 313

Includes investment management contracts (IMCs), brand names and distribution channels. 

Notes:
1 
2  Acquisition of business relates to Silvermine, NewSmith and the BAML fund of funds business for the year ended 31 December 2015, and to Numeric and Pine Grove in 2014.
3  The 2014 other adjustment of $1 million relates to the disposal of goodwill as a result of the sale of a subsidiary to local management during the year. 
4  The 2015 impairment of $41 million relates to FRM.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 107 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 3 .   G O O D W I L L   A N D   A C Q U I R E D   I N T A N G I B L E S   C O N T I N U E D

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquired business at the date  
of acquisition. 

Goodwill is carried on the Group balance sheet at cost less accumulated impairment. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life, is not subject to 
amortisation and is tested for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be 
recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable 
amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the 
lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units).

Investment management contracts, distribution channels and brand names
Investment management contracts (IMCs), distribution channels and brand names are recognised at the present value of the expected future cash 
flows and are amortised on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives, which are between three and 13 years.

Allocation of goodwill to cash generating units
For statutory accounting impairment review purposes, the Group has identified four cash generating units (CGUs): AHL, GLG, FRM and Numeric. 
Silvermine Capital Management LLC (Silvermine) and NewSmith LLP (NewSmith) were acquired during the year, and have been incorporated into 
the GLG CGU. The BAML fund of funds IMCs purchased during the year have been allocated to the FRM CGU. Further details of these are provided 
below.

Calculation of recoverable amounts for cash generating units
The recoverable amounts of the Group’s CGUs are assessed each year using a value in use calculation. The value in use calculation gives a higher 
valuation compared to a fair value less cost to sell approach, as this would exclude some of the revenue synergies available to Man through its ability 
to distribute products using its well established distribution channels, which may not be fully available to other market participants.

The value in use calculations at 31 December 2015 use cash flow projections based on the Board approved financial plan for the year to 31 December 
2016 and a further two years of projections (2017 and 2018) plus a terminal value. The valuation analysis is based on best practice guidance whereby 
a terminal value is calculated at the end of a short discrete budget period and assumes, after this three year budget period, no growth in asset flows 
above the long-term growth rate. In order to determine the value in use of each CGU, it is necessary to notionally allocate the majority of the Group’s 
cost base, relating to operations, product structuring, distribution and support functions, which are managed on a centralised basis.

The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are represented by the compound average annualised growth in FUM over the three 
year budget period and the discount rates and terminal value multiples applied to the modelled cash flows. The assumptions are derived from 
past experience and consideration of current market inputs. The value in use calculations are sensitive to small changes in the key assumptions, in 
particular in relation to the compound average annualised growth in FUM over the three year forecast period. Sensitivity analysis of this assumption 
is given in each of the AHL, GLG, FRM and Numeric sections below. The terminal value is calculated based on the projected closing FUM at 31 
December 2018 and applying a mid-point of a range of historical multiples to the forecast cash flows associated with management and performance 
fees. A bifurcated discount rate has been applied to the modelled cash flows to reflect the different risk profile of net management fee income and 
net performance fee income. The discount rates are based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital using a risk free interest rate, together 
with an equity risk premium and an appropriate beta derived from consideration of Man’s beta, similar alternative asset managers’, and the asset 
management sector as a whole.

The Numeric CGU value in use calculation, presented for the first time in the year ended 31 December 2015, has been determined on a pre-tax 
basis. We consider that this is the most appropriate basis for Numeric given the complexity involved in determining the value of Numeric’s future tax 
obligations, given we do not expect to pay federal tax in the US for a number of years (Note 10). The value in use calculations for AHL, FRM and GLG 
continue to be presented on a post-tax basis, consistent with the year ended 31 December 2014.

The recoverable amount of each CGU has been assessed at 31 December 2015. The key assumptions applied to the value in use calculations for 
each of the CGUs are shown in the table below, and the results of the valuations are further explained in the following sections.

Compound average annualised growth in FUM (over three years)

Discount rate1
– Net management fees
– Net performance fees

Terminal value (mid-point of range of historical multiples)1,4
– Management fees
– Performance fees

AHL

18%

11%2
17%3

13.0x
5.5x

GLG

6%

11%2
17%3

13.0x
5.5x

FRM

8%

11%2
17%3

12.0x
5.0x

Numeric

13%

13%
20%

12.0x
4.8x

Notes:
1  These are presented on a post-tax basis for the AHL, GLG and FRM CGUs, and on a pre-tax basis for the Numeric CGU, in line with the value in use calculations. 
2  The pre-tax equivalent of the net management fees discount rates is 13% for each of the AHL, GLG and FRM CGUs.
3  The pre-tax equivalent of the net performance fees discount rates is 20% for each of the AHL, GLG and FRM CGUs. 
4  The implied terminal growth rates for the AHL, GLG, FRM and Numeric CGUs are 1%, 2%, 2% and 4%, respectively. 

108 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

1 3 .   G O O D W I L L   A N D   A C Q U I R E D   I N T A N G I B L E S   C O N T I N U E D

AHL cash generating unit
The AHL value in use calculation at 31 December 2015 indicates a value of $3.7 billion, with around $3.2 billion of headroom over the carrying value 
of the AHL business. Therefore, no impairment charge is deemed necessary at 31 December 2015 (2014: nil). The valuation at 31 December 2015 is 
around $0.7 billion higher than the value in use calculation at 31 December 2014, primarily as a result of increased opening FUM as a result of lower 
than forecast redemptions and higher performance fees on this FUM base, partially offset by a decrease in alternatives margins as a result of the 
continued mix shift towards lower margin alternatives products.

The table below shows scenarios whereby the key assumptions are changed to stressed assumptions, indicating the modelled headroom or 
impairment that would result. Each assumption, or set of assumptions, is stressed in isolation. The results of these sensitivities make no allowance for 
actions that management would take if such market conditions persisted. 

Compound average 
annualised growth in FUM1

Management fee/
Performance fee

Management fee/
Performance fee

Discount rates (post-tax)

Multiples (post-tax)

Stressed to:
Modelled headroom/(impairment) ($m)

22%
4,289

-3% 10%/16% 12%/18% 14.0x/6.5x
3,6203

3,3382

3,1882

(1)

12.0x/4.5x
2,9043

Notes:
1  The compound average annualised growth in FUM has been stressed in a downside scenario to determine the point at which impairment would arise.
2  An increase/decrease of $75 million.
3  An increase/decrease of $358 million.

GLG cash generating unit
The GLG value in use calculation at 31 December 2015 indicates a value of $900 million, with around $270 million of headroom over the carrying value  
of the GLG business. Therefore, no impairment charge is deemed necessary at 31 December 2015 (2014: nil). The valuation at 31 December 2015 is 
around $100 million higher than the value in use calculation at 31 December 2014, primarily due to a change in FUM mix, with higher opening alternatives 
FUM as a result of higher sales than previously forecast, which attracts a higher margin, and lower opening long only FUM as a result of higher 
redemptions than expected.

The table below shows scenarios whereby the key assumptions are changed to stressed assumptions, indicating the modelled headroom or impairment 
that would result. Each assumption, or set of assumptions, is stressed in isolation. The results of these sensitivities make no allowance for actions that 
management would take if such market conditions persisted.

Stressed to:
Modelled headroom/(impairment) ($m)

Compound average 
annualised growth in FUM1

8%
495

4%
(1)

Discount rates (post-tax)

Multiples (post-tax)

Management fee/
Performance fee

Management fee/
Performance fee

0% 10%/16% 12%/18% 14.0x/6.5x
3453
(359)

2502

2882

12.0x/4.5x
1933

Notes:
1  The compound average annualised growth in FUM has been stressed in a downside scenario to determine both the point at which impairment would arise and 0%. 
2  An increase/decrease of $19 million.
3  An increase/decrease of $76 million.

FRM cash generating unit
For the six months to 30 June 2015 an impairment of $41 million was recognised in relation to the FRM goodwill, largely as a result of lower sales and 
higher redemptions of fund of funds products than anticipated. 

The FRM value in use calculation at 31 December 2015 indicates a value of $200 million, with around $50 million of headroom over the carrying value 
of the FRM business. Therefore, no further impairment charge is deemed necessary at 31 December 2015. The valuation at 31 December 2015 is 
higher than the value in use calculation at 30 June 2015, primarily as a result of an increase in FUM due to higher sales than previously forecast, as well 
as an increase in management fee margins on new sales. 

The table overleaf shows scenarios whereby the key assumptions are changed to stressed assumptions, indicating the modelled headroom or 
impairment that would result. Each assumption, or set of assumptions, is stressed in isolation. The results of these sensitivities make no allowance for 
actions that management would take if such market conditions persisted.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 109 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 3 .   G O O D W I L L   A N D   A C Q U I R E D   I N T A N G I B L E S   C O N T I N U E D

Stressed to:
Modelled headroom/(impairment) ($m)

Compound average 
annualised growth in FUM1

10%
122

6%
(1)

Discount rates (post-tax)

Multiples (post-tax)

Management fee/ 
Performance fee

Management fee/ 
 Performance fee

0% 10%/16% 12%/18% 13.0x/6.0x
703
(135)

492

592

11.0x/4.0x
383

Notes:
1  The compound average annualised growth in FUM has been stressed in a downside scenario to determine both the point at which impairment would arise and 0%. 
2  An increase/decrease of $5 million.
3  An increase/decrease of $16 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2014 there was no impairment charge.

Numeric cash generating unit
The Numeric value in use calculation at 31 December 2015 indicates a value of $330 million, with around $30 million of headroom over the carrying 
value of the Numeric business. Therefore, no impairment charge is deemed necessary at 31 December 2015 (2014: nil).

The table below shows scenarios whereby the key assumptions are changed to stressed assumptions, indicating the modelled headroom or 
impairment that would result. Each assumption, or set of assumptions, is stressed in isolation. The results of these sensitivities make no allowance for 
actions that management would take if such market conditions persisted.

Stressed to:
Modelled headroom/(impairment) ($m)

Compound average 
annualised growth in FUM1

15%
70

11%
(1)

Discount rates (pre-tax)

Multiples (pre-tax)

Management fee/
Performance fee

Management fee/
Performance fee

0% 12%/19% 14%/21% 13.0x/5.8x
583
(160)

272

412

11.0x/3.8x
103

Notes:
1  The compound average annualised growth in FUM has been stressed in a downside scenario to determine both the point at which impairment would arise and 0%. 
2  An increase/decrease of $7 million.
3  An increase/decrease of $24 million.

Acquisition of Silvermine
On 20 January 2015, Man acquired the entire issued share capital of Silvermine, a Connecticut-based leveraged loan manager with $3.8 billion of 
funds under management at the date of acquisition across nine active collateralised loan obligation (“CLO”) structures. The consideration to Silvermine 
owners is comprised of $26 million in cash up-front, including $3 million for acquired working capital, and two deferred amounts, payable following the 
first (up to $17 million) and fifth (up to $30 million) anniversaries of closing, based on run rate management fees at the time (valued at $15 million). The 
deferred consideration payable is equivalent to an earn-out and deemed to be a financial liability measured initially at fair value, with any subsequent 
fair value movements recognised through the Group income statement. 

Values for the acquired business at the date of acquisition are set out below.

$m

Fees and other receivables
Intangible assets
Trade and other payables

Net assets acquired

Goodwill on acquisition

Net assets acquired including goodwill

Purchase consideration:
Cash consideration
Contingent consideration

Total consideration

Book value

Fair value 
adjustments

Provisional 
value

4
–
(1)

3

–
17
–

17

4
17
(1)

20

21

41

26
15

41

The fair value adjustments relate to the recognition of investment management contracts of $16 million and brand of $1 million. These intangible assets 
are recognised at the present value of the expected future cash flows generated from the assets and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their 
expected lives of five and ten years respectively. Goodwill primarily represents the increased footprint in the US and a presence within the CLO market, 
as well as Silvermine’s skilled workforce.

Acquisition costs incurred as a result of the Silvermine transaction have been expensed and do not form part of goodwill, and are classified as an 
adjusting item (Note 2).

110 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
1 3 .   G O O D W I L L   A N D   A C Q U I R E D   I N T A N G I B L E S   C O N T I N U E D

The pre-tax profit for the Silvermine business since acquisition date is $8.7 million. If Silvermine had been acquired at the beginning of the financial 
year, the pre-tax profit for Silvermine would have been $9.2 million. Silvermine revenue for the period since the acquisition date is $16.6 million, and if 
the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of the financial year, the revenue would have been $17.5 million.

Acquisition of NewSmith
On 24 April 2015, Man acquired the investment management business of NewSmith, an equity investment manager with $1.2 billion of funds under 
management at the date of acquisition.

Provisional values for the acquired business at the date of acquisition are set out below.

$m

Cash and cash equivalents
Fees and other receivables
Intangible assets
Trade and other payables

Net assets acquired

Goodwill on acquisition

Net assets acquired including goodwill

Purchase consideration:
Cash consideration
Contingent consideration

Total consideration

Book value

Fair value 
adjustments

Provisional 
value

1
3
–
(1)

3

–
–
12
–

12

1
3
12
(1)

15

–

15

10
5

15

The fair value adjustments relate to the recognition of investment management contracts of $12 million. These intangible assets are recognised at the 
present value of the expected future cash flows generated from the assets and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their expected life of four years.

Acquisition costs incurred as a result of the NewSmith transaction have been expensed and do not form part of goodwill, and are classified as an 
adjusting item (Note 2).

The pre-tax profit for the NewSmith business since acquisition date is $5 million, which includes management fee revenues of $6 million and 
performance fees of $4 million.

BAML fund of funds acquisition
In April and May 2015 Man made an asset purchase for the BAML fund of fund investment management contracts valued at $7 million. These are 
recognised at the present value of the expected future cash flows generated from the assets and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their 
expected life of three years.

1 4 .   O T H E R   I N T A N G I B L E S

$m

Cost:
At beginning of the year
Additions
Reclassifications1
Redemptions/disposals

At year end

Aggregate amortisation and impairment:
At beginning of the year
Redemptions/disposals
Reclassifications1
Amortisation

At year end

Net book value at year end

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Placement 
fees

Capitalised 
computer 
software

 66 
1 
–
(4) 

 63 

(61) 
 3 
–
(2) 

(60) 

 3 

 58 
 6 
(4)
(4) 

 56 

(50) 
 4 
4
(3) 

(45) 

 11 

Placement
 fees

Capitalised 
computer 
software

 74 
– 
–
(8) 

 66 

(54) 
 6 
–
(13) 

(61) 

 5 

 69 
 9 
–
(20) 

 58 

(63) 
 16 
–
(3) 

(50) 

 8 

Total

 124 
7 
(4)
(8) 

 119 

(111) 
7 
4
(5) 

(105) 

 14 

Total

 143 
 9 
–
(28) 

 124 

(117) 
 22 
–
(16) 

(111) 

 13 

Note:
1  Relate to reclassifications of nil net book value assets from capitalised computer software to computer hardware (Note 21).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 111 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 4 .   O T H E R   I N T A N G I B L E S   C O N T I N U E D

Placement fees
Placement fees are paid to distributors for fund product launches or sales. The majority of placement fees paid up-front are capitalised as intangible 
assets which represent the contractual right to benefit from future income from providing investment management services. The amortisation period 
is based on management’s estimate of the weighted average period over which Man expects to earn economic benefits from the investor in each 
product, estimated to be five years on a straight-line basis. The placement fee intangible is assessed for impairment annually. Amortisation expense, 
including any accelerated charges arising from redemptions, is included in distribution costs in the Group income statement.

Capitalised computer software
Costs that are directly associated with the procurement or development of identifiable and unique software products, which will generate economic 
benefits exceeding costs beyond one year, are recognised as capitalised computer software. Capitalised computer software is amortised on a 
straight-line basis over its estimated useful life (three years) and is subject to regular impairment reviews. Amortisation of capitalised computer software 
is included in Other costs in the Group income statement. 

1 5 .   C A S H ,   L I Q U I D I T Y   A N D   B O R R O W I N G S

Liquidity and borrowings
Total liquidity resources aggregate to $1,586 million at 31 December 2015 (2014: $2,263 million) and comprise cash and cash equivalents of $586 
million (2014: $738 million), excluding $21 million of cash held relating to consolidated fund entities (Note 16), and the undrawn committed revolving 
credit facility of $1,000 million (2014: $1,525 million). Cash and cash equivalents at year end comprises $250 million (2014: $291 million) of cash at bank 
on hand, and $336 million (2014: $447 million) in short-term deposits, net of overdrafts of nil (2014: nil). Cash ring-fenced for regulated entities totalled 
$35 million (2014: $24 million).

Liquidity resources support ongoing operations and potential liquidity requirements under stressed scenarios. The amount of potential liquidity 
requirements is modelled based on scenarios that assume stressed market and economic conditions. With the exception of committed purchase 
arrangements (Note 30.1), the funding requirements for Man relating to the investment management process are discretionary. The liquidity profile 
of Man is monitored on a daily basis and the stressed scenarios are updated regularly. The Board reviews Man’s funding resources at each 
Board meeting and on an annual basis as part of the strategic planning process. Man’s available liquidity is considered sufficient to cover current 
requirements and potential requirements under stressed scenarios.

Cash is invested in accordance with strict limits consistent with the Board’s risk appetite, which consider both the security and availability of liquidity. 
Accordingly, cash is held in short-term bank deposits and on-demand deposit bank accounts. At 31 December 2015 the $586 million cash balance 
(excluding cash held by consolidated fund entities) is held with 22 banks (2014: $738 million with 22 banks). The single largest counterparty bank exposure 
of $100 million is held with an A+ rated bank (2014: $100 million with an AA- rated bank). At 31 December 2015, balances with banks in the AA ratings 
band aggregate to $239 million (2014: $284 million) and balances with banks in the A ratings band aggregate to $293 million (2014: $453 million).

In September 2014 Man issued $150 million ten year fixed rate reset callable guaranteed subordinated notes (Tier 2 notes), with associated issuance 
costs of $1 million. The Tier 2 notes were issued with a fixed coupon of 5.875% until 15 September 2019. The notes may be redeemed in whole at 
Man’s option on 16 September 2019 at their principal amount, subject to FCA approval. If the notes are not redeemed at this time then the coupon will 
reset to the five year mid-swap rate plus 4.076% and the notes will be redeemed on 16 September 2024 at their principal amount.

31 December 2015

Less than 
1 year

2 years

3 years

Greater than 
3 years

 – 

586
 – 

 586 

 – 

–
 –

 – 

 – 

–
 –

 – 

149

–
1,000

1,000

31 December 2014 ($m)

Less than 
1 year

 – 

738
 – 

 738 

2 years

3 years

Greater than 
3 years

 – 

–
 70 

 70 

 – 

149

–
 120 

 120 

–
1,335

1,335

Total

149

586
1,000

1,586

Total

149

738
1,525

2,263

$m

Borrowings: 2024 fixed rate reset callable guaranteed subordinated notes 

Cash and cash equivalents1
Undrawn committed revolving credit facility

Total liquidity

Borrowings: 2024 fixed rate reset callable guaranteed subordinated notes 

Cash and cash equivalents
Undrawn committed revolving credit facility

Total liquidity

Note:
1   Excludes $21 million of restricted cash held by consolidated fund entities (Note 16).

112 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

1 5 .   C A S H ,   L I Q U I D I T Y   A N D   B O R R O W I N G S   C O N T I N U E D

Borrowings are initially recorded at fair value net of transaction costs incurred, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost. The difference between 
the amount repayable at maturity on the borrowings and the carrying value is amortised over the period up to the expected maturity of the associated 
debt in accordance with the effective interest rate method. At 31 December 2015, the fair value of borrowings is $157 million (2014: $154 million).

The committed revolving credit facility of $1,525 million was refinanced during 2015 and replaced with a new committed syndicated revolving loan 
facility of $1,000 million which was undrawn at 31 December 2015. The new facility was put in place as a five year facility and includes the option for 
Man to request the banks to extend the maturity date by one year on each of the first and second anniversaries. The participant banks have the option 
to accept or decline Man’s request. The facility is currently scheduled to mature in June 2020. To maintain maximum flexibility, the revolving credit 
facility does not include financial covenants.

Disclosures in relation to financial guarantees and commitments are included in Note 30.

Foreign exchange and interest rate risk
Man is subject to risk from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates on monetary assets and liabilities. A 10% strengthening/weakening 
of the USD against all other currencies, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a foreign exchange loss/gain of $2 million (2014: 
$6 million loss/gain), with a corresponding impact on equity. This exposure is based on USD balances held by non-USD functional currency entities 
and non-USD balances held by USD functional currency entities within the Group. In respect of Man’s monetary assets and liabilities which earn/incur 
interest indexed to floating rates, as at 31 December 2015 a 50bp increase/decrease in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would 
have resulted in a $2 million increase or a $1 million decrease (2014: $2 million increase or $1 million decrease) in net interest income.

In limited circumstances, the Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its risk associated with foreign exchange movements. Where 
fixed foreign currency denominated costs are hedged, the associated derivatives may be designated as cash flow hedges. Effective unrealised 
gains or losses on these instruments are recognised within the cash flow hedge reserve in equity and, when realised, these are reclassified to the 
Group income statement in the same line as the hedged item. The realisation of foreign currency operating cash flows and the associated forward 
foreign currency derivative contracts generally arise on a monthly basis. The fair value of derivatives held in relation to the Group’s cash flow hedges 
at 31 December 2015 is $7 million (2014: $15 million). The Group also hedges its exposure to net investments in foreign operations through forward 
foreign exchange contracts where appropriate, with any effective gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in 
the cumulative translation adjustment reserve within equity. The fair value of derivatives held in relation to the Group’s net investment hedges at 31 
December 2015 is nil (2014: $3 million). Any ineffective portion of these hedges is recognised immediately in profit or loss, and is included within the 
income or gains on investments and other financial instruments.

1 6 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   F U N D   P R O D U C T S   A N D   O T H E R   I N V E S T M E N T S

$m

Investments in fund products and other investments comprise:
Loans to fund products
Other investments in fund products
Other investments
Investments in funds relating to line-by-line consolidated funds

$m

Investments in fund products and other investments comprise:
Loans to fund products
Other investments in fund products
Other investments

31 December 2015

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
profit or loss

Available-for-
sale financial 
assets

Loans and 
receivables

Total 
investments in 
fund products 
and other 
investments

Net non-
current assets 
held for sale

Total 
investments 

– 
224
 – 
329

553

– 
–
 4 
–

4

41
– 
 – 
–

41

41
224
4
329

598

 – 
119
–
–

119

41
343
4
329

717

31 December 2014

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
profit or loss

Available-for-
sale financial 
assets

Loans and 
receivables

Total 
investments in 
fund products 
and other 
investments

Net non-
current assets 
held for sale

Total 
investments 

– 
207
 – 

207

– 
2
 4 

6

94
– 
 – 

94

94
209
4

307

 – 
153
–

153

94
362
4

460

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 113 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 6 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   F U N D   P R O D U C T S   A N D   O T H E R   I N V E S T M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

Man’s seeding investments are included in various Group balance sheet line items. In summary, the total seeding investments portfolio is made up 
as follows:

$m

Loans to funds
Other investments in fund products
Less those used to hedge deferred compensation awards
Consolidated investments in funds – held for sale
Consolidated investments in funds – line-by-line consolidation

Seeding investments portfolio

Note

16.1
16.2
16.2
16.3
16.3

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

41
224
(71)
119
213

526

94
209
(68)
153
–

388

16.1. Loans to fund products
Loans to fund products are short-term advances primarily to Man guaranteed products, which are made to assist with the financing of the leverage 
associated with the structured products. The loans are repayable on demand and are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method. The average balance during the year is $75 million (2014: $80 million). Loans to fund products have decreased compared to the prior year 
as guaranteed product FUM has decreased together with the associated leveraging. The liquidity requirements of guaranteed products together with 
commitments to provide financial support (Note 30) which give rise to loans to funds are subject to our routine liquidity stress testing and any liquidity 
requirements are met by available cash resources, or the committed revolving credit facility.

Loans to fund products expose Man to credit risk and therefore the credit decision making process is subject to limits consistent with the Board’s risk 
appetite. The carrying value represents Man’s maximum exposure to this credit risk. Loans are closely monitored against the assets held in the funds. 
The largest single loan to a fund product at 31 December 2015 is $7 million (2014: $14 million). Fund entities are not externally rated, but our internal 
modelling indicates that fund products have a probability of default that is equivalent to a credit rating of A.

16.2. Other investments in fund products
Man uses capital to invest in our fund products as part of our ongoing business to build our product breadth and to trial investment research 
developments before we market the products to investors. These seeding investments are generally held for less than one year. Where Man is 
deemed not to control the fund, these are classified as other investments in fund products. Other investments in fund products are classified 
primarily at fair value through profit or loss, with movements in fair value being recognised through income or gains on investments and other financial 
instruments. Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on trade date.

Other investments in fund products are not actively traded and the valuation at the fund level cannot be determined by reference to other available 
prices. The fair values of investments in fund products are derived from the reported NAVs of each of the fund products, which in turn are based upon 
the value of the underlying assets held within each of the fund products and the anticipated redemption horizon of the fund product. The valuation 
of the underlying assets within each fund product is determined by external valuation service providers based on an agreed valuation policy and 
methodology. Whilst these valuations are performed independently of Man, Man has established oversight procedures and due diligence processes 
to ensure that the NAVs reported by the external valuation service providers are reliable and appropriate. Man makes adjustments to these NAVs 
where the anticipated redemption horizon or events or circumstances indicate that the NAVs are not reflective of fair value. The fair value hierarchy of 
financial assets is disclosed in Note 28.

Investments in fund products expose Man to market risk and therefore this process is subject to limits consistent with the Board’s risk appetite. The 
largest single investment in fund products is $170 million (2014: $51 million). The market risk from seeding investments is modelled using a value at risk 
methodology using a 95% confidence interval and one year time horizon. The value at risk is estimated to be $55 million at 31 December 2015 (2014: 
$26 million). 

Fund investment for deferred compensation arrangements
At 31 December 2015 investments in fund products included $71 million (2014: $68 million) of fund products related to deferred compensation 
arrangements. Employees are subject to mandatory deferral arrangements and as part of these arrangements employees can elect to have their 
deferral in a designated series of Man fund products. The changes in the fair value of the fund product awards are recognised over the relevant vesting 
period, which means the compensation expense changes based on the value of the designated fund products. The fund product investments are 
held to offset this change in compensation during the vesting period and at vesting the value of the fund investment is delivered to the employee. The 
fund product investments are recorded at fair value with any gains or losses during the vesting period recognised as income or gains on investments 
and other financial instruments in the Group income statement.

114 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

1 6 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   F U N D   P R O D U C T S   A N D   O T H E R   I N V E S T M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

16.3. Consolidation of investments in funds
Seed capital invested into funds may at times be significant, and therefore the fund may be deemed to be controlled by the Group (Note 1). The fund 
is consolidated into the Group’s results from the date control commences until it ceases. The Group’s seeding investment portfolio has grown during 
2015. In 2015 nine (2014: five) investments in funds have met the control criteria and therefore been consolidated (Note 32), either classified as held for 
sale or consolidated on a line-by-line basis as detailed below.

Held for sale
Where the Group acquired the controlling stake exclusively with a view to subsequent disposal through sale or dilution and it is considered highly 
probable that it will relinquish control within a year, the investment in the controlled fund is classified as held for sale. The seeded fund is recognised in 
the Group balance sheet as non-current assets and liabilities held for sale, with the interests of any other parties included within non-current liabilities 
held for sale. Amounts recognised are measured at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

The non-current assets and liabilities held for sale are as follows:

$m

Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current liabilities held for sale

Investments in fund products held for sale

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

188
(69)

119

186
(33)

153

Investments cease to be classified as held for sale when the fund is no longer controlled by the Group, at which time they are classified as financial 
assets at fair value through profit or loss (Note 16.2). Loss of control may eventuate through sale of the investment or a dilution in the Group’s holding. 
If a held for sale fund remains under the control of the Group for more than one year, and it is unlikely that the Group will reduce or no longer control its 
investment in the short-term, it will cease to be classified as held for sale and will be consolidated on a line-by-line basis as below. Two investments in 
funds which were classified as held for sale in 2014 have been consolidated on a line-by-line basis for the year ending 31 December 2015. We expect 
these seed investments will be sold in the short-term.

Management fee income earned from fund entities classified as held for sale was $1 million for the year ended 31 December 2015 (2014: $1 million).

Line-by-line consolidation
The investments relating to the three funds (2014: nil) which are controlled and are consolidated on a line-by-line basis are included within the Group 
balance sheet and income statement as follows:

$m

Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents
Transferrable securities1
Accounts payable

Net assets of line-by-line consolidated fund entities
Third-party interest in consolidated funds

Net investment held by Man

Income statement
Net losses on investments2
Management fee expenses3

Net losses of line-by-line consolidated fund entities
Third-party share of losses relating to interests in consolidated funds

Losses attributable to net investment held by Man

31 December 
2015

21
329
(1)

349
(136)

213

(16)
(4)

(20)
9

(11)

Notes:
1  
2 
3  Relates to management fees paid by the funds to Man during the year, and is eliminated within gross management and other fees in the Group income statement.

Included within Investments in fund products and other investments.
Included within Income or gains on investments and other financial instruments.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 115 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 6 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   F U N D   P R O D U C T S   A N D   O T H E R   I N V E S T M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

16.4. Structured entities
A structured entity is an entity designed so that its activities are not governed by way of voting rights, for example where contractual arrangements are 
the dominant factor in affecting an investor’s returns. Man has evaluated all exposures and concluded that where Man holds an investment, loan, fees 
receivable, guarantee or commitment with an investment fund or a collateralised loan obligation, this represents an interest in a structured entity. The 
activities of these entities are governed by investment management agreements or, in the case of a collateralised loan obligation, the indenture.

The key considerations in assessing whether the Group controls a structured entity, and therefore should be consolidated into the Group’s financial 
statements, are outlined in Note 1. Consolidated structured entities are detailed in Note 16.3.

Man’s maximum exposure to loss from unconsolidated structured entities is the sum total of any investment held, fees receivable and loans to the fund 
entities, and is $303 million for the year ended 31 December 2015 (2014: $394 million). Man’s interest in and exposure to unconsolidated structured 
entities is as follows: 

Year ended 31 December 2015

Total FUM 
($bn)

Less 
Managed 
Accounts and 
consolidated 
fund entities1 
($bn) 

Total FUM 
unconsolidated 
structured 
entities 
($bn)

Gross 
management 
fee margin2
(%)

Fair value of 
investment 
held 
($m)

No. of 
funds

Fees 
receivable 
($m)

Loans to 
funds 
($m)

Maximum 
exposure to 
loss 
($m)

Alternative

Quant (AHL/Numeric)
Discretionary (GLG)
Fund of funds (FRM)

Long only

Quant (AHL/Numeric)
Discretionary (GLG)

Guaranteed

Total 

Year ended 31 December 2014

Alternative

Quant (AHL/Numeric)
Discretionary (GLG)
Fund of funds (FRM)

Long only

Quant (AHL/Numeric)
Discretionary (GLG)

Guaranteed

Total 

16.4
16.3
11.9

18.6
14.2
1.3

78.7

0.1
0.2
2.9

–
–
–

3.2

16.2
16.1
9.0

18.6
14.3
1.3

75.5

114
370
238

105
131
36

994

1.7
1.0
0.9

0.3
1.0
5.1

38
150
4

2
4
1

199

33
8
10

3
4
5

63

–
–
–

–
–
41

41

71
158
14

5
8
47

303

Less Managed 
Accounts and 
consolidated 
fund entities2 
($bn) 

Total FUM 
unconsolidated 
structured 
entities 
($bn)

Total FUM 
($bn)

Gross 
management 
fee margin2
(%)

Fair value of 
investment 
held 
($m)

No. of 
funds

Fees 
receivable 
($m)

Loans to 
funds 
($m)

Maximum 
exposure to 
loss 
($m)

12.9
14.5
10.8

16.7
16.0
2.0

72.9

–
0.1
1.8

–
–
–

1.9

12.9
14.4
9.0

16.7
16.0
2.0

71.0

87
439
141

10
112
48

837

2.2
1.4
0.9

0.3
0.9
5.2

40
114
6

2
4
–

85
7
12

3
9
18

166

134

1
–
–

–
–
93

94

126
121
18

5
13
111

394

Notes:
1   For managed accounts where we do not act as investment manager or advisor Man’s role in directing investment activities is diminished and therefore these are not considered to 

be structured entities.

2   Gross management fee margins are the categorical weighted average. Performance fees can only be earned after a high water mark is achieved. For performance fee eligible 

funds, performance fees are within the range of 10% to 20%.

Support by way of loans provided to unconsolidated structured entities is detailed in Note 16.1, and is included within the maximum exposure to loss 
above. Furthermore, on occasion Man agrees to purchase illiquid investments from the funds at market rates in order to facilitate investor withdrawals. 
Man has not provided any other non-contractual support to unconsolidated structured entities. Further information about risks relating to investment 
funds can be found in Principal risks and mitigants on pages 36 and 37.

116 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

1 7 .   F E E   A N D   O T H E R   R E C E I V A B L E S

$m

Fee receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Derivative financial instruments
Other receivables

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

63
171
2
67

303

134
204
3
55

396

Fee and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 
Fee receivables and accrued income represent management and performance fees from fund products and are received in cash when the funds’ net 
asset values are determined. All fees are deducted from the NAV of the respective funds by the independent administrators and therefore the credit 
risk of fee receivables is minimal. No balances are overdue or delinquent at year end. At 31 December 2015, $12 million (2014: $8 million) of other 
receivables are expected to be settled after 12 months.

For the Open Ended Investment Collective (OEIC) funds businesses, Man acts as the intermediary for the collection of subscriptions due from 
customers and payable to the funds, and for redemptions receivable from funds and payable to customers. At 31 December 2015 the amount 
included in other receivables is $26 million (2014: $19 million). The unsettled fund payable is recorded in trade and other payables.

Details of derivatives used to hedge foreign exchange risk are included in Note 15. Other derivative financial instruments, which consist primarily of 
foreign exchange contracts, are measured at fair value through profit or loss. 

The notional value of all derivative financial assets is $134 million (2014: $280 million). All derivatives are held with external banks with ratings of A or 
higher and mature within one year. During the year, there were $12 million net realised and unrealised gains arising from derivatives (2014: $3 million 
net losses). Derivatives are classified as Level 2 under Man’s fair value hierarchy (Note 28).

1 8 .   T R A D E   A N D   O T H E R   P A Y A B L E S

$m

Accruals
Trade payables
Deferred consideration
Derivative financial instruments
Other payables

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

322
32
206
8
92

660

289
35
150
15
92

581

Accruals primarily relate to compensation accruals. Trade payables include payables relating to the OEIC funds business of $25 million at 31 
December 2015 (2014: $20 million). Deferred consideration relates to the amounts payable in respect of acquisitions (Note 28). Other payables include 
servicing fees payable to distributors and redemption proceeds due to investors.

Payables are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Included in trade and other payables at 31 December 2015 
are balances of $178 million (2014: $109 million) that are expected to be settled after more than 12 months, which relate to deferred consideration. 
Man’s policy is to meet its contractual commitments and pay suppliers according to agreed terms.

Details of derivatives used to hedge foreign exchange risk are included in Note 15. Derivative financial instruments, which consist primarily of foreign 
exchange contracts, are measured at fair value through profit or loss. 

The notional value of derivative financial liabilities at 31 December 2015 is $331 million (2014: $358 million). All derivative contracts mature within 
one year.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 117 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

1 9 .   P R O V I S I O N S

$m

As 1 January 2015
Charged/(credited) to the income statement:

Charge in the year
Unwinding of discount
Exchange differences 

Used during the year/settlements

At 31 December 2015

Onerous 
property lease 
contracts

Litigation 

Restructuring

34

7
1
(2)
(8)

32

24

–
–
–
–

24

7

–
–
–
(5)

2

Total

65

7
1
(2)
(13)

58

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will 
be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. 

The $7 million charge for onerous property lease contracts relates to an increase in the Riverbank House onerous property lease provision as a result 
of a contractual market-linked rental increase (Note 2). Provisions for onerous property lease contracts represent the present value of the future lease 
payments that the Group is presently obliged to make under non-cancellable onerous operating lease contracts, less the future benefit expected to be 
generated from these, including sub-lease revenue where applicable. The unexpired terms of the onerous leases range from one to 20 years. 

Provisions for restructuring are recognised when the obligation arises, following communication of the formal plan. 

2 0 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   A S S O C I A T E S

Associates are entities in which Man holds an interest and over which it has significant influence but not control, and are accounted for using the 
equity method. In assessing significant influence Man considers the investment held and its power to participate in the financial and operating policy 
decisions of the investee through its voting or other rights.

Under the equity method associates are carried at cost plus (or minus) our share of cumulative post-acquisition movements in undistributed profits (or 
losses). Gains and losses on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interests in these entities. 
An impairment assessment of the carrying value of associates is performed annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
the carrying amount may not be recoverable, and any impairment is expensed in the Group income statement.

Man’s investments in associates are as follows:

$m

% ownership

At beginning of the year
Share of post-tax profit
Dividends received

At year end

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Nephila 
Capital Ltd

18.75%1

28
3
(3)

28

OFI 
MGA

20%

2
–
–

2

Total

30
3
(3)

30

Nephila 
Capital Ltd

18.75%1

28
9
(9)

28

OFI 
MGA

20%

3
–
(1)

2

Total

31
9
(10)

30

Note:
1  18.75% represents Man’s ownership of class B common shares. Man’s participation in the profits of Nephila is governed by the share class rights and therefore does not relate 

proportionately to the ownership interest held. Man considers that this equity interest, Man’s ability to veto Nephila’s annual business plan, and the presence of a Man member on 
the Nephila board of directors provides Man with the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions, and equates to significant influence.

Nephila Capital Limited is an alternative investment manager based in Bermuda specialising in the management of funds which underwrite natural 
catastrophe reinsurance and invest in insurance-linked securities and weather derivatives, and OFI MGA is a French asset manager. Both Nephila 
Capital Limited and OFI MGA have a 31 December year end. Man has not provided any financial support to associates during the year to 31 
December 2015 (2014: nil).

Commission income relating to sales of Nephila Capital Limited products totalled $14 million for the year ended 31 December 2015 (2014: $15 million), 
and is included within gross management and other fees in the Group income statement.

118 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
2 1 .   L E A S E H O L D   I M P R O V E M E N T S   A N D   E Q U I P M E N T

$m

Cost
At beginning of the year
Acquisition of business
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications1

At year end

Accumulated depreciation:
At beginning of the year
Charge for year
Accelerated depreciation
Disposals
Reclassifications1

At year end

Net book value at year end

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Leasehold 
improvements

Equipment

Total

Leasehold 
improvements

Equipment

Total

114
– 
2
(2) 
 –

103
– 
5
(6) 
4

217
 – 
7
(8) 
4

 114 

 106 

 220 

(76) 
(7) 
 –
1
– 

(82) 

 32 

(89) 
(6) 
 –
5
 (4)

(94) 

 12 

(165) 
(13) 
 –
6
(4)

(176) 

 44 

119
 2 
1
(8) 
 –

 114 

(78) 
(6) 
 –
8
–

(76) 

 38 

114
– 
2
(13) 
 –

 103 

(87) 
(15) 
 –
13
–

(89) 

 14 

233
 2 
3
(21) 
–

 217 

(165) 
(21) 
 –
21
–

(165) 

 52

Note:
1  Relate to reclassifications of nil net book value assets from capitalised computer software (Note 14) to computer hardware.

All leasehold improvements and equipment are shown at cost less depreciation and impairment. Cost includes the original purchase price of the 
asset and costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line 
method over the asset’s estimated useful life, which for leasehold improvements is over the shorter of the life of the lease and the improvement and for 
equipment is between three and ten years.

2 2 .   D E F E R R E D   C O M P E N S A T I O N   A R R A N G E M E N T S

Man operates cash and equity-settled share-based payment schemes as well as fund product based compensation arrangements. Details of these 
schemes can be found in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 64 to 87.

For compensation plans whereby deferred compensation is invested in fund products managed by Man, the fair value of the employee services 
received in exchange for the fund units is recognised as an expense over the vesting period, with a corresponding liability. The total amount to be 
expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the awards, which is remeasured at each reporting date, and equates to the fair value of the 
underlying fund products at settlement date.

During the year, $53 million (2014: $42 million) is included within compensation costs relating to share-based payment and deferred fund product 
plans, consisting of equity-settled share-based payments of $18 million (2014: $11 million), cash-settled share-based payments totalling nil (2014: $1 
million), and deferred fund product plans of $35 million (2014: $30 million).

22.1 Employee Trusts
The Employee Trusts have the obligation to deliver shares, options and fund product based payments which have been granted to employees. Man 
contributed funds, in order for the Trusts to meet their current period obligations in the year, of $37 million (2014: $21 million).

The Employee Trusts are fully consolidated into Man and shares held are treated as treasury shares for EPS purposes (Note 11). The shares held 
by the Employee Trusts are deducted from Tier 1 Capital. The Employee Trusts are controlled by independent trustees and their assets are held 
separately from those of Man. At 31 December 2015 the net assets of the Employee Trusts amounted to $80 million (2014: $82 million). These assets 
include 22,077,638 (2014: 21,113,109) ordinary shares in the Company, $11 million notional value options over Man shares (2014: $32 million), and 
$29 million of fund units (2014: $33 million) to deliver against the future obligations. The shares are recorded at cost and shown as a deduction from 
shareholders’ funds. During the year the trustees of one of the Employee Trusts waived all of the interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 
2015 on each of the 21,509,210 ordinary shares registered in its name at the relevant date for eligibility for the interim dividend (2014 interim dividend: 
waived on all 21,217,345 shares) and all of the final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014 on each of 21,473,372 of the ordinary shares 
registered in its name at the relevant date for eligibility for the final dividend (2013 final dividend: waived on all 26,925,242 shares).

22.2 Share-based payments
In respect of equity-settled share-based payment schemes, the fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the share awards and 
options granted is recognised as an expense, with the corresponding credit being recognised in equity. The total amount to be expensed over the 
vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the share awards and options at grant date. The fair value of the share awards and 
options granted in exchange for employee services is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model that takes into account the effect of both 
financial and demographic assumptions. Forfeiture and early vesting are based on historical observable data. Changes to the original estimates, if any, 
are included in the Group income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. 

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 119 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 2 .   D E F E R R E D   C O M P E N S A T I O N   A R R A N G E M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D

Share options
The fair values of share options granted during the year and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:

Grant dates
Weighted average share price at grant date ($) (£1.6)
Weighted average exercise price at grant date ($) (£1.3)
Share options granted in the period
Vesting period (years)
Expected share price volatility (%)
Dividend yield (%)
Risk-free rate (%)
Expected option life (years)
Number of options assumed to vest
Average fair value per option granted ($)

Sharesave 
share option 
schemes

11/09/2015
2.5
2.0
1,891,097
3-5
45
6
0.9
3.2
1,448,912
0.7

The expected share price volatility is based on historical volatility over the past ten years. The expected option life is the average expected period 
to exercise. The risk-free rate of return is the yield on zero-coupon US and UK (where appropriate) government bonds of a term consistent with the 
assumed option life.

Movements in the number of share options outstanding are as follows:

Share options outstanding at beginning of the year
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Share options outstanding at year end

Share options exercisable at year end

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
($ per share)

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
($ per share)

Number

4.2 53,140,223
2,302,961
2.0
(4,225,115)
4.1
(244,150)
1.0

4.3 50,973,919

4.6 43,271,313

4.3
1.5
3.7
1.0

4.2

4.7

Number

50,973,919
1,891,097
(4,959,775)
(1,869,973)

46,035,268

41,535,779

The share options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average exercise price and expected remaining life as follows:

Range of exercise prices ($ per share)

1.01–5.00
5.01–7.00

31 December 2015

31 December 2014

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
($ per share)

Weighted 
average 
expected 
remaining life

Number of 
share options

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
($ per share)

Weighted 
average 
expected 
remaining life

4.0
5.9

4.8 26,604,713
0.5 24,369,206

50,973,919

3.7
5.1

3.5
4.3

Number of 
share options

45,987,250
48,018

46,035,268

Share awards
The fair values of share awards granted during the year and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows: 

Grant dates
Weighted average share price at grant date ($)
Share awards granted in the year
Vesting period (years)
Average fair value per share award granted ($)

Deferred 
share plan

12/3/2015-23/12/2015
2.9
 11,770,093 
1-5
2.9

Deferred 
Executive 
Incentive Plan

 12/3/2015
2.9
787,965
3-5
2.9

120 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2 2 .   D E F E R R E D   C O M P E N S A T I O N   A R R A N G E M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D

Movements in the number of share awards outstanding are as follows:

Share awards outstanding at beginning of the year
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Share awards outstanding at year end

Share awards exercisable at year end

2 3 .   C A P I T A L   M A N A G E M E N T

Year ended 
31 December 
2015 
Number

22,218,804
12,558,058
(849,476)
(9,666,096)

Year ended 
31 December 
2014 
Number

25,682,204
12,035,895
(1,738,473)
(13,760,822)

24,261,290

22,218,804

1,754,140

2,030,681

Investor confidence is an important element in the sustainability of our business. That confidence comes, in part, from the strength of our capital 
base. Man has maintained significant surplus capital and available liquidity throughout the recent periods of market volatility. This capital has given 
Man flexibility to support our investors, intermediaries and financial partners and to allow them to make informed decisions regarding their investment 
exposures. This confidence gives our business credibility and sustainability.

We have a conservative capital and liquidity framework which allows us to invest in the growth of our business. We utilise capital to support the 
operation of the investment management process and the launch of new fund products. We view this as a competitive advantage which allows us to 
directly align our interests with those of investors and intermediaries.

Man monitors its capital requirements through continuous review of its regulatory and economic capital, including monthly reporting to the Risk and 
Finance Committee and the Board. 

Man’s dividend policy is that we will pay out at least 100% of adjusted net management fee earnings per share in each financial year by way of ordinary 
dividend. In addition, Man expects to generate significant surplus capital over time, primarily from net performance fee earnings. Available surpluses, 
after taking into account our required capital (including accruals for future earn-out payments), potential strategic opportunities and a prudent buffer, 
will be distributed to shareholders over time, by way of higher dividend payments and/or share repurchases. Whilst the Board considers dividends as 
the primary method of returning capital to shareholders, it will continue to execute share repurchases when advantageous.

Share capital and capital reserves
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Own shares held through the Employee Trusts are recorded at cost, including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of tax), and are deducted 
from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders until the shares are transferred to employees or sold. Where such shares are subsequently 
sold, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental transaction costs and the related tax effects, is included in equity 
attributable to the Company’s equity holders.

Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares have a par value of 33/7 US cents per share (2014: 33/7 US cents per share) and represent 99.9% of issued share capital. All issued 
shares are fully paid. The shares have attached to them full voting, dividend and capital distribution (including on wind up) rights. They do not confer 
any rights of redemption. Ordinary shareholders have the right to receive notice of, attend, vote and speak at general meetings.

A holder of ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per ordinary share held when a vote is taken on a poll and one vote only when a vote is taken on a 
show of hands.

During the year ended 31 December 2015, $175 million shares were repurchased at an average price of 195.6p, buying back 59.0 million shares 
(2014: 68.8 million shares), which had an accretive impact on EPS of approximately 2%. $1 million of costs were incurred relating to the repurchase, 
largely relating to stamp duty. As at 23 February 2016, Man Group had an unexpired authority to repurchase up to 247,247,179 of its ordinary shares. A 
special resolution will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, pursuant to which the Company will seek authority to repurchase up 
to 254,951,571 of its ordinary shares, representing 14.99% of the issued share capital at 23 February 2016.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 121 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 3 .   C A P I T A L   M A N A G E M E N T   C O N T I N U E D

Deferred sterling shares
50,000 unlisted deferred sterling shares, representing 0.1% of the Company’s issued share capital with a par value of £1 per share, were issued due 
to the redenomination of the ordinary share capital into USD. These shares are necessary for the Company to continue to comply with Section 763 of 
the Companies Act 2006. The deferred sterling shares are freely transferable and have no rights to participate in the profits of the Company, to attend, 
speak or vote at any general meeting and no right to participate in any distribution in a winding up except for a return of the nominal value in certain 
limited circumstances. 

Issued and fully paid share capital

At 1 January
Issue of ordinary shares:
– Purchase and cancellation of own shares
– Partnership Plans and Sharesave

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Ordinary 
shares 
Number

Unlisted 
deferred 
Sterling 
shares 
Number

Nominal 
value 
$m

Ordinary 
shares 
Number

Unlisted 
deferred
Sterling 
shares 
Number

1,756,290,714

 50,000 

61 1,823,733,081

 50,000 

 (58,996,084) 
3,516,383

– 
– 

(2)
–

 (68,835,247) 
1,392,880

– 
– 

At 31 December

1,700,811,013

 50,000 

59 1,756,290,714

 50,000 

Share capital and reserves

$m

At 1 January 2015
Purchase and cancellation of own shares
Share awards/options

At 31 December 2015

At 1 January 2014
Purchase and cancellation of own shares
Share awards/options

At 31 December 2014

Share 
capital

Share 
premium 
account

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

Merger 
reserve

Reorganisation 
reserve

61
(2)
–

59

 63 
(2)
–

61

7
–
7

14

 5 
–
2

7

2
2
–

4

– 
2
–

2

491
–
–

491

 491 
–
–

491

632
–
–

632

 632 
–
–

632

Nominal 
value 
$m

63

(2)
–

61

Total

1,193
–
7

1,200

 1,191 
–
2

1,193

122 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
2 3 .   C A P I T A L   M A N A G E M E N T   C O N T I N U E D

Revaluation reserves and retained earnings

Available-for-
sale reserve

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve1

Own shares 
held by 
Employee 
Trusts

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment1

Profit and 
loss account

 3 
– 
– 
– 
–
– 
–
– 
– 
–
(1)
– 
– 
– 

2

(16) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
2
(9) 
– 
– 
–
18
– 
– 
– 

(5) 

(62) 
 3 
–
(30) 
 27 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 

(62) 

(14) 
(11) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–
–
– 
– 
– 

(25) 

 1,330 
 – 
 15
– 
(27) 
– 
– 
(21) 
 4
2
– 
(176) 
(193) 
 171 

 1,105

Available-for-
sale reserve

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve1

Own shares 
held by 
Employee 
Trusts

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment1

Profit and 
loss account

 3 
– 
– 
–
– 
–
– 
–
– 
– 
 – 
– 
– 
– 

 3 

 14 
– 
– 
–
– 
– 
3 
(16) 
– 
– 
(17)
– 
– 
– 

(16) 

(110) 
 7 
–
–
(14) 
 55 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(62) 

 4 
(18) 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 

(14) 

 1,305 
 – 
 9
2
– 
(55) 
– 
– 
(21) 
 4 
– 
(116) 
(163) 
 365 

 1,330 

Total

 1,241 
(8) 
15
(30) 
 –
2
(9) 
(21) 
4 
2
17 
(176) 
(193) 
 171 

 1,015

Total

 1,216 
(11) 
 9
2
(14) 
 –
3
(16) 
(21) 
 4 
(17) 
(116) 
(163) 
 365 

 1,241

$m

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation difference
Share-based payments charge for the year
Purchase of own shares by the Employee Trusts
Disposal of own shares by the Employee Trusts
Deferred tax credited on cash flow hedge movements
Fair value losses taken to equity
Revaluation of defined benefit pension scheme
Current tax credited to reserves – pension scheme
Deferred tax credited to reserves – pension scheme 
Transfer to Group income statement
Share repurchases
Dividends
Profit for the year

At 31 December 2015

$m

At 1 January 2014
Currency translation difference
Share-based payments charge for the year
Deferred tax credited to reserves – share-based payments 
Purchase of own shares by the Employee Trusts
Disposal of own shares by the Employee Trusts
Deferred tax credited on cash flow hedge movements
Fair value losses taken to equity
Revaluation of defined benefit pension scheme
Current tax credited to reserves – pension scheme
Transfer to Group income statement
Share repurchases
Dividends
Profit for the year

At 31 December 2014

Note:
1  Details of the Group’s hedging arrangements are provided in Note 15.

2 4 .   P E N S I O N   B E N E F I T S

Man operates 12 (2014: 12) defined contribution plans and two (2014: two) funded defined benefit plans.

Defined contribution plans
Man pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. Man has no 
further payment obligation once the contributions have been paid. Defined contribution pension costs totalled $9 million for the year to 31 December 
2015 (2014: $8 million). The contributions are recognised as pension costs when they are due.

Defined benefit plans
A defined benefit plan creates a financial obligation to provide funding to the pension plan to provide a retired employee with pension benefits usually 
dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. As with the vast majority of similar arrangements, Man ultimately 
underwrites the risks related to the defined benefit plans. These risks include investment risks and demographic risks, such as members living longer 
than expected.

The two defined benefit plans operated are the Man Group plc Pension Fund in the UK (the UK Plan) and the Man Group Pension Plan in Switzerland 
(the Swiss Plan). At 31 December 2015, the UK plan comprised 91% (31 December 2014: 91%) of the Group’s total defined benefit pension obligations.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 123 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 4 .   P E N S I O N   B E N E F I T S   C O N T I N U E D

The UK Plan is approved by HMRC for tax purposes, and is operated separately from Man and managed by an independent set of trustees. The 
trustees are responsible for payment of the benefits and management of the UK Plan’s assets. Under UK regulations, Man and the trustees of the UK 
Plan are required to agree a funding strategy and contribution schedule for the UK Plan.

In order to maintain flexibility with regards to the funding of the UK Plan, Man set up the Man Group Reservoir Trust (the Reservoir Trust) in 2010. Man 
contributed $76 million (£50 million) of assets to the Reservoir Trust on 31 March 2010 and has committed to ensure the Reservoir Trust value remains 
at least £69 million from 1 April 2013 or at the level of the funding deficit in the UK Plan, if lower. The Reservoir Trust gives the pension trustees comfort 
that Man can fund a deficit at 31 December 2017 and in the event that the UK Plan is fully funded, allows Man to recover the assets so that the UK 
Plan is not over funded.

The latest funding valuation of the UK Plan was carried out by independent qualified actuaries as at 31 December 2014 and indicated a deficit 
of £11 million, after including £59 million of assets in the Reservoir Trust. To remove the funding deficit, Man agreed to make a cash payment of 
£11.8 million to the UK Plan during 2015 along with a further payment in March 2018 of up to £69.0 million from the Reservoir Trust to cover any 
remaining funding deficit. Cash contributions of £15.4 million were made to the UK Plan in the year to 31 December 2015 (including £3.6 million  
of top-up payments to the Reservoir Trust in line with the requirements of the Reservoir Trust). If the contributions currently agreed are insufficient  
to pay the benefits due, Man will need to make further contributions.

For the UK Plan, the Group has concluded that it has no requirement to adjust the balance sheet to recognise either a current surplus or a minimum 
funding requirement on the basis that the Group has an unconditional right to a refund of a current or projected future surplus at some point in the 
future for the UK Plan.

For the Swiss Plan, there is a small asset restriction at the 2015 year end. The Swiss Plan holds some of its assets in an “employer contribution 
reserve”, which can be used to reduce the Group’s future contributions into the Plan. As the employer contribution reserve is less than the measured 
surplus as at 31 December 2015, the surplus has been restricted to the value of the employer contribution reserve.

The UK plan was closed to new members in May 1999, and to future accrual in May 2011. Employed members of the UK plan retain enhanced 
benefits, including a link to salary, on their accrued benefits in the UK plan. Future benefits are provided via a defined contribution plan.

In Switzerland, the Group operates a retirement foundation with assets which are held separately from the Group. This foundation covers the majority 
of employees in Switzerland and provides benefits on a cash balance basis. 

Each employee has a retirement account to which the employee and the Group make contributions at rates set out in the plan rules based on a 
percentage of salary. Every year the pension fund commission (composed of employer and employee representatives) decides the level of interest, if 
any, to apply to retirement accounts based on their agreed policy. At retirement an employee can take their retirement account as a lump sum or have 
this paid as a pension.

In 2015 two changes were made to the structure of the benefits provided by the Swiss Plan, which led to the recognition of past service credits 
totalling $4 million in the Group’s income statement.

The amounts recognised in the Group balance sheet are determined as follows:

$m

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of plan assets

Surplus
Amount not recognised due to asset ceiling - Swiss plan (see above)

Net pension asset in the Group balance sheet at year end

Our economic capital model includes capital in respect of a possible deficit in the pension plans. 

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

(422)
471

49
(1)

48

(438)
483

45
–

45

124 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2 4 .   P E N S I O N   B E N E F I T S   C O N T I N U E D

Pensions: actuarial information
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are as follows:

$m

Present value of funded obligations at beginning of the year
Currency translation difference
Current service cost (employer portion)
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Remeasurements due to:
– changes in financial assumptions
– changes in demographic assumptions
– experience adjustments
Actual benefit payments
Past service costs
Curtailments and settlements

Present value of funded obligations at year end

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

$m

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year
Currency translation difference
Interest income on plan assets
Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets
Employer contributions/(repayments)
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
Assets distributed on curtailments and settlements

Fair value of plan assets at year end

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

438
(20)
3
14
1

(4)
8
–
(12)
(4)
(2)

422

413
(29)
2
17
1

61
–
(2)
(14)
–
(11)

438

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

483
(23)
16
(16)
24
1
(12)
(2)

471

484
(32)
21
38
(7)
1
(14)
(8)

483

The plan assets primarily relate to investments in bonds, liability-driven investments (LDIs) and diversified growth funds. The government bond assets 
and diversified growth funds have prices quoted in active markets and the absolute return bonds and LDI are primarily unquoted. At 31 December 
2015, around 60% of the plan assets relate to those with quoted prices and 40% with unquoted prices (2014: around 70% quoted and 30% 
unquoted). The actual return on plan assets for the year to 31 December 2015 was nil (2014: $59 million).

The change in the net asset/(liability) recognised in the Group balance sheet is as follows:

$m

Net pension asset at start of the year
Total pension credit
Amount recognised outside profit and loss
Employer contributions/(repayments)
Currency translation difference

Net pension asset at end of the year

The amounts recognised in the Group income statement are as follows: 

$m

Current service cost (employer portion)
Interest on net pension asset
Past service cost
Gains on settlement/curtailment

Total credit

There are no contributions expected to be paid during the year ending 31 December 2016. 

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

45
3
(21)
24
(3)

48

71
5
(21)
(7)
(3)

45

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

3
(2)
(4)
–

(3)

2
(4)
–
(3)

(5)

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 125 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 4 .   P E N S I O N   B E N E F I T S   C O N T I N U E D

The amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are as follows:

$m

Net actuarial gains/(losses) in the year due to
– changes in financial assumptions
– changes in demographic assumptions
– experience adjustments on benefit obligations
Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets
Adjustment to recognise the effect of the asset ceiling

Amount recognised in other comprehensive income

The change in the asset ceiling is as follows:

$m

Opening asset ceiling
Net interest on asset ceiling
Losses

Closing asset ceiling

The most significant actuarial assumptions used in the valuations of the two plans are:

Discount rate
Price inflation
Future salary increases
Interest crediting rate 
Social security increases
Pension in payment increases
Deferred pensions increases

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

4
(8)
–
(16)
(1)

(21)

(61)
–
2
38
–

(21)

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

–
–
1

1

–
–
–

–

UK plan

Swiss plan

31 December 
2015 
% pa

31 December 
2014 
% pa

31 December 
2015 
% pa

31 December 
2014 
% pa

3.7
3.3
3.3
–
–
3.7
5.0

3.6
3.0
3.0
–
–
3.6
5.0

1.2
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.0
–
–

1.1
1.4
1.4
1.1
1.0
–
–

At 31 December 2015, mortality rates in the UK plan are assumed to be in line with 100% of the S2NA Light tables for all members with pensions of 
more than £50,000 pa at 31 December 2014 and S2NA tables for all other members (2014: 100% of the S1NA tables for all members). These mortality 
tables are assumed to be projected by year of birth with allowance for future improvements in longevity in line with the 2015 CMI projections with a 
long term rate of improvement of 1.25% pa for males and females (2014: in line with the 2014 CMI projections with a long-term rate of improvement of 
1.25% pa for males and 1% pa for females).

At both 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2015 mortality rates in the Swiss plan are assumed to be in line with the Swiss BVG 2010 generational 
tables.

Illustrative life expectancies are set out in the table below (the UK Plan life expectancies are based on the S2NA tables).

Life expectancy of male aged 60 at accounting date
Life expectancy of male aged 60 in 20 years
Life expectancy of female aged 60 at accounting date
Life expectancy of female aged 60 in 20 years

UK plan

Swiss plan

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

31 December 
2015

31 December 
2014

27.1
28.9
29.3
31.3

27.0
29.0
29.1
30.7

26.3
28.1
28.9
30.6

26.3
28.1
28.9
30.6

126 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
2 4 .   P E N S I O N   B E N E F I T S   C O N T I N U E D

The table below illustrates the impact on the assessed value of the benefit obligations from changing the actuarial assumptions. The calculations 
to produce the below figures have been carried out using the same method and data as Man’s pension figures. Each assumption has been varied 
individually and a combination of changes in assumptions could produce a different result.

As at 31 December 2015:

$m

Discount rate decreased by 0.1% pa
Inflation rate increased by 0.1% pa
One year increase in assumed life expectancy

UK Plan

Swiss Plan

Increase in 
obligation

Increase in 
obligation

6
2
13

1
–
1

The duration of a pension plan is the average term over which the plan’s benefits are expected to fall due, weighted by the present value of each 
expected benefit payment. The duration of the UK plan is approximately 17 years, and the duration of the Swiss plan is approximately 20 years.

The assets held by the two plans as at 31 December 2015 are as follows:

Swiss equities
Non-Swiss equities
Index linked government bonds
Absolute return bonds
Swiss bonds
Non-Swiss bonds
Property
Hedge funds
LDI
Diversified growth funds
Cash
Other
Reservoir Trust (fund of hedge funds)

Total assets

UK plan

Swiss plan

$m

–
–
36
48
–
–
–
–
111
108
34
–
92

429

% 

–
–
9
11
–
–
–
–
26
25
8
–
21

100

$m

5
7
–
–
7
11
7
1
–
–
2
2
–

42

% 

12
17
–
–
16
26
15
3
–
–
6
5
–

100

The plans do not invest directly in property occupied by Man or in Man’s own transferable financial securities.

The UK Plan’s investment strategy is broadly split into “growth” and “matching” portfolios. The matching portfolio is invested primarily in government 
and corporate bonds (the latter through the “Absolute return bonds” holding), and liability driven investment (LDI) funds. These are primarily intended 
to match the movement in the UK Plan’s funding liabilities, and therefore remove most of the interest rate risk and some of the inflation rate risk (on a 
Technical Provisions basis).

As the Swiss Plan is essentially a defined contribution plan with guarantees, the assets held aim to be at least as much as the total of the member 
account balances at any point in time. Member account balances cannot reduce, but interest is only applied to the account balances when sufficient 
surplus assets are available. As such there is no specific asset/liability matching strategy in place, but if the liabilities (the sum of the member account 
balances) ever exceed the value of the assets, the Company will consider how to remove a deficit as quickly as possible.

2 5 .   S E G M E N T A L   A N A L Y S I S

The criteria for identifying an operating segment is that it is a component of Man whose results are regularly reviewed by the Board and the Executive 
Committee to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Management information regarding 
revenues, gross management fee margins, investment performance and distribution costs relevant to the operation of the investment managers, 
products and the investor base are reviewed by the Board and the Executive Committee. A centralised shared infrastructure for operations, product 
structuring, distribution and support functions means that operating costs are not allocated to constituent parts of the investment management 
businesses. As a result, performance is assessed, resources are allocated and other strategic and financial management decisions are determined by 
the Board and the Executive Committee on the basis of the investment management business of Man as a whole. Accordingly we operate and report 
as a single segment investment management business, together with relevant information regarding FUM flows, gross margins, and distribution costs 
to allow for the analysis of the direct contribution of products and the respective investor base.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 127 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 6 .   G E O G R A P H I C A L   D I S C L O S U R E

$m

Bermuda
Cayman Islands
Cook Islands
Ireland
United Kingdom and the Channel Islands
United States of America
Other countries

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Non-current 
assets

Revenues by 
fund location

Non-current 
assets

Revenues by 
fund location

33
1
–
–
81
1,382
88

1,585

92
383
71
212
151
87
139

1,135

32
–
–
–
76
1,433
136

1,677

86
425
63
234
208
34
100

1,150

Disclosure of revenue by geographic location is based on the registered domicile of the fund entity paying Man fees. Revenue from any single fund 
during the year did not exceed 10% of total revenues. Non-current assets above are allocated based on where the assets are located, and include 
investments in associates, leasehold improvements and equipment, and goodwill and other intangible assets.

Average number of directors, employees and partners
The table below provides average headcount by location for the current and prior year.

United Kingdom and the Channel Islands
Switzerland
US
Other countries

Average number of directors, employees and partners

2 7 .   F O R E I G N   C U R R E N C I E S

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

681
118
199
108

640
150
105
106

1,106

1,001

The majority of revenues, assets, liabilities and funding are denominated in USD and therefore Man’s presentation currency is USD.

For consolidated entities that have a functional currency other than USD, the assets and liabilities are translated into USD at the balance sheet date 
rate. Income and expenses are translated at the average rate for the period in which the transactions occur. Resulting exchange differences are 
recorded in other comprehensive income.

For consolidated entities with a USD functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at each 
balance sheet date rate. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are converted at the spot rate at the date of the transaction or if appropriate 
the average rate for the month in which the transaction occurs. Resulting exchange differences are recognised in the Group income statement.

128 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2 8 .   F A I R   V A L U E   O F   F I N A N C I A L   A S S E T S / L I A B I L I T I E S

Man discloses the fair value measurement of financial assets and liabilities using three levels, as follows:

 – Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 
 – Level 2:   Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly 

(i.e. derived from prices). 

 – Level 3:   Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). 

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities can be analysed as follows:

$m

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

31 December 2015

31 December 2014

Financial assets held at fair value:
Investments in fund products and 

other investments (Note 16)
Investments in funds relating to 
consolidated fund entities  
(Note 16)

Derivative financial instruments 

(Note 17)

Financial liabilities held at fair value:
Derivative financial instruments 

(Note 18)

Contingent consideration (Note 18)

4

–

–

4

–
–

 –

162

329

2

493

8
–

 8 

62

–

–

62

–
206

 206 

228

329

2

559

8
206

 214 

4

–

–

4

–
–

 –

167

–

3

170

15
–

 15 

42

–

–

42

–
145

 145 

213

–

3

216

15
145

 160

During the year, there were no significant changes in the business or economic circumstances that affected the fair value of Man’s financial assets 
and no significant transfers of financial assets or liabilities held at fair value between categories. For investments in fund products, Level 2 investments 
comprise holdings primarily in unlisted, open-ended, active and liquid funds, such as seeding investments, which have weekly or daily pricing derived 
from third-party information. 

A transfer into Level 3 would be deemed to occur where the level of prolonged activity, as evidenced by subscriptions and redemptions, is deemed 
insufficient to support a Level 2 classification. This, as well as other factors such as a deterioration of liquidity in the underlying investments, would 
result in a Level 3 classification. The material holdings within this category are priced on a recurring basis based on information supplied by third 
parties without adjustment. Liquidity premium adjustments of $2 million (2014: $2 million) have been applied to gated, suspended, side-pocketed or 
otherwise illiquid Level 3 investments. The range of liquidity premium adjustments is from 12% to 33% based on the expected timeframe for exit. A 
larger liquidity adjustment is applied where the exit is further in the future. Reasonable changes in the liquidity premium assumptions would not have a 
significant impact on the fair value.

The fair value of non-current assets and liabilities held for sale (Note 16.3) are equal to the carrying values of $188 million (2014: $186 million) and  
$69 million respectively (2014: $33 million), and would be classified within Level 2 ($108 million) and Level 3 ($11 million). In 2014 non-current assets 
and liabilities held for sale would have been classified as Level 2.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 129 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

2 8 .   F A I R   V A L U E   O F   F I N A N C I A L   A S S E T S / L I A B I L I T I E S   C O N T I N U E D

The basis of measuring the fair value of Level 3 investments is outlined in Note 16.2. The movements in Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities 
measured at fair value are as follows:

$m

Level 3 financial assets held at fair value
At beginning of the year
Purchases
Total gains in the Group statement of comprehensive income

Included in profit for the year
Included in other comprehensive income

Sales or settlements
Transfers into Level 3
Transfers out of Level 3

At year end

Total gains for the year included in the Group statement of 

comprehensive income for assets held at year end

Year ended 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 December 2014

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
profit or loss

Available-for-
sale financial 
assets

Financial 
assets at fair 
value through 
profit or loss

Available-for-
sale financial 
assets

Total

 42 
25
9

9
–

(14)
–
–

62

9

 – 
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

 42 
25
9

9
–

(14)
–
–

62

9

 66 
2
5

5
–

(14)
–
(17)

42

5

 1 
–
–

–
–

(1)
–
–

–

–

Total

 67 
2
5

5
–

(15)
–
(17)

42

5

$m

Level 3 financial liabilities held at fair value
At beginning of the year
Purchases
Total charges/(gains) in the Group statement of comprehensive income

Included in profit for the year
Included in other comprehensive income

Settlements
Other adjustments

At year end

Total charges/(gains) for the year included in the Group statement of comprehensive income for liabilities held at  

year end

Year ended 
31 December 
2015

Year ended 
31 December 
2014

145
23
79

79
–

(41)
–

206

79

44
118
(7)

(7)
–

(10)
–

145

(7)

The financial liabilities in Level 3 primarily relate to the contingent consideration payable at 31 December 2015 to the former owners of Numeric ($164 
million), with the remaining $42 million relating to contingent consideration for other smaller acquisitions. In 2014 these largely relate to the contingent 
consideration payable in relation to the Numeric and FRM acquisitions.

For Numeric the contingent consideration relates to an ongoing 18.3% equity interest of Numeric management in the business and profit interests of 
16.5%, pursuant to a call and put option arrangement. The call and put options structure means that it is virtually certain that Man will elect to, or be 
obliged to, purchase the interests held by Numeric management at five (call option) or five and a half (put option) years post-closing. The maximum 
aggregate amount payable by Man in respect of the option consideration is capped at $275 million. 

The fair values are based on discounted cash flow calculations, which represent the expected future profits of each business as per the earn-out 
arrangements. The fair values are determined using a combination of inputs, such as weighted average cost of capital, high water mark levels, 
net management fee margins, performance, operating margins and the growth in FUM, as applicable. The discount rates applied are 11% for 
management fees and 17% for performance fees.

The most significant inputs into the valuations are as follows:

Weighted average net management fee margin (over the remaining earn-out period)
Compound growth in average FUM (over the remaining earn-out period)

Year ended  
31 December 
2015 
Numeric

0.5%
12%

130 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

2 8 .   F A I R   V A L U E   O F   F I N A N C I A L   A S S E T S / L I A B I L I T I E S   C O N T I N U E D

Changes in inputs would result in the following decrease/(increase) of the contingent consideration creditor:

$m

Weighted average net management fee margin:
  0.1% increase 
  0.1% decrease

Compound growth in average FUM:
  1% increase 
  1% decrease

Year ended 
31 December 
2015 
Numeric

34
(34)

6
(6)

Increases/(decreases) in the fair value of the contingent consideration creditor would have a corresponding (expense)/gain in the Group income 
statement.

2 9 .   R E L A T E D   P A R T Y   T R A N S A C T I O N S

Related parties comprise key management personnel and associates. All transactions with related parties were carried out on an arm’s length basis. 
Refer to Note 20 for details of income earned from associates. Management fees earned from fund entities in which Man holds a controlling interest 
are detailed in Note 16. Contingent consideration payable to Numeric management is detailed in Note 28.

The Executive Committee, together with the non-executive directors, are considered to be the Company’s key management, being those directors, 
partners and employees having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities at Man. The average key management 
headcount for the year to 31 December 2015 has increased by around 9% from 2014. Key management compensation is reported in the table below. 

Key management compensation

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits1
Share-based payments
Fund product based payment charge
Pension costs
Termination benefits

Total

Note:
1 

Includes salary, benefits (including cash pension allowance) and cash bonus. 

Year ended 
31 December 
2015 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2014 
$’000

33,152
4,408
6,095
405
–

44,060

27,895
4,522
6,426
426
765

40,034

3 0 .   F I N A N C I A L   G U A R A N T E E S   A N D   C O M M I T M E N T S

30.1 Committed purchase agreements (CPAs)
For certain structured products, Man has previously made commitments to buy underlying investments in specific fund products at a discount to net 
asset value, if requested by the fund board directors, to create liquidity. Man has the option to defer a purchase, if so called, for three months. The 
commitment at 31 December 2015 covers investments in existing fund products totalling $19 million (2014: $34 million).

Given the risk and liquidity management at the portfolio level by the investment manager the residual liquidity and market risk to Man from CPAs is not 
significant. The stressed liquidity and risk modelling performed across all structured products includes the CPAs and is provided for in our liquidity and 
risk management framework.

30.2 Daylight settlement facilities
Man from time to time provides a guarantee over certain bank accounts of structured product entities to secure daylight settlement facilities which 
allow for the efficient movement of cash during the trading day. In aggregate these guarantees had a notional amount of $50 million (2014: $50 million). 
Ordinarily no net exposure exists at the end of any given day and the fair value of these commitments has been determined to be nil (2014: nil).

30.3 Intra-day and overnight credit facilities
Man guarantees the obligations under a $500 million intra-day (2014: $500 million) and $25 million overnight credit facilities (2014: $25 million), used 
to settle the majority of the Group’s banking arrangements. As at 31 December 2015, the exposure under the intra-day facility is nil (2014: nil) and the 
overnight facility exposure is nil (2014: nil). The fair value of these commitments has been determined to be nil (2014: nil).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 131 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

3 0 .   F I N A N C I A L   G U A R A N T E E S   A N D   C O M M I T M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D

30.4 Operating lease commitments
Operating lease commitments due within one year totalled $29 million (2014: $35 million), $70 million from one to five years (2014: $93 million) and 
$261 million due after five years (2014: $289 million). The commitments include non-cancellable offsetting sublease arrangements, totalling $90 million 
(2014: $82 million) for commitments less than five years and $52 million (2014: $73 million) for commitments over five years. Rent and associated 
expenses for all leases are recognised on a straight-line basis over the life of the respective lease.

The operating lease commitments primarily include the agreements for lease contracts for the headquarters at Riverbank House, London (expiring in 
2035), the UK Data Centres (Woking expiring in 2019 and Redhill expiring in 2025), and our main New York office (expiring in 2022), which aggregate to 
$340 million (2014: $362 million).

3 1 .   O T H E R   M A T T E R S

Man Group is subject to various other claims, assessments, regulatory enquiries and investigations in the normal course of its business. The directors 
do not expect these enquiries to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Group.

3 2 .   G R O U P   I N V E S T M E N T S

Details of the Group’s subsidiaries, which have been consolidated into the Group’s results, are provided below, with details of investments in 
associates provided in Note 20. The country of operation is the same as the country of incorporation, the year end is 31 December, and effective 
group interest represents both the percentage held and voting rights, unless otherwise stated.

Principal operating subsidiaries

Asset management
Man Investments Limited
AHL Partners LLP1
Man Investments AG
Man Investments Inc
Man Investments (CH) AG
GLG Partners LP
Numeric Investors LLC2

Group services company
E D & F Man Limited

Group treasury and holding company
Man Investments Finance Limited

Group holding and other subsidiaries

Man Group plc
Man Strategic Holdings Limited
Man Group Holdings Limited
Man Group UK Limited
GLG Partners Limited
Laurel Heights LLP1
Man Investments Australia Limited
Man Australia LP
FA Sub 3 Limited
GLG Holdings Limited
Mount Granite 
GLG Partners (Cayman) Limited
GLG Partners Intermediate GP Ltd
Man Investments (Shanghai) Limited
Man Group Japan Limited
FRM Investment Management Limited
GLG Partners Hong Kong Limited
Man Investments (Hong Kong) Limited
GLG Partners Asset Management Limited
RBH Holdings (Jersey) Limited
Man (Europe) AG
Man Fund Management Netherlands BV
E. D. & F. Man Investments B.V.

132 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

Direct or 
indirect

Country of 
incorporation

Effective 
group interest 
%

UK
Indirect
Indirect
UK
Indirect Switzerland
US
Indirect
Indirect Switzerland
UK
Indirect
US
Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

UK

UK

UK
UK
Direct
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
Australia
Indirect
Australia
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
China
Indirect
Guernsey
Indirect
Guernsey
Indirect
Hong Kong
Indirect
Hong Kong
Indirect
Ireland
Indirect
Indirect
Jersey
Indirect Liechtenstein
Indirect Netherlands
Indirect Netherlands

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

 
3 2 .   G R O U P   I N V E S T M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D

Group holding and other subsidiaries

Man Investments Middle East Limited
Man Australia GP Limited
Man Fund Management UK Limited (previously GLG Partners Investment Funds Ltd)
Financial Risk Management Limited
Man Investments Holdings Limited
Man Mash Limited
Man Valuation Services Limited
GLG Partners GP LLC
Man Investments Finance Inc.
Seabrook Holding Inc
Man Investments Holding Inc.
Man Investments (USA) Corp.
Man Investments USA Holdings Inc.
Man Washington Inc.
GLG Capital Management LLC
Man Litchfield Inc.
GLG LLC
Man UK Strategies Limited
Numeric Holdings LLC2
Silvermine Capital Management LLC
Man NewSmith Japan Limited
FRM Investment Management GP (USA) LLC (previously Pine Grove Asset Management GP LLC)
FRM Investment Management (USA) LLC (previously Pine Grove Asset Management LLC)
Man Group Services Limited
Man Solutions Limited (previously GLG Partners International Ltd)
Empyrean Re Limited
Lavender Heights LLP
Knox Pines Limited
Mount Garnet Limited
FRM Investments (USA) LLC
GLG Inc.
GLG Holdings Inc.
GLG Partners Inc.
GLG Partners Services LP
GLG Partners Services Limited
Man Fund Management (Guernsey) Limited
Man Fund Management Limited
GLG Partners UK Group Ltd
GLG Partners UK Holdings Ltd
GLG Partners UK Ltd
FRM Thames Fund General Partner 1 Limited
RMF Co-Investment Limited (Class A & B)
Man Principal Strategies Corp
Numeric Midco LLC2
Man GLG Credit Advisers AG
FRM Holdings Limited
FA Sub 2 Limited
E. D. & F. Man Investments Limited
E. D. & F. Man Capital Investments Limited
Man Financial Australia Pty Limited (in liquidation)
Man Investments (UK) Limited (in liquidation)
Man-AHL (USA) Limited (in liquidation)
Man Investments (Luxembourg) S.A. (in liquidation)
Empyrean Re (Canada) Inc. (in liquidation)
Man Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited (in liquidation)
Man Investments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd (in liquidation)
FCA Guernsey Limited (in liquidation)
Man Bluesky Limited (in liquidation)

Direct or 
indirect

Country of 
incorporation

Effective 
group interest 
%

UAE
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
UK
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
Japan
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
Bermuda
Indirect
US
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
Guernsey
Indirect
Ireland
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
Cayman
Indirect
US
Indirect
US
Indirect
Switzerland
Indirect
Jersey
Indirect
BVI
Indirect
Jersey
Indirect
Jersey
Indirect
Australia
Indirect
UK
Indirect
UK
Indirect
Indirect Luxembourg
Canada
Indirect
Ireland
Indirect
Singapore
Indirect
Guernsey
Indirect
UK
Indirect

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
82
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
82
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Notes:
1   The financial year end is 31 March.
2  Numeric Management hold an 18.3% equity interest in the business as part of the acquisition deferred consideration, which is deemed to be a financial liability (Note 28).

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 133 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   G R O U P   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S 
C O N T I N U E D

3 2 .   G R O U P   I N V E S T M E N T S   C O N T I N U E D

Consolidated structured entities
The following investment funds, which the Group is deemed to control, have been consolidated (Note 16):

Strategy

Man Numeric Market Neutral1
Man Alternative Beta Strategies1
Man Numeric International Small Cap1
Man GLG Unconstrained Emerging Equity1
Man GLG International Equity1
GLG CLO II1
Man GLG Select Opportunities fund2
Man AHL Target Risk2
Man Systematic Directional Equities Alternative2

Notes:
1  Classified as non-current assets and liabilities held for sale (Note 16.3). 
2  Consolidated on a line-by-line basis (Note 16.3).

Country of 
incorporation/
principal place 
of operation

% of net asset 
value held

Ireland
Cayman
Cayman
Ireland
Cayman
Ireland
Cayman
Ireland
Ireland

60
100
100
45
100
34
58
62
64

134 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

P A R E N T   C O M P A N Y 
F I N A N C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

B A L A N C E   S H E E T

$m

Fixed assets
Investment in subsidiaries

Current assets
Debtors

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors and accruals

Net current liabilities

Creditors – amounts falling after more than one year
Borrowings

Total assets less current liabilities

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital Reserve
Merger reserve
Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds

At 31 
December 
2015

At 31 
December 
2014

Note

2

3

4

5

2,439

2,439

198

(5)

193

5

(176)

(171)

(149)

(149)

 2,483 

 2,119 

 59 
 14 
4
 491 
 1,915

2,483

 61 
 7 
2
 491 
 1,558 

 2,119 

The financial statements of the Company (registered number: 08172396) were approved by the Board of directors and authorised for issue on  
24 February 2016, and were signed on its behalf by:

Emmanuel Roman  
Chief Executive Officer 

Jonathan Sorrell
Chief Financial Officer

S T A T E M E N T   O F   C H A N G E S   I N   E Q U I T Y

Called up 
share 
capital

Share 
Premium 
account

Capital 
reserve

Merger 
reserve

Profit and loss 
account

$m

At 1 January 2014
Issue of ordinary share capital
Repurchase of shares
Loss for the financial year
Dividends

At 31 December 2014

Issue of ordinary share capital
Repurchase of shares
Profit for the financial year
Dividends

At 31 December 2015

63
–
(2)
–
– 

 61 

–
(2)
–
– 

 59 

5
 2 
–
– 
– 

 7 

 7 
–
– 
– 

 14 

–
–
2
–
–

2

–
2
–
–

4

491
– 
–
– 
– 

1,858
–
(116)
(21)
(163)

Total

2,417
 2 
(116)
(21)
(163)

 491 

 1,558 

 2,119 

– 
–
– 
– 

–
(176)
726
(193)

 7 
(176)
726
(193)

 491 

1,915 

 2,483

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 135 

The allotted and fully paid share capital of the Company is detailed in Note 23 of the Group financial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
N O T E S   T O   T H E   C O M P A N Y   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

1 .   B A S I S   O F   P R E P A R A T I O N

The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. 

The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100 (Financial Reporting Standard 100) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 
Accordingly, in the year ended 31 December 2015 the Company has changed its accounting framework from pre-2015 UK GAAP to FRS 101 
(Financial Reporting Standard 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued by the Financial Reporting Council and has, in doing so, applied 
the requirements of IFRS 1.6-33 and related appendices. These financial statements were prepared in accordance with FRS 101 as issued by the 
Financial Reporting Council. The transition is not considered to have had a material effect on the financial statements, and no restatement of prior year 
comparatives is required as a result of the adoption of FRS 101 in the current year. 

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to share-based 
payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash-
flow statement and certain related party transactions. Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the Group financial statements. 

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies adopted are the same as those set out in 
Note 1 to the Group financial statements except as noted below.

The Company’s financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. For further details, refer to Note 1 to the Group financial statements.

Result for the year
The profit after tax for the year was $726 million (2014: $21 million loss). During the year the Company received dividend income of $750 million from 
subsidiaries (2014: nil). In accordance with Section 408 of the Act, a separate profit and loss account has not been presented for the Company. Details 
of audit fees are included on page 60.

Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and 
losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies 
at period end exchange rates, are recognised in the profit and loss account.

Dividends
Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are recognised directly in equity in the period in which the dividend is paid or approved by 
the Company’s shareholders, if required. Dividends received from subsidiary undertakings are recognised as income in the period in which they are 
received. Refer to Note 12 to the Group financial statements for details of dividends paid during the year.

2 .   I N V E S T M E N T S   I N   S U B S I D I A R I E S

$m

Shares in Group undertakings
At 1 January and 31 December

31 
December 
2015

31 
December 
2014

 2,439 

2,439

The Company’s shares in subsidiary undertakings are stated in the balance sheet of the Company at cost less provision for any impairment incurred. 
A complete list of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries are provided in Note 32 to the Group financial statements. 

3 .   D E B T O R S   –   A M O U N T S   F A L L I N G   D U E   W I T H I N   O N E   Y E A R

$m

Current tax asset
Amounts owed by Group undertakings

31 
December 
2015

31 
December 
2014

6
192

198

5
–

5

4 .   C R E D I T O R S   –   A M O U N T S   F A L L I N G   D U E   W I T H I N   O N E   Y E A R

$m

Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Other creditors

136 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

31 
December 
2015

31 
December 
2014

2 
3 

5

173 
3 

176

 
5 .   C R E D I T O R S   –   A M O U N T S   F A L L I N G   D U E   A F T E R   M O R E   T H A N 
O N E   Y E A R

Borrowings relate to the 2024 fixed rate reset callable guaranteed subordinated notes issued by the Company, as detailed in Note 15 to the Group 
financial statements.

6 .   D I R E C T O R S ’   R E M U N E R A T I O N

Details of the individual directors’ emoluments and interests are disclosed in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 64 to 87. The directors of the 
Company were paid by another Group company in the year.

7 .   S T A T U T O R Y   A N D   O T H E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

Shares in the Company are awarded to directors and employees through the Group’s share schemes. Details relating to these share grants are 
provided in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 64 to 87.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 137 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
F I V E   Y E A R   R E C O R D

$m

Income statement
Profit before adjusting items
Adjusting items1

Pre-tax profit/(loss)
Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the period

12 months to 
31 December 
2015

12 months to 
31 December 
2014

12 months to 
31 December 
2013

12 months to 
31 December 
2012
(Restated)3

9 months to 
31 December 
2011

 400
(216) 

 184 
(13)

171  

 481 
(97) 

 384 
(19) 

 365 

297
(241)

56
16

72

275
(1,023)

(748)
(39)

(787)

262
(69)

193
(34)

159

Earnings per share (diluted)

 10.0

 20.5 

2.9

(45.8)

7.6

Balance sheet ($m)
Net cash
Net assets

Other statistics
Post-tax return on equity (%)

Ordinary dividends per share (cents)

Funds under management ($bn)

458
2,215

589
2,434

992
2,407

1,141
2,910

573
4,060

7.5 

15.8 

10.2

78.7

10.1

72.9

2.1

7.9

54.1

(23.2)

22.0

57.0

4.6

16.5

58.4

Average headcount2

1,106

1,001

1,163

1,458

1,596

Sterling/US Dollar exchange rates
Average
Period end

0.6544
0.6786

0.6072
0.6419

0.6388
0.6040

0.6307
0.6158

0.6233
0.6435

Notes:
1  Statutory profit/(loss) before tax is adjusted to give a fuller understanding of the underlying profitability of the business. See Note 2 to the Group financial statements. 
2  The average headcount includes partners.
3   Restated for the impact of the adoption of IAS 19 (Revised) in 2013.

138 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
S H A R E H O L D E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

In this section we have provided some  
key information to assist you in managing 
your shareholding in Man. If you have a 
question that is not answered below, you 
can contact us by email: shareholder@
man.com

Useful websites
References are made throughout this section to two websites which you 
will find useful for managing your shareholding in Man and for finding out 
more about the Company:

Man (www.man.com)
The Man corporate website contains a wealth of information about 
the Company including details of the industry in which we operate, 
our strategy and business performance, recent news from Man and 
corporate responsibility initiatives. The Investor Relations section is a 
key tool for shareholders with information on share price and financial 
results, reports and presentations. This section of the website also gives 
access to the Shareholder Information pages which contain dividend and 
shareholder meeting details and useful Frequently Asked Questions.

Equiniti Shareview (www.shareview.co.uk/shareholders)
Man’s register of shareholders is maintained by Equiniti, the Company’s 
Registrars. Many aspects of managing your shares such as checking your 
current shareholding, managing dividend payments, and updating your 
contact details can be carried out by registering on the Equiniti Shareview 
website. To do this you will need your shareholder reference number which 
can be found on your share certificate or dividend tax voucher.

Dividends
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015

3.40 pence per share

The directors have recommended a final dividend of 3.40 pence per 
share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015. Payment of this 
dividend is subject to approval at the 2016 Annual General Meeting 
(AGM). Key dates relating to this dividend are given below:

Ex-dividend date

Record date

DRIP election date

AGM (to approve final dividend)

Payment date

CREST accounts credited with DRIP shares

DRIP share certificates received

21 April 2016

22 April 2016

22 April 2016

6 May 2016

13 May 2016

18 May 2016

19 May 2016

Dividend policy
Man’s dividend policy is to pay out at least 100% of adjusted 
management fee earnings per share in each financial year by way of 
ordinary dividend. In addition, the Group expects to generate significant 
surplus capital over time, primarily from net performance fee earnings. 
Available surpluses, after taking into account our required capital 
(including accruals for future earn-out payments), potential strategic 
opportunities and a prudent buffer, will be distributed to shareholders 
over time, by way of higher dividend payments and/or share repurchases. 
During 2015 the Company undertook a share repurchase programme 
pursuant to which $175 million of surplus capital was returned to 
shareholders. As announced at the time of our 2015 year end results,  
the Board has decided to retain all of the Group’s current surplus capital, 
but will review this decision throughout the year..

Dividend payment methods
You can choose to receive your dividend in a number of ways. Dividends 
will automatically be paid to you by cheque and sent to your registered 
address unless you have chosen one of the options below:

1.  Direct payment to your bank: We recommend that you apply 

for cash dividends to be paid directly into your UK bank or building 
society account to speed up the payment process and to avoid the 
risk of cheques becoming lost or delayed in the post. The associated 
dividend confirmation will be sent direct to your registered address. 
To switch to this method of payment simply download a dividend 
mandate form from the Dividends section of our corporate website. 
Alternatively, dividend mandate forms are available from the Equiniti 
Shareview website. If you have any queries you may telephone Equiniti 
on 0371 384 21121, who will be able to assist. 

2.  Overseas payment service2: If you live overseas, Equiniti offers an 
overseas payment service which is available in certain countries. This 
may make it possible to receive dividends direct into your bank account 
in your local currency. Further information can be found on the Equiniti 
Shareview website or via the Equiniti helpline 0371 384 21121. 

3.  Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP): The Company is pleased to 
offer a DRIP which gives shareholders the opportunity to build their 
shareholding in Man Group plc in a convenient and cost-effective way. 
Instead of receiving your dividend in cash, you receive as many whole 
shares as can be bought with your dividend, taking into account 
related purchase costs; any residual cash is then carried forward and 
added to your next dividend. If you wish to join the DRIP, you can 
download copies of the DRIP terms and conditions and the DRIP 
mandate form from the Dividends section of the Man website. Simply 
complete the DRIP mandate form and return it to Equiniti. Should 
you have any questions regarding the DRIP, or to request a paper 
mandate form, please contact Equiniti on 0371 384 22681. Please 
note that if you wish to join the DRIP in time for the payment of the 
forthcoming final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015, 
Equiniti must have received your instruction by 5.00pm on 22 April 
2016. Instructions received after this date will be applied to the next 
dividend payment. 

Notes:
1  Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, each business day. 
2  Please note that a payment charge will be deducted from each individual payment 

before conversion to your local currency.

Man Group plc Annual Report 2015 139 

OTHER INFORMATION 
S H A R E H O L D E R   I N F O R M A T I O N   C O N T I N U E D

Dividends paid in the 2015/16 tax year

Dividend
no

Payment
date

Amount per
share (p)

Ex-dividend
date

Record
date

DRIP share
price (p)

DRIP 
purchase
date

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 Dec 2015
Final dividend for the year ended 31 Dec 2014

O/17 02/09/2015
O/16 15/05/2015

3.47
3.95

13/08/15
23/04/15

14/08/15
24/04/15

152.23
176.998

03/09/15
15/05/15

Dividend history
To help shareholders with their tax affairs, details of dividends paid in 
the 2015/16 tax year can be found above. Please note that the dividend 
amounts are declared in US Dollars but paid in Sterling. For ease of 
reference the Sterling dividend amounts have been detailed in the 
table. For details of historical payments, please refer to the Dividends 
section of our corporate website which can be found under Shareholder 
Information.

unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount, or offers of free 
reports about the Company. It is estimated that £200 million is lost in this 
way in the UK each year, with an average loss of £20,000 per investor.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provides helpful information about 
such scams on its website, including practical tips on how to protect 
your savings and how to report a suspected investment scam. Man 
encourages its shareholders to read the information on the site which can 
be accessed at www.fca.org.uk/consumers/scams.

Changes to tax on dividend income
HM Revenue & Customs have announced that, from 6 April 2016, the 
dividend tax credit is being replaced with a tax-free dividend allowance 
of £5,000 per annum. As such, the tax voucher that previously 
accompanied your dividend will be replaced with a dividend confirmation.  
For further information, and to see how you might be affected by the 
changes, please refer to the HMRC website.

Shareholder communications
Annual and Interim Reports
Man publishes an Annual and Interim Report every year. The Annual 
Report is sent to shareholders in March through the post unless the 
shareholder has chosen to receive shareholder communications 
electronically (see ‘E-communications’ below). The Interim Report is 
published on the website in early August and printed copies are available 
on request from the Company Secretary.

E-communications
You can help Man to reduce its printing and postage costs as well as its 
carbon footprint by signing up to receive communications electronically 
rather than receiving printed documents such as annual reports and 
notices of AGMs in the post. To sign up for e-communications, simply 
register on the Equiniti Shareview website. Once registered, you will need 
to change your mailing preference to e-communications and provide your 
email address. You will then receive an email each time a shareholder 
communication or document becomes available on the Man website.

Managing your shareholding
Online, by post, or by phone
Many aspects of your shareholding can be managed by registering on 
the Equiniti Shareview website. For enquiries about your shareholding you 
can also contact Equiniti in writing at Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer 
Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA, or by telephone on 0371 
384 21121 or Text tel 0371 384 22551, quoting Ref No 874. Callers from 
outside the UK should telephone +44 121 415 7592.

Share dealing service
Equiniti provides a share dealing facility through which you can buy or 
sell Man Group plc shares in the UK. The service is provided by Equiniti 
Financial Services Limited and can be accessed via the dealing section 
of the Equiniti Shareview website (www.shareview.co.uk/dealing). To use 
Equiniti’s telephone dealing service, please call 03456 037 037 between 
8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. You can also buy and sell shares 
through any authorised stockbroker or bank that offers a share dealing 
service in the UK, or in your country of residence if outside the UK.

Don’t fall victim to share fraud!
Even seasoned investors have been caught out by sophisticated share 
or investment scams where smooth-talking fraudsters cold call from 
‘boiler rooms’ to offer them worthless, overpriced or even non-existent 
shares, or to buy shares they currently hold at a price higher than the 
market value. All shareholders are advised to be extremely wary of any 

140 Man Group plc Annual Report 2015

How your details are protected from cybercrime
Man takes the protection of its shareholders’ personal data from the 
ever-increasing threat of cybercrime very seriously. Shareholder details 
are maintained by Equiniti, our Registrars, who safeguard this information 
to the highest standards, based on the 20 core critical controls 
recommended by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure 
(CPNI). These can be viewed at www.cpni.gov.uk/advice/ cyber/Critical-
controls. Equiniti’s security measures include multiple levels of firewall, 
no wireless access to the corporate network, and regular external 
vulnerability scans and system penetration tests.

Company contact details
Registered office
Man Group plc
Riverbank House
2 Swan Lane
London
EC4R 3AD

Telephone: 020 7144 1000
Fax: 020 7144 1923
Web: www.man.com

Registered in England and Wales with registered no: 08172396

Investor Relations
investor@man.com
Head of Investor Relations – Andrea Waters

Company Secretariat
shareholder@man.com
Company Secretary – Rachel Rowson

Company advisers
Independent auditor
Deloitte LLP

Corporate brokers
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Credit Suisse
Goldman Sachs

Public relations
RLM Finsbury

Registrars
Equiniti

Note:
1  Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, each business day.

man.com

Man Group plc
Riverbank House
2 Swan Lane
London
EC4R 3AD

+44 (0)20 7144 1000