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Morgan Sindall Group

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FY2001 Annual Report · Morgan Sindall Group
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Report and Accounts 2001

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The Construction Brands Group

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V

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morgan Sindall is the fastest growing construction group in the UK. 
Its commitment to specialisation and decentralisation results in a
group comprising several brands organised within four divisions.

Fit Out

The Fit Out Division, comprising
Overbury and Morgan Lovell, is the
UK’s leading office fitting out and
refurbishment specialist. Both brands
provide an exceptional level of 
customer service to developers and
occupiers, and consistently achieve 
high levels of repeat business on 
both a project by project basis and
within framework or long term 
partnership arrangements.

Regional Construction

Affordable Housing

Bluestone is the new brand for
Morgan Sindall’s unified regional 
construction business. Nationally
directed and locally managed,
Bluestone provides coverage over
England and Wales. The Division has 
a significant and demonstrable track
record in Education, Health, Commercial,
Industrial, Leisure and Non-Food
Retail sectors. Bluestone’s aim is to
challenge industry practice by setting
new standards of service excellence
across its business.

Lovell is the UK's leading provider 
of affordable housing, specialising 
in mixed tenure developments. 
From seven regional offices, the 
Company works in partnership with
Registered Social Landlords and Local
Authorities at the cutting edge of urban
regeneration to create sustainable
communities. Lovell offers flexible
solutions for affordable housing
including open market homes, 
design and build, refurbishments, 
PFI schemes and large-scale urban 
regeneration projects.

Infrastructure Services

The Infrastructure Services Division
operates through the core disciplines
of Water, Tunnelling and Civils in 
both the public and private sector. 
A pioneer in partnering arrangements,
its culture of co-operation has lead to
strong client relationships with a long
order book. The recent acquisition of
Pipeline Constructors Group, a utilities
services provider, has enhanced the
Division’s ability to undertake integrated
outsourcing contracts and positions
Morgan Est as a leading infrastructure
services provider.

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D

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents
Financial Highlights
Chairman’s Statement
Divisional Review
Fit Out 
Regional Construction
Affordable Housing
Infrastructure Services
Board of Directors
Report of the Directors

02
04

08
10
12
14
16
18

Corporate Governance
Directors’ Responsibilities
Independent Auditors’ Report
Group Profit and Loss Account
Group Balance Sheet
Company Balance Sheet
Group Cash Flow Statement
Combined Statement of 
Movements in Reserves and 
Shareholders’ Funds

24
27
27
28
29
30
31

32

33
Other Primary Statements
34
Principal Accounting Policies
Notes to the Accounts
36
Notice of Annual General Meeting 49
52
Corporate Directory

Highlights

Financial

Turnover
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Earnings per ordinary share
Dividends per ordinary share
Net assets
Cash at bank

2001
£909m
£20.77m
36.03p
14.00p
£63.7m
£34.6m

2000
£655m
£15.36m
29.75p
10.50p
£45.7m
£23.5m

%
+39
+35
+21
+33
+39
+48

02

Operational

Seventh consecutive year of record results

Infrastructure Services Division created by acquisition  
and rebranded as Morgan Est

Affordable Housing and Infrastructure Services Divisions 
strengthened by strategic bolt-on acquisitions

Record forward order book of over £1bn

Balance Sheet remains strong with cash of £35m

Infrastructure Services £95m

Investments £22m

Regional
Construction £403m

Profit Before Tax £m

Turnover £m

01

00

99

98
97

20.8

15.4

909.2

01

00

99

98

97

654.8

520.6

424.6

331.2

10.1

9.8

7.3

Group Turnover

Fit Out £233m

Affordable Housing £156m

2001 represented a strategic step change
for the Group. As well as achieving record
results for the seventh consecutive year, we
announced three important acquisitions
that have significantly strengthened and
broadened the Group’s offering.

Two of these acquisitions form the basis

of a new fourth Division, Infrastructure
Services, now trading under the name of
Morgan Est. Our Affordable Housing
Division was boosted by the acquisition of
Carillion Housing which has expanded our
geographical coverage, manpower
resource and expertise.

We are pleased to report that turnover

was £909m, up 39% (2000: £655m). Profit
before tax of £20.8m was 35% up on last
year and represents 38% compound
growth since 1995. 

Chairman’s
Statement

2001 represented a strategic 
step change for the Group.

04

Earnings per share increased 21% to 
36p per share which represents 28% 
compound growth over the same period. 
The Group’s Balance Sheet remains  
robust and cash positive. In light of the
Company’s strong performance, the
Board  recommends an increased final
dividend of 10.0p making a total of 14.0p 
for the year (2000: 10.5p).

Trading Overview
The Fit Out Division had another excellent
year with operating profits up 23% to
£10.7m (2000: £8.7m) on turnover of
£233m (2000: £229m). It remains a focused
business with a 20 year track record that
has not only survived but prospered in
difficult economic times. 

It enters 2002 with a strong order book
reflecting both the strength of the
brands and increased spending on 
refurbishment and restack of existing
offices compensating for reductions in
new office take up. 

Regional Construction did not meet

expectations in 2001. Whilst turnover
again increased we have been unable to
move margins ahead. Consequently the 
decision has been taken to merge the 
six regional construction brands into 
one new company – Bluestone. This
change will impact results for 2002 but
we are confident that the Division will
benefit in the longer term from 
restructuring investment. 

The Affordable Housing Division had an
excellent year with operating profits
increasing 58% to £4.3m on turnover of
£156m (2000: £108m). The Carillion Housing
acquisition is now fully integrated into
Lovell, and has considerably broadened
the Division’s range of expertise and
geographical coverage. With increased
public expenditure forecast in this sector
Lovell as market leader is well positioned
for significant growth. This will involve
increased investment but at levels capable
of being financed out of current resources.

Market Capitalisation 

£196m

Share Price

£4.84

2001 saw the establishment of our
Infrastructure Services Division with the
£20m acquisition of Miller Civil Engineering
Services, now renamed Morgan Est. In the
eight months of 2001 the Division contributed
£2.7m operating profit from £95m turnover.
This performance is broadly in line with our
expectations at acquisition. 

On 2 January 2002 we acquired Pipeline

Constructors Group, a utilities services
provider that will merge into Morgan Est,
strengthening the Division’s offering 
particularly in the Water Sector. Morgan
Est now has the technical and financial
resource to enable it to be a major player
in this important sector where it is likely
that only the stronger broad based suppliers
will prosper.

Once again our property investments
have contributed positively to Group
results. During the year we sold two
London properties, one in Shepherds 
Bush and another in Wigmore Street.
Together with rental income and interest
from positive cash balances we have 
continued to show a good return on 
the funds required in the Group but not
utilised in the operating divisions. With
increased investment in Affordable
Housing and PFI projects there will be a
shift in how these available funds are
employed but no change in our desire 
to ensure that they are proactively rather
than passively invested. 

06

The pace of change in our industry 
is dramatically increasing, driven by
economic volatility, complex  
procurement methods, testing 
environmental and safety standards 
and more demanding employee 
expectations. I see these conditions as
profoundly exciting and believe that
Morgan Sindall has both the ability and
the will to succeed.

Board
At the half year we announced that Jack
Lovell had decided to relinquish his 
executive role but had agreed to remain
as a Non-Executive Director. In May we
welcomed Jon Walden as a Non-Executive
Director. Jon is a Main Board Director of
Lex Service plc and Managing Director 
of its subsidiary Lex Vehicle Leasing.
Consequently he brings an alternative
and helpful insight to the challenges
faced by growing, service orientated
groups. As a result of these additions to
the Board, Sir Derek Hornby has decided
that it is an opportune time for him to
retire as a Non-Executive Director at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 
Sir Derek has been with Morgan Sindall 
since our formation in 1994, a period of
rapid expansion for the Group. 

With our best wishes to him for the future, we
thank him for his enormous contribution.

Outlook
The first few weeks of the year have
remained buoyant and our total order
book is at a record of over £1bn. Each of
the four Divisions is well positioned and
has great potential, and as such, we see
the immediate challenge in developing
these businesses rather than making 
further acquisitions. The Group has never
been better balanced. Strength in those
areas where governmental expenditure
is forecast to increase and a strong order
book sits well alongside our historic base,
focusing on a wide spread of clients and
smaller projects in both the new and
refurbishment markets. 

John Morgan
Executive Chairman

12 February 2002

Each of the four Divisions is 
well positioned and has 
great potential.

Despite a much tighter market in 2001, the
Fit Out Division was able to deliver healthy
growth with operating profits of £10.7m,
an increase of 23% over last year. The 
fundamental reason for the improvement
is that the continuously improving quality
of our service delivery to clients remains
the Division’s primary goal. "Perfect Delivery",
the business improvement process, has
enabled the Division to benefit from a 
high level of repeat orders, measurably
improved client satisfaction and 
consistent profitability. 

Despite a much tighter market in
2001, the Fit Out Division was able
to deliver healthy growth 
.

Fit Out

08

In 2001, three-quarters of Overbury's 
projects were "Perfectly Delivered"
including the largest project to date 
a £15m refurbishment in Central London,
completed on time and snag free, over a
tight six month programme. Morgan
Lovell will be launching its own "Perfect
Delivery" initiative early in 2002.
2002 will continue to set new 
challenges, but we enter the year with 
a strong order book that should result 
in an improved first quarter trading 
performance. Also, the Division is well 
positioned to react to increasing industry
interest in "frameworks" and long term
partnership arrangements. 

With considerable experience of mutually
beneficial partnering with clients, the Fit
Out Division is able to match private and
public sector goals to find better value
and consistent quality.

Our businesses continue to respond
to the changing market demands requiring
new and more diverse skills. These
include experience of working at the
technological edge of the workplace.
Increased cost constraints facing many
organisations encourage them to make
better use of their existing workspace,
offering us new opportunities to 
demonstrate our skills. As we have learnt,
these projects require tighter team work,
effective programme management skills
and fast problem solving abilities, in
order to reduce business disruption. 

Our brands have worked hard to become
market leaders in terms of service delivery
and client satisfaction, but we are far
from complacent. We continue to 
challenge ourselves on how to improve
our service and working procedures. 
Striving to out perform the industry
standard will underpin the Division's
future expansion, both organically 
and into other sectors allied to our 
current business .

Turnover £’000s

2001

2000

2001
2000

232,513
229,350

Operating Profit £’000s

10,717

8,716

Whilst 2001 did not live up to expectations,
turnover increased to £403m (2000:
£318m). However, the operating profit
reduced to £4.0m (2000: £4.5m) resulting
in a margin of just over 1%. Whilst this
level of margin is fairly typical within the
industry, we believe that better margins
are sustainable as evidenced by several of 
the profit centres within the Division.

At the end of the year we announced
that from 1 January 2002, the six existing
regional companies would be merged 
to create one brand, Bluestone. 

We are confident that the new structure
will ultimately improve consistency of
delivery and financial performance
.

Regional Construction

10

The new structure is designed to engender
a greater sense of one purpose for the
Division without changing the profit 
centre culture where regional offices serve
their local community. Driving performance
and removing the geographical boundaries
will better place us to serve our customers
irrespective of project location. 

Additionally the ability to utilise the
whole construction skill base across the
Division will strengthen our position in the
market place and create a more dynamic
structure for our people.

We see this change as the next stage of
development for the Division albeit it is
our intention to build on the many 
successful achievements over the years
rather than start anew. The profile of 
specialisation by geography or work type
and the spread of risk across a variety of
value bands will continue. The reputation
built up in some cases over many
decades for expertise in Education,
Health, Commercial, Industrial, Leisure
and Non-Food Retail will remain the
Division’s focus.

Nevertheless the changes to be made 
in 2002 are significant and there is no
expectation of either turnover or profit
growth this year, however we are 
confident that the new structure will 
ultimately improve consistency of 
delivery and financial performance.
Whilst our Regional Construction 
business has moved a long way forward
from its entry point into the Group, the
pace of improvement has been slower
than we expected. Nevertheless the
Group remains committed to the sector
and to making Bluestone a top performing
regional construction business.

Turnover £’000s

402,609

317,605

Operating Profit £’000s

4,034

4,542

2001
2000

2001
2000

Lovell made significant progress in 2001.
Not only did turnover and margins
improve, but the acquisition of Carillion
Housing in July expanded the range of
expertise and extended the geographical
coverage particularly into Scotland.
Divisional turnover was £156m and 
operating profit £4.3m (2000: £108m 
and £2.7m), with the acquisition 
contributing five months’ turnover of 
£20m, although little in net contribution
after the costs of merging the operation
into Lovell.

Lovell is now the largest specialist provider of
affordable housing, and can satisfy the full
range of demands from design and build
,
refurbishment and open market development  
.

Affordable Housing

12

During 2001 affordable housing has
increasingly come under the spotlight. 
It is accepted by Government and Local
Authorities that much more must be
done to reduce the estimated £20bn
backlog in repairs, and meet the
Government’s target to achieve a decent
standard of homes for all in social housing
by 2010. As the largest specialist provider
of mixed tenure affordable housing in
the UK, Lovell is well positioned to benefit
and can satisfy the full range of demands
from design and build, refurbishment
and open market development. 

It is therefore ideally placed to respond 
to the release of larger schemes whether
traditional, Stock Transfers or PFI. Lovell is
currently shortlisted for four of the eight
Social Housing Pathfinder Schemes and 
is reviewing the second tranche.

Typical of the expertise Lovell has in
urban regeneration schemes is a £25m
project at Central Park, Birmingham to
provide 264 mixed tenure homes. With many
Lovell projects, price is only one of several
factors in winning contracts, awards
being based on design, consultation 
with residents and local employment
training opportunities amongst other
considerations.

Lovell enters 2002 with confidence. The
Carillion Housing acquisition has been
fully integrated into the company. The
order book is at a record £255m and the
market in which it operates is buoyant.
The Lovell management have achieved
much in the last year and are confident
that the rewards of these endeavours 
will be increasingly apparent in the next
few years.

Turnover £’000s

2001

2000

155,971

107,709

Operating Profit £’000s

2001
2000

4,292

2,715

The Infrastructure Services Division was
created in May 2001 by the £20m acquisition
of Miller Civil Engineering Services,
subsequently renamed Morgan Est. 
The business has a good track record in
three distinct areas of operation, Water,
Tunnelling and Civils. In the last full year
before acquisition it had a turnover of
£135m and made an operating profit of
£3.76m. Morgan Sindall had for some time
been looking to enter the infrastructure
services market and found in Morgan Est 
a major operator in its fields of activity with
strong management.

Morgan Est has the opportunity to be one
of the leaders in the sector, and a major
contributor to the Morgan Sindall Group
.

Infrastructure Services

14

In 2001 in the eight months post acquisition,
Morgan Est had a turnover of £95m and
made an operating profit of £2.7m.
At acquisition the order book stood at
£330m. This was increased over the year,
not least by securing the £178m Contract
310 for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link
between Dagenham and Thurrock, and
the award of preferred bidder status on
the £55m Newport Southern Distributor
Road in South Wales. Both of these major 
contracts were won in joint venture
arrangements, a structure which Morgan
Est has successfully used before with
European construction companies.

In December 2001 the Group announced
that it had agreed the purchase of Pipeline
Constructors Group for £16.45m which
was completed on 2 January 2002.
Pipeline is a leading provider of utility
services primarily in the water sector with
a turnover of £75m. Pipeline will become
the utilities division of Morgan Est, as
there are powerful synergies between
the two companies with many shared
clients. The combined companies will
bring both greater scale to the Division,
with overhead economy, and be better
positioned to undertake the integrated
outsourcing contracts which the utilities
markets increasingly require.

2002 will be a busy year for the
Infrastructure Services Division. With an
existing combined turnover of over
£200m and a forward order book of
£525m, Morgan Est has the opportunity
to be one of the leaders in the sector,
and a major contributor to the Morgan
Sindall Group.

Turnover £’000s

2001

2001

95,384

Operating Profit £’000s

2,662

John Morgan (46)
Executive Chairman
Retirement by rotation
2002
Founded Morgan Lovell together
with Jack Lovell in 1977. He
was appointed Chief Executive
of Morgan Sindall plc in 1994
and Executive Chairman at the
Annual General Meeting in 2000. 

John Bishop (56) 
Finance Director
Retirement by rotation
2004
A Chartered Accountant with
twenty years experience in UK
quoted companies. On the 
creation of Morgan Sindall
Group in 1994, he joined the
board initially as Corporate
Development Director, and
became Finance Director in
June 1998.

Paul Whitmore (47)
Commercial Director
Retirement by rotation
2002
Joined the board in April 2000
having undertaken various
roles during 27 years in the
construction industry, latterly
as Chief Executive of Laing
Construction plc.

16

Board of 
Directors

Bernard Asher (65)
Senior Non-Executive
Retirement by rotation
2004
Appointed to the Board on 
1 March 1998 and recognised
as the senior Non-Executive
Director since 1999. Chairman
of Lonrho Africa plc. Vice-
Chairman of the Court of
Governors of The London School
of Economics, Non-Executive
Director of Legal & General
Group plc, Remy Cointreau and
Randgold Resources. Formerly
a director of HSBC plc. 

Geraldine Gallacher (42)
Non-Executive
Retirement by rotation
2003
Appointed to the Board on 
24 May 1995. Founder and
Managing Director of The
Executive Coaching Consultancy
having formerly been head 
of Group Management
Development for Burton Group
plc (now Arcadia plc).

Jack Lovell (46) 
Non-Executive
Retirement by rotation
2003
Co-founder with John Morgan
of Morgan Lovell in 1977 and a
member of the Board of Morgan
Sindall plc since October 1994
with executive responsibilities
for marketing and latterly,
client services. He assumed a
Non-Executive role as from 
1 August 2001. 

Jon Walden (48)
Non-Executive
Retirement by Rotation
2002
Joined the Board with effect
from 1 May 2001. He is a main
Board Director of Lex Service
plc and Managing Director 
of Lex Vehicle Leasing.
Previously he held various
roles within Lex and also at
Rank Xerox having qualified
as a Chartered Accountant 
at Touche Ross (now Deloitte
& Touche).

Report of the Directors

The directors have pleasure in submitting their report to the members together with
the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2001.

Principal activities
Morgan Sindall is a construction group with four main 
divisions - Fit Out, Regional Construction, Affordable
Housing and Infrastructure Services. In addition a limited
amount of property development and investment is carried
out. The principal subsidiary companies are shown on
page 48 but reference should be made to the Chairman’s
Statement starting on page 4 and to the activity reviews
immediately following for an understanding of the changes
which have taken place during the year. All activities are
carried out in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.  

Results and dividends
The Group made a profit for the year, after taxation, of 
£14.234m (2000: £11.396m).

The final dividend for the year recommended by the 
directors is 10p per ordinary share, which together with 
the interim dividend of 4p per ordinary share gives a total
dividend for the year of 14p per ordinary share (2000:
10.5p). Preference dividends paid or accrued amounted 
to £0.190m (2000: £0.243m).

Review of business and future 
developments
A general review of the Group's activities, development
and future prospects are included in the Chairman's
Statement on pages 4 to 7 and in the activity reviews on
the pages immediately following.

Fixed assets
External professional valuations of the Group's investment
properties were carried out as at 31 December 1999. The
directors have considered the carrying value of the Group's
interests in property and consider that there is no substantial
difference between market and balance sheet values.

Directors
The directors at the date of this report are shown on page 
52. Details of the changes to the Board since the date of
the last Annual Report are given in the Chairman’s
Statement starting on page 4. Further information on the
Group Board's constitution, policies and procedures is set
out under corporate governance on pages 24 to 26.

John Morgan and Paul Whitmore are the directors to retire
by rotation and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
In addition, Jon Walden, having been appointed since the
holding of the last Annual General Meeting also retires in
accordance with the Articles of Association and, being 
eligible, offers himself for re-election. Biographical details of
the retiring directors are shown on pages 16 and 17. 

Non-executive directors
A short biographical note on each ongoing non-executive
director is shown on page 17. As noted in the Chairman’s
Statement Sir Derek Hornby, who was due to retire by
rotation at the Annual General Meeting this year, will not be
offering himself for re-election. His biographical details are:

Non-executive director of a number of companies and
charitable trusts. Formerly Chairman of London &
Continental Railways, Rank Xerox (UK) Limited and the
British Overseas Trade Board. 

The role and responsibilities of the non-executive directors
have been formally established by the Board. Further 
information on these matters may be found under corporate
governance on pages 24 and 25.

Substantial shareholdings
Excluding directors, on 12 February 2002, the following
shareholdings representing 3% or more of the issued 
ordinary share capital have been notified to the Company: 

Number Percentage 
Holding

of Shares

CGNU plc

2,054,014

Equitable Life Assurance Society 1,498,497

4.28%

3.96%

Employment policies
The Company insists that a policy of equal opportunity
employment is demonstrably evident throughout the Group.
Selection criteria and procedures and training opportunities
are designed to ensure that all individuals are selected,
treated and promoted on the basis of their merits, abilities
and potential. Subject to the nature of its businesses in 
the construction industry, the policy of the Company is to
ensure that there are fair opportunities in the Group for the
employment, training and career development of disabled
persons, including continuity of employment with 
re-training where appropriate.

The Company recognises the need to ensure effective
communication with employees. Policies and procedures,
including in-house newsletters, have been developed in 
the Group taking account of such factors as location and
numbers employed.

The evolution of the Group’s structure into four Divisions
will allow specialised personnel to be focused on the training
process. This will better identify training needs and ensure
suitable programmes are put in place.

18

Pensions
Details of pension schemes operated for the permanent
salaried staff of the Group are shown in Note 28 on 
pages 46 and 47.

A stakeholder pension facility was introduced in the year
for employees not eligible for membership of the pension
schemes referred to above. The facility chosen was the B
& CE Easybuild scheme administered by the Building & Civil
Engineering Benefits Trust. Employees in the industry have
long been familiar with the Trust which was established in
1943 as a joint industry employer and Trades Union 
initiative to provide employee benefits. As a non-profit 
making organisation the Trust has a significant competitive
advantage as it will utilise its reserves so that no charges
will be deducted from payments into the scheme for the
first five years of its operation.

Environmental policy
In our 2000 Report and Accounts we signaled our commitment
to engage in the development of a more ambitious and
centrally co-ordinated Group environmental policy. During
the current year, further acquisitions and our entry into new
market sectors has provided an immediate improvement in
our present capability. 

It is our intention to move forward by implementing an
Integrated Management System (IMS) comprising 
Quality Management under ISO 9001, Environmental
Management under ISO 14001 and Occupational Health
and Safety under OHSAS 18001.

Already the collective experience in Affordable Housing,
especially through the acquisition of Carillion Housing 
and in Morgan Est is providing a platform for best practice
transfer to our Fit Out and Regional Construction Divisions.
Our programme target for the achievement of a 
comprehensive IMS throughout the Group is the end 
of 2003.

Health and safety
During the year Paul Whitmore, the director responsible,

has led the formulation and promulgation of a Group

Health and Safety Management Policy framework 

document reflecting the Board’s acknowledgement of the

importance of this critical issue in the construction industry.

The document sets out the Group Health and Safety Policy
Statement as follows:

“Morgan Sindall plc and its subsidiary companies are 
committed to providing a healthy and safe working 
environment for all its employees and others affected by
our works.

Report of the Directors

We accept the aims and provisions of the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974 and all regulations made 
thereunder. We recognise that the successful management
of health and safety contributes to the overall performance
in a quality business.

We are committed therefore to:
•

•

•

•

•

Developing a positive health and safety culture 
throughout the organisation.
Constantly reviewing health and safety management
and performance in accordance with the objectives 
identified by the Morgan Sindall Policy Framework.
Developing organisational structures appropriate to 
meeting those objectives in each operating location 
within the subsidiary companies.
The systematic identification and management of 
risks to health, safety and the environment.
Providing the information, instruction, training 
supervision and consultation with employees and 
clients as necessary to implement and maintain 
industry standards of excellence in all matters in the 
field of health and safety.

Every employee of the Group is expected to give full 
co-operation and every possible assistance to the 
successful implementation of the Health and Safety
Policies and Procedures within their respective companies,
and to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of
others involved in or affected by our works”

The following objectives have been established:

Principal objective
To be best in class in the construction industry in terms of
Health and Safety.

Additional objectives
To provide a safe and healthy working environment.

To execute work in a safe manner.

To identify hazards and reduce risk of accidents through
elimination of hazards or by adequate control measures to
reduce the risk to health and safety.

To prevent harm to third parties and damage to third 
party property.

To prevent or minimise any negative impact on the environment
resulting from the activities of the Group‘s companies.

19

Creditor payment policy
The Company does not adhere to any formal Code regarding

payments to its trade creditors. Its current policy is to:

1.

use unamended terms of widely recognised 

Standard Forms of Contract drawn up by bodies 

representing participants in the industry;

clearly agree and set down the terms of payment 

with suppliers and subcontractors; and

make payments in accordance with its obligations.

2.

3.

Calculated in accordance with Regulations made under 
the Companies Act 1985, as at 31 December 2001, the
Group's number of creditor days outstanding was 33.

Post balance sheet event
On 2 January 2002 the Company completed the 
acquisition of Pipeline Constructors Group plc and its 

subsidiary companies. Details of this addition to the

Group’s Infrastructure Services Division are shown in 

Note 27 to the accounts on page 46.

Political and charitable contributions
During the year charitable contributions amounted to

£14,529 (2000: £19,603). No contributions were made to

any political parties during the current or preceding years.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday,

10 April 2002. The notice of the meeting is set out on page

49 of this Annual Report. The notice contains items which

are special business, being the authority for the Board to

allot equity securities. Explanatory notes on the special

business items are shown on page 50.

Auditors
A resolution for the reappointment of Deloitte & Touche 

as auditors of the Company is to be proposed at the

Annual General Meeting.

Report of the Directors

Major Contractors Group (MCG) Health and
Safety Charter
In addition to the objectives listed above, Morgan Sindall is
committed to all the objectives included in the MCG Health
and Safety Charter which are as follows:
•

A target reduction of 10% year on year in the 
incidence rate of all reportable injuries and 
dangerous occurrences per 100,000 workers 
until 2010.
A fully qualified workforce by the end of 2003.
A site specific induction process before anyone is 
allowed to work on site.
All workers being consulted on health and safety 
matters in a three-tier system based on project, 
work gang and individual workers.
Holding best practice workshops on health and 
safety practices and setting up a system to 
disseminate lessons learnt.
Publishing an annual report of members’ safety 
performance.
Supporting the Construction Confederation’s aim of 
reducing the incidence rate of work related ill health 
in the construction industry by 10% year on year 
from January 2003.

•
•

•

•

•

•

During the year Morgan Sindall commenced participation in
the MCG reporting programme and the table below shows
a comparison of the Group’s health & safety performance in
the reporting year 2000/2001 against the industry average:

Accidents

Fatal (Number)

Major (Incidents per 
100,000 employees) 

Over 3 day (Incidents per
100,000 employees)

Total of all reportable
(Incidents per 100,000 
employees)

Morgan
Sindall

1

132

627

MCG

10

293

779

814

1,077

Morgan Sindall achieved the lowest rates of the 23 
companies compared by the MCG in 2000/2001 and
therefore was “best in class”.

20

Report of the Directors

Remuneration report
The remuneration committee comprises:
Ms G Gallacher (Chairman)
Mr B H Asher 
Mr J J C Lovell
Mr J Walden

Policy on executive directors’ remuneration
The remuneration of the executive directors is determined
by the remuneration committee ("the committee") taking full
account of the Combined Code appended to The Listing
Rules issued by the Financial Services Authority. 

The committee seeks to develop remuneration packages
which satisfy the following principles:

The LTIP approved by shareholders is designed to provide
additional rewards for consistent out-performance and 
service over the longer period. It was introduced in 1997
for the executive directors of the Company and certain key
Group senior management approved by the committee.
Shares are conditionally awarded to participants in each
financial year and can be allocated in whole or part after
the Group's performance over the next three financial years
has been measured and compared to a selected peer group.

The comparison made is of the increase in total shareholder
value over those years with the corresponding increase of
the fourteen companies listed in the Financial Times as
construction companies which the committee consider as
having a comparable business to the Group. 

•

•

•

to attract, retain and motivate the best possible 
person for each position;
to recognise the importance of achieving the 
expectations of performance in short and long term; and
to align the interests of executives with those of 
the shareholders.

At the end of each three year period shares conditionally
awarded can be allocated to participants if the Company 
is ranked first in the peer group and none will be allocated
if the ranking is in the middle of the peer group or lower.
Shares are allocated on a graduated scale between these
two positions.

The committee reviews salaries annually and seeks 
independent professional advice when appropriate.

Remuneration details
Details of the remuneration of all directors who have held
office during the year are shown in Note 11 to the
Accounts on page 38.

Bonus arrangements and Long Term
Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Performance related bonuses are a key feature of 
remuneration policy throughout the Group. Performance
targets are set against matters in which the individual 
concerned has a direct influence. In subsidiary companies
this means the performance of the relevant individual
Brand. For executive directors of Morgan Sindall plc and
senior head office personnel cash bonuses are based on
the performance of the Group against targets set annually
by the committee. The targets comprise a scale that takes
into account the previous year's result and growth 
expectations both internally set and those externally published.
The maximum cash bonus which can be achieved by 
the executive directors who all participate in the LTIP
equates to 75% of annual base salary.

Participation in the LTIP is voluntary and requires the 
individual to forego payment of a proportion of the cash
bonus. Based on the then market price, the base number
of shares which the forgone bonus represents is then
flexed up or down by the peer group ranking as detailed
above, assuming the base number represents fourth 
position in the peer group of fifteen. The maximum number
of shares which may be conditionally awarded to any 
particular employee in any year is limited so that the 
aggregate market value of shares so awarded does not
exceed 50% of the participant’s annual base salary.

Third position in the peer group was achieved for the 
measurement period ended 31 December 2000 and an
allocation of shares from those conditionally awarded for
1998 was made by the committee on 30 June 2001.The
interests of each participating director are shown on page 22,
27,064 shares from the numbers conditionally awarded 
in 1998 having accordingly lapsed.

21

Report of the Directors

As at
31 December
2001

As at
31 December
2000

Shares conditionally awarded:

J C Morgan
J M Bishop
P Whitmore
J J C Lovell

Shares allocated:

J C Morgan
J M Bishop
J J C Lovell

84,776
76,689
36,288
59,603

39,437
35,697
31,193

88,263
82,060
13,950
66,769

14,212
12,274
12,274

In ordinary circumstances, base salary and employer 
pension contributions for the full period of notice of 
one year would be paid together with accrued bonus 
entitlements and LTIP shares already allocated in 
accordance with satisfied performance criteria. Other
employee benefits would also be maintained for the 
notice period subject to the rules of the appropriate 
Group scheme.

The service contracts of the directors who are seeking 
re-election at the Annual General Meeting, Mr J C Morgan,
Mr P Whitmore and Mr J Walden, do not have a notice
period for termination which is in excess of one year's
duration.

Once shares have been allocated, a participant is entitled
to receive dividends in respect of those shares and to 
exercise voting rights. The participant is not entitled to
transfer, sell or otherwise deal in the shares until a further
two years have elapsed.

Directors’ interests
The shareholdings of all directors are shown in Note 
33 to the Accounts on page 48 and their interests in
shares under the Long Term Incentive Plan are shown 
on this page.

Following the resignation on 13 February 2001 of Mr A M
Stoddart by reason of ill health the committee resolved to
use the discretionary powers granted to it under the rules of
the LTIP as a result of which Mr Stoddart received 48,851
shares of the total of 84,656 shares which had been 
conditionally awarded to him in the years 1997, 1998 and
1999. The number of shares was determined in each case
by applying the peer group formula described more fully
above but in the case of the years 1998 and 1999 over the
respective shorter periods from conditional award to the
latest available comparison date of 31 December 2000.

Service contracts
Executive directors' contracts are terminable on one year's
notice. In circumstances of termination by notice (except in
cases of removal for misconduct), compensation will be
determined by the committee having regard to the particular
circumstances of the case.

The committee's guidelines will be to determine an 
equitable compensation package, while avoiding rewarding
poor performance and having regard to the departing
director's obligations of mitigating loss. 

Pensions
The Company contributes 10% of base salary to defined
contribution schemes of the individual director's choice.
There are no arrangements for the provision of benefits in
excess of the Inland Revenue cap.

Share option schemes
It is the Company's policy not to grant share options to 
Main Board directors.

Details of options granted to employees in the Group are
shown in Note 25 to the Accounts on page 44. The total
number of options which may be granted at any time is
fixed by the committee. 

No further options can be granted under the Company's
1988 Scheme. The exercise of options granted under the
1995 Scheme will be subject to performance targets and
will normally be exercisable only if the percentage growth 
in earnings per share of the Company over a five year 
period has at least been equal to the percentage growth
in earnings per share of at least three-fourths of the 
constituent companies in the FTSE 100 index over the
same period. 

22

Relationship between Directors and
Employee Remuneration Policies
Remuneration policy for the executive directors of the
Company including bonus and incentive arrangements has
been set out in detail previously in this report together with
an outline of remuneration policy in general terms for other
Group employees.

Performance formulas for bonus purposes are tied to 
financial reporting areas on which the employees 
concerned are to be expected to have meaningful 
influence. As appropriate these could relate to specific 
contracts, management teams, companies or divisions.

Note 25 to the Accounts records that options under two
schemes have been granted to a significant number of
directors and employees (other than Main Board directors)
in the Group. The opportunity to grant more options under
the remaining current scheme is limited and the Group
continues to review alternative facilities which could offer
similar incentive benefits.

Company and Divisional Managing Directors are also offered
the opportunity to participate in the LTIP described previously.

By order of the Board
W R Johnston
Company Secretary

12 February 2002

Report of the Directors

23

Corporate Governance

Policy statement
Morgan Sindall plc supports the Principles of 
Good Governance and the Code of Best Practice 
(“the Combined Code”). Accordingly this report will also
deal with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
FSA Listing Rule 12.43A relating to Section 1 of the
Combined Code.

This report sets out how the principles of the Combined
Code have been applied.

Board constitution and procedures
With the resignation of Andy Stoddart as Managing
Director on 13 February 2001 and at the same date, John
Morgan assuming the position of Executive Chairman, the
Company acknowledged that in not having a division of
strategic and operational responsibilities between two 
people it was not in compliance with the Combined Code.
The Board believes that the appointment during the reporting
period of Jon Walden as a further Non-Executive Director
and Jack Lovell taking a Non-Executive role together with a
stronger divisional management structure, the underlying
principle of Code provision A.2 will be maintained.

As it now stands the Board comprises three executives and
five non-executives although Sir Derek Hornby will 
not be seeking re-election at the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting.

All of the Non-Executive Directors, with the exception of
Jack Lovell who is a major shareholder and for many years
played a leading part in the management and strategic
development of the Group, are considered to be independent
of management and free from any business or other 
relationship which could materially affect their independent
judgement. Bernard Asher is the senior independent director.

The composition of the Board satisfies the Code of
Principles and Provisions that the Board should have a 
balance of executive and non-executive directors in terms
of number and relevant experience to enable it to have
effective leadership and control of the Group. It also
ensures that the decision making process cannot be 
dominated by any individual or small group of individuals.

The Board met on ten scheduled occasions during the
year in addition to ad hoc meetings convened for particular
purposes. The key purposes of these meetings were to
review all significant aspects of the Group’s activities,
supervise the executive management and to make 
decisions in relation to those matters which are specifically
reserved to the Board.

The Company agrees with the Code provision regarding
training facilities for directors on first appointment and 
subsequently as necessary. Adequate provision for these
requirements are made annually in an allocated training
budget, which also covers senior head office personnel
with specific professional responsibilities relating to the
proper management and conduct of a listed company.

There are agreed procedures by which directors are able 
to take independent professional advice, at the expense of
the Company, on matters relating to their duties. For 
certain purposes the Company Secretary is regarded as
falling within that category of advisers and has been
instructed by the Board to act accordingly. The Board has
also resolved that any question of the removal from office
of the Company Secretary is a matter to be considered by
the Board as a whole.

Board committees
The Board has established an audit and a remuneration
committee.

Audit committee
The audit committee comprises Geraldine Gallacher, Jack
Lovell and Bernard Asher, who has the Chair. Its duties
include keeping under review the scope and results of the
audit, its cost effectiveness and the objectivity of the 
auditors. The committee may request the attendance of 
any executive director and a representative of the external
auditors. The committee meets at least twice yearly.

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee comprises Geraldine
Gallacher as  Chairman, Bernard Asher, Jack Lovell and
Jon Walden. Meetings will usually be held twice in each 
year to cover all elements of the directors’ remuneration. 
A remuneration report is included in the Directors’ Report
on pages 21 to 23.

24

Corporate Governance

Risk management
The Board has reserved to itself specific responsibility for the
formulation of the risk management strategy of the Group.

A formal process is now in place through which the Board
identifies the significant risks attached to its strategic
objectives, confirms the control strategy for each risk and
identifies the appropriate early warning mechanism for
each risk. A risk management policy document has been
adopted by the Board setting out the Board’s role and
responsibilities and its overall approach to management
and acceptance of risk. This approach has been 
communicated to the directors of each Brand business
who have in turn undertaken their own risk identification
and assessment exercise tailored to their own individual
circumstances and carried out continuing annual reviews. 

Risk management and internal control are considered by
the Board and each Brand business at their monthly 
meetings. Internal control and risk management systems
are embedded in the operations of the businesses.

Financial information
The Board recognises that an essential part of the 
responsibility for running a business is the effective 
safeguarding of assets, the proper recognition of liabilities
and the accurate reporting of profits. The Group has a
comprehensive system for monthly reporting to the Board.

Investment and capital expenditure appraisal
There are clear policies, detailed procedures and defined
levels of authority in relation to investment, capital expenditure,
significant cost commitments and asset disposals.

Nominations committee
A nominations committee has not been established. The
Board considers that because of its small size and the
manner in which it conducts its business with a dominant
proportion of non-executives, the full Board will deal with
matters which might otherwise have been delegated to 
a committee.

The Board’s policy on appointments to it is that every
Board member should have the opportunity of individual
meetings with prospective candidates.

Relations with shareholders
The Company actively seeks to enter into dialogue with
institutional shareholders whenever possible. It also
endorses the Combined Code principles generally on the
conduct of Annual General Meetings including that it be
used as an opportunity for effective communication with
private shareholders whose participation in the proceedings
should be encouraged.

The Company has taken advantage of The Companies Act
1985 (Electronic Communications) Order 2000 allowing
communication with shareholders, where individual 
shareholders so choose, in electronic format.

The Company now makes announcements available on the
Company’s website as at the dates of release to the
London Stock Exchange Regulatory News Service.

Internal control statement
All procedures necessary to implement ‘Internal Control:
Guidance for directors on the Combined Code’ were put 
in place in 1999. These procedures have been subject to 
further development and refinement and this report 
therefore follows an approach of full compliance throughout
the year with Code Principle D.2.

The Board has formally acknowledged that it has overall
responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control and
for ongoing review of its effectiveness.The internal control
system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the
risk of failure to achieve certain business objectives. It can
only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance
against material misstatement or loss.

25

Compliance statement
The Company has throughout the year been in compliance
with the Code Provisions set out in Section 1 of the
Combined Code on Corporate Governance appended to
the Listing Rules issued by the Financial Services Authority.

Going Concern
After making enquiries, the directors have formed a 
judgement at the time of approving the financial statements
that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company
has adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the
directors continue to adopt a going concern basis in
preparing the financial statements.

Corporate Governance

Computer systems
The Group has established controls and procedures over
the security of data held on computer systems. These 
controls and procedures are reviewed under the rolling
examination programme described below under 
‘Internal audit’.

Controls over central functions
A number of the Group’s key functions, including treasury
and insurance are dealt with centrally. Each of these 
functions have detailed procedure manuals.

Internal audit
The Board continues to review the need or otherwise for
an internal audit function and remains of the opinion that
such a function is not essential.  Instead, led by specialist
central Group personnel, there is a rolling programme of
peer group examination in which selected staff participate
in the examination and review of the practices and 
procedures of Brand businesses other than their own. 
It is felt that this programme not only provides many of the
benefits to be derived from an internal audit function but
also assists in the professional development of the individual
staff concerned whilst at the same time identifying and 
providing a mechanism for the cross-fertilisation of ideas
and best practice throughout the Group.

Annual review
The Board has conducted a review of the effectiveness of
the system of internal financial control for the year ended
31 December 2001 and for the period to the date of this
report. The review was performed on the basis of the criteria
set out in the Guidance for Directors ‘Internal Control 
and Financial Reporting’ issued in December 1994.

The process included a formal review conducted by the
Board of a consolidated report of the Brand Risk
Framework reviews undertaken by the boards of each
operating subsidiary, together with the Group Risk
Framework document originally approved by the Board in
November 1999 and re-appraised and updated annually.
In addition, the Board has also reviewed the results of the
internal financial control reviews which have taken place
during the year in a number of operating subsidiaries in the
course of an agreed rolling programme.

26

Directors’ Responsibilities and Independent Auditors’ Report

Directors’ Responsibilities
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial
statements for each financial year which give a true and fair
view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group
as at the end of the financial year and of the profit or loss
of the Group for that period. In preparing those financial
statements, the directors are required to:

1. Select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently.

2. Make judgements and estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent.

3. State whether applicable accounting standards 

have been followed.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper 
accounting records, for safeguarding the assets of 
the Group, for the Group systems of internal control
and for the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities.

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Morgan Sindall plc
We have audited the financial statements of Morgan Sindall
Plc for the year ended 31 December 2001 which comprise
the profit and loss account, the balance sheets, the cash
flow statement, the statement of total recognised gains 
and losses and the related notes 1 to 33.These financial 
statements have been prepared under the accounting 
policies set out therein.

We read the Directors’ Report and the other information 
contained in the annual report  for the above year as
described in the contents section and consider the 
implications for our report if we become aware of any 
apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with 
the financial statements.

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditors 
As described in the statement of directors’ responsibilities,
the Company’s directors are responsible for the preparation
of the financial statements in accordance with applicable United
Kingdom law and accounting standards. Our responsibility is to
audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant United
Kingdom legal and regulatory requirements, auditing standards,
and the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial
statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared
in accordance with the Companies Act 1985.  We also
report if, in our opinion, the Directors’ Report is not consistent
with the financial statements, if the Company has not kept
proper accounting records, if we have not received all the
information and explanations we require for our audit, or if
information specified by law or the Listing Rules regarding
directors’ remuneration and transactions with the Company
and other members of the Group is not disclosed.

We review whether the corporate governance statement
reflects the Company's compliance with the seven 
provisions of the Combined Code specified for our review
by the Listing Rules and we report if it does not. We are
not required to consider whether the board's statements
on internal control cover all risks and controls, or form an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group's corporate 
governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with United Kingdom
auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board.
An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant
to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It
also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and
judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the
financial statements and of whether the accounting policies
are appropriate to the circumstances of the Company and
the Group, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the
information and explanations which we considered necessary
in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free
from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or
other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion, we also
evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of 
information in the financial statements.

Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair
view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group 
as at 31 December 2001 and of the profit of the Group for
the year then ended and have been properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985.

Deloitte & Touche

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

Stonecutter Court, Stonecutter Street, London EC4A 4TR

12 February 2002

27

Group Profit and Loss Account
for the year ended 31 December 2001

Notes

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

2001

2000

Turnover

Continuing operations

Acquisitions

Less share of joint venture turnover

Group turnover

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Other operating income

Operating profit

Continuing operations

Acquisitions

Total operating profit

Share of profits of joint venture

Exceptional loss on closure of discontinued business

Net interest receivable

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

Tax charge on profit on ordinary activities

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation

Dividends on equity and non-equity shares

Retained profit for the year

Earnings per ordinary share

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

1

1

1

2

1,3

14

4

5

6

7

7

795,854

114,912

(1,598)

909,168

(820,004)

89,164 

(70,709) 

1,133 

16,848

2,740 

14,749

–

19,588 

17 

–

1,165 

20,770 

(6,536) 

14,234 

(5,824)

8,410 

36.03p 

34.87p 

655,980

–

(1,144)

654,836

(588,180)

66,656

(52,804)

897

14,749

–

(684)

1,295

15,360

(3,964)

11,396

(4,163)

7,233

29.75p

28.58p

28

Group Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2001

2001

2000

Notes

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

Fixed assets

Intangible assets

Tangible assets

Share of joint venture gross assets

Share of joint venture gross liabilities

Investment in joint venture

Investment in own shares

Current assets

Stocks

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

22,151

(20,551)

12

13

14

14

15

16

17

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

18

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 19

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Revaluation reserve

Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds

Shareholders’ funds are attributable to:

Equity shareholders’ funds

Non-equity shareholders’ funds

25

26

Approved by the Board on 12 February 2002

J C Morgan

J M Bishop

40,009

19,887

1,600

1,366

62,862

36,028

155,261 

34,639

225,928

(224,418)

1,510

64,372

(629)

63,743

4,993 

22,896 

4,627

31,227 

63,743

60,779 

2,964 

63,743 

17,929

(16,840)

11,218

11,865

1,089

1,245

25,417

35,355

117,964

23,474

176,793

(156,510)

20,283

45,700

–

45,700 

5,686

13,064

4,259 

22,691

45,700

41,907

3,793

45,700

29

Notes

13

14

15

16

17

18

25

26

2001

£’000s

7,442

92,540

99,982

3,767

12,981 

375 

17,123

(40,757) 

(23,634) 

76,348 

4,993

22,896

2,948

13,644

31,867

76,348

73,384 

2,964

76,348 

2000

£’000s

7,727

63,880

71,607

14,797

15,382

343

30,522

(36,090)

(5,568)

66,039

5,686

13,064

3,074

13,644

30,571

66,039

62,246

3,793

66,039

Company Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2001

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Stocks

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Revaluation reserve

Special reserve

Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds

Shareholders’ funds are attributable to:

Equity shareholders’ funds

Non-equity shareholders’ funds

Approved by the Board on 12 February 2002

J C Morgan

J M Bishop

30

Group Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2001

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

Interest received

Interest paid

Dividends paid to preference shareholders

Interest paid on finance lease charges

Notes

29

2001

£’000s

36,159

1,434

(727)

(190) 

(62) 

455

2000

£’000s

8,211

1,411

(615)

(253)

–

543

Taxation

Corporation tax paid

(6,079)

(2,563)

Capital expenditure and financial investment

Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets

Receipts from sale of tangible fixed assets

Payments to acquire fixed asset investments

Acquisitions and disposals

Purchase of subsidiary undertakings

Net cash acquired with subsidiary undertakings

27

27

Equity dividends paid

Net cash inflow before financing

Financing

Issue of shares, net of expenses

Capital element of finance leases

Net cash inflow from financing activities

(3,330) 

551 

(311) 

(3,090) 

(25,658)

4,720

(20,938)

(4,368)

2,139

9,139

(113)

9,026

Increase in cash

30,31

11,165

(2,288)

8

(155)

(2,435)

750

–

750

(3,316)

1,190

242

–

242

1,432

31

Combined Statement of Movements in Reserves and
Shareholders’ Funds
for the year ended 31 December 2001

Group

Balance at 1 January

Retained profit for year

New shares issued 

Converted preference shares

Options exercised

Surplus realised on property

Surplus on revaluation

Share
premium
account

£'000s

13,064

–

8,270

812

750

–

–

Revaluation
reserve

£'000s

Profit
and loss
account

£'000s

Total
reserves

£'000s

Share
capital

£'000s

2001
Share-
holders'
funds

2000
Share-
holders'
funds

£'000s

£'000s

4,259

22,691

40,014

5,686

45,700

37,929

–

–

–

–

(126)

494

8,410

8,410

–

–

–

126

–

8,270

812

750

–

494

– 

95

(812)

24

–

–

8,410 

7,233

8,365

–

774

–

494

– 

–

242

–

296

Balance at 31 December

22,896

4,627

31,227

58,750

4,993

63,743

45,700

Included within the profit and loss account balance at 31 December 2001 is an amount for unrealised goodwill totalling 

£7,034,000 (2000: £7,034,000).

Company

Share

premium Special Revaluation
reserve
reserve
account

Profit
and loss
account

Total
reserves

Share
capital

2001
Share-
holders'
funds

2000
Share-
holders'
funds

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

£'000s

Balance at 1 January

13,064

13,644

3,074

30,571

60,353

5,686

66,039

60,179

Retained profit for year

New shares issued

Converted preference shares

Options exercised

Surplus realised on property

–

8,270

812

750

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,170

1,170

–

–

–

8,270

812

750

–

(126)

126

–

95

(812)

24

–

1,170

5,618

8,365

–

774

–

–

–

242 

–

Balance at 31 December

22,896

13,644

2,948

31,867

71,355

4,993

76,348

66,039 

32

Other Primary Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2001

Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

Profit for the financial year before dividends

Share of joint venture’s surplus on revaluation of investment property

Total recognised gains and losses

Note of Historical Cost Profits and Losses

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

Realisation of property valuation gains of prior years

Difference between the historical cost depreciation charge and the actual

depreciation charge for the year calculated on the revalued amount

2001

£’000s

14,234

494

14,728

2001

£’000s

20,770 

126

70

2000

£’000s

11,396

296

11,692

2000

£’000s

15,360

–

73

Historical cost profit on ordinary activities before taxation

20,966

15,433

Historical cost profit on ordinary activities after taxation 

and dividends

8,606

7,306

33

Principal Accounting Policies

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain

fixed asset properties, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Compliance with SSAP19 accounting for

investment properties requires departure from the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 relating to depreciation and an

explanation is given below. Where the Group is party to a joint arrangement which is not an entity, the Group accounts for

its part of the income and expenditure, assets, liabilities and cash flows of the joint arrangement.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings.

Acquisitions and disposals
The results of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated profit and loss account from the date of acquisition. Goodwill is

the difference between the fair value of consideration given on acquisition of a business and the aggregate fair value of its

separable net assets. Goodwill is capitalised and written off in equal instalments over its useful economic life of 20 years.

Goodwill that arose on acquisitions prior to 31 December 1997 is eliminated against the profit and loss reserve. Amounts will

be charged or credited to the profit and loss account on subsequent disposal of the business to which it relates.

Turnover
Turnover is defined as the value of goods and services rendered excluding VAT.

Fixed asset investments
Except as stated below, investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost less provision for any impairment in value. In the

consolidated accounts the Group’s share of the results of the joint venture is shown each year in the profit and loss account

and the Group’s share of retained profits and reserves is added to the cost of the investment in the balance sheet.

Fixed assets and depreciation
By adopting Financial Reporting Standard 15, non-investment properties are now held at cost. Under the transitional rules of

the Standard, the Group has retained the book amounts of certain revalued properties and the valuation has not been updated. 

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. On other assets depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost

or valuation of fixed assets over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Freehold buildings

Leasehold property

Plant, machinery, motor vehicles and equipment

–

–

–

2% per annum

period of the lease

between 10% and 33% per annum

No  depreciation  is  provided  in  respect  of  freehold  investment  properties  which  are  revalued  annually  and  the  aggregate

surplus or deficit is transferred to revaluation reserve. The Companies Act 1985 requires all properties to be depreciated,

however this requirement conflicts with the generally held accounting principle set out in SSAP19. The directors consider that

as these properties are not held for consumption, but for their investment potential, to depreciate them would not give a true

and fair view and that it is necessary to adopt SSAP19 in order to give a true and fair view.

If this departure from the Act had not been made, the profit for the financial year would have been reduced by depreciation.

However,  the  amount  of  depreciation  cannot  reasonably  be  quantified  because  depreciation  is  only  one  of  many  factors

reflected in the annual valuation.

34

Principal Accounting Policies

Stocks
Stocks  are  valued  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Interest  incurred  on  borrowings  to  finance  specific

developments is capitalised.

Contract accounting
Contracts  are  accounted  for  as  long  term  contracts.  Anticipated  net  sales  value  of  contracts  include  a  proportion  of

attributable profit where a profitable outcome can be foreseen, provision being made for foreseeable losses. Turnover less

progress  payments  is  recorded  in  “amounts  recoverable  on  contracts”  within  debtors.  Where  progress  payments  exceed

turnover and other contract balances the excess is shown as “payments on account” in creditors.

Deferred taxation
Provision under the liability method is made for deferred taxation at the current rate of corporation tax on all timing differences

to the extent that they are expected to crystallise.

Leased assets
Assets acquired under finance leases are included in tangible fixed assets at equivalent cost. Depreciation is provided at rates

designed to write-off this amount using the straight line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or

the period of the leases. The capital element of the  future rentals is treated as a liability in the balance sheet and the interest

element is charged to the profit and loss account over the period of the leases in proportion to the balances outstanding. Rental

costs under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account in equal amounts over the period of the leases.

Pensions
The  Group  contributes  to  The  Morgan  Sindall  Retirement  Benefits  Plan  and  to  other  employees’  personal  pension

arrangements which are of a defined contribution type. Subject to the circumstances referred to in Note 28 on page 46, the

annual costs are charged to the profit and loss account.

35

Notes to the Accounts

1 Analysis of turnover, cost of sales, administrative expenses, operating profit and net assets

2001

Profit/
(loss)
£’000s

10,717 
4,034 
4,292 
2,662
(2,117)

Turnover
£’000s

232,513 
402,609
155,971
95,384
22,691

Net assets
£’000s

(12,077)
1,118
19,833
15,202
5,882

Turnover
£’000s

229,350
317,605
107,709
–
172 

2000

Profit/
(loss)
£’000s

8,716 
4,542
2,715
–
(1,224)

909,168

19,588

29,958

654,836

14,749

33,785

63,743

Net assets
£’000s

(13,817) 
(2,366)
16,879
–
21,530

22,226

23,474

45,700

Fit out
Regional construction
Affordable housing
Infrastructure services
Group activities and investments

Net funds (note 20)

Net assets

Segmental net assets are stated after deducting interest bearing net funds. All activities are carried out in the United Kingdom
and Channel Islands.

Included within cost of sales is an amount of £106,658,000 derived from acquisitions and £713,346,000 from continuing
operations. Administrative expenses includes an amount of £4,051,000 relating to acquisitions and £66,658,000 to continuing
operations.

2 Other operating income

Rent receivable (all from continuing operations)

3 Operating profit

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting)

Depreciation – owned assets
– leased assets
Profit on sale of fixed assets
Amortisation of goodwill
Hire of plant and machinery
Operating lease costs – land and buildings

Auditors’ remuneration

– other

2001
£’000s

1,133 

2000
£’000s

897

2001
£’000s

2,978
141
(80) 

1,478
13,002
2,481 
2,998
270

2000
£’000s

2,082
–
(360)
650
8,388
2,338
2,460
194

36

Notes to the Accounts

4 Net interest receivable

Interest payable on bank overdrafts
Interset payable on finance leases
Interest capitalised

Bank interest receivable

5 Tax charge on profit on ordinary activities

Corporation tax payable at 30% (2000: 30%)
Under provision in prior years
Share of tax of joint venture
Tax on exceptional loss

There are taxation losses to carry forward of approximately £5m (2000: £8m).

6 Dividends on equity and non-equity shares

Non-equity dividends on preference shares
Paid
Accrued

Equity dividends on ordinary shares
Interim paid
Final proposal

Total dividends

Dividends on shares held in trust relating to the Long Term Incentive Plan

2001
£’000s

(727)
(62)
520

(269)

1,434

1,165

2001
£’000s

6,286
250
–
–

6,536

2000
£’000s

(615)
–
499

(116)

1,411

1,295

2000
£’000s

4,073
96
–
(205)

3,964

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

144
46 

190

1,542
4,151

5,693 

5,883

(59)

5,824

197
46

243

1,133
2,839

3,972

4,215

(52)

4,163

7 Earnings per ordinary share

The  calculation  of  the  earnings  per  share  is  based  on  the  weighted  average  number  of  38,974,000  (2000:  37,494,000)
ordinary shares in issue during the year and on the profits for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders of £14,043,000
(2000: £11,153,000).

In calculating the diluted earnings per share, earnings are adjusted for the preference dividend of £191,000 (2000: £243,000)
making  adjusted  earnings  of  £14,234,000  (2000:  £11,396,000).  The  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares  are
adjusted for the dilutive effect of the convertible preference shares by 1,185,000 (2000: 1,517,000), share options by 561,000  
(2000: 554,000) and contingent Long Term Incentive Plan shares by 94,000 (2000: 290,000) giving an adjusted number of
ordinary shares of 40,814,000 (2000: 39,855,000).

37

Notes to the Accounts

8 Profit of parent company

The Company has taken advantage of s230 of the Companies Act 1985 and consequently the profit and loss account of the
parent company is not presented as part of these accounts. The profit of the parent company for the financial year amounted
to £6,994,000 (2000: £9,781,000).

9 Employees

The average number of people employed by the Group during the year was:

Fit out
Regional construction
Affordable housing
Infrastructure services
Other

10 Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

11 Directors’ remuneration

J C Morgan 
J M Bishop
P Whitmore
A M Stoddart 
J J C Lovell 

(to 13 Febuary 2001)
(to 31 July 2001)

Executive directors

B H Asher
G Gallacher
Sir D P Hornby 
J J C Lovell 
J Walden 

(from 1 August 2001)
(from 1 May 2001)

Non-executive directors

Totals

2001
No.

471
1,475
727
682
22

3,377

2000
No.

471
1,612
443
–
29

2,555

2001
£’000s

91,882
9,637 
2,505 

2000
£’000s

67,950
7,195
1,637

104,024

76,782

2001
Totals
£’000s

2000
Totals
£’000s

337
299
275
196
134

310
274
172
304
209

1,241

1,269

20
20
20
8
13

81

20
20
23
–
–

63

Salary
and fees
£’000s

Bonus
£’000s

Benefits
£’000s

Pension
£’000s

185
165
150
29
73

602

20
20
20
8
13

81

117
104
95
161*
46

523

–
–
–
–
–

–

16
13
15
3
8

55

–
–
–
–
–

–

19
17
15
3
7

61

–
–
–
–
–

–

683

523

55

61

1,322

1,332

The totals of directors’ remuneration shown above include fees of £81,000 (2000: £63,000). Pension contributions made on
behalf  of  the  executive  directors  are  made  to  money  purchase  pension  schemes.  Further  details  of  the  directors’
remuneration are contained in the Directors’ Report on pages 21 to 23.

Long Term Incentive Plan
A Long Term Incentive Plan has been established as explained in detail in the Directors’ Report on pages 21 and 22. Conditional
awards which have been made are shown therein. Excluded from the above table is an amount of £143,000 which has been
accrued for potential awards relating to 2001. *During the year an award under the Long Term Incentive Plan was made to A M
Stoddart totalling £161,000, the details of which are shown on page 22 of the Directors’ Report and the cost for which was
provided in previous years.

38

Notes to the Accounts

Goodwill

£’000s

12,438 
30,269 

42,707

1,220
1,478

2,698

40,009

11,218

Total
£’000s

18,274
15,823
3,386
(1,092)

12 Intangible fixed assets

Group

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2001
Additions (note 27)

At 31 December 2001

Amortisation
At 1 January 2001
Provided in the year

At 31 December 2001

Net book value at 31 December 2001

Net book value at 31 December 2000

13 Tangible fixed assets

(a) Group

Owned plant, 
machinery
& equipment
£’000s

Leased plant,
machinery 
& equipment
£’000s

Motor
vehicles
£’000s

Freehold
property
£’000s

Leasehold
property
£’000s

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2001
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2001

Depreciation
At 1 January 2001
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking
Provided in the year
Disposals

At 31 December 2001

8,129
13,758
2,567
(390)

24,064

5,197
6,737
2,348
(212)

14,070

Net book value at 31 December 2001

9,994

Net book value at 31 December 2000

2,932

–
2,065
–
(186)

1,879

–
860
141
(156)

845

1,034

–

662
–
20
(241)

441

570
–
52
(234)

388

53

92

6,080
–
–
–

6,080

234
–
45
–

279

5,801

5,846

3,403
–
799
(275)

3,927

36,391

408
–
533
(19)

6,409
7,597
3,119
(621)

922

16,504

3,005

19,887

2,995

11,865

39

Notes to the Accounts

13 Tangible fixed assets (continued)

(b) Company

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2001
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December 2001

Depreciation
At 1 January 2001
Provided in the year 
Disposals

At 31 December 2001

Net book value at 31 December 2001

Net book value at 31 December 2000

Owned plant, machinery
& equipment
£’000s

Freehold
property
£’000s

Leasehold
property
£’000s

257
163
(36)

384

142
67
(36) 

173

211

115

6,059
–
–

6,059

226
43
–

269

5,790

5,833

1,875
–
(275)

1,600

96
82
(19)

159

1,441

1,779

Total
£’000s

8,191
163
(311)

8,043

464
192
(55)

601

7,442

7,727

The net book value of land and buildings comprises:

Group

Company

Investment properties
Freehold
Short leasehold

Other properties
Freehold
Short leasehold

Total net book value

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

3,655 
1,441 

5,096 

2,146
1,564

3,710 

8,806

3,655
1,521

5,176

2,191
1,474

3,665

8,841

3,655
1,441

5,096

2,135
–

2,135

7,231

3,655
1,521

5,176

2,178
258

2,436

7,612

Land and buildings at cost or valuation are stated:

Group

Company

Investment properties at valuation
Other properties at valuation
Other properties at cost

2001
£’000s

5,250 
1,351 
3,406

10,007 

2000
£’000s

5,250
1,626
2,607

9,483

2001
£’000s

5,250
1,351
1,058

7,659

2000
£’000s

5,250
1,626
1,058

7,934

An independent valuation of the Group’s investment properties was undertaken by Healey & Baker Real Estate Consultants
as at 31 December 1999 on the basis of Existing Use Value in accordance with the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Manual.
The directors have considered these valuations as at the balance sheet date and have concluded that no change is required
to their carrying value.

40

Notes to the Accounts

Comparable amounts determined according to
the historical cost convention:

Land and buildings

14 Investments

(a) Group

At 1 January 2001
Additions
Allocations
Share of results for the year
Share of revaluation reserve

At 31 December 2001

Cost

2001
£’000s

7,556 

Accumulated
depreciation

Net book
value

Net book
value

2001
£’000s

1,698 

2001
£’000s

5,858

2000
£’000s

5,767

Joint
venture
£’000s

Own shares
at cost
£’000s

1,089
–
–
17
494

1,600

1,245
311
(190)
– 
– 

1,366

Investment in joint venture
The  Group’s  joint  venture  investment  is  in  Primary  Medical  Property  Limited,  which  has  a  portfolio  of  primary  care  health
centres.  Morgan  Sindall’s  involvement  in  the  management  of  Primary  Medical  Property  Limited  is  restricted  to  the
appointment of two directors under the terms of a shareholder agreement under which certain matters require the approval
of  all  directors.  At  31  December  2001  the  fixed  assets  of  Primary  Medical  Property  Limited  were  £43.3m,  current  assets
£1.0m, current liabilities £1.9m and long term liabilities £39.2m.

Investment in own shares
The own shares at cost represent 591,041 Morgan Sindall plc ordinary shares held in trust in connection with the Long Term
Incentive  Plan  as  detailed  in  the  Directors’  Report  on  pages  21  and  22.  Based  on  the  Company’s  share  price  on  31
December 2001 of £4.68 the market value of the shares was £2,766,072.

(b) Company

Cost at 1 January 2001
Additions
Allocations
Disposals

Own shares
at cost
£’000s

Subsidiary undertakings
Loans
Shares
£’000s
£’000s

Joint
venture
shares
£’000s

1,245
311
(190)
–

63,266
50,774
–
(21,976)

Cost at 31 December 2001

1,366

92,064

Provisions at 1 January 2001
Disposals
Provisions created in year

Provisions at 31 December 2001
Net book value at 31 December 2001

Net book value at 31 December 2000

–
–
_

_
1,366

1,245

660
(126)
356

890
91,174

62,606

1,340
3,055
–
–

4,395

1,311
_
3,084

4,395
–

29

4
–
–
–

4

4
_
_

4
–

–

Total
£’000s

65,855
54,140
(190)
(21,976)

97,829 

1,975
(126)
3,440

5,289
92,540 

63,880

The disposals during the year represent the shareholdings in the regional construction companies transferred to Bluestone plc
on 30 December 2001.

41

Notes to the Accounts

15 Stocks

Group

Company

Development works and building land
Trading properties
Materials and equipment

2001
£’000s

34,879
871
278

36,028

2000
£’000s

33,534
1,693
128

35,355

2001
£’000s

3,767 
– 
– 

3,767 

2000
£’000s

14,217
580
–

14,797

Included within development works and building land is £241,000 (2000: £900,000) in respect of interest capitalised.

16 Debtors

Group

Company

Trade debtors
Amounts recoverable on contracts
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Amounts owed by joint venture
Corporation tax recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

2001
£’000s

64,043
85,416
–
12
–
3,422
2,368

2000
£’000s

51,915
51,975
–
46
–
11,598
2,430

155,261

117,964

2001
£’000s

252
–
10,329
–
–
1,521
879

12,981

2000
£’000s

183
–
11,572
40
326
1,862
1,399

15,382

17 Cash at bank and in hand

The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and various short-term items such as trade debtors and trade creditors that
arise directly from its operations. In particular the Group holds cash in the form of sterling deposits with counterparties, which
are at a fixed interest rate and for periods not exceeding three months.

The objective of placing these deposits with financial institutions approved by the Board is to maximise interest received. The
Group’s  treasury  policy  sets  out  lending  limits  and  minimum  liquidity  requirements  to  be  met.  By  lending  surplus  funds  to
counterparties the Group’s risk profile is not significantly changed from maintaining funds with the Group’s clearing bank.

During  the  period  under  review  the  Group  did  not  enter  into  derivative  transactions  and  has  not  undertaken  trading  in  any
financial instruments.

18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank overdraft
Obligations under finance leases
and hire purchase contracts (note 20)
Payments on account
Trade creditors
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other creditors
Corporation tax
Other tax and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Dividend

42

Group

Company

2001
£’000s

–

225
11,221
73,429
–
3,897
4,034
7,711
119,793
4,108

2000
£’000s

–

–
7,559
47,132
–
3,444
2,789
5,773
86,928
2,885

2001
£’000s

7,737

–
–
413
22,451 
678 
454
109
4,807  
4,108

224,418

156,510

40,757

2000
£’000s

9,864

–
–
486
18,865
1,821
–
41
2,128
2,885

36,090

Notes to the Accounts

19 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Obligations under finance leases (note 20)

Group

Company

2001
£’000s

629

2000
£’000s

–

2001
£’000s

–

2000
£’000s

–

20 Borrowings

Group

Company

The maturity of obligations under finance leases are as follows:

Within one year

Within two to five years
After five years

Total obligations under finance leases

The finance leases are secured on the assets they relate to.

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

225 

629 
–

629

854

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

21 Provisions for liabilities and charges

The amounts of deferred taxation provided and not provided in the accounts are as follows:

Group

Provided

Not provided

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation
Taxation loss relief and other timing differences

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

– 
– 

–

–
–

–

2001
£’000s

588
(588)

–

2000
£’000s

426
(426)

–

There are taxation losses to carry forward of approximately £5m (2000: £8m).

22 Operating lease commitments

At  31  December  2001  the  Group  was  committed  to  making  the  following  payments  during  the  next  year  in  respect  of 
non-cancellable operating leases:

Leases which expire:

Within one year
Within two to five years
After five years

Land and
buildings

2001

Other

Total

Land and
buildings

2000

Other

Total

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

£’000s

171
491
1,763

746
2,259
2

917
2,750
1,765

192
671
1,610

1,015
1,830
3

1,207
2,501
1,613

2,425

3,007

5,432

2,473

2,848

5,321

43

Notes to the Accounts

23 Financial commitments

Group

Company

Capital expenditure
Authorised and contracted

24 Contingent liabilities

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

2001
£’000s

2000
£’000s

6

120

–

–

Group  bank  accounts  and  performance  bond  facilities  are  supported  by  cross-guarantees  given  by  the  Company  and
participating trading companies in the Group. The overdraft facility of the joint venture is supported by a Group guarantee.

25 Called up share capital

Authorised
Ordinary shares of 5p each
5.625% Convertible cumulative redeemable
preference shares of £1 each

Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 5p each
5.625% Convertible cumulative redeemable
preference shares of £1 each

2001
No. ’000s           £’000s

2000
No. ’000s           £’000s

50,000

2,500

50,000 

2,500

5,000

55,000

5,000

7,500

5,000

55,000

40,592

2,029

37,854

2,964

2,964

3,793

43,556

4,993

41,647

5,000

7,500

1,893

3,793

5,686

Ordinary shares
The ordinary shares of 5p each of the Company issued during the year are shown below. Details of the share option schemes
referred to are given later in this note.

1.

2.

3. 

4. 

194,675 ordinary shares in respect of options exercised under the Company's 1988 Scheme (referred to below) for
total consideration of £306,738.25.

318,650 ordinary shares in respect of options exercised under the Company's 1995 Scheme (referred to below) for
total consideration of £471,035.50.

331,914 ordinary shares in respect of conversion rights attached to 829,785 convertible preference shares exercised
as at 30 June 2001.

1,892,711 ordinary shares in respect of a placing of shares on 11 June 2001 for a total consideration of £8,365,211.00
net of expenses.

Preference shares
The  convertible  preference  shares  are  convertible  at  the  option  of  the  holder  on  30  June  in  each  of  the  years  1991  to  2003
inclusive on the basis of 40 ordinary shares for every 100 convertible preference shares. After conversion of 75% of the convertible
preference shares the Company has the right to require the conversion of the outstanding balance. The convertible preference
shares are redeemable at par at the Company's option after the last date of conversion in 2003 and are finally redeemable on 30
June 2005. There is no premium payable on a return of capital on a winding up and the convertible preference shares do not
entitle the holders to any participation in the profits or assets of the Company beyond their preference dividend entitlement.

Options
The company has two share option schemes. The first scheme ('the 1988 Scheme') was introduced on 21 January 1988
and the second scheme ('the 1995 Scheme') received shareholders’ approval on 24 May 1995. Options granted under the
1988  Scheme  are  exercisable  between  three  and  ten  years  from  the  date  of  grant  and  under  the  1995  Scheme  are
exercisable  between  five  and  seven  years  from  the  date  of  grant.  The  period  for  the  granting  of  options  under  the  1988
Scheme expired in January 1998. As at 31 December 2001 there remain 65,225 options outstanding under that Scheme
exercisable at prices between £0.73 and £1.71. At the same date there were 1,377,450 options outstanding under the 1995
Scheme exercisable at prices between £0.73 and £ 3.88 

44

Notes to the Accounts

26 Revaluation reserve

Group

Company

Investment property revaluation reserve
Other property revaluation reserve

27 Acquisitions

2001
£’000s

2,854
1,773

4,627

2000
£’000s

2,854
1,405

4,259

2001
£’000s

2,854
94 

2,948 

2000
£’000s

2,854
220

3,074 

Morgan Est (formerly Miller Civil Engineering Services)
On  10  May  2001  the  Company  acquired  Miller  Civil  Engineering  Services  which  now  trades  as  Morgan  Est.  The  cash
consideration was £20.2m. The financial results for the business for the year to 31 December 2000 and for the period to the
date of acquisition were as follows:

Financial year to 31 December 2000
1 January 2001 to date of acquisition

Turnover
£’000s

135,038
46,112

Operating
profit
£’000s

Profit before
taxation
£’000s

Profit after
taxation
£’000s

3,755
2,019

–
2,163

–
1,375

For the twelve month period to 31 December 2000 the business was a division within its former parent’s group and as a result
profit before and after taxation are not separately identifiable. 

The following table analyses the book value of the major categories of assets and liabilities acquired :

Book

value at date  
of acquisition
£’000s

Provisional
fair value
adjustments
£’000s

Notes

Provisional 
fair value
of net assets
£’000s

Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Work in progress
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Cash at bank
Trade creditors
Corporation tax
Other creditors and accruals

Net assets

Consideration
Acquisition costs

Total cost

Goodwill

19,667
8,282
384
17,023
2,925
4,720
(25,717)
–
(7,616)

(19,667)
–
–
–
2,166
–
–
(788)
(1,230)

19,668

(19,519)

a

a

b
b

–
8,282
384
17,023
5,091
4,720
(25,717)
(788)
(8,846)

149

20,001
202

20,203

20,054

The acquisition has been accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. The provisional fair value adjustments are
explained as follows:

a: Adjustment to carrying value of assets
b: Provision for known liabilities.

45

Notes to the Accounts

27 Acquisitions (continued)
Carillion Housing
On 31 July 2001 the Group acquired the Carillion Housing business which included the assets and liabilities of certain housing
long term contracts. The cash consideration was £5.3million.

The following table analyses the book value of the major categories of assets and liabilities acquired :

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals

Net liabilities

Cash consideration
Acquisition costs

Total cost

Goodwill

Book

value at date  
of acquisition
£’000s

Provisional
fair value
adjustments
£’000s

2,263
2,939
(1,362)
(4,498)

(658)

–
–
–
(4,102)

(4,102)

Note

a

Provisional
fair value of
net assets
£’000s

2,263
2,939
(1,362)
(8,600)

(4,760)

5,260
195

5,455

10,215

The acquisition has been accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. The provisional fair value adjustments are
explained as follows:

a: Provision for known liabilities 

Cash flow
During the year acquisitions contributed £11,074,000 to the Group’s net operating cash flows, received £204,000 in respect
of net returns on investment and servicing of finance, paid £970,000 in respect of corporation tax and paid £711,000 on
investing activities.

Pipeline Constructors Group plc
On 2 January 2002 the Company acquired the whole issued share capital of Pipeline Constructors Group plc for an initial
consideration  of  £16.45m  satisfied  by  £9.3m  of  cash  and  £7.15m  of  loan  notes.  The  final  consideration  is  subject  to
agreement of a completion balance sheet with the initial consideration based on provisional net assets of £1.88m.

28 Pensions

Defined contribution and hybrid schemes
The Morgan Sindall Retirement Benefits Plan (MSRBP) scheme was established on 31 May 1995 and operates on defined
contribution  principles where contributions are invested to accumulate capital sums to provide members with retirement and
death benefits. MSRBP includes some defined benefit liabilities and transfers of funds representing the accrued benefit rights
of former active and deferred members of pension plans of companies which are part of the Group as it now stands. These
include final salary related benefits for the members of the former Sindall Group Pension Fund in respect of benefits accrued
before 31 May 1995. No further defined benefit membership rights can accrue after that date and consequently there is no
service cost for such benefits in the year.

The last triennial valuation of the MSRBP was undertaken on 5 April 2001. For the purposes of reporting under FRS 17 a
valuation of the scheme was undertaken on 31 December 2001, and details are given below.

Valuation date
Valuation method

Fair value of the scheme assets
Present value of scheme liabilities

Scheme surplus

Related deferred taxation

Net pension asset
Funding level

46

Notes

a

31 December 2001
Projected unit

£’000s

5,485
(5,379)

106

–

106
102%

Notes to the Accounts

Actuarial assumptions

Inflation assumption
Increase for pensions – members who left before 1 June 1995
Increase for pensions – members who left after 31 May 1995
Increase for non-GMP deferred pensions
Salary scale increase per annum
Discount rate for liabilities

Expected Investment Returns
Asset Class

Equities
Fixed Interest
Other
Overall

The total pension costs for the Group were:

Employer contribution to MSRBP (defined benefits)
Employer contribution to MSRBP and other plans (money purchase)

Notes

3.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
4.0%
6.0%

Proportion Invested

Expected Return

65%
28%
7%
100%

Notes

b
b

7.0%
5.0%
4.0%
6.2%

£’000s

–
2,505

2,505

a: Represents the ongoing value of assets invested in managed funds operated by Scottish Equitable at the valuation date.
The assets and liabilities relating to money purchase members are in addition to these figures.

b:  In  view  of  the  funding  position  of  the  defined  benefit  section  of  MSRBP  there  was  no  requirement  for  an  employer’s
contribution  in  the  year  and  this  is  not  expected  to  change.  Employer’s  contribution  for  money  purchase  benefits  remains
unchanged at agreed standard rates.

29 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities

Operating profit
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Amortisation of goodwill
Profit on sale of fixed assets
Decrease/(increase) in stocks and work in progress
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Exceptional loss

Net cash inflow from operating activities

30 Analysis of net funds

Cash at bank
Finance leases

Total

2001
£’000s

19,588
3,119
1,478
(80)
231
(4,825)
16,648
–

36,159

2000
£’000s

14,749
2,082
650
(360)
(10,044)
(28,564)
30,382
(684)

8,211

31 December
2000
£’000s

23,474
–

23,474

Acquisition
of subsidiary
undertaking
£’000s

31 December
2001
£’000s

–
(967)

(967)

34,639
(854)

33,785

Cash flow
£’000s

11,165
113

11,278

47

Notes to the Accounts

31 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

Increase in cash
Cash outflow from decrease in finance leases

Finance leases acquired with subsidiary undertaking

Net funds at 1 January 2001

Net funds at 31 December 2001

£’000s

11,165
113

11,278

(967)

10,311

23,474

33,785

32 Additional information on subsidiary undertakings and joint venture

The Company acts as a holding company for the Group and has the following principal subsidiary undertakings and joint
venture which affected the Group's results or net assets.

Subsidiary undertakings
Lovell Partnerships Limited
Morgan Lovell plc
Overbury plc 
*Barnes & Elliott Limited
Bluestone plc
*Hinkins & Frewin Limited
*Roberts Construction Limited
*Sindall Limited
*Snape Roberts Limited 
*Stansell Limited 
*Stansell QVC Limited
*Wheatley Construction Limited 
Morgan Est plc

Activity
Affordable housing
The workplace specialist
Fitting out and refurbishment specialist
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Infrastructure services

Joint venture
Primary Medical Property Limited (50%)

Development and investment of medical properties

All  subsidiary  undertakings  are  wholly  owned  unless  shown  otherwise  and  with  the  exception  of  companies  marked  *  all
shareholdings are in the name of Morgan Sindall plc. With the exception of Stansell QVC Limited, registered and operating
in Jersey, all undertakings are registered in England, which is the principal place of business.

33 Directors’ interests

According  to  the  register  maintained  as  required  by  the  Companies  Act  1985,  the  interests  of  the  directors  in  office  at
the  end  of  the  year  are  shown  below  and  their  interests  in  shares  under  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  are  shown  in  the
Remuneration Report on page 22.

J C Morgan
J M Bishop
P Whitmore
B H Asher
G Gallacher
Sir D P Hornby
J J C Lovell
J Walden

5p Ordinary
Beneficial

2001
No.

6,226,801
17,814
2,250
5,000
3,000
5,425
6,223,581
–

2000
No.

6,226,801
17,814
2,250
5,000
3,000
5,452
6,223,581
–

48

No director had any non-beneficial interest in the ordinary shares or any interest in the preference shares of the Company or
the shares of any Group company. There have been no changes in the interests of the directors between the year end and
12 February 2002. No director had any material interest in any contract with the Company.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice  is  hereby  given  that  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company  will  be  held  in  the  Conference  Room,  College  Hill
Associates, 4th floor, 78 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6HH at 12 noon on Wednesday 10 April 2002 for the following purposes:

Ordinary business

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

To receive the Reports of the Directors and the Auditors and the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2001.

To declare a dividend of 10 pence per Ordinary Share.

To re-elect Mr J C Morgan

To re-elect Mr P Whitmore

To re-elect Mr J Walden

To re-appoint Deloitte & Touche as Auditors

To authorise the Directors to fix the Auditors’ remuneration.

Special business

To consider and if thought fit pass the following resolutions of which resolution 8 will be proposed as an Ordinary Resolution and
9 will be proposed as a Special Resolution.

8.

9.

That  the  Directors  be  and  are  hereby  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  in  accordance  with  section  80  of  the
Companies  Act  1985  (‘the  Act’)  to  exercise  all  of  the  powers  of  the  Company  to  allot  relevant  securities  (within  the
meaning of that section) of the Company up to an aggregate amount of £470,391.35 such authority (unless previously
revoked or varied) to expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting and fifteen
months from the date of the passing of this resolution save that the Company may make offers or agreements which
would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant securities in
pursuance of such offers or agreements as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

That subject to the passing of the previous resolution, the Directors be and they are hereby authorised and empowered
pursuant to section 95 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in section 94 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the
authority given in the previous resolution as if section 89(1) of the Act did not apply to such allotment, provided that such
power be limited to:
i) 

the allotment of equity securities which are offered to all the holders of equity securities of the Company (at a date
specified by the Directors) where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of such holders are
as nearly as practicable in proportion to the respective number of equity securities held by them, but subject to
such exclusions and other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional
entitlements and any legal or practical problems under any laws, or requirements of any regulatory body or stock
exchange in any territory or otherwise; and

ii)

iii)

the  allotment  (otherwise  than  pursuant  to  sub-paragraphs  i)  above  and  iii)  below)  of  equity  securities  up  to  an
aggregate nominal amount of £101,480.43; and

the allotment of equity securities up to a total nominal amount of £59,270.30 in connection with the satisfaction of
conversion  rights  attached  to  the  5.625%  Convertible  Cumulative  Redeemable  Preference  Shares  of  £1  each
currently in issue

and this power shall expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting and fifteen
months  from  the  date  of  the  passing  of  this  resolution  save  that  the  Company  may  make  an  offer  or  enter  into  an
agreement before the expiry of that date which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after that date and
the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

By order of the Board

W R Johnston
Company Secretary
12 February 2002

Registered Office
77 Newman Street
London
W1T 3EW

49

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notes

1.

2.

3.

4.

A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote on
a poll in his place. A proxy need not also be a member of the Company. A form of proxy accompanies this notice.

In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted
to the exclusion of the votes of any other joint holders. For these purposes, seniority shall be determined by the order
in which the names stand in the register of members in respect of the joint holding.

In the case of a corporation the form of proxy must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by a
duly authorised attorney or a duly authorised officer of the corporation.

To be effective, the form of proxy, together with any power of attorney or other authority under which it is executed 
or a notarially certified copy thereof must be sent to Capita IRG plc, Bourne House, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, 
Kent BR3 4TU to arrive no later than 12 noon on 8 April 2002.

5. 

Short biographical details of the directors seeking re-election are shown on pages 16 and 17.

6. 

Service contracts of Directors will be available for inspection at 77 Newman Street, London, W1T 3EW during usual
business  hours  on  any  business  day  from  the  date  of  this  notice  until  the  date  of  the  meeting  and  for  15  minutes 
prior to the meeting at the Conference Room, College Hill Associates, 4th Floor, 78 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6HH.

7. 

If no indication of how the proxy shall vote is given, the proxy will exercise discretion as to voting or abstention there from.

8. 

9. 

The Company, pursuant to regulation 34 of The Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995, specifies that only those
Ordinary Shareholders registered in the register of members of the Company 48 hours before the meeting shall be
entitled  to  attend  or  vote  at  the  meeting  in  respect  of  the  number  of  shares  registered  in  their  name  at  that  time.
Changes to entries on the relevant register of securities after that time will be disregarded in determining the rights of
any person to attend or vote at the meeting.

Resolution 8
When resolution 8 in the notice of the Annual General Meeting is passed, the Board will have general and unconditional
authority  to  allot  9,407,827  Ordinary  Shares,  which  authority  will  expire  fifteen  months  from  the  date  on  which  this
resolution is passed or, if earlier, at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. Of that number, 2,628,081
authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares will be reserved in respect of share options granted under the two Share
Option Schemes which members have approved and to provide for the conversion of Preference Shares. Accordingly,
following  the  passing  of  this  resolution  6,779,746  Ordinary  Shares,  representing  approximately  17  per  cent  of  the
issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company, will remain authorised, unissued and unreserved.

10.  Resolution 9

In addition to the above, on the passing of resolution 9, the Board will have authority to allot equity securities up to an
aggregate value of £101,480.43, representing approximately 5 per cent of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the
Company, for cash otherwise than pro-rata to existing shareholders, which authority will expire fifteen months from the
date  on  which  the  resolution  is  passed  or,  if  earlier,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  next  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the
Company. The Board will also have authority to allot equity securities in order to satisfy the conversion rights attaching
to  the  Preference  Shares.  However,  currently  there  is  no  intention  to  issue  any  further  share  capital  otherwise  than
pursuant to the exercise of conversion rights in respect of the Preference Shares in issue and in the exercise of any
options under the two Share Option Schemes.

50

Notice of Annual General Meeting

11.

12.

Institutional Shareholders
Facilitated  by  the  Company’s  brokers,  regular  presentations  are  made  to  institutional  shareholders  to  further  mutual
understanding of the Company’s objectives.

Private Shareholders
For ease of reference paragraph C.2 of the Principles of Good Governance as set out in Section 1 of the Combined
Code is reproduced below.

C.2 Constructive Use of the AGM

Principle
Boards should use the AGM to communicate with private investors and encourage their participation.

Code Provisions
C.2.1 Companies should count all proxy votes and, except where a poll is called, should indicate the level of proxies

lodged on each resolution, and the balance for and against the resolution, after it has been dealt with on a show

of hands.

C.2.2 Companies should propose a separate resolution at the AGM on each substantially separate issue, and

should in particular propose a resolution at the AGM relating to the report and accounts.

C.2.3 The chairman of the board should arrange for the chairmen of the audit, remuneration and nomination

committees to be available to answer questions at the AGM.

C.2.4 Companies should arrange for the Notice of the AGM and related papers to be sent to shareholders at

least 20 working days before the meeting.

51

Corporate Directory

Shareholder communication

Enquiries and information – please contact the Company
Secretary, W R Johnston, at the registered office.
Direct line: 0207 307 9230
Direct fax: 0207 307 9202
E-mail: ray.johnston@morgansindall.co.uk

Website

www.morgansindall.co.uk

Share prices (FT Cityline)

Current buying and selling prices of the Company’s
shares, can be obtained by dialling 0906 843 4027.

The EPIC code as used in the Topic and Datastream
Share Price information services is MGNS.

Financial Calendar

Annual General Meeting

10 April 2002

Ordinary shares

Final dividend:

Ex-dividend date
Record date
Payment date

13 March 2002
15 March 2002
12 April 2002

Interim results announcement 

August 2002

Preference shares

Dividend payment dates:

Next conversion date

15 April 2002
15 October 2002
30 June 2002

Directors

J C Morgan (Chairman)
J M Bishop
P Whitmore
B H Asher (Non-Executive) 
Sir D P Hornby (Non-Executive)
G Gallacher (Non-Executive)
J J C Lovell (Non-Executive)
J Walden (Non-Executive)

Secretary

W R Johnston

Registered Office

77 Newman Street, London W1T 3EW
Tel: 020 7307 9200
Fax: 020 7307 9201
Registration No. 521970

Solicitors

Charles Russell, 
8-10 New Fetter Lane, London EC4 1RS

Auditors

Deloitte & Touche, 
Stonecutter Court, Stonecutter Street, 
London EC4A 4TR

Tax Advisors

Grant Thornton, 
Grant Thornton House, Melton Street, Euston Square,
London NW1 2EP

Clearing Bankers

Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 
Po Box 17328, 11-15 Monument Street, London EC3V 9JA

Merchant Bankers

Close Brothers Corporate Finance Limited, 
10 Crown Place, Clifton Street, London EC2A 4FT

Brokers

KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, 
62 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8HP

Registrars

Capita IRG plc,
Bourne House, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU

52