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Mulberry Group Plc

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FY2014 Annual Report · Mulberry Group Plc
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ANNUAL
REPORT 
AND
ACCOUNTS

For the year ended
31 March 2014

Highlights

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
●●

Total sales of £163.5 million (2013: £165.1 million).

●— Retail sales up 2% to £109.0 millon, down 3% like-for-like.

●— Wholesale sales down 6% to £54.5 million.

●●

●●

●●

Profit before tax of £14.0 million (2013: £26.0 million), reflecting the increase in costs associated with new stores 
opened this year and last year (£4.8 million) as well as £3.4 million of exceptional, non-recurring costs.

Basic earnings per share of 14.5p (2013: 32.2p).

Proposed dividend of 5.0p per share (2013: 5.0p per share).

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
●● Construction of second UK factory completed during June 2013, with 320 new jobs created.

●● Nine new international stores opened, two closed.

●● Commenced the implementation of new supply chain management system which will allow us to forecast demand 

and allocate production more effectively as well as improve inventory management.

10 YEAR REVIEW

180

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£m

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Mulberry Group plcContents

Strategic report

Directors, secretary and advisers

Corporate governance

Directors’ remuneration report

Directors’ report

Directors’ responsibilities statement

Independent auditor’s report

Group income statement

Group statement of comprehensive income

Group balance sheet

Group statement of changes in equity

Group cash flow statement

Notes to the Group financial statements

Company balance sheet

Notes to the Company financial statements

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Group five-year summary

Page

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report

Year ended 31 March 2014

BUSINESS REVIEW 
Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2014 was £163.5 million, down 1% from £165.1 million last year, reflecting 
growth in Retail sales offset by a decline in Wholesale sales.

Retail
The Retail business grew by 2% to £109.0 million (2013: £107.2 million), driven by new store openings with like-for-like 
sales down 3%.

●● UK Retail sales were unchanged at £91.9 million (2013: £91.8 million), reflecting a decline in full price stores offset 

by significant growth in outlet; 

●●

International Retail sales were up 11% to £17.1 million (2013: £15.4 million);

●● Online sales, which are included in UK and international Retail sales, were down 11% to £15.6 million, accounting 

for 10% of Group sales (2013: 11%); and

●● During the year we opened seven new directly operated stores in the USA, Austria, Germany and Canada.

Wholesale
Wholesale sales were down 6% to £54.5 million (2013: £57.9 million), reflecting slower UK and Asian sales.

During the year we opened two partner stores (one in Europe, one in Asia) and closed two partner stores in Korea and 
the Middle East.

FINANCIAL REVIEW
Gross margin was 63.3% for the year ended 31 March 2014, in line with the prior year (2013: 63.3%).

Net operating expenses for the period increased by £10.7 million to £89.7 million (2013: £79.0 million). This includes 
£4.8 million additional costs related to new directly operated international stores opened during this year and the 
previous year, as well as £3.4 million of non-recurring costs relating to the impairment of two US stores and to the 
recent management change.

Due to the continued investment in directly operated international stores both this year and last year and the non-
recurring items identified above, profit before tax fell 45% to £14.0 million (2013: £26.0 million).

The Group had an effective tax rate of 38.6% for the year (2013: 28.2%) resulting in a tax charge of £5.4 million (2013: 
£7.3 million). The effective rate has risen due to losses arising in the new Canadian and European businesses where a 
deferred tax asset has not been recognised.

Capital expenditure for the period was £15.5 million, of which £8.1 million related to stores, £4.4 million to factories 
and £2.8 million to investment in IT systems.

Inventories have decreased to £33.8 million from £35.7 million at the start of the period reflecting effective purchasing 
and stock management. Overall, the Group balance sheet remains strong with cash of £23.4 million at 31 March 2014 
(2013: £21.9 million) and no debt.

Basic earnings per share for the year decreased to 14.5p (2013: 32.2p). 

The Board is recommending the payment of a dividend on the ordinary shares of 5.0p per ordinary share (2013: 5.0p) 
which will be paid on 10 September 2014 to shareholders on the register on 15 August 2014.

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report

(continued)

STRATEGY
The long term strategy remains to grow Mulberry as an international luxury brand and we are confident that we can 
restore the business to profitable growth in the medium term. We are taking the following key steps to achieve this: 

1.  Re-focus the product offering:

 The new handbag offering introduced over the last two seasons has focused on bags priced above £1,000, but has 
lacked new and interesting products in the key price range of £500 to £800. The design team will ensure that they 
deliver attractive new product within this key price range while continuing to refresh the collections across our full 
price spectrum. The benefit of this will be progressive.

2.  Stores:

 We have invested in the growth of the Mulberry store network over the last three years and will continue to invest 
in the current financial year. Due to the major investment in the Paris flagship store, which is expected to open 
at the beginning of the next financial year, we will open fewer stores in the current financial year and take the 
opportunity to focus on improving the productivity of existing stores.

3.  Supply chain:

 Continued investment in supply chain management is enabling us to build a scalable platform for the business. 
We are on track to complete the implementation of a new integrated supply chain management system during the 
course of the current financial year; this will allow us to forecast demand and allocate production more effectively 
as well as improving inventory management.

CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK
During the 10 weeks to 7 June 2014, total Retail sales were 9% below the same period last year (like-for-like sales down 
15%).

The outlook for the current financial year remains challenging. Although there are encouraging signs in our own full 
price Retail business, including the well-received launch of the new Tessie collection, we expect the improvement in 
sales will be progressive. Following effective stock clearance during 2013/14, outlet sales have settled at more normal 
levels this year. The new Spring Summer 15 collection has been well-received by our Wholesale customers but this 
channel will take longer to recover and we expect there to be a double digit decline for the year as a whole.

We  remain  committed  to  our  strategy  of  international  expansion  and  traction  has  been  gained  in  new  markets  in 
recent years through the opening of high quality stores. For 2014/15 we plan to open five new directly operated stores 
and fit out the Paris flagship store which we plan to open at the beginning of the next financial year. 

There will be some effect on gross margin during the year from our second factory in Somerset, which is still building 
up to full production capacity.

Capital  expenditure  for  the  year  to  31  March  2015  is  expected  to  be  approximately  £18.0  million,  of  which  
£14.6 million will be on stores (2014: £15.5 million, £8.1 million on stores), subject to the timing of new store openings 
and other investments. This includes a significant investment in a Paris flagship store which will be an important step 
for the brand. The Group is expected to continue to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund its investment 
programme.

Notwithstanding the short term pressures, we are confident that we can build on Mulberry’s solid foundations and 
unique brand positioning in the luxury market to restore profitable growth in the medium term.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The management of the business and the execution of the Group’s growth strategies are subject to a number of risks 
which could adversely affect the Group’s future development. The principal risks are listed below:

●●

Economic climate. During the current year, the Group has shown resilience to the wider global economic climate 
but any further deterioration could affect sales both in the UK and internationally. A significant amount of Mulberry 
sales are generated in the UK and so a decline in the UK economy that reduced consumer spending on luxury 
goods  could  materially  affect  trading  results.  The  Group’s  continuing  strategy  to  increase  the  penetration  of 
international markets is expected to reduce the impact of this risk over time. The impact on current trading is 
discussed in the Business review section.

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Mulberry Group plc 
 
 
●●

Individual market performance. With the international store opening programme in Europe and North America, 
there is the risk that these markets will not develop in line with expectations. This risk has increased in importance 
following  the  increase  in  the  number  of  international  stores  and  is  managed  through  the  financial  evaluation 
of  each  potential  new  store  location  and  the  introduction  of  regional  reporting  from  April  2013.  This  ensures 
that there is expertise in each local market. As a consequence of the review of the international business and in 
particular the historic store locations, the decision was made during the year to impair the assets in two US stores 
which were not performing in line with expectations.

●● UK production facilities. With the opening of our second UK factory and the increase in percentage of products 
being made internally, there is a risk that the Group gross margin may be diluted through inefficient production. 
Production techniques are kept under continual review to ensure we are creating quality products in an efficient 
manner. For the new factory in particular, this has been managed through the preparation of a detailed training 
plan, phased recruitment of new joiners and the transfer of some highly experienced operatives and management 
to the new site. This will be a continued area of focus during this next financial year as the new factory reaches full 
capacity. 

●●

Loss  of  talent. The risk of the loss of key personnel is mitigated by regular reviews of remuneration packages 
(including long term incentive schemes) and succession planning within the management team.

●● Currency risk. The Group’s sales and purchases are made in Sterling, Euros and US Dollars and so it is exposed 
to the movement in these exchange rates. The Group manages this risk by, wherever possible, building a natural 
hedge of Euro and US Dollar denominated sales and purchases whereby the inflows and outflows of Euros and US 
Dollars are roughly equal. If significant currency positions were to develop, forward foreign exchange contracts 
would be used to mitigate the exposure.

●● Competition.  Competitive  pressures,  changes  in  luxury  fashion  trends  and  hence  consumer  demand  are 
continuing risks which could result in a loss of sales. The Group manages this risk by the continuous investment in 
the design of new products and marketing to stimulate customer interest and by maintaining strong relationships 
with customers.

●●

●●

●●

Trademarks. As with all brands, the Group is exposed to risk from unauthorised use of the Group’s trademarks 
and other intellectual property. These are not included on the balance sheet but any infringement could lead to a 
loss of profits and have a negative impact on image. Trademarks are registered and where any infringements are 
identified, appropriate legal action is taken.

Terrorist  activity.  A  major  terrorist  attack,  particularly  in  central  London,  could  seriously  affect  the  Group’s 
operations, as would a fire or significant disruption to the Group’s warehouse. The Group has developed a business 
continuity plan to mitigate the impact, as well as making sure that adequate insurance is in place.

Systems. Over the next year, the Group plans to complete the implementation of a new supply chain management 
solution  and  complete  the  introduction  of  a  new  Retail  EPOS  system  throughout  its  store  network.  If  these 
projects were to be unsuccessful, or there was an interruption to other major systems, it could have an impact on 
operations. Senior management involvement and significant pre-implementation testing are part of the carefully 
designed project to minimise the risks of the roll-out.

●● Cash. The management of cash is of fundamental importance. The increase in cash during the year reflects the 
trading performance, offset by the capital expenditure programme being undertaken to open new international 
stores and the investment in the new factory. At the year end the Group had a cash balance of £23.4 million (2013: 
£21.9 million). As discussed in the Business review, the Group has agreed various capital expenditure plans for the 
coming year which will largely be financed by the Group’s operating cash flow. The Group currently has no debt 
but nonetheless has arranged bank facilities of £6.0 million (including £4.0 million of a multi-currency overdraft 
facility).  These  banking  facilities  are  in  place  until  31  May  2015.  In  addition,  during  June  2014  the  Group  has 
arranged a £7.5 million revolving credit facility that will provide additional headroom in available funds. As such, 
the Group is on a firm financial footing and confident of its ability to continue as a going concern.

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report

(continued)

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Group’s approach is to make a positive difference to the people, environment and communities in which it works. 
As part of this policy it ensures that suppliers adhere to the Global Sourcing Principles. This helps to create the right 
environment for their workers, including working hours and child labour provisions, and animal welfare principles.

There  is  a  continuous  process  to  identify  ways  to  reduce  waste  and  the  impact  on  the  environment.  In  2006  an 
apprenticeship programme started in the main factory which has been extremely successful and is complemented 
by the investment in graduate internships and training for NVQ qualifications within the retail and production sites. 

Mulberry actively donates money, product and support to charities in our local community. Each year three charities 
are selected by employees for the Group to support. For the year under review these were: 

●●

●●

●●

Trekstock – a national charity working to help beat cancer through funding research of the highest standard and 
ensuring all young people have the right and relevant information to make better informed lifestyle choices;

Positive  Action  on  Cancer  –  this  provides  free,  professional  counselling  to  any  adults  or  children  affected  or 
bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses in Bath, Somerset and West Wiltshire; and 

Fareshare – this charity fights hunger and its underlying causes by redistributing surplus food to hundreds of local 
charities across the UK. By ensuring good food is not wasted, Fareshare turn an environmental problem into a 
solution, helping to feed thousands of vulnerable people every day.

The Group is committed to an active equal opportunities policy. It is the Group’s policy to promote an environment 
free  from  discrimination,  harassment  and  victimisation,  where  everyone  will  receive  equal  treatment  regardless  of 
gender,  colour,  ethnic  or  national  origin,  disability,  age,  marital  status,  sexual  orientation  or  religion.  Employment 
practices are applied which are fair, equitable and consistent with the skills and abilities of our employees and the 
needs of the business. 

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the 
applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their 
employment with the Group continues and that appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the Group that the 
training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical with that of 
other employees.

The Group places considerable value on the involvement of its employees and has continued its previous practice of 
keeping them informed on matters affecting them as employees and on the various factors affecting the performance 
of  the  Group,  which  is  achieved  through  formal  and  informal  meetings.  Employee  representatives  are  consulted 
regularly on a wide range of matters affecting their current and future interests. Employee Committees have been 
established at each of our main sites.

PEOPLE
In March we announced the departure of Bruno Guillon as Chief Executive after two years in the role. Godfrey Davis 
has assumed the interim role of Executive Chairman until a successor is found. Thierry Andretta has been appointed as 
a new independent Non-Executive Director on 9 June 2014. He brings with him a wealth of luxury international brand 
experience.

We would like to thank the entire Mulberry team for their continuing hard work and commitment to the brand.

By order of the Board.

Godfrey Davis 
Executive Chairman 
11 June 2014 

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Mulberry Group plcDirectors:

Registered Office:

Directors, secretary and advisers

Year ended 31 March 2014

Godfrey Pawle Davis FCA
Roger Thomas Mather FCA
Andrew Christopher (Chris) Roberts FCCA
Steven Grapstein CPA
Bernard Lam Kong Heng
Melissa Ong 
Christophe Olivier Cornu
Thierry Patrick Andretta

The Rookery 
Chilcompton 
Bath 
Somerset
BA3 4EH

Company Secretary:

Kate Anthony Wilkinson LLB

Nominated Adviser: 

Nominated Broker:

Registered Auditor:

Solicitors:

Principal Bankers:

Registrars:

Altium Capital Limited
London

Barclays Bank plc
London

Deloitte LLP
Bristol

Osborne Clarke
Bristol

HSBC Bank plc
Bristol

Computershare Investor Services plc
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH

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Mulberry Group plcCorporate governance

Year ended 31 March 2014

The Company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and is not required to comply with the provisions set out 
in the UK Corporate Governance Code which was issued by the Financial Reporting Council (‘the Code’). However, 
the Directors support the principles contained in these requirements and apply these where they consider they are 
appropriate to Mulberry Group plc.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At the start of the year the Board comprised two Executive Directors and six Non-Executive Directors. On 7 May 2013, 
Robin Gibson retired as Non-Executive Director and Christophe Cornu was appointed. Following the resignation of 
Bruno Guillon on 19 March 2014 and Godfrey Davis assuming an interim Executive Chairman role, the Board at the 
year  end  comprised  two  Executive  Directors  and  five  Non-Executive  Directors.  Subsequent  to  the  year  end,  on  9 
June 2014 a new Non-Executive Director, Thierry Andretta, was appointed to the Board. Further details regarding the 
Directors are set out in the Directors’ report.

Following the changes to the Board during March 2014, the role of Chairman has become an executive one until a 
new Chief Executive is appointed. The Directors consider it important that the Board should include Non-Executive 
Directors who bring considerable knowledge and experience to the Board’s deliberations and as such have recruited 
a new Non-Executive subsequent to the year end.

The Board meets formally on a bi-monthly basis and is responsible inter alia for overall Group strategy, investments 
and  capital  projects  and  for  ensuring  that  an  appropriate  framework  of  internal  control  is  in  place  throughout  the 
Group.

The Executive Directors are each employed under a contract of employment which can be terminated with one year’s 
notice.  The  Non-Executive  Directors  provide  their  services  under  twelve  month  agreements  renewed  annually  on  
1 April. 

NOMINATIONS AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
Details of the composition and role of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee are provided in the separate 
Directors’ remuneration report.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee was chaired throughout the year by a Non-Executive Director. Until 7 May 2013 this position was 
held by Chris Roberts. After this date Steven Grapstein was appointed as Chairman and the other members of the 
Committee were Chris Roberts, Christophe Cornu and Godfrey Davis. 

During the year all Directors have been encouraged to attend Audit Committee meetings where possible as part of 
the programme to maintain the Group’s systems of internal control. The Committee may examine any matters relating 
to the financial affairs of the Group. This includes the review of the annual financial statements, the interim financial 
statements and other financial announcements, prior to their approval by the Board, together with accounting policies 
and compliance with accounting standards, and of internal control procedures and monthly financial reporting, and 
other related functions as the Committee may require. The Non-Executive Directors have access to the Group’s auditor 
and legal advisers at any time without the Executive Directors being present.

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Mulberry Group plcINTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL
The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  Group’s  systems  of  internal  financial  control  and  for  monitoring  their 
effectiveness.

The  Directors  place  considerable  importance  on  maintaining  full  control  and  direction  over  appropriate  strategic, 
financial,  organisational  and  compliance  issues,  and  have  put  in  place  an  organisational  structure  with  formally 
defined lines of responsibility and delegation of authority. There are established procedures for planning and capital 
expenditure,  for  information  and  reporting  systems  and  for  monitoring  the  Group’s  business  and  its  performance. 
Adherence to specified procedures is required at all times and the Board actively promotes a culture of quality and 
integrity. Compliance is monitored by the Directors.

Any  system  of  internal  financial  control  is  designed  to  manage,  rather  than  eliminate  the  risk  of  failure  to  achieve 
business  objectives,  and  can  only  provide  reasonable  and  not  absolute  assurance  against  material  misstatement 
or  loss.  This  includes  comprehensive  budgeting  systems  with  an  annual  budget  approved  by  the  Board,  monthly 
consideration of actual operational results compared with budgets, forecasts and regular reviews by the Board of year 
end forecasts. The Board reports to shareholders half-yearly.

The Group’s control systems address key business and financial risks. Matters arising are reviewed on a regular basis. 
Performance indicators are reviewed at least monthly to assess progress towards objectives. Variances from approved 
plans are followed up vigorously.

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Mulberry Group plcDirectors’ remuneration report

Year ended 31 March 2014

Mulberry Group plc is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and therefore is not required to prepare a Directors’ 
remuneration report. The following narrative disclosures are prepared on a voluntary basis and are not subject to audit.

At the year end, the Nominations and Remuneration Committee comprised:

●● Chris Roberts (Chairman and Non-Executive Director)

●●

●●

Steven Grapstein (Non-Executive Director)

Bernard Heng (Non-Executive Director)

●● Melissa Ong (Non-Executive Director)

●● Godfrey Davis (Executive Director) 

Chris Roberts was appointed as Chairman on 7 May 2013, replacing Robin Gibson who resigned as a Director and 
Chairman of this Committee.

The  Committee  is  responsible  for  nominating  Directors  to  the  Board  and  then  determining  the  remuneration  and 
terms and conditions of employment of Directors and senior employees of the Group. During the year, the Committee 
used an Executive Search company to identify the two new Non-Executive candidates and for the recruitment of a new 
Chief Executive.

The Committee meets at least once a year in order to consider and set the annual salaries for Executive Directors. 
Executive  Directors’  salaries  are  reviewed  on  31  March  each  year,  along  with  the  remuneration  of  all  other  Group 
employees.

REMUNERATION OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The Non-Executive Directors each receive a fee for their services, which is agreed by the Board taking into account 
the role to be undertaken. They do not receive any pension or other benefits from the Company apart from a small 
allowance of Mulberry products, nor do they participate in any of the equity or bonus schemes. As an exception, on 
becoming Non-Executive Chairman in June 2012, Godfrey Davis retained his vested and unvested options and share 
awards as they were granted to him whilst he was Chief Executive. 

The Non-Executive Directors are appointed for a twelve month term.

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The Company’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors considers a number of factors and is designed to:

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

have regard to the Director’s experience and the nature and complexity of their work in order to pay a competitive 
salary, consistent to comparable companies, that attracts and retains Directors of the highest quality;

reflect the Director’s personal performance;

link individual remuneration packages to the Group’s long term performance and continued success of the Group 
through the award of annual bonuses and share-based incentive schemes;

provide post-retirement benefits through contributions to an individual’s pension schemes; and

provide employment-related benefits including the provision of a company car or cash alternative, life assurance, 
insurance relating to the Director’s duties, housing allowance, medical insurance and permanent health insurance.

SALARIES, BONUSES AND OTHER INCENTIVE SCHEMES
Each Executive Director receives a base salary, an annual bonus and a long term incentive. Typically, the annual bonus 
will  not  exceed  100%  of  the  annual  salary.  During  2012,  the  Nominations  and  Remuneration  Committee  reviewed 
the  bonus  and  long  term  incentive  schemes  to  ensure  that  these  continue  to  align  the  interests  of  management 
and  shareholders,  reflect  job  responsibility,  the  level  of  individual  performance  against  objectives,  overall  Group 
performance and are in line with the market. As a result, a Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) was introduced in December 
2012. The LTIP is designed to align management and shareholders’ interests through rewarding participants for growth 
in Mulberry’s revenue and earnings before interest and tax (‘EBIT’) above specified thresholds over the vesting period. 
The performance conditions are based 50% on revenue growth and 50% on EBIT growth, in comparison to targets 
set in the Group’s most recent 5 Year Strategic Plan. The vesting period is typically three years from the date of grant, 

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Mulberry Group plcwith a further five years post vesting in which to exercise. This will be the primary long term incentive scheme going 
forward. The Committee will supervise the scheme and make awards under its terms, ensuring that these are in line 
with market practice.

There are three earlier long term incentive arrangements which were superseded by the LTIP described above. These 
were as follows:

●●

●●

●●

an unapproved share option scheme which was introduced in April 2008. Options granted in this scheme vest 
after three years.

a Deferred Bonus Plan which represents a long term award scheme where participants receive all or part of their 
annual bonus in shares. These shares are held as deferred shares in the Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust 
for a vesting period of two years. Matching shares are then granted and vest after a period of two years conditional 
upon the participant remaining an employee of the Group and the original deferred shares remaining in the Trust.

a Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan where participants are granted an interest in shares which are co-owned by 
the Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust and participate in the value to the extent that the Mulberry share 
price exceeds 20% above the market price at the date of grant. The vesting period is generally three years, after 
which the employee has the right to sell the beneficial interest in the shares. This plan was established in August 
2009.

The following information is required by the Companies Act and is subject to audit.

Basic 
salary/
fees
£’000

125
286

50
45
45
45
41

1,396
8

2,041

Bonus
£’000

Taxable 
benefits
£’000

Pension 
contributions
£’000

2014 
Total
£’000

2013 
Total
£’000

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

7
23

–
–
1
1
1

97
–

130

–
40

–
–
–
–
–

48
–

88

132
349

50
45
46
46
42

1,541
8

2,259

271
406

51
50
51
40
–

807
51

1,727

Executive Directors
Godfrey Davis(1)
Roger Mather 

Non-Executive Directors
Chris Roberts
Steven Grapstein
Bernard Heng
Melissa Ong
Christophe Cornu(2)

Previous Directors
Bruno Guillon(3)
Robin Gibson(4)

Total

Notes:
(1)  Godfrey Davis was appointed as Executive Chairman on 19 March 2014 but it was agreed that the change to his remuneration would not be 

effective until 1 April 2014.

Christophe Cornu was appointed on 7 May 2013.

Bruno  Guillon  resigned  from  the  Board  on  19  March  2014.  Included  within  the  salary  information  is  £833,000  relating  to  compensation  and 

(2) 

(3) 

payment in lieu of notice.

(4) 

Robin Gibson resigned from the Board on 7 May 2013.

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Mulberry Group plcDirectors’ remuneration report

(continued)

The emoluments disclosed above do not include any amounts for the value of share options or share awards granted 
to or held by the Directors. These are detailed as follows:

(a)   Options granted under the 2008 unapproved share option scheme

31 March 
2013

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2014

Exercise 
price (£)

Date of 
exercise

Market 
price on 
exercise (£)

Godfrey Davis

90,000

–

(11,916)

(78,084)

–

–

1.445

1.445

17 Sept 13

9 Dec 13

9.63

9.50

(b)   Matching shares granted under the Deferred Bonus Plan

31 March 
2013

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2014

Exercise 
price (£)

Date of 
exercise

Average 
market 
price on 
exercise (£)

Godfrey Davis

29,367

Roger Mather

30,217

–

–

(11,069)
(18,298)
(26,964)

–
–
3,253

Nil
Nil
Nil

30 July 13
17 Sept 13
9 Dec 13

9.67
9.69
9.55

The remaining matching shares vest on 1 July 2014 and may be exercised at any time before 1 July 2022. 

(c)   Jointly owned shares under the Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan

Godfrey Davis
Roger Mather
Bruno Guillon

31 March 
2013

300,000
250,000
200,670

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

–
–
–

–
(200,000)
–

–
–
(200,670)

31 March 
2014

300,000
50,000
–

For the awards held by Godfrey Davis and Roger Mather, the right to exercise their interest in the shares vested on  
9 October 2012 and remain exercisable until 9 October 2019. The market price of these shares at the date of the award 
was £1.21½. The average mid-market price for Roger Mather’s exercise on 9 December 2013 was £10.08.

The beneficial interest in the jointly owned shares held by Bruno Guillon were forfeited following his resignation from 
the Board.

(d)   Options granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan

31 March 
2013

Granted

Forfeited

31 March
2014

Exercise 
price (£)

Bruno Guillon
Roger Mather

83,964
23,090

58,100
28,600

(142,064)
–

–
51,690

Nil
Nil

The options granted to Bruno Guillon were forfeited on 19 March 2014.

For the options granted during the year the market price on the date of grant was £9.975.

The options granted to Roger Mather are exercisable between 1 July 2015 and 1 July 2021. The options will vest based 
upon the performance of the Group during the years ending 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2016. 20% of the options 
will vest if minimum growth targets are met and then this increases on a straight-line pro rata basis until the maximum 
growth targets are met. 50% of the shares will vest if the revenue target is met and 50% if the EBIT target is met.

Share price information
The market price of Mulberry Group plc ordinary shares at 31 March 2014 was £7.18 (2013: £9.81) and the range during 
the year was £6.37 to £11.25 (2013: £9.70 to £24.72).

12

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcDirectors’ report

Year ended 31 March 2014

The Directors present their report on the affairs of the Group, together with the financial statements and independent 
auditor’s report, for the year ended 31 March 2014.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results for the year are set out in the Group income statement. The Directors are recommending the payment of 
a final dividend of 5.0p per ordinary share (2013: 5.0p), to be paid on 10 September 2014 to ordinary shareholders on 
the register on 15 August 2014.

GOING CONCERN
The  Group’s  business  activities,  together  with  the  factors  likely  to  affect  its  future  development,  performance  and 
financial position are given in the Strategic report. In addition, the notes to the Group financial statements include 
details on the Company’s borrowing facilities and the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its 
capital; its financial risk management objectives; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group has considerable financial resources together with a customer base split across different geographic areas 
and between directly operated stores, partner stores and wholesale accounts. The Group’s forecasts and projections, 
taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able to operate 
within the level of its current facility. In addition, during June 2014, the Group has arranged a £7.5 million revolving 
credit facility to provide additional headroom in available funds. This facility will be in place for a period of two years 
from the date of first draw down. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its 
business risks successfully despite the uncertain economic outlook.

The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company 
and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Annual Report and financial statements.

DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS
The Directors who served during the year and subsequently are shown below.

Executive Directors
Godfrey Davis FCA, 65, became Executive Chairman on 19 March 2014, following Bruno Guillon’s resignation from 
the Board. He had previously performed the role of Chief Executive from 2002 until his appointment as Non-Executive 
Chairman during June 2012. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and joined 
Mulberry as Group Finance Director in 1987 after 15 years at Arthur Andersen, where he was an international partner. 
He is a director of Pittards plc, Princedale Development Limited, King’s Schools Taunton Limited and Hestercombe 
Gardens Limited, and a trustee of Hestercombe Gardens Trust. 

Roger  Mather  FCA,  49,  is  the  Group  Finance  Director.  He  is  a  fellow  of  the  Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants  in 
England and Wales having trained professionally with Price Waterhouse. He joined Mulberry during November 2007 
after  spending  the  previous  10  years  in  senior  finance  and  commercial  roles  within  the  multi-national  Otto  Group 
based both in Hong Kong and the UK. He was appointed as a Director on 7 May 2008. He is also a director and trustee 
of Beaudesert Park School Trust Limited.

Non-Executive Directors
Andrew Christopher Roberts FCCA, 50, was Chairman of the Audit Committee until 7 May 2013 when he then became 
Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee. He was appointed to the Board on 6 June 2002. He is 
a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He is a director of Como Holdings (UK) Ltd which has 
retail, hotel and real estate operations in the UK and was formerly Finance Director of an AIM listed financial services 
group. Como Holdings (UK) Ltd is a company ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

Steven  Grapstein  CPA,  56,  was  appointed  as  a  Director  on  17  November  2003  and  was  appointed  as  Chairman 
of the Audit Committee on 7 May 2013. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Como Holdings USA Inc., an 
international investment group with extensive interests in the retail and hotel industries and Chairman of the Board 
of Directors of Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, a US publicly held Fortune 150 company engaged in the oil and gas 
industry.  He  also  served  as  Chief  Executive  Officer  (1994  to  2005)  and  Chairman  of  Presidio  International  dba  A/X 
Armani Exchange, a fashion retail company until its sale on 15 May 2014. Como Holdings USA Inc. is ultimately owned 
by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. 

12

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcDirectors’ report

(continued)

Bernard  Lam  Kong  Heng,  68,  was  appointed  on  17  November  2003.  He  is  currently  the  Chief  Executive  of  Como 
Holdings (UK) Ltd, a company which has extensive retail, hotel and real estate interests in the UK and internationally 
and is a director of various Como UK related companies. Como Holdings (UK) Ltd is a company ultimately owned by 
Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

Melissa Ong, 40, was appointed on 7 September 2010. She is also a director of Club 21 (Singapore) Pte Ltd, which is 
ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong, and a director of Will Focus Ltd.

Christophe Cornu, 50, was appointed on 7 May 2013 and is an independent director. He is Chief Commercial Officer 
for Nestle Nespresso SA, a specialist in high quality portioned premium coffee and is a director of Nespresso France 
SARL, Nespresso Italiana SPA and Nestle Nespresso Beijing Ltd.

Thierry Andretta, 57, was appointed on 9 June 2014 and is an independent director. He is currently Chief Executive 
Officer of Italian luxury jewellery brand Buccellati. Prior to joining Buccellati in July 2013, Thierry was most recently 
Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  French  couture  house,  Lanvin.  Before  Lanvin,  Thierry  held  various  senior  executive 
positions at Moschino, Fashion Box, Replay USA, Belfe, the Gucci Group, LVMH, Céline and Emanuel Ungaro.

Previous Directors
Bruno Guillon, 48, joined the Group as Chief Executive on 1 March 2012 and was appointed to the Board on 25 April 
2012. He resigned as a Director on 19 March 2014.

Robin Gibson, 72, was Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee. He was appointed on 1 May 1996 
and retired as a Director on 7 May 2013.

Directors’ beneficial interests in the shares of the Company at the year end were as follows:

Godfrey Davis
Roger Mather
Steven Grapstein
Melissa Ong

5p Ordinary 
Shares
2014

5p Ordinary 
Shares
2013

718,527
210,441
10,000
10,000

713,490
32,166
–
–

The other Directors had no interests in the shares of the Company. Details of Directors’ share options, share awards 
(including jointly owned shares issued under the Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan) and other interests in shares are 
disclosed in the Directors’ remuneration report.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS
At 11 June 2014 the Company had been notified of the following interests of 3% or more of the share capital of the 
Company, other than those of the Directors above:

●● Challice Limited – 56.21%

●●

●●

Banque Havilland SA – 24.31%

Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited – 5.78%

14

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcCHARITABLE AND POLITICAL DONATIONS
The  Group  made  charitable  donations  of  £44,000  (2013:  £23,000)  during  the  year.  The  Group  made  no  political 
donations in either year.

AUDITOR
In the case of each of the persons who are Directors of the Company at the date when this report was approved:

●●

●●

so far as each of the Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 
unaware; and

each of the Directors has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have taken as a Director to make himself/herself 
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Deloitte  LLP  have  expressed  their  willingness  to  continue  as  auditor  and  a  resolution  to  re-appoint  them  will  be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board.

Roger Mather 
Director 
11 June 2014

14

15

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcDirectors’ responsibilities statement

Year ended 31 March 2014

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors 
are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the parent 
company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Directors must not approve the accounts 
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or 
loss of the Company for that period. 

In preparing the parent company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

●●

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

●● make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

●●

●●

state  whether  applicable  UK  Accounting  Standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the 
Company will continue in business.

In preparing the Group financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

●●

●●

●●

properly select and apply accounting policies;

present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information;

provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable 
users  to  understand  the  impact  of  particular  transactions,  other  events  and  conditions  on  the  entity’s  financial 
position and financial performance; and

●● make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities.

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

16

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcIndependent auditor’s report

To the members of Mulberry Group plc

We have audited the financial statements of Mulberry Group plc for the year ended 31 March 2014 which comprise the 
Group income statement, the Group statement of comprehensive income, the Group and Parent Company balance 
sheets, the Group statement of changes in equity, the Group cash flow statement and the related notes 1 to 46. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable 
law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

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

SCOPE OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable  assurance  that  the  financial  statements  are  free  from  material  misstatement,  whether  caused  by  fraud 
or  error.  This  includes  an  assessment  of:  whether  the  accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  Group’s  and  the 
Parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness 
of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In 
addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies 
with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, 
or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become 
aware of any apparent misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

OPINION ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In our opinion:

●●

●●

●●

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 
March 2014 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union;

the  Parent  Company  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

●●

the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

OPINION ON OTHER MATTER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
In our opinion:

●●

●●

the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
provisions of AIM Rule 19; and

the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

16

17

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcIndependent auditor’s report

(continued)

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where under the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:

●●

●●

●●

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 
not been received from branches not visited by us; or

the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

●● we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

David Hedditch (Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
Bristol, United Kingdom 
11 June 2014

18

19

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcGroup income statement

Year ended 31 March 2014

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other operating expenses
Exceptional operating expenses

Operating expenses
Other operating income

Operating profit
Share of results of associate
Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before tax
Tax

Profit for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

All activities arise from continuing operations.

Reconciliation of adjusted profit before tax:

Profit before tax
Exceptional items:

Impairment relating to retail assets

  Net non-recurring Director costs

Adjusted profit before tax – non-GAAP measure

Adjusted earnings per share – non-GAAP measure
Adjusted basic earnings per share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Note

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

5

7

8
5

19
11
12

13

8

15
15

7
7

15
15

163,456
(59,992)

165,130
(60,623)

103,464

104,507

(86,806)
(3,388)

(90,194)
447

13,717
292
35
(30)

14,014
(5,412)

8,602

(79,413)
–

(79,413)
437

25,531
477
48
(30)

26,026
(7,333)

18,693

8,602

18,693

14.5p
14.3p

32.2p
32.0p

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

14,014

26,026

2,740
648

–
–

17,402

26,026

19.8p
19.6p

32.2p
32.0p

18

19

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc 
Group statement of comprehensive income

Year ended 31 March 2014

Profit for the year
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
  Tax impact arising on above exchange differences

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

8,602

18,693

(981)
545

215
(170)

8,166

18,738

8,166

18,738

20

21

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcGroup balance sheet

At 31 March 2014

Note

16
17
19
23

20
21
21

24

25

26

2014
£’000

7,323
35,139
64
770

43,296

33,780
13,574
23,414

70,768

2013
£’000

5,740
33,494
281
201

39,716

35,698
14,233
21,858

71,789

114,064

111,505

(29,423)
(683)

(29,800)
(2,996)

(30,106)

(32,796)

83,958

78,709

3,000
11,961
(1,676)
154
1,467
(212)
69,264

83,958

2,992
11,835
(2,937)
154
1,467
224
64,974

78,709

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Interests in associates
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Own share reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Special reserve
Foreign exchange reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors 
and authorised for issue on 11 June 2014.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Godfrey Davis 
Director 

Roger Mather 
Director

20

21

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcGroup statement of changes in equity

Year ended 31 March 2014

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
account
£’000

Own 
share
reserve
£’000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000

Special
reserve*
£’000

Foreign
exchange
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

2,982

11,578

(3,966)

154

1,467

179

50,069

62,463

–
1

–

9
–

–

–
–

–

257
–

–

–
–

–

–
1,029

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

45
–

18,693
–

18,738
1

–

–
–

–

888

888

(1,770)
–

(1,504)
1,029

(2,906)

(2,906)

2,992

11,835

(2,937)

154

1,467

224

64,974

78,709

–

–

8
–

–

–

–

126
–

–

–

–

–
1,261

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

(436)

8,602

8,166

–

–
–

–

81

81

(1,461)
–

(1,327)
1,261

(2,932)

(2,932)

3,000

11,961

(1,676)

154

1,467

(212)

69,264

83,958

Balance at 
  1 April 2012
Total comprehensive 

income for 
the year

Issue of share capital
Charge for employee 
  share-based 
  payments
Exercise of share 
  options
Own shares
Ordinary dividends
  paid

Balance at 
  31 March 2013
Total comprehensive 
(expense)/income 
for the year

Charge for employee

 share-based 

  payments
Exercise of share 
  options
Own shares
Ordinary dividends 
  paid

Balance at 
  31 March 2014

* The special reserve was created as part of a capital restructuring of the Group in 2004.

22

23

23448-04   

9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc 
 
 
 
 
Group cash flow statement

Year ended 31 March 2014

Operating profit for the year

Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Effects of foreign exchange
Share-based payments charge

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Decrease in receivables
Decrease in payables

Cash generated from operations
Corporation taxes paid
Interest paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Investing activities:
Interest received
Dividend received from associate
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of intangible fixed assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities:
Dividends paid
Proceeds on issue of shares
Settlement of share awards
Disposal of own shares

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

13,717

25,531

9,870
1,428
(13)
(40)
127

25,089
1,931
558
(377)

27,201
(7,749)
(30)

19,422

35
441
(13,199)
44
(3,023)

(15,702)

(2,932)
–
(493)
1,261

(2,164)

1,556

21,858

23,414

5,553
803
(26)
(270)
1,011

32,602
(3,101)
533
(5,657)

24,377
(10,922)
(30)

13,425

49
518
(13,976)
37
(2,108)

(15,480)

(2,906)
1
(1,504)
1,029

(3,380)

(5,435)

27,293

21,858

22

23

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9 July 2014 10:45 AM 

Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2014

1.  GENERAL INFORMATION

Mulberry Group plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 
given on page 7. The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in note 6 and in the 
Strategic report.

These financial statements are presented in pounds sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the Group operates. Foreign operations are included in accordance with the policies set 
out in note 3.

2.  ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS

During  the  current  year  the  following  new  and  revised  Standards  and  Interpretations  have  been  adopted  but 
have not had an impact on the Group:

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

IFRS 10: Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 11: Joint Arrangements

Amendment to IAS 27: Separate Financial Statements

Amendment to IAS 28: Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

IFRS 13: Fair Value Measurement

IAS 12: Deferred Tax

IAS 19: Employee Benefits

IAS 36: Impairment of Assets

IFRS 7 (amended) and IAS 32 (amended): Disclosures – offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

IFRS 1 (amended): Government Loans

IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 (amended): Investment Entities

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not 
been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective:

●●

●●

IFRS 9: Financial Instruments

IFRS 12: Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the 
financial statements of the Group in future periods, except that IFRS 12 will impact the disclosure of interests the 
Group has in other entities. Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate 
of the effect of these Standards until a detailed review has been completed.

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs adopted by the European Union.

For the year ended 31 March 2014, the financial year runs for the 52 weeks to 29 March 2014 (2013: 52 weeks 
ended 30 March 2013).

The  financial  statements  are  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention.  The  principal  accounting  policies 
adopted are set out below.

Going concern
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company 
and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus 
they  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  in  preparing  the  financial  statements.  Further 
detail is contained in the Directors’ report.

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Mulberry Group plc3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Basis of consolidation
The Group financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by 
the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 March each year. Control is achieved when the Company:

●●

●●

●●

has the power over the investee;

is exposed, or has rights, to variable return from its involvement with the investee; and

has the ability to use its power to affect its returns. 

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of in any year are included in the Group income statement from 
the date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal.

Where  necessary,  adjustments  are  made  to  the  financial  statements  of  subsidiaries  to  bring  the  accounting 
policies used into line with those used by the Group.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Goodwill
Goodwill written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated and is not included in 
determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal.

Intangible assets
Intangible  assets  that  are  acquired  by  the  Group  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  amortisation  and  any 
recognised impairment loss. Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated  useful  life  of  the  asset.  Assets  in  the  course  of  construction  are  carried  at  cost  less  any  recognised 
impairment loss.

Lease costs comprise the lease premium and related costs associated with the Group’s store at 207 Rue St Honoré 
in Paris which are being amortised over the effective lease term of 27 years.

Computer software that is integral to a related item of hardware is included as property, plant and equipment. 
All other computer software is recorded as an intangible asset and is amortised over the estimated useful life of 
the asset (typically four to five years).

Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation and 
any  recognised  impairment  loss.  Assets  in  the  course  of  construction  are  carried  at  cost  less  any  recognised 
impairment loss. Cost includes professional fees incurred directly in relation to construction of assets.

Depreciation  is  charged  so  as  to  write  off  the  cost  or  valuation  of  assets  less  their  residual  value  over  their 
estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method, on the following bases:

Freehold buildings
Short leasehold land and buildings
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Plant and equipment
Motor vehicles

4% to 5%
over the term of the lease
10% to 33%
14% to 25%
25%

Freehold  land  and  assets  under  the  course  of  construction  are  not  depreciated.  Depreciation  on  assets 
commences when the assets are ready for intended use.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the 
sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
At  each  balance  sheet  date,  the  Group  reviews  the  carrying  amounts  of  its  tangible  and  intangible  assets  to 
determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication 
exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if 
any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates 
the  recoverable  amount  of  the  cash-generating  unit  to  which  the  asset  belongs.  An  intangible  asset  with  an 
indefinite useful life is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be 
impaired.

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, 
the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates 
of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, 
the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss 
is recognised as an expense immediately. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount 
of  the  asset  (cash-generating  unit)  is  increased  to  the  revised  estimate  of  its  recoverable  amount,  but  so  that 
the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no 
impairment loss been recognised for the asset (cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment 
loss is recognised as income immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case 
the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Investments in associates
An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or 
joint control, through the participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. Significant 
influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not 
control or joint control over these policies. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated 
in  these  financial  statements  using  the  equity  method  of  accounting.  Investments  in  associates  are  carried  in 
the  balance  sheet  at  cost  as  adjusted  by  post-acquisition  changes  in  the  Group’s  share  of  the  net  assets  of 
the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Losses of the associates in excess of 
the Group’s interest in those associates are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or 
constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the net fair values of the identifiable net assets of 
the associate at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below 
the Group’s share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the date of acquisition (i.e. 
discount on acquisition) is credited in profit or loss in the period of acquisition.

Where a Group entity transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of 
the Group’s interest in the relevant associate.

Inventories
Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Cost  comprises  materials,  direct  labour 
costs and those overheads incurred in bringing the inventories to their current location and condition. Cost is 
calculated using the standard cost method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all 
estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

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Mulberry Group plc3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported 
in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other 
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is 
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets  and  liabilities  in  the  financial  statements  and  the  corresponding  tax  bases  used  in  the  computation  of 
taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 
recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is 
probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. 
Such  assets  and  liabilities  are  not  recognised  if  the  temporary  difference  arises  from  the  initial  recognition  of 
goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a 
transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and 
associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary 
difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent 
that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be 
recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or 
the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items 
charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

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 they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the 
Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

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

Rentals  payable  under  operating  leases  are  charged  to  income  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  term  of  the 
relevant  lease.  Contingent  lease  rentals  arising  under  operating  leases  are  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the 
period in which they are incurred. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating 
lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Provisions
A provision is recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, 
and where it is probable that an outflow will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at the 
Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date and are 
discounted to present value where the effect is material.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a 
third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and 
the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

Present  obligations  arising  under  onerous  contracts  are  recognised  and  measured  as  provisions.  An  onerous 
contract is considered to exist where the Group has a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the 
obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Share-based payments
The  Group  issues  equity-settled  share-based  payments  to  certain  employees.  Equity-settled  share-based 
payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based vesting conditions) at the date 
of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on 
a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the proportion of shares that will 
eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative 
expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves.

Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, 
based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, performance conditions, exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Retirement benefit costs
Payments to employees’ personal pension plans are charged as an expense as they fall due. Payments made to 
state-managed retirement benefit schemes are dealt with as payments to defined contribution schemes where 
the Group’s obligations under the schemes are equivalent to those arising in a defined contribution retirement 
benefit scheme.

Revenue recognition
Revenue represents amounts receivable for goods provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, 
VAT and other sales-related taxes and intra-group transactions. Sales of goods are recognised at the point of 
sale, or for the wholesale and online businesses, when title has passed. Sales of gift vouchers are recognised on 
presentation of the voucher for payment of goods.

Interest income is accrued on a time basis by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest 
rate applicable. This is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of 
the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

Royalty income is recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement 
and is disclosed as other operating income.

Operating profit
Operating profit is stated before the share of results of associates, finance income and finance expense.

Grant income
Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the 
conditions attaching to them and that the grants will be received. The grant income is recognised as income over 
the periods necessary to match with the related costs and is deducted in reporting the related expense.

Foreign currencies
The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the Group financial statements, the 
results and financial position of each Group company are expressed in pounds sterling, which is the functional 
currency of the Company, and the presentation currency for the Group financial statements.

In  preparing  the  financial  statements  of  the  individual  companies,  transactions  in  currencies  other  than  the 
entity’s  functional  currency  (foreign  currencies)  are  recorded  at  the  rates  of  exchange  prevailing  on  the  dates 
of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items carried at fair 
value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair 
value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are 
not retranslated.

28

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Mulberry Group plc3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Foreign currencies (continued)
Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items, and on the retranslation of monetary items, are 
included in profit or loss for the period. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of non-monetary items 
carried at fair value are included in profit or loss for the period except for differences arising on the retranslation of 
non-monetary items in respect of which gains and losses are recognised directly in equity. For such non-monetary  
items, any exchange component of that gain or loss is also recognised directly in equity.

For the purposes of presenting the Group financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign 
operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are 
translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that 
period, in which case the exchange rates at the date of the transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if 
any, are classified as equity and transferred to the Group’s foreign exchange reserve. Such translation differences 
are recognised as income or as expenses in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Trade receivables
Trade  receivables  do  not  carry  any  interest  and  are  stated  at  their  amortised  cost  as  reduced  by  appropriate 
allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  on  hand  and  demand  deposits,  and  other  short  term  highly  liquid 
investments  that  are  readily  convertible  to  a  known  amount  of  cash  and  are  subject  to  an  insignificant  risk  of 
changes in value.

Derecognition of financial assets
The  Group  derecognises  financial  assets  when  the  contractual  rights  to  the  cash  flows  from  the  asset  expire, 
or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to 
another entity.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  are  classified  according  to  the  substance  of  the  contractual 
arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of 
the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

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

Bank borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the fair value of the proceeds received, net of direct 
issue costs. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are 
accounted for on an accruals basis against profit or loss using the effective interest rate method and are added 
to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

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

Derecognition of financial liabilities
The  Group  derecognises  financial  liabilities  when,  and  only  when,  the  Group’s  obligations  are  discharged, 
cancelled or they expire.

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

4.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other 
sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are 
considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates 
are  recognised  in  the  period  in  which  the  estimate  is  revised  if  the  revision  affects  only  that  period,  or  in  the 
period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The  critical  judgements  undertaken  by  the  Directors  relate  to  the  key  sources  of  estimation  uncertainty.  The 
following estimates that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
At  the  end  of  each  period,  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  reviewed  for  impairment  if  events  or  changes 
in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  may  not  be  recoverable.  When  a  review  for  impairment  is 
conducted, the recoverable amount is determined based on value in use or net realisable value calculations and 
are prepared on the basis of management’s assumptions and estimates. These include assumptions on future 
growth rates, inflation, cost of capital and appropriate risk weightings. During the current year this has resulted in 
an impairment of retail assets in the US of £2.7 million.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives. The selection of the 
estimated lives requires the exercise of management judgement.

Recoverability of intangible asset
The carrying value of the lease premium and related costs for the shop at 207 Rue St Honoré, Paris, is reassessed 
each year based on the ongoing performance of the store and the realisable value of the lease.

Inventory provisions
The Group designs, produces and sells luxury goods and as such is at risk that the net realisable value of stock will 
be less than the carrying value. Provisions for raw materials are calculated based upon expected future usage and 
for finished goods upon the saleability of finished goods and age and condition of the items.

Share-based payments – Long Term Incentive Plan
The  fair  value  is  determined  at  grant  date  and  expensed  over  the  vesting  period  based  on  the  estimate  of 
the  proportion  of  the  shares  which  will  vest.  The  new  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  includes  non  market-based 
performance  conditions,  including  achieving  targets  for  the  Group’s  future  revenue  and  EBIT.  The  probability 
of whether these performance targets will be met based on the latest Group forecasts is re-assessed on a six 
monthly basis.

30

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Mulberry Group plc5.  REVENUE

Sale of goods
Royalty income
Other income
Finance income

Total revenue

2014
£’000

163,456
179
268
35

163,938

2013
£’000

165,130
180
257
48

165,615

6.  BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the 
Group  that  are  regularly  reviewed  by  the  Chief  Operating  decision  maker,  defined  as  the  Chief  Executive,  to 
allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance.

(A) Business segments
For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into two operating divisions – the Retail business and 
the Design business. These divisions are the basis upon which the Group reports its primary segment information. 
The principal activities are as follows:

Retail – sale of Mulberry branded fashion accessories, clothing and footwear through a number of shops and 
department store concessions.

Design – brand management, marketing, product design, manufacture, sourcing and wholesale distribution for 
the Mulberry brand.

Inter-segment sales for both years are charged at market prices in line with our third party wholesale customers.

Segment information about these businesses is presented below.

Revenue
External sales
Inter-segment sales

Total revenue

Segment result

Central administration costs
Share of results of associate
Net finance income

Profit before tax

Design
2014
£’000

54,384
54,415

108,799

Retail
2014
£’000

Eliminations
2014
£’000

109,072
–

109,072

–
(54,415)

(54,415)

163,456

Group
2014
£’000

163,456
–

23,068

(7,972)

–

15,096

(1,379)
292
5

14,014

Included within the retail segment depreciation and amortisation is £2,740,000 relating to impairment.

30

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

6.  BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (continued)

Revenue
External sales
Inter-segment sales

Total revenue

Segment result

Central administration costs
Share of results of associate
Net finance income

Profit before tax

Design
2013
£’000

57,902
51,379

109,281

Retail
2013
£’000

Eliminations
2013
£’000

107,228
–

107,228

–
(51,379)

(51,379)

165,130

11,613

14,357

–

25,970

Group
2013
£’000

165,130
–

(439)
477
18

26,026

2013
Total
£’000

2014
Design
£’000

2014
Retail
£’000

2014
Total
£’000

2013
Design
£’000

2013
Retail
£’000

Other information
Additions to 
  non-current assets

Depreciation and 
  amortisation

7,601

7,941

15,542

6,154

10,238

16,392

2,221

7,632

9,853

1,569

3,381

4,950

In addition, £42,000 (2013: £543,000) of capital expenditure and £1,445,000 (2013: £1,405,000) of depreciation was 
incurred by the Parent Company which is not included in the segments above.

2014
Design
£’000

2014
Retail
£’000

2014
Total
£’000

2013
Design
£’000

2013
Retail
£’000

2013
Total
£’000

38,987

65,616

104,603

26,564

74,235

100,799

64

9,397

114,064

281

10,425

111,505

Balance sheet
Segment assets

Interests in
  associates
Unallocated 
  corporate assets

Consolidated assets

Segment liabilities

18,084

8,967

27,051

15,106

10,458

25,564

Unallocated 
  corporate liabilities

Consolidated liabilities

3,055

30,106

7,232

32,796

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Mulberry Group plc6.  BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (continued)

(B) Geographical segments
The following table provides an analysis of  the  Group’s  sales  and  non-current  assets  by geographical  market, 
irrespective of the origin of the goods:

UK
Rest of Europe
Asia
North America
Rest of world

Sales revenue by 
geographical market
2013
2014
£’000
£’000

106,520
27,579
18,643
9,425
1,289

163,456

108,025
27,739
19,605
8,142
1,619

165,130

Non-current assets 
by geographical 
market

2014
£’000

30,088
6,588
–
6,620
–

43,296

2013
£’000

26,331
5,119
–
8,266
–

39,716

7.  EXCEPTIONAL OPERATING EXPENSES 

The exceptional operating expenses for the year include:

●●

●●

An impairment charge of £2,740,000 relating to the retail assets of two stores on Spring Street, New York, 
and Short Hills, New Jersey. Neither location has traded in line with their expected potential (see note 17); 
and

Net non-recurring Director costs associated with the settlement agreed with Bruno Guillon following his 
resignation from the Company. This includes £833,000 for compensation and payment in lieu of notice, 
£107,000 relating to social security costs and a credit of £292,000 from the forfeiture of his share scheme 
awards.

There were no exceptional income or expenses in the prior year.

8.  PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Net foreign exchange loss/(gain)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Government grants
Write-downs of inventories recognised as an expense
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
Staff costs (see note 10 – including exceptional costs of £648,000)
Impairment of trade receivables
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2014
£’000

490
7,130
2,740
1,428
(1,838)
1,163
57,209
34,111
101
(13)

2013
£’000

(442)
5,553
–
803
(662)
775
58,101
30,151
(230)
(26)

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

9.  AUDITOR REMUNERATION

The analysis of auditor’s remuneration is as follows:
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s 
  annual accounts
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Total audit fees

Other taxation advisory services
Audit related assurance services
Corporate finance services
Other services

Total non-audit fees

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

22
42

64

19
42

61

£’000

£’000

48
4
–
4

56

44
6
3
3

56

Tax services in both years include advice in relation to international structuring and Company share schemes. 
The audit related assurance services relate to the review of grant claims submitted to the Regional Growth Fund. 
The  corporate  finance  services  in  2013  related  to  work  in  connection  with  the  original  Regional  Growth  Fund 
submission for the new Somerset factory.

10.  STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors and those on a part-time basis) was:

Production
Sales and distribution
Administration

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs (see note 30)
Share-based payments (see note 29)

2014
Number

2013
Number

565
543
219

413
536
138

1,327

1,087

£’000

£’000

29,870
3,363
751
127

34,111

25,787
2,634
719
1,011

30,151

The above cost includes exceptional costs of £648,000 (see note 7).

Details of Directors’ remuneration and interests are provided in the audited section of the Directors’ remuneration 
report and should be regarded as part of these financial statements.

34

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc11.  FINANCE INCOME

Interest income on cash balances

12.  FINANCE EXPENSE

Interest on bank overdraft

13.  TAX

Current tax
Adjustment to prior year corporation tax
Deferred tax (note 23)
Adjustment to prior year deferred tax

2014
£’000

35

2014
£’000

30

2014
£’000

6,088
(107)
(647)
78

5,412

2013
£’000

48

2013
£’000

30

2013
£’000

7,560
–
(169)
(58)

7,333

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the Group income statement as follows:

Profit before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 23% (2013: 24%)
Tax effect of items that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes – fixed assets
Overseas losses not utilised or carried forward
Effect of change in corporation tax rate
Prior year adjustments

Tax expense for the year

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

14,014

26,026

3,223
28
652
1,538
–
(29)

5,412

6,246
321
387
436
1
(58)

7,333

Current  tax  of  £545,000  has  been  recognised  directly  in  equity  in  relation  to  foreign  currency  movements 
(2013: £170,000).

The Finance Act 2013 which was enacted on 17 July 2013 reduced the main rate of corporation tax from 23% to 
21% from 1 April 2014 and from 21% to 20% from 1 April 2015. Therefore 20.5% has been used to calculate the 
position on deferred tax at 31 March 2014 (2013: 23%). The Directors are not aware of any other factors that will 
materially affect the future tax charge.

34

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

14.  DIVIDENDS

The dividends approved and paid during the year are as follows:

Dividend for the year ended 31 March 2013 of 5p (2012: 5p) per share 
  paid in September 2013

Proposed dividend for the year ended 31 March 2014 
  of 5p per share (2013: 5p)

2014
£’000

2,932

2013
£’000

2,906

3,000

2,992

This proposed dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been 
included as a liability in these financial statements.

15.  EARNINGS PER SHARE (‘EPS’)

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Adjusted basic earnings per share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Earnings per share is calculated based on the following data:

Profit for the year for basic and diluted earnings per share
Adjustments to exclude exceptional items:

Impairment relating to retail assets

  Net non-recurring Director costs
  Corporation tax impact of above

2014
pence

14.5
14.3
19.8
19.6

2014
£’000

2013
pence

32.2
32.0
32.2
32.0

2013
£’000

8,602

18,693

2,740
648
(216)

–
–
–

Adjusted profit for the year for basic and diluted earnings per share

11,774

18,693

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic EPS
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares: share options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted EPS

2014
million

2013
million

59.4
0.8

60.2

58.1
0.4

58.5

The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excludes those held by the Mulberry 
Group Plc Employee Share Trust.

36

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc 
16.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost
At 1 April 2012
Additions
Exchange differences

At 1 April 2013
Additions
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 31 March 2014

Amortisation
At 1 April 2012
Charge for the year
Exchange differences

At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 31 March 2014

Carrying amount
At 31 March 2014

At 31 March 2013

At 31 March 2012

Software
£’000

4,072
2,536
–

6,608
3,023
(252)
–

9,379

1,582
735
–

2,317
1,358
(252)
–

3,423

5,956

4,291

2,490

Lease
costs
£’000

1,859
–
32

1,891
–
–
(16)

1,875

365
68
9

442
70
–
(4)

508

1,367

1,449

1,494

Total
£’000

5,931
2,536
32

8,499
3,023
(252)
(16)

11,254

1,947
803
9

2,759
1,428
(252)
(4)

3,931

7,323

5,740

3,984

At 31 March 2014, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of software of £50,000 
(2013: £262,000). Included within software is £1,426,000 of projects still in development and where depreciation 
will not commence until the projects are complete and the assets come into use (2013: £2,007,000). 

36

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

17.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Short
leasehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Plant and
equipment
£’000

Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£’000

Motor
vehicles
£’000

Cost
At 1 April 2012
Additions
Disposals
Reclassification
Exchange differences

At 1 April 2013
Additions
Disposals
Exchange differences

5,962
3,717
–
137
–

9,816
1,953
–
–

14,092
3,167
–
(137)
303

17,425
2,040
(71)
(703)

At 31 March 2014

11,769

18,691

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2012
Charge for the year
Disposals
Reclassification
Exchange differences

At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year
Impairment charge
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 31 March 2014

Carrying amount
At 31 March 2014

1,582
236
–
–
–

1,818
386
–
–
–

2,204

1,611
2,097
–
–
37

3,745
2,414
2,188
–
(201)

8,146

5,585
1,294
(772)
(1,220)
15

4,902
2,963
(76)
(41)

7,748

2,694
779
(766)
(63)
4

2,648
1,096
–
(76)
(15)

3,653

8,616
6,221
(1,054)
1,220
224

15,227
5,605
(118)
(464)

20,250

4,266
2,408
(1,049)
63
54

5,742
3,211
552
(48)
(118)

9,339

At 31 March 2013

7,998

13,680

2,254

9,485

9,565

10,545

4,095

10,911

Total
£’000

34,394
14,399
(1,826)
–
542

47,509
12,561
(314)
(1,208)

58,548

10,182
5,553
(1,815)
–
95

14,015
7,130
2,740
(142)
(334)

23,409

35,139

33,494

139
–
–
–
–

139
–
(49)
–

90

29
33
–
–
–

62
23
–
(18)
–

67

23

77

At 31 March 2012

4,380

12,481

2,891

4,350

110

24,212

Included within the table above are the following assets under the course of construction which are not being 
depreciated:

At 31 March 2014

–

1,001

At 31 March 2013

3,550

678

The Group has the following contractual commitments:

At 31 March 2014

–

1,677

At 31 March 2013

1,739

2,429

–

183

–

306

390

1,107

1,186

1,351

–

–

–

–

1,391

5,518

2,863

5,825

38

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc17.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Freehold land of £2,029,000 (2013: £2,029,000) has not been depreciated.

The Group tests property, plant and equipment annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications 
that assets might be impaired.

During the year, an impairment charge of £2,740,000 (2013: nil) was identified as part of the Directors’ impairment 
review of the retail store assets in respect of two US stores. The total recoverable amount for these two stores at 
the balance sheet date is considered to be nil.

Where  indicators  of  impairment  are  identified,  the  recoverable  amounts  of  the  cash-generating  units  (‘CGU’) 
are determined from value in use calculations and are compared to the assets’ carrying values at 31 March 2014. 

The  key  assumptions  for  the  value  in  use  calculations  are  those  regarding  the  discount  rates,  sales  growth 
rates  and  expected  changes  to  selling  prices  and  direct  costs  during  the  period  covered  by  the  projections. 
Management estimates discount rates using post-tax rates that reflect current market assessments of the time 
value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs. The post-tax cash flow projections were based on the most 
recent financial budgets approved by the Board for the next 12 months and models cash flows for the following 
ten  years  based  on  an  estimated  growth  rate  of  5-20%  over  the  period.  The  growth  rates  are  based  on  past 
experience and expectations of future changes in the market. After five years, this rate exceeds the average long 
term growth rate for the relevant markets due to expected product price increases over time. 

The  post-tax  discount  rate  used  in  these  calculations  was  12.5%  (2013:  12.2%).  This  is  based  on  the  Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital adjusted for country specific tax rates and risks. The Group has conducted a 
sensitivity analysis on the impairment test of each CGU’s carrying value. A reduction in the projected growth rate 
by 5-20% would cause the carrying value of the assets to equal their recoverable amount.

18.  SUBSIDIARIES

A list of the significant investments in subsidiaries, including the name, country of incorporation and proportion 
of ownership interest is given in note 37 to the Company’s separate financial statements.

19.  INTERESTS IN ASSOCIATES

Total assets
Total liabilities

Total net assets

Total revenue
Profit for the year
Group’s share of profit of associate

2014
£’000

2,205
(1,797)

408

2,986
583
292

2013
£’000

3,255
(2,417)

838

3,913
955
477

A list of the significant investments in associates, including the name, country of incorporation and proportion of 
ownership interest is given in note 37 to the Company’s separate financial statements.

38

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

20.  INVENTORIES 

Raw materials
Work-in-progress
Finished goods

21.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Amount receivable for the sale of goods 
Allowance for doubtful debts

Amounts owed by associate undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

2014
£’000

4,025
724
29,031

33,780

2014
£’000

7,153
(480)

6,673
111
2,780
4,010

2013
£’000

2,940
723
32,035

35,698

2013
£’000

9,233
(468)

8,765
230
1,712
3,526

13,574

14,233

Trade receivables
The average credit period taken on the sale of goods is 50 days (2013: 49 days). No interest is charged on the 
outstanding receivables. The carrying amount of receivables approximates to their fair value.

The Group has provided for the estimated irrecoverable amount from the sale of goods, where there is doubt 
as to the recoverability of the receivables balance. Before accepting any new customer, the Group assesses the 
potential customer’s credit quality and defines individual credit limits by customer.

The Group’s receivables comprise primarily department stores, franchisee partners and associates, and wholesale 
customers. Those customers who represented more than 10% of the total balance of trade receivables at the year 
end were House of Fraser (Stores) Limited and SHK Holdings (franchisee partner in Korea).

Included  in  the  Group’s  trade  receivables  balance  are  debtors  with  a  carrying  amount  of  £821,000  (2013: 
£1,417,000) which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been 
a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable.

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:

0 to 30 days overdue
31 to 60 days overdue

2014
£’000

773
48

821

2013
£’000

1,319
98

1,417

Given the relatively small nature of the provision for receivables, no further analysis is provided.

40

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc21.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

23,414

21,858

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  held  by  the  Group  and  short  term  bank  deposits  with  an  original 
maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value.

22.  BORROWINGS

The  Group’s  borrowing  facilities  comprise  bank  overdrafts  which  would  be  repayable  on  demand.  The  multi-
currency  overdraft  facilities  of  £4,000,000  (2013:  £2,000,000)  have  been  secured  by  a  charge  over  the  Group’s 
assets.  The  interest  rates  are  determined  based  on  1%  over  the  bank  base  rate.  In  addition,  the  Group  has 
available trade facilities of £2,000,000 (2013: £2,000,000).

No  borrowings  were  outstanding  at  the  year  end  (2013:  nil).  During  June  2014,  the  Group  has  arranged  a 
£7,500,000 revolving credit facility, which will help to provide additional headroom on the current facilities. This 
facility will be in place for a period of two years from the date of the first draw down. 

23.  DEFERRED TAX

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon 
during the current and prior reporting periods.

At 1 April 2012
Credit to income

At 1 April 2013
Credit to income

Net deferred tax asset as at 31 March 2014

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

Short term
timing
differences
£’000

204
(187)

17
(503)

(486)

(178)
(40)

(218)
(66)

(284)

Total
£’000

26
(227)

(201)
(569)

(770)

Certain  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  have  been  offset.  The  following  is  the  analysis  of  the  deferred  tax 
balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

Deferred tax liability
Deferred tax asset

2014
£’000

–
(770)

(770)

2013
£’000

17
(218)

(201)

40

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

24.  OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Accruals and deferred income
Other payables

2014
£’000

9,239
15,517
4,667

29,423

2013
£’000

11,760
13,364
4,676

29,800

Trade payables and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. 
The average credit period taken for trade purchases is 10 days (2013: 15 days). For most suppliers, no interest is 
charged on the trade payables for the first 60 days from the date of the invoice. Thereafter, interest is charged on 
the outstanding balances at various interest rates. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to 
ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

25.  SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised
65,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each (2013: 65,000,000)

Issued and fully paid
59,997,458 ordinary shares of 5p each (2013: 59,830,175)

2014
£’000

3,250

2013
£’000

3,250

3,000

2,992

The following share issues have been made during the year in respect of the exercise of share options:

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

On 6 August 2013, 7,922 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 7 August 2013, 3,147 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 30 September 2013, 2,687 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 1 October 2013, 15,611 5p ordinary shares were issued at par and 11,916 5p ordinary shares were 
issued at a premium of £1.395 per share; and

On 18 December 2013, 78,084 5p ordinary shares were issued at a premium of £1.395 per share and 47,916 
5p ordinary shares were issued at par.

The Company has granted 171,500 options in respect of 5p ordinary shares during the year (2013: 209,234).

26.  RESERVES

The  own  share  reserve  represents  733,814  5p  ordinary  shares  (2013:  1,286,243)  at  a  cost  of  £1,675,900  (2013: 
£2,937,548). The shares have been purchased in the market or issued as new shares by the Company, and are held 
by the Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust to satisfy the deferred and matching shares under the Deferred 
Bonus Plan and Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan. 

During the year, the reserve reduced as a result of the transfer of 552,429 shares with a value of £1,261,648 (2013: 
449,650 shares with a value of £1,029,297) to satisfy the vesting of share awards.

42

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Mulberry Group plc27.  OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as an 
  expense in the year

2014
£’000

12,257

2013
£’000

9,938

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under 
non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2014
£’000

14,208
45,149
47,215

2013
£’000

12,210
43,676
47,168

106,572

103,054

Operating  lease  payments  represent  rentals  payable  by  the  Group  for  certain  of  its  retail  stores,  warehouses 
and  offices.  The  leases  are  for  a  varied  length  of  time  with  the  longest  lease  running  until  2035.  Leases  are 
typically subject to rent reviews at specified intervals and some payments are contingent upon levels of revenue 
above minimum thresholds. The amount paid under this contingent element in the year was £1,563,000 (2013: 
£2,328,000).

28.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Mulberry Group plc has acted as a guarantor on various property leases entered into between its subsidiaries 
and third-party lessors. No amounts were outstanding at the year end in respect of such guarantees (2013: nil).

29.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The Group operated the following schemes during the year.

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme
The  scheme  was  established  on  14  April  2008  and  is  open  to  all  employees  of  Mulberry  Group  plc  and  its 
subsidiaries. The exercise price is equal to the market value of the shares on the date of grant. The vesting period 
is three years. If the options remain unexercised for a period of ten years from the date of grant they expire. 
Options may be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group.

Details of the share options movements during the year are as follows:

2014

2013

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Number
of share
options

210,000
–
(110,000)

100,000

Weighted
average
exercise
price (in £)

4.98
12.05
1.45

8.87

Number
of share
options

441,000
(10,000)
(221,000)

210,000

Exercisable at the end of the year

100,000

8.87

140,000

Weighted
average
exercise
price (in £)

3.40
–
1.51

4.98

1.45

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £9.53 
(2013: £11.70). The options outstanding at 31 March 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 
nil years (2013: 0.8 years).

42

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

29.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

The inputs into the Black–Scholes model are as follows:

Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yields

2014

2013

£12.05
£12.05
50.21%
3.25 years
1.88%
0.3%

£1.52 to £12.05
£1.52 to £12.05
50.21% to 62.41%
3.25 years 
1.88% to 1.99%
0.3% to 1.6%

Expected  volatility  was  based  on  historical  volatility  over  the  expected  life  of  the  scheme.  The  expected  life 
is based upon historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of  
non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Deferred Bonus Plan
The plan was established on 8 August 2008 and is open to all employees of Mulberry Group plc and its subsidiaries. 
The share-based payments charge relates to the cost of matching shares awarded to employees participating in 
this plan. The vesting period is two years. If the matching shares remain unexercised after a period of ten years 
from  the  date  of  grant,  the  award  expires.  The  matching  shares  may  be  forfeited  if  the  employee  leaves  the 
Group.

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2014
Number of
matching
shares

2013
Number of
matching
shares

160,941
–
(2,612)
(115,567)

180,123
25,115
(7,215)
(37,082)

42,762

160,941

26,110

109,771

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £9.58. 
The options outstanding at 31 March 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.2 years (2013: 
0.4 years) and have an exercise price of nil. 

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yields

2014

£14.75
Nil
42%
2 years
0.27%
0.2%

2013

£1.94 to £14.75
Nil
42% to 76.07%
2 years
0.27% to 1.96%
0.2% to 1.6%

44

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plc29.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

Expected  volatility  was  based  on  historical  volatility  over  the  expected  life  of  the  scheme.  The  expected  life 
is based upon historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of  
non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Mulberry Group plc 2009 Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan
The plan was established on 20 August 2009. The vesting period is generally three years. The jointly owned shares 
may be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group prior to vesting and the rights of the participants lapse if the 
award has not been exercised after a period of seven years from the date of vesting.

Details of the share awards outstanding during the year are as follows:

2014

2013

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Number
of share
awards

1,150,670
(200,670)
(600,000)

Weighted
average
exercise
price (in £)

5.22
23.02
1.46

Number
of share
awards

1,525,670
–
(375,000)

Outstanding at the end of the year

350,000

1.46

1,150,670

Exercisable at the end of the year

350,000

1.46

950,000

Weighted
average
exercise
price (in £)

1.46
–
1.46

5.22

1.46

The co-owned share rights outstanding at 31 March 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 
nil years (2013: 1.9 years). The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards exercised 
during the period was £9.80. 

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yields

2013 and 2014

£1.21½ to £18.89½
£1.46 to £23.02
47.96% to 53.79%
2.25 years to 4 years
0.41% to 2.16%
0.4% to 1.6%

Expected  volatility  was  based  on  historical  volatility  over  the  expected  life  of  the  scheme.  The  expected  life 
is based upon historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of  
non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

44

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

29.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

Mulberry Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan
The plan was established on 19 December 2012. The vesting period is generally three years and is dependent 
upon attainment of certain performance conditions, including achievement of Group revenue and EBIT growth. 
The options may be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group and the rights of the participants lapse if the 
award has not been exercised after a period of five years from the date of vesting.

Details of the share awards outstanding during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2014
Number
of share
options

190,342
171,500
(199,766)

2013
Number
of share
options

–
209,234
(18,892)

162,076

190,342

–

–

The options outstanding at 31 March 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.82 years (2013: 
0.93 years) and have an exercise price of nil. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year 
was £9.84 (2013: £1.51).

The inputs into the Black–Scholes model are as follows:

Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yields

2014

2013

£10.00 to £11.63
Nil
53% to 60%
1.5 years to 3 years
0.27% to 0.66%
0.2% to 0.5%

£11.63
Nil
53%
1.5 years to 2.5 years
0.27% to 0.32%
0.2%

Expected  volatility  was  based  on  historical  volatility  over  the  expected  life  of  the  scheme.  The  expected  life 
is based upon historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of  
non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

The Group recognised the following expense/(income) related to share-based payments:

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme
Mulberry Group plc 2008 Deferred Bonus Plan
Mulberry Group plc 2009 Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan
Mulberry Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan

2014
£’000

119
212
(108)
(96)

127

2013
£’000

93
392
429
97

1,011

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Mulberry Group plc30.  RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES

The Group contributes to personal pension plans for all qualifying employees. The total cost charged to income 
of  £751,000  (2013:  £719,000)  represents  contributions  payable  to  these  personal  plans  by  the  Group  at  rates 
contractually agreed. As at 31 March 2014, contributions due in respect of the current reporting period which had 
not been paid over to the plans were £117,000 (2013: £106,000).

31.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns 
while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital 
structure  of  the  Group  consists  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  equity  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the 
parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Group statement of changes 
in equity and notes 25 and 26.

Externally imposed capital requirement
The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

Significant accounting policies
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the 
basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expense are recognised, in respect of each class of 
financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 3 to the financial statements.

Categories of financial instruments

Financial assets
Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

Financial liabilities
Amortised cost

Carrying values

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

30,198

30,853

9,239

11,760

Financial risk management objectives
The Group’s Finance Director is responsible to the Board for the Group’s financial risk management. This includes 
analysing  the  Group’s  exposure  by  degree  and  magnitude  of  risks.  These  risks  include  market  risk  (including 
currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group seeks to minimise the effects of these risks where possible. It does this by maintaining bank accounts 
in all of the major currencies in which it trades and it operates its own internal hedging by offsetting currency 
receipts on sales against purchases in related currencies. Where there is significant risk remaining, and the Group 
deems it necessary, it uses derivative financial instruments to hedge these risk exposures. The Group does not 
enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

Market risk
The  Group’s  activities  expose  it  primarily  to  the  financial  risks  of  changes  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates 
and interest rates. The Group reviews the need to enter into financial instruments on a regular basis but has not 
entered into any during the current or previous period. As the Group has no debt, it is not significantly exposed 
to interest rate risk on its financial liabilities and continues to seek to maximise the returns from its bank deposits.

46

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

31.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Foreign currency risk management
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Hence, exposures to exchange 
rate fluctuations arise. The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and 
monetary liabilities at the reporting date are as follows:

Euro
US Dollar

Liabilities

Assets

2014
£’000

2,492
2,610

2013
£’000

2,272
2,953

2014
£’000

5,995
4,513

2013
£’000

4,283
3,864

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
The Group is mainly exposed to the US Dollar and Euro currencies.

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase or decrease in Sterling against the relevant 
foreign  currencies.  10%  is  the  sensitivity  rate  which  represents  management’s  assessment  of  the  reasonably 
possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency 
denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10% change in foreign currency 
rates. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit and other equity where Sterling strengthens 10% 
against the relevant currency. For a 10% weakening of Sterling against the relevant currency, there would be an 
equal and opposite impact on the profit and other equity, and the balances below would be negative or positive.

Profit or loss

Euro currency
impact

US Dollar currency
impact

2014
£’000

185

2013
£’000

183

2014
£’000

173

2013
£’000

83

Interest rate risk management and sensitivity analysis
The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk on borrowings is limited as there is no outstanding debt within the 
Group.  The  Group’s  exposures  to  interest  rates  on  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  detailed  in  the 
liquidity risk management section of this note.

The Group’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates has been illustrated based on a 1% increase or decrease in 
interest rates. For floating rate deposits and liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability 
outstanding at the balance sheet date was outstanding for the whole year. A 1% increase or decrease has been 
applied to represent management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates.

If interest rates had been 1% higher and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s profit for the year 
ended 31 March 2014 would have increased by £79,000 (2013: increase by £123,000). This is mainly attributable to 
the Group’s exposure to interest rates on its cash deposits.

Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss 
to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining 
letters of credit where deemed appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers. Credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition 
of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit insurance cover is purchased.

The  Group  does  not  have  any  significant  credit  risk  exposure  to  any  single  counterparty  or  any  group  of 
counterparties having similar characteristics, other than as disclosed in note 21. The Group defines counterparties 
as having similar characteristics if they are connected entities.

48

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Mulberry Group plc31.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Liquidity risk management
Ultimate  responsibility  for  liquidity  risk  management  rests  with  the  Board  of  Directors,  which  has  built  an 
appropriate  liquidity  risk  management  framework  for  the  management  of  the  Group’s  short,  medium  and 
long  term  funding  and  liquidity  management  requirements.  The  Group  manages  liquidity  risk  by  maintaining 
adequate reserves and banking facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching 
the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Included in note 22 is a description of additional undrawn 
facilities that the Group has at its disposal to reduce further liquidity risk.

Liquidity and interest risk tables
The Group’s financial assets all contractually mature within the next year. Trade receivables do not accrue interest. 
The weighted average interest rate on cash and cash equivalents was 0.3% (2013: 0.3%).

The following tables detail the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities. The tables have 
been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which 
the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

Weighted
average
interest
rate

2014

Less than
1 year
£’000

1 to
2 years
£’000

2 to
3 years
£’000

3 to
4 years
£’000

4 to
5 years
£’000

Total
£’000

Current liabilities

–

30,106

–

–

–

–

30,106

Weighted
average
interest
rate

2013

Less than
1 year
£’000

1 to
2 years
£’000

2 to
3 years
£’000

3 to
4 years
£’000

4 to
5 years
£’000

Total
£’000

Current liabilities

–

32,796

–

–

–

–

32,796

Fair value of financial instruments
The  carrying  amounts  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  recorded  at  amortised  cost  in  the  financial 
statements approximate to their fair values.

32.  ACQUISITION AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On  19  November  2013,  the  Group  entered  into  an  agreement  to  purchase  KJ  Saint  Honoré  SA,  a  company 
registered in France, for approximately €9 million. This company owns the rights to a lease for a store on Rue 
Saint-Honoré, Paris, where it is planned to open a new flagship store in 2015. This acquisition is subject to various 
conditions being fulfilled by the vendor. These are due to be completed at the end of June 2014. The acquisition 
will  be  undertaken  by  Mulberry  Company  (France)  SARL.  Included  within  other  debtors  at  the  year  end  is  a 
deposit of £0.7 million paid in relation to this acquisition.

48

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Group financial statements

(continued)

33.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions  between  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries,  which  are  related  parties,  have  been  eliminated  on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Transactions between the Group and its associates are disclosed 
below.

Trading transactions
During  the  year,  Group  companies  entered  into  the  following  transactions  with  related  parties  which  are  not 
members of the Group:

Mulberry Oslo AS
Club 21 Retail (Hong Kong) Limited*
Club 21 (Hong Kong) Limited*
Club 21 Shanghai Limited*
Club 21 Pte Limited*
Club 21 (Thailand) Co Limited*
Club 21 Pte Limited Taiwan Branch*
Club Twenty-One Retail (M) Sdn Bhd*
Club 21 Australia Pty Limited*
Club 21 Japan Company Limited*

Sale of goods

2014
£’000

1,718
4,730
357
249
2,217
1,125
327
616
457
542

2013
£’000

1,694
3,352
–
818
2,248
1,021
415
363
554
1,105

Amounts owed by
related parties

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

111
113
6
68
101
27
4
46
37
7

230
259
–
394
227
71
22
6
24
(32)

*  These  are  related  parties  of  the  Group  as  they  are  all  related  companies  of  Challice  Limited,  the  majority 

shareholder of the Company.

All sales of goods have been made on an arm’s length basis. The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be 
settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in 
respect of the amounts owed by related parties.

During the year, Mulberry Company (Design) Limited has paid £70,000 in contributions to store refurbishments to 
Club 21 Pte Limited (2013: £867,000). No amounts were outstanding in relation to this at the year end. 

Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in 
aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’. Further information about 
the remuneration of individual Directors is provided within the audited part of the Directors’ remuneration report.

Short term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

34.  CONTROLLING PARTY

2014
£’000

2,171
88
138

2,397

2013
£’000

1,638
89
573

2,300

At the year end, Challice Limited controlled 56.21% of the issued share capital of the Company. The ultimate 
controlling parties of Challice Limited are Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. As at the date of signing 
the financial statements, Challice Limited controlled 56.21% of the issued share capital of the Company.

50

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Mulberry Group plcCompany financial statements

Contents

Company balance sheet 

Notes to the Company financial statements 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

Group five-year summary 

Page

52

53

59

63

50

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Mulberry Group plcCompany balance sheet

At 31 March 2014

Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities
Provision for liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Own share reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Special reserve
Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Note

38
37

39

40

41

44
45
45
45
45
45

46

2014
£’000

8,396
13,610

22,006

2013
£’000

9,798
13,610

23,408

53,021

42,252

(44,068)

(33,874)

8,953

8,378

30,959
(96)

30,863

3,000
11,961
(1,676)
154
4,187
13,237

30,863

31,786
(174)

31,612

2,992
11,835
(2,937)
154
4,187
15,381

31,612

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors 
and authorised for issue on 11 June 2014.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Godfrey Davis 
Director 

Roger Mather 
Director

52

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Company financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2014

35.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting
The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006 and 
have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and law. They have 
been prepared under the historical cost convention and under the going concern assumption. Further details of 
the Directors’ considerations in relation to going concern are included in the Directors’ report.

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. These have been applied consistently throughout the 
year and the preceding year.

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are shown at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a 
straight-line basis over its expected useful life at the following rates per annum:

Freehold buildings
Short leasehold property
Fixtures and fittings

Freehold land is not depreciated.

5% per annum
term of the lease
10% to 33% per annum

Investments
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries and associates are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  are  classified  according  to  the  substance  of  the  contractual 
arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of 
the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

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

Foreign exchange
Transactions  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  into  Sterling  at  the  rates  ruling  at  the  dates  of 
the  transactions.  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  at  the  balance  sheet  date 
are translated at the rates ruling at that date. These translation differences are dealt with in the profit and loss 
account.

Pension costs
Payments to employees’ personal pension plans are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Share-based payments
The Company participates in a number of executive and employee share schemes. For all grants of share options, 
the fair value as at the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes model and the corresponding expense 
is recognised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the Company’s estimate of the proportion 
of the shares that will actually vest.

52

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Company financial statements

(continued)

35.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Taxation
Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated, but not reversed at the balance 
sheet date where transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to 
pay less tax in the future have occurred at the balance sheet date. Timing differences are differences between 
the Company’s taxable profits and its results as stated in the financial statements, that arise from the inclusion of 
gains and losses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in the financial 
statements.  A  net  deferred  tax  asset  is  regarded  as  recoverable  and  therefore  recognised  only  when,  on  the 
basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits 
from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted. Deferred tax is measured at 
the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to 
reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis. The taxation liabilities are reduced wholly or in part by the 
surrender of tax losses by fellow Group undertakings for which payment is made.

Cash flow statement
A  cash  flow  statement  has  not  been  prepared  as  the  Group  financial  statements  include  a  Group  cash  flow 
statement.

36.  PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company has elected not to present its own profit 
and loss account for the year. Mulberry Group plc reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2014 of 
£2,168,000 (2013: profit of £7,653,000).

The  auditor’s  remuneration  for  audit  and  other  services  is  disclosed  within  note  9  to  the  Group  financial 
statements.  The  only  employees  of  the  Company  are  the  Directors  whose  emoluments  are  disclosed  in  the 
Directors’ remuneration report.

37.  FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Subsidiaries
shares
£’000

Subsidiaries
loans
£’000

Cost
At 1 April 2013
Additions

At 31 March 2014

Provision for impairment
At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year

At 31 March 2014

Net book value
End of year

Beginning of year

3,266
–

3,266

1,460
–

1,460

1,806

1,806

Total
£’000

15,070
–

15,070

1,460
–

1,460

11,804
–

11,804

–
–

–

11,804

13,610

11,804

13,610

54

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Mulberry Group plc37.  FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS (continued)

The Company has investments in the following subsidiaries and associates which principally contributed to the 
profits or net assets of the Group:

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Holding of 
ordinary 
shares 

Subsidiaries

Mulberry Company (Design) Limited

England and Wales Design and manufacture of 

100%

Mulberry Company (France) SARL

France

clothing and fashion accessories 
in the UK

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in France

100%

Mulberry Company (Sales) Limited

England and Wales Establishment and operation of 

100%*

retail shops in the UK

Mulberry Company (Europe) Limited

England and Wales

Intermediary holding company

Mulberry Company (USA) Inc***

USA

Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust Guernsey

Mulberry Company (Germany) GmbH

Germany

Mulberry Company (Switzerland) GmbH

Switzerland

Mulberry Company (Austria) GmbH

Austria

Mulberry Company (Canada) Inc

Canada

Associates

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in the USA

Operation of an employee share 
trust

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in Germany

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in Switzerland

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in Austria

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in Canada

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Mulberry Oslo AS**

Norway

Operation of a retail store in Oslo

50%*

Mulberry Oslo AS is treated as an associate as while the Group effectively owns 50% of the issued share capital 
the entity is controlled by a third party. 

*  Owned by Mulberry Company (Europe) Limited 
**  Accounting reference date of 30 September 
***  Previously called Kilver Street Inc

54

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Company financial statements

(continued)

38.  TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 1 April 2013
Additions

At 31 March 2014

Depreciation
At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year

At 31 March 2014

Net book value
End of year

Beginning of year

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Short
leasehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Fixtures
and
fittings
£’000

6,265
23

6,288

1,818
245

2,063

4,225

4,447

6,836
18

6,854

2,109
1,063

3,172

3,682

4,727

887
3

890

263
138

401

489

624

Total
£’000

13,988
44

14,032

4,190
1,446

5,636

8,396

9,798

Freehold land of £997,000 (2013: £997,000) has not been depreciated.

At 31 March 2014, the Company had not entered into any contractual commitments for the acquisition of property 
(2013: nil) and there were no assets under the course of construction where depreciation has not yet commenced 
(2013: nil).

39.  DEBTORS

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed by Group undertakings
Prepayments and accrued income
Current tax

2014
£’000

52,715
232
74

53,021

2013
£’000

41,893
359
–

42,252

Included within amounts owed by Group undertakings is £29,038,000 (2013: £14,195,000) due after one year.

40.  CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Accruals and deferred income

2014
£’000

41,689
2,379

44,068

2013
£’000

29,296
4,578

33,874

56

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Mulberry Group plc41.  PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES 

Deferred tax – accelerated capital allowances

Deferred tax liability at 1 April 2013
Credit for the year

Deferred tax liability at 31 March 2014

42.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

2013
£’000

174

2014
£’000

96

174
(78)

96

Details of related party transactions are provided in note 33 of the Group financial statements. The Company has 
taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 8 not to disclose details of transactions with other wholly-owned Group 
companies.

43.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Mulberry Group plc has acted as a guarantor on various property leases entered into between its subsidiaries 
and third-party lessors. No amounts were outstanding at the year end in respect of such guarantees (2013: nil).

44.  CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL 

Authorised
65,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each (2013: 65,000,000)

Issued and fully paid
59,997,458 ordinary shares of 5p each (2013: 59,830,175)

2014
£’000

3,250

2013
£’000

3,250

3,000

2,992

The following share issues have been made during the year in respect of the exercise of share options:

●●

●●

●●

●●

●●

On 6 August 2013, 7,922 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 7 August 2013, 3,147 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 30 September 2013, 2,687 5p ordinary shares were issued at par;

On 1 October 2013, 15,611 5p ordinary shares were issued at par and 11,916 5p ordinary shares were 
issued at a premium of £1.395 per share; and

On 18 December 2013, 78,084 5p ordinary shares were issued at a premium of £1.395 per share and 47,916 
5p ordinary shares were issued at par.

The Company has granted 171,500 options in respect of 5p ordinary shares during the year (2013: 209,234).

56

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Mulberry Group plcNotes to the Company financial statements

(continued)

45.  RESERVES

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
£’000

Own
share
reserve
£’000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000

Special
reserve*
£’000

Profit
and loss
 account
£’000

Balance at 1 April 2013
Profit for the year
Ordinary dividends paid
Charge for share-based 
  payments
Exercise of share options
Own shares

2,992
–
–

–
8
–

11,835
–
–

–
126
–

(2,937)
–
–

–
–
1,261

154
–
–

–
–
–

4,187
–
–

–
–
–

15,381
2,168
(2,932)

81
(1,461)
–

Balance at 31 March 2014

3,000

11,961

(1,676)

154

4,187

13,237

* Created as part of a capital restructuring of the Group in 2004.

The cumulative amount of goodwill resulting from acquisitions in earlier financial years which has been written off 
is £165,000 (2013: £165,000).

The own share reserve represents 733,814 5p ordinary shares (2013: 1,286,243) at a cost of £1,675,900 (2013: £2,937,548). 
The shares have been purchased in the market or issued as new shares by the Company, and are held by the Mulberry 
Group Plc Employee Share Trust to satisfy the deferred and matching shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan and Co-
ownership Equity Incentive Plan.

During the year, the reserve reduced as a result of the transfer of 552,429 shares with a value of £1,261,648 (2013: 
449,650 shares with a value of £1,029,297) to satisfy the vesting of share awards.

46.  RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

Balance at 1 April 2013
Profit for the year
Ordinary dividends paid
Charge for share-based payments
Exercise of share options
Own shares

Balance at 31 March 2014

£’000

31,612
2,168
(2,932)
81
(1,327)
1,261

30,863

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcNotice of Annual General Meeting

Year ended 31 March 2014

Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting of Mulberry Group plc will be held at Mulberry Group plc’s offices,  
30 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4HA on 8 September 2014 at 11 am for the following purposes:

Ordinary Business:
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:

Adoption of financial statements
1.  That the report of the Directors and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2014 together with the 

independent auditor’s report be received and adopted.

Dividend declaration
2.  To declare a final dividend of 5.0 pence per ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2014.

Election of Directors
3.  To elect Mr T P Andretta as a Director who, having been appointed since the last Annual General Meeting, offers 

himself for re-election in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

Re-election of retiring Directors
4.  That Mr A C Roberts who retires as a Director by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association 

be re-elected as a Director.

5.  That Ms M Ong who retires as a Director by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association be 

re-elected as a Director.

Appointment of auditor
6.  That Deloitte LLP be re-appointed as auditor of the Company until the conclusion of the next general meeting 

before which accounts are laid, and that their remuneration be agreed by the Directors.

Special Business:
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 7 will be proposed as an ordinary 
resolution, and resolutions 8 and 9 will be proposed as special resolutions:

Directors’ power to allot relevant securities
7.  That, in substitution for any equivalent authorities and powers granted to the Directors prior to the passing of this 
resolution, the Directors be and they are generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Section 551 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company, and grant 
rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares of the Company (such shares, and rights to subscribe 
for or to convert any security into shares of the Company being “relevant securities”) up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £999,958, provided that, unless previously revoked, varied or extended, this authority shall expire on 
the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2015, except that the Company 
may at any time before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities 
to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such an offer or 
agreement as if this authority had not expired.

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Mulberry Group plcNotice of Annual General Meeting

(continued)

Waiver of statutory pre-emption rights
8.  That the Directors be and they are empowered pursuant to Section 570(1) of the Act to allot equity securities (as 
defined in Section 560(1) of the Act) of the Company wholly for cash pursuant to the authority of the Directors 
under Section 551 of the Act conferred by resolution 7 above, and/or by way of a sale of treasury shares (by virtue 
of Section 573 of the Act), in each case as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to such allotment, provided 
that: 

(a)  the power conferred by this resolution shall be limited to:

(i)   the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer of equity securities to the holders of ordinary 
shares in the capital of the Company in proportion as nearly as practicable to their respective holdings of 
such shares, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary 
or expedient to deal with fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems arising under the laws or 
requirements of any overseas territory or by virtue of shares being represented by depository receipts or the 
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange or any other matter whatsoever; and

(ii)  the allotment, otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above, of equity securities up to an aggregate 

nominal value equal to £149,994; and

(b)  unless previously revoked, varied or extended, this power shall expire on the conclusion of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company to be held in 2015 except that the Company may before the expiry of this power 
make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and 
the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if this power had not 
expired.

Authority to purchase ordinary shares (market purchases)
9.  That the Company be and is hereby unconditionally and generally authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of 
the Act to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Act) of its ordinary shares of 5p 
each (“Ordinary Shares”) provided that:

(a)  the maximum number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be purchased is 2,999,873;

(b)  the minimum price which may be paid for any such Ordinary Share is 5p;

(c)  the maximum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be an amount equal to 105% of the average 
middle  market  prices  for  an  Ordinary  Share  as  derived  from  the  London  Stock  Exchange  Daily  Official  List 
for  the  five  business  days  immediately  preceding  the  day  on  which  the  Ordinary  Share  is  contracted  to  be 
purchased; and

(d)  this authority shall, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, expire on the earlier of the date falling 18 
months after the date of the passing of this resolution and the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company to be held in 2015, but the Company may enter into a contract for the purchase of Ordinary Shares 
before the expiry of this authority which would or might be completed (wholly or partly) after its expiry.

By order of the Board

Kate Anthony Wilkinson 
Secretary 
11 June 2014

Registered office: The Rookery, Chilcompton, Bath, Somerset, BA3 4EH

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Mulberry Group plcNotes:
1.  All members holding ordinary shares are entitled to attend, speak and vote at the meeting. Such members may 
appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote instead of them. A proxy need not also be a member of the Company 
but  must  attend  the  AGM  in  order  to  represent  his  appointer.  A  member  may  appoint  more  than  one  proxy 
provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares (so a member must have more 
than one share to be able to appoint more than one proxy). A form of proxy is enclosed. The notes to the form 
of proxy include instructions on how to appoint the Chairman of the AGM or another person as proxy and how 
to appoint a proxy electronically or by using the CREST proxy appointment service. To be effective the form must 
reach the Company’s registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol 
BS99 6ZY by 11 am on 4 September 2014.

2.  Pursuant  to  regulation  41  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities  Regulations  2001,  the  Company  specifies  that  only 
those persons registered in the register of members of the Company at 6 pm on 4 September 2014 (or if the 
AGM is adjourned, 48 hours before the time fixed for the adjourned AGM) shall be entitled to attend and vote 
at the AGM in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. Any changes to the register 
of members after such time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the 
AGM.

3.  Please note that communications regarding the matters set out in this Notice of Annual General Meeting will not 

be accepted in electronic form other than as specified in the enclosed form of proxy.

4.  As at 11 June 2014 (being the last business day prior to the publication of this Notice) the Company’s issued 
share capital consists of 59,997,458 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in 
the Company as at 11 June 2014 are 59,997,458.

5.  The following documents are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during the usual 
business hours on any weekday (Saturday, Sunday or public holidays excluded) from the date of this Notice until 
the conclusion of the AGM and will also be available for inspection at the place of the AGM from 10.45 am on 
the day of the AGM until its conclusion:

(a)  the register of Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company; and

(b)  copies of the Executive Directors’ service contracts with the Company and letters of appointment of the Non-

Executive Directors.

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Mulberry Group plcExplanatory notes to the Special Business to be transacted at the meeting

Resolution 7 – Directors’ power to allot relevant securities
Resolution 7, which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution, grants the Directors authority to allot shares in the 
capital  of  the  Company  and  other  relevant  securities  up  to  an  aggregate  nominal  value  of  £999,958,  representing 
approximately one-third of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 11 June 2014, 
being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice. The Directors do not have any present intention 
of exercising the authorities conferred by this resolution but they consider it desirable that the specified amount of 
unissued share capital is available for issue so that they can more readily take advantage of possible opportunities in 
the future.

Unless revoked, varied or extended, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company or the date falling 18 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier.

Resolution 8 – waiver of statutory pre-emption rights
Resolution 8, which will be proposed as a special resolution, authorises the Directors in certain circumstances to allot 
equity  securities  for  cash  other  than  in  accordance  with  statutory  pre-emption  rights  (which  require  a  company  to 
offer all allotments for cash first to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings). The relevant circumstances 
are either where the allotment takes place in connection with a rights issue or the allotment is limited to a maximum 
nominal amount of £149,994, representing approximately 5% of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital 
of the Company as at 11 June 2014, being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice. Unless revoked, 
varied or extended, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company or 18 months after the 
passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier.

The  Company  may  hold  any  shares  it  buys  back  “in  treasury”  and  then  sell  them  at  a  later  date  for  cash  rather 
than  simply  cancelling  them.  Any  such  sales  are  required  to  be  made  on  a  pre-emptive,  pro-rata  basis  to  existing 
shareholders  unless  shareholders  agree  by  special  resolution  to  dis-apply  such  pre-emption  rights.  Accordingly,  in 
addition to giving the Directors power to allot unissued ordinary shares on a non pre-emptive basis, resolution 8 will 
also give the Directors power to sell ordinary shares held in treasury on a non pre-emptive basis, subject always to the 
limitations noted above.

The  Directors  consider  that  the  power  proposed  to  be  granted  by  resolution  8  is  necessary  to  retain  flexibility  in 
relation to the management of the Company’s share capital, although they do not have any intention at the present 
time of exercising such power.

Resolution 9 – authority to purchase ordinary shares (market purchases)
Resolution 9, which will be proposed as a special resolution, authorises the Directors to make market purchases of up 
to 2,999,873 ordinary shares (representing approximately 5% of the Company’s issued ordinary shares as at 11 June 
2014, being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice). Shares so purchased may be cancelled or 
held as treasury shares as noted above. The authority will expire at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company or 18 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier. The Directors intend to seek 
renewal of this authority at subsequent Annual General Meetings.

The minimum price that can be paid for an ordinary share is 5p, being the nominal value of an ordinary share. The 
maximum price that can be paid is 5% over the average of the middle market prices for an ordinary share, derived from 
the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange, for the five business days immediately before the day on which 
the share is contracted to be purchased.

The Directors intend to exercise this right only when, in light of the market conditions prevailing at the time and taking 
into account all relevant factors (for example, the effect on earnings per share), they believe that such purchases are in 
the best interests of the Company and shareholders generally. The overall position of the Company will be taken into 
account before deciding upon this course of action. The decision as to whether any such shares bought back will be 
cancelled or held in treasury will be made by the Directors on the same basis at the time of the purchase.

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Mulberry Group plc62

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcGroup five-year summary

Year ended 31 March 2014

Results
Revenue

2010
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2013
£’000

2014
£’000

72,052

121,645

168,451

165,130

163,456

Operating profit

4,856

23,010

35,417

25,531

13,717

Profit before tax

5,096

23,345

36,001

26,026

14,014

Profit attributable to equity holders

2,972

17,063

25,301

18,693

8,602

Assets employed
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Key statistics
Earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

10,760
29,524
(13,819)
–
__________
26,465

20,620
55,967
(34,555)
–
__________
42,032

28,553
74,751
(40,815)
(26)
__________
62,463

39,716
71,789
(32,796)
–
__________
78,709

43,296
70,768
(30,106)
–
__________
83,958

5.2p
5.2p

29.8p
29.1p

43.9p
43.4p

32.2p
32.0p

14.5p
14.3p

64

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Proof 4

Mulberry Group plcMulberry Group plc
The Rookery  Chilcompton  Somerset  BA3 4EH
Tel +44 (0)1761 234 500  Fax +44 (0)1761 234 555  mulberry.com