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Qinetiq Group Plc

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FY2009 Annual Report · Qinetiq Group Plc
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QinetiQ Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Delivering customer-
focused solutions

Company Registration Number
4586941

Registered office
85 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6PD

Customer Contact Team
QinetiQ
Cody Technology Park
Ively Road, Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 0LX
United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0)8700 100 942
www.QinetiQ.com

© QinetiQ Group plc
QINETIQ/CF/SS/PUB0900043

A year of progress and delivery

QinetiQ is a leading international provider of technology-based services and solutions to the defence, security
and related markets.

We develop and deliver services and solutions for government organisations, predominantly in the UK and US,
including defence departments, intelligence services and security agencies. In addition, we provide technology
insertion and consultancy services to commercial and industrial customers around the world.

We operate principally in the UK and North America and have recently entered the Australian defence
consulting market.

2009 Highlights including statutory results

• Group revenue up 18% to £1,617.3m
(2008: £1,366.0m) driven by organic
growth1 of 7%

• Underlying operating profit up

22% to £155.0m (2008: £127.0m)

• Operating profit up to

£131.5m (2008: £76.4m)

• Underlying operating margin increased

by 30bps to 9.6% (2008: 9.3%)
• Profit before tax up to £114.0m

(2008: £51.4m)

• Strong underlying operating cash
conversion of 105% (2008: 77%)
• Underlying earnings per share up
18.7% to 15.9p (2008: 13.4p)
• Proposed final dividend per share

up by 11.3% to 3.25p per
share (2008: 2.92p per share)
• Order intake in the period up 25%
to £1,596.0m (2008: £1,277.1m)
providing enhanced backlog.

(1) Organic growth is calculated at constant foreign exchange rates, adjusting the comparatives to incorporate the results of acquired entities for the same duration
of ownership as the current period. See Glossary section on page 111 for definitions of Non GAAP terms used throughout this report. Underlying financial
measures are presented as the Board believes these provide a better representation of the Group’s long-term performance trends.

On the cover

QinetiQ colleagues
within the Consulting
sector involved in
the Government
e-Borders programme.

This report is available online at www.QinetiQ.com

Where can you learn more?

View our report online at www.QinetiQ.com/Investors
The QinetiQ Annual Report 2009 can be viewed at www.QinetiQ.com/Investors along with further useful shareholder
information and information on the Company, its performance, the Annual General Meeting and latest presentations.

For more information visit: www.QinetiQ.com. You can access the following:

Latest shareholder information
•
•
•
•

Latest share price
Financial calendar
RNS news feeds
Corporate governance

View archive information
Results and trading updates
•
Company reports
•
Company presentations
•

Learn about shareholder services
•
•
•

Register online
Shareview
Common questions

Give us feedback
Your feedback
•
Investor contacts
•

Electronic communication
QinetiQ has taken full advantage of changes brought about by the Companies Act 2006 which recognises the growing
importance of electronic communications and allows companies to provide documentation and communications to
shareholders via their websites (except to those who have specifically elected to receive a hardcopy (i.e. paper).

The wider use of electronic communications enables fast receipt of documents, reduces the Company’s printing, paper and post
costs and has a positive impact on the environment.

Shareholders may also cast their vote for the 2009 AGM online quickly and easily using the Sharevote-service by using
www.sharevote.co.uk or the QinetiQ website at www.QinetiQ.com/agm

Corporate responsibility
Read more about our Corporate responsibility policy at www.QinetiQ.com/cr

Design and production by Black Sun Plc

This Report is printed on Hello Silk paper and has been independently certified on behalf of the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC). The inks used are all vegetable oil based.

Page 3 – Copyright WPL/Grimshaw
Page 31 – Photograph by: LA (P) Richie Harvey © Crown Copyright/MOD, image from
www.photos.mod.uk. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's
Stationery Office

Printed at St Ives Westerham Press Ltd, ISO14001, FSC certified and CarbonNeutral®

Directors’ Report – Business Review

What we do
Our businesses
Chairman’s statement
Chief Executive Officer’s review

Our performance
Overview of operations
Our future priorities
Our strategic vision
Our markets

Our global capabilities in action
Performance review – QNA
Performance review – EMEA
Chief Financial Officer’s review
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Principal risks and uncertainties
Corporate responsibility report

See pages
26-42

Directors’ Report – Governance

Board of Directors
Corporate governance report
Remuneration report
Other statutory information
Statement of Directors’responsibilities

Revenue £1,617.3m

09

08

07

06

05

£1,617.3m

£1,366.0m

£1,149.5m

£1,051.7m

£855.9m

Underlying operating profit margin 9.6%

09

08

07

06

05

9.6%

9.3%

9.2%

8.6%

7.6%

Financial Statements

Underlying operating profit £155.0m

09

08

07

06

05

£155.0m

£127.0m

£106.0m

£90.7m

£65.2m

Independent Auditors’report
Consolidated income statement
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated cash flow statement
Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense
Notes to the financial statements
Company balance sheet
Notes to the Company financial statements
Five-year record

Orders £1,596.0m

09

08

07

06

05

£816.7m

£668.3m

Underlying EPS 15.9p

£1,596.0m

£1,277.1m

£1,214.0m

Glossary
Financial calendar
Analysis of shareholders
Auditors
Advisors

Cautionary statement

09

08

07

06

05

15.9p

13.4p

11.3p

10.2p

8.8p

All statements other than historical fact included in this document, including,
without limitation, those regarding the financial condition, results, operations
and businesses of QinetiQ and its strategy, plans and objectives and the markets
and economies in which it operates, are forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s assumptions made
on the basis of information available to it at the time, involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause
the actual results, performance or achievements of QinetiQ or the markets
and economies in which QinetiQ operates to be materially different from
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Nothing in this document should be regarded
as a profit forecast.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

1

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Directors’Report – Business Review
What we do

A leading technology-based services and
solutions business

Our markets

Defence

QNA/EMEA

Our long-standing involvement with the defence industry has
given us a deep understanding of defence requirements and
operations. We work with defence organisations across the world
delivering technology and innovation to meet the challenges of a
changing world.

We provide technology, solutions, services and consultancy to
governments and industrial partners.

Our businesses support the military around the world working
across land, sea and air environments.

QNA operates in the world’s largest defence market with an
annual spend of $600bn.

Our UK business has a wealth of understanding and expertise
generated from working with the UK MOD. We provide customers
with tailored or off-the-shelf advice, technology solutions and
services to enable the acquisition and through-life management
of military capabilities.

Long-term customer relationships with defence customers
worldwide underpin the business.

Highlights during the year included:
•

EMEA won a £150m maritime contract, Maritime Strategic
Capability Agreement (MSCA)

•

•

•

Award of £24m contract for Harrier Through-Life Support

Award of £26m Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training (DSALT)
contract by the UK Ministry of Defence

Enhancement of the three-year $62m contract to train Iraqi
pilots with a recent extension to in excess of $100m.

EMEA awarded a £150m Maritime Strategic Capability Agreement
by UK MOD to sustain critical capabilities in support of maritime
platform programmes

The new £26m Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training contract was
awarded in the second half of the year

£24m contract win for Harrier Through-Life support ensuring long-term
availability and capability of the fleet

2

www.QinetiQ.com

Our focus
We are focused on supporting our customers with technology-based services
and solutions, which solve important and complex problems. We use the in-depth
technical and domain knowledge of our people to understand and help reduce some
of the most complex technical challenges faced by our customers. We seek growth
opportunities in our core defence, security and intelligence markets. Our business is
organised into two: EMEA, covering activity in Europe, Middle East and Australasia;
and QNA, covering North America.

Security and Intelligence

Energy and Environment

QNA/EMEA

EMEA

We provide independent security consulting services, managed
services and technology solutions to meet the challenges of
keeping our customers secure now and in the future.

In North America the business is well-positioned with the
largest homeland security agencies including the US Customs
Service and Customs & Border Protection and the US Department
of Homeland Security. The intelligence and cyber security
markets are priorities of the new US Administration.

In the UK the operational requirements of the UK National
Security Strategy and counter-terrorism are top Government
priorities. We work in close support of governmental
organisations responsible for countering terrorism, providing
law enforcement and ensuring the integrity of the UK’s critical
national infrastructure, including the global transportation
and logistic supply chain and crucial security requirements.

Highlights during the year included:
•

In October 2008 following Government approval, we
acquired DTRI, a leading provider of services to the
North American defence and security communities.

• US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA)
award of follow-on research contract for the Large Area
Coverage Optical Search While Track and Engage (LACOSTE)
programme, using a new sensor system to provide tactical
surveillance and precision tracking capability.

We provide innovative technology services and solutions to
customers in a range of markets that we collectively refer to as
Energy and Environment. Our customers are either organisations
involved in the generation and supply of energy or those trying
to manage their energy demand and the environmental impact
of their business.

The UK Government has recently committed to an 80% reduction
in CO2 emissions by 2050 and introduced the Carbon Reduction
Commitment that will incentivise or penalise many medium
and large companies depending on how they manage their
energy and carbon emissions. In addition, the UK Government
is facilitating a new-build programme for nuclear power and
is committed to generating 15% of all energy from renewable
sources by 2020 and funding research into commercialised
Carbon Capture and Storage systems. These political and
legislative drivers, coupled with our breadth and depth of
technical expertise and our track record in a number of these
markets, support our belief that the Energy and Environment
markets provide us with a growth opportunity.

Highlights during the year included:
•

EMEA secured participation in the European Union’s smart
fixed wing aircraft joint technology initiative

•

Award of a contract from the Energy Technologies Institute to
apply aerodynamics expertise to the wind power industry

• QinetiQ’s pyrolysis waste processing technology installed

on HMS Ocean for trials.

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NASA is a key customer of QNA’s
Mission Solutions business

Acquisition of DTRI brings
new customer relationships
from within the US defence
and security communities

EMEA provides aerodynamics expertise to the wind power industry

More
on pages
26-31

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

3

Directors’Report – Business Review
Our businesses

Building a leading global business

QinetiQ North America
Strengthening our presence

QinetiQ North America has
established itself as a major
provider of technology-based
services and solutions across
the United States.

Managed Services provides long-term, technology-rich outsourced
services to Government and independent accreditation and technical
services to Government and industry.

Consulting offers technical advice to customers in the areas of defence,
security, transportation, aerospace, energy, environment and safety.

Technology Solutions EMEA delivers capability to customers through
integrated solutions, niche sub-systems, products and services. Its
business covers manned platforms, autonomous systems and command
and information systems.

Ventures is the pipeline through which we manage our portfolio of
emerging technologies.

Principal Customers
• UK Ministry of Defence (MOD)

• US Department of Defense (DoD)

• UK National Security Agencies

• Other UK Government agencies

•

Australian Department of Defence.

See pages
26-28

Europe, Middle East and
Australasia
Building valuable new market positions

EMEA is focused on providing technology
services and solutions to the defence,
security and energy & environment markets.

Share of Group revenue#

Number of employees*

2009
53%
£851.7m

2009
55%
7,712
employees

# including Ventures

* including Ventures and Corporate

4

www.QinetiQ.com

We are a leader in defence and security technology-based services and solutions with
over 14,000 employees operating across the world.

Mission Solutions delivers solutions, services and products based on
specialised mission knowledge to defence, space, intelligence and
homeland security agencies.

Systems Engineering offers engineering, software development,
integration, logistics information management and test and
evaluation support for the development, modification, fielding
and sustainment of military equipment and systems.

Technology Solutions QNA provides high technology research
services and development of defence and security related products
to the US Defence, government and the commercial market.

Principal Customers
• US Department of Defense (DoD)

• US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• US intelligence and security community.

Share of Group revenue

Number of employees

2009
47%
£765.6m

2009
45%
6,348
employees

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See pages
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QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

5

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chairman’s statement

A year of strong performance

“Despite this year being one of the most difficult years for the world economy in
living memory, QinetiQ has continued its trajectory of revenue and profit growth
and delivered a solid performance. Underlying* profit before tax is up 19%, revenues
up 18%, and underlying* earnings per share has increased by 18.7%. To reflect this
continued progress in our business the Board is recommending a final dividend of
3.25p per share, giving a total dividend of 4.75p (2008: 4.25p per share).”

Underlying* earnings per share 15.9p

Dividend per share 4.75p

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15.9p

13.4p

11.3p

10.2p

8.8p

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07

06

05

Nil

4.75p

4.25p

3.65p

2.25p

* Underlying financial measures are presented as the Board believes these provide a better representation of the Group’s long-term performance trends. See Glossary

section on page 111 for definitions of Non GAAP terms used throughout this statement.

The collapse in world banking and credit systems has had a
devastating effect on markets everywhere. Yet governments cannot
ignore their obligations to protect their people and ensure their
citizens are as well provided for as possible in terms of security and the
basic necessities of life. Governments must also look to the future and
how to position their societies in the relentlessly globalised world in
which we now live. Whether they are discharging their fundamental
objectives, or investing for the future, technology is the key lever
governments reach for. This explains why QinetiQ’s business
continues to prosper despite the global downturn.

Our progress
Over the past few years QinetiQ has been investing in those segments
of our business where we see the strongest demand growing well
into the future. Our US business has grown in five years from next to
nothing to be on the verge of overtaking our UK business in revenue
and profit. This has been achieved by building a first-class US
management team and conducting a targeted and disciplined
investment campaign aimed at specific hot spots in the enormous US
defence and security market. Previous acquisitions in vehicle robotics,
mission systems and systems engineering have delivered handsome
results in the year just concluded. Our most recent investments have
targeted intelligence systems and cyber defences where we foresee
very substantial increases in demand as governments’ attention
switches to more domestic concerns.

The election of President Obama has enabled the reprioritisation of
policy in many areas of the US Administration. His Defense Secretary,
Robert Gates, has already indicated that major platform programmes
such as the F22 fighter and the VH-71 helicopter programmes will be
scaled back or cut as expenditure is concentrated instead on “wars we
are in today and scenarios for the years ahead.” Conversely, President
Obama’s stimulus package contains $21.5bn additional funding
for federal R&D on top of the increases already proposed which
themselves had an 11% increase in funds for DARPA, one of QinetiQ’s
biggest customers for research in the US.

Our markets
In the UK, QinetiQ is the second largest contractor to the MOD, and
as such, is more exposed to the overall economic circumstances of the
MOD despite our strong position in several sub-sectors of that market.
MOD’s difficulties in matching its funding to its commitments have
been well documented and have led to cutbacks in investment for the
future such as research. It is a testament to the strength of QinetiQ’s
franchise in the more urgent parts of MOD’s operations and its
portfolio of long-term contracts that EMEA’s revenues for the year
were sustained with increased underlying profits. The Consulting and
Managed Services sectors of EMEA are well placed in their markets
and our management team is energetically engaged in reshaping
our Technology business to narrow its focus to those product areas for
which we have a strong and sustainable route to market in the future.

Since its inception in 2001, QinetiQ has enjoyed consistent growth
in revenue, profit and earnings per share. Sustained profits over the
longer term is not just a matter of fortunate decision-making but
depends on fundamental characteristics that have deep roots within
the organisation. QinetiQ is a technology services company whose core
modus operandi is to bridge the gap between what a customer needs
to achieve and the technology required to deliver that goal. It is the
knowledge our people have of customer needs and the underpinning
technology that is our discriminator. Our people and the values
that unite them are the core of our offering. That is also why our
educational outreach programmes with schools, through the STEMNET
national Science and Engineering Ambassadors Scheme and other
commitments in the corporate responsibility arena, have such ready
resonance. It is the special quality and talent of our people that makes
QinetiQ a special place to work and enables us to deliver outstanding
results for our customers.

The Board
The Board is committed to good and effective governance and to
ensuring responsible management in all the Company’s operations.
This is integral to the trust our customers and shareholders put in
us as a business.

6

www.QinetiQ.com

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Employees worldwide

Over 14,000

A key role of the Board is to look to the future and part of my function
is to ensure we have the right balance of skills and expertise around
the Board table to face the challenges and opportunities of the world
ahead. The Board has also developed comprehensive succession plans
designed to equip the Company with the leadership to realise the
potential that has now been created. I shall be retiring from the
Group at the 2010 AGM and we have recruited Mark Elliott to join
the Board from June 2009 with the intention that he shall succeed
me as Chairman when I step down. Mark brings a successful record
of leadership in technology-based services, particularly IBM, as well
as senior non-executive experience in substantial plcs. Peter Fellner,
who has been a member of the Board since 2004 and is Chairman of
the Remuneration Committee, will be stepping down from the Board
at this year’s AGM. Peter has been a source of great wisdom during his
tenure and I am very grateful for the time and energy he has given the
Company. During the year, Doug Webb, who as Chief Financial Officer
helped to take QinetiQ through its privatisation and who has been a
member of the Board since 2005, resigned to take a similar position
with the London Stock Exchange. In August, the Board welcomed
David Mellors as a Director and Chief Financial Officer.

In September 2008, the UK Government sold its remaining ordinary
equity position in the Company. This completed the disposal process it
had first declared eight years earlier, which has resulted in not only the
creation of a very successful international company but also the delivery
of around £1bn of value for the Government. With this disposal of
the final tranche of its equity, the Government’s right to nominate
a Director expired. Colin Balmer has fulfilled that role and has been
a member of the Board since 2003. Given the special understanding
that Colin brings of the working of Government and the MOD, the
Board has asked Colin to continue serving as a Director until such
time as a replacement with equivalent capability can be identified.

Our people
In a very difficult year for the world economy, QinetiQ has turned in
another good performance. This is not a happy accident but it is a
product of thoughtful positioning, intelligent investment, strong
leadership and most importantly, the skill and commitment of our
people. I would like to offer a special thanks to them for their efforts
in delivering the results presented in this report.

Future outlook
Despite the difficult circumstances, this has been another good year
of all-round progress for the Group. We have achieved good organic
growth, have continued to transition our UK business and strengthened
our offering through targeted acquisitions made during the year. We
have improved operating margins, generated strong cash flow and
won new contracts in growth markets. These results demonstrate
the strength of our operations.

We have started the new financial year with a further strengthening
of the Group’s presence in North America through the acquisition of
Cyveillance, Inc, a provider of online monitoring technology to identify
and track data in cyberspace. This acquisition should complete in June
2009, following regulatory approval. The reshaping of the Group for the
future also includes a programme of disposals from amongst our large
inventory of technologies where others have the market reach to capture
more value than we readily can. As part of this, we have completed the
part disposal of our investment in Cody Gate Ventures and recently
signed a disposal contract for our Underwater Systems Business,
together generating £37m of proceeds.

Our confidence in the future prospects of the Group is reflected in
today’s announced 11.3% increase in the final dividend for the year,
subject to the approval of shareholders.

Sir John Chisholm, Chairman

21 May 2009

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

7

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Executive Officer’s review

Actively transforming our business

“This has been another good year of all-round progress
for the Group. We have delivered good organic growth,
enhanced by targeted acquisitions, improved operating
margins and very strong cash generation, and have
reorganised our business to focus on technology services
and solutions.”

Our performance
I am delighted to announce a good set of results for the year ended
31 March 2009. This has been another good year of all-round progress
for the Group. Our strategy is focused on developing high-end
provision of services and solutions in growth areas within the
important defence, security and intelligence markets. We have
delivered good organic growth, enhanced by targeted acquisitions,
improved operating margins and delivered very strong cash generation.
These results demonstrate the strength of the Group’s operations.

We have continued to deliver against our strategy. We have further
strengthened our North American presence through our recent
acquisitions and increased our profile in the defence, security and
intelligence communities.

We continue to grow the business through quality relationships
with our customers in the Government, the military and commercial
worlds. This year our results have benefited from the strength of these
relationships, resulting in additional, and in some cases new, larger
contracts being awarded, building on earlier smaller scale contracts.
This reflects our ability to work as a trusted partner and supplier
alongside customers including Governments and agencies on large
and important projects where delivery is critical.

Now that our US business has reached a critical mass, we can develop
synergies between our US and UK operations. There are early examples
of technologies and know-how being transferred both ways across the

Graham Love, Chief Executive Officer

21 May 2009

A year of progress and delivery

Our strategy

Strengthen our North American presence

Maintain and build existing relationships

Further penetrate established defence markets

Apply technologies to commercial markets

8

www.QinetiQ.com

Atlantic. Our SPO-7™ and Dragon Runner™ products illustrate our
ability to transfer products and services between markets. We intend
to focus on four capabilities that we can exploit globally: Autonomy
and Robotics; Sensors and Spectrum; Cyber Security and Resilience;
and Training and Simulation.

Our Australian businesses are making good progress as they establish
the QinetiQ brand in the Asia Pacific region. Our profile within the
Australian defence market has increased during the year as we look
to broaden our presence into new areas.

Overview of operations
QinetiQ North America (QNA) once again delivered significant
organic growth of 15% at constant currency and 42% in reported
terms. This performance was supplemented by the DTRI acquisition
which enhances our security and defence offerings. Over two thirds of
our US business is now focused on the provision of services to a variety
of Government customers. The deep domain knowledge of our people,
coupled with an understanding of our customers’ priorities, enables us
to deliver real value, which in turn leads to further opportunities for us.
Our Mission Solutions business had an excellent year driven by further
new work in the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NASA.
Systems Engineering grew strongly and won some important, scalable
contracts which position the business well for the future. Technology
Solutions has had another year of good organic growth, in addition to
last year’s exceptional performance. This was fuelled by sales of LAST®
Armor but, importantly, making the first shipments of EARS®, the
sniper detection system, and Dragon Runner™, our latest Unmanned
Ground Vehicle (UGV). The increased use of this technology has
been supported by the ongoing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We expect these products to form a key part of the operations in
Afghanistan in the future. QNA achieved a very creditable 10.8%
(2008: 11.5%) underlying operating margin, enhanced by the higher
margin products, which is at the top end of our US peer group.

EMEA revenue for the year was up 3% in reported terms, although
it grew only marginally on an organic basis. This overall result is the
consequence of two opposing forces: the contraction in MOD research
revenues of some £38m (c.23%) from last year; and the growth in
services and solutions. This has been the first complete year that

open competition has taken place for MOD research contracts, but
the principal effect has been not so much the loss of contracts to
competition as the new emphasis on partnerships which result in
sharing available income. In addition, the MOD’s budgetary pressures
have been well publicised resulting in delays in the letting of new
supply contracts. Nevertheless, we continue to retain our position
as the leading independent provider of research services to MOD
and given the decline in this part of the business, we are pleased with
the overall performance of the EMEA business which withstood this
significant change. The Consulting arm of our business, which focuses
on provision of platform-independent advice, grew strongly in the year
and has an increasing amount of work outside the traditional MOD
customer base, including in the security sector. The transformation
of our EMEA business will ensure we are positioned to respond to
the change in market dynamics. The Managed Services business
has a number of long-term, underpinning, service-based contracts.
EMEA importantly secured its first overseas Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV) managed service contract during the period.

As the MOD continues to focus on value for money offerings and
current operational requirements, so we continue to evolve our
business to meet their demands. We are continuing to keep careful
control of the cost base of the EMEA business and have improved
the operating margin from 9.8% in the prior period to 10.4%.

We have an ongoing focus in the EMEA business to develop our core
offerings to address customer requirements and dispose of a small
number of non-core assets. We continue to transform our EMEA
business, particularly the technology sectors, Integrated Systems
and Applied Technologies, which were merged at the beginning of
the new financial year to form Technology Solutions EMEA, ensuring
the ongoing transition of this business from research to the provision
of technology services and solutions.

In March 2009, an agreement was reached with Coller Capital to
dispose of part of QinetiQ’s interest in Cody Gate Ventures (CGV)
Fund for £13.7m and the release of QinetiQ’s prior commitment to
contribute a further £3.2m. As a result of this transaction, QinetiQ’s
allocation of distributions from CGV is now set at an initial level of
25%, with the potential to increase to a maximum of 50%.

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What we achieved

We grew organically through the award of new contracts such as those from NASA and the Iraqi flight training contract. In addition, the
acquisitions of Spectro in July 2008 and DTRI in October 2008 have augmented existing operations, and are supported by increased brand
awareness activity.

Our ability to work as a reliable partner and supplier alongside Government customers and agencies on large and important projects reflects
our focus on long-term delivery of mission-critical projects. This was demonstrated through the award of the MSCA and DSALT contracts in
the UK and in the US the award of additional contracts by NASA and the DHS.

We continued to build on our position in the defence market internationally, providing further growth opportunities. In addition,
we increased revenues by growing in new international markets, including the Australian defence market.

We have taken selected defence technologies into new and developing markets, with particular emphasis on security and intelligence
through direct exploitation, venturing and licensing.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

9

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Executive Officer’s review (continued)

Our future priorities
Our vision remains clear and constant but now more sharply focused for the next
stage in our growth. Our strategy also remains consistent but is regularly reviewed
and refreshed in the light of both our experience and market developments. We have
selected a number of global capability areas for focus. So, how will our strategy evolve
for the future?

Our vision
To be recognised internationally as a leading provider of technology-based services
and solutions to customers in defence, security and related markets

Our strategy
Build and maintain existing relationships
Build on our powerful defence franchises through increased
customer focus, growing our market share in technology
insertion, advice and managed services whilst also expanding
our presence into related markets where we already have
a good footprint such as security and intelligence.

Develop selected global capabilities
Develop global capabilities in selected fields of service
and technology.

Provide integrated solutions and service offerings
across geographies.

Increase synergies across our business.

Strengthen and develop our international reach
and presence
Continue building our business in our home markets of UK,
North America and Australia delivering good organic growth
supplemented by targeted acquisitions.

Build valuable new market positions in selected additional
international markets including the Middle East and the Far East.

Maintain a leading position in key areas of defence
and continue expansion into other adjacent markets
Expand relevant international routes to market for defence
technology applications.

Further develop security market potential, our energy and
environmental offerings and applications to other relevant
markets through direct exploitation, venturing and licensing.

Selected global capabilities

Autonomy and Robotics
Technology providing control
of unmanned platforms across
any domain

Sensors and Spectrum
Capabilities that detect, monitor and
track in real-time, making best use of
the electro-magnetic spectrum

Training and Simulation
Enhanced training covering
technical training
and mission rehearsal
including experimentation
and requirements capture

The Story so far
QinetiQ has made dramatic strides since it was
formed and subsequently listed on the London Stock
Exchange in 2006. Since then we have transformed
a solely UK-based research and development
establishment into an international market leader
in technology-based solutions primarily for the
defence, security and related sectors.

But this is just the beginning.

10

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Financial Years

2005 QinetiQ first enters

North American market
through acquisition

2006 QinetiQ is listed on the
London Stock Exchange
and joins the FTSE 250
in February 2006

QinetiQ Group achieves
revenues of £1bn

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Develop, enhance and maintain our people skills
and resources
Recruit and retain people with outstanding intellectual
capacity, technical skills and personal qualities.

Motivate and recognise innovation in technology and problem
solving and excellence in customer service and delivery.

Recognise and promote talent.

Further embed a customer-focused culture throughout
our businesses.

Cyber Security and Resilience
Capabilities that assure the integrity and
inter-operability of communications, ensuring
the secure and resilient exploitation of IT systems

Our KPIs
The Group delivers its strategy against the high level objectives
set out on these pages. We then use a range of financial and
non-financial performance indicators to measure the growth
and performance of the Group over time.
• Organic revenue growth

See page
38-39

Sustainable organic growth, supplemented by growth from
major opportunities

• Proportion of revenue generated by QNA

Total revenues in the medium term from QNA, through
a combination of organic growth and acquisitions

• Underlying operating profit margin

The percentage return on sales achieved based on underlying
operating profit
• Book to bill ratio

•

The ratio of orders to revenue to identify the rate of
prospective growth in the business
Funded backlog
The value of contractually funded orders providing visibility
over future revenues

• Underlying basic EPS growth

The rate at which underlying earnings per share increased
over the prior year expressed as a percentage

• Operating cash conversion

The percentage of underlying operating profit converted into
underlying operating cash flow (after capital expenditure)

• Health and safety of employees

•

The number of reported injuries and incidents measured
as the number of events in any period per 1,000 people
Employee turnover rate
Measuring our managers’ ability to retain key talent in a
competitive market place

Risks
The Group operates primarily in the UK and US defence and
security markets and manages the inherent risks of its activities.
The Group reviews both the commercial and market risks that
it faces in order to protect its financial integrity and reputation.

See pages
40-42

See pages
17-25

2007 New EMEA region established

2008 QinetiQ enters the Australian

2009 The MOD completes the sale of

Metrix, a joint venture led by
QinetiQ, selected as preferred bidder
for the UK Government’s Defence
Training Review (DTR)

defence market

QNA reaches $1bn of revenue

its shareholding in QinetiQ

QinetiQ acquires Dominion
Technology Resources Inc.
and Spectro Inc.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

11

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Executive Officer’s review (continued)

Overview of operations (continued)
In North America, QNA is very focused on resilient markets. Our services
businesses can capitalise further on the positions we have and see
defence, security, intelligence and cyber security as particularly attractive
markets. Our recent acquisitions put us in a good position to establish
ourselves as a leading provider in these fields. We believe we are well
placed to respond to the priorities of the new US Administration and
position our QNA business for sustainable double-digit revenue growth
and double-digit operating margin.

In EMEA, we continue to face a declining MOD research budget and
expect this to continue into 2010, albeit research only represents 15%
of EMEA revenues. The increasing trend towards partnering will help us
defend our market share although this results in the passing through
of some value to partners. We expect the MOD’s budget pressures will
continue to affect the awarding of business in general. However,
through our proven ability to insert and integrate technology, we
are well positioned to respond to new and existing customer needs,
particularly where flexibility and value for money are at a premium.
We believe that MOD budget pressures will actually play to our core
strengths of extending the life and capability of existing equipment
as a more cost-effective alternative to buying new equipment and
outsourcing services which can be more efficiently carried out in the
private sector. As we broaden our exposure in certain security markets
and internationally, we see the opportunity to grow EMEA in mid single
digits in the medium term, once the research income has stabilised.
Meanwhile, we are carefully controlling our cost base to protect
margins. Having reorganised the EMEA business into market-facing
sectors last year, we plan further increases in efficiency during the
coming year by optimising utilisation and reducing duplication.
As a result, we expect to reduce our head-count by approximately
400 during the course of the year, generating annualised savings of
approximately £14m, resulting in an estimated exceptional cost of
c£40m. This programme should complete early in the fourth quarter.

The Defence Training Rationalisation (DTR) programme continued
to proceed with our new partner in the Metrix consortium, Sodexo,
coming on board at the beginning of January 2009. Planning applications
for the new facility have been submitted. The MOD expects to submit
DTR to its Main Gate 2 approval process after the summer in 2009. We,
and the customer, are still working for a 2010 financial close. During the
year, we incurred a further £10.0m of bid costs (2008: £7.1m).

We have started the new financial year with a further strengthening
of the Group’s presence in North America through the acquisition of
Cyveillance, Inc, a provider of online monitoring technology to identify
and track data in cyberspace. This acquisition should complete,
following regulatory approval, in June 2009. This reshaping of the
Group for the future includes a programme of disposals from amongst
our inventory of technologies where others have the market reach to
capture more value than we readily can. As part of this, we have signed
a disposal contract for our Underwater Systems Business, subject to
regulatory approval, which will generate £23.5m of proceeds.

Our strategic vision
As we move into the next phase of growth we will continue to
develop the key strands of our strategy driving a further round
of internationally-based development.

We anticipate further collaboration between our businesses, extending
our geographical reach, deepening our penetration of selected target
markets and building the QinetiQ brand internationally in services,
products and solutions.

As a result of the successful execution of these strategies and the
delivery of substantial, real growth over the past five years, the time
has come for us to ‘raise the bar’ in certain areas and move to the
next stage of development. Accordingly, where appropriate, we
have expanded our horizons to take advantage of new emerging
opportunities in an international context and, consequently, we
have refreshed and refined our Group strategies.

Our principal Group strategies for the next stage of our development
are to:

Build and maintain existing relationships
Our focus for the future is on addressing real problems which are
critical to our customers’ success and which need innovative, value for
money solutions. Our intimate understanding of the challenges faced
by our customers and the environment in which we operate, together
with the strength of our relationships with them, are key to our
successful growth in the future.

As a Group we have a long established position in the UK market
serving the UK MOD and over the past five years have also built a
substantial market position in the US as a supplier of solutions and
services to the US Department of Defense and the Department of
Homeland Security as well as other government agencies. We also
work closely with other major industrial companies, sometimes
as a subcontractor and sometimes as a prime, to deliver tangible
solutions to our end customers.

Our ability to work as a reliable partner and supplier alongside
Government customers and agencies on a wide variety of key
projects reflects the strength of these long-term relationships.

Develop selected global capabilities
We will continue to develop global capabilities which can exploit
synergies in different countries to address selected world markets.

Our robotics business in QNA has illustrated the potential of this
approach with early research contracts leading to the creation of a
successful product range which meets real customer needs across
a range of geographies and applications.

Historically, we have developed expertise across a broad spectrum but,
as we move forward, we will also build a series of closely integrated
capabilities in which we have world-leading skills and market potential.

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The initial priorities include:

•

•

•

•

Autonomy and Robotics – We are pioneers in the development
of unmanned air systems and a world leader in military robotics.
This is a growing market for the future as the demand for both
products and services is likely to increase in this field.

Sensors and Spectrum – We can help customers determine
whether incorporating or improving sensor technology is the
right solution for them. With advances in technology, the role
which both electromagnetic and acoustic sensors can play in
their spectra is key.

Training and Simulation – We can harness the power of simulation
to support decision-making and training at all levels, from concept
development to in-service support. The cost of live exercises and
training can be significant for customers – finding effective ways
to train and provide a mission-ready team is crucial.

Cyber Security and Resilience – Our experience in the security
field enables us to develop products and services that address
the challenges posed by the need for improved digital security.

In each of these areas we will use our international reach to build global
capabilities focusing on the delivery of high value added solutions.

To facilitate these developments we are making some changes in our
organisational structure. We are aligning our capability and sector
structures, enabling greater cross-working of teams to develop
opportunities within these capability areas. We are setting up
working groups to exploit the market opportunities and strengthen
our international capability and reach. This will drive international,
Group-wide collaboration on bigger programmes. The key is to give the
organisation the flexibility and agility to allow it to continuously adapt
to market developments. The merger of our UK Integrated Systems and
Applied Technologies businesses to form Technology Solutions EMEA
will help in this, giving greater critical mass and putting a flatter, more
responsive and cost effective, customer-facing structure in place.

Strengthen and develop our international reach
and presence
We have successfully built QNA into a major US player which now
represents some 47% of our worldwide revenues. Most recently,
we have also built QinetiQ Australia into a business of around
300 employees. We will continue to build our business in these
geographies and also across other international markets where
we believe opportunities exist.

We will further develop our Mission Solutions business organically
and through selected acquisitions, building on existing customer
relationships and by moving progressively to meet the growing
requirements of the cyber security market, as illustrated by the recent
announcement of our acquisition of Cyveillance, Inc. We plan to grow
our Systems Engineering business with an emphasis on organic
development of established customer relationships. In QNA we will
build on the strong organic growth achieved in Technology Solutions

and our market-leading positions especially in robotics. QNA also
provides an additional channel to market for selected UK capabilities
which extend our international reach. We will continue to seek out
markets which we can provide fit for purpose technology-based
offerings which exploit market trends and are the focus of Government
budgetary investment. We are extracting greater synergies across
these businesses as we seek to integrate our offering internationally.

In EMEA we will continue to build our successful managed services and
consultancy businesses in the UK and other existing markets not only
with DTR, currently the largest single contract opportunity in the
defence market, but also in the growing security and energy and
environment markets and other adjacent markets. With an increasing
focus on the development of our technology businesses in the
provision not only of research but further added value exploitation
opportunities, we are focused on establishing leading positions in key
sectors where the Group has or can develop good routes to market.

The merger of our Integrated Systems and Applied Technologies
businesses in EMEA forming the Technology Solutions business creates
greater critical mass and will assist in the development of large-scale
Group-wide collaborative programmes.

Outside our home markets in the UK, US and Australia, we will seek
to exploit opportunities to develop our business selectively in other
international markets.

Maintain a leading position in key areas of defence and
continue expansion into other adjacent markets
Through the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) managed services
contract we benefit from in-depth knowledge of a diverse customer
and contract base, comprising multiple MOD customers in the UK,
as well as a broad range of commercial customers. Our expansion in
Australia has been a key part of the EMEA strategy to build valuable
new market positions and our business is focused on leveraging its
existing relationships with the Australian Department of Defence.
In North America, QNA has an important position within the world’s
largest defence and security market.

Our agility and flexibility are key attributes which are highly valued
by our customers. In the Global War on Terror we position ourselves to
assist our customers in the armed forces and Government agencies to
deploy rapidly, where required, to be mobile, inter-operable with allies
and to equip them with the most modern technological systems.

In the UK we have a market-leading position in the MOD research
programme. We also align ourselves closely with our defence
customers’ needs and are well positioned to respond to the growing
emphasis on the rapid application and insertion of technology to adapt
and upgrade existing equipment. The Harrier Through-Life Support
contract illustrates the benefit that technology insertion can provide.
Under this contract we provide independent technical services and
deliver a multi-functional support programme that underpins
through-life management of the platform and provides flexibility
and value for money to MOD.

Group revenue (£m) five-year trend
1,600

Group underlying operating profit (£m) five-year trend

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

155.0

127.0

106.0

9.2%

9.3%

9.6%

65.2

7.6%

90.7

8.6%

05

06

07

08

09

05

06

07

08

09

EMEA (including Ventures)

QNA

CAGR 17%

Underlying operating profit

Underlying operating profit margin

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

13

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Executive Officer’s review (continued)

We have taken selected defence technologies into new and developing
markets, with particular emphasis on security and intelligence,
through direct exploitation, venturing and licensing. As a technology
company which is platform independent, we are able to select the best
technology or technologies to address the challenge, relevant to the
customer need.

Develop, enhance and maintain our people skills
and resources
Our people are at the heart of our business and our future success
depends on their creativity, motivation and commitment, their ability
to identify customer needs and to exceed expectations in delivering
competitive advantage.

We have an outstanding and highly qualified team across a broad
spectrum of disciplines including many internationally acknowledged
specialists. As a Group we are also one of the best accredited in the
defence and security sector with some 95% of UK employees carrying
MOD and national security clearances and over 75% of our US
employees having security clearance within the DoD, DHS, US NASA
and the US intelligence agencies.

We will continue to retain and recruit those with the intellectual
capacity, technical and sector knowledge and the personal and
professional qualities to maintain our competitive edge in a
global context.

We encourage innovation and invest in the development of technical
and management skills as well as recognising and promoting talent.
Apart from technical excellence which plays to our traditional
strengths, we are developing an increasingly customer-focused
culture which is vital to our international competitiveness and
which we intend to embed with equal rigour across our businesses.

Our markets
QinetiQ offers a broad portfolio of products, services and solutions
which improves our competitive position and provides resilience
against market changes. We offer solutions across a wide range
of platforms and through our technology insertion capability are
flexible and responsive to changes within the marketplace.

The majority of the Group’s revenue arises from military, government
and national security customers worldwide including the UK Ministry
of Defence (MOD), US Department of Defense (DoD), Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), Australian Department of Defence, UK
National Security Agencies, the US security intelligence community
and other UK Government agencies.

Historically, these customers have been largely resilient to the economic
cycle and provide the Group with a long-term growth model with
defensive characteristics. In addition, the nature of our long-term
contracts provides strong visibility.

We believe we are well positioned with a quality and broad customer
base across the markets in which we operate.

QNA
QNA’s key markets are defence, security and intelligence.

With macro-economic forces impacting on the business climate, the
US Government’s discretionary share of the national budget is likely
to remain flat with only a minimal increase over its five-year
budgeting cycle.

However, QNA’s targeted defence, security and intelligence market
sectors and its focus on high priority, critical areas means our available
market is in the most robust segments. QNA is well positioned to
compete successfully in this dynamic marketplace and capture
increased market share.

Our main lines of current business are relatively unaffected by the
major federal and national issues. A portion of our clients are likely
to be positively impacted by shifting budget priorities. Most are
not expected to be impacted by programme deletions and revised
schedules. QNA is structured to succeed in many of the priority sectors
such as: Irregular Warfare, Cyber Security, Unmanned Vehicles and
Special Operations support.

Key components of the QNA growth strategy are strong performance
on existing contracts and continuing to build the QNA brand as a
technology leader and agile, responsive partner. QNA is primarily a
services company that has significant technology advantages. These
include the ability to develop, integrate and support technologies
demanded by our customers. This ability also enables us to seek
opportunities in new and adjacent customer domains.

QNA seeks to leverage both the QNA and EMEA developed
technologies for accelerated growth and capitalise on new products
which advance our reputation and service offerings. We invest to
augment QNA’s skills and build contract vehicles and qualifications to
allow for continued success in targeted defence and security markets.
We also strive to remain a market leader in the recruitment and
retention of personnel in the highly competitive US marketplace.
We plan to continue our strategic communications campaigns and
branding efforts to further strengthen our customer awareness.

QNA organic growth will be supplemented by carefully targeted
acquisitions where these align with our strategy.

Because QNA has been built as a result of strategically targeted
acquisitions, it is structured for continued growth and is located in
some of the best performing portions of the US federal defence and
security markets. It has a strong backlog of clients, an extensive
portfolio of contracts and continues to grow market share.

National defence spending
(budget authority – current $bn)

800

600

400

200

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Base

Recoveries act

Overseas contingency – enacted

Overseas contingency – proposed

Source: US Government Budget 2010

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Our service businesses typically see c75% of the next year’s revenue
in funded backlog or ‘nearly assured’ funding from other contract
backlogs. We have demonstrated success in converting additional
unfunded backlog as well as utilising our General Services Administration
(GSA) schedules and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
contract ceiling into leading 12-month funded task orders. We have
a high degree of success in recompeting our current contracts.

QNA has developed market penetration plans for expanding presence
in existing markets and in some cases entering new markets. Its focus
remains on key technologies and mission priorities that fulfil the
demands of clients in the defence and security markets. Areas of
focus are our global capabilities and specifically for QNA; Unmanned
Systems, Logistics, Contract R&D, Armour, IT and Mission Software
Solutions and Energy/Environment.

US Defence
The US defence market is by far the world’s largest accessible market
for QinetiQ. At the macro level, the Global War on Terror funding is
expected to continue to decline over the coming years and there are
also likely to be some delays and in some instances cancellations of
programmes. However, the sectors of the discretionary budget that
QNA targets (~$275bn) are expected to see continued growth. Also in
our addressable market for DoD (~$200bn) we project growth of 3-5%
per year. Within this, the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) portion
of the defence budget is expected to continue growth. This is a key
source of QNA revenue.

As Iraq is stabilised and the US withdraws, it is anticipated that there
will be a build up in Afghanistan. This may affect QNA’s DoD business
as a result of potential reductions or alterations in Unmanned Ground
Vehicle (UGV) demand. However, we expect this to be offset by increases
in demand in Afghanistan, force recapitalisation and international
sales. The ongoing military operations will also drive demand for
logistics, and other restocking activities that continue to be important
revenue sources for QNA.

US Security and Intelligence
QNA is well placed to drive growth in adjacent non-defence markets
such as security and counter-terrorism.

Over the next few years, intelligence community budgets are expected
to increase, albeit at a slower rate than previously. Our DHS contracts
should continue to see robust funding. The NASA programmes QNA
supports all have projected budget growth.

QNA provides services in the federal IT market which have been
subject to significant budget pressures but QNA’s offerings in this
market are highly technical, built on a strong foundation of excellent
customer relationships and a strong cadre of security cleared
employees, ensuring that this business is well placed within the
more robust, high-end sector of this marketplace.

An important new market initiative for QNA is the cyber security
market. The funding in this area is substantial ($6bn per year) and
growing. QNA is positioned to compete successfully in this emerging
market due to its focused acquisition strategy and established
positions in key customer organisations.

EMEA
EMEA’s primary markets are defence, security and intelligence, and
energy and environment. A key part of our strategy over the last few
years has been to reposition the business to benefit from MOD’s need
for support as they reshape major programmes.

In particular, our Technology Solutions business, formed by the merger
of Integrated Systems and Applied Technologies, has increasingly
focused on opportunities to combine our deep domain knowledge
with our ability to identify and integrate technologies into optimised,
value for money solutions and services. Whilst technologies originating
from within the business very often form part of these solutions,

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our platform independence allows us to draw in the appropriate
components from wherever they sit in the supply chain, utilising our
extensive network of partnerships with universities and SMEs,
and integrating these into the most appropriate solution to meet our
customers’ requirements. Whilst the results of our technology business
continue to be affected in the short term by the sharp decline in MOD
research revenues, we are confident that in the medium term our
strategy will give us a strong competitive position because of our
ability to extend the life and improve the capability of existing
equipment when new equipment programmes become unaffordable.
We also expect to see increasing international collaboration leading to
a growth in export sales from our technology business, particularly
into the US through QNA.

The Consulting business grew strongly during the year thanks, in part,
to a successful diversification out of its core defence markets by growing
new revenue in the security, energy and environment domains. We
expect this strategy to continue to deliver growth in the future.

Managed Services focuses on strategic opportunities, mainly in
the defence domain, where the application of technology and
deep domain knowledge allows us to offer a superior, value for
money service to our customers. This business revolves around
the winning and delivering of a relatively small number of large
contracts. We remain confident this business can grow in the current
climate, where knowledgeable responsive and affordable support
services are increasingly key elements in maintaining our defence
customers’ operational capabilities.

UK Defence
The UK Government completed its latest Comprehensive Spending
Review in late 2007 covering the next three years. It concluded that the
defence budget would grow at an average of 1.5% per annum in real
terms over three years. However, with significant current campaigns
MOD has confirmed that budgets are under pressure and there have
been delays in letting contracts. With budgets under pressure, MOD
is looking for opportunities to deliver existing programmes more cost
effectively and QinetiQ is well placed for such opportunities.

Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) for current operations have
continued at a high level with the focus now firmly on Afghanistan.
EMEA has played an active role in fulfilling the need to be responsive
to the UOR programme and the needs of MOD’s technology insertion
programme as well as providing advice to enhance existing
military capabilities.

In December, MOD announced the conclusions of its Equipment
Examination resulting in a delay to several main programmes, none
of which significantly impact upon us. In addition, it announced further
enhancements to helicopter programmes with confirmation of the
Future Lynx and engine upgrades to in-service Lynx helicopters. This
has increased opportunities for provision of advice into MOD on how
to cope with emerging capability gaps and technology insertion as a
solution to some of those gaps.

UK actual and projected defence spending (£bn)

40

30

20

10

0

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

Source: UK Ministry of Defence – Defence plan published in June 2008

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Executive Officer’s review (continued)

MOD’s research budget fell in the current year and this trend is likely
to continue this year. We are adjusting our business model to reflect
these changes. For example, we are undertaking more partnering and
looking at other routes to market which will position us well in the
medium to long term. The MOD has instituted a number of reforms
to its delivery of research, specifically the establishment of the Centre
for Defence Enterprise, the launch of the updated Defence Technology
Plan and the formation of Centres of Excellence for Defence Technology
(CDT). These CDTs bring together the best from academia, industry and
the MOD. One of the first of these is the Weapons Technology Centre,
led by QinetiQ as an integral part of the Team Complex Weapons
consortium. In February this year, MOD announced five Capability
Visions to demonstrate how technology can be harnessed to solve
current problems. We are well placed to play a part in all five of these.
MOD is continuing to reform the Defence Equipment and Support
organisation through implementation of the PACE (Performance, Agility,
Confidence, Efficiency) programme. PACE includes both up-skilling and
outsourcing, both being activities where we can play a part.

MOD continues to utilise partnering and outsourcing. MOD’s award to
EMEA of the Maritime Strategic Capability Agreement illustrates the
partnering role that we can play. The Long Term Partnering Agreement
between the MOD and ourselves is now into its second five-year term
and the Defence Training Rationalisation is expected to reach financial
close in 2010.

In responding to the changing challenges of the UK defence market,
we continue to pay close attention to our costs and our skills base,
ensuring that both are appropriate for the environment in which we
work and that profitability and productivity can be sustained and
improved wherever possible.

Australian Defence
As set out in the Australian White Paper issued in May 2009, the
Australian defence budget is anticipated to grow at an average of 3%
per year until 2017/18. The size of the 2009/10 budget is AUS$26.6bn,
which is 2% of Australia’s GDP, up from 1.8% in 2008/09.

The QinetiQ Australia group provides solutions advice and engineering
services into the Australian defence market where the military demands
are very similar to those of the US and the UK.

Other Defence Markets
We provide services across a range of international defence markets.
As these markets develop, demand is becoming more focused on
procuring bespoke technology solutions to retain the life of a platform
or capability. Our services are becoming increasingly relevant, for
example, to customers in India and the Middle East.

UK Security and Intelligence
Events in recent years have highlighted the requirement for
sophisticated security planning, well-rehearsed operational
arrangements and vital equipment capability. The interconnected
world increasingly requires an agile, highly responsive and
integrated approach to security that is optimised for both national
and international requirements. This comprehensive approach
must be capable of dealing with a wide range of potential threats.

Our contribution to national and international security is focused
on strategic advice and the delivery of technology-based services and
solutions to enhance national and global stability. The requirements of
the UK National Security Strategy, issued in March 2008, are our focus.
We work in close support with all of the governmental organisations
responsible for countering terrorism, providing law enforcement
and ensuring the integrity of the UK’s critical national infrastructure,
especially the global transportation and logistic supply chains and
crucial energy security requirements. We also provide security
capability and services in support of major events and facilities.

Our objective is to provide our customers with leading-edge security
capability. With decades of experience in solving security problems
for both Government and commercial customers, our expertise and
products range across all aspects of the sophisticated and integrated
security response that is required by our operational customers.

Energy & Environment
Fears over the risks and impact of climate change coupled with
concerns over the availability of reliable energy supplies and the cost
of energy have all led to energy and environmental issues being at the
top of Government and company agendas. Economic development is
dependent on energy and, despite the current economic downturn,
the longer-term forecasts are for a significant increase in global energy
consumption over the next two decades. Governments worldwide,
including the UK, are grappling with how to provide more energy that
is reliable and affordable whilst being mindful of the risks created by
climate change.

Whilst nearly every organisation has a potential need for solutions to
its energy or environmental challenges, our primary focus is in four key
market sectors:

Oil and Gas – where by applying our breadth and depth of technical
expertise in areas such as materials, sensors and communications,
we are able to provide oil companies with the means of enhancing
the recovery of hydrocarbons from increasingly difficult and
inaccessible locations. The global spend on Exploration and
Production sensors and systems was estimated at $1bn in 2008.

Renewables – where our skills in key disciplines such as hydrodynamics,
aerodynamics, radar and materials help our customers deploy
renewable energy systems and maximise their efficiency. In the UK
alone, it is estimated that in order to reach the Government’s target of
15% of energy generated from renewable sources by 2020, somewhere
in the region of 6,000 new offshore wind turbines will be required.

Lower Carbon Vehicles – where our defence experience in batteries,
fuel cells, vehicle drive trains and power management systems enables
us to work with customers in the automotive sector as they adapt
to meet legislative requirements for vehicle emissions. Transport is
responsible for 22% of the UK’s CO2 emissions and is a sector where
faster technological developments are required in order to offset the
emissions from the forecast rise in traffic volumes.

Civil Aerospace – where our knowledge in materials, structures,
aerodynamics, fuels and gas turbines enables us to work with aircraft
manufacturers and their supply chains to make aviation more
sustainable. The ongoing debate on the third runway at Heathrow
highlights the environmental pressures that the industry is under
at the moment and we are well placed to help introduce new and
radically green technologies into the next generation of aircraft.

Graham Love, Chief Executive Officer

21 May 2009

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Our global capabilities in action

The following pages illustrate some of our global capabilities on
which we will focus moving forward. We believe these are areas
for potential future growth.

Autonomy and Robotics

Sensors and Spectrum

Training and Simulation

Cyber Security and Resilience

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Our global capabilities in action

Autonomy and Robotics
Responsive solutions to challenging problems

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The Opportunity

Autonomous or unmanned tools such as robots perform dangerous
missions previously undertaken by people.

QinetiQ plays an important role in many research, solution
development and operational programmes for future unmanned
systems across land, air and sea domains. Specifically, we are involved
in the UK MOD’s research projects in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). We are also a partner with BAE
Systems in the Mantis programme where we have provided semi-
automatic sea vehicles to the Royal Navy. In addition to developing
our own unmanned platforms including the Zephyr high altitude
long endurance UAV and the TALON® family of ground robots,
we also provide managed UAV services.

The TALON® robot has an impressive track record in the military but the
application for robots is also growing outside of the military context. In
the UK, civil agencies such as Network Rail, the Highways Agency and
Transport for London, in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade, are
using our robots to help fight fires and support other major incidents
such as chemical contamination where there is considerable danger
to the rescue services.

While the use of unmanned systems for defence and security is
expanding rapidly worldwide, the civil market has not yet been
exploited. Independent studies estimate that the civil and commercial
UAV market in Europe alone is estimated to be worth about €1.2bn
over the next ten years. The future uses for unmanned systems are
extensive. In partnership with Aberystwyth University, we have recently
completed the UK’s first flight of a UAV for agricultural monitoring.
We are building on programmes such as this to broaden the routine
application of UAVs to provide civil aerial services to the security,
energy and environment markets.

A QinetiQ Solution

The latest generation of military robots – Dragon RunnerTM

The provision of portable, adaptable and robust equipment is vital
in supporting military operations. With threats becoming more
changeable and serious, adaptability of equipment is essential.

QNA is one of the world’s leading suppliers of military robots. Dragon
Runner™, its latest model, is small enough to fit in a small rucksack
and weighs less than 20lbs. The unit can be carried by one person in
a standard-issue pack. It can be used in urban, mountainous or rural
environments, operating in sewers, drainpipes, caves and courtyards.
Dragon Runner™can climb stairs, open doors, provide critical
reconnaissance information and disarm improvised electronic devices –
all while protecting troops who control the robot from a safe distance.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Our global capabilities in action

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Sensors and Spectrum
Protecting our communities and assets

The Opportunity

A key requirement of any Government is to protect its people against
threats. Sensors are increasingly playing a role to detect and deter
potential threats. Two areas of focus within the physical security
area are: the screening of mass transit locations where significant
numbers of people are present; and the protection of critical national
infrastructure which is often geographically distributed eg oil and
gas pipelines.

The key technical challenge is to obtain covert information about a
potential threat and pass this in real-time to the appropriate security
personnel who can effect a suitable response.

In mass transit locations, Government authorities are seeking to obtain
real-time information about what people may have in their possession.
The challenge is to gain this information without having to physically
search a person.

Protecting geographically distributed infrastructure is both technically
and financially challenging with critical oil and gas pipelines typically
extending over kilometres, often buried below open countryside.
These assets are subject to both intentional and unintentional threats.
The challenge is to provide sufficient advance warning to enable a timely
response to an impending threat which may be some distance away
from the nearest response team. Conventional sensors are expensive to
install which is why the industry is turning to advanced optical sensors.
QinetiQ’s OptaSense™ System is able to accurately locate and classify
potential threats before any damage is done to the pipeline. It is one
of the market-leading solutions.

QinetiQ’s recent contract with Defence Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) in support of its Large Area Coverage Optical Search
While Track and Engage (LACOSTE) programme involves the use
of advanced sensors to provide tactical surveillance and precision
tracking capabilities.

A QinetiQ Solution

Keeping us safe – SPO-7TM

Just one security breach can cost lives. Human-borne explosives are
one of the most significant threats for society particularly in locations
where large numbers of people pass through each day.

UK and North American authorities wanted real-time stand-off
information about what people have in their possession when
moving around public places. QinetiQ delivered SPO-7TM, the latest
in a generation of millimetre wave technology products, providing
remote real-time threat detection.

SPO-7TM provides safe stand-off detection for operator safety, fast
decision-making and effective crisis management, rapid deployment
capability, privacy protection and covert surveillance capability. Public
safety and privacy is protected while scanning rates, up to 45 times
faster than competing technologies, can occur. The system can be
rapidly deployed in a wide range of both permanent and semi-
permanent installations, such as mobile checkpoints and building
entrances. With increased concern relating to public safety, SPO-7TM
has applications in a wide range of markets including the aviation
and surface transportation markets.

During the 2008 Presidential elections, the North American
Transportation Security Administration used SPO-7TM technology
at their national conventions.

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Our global capabilities in action

Training and Simulation
Preparing for the unknown

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The Opportunity

A QinetiQ Solution

Simulation-enhanced training is emerging as a significant growth area
across all defence forces. Current operations are changing rapidly in
terms of threats, deployment and coalition partners and the ability
to provide targeted training and mission rehearsals is seen as a vital
component in achieving success.

QinetiQ harnesses the power of simulation to support decision-making
and training at all levels. Being at the forefront of the development of
networked simulation, QinetiQ undertakes concept development to
in-service support through a range of synthetic environment tools and
techniques. These tailored products can be used across all domains
including fast jets, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles, maritime
and land forces. They encompass specific sensor and weapon systems.

QinetiQ manages a number of state-of-the-art facilities to help
customers explore their options and evaluate alternative solutions
in a collaborative, real-time, dynamic environment. One such facility
is the Portal, an important experimental facility in Farnborough,
Hampshire, operated through an alliance with Boeing.

Investing in the safety of our armed forces – The Distributed Synthetic
Air Land Training (DSALT) contract

Making sure that troops are prepared for combat and ready to take
on the challenges of the different terrains and threats that they face
is critical.

It is vital that ground and air personnel are able to communicate
effectively with each other, especially in fast-moving scenarios.
QinetiQ has delivered a synthetic training facility to provide such
potentially life-saving pre-deployment training for UK forces before
they leave for Afghanistan. This training was recently put on
an enhanced footing when QinetiQ was awarded a £26m contract
to deliver DSALT for the next four years.

DSALT provides invaluable training for front-line soldiers who act as the
eyes and ears for artillery and combat aircraft. In addition, RAF pilots
benefit as ground forces get to understand the pilot’s perspective of a
mission and vice versa. This means that communications between all
parties are improved, operations run more smoothly and there is less
chance of error.

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Our global capabilities in action

Cyber Security and Resilience
Advanced solutions for the future

The Opportunity

The demands of modern government and the operational imperatives
of national, regional and commercial organisations have placed a critical
requirement on the extensive use of information technology, including
the internet, to enable vital and timely direction, services and support.

QinetiQ applies the science and technologies that are central to the
needs of both the wider national security market and the emerging
demands of effective cyber security and information assurance. With
close relationships with UK and US national security agencies, we are
uniquely positioned to provide trusted advice, services and solutions.
Our highly qualified and vetted information assurance experts are
nationally regarded. They routinely work with customers in public
and commercial sectors to establish the most effective security for
their operations, information, people and physical assets.

With a range of proven and trusted digital security services, including
network guards, penetration testing and digital forensics, QinetiQ
provides both virtual and on-site security assessments to the most
sensitive security agencies and largest law enforcement organisations.
We also provide the UK’s most secure hosting environment with
24/7 monitoring and alerting, using managed intrusion detection
systems combined with strict access control. Further cyber security
capability is offered through our leading expertise in cryptography,
to ensure the secure transmission of messages and vital data for
protecting the confidentiality of information in a secure end-to-end
information infrastructure.

Aligned with the UK’s National Security Strategy, QinetiQ has developed
a range of capabilities from training to influencing human behaviour
to the prevention of intelligence activities through the collation and
analysis of large and complex data sources.

QinetiQ North America’s Mission Solutions Group specialises in
providing intelligence, systems engineering and security services
in support of the US Department of Homeland Security. It is focused on
developing innovative, technical approaches for the intelligence
community, analysing and supporting defence systems; designing,
developing and testing aerospace systems and providing a full range
of security support services to the US Government.

A QinetiQ Solution

Secure systems for Government – e-Borders

As part of the Trusted Borders consortium led by Raytheon, we are
participating in the UK Government’s £1bn e-Borders programme,
an advanced border transformation programme working to strengthen
and modernise border controls. The programme will improve the ability
of the UK Border Agency to count passengers into and out of the UK.
The e-Borders programme will collect and analyse passenger, service
and crew data provided by carriers (air, sea and rail), in respect of all
journeys to and from the United Kingdom in advance of their travel,
supporting an intelligence-led approach to operating border controls.

Within the programme, QinetiQ is the advisor for security accreditation
and human factors. e-Borders is set to be implemented by 2014, when
the maintenance phase will commence and will deliver increased
security at strategic border sites in the UK – ports, harbours, stations
and airports.

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Performance review – QNA

An agile and responsive partner

QNA

QNA has established itself
as a significant provider of
technology-based services and
solutions to US defence, security
and intelligence communities

Highlights
•

15% organic revenue growth at constant currency

•

•

Services now constitute over two-thirds of QNA’s revenue

Strengthening of our position through targeted acquisitions in high growth markets

• QinetiQ brand continues to result in larger orders and multi-year awards

• Well placed in areas expected to be key priorities of the new US Administration

Financial summary*

Revenue
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating profit margin
Orders
Book to bill
Funded backlog

2009
£765.6m
£83.0m
10.8%
£738.6m
1.0:1
£415.0m

2008
£540.2m
£62.1m
11.5%
£607.1m
1.1:1
£300.5m

Share of Group revenue

QNA revenues by stream (£m)

QNA orders by stream (£m)

2009
47%
£765.6m

QNA
EMEA

289.5

188.8

244.5

231.6

175.4

176.0

283.2

267.5

206.6

189.3

211.2

187.9

Mission
Solutions

System
Engineering

Technology
Solutions QNA

Mission
Solutions

System
Engineering

Technology
Solutions QNA

2008

2009

2008

2009

* 2009 average exchange rate was $1.68:£1 (2008: $2.01:£1)

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Performance
During the period we experienced particularly strong growth in
our North American business, QNA, which reported a 42% increase
in reported revenue to £765.6m (2008: £540.2m); 15% of this increase
came from organic growth (at constant currency). Organic growth was
driven from a variety of new contract wins. These include a contract
with NASA, the Iraqi pilot training programme with the US Department
of State and a significant increase in customer demand for QNA’s
armour-related defence products. As QNA has reached critical mass,
it is now able to bid and win bigger contracts than its legacy businesses
could successfully compete for. Furthermore, focusing on customer
priorities and meeting or exceeding customer expectations on delivery
leads to further opportunities with existing customers.

Underlying operating profit grew 34% to £83.0m (2008: £62.1m),
£12.0m of which was the translational impact of the strengthening
US dollar. QNA’s margin was 10.8% (2008: 11.5%). The prior year
revenue mix included an exceptionally high level of high margin
TALON® spares sales associated with the US military’s increased
‘surge’ in Iraq.

Funded orders in the Mission Solutions and Systems Engineering
businesses grew strongly in the year. This offset a decrease in
Technology Solutions. Coupled with a significant amount of new
unfunded orders, Mission Solutions and Systems Engineering carry
a healthy level of forward visibility into the new year. The Group does
not recognise such unfunded orders into the reported backlog until
funding is confirmed but they do provide further visibility of future
revenues. QNA’s unfunded backlog is $1.5bn (2008: $0.7bn). We would
normally expect that the majority of such awards will be converted
to funded orders over time.
Acquisitions
In October 2008, the Group completed the acquisition of DTRI. The
initial consideration, including transaction costs of $129.8m (£74.2m),
will be followed by two further payments on the first and second
anniversaries of completion totalling $42.0m (£24.0m). The transaction
generated income tax deductions that will be utilisable against
the taxable income of QNA providing cash tax benefits to QNA of
approximately $60m. DTRI is a leading provider of high-end products
and services to the US defence and security communities and became
part of the Mission Solutions business.

In July 2008, the Group acquired Spectro Inc. for an initial
consideration, including transaction costs, of $12.2m (£6.2m). In
addition, there is $1.0m (£0.5m) of deferred consideration payable
dependent on future financial performance. Spectro provides
instruments and systems for machine condition monitoring by
the analysis of fuels and lubricants. The acquisition enhances the
Technology Solutions business, providing opportunities to transition
certain technologies into products.

Following the year end, we announced the signing of an acquisition
agreement with Cyveillance, Inc, a provider of online monitoring
technology to identify and track data in cyberspace. The transaction
will close upon receipt of appropriate US Government regulatory
approval, anticipated in June 2009. The acquisition will be settled
for an initial cash consideration of $40m (£27.9m), with a potential
deferred consideration of up to $40m (£27.9m) depending on the
company’s financial performance during the two-year period ended
31 December 2010. This acquisition will become part of the Missions
Solutions business.

Mission Solutions – 38% of QNA revenues
The Mission Solutions business delivers services and solutions
in a number of key areas requiring specialised customer mission
knowledge. Principal customers of this business stream include
NASA, the US Department of Defense and Department of Homeland
Security, the US General Services Administration (GSA) and a number
of agencies in the classified US defence, intelligence and security
communities. The multi-year contracts this business competes for are
generally unfunded, receiving funding on a periodic (eg annual) basis.

The Mission Solutions business grew organically by 20% this year,
driven by its focus on high growth areas within the defence and
security communities, homeland security and NASA markets. A key
contract win was the five-year $190m NASA Environmental Test and
Integration Services (ETIS) which provides engineering and testing
support to the Goddard Space Flight Center. In addition, we were
awarded a contract by NASA for information management and
communication support services at the Kennedy Space Center. This
contract is valued at $145m and has a nine-year duration. In addition
to its NASA contract wins, Mission Solutions was awarded a number
of IT-related task orders by the US Department of Homeland Security
and expanded its business to a new customer, the US Department
of Agriculture, with a contract valued at $37m over three years for
software development services. The business continues to pursue a
large number of opportunities and sees a continuing healthy pipeline
of business.

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The acoustic EARS® family of wearable, sniper detection and gunshot
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Performance review – QNA continued

Systems Engineering – 32% of QNA revenues
The Systems Engineering business offers independent support for the
procurement, development, modification and fielding of key military
and missile defence equipment to US Government agencies, of which
the US Department of Defense (DoD) is the prime customer. As with
Mission Solutions, multi-year contracts won by this business are
generally unfunded, receiving funding on a periodic basis.

Revenue grew organically in the year by 16%. The growth was largely
driven by logistics services and software engineering work for US Army
customers and from an expansion of training and simulation work
for a variety of US Government customers. The Iraqi flight training
contract was initially awarded for a three-year period at $62m but has
been expanded to in excess of $100m. Other contracts won during the
year included technical support to the US Army’s fleet of more than
5,000 rotary and fixed wing aircraft, a $65m contract for new work
from the US Army for data collection and analysis services in support
of military air and ground systems worldwide, and a $27m award for
logistics support for the US Marine Corps.

Technology Solutions QNA – 30% of
QNA revenues
Technology Solutions provides funded technology research and
development services for US defence and security organisations
and develops products from its pool of intellectual property.

Organic growth of 7% against a very strong comparator period in 2008
reflects an increased demand for products including LAST® Armor, the
EARS® gunshot localisation system, the PADS® precision airdrop system
and a continued demand for Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) robots.

Over 2,600 TALON® robots are now deployed around the world making
QinetiQ the world’s leading provider of military robots. The evolution
of the robot product family continues with the first sales of our latest
safety certified armed robotic land vehicle, Modular Advanced Armed
Robotic System (MAARS). A smaller variant of TALON®, the Dragon
Runner™, has also been marketed during the year and the first
shipment was sold to the UK MOD. UGV revenue in the year totalled
$160m (2008: $176m). Towards the end of the year, there was a
slowing of orders as the new Administration confirms its plans
for Afghanistan.

The business benefited from a significant increase in demand for
LAST® Armor products, which contributed revenue of $90m (2008:
$41m) during the fiscal year.

QNA provide engineering support to the US Army’s Apache helicopter fleet

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Performance review – EMEA

Well placed to respond to changing priorities

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Transformation under way
of pure research business into
a technology-based services
and solutions organisation

Highlights
• Business restructured with lower cost base

• Despite the contraction of MOD research revenues, continued growth of services and solutions

•

•

Strong growth from consulting arm

Increased work from the security sector

• Business underpinned by long-term service-based contracts

Financial summary (excluding Ventures)

Revenue
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating profit margin
Orders
Book to bill*
Funded backlog

2009
£842.3m
£87.6m
10.4%
£851.2m
1.3:1
£802.0m

2008
£820.1m
£80.0m
9.8%
£662.5m
1.1:1
£640.8m

Share of Group revenue
(excluding Ventures)

EMEA revenues by stream (£m)

EMEA orders by stream (£m)

370.7 370.7

344.0 326.5

315.7

345.8 348.9

2009
52%
£842.3m

145.1

105.4

195.5 186.6

121.2

Managed
Services

Consulting

Technology
Solutions EMEA

Managed
Services

Consulting

Technology
Solutions EMEA

EMEA

QNA

2008

2009

2008

2009

* Excluding LTPA

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Performance review – EMEA continued

Performance
Following its reorganisation in 2008, our EMEA business is better
focused with a lower cost base. Reported revenue increased by 3%
to £842.3m (2008: £820.1m) with some marginal organic growth,
notwithstanding the budget challenges of the MOD, our largest
customer. In particular, the reduced level of MOD research work acted
as a brake on the growth of the business as a whole. Good growth
in the Consulting business helped EMEA make up this shortfall.

Underlying operating profit increased to £87.6m (2008: £80.0m),
reflecting the continued focus on improving the efficiency of the
business and controlling costs. The reorganisation programme
announced last financial year was completed ahead of plan and to
the budgeted cost of £32.6m, yielding the targeted savings of £12m
on an annualised basis. This programme had completed by the half
year stage. These impacts, coupled with tight discretionary cost control
and the changes to the terms of the defined benefit pension scheme
agreed in June 2008, enabled EMEA to deliver a higher margin of
10.4% during the period (2008: 9.8%).

The book to bill ratio was 1.3:1 and the resulting backlog totalled
£802.0m (2008: £640.8m) excluding £4.5bn in respect of the LTPA
contract. A number of important contract wins underpinned this, such
as the 15-year £150m maritime facilities contract awarded by the MOD
and the £26m Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training (DSALT) contract.

The merger of our technology-focused businesses, Integrated Systems
and Applied Technologies, to create the Technology Solutions EMEA
business, from 1 April 2009, provides a clearer relationship between
the advice and supply sides of our UK business.
Acquisitions and disposals
On 13 October 2008, the Group acquired Commerce Decisions Limited
for a consideration, including transaction costs, of £12.5m. Commerce
Decisions provides tender evaluation software and consulting to
UK central government departments. This acquisition has performed
well during the period and its unique product offering has greater
sales potential across QinetiQ’s customer base.

On 14 May 2009, the EMEA business announced the disposal of the
Underwater Systems business based in Winfrith, Dorset to Atlas
Elektronic UK for a cash consideration of £23.5m. The agreement
is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to complete in
Summer 2009.
Managed Services – 44% of EMEA revenues
The Managed Services business provides long-term, technology-rich
outsourced services to Government customers and independent
accreditation and technical services to Government and industry. It
has a number of long-term service-based contracts that underpin the
business and provide visibility to a wide number of MOD programmes.

Revenue for the period was £370.7m (2008: £370.7m) in line with the
prior year which benefited by £9m from the catch up of revenue on
closing out the first LTPA five-year pricing period. At the start of the
year, the second five-year period of the 25-year Long Term Partnering
Agreement (LTPA) with MOD commenced.

The LTPA satisfaction score achieved in the year was 99% compared to
a minimum target level of 80%. We also brought into service important
elements of the Combined Aerial Targets Services (CATS) contract for
the UK’s armed services, ensuring that the MOD’s unmanned sub-sonic
aerial targets requirements are delivered worldwide. In June 2008,
the business was awarded a ten-year £24m contract for Harrier
Through-Life Support and towards the end of the year, won a
contract to manage unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for an overseas
government. This was an important win, proving that we can export
our expertise and offer repeatable solutions outside of the UK.

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Consulting – 17% of EMEA revenues
The Consulting business draws upon QinetiQ’s unique combination
of technical and process insight to provide advice including decision
and project support for both civil and defence customers. Areas of
expertise include security, transportation, aerospace, energy,
environment and safety.

Consulting delivered a strong performance with organic growth of 17%.
Revenue benefited from the first full year’s contribution of the Home
Office’s e-Borders programme and a continued focus on deepening
and extending customer relationships, illustrated through the award of
contracts such as the 15-year Maritime Strategic Capability Agreement
(MSCA) with MOD worth £150m. This award extends QinetiQ’s existing
contracts with MOD for maritime services and expertise, providing the
business with increased visibility of future earnings. The contract has
positioned us well to secure future additional business in this field, for
example, through a contract on the MOD Future Submarine programme
where we are leading a consortium to provide impartial specialist
technical client advice to reduce programme risk.

QinetiQ Australia has made solid progress in growing its defence and
security footprint in the region, following three acquisitions undertaken
in February 2008. The Australian businesses have been integrated and
the QinetiQ brand is successfully positioned in the marketplace. The
business has leveraged its position with key Government and industry
clients resulting in new opportunities in the areas of complex weapons
management, simulation and modelling and aircraft structural integrity.
Technology Solutions EMEA – 39% of EMEA
revenues
Technology Solutions EMEA supplies technology and services and
integrates systems for defence, security and intelligence customers.
Its business covers manned platforms, autonomous systems,
command and information systems, simulation and synthetic
training, force protection, physical and digital security and intelligence.

The merger on 1 April 2009 of our technology-focused businesses,
Integrated Systems and Applied Technologies, creates Technology
Solutions EMEA and provides a clearer definition between the advice
and supply sides of our UK business.

Revenue for Technology Solutions EMEA was £326.5m (2008:
£344.0m), representing a decline of 5% on a reported basis. This
reflects the well-publicised MOD budget pressures and the significant
delay in the letting of new supply contracts. This has been the
first complete year that open competition has taken place for MOD
research contracts, and whilst we have still achieved a good market
share, this work is often now performed by consortia, which leads
to us sharing the benefits with our partners.

QinetiQ’s entry into the Australian marketplace has given a platform
from which to seek further opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region

The business won a three-year $22m follow on research contract from
the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop
a new high altitude sensor for its Large Area Coverage Optical Search
While Track and Engage (LACOSTE) programme. Another significant
win during the year was the £26m Distributed Synthetic Air Land
Training (DSALT) programme which builds on an earlier contract to
provide synthetic training facilities to deliver pre-deployment training.
It is an important example of QinetiQ acting as a prime contractor on
a service delivery contract.

Other important contracts awarded were a £16m contract on the
high performance electronic warfare systems, surveillance and
tracking systems for operational forces and work on the next
generation radar technology for the current Royal Navy fleet
and future aircraft carriers.

We continue to seek new channels to market for our technology
solutions, for example, the passive millimetre wave SPO technology,
developed by the EMEA business, is being tested by the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) in the US. A total of 22 systems have
now been sold in the past 12 months and we believe this technology
has further global sales potential.

During the period we have continued to extend our presence in the oil
and gas industry by enhancing recovery and production from existing
reservoirs. We have entered a new phase of an existing contract
with a major oil company to build and test bespoke systems and
equipment for wireless transfer of electrical power and communication
to down-hole devices.

We provide independent support, resource and assurance for the concept
phase of the MOD’s future submarine programme

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Ventures
QinetiQ Ventures strategy is to realise long-term value in sectors
outside the Group’s traditional markets, through the exploitation of
intellectual property sourced from QinetiQ’s core defence and security
technology businesses.

Revenue
Operating loss
Orders
Funded backlog

2009
£m
9.4
(15.6)
6.2
3.2

2008
£m
5.7
(15.1)
7.5
6.4

Performance
In the last year, the principal focus of the Ventures business has been
to develop QinetiQ’s existing pipeline of commercial opportunities at
limited cost and to target investment expenditure on those assets
presenting the maximum potential return on investment.
Venture Fund
Cody Gate Ventures I LP (CGV, formerly QinetiQ Ventures LP), the
technology venture fund created with Coller Capital in August 2007 to
accelerate the development and value realisation of seven of QinetiQ’s
contributed investments, continued to develop positively in the year.
Highlights include Omni-ID, the RFID tagging business for high-value
IT assets, which has grown its order pipeline in the last year by
developing a solid customer base including Mitsubishi, IBM and
Johnson & Johnson. Quintel, the antenna solutions business which
facilitates the sharing of base station sites across multiple telecom
operators, has achieved US sales in the year in collaboration with AT&T,
with trials in India and Brazil expected in the coming year.

Cash funding of £6.4m was contributed to the fund this financial year
(2008: £3.5m). In March 2009, an agreement was reached with Coller
Capital to sell part of QinetiQ’s interest in CGV in return for a payment
of £13.7m and the release of QinetiQ’s prior commitment to contribute
a further £3.2m. As a result of this transaction, QinetiQ’s allocation of
distributions from CGV is now set at an initial level of 25%, with the
potential to increase to a maximum of 50%. The Group’s share of CGV’s
losses during the year was £7.2m (2008: £4.2m). Following our part
disposal, we now hold a passive investment in CGV and therefore will
no longer be equity accounting for our share of CGV results in the
income statement.
Retained Ventures
The remainder of the Ventures portfolio is characterised by two
established businesses, namely Tarsier, the Foreign Object Detection
(FOD) system, which provides real-time monitoring of operating
runways to improve safety standards and GPS Enabled Telematics,
a high sensitivity GPS business, which delivers tracking solutions
in difficult operational environments.

The Tarsier business continues to progress positively, as demonstrated
by the successful delivery of installations in Dubai, Doha and Heathrow
in the year, together with the upgrade of the Vancouver installation to
include QinetiQ’s newly developed proprietary long range day/night
cameras. The Tarsier business delivered an increase in revenue of
£4.8m in the year, and was recognised as a market leader in its field
at the recent Jane’s Air Traffic Control Awards ceremony by winning
the Innovation Award for 2009.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Financial Officer’s review

Delivering solid results

“2009 was a successful year for
QinetiQ with strong revenue growth
in North America, operating margin
improvement in EMEA and excellent
cash generation across the Group.”

David Mellors, Chief Financial Officer
21 May 2009

Orders and backlog

Orders
QinetiQ North America
EMEA
Ventures
Total
Funded backlog
QinetiQ North America
EMEA(a)
Ventures
Total

2009
£m

2008
£m

738.6
851.2
6.2

607.1
662.5
7.5
1,596.0 1,277.1

415.0
802.0
3.2
1,220.2

300.5
640.8
6.4
947.7

(a) Excluding remaining £4.5bn (2008: £4.7bn) in respect of LTPA contract.

Order intake at the Group level increased by 25% to £1,596.0m
(2008: £1,277.1m), 15% up on last year excluding the impacts of
foreign currency translation. EMEA won a number of important
contracts such as the 15-year £150m maritime facilities contract
and the £26m Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training which boosted
the EMEA book to bill ratio to 1.3:1 (2008: 1.1:1) excluding the effect
of the LTPA.

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Group summary

Orders (£m)

Revenue (£m)

Underlying operating profit(1)

Underlying operating margin(1)

Net finance expense (£m)

Underlying effective tax rate(1)

Basic earnings per share (pence)
Underlying basic earnings per share(1) (pence)

Underlying cash conversion ratio(1)
Net debt (£m)
Net debt: EBITDA(2)

Average US$/£ exchange rate
Closing US$/£ exchange rate

2009
1,596.0

1,617.3

155.0

9.6%

24.8

2008
1,277.1

1,366.0

127.0

9.3%

18.0

20.5%

19.3%

14.3p
15.9p

105%
537.9
2.2x

1.68
1.44

7.2p
13.4p

77%
379.9
2.3x

2.01
1.99

(1) Underlying financial measures are presented as the Board believes these provide a better representation of the Group’s long-term performance trends.

Definitions of underlying measures of performance can be found in the glossary on page 111.

(2) Annualised and calculated in accordance with the Group’s credit facility ratios.

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QNA recognised new funded orders of £738.6m (2008: £607.1m) during
the year. At constant currency, this is a 3% increase on the prior year
which included very high product orders. In addition, both Mission
Solutions and Systems Engineering delivered a significant amount of
new unfunded orders, which is typical of the way multi-year contracts
are let in these markets. Funding is then received periodically. The Group
does not recognise such awards into reported backlog until funding
is confirmed but these awards do provide further visibility of future
revenues. We would normally expect to convert the majority of such
awards to funded orders, and therefore revenue, over time. The total
of QNA’s unfunded backlog at the year end was $1.5bn (2008: $0.7bn).
Revenue

Revenue
QinetiQ North America
EMEA
Ventures
Total

2009
£m

2008
£m

765.6
842.3
9.4

540.2
820.1
5.7
1,617.3 1,366.0

1,600

1,500

1,400

1,300

1,200

1,366.0

The overall level of organic revenue growth (at constant currency)
was 7%.

QNA reported a 42% increase in revenue to £765.6m (2008: £540.2m).
Of this increase, the organic growth (at constant currency) was
15%, driven by new contract wins with NASA, the Iraqi pilot training
programme and an increase in our work with the Department
of Homeland Security. The DTRI and Spectro acquisitions were
completed in the year, augmenting the organic growth.

Revenue growth (£m)

101.6

1,617.3

45.2

1,515.7

104.5

Group revenue increased by 18% to £1,617.3m (2008: £1,366.0m)
primarily reflecting organic growth in QNA supplemented by targeted
acquisitions and the translational impact of a strengthening US dollar.

FY08

Foreign
currency
translation

Acquisition
impacts

FY08
pro forma

Organic
growth

FY09

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Financial Officer’s review

In EMEA, reported revenue increased by 3% to £842.3m (2008: £820.1m)
including organic growth of 0.1% notwithstanding the budget
challenges of the UK MOD, our largest customer. In particular, the
reduced level of MOD research work to £128.5m (2008: £166.7m) acted
as a brake on the growth of the business as a whole. Good growth in the
Consulting business helped EMEA make up this shortfall.

EMEA acquired Commerce Decisions part way through the year and
had the first full year contribution from the Australian business, acquired
in the prior period.

Revenue by customer (%)

6%

7%

20%

2009
£1,617.3m

30%

37%

8%

15%

6%

2008
£1,366.0m

27%

44%

Civil/Other Govt Agencies
MOD
DoD

DHS

Commercial Defence

Underlying operating profit

Underlying operating profit
QinetiQ North America
EMEA
Ventures
Total

Having reorganised the EMEA business into market-facing sectors last
year, we plan further increases in efficiency during the current year by
optimising utilisation and reducing duplication. As a result, we expect
to reduce our headcount by approximately 400 during the course of
this year, generating annualised savings of approximately £14m and
resulting in an exceptional cost of c£40m. This programme should
complete early in the fourth quarter.

Our investment in Ventures continued during the year. Our equity
accounted share of the Cody Gate Ventures Fund losses was £7.2m
(2008: £4.2m). Following our part disposal of this investment in
March 2009, the Group now holds a passive investment and therefore
will no longer be equity accounting its share of losses in the income
statement. The remaining Ventures portfolio continued to make
operational progress in the period.
Finance costs
Net finance costs increased to £24.8m (£18.0m) reflecting the higher
level of average borrowings during the year.
Taxation
The Group’s underlying effective tax rate in the year was 20.5%
(2008: 19.3%). The Group has benefited from the increase in research
and development relief rates in the UK and, in future years, will benefit
from enacted tax law changes impacting US State taxes. Overall,
the Group effective tax rate is not anticipated to rise significantly
in the medium term, subject to any unannounced future tax
legislation changes.

2009
£m

2008
£m

83.0
87.6
(15.6)
155.0

62.1
80.0
(15.1)
127.0

Due to the availability of research and development relief and
deductions for past service pension contributions made in prior
years, the Group has not paid corporation tax on UK profits in the
year and does not anticipate paying cash tax in the UK in the short
term. The total tax charge for the year was £20.4m (2008: £4.0m).
Profit for the year
The underlying performance of the Group after allowing for
non-recurring events and amortisation of acquired intangible
assets is shown below:

Underlying operating profit margin

9.6%

9.3%

Underlying operating profit increased 22% as a result of the growth
of the business, coupled with a lower cost base in EMEA and the
translational impact of the strengthening US dollar of £12m compared
to the prior year.

The QNA underlying operating margin was 10.8% (2008: 11.5%)
due to the change in revenue mix, which had an extremely high level
of higher margin product spares sales in the previous year.

In EMEA, the reorganisation plan announced last year completed
mid-year and has yielded the planned savings. This, coupled with
tight discretionary cost control and the changes to the terms of the
defined benefit pension scheme with effect from June 2009, enabled
EMEA to increase its underlying operating margin to 10.4% (2008: 9.8%).

Profit for the year attributable to
equity shareholders of the parent company
EMEA reorganisation
Loss/(gain) on business divestments
Unrealised impairment of investments
Amortisation of intangible assets
arising from acquisitions
Tax impact of items above
Underlying profit for the year
attributable to equity shareholders
of the parent company

2009
£m

93.6
–
(13.0)
5.7

2008
£m

47.4
32.6
1.8
5.2

23.5
(6.3)

18.0
(17.0)

103.5

88.0

34

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Committed facilities maturity profile (£m)

1,000

750

500

250

0

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

Utilised

Total facility

In February 2009, the Group further diversified and extended its debt
maturity profile and increased the level of facility headroom with
the completion of a private placement with US financial institutions
totalling $300m. The placement comprises a $62m debt with a
seven-year maturity profile at a coupon of 7.13% and a $238m debt
over ten years at a coupon of 7.62%.

The total committed facilities available to the Group at 31 March 2009
was £893.0m (31 March 2008: £632.8m). The earliest maturity date of
the Group’s committed facilities is August 2012.

Pensions
The 31 March 2009 net pension liability under IAS 19, after deferred
tax, was £75.8m (31 March 2008: £16.9m). Before tax, the deficit was
£105.2m at 31 March 2009 (£23.4m at 31 March 2008). The increase in
the net pension liability is principally driven by the reduction in asset
prices following the decline in equity markets in the period, partly
offset by a reduction in inflation assumptions used in the valuation
of scheme liabilities.

The key assumptions used in the IAS 19 valuation of the scheme are:

Assumption
Discount rate
Inflation
Salary increase
Life expectancy male (currently aged 40)
Life expectancy female (currently aged 40)

31 March 31 March
2008
6.6%
3.5%
5.0%
88
91

2009
6.5%
3.1%
4.1%
89
90

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Non-recurring items that have been excluded from underlying profit
relate to gains on business divestments, investment impairment,
profits on disposal of non-current assets and 2008 EMEA
reorganisation costs.

The gain on business divestments of £13.0m (2008: loss £1.8m) relates
to a £9.5m profit on the disposal of part of the Cody Gate Ventures
Fund and £3.5m profit on disposal of a customer contract in QNA.
Earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share increased by 18.7% to 15.9p compared
to 13.4p in the prior year. Basic earnings per share increased to 14.3p
compared to 7.2p in the prior year.
Dividend
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 3.25p per share
(2008: 2.92p) bringing the total dividend for the year to 4.75p per
share (2008: 4.25p). The Group recognises the current economic
uncertainties and believes it is well placed to face the challenges
of the current global economic environment. As a result, the full
year dividend represents an 11.8% increase on the prior year.

The record date for the final dividend will be 7 August 2009. Subject
to approval at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be
paid on 4 September 2009.
Other Financials
Cash flow
The Group’s underlying operating cash conversion, post capital
expenditure, was 105%, well above the Group’s long-term target
of 80% as a result of a keen focus on cash generation.

The EMEA reorganisation programme announced in FY08,
completed with a cash outflow of £27.0m in the year (2008: £5.6m).

The Group paid £2.5m (2008: £17.7m) of US corporation tax in the
year. This is lower than in previous years due to the benefit of tax losses
arising on US acquisitions. There will be further cash flow benefits in
the current year arising from these acquisitions. In subsequent years
US taxes paid will revert closer to statutory levels.

Net cash inflow from operating activities (after reorganisation costs,
interest and tax) increased to £152.4m (2008: £102.3m).

Capital expenditure on intangible assets and property, plant and
equipment totalled £32.4m (2008: £43.6m) including £12.3m (2008:
£13.7m) related to assets which are funded as part of the LTPA contract.

The acquisitions of DTRI, Commerce Decisions and Spectro led to cash
consideration paid in the period of £92.9m (2008: £106.7m).

The translational impact of a weaker sterling on the Group’s US dollar
denominated debt, including associated derivative contracts, was an
increase of £163.9m (2008: decrease of £2.6m). Closing net debt at
31 March 2009 was £537.9m (31 March 2008: £379.9m). Net debt
to adjusted EBITDA at 31 March 2009 was 2.2x (2008: 2.3x),
as calculated in accordance with the terms of the Group’s credit
facilities, comfortably within our banking covenant limit of 3.5x.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

35

Directors’Report – Business Review
Chief Financial Officer’s report

Each assumption is selected by the Group in consultation with the
Company actuary and taking account of industry practice amongst
comparator listed companies. The sensitivity of each of the key
assumptions is shown in the table following:

Assumption
Discount rate

Inflation and
salary increase
Life expectancy

Change in
assumption
Increase/decrease
by 0.1%
Increase/decrease
by 0.1%
Increase by one year

Indicative effect
on scheme liabilities
Decrease/increase
by £14m
Increase/decrease
by £15m
Increase by £15m

The market value of the assets at 31 March 2009 was £647.4m
(2008: £784.2m) and the value of scheme liabilities was £752.6m
(2008: £807.6m).

With effect from June 2008, the Group changed the terms of the
defined benefit section of the pension scheme for future accrual of
pension benefits. The changes do not affect past service obligations.
Core changes included raising the normal pension age from 60 to 65,
moving to career average earnings and offering a range of contribution
options that allowed employees to maintain future benefit accrual at
rates similar to their current levels, based on a higher rate of employee
contribution, or to retain current employee contribution levels by
accepting a reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual. During
the year, the net pension cost charged to the income statement for
the defined benefit scheme was £23.4m (2008: £30.5m).

The funding of the defined benefit pension scheme is decided by the
Group in conjunction with the trustees of the scheme and the advice
of external actuaries. The most recent full actuarial valuation, with an
effective date of 30 June 2008, is now complete. The recorded deficit
is £111.3m and the Company and trustees have agreed a ten-year
recovery period with annual payments of £13m. Also as a result of this
valuation, the current service contributions have been reset at 11.5%
of pensionable payroll, previously 17.5%. This will lead to a c. £9m
reduction in annual current service contributions from the present level.

Treasury policy
The Group treasury department works within a framework of policies
and procedures approved by the Audit Committee. As part of these
policies and procedures, there is strict control on the use of financial
instruments. Speculative trading in financial instruments is not
permitted. The policies are established to manage and control
risk in the treasury environment and to align the treasury goals,
objectives and philosophy to those of the Group.

Funding and debt portfolio management
The Group seeks to obtain certainty of access to funding in the
amounts and maturities required to support the Group’s medium
to long-term forecast financing requirements. Group borrowings
are arranged by the central treasury function.

Interest risk management
The Group seeks to reduce the volatility in its interest charge caused
by rate fluctuations.

A significant portion of the Group’s borrowings are fixed or capped
through a combination of interest rate swaps, collars and fixed rate debt.

Foreign exchange risk management
The principal exchange rate affecting the Group was the sterling to
US dollar exchange rate.

£/US$ – average
£/US$ – closing rate
£/US$ – opening rate

2009
1.68
1.44
1.99

2008
2.01
1.99
1.96

The Group’s income and expenditure is largely settled in the functional
currency of the relevant Group entity, mainly sterling or US dollar.
The Group has a policy in place to hedge all material transaction
exposure at the point of commitment to the underlying transaction.
Uncommitted future transactions are not routinely hedged by the
Group. The Group continues its practice of not hedging income
statement translation exposure.

To minimise the impact of currency depreciation of the net
assets on the Group’s overseas subsidiaries, the Group seeks to
borrow in the currencies of those subsidiaries but only to the extent
that the Group’s gearing covenant within its loan documentation,
as well as its facility headroom, are likely to remain comfortably
within limits.

Tax risk management
The central principle of QinetiQ’s tax strategy is to manage effective
and cash tax rates whilst fully complying with relevant legislation.
Tax is managed in alignment with the corporate strategy and with
regard to QinetiQ’s core value of integrity in all business dealings.
These principles are applied in a responsible and transparent manner
in pursuing the Group’s tax strategy and in all dealings with tax
authorities around the world.

Credit risk
Credit risk arises when a counterparty fails to perform its obligations.
The Group is exposed to credit risk on financial instruments such
as liquid assets, derivative assets and trade receivables. Credit risk
is managed by investing liquid assets and acquiring derivatives
from high-credit quality financial institutions. Trade receivables
are subject to credit limits, control and approval procedures across
the Group. The nature of the Group’s operations leads to concentrations
of credit risk on its trade receivables. The majority of the Group’s
credit risk is with the UK and US Governments and is therefore
considered minimal.

Insurance
The Group continually assesses the balance of risk arising from the
operations undertaken against the insurance cover available for such
activities and associated premiums payable for such cover. A consistent
approach to risk retention and scope of cover is applied across the
Group. The Group has a policy of self-insurance through its captive
insurance company on the first layer of specific risks with insurance
cover above these levels placed in the external market with
third-party insurers.

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Employees
Year-end employee numbers have risen by 2.6% to 14,060 as at
31 March 2009. The decline of 299 in EMEA (including Ventures &
Corporate) reflects normal in-year attrition and departures under
the reorganisation programme partially offset by the acquisition
of Commerce Decisions. The organic growth coupled with the
acquisitions in North America increased staff numbers by 649.

Employees by sector

Group
14,060

7,712

6,348

QNA
EMEA (includes Ventures and Corporate)

Source: Company financials at 31 March 2009

Accounting standards
There have been no significant changes to financial reporting standards
in the year and no impact on Group profit for the year. As required by
IFRS 3 (Business Combinations) the formal valuation of goodwill and
intangibles relating to acquisitions made in the prior year was
completed in the year.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying
accounting policies
A description and consideration of the critical accounting estimates
and judgement made in preparing these financial statements is set
out in Note 1 to the Group financial statements.

David Mellors, Chief Financial Officer
21 May 2009

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Key performance indicators

Measuring our performance
To assess Group performance, the Board uses a range of key performance indicators
(KPIs) comprising both financial and non-financial metrics.

Financial

KPI

Organic revenue growth

09

08

07

2%

7%

9%

DESCRIPTION

COMMENT

The Group’s organic revenue growth is calculated by
taking the increase in 2009 revenue over 2008 pro
forma revenue, at constant exchange rates. The pro
forma revenue assumes that any acquisitions were
owned and any discontinued operations or disposals
excluded, for the comparable period in the prior year.

Organic revenue growth
demonstrates the Group’s capability
to expand its core operations within
its chosen markets before the effect
of acquisitions.

Proportion of revenue generated by QNA

The percentage of the Group’s total revenues
generated by QinetiQ North America.

The Group aims to generate 50%
of its total revenues in the medium
term from QNA, through a
combination of organic growth and
acquisitions, as North America is the
largest defence and security market
available to the Group.

09

08

07

47%

40%

31%

Underlying operating profit margin

09

08

07

Book to bill ratio (excl LTPA)

09

08

07

9.6%

9.3%

9.2%

1.1:1

1.1:1

1.2:1

The Group’s calculation of underlying operating profit
margin is consistent with prior years. Underlying
operating profit margin is calculated by taking the
earnings before tax and interest, gains on business
realisations, major restructuring costs, impairment of
investments, profit on disposal of non-current assets
and amortisation of intangible assets arising from
acquisitions as a percentage of revenue.

Underlying operating profit margin
can be used to show the underlying
profitability of the revenues delivered
by the Group. It can also be used to
compare the Group’s performance
with that of our peers, providing the
definition of underlying operating
profit is consistent.

The ratio of contracted orders compared to revenue
in the period. The calculation is consistent with
that published in previous years and specifically
excludes the MOD Long Term Partnership Agreement
(LTPA) revenue as no annual order is associated
with this revenue.

The measure provides an indication
of the Group’s visibility of its future
revenue and therefore its rate of
prospective growth. A book to bill
ratio in excess of 1.0 demonstrates
that the Group is continuing to
build its backlog of future revenues.

This provides visibility over the
level of future revenues which have
already been contractually secured.

Funded backlog

09

08

07

£1,220.2m

£947.7m

£850.9m

The value of contractually-funded orders (excluding
the LTPA) at a point in time. The measure does
not include any unfunded orders, which are more
common for multi-year contracts in the North
American Defence market.

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KPI

DESCRIPTION

COMMENT

Underlying basic EPS growth

09

08

07

18.7%

18.8%

10.4%

The rate at which underlying basic earnings per share
(EPS) has increased over the prior year expressed as
a percentage.

EPS provides shareholders with a
measure of the earnings generated
by the business after deducting tax
and interest. EPS performance also
determines the level of payout for the
Group’s long-term incentive plans.

Operating cash conversion

09

08

07

105%

77%

56%

The ratio of our net cash flow from operations
(excluding reorganisations), less outflows on the
purchase of intangible assets, and property plant and
equipment to underlying operating profit, excluding
the share of post-tax results of equity accounted joint
ventures and associates.

Provides a measure of the Group’s
ability to generate cash from normal
operations and gives an indication
of its ability to pay dividends, service
its debt and to make discretionary
investments.

Non-financial

KPI

DESCRIPTION

COMMENT

Health & Safety of employees in EMEA
UK RIDDOR (per 1,000 employees)

09

08

07

2.82

2.28

3.47

Health and safety of employees
in QNA (lost days per 1,000 employees)

0.78

09

08

07

1.57

2.14

Employee turnover rate

09

08

07

9.7%

10.3%

7.1%

In the UK, the Group tracks the number of Reported
Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations (RIDDOR) incidents measured as the
number of events in any period per 1,000 people. The
HSE RIDDOR rate is 5.19 for the ‘all industries’ category.

Health and Safety records are
monitored to drive continual
improvement in minimising
the risk to employees.

In North America, QNA tracks the number of
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA) reported accidents and the number of work
days lost per 1,000 employees occurring as a result
of these accidents.

Health and Safety records are
monitored to drive continual
improvement in minimising
the risk to employees.

Employee turnover (excluding redundancies)
measured as the annualised number of resignations
in a period expressed as a percentage of average
headcount in the period.

Key employee retention is a priority
for the Group. Employee turnover
provides a measure of our managers’
ability to retain key talent in a
competitive marketplace.

See pages
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Directors’Report – Business Review
Principal risks and uncertainties

Principal risk and uncertainties

RISK

POTENTIAL IMPACT

MITIGATION

A change in demand from
reduced military operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan

A significant shift in policy by either the new
Administration in the United States of America or
Government in the United Kingdom which results in a
material reduction in the number of forces personnel
present in Iraq and Afghanistan may have a materially
adverse impact on the Group’s financial performance.

A change in either US or
UK Government spending
on defence and security

The forthcoming election in the UK and the change in
Administration in the US combined with the financial
burden on both UK and US Government budgets from
the recent economic downturn, may lead to reduced
spending in the markets in which the Group operates.
Any reduction in Government defence and security
spending in either the UK or the US, for example, in
the area of research in the UK, could adversely impact
the Group’s financial performance.

Defence Training
Rationalisation (DTR)
Package 1 may not
reach financial close

In 2007, Metrix, the Group’s joint venture with Land
Securities Trillium, was confirmed as the preferred
bidder for Package 1 of the proposed 30-year DTR
contract to outsource the training for UK armed
forces. The Group is responsible for the design and
provision of training to Metrix. In January 2009,
Sodexo replaced Land Securities Trillium as the joint
venture partner. Metrix and the partners continue
to work with the MOD to finalise the scope of the
programme as the next stage in moving to a financial
close. There is a risk that the DTR programme may
either suffer material change to the final scope, delay,
inability to be financed or even cancellation. This
would have a significant impact on the expected
future growth of the Group. Additionally, if financial
close were not reached, the bid costs incurred
since preferred bidder status was achieved would
have to be written off and expensed through the
income statement.

The Group is focused on a range of markets in defence,
security and intelligence, providing a degree of
portfolio diversification. While certain areas of
the Group’s operations, such as QNA’s Technology
Solutions Group, have experienced strong demand for
their TALON® robots or LAST® Armor for deployment in
both Iraq and Afghanistan, other areas of Government
spend have been held back, for example, such as
services to improve the efficiency of Government
processes. The expectation is that any reduction in
the level of spend in Iraq and Afghanistan may result
in the resumption of such discretionary spend to
which the Group could benefit from.

The Group is focused on a range of markets in
defence, security and intelligence, providing a degree
of portfolio diversification. Current UK and US defence
and security spending forecasts do not indicate
material budget reductions but the focus of the
spending will change to meet emerging needs. The
asymmetric nature of modern warfare and the threat
from terrorism have resulted in increased expenditure
on many capabilities that QinetiQ offers and we
believe that many of our markets (eg security,
intelligence and cyber security) are growth markets.
The Group will continue to review trends in defence
and security expenditure in order to align the business
with those trends. As an independent technology
specialist, QinetiQ is well placed to benefit from any
delay or cancellation of major procurement projects
as this will often lead to the requirement for
technology insertion and upgrades to an existing
platform’s operational lifespan.

QinetiQ maintains a close contact with Metrix,
Sodexo and the MOD in relation to the DTR, including
with regard to the potential timing of obtaining a
financial close on the contract. In addition, the MOD
has signed some Pre-Contract Award Letters (PCAL)
which effectively underwrite a portion, but not all,
of the external costs incurred by the joint venture
partners to date. A funded early works contract
may be let before financial close which will study
the proposed technical design and delivery of the
training programmes.

Changing in the timing
of contracts

The amounts payable under some of the Government
contracts can be significant and the timing of
receiving orders could materially impact the
Group’s performance in a given reporting period.

The contract and orders pipeline is regularly
reviewed by senior operational management
and the Executive Committee.

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RISK

POTENTIAL IMPACT

MITIGATION

Funding of a defined benefit
pension scheme

The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme
in the UK. Presently there is a deficit between the
projected liability of the scheme and the value of
the assets held by the scheme. The size of the deficit
may be materially impacted by a number of factors
including inflation, investment returns, changes in
interest rates and improvements in life expectancy.
An increase in the deficit may require the Group
to increase the cash contributions to the scheme
which would reduce the Group’s available cash
for other purposes.

The performance of the pension scheme is reviewed
regularly by Group management in conjunction with
the scheme’s independent trustees. External actuarial
and investment advice is also taken on a regular basis
to ensure that the scheme is managed in the best
interests of both the Company and the scheme’s
members. In June 2008, the Group and the trustees,
acting on behalf of the scheme members agreed
in principle to four key changes to the terms of
the pension scheme aimed at reducing the cost
to the Group of maintaining the pension scheme:
an increase in the normal retirement age; to cap
the level of pensionable earnings; paying pension
contributions via salary sacrifice; and removing the
ability to purchase ‘additional years’. The most recent
funding valuation of the scheme as at 30 June 2008
has resulted in a deficit of £111.3m. The Company
and trustees have agreed a ten-year recovery period
to make up this deficit.

Policies or attitudes
may change towards
Organisational Conflicts
of Interest (OCI)

Tax liabilities may change
as a result of changes in
tax legislation

A material element of
the Group’s revenue and
operating profit is derived
from one contract

Failure to comply with laws
and regulations, particularly
trading restrictions and
export controls

The Group provides services to defence customers
that meet their needs as part of the defence supply
chain and also as technical advisor through its
consultancy services. The future growth of the
business could be compromised should the current
attitudes to policies adopted by our key customers,
especially in the UK, change.

The Group takes proactive steps to manage any
potential OCI and to maintain its ability to provide
independent advice through its consulting and
systems engineering activities. In the UK, a formal
compliance regime operates with the MOD to
monitor and assess potential OCI as part of the
sales acceptance process.

QinetiQ is liable to pay tax in the countries in which
it operates, principally in the UK and the US. Changes
in the tax legislation in these countries could have an
adverse impact on the level of tax paid on the profits
generated by the Group.

The Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) is a 25-
year contract to provide a variety of evaluation and
testing services to the MOD. The original contract was
signed in 2003. In the current year, the LTPA directly
contributed 11% of the Group’s revenue and
supported a further 7% through tasking services
using LTPA managed facilities. These percentages are
expected to decrease proportionally over time as the
Group grows in other areas. The loss, cancellation or
termination of this contract would have a material,
adverse impact on the Group’s future reported
performance.

The majority of the Group’s revenues are generated
from sales within the UK and the US. The Group is
subject to numerous domestic and international laws
including import and export controls, financial and
fiscal laws, health and safety, money laundering etc.
Failure to comply with particular regulations could
result in a combination of fines, penalties, and civil
or criminal prosecution. Any one of these could have
a material impact on the Group’s financial
performance.

External advice and consultation is sought on
potential changes in tax legislation in both the
United Kingdom and United States of America.

The Group continues to achieve high customer
performance and satisfaction ratings, maintain
excellent relationships with key customers and
anticipates that the contract will run for the full
duration of its 25-year term through to 2028. The first
break point in the contract is 2013. QinetiQ achieved
a weighted performance rating of 99% for the year
ended 31 March 2009 against an agreed minimum
rating of 80%. The LTPA operates under five-year
periods with specific programmes, targets and
performance measures set for each period. On
3 March 2008, the Group signed up to a second
period of the LTPA with the MOD.

The Group has procedures in place to ensure
that it meets all current export regulations. Local
management continuously monitor local laws and
regulations. Professional advice is sought when
engaging in new territories to ensure that the
Group is in compliance with local and international
regulations and requirements. In the US, the Group
undertakes work that is deemed to be of importance
to US national security, and arrangements are in
place to insulate these activities from undue foreign
influence as a result of foreign ownership. The
Group has procedures in place to ensure that these
arrangements remain effective and to respond to any
changes that might occur in US attitudes to foreign
ownership of such activities.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’Report – Business Review
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

RISK

POTENTIAL IMPACT

MITIGATION

Exchange rate movement

Raising external funding and
volatility in interest rates

Fixed price contracts

Acquisition of businesses

Inherent risks from trading
in a global marketplace

Highly competitive
marketplace

Realisation of value from
intellectual property may be
delayed

The Group actively hedges all significant transactional
foreign exchange exposure as described on pages
90 to 94 of the notes to the financial statements.
Acquisitions in North America have been funded by
US dollar denominated bank borrowings, partially
mitigating the risk as US dollar earnings are used to
service and repay US dollar denominated facilities.

The Group is exposed to volatility in exchange rates
due to the international nature of its operations; this
includes a translational impact on the key financial
statements as a result of the Group reporting its
financial results in sterling. The Group has limited
transaction exposure as its revenues and related
costs are often borne in the same currency, principally
either US dollar or sterling. QinetiQ North America
represents 47% of the Group’s consolidated
revenues. These operations are funded by US dollar
denominated debt. Any significant movement in
the foreign exchange markets could have a material
impact on the Group’s reported financial performance
in a given period.

The Group is exposed to fluctuations in the credit
markets which could impact both the availability and
associated costs of financing. A substantial expansion
of the Group’s operations could not be financed
through debt financing if sufficient liquidity were
not available in the external market on commercially
acceptable terms.

The Group manages this risk by maintaining a
sufficient level of committed funding facilities, with a
phased maturity profile from both commercial banks
and private placement investors. The Group also uses
fixed rate debt instruments and interest rate swap
derivatives to provide some certainty in the future
cost of maintaining these facilities.

Some of the Group’s revenue is derived from contracts
which have a fixed price. There is a risk that the costs
required for delivery of a contract could be higher
than those agreed in the contract. Any significant
increase in costs which cannot be passed on to
a customer may either reduce the profitability of
a contract or even result in a contract becoming
loss-making.

The nature of much of the services provided under
such fixed price arrangements is often for a defined
amount of effort or resource rather than firm product
deliverables and, as such, the risk of cost escalation in
such contracts is substantially mitigated. The Group
ensures that its fixed price bids and projects are
reviewed for early detection of issues which may
result in cost overrun.

The Group is an active acquirer of other businesses
and companies. These acquisitions may not
perform in line with expectations thereby having
a detrimental impact on the Group’s financial
performance.

QinetiQ operates internationally. The risks associated
with having a large geographical footprint may
include: regulation and administration changes,
changes in taxation policy, political instability and
civil unrest. Any such events could disrupt some of
the Group’s operations and have a material impact
on the Group’s future financial performance.

The risks are mitigated through the due diligence and
internal approvals process. Additionally, the usual
contractual protections are included in the purchase
agreements signed with the vendors.

While the core activities of the Group are confined to
the UK and the US, the Group continues to explore
potential client relationships across the globe. These
new relationships are assessed for their inherent risks
before being formally entered into.

The defence and security markets are highly
competitive. The Group’s financial performance may
be adversely affected should it not be able to compete
in the markets in which it aims to operate.

QinetiQ’s domain knowledge, expertise, platform
independence and capabilities within its selected
markets provide a compelling proposition for
customers, which is a significant advantage for
the Group in competitive bidding.

The funded research and development work that the
Group undertakes for defence and other customers
creates intellectual property that the Group retains
and can utilise for commercial applications. The
uncertainty that exists over new technologies and
markets may result in delays or failure to realise
value from intellectual property or in a higher level
of investment required for the opportunity to be
realised. The additional investment requirements
may have to be funded from the Group’s own capital
resources which may have an adverse impact on the
Group’s financial performance.

The Group only invests in the development of
intellectual property where it believes there is a
substantial and realistic market opportunity for the
technology and it undertakes a portfolio approach,
recognising that not all investments will be successful.
The performance of intellectual property realisation
programmes is actively monitored to increase support
for successful prospects and reduce expenditure where
realisation appears less likely. The Group uses external
experts and financial backers as partners in a variety
of structures to enhance the performance of certain
intellectual property realisation projects.

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Corporate Responsibility report

Delivering a responsible and
sustainable business

Highlights
•

Successful extension of ISO14001 certification

•

•

200 STEM Ambassadors within the business

RoSPA Gold awards for health and safety practice in the UK

• AUS$35,000 raised by QinetiQ Australia for the bush fire appeal.

CR performance overview

What we said

What we did

Where to next

Marketplace
Introduce responsible purchasing criteria
into our key procurement activities

We worked with our supply chain to
make improvements in environmental
and social issues

Achieve Level 3 of the Government’s
Flexible Framework for Sustainable
Procurement by 2010

Our people
Retain our status as top-quartile
investor in employee learning
and development

Continue to maintain UK RIDDOR
rates at better than the HSE
benchmark rate

Over the last three years we provided
on average five days training per UK
person per year

RIDDOR rates were 2.82 per 1,000
employees compared with the HSE
benchmark of 5.19 per 1,000
(See page 39)

Investigate Learning and Development
effectiveness measures for future years

Continue to drive performance in health
and safety. Maintain UK RIDDOR rates
better than the HSE benchmark rate

Environment
Extend ISO14001 certification to
all significant sites

Introduce an enhanced carbon footprint
management programme

Successful extension of ISO14001
certification

Carbon footprint programme
introduced in the UK with plans for
further data gathering in 2010

Increase our recycling rates by 3% in 2009

Target exceeded, with recycling for
our major UK sites at 49%, up by 19%

Maintain our ISO14001 certification

Achieve certification to the Carbon
Trust Standard

Extend data capture to all minor sites
and continue to increase recycling
(target is 70% by 2014)

Contribution to biodiversity through
the effective maintenance of our
conservation sites

Community
9,000 students to experience Lab
in a Lorry by the end of 2009

Focus and deliver our Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
educational outreach programmes

Over 9,000 students have been
visited by Lab in a Lorry to date

A further tour of Lab in a Lorry planned
for 2009/10

Management and data capture
improved

Continue to focus and deliver our
STEM outreach programmes

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Corporate Responsibility report

Our approach

Our vision is to be a successful and responsible company that is fully
accountable for our performance and open in our reporting. This
overview updates where we are with progress against our goals and
our plans for the future. It can be read in conjunction with our CR
website, which provides more detail.

Following a review by the QinetiQ Board, a CR Committee has been
established to address strategy and delivery of CR across the QinetiQ
Group. The Committee is chaired by the CEO with membership from
the Executive Team and the Group CR Manager. Underpinning the
committee is the CR Taskforce, with experts from key business
functions, including heath and safety, environment, human
resources (HR), learning and development and procurement.

QinetiQ Board

In 2008, we benchmarked our CR activity against the Business in
the Community (BITC) CR Index, the leading CR index in the UK. We
received a score of 58.5% which BITC said was “a strong performance
for a company doing the index for the first time… the responses
showed a sophisticated level of activity and good understanding of
Corporate Responsibility”. We will be using the results to feed into our
strategic planning and to inform our priorities. Going forward we are
looking to increase our reporting on activities in QNA.

QinetiQ Executive Team

CR Committee – chaired by CEO

EMEA

QNA

CR Taskforce – chaired by
Group CR Manager

Marketplace
Mission Statement: To be a responsible and sustainable business

What is important for us in the Marketplace?
We are looking at areas that are important for our success,
including business ethics, responsible purchasing and listening to
our customers as well as the positive contribution we can make to
solving global issues such as climate change, through our developing
environmental business.

Progress
Our code of conduct underpins how we do business and this year we
published our revised Group Code of Business Ethics on our Group
website. We recognise the need for continual improvement and will
provide ongoing training and guidance for employees (see page 51
for more details).

Our UK purchasing team have put CR at the heart of the supplier
selection and service replacement process for key contracts. Following
consultation with internal stakeholders and our preferred travel service
providers, we have introduced a new employee travel policy to reduce
CO2 emissions by using more fuel-efficient hire cars where possible.

As a business we continue to look at environmental issues and our
scientists have developed a new approach for waste management at
sea. The system uses a thermal degradation technique called pyrolysis,
which is a highly energy-efficient method of waste destruction, with
the potential to generate reusable heat and electrical power in the
future. This technology is currently being trialled on HMS Ocean and is
also being developed for the future aircraft carrier (CVF) but has wider
military and commercial applications.

MOD Sustainable Procurement
Customers increasingly expect their suppliers to be integrating
sustainability into their business practices. The MOD has
introduced its Sustainable Procurement Charter and is using
the UK Government Flexible Framework which requires reporting
and improvements across the areas of people, policy, strategy,
communication, procurement process, engaging suppliers,
measurement and results. We signed the Charter in June 2008
and subsequently identified a Sustainable Procurement Champion
who has put together a cross-disciplinary forum to capture the

expertise of environmental management, community, purchasing
and customer requirements. Members of the Forum are part of
industry working groups to share best practice.

We have already been applying sustainability principles to MOD
projects, for example, developing a sustainable fuels roadmap to
look at how petroleum-based fuels can be replaced by sustainable
options, within the framework of international legislation and
government protocols on emissions.

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Our people
Mission Statement: To create the environment which attracts great people and enables
them to deliver high levels of performance

How do we attract and develop our people?
We believe in attracting, recruiting and retaining talented people to
continually enhance our expertise. We offer opportunities for both
personal and professional development.

Progress
We continue to be one of the leading recruiters of graduates and
have in recent years strengthened our presence at key universities and
improved our position in the Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters. Our
graduate campaigns have won a number of national awards from
the advertising industry and professional bodies such as the CIPD.
We have successfully been re-accredited as an Investor in People, an
important external assessment of our commitment to good practice
in people management and development. We continue to invest
significantly in training and development aligned to our business
objectives. We have an Accredited Initial Professional Development
Scheme, a Graduate Development Programme, enhanced leadership
assessment and development and have introduced a talent programme
which identifies exceptional individuals across the business with the
potential to reach senior technical and managerial positions.

Over 60% of our employees responded to this year’s annual employee
engagement survey and we have seen an increase in engagement across
the business. A significant number of employees are shareholders. In
EMEA, 6,219 UK employees participate in the Share Incentive Plan, and
232 employees in Australia took up shares. In QNA, 2,458 employees
have received shares.

We are dedicated to providing a safe environment for our employees.
In the UK we have increased training for all appropriate managers and

undertook an employee survey to understand their view on safety
in order to inform future programmes. We also introduced new
programmes to support safer driving at work. In 2009, the Reporting
of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
(RIDDOR) rate for QinetiQ’s UK employees was 2.82 accidents per
1,000 employees, compared with the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) RIDDOR rate of 5.19 for the “all industries” category.

UK Accidents per 1,000 employees
8

6

4

2

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

QinetiQ RIDDOR rate

HSE industries rate

Work at QNA is generally low-risk and so there is no formal requirement
to report accidents according to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) code. Our North American business monitors
accidents and recorded 0.78 lost days per 1,000 employees in 2009
(see page 39).

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Initial Professional Development

of UK graduate opinions consistently show that they place learning
and development opportunities high on their agenda when it
comes to choosing their first employer. We address this through
our Accredited Initial Professional Development (IPD) Scheme,
which offers a framework for graduate entrants to work towards
chartered status with the professional body of their choice.
The scheme is the largest of its type in the UK and is accredited
or recognised by 12 professional bodies; offering a route to
chartership for accountants, chemists, engineers, HR professionals,
mathematicians, physicists and scientists. We have 360 trainees
and 320 mentors on the scheme. The scheme produces 70% of all
QinetiQ’s chartered employees each year and is held in high regard
externally by stakeholders. We are also able to demonstrate that our
chartered employees attract additional income for the Company.

Meera Galoria is a Systems Engineer: “Professional Development
is actively supported by QinetiQ as an organisation and is strongly
encouraged by its Technical Managers and Capability Team Leads.
The IPD scheme enabled me to find a suitable mentor and also
provides an excellent Chartership and Mentoring course. To date,
my development as an engineer has been a true team effort. I owe
thanks to my mentor, my managers and all of the other engineers
I have worked with.”

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

45

Meera Galoria receiving her Chartered Engineer Award

Attracting, engaging, and developing the cream of graduate talent
is key to our success and one of our strategic goals. National surveys

Directors’Report – Business Review
Corporate Responsibility report

Environment
Mission Statement: To be an excellent environmental steward

How do we demonstrate our commitment to
the environment?
We recognise that, in operating our business, we generate an
environmental footprint but we also know we can reduce it by
improving our energy efficiency, decreasing our waste and delivering
our conservation programmes.

Progress
We have made progress on our waste management programmes and
recycled 49% on major UK sites, compared to 30% last year. Our UK
energy use this year was equivalent to 71.8 ktonnes of CO2, a reduction
of 5.9 ktonnes of CO2 compared with last year. This is underpinned by
our recent successfully extended ISO14001:2004 certification covering
the provision of activities associated with aircraft test and evaluation,
weapons and system testing, test and evaluation ranges, knowledge
and technology-based research and services, including small scale and
prototype production, whole life support and asset management. In
QNA, selected employees are preparing to move to new offices, designed
specifically to include a range of energy and environmental solutions.

UK Energy use (GWh)
UK GHG (ktonnes CO2 equivalent)
UK Waste (tonnes) from major sites
UK Recycled waste (tonnes) from major sites

* Excludes Green Waste – composted

UK Energy use

)
h
w
G

(
e
s
U
y
g
r
e
n
E

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50

120

100

80

60

40

20

e
n
n
o
t
0
0
0
s
n
o
i
s
s
i

m
e
2
O
C

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

Energy Use (GWh)

CO2 (tonnes)

Notes:
• CO2 for 2002 to 2007 calculated with conversion factor

for electric of 0.43kgCO2/kWh

• CO2 for 2008 and 2009 calculated with conversion factor

for electric of 0.523kgCO2/kWh

2006
247.3
81.4
3,131
680

2007
229.1
77.7
2,330
761

2008
203.6
77.8
1,551
932*

2009
191.2
71.8
1,140.0
1,094.0*

Carbon Footprinting
We need to know where our carbon emissions originate so we can
formulate an effective reduction strategy. A carbon footprint is a
recognised measure of the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
for which an organisation is responsible (expressed in tonnes of
equivalent CO2). This can encompass a wide range of emissions
sources, from direct use of fuels to indirect impacts such as
employee travel, waste disposal or emissions from the supply
chain. This year we launched our UK Carbon Footprinting Project
to determine our approach. We are working towards attaining

ISO14064, an internationally recognised standard and we will
use 2009 as a baseline, based on use of electricity, gas and oil,
refrigerant gas losses and vehicle usage. Next year we will put
processes in place to capture data from air travel and further
sources can be added later, when our GHG accounting methods
mature. The Project Team is currently developing the necessary
business processes and data collection tools for accurate GHG
reporting. Realistic carbon reduction targets for applicable areas
of the business will follow.

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Community
Mission Statement: To make a positive contribution to the community

What are we doing to make sure we are contributing
to the community?
A core part of our strategy is education outreach and we also see local
community engagement, our science for society programme and
supporting our employees in their charitable giving, as important.

Progress
In 2009 we had almost 200 employee volunteers across the UK
working with local schools through the STEMNET STEM Ambassador
Scheme (previously Science and Engineering Ambassador Scheme).
Our STEM Ambassadors were involved in science clubs, careers events
and manned tours of Lab in a Lorry in Wales and Portsmouth. This year
our STEM Outreach Manager coordinated programmes and supported

Team QinetiQ race to the South Pole

Ben Fogle with the winning team from Hagley Catholic High School

our Ambassadors. In addition, an online resource has been developed
for them to network and share tips and ideas. QNA employees
undertook a range of volunteering activities in the community. Total
charitable giving from the business across the Group was £133,500
(see page 62). In addition our UK employees raised £50,500 for our
priority charities through a range of events attracting matched
funding. They also raised £58,000, through our payroll giving scheme.
In Australia, employees raised AUS$8,000 for the Victoria bush fire
appeal: including a donation from the business. The total raised for
this cause was AUS$35,000.

their race to the South Pole in January 2009. QinetiQ used its
scientific expertise to prepare the team for the race and worked
with teachers and experts from national bodies to design a
package of online teaching resources, bringing the excitement of
the race to the classroom. By accessing QinetiQ’s ‘Learning Zone’
online, teachers could find stimulating resources and a suite of
six downloadable teaching packs to deliver lessons on nutrition,
teamwork, physical fitness, sleep, communication and portable
power. The aim was for teachers and pupils to explore the science
behind the race (e.g. developing ration packs or working in teams)
that was relevant to the curriculum. As many teachers also deliver
careers advice, we also developed profiles of key support
personnel to illustrate career paths and what they enjoy about
life as a scientist. The initiative attracted nearly 400 teachers
from all over the UK and as far away as Australia. We partnered
with the British Science Association through their well
established CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) award
scheme, to design the ‘Wrap up Warm’ project for 11-14 year
old students to design a jacket suitable for Antarctica. Over 600
pupils completed the project and the winning team were from
Hagley Catholic High School.

A core part of QinetiQ’s Community Strategy is working with
secondary education – specifically inspiring the next generation
of scientists and engineers. This strategy was an integral part of
the sponsorship of Ben Fogle, Ed Coats and James Cracknell in

This project has reinforced our strategy to partner with national
bodies, ensuring our programmes are specifically targeted, and
demonstrating that our community programmes can be embedded
within our business projects to the mutual enhancement of both.

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47

Directors’Report – Governance
Board of Directors

Clear and experienced direction

1

4

7

2

5

8

3

6

9

1. Sir John Chisholm

2. Graham Love

3. David Mellors

Non-executive Chairman – 62

Chief Executive Officer – 55

Chief Financial Officer – 40

Appointed Chief Executive Officer in
September 2005, QinetiQ Chief
Financial Officer between July 2001
and September 2005

Member of the Compliance Committee

Graham was formerly Chief Executive of
Comax Secure Business Services Ltd, leading
the company through its privatisation in
1997 before its sale to Amey plc in 1999.
Graham joined DERA in 1991 and was its
Finance Director from 1992 to 1996, and
again between 1999 and 2001. His career
has also included management roles with
Ernst & Young, KPMG and Shandwick plc,
as well as several years in international
consulting. Graham is a Fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales.

Appointed Non-executive Chairman in
October 2006, Executive Chairman between
September 2005 and October 2006, QinetiQ
Chief Executive Officer between July 2001
and September 2005 (Chief Executive of
DERA from 1991)

Member of the Compliance Committee
and Nominations Committee

Sir John was previously UK Managing
Director of Sema Group plc, prior to which
he was a Director of CAP Group plc. In 1979,
he founded and became Managing Director
of CAP Scientific Ltd, following periods of
time spent at General Motors and Scicon Ltd,
part of BP. Sir John was formerly President
of the Institution of Engineering and
Technology and is currently Chairman of the
Medical Research Council. He is also a Fellow
of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the
Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute
of Physics. The Board considers Sir John’s
extensive knowledge of Defence and
Security Technology markets, and his
unrivalled experience of QinetiQ’s business
gained whilst Chief Executive Officer, to
be a valuable asset to the Board in terms
of decision-making and understanding
the strategic issues affecting the Group.

Appointed Chief Financial Officer in
August 2008

David was previously deputy Chief Financial
Officer of Logica plc. David has also held the
position of Chief Financial Officer of Logica’s
international division covering operations in
North America, Australia, Middle East and
Asia and prior to that he was the Group
Financial Controller. Earlier experience
included various roles with CMG Plc,
Rio Tinto plc and Price Waterhouse. David
is a member of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales.

4. Sir David Lees

Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent
Non-executive Director – 72

Appointed Deputy Chairman and SID in
August 2005

Chairman of the Compliance Committee
and Nominations Committee; Member
of the Remuneration Committee

Sir David is currently Chairman of Tate & Lyle
plc; he has also been a member of the UK
Panel on Takeovers and Mergers since June
2001 and in April 2009 was appointed
Chairman of the Court of the Bank of
England. Sir David joined GKN plc in 1970
and has held the position of Group Finance
Director, Chief Executive and Executive
Chairman before becoming Non-executive

48

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Chairman in 1997 until his retirement
in May 2004. Other notable roles include
being a member of the National Defence
Industries Council between 1995 and 2004,
Chairman of Courtaulds plc from 1996 to
1998 and a Non-executive Director of the
Bank of England between 1991 and 1999.
From 2001 to 2006, he was Non-executive
Joint Deputy Chairman of Brambles
Industries plc and Brambles Industries
Limited. Sir David is a Fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in England and
Wales. The Board considers that Sir David’s
detailed understanding of the Defence
sector, coupled with his extensive experience
of corporate governance and the City and
its institutions, significantly enhances the
operation of the Board, particularly in the
context of Sir David’s dual role of Deputy
Chairman and Senior Independent Non-
executive Director.

5. Colin Balmer

Non-executive Director – 62

Appointed Non-executive Director in
February 2003

Member of the Compliance Committee
and Nominations Committee

Colin served as Managing Director of
the Cabinet Office from 2003 until his
retirement in 2006. Previously, he was
Finance Director of the MOD, with
responsibility for QinetiQ’s privatisation
and the subsequent investment by Carlyle
as part of the PPP Transaction. Colin has
extensive experience across the MOD and
is currently a member of the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office’s Audit and Risk
Committee and is on the Board of the
Royal Mint, chairing their Audit Committee.
The Board considers that Colin’s extensive
knowledge of the development of QinetiQ
throughout its public-private partnership,
and his in-depth understanding of the
working of Government, particularly the
UK MOD, provides the Board with a unique
insight into the issues facing Government
in delivering its procurement objectives
and partnering with industry suppliers.

6. Noreen Doyle

Non-executive Director – 60

Appointed Non-executive Director in
October 2005

Member of the Audit Committee,
Nominations Committee and
Remuneration Committee

Noreen sits on the Board of Credit Suisse
Group (Zurich) and is a Non-executive
Director of Newmont Mining Corporation
(Denver) and Rexam plc. Prior to her
appointment in 2001 as First Vice President
of the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD), Noreen was head
of Risk Management. Previously Noreen
had a distinguished career at Bankers Trust
Company (now Deutsche Bank) in corporate
finance and leveraged financing with a
concentration in oil, gas and mining. The
Board considers that Noreen’s extensive
international business experience,
particularly in the areas of corporate finance,
risk management and banking, to be of
significant benefit to the Board as QinetiQ
continues its strategy of developing new
business opportunities outside its traditional
UK market, particularly in North America.

7. Dr Peter Fellner

Non-executive Director – 65

Appointed Non-executive Director in
September 2004

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee,
Member of the Nominations Committee
and Audit Committee

Peter is Chairman of Vernalis plc, Consort
Medical plc, and Astex Therapeutics
Limited. He is also a Director of the global
biotechnology company UCB SA, and of
Evotec AG. He was previously Chairman
of Celltech Group plc from 2003 until its
acquisition in July 2004, having served as
its Chief Executive Officer from 1990. Before
joining Celltech, he was Chief Executive of
Roche UK from 1986 to 1990, having been
Director of the Roche UK Research Centre
from 1984.

8. Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr.,
US Navy (retired)

Non-executive Director – 61

Appointed Non-executive Director in
February 2008

Member of the Nominations Committee

Between 2005 and 2007, Ed was the second
highest ranking military officer in the United
States, having served as the seventh Vice
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ed’s
distinguished career has also included

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assignments as Special Assistant to the
CIA’s Deputy Director for Intelligence,
Senior Military Assistant to the US Defense
Secretary and Commander, US Joint Forces
Command. He also served as NATO’s first
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.
Ed currently serves as the Non-executive
Chairman of the Board of Directors for
Alenia North America, Inc and is a Non-
executive Director of SRA International,
Inc and Monster Worldwide Inc. The Board
considers that Ed’s extensive knowledge
of the US Defence and Security domain
significantly enhances the operation of the
Board, as QinetiQ continues to pursue its
strategy of growing its US platform in the
defence and security technology sector.

9. Nick Luff

Non-executive Director – 42

Appointed Non-executive Director in
June 2004

Chairman of the Audit Committee,
Member of the Nominations Committee

Nick was appointed Finance Director
of Centrica plc in March 2007, having
previously served as CFO of the P&O Group.
He trained as a chartered accountant with
KPMG and is a member of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in England
and Wales. Nick joined the P&O Board as
Finance Director in 1999. In October 2000,
he became Chief Financial Officer of P&O
Princess Cruises plc on its demerger from
the P&O Group and returned as Chief
Financial Officer of P&O in May 2003. Nick
has also served as a Non-executive Director
on the board of Royal P&O Nedlloyd NV,
the Dutch-listed international container
shipping company. The Board considers
that Nick’s experience of operating as
Chief Financial Officer/ Finance Director
with P&O and Centrica, coupled with his
extensive exposure to a variety of industrial
sectors, provides the rigorous financial and
commercial scrutiny required of a FTSE-listed
company at the Board level, particularly in
the context of his role as Chairman of the
Audit Committee.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

49

Directors’Report – Governance
Corporate Governance report

This part of the Annual Report, together with the Report of
the Remuneration Committee on pages 56 to 61, describes
how QinetiQ has applied the principles contained in the
revised Combined Code on Corporate Governance published
in June 2006 (‘the Combined Code’).

Combined Code
Subject to the exception noted below, QinetiQ has complied with the
provisions of the Combined Code throughout the last financial year.

On appointment as Chairman in 2005, Sir John Chisholm was not
regarded as independent under the Combined Code as he was
formerly QinetiQ’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Combined Code
recommends that a company’s chairman should be independent on
appointment and that its Chief Executive Officer should not become
chairman of the same company. The Board considers that departure
from the Combined Code in this area is appropriate and gave its
reasons for non-compliance both in the prospectus published as part
of the Company’s Initial Public Offering in 2006 and in subsequent
Annual Reports.
The Board – governance, processes and systems
Composition of the Board
Sir John Chisholm is the Non-executive Chairman of QinetiQ. The
roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are separate, with their
responsibilities having been clearly articulated by the Board in writing.
The Chairman is responsible for the effective operation of the Board
and ensures that all Directors are enabled and encouraged to play their
full part in Board activities. The Chief Executive Officer, Graham Love,
is responsible to the Board for directing and promoting the profitable
operation and development of the Group consistent with enhancing
long-term shareholder value, which includes the day-to-day
management of the Group, formulating, communicating and
executing Group strategy, and the implementation of Board policies.

The Board comprises a Non-executive Chairman, six Non-executive
Directors and two Executive Directors, namely the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with the objective of
achieving a balance of Executive and Non-executive Directors. The
Board considers its overall size and composition to be appropriate,
having regard in particular to the independence of character and
integrity of all the Directors and the experience and skills which they
bring to their duties, which prevents any individual or small group from
dominating the Board’s decision-making.

The Senior Independent Non-executive Director is Sir David Lees. Sir
David is also Deputy Chairman of the Board and serves as an additional
point of contact for shareholders should they feel that their concerns
are not being addressed through the normal channels. Sir David is,
furthermore, available to fellow Non-executive Directors, either
individually or collectively, should they wish to discuss matters of
concern in a forum that does not include the Chairman, the Executive
Directors or the senior management of QinetiQ.

The Shareholder Relationship Agreement entered into between
QinetiQ and MOD at IPO entitled the MOD to nominate one Non-
executive Director to the Board, for so long as the MOD continued to
hold at least 10% of QinetiQ’s issued ordinary share capital. The MOD
sold its entire ordinary shareholding in the Company on 9 September
2008, at which point its right to nominate a Non-executive Director
came to an end. Colin Balmer has been the MOD’s nominated director
since IPO, and notwithstanding the fact he ceased to act in such

capacity on 9 September 2008 for the reasons set out above, he has
continued as a member of the Board throughout the financial year
ended 31 March 2009.

On 30 May 2008, Doug Webb resigned as Chief Financial Officer
to join The London Stock Exchange Group plc and was replaced by
David Mellors, who joined the Board as an Executive Director on
20 August 2008.

The Directors are responsible for the management of the business
of the Group and their powers are subject to the Memorandum and
Articles of Association and any applicable legislation and regulation.

Rules concerning the appointment and replacement of Directors of
the Company are contained in the Articles of Association and changes
to these articles must be submitted to shareholders for approval.

Directors’ independence
Of the current Directors of the Company, the Board considers Sir David
Lees, Nick Luff, Dr Peter Fellner, Noreen Doyle and Admiral Edmund P.
Giambastiani to be independent of QinetiQ’s executive management
and free from any business or other relationships that could materially
interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. Of the
remaining Non-executive Directors, the Board considers that both Sir
John Chisholm and Colin Balmer are not independent for Combined
Code purposes, Sir John on the basis that he was formerly QinetiQ’s
Chief Executive Officer and exercised certain executive responsibilities
until 1 October 2006, and Mr Balmer as he was (until MOD sold its
entire ordinary shareholding in the Company on 9 September 2008)
the MOD’s nominated director.

Based on the above, the Board considers that over half of its members
were independent Non-executive Directors throughout the last
financial year.

Board structure
The Board considers that the skills and experience of its individual
members, particularly in the areas of UK/US defence and security,
the commercialisation of innovative technologies, corporate finance
and mergers and acquisitions, have been fundamental in the pursuit
of QinetiQ’s growth strategies (as described in the Chief Executive
Officer’s Review section of this Annual Report) in the past year. In
addition, the quoted company experience available to members of
the Board in a variety of industry sectors and international markets
has also been invaluable to the Group as it seeks to penetrate
new markets and geographic territories.

Operation of the Board
The Board is responsible for managing the Group’s operations and, in
this capacity, determines the Group’s strategic and investment policies.
The Board also monitors the performance of the Group’s senior
management team (which is known as the QinetiQ Executive Team)
and organises its business to have regular interaction with key
members of the Group, including those based in North America.
The following is a summary of the approach taken by the Board to
corporate governance in the financial year ended 31 March 2009:

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•

•

•

•

The Board has agreed a schedule which contemplates eight Board
meetings being held in each financial year. Members of the Board
are also invited to attend a dinner on the occasion of each Board
meeting, which assists in the process of relationship building and
ensuring that key strategic initiatives are thoroughly discussed.
The Board intends to hold two of its scheduled meetings in
the US in each financial year, to give members of the Board an
opportunity to meet with senior management in the QinetiQ
North America region. It is proposed that a further two Board
meetings will be held at QinetiQ UK sites each year to provide
members of the Board with greater opportunity to understand
the operational dynamics of the EMEA business at first hand.

The Board receives written reports from the CEO and CFO each
month, together with a separate report on investor relations
(which is prepared in consultation with QinetiQ’s brokers) and
a report produced by the Company Secretary on key legal and
regulatory issues affecting the Group. The Board also considers
reports from the respective Chairmen of the Committees of the
Board at the next scheduled Board meeting following the date
on which each Committee Meeting was held.

The CEO’s monthly report addresses the key strategic initiatives
impacting the Group since the previous meeting of the Board,
and focuses in particular on the progress of each of the QNA,
EMEA and Ventures businesses. Other key areas of focus include
health, safety and environmental matters, employee and
organisational issues, corporate responsibility, the status of
key account management/customer relationship initiatives, the
pipeline of potential bids, acquisitions, disposals and investments,
and post-acquisition performance of recently acquired businesses.
Of particular significance on the transactional front in the last
financial year was the consideration given by the Board to the
acquisitions of Dominion Technology Resources, Inc and Spectro
Inc in QNA and Commerce Decisions Limited in EMEA, as well as
the integration of recently completed US acquisitions into the
newly created Technology Solutions/System Engineering/Mission
Solutions structure in QNA and the Australian Consulting business
in EMEA. The Board also oversaw the conclusion of the £150m
Maritime Strategic Capabilities Agreement in partnership with
the MOD in the last financial year, and the programme of work
to progress the contractual arrangements for the Defence
Training Rationalisation programme (conducted through Metrix).
Significant attention was also focused on setting the strategic
direction for both the EMEA and Ventures businesses, with the
key emphasis in EMEA being on the alignment of investment
opportunities with high value growth propositions, whereas
cost containment, investment prioritisation and accelerating
realisation opportunities represented the strategic focus for
Ventures. Any proposed acquisitions, disposals and investments
which exceed the CEO’s delegated authority are considered by
the Board in the context of the CEO’s report.

The CFO’s monthly report addresses the financial performance
and outlook of the Group and each of the sectors, both on a
monthly and year-to-date basis, with the key performance
indicators analysed by the Board being those identified on
pages 38 and 39. The Group Risk Register also forms part of the
CFO’s report on a quarterly basis and tracks the ‘Principal risks
and uncertainties’ identified on pages 40 to 42 of the Business
Review; the Risk Register (which underwent significant review
and modification in the year) includes an analysis of the potential
severity of each risk (as a function of the likelihood of impact), the
assumptions underlying each risk, the actions required to manage
the risk and the relevant key performance indicators for each
headline risk. The risk owners present an update of mitigating
actions and a status update to the Board by rotation. An important
feature of QinetiQ’s financial management activities in the last

financial year related to the Private Placement transaction,
which completed in February 2009, and is described in more
detail in the Chief Financial Officer’s Review. The CFO also reports
on a monthly basis, as part of his investor relations report, on the
key issues raised by shareholders, potential investors and other
important stakeholders on QinetiQ’s performance and key
strategic initiatives.

• On at least two occasions each year, one of the sector heads will
give a presentation to the Board on the key strategic, operational
and performance issues impacting their business. The Board also
receives updates from the CEO’s key functional reports on an
‘as needed’ basis, on issues such as Human Resources, Treasury,
Corporate Responsibility, Real Estate and Pensions, throughout the
financial year. The Board devotes one entire meeting each year to
consider strategy and planning issues impacting the Group, from
which the five-year corporate plan is generated. A key part of this
process involves the Board having the opportunity to question
the sector heads and the Executive Directors in relation to the
formulation of the corporate plan at sector level and the impact of
these plans on the Group strategy as a whole. The Non-executive
Directors also have an opportunity to meet with other members of
staff within the QinetiQ Group (including, but not limited to, other
members of the senior management team) at lunchtime/evening
events, which are scheduled to coincide with Board meetings.
During the last financial year, two such events were held at QNA
facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts and the Kennedy Space
Center, Florida and the Board also had the opportunity to review
QinetiQ’s technology capabilities at its Farnborough site.

•

The Board operates through a comprehensive set of processes,
which define the schedule of matters to be considered by the
Board and its Committees during the annual business cycle,
the level of delegated authorities (both financial and non-
financial) available to both Executive Directors and other layers
of management within the business, and QinetiQ’s Business
Ethics, Risk Management and Health, Safety and Environmental
processes. The Board also has a clearly articulated set of matters
which are specifically reserved to it for consideration, which
include reviewing the annual budgets, raising indebtedness,
granting security over Group assets, approving Group strategy and
the corporate plan, approval of the annual and interim report and
accounts, approval of significant investment, bid, acquisition and
divestment transactions, approval of Human Resources policies
(including pension arrangements), reviewing material litigation
and monitoring the overall system of internal controls, including
risk management.

• During the last financial year, the Board approved a new Group

Ethics policy, and oversaw the introduction of a new UK Code
of Conduct and “hotline” whistleblower programme (to mirror
the whistleblower programme already in place within QNA).
This activity resulted in a decision to extend the remit of the
Compliance Committee to cover Group Ethics and the Proxy
Regime, as well as the operation of the Compliance Regime
(as described in more detail below). QinetiQ has been a member
of the UK Defence Industry Anti-corruption Forum since 2006,
the primary objective of which is to promote ‘the prevention of
corruption in the international defence markets’. In furtherance of
this objective, QinetiQ has put in place internal procedures which
are designed not only to comply with, but to exceed, international
best practice in this area. This is facilitated by the engagement of
an independent, internationally recognised organisation known
as TRACE (Transparent Agents and Contracting Entities) which
conducts anti-bribery due diligence reviews and compliance
training on behalf of the Group, particularly in circumstances in
which QinetiQ is planning to engage third-party agents overseas.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Performance of the Board
During the financial year ended 31 March 2009, QinetiQ conducted its
third evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees
since IPO, which was the first such exercise to be conducted by external
facilitators. The external facilitators engaged on this programme used
the core conclusions arising out of the prior year’s self assessment
exercise as a reference point for creating a detailed Board questionnaire,
which was supplemented by additional questions focused on best
practice areas of corporate governance. Each member of the Board
(together with members of the QinetiQ Executive Team) responded
to the questionnaire, and also participated in a face-to-face interview
with the external facilitators, at which the performance of the Board as
a whole, as well as its Committees, was discussed in detail. In addition
to the external evaluation exercise, the Chairman held meetings
individually with each of the Directors at which the performance of the
Board, its Committees and individual Board members was discussed;
Sir David Lees, in his capacity as the Senior Independent Non-executive
Director, also met with individual members of the Board to evaluate
the performance of the Chairman. The evaluation process revealed
that, in virtually all areas, the operation of the Board and its Committees
had improved in the last 12 months, with the Board concluding that
its business was conducted in a positive manner, with the Board
possessing both a strong sense of openness and good levels of
challenge, and having devoted increased attention to strategic planning
and the delivery of continuous improvement in the year. As a result of
the evaluation exercise, the Board agreed to maintain its focus on
succession planning in the coming year, as well as increasing the level
of attention given to people and cultural issues at the Board level.

As a separate exercise, the Chairman has held various meetings with
the Non-executive Directors in the last financial year, without the
Executive Directors present, in order to review both the operation of
the Board and the performance of the Executive Directors. In addition,
the Executive Directors were appraised as part of the annual salary
review process, which was overseen by the Remuneration Committee.

Directors’ induction, training and information
All newly appointed Directors participate in an induction programme,
which is tailored to meet their specific needs in relation to information
on the Group. This induction programme includes an induction pack,
which is refreshed to ensure it contains the most up-to-date information
available on the Group.

All Directors are encouraged to visit QinetiQ’s principal sites and
to meet a wide cross-section of the employee base. During the last
financial year, the Board held two of its meetings at QinetiQ facilities
located in Waltham, Massachusetts and the Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, which allowed members of the Board to better appreciate
the operational dynamics and technical offerings of QNA’s Technology
Solutions business (in particular, the Talon® and Last® Armor
programmes) and the Mission Solutions division. The Board also
held one of its meetings at QinetiQ’s Farnborough site, in advance
of which a tour was arranged to provide members of the Board
with exposure to a number of QinetiQ’s technologies (in the area
of robotics, acoustics and UAVs) and corporate responsibility initiatives
(including QinetiQ’s STEM outreach programme).

Training is also available to the Board on key business issues or
developments in policy, regulation or legislation on an ‘as needed’
basis. In the last year, specific training was provided on the law relating
to the management of conflicts of interest contained in the recently
introduced Companies Act 2006 and guidance was provided on the
policies to be adopted by the Board in that regard. Members of the
Board addressed this issue by responding to a detailed questionnaire,
designed to identify actual or potential conflict of interest situations;
the outputs of this exercise (which principally concerned the potential
for conflicts arising from other directorships held by members of the
Board, both within the QinetiQ Group and externally) were subsequently
reviewed by the Board, it being noted that in each situation, the
potential conflict had either been avoided or declared in advance.

Each of the Directors has access to the services of the Company
Secretary, and there is also an agreed procedure for the Directors
to seek independent advice at the Company’s expense.

Directors’ responsibilities
Statements explaining the Directors’ responsibilities for preparing
the Group’s financial statements and the auditors’ responsibilities
for reporting on those statements are set out on pages 64 and 65.

Other Directors’ information
Details of Executive Directors’ service contracts and the Non-executive
Directors’ letters of appointment are set out in the Report of the
Remuneration Committee. Copies of Directors’ service contracts
and letters of appointment will be available for inspection at the
Company’s Annual General Meeting.

In October 2006, Sir John Chisholm, was appointed Chairman of the
Medical Research Council, a role for which he does not take a fee. Each
serving member of the Board will be put forward for re-election at the
Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2009.

Other Management Committees
Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Group’s activities,
with the exception of QinetiQ’s North American operations (which are
managed through the Proxy Board, as described in the section below
headed ‘Management and control of US subsidiaries’), is conducted
through the QinetiQ Executive Team (QET). The QET is comprised
of the Group CEO, Group CFO, CEO QNA, General Counsel/Company
Secretary, Group Head of Compliance, Chief Technology Officer,
Group Head of HR and Communications Director. The QET meets on
a monthly basis, and receives weekly updates on key operational issues
by way of pre-scheduled conference calls. The activities of the QET are
supplemented by the Proxy Board and Executive Management Team in
QNA, the EMEA Executive Management Team and the Ventures Board.
Separate committees have also been established to review Group
strategy in the areas of Technology, Communications and Corporate
Responsibility, each of which meet on a periodic basis.

Committees of Directors
The Board has established four principal committees, being the
Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Nominations
Committee and the Compliance Committee, each of which operates
within written terms of reference approved by the Board, details of
which are set out in the Investor Relations section of QinetiQ’s website
(www.QinetiQ.com). Each Chairman of the Board Committee reports
on the key issues discussed, and decisions taken, at the next meeting
of the Board following the Committee meeting in question.

Details of each of these Committees are summarised below.

Audit Committee
Chairman: Nick Luff
Members: Noreen Doyle, Dr Peter Fellner
Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent Non-
executive Director. The Committee is chaired by Nick Luff, who has
been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England
and Wales since 1991. The Board considers him to have recent and
relevant financial experience given his former roles as CFO of P&O and
P&O Princess Cruises and his current position as Finance Director of
Centrica. The other members of the Committee are Dr Peter Fellner and
Noreen Doyle. The Audit Committee meets as necessary and at least
four times a year. During the financial year ended 31 March 2009, the
Committee met on six occasions. The external auditors have the right
to request that a meeting of the Audit Committee be convened. During
the past financial year, the Committee met with QinetiQ’s external
auditors on two separate occasions without Executive Directors
present to discuss the audit process, and the Committee Chairman
also met with the Group Head of Internal Audit on the same basis.

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial
Controller, Group Head of Internal Audit, the Internal Audit Manager,
and a representative of the external auditors, normally attend Audit
Committee meetings except where not permitted.

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QinetiQ Group plc

Audit Committee
Chairman: Nick Luff
Monitors the Group’s integrity
in financial reporting and
reviews the effectiveness of
the risk management
framework.

Remuneration Committee
Chairman: Dr Peter Fellner
Sets remuneration and
incentives for Executive
Directors; approves and
monitors remuneration and
incentives for the Group.

Nominations Committe
Chairman: Sir David Lees
Ensures that the Board and
Committee composition has
the optimum balance of skills,
knowledge and experience.

Compliance Committee
Chairman: Sir David Lees
Monitors the Group’s
adherence to the MoD
Compliance Regime, as well
as Group Ethics and the DoD
Proxy Regime.

During the last financial year, consideration of the audit process for
the full year and interim results represented the principal areas of
focus for the Audit Committee, which included detailed reviews of
potential write-downs and impairment provisions, such as goodwill
impairment testing on recently completed acquisitions. The
Committee also assessed the effectiveness of the Internal Audit
function, through a balanced scorecard review process designed to
measure the achievement of Internal Audit objectives, which resulted
in the approval of a detailed 12-month work programme for the
function. In the context of the Group’s North American business, the
Committee undertook an in-depth review of the internal controls
environment across the QNA sector, which included an assessment
of the operation of the proxy regime, as well as the integration of
newly acquired US businesses, KPI target setting and the QNA Code
of Conduct. As part of its review of internal controls, the Committee
focused in particular on those matters which had failed to achieve at
least a ‘satisfactory’ audit rating in the year, and the management plans
to address the issues raised by the Internal Audit function. The controls
environment relating to QinetiQ’s treasury activities was a particular
area of focus in the year, with the Group’s risk management strategies
in areas such as foreign exchange, cash management and debt
exposure justifying particular Committee attention. The Committee
also reviewed the activities of the pensions, tax and insurance functions
in detail, as well as overseeing the level of KPMG’s audit fees. The
Committee was also involved in the process of appointing a new Group
Head of Internal Audit, which resulted in Peter Morling taking on this
position in September 2008. The Committee confirms its view that it has
received sufficient reliable and timely information from management
in the last financial year to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities.

In order to safeguard auditor independence and objectivity, the
Committee ensures that any other advisory/consulting services
provided by the auditors do not conflict with their statutory audit
responsibilities and are conducted through entirely separate working
teams; such advisory and/or consulting services only generally cover
regulatory reporting, tax and mergers and acquisitions work. Any
non-audit services conducted by the auditors require the consent of
the Chief Financial Officer or the Chairman of the Audit Committee
before being initiated, with any such services exceeding £50,000 in
value requiring the consent of the Audit Committee as a whole. In the
last financial year, the only non-audit activity conducted by KPMG on
behalf of QinetiQ which exceeded this £50,000 threshold, related to
the provision of Taxation advisory services to the Group, which the
Committee concluded did not create any conflict of interest issues
which might compromise the independence of KPMG audit work. It is
also QinetiQ’s policy that no KPMG employee may be appointed into
a senior position within the QinetiQ Group without the prior approval
of the Chief Financial Officer. The cost of non-audit work undertaken
by the auditors was reviewed by the Committee on several occasions
during the last financial year; this process allows the Committee to
take corrective action if it believes that there is a risk of the auditors’
independence being undermined through the award of such work.

KPMG has been the Company’s auditors since 2003. The members
of the Audit Committee have declared themselves satisfied with the
performance of KPMG as the Company’s auditors in the last financial
year. A rotation of KPMG’s lead audit partner was undertaken during
the previous financial year; it is anticipated that he will continue in
this role for a maximum term of five years.

Remuneration Committee
Chairman: Dr Peter Fellner
Members: Noreen Doyle, Sir David Lees
Each member of the Remuneration Committee is an independent
Non-executive Director. The Committee meets as necessary although
normally not less than three times a year. During the financial year
ended 31 March 2009, the Remuneration Committee met on five
occasions. Although not members of the Committee, the Group
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Group Head of Human
Resources and the Head of Performance and Reward normally attend
Committee meetings, together with representatives of QinetiQ’s
external consultants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, as necessary. Executive
Directors are not present when their own remuneration is being
discussed. Further information on the activities of the Remuneration
Committee during the last financial year are set out in the Report of
the Remuneration Committee on pages 56 to 61.

Nominations Committee
Chairman: Sir David Lees
Members: Colin Balmer, Sir John Chisholm, Noreen Doyle, Dr Peter

Fellner, Admiral Edmund Giambastiani, Nick Luff

In October 2008, the Board resolved that all of the Non-executive
Directors would be appointed to the Nominations Committee.
Prior to this date, the membership of the Committee comprised the
Committee Chairman, Sir David Lees, together with Dr Peter Fellner
and Sir John Chisholm. A majority of members of the Committee
throughout the year were independent Non-executive Directors. The
Committee meets as necessary and when called by its Chair. During
the financial year ended 31 March 2009, the Committee met formally
on three occasions and consulted informally on several other occasions.

The principal focus of the Committee’s activities during the financial
year ended 31 March 2009 was to review QinetiQ’s succession planning
processes at both the Executive and Non-executive Director levels,
and for other key management positions within the Group, which the
Committee considered in terms of the need to plan for immediate cover
in respect of key roles, as well as succession planning to cover vacancies
arising over a two to five-year timeframe. The Committee also reviewed
talent and leadership development initiatives to be introduced across
the business, which included the training programme being developed
with Henley School of Management which is targeted at high potential
employees considered to be of senior executive calibre in the future.
The Committee also oversaw the recruitment process for a new Chief
Financial Officer following Doug Webb’s move to The London Stock
Exchange Group plc, which culminated in the appointment of David
Mellors in August 2008.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Compliance Committee
Chairman: Sir David Lees
Members: Colin Balmer, Sir John Chisholm, Graham Love
QinetiQ’s breadth of technical knowledge and its depth of
understanding of the defence operating environment allows it to serve
the interests of the MOD in two distinct ways. It is able to partner with
other manufacturers in the defence supply chain to develop and deliver
capabilities that give an operational advantage to the armed forces and
also to provide advice to the MOD during the entire procurement cycle.

However, these distinct offerings may lead to a conflict of interest,
which, if unmanaged, could bring into question the MOD’s ability to
be able to rely on impartial advice during any competitive evaluation of a
procurement where QinetiQ wishes to operate on both the ‘buy’ and the
‘supply’ sides. To give MOD customers confidence that QinetiQ is able to
perform these activities, QinetiQ is required by its Articles of Association
to implement a Compliance Regime, which was established on its
creation out of DERA. Central to this Regime is the requirement for
QinetiQ to seek permission from the MOD prior to providing commercial
defence services to others where there is potential for a conflict of
interest with the services that QinetiQ provides to the MOD.

In designing the Compliance Regime, the MOD and QinetiQ sought
to achieve a balance between meeting the needs of the procurement
customers within the MOD (principally Defence Equipment and
Support) and the need to allow QinetiQ flexibility to exploit research
into the supply chain and pursue its planned commercial activities,
without compromising the defence or security interests of the UK. The
Compliance Regime is largely self-policing, in that it is applied by QinetiQ
in respect of its activities without extensive intervention or oversight by
the MOD. Since the inception of the Compliance Regime, over 97% of the
requests to the MOD to allow QinetiQ to operate on the supply side of
the commercial defence market have been approved. Oversight of the
operation of the Regime is provided by the Compliance Committee,
chaired by Sir David Lees. Colin Balmer, a Non-executive Director, is
a member of the Committee, as are the Group Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. The Board nominates two senior executives to act as
Compliance Implementation Director and Compliance Audit Director.

QinetiQ’s Compliance Committee meets on four occasions each year
to monitor the operation of the Regime. It receives a report from the
Company’s Compliance Implementation Director which describes
the permissions which have been sought and granted since the last
meeting of the Committee, and the status of projects where the
potential conflicts of interest are being managed. The Committee
also receives, from the Compliance Audit Director, a report on the
effectiveness of the controls that are in place to ensure that the
Regime is operated correctly. The Committee is the forum that would
address any issues arising out of QinetiQ’s failure to comply with the
requirements of the Regime. The Committee reviews the systems
that support the Compliance Regime and those that may impact it,
directing changes if appropriate. A computer-based training package
continues to be used to ensure that all relevant employees have a
satisfactory knowledge of the operation of the Regime. For key roles,
competence is demonstrated by passing a mandatory test annually.

The MOD reviews the operation and effectiveness of the Compliance
Regime, through its right to have an observer at the Compliance
Committee meetings.

During the year, a total of seven new permissions were sought from
the MOD under the Compliance Regime, where potential conflicts of
interest were identified by QinetiQ, with three permission requests
being outstanding from the previous year. Of these ten requests, eight
were approved, one was not pursued and one remained outstanding
at the end of March 2009. At the end of the year, 24 firewalls were in
place, with seven being established and ten being closed down during
the year. Since vesting in 2001, a total of 117 firewalls have operated
with 93 now closed. No breaches of the MOD Compliance Regime have
been noted during the year. A firewall is a series of rules and procedures
governing written and oral communication between staff contributing
to products in an MOD competition with industry (outside the wall)

and staff assessing those products for MOD (inside the wall).

The Compliance Committee also provides oversight of other significant
compliance issues, particularly: the activities that fall within the scope
of the Helsinki Protocol covering trials involving human volunteers;
the Group’s Business Ethics policy; and the requirements of the Proxy
Regime as described below.

Going concern
The Group’s activities, combined with the factors that are likely to
affect its future development and performance, are set out in the Chief
Executive’s review on pages 8 to 16 and in the Performance Review on
pages 17 to 31. The Chief Financial Officer’s report on pages 32 to 37
sets out the financial position of the Group along with a description of
its cash flows, borrowing facilities and liquidity. Additionally, note 27 to
the financial statements includes the Group’s policies and processes
for managing both its capital and financial risks. Note 27 also provides
details of the Group’s hedging activities, details of its financial
instruments and its exposure to liquidity and credit risk.

The Group has several long-term contracts with a number of
customers and suppliers spread across different geographies and
industries and, as a result, the Directors believe that the Group is well
positioned to manage its overall business risks successfully despite the
current economic outlook.

After making the appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a
reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
Consequently, the Annual Report and Accounts have been prepared
on a going concern basis.

Communication with shareholders
The Company attaches significant importance to the effectiveness of
its communications with shareholders. During the last financial year,
the Company has maintained regular dialogue with institutional
shareholders and the financial community, which has included
presentations of the full-year and interim results (including investor
‘road shows’ held in the UK, Europe and US), regular meetings with
major shareholders and industry analysts, participation in stockbrokers’
seminars and investor site visits. In addition, each member of the
Board attended the Company’s Annual General Meeting in July 2008
and a number of Non-executive Directors attended key shareholder
events in the last financial year, including the full-year and interim
results presentations, at which they were available to take questions
from shareholders. All shareholders and potential shareholders can
gain access to the Annual Report, presentations to investors and other
significant information about the QinetiQ Group on the Company’s
website at www.QinetiQ.com.

Holders of ordinary shares may attend the Company’s AGM at which
the Company highlights key business developments during the year
and at which shareholders have an opportunity to ask questions. The
chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations and Compliance
Committees will be available to answer any questions on the work of
the Committees. The Company confirms that it will send the AGM
Notice and relevant documentation to all shareholders at least 20
working days before the date of the AGM. For those shareholders who
have elected to receive communications electronically, notice is given
of the availability of documents on the Investor Relations Section of
the Group’s website.

All shareholders will be entitled to vote on the resolutions put to the
AGM and, to ensure that all votes are counted, a poll will be taken on
all the resolutions in the Notice of Meeting. The results of the votes
on the resolutions will be published on the Company’s website.

Responsibility for maintaining regular communications with
shareholders rests with the Executive Team, led by the Chief Executive
Officer, assisted by an investor relations function which reports to the
Chief Financial Officer. The Board is informed on a regular basis of key
shareholder issues, including share price performance, the composition

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Attendance at Board and Committee meetings April 2008 – March 2009

Colin Balmer
Sir John Chisholm
Noreen Doyle
Dr Peter Fellner
Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani
Sir David Lees
Graham Love
Nick Luff
David Mellors(1)
Doug Webb(2)

Board
10/10
10/10
10/10
10/10
9/10
10/10
10/10
10/10
6/6
3/3

Remuneration
Committee
–
–
5/5
5/5
–
5/5
–
–
–
–

Audit
Committee
–
–
6/6
6/6
–
–
–
6/6
–
–

Compliance
Committee
4/4
4/4
–
–
–
4/4
4/4
–
–
–

Nominations
Committee
–
3/3
–
2/3
–
3/3
–
–
–
–

(1) David Mellors was appointed to the Board on 20 August 2008.
(2) Doug Webb resigned from the Board on 30 May 2008.

of the shareholder register and City expectations. The Chairman,
the Senior Independent Director and Non-executive Directors make
themselves available to meet with shareholders as required.

Management and control of US subsidiaries
QinetiQ’s principal US subsidiaries are currently required by the US
National Industrial Security Program to maintain facility security
clearances and to be insulated from foreign ownership, control or
influence. To comply with these requirements, QinetiQ North America
Operations, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of QinetiQ in the US and the
holding company for the substantive part of QinetiQ’s North American
operations) and the US DoD have entered into a proxy agreement
that regulates the ownership, management and operation of these
companies. Pursuant to this proxy arrangement, QinetiQ has appointed
four US citizens (an additional proxy holder having been appointed
in the last financial year) holding requisite US security clearances as
proxy holders to exercise the voting rights of QinetiQ North America
Operations, LLC’s shares in the US subsidiaries. The proxy holders are also
appointed as directors of the relevant US subsidiaries and, in addition
to their powers as directors, have power under the proxy arrangements
to exercise all prerogatives of share ownership of QinetiQ North America
Operations, LLC. The proxy holders agree to perform their role in the best
interests of QinetiQ North America Operations, LLC and consistent with
the national security concerns of the US. QinetiQ does not have any
representation on the boards of the subsidiaries covered by the proxy
agreement and does not have the right to attend board meetings.
QinetiQ may not remove the proxy holders except for acts of gross
negligence or wilful misconduct or for breach of the proxy agreements
(with the consent of the US Defense Security Service).

Internal controls
The Board is ultimately responsible for the Group’s system of internal
control and for reviewing its effectiveness in safeguarding the
shareholders’ interests and the Company’s assets. However, such a
system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure
to achieve business objectives, and can provide only reasonable and
not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. QinetiQ
managers are responsible for the identification and evaluation of
significant risks applicable to their areas of business, together with the
design and operation of suitable internal controls to ensure effective
mitigation. These risks, which are related to achievement of business
objectives, are assessed on a continual basis and may be associated
with a variety of internal and external events, including control
breakdowns, competition, disruption, regulatory requirements and
natural and other catastrophes.

A process of hierarchical self-certification has been established within
the organisation which provides a documented and auditable trail
of accountability for the operation of the system of internal control.

This process is informed by a rigorous and structured self-assessment
that addresses all of the guidance cited in the Combined Code. The
process provides for successive assurances to be given at increasingly
higher levels of management and, finally, to the Board. The process is
informed by the Internal Audit function, which also provides a degree
of assurance as to the operation and validity of the system of internal
control. Planned corrective actions are independently monitored for
their timely completion. Managers report on risks (which are recorded
at corporate, sector and divisional level of profit and loss, as well as
within all customer-facing projects) and how these are managed on a
monthly basis to the QinetiQ Executive Team and the Board, formally,
on a quarterly basis.

The QinetiQ Executive Team reviews on a monthly basis the risk
management and control process and considers:

•

•

•

the authority, resources and coordination of those involved in the
identification, assessment and management of significant risks
faced by the organisation;

the response to the significant risks which have been identified by
management and others; the monitoring of reports from Group
management; and

the maintenance of a control environment directed towards the
proper management of risk.

The centrally provided internal audit programme is prioritised according
to risks identified by the Company and is integrated across all business
and functional dimensions, thereby reducing issues of overlap or gaps
in coverage. These risks are identified dynamically and the Board is
involved in this process as well as the QinetiQ Executive Team.

The Chief Financial Officer provides to the Board monthly information
that includes key performance and risk indicators. Where areas for
improvement in the system of internal control are identified, the Board
considers the recommendations made by the QinetiQ Executive Team,
the Audit Committee and the Compliance Committee. The Audit
Committee reviews, on behalf of the Board, the key risks inherent in
the business and the system of internal control necessary to manage
such risks and presents its findings to the Board. Internal Audit
independently reviews the risk identification and control processes
implemented by management and reports to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee also reviews the assurance process, ensuring
that an appropriate mix of techniques is used to obtain the level of
assurance required by the Board. It presents its findings to the Board on
a regular basis. The Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the system
of internal control that has been in operation during the financial
year ended 31 March 2009. The Board also routinely challenges
the management to ensure that the systems of internal control are
constantly improving to maintain their continuing effectiveness.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Driving business performance
and shareholder value

“The key purpose of the Committee is to
ensure that the remuneration structure
supports the Company’s strategy and that
we are able to attract, retain and motivate
the very best calibre executives while
aligning their interests with shareholders.”

Dr Peter Fellner
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Introduction
The current economic environment has brought executive
remuneration into the spotlight to a degree rarely seen before.
However, I am pleased to report that QinetiQ’s remuneration policies
continue to meet the three tests that we impose upon them:

Incentivising key executives and managers

•
• Driving superior performance in both the short and long term
•

Alignment with the interests of shareholders.

The Group performed strongly during the past year, but this was partly
assisted by a significant shift in exchange rates. The Company therefore
fell just short of the target threshold for paying out under its short-term
incentive arrangements, since the performance criteria for Annual
Bonus grants are assessed on a constant currency basis.

Nevertheless, we continue to value excellence and, where appropriate,
to reward it. Therefore targeted incentive payments will be made to a
small number of employees across a range of levels within the business.

Looking forward, we are keen to ensure that performance-related
earnings remain just that, and we will take into account the level of the
share price when determining the levels of long-term incentive awards
granted this year. The Committee will be balancing a desire to incentivise
employees appropriately with a need to ensure that any value delivered
by these awards is proportionate to the underlying performance.

Dr Peter Fellner, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

21 May 2009

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Report of the Remuneration Committee
The following Report of the Remuneration Committee has been
approved by the Board for submission to shareholders.

It covers the remuneration of Directors and includes specific
disclosures relating to their emoluments, shares and other interests.
The report also describes the share-based incentive plans available
to Executive Directors and to other employees. This report has been
prepared and, where appropriate audited, in accordance with the
requirements of the Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations
2002, and the FSA Listing Rules.

Membership
The Committee is composed of the following independent
Non-executive Directors:

• Dr Peter Fellner
•
Sir David Lees
• Noreen Doyle

The full Terms of Reference of the Committee can be found on
the QinetiQ website (www.QinetiQ.com). Copies are also available
on request.

Governance
The Committee is chaired by Dr Peter Fellner and all of its members are
independent Non-executive Directors. In the financial year 2008/09,
the Committee met five times.

During the year, the Committee received advice from its appointed
independent advisors, Deloitte LLP (‘Deloitte’). Deloitte provided other
consulting services during the year to QinetiQ, but did not provide
advice on executive remuneration matters other than to the
Committee. Towers Perrin and PwC Monks provide market information.

The Group Chairman, Group Chief Executive, Group HR Director and
Group Head of Reward also provided advice to the Committee. No
employee of QinetiQ is permitted to participate in discussions about
their own remuneration.

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Activities
During 2008/09 the Committee meetings covered a number of
topics including:

April

May

• Approval of Executive Directors FY08 bonuses
• FY09 performance targets
• Approval of Executive Directors salary reviews
• Directors’ Remuneration report
• Approval of Executive team salary reviews

and FY08 bonuses

July

• Approval of Performance Share Plan, Restricted

September

January

Stock Unit and Share Option awards

• Review of Executive team total compensation
• Update on pay trends
• Review of Executive team Shareholdings
• Review of Remuneration Committee Remit
• Vesting of 2006 options
• Review of comparator group

Directors’ remuneration policy
The Committee aims to maintain a remuneration policy, consistent
with the Company’s business objectives, which:

•
•

Attracts, retains and motivates individuals of high calibre; and
Is responsive to both Company and personal performance.

The remuneration policy is built on the following philosophy:

•

Remuneration packages are structured in order to support
business strategy whilst conforming to current best practice.

•

•

Total rewards are achieved through the attainment of stretching
performance targets based on measures which are consistent with
the interests of shareholders.

Transparent disclosure of remuneration will be provided to the
Company’s shareholders.

The total remuneration levels of the Executive Directors are reviewed
annually by the Committee, taking into account:

Performance of the executive;
Competitive market practice and remuneration levels; and
The general economic environment.

•
•
•
Base salary
Executive Directors’ base salaries are reviewed annually on the same
basis as all other employees. Salary changes in June 2008 reflected
market pay levels, together with Company and personal performance.

External remuneration consultants provide data about market salary
levels. For market comparison purposes, account is taken of company
type, sector and measures of company size in terms of both market
capitalisation and turnover.

No salary increase is proposed for Executive Directors in respect of
2009/10.

Benefits
Benefits may include a pension or contribution in lieu, car allowance,
health insurance, life insurance and membership of the Group’s
employee Share Incentive Plan which is open to all UK employees.

The current structure of remuneration (excluding pension) for Executive Directors under this policy is illustrated below:

Fixed reward

Performance-related reward

Short term

Long term

Annual bonus 20%

Performance share plan 40%

Base salary 40%

Benefits

Deferred annual bonus

Each element of an Executive Director’s remuneration package aligns and supports the achievement of different Company objectives.
This alignment is illustrated below:

Component of remuneration

Objective

Performance metrics

Annual Salary

• Recognise skills, experience and responsibility

Not subject to performance, but
increases are based on individual
performance and market data

Annual Bonus and Deferred
Annual Bonus

• Drive achievement of annual business goals
• Provide linkage between short-term and long-term incentives
• Provide a co-investment opportunity
• Provide increased alignment with shareholders

• Operating profit
• Underlying EPS
• Operating cash flow
• Turnover

Performance Share Plan

• Drive earnings growth, share price and dividend growth
• Align with shareholders interests

• EPS growth
• Total shareholder return

Executive Directors are also eligible to participate in All-Employee Share plans.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Annual bonus
Executive Directors participate in an annual cash bonus plan which
is non-pensionable. Bonuses are linked to Group performance targets
and modified for performance against personal objectives. The bonus
potential (and bonus earned in 2008/09) is laid out below, expressed
as a percentage of salary.

The plan is measured, on a constant exchange rate basis, against
four elements:

• Operating Profit
• Underlying EPS
• Operating cash flow
•

Turnover

In the event that the key measure of operating profit is less than
95% target, on a constant exchange rate basis, any bonus payable is
subject to the judgement and evaluation of the Committee, even if
other elements of the targets are met or exceeded. Provided the profit
threshold is met, for each measure the minimum level of performance is
95% of target. Thereafter, the bonus increases proportionately between
95% of the target and 110% of target (120% for operating cash flow).

The corporate bonus may then be adjusted based on the achievement
of personal objectives.

During 2008/09, target operating profit was not achieved when
calculated on a constant exchange rate basis, and therefore Annual
Bonuses have not been awarded to the large majority of potentially
eligible executives and managers.

% of Salary
Graham Love
David Mellors

On Target
payment
50%
50%

Maximum
payment
100%
100%

2008/09 Actual
payment
0%
11%

The payment to David Mellors is in accordance with our policy of making
targeted payments to a small number of employees across the Group,
to recognise exceptional individual performance.

Deferred Annual Bonus (DAB) Plan
The Deferred Annual Bonus (DAB) Plan aligns the interests of
executives with shareholders and aids retention of key individuals by
ensuring that executives are incentivised to take part of their annual
bonus awards in shares rather than cash.

Under this arrangement executives may voluntarily defer up to 50% of
their bonus into QinetiQ shares. Executive Directors typically have a
mandatory deferral of 30% of any bonus payable. Any deferred bonus
will be matched based on EPS performance up to a maximum match
of 100% of the deferred element.

The EPS element is earned only if EPS growth, measured over three
years, exceeds defined targets. EPS must grow by at least 22.5% to
trigger any vesting, at which point 25% of the award will vest. Vesting
increases pro rata to EPS growth up to a maximum of 100% of the
award vesting at 52% EPS growth as illustrated below.

Awards are in the form of matching shares delivered after three years,
subject to the achievement of EPS-based performance conditions.

Where an individual participates in the DAB and also receives an award
under the Performance Share Plan (PSP), they will not receive share
awards which, in aggregate, exceed 150% of their base salary in any
one year.

Long-term incentives for Executive Directors
The objective is to align the rewards of executives with returns
to shareholders by focusing on increasing the share price over the
medium to long term. Executive Directors are eligible to participate in
both the PSP and the DAB Plan.

These arrangements are the principal means for long-term
incentivisation of the Executive Directors and the direct reports of the
CEO. The Committee considered potential performance conditions and
determined that the conditions set out below were appropriate to
incentivise the long-term creation of shareholder value.

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Awards of performance shares were made to Executive Directors
and a limited number of other senior executives in July 2008 or on
joining. Share awards are contingent on meeting pre-determined
performance criteria. Individual participants’ award levels are
determined by the Committee annually, with due regard to business
and personal performance.

Executive Directors are eligible to receive awards with a face value
of up to 100% of base salary and other executives up to 75% of
base salary.

Awards are earned based on an equal weighting of relative total
shareholder return (TSR) performance and absolute underlying
earnings per share (EPS) growth.

The EPS performance criteria for PSP is the same as that applied
to the DAB (outlined above).

The TSR part of the award is measured against the constituents
of a comparator group of companies:

Babcock International plc
BAE Systems plc
BBA Aviation plc
Bodycote International plc
Capita Group plc
Chemring Group plc
Cobham plc
Cookson Group plc
Detica plc
Enodis plc
FKI plc
GKN plc
Halma plc

IMI plc
Invensys plc
Logica plc
Meggitt plc
The Morgan Crucible Company plc
Rolls-Royce plc
Serco plc
Tomkins plc
Ultra Electronics plc
VT Group plc
Victrex Group plc
WS Atkins plc

The TSR element is earned only if relative performance is at least at
median against this comparator group over a three-year performance
period, calculated by an independent third party. The graph below
illustrates the TSR performance condition:

3 Year EPS
Absolute
Growth

100%

30%

%
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Perf vs Comparators

22.5%

52%

EPS performance

Median

Upper quartile

TSR performance

100%

25%

%
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Performance graph
The graph below compares the Company’s TSR over the period from
flotation to 31 March 2009 compared to the FTSE 250 and FTSE 350
Aerospace & Defence indices over the same period. These were chosen
for comparison as QinetiQ is a constituent of both indices.

Relative total shareholder return
150

130

110

90

70

50

9 Feb 06

31 Mar 06

31 Mar 07

31 Mar 08

31 Mar 09

Pensions
The Group’s policy is to offer all UK employees membership of the
QinetiQ Pension Scheme, as described in note 39 to the financial
statements. Executives whose benefits are likely to exceed the
Lifetime Allowance may opt out of the QinetiQ Pension Plan. In
such cases, the individual will be paid a salary supplement in lieu
of pension contributions.

Contributions to the Defined Contribution section of the QinetiQ
Pension Scheme were as follows:

Executive Directors
David Mellors
Former Directors
Doug Webb

2009

£36,846

£10,500
£47,346

2008

–

£59,545
£59,545

QinetiQ

FTSE 250

FTSE 350 Aerospace and Defence

Graham Love receives contributions in lieu of a pension.

Directors’ remuneration

The information about Directors’ remuneration and Directors’ interests on pages 59 to 61 has been audited. Where Executive Directors were
appointed or resigned during the year, but have been employees of QinetiQ for the whole year, the sums shown reflect the elements of their
remuneration over the period of their directorship.

The table below shows the aggregate remuneration of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2009.

Executives
Graham Love
David Mellors(c)
Non-Executives
Sir John Chisholm
Sir David Lees
Nick Luff
Peter Fellner
Noreen Doyle
Colin Balmer
Admiral Ed Giambastiani
Former Directors
Doug Webb(d)
George Tenet
Total

Salary/fees(a)

Bonus

£391,667
£184,231

£215,000
£64,000
£47,000
£47,000
£40,000
£40,000
£61,700

£59,163
–
£1,149,761

–
£20,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
£20,000

Other(b)

benefits

£96,342
£11,766

£15,100
–
–
–
–
–
–

£2,604
–
£125,812

Total 2009

Total 2008

£488,009
£215,997

£230,100
£64,000
£47,000
£47,000
£40,000
£40,000
£61,700

£640,045
–

£220,765
£57,000
£43,500
£43,500
£37,500
£37,500
£29,128

£61,767
–
£1,295,573

£515,342
£50,464
£1,674,744

Notes:
(a) Before adjustments to basic pay for SMART pensions.
(b)
(c) David Mellors was appointed as a Director on 20 August 2008.
(d) Doug Webb resigned as a Director with effect from 30 May 2008.

Includes car allowance, health insurance benefits and payments in lieu of pension.

Personal shareholding policy
The Committee believes that a powerful way to align Executives’
interests with those of shareholders is for the Executives to build
up and retain a personal holding in QinetiQ shares.

The CEO and CFO are required to hold the equivalent of one times
their base salary in QinetiQ shares. David Mellors, having joined on
20 August 2008, has been given four years to build up such a
shareholding. The Chief Executive meets the Committee’s guideline
on minimum shareholding requirement.

Direct reports of the CEO should hold the equivalent of 50% of their
base salary in shares. These can be accumulated over a four-year
period following appointment.

External appointments
QinetiQ allows its Executive Directors to broaden their knowledge
and experience by becoming Non-executive directors of other
companies. Appointments are approved by the Board or the
Committee on the basis that there is no conflict of interest or
deterioration in the Executives Directors’ performance. Fees are
normally retained by the individual. During the year ended 31 March
2009, none of the Executive Directors held such an appointment at
a public company.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Directors’ terms and conditions

The information in this section has been audited. Service agreements for the Executive and the Non-executive Directors are reviewed annually
and amended as appropriate.

Notice to be given by the Company

Date of most recent Service Agreement

Date of appointment

Executives
Graham Love
David Mellors(a)
Non-executives
Sir John Chisholm
Sir David Lees
Nick Luff
Peter Fellner
Noreen Doyle
Colin Balmer
Admiral Ed Giambastiani
Former Directors
Doug Webb

12 months
12 months

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

12 months

1 December 2005
20 May 2008

1 October 2006
16 February 2006
16 February 2006
16 February 2006
16 February 2006
16 February 2006
1 February 2008

1 October 2005

February 2003
August 2008

February 2003
August 2005
June 2004
September 2004
October 2005
February 2003
February 2008

September 2005

Notes
(a) David Mellors was appointed on 20 August 2008.

QinetiQ’s policy is that Executive Directors should have contracts with
a rolling term providing for a maximum of one year’s notice.
Consequently, no Executive Director has a contractual notice period in
excess of 12 months. In the event of early termination, this ensures
that compensation is restricted to a maximum of 12 months’ basic
salary and benefits. The Committee will generally require mitigation to
reduce the compensation payable to a departing Executive Director.

Non-executive Directors’ terms, conditions and fees
The Chairman reviews the fees of the Non-executive Directors and
makes recommendations to the Board. Non-executive Directors receive
additional fees as agreed by the Board for the chairmanship of Board
committees to take account of the additional responsibilities of the
role. The Chairman’s fees are reviewed by the Senior Independent
Non-executive Director who makes recommendations to the Board.

The level of fees paid in UK organisations of a similar size and
complexity to QinetiQ is considered in setting remuneration policy for
Non-executive Directors. The fees are neither performance related nor
pensionable. Non-executive Directors are not eligible to participate in
bonus, profit sharing or employee share schemes.

Current fee structures for Non-executive Directors are shown below.

Non-executive Chairman

Basic fee for UK Non-executive Director

Basic fee for US resident Non-executive Director

Additional fee for chairing a Committee

Additional fee to Deputy Chairman/Senior Independent
Non-executive Director

2008/09 Fees
£215,000

£40,000

$100,000

£7,000

£10,000

An additional fee of $4,000 is payable to US resident Non-executive
Directors when they attend Board Meetings in the UK.

The next bi-annual review of fees will take place in October 2009.

Non-executive Directors’ contracts are renewed on a rolling twelve-
month basis subject to reappointment at the Annual General
Meeting. There are no provisions in their contracts for compensation
on early termination.

Share awards for executives and employees
The Committee also oversees arrangements for share-based reward
arrangements in respect of managers and the wider workforce. In
addition to PSP, the Company also operates the following executive share
plans, although Executive Directors do not participate in either plan:

• QinetiQ Share Option Scheme
•

Restricted Stock Units

The Company also operates a Share Incentive Plan for all employees
in the UK and Australia.

QinetiQ Share Option Scheme (QSOS)
Awards were made during the year under QSOS. The plan is used in
EMEA and QNA to align the interests of senior managers who are not
eligible for PSP with the interests of shareholders, by focusing on share
price growth over a 3 to 3.5 year period. Awards are principally subject
to meeting growth targets on an underlying Earnings Per Share basis.

Annual awards up to a face value of 300% of salary can be granted.

Restricted Stock Units (RSU)
RSU awards are used in QinetiQ North America in conjunction with
QSOS. The RSU awards vest evenly over a four-year period. Half of the
award is subject to time-based vesting criteria and half to organic
profit growth of QNA. Organic profit is required to grow by a minimum
of 5% for the performance-linked awards to vest. Maximum vesting
of 12.5% of the award occurs at 15% organic profit growth.

The granting of awards is subject to business performance, balanced
with the need to attract, retain and motivate high calibre employees.

Dilution limits
The Committee has determined that with regard to new issue or
treasury shares, no more than 10% of the Company’s issued share
capital will be used under all of the Company’s share schemes in
accordance with ABI guidelines. The dilution as at 31 March 2009
was significantly below this 10% level, and below 5% in respect of
executive schemes. In addition, the Board intends to continue to satisfy
a proportion of awards with purchased shares held in the employee
benefit trust.

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Directors’ interests
The interests of the Directors in office at 31 March 2009 in the shares of QinetiQ Group plc at that date were as follows:

Interests of Directors in office as at 31 March 2009 (including shares held under SIP and DAB)

Executives
Graham Love
David Mellors(a)
Non-executives
Sir John Chisholm(b)
Sir David Lees
Nick Luff
Dr Peter Fellner
Noreen Doyle
Colin Balmer
Admiral Ed Giambastiani

Number 1p
Ord Shares held
at 1 April 2008

Number 1p
Ord Shares held
at 31 March 2009

Number 1p
Ord Shares held
at 21 May 2009

4,930,627
–

3,731,808
63,000
27,000
17,000
17,000
–
–

5,085,568
–

11,501,016
73,000
50,000
17,000
17,000
–
–

5,085,819
249

11,501,016
73,000
50,000
17,000
17,000
–
–

(a) David Mellors shares reflect his participation in the SIP plan in April and May 2009.
(b) The increase in the interest of Sir John Chisholm reflects the reacquisition of shares following a Capital Gains Tax planning exercise in 2008.

Interests of Directors under long-term incentives

Executive Directors
Graham Love
PSP TSR
PSP EPS
DAB Match
PSP TSR
PSP EPS
David Mellors
PSP TSR
PSP EPS

Former Executive Directors
Doug Webb
QSOS (Approved)
QSOS (Unapproved)
PSP TSR
PSP EPS
TOTAL

Grant
date

Number at
1 April 2008

Granted
in year

Exercised
in year

Lapsed
in year

Number at Market price
on date
of grant(c)

31 March
2009

Earliest
vest date

Latest
vest date

26/07/07
26/07/07
01/07/08
07/08/08
07/08/08

21/08/08
21/08/08

22/02/06
22/02/06
26/07/07
26/07/07

50,288
50,287
–
–
–

–
–
100,575

14,403
230,789
45,259
45,258
436,284

–
–
53,756
100,756
100,755

75,567
75,567
406,401

–
–
–
–
406,401

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

14,403
230,789
45,259
45,258
335,709

50,288
50,287
53,756
100,756
100,755

75,567
75,567
506,976

–
–
–
–
506,976

174p
174p
195.8p
198.5p
198.5p

26/07/10
26/07/10
01/07/11
07/08/11
07/08/11

26/07/10
26/07/10
01/07/11
07/08/11
07/08/11

217.8p(d) 21/08/11
217.8p(d) 21/08/11

21/08/11
21/08/11

208p
208p
174p
174p

Lapsed
Lapsed
Lapsed
Lapsed

Lapsed
Lapsed
Lapsed
Lapsed

(c) Exercise price is quoted for QSOS options.
(d) Awards to David Mellors were based on a market price of 198.5p, as at 7 August 2008.

The interests in the table above are subject to the performance conditions described in note 34. The price of a QinetiQ share at 31 March 2009 was
132.25p. The highest and lowest prices of a QinetiQ share during the year ended 31 March 2009 were 228.25p and 128.50p respectively.

Directors’ interest in the All-Employee Share Incentive Plan

Sir John Chisholm
Graham Love
David Mellors

* Acquired as an Executive Director

Interest as at
1 April 2008
260*
2,377
–

Partnership shares
acquired
during year
–
834
–

Matching shares
appropriated
during year
–
278
–

Dividend shares
allocated
during year
6
73
–

Interest as at
31 March 2009
266
3,562
–

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Other statutory information

Other statutory information

Principal activity
QinetiQ Group plc is a pubic limited company, listed on the London
Stock Exchange and incorporated in England and Wales with registered
number 4586941.

QinetiQ Group plc is the parent company of a Group whose principal
activities during the year were the supply of technology-based solutions
and products and provision of technology-rich support services for
government defence and security organisations, such as the UK MOD
and the US DoD, and for commercial customers around the world.

Research and development
One of the Group’s principal business streams is the provision of
funded research and development for customers. The Group also
invests in the commercialisation of promising technologies across
all areas of business.

The majority of R&D-related expenditure is incurred on behalf of
customers as part of specific funded research contracts. R&D costs
are included in the income statement and R&D income is reflected
within revenue. In the financial year, the Group recorded £468.5m
(2008: £465.9m) of total R&D-related expenditure, of which
£457.0m was customer-funded work (2008: £453.1m).

In the year to 31 March 2009, £11.5m (2008: £12.8m) of internally
funded R&D, was charged to the income statement. £0.2m (2008:
£1.4m) of late-stage development costs were capitalised and £2.4m
(2008: £1.5m) of capitalised development costs were amortised in
the year. Further description of the Group’s research and development
activity is contained in the Performance Review on pages 17-31.

Policy and practice on payment of suppliers
The policy of the Group is to agree terms of payment prior to
commencing trade with a supplier and to abide by those terms based
on the timely submission of satisfactory invoices. At 31 March 2009,
the trade creditors of the Group represented 42 days of annual
purchases (2008: 35 days).

Political and charitable contributions
The Group made no political donations in the year. Charitable
donations during the year across the Group amounted to £133,500
(2008: £184,000).

Share capital
As at 31 March 2009 the Company had:

(1) Authorised share capital of 1,400,000,000 ordinary 1p shares with
aggregate nominal value of £14,000,000 and one Special Share with
an aggregate nominal value of £1.

(2) Allotted and fully paid share capital of 660,476,373 ordinary shares
of 1p each with an aggregate nominal value of £6.6 million (including
shares held by employee share trusts).

Details of the shares issued during the financial year are shown in
note 32 on page 97.

The rights of ordinary shareholders are set out in the Articles of
Association. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive
the Company’s reports and accounts, to attend and speak at General
Meetings of the Company, to exercise voting rights in person or by
appointing a proxy and to receive a dividend where declared or paid
out of profits available for such a purpose.

The Special Share is held by HM Government and it confers certain
rights under the Articles of Association which are detailed in note 32
on page 97. These include the right to require certain persons
with a material interest in QinetiQ to dispose of some or all of their

ordinary shares. The Special Share may only be held by and transferred
to HM Government. At any time the Special Shareholder may require
QinetiQ to redeem the share at par and if wound up the Special
Shareholder would be entitled to be repaid capital before other
shareholders. Any variation of the rights attaching to the Special
Share requires the written approval of the MOD.

Change of control – significant agreements
The following significant agreements contain provisions entitling
the counter parties to require prior approval, exercise termination,
alteration or other similar rights in the event of a change of
control of the Company or if the Company no longer remains
a UK company.

The Combined Aerial Target Service contract is a 20-year contract
awarded to QinetiQ by MOD on 14 December 2006. The terms of
this contract require QinetiQ Limited to remain a UK company which
is incorporated under the laws of any part of the UK or an overseas
company registered in the UK and that at least 50% of the Board of
Directors are UK nationals. The terms also contain change of control
conditions and restricted share transfer conditions which require prior
approval from HM Government if there is a material change in the
ownership of QinetiQ Limited’s share capital, unless the change relates
to shares listed on a regulated market, with material defined as being
10% or more of the share capital. Additionally, there are restrictions
on transfers of shares to persons from countries appearing on the
restricted list as issued by HM Government.

The Long Term Partnering Agreement is a 25-year contract which
QinetiQ Limited signed on 28 February 2003 to provide test, evaluation
and training services to the MOD. This contract contains conditions
where the prior approval of HM Government is required if the
contractor, QinetiQ Limited, ceases to be a subsidiary of the QinetiQ
Group, except where such change in control is permitted under the
Shareholders Agreement to which MOD is a party.

The Company is party to a £500m Revolving Credit Facility with Lloyds
TSB Bank plc (as agent) expiring 19 August 2012. Under the terms
of the Facility, if either (1) the MOD ceases to retain in its capacity
as Special Shareholder its Special Shareholders Rights; or (2) there is
a change of control of the Company, any Lender may request by not
less than 90 days’ notice to the Company, that its commitment be
cancelled and all outstanding amounts be repaid to that lender at
the expiry of such notice period.

On 6 December 2006, QinetiQ North America, Inc (as Borrower) and
the Company (as Guarantor) entered into a Note Purchase Agreement
to issue $135m 5.44% Senior Notes due 6 December 2013 and $125m
5.50% Senior Notes due 6 December 2016. Under the terms of the
agreement, if either (1) the MOD ceases to retain its capacity as
Special Shareholder its Special Shareholders Rights; or (2) there is
a change of control of the Company, and (3) in either case where there
has been a rating downgrade, or where there are no rated securities
(unless a rating of at least investment grade is not obtained within
90 days of the change of control), the Notes must be offered for
prepayment by the Company within 21 days of the change of control.
The prepayment date would be no later than 45 days after the offer
of prepayment by the Company.

On 5 February 2009, QinetiQ North America, Inc (as Borrower) and
the Company (as Guarantor) entered into a Note Purchase Agreement
to issue $62m 7.13% Senior Notes due 5 February 2016 and $238m
7.62% Senior Notes due 5 February 2019. Under the terms of the
agreement, if either (1) the MOD ceases to retain in its capacity as
Special Shareholder its Special Shareholders Rights; or (2) there is
a change of control of the Company, the Notes must be offered for
prepayment within 21 days of the change of control. The prepayment

62

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QinetiQ seeks to utilise a range of communication channels
to employees in order to involve them in the running of the
organisation. This is done using various media including
in-house magazines, intranet, regular newsletters, bulletins,
management briefings, trade union consultation and widespread
training programmes.

Employee Share Scheme
Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited acts as trustee in respect of all
ordinary shares held by employees under the QinetiQ Group plc Share
Incentive Plan (‘the Plan’). Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited will
send a Form of Direction to all employees holding shares under the
Plan, and will vote on all resolutions proposed at general meetings
in accordance with the instructions received. In circumstances where
ordinary shares are held by the corporate sponsored nominee service,
Equiniti Corporate Nominees Limited will send a Proxy Form to all
shareholders utilising such corporate nominee service, and will vote
on all resolutions proposed at general meetings in accordance with
the instructions received.

Auditors
KPMG Audit Plc has expressed their willingness to continue in office
as auditors and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the
Annual General Meeting.
Statement of disclosure of information
to auditors
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’
report have confirmed that, so far as the Directors are aware, there is
no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are
unaware; and the Directors have taken all the steps they reasonably
ought to have taken as Directors to make themselves aware of any
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s
auditors are aware of that information.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 4
August 2009 at 2.00 pm at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers,
1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London SW1H 9JJ. Details of the
business to be proposed and voted upon at the meeting is contained
in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting which is sent to all
shareholders and also published on the website www.QinetiQ.com

By order of the Board

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Lynton Boardman

Company Secretary

85 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6PD
21 May 2009

date would be no later than 45 days after the offer of prepayment by
the Company.

Major shareholders
At 12 May 2009, being the latest practicable date prior to the
issuance of this report, the Group had been notified of the following
shareholdings of at least 3% in the ordinary share capital of the Group:

Lansdowne Partners Ltd
Black Rock Investment Management Ltd
Prudential plc
Standard Life Investments Ltd
Fidelity International Ltd (UK)
MAG
Legal & General
Credit Suisse
Deutsche Bank AG

9.05%
5.24%
5.19%
5.15%
4.97%
5.02%
3.98%
3.16%
3.01%

Allotment/purchase of own shares
At the Company’s AGM held in July 2008, the shareholders
passed resolutions which authorised the Directors to allot relevant
securities up to an aggregate nominal value of £2,388,112, to disapply
pre-emption rights (up to 5% of the issued ordinary share capital)
and for the Company to purchase ordinary shares (up to 10% of its
ordinary share capital). Equivalent resolutions will be laid before
the 2009 AGM.

During the year, the Company provided funding to the trustees of its
employee share schemes to make market purchases of the Company’s
ordinary shares to cover future obligations under outstanding share
option and other share-based awards. Further details are disclosed
in note 33 on page 98.

Restrictions on transfer of shares
As outlined on page 97, the Special Share confers certain rights
under the Company’s Articles of Association to require certain persons
with an interest in QinetiQ’s shares which exceed certain prescribed
thresholds to dispose of some or all of their ordinary shares on grounds
of national security or conflict of interest.

In addition, at IPO, certain members of the senior management
team (which included the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer)
entered into a Lock Up agreement, which prohibited the disposal
of ordinary shares in the Company (save in certain limited
circumstances) for a period of three years ending on 15 February 2009.
The restrictions set out in the Lock Up Agreements terminated on
such date.

Articles of Association
Save in the respect of any variation to the rights attaching to the
Special Share, the Company has not adopted any special rules relating
to the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association other than
as provided under UK corporate law.

Employees
The Group is an equal opportunities employer, upholds the
principles of the UK Employment Service’s ‘Two Ticks’ symbol and
is accredited by Investors in People. Every possible consideration is
given to applications for employment, regardless of gender, religion,
disability or ethnic origin, having regard only to skills and competencies.
This policy is extended to existing employees and any change which
may affect their personal circumstances. The policy is supported by
strategies for professional and career development.

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

63

Directors’Report – Governance
Other Statutory information

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Responsibility statement of the Directors
in respect of the Annual Report
We, the Directors of the Company, confirm that to the best of
our knowledge:

•

•

the financial statements of the Group have been prepared in
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and for the Company
under UK GAAP, in accordance with applicable United Kingdom
law and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial
position and profit or loss of the Group; and
the Directors’ Report includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the Group,
together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
that face the Group.

By order of the Board

Graham Love
Chief Executive Officer

David Mellors
Chief Financial Officer

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and parent
company financial statements for each financial year. Under that
law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and applicable law and
have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements
in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law
(UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Group financial statements are required by law and IFRS as
adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial position and
performance of the Group; the Companies Act 1985 provides in
relation to such financial statements that references in the relevant
part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and fair view
are references to their achieving a fair presentation.

The parent company financial statements are required by law to give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the parent company. In
preparing each of the Group and parent company financial statements,
the Directors are required:

•

•
•

•

•

to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them
consistently;
to make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
to state for the Group financial statements, whether they have
been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU;
to state for the parent company financial statements, whether
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the parent
company financial statements; and
to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless
it is inappropriate to presume the Group and the parent company
will continue in operational business for the foreseeable future.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records
that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the Group and the parent company and enable them to
ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act
1985. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are
reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and
to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also
responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration
Report and Corporate Governance Statement that comply with the
law and those regulations.

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

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Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members  
of QinetiQ Group plc 

Basis of audit opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. 
An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant  
to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and  
the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited. It  
also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and 
judgements made by the Directors in the preparation of the financial 
statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate  
to the Group’s and Company’s circumstances, consistently applied  
and adequately disclosed. 

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

Opinion 
In our opinion: 

•

•

•

•

•

the Group financial statements give a true and fair view, in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, of the state of the 
Group’s affairs as at 31 March 2009 and of its profit for the year 
then ended; 

the Group financial statements have been properly prepared  
in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation; 

the parent company financial statements give a true and fair view, 
in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,  
of the state of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2009; 

the parent company financial statements and the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly 
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985; and 

the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with 
the financial statements. 

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KPMG Audit Plc 
Chartered Accountants  
Registered Auditor 
London  

21 May 2009 

We have audited the Group and parent company financial statements 
(the “financial statements”) of QinetiQ Group plc for the year ending 
31 March 2009 which comprise the Group Income Statement, the 
Group and Parent Company Balance Sheets, the Group Cash Flow 
Statement, the Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense 
and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared 
under the accounting policies set out therein. We have also audited 
the information in the Directors’ Remuneration Report that is 
described as having been audited.  

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. 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 
auditors’ 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 auditors 
The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and  
the Group financial statements in accordance with applicable law  
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted  
by the EU, and for preparing the parent company financial statements 
and the Directors’ Remuneration Report in accordance with applicable 
law and UK Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice) are set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities on 
page 64. 

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements and the part of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited in accordance with 
relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements 
give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements and 
the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited have 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 
and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the  
IAS Regulation. We also report to you whether in our opinion the 
information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the 
financial statements. The information given in the Directors’  
Report includes that specific information presented in the reports  
of the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the Business Review  
that is cross-referred from the Business Review section of the  
Directors’ Report. 

In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has  
not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all  
the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if 
information specified by law regarding Directors’ remuneration  
and other transactions is not disclosed. 

We review whether the Corporate Governance Statement reflects  
the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the 2006 
Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the 
Financial Services Authority, and we report if it does not. We are not 
required to consider whether the Board’s statements on internal 
control cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the 
effectiveness of the Group’s corporate governance procedures  
or its risk and control procedures. 

We read the other information contained in the Annual Report  
and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial 
statements. We consider the implications for our report if we become 
aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies 
with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend  
to any other information. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Consolidated income statement 
For the year ended 31 March 

note 
2, 3 

1,617.3

(1,420.6)

2008 (restated**) 

Before  
acquisition 
amortisation and 
specific non-
recurring items  
1,366.0 

 Acquisition  
amortisation  
and specific  
non-recurring  
items* 
–  

1,617.3

Total
1,366.0

(1,420.6)

(1,206.0) 

(32.6)  

(1,238.6)

(7.2)
7.9

(4.0) 
9.0 

–  
–  

(4.0)
9.0

197.4

165.0 

(32.6)  

132.4

–  

–  

–  
–  

–  

–  
(23.5)  
(23.5)  

7.3  
–  
–  
(16.2)  

(33.5)
(32.4)
131.5

7.3
2.6
(27.4)
114.0

(33.0) 
(5.0) 
127.0 

– 
3.6 
(21.6) 
109.0 

–  
(18.0)  
(50.6)  

(7.0)  
–  
–  
(57.6)  

(33.0)
(23.0)
76.4

(7.0)
3.6
(21.6)
51.4

6.3  

(20.4)

(21.0) 

17.0  

(4.0)

(9.9)  

93.6

88.0 

(40.6)  

47.4

(7.2)
7.9

197.4

(33.5)
(8.9)
155.0

–
2.6
(27.4)
130.2

(26.7)

103.5

all figures in £ million 
Revenue 
Other operating costs excluding depreciation 
and amortisation 
Share of post-tax loss of equity accounted 
joint ventures and associates 
Other income 
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation) 

Depreciation of property, plant and 
equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets  
Group operating profit  

Gain/(loss) on business divestments and 
unrealised impairment of investments 
Finance income 
Finance expense 
Profit before tax 

Taxation expense 
Profit for the year attributable to equity 
shareholders  

Earnings per share 

Basic 
Diluted 
Underlying basic 

16 
2 

14 
12 
3 

5 
6 
6 
4 

7 

33 

10 
10 
10

15.9p

13.4p 

14.3p
14.3p

7.2p
7.2p

* 

** 

Specific non-recurring items include amounts relating to gain/(loss) on business divestments and unrealised impairments of investments and in 2008 the EMEA 
reorganisation costs. 
In 2008, the loss on business divestments and unrealised impairment of investments of £7.0m and the related tax was not disclosed as a specific non-recurring 
item on the face of the income statement. The 2008 comparative has been reclassified to be consistent with the presentation of this item in 2009. 

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Consolidated balance sheet  
As at 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Non-current assets 
Goodwill 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Financial assets 
Equity accounted investments  
Other investments 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax 
Investments 
Non-current assets classified as held for sale 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions  
Financial liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligation  
Deferred tax liability 
Provisions  
Financial liabilities 
Other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets  

Capital and reserves  
Ordinary shares 
Capital redemption reserve 
Share premium account 
Hedging and translation reserve 
Retained earnings 
Capital and reserves attributable to shareholders of the parent company 
Minority interest 
Total shareholders’ funds 

note 

11 
12 
14 
15 
16 
17 

18 
15 
19 

20 

21 

22 
23 
25 

39 
24 
23 
26 
22 

32 
33 
33 
33 
33 

33 

638.5
164.2
332.4
11.6
0.7
15.7
1,163.1

68.3
3.1
532.9
8.6
0.6
1.8
262.1
877.4
2,040.5

(447.2)
(4.3)
(22.1)
(473.6)

(105.2)
(8.9)
(8.8)
(792.6)
(48.7)
(964.2)
(1,437.8)

2008

437.4
109.1
332.4
15.3
9.3
14.7
918.2

56.9
7.4
469.0
3.0
1.3
1.8
24.5
563.9
1,482.1

(374.4)
(31.8)
(11.8)
(418.0)

(23.4)
(30.8)
(13.9)
(415.3)
(47.7)
(531.1)
(949.1)

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602.7

533.0

6.6
39.9
147.6
39.8
368.7
602.6
0.1
602.7

6.6
39.9
147.6
(21.3)
360.1
532.9
0.1
533.0

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 21 May 2009 and were signed on its behalf by: 

 Chief Executive Officer 

 Chief Financial Officer 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Consolidated cash flow statement  
for the year ended 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Net cash inflow from operations before 2008 EMEA reorganisation cost 
Net cash outflow relating to 2008 EMEA reorganisation 
Cash inflow from operations 
Tax paid 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Purchases of intangible assets  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  
(Costs)/proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment  
Equity accounted investments and other investment funding  
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 
Net cash/(debt) acquired with subsidiary undertakings 
Proceeds from sale of equity accounted investment 
Proceeds from sale of interests in subsidiary undertakings 
Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash outflow from repayment of loan notes 
Proceeds from bank borrowings 
Proceeds from loan notes  
Proceeds from US Private Placement 
Payment of deferred finance costs 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends paid to shareholders 
Capital element of finance lease rental payments 
Capital element of finance lease rental receipts 
Net cash inflow from financing activities 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of foreign exchange changes on cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Overdrafts 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

note 
28 

29 

21 
30 
21 

202.2 
(27.0) 
175.2 
(2.5) 
1.0 
(21.3) 
152.4 

(3.3) 
(29.1) 
(1.2) 
(5.8) 
(92.9) 
3.7 
13.7 
7.2 
(107.7) 

(0.5) 
13.3 
– 
210.4 
(1.5) 
(0.8) 
(28.9) 
(2.8) 
3.0 
192.2 

236.9 
5.7 
19.5 
262.1 

262.1 
– 
262.1 

2008
143.9
(5.6)
138.3
(17.7)
1.7
(20.0)
102.3

 (19.9)
(23.7)
14.9
(7.3)
 (106.7)
(2.0)
–
–
(144.7)

(0.1)
87.6
0.5
–
(0.5)
(12.8)
(24.9)
(3.2)
3.0
49.6

7.2
(0.3)
12.6
19.5

24.5
(5.0)
19.5

Reconciliation of movement in net debt  
for the year ended 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year 
Cash flows from (drawdown)/repayment of loans, private placement and other financial 
instruments 
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 
Other non-cash movements including foreign exchange  
Movement in net debt in the year 
Net debt at beginning of year 
Net debt at end of the year 

note 
29 

30 
30 

30 
30 

236.9 

(226.1) 
10.8 
(168.8) 
(158.0) 
(379.9) 
(537.9) 

2008
7.2

(87.3)
(80.1)
1.0
(79.1)
(300.8)
(379.9)

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Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense  
for the year ended 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Currency translation differences 
Decrease in fair value of hedging derivatives 
Movement in deferred tax on hedging derivatives 
Fair value gains on available for sale investments 
Impairment of available for sale investments 
Release of unrealised gain on disposal of businesses 
Actuarial (loss)/gain recognised in the defined benefit pension schemes 
Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax asset due to actuarial movement in pension deficit 
Net income recognised directly in equity 
Profit for the year 
Total recognised income and expense for the year  

Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders of the parent company 
Minority interest 

note 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 

74.0 
(17.6)
4.7 
0.9 
– 
– 
(95.8)
34.1 
0.3 
93.6 
93.9 

93.9 
– 
93.9 

2008
(3.3)
(6.8)
1.9
3.2
(2.9)
(3.5)
65.5
(12.2)
41.9
47.4
89.3

89.3
–
89.3

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements 

1. Significant accounting policies 

Accounting policies 
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently  
to all periods presented in dealing with items which are considered 
material in relation to the Group’s financial statements.  

The Group separately presents acquisition amortisation and  
specific non-recurring items in the income statement which, in the 
judgement of the Directors, need to be disclosed separately by virtue 
of their size and incidence in order for the reader to obtain a proper 
understanding of the financial information. Specific non-recurring 
items include amounts relating to gains and losses on business 
divestments and unrealised impairments of investments and in  
2008 the EMEA reorganisation costs.  

Basis of preparation 
The Group’s financial statements have been prepared and approved 
by the Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRS’) and the Companies 
Act 1985 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Company 
has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in 
accordance with UK GAAP; these are presented on pages 107 to 109.  

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost 
convention, as modified by the revaluation of available-for-sale financial 
assets, and other relevant financial assets and liabilities. Non-current 
assets held for sale are held at the lower of carrying amount and fair 
value less costs to sell. The Group’s functional currency is sterling and 
unless otherwise stated the financial statements are rounded to the 
nearest hundred thousand. 

Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial 
statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings up  
to 31 March 2009. The purchase method of accounting has been 
adopted. For those subsidiary undertakings acquired or disposed in 
the period are included in the consolidated income statement from 
the date control is obtained to the date that control is lost (usually  
on acquisition and disposal respectively). 

A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group has the power to 
govern financial and operating policies in order to obtain benefits. 
Potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible  
are considered when determining control.  

An associate is an undertaking over which the Group exercises 
significant influence, usually from 20% to 50% of the equity voting 
rights, over financial and operating policy. A joint venture is an 
undertaking over which the Group exercises joint control. Associates 
and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method  
from the date of acquisition up to the date of disposal. The Group’s 
investments in associates and joint ventures are held at cost including 
goodwill on acquisition and any post-acquisition changes in the 
Group’s share of the net assets of the associate less any impairment 
to the recoverable amount. Where an associate or joint venture has 
net liabilities, full provision is made for the Group’s share of liabilities 
where there is a constructive or legal obligation to provide additional 
funding to the associate or joint venture.  

The financial statements of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 
are adjusted where necessary to ensure compliance with Group 
accounting policies. 

On consolidation, all intra-group income, expenses and balances  
are eliminated.  

Revenue 
Revenue represents the value of work performed for customers,  
and is measured net of value added and other sales taxes on the 
following bases: 

Long-term contracts 
The majority of the Group’s long-term contract arrangements are 
accounted for under IAS 11 Construction Contracts. Sales are 
recognised once the Group has obtained the right to consideration  
in exchange for its performance. This is typically when title passes  
or contractually agreed-upon milestones are reached and accepted  
by the customer. No profit is recognised on contracts until the 
outcome of the contract can be reliably estimated. Profit is calculated 
by reference to reliable estimates of contract revenue and forecast 
costs after making suitable allowances for technical and other risks 
related to performance milestones yet to be achieved. When it is 
probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, 
the expected loss is recognised immediately as an expense.  

Goods sold and services rendered 
Sales of goods and the provision of services not under long-term 
contract are recognised in the income statement when the significant 
risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the 
customer and revenue and costs can be reliably measured.  

Cost-plus contracts 
Revenue on cost-plus and time-and-materials contracts is recognised 
as work is performed. 

Royalties and Intellectual property  
Royalty revenue is recognised on the earlier of the date on which the 
income is earned and measurable with reasonable certainty or cash  
is received. Intellectual property revenue can be attributed to either 
perpetual licences or limited licences. Limited licences are granted  
for a specified time period or geographic region or specific application 
and revenue is recognised over the period of the licence. Perpetual 
licences are granted for unspecified applications, unlimited 
geographic regions or unlimited time frames and are recognised 
when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to  
the customer. 

Segmental information 
Segmental information is presented in two formats: the primary 
format reflects the Group’s management structure and markets in 
which the Group operates, whereas the secondary format is based  
on geography (i.e. location of customers). The principal activities of 
the Group are managed through three sectors organised according  
to the distinct markets in which the Group operates: 

• EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Australasia) which mainly delivers 
technology solutions, consultancy and managed services to the 
Ministry of Defence in the UK, and civil and other government 
customers in the UK and Australia; 

• QinetiQ North America which mainly provides technology and 

services to the US Government; and 

• Ventures which mainly comprise commercial product businesses 

and business venturing activities. 

Segmental results represent the contribution of the different 
segments to the profit of the Group. Corporate expenses are allocated 
to the corresponding segments. Unallocated items comprise mainly 
profit on disposal of non-current assets, business divestments  
and unrealised impairment of investments, financing costs and 
taxation. Eliminations represent inter-company trading between  
the different segments. 

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Segmental assets comprise property, plant and equipment, goodwill 
and other intangible assets, trade and other receivables, inventories 
and prepayments and accrued income. Unallocated assets represent 
mainly corporate assets, including cash and cash equivalents and 
deferred tax asset balances. Segmental liabilities comprise trade and 
other payables, accruals and deferred income and retirement benefit 
obligations. Unallocated liabilities represent mainly corporate liabilities, 
current and deferred tax liabilities and bank and other borrowings. 
Segmental assets and liabilities are as at the end of the year. 

Research and development expenditure 
Research and development costs incurred on behalf of a customer  
as part of a specific project are directly chargeable to the customer  
on whose behalf the work is undertaken.  

Internally funded development expenditure is capitalised in  
the balance sheet where there is a clearly defined project, the 
expenditures are separately identifiable, the project is technically and 
commercially feasible, all costs are recoverable by future revenue and 
the resources are committed to complete the project. Such capitalised 
costs are amortised over the forecast period of sales resulting from the 
development. All other research and development costs are expensed 
to the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.  
If the research phase cannot be clearly distinguished from the 
development phase, the respective project-related costs are treated  
as if they were incurred in the research phase only and expensed. 

Financing 
Financing represents the financial expense on borrowings accounted 
for using the effective rate method and the financial income earned 
on funds invested. Exchange differences on financial assets and 
liabilities and the income or expense from interest hedging 
instruments that are recognised in the income statement are 
included within interest income and expense in financing. 

Taxation 
The taxation charge is based on the taxable profit for the year and 
takes into account taxation deferred because of temporary 
differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and 
accounting purposes. Current tax and deferred tax are charged or 
credited to the income statement, except where they relate to items 
charged or credited to equity in which case the relevant tax is charged 
or credited to equity. 

Deferred taxation is the tax attributable to the temporary differences 
that appear when taxation authorities recognise and measure assets 
and liabilities with rules that differ from those of the consolidated 
financial statements. The amount of deferred tax provided is based 
on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying 
amount of assets and liabilities, using rates enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Any change in the tax rates are recognised in the income statement 
unless related to items directly recognised in equity. Deferred tax 
liabilities are recognised on all taxable temporary differences 
excluding non-deductible goodwill. Deferred tax assets are recognised 
on all deductible temporary differences provided that it is probable 
that future taxable income will be available against which the asset 
can be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset 
where there is a legally enforceable right to offset and there is an 
intention to settle balances on a net basis. 

Goodwill 
Business combinations are accounted for under the purchase 
accounting method. All identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and 
contingent liabilities incurred or assumed are recorded at fair value at 
the date control is transferred to QinetiQ, irrespective of the extent of 
any minority interest. The cost of a business combination is measured 
at the fair value of assets received, equity instruments issued and 
liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs 
directly attributable to the acquisition. Any excess of the cost of the  

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business combination over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of 
the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognised 
is capitalised as goodwill. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment 
reviews (see below). If the cost of an acquisition is less than the fair 
value of the net assets acquired, the difference is immediately 
recognised in the Consolidated income statement as an impairment. 

Intangible assets 
Intangible assets arising from business combinations are recognised 
at fair value and are amortised over their expected useful lives, 
typically between 0 and 9 years. 

Internally generated intangible assets are recorded at cost, including 
labour, directly attributable costs and any third-party expenses. 
Purchased intangible assets are recognised at cost less amortisation.  

Intangible assets are amortised over their respective useful lives on a 
straight line basis as follows: 

Intellectual property rights  2–8 years 
Development costs 

Useful economic life or unit of 
production method subject to a 
minimum amortisation of no less than 
straight line method over economic life 
of 1–4 years 
1–9 years 

Other 

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation. 
Freehold land is not depreciated. Other tangible non-current assets 
are depreciated on a straight line basis over their useful economic 
lives to their estimated residual value as follows: 

Freehold buildings 
Leasehold land  
and buildings 
Plant and machinery 
Fixtures and fittings 
Computers 
Motor vehicles 

20–25 years 
Shorter of useful economic life and the 
period of the lease 
3–10 years 
5–10 years 
3–5 years 
3–5 years 

Assets under construction are included in property, plant and 
equipment on the basis of expenditure incurred at the balance  
sheet date. In the case of assets constructed by the Group, the  
value includes the cost of own work completed, including directly 
attributable costs but excluding interest. 

The useful lives, depreciation methods and residual values applied  
to property, plant and equipment are reviewed annually and if 
appropriate adjusted accordingly. 

Impairment of tangible, goodwill, intangible and held 
for sale assets 
The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an 
indication that an asset may be impaired. If the carrying amount of any 
asset exceeds its recoverable amount an impairment loss is recognised 
immediately in the income statement. In addition, goodwill is tested for 
impairment annually irrespective of any indication of impairment. If the 
carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, the respective asset 
or the assets in the cash generating unit are written down to their 
recoverable amounts. The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash 
generating unit is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its 
value in use. The value in use is the present value of the future cash 
flows expected to be derived from an asset or cash generating unit 
calculated using an appropriate pre-tax discount rate. Impairment 
losses are expensed to the income statement. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

1.  Significant accounting policies continued

Investments in debt and equity securities 
Investments held by the Group are classified as either a current asset 
or as a non-current asset and being classified as available for sale are 
stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss being recognised 
directly in equity, except for impairment losses. When these 
investments are de-recognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously 
recognised directly in equity is recognised in the income statement. 

The fair value of quoted financial instruments is their bid price at the 
balance sheet date. 

The fair value of unquoted equity investments are held at fair value 
based upon the price of the most recent investment by the Group or  
a third party if available or derived from the present value of forecast 
future cash flows . 

Inventories 
Inventory and work-in-progress (including contract costs) are stated 
at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Work-in-progress  
and manufactured finished goods are valued at production cost. 
Production cost includes direct production costs and an appropriate 
proportion of production overheads. A provision is established when 
the net realisable value of any inventory item is lower than its cost. 

Bid costs 
Costs incurred in bidding for work are normally expensed as incurred. 
In the case of large multi-year government contracts the bidding 
process typically involves a competitive bid process to determine  
a preferred bidder and then a further period to reach financial  
close with the customer. In these cases, the costs incurred after 
announcement of the Group achieving preferred bidder status are 
deferred to the balance sheet within work-in-progress. From the  
point financial close is reached, the costs are amortised over the life  
of the contract. If an opportunity for which the Group was awarded 
preferred bidder status fails to reach financial close, the costs deferred 
to that point will be expensed in the income statement immediately, 
when it becomes likely that financial close will not be achieved. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are stated net of provisions for doubtful 
debts. Amounts recoverable on contracts are included in trade and 
other receivables and represent revenue recognised in excess of 
amounts invoiced. Payments received on account are included in 
trade and other payables and represent amounts invoiced in excess  
of revenue recognised. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and short-term 
deposits that are readily convertible into cash. In the cash flow 
statement overdraft balances are included in cash and equivalents. 

Current and non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities include amounts due within the normal operating 
cycle of the Group. 

Interest-bearing current and non-current liabilities are recognised  
at fair value and then stated at amortised cost with any difference 
between the cost and redemption value being recognised in the 
income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective 
interest rate basis. 

Costs associated with the arrangement of bank facilities or the  
issue of loans are held net of the associated liability presented  
in the balance sheet. Capitalised issue costs are released over the 
estimated life of the facility or instrument to which they relate using 
the effective interest rate method. If it becomes clear that the facility 
or instrument will be redeemed early, the amortisation of the issue 
costs will be accelerated. 

Provisions 
A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has  
a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event 
which can be reliably estimated, and it is probable that an outflow  
of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Where 
appropriate, provisions are determined by discounting the expected 
cash flows at the Group’s weighted average cost of capital. 

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the  
Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument. The derecognition of a 
financial instrument takes place when the Group no longer controls 
the contractual rights that comprise the financial instrument,  
when the instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. 

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised and 
thereafter held at fair value, being the market value for quoted 
instruments or valuation based on models and discounted cash  
flow calculations for unlisted instruments. 

Fair value hedging 
Changes in the fair value of fair value hedges of currency risk or 
interest rate risk are recognised in the income statement. The hedged 
item is held at fair value with respect to the hedged risk with any gain 
or loss recognised in the income statement. 

Cash flow hedging 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as a cash flow 
hedge that are regarded as highly effective are recognised in equity. 
The ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income 
statement. Where a hedged item results in an asset or a liability, gains 
and losses previously recognised in equity are included in the cost of 
the asset or liability. Gains and losses previously recognised in equity 
are removed and recognised in the income statement at the same 
time as the hedged transaction. 

Hedging of net investment in foreign operations 
The changes in fair value of derivatives used to hedge the net 
investment in a foreign entity are recognised in equity until the net 
investment is sold or disposed. Any ineffective portion is recognised 
directly in the income statement. 

Leased assets 
Leases are classified as finance leases when substantially all of the 
risks and rewards of ownership are held by the lessee. 

Assets held under finance leases are capitalised and included in 
property, plant and equipment at the lower of the present value of 
minimum lease payments and fair value at the inception of the lease. 
Assets are then depreciated over the shorter of their useful economic 
lives or the lease term. Obligations relating to finance leases, net of 
finance charges arising in future periods, are included under financial 
liabilities. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

Foreign currencies 
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of 
exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and 
liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at period-end rates. Any 
resulting exchange differences are taken to the income statement. 
Gains and losses on designated forward foreign exchange hedging 
contracts are matched against the foreign exchange movements on 
the underlying transaction. 

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The individual financial statements of each group company are 
presented in its functional currency. On consolidation, assets and 
liabilities of overseas subsidiaries’ associated undertakings and joint 
ventures, including any related goodwill, are translated to sterling at 
the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. The results and cash 
flows of overseas subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint 
ventures are translated to sterling using the average rates of 
exchange during the period. Exchange adjustments arising from the 
re-translation of the opening net investment and the results for the 
period to the period-end rate are taken directly to equity and reported 
in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense. 

Post-retirement benefits 
The Group provides both defined contribution and defined benefit 
pension arrangements. The liabilities of the Group arising from defined 
benefit obligations, and the related current service cost, are determined 
using the projected unit credit method. Valuations for accounting 
purposes are carried out half yearly for the largest plans and on a 
regular basis for other plans. Actuarial advice is provided by external 
consultants. For the funded defined benefit plans, the excess or deficit 
of the fair value of plan assets less the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation are recognised as an asset or a liability respectively. 

For defined benefit plans, the actuarial cost charged to the income 
statement consists of current service cost, interest cost, expected 
return on plan assets and past service cost. All of these elements are 
charged as a component of employee costs in the income statement. 
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full immediately through 
the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense.  

Contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to the 
income statement as incurred. 

Share-based payments 
The Group operates share-based payment arrangements with 
employees. The fair value of equity-settled options for share-based 
payments is determined on grant and expensed straight line over  
the period from grant to the date of earliest unconditional exercise. 
The fair value of cash-settled options for share-based payments is 
determined each period end until they are exercised or lapse. The 
value is expensed straight line over the period from grant to the date 
of earliest unconditional exercise. The fair value of both equity-settled 
and cash-settled share options is calculated using a binomial option 
pricing models. The charges for both equity and cash-settled share-
based payments are updated annually for non-market-based  
vesting conditions. 

Share capital 
Ordinary share capital of the Company is recorded as the proceeds 
received less issue costs. 

Company shares held by the employee benefit trusts are held at the 
consideration paid. They are classified as own shares within equity. 
Any gain or loss on the purchase, sale or issue of Company shares  
is recorded in equity. 

Restatement of prior periods for finalisation of fair 
values arising on acquisitions 
The fair values of the net assets of acquired business are finalised 
within 12 months of the acquisition date, with the exception of 
certain deferred tax balances. All fair value adjustments are recorded 
with effect from the date of acquisition and consequently may result 
in the restatement of previously reported financial results. 

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Recent accounting developments 
The following EU endorsed amendments and interpretations to 
published standards are effective for accounting periods beginning  
on or after 1 April 2008: 

IFRIC 14, IAS 19, The Limit on Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum  
Funding Requirements and their Interaction. This aims to clarify  
the circumstances in which there is a limit on the asset that an 
employer’s balance sheet may recognise in respect of its defined 
benefit pension plans and where there may be additional liabilities 
that may be required to be recognised. This did not have any impact 
on the Group’s financial statements. 

IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements. This did not have any 
impact on the Group's financial statements. 

The following EU endorsed new standards or interpretations to existing 
standards have been published and are mandatory for the Group’s 
future accounting periods from the year ended 31 March 2010.  
They have not been early adopted in these financial statements: 

IFRS 8, Operating Segments (effective for annual periods beginning  
on or after 1 January 2009). IFRS 8 requires an entity to report 
financial and descriptive information about its reportable segments. 
The Group will apply IFRS 8 from 1 April 2009 but it is not expected  
to have any significant impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

Amendment to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements: A Revised 
Presentation (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2009). This revision is intended to improve users’ ability to 
analyse and compare information given in financial statements and 
included within the changes is the introduction of a statement of 
comprehensive income. This is not expected to have any significant 
impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

Amendment to IAS 23, Borrowing Costs 
(effective for qualifying assets for which the commencement date for 
capitalisation is on or after 1 January 2009). The amendment to IAS 23 
requires borrowing costs that relate to assets that take a substantial 
period of time to get ready for use or sale to be capitalised as part of the 
cost of such assets. The Group has reviewed the potential impact of this 
amendment and does not consider it would have any material impact 
on the Group’s financial statements based on its current operations. 

Amendment to IFRS 2, Share based payment, Vesting conditions and 
cancellations (effective for annual periods beginning on or after  
1 January 2009). This amendment clarifies that vesting conditions  
are only service conditions and performance conditions and that 
other features of share based payments are non vesting conditions.  
It also specifies that all cancellations, whether by the entity or by 
other parties, should receive the same accounting treatment. This  
is expected to accelerate the recognition of share based payment 
charges in respect of leavers which would not have any significant 
impact on the Group’s financial statements given current employee 
attrition rates. 

IAS 32, Financial Instruments and related amendments to IAS 1 
Presentation of Financial Statements (effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2009). These amendments deal with 
the balance sheet classification of puttable financial instruments and 
obligations arising only on liquidation. This is not expected to have 
any significant impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

IFRIC 13, Customer Loyalty Programmes (effective for annual  
periods beginning on or after 1 July 2008). IFRIC 13 addresses 
accounting for loyalty award credits to customers who buy other 
goods and services. This is not expected to have any impact on  
the Group’s financial statements. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

1.  Significant accounting policies continued

Amendments to IFRS1, First time adoption of IFRS and IAS27, 
Consolidation and separate financial statements: Cost of an 
investment in a subsidiary, Jointly controlled Entity or Associate
(effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). 
This amendment will allow first time adopters to use a deemed  
cost of either fair value or carrying value under previous accounting 
practice to measure the initial cost of an investment in separate 
financial statements. QinetiQ has no plans to transition its 
subsidiaries to IFRS so no impact is expected. 

Improvements to IFRSs 2008 (effective from various period beginning 
dates the first being on or after 1 January 2009). The improvements 
include changes in presentation, recognition and measurement 
requirements. They are not expected to have any material impact.

The following standards and interpretations to existing standards 
have not yet been endorsed by the EU:

IFRS 3, Business Combinations (Revised) and related revisions to  
IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (Revised)
(both effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009). 
These revisions introduce some changes to the application of the 
acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. For 
example, all transaction costs will be expensed, all payments to 
purchase a business will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition 
date, with some contingent payments subsequently re-measured at 
fair value through the income statement, and goodwill may be 
calculated based on the parent’s share of net assets or it may include 
goodwill related to the minority interest. These revisions will impact 
the way in which the Group reports business combinations in future 
periods, in particular the expensing of transaction costs through the 
income statement.  

IFRIC 15, Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate (effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). IFRIC 15 aims to 
eliminate divergence in practice in respect of the identification of the 
applicable accounting standards for the construction of real estate. 
This is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group’s 
financial statements. 

IFRIC 16, Hedges of a Net investment in a Foreign Operation 
(effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 October 2008). 
This interpretation clarifies the specific hedge accounting requirements 
for net investment hedges. This is not expected to have any significant 
impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement – Eligible hedged items (effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 July 2009). This amendment provides 
additional application guidance to clarify the existing principles in 
relation to items that can qualify for hedge accounting, assessing 
hedge effectiveness and designating financial items as hedged items. 
This is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group’s 
financial statements. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements  
in applying accounting policies 
The following commentary is intended to highlight those policies  
that are critical to the business based on the level of management 
judgement required in their application, their complexity and their 
potential impact on the results and financial position reported for  
the Group. The level of management judgement required includes 
assumptions and estimates about future events which are uncertain, 
the actual outcome of which may result in a materially different 
outcome from that anticipated. 

Revenue and profit recognition 
The estimation process required to evaluate the potential outcome  
of contracts and projects requires skill, knowledge and experience 
from a variety of sources within the business to assess the status of 
the contract, costs to complete, internal and external labour resources 
required and other factors. This process is carried out continuously 
throughout the business to ensure that project and contract 
assessments reflect the latest status of such work. No profit is 
recognised on a contract until the outcome can be reliably estimated. 

Business combinations 
Intangible assets recognised on business combinations have  
been valued using established methods and models to determine 
estimated value and useful economic life, with input, where 
appropriate, from external valuation consultants. Such methods 
require the use of estimates which may produce results that are 
different from actual future outcomes.  

The Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any 
impairment. This process is reliant on the use of estimates of the future 
profitability and cash flows of its cash-generating units which may  
differ from the actual results delivered. The Group additionally reviews 
whether identified intangible assets have suffered any impairment.  

Post-retirement benefits 
The Group’s defined benefit pension obligations and net income 
statement costs are based on key assumptions including return on 
plan assets, discount rates, mortality, inflation and future salary and 
pension increases. Management exercise their best judgement, in 
consultation with actuarial advisors, in selecting the values for these 
assumptions that are the most appropriate to the Group. Small 
changes in these assumptions at the balance sheet date, individually 
or collectively, may result in significant changes in the size of the 
deficit or the net income statement costs. 

Research and development expenditure 
Internally-funded development expenditure is capitalised when 
criteria are met and is written off over the forecast period of sales 
resulting from the development. Management decides upon the 
adequacy of future demand and potential market for such new 
products in order to justify capitalisation of internally-funded 
development expenditure. These can be difficult to determine  
when dealing with innovative technologies. Actual product sales  
may differ from these estimates. 

Tax 
In determining the Group’s provisions for income tax and deferred  
tax it is necessary to assess the likelihood and timing of recovery of 
tax losses created, and to consider transactions in a small number  
of key tax jurisdictions for which the ultimate tax determination is 
uncertain. To the extent that the final outcome differs from the tax 
that has been provided, adjustments will be made to income tax and 
deferred tax provisions held in the period the determination is made. 

Unquoted equity investments 
The Group usually judges the fair value of unquoted equity 
investments using the valuation ascribed to the investment by  
a third-party funding round or similar valuation event for that 
investment. In determining the value of an investment the Group 
may use information from funding rounds, business plans and 
forecasts, market projections and other estimation techniques, 
including management estimates, as a guide. These valuation 
techniques require estimates of the business’s future performance. 
The actual business’ performance of investments may differ from 
these estimates. 

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2. Revenue 

Revenue and other income is analysed as follows: 

Year ended 31 March 
all figures in £ million 
Sales of goods 
Services 
Revenue 

Property rental income 

3. Segmental analysis 

Business segments 

Year ended 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Revenue 
External sales 
Internal sales(1)

Other information 
EBITDA before share of equity accounted joint ventures and 
associates  
Share of equity accounted joint ventures and associates 
EBITDA  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Amortisation of purchased or internally developed intangible assets 
Group operating profit/(loss) before amortisation of intangible 
assets arising from acquisitions 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions  
Group operating profit/(loss)  
Gain on business divestments and unrealised impairment of 
investments 
Net finance expense 
Profit before tax 
Taxation expense 
Profit for the year 

(1)  Inter-segment sales are priced at fair value and treated as an arm’s length transaction.  

765.6
4.0
769.6

89.5
–
89.5
(6.5)
–

83.0
(18.0)
65.0

842.3
–
842.3

121.5
–
121.5
(26.7)
(7.2)

87.6
(5.5)
82.1

9.4 
– 
9.4 

(6.4) 
(7.2) 
(13.6) 
(0.3) 
(1.7) 

(15.6) 
– 
(15.6) 

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216.3 
1,401.0 
1,617.3 

2008
148.6
1,217.4
1,366.0

7.9 

9.0

–
(4.0)
(4.0)

1,617.3
–
1,617.3

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

204.6
(7.2)
197.4
(33.5)
(8.9)

155.0
(23.5)
131.5

7.3
(24.8)
114.0
(20.4)
93.6

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

QinetiQ North 
America

Europe,
Middle East & 
Australasia

Ventures 

Eliminations

Total

540.2
0.3
540.5

66.2
0.1
66.3
(4.1)
(0.1)

62.1
(16.2)
–
45.9

820.1
0.5
820.6

112.1
0.1
112.2
(28.2)
(4.0)

80.0
(1.8)
(32.0)
46.2

5.7 
– 
5.7 

(9.3) 
(4.2) 
(13.5) 
(0.7) 
(0.9) 

(15.1) 
– 
(0.6) 
(15.7) 

–
(0.8)
(0.8)

1,366.0
–
1,366.0

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

169.0
(4.0)
165.0
(33.0)
(5.0)

127.0
(18.0)
(32.6)
76.4

(7.0)
(18.0)
51.4
(4.0)
47.4

3.  Segmental analysis continued

Business segments  

Year ended 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Revenue 
External sales 
Internal sales(1) 

Other information 
EBITDA before restructuring costs and share of equity accounted joint 
ventures and associates  
Share of equity accounted joint ventures and associates 
EBITDA before restructuring costs 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Amortisation of purchased or internally developed intangible assets 
Group operating profit/(loss) before EMEA reorganisation and 
amortisation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions  
EMEA reorganisation 
Group operating profit/(loss)  
Loss on business divestments and unrealised impairment  
of investments 
Net finance expense 
Profit before tax 
Taxation expense 
Profit for the year 

(1)  Inter-segment sales are priced at fair value and treated as an arm’s length transaction. 

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Year ended 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Segment assets+
Segment liabilities+
Unallocated net debt (note 30) 
Net assets 

Other information 
Capital expenditure – own equipment* 
Capital expenditure – LTPA funded* 
Total capital expenditure 

Year ended 31 March 2008 (restated) 

all figures in £ million 
Segment assets 
Segment liabilities 
Unallocated net debt (note 30) 
Net assets  

Other information 
Capital expenditure – own equipment* 
Capital expenditure – LTPA funded* 

983.8
(160.8)
–
823.0

9.1
–
9.1

748.8
(459.4)
–
289.4

10.8
12.3
23.1

31.1 
(2.9) 
– 
28.2 

0.2 
– 
0.2 

– 
– 
(537.9)
(537.9)

– 
– 

1,763.7
(623.1)
(537.9)
602.7

20.1
12.3
32.4

QinetiQ North 
America
638.5
(88.5)

Europe, 
Middle East & 
Australasia
755.0
(426.2)

Ventures 
41.4 
(7.3) 

550.0

328.8

34.1 

Unallocated 
– 
– 
(379.9)
(379.9)

Consolidated
1,434.9
(522.0)
(379.9)
533.0

6.8
–

22.7
13.7

0.4 
– 

– 
– 

29.9
13.7

The restatement relates to a re-allocation of unallocated assets and liabilities so that this category now only represents unallocated net debt. 

+  Segment assets and liabilities exclude unallocated net debt. 
*  Capital expenditure is defined as cash paid for property, plant and equipment additions and purchased and internally developed intangible assets.  

Geographical segments 
Revenue by customer location 
all figures in £ million 
North America 
United Kingdom 
Other 
Total  

Assets/liabilities by location 

all figures in £ million 
North America 
United Kingdom 
Other 
Total  

Capital expenditure by location 

all figures in £ million 
North America 
United Kingdom 
Total  

787.5 
772.9 
56.9 
1,617.3 

2008
566.1
760.0
39.9
1,366.0

Gross assets 

Gross liabilities

992.4
1,023.9
24.2
2,040.5

2008 
638.7 
813.4 
30.0 
1,482.1 

(553.4)
(860.7)
(23.7)
(1,437.8)

9.1 
23.3 
32.4 

2008
(225.3)
(699.0)
(24.8)
(949.1)

2008
6.8
36.8
43.6

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

4. Profit before tax 

The following items have been charged in arriving at profit before tax: 

For the year ended 31 March 
all figures in £ million 
Fees payable to the auditor 
– Statutory audit 
– Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation  
– Other services supplied pursuant to legislation 
– Other services relating to taxation 
– Other services 
Total auditor’s remuneration 

Inventories recognised as an expense 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment: 
– Owned assets 
– Under finance lease 
Foreign exchange gains 
Research and development expenditure – customer funded contracts 
Research and development expenditure – Group funded 

2008

0.7
–
0.2
0.1
0.5
1.5

66.0

32.5
0.5
0.2
453.1
12.8

1.1 
0.1 
0.1 
0.1 
– 
1.4 

91.8 

33.5 
– 
0.5 
457.0 
11.5 

5.  Gain/(loss) on business divestments and unrealised impairment of available for sale investments 

For the year ended 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Gain/(loss) on business divestments  
Unrealised impairment of available for sale investments 

13.0 
(5.7) 
7.3 

2008
(1.8)
(5.2)
(7.0)

The gain on business divestments of £13.0m relates to £3.5m of profit on the disposal of a sales contract by QNA’s Mission Solutions business 
and a £9.5m profit on the disposal of part of the Cody Gate Ventures I LP (formerly QinetiQ Ventures LP) which was held as an equity investment 
(see note 16 for further details). The disposal of QNA’s sales contract resulted from a requirement to dispose of this contract following the 
change of ownership of Analex Corporation in March 2007. 

The current year unrealised impairment of investments relates to a £0.7m (2008: £2.9m) charge in respect of the impairment in the carrying 
value of pSivida, the quoted investment (see note 20 for further details) and a £5.0m (2008: £2.3m) charge in relation to the carrying value of 
other investments held for sale.  

6. Finance income and expense 

For the year ended 31 March 
all figures in £ million 
Receivable on bank deposits 
Finance lease income  
Finance income 

Amortisation of recapitalisation fee 
Payable on bank loans and overdrafts 
Payable on US dollar private placement debt 
Finance lease expense 
Unwinding of discount on financial liabilities 
Finance expense 
Net finance expense 

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1.0 
1.6 
2.6 

(0.3) 
(13.8) 
(10.7) 
(1.4) 
(1.2) 
(27.4) 
(24.8) 

2008
1.7
1.9
3.6

(0.2)
(11.9)
(7.1)
(1.6)
(0.8)
(21.6)
(18.0)

7. Taxation expense 

For the year ended 31 March 
all figures in £ million 
Analysis of charge  
UK corporation tax  
Overseas corporation tax 
Total corporation tax 
Deferred tax  
Deferred tax in respect of prior years 
Taxation expense  

Factors affecting the tax charge in year  
The principal factors reducing the Group’s current year tax charge below the UK statutory rate are 
explained below:  
Profit before tax  
Tax on profit before tax at 28% (2008: 30%)  
Effect of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, research and development relief and non-taxable items 
Unprovided tax losses of overseas subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 
Movements in unrecognised deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses 
Effect of change in deferred tax rate 
Deferred tax in respect of prior years 
Effect of different rates in overseas jurisdictions 
Taxation expense  

– 
(2.9) 
(2.9) 
22.6 
0.7 
20.4 

114.0 
31.9 

(17.9) 
1.4 
0.7 
– 
0.9 
3.4 
20.4 

2008

–
10.1
10.1
(4.6)
(1.5)
4.0

51.4
15.4

(13.4)
2.3
–
(1.5)
(1.5)
2.7
4.0

The total tax expense in the year to 31 March 2009 includes a credit of £6.3m (2008: £17.0m) for tax on acquisition amortisation and specific non-
recurring items. The rate on this credit exceeds the overall Group tax rate as it primarily relates to tax on items subject to the higher US tax rate. 

Factors affecting future tax charges 
The effective tax rate continues to be below the statutory rate in the UK primarily as a result of the benefit of research and development relief  
in the UK. The effective tax rate is expected to remain below the UK statutory rate in the medium term, subject to any future tax legislation changes.  

8. Dividends 

An analysis of the dividends paid and proposed in respect of the years ended 31 March 2009 and 2008 are provided below: 

Interim 2009 
Final 2009 (proposed) 
Total for the year ended 31 March 2009 

Interim 2008 
Final 2008 
Total for the year ended 31 March 2008 

1.50
3.25
4.75

1.33
2.92
4.25

9.8  
21.2* 
31.0  

8.7  
19.1  
27.8  

Feb 2009
Sep 2009

Feb 2008
Sep 2008

* 

Estimated cost for final proposed dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2009. The record date for this dividend will be 7 August 2009. 

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

9. Analysis of employee costs and numbers 

The largest component of operating expenses is employee costs. The year-end and average monthly number of persons employed by the Group  
including Directors analysed by business segment, was: 

Year end 31 March 

Monthly average 

QinetiQ North America 
Europe, Middle East & Australasia 
Ventures 
Corporate  
Total 

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: 

all figures in £ million 
Wages and salaries  
Social security costs  
Other pension costs  
Cost of share based payments  
Employee costs before EMEA reorganisation costs 
EMEA reorganisation costs 
Total employee costs 

6,348
7,565
68
79
14,060

2008  
Number 
5,699 
7,854 
77 
80 
13,710 

note 

34 

6,167 
7,570 
66 
79 
13,882 

625.3 
47.7 
41.9 
5.6 
720.5 
– 
720.5 

2008 
Number
5,479
7,836
75
80
13,470

2008
518.5
41.4
45.1
3.8
608.8
32.6
641.4

The 2008 EMEA reorganisation costs principally comprise redundancy costs resulting from the restructuring of EMEA into four capability  
focused businesses. 

10. Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares in issue during the year. The weighted average number of shares used excludes those shares bought by the Group and held as own shares 
(see note 33). For diluted earnings per share the weighted average number of shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all potentially 
dilutive ordinary shares arising from unvested share-based awards including share options. Underlying basic earnings per share figures are 
presented below in addition to the basic and diluted earnings per share as the Directors consider this gives a more relevant indication of 
underlying business performance and reflects the adjustments to basic earnings per share for the impact of specific non-recurring items, 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets and tax thereon. 

For the year ended 31 March 
Basic EPS 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders 

Weighted average number of shares 
Basic EPS 

Diluted EPS 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders 

Weighted average number of shares 
Effect of dilutive securities 
Diluted number of shares 
Diluted EPS 

Underlying basic EPS 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders 
Reorganisation costs 
(Gain)/loss on business divestments, disposals and unrealised impairment  
of investments 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions 
Tax impact of items above 
Tax rate change 
Underlying profit after taxation 
Weighted average number of shares 
Underlying basic EPS 

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£m  

million  
pence  

£m  

million  
million  
million  
pence  

£m  
£m  

£m  
£m  
£m  
£m  
£m  
million  
pence  

2008

47.4

656.2
7.2

47.4

656.2
3.5
659.7
7.2

47.4
32.6

7.0
18.0
(15.5)
(1.5)
88.0
656.2
13.4

93.6 

652.7 
14.3 

93.6 

652.7 
2.8 
655.5 
14.3 

93.6 
– 

(7.3) 
23.5 
(6.3) 
– 
103.5 
652.7 
15.9 

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11. Goodwill 

all figures in £ million 
Cost 
At 1 April  
Acquisitions  
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
At 31 March  

Impairment 
At 1 April and 31 March  
Net book value at 31 March 

note 

13 

2008

372.4
72.3
(2.2)
(4.6)
437.9

(0.5)
437.4

437.9 
37.9 
– 
163.2 
639.0 

(0.5)
638.5 

Goodwill at 31 March 2009 was allocated across eight cash generating units (CGUs) in QNA and EMEA. In the year the CGUs were re-aligned to 
reflect the way in which the Group’s businesses are managed and operated.  

Goodwill is attributable to the excess of consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired and includes expected synergies, future growth 
prospects and staff knowledge, expertise, customer contacts and security clearances. The Group tests goodwill impairment for each CGU 
annually or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.  

For each CGU the Group has determined its recoverable amount on a value in use basis using discounted future cash flows. The discounted 
future cash flows are based on forecasts from the five-year corporate plan. Cash flows for periods beyond this period are extrapolated based  
on the final year of the corporate plan, with a terminal growth rate assumption applied.  

Key assumptions are as follows: 

• Growth rates  

The specific plans for each of the CGUs have been extrapolated using a terminal growth rate of between 2.5% and 3.0%. Growth rates are 
formed based on management’s estimates which take into consideration the long term nature of the industry in which the CGUs operate  
and external forecasts as to the likely growth of the industry in the longer-term. 

• Discount rates 

The Group’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) was used as a basis in determining the discount rate to be applied adjusted for risks 
specific to the geographical location of CGUs as appropriate on a pre-tax basis. The discount rate applied for QNA CGUs was 10.3% and a range 
from 10.4%-12.9% for EMEA CGUs.  

The goodwill allocated to the Technology Solutions business, Systems Engineering business and Mission Solutions business are considered 
significant as, on an individual basis, they represent more than 10% of the Group’s total goodwill carrying value. After translation, using year-end 
foreign exchange rates, these CGUs have £119.2m, £188.2m and £289.8m of goodwill respectively. When aggregated, these three CGUs 
represent 93.4% of the total balance; no other amounts are considered individually significant.  

Sensitivity analysis shows that both the discount rate and growth rate assumptions are key components on the outcome of the recoverable 
amount. The following table shows, for each of the three individually significant CGUs, the movement in assumptions which could trigger  
an impairment: 

CGU 
Technology Solutions 
Systems Engineering 
Mission Solutions  

Goodwill carrying value
£m
119.2
188.2
289.8

Recoverable amount headroom with 
current assumptions
£m 
398.4
159.0
184.7

Discount rate at  
which goodwill  
carrying value exceeds 
recoverable amount  
24.6% 
15.2% 
13.6% 

Terminal growth rate at 
which goodwill carrying 
value exceeds recoverable 
amount
-57.2%
-6.3%
-3.0%

The Directors have not identified any other likely changes in other significant assumptions since the 31 March 2009 and the signing of the 
financial statements that would cause the carrying value of the recognised goodwill to exceed its recoverable amount.  

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

12. Intangible assets 

Year ended 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Cost 
At 1 April 2008 
Additions – internally developed 
Additions – purchased 
Additions – recognised on acquisitions  
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
At 31 March 2009  

Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 April 2008 
Amortisation charge for the year 
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
At 31 March 2009 
Net book value at 31 March 2009 

Year ended 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Cost 
At 1 April 2007 
Additions – internally developed 
Additions – purchased 
Additions – recognised on acquisitions  
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
At 31 March 2008 

Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 April 2007 
Amortisation charge for the year 
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
At 31 March 2008 
Net book value at 31 March 2008 
Net book value at 31 March 2007  

note 

13 

119.4 
– 
– 
53.4 
(0.3) 
49.0 
221.5 

45.2 
23.5 
– 
17.3 
86.0 
135.5 

10.7 
0.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
10.9 

2.1 
2.4 
– 
– 
4.5 
6.4 

31.8 
0.1 
2.2 
– 
(0.1) 
0.4 
34.4 

5.5 
6.5 
(0.1) 
0.2 
12.1 
22.3 

Acquired   
intangible   
assets*

Development  
costs 

Other  
intangible  
assets 

74.8 
– 
– 
45.6 
– 
(1.0) 
119.4 

27.2 
18.0 
– 
– 
45.2 
74.2 
47.6 

10.1 
1.4 
– 
– 
(0.8) 
– 
10.7 

0.7 
1.5 
(0.1) 
– 
2.1 
8.6 
9.4 

11.1 
0.2 
20.6 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
31.8 

2.0 
3.5 
– 
– 
5.5 
26.3 
9.1 

161.9
0.3
2.2
53.4
(0.4)
49.4
266.8

52.8
32.4
(0.1)
17.5
102.6
164.2

Total

96.0
1.6
20.6
45.6
(0.9)
(1.0)
161.9

29.9
23.0
(0.1)
–
52.8
109.1
66.1

*  Acquired intangible assets principally consist of the value of orders, backlog and certain customer relationships, technology and patents/licences. No value is 

attributed to customer relationships where short-term contracts are held that are subject to regular re-competition. 

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13. Business combinations 

In the year to 31 March 2009 the Group made three acquisitions involving the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of each company. If 
these acquisitions had been completed as at 1 April 2008 Group revenue for the year ended 31 March 2009 would have increased by £24.7m to 
£1,642.0m and Group profit before tax would have increased by £3.5m to £117.5m. The Group acquired two businesses based in North America 
and one in the UK.  

Acquisitions in the year to 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 

Company acquired 
QNA acquisitions 
Spectro, Inc. 
Dominion Technology Resources, Inc. 
EMEA acquisitions 
Commerce Decisions Ltd 
Current year acquisitions 
Update in respect of acquisitions  
made in the year to 31 March 2008(3)
Total 

23 July 08 
17 Oct 08 

13 Oct 08 

6.2  
74.2  

12.5  
92.9  

–  
92.9  

0.5
22.6

–
23.1

(4.3)
18.8

2.2
33.6

6.4
42.2

(4.3)
37.9

4.5   
63.2   

6.1   
73.8   

–   
73.8   

5.9
16.0

2.4
24.3

–
24.3

0.9
1.6

1.0
3.5

–
3.5

(1)  Initial cash consideration includes acquisition costs and price adjustments for working capital and net debt. 
(2)  Fair value of assets acquired are provisional. 
(3)  Deferred consideration in relation to a prior year acquisition which is updated for an accrued payment which was no longer required as a target was not met.  

Set out below are the allocations of purchase consideration, assets and liabilities of the acquisitions made in the year and the adjustments 
required to the book values of the assets and liabilities in order to present the net assets of these businesses at fair value and in accordance with 
Group accounting policies. These allocations and adjustments are provisional. 

Acquisitions in the year to 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 
Trade and other receivables 
Other current assets 
Trade and other payables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt and other borrowings 
Deferred tax liability 
Net assets acquired 
Goodwill 

Consideration satisfied by: 
Cash 
Deferred consideration 
Total consideration before costs 
Related costs of acquisition 

note 
12 
14 
24 

24 

– 
0.7 
– 
8.1 
1.7 
(7.3) 
3.7 
– 
– 
6.9 

53.4
0.2
34.6
–
–
(2.0)
–
–
(19.3)
66.9

53.4
0.9
34.6
8.1
1.7
(9.3)
3.7
–
(19.3)
73.8
42.2
116.0

89.6
23.1
112.7
3.3
116.0

The fair value adjustments include £53.4m in relation to the recognition of acquired intangible assets less the recognition of a deferred tax 
liability of £19.3m in relation to these intangible assets. A deferred tax asset of £34.6m was recognised as a result of the acquisition of Dominion 
Technology Resources, Inc. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

57
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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

13. Business combinations continued

Acquisitions in the year to 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 

Company acquired 
QNA acquisitions 
ITS Corporation 
Automatika, Inc. 
Applied Perception, Inc. 
3H Technology LLC 
Pinnacle CSI 
EMEA acquisitions 
Boldon James Holdings Ltd 
Ball Solutions Group Pty Ltd 
AeroStructures Group 
Novare Services Pty Ltd 
Current year acquisitions 
Update in respect of acquisitions made 
in the year to 31 March 2007(2) 
Total 

Date acquired 

Initial cash    
consideration(1)

Deferred 
consideration

Goodwill

Fair value 
of assets 
acquired 

Contribution post acquisition

Revenue 

Operating 
profit

16 Apr 07  
5 June 07 
5 June 07 
26 June 07 
21 Jan 08 

24 Oct 07 
15 Feb 08 
15 Feb 08 
15 Feb 08 

43.1  
4.2   
4.4   
26.2  
3.0   

13.2  
3.5  
5.5  
3.6   
106.7  

–  
106.7  

5.3
0.6 
0.6 
1.0
–

4.3
–
–
0.4 
12.2

0.4
12.6

29.9
1.8 
1.8 
14.6 
0.7

15.1
3.4 
1.9 
2.7 
71.9

0.4
72.3

18.5 
3.0 
3.2 
12.6 
2.3 

2.4 
0.1 
3.6 
1.3 
47.0 

– 
47.0 

35.0  
1.4  
1.7 
16.0  
1.2  

3.4 
0.9 
0.8  
0.3  
60.7 

– 
60.7 

3.2 
0.2 
0.0 
1.4 
0.1 

0.2
0.0 
0.1
0.1 
5.3

–
5.3

(1)  Initial cash consideration includes acquisition costs and price adjustments for working capital and net debt. 
(2)  Goodwill in relation to the OSEC and Analex acquisitions completed in the prior year increased by £0.4m ($0.8m) due to additional payments being accrued  

to the vendors. 

Set out below are the allocations of purchase consideration, assets and liabilities of the acquisitions made in the year and the adjustments 
required to the book values of the assets and liabilities in order to present the net assets of these businesses at fair value and in accordance with 
Group accounting policies.  

note 
12 
14 

24 

Book value 
1.4 
2.5 
16.6 
3.9 
(10.3) 
4.5 
(6.5) 
(0.5) 
11.6 

Fair value 
adjustment 
44.2 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
(0.5) 
– 
– 
(8.2) 
35.4 

Fair value at 
acquisition
45.6
2.5
16.5
3.9
(10.8)
4.5
(6.5)
(8.7)
47.0
71.9
118.9

105.8
12.2
118.0
0.9
118.9

Acquisitions in the year to 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade and other receivables 
Other current assets 
Trade and other payables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt and other borrowings 
Deferred taxation 
Net assets acquired 
Goodwill 

Consideration satisfied by:
Cash 
Deferred consideration 
Total consideration before costs 
Related costs of acquisition 

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14. Property, plant and equipment 

Year ended 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Cost  
At 1 April 2008 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Foreign exchange  
At 31 March 2009 

Depreciation 
At 1 April 2008 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Foreign exchange  
At 31 March 2009 
Net book value at 31 March 2009 

Year ended 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Cost  
At 1 April 2007 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Disposals 
Disposal of businesses 
Transfers from development costs 
Transfers  
Foreign exchange  
At 31 March 2008 

Depreciation 
At 1 April 2007 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Disposal of businesses 
Foreign exchange  
At 31 March 2008 
Net book value at 31 March 2008 

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306.8
0.9
0.3
(1.8)
(6.2)
2.2
302.2

54.6
11.6
(1.7)
(1.7)
1.7
64.5
237.7

115.5
5.5
0.3
(0.8)
13.1
3.0
136.6

73.9
14.7
(0.6)
(0.3)
2.4
90.1
46.5

42.0 
4.5 
0.3 
(2.0) 
9.2 
8.5 
62.5 

25.4 
7.2 
(2.0) 
1.9 
6.2 
38.7 
23.8 

22.0 
18.2 
– 
– 
(16.1)
0.3 
24.4 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
24.4 

Land and 
buildings

Plant,
machinery
and vehicles

Computers and 
office equipment 

Assets under 
construction 

304.0
1.3
0.3
–
–
–
1.2
–
306.8

43.3
11.3
–
–
–
54.6
252.2

104.9
3.5
0.6
(2.1)
(1.7)
–
10.4
(0.1)
115.5

61.6
15.0
(2.0)
(0.6)
(0.1)
73.9
41.6

31.9 
3.7 
1.6 
(0.2) 
(0.8) 
– 
6.1 
(0.3) 
42.0 

19.6 
6.7 
(0.2) 
(0.5) 
(0.2) 
25.4 
16.6 

25.2 
15.2 
– 
(0.2)
(0.5)
– 
(17.7)
– 
22.0 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
22.0 

486.3
29.1
0.9
(4.6)
–
14.0
525.7

153.9
33.5
(4.3)
(0.1)
10.3
193.3
332.4

Total

466.0
23.7
2.5
(2.5)
(3.0)
–
–
(0.4)
486.3

124.5
33.0
(2.2)
(1.1)
(0.3)
153.9
332.4

Assets held under finance leases, capitalised and included in computers and equipment, have: 

• a cost of £5.2m (31 March 2008: £5.2m);  
• aggregate depreciation of £5.2m (31 March 2008: £5.2m); and 
• a net book value of £nil (31 March 2008: £nil).  

Under the terms of the Business Transfer Agreement with the MOD, certain restrictions have been placed on freehold land and buildings,  
and certain plant and machinery related to them. These restrictions are detailed in note 36. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

15. Financial assets 

As at 31 March  
all figures in £ million 
Derivative financial instruments 
Escrow financial assets 
Net investment in finance lease  
Total current financial assets 

Net investment in finance lease 
Derivative financial instruments 
Total non-current financial assets 
Total financial assets 

16. Equity accounted investments 

Year ended 31 March 2009  

all figures in £ million 
Revenue 
Loss after tax 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Year ended 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Revenue 
Loss after tax 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

0.1 
– 
3.0 
3.1 

11.6 
– 
11.6 
14.7 

14.2 
(14.7) 

0.7 
6.4 
7.1 
(3.5) 
(1.5) 
(5.0) 
2.1 

2008
1.4
3.0
3.0
7.4

13.0
2.3
15.3
22.7

5.2
(7.2)

0.2
2.2
2.4
(1.3)
(0.4)
(1.7)
0.7

 Joint venture and 
associates financial results 
9.0 
(8.0) 

Group net share of joint 
venture and associates
2.9
(4.0)

21.1 
9.1 
30.2 
(5.8) 
(5.2) 
(11.0) 
19.2 

10.4
4.1
14.5
(2.6)
(2.6)
(5.2)
9.3

During the year the 50% owned technology venture with Coller Capital was renamed the Cody Gate Ventures I LP (formerly named QinetiQ 
Ventures LP). The fund was accounted for as a joint venture with a 50% economic interest held by the Group but with the potential for an 
increase to 75% dependent on the future financial results of the fund. The Group invested cash of £6.4m (2008: £3.5m) into the fund during  
the year and there were losses of £7.2m (2008: £4.2m) recorded in the income statement.  

On 27 March 2009 the Group disposed of part of its interest in Cody Gate Ventures I LP to Coller Capital resulting in the Group receiving cash 
consideration of £13.7m and reducing its interest to 25% (formerly 50% economic interest). The Group has also relinquished its voting powers 
over the fund and forgone its rights to vote to remove the General Partner and in light of these changes it is no longer considered that the Group 
has any significant influence over the fund and therefore the remaining investment is now disclosed as an available for sale investment. The 
changes permit QinetiQ to be entitled to take an increased economic interest of up to 50% above certain thresholds of realisation. The Group 
reported a profit on the disposal of £9.5m (see note 5 for further details) and disclosed its remaining 25% interest in the fund at a fair value of 
£4.7m as an available for sale investment in other non current investments (see note 17).  

The unrecognised share of losses of equity accounted investments at 31 March 2009 was £nil (31 March 2008: £nil). During the year ended  
31 March 2009 there were sales to joint ventures of £2.6m (2008: £1.3m) and to associates of £nil (2008: £1.4m). At year end, there were 
outstanding receivables from joint ventures of £nil (2008: £0.4m) and £nil (2008: £nil) from associates. There were no other related party 
transactions between the Group and its joint ventures and associates in the year. 

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17. Other non-current investments 

all figures in £ million 
Available for sale investments at 1 April  
Cash (repaid)/invested in year 
Non cash additions in year  
Impairment charged to income statement in year 
Unwinding of discount credited to income statement  
Impairment of a previously revalued investment charged to equity  
Increase in fair value in the year credited to equity 
Disposals 
Foreign exchange 
Available for sale investments at 31 March 

14.7 
(0.6)
5.6 
(5.0)
– 
– 
– 
– 
1.0 
15.7 

2008
28.5
4.1
–
(2.3)
0.2
(2.9)
3.2
(16.1)
–
14.7

The non cash additions consisted of £0.9m for an additional shareholding issued to QinetiQ in respect of the Sciemus Limited investment and 
£4.7m in respect of the recognition at fair value for the remaining 25% share of investment in the Cody Gate Ventures I LP (formerly QinetiQ 
Ventures LP) following the part disposal of the equity investment, see note 16 for further details. In addition, there were repayments of loan 
notes during the year of £0.6m.  

18. Inventories 

As at 31 March  

all figures in £ million 
Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

3.4 
26.4 
38.5 
68.3 

2008
6.1
19.9
30.9
56.9

Included in work in progress is an amount of £19.6m (2008: £9.6m) relating to deferred contract bid costs which are recoverable in more than 
one year.  

19. Trade and other receivables 

As at 31 March  

all figures in £ million 
Trade debtors 
Amounts recoverable under contracts 
Other debtors 
Prepayments 

331.2 
169.1 
14.8 
17.8 
532.9 

2008
300.1
134.2
9.4
25.3
469.0

In determining the recoverability of trade receivables, the Group considers any changes in the credit quality of the trade receivable from the date 
credit was granted up to the reporting date. Credit risk is limited due to the high percentage of turnover being derived from UK and US defence 
and other government agencies. Accordingly, the Directors believe there is no further credit provision required in excess of the allowance for 
doubtful debts. As at 31 March 2009, the Group carried a provision for doubtful debts of £5.9m (2008: £6.2m).  

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Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables 

all figures in £ million 
Up to 3 months 
Over 3 months 

Movements on the Group doubtful debt provision 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April  
Created 
Released 
Utilised 
At 31 March  

83.6 
9.1 
92.7 

6.2 
3.7 
(4.0)
– 
5.9 

2008
80.2
4.4
84.6

2008
2.5
4.5
(0.5)
(0.3)
6.2

The maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to trade receivables at the reporting date is the fair value of trade receivables. The Group does 
not hold any collateral as security. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

20. Current asset investments 

As at 31 March  
all figures in £ million 
Available for sale investment  

0.6 

2008
1.3

At 31 March 2009 the Group held a 4.9% shareholding in pSivida Limited (31 March 2008: 4.9%) a company listed on NASDAQ and the Australian 
and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges. On 12 June 2008 pSivida Limited undertook a share restructuring which involved 40 shares being converted into 
one new share in pSivida Corp. The investment is held at fair value of £0.6m (2008: £1.3m) using the closing share price at 31 March 2009 of 
A$1.30 per share (31 March 2008 equivalent price based upon the new share structure was:A$3.20). During the year, the reduction in value of 
£0.7m (2008: £2.9m) has been recognised in the income statement as an impairment (see note 5).  

21. Cash and cash equivalents 

As at 31 March  
all figures in £ million 
Cash 
Cash equivalents 
Total cash and cash e uivalents 

128.2 
133.9 
262.1 

2008
24.5
–
24.5

At 31 March 2009, £4.5m (31 March 2008: £14.7m) of cash is held by the Group’s captive insurance subsidiary and includes £3.5m (2008: £6.5m) 
which is restricted in its use. 

22. Trade and other payables  

As at 31 March  
all figures in £ million 
Payments received on account 
Trade creditors 
Other tax and social security
Other creditors 
Accruals and deferred income 
Total current trade and other payables

Payments received on account 
Other payables 
Total non-current trade and other payables 
Total trade and other  a ables 

23. Provisions  

Year ended 31 March 2009 
all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2008 
Created in year 
Released in year 
Utilised in year 
At 31 March 2009 

Current liability 
Non-current liability  
At 31 March 2009  

Other provisions comprise legal, environmental, property and other liabilities.  

Year ended 31 March 2008 
all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2007 
Created in year 
Released in year 
Utilised in year 
At 31 March 2008 

Current liability
Non-current liability
At 31 March 2008 

45
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82.8 
71.3 
36.9 
66.4 
189.8 
447.2 

29.3 
19.4 
48.7 
495.9 

16.4 
6.3 
(4.0) 
(6.5) 
12.2 

3.4 
8.8 
12.2 

Other 
13.3 
5.4 
(0.3)
(2.0)
16.4 

2.5 
13.9 
16.4 

2008
77.0
51.3
47.2
31.4
167.5
374.4

36.1
11.6
47.7
422.1

45.7
6.3
(5.1)
(33.8)
13.1

4.3
8.8
13.1

Total
14.2
42.0
(0.7)
(9.8)
45.7

31.8
13.9
45.7

29.3 
– 
(1.1) 
(27.3) 
0.9 

0.9 
– 
0.9 

Reorganisation 
0.9 
36.6 
(0.4)
(7.8)
29.3 

29.3 
– 
29.3 

24. Deferred tax 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset and there is an intention to settle the 
balances net. 

Movements on the deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown below: 

Year ended 31 March 2009 
Deferred tax asset 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2008 
Created 
Prior year adjustment  
Gross deferred tax asset at 31 March 2009 
Less liability available for offset  
Net deferred tax asset at 31 March 2009 

6.5
22.9
–
29.4

1.2 
4.7 
0.7 
6.6 

11.8 
15.4 
(5.2)
22.0 

19.5
43.0
(4.5)
58.0
(58.0)
–

The net deferred tax asset created in the year relating to the pension liability includes £34.1m released to equity (2008: £12.2m charged to equity). 

Deferred tax liability 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2008 
Acquisitions  
Created  
Foreign exchange 
Gross deferred tax liability at 31 March 2009 
Less asset available for offset  
Net deferred tax liability at 31 March 2009 

(50.3)
15.3
(26.2)
(5.7)
(66.9)
58.0
(8.9)

Deferred tax movements on hedging have been recognised in equity. At the balance sheet date, the Group had unused tax losses of £77.5m 
(2008: £53.8m) potentially available for offset against future profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of this amount due to 
uncertainty over the timing of their utilisation. These losses can be carried forward indefinitely. 

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Deferred tax asset 
all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2007 – restated 
Created 
Transfer from deferred tax liability 
Released 
Gross deferred tax asset at 31 March 2008 
Less liability available for offset  
Net deferred tax asset at 31 March 2008 

Deferred tax liability 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2007 – restated 
Acquisitions  
Created  
Transfer to deferred tax asset 
Foreign exchange 
Gross deferred tax liability at 31 March 2008 
Less asset available for offset  
Net deferred tax liability at 31 March 2008 

Pension liability 
27.1
–
–
(20.6)
6.5

Hedging 
– 
1.9 
(0.7) 
– 
1.2 

Other 
0.7 
11.1 
– 
– 
11.8 

Total
27.8
13.0
(0.7)
(20.6)
19.5
(19.5)
–

Accelerated tax 
depreciation and 
amortisation 
(47.0)
(8.7)
4.4
0.7
0.3
(50.3)
19.5
(30.8)

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

25. Financial liabilities – current 

As at 31 March  
all figures in £ million 
Bank overdraft 
Loan notes 
Deferred financing costs 
Finance lease creditor 
Derivative financial instruments 

Further analysis of the terms and maturity dates for financial liabilities are set out in note 27. 

26. Financial liabilities – non-current 

As at 31 March  

all figures in £ million 
Bank loan 
Deferred financing costs 

US dollar 135m loan, repayable December 2013 
US dollar 62m loan, repayable February 2016 
US dollar 125m loan, repayable December 2016 
US dollar 238m loan, repayable February 2019 
Finance lease creditor 
Derivative financial instruments 

Further analysis of the terms and maturity dates for financial liabilities are set out in note 27. 

– 
– 
(0.7) 
2.8 
20.0 
22.1 

386.2 
(1.6) 
384.6 
95.5 
43.3 
88.0 
166.2 
11.4 
3.6 
792.6 

2008
5.0
0.5
(0.2)
2.8
3.7
11.8

2008
266.7
(0.9)
265.8
68.8
–
63.5
–
12.8
4.4
415.3

27. Financial risk management 

Financial assets and liabilities comprise:  

As at 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Trade and other receivables/(payables) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank borrowings, loans and loan notes 
Finance leases 
Investments 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other 

532.9
262.1
–
14.6
17.0
0.1
–
826.7

(495.9) 
– 
(776.9) 
(14.2) 
– 
(23.6) 
– 
(1,310.6) 

2008 

Financial 
assets 
469.0 
24.5 
– 
16.0 
16.0 
3.7 
3.0 
532.2 

Financial 
liabilities
(422.1)
–
(403.4)
(15.6)
–
(8.1)
–
(849.2)

A) Fair values of financial instruments  
All financial assets and liabilities have a fair value identical to book value at 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2008 except the following: 

all figures in £ million 
Primary financial instruments held or issued to finance the  
Group’s operations: 
Bank borrowings, loans and loan notes  
Finance lease assets 
Finance lease liabilities 

2008 

Fair value  

Book value 

(755.7)
15.3
(14.4)

(776.9) 
14.6 
(14.2) 

(403.7) 
19.2 
(17.7) 

(403.4)
16.0
(15.6)

Market values, where available, have been used to determine fair values. Where market values are not available, fair values have been calculated 
by discounting cash flows to net present values using prevailing market-based interest rates translated at year-end exchange rates, except for 
unlisted fixed asset investments where a fair value equals book value. 

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B) Interest rate risk 

Financial assets/(liabilities) 
As at 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Australian dollar 

As at 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Australian dollar 

14.6
–
–
–
14.6

216.1
42.6
1.4
2.0
262.1

16.5
–
–
0.6
17.1

(14.2) 
581.1
– 
– 
595.3

(97.7)
69.6
11.6
(16.9)
195.8

(18.5)
5.1
–
–
23.6

Financial asset 

Financial liability 

Fixed or capped
16.0
–
–
–
16.0

Floating
10.2
16.7
0.6
–
27.5

Non-interest 
bearing
18.4
–
–
1.3
19.7

Fixed or capped 
(15.6) 
(268.0)
– 
– 
283.6

Floating 
(19.4)
(90.4)
(10.0)
(15.6)
135.4

Non-interest 
bearing
(6.1)
(2.0)
–
–
8.1

Floating rate financial assets attract interest based on the relevant national LIBID equivalent. Floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at the 
relevant national LIBOR equivalent. Trade and other receivables/(payables) are excluded from this analysis.  

For the fixed or capped rate financial assets and liabilities, the average interest rates (including the relevant marginal cost of borrowing) and the 
average period for which the rates are fixed are: 

Financial assets: 
Sterling 
Financial liabilities: 
Sterling 
US dollar 

2008 

Weighted 
average  
interest rate 
% 

Weighted 
average years 
to maturity

Fixed or capped 
£m 

14.6

(14.2)
(581.1)
(595.3)

13.4%

12.1%
5.8%
5.9%

5.9

6.4
9.0
8.9

16.0 

13.4% 

(15.6) 
(268.0) 
(283.6) 

12.1% 
4.8% 
5.2% 

6.9

7.4
5.2
5.3

Sterling assets and liabilities consist primarily of finance leases with the weighted average interest rate reflecting the internal rate of return of 
those leases. 

Interest rate risk management 
The majority of the Group's bank and private placement borrowings were fixed or capped through a combination of interest rate swaps, collars 
and fixed rate debt.  

The notional principal amount of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31 March 2009 was £188.1m or $270m (31 March 2008: 
£135.7m or $270m). The swaps have the economic effect of converting floating rate US dollar borrowings into fixed rate US dollar borrowings 
and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. 

C) Currency risk 
The table below shows the Group's currency exposures, being exposures on currency transactions that give rise to net currency gains and losses 
recognised in the income statement. Such exposures comprise the monetary assets and liabilities of the Group that are not denominated in the 
functional currency of the operating company involved, other than certain non-sterling borrowings treated as hedges of net investments in 
overseas entities. 

Functional currency of the operating company: 

all figures in £ millions 
31 March 2009 – sterling 
31 March 2008 – sterling 

Net foreign currency monetary assets/(liabilities) 

US dollar
5.6
12.3

Euro Australian dollar 
0.6 
1.4
(0.1) 
0.8

Other 
0.9 
(0.3) 

Total
8.5
12.7

The amounts shown in the table take into account the effect of the forward contracts entered into to manage these currency exposures. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

57
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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

27. Financial risk management continued

The Group enters into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge the currency exposures that arise on sales and purchases denominated in 
foreign currencies, as the transaction occurs. The principal contract amounts of the outstanding forward currency contracts as at 31 March 2009 
against sterling are net US dollars sold £13.3m ($19.1m) and net Euros purchased of £2.7m (€2.9m). 

D) Liquidity risk 
The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including interest payments. The cash flows associated with derivatives that 
are cash flow hedges are expected to impact profit or loss in the periods shown.  

As at 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank overdrafts 
US private placement debt 
Multi-currency revolving facility 
Loan notes 
Finance leases 
Derivative financial liabilities 
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign currency contracts – cash 
flow hedges 
Forward foreign currency contracts – net 
investment hedges 

As at 31 March 2008  

all figures in £ million 
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank overdrafts 
US private placement debt 
Multi-currency revolving facility 
Loan notes 
Finance leases 
Derivative financial liabilities 
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign currency contracts – cash 
flow hedges 

(495.9)
–
(393.0)
(383.9)
–
(14.2)

(8.0)

(1.3)

(495.9)
–
(601.7)
(389.7)
–
(18.3)

(8.0)

(1.3)

(14.3)
(1,310.6)

(14.3)
(1,529.2)

(447.2)
–
(20.7)
(6.2)
–
(2.8)

(5.0)

(0.6)

(14.3)
(496.8)

(15.5) 
– 
(25.6) 
– 
– 
(2.8) 

(2.2) 

– 

(0.7) 
(46.8) 

(33.2) 
– 
(76.8) 
(383.5) 
– 
(8.4) 

(0.8) 

– 

– 
(502.7) 

Book value

Contractual 
cash flows

1 year or less

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

(422.1)
(5.0)
(132.3)
(265.6)
(0.5)
(15.6)

(422.1)
(5.0)
(159.1)
(267.4)
(0.5)
(21.1)

(374.4)
(5.0)
(7.1)
(1.8)
(0.5)
(2.8)

(4.8)

(4.8)

(2.0)

(3.3)
(849.2)

(3.3)
(883.3)

(1.7)
(395.3)

(7.8) 
– 
(7.1) 
– 
– 
(2.8) 

(2.0) 

(1.1) 
(20.8) 

(39.9) 
– 
(21.4) 
(265.6) 
– 
(8.5) 

(0.8) 

(0.5) 
(336.7) 

E) Derivative financial instruments 
As at 31 March  

all figures in £ million 
Interest rate swaps 
Forward foreign currency contracts – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign currency contracts – net investment hedges 
Derivative assets/(liabilities) at the end of the year 

As at 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Expected to be recognised 
In one year or less 
Between one and two years 
Between two and five years 

45
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–
0.1
–
0.1

0.1
–
–
0.1

(8.0)
(2.0)
(13.6)
(23.6)

(8.0)
(1.9)
(13.6)
(23.5)

(19.9)
(2.9)
(0.8)
(23.6)

(19.8)
(2.9)
(0.8)
(23.5)

Asset 
gains 
– 
3.7 
– 
3.7 

Asset 
gains 

1.4 
1.6 
0.7 
3.7 

2008 

Liability
losses
(4.8)
(3.3)
–
(8.1)

2008 

Liability
losses

(3.7)
(3.1)
(1.3)
(8.1)

–
–
(478.6)
–
–
(4.3)

–

–

–
(482.9)

More than 
5 years

–
–
(123.5)
–
–
(7.0)

–

–
(130.5)

Net
(4.8)
0.4
–
(4.4)

Net

(2.3)
(1.5)
(0.6)
(4.4)

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F) Maturity of financial liabilities 
As at 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Due in one year or less 
Due in more than one year but not more than two years 
Due in more than two years but not more than five years  
Due in more than five years 

As at 31 March 2008  

all figures in £ million 
Due in one year or less 
Due in more than one year but not more than two years 
Due in more than two years but not more than five years  
Due in more than five years 

447.2
15.5
33.2
–
495.9

(0.7) 
(0.7) 
385.3 
393.0 
776.9 

22.8
4.9
7.4
2.7

469.3
19.7
425.9
395.7
37.8 1,310.6

Trade and other 
payables
374.4
7.8
39.9
–
422.1

Bank borrowings 
 and loan notes  
5.3 
– 
265.8 
132.3 
403.4 

 Finance leases and 
derivative financial 
instruments
6.5
3.3
10.0
3.9
23.7

Total
386.2
11.1
315.7
136.2
849.2

G) Borrowing facilities 
As at 31 March 2009, the following committed facilities were available to the Group: 

Multi-currency revolving facility 
US Private Placement repayable December 2013 
US Private Placement repayable February 2016 
US Private Placement repayable December 2016 
US Private Placement repayable February 2019 
Committed facilities 31 March 2009 
Freely available cash and cash equivalents 
Available funds 31 March 2009 

Committed facilities 31 March 2008 
Freely available cash and cash equivalents 
Available funds 31 March 2008 

LIBOR plus 0.30%
5.44%
7.13%
5.50%
7.62%

500.0 
95.5 
43.3 
88.0 
166.2 
893.0 

386.2 
95.5 
43.3 
88.0 
166.2 
779.2 

632.8 

399.5 

113.8
–
–
–
–
113.8
258.6
372.4

233.3
18.0
251.3

Loans drawn under the £500m multi-currency revolving facility are repayable within twelve months, but have been classified as due in more 
than two years as the relevant committed facilities are available until 19 August 2012. The loans bear interest at a variable margin over LIBOR  
of between 0.30% and 0.50% dependent on the ratio of EBITDA to net debt and the level of utilisation. 

H) Sensitivity and analysis 
The Group’s sensitivity to changes in market rates on financial assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2009 is set out in the table overleaf. The 
impact of a weakening in sterling on the Group’s financial assets and liabilities would be more than offset in equity and income by its impact  
on the Group’s overseas net assets and earnings respectively. Sensitivity on Group assets other than financial assets and liabilities is not 
included in this analysis. 

The amounts generated from the sensitivity analysis are forward-looking estimates of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions 
occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected results due to developments in the global financial markets which 
may cause fluctuations in interest and exchange rates to vary from the hypothetical amounts disclosed in the table below, which therefore 
should not be considered a projection of likely future events and losses. 

The estimated changes for interest rate movements are based on an instantaneous decrease or increase of 1 per cent (100 basis points) in the 
specific rate of interest applicable to each class of financial instruments from the levels effective at 31 March 2009, with all other variables 
remaining constant. The estimated changes for foreign exchange rates are based on an instantaneous 10 per cent weakening or strengthening 
in sterling against all other currencies from the levels applicable at 31 March 2009, with all other variables remaining constant. Such analysis  
is for illustrative purposes only – in practice market rates rarely change in isolation. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

57
93

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

 27. Financial risk management continued

As at 31 March 2009 

all figures in £ million 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Other 

all figures in £ million 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Other 

As at 31 March 2008 

all figures in £ million 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Other 

28. Cash flows from operations 

all figures in £ million 
Profit after tax for the period 
Adjustments for: 
Taxation expense 
Net finance costs 
(Gain)/loss on business divestments 
Unrealised impairment of investment 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of purchased or internally developed intangible assets 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions 
Share of post tax loss of equity accounted entities 
Net movement in provisions 

Increase in inventories 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Increase in payables 
Changes in working capital 

Cash generated from operations 
Add back: cash outflow relating to 2008 EMEA reorganisation 
Net cash flow from operations before 2008 EMEA reorganisation costs 

–
(0.1)
(0.1)

–
0.1
0.1

(1.1) 
0.6 
0.2 

2.2 
(0.1) 
(0.3) 

– 
(68.5) 
(2.7) 

– 
68.5 
2.7 

–
(3.9)
(0.1)

–
3.9
0.1

1% decrease in interest rates 

10% weakening in sterling 

Equity
– 
(4.0)
 –

Profit  
before tax 
0.1 
0.7 
0.1 

Equity 
–  
(38.5) 
(2.7) 

Profit 
before tax
–
(1.7)
(0.2)

Year ended 
31 March 2008
47.4

4.0
18.0
1.8
5.2
33.0
5.0
18.0
4.0
31.5
120.5
(17.3)
(49.0)
36.7
(29.6)

138.3
5.6
143.9

93.6 

20.4 
24.8 
(13.0) 
5.7 
33.5 
8.9 
23.5 
7.2 
(32.6) 
78.4 
(2.9) 
4.4 
1.7 
3.2 

175.2 
27.0 
202.2 

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29. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 

all figures in £ million 
Increase in cash in the year 
New bank loans  
New loan notes 
New US private placement 
Loan note repayments 
Payment of deferred financing costs 
Escrow cash receipt 
Capital element of finance lease payments  
Capital element of finance lease receipts 
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 
Amortisation of deferred financing costs 
Loan note disposed as part of business disposal 
Finance lease receivables 
Finance lease payables 
Foreign exchange movements 
Movement on cash flow and net investment derivatives before foreign exchange movements 
Movement in net debt in the year 
Net debt at the start of the year 
Net debt at the end of the year 

30. Analysis of net debt 

note 

 30 

Year ended 
31 March 2008
7.2
(87.6)
(0.5)
–
0.1
0.5
–
3.2
(3.0)
(80.1)
(0.2)
5.1
1.9
(1.7)
2.6
(6.7)
(79.1)
(300.8)
(379.9)

236.9 
(13.3)
– 
(210.4)
0.5 
1.5 
(4.2)
2.8 
(3.0)
10.8 
(0.3)
– 
1.6 
(1.4)
(163.9)
(4.8)
(158.0)
(379.9)
(537.9)

all figures in £ million 
Due within one year 
Bank and cash 
Bank overdraft 
Recapitalisation fee 
Loan notes 
Finance lease receivables 
Finance lease payables 
Escrow cash receivables 
Derivative financial assets 
Derivative financial liabilities 

Due after one year 
Bank loan  
Recapitalisation fee 
US private placement 
Finance lease receivables 
Finance lease payables 
Derivative financial assets 
Derivative financial liabilities 

Total net debt as defined by the Group 

Year ended 
31 March 2008

Cash flow 

Non cash 
movement 

24.5 
(5.0)
0.2 
 (0.5)
3.0
(2.8)
3.0
1.4
(3.7)
20.1

 (266.7)
0.9
(132.3)
13.0
(12.8)
2.3
(4.4)
(400.0)
(379.9)

231.9 
5.0 
0.8 
0.5 
(3.0) 
2.8 
(4.2) 
– 
– 
233.8 

(13.3) 
0.7 
(210.4) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(223.0) 
10.8 

5.7 
– 
(0.3)
– 
3.0 
(2.8)
1.2 
(1.3)
(16.3)
(10.8)

(106.2)
– 
(50.3)
(1.4)
1.4 
(2.3)
0.8 
(158.0)
(168.8)

262.1
–
0.7
–
3.0
(2.8)
–
0.1
(20.0)
243.1

(386.2)
1.6
(393.0)
11.6
(11.4)
–
(3.6)
(781.0)
(537.9)

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QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

31. Finance leases 

Group as a lessor 
The minimum lease receivables under finance leases fall as follows: 

all figures in £ million 
Amounts receivable under finance leases 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
Greater than five years 

Less unearned finance income 
Present value of minimum lease payments 

Classified as follows: 
Financial asset – current 
Financial asset – non-current 

Minimum lease payments 

Present value of minimum lease payments 

3.0
12.0
4.5
19.5
(4.9)
14.6

2008

3.0
12.0
7.5
22.5
(6.5)
16.0

3.0 
8.9 
2.7 

14.6 

3.0 
11.6 
14.6 

2008

3.0
8.9
4.1

16.0

3.0
13.0
16.0

The Group leases out certain buildings under finance leases over a 12-year term expiring in 2015. 

Group as a lessee  
The minimum lease payments under finance leases fall due as follows: 

all figures in £ million 
Amounts payable under finance leases 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
Greater than five years 

Less future finance charges 
Present value of minimum lease payments 

Classified as follows: 
Financial liability – current 
Financial liability – non-current 

Minimum lease payments 

Present value of minimum lease payments 

2.8
11.3
4.2
18.3
(4.1)
14.2

2008

2.8
11.3
7.0
21.1
(5.5)
15.6

2.8 
8.9 
2.5 

14.2 

2.8 
11.4 
14.2 

2008

2.8
8.9
3.9

15.6

2.8
12.8
15.6

The Group utilises certain buildings and computer equipment under finance leases. Average lease terms are typically between two and ten years  
(31 March 2008: between two and ten years). 

32. Share capital 

Authorised share capital at 31 March 2009 and 2008: 

Attributable to equity interests: 
Ordinary shares of 1p each 

Attributable to non-equity interests: 
Special share of £1 

Total authorised share capital  

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£ 

Number

14,000,000  1,400,000,000

1 

1

14,000,001  1,400,000,001

Shares allotted, called up and fully paid: 

At 1 April 2007 
Issued in year 
At 31 March 2008 
Issued in year 
At 31 March 2009 

Ordinary shares of 1p each 
(equity) 

Special share of £1 
(non-equity) 

£
6,601,150
3,614
6,604,764
–
6,604,764

Number
660,115,056
361,317
660,476,373
–
660,476,373

£
1
–
1
–
1

Number 
1 
– 
1 
– 
1 

Total 

£ 
6,601,151 
3,614 
6,604,765 
– 
6,604,765 

Number
660,115,057
361,317
660,476,374
–
660,476,374

Except as noted below all shares at 31 March 2009 rank pari passu in all respects. 

Rights attaching to the Special Share 
QinetiQ carries out activities which are important to UK defence and security interests. To protect these interests in the context of the ongoing 
commercial relationship between the MOD and QinetiQ, and to promote and reinforce the Compliance Principles, the MOD holds a Special Share  
in QinetiQ. The Special Share confers certain rights on the holder: 

a)  to require the Group to implement and maintain the Compliance System (as defined in the Articles of Association) so as to make at all times 
effective its and each member of QinetiQ Controlled Group’s application of the Compliance Principles, in a manner acceptable to the Special 
Shareholder; 

b)  to refer matters to the Board or the Compliance Committee for its consideration in relation to the application of the Compliance Principles; 
c)  to veto any contract, transaction, arrangement or activity which the Special Shareholder considers: 

i)  may result in circumstances which constitute unacceptable ownership, influence or control over QinetiQ or any other member of the 

QinetiQ consolidated Group contrary to the defence or security interests of the United Kingdom; or 

ii)  would not, or does not, ensure the effective application of the Compliance Principles to and/or by all members of the QinetiQ Controlled 

Group or would be or is otherwise contrary to the defence or security interests of the United Kingdom; 

d)  to require the Board to take any action (including but not limited to amending the Compliance Principles), or rectify any omission in the 

application of the Compliance Principles, if the Special Shareholder is of the opinion that such steps are necessary to protect the defence or 
security interest of the United Kingdom; 

e)  to exercise any of the powers contained in the articles in relation to the Compliance Committee; and 
f)  to demand a poll at any of QinetiQ’s meetings (even though it may have no voting rights except those specifically set out in the Articles). 

The Special Shareholder has an option to purchase defined Strategic Assets of the Group in certain circumstances. The Special Shareholder has, 
inter alia, the right to purchase any Strategic Assets which the Group wishes to sell. Strategic Assets are normally testing and research facilities 
(see note 36 for further details). 

The Special Share may only be issued to, held by and transferred to H.M. Government (or as it directs). At any time the Special Shareholder may 
require QinetiQ to redeem the Special Share at par. If QinetiQ is wound up the Special Shareholder will be entitled to be repaid the capital paid 
up on the Special Share before other shareholders receive any payment. The Special Shareholder has no other right to share in the capital or 
profits of QinetiQ. 

The Special Shareholder must give consent to a general meeting held on short notice. 

The Special Share entitles the Special Shareholder to require certain persons who hold (together with any person acting in concert with them)  
a material interest in QinetiQ to dispose of some or all of their Ordinary Shares in certain prescribed circumstances on the grounds of national 
security or conflict of interest. 

The Directors must register any transfer of the Special Share within seven days. 

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57
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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

33. Changes in equity 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2007 
Effective portion of change in fair 
value of net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation 
differences for foreign operations 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Purchase of own shares 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share  
based payments 
Impairment of a previously 
revalued available for sale 
investment 
Increase in fair value of available 
for sale investments 
Decrease in fair value of hedging 
derivatives 
Deferred tax on hedging 
derivatives 
Release unrealised gain  
on disposal of businesses 
Actuarial gain recognised in the 
defined benefit pension schemes 
Deferred tax asset on actuarial 
movement on pension deficit 
At 31 March 2008 
Effective portion of change in fair 
value of net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation 
differences for foreign operations 
Profit for the year 
Dividends paid 
Purchase of own shares 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share-based 
payments 
Increase in fair value of available 
for sale investments 
Decrease in fair value of hedging 
derivatives 
Deferred tax on hedging 
derivatives 
Actuarial loss recognised in the 
defined benefit pension schemes 
Deferred tax on actuarial 
movement on pension deficit 
At 31 March 2009 

Issued share 
capital 
6.6 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
39.9

Share 
premium
147.6

Hedge 
reserve
1.1

Translation 
reserve
(14.2)

Retained 
earnings
296.3

Total 
477.3 

Minority 
interest  Total equity
477.4

0.1 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

(6.8)

1.9

–

–

1.0

(4.3)
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.0 

–
47.4
(24.9)
(12.8)
3.8

(4.3) 
47.4 
(24.9) 
(12.8) 
3.8 

0.2

0.2 

(2.9)

(2.9) 

3.2

3.2 

–

–

(6.8) 

1.9 

(3.5)

(3.5) 

65.5

65.5 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
6.6 

–
39.9

–
147.6

–
(3.8)

–
(17.5)

(12.2)
360.1

(12.2) 
532.9 

– 
0.1 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

– 
6.6 

–
39.9

–
147.6

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

(17.6)

4.7

–

–
(16.7)

(107.6)

–

(107.6) 

181.6
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
93.6
(28.9)
(0.8)
5.6

181.6 
93.6 
(28.9) 
(0.8) 
5.6 

(0.1)

(0.1) 

0.9

0.9 

–

–

(17.6) 

4.7 

(95.8)

(95.8) 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1.0

(4.3)
47.4
(24.9)
(12.8)
3.8

0.2

(2.9)

3.2

(6.8)

1.9

(3.5)

65.5

(12.2)
533.0

(107.6)

181.6
93.6
(28.9)
(0.8)
5.6

(0.1)

0.9

(17.6)

4.7

(95.8)

–
56.5

34.1
368.7

34.1 
602.6 

– 
0.1 

34.1
602.7

The translation reserve includes the cumulative foreign exchange difference arising on translation since the Group transitioned to IFRS. 
Movements on hedge instruments, where the hedge is effective, are recorded in the hedge reserve until the hedge ceases. 

The capital redemption reserve is not distributable and was created following redemption of preference share capital and the bonus issue  
of shares. 

Own shares 
Own shares represent shares in the Company that are held by independent trusts and include treasury shares and shares held by the employee 
share ownership plan. Included in retained earnings at 31 March 2009 are 7,911,191 shares (2008: 7,698,029 shares).  

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34. Share-based payments 

The Group operates a number of share-based payment plans for employees. The total share-based payment expense in the year was £5.6m (year 
to 31 March 2008: £3.8m). 

2003 Employee share option scheme (2003 ESOS) 
Under the employee share option scheme all employees as at 25 July 2003 received share options which vested when the Group completed its 
IPO and which must be exercised within ten years of grant. The options are settled by shares.  

Outstanding at start of year 
Exercised during the year  
Forfeited during the year  
Outstanding and exercisable at end of year 

1,210,122
(207,644)
(78,292)
924,186

2.3p 
2.3p 
2.3p 
2.3p 

2008 

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
2.3p
2.3p
2.3p
2.3p

Number 
1,725,828 
(420,394)
(95,312)
1,210,122 

The 2003 ESOS are equity settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 4.3 years (31 March 2008: 
5.3 years). In respect of the share options exercised during the year, the average share price on the date of exercise was 180p. The exercise price 
of the outstanding options was 2.3p. 

QinetiQ Share Option Scheme (QSOS)  
In the year the Group granted options to certain senior employees under the QSOS. The exercise price of the options is equal to the average 
market price of the Group’s shares on the date of the grant. The options vest after three years. For 17,930,229 (2008: 13,631,708) of the options 
outstanding at the end of the year the number that will vest is dependent upon the growth of earnings per share (‘EPS’) over the measurement 
period. 25% of options will vest if EPS growth is 22.5% for the period and 100% will vest if growth is at least 52%. No options will vest if EPS 
growth is below 22.5%. Options will vest on a straight line basis if EPS growth is between 22.5% and 52%. For the remaining 173,071 (2008: 
411,876) options the EPS growth target is replaced by a performance target based on QinetiQ’s ranking by reference to total shareholder return 
(‘TSR‘) against a comparator group of FTSE listed companies over a three-year performance period such that a below median ranking will result 
in nil shares vesting, at the median level 30% of the options would vest and the amount vested will increase on a straight line basis such that 
100% would vest if TSR reaches the upper quartile of the ranking over a three-year period.  

Outstanding at the start of the year 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Outstanding at end of the year 

14,043,584
4,723,464
(663,748)
18,103,300

187.0p 
198.5p 
187.0p 
190.0p 

2008 

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
195p 
174p
195p 
 187p

Number 
10,542,697 
5,356,392 
(1,855,505)
14,043,584 

QSOS grants are equity-settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 1.0 years (2008: 1.5 years). 
QSOS option awards in the year were made at an average exercise price of 199p (2008: exercise price 174p).  

Performance Share Plan (PSP)  
In the year the Group made awards of conditional shares to certain UK senior executives under the Performance Share Plan. The awards vest 
after three years with 50% of the awards subject to total shareholder return conditions and 50% subject to EPS conditions as detailed in the 
QSOS TSR and EPS conditions above.  

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Outstanding at the start of the year 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Outstanding at end of the year 

2008
Number of 
shares
– 
700,804
– 
700,804 

700,804 
956,249 
(338,840)
1,318,213 

PSP are equity settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 1.9 years (2008: 2.7 years). There is no 
exercise price for these PSP awards.  

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

34. Share-based payments continued

Restricted Stock Units (RSU)  
In the year the Group granted RSU awards to certain senior US employees under the RSU Plan. The awards vest over 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and  
4 years. Half of the awards are dependent on achieving QNA organic profit growth targets and half on a time based criteria. The time based 
criteria requires the employee to have been in continued service up to the date of vesting. QNA organic profit growth is measured over the most 
recent financial year compared to the previous financial year, with 125% of this element awarded at QNA organic profit growth rate above 15%, 
100% awarded at 12.5%, 75% awarded at 10% and 25% awarded at 5%.  

Outstanding at the start of the year 
Granted during the year 
Vested during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Outstanding at end of the year 

2008
Number of 
shares
–
1,739,869
–
(82,539)
1,657,330

1,657,330 
2,358,130 
(94,482) 
(226,701) 
3,694,277 

RSU are equity settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 1.7 years (2008: 2.3 years). There is no 
exercise price for these RSU awards.  

Group Share Incentive Plan (SIP) 
Under the QinetiQ Share Incentive Plan the Group offers UK employees the opportunity of purchasing up to £125 worth of shares a month at the 
prevailing market rate. The Group will make a matching share award of a third of the employee’s payment. The Group’s matching shares may be forfeited 
if the employee ceases to be employed by QinetiQ within three years of the award of the shares. There is no exercise price for these SIP awards. 

Outstanding at the start of the year 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Outstanding at end of year 

2008
Number of 
matching shares
428,878
489,850
(47,397)
871,331

871,331 
420,907 
(39,508) 
1,252,730 

SIP matching shares are equity settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 1.5 years (2008: 2.0 
years). There is no exercise price for these SIP awards.  

Group Deferred Annual Bonus Plan (DAB) 
Under the QinetiQ Deferred Annual Bonus Plan the Group requires certain senior executives to defer part of their annual bonus as shares and be 
entitled to matching awards to a maximum of 1:1 based upon EPS performance. The number that will vest is dependent upon the growth of EPS 
over the measurement period of 3 years as detailed in the QSOS EPS conditions above. No awards will vest if EPS growth in the vesting period is 
below 22.5%. 

Outstanding at the start of the year 
Granted during the year  
Forfeited during the year 
Outstanding at end of the year 

2008
Number of 
matching shares
–
–
–
–

– 
94,137 
(10,598) 
83,539 

DAB matching shares are equity settled awards and those outstanding at 31 March 2009 had an average remaining life of 2.3 years. There is no 
exercise price for these DAB awards.  

Share based award pricing 
Share options (excluding TSR performance related) and awards under the deferred annual bonus plan have been valued using Black-Scholes 
models to determine the fair value of awards. Assumptions used within the model were as follows for awards in each year: 

Share price at date of grant (pence) 
Exercise price (pence) 
Volatility % 
Average expected term to exercise 
Risk-free rate % 
Expected dividend yield % 

The average share price in the year was 179.7p (2008: 186.0p). 

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198.5p 
198.5p 
31% 
3 years 
4.3% 
2.2% 

2008
174.0p
174.0p
22%
3 years
5.5%
2.1%

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The expected volatility assumption is based on the average historic volatility of QinetiQ’s share price at the date of grant (commensurate with 
the vesting period to the extent possible). 

Share based awards involving market based performance conditions, including those based on TSR, have used Monte Carlo models to determine 
the fair value at grant date. Assumptions used in these models included 32% for the average share price volatility of the FTSE comparator group 
and 33% for the average correlation to comparator group. The fair value for these awards (before the probability of lapsing) in the year ended 
March 2009 was 119.1p. 

Share based awards that vest based upon non-market performance conditions, including certain PSP, RSUs and Deferred Annual Bonus awards 
have been valued at the share price at grant less attrition. 

For the 2003 Share Option Scheme, there was a pre-bonus issue weighted average share price of £1 and a weighted average exercise price of  
£1 based on third-party transactions in the Company’s shares in the period immediately prior to the issue of the share options. Prior to IPO in 
February 2006 there was no active market for the Company’s shares therefore expected volatility was determined using the average volatility for 
a comparable selection of businesses. At this time the Group had no established pattern of dividend payments therefore no dividends were 
assumed in this model. 

35. Operating leases 

Group as a lessor 
The Group receives rental income on certain properties. The Group had contracted with tenants for the following future minimum lease payments: 

all figures in £ million 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
Greater than five years 

Group as a lessee 

all figures in £ million 
Lease and sublease income statement expense – minimum lease payments 

The Group had the following future minimum lease payment commitments: 

all figures in £ million 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 
Greater than five years 

6.3 
11.5 
– 
17.8 

18.9 

17.3 
52.5 
22.7 
92.5 

2008
8.1
19.1
–
27.2

2008
16.6

2008
13.8
36.7
25.4
75.9

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group on certain office property and plant. Leases are negotiated for an average of 
three to ten years. 

36. Transactions with MOD 

The MOD is a nil% (2008: 18.9%) shareholder in the Group. On 9 September 2008 the MOD completed the sale of its 18.9% holding (124,885,445 
ordinary shares) in QinetiQ Group plc via a share placing at an average price of 206 pence per share. The MOD will continue to own its special 
share in QinetiQ which conveys certain rights as set out in note 32. Transactions between the Group and the MOD are disclosed as follows: 

Trading 
The MOD is a major customer of the Group. An analysis of trading with the MOD, until 9 September 2008, is presented below: 

all figures in £ million 
Sales to the MOD excluding property rental income 
Property rental income 
Total income from the MOD 

Purchased services from the MOD 

12 months to
31 March 
2008
599.1
6.4
605.5

8.8

279.4 
3.0 
282.4 

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

36. Transactions with MOD continued

Freehold land and buildings and surplus properties 
Under the terms of the Group's acquisition of part of the business and certain assets of DERA from the MOD on 1 July 2001, the MOD retained 
certain rights in respect of the freehold land and buildings transferred. These are: 

i) Restrictions on transfer of title 
The title deeds of those properties with strategic assets (see below) include a clause that prevents their transfer without the approval of MOD. 
The MOD also has the right to purchase any strategic assets in certain circumstances. 

ii) Property clawback agreement 
The MOD retains an interest in future profits on disposal following a ‘trigger event’. A ‘trigger event’ includes the granting of planning 
permission for development and/or change of use, and the disposition of any of the acquired land and buildings. During the 12 years from 1 July 
2001, following a ‘trigger event’, the MOD is entitled to clawback a proportion of the gain on each individual property transaction in excess of a 
30% gain on a July 2001 professional valuation. The proportion of the excess gain due to the MOD is based on a sliding scale which reduces over 
time from 50% to 9% and at 31 March 2009 stands at 33% (2008: 37%). The July 2001 valuation was approximately 16% greater in aggregate 
than the consideration paid for the land and buildings on 1 July 2001. 

Compliance Regime 
The Compliance Committee monitors the effective application of the Compliance Regime required by the MOD to maintain the position of 
QinetiQ as a supplier of independent and impartial scientific/technical advice to the MOD and ensures that the required standards are met  
in trials involving human volunteers.  

Strategic assets 
Under the Principal Agreement with the MOD, the QinetiQ controlled Group is not permitted without the written consent of the MOD, to: 

i) dispose of or destroy all or any part of a strategic asset; or 

ii) voluntarily undertake any closure of, or cease to provide a strategic capability by means of, all or any part of a strategic asset. 

The net book value of assets identified as being strategic assets as at 31 March 2009 was £2.7m (31 March 2008: £2.9m), the principal items 
being plant and machinery. 

Long-Term Partnering Agreement 
On 27 February 2003 QinetiQ Limited entered into a Long-Term Partnering Agreement to provide the Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities and 
training support services to the MOD. This is a 25-year contract with a total revenue value of up to £5.6bn, dependent on the level of usage by 
MOD, under which QinetiQ Limited is committed to providing the T&E services with increasing efficiencies through cost saving and innovative 
service delivery. 

37. Directors and other senior management personnel 

The Directors and other senior management personnel of the Group during the year to 31 March 2009 comprise the Board of Directors and the 
QinetiQ Executive Team.  

all figures in £ million 
Short-term employee remuneration including benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share based payments expense 
Total 

3.2 
0.2 
1.0 
4.4 

2008
3.1
0.2
0.3 
3.6

Short term employee remuneration and benefits include salary, bonus, and benefits. Post-employment benefits relate to pension amounts.  

38. Contingent liabilities and assets 

Subsidiary undertakings within the Group have given unsecured guarantees of £8.5m at 31 March 2009 (31 March 2008: £5.8m) in the ordinary 
course of business.  

The Group is aware of claims and potential claims by or on behalf of current and former employees, including former employees of the MOD and 
DERA and contractors, in respect of intellectual property, employment rights and industrial illness and injury which involve or may involve legal 
proceedings against the Group. The Directors are of the opinion, having regard to legal advice received, the Group's insurance arrangements and 
provisions carried in the balance sheet, that it is unlikely that these matters will, in aggregate, have a material effect on the Group's financial 
position, results of operations and liquidity. 

The Group has not recognised contingent amounts receivable relating to the Chertsey property which was disposed of during 2004 or the Fort 
Halstead property disposed of in September 2005. Additional consideration, subject to clawback to the MOD pursuant to the arrangements 
referred to in note 36, is potentially due upon the purchasers obtaining additional planning consents, with the quantum dependent on the scope 
of the consent achieved. 

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39. Post-retirement benefits 

Triennial funding valuation 
The most recent full actuarial valuation of the defined benefit section of the QinetiQ Pension Scheme was undertaken as at 30 June 2008 and 
resulted in an actuarially assessed deficit of £111.3m. On the basis of this full valuation the Trustees of the scheme and the Company agreed 
that the current 17.5% employer contribution rate will change to 11.5%, back-dated to 30 June 2008, and there will be deficit recovery payments 
of £13m per year for a 10 year period.  

Introduction and background to IAS 19 
International Accounting Standard 19 (Employee Benefits) requires the Group to include in the balance sheet the surplus or deficit on defined 
benefit schemes calculated as at the balance sheet date. It is a snapshot view which can be significantly influenced by short-term market factors. 
The calculation of the surplus or deficit is, therefore, dependent on factors which are beyond the control of the Group – principally the value at 
the balance sheet date of equity shares in which the scheme has invested and long-term interest rates which are used to discount future 
liabilities. The funding of the scheme is based on long-term trends and assumptions relating to market growth, as advised by qualified actuaries. 

The QinetiQ Pension Scheme 
In the UK the Group operates the QinetiQ Pension Scheme for the majority of its UK employees, a mixed benefit scheme. The Defined Benefit 
(DB) section of the scheme provides future service pension benefits to transferring Civil Service employees. All Group employees who were 
members, or eligible to be members, of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme or the UKAEA principal Non-Industrial Superannuation 
Scheme were invited to join the DB section of the scheme from 1 July 2001, together with all new employees who were previously members of 
schemes who are part of the Public Sector Transfer Club. On 31 March 2009, the Group withdrew from the Public Sector Transfer Club from 31 
March 2009. The Defined Contribution (DC) section of the scheme was set up for employees who were not eligible or did not wish to join the DB 
section of the scheme. 

Other UK schemes  
In the UK the Group operates a further two small defined benefit schemes, QinetiQ Prudential Platinum Scheme and a scheme for the subsidiary 
company ASAP Calibration Limited. The net pension deficits of these schemes at 31 March 2009 amounted to £0.2m (31 March 2008: £0.2m). 
The defined benefit scheme relating to ASAP Calibration Limited was closed to future benefit accruals in the year to 31 March 2007. 

There were no outstanding or prepaid contributions at the balance sheet date (March 2008: £nil). Set out below is a summary of the overall IAS 
19 defined benefit pension schemes’ liabilities. The fair value of the schemes' assets, which are not intended to be realised in the short term and 
may be subject to significant change before they are realised, and the present value of the schemes’ liabilities, which are derived from cash flow 
projections over long periods, and thus inherently uncertain, were: 

all figures in £ million 
Equities 
Corporate bonds 
Government bonds 
Cash  
Total market value of assets 
Present value of scheme liabilities 
Net pension liability before deferred tax 
Deferred tax asset 
Net pension liability 

473.7
78.4
83.2
12.1
647.4
(752.6)
(105.2)
29.4
(75.8)

2008 
620.8 
83.9 
76.3 
3.2 
784.2 
(807.6) 
(23.4) 
6.5 
(16.9) 

Assumptions 
The major assumptions (weighted to reflect individual scheme differences) were: 

Rate of increase in salaries 
Rate of increase in pensions in payment  
Rate of increase in pensions in deferment 
Discount rate applied to scheme liabilities 
Inflation assumption  
Assumed life expectancies in years 
Future male pensioners (currently aged 60) 
Future female pensioners (currently aged 60) 

Future male pensioners (currently aged 40) 
Future female pensioners (currently aged 40) 

2007 
641.5 
74.5 
74.7 
3.4 
794.1 
(884.9) 
(90.8) 
27.1 
(63.7) 

4.1% 
3.1% 
3.1% 
6.5% 
3.1% 

87 
89 

89 
90 

2006
551.1
85.2
74.8
4.9
716.0
(884.4)
(168.4)
50.4
(118.0)

2008
5.0%
3.5%
3.5%
6.6%
3.5%

87
90

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

39. Post-retirement benefits continued

The assumptions used by the actuary are the best estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions which, due to the timescale 
covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice. It is important to note that these assumptions are long term, and in the case of the 
discount rate and the inflation rate are measured by external market indicators. In light of evidence of changes in life expectancy the 
assumptions for mortality have changed in the year to 31 March 2009 so that the base tables for mortality have been updated to reflect the 
latest standard actuarial tables and the allowance for future improvements in life expectancy is now in line with the Medium Cohort projections 
with minimum annual rates of improvement of 1% for males and 0.5% for females (2008: no underpin for future improvement). The current 
mortality rates reflect the standard tables PNMA00MC (for males) and PNFA00MC (for females) for members' year of birth. These mortality 
tables are published by the Continuous Mortality Investigation and adopted by the actuarial profession. 

Scheme assets 
The overall expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon the expected return rates for each asset class. Equity return rates are the long 
term expected return rates based upon the market rates of return for risk free investments, typically government bonds, together with the 
historical level of risk premium associated with equities; with the resulting rate then being reviewed and benchmarked against a peer group of 
listed companies. Expected long-term rates of return on scheme assets (weighted to reflect the individual scheme actual asset allocations) were: 

Equities 
Corporate bonds 
Government bonds 
Cash 
Weighted average 

Return on scheme assets 

all figures in £ million 
Actual return on plan assets: 
Expected return on scheme assets 
Actuarial loss on scheme assets 
Actual loss on scheme assets 

Value of scheme assets 

all figures in £ million 
Changes to the fair value of scheme assets: 
Opening fair value of scheme assets 
Expected return on assets 
Actuarial loss 
Contributions by the employer 
Contributions by plan participants 
Scheme disposal – Aurix Limited 
Net benefits paid out and transfers 
Closing fair value of scheme assets 

Changes to the present value of the defined benefit obligation 

all figures in £ million 
Opening defined benefit obligation 
Current service cost 
Interest cost 
Contributions by plan participants 
Actuarial gains on scheme liabilities 
Scheme disposal – Aurix Limited 
Net benefits paid out and transfers 
Closing defined benefit obligation 

Total expense recognised in the income statement 

all figures in £ million 
Pension costs charged to the income statement: 
Current service cost 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets 
Total expense recognised in the income statement (gross of deferred tax) 

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8.0% 
6.0% 
3.8% 
4.0% 
7.1% 

56.5 
(212.8) 
(156.3) 

784.2 
56.5 
(212.8) 
37.3 
1.3 
– 
(19.1) 
647.4 

807.6 
26.8 
53.1 
1.3 
(117.1) 
– 
(19.1) 
752.6 

26.8 
53.1 
(56.5) 
23.4 

2008
7.7%
6.2%
4.4%
6.0%
7.2%

2008

56.8
(84.0)
(27.2)

2008

794.1
56.8
(84.0)
32.3
6.5
(1.5)
(20.0)
784.2

2008
884.9
38.9
48.4
6.5
(149.5)
(1.6)
(20.0)
807.6

2008

38.9
48.4
(56.8)
30.5

Analysis of amounts recognised in Statement of Recognised Income and Expense 

all figures in £ million 
Total actuarial (loss)/gain (gross of deferred tax) 

(95.7)

2008 
65.5 

2007 
85.8

2006
(105.4)

Cumulative total actuarial losses recognised in the Statement  
of Recognised Income and Expense 

(193.2)

(97.5) 

(163.0)

(248.8)

History of scheme experience gains and losses* 
Experience (losses)/gains on scheme assets 
Experience gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities 

* 

Experience gains and losses exclude the impact of changes in assumptions. 

(212.8)
37.1

(83.9) 
(1.0) 

7.4 
– 

85.7
(81.0)

The expected employer cash contribution to the defined benefit scheme for the year ending 31 March 2010 is expected to be £40.0m 
(2009:£37.3m). 

Defined contribution schemes  
Payments to the defined contribution schemes totalled £18.5m (March 2008: £14.6m). 

40. Capital commitments 

The Group had the following capital commitments for which no provision has been made: 

all figures in £ million 
Contracted 

5.0 

2008
9.4 

Capital commitments at 31 March 2009 include £3.9m (2008: £7.4m) in relation to property, plant and equipment that will be wholly-funded by 
a third-party customer under long-term contract arrangements. 

41. Subsidiaries 

The principal subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2009, all of which are included in the consolidated financial statements are shown below. 

Name of company 
Subsidiaries
QinetiQ Holdings Limited 
QinetiQ Limited 
QinetiQ Overseas Holdings Limited 
QinetiQ Overseas Trading Limited 
QinetiQ North America, Inc. 
QinetiQ North America Operations, LLC 
Analex Corporation 
Apogen Technologies, Inc. 
Dominion Technology Resources, Inc. 
Foster-Miller, Inc. 
Westar Aerospace & Defence Group, Inc. 

Principal area of operation 

Country of incorporation

UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA

(1)  Accounting reference date is 31 March. All principal subsidiary undertakings listed above have financial year ends of 31 March and 100% of the ordinary shares 

are owned by the Group.  

(2)  QinetiQ Holdings Limited is a direct subsidiary of QinetiQ Group plc. All other subsidiaries are held indirectly by other subsidiaries of QinetiQ Group plc. 
(3)  All companies except for holding companies are operating companies engaged in the Group’s principal activities as described in the Report of the Directors on 

page 62. 

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Financial Statements

Notes to the financial statements  
continued

42. Post balance sheet events  

On 6 May 2009 the Group announced the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Cyveillance, Inc., a provider of online monitoring 
technology to identify and track data in cyberspace. The transaction will close upon receipt of appropriate US Government regulatory approval, 
anticipated in June 2009. The acquisition will be settled for an initial cash consideration of £27.9m ($40.0m), with a deferred consideration of up 
to £27.9m ($40.0m) depending on the company’s financial performance during the two year period ended 31 December 2010. As the acquisition 
has not yet completed, it is not practicable to provide information about the assets and liabilities as at the date of acquisition.  

On 14 May 2009 the Group announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its underwater systems business based in Winfrith, Dorset to Atlas 
Elektronik UK for a cash consideration of £23.5m. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to complete in summer 2009. 

On 21 May 2009 the Group announced a programme to reduce the headcount of the EMEA business by approximately 400. This will generate 
annualised savings of approximately £14m and result in an estimated cost of c£40m. 

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Company balance sheet 
As at 31 March 

all figures in £million 
Fixed assets 
Investments in subsidiary undertaking 

Current assets 
Debtors 

Current liabilities 
Creditors amounts falling due within one year 
Net current assets  

Net assets  

Capital and reserves  
Equity share capital 
Capital redemption reserve 
Share premium account 
Profit and loss account 
Capital and reserves attributable to shareholders  

There are no other recognised gains and losses.  

note 

2 

3 

4, 5 
5 
5 
5 

2008

97.3
97.3

182.4
182.4

–
182.4

279.7

6.6
39.9
147.6
85.6
279.7

102.9 
102.9 

164.8 
164.8 

– 
164.8 

267.7 

6.6 
39.9 
147.6 
73.6 
267.7 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 21 May 2009 and they were signed on its  
behalf by: 

 Chief Executive Officer

 Chief Financial Officer 

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Financial Statements

Notes to the Company financial statements 

1. Accounting policies 

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the 
Company’s financial statements. 

Basis of preparation 
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards. 
As permitted by section 408(4) of the Companies Act 1985, a separate profit and loss account dealing with the results of the Company has not 
been presented. 

Investments 
In the Company’s financial statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less any impairment in value. 

Share-based payments 
The fair value of equity settled options for share-based payments is determined on grant and expensed straight-line over the period from grant 
to the date of earliest exercise. The fair value of cash settled options for share-based payments is determined at each period end until exercised 
or they lapse. The value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the period from grant to the date of earliest exercise or vesting. Share options 
(excluding TSR performance related) and awards under the deferred annual bonus plan have been valued using Black-Scholes option pricing 
model. Share based awards involving market based performance conditions, including those based on TSR, have used Monte Carlo models to 
determine the fair value at grant date. Share based awards that vest based upon non market performance conditions, including certain PSP, 
RSUs and Deferred Annual Bonus awards have been valued at the share price at grant less attrition. The cost of share-based payments is charged 
to subsidiary undertakings. 

2.

Investment in subsidiary undertaking 

As at 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Subsidiary undertaking – 100% of ordinary share capital of QinetiQ Holdings Limited 

102.9 

2008
97.3 

A list of all principal subsidiary undertakings of QinetiQ Group plc is disclosed in note 41 to the Group financial statements. The £5.6m (2008: £5.0m) 
increase in investment in the year relates to the capital contribution in relation to share-based payments for employees of subsidiary companies.  

3. Debtors  

As at 31 March 

all figures in £ million 
Amounts owed by Group undertakings 
Other debtors 

4. Share capital 

The Company’s share capital is disclosed in note 32 to the Group financial statements. 

164.7 
0.1 
164.8 

2008
182.3
0.1
182.4

45
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5. Reserves 

all figures in £ million 
At 1 April 2007 
Profit 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividend received 
Dividend paid 
Share-based payments 
At 31 March 2008 
Profit 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividend paid 
Share-based payments 
At 31 March 2009 

Issued share 
capital
6.6
–
–
–
–
–
6.6
–
–
–
–
6.6

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
39.9
–
–
–
–
–
39.9
–
–
–
–
39.9

Share premium 
147.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
147.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
147.6 

Profit and loss 
68.9 
11.5 
(12.8)
40.0 
(24.9)
2.9 
85.6 
12.1 
(0.8)
(28.9)
5.6 
73.6 

Total equity
263.0
11.5
(12.8)
40.0
(24.9)
2.9
279.7
12.1
(0.8)
(28.9)
5.6
267.7

The capital redemption reserve is not distributable and was created following redemption of Preference Share capital. 

6. Share-based payments 

The Company’s share-based payment arrangements are set out in note 34 to the Group financial statements.  

7. Other information 

The Company had no employees during the year. Details of the employees of the Group are shown in note 9 to the Group financial statements. 
Directors’ emoluments, excluding Company pension contributions, were £1.3m (2008: £1.7m). These emoluments were all in relation to services 
provided on behalf of the QinetiQ Group with no amount specifically relating to their work for the Company. Details of the Directors’ emoluments, 
share schemes and entitlements under money purchase pension schemes are disclosed in the Report of the Remuneration Committee. 

The remuneration of the Company’s auditors for the year to 31 March 2009 was £5,000 (2008: £5,000) all of which was for statutory audit 
services. No other services were provided by the auditors to the Company. 

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Financial Statements

Five-year record for the years ended 31 March (unaudited) 

all figures in £ million 

QinetiQ North America 
EMEA 
Ventures 
Revenue 

QinetiQ North America 
EMEA 
Ventures 
Operating profit(1)

Operating margin(1)
Underlying Profit before tax(1)
Profit before tax  
Profit after tax  

Underlying Basic EPS (pence) 
Diluted EPS (pence) 
Basic EPS (pence) 
Dividend per share  

Cash flow from operations  
Net debt 
Average number of employees 
Orders 

2008

2007 

2006

2005

765.6
842.3
9.4
1,617.3

540.2
820.1
5.7
1,366.0

358.2 
779.3 
12.0 
1,149.5 

248.4
797.2
6.1
1,051.7

83.0
87.6
(15.6)
155.0

9.6%
130.2
114.0
93.6

15.9p
14.3p
14.3p
4.75p

62.1
80.0
(15.1)
127.0

9.3%
109.0
51.4
47.4

13.4p
7.2p
7.2p
4.25p

39.9 
73.0 
(6.9) 
106.0 

9.2% 
94.0 
89.3 
69.0 

11.3p 
10.3p 
10.5p 
3.65p 

24.5
73.7
(7.5)
90.7

8.6%
80.1
72.5
60.4

10.2p
9.8p
10.0p
2.25p

175.2
537.9
13,882
1,596.0

138.3
379.9
13,470
1,277.1

107.0 
300.8 
11,870 
1,214.0 

107.6
233.0
11,024
816.7

70.1
780.8
5.0
855.9

8.0
67.2
(10.0)
65.2

7.6%
58.2
78.0
72.3

8.8p
11.7p
12.0p
Nil

36.9
176.6
9,632
668.3

(1)  Underlying is before amortisation of intangibles arising from acquisitions, EMEA reorganisation costs in 2008 and restructuring costs in 2005, IPO costs in 2006, 
profit on disposal of interests in subsidiaries, profit on disposal of interest in associates and business divestments and unrealised impairment of investments.  

45
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www.QinetiQ.com

Glossary 

AGM 
Book to bill ratio 

BPS 
CIFA 

–  Annual General Meeting 
–  Ratio of funded orders received in the 

year to revenue for the year, adjusted to 
exclude revenue from the 25-year LTPA 
contract 
–  Basis points 
–  US Department of Defense 

Counterintelligence Field Activity 

Compliance Principles  –  The principles underlying the Compliance 

CR 
DARPA 

DHS 
DoD 
Dragon RunnerTM

DSALT 
DTR 

EBITDA 

EMEA 
EPS 
ESA 
ETIS 

EU 
Funded backlog 

GSA 
IAS 
IDIQ 
IFRS 

IPO 
KPI 
LIBID 
LIBOR 
LSE 
LTPA 

MAARS 

MOD 
MSCA 
NASA 

OCI 
Organic Growth 

Regime, covering impartiality, integrity, 
conflicts, confidentiality and security 

–  Corporate Responsibility 
–  US Defense Advanced Research  

Projects Agency 

–  US Department of Homeland Security 
–  US Department of Defense 
–  A small, unmanned, man-portable 

ground vehicle intended for use in urban 
environments 

–  Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training 
–  MOD’s Defence Training Rationalisation 

– 

programme 
Earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation, amortisation, gains/loss  
on business divestments, unrealised 
impairment of investment and  
disposal of non-current assets 
– 
Europe, Middle East and Australasia 
– 
Earnings per share 
European Space Agency 
– 
–  NASA Environmental Test and 

Integration Services 
European Union 

– 
–  The expected future value of revenue 
from contractually committed and 
funded customer orders (excluding 
£4.5bn value of the remaining 19 years of
LTPA contract) 

–  General Services Administration 
– 
– 
– 

International Accounting Standards 
Indefinite delivery indefinite quantity 
International Financial  
Reporting Standards 
– 
Initial Public Offering 
–  Key Performance Indicator 
London inter-bank bid rate 
– 
London inter-bank offered rate 
– 
London Stock Exchange 
– 
Long-Term Partnering Agreement – 25 
– 
year contract established in 2003  
to manage the MOD’s test and 
evaluation ranges 

–  Modular Advanced Armed Robotic 

System 

–  Ministry of Defence 
–  Maritime Strategic Capability Agreement
–  National Aeronautics and  

Space Administration (USA) 

–  Organisational Conflicts of Interest 
–  The level of year-on-year growth, expressed 
as a percentage, calculated at constant 
foreign exchange rates, adjusting 
comparatives to incorporate the results  
of acquired entities and excluding the 
results for any disposals or discontinued 
operations for the same duration of 
ownership as the current period  

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QNA 
R&D 
RFID 
RIDDOR 

RoSPA 

Specific non-recurring 
items and acquisition 
amortisation 

STEM 

– 

–  QinetiQ North America 
–  Research & Development 
–  Radio frequency identification 
–  Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & 

Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 

–  Royal Society for the Prevention of 

Accidents 

–  Major restructuring costs, disposal of 

non-current assets, business 
divestments, amortisation of intangible 
assets arising from acquisitions and 
impairment of investments 
Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics educational programme 

TSR 
UAV 
UGV 
UOR 
UK GAAP 
Underlying basic 
earnings per share 

Underlying effective  
tax rate 

Underlying operating 
cash conversion 

Underlying  
operating margin 
Underlying  
operating profit 

–  Total Shareholder Return 
–  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle  
–  Unmanned Ground Vehicle 
–  Urgent Operational Requirements 
–  UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
–  Basic earnings per share as adjusted for 
gain/loss on business divestments, 
disposal of non-current assets, 
unrealised impairment of investments, 
major reorganisation costs and 
amortisation of intangible assets arising 
from acquisitions and tax thereon 

–  The tax charge for the year excluding the 
tax impact on gain/loss on business 
divestments, disposal of non-current 
assets, unrealised impairment of 
investments, major reorganisation costs, 
acquisition amortisation and any tax rate 
change effect expressed as a percentage 
of underlying profit before tax 
–  The ratio of net cash flow from 
operations (excluding major 
reorganisations), less outflows on the 
purchase of intangible assets and 
property, plant and equipment to 
underlying operating profit excluding 
share of post tax result of equity 
accounted joint ventures and associates 
–  Underlying operating profit expressed as 

– 

a percentage of revenue 
Earnings before interest, tax, gain/loss on 
business divestments, disposal of non-
current assets, unrealised impairment of 
investments, major reorganisation costs 
and amortisation of intangibles arising 
on acquisitions 

Underlying profit before 
tax 

–  Profit before tax excluding gain/loss on 

business divestments, disposal of non-
current assets, unrealised impairment of 
investments, major reorganisation costs 
and amortisation of intangible assets 
arising from acquisitions 

Unfunded Orders 

–  Typically long term contracts awarded by 
the US government which the customer 
funds incrementally over the life of the 
contract. The Group does not recognise 
such awards into the reported backlog 
until funding is confirmed. 

QinetiQ Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2009

57
111

 
 
Financial Statements

Financial calendar 
4 August 2009 
4 August 2009 
5 August 2009 
4 September 2009 
30 September 2009   
25 November 2009 
February 2010 
February 2010 
31 March 2010 
May 2010  

Interim management statement 
Annual General Meeting 
Ex-dividend date 
Final ordinary dividend payable 
Interim financial period end 
Interim results announcement 
Interim management statement (provisional date) 
Interim dividend payment (provisional date) 
Financial year end 
Preliminary announcement (provisional date) 

Analysis of shareholders*  
Institutional investors with shareholding greater than 0.5m shares 
Other (including employees, management and financial institutions  
with shareholding less than 0.5m) 

89%

11%

100%

* Analysis as at 12 May 2009 

Auditors 
KPMG Audit Plc 
8 Salisbury Square 
London EC4Y 8BB 

Advisors 
Corporate brokers 
JPMorgan Cazenove 
20 Moorgate 
London EC2R 6DA 

Merrill Lynch International 
2 King Edward Street 
London EC1A 1HQ 

Principal legal advisors 
Herbert Smith LLP 
Exchange House 
Primrose Street 
London EC2A 2HS 

Principal bankers 
Lloyds TSB Bank plc 
25 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7HN 

Registrars 
Equiniti  
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing 
West Sussex  
BN99 6DA 

Company Registration Number 4586941 

REGISTERED OFFICE: 
85 Buckingham Gate 
London 
SW1E 6PD 

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A year of progress and delivery

QinetiQ is a leading international provider of technology-based services and solutions to the defence, security
and related markets.

We develop and deliver services and solutions for government organisations, predominantly in the UK and US,
including defence departments, intelligence services and security agencies. In addition, we provide technology
insertion and consultancy services to commercial and industrial customers around the world.

We operate principally in the UK and North America and have recently entered the Australian defence
consulting market.

2009 Highlights including statutory results

• Group revenue up 18% to £1,617.3m
(2008: £1,366.0m) driven by organic
growth1 of 7%

• Underlying operating profit up

22% to £155.0m (2008: £127.0m)

• Operating profit up to

£131.5m (2008: £76.4m)

• Underlying operating margin increased

by 30bps to 9.6% (2008: 9.3%)
• Profit before tax up to £114.0m

(2008: £51.4m)

• Strong underlying operating cash
conversion of 105% (2008: 77%)
• Underlying earnings per share up
18.7% to 15.9p (2008: 13.4p)
• Proposed final dividend per share

up by 11.3% to 3.25p per
share (2008: 2.92p per share)
• Order intake in the period up 25%
to £1,596.0m (2008: £1,277.1m)
providing enhanced backlog.

(1) Organic growth is calculated at constant foreign exchange rates, adjusting the comparatives to incorporate the results of acquired entities for the same duration
of ownership as the current period. See Glossary section on page 111 for definitions of Non GAAP terms used throughout this report. Underlying financial
measures are presented as the Board believes these provide a better representation of the Group’s long-term performance trends.

On the cover

QinetiQ colleagues
within the Consulting
sector involved in
the Government
e-Borders programme.

This report is available online at www.QinetiQ.com

Where can you learn more?

View our report online at www.QinetiQ.com/Investors
The QinetiQ Annual Report 2009 can be viewed at www.QinetiQ.com/Investors along with further useful shareholder
information and information on the Company, its performance, the Annual General Meeting and latest presentations.

For more information visit: www.QinetiQ.com. You can access the following:

Latest shareholder information
•
•
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Electronic communication
QinetiQ has taken full advantage of changes brought about by the Companies Act 2006 which recognises the growing
importance of electronic communications and allows companies to provide documentation and communications to
shareholders via their websites (except to those who have specifically elected to receive a hardcopy (i.e. paper).

The wider use of electronic communications enables fast receipt of documents, reduces the Company’s printing, paper and post
costs and has a positive impact on the environment.

Shareholders may also cast their vote for the 2009 AGM online quickly and easily using the Sharevote-service by using
www.sharevote.co.uk or the QinetiQ website at www.QinetiQ.com/agm

Corporate responsibility
Read more about our Corporate responsibility policy at www.QinetiQ.com/cr

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i

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QinetiQ Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2009

Delivering customer-
focused solutions

Company Registration Number
4586941

Registered office
85 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6PD

Customer Contact Team
QinetiQ
Cody Technology Park
Ively Road, Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 0LX
United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0)8700 100 942
www.QinetiQ.com

© QinetiQ Group plc
QINETIQ/CF/SS/PUB0900043