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Phoenix Spree Deutschland

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5

Capturing
Germany’s  
growth 
potential

Phoenix Spree Deutschland 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction

Phoenix Spree Deutschland is an investment 
trust founded in 2007 and listed on the London 
Stock Exchange. It offers shareholders exposure to  
the German residential market, particularly Berlin, 
where two-thirds of assets are located.

Over the past nine years, the Company has 
assembled an attractive portfolio of real estate 
assets which the Directors believe offers investors 
the potential for both reliable income as well as 
capital growth. 

PMM Partners acts as the Property Advisor. It has 
an experienced team of property professionals 
with long-standing experience of the German 
residential property market. 

Strategic Report
Highlights of the Year 
Chairman’s Statement 
Operational Review 
At a Glance 
Business Model 
Strategy 
Our Investment Proposition 
Key Performance Indicators 
Berlin 
Nuremberg & Fürth 
Northern Germany 
Condominiums 
Principal Risks 

01
02
04
08
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
20

Directors’ Report
Board of Directors 
Directors’ Report 
Corporate Governance Statement 
Audit and Risk Committee Report 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Statement of  
  Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of  
  Financial Position 
Consolidated Statement of  
  Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Professional Advisors 

22
23
26
30
33
34

35

38

39

40
41
42
66

www.phoenixspree.com

 
 
 
Highlights of the Year

2015 – A landmark year

2015 was a landmark year for Phoenix Spree Deutschland (LSE: PSDL.LN), the UK listed 
investment company specialising in German residential real estate, which today announces 
its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2015. The acquisition of Phoenix Spree 
Property Fund, a successful debt refinancing and the listing on the Main Market of the 
London Stock Exchange in June 2015 have provided the Company with a platform from 
which to take advantage of the structurally attractive German residential market.

Financial highlights
•  Pre-exceptional profit before tax up 132% to €19.7 million  

(31 December 2014: €8.5 million)1

•  Portfolio value rose by 15.3% from €245.3 million to €282.8 million during the 

year, or 10.6% on a like-for-like basis2

•  2015 EPRA NAV per share grew by 10.7% to €2.28 (£1.67)  

(31 December 2014: €2.06 (£1.60))

•  Strong letting performance. Rent per square metre rose by 9.5% to €7.5  

(4.8% on a like-for-like basis)2

•  Average rent on new lettings for the overall portfolio was €8.9 per sqm,  

a 9.8% increase over 2014. In Berlin, new leases were signed at an average  
of €10.3 per sqm, a 10.6% increase over 2014

•  Final dividend of 2.9p, giving a total dividend of 4.2p for the financial year

Operational highlights
•  Acquisition of Phoenix Spree Property Fund and debt refinancing completed
•  Successful transition to the London Stock Exchange – share price increased 

by 18%3 since listing to end March 2016

•  Condominium sales strategy launched – 20 apartments notarised in H2 2015
•  As at 31 December 2015, five Berlin residential properties notarised for 

acquisition with an aggregate consideration of €35.8 million and expected  
to increase the Fund’s rental income by c.5.4%

•  Recent share placing raised £36.6 million after costs to fund attractive 

pipeline of acquisition opportunities

Outlook
•  Outlook for the German residential market, in particular Berlin,  

remains positive

•  Demand for property continues to grow due to population growth and 
ongoing process of urbanisation, driving an upward trend in rents and 
property prices

•  Supply of rental housing is restricted to a limited number of high-value areas
•  Further scope for market rental growth and yield compression 
•  Residential prices remain below the cost of construction
•  Opportunity to improve rental incomes through active  

asset management

•  Further condominium sales programmes are planned for the year ahead

1  Excluding exceptional items relating to the acquisition of PSPF, stock market listing and impairment  

2 

of goodwill.
Includes PSPF properties for 2014 and 2015. Like-for-like adjusts for acquisitions and disposals  
made during 2015.

3  Share price at June 2015 listing £1.50. Share price as at 31 March 2016 £1.77.

EPRA NAV/share

€2.28 
+10.7%

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

2.28

2.06

1.82

1.92

2012

2013

2014

2015

Portfolio value

€282.8m
+15.3%

282.8

233.1

245.3

219.0

€300.0

€250.0

€200.0

€150.0

€100.0

€50.0

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

Dividend per share p

4.2p

(2.9p final/1.3p interim)

Phoenix Spree Deutschland 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015

01

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Chairman’s Statement

lifespan of up to ten years. A major 
strategic review was initiated at the 
beginning of 2014 and a variety of options 
to provide liquidity for shareholders were 
evaluated. The Board subsequently 
recommended that a transaction which 
would see the Company acquire its sister 
fund, followed by a listing on the London 
Stock Exchange, was likely to deliver the 
best outcome for investors, while at the 
same time providing a platform to fund 
future growth. Following a major 
refinancing in the first quarter of 2015, 
which provided the Company with cash to 
finance further acquisitions, the listing 
commenced in June 2015. 

In the second half of the year, our objective 
was to grow the Portfolio through selective 
property acquisitions. The criteria for new 
acquisitions are rigorous, with all proposals 
having to meet, or exceed, the Company’s 
target of achieving an IRR of 8-10%. It is 
therefore pleasing to report that, by the 
year end, five Berlin properties had been 
notarised with an aggregate purchase 
value of €35.8 million. Combined with the 
successful disposal of three non-core 
properties, these actions have increased 
exposure to the Berlin market, leaving the 
Portfolio better positioned to deliver 
reliable income, as well as capital growth.

Placing of new Ordinary Shares
At the time of the introduction to the Main 
Market of the LSE, no new shares were 
issued. Following property acquisitions 
in the second half of 2015, the Company 
issued new equity in February 2016 by 
way of an Offer for Subscription and Share 
Placing, raising a total of £38 million to 
facilitate further growth of the Portfolio, 
particularly in Berlin. The Company also 
gained shareholder approval for a Placing 
Programme to enable additional equity 
to be raised in an efficient manner in the 
event that further investment opportunities 
arise. Notwithstanding a difficult market 
backdrop, the capital raising attracted a 
high level of investor interest and allowed 
the Company to welcome a number of 
new institutional investors to the register. 

“ I am pleased to announce 
the Company’s first annual 
results since its successful 
introduction to the London 
Stock Exchange.”

I am pleased to announce the Company’s 
first annual results since its successful 
introduction to the London Stock 
Exchange on 15 June 2015.

It was a transformational year for the 
Company, marking a period which saw the 
completion of a major debt refinancing, 
the acquisition of the Company’s sister 
fund Phoenix Spree Property Fund (‘PSPF’) 
and a transfer of the listing to the Main 
Market of the London Stock Exchange. 
These actions, combined with the recent 
successful capital raising, provide the 
financial platform for future growth and 
leave the Company well positioned to 
achieve its investment objectives in the 
years ahead.

Corporate developments and strategy
Phoenix Spree Deutschland (‘PSD’) was 
established in 2007 as a closed-ended 
investment fund listed on the Channel 
Islands Securities Exchange, with an initial 

2015 increase in EPRA NAV

+10.7%

Increase in share price since listing1

+18.0%

1 

 Share price at June 2015 listing £1.50.  
Share price as at 31 March 2016 £1.77.

02

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Outlook
The outlook for the German residential 
market remains positive, particularly in 
Berlin, where residential prices remain on 
average below the cost of construction 
and demand for property continues to 
grow, due to the ongoing process of 
urbanisation and population growth.  
The Directors believe there is scope for 
further market rental growth and yield 
compression through the Portfolio’s 
exposure to a structurally attractive 
German real estate market as well as  
the opportunity to improve rental  
incomes through active asset 
management. Additionally, a number  
of new condominium sales programmes 
are either underway or planned for  
the year ahead. 

The market listing and subsequent capital 
raising, combined with a strengthening in 
our Berlin presence, provide the Company 
with both the funding and platform to take 
advantage of the pipeline of potential 
investment opportunities that lie ahead.

Robert Hingley
Chairman

28 April 2016

Asset manager
The past year has been an extremely 
demanding period for PMM Partners, 
Property Advisor to the Company. 
They have been actively involved in the 
complex and time-consuming corporate 
transactions that have successfully 
positioned the Company for its next 
phase of growth, while at the same 
time remaining focused on the day-to-
day management of the Portfolio. The 
recruitment of Jörg Schwagenscheidt to 
the position of Chief Executive of PMM 
Partners Germany GmbH, and a number 
of other senior Berlin-based hires, should 
ensure that our asset management 
platform is capable of delivering on 
our key operating metrics and growth 
ambitions. The Board would like to thank 
PMM Partners and its staff for their role 
in contributing to this year’s progress. 

Corporate governance
The Directors recognise that high 
standards of corporate governance  
are vital if the Company is to deliver its 
strategy and safeguard the interests of  
our shareholders and other valued 
stakeholders and are committed to 
ensuring that the Company complies  
with best practice standards for the 
business it carries out. As the shares are 
listed on the premium segment of the 
Official List, Listing Rule 9.8.6(5)R requires 
the Company to apply the provisions of  
the UK Corporate Governance Code  
(the ‘Code’) to the extent relevant to it.  
The Board has considered the principles 
and recommendations of the Code and  
is pleased to confirm that the Company 
complies with the provisions of the  
Code which are relevant to it as an 
investment company.

Financial results
The year to 31 December 2015 
demonstrated continuing operational 
strength. Growth in both rents and property 
values continued, enabling EPRA NAV to 
increase by 10.7% for the year to €2.28 
(12.2% before exceptional items). The active 
asset management strategies that have 
been pursued during 2015 have allowed the 
Company to take advantage of both the 
strong reversionary rental potential that 
exists within the Portfolio, as well as the 
opportunity to unlock value by reselling 
apartment blocks as condominiums. 

During the year, new leases were signed 
at an average 21.2% premium to in-
place rents. Additionally, the value 
arbitrage between an apartment block 
and the value of the same property 
sold as single apartments remains 
significant and the results of the first-
phase condominium sales programme 
have been very encouraging. 

Share price and dividend 
The Company listed with an initial share 
price of 150 pence per share. By 31 March 
2016, the share price had risen to 177 pence 
per share, representing an increase during 
the period of 18%. This share price 
appreciation has taken place against an 
uncertain market backdrop and, for the 
greater part, declining global equity 
markets. While no guarantees can be 
provided in relation to future share price 
performance, it is nonetheless pleasing to 
see shareholders rewarded for their 
continued support during a period of stock 
market uncertainty and transformational 
change for the Company.

Since the introduction to the Main Market, 
the Company has targeted a dividend 
equal to 2.5% of EPRA NAV per share and 
intends to pursue a progressive dividend 
policy. The Board is therefore pleased to 
declare a final dividend of 2.9 pence per 
share, taking the full year dividend to 4.2 
pence per share. This is expected to be 
paid on or around 10 June 2016.

03

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review

2015 represented a landmark year for the Company. Rents and property values  
continued their upward trend, while the results of the condominium sales programme first 
phase were encouraging. The acquisition of PSPF, the market listing and the recent share 
placing provide the Company with a solid foundation for growth. 

Financial highlights

€million

Revenue
Operating profit
Finance costs
Profit before tax
Taxation
Profit after tax
EPS (Euros)

Dividend per share (p)

of total units owned. The average rent 
achieved on new lettings for the overall 
portfolio was €8.9 per sqm, a 9.8% 
increase over 2014. In Berlin, new leases 
were signed at an average of €10.3 per 
sqm, a 10.6% increase over 2014. 

By the final quarter of 2015, the achieved 
price for new lettings stood at €8.9 per 
sqm, which represented a 24.7% premium 
to the average portfolio passing rent, and 
for Berlin this premium stood at 40%. This 
significant reversionary gap between new 
leases and passing rents is one of the 
strengths of the Company’s portfolio, and 
should underpin rental income growth into 
the medium term. 

Pre-exceptional

Exceptional items

12.1
21.5
(1.8)
19.7
(2.6)
17.1
0.24

 4.2

0
(6.8)
0
(6.8)
0
(6.8)
(0.10)

Total

12.1
14.7
(1.8)
13.0
(2.6)
10.3
0.14

Investment and maintenance
Pro-forma renovation spend for the  
12-month period was in line with 
expectations at €4.9 million. The majority  
of this spend related to the renovation of 
vacated apartments prior to re-letting at 
rents at a premium to those paid by outgoing 
tenants. Around 6% of units were renovated 
in 2015, and the average rental premium 
achieved on re-letting was 68%. The average 
spend per refurbishment was approximately 
€20,400, or €290 per sqm. Further 
investment spend was focused on upgrades 
to communal parts such as façades and 
staircases as well as investment in more 
efficient heating systems. 

In addition to capital expenditure, 
approximately €1.0 million was spent on 
repairs and maintenance during 2015.

Rent sqm growth by region 2012 to 2015

10.0%

8.0%

6.0%

4.0%

2.0%

0.0%

2012

2013

2014

2015

  Berlin 

  Nuremberg & Fürth 

  Central & North Germany

The operating metrics detailed in the 
subsequent paragraphs are calculated on  
a pro-forma basis (i.e. as if PSPF was 
fully owned for the entire period 
under review) unless otherwise stated. 
The Directors believe this gives a 
better assessment of the operational 
performance of the property portfolio.

Like-for-like Portfolio value increases  
by 10.6%
The Portfolio valuation rose by 15.3% 
from €245.3 million to €282.8 million. On 
a like-for-like basis (excluding properties 
acquired or disposed of during 2014 and 
2015), property values rose by 10.6%. 
This represents a value per sqm of 
€1,635, and a gross fully occupied yield 
of 5.7%. Using EPRA methodology, the 
net yield as at 31 December 2015 was 
4.6% (31 December 2014: 4.8%). Growth 
was strongest in Berlin and Nuremberg 
& Fürth, which saw like-for-like values 
increase by 12.2% and 14.7% respectively. 

Rental growth demonstrates  
reversionary potential
Annualised rental income increased to 
€14.1 million at 31 December 2015, a 
like-for-like increase of 3.2% compared 
with December 2014. Average in-place 
rent per sqm stood at €7.5, a like-for-like 
increase of 4.8% compared with December 
2014. Nuremberg & Fürth saw the 
strongest growth in rent per sqm, with  
an 8.9% increase, followed by Berlin  
with 6.5%. 

Reported vacancy stood at 10.1% at the year 
end, compared with 10.3% as at June 2015 
and 9.1% as at December 2014. On an EPRA 
basis, which adjusts for units under 
renovation and reserved for resale, vacancy 
stood at 3.9% compared to 5.6% in June 
2015 and 4.1% in December 2014. 

Strong performance in new lettings
The Company had a strong letting 
performance, both in terms of volume 
and the price achieved. Around 370 
leases were signed, representing 16% 

04

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
 
Portfolio regional overview

Market

% of fund 
by value

Buildings

Residential 
units 

Commercial 
units 

Total
units

Total
sqm  

(‘000)

Gross  
rent
(€m)

Valuation 
(€m)

Value per
sqm (€)

Fully 
occupied 
gross 
yield % 

Vacancy  
% 

EPRA
Vacancy
%

Berlin Region
Central & North Germany
Nuremberg & Fürth
Baden-Württemberg

66%
20%
10%
4%

54
42
17
2

1,149
805
203
18

90
47
29
24

1,239
852
232
42

94
50
20
8

8.1
3.8
1.4
0.8

186.4
57.3
29.1
10.0

1,979
1,140
1,450
1,191

5.0% 11.0%
7.2%
7.3%
6.1% 15.6%
4.1%
8.6%

3.4%
6.1%
1.5%
1.3%

Total

100%

115

2,175

190 2,365

173

14.1

282.8

1,635

5.7% 10.1%

3.9%

Acquisitions and disposals
The Company acquired a 94.8% interest  
in Phoenix Spree Property Fund Gmbh  
& Co. KG in March 2015 for a consideration 
of €41.5 million, funded by a cash 
payment of €2.4 million and the issue of 
19.2 million new shares. The Company 
had previously agreed an economic 
merger with PSPF in 2009 and the two 
funds had been managed on a joint 
basis since this time. The consideration 
paid for the controlling interest was in 
line with the latest reported NAV and 
therefore value neutral for shareholders. 

During 2015, the Company notarised  
the purchase of five properties with  
an aggregate value of €35.8 million.  
The properties consist of 213 apartments,  
14 commercial units and a lettable area  
of 18,200 sqm. These buildings are 
located in Berlin and represent an average 
purchase price of around €1,960 per sqm. 
The majority of the acquisitions are located 
in Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain, 
two popular East Berlin districts. As at 
31 December 2015 one transaction valued 
at €16 million had completed, and the 
remaining transactions completed in 
the first half of 2016. In aggregate, the 
acquisitions represent an increase in net 
contracted rent of around 10.4%. They 
have been financed using a combination 
of existing cash resources and debt. 
Following the completion of the recent 
share placing, the Company has significant 
resources available to fund further 
acquisitions and it is anticipated that several 
property purchases will be notarised 
during 2016. 

Three properties were notarised for  
sale during the period, representing an 
aggregate disposal value of €2.3 million. 
The first property, a commercial building 
in Dinslaken, was sold for a consideration 
of €1.4 million and the sale completed in 
the second half of 2015. Additionally, two 
properties located in Nuremberg were 
notarised for sale, representing proceeds 
of €0.9 million and a premium to book 
value of around 60%. These disposals are 
due to complete in the first half of 2016. 

During the second half of 2015,  
20 individual units (condominiums) 
were notarised for sale for an aggregate 
consideration of €4.9 million. As 
at 31 December 2015, 16 sales had 
completed, representing proceeds of  
€4.1 million. The average price 
achieved for apartments was €3,912 
per sqm, a significant premium to 
the average value for the Company’s 
Berlin rental properties of €1,863.

Financial results
The financial results for the period include 
the consolidation of PSPF from the date  
of its acquisition. Reported revenue for  
the period was €12.1 million (31 December 
2014: €6.6 million). On an IFRS basis, 
profit before taxation was €13.0 million 
(31 December 2014: €8.5 million). 
The results were positively affected 
by a revaluation gain of €18.1 million 
(31 December 2014: €4.5 million). Profit 
before taxation (‘PBT’) is calculated after 
charging exceptional items relating to the 
acquisition of PSPF and the subsequent 
stock market listing of €2.3 million, and 
goodwill impairment of €4.5 million. 

Portfolio valuations by region €m

€300

€250

€200

€150

€100

€50

0

10.0
29.1

57.3

186.4

9.9
25.3

55.5

154.5

16.0
22.3

54.1

140.2

17.4
23.6

52.5

125.4

2012

2013

2014

2015

  Other
  Nuremburg & Fürth
  Central & North Germany
  Berlin

05

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Property Advisor adds resource 
Since the stock market listing, PMM 
has made significant investments into 
its asset management platform. Jörg 
Schwagenscheidt, former COO/Joint CEO 
of GSW, Berlin’s largest residential property 
company, was recruited to the role of CEO 
of PMM Partners Germany. A number of 
additional senior hires have been made 
over the last three months, including 
heads of acquisitions and technical 
services. PMM believes this investment 
ensures that it has sufficient resource to 
manage further growth in the Portfolio. 

Operational Review continued

Net asset value increased by 10.7% during 2015.  
Underlying total return was 13.1%.

Since the year end, further debt has been 
arranged to finance properties notarised 
for purchase during 2015.

In March 2016, the Company issued  
22.6 million new ordinary shares by  
way of a Share Placing and Offer for 
Subscription raising £36.6 million net  
of fees. The proceeds will be used to 
finance further acquisitions and upgrade 
existing properties. 

EPRA NAV increases by 10.7%
EPRA NAV per share rose by 10.7% to  
€2.28 (£1.67) compared to €2.06 (£1.60)  
as at 31 December 2014. Taking into 
account the interim dividend of 1.3p, the 
EPRA total return for the year was 11.5% in 
local currency. This compares to the 
Company’s target of 8-10% per annum. 
EPRA NAV was affected by a number of 
exceptional items relating to the 
acquisition of PSPF and the stock market 
listing in June. In total these exceptional 
items reduce EPRA NAV by around 1.5%.

Market outlook
The outlook for the German residential 
market, and in particular Berlin, remains 
positive going into 2016. Population 
growth in the major urban areas, combined 
with limited supply, has driven an upward 
trend in rents and property prices, which 
is expected to continue into the medium 
term. With property values still below the 
replacement cost, new supply of rental 
housing is restricted to a limited number 
of high-value areas. PMM Partners (‘PMM’)
believes that prices would need to rise 
further before the supply and demand 
imbalance is addressed and, therefore, 
there is still significant upside potential 
within the Company’s Portfolio. 

Excluding these items, PBT was  
€19.7 million (31 December 2014 
€8.5 million). Further one-off costs 
of €1.0 million, incurred in relation 
to the cancellation of loans as part 
of the Company’s refinancing, were 
recorded as finance charges. Reported 
earnings per share for the period were 
€0.14c (31 December 2014: €0.16c). 

The Board has declared a final dividend 
of 2.9 pence per share (31 December 2014: 
zero pence), which is expected to be paid 
on or around 10 June 2016 to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 
20 May 2016, with an ex-dividend date 
of 19 May 2016. Taking into account the 
interim dividend paid in October 2015,  
the declared dividend for the financial  
year to 31 December 2015 is 4.2p. This is 
consistent with the Company’s current 
policy of paying a dividend which is 
equivalent to 2.5% of EPRA NAV.

Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2015, the Company  
had gross borrowings of €133.8 million 
(31 December 2014: €53.5 million) 
and cash balances of €12.8 million 
(31 December 2014: €3.6 million) 
equating to a net debt of €121.0 million 
(31 December 2014: €49.9 million) and a 
net loan to value on the Portfolio of 42.8%. 
With the exception of loans amounting 
to €9.6 million, all loans across the 
Portfolio have fixed interest rates and the 
average remaining duration is 5.4 years. 

In February 2015, the Company entered 
into a €68 million seven-year loan facility.  
As at 31 December 2015, €66 million of this 
facility was drawn and swap agreements 
entered into which result in an effective 
interest rate of 1.8%. The majority of this 
facility was used to refinance existing 
facilities. On 17 August 2015, the Company 
drew an additional €14.7 million of 
debt against properties within its PSPF 
subsidiary. Interest rates were fixed at 1.92% 
for seven years using swap contracts. 

06

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015PMM’s principals have a background in 
property and finance and each have more 
than a decade of experience operating in 
the German residential market. The PMM 
team was recently enhanced by the 
recruitment of Jörg Schwagenscheidt,  
who was previously Chief Operating  
Officer, and Board member of GSW 
Immobilien, Berlin’s largest residential 
property company. PMM, its staff and 
family members had an aggregate 
shareholding of 14.9% in the Company  
as at 31 March 2016.

Background on PMM Partners
PMM Partners has acted as property 
advisor to the Company since inception. 
PMM has 13 members of staff, across 
offices in London and Berlin, focusing 
wholly or primarily on the Portfolio. 
PMM is responsible for the management 
activities of the real estate assets 
in the Portfolio, which include:
•  creation and execution of  

business plans;

•  acquisitions and disposals;
•  organising and coordinating  

property renovations;
initiation of bank finance;
tenant selection and negotiation; and

• 
• 
•  supervision and oversight of  

property managers.

Boxhagenerstrasse – acquired December 2015

07

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report At a Glance

Over the last five years, the value of the combined Portfolio 
of PSD and PSPF has grown by 51.9% to €283 million.  
Berlin now represents more than two-thirds of the Portfolio 
value and this focus is expected to increase during 2016. 

Reported property portfolio valuation 2008–2015 €m 

+15.3% 2015

€300

€250

€200

€150

€100

€50

€0

282.8

233.1

245.3

219.0

167.8

170.3

186.1

190.3

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

The Company’s investment strategy is to 
acquire and manage residential property 
in Berlin and other selected German 
secondary cities. The aggregate value of 
the Portfolio (including the assets of PSPF) 
has risen from €167.8 million in 2008 to 
€282.8 million in 2015, with each year 
seeing an increase. This equates to an 
average value per sqm of €1,635, ranging 
from €1,140 in Central and Northern 
Germany to €1,979 in Berlin (€1,863 
excluding condominium projects).

The Portfolio mainly consists of classic 
‘alt-bau’ properties which were built  
before 1914. Typically, these five-storey 
buildings contain between 20 and 40  
units, consisting of one to three-bedroom 
apartments, often with shops on the 
ground floor. The vast majority of the 
Portfolio was acquired by the Company or 
PSPF during the period 2006 to 2008 and, 
as a result, the Properties have benefitted 
from significant investment and active 
asset management by PMM. 

08

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Properties by location in Germany

Property by location

3.5%

10.3%

20.3%

Lubeck

MECKLENBURG

Luneburg

65.9%

BRANDENBURG

Berlin

SACHSEN

  Berlin
  Central and North
  Nuremberg & Fürth
  Baden-Württemberg

Floor space by usage

17%

Kiel

Rendsburg

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

Bremen

Winsen Luhe

Oldenburg

Verden

NIEDERSACHSEN

Hannover

Hildesheim

NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN

SAXONY-ANHALT

THURINGIA

HESSEN

RHINELAND-PFALZ

SAARLAND

Nuremberg & Fürth 

83%

Pforzheim

BAYERN

Holzgerlingen

BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG

  Residential 

  Commercial

Properties

115

Residential units

2,175

Usable space (sqm)

173K

Commercial units

190 

  Residential
  Commercial

Property by age

16.4%

17.1%

  Before 1949
  1950–1990
  After 1990

66.5%

09

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Business Model

Exploiting the reversionary potential of the German 
residential market through active asset management.

Reinvestment

Acquire

Properties with  
potential in Berlin 
and secondary cities

Renovate

Targeted and  
value-added 
investment

Reinvestment

Optimise

Increase lettable 
area and rental 
income

Monetise

Properties 
revalued or sold as 
condominiums

The Company’s business model is to 
acquire, renovate, optimise and monetise 
properties within Berlin and selected 
secondary cities. 

Acquire
The Company focuses on apartment 
buildings which offer the potential for 
medium-term value creation. For example, 
properties may be rented at rates well 
below current market levels, have 
development capacity, or have the 
potential to be profitably resold as 
condominiums. Single properties, 
packages and portfolios are considered.

Renovate
A business plan is formulated for each 
property which analyses medium-term 
investment requirements and the potential 
return on investment. A single apartment 
costs between €20,000 and €30,000 
to renovate, while an entire building 
renovation might cost up to €2 million.  
The Company targets a capital return  
on investment in excess of 100% on any 
value-added investment.

Optimise
For properties considered to be core rental 
buildings, vacant units are re-let after 
refurbishment at the prevailing market rent. 
In the case of Berlin, this can be 50-100% 
above the level paid by previous tenants. 
Where appropriate, rent increases are 
applied for tenants paying less than the 
statutory rent level (Mietspiegel), where 
modernisation has been undertaken (and 
these costs are allowed to be recouped), or 
where the lease contains provisions for 
indexation. For properties which are 
designated as condominiums, units may be 
left vacant so they can achieve higher sale 
prices when sold in the near future. 

Monetise
A percentage of properties are revalued 
each year. The increased rental income 
following renovation and optimisation is 
reflected in an uplift in property values 
which, in turn, generates further NAV 
growth. This enables the renovation 
investment to be recouped through 
additional bank lending if required. 
Condominium properties are sold on 
a unit-by-unit basis at a premium to 
rental property values. The cash flow 
from refinancing and condominium sales 
is used to facilitate further acquisitions 
and to pay dividends. 

10

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Strategy

The Company’s strategy is to manage and invest in the 
Portfolio in order to drive capital growth and increase 
shareholder value. PMM has significant experience in 
generating rental and capital growth through innovative 
asset management and value-added investment. 

Wittstockerstrasse, Berlin. Renovated in 2014/15

PMM has identified a number of strategies 
to maximise the rental income and value of 
properties.

These include:
•  Renovation of vacated units and 

re-letting at higher reversionary rents.

•  Conversion of commercial and 

unlettable space to residential use.
•  Conversion of vacant attic space to 

residential use.

•  Modernisation of apartments occupied 

by long-standing tenants.

•  Negotiated vacancy programme.
•  Annual rent increases.
•  Vetting tenant quality.
•  Sub-dividing properties into individual 
properties for resale at a premium to 
rental property values.

11

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report The Company generates its investment 
returns through a number of streams.

Our investment case

Our Investment Proposition

Providing investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio 
of German residential real estate assets that offer potential 
for reliable income and capital growth. 

The Directors are targeting a total annual 
return equivalent to 8-10% of EPRA NAV, of 
which 2.5% is expected to be in the form of 
dividends. 

•  Rental income: The EPRA net rental 
yield on the investment portfolio in 
2015 was 4.6%, which compares 
favourably to the average cost of debt 
of 2.1%. 

•  Rental growth: Due to a combination 
of market growth and active asset 
management, like-for-like rent per sqm 
has grown by an average of 4.4% per 
annum over the last three years.  
This is one of the main drivers of  
capital growth. 

•  Yield compression: Market yields have 
fallen in recent years. However, with 
risk-free rates at or below zero, and with 
little sign that monetary policy will 
tighten in the medium term, further 
yield compression is possible. 

•  Condominium profits: Each year a 

percentage of the portfolio will be sold 
as single apartments. Sales prices are 
currently at a significant premium to 
rental values, which enables the 
Company to unlock value from its  
rental portfolio.

NAV per share

€2.28

Average adjusted NAV CAGR since 2011

15.6% per annum

Albertinenstrasse – acquired in February 2008

12

Significant structural growth 
potential within the residential 
market
•  Demand outstripping supply 
and low absolute price of 
apartments

High-quality portfolio with 
embedded potential for value 
creation
•  Berlin focused with potential 
for medium-term rental and 
capital growth 

Clear strategy to deliver 
increases in rental income and 
capital growth
•  Value-added strategy led by 
investment and hands-on 
approach

Significant potential to create 
value through reversionary 
letting and condominium sales
•  Premium for lettings and 

condominium sales highlight 
embedded value within the 
portfolio

Strong balance sheet and 
capacity to grow through 
acquisitions
•  Significant cash balances and 
low loan to value following 
recent share placing

Experienced management with 
record of delivering value for 
shareholders
•  Highly experienced team 

managing portfolio since 2006 
with significant shareholding

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Key Performance Indicators

The Company has chosen a number of Key Performance 
Indicators (‘KPIs’) which the Board believes are relevant to 
help investors understand the performance of both the 
Company and the underlying property portfolio.

In 2015, the property portfolio grew by 
10.6% on a like-for-like for basis. This 
increase was driven by a 4.8% like-for-like 
improvement in average rent per let sqm, 
while EPRA vacancy remained relatively 
stable at around 4%. 

The Company began selling part of  
its rental portfolio as condominiums, 
agreeing sales of €4.9 million in the year  
to 31 December 2015.

EPRA NAV per share increased by 10.7% to 
€2.28, while the declared dividend for the 
year was 4.2p per share.

Like-for-like property portfolio value 
growth 2013–2015 %

Like-for-like portfolio rent  
per sqm € – 2013–2015

10.6%

€7.4

EPRA vacancy – 2013–2015 %

3.9%

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

10.6%

8.8%

8.6%

2013

2014

2015

8.0

7.6

7.2

6.8

6.4

6.0

7.4

7.1

6.8

2013

2014

2015

10

8

6

4

2

0

8.0

4.1

3.9

2013

2014

2015

Condominium sales – 2013–2014 €m

EPRA NAV per share 2013–2015 €

Dividend per share p

€4.9m

€2.28
+10.7%

4.2p

6

3

2

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

4.9

0
2013

0
2014

2015

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

1.92

2.06

2.28

2013

2014

2015

5

4

3

2

1

0

5

4

3

2

1

4.2

0

2013

0

2014

2015

13

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Berlin

The Berlin portfolio had  
an excellent year, with  
rents and property values 
continuing the upward 
momentum observed  
since 2011. 

During 2015, the portfolio value grew by 
12.2% on a like-for-like basis, reflecting a 
combination of rental growth and yield 
compression. Like-for-like average rent 
per let sqm grew by 6.5% in the period. 
The increase was primarily driven by 
new lettings. 17.4% of the portfolio was 
re-let during 2015 at an average rent 
per sqm of €10.3. This represents a 
premium of 28.8% to passing rents. This 
premium has increased from 11% in 2011 
to 40% by the fourth quarter of 2015. 
In addition, the Company’s new letting 
prices have consistently outperformed 
the market (as represented by JLL), 
reflecting both the quality of the properties 
and their premium locations within 
the most popular districts in Berlin. 

Demand for housing in Berlin continues 
to outstrip supply. JLL estimates that 
there was demand for 24,000 new homes 

Bergmannstrasse, Kreuzberg

Portfolio value €m 
and rent per sqm €

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

186

154

140

125

2012

2013

2014

2015

9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0

  Portfolio value  

 Rent/sqm

in 2015 versus supply of just 7,300. 
This supply gap has led to a decline in 
vacancy rates and caused average market 
asking rents to increase from €6.5 per 
sqm in 2010 to €9.1 in 2015. While it is 
unlikely that this speed of increase will 
be sustained, market commentators still 
expect rents to rise, given the population 
and economic outlook for the city, 
and the fact that rents remain relatively 
affordable compared to local income 

Like-for-like portfolio value growth

12.2%

Like-for-like rent per sqm growth

6.5%

EPRA vacancy rate 

3.4%

levels and rents in other capital cities. 
One of the key parts of the Company’s 
strategy in Berlin for 2016 will be to 
integrate new acquisitions into the 
portfolio and carry out any value-
added investment required in order 
to grow rents and capital values. 

14

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Rent per sqm €

12.0

11.0

10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

Jun 11

Dec 11

Jun 12

Dec 12

Jun 13

Dec 13

Jun 14

Dec 14

Jun 15

Dec 15

  PSD Berlin average new leases
  JLL Berlin average asking rent per sqm
  PSD Berlin average rent per sqm

Chapter One Coffee, Mittenwalderstrasse

15

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Nuremberg 
& Fürth
The region enjoyed a  
strong 2015, with rents  
and property values  
seeing significant growth.

Rent per let sqm saw an increase of 8.9%, 
driven by significant premiums achieved on 
new residential leases, while the value of 
the portfolio increased by 14.7%. Over the 
last three years, the Company has made 
significant renovation investment in the 
region and it is pleasing to see this being 
represented in the performance of the 
portfolio. In 2016, the priority is to drive 
further performance of the rental portfolio 
and to examine development opportunities 
that exist within a number of properties. 

Portfolio value €m 
and rent per sqm €

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

29

25

23

21

2012

2013

2014

2015

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0
0

  Portfolio value  

 Rent/sqm

Like-for-like rent per sqm growth

8.9%

Like-for-like portfolio value growth

EPRA vacancy rate

14.7%

1.5%

16

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Northern 
Germany
The Northern Germany 
portfolio includes the cities 
of Bremen, Hanover, Kiel 
and their surrounding areas.

The portfolio is a mixture of ‘alt-bau’,  
post-war and recent build, consisting of  
42 properties, representing 852 units. 
During 2015, the region saw limited 
growth, with capital values and average 
rents increasing by 3.2% and 2.4% 
respectively. The focus for the region in 
2016 is to optimise rental performance 
while considering portfolio management 
strategies in relation to potential 
acquisitions and disposals. 

Portfolio value €m 
and rent per sqm €

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

52

54

56

57

2012

2013

2014

2015

  Portfolio value  

 Rent/sqm

Like-for-like rent per sqm growth

2.4%

Like-for-like portfolio value growth 

EPRA vacancy rate 

3.2%

6.1%

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0
0

17

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Condominiums

The Company launched its 
first condominium sales 
projects in the middle of 
2015, with the intention of 
augmenting returns from its 
core rental business. 

The strategy is designed to take advantage 
of the significant arbitrage that exists 
in the market between the average 
value of a Berlin apartment block, 
of around €1,900 per sqm, and the 
resale value of an individual apartment 
of between €2,500 and €5,000. 

Two former multi-family rental properties, 
consisting of 47 units, were prepared for 
sale during 2014 and 2015 and the first 
units were offered to the market in  
June 2015. By the end of 2015, 20 units 
had been notarised for sale with an 
aggregate sales value of €4.9 million, 
representing a €0.8 million premium over 
book value. For residential units, this 
represents an average value per sqm unit 
of €3,912 (or €3,642 including commercial 
units). Since the year end, prices for the 
remaining units have been increased to 
take into account market movements and 
further units have been notarised. It is 
expected that all units within these 
properties will be sold by mid-2017. 

Two further condominium sales projects 
are planned for 2016. The first project is 
located in Berlin, Moabit, and consists of 38 
units, of which 32 are vacant following the 
comprehensive modernisation of the 
property during 2014 and 2015. It is 
expected that the property will generate 
sales proceeds of around €9 million and the 
first reservations are expected within the 
first half of 2016. The second project is 
expected to launch by the year end and 
consists of 67 units in Berlin Friedrichshain. 

Units sold

Sales value

20

€4.9m

Estimated sales premium to value as 
rental property

90%

“ We are delighted with the 
results of our first two 
condominium projects. 
Achieved sales prices are  
a significant premium  
to rental values, which help 
demonstrate the embedded 
value within PSD’s portfolio 
and enhance the returns 
which have been achieved 
from the rental business.” 

18

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Riemannstrasse, Berlin. Acquired February 2007

Local café life

Interior Riemannstrasse

Example property

RIEMANNSTRASSE 8
BERLIN-KREUZBERG

•  1,410 sqm Berlin multi-family 

house built in 1884.

•  20 residential and 2 commercial 

units.

•  Acquired in 2006 and managed  
as a rental property until 2014.
•  Classic ‘alt-bau’ property favoured 

by buyers and tenants.

•  Located in Bergmanstrasse area, 

Kreuzberg.

•  During 2015 ten apartments sold 
for an average value of around 
€4,000 per sqm.

•  Estimated premium of 114% 

compared to comparable PSD 
rental property values.

•  Prices for second phase sales 

significantly increased.

19

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Principal Risks

The Board of Phoenix Spree Deutschland recognises that 
effective risk evaluation and management needs to be 
foremost in the strategic planning and the decision-making 
process. In conjunction with the Property Advisor, key risks 
and risk mitigation measures are reviewed by the Board on a 
regular basis and discussed formally during Board meetings.

Risk trend

 Increasing

 Unchanged

 Decreasing

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Movement

Decline in 
property valuation

Economic, political, fiscal and legal issues 
can have a negative effect on property 
valuations. A decline in Company property 
valuations could negatively affect the 
valuation of the Portfolio and the ability of 
the Company to sell properties within the 
portfolio at valuations which satisfy the 
Company’s investment objective. 

The Property Advisor believes German 
housing affordability metrics remain 
favourable relative to other European 
countries and that German residential 
supply-demand dynamics are supportive, 
with limited supply of rental stock in  
urban locations putting upward  
pressure on rents.

Adverse interest 
rate movements 

Future interest rate rises could increase the 
borrowing cost to the Company which, 
in turn, could negatively impact the 
Company’s financial performance.

The Property Advisor has a record of 
securing financing across the Portfolio. 
The Company mitigates its exposure to 
adverse interest rate movements through 
the use of interest rate swaps, with debt 
interest rates typically fixed for 5-7 years, 
thus limiting exposure to short-term 
interest movements. The effective interest 
rate across the entire portfolio is around 
2% per annum, compared to an EPRA  
net yield of 4.6%. 

Availability of  
new debt

Inability to negotiate new debt facilities 
on satisfactory terms could restrict the 
Company’s ability to make future 
investment in new properties or refinance 
existing debt facilities as they reach 
maturity. 

The Property Advisor regularly monitors 
debt funding requirements for future 
acquisitions as well as existing debt 
facilities as they reach maturity and is in 
ongoing discussions with a number of debt 
providers with a view to securing future 
debt on acceptable terms. 

Breach of 
covenant 
requirements

Should any fall in revenues result in the 
Group breaching financial covenants given 
to any lender, the Group may be required 
to repay such borrowings in whole or in 
part together with any related costs.

The Company does not have any loan  
to value covenants. The Property Advisor 
regularly monitors all debt service 
coverage covenants and would seek to 
take remedial measures in advance of  
any covenant being breached. 

20

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Movement

Insufficient capital 
to support 
expansion

Lack of capital may restrict the ability of 
the Company to pursue future investment 
opportunities consistent with the overall 
investment objectives.

Insufficient 
investment 
opportunity

Availability of potential investments which 
meet the Company’s investment objective 
can be negatively affected by supply and 
demand dynamics within the market for 
German residential property and the state 
of the German economy and financial 
markets more generally. 

Changes to 
property and 
tenant law

Property laws remain under constant 
review by the coalition government in 
Germany and future changes to property 
regulation and rent controls for new 
tenancies could negatively affect rental 
values and property valuations. 

Occupancy and 
tenant risk

Unexpected vacancy and tenant default 
trends across the Portfolio could lead to a 
rental income shortfall which, in turn, may 
adversely impact Company profitability 
and investment returns.

Reliance on the 
Property Advisor 
and its key 
personnel

Reputational risk

The Company’s future performance 
depends on the success of the Property 
Advisor’s strategy, skill, judgement and 
reputation. The departure of one or more 
key employees may have an adverse effect 
on the performance of the Group and 
any diminution in the Property Advisor’s 
reputation may have an adverse effect on 
the Company’s performance.

Adverse publicity and inaccurate media 
reporting could reflect negatively on 
stakeholders’ perception of the Company, 
its strategy and its key personnel. 

In March 2016 the Company raised gross 
proceeds of £38 million by way of a  
Firm Placing and Offer for Subscription  
at 168 pence per new share. The Company 
also gained shareholder approval for a 
Placing Programme to enable the 
Company to raise capital in an efficient  
and cost-effective manner over the next  
12 months should the need arise. 

The Property Advisor has been active in the 
German residential property market since 
2004 and has acted on more than 100 
separate acquisitions and disposals within 
the Portfolio. It has built an extensive 
network of industry contacts including 
property agents, industry consultants and 
the principals of other investment funds.  
It is expected that future acquisitions will 
be sourced from these channels.

The Property Advisor regularly monitors 
the impact that existing and proposed 
regulation could have on future rental 
values and property planning applications. 
In order to reduce the dependency upon 
statutory rent increases, the majority  
of the new leases signed within the 
Portfolio include annual indexation  
(or ‘Staffel’) increases. 

The Property Advisor implements strict 
vetting and screening processes to 
improve tenant quality across the Portfolio. 
Where appropriate, apartments becoming 
vacant are renovated and modernised  
and then re-let at rents which are at a 
significant premium to that paid by 
outgoing tenants.

During the past 12 months, the Property 
Advisor has expanded headcount through 
the recruitment of several additional 
experienced Berlin-based personnel. 
Additionally, the Property Advisor and  
their families own a significant stake in the 
Company, aligning their interests with 
other key stakeholders. 

The Company has retained an external 
public relations consultancy and press 
releases are approved by the Board prior  
to release. The Company maintains  
regular communication with key 
shareholders and conducts presentations 
and roadshows to provide investors with 
relevant information on the Company,  
its strategy and key personnel. 

Macro economic 
environment

A deterioration in economic growth and a 
recessionary environment could adversely 
impact tenant demand and vacancy, 
leading to a reduction in rental and 
property values. 

Although the Board and Property Advisor 
cannot control external macroeconomic 
risks, economic indicators are constantly 
monitored by both the Board and Property 
Advisor and Company strategy is  
tailored accordingly. 

21

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
Board of Directors

The Company has an experienced non-executive Board, 
chaired by Robert Hingley. The Directors have a wealth of 
experience in real estate, corporate finance, investment 
funds and the capital markets.

Robert Hingley
Non-executive Director and Chairman
Robert Hingley acts as an independent 
Non-executive Director and Chairman  
to the Company. He is currently a partner  
at Ondra Partners LLP. He joined the 
Association of British Insurers as Director, 
Investment Affairs in September 2012 and, 
following the merger of ABI’s investment 
affairs with the Investment Management 
Association, acted as a consultant to the 
enlarged IMA until the end of 2014. From 
2010 until January 2015, he was a Managing 
Director, and later Senior Advisor, at Lazard. 
He was previously Director General of The 
Takeover Panel from December 2007, on 
secondment from Lexicon Partners, where 
he was Vice Chairman. Prior to joining 
Lexicon Partners in 2005, he was Co-Head 
of the Global Financial Institutions Group 
and Head of German Investment Banking  
at Citigroup Global Capital Markets, which 
acquired the investment banking business  
of Schroders in 2000. He joined Schroders  
in 1985 after having qualified as a solicitor 
with Clifford Chance in 1984. 

Richard Prosser
Non-executive Director
Richard Prosser is a Director of Estera Fund 
Administrators (Jersey) Limited (formerly 
known as Appleby Fund Administrators 
(Jersey) Limited). Richard qualified as  
a chartered accountant in 1989. He was  
a partner of Reads & Co., Chartered 
Accountants between 1992 and 1996.  
From 1992 to 2000, he was a Director of 
EFG Reads Trust Company Limited and EFG 
Reads Investment Management Services 
Limited. Since June 2000, Richard has been 
a Director of Appleby Trust (Jersey) Limited 
and a partner of the Appleby Group. He is 
also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales, a 
member of the Society of Trust and Estate 
Practitioners and a member of the Institute 
of Directors. He has been involved in the 
trust industry in Jersey for over 25 years  
and has extensive experience in dealing  
with offshore structures for high net worth 
families based throughout the world.  
He travels extensively to meet with settlors 
and beneficiaries. Richard is listed as a 
Citywealth Leader 2014 following his 
2013, 2012 and 2011 recognitions. 

22

This annual list aims to highlight the best 
of those individuals working in the wealth 
management sector. He is on the Board of  
a number of companies quoted in London 
and elsewhere, including property 
companies, hedge funds and investment 
management companies. He is Chairman  
of Threadneedle Investments (C.I.) Limited, 
Manager of the Threadneedle Property 
Unit Trust. He has most recently been 
appointed as Chairman of Aberdeen Latin 
American Income Fund, quoted in London, 
and Damille Investments II Limited, a closed 
ended investment company listed on the 
Specialist Fund Market of the London  
Stock Exchange.

Matthew Northover
Non-executive Director
Matthew holds a Master’s degree in 
Economics from Cambridge University.  
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant 
with Ernst & Young, he worked as an analyst 
in AstraZeneca’s strategy department. 
Matthew subsequently moved to The City 
where, over a ten-year period, he held a 
number of senior analyst and sales positions 
at a number of investment banks including 
JP Morgan Chase and UBS. During this 
time he won a number of industry awards. 
Immediately prior to founding PMM 
Partners LLP, he headed up the corporate 
consultancy team at Hargreaves Lansdown, 
one of the UK’s leading financial services 
providers. Matthew has been actively 
investing in Berlin property since 2004, as 
well as having investments in residential 
property in the UK and Europe. Matthew’s 
role within PMM covers the finance, tax, 
legal and administration functions. Matthew 
is one of the founding members of the 
Property Advisor, a Director of PSD. He is 
also a founding partner of PMM Advisers 
LLP which acts as an investment advisor 
to a number of UK property debt funds.

Quentin Spicer
Non-executive Director
Quentin is a resident of Guernsey. He qualified 
as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1968 
with Wedlake Bell in London, where he 
became head of the Property department.  
He moved to Guernsey in 1996 to become 
Senior Partner of Wedlake Bell Guernsey until 
retiring in 2011. He specialised in commercial 
property transactions including funding for 
non-UK tax residents and associated low 
tax jurisdiction structures. He was Chairman 
of F&C UK Real Estate Investments Limited, 
standing down in November 2015. He is 
currently Chairman of Alternative Liquidity 
Fund Limited, an LSE listed company;  
RAB Special Situations Company Limited; 
Guernsey Housing Association LBG; and is  
a Non-executive Director of a number of  
other funds. He is a member of the Institute  
of Directors.

Andrew Weaver
Non-executive Director
Andrew is a resident of Jersey, a partner  
of the Jersey law firm, Appleby, and a 
member of Appleby Group. He was, until 
31 December 2015, also a Director of 
Appleby Fund Administrators (Jersey)  
Limited (now Estera Fund Administrators 
(Jersey) Limited). Andrew was a solicitor  
with Simmons & Simmons in London and 
Addleshaw Booth & Co (now Addleshaw 
Goddard) between 1993 and 1998. From 
1998 to 2001, Andrew worked as an 
attorney-at-law in the Cayman Islands  
with Hunter & Hunter (now Appleby) and 
between 2001 and 2005 as legal advisor  
in Jersey. Having been admitted as an 
advocate in Jersey in 2003, Andrew has  
been active within the Appleby Group since 
2005 and became a partner in 2006.  
Andrew has worked as a lawyer on corporate 
matters for over 20 years and has extensive 
experience in the structuring and formation 
of investment funds and advising on the 
regulation and corporate governance of 
such structures. A substantial part of his  
legal practice involves advising clients on  
the establishment, acquisition and disposal 
of real estate investment vehicles and  
private equity investment structures. 
Andrew regularly advises on listed 
vehicles, especially those on the Channel 
Islands Securities Exchange, the London 
Stock Exchange and the London Stock 
Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market.

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Directors' Report

The Directors are pleased to present their report and the 
audited consolidated financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2015. 

General information
The Company is incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. The Company was admitted to the 
premium segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 15 June 2015.

The Group’s objective is to generate an attractive return for shareholders through the acquisition and active management of high quality 
pre-let properties in Germany. The Group is primarily invested in the residential market, supplemented with selective investments in 
commercial property. The majority of commercial property within the portfolio is located within residential and mixed-use properties.

Dividends
The Directors recommend a final dividend of 2.9p per Ordinary Share to be paid on or around 10 June 2016 to ordinary shareholders on 
the register on 20 May 2016. 

The Directors declared a dividend of 1.3p per share on 28 August 2015, paid on 9 October 2015 to ordinary shareholders on the register 
on 18 September 2015. (2014: nil).

Directors
The Directors who served throughout the year were as follows:

Name of Director

R Hingley1

R Prosser

M Northover

Q Spicer

A Weaver

Independent Non-executive Director, Chairman

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Senior Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

1  Robert Hingley was appointed on 15 June 2015.

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has made third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its Directors which were in place throughout the year and 
remain in force at the date of this report.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 15 April 2016, the Company has received the following notifications under chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of 
shareholdings of more than 3% of the Company’s share capital:

Name of holder

Percentage of voting rights and issued share capital

No. of Ordinary Shares

Woodford Investment Management LLP

Bracebridge Capital LLC

18%

6.53%

16,748,243

6,038,503

23

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Directors' Report continued

Requirements of the Listing Rules 
The following table provides references to where the information required by the Listing Rule 9.8.4R is disclosed. 

A statement of the amount of interest capitalised by the Group during the period under review 
with an indication of the amount and treatment of any related tax relief.

Not applicable

Any information required by LR 9.2.18R (Publication of unaudited financial information).

Not applicable

Details of any long-term incentive schemes as required by LR 9.4.3R.

Details of any arrangements under which a Director of the Company has waived or agreed to 
waive any emoluments from the Company or any subsidiary undertaking. Where a Director has 
agreed to waive future emoluments, details of such waiver together with those relating to 
emoluments which were waived during the period under review.

Not applicable

No such waivers

Details required in the case of any allotment for cash of equity securities made during the period 
under review otherwise than to the holders of the Company’s equity shares in proportion to 
their holdings of such equity shares and which has not been specifically authorised by the 
Company’s shareholders.

No such share allotments

Where a listed company has listed shares in issue and is a subsidiary undertaking of another 
company, details of the participation by the parent undertaking in any placing made during the 
period under review.

Not applicable

Details of any contract of significance subsisting during the period under review:
(a)  to which the listed company, or one of its subsidiary undertakings, is a party and in which a 

Director of the listed company is or was materially interested; and

a)  Notes 19, 23, 29 and 34  

to the accounts

b)  No controlling shareholder, 

(b)  between the listed company, or one of its subsidiary undertakings, and a controlling 

not applicable

shareholder.

Details of contracts for the provision of services to the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings  
by the controlling shareholder.

No controlling shareholder,  
not applicable

Details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has waived or agreed to waive any dividends, 
where a shareholder has agreed to waive future dividends, details of such waiver together with those 
relating to dividends which are payable during the period under review.

No such agreements

Board statement in respect of relationship agreement with the controlling shareholder.

No controlling shareholder,  
not applicable

Corporate governance
The Directors have prepared a statement on how the UK Corporate Governance Code has been applied, which is set out on pages 26  
to 29.

Post balance sheet events
Placing Programme
The Company announced on 3 March 2016 that it had gained shareholder approval to implement a proposed Placing Programme which, 
if required, would allow capital to be raised in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The Placing Programme can be implemented in the 
period from 7 March 2016 to 8 February 2017 in the event that the Company identifies properties that are suitable for acquisition in 
accordance with its investment objective and policy. 

Issue of new shares
On 3 March 2016 the Company announced the successful issue of 22,619,047 new shares at 168p to raise gross proceeds of £38.0 million, 
of which 19,642,857 shares were placed with institutional and other investors and an additional 2,976,190 shares were issued by way of an 
Offer for Subscription. The new shares were issued at 168p, a premium to the reported EPRA NAV per share as at 31 December 2015 of 
167p. The purpose of this fundraising is to enable the Company to continue to grow the Portfolio, particularly in Berlin where the Board 
believe that significant market opportunity exists.

24

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Acquisitions
The Company completed on four properties that were notarised before the financial year end, with a total value of €19.8 million. A further 
building was notarised in the period post 31 December 2015 at a price of €3.1 million.

Debt
A seven-year debt facility of €16.7 million was signed in the period after the financial year end. Of this, €15.5 million has been drawn 
against this with 70% of the disbursed amount being fixed at 1.7% by way of interest rate swap. The undrawn balance of €1.1 million is 
expected to be drawn in H1 2016. Amortisation of 1.1% commences in April 2017.

Auditor
Each of the Directors at the date of approval of this Annual Report has taken steps that he ought to have taken as a Director in order  
to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.  
The Directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware.

RSM UK Audit LLP (formerly Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP) have expressed their willingness to continue in office as auditor and a resolution  
to reappoint them will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Viability Statement
The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period, which is significantly longer than the 12-month period 
from the date of approval of the financial statements that was previously considered for going concern purposes. The Directors  
have chosen three years because that is the period over which we have sufficiently robust forecasts as part of our business plan and 
the Viability Statement is based on a robust assessment of those risks that would threaten the business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity of the Group. For the purposes of the Viability Statement the Directors have considered the impact of the 
following factors affecting the projections of cash flows for the three-year period ending 31 December 2018, including:

a)  the potential operating cash flow requirement of the Group;
b)  seasonal fluctuations in working capital requirements;
c)  property vacancy rates during the period;
d)  rent arrears and bad debts during the period;
e)  capital and corporate expenditure during the period; and
f)  condominium sales proceeds.

The Directors recognise that the projections of cash flows do not include the impact of further potential property acquisitions  
over the three-year period as these acquisitions are ad hoc and discretionary in nature. In this respect, the Directors have resolved  
to complete a formal review of the working capital headroom of the Group for each potential acquisition. On the basis of this 
assessment, and assuming the principal risks are managed or mitigated as expected, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period of their assessment.

Registered office
13-14 Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey
JE1 1EE
Channel Islands

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue and signed as follows:

On behalf of the Board

Andrew Weaver 
Director 

28 April 2016

Richard Prosser
Director

25

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report  
 
Corporate Governance Statement

The Directors are committed to maintaining high standards  
of corporate governance. Insofar as the Directors believe it  
to be appropriate and relevant to the Company, it is their 
intention that the Company should comply with best practice 
standards for the business carried on by the Company.

To comply with the UK Listing Regime, the Company must comply with Listing Rule 9.8.6(5)R which requires the Company to apply the 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’) published on 17 September 2014 to the extent that they are considered 
relevant to the Company or explain any departures therefrom.

The Code is available for download from the Financial Reporting Council’s (‘FRC’) website www.frc.org.uk.

The Board has considered the principles and recommendations of the Code. With effect from Admission, the Company has complied 
with all the provisions of the Code except as set out below. 

the role of the Chief Executive;

The Code includes provisions relating to:
• 
•  Executive Directors’ remuneration; and
• 

the internal audit function.

The Board considers that the provisions relating to the Chief Executive and executive remuneration are not relevant to the Company, 
being a smaller listed externally managed investment company with an entirely Non-executive Board. The Group does not have an 
internal audit function and this is explained in the Audit and Risk Committee’s report.

Leadership
Composition, independence and role of the Board
The Board currently comprises of two Non-executive Directors and three independent Non-executive Directors, one of which also acts 
as Chairman to the Company. The Chairman is Robert Hingley. The Chairman of the Board must be independent for the purposes of 
Chapter 15 of the Listing Rules. Mr Hingley is considered independent because he:
•  had no current or historical employment with the Property Advisor; and 
•  had no current directorships in any other investment funds managed by the Property Advisor.

Quentin Spicer is the Senior Independent Non-executive Director. Mr Spicer is also considered independent for the same reasons  
listed above.

The Board has overall responsibility for maximising the Company’s success by directing and supervising the affairs of the business and 
meeting the appropriate interests of shareholders and relevant stakeholders, while enhancing the value of the Company and also 
ensuring protection of investors. The Board determined that its role is to consider and determine the following principal matters which it 
considers are of strategic importance to the Company:
• 

the overall objectives of the Company as described under the sections ‘Business Model’ and ‘Strategy’ set out on pages 10 to 11 of this 
document and the strategy for fulfilling those objectives within an appropriate risk framework in light of market conditions prevailing 
from time to time;
the appointment of the Property Advisor, administrator and other appropriately skilled service providers and to monitor their 
effectiveness through regular reports and meetings; and
the key elements of the Company’s performance including NAV and EPRA NAV growth and the payment of dividends.

• 

• 

The Board is responsible to shareholders for the overall management of the Company and for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts. 
The Board is satisfied that the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and 
provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. In 
seeking to achieve this, the Directors have set out the Company’s investment objective and policy and have explained how the Board and 
its delegated Committees operate and how the Directors review the risk environment within which the Company operates and set 
appropriate risk controls. Furthermore, throughout the Annual Report and Financial Statements the Board has sought to provide further 
information to enable shareholders to better understand the Company’s business and financial performance.

26

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015The Company holds a minimum of four Board meetings per year to discuss general management, structure, finance, corporate 
governance, marketing, risk management, compliance, asset allocation and gearing, contracts and performance. The quarterly Board 
meetings are the principal source of regular information for the Board enabling it to determine policy and to monitor performance, 
compliance and controls, which are supplemented by communication and discussions throughout the year.

Re-election
There are provisions in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation which require Directors to seek re-election on a periodic basis. There is 
no limit on length of service, nor is there any upper age restriction on Directors. 

The Board considers that there is significant benefit to the Company arising from continuity and experience among Directors, and 
accordingly does not intend to introduce restrictions based on age or tenure. It does, however, believe that shareholders should be given 
the opportunity to review membership of the Board on a regular basis. 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, at each AGM all independent Directors who held office at the two previous 
AGMs and did not retire shall retire from office and shall be available for re-election. 

The Board are of the opinion that the Board members standing for re-election should be re-elected as they have the right skills and 
experience to continue to manage the Company.

Committees of the Board
The Board has established various committees and approved their terms of reference.

Audit and Risk Committee
In accordance with the Code, the Audit and Risk Committee will be chaired by Richard Prosser, with Robert Hingley and Matthew 
Northover as members. The Board considers that Richard’s experience makes him suitably qualified to chair the Audit and Risk 
Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee meets no less than twice a year and, if required, meetings can also be attended by the 
Property Advisor, the administrator and the auditor.

The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for reviewing the half-year and annual financial statements before their submission to the 
Board. In addition, the Audit and Risk Committee is specifically charged under its terms of reference to advise the Board on the terms and 
scope of the appointment of the auditors, including their remuneration, independence, objectivity and reviewing with the auditors the 
results and effectiveness of the audit.

Property Valuation Committee
The Company has also established a Property Valuation Committee, which is chaired by Quentin Spicer, with Richard Prosser as a 
member. The Property Valuation Committee is responsible for reviewing the property valuations prepared by the valuer and any further 
matters relating to the valuation of the Portfolio.

Management Engagement Committee
In accordance with the Code, the Management Engagement Committee has been established to review the performance of the Property 
Advisor on an annual basis. It is chaired by Robert Hingley, with Richard Prosser and Quentin Spicer as members.

With this being the first year of the performance review by the Committee of the Property Advisor, the review will be conducted 
subsequent to the publication of the Annual Report and Accounts. For this reason, a full report of the Committee’s performance review 
will be included in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts, as required by the Code.

Nomination and Remuneration Committee
In accordance with the Code, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee is chaired by Quentin Spicer, with Robert Hingley and 
Andrew Weaver as members.

With this being the first year of the Committee, there have been no nominations in the current year since the transition of the Group’s 
listing to the London Stock Exchange. As such, a full report of the Committee will be included in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Group has no employees. There are five Directors, all of whom are male. The Directors have agreed that appointments to the Board 
should be made on the basis of the Group’s specific needs and should be based on merit, without reference to age, gender or religious belief. 

The Board does not intend to apply targets for gender board diversity at this time.

27

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Corporate Governance Statement continued

Board and Committee meetings
The table below sets out the number of Board, Audit and Risk Committee, Property Valuation Committee, Management Engagement 
Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee meetings held during the year ended 31 December 2015 and, where 
appropriate, the number of such meetings attended by each Director. 

Scheduled Board 

Ad-hoc Board2

Audit & Risk 

Property 
Valuation

Management  
Engagement

Nomination &  
Remuneration

Held

Attended

Held

Attended

Held

Attended

Held

Attended

Held

Attended

Held

Attended

R Hingley1
R Prosser
M Northover
Q Spicer
A Weaver

2
3
3
3
3

2
3
3
2
3

1
10
10
10
10

0
9
3
7
9

1
1
1
–
–

1
1
1
–
–

–
1
–
1
–

–
1
–
1
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

1  Robert Hingley joined on 15 June 2015.
2  Ad-hoc Board meetings are called without due notice on property issues when attendance cannot be guaranteed or Directors are precluded from attending 

through location in the UK.

Information and support for Directors
New Directors receive a full, formal and tailored induction on joining the Board in order to further inform them of the Group’s activities 
and structure. All Directors are able to take independent professional advice at the Group’s expense in the furtherance of their duties, if 
necessary. The Company also makes appropriate training available to all existing Directors.

The Company purchases appropriate insurance in respect of legal action against its Directors and Officers.

Relations with shareholders
The Board believes that the maintenance of good relations with both institutional and retail shareholders is important for the long-term 
prospects of the Company. The Board receives feedback on the views of shareholders from its corporate broker. Through this process the 
Board seeks to monitor the views of shareholders and to ensure an effective communication programme.

The Board believes that the Annual General Meeting provides an appropriate forum for investors to communicate with the Board, and 
encourages participation. 

The Company regularly reviews the shareholder profile of the Company. Shareholders may also contact the Company directly through 
the Investor section of the Company’s website www.phoenixspree.com

Group Secretary
The Group Secretary is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are complied with. Under the guidance of the Chairman,  
the Secretary ensures that information flows between the Board, the Committees and to/from the Directors. It facilitates inductions to 
new Directors and the provision of additional information where required and appropriate. 

The Secretary is responsible for advising the Board on governance matters and is available to all Directors for advice and support as required.

Non-executive Directors
The Board considers its current Non-executive Directors to be of sufficient calibre and number that their views be of sufficient weight that 
no individual or small group can dominate the Board’s decision-making process. Their qualifications and experience are relevant to their 
directorships and in their appointments to the Committees where applicable.

The Non-executive Directors’ terms and conditions of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office on 
request and will be available at the forthcoming AGM.

Independence of Non-executive Directors
The Code states that it is for the Board to determine whether a Director is independent in character and judgement and to consider 
whether there are any relationships or circumstances that are likely to affect a Director’s judgement.

In applying the Code, the Board has considered a number or factors in determining the independence of each Non-executive Director 
and sets out the outcomes below.

28

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Non-executive Directors’ shareholdings
The Board has assessed that the holdings of these Directors are not significant and believes such levels of investment should not raise 
questions regarding their independence. The Board considers that Directors owning shares in the Company directly aligns them with the 
interests of the shareholders. 

Board assessment 
In the past, annual appraisals by external investor research analysts have recommended that shareholders vote against, or abstain from, 
any proposed re-election of Non-executive Directors due to a perceived non-compliance with the Code regarding the criteria quoted 
above. The Code requires companies to ‘Comply or Explain’. We have continually and consistently met this requirement. 

Our restructuring of the Board and the membership of the standing Committees took into account the views expressed by our 
shareholders together with issues of independence, diversity and the requisite skills to deliver our new strategy.

We believe the holding of shares (within certain limits) or representation of a substantial shareholder by a Non-executive Director, does 
not evidence that a Director’s belief and commitment to the business is compromised. We believe that it aligns them directly with the 
interest of our shareholders. Following assessment the Board considers each of our Non-executive Directors to be independent in both 
character and judgement. We believe there are no circumstances that give rise to question their respective judgements when considering 
matters put before the Board in 2015 or in the future.

Performance evaluation
The Board has a process of formal evaluation for individual Directors, the Committees and the processes utilised by the Board itself.  
This is undertaken by the Chairman and the Audit Committee. The Board areas evaluated include:
•  Board organisation, structure and membership;
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

the conduct of meetings;
the responsibilities of the Board;
the performance of the Board and its processes;
the information provided to non-executives; and 
the effectiveness of the management process from the Board to lower levels of management.

Non-executive Directors – performance evaluation
The process of performance evaluation is designed to consider all elements of performance including any perceived shortcomings, 
training or development needs and unforeseen tasks and responsibilities that have arisen during the year.

While no KPIs are set for individual Non-executive Directors, the time, effort and application applied in the performance of their duties for 
the Board and, where applicable, Committees is taken into account.

The Board, the Committees and the management process – performance evaluation
In line with the requirements of the Code, the Company intends to carry out annual performance evaluations of the Board, the Committees 
and the processes utilised by each forum. The aim of the evaluation is to recognise the strengths and address any weaknesses and consider 
improvements to the management process. The evaluation is designed to ensure that the Board meets its objectives and effectiveness is 
maximised. A full report of the evaluation process will be included in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.

This evaluation addresses such issues as:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

the frequency of meetings and the business transacted;
the workload of each forum;
the timing, level of detail and appropriateness of information put before meetings;
the reporting process from Committees to the Board and delegation process itself;
the levels of expertise available within the membership of the Committees and the need for, selection of and the use of external 
consultants; and
the effectiveness of internal controls following the review and report of the Audit Committee.

• 

29

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Audit and Risk Committee Report

This report provides details of the role of the Committee and the duties it has undertaken during the year under review.

Summary of the role of the Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for reviewing the half-year and annual financial statements and recommends them to the 
Board for approval. The role of the Audit Committee includes: 
•  Monitoring the integrity of the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Company, covering: 

 – formal announcements relating to the Company’s financial performance; 
 – significant financial reporting issues and judgements; 
 – matters raised by the external auditors; and 
 – appropriateness of accounting policies and practices. 

•  Reviewing and considering the Code and FRC Guidance on Audit Committees.
•  Monitoring the quality and effectiveness of the independent external auditors, which includes: 

 – meeting regularly to discuss the audit plan and the subsequent audit report;
 – considering the level of fees for both audit and non-audit work; 
 – reviewing independence, objectivity, expertise, resources and qualification; and 
 – making recommendations to the Board on the appointment, reappointment, replacement and remuneration of the external auditors. 

•  Reviewing the Company’s procedures for prevention, detection and reporting of fraud, bribery and corruption. 
•  Monitoring and reviewing the internal control and risk management systems of the service providers together with the need  

for an Internal Audit function. 

The Audit Committee’s full terms of reference can be obtained by contacting the Company’s administrator.

Financial reporting
The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for reviewing the half-year and annual financial statements before their submission to the 
Board. In addition, the Audit and Risk Committee is specifically charged under its terms of reference to advise the Board on the terms and 
scope of the appointment of the auditors, including their remuneration, independence, objectivity and reviewing with the auditors the 
results and effectiveness of the audit. 

Composition of the Audit and Risk Committee
In accordance with the Code, the Audit and Risk Committee is chaired by Richard Prosser, with Robert Hingley and Matthew Northover as 
members. The Board considers that Richard Prosser’s experience makes him suitably qualified to chair the Audit and Risk Committee. 

Meetings
The Audit and Risk Committee is scheduled to meet no less than twice a year and, if required, meetings can also be attended by the 
Property Advisor, the administrator and the auditor.

Significant issues related to the financial statements

Issue

How addressed

Goodwill impairment
As a result of the acquisition of a subsidiary in the current  
year, the Group accounted for goodwill on acquisition of  
€4.5 million and subsequently impaired it.

Accounting for acquisition
Given the size of the acquisition made this year, it is 
particularly important that it has been correctly accounted  
for in accordance with IFRS 3.

Valuation of investment property
A significant focus for the Audit and Risk Committee is the 
valuation of the Group’s property portfolio carried out at half 
year in June and at the financial year end in December each 
year, as this is a key determinant of the Group’s NAV, its profit 
or loss and the Property Advisor’s remuneration.

Since the Company transitioned its listing to the Main Market of the 
London Stock Exchange, the Directors have now had an opportunity to 
complete the initial accounting in respect of the acquisition of Phoenix 
Spree Property Fund Limited & Co. KG and the goodwill resulting from 
this transaction. As a result of this review, the Directors have been 
unable to attach additional value to the goodwill over and above the 
value of the investment property which is reflected in the financial 
statements at market value and have therefore fully impaired it.

Discussed with management their work in this area, in particular as 
regards the accounting for goodwill and subsequent impairment.

The Company has appointed Jones Lang LaSalle to act as the 
Independent Property Valuer. The Audit and Risk Committee is satisfied 
that the valuer is independent and that they conducted their work in 
accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Valuation 
Standards (‘RICS’). 

The Property Valuation Committee reviews the valuer’s report, the 
methodology followed and the assumptions incorporated to assess the 
adequacy of the valuation.

30

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015External audit
Assessing the effectiveness of the external audit process
The Committee satisfied itself as to the effectiveness of the external audit process as follows:

The audit firm
The FRC’s overall report on the results of the Annual Audit Quality Reviews of Audit Firms and the separate report on the results for our 
auditors, RSM UK Audit LLP, were reviewed to ensure that no issues of concern arose that might have a bearing on the audit appointment. 
No such issues arose. 

The audit partner
As part of the appointment of a new audit firm and audit partner in 2014, no additional rotation considerations were taken into account 
for the current year. Following completion of the audit the Committee assessed the partner’s performance against expectations.

The audit team
Continuity of personnel was reviewed and found to be satisfactory. To supplement the Committee’s necessarily limited exposure to junior 
members of the audit team, feedback was sought on the performance of the external audit team, in particular as regards their 
understanding of the business, technical competence and attitude.

The audit plan
The scope of the audit was reviewed and debated by the Committee with the auditors prior to work being commenced. This was done in 
the light of both the auditors’ and the Committee’s assessment of the key risks. The auditors explained materiality thresholds used in 
determining their audit scope and the Committee confirmed that these were in accordance with normal audit practice.

The generality of the audit plan document was assessed and found to be satisfactory. Arrangements to identify, report and manage 
conflicts of interest were satisfactory.

The Committee also considered whether it wished to commission further audit work to be conducted beyond which the auditor 
considered necessary for the expression of their opinions on the Group and subsidiary accounts and concluded that it did not.

Matters arising from the audit
These were promptly and effectively communicated and addressed as appropriate. The robustness and perceptiveness of the auditors in 
their handling of the key accounting and audit judgements were seen as appropriate. The detailed report received from the auditors 
following completion of their work gave comfort as to the diligence of execution of that work.

Added value
In appraising the overall performance of the auditors, the Committee considered whether they had provided useful feedback arising from 
their work additional to their statutory responsibilities.

Independence
In addition to receiving the auditors’ formal confirmation of their independence, the Committee considered whether this was 
demonstrated through their general approach and attitude and were satisfied that this was the case. 

Non-audit services
It was debated and confirmed that Group policy on non-audit services provided by the audit firm (and set out below) remains appropriate 
and was complied with. Fees additional to those for the statutory audit were particularly high this year due to the work required on the 
Circular to shareholders for Admission to Listing. The Committee considered the auditors to be in the best position to conduct this work, 
given the timescales and knowledge required. In the view of the Committee it did not compromise the independence of the audit of the 
financial statements. The objectivity of the auditor was safeguarded by the use of completely separate teams for non-audit work.

Audit fees
The level of audit fees was reviewed to ensure that it was sufficient for the work necessary but not excessive. In particular, changes in fees 
from the previous year were considered in relation to changes in the Group and in risk assessments.

Audit tendering
The Committee considered whether the audit appointment should be put out to tender. In doing so, it considered both the performance 
of the current auditors and the likely costs and potential benefits of change.

Going forward, the Committee will continue to keep the audit appointment under review, having regard to the new EU requirements for 
audit tendering.

Following the above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that RSM UK Audit LLP is reappointed.

31

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Audit and Risk Committee Report continued

Group policy on the provision of non-audit services by the auditor 
The Committee has an established policy for the commission of non-audit work from the Group’s auditor.

The external auditor is excluded from providing non-audit services to the Company where the objectives of such assignments are 
inconsistent with the objectives of the audit. Additionally, no work is awarded to the auditor which would result in an element of  
self-review, either during the work or via the audit itself.

The Committee will continue to approve all non-audit fees prior to the work commencing and review the non-audit fees in aggregate  
for the year.

Risk management and internal control
The Committee reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal financial controls and internal control and risk 
management systems and review and approves the statements to be included in the Annual Report concerning internal controls and risk 
management.

The Committee is also responsible for oversight and advice to the Board on the current risk exposures and future risk strategy of the 
Company.

The Directors have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. The result of this review, the potential impact of each type of risk identified and 
the mitigation reasons put in place are set out in the ‘Principal Risks’ section of the Annual Report on page 20.

Internal audit
The Board believes that there is currently no requirement for an internal audit department, given the Group’s current size.

Once the Board determines the Group is of sufficient size, an internal auditor with suitable qualifications and experience will be appointed 
and an internal audit department established and expanded over time. Ultimately this role will be widened to encompass reviews of the 
efficiency of operations and to make recommendations on rationalisation of the business. Once established, the internal audit function 
will report directly to the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Committee considers at least once a year whether there is a need for an internal audit function. 

32

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors' Remuneration Report

The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is not subject to audit
Introduction
This report is on the activities of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. 

Remuneration policy 
In accordance with the Code, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee is chaired by Quentin Spicer, with Robert Hingley and 
Andrew Weaver as members. The Committee is responsible for ensuring there is a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure for the 
development and implementation of policy on executive remuneration. It takes its lead from the Board in linking remuneration to the 
achievement of strategic goals.

Duties
The Committee is responsible for setting the Directors’ remuneration levels, in conjunction with the Chairman and with consideration of 
the following:
• 
•  Non-executive Directors’ remuneration should not include share options or other performance-related elements;
•  careful consideration should be given to what compensation commitments entail in the event of early termination of a  

levels of Directors’ remuneration should reflect the time commitment and responsibilities of the role;

Director’s appointment;

•  notice of contract periods should be set at one year or less; and 
•  no Director should be involved in deciding his or her own remuneration.

The Committee is also responsible for judging where to position the Company relative to other companies in relation to the level of 
Directors’ remuneration, but using such comparisons with caution in view of the risk of increased remuneration with no corresponding 
improvement in performance; and considering and making the appropriate recommendations to the Board with regard to the need to 
appoint external remuneration consultants.

For the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 Directors’ fees incurred were as follows:

R Hingley (appointed 15 June 2015)
R Prosser
M Northover
Q Spicer
A Weaver

2015
£

21,667
17,247
Nil
23,065
17,247

2014
£

Nil
8,000
Nil
15,000
8,000

Matthew Northover is a Director and shareholder of PMM Partners (UK) Limited, the Company’s appointed Property Advisor, and as such 
does not receive any Directors’ fees. The terms of business and remuneration of PMM Partners (UK) Limited are disclosed in note 34.

33

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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

Jersey company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The Directors are required under the 
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority to prepare the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (‘IFRS’), as adopted by the European Union (‘EU’).

The financial statements are required by law and IFRS as adopted by EU to present fairly the financial position of the Group.

Under Jersey company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and  
fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU;
•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Company  

will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and 
detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors confirm that these financial statements comply with these requirements. 

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

Directors’ Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
• 

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards (as detailed above) and Company 
Law, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of the issuer and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole;
the management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issuer and 
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principle risks and uncertainties 
they face; and 
the Annual Report and Accounts, as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy.

• 

• 

For and on behalf of the Board

Andrew Weaver 
Director

28 April 2016

34

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of  
Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited

We have audited the Group financial statements (the ‘financial statements’) of Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited for the year ended 
31 December 2015 on pages 38 to 65. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Article 113 A of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. 
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 more fully explained in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 34, 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 (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the FRC’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the financial statements:
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2015 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and 
•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and Article 4 of IAS Regulation.

Directors’ assessment of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the entity
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to in relation to:
• 

the Directors’ confirmation in the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the entity, 
including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;
the disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
the Directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue to do so over a 
period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements; and
the Director’s explanation in the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, over what period they have 
done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation 
that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including 
any related disclosures, drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

• 
• 

• 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:
Under the International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, information in the 
Annual Report is:
•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or
•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of 

performing our audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the 
audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider the Annual Report is fair, balanced and understandable and whether the Annual 
Report appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated to the Audit Committee which we consider should have been 
disclosed.

Under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
•  proper accounting records have not been kept by the parent company; or 
•  proper 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; or
•  we have not received all the information and explanations which, to the best of our knowledge and belief, are necessary for the 

purpose of our audit.

35

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of  
Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited continued

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
• 
• 

the Directors’ statement, set out on page 25, in relation to going concern and longer term viability; and
the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement 
The risks set out below should be read in conjunction with the significant risk issues considered by the Audit Committee on page 30  
and the significant accounting policies disclosed in note 2 to the Financial Statements. These matters were addressed in the context  
of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
those matters.

In arriving at our audit opinion on the financial statements as set out above, the risks of material misstatements that had the greatest 
impact on our audit were as follows:

Valuation of investment properties held by the Group 
Risk of material misstatement – The accounting policy in respect of investment properties is to hold them at fair value in the financial 
statements, and to recognise the movement in the value in the accounting period in the Income Statement. The Directors’ assessment of 
the value of investment properties both on acquisition, and at the year end date, is considered a significant audit risk due to the 
magnitude of the total amount, the potential impact of the movement in value on the reported results, and the subjectivity of the 
valuation process. 

Audit approach adopted – We reviewed the independent valuation of investment properties to ensure they had been prepared on a 
consistent basis for all properties and are considered to be appropriate and correctly recorded in the financial statements in line with 
Accounting Standards. 

We reviewed the inputs provided by the Property Advisor to the valuer and ensured these reflected the correct inputs for each property.

We considered market data for a sample of properties and ensured this was consistent with the valuation report. 

We discussed significant movements with the Property Advisor and the valuer and challenged where appropriate.

Acquisition of Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH and Co. KG (‘PSPF’)
Risk of material misstatement – The Company acquired 94.8% of PSPF on 9 March 2015 for a total fair value consideration of €41.5 
million. This was made up of €2.4 million paid in cash and €39.1 million in shares of the Company valued on the day of the acquisition.

As a result, the results of PSPF will be consolidated and the entity will be shown as a subsidiary with non-controlling interest of 5.2%.

The fair values of the consideration, and the net assets, and any resulting amount for goodwill involve judgement and estimation and are 
therefore subject to risk of misstatement.

Audit approach adopted – We reviewed the acquisition documentation and re-performed the goodwill calculation in line with the 
corroborated consideration and fair value of PSPF net assets at acquisition.

We reviewed the consolidation working paper to ensure that PSPF had been accounted for appropriately.

We ensured the disclosures made in the Financial Statements were appropriate.

36

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Our application of materiality 
When establishing our overall audit strategy we set certain thresholds which help us to determine the extent of our audit testing, designed 
to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds 
materiality for the financial statements as a whole.

At the audit planning stage we determined a magnitude of uncorrected misstatements that we judge would be material for the financial 
statements as a whole (‘FSM’). During planning FSM was calculated as €2.6 million which was not changed during the course of the audit. 
This figure was calculated by reference to the total for gross assets of which it represents 0.9%.

We report to the Audit Committee all unadjusted misstatements in excess of €65,000 as well as misstatements below those thresholds 
that in our view warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit scope covered 100% of Group revenue, Group profit and total Group assets, and was performed to the materiality levels set out 
above. 

Euan Banks for and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP (formerly Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP)
Auditor
Chartered Accountants
25 Farringdon Street
London
EC4A 4AB

28 April 2016

37

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsStrategic Report Directors’ Report Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Continuing operations

Revenue
Property expenses

Gross profit
Other operating income
Administrative expenses
Gain on disposal of investment property
Investment property fair value gain

Operating profit before exceptional costs
Exceptional item – transaction costs
Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

Operating profit
Net finance charge 
Gain on financial asset 

Profit before taxation
Income tax expense

Profit after taxation
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Note

6
11

7
8
12
13

9
18

15
14

16

Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the parent from continuing operations
Basic (€)
Diluted (€)

31
31

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

12,070
(7,258)

4,812
261
(2,410)
670
18,148

21,481
(2,256)
(4,493)

14,732
(3,164)
1,395

12,963
(2,640)

10,323
–

10,323

9,721
602

10,323

0.14
0.14

6,577
(5,818)

759
57
(1,537)
–
4,509

3,788
–
–

3,788
(1,157)
5,827

8,458
(1,112)

7,346
–

7,346

7,346
–

7,346

0.16
0.15

38

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2015

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill
Investment properties
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset
Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss
Loans and receivables

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax liability

Total liabilities

Equity
Stated capital
Share-based payment reserve 
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Total equity 

Total equity and liabilities

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

Note

18
21
22
16
14
23

24
25

26
27
16

26
28
16

30
29

–
283,554
30
296
–
1,382

–
115,192
–
237
36,859
–

285,262

152,288

2,286
12,757

15,043

4,093
3,583

7,676

300,305

159,964

11,523
2,684
–

14,207

122,278
1,869
10,786

134,933

149,140

115,150
1,264
32,125

148,539
2,626

151,165

300,305

50,350
1,434
19

51,803

3,161
1,496
3,211

7,868

59,671

67,708
8,949
23,640

100,297
(4)

100,293

159,964

The financial statements on pages 38 to 65 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Weaver 
Director 

Richard Prosser
Director

28 April 2016

39

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Attributable to owners of the parent

Stated capital 
€’000

Retained earnings 
€’000

Share-based 
payment reserve 
€’000

Total 
€’000

Non-controlling 
interest 
€’000

Total equity 
€’000

67,708

16,294

6,898

90,900

(4)

90,896

7,346

–

7,346

–

–
–

7,346

2,025
26

(4)

100,293

602
2,028

10,323
2,028

–
–
–
–

39,052
(1,236)
1,264
(559)

2,025
26

8,949

–
–

–
–
(7,126)
(559)

1,264

2,025
26

100,297

9,721
–

39,052
(1,236)
1,264
(559)

148,539

2,626

151,165

Balance at 1 January 2014
Comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners – recognised 

directly in equity:

Performance fee (see note 11)
Synthetic equity fee (see note 11)

Balance at 31 December 2014
Comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income for the year
Acquisition of subsidiary (see note 19)
Transactions with owners – recognised 

directly in equity:
Issue of share capital
Dividends paid (see note 17)
Performance fee (see note 11)
Synthetic equity fee (see note 29)

–

–
–

–
–

67,708

23,640

–
–

9,721
–

39,052
–
8,390
–

–
(1,236)
–
–

Balance at 31 December 2015 

115,150

32,125

40

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
Net finance charge
Gain on disposal of investment property
Investment property revaluation gain
Gain on financial asset 
Depreciation
Performance fee charge
Impairment of goodwill
Synthetic equity fee

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Decrease in receivables 
Increase in payables

Cash generated from operating activities
Income tax received

Net cash generated from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of investment property
Acquisition of subsidiary
Bank interest received
Capital expenditure on investment property
Property additions
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Loans to partners

Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities
Interest paid on bank loans
Repayment of bank loans
Drawdown on bank facilities
Cash-settled synthetic equity fee
Dividends paid

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

Note

12,963

8,458

19

3,164
(670)
(18,148)
(1,395)
6
1,264
4,493
–

1,677
1,807
1,250

4,734
5

4,739

5,502
1,165
6
(3,934)
(17,413)
(23)
(1,365)

(16,062)

(3,978)
(46,000)
72,266
(559)
(1,236)

20,493
9,170
3,583
4

12,757

1,157
–
(4,509)
(5,827)
–
2,025
–
26

1,330
1,297
741

3,368
–

3,368

–
–
5
(1,851)
–
–
–

(1,846)

(3,057)
(2,942)
–
–
–

(5,999)
(4,477)
8,029
31

3,583

41

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2015

1. Basis of preparation
The Group consists of a Parent Company, Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited (‘the Company’), incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands 
and all its subsidiaries (‘the Group’) which are incorporated and domiciled in and operate out of Jersey and Germany. Phoenix Spree 
Deutschland Limited is listed on the premium segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Group invests in residential and commercial property in Germany and during the year acquired Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH 
& Co. KG, a company with the same activities.

The registered office is at 13-14 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1EE, Channel Islands.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International 
Accounting Standards and interpretations (collectively, ‘IFRS’), International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (‘IFRIC’) 
interpretations, as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS as adopted by the EU’). 

The financial statements are presented to the nearest €1,000.

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(‘IASB’) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (‘IFRIC’) of the IASB, as they have been adopted by the 
European Union, that are relevant to its operations and effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2015. 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention as modified 
by the revaluation of investment property, and financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying 
accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions or estimates are 
significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in note 4.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

2.1 Going concern
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future, based on the facilities secured through refinancing the borrowings of the Group, as set 
out more fully in note 26. The Directors have prepared projections for the period to 31 December 2018. These projections have been 
prepared using assumptions which the Directors consider to be appropriate to the current financial position of the Group as regards to 
current expected revenues and its cost base and the Group’s investments, borrowing and debt repayment plans and show that the Group 
should be able to operate within the level of its current facilities. After making enquiries the Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Group therefore continues to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing its consolidated financial statements. 

2.2 Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company 
(its subsidiaries). The Company controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns through its power over 
the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from 
the date that control ceases.

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributable to the owners of the Company and to the non-
controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of the subsidiaries is attributable to the owners of the Company and to the non-
controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Accounting policies of subsidiaries which differ from Group accounting policies are adjusted on consolidation. All intra-group 
transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. Those interests of non-controlling 
shareholders that present ownership interests entitling their holders to a proportionate share of net assets upon liquidation may initially 
be measured at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. 
The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Other non-controlling interests are initially measured at fair 
value. Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition 
plus the non-controlling interests’ share of subsequent changes in equity. The non-controlling interest is computed on an EPRA basis.

Changes in the Group’s interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The 
carrying amount of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests 
in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the 
consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company. 

42

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 20152.3 Business combinations
The Group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a 
subsidiary is the fair value of the assets transferred to the Group, the liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree 
and the equity interests issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. The consideration transferred includes the fair value 
of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent 
liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. 

The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the 
non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed in profit or loss as incurred.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the 
acquiree is remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such remeasurement are recognised in profit 
or loss.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the 
acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. If the 
total of consideration transferred, non-controlling interest recognised and previously held interest measured is less than the fair value of 
the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

2.4 Revenue recognition
Revenue includes rental income and excludes service charges and other amounts directly recoverable from tenants. Rental income from 
operating leases is recognised in income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. When the Group provides incentives to its tenants, 
the cost of incentives are recognised over the lease term, on a straight-line basis, as a reduction of rental income.

2.5 Foreign currencies
(a) Functional and presentation currency
The currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates (‘the functional currency’) is the Euro (€). 
The presentational currency of the financial statements is also the Euro. 

(b) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions. At each statement of financial position date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from such transactions are recognised in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

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.

2.6 Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. 
The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, 
has been identified as the Board of Directors.

2.7 Operating profit 
Operating profit is stated before the Group’s gain on its financial assets and after the revaluation gains for the year in respect of 
investment properties and after gains or losses on the disposal of investment properties.

2.8 Administrative and property expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis and are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the 
period in which they are incurred. Service charge costs, to the extent that they are not recoverable from tenants, are accounted for on 
an accruals basis and included in property expenses. 

2.9 Exceptional items
Exceptional items are disclosed separately in the financial statements where this provides further understanding of the financial 
performance of the Group, due to their significance in terms of nature or amount.

2.10 Property Advisor fees
The element of Property Advisor fees for management services provided are accounted for on an accruals basis and are charged to 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as property expenses in the period in which they are incurred. Property Advisor 
performance fees which are settled in shares are accounted for in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 2 Share Based Payments. 
Property Advisor fees comprising synthetic equity participation fees are accounted for in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 2 
Share Based Payments.

43

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2015

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
2.11 Investment property
Property that is held for long-term rental yields or for capital appreciation, or both, and that is not occupied by the Group, is classified as 
investment property. 

Investment property is measured initially at cost, including related transaction costs. After initial recognition, investment property is 
carried at fair value, based on market value. 

The change in fair values is recognised in profit or loss for the year. 

A valuation exercise is undertaken by the Group’s independent valuer, Jones Lang LaSalle GmbH (‘JLL’), at each reporting date in 
accordance with the methodology described in note 21 on a building-by-building basis. Such estimates are inherently subjective and 
actual values can only be determined in a sales transaction. The valuations have been prepared by JLL on a consistent basis at each 
reporting date. 

Subsequent expenditure is added to the asset’s carrying amount only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with 
the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income during the financial period in which they are incurred. Changes in fair values are 
recorded in profit or loss for the year.

Purchases and sales of investment properties are recognised on legal completion.

An investment property is derecognised upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no 
future economic benefits are expected from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the 
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss in the period in which 
the property is derecognised.

2.12 Goodwill
Goodwill is the difference between the amount paid on the acquisition of the subsidiary undertakings and the aggregate fair value of their 
separable identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset and in accordance with IAS 36 
‘Impairments of Assets’ is not amortised but tested for impairment annually and when there are any indications that its carrying value is 
not recoverable. As such, goodwill is stated at cost less any provision for impairment in value. For impairment testing purposes, goodwill 
is allocated to cash-generating units (‘CGUs’). If a subsidiary undertaking is subsequently sold, goodwill arising on acquisition is taken into 
account in determining the profit or loss on sale.

2.13 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. 

Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its 
intended use. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the costs of assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives, on the 
following basis:

Equipment, fixtures and vehicles – 4.50% – 25% per annum, straight line.

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

2.14 Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily 
take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the 
assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

2.15 Tenant deposits
Tenant deposits are held off balance sheet in a separate bank account in accordance with German legal requirements, and the funds are 
not accessible to the Group. Accordingly, neither an asset nor a liability is recognised.

2.16 Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position when the Group 
becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash 
flows from the financial asset expire or when the contractual rights to those assets are transferred. Financial liabilities are derecognised 
when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired.

The Group classifies its financial assets as held at fair value through profit or loss, or loans and receivables. The classification depends on 
the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired, and is determined at initial recognition.

44

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015(a) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (‘FVTPL’)
Financial assets are classified as FVTPL when the financial asset is designated as FVTPL. A financial asset may be designated as FVTPL 
upon initial recognition if:
•  such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise; or
• 

the financial asset forms part of a group of financial assets or financial liabilities, or both, which is managed and its performance is 
evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management strategy, and information about the 
grouping is provided internally on that basis. 

Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised in profit or loss. Fair value 
is determined in the manner described in note 32.

(b) Loans and receivables
The Group’s loans and receivables comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents. Loans and receivables are 
recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

(i) Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method less provision for impairment. Appropriate provisions for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income when there is objective evidence that the assets are impaired. Interest income is recognised by 
applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term trade and other receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

Service charges receivable from tenants are presented net of amounts paid on account by tenants. 

Impairment provisions are recognised when there is objective evidence (such as significant financial difficulties on the part of the 
counterparty or default or significant delay in payment) that the Group will be unable to collect all of the amounts due. For trade and 
other receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised 
within property expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. On confirmation that the trade and other receivables 
will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

(ii) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, cash at agents, demand deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments 
that have maturities of three months or less from inception, are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value.

(c) Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity 
instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

(d) Trade and other payables
Trade payables are initially measured at their fair value and are subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest 
method; this method allocates interest expense over the relevant period by applying the ‘effective interest rate’ to the carrying amount of 
the liability.

(e) Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost; 
any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

(f) Leases 
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 

2.17 Current and deferred income tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is 
also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

(a) Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit reported in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income 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 accounting date.

(b) Deferred tax
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. 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.

45

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2015

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
2.17 Current and deferred income tax continued
Deferred tax is charged or credited in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except when it relates to items credited or 
charged directly in equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates and laws that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is 
settled based upon tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the accounting date.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each accounting 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.

2.18 New standards and interpretations
The following relevant new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued, but are not effective for the 
financial year beginning on 1 January 2015, as adopted by the European Union, and have not been early adopted:

Standard

Key requirements

Effective date as adopted by the EU

Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38

Clarifies acceptable methods of depreciation  
and amortisation.

1 January 2016

Amendments to IAS 1

Disclosure amendments

1 January 2016

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the 
financial statements of the Company when the relevant standards and interpretations come into effect. The principal accounting policies 
applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years 
presented, unless otherwise stated.

The following standards have been issued by the IASB but have not yet been adopted by the EU:

Standard

Key requirements

IFRS 9 

IFRS 15

Financial Instruments – Replacement to IAS 39 and is built on a single classification and  
measurement approach for financial assets which reflects both the business model in which  
they are operated and their cash flow characteristics.

Revenue from contracts with customers – Introduces requirements for companies to recognise 
revenue for the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration 
to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Also results 
in enhanced disclosure about revenue.

Effective date as 
adopted by the EU

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

IFRS 16

Leases – Introduces a single lessee accounting model and eliminates the previous distinction 
between an operating and a finance lease.

1 January 2019

While the above standards have not yet been adopted by the EU, the Company is currently assessing their impact.

3. Financial risk management 
3.1 Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management 
programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial 
performance.

Risk management is carried out by the Audit and Risk Committee under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Board provides 
principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and investment of 
excess liquidity.

3.2 Market risk 
Market risk is the risk of loss that may arise from changes in market factors such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and general 
property market risk.

(a) Foreign exchange risk
The Group operates in Germany and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposures, primarily with respect to 
Sterling against the Euro arising from the costs which are incurred in Sterling. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial 
transactions, and recognised monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the Euro.

The Group’s policy is not to enter into any currency hedging transactions.

46

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015(b) Interest rate risk
The Group has exposure to interest rate risk. It has external borrowings at a number of different variable interest rates. The Group is also 
exposed to interest rate risk on some of its financial assets, being its cash at bank balances. Details of actual interest rates paid or accrued 
during each period can be found in note 26 to the financial statements.

The Group’s policy is to manage its interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps in order to limit exposure to borrowings at 
variable rates. 

(c) General property market risk
Through its investment in property, the Group is subject to other risks which can affect the value of property. The Group seeks to 
minimise the impact of these risks by review of economic trends and property markets in order to anticipate major changes affecting 
property values.

3.3 Credit risk 
The risk of financial loss due to a counterparty’s failure to honour their obligations arises principally in connection with property leases 
and the investment of surplus cash.

The Group has policies in place to ensure that rental contracts are made with customers with an appropriate credit history. Tenant rent 
payments are monitored regularly and appropriate action taken to recover monies owed, or if necessary, to terminate the lease.

Cash transactions are limited to financial institutions with a high credit rating.

3.4 Liquidity risk
The Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank loans secured on 
the Group’s properties. The terms of the borrowings entitle the lender to require early repayment should the Group be in default with 
significant payments for more than one month.

3.5 Capital management 
The prime objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains the financial flexibility needed to allow for value-
creating investments as well as healthy balance sheet ratios.

The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt (borrowings disclosed in note 26 after deducting cash and cash equivalents) and 
equity of the Group (comprising stated capital, reserves and retained earnings).

When reviewing the capital structure the Group considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The 
Group reviews the gearing ratio which is determined as the proportion of net debt to equity. In comparison with comparable companies 
operating within the property sector the Board considers the gearing ratios to be reasonable. 

The gearing ratios for the reporting periods are as follows:

Borrowings (note 26)
Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Equity 
Net debt to equity ratio

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

(133,801)
12,757

(121,044)

151,165
80%

(53,511)
3,583

(49,928)

100,293
50%

4. Critical accounting estimates and judgements 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the Group to make certain critical accounting 
estimates and judgements. In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has decided the following estimates 
and assumptions have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recognised in the 
consolidated financial statements.

i) Estimate of fair value of investment properties
The best evidence of fair value is current prices in an active market for similar lease and other contracts. In the absence of such 
information, the Group determines the amount within a range of reasonable fair value estimates. In making its judgement, the Group 
considers information from a variety of sources, including:

a)  Current prices in an active market, and its third party independent experts, for properties of different nature, condition or location 

(or subject to different lease or other contracts), adjusted to reflect those differences.

b)  Recent prices of similar properties in less active markets, with adjustments to reflect any changes in economic conditions since the 

date of the transactions that occurred at those prices.

47

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 4. Critical accounting estimates and judgements continued
c)  Discounted cash flow projections based on reliable estimates of future cash flows, derived from the terms of any existing lease and 

other contracts, and (where possible) from external evidence such as current market rents for similar properties in the same location 
and condition, and using discount rates that reflect current market assessments of the uncertainty in the amount and timing of the 
cash flows.

ii) Principal assumptions for management’s estimation of fair value of investment property
If information on current or recent prices or assumptions underlying the discounted cash flow approach is not available, the fair values 
of investment properties are determined using discounted cash flow techniques. The Group uses its third party independent experts 
and assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at each reporting date. The principal assumptions underlying 
management’s estimation of fair value are those related to: the receipt of contractual rentals; expected future market rentals; void 
periods; maintenance requirements; and appropriate discount rates. These valuations are regularly compared to actual market yield 
data and actual transactions by the Group and those reported by the market. The expected future market rentals are determined on  
the basis of current market rentals for similar properties in the same location and condition.

iii) Estimated impairment of goodwill
The acquisition of Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH & Co. KG in the year gave rise to goodwill of €4,493,000. The Directors have 
carried out an impairment review in respect of the goodwill and made full provision as in their opinion there would be no enduring 
asset capable of generating identifiable cash flows in the future. 

iv) Accounting for acquisitions
The estimates and judgements inherent in accounting for acquisitions are set out in the accounting policy for business combinations. 

5. Segmental information
Information reported to the Board of Directors, which is the chief operating decision-maker, for the purposes of resource allocation 
and assessment of segment performance is focused on the different revenue streams that exist within the Group. The Group’s principal 
reportable segments under IFRS 8 are therefore as follows:
•  Residential
•  Commercial

All revenues are earned in Germany, with property and administrative expenses incurred in Jersey and Germany. 

The measure of segment result is considered to be operating profit. Assets and liabilities which have not been allocated to segments 
are principally the financial assets at fair value and borrowings which are centrally managed.

There are no inter-segmental revenues.

31 December 2015

Goodwill
Investment property
Loans and receivables
Other assets
Liabilities

Net assets

Revenue
Property expenses
Other operating income
Administrative expenses
Gain on disposal of investment property
Investment property fair value gain

Operating profit 

Exceptional costs
Impairment of goodwill
Net finance charge
Gain on financial asset
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

48

Residential
€’000

–
235,350
–
12,486
(113,283)

134,553

Commercial
€’000

Unallocated 
€’000

Total
€’000

–
283,554
1,382
15,369
(149,140)

–
–
1,382
326
(12,655)

(10,947)

151,165

–
48,204
–
2,557
(23,202)

27,559

Residential
€’000

Commercial
€’000

Unallocated 
€’000

10,018
(6,024)
–
–
670
15,062

19,726

2,052
(1,234)
–
–
–
3,086

3,904

–
–
261
(2,410)
–
–

(2,149)

Total
€’000

12,070
(7,258)
261
(2,410)
670
18,148

21,481

(2,256)
(4,493)
(3,164)
1,395
(2,640)

10,323

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 201531 December 2014

Investment property
Financial asset at FVTPL
Other assets
Liabilities

Net assets

Revenue
Property expenses
Other operating income
Administrative expenses
Investment property fair value gain

Operating profit 

Net finance charge
Gain on financial asset
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

6. Revenue

Rental income

Residential
€’000

106,942
–
7,126
(51,012)

63,056

Commercial
€’000

Unallocated 
€’000

Total
€’000

115,192
36,859
7,913
(59,671)

–
36,859
237
(4,724)

32,372

100,293

8,250
–
550
(3,935)

4,865

Residential
€’000

Commercial
€’000

Unallocated 
€’000

6,106
(5,401)
–
–
4,186

4,891

471
(417)
–
–
323

377

–
–
57
(1,537)
–

(1,480)

Total
€’000

6,577
(5,818)
57
(1,537)
4,509

3,788

(1,157)
5,827
(1,112)

7,346

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

12,070

6,577

The total future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

119
1,036
583

1,738

138
426
69

633

Revenues comprise rental income earned from residential and commercial property in Germany. There are no individual tenants that 
account for greater than 10% of revenue during any of the reporting periods.

7. Other operating income

Other income relating to cost recovery 

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

261

57

49

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2015

8. Administrative expenses

Secretarial and administration fees
Legal and professional fees
Regulatory fund permit fee
Directors’ fees
Accountancy fees
Auditor’s remuneration (note 10)
Profit on exchange
Depreciation
Bank charges

Year ended 31 
December 2015
 €’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
 €’000

400
1,386
–
108
319
156
(4)
6
39

2,410

250
1,055
4
19
107
115
(31)
–
18

1,537

The Group did not have any employees during any of the reporting periods and the Directors do not receive any other emoluments. 

Key management compensation – the functions of management are undertaken by external providers of professional services, as set out 
in note 34. 

Further details of the Directors’ fees are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 33.

9. Exceptional items – transaction costs

Professional fees associated with stock market listing and acquisition of PSPF

Year ended 31 
December 2015
 €’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
 €’000

2,256

 –

Exceptional costs incurred this year comprise those costs directly attributable to the listing on the London Stock Exchange and any costs 
directly associated with the acquisition of subsidiaries. Certain costs were also incurred in 2014 and were disclosed in the accounts for the 
year ended 31 December 2014 as part of administrative expenses and amounted to €390,000.

10. Auditor’s remuneration
An analysis of the fees charged by the auditor and its associates is as follows:

Fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates for the audit of the financial statements:
RSM UK Audit LLP
Fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates for other services:
– Corporate finance
– Audit-related assurance services

11. Property expenses

Property management expenses
Repairs and maintenance
Doubtful debt expense 
Other property expenses
Property Advisor’s expenses (note 34)
Property Advisor’s performance fee (note 29)
Property Advisor’s ‘synthetic’ fee (note 29)

50

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

156

299
34

115

233
–

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

942
921
153
1,404
2,574
1,264
–

7,258

480
652
150
815
1,670
2,025
26

5,818

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Included in property expenses is a provision for doubtful debts relating to possible non-recoverability of rent receivable (see note 24).

The charge for the year and the cumulative amount is: 

Balance at the beginning of the year
Provisional performance fee charge for the year
Equity settled in the year

Balance at the end of the year

12. Gain on disposal of investment property

Net proceeds
Book value on disposal

13. Investment property fair value gain

Investment property fair value gain

Further information on investment properties is shown in note 21. 

14. Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss

Equity interest in Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH & Co. KG: 
Balance at the beginning of the year
On acquisition of subsidiary 
Gain on financial asset 

Balance at the end of the year

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

8,390
1,264
(8,390)

1,264

6,365
2,025
–

8,390

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

5,502
(4,832)

670

–
–

–

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

18,148

4,509

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

36,859
(38,254)
1,395

–

31,032
–
5,827

36,859

Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH & Co. KG (‘PSPF’) is a partnership established in the form of a limited partnership which is  
subject to the German Commercial Code and its principal activity is the holding of German investment properties until PSPF was  
acquired on 9 March 2015. The Company’s interest in PSPF comprises two elements, i) an equity interest; and ii) a Variable Rate Loan 
(‘VRL’) capital sum.

The equity interest arose in 2013 when the Company obtained an equity interest in PSPF by becoming a limited partner for an initial 
contribution of €100 and a capital contribution of €9,900. The initial contribution represented 0.03% of voting rights in PSPF. Up until 
9 March 2015, PSPF was subject to independent management and effective control and is therefore not consolidated as part of the  
Group for the full year.

The purpose of putting in place the VRL was to implement the first step of equalising the two fund NAVs as a precursor to amalgamation 
of the entities, which has now been completed by virtue of the acquisition. 

The VRL capital loan amounting to €0.3 million (2014: €5.3 million) between the Company and PSPF was initially advanced in June 2009 
as unsecured and non-interest bearing. In accordance with the terms of the VRL, the Company revalued the loan at each reporting period 
such that the ratio of the NAVs of the two entities (the Company and PSPF) was equal to their share of the combined NAV at the reporting 
date. The movement required on the VRL in order to maintain this ratio is defined as the gain on the financial asset in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income. 

On acquisition of PSPF on 9 March 2015 the value of the VRL was determined to be €38,254,000 resulting in a fair value gain of 
€1,395,000 in respect of the period 1 January 2015 to 9 March 2015, which has been recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income. The respective asset and liability recognised by the Company and by PSPF is eliminated on consolidation as  
at 31 December 2015.

51

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 15. Net finance charge 

Interest income
Gain on interest rate swap (note 28)
Interest payable on bank borrowings 

16. Taxation

Current tax (credit)/charge
Deferred tax charge

Total tax charge on profit on ordinary activities

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

(6)
(808)
3,978

3,164

(5)
(1,895)
3,057

1,157

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

(24)
2,664

2,640

19
1,093

1,112

The tax charge for the year can be reconciled to the theoretical tax charge on the profit in the income statement as follows:

Profit before tax on continuing operations 
Tax at the German income tax rate of 15.8% (2014: 15.8%)
Income not taxable
Deferred tax not recognised – losses 
Prior period adjustment
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit 

Total tax charge for the year

Reconciliation of current tax liabilities

Balance at beginning of year
Tax received during the year
Current tax (credit)/charge

Balance at end of year

Reconciliation of deferred tax

Balance at 1 January 2014
Charged to the statement of comprehensive income 

Deferred tax (liability)/asset at 31 December 2014
Acquisition of subsidiary 
Charged to the statement of comprehensive income

Deferred tax (liability)/asset at 31 December 2015

Jersey income tax
The Group is liable to Jersey income tax at 0%.

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

Year ended 31 
December 2014
€’000

12,963
2,048
(220)
–
–
812

2,640

8,458
1,338
(1,633)
468
(27)
966

1,112

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

19
5
(24)

–

Capital gains on 
properties
€’000

Interest rate 
swaps
€’000

(2,416)
(795)

(3,211)
(5,011)
(2,564)

(10,786)

535
(298)

237
159
(100)

296

–
–
19

19

Total
€’000

(1,881)
(1,093)

(2,974)
(4,852)
(2,664)

(10,490)

German tax
As a result of the Group’s operations in Germany, the Group is subject to German Corporate Income Tax (‘CIT’) – the effective rate for 
Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited for 2015 was 15.8% (2014: 15.8%).

Factors affecting future tax charges
The Group has accumulated tax losses of approximately €22.9 million (2014: €17.8 million) in Germany, which will be available to set 
against suitable future profits should they arise, subject to the criteria for relief. No deferred tax asset is recognised in respect of these 
losses as there is insufficient certainty the losses can be utilised.

52

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 201517. Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of 1.3p (2014: Nil) per share
Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of 2.9p (2014: Nil) per share

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

1,236
3,639

–
–

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability 
in these financial statements. The proposed dividend is payable to all shareholders on the Register of Members on 20 May 2016. The total 
estimated dividend to be paid is 4.2p per share. The payment of this dividend will not have any tax consequences for the Group.

18. Goodwill

Cost

1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014
Acquisition of subsidiary

As at 31 December 2015

Accumulated impairment losses:
At 1 January 2014
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2014
Impairment charge for the year – exceptional item

At 31 December 2015

Carrying amount:
At 31 December 2014
At 31 December 2015

Year ended 31 
December 2015
€’000

193
4,493

4,686

(193)
–

(193)
(4,493)

(4,686)

–
–

Since the Company transitioned its listing to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, the Directors have now had an opportunity to 
complete the initial accounting in respect of the acquisition of Phoenix Spree Property Fund Limited & Co. KG and the goodwill resulting 
from this transaction. As a result of this review, the Directors have been unable to attach additional value to the goodwill over and above 
the value of the investment property which is reflected in the financial statements at market value and have therefore fully impaired it.

19. Business combination
On 9 March 2015 the Group acquired 94.8% of Phoenix Spree Property Fund Limited & Co. KG (‘PSPF’), a partnership incorporated in 
Germany, for a fair value consideration of €41.5 million. This consideration was made up of €2.4 million paid in cash and 19,237,484 
shares of the Company valued on the day of the acquisition at the published share price, a total of €39.1 million.

In 2009, the Company entered into an economic merger with PSPF by way of variable rate loan (‘VRL’). The aim of the agreement was to 
allow investors in the Company and PSPF to share in the economic performance of each other’s property portfolios as if they had 
completed a legal merger on a NAV equivalent basis as at 31 December 2008. The acquisition of PSPF was made in order to formalise the 
economic merger, and align the risks and benefits of partners in PSPF with those of the shareholders of the Company. 

Prior to the acquisition the Group held a nominal equity interest of €100 only, being 0.03% of the voting rights of PSPF. No fair value gain 
is recognised on remeasurement.

In addition to the 94.8% acquired, the Group also entered into an option agreement to acquire the remaining 5.2% interest in PSPF from 
the remaining partners. The options are to be exercised on the fifth anniversary of the majority interest acquisition for a period of three 
months thereafter.

The consideration for the option is equal to the remaining Partners’ proportion of the EPRA NAV of PSPF based on the most recent interim 
or full year accounts plus any tax liabilities incurred in connection with the disposal.

53

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 19. Business combination continued
The fair value of the net assets acquired is detailed below. 

Investment properties
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial instruments
Variable rate loan
Deferred tax liability

Net assets
Non-controlling interest
Goodwill

Fair value of consideration

Cash consideration
Cash acquired

Cash inflow arising on acquisition

Fair value
€’000

132,907
13
159
6,044
(57,077)
(1,181)
(36,859)
(5,011)

38,995
(2,028)
4,493

41,460

(2,407)
3,572

1,165

PSPF contributed revenue of €5.05 million and operating profit of €12.85 million to the results of the Group since acquisition. If the 
acquisition had been completed at the beginning of the year, management estimate that Group revenue for the period would have been 
€13.18 million and Group operating profit would have been €14.18 million.

The fair value of the trade and other receivables acquired was €6,203,000 and included trade receivables with a fair value of €116,000. 
The gross asset valuation amount for the trade receivables due is €116,000, of which €nil is expected to be unrecoverable.

20. Subsidiaries
The Group consists of a Parent Company, Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited, incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands and a number of 
subsidiaries held directly by Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited, which are incorporated in and operate out of Jersey and Germany. 
Further details are given below:

Country of incorporation

% Holding Nature of business

Phoenix Spree Deutschland I Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland II Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland III Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland IV Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland V Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland VII Limited
Phoenix Spree Deutschland IX Limited
PSPF Holding GmbH
PSPF General Manager GmbH
PSPF Acquisition Vehicle GmbH
PSPF Property GmbH & Co. KG
Phoenix Spree Property Fund Ltd & Co. KG
Phoenix Spree General Partner Limited

Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
UK

100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
100 Investment Property
99.64 Investment Property
94 Investment Property
94.8 Investment Property
100 Management of PSPF

The investments in PSPF General Manager GmbH, PSPF Acquisition Vehicle GmbH and PSPF Property GmbH & Co KG are all held via the 
investment in PSPF Holding GmbH, which was acquired on 7 September 2007. The other subsidiaries are held directly.

54

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 201521. Investment properties

Fair value
At 1 January 2014
Capital expenditure
Fair value gain

At 31 December 2014
Capital expenditure
Property additions
Additions on acquisition
Disposals
Fair value gain

Investment properties at fair value – as set out in the report by JLL

Properties notarised for sale not completed at year end
At 31 December 2015

€’000

108,832
1,851
4,509

115,192
3,934
17,413
132,907
(4,832)
18,148

282,762

792
283,554

Included in the portfolio are properties which are subject to security in respect of the Group’s bank loans payable (note 26). 

A valuation exercise is undertaken by the Group’s independent valuers, Jones Lang LaSalle GmbH (‘JLL’), at each reporting date in 
accordance with the methodology described below. 

The valuation is performed on a building-by-building basis and the source information on the properties, including current rent levels, 
void rates and non-recoverable costs was provided to JLL by the Property Advisor PMM Partners (UK) Limited. Assumptions with respect 
to rental growth, adjustments to non-recoverable costs and the future valuation of these are those of JLL. Such estimates are inherently 
subjective and actual values can only be determined in a sales transaction (note 4).

Having reviewed the JLL report, the Directors are of the opinion that this represents a fair and reasonable valuation of the properties and 
have consequently adopted this valuation in the preparation of this financial information.

The valuations have been prepared by JLL on a consistent basis at each reporting date and the methodology is consistent and in 
accordance with IFRS. 

All properties are valued as Level 2 measurements under the fair value hierarchy (see note 32) as the inputs which have a significant effect 
on the recorded fair value are observable. Valuations are undertaken using the discounted cash flow valuation technique with the 
following inputs: 

Input

Market rent
Residential (€ per sqm p.m.)
Commercial (€ per sqm p.m.)
Parking (€ per unit p.m.)
Indexation (%)

Estimated rental value (ERV)
ERV per year (€’000)
ERV (€ per sqm)

Costs
Management (€ per unit/year)
Management indexation (%)
Maintenance (€ per sqm p.a.)
Maintenance indexation (%)
Capital expenditure (€) 

Vacancy
Tenancy fluctuation (% per year)
Stabilised residency vacancy (% per year)
Stabilised commercial vacancy (% per year)
Stabilised parking vacancy (% per year)

Financial rates
Discount rate (%)
Capitalisation rate (%)

Year ended 31 
December 2015
Range

Year ended 31 
December 2014
Range

6–12
1–25
16–92
0–2

5–12
1–15
8–125
0–2

33–907
1–12

24–770
5–12

240–280
1.39
2–9
2.18
0–500

240–280
1.53
2–9
2.35
3–865

10
2
0–4
0–5

5–8
4–8

10
2
0–8
0–5

5–8
4–8

55

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 21. Investment properties continued
The information below includes descriptions and definitions relating to valuation techniques, observable inputs and other assumptions 
made in determining the fair values:

Discounted cash flow method (‘DCF’)
Under the DCF method, a property’s fair value is estimated using explicit assumptions regarding the benefits and liabilities of ownership 
over the asset’s life including an exit or terminal value. As an accepted method within the income approach to valuation the DCF method 
involves the projection of a series of cash flows on a real property interest. To this projected cash flow series, an appropriate, market-
derived discount rate is applied to establish the present value of the income stream associated with the real property. 

The duration of the cash flow and the specific timing of inflows and outflows are determined by events such as rent reviews, lease 
renewal and related lease-up periods, re-letting, redevelopment, or refurbishment. The appropriate duration is typically driven by market 
behaviour that is a characteristic of the class of real property. Periodic cash flow is typically estimated as gross income less vacancy, 
non-recoverable expenses, collection losses, lease incentives, maintenance cost, agent and commission costs and other operating and 
management expenses. The series of periodic net operating incomes, along with an estimate of the terminal value anticipated at the end 
of the projection period, is then discounted.

The frequency of inflows and outflows (monthly, quarterly, annually) are contract and market-derived.

An appropriate discount rate is then applied to the cash flow. If the frequency of the time points selected for the cash flow is, for example, 
quarterly, the discount rate must be the effective quarterly rate and not a nominal rate. The DCF method assumes that cash outflows 
occur in the same period that expenses are recorded. The exit yield is normally separately determined and differs from the discount rate.

Definitions
Estimated rental value (‘ERV’) – the estimated rental value at which space could be let in the market conditions prevailing at the date of 
valuation.

Indexation – the estimated average increase based on both market estimations and contractual indexations.

Vacancy rate – percentage of estimated vacant space divided by the total lettable area.

Discount rate – rate used to discount the net cash flows generated from rental activities during the period of analysis.

Capitalisation rate – ratio between the net operating income produced by a property and its current market value.

22. Property, plant and equipment

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2014 and 2015
On acquisition of subsidiary
Additions

At 31 December 2015

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2014 and 2015
Charge for the year

At 31 December 2015

Carrying amount
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013

23. Loans and receivables

Loans issued – initial recognition at fair value
Interest accrual 

Other equipment
€’000

– 
13
23

 36

– 
6 

6 

30 
–

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

1,338
44

1,382

–
–

–

The Group entered into a loan agreement with Mike Hilton and Paul Ruddle in connection with the acquisition of PSPF. The loans bear 
interest of 4% per annum, and have a maturity of less than five years.

56

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2015 
 
 
 
 
24. Trade and other receivables 

Current
Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables

Net trade receivables
Prepayments
Other receivables
Loan to related party – Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH & Co. KG

Total trade and other receivables

The loan provided to PSPF at 31 December 2014 was unsecured and is zero coupon.

The movement in the provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

Balance at the beginning of the year
Impairment losses recognised
Amounts written off as uncollectable

Balance at the end of the year

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

1,015
(295)

720
1,566
–
–

2,286

1,212
(325)

887
13
193
3,000

4,093

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

325
123
(153)

295

175
282
(132)

325

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable from 
the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is discussed in note 3 to this financial information, including how the Group assesses the credit quality 
of potential new tenants and its policy for providing against overdue rents. 

Amounts included within trade receivables represent amounts due from tenants. The Group monitors overdue receivables from 
tenants with reference to the number of months of arrears. Arrears at December 2015 were 0.21 months (December 2014: 0.6 months). 
No interest was charged on overdue receivables during any period.

At each of the reporting dates there were no individual tenant receivable balances greater than 10% of the outstanding balance.

All trade receivables are past due, as rents are due in advance. The ageing analysis of trade receivables past due but not impaired is 
as follows:

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

Up to 12 months
Between 1 year and 3 years
Over 3 years

693
27
–

720

858
22
7

887

The Directors believe that the carrying value of trade and other receivables is considered to represent its fair value. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable shown above. The Group does not hold 
any collateral as security.

Assets held in currencies other than Euros are disclosed in note 32.

57

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 25. Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank
Cash at agents

Cash and cash equivalents

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

11,772
985

12,757

2,874
709

3,583

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying 
amount of these assets is approximately equal to their fair value. 

Included in cash at bank are amounts held with Hypothekenbank Frankfurt AG at December 2015 of €nil (December 2014: €140,478) 
which are restricted and can only be used by the Group for specified capital projects on specific properties.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value.

Cash held in currencies other than Euros is disclosed in note 32.

26. Borrowings

Current liabilities 
Bank loans – EuroHypo AG
Bank loans – Deutsche Hypothekenbank AG

Non-current liabilities 
Bank loans – Deutsche Genossenschafts – Hypothekenbank AG
Bank loans – Kreissparkasse Boblingen District Savings Bank

Total borrowings

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

2,978
8,545

11,523

119,262
3,016

122,278

133,801

50,350
–

50,350

–
3,161

3,161

53,511

Security agreements were entered into granting a charge to Deutsche Genossenschafts – Hypothekenbank AG over properties valued at 
December 2015 at €214 million (2014: €107 million).

A security agreement was entered into between a subsidiary company and Kreissparkasse Boblingen District Savings Bank which grants a 
charge to Kreissparkasse Boblingen District Savings Bank over property which in December 2015 was valued at €6 million (December 2014: 
€6 million).

The majority of the bank loans have a variable interest rate of three-month Euribor plus a margin ranging from 1% to 2.35%. The Group’s 
policy is to manage its interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps in order to limit exposure to borrowings at variable rates. The 
fixed interest rate of the swaps ranges from 1.57% to 5.56% and mature between November 2016 and January 2022.

The fair value of current borrowings equals their carrying amount as the impact of discounting is not significant. The fair value of 
non-current borrowing is set out in note 32.

As at 31 December 2015 an amount of €2.2 million (2014: €nil) was still available for drawdown. 

27. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other payables
Accruals
Tenant deposits
VAT

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

1,584
373
459
214
54

2,684

490
334
525
77
8

1,434

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. They are non-interest bearing.

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates their fair value as the impact of discounting is 
insignificant. 

58

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2015The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within agreed terms and no interest has 
been charged by any suppliers as a result of late payment of invoices. The average credit period for payments to suppliers at all reporting 
periods was seven days.

28. Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps – carried at fair value through profit or loss 
Balance at start of year
From acquisition
Movement in fair value through profit or loss 

Balance at end of year

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

1,496
1,181
(808)

1,869

3,391
–
(1,895)

1,496

The notional principal amounts of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31 December 2015 were €120,007,000 (2014: 
€50,683,000). At 31 December 2015 the fixed interest rates varied from 0.040% to 0.895% (2014: 0.089% to 0.256%) above the main 
factoring Euribor rate.

29. Share-based payment reserve

Balance at 1 January 2014
Fee charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2014

Equity settled in the year
Cash settled in the year
Fee charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2015

Performance 
 fee
€’000

Synthetic equity 
fee
€’000

Share-based 
payment reserve
€’000

6,365
2,025

8,390

(8,390)
–
1,264

1,264

533
26

559

–
(559)
–

–

6,898
2,051

8,949

(8,390)
(559)
1,264

1,264

Property Advisor
Under the Property Advisory Agreement for providing property advisory services, the Property Advisor is entitled to a Portfolio and Asset 
Management Fee as follows:

(i)  1.50% of the EPRA NAV of the Company where the EPRA NAV of the Company is equal to or less than €250 million; and 

(ii) to the extent that the EPRA NAV of the Company is greater than €250 million but is less than €500 million, the rate to be applied to 

such excess (and only such excess) shall instead be 1.25% per annum; and 

(iii) to the extent that the EPRA NAV of the Company is greater than €500 million, the rate to be applied to such excess (and only such 

excess) shall instead be 1.00% per annum, (the ‘Portfolio and Asset Management Fee’), which shall accrue and be calculated quarterly 
and payable in arrears. 

The Portfolio and Asset Management Fee shall be paid by the subsidiaries pro rata to their respective EPRA NAV at the time of calculation. 

The Property Advisor is entitled to a capex monitoring fee equal to 7% of any capital expenditure incurred by any Subsidiary (being any 
expenditure treated as capital expenditure in accordance with IFRS) which the Property Advisor is responsible for managing (the ‘Capex 
Monitoring Fee’). The Capex Monitoring Fee will be paid by the relevant Subsidiary receiving the service. 

The Property Advisor is entitled to receive a finance fee equal to: 

(i)  0.1% of the value of any borrowing arrangement made available to any Subsidiary which the Property Advisor has negotiated and/or 

supervised; and 

(ii) a fixed fee of £1,000 in respect of any borrowing arrangement made available to any Subsidiary which the Property Advisor has 

renegotiated or varied (the ‘Finance Fee’). 

The Finance Fee will be payable by the relevant Subsidiary within 14 days of the relevant borrowing arrangement completing. The 
Property Advisor is entitled to receive a transaction fee fixed at £1,000 in respect of any acquisition or disposal of property by any 
Subsidiary (the ‘Transaction Fee’). The Transaction Fee will be payable by the relevant Subsidiary within 14 days of completion of that 
transaction. 

59

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 29. Share-based payment reserve continued 
Lettings are outsourced to specialist letting agents who receive a commission of between one and three months’ net cold rent (being the 
gross rents receivable less service costs and taxes) for each successful letting (the ‘Letting Fee’). 

The Property Advisor may also source tenants from time to time and is entitled to a commission of between one and three-months’ net 
cold rent for each new tenancy signed by the Group and where no external agent has been involved. 

The Property Advisor is also entitled to an asset and estate management performance fee, measured over consecutive three year periods, 
equal to 20% of the excess by which the annual EPRA NAV total return of the Company exceeds 8% per annum, compounding (the 
‘Performance Fee’). The Performance Fee is subject to a high watermark, being the higher of: 

(i)  the most recently published EPRA NAV on 9 March 2015; and 

(ii) the highest previously recorded EPRA NAV total return at the end of a performance period in relation to which a performance fee was 

earned in accordance with the provisions of the Property Advisory Agreement. 

The Performance Fee will be settled through the payment of cash by the Company (as to 10% of the total fee) and the Subsidiaries (as to 
90% of the total fee), with each Subsidiary paying its pro rata share based on its time weighted average growth in EPRA NAV per Share 
over the relevant performance period. 

The Property Advisor has irrevocably agreed and undertaken, on receipt of the Performance Fee, to immediately subscribe for the 
allotment of new Shares credited as fully paid at a price equal to the EPRA NAV per Share. 

In circumstances where the Shares are trading at a discount to EPRA NAV at a time when a performance fee is payable, the Company is 
obliged, provided it is lawful to do so, to use its reasonable endeavours to purchase Shares in the market and settle any performance fee 
from the sale of such Shares out of treasury at a price equal to the amount paid by the Company for such purchase. 50% of any such 
Shares allotted shall be subject to the Lock-in Deed. 

The Directors have estimated the fair value of the services provided by the Property Advisor in accordance with the above calculation 
mechanism at each balance sheet date and have applied the following additional inputs to reflect the expense of the accumulation of the 
estimated settlement amount in each period (stated in property expenses above). 

Weighted average share price
Weighted average exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk free rate

€2.064
€2.600
15%
3 years
(0.449%)

Synthetic equity participation fee
In March 2013, the Property Advisor entered into an agreement with the Company whereby it is also entitled to a ‘Synthetic Equity 
Participation Fee’ in lieu of one quarter’s management fees that was payable in Q2, 2013. The fee entitles the Property Advisor to 
participate in dividends payable by the Company, and in any capital reductions, redemptions, share buy-backs and in the event of a 
winding up of the Company, in a final distribution.

This agreement was fully settled in the first half of the year. 

30. Stated capital

Issued and fully paid:
40,522,364 Ordinary Shares of no par value, issued at a consideration of GBP1 each
5,896,369 Ordinary Shares of no par value, issued at a consideration of GBP1.11 each

As at 31 December 2014
19,237,484 Ordinary Shares of no par value, issued at a consideration of GBP1.46 each
4,216,080 Ordinary Shares of no par value, issued at a consideration of GBP1.44 each

As at 31 December 2015

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000 

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000 

60,027
7,681

67,708

60,027
7,681

67,708
39,052
8,390

115,150

The 19,237,484 shares issued on 9 March 2015 were to the partners of PSPF as part of the consideration for the acquisition.

The 4,216,080 shares issued on 9 March 2015 were to PMM Partners (UK) Limited in consideration for the settlement of the performance 
fee arrangement originally entered into on 14 March 2008 and replaced by a new agreement dated 9 February 2015. 

The participating shares rank pari passu as regards voting, entitlement to income and entitlement on a return of capital. There are no 
restrictions on the free transferability of the participating shares, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.

60

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 201531. Earnings per share

Earnings for the purposes of basic earnings per share being net profit attributable to owners of the 

parent (€’000)

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share (Number)
Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the purposes of dilutive earnings per share 

(Number)

Earnings per share (€)
Dilutive earnings per share (€)

Year ended 31 
December 2015

Year ended 31 
December 2014

9,721
69,872,297
638,818

7,346
46,418,633
4,216,080

70,511,116
0.14
0.14

50,634,713
0.16
0.15

32. Financial instruments
The Group is exposed to the risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the objectives, policies and 
processes of the Group for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of 
these risks is presented throughout this financial information.

Principal financial instruments
The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:
•  Financial assets
•  Cash and cash equivalents
•  Trade and other receivables
•  Trade and other payables
•  Borrowings
•  Derivative financial instruments

The Company has entered into a variable rate loan instrument (‘VRL’) with Phoenix Spree Property Fund GmbH & Co. KG (‘PSPF’),  
a subsidiary company. A return, as defined in the VRL, is reported as a gain or loss through the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income. 

Settlement of the return in the Company’s favour under the VRL agreement is made by reference to the terms set out in the partnership 
agreement of PSPF as amended by the partners’ resolution dated 8 July 2013 (see note 29).

The Group held the following financial assets at each reporting date:

Loans and receivables:
Trade and other receivables: current
Loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents 

Fair value through profit or loss:
Variable rate loan

The Group held the following financial liabilities at each reporting date:

Held at amortised cost:
Borrowings payable: current
Borrowings payable: non-current
Trade and other payables 

Fair value through profit or loss:
Derivative financial liability – interest rate swaps

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

720
1,382
12,757

14,859

–

14,859

4,080
–
3,583

7,663

36,859

44,522

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

11,523
122,278
2,630

136,431

1,869

1,869

50,350
3,161
1,426

54,937

1,496

1,496

138,300

56,433

61

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 32. Financial instruments continued
Fair value of financial instruments
With the exception of the variable rate borrowings, the fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are not materially different to their 
carrying values due to the short-term nature of the current assets and liabilities or due to the commercial variable rates applied to the 
long-term liabilities.

The interest rate swaps were valued externally by the respective counterparty banks in comparison with the market price for the 
relevant date.

The interest rate swaps are expected to mature between November 2016 and January 2022.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or 
indirectly; and

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable 
market data.

During each of the reporting periods, there were no transfers between valuation levels. 

Group – fair values

Financial assets
Variable rate loan – Level 2

Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps – Level 2

The valuation basis for the investment properties is disclosed in note 21.

Interest rate risk

Financial risk management
The Group is exposed through its operations to the following financial risks:
• 
•  Foreign exchange risk
•  Credit risk
•  Liquidity risk

The Group’s policies for financial risk management are outlined below.

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

–

36,859

(1,869)

(1,496)

Interest rate risk management
The Group’s interest rate risk arises from certain of its borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow 
interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Company to fair value interest rate risk. The Group is also exposed to interest 
rate risk on cash and cash equivalents. 

Under interest rate swap contracts, the Group agrees to exchange the difference between fixed and floating rate interest amounts 
calculated on agreed notional principal amounts. Such contracts enable the Group to mitigate the risk of changing interest rates on the 
cash flow exposures on the issued variable rate debt held.

Sensitivity analysis has not been performed as all variable rate borrowings have been swapped to fixed interest rates, and potential 
movements on cash at bank balances are immaterial. 

The Group gives careful consideration to interest rates when considering its borrowing requirements and where to hold its excess cash. 
The Directors believe that the interest rate risk is at an acceptable level.

Foreign exchange risk management
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk on sales, purchases, and translation of assets and liabilities that are in a currency other 
than the functional currency (Euros). 

The Group does not enter into any currency hedging transactions and the Directors believe that the foreign exchange rate risk is at an 
acceptable level.

62

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2015The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency (non-Euro) denominated monetary assets and liabilities are shown below: all the 
amounts are for Sterling balances only:

As at 31 
December 2015
€’000

As at 31 
December 2014
€’000

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables

Net position

–
3,191

(156)

3,035

77
122

(274)

(75)

At each reporting date, if the Euro had strengthened or weakened by 10% against GBP with all other variables held constant, post-tax loss 
for the year would have increased/(decreased) by:

Strengthened by 
10% Increase/
(decrease) in 
post tax loss and 
impact on equity
€’000

Weakened by 
10% Increase/
(decrease) in 
post tax loss and 
impact on equity
€’000

31 December 2014
31 December 2015

(7)
251

7
(251)

Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. Credit 
risk arises principally from the Group’s trade and other receivables and its cash balances. The Group gives careful consideration to which 
organisations it uses for its banking services in order to minimise credit risk. The Group has an established credit policy under which each 
new tenant is analysed for creditworthiness and each tenant is required to pay a two-month deposit.

At each reporting date the Group had no tenants with outstanding balances over 10% of the total trade receivables balance.

The Group uses the following banks: Barclays Private Clients International Jersey Ltd, Barclays Bank Plc Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank and 
Hypothekenbank Frankfurt AG. The split of cash held at each of the banks respectively at 31 December 2015 was 28%/33%/39%/0% 
(December 2014: 23%/72%/0%/5%). Barclays and Deutsche Bank have A credit ratings.

The Group holds no collateral as security against any financial asset. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial 
information, net of any allowances for losses, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

Details of receivables from tenants in arrears at each reporting date can be found in note 24, as can details of the receivables that were 
impaired during each period.

An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a 
reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. Management considers the above measures to be sufficient to control the credit  
risk exposure. 

Liquidity risk management
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach to managing 
liquidity risk is to ensure that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed 
conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or damage to the Group’s reputation.

The Directors manage liquidity risk by regularly reviewing cash requirements by reference to short-term cash flow forecasts and  
medium-term working capital projections prepared by management.

The Group maintains good relationships with its banks, which have high credit ratings. 

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with agreed maturity 
periods. The table has been drawn based on the undiscounted cash flows of the financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which 
the Group can be required to pay. The tables include both interest payable and principal cash flows.

63

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report 32. Financial instruments continued
Maturity analysis for financial liabilities 

At 31 December 2014
Borrowings: current
Borrowings: non-current
Trade and other payables

At 31 December 2015
Borrowings: current
Borrowings: non-current
Trade and other payables

33. Net asset value per share and EPRA net asset value

Net assets (€’000)
Number of participating Ordinary Shares
Net asset value per share (€)

EPRA net asset value

Less than  

1 year
€’000

Between  

1 and 2 years
€’000

Between  

2 and 5 years
€’000

More than 
 5 years
€’000

50,350
–
1,426

51,776

11,523
–
2,630

14,153

–
3,161
–

3,161

–
3,016
–

3,016

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
38,612
–

38,612

–
80,650
–

80,650

Total

50,350
3,161
1,426

54,937

11,523
122,278
2,630

136,431

Year ended 31 
December 2015

Year ended 31 
December 2014

148,539
69,872,298
2.13

100,297
46,418,633
2.16

Year ended 31 
December 2015

Year ended 31 
December 2014

148,539
11,095
159,634
2.28

100,297
(4,479)
95,818
2.06

Net assets (€’000)
Add back deferred taxes, derivative financial instruments and share-based payment reserves
EPRA net asset value (€’000)
EPRA net asset value per share (€)

34. Related party transactions
Related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere are as follows:

Richard Prosser is Director of Estera Fund Administrators (Jersey) Limited (formerly known as Appleby Fund Administrators (Jersey) 
Limited) who provides administration services to the Company.

Andrew Weaver is a partner of the Jersey law firm, Appleby, which provides legal services to the Company and a member of Appleby group.  
He was, until 31 December 2015, a Director of Appleby Fund Administrators (Jersey) Limited (now Estera Fund Administrators  
(Jersey) Limited).

During the year ended 31 December 2015, an amount of €718,721 (December 2014: €263,038) was payable to Estera Fund Administrators 
(Jersey) Limited for accounting, administration and secretarial services. At December 2015, €125,671 (December 2014: €170,991) was 
outstanding. 

During the year ended 31 December 2015, an amount of €375,595 (December 2014: €6,114) was payable to Appleby law firm for legal and 
professional services. At December 2015, €11,352 (December 2014: €Nil) was outstanding.

M Northover is a Director and shareholder of PMM Partners (UK) Limited, the Company’s appointed Property Advisor. During the year 
ended 31 December 2015, an amount of €2,574,000 (December 2014: €1,670,349) was payable to PMM Partners (UK) Limited. At 
December 2015 €Nil (December 2014: €247,088) was outstanding.

The Group also entered into an option agreement to acquire the remaining 5.2% interest in PSPF from the remaining partners, being  
Mike Hilton and Paul Ruddle, both Directors of PMM Partners (UK) Limited; the options are to be exercised on the fifth anniversary of the 
majority interest acquisition for a period of three months thereafter.

The Group entered into a loan agreement with Mike Hilton and Paul Ruddle in connection with the acquisition of PSPF. At the period end 
an amount of €691,000 each was owed to the Group. The loans bear interest of 4% per annum. 

64

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 201535. Events after the reporting period
Placing Programme
The Company announced on 3 March 2016 that it had gained shareholder approval to implement a proposed Placing Programme which, 
if required, would allow capital to be raised in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The Placing Programme can be implemented in the 
period from 7 March 2016 to 8 February 2017 in the event that the Company identifies properties that are suitable for acquisition in 
accordance with its investment objective and policy. 

Issue of new shares
On 3 March 2016 the Company announced the successful issue of 22,619,047 new shares at 168p to raise gross proceeds of  
£38.0 million, of which 19,642,857 shares were placed with institutional and other investors and an additional 2,976,190 shares were 
issued by way of an Offer for Subscription. The new shares were issued at 168p, a premium to the reported EPRA NAV per share as at 
31 December 2015 of 167p. The purpose of this fundraising is to enable the Company to continue to grow the portfolio, particularly in 
Berlin where the Board believes that significant market opportunity exists.

Acquisitions
The Company completed on four properties that were notarised before the financial year end, with a total value of €19.8 million. A further 
building was notarised in the period post 31 December 2015 at a price of €3.1 million.

Debt
A seven-year debt facility of €16.7 million was signed in the period after the financial year end. Of this, €15.5 million has been drawn 
against this with 70% of the disbursed amount being fixed at 1.7% by way of an interest rate swap. The undrawn balance of €1.1 million is 
expected to be drawn in H1 2016. Amortisation of 1.1% commences in April 2017.

65

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Professional Advisors

PMM Partners (UK) Limited
47-48 Piccadilly
London W1J 0DT

Estera Fund Administrators (Jersey) Limited,  
(formerly Appleby Fund Administrators (Jersey) Limited)
Estera Secretaries (Jersey) Limited, 
(formerly Appleby Secretaries (Jersey) Limited)
13-14 Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey JE1 1EE

Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited
12 Castle Street
St Helier
Jersey JE2 3RT

Barclays Private Clients International Limited
13 Library Place
St Helier
Jersey JE4 8NE

Stephenson Harwood LLP
1 Finsbury Circus
London EC2M 7SH

Appleby
13-14 Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey JE1 1BD

Mittelstein Rechtsanwälte
Alsterarkaden 20
Hamburg 20354
Germany

Hogan Lovells International LLP
Untermainanlage 1
Frankfurt am Main 60329
Germany

Liberum Capital Limited
Ropemaker Place
25 Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9LY

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Prince Frederick House
35-39 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PP

Jones Lang LaSalle
Rahel-Hirsch-Strasse 10
Berlin D-10557
Germany

RSM UK Audit LLP  
(formerly Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP)
25 Farringdon Street
London EC4A 4AB

Property Advisor

Administrator,  
Company Secretary 
and Registered Office

Registrar

Principal Banker

English Legal Advisor

Jersey Legal Advisor

German Legal Advisor as to 
German property law

German Legal Advisor as to 
German partnership law

Sponsor and Joint Broker

Joint Broker

Independent Property Valuer

Auditor

66

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes

67

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes

68

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Annual Report and Accounts 2015Photography credit:  
Michel Koczy. Pages 14, 15 and  
19 (inset image – Local café life).

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd
13–14 Esplanade
St. Helier
Jersey
JE1 1BD

www.phoenixspree.com

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