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Mount Logan Capital
Annual Report 2018

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FY2018 Annual Report · Mount Logan Capital
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 KEY TO 
GATEWAY   
CITIES

Annual Report & Accounts 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cover: The Orchard Cafe, a prime establishment at Orchard 
Hotel Singapore. With a legacy rooted in heritage-inspired 
cuisine, the cafe has become a favourite dining destination for 
many. As part of the Group’s enhancement initiatives, The 
Orchard Cafe has been transformed into a modern dining 
paradise.

MILLENNIUM 

COPTHORNE&

We hold the key to the
best hospitality
experience globally.

At Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, we believe that experience is key. Building 
on our collective expertise and experience across 139 hotels in 79 locations 
around the world, we have come a long way since our inception to create 
a unique brand of hospitality that guests have grown to love and enjoy. For 
us, the key to the best experiences starts with having the right experience 
to deliver the best.

FROM THE
CITY THAT
NEVER SLEEPS

MILLENNIUM 
BROADWAY, 
NEW YORK  
TIMES SQUARE

Set against a spectacular New York City 
backdrop, Millennium Broadway offers 
breathtaking views of the Chrysler Building, 
Empire State Building and glittering light show 
that defines Times Square. With spacious and 
tasteful rooms filled with thoughtful amenities, 
guests can look forward to experiencing the 
vibrant city life in more ways than one.

TO THE 
CAPITAL
OF PASSION

GRAND HOTEL PALACE, 
ROME

The Grand Hotel Palace is definitive of Italy’s finest in every way. 
Designed by Marcello Piacentini in the 1920’s and subsequently 
refurbished by Italian architect Italo Rota, this splendid boutique hotel is 
an architectural masterpiece that is truly the essence of Dolce Vita – the 
sweet life.

FROM ICONIC
DESTINATIONS FOR
EVERY TRAVELLER

GRAND MILLENNIUM BEIJING,
CHINA

Grand Millennium Beijing features a blend of heritage luxury and 
contemporary living, where the opulence of China’s rich history is 
complemented by the practical ease of modern comforts. The hotel’s 
prime location in the business district of China’s capital connects guests 
to worlds of fashion, culture, entertainment and art, making it the ideal 
destination for any traveller.

THE CHELSEA 
HARBOUR HOTEL,
LONDON

With breathtaking views over the 
Chelsea Harbour Marina and River 
Thames, The Chelsea Harbour Hotel 
is the perfect place for a perfect 
stay. Guests can discover the best of 
both worlds, from the tranquility 
of riverside living to enjoying the 
high life at some of London’s most 
exciting attractions a stone’s throw 
away.

TO INDULGING 
IN THE
GOOD LIFE

FROM SIPPING
YOUR FAVOURITE 
COCKTAIL

HARD DAYS NIGHT 
HOTEL, LIVERPOOL

As one of the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotels, 
the magnificent Hard Days Night Hotel offers 
guests a truly unique experience in the heart 
of a lively city. Situated in Liverpool’s ‘Beatles 
Quarter’, the hotel’s luxurious accommodations 
are elegantly furnished with the Fab Four’s 
artwork, specially commissioned by renowned 
artist, Shannon. Beyond the legacy, the hotel’s 
central location connects guests to a variety of 
leisure and dining hotspots poised to delight 
guests from all walks of life.

TO RECHARGING
YOUR BODY
AFTER A
HARD DAY’S NIGHT

THE BILTMORE, 
MAYFAIR, LONDON

The Biltmore is an iconic property with a rich legacy. The building was first 
designed by architect Richard Seifert in the 1960’s. Since then, the hotel has 
undergone renovations to refresh its look. Despite changes in appearance, 
one thing remains the same – the touch of luxury that permeates every 
aspect of the hotel. From furnishings and amenities to service and 
experience, guests can always expect nothing but the best.

MILLENNIUM
Key to your home 

& COPTHORNE

away from home.

14

OUR HOTEL
COLLECTIONS

Our Millennium and Grand Millennium hotels offer timeless elegance 
and personalised, gracious service to the seasoned global traveller. They 
are brilliant for corporate guests and groups as they are seen as a great 
place to meet and network in the world’s most fascinating cities.

Leng’s Collection is a legacy of our founders, the Leng generation of the 
Kwek family. Unique, authentic and elegant, these iconic hotels offer 
guests a most distinctive hospitality experience and provide the sense of 
being part of a club. They are beautifully situated, characterful properties 
in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

grand millennium auckland, new zealand

hard days night hotel, liverpool

m social, singapore

copthorne al-jahra hotel & resort, kuwait

The M Collection showcases stylish and vibrant design with strong 
local influence, offering guests a new, urban, and stimulating lodging 
experience. These conveniently located hotels are colourful, lively, and 
technologically equipped with the aim of helping guests tap into their 
own creative and adventurous spirits.

Our collection of Grand Copthorne, Copthorne and Kingsgate properties
comprises comfortable and competitively priced hotels, where friends and
families are welcomed with a warm smile and helpful service. As with all 
of our properties, Copthorne hotels are in locations that put our guests 
close to the heart of their chosen destinations.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT
18 Chairman’s statement
20 Business review and strategy
22 Key performance indicators
23 Financial performance
26 Our global reach
28 Regional performance
30 Corporate responsibility
38 Our risks

GOVERNANCE
48 Board of Directors
51 Directors’ report
57 Corporate governance statement
67 Audit & Risk Committee report
71 Directors’ remuneration report
88 Nominations Committee report
93 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
94 Independent auditor’s report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
104 Consolidated income statement
105 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
106 Consolidated statement of financial position
108 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
109 Consolidated statement of cash flows
111 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
181 Company statement of financial position
182 Company statement of changes in equity
183 Notes to the Company financial statements

FURTHER INFORMATION
186 Group financial record
187 Key operating statistics
189 Major Group properties
197 Millennium & Copthorne hotels worldwide
202 Shareholder information
204 Financial calendar

the bailey’s hotel london

STRATEGIC
REPORT

18 Chairman’s statement
20 Business review and strategy
22 Key performance indicators
23 Financial performance
26 Our global reach
28 Regional performance
30 Corporate responsibility
38 Our risks

millennium hotel new plymouth waterfront, new zealand

18

CHAIRMAN’S
STATEMENT

KWEK LENG BENG
Chairman

2019 will be another challenging year for the Group, with significant capital projects underway and several large hotels earmarked for major 
renovations.  These investments will be carefully managed and phased to deliver the right returns to shareholders and underline the Group’s 
intention to maintain strict control of costs throughout the business.

The hospitality industry faced a range of geo-political and global economic 

headwinds in 2018, many of which look set to continue in the current year, 
including US/China trade relations, Brexit and increasing minimum wage levels 
in many jurisdictions.

During 2018, the Group continued to make progress in its hotel refurbishment 
programme including the Mayfair hotel in London, the Orchard Hotel in 
Singapore and smaller scale refurbishment work in other properties to improve 
its product offerings and maintain competitiveness. 

The Board’s priority is to evaluate and develop new and innovative strategic 
plans to meet the challenges facing our fast-changing operating environment.  
The shortage of talent—from rank and file to senior management—is 
intensifying with many new hotels being built around the world, not to mention 
the growth of Airbnb and serviced apartments. Any hospitality business that 
wants to progress will need to evolve and embrace these changes to stay relevant 
and profitable in the immediate and medium term. Restoring profitability in our 
New York hotels also remains at the top of the Board’s objectives. 

Meanwhile, we continue to invest in and reposition our hotels. We look forward 
to our Mayfair hotel being rebranded and opened as The Biltmore, Mayfair in 
the second quarter of this year. This is the first opening under Hilton’s new LXR 
Hotels & Resorts collection in Europe. This also will mark the Group’s debut 
in the London five-star deluxe market and it is our aim to fast track our lost 
earnings growth at this hotel after it re-opens.

The refurbishment work of the Mayfair hotel in London started during 
the fourth quarter of 2017 on a phased basis with partial closures of guest 
rooms. The property was then fully closed in July 2018 to facilitate on-going 
refurbishment work to re-position it as the Group’s luxury flagship hotel when it 
re-opens in Q2 this year. Total cost is estimated to be around £50m.

The Mayfair hotel has been one of the Group’s biggest revenue and profit 
contributors. The closure of the hotel resulted in an estimated £20m reduction 
in revenue and £12m reduction in operating profit during the financial year 
ended 31 December 2018 with the Group continuing to incur certain fixed costs 
such as payroll and property related expenditure at the hotel.

In Singapore, refurbishment work on the Orchard Hotel commenced in Q4 
2018 and is expected to complete by Q2 this year. This upgrading of the 
property is estimated to cost around S$20m (£11m). The hotel will remain 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
19

operational during the refurbishment period with phased room closures that are 
not expected to have a material revenue impact. 

Concerns about Brexit have affected the Group’s UK hotels especially in 
London, where the hotels started to face difficulties in recruiting EU workers 
which currently comprise more than half of the London workforce. The 
minimum wage increase that came into force in 2018 has further added 
pressures to the Group’s increasing labour costs.

The Group’s New York hotels generated £159m during 2018 which is about 
18% of total hotel revenue. However, the region remained loss-making due to its 
inflexible operating cost structure arising mainly from the employment of trade 
union staff. 

By comparison, the Group’s hotels in New Zealand generated £85m of revenue 
with an operating profit of £36m. This region continued to benefit from the 
high visitor numbers to the country, as well as the re-opening of M Social 
Auckland in the last quarter of 2017 and the acquisition of Millennium New 
Plymouth in February 2018.

The European and Asian regions contributed £177m and £307m of hotel 
revenue respectively in 2018 or 55% of the Group’s hotel revenue. The 
combined operating profit from these two regions in 2018 was £99m or 77% of 
the Group’s total hotel operating profit. 

MANAGEMENT CHANGES
The departure of three Directors – Jennifer Fox, Sue Farr and Gervase 
MacGregor – in the latter half of the year created an opportunity to re-
examine the composition of the Group’s Board and its committee. On the 
recommendation of the Nominations Committee, His Excellency Shaukat 
Aziz was appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee in November 2018, 
having served as a member of the Committee since 16 June 2009, and Christian 
de Charnacé was appointed as a member of the Audit & Risk, Remuneration 
and Nominations Committees, respectively during 2018.

As previously reported, the Board is conducting a search for a permanent Group 
Chief Executive Officer and new independent Non-Executive Directors. With 
regards to the search for a permanent Group Chief Executive Officer, we remain 
open to either hiring an external candidate or promoting talent from within 
the Group. Following the departure of Ms Fox, Kian Seng Tan was appointed 
interim Group Chief Executive Officer on 28 September 2018.

DIVIDENDS
The Board recommends a final ordinary dividend of 2.15p per share (2017: 
4.42p) taking into account the Group’s current cash position and future capital 
expenditure requirements. Together with the interim ordinary dividend of 
2.08p per share (2017: 2.08p), the total ordinary dividend for 2018 is 4.23p per 
share (2017: 6.50p).

Reported total revenue for the year decreased by £11m or 1.1% to £997m 
(2017: £1,008m). Reported hotel revenue fell by £13m or 1.5% to £867m 
(2017: £880m). 

Subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held 
on 10 May 2019, the final dividend will be paid on 17 May 2019 to shareholders 
on the register on 15 March 2019.

REIT revenue fell by £1m or 1.5% to £65m (2017: £66m). Property revenue of 
£65m was higher by £3m or 4.8% (2017: £62m).   

Revenue

£997M

-1.1%

£M

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

1,008

997

926

826

847

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

RevPAR*

£81.57

2017: £80.97

* 2017 figure shown in constant currency

+0.7%

PBT

£106M

2017: £147M

-27.9%

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
20

BUSINESS REVIEW
AND STRATEGY

BUSINESS MODEL

STRATEGY

The Group has a flexible and robust business model that generates profit predominately through its portfolio of 
owned and managed hospitality assets. These assets are diversified by brand, market, geography and customer 
offering according to what we judge to be the most appropriate means of optimising their earnings. We aim to 
hold our assets for the long term, especially those in key gateway cities.

We employ complementary business models in certain circumstances. For example, we may engage third party 
operators on a selective basis to manage our brand assets that we own. We also may operate through a licensing 
model, through joint ventures or through arrangements where we manage hotels on behalf of other third party 
owners.

We regard the flexibility of our business models as an essential strength in a varied and rapidly changing global 
hospitality market. 

Our strategy is to maximise returns on shareholders’ capital through the ownership and operation of hospitality 
assets in key gateway cities and other prime locations across the world that naturally attract large numbers of 
business and leisure travellers. Underpinning this strategy are the twin aims of operational excellence and prudent 
asset management. We seek to increase returns through quality service and efficient operations—by developing 
our people, processes and technology—as well as through investment in the material fabric of our hotel estate. We 
also look to grow the business through asset acquisition in strategic locations. 

Orchard Grand Ballroom, Orchard Hotel Singapore

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
21

HOTEL OPERATIONS
In constant currency, hotel revenue increased by £5m or 0.6%. Reported 
hotel revenue in 2018 fell by £13m with the impact from a stronger pound 
sterling against the Group’s main trading currencies. The increase of £5m 
in hotel revenue in 2018 was due principally to higher contributions from 
Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN Plaza and M Social Auckland in 
New Zealand; offset partially by the loss of revenues from the closure of the 
Mayfair hotel in London.

Group RevPAR increased by 0.7% in constant currency. Hotel gross 
operating margin was lower at 30.5% (2017: 32.2%). 

DEVELOPMENTS
The Sunnyvale California project comprises the construction of a 263-
room hotel and a 250-unit residential apartment block on 35,717m2 
mixed use freehold landsite. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on 
16 October 2018 and the project is scheduled to complete in Q1 2021. The 
construction cost is estimated at US$180m (£142m). The hotel will be built 
first and the plan is to brand it as M Social to fit with the expected guest 
profile. The Group hopes to capitalise from the location of this project as 
Sunnyvale is the headquarters of many technology companies and is part of 
California’s high-tech area of Silicon Valley. 

In South Korea, the Group plans to construct a 300-room hotel and a 
250-unit serviced apartment complex on Yangdong development land, 
situated adjacent to Millennium Seoul Hilton. It will take about three years 
to complete from the expected commencement date in the middle of 2020. 
Architecture and engineering designs are being amended with the exact 
construction cost dependent on the final agreed design but anticipated to be 
in the region of KRW130b (£91m). 

HOTEL REFURBISHMENTS
As noted above, on-going refurbishment work at the Mayfair hotel in 
London, which started in November 2017, is on track to complete in Q2 
2019. The hotel will be re-opened as a 5-star deluxe property as LXR 
Hotels & Resorts’ first UK property, following an agreement between 
Hilton and the Group. 

The hotel is situated in a prime Mayfair location on Grosvenor Square and 
will be renamed “The Biltmore, Mayfair – LXR Hotels & Resorts”. The 
hotel is designed by Goddard Littlefair and will have 257 luxurious guest 
rooms plus 51 designer suites. The hotel will have a large 500m2 ballroom 
with capacity of up to 700 guests, and several other smaller function rooms. 
Current work also includes the provision of new restaurants, an all year 
round alfresco terrace, a cocktail bar and a large gymtech fitness suite. 

Refurbishment work is also progressing well in the Orchard Hotel in 
Singapore. The first phase including refurbishment of the lobby and food 
& beverage outlets was completed at the end of last year. Refurbishment 
is being undertaken on a phased basis. Work has recently started on guest 
rooms, the ballroom and meeting spaces and is expected to complete in the 
middle of this year.

ACQUISITIONS
On 1 February 2018, the Group acquired The Waterfront Hotel in New 
Plymouth, New Zealand, for a purchase consideration of NZ$11m (£6m). 
The iconic 42-room hotel was rebranded a Millennium hotel in Q2 of 
2018.

On 27 November 2018, CDL Hospitality Trusts (“CDLHT”) acquired 
95.0% of the shares and voting interest in Event Hospitality Group III B.V., 
which wholly owns Event Hospitality Group III Italy SRL, sole shareholder 
of NKS Hospitality III for a purchase consideration of €33m (£29m). 
NKS Hospitality III SRL is the legal owner of “Hotel Cerretani Florence, 
MGallery by Sofitel” and the fixtures, furniture and equipment therein.

DISPOSALS 
On 11 January 2018, CDLHT completed the divestment of two hotels in 
Australia, the Mercure Brisbane and Ibis Brisbane for A$77m (£45m) to an 
independent third party.

As previously reported, in December 2013 the Group entered into various 
commercial arrangements with Birmingham City Council and the 
developer of Birmingham’s Paradise Circus redevelopment scheme, now 
known as Paradise Birmingham, as a result of a compulsory purchase 
order by Birmingham City Council that covered the Copthorne Hotel 
Birmingham and other properties in its vicinity. Those arrangements 
include options that provide for the sale of the existing hotel to the 
developer as well as the Group’s acquisition of an alternate site in the 
scheme for the development of a new 250-room hotel. In December 2018, 
the Group exercised its option to acquire that alternative site and continues 
to engage with the developer regarding the project. 

With regard to the compulsory purchase order impacting the Millennium 
Hotel Glasgow, pursuant to which Network Rail Infrastructure Limited 
(“Network Rail”) acquired and demolished the 1970s-built, 51-room 
extension of the hotel as part of the redevelopment of Queen Street 
Station, negotiations are ongoing with Network Rail regarding the level of 
compensation payable to the Group in connection with the taking. If the 
parties are unable to agree a value, the matter will be settled at the Lands 
Tribunal. Meanwhile, the Group continues to consider its options with 
respect to the refurbishment and repositioning of the existing hotel.

OTHER GROUP OPERATIONS
Joint ventures and associates contributed £29m to profit in 2018 (2017: 
£22m). The Group has an effective interest of 36% in First Sponsor Group 
Limited (“FSGL”), which is listed on the Singapore Exchange and reports 
its results publicly.  

In April 2018, the Group subscribed for its full entitlement of FSGL’s rights 
issue of new Perpetual Convertible Capital Securities (“PCCS”) for a total 
cost of S$58m (£32m) and the PCCS were allotted on 19 April 2018.

On 14 February 2019, the Group provided an irrevocable undertaking to 
take up its full entitlement of FSGL’s proposed rights issue of new PCCS 
for a total cost of S$53m (£30m). As part of the capital funding proposal, 
1 new free warrant will be issued for every 1 new PCCS subscribed for; in 
addition, 1 new bonus warrant will be issued for every 10 existing ordinary 
shares held in FSGL. Also, as part of the proposal additional funds would 
be required within the next five years should the Group choose to exercise 
its rights in respect of the new warrants and this will amount to S$90m 
(£52m) if all warrants are exercised.

On 24 January 2019, FSGL acquired a bare shell 65-room hotel located in 
Milan, Italy for a total consideration of approximately €11m (£10m).

Annual Report & Accounts 201822

KEY PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS

We use a set of carefully selected key performance  
indicators (“KPIs”) to monitor our success in executing our strategy set out 
on page 20. These KPIs are used to measure the Group’s progress  
year-on-year against those strategic priorities, and are set out below:

GROWTH

FINANCIAL LEVERAGE

COST CONTROL

To  achieve  profitable  growth  and 
improved  asset 
for  our 
hospitality business. These are shown 
at constant rates of exchange.

returns 

To  ensure  a  sound  financial  base  in 
order to provide a solid platform for 
the  development  and  growth  of  the 
Group.

To  ensure  costs  remain  in  line  with 
revenue  movements 
a 
decentralised  model,  technological 
enhancements  to  drive  efficiencies 
and rigorous monitoring of spending.

through 

Revenue per
Available Room*
£  

100

80.97

81.57

80

60

40

20

0

2017

2018

Occupancy

Gearing

Net Debt

Operating Profit

Profit before Tax

%  

100

%

80

60

40

20

0

73.5

73.3

2017

2018

24.3

26.2

40

30

20

10

2018

0

2017
Net debt over total equity
attributable to equity holders of
the parent.

£M

800

727

£M

650

600

400

200

0

2017

2018

Total borrowings less total cash. Refer
to Note 21 for further details.

160

128

96

64

32

0

145

£M

105

2017

2018

160

128

96

64

32

0

147

106

2017

2018

Average room rate multiplied by
occupancy percentage.

Percentage of rooms available for sale
that were actually sold to our guests.

Average
Room Rate*
110.22
£  
120

111.31

Hotel
Revenue
£M  

1,000

880

867

100

80

60

40

20

0

2017

2018

800

600

400

200

0

2017

2018

Revenue from room sales, divided
by the number of room nights sold.

Including room, food
& beverage and meetings
& event sales.

Basic Earnings
per Share
P  
50

38.1

40

30

20

10

0

13.1

2017

2018

Profit for the year attributable to
equity holders of the parent divided
by the weighted average number of
shares in issue.

*2017 figures shown in constant currency

The Group believes that the KPIs provide useful and necessary 
information  on  underlying  trends  to  shareholders  and  the 
investment community and are used by the Group for internal 
performance  analysis.  Given  the  decentralised  model  of  the 
Group,  regional  management  focuses  on  operational  KPIs. 
These include customer feedback, hotel gross operating profit 
and staff retention. General Managers report their operating 
KPIs to Regional Managers on a regular basis with comparison 
numbers for the local competitive set of each hotel. The hotel 
performance numbers are then consolidated into regional and 
Group-wide figures.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
23

FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE – FULL YEAR OVERVIEW

REVENUE

Hotel
Property
REIT

Total Revenue

REPORTED CURRENCY

CONSTANT CURRENCY

CHANGE

CHANGE

2018
£M

867
65
65

997

2017
£M

880
62
66

1,008

£M

(13)  
3
(1)  

(11)  

%

(1.5)  
4.8
(1.5)  

(1.1)  

2017
£M

862
59
66

987

£M

5
6
(1)  

10

%

0.6
10.2
(1.5)  

1.0

Pre-tax profit for 2018 also includes a gain of £3m from CDLHT’s 
disposal of two Australian hotels. For the same period during 2017, 
pre-tax profit included a net credit from the reversal of loan impairment 
of £12m.

After removing the effects of net revaluation and impairment losses, the 
Group’s reported profit before tax is £142m (2017: £176m). 

Last year’s profit was also impacted by the release of £3m accruals no 
longer required in relation to the Glyndebourne project which was 
completed in 2013.

Finance cost was higher by £8m in 2018.

Taxation
The Group recorded a tax charge of £13m for the year ended 31 
December 2018. Last year, a total tax provision of £17m in relation to 
exposures in Singapore which were not required, were released and this 
gave rise to a tax credit of £12m.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
Basic EPS decreased by 66% to 13.1p (2017: 38.1p).

For the full year to 31 December 2018, hotel revenue in constant 
currency increased by 0.6% as compared to 2017. The Group recorded 
full year contributions from Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN 
Plaza (rebranded in August 2017) and M Social Auckland (re-opened in 
October 2017) in 2018. These higher hotel revenues were offset by lower 
revenue at the Mayfair hotel which was closed for refurbishment in July 
2018. The slight increase in hotel revenue is consistent with the increase 
of 2.4% in like-for-like Group RevPAR.

Property revenues were also higher in 2018 as compared to 2017. Total 
property revenue increased by £6m or 10.2% to £65m (2017: £59m) 
due principally to higher sales of residential sections in New Zealand of 
£3m and the sale of two units of apartments in Australia of £2m.

Reported total revenue fell by 1.1% for the full year to 31 December 
2018 reflecting a stronger pound sterling against the Group’s main 
trading currencies.

Profit
Reported profit before tax for the full year to 31 December 2018 fell by 
£41m or 27.9% to £106m (2017: £147m).

During the year, a total of £36m (2017: £29m) of net revaluation 
and impairment losses were charged to the income statement. The 
impairment losses are a result of the Group’s impairment testing whereby 
the carrying amount of the Group’s assets is compared against the 
estimated recoverable amount, which is the greater of the fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use. In assessing the value in use, the estimated 
future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money 
and the risks specific to each asset.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
24

FINANCIAL 
PERFORMANCE
CONTINUED

FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSLATION
The Company publishes its Group financial statements in pound sterling. However, the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and 
associates report their revenue, costs, assets and liabilities in currencies other than pound sterling. The Company translates the revenue, costs, assets 
and liabilities of those subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates into pound sterling and this translation of other currencies into pound sterling could 
materially affect the amount of these items in the Group’s financial statements, even if their values have not changed in their original currencies.

The table set out in Note 22c to the financial statements sets out the pound sterling exchange rates of the other principal currencies in the Group. 
Pound sterling strengthened compared to other major currencies during the financial year, the impact of which is reflected in the translation reserve 
on page 108.

FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESOURCES

Property, plant and equipment and lease premium prepayment
Investment properties
Investment in joint ventures and associates
Other financial assets

Non-current assets
Current assets excluding cash
Provisions and other liabilities excluding borrowings
Net debt
Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

2018
£M

3,256
668
358
43

4,325
224
(287)  
(727)  
(172)  

3,363

2,770
593

3,363

2017
£M

3,232
577
324
–

4,133
228
(274)  
(650)  
(188)  

3,249

2,676
573

3,249

CHANGE
 £M

24
91
34
43

192

(4)  
(13)  
(77)  
16

114

94
20

114

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc25

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
The Group states property, plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation 
or provision for impairment. Investment properties are held at fair value. 
External professional open market valuations took place at the end of 
2018 for all investment properties and those property assets identified as 
having impairment risks.

FUTURE FUNDING
Of the Group’s total facilities of £1,815m, £705m matures within 12 
months. Excluding CDLHT, the Group’s total facilities were £994m of 
which £170m matures within the next 12 months. Plans for refinancing 
of the facilities are underway.

TREASURY RISK MANAGEMENT
Group treasury matters are governed by policies and procedures approved 
by the Board of Directors. The Treasury Committee monitors and 
reviews treasury matters on a regular basis. A written summary of major 
treasury activities are presented to the Board on a regular basis.

Non-current assets increased slightly by 4.6% compared to 2017, 
principally due to the impact of exchange translation on property, plant 
and equipment.

FINANCIAL POSITION
Group interest cover ratio for the year ended 31 December 2018 
(excluding share of results of joint ventures and associates, and other 
operating income and expense) is 5 times (2017: 8 times).

At 31 December 2018, the Group had £375m cash and £539m of 
undrawn and committed facilities available comprising revolving credit 
facilities which provide the Group with financial flexibility. Most of the 
facilities are unsecured with unencumbered assets representing 88% 
(2017: 88%) of fixed assets and investment properties. At 31 December 
2018, gross borrowing amounted to £1,102m of which £198m was 
drawn under £219m of secured bank facilities.

At 31 December 2018, the Group had net debt of £727m (Dec 2017: 
net debt £650m). Excluding CDLHT, the net debt was £226m (Dec 
2017: net debt £186m).

Annual Report & Accounts 201826

OUR
GLOBAL REACH

GROUP INVENTORY AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

139

 Owned or leased
 Managed
 Franchised
 Investment

Total

Hotels

Room count

2018
66
14
44
15

139

2017 Change
–
(1)  
6
(2)  

66
15
38
17

2018
19,437
3,537
13,062
4,287

2017 Change
(235)  
(561)  
2,080
(363)  

19,672
4,098
10,982
4,650

136

3

40,323

39,402

921

40,323

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
27

REGIONAL INVENTORY AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Asia

30

 Owned or leased

 Managed

 Franchised

 Investment

Total

Hotels

Room count

2018

2017 Change

2018

2017 Change

12

8

2

8

30

12

9

2

9

32

 – 

(1)  

 – 

(1)  

5,979

2,620

644

5,981

3,134

325

2,774

2,811

(2)  

(514)  

319

(37)  

(2)   12,017 12,251

(234)  

12,017

Europe

66

 Owned or leased

 Managed

 Franchised

 Investment

Total

Hotels

Room count

2018

2017 Change

2018

2017 Change

20

5

37

4

66

21

5

31

3

60

(1)  

 – 

4,290

4,626

804

851

(336)  

(47)  

6

1

6

12,107 10,346

1,761

786

700

86

17,987 16,523

1,464

17,987

United States

 Owned or leased

 Managed

 Franchised

 Investment

Total

19

Hotels

Room count

2018

2017 Change

2018

2017 Change

19

 – 

 – 

 – 

19

19

 – 

 – 

 – 

19

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

6,797

6,797

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

6,797

6,797

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

6,797

Australasia

24

 Owned or leased

 Managed

 Franchised

 Investment

Total

Hotels

Room count

2018

2017 Change

2018

2017 Change

15

1

5

3

24

14

1

5

5

25

1

 – 

 – 

(2)  

(1)  

2,371

2,268

103

113

311

727

113

311

 – 

 – 

1,139

(412)  

3,522

3,831

(309)  

3,522

Annual Report & Accounts 201828

REGIONAL
PERFORMANCE

ASIA

EUROPE

RevPAR  
£  

100

TOTAL ASIA*

RevPAR(£) 

2018

2017

CHANGE

 72.29 

 71.09 

1.7%

RevPAR  
£  

100

82.45

80

60

40

20

0

71.09

72.29

2017

2018

Occupancy
%  

100

73.9

75.0

Occupancy(%) 

 75.0 

 73.9 

 1.1 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 96.42 

 96.25 

0.2%

* Graphs represent total Asia performance.

SINGAPORE

RevPAR(£) 

 83.56 

 83.06 

0.6%

Occupancy(%) 

 85.9 

 85.6 

 0.3 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 97.26 

 97.01 

0.3%

2017

2018

96.25

96.42

REST OF ASIA

RevPAR(£) 

 65.17 

 63.53 

2.6%

ARR  
£  
120

107.27

2017

2018

Occupancy(%) 

 68.1 

 66.4 

 1.7 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 95.74 

 95.64 

0.1%

2017

2018

100

80

60

40

20

0

2017

2018

80

60

40

20

0

ARR
£  
120

100

80

60

40

20

0

TOTAL EUROPE*

2018

2017

CHANGE

78.76

RevPAR(£) 

 78.76 

 82.45 

(4.5)%

Occupancy(%) 

 75.6 

 76.9 

(1.3)

Average Room Rate(£) 

 104.22 

 107.27 

(2.8)%

* Graphs represent total Europe performance.

2017

2018

Occupancy
%  

100

76.9

75.6

LONDON

RevPAR(£) 

 101.89 

 109.98 

(7.4)%

Occupancy(%) 

 80.1 

 83.0 

(2.9)

Average Room Rate(£) 

 127.22 

 132.47 

(4.0)%

80

60

40

20

0

80

60

40

20

0

REST OF EUROPE

104.22

RevPAR(£) 

 56.18 

 53.85 

4.3%

Occupancy(%) 

 71.2 

 70.5 

0.7

Average Room Rate(£) 

 78.94 

 76.43 

3.3%

Orchard Hotel Singapore

the biltmore, mayfair, london

Asia  RevPAR  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2018  increased  by  1.7%  to  £72.29  (2017: 
£71.09)  driven  by  increases  in  both  occupancy  and  average  room  rates  of  1.1%  points  and 
0.2% respectively.

Singapore RevPAR increased slightly by 0.6%, reflecting 0.3% points increase in occupancy and 
a 0.3% increase in average room rate. All the hotels show RevPAR growth except Orchard Hotel 
Singapore which experienced weaker demand from the corporate sector.

Rest of Asia saw an improvement in  performance  with  higher  RevPAR  of  2.6% contributed 
mainly by the Group’s hotels in Taipei and Beijing..

Europe  RevPAR  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2018  fell  by  4.5%  with  decreases  in  both 
occupancy and average room rate of 1.3% points and 2.8% respectively. London RevPAR also 
fell with a drop of 7.4%. Occupancy and average room rate were down by 2.9% points and 
4.0% respectively.

The  Mayfair  hotel  which  was  fully  closed  for  refurbishment  from  July  2018  was  the  main 
contributor  to  the  drop  in  London  RevPAR.  Like-for-like  London  RevPAR  excluding  the 
Mayfair hotel for 2018 increased by 3.3% with a slight increase in occupancy of 0.3% points 
and higher average room rate of 2.9%.

RevPAR for Rest of Europe increased by 4.3% with occupancy up by 0.7% points and average 
room rate up by 3.3%.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29

UNITED STATES

AUSTRALASIA

RevPAR  
£  

120

92.61 94.52

TOTAL US*

RevPAR(£) 

2018

2017

CHANGE

 94.52 

 92.61 

2.1%

(1.2)

100

80

60

40

20

0

Occupancy(%) 

 67.1 

 68.3 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 140.96 

 135.57 

4.0%

* Graphs represent total US performance.

2017

2018

TOTAL AUSTRALASIA

2018

2017

CHANGE

RevPAR(£) 

 73.13 

 68.76 

6.4%

Occupancy(%) 

 82.5 

 81.2 

1.3

Average Room Rate(£) 

 88.61 

 84.71 

4.6%

RevPAR  
£  

100

80

60

40

20

0

68.76

73.13

2017

2018

Occupancy
%  

100

NEW YORK

RevPAR(£) 

 165.49 

 159.37 

3.8%

80

60

40

20

0

ARR
£
160

120

80

40

0

68.3

67.1

Occupancy(%) 

 86.3 

 85.3 

 1.0 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 191.78 

 186.77 

2.7%

2017

2018

REGIONAL US

135.57

140.96

RevPAR(£) 

 59.61 

 59.84 

(0.4)%

Occupancy(%) 

 57.6 

 60.0 

Average Room Rate(£) 

 103.51 

 99.81 

(2.4)

3.7%

2017

2018

Occupancy
%  

100

81.2

82.5

80

60

40

20

0

2017

2018

ARR
£  
100

84.71

88.61

80

60

40

20

0

2017

2018

millennium biltmore, los angeles

millennium new plymouth waterfront, new zealand

US  RevPAR  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2018  increased  by  2.1%  to  £94.52  (2017: 
£92.61). Average room rate for US increased by 4.0% offset partially by decrease in occupancy 
of 1.2% points.

New  York  RevPAR  increased  by  3.8%  due  principally  to  increases  in  both  occupancy  and 
average  room  rate  of  1.0%  points  and  2.7%  respectively. The  growth  in  RevPAR  is  mainly 
driven by higher contribution from Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN Plaza which was 
re-opened in September 2016 after refurbishment and later re-branded in August 2017.

Excluding Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN Plaza, US RevPAR for 2018 was up slightly 
by 0.2% and New York RevPAR up by 0.6% as compared to last year.

RevPAR for Regional US decreased by 0.4% to £59.61 (2017: £59.84). The results are mixed 
with half the hotel portfolio showing increases and the other half, decreases in RevPAR.

Reported RevPAR for Australasia in 2018 increased by 6.4% helped by the inclusion of two 
new hotels. M Social Auckland which was re-opened in October 2017 contributed for the full 
year in 2018. Millennium New Plymouth was acquired in February 2018. Excluding M Social 
Auckland and Millennium New Plymouth, like-for-like Australasia RevPAR grew by 3.1% in 
2018.

The tourism market continued to grow during 2018. International visitor arrivals grew by 3.1% 
for the first ten months of 2018. However, competition is increasing both from new inventory 
and non-traditional supply.

Annual Report & Accounts 201830

CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITY

As an international hotel business operating in so many distinctive 
countries and cultures, we remain committed to delivering service 
excellence and to operating our hotels in a responsible and sustainable 
way.

We understand the importance of the role we can play in making 
a difference to our stakeholders, through initiatives that promote a 
sustainable environment, now and in the future, by being a preferred 
employer of choice and by supporting the local communities in which 
we operate with our charitable and other activities.

We made strides on all of these fronts in 2018 and this work was made 
possible due to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues across the 
globe. This report describes some of the progress made over the course of 
the year.

GOVERNANCE
Board responsibility
The Board of Directors of the Company has overall responsibility 
for the Group’s corporate responsibility initiatives, with the Interim 
Group Chief Executive Officer taking the lead from a management 
perspective. Underpinning our commitment to sustainability, the Board 
supports a number of policies and procedures, collectively referred to as 
“Responsible Hospitality,” which are designed to recognise and manage 
the Group’s wider impact on the environment and the communities 
in which we operate. These policies are reviewed regularly and are 
updated as necessary. They are also translated into multiple languages 
where appropriate. Key policies can be found at https://investors.
millenniumhotels.com/corporate-governance/policies.

Compliance
Within our operations, we are fully committed to meeting our legal and 
regulatory compliance obligations. We strive to adhere not only to the 
letter of the law, but also the spirit of the law.

In 2018 we did not receive any material fines or penalties associated with 
non-compliance with any laws relating to the environment, human rights 
violations, labour standards, anti-bribery or taxation.

In addition, we endeavour to report transparently on tax policy and 
management, more information of which can be found in this Annual 
Report and Accounts.

No donations were made by the Group for political purposes during the 
year (2017: £nil).

To raise awareness of key operational risks and ensure we meet our 
compliance requirements, our global online compliance training 
platform continues to deliver training on anti-bribery, anti-money 
laundering in certain jurisdictions and competition law. In 2018 further 
training was provided on modern slavery and the new EU General Data 
Protection Regulation.

Anti-bribery and anti-corruption
The Group’s anti-bribery policy has been developed in line with the 
requirements of the UK Bribery Act 2010 and is routinely reviewed, with 
the last update having taken place in April 2016. A risk assessment is 
conducted to identify those categories of employees who require training 
on bribery and corruption, including colleagues in higher-risk functions 
such as procurement and sales. The Group also maintains a confidential 
hotline and e-mail account that allows employees to report concerns 
about illegal or unethical behaviour directly to a group function, 
generally the Company Secretariat or Internal Audit team. Such reports 
are made free from reprisal.

A Group-wide anti-bribery compliance guide sits behind our anti-bribery 
policy and is also made available to all employees. This guide identifies 
key operational activities and countries where corruption is perceived to 
be a high risk and sets out a number of procedures for managing these 
risks, including procedures for conducting due diligence on business 
associates and counterparties, operational risk assessments and escalation 
mechanisms.

We take breaches of these policies seriously and, if necessary, will 
consider disciplinary action for non-compliance by our employees. In the 
reporting year, we are unaware of any staff being disciplined or dismissed 
due to non-compliance with our anti-bribery policy.

Ethical operations
Beyond our legal and regulatory compliance obligations, the Group is 
committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity 
in the way we do business. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct 
(“Code of Ethics”) sets out the minimum standards we expect from all 
employees in their dealings with colleagues, customers, suppliers and 
other stakeholders to ensure that our business is conducted responsibly. 
We also expect our suppliers and business partners to follow the 
standards set out within our Code of Ethics and other related policies 
including, for instance, our Anti-Bribery and Business Hospitality and 
Gifts policies, over which the Board has oversight. As mentioned, these 
policies are translated into other languages where appropriate, including 
Spanish and Simplified Chinese.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
31

Throughout our operations globally, we respect the human rights of 
our colleagues and others, including customers, suppliers and business 
partners. We have in place a human rights policy that reflects our 
commitment to certain fundamental principles, which are aligned with 
those of the International Labour Organisation and the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human Rights and include freedom of 
association and collective bargaining.

In accordance with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, 
the Company regularly undertakes a review of its supply chain. Last year 
we proposed a number of improvements to our compliance framework 
as outlined in our formal slavery and human trafficking statement, 
which is available at https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/corporate-
responsibility/supply-chain-transparency-statement. For instance, in the 
UK we implemented regular training exercises with law enforcement 
agencies to better train our hotel teams to spot the risks of modern 
slavery and human trafficking. In addition, our standard contracts have, 
where relevant, been updated to include provisions regarding compliance 
with the Group’s human rights policy. Our European supplier intake 
forms include questions about the policies and procedures our suppliers 
have in place to prevent slavery and human trafficking, and we take 
their answers into account when selecting reputable suppliers. This 
area remains a priority for the Board and we will look to make further 
improvements to our processes in 2019.

OUR PEOPLE
As a service business, it is our people, and their attitudes and skills, which 
set us apart from our competitors. We are committed to developing all 
of our colleagues, identifying and nurturing future leaders, and enabling 
everyone within the business to perform to their true potential.

Learning and development
We ensure that our colleagues around the world are suitably skilled 
and qualified to meet the operational needs of the business. The Group 
recognises that successful hospitality businesses must deliver excellent 
service and we are committed to developing, supporting and retaining 
the right staff to provide this. Our aim is to offer opportunities for them 
to develop and grow through effective succession planning processes.

Our hotels also help young people who are interested in the industry, 
including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing 
employment skills training and vocational opportunities. For example, 
our North American and European regions have introduced internship 
and apprenticeship programmes within various functions, often in 
partnership with local universities and training providers. In Singapore, 
a talent development initiative was launched in collaboration with the 

Singapore government. Often advanced certificates or professional or 
specialist diplomas will be awarded to the participants upon completion.

In order to fulfil our commitment to developing, supporting and 
retaining our employees, we are developing mechanisms to help us 
learn more about the needs of and communicate with our workforce. 
We recognise the important role communication has in fostering good 
working relationships and we seek to inform employees about matters 
relating to their employment, the organisation more widely and the 
business in general. At the same time, we actively seek feedback and 
ideas from our people in order to improve our operations and, where 
appropriate, provide forums to allow employees to voice their views.

As part of these efforts, a formal workforce advisory panel framework 
is being implemented within the Group in line with the requirements 
under the revised version of the UK Corporate Governance Code that 
took effect on 1 January 2019. Further information relating to this 
framework can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
page 87 and will be reported on in more detail in the Company’s 2019 
annual report and accounts and beyond.

In addition, we continue to have in place a global ‘Outstanding Service 
Excellence’ training programme where employees are empowered to 
adapt and deliver a tailored service to each guest. This inspiration-based 
approach is designed to engage both our colleagues and guests on a 
personal level, encouraging a genuine connection and creating true ‘fans’ 
of our brands.

Diversity and equal opportunities
We believe that having a diverse workforce brings different perspectives, 
backgrounds and ways of thinking to our business and allows us to better 
understand and interact with our guests. That is why we launched, on 
a global basis, a new diversity and inclusion policy in 2018, in order 
to cultivate a more inclusive work environment that embraces the 
engagement and development of a diverse workforce. We are committed 
to treating all employees fairly and offering equal opportunities in all 
aspects of employment and advancement regardless of age, disability, 
gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or 
maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion 
or belief, sex or sexual orientation. More details of our diversity and 
inclusion initiatives can be found in the Corporate Governance 
Statement starting on page 57 and in the Nominations Committee 
Report on page 88.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group employed 11,504 people worldwide 
operating in over 26 countries (2017: 11,602).

Annual Report & Accounts 201832

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY
CONTINUED

DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES BY GENDER

Directors
Senior managers1
Other employees

MALE

7
187
5,932

FEMALE

0
105
5,280

For added assurance, quarterly reports covering health and safety matters 
are presented to the Audit & Risk Committee. These provide updates on 
incidents, changes in relevant legal requirements and other health and 
safety matters in all of our operating regions.

1 

 This is based on the participants in the Group’s 2018 bonus pool and excludes 36 subsidiary 
Directors who were external appointments, of which 29 were male and 7 female.

The number of employees employed by the Group (excluding the 
Company’s Directors) at the end of the year, analysed by category, was as 
follows:

Hotel operating staff
Management/administration
Sales and marketing
Repairs and maintenance

2018
NUMBERS

2017
NUMBERS

8,853
1,478
492
681

9,020
1,439
461
682

11,504

11,602

A safe working environment
The health, safety and welfare of our employees, guests and all those 
who visit the Group’s hotels and offices, as well as those who carry out 
work on behalf of the Group is of paramount importance to us. Indeed, 
this is a principal risk that is overseen by the Company’s Audit & Risk 
Committee. Policies, procedures and training programmes are in place 
to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and 
enhanced risk assessment, management and monitoring measures are 
being developed and rolled out, with the overriding goal of making our 
sites safer and ready to deal with emergencies as they arise.

In the UK region, for example, we have put in place policies and 
procedures that are certified to OHSAS 18001 (externally audited by 
the British Standards Institution). Management continues the process 
of transitioning from OHSAS 18001 to the new standard ISO 45001 
and aims to roll out the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety 
management system across the whole of the UK portfolio. These efforts 
are supported by compliance management software, resulting in tighter 
control of mandatory activities, inspections and the creation of audit 
trails.

We continuously work to improve our proactive and reactive risk 
management plans, in conjunction with local and national law 
enforcement authorities as necessary. We strive to regularly test and audit 
the plans from time to time to ensure that they remain robust and fit for 
purpose.

PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT
We recognise that as a global hospitality company, we have a 
responsibility to help protect and preserve our environment. The 
industry in general consumes a significant amount of energy and 
produces a significant amount of emissions globally and as more 
and more people travel, the need for action will increase. In light of 
this trend, over recent years we have sought to minimise our impact 
by actively focusing on reducing energy and water consumption in 
particular.

In 2018, we prepared and circulated a sustainability questionnaire to 
each of our owned and operated hotels around the world in order to 
determine the current state of our sustainability efforts. We found that 
many hotels were pro-actively engaging with their communities and 
implementing innovative practices to help reduce our impact on the 
environment. We then compiled the data, assembled the best practices 
and developed best practice, practical guidelines which could be 
implemented by our hotels, on a voluntary basis, depending on local 
conditions and legal requirements. These guidelines, which are part of 
our “Responsible Hospitality” regime, will help to unify the Group’s 
approach to sustainability practices and will provide us with a means 
to better track the initiatives being undertaken by our hotels and how 
successful they are. We expect this work to grow over time as initiatives 
are tested and refined.

Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is a key component of our sustainability strategy. 
Each of the Group’s operating regions work to identify energy savings 
opportunities through operational efficiencies, upgrading plant and 
equipment and other initiatives. In 2018, our hotels continued to focus 
on retrofitting LED lighting and upgrading HVAC systems, where 
appropriate, which will help to improve the electricity efficiency of our 
estate. Also, a number of our hotels implemented an environmental 
management system that is aligned with the requirements of ISO 14001, 
which requires each hotel to have in place a framework to identify and 
mitigate its environmental impact, as well as processes for identifying 
relevant environmental legislation and ensuring compliance.

Our data set for the Group’s 2018 greenhouse gas reporting included 
75 owned and operated hotels over which we had access to data for the 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc33

reporting period.1 Energy consumption by these primarily consisted of 
electricity from grid, natural gas, diesel, purchased steam and chilled 
water. The Group’s overall energy consumption for the year decreased 
by 3%, on an absolute basis, compared to 2017, mainly due to the 
2018 data set containing a lower number of operating hotels as a 
result of refurbishment projects. At the same time, the Group’s 2018 
energy intensity, which measures the energy consumed per hotel room, 
remained consistent with 2017, increasing by 1%.

In 2018, carbon equivalent emissions associated with our energy use 
decreased by 5% and the carbon intensity per room decreased by 1% 
as compared with the previous reporting year. This decrease largely 
resulted from the Group purchasing electricity from suppliers with a 
higher percentage of renewable energy in many countries with respect 
to electricity provided by the grid. Whilst shifting to the use of cleaner 
energy may not result in decreased total energy consumption, it does 
help the Group to reduce its carbon emissions.

The 2018 energy consumption of our owned and operated hotels is 
shown below.

2018

2017

ABSOLUTE
(KWH)

PER ROOM
(KWH)

ABSOLUTE
(KWH)

492,783,538

22,358

507,724,416

PER ROOM
(KWH)

22,195

Greenhouse gas reporting
The Group’s greenhouse gas reporting covers the period from 1 October 
2017 to 30 September 2018, similar to previous years. This period has 
been chosen to allow sufficient time to gather and review emissions 
data ahead of the year-end and to ensure that verification of the data is 
completed in advance of the reporting deadlines.

Last year we reported that we had successfully achieved our target of 
reducing our absolute Scope 1 and 2 operational carbon emissions from 
energy use and refrigerant losses by an aggregate amount of 10% based 
on a 2015 baseline year over the period between 2015 and 2017. This 
target was set in 2016 and we met it ahead of schedule. As a result of this 
encouraging start, over the course of 2018 we worked with an external 
sustainability consultant, EcoAct (formerly Carbon Clear), to set a new 
long-term target, a Science-Based Target (“SBT”), to reduce the Group’s 
carbon emissions. SBTs are greenhouse gas reduction goals aligned with 
the latest science on minimising climate impact. We submitted our 
proposed target to the Science Based Target initiative, the organisation 
in charge of validating SBTs, in January 2019 and hope to receive a 
response in the second quarter of the year.

The Group’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, as well as the underlying 
energy, refrigerant, waste, water and travel data, have been externally 

1 

 Excludes franchise hotels and investment hotels that were managed by third party operators.

verified by an independent third party, Carbon Credentials Energy 
Services Limited, in accordance with ISO 14064-3: 2006 Standard. 
A copy of the verification statement can be found at https://investors.
millenniumhotels.com/corporate-responsibility.

To calculate our emissions, we followed the Greenhouse Gas Protocol 
Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard methodology (“GHG 
Protocol”) and the operational control approach to determine the 
properties to be included within the data set. Franchise hotels and 
investment hotels that were managed by third party operators were not 
included. In line with the latest guidance provided by the GHG Protocol 
with regard to Scope 2 accounting, this year we also included market-
based emissions as well as location-based emissions in order to provide 
a clearer picture of the nature of our electricity consumption. Deriving 
emission factors from contractual instruments, market-based calculations 
allows the Group to account for the real nature and consequent carbon 
intensity of the electricity purchased. It should be noted that for the 
purpose of year-over-year comparisons, location-based emissions will 
continue to be used, as these provide a more accurate reflection of 
the emission changes associated with the Company’s internal energy 
efficiency initiatives.

Details of our total carbon footprint are summarised in the table below:

Scope 11
Scope 2 Location-Based2
Scope 2 Market-Based3
Carbon intensity (tonnes of CO2e/room. 
Includes scope one, two and three emissions)
Scope 34
No. of rooms

Total gross emissions (Location-Based)

Total gross emissions (Market-Based)

GLOBAL TONNES OF CO2E

2018

48,218
140,018
135,809

10.75
48,6495
22,041

236,885

232,676

2017

50,024
144,190
147,267

11.13
60,3585
22,876

254,572

257,649

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

 Direct emissions from activities owned or controlled by our organisation that release emissions 
into the atmosphere.
 Indirect emissions that are a consequence of our organisation’s activities but which occur at 
sources we do not own or control.
 Scope 2 market-based emissions reflect emissions from electricity that the Group has 
purposefully chosen.
 Other indirect emissions that are a consequence of the Group’s activities, but which occur at 
sources that are not owned or controlled by us and which are not classed as Scope 2 emissions.
 Includes emissions associated with water use, energy consumed by third party laundry, waste, 
business travel and well-to-tank and transmission and distribution.

Annual Report & Accounts 201834

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY
CONTINUED

kgCO2e/m2

Relative: Carbon Emissions by Source

tCO2e/Room

13.2

165

13.0

161

12.3

150

11.5

141

10.9

10.9

11.1

10.1

130

130

118

116

10.7

127

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Floor Area (kgCO2e/m2)

Room (tCO2e/room)

During the reporting period, absolute location-based emissions decreased by 7% compared to the same period last year, mainly due to a decrease 
in the number of hotels within the data set, greater energy efficiency as a result of a series of initiatives implemented at site level and a widespread 
decrease in the carbon intensity of the electricity grids in the countries in which we operate. Consequently, emissions per room also decreased by 3%, 
to 10.75 tonnes of CO2e/room.

Waste
The amount of waste being sent to landfills is an increasing concern in 
the hospitality industry. We have been implementing waste minimization 
initiatives across the Group, including recycling paper, metal, plastics, 
cardboard, glass bottles, cooking oil, printer cartridges, wet amenities, 
soap, wine corks; food waste donation and composting; and the donation 
of used items, such as furniture, fabric and electronic equipment. We also 
strive to reduce organic waste and other consumables as appropriate.

The Group’s London hotels continued to work closely with their UK 
waste contractor to improve recycle facilities in the back of house areas 
and conference rooms. For example, glass bottles for drinking water 
are now provided in the guest rooms and function rooms, thereby 
eliminating the use of plastics. By introducing this system, we have 
reduced our annual plastic waste and the carbon emissions associated 
with the production, transportation and recycling of plastic water bottles.

highest possible impact. Whilst this has resulted in an increase in the 
amount of waste defined as ‘landfilled,’ it also provides a clean baseline 
from which we will be able to track our progress in waste reduction 
going forward. For example, in 2019 our UK region will be performing 
an audit with a third party supplier to review its waste management 
contract across the UK. The audit will determine waste streamlines 
such as who collects, how often and where the waste goes. The aim of 
the audit will be to receive advice on areas such as segregation of waste, 
preventing production of waste in the first place and helping hotels to be 
better prepared to efficiently and responsibly dispose of the waste that is 
generated each day. 

2018

2017

ABSOLUTE
(TONNES TO 
LANDFILL)

PER ROOM 
(TONNES TO 
LANDFILL)

ABSOLUTE
(TONNES TO 
LANDFILL)

PER ROOM
(TONNES TO 
LANDFILL)

13,351

0.61

10,436

0.46

We are also driving change through our goal of eliminating single-use 
plastics. This initiative currently is being rolled out at our Singapore 
hotels and they are expected to achieve this by mid-2019. We anticipate 
that the rest of our owned and/or operated hotels will follow this 
practice, which in turn will allow us to improve resource efficiency across 
all of our properties.

Water use
The availability of clean, accessible water is essential to the services 
we provide and critical to the health and economic vitality of the 
communities in which we operate. We also recognise that our hotels are 
water intensive, particularly where we operate spa facilities. As such, we 
take water conservation seriously.

The Group set out to improve the quality of its waste volume reporting 
in 2018. As a result, the reported volume of waste generated by the hotels 
within the data set increased by 32% on an absolute basis and by 37% 
on a per-room basis, largely due to better reporting of our waste. Where 
data on recycling was not available for the period, we have assumed 
that all such waste was brought to a landfill in order to account for the 

We understand that water is a scarce resource and that demand is 
likely to surge over the next few decades; we therefore actively strive 
and encourage our colleagues to conserve water usage throughout our 
business, particularly where we operate in water-stressed regions.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc35

Based on the World Resources Institute’s analysis of future water stress, 
we have identified that 8% of the Group’s current operations are located 
in Singapore, a country which is set to be facing extremely high water 
stress by 2040 (World Resources Institute 2015). Additionally, two of 
our hotels operate in regions set to undergo the greatest drop in water 
security between 2020 and 2040.

In further recognition of the Group’s sustainability practices, a number 
of our hotels in Singapore maintain Green Mark awards, an initiative 
set up by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore 
to encourage environmentally friendly buildings. Three of the hotels 
have attained the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award, the highest tier for 
Green Mark Awards.

To reduce our water footprint, we continued to execute a series of water 
conservation strategies throughout 2018, including investing in water 
efficient technologies, process improvements and reusing and recycling 
water. This work targeted kitchens, laundry areas, gardens, spas and 
heating and cooling systems and is ongoing. We also continued to retrofit 
motion sensors and low flow fixtures in common areas, back of house 
areas and guestrooms.

RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Another key area where we can make a difference is with our supply 
chain. With all procurement decisions, whilst it is important that our 
hotels are able to purchase the goods and services they need to operate 
effectively at the right price, we also must ensure that robust due 
diligence is performed on our suppliers so that we can understand and 
address any social or environmental issues.

Central to our water conservation plan is to increase the amount of 
water that we can recycle and reuse, using alternative methods to provide 
cooling to our chiller systems whilst maintaining high system efficiency. 
This is best implemented at the design stage or in conjunction with 
major system or property renovations. For example, the Millennium 
Buffalo hotel in New York installed a rain monitor on its irrigation 
system to prevent automatic irrigation from happening during rain. Our 
Grand Hyatt Taipei uses recycled treated grey water from the pool and 
feeds it into the cooling waters. At the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay 
of Islands in New Zealand, ground water and water collected from the 
greenhouse roof are used for irrigating the landscaping and vegetable 
gardens at the hotel. The Millennium Hotel Chengdu in China has 
implemented a water conservation plan and carries out water balance 
tests to ensure there are no leakages in the pipe network.

Water consumption data is as follows:

20181

2017

ABSOLUTE
(M3 CONSUMED)

PER ROOM 
(M3 CONSUMED)

ABSOLUTE
(M3 CONSUMED)

PER ROOM 
(M3 CONSUMED)

4,445,746

202

4,582,223

200

1 

 Water consumption data was collected from 75 hotels that were owned or operated by the 
Group and has been independently verified by Carbon Credentials Energy Services Limited.

AWARDS

Since 2011, M&C has reported to the CDP 
(formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure 
Project), an independent non-profit organisation 
that analyses and rates the environmental 

performance of participating companies. CDP data is used by various 
stakeholders, including by investors when making ethical investment 
decisions. In 2018, the Company successfully maintained its prestigious 
“A-’’ leadership rating, which places the Group among the ambitious 
companies that are taking meaningful measures to reduce emissions and 
is a clear indicator of the Group’s advanced sustainability efforts.

We work closely with our local and international suppliers to ensure 
that their products and services meet the demands of our operations 
and the expectations of our guests and other stakeholders. Moreover, 
we expect our suppliers to demonstrate effective management of energy 
use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste, pollution, resource use 
and biodiversity. We also question whether suppliers have appropriate 
corporate governance arrangements in place to operate in an ethical and 
sustainable manner, whilst encouraging diversity and equal opportunities 
throughout their business.

Our selection process for suppliers is stringent and we request and review 
information on their reduction of packaging, environmental policies and 
sustainable transport plans prior to contracts being signed. Within our 
Europe region, we have established processes to assess all new suppliers 
based on their environmental, labour, anti-bribery and human rights 
practices. The system provides transparency and allows us to employ a 
strict audit and review process. It also allows us to manage our suppliers 
centrally and it increases our visibility over their product sourcing and 
transportation.

Wherever practical, we purchase products made from local renewable 
and ethically sound sources. Specific focus is placed on using suppliers 
that reduce emissions and air pollution from food miles and our aim is to 
use suppliers with a demonstrable commitment to sustainable production 
methods. To demonstrate our commitment to sustainable and ethical 
sourcing, we have implemented a number of initiatives, including our 
commitment to eliminate the use of caged eggs from our UK supply 
chain by 2020 and the use of wall-mounted dispensers in bathrooms to 
replace small plastic amenity bottles at various hotels globally.

Annual Report & Accounts 201836

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY
CONTINUED

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES
We care about our neighbourhoods and making a positive contribution 
to our local communities and the people who work and live there. We 
do this through fundraising activities and community engagement, often 
donating not only needed goods and money, but volunteering our time 
as well.

Below are some of the initiatives with which our colleagues were 
engaged during the year, in order to help build brighter futures for their 
communities.

Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Singapore
On 15 March 2018, over 10 hotel staff took time off their busy work 
schedules to bring warmth and laughter to residents at the Red Cross 
Home for the Disabled in Singapore. Staff paired up with residents 
one-to-one for an art therapy session, called ‘Dancing Colours, Bridging 
Love,’ where they created paintings and bonded with the residents.

Copthorne Hotel Newcastle, UK
The Copthorne Hotel Newcastle continued to support the Henry 
Dancer Days charity, which supports children and youths with primary 

bone cancer, disbursing grants to families to help with expenses such as 
transport costs or costs associated with accessibility renovations. Since 
2014 hotel colleagues have raised over £10,000 for the charity through a 
combination of various initiatives and festive raffles.

The Copthorne Newcastle team, with General Manager Mr Ken Ellington (in blue tie), 
presenting the cheque to Henry Dancer Days Charity Founder and Manager Ms Jane Nattrass. 

The hotel has cumulatively raised £10,000 for the charity since 2014.

The Red Cross Home for the Disabled is a residential home for people with multiple disabilities serving over 100 adult and child residents.

Staff from Grand Copthorne Waterfront with the residents from Red Cross Home for the Disabled and their finished masterpieces.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc37

The Lakefront Anchorage, USA
On 12 May 2018, hundreds of Alaskans arrived at The Lakefront 
Anchorage to walk the 4.2-mile (6.76km) loop around Lake Hood, the 
world’s largest and busiest seaplane base. The walk was for Anchorage’s 
edition of the national fundraiser, ‘Walk MS,’ for people affected by 
multiple sclerosis.

The hotel was proud to be an official community sponsor for the fifth 
year in a row and provided the venue for the event, which saw over 350 
attendees. Employees actively participated in the walk and raised close to 
US$1,000 for the important cause. A total of over US$52,000 was raised 
for the event.

In appreciation of the hotel’s continued efforts to support and raise 
awareness for the cause, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater 
Northwest Chapter presented The Lakefront Anchorage with an award 
recognising their extraordinary partnership.

The “cake walkers”: (L-R) Copthorne Palmerston North Front Office Receptionist Ms Zara 
Murrihy; Ava, daughter of Executive Chef Mr Jono Mawley; and Food & Beverage Duty 
Manager Ms Nikki Walker.

The Lakefront Anchorage Director of Sales and Marketing Ms Brandi Cooper and General 
Manager Mr Greg Beltz at the fundraising walk’s finish line at the entrance of the hotel.

Copthorne Palmerston North, New Zealand
The Copthorne Palmerston North took part in the Kind Hearts 
Movement Charity Cake Auction for the first time in July 2018. The 
bake-off saw thirty-two businesses and organisations in the Manawatu 
district in New Zealand create innovative cakes and parade them in a 
“cake walk” for an auction. The members of the hotel team, who were 
proud to have achieved a second-place standing, helped the charity raise 
NZ$410 from the auction of the cake. The goal of the organisation is to 
inspire a kinder world through acts of unconditional kindness.

We must continue to balance our commercial priorities against our 
responsibilities to the environment and our communities. Our colleagues 
around the world continue to instil pride by demonstrating their 
commitment to doing the right thing. Looking ahead, we will continue 
to step-up our corporate responsibility efforts with the knowledge that 
this is a long-term pledge that will help to keep us on the path to creating 
a more sustainable and responsible future.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
38

OUR
RISKS

Being faced with financial and operating risks is an inherent part of 
conducting business in a challenging and fluid business environment. 
Many of our principal risks will be the same risks faced by similar 
businesses in the hospitality industry.

In this section, we describe the principal risks that could affect the 
Group’s ability to deliver against its strategy together with the controls 
and risk management framework in place to mitigate such risks.

MANAGEMENT OF RISK
The Group’s risk management framework has been developed to align 
with the best practice risk management standard ISO 31000. The 
framework consists of a group risk management process for standardized 
assessment, reporting and monitoring of risks to ensure a robust and 
consistent standard in line with the Group’s risk appetite. Under the 
Group’s risk management framework, there are three levels of risks. Level 
1 risks represent the principal risks that are monitored closely at Board 
level. Level 2 risks are those within the areas of responsibility of the 
regional and functional heads. Finally, Level 3 risks encompass hotel-level 
and project-specific risks.

The Board have established a clear organizational structure for the 
management of these risks in the Group, with well-defined roles 
and responsibilities. The Board retains overall responsibility and 

accountability for the effectiveness of the risk management framework 
and internal control systems. In 2018, upon review of the structure of 
the Board’s committees, the Board decided to amalgamate the duties 
of the Risk Committee and Audit Committee given the commonalities 
of their remits and recognizing the progress made towards establishing 
a robust risk management framework within the Group, and the 
new Audit & Risk Committee commenced operation in May 2018. 
Supporting the Audit & Risk Committee, the Group Management Risk 
Committee has accountability for ensuring effective risk management at 
the operational level in line with the Board-approved risk appetite limits. 
The Group Management Risk Committee is comprised of the principal 
risk owners, including regional operational heads and functional heads, 
and is led by the Group Chief Executive Officer.

To support this structure, a Global Director of Compliance and Risk 
Management has been appointed to work with the Group Management 
Risk Committee and the business to help strengthen and further embed 
the Group’s regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management 
framework. A third-party risk management consultancy also continues 
to assist the Group in embedding risk management within the business. 
As risks continue to evolve and grow in complexity, so too do our risk 
management processes, ensuring continual improvement, and growth in 
the organisation’s risk maturity. Work on these initiatives will continue 
over the course of 2019.

RISK FRAMEWORK

Board Risk 
Profile

Regional 
Risk Profiles

Project Risk 
Profiles

Hotel Risk 
Profiles

Functional 
Risk Profiles

Project Risk 
Profiles

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
 
39

RISK GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Board of Directors
Overall accountability for strategic risk management 
and setting of risk appetite.

Audit & Risk Committee
Responsible for conducting assessments of the principal financial 
and non-financial risks and reviewing the effectiveness 
of systems for internal financial control, financial reporting and risk management.

Group Management Risk Committee
Operational accountability for the management and control of risks
and the implementation of mitigation measures in line
with risk appetite.

Global Risk & Compliance
Supports the Group to strengthen and embed the Group’s regulatory
compliance and enterprise risk management framework.

Group Internal Audit
Review the effectiveness 
of internal controls.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
40

OUR 
RISKS
CONTINUED

PRINCIPAL RISKS
In the following table we have identified the key risks that are regarded as 
the most relevant for the Group. The principal risks should be viewed as 
the risks that we see as being material to our business’s performance and 
prospects at this time.

The following pages provide a description of each risk and how it could 
impact the business, a summary of controls and mitigating activities 
being undertaken and the ‘trend’ for the risk. This trend represents 
the forward-looking view of the net risk exposure for each risk, taking 
into account changes in the external risk environment and the Group’s 
internal mitigation activities.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING BREXIT
The Group does not consider the UK leaving the European Union a 
principal risk. The Group has taken steps to mitigate risks within our 
control and will continue to monitor developments and review our 
position. A ‘Brexit Steering Group’ has been established and contingency 
plans are in place to deal with any challenges that may arise post-Brexit.

The order in which risks are presented below is not indicative of the 
relative potential impact to the Group. The risks may, to varying degrees, 
impact the Group’s revenues, profits, net assets, operations, guests, 
employees, partners and/or reputation.

Not all potential risks are listed below; some risks that we are managing 
and monitoring in the business are excluded because the Board considers 
that they are not material to the Group’s long-term strategy, performance 
or viability. In general, the diversity and geographical spread of the 
Group’s assets provide natural hedges against many of the principal 
risks identified below and our processes aim to provide reasonable, not 
absolute, assurance that the principal risks that are significant to our 
business have been identified and addressed. Additionally, there may be 
risks that are not reasonably foreseeable as at the date of this report.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc41

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation Activities

Trend

Competition, 
trading and 
market factors

Investment 
and asset 
management

The hotel industry operates within an inherently 
cyclical sector, where competition, both online and 
offline, is increasing. The growth of room supply, 
without corresponding increases in demand, may 
lead to downward pressure on rates, which in turn 
could negatively impact the Group’s performance. 
The hospitality industry also is seeing a degree of 
consolidation in pursuit of scale and the benefits 
associated with it.

In addition, trading can be directly affected by localised 
events—such as natural catastrophes, country or regional 
geo-political matters—as well as global, macro-economic 
trends impacting travel and hotel stays.

Finally, the Group operates in numerous jurisdictions 
and trades in various international currencies, but reports 
its financial results in pound sterling. Fluctuations in 
currency exchange rates and interest rates may be either 
accretive or dilutive to the Group’s reported trading 
results and net asset value. The 2016 referendum vote 
in the UK to leave the European Union, for instance, 
resulted in a sustained devaluation of the pound sterling. 
Unhedged interest rate exposures pose a risk too. Rising 
interest rates may result in increased borrowing costs and 
impact the Group’s profits.

The Group’s hotels require investment, typically in 
cycles of minor and major refurbishments, to maintain 
their competitiveness. Refurbishment projects invariably 
impact on revenues, particularly when major renovations 
require the hotel to be closed for extended periods. 
Also, refurbishment projects or other capital projects 
may overrun on time and costs or may not deliver the 
expected returns on investment. The size of investment 
and appropriate allocation of limited resources across a 
diverse portfolio are also key considerations. The ability 
of the Group to make the right investment decisions at 
the right time, and devote appropriate resources to its 
investment programme, is crucial to enabling long-term, 
profitable growth. 

•  The diverse nature of the Group’s portfolio, both 

geographically and in respect of its breadth of brands, 
provides a natural hedge against various external risks. 
The Group has a concentration of hotels in key 
gateway cities such as London, Singapore and New 
York to benefit from corporate and leisure travel. As a 
niche owner-operator, the Group keeps a close watch 
on local events and developments to align its 
investment and marketing spend to target relevant 
customer segments and adapt to changing hospitality 
trends.

•  The Group’s internal Treasury Management 

Committee monitors and addresses treasury matters, 
including investment and counterparty risks, in 
accordance with the Group’s treasury policy. The 
Board and Audit & Risk Committee receive regular 
updates on treasury matters.

•  Foreign exchange exposure is primarily managed 

through the funding of purchases and repayment of 
borrowings from income generated in the same 
currency.

•  Interest rate hedges and fixed-rate lending facilities are 
used from time to time to manage interest rate risks. 

•  The Group continues to develop property specific 
refurbishment plans, which focus on the capital 
expenditure requirements of each property in terms of 
regular maintenance and product enhancement to 
help ensure the products remain competitive. These 
plans generally are developed by the hotel 
management teams and reviewed and approved at the 
Group level.

•  Refurbishment projects are generally phased in order 
to minimise the impact on revenues. Where it is 
justified, a decision to fully close and reopen a hotel 
after renovation can be taken, in order to help 
reposition the hotel, for instance.

•  With regard to large-scale capital projects, such as the 
Sunnyvale, California mixed-use development, the 
Yangdong development in Seoul and the 
refurbishment of the former Millennium hotel in 
Mayfair, London, dedicated project managers and cost 
consultants are engaged to help oversee the projects 
and track spending against approved budgets. A 
Senior Vice President of Technical Services was 
appointed in September 2018 to help improve global 
oversight over, and monitoring of, large projects. 

Annual Report & Accounts 201842

OUR 
RISKS
CONTINUED

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation Activities

Trend

Brand equity and 
customer loyalty

Health, safety 
and security

Brand equity and customer loyalty influence consumer 
choice and are created by understanding customer needs, 
clear and consistent communication and consistently 
delivering products and services that meet those 
customer needs. Further, the Group’s ability to protect its 
intellectual property rights in its brands is fundamental 
to delivering on these endeavours. Competition is fierce, 
and the Group’s scale and marketing expenditure cannot 
match those of larger competitors. Generally, the Group 
operates properties which it owns and therefore is able 
to exercise control over the service and product quality 
of those hotels. In addition, management of hotels 
involving third-party or joint-venture relationships in 
certain markets gives rise to the risk of non-performance 
by those parties, affecting the ability of the relevant 
hotels to deliver service and product quality consistent 
with the Group brand and operating standards. Failure 
to create brand equity and customer loyalty could affect 
the pace of future revenue growth as well as the pricing 
power, image and reputation of the Group. 

The health, safety and security of guests, visitors and 
employees is a fundamental expectation and there is 
a breadth of regulatory requirements across different 
jurisdictions relating to health and safety matters. Failure 
to implement and maintain sufficient controls regarding 
health and safety issues could result in serious injury or 
loss of life, lead to regulatory investigations and expose 
the Group to significant claims, sanctions or fines, both 
civil and criminal, as well as reputational damage.

Whilst health and safety matters often are local to a 
particular venue or location, security concerns can be 
affected by global geopolitical events.

•  The Group has in place brand standards that are 

designed to maintain a level of product consistency 
based on the brand collection to which a particular 
hotel belongs whilst allowing flexibility in order to 
maintain the personality of the property. The brand 
standards capture the key messaging behind each of 
the Group’s brands.

•  To raise the profile of our brands and to help build 

brand equity, marketing campaigns are highly targeted 
and often leverage strategic partnerships. In 2018, the 
Group launched the M Collection and promoted the 
Leng’s Collection. It also signed a sponsorship 
agreement with the Chelsea Football Club and 
redesigned its loyalty programme for launch in 2019.

•  Investment continues to be made in protecting the 

Group’s brands from misuse and infringement, by way 
of trademark registrations, enforcement of intellectual 
property rights, domain name protection and 
enforcement of management agreements. The Group 
utilises third party online brand monitoring and 
protection agencies to assist with the Group’s 
enforcement activities.

•  The Group has health, safety and environmental 

management systems in place, which include policies, 
procedures, testing, self and third-party audits, 
training and reporting. Where possible, these seek to 
align with the requirements of best practice accredited 
systems (e.g., OHSAS 18001). By following these 
standards, the Group strives to work to the highest 
standards of health and safety.

•  Following the tragic event at Grenfell Tower in 

London, in June 2017, related to flammable cladding, 
the Group assessed its portfolio globally, testing and 
confirming that such cladding is not used at any of the 
Group’s owned and managed properties.

•  Management seeks to identify emerging risks at the 

earliest opportunity to ensure clear roles and 
responsibilities, internal controls and other steps to 
minimize these exposures to the greatest extent 
possible.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc43

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation Activities

Trend

Talent 
management and 
succession 

Hospitality is a people business. The Group’s brands and 
ability to deliver consistent service quality are dependent 
on its ability to attract, develop and retain employees 
with the appropriate skills, experience and aptitude. 
Generally in the industry, frontline employees are prone 
to higher levels of turnover. Also, with the growth in 
room supply, demand and consumer choice globally, 
it becomes increasingly important for operators to be 
able to find and retain senior leaders who inspire and 
motivate staff. Failure of the Group to properly plan for 
the recruitment and succession of key management roles 
may impact service quality, consistency and/or delay the 
execution of the Group’s strategies.

Not unique to the Group, a considerable proportion 
of hotel staff in the UK, and particularly in London, 
originate from European Union countries. The ability of 
the Group to retain appropriate staff, as well as the cost 
of doing so, may be impacted depending on if and how 
the UK exits the European Union. 

Revenue channel 
optimisation and 
cost of sale 

Keeping abreast of digital transformation and online 
competition is critical given the growing proportion of 
the Group’s hotel rooms being booked online. Online 
travel agencies (“OTA”) tend to have higher commission 
rates compared to traditional travel agents and are 
taking an increasing share of bookings across the sector. 
Over time, consumers may develop loyalties to the 
OTAs rather than to the Group’s brands. These trends 
may impact the rising cost of sale ultimately affecting 
profitability. Other costs related to metasearch engines 
and tools that help direct online traffic towards our own 
websites are increasing. On the supply side, sharing 
economy platforms, such as Airbnb, may expand their 
market share and compete with more traditional business 
and leisure accommodations.

•  The Group has strong regional and local management 

structures threaded together with a common 
commitment towards ensuring a rewarding and 
empowering work environment. This is supported by 
performance management and recognition systems, 
compensation and benefits programmes, e.g., bonus 
plans, service reward programmes, share plans, and 
internal and external training and development 
programmes.

•  The Group strives to provide internal talent with 

opportunities for development and advancement as a 
matter of priority.

•  The Nominations Committee and wider Board are 
tasked with ensuring proper succession plans are in 
place for key members of the senior management 
team.

•  The Group is keeping on top of the developments 

relating to the UK’s potential exit from the European 
Union as they unfold and management are continuing 
to review the potential impact of the developments. A 
‘Brexit Steering Group’ has been established to ensure 
the Group considers material risks and to develop 
appropriate mitigation strategies. This allows the 
Group to remain nimble and ready to respond to 
different issues and scenarios.

•  The Group continues to refresh its digital marketing 

strategy and invest in its e-commerce, customer 
relationship management, revenue management and 
reservations systems in order to help increase rates, 
retain existing customers and generate new business. 
In 2018, the Group restructured its sales organisation 
and developed a global sales account management tool 
to focus on growing corporate business in particular.

•  Fundamental to the Group’s distribution strategy is 
growing brand recognition and loyalty along with 
increasing direct channel bookings. In 2018, the 
Group continued to enhance its brand website and it 
will be launching a revamped loyalty programme in 
the first quarter of 2019.

•  The Group is aggressively managing its portfolio of 
distribution channel partners, including established 
OTAs and new, niche or local players, to optimise 
revenue, gain access to new customers and minimise 
commission costs.

Annual Report & Accounts 201844

OUR 
RISKS
CONTINUED

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation Activities

Trend

Information 
security, 
vulnerability to 
cyber-attacks 
and PCI-DSS 
compliance

Legal and 
regulatory 
compliance

Increasing reliance on online distribution channels and 
transactions over the internet and mobile applications, 
and the aggregation and storage of guest and other 
information electronically, both on company-controlled 
servers and networks and in cloud-based environments, 
present heightened risks of attacks affecting the operation 
of those systems and networks and/or a potential loss or 
misuse of confidential or proprietary information. The 
occurrence of a cyber security event or loss of data could 
disrupt business, the ability of the Group to take or fulfil 
bookings or lead to reputational and monetary damages, 
litigation or regulatory fines.

In addition, various aspects of the Group’s operations are 
required to achieve compliance with the payment card 
industry security standards (“PCI-DSS”), and failure 
to do so could result in penalties and/or withdrawal of 
credit card payment facilities.

The Group operates in many jurisdictions and is exposed 
to the risk of non-compliance with increasingly complex 
statutory and regulatory requirements, including 
competition law, anti-bribery and corruption and data 
privacy compliance regimes. Non-compliance with such 
regulations, which differ by jurisdiction and are areas of 
increasing focus by regulators, could result in fines and/
or other damages, including reputational damage, being 
incurred, particularly in the event a data breach should 
occur. An area of particular regulatory focus in 2018, for 
example, was in relation to the implementation of the 
new EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

In addition, the Group has contractual relationships in 
place with various counterparties, including customers, 
suppliers, employees and other parties, and provides 
goods and services to customers. As such, a breakdown 
in any of these relationships could lead to disputes and 
ultimately litigation, which in turn could give rise to 
reputational damages, management distraction and/
or the Company having to incur significant costs or 
damages, particularly where claims are not insured or are 
not fully insured.

In certain countries where the Group operates, 
particularly in emerging markets, local practices and the 
legal environment may be such that enforcement of the 
Group’s legal rights is challenging.

•  The Group’s regional Information Technology (“IT”) 

teams conduct periodic security and penetration 
testing, often using external consultants, and any 
recommendations or enhancements are implemented 
where necessary.

•  Software systems are regularly updated to allow for the 

latest security updates and patches to be installed.
•  Information technology policies and procedures have 
been updated to reflect implementation of the latest 
PCI-DSS compliance standards.

•  The Group has in place, and regularly reviews, cyber 
insurance coverage to protect against certain cyber 
risks.

•  The Group continues to monitor regulatory changes 
in the jurisdictions in which it operates in order to 
identify its obligations and implement appropriate 
compliance and training programmes. The Group has 
comprehensive global and, where applicable, regional 
policies and procedures in place to address 
competition law, data privacy, ethical business 
conduct, whistle-blowing, anticorruption and bribery, 
gifts and hospitality and charitable donations, among 
others.

•  The Group undertook a comprehensive project to 
ensure compliance with the GDPR, including data 
mapping, updating policies and procedures and 
implementing additional controls and training.
•  The Group maintains in place industry standard 

insurance cover to mitigate many potential litigation 
risks, such as employment practices liability, workers 
compensation and general liability policies.

•  The Group has controls in place to manage and help 

mitigate the risks associated with its various 
contractual relationships, from execution through to 
termination, insured and uninsured litigation and 
other disputes. Regular litigation reports are provided 
to the Board.

•  A dedicated Global Director of Compliance and Risk 
Management has been hired to enhance the Group’s 
compliance and risk management regime.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc45

Viability risk assessment
Risk reviews led by the Group Management Risk Committee and 
overseen by the Audit & Risk Committee identify and evaluate the 
Group’s principal risks in the context of its operating environment, 
business objectives and enterprise risk management controls that are in 
place.

One element of this pertains to the assessment of the cash flow of 
the Group over a three-year period for a viability risk assessment, 
taking into account projected cashflows available from operations and 
lending facilities versus the estimated investment and working capital 
requirements over the period.

Review period
For purposes of the Group’s viability risk assessment, the Directors once 
again selected a three-year review period ending 31 December 2021, 
although they have no reason to believe that the Group will not be viable 
over a longer period. This three-year period was determined to be a 
reasonable assessment period for several reasons:

•  First, the three-year period is in line with the Group’s rolling strategic 
and financial plans, which are reviewed by the Board on an annual 
basis;

•  Second, many of the Group’s revolving credit lines have three-year 

terms;

Viability Statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the Directors have carried out a robust assessment of the principal 
risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. This assessment 
involved a review of the prospects of the Group over the three-year 
period to 31 December 2021, considering the Group’s strategy and the 
Group’s principal risks and how these are managed over this period, as 
detailed on pages 40 to 44.

The Directors believe the three-year period is appropriate for the 
reasons stated above. The three-year strategic and financial plans are 
supplemented by regular Board briefings provided by management and 
the discussion of any significant new initiatives, trends, transactions or 
other matters that may impact the Group or its business. Based on this 
assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities, as they fall 
due, over the period to 31 December 2021.

Approval of Strategic Report
The Strategic Report comprises the following sections: Chairman’s 
statement, Business review and strategy, Key performance indicators, 
Financial performance and regional performances, Corporate 
responsibility and Our risks sections. The Strategic Report was approved 
by the Board and has been signed on its behalf by:

•  Third, the landscape of online competition has been changing rapidly, 
as previously reported, and is likely to continue to change further in 
the foreseeable future, and it would be difficult to form a reasonable 
judgment of how the online marketplace will evolve beyond a period 
of three years.

Kwek Leng Beng
Chairman of the Board

14 February 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 201848 Board of Directors

51 Directors’ report

57 Corporate governance statement

67 Audit & Risk Committee report

71 Directors’ remuneration report

88 Nominations Committee report

93 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

94 Independent auditor’s report

GOVERNANCE

48 Board of Directors
51 Directors’ report
57 Corporate governance statement
67 Audit & Risk Committee report
71 Directors’ remuneration report
88 Nominations Committee report
93 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
94 Independent auditor’s report

Orchard Ballroom Foyer, Orchard Hotel Singapore

48

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

KWEK LENG BENG (N)
Chairman of the Board and 
Chairman of the Nominations 
Committee

HIS EXCELLENCY 
SHAUKAT AZIZ (N)(R)
Senior Independent 
Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee

Kwek  Leng  Beng  has  been  the  Chairman  of 
Millennium  &  Copthorne  Hotels  plc  since  its 
incorporation. He is also the Executive Chairman 
of  City  Developments  Limited  and  Chairman 
and Managing Director of Hong Leong Finance 
Limited.  He  also  was  the  Non-Executive 
Chairman of Hong Leong Asia Limited until its 
Annual General Meeting in April 2017, when he 
stepped down as its Chairman and as a Director.

Mr  Kwek  holds  an  honorary  doctorate  in 
Business  Administration  in  Hospitality  from 
Johnson & Wales University in the US, and has 
an  honorary  doctorate  from  Oxford  Brookes 
University in the UK.

Mr Kwek has distinguished himself in property 
investment  and  development,  hotel  ownership 
and  management,  financial 
services,  and 
industrial enterprises. He leads a business empire 
worth over US$32b in diversified premium assets 
worldwide  and  has  companies  traded  on  6  of 
the world’s stock markets. Mr Kwek’s enterprise 
employs  over  40,000  employees  across  a  range 
of  businesses  in  Asia-Pacific,  the  Middle  East, 
Europe, and North America.

Shaukat  Aziz  was  appointed  to  the  Board  in 
June 2009. He was elected as Prime Minister of 
Pakistan  and  served  between  2004  and  2007, 
having  previously  held  the  post  of  Finance 
Minister for five years.

from  Gordon  College, 
After  graduating 
Rawalpindi 
in  1967,  Mr  Aziz  gained  a 
MBA  degree  from  the  Institute  of  Business 
Administration,  University  of  Karachi.  An 
internship at Citibank marked the beginning of 
a 30 year career in global finance, encompassing 
roles  globally.  As  Executive  Vice  President, 
he  held  several  senior  management  positions 
in  Citibank,  including  Head  of  Institutional 
Banking for Central Eastern Europe, the Middle 
East  and  Africa,  and  later  for  Asia  Pacific, 
followed  by  Chief  Executive  of  their  global 
wealth  management  business.  A  renowned 
public  speaker  on  economic  and  geopolitical 
affairs,  Mr  Aziz  is  a  member  of  several  boards 
and advisory boards of various commercial and 
non-profit entities around the world.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
49

KWEK LENG PECK (N)
Non-Executive Director

KWEK EIK SHENG
Non-Executive Director

Kwek  Leng  Peck  was  appointed  to  the  Board 
in February 1995, prior to the flotation of the 
Company  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange. 
He  holds  directorships  in  most  of  the  listed 
companies  within  the  Hong  Leong  Group 
of  companies  in  Singapore,  including  City 
Developments  Limited,  Hong  Leong  Finance 
Limited,  and  China  Yuchai  International 
Limited. He also serves as an Executive Director 
for  Hong  Leong  Asia  Limited,  and  is  Non-
Executive  Chairman  of  Tasek  Corporation 
Berhad.

Kwek  Eik  Sheng  was  appointed  to  the  Board 
in  April  2008.  He  has  been  with  the  Hong 
Leong  Group  of  companies  in  Singapore  since 
2006 and joined City Developments Limited in 
2009,  where  he  currently  serves  as  the  Group 
Chief Strategy Officer.

Mr  Kwek  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Engineering  in 
Electrical  and  Electronics  Engineering  from 
Imperial  College  of  Science,  Technology  and 
Medicine  and  a  MPhil  in  Finance  from  Judge 
Business School, Cambridge University.

MARTIN LEITCH (A)(N)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director and Chair of the 
Audit & Risk Committee

Martin  Leitch  was  appointed  to  the  Board 
in  May  2017.  Mr  Leitch  is  an  international 
finance  executive  with  significant  experience 
in  both  publicly  quoted  and  private  equity 
owned  groups.  He  is  a  Chartered  Accountant 
and  has  since  2013  provided  finance,  strategy, 
corporate finance and other services to a number 
of  international  businesses,  including  Volac 
International  and  Constantia  Flexibles.  Before 
that  he  was  Chief  Financial  Officer  at  Innovia 
Films,  Quest  International  and  Antalis  Group. 
He  began  his  corporate  career  at  Pepsi-Cola 
International in 1993, having worked for Price 
Waterhouse  in  both  the  UK  and  US  between 
1979 and 1993.

Annual Report & Accounts 201850

BOARD OF 
DIRECTORS
CONTINUED

CHRISTIAN DE 
CHARNACÉ (N)(R)(A)
Independent 
Non-Executive Director

DANIEL DESBAILLETS (A)(R)
Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Christian  de  Charnacé  was  appointed  to  the 
Board  in  August  2017.  He  has  over  40  years 
of  global  experience  in  merchant,  corporate 
and  institutional  banking.  Most  recently  he 
was CEO, Investment Banking Asia Pacific, for 
BNP Paribas based in Hong Kong. He has since 
1980 led various divisions of the bank working 
in  Singapore,  Hong  Kong,  Seoul,  Los  Angeles, 
Taipei,  Tokyo,  Paris  and  London.  Mr  de 
Charnacé has been involved in numerous capital 
markets, financing and advisory transactions for 
clients  throughout  Asia,  the  US  and  Europe, 
and  has  considerable  experience  in  advising 
listed companies. He began his banking career at 
Bank of America, working in its Multinational 
Division.  He  also  serves  as  a  Non-Executive 
Director of Golden Agri-Resources Ltd and an 
Independent  President  Commissioner  on  the 
Board of BNP Paribas Sekuritas Indonesia.

Daniel  Desbaillets  was  appointed  to  the  Board 
in  September  2016.  Prior  to  his  appointment 
Mr  Desbaillets  was  an  Independent  Non-
Executive Director of M&C REIT Management 
Limited, the manager for CDL Hospitality Real 
Estate  Investment Trust  (“H-REIT”),  and  also 
of M&C Business Trust Management Limited, 
the 
for  CDL  Hospitality 
Business  Trust  (“HBT”).  Both  H-REIT  and 
HBT are comprised as a stapled group in CDL 
Hospitality  Trusts  (“CDLHT”)  which  is  listed 
on  the  Singapore  Exchange  Securities  Trading 
Limited.

trustee-manager 

extensive  hospitality 
Mr  Desbaillets  has 
experience.  He  has  been  in  the  hospitality 
industry  since  1973  holding  senior  positions 
with  InterContinental  Hotel  Group,  Hilton 
and Shangri-La. He was appointed to the boards 
of  CDLHT  as  an  Independent  Non-Executive 
Director in July 2010.

A – Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
R – Member of the Remuneration Committee
N – Member of the Nominations Committee

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc51

DIRECTORS
REPORT

INTRODUCTION
The Directors present their annual report of the business and the Group, 
together with the financial statements and auditor’s report, for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

The Directors’ Report is required to be produced under the Companies 
Act 2006 (the “Act”). The Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”) 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (“DTRs”) and Listing 
Rules (“LRs”) also require the Company to make certain disclosures.

The purpose of the Directors’ Report is to provide shareholders with 
certain statutory information about the Company, its Directors and its 
operations. The Strategic Report informs shareholders of and helps them 
assess how the Directors have performed in their duty to promote the 
success of the company.

Other information that is relevant to this report, and which is also incorporated by reference, including information required in accordance with the 
Act and LR 9.8.4R, can be located as follows:

DISCLOSURE

Directors’ emoluments

Long Term Incentive schemes

SECTION

Directors Remuneration Report

Details of the Group’s employee share schemes are set out 
in Note 23 of the consolidated financial statements and 
also on pages 80 and 82 of the Directors’ annual report on 
remuneration. Details of the shares held by the Millennium & 
Copthorne Hotels plc Employee Benefit Trust can be found 
In the Directors’ Report on page 53 and in Note 30 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements on page 167

Interest capitalised by the Group

Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary

Contract of significance with a director or controlling shareholder

None

None

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

Note 33 of the consolidated financial statements

Non-preemptive issues of equity for cash

Non-preemptive issues of equity for cash in relation to major 
subsidiary undertakings

None

None

PAGE

71

135

169

Agreements with the controlling shareholder

Corporate governance statement

Employee involvement and policies

Greenhouse gas emissions

Corporate responsibility

Corporate responsibility

64

31 and 32

From page 32

COMPANY STATUS
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc is a public limited company 
incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. It has a premium 
listing on the London Stock Exchange main market for listed securities 
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.

STRATEGIC REPORT
This report is prepared by the Directors and is found on pages 18 to 
45. The Strategic Report is required by the Act to provide a fair review 
of the Company’s business, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties facing the Company. It includes an analysis of 
the development and performance of the Company’s business during the 
year and the position of its business at the end of the year, as well as a 
description of the Company’s strategy and business model.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The names and biographical details of the Directors holding office as 
at 31 December 2018 are shown on pages 48 to 50. Three Directors, 
including Jennifer Fox, Sue Farr and Gervase MacGregor, served as 
Directors of the Company for a portion of the year, but stepped down 
on 27 September 2018, 31 October 2018 and 1 December 2018, 
respectively.

DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS
Details of the Directors’ shareholdings at 31 December 2018 are shown 
on page 82. No change to these shareholdings has occurred between 
31 December 2018 and the date of this report.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
52

DIRECTORS 
REPORT
CONTINUED

APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
A Director may be appointed to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional 
Director by an ordinary resolution of shareholders. In addition, the 
Directors may appoint a Director to fill a casual vacancy or as an 
additional Director, provided that the individual retires at the next 
Annual General Meeting.

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, which provides that 
all directors of FTSE 350 companies should stand for election or re-
election by shareholders every year, all members of the Board will retire 
and seek re-election at this year’s Annual General Meeting. The eligibility 
requirements for Directors to be appointed at a general meeting are 
specified in the Company’s Articles of Association.

A Director may be removed by the Company in certain circumstances 
as set out in the Company’s Articles of Association or the Director’s 
appointment letter, including by an ordinary resolution of the Company, 
upon termination of the Director’s appointment letter by the Company 
or being given written notice to resign signed by all of the other 
Directors, or in the event the Director becomes prohibited by law from 
acting as a Director.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018 are set 
out on pages 104 to 185.

An interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 2.08p per 
share was paid on 28 September 2018. The Directors are recommending 
a final dividend of 2.15p per share (2017: 4.42p), which, if approved at 
the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2019, will be paid 
on 17 May 2019 to shareholders on the register on 15 March 2019.

POLITICAL DONATIONS AND EXPENDITURE
No donations were made by the Group for political purposes and the 
Group did not incur any political expenditure during the year (2017: 
£nil). The Company operates a politically neutral policy with regard to 
any political donations and expenditure it may elect to make. See the 
Corporate Responsibility Report on page 36 for details of the Company’s 
non-political charitable activities.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
An indication of the Group’s financial risk management objectives and 
policies in respect of the use of financial instruments and exposure of the 
Company to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk are set 
out in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
All disclosures concerning the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions can be 
found in the Corporate Responsibility Report from page 32.

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT AND DISABLED PERSONS
We value highly the rich ethnic and cultural diversity of our people. The 
Group operates in over 26 countries and employed 11,504 employees 
worldwide during the year. We are an equal opportunities employer 
and our objective is to ensure that no employee or other worker or 
job applicant receives less favourable treatment, directly or indirectly, 
on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil 
partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or 
national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Further, our policies encourage the employment, training and 
advancement of disabled persons, having regard to their particular 
aptitudes and abilities, provided that they can be employed in a safe 
working environment. Suitable employment would, if possible, be 
found for any employee who becomes disabled during the course of 
employment.

The Group values the engagement of its employees and endeavours 
to keep employees informed about matters of concern to them and 
the performance of the Company, whether through management 
presentations, global and regional intranet sites and other 
communications. Likewise, the Group seeks to consult with employees 
through various means and on a regular basis so that their views can be 
taken into account. The Group currently operates an HM Revenue & 
Customs compliant Save as You Earn Scheme, an all-employee share 
plan for employees in the UK, and Long Term Incentive Plan, Executive 
Share Plan and Deferred Share Bonus Plan for certain levels of executives 
globally. The primary objectives of these plans are to incentivise 
and engage our employees and align their interests with the Group’s 
performance. Further details of the Group’s employee benefits are set out 
in Note 23 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

During 2018, the Board received detailed reports in relation to the 
new UK Corporate Governance Code (the “New Code”) that became 
effective on 1 January 2019. The New Code has expanded the roles of 
the Remuneration Committee and the Nominations Committee; in 
particular, the Remuneration Committee has been developing proposals 
with regard to the wider workforce. The Remuneration Committee, 
in conjunction with senior management and PricewaterhouseCoopers, 
developed a formal framework that will allow the Board to understand 
the views of and engage with the workforce. This has involved the 
establishment of a workforce advisory panel. Further details relating to 
the workforce advisory panel and work undertaken by the Remuneration 
Committee to address some of the New Code requirements, is detailed in 
the Directors Remuneration Report and will be further elaborated in the 
company’s 2019 Annual Report and Accounts.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
A discussion of the likely future developments in the business of the 
Group can be found in the Strategic Report on page 18.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc53

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Whilst we continue to review ways to improve our service and product 
offerings, and regularly invest in our people and assets, the Group did 
not conduct significant research and development activities during the 
year.

BRANCHES
The Company did not have any branches outside the UK during the 
year.

GOING CONCERN BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The Directors, having made appropriate enquiries, have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in 
operation for the foreseeable future, which for this purpose is a period of 
at least 12 months from the date of approval of the Company’s financial 
statements. Accordingly, they continue to consider it appropriate 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
consolidated financial statements of the Group. Further details on this 
assessment are included on page 112, within Note 2.1 to the Group 
financial statements.

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF 
ASSOCIATION
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special 
resolution of its shareholders in accordance with the Act.

SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS
There are no significant agreements to which the Company is a party 
that take effect, are altered or terminate upon a change of control of 
the Company following a takeover bid. However, as mentioned in 
the “Payment for loss of office” section in this Directors’ Report, the 
Company’s share plans include change of control provisions.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RELATED MATTERS
The Company’s issued share capital at 31 December 2018 consisted of 
324,791,486 fully paid ordinary shares of 30 pence each. The shares 
are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. During 
2018, 30,731 new shares were issued under employee share plans. 
Further details of the changes to the Company’s ordinary issued share 
capital during the year are shown in Note 29 to the Company’s financial 
statements.

RIGHTS ATTACHED TO SHARES
Rights and obligations attached to the Company’s ordinary shares are 
set out in the Company’s Articles of Association, a copy of which can 
be obtained from Companies House or from the Company’s investor 
relations website at https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/corporate-
governance/policies.

With regard to the Company’s ordinary shares:

•  each ordinary share of the Company ranks equally in all respects:

•  the voting rights associated with the Company’s ordinary shares are 

not restricted and there are no restrictions on the transfer of the shares 
or the voting rights attached to them aside from certain restrictions 
that may from time to time be imposed by applicable laws or 
regulations, such as insider dealing laws. Pursuant to the Company’s 
share dealing policies, the Company’s Directors and certain other 
categories of employees, such as persons discharging managerial 
responsibility, are required to seek approval to deal in the Company’s 
shares during various restricted periods;

•  the Directors are not aware of any agreements between shareholders 

that may result in restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s shares 
or on the voting rights attached to them; and

•  none of the Company’s shares carries special rights with regard to 

control of the Company.

EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES
The Company has in place a discretionary Employee Benefit Trust 
known as the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc Employee Benefit 
Trust 2006 (the “EBT”), which is funded by the Company and 
was established to acquire shares in the Company for the benefit of 
employees participating in the Company’s share-based incentive schemes. 
Details of shares held by the EBT at 31 December 2018 are set out on 
page 167. During 2018, 22,365 shares were released from the EBT in 
respect of share schemes for employees. The trustee of the EBT, currently 
First Names (NTC) Trustees Limited, has the power to exercise all voting 
rights in relation to the Company’s shares held within the EBT, but 
generally abstains from voting.

PAYMENT FOR LOSS OF OFFICE
The Company does not have an agreement with any Director or 
employee that would provide compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover bid. However, all of the 
Company’s employee share plans contain provisions relating to a change 
of control pursuant to a general offer, scheme of arrangement or similar 
event. On such a change of control, options and awards granted to 
employees under the Company’s share plans may vest and become 
exercisable, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable performance 
conditions at that time. Further details about payments to be made to 
Directors for loss of office can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 81.

POWER OF DIRECTORS
The Directors may exercise all the Company’s powers that are not 
required by the law or the Company’s Articles of Association to be 
exercised in a general meeting. In particular, the Directors may exercise 
all the powers of the Company to borrow money, issue shares, appoint 
and remove directors and recommend and declare dividends.

Annual Report & Accounts 201854

DIRECTORS 
REPORT
CONTINUED

CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER INDEPENDENCE 
DISCLOSURE
As of the date of this report, City Developments Limited (“CDL”) is 
the controlling shareholder of the Company. As required under LR 
9.2.2ADR, the Company and CDL have entered into the Amended and 
Restated Co-Operation Agreement dated 14 November 2014  
(the “Co-Operation Agreement”), which is intended to ensure that the 
Company’s controlling shareholder complies with the independence 
provisions set out in the Listing Rules.

In accordance with LR 6.5.4R the Co-operation Agreement establishes, 
among other things, that CDL and its associates shall (i) conduct all 
transactions and arrangements with the Company and its subsidiaries 
at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms; (ii) not take any 
action which would have the effect of preventing the Company from 
complying with its obligations under the LRs; and (iii) not exercise any 
voting or other rights and powers to propose or procure the proposal of 
a shareholder resolution which is intended or appears to be intended to 
circumvent the proper application of the LRs.

The Co-Operation Agreement will continue in operation as long as the 
Company’s shares are listed on the premium segment of the Official List 
of the London Stock Exchange and will terminate should CDL cease to 
be a ‘controlling shareholder’ as defined in the Listing Rules.

The Company confirms that during the year it has complied with the 
independence provisions included within the Co-Operation Agreement 
and, in so far as it is aware, CDL has complied with such provisions as 
well.

The Co-Operation Agreement allows CDL to appoint up to five 
Directors to the Board. As at the date of this report, CDL has appointed 
three Directors.

ALLOTMENT OF SHARES
Under the Act, Directors may only allot shares or grant rights to 
subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares if authorised to do 
so by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting. At the 
Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved 
resolutions authorising the Company to:

•  allot shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £32,476,608 

(representing one-third of the Company’s issued share capital as at 
28 March 2018);

•  allot shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £64,953,216 

(representing two-thirds of the Company’s issued share capital as at 
28 March 2018) in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue 
(i) to holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as may be 
practicable) to their respective holdings; and (ii) to holders of other 
equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or as the 
Directors otherwise consider necessary;

•  disapply pre-emption rights for cash issues of shares in respect of 

ordinary shares with a nominal value of up to £4,871,491 
(representing approximately 5% of the Company’s issued share capital 
as at 28 March 2018); and

•  disapply pre-emption rights for cash issues of shares in respect of 

ordinary shares with a nominal value of up to an additional 
£4,871,491 (representing approximately 5% of the Company’s issued 
share capital as at 28 March 2018) for purpose of financing (or 
refinancing, if the authority is to be used within six months after the 
original transaction) a transaction which the Directors determine to be 
an acquisition or other capital investment, in line with the Statement 
of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently 
published by The Pre-Emption Group.

The authority conferred on the Directors under these resolutions will 
expire at the conclusion of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting 
or 30 June 2019, whichever is earlier. At the Company’s 2019 Annual 
General Meeting shareholders will be asked to renew these authorities. 
Further details of these resolutions and other resolutions are contained in 
the 2019 notice of Annual General Meeting.

The Co-Operation Agreement contains a provision that requires the 
Company to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that any issue 
of voting securities for cash (other than pursuant to an employee or 
executive share option scheme) which takes place while the Company 
is on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange, is carried out in 
a manner that provides CDL with an opportunity to acquire additional 
ordinary shares at the time of such proposed issue for cash in such 
amounts as are necessary to enable it to maintain its voting rights in the 
Company at the same percentage level as is held immediately prior to 
such issue. These pre-emption rights are put to a vote of shareholders 
each year and most recently were approved at the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting in May 2018.

PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES
The Company was authorised by shareholders at its 2018 Annual 
General Meeting to purchase its own shares on the market within 
certain limits. In the period since the 2018 Annual General Meeting, 
the Company has not exercised this authority. The Board will seek 
shareholder approval at the 2019 Annual General Meeting to renew this 
authority to make market purchases of the Company’s shares.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITIES
The Articles of Association of the Company permit it to indemnify the 
Directors of the Company or any Group company against liabilities 
incurred by them in relation to or in connection with their duties, 
powers or office, to the extent permitted by law. The Company has 
provided each of its Directors with a qualifying third-party indemnity, 
as defined in section 234 of the Act. In addition, the Company has 
provided qualifying pension scheme indemnities to the directors of 
Millennium & Copthorne Pension Trustee Limited, which acts as trustee 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc55

•  various meetings or conversations between the Directors, including the 
Chairman of the Board, the Senior Independent Director and other 
Directors, and the Company’s institutional shareholders so that the 
Board could gain a first-hand understanding of investor concerns.

In addition, the Company’s Annual General Meeting provides all 
shareholders with the opportunity to ask questions on matters put forth 
as resolutions and to further develop their understanding of the business.

At the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting the company received 
significant votes opposing the election or re-election of the independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Board is always mindful of shareholder 
concerns and has engaged regularly with shareholders during the year to 
understand their concerns in respect of these resolutions this as well as 
other matters.

His Excellency Shaukat Aziz, the Company’s Senior Independent 
Director, is available to all shareholders if they have concerns that 
communication through the normal channels has failed to resolve.

Our website, https://investors.millenniumhotels.com, contains  
up-to-date information for our shareholders and other interested parties, 
including copies of previous annual reports and accounts, shareholder 
circulars and presentations, share price information and information on 
shareholder services.

ESSENTIAL CONTRACTS
The Group has contractual and other arrangements with numerous third 
parties in support of its business activities. Whilst the termination of 
some of these contracts might cause temporary disruption, none of the 
arrangements is, individually, considered to be essential to the Group’s 
business.

RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE AUDITOR
KPMG LLP has expressed their willingness to be reappointed as auditor 
of the Company. Upon the recommendation of the Audit & Risk 
Committee, resolutions to reappoint them as auditor and to authorise 
the Directors to determine their remuneration will be proposed at the 
Company’s 2019 Annual General Meeting.

of the Group’s UK pension plan, and qualifying third-party indemnities 
to the directors of its European subsidiary companies. The indemnities 
do not apply in the event a covered person is proved to have committed a 
criminal offence or otherwise where indemnification is prohibited by law. 
These indemnities remain in force as at the date of this report.

In 2018, the Company purchased and maintained Directors’ and 
Officers’ liability insurance coverage, which is intended to be renewed 
again in 2019. No claim was made under any such indemnity or 
insurance policy during the year.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2019 Annual General Meeting will be held at the Millennium 
Hotel London Knightsbridge, 17 Sloane St, Knightsbridge, London 
SW1X 9NU on 10 May 2019 at 10.00 a.m. The Notice of Meeting, 
which will contain notes explaining the business to be transacted at 
the meeting, will be sent to shareholders under a covering letter from 
the Chairman of the Company’s Board, together with a copy of the 
Company 2018 annual report and accounts, at least 21 clear days in 
advance.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the Board will present a review of the 
Group’s business first and a poll will be conducted for all resolutions 
being put forward to shareholders. Resolutions will be proposed to, 
among other things, declare a final dividend, to receive the annual report 
and accounts, to approve the Directors’ remuneration report, to re-elect 
all Directors, to re-appoint KPMG LLP as the auditor and to authorise 
the Directors to approve their fees. In addition, shareholders will be 
asked to renew authorities referred to above. Following the meeting, the 
voting results for each resolution will be published.

ENGAGEMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Board recognises and values the importance of maintaining an 
effective investor relations and communication programme. The Board 
is proactive in obtaining an understanding of shareholder views on a 
number of key matters affecting the Group and receives formal investor 
feedback regularly.

In 2018, the Group’s shareholders engagement activities included:

•  formal investor presentations in respect of the Group’s 2017 

preliminary results and 2018 interim results;

•  various meetings or conversations between the Company’s 

management team, including the Group Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and other members of the 
team from time to time, and the Company’s major shareholders 
during the year; and

Annual Report & Accounts 201856

DIRECTORS 
REPORT
CONTINUED

SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS
As at the date of this report, the Company had been notified, under DTR 5.1.2, of the following interests of three per cent or more in its total voting 
rights:

SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER

City Developments Limited

International Value Advisers, LLC

Goldman Sachs Securities (Nominees) Ltd.
JNE Master Fund LP

Standard Life Aberdeen plc

# OF ORDINARY 
SHARES

NOTIFIED 
INTEREST (%)

NATURE OF HOLDING

211,749,487

21,127,368

20,093,139

13,707,249

65.2

6.51

6.19

4.22

Indirect holding through various subsidiaries

Investment advisor

Discretionary investment manager on behalf of 
multiple managed portfolios*

Discretionary investment manager on behalf of 
multiple managed portfolios

*On 3 January 2019 the Company was informed that the people subject to the notification obligation were MSD Capital, L.P. , MSD Capital Management, LLC, JNE Partners LLP and Jonathan 
Esfandi.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
In compliance with DTR 7.2.1R, the disclosures required by DTR 
7.2.2R to 7.2.7R are set out in this Directors’ Report and in the 
Corporate Governance Statement on pages 57 to 66, which together 
with the Directors’ Statement of Responsibilities are incorporated by 
reference into this report.

STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS AS TO DISCLOSURE OF 
INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR
In accordance with Section 418 of the Act, each Director who held office 
at the date of approval of this Directors’ Report confirms that:

•  so far as he or she is aware, there is no relevant audit information of 

which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and

•  he or she has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a 
director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of 
that information.

APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The Directors’ Report and Corporate Governance Statement were 
approved by the Board on 14 February 2019.

By order of the Board

Jonathon Grech
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

14 February 2019

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
57

CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Dear Shareholders,

On behalf of the Board I present the Company’s Corporate Governance 
Statement for the financial year ended 31 December 2018. In this 
statement, we describe our governance arrangements, how the Board and 
its Committees operate and how the Directors discharged their duties 
during the course of the year.

As we enter 2019, it is important that we have a highly engaged Board; 
one that is knowledgeable and cognisant of the challenges faced by our 
industry and our business and one that can support and challenge the 
executive team, and is well equipped to oversee the development of 
the Company, whilst maintaining appropriate and practical levels of 
governance, financial controls and risk management.

BOARD CHANGES
The Nominations Committee reviewed the structure of the Board’s 
committees during the year and the Board decided to amalgamate the 
duties of the Risk Committee and Audit Committee and form the Audit 
& Risk Committee with effect from May 2018. This was done in light 
of the commonalities of their remits and the establishment within the 
Group of a robust risk management framework. The amalgamation of 
the committees streamlines our Board’s resources and facilitates a holistic 
oversight of the Group’s business, financial, operational, regulatory, 
compliance and risk management matters.

In addition, the departure of three Directors—Jennifer Fox, Sue Farr and 
Gervase MacGregor—in the latter half of the year created an opportunity 
for us to re-examine the composition of our Board and where deemed 
appropriate adjust the membership of our Board and its Committees. 
On the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, His Excellency 
Shaukat Aziz was appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
in November 2018, having served as a member of the Committee since 
16 June 2009, and Christian de Charnacé was appointed as a member of 
the Audit & Risk, Remuneration and Nominations Committees, during 
the year.

As reported, we are in the process of conducting a search for a permanent 
Group Chief Executive Officer and new independent Non-Executive 
Directors. This is a top priority for the Nominations Committee, 
and, with regard to the search for a permanent Group Chief Executive 
Officer, we remain open to either hiring an external candidate or 
promoting talent from within the Company. We will cast the net as wide 
as necessary to ensure we find the right candidates and that the Board 
members have the appropriate mix of skills, diversity and experience, 
aligned with the Group’s strategies. These new appointments will require 
time, careful deliberation and engagement by our Directors. More detail 
on these efforts is provided in the Nominations Committee Report.

CHANGES TO THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE
In July 2018, the Financial Reporting Council issued a revised version 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “New Code”), which 
is effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 
Therefore, the Company will be required to report on the application 
of the New Code starting with the Company’s 2019 annual report and 
accounts. In anticipation of the New Code becoming effective, the Board 
and its Committees received regular updates and reports on the New 
Code and developments in corporate governance during the course of 
2018. The Directors have noted these changes and have considered the 
Group’s approach to addressing them within an enhanced governance 
regime. We look forward to reporting on this work in due course.

BOARD PRIORITIES
In 2018, the business landscape remained challenging in light of the 
geopolitical events and regulatory changes experienced around the world. 
These included the possible withdrawal of the UK from the European 
Union (“Brexit”) and the uncertainty surrounding that process; global 
trade tensions, particularly between the US and China; the impact 
of terrorism, especially in certain key gateway cities, such as London 
and Paris; and increasing minimum wages in many jurisdictions. The 
hospitality sector also continued to face headwinds due to disruptive 
innovation and change within the industry, with margins impacted by 
the rapid growth of online travel agencies and intensifying competition 
from large-scale, asset-light hotel management chains. The Group’s 
financial performance continued to be impacted in the near term 
as a result of the full closure of the Millennium Mayfair Hotel for 
refurbishment, as reported earlier; weaker operating performance in 
Europe as well as the level of capital expenditure required to invest in 
our hotel estate. Against this backdrop, the Board and management team 
spent a considerable amount of time discussing these matters and their 
impact on the business.

The Board is cognisant that in addition to meeting its fiduciary duties 
and corporate governance requirements, one of the Board’s key priorities 
is to focus on developing and implementing strategies to help the Group 
navigate through these headwinds. In particular, the Board must find 
solutions to turn around loss-making hotels and improve the Group’s 
performance. This will help to accelerate growth and increase shareholder 
value. The Board remains diligent, watchful of the evolving landscape 
within the industry, and we understand the need to act nimbly and 
pragmatically in order to navigate this new landscape. As part of this, we 
may at times consider affiliating with larger international hotel chains to 
manage certain assets where we believe doing so will be accretive to their 
value. I believe that our entrepreneurial and innovative culture will help 
the Company become more resilient and tackle these challenges in 2019 
and beyond.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
58

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
CONTINUED

The following is a list of the key priorities the Board has identified for 
2019.

Governance
•  Succession planning for the Board and Committee membership

•  The development and implementation of new policies and processes 
to enhance the Group’s corporate governance regime in line with the 
requirements under the New Code

•  The dedication of more time to reviewing and setting the high-level 

strategy and priorities for the Group

Operations
•  Increased capital investment to transform and reposition the Group’s 

hotel estate

•  Service and product innovation through, among other things, further 

investment into and enhancement of the Company’s website, 
e-commerce capabilities, loyalty programmes and its digital strategy 
overall, with a particular focus on business-to-business initiatives

•  A focus on tighter cost control

People
•  Succession planning for the Group Chief Executive Officer role and 

other members of senior management

•  Flattening the management structure generally to make the team more 

efficient and agile

SUCCESSION PLANNING
Succession planning at the Board and senior management levels is 
essential to help minimise instability and ensure an appropriate level of 
talent and resources are available to execute on the Group’s strategy.

The Nominations Committee, together with the wider Board, has taken 
time to consider the role of the Group Chief Executive Officer. Mr Tan 
Kian Seng, who first joined the Company as Group Chief of Staff and 
interim President of Asia in October 2016, resumed the role of interim 
Group Chief Executive Officer effective, 28 September 2018 and has 
proven to be a safe pair of hands and provides stability to the Group as 
we work to fill the skills gaps in our regional and functional leadership 
teams. Whilst the Board believes that the appointment of a permanent 
Chief Executive Officer is vitally important for the Group, the Board 
will take time to consider and search carefully for the next Group Chief 
Executive Officer.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We believe that it is important to have diversity in the boardroom and we 
recognise the benefits and different perspectives that diversity in all of its 
forms–including diversity of age, gender, of ethnic origin, and cultural 
and educational backgrounds–can bring to Board deliberations.

The Board continues to be mindful of the recommendations made 
by Lord Davies and his “Women on Boards” report, which initially 
stated that companies should strive to achieve at least 25% female 
representation on the Boards of FTSE 350 listed companies, and 
the subsequent Hampton-Alexander Review conducted by Sir Philip 
Hampton and the late Dame Helen Alexander, which challenges FTSE 
350 companies to achieve a target of one-third of Board positions to be 
held by women by 2020.

Whilst the Board remains of the opinion that appointments to the Board 
should be based on merit, the benefits of diversity will be considered as 
part of the Board’s succession planning and review of the composition 
of the Board and its committees. We acknowledge that more work will 
be required if we are to achieve the aspirational targets set out by Lord 
Davies and, more recently, the Hampton-Alexander Review and we are 
working towards these goals as a top priority.

It should be noted that Sue Farr had served on the Board from December 
2013 until her tenure ended in October 2018, when she stepped down. 
The Nominations Committee is already in the process of identifying a 
successor; however, the recruitment process cannot be rushed. We will 
require time and must follow due process in order to identify a suitable 
candidate. We affirm our commitment to improving gender diversity on 
our Board and across our Group more generally.

Biographies of the members of our Board of Directors can be found 
on pages 48 to 50. The strength of the Board lies in its diversity, with 
our Directors having a wide range of backgrounds and experience from 
across different industries. In some instances, Board members may have 
similar professional backgrounds, but have different skill sets, which can 
add value to the operation of the Board. The Nominations Committee 
regularly keeps under review the composition of the Board to ensure that 
it remains best placed to ensure the success of the business and deliver on 
our stakeholders’ interests.

CULTURE AND VALUES
Our corporate culture and values define who we are, what we stand 
for and how we do business, and are integral to the success of the 
Group. The Board helps to establish the culture and identify the values 
that guide it. We remain committed to upholding the highest ethical 
standards, operating under the principle that the tone at the top sets the 
standards for the rest of the business. From a practical perspective, the 
senior management team is responsible for ”living” the culture and values 
on a day-to-day basis, and for clearly articulating these to colleagues 
globally. As part of the New Code, we welcome the renewed focus on 
culture and values and have already started work around examining the 
way they shape our behaviours and whether our policies and practices 
are aligned with them. We recognise that there is room for improvement 
in cultivating a corporate culture that is cohesive, collaborative and 
collective and is focused on helping the Company to achieve its 
corporate goals and even surpassing them. As our industry continues to 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc59

face challenges, we need to nurture an innovative culture which will have 
a positive impact for our business.

SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
During the year under review, some of my fellow Directors and I met 
with several of our major shareholders to discuss our business, corporate 
governance and other matters. The Board found these meetings very 
useful as they helped to inform us about the concerns of our institutional 
shareholders and allowed us to have a constructive dialogue with them. 
In particular, as previously reported, significant time was spent speaking 
to shareholders about their views of the 620-pence offer by Agapier 
Investments Limited, a company wholly-owned by our controlling 
shareholder, City Developments Limited, for the entire issued and to be 
issued ordinary share capital of the Company not already held by City 
Developments Limited and its subsidiaries, which was announced on 
9 October 2017 and which subsequently lapsed on 26 January 2018. 
Agapier Investments Limited secured acceptances from 47.14% of the 
minority shareholders, marginally falling short of the 50% threshold 
required for the bid to become unconditional.

BOARD EVALUATION
This year’s Board evaluation was conducted by the Company Secretariat 
team, with support from Linstock Limited, through tailored and targeted 
questionnaires and conversations with the Directors, with the aim of 
drawing out the significant issues concerning the operation of the Board 
and its committees and identifying areas for improvement. Further 
information relating to the Board evaluation process and a summary of 
its key findings can be found on page 64 of this Corporate Governance 
Statement.

I am pleased to report that the Board has determined that the Company 
has complied with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
in 2018, as further detailed in this Corporate Governance Statement.

I would like to thank our Directors for their diligent efforts over the 
course of the year and look forward to their continued contributions and 
leveraging their connections and expertise to help grow the business. The 
following pages provides greater detail and insight into the work carried 
out by the Board on your behalf.

As we embark upon 2019, we are cognisant of the persistent headwinds 
that lie ahead. We shall remain focused on our strategic initiatives, and 
we shall ensure that we as a Board can work with speed and agility to 
make difficult and timely decisions to drive our business performance.

Kwek Leng Beng
Chairman

14 February 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
60

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
CONTINUED

COMPLIANCE WITH THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
CODE
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (“M&C” or the “Company”) is 
the holding company of the Millennium Hotels & Resorts group of 
companies (the “Group”). M&C is a premium listed company with 
equity shares traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange 
and therefore the Company is subject to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Code”). The Company has applied the main principles of the 
April 2016 edition of the Code, a copy of which is available at  
www.frc.org.uk., for the year ended 31 December 2018. It is the Board’s 
view that the Company has complied with all of the provisions of the 
Code. The Strategic Report on pages 18 to 45 provides information 
about the Group’s strategy and business model, its financial and 
operating performance during the year and the outlook for its business, 
the principal risks and uncertainties which it faces, and its corporate 
responsibility initiatives.

THE ROLE OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board provides leadership to the Group. It sets the Group’s strategy 
and oversees implementation of that strategy, ensuring that acceptable 
risks are taken and mitigated where possible. The Board ensures that 
adequate resources are in place in order to deliver long-term value to 
shareholders and benefits to the wider communities in which the Group 
operates. The Board’s overriding duties are to run the Company as 
stewards for the Company’s stakeholders, with good governance, strong 
values and a safety-driven and ethical culture.

The activities of our Audit & Risk, Remuneration and Nominations 
Committees are set out in the reports of each committee, which reports 
are deemed to be part of this report. Details of the Group’s principal 
risks can be found in the “Our risks” section of the Strategic Report on 
pages 40 to 44. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to all standing 
committees of the Board.

There is a formal schedule of matters reserved specifically for decision 
by the Board. A summary of the matters reserved for the Board is 
detailed below. These are matters that are significant to the Group as 
a whole because of their potential strategic, financial and reputational 
consequences. The Board has three main committees to deal with 
specific activities of the Group’s affairs. The chair of each committee 
provides detailed reports to the Board on the matters discussed at each 
committee meeting to ensure that all Directors have visibility of, and the 
opportunity to discuss, the matters being considered by each committee.

•  Long term objectives and commercial strategy;

•  Oversight over the Group’s operations and internal controls;

•  Annual operating and capital expenditure budgets;

•  Extension of the Group’s activities into new business or geographic 

areas;

•  Changes relating to the Group’s capital structure, corporate structure 

and listing status;

•  The half-yearly report, interim management statements and any 

preliminary announcement of the final results;

•  The Annual Report and Accounts, including the corporate governance 

statement and Directors’ remuneration report;

•  Dividend policy, declaration of the interim dividend and 

recommendation of the final dividend;

•  Significant changes in accounting policies or practices;

•  The Group’s treasury policies;

•  Capital expenditure above £5m and material contracts and leases;

•  Significant contracts of the Company, or any subsidiary, not in the 

ordinary course of business;

•  The disposal of any significant assets, whether a single transaction or 

series of related transactions;

•  Any acquisition of land, property, or any addition of a hotel into the 

portfolio by acquisition or by means of a management contract;

•  Major investments, including the acquisition or disposal of interests of 
more than five per cent of the voting shares of any company or the 
making of any takeover offer;

•  Marketing campaigns or sponsorships where expenditure exceeds 

£500,000;

•  Approval of resolutions and corresponding documentation to be put 

forward to shareholders at a general meeting;

•  Approval of all circulars, prospectuses and listing particulars;

•  Changes to the structure, size and composition of the board, following 

recommendations from the Nominations Committee;

•  Appointments to the board, following recommendations by the 

Nominations Committee;

•  Membership and chairmanship of Board committees;

•  Appointment, re-appointment and removal of the external auditor to 
be put to shareholders for approval, following the recommendation of 
the Audit & Risk Committee;

•  Determining the remuneration policy for the directors, company 

secretary and other senior executives;

•  The introduction of new share incentive plans or major changes to 

existing plans, to be put to shareholders for approval;

•  Determining the independence of directors;

•  Review of the Group’s overall corporate governance arrangements;

•  The making of any political donation;

•  Prosecution, defence or settlement of significant litigation;

•  Major changes to the rules of the group’s pension schemes; and

•  Changes to the schedule of matters reserved for board decisions.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc61

Copies of the terms of reference for each committee can be found on 
the investor relations section of the Group’s website at https://investors.
millenniumhotels.com.

The respective responsibilities of the Chairman and Group Chief 
Executive Officer are set out below and have been approved by the 
Board.1

The Group Chief Executive Officer, supported by the regional heads of 
operation and key functional heads, is responsible to the Board for the 
Group’s operational performance, including:

•  implementing the Group strategy, as determined by the Board;

•  maintaining adequate internal control systems and risk management 

processes;

•  monitoring operational performance against plans and targets and 

reporting to the Board any significant variances; and

•  maintaining an effective management team and succession plans.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE
The Board generally has up to six regularly scheduled meetings per 
year and convenes ad hoc meetings as necessary. The actual number of 
regularly scheduled Board and committee meetings attended by each 
Director during the year is shown below next to the maximum number 
of such meetings that each Director could have attended during the year.

Kwek Leng Beng

Shaukat Aziz1

Christian de Charnacé2

Daniel Desbaillets

Susan Farr3

Martin Leitch

Gervase MacGregor4

Kwek Leng Peck5

Kwek Eik Sheng

Jennifer Fox

BOARD

AUDIT & RISK 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION
COMMITTEE

NOMINATIONS 
COMMITTEE

RISK 
COMMITTEE

6 (6)

6 (6)

6 (6)

6 (6)

3 (4)

6 (6)

1 (5)

5 (6)

6 (6)

1 (1)

–

–

4 (4)

5 (5)

–

5 (5)

3 (4)

–

–

–

–

5 (6)

1 (1)

6 (6)

4 (5)

–

–

–

–

–

3 (3)

3 (3)

1 (1)

–

1 (1)

3 (3)

–

3 (3)

–

–

–

–

–

2 (2)

–

–

2 (2)

–

2 (2)

–

1  His Excellency Shaukat Aziz was unable to attend one Remuneration Committee meeting owing to a conflicting appointment.
2  Christian de Charnacé was appointed as a member of the Audit & Risk Committee on 23 March 2018 and the Nominations and Remuneration Committees on 2 November 2018.
3  Sue Farr was unable to attend one board meeting and one Remuneration Committee meeting owing to personal reasons. Sue Farr stepped down from the Board effective on 31 October 2018.
 Gervase MacGregor was unable to attend four Board meetings owing to prior commitments and one Audit & Risk Committee meetings generally owing to a prior appointment. Gervase 
4 
MacGregor resigned from the Board on 1 December 2018.

5  Kwek Leng Peck was unable to attend one Board meeting owing to a conflicting appointment.
6  The Risk Committee was merged into the Audit Committee at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting held in May 2018.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings shown above, the Board 
held two ad hoc meetings, the Audit & Risk Committee held one ad hoc 
meeting, and the Remuneration Committee held four ad hoc meetings. 
Attendance at those meetings is not reported. The Risk Committee 
held one ad hoc meeting before the duties of the Risk Committee were 
amalgamated with the Audit Committee.

BOARD MEMBERSHIP
At the date of this Report, the Board is comprised of seven directors, 
including the Chairman, four independent Non-Executive Directors 
and two other Non-Executive Directors who, like the Chairman, are 
appointees of the majority shareholder, City Developments Limited. 
Each Director is expected to fulfil his or her duties for the benefit of 
all shareholders and will each seek re-election by shareholders at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting. The Directors possess a variety 
of skills and have a mix of regional and global experience, as can be seen 
from the biographical details of the Directors set out on pages 48 to 50.

1 

 The responsibilities assigned to Tan Kian Seng, as the interim Group Chief Executive Officer, are substantially as set out in this report.

Annual Report & Accounts 201862

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
CONTINUED

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman, Group 
Chief Executive Officer and Senior Independent Director. The roles 
of these positions are clearly defined so that no single individual has 
unfettered powers of decision. Summaries of the roles and responsibilities 
of the Chairman, Group Chief Executive Officer and Senior 
Independent Director are set out below.

The Chairman
The Chairman provides leadership to the Board on all aspects of its role. 
His key duties are to:

•  take a leadership role in setting a clear vision for the Group;
•  mentor the Group Chief Executive Officer as and when required;
•  balance the interests of management and the Board as well as the needs 

of shareholders and management;

•  act as a liaison between management and the Board as well as between 

the Company and its shareholders;

•  manage communications and information dissemination processes 

between the Company and its shareholders and work closely with the 
Company’s public relations team to achieve this objective;

•  establish the agenda and manage Board meetings;
•  offer advice to and draw on the collective wisdom and experience of 

Board members;

•  take a proactive role in the appointment of Directors and, following 
such appointments, oversee the development of individual Directors; 
and

•  develop the top management team, in particular the Group Chief 

Executive Officer, and establish a succession plan for the Group Chief 
Executive Officer position.

The Group Chief Executive Officer
The Group Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board and has 
ultimate accountability for the day-to-day running of the Group. He 
is responsible for leading the management team, operational activities 
and performance of the Group, including the effective delivery of the 
Company’s strategy and business plan, as agreed by the Board, while 
managing and mitigating the principal risks faced by the Group.

His duties are to:

•  evaluate and develop for approval by the Board the strategic plan, as 
necessary, and the business plan and budget and deliver the same to 
the satisfaction of the Board;

•  lead and act as an advocate for the executive management team of the 

Group;

•  oversee the execution of the strategic vision and plans set by the board, 
and assess the Group’s performance and progress in meeting them;

•  promote the growth of the Group;
•  develop the management team and establish for approval by the 

Nominations Committee and the Board a succession plan for key 
management appointments;

•  ensure an appropriate system of internal controls and risk management 

framework are embedded within the business;

•  take into account the Chairman’s assessments of his performance from 

time to time;

•  be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Group’s business 
and affairs and ensure that significant issues that arise are resolved in 
an efficient and timely manner; and

•  lead the management team to improve performance in every division.

Senior Independent Director
His duties are to:

•  provide a channel of communication between the Chairman and the 

Non-Executive Directors;

•  act as an intermediary for shareholders who wish to raise concerns that 

were not able to be raised through the normal channels of 
communication;

•  act as a sounding board for the Chairman and serve as an intermediary 

for the Non-Executive Directors, where necessary;

•  meet with the Non-Executive Directors at least once a year to appraise 
the performance of the Chairman and on such other occasions as are 
deemed appropriate; and

•  meet with a range of shareholders when requested, to develop a better 
understanding of their issues and concerns, and provide their feedback 
to the Board.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The independent Non-Executive Directors are responsible for helping 
to develop the Company’s strategy and providing rigorous, objective and 
constructive challenge to create accountability and drive performance. 
Among them, the current independent Non-Executive Directors have 
the appropriate balance of skills, experience, knowledge and independent 
judgement gained through varied backgrounds and experiences, within 
the business world.

The responsibilities of the independent Non-Executive Directors include:

•  helping management to develop the Company’s strategic objectives by 

drawing on their own business and commercial experience and 
challenging assumptions;

•  scrutinising management’s performance in delivering against the 

strategy;

•  satisfying themselves on the integrity of financial information and 
ensuring that the Group’s risk and control systems are robust; and

•  determining appropriate levels of remuneration and reviewing 

succession planning for Executive Directors and members of the senior 
management team, as appropriate;

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc63

The Board considers that each of the independent Non-Executive 
Directors continues to have:

•  the time required to undertake the responsibilities of his or her role;

•  unquestioned honesty and integrity;

•  an ability to provide strategic and pragmatic thought to the relevant 

matters;

•  an ability to manage and consider materiality and risk tolerance as key 

considerations in decision-making; and

•  an understanding of the business of the Group and the risk 

environment in which it operates, including the potential for internal 
and external events to impact on health and safety, environmental, 
reputational, regulatory, market and financial matters.

THE INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
In accordance with the Code it is the Company’s policy that at least half 
of the Board comprises of independent Non-Executive Directors. The 
independent Non-Executive Directors have wide ranging international 
experience at senior levels in areas of finance, accounting, hospitality, 
investment banking and international affairs. They bring strong, 
independent judgement to the deliberations of the Board, particularly in 
respect of the Group’s corporate governance regime.

On appointment, each independent Non-Executive Director 
receives a letter of appointment setting out the terms of his or her 
appointment, the fees to be paid and provisions relating to matters such 
as confidentiality of information, potential conflicts of interest and 
share dealing restrictions. Such letters of appointment are subject to 
termination by either party giving one month’s notice. The appointment 
and any subsequent reappointment of a Non-Executive Director are 
subject at all times to the Articles of Association of the Company and 
any necessary shareholder approval or ratification.

Based on the principles outlined in provision B.1.1 of the Code, the 
Board regularly assesses the independence of each of the Company’s 
Non-Executive Directors, taking into account whether the Non-
Executive Director is independent in character and judgement, and 
whether there are any relationships or circumstances that are likely to 
affect, or could appear to affect, their judgement. Since the Chairman of 
the Board, Kwek Leng Beng, Kwek Leng Peck and Kwek Eik Sheng are 
appointees of the controlling shareholder, City Developments Limited, 
they are not considered to be independent for the purposes of Code 
provision B.1.1.

In June 2018 His Excellency Shaukat Aziz reached his ninth anniversary 
on the Board. The Code provides that more than nine years of service 
on a Board is a factor that weighs against a director’s independence and 
that the Board should state its reasons if it determines that a director is 
independent notwithstanding the director having served for more than 
nine years. In accordance with the Code, the Nominations Committee 

and the Board assessed the independence of Mr Aziz during the second 
half of the year and determined that, despite his tenure, he remained 
independent in character and judgement since (among other things): 
(i) he continued to make thoughtful and valuable contributions to the 
deliberations of the Board; (ii) he continued to challenge management 
and other members of the Board as appropriate; (iii) he was not beholden 
to the Company for remuneration other than his annual director fee; 
and (iv) none of the other factors weighing against independence 
were present in terms of Mr Aziz’s relationships with the Company, its 
directors and/or shareholders. The Board also determined that it would 
be helpful for Mr Aziz to remain as a director given his global experience 
and the fact that his presence would help to provide continuity to the 
Board.

In addition to the robust assessment of Mr Aziz’s independence, 
the Board conducted its regular annual independence review in 
December 2018 and determined that there had not been a change to 
the independent status of all of the other independent Non-Executive 
Directors. Their diverse business backgrounds, skills and experience, 
the Directors concluded, enable all of them to continue to bring 
independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance, 
resources, key appointments, standards of conduct and other matters 
presented to the Board.

At least once during the year the Chairman and Independent Non-
Executive Directors met, without management being present, to discuss 
the performance of senior management, the Board and other matters of 
importance. This meeting took place in December 2018.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Board continues to recognise that diversity is key for introducing 
different perspectives into the Board’s debate and for better anticipating 
the risks and opportunities in building a long-term, sustainable business. 
Whilst relevance of skills is key, a balance between the skills represented 
is sought to ensure that there is an appropriate mix of members from 
diverse backgrounds. This contributes to minimising the risk of 
‘groupthink’ by promoting a healthy culture of challenge and scrutiny.

The Board meets the recommendation, set out in the Report into the 
Ethnic Diversity of UK Boards published in October 2017 by Sir John 
Parker and the Parker Review Committee, that at least one person on 
the Board is from an ethnic minority. Our senior management team 
represents 7 different nationalities across the globe, embodying our 
corporate diversity and inclusion policy. We seek to recruit the best 
talent possible for any role and we strive to achieve a well-balanced 
representation of backgrounds, nationalities, cultures, gender, skills and 
experiences, at all levels across the Group.

Annual Report & Accounts 201864

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
CONTINUED

DIRECTOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION
All Directors have access to the advice of the Company Secretary, who 
is responsible for ensuring that proper Board procedures and applicable 
corporate governance rules and regulations are observed. In addition, the 
Directors are able, if necessary, to take independent professional advice 
at the Company’s expense. The Non-Executive Directors also have the 
opportunity to meet separately with the Chairman during the year.

The Chairman, in conjunction with the Company Secretary, is also 
responsible for ensuring that Directors receive appropriate training at the 
Company’s expense where specific expertise is required in the course of 
the exercise of their duties. All Directors receive a Board compendium 
detailing matters relating to Board procedures and their duties as 
directors. A bespoke induction programme is established for any new 
Directors who are appointed, based on their needs and experience.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Board has established agreed procedures for managing potential 
operational conflicts of interest. These procedures and any potential 
conflicts authorised in accordance with section 175 of the Companies 
Act 2006, as permitted by the Company’s Articles of Association, are 
reviewed by the Board at least annually and other potential conflicts are 
reviewed as they may arise from time to time. The Board is satisfied that 
the procedures for managing potential conflicts remain effective.

CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
The Co-Operation Agreement between the Company and its majority 
shareholder, City Developments Limited (“CDL”), which originally 
had been entered into at the time of the Company’s listing in 1996 was 
subsequently amended and restated in November 2014 in order to ensure 
compliance with the revised Listing Rules for the protection of minority 
shareholders, which came into force in May 2014. The primary purpose 
of this agreement is to ensure that the Group is able to carry on business 
independently of CDL and its associates and that all agreements and 
transactions between the Company and subsidiaries, on the one hand, 
and CDL and/or any of its respective group undertakings, on the other 
hand, will be at arm’s length and on a normal commercial basis. Under 
the terms of the Amended and Restated Co-Operation Agreement, CDL 
and its associates have agreed not to take any action that would prevent 
the Company from complying with its obligations under the Listing 
Rules. Furthermore, the Board and Nominations Committee will at all 
times consist of a majority of Directors who are independent of CDL. 
Whilst the Remuneration and Audit & Risk Committees shall at all 
times be comprised solely of independent Non-Executive Directors, 
CDL is entitled to nominate for appointment to the Board up to five 
directors. As the Board is comprised of a majority of independent Non-
Executive Directors and the Company’s ability to operate independently 
of CDL is protected by the Amended and Restated Co-Operation 
Agreement, as well as the requirements under the Listing Rules, the 
Board considers that there are adequate safeguards for the protection of 
minority shareholder interests.

The Company has in place a formal related party transaction policy and 
the Audit & Risk Committee is responsible for reviewing related party 
transactions on behalf of the Board. During the year no new material 
contracts or transactions between the Company or a subsidiary of the 
Company and CDL or any other subsidiary of the CDL were entered 
into except as disclosed in Note 33 on page 169 herein.

Pursuant to LR 9.8.4R(14)(c), the Board confirms that in respect of the 
2018 financial year:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

 the Amended and Restated Co-Operation Agreement with CDL 
was in place during the year as required under LR 9.2.2ADR(1);

 the Company complied with the independence undertakings 
set out in LR 6.5.4R during the year as required in LR 
9.2.2ADR(1); and

 so far as Board is aware, the independence undertakings in 
LR 6.5.4R have been complied with during the year by CDL 
and its associates;

EVALUATION PROCESS
The effectiveness of the Board is of paramount importance to the overall 
success of the Group and the Company undertakes a formal and rigorous 
annual review of the Board and its committees. The Board evaluation is 
an important part of the Company’s corporate governance framework 
and both the process and outcome are taken seriously by the Board. 

Pursuant to the UK Corporate Governance Code the Company 
conducted a board evaluation in respect of the Board performance 
during 2018. This evaluation was led by the Company Secretariat team 
and was facilitated by Linstock Limited. Linstock Limited had no other 
connection with the Company save for the provision of insider list 
software. 

The evaluation consisted of targeted questionnaires, which were 
circulated by Linstock and focused on key themes relating to the effective 
functioning of the Board and its committees. A report with anonymous 
feedback and recommendations was then produced and distributed 
to the Board and these results were discussed by the Directors at the 
Company’s Board meeting in February 2019. As part of the exercise, 
an evaluation of the Chairman was completed by the Non-Executive 
Directors and individual performance reviews were submitted by the 
Directors as well as performance reviews of each committee. 

The principal areas for improvement arising from the survey results 
included the development of further opportunities for Directors to meet 
and hear from management, a greater focus on key strategic initiatives 
and challenges facing the hospitality industry; increased awareness of 
employee and customer views and the Group’s regional markets; and 
succession planning at the Board and senior management levels. The 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc65

Company Secretariat team will work with the Board’s Chairman and 
other Directors to help enhance the operation of the Board and its 
committees in these areas.

Internal controls
•  The Company reviews and confirms its level of compliance with the 

Code on an annual basis.

SUMMARY OF BOARD’S WORK DURING THE YEAR
During 2018, the Board considered all relevant matters within its remit, 
with a particular focus on the following issues:

•  strategy and resource allocation;

•  finance and treasury;

•  risk assessment and mitigation;

•  stakeholder engagement;

•  governance and compliance;

•  assurance, risk and internal audit; and

•  succession planning.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT 
SYSTEM IN RELATION TO PREPARATION OF 
CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS
The Board is responsible for the Group’s internal control and risk 
management systems, including oversight over the processes and 
procedures that are in place in connection with the preparation of 
the Group’s consolidated accounts. In establishing these systems, the 
Directors have considered the nature of the Group’s business, the 
principal risks to which the business is exposed, the likelihood of such 
risks occurring, their potential impact and the costs and resources 
associated with mitigating or protecting against such risks. In most 
instances such systems are designed to manage these principal risks, 
rather than eliminate them. As such, they can provide only a reasonable, 
and not absolute, assurance against them. The Group’s principal risk 
factors and mitigating activities are described on pages 40 to 44.

The main features of the Group’s internal control and risk management 
framework are set out below.

Strategy
•  The Group’s strategic direction is reviewed by the Board, generally on 

an annual basis. Often as part of that process, a dedicated Board 
strategy session is held with the Group Chief Executive Officer and 
other senior management as appropriate. Further details about the 
Group’s business model and strategy can be found on page 20.

•  Management prepares an annual budget for each year, in line with the 
Group’s strategy, and that budget is submitted to the Board for its 
review and approval.

•  The Board reviews, management’s progress in developing, refining and 

executing the Group’s strategy.

•  The Board reviews, at least quarterly, the Group’s performance and 

how it tracks against the annual budget.

•  The matters reserved to the Board require that significant transactions, 

projects and programmes must have specific Board approval.

•  If Board approval is not required, authority levels are prescribed and 
delegated to ensure segregation among management and proper 
escalation of approval limits.

•  Group financial and treasury policies, controls and procedures are in 

place and regularly reviewed and updated.

•  All financial information published by the Group is subject to the 

approval of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Board.

Risk management
•  The principal risks of the Group are assessed annually by the Audit & 

Risk Committee.

•  During the year, there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating 
and managing those risks and, if appropriate, modifying the risks in 
light of changing conditions. This process is reviewed by the Audit & 
Risk Committee on behalf of the Board and has been in place for the 
year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report 
and Accounts.

Operation
•  Primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the internal 
control and risk management systems is delegated to the Group’s 
Chief Executive Officer, who chairs the management-level risk 
committee. The heads of the Company’s operating regions and global 
functions carry out regular reviews to ensure appropriate actions are 
implemented to meet the Group’s objectives and manage its principal 
risks appropriately.

Assurance
•  The effectiveness of the internal control and risk management systems 
is reviewed by our internal audit function and, where appropriate, by 
the Group’s external auditor and/or external consultants, who report 
to management and to the Audit & Risk Committee. As part of that 
process, the internal audit department produces individual reports, 
which are issued to appropriate members of the management team 
who are accountable to rectify any deficiencies and implement any 
recommendations. These reports are summarised and distributed, as 
appropriate, to the Audit & Risk Committee members, the Group 
Chief Executive Officer, senior management and the external auditor 
and, where necessary, issues are drawn to the attention of the full 
Board.

Annual Report & Accounts 201866

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
CONTINUED

•  At the Annual General Meeting, all shareholders have the opportunity 
to question the Chairman and other Directors, including the Chairs of 
the Audit & Risk, Remuneration, and Nominations Committees. The 
Company prepares individual resolutions on each substantially 
separate issue to be put to shareholders and does not combine 
resolutions together inappropriately, and the Annual Report and 
Accounts is laid before the shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting. Notice of the Annual General Meeting and related papers are 
sent to shareholders at least 21 working days prior to the date of the 
meeting, and the Company encourages all shareholders to make 
positive use of the opportunity to communicate with the Board. A 
schedule of the proxy votes cast at the meeting is then made available 
on the Company’s website after the conclusion of the meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Board and executive management team regularly interact with 
shareholders and analysts. In particular:

•  Presentations are made after the announcement of the Group’s final 
and half-yearly results. During these presentations, analysts have the 
opportunity to ask questions of the Group Chief Executive Officer 
and Chairman of the Board.

•  Management meets with institutional shareholders on an ongoing 
basis to review the Group’s performance, business model and 
objectives. In addition, the Senior Independent Director often 
conducts meetings with a range of major shareholders during the year; 
other Non-Executive Directors have the opportunity to attend such 
meetings. Significant feedback expressed by shareholders during those 
meetings is then provided to the Board in a timely manner.

•  As part of the Company’s regular investor relations activities, the 

Group Chief Executive Officer, the Company Secretary and senior 
finance personnel are available to answer queries raised by analysts and 
institutional investors from time to time.

•  The Group’s website provides regular updates for investors and 

contains all announcements made by the Group.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc67

AUDIT & RISK
COMMITTEE REPORT

ANNUAL CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

Dear Shareholders,

As Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee (the “Committee”), I am pleased to present the Committee’s report for the year ended 31 December 
2018. The following pages provide an insight into how the Committee discharged its responsibilities during the year and the key topics that it 
considered in doing so. I will also share some of the details from the executive updates presented to the Committee from across the business.

OUR OBJECTIVES
The key objective of the Committee throughout the year has remained the provision of effective governance over the appropriateness of the 
Group’s financial reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the performance of both the internal audit function and the external 
auditor, and the oversight of the Group’s systems of internal control, business risks and related compliance activities.

OUR MEMBERS
The Board believes that amongst the members of the Committee who are Martin Leitch Chair, Daniel Desbaillets and Christian de Charnacé they 
have suitable broad commercial knowledge and significant business experience.

The Interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, senior finance managers, Company Secretary and Head of Internal Audit, 
although not members of the Committee, also attend the meetings, as does the senior statutory auditor from our external auditor, who is not 
present when we discuss the auditor’s performance and/or remuneration.

As part of this process of working with the Board and to maximise effectiveness, meetings of the Committee generally take place just prior 
to Company Board meetings. The Chairman of the Committee reports to the Board as part of a separate agenda item, on the activity of the 
Committee and matters of particular relevance to the Board in the conduct of their work.

OUR ROLE
The Committee’s terms of reference are available from the Group’s website at https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/corporate-governance/board-
committees

The Audit & Risk Committee holds regular, structured meetings and consults with senior management. The Committee frequently requests that 
senior operational and functional heads attend meetings in order to update the Committee with events in the business. Occasionally external 
business consultants were also invited to attend the meetings to present specific projects. These meetings provide the Committee an opportunity to 
understand the projects and assess management’s decisions.

The Committee regularly reviews strategic and operational risks and the associated controls and mitigating factors. The Committee receives regular 
reports and briefings from internal audit and has reviewed the level of internal audit resource available within the Group and believes that it is 
adequate for the size, structure and business risks of the Group and is supplemented with appropriate external resources where expertise is needed.

FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Committee plays a key role in overseeing the integrity of the Group’s 
financial statements, including any formal announcements relating to 
financial performance, and considering significant financial reporting 
issues, judgements and estimates.

the Committee as a whole prior to formal consideration by the Board. 
Any issues which were deemed to be significant were discussed by the 
Committee members and other attendees, including management, 
external and internal auditors.

The Committee reviewed the content and message of results and 
the announcements, annual report and accounts, as well as trading 
updates. Draft reports are reviewed by the Committee Chairman and 

The Committee has satisfied itself that controls over the accuracy and 
consistency of information presented in the annual report and accounts 
are robust; and has confirmed to the Board that it believes this annual 
report and accounts is fair, balanced and understandable.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
68

AUDIT & RISK 
COMMITTEE REPORT
CONTINUED

The significant issues considered by the Committee in relation to the 
financial statements during the year ended 31 December 2018, and the 
actions taken to address these issues, are set out below:

•  Hotel trading performance. The Committee reviewed the Group’s 

hotel performance with reference to average room rate, occupancy and 
operating cost. Revenue per available room (‘RevPAR’) of each hotel 
was used as performance measurement to compare one hotel with 
another within the Group, and also with other hotels within the 
competitive set. The Group’s performance was monitored against the 
previous year’s results and budget.

•  Capital expenditure and project funding. The Committee reviews 
capital expenditure of the Group and monitors the performance of 
newly refurbished hotels. The Committee reviewed the Group’s cash 
position taking into account its future commitments on new capital 
projects such as the Sunnyvale California project and Yangdong 
development in Seoul with a combined funding requirement of 
around £233m.

•  Going concern statement. The Committee reviewed management’s 
analysis supporting the going concern basis of preparation of the 
Group’s financial statements. This included consideration of forecast 
cash flows, availability of committed debt facilities and expected 
covenant headroom. As a result of the assessment undertaken, the 
Committee satisfied itself that the going concern basis of preparation 
remained appropriate.

•  Viability statement. The Committee considered whether 

management’s assessment adequately reflected the Group’s risk 
appetite and principal risks as disclosed on pages 40 to 44; whether the 
period covered by the statement was reasonable given the strategy of 
the Group and the regions in which it operates; and whether the 
assumptions and sensitivities identified, and stress-tested, represented 
severe but plausible scenarios in the context of solvency and liquidity. 
The Committee concurred with management’s assessment and 
recommended the viability statement to the Board.

•  Revenue recognition. The Committee and the external auditor 

considered the appropriateness of the accounting treatment applied by 
management in relation to revenue recognition. In particular, the 
Committee considered the treatment of ‘IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers’ which was effective from the start of the 
Group’s financial year ended 31 December 2018. The Committee 
concurred with management’s conclusion that there is no material 
impact to revenue.

•  Valuation and classification of investment properties and 

impairment of hotel assets. The Committee and the external auditor 
considered the appropriateness of the accounting treatment applied by 
management in relation to revenue recognition. Further details on the 
assessment in this area is covered separately hereinafter.

IMPAIRMENT OF HOTEL ASSETS
Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements states that the carrying 
amount of property, plant and equipment as at 31 December 2018 is 
£3,153m (2017: £3,129m). Operating hotel assets are valued at historic 
cost (or otherwise as permitted by the transitional provisions of IFRS 1) 
and are reviewed annually to consider whether these values have been 
impaired. The Group continues to engage external valuation experts 
to assist with the valuation exercise and impairment review. Financial 
performance and sensitivity of the valuation models to the other key 
inputs means that the valuation remains inherently subjective.

The Committee examined management’s recommendations in 
respect of the valuation of the Group’s hotel and property portfolio. 
The Committee also analysed the reports of significant properties 
and challenged the assumptions made where it thought fit. This is in 
particular to the valuation of assets located in New York. The Committee 
was satisfied with the valuation process and agreed that:

•  the selection of assets tested was done appropriately, taking into 

account indicators of impairment risk and materiality;

•  there was the appropriate use of third-party valuation expertise;

•  sufficient robust challenge was given to management by the external 

auditor;

•  material judgemental assumptions that were used in the valuations 

were within reasonable parameters; and

•  conclusions have been appropriately drawn.

VALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF INVESTMENT 
PROPERTIES
In general, the carrying amount of investment properties is the fair value 
of the properties as determined by a registered independent appraiser. 
Fair values were determined having regard to recent market transactions 
for similar properties in the same location as the Group’s investment 
properties. Where a fair value cannot be reasonably determined, the 
property is held at cost.

Classification of an asset as investment property requires judgement; 
and is determined by reference to future intentions and the Group’s 
business model. The total carrying amount of investment properties as at 
31 December 2018 is £668m (2017: £577m) as shown in Note 14 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

The Committee reviews the valuation obtained from external valuers bi-
annually, which includes the assessment of net cash to be generated from 
the properties, valuation assumptions and availability of comparable 
market evidence. The Committee was satisfied with the valuation process 
and the reasonableness of the valuation provided by the external valuers. 
The Committee also agreed with the external auditor on the relevant 
valuation disclosures to be included in the annual report.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc69

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROLS
During the year, the Group had in place systems of internal controls 
and risk management and the Board has delegated to the Committee 
responsibility for overseeing the effectiveness of these systems. In 
particular, the Committee has oversight over the activities of the Group 
Management Risk Committee, the Group internal audit function and 
the external auditor.  

At the full and half year, the Committee reviewed the Group’s principal 
risks, including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity, and considered how risk exposures 
had changed during the period as well as any new risks that had arisen.  
As part of this process, the Committee also reviewed the status of key 
risk indicators throughout the year against the risk appetite set, focusing 
on any which were outside optimal ranges. Risks associated with Brexit 
also were discussed and contingency plans were identified and, where 
possible, implemented. 

The system of internal controls is audited by the Group’s Internal Audit 
function (and commented on by the external auditor from time to time), 
and it encompasses all controls including those relating to financial 
reporting processes, operational and compliance controls and those 
relating to risk management processes.

Based on the work conducted by the Committee in reviewing the 
effectiveness of its systems of internal controls and risk management, 
whilst matters were raised and considered by the Committee over the 
course of the year, the Committee is satisfied that the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems were adequate and effective to 
address in all material respects the financial, operational and compliance 
risks in light of the nature of the business and scale and diversity of the 
Group’s operations.  This review covered the period from the date of the 
Company’s last annual report and accounts up to the date of approval of 
this annual report and accounts. 

With regard to  CDL Hospitality Trusts (a Singaporean listed hospitality 
trust in which the Group has a 37% interest but which is consolidated 
within the Group’s results under IFRS 10) and Millennium & 
Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited and CDL Investments New 
Zealand Limited (both of which are separately listed on the New Zealand 
Stock Exchange), the Committee notes that these subsidiaries provide 
assurances on the effectiveness and adequacy of their internal control 
frameworks in their annual reports, that they operate under stringent 
requirements of their respective stock exchanges and have their own 
governance regimes. These assurances form the basis on which the 
Committee has concluded that the businesses have effective internal 
control and risk management systems in place.

EXTERNAL AUDITOR PROCESS
There has been regular partner rotation, and Jonathan Downer took over 
from Steve Masters after completion of the 2015 audit in February 2016. 
The Committee is satisfied that KPMG continues to possess the skills 
and experience required to fulfil its duties effectively and efficiently.

The Committee is responsible for recommending the appointment, 
reappointment and removal of the external auditor. A resolution to re-
appoint KPMG as the Group’s external auditor will be proposed at the 
Company’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Consideration is given each year to an audit tender process as KPMG 
LLP has been the Group’s auditor since the listing of the Company on 
the London Stock Exchange in 1996. Under the current transitional 
rules, the latest year in which KPMG would be able to undertake an 
audit of the Company is to 31 December 2022.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES
In order to ensure the continued independence and objectivity of the 
Group’s external auditor, the Group has strict policies regarding the 
provision of non-audit services rendered by the external auditor. The 
Committee’s approval is required in advance for the provision of non-
audit services if the fee exceeds £30,000 for an individual assignment. 
The Committee reviews non-audit fees regularly. The Group’s external 
auditor is prohibited from providing any service that would conflict with 
their statutory responsibilities or which would otherwise compromise 
their objectivity or independence.

With effect from financial year commencing from 1 January 2017, 
KPMG is further prohibited from providing tax compliance services and 
other conflicting non-audit services directly or indirectly to the Group’s 
controlled entities in the EU to comply to the requirements issued in 
the revised Ethical Standard for EU auditors. In this respect, PwC was 
appointed to act as the tax adviser for the European region in 2017 
whilst KPMG was retained for the other regions.

From the beginning of 2019 or at the earliest practical date, KPMG will 
cease to offer non-audit services to entities of the Group outside the EU. 
Arrangement is currently made to appoint another advisors for these 
regions.

During the year ended 31 December 2018, KPMG’s audit fee 
amounted to £3m (2017: £3m) and KPMG’s non-audit fees were £1m 
(2017: £1m).

Annual Report & Accounts 201870

AUDIT & RISK 
COMMITTEE REPORT
CONTINUED

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
The Board is satisfied that Martin Leitch and Christian de Charnacé have 
recent and relevant financial experience as required by the provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The other member is Daniel 
Desbaillets.

The Committee’s performance is reviewed annually through a facilitated 
evaluation conducted by Lintstock Limited, the results of which showed 
that the Committee was effective. During the year, the Committee has 
also undertaken the following:

•  Discussed changes in accounting policies and initial work indicated 
that the impact on the Group’s financial statements due to IFRS 16;

•  Monitor the progress of major capital expenditure work such as the 

£50m refurbishment at the Mayfair hotel;

•  Reviewed the schedule of Board reserved matters;

•  Discussed quarterly reports relating to health and safety, litigation, 

treasury and tax.

Martin Leitch
Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee

14 February 2019

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc71

DIRECTORS’
REMUNERATION REPORT

ANNUAL CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

Dear Shareholders,

I am pleased to present the Director’s Remuneration Report for the 
year ended 31 December 2018. This is my first report to shareholders 
since I was appointed as chair of the Remuneration Committee in 
November 2018. I would like to thank my predecessor, Sue Farr, for her 
contribution and leadership of the Committee during her tenure.

As usual, the Directors’ Remuneration Report is split into two sections: 
the first is our Remuneration Policy, which was last approved by 
shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in May 2017, 
and the second is our annual report on remuneration, which includes 
this letter and is subject to an advisory vote at the Company’s 2019 
Annual General Meeting to be held on 10 May 2019.

REVIEW OF 2018
During the year, Jennifer Fox was appointed as the Company’s Group 
Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company. She served in 
that capacity until 27 September 2018 at which point her employment 
with the Group ceased after she and the Board mutually agreed it would 
be best for her to step down. In addition to her contractual entitlements, 
the Committee considered carefully whether any payments should be 
made under the Group’s variable pay arrangements. The Committee 
agreed that it would be fair and equitable to pay Ms Fox a pro-rata bonus 
payment of £234,375 for the period that she was employed, taking into 
consideration her efforts and achievements during that time. Full details 
are included in the body of the report.

Aside from Ms Fox’s remuneration arrangements, the primary focus of 
the Committee this past year was to consider the changes to the UK 
Corporate Governance Code that will take effect from 1 January 2019. 
Given the expansion of the Committee’s remit under the new version of 
the Corporate Governance Code, we wanted to take care to consider the 
new requirements and how they will impact our work as a Committee.

Other key matters considered by the Committee during the year include:

•  Considering a new diversity and inclusion policy that was rolled-out 

across the Group;

•  Discussing the results of our first gender pay gap report and how we 

can improve the position over time;

•  Determining the outcome of the performance conditions of the Long 
Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) awards granted on 3 August 2015;

•  Reviewing the structure of awards under the Company’s Executive 

Share Plan, which applies to the most senior members of the executive 
management team, and determining the level of the awards made 
during the year;

•  The onboarding of the Committee’s remuneration consultant, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”), which was engaged from 1 
December 2017; and

•  Reviewing the Committee’s own performance and its terms of 

reference.

Several principles guide the deliberations of the Committee. 
Fundamentally, our work is about finding a balance: ensuring that 
remuneration structures are designed in a way that incentivises the 
team to look after the medium-to-long term interests of stakeholders 
when executing the Company’s strategy while allowing for sufficient 
flexibility for us to recruit the best people to deliver on that strategy. 
Like many multinational companies, we source talent globally in an 
increasingly competitive marketplace, so a “one-size-fits-all” approach to 
remuneration is not well suited for our business. At the same time, we 
remain cognizant of best practice in the UK and the expectations of our 
institutional shareholders in terms of compensating our executive team, 
as well as the need to have in place fair employment and remuneration 
practices across the wider workforce. One change implemented over the 
course of the year, for instance, was to require a two-year post-vesting 
holding period for any LTIP awards made in the future. This will be 
reflected in the next version of our Remuneration Policy.

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
In connection with Ms Fox’s departure in September 2018, the 
Committee agreed that her LTIP award lapsed effective as of the date 
she ceased to be employed by the Group. No other awards were made 
under the LTIP during the year and the only outstanding LTIP award 
was the award made to Aloysius Lee, the former Group Chief Executive 
Officer, in March 2016. After reviewing the Company’s achievement 
against the relevant performance conditions for that award, the 
Committee determined that the Company had met a portion of one of 
the performance conditions and that as a result 4,401 shares will vest in 
March 2019. 

GENDER PAY GAP
This was the first year the Group published its gender pay gap report. As 
required by legislation, this information is based on snapshot of data as 
at 5 April 2017 and further information relating to this can be found at 
https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/corporate-responsibility.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
72

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

Our gender pay gap report, prepared for our operating subsidiary 
that manages two of our London properties, reflects an industry-wide 
structural phenomenon where we have more men in senior, higher-
paid roles than women rather than unequal pay for similar jobs. We 
are committed to achieving better gender balance across all positions in 
the Company and this remains a key priority for the Group in 2019. 
Accordingly, we will continue to measure our gender pay regularly to 
ensure that what we are doing is having the desired effect, and if not, 
what we can do differently.

LOOKING AHEAD
In 2019, the Committee will continue to oversee the implementation of 
the new standards under the revised UK Corporate Governance Code, 
review whether our Remuneration Policy, which we intend to put forth 
for re-approval by shareholders at our 2020 Annual General Meeting, 
remains fit for purpose and recommend appropriate changes to the 
policy following that review, and we stand ready to consider any future 
Executive Director appointments that may be made during the year.

CHANGES IN COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
As previously noted, Sue Farr, the former chair of the Committee, 
resigned from the Board on 31 October 2018, and on the 
recommendation of the Nominations Committee, the Board approved 
not only my appointment as chair of the Committee, but also the 
appointment of Christian de Charnacé as a member of the Committee, 
in each case with effect from 2 November 2018. We welcome Christian 
to the Committee and look forward to his participation in 2019.

We will continue to strive to apply best practice when it comes to our 
remuneration policies and practices and listen carefully to feedback from 
our shareholders. We therefore hope that you show your support for our 
approach to remuneration by voting for the Directors Remuneration 
Report at our 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Yours faithfully,

His Excellency Shaukat Aziz
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

14 February 2019

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc73

COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE

The composition of the Remuneration Committee, as at the date of this 
report, comprises of His Excellency Shaukat Aziz, who was appointed to 
the Committee in June 2009 and now acts as its chair, Daniel Desbaillets 
and Christian de Charnacé, all of whom are independent Non-Executive 
Directors. There were six scheduled meetings in 2018 and four ad hoc 
meetings. Attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings is shown in the 
Corporate Governance Statement on page 61.

The Chairman of the Board, interim Group Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer are invited to attend Committee meetings 
as appropriate. The Committee considers their views when reviewing 
the remuneration of Executive Directors and other senior executives; 
however, no Directors are involved in the consideration of their 
own remuneration. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the 
Committee and an appointed remuneration consultant is in place to 
support the work of the Committee. Further information regarding the 
Committee’s adviser can be found on page 85 of this report.

No member of the Committee has any personal financial interest in the 
matters to be decided by the Committee or involvement in the day-to-
day management of the business of the Group.

ROLE
The Committee has delegated authority from the Board to determine, 
in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and Interim Group 
Chief Executive Officer as appropriate, the remuneration policies and 
individual remuneration arrangements for the Chairman of the Board, 
Executive Directors, the Company Secretary and the senior management 
team. It also oversees the Group’s share-based incentive arrangements.

In addition, the Committee is authorised to:

•  administer the Company’s share schemes;

•  oversee major changes to employee benefit structures throughout the 

Group;

•  ensure that performance related elements of remuneration form a 

significant proportion of the total remuneration of Executive Directors 
and are designed to align their interests with those of shareholders;

•  consider whether the Executive Directors should be eligible for annual 

bonuses and benefits under long-term incentive schemes;

•  provide packages needed to attract, retain and motivate Executive 

Directors of the quality required;

•  approve the terms and duration of any service agreement to be entered 

into with an Executive Director;

•  consider the compensation commitments payable to Executive 

Directors under their service agreements or otherwise in the event of 
early termination; and

•  select and appoint consultants engaged to advise the Committee.

The Committee’s terms of reference are available at https://investors.
millenniumhotels.com/corporate-governance/board-committees and 
recently have been updated to take into account the expansion of the 
Committee’s remit under the revised version of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code that has applied to the Company since 1 January 
2019. In particular, the key new areas of responsibility under the revised 
Code will be for the Committee to:

•  Ensure that remuneration policies and practices are designed to 

support strategy and promote long-term sustainable success of the 
Group;

•  Ensure that executive remuneration is aligned to the Company’s 

purpose and values, and is clearly linked to the successful delivery of 
the Company’s long-term strategy;

•  Determine the remuneration of senior management, in addition to 

Board members

•  Ensure that executive pension contributions are in line with those 

available to the rest of the workforce; and

•  Provide enhanced reporting in the Company’s annual report and 

accounts.

Annual Report & Accounts 201874

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

SUMMARY OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the “Policy”) was approved by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 5 May 2017 (94.63% 
of votes cast being in favour). There are no proposals to amend the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be 
held on 10 May 2019.

A summary of the policy is included for reference to assist with the understanding of the contents of this report. The full policy is detailed in our 2016 
Annual Report and Accounts, which can be found https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/financial/annual-reports

The following table sets out each element of remuneration and how it supports the Company’s short and long-term strategic objectives.

Base Salary

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum

Salaries are a key component of the reward package in attracting, motivating and retaining executives who are 
instrumental in driving and growing the business and delivering the Company’s strategic goals.

Salaries in the Group are based on the value of the individual, the level of responsibility, experience and market 
conditions. Salaries are reviewed at least annually but are not necessarily increased. The Committee may award 
salary increases at other times of the year if it considers such an award to be appropriate. In reviewing salaries, 
account is taken of market conditions, significant changes in role, pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group, 
inflation and budgets.

The salary payable to Executive Directors will normally be capped at the upper quartile of the relevant market 
benchmark for the role under review. This maximum salary represents the highest end of the range at which the 
Committee would expect the base salary to be set, rather than the actual amount to be paid. Salaries will be set 
on a case-by-case basis to reflect the role and the experience and qualifications of the individual.

There is no separate cap on the annual increase to base salaries. However, the Committee will normally 
determine the appropriate level of increase for Executive Directors taking into account the general level of 
increase for the broader workforce, but on occasion may need to make a more significant increase to recognise 
additional responsibilities, or an increase in the scale or scope of the role.

Larger increases also may be considered appropriate if a Director initially had been appointed to the Board on a 
below-market salary.

Annual Bonus

Purpose and link to strategy

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme to:

•  incentivise executives to drive Group strategy and performance over the short term; and

•  ensure that a significant proportion of the total reward of executives’ packages is linked to performance 

during the year.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc75

Operation

The performance period for annual bonuses corresponds with the financial year. Bonus measures, weightings 
and targets are set annually at the start of the financial year by the Committee which retains discretion to revise 
any calculated bonus downwards, but not upwards, if it is felt to have become misaligned with the Group’s 
performance.

Payment of the annual bonus is normally contingent on the employee still being employed by the Group at the 
time of payment and the employee or the Company not having served notice of termination.

Annual bonus is not pensionable. The Committee may defer and pay a proportion (up to 100% of the earned 
annual bonus) in shares which must be held for up to three years before vesting. No performance conditions 
apply to such deferred bonus shares, but their release is subject to continued employment over the vesting  
period. Deferred bonus share awards would be eligible, at the Committee’s discretion, for a dividend equivalent.

Maximum

The level of bonus opportunity for Executive Directors is:

The bonus plan includes clawback and malus provisions.

Performance

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Group Chief Executive Officer:

Other Executive Directors:

•  Threshold: 0% of base salary

•  Threshold: 0% of base salary

•  Target: 75% of base salary

•  Target: 50% of base salary

•  Maximum: 150% of base salary

•  Maximum: 100% of base salary

70% of the bonus opportunity will be linked to financial performance, with the remainder linked to non-
financial measures, which may include personal objectives and other non-financial operational measures as 
determined by the Committee, such as corporate social responsibility performance targets. However, the 
Committee has discretion to vary those percentages by plus or minus 10% for any year to reflect particular 
corporate objectives. Financial measures may include, but are not limited to, operating profit, profit before tax, 
revenue and revenue per available room.

The Committee determines bonus performance measures, weightings and targets annually which are closely 
aligned with the Group’s short-term strategic priorities. Targets for financial measures are set by reference to the 
Group’s budget, while the personal element of the bonus is driven by personal performance objectives set at the 
start of the year.

The Company’s 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) forms the long-term variable element of executive 
remuneration at the Company and is intended to incentivise long-term outperformance. The LTIP allows for the 
award of performance shares, nil cost share options and deferred bonus shares.

For the three-year period over which this policy is intended to apply, LTIP awards will normally comprise awards 
of performance shares, which are aimed at: driving and rewarding sustainable performance over the long term; 
aligning the interests of executives and shareholders; and supporting retention.

Performance share awards are made annually and normally vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, 
subject to the achievement of performance conditions over three years, continued employment with the Group 
and the rules of the Plan. LTIP awards may additionally be subject to an additional post-vesting holding period 
(of up to two years). There is no re-testing of performance conditions under the Plan. The Plan allows dividends 
or dividend equivalents to accrue, subject to the Committee’s discretion.

The Plan includes clawback and malus provisions.

Annual Report & Accounts 201876

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

Maximum

Performance

Pension

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum

Other benefits

The maximum annual value of performance shares and nil cost share options awarded under the LTIP is 
150% of base salary, although awards with face values of up to 200% of salary may be awarded in exceptional 
circumstances including, but not limited to, the recruitment of a new Executive Director. The level of award is 
otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, details of which will be disclosed in the relevant 
Annual Report on Remuneration.

The performance measures attached to LTIP awards will comprise a blend of measures determined by the 
Committee from time to time, with at least a 50% weighting on Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). A small element, 
not exceeding 10% of any award, may be based on a discretionary assessment of the achievement of key strategic 
objectives, such as those relating to asset management and the timely delivery of key projects within budget.

Under each measure, entry level performance will result in 25% of maximum vesting for that element, rising on a 
straight-line basis to full vesting.

The provision of retirement benefits supports the Company in attracting and retaining executives and promoting 
long-term retirement planning.

A defined cash contribution may be made into either a Company sponsored pension plan or a private pension 
plan or as cash in lieu of pension.

Up to 20% of base salary.

Purpose and link to strategy

Allows the Company to recruit and retain appropriate executive talent through the provision of cost effective 
benefits consistent with market practice.

Operation

Executive Directors also may also participate, along with other employees, in the Group’s tax advantaged United 
Kingdom Save as You Earn (“SAYE”), or other equivalent savings-based share schemes to share in the success of 
the Group.

Standard benefits are offered to ensure they are competitive with market practice by location and the level and 
responsibilities of the individual. These may comprise (although are not limited to) a motor vehicle and driver or 
an appropriate allowance, insurances for life, personal accident, disability and family medical cover.

Special benefits such as relocation, removal, tax equalisation, house purchase/rental allowance and children’s 
education allowance may be offered to attract the right candidate in the event that an Executive Director is 
appointed on expatriate or international assignment terms.

Maximum

SAYE/savings-based schemes are subject to individual limits. In the UK the limit is set by the Committee up to 
the limits prescribed by legislation.

The value of ‘standard benefits’ is consistent with relevant market practice and is kept under review by the 
Committee, but would not be expected to exceed more than the equivalent of a month’s salary, other than in 
exceptional circumstances. The value of any ‘special benefits’ is reviewed on a case-by-case basis but would 
not be expected to exceed more than the equivalent of three months’ base salary other than in exceptional 
circumstances.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc77

Shareholding requirement

Overview

Non-Executive Director Fees

Chairman fee

Basic fee

Additional fees

Other matters

Within five years of being appointed to the Board, Executive Directors are required to build up, and retain, 
ordinary shares in the Company equivalent in value to 200% of their base annual salary. Should an Executive 
Director not hold the required level of shares then at least 50% of any vesting under a Company incentive plan 
is required to be retained until the requirement is met. Provided that Executive Directors hold and maintain the 
appropriate level of shares, they may sell shares, subject to the normal requirement for directors’ dealings under 
applicable regulations.

Share interests which do not count towards the shareholding guidelines include:

•  unvested performance share awards;

•  SAYE options;

•  unvested deferred bonus shares; and

•  any notional accrued dividend equivalent shares with vesting subject to future performance.

Directors to whom this requirement applies are prohibited from engaging in any hedging transactions with 
respect to Company shares, including trading in any derivative securities. There are no formal shareholding 
guidelines for the Chairman, the Non-Executive Directors and the senior management, however, they are 
encouraged to hold shares in the Company in order to align their interests with those of shareholders.

In the case of the Chairman, the Chairman receives a set fee and the fee level is determined by the Committee. 
The Chairman’s fee is determined by taking into account the time commitment and responsibilities of the role, as 
well as the role holder’s skills, gravitas and qualifications to lead the board.

Fees paid to Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board as a whole taking into account the time 
commitment and responsibilities. The policy is to set fees at or around the median for companies of a similar size 
and complexity. Their purpose is to attract and retain Non-Executive Directors.

Non-Executive Directors are paid an additional fee for being Senior Independent Director, a member of a Board 
committee and for chairing a Board committee.

The Independent Non-Executive Directors each have rolling letters of appointment which may be terminated 
by either party on one month’s notice. Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to bonuses, benefits or pension 
scheme contributions or to participate in any share scheme operated by the Company. In addition to any 
remuneration payable, a Non-Executive Director may be paid reasonable travel, hotel and other expenses properly 
incurred in discharging the Director’s duties. Fees cease immediately in the event the Non-Executive Director 
ceases to be a Director.

REMUNERATION ON RECRUITMENT
Reward packages for new Executive Directors will be consistent with the approved Remuneration Policy. Fixed remuneration elements would be paid 
only from the date of employment and any bonus will be pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the year employed. The maximum level of variable 
remuneration is as stated in the policy table above.

If, consequent to joining the Group, a new director forfeits elements of variable reward linked to their previous employment, the Committee reserves 
the right to make compensatory awards up to the maximum amount of the individual’s actual or estimated loss. Any such awards would be made 
taking into account the performance conditions and time horizon of the forfeited awards. In the event that an internal candidate is appointed as an 
Executive Director, any contractual obligation in respect of a previous role will be honoured even if it is inconsistent with this policy at the time the 
obligation is fulfilled.

Annual Report & Accounts 201878

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

The Committee retains discretion to use Listing Rule 9.4.2(2) (and for this purpose only) to compensate an Executive Director for long-term 
incentive scheme awards forfeited on leaving a previous employer. Such buyout awards will have a fair value no greater than the awards forfeited. 
The arrangements that exist for current Executive Directors, as set out in the Policy Table, would then apply to the balance of the individual’s 
remuneration package.

TERMINATION PAYMENTS
The Company’s normal policy is to limit payments to Executive Directors on termination to contractual entitlements under their service agreements 
and the rules of any incentive and pension plans. There is no automatic entitlement to bonus as part of the termination arrangements, and the value 
of any terminating arrangement will be at the discretion of the Committee, having regard to all relevant factors. This discretion allows the Committee 
to determine good leaver status, the consequences of which are set out in the table below:

GOOD LEAVERS

OTHER LEAVERS

CHANGE OF CONTROL

DISCRETION

Performance Shares

Annual Bonus

Award lapses

No bonus payable

Performance conditions 
applied taking into account 
the foreshortened performance 
period.
A time pro rata reduction is 
then applied.

Performance conditions 
applied taking into account 
the foreshortened performance 
period.
A time pro rata reduction is 
then applied.

Performance conditions 
applied taking into 
account the foreshortened 
performance period.
A time pro rata reduction is 
then applied.

Performance conditions 
applied taking into 
account the foreshortened 
performance period.
A time pro rata reduction is 
then applied.

Deferred Bonus Shares

Vest in full

Award lapses

Vest in full

To disapply the pro rata 
vesting, or decide that the 
award will vest on the normal 
vesting date.

To disapply pro rata reduction 
and maintain original sum.

To determine the number 
of shares that vest, up to the 
value of the applicable bonus.

Reasons for “good leaver” status include death, ill health, retirement with the approval of the Company, a office or employment being with either 
a company which ceases to be a Group Member or relating to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person who is not a Group 
Member or any other reason determined by the committee.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc79

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION

AUDITED INFORMATION
Single total figure of remuneration for each Director in 2018
The total remuneration for each person who served as a Director of the Company during 2018 is set out in the table below:

SALARY AND 
FEES1

ALL TAXABLE 
BENEFITS

ANNUAL 
BONUS

LTIP 
AWARDS

PENSION 
CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

REMUNERATION (£ ‘000)

DIRECTOR

Chairman
Kwek Leng Beng2

Executive Director
Jennifer Fox3
Aloysius Lee

Non-Executive Directors
Shaukat Aziz4
Christian de Charnacé4, 5
Daniel Desbaillets6
Martin Leitch
Kwek Eik Sheng6, 7
Kwek Leng Peck7

Past Non-Executive Directors
Susan Farr8
Gervase MacGregor6, 9

272

272

187
–

69
55
61
67
54
60

56
53

–
–

64
19
58
39
56
63

65
69

Total

934

705

–

6
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

6

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

36
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

36

–

–
8

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

8

272

272

229
–

69
55
61
67
54
60

56
53

–
8

64
19
58
39
56
63

65
69

976

713

Notes:
1.  Salaries and fees are shown inclusive of sums receivable by the Directors from the Company and any of its subsidiary undertakings.
2.   In addition to his basic fee, Kwek Leng Beng received £21,565 in director fees from subsidiary companies. Chairman Kwek was the highest paid Director as at 31 December 2018. His biography on 

page 48 reports the directorships and positions he holds in other publicly-traded Group subsidiaries and associate companies.

3.   Jennifer Fox was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer and a Director on 19 June 2018 and stepped down on 27 September 2018. Details of payments made to Ms Fox for loss of office, 

including a portion representing a pro-rata bonus payment, are set out in the “Payments for loss of office” section of this report.

4.   Shaukat Aziz was appointed as chair of the Remuneration Committee on 2 November 2018 and Christian de Charnacé joined the Remuneration Committee and the Nominations Committee on 

that date.

5.  Christian de Charnacé was appointed to the Audit & Risk Committee as from 23 March 2018.
6.   Gervase MacGregor, Daniel Desbaillets and Kwek Eik Sheng relinquished their roles on the Risk Committee as from 4 May 2018, when the remits of the Risk Committee and Audit Committee 

were amalgamated with the formation of the Audit & Risk Committee.

7.  In addition to their basic fee, Kwek Leng Peck and Kwek Eik Sheng received £7,725, and £3,337 respectively in director fees from subsidiary companies.
8.  Sue Farr resigned from the Board on 31 October 2018.
9.  Gervase MacGregor resigned from the Board on 1 December 2018.

Annual Report & Accounts 201880

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

SHARE INTERESTS AWARDED IN 2018
In June 2018, Jennifer Fox, the only Executive Director who was a member of the Board during the year, was awarded 178,299 conditional shares 
of the Company under the Company’s LTIP. The table below sets out the terms of the award. The Remuneration Committee agreed that this award 
would not accrue dividends during the performance period. Vesting of this award in full required achievement of certain performance conditions over 
the three-year performance period. This LTIP award was also subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period.

GRANTEE

DATE OF 
GRANT

SHARES OVER WHICH 
AWARDS GRANTED

Jennifer Fox

27 June 2018

178,299 nil cost 
performance shares

MARKET 
PRICE AT DATE 
OF AWARD1

EXERCISE 
PRICE

FACE 
VALUE2

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

EXERCISE 
/VESTING 
PERIOD

£5.258

n/a

£937,496 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2020 27 June 2023

Notes:
1.   The market price on the date of the award is the average of the mid-market closing price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the five dealing days immediately preceding 27 June 2018.
2.   The face value of shares under option for Jennifer Fox is calculated as the number of shares multiplied by the market price at the date of the award.

In line with the Company’s Remuneration Policy, vesting of Ms Fox’s award was dependent on the achievement of certain targets which were 
cumulative earnings per share (“EPS”), annualised growth of the Company’s revenue per available room, or RevPAR, measured on a like-for-like and 
constant currency basis and relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) over the three-year performance period. The weighting and targets that were 
applicable to each condition are set out in the following table.

PERFORMANCE CONDITION

Cumulative EPS

Annualised RevPAR growth 

Relative TSR compared to the companies in the FTSE 250, excluding investment trusts

TARGET RANGE

WEIGHTING

THRESHOLD  
(25% VESTING)

MAXIMUM 
 (100% VESTING)

60%

20%

20%

100p

1.5%

120p

3.0%

Median

Upper quartile

On 27 September 2018 Jennifer Fox ceased to be an Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Remuneration 
Committee exercised their discretion that her LTIP award over 178,299 conditional shares would lapse in full effective from that date.

SCHEME INTERESTS AWARDED IN 2016
In 2016, Mr Aloysius Lee, the then Group Chief Executive Officer, was the only Director to be awarded performance shares under the Company’s 
LTIP that year. An award of 185,643 shares was made to him on 29 March 2016 and, subject to the achievement of the following performance 
conditions, was due to vest on the third anniversary of the award, 29 March 2019.

The performance conditions applicable to Mr Lee’s 2016 LTIP award included cumulative earnings per share (“EPS”), net asset value (“NAV”) plus 
dividend growth, and relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) over the three-year period ended 31 December 2018. The weighting and targets that 
were applicable to each condition are summarised in the table below.

PERFORMANCE CONDITION

Cumulative EPS

NAV plus dividend growth

Relative TSR compared to the companies in the FTSE 250, excluding 
investment trusts

TARGET RANGE

WEIGHTING

THRESHOLD  
(25% VESTING)

MAXIMUM 
 (100% VESTING)

60%

20%

95p

5% p.a.

115p

11% p.a.

10% In line with the index Outperform index by 9% p.a.

Relative TSR compared to a peer group1

10%

Median Outperform median by 9% p.a.

Notes:
1.   The peer group comprises Accor, Banyan Tree Holdings, Belmond, Choice Hotels International, Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Hotel Properties, Hyatt Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, 
Mandarin Oriental, Marriott International, Melia Hotels International, NH Hotels, Overseas Union Enterprise, Rezidor, Shanghai Jin Jiang International, Shangri-La Asia, Starwood Hotels & 
Resorts*, Whitbread and Wyndham Worldwide.
 Merged with Marriott International on 23 September 2016.

* 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc81

The Committee conducted an assessment of these performance conditions and determined that the Company partially had met 38.5% of the “NAV 
plus dividend growth” condition after achieving an average annual growth rate of 6.1% for this metric over the performance period.  Based on the 
scheme rules for the LTIP, Mr Lee’s relevant service for the purpose of time pro-rating this result is from the date of grant, 29 March 2016, to the 
date of his retirement, 28 February 2017, relative to the three-year vesting period.  Therefore, his award should be pro-rated by 30.8% to reflect the 
proportion of the performance period for which Mr Lee served as a Director (calculated on a days basis), resulting in 4,401 shares vesting on 29 
March 2019.

No shares were awarded to any Executive Directors in 2017.

PAYMENTS MADE TO PAST DIRECTORS
Wong Hong Ren retired as a Director and the Group Chief Executive Officer on 28 February 2015, but continued to serve as a director of certain 
subsidiaries of the Company, primarily M&C REIT Management Limited and M&C Business Trust Management Limited (until 12 February 2018 
in each case), managers of the trusts that comprise CDL Hospitality Trusts. As previously disclosed, as part of Mr Wong’s retirement arrangements, 
he renounced any fees payable to him in relation to those directorships for the period between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016, but Mr Wong 
was entitled to retain any subsidiary directorship fees earned in respect of any period after February 2016. As such, he was paid fees totalling S$7,658 
for serving as a Non-Executive Chairman of, and as a member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committees of, the Boards of M&C REIT 
Management Limited and M&C Business Trust Management Limited for the period from 1 January 2018 through 12 February 2018. No other 
payments were made to past Directors during the year.

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE
Jennifer Fox stepped down as Group Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Director on 27 September 2018. Upon the termination of her 
employment and in accordance with the terms of her service agreement with the Company, Ms Fox received contractual termination payments of 
£625,000 (representing 12 months of her annual base salary), £125,000 in lieu of her annual pension contribution and £20,000 for her annual car 
allowance. She also received £10,000 for reimbursement of legal fees in connection with her review of her exit arrangements, £18,029 for accrued but 
unused annual leave and she will remain under the Company’s private health insurance until 30 September 2019.

In determining the terms of her departure, the Committee considered carefully whether any payments should be made under the Company’s variable 
pay arrangements. The Committee agreed, in the aggregate, that it would be fair and equitable:

•  for the LTIP award made to Ms Fox in June 2018 to lapse in full on her ceasing to be employed with the Group; and

•  to pay Ms Fox a small pro-rata bonus payment of £234,375 for the period that she was employed, taking into consideration her efforts and 

achievements during that time.

This pro-rata bonus payment represents around 90% of her maximum pro-rata entitlement. Of these amounts, £192,501 was deferred and paid in 
three equal instalments of £64,167 each in November 2018, December 2018 and January 2019.

Annual Report & Accounts 201882

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE INTERESTS
The interests of the Directors who served during 2018, and their persons closely associated, in the ordinary shares of the Company were as follows:

NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES 
OWNED OUTRIGHT2

HOLDING ON
31 DECEMBER 
2018

HOLDING ON
1 JANUARY
2018

NUMBER OF SCHEME INTERESTS

LTIP AWARDS 
WHICH ARE NOT 
SUBJECT TO 
PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS AT 
31 DECEMBER 
2018

LTIP AWARDS 
WHICH ARE 
SUBJECT 
TO FUTURE 
PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS AT 
31 DECEMBER 
2018

TOTAL 
INTERESTS AS AT
31 DECEMBER 
2018

VALUE OF 
ORDINARY 
SHARES OWNED 
OUTRIGHT AS A 
PERCENTAGE OF 
SALARY

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

N/A

N/A

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A

DIRECTOR

Chairman
Kwek Leng Beng1

Past Executive Director
Jennifer Fox2

Non-Executive Directors
Shaukat Aziz
Christian de Charnacé
Daniel Desbaillets
Kwek Eik Sheng1
Martin Leitch
Kwek Leng Peck1

Past Non-Executive Directors
Susan Farr
Gervase MacGregor

Notes:
1.   The interests of the Directors appointed by City Developments Limited in that company and its ultimate parent company, Hong Leong Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd, are disclosed in the accounts 

of those companies.

2.   In June 2018 Ms Fox was awarded 178,299 conditional shares of the Company under the LTIP; however, these shares lapsed in full in September 2018 upon cessation of Ms Fox’s employment with 

the Group.

There have been no changes to the Directors’ interests between 31 December 2018 and the date of this report.

SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENTS
As set out in the Company’s Remuneration Policy, within five years of being appointed to the Board, Executive Directors are required to build up, and 
retain, ordinary shares in the Company equivalent in value to 200% of their base annual salary. Since Jennifer Fox was the only Executive Director 
who served during the year and she stepped down from her position in September 2018, none of the Directors who served during 2018 were required 
to comply with these requirements.

UNAUDITED INFORMATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY IN 2019
This section provides an overview of how the Committee is proposing to implement the Remuneration Policy in 2019.

Remuneration of any Executive Directors to be appointed in 2019
The Committee expects that any recruitment benefits or compensation and the salary, bonus and share scheme arrangements, and pension and other 
benefits to be provided to any new Executive Director appointed during 2019 will be in line with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy last approved by 
the Company’s shareholders, as disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.

In the event a new Executive Director is to be appointed in 2019, the Committee, mindful of the guidance set out in the Investment Association 
Principles of Remuneration and the requirements of the revised version of the UK Corporate Governance Code that took effect as of 1 January 2019, 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc83

the Committee has agreed to apply a two-year post-vesting holding period to any awards under the Company’s LTIP so that, in total, the performance 
and holding period for any such award will cover a period of at least five years. In addition, the Committee anticipates working with its remuneration 
advisor to develop a more tailored and fit-for-purpose remuneration package for any permanent Group Chief Executive Officer or other Executive 
Director to be appointed during the year.

Non-Executive Director fees
Payments to Non-Executive Directors will be in accordance with the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy. Non-Executive Directors therefore will 
continue to receive a basic fee for Board membership and separate annual fees for their service as a member and, to the extent applicable, the Chair of 
a Board committee. The Senior Independent Director will be paid an additional fee, currently of £10,000 per year, to serve in such capacity. Details of 
the current additional committee and chair fees are set out in the table below and no changes are being proposed for 2019:

COMMITTEE

Audit & Risk Committee
Remuneration Committee
Nominations Committee

ANNUAL FEE FOR 
MEMBERSHIP OF 
 A COMMITTEE

ADDITIONAL 
ANNUAL CHAIR FEE

£5,000
£5,000
£2,000

£10,000
£10,000
–

The Chairman of the Board will receive a set fee determined by the Committee from time to time. The total annual fee for the Chairman is £250,000 
and this will remain the same in 2019. The Chairman also may continue to receive additional fees for serving as a director of certain subsidiary 
companies.

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES
Performance of the Company and historic remuneration of the Group Chief Executive Officer
The following graph illustrates the total shareholder return of the Company’s shares versus comparator indexes over the past ten years. As the 
Company is a constituent of both the FTSE 250 and the FTSE All Share Travel & Leisure index, the Directors consider these indices to be the most 
appropriate broad equity market indices against which the Company’s performance should be compared for these purposes.

500

450

400

350

300

)
£
(

250

200

150

100

50

0

31/12/2008

31/12/2009

31/12/2010

30/12/2011

31/12/2012

31/12/2013

31/12/2014

31/12/2015

30/12/2016

29/12/2017

31/12/2018

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc

FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts

FTSE All share Travel & Leisure

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
84

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

The remuneration history of the Group Chief Executive Officer over the same period is as follows:

Total remuneration (£’000)
Annual bonus 
(as a percentage of maximum opportunity)

LTIP vesting rates 
(as a percentage of maximum opportunity)

REMUNERATION HISTORY OF THE GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

2010

1,243
100%

20111

4,404
63%

2012

1,495
37%

2013

2,287
67%

2014

1,429
62%

20152

1,389
19%

20163

832
15%

20174

51
N/A

20185

229
N/A

0%

100%

100%

50%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

Notes:
1.   Richard Hartman retired as Group Chief Executive Officer and Wong Hong Ren was appointed to the post on 27 June 2011. These figures are for both and are restated to be consistent with the 

other years.

2.   Wong Hong Ren stepped down as Group Chief Executive Officer on 28 February 2015 and Aloysius Lee was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer Designate from 1 February 2015 and 

assumed the full role as of 1 March 2015. These figures are for both.

3.  Includes the final two months of payments under Mr Wong Hen Ren’s service contract.
4.   Aloysius Lee’s pay, allowances and pension contributions ceased on 31 January 2017. Remuneration for Mr Tan Kian Seng interim Chief Executive Officer has not been included as he did not serve 

as an executive director during the year.

5.  Jennifer Fox’s pay, allowances and pension contributions were for the period of her employment during the year, which commenced on 19 June 2018 and ended on 27 September 2018.

Percentage change in remuneration of the Group Chief Executive Officer
The tables below show the percentage change in remuneration (based on salary and fees, taxable benefits and annual bonus) between 2017 and 2018 
for the Group Chief Executive Officer and employees within the Group’s bonus pool.

Group Chief Executive Officer2
Employees

% INCREASE/(DECREASE) FROM 2017 TO 20181

BASIC 
SALARY

(70.0)
(10.0)

BENEFITS

(0.3)
(19.0)

BONUS

(100.0)
14.0

1.  All percentages are based on converting relevant local currencies into pounds sterling using the average rates for the respective year.
2  The percentage change figures are based on average employee base pay, benefits and bonus amounts for each year.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below illustrates the year-on-year change in total pay for colleagues across the Group (being the aggregate personnel expenses as set out in 
Note 8 to the financial statements) and distributions to shareholders (being declared dividends). The number of colleagues employed by the Group in 
2018 was 11,504 (2017: 11,602).

Employee remuneration costs
Dividends distributed

2017
£M

370
25

2018
£M

374
21

% INCREASE/ 
(DECREASE)

1.1
(16.0)  

Statement of voting at general meeting
The following table sets out the proxy voting in respect of the resolutions to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the 2017 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, which resolutions were passed at the Company’s Annual General Meetings held on 5 May 2017 and 4 May 2018, respectively. 
The Directors were pleased with the support received from shareholders.

RESOLUTION

Approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
Approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 
December 2017

VOTES FOR*

% OF VOTE

VOTES 
AGAINST

% OF VOTE

VOTES 
WITHHELD

296,111,136

94.63%

16,813,616

5.37%

5,707

303,034,683

96.98%

9,437,101

3.02%

442,454

* includes discretionary votes

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc85

Consideration by the Committee members of matters relating to Directors’ remuneration
The Committee is authorised by the Board to appoint external advisers to support it in its efforts. Following a tender process in 2017, PwC were 
selected as the Committee’s new remuneration adviser, with effect from 1 December 2017, and attended most of the Committee meetings in 2018.

PwC advises the Committee directly on matters within the Committee’s terms of reference to the extent the Committee chooses to consult PwC 
on these matters. Its scope of work includes attending Committee meetings; updating the Committee on developments in the market and trends 
in remuneration best practices and governance; reviewing this report; carrying out total remuneration benchmarking for Executive Directors; 
arrangements concerning the on-boarding of Executive Directors, carrying out IFRS 2 valuations for the Company in relation to the Company’s share 
schemes; providing regular TSR monitoring reports and independently validating the Company’s annual LTIP vesting calculations. PwC was paid 
£63,912.50 in respect of such services provided in 2018.

PwC may also be called upon to advise the Board of Directors of the Company (or those Directors charged by the Board to make recommendations) 
from time to time on the remuneration of Non-Executive Directors, including the Chairman.

In 2018, PwC also acted as the primary tax advisor to the Group in the EU and provided tax consulting services to the Group in other regions upon 
request. In 2019, PwC will be the Group’s primary tax advisor on a global basis. Aside from these services, PwC did not provide other significant 
services to the Group over the course of the year and currently is not engaged to provide any services in 2019, other than the tax consulting services, 
for which PwC has implemented confidentiality barriers between their tax consulting and remuneration advisory teams to help ensure that their 
remuneration advice remains independent.

The Committee reviewed the potential for conflicts of interest in connection with PwC’s advice and the Committee is comfortable that the PwC 
engagement partner and team that provide remuneration advice to the Committee do not have connections with the Company that may impair the 
independence of their judgment. In addition, as a founder member of the Remuneration Consultants Group, PwC operates under the Voluntary 
Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. Finally, as a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants 
in England and Wales (“ICAEW”), PwC complies with the ICAEW’s ethical guidelines. As a result, PwC operates under rigorous independence, 
compliance and quality assurance regimes. For the reasons outlined above, the Committee has determined that the advice provided by PwC is 
objective and independent.

External appointments
The Company recognises that Executive Directors may be invited to become Non-Executive Directors of other companies and that such 
appointments can broaden the executives’ knowledge and experience, for the benefit of the Group. If an Executive Director wishes to take on an 
external Non-Executive Director appointment, the Company’s policy is to support an Executive Director with that appointment provided that there 
are no conflicts of interest and the role does not interfere with the executive’s commitment or duties. They may retain any fees paid in connection 
with such other appointments, with the approval of the Committee.

During her tenure as Group Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, Jennifer Fox also served as a Director of Village Roadshow 
Limited, which for the relevant period of her employment was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Annual Report & Accounts 201886

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

Directors service agreements and letters of appointment
It is the Company’s policy for Executive Directors to have service contracts that provide for a notice period for termination of up to 12 months.

The dates on which the Directors’ initial service agreements or letters of appointment commenced and the current expiry dates are as follows:

NAME

Chairman
Kwek Leng Beng

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Shaukat Aziz
Daniel Desbaillets
Martin Leitch
Christian de Charnacé

Other Non-Executive Directors
Kwek Eik Sheng
Kwek Leng Peck

DATE OF CONTRACT

NOTICE PERIOD / UNEXPIRED TERM

Appointed since listing Terms of appointment refreshed on 
15 February 2017

Nominee of controlling shareholder

16 June 2009
11 August 20161
22 May 2017
16 August 2017

Rolling letters of appointment terminable 
by either party on one month’s notice

13 May 2011
Appointed since listing Terms of appointment refreshed on 
15 February 2017

Nominees of controlling shareholder

Notes:
1. The commencement date of Mr Desbaillets’ appointment to the Board was 14 September 2016.

Letters of appointments for the Directors are kept at the Group’s corporate headquarters at Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc, Scarsdale Place, 
Kensington, London, W8 5SY.

CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS
We are committed to maintaining good communications with investors. The Committee considers that its Annual General Meeting provides a good 
opportunity to meet with investors and consider their feedback. In addition, the Committee seeks to engage directly with major shareholders and 
their representative bodies should it consider any material changes to the Company’s Remuneration Policy.

REVISED UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE
During the course of the year, the Committee received detailed reports concerning changes arising from the revised version of the UK Corporate 
Governance that took effect on 1 January 2019. In terms of the Committee’s remit, key changes include expanded responsibilities for setting the 
remuneration arrangements for senior management, reviewing remuneration policies and practices applicable to the wider workforce of the Group 
and ensuring that they are designed to support the Company’s strategy and long-term success and ensuring that executive remuneration is aligned to 
the Company’s purpose and values, to name but a few.

Expanding on some of these requirements further, with regard to the requirement that the Committee set the remuneration arrangements for senior 
management, the Committee has developed and approved a senior management remuneration policy that applies to all Senior Vice President level 
employees as this level of employee generally reports into the Group Chief Executive Officer. The policy, which includes maximum salary, bonus 
and share scheme elements, is designed to provide a framework within which remuneration packages for senior managers can be negotiated without 
requiring Committee approval, as long as the terms are within the parameters of the policy and any deviations from this policy and the final terms of 
any new appointments are approved by the Committee.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc87

The Committee also assisted the full Board, in conjunction with senior management and PwC, in developing a formal framework that will allow the 
Board to better understand the views of and engage with the workforce. This involves the establishment of a workforce advisory panel structure and 
assignment of a Director to help oversee the operation of this panel. Whilst mechanisms were in place to engage with colleagues, this new structure 
will formalise the process to a greater extent.

THE GROUP’S SHARE SCHEMES
In addition to the LTIP, the Group operates two other share schemes for senior employees other than Executive Directors, the Deferred Share Bonus 
(“DSB”) scheme and the Executive Share Plan (“ESP”).

Under the ESP awards of conditional shares are made to senior executive management. The ESP was approved by the Group on 18 February 2016 to 
replace participation in the LTIP for this population. The Committee determines the size of the awards to be made taking into account the Group’s 
performance and the achievements of the executive management team over the previous year. The shares are released to participants in tranches, 
subject to continued employment and the rules of the plan, with 25% vesting one year after grant; 25% two years after grant; and 50% three years 
after grant. The awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions under the rules of the ESP.

In 2018, ESP awards were made on 4 December 2018 to 9 senior executives, over a total of 65,649 shares.

The DSB is the deferred element of the Group’s annual bonus plan. Awards of conditional shares are made to senior employees, but not to those who 
participate in the ESP, and are calculated based on a percentage of a participant’s bonus earned in respect of the previous year. Awards also are subject 
to malus and clawback provisions under the rules of the DSB.

In December 2018 awards were made to 43 employees over 57,358 shares and vest as to 25% after one year, 25% after two years and the final 50% 
after three years, subject to continued employment and the rules of the scheme.

Satisfaction of performance share awards
Performance share awards are made for nil consideration and are satisfied either by the issue of new shares or through market purchases of shares. 
Currently the company has in place an employee benefit trust known as the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc Employee Benefit Trust 2006 (the 
“EBT”), which was established to acquire shares to satisfy performance share awards that may vest from time to time. As at 31 December 2018, the 
EBT held 2,483 unallocated shares (2017: 3,437 unallocated shares), representing approximately 0.0007% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 
the same date. Executive Directors who participate in the LTIP, together with other employees of the Group who participate in other share schemes, 
are potential beneficiaries of the EBT and, as such, are deemed to be interested in any shares held.

Dilution
The Company ensures that the level of shares granted under the Company’s share plans and the means of satisfying such awards remains within best 
practice guidelines so that dilution from employee share awards does not exceed 10% of the Company’s issued share capital for all employee share 
plans and 5% in respect of executive share plans in any 10 year rolling period. The Company monitors dilution levels on a regular basis and the 
Committee reviews these at least once a year.

Share price
The market price of an ordinary share of the Company as at 31 December 2018 was 467.5 pence and the range during the year was 580.0 pence per 
share to 459.0 pence per share.

The Directors confirm that there exist no other obligations that might give rise to, or impact on, remuneration payments or payments for loss of 
office which are not disclosed elsewhere in this report and that this report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, reflects the 
provisions of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and was approved at a 
meeting of the Board held on 14 February 2019.

On behalf of the Board

His Excellency Shaukat Aziz
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

14 February 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
88

NOMINATIONS
COMMITTEE REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Dear Shareholders,

I am pleased to present the Company’s Nominations Committee 
Report for 2018. This report provides a summary of the Committee’s 
responsibilities and its activities throughout the year.

During the year, the primary areas of focus for the Committee were 
Board and committee composition, reviewing the role profiles for new 
Director appointments, and succession planning for the independent 
Non-Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer roles.

The progress made in these areas is outlined below. As Chairman of the 
Committee, I take an active role in overseeing the progress made towards 
appointments to the Board and senior management team, and ensuring 
that the Group has appropriate talent to be able to deliver on the strategy 
of the Group.

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUCCESSION
With Mr Tan Kian Seng in place as interim Group Chief Executive 
Officer at the start of the year, the Committee was tasked with finding 
someone to fill that role on a permanent basis. After conducting a search 
during the first quarter of the year, the Committee recommended, and 
the Board approved, the appointment of Jennifer Fox as Group Chief 
Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. She joined in June 
2018 and, as reported previously, the Board and Ms Fox subsequently 
mutually agreed that it would be best for her to step down, which she 
did on 27 September 2018. At that point, Mr Tan, resumed the interim 
Group Chief Executive Officer role. Since then, the Committee has 
been examining the role profile and assessing the optimal characteristics, 
skills and background which candidates should possess and a search 
for a successor was commenced. Whilst the Board believes that the 
appointment of a permanent Group Chief Executive Officer is vitally 
important, the Board is prepared to take its time in order to find the 
right candidate.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
In my introduction to the Corporate Governance Statement, I refer 
to the importance to the business of having an engaged Board, with 
the appropriate mix of skills, diversity and experience, that offers 
both support and robust challenge to our senior management team. 
These principles were firmly in mind as the Committee reviewed the 
composition of the Board and its committees throughout the year.

First, in March 2018, the Committee reviewed the structure of 
the Board’s committees and, bearing in mind the progress made in 
developing the Group’s risk management framework, decided that it 
would be appropriate to once again combine the Audit Committee and 
Risk Committee, to form the Audit & Risk Committee. The Committee 
also decided in March 2018 that Christian de Charnacé should be 
appointed as a member of the to-be-formed Audit & Risk Committee 
given his investment banking background and the fact that he had not 
yet been appointed to a Board committee. These changes were approved 
by the Board and took effect in May 2018, immediately following the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting.

Second, as part of the Committee’s remit to regularly review of the 
composition of the Board and its committees, the Committee considers 
the tenure of existing Directors and whether a Director’s length of 
service has in any way impacted his or her ability to remain independent 
in character and judgement and perform his or her duties. The Board 
generally believes that Non-Executive Directors should stay for a 
significant period of time, with the appointment of new directors adding 
diverse perspectives and skills. It is important we ensure that the Board 
has continuity and on occasion we may determine that it is in the 
Company’s best interests for a Non-Executive Director to stay beyond a 
nine-year term. Accordingly, when His Excellency Shaukat Aziz reached 
his ninth anniversary on the Board in June 2018, the Committee, 
in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, conducted 
an independence assessment and concluded that Mr Aziz remained 
independent in character and judgement for the reasons set out in the 
Corporate Governance Statement on page 63.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
89

Third, with Sue Farr and Gervase MacGregor resigning from the Board 
in the latter half of 2018, after having served nearly five and four years, 
respectively, we made some further changes to the composition of the 
Board’s committees. Mr Aziz was appointed as chair of the Remuneration 
Committee. Given his experience and knowledge of the Company and 
since he had been a member of the Remuneration Committee since 16 
June 2009, the Committee considered that his appointment as chair of 
the Remuneration Committee would help bring continuity to the role. 
In addition, Christian de Charnacé was appointed as a member of both 
the Nominations Committee and Remuneration Committee. All of these 
changes were effective from 2 November 2018, and a search for at least 
one new independent Non-Executive Director was commenced and is 
ongoing.

With the changes made during the year and in light of the Board being 
comprised of a majority of independent Non-Executive Directors, the 
Board considers the current composition of the Board and its committees 
to be adequate for the time being. That said, the Committee will 
continue to progress the searches for a permanent Group Chief Executive 
Officer and one or more new independent Non-Executive Directors as 
matters of priority and will provide further updates on the progress of 
these searches as appropriate.

DIVERSITY
The Board continues to support the aspirational targets set by the Lord 
Davies report “Women on Boards” and those set in the Hampton-
Alexander Review and acknowledges that the Board currently is not 
reflective of the value that we place on diversity and inclusion within our 
business. We recognise the need to take corrective action following the 
departures of Ms Fox and Ms Farr and will, over the coming years, seek 
to redress the current imbalance in the representation of women on the 
Board.

The Board is also mindful of the recommendations made by Sir John 
Parker, in his Report into the Ethnic Diversity of UK Boards published 
in October 2017, to increase the ethnic and cultural diversity of the 
boards of FTSE 350 companies. With regard to the recommendations 
in that report, the Board is pleased to confirm that four Directors, 
representing over half of the Board, are considered to have ethnic 
minority backgrounds.

As part of the Group’s continuing effort to address gender and ethnic 
diversity more broadly within the business, a new diversity and inclusion 
policy was adopted and rolled out across the Group during the course of 
the year. That policy, which involves the education of employees on the 
benefits of diversity in the workforce and includes procedures that will 
allow the Board to monitor progress, reinforces the Group’s commitment 
to promoting an inclusive work environment, one in which every 
member of its workforce feels valued and respected. Our commitment 
extends to embracing diversity in all its forms—including but not limited 

to, age, gender, ethnicity, abilities, sexual orientation and religious 
beliefs—with the objective of having a workforce that is representative of 
the communities in which we operate. We also encourage our franchised 
hotels, where we do not employ personnel directly, to follow the same 
guiding principles as set out in the Group’s diversity and inclusion 
policy. As a multinational company with a diverse set of stakeholders, the 
Board and our colleagues across the Group must be sensitive to different 
cultures, lifestyles and preferences.

2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Nominations Committee was mindful of shareholder concerns 
received at the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting, reflected in 
part by the significant votes received from independent shareholders 
opposing the election or re-election of the independent non-executive 
Directors. In order to better understand those concerns, as well as others, 
various Board members engaged with shareholders throughout the year 
and these issues were discussed at several Board meetings.

FUTURE PRIORITIES
The Committee’s primary objectives for the coming year are to:

•  Continue the process of recruiting and appointing a permanent Group 

Chief Executive Officer and at least one new independent Non-
Executive Director;

•  Continue to review the balance of skills, diversity and experience of 
the Company’s Directors to determine if any further changes or 
appointments are needed to ensure the Board has the talent necessary 
to help the Group deliver its strategic objectives;

•  Consider the requirements under the revised version of the UK 

Corporate Governance Code (“New Code”), that will apply to the 
Group in respect of its 2019 financial year and beyond, and ensure 
appropriate plans are in place to address the expanded role of the 
Nominations Committee under the revised version of the Code;

•  Identify ways to improve the effectiveness of the Board and its 

committees; and

•  Continue to review succession plans for key management roles across 

the Group.

Kwek Leng Beng
Chairman of the Nominations Committee

14 February 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
90

NOMINATIONS 
COMMITTEE REPORT
CONTINUED

OVERVIEW
The Nominations Committee reviews the composition of the Board 
and its committees and oversees succession planning of the Company’s 
Directors. By identifying and recommending candidates as Directors, 
the Committee aims to ensure that the Board and its committees are 
fit for purpose and have the appropriate balance of skills, diversity and 
experience to be able to meet the challenges facing the Group.

MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS
The Committee is comprised of a majority of independent Non-
Executive Directors. During the year the following Directors were 
members of the Committee.

•  Kwek Leng Beng (Chairman)

•  Kwek Leng Peck

•  His Excellency Shaukat Aziz
•  Susan Farr1

•  Martin Leitch
•  Christian de Charnacé2

1.  Susan Farr Stepped down from the Board on 31 October 2018.
2.   Christian de Charnacé was appointed as a member of the Committee effective from  

2 November 2018.

The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee and attends 
all meetings. Other Directors or members of senior management and 
external advisers may attend the meetings at the invitation of the 
Committee chair.

The Committee met three times during the year.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Part of the remit of the Committee is to ensure that the Board has the 
right balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge to 
enable it to discharge its duties effectively. In order to fulfil this remit, the 
Committee may conduct searches to fill certain roles from time to time 
and recommend new appointments for such roles.

During 2018, the Committee spent considerable time conducting 
a search for a permanent Group Chief Executive Officer, a role that 
would sit on the Board. The process started with the Committee 
reviewing the requirements of, and preparing a new job specification 
for, the role. The Committee then conducted a search, based on that job 
specification, through internal resources and this is how Jennifer Fox was 
identified. The Committee members and other members of the Board 
interviewed Ms Fox and referencing was conducted. Her appointment 
was recommended to and approved by the Board and her employment 
began in June 2018. After she stepped down in September 2018, the 
Committee recommended that Tan Kian Seng resume his role as interim 
Group Chief Executive Officer, and the Board fully supported this 
recommendation. Since then the Committee has, once again, refreshed 
the job specification for the role and resumed its search for a permanent 
Group Chief Executive Officer.

Also, following the departures of Sue Farr and Gervase MacGregor in 
the third quarter of 2018, the Committee agreed on the appropriate 
profile for a new independent Non-Executive Director and commenced 
its search for one or more new appointments. That search is ongoing 
and the Committee remains open to using an external search agency to 
facilitate the process, as well as utilising the Directors’ own contacts and 
networks. However, in 2018 the Group did not utilise an external search 
agency for any of the open Board positions.

The searches for a permanent Group Chief Executive Officer and at 
least one new independent Non-Executive Director will be as broad as 
necessary to ensure that the right candidates are identified and that the 
composition of the Board and its committees remains appropriate. New 
Director appointments will be announced in due course.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc91

TIME COMMITMENT
All Directors are required to commit sufficient time to fulfil their 
responsibilities and this obligation is reflected in their letters of 
appointment. The Nominations Committee monitors the extent of the 
Directors’ other interests to ensure that the effectiveness of the Directors 
and the Board as a whole is not compromised. The Nominations 
Committee is satisfied that each of the Non-Executive Directors commits 
sufficient time to their duties.

INDUCTION
On appointment to the Board, each Director undergoes a comprehensive 
induction programme as appropriate. The programme is tailored to each 
Director’s individual needs, but is intended to provide an in introduction 
to the Group’s business, challenges and risks. Newly appointed Directors 
also receive an overview of their duties, the corporate governance 
landscape applicable to listed companies in the UK and Board processes 
and policies. This process was followed with regard to the appointment 
of Jennifer Fox.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
As part of the Board’s annual performance review, an assessment of the 
Committee’s performance in 2018 was completed in January 2019. The 
results of the performance assessment were discussed and presented at 
the Board meeting held during February 2018 and the key finding of the 
evaluation, in respect of the Committee, was that the Committee was 
considered to be effective and remains independent in nature.

During the year, the Committee received regular updates on 
developments in corporate governance reform. The Committee was 
provided with detailed reports on the revised UK Corporate Governance 
Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council and proposals for 
the Group’s approach to the changes. As the revised UK Corporate 
Governance Code does not apply until accounting years beginning 
on or after 1 January 2019 the Group is not required to report on the 
application of the Code until then. We will therefore report on what 
changes, if any, to the Group’s governance regime will be required as a 
result of the revised Code in the Company’s 2019 annual report and 
accounts and beyond.

Annual Report & Accounts 201892

NOMINATIONS 
COMMITTEE REPORT
CONTINUED

ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE
The role of the Committee is, among other things, to:

•  review the structure, size and composition of the Board, including the 
skills, knowledge, experience and diversity of the Directors and make 
recommendations to the Board regarding any changes;

•  consider succession planning for directors and other senior executives, 

taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing the 
Company and the skills and expertise needed;

•  identify and nominate for approval by the Board candidates to fill 

Board vacancies when they arise;

•  keep under review the leadership needs of the organisation, with a 

view to ensuring the continued ability of the organisation to compete 
effectively in the marketplace;

•  review the time commitments required of Non-Executive Directors;

•  in consultation with the chairs of the Board’s committees, review and 

if appropriate recommend changes to the composition of the 
committees;

•  consider the re-appointment of Non-Executive Directors at the 

conclusion of their specified terms of office, giving due regard to their 
performance and ability to continue to contribute to the Board;

•  make recommendations to the Board on the independence of Non-

Executive Directors;

•  assess the appointment of any Director to an executive or other office 

within the Group; and

•  review the Committee’s terms of reference from time to time.

DIVERSITY
The Board takes diversity seriously and this forms part of the Board and 
Committee deliberations when considering new appointments to the 
Board. The Board’s diversity policy is based on four principles, set out 
below, that support the Board’s commitment to achieving diversity:

•  The Board will not impose quotas regarding diversity, although it will 
remain committed to achieving diversity in the composition of the 
Board;

•  The Committee will on a regular basis consider and make 

recommendations, if applicable, to the Board on its diversity 
objectives;

•  In reviewing the composition of the Board, the Committee will 
consider the balance of skills, experience, independence and 
knowledge of the Board members; and

•  In identifying suitable candidates for appointment, the Committee 

will assess objective criteria with due regard to the benefits of diversity 
on the Board.

TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Committee’s terms of reference are available at: 
www.investors.millenniumhotels.com/. They were updated in 2018 to 
reflect changes arising under the New Code.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc93

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’
RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT 
OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and parent Company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that 
complies with that law and those regulations. 

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

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the annual 
financial report 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set 

of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 

•  the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and 

performance of the business and the position of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they 
face. 

We consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy. 

On behalf of the Board

Kwek Leng Beng 
Chairman

14 February 2019

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and parent 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law 
they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the 
European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU) and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the parent Company financial statements in 
accordance with UK accounting standards, including FRS 101 Reduced 
Disclosure Framework. 

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of their 
profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and parent 
Company financial statements, the directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, reliable 

and prudent; 

•  for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

•  for the parent company financial statements, state whether applicable 
UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the parent company financial 
statements; 

•  assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; 
and 

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or 
have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain the parent Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the parent Company and enable them to ensure that its 
financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are 
responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary 
to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general 
responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to 
safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible 
for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, Directors’ 

Annual Report & Accounts 201894

Independent 
auditor’s report 

to the members of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 

We were first appointed as auditor by the company before 
1994 prior to the company becoming a public interest entity. 
For the period ended 31 December 2018, the total 
uninterrupted engagement period is for 22 financial years 
whilst the company was a public-interest entity. We have 
fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we remain 
independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed public interest entities. No non- audit services 
prohibited by that standard were provided. 

  Overview 

Materiality: 
Group financial 
statements as a whole 

£6.0m (2017:£7.0m) 

4.2% (2017: 4.0%) of 
normalised profit before tax 

97% (2017: 95%) of group 
profit before tax 

Key audit matters 

vs 2017 

New risk 

The impact of 
uncertainties due to the 
UK exiting the European 
Union on our audit 

Recurring risks 

Valuation of hotel assets 

Classification  and 
valuation of investment 
properties 

Recoverability of parent 
company’s investment 

▲ 

◄► 

◄► 

◄► 

—  the financial statements give a true and fair view of 

Coverage 

1.  Our opinion is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of Millennium 
& Copthorne Hotels plc (“the Company”) for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 which comprise the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss, the 
Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive 
Income, the Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the 
Company Statement of Financial Position, the Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity, and the related notes, 
including the accounting policies in note 2.2 of the Group 
financial statements and note B of the Company financial 
statements. 

In our opinion: 

the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of the group’s 
profit for the year then ended; 

—  the Group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union; 

—  the Parent Company financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting 
standards, including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework; and 

—  the financial statements have been prepared in 

accordance with the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable 
law.  Our responsibilities are described below.  We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a 
sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit 
opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit & Risk 
Committee. 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
2.  Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement 

95

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by 
us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team.  We summarise below the key audit matters, in arriving at our audit opinion 
above, together with our key audit procedures to address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results 
from those procedures.  These matters were addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context 
of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and 
consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

The impact of uncertainties 
due to the UK existing the 
European Union on our audit 

Refer to page 69 (Audit & 
Risk Committee Report). 

The risk 

Our response 

Unprecedented levels of uncertainty 

All audits assess and challenge the 
reasonableness of estimates, in particular as 
described in valuation of hotel assets and 
related disclosures and the appropriateness of 
the going concern basis of preparation of the 
financial statements (see going concern 
section below). All of these depend on 
assessments of the future economic 
environment and the Group’s future prospects 
and performance. 

In addition, we are required to consider the 
other information presented in the Annual 
Report including the principal risks disclosure 
and the viability statement and to consider the 
Directors’ statement that the annual report 
and financial statements taken as a whole is 
fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position 
and performance, business model and 
strategy. 

Brexit is one of the most significant economic 
events for the UK and at the date of this report 
its effects are subject to unprecedented levels 
of uncertainty of outcomes, with the full range 
of possible effects unknown. 

We developed a standardised firm-wide approach to the 
consideration of the uncertainties arising from Brexit in 
planning and performing our audits.  Our procedures 
included: 

Our Brexit knowledge: we considered the Directors’ 
assessment of Brexit-related sources of risk for the 
Group’s business and financial resources compared with 
our own understanding of the risks. We considered the 
Directors’ plans to take action to mitigate the risks. 

Sensitivity analysis: when addressing valuation of hotel 
assets and other areas that depend on forecasts, we 
compared the Directors’ analysis to our assessment of 
the full range of reasonably possible scenarios resulting 
from Brexit uncertainty and, where forecast cash flows 
are required to be discounted, considered adjustments to 
discount rates for the level of remaining uncertainty. 

Assessing transparency: as well as assessing individual 
disclosures as part of our procedures on valuation of hotel 
assets, we considered all of the Brexit related disclosures 
together, including those in the strategic report, comparing 
the overall picture against our understanding of the risks. 

Our results 
As reported under valuation of hotel assets, we found the 
resulting estimates and related disclosures to be 
acceptable. We also found the assessments and 
disclosures in relation to going concern to be acceptable. 
No audit should, however, be expected to predict the 
unknowable factors or all possible future implications for a 
company and this is particularly the case in relation to 
Brexit. 

Independent 

auditor’s report 

to the members of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 

1.  Our opinion is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of Millennium 

& Copthorne Hotels plc (“the Company”) for the year 

ended 31 December 2018 which comprise the 

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss, the 

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive 

Income, the Consolidated Statement of Financial 

Position, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in 

Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the 

Company Statement of Financial Position, the Company 

Statement of Changes in Equity, and the related notes, 

We were first appointed as auditor by the company before 

1994 prior to the company becoming a public interest entity. 

For the period ended 31 December 2018, the total 

uninterrupted engagement period is for 22 financial years 

whilst the company was a public-interest entity. We have 

fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we remain 

independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 

requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied 

to listed public interest entities. No non- audit services 

prohibited by that standard were provided. 

including the accounting policies in note 2.2 of the Group 

  Overview 

financial statements and note B of the Company financial 

Materiality: 

Group financial 

statements as a whole 

£6.0m (2017:£7.0m) 

4.2% (2017: 4.0%) of 

normalised profit before tax 

97% (2017: 95%) of group 

profit before tax 

Key audit matters 

New risk 

The impact of 

vs 2017 

▲ 

Recurring risks 

Valuation of hotel assets 

uncertainties due to the 

UK exiting the European 

Union on our audit 

Classification  and 

valuation of investment 

properties 

Recoverability of parent 

company’s investment 

◄► 

◄► 

◄► 

—  the financial statements give a true and fair view of 

Coverage 

statements. 

In our opinion: 

the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s 

affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of the group’s 

profit for the year then ended; 

—  the Group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 

Union; 

—  the Parent Company financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting 

standards, including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure 

Framework; and 

—  the financial statements have been prepared in 

accordance with the requirements of the Companies 

Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 

Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable 

law.  Our responsibilities are described below.  We 

believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a 

sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit 

opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit & Risk 

Committee. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
96

The risk 

Our response 

Valuation of Hotel Assets 

Subjective valuation 

(£3,153m; 2017: £3,129m) 

Refer to page 68 (Audit & 
Risk Committee Report), 
page 114 (accounting policy) 
and page 133 (financial 
disclosures). 

The Group’s hotel assets are subject to an 
annual review to assess whether or not they 
may be impaired. 

The Group first identifies the hotel assets 
where there is an indication of impairment. 
These assets are then subjected to detailed 
impairment review referenced to either 
current external valuations or internal trading 
updates derived from the most recently 
available external valuation. 

Certain hotel assets were considered at risk 
of impairment due to being subject to 
impairment in previous years (and therefore 
any decline in performance may result in a 
further impairment being recorded) or 
because the Group has experienced a difficult 
trading environment in 2018, particularly in 
the US and certain parts of Asia. 

External valuations are generally performed 
on a third party operator basis. This assesses 
the value of the hotel on the same basis that 
an ‘efficient operator’ market participant 
would and therefore assesses the net cash 
flows that an efficient operator believes it 
could achieve. 

This analysis is subjective due to the inherent 
uncertainty involved in determining 
appropriate assumptions such as expected 
free cash flows and future market growth, 
terminal rate and discount rates. therefore, 
the review and challenge of these 
assumptions is one of the key judgmental 
areas that our audit is concentrated on. 

Assessing valuers’ credentials: we assessed the 
independence, professional qualifications, competence 
and experience of the external valuers used by the Group. 

Test of details: we challenged the Group’s assessment of 
the properties at risk by reference to relevant impairment 
indicators using our understanding of the asset’s 
performance in relation to previous forecasts and the 
market performance and assessing the quantum of 
available headroom from previous valuations. 

Methodology choice: using our valuation specialists, we 
challenged the appropriateness of the valuers’ reports by 
assessing whether their valuations were in accordance 
with the RICS Valuation professional Standards ‘the red 
book’ and relevant accounting standards. 

Benchmarking assumptions: we challenged the key 
assumptions used in external valuations performed during 
the year, in particular forecast free cash flows and future 
market growth, terminal and discount rates, by comparing 
them to externally derived data, internal budgets and 
source data, where applicable. Our valuation specialists 
assisted in the evaluation of the most subjective and 
complex assumptions and analyses. 

Our sector experience: for those properties at risk of 
impairment but that were not externally valued during the 
year, we assessed the trading results of the properties and 
whether this provided evidence of any significant changes 
in the key assumptions applied in the most recent external 
valuation. This included comparing the current 
performance of the assets to the forecasts made in the 
last external valuation and assessing unusual trends in 
updated cash flows against source data, where applicable. 
Our valuation specialists assisted in the evaluation of the 
most subjective and complex assumptions and analyses. 

Sensitivity analysis: we performed sensitivity analysis on 
the key assumptions noted above for the most subjective 
and complex valuations to assess the range of possible 
alternative outcomes and used these to challenge the 
appropriateness of the valuation conclusions. 

Assessing transparency: we considered the 
appropriateness of the Group’s disclosures about the 
impairment test and the sensitivity of the outcome of the 
impairment assessment to changes in key assumptions. 

Our results 
We found the resulting estimate of the recoverable 
amount of the hotel assets to be acceptable (2017: 
acceptable). 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The risk 

Our response 

Valuation of Hotel Assets 

Subjective valuation 

(£3,153m; 2017: £3,129m) 

The Group’s hotel assets are subject to an 

Refer to page 68 (Audit & 

Risk Committee Report), 

page 114 (accounting policy) 

and page 133 (financial 

disclosures). 

Classification and 
valuation of investment 
properties 

(£650m; 2017: £568m) 

Refer to page 68 (Audit & 
Risk Committee Report), 
page 116 (accounting policy) 
and page 136 (financial 
disclosures). 

97

Our response 

The risk 

Subjective valuation 

Investment property is one of the Group’s 
largest asset categories and the models 
applied to determine the fair value of 
investment properties are complex and 
sensitive to assumptions around rental rates 
and future market growth, terminal rate and 
discount rates. 

During the year, the Group made a material 
acquisition of a property. Classification of an 
asset as investment property requires 
judgement, and is determined by reference 
to the Group’s future intentions and 
business model. 

Assessing valuers’ credentials: we assessed the 
independence, professional qualifications, competence and 
experience of the external valuers used by the Group. 

Methodology choice: using our valuation specialists, we 
challenged the appropriateness of the valuer’s reports by 
assessing whether their valuations were in accordance 
with the RICS Valuation professional Standards ‘the red 
book’ and relevant accounting standards. 

Benchmarking assumptions: we challenged the key 
assumptions used in the valuations, in particular rental 
rates and future market growth, terminal rate and discount 
rates by comparing them to externally derived data, internal 
budgets and source data, where applicable. Our valuation 
specialists assisted in the evaluation of the more subjective 
and complex assumptions and analyses. 

Our sector experience: we assessed the appropriateness 
of the classification of new investment properties by 
understanding the business models and management’s 
intentions, corroborated with inspection of contracts and 
agreements. 

Assessing transparency: we assessed whether the 
Group’s disclosures properly reflected the risks inherent in 
the calculations and met the requirements of relevant 
accounting standards. 

Our results 
We found the valuation of investment properties to be 
acceptable (2017: acceptable). 

Recoverability of parent 
company’s investments 

(£1,988m; 2017: £1,970m) 

Refer to page 183 (accounting 
policy) and page 181 (financial 
disclosures). 

Low risk, high value 

The carrying amount of the parent company’s 
investments in subsidiaries represents 96% 
(2017: 97%) of the company’s total assets. 

Their recoverability is not at a high risk of 
significant misstatement or subject to 
significant judgement. However, due to their 
materiality in the context of the parent 
company financial statements, this is 
considered to be the area that had the 
greatest effect on our overall parent company 
audit. 

Tests of detail: we compared the carrying amount of 
100% of investments to the relevant subsidiaries’ 
consolidated trial balances to identify whether their net 
assets, being an approximation of their minimum 
recoverable amount, were in excess of their carrying 
amount. 

Assessing subsidiary audits: we assessed the work 
performed by the subsidiary audit teams on all of those 
subsidiaries and considered the results of that work, on 
those subsidiaries’ profits and net assets. 

Our results: 
We found the Group’s assessment of the recoverability 
of the investment in subsidiaries to be acceptable (2017 
acceptable). 

annual review to assess whether or not they 

may be impaired. 

The Group first identifies the hotel assets 

where there is an indication of impairment. 

These assets are then subjected to detailed 

impairment review referenced to either 

current external valuations or internal trading 

updates derived from the most recently 

available external valuation. 

Certain hotel assets were considered at risk 

of impairment due to being subject to 

impairment in previous years (and therefore 

any decline in performance may result in a 

further impairment being recorded) or 

because the Group has experienced a difficult 

trading environment in 2018, particularly in 

the US and certain parts of Asia. 

External valuations are generally performed 

on a third party operator basis. This assesses 

the value of the hotel on the same basis that 

an ‘efficient operator’ market participant 

would and therefore assesses the net cash 

flows that an efficient operator believes it 

could achieve. 

This analysis is subjective due to the inherent 

uncertainty involved in determining 

appropriate assumptions such as expected 

free cash flows and future market growth, 

terminal rate and discount rates. therefore, 

the review and challenge of these 

assumptions is one of the key judgmental 

areas that our audit is concentrated on. 

Assessing valuers’ credentials: we assessed the 

independence, professional qualifications, competence 

and experience of the external valuers used by the Group. 

Test of details: we challenged the Group’s assessment of 

the properties at risk by reference to relevant impairment 

indicators using our understanding of the asset’s 

performance in relation to previous forecasts and the 

market performance and assessing the quantum of 

available headroom from previous valuations. 

Methodology choice: using our valuation specialists, we 

challenged the appropriateness of the valuers’ reports by 

assessing whether their valuations were in accordance 

with the RICS Valuation professional Standards ‘the red 

book’ and relevant accounting standards. 

Benchmarking assumptions: we challenged the key 

assumptions used in external valuations performed during 

the year, in particular forecast free cash flows and future 

market growth, terminal and discount rates, by comparing 

them to externally derived data, internal budgets and 

source data, where applicable. Our valuation specialists 

assisted in the evaluation of the most subjective and 

complex assumptions and analyses. 

Our sector experience: for those properties at risk of 

impairment but that were not externally valued during the 

year, we assessed the trading results of the properties and 

whether this provided evidence of any significant changes 

in the key assumptions applied in the most recent external 

valuation. This included comparing the current 

performance of the assets to the forecasts made in the 

last external valuation and assessing unusual trends in 

updated cash flows against source data, where applicable. 

Our valuation specialists assisted in the evaluation of the 

most subjective and complex assumptions and analyses. 

Sensitivity analysis: we performed sensitivity analysis on 

the key assumptions noted above for the most subjective 

and complex valuations to assess the range of possible 

alternative outcomes and used these to challenge the 

appropriateness of the valuation conclusions. 

Assessing transparency: we considered the 

appropriateness of the Group’s disclosures about the 

impairment test and the sensitivity of the outcome of the 

impairment assessment to changes in key assumptions. 

We found the resulting estimate of the recoverable 

amount of the hotel assets to be acceptable (2017: 

Our results 

acceptable). 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Our application of materiality and 
an overview of the scope of our 
audit 

Materiality for the Group financial 
statements as a whole was set at 
£6.0m (2017: £7.0m), determined with 
reference to a benchmark of group 
profit before tax normalised to exclude 
impairment on hotel assets and 
revaluation adjustments on investment 
properties as disclosed in note 12 and 
14, of which it represents 4.2% (2017: 
4.0%). These items are excluded due 
to their volatility. 

Materiality for the parent company 
financial statements as a whole was 
set at £5.7m (2017: 6.7m). This is lower 
than the materiality we would 
otherwise have determined by 
reference to net assets, and represents 
0.41% of the company’s net assets 
(2017: 0.48%). 

We agreed to report to the Audit & Risk 
Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements 
exceeding £0.3m (2017: £0.35m), in 
addition to other identified 
misstatements that warranted reporting 
on qualitative grounds. 

The components within the scope of 
our work accounted for the 
percentages illustrated opposite. 

Of the Group’s 6 (2017: 6)  
components, we subjected 4 (2017: 4) 
to full scope audits for Group’s audit 
purposes. These components are: the 
parent company, UK, US and Asia – 
excluding Beijing. 

The remaining 3% of total Group 
revenue, 3% of Group total profits and 
losses that made up profit before tax 
and 2% of total Group assets is 
represented by 2 components (Europe 
and Beijing). For these remaining 
components, we performed analysis at 
an aggregated Group level to re-
examine our assessment that there 
were no significant risks of material 
misstatement within these. 

98

The Group audit team instructed 
component auditors as to the 
significant areas to be covered, 
including the relevant risks detailed 
above and the information to be 
reported back. 

The Group audit team approved the 
component materialities, which 
ranged from £3.0m to £5.7m (2016: 
£3.5m to £6.7m) having regard to the 
mix of size and risk profile of the 
Group across the components. 

The work on 2 of the 4 components 
(2017: 2 of the 4 components) was 
performed by component auditors 
and the rest, including the audit of 
the parent company, was 
performed by the Group audit team. 
The Group audit team performed 
procedures on the items excluded 
from normalised group profit before 
tax.  

In 2018, the Group audit team visited 
both of the two component locations 
subject to full-scope audit (2017: 2) to 
assess the audit risk and strategy. 
Telephone conference meetings 
were also held with these 
component auditors. At these visits 
and meetings, the findings reported 
to the Group audit team were 
discussed in more detail and any 
further work required by the Group 
audit team was then performed by 
the component auditor. 

Group revenue

97%

(2017 96%)

96
97

Group profit before tax

97%

(2017 95%)

95
97

Group total assets

98%

(2017 97%)

97
98

Full scope for Group audit purposes 2018

Full scope for Group audit purposes 2017

Residual components

Normalised profit before tax 
£142m (2017: £176m) 

Group Materiality 
£6.0m (2017: £7.0m) 

£6.0m 
Whole financial 
statements materiality 
(2017: £7m) 

£4.0m 
Range of materiality at 3 
components (£3.0m to £4.0m) 
(2017: £3.5m to £4.5m) 

Normalised profit before 
tax

£0.3m 
Misstatements reported to the 
Audit & Risk Committee 
(2017: £0.35m) 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. We have nothing to report on going concern

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to report to you if: 
The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the 
going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
—  we have identified material inconsistencies between the 
Company or the Group or to cease their operations, and as 
knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 
they have concluded that the Company’s and the Group’s 
audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider 
financial position means that this is realistic. They have also 
that the annual report and financial statements taken as 
concluded that there are no material uncertainties that 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and 
could have cast significant doubt over their ability to 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
continue as a going concern for at least a year from the 
assess the Group’s position and performance, business 
date of approval of the financial statements (“the going 
model and strategy; or 
concern period”). 
—  the section of the annual report describing the work of the 
Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of 
Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
the Directors’ conclusions and, had there been a material 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 
uncertainty related to going concern, to make reference to 
We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance 
that in this audit report. However, as we cannot predict all 
Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the 
future events or conditions and as subsequent events may 
eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements 
specified by the Listing Rules for our review. 
that were reasonable at the time they were made, the 
absence of reference to a material uncertainty in this 
auditor's report is not a guarantee that the Group and the 
Company will continue in operation. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

6.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which 

we are required to report by exception 

In our evaluation of the Directors’ conclusions, we 
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to 
considered the inherent risks to the Group’s and 
you if, in our opinion: 
Company’s business model, including the impact of Brexit, 
and analysed how those risks might affect the Group’s and 
—  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
Company’s financial resources or ability to continue 
parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 
operations over the going concern period. We evaluated 
not been received from branches not visited by us; or 
those risks and concluded that they were not significant 
—  the parent Company financial statements and the part of 
enough to require us to perform additional audit 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not 
procedures. 
in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

law are not made; or 

we require for our audit. 

Based on this work, we are required to report to you if: 
—  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 
—  we have anything material to add or draw attention to in 
relation to the Directors’ statement in Note 1 to the 
—  we have not received all the information and explanations 
financial statements on the use of the going concern 
basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that 
may cast significant doubt over the Group’s and 
Company’s use of that basis for a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements; or 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

—  the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on 

page 51 is materially inconsistent with our audit 
knowledge. 

We have nothing to report in these respects, and we did 
not identify going concern as a key audit matter. 

99

5. We have nothing to report on the other information in

7.  Respective responsibilities 
the Annual Report

Directors’ responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for the other information 
presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does 
not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated 
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 
51, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the 
financial statements including being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in 
fraud or error; assessing the Group and parent Company’s 
doing so, consider whether, based on our financial 
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as 
statements audit work, the information therein is materially 
applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the 
misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or 
going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 
our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we have 
to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease 
not identified material misstatements in the other 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 
information. 

Strategic report and Directors’ report 

Auditor’s responsibilities 

Based solely on our work on the other information: 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
—  we have not identified material misstatements in the 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
Strategic report and the Directors’ report; 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or other 
—  in our opinion the information given in those reports for 
irregularities (see below), or error, and to issue our opinion in 
the financial year is consistent with the financial 
an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
statements; and 
assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted 
in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 
fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably 
be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration 
taken on the basis of the financial statements. 
Report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

—  in our opinion those reports have been prepared in 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the 
FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Irregularities – ability to detect 

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial 
statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could 
reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the 
—  the Directors’ confirmation within the Viability 
financial statements from our general commercial and 
statement on page 45 that they have carried out a 
sector experience, through discussion with the Directors 
robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
and other management (as required by auditing standards), 
Group, including those that would threaten its business 
and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal 
model, future performance, solvency and liquidity; 
correspondence and discussed with the Directors and other 
—  the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks 
management the policies and procedures regarding 
and explaining how they are being managed and 
compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated 
mitigated; and 
identified laws and regulations throughout our team and 
—  the Directors’ explanation in the Viability statement of 
remained alert to any indications of non-compliance 
how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
throughout the audit. This included communication from the 
over what period they have done so and why they 
Group audit team to component audit teams of relevant 
considered that period to be appropriate, and their 
laws and regulations identified at Group level. 
statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the 
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
financial statements varies considerably. 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that 
period of their assessment, including any related 
directly affect the financial statements including financial 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
reporting legislation (including related companies 
qualifications or assumptions. 
legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation 
legislation, and we assessed the extent of compliance with 
these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the 
related financial statement items. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the 
Viability statement. We have nothing to report in this 
respect. 

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the 
context of only the knowledge acquired during our financial 
statements audit. As we cannot predict all future events or 
conditions and as subsequent events may result in 
outcomes that are inconsistent with judgments that were 
reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of 
anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
100

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to report to you if: 
—  we have identified material inconsistencies between the 
knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 
audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider 
that the annual report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy; or 

—  the section of the annual report describing the work of the 
Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance 
Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the 
eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified by the Listing Rules for our review. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

6.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which 

we are required to report by exception 

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to 
you if, in our opinion: 
—  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 
not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

—  the parent Company financial statements and the part of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not 
in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

—  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or 

—  we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

7.  Respective responsibilities 

Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 
51, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the 
financial statements including being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error; assessing the Group and parent Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as 
applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 
to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or other 
irregularities (see below), or error, and to issue our opinion in 
an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted 
in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from 
fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably 
be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the 
FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

Irregularities – ability to detect 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could 
reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the 
financial statements from our general commercial and 
sector experience, through discussion with the Directors 
and other management (as required by auditing standards), 
and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal 
correspondence and discussed with the Directors and other 
management the policies and procedures regarding 
compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated 
identified laws and regulations throughout our team and 
remained alert to any indications of non-compliance 
throughout the audit. This included communication from the 
Group audit team to component audit teams of relevant 
laws and regulations identified at Group level. 

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the 
financial statements varies considerably. 

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that 
directly affect the financial statements including financial 
reporting legislation (including related companies 
legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation 
legislation, and we assessed the extent of compliance with 
these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the 
related financial statement items. 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and 
regulations where the consequences of non-compliance 
could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in 
the financial statements, for instance through the 
imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s 
license to operate. We identified the following areas as 
those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, 
anti-bribery, employment law and certain aspects of 
company legislation recognising the financial and regulated 
nature of the Group’s activities and its legal form. Auditing 
standards limit the required audit procedures to identify 
non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry 
of the Directors and other management and inspection of 
regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. These limited 
procedures did not identify actual or suspected non- 
compliance. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an 
unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some 
material misstatements in the financial statements, even 
though we have properly planned and performed our audit 
in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the 
further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations 
(irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected 
in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently 
limited procedures required by auditing standards would 
identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a 
higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may 
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We 
are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and 
cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws 
and regulations. 

101

8.  The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 

our responsibilities 

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

Jonathan Downer 

(Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, 

Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants 

15 Canada Square 

London, 

E14 5GL 

14 February 2019 

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to report to you if: 

—  we have identified material inconsistencies between the 

knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 

audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider 

that the annual report and financial statements taken as 

a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and 

provides the information necessary for shareholders to 

assess the Group’s position and performance, business 

model and strategy; or 

—  the section of the annual report describing the work of the 

Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance 

Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the 

eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 

specified by the Listing Rules for our review. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

6.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which 

we are required to report by exception 

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to 

you if, in our opinion: 

—  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 

not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

—  the parent Company financial statements and the part of 

the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not 

in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

—  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or 

—  we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

7.  Respective responsibilities 

Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 

51, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the 

financial statements including being satisfied that they give a 

true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is 

necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements 

that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 

fraud or error; assessing the Group and parent Company’s 

ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as 

applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the 

going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 

to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease 

operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 

whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 

material misstatement, whether due to fraud or other 

irregularities (see below), or error, and to issue our opinion in 

an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 

assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted 

in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 

misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from 

fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered 

material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably 

be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 

taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the 

FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

Irregularities – ability to detect 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could 

reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the 

financial statements from our general commercial and 

sector experience, through discussion with the Directors 

and other management (as required by auditing standards), 

and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal 

correspondence and discussed with the Directors and other 

management the policies and procedures regarding 

compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated 

identified laws and regulations throughout our team and 

remained alert to any indications of non-compliance 

throughout the audit. This included communication from the 

Group audit team to component audit teams of relevant 

laws and regulations identified at Group level. 

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the 

financial statements varies considerably. 

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that 

directly affect the financial statements including financial 

reporting legislation (including related companies 

legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation 

legislation, and we assessed the extent of compliance with 

these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the 

related financial statement items. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
grand millennium, kuala lumpur

FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS

104 Consolidated income statement
105 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
106 Consolidated statement of financial position
108 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
109 Consolidated statement of cash flows
111 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
181 Company statement of financial position
182 Company statement of changes in equity
183 Notes to the Company financial statements

104

CoNSoLIdATEd INCoME
STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Other operating income
Other operating expense

Operating profit
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates

Finance income
Finance expense

Net finance expense

Profit before tax
Income tax (expense)/credit

Profit for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

NOTES

5

6
7
7

15

9

5
10

2018
£M

997
(436)  

561
(423)  
30
(63)  

105
29

9
(37)  

(28)  

106
(13)  

93

43
50

93

Basic earnings per share (pence)
Diluted earnings per share (pence)

The financial results above derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

11
11

13.1p
13.1p

2017
£M

1,008
(431)  

577
(415)  
30
(47)  

145
22

11
(31)  

(20)  

147
12

159

124
35

159

38.1p
38.1p

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc105

CoNSoLIdATEd STATEMENT oF
CoMprEhENSIvE INCoME

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to income statement:
Remeasurement of defined benefit plan actuarial net gains, net of tax
Net change in fair value of equity investment

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement:
Foreign currency translation differences – foreign operations
Foreign currency translation differences – equity accounted investees
Net (loss)/gain on hedge of net investments in foreign operations

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTE

23

2018 
£M

93

4
5

9

72
9
(3)  

78

87

180

112
68

180

2017 
£M

159

4
–

4

(102)    
(16)    
12

(106)    

(102)    

57

22
35

57

Annual Report & Accounts 2018106

CoNSoLIdATEd STATEMENT oF
FINANCIAL poSITIoN

As at 31 December 2018

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Lease premium prepayment
Investment properties
Investment in joint ventures and associates
Other financial assets

Current assets
Inventories
Development properties
Lease premium prepayment
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans, bonds and borrowings
Employee benefits
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans, bonds and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Income taxes payable

Total liabilities

Net assets

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES

12
13
14
15
16

17
18
13
19
20

36

21
23
24
25
26

21
27
24

2018
£M

3,153
103
668
358
43

4,325

5
115
2
102
375

599
–

599

2017
£M

3,129
103
577
324
–

4,133

4
93
2
88
354

541
41

582

4,924

4,715

(789)    
(14)    
(9)      
(15)    
(172)    

(999)    

(313)    
(220)    
(2)      
(27)    

(562)    

(791)      
(19)      
(9)      
(13)      
(188)      

(1,020)      

 (213)      
(208)      
(2)      
(23)      

(446)      

(1,561)    

(1,466)      

3,363

3,249

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc107

Equity
Issued share capital
Share premium
Translation reserve
Treasury share reserve
Fair value reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

NOTES

29

30
30
30

2018
£M

97
843
491
(4)    
5
1,338

2,770
593

3,363

2017
£M

97
843
431
(4)    
–
1,309

2,676
573

3,249

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 February 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Kwek Leng Beng 
Chairman

Registered No: 3004377

Annual Report & Accounts 2018108

CoNSoLIdATEd STATEMENT oF
ChANgES IN EquITy

For the year ended 31 December 2018

SHARE
CAPITAL
£M

SHARE
PREMIUM
£M

TRANSLATION
RESERVE
£M

TREASURY
SHARE
RESERVE
£M

FAIR 
VALUE 
RESERVE 
£M

RETAINED
EARNINGS
£M

TOTAL 
EXCLUDING 
NON- 
CONTROLLING
INTERESTS
£M

NON- 
CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS
£M

Balance at 1 January 2018
Profit 
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non-controlling interests
Changes in ownership interests
Change in interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control
Return of capital to non-controlling interests

Total transactions with owners

Balance at 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017
Profit
Other comprehensive (expense)/income

Total comprehensive (expense)/income

Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non-controlling interests
Changes in ownership interests
Change in interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control
Rights issue by subsidiary with NCI
Return of capital to non-controlling interests

Total transactions with owners

97
–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

97

97
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

843
–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

843

843
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

431
–
60

60 

–
–

–
–

–

491

537
–
(106)    

(106)    

–
–

–
–
–

–

(4)    
–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

(4)    

(4)    
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

Balance at 31 December 2017

97

843

431

(4)    

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

–
–
5

5

–
–

–
–

–

5

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

1,309
43
4

47

(21)    
–

3
–

(18)    

1,338

1,195
124
4

128

(25)    
–

11
–
–

(14)    

1,309

2,676
43
69 

112

(21)    
–

3
–

(18)    

2,770

2,668
124
(102)    

22

(25)    
–

11
–
–

(14)    

2,676

573
50
18

68

–
(43)    

(3)  
(2)    

(48)  

593

502
35
–

35

–
(40)    

(11)    
89
(2)    

36

573

TOTAL  
EQUITY
£M

3,249
93
87

180

(21)    
(43)    

–
(2)    

(66)  

3,363

3,170
159
(102)    

57

(25)    
(40)    

–
89
(2)    

22

3,249

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc109

CoNSoLIdATEd STATEMENT oF
CASh FLowS

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates
Other operating income
Other operating expense
Finance income
Finance expense
Income tax expense/(credit)

Operating profit before changes in working capital and provisions
Movement in inventories, trade and other receivables
Movement in development properties
Movement in trade and other payables
Movement in provisions and employee benefits

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Interest received
Income tax paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Proceeds from settlement of shareholder’s loan
Proceeds from sale of investment properties
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment, lease premium prepayment and investment properties
Subscription of Perpetual Convertible Capital Securities of associate

Net cash used in investing activities

Balance carried forward

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES

12, 13
15
7
7
9
9
10

2018
£M

93

69
(29)  
(30)  
63
(9)  
37
13

207
(15)  
(22)  
7
–

177
(24)  
5
(31)  

127

4
–
45
–
(109)  
(32)  

(92)  

35 

2017
£M

159

75
(22)  
(30)  
47
(11)  
31
(12)  

237
9
(4)  
(13)  
1

230
(21)  
4
(33)  

180

2
12
–
(52)  
(142)  
–

(180)  

– 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018110

CoNSoLIdATEd STATEMENT oF 
CASh FLowS
CoNTINuEd

Balance brought forward
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowings
Drawdown of borrowings
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Return of capital to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity holders of the parent
Proceeds from issue of share capital

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

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

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statement of financial position
Bank overdrafts included in borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents for consolidated statement of cash flows

The notes on pages 111 to 180 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES

28

20

2018
£M

35

(145)  
189
(43)  
(2)  
(21)  
–

(22)  

13
354
8

375

375
–

375

2017
£M

–

(306)  
309
(40)  
(2)  
(25)  
89

25

25
337
(8)  

354

354
–

354

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc111

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

rEporTINg ENTITy

1 
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (the “Company”) is a limited company incorporated in England and Wales whose shares are publicly traded 
on the London Stock Exchange. The registered office is located at Victoria House, Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF, United Kingdom. 
These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”). The consolidated financial statements 
of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 14 February 2019.

2.1  BASIS oF prEpArATIoN
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except for investment properties, derivative financial instruments and 
equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) are stated at their fair values. Hotel properties are stated at cost or 
deemed cost. Deemed cost is calculated based on the hotel’s frozen valuation as at 1 January 2004. Non-current assets held for sale are stated at the 
lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. The Group’s income statement and segmental analysis separately identifies operating profit 
and other operating income and expense. This is in accordance with IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ and is consistent with the way that 
financial performance is measured by management and assists in providing a meaningful analysis of the trading results of the Group. The financial 
statements are presented in the Company’s functional currency of sterling, rounded to the nearest million.

The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’.

Basis of accounting
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as required by EU law (IAS Regulation EC 1606/2002). 
Details of the Group’s accounting policies, including changes during the year, are included below.

Subsidiaries

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

Interests in equity-accounted investees

(ii) 
The Group’s interests in equity-accounted investees comprise interests in joint ventures and associates.

An associate is an entity in which the Group has significant influence but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A 
joint venture is an arrangement in which the Group has joint control, and where the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather 
than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities.

Interests in joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method. They are initially recognised at cost, which includes transaction 
costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive 
income of equity-accounted investees, until the date on which significant influence or joint control ceases.

(iii)  Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated. Unrealised 
gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Group’s interest in the 
investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018  
112

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Strategic 
Report on page 18 to 45. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Strategic 
Report – Financial performance on pages 23 to 25 and in the key performance indicators on page 22. In addition, Note 22 of the financial 
statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its 
financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group has considerable financial resources and 
plans for refinancing maturing facilities are under way.

Cash flow forecasts for the Group have been prepared for a period in excess of twelve months from the date of approval of these consolidated 
financial statements. These forecasts reflect an assessment of current market conditions. The forecasts completed on this basis show that the Group 
will be able to operate within the current committed debt facilities and show continued compliance with the financial covenants. In addition, 
management has considered various mitigating actions that could be taken in the event that market conditions are worse than their current 
assessment. Such measures include further reduction in costs and in capital expenditure. On the basis of the exercise as described above and the 
available committed debt facilities, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for at least 12 months from the signing of this annual report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements of the Group and the Company.

In assessing whether the Group is a going concern, the Directors follow a review process which is consistent with the principles set out in the 
“Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting 2014” published by the Financial Reporting 
Council.

2.2  SuMMAry oF SIgNIFICANT ACCouNTINg poLICIES
The Group has consistently applied the following accounting policies to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Business combinations and goodwill

A 
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration 
transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. For each business combination, 
the acquirer measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net 
assets. Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and identifiable net assets acquired are measured at the acquisition date fair value.

When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in 
accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is 
remeasured to fair value as at that date through the income statement.

Any contingent consideration is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. If an obligation to pay contingent consideration that meets the 
definition of a financial instrument is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, other 
contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value at each reporting date and subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration 
are recognised in profit or loss.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the Group’s net identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed, and is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the combination. If 
the consideration is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised in the income statement.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc113

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill 
acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to benefit 
from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.

Where goodwill has been allocated to a cash-generating unit and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with 
the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in 
these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the cash-generating unit retained.

Foreign currency

B 
The financial statements of each of the Group’s businesses are prepared in the functional currency applicable to that business.

Foreign currency translation

(i) 
Transactions in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated into sterling at the foreign exchange rate at 
that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are 
measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated into sterling at foreign exchange rates ruling at the date the fair value was 
determined.

Financial statements of foreign operations

(ii) 
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated to sterling 
at foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to sterling at rates 
approximating to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation are 
recognised directly in equity in the foreign currency translation reserve. When a foreign operation is disposed of, in part or in full, the relevant 
amount in the translation reserve is transferred to the income statement.

(iii)  Net investment in foreign operations
Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, and of related hedges are taken to translation reserve. 
They are released into the income statement upon disposal or partial disposal of the foreign operation.

C  Derivative financial instruments
The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge its foreign currency and interest rate risk exposures. 

Derivatives are initially measured at fair value; any directly attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Subsequent to 
initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are generally recognised in profit or loss.

D  Hedges
(i)  Cash flow hedges
When a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or a highly probable 
transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised directly in equity. When the forecast transaction 
subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or non-financial liability, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from 
equity and included in the initial cost or other carrying amount of the non-financial asset or liability. If a hedge of a forecast transaction subsequently 
results in the recognition of a financial asset or a financial liability, then the associated gains and losses that were recognised directly in equity are 
reclassified to the income statement in the same period or periods during which the asset acquired or liability assumed affects the income statement 
(i.e. when interest income or expense is recognised).

Annual Report & Accounts 2018114

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

For cash flow hedges, other than those covered by the above policy, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from equity and recognised in 
profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecast transaction affects profit or loss. The ineffective part of any gain or loss 
is recognised immediately in the income statement.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge relationship but the hedged 
forecast transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is recognised in accordance with the 
above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, then the cumulative unrealised gain or loss 
recognised in equity is recognised immediately in the income statement.

(ii)  Hedge of monetary assets and liabilities
When a derivative financial instrument is used as an economic hedge of the foreign exchange exposure of a recognised monetary asset or liability, 
hedge accounting is not applied and any gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in the income statement.

(iii)  Hedge of net investment in foreign operations
The portion of the gain or loss on an instrument used to hedge a net investment in a foreign operation that is determined to be an effective hedge is 
recognised directly in equity within the translation reserve. The ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement.

Property, plant and equipment and depreciation
Recognition and measurement

E 
(i) 
Land and buildings (other than investment properties) are stated at cost, except as allowed under IFRS 1 transition rules, less depreciation and any 
provision for impairment. All other property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Any 
impairment of such properties below depreciated historical cost is charged to the income statement.

Under the transition provisions of IFRS 1, land and buildings which were previously revalued under UK GAAP were measured on the basis of their 
deemed cost, being their UK GAAP carrying value, including revaluations, as at 1 January 2004 being the effective date of the Group’s conversion to 
IFRS.

(ii)  Depreciation
Freehold land is not depreciated. All other assets are depreciated to their residual values on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as 
follows:

Building core
Building surface, finishes and services
Plant and machinery
Furniture and equipment
Soft furnishings
Computer equipment
Software
Motor vehicles

50 years or lease term if shorter
30 years or lease term if shorter
15 – 20 years
10 years
5 – 7 years
5 years
up to 8 years
4 years

No residual values are ascribed to building surface finishes and services. Residual values ascribed to building core depend on the nature, location and 
tenure of each property.

(iii)  Subsequent costs
Capital expenditure on major projects is recorded separately within property, plant and equipment as capital work in progress. Once the project is 
complete the balance is transferred to the appropriate fixed asset categories. Capital work in progress is not depreciated.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc115

Interest attributable to funds used to finance the construction or acquisition of new hotels or major extensions to existing hotels is capitalised net of 
tax relief and added to the cost of the hotel core.

Operating supplies, which include china, linen, glass and silverware, were stated at their deemed costs as at 1 January 2008 and subsumed into the 
costs of the hotel buildings. Subsequent renewals and replacements of such stocks and new supplies upon initial hotel opening are written off as 
incurred to the income statement.

Leases
Leased assets

F 
(i) 
Leases where the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. The leased asset is initially 
recorded at the lower of fair value and the present value of minimum lease payments.

The equivalent liability, categorised as appropriate, is included within current or non-current liabilities. Assets are depreciated over the shorter of the 
lease term and their useful economic lives. Finance charges are allocated to accounting periods over the period of the lease to produce constant rates 
of return on the outstanding balance.

Rentals payable by the Group under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term even if 
payments are not made on the same basis. In cases where rents comprise a fixed and a variable element, the fixed element only is charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis with the variable amounts being charged as they become due. Lease incentives received are recognised as an 
integral part of the total lease expense.

Rentals receivable by the Group as lessor under operating leases, including the sub-letting of retail outlets within hotel properties, are credited to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term even if the receipts are not made on such a basis. Costs, including depreciation incurred 
in earning the lease income, are recognised as an expense.

(ii)  Lease premium
The Group makes and receives initial payments on entering into both long and short leases of land and buildings. Where payment for leased land is 
equivalent to the purchase of the freehold interest, the lease is classified as a finance lease. All other payments for leases of land are classified as 
operating leases.

On the statement of financial position, finance lease payment attributable to the land is recorded as property, plant and equipment and for operating 
leases, the land is recorded as a lease premium prepayment. Both lease types are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the 
term of the lease. Interest attributable to funds to finance the purchase or lease of land is capitalised gross of tax relief and added to the cost of lease.

In the case of lease premiums received, these are reflected on the statement of financial position as deferred income, appropriately classified between 
current and non-current liabilities and are credited to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Impairment

G 
The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, other than investment properties, inventories, employee benefit assets and deferred tax assets are 
reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable 
amount is estimated.

The recoverable amount of assets is the greater of their net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the asset.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018116

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Impairment is recognised in the income statement whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. Where permissible 
under IFRS, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment had been recognised.

In the case of equity investments, a significant or prolonged decline in fair value of the asset below its cost is considered in determining whether the 
asset is impaired. If any such evidence exists for these assets, the cumulative loss – measured as the difference between acquisition cost and the 
current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in the income statement – is removed from equity and 
recognised in the income statement.

Investment properties

H 
Investment properties held by the Group are properties which are held either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or both. Investment 
properties are stated at fair value. Any increase or decrease in the fair value on annual revaluation is recognised in the income statement in 
accordance with IAS 40 Investment Property. In limited circumstances, the determination of fair value is uncertain, and these properties are carried 
at cost. Impairment analysis over these properties is carried out annually.

An external independent valuer, having an appropriate recognised professional qualification and recent experience in the location and category of the 
property being valued, values the portfolio annually. The fair values are based on market values, being the estimated amount for which a property 
could be exchanged on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction after proper marketing 
wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.

Inventories

I 
Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of 
business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

Development properties

J 
Development properties are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. They are held for sale in the short term and are therefore classified as 
current assets. The cost of development properties includes interest and other related expenditure incurred in order to get the asset ready for its 
intended use. Borrowing costs payable on loans funding a development property are also capitalised, on a specific identification basis, as part of the 
cost of the development property until the completion of development. Payments received from purchasers arising from pre-sales of the property 
units prior to the completion are included as deferred income under other financial liabilities in the statement of financial position.

Cash and cash equivalents

K 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and 
cash equivalents.

Borrowings

L 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost: any 
difference between proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the 
borrowings using the effective interest method.

M  Taxation
Income tax on profit or loss comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates 
to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc117

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date 
and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided for using the balance sheet method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: (i) 
the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and (ii) differences relating to investments in subsidiaries 
to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of 
realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be 
utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the benefit will be realised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only to the extent that: (i) the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities; (ii) the Group intends to settle net; and (iii) the deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied 
by the same taxation authority.

N 
Employee benefits
(i)  Defined contribution plans
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the income statement.

(ii)  Defined benefit plans
The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension plans. As set out in Note 23, the calculation of the present value of the Group’s defined 
benefit obligations at each period end is subject to significant estimation. An appropriately qualified, independent actuary is used to undertake this 
calculation. The assumptions made by the actuary are the best estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions, which due to the 
timescale covered may not necessarily be borne out in practice. The valuation of scheme assets is based on their fair value at the balance sheet date. 
As these assets are not intended to be sold in the short term, their values may be subject to significant change before they are realised. In reviewing 
the work of the independent actuary, management is required to exercise judgement to satisfy themselves that appropriate weight has been afforded 
to macro-economic factors. Details of the assumptions used are set out in Note 23.

The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit post-employment plans, including pension plans, is calculated separately for each plan by 
estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. That benefit is 
discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using 
the projected unit credit method.

When the benefits of a plan are improved, the portion of the increased benefit relating to past service by employees is recognised immediately as an 
expense in the income statement.

The Group recognises remeasurement gains and losses within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they 
occur.

The Group determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liabilities (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate 
used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account 
any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and 
other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognised in the income statement.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018118

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

(iii)  Long-term service benefits
The Group’s net obligation in respect of long-term service benefits, other than post-employment plans, is the amount of future benefit that 
employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. The obligation is calculated using the projected unit credit method 
and is discounted to its present value and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted.

(iv)  Share-based payment transactions
The share-based incentive schemes allow the Group’s employees to acquire shares of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc.

The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees for awards granted after 7 November 2002 is measured by reference to the fair value at the 
date on which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using an appropriate pricing model, further details of which are given in Note 23.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance and/
or service conditions are fulfilled. The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date 
reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest. The income statement expense or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of 
that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for equity-settled transactions where vesting is conditional upon a market or 
non-vesting condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all 
other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

Where the terms of an equity-settled transaction award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the expense as if the terms had not been 
modified, if the original terms of the award are met. An additional expense is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the 
share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for the award is 
recognised immediately. This includes any award where non-vesting conditions within the control of either the entity or the employee are not met. 
However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award, and designated as a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled 
and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the previous paragraph. All cancellations of equity-
settled transaction awards are treated equally.

The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of diluted earnings per share (further details are 
given in Note 11).

Provisions

O 
A provision is recognised on the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is 
probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by 
discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, when 
appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Further details on provisions are given in Note 24.

Revenue and its recognition

P 
Revenue comprises:

•  Income from the ownership and operation of hotels – recognised at the point at which the accommodation and related services are provided;

•  Management fees – earned from hotels managed by the Group, usually under long-term contracts with the hotel owner. Management fees include 
a base fee, which is generally a percentage of hotel revenue, and/or an incentive fee, which is generally based on the hotel’s profitability; recognised 
when earned on an accrual basis under the terms of the contract;

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc119

•  Franchise fees – received in connection with licensing of the Group’s brand names, usually under long-term contracts with the hotel owner. The 

Group charges franchise royalty fees as a percentage of room revenue; recognised when earned on an accrual basis under the terms of the agreement;

•  Income from property rental – recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, lease incentives granted are recognised as an integral part of 

the total rental income; and

•  Development property sales – recognised when the transfer of control of the property has passed to the buyer, which is usually when legal title 

transfers depending on jurisdictions. The trigger for revenue recognition depends on the laws within each jurisdiction.

Q  Dividend distribution
Dividend distribution to the shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements in the period in which the dividends are 
appropriately authorised and approved for payment and are no longer at the discretion of the Company. Unpaid dividends that do not meet these 
criteria are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

R  Operating segment information
Disclosure of segmental information is principally presented in respect of the Group’s geographical segments. The segments reported reflect the 
operating information included in internal reports that the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), which is the Board, regularly reviews. 
Further details are given in Note 5.

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, 
including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group’s other components. Discrete financial information is reported to 
and is reviewed by the CODM on a geographical basis. Operating segments have Chief Operating Officers (“COOs”) or equivalent who are directly 
accountable for the functioning of their segments and maintain regular contact with the Group Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the 
CODM to discuss the operational and financial performance. The CODM makes decisions about allocation of resources to the regions managed by 
the COOs. No operating segments have been aggregated to form the reportable operating segments.

Segment results that are reported to the CODM include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable 
basis. Unallocated items principally comprise interest-bearing loans, borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, net finance expense, taxation balances 
and corporate expenses.

Non-current assets held-for-sale

S 
Non-current assets (or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities) that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through 
continuing use are classified as held-for-sale. Generally the assets (or disposal group) are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair 
value less cost to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is first allocated to property, plant and equipment and lease premium prepayment, 
and then to remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis, except that no loss is allocated to inventories, financial assets, deferred tax assets, 
employee benefit assets and investment property, which continue to be measured in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. Impairment 
losses on initial classification as held-for-sale and subsequent gains or losses on remeasurement are recognised in the income statement. Gains are not 
recognised in excess of any cumulative impairment loss.

T  Other financial assets and liabilities
Trade investments are classified as either equity instruments at FVOCI or fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”) and are included under 
non-current assets within ‘other financial assets’. They are recorded at market value with movements in value taken to equity. Any impairment to 
value is recorded in the income statement.

Trade and other receivables are stated at their nominal amount (discounted if material) less any impairment. Trade and other payables are stated at 
their nominal amount (discounted if material).

Annual Report & Accounts 2018120

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Related parties

U 
For the purpose of these financial statements, parties are considered to be related to the Group if the Group has the ability, directly or indirectly, to 
control the party or exercise significant influence over the party making financial and operating decisions, or vice versa, or where the Group and the 
party are subject to common control or common significant influence. Related parties may be individuals or other entities.

New accounting standards adopted in the current year
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

V 
(i) 
The Group has adopted IFRS 9 effective from the start of the Group’s current financial year. IFRS 9 addresses the classification, measurement and 
derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities, introduces new rules for hedge accounting and a new impairment model for financial assets. 
Changes in accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 have been applied as follows by the Group: 

•  Changes to hedge accounting policies have been applied prospectively; 

•  All hedging relationships designated under IAS 39 at 31 December 2017 met the criteria for hedge accounting under IFRS 9 at 1 January 2018 and 

are therefore regarded as continuing hedging relationships;

•  The expected credit loss model was applied; and

•  Comparative periods have not been restated as the Group assessed the impact of the standard on the accounts to be immaterial.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

(ii) 
The Group has adopted IFRS 15 effective from the start of the Group’s current financial year using the modified retrospective approach. IFRS 15 
provides a principles-based approach for revenue recognition and introduces the concept of recognising revenue for obligations as they are satisfied. 
The Group assessed the impact of the standard on its revenue streams and concluded that there is no material impact to revenue.

3  ACCouNTINg ESTIMATES ANd JudgEMENTS
Management has discussed with the Audit & Risk Committee the selection and disclosure of the Group’s critical accounting policies and estimates 
and the application of these policies and estimates.

The preparation of financial statements under IFRS requires the Group to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the year. The Group evaluates its 
estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Such estimates and judgements are based upon historical experience and other factors it believes to 
be reasonable under the circumstances, which form the basis for making judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources.

Certain critical accounting policies, among others, affect the Group’s more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated 
financial statements. Actual results could differ from the Group’s estimates and assumptions.

3.1  JudgEMENTS
The key judgements are:

Classification of investment properties
The Group holds a number of investment properties and accounts for such properties in accordance with the accounting policy set out in Note 
2.2H. The Group owns assets which are leased to external third parties with lease rentals and related charges varying according to the agreement 
involved. The Group accounts for such assets in its financial statements in accordance with the accounting policy set out in Note 2.2H.

Where the indicators are such that on balance the Group is shown to be a passive investor, the relevant property is accounted for in accordance with 
IAS 40 and the Group accounts for the fair value change through the income statement as other operating income or expense. Indicators considered 
include (1) party that has the power to make the significant operating and financing decisions regarding the operations of the property in a 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc121

management contract, (2) calculation of the lessor’s return, (3) lessor’s power of intervention under the management contract, and (4) duration of 
the contract.

Consolidation of entities in which the Group holds less than a majority of voting rights (de facto control)  
In 2014, the new consolidation accounting standard, IFRS 10 introduced a new control model that focuses on whether the Group has power over 
an investee, exposure or rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and ability to use its power to affect those returns.

This required the Group to consider whether it has de facto control over its investees, particularly when it owned less than 50% of the voting rights. 
In 2014, in accordance with the transitional provisions of IFRS 10, the Group reassessed the control conclusion for its investees and changed its 
control conclusion in respect of its investment in CDL Hospitality Trusts (“CDLHT”)  , which was previously accounted for as an associate using the 
equity method. Although the Group owns less than half of the voting power of the investee, management determined that, under IFRS 10, the 
Group has had control over the investee since its inception. This is because a 100% owned subsidiary of the Group, M&C REIT Management 
Limited acts as REIT Manager with its fees having a performance-based element and therefore the Group has exposure to variable returns from its 
involvement with the investee. Accordingly, in 2014, the Group applied acquisition accounting to the investment from the year it was first 
established in 2006, and restated the relevant amounts as if the investee had been consolidated from that year. This judgement was reconsidered this 
year and continues to be appropriate.

Business combination
For each acquisition, the Group has to make a judgement whether to account the transaction as an asset purchase or a business combination, which 
results in a different accounting treatment. In particular, under business combination accounting, goodwill and additional intangible assets may arise 
and the valuation of acquired assets is complex. In addition, transaction costs can be capitalised in an asset acquisition, but have to be charged 
through the income statement for a business combination. The classification of each acquisition and related accounting is highly judgemental. 
Details of acquisitions undertaken by the Group during the year, including the specific judgements, are set out in Notes 12 and 14.

Land leases classification
The Group holds a number of hotels with leases of land that are determined to have an indefinite economic life. These are classified as a finance 
lease, even if at the end of the lease term title does not pass to the lessee. In determining whether the lease of land should be accounted for as a 
finance or an operating lease, the following factors were considered:

•  transfer of ownership

•  purchase options

•  present value of minimum lease payments in comparison to fair value of land.

3.2  ESTIMATES
The key estimates are:

Impairment of tangible assets
The Group determines whether tangible fixed assets are impaired when indicators of impairments exist or based on the annual impairment 
assessment. The annual assessment requires an estimate of the recoverable value of the cash generating units to which the tangible fixed assets are 
allocated, which is predominantly at the individual hotel site level. Where appropriate, external valuations are also undertaken. Estimation of the 
recoverable value of the hotel assets is done with the reference to fair value less cost to sell, using income approach, which requires estimation of 
future cash flows of a third party efficient operator, the time period over which they will occur, an appropriate discount rates, terminal capitalization 
rates and growth rates. The Directors consider that the assumptions made represent their best estimate, and that the discount rate and terminal 
capitalisation rate used are appropriate given the risks associated with the specific cash flows. A sensitivity analysis has been performed over the 
estimates (see Note 12).

Annual Report & Accounts 2018122

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

4  NEw STANdArdS ANd INTErprETATIoNS NoT yET AdopTEd
The following standards and interpretations, which have been issued by the IASB, become effective after the current year end and have not been 
early adopted by the Group:

•  In January 2016, the IASB issued ‘IFRS 16 Leases’. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and was 

endorsed by the European Union in November 2017. IFRS 16 results in lessees accounting for most leases within the scope of the standard in a 
manner similar to the way in which finance leases are currently accounted for under IAS 17 Leases. Lessees will recognise a ‘right of use’ asset and a 
corresponding financial liability on the balance sheet. The asset will be amortised over the period of the lease and the financial liability measured at 
amortised cost. Lessor accounting remains substantially the same as in IAS 17. The Group is currently in the process of collating information from 
various regions as part of assessing the impact the standard will have on the Group’s financial statements. As at the date of the publication of these 
financial statements, it is not practicable to quantify this impact.

5  opErATINg SEgMENT INForMATIoN
Disclosure of segmental information is principally presented in respect of the Group’s geographical segments.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. 
Unallocated items principally comprise: interest-bearing loans, borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, net financial expense, taxation balances and 
corporate expenses.

Geographical segments
The hotel and property operations are managed on a worldwide basis and operate in seven principal geographical areas as follows:

•  New York

•  Regional US

•  London

•  Rest of Europe

•  Singapore

•  Rest of Asia

•  Australasia

The segments reported reflect the operating segment information included in the internal reports that the Chief Operating Decision Maker 
(“CODM”), which is the Board, regularly reviews.

The reportable segments are aligned with the structure of the Group’s internal organisation which is based according to geographical region. Discrete 
financial information is reported to and is reviewed by the CODM on a geographical basis. Operating segments have Chief Operating Officers 
(“COOs”) or equivalent who are directly accountable for the functioning of their segments and who maintain regular contact with the Group Chief 
Executive Officer and Chairman of the CODM to discuss the operational and financial performance. The CODM makes decisions about allocation 
of resources to the regions managed by the COOs.

The results of CDLHT have been incorporated within the existing geographical regions. In addition, CDLHT operations are reviewed separately by 
its board on a monthly basis.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc123

Segment results

Revenue
Hotel
Property operations
REIT4

Total revenue

Hotel gross operating profit
Hotel fixed charges1

Hotel operating profit/(loss)
Property operating profit
REIT operating profit/(loss)
Central costs
Other operating income2
Other operating expense2
Other operating income – REIT2
Other operating expense – REIT2

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of joint ventures and associates profit
Add: Depreciation and amortisation
Add: Net revaluation gain/deficit & 
impairment

EBITDA3
Less: Depreciation, amortisation, net 
revaluation gain/deficit & impairment
Net finance expense

Profit before tax

NEW 
YORK
£M

REGIONAL
US
£M

LONDON
£M

REST OF 
EUROPE
£M

SINGAPORE
£M

REST OF 
ASIA
£M

AUSTRALASIA
£M

CENTRAL 
COSTS
£M

TOTAL 
GROUP
£M

2018

159
–
–

159

25
(33)    

(8)  
–
–
–
–
(31)  
–
–

(39)  
–
9

31

1

139
5
–

144

27
(25)  

2
2
–
–
–
(19)  
–
–

(15)  
–
12

19

16

106
–
–

106

43
(23)    

20
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

20
–
6

–

26

71
–
31

102

16
(11)  

5
–
11
–
–
(3)  
10
–

23
13
4

(7)  

33

130
3
16

149

51
(4)    

47
2
(2)  
–
3
–
9
–

59
–
13

(12)  

60

177
9
13

199

60
(33)  

27
8
1
–
5
(6)  
–
(4)  

31
16
20

5

72

85
48
5

138

42
(6)    

36
25
5
–
–
–
3
–

69
–
3

–

72

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
(43)  
–
–
–
–

(43)  
–
2

–

(41)  

867
65
65

997

264
(135)  

129
37
15
(43)  
8
(59)  
22
(4)  

105
29
69

36

239

(105)  
(28)  

106

Annual Report & Accounts 2018124

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

NEW 
YORK
£M

REGIONAL
US
£M

LONDON
£M

REST OF 
EUROPE
£M

SINGAPORE
£M

REST OF 
ASIA
£M

AUSTRALASIA
£M

CENTRAL 
COSTS
£M

TOTAL 
GROUP
£M

2017

Revenue
Hotel
Property operations
REIT4

Total revenue

Hotel gross operating profit
Hotel fixed charges1

Hotel operating profit/(loss)
Property operating profit
REIT operating profit/(loss)
Central costs
Other operating income2
Other operating expense2
Other operating income – REIT2
Other operating expense – REIT2

Operating profit/(loss)
Share of joint ventures and associates profit
Add: Depreciation and amortisation
Add: Net revaluation gain/
deficit & impairment

EBITDA3
Less: Depreciation, amortisation, net 
revaluation gain/deficit & impairment
Net finance expense

Profit before tax

156
–
–

156

23
(33)    

(10)    
–
–
–
–
(11)    
–
–

(21)    
–
9

11

(1)    

144
5
–

149

31
(26)    

5
–
–
–
–
(8)    
–
–

(3)    
–
13

8

18

122
–
–

122

60
(23)    

37
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

37
–
6

–

43

70
–
23

93

16
(10)    

6
–
5
–
–
(4)    
–
(5)    

2
3
6

9

20

132
3
16

151

54
(4)    

50
5
(3)    
–
–
–
–
–

52
–
13

–

65

176
9
19

204

60
(35)    

25
8
5
–
21
(8)    
–
(11)    

40
19
22

10

91

80
45
8

133

39
(6)    

33
24
7
–
–
–
9
–

73
–
3

(9)    

67

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
(35)    
–
–
–
–

(35)    
–
3

–

(32)    

880
62
66

1,008

283
(137)    

146
37
14
(35)    
21
(31)    
9
(16)    

145
22
75

29

271

(104)    
(20)    

147

1  Hotel fixed charges include depreciation, amortisation of lease premium prepayments, property rent, taxes and insurance, operating lease rentals and management fees.
2  See Note 7 for details of other operating income and expense.
3  EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
4  CDLHT operates the REIT business.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc125

Segmental assets and liabilities

Hotel operating assets
REIT operating assets
Hotel operating liabilities
REIT operating liabilities
Investment in joint ventures and associates

Total hotel operating net assets

Property operating assets
Property operating liabilities
Investment in joint ventures and associates

Total property operating net assets

Deferred tax liabilities
Income taxes payable
Net debt

Net assets

Hotel operating assets
REIT operating assets
Hotel operating liabilities
REIT operating liabilities
Investment in joint ventures and associates

Total hotel operating net assets

Property operating assets
Property operating liabilities
Investment in joint ventures and associates

Total property operating net assets

Deferred tax liabilities
Income taxes payable
Net debt

Net assets

NEW 
YORK
£M

REGIONAL
US
£M

LONDON
£M

REST OF
EUROPE
£M

SINGAPORE
£M

REST OF 
ASIA
£M

AUSTRALASIA
£M

TOTAL 
GROUP
£M

2018

614
–
(31)  
–
–

583

–
–
–

–

309
–
(48)  
–
–

261

48
(1)    
–

47

514
–
(13)  
–
–

501

–
–
–

–

228
258
(34)  
(7)  
1

446

39
– 
36

75

24
626
(25)  
(7)    
–

618

89
(2)    
–

87

659
130
(66)  
(7)  
161

877

195
(3)    
160

352

188
155
(11)  
(3)  
–

329

115
(2)    
–

113

NEW 
YORK
£M

REGIONAL
US
£M

LONDON
£M

REST OF
EUROPE
£M

SINGAPORE
£M

REST OF 
ASIA
£M

AUSTRALASIA
£M

2017

613
–
(29)    
–
–

584

–
–
–

–

320
–
(39)    
–
–

281

36
(1)    
–

35

496
–
(13)    
–
–

483

–
–
–

–

232
207
(36)    
(8)    
–

395

–
– 
31

31

21
598
(23)    
(8)    
–

588

84
(2)    
–

82

670
117
(68)    
(3)    
152

868

176
(3)    
141

314

181
194
(10)    
(6)    
–

359

92
(2)    
–

90

2,536
1,169
(228)  
(24)    
162

3,615

486
(8)    
196

674

(172)  
(27)  
(727)  

3,363

TOTAL 
GROUP
£M

2,533
1,116
(218)    
(25)    
152

3,558

388
(8)    
172

552

(188)    
(23)    
(650)    

3,249

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
126

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Geographic information

Revenue from external customers
United States
United Kingdom
Singapore
New Zealand
Taiwan
South Korea
China
Malaysia
France
Australia
Maldives
Philippines
Italy
Indonesia
Other

Total revenue per consolidated income statement

2018
£M

303
183
149
129
73
48
26
14
13
9
7
6
6
5
26

997

2017
£M

305
195
151
123
73
47
26
14
12
10
14
6
6
5
21

1,008

The revenue information above is based on the location of the business. The £997m (2017: £1,008m) revenue is constituted of £867m 
(2017: £880m) of hotel revenue, £65m (2017: £62m) of property operations revenue and £65m (2017: £66m) of REIT revenue. The property 
operations revenue comprises £48m (2017: £45m) from New Zealand, £3m (2017: £3m) from Singapore and £14m (2017: £14m) from other 
countries.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc127

Non-current assets
United States
United Kingdom
Singapore
China
Taiwan
New Zealand
Japan
South Korea
Hong Kong
Germany
Australia
Maldives
Italy
Netherlands
Malaysia
France
Indonesia
Philippines

2018
£M

938
756
728
290
276
238
235
191
121
106
85
84
83
73
66
36
12
7

2017
£M

943
740
692
278
277
231
212
199
108
94
89
75
43
31
64
37
12
8

Total non-current assets per consolidated statement of financial position

4,325

4,133

Non-current assets for this purpose consist of property, plant and equipment, lease premium prepayment, investment properties, investment in joint 
ventures and associates and other non-current financial assets.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018128

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

6  AdMINISTrATIvE EXpENSES
The following items are included within administrative expenses:

Included in administrative expenses is the auditor’s remuneration, for audit and non-audit services as follows:
Auditor’s remuneration
Statutory audit services:
–  Annual audit of the Company and consolidated financial statements
–  Audit of subsidiary companies

Non-audit related services:
–  Tax advisory

Total

Repairs and maintenance
Depreciation
Lease premium amortisation
Rental paid/payable under operating leases
– 
land and buildings
–  plant and machinery

7  oThEr opErATINg INCoME ANd EXpENSE

Revaluation gain/(deficit) of investment properties
–  REIT properties
–  Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
–  Biltmore Court & Tower
–  Tanglin Shopping Centre
Impairment of property, plant & equipment

Reversal of impairment of loan (repayment of loan)
Gain on disposal of investment properties

2018
£M

2017
£M

1
2

3

1

4

2018
£M

54
66
3

4
3

2018
£M

16
5
(1)    
3 
(59)    

(36)    
– 
3

(33)    

1
2

3

1

4

2017
£M

51
72
3

1
7

2017
£M

3
9
(3)    
– 
(38)    

(29)    
12 
–

(17)    

NOTES

(a)  

(b)  

(c)  
(d)  

(a)  Revaluation gain/(deficit) of investment properties
At the end of the financial year, in accordance with the Group’s policy its investment properties were subject to external professional valuation on an 
open-market existing use basis. Based on these valuations, the revaluation gain or deficit was recorded as considered appropriate by the Directors. 
Further details on these valuations are provided in Note 14.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc129

Impairment of property, plant & equipment

(b) 
The Directors undertook their annual review of the carrying value of hotels and property assets for indication of impairment and where appropriate, 
external valuations were also obtained. As a result of this review, the total impairment charge for the year ended 31 December 2018 was £59m 
consisting of £31m in New York, £19m in Regional US, £3m in Rest of Europe and £6m in Rest of Asia. For 2017, a total impairment charge of 
£38m was recognised in relation to £11m in New York, £4m in Rest of Europe, £13m in Rest of Asia and £6m for Regional US. Also included in 
2017 was £4m of goodwill impaired in relation to the acquisition by CDLHT of The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Further information is given in 
Note 12.

(c)  Reversal of impairment of loan (repayment of loan)
On 31 July 2017, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Fena Estate Co. Ltd in exchange for a token sum and repayment of the shareholder 
loan, which had been impaired in earlier years. The Group re-instated the loan on its balance sheet as at 30 June 2017 with an income of £12m 
recognised in the income statement. This amount was settled during 2017.

(d)  Gain on disposal of investment properties
On 11 January 2018, CDLHT completed the divestment of two hotels in Australia, the Mercure Brisbane and Ibis Brisbane for A$77m (£45m) and 
a gain of £3m was recognised by the Group.

8 

pErSoNNEL EXpENSES

Wages and salaries
Compulsory social security contributions
Contributions to defined contribution schemes
Defined benefit pension (gain)/cost – recorded in the statement of comprehensive income
Defined benefit pension cost – recorded in the income statement

The number of employees employed by the Group as at year end analysed by category was as follows:

Hotel operating staff
Management/administration
Sales and marketing
Repairs and maintenance

2018
£M

309
49
19
(5)  
2

374

2017
£M

305
51
16
(4)  
2

370

2018
NuMBEr

2017
NUMBER

8,853
1,478
492
681

9,020
1,439
461
682

11,504

11,602

Annual Report & Accounts 2018130

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Directors’ remuneration

Remuneration
Received by the Directors under:
–  Long-term incentive schemes
–  Pensions

9  NET FINANCE EXpENSE

Interest income
Foreign exchange gain

Finance income

Interest expense
Foreign exchange loss

Finance expense

Net finance expense

2018
£M

1

–
–

1

2018
£M

5
4

9

(28)    
(9)    

(37)    

(28)    

2017
£M

1

–
–

1

2017
£M

5
6

11

(26)    
(5)    

(31)    

(20)    

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc131

10 

INCoME TAX EXpENSE

Current tax
Corporation tax charge for the year
Release of tax provision during the year
Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total current tax expense

Deferred tax (Note 26)
Origination and reversal of timing differences
Effect of change in tax rate on opening deferred taxes
Benefits of tax losses recognised
(Over)/under provision in respect of prior years

Total deferred tax credit

Total income tax charge/(credit) in the consolidated income statement

UK
Overseas

Total income tax charge/(credit) in the consolidated income statement

2018
£M

34
–
1

35

(14)    
–
(9)  
1

(22)  

13

2
11

13

2017
£M

38
(17)    
1

22

(14)    
(1)    
(18)    
(1)    

(34)    

(12)    

5
(17)    

(12)    

For the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group has a tax charge of £13m (2017: £5m) excluding the tax relating to joint ventures and associates. 
In 2017, a £17m provision in relation to exposures in Singapore were finalised which resulted in a total tax credit of £12m.

The effective tax rate relating to the tax charge of £13m is 16.9% (2017: 4.2% before the release of provision). The effective tax rate has been 
affected by a number of factors which include the following items:

•   Increased irrecoverable withholding taxes;

•   Reduction in non-taxable income;

•   One off reduction in tax rates applied to brought forward net deferred tax liabilities in the US not repeated in current year; and

•   Tax adjustments in respect of previous years.

Excluding the impact of the items noted above, the Group’s underlying effective tax rate is 20.4% (2017: 9.2%).

For the year ended 31 December 2018, a charge of £7m (2017: £7m) relating to joint ventures and associates is included in the profit before tax.

Adjustments in respect of settlement of prior years’ tax liabilities
The Group’s tax charge on ordinary activities is the sum of the total current and deferred tax charges. The calculation of the Group’s total tax charge 
necessarily involves a degree of estimation and judgement in respect of certain items whose tax treatment cannot be finally determined until 
resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority or, as appropriate, through a formal legal process. The final resolution of some of these 
items may give rise to material profit and loss and/or cash flow variances. The geographical complexity of the Group’s structure makes the degree of 
estimation and judgement more challenging. The resolution of issues is not always within the control of the Group and it is often dependent on the 
efficacy of the legal processes in the relevant tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018132

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Income tax reconciliation

Profit before income tax in consolidated income statement
Less share of profits of joint ventures and associates

Profit on ordinary activities excluding share of joint ventures and associates

Income tax on ordinary activities at the standard rate of UK tax of 19.00% (2017: 19.25%)
Tax exempt income
Non-deductible expenses
Unrecognised tax losses arising during the year
Other effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions
Effect of change in tax rate on opening deferred taxes
Other adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior years
Release of tax provision during the year

Income tax expense/(credit) per consolidated income statement

11  EArNINgS pEr ShArE
Earnings per share are calculated using the following information:

(a)  Basic
Profit for the year attributable to holders of the parent (£m)
Weighted average number of shares in issue (m)

Basic earnings per share (pence)

(b)  Diluted
Profit for the year attributable to holders of the parent (£m)

Weighted average number of shares in issue (m)
Potentially dilutive share options under the Group’s share option schemes (m)

Weighted average number of shares in issue (diluted) (m)

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

2018
£M

106
(29)  

77

15
(22)  
10
3
5
–
2
–

13

2018

43
325

2017
£M

147
(22)  

125

24
(23)  
(2)  
2
3
(1)  
2
(17)  

(12)  

2017

124
325

13.1p

38.1p

43

325
–

325

124

325
–

325

13.1p

38.1p

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc133

12  propErTy, pLANT ANd EquIpMENT

Cost
Balance at 1 January 2017
Additions – Others
Adjustments
Acquisition through business combination
Transfers
Disposals
Written off
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2018
Additions – Acquisitions
Additions – Others
Reclassification between asset categories
Transfer to investment properties
Disposals
Written off
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
Balance at 1 January 2017
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Written off
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2018
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Written off
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Carrying amounts
At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

LAND AND 
BUILDINGS
£M

CAPITAL 
WORK IN 
PROGRESS
£M

PLANT AND 
MACHINERY
£M

FIXTURES, 
FITTINGS AND 
EQUIPMENT 
AND VEHICLES
£M

3,299
14
–
47
43
–
–
(106)    

3,297

3,297
5
2
3
–
–
(1)  
82

3,388

486
22
31
–
–
(19)    

520

520
19
58
–
–
16

613

2,775

2,777

97
6
(2)    
–
(59)    
–
(2)    
(4)    

36

36
–
43
(6)  
(3)  
–
–
2

72

1
–
–
–
–
–

1

1
–
–
–
–
–

1

71

35

341
15
–
2
4
(1)    
–
(12)    

349

349
–
10
–
–
–
(3)  
12

368

122
15
3
–
–
(5)    

135

135
14
1
–
(2)  
5

153

215

214

368
18
–
3
12
(1)    
(9)    
(10)    

381

381
1
15
3
–
(2)    
(4)  
12

406

258
35
–
(1)    
(9)    
(5)    

278

278
33
–
(2)  
(4)  
9

314

92

103

TOTAL
£M

4,105
53
(2)    
52
–
(2)    
(11)    
(132)    

4,063

4,063
6
70
–
(3)  
(2)    
(8)  
108

4,234

867
72
34
(1)    
(9)    
(29)    

934

934
66
59
(2)  
(6)  
30

1,081

3,153

3,129

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases at 31 December 2018 was £nil (2017: £nil).

Annual Report & Accounts 2018134

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Impairment

a 
Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment based on each cash generating unit (“CGU”). The CGUs are individual hotels. The 
carrying value of individual hotels was compared to the recoverable amount of the hotels, which was derived with the reference to fair value through 
creation of discount cash flow models. Under this methodology, the fair value measurement reflects current market expectations about the third 
party efficient operator’s is future cash flows, discounted to their present value. The underlying basis for the impairment model involves each hotel’s 
projected cash flow for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, extrapolated to incorporate individual assumptions in respect of revenue 
growth (principally factoring in room rate and occupancy growth) and major expense lines. The future cash flows are based on assumptions about 
competitive growth rates for hotels in that area, as well as internal business plans. These plans and forecasts include management’s most recent view 
of trading prospects for the hotel in the relevant market. Where appropriate, the Directors sought guidance on value from a registered independent 
appraiser with an appropriately recognised professional qualification and recent experience in the location and category of the hotel being valued.

On the basis of external valuations in 2018, the Group recorded an impairment charge of £59m consisting of £31m in New York, £6m in Rest of 
Asia, £19m for Regional US and £3m in Rest of Europe. For 2017, a total impairment charge of £34m was recognised in relation to £11m in New 
York, £4m in Rest of Europe, £13m in Rest of Asia and £6m for Regional US. Further information is given in Note 12.

Circumstances and events that led to impairment are largely due to the performance of the hotels. The fair values assumed through the impairment 
assessment are considered to fall within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 22d for more detail.

Key assumptions used by the external appraisers

b 
The key assumptions used were as follows:

Pre-tax discount rate – The discount rate is based on the country in which the hotel is located and is adjusted for risks associated with the hotel. 
Discount rates ranged from 6.5% to 13% in the US, 10% in Europe and 8% to 9% in Asia.

Occupancy rate – The occupancy growth rates ranged up to 9.5% in the US, up to 4.3% in Europe and up to 9.0% in Asia.

Average room rate – The average room rate growth ranged from 3% to 4% in the US, 4% in Europe and 2% to 2.5% in Asia.

Terminal rate – These rates ranged from 5% to 11% in the US, 6.5% in Europe and 6% to 7% in Asia.

The forecasts cover a five to ten year period, and cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated using a growth rate ranging between 1.5% and 
2.5%, which is based upon the expected trading growth for each hotel and inflation in the country.

Sensitivities

c 
The Group’s impairment review is sensitive to changes in key assumptions used, most notably the discount and terminal rates. Based on the Group’s 
sensitivity analysis performed on properties in New York (which represents 53% of the total impairment recognised), assuming that all other 
variables were to remain constant, the increase/(decrease) in the Group’s total impairment recognised would be as follows:

Terminal rate decreased by 0.25%
Terminal rate increased by 0.25%
Discount rate decreased by 0.25%
Discount rate increased by 0.25%

£M
(8)  
8
(5)  
5

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
135

Land and buildings

d 
Land and buildings includes long leasehold building assets with a book value of £681m (2017: £669m). The net book value of land and buildings 
held under short leases was £105m (2017: £105m), in respect of which depreciation of £3m (2017: £3m) was charged during the year.

No interest was capitalised within land and buildings during the year (2017: £nil). The cumulative capitalised interest within land and buildings is 
£5m (2017: £5m).

Pledged assets

e 
At year-end, the net book value of assets pledged as collateral for secured loans was £477m (2017: £458m). The security for the loans is by way of 
charges on the properties of the Group companies concerned.

13  LEASE prEMIuM prEpAyMENT

Cost
Balance at 1 January 2018
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amortisation
Balance at 1 January 2018
Charge for the year
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Carrying amount at 31 December 2018

Analysed between:
Amount due after more than one year included in non-current assets
Amount due within one year included in current assets

2018
£M

126
3

129

21
3
–

24

105

103
2

105

Annual Report & Accounts 2018136

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

INvESTMENT propErTIES

14 
Completed investment properties comprise Tanglin Shopping Centre, Biltmore Court & Tower, CDLHT properties and Millennium Mitsui 
Garden Hotel Tokyo. Investment properties under construction represents the site at Sunnyvale.

Movements in the year analysed as:

Balance at 1 January 2017
Transfer to current asset held for sale
Additions
Acquisition of property
Adjustment to fair value
Foreign exchange adjustment

Balance at 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2018
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Additions
Acquisition of property
Adjustment to fair value
Foreign exchange adjustment

Balance at 31 December 2018

COMPLETED 
INVESTMENT 
PROPERTIES 
£M

INVESTMENT 
PROPERTIES 
UNDER 
CONSTRUCTION 
£M

525
(41)    
2
94
9
(21)    

568

568
–
–
38
22
22

650

9
– 
–
–
–
–

9

9
3 
6
–
–
–

18

TOTAL
£M

534
(41)    
2
94
9
(21)    

577

577
3 
6
38
22
22

668

In general, the carrying amount of investment property other than those under construction is the fair value of the property as determined by a 
registered independent appraiser having an appropriate recognised professional qualification and recent experience in the location and category of 
the property being valued. Fair values were determined having regard to recent market transactions for similar properties in the same location as the 
Group’s investment property.

Consistent with the prior year, only the land site at Sunnyvale, California, is classified as investment properties under construction as the project of 
building a hotel and an apartment complex is still in progress. This asset is carried at cost on the balance sheet.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc137

The Group’s investment properties were subject to external professional valuation on an open market existing use basis by the following accredited 
independent valuers:

PROPERTIES

Tanglin Shopping Centre, Singapore
Biltmore Court & Tower, Los Angeles
Land site at Sunnyvale, California
Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
CDLHT – Singapore 
CDLHT – Australia 
CDLHT – Maldives 
CDLHT – Germany 
CDLHT – Italy

VALUERS

Edmund Tie & Company (SEA) Pte Ltd
Sequoia Hotel Advisors, LLC
Sequoia Hotel Advisors, LLC
Jones Lang LaSalle KK
Knight Frank Pte Ltd
CBRE Pte Ltd
CBRE Pte Ltd
CBRE Pte Ltd
HVS Global Hospitality Services

Based on these valuations together with such considerations as the Directors consider appropriate, Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo, 
Biltmore Court & Tower and Tanglin Shopping Centre recorded a revaluation gain of £5m (2017: revaluation gain £9m), a revaluation deficit of 
£1m (2017: revaluation deficit £3m) and a revaluation gain of £3m (2017: immaterial revaluation deficit) respectively. In addition, the REIT 
properties recorded a net revaluation gain of £16m (2017: net revaluation gain of £3m). All the other investment properties recorded no change and 
no impairment was identified.

Fair value hierarchy
The fair value measurement for investment properties not under construction of £650m (2017: £568m) has been categorised as a Level 3 fair value 
based on inputs to the valuation technique used.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018138

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Valuation technique and significant unobservable inputs
The following table shows the valuation technique used in measuring the fair value of investment property, as well as significant unobservable inputs 
used.

VALUATION TECHNIQUE

SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS

Tanglin Shopping Centre 
Open market values for other properties.

INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KEY 
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS AND FAIR VALUE 
MEASUREMENT

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

Expected market rental growth were higher/(lower); and

The technique applied in the valuation of the Tanglin 
Shopping Centre is based on market comparison of sales of 
similar properties in the vicinity. Further adjustments are 
made to this value to account for differences in location, size, 
tenure, view, accessibility, condition and other factors.

Biltmore Court & Tower and Millennium Mitsui Garden 
Hotel Tokyo were valued using a discounted cash flow 
technique based on expected rental income and discount rate 
appropriate for the property.

Investment properties held by the REIT were valued using 
the discounted cash flow, capitalisation or comparison 
techniques.

Biltmore Court & Tower 
Discount rate of between 7% to 11% and capitalisation rate 
of 7.5% to 9%.

Risk adjusted discount rate was lower/ (higher), capitalisation 
rate was higher/ (lower) and terminal yield was lower/ (higher).

Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo 
Discount rate of 3.8% and capitalisation rate of 4.0%.

CDLHT investment properties Discount rate of between 
6% and 10%, capitalisation rate of 5% to 8% and terminal 
yield of 4% to 8%.

Further details in respect of investment property rentals are given in Note 31.

Acquisition of property
On 27 November 2018, the H-REIT Group acquired 95.0% of the shares and voting interest in Event Hospitality Group III B.V., which wholly-
owns Event Hospitality Group III Italy SRL, sole shareholder of NKS Hospitality III (collectively, the “Italy Acquisition”) for a total consideration 
of e33m (£29m). NKS Hospitality III SRL is the legal owner of Hotel Cerretani Florence, MGallery by Sofitel and the fixtures, furniture and 
equipment therein (collectively, the “Italy Property”). The acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition of assets.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The following table summarises the recognised amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

Investment property
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank
Current liabilities
Borrowings 

Total identifiable net assets
Less: Non-controlling interest, based on their proportionate interest in the 
recognised amounts of the assets and liabilities of the acquiree

Identifiable net assets acquired

€M

43
1
3
(1)  
(11)    

35

(2)    

33

£M

38
1
3
(1)  
(10)    

31

(2)    

29

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc139

Consideration transferred

Total consideration for 95.0% equity interest acquired
Add: Acquisition related costs
Less: Cash at bank of subsidiaries acquired
Less: Acquisition related costs not yet paid

Net cash outflow on acquisition1

1 Included in cash flows from investing activities.

€M

33
2
(3)    
(2)    

30

£M

29
2
(3)    
(2)    

26

Acquisition of property
On 14 July 2017, the H-REIT Group acquired 94.9% of the shares and voting interests in NKS Hospitality I B.V. (“NKS”) and Munich Furniture 
B.V. (“FurnitureCo”) (collectively, the “German Acquisition”) for a total consideration of €101m (£89m). The H-REIT Group acquired NKS and 
FurnitureCo which own Pullman Hotel Munich (the “German Hotel”) and its office and retail components (collectively, the “German Property”). 
The acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition of assets.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The following table summarises the recognised amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

Investment property
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank
Trade and other payables
Borrowings 

Total identifiable net assets
Less: Non-controlling interest, based on their proportionate interest in the 
recognised amounts of the assets and liabilities of the acquiree

Identifiable net assets acquired

Consideration transferred 

Cash paid

Effect of the acquisition of NKS and FurnitureCo on cash flows:
Total consideration for 94.9% equity interest acquired
Add: Borrowings assumed
Add: Acquisition-related costs
Less: Cash at bank of subsidiaries acquired
Less: Consideration not yet paid

Net cash outflow on acquisition1

1 Included in cash flows from investing activities.

€M

107
–
–
3
–
(45)  

65

(3)  

62

€M

101

59
43
3
(3)  
(2)  

100

£M

94
–
–
3
–
(40)  

55

(3)  

52

£M

89

52
38
3
(3)  
(2)  

88

Annual Report & Accounts 2018140

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

INvESTMENTS IN JoINT vENTurES ANd ASSoCIATES

15 
The Group has the following investments in joint ventures and associates:

Joint ventures
New Unity Holdings Limited (“New Unity”)
Fergurson Hotel Management Limited

Associate
First Sponsor Group Limited (“First Sponsor”)
Prestons Road Limited
CDL Hotels Japan Pte. Ltd.

PRINCIPAL PLACE
OF BUSINESS

Hong Kong
Hong Kong

People’s Republic of China
New Zealand
Singapore

FAIR 
VALUE OF 
OWNERSHIP
INTEREST
£M

EFFECTIVE GROUP 
INTEREST

2018

2017

–
–

170
–
–

50%
50%

36%
17%
40%

50%
50%

36%
17%
40%

The Group has 50% in New Unity which operates the Group’s hotel business in Hong Kong. First Sponsor is a property company which is listed 
on the Singapore Exchange and has interests in China, the Netherlands and Germany. It is also involved in the Chinese property financing business 
which carries additional risk of recoverability of certain assets.

Share of net assets/cost

Balance at 1 January 2017
Share of profit for the year
Dividends received
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2018
Share of profit for the year
Dividends received
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

JOINT
VENTURES 
£M

ASSOCIATES 
£M

TOTAL
£M

113
5
–
(10)    

108

108
7
–
6

121

207
17
(2)    
(6)    

216

216
22
(4)  
3

237

320
22
(2)    
(16)    

324

324
29
(4)  
9

358

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
141

The following is summarised financial information for First Sponsor and New Unity based on their respective financial statements prepared in 
accordance with IFRS. These are considered to be the most significant investments in joint ventures and associates.

Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Total assets less total liabilities
Less: Non-controlling interest

Net assets (100%)

Group’s share

Revenue

Operating profit
Interest income/(expense)
Income tax expense

Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests

Profit for the year after non-controlling interests
Other comprehensive income

Profit and total comprehensive income (100%)

Group’s share of profit and total comprehensive income

Dividends received by the Group

FIRST SPONSOR

NEW UNITY

2018
£M

749
621
(476)  
(224)  

670
(7)  

663

237

154

76
4
(15)  

65
(3)    

62
(13)  

49

18

4

2017
£M

508
667
(356)    
(211)    

608
(4)    

604

216

216

63
5
(16)    

52
(3)    

49
(12)    

37

13

2

2018
£M

361
101
(104)  
(38)  

320
(79)  

241

121

134

28
(2)    
(4)    

22
(9)  

13
–

13

7

–

2017
£M

340
94
(124)    
(29)    

281
(66)    

215

108

128

25
(2)    
(4)    

19
(10)    

9
–

9

5

–

At 31 December 2018, the Group’s share of the total capital commitments of joint ventures and associates amounted to £15m (2017: £18m). At 
31 December 2018, the Group’s joint ventures and associates had no contingent liabilities (2017: £nil).

Annual Report & Accounts 2018142

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

16  oThEr FINANCIAL ASSETS

Equity investment at FVOCI
Derivative financial assets
Deposits receivable

17 

INvENTorIES

Consumables

18  dEvELopMENT propErTIES

Development properties comprise: 
Development land for resale
–  New Zealand residential sections
Development properties
–  Zenith Residences

19  TrAdE ANd oThEr rECEIvABLES

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Trade receivables due from holding and associate companies

2018
£M

39
2
2

43

2018
£M

5

2018
£M

90

25

115

2018
£M

45
27
29
1

102

2017
£M

–
–
–

–

2017
£M

4

2017
£M

66

27

93

2017
£M

41
19
28
–

88

Trade receivables are shown net of an impairment allowance of £4m (2017: £3m) relating to the likely insolvencies of certain customers and non-
recoverability of debts.

The Group’s exposure to credit and currency risks and impairment losses related to trade and other receivables are disclosed in Note 22.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc143

20  CASh ANd CASh EquIvALENTS

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits
Cash pool overdrafts

Cash and cash equivalents on the statement of financial position
Overdrafts included in borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents shown in the cash flow statement

2018
£M

228
225
(78)  

375
–

375

The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets are disclosed in Note 22. As at 31 December 2018, £1m 
(2017: £1m) of the cash balance was restricted

21 

INTErEST-BEArINg LoANS, BoNdS ANd BorrowINgS

Included within non-current liabilities:
Bank loans
Bonds payable

Included within current liabilities:
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds payable

2018
£M

614
175

789

234
79

313

2017
£M

209
205
(60)    

354
–

354

2017
£M

553
238

791

146
67

213

Net debt of £727m (2017: £650m) is the total of the interest-bearing loans, bonds and borrowings of £1,102 (2017: £1,004m) less cash and cash 
equivalents of £375m (2017: £354m). Further details in respect of financial liabilities are given in Note 22.

22  FINANCIAL INSTruMENTS
Overview
The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

•  credit risk;

•  liquidity risk; and

•  market risk.

This note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, and the Group’s policies and processes for measuring and 
managing risk.

(a)  Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, 
and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and investment securities.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018144

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis, with credit checks performed on all clients requiring credit over certain amounts. Credit is 
not extended beyond authorised limits, established where appropriate through consultation with a professional credit vetting organisation. Credit 
granted is subject to regular review, to ensure it remains consistent with the client’s current creditworthiness and appropriate to the anticipated 
volume of business.

Investments are allowed only in liquid short-term instruments within approved limits, with investment counterparties approved by the Board, such 
that the exposure to a single counterparty is minimised.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying value of each financial asset on the balance sheet, these being spread across the 
various currencies and jurisdictions in which the Group operates.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

Cash at bank and in hand (see Note 20)
Short-term deposits (see Note 20)
Cash pool overdrafts (see Note 20)
Trade receivables (see Note 19)
Other receivables (see Note 19)
Equity investment at FVOCI (see Note 16)
Deposits receivable (see Note 16)
Trade receivables due from holding and associate companies (see Note 19)

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:

New York
Regional US
Rest of Europe
Singapore
Rest of Asia
Australasia

CARRYING VALUE

2018
£M

228
225
(78)  
45
27
39
2
1

489

CARRYING VALUE

2018
£M

7
4
10
7
10
7

45

2017
£M

209
205
(60)  
41
19
–
–
–

414

2017
£M

7
4
7
7
11
5

41

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc145

The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was:

GROSS RECEIVABLE

IMPAIRMENT ALLOWANCE

CARRYING VALUE

Not past due
Past due 0 – 30 days
Past due 31 – 60 days
Past due 61 – 90 days
More than 90 days

2018
£M

28
11
3
1
6

49

2017
£M

27
10
3
1
3

44

2018
£M

–
–
–
–
(4)  

(4)  

2017
£M

–
–
–
–
(3)  

(3)  

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Balance at 1 January
Impairment recognised
Bad debts written off

Balance at 31 December

2018
£M

28
11
3
1
2

45

2018
£M

3
2
(1)  

4

2017
£M

27
10
3
1
–

41

2017
£M

2
1
–

3

Annual Report & Accounts 2018146

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Financial Assets
Fixed Rate
  US dollar
  Korean Won
  Singapore dollar
  New Taiwan dollar
  Australian dollar
  New Zealand dollar
  Malaysian Ringgit
  Euro
  Chinese Renminbi
Non-Interest Bearing
  Sterling
  US dollar
  Singapore dollar
  Australian dollar
  New Zealand dollar
  Malaysian Ringgit
  Euro

Japanese Yen

  Others
Interest Bearing Cash Pool deposits
  Singapore dollar
Non-Interest Bearing Cash Pool deposits
  Sterling

Total cash and other financial assets

Interest Bearing Cash Pool Overdrafts
  Sterling
  Hong Kong dollar
Non-Interest Bearing Cash Pool Overdrafts
  Sterling
  Euro

Total overdrafts (Note 20)

Represented by:
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 20)
Financial assets (Note 16)

CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS 2018

TOTAL
£M

6 MONTHS
OR LESS
£M

6 MONTHS
- 1 YEAR
£M

1 - 5
YEARS
£M

MORE THAN
5 YEARS
£M

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
39
–
–
–
–
2
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

41

–
–

–
–

–

41

–
–
–
2
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

2

–
–

–
–

–

2

4
8
69
22
38
62
21
–
20

9
34
29
5
5
1
22
17
4

53

30

453

(24)  
(19)  

(28)  
(7)  

(78)    

375

4
8
108
24
38
62
21
2
20

9
34
29
5
5
1
22
17
4

53

30

496

(24)  
(19)  

(28)  
(7)  

(78)    

418

375
43

418

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
147

CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS 2017

TOTAL
£M

6 MONTHS
OR LESS
£M

6 MONTHS
- 1 YEAR
£M

1 - 5
YEARS
£M

MORE THAN
5 YEARS
£M

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

13
6
90
18
5
65
18
1
17
1

29
32
18
1
1
17
14
13

53
2

414

(24)    
(22)    

(14)    

(60)    

354

13
6
90
18
5
65
18
1
17
1

29
32
 18
1
1
17
14
13

53
2

414

(24)    
(22)    

(14)    

(60)    

354

354

354

Financial Assets
Fixed Rate
  US dollar
  Korean Won
  Singapore dollar
  New Taiwan dollar
  Australian dollar
  New Zealand dollar
  Malaysian Ringgit
  Euro
  Chinese Renminbi
  Others
Non-Interest Bearing
  Sterling
  US dollar
  Singapore dollar
  New Taiwan dollar
  Malaysian Ringgit
  Euro

Japanese Yen

  Others
Interest Bearing Cash Pool deposits
  Singapore dollar
Japanese Yen

Total cash and other financial assets

Interest Bearing Cash Pool Overdrafts
  Sterling
  Hong Kong dollar
Non-Interest Bearing Cash Pool Overdrafts
  Sterling

Total overdrafts (Note 20)

Represented by:
  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 20)

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
148

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

(b)  Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach to managing 
liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed 
conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation.

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments using the interest rates prevailing as at the 
reporting date.

31 DECEMBER 2018

Floating rate financial liabilities
Secured loans
Unsecured loans
Secured bonds
Unsecured bonds
Fixed rate financial liabilities
Unsecured loans
Secured loans
Secured bonds
Trade and other payables
Trade payables
Other creditors
Non-current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities

CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

CARRYING
AMOUNT
£M

CONTRACTUAL
CASH FLOWS
£M

6 MONTHS
OR LESS
£M

6-12
MONTHS
£M

1-2
YEARS
£M

2-5
YEARS
£M

MORE THAN
5 YEARS
£M

61
451
20
157

296
40
77

32
53

15

64
475
20
167

321
44
78

32
53

15

28
52
–
3

4
–
–

32
53

–

–
75
–
80

95
–
–

–
–

–

1
157
20
3

29
1
78

–
–

2

35
191
–
81

193
2
–

–
–

3

1,202

1,269

172

250

291

505

–
–
–
–

–
41
–

–
–

10

51

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc149

CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

CARRYING
AMOUNT
£M

CONTRACTUAL
CASH FLOWS
£M

6 MONTHS
OR LESS
£M

6-12
MONTHS
£M

1-2
YEARS
£M

2-5
YEARS
£M

MORE THAN
5 YEARS
£M

65
423
39
149

210
67
51

27
61

13

68
449
39
159

221
68
51

27
61

13

3
29
–
2

39
1
–

27
61

–

3
84
–
2

2
67
–

–
–

–

62
51
–
77

91
–
–

–
–

–

–
285
39
78

89
–
51

–
–

2

1,105

1,156

162

158

281

544

31 DECEMBER 2017

Floating rate financial liabilities
Secured loans
Unsecured loans
Secured bonds
Unsecured bonds
Fixed rate financial liabilities
Unsecured loans
Unsecured bonds
Secured bonds
Trade and other payables
Trade payables
Other creditors
Non-current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities

Undrawn committed borrowing facilities
At 31 December 2018, the Group had £539m (2017: £556m) of undrawn and committed facilities available, comprising committed revolving 
credit facilities which provide the Group with financial flexibility. Maturities of these facilities are set out in the following table.

The conditions precedent to the availability of these facilities are all satisfied at the balance sheet date.

Expiring in one year or less
Expiring after more than one year but not more than two years
Expiring after more than two years but not more than five years
Expiring after more than five years

Total undrawn committed borrowing facilities
Total undrawn uncommitted borrowing facilities

Total undrawn borrowing facilities

2018
£M

223
165
151
–

539
173

712

Security
Included within the Group’s total bank loans and overdrafts of £849m (2017: £703m) are £100m (2017: £65m) of secured loans and overdrafts. 
Total bonds and notes payable of £254m (2017: £216m) consist of £157m unsecured

Loans, bonds and notes are secured on land and buildings with a carrying value of £477m (2017: £458m) and an assignment of insurance proceeds 
in respect of insurances over the mortgaged properties.

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

11

11

2017
£M

295
69
192
–

556
43

599

Annual Report & Accounts 2018150

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Of the Group’s total facilities of £1,815m, £705m matures within 12 months comprising £79m unsecured bonds and notes, £97m committed 
revolving credit facilities, £194m uncommitted facilities and overdrafts subject to annual renewal, £308m unsecured term loans and £27m secured 
term loans. Plans for refinancing the facilities are underway.

(c)  Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will affect the Group’s income or 
the value of its holdings of financial instruments.

The primary objectives of the treasury function are to provide secure and competitively priced funding for the activities of the Group and to identify 
and manage financial risks, including exposure to movements in interest and foreign exchange rates arising from those activities. If appropriate, the 
Group uses financial instruments and derivatives to manage these risks, as set out below.

Foreign currency risk

(i) 
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on revenue, purchases, borrowings and cash deposits denominated in currencies other than the 
functional currencies of the respective Group entities. The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily US dollars, Singapore dollars, New Zealand 
dollars, New Taiwan dollars, Korean won, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen and Euro.

The Group’s principal policy, wherever possible, is to maintain a natural hedge whereby liabilities are matched with assets denominated in the same 
currency. Foreign currency investment exposure is also minimised by borrowing in the currency of the investment.

To mitigate foreign currency translation exposure, an appropriate proportion of net assets are designated as hedged against corresponding financial 
liabilities in the same currency.

Net investment hedging
The Group has US$161m (2017: US$163m) US dollar loans and €7m (2017: €7m) Euro loans designated as hedges of corresponding respective 
proportions of its net investment in foreign operations whose functional currencies are US dollars and Euros. The risk being hedged is the foreign 
currency exposure on the carrying amount of the net assets of the foreign operation upon consolidation. The fair value of the hedging instruments as 
at 31 December 2018 was £133m (2017: £128m).

An analysis of borrowings by currency and their fair values as at 31 December is given below:

Sterling
Singapore dollar
US dollar
New Zealand dollar
Chinese renminbi
Japanese yen
New Taiwan dollar
Korean Won
Euro

31 dECEMBEr 2018

31 DECEMBER 2017

BooK vALuE
£M

FAIr vALuE
£M

BOOK VALUE
£M

FAIR VALUE
£M

146
223
468
34
27
120
–
14
70

146
223
468
34
27
120
–
14
70

120
211
432
35
30
111
4
24
37

120
211
432
35
30
111
4
24
37

1,102

1,102

1,004

1,004

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc151

Exchange differences arising on foreign currency loans during each accounting period are recognised as a component of equity, to the extent that the 
hedge is effective. The foreign exchange exposure arising on the Group’s net investment in its subsidiaries is expected to be highly effective in 
offsetting the exposure arising on the Group’s foreign currency borrowings. However during the year a £2m credit (2017: immaterial amount) was 
recognised in the consolidated income statement that arose from hedges of net investments in foreign operations that were considered to be 
ineffective.

Foreign currency transaction exposure is primarily managed through funding of purchases from operating income streams arising in the same 
currency.

Hedging of transaction exposure is undertaken with approved counterparties and within designated limits, using spot or short-term forward 
contracts to buy or sell the currency concerned, once the timing and the underlying amount of exposure have been determined. Foreign exchange 
derivatives may also be used to hedge specific transaction exposure where appropriate.

The following significant exchange rates applied during the year:

US dollar
Singapore dollar
New Taiwan dollar
New Zealand dollar
Malaysian ringgit
Korean won
Chinese renminbi
Euro
Japanese yen

AVERAGE RATE

CLOSING RATE

2018

2017

2018

2017

1.334
1.799
40.237
1.927
5.390
1,465.85
8.825
1.129
147.426

1.290
1.782
39.338
1.814
5.544
1,455.88
8.722
1.143
144.878

1.270
1.741
39.152
1.885
5.306
1,428.30
8.736
1.115
140.298

1.339
1.796
40.083
1.896
5.473
1,438.03
8.779
1.127
151.569

Annual Report & Accounts 2018152

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Sensitivity analysis
With respect to the Group’s foreign currency exposure, and assuming that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant, it is 
estimated that a 10% strengthening of sterling against the following currencies at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: 10%) would have 
increased/(decreased) equity and profit before tax by the amounts shown below:

US dollar
Australian dollar
Singapore dollar
New Taiwan dollar
New Zealand dollar
Euro
Chinese renminbi
Hong Kong dollar
Japanese Yen
Thai Baht

31 dECEMBEr 2018

31 DECEMBER 2017

EquITy
£M

proFIT  
BEForE TAX
£M

EQUITY
£M

PROFIT  
BEFORE TAX
£M

28
(8)    
6
–
–
4
(4)    
–
2
–

28

7
(1)    
(4)    
(1)    
(5)    
(2)  
(1)    
–
(2)    
–

(9)    

33
(8)    
5
–
(1)  
3
(4)    
–
2
–

30

4
(1)    
(4)    
(1)    
(4)    
–
(2)    
(1)    
(2)    
(1)    

(12)    

A 10% weakening of sterling against the above currencies at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: 10%) would have had the equal but opposite 
effect on the above currencies to the amounts shown above, on the basis that all other variables remain constant.

Interest rate risk and interest rate swaps

(ii) 
The Group adopts a policy of ongoing review of its exposure to changes in interest rates on its borrowings, taking into account market expectations 
with regard to the perceived level of risk associated with each currency, the maturity profile and cash flows of the underlying debt, and the extent to 
which debt may potentially be either prepaid prior to its maturity or refinanced at reduced cost.

The Group’s policy is to maintain a mixture of its financial liabilities on a fixed and floating-rate basis with a greater emphasis on floating rates 
presently as this flexibility is considered to be appropriate in the context of the Group’s overall geographical diversity, investment and business cycle 
and the stability of the income streams, cash balances and loan covenants.

Interest rate derivatives are used to manage interest rate risk, to the extent that the perceived cost is considered to outweigh the benefit from the 
flexibility of variable rate borrowings, and the Group actively monitors the need and timing for such derivatives. Where used, interest rate derivatives 
are classified as cash flow hedges and stated at fair value within the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position. Further details of interest 
rate derivatives in place at 31 December 2018 are provided hereafter.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc153

Cash flow sensitivity analysis for variable rate instruments
Assuming that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant, a change of one percentage point in the average interest rates 
applicable to variable rate instruments for the year would have increased/(decreased) the Group’s profit before tax for the year as shown below:

Variable rate financial assets
Variable rate financial liabilities

Cash flow sensitivity (net)

31 dECEMBEr 2018

31 DECEMBER 2017

1% 
INCrEASE
£M

1% 
dECrEASE
£M

1% 
INCREASE
£M

1% 
DECREASE
£M

2
(11)    

(9)    

(2)    
11

9

2
(10)    

(8)    

(2)    
10

8

Fair value

(d) 
Set out below is a comparison of the fair and book values of all the Group’s financial instruments by category. Fair values are determined by 
reference to market values, where available, or calculated by discounting cash flows at prevailing interest rates.

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits
Cash pool overdrafts
Loans and receivables
Trade receivables
Trade receivables due from holding and associate companies
Other receivables
Other financial assets
Equity investment at FVOCI
Deposits receivable

Financial liabilities
Overdrafts and borrowings
Trade payables
Other creditors
Other non-current liabilities

2018
BooK vALuE
£M

2018
FAIr vALuE
£M

2017
BOOK VALUE
£M

2017
FAIR VALUE
£M

228
225
(78)  

45
1
27

39
2

228
225
(78)  

45
1
27

39
2

209
205
(60)    

41
–
19

–
–

209
205
(60)    

41
–
19

–
–

489

489

414

414

(1,102)  
(32)  
(53)  
(15)  

(1,202)  

(1,102)  
(32)  
(53)  
(15)  

(1,202)  

(1,004)    
(27)    
(61)    
(13)    

(1,105)    

(1,004)    
(27)    
(61)    
(13)    

(1,105)    

Annual Report & Accounts 2018154

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Estimation of fair values
The following summarises the major methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments reflected in the table.

Derivatives
Forward exchange contracts are either marked to market using listed market prices or by discounting the contractual forward price and deducting 
the current spot rate. For interest rate swaps, bank valuations are used.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Fair value is calculated based on discounted expected future principal and interest cash flows.

Finance lease liabilities
The fair value is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at market interest rates for similar lease agreements. The estimated 
fair values reflect changes in interest rates.

Trade and other receivables/payables
For receivables/payables with a remaining life of less than one year, the notional amount is deemed to reflect the fair value. All other receivables/
payables are discounted to determine the fair value.

Interest rates used for determining fair value
Prevailing market interest rates are used to discount cash flows to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities.

Fair value hierarchy
As at 31 December 2018, the Group held certain financial instruments measured at fair value.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly

Level 3: techniques that use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data

The table below provides a hierarchy analysis of financial instruments carried at fair value:

2018

2017

LEvEL 1
£M

LEvEL 2
£M

LEvEL 3
£M

ToTAL
£M

LEVEL 1
£M

LEVEL 2
£M

LEVEL 3
£M

TOTAL
£M

Equity investment at FVOCI
Currency derivative assets

Assets

Interest rate derivative liabilities

Liabilities

–
–

–

–

–

39
2

41

1

1

–
–

–

–

–

39
2

41

1

1

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

1

1

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

1

1

During the year ended 31 December 2018 there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and no transfers into and 
out of Level 3 fair value measures.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
155

Capital management
The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development 
of the business. The Company’s objective for managing its capital is to ensure that Group entities will be able to continue as a going concern while 
maximising the return to shareholders, as well as sustaining the future development of its business. In order to maintain or adjust the capital 
structure, the Group may alter the total amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, draw down 
additional debt or reduce debt.

The Group’s capital structure consists of debt, which includes the loans and borrowings disclosed in Note 21, cash and cash equivalents disclosed in 
Note 20 and the equity attributable to the parent, comprising share capital, reserves and retained earnings, as disclosed in the consolidated statement 
of changes in equity. The Group seeks to maintain a balance between the higher returns that might be possible with higher levels of borrowings and 
the advantages and security afforded by a sound capital position.

One of the Group’s subsidiaries, CDLHT which is a stapled group comprising CDL Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust (“H-REIT”) and 
CDL Hospitality Business Trust (“HBT”), a business trust, is required to maintain certain minimum base capital and financial resources.

H-REIT is subject to the aggregate leverage limit as defined in the Property Fund Appendix of the Code on Collective Investment Schemes (“CIS 
Code”) issued by Monetary Authority of Singapore. The CIS Code stipulates that the total borrowings and deferred payments (together the 
“Aggregate Leverage”) of a property fund should not exceed 45.0% of its Deposited Property except that the Aggregate Leverage of a property fund 
may exceed 45.0% of its Deposited Property (up to a maximum of 60.0%) if a credit rating of the property fund from Fitch Inc., Moody’s or 
Standard and Poor’s is obtained and disclosed to the public. The property fund should continue to maintain and disclose a credit rating so long as its 
Aggregate Leverage exceeds 45.0% of its Deposited Property.

For this financial year, H-REIT has a credit rating of BBB- from Fitch Inc. The Aggregate Leverage of H-REIT as at 31 December 2018 was 34.2% 
(2017: 32.6%) of H-REIT’s Deposited Property. This complied with the aggregate leverage limit as described above.

HBT, H-REIT and CDLHT have complied with the borrowing limit requirements imposed by the relevant Trust Deeds and all externally imposed 
capital requirements for the financial years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017.

Except for the above, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

23   EMpLoyEE BENEFITS
Pension arrangements
The Group operates various funded pension schemes which are established in accordance with local conditions and practices within the countries 
concerned. The most significant funds are described below.

United Kingdom
The pension arrangements in the United Kingdom operate under the ’Millennium & Copthorne Pension Plan’, which was set up in 1993. The plan 
operates a funded defined benefit arrangement together with a defined contribution plan, both with different categories of membership. The defined 
benefit section of the plan was closed to new entrants in 2001 and at the same time rights to a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (”GMPs“) under the 
defined contribution scheme also ceased. The plan entitles a retired employee to receive an annual pension payment.

The contributions required are determined by a qualified actuary on the basis of triennial valuations using the projected unit credit method. The last 
full actuarial valuation of this scheme was carried out by a qualified independent actuary as at 5 April 2017 and this has been updated on an 
approximate basis to 31 December 2018. The contributions of the Group during the year were 11% (2017: 24%) of pensionable salary.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018156

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

As the defined benefit section is closed to new entrants, the current service cost, as a percentage of pensionable payroll is likely to increase as the 
membership ages, although it will be applied to a decreasing pensionable payroll. The assumptions which have the most significant effect on the 
results of the valuation are those relating to the discount rate and the rates of increase in salaries and pensions.

South Korea
The Group operates a defined benefit pension plan for its employees in South Korea. The contributions required are determined by an external 
qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. The most recent valuation was carried out on 31 December 2018. The assumptions which 
have the most significant effect on the results of the valuations are those relating to the discount rate and rate of increase in salaries.

Taiwan
The Group operates a defined benefit pension plan for its employees in Taiwan. The contributions required are determined by an external qualified 
actuary using the projected unit credit method. The most recent valuation was carried out on 31 December 2018. The contributions of the Group 
were no less than 6% (2017: 6%) of the employees’ earnings. The assumptions which have the most significant effect on the results of the valuations 
are those relating to the discount rate and rate of increase in salaries.

The defined benefit plans are administered by pension funds that are legally separated from the Group. The boards of the pension funds are required 
by law to act in the best interests of the plan participants.

These defined benefit plans expose the Group to actuarial risks, such as longevity risk, currency risk, interest rate risk and market investment risk.

The above plans are substantially funded by the Group’s subsidiaries. The funding requirements are based on the pension funds’ actuarial 
measurement framework set out in the funding policies of the plans.

The assets of each scheme have been taken at market value and the liabilities have been calculated using the following principal assumptions:

Inflation rate
Discount rate
Rate of salary increase
Rate of pension increases
Rate of revaluation

2018
uK

3.5% 
2.9%
4.0%
3.3%
2.5%

2018
SouTh 
KorEA

 2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
–
–

2018
TAIwAN

 –
1.0%
3.0%
–
–

2017
UK

3.5% 
2.5%
4.0%
3.5%
2.5%

2017
SOUTH 
KOREA

 3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
–
–

2017
TAIWAN

 –
1.0%
3.0%
–
–

The methodology for computing the discount rate has changed during 2018 from the spot method to the yield range method.

The assumptions used by the actuaries are the best estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions, which due to the timescale 
covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice. The present values of the schemes’ liabilities are derived from cash flow projections over long 
periods and are inherently uncertain.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc157

Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions consistent, would have 
altered the defined benefit obligation by the amounts shown below:

Discount rate (1% movement)

Rate of salary increase (1% movement)

DEFINED BENEFIT OBLIGATION

2018
INCrEASE
£M

2018
dECrEASE
£M

2017
INCREASE
£M

2017
DECREASE
£M

(12)    

1

14

(1)    

(14)    

2

14

(2)    

Although the analysis does not take account of the full distribution of cash flows expected under the plans, it does provide an approximation of the 
sensitivity of the assumptions shown.

Amounts recognised on the balance sheet are as follows:

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of plan assets

Plan deficit

2018
uK
£M

66
(58)    

8

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

4
(4)    

–

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
oThEr
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

10
(6)    

4

2
–

2

82
(68)    

14

Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations are as follows:

2017
UK
£M

74
(63)    

11

2017
UK
£M

75
–
2

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

5
(5)    

–

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

5
–
–

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
OTHER
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

11
(5)    

6

2
–

2

92
(73)    

19

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
OTHER
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

11
–
–

2
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

2

93
–
2

(4)    

–
1
(2)    
2

92

2018
uK
£M

74
1
2

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

5
–
–

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
oThEr
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

11
–
–

92
1
2

2
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

2

(2)    

(1)    

(1)    

(9)  
–
–
–

66

–
–
–
–

4

–
–
–
–

10

(4)    

(2)    

(1)    

(1)    

(9)  
–
–
–

82

1
–
(2)    
–

74

–
–
–
1

5

–
–
–
1

11

Balance at 1 January
Past service cost
Interest cost
Benefits paid, death in service 
insurance premiums and expenses
Remeasurement losses/ 
(gains) arising from:
– Financial assumptions
– Demographic assumptions
– Experience adjustment
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December

Annual Report & Accounts 2018158

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

Balance at 1 January
Interest income
Group contributions
Benefits paid
Remeasurement gains arising from:
– Return/(loss) on plan assets excluding interest income

Balance at 31 December

Actual return/(loss) on plan assets

The fair values of plan assets in each category are as follows:

Quoted equities
Bonds
Property
Cash and cash equivalents

2018
uK
£M

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

63
2
–
(2)    

(5)  

58

(3)  

2018
uK
£M

19
4
1
34

58

5
–
–
(1)    

–

4

–

5
–
2
(1)    

–

6

–

73
2
2
(4)    

(5)  

68

(3)  

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

–
4
–
–

4

–
–
–
6

6

19
8
1
40

68

2017
UK
£M

60
2
–
(2)    

3

63

5

2017
UK
£M

22
4
–
37

63

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

5
–
1
(1)    

–

5

–

5
–
1
(1)    

–

5

–

70
2
2
(4)    

3

73

5

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

–
5
–
–

5

–
–
–
5

5

22
9
–
42

73

The Group values plan assets in accordance with IAS 19 as follows:           

•  Quoted equities listed on recognised stock exchanges are valued at closing bid prices;

•  Bonds are measured using pricing models making assumptions for credit risk, market risk and market yield curves; and

•  Properties are valued on the basis of the open market value.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc159

The expense recognised in the income statement is as follows:

Current service cost
Past service cost *
Interest cost
Interest income

2018
uK
£M

–
1
2
(2)    

1

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
oThEr
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
1
2
(2)    

1

2017
UK
£M

–
–
2
(2)    

–

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

1
–
–
–

1

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
OTHER
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

1
–
2
(2)    

1

*  The English High Court ruling in Lloyds Banking Group Pension Trustees Limited v Lloyds Bank plc and others was published on 26 October 2018, and held that UK pension schemes with GMPs accrued 
from 17 May 1990 must equalise for the different effects of these GMPs between men and women. The estimated GMP equalisation impact for the UK scheme is an increase of 1.83% of the total value of 
scheme liabilities on the IAS19 basis as at 31 December 2018, or £1m.

Total cost is recognised within the following items in the income statement:

Administrative expenses

The gains or losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income are as follows:

2018
£M

1

2017
£M

1

Actual return less expected 
return on plan assets
Remeasurement (losses)/ 
gains arising from
–  Financial assumptions
–  Experience adjustment
Defined benefit plan 
remeasurement gains/(losses)

2018
uK
£M

(5)  

9
–

4

2018
SouTh
KorEA
£M

2018
TAIwAN
£M

2018
oThEr
£M

2018
ToTAL
£M

2017
UK
£M

2017
SOUTH
KOREA
£M

2017
TAIWAN
£M

2017
OTHER
£M

2017
TOTAL
£M

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

(5)  

3

9
–

4

(1)    
2

4

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

Actuarial losses recognised directly in equity are as follows:

Cumulative as at 1 January
Remeasurement gains recognised during the year

Cumulative as at 31 December

2018
£M

23
(4)    

19

3

(1)    
2

4

2017
£M

27
(4)    

23

Annual Report & Accounts 2018160

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

The life expectancies underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the UK Plan, based on retirement age of 65, are as follows:

Males
Females

2018
yEArS

22
24

2017
YEARS

24
26

The weighted-average duration of the defined benefit obligations as at 31 December 2018 was 18 years (2017: 25). The Group expects £2m in 
contributions to be paid to the defined benefit plans in 2019.

The Group monitors the deficit of the fund and believes any risk associated with the deficit is mitigated by the Group’s strong balance sheet 
position.

Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of share option schemes, a majority being designed to link remuneration to the future performance of the Group. 
Details of these schemes are given in the Remuneration Committee report.

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy 2.2N(iv) on share-based payment transactions, the fair value of share options and long-term 
incentive awards is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and spread 
over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the share options and long-term incentive awards.

The charge to the income statement for the year was £nil (2017: £nil).

The Group has applied IFRS 2 to its active employee share-based payment arrangements from 1 January 2005 except for arrangements granted 
before 7 November 2002.

(i)  Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
Performance Share Awards under this scheme are awarded to Executive Directors and senior management of the Group.

DATE OF AWARDS

03.08.2015
10.09.2015
29.03.2016
27.06.2018

AWARDS 
OUTSTANDING 
AS AT  
1 JAN 2018

AWARDS 
AWARDED 
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS  
VESTED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS 
FORFEITED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS 
EXPIRED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AwArdS 
ouTSTANdINg 
AS AT  
31 dEC 2018

CREDITED 
TO SHARE 
CAPITAL  
£M

CREDITED 
TO SHARE  
PREMIUM 
£M

VESTING
DATE

219,362
11,867
185,643
–

–
–
–
178,299

416,872

178,299

–
–
–
–

–

(182,601)
(11,867)
(148,515)
(178,299)

(521,282)

–
–
–
–

–

36,761
–
37,128
–

73,889

–
–
–
–

–

– 03.08.2018 
– 10.09.2018 
– 29.03.2019 
– 27.06.2021

–

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
161

(ii)  Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 2006 and 2016 Sharesave Schemes
Share options under this scheme are granted to UK based employees.

DATE OF AWARDS

19.04.2013
06.05.2014
06.05.2014
14.04.2015
14.04.2015
12.04.2016
12.04.2016
11.04.2017
11.04.2017
05.06.2018
05.06.2018

EXERCISE
PRICE
PER SHARE
£

AWARDS 
OUTSTANDING 
AS AT 
1 JAN 2018

AWARDS
AWARDED
DURING
THE YEAR

AWARDS
VESTED
DURING
THE YEAR

AWARDS
FORFEITED
DURING
THE YEAR

AwArdS
ouTSTANdINg
AS AT
31 dEC 2018

CREDITED
TO SHARE
CAPITAL
£M

CREDITED
TO SHARE
PREMIUM
£M

EXERCISE PERIOD

4.480
4.460
4.460
4.690
4.690
3.300
3.300
3.660
3.660
4.360
4.360

2,677
15,731
941
29,721
5,371
106,717
909
43,798
2,867
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
57,582
1,582

(669)  
(5,325)    
–
(24,737)  
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(10,406)  
–
(3,528)    
(639)    
(5,343)    
–
(6,094)    
(409)    
(1,402)  
–

208,732

59,164

(30,731)  

(27,821)  

2,008
–
941
1,456
4,732
101,374
909
37,704
2,458
56,180
1,582

209,344

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–  01.08.2018–31.01.2019 
–  01.08.2017–31.01.2018 
–  01.08.2019–31.01.2020 
–  01.08.2018–31.01.2019 
–  01.08.2020–31.01.2021 
–  01.08.2019–31.01.2020 
–  01.08.2021–31.01.2022 
–  01.08.2020–31.01.2021 
–  01.08.2022–31.01.2023 
– 01.08.2021–31.01.2022 
– 01.08.2023–31.01.2024 

–

The weighted average share price at the dates of exercise of share options in the year was £4.60 (2017: £5.59).

The options outstanding at the year-end have an exercise price in the range of £3.30 to £4.69 (2017: £3.30 to £4.69) and a weighted average 
contractual life of 1.88 years (2017: 2.07 years).

(iii)  Annual Bonus Plan (“ABP”)
Under the ABP, deferred share awards are granted annually to selected employees of the Group. Shares in Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc are 
transferred to participants as follows if they continue to be employed by the Group:

•  2015 awards, at the end of three years; and

•  2016, 2017 and 2018 awards, 25% after years one and two and 50% after three years.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018162

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

The fair values for the deferred share awards were determined using the market price of the shares at the date of grant. The share price for deferred 
share awards granted in 2018 was £4.68 (2017: £4.62).

DATE OF AWARDS

08.09.2015
06.11.2015
13.05.2016
12.08.2016
09.11.2016
14.06.2017
14.12.2018

AWARDS 
OUTSTANDING  
AS AT  
1 JAN 2018

AWARDS  
AWARDED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS  
VESTED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS  
FORFEITED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AWARDS  
EXPIRED  
DURING 
THE  
YEAR

AwArdS 
ouTSTANdINg  
AS AT 31 dEC 
2018

CREDITED 
TO  
SHARE 
CAPITAL 
£M

CREDITED 
TO  
SHARE 
PREMIUM 
£M

VESTING DATES

46,074
4,325
35,904
1,782
732
46,978
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
57,358

(33,905)  
(4,325)  
(8,855)    
(594)    
(244)  
(9,493)  
–

(10,639)    
–
(10,040)    
–
–
(10,363)    
–

135,795

57,358

(57,416)    

(31,042)    

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

1,530
–
17,009
1,188
488
27,122
57,358

104,695

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

08.09.2018
–
06.11.2018
–
13.05.2017/8/9
–
12.08.2017/8/9
–
09.11.2017/8/9
–
–
14.06.2018/9/20
– 14.12.2019/20/21

–

(iv)  Executive Share Plan (“ESP”)
The ESP was approved by the Company on 18 February 2016 to replace participation in the LTIP by senior executive management. These awards 
will vest over a three year period (25% after years one and two, 50% after three years), subject to the rules of the ESP.

The fair values for the awards were determined using the market price of the shares at the date of grant. The share price for awards granted in 2018 
was £4.66 (2017: £4.65).

DATE OF AWARDS

29.03.2016
15.08.2017
04.12.2018

AWARDS 
OUTSTANDING 
AS AT 
1 JAN 2018

AWARDS
AWARDED
DURING
THE YEAR

AWARDS
VESTED
DURING
THE YEAR

AWARDS
FORFEITED
DURING
THE YEAR

AWARDS
EXPIRED
DURING
THE YEAR

AwArdS
ouTSTANdINg
AS AT
31 dEC 2018

CREDITED
TO SHARE
CAPITAL
£M

CREDITED
TO SHARE
PREMIUM
£M

VESTING DATES

24,464
56,838
–

81,302

–
–
65,649

(8,154)  
(14,211)  
–

65,649

(22,365)  

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

16,310
42,627
65,649

124,586

–
–
–

–

29.03.2017/8/9
–
–
15.08.2018/9/20
– 04.12.2019/20/21

–

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
 
163

Awards/options granted
The following awards/options were granted in the current and comparative years:

2018 AWARDS

Executive Share Plan
Executive Share Plan
Executive Share Plan
Sharesave Scheme (3 year)
Sharesave Scheme (5 year)
Deferred Share Awards
Deferred Share Awards
Deferred Share Awards

2017 AWARDS

Executive Share Plan
Executive Share Plan
Executive Share Plan
Sharesave Scheme (3 year)
Sharesave Scheme (5 year)
Deferred Share Awards

AWARDS/OPTIONS 
GRANTED

 DATE OF

GRANT DIRECTORS

NON-
DIRECTORS

SHARE PRICE
PREVAILING
ON DATE OF
GRANT
£

EXERCISE
PRICE
£

FAIR
VALUE
£

EXPECTED
TERM
(YEARS)

EXPECTED
VOLATILITY

EXPECTED
DIVIDEND
YIELD

RISK-FREE
INTEREST
RATES

04.12.2018
04.12.2018
04.12.2018
05.06.2018
05.06.2018
14.12.2018
14.12.2018
14.12.2018

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

16,412
16,412
32,825
57,582
1,582
14,340
14,340
28,678

4.66
4.66
4.66
5.32
5.32
4.68
4.68
4.68

–
–
–
4.36
4.36
–
–
–

4.60
4.53
4.47
1.35
1.54
4.61
4,55
4.48

1.00
2.00
3.00
3.16
5.16
1.00
2.00
3.00

–
–
–
26.0%
26.0%
–
–
–

1.39%
1.39%
1.39%
1.22%
1.22%
1.39%
1.39%
1.39%

–
–
–
0.75%
0.97%
–
–
–

AWARDS/OPTIONS 
GRANTED

 DATE OF

GRANT DIRECTORS

NON-
DIRECTORS

SHARE PRICE
PREVAILING
ON DATE OF
GRANT
£

EXERCISE
PRICE
£

FAIR
VALUE
£

EXPECTED
TERM
(YEARS)

EXPECTED
VOLATILITY

EXPECTED
DIVIDEND
YIELD

RISK-FREE
INTEREST
RATES

15.08.2017
15.08.2017
15.08.2017
11.04.2017
11.04.2017
14.06.2017

–
–
–
–
–
–

14,210
14,210
28,418
46,550
11,226
55,750

4.65
4.65
4.65
4.47
4.47
4.62

–
–
–
3.66
3.66
–

4.57
4.50
4.42
1.05
1.09
4.62

1.00
2.00
3.00
3.31
5.31
3.00

–
–
–
26.0%
24.0%
–

1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%

–
–
–
0.2%
0.4%
–

Measurement of fair value
The LTIP and Sharesave awards, which are subject to an EPS performance condition, were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation method. The 
LTIP awards which are subject to a share price related performance condition (i.e. TSR) were valued using the Monte Carlo valuation method.

The option pricing model involves six variables:

•  Exercise price

•  Share price at grant

•  Expected term

•   Expected volatility of share price

•   Risk-free interest rate

•   Expected dividend yield

Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
164

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

24  provISIoNS

Balance at 1 January 2018
Recognised during the year
Foreign exchange adjustments

Balance at 31 December 2018

Analysed as:
Non-current provision
Current provision

Total provision

LEGAL
£M

BEIJING 
INDEMNITY
£M

TOTAL
£M

2
–
–

2

–
2

2

9
–
–

9

9
–

9

11
–
–

11

9
2

11

Provision for legal fees as at 31 December 2018 of £2m (2017: £2m) relates to disputes in several hotels. The Beijing indemnity of £9m (2017: 
£9m) relate to the tax indemnity to the former shareholders of Grand Millennium Hotel Beijing in which the Group acquired an additional 40% 
interest in 2010.

25  oThEr NoN-CurrENT LIABILITIES

Other liabilities

2018
£M

15

2017
£M

13

26  dEFErrEd TAXATIoN
Movements in deferred tax liabilities and assets (prior to offsetting balances) during the year are as follows:

CHARGED/(CREDITED)   TO INCOME 
STATEMENT

AT
1 JANuAry
2018
£M

CHANGE IN
TAX RATE
£M

OTHER
ADJUSTMENT
TO OPENING
PROVISION
£M

CURRENT 
YEAR
MOVEMENT
£M

ACQUISITION 
OF
SUBSIDIARY
£M

CHARGED TO
RESERVES
£M

EXCHANGE ON
TRANSLATION
£M

AT
31 dECEMBEr
2018
£M

Deferred tax liabilities
Property assets1

Deferred tax assets
Tax losses
Employee benefits2
Others

Net deferred tax liabilities

239

239

(48)    
(4)    
1

(51)    

188

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

2
4
(4)  

2

2

(14)    

(14)    

(9)  
–
(1)  

(10)    

(24)  

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
1
–

1

1

9

9

(3)  
(1)  
–

(4)  

5

234

234

(58)    
–
(4)  

(62)    

172

1  Property assets comprise plant, property and equipment, lease premium prepayment and investment properties.
2  Employee benefits comprise defined benefit pension schemes and share-based payment arrangements.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc165

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when 
deferred taxes relate to the same taxation authority.

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items because it is not probable that future taxable profit will be available 
against which the Group can utilise the benefits.

Deductible temporary differences
Tax losses
Adjustments due to:
– Tax losses in respect of prior year

2018
£M

–
3

18

21

2017
£M

1
2

15

18

The deductible temporary differences do not expire under current tax legislation. The tax losses are subject to agreement by the tax authorities and 
compliance with tax regulations in the respective countries in which certain subsidiaries operate.

The gross tax losses with expiry dates are as follows:

Expiry dates:
– within 1 to 5 years
– after 5 years
– no expiry date

2018
£M

25
8
81

114

2017
£M

14
6
76

96

At 31 December 2018, a deferred tax liability of £8m (2017: £13m) relating to undistributed reserves of overseas subsidiaries and joint ventures of 
£1,000m (2017: £1,000m) has not been recognised because the Group determined that the distributions will not be made and the liability will not 
be incurred in the foreseeable future.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018166

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

27  TrAdE ANd oThEr pAyABLES

Trade payables
Other creditors including taxation and social security:
– Social security and other taxes
– Value added tax and similar sales taxes
– Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
Rental and other deposits

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risks related to trade and other payables are disclosed in Note 22.

28  dIvIdENdS

Final ordinary dividend paid
Interim ordinary dividend paid

Total dividends paid

2018
pENCE

4.42
2.08

6.50

2017
PENCE

5.66
2.08

7.74

Subsequent to 31 December 2018, the Directors declared the following final dividends, which have not been provided for:

Final ordinary dividend

All dividends paid during 2018 and 2017 were in cash.

2018
pENCE

2.15

2017
PENCE

4.42

2018
£M

32

13
12
26
111
24
2

220

2018
£M

14
7

21

2018
£M

7

2017
£M

27

12
13
31
100
20
5

208

2017
£M

18
7

25

2017
£M

14

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc167

29  ShArE CApITAL

Balance at 1 January 2018
Issue of ordinary shares on exercise of share options

Balance at 31 December 2018

NUMBER OF 
30P SHARES 
ALLOTTED, 
CALLED UP AND 
FULLY PAID

324,760,755
30,731

324,791,486

All of the share capital is equity share capital. Holders of these shares are entitled to dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one 
vote per share at general meetings of the Company. All rights attached to the Company’s shares held by the Group are suspended until those shares 
are reissued.

At the year end, options over 209,344 ordinary shares remain outstanding under the Sharesave Scheme and are exercisable between now and 31 
January 2024 at exercise prices between £3.30 and £4.69. Awards made under the LTIP of 73,889 ordinary shares and ESP of 124,586 ordinary 
shares remain unvested and may potentially vest between now and 29 March 2019 for awards under the LTIP and between now and 4 December 
2021 for awards under the ESP. Lastly, 104,695 options under the ABP may potentially vest between now and 14 December 2021.

During the year Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc issued invitations to UK employees under the Sharesave Scheme to enter into a three-year 
savings contract or a five-year savings contract with an option to purchase shares at an option price of £4.36 on expiry of the savings contract.

30  rESErvES
Cash flow hedge reserve
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow instruments related to the hedged 
transactions that have not yet occurred (net of tax).

Translation reserve
The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations, as 
well as from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Group’s net investment in foreign operations (net of tax).

Treasury share reserve
An employee benefit trust established by the Group held 2,483 shares at 31 December 2018 (2017: 3,437) to satisfy the vesting of awards. During 
the year 21,411 shares (2017: 23,221) were purchased by the trust at a weighted average cost of £5.27 per share. At 31 December 2018, the cost of 
shares held by the trust was £12,837 (2017: £16,575), whilst the market value of these shares at 31 December 2018 was £11,608 (2017: £20,106). 
Shares purchased by the trust are treated as treasury shares which are deducted from equity and excluded from the calculations of earnings per share.

Fair value reserve
The fair value reserve includes the cumulative change in the fair value of equity investments at FVOCI.

31  FINANCIAL CoMMITMENTS

(a) Capital commitments at the end of the financial year which are contracted but not provided for

The Group’s share of the capital commitments of joint ventures and associates is shown in Note 15.

2018
£M

94

2017
£M

70

Annual Report & Accounts 2018168

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

(b) Total commitments under non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable by the Group as follows:

– less than one year
– between one and five years
– more than five years

2018
£M

15
45
198

258

(c) The Group leases out certain of its properties under operating leases. The future minimum lease rentals receivable by the Group under 
non-cancellable leases are as follows:

– less than one year
– between one and five years
– more than five years

2018
£M

38
98
122

258

2017
£M

12
38
167

217

2017
£M

35
105
93

233

Future minimum lease rentals receivable under non-cancellable leases includes all future rentals receivable up to the period when those leases expire 
or become cancellable.

During the year ended 31 December 2018, £51m (2017: £50m) was recognised as rental income in the income statement and £3m (2017: £2m) in 
respect of repairs and maintenance was recognised as an expense in the income statement relating to investment properties.

32  CoNTINgENCIES ANd SuBSEquENT EvENTS
In the course of its operations the Group is routinely exposed to potential liabilities for claims made by employees and contractual or tortious claims 
made by third parties. No material losses are anticipated from such exposures. There were no contingent liabilities or guarantees other than those 
arising in the ordinary course of business and on these no material losses are anticipated. The Group has insurance cover up to certain limits for 
major risks on property and major claims in connection with legal liabilities arising in the course of its operations. Otherwise the Group generally 
carries its own risk. The Group believes that the accruals and provisions carried on the balance sheet are sufficient to cover these risks.

Other than the above transactions, there are no events subsequent to the balance sheet date which require adjustments to or disclosure within these 
consolidated financial statements except for those stated below:

•  On 14 February 2019, the Group provided an irrevocable undertaking to take up its full entitlement of FSGL’s proposed rights issue of new PCCS 
for a total cost of S$53m (£30m). As part of the capital funding proposal, 1 new free warrant will be issued for every 1 new PCCS subscribed for; 
in addition, 1 new bonus warrant will be issued for every 10 existing ordinary shares held in FSGL. Also, as part of the proposal additional funds 
would be required within the next five years should the Group choose to exercise its rights in respect of the new warrants and this will amount to 
S$90m (£52m) if all warrants are exercised; and

•  On 24 January 2019, FSGL acquired a bare shell 65-room hotel located in Milan, Italy for a total consideration of approximately €11m (£10m).

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc169

33  rELATEd pArTIES
Identity of related parties
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Details of 
transactions between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below. All transactions with related parties were entered into in the normal 
course of business and at arm’s length.

The Group has a related party relationship with its joint ventures, associates and with its Directors and executive officers.

Transactions with ultimate holding company and other related companies
The Group has a related party relationship with certain subsidiaries of Hong Leong Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd (“Hong Leong”) which is the 
ultimate holding and controlling company of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc and holds 65.2% (2017: 65.2%) of the Company’s shares via 
CDL, the intermediate holding company of the Group. During the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group had the following transactions with 
those subsidiaries.

The Group deposited certain surplus cash with Hong Leong Finance Limited, a subsidiary of Hong Leong, on normal commercial terms. As at 
31 December 2018, £2m (2017: £4m) of cash was deposited with Hong Leong Finance Limited.

Fees paid/payable by the Group to CDL and its other subsidiaries were £3m (2017: £3m) which included rentals paid for the Grand Shanghai 
restaurant and King’s Centre; property management fees for Tanglin Shopping Centre; charges for car parking, leasing commission and professional 
services.

Transactions with key management personnel
The beneficial interest of the Directors and their connected persons in the ordinary shares of the Company was 0.16% (2017: 0.16%).

In addition to their salaries, the Group also provides non-cash benefits to Directors and executive officers and contributes to a post-employment 
defined contribution plan depending on the date of commencement of employment. The defined contribution plan does not have a specified 
pension payable on retirement and benefits are determined by the extent to which the individual’s fund can buy an annuity in the market at 
retirement.

Executive officers also participate in the Group’s share option programme, Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Group’s Sharesave schemes. The key 
management personnel compensation is as follows:

Short-term employee benefits

Directors
Executives

2018
£M

7

1
6

7

2017
£M

6

1
5

6

Annual Report & Accounts 2018170

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

34  rELATEd uNdErTAKINgS
The full list of the Company’s related undertakings as at 31 December 2018 are set out below:

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

FULL NAME

Aircoa Equity Interests Inc.

Aircoa GP Corporation

Aircoa, LLC

All Seasons Hotels & Resorts Limited

Anchorage-Lakefront Limited Partnership

Archyield Limited

ATOS Holding GmbH

Aurora Inn Operating Partnership L.P.

Avon Wynfield Inn, Ltd.

Avon Wynfield LLC

Beijing Fortune Hotel Co. Ltd.

Biltmore Place Operations Corp.

Birkenhead Holdings Pty. Ltd.

100%

100%

100%

76%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

70%

100%

76%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

Austria

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

People’s Republic
of China

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Birkenhead Investments Pty. Ltd.

76%

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Bostonian Hotel Limited Partnership

Buffalo Operating Partnership L.P.

Buffalo RHM Operating LLC

CDL (New York) LLC

CDL (NYL) Limited

CDL Entertainment & Leisure Pte Ltd

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

Republic of
Singapore 

CDL Hospitality Trusts1

37%

Associated undertakings Republic of

Singapore

7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, 
New Zealand
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Schulhof 6/1st fl , 1010 Vienna,
Austria
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Building No. 5, 7 DongSanHuan
Middle Road, Chaoyang District,
Bejing, P.R.China 100020
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
See note below1

Holding Company

Hotel ownership

Holding Company

Dormant

Hotel owner

Hotel owner and operator

Investment holding

Hotel ownership

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner

Hotel owner and operator

Liquor licence holder

Holding company

Property Investment &
Management

Hotel owner

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner

Hotel owner

Investment holding

Provision of management
services and investment
holding
See note below1

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc171

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

FULL NAME

CDL Hotels (Chelsea) Limited

CDL Hotels (Korea) Ltd.

CDL Hotels (Labuan) Limited

CDL Hotels (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

CDL Hotels (U.K.) Limited

CDL Hotels Holdings Japan Limited

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of Korea

Indirect subsidiary

Malaysia

Indirect subsidiary

Malaysia

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

CDL Hotels Holdings New Zealand Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

CDL Hotels Japan Pte. Ltd.

40%

Associated undertakings Republic of

CDL Hotels USA, Inc.

CDL Investments New Zealand Limited

CDL Land New Zealand Limited

CDL West 45th Street LLC

Chicago Hotel Holdings, Inc.

Cincinnati S.I. Co.

City Century Pte. Ltd.

100%

50%

50%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

Republic of
Singapore

Republic of
Singapore

Republic of
Singapore

City Elite Pte Ltd

100%

Indirect subsidiary

City Hotels Pte Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Context Securities Limited

Copthorne (Nominees) Limited

Copthorne Aberdeen Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Birmingham) Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Cardiff) Limited

76%

100%

83%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Copthorne Hotel (Effingham Park) Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Jung-gu Sowolro 50, Seoul,
South Korea 04637
Tiara Labuan, Jalan Tanjung Batu,
87000 F.T. Labuan, Malaysia
Level 8, Symphony House, 
Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, 
Jalan PJU 1A/46,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, 
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Hotel investment holding
company
Investment and property
management company
Property investment and
development
Hotel owner

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner

Restaurateur

Restaurateur

Hotel operator

Investment holding

Investment holding

Hotel management

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Annual Report & Accounts 2018172

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

FULL NAME

Copthorne Hotel (Gatwick) Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Manchester) Limited

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Copthorne Hotel (Merry Hill) Construction Limited 100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Copthorne Hotel (Merry Hill) Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Newcastle) Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Plymouth) Limited

Copthorne Hotel (Slough) Limited

Copthorne Hotel Holdings Limited

Copthorne Hotels Limited

100%

96%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Copthorne Orchid Hotel Singapore Pte. Ltd. 

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Copthorne Orchid Penang Sdn. Bhd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Malaysia

Diplomat Hotel Holding Limited

Durham Operating Partnership L.P.

Elite Hotel Management Services Pte. Ltd.

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Fergurson Hotel Management Limited

50%

Associated undertakings Hong Kong

First 2000 Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

First Sponsor Group Limited

36%

Associated undertakings Cayman Islands

Five Star Assurance, Inc.

Four Peaks Management Company

Gateway Holdings Corporation I

Gateway Hotel Holdings, Inc.

Gateway Regal Holdings LLC

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Level 8, Symphony House, 
Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, 
Jalan PJU 1A/46,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Unit 606, 6th Floor, 
Alliance Building,
133 Connaught Road 
Central, Hong Kong
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, 
Wanchai, Hong Kong
190 Elgin Avenue, George Town,
KY1-9005 Grand Cayman, 
Cayman Islands
1401 Eye St., NW, Suite 600,
Washington D.C. 20005
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Investment holding

Hotel investment holding

Property owner and
developer

Hotel owner

Investment holding

Hotel ownership

Hotel management
consultancy services

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment Holding

Captive insurance
company
Arizona condominium
management
Holding company

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner and operator

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc173

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

FULL NAME

Grand Plaza Hotel Corporation

Harbour Land Corporation

66%

41%

Indirect subsidiary

Philippines

Associated undertakings Philippines

Harbour View Hotel Pte. Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Harrow Entertainment Pte Ltd

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Republic of
Singapore

Hong Leong Ginza TMK

70%

Indirect subsidiary

Japan

Hong Leong Hotel Development Limited

Hong Leong Hotels Pte Ltd.

86%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Taiwan

Indirect subsidiary

Cayman Islands

Hong Leong International Hotel 
(Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Hospitality Group Limited

Hospitality Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Hospitality Leases Limited

Hospitality Services Limited

Hospitality Ventures Pte. Ltd.

Hotel Liverpool Limited

Hotel Liverpool Management Limited

Hotelcorp New Zealand Pty. Ltd.

97%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

76%

100%

76%

76%

100%

100%

100%

76%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

International Design Link Pte. Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

KIN Holdings Limited

King’s Tanglin Shopping Pte. Ltd.

76%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

10 Floor, Heritage Hotel Manila,
EDSA corner Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City, Philippines 1300
10 Floor, Heritage Hotel Manila,
EDSA corner Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City, Philippines 1300
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
4-1 Nihonbashi 1-chome, 
Chuo-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
2 Song Shou Road, Xinyi District,
Taipei 11051, Taiwan
PO Box 309 Ugland House, 
Grand Cayman, KY1-1104 
Cayman Islands
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Hotel owner and operator
and investment holding
company
Land owner

Hotel operator

Investment holding

Property owner

Hotel owner and operator

Investment holding
company

Investment holding

Holding company and 
property owner
Investment holding
company

Lessee company

Hotel operation/
management
Investment holding

Property letting

Operating company

Holding company

Dormant and in the 
process of striking off

Holding company

Property owner

Annual Report & Accounts 2018174

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

FULL NAME

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

Kingsgate Holdings Pty. Ltd.

76%

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Kingsgate Hotel Pty. Ltd.

76%

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Kingsgate Hotels and Resorts Limited

Kingsgate Hotels Limited

Kingsgate International Corporation Limited

Kingsgate Investments Pty. Ltd.

Lakeside Operating Partnership L.P.

London Britannia Hotel Limited

London Tara Hotel Limited

M&C Asia Finance (UK) Limited

M&C Asia Holdings (UK) Limited

M & C (CB) Limited

M & C (CD) Limited

M & C Management Services (USA) Inc.

M & C NZ Limited

M & C Reservations Services Limited

76%

76%

76%

76%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

M&C Business Trust Management Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

M&C Colorado Hotel Corporation

M&C Crescent Corporation

M&C Crescent Interests, LLC

M&C Finance (1) Limited

M&C Holdings (Thailand) Ltd.

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

Thailand

Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF

9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
75 White Group Tower II, 11th 
Floor, Soi Rubia, Sukhumvit 42 
Road, Kwaeng Phrakanong Khet
Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Holding company

Dormant

Franchise holder (Kingsgate)

Dormant

Investment holding

Investment company

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Finance company

Investment holding

Investment company

Investment holding

Management services
company
Holding company

Provider of reservation
services to hotel owners
and operators
Provision of property fund
management services

Holding company

Investment holding

Property owner

Finance company

Investment holding and
hotel management

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc175

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

FULL NAME

M&C Holdings Delaware Partnership

M&C Holdings, LLC

M&C Hotel Enterprises (Asia) Limited

M&C Hotel Interests, Inc.

M&C Hotel Investments Pte. Ltd.

M&C Hotels France Management SARL

M&C Hotels France SAS

M&C Hotels Holdings Japan Pte. Ltd.

M&C Hotels Holdings Limited

M&C Hotels Holdings USA Limited

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

France

Indirect subsidiary

France

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

Cayman Islands

M&C Hotels Japan Pte. Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

M&C Hotels Partnership France SNC

M&C Hospitality Holdings (Asia) Limited

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

France

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

M&C Hospitality International Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

M&C Management Holdings Limited

M&C REIT Management Limited

M&C New York (Times Square), LLC

M&C New York Finance (UK) Limited

100%

100%

100%

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

M&C New York (Times Square) EAT II LLC

100%

Indirect subsidiary

USA

M&C Singapore Finance (UK) Limited

M&C Singapore Holdings (UK) Limited

M&C Sponsorship Limited

100%

100%

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

McCormick Ranch Operating Partnership L.P.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

USA

7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
12 Boulevard Haussmann, 
75009 Paris, France
12 Boulevard Haussmann, 
75009 Paris, France
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
PO Box 309 Ugland House, 
Grand Cayman, 
KY1-1104 Cayman Islands
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
12 Boulevard Haussmann, 
75009 Paris, France
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Property investment

Holding company

Investment holding

Hotel management
services company
Investment holding

Management company

Hotel owner

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

Investment holding

REIT investment
management services

Investment holding

Finance company

Hotel owner

Finance company

Investment holding

Other service activities

Hotel ownership

Annual Report & Accounts 2018176

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

FULL NAME

MHM, Inc.

Millennium Bostonian, Inc.

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

Millennium & Copthorne (Austrian 
Holdings) Limited
Millennium & Copthorne (Jersey Holdings) Limited100%

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium & Copthorne Hotel Holdings
(Hong Kong) Limited

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels 
(Hong Kong) Limited

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels 
Management (Shanghai) Limited
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels 
New Zealand Limited
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Pty. Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Hong Kong

76%

100%

76%

76%

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

People’s Republic
of China
New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Australia

Millennium & Copthorne International Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Millennium & Copthorne Pension Trustee Limited 100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium & Copthorne Share Trustees Limited

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium CDG Paris SAS

100%

Indirect subsidiary

France

Millennium Hotel Holdings EMEA Limited

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium Hotels & Resorts Services Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium Hotels Europe Holdings Limited

100%

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium Hotels Italy Holdings S.r.l.

Millennium Hotels Limited

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Italy

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium Hotels Palace Management S.r.l.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Millennium Hotels Property S.r.l.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Italy

Italy

Millennium Hotels (West London) Limited

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Millennium Hotels (West London)
Management Limited
Millennium Hotels London Limited

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

United Kingdom

Direct subsidiary

United Kingdom

7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
2803 Great Eagle Centre, 
23 Harbour Road, Wanchai,
Hong Kong
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
#1205, No. 511 Wei Hoi Road, 
Shanghai 200041, P.R. China
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Suite 7B, Zenith Residences, 
82-94 Darlinghurst 
Road, Potts Point,
Sydney 2011, Australia
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF

Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
2 Allée du Verger, 95700 
Roissy, France
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Via Vittorio Veneto, n. 70, 
Roma 00187, Italy
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Via Vittorio Veneto, n. 70, 
Roma 00187, Italy
Via Vittorio Veneto, n. 70, 
Roma 00187, Italy
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF
Victoria House, Victoria Road,
Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF

Hotel management

Holding company

Investment holding

Holding company

Investment and
development of hotels 
and hotel management
Provision of hotel
management and
consultancy services
Name-holding

Hotel management

Hotel investment holding
company
Name holding

Hotels and resorts
management

Pension trust acting
on behalf of company
trustees
Share trustee company

Hotel operator

Investment holding

Management contract
holding company
Investment holding

Holding company

Investment holding

Hotel operator

Property owner

Property letting

Hotel operator

Investment holding

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc177

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

FULL NAME

Millennium Opera Paris SAS

New Unity Holdings Ltd 

New York Sign LLC

100%

50%

50%

Indirect subsidiary

France

Associated undertakings BVI

Associated undertakings USA

Newbury Investments Pte Ltd

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Park Plaza Hotel Corporation

Prestons Road Limited

PT Millennium Hotels & Resorts

PT. Millennium Sirih Jakarta Hotel

QINZ (Anzac Avenue) Limited

QINZ Holdings (New Zealand) Limited

Quantum Limited

Regal Grand Holdings Corporation I

Regal Harvest House LP

Regal Hotel Management Inc.

Republic Hotels & Resorts Limited

100%

17%

100%

100%

76%

76%

76%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

USA

Indirect Associate

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Indonesia

Indirect subsidiary

Indonesia

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

New Zealand

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

Republic of
Singapore

Republic of
Singapore

Republic of
Singapore

Republic Hotels Suzhou Pte Ltd

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic Iconic Hotel Pte. Ltd.

100%

Indirect subsidiary

RHH Operating LLC

RHI Boston Holdings Corporation I

RHI Boston Holdings Corporation II

RHM Aurora LLC

RHM Holdings Corporation I

RHM Management LLC

RHM Ranch LLC

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

12 Boulevard Haussmann, 
75009 Paris, France
PO Box 146 Road Town, 
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237

9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
167 Main North Road, 
Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Jalan Fachrudin 3, Jakarta 10250,
Indonesia
Jalan Fachrudin 3, Jakarta 10250,
Indonesia
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Level 13, 280 Queen Street,
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Hotel operator

Investment holding

To lease, manage, and
otherwise deal with certain
advertising signage space
at the Novotel hotel
Investment holding

Holding company

Service provider

Management services

Hotel owner

Hotel owner

Holding company

Holding company

Holding company

Hotel ownership

Holding company

Hotel operator and
investment holding
company
Dormant and in the 
process of striking off

Hotel operator

Hotel owner

Holding company

Holding company

Hotel ownership

Holding company

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner

Annual Report & Accounts 2018178

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

SHAREHOLDING
PERCENTAGE

TYPE

COUNTRY OF
INCORPORATION

REGISTERED OFFICE 
ADDRESS

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Hotel ownership

Hotel owner and operator

Holding company

Holding company

Holding company

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of Singapore 9 Raffles Place 

Investment holding

FULL NAME

RHM Wynfield LLC

RHM-88, LLC

Richfield Holdings Corporation I

Richfield Holdings Corporation II

Richfield Holdings, Inc

Rogo Investments Pte. Ltd.

Rogo Realty Corporation

S.S. Restaurant Corporation

St. Louis Operating, Inc.

Sunnyvale Partners, Ltd.

Tara Hotels Deutschland GmbH

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

24%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Associated undertakings Philippines

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

Indirect subsidiary

Germany

The Philippine Fund Limited

60%

Indirect subsidiary

Bermuda

TOSCAP Limited

Trimark Hotel Corporation

WHB Biltmore LLC

WHB Corporation

Wynfield GP Corporation

Wynfield One, Ltd.

Zatrio Pte Ltd

Zillion Holdings Limited

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Indirect subsidiary

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

Indirect subsidiary

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

Republic of
Singapore

Indirect subsidiary

Barbados

#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
10 Floor, Heritage Hotel Manila,
EDSA corner Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City, Philippines 1300
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
Registered at the Trade register at
the local court of Hannover with the
legal form of Private limited 
company (number HRB 209133).
C/o Coson Corporate Services
Limited, Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 
500, Denver, Colorado, 80237
9 Raffles Place 
#12-01 Republic Plaza 
Singapore 048619
The Phoenix Centre, George Street,
Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados

Real estate owner

Liquor license holder

Dormant

Hotel ownership

Hotel investment holding
company

Investment holding

Investment holding

Hotel owner and operator

Hotel owner and operator

Holding company

Hotel ownership

Holding company

Investment holding

Investment holding

1 

2 

 CDL Hospitality Trusts is a stapled group comprising CDL Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust (“H-REIT”), a real estate investment trust, and CDL Hospitality Business Trust (“HBT”), a business 
trust. H-REIT has an investment strategy of investing, directly or indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate which is primarily used for hospitality and/or hospitality-related 
purposes, whether wholly or partially, and real-estate related assets in relation to the foregoing. HBT is a business trust which was activated in December 2013. In addition to its function as a master lessee, 
HBT may also undertake certain hospitality and hospitality-related development projects, acquisitions and investments which may not be suitable for H-REIT. The registered office address of M&C REIT 
Management Limited, Manager of H-REIT and M&C Business Trust Management Limited, Trustee-Manager of HBT is 9 Raffles Place #12-01 Republic Plaza Singapore 048619. As disclosed in Note 3 
to the consolidated financial statements, the Group has concluded that under IFRS10, it has de facto control over CDL Hospitality Trusts.
 The Group has assessed the classification of its investments in First Sponsor Group Limited and New Unity Holdings Limited in accordance with IFRS10 and concluded that it does not have control.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc179

EXEMpTIoN FroM STATuTory AudIT
Listed below are subsidiaries controlled and consolidated by the Group, where the Directors have elected to take the exemption from having an audit 
of their financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. This exemption is taken in accordance with Companies Act s479A.

Archyield Limited (1747079) 
CDL Hotels (Chelsea) Limited (2845022) 
CDL Hotels (U.K.) Limited (2729520) 
Copthorne Hotel (Birmingham) Limited (1816493) 
Copthorne Hotel (Cardiff) Limited (2411296) 
Copthorne Hotel (Effingham Park) Limited (1423861) 
Copthorne Hotel (Gatwick) Limited (994968) 
Copthorne Hotel (Manchester) Limited (1855800) 
Copthorne Hotel (Merry Hill) Construction Limited (2649367) 
Copthorne Hotel (Merry Hill) Limited (2590620) 
Copthorne Hotel (Plymouth) Limited (3253120) 
Copthorne Hotel (Slough) Limited (2300992) 
Copthorne (Nominees) Limited (2574042) 
Diplomat Hotel Holding Limited (1927463) 
Hotel Liverpool Limited (9636541) 
Hotel Liverpool Management Limited (9638688) 
London Tara Hotel Limited (1005559) 
M&C Asia Finance (UK) Limited (8391037) 
M&C Asia Holdings (UK) Limited (8382946) 
M&C (CB) Limited (3846711)

Each company’s registered number is shown in brackets after its name.

M&C (CD) Limited (3846704) 
M&C Finance (1) Limited (6783896)  
M&C Hotels Holdings Limited (4407581)  
M&C Management Holdings Limited (5832248) 
M&C New York Finance (UK) Limited (9060415) 
M&C NZ Limited (5159722) 
M&C Singapore Finance (UK) Limited (8391052) 
M&C Singapore Holdings (UK) Limited (8382985) 
Millennium & Copthorne (Austrian Holdings) Limited (3757378) 
Millennium & Copthorne (Jersey Holdings) Limited (5846574) 
Millennium & Copthorne Pension Trustee Limited (6662791) 
Millennium & Copthorne Share Trustees Limited (3320990) 
Millennium Hotel Holdings EMEA Limited (4592877) 
Millennium Hotels Limited (3141048) 
Millennium Hotels Europe Holdings Limited (8844747) 
Millennium Hotels London Limited (3691885) 
Millennium Hotels (West London) Limited (8599282) 
Millennium Hotels (West London) Management Limited (8891908) 
Millennium Hotels & Resorts Services Limited (4601112)

Annual Report & Accounts 2018180

NoTES To ThE CoNSoLIdATEd 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CoNTINuEd

35.  NoN-CoNTroLLINg INTErESTS (“NCI”)
The following subsidiaries have material NCI.

NAME

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS/ 
COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

2018

2017

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New 
Zealand Limited (“MCHNZ”)
CDL Hospitality Trusts (“CDLHT”) 

New Zealand
Singapore

Hotel investment holding company
Real estate investment trust

24%
63%

24%
63%

The following is summarised financial information for MCHNZ and CDLHT, prepared in accordance with local accounting standards. The 
information is before inter-company eliminations with other companies in the Group.

OWNERSHIP INTERESTS
HELD BY NCI

NAME

Revenue
Profit after tax

Profit attributable to NCI

Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income attributable to NCI

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Net assets attributable to NCI
Cash inflow from operating activities
Cash outflow from investing activities
Cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Dividends paid to NCI during the year1

1  Included in cash flows from financing activities.

MCHNZ SUBGROUP

CDLHT SUBGROUP

2018
£M

114
32

6

6
38

6

107
369
(18)  
(74)  

384

44
15
(17)  
(8)  
(10)  

2

2017
£M

103
30

7

37
67

8

93
344
(15)  
(72)  

350

39
29
(10)  
(10)  
9

2

2018
£M

112
61

39

–
61

39

100
1,602
(174)
(462)

1,066

672
68
(2)
(40)
26

41

2017
£M

115
72

46

4
76

48

106
1,487
(185)  
(381)  

1,027

647
78
(151)  
81
8

38

36.  ASSETS hELd For SALE
On 22 December 2017, the H-REIT Group had entered into a sale and purchase agreement to sell Mercure Brisbane and Ibis Brisbane. 
Accordingly, these investment properties with a total carrying value of A$71m (£41m) were classified as assets held for sale in the statement of 
financial position as at 31 December 2017. The sale of the properties was completed on 11 January 2018 and a gain of £3m was recognised by the 
Group (Note 7).

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc181

Company statement
of finanCial position

As at 31 December 2018

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments and other financial assets
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings falling due within one year
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Other current liabilities

Net current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings
Treasury share reserve

Total equity

NOTES

(E)      
(F)      

(G)      

(H)      

(I)      

2018
£m

2
1,988
2

1,992

41
15
16

72
(159)      

(87)     
(505)  

2017
£M

2
1,970
2

1,974

41
6
11

58
(93)      

(35)     
(540)  

1,400

1,399

97
843
464
(4)      

97
843
463
(4)      

1,400

1,399

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 February 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

Kwek Leng Beng 
Chairman

Registered No: 3004377

Annual Report & Accounts 2018182

Company statement of
Changes in equity

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017
Profit
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Share-based payment transactions (net of tax)  
Dividends

Balance at 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2018
Profit
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Dividends

Balance at 31 December 2018

SHARE  
CAPITAL 
£M

SHARE  
PREMIUM 
£M

TREASURY 
SHARE 
RESERVE 
£M

RETAINED 
EARNINGS 
£M

TOTAL  
EQUITY 
£M

97
–
–

–

–
–

97

97
–
–

–

–

97

843
–
–

–

–
–

843

843
–
–

–

–

843

(4)      
–
–

–

–
–

(4)      

(4)      
–
–

–

–

(4)      

421
64
4 

68

(1)  
(25)      

463

463
17
5

22

(21)      

464

1,357
64
4

68

(1)  
(25)  

1,399

1,399
17
5

22

(21)  

1,400

The notes on pages 183 to 185 are an integral part of these Company’s financial statements.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc183

notes to the Company
finanCial statements

Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance with FRS 101

A 
The parent company financial statements of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc (“the Company”)   for the year ended 31 December 2018 were 
authorised for issue by the board of Directors and signed on its behalf on 14 February 2019. The Company is incorporated and domiciled in 
England and Wales. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101)  . The 
financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the Company is not presented as part of the financial statements.

The Company’s results are included in the consolidated financial statements of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc which are available from the 
Group’s website www.millenniumhotels.com.

The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. 
The financial statements are prepared in Sterling and are rounded to the nearest million except when otherwise indicated.

Accounting policies

B 
The parent company financial statements of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 
and Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (“FRS 101”)  , which was first applied in 2015 after notifying shareholders of 
the proposed change. FRS 101 enables the financial statements of the parent company to be prepared in accordance with EU-adopted IFRS but with 
certain disclosure exemptions. The main areas of reduced disclosure are in respect of equity settled share based payments, financial instruments, the 
cash flow statement, and related party transactions with Group companies.

The Company early adopted FRS 101 amendments before the effective date of 1 January 2016 regarding the presentation of financial statements in 
compliance with the IAS 1 format.

The accounting policies adopted for the parent company are otherwise consistent with those used for the Group which are set out on pages 112 
to 122.

C  Dividends
Details of dividends paid and proposed in the current and prior year are given in Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements.

Profit attributable to members of the parent company

D 
The profit dealt with in the financial statements of the Company is £17m (2017: £64m)  .

E 

Property, plant and equipment

Cost at 1 January 2018
Depreciation

Cost at 31 December 2018

CAPITAL 
WORK
IN PROGRESS
£M

SOFTWARE
£M

2
–

2

–
–

–

TOTAL
£M

2
–

2

Annual Report & Accounts 2018  
 
184

notes to the Company 
finanCial statements
ContinueD

F 

Investments and other financial assets

Cost and net book value at 1 January 2018
Additions
Foreign exchange adjustments

Cost and net book value at 31 December 2018

SHARES IN 
SUBSIDIARY 
UNDERTAKINGS
£M

LOANS TO 
SUBSIDIARY 
UNDERTAKINGS
£M

GROUP SETTLED 
ARRANGEMENTS
£M

1,895
–
7

1,902

68
8
3

79

7
–
–

7

TOTAL
£M

1,970
8
10

1,988

There were no provisions made against investments in subsidiary undertakings. Reductions and additions relate to internal restructuring 
transactions.

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2018 are listed in Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.

G  Other current liabilities

Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds payable
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

H  Other non-current liabilities

Bank loans
Bonds payable
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Net employee defined benefit liabilities

Other non-current liabilities are repayable as follows:-

Between one and two years
Between two and five years

2018
£m

47
79
28
4
1

159

2018
£m

83
79
335
8

505

2018
£m

66
439

505

2017
£M

64
–
23
3
3

93

2017
£M

45
149
335
11

540

2017
£M

 321
 219

 540

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
185

Share capital

I 
Details of the Company’s share capital are given in Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements.

Related parties

J 
For the year ended 31 December 2018, fees paid/payable by the Company to Hong Leong Management Services, a subsidiary of Hong Leong 
Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd. amounted to £1m (2017: £nil)  . At 31 December 2018, £nil (2017: £nil)   of fees payable was outstanding.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018186

group
finanCial reCorD

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Income statement
Revenue

Operating profit
Net finance expense
Income tax (expense)/credit
Profit for the year

Cash flow
Cash generated from operations

Statement of financial position
Property, plant, equipment and lease premium prepayment
Investment properties
Investment and loans in joint ventures and associates
Other financial assets

Non-current assets
Current assets excluding cash
Net debt
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions and other liabilities

Net assets

Share capital and share premium
Reserves

Total equity attributable to equity holders
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Key operating statistics
Gearing
Earnings per share
Dividends per share1
Hotel gross operating profit margin
Occupancy
Average room rate (£)  
RevPAR (£)  

1 Dividends per share includes ordinary dividends and special dividends.

2018
£m

997

105
(28)
(13)
93

177

3,256
668
358
43

4,325
224
(727)
(172)
(287)

3,363

940
1,830

2,770
593

3,363

2017
£M

1,008

145
(20)  
12
159

230

3,232
577
324
–

4,133
228
(650)  
(188)  
(274)  

3,249

940
1,736

2,676
573

3,249

2016
£M

926

107
(25)  
(10)  
98

220

3,345
534
320
–

4,199
195
(707)  
(220)  
(297)  

3,170

940
1,728

2,668
502

3,170

2015
£M

847

112
(20)  
(12)  
97

220

2,858
506
255
–

3,619
163
(605)  
(210)  
(255)  

2,712

940
1,336

2,276
436

2,712

2014
£M

826

195
(17)  
(37)  
151

330

2,851
479
235
5

3,570
182
(525)  
(221)  
(271)  

2,735

940
1,323

2,263
472

2,735

26%
13.1p
4.23p
30.5%
73.3%
£111.31
£81.57

24%
38.1p
6.50p
32.2%
73.5%
£112.68
£82.78

26%
24.0p
7.74p
31.6%
71.8%
£106.78
£76.71

27%
19.9p
6.42p
34.1%
71.8%
£100.19
£71.98

23%
34.0p
13.59p
36.0%
74.2%
£96.49
£71.55

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc187

Key
operating statistiCs

For the year ended 31 December 2018

OWNED OR LEASED HOTELS*

Occupancy (%)
New York
Regional US

Total US

London
Rest of Europe

Total Europe

Singapore
Rest of Asia

Total Asia

Australasia

Total Group

Average Room Rate (£)
New York
Regional US

Total US

London
Rest of Europe

Total Europe

Singapore
Rest of Asia

Total Asia

Australasia

Total Group

year enDeD
2018
reporteD
CurrenCy

YEAR ENDED
2017
CONSTANT 
CURRENCY

YEAR ENDED
2017
REPORTED 
CURRENCY

86.3
57.6

67.1

80.1
71.2

75.6

85.9
68.1

75.0

82.5

73.3

191.78
103.51

140.96

127.22
78.94

104.22

97.26
95.74

96.42

88.61

85.3
60.0

68.3

83.0
70.5

76.9

85.6
66.4

73.9

81.2

73.5

193.18
103.23

140.23

132.47
76.16

107.15

97.91
96.93

97.37

90.01

186.77
99.81

135.57

132.47
76.43

107.27

97.01
95.64

96.25

84.71

111.31

110.22

112.68

Annual Report & Accounts 2018188

Key 
operating statistiCs
ContinueD

OWNED OR LEASED HOTELS*

RevPAR (£)
New York
Regional US

Total US

London
Rest of Europe

Total Europe

Singapore
Rest of Asia

Total Asia

Australasia

Total Group

Gross Operating Profit Margin (%)
New York
Regional US

Total US

London
Rest of Europe

Total Europe

Singapore
Rest of Asia

Total Asia

Australasia

Total Group

year enDeD
2018
reporteD 
CurrenCy

YEAR ENDED
2017
CONSTANT 
CURRENCY

YEAR ENDED
2017
REPORTED 
CURRENCY

159.37
59.84

92.61

109.98
53.85

82.45

83.06
63.53

71.09

68.76

80.97

165.49
59.61

94.52

101.89
56.18

78.76

83.56
65.17

72.29

73.13

81.57

15.6
19.3

17.4

41.0
21.8

33.2

39.3
34.5

36.5

49.0

30.5

164.84
61.90

95.79

109.98
53.66

82.35

83.83
64.39

71.91

73.06

82.78

15.1
21.2

18.0

49.5
22.2

39.6

40.5
34.1

36.9

49.1

32.2

For comparability, the 31 December 2017 Average Room Rate and RevPAR have been translated at average exchange rates for the year ended 
31 December 2018.

*excluding managed, franchised and investment hotels.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc189

major
group properties

For the year ended 31 December 2018

asia

HOTELS

Grand Millennium Beijing
Fortune Plaza, 7 Dongsanhuan Middle Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020 PRC

New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel
(Owned by New Unity Holdings Limited)  
72 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui East
Kowloon, Hong Kong

JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
(Owned by New Unity Holdings Limited)  
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway,
Hong Kong

Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta
Jalan Fachrudin 3,
Jakarta 10250, Indonesia

Hotel MyStays Asakusabashi
1-5-5, Asakusabashi, Taito-ku,
Tokyo 111-0053, Japan

Hotel MyStays Kamata
5-46-5, Kamata, Ota-ku,
Tokyo 144-0052, Japan

Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang
Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Penang, Malaysia

Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
160 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Angsana Velavaru
South Nilandhe Atoll,
Republic of Maldives

Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort
Meradhoo Island,
Gaafu Alifu Atoll,
Republic of Maldives

The Heritage Hotel Manila
Roxas Boulevard at corner of EDSA Pasay City,
Metropolitan Manila, Philippines

Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore
403 Havelock Road, Singapore

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
392 Havelock Road, Singapore

M Hotel Singapore
81 Anson Road, Singapore

TENURE

Leasehold to year 2046 (hotel)  ,
leasehold to year 2056
(underground car park)  

75-year term from 28.11.1984 and may be
renewable for a further 75 years

75-year term from 18.04.1985 and may be
renewable for a further 75 years

The title is held under a Hak Guna Bangunan 
(i.e. Right to Build)   and a 40-year lease
wef 14.04.1984 and 22.01.1986 for approximate site area 
of 7,137 sq. metres and 212 sq. metres, respectively

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

50-year title commencing from 26. 08.1997

50-year lease commencing from 15.06.2006

Fee simple

99-year lease commencing from 01.02.1968

75-year lease commencing from 19.07.2006

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

9,268

2,850

10,690
(Part)  

517

464

602

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

70

50

26

7,349

401

100

564

497

10,329

7,670

67,717

53,576

9,888

5,637

10,860

2,134

139

116

307

459

113

37

450

310

574

415

37

37

100

100

37

37

66

37

37

37

Annual Report & Accounts 2018190

major 
group properties
ContinueD

TENURE

97 years and 30 days leasehold interest
commencing from 02.04.1980

Freehold

99-year lease commencing from
26.02.2007

Freehold

Freehold

50 years starting from 7 March 1990
The lease agreement is extendable for another 30 years.

TENURE

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2135

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

12,925

8,588  *  

2,932

18,787

1,564

14,193

403

656

360

680

–

850

37

37

37

100

100

84

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

1,302

2,188

26,305

161,878

404,694

9,800

13,734

87

211

135

122

227

166

138

EFFECTIVE
 GROUP
 INTEREST

 (%)  

83

100

100

100

100

100

100

HOTELS

Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
177A River Valley Road, Singapore

Orchard Hotel Singapore
442 Orchard Road, Singapore

Studio M Hotel
3 Nanson Road, Singapore

Millennium Seoul Hilton
50 Sowol-ro, Jung-gu,
Seoul, South Korea 100-802

Land Site in Seoul
Located at Chung-gu, Namdaeumro 5 Ga 652-1

Grand Hyatt Taipei
2, SongShou Road
Taipei, Taiwan, 11051

* Includes Claymore Connect

europe

HOTELS

Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen
122 Huntly Street,
Aberdeen AB10 1SU, Scotland

Copthorne Hotel Birmingham
Paradise Circus,
Birmingham B3 3HJ, England

Copthorne Hotel Cardiff-Caerdydd
Copthorne Way, Culverhouse Cross,
Cardiff CF5 6DH, Wales

Copthorne Hotel Effingham Gatwick
West Park Road, Copthorne,
West Sussex RH10 3EU, England

Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick
Copthorne Way, Copthorne, West Sussex
RH10 3PG, England

Copthorne Hotel Manchester
Clippers Quay, Salford Quays,
Manchester M50 3SN, England

Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill-Dudley
The Waterfront, Level Street, Brierley Hill,
Dudley, West Midlands DY5 1UR, England

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc191

HOTELS

Copthorne Hotel Newcastle
The Close, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3RT, England

Copthorne Hotel Plymouth
Armada Way, Plymouth PL1 1AR, England

Copthorne Hotel Slough-Windsor
Cippenham Lane, Slough, Berkshire
SL1 2YE, England

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London
W8 5SY, England

Hard Days Night Hotel Liverpool
Central Buildings North John Street
Liverpool, L2 6RR, England

Hilton Cambridge City Centre Hotel
Grand Arcade 20, Downing St,
Cambridge CB2 3DT, England

The Lowry Hotel 
50 Dearmans Place, 
Salford, Manchester 
M3 5LH, United Kingdom

The Bailey’s Hotel London
140 Gloucester Road,
London SW7 4QH, England

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington
Harrington Gardens
London SW7 4LH, England

Millennium Hotel Glasgow
George Square, Glasgow G2 1DS, Scotland

Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge
17 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 9NU, England

The Biltmore, Mayfair – LXR Hotels & Resorts
(previously Millennium Hotel London Mayfair)
44 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair,
London W1K 2HP, England

Millennium Hotel Paris Opéra
12 Boulevard Haussmann,
75009 Paris, France

Millennium Hotel Paris Charles de Gaulle
Zone Hoteliere, Allée du Verger, 95700
Roissy-en-France, France

TENURE

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2110

Freehold

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2129

125-year lease commencing
from 25.12.1990 and extendable
for a further 50 years

150-year lease commencing 
from 18.03.1997

Freehold

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2109

Leasehold to year 2091

Leasehold to year 2096

Freehold

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

9,200

1,853

6,880

7,535

5,275

3,600

2,200

1,923

6,348

5,926

809

4,260

1,093

11,657

156

135

219

833

110

198

165

212

610

61

222

308

163

239

EFFECTIVE
 GROUP
 INTEREST

 (%)  

96

100

100

100

100

37

37

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018192

major 
group properties
ContinueD

HOTELS

Pullman Hotel Munich 
Theodor-Dombart-Strasse 4, 
Munich 80805, Germany

Grand Hotel Palace Rome
Via Veneto, 70, Rome, 00187, Italy

TENURE

Freehold

Freehold

The Chelsea Harbour Hotel
Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 0XG, England

Hotel Cerretani Florence, MGallery by Sofitel
Via de’ Cerretani, 68, 50123 Florence, Italy

Leasehold to year 2112

Freehold

north america

HOTELS

The Bostonian Boston
26 North Street
At Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston
MA 02109, USA

The Lakefront Anchorage
4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage,
AK 99517, USA

Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles,
CA 90071, USA

Millennium Buffalo
2040 Walden Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14225, USA

Millennium Harvest House Boulder
1345 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago
163 East Walton Place, Chicago,
IL 60611, USA

Millennium Cincinnati
150 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati,
OH 45202, USA

Millennium Durham
2800 Campus Walk Avenue, Durham,
NC 27705, USA

Millennium Minneapolis
1313 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
MN 55403, USA

TENURE

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2022
(with one 10-year option)  

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2030

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

8,189

801

2,561

1,350

337

86

158

86

EFFECTIVE
 GROUP
 INTEREST

 (%)  

35

100

100

35

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

2,769

204

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
 INTEREST

 (%)  

100

14,159

11,305

31,726

64,019

2,007

6,839

42,814

4,537

248

683

301

269

306

872

316

321

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc193

HOTELS

Millennium Maxwell House Nashville
2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, Nashville
TN 37228, USA

Millennium Broadway New York Times Square
145 West 44th Street, New York,
NY 10036, USA

Millennium Premier New York Times Square
133 West 44th Street, New York,
NY 10036, USA

Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN Plaza
1 UN Plaza, 44th Street at 1st Avenue,
New York, NY 10017, USA

Millennium Hotel St Louis (closed)  
200 South 4th Street, St Louis,
MO 63102, USA

The McCormick Scottsdale
7421 North Scottsdale Road,
Scottsdale, AZ 85208, USA

TENURE

Leasehold to year 2030
(with two 10-year options)  

Freehold

Freehold

East tower freehold/
West tower leasehold to
year 2079

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2033
(with two 10-year options)  

Millennium Hilton New York Downtown
55 Church Street, New York, NY 10007, USA

Freehold

Novotel New York Times Square
226 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019, USA

Fee simple estate, a leasehold interest,
and a leased fee interest

Maingate Lakeside Resort
7769 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway,
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Novotel Penthouse 
1651-65 Broadway, 
New York, NY 10019, USA

Comfort Inn Near Vail Beaver Creek
161 West Beaver Creek Boulevard, Avon,
CO 81620, USA

Pine Lake Trout Club
17021 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls
OH 44023, USA

Freehold

Leasehold to year 2080

Freehold

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

17,140

1,762

360

4,554

17,033

32,819

1,680

1,977

93,796

307

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

287

626

124

439

780

125

569

480

475

–

11,209

146

331,074

6

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
 INTEREST

 (%)  

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018194

major 
group properties
ContinueD

australasia

HOTELS

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
88 Frankton Road,
Queenstown, New Zealand

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands
Tau Henare Drive, Paihia,
New Zealand

TENURE

Freehold/Strata title

Leasehold land to year
2021 (renewal option to May 2087)  

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Corner Adelaide Street & Frankton Road,
Queenstown, New Zealand

Freehold

Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
150 Anzac Avenue
Auckland, New Zealand

M Social Auckland
196-200 Quay Street
Auckland, New Zealand

Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North
110 Fitzherbert Avenue,
Palmerston North, New Zealand

Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Fenton Street,
Rotorua, New Zealand

Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
100 Oriental Parade,
Wellington, New Zealand

Ibis Perth
334 Murray Street
Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
10 Smith Street,
Dunedin, New Zealand

Kingsgate Hotel Greymouth
32 Mawhera Quay,
Greymouth, New Zealand

Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
20 Lakefront Drive,
Te Anau, New Zealand

Mercure Perth
10 Irwin Street
Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Perpetual leasehold land

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold

Freehold/Perpetual
leasehold land

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

4,713

62,834

18,709

2,495

2,407

15,514

35,935

3,904

1,480

2,193

2,807

8,819

85

180

240

110

190

124

136

118

192

55

98

94

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

76

37

76

76

76

76

76

76

37

76

76

76

37

Strata freehold

757

239

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc195

HOTELS

Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Corner Frankton Road & Stanley Street
Queenstown, New Zealand

Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Corner Eruera & Hinemaru Streets,
Rotorua, New Zealand

TENURE

Freehold

Freehold/Perpetual
leasehold land

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
1 Egmont St, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand

Freehold

Novotel Brisbane
200 Creek Street
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Strata volumetric freehold

Grand Millennium Auckland
71-87 Mayoral Drive, Auckland, New Zealand

Freehold

inVestment properties

Tanglin Shopping Centre
A shopping-cum-office complex situated at
Tanglin Road, Singapore, within the Orchard Road tourist district.
The Group owns 83 out of 362 strata-titled units and
325 car park lots.

TENURE

Freehold

APPROXIMATE
SITE AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

NUMBER
OF ROOMS

7,453

10,109

1,149

6,235

5,910

220

227

42

296

452

APPROXIMATE
LETTABLE
STRATA AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

6,029

Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
5-11-1 Ginza, Chuo-Ku,
Tokyo 104-0061
329 bedroom hotel.

Freehold/
Leasehold – 30 years from 25 March 2009

1,040/130
(site area)  

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

76

76

76

37

37

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

100

70

Biltmore Court & Tower
Situated at 500/520 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Comprising the Court which has 22,133 square metres Class “B”
lettable office space within the Biltmore hotel structure and the
Tower which has 12,116 square metres of Class “A” office space.

Freehold

Land site in Sunnyvale
City of Sunnyvale, California, USA

Freehold

34,249

100

35,717

100

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018196

major 
group properties
ContinueD

OWNED BY FIRST SPONSOR GROUP LIMITED, AN 
ASSOCIATE OF THE COMPANY:

TENURE

Perpetual leasehold. Ground rent paid until 2050

Zuiderhof I
Jachthavenweg 121, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Comprising office space , archive space and 111 car park lots.

Poortgebouw Property 
3rd floor up to and including the 9th floor of the Poortgebouw 
Hoog Catharijne, 
Catharijne Esplanade 13, 
3511WK, Utrecht, the Netherlands 
Expected to comprise two hotels with 320 
hotel rooms in total on completion.

Arena Towers
(Holiday Inn Amsterdam/Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Hotels)
Hoogoorddreef 66 and 68, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 
Comprising 443 hotel rooms and 509 car park lots.

Crowne Plaza Chengdu Wenjiang Hotel & Holiday Inn Express 
Chengdu Wenjiang Hotspring Hotel 
No 619 A/B North Phoenix Street,
Wenjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, the PRC.
Comprising 608 hotel rooms and suites, and a hot spring facility.

APPROXIMATE
LETTABLE
STRATA AREA
(SQ. METRES)  

12,538

EFFECTIVE
GROUP
INTEREST

(%)  

12

Leasehold to year 2069

11,604

36

Perpetual leasehold.
Ground rent paid until 2053

Leasehold to year 2051

17,396

81,041 
(Gross fl area) 

36

36

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc197

millennium & Copthorne
hotels worlDwiDe

For the year ended 31 December 2018

asia

China
Crowne Plaza Chengdu Wenjiang Hotel & Holiday Inn 
Express Chengdu Wenjiang Hotspring Hotel
Grand Millennium Beijing
Grand Millennium Shanghai Hongqiao
Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen
Millennium Hotel Chengdu
Millennium Hotel Fuqing
Millennium Hotel Wuxi 
Millennium Residences @ Beijing Fortune Plaza
Millennium Resort Hangzhou

hong Kong
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel

indonesia
Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta

japan
Hotel MyStays Asakusabashi
Hotel MyStays Kamata
Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo

malaysia
Copthorne Hotel Cameron Highlands
Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang
Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur

maldives
Angsana Velavaru
Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort (not open)

philippines
The Heritage Hotel Manila

singapore
Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
M Hotel Singapore
M Social Singapore
Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
Orchard Hotel Singapore
Studio M Hotel

south Korea
Millennium Seoul Hilton

taiwan
Grand Hyatt Taipei
Millennium Hotel Taichung

thailand
Millennium Resort Patong Phuket

australasia

australia
Ibis Perth
Mercure Perth
Novotel Brisbane

new Zealand
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Copthorne Hotel Grand Central New Plymouth
Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park Wairarapa
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
Grand Millennium Auckland

Annual Report & Accounts 2018198

millennium & Copthorne 
hotels worlDwiDe
ContinueD

Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
Kingsgate Hotel Greymouth
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
Kingsgate Hotel The Avenue Wanganui
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo
M Social Auckland

miDDle east1
iraq
Copthorne Hotel Baranan
Grand Millennium Hotel Sulaimani
Millennium Kurdistan Hotel and Spa

jordan
Grand Millennium Amman

Kuwait
Copthorne Al-Jahra Hotel & Resort
Copthorne Kuwait City
Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre Kuwait

oman
Grand Millennium Muscat 
Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat
Millennium Resort Salalah 
Millennium Resort Mussanah

palestine
Millennium Palestine Ramallah

qatar
Copthorne Hotel Doha
Kingsgate Hotel Doha
Millennium Hotel Doha
Millennium Plaza Doha

saudi arabia
Copthorne Hotel Riyadh
Makkah Millennium Hotel
Makkah Millennium Towers
M Hotel Makkah by Millennium
M Hotel Makkah Al Aziziyah
Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel
Millennium Medina Airport
Millennium Hail Hotel Saudi Arabia
Millennium Taiba Hotel

united arab emirates
Bab Al Qasr Hotel
Copthorne Hotel Dubai
Copthorne Hotel Sharjah
Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Grand Millennium Business Bay
Grand Millennium Dubai
Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi by Millennium
M Hotel Downtown by Millennium
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai
Studio M Arabia Plaza

1 

 As a result of the sale of M&C’s joint venture interest in the Group’s Middle East operating entity, Millennium & Copthorne Middle East Holdings Limited (“MCMEHL”), to the other shareholder in 
December 2016, properties that were previously shown as being managed by the Group are now shown as franchised, although as of the date hereof the properties continue to be managed or franchised by 
MCMEHL, with support from the Group, under a master license and services arrangement.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
199

europe

france
Millennium Hotel Paris Charles de Gaulle
Millennium Hotel Paris Opéra

germany
Pullman Hotel Munich

georgia
The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi

italy
Grand Hotel Palace Rome
Hotel Cerretani Florence, Mgallery by Sofitel

turkey
Millennium Istanbul Golden Horn

uK
Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen
Copthorne Hotel Birmingham
Copthorne Hotel Cardiff-Caerdydd
Copthorne Hotel at Chelsea Football Club
Copthorne Hotel Effingham Gatwick
Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick
Copthorne Hotel Manchester
Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill-Dudley
Copthorne Hotel Newcastle
Copthorne Hotel Plymouth
Copthorne Hotel Sheffield
Copthorne Hotel Slough-Windsor
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Hard Days Night Hotel Liverpool

Hilton Cambridge City Centre Hotel
Millennium Hotel at Chelsea Football Club
Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington
Millennium Hotel Glasgow
Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge
Millennium Madejski Hotel Reading
The Bailey’s Hotel London
The Biltmore, Mayfair – LXR Hotels & Resorts  
(previously Millennium Hotel London Mayfair)
The Chelsea Harbour Hotel
The Lowry Hotel

the ameriCas

usa
Comfort Inn Near Vail Beaver Creek
Maingate Lakeside Resort
Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
Millennium Broadway New York Times Square
Millennium Buffalo
Millennium Cincinnati
Millennium Durham 
Millennium Harvest House Boulder
Millennium Hilton New York Downtown
Millennium Hilton New York ONE UN Plaza
Millennium Hotel St Louis (closed)
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago
Millennium Maxwell House Nashville
Millennium Minneapolis
Millennium Premier New York Times Square
Novotel New York Times Square
Pine Lake Trout Club
The Bostonian Boston 
The Lakefront Anchorage
The McCormick Scottsdale

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018200

millennium & Copthorne 
hotels worlDwiDe
ContinueD

Corporate offiCes

asia
Millennium & Copthorne International Limited
390 Havelock Road
#02-01 King’s Centre
Singapore 169662
Tel: + [65] 6664 8888
Fax: + [65] 6732 5435
Email: sales@millenniumhotels.com

north america
Millennium Hotels and Resorts
7900 East Union Avenue, Suite 500
Denver, Colorado
80237 United States 
Tel: + [1] 303 779 2000
Fax: + [1] 303 779 2001
Email: guestcomment@millenniumhotels.com

gloBal sales

australasia
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited
Level 13 280 Queen Street
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
Tel: + [64] (9) 353 5010
Fax: + [64] (9) 309 3244
Email: sales.marketing@millenniumhotels.co.nz

asia
China, Beijing: + [86] 10 6533 0749
China, Chengdu: + [86] 28 8517 2000
China, Guangzhou: + [852] 29218328
China, Shanghai: + [86] 21 6468 8099
Hong Kong: + [852] 2921 8328
Singapore: + [65] 6664 8888
Taipei: + [886] (2)   2729 3299

Australasia
Sydney: + [61] (2) 9358 5080
Auckland: + [64] (9) 353 5010
Wellington: + [64] (4) 382 0770

Europe
France: + [33] (0)   1 4949 1617
Italy: + [39] (0)   6 4201 2198
UK: + [44] (0)   20 7872 2444

north america
New York: +1 212 789 7860

middle east
Millennium & Copthorne Middle East & Africa
H Hotel Office Tower (3rd floor)  
Sheikh Zayed Road
PO Box 119666
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: + [971] (4)   309 9000
Fax: + [971] (4)   351 0508
cherry.tangpos@millenniumhotels.com

europe
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc
Corporate Headquarters
Scarsdale Place, Kensington
London, W8 5SY, UK
Tel: + [44] (0)   20 7872 2444
Fax: + [44] (0)   20 7872 2460
Email: marketing.eu@millenniumhotels.com

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plcMillennium & Copthorne Hotels plc201

International reservations

Asia
China North: +108 0065 00558 (toll free)  
China South: +108 0026 52531 (toll free)  
Hong Kong: +800 96 2541
Indonesia: +001 803 65 6541
Malaysia: +1 800 80 1063
Singapore: +65 6735 7575
Taiwan: +008 01 65 15 05 (toll free)  
Thailand: +001 800 65 6544 (toll free)  

australasia
Australia: +1 800 124 420
New Zealand: +0 800 808 228

Middle East
UAE: + [971] (4)   309 9000
(Sunday – Thursday)  
8:00am – 5:00pm

europe
When in the following countries, please use this toll free 
number:
00 800 86 86 8086
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland (prefix 990 instead 
00)  ,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, 
Portugal, Spain,
Sweden & Switzerland 
France: 0800 909 586 
UK: 0800 41 47 41 Main reservations 
0845 30 20 001 Leisure bookings 
0845 30 20 002 Meetings and Events bookings

north america
When in the following countries, please use this toll free 
number:
+1 866 866 8086
Canada, Puerto Rico, USA & US Virgin Islands

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018202

shareholDer
information

Analysis of shareholders as at 31 December 2018

NUMBER OF SHARES

1 – 10,000
10,001 – 25,000
25,001 – 50,000
50,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 500,000
500,001 – 1,000,000
1,000,001 – Highest

Total

NUMBER
OF HOLDERS

PERCENTAGE
OF HOLDERS

TOTAL 
NUMBER
OF SHARES
HELD

PERCENTAGE
OF ISSUED
SHARE 
CAPITAL

554
38
35
24
42
7
23

723

675,541
76.63%
597,280
5.26%
1,194,398
4.84%
1,743,506
3.32%
9,121,653
5.81%
0.97%
5,219,971
3.17% 306,239,137

0.21%
0.17%
0.37%
0.54%
2.81%
1.61%
94.29%

100.00% 324,791,486

100.00%

Shareholders can find a wealth of information on the Company at  
www.millenniumhotels.com including:

managing your shares
Please contact our registrar, Equiniti, to manage your shareholding if 
you wish to:

•  regular updates about our business;

•  hotel and other property information;

•  the ability to book a room at one of our hotels around the world;

•  share price information;

•  financial results and investor information; and

•  our financial calendar which includes dividend payment dates and 

amounts.

electronic shareholder communications
Registering for online communication gives shareholders more control 
of their shareholding. The registration process is via our registrar’s 
secure website www.shareview.co.uk.

Once registered shareholders are able to:

•  elect how we communicate with them;

•  amend their details;

•  amend the way dividends are received; and

•  buy or sell shares online.

•  register for electronic communications;

•  transfer your shares;

•  change your registered name or address;

•  register a lost share certificate and obtain a replacement;

•  consolidate your share holdings;

•  manage your dividend payments; and

•  notify the death of a shareholder.

You can also manage your shareholding online by registering for 
Shareview at www.shareview.co.uk. When contacting Equiniti or 
registering online, you should have your shareholder reference number 
at hand. This can be found on your share certificate or latest dividend 
tax voucher.

Contact details for our registrar:

Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex 
BN99 6DA, United Kingdom

This does not mean shareholders can no longer receive paper copies of 
documents. We are able to offer a range of services and tailor 
communication to meet their needs.

Telephone: 0371 384 2343* 
and outside the UK +44 121 415 7047 
Textphone: 0371 384 2255* 
and outside the UK +44 121 415 7028

* Lines are open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, UK time.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc203

sharegift
It may be that you have a small number of shares which would cost you 
more to sell than they are worth. It is possible to donate these to 
ShareGift, a registered charity, who provide a free service to enable you to 
dispose charitably of such shares. More information on this service can be 
obtained from www.sharegift.org or by calling +44 (0)   207 930 3737.

Contacts and advisers

registered office
Victoria House, Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey RH6 7AF, 
United Kingdom 
Registered in England and Wales No: 3004377

Be aware of share fraudsters
Shareholders are cautioned to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, 
offers to buy shares at a discount, sell your shares at a premium or offers 
of free reports on the Company.

Corporate headquarters
Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London W8 5SY, 
United Kingdom

If you do receive such an approach, you are encouraged to take the 
following steps:

•  obtain the full name of the person and organisation and make a record 

of any other information they give you, for example telephone 
number, address or web address;

•  if the caller persists, simply hang up; and

•  report the matter to the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”)   so that 

they can investigate.

If you suspect that you have been approached by fraudsters please tell 
the FCA using the share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/ 
scams, where you can find out more about investment scams. You can 
also call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.

You are advised to deal only with financial services firms that are 
authorised by the FCA. Check the firm is properly authorised by the 
FCA before getting involved by visiting www.fca.org.uk/register. If you 
do deal with an unauthorised firm you will not be eligible to receive 
payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if 
anything goes wrong.

If you have lost money to investment fraud, you should report it to 
Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Find out more at www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

stockbroker
Credit Suisse International

auditor
KPMG LLP

solicitor
Hogan Lovells International LLP

principal bankers
Bank of America Merrill Lynch  
DBS Bank Ltd. 
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. 
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited  
Royal Bank of Scotland plc 
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation  
MUFG Bank, Ltd. 
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

registrar
Equiniti Limited

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018204

finanCial
CalenDar

2018 final dividend record date

First quarter’s results announcement

Annual General Meeting

2018 final dividend payment

Interim results announcement

2019 interim dividend record date

2019 interim dividend payment

Third quarter’s results announcement

15 March 2019

10 May 2019

10 May 2019

17 May 2019

02 August 2019

16 August 2019

27 September 2019

01 November 2019

Please refer to the Company’s website for further updates which can be found at https://investors.millenniumhotels.com/financial/financial-calendar.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc 
FURTHER INFORMATION

We value feedback and welcome 
comments and questions you may 
have regarding this publication.

Please email us at:
companysecretary@millenniumhotels.co.uk

or write to:
The Company Secretary  
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc Scarsdale Place 
Kensington  
London W8 5SY  
United Kingdom

This document is printed on Galerie Satin, a paper 
containing 15% recycled fibre and 85% virgin fibre 
sourced from well managed, responsible, FSC® certified 
forests. The pulp used in this product is bleached using 
an elemental chlorine free (ECF) process.

Managed by: Black&Callow

 
A

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Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc
Corporate headquarters:
Scarsdale Place
Kensington
London W8 5SY
United Kingdom

www.millenniumhotels.co.uk

Registered address:
Victoria House
Victoria Road
Horley
Surrey
RH6 7AF

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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