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Marshalls

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FY2012 Annual Report · Marshalls
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77622 Marshall Annual 2012 Cover (Q8)__Cover  23/03/2013  07:48  Page 1

PRINTED B Y  T A Y L OR BL O XHAM LIMITED

ANNUAL REPOR T 201 2

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77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:07  Page 1

Financial Highlights

Olympic Stadium, London

Year ended
31 December
2012

Year ended
31 December
2011

Continuing operations before operational 
restructuring costs and asset impairments:
• Revenue
• EBITDA
• Operating profit
• Profit before tax

• Basic EPS

• Dividends declared and paid
• Final dividend recommended

£309.7m
£30.0m
£13.9m
£10.4m

5.87p

5.25p
3.50p

£334.1m
£35.0m
£16.7m
£13.7m

6.30p

5.25p
3.50p

• Net debt

£63.5m

£77.1m

Reported results:
•
• Basic EPS

(Loss)/profit before tax

£(11.2)m
(2.91)p

£13.7m
3.78p

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

1

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Corporate Objectives

Marshalls' vision is to be the supplier of choice to
the 
landscape  architect  and  contractor  for
architectural landscaping and to the consumer for
garden and driveway improvement projects.

Customers  are  at  the  centre  of  our  business.
Marshalls supplies its customers with innovatively
designed ranges of the highest quality landscape
and  walling  products  and  provides  outstanding
levels of customer service in our chosen markets.

Marshalls  is  committed  to  maintaining  and
developing  its  market  leading  position.    At  the
same time the Group is committed to conducting
business in a manner which achieves sustainable
growth whilst incorporating and demonstrating a
high degree of social responsibility.

Marshalls  undertakes  to  deliver  superior  rates  of
shareholders  and  provide
return 
opportunities and reward for its employees.

its 

to 

Cautionary Statement

Please  read  the  full  cautionary  statement  which
can be found on page 58.

Woodhouse Bespoke Pier Lights,
Canary Wharf, London

2

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Woodberry Down, London – Homescapes

CONTENTS

Financial Highlights
Corporate Objectives
Chairman’s Statement
Directors’ Report

• Business Review
• Directors’ Biographical Notes and Advisers
• Corporate Responsibility
•
Environmental Report
• Other Regulatory Information
• Corporate Governance Statement
• Directors’ Remuneration Report
• Nomination Committee Report
• Report of the Audit Committee 

Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Company Balance Sheet
Company Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Shareholder Information
Financial History – Consolidated Group

1
2
4-5

6-27
28-29
30-39
40-47
48-50
51-58
59-84
85
86-87
88-89
90
91
92
93
94-95
96-135
136
137
138-142
143
144

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Chairman’s Statement

Well positioned to deal with
current uncertainties and to
achieve future growth

In my Statement last year I said that we expected
another challenging year in 2012. As it turned out
this  was  something  of  an  understatement.  The
combination  of  a  weak  economy  and  extended
periods  of  very  wet  weather  resulted  in  some  of
the  most  difficult  trading  conditions  we  have
experienced. 
Products
Association estimates indicate a decline of 8.8 per
cent  in  the  market  for  the  year  and  consumer
confidence has remained low.  

The  Construction 

Against  this  background  we  have  responded
quickly  and  decisively  to  reduce  our  cost  base
through  plant  closure  and  headcount  reduction,
whilst  maintaining  our  national  geographic
coverage,  lowest  cost  to  market  and  industry
leading  customer  service.  We  have  also  taken
further  actions  to  reduce  our  debt.    We  have
lowered our annual cost base by some £7 million
and  reduced  our  year  end  net  debt  to  £63.5
million,  £13.6  million  lower  than  the  prior  year,
and close to our target of net debt to EBITDA of 2
times by the end of 2013.

At  the  same  time  we  have  maintained  our  focus
on those parts of the market where we anticipate
growth,  such  as  Rail  Infrastructure  spend  and
Home  Development  (new  house  building),  and
we have continued to drive innovation. In addition
to  new  products,  including  Cobbletech,  we  are
excited  by  opportunities  in  internal  paving  and
natural  stone  cladding.  We  are  also  seeing  good
progress  in  our  International  business.  Overall,  I
believe  your  Company  is  well  positioned  to  deal
with the current uncertainties and to achieve good
growth  when  market  conditions  improve,  and
accordingly to deliver value for shareholders.

Inevitably,  as  a  result  of  the  depressed  market
conditions  and  wet  weather,  sales  have  been
disappointing.  In  total,  sales  of  £309.7  million  for
the year were down some 7 per cent on last year.
Sales  to  the  Public  Sector  and  Commercial  end
market were down 6 per cent. UK Domestic sales,
which were particularly hard hit, were down 12 per
cent. International sales were up 15 per cent from a
low  base  and  sales  from  the  Belgium  subsidiary
have  increased  by  35  per  cent  in  local  currency. 

Our  strategies  to  target  those  areas  of  the  Public
Sector  and  Commercial  end  market,  where  we
anticipate  growth  and  provide  a  fully  integrated
product  offering,  continue  to  be  appropriate.  We
are  making  further  investment  in  street  furniture,
security  products,  water  management  and
sustainable  urban  drainage  to  enhance  our
offering.  In  the  UK  Domestic  end  market  our
strategy  continues  to  be  based  on  building  our
Installer  Register  and  distributor  merchandising.
We are introducing a new range of driveway paving
and also a very broad range of interior concrete and
natural stone paving. Our International business is
focused on providing specialist landscape products
into selected end markets.

Operating profit, before operational restructuring
costs  and  asset  impairments,  was  £13.9  million.
This is a reduction of £2.8 million compared to the
prior  year,  reflecting  the  lower  level  of  activity
partly  offset  by  the  benefits  of  the  restructuring
and  cost  reduction  actions  taken  part  way
through  the  year.  Whilst  there  was  a  small
improvement 
in  underlying  margins,  after
stripping  out  one-off  factors,  these  remain  low
and margin improvement remains a key focus for
the Board.

One-off  operational  restructuring  and  asset
impairment  costs  amounted  to  £21.5  million  of
which  £10.2  million  will  be  a  cash  cost.  The
annualised  savings  resulting  from  these  actions
are some £7 million with a benefit realised in 2012
of  £2.8  million.  In  addition,  these  actions  will
enable inventory volumes to be reduced by a total
of some £10 million from the end of 2011 to the
end of 2013. 

Looking  forward,  the  economic  background
remains  uncertain  and  economic  forecasts  for
2013  are  weak.  The  Construction  Products
Association  is  forecasting  a  further  small  decline
in  the  market  for  2013.  Commercial  demand,
particularly  from  Rail  Infrastructure  and  Home
in  the
Development,  seems  more  positive 
medium 
Installer  order  books  are
reasonable and we are seeing some growth in our
International business. We are also optimistic that
Government  infrastructure  investment  will  be
beneficial  for  the  industry  and  wider  economy
though there is some urgency required to get this
moving.

term. 

4

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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We will continue to focus on opportunities to grow
revenues,  reduce  costs  and  improve  margins. We
will get the full annual benefit of the cost savings
from  the  actions  taken  in  2012.  Marshalls  has  a
strong market position with unrivalled geographic
coverage and a leading brand.

We  are  confident  in  our  strategy  and  in  the
operating and financial positioning of the Group
and,  accordingly,  the  Board  has  decided  to
maintain  the  dividend  at  the  same  level  as  last
year, which we know is important to shareholders.   

Each year we agree a number of priorities for the
Board. Last year these included ongoing focus on
strategy  and  value  creation,  contingency
planning and greater contact with investors. 

The Board agenda is firmly focused on strategy. A
Board  programme  is  agreed  setting  out  specific
topics  for  discussion  during  the  year.  These
discussions  generally  involve  other  members  of
the  senior  executive  team.  During  2012  they
included such matters as employee engagement,
innovation and new product development as well
as  contingency  planning.  The  Board,  together
with  the  senior  executive  team,  also  held  a
dedicated strategic planning day. These meetings
and  discussions  provided  time  for  detailed
consideration  of  strategic  matters,  enhanced  the
Board’s understanding of the key issues facing the
business and also enabled the Board to assess the
strength  of  the  management  team  below  Board
level. During the year I met a number of our major
shareholders,  outside 
investor
relations activities led by the Executive Directors,
and  have  found  their  insights  and  views  helpful.
We continue to focus on Board development and
with the help of a third party facilitator arranged a
session  on  the  respective  roles  of  the  Executive
and Non-Executive Directors with the objective of
ensuring we achieved the maximum benefit from
everyone around the Boardroom table.

the  normal 

include 

further
for  2013 
Board  actions 
enhancement  of  the  strategic  planning  process,
succession  planning,  Board  training  on  risk,  and
increased  shareholder  engagement.  I  plan  to
report on these initiatives next year.

2012 has been a difficult year, particularly for our
employees.  I  have  visited  many  of  our  sites  and
have been very impressed by the hard work and

commitment  shown  by  our  people,  who  have
continued  to  get  on  with  the  job,  manufacture
excellent  product  and  provide  outstanding
customer 
the  prevailing
uncertainties. On behalf of the Board I would like
to thank all our employees for the job they do and
their  ongoing  support  and  commitment  to
Marshalls. 

service  despite 

Notwithstanding the challenges in 2012 I remain
optimistic about the future. 

Andrew Allner
Chairman 
8 March 2013

One New Change Street, London

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

5

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Business Review

Business Profile

Current Strategy

is  a  market 

Marshalls 
focused  UK  Group
combining  inspirational  design  and  innovative
products and services to aid the transformation of
Britain’s  patios,  driveways  and  urban  and
commercial landscapes. Marshalls is committed to
quality  in  everything  it  does,  including  the
achievement  of  high  environmental  and  ethical
standards  and  continual  improvement  in  health
and safety performance.

The Group manufactures and supplies landscape,
driveway  and  garden  products  from  a  range  of
materials  including  concrete,  natural  stone,  iron,
steel,  wood,  glass  and  polyurethane,  to  the
Domestic and Public Sector and Commercial end
markets. 
In  Domestic  end  markets,  home
improvement and home building projects are the
largest  users  of  the  Group’s  products.  In  Public
Sector  and  Commercial  end  markets,  customers
use  Marshalls’  products  to  transform  landscapes
including retail and industrial developments and
new  build  as  well  as  repair  and  maintenance
projects.

Marshalls’  customers  are  the  large  builders’
independent  builders’
merchant  groups, 
merchants,  garden  centres,  contractors,  Local
Authorities and domestic consumers. 

its  own  quarries  and
The  Group  operates 
manufacturing sites throughout the UK, including
a  national  network  of  manufacturing  and
distribution  sites.  Products  are  distributed  from
this  network  of  sites  either  to  customers’  depots
or,  at  their  request,  direct  to  site.  As  a  result  of
International  investment  the  Group  has  two
operating  sites  in  Belgium  and  a  subsidiary
company based in China. The Group is well placed
to extend its customer base into wider European
markets. Ethically sourced natural stone products
are  imported  from  India,  China,  and  Vietnam  to
supply both UK and European markets.

During the last few years the Group’s main focus
has  been  to  respond  to  the  impact  of  the
recession  and  Marshalls  continues  to  balance
short  term  performance  with  medium  term
investment.

capital  and 

Against  the  backdrop  of  an  uncertain  economic
environment the Group has focused on short term
actions  to  create  greater  levels  of  certainty  by
reducing  cost  and  conserving  cash  by  tight
capital
control  of  working 
expenditure.  These  actions  have  been  balanced
with the need to protect and continue to build on
Marshalls’  market  leading  capability  for  the
medium  term.  The  Group  has  concentrated  its
sales  effort  on  market  sectors  where  activity  is
more  robust,  and  has  continued  to  invest  in
innovation  to  reduce  its  operating  costs  and
extend  its  competitive  advantage  through  new
product  development  and  service  solutions.
These 
initiatives  have  been  providing  the
foundations for a return to sustainable growth .

There continues to be a potential for growth in the
Group's  existing  markets  and  also  additional
opportunities  in  new  market  areas.  Three  areas
have  been  identified  to  generate  sustainable
outperformance. These are:

1. Targeted marketing and product innovation in
the Public Sector and Commercial end market
to  provide  a  broader  range  of  product
solutions;

2. Enhanced  merchandising 

initiatives  and
increasingly developed links with installers to
drive market share and improved product mix
in the Domestic end market; and

3.

International  expansion,  selling  a  range  of
innovative  premium  landscape  products  into
new markets.

6

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Business Review  (continued)

Long Term Strategy and 
Business Objectives

Long Term Strategy

The strategy to achieve these objectives is:

The  Group’s  objective  is  to  emerge  from  the
current economic downturn in a stronger position
and  consequently,  the  longer  term  strategic
objectives  which  are  set  out  below,  remain  the
Group’s cornerstone objectives. 

The  Group  aims  to  deliver  superior  returns  for
shareholders, in a sustainable way, from the timely
and  efficient  supply  of  high  quality,  value  for
money  landscaping  and  walling  products.  The
continued objective is to exceed the expectations
of its customers in all end markets through quality
materials  produced,  administered,  delivered  and
sold  by  highly  motivated  and  engaged
employees.

Long Term Corporate Objectives

Marshalls’  long  term  corporate  objectives  are  to
deliver:

1. Sustainable  revenue  growth  of  7  per  cent  or
more  based  on  a  compound  annual  growth
rate (“CAGR”) over a three year period; 

2. Annual earnings per share growth of RPI plus 9
per cent, with a target of RPI plus 21 per cent
over a three year period;

3. Annual operating cash flow growth of RPI plus
9 per cent, with a target of RPI plus 21 per cent
over a three year period;

4. A dividend policy where dividends will move
in  line  with  medium  term  earnings  growth;
and

5. Return on capital employed of 15 per cent per

annum.

Strategic KPI performance at 31 December 2012 is
summarised on page 19.

1. To  deliver  sustainable  shareholder  value  by
improving  the  profitability  of  the  Group’s
operations  and  optimising  the  operating
performance of the business.

is  supported  by  selective
This  objective 
investment  in  market  and  brand  development,
developing  long  term  customer  relationships,
continually  innovating  and  introducing  new
products  and  services  to  meet  the  needs  of
consumers  and 
installers  that  have  been
identified through extensive market research and
investing 
to
improve  the  quality  of  products.  The  Group
continues  to  develop,  innovate  and  improve  its
unique sourcing, manufacturing and distribution
network,  reducing  costs  wherever  possible.  The
business  ensures  it  has  high  quality,  timely
management  information  and  analysis,  and  uses
this to focus on areas for improvement.

in  manufacturing 

technology 

2. To  maintain  a  strong  market  position  and
sustainable  profitability  with  the  national
builders’ merchants and the Public Sector and
Commercial  end  market  and  to  improve
market share in other target markets. 

The  Public  Sector  and  Commercial  end  market
requires  a  range  of  integrated  products  that
deliver  technical  performance  and  visual  appeal.
The  Group  strives  to  be  responsive  to  the
requirements  of  all  clients,  architects  and
contractors  and  to  be  the  “best  in  class”  for
technical and design support, product innovation,
product quality and customer service. The Group
is  continually  looking  to  deliver  innovation,
improve  and  extend  its  products  and  services  in
areas such as water management, street furniture,
education,  rail  and  sustainability,  where 
it
perceives there is opportunity for growth.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

7

Additional 
long  term  KPIs  have  also  been
developed  to  cover  the  key  areas  of  Energy
Management and Environmental Sustainability to
support the Group’s emphasis on these key areas
of future development.

capital  management 

These strategic KPIs are supported by a range of
other KPIs designed to ensure that the short term
priorities  of  cash  management,  cost  reduction
and  working 
are
consistently aligned, and that both short and long
term KPIs are closely monitored across the Group.
There  are  also  a  range  of  non-financial  KPIs
installer  membership,
covering 
employee  engagement, 
sustainability  and
Corporate Social Responsibility.

innovation, 

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:07  Page 8

Business Review

3. To  develop  relationships  with  installers  to
deliver  more  effective  penetration  of  the  key
domestic  routes  to  market  and  to  improve
product mix.

The  Group  has  a  long  term  commitment  to  the
Domestic end market and continues to drive more
sales through its strong relationships with quality
installers. In recent years the Group has extended
its approved installer register, and it continues to
focus  on  lead  generation,  sales  and  marketing
support,  consistency 
the
maintenance of good geographical coverage. The
“Better  Business  Programme”  specifically  focuses
on  customer  service,  design  improvement  and
the consistent demonstration of quality.

in  quality  and 

4. To  invest  in  selective  synergistic  acquisitions
and organic expansion in existing and related
markets and product categories to expand our
core business.

The  Group  has  two  operational  sites  in  Belgium
and continues to expand the geographical reach
of  its  specialist  product  portfolio  into  mainland
Europe. The Group aims to acquire new innovative
products and to extend and expand its routes to
market.

Strategic Key Performance Indicators
(“KPIs”)

Performance  is  monitored  using  a  full  suite  of
KPIs,  but  the  Directors  have  identified  the  six
measures below as the Group’s strategic KPIs. The
first three are measured over a three year period.

Target
Revenue growth:
Earnings per share growth:

7 per cent per annum
RPI + 21 per cent over 
a three year period

Operating cash flow growth: RPI + 21 per cent over a 

three year period

Return on capital employed: 15 per cent 
Customer service index*:
95 per cent
Health & Safety reduction in

working days lost as a
result of accidents:

10 per cent per annum

* This index combines measures of product availability, on-time
delivery performance and administrative and delivery accuracy.

8

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Fairstone Sawn Sandstone, Golden Sand

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:07  Page 9

Business Review  (continued)

Review of the Operations
Market Outlook

The Construction Products Association (“CPA”) has
reported an 8.8 per cent decrease in construction
output in 2012 following the 2.5 per cent increase
in 2011.  The CPA is forecasting a further reduction
of 2.2 per cent in 2013 before a recovery to 2.0 per
cent growth in 2014. This decrease is partly driven
by the Public Sector which accounts for one third of
total  construction  and  continues  to  be  adversely
affected  by  continuing  Government  expenditure
control. The  CPA  forecasts  that  following  a  15  per
cent reduction in the last two years, Public Sector
construction will fall by a further 7 per cent in 2013.

Economic  uncertainty  regarding  growth  is  the
main influence in Commercial which continues to
be  adversely  affected  by  poor  consumer  and
business confidence.  Overall, construction is only
expected to recover from 2014 driven primarily by
Private  Sector  growth  although  still  hindered  by
continuing uncertainty in the Eurozone.  The CPA
predicts a more significant rise of 3.7 per cent in
2015  and  4.6  per  cent  in  2016. The  construction
sector  as  a  whole  is  likely  to  benefit  from
expenditure  in  infrastructure,  especially  within
rail,  roads  and  energy,  which  are  anticipated  to
grow  in  the  medium  term.  Within  the  Public
Sector  and  Commercial  end  market  the  CPA
estimates  that  Other  New  Work,  a  proxy  for
demand,  was  down  14.2  per  cent  in  2012  and
predicts a further fall of 3.7 per cent in 2013 before
returning to growth of 2.0 per cent in 2014.

In  the  Domestic  end  market  the  CPA  estimates
that  Private  Housing  Repair,  Maintenance  and
Improvement  expenditure,  a  proxy  for  Domestic
end market demand, fell by 4.0 per cent in 2012.
Growth  of  1.2  per  cent  in  2013  is  expected  with
increases of 2.8 per cent and 4.0 per cent forecast
in 2014 and 2015 respectively. 

Despite  this  economic  backdrop,  the  strength  of
the  Group’s  installer  base  and  the  economic
resilience  and  age  profile  of  the  core  customer
base remain positive factors that will continue to
drive demand.

Trading Summary

Marshalls’  revenue  for  the  year  ended  31
December 2012 was £309.7 million (2011: £334.1
million),  a  decrease  of  7  per  cent.  The  record
rainfall  during  2012  reduced  sales  in  the  year  by
approximately  £13  million.  This  particularly
affected  the  UK  Domestic  end  market  in  which
poor  working  conditions,  over  a  prolonged
period, contributed to a 12 per cent reduction in
sales compared to the prior period. Sales to the UK
Domestic 
represent
approximately 32 per cent of Group sales. Sales in
the  Public  Sector  and  Commercial  end  market,
which  represent  approximately  64  per  cent  of
Group  sales,  were  down  6  per  cent.  Continued
progress  has  been  made  in  developing  the
International business which is approaching 5 per
cent of Group sales.

end  market 

now 

the 

The  economic  environment  became  increasingly
uncertain  over 
last  year  and,  as  a
consequence, the Group fundamentally reviewed
its  operations  against  the  negative  economic
outlook.    The  Group  instigated  a  programme  of
cost reduction and cash realisation measures and
a  wide  range  of  actions  to  reduce  production
output,  release  cash  and  reduce  cost  have  been
undertaken,  whilst  maintaining  operating
flexibility.  These  actions  have  set  underlying
capacity  and  the  Group’s  cost  structure  at  a
sustainable  level  for  the  lower  volume  forecast
whilst retaining the capability to respond quickly
when demand improves.

for  one-off  operational
The  net  charge 
restructuring  costs  and  asset  impairments  was
£21.5  million  (2011:  £nil)  of  which  £10.2  million
will  be  incurred  in  cash.  These  have  been
separately  identified  on  the  face  of  the  Income
Statement 
to  provide  a  better
in  order 
understanding of the Group’s results.

Alongside these actions the Group has continued
to  strengthen  its  market  position  and  trading
margins  are  improving.  The  Group  has  excellent
is
relationships  with 
delivering  additional  sales,  and  good  progress  is
being made with the many growth initiatives.

its  customers,  which 

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

9

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Business Review  (continued)

Manufacturing and Distribution

The Group has well invested modern plants which
have  sufficient  capacity  to  meet  medium  term
demand  requirements  efficiently.  The  Group
continues  to  have  the  operational  and  financial
flexibility  to  respond  to  any  further  changes  in
market conditions. 

During  the  last  year,  the  Group  has  further
simplified  and  refocused  its  operations  with
emphasis  on  financial  and  operating  flexibility.
The  strategy  has  combined  established  and  new
initiatives  to  deliver  growth  and,  despite
economic  and  market  uncertainty,  the  new
initiatives  have  been  delivering  market
outperformance.  A  specific 
initiative,  has
successfully  rebalanced  production  nationally  to
meet  stronger  demand 
in  the  South  East,
compared  to  the  North,  in  order  to  minimise
distribution distance and reduce costs.

Marshalls  has  a  unique  national  network  of
distribution  sites  with  a  wide  geographical
spread. Of the Group's customers, 97 per cent are
within a two hour drive time of one of our regional
centres and this continues to be a key competitive

advantage,  especially  when  fuel  costs  are  high.
The  Group  utilises  well  invested  modern  plants
which  have  sufficient  capacity  to  meet  medium
term  demand  requirements  efficiently  and  have
the operational and financial flexibility to respond
to any further changes in market conditions. The
same  capital  equipment  produces  products  for
both  the  Public  Sector  and  Commercial  and
Domestic end markets and this flexibility remains
a key operational objective.  The Group continues
to  improve  the  flexibility  of  its  manufacturing
through multi-skilling of the workforce and more
flexible  shift  patterns.  These  factors  optimise
manufacturing efficiency and enable Marshalls to
maintain the lowest cost to market.

The Group’s plants are modern and well invested
and this continues to enable capital expenditure
to be maintained at historically low levels for the
medium  term  without  any  noticeable  impact  on
  Capital
the  effectiveness  of  the  business. 
investment  in  property,  plant  and  equipment  in
2012  totalled  £8.3  million  (2011:  £11.8  million).
This compares with depreciation of £14.8 million
(2011: £17.3 million).  The Group will continue to
invest  selectively  in  innovation  to  deliver  new

Natural Stone, The Savoy, London

10

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:08  Page 11

Business Review  (continued)

improvement  projects 

products  and 
that
reinforce  its  market  leading  position.  These
strengths  support  the  Group’s  medium  term
growth ambitions and, in addition to the existing
routes to market, a number of other markets have
identified  that  are  opening  up  new
been 
opportunities for both existing and new products.

International  offer  combines  natural
The 
sandstone,  granite  and  limestone  from  India,
China  and Vietnam  with  specialist  manufactured
products  from  the  UK.  Key  synergies  include
marketing and sales collateral, sales processes and
systems,  a  broader  range  of  products  and
manufacturing and technical expertise.

The Group continues to focus on customer service
with  industry  leading  standards  of  product
quality,  availability  and  “on  time”  delivery.  The
customer  service  index  KPI,  measures  product
availability,  accuracy  and  timeliness  of  deliveries
and administrative accuracy. The Group’s industry
leading standards remained high in 2012 and the
combined  customer  service  measure  continued
to be in excess of 97 per cent. Marshalls continues
to receive good feedback from its customers and
installers  for  the  consistency  and  quality  of  its
products and service. 

remains  most 

The operational restructuring initiatives included
works  closures  and  other  capacity  reductions
which mainly impacted those businesses that had
been particularly affected by the deterioration in
market  conditions  and  for  which  the  short  term
outlook 
challenging.  The
operational  restructuring  measures  have  given
rise to a one-off charge of £21.5 million including
asset impairments of £11.3 million.  These include
the write down of plant and machinery and other
assets  together  with  the  impairment  of  certain
intangible assets. The asset impairments relate to
the  Group’s  natural  stone  walling  business,  the
Scottish  reconstituted  walling  business  and  the
Landscape  Products'  wet  cast  operations.  An
additional  manufacturing  site  has  also  been
mothballed.  These  actions  reflect  the  need  to
reduce capacity to meet current levels of demand,
but  also  provide  operational  flexibility  to  enable
the  Group  to  benefit  from  any  future  increase  in

market  activity.  Other  operational  restructuring
costs of £10.2 million will be incurred in cash and
reflect  the  implementation  of  a  wide  range  of
measures  aimed  at  reducing  costs,  reducing
inventories and releasing cash. The main element
of  other  operational  restructuring  costs  are
redundancy  payments  associated  with  reducing
capacity and central overheads which in the year
ended  31  December  2012  amounted  to  £6.2
million. 

Restructuring costs and asset impairments

Restructuring costs
Asset impairments

Intangible
Tangible

2012

Business area
Landscape Products
Natural Stone Walling
Scottish Operations

2012

Cash Non-cash
£’m
-

£’m
10.2

-
-
-----------------
10.2
---------------

2.8
8.5
-----------------
11.3
---------------

Total
£’m
10.2

2.8
8.5
-----------------
21.5
---------------

£’m
9.0
8.0
4.5
-----------------
21.5
---------------

The  profit  improvement  from  the  restructuring
actions in the year ended 31 December 2012 has
been  approximately  £2.8  million  and  inventory
has reduced by £4.9 million, which is ahead of the
Group’s  planned  timescale  with  a 
further
reduction  of  £5  million  expected  by  the  end  of
2013.  Headcount  has  reduced  by  15  per  cent
during  2012  and  the  fixed  cost  base  has  been
reduced by £7 million on an annualised basis.

Sustainability and the Environment

Marshalls’  has  won  numerous  national  and
international awards for its ground breaking work
labelling.
on  ethical  sourcing  and  carbon 
Marshalls  was  the  first  business  in  its  sector  to
become a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative
and  is  also  the  UK’s  first  heavyside  materials
manufacturer to be accepted into the prestigious
United  Nations  Global  Compact.    The  Global
Compact  is  a  strategic  policy  initiative  for  the
businesses  that  are  committed  to  aligning  their
operations  and  strategies  with  ten  universally
accepted principles in the areas of human rights,

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

11

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Business Review  (continued)

framework 

labour,  environment  and  anti-corruption.  It  also
the
provides  a  practical 
development,  implementation  and  disclosure  of
sustainability  policies  and  practices.    Further
details  are  found  in  the  Corporate  Responsibility
Report on pages 30 to 39.

for 

Looking  forward, these initiatives will be a “must
have”  and  consequently  the  Group  continues  to
ensure  that  sustainability 
in
everything it does. 

is  embedded 

The Group has pioneered the ethical sourcing of
natural stone paving from India and China. With a
local  partner  the  Group  has  established  schools,
health facilities and health insurance programmes
in  India.  Marshalls’ “Fairstone”  products  combine
the attributes of fair trade and ethical sourcing.

As part of its ongoing commitment to the ETI Base
Code, the Group has been driving forward ethical
best practice within its Indian and Chinese natural
stone  suppliers.  Marshalls’  ethical  sourcing
programme  incorporates  regular  independent
supply chain audits.

found 

More  details 
the 
can  be 
Corporate  Responsibility  and  Environmental
Reports  on  pages  30  to  39  and  40  to  47
respectively  and  on 
the  Group’s  website
www.marshalls.co.uk/sustainability.

in 

Domestic

Marshalls  is  the  market  leader  in  the  domestic
driveway and patio markets and continues to lead
the  development  of  the  consumer  landscape
products market. The Group’s Domestic strategy is
to  drive  more  sales  through  quality  installers. The
objective is to improve the product mix, continually
develop the Marshalls brand and deliver a market
leading level of service. The target customer groups
for  installed  patios  and  driveways  occupy  8.9
million  homes,  a  far  bigger  potential  market  than
new  build.  These  customers  are  generally  older,
have equity in their property, earn more and often
have savings. An ageing population with a retired
lifestyle  should  drive  sales  growth  and  the  move
towards  building  more  new  houses  rather  than

12

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

flats  is  also  a  welcome  trend.  Quality  installers
remain  busy,  and  confirm  that  there  is  a  trend
towards older customers, and a higher proportion
of cash transactions with long term home owners
rather  than  new  home  purchasers.  The  installed
housing base is 25 million, far higher than the new
build  market  of  between  100,000  and  200,000
houses per year.

In the Domestic end market Marshalls' strategy is to
drive  more  sales  through  quality  installers.  The
Marshalls Register of approved domestic installers is
unique and, having grown to a total of 1,800 teams,
the  focus  is  now  to  ensure  a  consistently  high
standard of quality and good geographical coverage.
The  Group  remains  committed  to  increasing  the
marketing  support  of  the  installer  base  and  the
Marshalls  Register  through  increased  training,
marketing  materials  and  sales  support.  The  Group
has also continued to focus on innovation in order to
develop areas with particular sales opportunity and
to strengthen further the Marshalls’ brand. Marshalls
also  provides  direct  delivery  to  installers  of  value
added products not easily sourced through stockists.

Installer  order  books  at  the  end  of  February  2013
were  7.8  weeks  (February  2012:  6.3  weeks),
compared  with  8.7  weeks  at  the  end  of  October
2012.  Consumer  confidence  remains  reasonably
stable albeit at a low level. Marshalls continues to
receive  good  feedback  from  its  customers  and
installers for the consistency and quality of service.

Marshalls Register Installer Teams

1900

1800

1700

1600

1500

1400

1300

Jan 09

Jan 10

Jan 11

Jan 12

Jan 13

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:08  Page 13

Business Review  (continued)

Medium  term,  the  Group  expects  the  more
difficult  market  conditions  to  provide  greater
opportunity  to  strengthen  its  relationships  with
installers. An ageing population is combining with
a lifestyle trend towards more outdoor living and
the  “outdoor  room”.  Through  marketing  and
product  development  the  Group  continues  to
promote solutions which facilitate these trends.

A  broad  range  of  initiatives  continue  to  be
developed  in  order  to  strengthen  competitive
advantage  and  the  Group  invests  selectively  in
innovation  to  drive  growth  in  the  medium  term.
The Group has sector leading product availability
and  customer  service  and  these  attributes  are
both  at  the  heart  of  the  Marshalls’ “Superbrand”
concept.  For  2013  Marshalls  has  again  been
awarded  the  accolade  of  a  business  Superbrand.
Marshalls’  Olympic  involvement  has  also  further
advanced  the  Group’s  reputation  for  innovation
and  service  delivery.  The  Group  continues  to
generate  value  by  “Creating  Better  Landscapes.”
The  Group’s  combined  measure  for  product
availability  and  customer  service  is  consistently
above 97 per cent.

Public Sector and Commercial

Marshalls continues to be a market leader for the
supply of a wide range of natural stone, concrete
and fabricated products to the Public Sector and
Commercial end market. This market includes PFI
expenditure  on  schools  and  hospitals.  Such
products  include  paving,  kerbs,  edging,  surface
drainage and street furniture.  The aim is to deliver
products  that  are  visually  attractive  and  also
practical to use and install. Marshalls’ portfolio of
products can be combined to create an attractive
landscaped  area,  with  its  technical  expertise
providing added value as part of the pre and post
sales service.

In the Public Sector and Commercial end market
Marshalls’ strategy is to build on its position as a
market leading landscape products specialist. The
Group has experienced technical and sales teams
who  continue  to  focus  on  markets  where  future
demand 
is  greatest  across  a  full  range  of
integrated  products  and  sustainable  solutions  to
customers,  architects  and  contractors. 
In
particular, the Group has targeted those parts of
the  market  where  it  anticipates  growth  such  as

Integrated Product Offer, Natural History Museum

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

13

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Business Review  (continued)

Rail  Infrastructure  and  Home  Improvement.  The
rail  sector  includes  Crossrail,  which  is  the  largest
construction  project  in  Europe.  The  Group  has
recently  received  technical  approval  for  a  wider
portfolio of products for both this project and the
sector  generally.    In  the  home  sector,  Marshalls
has  secured  framework  agreements  with  eleven
of the top 25 house builders. 

The Group is making further investment in water
management  and  sustainable  urban  drainage
products, street furniture and traffic management
to enhance its offer. Sales resource has also been
allocated  to  the  natural  stone  internal  paving
market,  stone  cladding  for  the  Commercial
market  and  the  International  Public  Sector  and
Commercial end market. The Group’s sales teams
provide  a  full  range  of  integrated  projects  and
sustainable  solutions  to  support  the  specialist
product directories and marketing collateral. The
process  of  identifying  projects  and  following
them through to completion is analytical and data
driven  and  utilises  specialist  software  unique  to
Marshalls.  The  combination  of  marketing,
systems,  processes  and  highly  experienced  sales
teams  continues  to  provide  the  Group  with  a
sustainable competitive advantage.

Marshalls  continues  to  be  the  only  landscape
products  company  able  to  provide  a  fully
integrated product offer to the Public Sector and
Commercial end market. This integrated offer was
created  in  response  to  the  specific  demand  of
suppliers, distributors, and architects but its value
is now also appreciated in a wider environmental
context and increasingly by local authorities and
other Public Sector bodies.  In each of the last two
years  approximately  50  per  cent  of  all  sales
enquiries  have  covered  more  than  one  product
category with around 20 per cent covering three
or more.

The  Group  has  experienced  technical  and  sales
teams  focused  on  the  key  growth  areas  and  by
working  with  clients,  architects  and  contractors
they are able to provide a unique overview of the
project and offer a complete solution comprising
a full suite of products.

Stanton Moor Sandstone Cladding, Derby

14

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Business Review  (continued)

Many  projects  have  a  lead  time  of  two  to  three
years.  The  Group  has  deliberately  retained  its
experienced  technical  and  sales  teams  whilst
some  competitors  have  cut  back.  Relationships
with  clients,  architects  and  contractors  and  the
development of systems to identify projects are a
key  priority.  The  visibility  of  projects  through
externally measured sources such as Barbour ABI
gives  a  measure  of  control  over  securing  future
volume. This approach continues to deliver good
growth in bespoke street furniture, natural stone
paving and sustainable urban drainage products.

Contract Awarded 12 Month Rolling Average of
Hard Landscape Value Adjusted
(Barbour ABI Lead Indicator with 12 Month Lag)

the  Group’s  total  mineral  reserves  comprising
block stone for paving, walling stone and crushed
aggregates.

Mineral Reserves

Reserves

Reserves

tonnes (m) 
2012
7.8
38.6

years
2012
52
22

tonnes (m) 
2011 
8.5
45.1

years
2011
57
24

Block stone
Aggregates

Notes:
1. Reserves means fully consented and available for extraction
2. Years means number of years available at current 

extraction rates

International Development

330

275

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m
£

220

165

110

555

5Jan-05

5Jul-05

5Jan-06

5Jul-06

5Jan-07

5Jul-07

5Jan-08

5Jul-08

5Jan-09

5Jul-09

5Jan-10

5Jul-10

5Jan-11

5Jul-11

5Jan-12

5Jul-12

5Jan-13

5Jul-13

Historically, the Barbour ABI chart has provided a
reliable picture of future demand. It consolidates
planning  information  for  all  the  sub  sectors
requiring hard landscaping. On average, there is a
12  month  lag  between  contracts  being  awarded
and  the  landscape  products  being  required,  so
provides 12 month advance information on likely
future demand.

Corporate Development

There continues to be a potential for growth in the
Group's  existing  markets.  The  Group  has
significant  consented  stone  reserves,  particularly
of  dimensional  stone  and  aggregates  and
continues  to  seek  opportunities  to  expand
reserves  and  geographical 
In
dimensional stone Marshalls is the market leader
and the Group has now paved every street on the
London  Monopoly  Board.  The  Group  has  a
comprehensive  portfolio  of  natural  stone  types
along  with  state  of  the  art  manufacturing
equipment  and  excellent  specification  and
technical  sales  resources. The  table  below  shows

coverage. 

International 

strategy  has 

two
Marshalls’ 
elements.  Firstly,  in  Western  Europe,  the  Group’s
strategy  is  to  be  a  niche,  premium  product
supplier  to  the  Domestic  end  market.    In  March
2011,  the  Group  acquired  two  operational  sites
and manufacturing assets in Belgium, via a newly-
formed  subsidiary. This  enables  the  manufacture
of  landscape  products  locally  and  provides  a
physical  stock  location  in  mainland  Europe  from
which  to  supply  the  wider  Group’s  specialist
product portfolio. The aim is to provide products
that are not readily available in mainland Europe
and  sales  from  the  Belgium  base  have  increased
by 35 per cent, in local currency, in 2012. There are
over  40  million  people  living  within  a  two  hour
drive  from  the  two  sites,  an  area  that  covers
Belgium,  Holland,  Northern  France  and  parts  of
Germany.

Secondly, the Group is investing in a specification
sales  team  to  address  the  Public  Sector  and
Commercial end market where the lead times are
longer. The focus is on unique products that offer
the  market  something  new  and  different.    This
includes  security  products,  ethically  sourced
natural  stone  directly  from  India,  China  and
Vietnam  and  other  specialist  manufactured
products.  

Technology developed by the Belgium subsidiary
has  led  to  the  launch  in  the  UK  of  "Cobbletech,"
the Group’s new cobble effect driveway product.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

15

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Business Review  (continued)

Stancliffe Iron Stone

It was launched as a Marshalls’ Installer exclusive
product and represents the first really innovative
new driveway product for over a decade. 

International sales in the year ended 31 December
2012 were £13.5 million (2011: £11.7 million) and
the Group has a target of reaching £35 million by
2015.

Organisation and Key Contractual
Relationships

The  Group  operates  a  number  of  centrally
managed  production  units  throughout  the
United  Kingdom,  supported  by  a  single
integrated  logistics  and  distribution  operation.
The Group’s operating assets produce and deliver
a range of products that are sold into each market
area.  The  structure  gives  flexibility 
in  the
development  of  individual  products  under  the
Marshalls’  brand  whilst  providing  strategic  focus
through  the  integrated  national  and  centrally
administered functions.

The  Principal  Risks  section  on  pages  24  to  27
outlines  the  risk  management  aspects  of  the
Group’s contractual arrangements. Marshalls has a

16

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

wide range of suppliers and customers, and whilst
the  loss  of,  or  disruption  to,  certain  of  these
arrangements  could  temporarily  affect  the
Group’s  operations,  there  are  no  significant
contractual  arrangements  that  are  considered
essential to the Group’s business in the long term.
The Group remains keen to develop partnerships
with  both  suppliers  and  customers  in  order  to
maintain  high  standards  of  quality,  value,  ethics
and service throughout its operations. 

Corporate Responsibility

Marshalls  places  special  emphasis  on  Corporate
Responsibility and considers that this is very much
aligned  with  the  sustainable  and  economic
growth objectives which are for the benefit of all
stakeholders. 

Further  details  relating  to  social  and  community
issues,  including  employees,  health  and  safety,
the policies of the Group and the effectiveness of
these  policies,  are  set  out  in  the  Corporate
Responsibility Report on pages 30 to 39.

Research and Development

advantage 

competitive 

Marshalls  has  a  world  class  Manufacturing,
Innovation  and  Development  team,  staffed  by
high  calibre  engineers  and  technicians,  which
delivers 
through
machinery  design  and  installation.  Excellent
levels of product availability and on-time delivery
performance  have  enabled  distribution  costs  to
be  controlled  despite  pressures  from  legislation,
congestion  and  rising  fuel  prices.  The  Group  is
continually striving to improve the flexibility and
effectiveness  of  product  manufacture  and  is  at
the 
research  and
development. 

forefront  of 

technical 

Innovation  in  all  areas  of  the  business  over  an
extended  period  has  been  a  key  element  of  the
Group’s  success  and  significant  resources  will
continue  to  be 
invested 
in  Research  and
Development in the future. As disclosed in Note 3
research  and  development
on  page  107, 
expenditure in the year ended 31 December 2012
amounted to £2,425,000 (2011: £3,166,000).

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:08  Page 17

Business Review  (continued)

Financial History

Revenue (£’m)

363.9

297.8

308.8

graph has been disclosed on page 74 showing the
Group’s  TSR  compared  with  the  FTSE  250  Index
and the FTSE Small Cap Index.

334.1

309.7

Financial Review of 2012

Continuing  revenue  for  the  year  ended  31
December  2012  was  £309.7  million  (2011:  £334.1
million)  which  represented  a  decrease  of  7.3  per
cent.

2008

2009        2010        2011        2012

Operating profit (£’m) 
- before operational restructuring and work closure
costs and asset impairments

32.3

17.6

13.0

16.7

13.9

2008

2009        2010        2011        2012

Basic earnings per share (pence) 
- before operational restructuring and works 
closure costs, asset impairments and redemption
of debenture

11.16

5.85

4.21

6.30

5.87

Revenue

2011

Impact of weather

Sub-total

UK

International

2012

Change

£’m

%

334.1

(13.0)

321.1

(13.1)

1.7

(3.9)

(3.9)

0.5

309.7

(7.3)

In the Public Sector and Commercial end market
revenue  fell  by  6  per  cent.  Sales  volumes  were
down 10 per cent, of which 3 per cent was due to
the  impact  of  the  bad  weather,  and  sales  prices
were up by 4 per cent. In the Domestic end market
revenue  fell  by  12  per  cent.  Sales  volumes  were
down  16  per  cent,  of  which  the  weather
accounted for 6 per cent, and sales prices were up
4 per cent.

Sales to International markets increased by 15 per
cent  to  £13.5  million  and  were  4.3  per  cent  of
Group  revenue.  The  Group’s  target  for  2013  is  5
per cent of Group revenues.

2008

2009        2010        2011        2012

2012

2011 change

Operating profit and basic earnings per share are
disclosed  before  operational  restructuring  and
works  closure  costs,  goodwill  and  asset
impairments  and 
the
the 
debenture. 

redemption  of 

As  at  31  December  2012  the  Company’s  share
price  was  97.5  pence  per  share. When  dividends
are 
total
shareholder  return  (“TSR”)  of  40  per  cent  over  a
five  year  performance  period.  A  performance

this  gives  a  negative 

included 

Continuing operations

£’m

£’m

%

EBITDA*

30.0

35.0

(14.3)

Depreciation / amortisation

(16.1)

(18.3)

Operating profit*

13.9

16.7

(16.8)

*Excluding operational restructuring costs and asset
impairments

Operating profit, before operational restructuring
costs  and  asset  impairments,  was  £13.9  million
(2011:  £16.7  million).  The 
impact  of  the
unprecedented weather conditions was to reduce

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

17

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Business Review  (continued)

operating  profit  in  the  year  ended  31  December
2012  by  approximately  £3.3  million  which  was
partially offset by a net gain on asset and property
disposals of £1.9 million (2011: £1.4 million).  After
operational 
restructuring  costs  and  asset
impairments, the reported operating loss was £7.6
million (2011: £16.7 million profit). EBITDA, before
operational 
restructuring  costs  and  asset
impairments,  was  £30.0  million  (2011:  £35.0
million).

Margin reconciliation

Movement in

Operating  Margin

Revenue

Profit

Impact

2011

Property disposals and other

one-off items

Weather impact

£’m

334.1

–

(13.0)

321.1

Price increases to recover costs

13.6

Volume

(26.7)

Organic expansion of 

£’m

16.7

(0.2)

(3.3)

13.2

3.5

(5.3)

%

5.0

(0.1)

(0.8)

4.1

0.9

(1.3)

International

1.7

(0.3)

(0.1)

Profit improvement from

restructuring

2012

–

309.7

2.8

13.9

0.9

4.5

Operating profit was £13.9 million with a resulting
operating  margin  of  4.5  per  cent  (2011:  5.0  per
cent).  However,  once  the  impact  of  one-off
property  disposals  and  the  effect  of  the  bad
weather  in  2012  are  taken  into  account  the  "like
for  like"  margin  for  2011  was  4.1  per  cent.    The
impact  of  the  unprecedented  weather  in  2012
reduced  operating  profit  by  approximately  £3.3
million  and  margin  by  0.8  per  cent.  This  was
partially offset in the year by a net gain on asset
and property disposals of £1.9 million (2011:  £1.4
million).    In  the  year  ended  31  December  2012
realised  sales  price  increases  were  in  aggregate
around  4  per  cent  and  generated  additional
revenue  of  £13.6  million.  Once  inflationary  cost
increases are taken into account this generated an
additional  £3.5  million  of  operating  profit.  The
in  market
CPA  has  estimated  a  reduction 

construction  volumes  in  2012  of  8.8  per  cent.
Reduced sales gave rise to a fall in operating profit
of  £5.3  million  which  represents  a  margin
decrease of 1.3 per cent.

£2.8  million, 

The  improvement  in  operating  profit  resulting
from  the  operational  restructuring  initiatives  in
the  year  has  been
the  second  half  of 
a  margin
approximately 
improvement  of  0.9  per  cent.  When  markets
improve, there continues to be a real opportunity
to  benefit  both  from  improved  operational
gearing  in  both  sales  and  production  levels  and
from the lower cost base.

in 

Sales  growth 
International  end  markets
contributed  additional  revenue  of  £1.7  million.
The  contribution  from  this  revenue  growth  has
been offset by revenue investment in the Group's
International business.

Basic  EPS,  before  operational  restructuring  costs
and asset impairments, was 5.87 pence (2011: 6.30
pence). EPS on a reported basis was a 2.91 pence
loss (2011: 6.30 pence profit).

Analysis of sales by
end market sector

UK Domestic

2012

2011 change

£’m

£’m

%

96.6

109.2

(11.5)

Public Sector and Commercial

199.6

213.2

International

13.5

11.7

(6.4)

15.4

309.7

334.1

(7.3)

Overall Percentage

Domestic

Public Sector and Commercial

International

%

31.3

64.4

4.3

%

32.7

63.8

3.5

The  Public  Sector  and  Commercial  end  market
now comprises approximately 64 per cent of the
Group  revenue.  Like  for  like  revenue  showed  a
decrease  of  6  per  cent  in  the  year.  Sales  to  the
Domestic end market fell by 12 per cent.

18

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Group’s  Pension  Scheme.  The  IAS  19  notional
interest  comprises  interest  on  obligations  under
the  defined  benefit  section  of  the  Marshalls  plc
Pension  Scheme  net  of  the  expected  return  on
Scheme assets.

Taxation

The  effective  tax  rate,  before  operational
restructuring costs and asset impairments, was a
credit of 10.7 per cent (2011: 11.1 per cent charge)
and benefited from a credit to deferred tax due to
the  reduction  in  the  rate  of  corporation  tax,  a
credit  arising  on  the  finalisation  of  prior  year  tax
computations,  and  the  utilisation  of  brought
forward  capital  losses  being  applied  against  the
capital  gain  on  the  disposal  of  property  assets.
There was a tax credit of £4.4 million in relation to
operational 
restructuring  costs  and  asset
impairments.

Deferred  tax  of  £2.1  million  in  relation  to  the
actuarial  loss  arising  on  the  defined  benefit
Pension  Scheme  in  the  year  has  been  taken  to 
the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive
Income.

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:08  Page 19

Business Review  (continued)

Financial KPIs

The  key  financial  KPIs  were  set  out  on  page  8.
Performance  against  these  targets  continues  to
be affected by the severe economic recession that
has impacted the UK economy and therefore the
Group’s markets. Measured at 31 December 2012,
performance was as follows:

•

Revenue growth 

Against  a  target  of  7  per  cent  per  annum
growth, over a three year period, the  Group’s
revenue  has  increased  by  1.3  per  cent  (2009-
2012) on a CAGR basis. 

•

Earnings per share growth 

Against  a  target  of  RPI  +  21  per  cent  over  a
three  year  period  the  Group’s  earnings  per
share  (before  operational  restructuring  and
works  closure  costs  and  asset  impairments)
has increased by 0.3 per cent (2009-2012).

• Operating cash flow growth 

Against  a  target  of  RPI  +  21  per  cent  over  a
three  year  period  the  Group’s  operating  cash
flow has fallen by 28.9 per cent (2009-2012). 

•

Return on capital employed (ROCE) is defined
as EBITA / Shareholders’ funds plus Net Debt

ROCE  for  2012  was  6.1  per  cent  which  is
compared  with  the  long  term  target  of  15.0
per cent.

To  support  these,  the  Group  operates  a  range  of
short term KPIs.

Net Financial Expenses 

Net  financial  expenses  were  £3.5  million  (2011:
£3.0  million)  and  interest  was  covered  3.9  times
(2011: 5.6 times) before operational restructuring
costs  and  asset  impairments.  Higher  external
charges, totalling £4.2 million, have been partially
offset by an IAS 19 notional interest credit of £0.7
million  (2011:  £0.5  million)  in  relation  to  the

Classical Flagstones, Rochester

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

19

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:08  Page 20

Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Fixed assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Sub-total

2012

2011

£’m

£’m

217.7

236.3

105.6

122.6

(64.3)

(63.4)

(20.1)

(25.3)

238.9

270.2

Employee benefits (before deferred tax)

8.2

13.0

Net debt

Net assets

Period end gearing

(63.5)

(77.1)

183.6

206.1

34.6% 37.4%

Net  assets  at  31  December  2012  were  £183.6
million (2011: £206.1 million).

The  Group  continues  to  keep  a  tight  control  of
receivables  and  debtor  days  remain  industry
leading. The balance sheet at 31 December 2012
shows trade and other receivables have fallen to
£30.2  million  (2011:  £40.3  million)  due  partly  to
lower  market  activity  levels  but  also  through
continued  close  control  of  credit  management
procedures.  The Group maintains credit insurance
which provides excellent intelligence to minimise
the number and value of bad debts and ultimately
provides compensation if bad debts are incurred. 

The  Group's  UK  inventory  reduction  programme
has  led  to  a  reduction  of  £4.9  million  and  the
Group  is  targeting  a  further  reduction  of  £5
million in 2013. 

Business Review  (continued)

Dividends

An  interim  dividend  of  1.75  pence  (2011:  1.75
pence) per share was paid on 7 December 2012. A
final dividend of 3.50 pence (2011: 3.50 pence) per
share is now being recommended for payment on
5 July 2013 to shareholders on the register at the
close of business on 7 June 2013.  The ex-dividend
date  will  be  5  June  2013.  This  gives  a  total
dividend  of  5.25  pence  (2011:  5.25  pence)  per
share for the year.  

The Group has a policy of 2 times dividend cover
over 
the  business  cycle.  Future  dividend
payments  will  take  into  account  the  Group’s
underlying  earnings,  cash  flows  and  capital
investment  plans,  and  the  need  to  maintain  an
appropriate level of dividend cover.

Dividend per ordinary share (pence)*
Traditional basis

5.37

5.25

5.25

5.25

5.25

2008

2009        2010        2011        2012

Dividend per ordinary share (pence)*
IFRS basis

12.38

5.25

5.25

5.25

3.05

2008

2009        2010        2011        2012

* Dividends per share have been adjusted by the
“bonus factor” in the Rights Issue.

20

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Inglestone Natural Stone

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:09  Page 21

Business Review  (continued)

Risk  management  has  been  a  key  focus  for  the
Group’s Pension Scheme over recent years and the
actions  the  Group  has  taken  have  reduced
actuarial volatility and risk. In accordance with the
Scheme-specific  funding  and  recovery  plan,  the
Group  made  cash  contributions  of  £3.6  million
into the Scheme in the year ended 31 December
2012.  In  2013  and  beyond  the  expected  annual
contribution will be £5.6 million. The fair value of
the  Scheme  assets  at  31  December  2012
increased to £254.8 million (2011: £250.6 million)
and  the  present  value  of  funded  obligations
increased to £246.6 million (2011: £237.6 million)
and this has given rise to an accounting surplus of
£8.2  million  (2011:  £13.0  million  surplus)  at  the
balance sheet date. These changes have resulted
in  an  actuarial  loss,  net  of  deferred  taxation,  of
£7.0 million (2011: £7.5 million actuarial gain) and
this  has  been  recorded  in  the  Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income. In the year
ended 31 December 2012 the AA corporate bond
rate reduced from 4.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent and
the values have been determined by the Scheme
Actuary  using  assumptions  in  line  with  current
market levels.

Analysis of Net Debt

Analysis of net debt 

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank loans < 12 months

Bank loans > 12 months

Finance leases

2012

2011

£’m

11.1

(0.1)

£’m

6.0

(25.0)

(74.3)

(57.9)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(63.5)

(77.1)

management  and  tight  credit  control. The  one-off
operational restructuring costs have given rise to a
cash  outflow  of  £7.4  million  and  the  operational
impact has reduced cash outflows by £5.4 million.
These changes have led to a benefit in the Income
Statement of £2.8 million.

Working capital has successfully released cash in the
year of £12.1 million. Inventory has been reduced by
£4.9 million and receivables have also been reduced,
partly  due  to  a  lower  level  of  activity  and  partly
through  continued  close  control  of  credit
management  procedures.  Cash  management
continues to be a high priority and the Group remains
committed to realising value from surplus properties. 

Borrowing facilities

The  Group  continues 
its  policy  of  having
significant committed bank facilities in place with
a  positive  spread  of  medium  term  maturities.  In
March  2012  bank  debt  facilities,  which  were  to
mature  in  December  2012  and  January  2013
totalling  £75  million  in  aggregate,  were  re-
financed  with  extended  maturity  dates  to  2015
and 2016. In addition, in August 2012, the Group
renewed  its  short  term  working  capital  facilities
with RBS.

At  31  December  2012  net  debt  was  £63.5  million
(2011: £77.1 million) resulting in gearing of 34.6 per
cent  (2011:  37.4  per  cent). This  reduction  is  partly
due  to  reductions  in  inventory  and  the  effective
management  of  working  capital.  In  addition,  the
Group  has  successfully  completed  targeted
property sales in the year realising £8.6 million. This
included  the  sale  of  an  office  building  for  £6.1
million which the Group agreed to lease back under
an operating lease over 25 years.  The Group has set
a target of achieving a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2
times by the end of 2013 and continues to focus on
expenditure
inventory 

reduction, 

capital 

Classical Flagstone, Rosetta Grey Mosaic

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

21

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:09  Page 22

Business Review  (continued)

The  strategy  is  to  retain  significant  committed
facilities  and  the  Group  has  no  need  for  further
committed  facility  renewals  for  two  years.  The
total  bank  borrowing  facilities  at  31  December
2012  amounted  to  £170.0  million  (2011:  £170.0
million)  of  which  £95.7  million  (2011:  £87.1
million)  remained  unutilised.  In  addition,  the
Group  has  a  seasonal  working  capital  facility  of
£20.0  million  which  is  available  between  1
February and 31 August each year.  The Group has
significant headroom in its facilities with year end
debt  at  31  December  2012 
representing
approximately  37  per  cent  of  the  available
facilities.

Interest cover and net debt to EBITDA covenants
in the facilities were met at the year end. The bank
facilities  are  unsecured  save  for  inter-company
guarantees between the Group and its subsidiary
undertakings in favour of the facility banks.

The Group has a robust balance sheet with a good
range of medium term bank facilities available to
fund investment initiatives to generate growth as
market conditions improve.

£m   220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Dec 2012

Dec 2013*

On demand: Seasonal (Feb to Aug)

On demand: Overdrafts (all year)

Committed

Net debt

*2013 based on consensus information

22

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Cash generation

Group Cash Flow

Net cash from operating activitives (before

pension contributions and operational 

restructuring)

Operational restructuring

Pension contributions

Net cash from operating activities

Working capital investment in International

Free cash flow

Net cash from investing activities

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and

2012

2011

£’m

£’m

35.7

19.6

(7.4)

(3.6)

24.7

-

24.7

(1.2)

(6.6)

11.8

4.1

15.9

(0.7)

(15.8)

(10.3)

(10.3)

cash equivalents

13.7

(10.2)

Movement in debt and lease financing

(0.1)

(0.1)

Movement in net debt in the period

Net debt at beginning of period

Net debt at end of period

13.6

(10.3)

(77.1)

(66.8)

(63.5)

(77.1)

The Group continues to be cash generative.  In the
year ended 31 December 2012 the free cash flow
was  £24.7  million  (2011:  £15.9  million).  The
comparative  figure  reflects  the  fact  that  £4.1
million was invested in 2011 to fund the growth of
working  capital  in  the  Group’s  International
operations. This has been included within the net
cash outflow from investing activities in the above
analysis.  Reported  net  cash  flow  from  operating
activities  was  £24.7  million  (2011:  £11.8  million)
after deducting £7.4 million (2011: £1.2 million) of
to
one-off  cash  expenditure 
operational restructuring and works closure costs
paid  and  pension  contributions  of  £3.6  million
(2011: £6.6 million). 

relation 

in 

Reduced inventory volumes have released cash of
approximately £4.9 million. There has been a net
cash  inflow  of  £7.2  million  from  monetary
working capital.

represents  a  significant  reduction  from  earlier
levels.  This  reduction  has  been  possible  as  a
consequence  of  the  major  capital  investment
programme  in  the  first  half  of  the  last  decade,
which  has  given  the  Group  efficient,  industry
leading  manufacturing  and  distribution  facilities,
and  has  enabled  it  to  reduce  capital  expenditure
during the downturn to preserve cash.

The  Group  has  also  invested  £7.6  million  in
business  acquisitions  in  the  last  three  years  and
paid  £16.8  million 
in  Pension  Scheme
contributions.  Cash  generation  before  dividends
has been £36.5 million over the last three years. Net
debt has fallen by £5.6 million, in the same period,
with gearing falling to 34.6 per cent.

As  explained  earlier,  the  Group’s  cash  generation
performance against detailed cash flow targets is a
strategic  KPI.  In  2012,  the  short  term  targets  that
were  set  by  the  Board  to  support  this  were
achieved. The Board’s current short term objective
is  to  conserve  cash  wherever  possible  and  to
maintain gearing at around the current level.

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  27/03/2013  07:52  Page 23

Business Review  (continued)

Analysis of cash utilisation

Free cash flow 

Capital expenditure

Proceeds from sale of property assets

Investment/acquisitions*

Disposal proceeds

Finance leases

Cash returned to shareholders

Movement in net debt

2012

2011

£’m

24.7

£’m

15.9

(9.5)

(13.6)

8.6

-

0.2

(0.1)

5.4

(8.2)

0.6

(0.1)

(10.3)

(10.3)

13.6

(10.3)

*Including working capital relating to International expansion
in 2011 of £4.1 million.

Total  expenditure  on  capital  expenditure
(including  intangible  assets)  in  the  year  was  £9.5
million  (2011:  £13.6  million).  The  majority  of  this
expenditure  was  invested  in  the  replacement  of
existing assets, in business improvements and new
process  technology.  Proceeds  from  the  sale  of
targeted property assets contributed £8.6 million.

Dividend payments in the year were £10.3 million
(2011: £10.3 million). 

The utilisation of cash over the last three years is
illustrated below:

Analysis of cash utilisation, 2010-2012

Operational cash generation

Capital expenditure

Acquisitions / disposals

Pension contributions

Other financing items

Sub-total

Cash returned to shareholders

Movement in net debt

Net debt

Capital employed

Gearing

£’m

78.2

(17.2)

(7.6)

(16.8)

(0.1)

36.5

(30.9)

5.6

2009

2012

£’m

£’m

(69.1)

(63.5)

181.1

183.6

38.2% 34.6%

This  chart  provides  a  medium  term  three  year
analysis  of  the  cash  generation  capacity  of  the
Group and how cash generated has been utilised.
Cash generated from operating activities was £78.2
million.  The  Group  has  re-invested  £17.2  million
back into the business in the last three years, which

Fairstone Driveway Setts, Autumn Bronze

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

23

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:09  Page 24

Business Review  (continued)

Principal Risks and Risk
Management

The  Group’s  Risk  Committee  determines  the
Group’s  approach  to  risk,  its  policies  and  the
procedures  that  are  put  in  place  to  mitigate
exposure to risk. There is a formal ongoing process
to identify, assess and analyse risks and those of a
more  material  nature  are  included  in  the  Group
Risk  Register. The  Group  Risk  Register  is  reviewed
and  updated  at  least  every  six  months  and  the
overall  process  is  the  subject  of  regular  review.
Occasional  modifications  are  made  to  facilitate
reporting  and 
the  consistent
to  ensure 
identification  and  classification  of  risks  across  the
wider Group. Risks are recorded with a full analysis
and risk owners are nominated who have authority
and responsibility for assessing and managing the
risk. All risks are analysed for impact and probability
to determine exposure and impact to the business
and  the  determination  of  a  “gross  risk  score”
enables  risk  exposure  to  be  prioritised.  External
risks  include  the  weather,  political  and  economic
conditions,  the  effect  of  legislation  or  other
regulatory  actions,  the  actions  of  competitors,
foreign exchange, raw material prices and pension
funding.    Internal  risks  include  investment  in  new
products, new business strategies and acquisitions.

The Group seeks to mitigate exposure to all forms
of  strategic,  financial  and  operational  risk  both
external  and  internal.  The  effectiveness  of  key
mitigating  controls  is  continually  monitored  and

such  controls  are  subjected  to  internal  audit  and
periodic  testing  in  order  to  provide  independent
verification where this is deemed appropriate. The
effectiveness  and  impact  of  key  controls  are
evaluated and this is used to determine a “net risk
score” for each risk. The process is used to develop
action plans that are used to manage, or respond
to, the risks and these are monitored and reviewed
on a regular basis by the Group’s Risk Committee.

The  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the
Group are described below.

Strategic Risks
Economic Conditions

The  Group  is  susceptible  to  any  economic
downturn  and  is  dependent  on  the  level  of
activity in its markets. In the Domestic end market
activity 
levels  are  driven  by  many  factors
including  general  economic  conditions,  interest
rates,  inflation,  unemployment,  demographic
trends,  general  uncertainty  in  the  financial
markets  and  the  availability  of  credit.  These
factors  also  affect  activity  levels  in  the  Public
Sector and Commercial end market where activity
levels are also affected by the extent and speed of
delivery of planned Government investment. The
Group’s  aim 
to  ensure  an  excellent
understanding  of  market  conditions  by  constant
communication  with  customers,  installers  and
domestic  consumers,  together  with  significant
investment 
in  market  research  and  active
membership  of  the  CPA.  Close  monitoring  of
trends  and  lead  indicators  enables  the  Group  to
identify and implement necessary action plans to
address  issues  that  are  affecting  trading.  The
balance of revenue between the consumer driven
Domestic  end  market  and  the  Public  Sector  and
Commercial  end  market  also  helps  mitigate  the
potential impact of these risks.

is 

The additional investment the Group has made to
expand its International operations has increased
the  Group’s  exposure  to  European  markets.
Despite  the  increasingly  uncertain  economic
backdrop  the  low  cost  nature  of  the  investment
has helped mitigate the overall risk.

Marshalls Mistral Priora, Silver Grey

24

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:09  Page 25

Business Review  (continued)

Competitor Activity

A  failure  to  compete  with  competitors  on  price,
product range, quality and service could have an
adverse effect on the Group’s financial results. The
increase  in  demand  for  imported  natural  stone
products  may  also  attract  new 
low  cost
competitors into the market but the development
of  the  Group’s  Chinese  supply  chain  for  stone
products  has  helped  complement  the  more
traditional  source  of  supply  from  India.  This
initiative  has  provided  the  Group  with  a  broader
range  of  supply  options  and  a  wider  selection  of
product  solutions  across  extended  International
end  markets.  All  these  areas  are  monitored  on  a
constant  basis  and  the  Customer  Service  Index
remains one of the Board’s key strategic KPIs.  The
Group  continues  to  invest  in  strategies  that
enhance the Marshalls brand.

Increases in the price of oil, utilities and
other raw materials

Any significant increases in the price of oil, utilities
and other raw materials could adversely affect the
Group’s  performance.  Diversity  of  operations
reduces the risk on any single item on supplies and
purchasing policies seek to take into account and
mitigate  such  risks,  where  possible.  Where
appropriate, the Group uses hedging instruments
to mitigate the risk of significant forward increases
in fuel price.

Financial Risks
Access to Funding

The Group requires continued access to debt funding
in order to meet its trading obligations and to support
the growth of the business. In March 2012 bank debt
facilities, which were to mature in December 2012 and
January 2013 totalling £75 million in aggregate, were
re-financed with extended maturity dates to 2015 and
2016.  In addition, in August 2012, the Group renewed
its  short  term  working  capital  facilities  with  RBS.
Uncertainty in financial markets means that there is a
potential risk that the Group may be unable to obtain
additional funds when needed or may be able to do so
on unfavourable terms although the facility renewals
agreed  in  2012  have  served  to  mitigate  this  risk.  A
breach of bank covenants could result in elements of
the  Group’s  borrowings  becoming  immediately
repayable.  

The Group has significant committed facilities in place
with a good spread of medium term maturities. The
Group manages its medium term bank debt to ensure
continuity of funding and the policy continues to be to
arrange  funding  ahead  of  requirements  and  to
maintain  sufficient  un-drawn  committed  bank
facilities. To mitigate these risks the Group constantly
reviews its strategic forward plans to reflect changing
market  conditions  with  the  aim  of  maintaining
significant  headroom  against  its  facilities.  Medium
term financial forecasts and shorter term budgets are
regularly reviewed to assess financing requirements to
ensure sufficient headroom against facilities.

Financial Instruments

The  main  risks  arising  from  the  Group’s  financial
instruments are liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit
risk, pricing risk and foreign currency risk. The Board
reviews  and  agrees  policies  for  managing  each  of
these risks and these are summarised in Note 19 on
pages 120 to 125 of the Financial Statements. These
policies have remained unchanged since 2011. It is
the  Group’s  policy,  and  has  been  throughout  the
period under review, that no speculative trading in
financial instruments shall be undertaken.

Escofet Bench, Olympic Athletes Village

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

25

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Business Review  (continued)

The  Group  enters  into  forward  foreign  currency
contract  derivative  transactions  of  relatively  small
value.    The  purpose  of  such  transactions  is  to
manage the currency risks arising from the Group’s
operations.  The Group manages its insurance risk
by  continuous  review  and  by  maintaining  a
balance between capped self insurance and third
party cover against major catastrophes.

Pensions

the 

The defined benefit section of the Pension Scheme
was closed to future service accrual on 1 July 2006
introduction  of  a  new  defined
and 
contribution  section  to  the  Pension  Scheme  has
allowed  the  Group  to  manage  risk  better  and
reduce  volatility  in  the  future.    Nevertheless  the
Group continues to be subject to various financial
risks in relation to the Pension Scheme, principally
the volatility of the discount (AA corporate bond)
rate  relative  to  gilt  yields,  any  downturn  in  the
performance  of  equities  and  increases  in  the
longevity  of  members.  The  sensitivity  to  the  AA
corporate bond rate is broadly that, all other things
being  equal,  a  0.1  per  cent  movement  in  the
discount  rate  is  equivalent  to  a  movement  of
approximately  £4.2  million 
in  the  Scheme
liabilities.  Under  the  Liability  Driven  Investment
(“LDI”)  strategy  adopted  by  the  Scheme  this

26

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Classical Flagstones, Aurora

sensitivity would be offset very substantially by a
movement in Scheme assets where the change in
AA corporate bond yield is simply a movement in
line with fixed interest securities in general.

The sensitivity to inflation is broadly that, all other
things  being  equal,  a  0.1  per  cent  movement  is
equivalent to a movement in the Scheme liabilities
of  broadly  £1.5  million,  although  this  would  also
be  offset  almost  entirely  by  a  movement  in
Scheme assets. As far as mortality is concerned an
increase  of  one  year  in  life  expectancy  would,  all
other things being equal, give rise to an increase in
Scheme  liabilities  of  approximately  £8.0  million.
Risk  management  remains  a  core  theme  of  the
Group’s Pension Scheme strategy and the previous
transfer  of  a  proportion  of  Scheme  assets  from
equities to liability driven investments is a further
example  of  an  action  that  has  reduced  volatility
and risk.

Operational Risk
Business Integration

Marshalls  continues  to  make  strategic  business
acquisitions  that  might  have  an  impact  on  the
performance and risk profile of the Group. These risks
are mitigated by extensive due diligence and where
practicable, by representations and indemnities from
the  vendors.  The  integration  of  acquisitions  also
involves  a  number  of  further  risks  including  the
diversion  of  management’s  attention  and  the
retention  of  key  personnel  within  the  acquired
business. In this regard each acquisition is supported
by a detailed integration plan covering all key areas of
activity  and  dedicated  project  teams  containing
employees  from  the  wider  Group  with  the
appropriate  skills  required.  To  support  and  enable
future growth the Group has upgraded its IT systems
to  ensure  a  common  platform  across  all  business
units.  All  IT  systems  development  projects  are
actively  and  carefully  planned  with  defined
governance and control procedures in place. They are
also  supported  by  independent  risk  and  project
management audits to ensure that procedures and
policies  are  in  line  with  leading  best  practice.  An
important  element  is  to  ensure  that  the  risks  of
disruption  to  the  business  are  controlled  and
minimised.

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Business Review  (continued)

The  integration  of  the  Group’s  recently  acquired
Belgium  operations  is  nearing  completion  and
consequently  the    risks  associated  with  this
investment have reduced during 2012.

Employees

Current economic uncertainty may have increased
the  possible  risk  of  staff  turnover  and  may
potentially  de-motivate  remaining  staff.  One  of
the  Group’s  key  strengths  is  the  quality  and
experience  of  its  employees  and  significant
resource  continues  to  be  directed  towards
training,  personal  development  and  succession
planning.

Key Relationships

The  Group  has  strong  relationships  with  its
business partners while seeking to ensure that it is
not  dependent  on  any  single  category  of
customer, contractor or supplier. Business dealings
are governed by a combination of longer term and
single transaction written contractual terms.

Group Outlook

Marshalls  acted  swiftly  and  decisively  to  reduce
both production output and the cost  base whilst
retaining  substantial  operating  and  financial
flexibility.  Net  debt  has  been  reduced  to  £63.5
million and the Group is already close to achieving
its target of 2 times net debt to EBITDA by the end
of 2013.

The  general  economic  background  remains
unpredictable and economic forecasts for 2013 are
flat.  Commercial  demand,  particularly  from  Rail
Infrastructure  and  Home  Development 
is
improving,  the  Installer  market  is  showing  good
International
order  books  and  the  Group’s 
business  is  delivering  strong  year  on  year  sales
growth.  Marshalls  has  a  leading  position  in  its
markets with unrivalled geographic coverage. The
Group remains focused on product innovation and
service  delivery  initiatives  to  deliver  sales  growth
and improve trading margins. There is no change
in  our  expectations  for  the  current  year  and  the
Group continues to remain well placed to achieve
growth when market conditions improve.

Stanton Moor Sandstone Cladding, York

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

27

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Directors’ Biographical Notes

Andrew Allner (59) (2,3)
Non-Executive Chairman

Ian Burrell (55)
Finance Director 

Term  of  Office:  Appointed  to  the  Board  in  July
2003 and appointed as Chairman of the Board on
12  May  2010.  Last  re-elected  in  May  2012.  Also
chairs the Nomination Committee.
Independent: Yes
Skills  and  experience:  Andrew  Allner  is  a  Non-
Executive  Director,  Senior  Independent  Director
and  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  at  AZ
Electronic Materials SA and also serves as a Non-
Executive  Director  and  Chairman  of  the  Audit
Committee  at  CSR  plc  and  Northgate  plc.    He  is
Non-Executive  Chairman  of  Fox  Marble  Holdings
plc. He is also a Senior Independent Director and
Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  of  The  Go-
Ahead  Group  plc  and  will  assume  the  role  of
Chairman with effect from 25 April 2013.  He was
previously  Group  Finance  Director  of  RHM  plc,
taking  a  lead  role  in  its  flotation  in  July  2005  on
the London Stock Exchange.  Prior to joining RHM
plc, Andrew Allner was Chief Executive Officer of
Enodis  plc,  and  he  has  also  served  in  senior
executive  positions  with  Dalgety  plc,  Amersham
International plc and Guinness plc. He is a former
partner of Price Waterhouse and is a Fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and
Wales. He is a graduate of Oxford University.

Graham Holden (53) 
Chief Executive 

Term of Office: Appointed to the Board in 1992.
Last re-elected in May 2012.
Independent: No
Skills and experience: Graham Holden joined the
Group in 1986. He is a Chartered Accountant and
graduate  of the Harvard Advanced Management
Programme.  He  was  previously  Group  Finance
Director,  and  has  held  other  senior  executive
positions within the Group.  He was appointed to
his current position on 1 January 2004.  He is also
a  Non-Executive  Director  of  KCOM  Group  Plc,
appointed  in  2007,  and  chairs  its  Remuneration
Committee.  He  is  Chairman  of  the Yorkshire  and
Humber  Regional  Advisory  Board  of  Business  in
the  Community,  and  served  as  the  Prince’s
Ambassador to the region until 21 June 2012. He
also serves on the Board of the Mineral Products
Association and is a Visiting Fellow in the School
of Management at Cranfield University.

28

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Term  of  Office: Appointed  to  the  Board  in  June
2001. Last re-elected in May 2012.
Independent: No
Skills  and  experience:
Ian  Burrell  joined  the
Group in 2001. He is a Chartered Accountant and
has held a number of senior financial positions in
industry, including that of Group Finance Director
at Cornwell Parker plc. He is also Chairman of the
Trustee Company of the Group’s Pension Scheme,
and is a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of
the Audit Committee of Leeds Trinity University.

David Sarti (47)
Chief Operating Officer 

Term of Office: Appointed to the Board in
November 2004. Last re-elected in May 2012.
Independent: No
Skills and experience: Joined the Group in March
2001  as  Group  Operations  Director  having
previously  been  a  business  strategy  consultant
with Accenture.  He is a Chartered Director. He is
also a Non-Executive Director of a private group of
companies  in  the  distribution  and  retail  sector,
and  serves  on  the  Board  of  the  British  Pre-Cast
Concrete Federation Limited.

Alan Coppin (62)  (1,2,3)
Non-Executive Director

Term  of  Office: Appointed  to  the  Board  in  May
2010,  and  last  re-elected  in  May  2012.  He  is  the
Senior  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  and
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.
Independent: Yes
Skills and experience: Alan Coppin has extensive
cross-sector  governance  and  management
experience. He is a Non-Executive Director of the
Royal  Air  Force  and  of  Berkeley  Group  Holdings
plc,  where  he  chairs 
the  Remuneration
Committee.  He  is  also  a  Patron  of  the  Windsor
Leadership  Trust.  His  previous  roles  include
chairmanship  of  the  Prince’s  Foundation  for  the
Built 
Non-Executive
directorships  at  Capital  and  Regional  plc  and
Carillion plc.

Environment 

and 

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:10  Page 29

Directors’ Biographical Notes (continued)

Mark Edwards (58) (1,2,3)
Non-Executive Director  

Tim Pile (60) (1,2,3)
Non-Executive Director 

Term  of  Office: Appointed  to  the  Board  in  May
2010,  and  last  re-elected  in  May  2012.  Chairman
of the Audit Committee.
Independent: Yes
Skills  and  experience: Mark  Edwards  is  a
Chartered  Accountant  with  a  strong  financial
background  and  wide  UK  and  international
experience,  especially  in  the  manufacturing
sector.  He  is  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  AIM
Aviation  Limited,  and  was 
formerly  Chief
Executive of the Baxi Group. He has also served as
Vice  President  of  the  Construction  Products
Association.

Advisers

Stockbrokers
Citigroup Global Markets Limited
Numis Securities Limited

Auditors
KPMG Audit Plc

Legal Advisers
Herbert Smith LLP
Eversheds LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP

Financial Advisers
N M Rothschild & Sons Limited

Bankers
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Lloyds TSB Bank plc
HSBC Bank plc
Barclays Bank plc

the 

Term  of  Office: Appointed  to  the  Board  in
October 2010 and last re-elected in May 2012.
Independent: Yes
Skills  and  experience:  Tim  Pile  is  the  Executive
Chairman  of  Cogent  Elliott, 
leading
independent marketing agency, and was formerly
Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury's Bank. He has
held  a  number  of  senior  roles  in  the  financial
services  and  marketing  industries  and  has  wide
business  experience.  Tim  is  a  Non-Executive
Director of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and is
the  President  elect  of  the  Greater  Birmingham
Chambers of Commerce. He is also a Governor of
Bromsgrove  School.    Previous  Non-Executive
Director roles include Cancer Research UK.

Board Committee Membership
1 - Member of the Audit Committee
2 - Member of the Nomination Committee
3 - Member of the Remuneration Committee

Cathy Baxandall
Group Company Secretary

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

Shareholders’ enquiries should be addressed 
to the Registrars at the above address 
(Tel: 0870 707 1134)

Registered Office

Birkby Grange
Birkby Hall Road
Huddersfield HD2 2XB

Telephone: 01484 438900
Facsimile: 01484 438945

Internet address:
www.marshalls.co.uk

Registered in England and Wales: No. 5100353

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

29

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Corporate Responsibility

“Against a challenging economic backdrop, 2012 saw Marshalls take further steps along
its continuing Corporate Responsibility journey and further embed responsible business
practices with the Group. We aim to align our business values, purpose and strategy with
the  social,  economic  and  environmental  needs  of  our  stakeholders,  embedding
responsible and ethical business policies and practices in everything we do.” 

Marshalls  is  widely  regarded  as  a  leader  in  its
sector  for  Corporate  Responsibility  ("CR")  and
Sustainable  business  practices.  The  Group
continues  to  find  increasingly  innovative  and
meaningful  ways  to  communicate,  consult  and
engage  with  customers,  employees,  suppliers,
partners  and  wider  stakeholders  on  sustainable
issues.

The Group’s drive to maintain high standards and
operate in a sustainable manner is headed up by
Board Director David Sarti who is responsible for
managing  the  key  elements  of  the  Group’s
Corporate Responsibility Policy and who regularly
reports  to  the  Board  on  its  application  and
development.  He  is  supported  directly  by  the
Group Marketing Director and the Group Head of
Sustainability.  As  CR  and  Sustainability  become
increasingly  embedded  throughout  operations
more  employees  are  becoming  directly  involved
with the Group’s commitment to the sustainability
agenda.

Marshalls’ approach is driven by transparency and
membership of a carefully selected number of key
that  provide  both  an  effective
initiatives 
framework  for  implementation  and  a  learning
environment  as  the  Group  seeks  to  understand
these complex issues. 

The Group continues to be a constituent member
of  the  FTSE4Good  UK  Index.  The  Group  is  a
member of Business in the Community ("BITC"), a
signatory  of  the  United  Nations  Global  Compact
("UNGC")  and  a  member  of  the  Ethical  Trade
Initiative  ("ETI").  In  addition  we  work  with
internationally  recognised  expert  bodies  such  as
the  Carbon  Trust,  the  Wildlife  Trust  and  the
Woodland Trust.

The United Nations
Global Compact

The  UNGC  is  a  strategic  policy
initiative  for  businesses  that  are
committed 
their
operations and strategies with ten
universally accepted principles in the areas of human
rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

to  aligning 

The  UNGC  now  has  over  10,000  corporate
participants and other stakeholders from over 130
countries and it is the largest voluntary corporate
responsibility initiative in the world. *

* United Nations Global Compact website, “About
us”, 11 February 2012
w w w.unglobalcompac t.org/AboutTheGC/
index.html.

The UNGC is a practical framework for the development,
implementation, and disclosure of sustainability policies
and practices, offering participants a wide spectrum of
workstreams, management tools and resources that are
all  designed  to  help  advance  sustainable  business
models and markets.

Overall,  the  UNGC  pursues  two  complementary
objectives:
1. Mainstream  the  10  principles  in  business

activities around the world.

Human Rights
•

Principle  1:  Businesses  should  support  and
respect  the  protection  of  internationally
proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: Businesses should make sure that
they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

•

30

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Labour
•

Principle  3:  Businesses  should  uphold  the
freedom  of  association  and  the  effective
recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:10  Page 31

Corporate Responsibility (continued)

•

•

•

Principle  4:  The  elimination  of  all  forms  of
forced and compulsory labour;
Principle  5:  The  effective  abolition  of  child
labour; and
Principle  6:  The  elimination  of  discrimination
in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment
•

Principle  7:  Businesses  should  support  a
precautionary  approach  to  environmental
challenges;
Principle  8:  Businesses  should  undertake
initiatives  to  promote  greater  environmental
responsibility; and
Principle  9:  Businesses  should  encourage  the
development and diffusion of environmentally
friendly technologies.

•

•

Anti-Corruption
•

Principle  10:  Businesses  should  work  against
corruption in all its forms, including extortion
and bribery.

2. Catalyse  actions  in  support  of  broader  UN
goals, including the Millennium Development
Goals ("MDGs").

The  UNGC  asks  companies  to  embrace,  support
and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of
core  values  in  the  areas  of  human  rights,  labour
standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

The UNGC has shaped an initiative that provides
collaborative  solutions  to  the  most  fundamental
challenges facing both business and society. The
initiative seeks to combine the best properties of
the United Nations (“UN”), such as moral authority
and  convening  power,  with  the  Private  Sector’s
solution-finding strengths, and the expertise and
capacities of a range of key stakeholders.

Marshalls  sees  the  following  benefits  from
engagement:  

• Adopting  an  established  and  globally
the
recognised  policy 
development, implementation, and disclosure
of  environmental,  social,  and  governance
policies and practices;

framework 

for 

•

Sharing  best  and  emerging  practices  to
advance  practical  solutions  and  strategies  to
common challenges;

• Advancing 

solutions 

sustainability 

in
partnership  with  a  range  of  stakeholders,
including  UN  agencies,  governments,  civil
society, 
labour,  and  other  non-business
interests;
Linking business units and subsidiaries across
the  value  chain  with  the  UNGC's  Local
Networks around the world;

•

• Accessing  the  UN’s  extensive  knowledge  of
and  experience  with  sustainability  and
development issues; and

• Utilising  UNGC  management  tools  and
resources,  and  the  opportunity  to  engage  in
specialised workstreams in the environmental,
social and governance realms.

as 

policy 

known 

The  UNGC  incorporates  a  transparency  and
accountability 
the
Communication  on  Progress  ("COP"). The  annual
posting of a COP is an important demonstration of
a  participant's  commitment  to  the  UNGC  and  its
principles.  Participating  companies  are  required
to  follow  this  policy,  as  a  commitment  to
transparency  and  disclosure  is  critical  to  the
success of the initiative.

Marshalls’ annual COP can be found on the UNGC
website:  www.unglobalcompact.org/participant/
6385-Marshalls-plc.

At  the  end  of  2012  Marshalls  Group  Marketing
Director,  Chris  Harrop,  became  the  Chairman  of
the  UNGC  UK  Network,  further  demonstrating
Marshalls’  commitment  to  the  UNGC  and  its  CR
journey.

Business in the Community

and 

Marshalls’  continued  membership  of  BITC  both
the  Group’s
demonstrates 
commitment to responsible business practice and
engagement with employees, customers and the
communities in which it operates.

enables 

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

31

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

Marshalls  has  attained  ‘Gold’  status  in  the  2012
results ranked against this assessment.

Details can be found via the BITC website:
www.bitc.org.uk/our-services/benchmarking-
recognition/cr-index.

Superbrand

Building upon its rating for 2012, Marshalls once again
achieved Business to Business Superbrand status for
2013. This accolade follows a robust research process
administered independently by The Centre for Brand
Analysis  which  analyses  the  views  of  a  council  of
experts and 2,000 UK business professionals.

The  BITC  CR  Index  is  a  robust  tool  to  help
companies  systematically  measure,  manage  and
integrate  responsible  business  practice,  under
which  companies  are  assessed  using  the
following framework:
•

Corporate Strategy looks at the main CR risks
and  opportunities  to  the  business  and  how
these are being identified and then addressed
through strategy, policies and responsibilities
held at a senior level in the Company;
Integration is  about  how  companies
organise,  manage  and  embed  CR  into  their
through  KPIs,  performance
operations 
management, 
stakeholder
engagement and reporting;
• Management builds  on  the 

effective 

•

of 

Integration
looking  at  how  companies  are
section 
managing their risks and opportunities in the
areas 
Environment,
Community, 
Marketplace and Workplace; and
Performance  and  Impact asks  companies  to
report  performance  in  a  range  of  social  and
environmental  impacts  areas.  Participants
complete three environmental and three social
areas based on the relevance to their business.

•

The Marshalls Brand Manifesto
We are all influenced by our environments and the better our environment the better we can be.

Marshalls  believe  that  we  all  need  places  that  make  us  feel  safer,  happier  and  more  sociable.  Places  to  be
ourselves, where we can live, play, create and grow. That belief drives us to be the best we can be. To design and
produce new products which are better than anything else available. To make them from the best materials we
can source and to care about the impact that our Company and its products have on our society.

Above all, our belief fuels the passion on which Marshalls is built.

To architects, town planners, civil engineers, builders merchants, paving installers and home owners, we pledge a
passion to bring to life all that you can imagine. A passion that will enable you to breathe new life into those
corners of the landscape where potential lies unfulfilled and unchallenged.

Our  passion  pervades  everything  we  do.  We  use  our  expertise  to  create  integrated  landscapes  which  promote
wellbeing  to  the  benefit  of  everyone.  So,  whether  it’s  through  fairly  traded  stone,  providing  products  which
alleviate flood risks, enabling our business partners to share in our success or creating innovative street furniture
that protects us from attack we proudly strive to make our world a better place. One stone, patio, pavement, town
square or car park at a time.

Marshalls, Creating Better Landscapes

32

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

The Market Place
The  Group  recognises  the  importance  of  building
and  maintaining  positive  relationships  with  its
is
customers,  suppliers  and  contractors  and 
continuous
to  a  process  of 
committed 
improvement in meeting customers’ requirements.

Building  upon  the  previous  Certificate  of
Approval,  Responsible  Sourcing  of  Building
Products  in  compliance  with  the  requirements
identified  in  BES 6001  –  Framework  Standard  for
the  Responsible  Sourcing  of  Construction
Products  -  Marshalls  maintained  its  ‘Very  Good’
performance rating in 2012.

The  Group’s  established  customer  service
improvement  programme  again  resulted 
in
significant  and  sustained 
in
improvement 
customer order delivery, on time, in full and with
and
increasingly 
administration. 
the
Performance 
Customer  Service  KPI  is  reported  monthly  to
management and the Board and is a component
of  senior  management’s  performance-related
incentive scheme.

product 

against 

error 

free 

The  Group  Purchasing  Policy  sets  out  the
standards  and  ethics  for  dealings  with  suppliers. 

It seeks to ensure that there is no bias or conflict of
interest and that all suppliers are treated fairly. The
policy  is  regularly  reviewed  and  updated  in  the
light  of  changes  to  regulation  and  best  practice.
The  Group  negotiates  terms  and  conditions,
including  payment  terms,  with  all  its  principal
suppliers. Save in the case of a dispute, payments
are  made  in  accordance  with  such  negotiated
arrangements.  The  Group  values  and  derives
considerable  competitive  advantage  from  active
co-operation  with  its  established  suppliers  in
terms of innovation and product development.

Ethical Responsibilities

The  Group  remains  wholly  committed  to  ethical
business  practice.  It  is  an  active  signatory  to  the
UNGC  and  member  of  the  ETI  with  Marshalls’
Group  Marketing  Director,  Chris  Harrop,  holding
the post of ETI board member. 

Within  the  ETI  framework  Marshalls  continues  to
implement  the  ETI  Base  Code  throughout  its
supply  chains  with  particular  focus  on  natural
stone  paving  from  India,  China  and  Vietnam.
Marshalls’  Head  of  Sustainability,  David  Morrell,
chairs the ETI stone group. 

Stonemarket, Opera Black

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

33

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

The  ETI  Base  Code  can  be  found  on  the  ETI
website; www.ethicaltrade.org.

Marshalls  continues  to  provide  annual  progress
reports  to  the  ETI,  building  upon  a  range  of
capacity  building  and  supplier  compliance
auditing. 

further  progress 

its
The  Group  made 
programme of Human Rights Impact Assessments
("HRIA")  in  India,  China,  Vietnam  and  the  UK,
building upon its ‘Human Rights Policy’.

in 

introduced  during  2012 

In line with the Group’s Anti-Bribery Code, specific
training  was 
for
employees,  particularly  in  sensitive  positions,  to
reinforce  the  principle  of  zero  tolerance  of
corruption  in  business,  and  there  are  monthly
reporting  mechanisms  to  ensure  that  the  policies
and  procedures  in  relation  to  the  prevention  of
bribery and corruption are being adhered to. This is
a key element of Group’s systems and procedures
to  ensure  that  the  Group  remains  fully  compliant
with the legal and regulatory requirements.

The  Group’s  ethical  standards  are  fast  becoming
synonymous with its brands. The Group’s ability to
compete in both the Domestic and Public Sector
and Commercial end markets are strengthened by
its ethical stance.

The Environment

is  committed 

Marshalls 
to  assessing  and
managing  the  environmental  impacts  of  all  its
operations.  Further  details  are  set  out  in  the
Environmental Report on pages 40 to 47.

The Community

By aligning the Group’s community activities with
appropriate  BITC  programmes 
the  Group
continues to be actively involved in programmes
which  promote  good  community  relations,  such
as  encouraging  and  empowering  employees  to
engage  in  volunteering  and  community  projects
as  a  way  of  positively  interacting  with  the
communities in which it operates. This work spans
all Marshalls Group sites and operations in the UK.

34

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Escofet Benches, Olympic Athletes Village

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

During  the  year  the  Group  made  charitable
donations  of  £44,362  (2011:  £58,034).  Marshalls’
Charity  of  the  Year  for  2012  was  ‘Together  for
Short  Lives’,  the  leading  UK  charity  for  all 
children  with  life-threatening  and  life-limiting
conditions  and  all  those  who  support,  love  and
care  for  them.  Further  details  can  be  found  at
www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk.

Employees

The people within Marshalls are key to the success
of  the  organisation.  Marshalls’  employees  are
encouraged  and  expected  to  adhere  to  the
Group’s  Statement  of  Values  and  Principles.  The
statement 
includes  guidance  on  business
practice,  employee  relations  and  equality  of
opportunity  and  is  subject  to  regular  review  to
ensure  that 
it  continues  to  set  stretching
standards in terms of trust, honesty and integrity,
leadership,  ownership  and  excellence.  There  is
also  a  published  process  (the “Serious  Concerns
Policy”)  through  which  employees  can  raise,  in
confidence,  serious  concerns  about  possible
improprieties.

Marshalls  recognises  and  appreciates  diversity
within  its  workforce  and  the  wider  community
and is committed to promoting and maintaining a
working  environment  based  on  mutual  respect,
where individual talent is recognised and valued
and to providing training designed to raise levels
of awareness and sensitivity to matters of equality
and  dignity  at  work.  Marshalls’  aim 
is  to
implement  fair  and  merit-based  employment
policies  and  to  adhere  to  relevant  legislation  as
the  minimum  acceptable  standard. This  includes
compliance with the provisions of the Equality Act
2010,  which  harmonises  and  strengthens
previous  discrimination-based 
legislation  to
provide a simpler and more consistent framework
for  the  effective  prevention  of  discrimination
against individuals with protected characteristics.
In  particular,  the  Group  welcomes  and  gives  full
and  fair  consideration  to  applications  from
individuals  with  recognised  disabilities  and  will
ensure they are provided with equal opportunity
for  employment  and  career  development.

Wherever  reasonably  practicable,  training  is
offered, and adjustments are made, to ensure that
disabled  employees  or  those  who  become
disabled, are not disadvantaged in the workplace. 

Marshalls  continues  to  expand  its  framework  of
engagement  initiatives,  introduced  to  enhance
the  Group’s  ability  to  respond  to  the  needs  and
aspirations  of  its  employees  and  to  improve
overall business performance. The importance of
the engagement agenda has been reinforced with
the appointment in 2012 of a dedicated resource
within  the  HR  team,  focusing  specifically  on  co-
framing  our  engagement
ordinating  and 
activities, 
local
management teams and employee focus groups. 

interaction  with 

through 

The financial results of the Group and reports on
the Company’s performance and overall direction
are  communicated  to  employees  through  an
internal  intranet,  via  site  notice  boards  and
through bi-annual face to face briefings between
senior  management  and  various  employee
groups. There is also an employee share purchase
plan that facilitates the purchase by employees of
Company  shares,  through  monthly  contributions
from salary.

The  Marshalls’ 
‘Options’  platform  serves  to
underpin  employee  engagement  activities,
through  the  offer  of  a  wide  range  of  employee-
focused  benefits;  amongst  others,  a  Childcare
Voucher Scheme and a Cycle to Work Scheme for
employees.  Both  have  been  welcomed
enthusiastically  by  participating  employees  as
well as providing access to a range of discounted
‘lifestyle’ benefits. These are reviewed on a regular
basis  against  current  developments  in  employee
benefit  structures  and  underline  the  importance
of  employee  well-being  as  an  organisational
agenda item. 

Notable progress has been made during 2012 in
establishing  a  consistent,  credible  Development
Review  process,  which  provides  an  opportunity
for  all  employees  within  the  Group  for  a  one-to-
one discussion with their manager, covering work
objectives,  performance,  personal  development

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

and  career  aspirations.  This  was  successfully
supported  during  the  year  by  a  facilitated
programme  of  training  and  awareness-building,
designed to focus on the importance and quality
of  these  conversations  and  open  dialogues
between employees. 

important feature during the significant reduction
in  employment  costs  during  the  remainder  of
2012.  Collective  pay  negotiations  for  2013,  and
potentially beyond, are currently progressing with
recognised trades unions under the Group’s Joint
National Forum negotiating framework.  

During  the  last  quarter  of  2012,  the  Group  again
participated  in  the  Best  Companies  Workplace
Engagement Survey, with a notable increase in the
overall level of participation amongst employees.
This  further  commitment  to  the  engagement
agenda  continues  to  help  us  benchmark  the
Group’s  activities  against  other  similar  sized
companies  focused  on  organisational  excellence
and to access and adopt examples of best practice
wherever appropriate. The feedback from the Best
Companies  Survey  is  key  to  increasing  our
understanding  of  the  impact  of  our  employee
engagement activities and determining how they
can  be  progressed  and  embedded  further  across
the  Group.  Significant  effort  is  being  made  to
ensure that results are fed back to all areas of the
local  business  units  are
business  and  that 
encouraged  and  supported  in  putting  together
tailored and relevant action plans.

The  emphasis  on  greater  engagement  with
employees is further supported by the continued
involvement  of  employee  ‘Ambassadors’  from
across the business, each providing a touch point
for the communication and interchange of views
and ideas on a wide range of business  issues. The
Group has also continued its work on identifying
and  articulating  its  organisational  competencies,
which  continue  to  provide  a  valuable  source  of
sustainable  competitive  advantage  in  a  very
demanding trading environment.

During  the  first  quarter  of  2012,  significant
progress  was  made  in  harmonising  historically
different  terms  and  conditions  of  employment
and  working  practices  across  a  number  of  sites,
resulting  directly  from  a  highly  consultative  and
collaborative  interaction  with  recognised  trades
unions and our broader employee base. This close
co-operation  and  dialogue  with  employees  and
their  representatives  was  a  constant  and

36

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Broader  training  and  personal  development  has
continued  across  the  Group,  with  initiatives  in
place designed to identify and nurture potential,
reinforce  the  application  of  consistently  good
management practices and provide opportunities
for  succession  wherever  possible.  This  will  be
further  enhanced  during  2013  with  the  addition
of  on-line  toolkits  and  self-help  programmes,
designed to highlight and encourage managerial
best  practice  and  personal  self-insight.  The
Group’s ‘Dignity at Work’ programme, designed to
raise  awareness  of  the  dangers  of  bullying  and
harassment  in  the  workplace  is  proactively
communicated  and  universally  well-received
across  Group  sites.  This 
joint  collaboration
between the Company, recognised trades unions
and  ACAS  will  continue  into  2013.  There  is  a
continuous  programme  across  Group  sites  to
support the development of Marshalls’ employees
through NVQ accreditation and there has been a
notable  silver  Investors  In  People  accreditation
during  2012  at  one  of  the  Group’s  major
manufacturing sites.

Natural Slate Paving, Midnight Blue

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

Following  the  further  integration  of  the  Group’s
European  and  Chinese  business  interests,  the
Belgian-based  manufacturing  operations  are
benefitting  from  the  earlier  recruitment  of
dedicated  country–specific  sales  resource,  to
facilitate further sales growth in Europe.

Health and Safety

are 

and  managers, 

The  improvement  of  both  the  Health  and  Safety
Management  System  and  annual  Health  and
Safety  Performance  remain  key  priorities  for  the
business.  The  Safety,  Health  and 
Incident
Prevention ("SHIP") teams, consisting of employee
representatives 
the
cornerstone of the safety management system at
level,  and  have  continued  to  operate
site 
throughout  the  year.    Over  recent  years,  the
Group’s  operating  sites  have  progressively
implemented 
Management
Integrated 
Registration  systems  accredited  by  the  British
Standards 
incorporating
accreditation  to  OHSAS  (“Occupational  Health
and  Safety  Accreditation  Standard”)  18001:2007.
At the end of 2012 the Group held a total of 53 BS
OHSAS  (18001:2007)  registrations,  an  increase  of

Institution 

(“BSI”) 

13  over  the  prior  year;  this  equates  to  a
production  tonnage  manufactured  under  a
registered  safety  management  system  of  97  per
cent.  Only  3  operational  sites  are  awaiting
registration,  of  which  2  are  scheduled  for
registration  in  2013,  whilst  the  3rd  is  dependent
upon changes to existing planning consent.

Training throughout the year continued to focus
on 
the  development  of  managers  and
supervisors  to  manage  proactively  health  and
safety  in  the  workplace.    A  further  26  managers
attended  the  four  day  IOSH  Managing  Safely
course, whilst 20 supervisors attended the three
day IOSH Safe to Supervise course. In addition a
further  153  managers  and  supervisors  attended
appropriate refresher training courses. There has
also  been  significant  progress  made  in  aligning
with  the  Mineral  Products  Association’s  ("MPA")
Policy  of  having  a  demonstrable  competency
programme in place for the quarrying sector.  All
employees appointed in a supervisory capacity in
our  quarry  operations  have  achieved  at  least  a
Level  3  SHE  NVQ,  whilst  92  per  cent  of  those
appointed  in  a  capacity  of  direct  responsibility

Stonemarket Vintage Stone

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

have achieved at least a level 4 SHE NVQ and 85
per  cent  of  quarry  operatives  have  achieved  a
Level 2 qualification in their respective roles. The
Group  is  now  engaged  in  identifying  a  suitable
accredited  training  qualification  for  employees
within our pre-cast concrete operations. 

The  Group’s  principles  regarding  the  health  and
safety  of  employees,  and  their  application
throughout  the  business,  are  set  out  in  the
Group’s written Health and Safety Policy, which is
reviewed  at  least  annually  by  the  Board.  David
Sarti  is  the  Director  with  primary  board-level
responsibility  for  health  and  safety  performance.
The  Group’s  health  and  safety  performance  is
monitored by the Board on a monthly basis using
a number of KPIs.  These measure the number and
type of workplace accidents.

Accident frequency and severity rates

(per 100,000 hrs worked)

All accidents

2008
9.74

2009
10.43

2010
9.49

2011
8.32

2012
6.95

All lost time accidents

1.69

2.16

1.60

1.55

1.40

All RIDDOR’s

0.98

1.11

0.94

0.81

0.61

All days lost

27.14

25.18

14.76

20.44

15.42

Average UK headcount

2,774

2,464

2,391

2,456

2,252

in  days 

Whilst  the  primary  target  for  2012  was  a  10  per
cent  reduction 
lost  resulting  from
reduction
workplace  accidents,  the  actual 
achieved  was  24.6  per  cent.  The  all  accident
frequency rate recorded in 2012 was 16.4 per cent
lower than in 2011, and the number of lost time
accidents (“LTAs”) recorded was 9.7 per cent lower
during the same period (Table above and Graphs
1 and 2 respectively). 

All Accidents per 100,000 hrs

Graph 1

14.00

12.00

10.00

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Accident Frequency Rate

Graph 2

Lost Time Accidents per 100,000 hrs

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Lost Time Accident Severity rate

The rate of accidents reportable to the HSE under
the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrence  Regulations  ("RIDDOR")  also  fell  in
2012  by  24.7  per  cent  (Graph  3).    Whilst  the
changes  made  to  the  reporting  criteria  within
RIDDOR  will  have  assisted  in  this  reduction,  it
should  be  noted  that  there  has  been  an  overall
reduction in the severity of LTA’s as depicted in the
declining severity rate (Graph 4).

Graph 3

Reportable Accidents per 100,000 hrs

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Reportable incidents per 100,000 hrs

38

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Corporate Responsibility (continued)

Average Days Lost per LTA

Graph 4

18.00
16.00
14.00
12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Reportable incidents per 100,000 hrs

The  Group’s  health  and  safety  performance  for
2012  has  been  encouraging  with  positive
improvements  in  all  of  the  major  KPIs.  However,
increasing  the  rate  of  improvement  in  LTA’s
remains a priority.  In 2013 the Group will embark
on  a  behavioural  safety  programme  which  will
help better define and improve the safety culture
of the business. The initial step will be to introduce
the  widely  adopted  concept  of  ‘visible  felt
leadership’ during 2013.

The  Group  continues  to  strive  to  improve  the
quality and safety of the working environment for
employees.    Marshalls  remains  committed  to
meeting  the  highest  safety  standards  for  all  its
employees,  to  reinforce  and  develop  its  safety
processes, and to develop a competent workforce
with a view to achieving long term improvement
gains.  Once again, the primary target for 2013 will
be  a  10  per  cent  reduction  in  days  lost  resulting
from workplace accidents.

Fairstone Sawn Sandstone, Multi

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Environmental Report

“Marshalls clearly understands the value to be derived from managing the business with
due  regard  for  the  environment.    Notwithstanding  the  need  to  comply  with  relevant
legislation,  there  are  benefits  to  be  gained  from  reducing  the  use  of  scarce  and  costly
resources; maintaining good relations with the communities within which we operate and,
increasingly, meeting our customers’ needs for environmentally sensitive solutions.“

Overall  we  consider  that  we  have  made  good
progress  in  reducing  the  intensity  of  the  Group’s
environmental  impact  across  a  broad  front.
Virtually  all  measures 
show  year-on-year
improvements  and  indicate  progress  both  in  the
short  term  and  towards  the  very  long  term
objectives set in accordance with UK Government
and European targets.

A  full  review  of  the  suite  of  environmental
measures  and  targets  has  been  conducted  in
2012,  with  the  next  review  now  scheduled  for
2015.  The  long  term  nature  of  environmental
management 
to 
roll
progressively  over  a  number  of  years  and  short
term changes of direction would be inappropriate
in any case.

targets  which 

leads 

in 

It  was  intended  to  review  and  incorporate
measures 
2012.
for  Marshalls  NV 
Reprioritisation  of  resource  during  the  year  in
response to general market conditions and other
challenges  resulted  in  this  aspect  of  the  plan
being deferred.  Data for Marshalls NV, which we
would not expect to be material in the context of
the Group as a whole, will be incorporated as soon
as suitable resource can be allocated to the task.

There  is  a  change  to  the  basis  of  the  emissions
declaration in this year’s report. We have adopted
CO2e as the unit of measure, in readiness for that
becoming  mandatory  for  FTSE  listed  companies.
The change from CO2 to CO2e is just a conversion as
other  greenhouse  gas  (“GHG”)  emissions  from
Marshalls’  activities  are  insignificant  and  non-
material.

Board Responsibility

The Group’s Chief Operating Officer, David Sarti, is
the  Director  responsible  for  the  environmental
the  Group.  The  Group’s
performance  of 
Environmental  Policy  is  approved  by  the  Board
and  is  reviewed  at  least  annually. The  full  text  of

40

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

the  Policy  can  be  found  on  the  Group’s  website
www.marshalls.co.uk/sustainability.

Environmental Policy - Key Features

Target  –  To  operate  within  the  relevant  legal
frameworks  and  comply  with  appropriate
legislation.

•

•

of 

standards 

The Group has a commitment to achieving the
highest 
environmental
performance,  preventing  pollution  and
minimising the impact of its operations.  
• All  operations  should  meet  or  exceed  the
requirements  of  legislation  and  applicable
best practice. Where no legislation exists, best
practice  will  remain  an  integral  part  of
Marshalls’ business strategy.
The  Group  is  committed  to  considering  the
environmental  impacts  associated  with  its
products throughout their life cycle. 
Policy 
is  supported  by  monitoring  and
measuring environmental performance using
appropriate  external  guidelines  wherever
practicable.  Operating sites have assessed the
environmental  aspects  of  their  activities,  and
objectives and targets aimed at improving the
overall  environmental 
those
activities  have  been  set.   These  are  reviewed
on at least an annual basis.

impact  of 

•

• Marshalls will continue to raise environmental
awareness  within  the  Group  through  the
development  and  training  of  its  employees
and  will  communicate  openly  and  consult
with 
suppliers  and  other
stakeholders  on  relevant  environmental
matters.

customers, 

• Marshalls  strives  to  protect  and  enhance
biodiversity  and  natural  habitats  within  its
landholdings  where  possible. The  Group  also
sympathetic
recognises 
restoration  and  after-use  of  quarry  and  other
operational sites.

the  need 

for 

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Environmental Report (continued)

• Marshalls considers the character of the local
environment  and  the  concerns  of  the  local
community and other stakeholders in relation
to its activities.

Environmental Management

Target  –  90  per  cent  of  Group  production
manufactured at sites operating an integrated
in  accordance  with
management  system 
Publicly Available Specification 99:2006 (“PAS
99”) by 2012.

Marshalls  exceeded  its  target,  as  during  the  year
46  (2011:  32)  sites  were  operated  to  the  PAS  99
specification,  representing  97  per  cent  of  the
Group’s  manufacturing  output.  The  Group’s  new
target is to maintain the 90 per cent measure until
2020.

By the end of 2012 the Group had 54 operational*
sites (2011: 54). Of these sites:
•

51 (2011: 46) had BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality
Management  Systems  in  place  representing
98  per  cent  of  the  Group’s  manufacturing
output;
48  (2011:  39)  had  BS  EN  ISO  14001:2004  for
Environmental Management Systems in place
representing  97  per  cent  of  the  Group’s
manufacturing output; and
50  (2011:  40)  had  BS  OHSAS  18001:2007  for
Health  and  Safety  Management  Systems  in
place representing 98 per cent of the Group’s
manufacturing output.

•

•

In  addition  to  these,  the  Group  also  had  PAS  99-
compliant  management  systems  in  place  at  its
Group  Laboratory  and  Marketing  Support
Department.

* Operational is defined as a site in the UK with production
output.

Environmental Impact

The  business  redefined  its  Key  Performance
Indicators  in  2012  to  increase  the  accuracy  and
measurability  of  its  environmental  initiatives
while improving performance. These are referred
in  the  relevant  section  of  this  Report.
to 

Explanatory  notes  have  been  included  with  the
charts.

Marshalls  is  a  signatory  to  the  Sustainable
Concrete  Forum  which  published  a  new  road
in
map,  with  time-bound  targets  to  2020, 
February  2012.    The  Group  reviewed  its  own
targets in line with its commitment as a signatory.

Carbon 

Target  – to  reduce  our  absolute  CO2e
consumption  in  line  with  UK  Government
targets (34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by
2050 from a 1990 baseline).

Marshalls’  Energy  and  Climate  Change  Policy
approved  by  the  Board  during  the  year  confirms
the Group’s commitment to reducing the Energy
and Carbon impact of its business activities.  The
current reduction is in line with the 2020 and 2050
targets.

Carbon 

Government’s 

The  Group  complied  with  its  legal  obligation  in
Reduction
the 
Commitment  Energy  Efficiency  Scheme  (“CRC”)
by  submitting  both  its  Footprint  and  Annual
Reports  together  with  surrendered  Carbon
allowances  for  the  period  April  2011  to  March
2012  within  the  time  limits  imposed  by  the
legislation.   The  Group  currently  has  the  Carbon
Trust  Standard,  which  certifies  its  continued
carbon  reduction  and  forward  commitment  to
reduce  emissions.    It  is  likely  that  the  Group  will
recertify  in  2013,  subject  to  changes  in  the  CRC
and mandatory GHG reporting.

The business energy and carbon KPIs are aligned
to  CRC  through  the  measurement  of  energy  at
both absolute and relative intensity levels and the

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Environmental Report (continued)

business  remains  committed  to  reducing  energy
use  on  both  these  measures.  The  Group  has
previously reported CO2 emissions from its energy
use which represents the vast majority of its GHG
emissions.    From  this  year  the  Group  will  report
total  direct  GHG  emissions  using  the  GHG
Protocol and the latest available emission factors
from Defra as this is considered best practice and
inline  with  the  proposed  mandatory  carbon
reporting  which 
is  anticipated  will  be  a
requirement from October 2013.

The Group continues to recognise that renewable
energy  will  be  required  to  achieve  the  absolute
reduction  target.  Options  to  develop  the  use  of
wind,  photovoltaic,  anaerobic  digestion  and
biomass continue to be developed.  Such options
will  be  progressed  if  found  to  be  economically
viable.

During  2012  the  business  commenced  a  trial  to
report  automatically  on  the  dispensing  of  liquid
fuels, the findings of which are to be assessed in
the first half of 2013.

The  chart  below  illustrates  the  Group’s  absolute
CO2 emissions  in  tonnes,  excluding  transport
activities, between 2008 and 2012.

Absolute CO2 e emissions from operations
excluding transport (k tonnes CO2 e)
55.1

52.1

46.6

43.0

43.6 44.1

40.8

44.0

38.9

e
2

O
C
-
k
s
e
n
n
o
T

2009

2008
2012
2010
Defra CO2 emission factors (previous reported figures)

2011

Defra current GHG emission factors

This  chart  illustrates  previously  reported  figures
and  the  total  direct  GHG  emissions  as  a
comparison.  The  Group  will  continue  to  use  the
latest  published  figures  from  Defra  as  they
become available.

42

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

The  Group’s  GHG  emissions  for  2012  have
dropped  by  over  5,000  tonnes  from  its  reported
emissions  in  2011,  representing  an  11.8  per  cent
fall.  The net reduction in absolute emissions is the
result  of  energy  savings  which  are  within  the
control of the business and other factors, such as
product mix and weather, which are not.

All  the  Group’s  operational  sites  and  main
buildings  have  an  energy  plan  with  monthly
reporting  which  highlights  each  site’s  progress
towards  its  GHG  emission  reduction.  This  has
resulted  in  the  reduction  of  639  tonnes  of  GHG
emissions  during  the  year.    In  addition,  the
completion of a project to improve the efficiency
of  the  business’s  internal  and  external  lighting  is
estimated to save 1,050 tonnes of GHG emissions
per  annum.  During  this  project  further  potential
savings  have  been  identified.    Other  projects
include  the 
introduction  of  reporting  and
awareness  schemes  to  improve  management  of
key production utilities such as compressed air.

The mix of products manufactured will impact on
the Group’s absolute carbon footprint. The Group
recognises  that  if  production  of  low  carbon
products increases its footprint will be reduced.

The Group acknowledges that the heating degree
days  in  2012  increased  over  2011  and  therefore
the  energy  required  by  the  business  for  comfort
and  process  heat  increased  during  the  year.  A
number  of  best  practice  projects  are  being
considered  in  2013  to  improve  the  energy
efficiency of its heating systems.

The  business 
improving  the
is  continually 
reliability  of  its  energy  data  to  enable  better
forecasting  and  management  of  its  energy  and
carbon footprint.  The business has a forecast of its
GHG  emissions  until  2020  and  a  measure  of  the
required investment to achieve its targets.

The  Group  has  changed  its  reporting  of  relative
carbon  intensity  of  production  by  using  total
direct GHG emissions rather than CO2. This relative
intensity  measure,  excluding  transport,  has
decreased  from  7.85  kg  CO2e per  tonne  of
production  to  7.63  kg  CO2e per  tonne  of

 
 
77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 43

Environmental Report (continued)

production.  The  reduction  is  a  combination  of
product mix, energy efficiency measures and the
decision  to  manage  its  reduction  of  base  load
energy usage.

The  chart  below  illustrates  the  Group’s  CO2e
(measured  as  direct  GHG  from  2012)  intensity
emissions  as  a  proportion  of  production  output,
excluding transport activities, between 2008 and
2012.

r
e
p
d
e
s
u
r
e
t
a
W

3

M

e
n
n
o
t
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
p

The  chart  below  illustrates  the  Group’s  water
performance between 2008 and 2012.

Mains & licensed water used per tonne 
of production output

0.067

0.063

0.055

0.052

0.043

Relative CO2 e per production tonnage,
excluding transport (kg CO2 e per tonne)

11.2

10.3

10.4 10.6

9.8

9.2

7.9

7.3

7.6

f
o
e
n
n
o
T
r
e
p
e
2
O
C
G
K

t
u
p
t
u
o
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
p

2008

2010
Defra CO2 emission factors (previous reported figures)

2009

2011

2012

Defra current GHG emission factors

While the Group must report its carbon footprint
as  part  of  CRC 
legislation,  which  excludes
transport, it will continue to report voluntarily to
the “Carbon Disclosure Project”, which includes a
wider  carbon  management  performance  over
time and also provides an insight for shareholders
regarding the Group’s energy, carbon and climate
change  impact  management  programme.  The
Group reported 65,109 tonnes of CO2 for the year
2011  (2010:  66,037  tonnes).  This  data  includes
scope  1  and  2  emissions  as  defined  in  the
Greenhouse  Gas  Protocol  ("GHG  Protocol").  The
proportion  of  the  GHG  emissions  from  transport
dropped to 32 per cent.

Water

Target  –  reduce  use  of  water  from  mains  and
licensed  boreholes  to  0.05m3 per  tonne  of
production by 2015.

The Group understands the future value of water.
The business has demonstrated a commitment to
water harvesting and recycling on numerous sites
and utilises quarry water where appropriate in its
operations.

2008 2009

2010 2011

2012

The reduction in water intensity has been helped
by Marshalls’ previous and continued investment
in water management projects, particularly water
harvesting which has continued to be developed
during  2012.  The  UK  rainfall  in  2012  was  the
second  wettest  year  on  record  at  1,330.7mm
(Y2000: 1,337.3mm) and 115 per cent of the 1981-
2010 average.  Greater volumes of rainfall have a
positive impact on the Group’s reported figures as
the  business  prioritises  the  use  of  harvested
rainwater  or  quarry  water  before  mains  or
borehole  water.  During  the  year  a  rainwater
harvesting  system  was 
introduced  at  the
business’s  Sittingbourne  site.  Management,  staff
awareness and product mix have also contributed
to the reduction in water intensity. 

Woodhouse Bespoke Lights, Canary Wharf, London

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 44

Environmental Report (continued)

Transport

Target  –  to  meet  the  challenge  of  reducing
emissions  whilst  striving  to  maintain  and
improve upon customer service.

Fuel  usage  has  a  significant  business  impact.
Marshalls  undertakes  one-on-one  “green”  driver
training for its fleet drivers, which has the added
advantage of gaining a broader understanding of
the problems being faced by the drivers, allowing
management  to  address  the  issues.  The  fuel
efficiency  of  the  Marshalls  Large  Goods  Vehicle
fleet  (“LGV”)  improved  by  0.1  mile  per  gallon
during 2012.

The  Group  is  a  member  of  the  voluntary  freight
transport  led  Logistic  Carbon  Reduction  Scheme
(“LCRS”)  which  has  a  collective  commitment    to
reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by eight per
cent  by  2015  (compared  to  2010  levels).  The
business  drafted  an  internal  Transport  Policy
Statement during the year to provide focus on the
key  metrics  to  improve  vehicle  efficiency.  The
business also continues to investigate LGV speed
restriction and alternative fuel trials.

The Group uses rail for stock movement to reduce
carbon  emissions  and  will  continue  to  look  at
different  modes  of 
transport  whenever
practicable.  

in-house  automated 

The  Group’s  company  car  fleet  has  an  average
emission  of  130  carbon  dioxide  grams  per
kilometre reduced from 140 in the last 18 months.
report  using  a
An 
combination  of  total  mileage  travelled  and  the
achieved  efficiency  (miles  per  gallon)  is  being
developed  with  a  view  to  providing  each  driver
with a ‘green’ driving score during 2013.

Waste Reduction

Target – to reduce by 3 per cent the total waste
to landfill per tonne of production output per
annum over a three year rolling average.

The Group has continued to measure the amount
of waste, including material for recycling, leaving

sites as a percentage of total production output.
The business aims to eliminate waste and where it
is  generated  it  investigates  the  opportunity  for
reuse or recycling within the business. The Group
is currently ahead of its target.

The  chart  below  illustrates  the  Group’s  off-site
waste performance between 2008 and 2012.

Waste taken off site as a percentage of 
total production output

2.35%

2.18%

1.97%

1.65%

1.49%

)
s
e
n
n
o
t
(
e
t
i
s

f
f
o
n
e
k
a
t
e
t
s
a
W

t
u
p
t
u
o
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
p
f
o
%
s
a

2008 2009

2010

2011

2012

This  chart  does  not  differentiate  between  waste
leaving site for reuse / recycling and waste leaving
site  for  landfill.   The  absolute  waste  total  for  the
year  has  decreased  by  11,465  tonnes  (2011:
46,312 tonnes) to 123,482 tonnes. The introduction
of  waste  recovery  as  a  trial  and  other  efforts
around  recycling  has  meant  that  the  Group  has
increased  its  recycling/recovery  rate  to  92.3  per
cent  (2011:  91.8  per  cent)  and  reduced  its  waste
sent to landfill to 7.7 per cent (2011:8.2 per cent).

The Group continues to improve the accuracy of
its data. Product mix is a factor in measuring waste
generation across the Group, with certain product
lines being associated with higher levels of waste
generation than others.

Packaging

Target - reduce by 2 per cent per annum, over a
3 year cycle, while ensuring that the pack and
product safety is not compromised.

The  Group  reports  packaging  used  which  aligns
with  the  duty  to  report  under  the  Producer
Responsibility  Obligations  (Packaging  Waste)
Regulations.

44

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 45

Environmental Report (continued)

The chart below illustrates the Group’s packaging
performance between 2008 and 2012.

Packaging bought/used as a percentage
of production output

0.27%

0.23%

0.21%

0.22%

0.22% 0.22%

0.22%

)
s
e
n
n
o
t
(
d
e
s
u
/
t
h
g
u
o
b
g
n
g
a
k
c
a
P

i

t
u
p
t
u
o
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
p
%
s
a

2008 2009

2010
Packaging bought

Packaging used

2011

2012

The Group used 10,461 tonnes of packaging in the
reporting year which was a reduction on previous
years  and  nearly  one  per  cent  more  than  the
reduction in production output.  The intensity of
packaging used to production output remains at
0.22 per cent which is ahead of our target.

This  measure  is  affected  by  product  mix,  so  a
reduction  can  be  achieved  by  selling  a  higher
volume  of  those  products  that  have 
less
packaging. The Group uses packaging only to the
extent  appropriate,  for  example,  to  ensure  safe
handling,  storage  and  transport  of  its  products
and  to  minimise  damage  to  the  product  and
hence waste. In addition, packaging may be used
to  provide  health  and  safety  information  to
prospective users of the products and instructions
on  installation.  Packaging  principally  comprises
timber pallets and polythene.

The  Group  continues  to  concentrate  on  the
reduction  of  timber  and  plastic  which  represent
86  per  cent  and  12  per  cent  respectively  of  the
reported packaging tonnage.

The Group’s Timber and Paper policy continues to
support  its  commitment  to  obtain  pallets  from
FSC accredited suppliers where available.  During
the year the Group has extended a trial of pallet
repatriation which has the potential to reduce its
timber impact.  A limited trial on 3 pallet designs
at two sites reduced the number of new pallets by
approximately 2.5 per cent.

Work  continues  on  the  reduction  of  polythene
film thickness to deliver material savings, with an
estimated  full  year  saving  of  29  per  cent  at  the
initial  trial  site.  If  successful,  the  benefit  will  be
rolled out to other Group operating sites.

Suppliers and Contractors

The Group has an effective Procurement Policy in
place.  The policy provides a framework which all
employees engaged in procurement activities are
expected to operate. It contains a clear statement
with  regard  to  Marshalls’  commitment  to
responsible sourcing.  The Group will continue to

Argent Walling and Water Feature

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

45

 
 
 
 
 
77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 46

Environmental Report (continued)

work  with  our  key  suppliers  to  ensure  they  have
appropriate  management  systems  to  minimise
risk  and  environmental  impacts  in  place.  Where
significant  risk  is  identified  with  a  supplier,  a
rigorous audit will be carried out.

Marshalls’  Anti-Bribery  Code  reinforces  policies
and  procedures  already 
is
suppliers  and
communicated 
contractors as well as within the organisation.

in  place  and 

to  external 

Environmental Impact of Products

The  Group  maintains  its  policy  of  producing
products  intended  for  a  long  life  with  low
maintenance. Marshalls is a world leader in terms
of the number of its products (over 2,000) having
a  measured  carbon  footprint  (using  the  Publicly
Available  Specification  2050:2008,  “Specification
for  the  assessment  of  the  life  cycle  greenhouse
gas emissions of goods and services”), all of which
have  been  verified  by  the  Carbon  Trust.    It  is
expected  that  the  data  obtained  through  this
process  will  enable  the  business  to  focus  on
energy  savings  throughout  its  supply  chain. The

results  are  available  online  for  our  customers  to
use in their selection of most suitable product for
their project.

During  2012  the  Group  completed  its  annual
audit for its Responsible Sourcing Certification to
the  Building  Research  Establishment  Standard
BES6001  for  its  concrete  paving  and  walling
products. The products have been rated as “Very
Good.”

The Group’s products are considered to have low
environmental risk and in the majority of cases are
readily re-usable and recyclable at the end of their
life.

Sustainability

The  Group  has  a  sustainable  business  plan  and
has  set  KPIs  for  the  key  areas  of  this  plan.  It
addresses  economic,  social  and  environmental
aspects  of  Marshalls’  operations  underpinned  by
development 
systems
recognised by an independent third party (BSI).

of  management 

46

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Biodiverse Permeable Paving

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 47

Environmental Report (continued)

Group.  Operational employees received Toolbox
Talk  training  on  a  range  of  environmental  topics
including  waste,  environmental  permits  and
biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Target  –  to  have  biodiversity  action  plans  in
place  at  all  appropriate  sites  by  the  end  of
2012.

The  Groups’  biodiversity  strategy  was  written  in
consultation  with  external  stakeholders  and  it
documents  a  systematic  approach  to  our  legal,
protection and enhancement commitment to the
biodiversity  on  our  sites. This  strategy  includes  a
priority  approach  to  defining  appropriate  sites
together  with  evaluation  of  the  biodiversity
ecosystem  services  delivered.  During  the  year,  in
view  of  the  operational  changes  within  the
business,  this  target  was  adjusted  to  focus  on
maintaining legal compliance.

Marshalls  continues  to  maintain  its  accreditation
to  the  Wildlife  Trusts’  Biodiversity  Benchmark  at
three sites.

Legal Compliance

There were no environmental prosecutions at any
of Marshalls’ operating sites during 2012.

Verification

the  work  undertaken, 

This  section  of  the  Annual  Report  has  been
audited by a qualified verifier on behalf of BSI. On
the
the  basis  of 
Environmental  Report  is  considered  to  be  a  fair
reflection  of  the  environmental  performance  of
the  organisation  during  2012  and  contains  no
misleading information.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

47

its  website 

The Group’s publishes targets, progress and data
on 
at  www.marshalls.co.uk/
sustainability  to  communicate  its  agenda  on  the
triple  bottom  line  of  environmental,  social  and
economic  issues.  The  aim  is  to  have  a  platform
which allows interested stakeholders access to the
latest information on our activities.

Marshalls  is  an  active  member  of  the  British
Precast  Concrete  Federation  Sustainability
Committee and a signatory of the Precast Sector
Sustainability  Charter.  The  business  is  also  a
signatory  to,  and  an  active  member  of,  the
Sustainable Concrete Forum.

Land Management
During 2012 all development projects were either
located on brownfield land, within Marshalls’ sites,
or acquired on-going operations.

Environmental Awareness 
and Training

The  Group  recognises  the  need  to  raise  the
environmental awareness and competencies of its
employees and has targeted energy management
with  a  poster  campaign  aimed  at  improving  the
energy culture across the Group.  

The Contractor Handbook includes more detailed
environmental 
information  and  has  been
delivered  to  those  working  on  behalf  of  the

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 48

Directors’ Report - Other Regulatory Information

incorporates 

The  Directors’  Report 
the
management report for the purpose of the Listing
Rules (DTR 4.1.8R). Marshalls plc is registered with
company number 5100353.

Principal Activities and 
Business Review
The principal activities of the Group are described
in  the  Business  Review.  The  Business  Review,
Corporate  Responsibility  and  Environmental
Reports,  Corporate  Governance  Statement  and
Directors’ Remuneration Report are each a part of
the  Directors’  Report.  Those  matters  required  to
be included in the Directors’ Report, including the
information and analysis required by Section 417
of  the  Companies  Act  2006  to  be  included  in  a
Business  Review,  appear  in  those  sections  of  the
Report. In particular:

Business  Performance  during  2012: A  detailed
review  of  the  principal  activities  of  the  Group  is
contained in the Chairman’s Statement on pages 4
and 5 and the Business Review on pages 6 to 27.

Key  Financial  and  other  Performance
Indicators:  The  strategic  KPIs  used  by  the
business  are  set  out  on  page  8.  Performance
against  these  indicators  is  commented  on  in  the
Chairman’s 
Review,
Corporate  Responsibility  and  Environmental
sections of this Report.

Statement, 

Business 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties: An indication
of  the  main  risks  and  uncertainties  faced  by  the
Group  and  its  objectives  and  policies  for  the
management  of  financial  and  general  risk,
including  its  use  of,  and  policies  in  respect  of,
financial  instruments  and  its  exposure  to  price,
credit,  liquidity  and  cash  flow  risk,  are  set  out  in
the Business Review on pages 6 to 27. The process
for  identifying  significant  risks  and  uncertainties
and  managing  risk  is  in  accordance  with  the
Revised Guidance for Directors on the Combined
Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council in
October 2005.

Charitable  and  Political  Donations: The
Corporate Responsibility Report on pages 30 to 39

48

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

gives details of the Group’s policy and information
on charitable donations. The Group has made no
donations during the year to any political party or
political  organisation  or  to  any  independent
election  candidate,  whether  in  the  European
Union or elsewhere (2011: nil).

Environment  and  Community:
Information
about  environmental  matters  and  the  impact  of
the Group’s business on the environment is given
in  the  Environmental  Report  on  pages  40  to  47.
The  Group’s  approach  to  social  and  community
the  Corporate
matters 
Responsibility Report on pages 30 to 39.

is  described 

in 

Employees: The Company’s policies in relation to
disabled  employees  and  employee  involvement
are  explained  in  the  Corporate  Responsibility
Report on pages 30 to 39.

Corporate  Governance:  Details  of  the  Group’s
policies  in  relation  to  Corporate  Governance  and
how they are applied are set out on pages 51 to 58.

Key  Relationships:  The  Business  Review  on
pages 6 to 27 includes information about persons
with  whom  the  Group  has  contractual  or  other
arrangements  that  are  essential  to  the  Group's
business.

Group  Results  and  Group  Events  since  31
Income
December  2012: The  Consolidated 
Statement for the year ended 31 December 2012
is  shown  on  page  90.  Details  of  any  important
Group  events  and  developments  since  the
financial year end 31 December 2012 are included
in the Business Review on pages 6 to 27.

Dividends

The  Board  is  recommending  a  final  dividend  of
3.50  pence  (2011:  3.50  pence)  per  share  which,
together with the interim dividend of 1.75 pence
(2011:  1.75  pence)  per  share,  makes  a  combined
dividend  of  5.25  pence  (2011:  5.25  pence)  per
share.  Payment of the final dividend, if approved
at the Annual General Meeting, will be made on 5
July  2013  to  shareholders  registered  at  the  close
of business on 7 June 2013.

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:11  Page 49

Directors’ Report - Other Regulatory Information (continued)

The  dividend  paid  in  the  year  to  31  December
2012  and  disclosed  in  the  Consolidated  Income
Statement  is  5.25  pence  (2011:  5.25  pence)  per
share  being  the  previous  year's  final  dividend  of
3.50  pence  (2011:  3.50  pence)  per  share  and  the
interim dividend of 1.75 pence (2011: 1.75 pence)
per  share  in  respect  of  the  year  ended  31
December 2011 and paid on 7 December 2012.

Share Capital and Authority to
Purchase Shares

The  Company’s  share  capital  at  1  January  2012
was  199,378,755  Ordinary  Shares  of  25  pence.
There has been no change between 31 December
2012  and  8  March  2013.  Details  of  the  share
capital are set out in Note 22 on pages 130 to 131. 

The  Company  held  2,425,000 Treasury  Shares  on
31  December  2012,  and  made  no  sales  or
purchases of Treasury Shares during the year or in
the  period  up  to  8  March  2013.  Save  for  the
Treasury  Shares  and  some  of  the  shares  held  by
the  Marshalls  plc  Employee  Benefit  Trust  (the
"EBT") as set out below, the Ordinary Shares of the
Company  carry  equal  rights  to  dividends,  voting
and  return  of  capital  on  the  winding  up  of  the
Company, as set out in the Company’s Articles of
Association.  There  are  no  restrictions  on  the
transfer  of  securities  in  the  Company  and  there
are  no  restrictions  on  any  voting  rights  or
deadlines, other than those prescribed by law, nor
is  the  Company  aware  of  any  arrangement
between holders of its shares which may result in
restrictions on the transfer of securities or voting
rights,  nor  any  arrangement  whereby  a
shareholder  has  waived  or  agreed  to  waive
dividends (other than the EBT).

The EBT holds shares in the Company on trust for
employees 
(Investment  Shares)  and  also
purchases  shares  from  time  to  time  to  satisfy
awards granted to Directors and Senior Executives
(Matching Shares and Performance Shares) subject
to the achievement of performance targets under
the  Marshalls  plc  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  (the
“LTIP”).  At  31  December  2012  the  EBT  held
1,446,563  ordinary  shares  in  the  Company  (2011:
1,584,441  shares)  of  which  531,209  represented

Investment  Shares  beneficially  owned  by  LTIP
participants,  with  the  balance  held  in  respect  of
future  Matching  and  Performance  Share  awards.
The  decrease  in  holding  since  2011  is  accounted
for by transfers of Investment Shares to individuals
upon the lapse of corresponding Matching Shares
under  the  LTIP.  Details  of  outstanding  awards
under the LTIP are set out in Note 20 on pages 128
and  129.  The  EBT  has  waived  its  right  to  receive
dividends  on  shares  that  it  holds  beneficially  in
respect  of  future  awards.   The Trustee  of  the  EBT
exercises  any  voting  rights  on  such  shares  in
accordance with the Directors’ recommendations.

UK based employees of the Group with more than
six  months  service  may  participate 
in  the
Marshalls  plc  Share  Purchase  Plan.    Employees
purchase  ordinary  shares  in  the  Company  with
pre-tax  salary.  The  shares  are  purchased  in  the
market  and  then  held  in  Trust  by  Yorkshire
Building Society.  Employees receive dividends on
these shares and may give voting instructions to
the Trustee. 

At  the  Annual  General  Meeting  in  May  2012
shareholders  gave  authority  to  the  Directors  to
purchase  up  to  29,523,367  shares  representing
approximately  14.99  per  cent  of  the  Company’s
issued share capital in the Company in the market
during  the  period  expiring  at  the  next  Annual
General Meeting at a price to be determined within
certain limits. No ordinary shares in the Company
were  purchased  during  the  year  or  between  31
December  2012  and  8  March  2013  under  this
authority, which will expire at the Annual General
Meeting  in  May  2013.  The  Directors  will  seek  to
renew the authority at that meeting.

Contracts of Significance and
Related Parties

There were no contracts of significance between
any member of the Group and (a) any undertaking
in which a Director has a material interest, or (b) a
controlling  shareholder  (other  than  between
members  of  the  Group).  There  have  been  no
related  party  transactions  between  any  member
of  the  Group  and  a  related  party  since  the
publication of the last Annual Report.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

49

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Directors’ Report - Other Regulatory Information (continued)

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association give powers
to the Board to appoint Directors. Newly appointed
Directors  are  required  to  retire  and  submit
themselves  for  re-election  by  shareholders  at  the
first  Annual  General  Meeting  following  their
appointment.    Specific  rules  regarding  the  re-
election of the Directors are set out in the Corporate
Governance Statement on pages 51 to 58. 

The Board of Directors may exercise all the powers
of  the  Company  subject  to  the  provisions  of
relevant  laws  and  the  Company’s  Memorandum
and  Articles  of  Association.  These  include  specific
provisions  and 
the
restrictions 
Company’s  power  to  borrow  money.  Powers
relating to the issuing and buying back of shares are
included  in  the  Articles  of  Association  and  such
authorities are renewed by shareholders each year
at the Annual General Meeting.

regarding 

The  Articles  of  Association  may  be  amended  by
Special Resolution of the shareholders.

Directors
The names and biographical details of each of the
Directors who served during the year are set out
on  pages  28  and  29.  The  rules  on  appointment,
retirement  and  removal  of  directors  under  the
Company’s Articles of Association, and the powers
of  the  Board,  are  set  out  in  the  Corporate
Governance  Statement  on  pages  51  to  58.  All
currently  serving  Directors  will  offer  themselves
for  election  or  re-election  at  the  next  Annual
General Meeting of the Company.

The information required by the Combined Code
in  relation  to  Directors’  service  contracts,
and
compensation, 
performance 
attendance 
in  the  Corporate
is  contained 
Governance Statement on pages 51 to 58.

Board 

Directors’ Indemnities

The Company has granted indemnities to each of its
Directors  in  respect  of  their  performance  of  their
duties as a Director of any member of the Marshalls
group of companies. In addition, the Company has
granted indemnities to Graham Holden and David

Sarti  in  respect  of,  their  participation  in,  and/or
membership  of,  the  governing  bodies  of  certain
third  party  trade  representative  organisations  on
behalf of the Company. The indemnities are limited
to  what  is  permitted  by  law  and  the  Company’s
Articles  of  Association  and  copies  are  available  for
inspection at the Registered Office of the Company.
There  were  no  other  such  indemnities  in  force
during the year, and no payments were made under
the indemnities.

Directors’ Interests
Details of Directors’ remuneration, interests in the
share  capital  (or  derivatives  or  other  financial
instruments  relating  to  those  shares)  of  the
Company  and  of  their  share  based  payment
the  Directors’
awards  are  contained 
Remuneration Report on pages 59 to 84.

in 

Value of Land and Buildings
In the opinion of the Directors, the market value of
the  Group’s  interests  in  land  and  buildings  at  31
December  2012  remains  in  excess  of  the  book
value.

Payments to Creditors
The  Group  follows  the  CBI’s  Prompt  Payment  Code
and  operates  and  abides  by  a  clearly  defined
payment policy which has been agreed with all major
suppliers.  The Group’s creditor payment period at 31
December 2012 was 53 days (2011: 55 days).

Substantial Shareholdings
As  at  8  March  2013,  the  Company  had  been
notified,  in  accordance  with  Rule  5  of  the
Disclosure  and  Transparency  Rules,  of  the
following  disclosable  interests  of  3  per  cent  or
more in its voting rights.

As at
8 March
2013
%%
9.70
9.13
7.10
5.36
4.60
4.16
3.70
3.45

As at
31 December
2012

9.79
9.18
8.40
5.30
5.00
4.42
4.27
3.51

Majedie Asset Management
Aviva Investors
JO Hambro
Schroder Investment Management
M&G Investment Management
Standard Life
L&G Investment Management
AXA Investment Managers

50

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Corporate Governance Statement

Chairman’s Introduction

Marshalls is committed to business integrity, high
ethical  values  and  professionalism  in  all  its
activities. As an essential part of this commitment,
the  Board  supports  the  highest  standards  in
corporate  governance,  which 
it  regards  as
fundamental to the effective performance of the
business.  The  Board  acknowledges  that  it  is
for  corporate
accountable  to  shareholders 
governance  matters,  and  seeks  to  promote
consistently  high  standards  of  governance
throughout the Group which are recognised and
understood by all. 

This  statement,  which  is  part  of  the  Directors’
Report, has been prepared in accordance with the
principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code
published  in  June  2010  (the  “Code”)  which  the
Board  fully  supports.  In  addition,  the  Board  is
mindful  of  the  changes  to  the  Code  which  will
apply to reporting periods after October 2012 and
is reviewing its procedures and policies in light of
the  principles  set  out  in  this  later  edition  of  the
Code with a view to reporting compliance in 2013.
In this statement, we have sought to explain how
the Board has applied the principles of the Code,
in  relation  to  the  role  and
in  particular 
effectiveness of the Board in Sections A and B. An
explanation of the Company’s approach to value
creation and strategy is contained in the Business
Review on pages 6 to 27.

Andrew Allner
Chairman

Statement of Compliance with
the Code

Throughout  the  year  ended  31  December  2012
the  Company  has  complied  with  the  relevant
provisions of the Code in all material respects.

The paragraphs below, together with the Reports
of  the  Audit,  Nomination  and  Remuneration
Committees  on  pages  59  to  87,  describe  how
these principles are applied within the Company. 

Board Leadership and Effectiveness
Code Provision A.1: The Role of the Board

The  Board  comprises  an  independent  Non-
Executive  Chairman,  three  Executive  Directors
and  three  Non-Executive  Directors  who  are
equally  responsible  for  the  proper  stewardship
and  leadership  of  the  Company.  Biographical
details of the Directors are on pages 28 and 29.

There is a written Schedule of Matters Reserved
for  the  Board,  which  includes  approval  of  the
Company’s  risk  management  processes,  and  its
policies  in  relation  to  health  and  safety,  social
and  community  matters,  the  environment  and
ethical trading. 

The  Board  reviews  the  monthly  financial  results
of the Group at each regular Board Meeting, with
reference  to  the  detailed  annual  business  plan
and  budget.  The  Board  also  considers  forward
trends  and  performance  against  other  key
indicators.  Executive  Directors  comment  on
areas where performance departs from forecasts
and  on  contingency  plans.  The  Board  regularly
reviews  and  discusses  medium  and  long-term
strategy,  and  meetings  with  members  of  senior
management  are  included  within  the  Board
programme  to  update  the  Board  on  business
and strategic issues.

The Board has delegated specific responsibilities
to  the  Audit,  Remuneration  and  Nomination
Committees.  Other  Board  Committees  are
established  periodically  for  particular  purposes.
For example, during the year, Board Committees
were established to approve dividend payments
and Preliminary and Half-yearly announcements.

The  Group’s  reporting  structure  below  Board
level  is  designed  so  that  all  decisions  are  made
by  the  most  appropriate  people  in  a  timely
manner.  The  Directors  and  senior  management
are tasked with the delivery of targets approved
by  the  Board  and  for  the  implementation  of
Group  strategy  and  policy  across  the  Group.
Management  teams  report  to  members  of  the

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

51

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

Details of Board and principal Board Committee meetings in 2012, with Directors attending, are shown
below. Other meetings were held during the year for specific purposes, including reviewing strategy and
Board effectiveness, and in addition to these, all the Non-Executive Directors made visits to operational
sites. 

Board 
(8 meetings)

Audit
Committee
(4 meetings)

Remuneration
Committee
(4 meetings)

Nomination
Committee
(1 meeting)

Andrew Allner
Ian Burrell
Alan Coppin
Mark Edwards
Graham Holden
Tim Pile
David Sarti

84
8-
84
84
8-
84
8-

41
--
31
41
--
41
--

Senior  Executive  Committee.  This  committee
currently  consists  of  seven  senior  managers,
including the three Executive Directors. Business
issues  considered  by  the  Senior  Executive
Committee  are  reported  by  the  Executive
Directors  to  the  Board.  These  policies  and
procedures  collectively  enable  the  Board  to
make  informed  decisions  on  a  range  of  key
issues  including  those  relating  to  strategy  and
risk management.

Eight  full  Board  meetings  are  scheduled  during
2013.  There  will  be  additional  meetings  of  the
Board 
in  2013  to  review  strategy,  Board
performance  and  the  Company’s  longer  term
objectives.

The  Company  maintains  Directors’  and  Officers’
Insurance  in  respect  of  legal  action  against  the
Directors.

Conflicts of Interest

The  Board  has  powers  to  authorise  and  has
adopted  procedures  for  the  authorisation  of
existing  situations  and  for  considering  (and
authorising  where  appropriate)  new  situations
which may give rise to a conflict of interest on the
part of any Director.

The  procedures  give  guidance  to  Directors  as  to
what  situations  may  be  affected  and  of  their
obligations  to  notify  the  Company,  through  the

Chairman  of  the  Nomination  Committee,  of  any
such situations. The Company maintains a Section
175  Conflicts  Register  showing  those  situations
which have been authorised and the relevant date
of such authorisation. 

The Board has authorised a number of situations
advised to it by the Directors, all of which are the
holding  of  directorships  or  similar  offices  with
companies  or  organisations  not  connected  with
the Company. The Board has not, in relation to any
of those situations, identified any actual conflict of
interest,  and  has  authorised  such  situations  in
accordance with its powers. These authorisations
are  recorded  in  the  Conflicts  Register  of  the
Company maintained by the Secretary. The Board
has  delegated  general  authority 
the
Nomination  Committee  to  carry  out  a  review  of
such authorisations no less than annually and to
make  recommendations  to  the  Board  on
particular situations notified to it in future.

to 

Code provision A.2: Division of
responsibilities
Code provisions A.3, A.4: Chairman and
Non-Executive Directors

The positions of Chairman and Chief Executive are
held by separate individuals with a clear division
of responsibilities. The Chairman leads the Board
and  sets  its  agenda,  ensuring  that  all  Directors,
particularly the Non-Executive Directors, are able
to make an effective contribution. He ensures that

52

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

responsibility 

there  is  a  constructive  relationship  between  the
Executive  and  the  Non-Executive  Directors.  The
for  all
Chief  Executive  has 
operational  matters  which 
the
implementation  of  the  Group  Strategy  and
policies  approved  by  the  Board.    The  Board  has
approved  written  Terms  of  Reference  for  the
Chairman and Chief Executive.

include 

Each  of  the  Chairman  and  the  Non-Executive
Directors were independent on appointment, and
the  Board  considers  each  of  the  Non-Executive
Directors  to  be  independent  in  character  and
judgement  in  accordance  with  the  principles  set
out in Code Provision B.1.1. 

The  Board  has  appointed  a  Senior  Independent
Non-Executive  Director,  Alan  Coppin.  He 
is
available  to  shareholders  if  they  have  concerns
which  are  not  resolved  through  the  normal
channels  of  contact  or  where  it  would  be
inappropriate  to  raise  those  concerns  through
such channels. He is also available as a sounding
board  for  the  Chairman  and  an  intermediary  for
other  Non-Executive  Directors.  At  least  once  a
year the Chairman holds a meeting with the Non-
Executive  Directors  without 
the  Executive
Directors  being  present.  The  Non-Executive
Directors  also  meet  without  the  Chairman  being
present,  at 
least  annually,  to  appraise  the
Chairman’s performance.

Directors  have  the  right  to  ensure  that  any
concerns  they  raise  about  the  running  of  the
Company or a proposed action is recorded in the
Board  minutes.  Further,  on  resignation,  if  a  Non-
Executive  Director  did  have  any  such  concerns,
the  Chairman  would  invite  him  to  provide  a
written statement for circulation to the Board.

Code Provisions B.1, B.2: Board
Composition, and Appointments to
the Board

The Board considers it is of sufficient size and has
an appropriate balance of skills and experience to
meet  the  needs  of  the  business.  The  Board
appreciates  that  Board  diversity  is  likely  to
enhance  its  performance  and  this  is  a  key  factor
when  seeking  candidates  for  future  Board
appointments.  As  stated  above,  the  Board

considers each of the Non-Executive Directors to
be independent in character and judgement.

The  Board  has  established  the  Nomination
Committee  to 
lead  the  process  for  Board
appointments and to make recommendations to
the  Board.  The  Terms  of  Reference  of  the
Nomination  Committee  are  available  on  the
Company’s  website  at  www.marshalls.co.uk.
These Terms  of  Reference  explain  the  role  of  the
Committee  and  the  authority  delegated  to  it  by
the Board. The Company’s Articles of Association
contain powers of removal, appointment, election
and re-election of Directors. Under the Articles, at
least  one-third  of  the  Board  must  retire  at  each
Annual General Meeting and each Director  must
retire by rotation every three years. The Company
has  since  2011  adopted  the  policy  that  all
Directors  should  stand  for  re-election  at  each
Annual  General  Meeting.  The  Nomination
Committee  Report  on  page  85  explains  the
process for nominations and succession planning
in  more  detail.  There  were  no  new  Board
appointments during the year.

Code Provision B.3: Commitment

The Company does not set an upper limit on the
number of other appointments that may be held
by  Non-Executive  Directors,  although  on
appointment  Board  members,  in  particular  the
Chairman  and  the  Non-Executive  Directors,
disclose their other commitments and must agree
to  allocate  sufficient  time  to  the  Company  to
discharge their duties effectively and ensure that
these  other  commitments  do  not  affect  their
contribution. The  current  Board  commitments  of
the  Chairman  are  identified  in  the  biographical
details  on  pages  28  and  29.  The  position  is
reviewed  regularly,  and  changes  are  notified  to
the  Company.  The  process  for  recording  and
managing conflicts of interest is explained under
“Conflicts of Interest” above.

None of the full time Executive Directors holds a
Non-Executive  Directorship 
in  a  FTSE  100
company.    Appointments  to  the  boards  of  other
non-FTSE  100  companies  are  held  by  the
Executive  Directors  subject  to  the  prior  approval
of the Board.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

53

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

Code Provisions B.4, B.5:  Board
Development, and Information and
Support

The  Chairman,  supported  by  the  Chief  Executive
and  the  Company  Secretary,  ensures  that  new
Directors  receive  full,  formal,  and  tailored
induction on joining the Board. Directors receive
training as part of the annual Board programme of
work,  and  are  also  expected  to  attend  external
courses and seminars as appropriate to maintain
and  develop  their  Board  competencies.  During
2012  the  Board  received  in-depth  briefings
relating  to  the  business  from  the  Group’s  sales,
marketing,  operational  management  and  HR
teams,  and  from  the  Group’s  Health  and  Safety
Manager.  Other  training  needs  are  identified
through the Board evaluation process or through
individual reviews between the Directors and the
Chairman.  Non-Executive  Directors  have  also
availed  themselves  of  opportunities  to  meet
shareholders during 2012, and would be available
to  meet  major  shareholders  if  a  meeting  were
requested.

All Directors are supplied in a timely manner with
relevant documentation and financial information
to assist them in the discharge of their duties. This
includes  information  on  the  Group’s  operational
and financial performance, on Health and Safety,
and  on  forward  trends.  Directors  have  access  to
the advice and services of the Company Secretary
and  are  entitled  to  rely  on  the  impartial  and
independent  nature  of  that  advice  and  those
services. The Company Secretary is responsible for
ensuring  that  Board  procedures  are  complied
with  and,  through  the  Chairman,  advises  the
Board on Corporate Governance matters. Both the
appointment  and  removal  of  the  Company
Secretary are a matter for the Board as a whole.

The  Board  has  an  approved  procedure  for  all
Directors to take independent professional advice
at the Company’s expense.  Board Committees are
provided  with  sufficient  resources  to  undertake
their  duties,  including  the  option  to  appoint
external advisers when they deem it appropriate.

54

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Code Provision B.6: Evaluation

The Company carries out a full evaluation of Board
performance  and  that  of  its  three  principal
Committees  annually.  During  2012,  this  was
conducted  using  a  detailed  questionnaire  and
one-to–one  confidential  discussions  between
each of the Directors and the Company Secretary.
The  questionnaire  included  questions  about  the
effectiveness  of  the  Executive  and  the  Non-
Executive  Directors,  and  the  performance  of  the
Board,  referencing  external  guidance  on  Board
effectiveness  published  during  2011  by  the  FRC
and  the  ABI. The  evaluation  also  asked  Directors
other  than  the  Chairman  to  evaluate  the
performance  of  the  Chairman,  and  the  Senior
Independent  Director  separately  reviewed  the
Chairman’s  performance  with  other  Non-
Executive Directors.  

the 

formal  Board 

The results of the evaluation were reviewed by the
Chairman  and  the  Company  Secretary  and
discussed by the Board. The key themes emerging
from  this  evaluation  have  been  applied  in
developing  specific  Board  objectives  for  2013,
including  further  work  on  strategic  risk  and
providing  opportunities 
for  Non-Executive
Directors  to  participate  in  events  and  meetings
timetable.  The
outside 
evaluation also validated the results of the action
plan  for  2012,  which  were  believed  to  have
improved  the  effectiveness  of  the  Board.  The
Board  considered  whether  to  use  an  external
assessor for the evaluation in 2012 and concluded
that  the  evaluation  process  using 
internal
resource, 
the  Company  Secretary,
continues  to  be  a  very  effective  and  robust
process and has demonstrably helped to improve
Board effectiveness since its inception. The Board
will keep this under review for future years.

led  by 

Code Principle B.7: Re-election of
Directors

The Company’s Articles of Association provide for
re-election  of  Directors  at  regular  intervals.  No
Director may serve more than three years without
retiring and being proposed for re-election. All the
current Directors stood for election or re-election
at the Annual General Meeting in May 2012, and it
is  the  intention  that  the  full  Board  will  retire  and

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

stand  for  re-election  at  the  2013  Annual  General
Meeting. Biographical details of the Directors can
be  found  on  pages  28  and  29. The  processes  for
appointment  and  evaluation  of  the  Directors  are
set  out  in  the  Nomination  Committee  Report  on
page  85.  The  current  terms  of  appointment  of
Directors are set out on page 70.

Accountability and Audit
Code Provision C.1: Financial and
Business Reporting

In presenting the Annual and Half-yearly Financial
Statements  the  Directors  seek  to  present  a  fair,
balanced  and  understandable  assessment  of  the
Group’s position and prospects and to explain the
Company’s  approach  to  preserving  longer  term
value  and  its  strategic  objectives.  The  Directors
in
have  adopted  the  going  concern  basis 
preparing 
in
these  Financial  Statements 
accordance  with  “Going  Concern  and  Liquidity
Risk:  Guidance  for  Directors  of  UK  Companies
2009”  published  by  the  Financial  Reporting
Council in October 2009.

The  respective  responsibilities  of  the  Directors’
and the Auditors in connection with the Financial
Statements  are  explained  in  the  Statement  of
Directors’  Responsibilities  and  the  Auditor’s
Report on pages 57 to 58 and 88 to 89 respectively.

Code Provision C.2: Risk Management
and Internal Control

The  Board  acknowledges  its  responsibility  for
determining  the  nature  and  extent  of  the
significant risks it is willing to take in achieving its
strategic objectives, and for the Group’s system of
internal  control.  Such  a  system  is  designed  to
manage,  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  Board  is  responsible  for  reviewing  the
effectiveness  of  the  system  of  ongoing  control,
and  for  ensuring  that  it  meets  the  necessary
standards. There is a bi-annual formal review of the
Group’s risk management system and the system

of  internal  control.  The  risk  management  system
and  internal  control  system  are  also  subject  to  a
regular rolling programme of review, the results of
which are periodically reported to the Board. The
Board  has  appointed  a  Risk  Committee,
comprising the Executive Directors, which reports
directly to the Board. Its task is to identify, evaluate
and  manage  any  material  risks  which  might
threaten  the  Group’s  business  objectives.  In
undertaking  this  work,  it  receives  regular  risk
reviews  and  an  annual  risk  assessment  report
carried out by the relevant senior managers.  From
this  information,  the  Risk  Committee  compiles  a
Register which identifies the Group’s key risk areas,
the  probability  of  these  risks  occurring  and  the
impact they would have, giving each risk a relative
weighting  reflecting  its  potential  impact  on  the
Group.  Against  each  such  risk,  the  controls  that
exist to manage and, where possible, minimise or
eliminate  those  risks  are  listed.   The  Risk  Register
helps  to  identify  areas  for  action,  and  uses
programmes 
independent  audit
assessments  that  are  designed  to  test  the
effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  risk  control  systems.
Information in relation to the management of risks
and  any  changes  to  key  risks  or  weighting  is
regularly reported to the Board. The Risk Register is
reviewed by the Board and the Audit Committee at
least  every  six  months  and  updated  to  reflect
changes  in  circumstances  or  priorities.  To  the
extent  that  any  failings  or  weaknesses  are
identified  during  the  review  process,  appropriate
measures are taken to remedy these. During 2012,
work  was  undertaken  to  extend  the  systems
controls to the Group’s Belgian business and to its
purchasing operations in China.

including 

In  addition  to  the  major  risk  review  process,  the
internal  control
Group  has  an  established 
framework,  the  key  features  of  which  include
clearly  defined  reporting  lines  and  authorisation
procedures  and  a  comprehensive  budget  and
monthly  reporting  system.  The  internal  control
framework  governs 
financial
reporting  process  of  the  business,  with  checks
and  balances  built  into  the  system  that  are
designed to reduce the likelihood of material error
or  fraud.  The  Report  of  the  Audit  Committee,

internal 

the 

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

55

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

which  is  incorporated  by  reference  into  this
Report,  provides  further  information  on  the
internal control and risk management systems in
place in connection with financial reporting.

The  Audit  Committee  has  carried  out  an
assessment of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk
internal  control  system,
management  and 
its
covering  all  material  controls 
financial,  operational  and  compliance  controls
and risk management systems for the year  to 31
December 2012.

including 

Code Provision C.3: Audit Committee
and Auditors

regarding 

Information  relating  to  the  Audit  Committee 
and  how  the  Company  has  complied  with 
the  Code  Principles 
financial 
reporting  and  internal  controls  is  set  out  in  the
Report  of  the  Audit  Committee  on  pages  86 
and  87.  The  Terms  of  Reference  of  the  Audit
Committee  are  available  on  the  Company’s
website at www.marshalls.co.uk.

Directors’ Remuneration 
Code Provisions D.1 and D.2: Level and
make-up of Remuneration, and
procedure for developing policy and
fixing executive remuneration
packages

The  Board  has  delegated  to  its  Remuneration
Committee responsibility for ensuring compliance
with  the  Code’s  requirements  on  remuneration.
The  remuneration  policies  and  procedures,  and
details  of  Executive  Directors’  remuneration  are
set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 59
to 84. The Terms of Reference of the Remuneration
Committee were reviewed during the year and are
available  on 
the  Company’s  website  at
www.marshalls.co.uk.

Relations with Shareholders
Code Provision E.1: Dialogue with
Shareholders

The Board is accountable to shareholders for the
Company’s  continued  success.  The  Board

accordingly places great emphasis on maintaining
good  communications  with  shareholders.  The
Chief  Executive  and  Finance  Director  meet
regularly  with  major  shareholders  to  discuss  the
Group’s  performance,  strategic 
issues  and
shareholder investment objectives. The Company
periodically  arranges  site  visits  for  investors.
During  2012,  51  such  meetings  were  held,  at
which  at  least  78  institutional  shareholders  were
represented.  Reports  of  these  meetings  and  any
shareholder communications during the year are
provided  to  the  Board.  The  Board  also  regularly
receives copies of analysts’ and brokers’ briefings.
The  Chairman 
is  available  to  meet  major
shareholders  on  request  to  discuss  governance
and strategy, and held a number of such meetings
during  2012.  When  appropriate,  the  Non-
Executive Directors attend meetings or site visits
with  major  shareholders.  The  Board  will  be
seeking further opportunities to increase contact
with  shareholders  during  2013.  The  Senior
Independent  Director  is  also  available  to  meet
shareholders  separately  if  requested.  There  is  a
regular reporting and announcement schedule to
ensure  that  matters  of  importance  affecting  the
Group are communicated to investors.

The Annual and Half-yearly Reports, together with
the  Marshalls  website,  are  substantial  means  of
communication  with  all  shareholders  during  the
year.

Code Provision E.2: Constructive Use of
the Annual General Meeting

is
The  Notice  of  Annual  General  Meeting 
dispatched  to  shareholders,  together  with
explanatory notes or a circular on items of special
business,  at  least  20  working  days  before  the
meeting. It is the Company’s practice to propose
separate  resolutions  on  each  substantially
separate  issue  including  a  resolution  relating  to
the Report and Accounts. As in previous years, the
Company  intends  to  put  all  resolutions  to  an
electronic  poll  at 
its  2013  Annual  General
Meeting.

56

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

All  Directors  normally  attend  the  meeting,
the  Audit,
the  Chairmen  of 
including 
Remuneration and Nomination Committees, who
are  available  to  answer  questions.  The  Board
welcomes questions from shareholders who have
an  opportunity  to  raise  issues  informally  or
formally before or at the Annual General Meeting.  

For each resolution the proxy appointment forms
provide  shareholders  with  the  option  to  direct
their  proxy  vote  either  for  or  against  the
resolution  or  to  withhold  their  vote.  The  proxy
form  and  any  announcement  of  the  results  of  a
vote will make it clear that a ‘vote withheld’ is not
a  vote  in  law  and  will  not  be  counted  in  the
calculation of the proportion of the votes for and
against the resolution.

All  valid  proxy  appointments  are  properly
Information  on  the
recorded  and  counted. 
number of shares represented by proxy, the proxy
votes  for  and  against  each  resolution,  and  the
number of shares in respect of which the vote was
withheld  for  each  resolution,  together  with  the
voting result, are given at the meeting and made
available  on  the  Company’s  web  site  at
www.marshalls.co.uk. 

Statement of Directors’
Responsibilities in respect of the
Annual Report and the Financial
Statements

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the
Annual  Report  and  the  Group  and  Parent
Company  Financial  Statements  in  accordance
with applicable law and regulations.

to  prepare 

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare
Group and Parent Company Financial Statements
for  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law  they  are
the  Group  Financial
required 
Statements  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as  adopted
by the European Union ("EU") and applicable law,
and  they  have  elected  to  prepare  the  Parent
Company  Financial  Statements  in  accordance
with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law

(UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Under  company  law  the  Directors  must  not
approve the Financial Statements unless they are
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company
and  of  their  profit  or  loss  for  that  period.  In
preparing each of the Group and Parent Company
Financial Statements, the Directors are required to:
select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then
•
apply them consistently;

• make  judgements  and  estimates  that  are

•

•

•

they  have  been  prepared 

reasonable and prudent;
for  the  Group  Financial  Statements,  state
whether 
in
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;
for the Parent Company Financial Statements,
state  whether  applicable  UK  Accounting
Standards have been followed, subject to any
material  departures  disclosed  and  explained
in  the  Parent  Company  Financial  Statements;
and
prepare the Financial Statements on the going
concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to
presume  that  the  Group  and  the  Parent
Company will continue in business.

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

Under  applicable 
law  and  regulations,  the
Directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  a
Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration Report
and  Corporate  Governance  Statement  each  of
which  complies  with  that 
law  and  those
regulations.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Corporate Governance Statement (continued)

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance
and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial
information included on the Company's website.
Legislation  in  the  UK  governing  the  preparation
and  dissemination  of  financial  statements  may
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

The  Directors  who  held  office  at  the  date  of
approval of this Directors' Report and whose names
and functions are listed on pages 28 and 29 confirm
that, to the best of each of their knowledge:

(a) the  Group  Financial  Statements  in  this  Annual
Report,  which  have  been  prepared 
in
accordance  with 
International  Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted by the
EU,  IFRIC  interpretation  and  those  parts  of  the
Companies  Act  2006  applicable  to  companies
reporting under IFRS, give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
loss of the Group taken as a whole; and

(b) the Parent Company’s Financial Statements in
this Annual Report, which have been prepared
in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom
Accounting  Standards 
(United  Kingdom
GAAP) and applicable law give a true and fair
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit of the Parent Company; and

fair 

includes  a 

(c) the Business Review contained in this Annual
the
review  of 
Report 
development  and  performance  of 
the
business and the position of the Company and
the  Group  taken  as  a  whole,  together  with  a
risks  and
description  of 
uncertainties that they face.

the  principal 

Disclosure of Information 
to Auditors

The  Directors  who  held  office  at  the  date  of
approval of this Directors’ Report confirm that, so
far  as  they  are  each  aware,  there  is  no  relevant
audit 
information  of  which  the  Company’s
Auditors are unaware, and each Director has taken
all  the  steps  that  he  ought  to  have  taken  as  a
Director  to  make  himself  aware  of  any  relevant
audit  information  and  to  establish  that  the
Company’s Auditors are aware of that information.

58

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Cautionary Statement and
Directors’ Liability

This  Annual  Report  2012  has  been  prepared  for,
and  only  for,  the  members  of  the  Company,  as  a
body, and no other persons. Neither the Company
nor the Directors accept or assume any liability to
any person to whom this Annual Report is shown
or  into  whose  hands  it  may  come  except  to  the
extent  that  such  liability  arises  and  may  not  be
excluded  under  English  law.  Accordingly,  any
liability  to  a  person  who  has  demonstrated
reliance on any untrue or misleading statement or
omission shall be determined in accordance with
Section 90A of the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000.

This  Annual  Report  contains  certain  forward
looking  statements  with  respect  to  the  Group’s
financial  condition,  results,  strategy,  plans  and
objectives. These statements are not forecasts or
guarantees of future performance and involve risk
and uncertainty because they relate to events and
depend upon circumstances that will occur in the
future. There  are  a  number  of  factors  that  could
cause  actual  results  or  developments  to  differ
materially  from  those  expressed,  implied  or
forecast by these forward looking statements. All
forward looking statements in this Annual Report
are based on information known to the Group as
at the date of this Annual Report and the  Group
has no obligation publicly to update or revise any
forward looking statements, whether as a result of
new information or future events. Nothing in this
Annual  Report  should  be  construed  as  a  profit
forecast.

Annual General Meeting

The  Notice  convening  the  Annual  General
Meeting  to  be  held  at  Birkby  Grange  at  11.00am
on  Wednesday  15  May  2013  together  with
explanatory  notes  on  the  resolutions  to  be
proposed  is  contained  in  a  circular  to  be  sent  to
shareholders with this Annual Report.

By Order of the Board
Cathy Baxandall
Group Company Secretary
8 March 2013

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Directors’ Remuneration Report 

A Statement to Shareholders
from the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder

activities  of 

I  am  pleased  to  report  to  shareholders  on  the
aims,  objectives 
the
and 
Remuneration  Committee  during  2012.  A
resolution to approve this report will be proposed
at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 15
May 2013.

Overview of 2012

During  the  year  we  have,  as  a  Committee,
reviewed our remuneration policy as a whole, to
ensure  it  meets  the  need  to  attract,  retain  and
continue to motivate talented Executive Directors
while  recognising  wider  shareholder  interests.  In
our  work,  we  have  also  sought  to  reflect
developing  best  practice 
the  area  of
remuneration,  to  recognise  the  importance  of
alignment with the objectives of shareholders and
to  encourage  behaviours  that  will  ensure  the
sustainability  and  long  term  health  of  the
business  and  avoid  inappropriate  risk-taking. We
are  conscious  of  the  continuing  debate  around
remuneration  and  have  taken  it  into  account  in
our deliberations.

in 

2012 has been a challenging year for the business,
with  an  8.8  per  cent  decline  in  construction
activity  according  to  the  Construction  Products
Association,  high  rainfall  affecting  our  markets
and low consumer confidence. The present team
of  Executive  Directors,  which  has  served  the
business since 2001, has responded decisively to
the  challenge  and  taken  action  designed  to
sustainable
business 
position 
improvement 
economic
throughout 
downturn. The outcome of this action is expected
to  give  a  strong  foundation  to  help  Marshalls
maintain and develop its market-leading position
so that it is well placed to return to growth in the
future and deliver value to shareholders.

the 

the 

for 

Key Committee decisions in the
year

The members of the Committee are identified on
pages 28 and 29. The Committee met four times
during  2012.  In  addition,  to  the  four  formal
meetings,  there  were  additional  meetings  with
remuneration  consultants  during  the  year.  The
Committee’s programme of work included:

•

•

•

the 

reviewing 
executive
policy 
remuneration  and  the  structure  of  executive
remuneration packages;

for 

checking pay and benefit levels of Directors by
reference to (a) external independent reports,
(b)  Marshalls’  pay  policies  for 
its  other
employees  and  (c)  the  wider  economic  and
social environment;

reviewing,  and  updating  as  appropriate,  the
Company’s  annual  and  long  term  executive
incentive  schemes,  and  setting  performance
targets  for  annual  performance-related  pay
under  the  Performance  Incentive  Plan  (the
"PIP")  and  three  year  performance  targets
under  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  (the
“LTIP”); 

• measuring  performance  against  the  targets
set, making awards under the PIP and the LTIP,
and agreeing principles for 2013; and

•

reviewing the Board expenses policy.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Meeting 

Agenda items discussed 

25.1.12

Review of Executive Directors' pension provision; 2011 PIP outcome and targets for 
2012; current status of LTIP awards; review of Board expenses policy and expenses paid.

29.2.12

8.10.12

Conclusion of review and approval of 2011 awards under the PIP and LTIP; PIP and LTIP
target setting for 2012 and approval of 2012 PIP and LTIP awards; review of 2011 
Remuneration Committee Report.

Review of remuneration framework policy, benchmarking report from external 
advisers; initial consideration of proposals for 2013 salary and benefits for Executive 
Directors and senior management; progress report on PIP and LTIP;  review of 
contractual termination obligations of Executive Directors. 

12.12.12

Discussion of PIP performance and measurement criteria; report on pay and benefit 
conditions elsewhere in the business; approval of salary and benefit proposals for 2013;
review of Chairman’s fee.

The  Remuneration  Committee  has  made  the  following  decisions  in  relation  to  the  Executive  Directors’
remuneration for 2013 and the outcomes of the variable performance-related elements for 2012:

Element

Change

Rationale for Change (if any)

Salary

No change.

Benefits

Pension

No change.

No change.

No change in operation and types
of performance condition.

Marshalls plc
Performance
Incentive Plan
(the “PIP”)

No PIP payment for 2012 based
on EPS performance test.

It would be usual to consider an inflation-related 
increase; however the Executive Directors have 
voluntarily agreed not to seek any increase in basic 
salary for 2013 as part of a wider salary and wage freeze.

The current benefits are considered to be appropriate.

The level of Company contribution is considered
appropriate; two out of the three Directors have elected
for Fixed Protection so receive salary supplement instead
of contributions to the Pension Scheme.

The Remuneration Committee feels that these types of
performance condition remain appropriate for the
Company for 2013 (see Policy section of the Report for
details).

Adjusted EPS declined between 2011 and 2012.

Maximum PIP payment for 2012
based on Cash performance test.

Exceptional performance in relation to achievement of
year end net debt reduction in 2012.

Reduction of maximum award as
percentage of salary from 250 per
cent to 200 per cent for 2013.

Scaling back of new awards reduces overall cash impact 
of PIP without prejudicing the beneficial retention effect
of previously earned deferred element.

Overall remuneration of the Chief
Executive is to be reduced by 20 per
cent from 1 January 2013 by deduction
from anticipated PIP payments.

The Committee has agreed to this reduction proposed by
Graham Holden as part of the cost reduction initiatives
throughout the business.

Marshalls plc
LTIP

No change in operation and
types of performance condition.

- Performance
Share element 

The Remuneration Committee feels that these types of
performance condition remain appropriate for the
Company for 2013 (see Policy section of the Report for
details).

60

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

PIP can only be achieved if the growth targets are
achieved  in  each  year  of  the  full  holding  period.
For  2013,  the  Committee  has  reduced  the
maximum  opportunity  under  the  PIP  to  200  per
cent  of  salary,  from  250  per  cent,  because  the
values accrued in individual PIP accounts in Years
1  and  2  are  considered  to  fulfil  adequately  our
retention objective. The PIP targets for 2013 have
been set so there will only be a payment if there is
an improvement in underlying profit before tax or
net  debt.  The  Committee  continues  to  use  the
Group’s  LTIP  to  make  Performance  Share  awards,
although no awards of either Performance Shares
or Matching Shares made in previous years have
vested. 

I  hope  you 
informative.

find  this  report  helpful  and

Alan Coppin
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Context to the Committee’s
decisions

Sales  fell  by  around  7  per  cent  year  on  year,
reflecting  weaker  economic  conditions  and  the
impact of poor weather through the key summer
sales  period.  Management  responded  promptly
and  robustly  to  the  business  challenges  of  the
current  economy,  taking  decisive  action  to  cut
cost  and  conserve  cash. This  helped  to  maintain
net  profitability  and  reduce  net  debt  levels
significantly  in  2012  despite  the  challenging
trading  conditions.  Earnings  per  share,  before
operational 
restructuring  costs  and  asset
impairments, fell to 5.87 pence (2011: 6.30 pence)
and although this was within the target range set
at  the  beginning  of  the  year  (4.05  pence  to  6.88
pence),  after  adjustment, 
the  Committee
determined  that  no  element  of  bonus  was
attributable to this measure. Net debt at the end
of  the  year,  at  £63.5  million,  was  at  the  lower
(better)  end  of  the  target  range  of  £73.1  million
(nil)  to  £63.1  million  (maximum)  and,  after
impact  of  the
reflect  the 
adjustment  to 
operational  cost  reductions,  the  target  was
achieved  in  full.  Overall,  the  variable  element  of
Executive Directors’ remuneration earned in 2012
was substantially less than in 2011.

The Remuneration Committee has discretion to make
adjustments to ensure that one - off transactions or
factors  that  are  not  under  the  control  of
management  have  a  neutral  effect  on  the
measurement of target achievement for incentive
schemes.

The PIP was introduced in 2011 after shareholder
consultation.    It  requires  a  significant  element  of
annual  variable  pay  to  be  deferred  in  shares.
Further detail is provided in this Report.  

The  PIP  helps  to  meet  the  key  objective  of  the
Committee of retention of our talented managers
at Board and senior level, while allowing a flexible
approach  in  the  setting  of  targets  on  an  annual
basis.  The  PIP  has  replaced  both  the  previous
annual  bonus  scheme  and  the  Matching  Share
element of the Group’s LTIP. The full benefit of the

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

related 

incentive 

The Committee has, in the design and application
of  the  Company’s  annual  and  long  term  variable
performance 
schemes,
incorporated  risk  adjustment  mechanisms  to
encourage  consistent  and  sustainable  levels  of
Company  performance  and  to  ensure,  when
selecting performance conditions and the level of
challenge  within  those  conditions,  that  they
support the long term future of the Company.

reviewing 

In 
its  policy  and  determining
remuneration the Committee considers the wider
economic  conditions  and  pay  and  reward
packages  elsewhere  in  its  sector  and  within  the
business.

Policy Report

Introduction

This  Report  covers  the  reporting  period  from  1
January 2012 to 31 December 2012 and provides
details  of  the  remuneration  policy  for  the
Company.  This Report has been prepared by the
Committee  having  regard  to  the  proposed
regulations  put  forward  by  the  UK  Government
Department  of  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills
(“BIS”). The Company has opted to include certain
of the BIS requirements in this 2012 Remuneration
Report  on  a  transitional  basis,  while  retaining
those  features  that  remain  compulsory  for  the
2012 financial year, with a view to adopting fully
the new requirements for its 2013 Remuneration
Report.  An  advisory  resolution  to  approve  this
Report will be proposed at the Company's Annual
General Meeting on 15 May 2013.

Remuneration Committee Policy

is 

to 

The  Committee’s  policy 
target  a
remuneration  package  that  is  at  around  median
for median performance and in the upper quartile
for  exceptional  performance. 
In  setting  all
elements  of  remuneration  the  Committee  is
independent  consultants  and
advised  by 
periodically uses data from external research into
the salaries and benefits paid by companies of a
comparable size and complexity to the Company.

The  aim  of  the  policy  is  to  attract,  retain  and
continue to motivate talented Executive Directors
while  aligning  remuneration  with  shareholder
interests.  This  is  achieved  by  balancing  a  basic
fixed package, which is periodically benchmarked
against the median of the comparator group, with
the  opportunity  to  achieve  upper  quartile
remuneration  from  a  combination  of  stretching
but achievable short and long term incentives.

The terms of reference for the Committee include
the  responsibility  for  setting  the  policy  on
incentive  reward 
in
particular those who could have a material impact
on the risk profile of the Group.

for  senior  employees, 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Operation

Opportunity

Element

Base salary

Purpose and how 
it supports
the strategy

Policy: Median
It is the intention of the
Remuneration
Committee to set base
salaries at the median
compared to
comparable companies.
Base salary recognises
the market value of the
Executive’s role, skill,
responsibilities,
performance and
experience.

The Committee wishes
to ensure that fixed
costs are minimised and
that an above median
level of total
remuneration is only
provided where the
performance elements
of the package are
earned.

The performance
elements are directly
linked to the
achievement of the
Company’s strategy 
(see below).

An Executive Director’s basic salary
is considered by the Committee on
their appointment and then
reviewed periodically or when an
individual changes position or
responsibility. 

When making a determination as
to the appropriate remuneration,
the Committee considers firstly
remuneration practices within the
Group as a whole and, where
considered relevant, conducts
objective research on companies
within the Company’s peers.

As is currently the case, the results
of the benchmarking will only be
one of many factors taken into
account by the Remuneration
Committee. Other factors include:
•
the individual performance
and experience of the
Executive Director;
pay and conditions for
employees across the Group; 
the general performance of
the Company; and
the economic environment.

•

•

•

Changes
for 2013 
(if any)

No change.

No increase
in Executive
Director
salaries for
2013.

Performance
measures and 
period

There are no performance
conditions attached to
the payment of salary
although there are a
number of performance
based factors both at the
individual and Company
level that influence the
level of salaries provided
to Executive Directors

The Remuneration Committee policy in
relation to salary is:
•

up to median salary on appointment
depending on the experience and
background of the new Executive
Director;
on promotion up to the median salary
for the new role;
otherwise pay increases are set by
reference to inflation and other pay
rises generally for employees.

•

•

The salaries for the Executive 
Directors are:

Role

Chief Executive 
(Graham Holden)
Finance Director 
(Ian Burrell)
Chief Operating Officer 
(David Sarti)

Salary 2012
£

412,000

236,900

236,900

The Committee is satisfied that the salaries
accord with its policy whilst remaining
competitive against similar roles within the
relevant peer group.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Element

Purpose and how it
supports the strategy

Operation

Opportunity

Performance
measures and
period

Changes
for 2013 (if
any)

None.

No change.

Non-Executive Directors have
specific terms of engagement
provided in formal letters of
appointment and their
remuneration is determined by the
Board within the limits set by the
Articles of Association and based
on equivalent roles in the same
comparators as are used for the
Executive Directors. The fees for
Non-Executive Directors are
considered periodically. Non-
Executive Directors are usually
appointed for a three year term,
subject to annual re-election by
the Shareholders at the Company’s
Annual General Meeting.

The Company’s policy in relation to 
fees is:
•

up to median level fees on appointment
depending on the experience and background of
the new Non-Executive Director; and
any increase will be set by reference to inflation
and other pay rises generally.

•

The Non-Executive Director fees are made up of:
•
basic fee of £40,170 per annum; and
•
Chairman of Board Committee fee of £6,180 per
annum.

The Chairman’s fee is £128,750 per annum

The following table shows the Fees paid to Non-
Executive Directors  in 2012:

Non-Executive Directors do not
receive any bonus, do not
participate in awards under the
Company’s incentive plans, and are
not eligible to join the Company’s
pension scheme.

Name
Andrew Allner
Alan Coppin
Mark Edwards
Tim Pile

£
128,750
46,350
46,350
40,170

Non-Executive Directors also
receive a fixed annual payment to
cover expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties. For
2012 this was £10,000 for the
Chairman and £6,000 for the other
Non-Executive Directors.

Executive Directors are entitled to a
fully expensed company car and
medical insurance.

The Committee is satisfied that the fees accord with
its policy.

The following table shows the annual cost of benefits
provided to the Executive Directors in 2012:

None.

No change.

Name
Graham Holden 
Ian Burrell 
David Sarti 

£
12,237
12,255
16,327

Non-
Executive
Directors’
Fees

Policy: - Median
The Company sets fee
levels necessary to
attract and retain
experienced and skilled
Non-Executive
Directors with the
necessary experience
and expertise to advise
and assist with
establishing and
monitoring the
strategic objectives of
the Company.  Fees
also reflect the time
commitment and
responsibilities of the
roles.

An additional fee is
paid for Chairmanship
of a Board Committee.

Benefits

Policy: - Market
Practice
The Company provides a
benefits package in line
with standard market
practice. 

The Company is required
to provide this benefits
package in order to be
competitive and to
ensure it is able to
recruit and retain
Executive Directors.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Element

Pension

Purpose and how 
it supports the
strategy

Policy: - Median 
To enable Executive
Directors to make
appropriate provision
for retirement and to
protect their spouse /
dependents.

Operation

Opportunity

Executive Directors are entitled to
membership of the defined
contribution section of the
Marshalls plc Pension Scheme to
which the Company contributes at
an agreed percentage of basic
salary.

The defined benefit section of the Scheme closed to
new members in 2000 and to future service accrual in
2006. Graham Holden elected to take his Scheme
benefits as pension at age 50 in December 2009. He
therefore ceased to be able to take a transfer of
accrued pension benefits and no further benefits will
accrue.

Performance
measures and
period

Changes
for 2013 
(if any)

None.

No change.

This is regarded as an
important element of
the basic benefits
package to attract and
retain talent.

Executive Directors may take a
salary supplement in place of the
Company’s contribution to the
Scheme where circumstances make
this necessary.

It should be noted that salary
supplements are excluded for the
purposes of calculating any other
element of an Executive Director’s
remuneration based on a
percentage of salary.

Ian Burrell and Graham Holden have elected for Fixed
Protection under the Pensions Act and consequently
no further contributions may be made into the
Scheme for their benefit. Each of them receives a
salary supplement of 30 per cent of basic salary in
lieu of pension contributions.

David Sarti is entitled to a Company contribution to
the Scheme of 30 per cent of basic salary with a
minimum employee contribution of 4 per cent.

Executive Directors are also eligible for a lump sum
payment and dependant’s pension benefits on death
in service. Life assurance is based on a multiple of
salary.

The following table sets the annual cost of  Company
contributions provided to the Executive Directors:

Name

Graham Holden 
Ian Burrell 
David Sarti 

Company Pension
Contribution
/Salary
Supplement
£
123,600
71,000
71,000

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

65

Changes
for 2013 
(if any)

The
Maximum
Company
Annual
Contribution
will be 200
per cent  of
salary for
Executive
Directors in
2013.

The 2013
targets
mean there
will only be a
contribution
in 2013 if
there is an
improvement
in underlying
profit before
tax or net
debt.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Element

Purpose and how it supports 
the strategy

PIP

Policy: - Upper Quartile

Note 1 on
page 69 
sets out the
operation of
the PIP

Performance Conditions
The following are the key performance conditions for
the PIP and how they are
linked to the successful implementation 
of the Company’s strategy.

Opportunity

Performance measures and period

The Maximum
Company Annual
Contribution may
not exceed 250 per
cent of salary for
Executive Directors.

The performance criteria and weighting are
as follows:

Criteria

EPS 
Cash 

Percentage of maximum
contribution
based on criteria
67%
33%

Additional performance conditions:
•

customer service (at or above 95 per cent); and

•

health and safety incidence (reduction of 10 per
cent).

There is a reduction of contributions earned under the
primary criteria by 15 per cent if these two additional
conditions are not met.

1. EPS (67 per cent of Maximum Contribution)
EPS growth derived from sustainable profit growth is
one of the measures demonstrating the successful
execution of the Company’s strategy objectives:
•

to deliver superior returns for shareholders, in
a sustainable way, from the timely and
efficient supply of high quality value for
money products. The Company aims to
maximise profitability through optimising
operating performance and investing
selectively in market and brand development;

•

•

growth in EPS also is one of the measures of
success of other elements of the Company
strategy including:

o maintaining a strong market position and

developing robust and sustainable
relationships with customers to improve
market share and penetration;

o the reduction of costs and improvement of

margins through operational efficiencies; and

o evaluation of the benefits of potential

synergistic acquisitions or organic growth
opportunities in existing and related markets.

EPS growth supports a progressive dividend
policy and capital growth thereby maximising
total shareholder returns.

2. Cash  (33 per cent of Maximum Contribution)
This measure is limited to the achievement of the
following strategic objectives:
•

to grow OCF by more than RPI;

•

•

to permit the payment of dividends in line
with medium term earnings growth; and

to maintain the sustainability of the core
business while continuing to invest in
technology to improve capabilities and
allowing for opportunity to make synergistic
acquisitions.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Element

Purpose and how it supports the strategy

PIP

3. Additional Performance Conditions

The Remuneration Committee considers that an element of the Company Maximum Annual Contribution under the PIP should be dependent on achieving
qualitative criteria in the areas of customer service and employee safety in addition to the main financial measures of EPS growth and cash.  These are:
•
•
Where EPS and cash targets are met but the non-financial targets are not, the contribution earned can be reduced by a maximum of 15 per cent.

the achievement of a pre-determined target (10 per cent reduction) in relation to employee health and safety improvement during the year.

a minimum customer service level (95 per cent); and 

Structure of the PIP
This note explains the features of the PIP and how they support the successful long term execution of the Company strategy:

1.

2.

Flexibility – the markets in which the Company operates, including the Public and Commercial end market and the Domestic end market, are
strongly correlated to the construction sector which is very sensitive to external economic conditions and to policy decisions by Government. The
Company makes periodic adjustments to strategy as market dynamics evolve. Annual targets allow the Committee to reflect the challenges faced by
the Company at that point in the cycle. 

Risk Adjustment and Sustainable Performance – the Remuneration Committee is sensitive to the potential for short term objectives to
encourage focus on short term growth at the expense of long term sustainable performance. The PIP has the following features designed to mitigate
against this risk:
• Deferral into shares or share equivalent– 50 per cent of the earned Maximum Annual Contribution is deferred in a pool whose value is held in
shares or notional shares. This provides a risk adjustment mechanism, in that the value of at least half of earned bonus is subject to the share price
performance of the Company for a further holding period after the period in respect of which it was earned. It is assumed that the share price will
reflect to a degree the market’s view of the continuing performance of the Company as well as performance in the period for which the bonus was
earned. In addition, because the deferred element is locked-in until the end of the holding period, with the ultimate value when it vests being
based on the share price at the end of the holding period, this achieves closer alignment between Executives’ interests and shareholders interests.
The Committee may also at its discretion use shares to replace a cash element that vests;

• Risk Adjustment through Forfeiture – in addition to the usual claw back provisions relating to financial fraud and/or the need to re-state

accounts, contributions to the bonus pool may be clawed back if minimum threshold performance levels are not met in subsequent years. If there is
a material deterioration in performance, there is a claw back of up to 50 per cent of the bonus pool; and

• Long term improvement – if performance does not improve against the targets set annually, the value of the bonus pool will not grow. It is only

by fully achieving targets in each of the relevant plan years that the maximum value can be earned by a participant.

3.

Encouraging Retention – the PIP has strong retention and lock-in features for the Executive Directors and senior management responsible for
delivering the Company’s strategic objectives:
• the ability to earn bonus by reference to annual performance targets that reflect current circumstances and priorities reduces the risk of the PIP

becoming irrelevant to Executives because the performance conditions are no longer appropriate; 

• arrangements are simple and clear, with participants able to see rewards accruing over the plan period introducing a long term focus; and
• the deferred element of bonus is at risk of forfeiture if a participant leaves the business (there are exceptions for “good leavers”).  As the key

financial performance criteria will have already been met for this element, this provides a more effective lock-in than the potential opportunity of
earning shares based on performance conditions set at  the date of grant but which are only measured three years later, which is the case with a
standard long term incentive plan.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Element

Purpose and how it 
supports the strategy

Operation

Opportunity

Performance measures 
and period

Performance Share awards are
made annually linked to
performance conditions measured
over a three year period.

The maximum
annual
Performance
Share award for
Executive
Directors is 100
per cent of
salary.

Performance conditions are measured
over three financial years.

Performance measures and relative
weightings are:
•

50% EPS; and

•

50% OCF

LTIP

Policy: - Median

To incentivise Executives to achieve
long term performance objectives
and to align the interests of
Executives with those of
shareholders through the holding of
share based incentives.

The Remuneration Committee
believes that the use of EPS and OCF
targets for the three year
performance period under the LTIP
remains relevant, despite the levels
being manifestly stretching. Only
exceptional performance will result
in awards vesting under the LTIP,
and the Committee believes this
achieves a balance with the more
flexible structure of the PIP.

In addition, the Remuneration
Committee feels that the use of EPS
and OCF for the three year
performance period under the LTIP
encourages Executives to take a
sustainable view of performance
over the longer term and provides a
further safeguard to any short term
focus not dealt with under the
structure of the PIP.

Changes 
for 2013 
(if any)

No change to
performance
criteria. 
Chief
Executive’s
2013
Performance
Share award
has been
scaled back to
maximum 80
per cent of
salary.

No change.

Vesting of 50 per cent of the award
subject to EPS performance
conditions:
Performance
(EPS Growth)
RPI+9%
RPI+21%
*Straight line vesting between points.

% of Award
Vesting*
12.5%
50%

Vesting of 50 per cent of the award
subject to OCF Growth:
Performance
(OCF Growth)
RPI + 9%
RPI +21%
*Straight line vesting between points.

% of Award
Vesting*
12.5%
50%

Definitions and Calculations
EPS is measured using International
Financial Reporting Standards based on
the audited results of the Company and
subject to the discretion of the
Remuneration Committee with regard to
one-off items. OCF growth is calculated
by taking the aggregated OCF for the
three financial years preceding the year
of grant of the award and comparing it
with the aggregate OCF.

There are no performance conditions
attached to the shares purchased.
However, the value of the shares will
depend on the share price performance
of the Company and the tax efficiency is
linked to continued employment with
the Company for specified holding
periods (a minimum of 3 years).

Marshalls
plc Share
Purchase
Plan
(“SPP”)

The Company operates an all
employee share purchase plan to
facilitate the acquisition of shares.

The Committee believes that the
SPP is an effective way of
maximising the number of
employee shareholders within the
Company providing greater
alignment with the interests of
external shareholders.

The SPP is a HM Revenue & Customs
approved Employee Share Incentive
Plan which was approved by
shareholders in 2006. All employees
with more than 6 months service,
including Executive Directors, are
eligible to participate in the SPP
which entitles them to purchase
shares in the Company out of pre-
tax salary.

Participants
may purchase 
a maximum of
£1,500 per
annum in
shares from
pre-tax salary.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Funding
of Share
Plans

The Company would normally expect to meet its obligations to satisfy awards under share incentive plans from shares purchased in the market by the
Marshalls Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”), although it also has the right to fulfil awards through the issue of new shares, subject to the limits below. The
Company monitors the levels of share grants likely to vest and the impact of these on the ongoing requirement for shares. 

In accordance with the guidelines set out by the Association of British Insurers the Company can issue a maximum of 10 per cent of its issued share capital
in a rolling ten year period to employees under all its share plans and a maximum of 5 per cent within this 10 per cent for discretionary share plans. 

The following table summarises the current level of theoretical dilution resulting from Company share plans. The Company would not expect to issue more
than 7.5 per cent of the issued share capital for Share Awards within any rolling three-year period without prior consultation with shareholders.

Type of Plan

Share Awards as a percentage of
Issued Share Capital as at 31 December
2012 in a rolling ten year period

Share Awards as a percentage of
Issued Share Capital as at 31 December
2012 granted during the year

All Employee Share Plans (10% Limit)

Discretionary Share Plans (5% Limit)

2.56%

1.95%

-

0.87%

As at 31 December 2012 the EBT held 1,446,563 ordinary shares in Marshalls plc which were acquired in the open market. The EBT is funded to purchase
shares through cash drawn down under the terms of a Loan Facility Agreement established at the time of the creation of the EBT.  During 2012 the EBT did
not acquire any shares. The total holding by the EBT is shown in the Directors Report on page 49.

Notes:

1.  Operation of the PIP

The PIP is intended to operate as follows:

•
•

•
•

•

•

•

•

•

at the beginning of the Plan Period of 3 financial years, Participants have a Plan Account to which contributions may be made;

no contribution will be made to a Participant’s Plan Account unless the performance criteria, set annually in advance by the Remuneration Committee, have been met for
the year in question;

each Participant has a Maximum Annual Contribution as a percentage of salary;

the Maximum Annual Contribution for Executive Directors in Years 1 and 2 was 250 per cent of salary. This has been scaled back to 200 per cent of salary for Year 3. Because
at least 50 per cent of any annual contribution is deferred, this limits the maximum annual payment to a lower percentage of salary over the four year period. Consequently,
an Executive Director who participates in the PIP and earns the maximum potential award in each year with a 50 per cent deferral would receive the following as a
maximum percentage of salary:

Year 1

125%

Year 2

187.5%

Year 3

193.75%

Year 4

193.75%

the contribution to the PIP is based on the achievement of annual performance criteria for each year. These are set by the Remuneration Committee in advance at the
beginning of the measurement year; 

the Remuneration Committee also sets minimum threshold performance criteria (“Forfeiture Threshold”). Where the Forfeiture Threshold is not achieved, up to 50 per cent
of the deferred balance in a Participant’s Plan Account is forfeited;

participants are entitled to receive no more than 50 per cent of the balance of their Plan Account at the end of each Plan Year. The remaining unpaid balance is deferred,
either in shares or notional shares, the value of which will vary according to the Company’s share price; 

the balance in the Plan Account is also forfeited if the Participant leaves before the final Plan Account payment date or may be applied to meet a claw back if results have
to be re-calculated following any misstatement or fraud; and

the balance of Participants’ Accounts will become payable following the fourth anniversary of the start of the Plan Period. 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Service contracts

Each  of  the  Executive  Directors  has  a  service
agreement with the Company which is terminable
by  the  Company  on  not  less  than  twelve  months
notice and by the Director on six months notice. 

usually  for  a  term  of  three  years.  Either  the
Company  or  the  Non-Executive  Director  may
terminate the appointment before the end of the
current term on six months notice. If the unexpired
term is less than six months notice does not need
to be served. 

Non-Executive  Directors,  including  the  Chairman,
are  appointed  under  letters  of  appointment,

The following table summarises the current term of the Directors’ service agreements and/or appointments.

Term

Date of Agreement/
Appointment

Notice Period in Months
(Director)

Ian
Burrell

Graham
Holden

David
Sarti

June
2001
12
(6)

August
1992
12
(6)

November
2004
12
(6)

Andrew
Allner
July 2003
(renewed in
May 2010)

66
(6)

Alan
Coppin

Mark
Edwards

May
2010

(6)

May
2010
6
(6)

Tim
Pile

October
2010
6
(6)

In the event of termination an Executive Director would normally be entitled to a payment not exceeding an
aggregated amount equal to one year’s remuneration.

Maximum Entitlements during Notice Period

££

££

Salary / Fees
Benefits
Pension
PIP
Performance Shares

236,900
12,255
71,000

236,900
16,327
71,000

412,000
12,237
123,600
See Exit Payments
See Exit Payments

64,375
5,000
--
--
--

££

23,175
3,250

23,175
3,250
-
-
-

£
20,085
3,250
-
-
-

Note: The compensation commitments on termination may also include loss of the cost of life cover and long
term disability insurance for Executive Directors.

Where  appropriate,  the  Company  would  expect  the  departing  Director  to  mitigate  any  loss  and  the
Committee  would  take  this  into  account  in  calculating  the  Company’s  compensation  obligation  and
approving any termination payment.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Remuneration Scenarios

The  composition  and  value  of  the  Executive
Directors’  remuneration  packages  at  below
threshold,  threshold,  target  and  outperformance
scenarios are set out in the charts below.

The  policy  of  the  Committee  is  to  align  Executive
Directors’ interests with those of shareholders and

to  give  the  Executive  Directors  incentives  to
perform  at  the  highest  levels.  To  achieve  this  it
seeks to ensure that a significant proportion of the
remuneration  package  varies  with  the  financial
performance  of  the  Group  and  that  targets  are
the  Group’s  stated  business
aligned  with 
objectives.

Chief Executive 

Outperformance
Target
Threshold
Below Threshold

Outperformance

Target

Threshold

Below Threshold

£0
Salary

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

Benefits

Pension

PIP

LTIP

0%
Salary

20%
Benefits

40%
Pension

60%

PIP

80%
LTIP

100%

Finance Director

Outperformance
Target
Threshold
Below Threshold

Outperformance

Target
Threshold

Below Threshold

£0
Salary

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

Benefits

Pension

PIP

LTIP

0%
Salary

20%
Benefits

40%
Pension

60%

PIP

80%
LTIP

100%

Chief Operating Officer 

Outperformance
Target
Threshold
Below Threshold

Outperformance

Target

Threshold

Below Threshold

£0
Salary

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

Benefits

Pension

PIP

LTIP

0%
Salary

20%
Benefits

40%
Pension

60%

PIP

80%
LTIP

100%

from 

the 
in  this  Report.  Base  salary 

The base salary, benefits and pension information
used  to  generate  the  scenario  charts  above  is
information  on  Directors’
taken 
remuneration 
is
representative of 2012, the benefits value reflects a
fully  expensed  company  car  and  medical
insurance, and pension includes the level of salary
supplement paid instead of contractual employer
pension contributions where applicable. 

The PIP at outperformance represents the full 250
per cent of salary potential. At target this is 150 per
cent  of  salary,  threshold  equals  62.5  per  cent  of
salary  and  below  threshold  0  per  cent  of  salary. 
In  each  scenario  we  have  assumed 
that

remuneration  is  at Year  2  of  the  PIP  and  that  the
minimum  forfeiture  threshold  would  be  met  in
future years. Therefore both the cash element and
the deferred element going into the plan account
is recognised in these scenarios. The reduction in
maximum PIP potential for Year 3, to 200 per cent
of salary, is not reflected in the above illustrations.

The LTIP at outperformance assumes full vesting of
the  award,  60  per  cent  vesting  at  target,  25  per
cent vesting at threshold and 0 per cent at below
threshold performance. The maximum LTIP award
is  100  per  cent  of  salary  for  Executive  Directors.
Non-Executive  Directors  do  not 
receive
performance related pay.

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71

  
 
 
  
  
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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Exit Payment Policy

Service  contracts  do  not  contain 
liquidated
damages clauses. If a contract is to be terminated
the Committee will determine such mitigation as it
considers  fair  and  reasonable  in  each  case.  In
determining  any  compensation  it  will  take  into
account  the  best  practice  provisions  of  the  UK
Corporate  Governance  Code  and  published
guidance  from  recognised  institutional  investor
bodies and will take legal advice on the Company’s 

liability to pay compensation and the appropriate
amount.  The  Committee  periodically  considers
what  compensation  commitments  the  Executive
Directors’  contracts  would  entail  in  the  event  of
early  termination.  There  are  no  contractual
arrangements  that  would  guarantee  a  pension
with limited or no abatement on severance or early
retirement.  There  is  no  agreement  between  the
Company  and 
its  Directors,  or  employees,
providing  for  compensation  for  loss  of  office  or
employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.

Remuneration
element

Base Salary

Benefits

Treatment on exit

Salary will be paid over the notice period. The Company has discretion to make a lump sum payment on termination equal to
the volume of the salary payable during the notice period. In all cases the Company will seek to mitigate any payments due.

Benefits will normally be provided over the notice period. The Company has discretion to make a lump sum payment on
termination equal to the value of the benefits payable during the notice period. In all cases the Company will seek to
mitigate any payments due.

Pension / Salary 
Supplement

Company pension contributions / salary supplement will normally be provided over the notice period. The Company has
discretion to make a lump sum payment on termination equal to the value of the Company pension contributions / salary
supplement during the notice period. In all cases the Company will seek to mitigate any payments due.

PIP

Normal Cessation

Good Leaver

Change of Control

No entitlement for year of cessation.

Pro-rated bonus to time and
performance for year of cessation. 

Unvested balances in participant’s
plan accounts are forfeited.

Unvested balances in participant’s plan
accounts are paid.

Cessation of employment where the
Executive is not a good leaver.

Cessation of employment for one of the
following reasons:
- death;
- injury or disability;
- retirement; 
- redundancy; and 
- at the discretion of the Committee (if
exercised a full explanation will be
provided to shareholders).

The extent to which the performance
requirements are satisfied will
determine the bonus which is earned
for the year of the change of control.

Unvested balances in participant’s
plan accounts are paid.

Excludes a reorganisation or
reconstruction where ownership does
not materially change.

LTIP
Performance
Shares

Normal Cessation

Good Leaver

Change of Control

Unvested awards lapse.

Subsisting awards are pro-rated to 
time and performance on the date 
of cessation.

Subsisting awards are pro-rated to
time and performance on the date of
the event.

Cessation of employment where the
Executive is not a good leaver.

Excludes a reorganisation or
reconstruction where ownership does
not materially change.

Cessation of employment for one of the
following reasons:
- death;
- injury or disability;
- retirement; 
- redundancy; and 
- at the discretion of the Committee (if
exercised a full explanation will be
provided to shareholders).

72

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Recruitment Policy

The  following  table  sets  out  the  Company’s  policy  on  recruitment  of  new  Executive  Directors  for  each
element of the remuneration package:

Remuneration  Policy on Recruitment
element

Base Salary 

The Remuneration Committee will offer salaries up to the median for comparative roles in
line with its policy for existing Executive Directors.

Benefits

The Remuneration Committee will offer the Company’s standard benefit package.

Pension

PIP

Maximum contribution will be set in line with the Company’s policy for existing Executive
Directors.

The maximum annual contribution will be set in line with the Company’s policy for existing
Executive Directors. The maximum for 2013 is set at 200 per cent of basic annual salary.

Performance
Shares

The normal maximum annual grant is up to 100 per cent of basic annual salary in line with
the Company’s policy for existing Executive Directors.

“Buy Outs”

The Remuneration Committee’s policy on the “buying out” of subsisting incentives granted
by the Executive’s previous employer will depend on the circumstances of recruitment and
will be negotiated on a case by case basis. There will not be a presumption in favour of buy-
out but it will be considered if necessary to attract the right candidate.

Remuneration Policy for 
other Employees

The  remuneration  policy  described  in  the  table
applies  to  Executive  Directors.  Other  tiers  of
management  and  below  also  qualify  for  annual
and  long  term  bonus  arrangements.  Senior
management  participate  in  the  PIP  and  the  LTIP.
The criteria for performance related bonus under
the PIP and the retention periods are the same as
the  Executive  Directors,  with  varying
for 
percentages of salary dependent on seniority and
the strategic impact of the role. Under the LTIP, the
criteria for awards are the same as those applicable
to  awards  made  to  Executive  Directors,  and  the
performance period is the same. 

There are other job related incentives that may be
awarded at the levels below senior management.

There  will  be  no  increase  in  the  basic  salaries  of
senior management for 2013, except in the case of
the  assumption  of  significant
promotions, 
additional  responsibilities  or  where  necessary  to
attract a new recruit for a particular position. 

The general workforce has been asked to consider
a  pay  offer  involving  no  increase  in  basic  pay  for
2013. There were increases in 2012 to take account
of inflation.

Consideration of conditions
elsewhere in the Group

In  applying  its  policy,  the  Committee  takes  into
account  the  wider  economic  conditions  and  the
pay and reward packages elsewhere in the Sector
and the business.

With the exception of a single inflation-related pay
increase  of  3  per  cent  awarded  in  January  2012,
Executive Directors’ salaries have not increased in
the  last  five  years.  This  has  been  at  their  own
request, to recognise the need for restraint in the
context  of  pay  in  the  wider  workforce  and  the
prevailing  economic  conditions  in  the  UK  that
have  affected  the  business.  Further,  with  effect
from  1 
January  2013,  Graham  Holden’s
remuneration  will  fall  by  20  per  cent  through
deduction from anticipated PIP and LTIP earnings. 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

By  comparison,  the  pay  awards  for  Marshalls’
weekly-paid  employees  were  2  per  cent  in  2011,
and  3  per  cent  in  2012  under  a  two  year
agreement,  while  pay  awards  for  monthly  paid
employees were 1.5 per cent in 2011 subject to a
minimum  and  maximum  total  value,  and  3  per
cent in 2012. 

The Committee has not specifically canvassed the
views  of  the  Company’s  employees  on 
its
remuneration  policy,  although  the  views  of
employees  on  matters  that  include  pay  and
conditions  generally  are  canvassed  by  means  of
the Company’s periodic “Pulse” surveys, the results
of which are regularly and openly communicated
to the Board.

Five Year Total Shareholder Return

Consideration of Shareholder
Views

The  Committee  extensively  consulted  with
shareholders on its executive remuneration policy
in  2011  and  obtained  broad  support  for  its
proposals  which  was  demonstrated  by  the
positive  vote  on 
the  2011  Remuneration
Committee Report.

The contents of this Report set out the operation
of  this  agreed  policy  for  Executive  Directors  for
2012. The Remuneration Committee believes that
the  Report  and 
its  contents  should  have
shareholder support.

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Marshalls plc

FTSE 250 Index

FTSE Small
Cap Index

Jan 08

Dec 08

Dec 09

Dec 10

Dec 11

Dec 12

This graph shows the Group’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance compared to both the FTSE 250
and FTSE Small Cap indices for the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012.  TSR is defined as share
price growth plus reinvested dividends. The FTSE 250 and FTSE Small Cap indices are used for comparison,
since these are the equity indices of which Marshalls plc has been a constituent during the period illustrated.
Prior to 23 June 2008 Marshalls plc was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index, and since that date the Company
has been a constituent of the FTSE Small Cap Index. This graph shows the value at 31 December 2012 of £100
invested in Marshalls plc on 31 December 2007 compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE 250
Index and the FTSE Small Cap Index.  The other plotted points are the intervening financial year ends.

74

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Implementation Report
Introduction

This  Report  covers  the  reporting  period  from  1
January 2012 to 31 December 2012 and provides
details  of  the  actual  implementation  of  the
Company’s  Policy  during  the  period.  This  Report
has  been  prepared  by  the  Committee  taking
account of the proposed regulations put forward
by  the  UK  Government  Department  of  Business,
Innovation  and  Skills  (“BIS”).   The  regulations  will
apply to all UK companies listed on a major stock

Performance Related Pay
PIP: Annual Performance Awards

exchange  with  financial  years  ending  after  30
September  2013,  and  those  elements  that  have
been included voluntarily for this 2012 Report are
intended to pave the way towards full compliance
in 2013.

Base Salary

There was a 3 per cent inflation-related increase in
the  base  salary  of  Executive  Directors  with  effect
from 1 January 2012. There will be no increase in
2013.

The following table summarises the Plan Accounts for the Executive Directors under the PIP:

Plan Accounts
2012 Opening balance (note a)
2012 Contribution (note b)

Graham Holden
£556,257
£339,900

(% of salary)
Value at Measurement Date (note c)

82.5%
£971,451

Ian Burrell
£224,454
£195,442

82.5%
£450,279

David Sarti
£224,454
£195,442

82.5%
£450,279 

2012 Cash Element released

£485,726

£225,139

£225,139

Closing balance
(deferred into shares)

Number of shares represented by 

closing balance

£485,725

£225,140

£225,140

498,179

230,912

230,912

(a)  Graham Holden elected to defer voluntarily a higher proportion of his 2011 award into shares / notional
shares resulting in a higher opening balance in his account for the 2012 Plan Year, and a higher value
available for release following the end of that financial year.

(b)  See below for the 2012 performance conditions and their level of satisfaction.

(c)  This value is calculated by multiplying the number of notional shares deferred in the bonus pool by the
closing  share  price  of  97.5  pence  on  31  December  2012  (2011:  90.5  pence),  and  includes  the  value  of
dividends paid on the equivalent number of ordinary shares (5.25 pence per share) during 2012.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

2012 PIP Performance Conditions and their level of satisfaction

Criteria

EPS

Cash

Percentage of
Maximum
Contribution
based on
Criteria

Threshold
Target

Maximum
Target

2012 Actual Percentage
of
Target
Achieved

Percentage
of
Salary
Earned

67%

4.05 pence

6.88 pence

5.87 pence

0%

0%

33% £73.1 million £63.1 million £63.5 million

100%

82.5%

Non-financial

targets

15% deduction
if not met

100%

No
deduction

EPS
The Group’s profit performance was below budget
and prior year. Sales fell by 7.3 per cent but market
share continued to grow. EBITDA from continuing
operations  fell  by  14.3  per  cent  and  profit  before
tax  on  continuing  operations  was  £10.4  million
which was at the bottom of the profit target range
set at the beginning of the year. EPS on continuing
operations, before operational restructuring costs
and asset impairments, declined from 6.30 pence
in  2011  to  5.87  pence  in  2012.  Although  this
remained  within  the  target  range  of  4.05  pence
(nil) to 6.88 pence (maximum) set at the beginning
of the year, the Committee determined that, after
adjustment, no bonus was earned in respect of the
EPS targets set for the 2012 contribution.

the  year, 

Cash
During 
the  Executive  Directors
implemented a series of restructuring initiatives to
cut  costs  and  drive  down  stock  and  working
capital. The year end net debt of £63.5 million was
at the lower (better) end of the target range set at
the beginning of the year of between £63.1 million
(maximum)  and  £73.1  million  (nil)  and  was  also
significantly better than market expectations. The
Committee  determined  that,  after  adjustment  to
neutralise the impact of exceptional items, the full
33  per  cent  of  the  maximum  annual  bonus

contribution  relating  to  the  cash  flow  target  was
earned  and  should  be  contributed  to  individual
PIP accounts in respect of 2012 performance.

The  Committee  has  discretion  to  adjust  for  the
impact  of  one-off  disposals  and  unbudgeted
changes  to  corporation  tax  rates,  exceptional
items  and  associated  cash  costs  in  assessing
whether  targets  are  met.  However,  to  the  extent
that  any  such  adjustments  caused  the  published
EPS to differ from the adjusted EPS, the Committee
would  require  both  to  be  below  the  forfeiture
threshold  before  any  PIP  balances  would  be
partially forfeited.

Additional Performance Conditions
The Group exceeded its minimum target of 95 per
cent customer service on average throughout the
year. The  Group  also  saw  a  reduction  of  24.6  per
cent year on year in days lost to accidents against
its  target  of  10  per  cent.  Therefore  no  negative
adjustment  was  made  to  the  2012  contribution
earned in the PIP.

Dividends
it  was
The  Committee  determined 
appropriate  to  credit  dividends  paid  to  ordinary
shareholders  during  2012  to  the  deferred  bonus
pool shares.

that 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Vesting of 50 per cent of the award subject to OCF
Growth

Performance growth
OCF
Growth of RPI +9%

OCF
Growth of RPI +21%

% of Award Vesting*

12.5%

50%

*Straight line vesting between points.

Definitions and Calculations

EPS  is  measured  using  International  Financial
Reporting  Standards  (“IFRSs”)  based  on  the
audited results of the Company and subject to the
discretion of the Committee with regard to one off
items.

OCF growth is calculated by taking the aggregated
OCF  for  the  three  financial  years  preceding  the
year of grant of the award and comparing it with
the aggregate OCF for the three financial years of
the performance period.

LTIP

The LTIP (the Marshalls plc 2005 Long Term Incentive
Plan) was approved by shareholders in 2007. Under
the  Rules  of  the  LTIP,  awards  of  Matching  and
Performance  Shares  may  be  made,  although  no
awards  of  Matching  Shares  have  been  made  since
March  2011,  as  the  Remuneration  Committee
considers  that  the  deferral  mechanism  of  the  PIP
introduced  during  2011  achieves  the  objectives
previously met by Matching Share awards.

Performance Share Awards

During 2012, the Executive Directors were granted
Performance  Share  awards  under  the  LTIP.    The
performance criteria are EPS and OCF growth over
a  three  year  period  to  31  December  2014  as
summarised  in  the  table  below.  The  Committee
considers that these criteria remain relevant to and
aligned  with  business  objectives,  although  it  is
manifestly clear that they have been and continue
to be extremely stretching.

Vesting of 50 per cent of the award subject to EPS
growth

Performance conditions % of Award Vesting*
EPS Growth of
RPI +9%

12.5%

EPS Growth of
RPI +21%

50%

*Straight line vesting between points.

Details of Performance Share awards made in 2012 are as follows:

Executive
Director

Graham Holden
Ian Burrell
David Sarti

Performance Share awards under LTIP

Number of
Performance
Shares awarded
397,022
228,288
228,288

Face value of award
(note)
£
400,000
230,000
230,000

Percentage of Salary

100
100
100

Note: Calculated by reference to the average share price of 100.75 pence over the three dealing days before
the date of grant (20 March 2012).

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

The  performance  conditions  for  Matching  Shares
awarded in March 2010 were based on EPS growth
only, using the same EPS measures as those which
apply to the EPS element of Performance Shares as
set  out  above.  All  Matching  and  Performance
awards  made  prior  to  March  2010  have  lapsed
without  vesting.  The  Matching  and  Performance
awards made in March 2010 which are measured
against performance over the three financial years
2010, 2011 and 2012 did not vest in 2012, as the
performance  conditions  were  not  met  over  the
measurement period, and will therefore lapse. No
participating Executive Director or senior manager
has realised any financial benefit from Matching or
Performance  awards  under  the  LTIP  since  it  was
introduced.

Exit Payments made in Year

No  Executives  departed  the  business  during  the
year and therefore no exit payments were made to
Executives during the financial year.

Matching Share Awards

Under  the  LTIP,  for  financial  periods  before  2011
participants were invited to invest a proportion of
their annual bonus in Investment Shares in order
to gain a corresponding award of Matching Shares,
up  to  a  maximum  of  150  per  cent  of  salary
(assuming 100 per cent of salary was awarded as
Performance  Shares  at  the  same  time).  The
performance  criteria  for  vesting  of  Matching
Shares  was  based  on  EPS  growth  only,  using  the
same  EPS  measures  as  those  which  apply  to  the
EPS  element  of  Performance  Shares  as  set  out
above  measured  over  a  holding  period  of  three
years. If the criteria were not met at the end of the
holding  period,  the  Matching  Shares  lapsed  and
the  Investment  Shares  were  released  to  the
participant.  As  at  the  date  of  this  report  the  only
outstanding Matching Share awards are those that
were made in March 2011. These will be measured
over the three financial years 2011, 2012 and 2013
and  unless  the  performance  criteria  are  met,  are
expected to lapse in March 2014.

Lapse of 2010 Awards

The  table  below  sets  out  the  performance
conditions  attached 
the  March  2010
Performance  Share  awards  under  the  LTIP  and
their relative weightings.

to 

Performance Share Award Conditions

Three year EPS growth
RPI +9%
RPI +21%

Three year 
OCF growth
RPI +9%
RPI +21%

Proportions of 
total award vesting
12.5%
50%

Proportion of 
total award vesting
12.5%
50%

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Total Shareholdings of Directors

In  order  that  their  interests  are  aligned  with  those  of
shareholders,  Executive  Directors  are  expected  to  build
and maintain a meaningful shareholding in the Company
of  200  per  cent  of  base  salary  (Chief  Executive)  and  100
per cent of base salary (other Executive Directors).  There
are no minimum holding requirements for Non-Executive
Directors,  but  they  would  usually  be  expected  to  hold
some shares in the Company.

The following table sets out the following information in
respect of each of the Directors:
•
•

the Director’s shareholding requirement;
the number of shares the Director holds
unconditionally;
the number of deferred and conditional 
shares held under the PIP;
the number of shares represented by 
Performance awards; and
the number of shares represented by 
Matching awards.

•

•

•

Shareholding
requirement

Unconditional Shares

Deferred PIP
Shares/Notional Shares
(note a)

TOTAL

Unvested and Contingent LTIP Awards
Performance Shares (notes b and d) &
Matching Shares (note c and d)

Total interests in
Shares (including
contingent interests)

%
of
salary

Value of
Shares
required

Number
of Shares
held

Value of
Shares 
held
(see note*)

Number of
Shares 
held

Value of
Shares 
held
(see note*)

Number of
Shares 
held

Value of
Shares 
held 
(see note*)

Number of Number of
Performance Matching
Shares
held

Shares
held

£££

£

Number of
Shares
held

Value of
Shares
held

Total
Value of
Unvested
and
Contingent
Shares held
££

200

824,000

456,925

1,144,228

498,179

485,725

955,104

1,629,953

1,087,389

689,200

1,732,174

2,731,693

3,362,127

Executive
Director

Graham
Holden

Ian Burrell

100

237,000

159,413

352,432

230,912

225,140

390,325

577,572

625,249

396,289

995,999

1,411,863

1,573,571

David Sarti

100

237,000

175,468

360,636

230,912

225,140

406,380

585,776

625,249

396,289

995,999

1,427,918

1,581,775

Non-
Executive Director

Andrew
Allner

Alan Coppin

Mark
Edwards

Tim Pile

--

--

--

--

35,000

71,678

10,000

11,559

49,000

49,494

34,740

35,171

--

--

--

--

35,000

71,678

10,000

11,559

49,000

49,494

34,740

35,171

--

--

--

--

-

-

-

-

35,000

71,678

10,000

11,559

49,000

49,494

34,740

35,171

*Value of shares in relation to shares or share interests that are contingent on performance or holding conditions is based on the mid-market price on 31 December 2012 of 97.5 pence
per share. Value of shares in relation to shares that are unconditional is based on their acquisition price.

Note a:This interest will not vest until the performance and holding conditions have been met - see Policy section for explanation of the operation of the PIP.

Note b:These shares will not vest until the performance conditions have been met over the three year measurement period.  See Policy section for explanation of the operation of the LTIP.

Note c: Investment Shares must be acquired and held in order to receive Matching Shares.  If the LTIP performance conditions are not met, the Matching Shares lapse 3 years from the

grant date, and the corresponding Investment Shares may then be transferred to the participant. The value in this section assumes that Investment Shares are unconditionally

held and that all Matching Shares in the column will vest, (although see also note d).

Note d:This section includes the Performance and Matching Shares awarded in March 2010 which will lapse on the third anniversary of the date of grant, i.e. in March 2013, as shown

in the table on page 83.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

The Committee and its Advisers
Role of the Remuneration Committee

The Committee’s responsibilities include:

•

Setting remuneration policy for Executive Directors;

• Determining  specific  remuneration  packages  for

Executive Directors and for the Chairman;

• Operating  the  Company’s  employee  share  incentive

arrangements;

•

•

Providing  guidance  on  remuneration  for  senior
employees who report to the CEO; and

Considering  the  broader  remuneration  policies  for
Group employees below Board level.

The Committee’s agreed terms of reference are available
on the Company’s website (www.marshalls.co.uk) and on
request from the Company Secretary.

The  Board  determines  the  remuneration  of  the  Non-
Executive  Directors.  No  Director  plays  a  part  in  any
decision about their own remuneration.

Committee Members

The  Committee  members  comprise  Alan  Coppin
(Chairman),  Andrew  Allner,  Mark  Edwards  and  Tim  Pile.
Alan  Coppin,  Mark  Edwards  and  Tim  Pile  are  all
independent  Non-Executive  Directors  within 
the
definition  of  the  Code,  and  Andrew  Allner  satisfied  the
independence  condition  on  his  appointment  as  Non-
Executive  Chairman  in  2010.  None  of  them  have  any
personal financial interest (other than as shareholders) in
matters to be decided, nor do they have any conflicts of
interest  from  cross-directorships  or  any  day-to-day
involvement in running the business.   

remuneration  advisers,
The  Company's  external 
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP  ("PwC"),  attend  meetings  of
the  Committee  by  invitation  as  do  members  of  the
executive  management  team  where  this  is  pertinent  to
matters  under  consideration,  although  they  may  not

Statement of Shareholder Voting

participate  in  discussions  about  their  own  remuneration.
The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.

Further information on meetings and attendance by the
Committee  members  is  disclosed  in  the  Corporate
Governance Report on pages 51 to 58.

External Advice

The  Committee  received  external  advice  in  2012  from
PwC  in  relation  to  executive  remuneration.  PwC  were
appointed  by  the  Committee  following  a  competitive
tender  in  2010  and  their  fees  are  agreed  by  the
Remuneration  Committee  according  to  the  work
performed. Terms of engagement are available from the
Company Secretary. 

The  details  of  advice  provided  by  PwC  relating  to
executive remuneration during 2012 were as follows:

Advice 
•

levels  and  performance  conditions  for  the  incentive
arrangements;

•

•

•

•

•

•

corporate governance;

dilution and funding of share plans;

taxation of incentives granted;

assistance  in  the  preparation  of  the  Remuneration
Committee Report;

benchmarking of total remuneration in respect of the
Company and its comparator group; and

attendance  at 
meetings to provide advice when required.

the  Remuneration  Committee

In  order  to  carry  out  the  Remuneration  Committee’s
policies PwC worked with the Company in implementing
the above.

PwC also provided advice to the Company during the year
in relation to tax and pensions matters.

The table below shows the voting outcome at the May 2012 AGM for the approval of the 2011 Remuneration Report.

Votes

For
138,951,048

For as a % of votes cast
98.24%

Against
2.488,811

Against as a % of votes cast Abstain
2,758,646

1.76%

The  Committee  believes  the  98.24  per  cent  votes  in  favour  of  the  Remuneration  Report  shows  very  strong  Shareholder
support for the Group’s remuneration arrangements.

80

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012 

Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Audited part of the Report

Directors’ Remuneration

Release of
50%
deferred
bonus
earned for
2011
£’000

Voluntarily
deferred
element of
bonus
2011
£’000

Benefits
2012
£’000

Salary/
fees
2012
£’000

Bonus
2012
£’000

Pension
defined
contribution
payments (or
substituted
salary
supplement)

Maximum
potential
LTIP shares
awarded

Total
remuneration
(excluding
pensions)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Number of
shares

Chairman

Andrew Allner

129

-

-

Executive Directors

Ian Burrell

Graham Holden

David Sarti 

237

412

237

Non-Executive Directors

98

170

98

-

-

-

127

221

127

-

-

-

46

46

40

Alan Coppin

Mark Edwards

Tim Pile

TOTAL 

Comparative
Total 2011

-

-

94

-

-

-

-

-

129

125

-

-

-

12

12

16

-

-

-

474

909

478

46

46

40

465

635

473

45

45

39

71

124

71

-

-

-

69

589,216

117 1,024,724

69

589,216

-

-

-

-

-

-

------------
1,147
-----------

------------
366
-----------

------------
475
-----------

------------
94
-----------

------------
40
-----------

------------
2,122
-----------

------------
1,827
-----------

------------
266
-----------

------------ -------------------
255 2,203,156
-----------------

-----------

1,114

Note (c)

672

Note (d)

-

Notes (d)
and (e)

-

41

Note (f) 

1,827

Note (f)

-

255

- 2,966,067

Notes to Directors’ Remuneration Table

(a) The table above shows salaries, fees, performance related bonuses and benefits paid by reference to the year ended 31 December 2012.  

(b) The highest paid Director in the year was Graham Holden.

(c) The salary column shows the base salary earned in the year. There was a 3 per cent increase on 1 January 2012. Amounts paid by way of salary
supplement instead of contractual employer pension contribution are shown separately in the pension contribution column rather than as
part of base salary.

(d) The bonus earned under the PIP by reference to performance in 2012 reduced by 56 per cent compared to 2011. The 2012 bonus stated is
the payment made in respect of 2012 in accordance with the rules of the PIP.  It does not include the value of the deferred balance in respect
of 2012 which must be held for a further holding period (see Unaudited Part of the Report). The value of deferred balances carried over from
2011 that have become payable after the 2012 results on expiry of the applicable holding period are shown separately. 

(e) As the PIP was introduced in 2011, there were no amounts carried over from earlier periods to report in 2011. The PIP replaced Matching

awards under the LTIP – see details on page 78. 

(f )

In addition to the release of 50 per cent of the PIP balance earned by reference to 2011 that was compulsorily deferred, the additional amount
voluntarily deferred by Graham Holden in 2011 has been released. The increase in overall remuneration in 2012 for Graham Holden is due
principally to the release of these deferred PIP balances earned by reference to the 2011 results.

(g)  During the year, each of Ian Burrell, Graham Holden and David Sarti elected to sacrifice a proportion of future salary, and/or salary supplement
and/or deferred performance bonus.  Contributions equal to the amounts given up were paid into a pension plan for the benefit of their
dependants.  The  amounts  shown  in  the  salary,  deferred  performance  bonus  and  pension  contribution  columns  reflect  the  full  amount
earned. 

(h) Benefits are the provision of a fully expensed company car and medical insurance.

(i) The Chairman’s and Non-Executive Directors’ fees shown exclude the annual gross fixed expenses paid towards travel, accommodation and

subsistence.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

81

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:12  Page 82

Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Table of Directors’ Interests, Share Options and Long Term Incentive Plan
Share Interests

The beneficial interests of the Directors and their immediate families in the shares of the Company are as follows:

Ordinary
Shares
35,000
42,762
10,000
49,000
259,677
34,740
58,817

Andrew Allner
Ian Burrell
Alan Coppin
Mark Edwards
Graham Holden 
Tim Pile
David Sarti

31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Marshalls
Share
Purchase

LTIP
Plan Investment
Shares

Shares
--
7,609
--
--
7,609
--
7,609

Total
35,000
109,042 159,413
10,000
49,000
189,639 456,925
34,740
109,042 175,468

Marshalls
Share
Purchase

LTIP
Plan Investment
Shares

Ordinary
Shares
35,000
10,153
10,000
10,000
199,937
23,924
30,698

Shares
--
5,979
--
--
5,979
--
5,979

Total
35,000
157,783
10,000
10,000
455,295
23,924
173,838

141,651

249,379

137,161

Notes to Directors’ Interests in shares

(a) There were no changes between 1 January 2013 and 8 March 2013 save that each of the Executive Directors acquired 351 shares in
the Marshalls plc Share Purchase Plan (the “SPP”) between January and March 2013.  The SPP is an HM Revenue & Customs approved
Employee Share Incentive Plan which was approved by shareholders in 2006.  All employees with more than 6 months service are
eligible to participate in the SPP which entitles them to purchase shares in the Company with pre-tax salary.

(b) The Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the SPP, the PIP or the LTIP.

(c) None of the Directors held any options during the year other than approved options under the LTIP as listed in the table on page 83,

nor did they hold any interests in derivatives or other financial instruments relating to the Company’s shares.

82

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Long Term Incentive Plan

Name

Ian Burrell

Graham
Holden

David Sarti

LTIP
Share
Awards

Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Performance Shares
Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Performance Shares
Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Matching Shares
Performance Shares
Performance Shares

At 1
January
2012

239,045
193,277
157,244
203,684
-
415,731
336,134
273,469
354,233
-
239,045
193,277
157,244
203,684
-

Lapsed
(Note c)

239,045
193,277
-
-

415,731
336,134
-
-

239,045
193,277
-
-

At 31
December
2012

-
-
157,244
203,684
228,288
-
-
273,469
354,233
397,022
-
-
157,244
203,684
228,288

Market
Price on
Date of
Award
(p)

89.25
89.25
113
113
100.75
89.25
89.25
113
113
100.75
89.25
89.25
113
113
100.75

Date
from
which
Exerci-
sable

11.03.13
11.03.13
17.03.14
17.03.14
20.03.15
11.03.13
11.03.13
17.03.14
17.03.14
20.03.15
11.03.13
11.03.13
17.03.14
17.03.14
20.03.15

Date of
Award

11.03.10
11.03.10
17.03.11
17.03.11
20.03.12
11.03.10
11.03.10
17.03.11
17.03.11
20.03.12
11.03.10
11.03.10
17.03.11
17.03.11
20.03.12

Granted

Exercised

--
--
--
--
228,288
--
--
--
--
397,022
--
--
--
--
228,288

--

--

--

Notes to LTIP table

(a) The share price on 31 December 2012 was 97.5 pence (2011: 90.5 pence).

(b) The  Matching  Share  awards  are  subject  to  an  EPS  performance  target  and  the  Performance  Share  awards  are  subject  to  EPS  and  OCF
performance targets as set out in the Policy section of this Report. Awards not exercised within 10 years of the date of grant will lapse.

(c) Part of the March 2010 Performance awards were held in the form of HM Revenue & Customs Approved options. If the performance criteria had
been met and there had been an increase in share price, the Approved options could have been exercised to deliver part of the total value of
the Performance award subject only to Capital Gains Tax and in this case, an equivalent proportion (in value) of the non-approved Performance
award shares would lapse. All the March 2010 awards have lapsed by reference to the financial period ending on 31 December 2012.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

83

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

The  Scheme  provides  for  a  lump  sum  payment
and  dependants’  pension  benefits  on  death  in
service.  In  the  case  of  Executive  Directors  who
receive  a  salary  supplement  in  place  of  the
Company’s  contributions  to  the  Scheme,  these
other Scheme benefits remain unchanged, based
on  a  multiple  of  base  salary. The  Company  does
not compensate individual directors for the loss of
tax allowances on pension contributions.

Graham  Holden  ceased  to  be  an  active  Scheme
member  in  December  2009,  and  is  entitled  to
receive  a  salary  supplement  in  lieu  of  employer
contributions. Graham Holden is also entitled to a
pension under the Defined Benefit Section of the
Scheme  with  effect  from  his  early  retirement  at
age  50  in  December  2009.  By  virtue  of  having
elected to take his Scheme benefits at 50, Graham
Holden  ceased  to  be  able  to  take  a  transfer  of
accrued  benefits  and  no  further  benefits  will
accrue.

An ordinary resolution to receive and approve this
Report will be proposed at the Company’s Annual
General Meeting to be held on 15 May 2013.

The  Remuneration  Report  was  approved  by  the
Board and signed on its behalf by:

Alan Coppin
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
8 March 2013

Pension Benefits 

The Marshalls plc Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”)
has  two  Sections:  the  Defined  Benefit  Section
which  was  closed  to  new  members  in  2000  and
closed  to  future  service  accrual  in  2006,  and  a
Defined Contribution Section.

David  Sarti  is  an  active  member  of  the  Defined
Contribution  Section  of  the  Scheme.  Under  his
service  agreement 
the  Company  makes
contributions  to  the  Scheme  of  30  per  cent  of
basic  salary,  with  a  minimum  employee
contribution  of  4  per  cent  of  basic  salary. To  the
extent  that  he  was  affected  by  the  £50,000  limit
on  individual  annual  allowances  in  relation  to
pension scheme contributions, he elected to stop
receiving  employers’  pension  contribution  into
the Scheme upon reaching the annual allowance
limit  and  became  entitled  to  receive  a  salary
supplement in lieu of employer contributions for
the remainder of the relevant period. 

Ian Burrell was until April 2012 an active member
of  the  Defined  Contribution  Section  of  the
Scheme.  Under  his  service  agreement,  he  is
entitled  to  receive  a  pension  contribution  from
the Company of 30 per cent of basic salary, with a
minimum employee contribution of 5 per cent of
basic salary.  To the extent that he was affected by
the £50,000 limit on individual annual allowances
in relation to pension scheme contributions made
before  April  2012,  he  elected  to  stop  receiving
employers’ pension contribution into the Scheme
upon  reaching  the  annual  allowance 
limit.
Further,  with  effect  from  6  April  2012,  Ian  Burrell
elected under pensions regulations to take Fixed
Protection  in  relation  to  his  Lifetime  Allowance,
which  means  that  from  April  2012  no  further
contributions  can  be  made  into  any  pension
scheme  on  his  behalf.  Having  stopped  receiving
contributions  into  the  Scheme,  he  is  entitled  to
receive  a  salary  supplement  in  lieu  of  employer
pension contributions.

84

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Nomination Committee Report

The  Board  has  an  established  Nomination
Committee  whose  members  are  the  Non-
Executive  Directors.  The  Chairman  of  the  Board
normally chairs this Committee except where it is
dealing  with  his  own 
re-appointment  or
replacement. 

During 2012 the Nomination Committee held one
formal meeting, at which it reviewed:

•

•

•

succession  planning, 

Board 
including
consideration  of  prospective  candidates  for
appointment to the Board;

outcomes  from  the  performance  evaluation
of  Directors  in  advance  of  the  proposal  to
elect  or  re-elect  at  the  Annual  General
Meeting; and

the  Board  conflicts  policy  and  the  conflicts
register, and any new notifications.

The Nomination Committee’s Terms of Reference
were  last  reviewed  and  updated  by  the  Board  in
December  2012,  and  the  performance  of  the
Committee  was  evaluated  as  part  of  the  Board
evaluation  process 
in  2012.  The  Terms  of
Reference of the Committee are available on the
Company's website (www.marshalls.co.uk). 

Having  identified  its  objective  of  greater  Board
diversity,  a  number  of  potential  candidates  were
considered in the early months of 2012. However,
in  view  of  the  cost  reduction  initiatives  and
operational  changes  within  the  Business,  the
Committee  concluded  that  it  was  not  the  right
time  to  make  an  additional  Board  appointment,
and  the  Board  made  no  new  appointments  in
2012.  The  Committee  expects  to  return  to  its
stated diversity objective during 2013 and to work
with  external  search  consultants  in  planning  for
future appointments. Non-Executive Directors are
appointed  for  specific  terms,  subject  to  re-
appointment  and  the  Company’s  Articles  of
Association  and  subject  to  the  Companies  Act
provisions  relating  to  the  removal  of  a  Director.
The current terms of appointment of the Directors
are shown on page 70. All Directors will stand for
re-election  at  the  Company’s  Annual  General
Meeting in May 2013. 

Each  Non-Executive  Director  has  been  provided
with  a  detailed  description  of  his  role  and
responsibilities,  and  received  a  detailed  business
induction.  The  other  appointments  held  by  the
Non-Executive  Directors  have  been  declared  to
the  Company  in  accordance  with  the  rules  on
conflicts  adopted  by  the  Board,  and  none  is
regarded as likely to give rise to any conflict with
the Board.

The  Nomination  Committee  evaluates  the
performance  of  any  Director  who  is  retiring  by
rotation and seeking re-election. In order for a re-
election  proposal  to  proceed,  the  Committee
should  be  able  to  conclude  that  the  Director
continues  to  be  effective  and  demonstrates
commitment  to  the  role,  following  which  the
Nomination 
its
Committee 
recommendation  to  the  Board.  In  the  circular  to
shareholders accompanying the resolution to re-
elect, there is  an explanation  from the  Chairman
as  to  why  the  Director  should  be  re-elected  and
confirming that a formal performance evaluation
has taken place. The Committee also carries out a
performance evaluation in the event of a proposal
to re-appoint a Director on expiry of their current
appointment. 

makes 

It is the Company's policy that Executive Directors
can  only  hold  one  external  company  Non-
Executive Directorship.  Graham Holden is a Non-
Executive Director of KCOM Group Plc and David
Sarti 
is  a  Non-Executive  Director  of  an
independent  private  company  group.  Voluntary
service on the Governing Board of a social, trade
or charitable organisation is also permitted.

This  Nomination  Committee  Report  has  been
approved  by  the  Board  and  signed  on  its  behalf
by:

Andrew Allner
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
8 March 2013

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

85

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Report of the Audit Committee

The  Board  has  an  established  Audit  Committee.
Each  of  its  members  is  an  independent  Non-
Executive Director.  The Board is satisfied that this
Committee  includes  members  that  have  recent
and relevant financial experience required by the
Code.  The  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  Mark
Edwards, is a Chartered Accountant.

The  main  role  and  responsibilities  of  the  Audit
Committee  are  set  out  in  written  Terms  of
Reference  which  were  reviewed  during  the  year
and  are  available  on  the  Company’s  website  at
www.marshalls.co.uk.  The Audit Committee is the
body appointed by the Board with responsibility
for  carrying  out  the  functions  required  by  the
Listing Rules DTR 7.1.3R.

Activities during 2012

During 2012 the Audit Committee met four times.
Its work included the following:

•

•

•

•

•

•

Planning  and  scoping  the  Annual  audit  and
Half-yearly  audit  review,  receiving  audit
reports and reviewing financial statements;

Reviewing internal controls, the internal audit
process and report findings;

Risk  register  review,  including  financial  risk
assessments and updates to the register;

Review  of  auditor 
the
appointment of auditors and audit and non-
audit fees;

independence, 

Policy  reviews  and  reporting,  including  the
Serious Concerns Policy; and

Performance  review  as  part  of  Board
evaluation.

During  2013,  the  Committee  expects  to  develop
its procedures and reporting practices to meet the
the  UK  Corporate
new 
Governance Code published in September 2012.

requirements  of 

External Audit, Auditor
independence and objectivity

The  Audit  Committee  has  primary  responsibility
for  making  a 
the
appointment, re-appointment and removal of the
external  auditor  to  the  Board,  as  submitted  to

recommendation  on 

86

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

reviewed 

to  maintain 

shareholders  for  their  approval  at  the  Annual
General Meeting.  It keeps under review the scope
and results of the audit, its cost-effectiveness and
the independence and objectivity of the auditor.
The  Audit  Committee  has 
the
independence  and  objectivity  of  the  auditor
during  2012  and  considers  that  the  appointed
auditors,  KPMG  Audit  Plc,  are  independent  and
remain objective. In doing so, it has taken account
of  the  processes  in  place  within  KPMG  Audit  Plc
designed 
independence.  The
Company  has  procedures  in  place  to  safeguard
independence, including limits on the amount of
non-audit  work  awarded  to  the  auditors.  Any
work  awarded  to  the  external  auditors  with  a
value in excess of £25,000, or in aggregate a value
exceeding  £50,000  in  any  financial  year,  other
than  audit  and  tax  compliance,  requires  the
specific approval of the Audit Committee.  Where
the Committee perceives that the independence
of the auditors could be compromised, the work
will  not  be  awarded  to  the  external  auditors.
KPMG  Audit  Plc  have  provided  audit  services  to
the  Company  since  1987.  The  audit  partner  and
audit  team  within  KPMG  Audit  Plc  who  conduct
the  Group  audit  are  regularly  rotated.  The
Committee  is  mindful  of  the  need  to  consider
periodically  re-tendering  audit  services,  and
reviews this every three years. Details of amounts
paid  to  the  external  auditors  for  audit  and  non-
audit  services  in  2012  are  analysed  in  Note  3  on
page  107.  The  amount  paid  for  non-audit  work
represented  approximately  18.3  per  cent  of  total
fees paid to the external auditors in 2012. This was
for  services  associated  with  the  corporate  tax
compliance  procedures  and  certain  additional
regulatory  procedures  associated  with  Marshalls
NV  which  the  Audit  Committee  considered  the
external  auditors  to  be  in  the  best  position  to
provide,  given  their  detailed  knowledge  of  the
background  of  the  Company's  systems.  The
aggregate  amount  paid  to  other  firms  of
accountants  for  non-audit  services  in  the  same
period was £155,000 (2011: £254,000).

This  Committee  reviews  the  Half-yearly  and
Annual Financial Statements before submission to

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:12  Page 87

Report of the Audit Committee (continued)

the  Company  to  prevent  bribery.  The  Company
adopted  an  Anti-Bribery  Code  and  published
supporting  guidance  for  its  employees,  agents
and  contractors  on  hospitality  and  gifts  in  2011.
During 2012 it introduced an internal compliance
training  programme  for  employees  to  reinforce
the  Anti-Bribery  Code  and  procedures,  and  the
internal audit review programme also included a
review  of  the  adequacy  of  the  Company’s
procedures  in  relation  to  the  prevention  of
bribery.

The  Audit  Committee  monitors  and  reviews  the
effectiveness  of  internal  control  activities.  It  also
reviewed the need for an in-house internal audit
function  during  2012,  and  concluded  that  the
current  process,  under  which  firms  of  external
accountants  that  are  independent  from  the
Company’s  auditors  and  have  no  other
connection  with  the  Group  carry  out  regular
internal  audit  assignments  of  a  financial  and
systems nature, was the most effective means of
managing  the  internal  audit  function.  The  Audit
the  Company  has
that 
Committee  notes 
implemented  and  continued  to  operate  a  self
certification  internal  control  process  to  support
the internal audit process throughout the year.

The  Report  of  the  Audit  Committee  has  been
approved  by  the  Board  and  signed  on  its  behalf
by:

Mark Edwards
Chairman of the Audit Committee
8 March 2013

the  Board  and  reviews  the  effectiveness  of  the
Group’s internal control system.  The work of the
Committee is reported regularly to the Board.

There were no significant issues arising in relation
to  the  Financial  Statements  during  the  audit
review.

The  Audit  Committee  reviews  the  planned
Internal  Audit  Programme.    The  results  of  all
assignments  have  been  reported  to  the  Audit
Committee  during  the  year.  These  assignments
form  part  of  a  much  wider  programme  of
independently  audited  aspects  of  the  Group’s
operations.  Any  areas  of  weakness  that  are
identified through this process prompt a detailed
action  plan  and  a  follow  up  audit  check  to
establish  that  actions  have  been  completed.  No
significant failings or weaknesses were identified
during the year.

Whistleblowing

The  Audit  Committee  has,  during  the  year,
reviewed the arrangements by which employees,
and other people working for the Company may,
in  confidence,  raise  concerns  about  possible
improprieties  in  matters  of  financial  reporting  or
other matters.  The Company does have a Serious
Concerns Policy (Whistle-blowing Policy) which is
available to all employees. It is displayed on notice
boards and on the Company’s intranet.  The policy
sets  out  the  procedure  for  employees  to  raise
legitimate  concerns  about  any  wrong-doing
without fear of criticism, discrimination or reprisal.
One  matter  was  raised  under  this  policy  during
2012  at  one  of  the  operating  sites  but  on
investigation 
it  was  found  to  be  without
substance.  The  Serious  Concerns  Policy  was
reviewed  during  the  year  and  the  Audit
Committee was satisfied that arrangements are in
place  for  the  proportionate  and  independent
investigation of such matters and for appropriate
follow-up action.

Anti-Bribery Code procedures

The Audit Committee also takes responsibility for
reviewing the policies and procedures adopted by

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

87

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:12  Page 88

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the Members of Marshalls plc

We  have  audited  the  Financial  Statements  of
Marshalls  plc  for  the  year  ended  31  December
2012 set out on pages 90 to 142.

The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been
applied in the preparation of the Group Financial
Statements  is  applicable  law  and  International
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted
by the EU. The financial reporting framework that
has been applied in the preparation of the Parent
Company  Financial  Statements  is  applicable  law
and  UK  Accounting  Standards  (UK  Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

Respective responsibilities of
Directors and Auditor

As  explained  more  fully 
in  the  Directors'
Responsibilities Statement set out on pages 57 to
for  the
58,  the  Directors  are  responsible 
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
in
opinion  on, 
accordance with applicable law and International
Standards  on  Auditing  (UK  and  Ireland).  Those
standards require us to comply with the Auditing
Practices  Board's  (APB's)  Ethical  Standards  for
Auditors.

the  Financial  Statements 

Scope of the Audit of the
Financial Statements

A description of the scope of an audit of Financial
Statements  is  provided  on  the  APB's  website  at
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

Opinion on Financial Statements

In our opinion:
•

the  Financial  Statements  give a  true  and  fair
view  of  the  state  of  the  Group's  and  of  the
Parent  Company's  affairs  as  at  31  December
2012 and of the Group's loss for the year then
ended;

•

•

•

the  Group  Financial  Statements  have  been
properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs
as adopted by the EU;

the  Parent  Company  Financial  Statements
have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance
with  UK  Generally  Accepted  Accounting
Practice; and

the Financial Statements have been prepared
in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the
Companies  Act  2006;  and,  as  regards  the
Group  Financial  Statements,  Article  4  of  the
IAS Regulation.

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 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

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the
following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to
report to you if, in our opinion:

•

adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been
kept  by  the  Parent  Company,  or  returns
adequate  for  our  audit  have  not  been
received from branches not visited by us; or

88

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp001-089 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:12  Page 89

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the Members of Marshalls plc (continued)

•

•

the  Parent  Company  Financial  Statements
and  the  part  of  the  Directors'  Remuneration
Report  to  be  audited  are  not  in  agreement
with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of Directors' Remuneration
specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and

explanations we require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

•

•

•

the Directors' Statement, set out in Note 1(b)
on  pages  97  and  98,  in  relation  to  going
concern;

the  part  of  the  Corporate  Governance
Statement  on  pages  51  to  58  relating  to  the
the  nine
Company's  compliance  with 
provisions  of  the  UK  Corporate  Governance
Code specified for our review; and

certain  elements  of 
to
shareholders  by  the  Board  on  Directors'
Remuneration.

report 

the 

Chris Hearld (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc,
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
1 The Embankment
Neville Street
Leeds
LS1 4DW
8 March 2013

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

89

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 90

Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Notes
2
3

Before Operational
operational restructuring
costs and
asset
impairments
2012
£’000
-
(21,521)
-------------------
(21,521)
-
-
-------------------
(21,521)
4,367
-------------------

restructuring
costs and asset
impairments
2012
£’000
309,693
(295,764)
-------------------
13,929
(15,480)
11,902
-------------------
10,351
1,105
-------------------

(17,154)

-------------------
(17,154)
----------------

(17,154)
-
-------------------
(17,154)
----------------

11,456
--
-------------------
11,456
----------------

11,470
(14)
-------------------
11,456
----------------

5.87p
----------------
5.75p
----------------

5.87p
----------------
5.75p
----------------

Revenue
Net operating costs

Operating profit / (loss)
Financial expenses
Financial income

Profit / (loss) before tax
Income tax credit / (expense)

Profit / (loss) for the financial period before
post tax loss of discontinued operations
Post tax loss of discontinued operations

Profit / (loss) for the financial period

Profit / (loss) for the period
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share (total operations):
Basic

Diluted

Earnings per share (continuing operations):
Basic

Diluted

Dividend:
Pence per share

Dividends declared

2
6
6

2
7

8

9

9

9

9

10

10

The Notes on pages 96 to 135 form part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

90

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

Total
2012
£’000
309,693
(317,285)
-------------------
(7,592)
(15,480)
11,902
-------------------
(11,170)
5,472
-------------------

(5,698)
-
-------------------
(5,698)
----------------

(5,684)
(14)
-------------------
(5,698)
----------------

(2.91)p
----------------
(2.91)p
----------------

(2.91)p
----------------
(2.91)p
----------------

5.25p
----------------
10,292
----------------

Total
2011
£’000
334,127
(317,430)
-------------------
16,697
(14,960)
11,953
-------------------
13,690
(1,522)
-------------------

12,168
(4,912)
-------------------
7,256
----------------

7,390
(134)
-------------------
7,256
----------------

3.78p
----------------
3.71p
----------------

6.30p
----------------
6.17p
----------------

5.25p
----------------
10,292
----------------

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 91

Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
at 31 December 2009
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Profit for the financial period before operational restructuring costs
and asset impairments
Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments

(Loss) / profit for the financial period

Other comprehensive income
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to the Income Statement
Deferred tax arising
Defined benefit plan actuarial (losses) / gains
Deferred tax arising 
Impact of the change in rate of deferred taxation
Foreign currency translation differences - foreign operations
Foreign currency translation differences - non-controlling interests

Other comprehensive (expense) / income for period, net of income tax

Total comprehensive (expense) / income for the period

Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

11,456
(17,154)
-------------------
(5,698)
-------------------

(2,050)
840
298
(9,063)
2,084
360
116
(106)
-------------------
(7,521)
-------------------
(13,219)
----------------

(13,099)
(120)
-------------------
(13,219)
----------------

7,256
-
-------------------
7,256
-------------------

(570)
402
43
9,982
(2,496)
(145)
(110)
(56)
-------------------
7,050
-------------------
14,306
----------------

14,496
(190)
-------------------
14,306
----------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

91

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 92

Consolidated Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2012

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investment in associates
Employee benefits
Deferred taxation assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Corporation tax
Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Deferred taxation liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Capital and reserves attributable to equity shareholders of the parent 

Share capital
Share premium account
Own shares
Capital redemption reserve
Consolidation reserve
Hedging reserve
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Approved at a Directors’ meeting on 8 March 2013.
On behalf of the Board:

D.G. Holden
Chief Executive

I.D. Burrell
Finance Director

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

11
12
13
20
21

14
15
16

17

18

18
21

22

24

175,607
41,413
650
8,212
-
-------------------
225,882
-------------------

75,416
30,218
11,101
-------------------
116,735
-------------------
342,617
-------------------

61,513
2,828
99
-------------------
64,440
-------------------

74,545
20,058
-------------------
94,603
-------------------
159,043
-------------------
183,574
----------------

49,845
22,695
(9,571)
75,394
(213,067)
(1,216)
255,610
-------------------
179,690
3,884
-------------------
183,574
----------------

191,324
42,730
2,188
12,966
63
-------------------
249,271
-------------------

82,338
40,304
5,998
-------------------
128,640
-------------------
377,911
-------------------

57,539
5,923
25,088
-------------------
88,550
-------------------

58,011
25,286
-------------------
83,297
-------------------
171,847
-------------------
206,064
----------------

49,845
22,695
(9,514)
75,394
(213,067)
(304)
277,621
-------------------
202,670
3,394
-------------------
206,064
----------------

The Notes on pages 96 to 135 form part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

92

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 93

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2010
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before operational restructuring costs and asset impairments
Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments

(Loss) / profit for the financial period
Income tax (credit) / expense on continuing operations
Income tax (credit) on operational restructuring costs and asset impairments
Loss on disposal and closure of discontinued operations
Income tax credit on discontinued operations

(Loss) / profit before tax on total operations
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Amortisation
Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments
Negative goodwill
Share of results of associates
Gain on sale of associates
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
Gain on exchange of property
Equity settled share-based expenses
Financial income and expenses (net)

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and pension scheme
contributions
Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables
Decrease in inventories
(Decrease) / increase in trade and other payables
Operational restructuring costs and works closure costs paid
Pension scheme contributions

Cash generated from the operations
Financial expenses paid
Income tax (paid) / received

Net cash flow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Financial income received
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations
Proceeds from disposal of investment in associates
Acquisition of subsidiaries and investment in associates
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of intangible assets

Net cash flow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments to acquire own shares
Net decrease in other debt and finance leases
(Decrease) / increase in borrowings
Equity dividends paid

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

2012
£'000

2011
£'000

11,456
(17,154)
-------------------
(5,698)
(1,105)
(4,367)
-
-
-------------------
(11,170)

14,783
1,247
21,521
-
(28)
-
(1,944)
(594)
468
3,578
-------------------

27,861
9,970
4,968
(2,742)
(7,431)
(3,600)
-------------------
29,026
(4,292)
(46)
-------------------
24,688
-------------------

8,595
4
150
-
-
(8,307)
(1,212)
-------------------
(770)
-------------------

(57)
154
(8,609)
(10,292)
-------------------
(18,804)
-------------------
5,114
5,998
(11)
-------------------
11,101
----------------

7,256
-
-------------------
7,256
1,522
-
4,949
(756)
-------------------
12,971

17,269
1,231
-
(1,772)
(65)
(23)
(1,359)
-
226
3,007
-------------------

31,485
(10,440)
437
1,366
(1,197)
(6,600)
-------------------
15,051
(3,496)
222
-------------------
11,777
-------------------

5,361
13
550
63
(4,181)
(11,754)
(1,857)
-------------------
(11,805)
-------------------

-
165
12,034
(10,292)
-------------------
1,907
-------------------
1,879
4,059
60
-------------------
5,998
----------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

93

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 94

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
account
£’000

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Capital

Own
shares
£’000

redemption Consolidation
reserve
£’000

reserve
£’000

Hedging
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Non-
controlling
interests
£'000

Total
£'000

Total
equity
£'000

49,845

206,064
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

(213,067)

202,670

277,621

(9,514)

75,394

22,695

3,394

(304)

Current year
At 1 January 2012

Total comprehensive
income/(expense) for
the period
Loss for the financial

period attributable to
equity shareholders of
the parent

Other comprehensive
income/(expense)

Foreign currency
translation differences
Effective portion of
changes in fair value of
cash flow hedges
Net change in fair value of 
cash flow hedges transferred 
to the Income Statement
Deferred tax arising
Defined benefit plan
actuarial losses
Deferred tax arising
Impact of the change in
rate of deferred taxation

--

--

--

--
--

--
--

---

---

---

---
---

---
---

-

-

(2,050)

840
298

-
-

(5,684)

(5,684)

(14)

(5,698)

116

116

(106)

10

-

-
-

(2,050)

840
298

(9,063)
2,084

(9,063)
2,084

-

-
-

-
-

(2,050)

840
298

(9,063)
2,084

--

360
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

360

360

---

-

-

Total other
comprehensive
income/(expense)

Total comprehensive

income/(expense) for
the period

--

(7,521)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

(6,503)

(7,415)

(106)

(912)

---

--
------------------

------------------

--
------------------

------------------

-
------------------

(912)
------------------

(12,187)
------------------

(13,099)
------------------

(120)
------------------

(13,219)
------------------

Transactions with owners,
recorded directly in equity
Contributions by and
distributions to owners
Share-based expenses
Dividends to equity
shareholders
Purchase of own shares

--

---

-

468

468

-

468

--
--

(10,292)
(57)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

(10,292)
(57)

---
(57)

(10,292)

-
--

-
-

--

Total contributions by
and distributions to
owners

--

(9,881)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

(9,824)

(9,881)

(57)

--

-

-

Changes in ownership 
interests in subsidiaries
Issue of shares

--

610
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

610

---

--

-

Total transactions with
owners of the Company

At 31 December 2012

--

(22,490)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
183,574
------------------

(213,067)
------------------

(1,216)
------------------

(9,571)
------------------

75,394
------------------

255,610
------------------

179,690
------------------

3,884
------------------

22,695
------------------

49,845
------------------

(22,011)

(22,980)

(912)

(57)

490

--

94

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 95

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (continued)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Prior year
At 1 January 2011

Total comprehensive
income for the period
Profit for the financial
period attributable to
equity shareholders 
of the parent
Other comprehensive
income/(expense)
Foreign currency
translation differences
Effective portion of
changes in fair value of
cash flow hedges
Net change in fair value
of cash flow hedges
transferred to the 
Income Statement
Deferred tax arising
Defined benefit plan
actuarial gains
Deferred tax arising
Impact of the change in
rate of deferred taxation

Total other
comprehensive
income/(expense)

Total comprehensive 
income/(expense) for
the period

Transactions with
owners, recorded
directly in equity
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Share-based expenses
Dividends to equity
shareholders

Total contributions by
and distributions to
owners

Changes in ownership 
interests in subsidiaries
Acquisition of non-
controlling interests

Total transactions with 
owners of the Company

At 31 December 2011

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
account
£’000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000

Own
shares
£’000

Consolid-
ation
reserve
£’000

Hedging
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Non-
controlling
interests
£'000

Total
£'000

Total
equity
£'000

49,845
---------------

22,695
---------------

(9,514)
---------------

75,394
---------------

(213,067)
---------------

(179)
---------------

273,066
---------------

198,240
---------------

-
---------------

198,240
---------------

--

--

--

--
--

--
--

--
---------------

--
---------------

-

-

--

(570)

402
43

-
-

7,390

7,390

(134)

7,256

(110)

(110)

(56)

(166)

-

-
-

(570)

402
43

9,982
(2,496)

9,982
(2,496)

-

-
-

-
-

(570)

402
43

9,982
(2,496)

---

---

-

---
---

---
---

---

---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

-
---------------

(145)
---------------

(145)
---------------

-
---------------

(145)
---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---

(125)
---------------

7,231
---------------

7,106
---------------

(56)
---------------

7,050
---------------

-
-----------------

-
-----------------

---

-----------------

-----------------

-----------------

(125)
-----------------

14,621
-----------------

14,496
-----------------

(190)
-----------------

14,306
-----------------

--

--
---------------

--
---------------

--
---------------

--
---------------
49,845
-----------------

---

---

---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

-

226

226

-

226

-
---------------

(10,292)
---------------

(10,292)
---------------

-
---------------

(10,292)
---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---

-
---------------

(10,066)
---------------

(10,066)
---------------

-
---------------

(10,066)
---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---------------

---

--
---------------

---------------

-
---------------

3,584
---------------

3,584
---------------

---

---------------
22,695
-----------------

---------------
(9,514)
-----------------

---------------
75,394
-----------------

---------------
(213,067)
-----------------

(125)
---------------
(304)
-----------------

4,555
---------------
277,621
-----------------

4,430
---------------
202,670
-----------------

3,394
---------------
3,394
-----------------

7,824
---------------
206,064
-----------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

95

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1 Accounting policies

Significant accounting policies
Marshalls plc (the “Company”) is a Company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2012 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred
to as the “Group”). 

The Consolidated Financial Statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 8 March 2013.

The  following  paragraphs  summarise  the  significant  accounting  policies  of  the  Group,  which  have  been  applied
consistently  in  dealing  with  items  which  are  considered  material  in  relation  to  the  Group’s  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted for use in the EU. The
Group  has  applied  all  accounting  standards  and  interpretations  issued  by  the  IASB  and  International  Financial
Reporting Committee relevant to its operations and which are effective in respect of these Financial Statements.

The following new accounting standards and amendments to standards are mandatory and have been adopted for the
first time in the year ended 31 December 2012:

•“ Disclosures - Transfers of Financial Assets (Amendments to IFRS 7)” - The amendments require additional disclosures
about  transfers  of  financial  assets.  The  amendments  also  require  additional  disclosures  if  a  disproportionate
amount of transfer transactions are undertaken around the end of a reporting period.

•

•

“Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters (Amendments to IFRS 1)”.

“Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets (Amendments to IAS 12)” - The amendments introduce an exception to
the  current  measurement  principles  of  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  arising  from  investment  property
measured using the fair value model in accordance with IAS 40 - “Investment Property.” The exception also applies to
investment  properties  acquired  in  a  business  combination  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  IFRS  3  - “Business
Combinations” provided the acquirer subsequently measure these assets applying the fair value model.

These standards and amendments have been adopted by the EU.

The application of these standards and amendments has not had a material impact on the Group’s reported financial
performance or position.

The following standards and amendments to standards are in issue but not yet effective and therefore have not been
applied in the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  They are due for adoption on the date stated.

•

•

•

•

IAS  19  (R)  -  “Employee  Benefits” -  (1  January  2013)  -  For  defined  benefit  schemes,  the  amendments  require  the
recognition of all past service costs and the requirement to replace interest cost and expected return on plan assets
with  a  net  interest  amount  that  is  calculated  by  applying  the  discount  rate  to  the  net  defined  benefit  asset  or
liability.  The amended standard is required to be applied retrospectively.  Had the standard been applied to the
2012  results  there  would  have  been  no  adjustments  required  to  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  or  the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

IAS 1 - “Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income”  - (1 January 2013) - The amendments require an entity
to present the items of Other Comprehensive Income that may be recycled to profit or loss in the future if certain
conditions are met, separately from those that would never be recycled to profit or loss. Consequently, as the Group
presents  items  of  Other  Comprehensive  Income  before  related  income  tax  effects  the  aggregated  income  tax
amount would need to be allocated between those sections.

IFRS  7  -  “Disclosures  -  Offsetting  Financial  Assets  and  Financial  Liabilities” -  (1  January  2013)  -  For  certain  financial
assets and financial liabilities a number of additional common disclosures are required. 

IFRS 9 - “Financial Instruments” - (1 January 2013) - The first chapters of a new standard on accounting for financial
instruments which will replace IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.” 

96

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 97

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Significant accounting policies (continued)

•

•

•

•

IFRS 10 - “Consolidated Financial Statements” and IAS 27 - “Separate Financial Statements” - (1 January 2013) - and
IFRS 11 - “Joint Arrangements” and amendments to IAS 28 - “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures” - (1 January
2013). These  are  part  of  a  new  suite  of  standards  on  consolidation  and  related  standards,  replacing  the  existing
accounting  for  subsidiaries  and  joint  ventures  (now  joint  arrangements),  and  making  limited  amendments  in
relation to associates.  

IFRS 12 - “‘Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities” - 1 January 2013 - This contains the disclosure requirements for
entities  that  have  interests  in  subsidiaries,  joint  arrangements  (i.e.  joint  operations  or  joint  ventures),  associates
and/or unconsolidated structured entities.

IFRS 13 - “Fair Value Measurement” - (1 January 2013) - This is a new standard to replace existing guidance on fair
value measurement in different IFRSs with a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair values and
disclosures about fair value measurements. 

IAS  32  - “Offsetting  Financial  Assets  and  Financial  Liabilities” -  (1  January  2013)  -  The  amendments  clarify  the
offsetting criteria when an entity currently has a legal right of set off. 

These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(a) Statement of compliance

The Group Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“adopted IFRSs”).  The Parent
Company  has  elected  to  prepare  its  Financial  Statements  in  accordance  with  UK  GAAP;  these  are  presented  on
pages 136 to142.

(b) Basis of preparation 

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and
position are set out in the Business Review on pages 6 to 27.  The financial position of the Group, its cash flows,
liquidity position and borrowing facilities are also set out in the Business Review.  In addition, Note 19 includes the
Group’s  policies  and  procedures  for  managing  its  capital;  its  financial  risk  management  objectives;  details  of  its
financial instruments; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

Details of the Group’s funding position are set out in Note 19 and are subject to normal covenant arrangements.
The  Group’s  on-demand  overdraft  facility  is  renewed  on  an  annual  basis  and  the  current  arrangements  were
renewed  and  signed  on  15  August  2012.    Management  believe  that  there  are  sufficient  unutilised  facilities  held
which  mature  after  twelve  months.  As  noted  in  the  Business  Review,  the  Group’s  performance  is  dependent  on
economic and market conditions, the outlook for which is uncertain and difficult to predict.  The Group has taken
decisive  action  to  align  its  operational  capacity  with  expected  market  conditions  and,  based  on  current
expectations,  the  Group’s  cash  forecasts  meet  half-year  and  year  end  bank  covenants  and  there  is  adequate
headroom  which  is  not  dependent  on  facility  renewals.   The  Directors  believe  that  the  Group  is  well  placed  to
manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.  Accordingly, they continue
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except that the following assets and
liabilities are stated at their fair value: derivative financial instruments and liabilities for cash-settled share-based
payments.

The  accounting  policies  have  been  applied  consistently  throughout  the  Group  for  the  purposes  of  these
Consolidated Financial Statements and are also set out on the Company’s website (www.marshalls.co.uk).

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

(b) Basis of preparation (continued)

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  adopted  IFRSs  requires  management  to  make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and
various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis
of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates
are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period
of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgements  made  by  management  in  the  application  of  adopted  IFRSs  that  have  a  significant  effect  on  the
Consolidated Financial Statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are
discussed in Note 29.

(c) Basis of consolidation

(i) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or
indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In
assessing control, potential voting rights that presently are exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The
Financial  Statements  of  subsidiaries  are  included  in  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  from  the  date  that
control commences until the date that control ceases.

(ii) Associates (equity accounted investees)
Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial and
operating policies.  Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50 per cent of
the  voting  power  of  another  entity.    Associates  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  (equity  accounted
investees) and are recognised initially at cost.  The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified on acquisition,
net of any accumulated impairment losses.  The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Group’s share of the
income  and  expenses  and  equity  movements  of  equity  accounted  investees,  after  adjustment  to  align  the
accounting policies with those of the Group, from the date that significant influence commences until the date that
significant influence ceases.  When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted investee,
the carrying amount of that interest (including any long-term investments) is reduced to nil and the recognition of
further  losses  is  discontinued  except  to  the  extent  that  the  Group  has  an  obligation  or  has  made  payments  on
behalf of the investee.

(iii) Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-group  balances  and  any  unrealised  gains  and  losses  or  income  and  expenses  arising  from  intra-group
transactions, are eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(d) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to sterling at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the
transaction.  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  at  the  balance  sheet  date  are
translated  to  sterling  at  the  foreign  exchange  rate  ruling  at  that  date.  Foreign  exchange  differences  arising  on
translation  are  recognised  in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement.  Non-monetary  assets  and  liabilities  that  are
measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the
transaction.

For the purposes of presenting Consolidated Financial Statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign
operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date.  Income and expense items
are  translated  at  the  average  exchange  rates  for  the  period,  unless  exchange  rates  fluctuate  significantly
during that period in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used.

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1 Accounting policies (continued)

(e) Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange, fuel pricing and interest
rate risks arising from operational, financing and investment activities. In accordance with its treasury policy, the
Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. However, derivatives that do
not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments.

Derivative  financial  instruments  are  recognised  at  fair  value  and  transaction  costs  are  recognised  in  the  Income
Statement  when  incurred.  The  gain  or  loss  on  re-measurement  to  fair  value  is  recognised  immediately  in  the
Consolidated  Income  Statement.  However,  where  derivatives  qualify  for  hedge  accounting,  recognition  of  any
resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged (see accounting policy f ).

(f) Hedging

(i) Cash flow hedges
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset
or  liability,  or  a  highly  probable  forecasted  transaction,  the  effective  part  of  any  gain  or  loss  on  the  derivative
financial instrument is recognised directly in equity. When the forecasted transaction subsequently results in the
recognition of a non-financial asset or non-financial liability, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from
equity and included in the initial cost or other carrying amount of the non-financial asset. For cash flow hedges,
other  than  those  covered  by  the  preceding  policy  statement,  the  associated  cumulative  gain  or  loss  is  removed
from equity and recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in the same period or periods during which the
hedged forecast transaction affects the income or expense. The ineffective part of any gain or loss is recognised
immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.

When  a  hedging  instrument  expires  or  is  sold,  terminated  or  exercised  or  the  entity  revokes  designation  of  the
hedge relationship but the hedged forecast transaction is still expected to occur, it no longer meets the criteria for
hedge accounting.  The cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is recognised in accordance with
the above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, the
cumulative  unrealised  gain  or  loss  recognised  in  equity  is  recognised  immediately  in  the  Consolidated  Income
Statement and cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively.

(ii) Economic hedges
Where  a  derivative  financial  instrument  is  used  to  hedge  economically  the  foreign  exchange  exposure  of  a
recognised  monetary  asset  or  liability,  no  hedge  accounting  is  applied  and  any  gain  or  loss  on  the  hedging
instrument is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

(g) Property, plant and equipment

(i) Owned assets
Items  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  (see  below)  and
impairment losses (see accounting policy l). The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials, direct
labour and an appropriate proportion of directly attributable production overheads.

Certain items of property, plant and equipment that had been revalued to fair value on or prior to 1 January 2004,
the date of transition to adopted IFRSs, are measured on the basis of deemed cost, being the revalued amount at
the date of that revaluation.

Where  parts  of  an  item  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  have  different  useful  lives,  they  are  accounted  for  as
separate items of property, plant and equipment.

(ii) Leased assets
Leases in terms of which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as
finance leases. Property, plant and equipment acquired by way of finance lease are stated at an amount equal to
the  lower  of  its  fair  value  and  the  present  value  of  the  minimum  lease  payments  at  inception  of  the  lease,  less
accumulated depreciation (see below) and impairment losses (see accounting policy l).

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

(g) Property, plant and equipment (continued)

(iii) Subsequent costs
The Group recognises in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment the cost of replacing part
of such an item when that cost is incurred if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the
item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other costs are recognised in the
Consolidated Income Statement as an expense as incurred.

(iv) Depreciation
Depreciation is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment.  Depreciation on quarries is based on estimated rates
of extraction.  This is based on a comparison between the volume of relevant material extracted in any given period
and  the  volume  of  relevant  material  available  for  extraction.    Depreciation  on  leased  assets  is  charged  over  the
shorter of the lease term and their useful economic life.  Freehold land is not depreciated. The rates are as follows:

Freehold and long leasehold buildings
Short leasehold property
Fixed plant and equipment
Mobile plant and vehicles
Quarries

-
-
-
-
-

2.5% to 5% per annum
over the period of the lease
3.3% to 25% per annum
14% to 30% per annum
based on rates of extraction

The  residual  values,  useful  economic  lives  and  depreciation  methods  are  reassessed  annually.    Assets  under
construction are not depreciated until they are ready for use.

Site preparation costs associated with the development of new stone reserves are capitalised.  These costs would
include:

•
•
•

costs of clearing the site (including internal and outsourced labour in relation to site workers);
professional fees (including fees relating to obtaining planning consent);
purchase, installation and assembly of any necessary extraction equipment; and
costs of testing whether the extraction process is functioning properly (net of any sales of test product).

Depreciation commences when commercial extraction commences and is based on the rate of extraction.

In accordance with IAS 37, provision is made for quarry restoration where a legal or constructive obligation exists,
it  is  probable  that  an  outflow  of  economic  benefits  will  occur  and  the  financial  cost  of  restoration  work  can  be
reliably measured.  The lives of quarries are almost always long and it is difficult to estimate the length with any
precision.    The  majority  of  quarry  restoration  work  is  undertaken  while  extracting  minerals  from  new  areas
(backfilling)  and  therefore  work  can  be  completed  without  additional  cost.    As  a  result  of  the  particular
characteristics  of  the  Group’s  quarries,  the  IAS  37  criteria  have  not  been  met  to  date  based  on  the  assets  so  far
acquired and therefore, no provisions have been recognised.

(h) Intangible assets
(i) Goodwill
All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the
date on which control is transferred to the Group.

For acquisitions on or after 1 January 2011, the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:
•
•
•
•

the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus 
the recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; plus
the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree; less
the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

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1 Accounting policies (continued)

(i) Goodwill (continued)
When  the  excess  is  negative,  a  bargain  purchase  gain  is  recognised  immediately  in  the  Consolidated  Income
Statement.

Costs  relating  to  the  acquisition,  other  than  those  associated  with  the  issue  of  debt  or  equity  securities,  are
expensed as incurred.

Any  contingent  consideration  payable  is  recognised  at  fair  value  at  the  acquisition  date.  If  the  contingent
consideration is classified as equity, it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise,
subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

On a transaction-by-transaction basis, the Group elects to measure non-controlling interests either at its fair value
or  at  its  proportionate  interest  in  the  recognised  amount  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  of  the  acquiree  at  the
acquisition date.

In respect of business acquisitions that have occurred since 1 January 2004 but before 1 January 2011, goodwill
represents the difference between the cost of the acquisition and the fair value of the net identifiable assets and
contingent liabilities acquired. The classification and accounting treatment of business combinations that occurred
prior to 1 January 2011 were not adjusted in preparing the Group’s opening IFRS balance sheet at 1 January 2011.

In  respect  of  acquisitions  prior  to  1  January  2004,  goodwill  is  included  on  the  basis  of  its  deemed  cost,  which
represents  the  amount  recorded  under  the  Group’s  previous  accounting  framework.  The  classification  and
accounting  treatment  of  business  combinations  that  occurred  prior  to  1  January  2004  were  not  adjusted  in
preparing the Group’s opening IFRS balance sheet at 1 January 2004.

Goodwill  is  subsequently  stated  at  cost  less  any  accumulated  impairment  losses.  Goodwill  is  allocated  to  cash
generating units and is tested annually for impairment (see  accounting policy  l).  In  respect  of  equity  accounted
investees, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the investment in the investee.

In respect of acquisitions where there is a contingent consideration element, an accrual is created for the estimated
amount payable if it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and
this can be measured reliably.

(ii) Research and development
Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge
and understanding, is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure  on  development  activities,  whereby  research  findings  are  applied  to  a  plan  or  design  for  the
production of new or substantially improved products and processes, is capitalised if the product or process meet
the  recognition  criteria  for  development  expenditure  as  set  out  in  IAS  38  -  “Intangible  Assets”. The  expenditure
capitalised includes all directly attributable costs, from the date which the intangible asset meets the recognition
criteria, necessary to create, produce and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by
management. Other development expenditure is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as an expense
as incurred. Capitalised development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation (see below) and
impairment losses (see accounting policy l).

(iii) Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation (see below)
and impairment losses (see accounting policy l). 

Expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as
an expense as incurred.

(iv) Subsequent expenditure
Subsequent expenditure on capitalised intangible assets is capitalised only when it increases the future economic
benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure is expensed as incurred.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

(h) Intangible assets (continued)

(v) Amortisation
Amortisation is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of intangible assets unless such lives are indefinite. Goodwill is systematically tested for impairment at each
balance sheet date. Other intangible assets are amortised from the date they are available for use.  The rates applied
are as follows:

Customer and supplier relationships
Patents, trademarks and know-how
Development costs
Software

-
-
-
-

5 to 20 years
2 to 20 years
10 to 20 years
5 to 10 years

(i) Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are stated at their nominal amount (discounted if material) less impairment losses (see
accounting policy l).

(j) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price
in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs to completion and of selling expenses. 

The cost of inventories is based on the first-in, first-out principle and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the
inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. In the case of manufactured inventories and
work in progress, cost includes an appropriate share of overheads based on normal operating capacity which were
incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

(k) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand
and  form  an  integral  part  of  the  Group’s  cash  management  are  included  as  a  component  of  cash  and  cash
equivalents for the purpose of the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

(l) Impairment 

(i) Impairment review
The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, other than inventories (see accounting policy j) and deferred tax assets
(see accounting policy v), are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of
impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

For goodwill, assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets that are not yet available for use, the
recoverable amount is estimated at each balance sheet date. 

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash generating unit exceeds its
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount
of any goodwill allocated to cash-generating units and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in
the unit on a pro rata basis.   A cash-generating unit is the group of assets identified on acquisition that generate
cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

The recoverable amount of assets or cash-generating units is the greater of their fair value less costs to sell and value
in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre
tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined
for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

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1 Accounting policies (continued)

(l) Impairment (continued)

(ii)  Reversals of impairments 
An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.  In respect of other assets, an impairment loss is reversed
if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount.

An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying
amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been
recognised.

(m)Share capital

(i)  Share capital
Share capital is classified as equity if it is non-redeemable and any dividends are discretionary, or is redeemable but
only at the Company’s option. Dividends on share capital classified as equity are recognised as distributions within
equity.  Non-equity share capital is classified as a liability if it is redeemable on a specific date or at the option of the
shareholders or if dividend payments are not discretionary. Dividends thereon are recognised in the Consolidated
Income Statement as a financial expense.

(ii) Dividends 
Dividends  on  non-equity  shares  are  recognised  as  a  liability  and  accounted  for  on  an  accruals  basis.  Equity
dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are declared (appropriately authorised and no
longer at the discretion of the Company).

(n) Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to
initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and
redemption value being recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the period of the borrowings on
an effective interest basis.

(o) Pension schemes

(i) Defined benefit schemes 
The net obligation in respect of the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme is calculated by estimating the amount
of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit
is discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of any scheme assets is deducted. The discount rate
is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating
to the terms of the Group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified Actuary using the projected unit
credit method.

If the calculation results in a surplus, the resulting asset is measured at the lower of the amount of any cumulative
unrecognised net actuarial losses and past service cost and the present value of any economic benefits available in
the  form  of  refunds  from  the  plan,  or  reductions  in  future  contributions  to  the  plan. The  present  value  of  these
economic benefits is discounted by reference to market yields at the balance sheet date on high quality corporate
bonds.

Actuarial  gains  and  losses  that  arise  in  calculating  the  Group’s  obligation  in  respect  of  a  plan  are  recognised
immediately within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(ii) Defined contribution schemes

Obligations  for  contributions  to  defined  contribution  schemes  are  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  Income
Statement as incurred.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

(p) Share-based payment transactions

The Group enters into equity-settled share-based payment transactions with its employees.  In particular, annual
awards are made to Directors under a Long Term Incentive Plan.

The Long Term Incentive Plan allows Group employees to acquire shares in Marshalls plc.  The fair value of options
granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured
at  grant  date  and  spread  over  the  period  during  which  the  employees  become  unconditionally  entitled  to  the
options. The fair value of the options granted is measured using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, taking
into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense
is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions
are  expected  to  be  met,  such  that  the  amount  ultimately  recognised  as  an  expense  is  based  on  the  number  of
awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date.

Current tax relief is available based on the intrinsic value of shares issued at exercise date.  Consequently, a deferred
tax asset is recognised at grant date based on the number of shares expected to be issued proportioned in line with
the vesting period.

(q) Own shares held by Employee Benefit Trust

Transactions of the group-sponsored Employee Benefit Trust are included in the Group Financial Statements.  In
particular, the Trust’s purchases of shares in the Company are debited directly to equity.

(r) Provisions

A provision is recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive
obligation as a result of a past event, it can be measured reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic
benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting
the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money
and the risks specific to the liability.

A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan,
and  the  restructuring  has  either  commenced  or  has  been  announced  publicly.  Future  operating  costs  are  not
provided for.

(s) Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at nominal amount (discounted if material).

(t) Revenue

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement upon the despatch of goods,
when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have been transferred to the buyer.  Revenue
represents the invoiced value of sales to customers less returns, allowances and value added tax.

No revenue is recognised if there are significant uncertainties regarding recovery of the consideration due or the
possible return of goods or continuing management involvement with the goods.

(u) Expenses

(i) Operating lease payments
Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line
basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement
over the life of the lease.

(ii) Finance lease payments
Minimum  lease  payments  are  apportioned  between  the  finance  charge  and  the  reduction  of  the  outstanding
liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

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1 Accounting policies (continued)

(u) Expenses (continued)

(iii) Financial expenses
Net financial expenses comprise interest on obligations under the defined benefit pension scheme, the expected
return on scheme assets under the defined benefit pension scheme, interest payable on borrowings (including
finance  leases)  calculated  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method,  dividends  on  non-equity  shares,  interest
receivable  on  funds  invested,  dividend  income,  foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses,  and  gains  and  losses  on
hedging instruments that are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement (see accounting policy f ).

(v) Income tax

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred taxation. Income tax is recognised in
the Consolidated Income Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in
which case it is recognised in equity.

Current  tax  is  the  expected  tax  payable  on  the  taxable  income  for  the  year,  using  tax  rates  enacted  or
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred  taxation  is  provided  using  the  balance  sheet  liability  method,  providing  for  temporary  differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for
taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill,
the  initial  recognition  of  assets  or  liabilities  that  affect  neither  accounting  nor  taxable  profit,  other  than  in  a
business combination, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably
not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred taxation provided is based on the expected manner
of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates that are expected to
apply when the temporary difference reverses, based on rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted
at the balance sheet date.

A deferred taxation asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be
available against which the asset can be utilised. Deferred taxation assets are reduced to the extent that it is no
longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. 

Additional  income  taxes  that  arise  from  the  distribution  of  dividends  are  recognised  at  the  same  time  as  the
liability to pay the related dividend.

(w) Segment reporting

The  Group  has  determined  that,  in  accordance  with  IFRS  8  “Operating  Segments” and  based  on  its  internal
reporting  framework  and  management  structure,  it  has  only  one  reportable  segment.    Such  determination  is
necessarily judgemental in its nature and has been determined by management in preparing the Consolidated
Financial  Statements.    The  level  of  disclosure  of  segmental  and  other  information  is  determined  by  such
assessment.    Further  details  of  the  considerations  made  and  the  resulting  disclosures  are  provided  in  Note  2
below.

2

Segmental analysis

Operating profit
(before operational
restructuring costs and
asset impairments)

Operating profit /
(loss)

Revenue

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Continuing operations

Financial income and expenses (net)

Profit / (loss) before tax

309,693
------------------

334,127
------------------

13,929

16,697

(7,592)

16,697

(3,578)
------------------
10,351
------------------

(3,007)
------------------
13,690
------------------

(3,578)
------------------
(11,170)
------------------

(3,007)
------------------
13,690
------------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

105

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

2 Segmental analysis  (continued)

Operating segments 

IFRS  8  “Operating  Segments” requires  operating  segments  to  be  identified  on  the  basis  of  discrete  financial
information about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Group’s Chief Operating Decision
Maker  (“CODM”)  to  allocate  resources  to  the  segments  and  to  assess  their  performance.    The  Directors  have
concluded that, in terms of the Group’s operations, the detailed requirements of IFRS 8 support the reporting of the
Group’s operations as a single business segment.  As far as Marshalls is concerned the CODM is regarded as being the
Executive Directors.

Detailed consideration has been given to the Group’s overall business strategy and this is explained in detail in the
Business Review on pages 6 to 27. The fundamental strategic objectives remain as follows:

•
•
•
•

to develop, improve, reduce cost and innovate in our unique manufacturing and distribution network;
to invest in marketing direct to the consumer to “pull through demand” and build brand awareness;
to continue to develop the integrated product offer; and
to invest in acquisitions and organic expansion.

These strategic objectives increasingly require the CODM to view the business on a national and a Group level. The
Group’s  national  manufacturing  plan  is  structured  around  a  series  of  production  units  throughout  the  United
Kingdom, in conjunction with a single logistics and distribution operation.  A National planning process supports
sales to both of the Group’s key end markets, namely the Domestic and Public Sector and Commercial end markets
and the Group’s operating assets produce and deliver a range of broadly similar products that are sold into each of
these  end  markets.  The  focus  is  on  the  one  integrated  production,  logistics  and  distribution  network  supporting
both end markets and operating and financial information is available for the one combined integrated logistics and
distribution  network.   Whilst  KPI  information  is  available  to  the  CODM  from  the  different  functional  areas  of  the
business, “performance  assessment”  and “resource  allocation”  continue  to  be  addressed  on  a  Group  basis.    The
Group’s structure and strategy mean that business performance is focused on production efficiency, logistics and
distribution  efficiency,  the  performance  of  customers  and  operational  planning.    These  are  completely  inter-
dependent and are undertaken on a fully integrated basis, not in isolation.

For these reasons, and on the basis of the strategy, structure and nature of its business, and having considered the
specific requirements of IFRS 8, the Directors have concluded that the Group has one operating segment.  In order to
assist the reader of the Annual Report some revenue information has been presented in the Business Review relating
to the Group’s Domestic and Public Sector and Commercial end markets.

Geographical destination of revenue:

United Kingdom
Rest of the world

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

296,242
13,451
------------------
309,693
------------------

322,396
11,731
------------------
334,127
------------------

As disclosed in Note 23, in the period ended 31 December 2011 (the period of acquisition), Marshalls NV contributed
revenue of £8,877,000.  All other revenue originates in the United Kingdom from continuing operations.   The Group’s
International operations do not meet the definition of a reportable operating segment under IFRS 8.

106

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3 Net operating costs

Raw materials and consumables
Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress
Personnel costs
Depreciation  - owned
- leased

Amortisation of intangible assets 
Own work capitalised
Other operating costs
Negative goodwill
Acquisition costs
International "start up" costs

Operating costs
Other operating income
Net gain on asset and property disposals
Gain on property exchange (Note 11)
Share of results of associates
Gain on sale of associates

Net operating costs before operational restructuring costs and asset impairments
Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments (Note 5)

Net operating costs

Net operating costs include:
Auditor’s remuneration (see below)
Leasing costs
Hire of plant and machinery
Research and development costs

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

102,522
6,716
83,288
14,704
79
1,247
(1,272)
92,809
-
-
499
----------------
300,592
(2,262)
(1,944)
(594)
(28)
-
-----------------
295,764
21,521
----------------
317,285
--------------

117,865
542
87,979
17,054
99
1,179
(1,984)
98,264
(1,772)
482
848
-----------------
320,556
(1,679)
(1,359)
-
(65)
(23)
-----------------
317,430
-
-----------------
317,430
--------------

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

169
7,482
5,417
2,425
--------------

164
7,295
4,673
3,166
--------------

The Companies (Disclosure of Auditor Remuneration and Liability Limitation Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations
2011  is  mandatory  for  periods  starting  after  1  October  2011.    The  comparatives  in  respect  of  the  disclosures  of
Auditor Remuneration have been restated accordingly.  In respect of the year under review, KPMG Audit Plc carried
out work in relation to:

Audit of Marshalls plc
Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries of the Company
Taxation compliance services
Other services

2012
£’000
20
133
6
10
-----------------
169
--------------

2011
£’000
20
127
6
11
-----------------
164
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

107

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

3 Net operating costs (continued)

As set out in Note 23 on 4 March 2011 the Group obtained control of a newly formed company in Belgium engaged
in the manufacture and supply of landscape products.  The Group acquired 66.7 per cent of the ordinary share capital
and  voting  interests  in  Marshalls  NV  and  the  new  business  was  established  following  the  acquisition  of  certain
business assets and the injection of new working capital.  The Group incurred acquisition-related costs of £482,000
relating to external legal fees and due diligence costs.  The legal fees and due diligence costs have been included in
net operating costs.

The  initial  acquisition  of  these  assets,  principally  land,  buildings,  plant  and  machinery,  has  given  rise  to  negative
goodwill.  The first months of trading necessitated the commissioning of the plant and the manufacture and sourcing
of the Company’s operational inventory and working capital.  A new management team has been established and
investment has been made in systems and procedures in the “start up” phase.  To assist the user of these Consolidated
Financial Statements these “start up” costs have been separately disclosed.

4 Personnel costs

Personnel costs (including Directors):

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Share based expenses (Note 20)
Contributions to defined contribution Pension Scheme

75,312
7,930
226
4,511
-----------------
87,979
409
1,368
-
-----------------
89,756
--------------
Details of Directors’ remuneration, share options, long term incentive plans and Directors’ pension entitlements are
disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 59 to 84.

Included within net operating costs (Note 3)
Personnel costs included in International "start up" costs (Note 3)
Personnel costs related to net profit on asset and property disposals (Note 3)
Personnel costs included in operational restructuring costs (Note 5)

70,432
7,978
468
4,410
-----------------
83,288
263
1,378
6,321
-----------------
91,250
--------------

Total personnel costs

The average number of persons employed by the Group during the year was:

Continuing operations

5 Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments

Operational restructuring costs
Asset impairments

2012
Number

2,252
--------------

2012
£’000

10,226
11,295
-----------------
21,521
--------------

2011
Number

2,361
--------------

2011
£’000

-
-
-----------------
-
--------------

The  Board  has  determined  that  certain  charges  to  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  should  be  separately
identified for better understanding of the Group’s results for the year ended 31 December 2012.

108

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5 Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments (continued)

Operational  restructuring  costs  reflect  the  implementation  of  a  wide  range  of  contingency  measures  aimed  at
reducing costs, reducing inventories and conserving cash.  These initiatives include works closure costs which reflect
the need for capacity reductions and these have impacted those businesses that have been particularly affected by
the  deterioration  in  current  market  conditions  and  for  which  the  short  term  outlook  remains  challenging.
Operational restructuring costs include redundancy costs of £6,205,000.

Asset impairments include the write down of plant and machinery and other assets to their recoverable amounts
together  with  the  impairment  of  certain  intangible  assets  and  other  items  of  plant  that  are  being  temporarily
mothballed.  The recoverable amounts are based on the fair value of the assets which are £nil.

Asset impairments are analysed as follows:

Property, plant and equipment (Note 11)
Intangible assets (Note 12)
Investment in associates (Note 13)
Inventories (Note 14)

6 Financial expenses and income

(a)  Financial expenses
Interest expense on bank loans, overdrafts and  loan notes
Interest on obligations under the defined benefit Pension Scheme
Finance lease interest expense

(b)  Financial income
Expected return on Scheme assets under the defined benefit Pension Scheme
Interest receivable and similar income

2012
£’000

6,396
1,282
1,566
2,051
-----------------
11,295
--------------

2012
£’000

4,279
11,189
12
-----------------
15,480
--------------

11,898
4
-----------------
11,902
--------------

2011
£’000

-
-
-
-
-----------------
-
--------------

2011
£’000

3,483
11,464
13
-----------------
14,960
--------------

11,940
13
-----------------
11,953
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

109

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

7 Income tax expense

Before

operational Operational
restructuring restructuring 
costs and 
asset 
impairments
2012
£’000

costs and
asset
impairments
2012
£’000

1,695
(2,148)
-----------------
(453)

(2,596)
-
-----------------
(2,596)

Total
2012
£’000

(901)
(2,148)
-----------------
(3,049)

Total
2011
£’000

2,471
(1,272)
-----------------
1,199

(736)
84
-----------------

(1,771)
-
-----------------

(2,507)
84
-----------------

626
(303)
-----------------

(1,105)

(4,367)

(5,472)

1,522

--

-

(194)

-
-----------------
(1,105)
-----------------

-
-----------------
(4,367)
-----------------

-
-----------------
(5,472)
-----------------

(562)
-----------------
766
-----------------

Current tax expense / (credit)
Current year
Adjustments for prior years

Deferred taxation (credit) / expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences:
Current year
Adjustments for prior years

Income tax (credit) / expense in the
Consolidated Income Statement (continuing
operations)
Tax on discontinued operations (excluding loss on
sale)
Income tax credit on disposal and closure of
discontinued operations

Total tax (credit) / expense

Reconciliation of effective

tax rate

Profit / (loss) before tax

Tax using domestic 
corporation tax rate

Disallowed amortisation 
of intangible assets
Net income/expenditure

not taxable

Adjustments for prior years
Impact of the change in the
rate of corporation tax on
deferred taxation

Before operational
restructuring costs
and asset 
impairments
2012
£’000

%

Total
2012
£’000

%

Total
2011
£’000

%

100.0
-----------------

10,351
-----------------

100.0
-----------------

(11,170)
-----------------

100.0
-----------------

13,690
-----------------

24.5

2,536

24.5

(2,737)

26.5

3,628

0.6

3.7
(20.0)

63

378
(2,064)

(0.6)

(11.5)
18.5

63

1,284
(2,064)

0.7

7.5
(11.5)

95

1,033
(1,575)

(19.5)
-----------------
(10.7)
-----------------

(2,018)
-----------------
(1,105)
-----------------

18.1
-----------------
49.0
-----------------

(2,018)
-----------------
(5,472)
-----------------

(12.1)
-----------------
11.1
-----------------

(1,659)
-----------------
1,522
-----------------

The net amount of deferred taxation credited to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year 
was £2,742,000 (2011: £2,598,000 debit).

110

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8 Discontinued operations

On 14 June 2011 the Group announced the proposed closure of its non-core garage and greenhouse manufacturing
operations.  Later in June 2011, agreement was reached to sell, separately, the Compton garage brand and the Alton
and Robinson greenhouse brands, and the Compton manufacturing site has been closed.  The operation has been
treated as discontinued.

The results of the discontinued operations which have been included in the Consolidated Income Statement were as
follows:

Revenue
Net operating costs

Loss before tax
Income tax credit

Loss after tax

Loss on disposal and closure of discontinued operations
Income tax credit on disposal and closure of discontinued operations

Net loss attributable to discontinued operations

Basic loss per share (pence)

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

Effect of disposal and closure on the financial position of the Group

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Assets disposed of

Consideration received, satisfied in cash
Consideration receivable
Professional fees accrued

Net consideration received

Loss on disposal

Closure costs

Loss on disposal and closure of discontinued operations
(attributable to equity shareholders of the parent)

2012
£’000

-
-
-----------------
-
-
-----------------
-

-
-
-----------------
-
--------------
-
--------------
-
--------------

2012
£’000

-
-
-----------------
-
-----------------
-
-
-
-----------------
-
-----------------
-
--------------
-
--------------

-
--------------

2011
£’000

7,847
(8,566)
-----------------
(719)
194
-----------------
(525)

(4,949)
562
-----------------
(4,912)
--------------

(2.52)p

--------------

(2.52)p

--------------

2011
£’000

266
1,359
-----------------
1,625
-----------------
550
450
(93)
-----------------
907
-----------------
718
--------------
4,231
--------------

(4,949)
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

111

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

8 Discontinued operations (continued)

During the year ended 31 December 2011 Compton contributed an outflow of £209,000 to the Group’s net operating
cash flows, received £550,000 in respect of investing activities and paid £nil in respect of financing activities.  During
the year ended 31 December 2012 an additional £150,000 was received in respect of investing activities.

A pre tax loss of £718,000 arose on the disposal of the Compton garage and the Alton and Robinson greenhouse
brands, being the proceeds of disposal less the carrying amount of the relevant net assets.  In addition the net cost
of the closure of the Compton site is £4,231,000.  The total net loss on disposal and closure of discontinued operations
is £4,949,000.

Basic  loss  per  share  from  discontinued  operations  of  2.52  pence  per  share  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  loss
attributable to ordinary shareholders from discontinued operations of £4,912,000 by the weighted average number
of shares in issue during the period of 195,374,526.

The  ordinary  shares  are  considered  to  be  anti-dilutive  to  the  loss  per  share  from  the  discontinued  operations
calculation.

9 Earnings per share

Basic loss per share from total operations of 2.91 pence (2011: 3.78 pence earnings) per share is calculated by dividing
the  loss  attributable  to  ordinary  shareholders  from  total  operations,  and  after  adding  back  the  loss  on  non-
controlling  interests,  of  £5,684,000  (2011:  £7,390,000  profit)  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  shares  in  issue
during the period of 195,464,528 (2011: 195,374,526).

Basic loss per share from continuing operations of 2.91 pence (2011: 6.30 pence earnings) per share is calculated by
dividing  the  loss  from  continuing  operations  and  after  adding  back  the  loss  on  non-controlling  interests  of
£5,684,000 (2011: £12,302,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year of 195,464,528
(2011: 195,374,526).

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations before operational restructuring costs and asset impairments of
5.87  pence  (2011:  6.30  pence)  per  share  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  profit  from  continuing  operations  before
operational  restructuring  costs  and  asset  impairments,  and  after  adjusting  for  non-controlling  interests,  of
£11,470,000 (2011: £12,302,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 195,464,528
(2011: 195,374,526).

(Loss) / profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Profit from continuing operations before operational restructuring costs and
asset impairments
Operational restructuring costs and asset impairments

(Loss) / profit from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations

(Loss) / profit for the financial period
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(Loss) / profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

2012
£’000

11,456
(17,154)
-----------------
(5,698)
-
-----------------
(5,698)
14
-----------------
(5,684)
--------------

2011
£’000

12,168
-
-----------------
12,168
(4,912)
-----------------
7,256
134
-----------------
7,390
--------------

112

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9 Earnings per share (continued)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Number of issued ordinary shares (at beginning of the period)
Effect of shares transferred into employee benefit trust
Effect of treasury shares acquired

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at end of the period 

2012
Number

2011
Number

199,378,755
(1,489,227)
(2,425,000)
---------------------------
195,464,528
-----------------------

199,378,755
(1,579,229)
(2,425,000)
---------------------------
195,374,526
-----------------------

For the year ended 31 December 2012, the potential ordinary shares set out below are considered to be anti-dilutive
to the total earnings per share calculation.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before operational restructuring costs and asset impairments
of  5.75  pence  (2011:  6.17  pence)  per  share  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  profit  from  continuing  operations  before
operational  restructuring  costs  and  asset  impairments,  and  after  adjusting  for  non-controlling  interests,  of
£11,470,000 (2011: £12,302,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 195,464,528
(2011:  195,374,526)  plus  potentially  dilutive  shares  of  3,914,227  (2011:  4,004,229)  which  totals  199,378,755  (2011:
199,378,755).

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares 
Effect of shares transferred into employee benefit trust
Effect of treasury shares acquired 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) 

2012
Number

2011
Number

195,464,528
1,489,227
2,425,000
---------------------------
199,378,755
-----------------------

195,374,526
1,579,229
2,425,000
---------------------------
199,378,755
-----------------------

10 Dividends

After the balance sheet date dividends of 3.50 pence per qualifying ordinary share (2011: 3.50 pence) were proposed
by the Directors.  The dividends have not been provided for and there were no income tax consequences. The total
dividends proposed in respect of the year are as follows:

2012 final
2012 interim

2011 final
2011 interim

Pence per qualifying
share

3.50
1.75
----------------
5.25
--------------
3.50
1.75
----------------
5.25
--------------

2012
£’000

6,861
3,431
----------------
10,292
--------------

2011
£’000

6,861
3,431
----------------
10,292
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

113

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

10 Dividends (continued)

The following dividends were approved by the shareholders and recognised in the period.

2012 interim
2011 final

2011 interim
2010 final

Pence per qualifying 
share

1.75
3.50
----------------
5.25
--------------
1.75
3.50
----------------
5.25
--------------

2012
£’000

3,431
6,861
----------------
10,292
--------------

2011
£’000

3,431
6,861
----------------
10,292
--------------

The 2012 final dividend of 3.50 pence per qualifying ordinary share, total value £6,861,000 will be paid on 5 July 2013
to shareholders registered at the close of business on 7 June 2013.

11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2011
Acquisitions through business combinations
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Reclassification

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2012
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2012 

Land and
buildings
£’000

83,985
6,794
(106)
2,042
(1,694)
(160)
-----------------
90,861
---------------
90,861
(209)
4,312
(6,203)
-----------------
88,761
---------------

Plant, 
machinery
and vehicles
£’000

296,788
1,380
(17)
9,152
(4,802)
--
-----------------
302,501
---------------
302,501
(93)
6,575
(6,068)
-----------------
302,915
---------------

Quarries
£’000

31,541
-
-
560
-
160
-----------------
32,261
---------------
32,261
-
7
-
-----------------
32,268
---------------

Total
£’000

412,314
8,174
(123)
11,754
(6,496)

-----------------
425,623
---------------
425,623
(302)
10,894
(12,271)
-----------------
423,944
---------------

114

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11 Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Depreciation and impairment losses

At 1 January 2011
Depreciation charge for the year
Exchange differences
Disposals

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2012
Depreciation charge for the year
Exchange differences
Disposals
Impairment losses (Note 5)

At 31 December 2012 

Net Book Value
At 1 January 2011

At 1 January 2012

At 31 December 2012

Land and
buildings
£’000

29,596
2,341
(1)
(572)
-----------------
31,364
---------------
31,364
2,194
(1)
(1,945)
1,219
-----------------
32,831
---------------

54,389
---------------
59,497
---------------
55,930
---------------

Plant,
machinery
and vehicles
£’000

185,528
13,851
(23)
(4,085)
-----------------
195,271
---------------
195,271
12,006
(34)
(5,161)
5,177
-----------------
207,259
---------------

111,260
---------------
107,230
---------------
95,656
---------------

Quarries
£'000

6,563
1,101
-
-
-----------------
7,664
---------------
7,664
583
-
-
-
-----------------
8,247
---------------

24,978
---------------
24,597
---------------
24,021
---------------

Total
£’000

221,687
17,293
(24)
(4,657)
-----------------
234,299
---------------
234,299
14,783
(35)
(7,106)
6,396
-----------------
248,337
---------------

190,627
---------------
191,324
---------------
175,607
---------------

A property exchange undertaken during the year ended 31 December 2012 has given rise to a gain of £594,000 (Note
3) and has resulted in an increase in additions of £2,587,000.

Mineral reserves and associated land have been separately disclosed under the caption of “quarries”.

The  carrying  amount  of  tangible  fixed  assets  includes  £352,000  (2011:  £165,000)  in  respect  of  assets  held  under
finance leases. Group cost of land and buildings and plant and machinery includes £937,000 (2011: £353,000) and
£1,311,000 (2011: £4,617,000) respectively for assets in the course of construction.

Capital commitments

Capital expenditure that has been contracted for but for which no
provision has been made in the Consolidated Financial Statements

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

224
---------------

1,998
---------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

115

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

11 Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Depreciation charge

The depreciation charge is recognised in the following line items in the Consolidated Income Statement:

Net operating costs (Note 3): continuing operations
Discontinued operations

12 Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2011
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2012
Additions

At 31 December 2012

Customer
relation- 
ships
£’000

Supplier 
relation-
ships
£’000

Patents, 
trademarks
and know- Development
costs
£’000

how
£’000

2,210

2,400

2,605

159

----

---------------
2,210
-------------

(1,200)
---------------
1,200
-------------

(945)
---------------
1,660
-------------

--
---------------
159
-------------

Goodwill
£’000

43,173
518
--
---------------
43,691
-------------

43,691

2,210

1,200

1,660

159

-----

---------------
43,691
-------------

---------------
2,210
-------------

---------------
1,200
-------------

---------------
1,660
-------------

---------------
159
-------------

Amortisation and impairment losses

At 1 January 2011
Amortisation for the year
Disposals

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2012
Amortisation for the year
Impairment losses (Note 5)

At 31 December 2012

Carrying amounts
At 1 January 2011

At 1 January 2012

At 31 December 2012

8,912
-
--
---------------
8,912
-------------
8,912
--
-
---------------
8,912
-------------

34,261
-------------
34,779
-------------
34,779
-------------

805
123

---------------
928
-------------
928

1,282
---------------
2,210
-------------

1,405
-------------
1,282
-------------
-
-------------

896
90
(528)
---------------
458
-------------
458
90

----

---------------
548
-------------

1,504
-------------
742
-------------
652
-------------

1,299
113
(258)
---------------
1,154
-------------
1,154
116

---------------
1,270
-------------

1,306
-------------
506
-------------
390
-------------

53
8
--
---------------
61
-------------
61
8

---------------
69
-------------

106
-------------
98
-------------
90
-------------

2012
£’000
14,783
-
-----------------
14,783
--------------

2011
£’000
17,153
116
-----------------
17,269
--------------

Software
£’000

6,361
1,857

---------------
8,218
-------------

8,218
1,212
---------------
9,430
-------------

1,998
897

---------------
2,895
-------------
2,895
1,033

---------------
3,928
-------------

4,363
-------------
5,323
-------------
5,502
-------------

Total
£’000

56,908
2,375
(2,145)
---------------
57,138
-------------

57,138
1,212
---------------
58,350
-------------

13,963
1,231
(786)
---------------
14,408
-------------
14,408
1,247
1,282
---------------
16,937
-------------

42,945
-------------
42,730
-------------
41,413
-------------

116

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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12 Intangible assets (continued)

All  goodwill  has  arisen  from  business  combinations.    The  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  is  allocated  across  Cash
Generating Units (“CGUs”) and these CGUs are independent sources of income streams and represent the lowest level
within the Group at which the associated goodwill is monitored for management purposes.  The Group tests goodwill
annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations and at both 31 December 2012
and 31 December 2011 the full amount of goodwill in the Group balance sheet related to the Landscape Products
CGU.  These calculations use cash flow projections based on a combination of individual financial five year forecasts
and appropriate long term growth rates of 2 per cent.  To prepare value in use calculations, the cash flow forecasts
are discounted back to present value using an appropriate market-based discount rate.  The pre-tax discount rates
used to calculate the value in use range from 6.7 per cent to 7.2 per cent (2011: 8.0 per cent to 8.5 per cent), with the
pre-tax discount rate used for the Landscape Products CGU being 7.2 per cent (2011: 8.1 per cent).  The Directors have
reviewed the recoverable amounts of the CGUs and do not consider that any reasonable change in the assumptions
would give rise to the need for further impairment.

Included in software additions is £776,000 (2011: £838,000) of own work capitalised.

Amortisation charge

The amortisation charge is recognised in the following line items in the Consolidated Income Statement:

Net operating costs (Note 3): continuing operations
Discontinued operations

13 Investment in associates

Carrying value
At 1 January
Disposals
Impairment losses (Note 5)
Share of results of associates

At 31 December 

Investment at cost
Cumulative losses on disposals 
Impairment losses (Note 5)
Cumulative share of results of associates

Carrying value at 31 December

2012
£’000

1,247
-
-----------------
1,247
--------------

2012
£’000

2,188
-
(1,566)
28
-----------------
650
--------------

2012
£’000

2,182
68
(1,566)
(34)
-----------------
650
--------------

2011
£’000

1,179
52
-----------------
1,231
--------------

2011
£’000

2,163
(40)
-
65
-----------------
2,188
--------------

2011
£’000

2,182
68
-
(62)
-----------------
2,188
--------------

On 21 July 2011 the Group disposed of its 24 per cent stake in Delta Bloc UK Limited for proceeds of £63,000.

The Group’s share of results of associates in the year ended 31 December 2012 was £28,000 profit (2011: £65,000
profit) and, on the grounds of materiality, no additional disclosure has been made.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

117

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

14 Inventories 

Raw materials and consumables
Finished goods and goods for resale

2012
£’000

13,716
61,700
-----------------
75,416
--------------

2011
£’000

13,922
68,416
-----------------
82,338
--------------

Inventories stated at fair value less cost to sell at 31 December 2012 amounted to £3,785,000 (2011: £3,239,000).  The
write down of inventories made during the year amounted to £2,697,000 (2011: £938,000) of which £2,051,000 is in
respect  of  operational  restructuring  costs  (Note  5).    There  were  no  reversals  of  inventory  write  downs  made  in
previous years either in 2012 or 2011.

15 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

Ageing of trade receivables

Less than 30 days
31 - 60 days
61 - 90 days
More than 90 days

2012
£’000

19,849
3,782
6,587
-----------------
30,218
--------------

2012
£’000

15,160
4,158
486
45
-----------------
19,849
--------------

2011
£’000

29,448
4,383
6,473
-----------------
40,304
--------------

2011
£’000

17,813
10,066
1,497
72
-----------------
29,448
--------------

No receivables were due after more than one year.  All amounts disclosed above are considered recoverable and no
material amounts are regarded as overdue.

16 Cash and cash equivalents 

Bank balances
Cash in hand

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

2012
£’000

11,079
22
-----------------
11,101
--------------

2011
£’000

5,976
22
-----------------
5,998
--------------

118

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17 Trade and other payables 

Current liabilities
Trade payables
Taxation and social security
Other payables
Accruals
Financial liabilities

All trade payables are due in six months or less.

18 Loans

Current liabilities
Bank loans
Finance lease liabilities 

Non current liabilities 
Bank loans
Finance lease liabilities

Bank loans

2012
£’000

29,964
9,172
6,014
14,739
1,624
-----------------
61,513
--------------

2012
£’000

-
99
-----------------
99
--------------

74,325
220
-----------------
74,545
--------------

2011
£’000

34,471
7,207
4,778
10,669
414
-----------------
57,539
--------------

2011
£’000

25,000
88
-----------------
25,088
--------------

57,934
77
-----------------
58,011
--------------

The bank loans are secured by inter-group guarantees with certain subsidiary undertakings.

Finance lease liabilities

Minimum
lease
payments
2012
£’000

110
87
144
---------------
341
-------------

Interest 
2012
£’000

Principal
2012
£’000

11
6
5
---------------
22
-------------

99
81
139
---------------
319
-------------

Minimum
lease 
payments
2011
£’000

97
53
30
---------------
180
-------------

Interest
2011
£’000

9
5
1
---------------
15
-------------

Principal
2011
£’000

88
48
29
---------------
165
-------------

Less than one year
One to two years
Two to five years

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119

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

19 Financial instruments

The Group holds and uses financial instruments to finance its operations and to manage its interest rate, liquidity
and currency risks.  The Group primarily finances its operations using share capital, retained profits and borrowings.
The Group’s bank loans are non-equity funding instruments and further details of which are set out in Note 18.

As directed by the Board the Group does not engage in speculative activities using derivative financial instruments.
Group  cash  reserves  are  held  centrally  to  take  advantage  of  the  most  rewarding  short  term  investment
opportunities.  Forward foreign currency contracts are used in the management of currency risk.

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and exchange rate
risk.  The Board reviews and agrees the policies for managing each of these risks and they have remained unchanged
since 2011.

Capital management

The  Group  defines  the  capital  that  it  manages  as  its  total  equity  and  net  debt  balances.  The  Group  manages  its
capital structure in the light of current economic conditions and its strategic objectives to ensure that it is able to
continue  as  a  going  concern  whilst  maximising  the  return  to  stakeholders  through  the  optimisation  of  debt  and
equity balances.

The Group manages its medium term bank debt to ensure continuity of funding and the policy is to arrange funding
ahead  of  requirements  and  to  maintain  sufficient  undrawn  committed  facilities.    A  key  objective  is  to  ensure
compliance with the covenants set out in the Group’s bank facility agreements.

From time to time the Group purchases its own shares on the market; the timing of these purchases depends on
market prices.  Primarily the shares are intended to be used for issuing shares under the Group’s Long Term Incentive
Plan.  Buy and sell decisions are made on a specific transaction basis by the Board.

There has been no change in the objectives, policies or processes with regard to capital management during the
years ended 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011.

Financial risks

The Group has exposure to a number of financial risks through the conduct of its operations.  Risk management is
governed  by  the  Group’s  operational  policies,  guidelines  and  authorisation  procedures  which  are  outlined  in  the
Business  Review  on  pages  6  to  27.   The  key  financial  risks  resulting  from  financial  instruments  are  liquidity  risk,
interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign currency risk and pricing risk.

(a) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  The Board is
responsible for ensuring that the Group has sufficient liquidity to meet its financial liabilities as they fall due and does
so  by  monitoring  cash  flow  forecasts  and  budgets.    Cash  resources  are  largely  and  normally  generated  through
operations and short term flexibility is achieved by bank facilities.  Bank debt is raised centrally and the Group aims
to  maintain  a  balance  between  flexibility  and  continuity  of  funding  by  having  a  range  of  maturities  on  its
borrowings.  Details of the Group borrowing facilities are provided below.  The capital structure of the Group consists
of equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company and reserves.

(b) Interest rate risk

The  Group’s  policy  is  to  review  regularly  the  terms  of  its  available  short  term  borrowing  facilities  and  to  assess
individually  and  manage  each  long  term  borrowing  commitment  accordingly.   The  Group  borrows  principally  at
floating rates of interest and where appropriate uses interest rate swaps to generate the desired interest rate profile,
thereby managing the Group’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

120

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19 Financial instruments (continued)

Financial risks (continued)

(b) Interest rate risk (continued)

Approximately 80 per cent of core debt is covered by interest rate swaps of varying maturities up until 2018, which
reflects the maturity date of the related loans and medium term requirements, in accordance with Group policy. The
Group classifies its interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges and states them at fair value.  The fair value of interest rate
swaps is £576,000 liability (2011: £402,000 liability) and is adjusted against the hedging reserve on an ongoing basis.  

The period that the swaps cover is intended to fix the impact on the Income Statement.  During the year £468,000
(2011:  £572,000)  has  been  recognised  in  Other  Comprehensive  Income  for  the  year  with  £314,000  (2011:  £402,000)
being reclassified from equity to the Income Statement. The interest rate swaps have been fully effective in the period.

With the addition of the fuel hedges (Note 19(e)) and forward contracts this gives a total of £2,050,000 (2011: £572,000)
recognised in Other Comprehensive Income for the year with £840,000 (2011: £402,000) being reclassified from equity
to the Income Statement.

(c) Credit risk

Management  has  a  credit  policy  in  place  and  the  exposure  to  credit  risk  is  monitored  on  an  ongoing  basis.    Credit
evaluations  are  performed  on  all  customers  requiring  credit  over  a  certain  amount  and,  where  appropriate,  credit
insurance cover is obtained.  This provides excellent intelligence to minimise the number and value of bad debts and
ultimately provides compensation if bad debts are incurred.

Investments  are  allowed  only  in  liquid  securities  and  only  with  counterparties  that  have  a  credit  rating  equal  to  or
better than the Group.  Transactions involving derivative financial instruments are with counterparties with whom the
Group has a signed netting agreement as well as sound credit ratings.  Given their high credit ratings, management
does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

At the balance sheet date there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.  The maximum exposure to credit risk
is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivative financial instruments, in the balance
sheet.

(d) Foreign currency risk

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than
sterling.  The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily Euros and US Dollars.

The Group’s policy is to cover all significant foreign currency commitments in respect of trade receivables and trade
payables by using forward foreign currency contracts.  Most of the forward exchange contacts have maturities of less
than  one  year  after  the  balance  sheet  date.    Where  necessary,  the  forward  exchange  contracts  are  rolled  over  at
maturity.

The Group classifies its forward exchange contracts hedging forecasted transactions as cash flow hedges and states
them at fair value.  The fair value of forward exchange contracts is £8,000 asset (2011: £12,000 liability) and is adjusted
against the hedging reserve on an ongoing basis.  At 31 December 2012 all outstanding forward exchange contracts
have a maturity date within six months.

(e) Pricing risk

Where appropriate the Group uses hedging instruments to mitigate the risks of significant forward price rises of fuel in
relation to expected consumption.  The current hedges held are in place until 31 December 2013.  The Group classifies
its fuel hedges as cash flow hedges and states them at fair value.  The fair value of the fuel hedges is £1,056,000 liability
(2011: £nil) and is adjusted against the hedging reserve on an ongoing basis.  The period that the fuel hedges cover is
intended to fix the impact on the Income Statement.  During the year £1,582,000 (2011: £nil) has been recognised in
Other Comprehensive Income with £526,000 (2011: £nil) being reclassified from equity to the Income Statement.  The
fuel hedges have been fully effective in the period.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

121

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

19 Financial instruments (continued)

(f)  Other risks

Further information about the Group’s strategic and financial risks is contained in the Business Review on pages 6 to
27.

Sensitivity analysis

In managing interest rate and currency risks the Group aims to reduce the impact of short-term fluctuations on the
Group’s earnings.  Over the longer term, however, permanent changes in foreign exchange and interest rates would
have  an  impact  on  consolidated  earnings.    For  instance,  a  weakening  of  pound  sterling  on  the  foreign  currency
market would increase the cost of certain raw materials, whereas a strengthening would have the opposite effect.

Effective interest rates and maturity of liabilities

At 31 December 2012 there were £319,000 (2011: £165,000) Group borrowings on a fixed rate. Interest rate swaps
have been taken out with the intention to fix the interest on 80 per cent of the Group’s core debt.  The interest rate
profile of the financial liabilities were:

31 December 2012

Fixed or
variable
rate

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 16) Variable
Variable
Bank loans
Fixed
Finance lease liabilities

31 December 2011

Fixed or
variable
rate

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 16) Variable
Variable
Bank loans
Fixed
Finance lease liabilities

Effective
interest
rate
%

2.65
2.65
9.01

Effective
interest
rate
%

2.40
2.40
10.81

Total
£’000

(11,101)
74,325
319
-----------------
63,543
---------------

6 months

6-12 
or less months
£’000
£’000

1-2
years 
£’000

(11,101)
--
53
-----------------
(11,048)
---------------

--

46
-----------------
46
---------------

-
81
-----------------
81
---------------

6 months

6-12 
or less months
£’000
£’000

Total
£’000

1-2
years 
£’000

(5,998)
82,934
165
-----------------
77,101
---------------

(5,998)
-
62
-----------------
(5,936)
---------------

--
25,000
26
-----------------
25,026
---------------

25,000
48
-----------------
25,048
---------------

2-5
years
£’000

-
74,325
139
-----------------
74,464
---------------

2-5
years
£’000

-
32,934
29
-----------------
32,963
---------------

122

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19 Financial instruments (continued)

At 31 December the undiscounted outstanding contractual payments (including interest) of financial liabilities was
as follows:

31 December 2012

Bank loans
Trade payables
Finance lease liabilities
Financial liabilities

31 December 2011

Bank loans
Trade payables
Finance lease liabilities
Financial liabilities

Total
£’000

79,897
29,964
341
1,614
-----------------
111,816
---------------

Total
£’000

6 months

6-12
or less months
£’000
£’000

916
29,964
59
753
-----------------
31,692
---------------
6 months

911
--
51
710
-----------------
1,672
---------------
6-12
or less months
£’000
£’000

1-2
years 
£’000

1,827

87
150
-----------------
2,064
---------------
1-2
years 
£’000

2-5
years
£’000

76,243
-
144
1
-----------------
76,388
---------------
2-5
years
£’000

87,656
34,471
180
479
-----------------
122,786
-----------------

978
34,471
68
146
-----------------
35,663
-----------------

25,973

25,984
--
29
147
-----------------
26,160

34,721
-
30
1
-----------------
34,752
----------------- ----------------- -----------------

53
185
-----------------
26,211

The outstanding contractual payments (including interest) in relation to operating leases are disclosed in Note 26.

Borrowing facilities

The total bank borrowing facilities at 31 December 2012 amounted to £170.0 million (2011: £170.0 million) of which
£95.7 million (2011: £87.1 million) remained unutilised.  There are additional seasonal bank working capital facilities
of  £20.0  million  available  between  1  February  and  31  August  each  year.    The  undrawn  facilities  available  at  31
December 2012, in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met, were as follows:

Committed:

-

Expiring in more than two years but not more than five years

70,675

62,066

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Uncommitted:

-

Expiring in one year or less

25,000
-----------------
95,675
--------------

25,000
-----------------
87,066
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

123

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

19 Financial instruments (continued)

Borrowing facilities (continued)

In March 2012 existing bank debt facilities which were to mature in December 2012 and January 2013 and totalling
£75 million in aggregate were re-financed with extended maturity dates to 2015 and 2016.  The maturity profile of
borrowing facilities is structured to provide balanced, committed and phased medium term debt and as at 8 March
2013 is set out as follows:

Committed facilities:
Q3 2016
Q3 2015
Q3 2014
On demand facilities:
Available all year
Seasonal (February to August inclusive)

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

Facility
£’000

50,000
75,000
20,000

25,000
20,000

Cumulative
Facility
£’000

50,000
125,000
145,000

170,000
190,000

A comparison by category of the book values and fair values of the financial assets and liabilities of the Group at 31
December 2012 are shown below:

2012

2011

Book amount
£’000

Fair Value Book amount
£’000

£’000

Fair value
£’000

40,304
5,998
(83,547)
(165)
(57,125)

(414)

30,218
11,101
(74,325)
(319)
(59,889)

(1,624)
-----------------
(94,838)
278,412
-----------------
183,574
---------------

30,218
11,101
(74,271)
(319)
(59,889)

(1,624)

40,304
5,998
(82,934)
(165)
(57,125)

(414)
-----------------
(94,336)
300,400
-----------------
206,064
---------------

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Bank loans
Finance lease liabilities
Trade and other payables
Interest rate swaps, forward
contracts and fuel hedges

Financial (liabilities) / assets - net
Other assets / (liabilities) - net

Estimation of fair values

The  following  summarises  the  major  methods  and  assumptions  used  in  estimating  the  fair  values  of  financial
instruments reflected in the table.

(a) Derivatives

Derivative contracts are either marked to market using listed market prices or by discounting the contractual forward
price at the relevant rate and deducting the current spot rate.  For interest rate swaps broker quotes are used.

(b) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Fair value is calculated based on the expected future principal and interest cash flows discounted at the relevant rate.

124

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19 Financial instruments (continued)

Estimation of fair values (continued)

(c)  Finance lease liabilities

The  fair  value  is  estimated  as  the  present  value  of  future  cash  flows,  discounted  at  market  interest  rates  for
homogeneous lease agreements.  The estimated fair values reflect changes in interest rates.

(d)  Trade and other receivables / payables

For receivables / payables with a remaining life of less than one year, the notional amount is deemed to reflect the fair
value.  All other receivables / payables are discounted to determine the fair value.

(e) Fair value hierarchy

The  table  below  analyses  financial  instruments,  measured  at  fair  value,  into  a  fair  value  hierarchy  based  on  the
valuation techniques used to determine fair value:

•
•

•

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); and
Level 3 : inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

31 December 2012
Derivative financial liabilities

31 December 2011
Derivative financial liabilities

20 Employee benefits

Level 1
£’000
-
-----------------

-
---------------

Level 2
£’000
1,624
-----------------

414
---------------

Level 3
£’000
-
-----------------

-
---------------

Total
£’000
1,624
-----------------

414
---------------

The Group operates the Marshalls plc Pension Scheme (the “Scheme”) which has both a defined benefit and a defined
contribution section.  The assets of the Scheme are held in separately managed funds which are independent of the
Group’s finances.  The defined benefit section of the Scheme is closed to new members and future service accrual.
Pension contributions, for both the employer and the employee, are made into the defined contribution section of the
Scheme.

The current best estimate of employer contributions to be paid for the year commencing 1 January 2013 is £5,600,000
(2012: £3,600,000).

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of Scheme assets

2012
£’000

(246,573)
254,785
----------------- 

2011
£’000

(237,621)
250,587
-----------------

Surplus / (net liability) in the Scheme for
defined benefit obligations (see below)

Experience adjustments on Scheme

liabilities

Experience adjustments on Scheme

assets

8,212
--------------- 

12,966
---------------

(6,802)
--------------- 

(21,680)
---------------

(2,261)
--------------- 

31,662
---------------

2010
£’000

(212,394)
208,302
-----------------

(4,092)
---------------

14,332
---------------

13,658
---------------

2009
£’000

(221,895)
183,939
-----------------

(37,956)
---------------

(51,099)
---------------

(4,903)
---------------

2008
£’000

(167,312)
183,813
-----------------

16,501
---------------

31,184
---------------

(3,530)
---------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

125

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 126

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

20 Employees benefits (continued)

Movements in the surplus / (net liability) for defined benefit obligations recognised in the balance sheet

Net surplus / (liability) for defined benefit obligations at 1 January 
Contributions received
Income recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement
Actuarial (deficit) / gain recognised in the Consolidated Statement of

Comprehensive Income

Net surplus in the Scheme for the defined benefit obligations
at 31 December

2012
£’000
12,966
3,600
709

(9,063)
-----------------

8,212
--------------

2011
£’000
(4,092)
6,600
476

9,982
-----------------

12,966
--------------

IFRIC 14 - “The limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction”, stipulates that an
employer should only recognise a surplus as an asset to the extent that it is able to recover that surplus either through
reduced contributions in the future or through unconditional refunds from the Scheme.  The Directors have reviewed
the terms of the Scheme Rules which allow the Group an unconditional right to a refund and consequently the full
Scheme surplus has been recognised in full.

Income / (expense) recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement 

Interest on obligations (financial expenses)
Expected return on Scheme assets (financial income)

2012
£’000
(11,189)
11,898
-----------------
709
--------------

2011
£’000
(11,464)
11,940
-----------------
476
--------------

Actuarial gains and losses on the defined benefit scheme are recognised in the period in which they occur in the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Cumulative amount at 1 January
Recognised in the year

Cumulative amount at 31 December

2012
£’000
1,554
(9,063)
-----------------
(7,509)
--------------

2011
£’000
(8,428)
9,982
-----------------
1,554
--------------

Principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages):

Discount rate (AA corporate bond rate)
Inflation (RPI)
Inflation (CPI)
Future pension increases
Expected return on Scheme assets
Future expected lifetime of pensioner at age 65 (years):

Male:
Female:

126

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

2012

4.7%
2.9%
1.9%
1.9%
4.7%

21.8
23.9

2011

4.8%
3.0%
2.0%
2.0%
4.8%

21.7
23.8

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 127

20 Employee benefits (continued)

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Benefit obligation at 1 January
Interest cost
Actuarial deficit
Benefits paid

Benefit obligation at 31 December

Changes in the fair value of Scheme assets are as follows:

Fair value of Scheme assets at 1 January
Expected return on Scheme assets
Actuarial (loss) / gain
Employer contribution
Benefits paid

Fair value of Scheme assets at 31 December

The fair value of Scheme assets at the balance sheet date is analysed as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Cash
Insured pensioners
Liability driven investments

2012
£’000

84,338
1,144
781
1,398
167,124
-----------------
254,785
--------------

%

33
1
-
1
65
-----------------
100
--------------

2012
£’000
237,621
11,189
6,802
(9,039)
-----------------
246,573
--------------

2012
£’000
250,587
11,898
(2,261)
3,600
(9,039)
-----------------
254,785
--------------

2011
£’000

79,800
3,230
1,851
1,460
164,246
-----------------
250,587
--------------

2011
£’000
212,394
11,464
21,680
(7,917)
-----------------
237,621
--------------

2011
£’000
208,302
11,940
31,662
6,600
(7,917)
-----------------
250,587
--------------

%

32
1
1
1
65
-----------------
100
--------------

The Scheme has no investments in the Company or in property occupied by the Company.

Sensitivity analysis

The Group continues to be subject to various financial risks in relation to the Pension Scheme, principally the volatility
of the discount (AA corporate bond) rate, any downturn in the performance of equities and increases in the longevity
of members.  The sensitivity to the AA corporate bond rate is broadly that, all other things being equal, a 0.1 per cent
movement in the discount rate is equivalent to a movement of approximately £4.2 million in Scheme liabilities.  This
sensitivity would be offset very substantially by a movement in Scheme assets where the change in AA corporate
bond yield is simply a movement in line with fixed interest securities in general.  The sensitivity to inflation is broadly
that, all other things being equal, a 0.1 per cent movement is equivalent to a movement in the Scheme liabilities of
broadly £1.5 million, although this would also be offset almost entirely by a movement in Scheme assets.  As far as
mortality is concerned an increase of one year in life expectancy would, all other things being equal, give rise to an
increase in Scheme liabilities of approximately £8.0 million.  Risk management remains a core theme of the Group’s
Pension  Scheme  strategy  and  the  transfer  of  a  proportion  of  Scheme  assets  from  equities  to  liability  driven
investments was an example of an action that has reduced volatility and risk.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

127

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

20 Employee benefits (continued)

Share-based payments

Share based payment awards have been made during the year in accordance with the rules of the Marshalls plc 2005
Long Term  Incentive  Plan  (the “LTIP”).   The  LTIP  rules  provide  for  the  award  of  Matching  Shares  and  Performance
Shares subject, in the case of Matching Shares, to participants investing a stated percentage of their annual bonus in
the LTIP. The minimum investment by Executive Directors is 50 per cent of annual bonus until they have reached the
share ownership targets set by the Board; thereafter they may choose to invest annual bonus on a voluntary basis.
The annual bonus investment is used to purchase Investment Shares to qualify for a Matching Share award, subject
to  defined  limits.  In  addition,  Performance  Shares  may  be  awarded  to  participants  without  requiring  a  qualifying
investment. 

Both Matching Shares and Performance Shares are subject to the achievement of a three year performance target.
The awards lapse if the performance target is not met over the three year vesting period. Matching Share awards are
dependent on an improvement in reported earnings per share, while Performance Share awards are dependent on
an  improvement  in  reported  earnings  per  share  and  operating  cash  flow,  each  measured  using  International
Financial Reporting Standards. The Remuneration Committee may exercise its discretion with regard to the effect of
one-off items.  Full details of the performance criteria are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 59
to 84.

The Performance and Matching Shares take the form of options which are settled by physical delivery of shares.    The
exercise  price  is  nil  in  relation  to  any  of  these  grants  and  there  is  no  entitlement  to  dividends  during  the  vesting
period.  There are no market conditions associated with these instruments.

Equity settled awards granted to Directors of Marshalls plc

Equity settled awards granted to employees of

Marshalls Group Limited

Number of
instruments

Date of
grant

17 March 2011
17 March 2011
20 March 2012
17 March 2011
17 March 2011
20 March 2012

587,957
761,601
853,598
166,933
708,462
873,448
--------------------
3,951,999
-----------------

Vesting
period

3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years

Weighted average
share price at
date of grant
(pence per
share)
2012

Weighted average
share price at
date of grant
(pence per
share)
2011

Number of
options
2012

97
101
84

108

4,864,886
1,727,046
(2,639,933)
------------------------

3,951,999
---------------------

84
113
78

97

Number of
options
2011

5,654,680
2,269,795
(3,059,589)
------------------------

4,864,886
---------------------

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted
Lapsed

Outstanding at 31 December

There were no share options exercised or that expired during the period.  None of the options were exercisable at 31
December 2012.

128

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 129

20 Employee benefits (continued)

The fair value of services received in return for Matching Shares granted are measured by reference to the fair value
of these awards at the date of grant.  The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured based on a
Black-Scholes valuation model.  

Fair value at grant date (pence per share)
Share price on date of grant (pence per share)
Expected volatility used in the modelling under the Black-Scholes
valuation model
Dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate (based on national government bonds)

The Company’s share price at 31 December 2012 was 97.5p.

20 March
2012 grant

17 March
2011 grant

84
101

65.0%
6.0%
2.0%

94
113

65.0%
6.0%
2.0%

The  expected  volatility  is  wholly  based  on  the  historic  volatility  (since  the  Scheme  of  Arrangement  in  July  2004),
adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information.

The total expenses recognised for the period arising from share based payments are as follows:

Awards granted and total expense recognised as employee costs (Note 4)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

468
--------------

226
--------------

Further details in relation to the Directors are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 59 to 84.

Employee Profit Sharing Scheme

At 31 December 2012 the scheme held 42,414 (2011: 42,414) ordinary shares in the Company.

21 Deferred taxation

Recognised deferred taxation assets and liabilities 

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Inventories
Employee benefits
Equity settled share based expenses
Other items

Tax assets / (liabilities)

Assets

Liabilities

2012
£’000

-
-
-
-
-
-
-----------------
-
---------------

2011
£’000

-
-
-
-
63
-
-----------------
63
---------------

2012
£’000

(15,631)
(390)
(776)
(1,890)
-
(1,371)
-----------------
(20,058)
---------------

2011
£’000

(17,967)
(796)
(1,089)
(3,242)
-
(2,192)
-----------------
(25,286)
---------------

The 2012 Budget on 21 March 2012 announced that the UK Corporation Tax rate will reduce to 22 per cent by 2014.
Reductions in the rate from 26 per cent to 24 per cent (effective from 1 April 2012) and 23 per cent (effective from 1
April 2013) were substantially enacted on 26 March 2012 and 3 July 2012 respectively.  This will reduce the Group’s
future current tax charge accordingly.  The deferred taxation liability at 31 December 2012 has been calculated based
on the rate of 23 per cent substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

It has not yet been possible to quantify the full anticipated effect of the announced further 1 per cent rate reduction,
although  this  will  further  reduce  the  Group’s  future  current  tax  charge  and  reduce  the  Group’s  deferred  taxation
liability accordingly.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

129

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

21 Deferred taxation (continued)

The deferred taxation liability of £1,890,000 (2011: £3,242,000) in relation to employee benefits is in respect of the net
surplus for the defined benefit obligations of £8,212,000 (2011: £12,966,000) (Note 20) calculated at 23 per cent (2011:
25 per cent).

Deferred tax assets on capital losses have not been recognised due to uncertainty around the future use of the losses.

Movement in temporary differences

Year ended 31 December 2012

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Inventories
Employee benefits
Equity settled share-based expenses
Impact on other comprehensive income
of the change in rate of deferred tax

Other items

Year ended 31 December 2011

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Inventories
Employee benefits
Equity settled share-based expenses
Impact on other comprehensive income
of the change in rate of deferred tax

Other items

22 Capital and reserves

Share capital

At 1 January and at 31 December

Number of 25 pence ordinary shares

130

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

1 January
2012
£’000

Recognised in
income
£’000

Recognised in
other
comprehensive
income
£’000

31 December
2012
£’000

(17,967)
(796)
(1,089)
(3,242)
63

(268)
(1,924)
-----------------
(25,223)
---------------

2,336
406
313
(732)
(63)

-
163
-----------------
2,423
---------------

-
-
-
2,084
-

360
298
-----------------
2,742
---------------

(15,631)
(390)
(776)
(1,890)
-

92
(1,463)
-----------------
(20,058)
---------------

1 January
2011
£’000

Recognised in
income
£’000

Recognised in
other
comprehensive
income
£’000

31 December
2011
£’000

(18,879)
(1,305)
(1,131)
1,104
67

(123)
(2,130)
-----------------
(22,397)
---------------

912
509
42
(1,850)
(4)

-
163
-----------------
(228)
---------------

-
-
-
(2,496)
-

(145)
43
-----------------
(2,598)
---------------

(17,967)
(796)
(1,089)
(3,242)
63

(268)
(1,924)
-----------------
(25,223)
---------------

Issued and paid up

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

49,845
---------------------
199,378,755
---------------------

49,845
---------------------
199,378,755
---------------------

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 131

22 Capital and reserves (continued)

Consolidation reserve

On 8 July 2004 Marshalls plc was introduced as the new holding company of the Group by way of a Court approved
Scheme  of  Arrangement  under  Section  425  of  the  Companies  Act  1985. The  restructuring  was  accounted  for  as  a
capital  reorganisation  and  accounting  principles  were  applied  as  if  the  Company  had  always  been  the  holding
company  of  the  Group.    The  difference  between  the  aggregate  nominal  value  of  the  new  shares  issued  by  the
Company and the called up share capital, capital redemption reserve and share premium account of Marshalls Group
plc (the previous holding company) was transferred to a consolidation reserve.

Hedging reserve

This represents the gains and losses arising on derivatives used for cash flow hedging, principally from the Group’s
interest rate swaps, energy price contracts and forward exchange contracts.

Dividends

After the balance sheet date the following dividends were proposed by the Directors.  The dividends have not been
provided and there were no income tax consequences.

3.50 pence (2011: 3.50 pence) per ordinary share

23 Acquisition of subsidiary with non-controlling interests

2012
£’000

6,861
--------------

2011
£’000

6,861
--------------

On 4 March 2011 the Group obtained control of a newly formed company located and registered in Belgium called
Marshalls NV which had been established to acquire the trade and certain assets of a number of existing businesses.
The Group acquired 66.7 per cent of the ordinary share capital and voting interests of Marshalls NV and the remaining
33.3  per  cent  non-controlling  interest  is  owned  by  an  unrelated  party.  Marshalls  NV  manufactures  and  supplies
landscape,  driveway  and  garden  products  from  a  range  of  materials,  but  principally  concrete  and  natural  stone.
Acquisition costs are included in net operating costs and are disclosed in Note 3.

In the period to 31 December 2011 Marshalls NV contributed revenue of £8,877,000 and operating loss of £687,000 to
the Group’s results after charging “start up” costs.

The  following  summarises  the  major  classes  of  consideration  transferred  and  the  recognised  amounts  of  assets
acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:

Consideration transferred

Cash

Identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed, recorded at fair value 

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables

Total net identifiable assets

2011
£’000
5,393
--------------

2011
£’000

7,899
1,104
2,888
(1,142)
----------------
10,749
--------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

131

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 132

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

23 Acquisition of subsidiary with non-controlling interests (continued)

Net cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries

Consideration paid in cash
less: cash and cash equivalents acquired
Loan to non-controlling interest

Net cash outflow

Negative goodwill has been recognised as a result of the acquisition as follows:

Total consideration transferred
Non-controlling interests, based on their proportionate interest (33.3 per cent) of
the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquiree
Fair value of identifiable assets

Negative goodwill (Note 3)

2011
£’000
5,393
(2,888)
1,401
----------------
3,906
--------------

2011
£’000
5,393

3,584
(10,749)
----------------
(1,772)
--------------

The transaction meets the definition of a bargain purchase and, in accordance with IFRS3, the recognised gain has
been  reported  in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  as  negative  goodwill.   The  situation  has  arisen  due  to  the
majority of the assets being acquired through a Belgium Court process as a consequence of the major part of the
former trading business falling into severe financial difficulties.  As a result it has not been practicable to estimate pre-
acquisition financial information.

On  1  July  2011  the  Group  acquired  the  entire  ordinary  share  capital  of  Hornton  Grounds  Stone  Sales  Limited,  a
company engaged in the cutting and processing of stone products. The cash consideration was £275,000 and the fair
value  of  the  net  liabilities  acquired  was  £243,000.  Goodwill  arising  of  £518,000  has  been  recognised  (Note  12).
Acquisition costs are included in net operating costs and are disclosed in Note 3. With effect from 1 July 2011 the
trade, assets and liabilities of Hornton Grounds Stone Sales Limited were transferred to Marshalls Mono Limited. In
the  period  ended  31  December  2012  the  business  contributed  revenue  of  £340,000  and  an  operating  loss  of
£301,000 to the Group’s results.

Cash flow from investing activities

Marshalls NV
Hornton Grounds Stone Sales Limited

Acquisition of subsidiaries and investment in associates

2012
£’000
-
-
-----------------
-
---------------

2011
£’000
3,906
275
-----------------
4,181
---------------

132

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 133

24 Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests
At 1 January
On acquisition of subsidiary undertaking
Issue of shares
Share of result for the period
Foreign currency transaction differences

At 31 December

25 Analysis of net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Debt due after one year
Finance leases

1 January
2012
£’000

5,998
(25,000)
(57,934)
(165)
-----------------
(77,101)
---------------

Cash flow
£’000

5,114
25,000
(16,595)
(158)
-----------------
13,361
---------------

Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt

Net increase in cash equivalents
Cash outflow / (inflow) from (decrease) / increase in debt and lease financing
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

Movement in net debt in the period
Net debt at 1 January

Net debt at 31 December

2012
£’000

3,394
-
610
(14)
(106)
-----------------
3,884
---------------

Other 
changes
£’000

(11)
-
204
4
-----------------
197
---------------

2012
£’000

5,114
8,247
197
-----------------
13,558
(77,101)
-----------------
(63,543)
---------------

2011
£’000

-
3,584
-
(134)
(56)
-----------------
3,394
---------------

31
December
2012
£’000

11,101
-
(74,325)
(319)
-----------------
(63,543)
---------------

2011
£’000

1,879
(12,199)
60
-----------------
(10,260)
(66,841)
-----------------
(77,101)
---------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

133

77622 Marshalls 2012 pp090-144 (Q8)___  26/03/2013  17:19  Page 134

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

26 Operating leases 

The  Group  had  non-cancellable  minimum  lease  payments  to  be  paid  in  respect  of  operating  leases  on  property,
plant, machinery and vehicles as follows:

31 December 2012

Expiring:
within one year
between one and five years
in more than five years

31 December 2011

Expiring:
within one year
between one and five years
in more than five years

6-12
Total 6 months months
£’000
£’000
£’000

1-2
years 
£’000

2-5
years
£’000

2,462
11,453
35,287
-----------------
49,202
---------------

1,657
2,356
1,053
-----------------
5,066
---------------

805
2,343
1,047
-----------------
4,195
---------------

--
3,507
2,100
-----------------
5,607
---------------

3,247
6,238
-----------------
9,485
---------------

6-12
Total 6 months months
£’000
£’000
£’000

1-2
years 
£’000

2-5
years
£’000

690
15,875
16,290
-----------------
32,855
---------------

602
3,430
405
-----------------
4,437
---------------

88
3,411
403
-----------------
3,902
---------------

--
5,563
807
-----------------
6,370
---------------

3,471
2,423
-----------------
5,894
---------------

More
than 5
years
£’000

-
-
24,849
-----------------
24,849
---------------
More
than 5
years
£’000

-
-
12,252
-----------------
12,252
---------------

The minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases (above) comprise property £31,417,000 (2011:
£17,289,000) and plant, machinery and vehicles £17,785,000 (2011: £15,566,000).  During 2012 the Group sold an
office building for £6.1 million and agreed to lease this back under an operating lease over 25 years. Rent payments
are non contingent and there is no option to purchase the property back at the end of the lease.

Certain leased properties have been sublet by the Group. Sublease payments of £43,020 (2011: £43,358) are expected
to be received during the following financial year.  An amount of £43,470 (2011: £39,887) was recognised as income
in the Consolidated Income Statement within net operating costs in respect of subleases.

27 Contingencies

Royal Bank of Scotland plc has issued on behalf of Marshalls plc, irrevocable letters of credit totalling £300,000 (2011:
£300,000) in respect of the Group’s employers liability insurance cover with XL Winterthur in relation to the periods
ending between 31 October 2001 and 31 October 2003 inclusive.  In addition, Royal Bank of Scotland plc has issued
on  behalf  of  Marshalls  plc,  irrevocable  letters  of  credit  totalling    £1,610,000  (2011:  £1,610,000)  in  respect  of  the
Group’s employers liability insurance cover with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London Management) Limited.  These
sums relate to the Group’s cap on self insurance in relation to the periods ending between 31 October 2004 and 31
October 2013 inclusive.

28 Related parties

Identity of related parties

The Group has a related party relationship with its Directors.

Transactions with key management personnel

Other than the Directors, there are no senior managers in the Group who are relevant for establishing that Marshalls
has the appropriate expertise and experience for the management of its business.

Directors  of  the  Company  and  their  immediate  relatives,  control  0.47  per  cent  (2011:  0.44  per  cent)  of  the  voting
shares of the Company. 

In  addition  to  their  salaries,  the  Group  also  provides  non-cash  benefits  to  Directors,  and  contributes  to  a  defined
contribution pension scheme on their behalf.   Further details in relation to Directors are disclosed in the Directors’
Remuneration Report on pages 59 to 84.

134

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29 Accounting estimates and judgements

Management discussed with the Audit Committee the development, selection and disclosure of the Group’s critical
accounting policies and estimates and the application of these policies and estimates.  The accounting policies are set
out in Note 1 on pages 96 to 105.

Note 2 contains information about the assumptions and judgements made relating to the identification of operating
segments for the Group as defined in IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”.

In relation to the Group’s intangible fixed assets (Note 12) impairment tests have been undertaken using commercial
judgement and a number of assumptions and estimates in relation to relevant trading volumes and margins.  These
estimates have been determined using the best available information derived from a combination of business specific
analysis (both current and historic) and the latest available external industry forecasts.  Determining whether goodwill
is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated.  The value in
use calculation involves an estimation of the future cash flows of CGUs and also the selection of appropriate discount
rates in order to calculate present values.

Note 19 contains information about the assumptions and their risk factors relating to interest rate and foreign currency
exposures.  The principal risk relates to interest rates.  Sensitivity analysis is disclosed in Note 19 on pages 120 to 125.

Note 20 contains information about the principal actuarial assumptions used in the determination of defined benefit
pension obligations.  These key assumptions include discount rates, the expected return on net assets, inflation rates
and  mortality  rates  and  have  been  determined  following  advice  received  from  an  independent  qualified  actuary.
Sensitivity analysis is disclosed in Note 20 on pages 125 to 129.

Note 21 contains details of the Group’s deferred taxation.  Liabilities recognised are determined by reference to the
likelihood of settlement and the likelihood that assets are received is based on assumptions of future actions.

Note  23  contains  details  of  the  identified  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  in  relation  to  the  acquisition  of
subsidiary undertakings.  These have been recorded at an assessment of fair value using best available information.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Company Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2012

Fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors

Current liabilities
Creditors

Net current assets

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital
Share premium account
Own shares
Capital redemption reserve
Equity reserve
Profit and loss account

Equity shareholders’ funds

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

33

34

35

37
38
38
38
38
38

338,728
-------------------

338,641
-------------------

898

13,287

(346)
-------------------
552
-------------------
339,280
-----------------

-
-------------------
13,287
-------------------
351,928
-----------------

49,845
22,695
(9,571)
75,394
388
200,529
-------------------
339,280
-----------------

49,845
22,695
(9,514)
75,394
301
213,207
-------------------
351,928
-----------------

Approved at a Directors’ meeting on 8 March 2013.
On behalf of the Board:

D.G. Holden
Chief Executive

I.D. Burrell
Finance Director

The Notes on pages 138 to 142 form part of these Company Financial Statements.

136

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Company Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Loss for the financial year

Equity dividends

Deficit for the financial year

Purchase of own shares

Share based expenses

Share based payment adjustment

Net reduction in shareholders’ funds

Shareholders’ funds at beginning of year

Shareholders’ funds at end of year

The Notes on pages 138 to 142 form part of these Company Financial Statements.

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

(2,767)

(2,340)

(10,292)
-------------------
(13,059)

(10,292)
-------------------
(12,632)

(57)

718

(250)
-------------------
(12,648)

351,928
-------------------
339,280
----------------

-

476

(250)
-------------------
(12,406)

364,334
-------------------
351,928
----------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

137

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Notes to the Company Financial Statements (continued)

30 Accounting policies

The  following  paragraphs  summarise  the  main  accounting  policies  of  the  Company,  which  have  been  applied
consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Company’s Financial Statements.  The
Company  is  exempt  from  the  requirement  to  give  its  own  disclosures  as  the  entity  forms  part  of  the  Consolidated
Financial Statements of Marshalls plc which has included disclosures under IFRS 7 - “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”.

(a) Basis of preparation

The Company Financial Statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with UK
GAAP  and  applicable  accounting  standards.   There  is  no  material  difference  between  historical  cost  profits  and
those reported in the profit and loss account.

Under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own
profit and loss account.

Under FRS 1 the Company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a cash flow statement on the grounds that
the consolidated cash flows for all Group companies are included within the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As these Parent Company Financial Statements are presented together with the Consolidated Financial Statements,
the  Company  has  taken  advantage  of  the  exemption  contained  in  FRS  8  and  has  therefore  not  disclosed
transactions  or  balances  with  wholly  owned  entities  which  form  part  of  the  Group  (or  investees  of  the  Group
qualifying as related parties).  The Consolidated Financial Statements of Marshalls plc within which this Company is
included are set out on page 90 to 135.

(b) Investments

Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision for impairment where appropriate. The Directors consider
annually whether a provision against the value of investments on an individual basis is required.  Such provisions
are charged in the profit and loss account in the year.

(c) Pension costs

Defined benefit scheme
The Company participates in a Group wide Pension Scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.  The
defined benefit section of the Scheme was closed to future service accrual in July 2006.  The assets of the Scheme
are held separately from those of the Company.  The Company is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets
and liabilities of the Scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis and therefore, as required by FRS 17 - “Retirement
benefits”, accounts for the Scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme.

Defined contribution scheme
Contributions to the Group’s defined contribution Pension Scheme are determined as a percentage of employees’
earnings and are charged to the profit and loss account as incurred.

(d) Share-based payment transactions

The Company enters into equity-settled share-based payment transactions with its employees and its subsidiaries’
employees.  In particular, annual awards are made to Directors under a long term incentive plan.

The  long  term  incentive  plan  allows  Company  employees  to  acquire  shares  of  Marshalls  plc.    The  fair  value  of
options granted to Company employees is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in
equity.  The fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become
unconditionally entitled to the options.  The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option valuation
model,  taking  into  account  the  terms  and  conditions  upon  which  the  options  were  granted.    The  amount
recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest.  Where the Company
grants  options  over  its  own  shares  to  the  employees  of  its  subsidiaries  it  recognises  an  increase  in  the  cost  of
investment  in  its  subsidiaries  equivalent  to  the  equity-settled  share-based  payment  charge  recognised  in  its
subsidiaries’ financial statements with the corresponding credit being recognised directly in equity.

138

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30 Accounting policies (continued)

(e) Own shares held by employee benefit trust

Transactions of the Group-sponsored employee benefit trust are included in the Group Financial Statements.  In
particular, the trust’s purchases of shares in the Company are debited directly to equity.

(f) Cash and liquid resources

Cash comprises cash in hand and deposits repayable on demand, less overdrafts repayable on demand.

Liquid resources are current asset investments which are disposable without curtailing or disrupting the business
and are either readily convertible into known amounts of cash, at or close to their carrying values, or traded in an
active market.  Liquid resources comprise term deposits of less than one year.

(g) Leased assets

The rental cost of all operating leases is charged to the profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over the lives
of the leases.

(h) Current tax

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively
enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable, in respect of previous years.

(i) Deferred taxation

Full provision is made for deferred taxation resulting from timing differences, other than those specifically excluded
by FRS 19 - “Deferred Taxation”,  between profits computed for taxation purposes and profits stated in the Financial
Statements  to  the  extent  that  there  is  an  obligation  to  pay  more  tax  in  the  future  as  a  result  of  those  timing
differences.    Deferred  taxation  assets  are  recognised  to  the  extent  that  they  are  expected  to  be  recoverable.
Deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted.

(j) Financial guarantees

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies
within the Group, the Company considers these to be insurance arrangements, and accounts for them as such.  In
this  respect,  the  Company  treats  the  guarantee  contract  as  a  contingent  liability  until  such  time  as  it  becomes
probable that the Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.

(k) Dividends

Dividends  on  non-equity  shares  are  recognised  as  a  liability  and  accounted  for  on  an  accruals  basis.    Equity
dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are declared (appropriately authorised and no
longer at the discretion of the Company).

31 Operating costs

The audit fee for the Company was £20,000 (2011: £20,000).  This is in respect of the audit of the Financial Statements.
Fees paid to the Company’s auditors for services other than the statutory audit of the Company are not disclosed in the
Notes to the Company Financial Statements since the consolidated accounts of the Group are required to disclose non-
audit fees on a consolidated basis.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Notes to the Company Financial Statements (continued)

32 Ordinary dividends: equity shares

2011 Final: paid 6 July 2012
2012 Interim: paid 7 December 2012 

2012

2011

per share
3.50p
1.75p
-----------------
5.25p
---------------

£’000
6,861
3,431
-----------------
10,292
---------------

per share
3.50p
1.75p
-----------------
5.25p
---------------

£’000
6,861
3,431
-----------------
10,292
---------------

After the balance sheet date the following dividends were proposed by the Directors.  The dividends have not been
provided and there were no income tax consequences.

3.50 pence (2011: 3.50 pence) per ordinary share

33 Investments

At 1 January 2012
Additions
Share based payment adjustment

At 31 December 2012

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

6,861
---------------

6,861
---------------

£’000
338,641
216
(129)
-----------------
338,728
---------------

Investments comprise shares in the subsidiary undertaking, Marshalls Group Limited.  The Directors have considered
the carrying value of the Company’s investments and are satisfied that no provision is required.

The increase in the year of £216,000 and the adjustment of £129,000 both represent adjustments to the number of
shares expected to vest in respect of LTIP awards granted to employees of Marshalls Group Limited.

The principal subsidiary undertakings of Marshalls plc at 31 December 2012 are set out below.  With the exception of
Marshalls NV and Xiamen Marshalls Import Export Company Limited all the companies operate within the United
Kingdom and are registered in England and Wales.  Marshalls NV is registered in Belgium.  Xiamen Marshalls Import
Export Company Limited is registered in China.

Subsidiaries

Principal activities

Class of Share

% Ownership

Marshalls Group Limited

Intermediate holding company

Ordinary

100

Marshalls Mono Limited *

Landscape products
manufacturer and supplier and
quarry owner supplying a wide
variety of paving, street furniture
and natural stone products

Marshalls NV *

Landscape products
manufacturer and supplier

Xiamen Marshalls Import
Export Company Limited *

Sourcing and distribution of 
natural stone products

* held by subsidiary undertaking

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

100

66.7

100

140

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34 Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Corporation tax
Other debtors

No debtors were due after more than one year.

35 Creditors

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

36 Deferred taxation

There is no deferred taxation in the Company.

37 Share capital

2012
£’000

-
898
-
-----------------
898
---------------

2011
£’000

12,115
1,170
2
-----------------
13,287
---------------

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

346
---------------

-
---------------

As at 31 December 2012, the issued and fully paid up share capital was as follows:

2012
Number

Issued and paid up
2011
Number

2012
Nominal
Value
£’000

2011
Nominal
Value
£’000

At 31 December

199,378,755
-----------------------

49,845
-----------------------

199,378,755
-----------------------

49,845
-----------------------

Disclosures regarding share based payments are given in Note 20 on pages 125 to 129.

38 Share capital and reserves

At 1 January 2012
Share-based expenses
Share-based payment

adjustment

Purchase of own shares
Loss for the financial year 
Equity dividends

At 31 December 2012

Ordinary 
share 
capital
£’000

49,845
--

--
--
--
--
-----------------
49,845
-----------------

Share
premium
account
£’000

22,695

Capital
Own redemption
reserve
£’000

shares
£’000

(9,514)
--

75,394

--
(57)
---
---

--

-----------------
22,695
-----------------

-----------------
(9,571)
-----------------

-----------------
75,394
-----------------

----------------
388
----------------

Equity
Profit and 
reserve loss account
£’000

£’000

301
216

(129)

213,207
502

(121)
-
(2,767)
(10,292)
----------------
200,529
----------------

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

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Notes to the Company Financial Statements (continued)

39 Capital and leasing commitments

The Company had no capital or leasing commitments at 31 December 2012 or 31 December 2011.

40 Bank facilities

The  Group’s  banking  arrangements  are  in  respect  of  Marshalls  plc,  Marshalls  Group  Limited  and  Marshalls  Mono
Limited  with  each  company  being  nominated  borrowers.    The  operational  banking  activities  of  the  Group  are
undertaken  by  Marshalls  Group  Limited  and  the  Group’s  bank  debt  is  largely  included  in  Marshalls  Group  Limited’s
balance sheet.

41 Contingent liabilities

Royal Bank of Scotland plc has issued on behalf of Marshalls plc, irrevocable letters of credit totalling £300,000 (2011:
£300,000) in respect of the Group’s employers liability insurance cover with XL Winterthur in relation to the periods
ending between 31 October 2001 and 31 October 2003 inclusive.  In addition, Royal Bank of Scotland plc has issued on
behalf of Marshalls plc, irrevocable letters of credit totalling  £1,610,000 (2011: £1,610,000) in respect of the Group’s
employers liability insurance cover with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London Management) Limited.  These sums relate
to the Group’s cap on self insurance in relation to the periods ending between 31 October 2004 and 31 October 2013
inclusive.

42 Pension scheme

The  Company  is  the  sponsoring  employer  of  the  Marshalls  plc  Pension  Scheme  (the “Scheme”)  which  has  both  a
defined benefit and a defined contribution section.  The assets of the Scheme are held in separately managed funds
which are independent of the Group’s finances.  As set out in Note 20 the Group introduced a new defined contribution
section to the Scheme to replace the existing defined benefit section which closed to future service accrual on 1 July
2006.

Full details of the Scheme are provided in Note 20.  The Company is unable to identify its share of the Scheme assets
and  liabilities  on  a  consistent  and  reasonable  basis.    Accordingly,  as  permitted  by  FRS  17  - “Retirement benefits”,  the
Scheme has been accounted for in these Company Financial Statements as if the Scheme was a defined contribution
scheme.

The latest funding valuation of the Scheme was carried out as at 6 April 2011 and was updated for FRS 17 purposes to
31  December  2011  by  a  qualified  independent  Actuary.    Certain  employees  are  members  of  the  Company  defined
contribution  Scheme  which  invests  funds  in  which  the  contributions  for  each  individual  member  are  separately
identifiable and the benefits calculated accordingly.

The Group surplus on an FRS 17 basis at 31 December 2012 was £nil (2011: £nil).  FRS 17 stipulates that an employer
should only recognise a Pension Scheme surplus as an asset to the extent that it is able to recover that surplus either
through reduced contributions in the future or through refunds from the Scheme.  Refunds from the Scheme had not
been agreed at the measurement date.

142

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Shareholder Information

Shareholder analysis at 31 December 2012

Size of 
Shareholding

1 to 500
501 to 1,000
1,001 to 2,500
2,501 to 5,000
5,001 to 10,000
10,001 to 25,000
25,001 to 100,000
100,001 to 250,000
250,001 to 500,000
500,001 and above

Number of 
Shareholders

2,008
626
884
606
380
212
164
61
37
59
----------------
5,037
-------------

%

39.9
12.4
17.6
12.0
7.6
4.2
3.3
1.2
0.7
1.1
----------------
100.0
-------------

Number of
Ordinary Shares

304,287
471,422
1,502,542
2,181,083
2,668,185
3,266,752
7,864,179
9,332,608
13,810,950
157,976,747
--------------------------
199,378,755
----------------------

Financial calendar

Preliminary Announcement of results for the year ended

31 December 2012

Annual General Meeting

Announced

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012

Payable

%

0.2
0.2
0.8
1.1
1.3
1.6
3.9
4.7
6.9
79.3
----------------
100.0
-------------

8 March 2013

15 May 2013

5 July 2013

Half - yearly results for the year ending 31 December 2013

Announcement

30 August 2013

Half - yearly dividend for the year ending 31 December 2013

Payable

6 December 2013

Results for the year ending 31 December 2013

Announcement

Early March 2014

Registrars and general

All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings should, in the first instance, be directed to Computershare Investor
Services PLC, PO Box 82, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ, telephone: 0870 702 0000, fax: 0870 703 6116,
and clearly state the registered shareholder’s name and address.

Amalgamation of shareholdings

If you are receiving more than one copy of our Annual Report, this may be because you have several accounts on our
Share  Register.    If  you  would  like  these  accounts  amalgamated,  this  can  be  done  without  charge  if  you  write  to  the
Registrar enclosing your Share Certificates.

Dividend mandate

Any shareholder wishing dividends to be paid directly into a bank or building society should contact the Registrar for a
dividend  mandate  form.    Dividends  paid  in  this  way  will  be  paid  through  the  Bankers  Automated  Clearing  System
(“BACS”).

Website

The Group has an internet website which gives information on the Group, its products and provides details of significant
Group announcements.  The address is www.marshalls.co.uk.

Marshalls plc     Annual Report 2012

143

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Financial History - Consolidated Group

Consolidated Income Statement
Revenue
Net operating costs
Operating profit (before operational 

restructuring and works closure costs,
goodwill and asset impairments)**

Operational restructuring and works closure

costs, goodwill and asset impairments

Operating profit / (loss)
Financial income and expenses (net)
Redemption of debenture

Profit before tax (before operational

restructuring and works closure costs,
goodwill and asset impairments
and redemption of debenture)**

Profit / (loss) before tax
Income tax (expense) / credit
Profit / (loss) for the financial period before 
post tax loss of discontinued operations

Post tax loss of discontinued operations
Profit for the financial period
Profit for the period attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Financial Information
EBITA
EBITDA
EBITA before operational restructuring and works
closure costs, goodwill and asset impairments
EBITDA before operational restructuring and

works closure costs, goodwill and 
asset impairments

Earnings per share (pence) ***

Basic: (continuing operations)
Basic: (total operations)
Basic: (before operational restructuring and
works closure costs, goodwill and asset
impairments and redemption of debenture)

Dividends per share (pence) - IFRS ***
Dividend cover (times) - IFRS (continuing)
Dividends per share (pence) - Traditional ***
Dividend cover (times) - Traditional (continuing)
Year end share price (pence)
Tax rate (%)

Year to
December
2008*
£’000
363,905
(331,586)

Year to 
December 
2009*
£’000
297,797
(280,226)

Year to
December
2010*
£’000
308,843
(295,862)

Year to
December
2011*
£’000
334,127
(317,430)

Year to
December
2012
£’000
309,693
(295,764)

32,319

17,571

12,981

16,697

13,929

(26,989)
5,330
(8,154)
-

24,165

(2,824)
(2,171)

(4,995)
(1,226)
(6,221)

(6,221)
---

(6,221)

6,050
27,275

(7,217)
10,354
(4,303)
(7,259)

13,268

(1,208)
1,293

85
(837)
(752)

(752)

(752)

11,110
29,632

33,039**

18,327**

--
12,981
(2,558)
--

10,423

10,423
(2,202)

8,221
(871)
7,350

7,350

7,350

14,414
31,937

14,414

16,697
(3,007)

13,690

13,690
(1,522)

12,168
(4,912)
7,256

7,390
(134)

7,256

17,876
35,029

(21,521)
(7,592)
(3,578)
-

10,351

(11,170)
5,472

(5,698)
-
(5,698)

(5,684)
(14)

(5,698)

(6,345)
8,438

17,876

15,176**

54,264**

36,849**

31,937

35,029

29,959**

(3.20)
(3.98)

0.05
(0.42)

11.16**
12.38
0.90**
5.37
2.08**
90.0
27.8**

5.85**
3.05
1.92**
5.25
1.11**
86.0
20.8**

2008
£’000
277,615
122,577
400,192
(89,064)
(117,891)
193,237
(111,330)
57.6%

2009
£’000
256,943
122,737
379,680
(77,132)
(121,449)
181,099
(69,156)
38.2%

4.21
3.76

4.21
5.25
0.80
5.25
0.80
104.8
21.1

2010
£’000
236,906
113,610
350,516
(94,616)
(57,660)
198,240
(66,841)
33.7%

6.30
3.78

6.30
5.25
1.20
5.25
1.20
90.5
11.1

(2.91)
(2.91)

5.87**
5.25
1.12**
5.25
1.12**
97.5
(10.7)**

2011
£’000
249,271
128,640
377,911
(88,550)
(83,297)
206,064
(77,101)
37.4%

2012
£’000
225,882
116,735
342,617
(64,440)
(94,603)
183,574
(63,546)
34.6%

* the comparatives have been restated in respect of discontinued operations
**  before operational restructuring and works closure costs, goodwill and asset impairments and redemption of debenture
*** earnings and dividends per share have been adjusted by the "bonus factor" inherent in the Rights Issue
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets
Net borrowings
Gearing ratio

144

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