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Regus Group Plc

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FY2016 Annual Report · Regus Group Plc
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Regus plc  
Annual Report and Accounts 2016

Workspace for 
everyone

Regus is the global 
leader for flexible 
workspace

Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace 
solutions, with customers including some of the most successful 
entrepreneurs, individuals and multi-million dollar corporations. 

Through our range of office formats, as well as our growing mobile, 
virtual office, and workplace recovery businesses, we enable 
people and businesses to work where they want, when they want, 
how they want, and at a price they want.

What’s inside

Strategic report  
and Governance

Performance highlights
Our brands and services
Our business model
Strategic review
Our strategic objectives and KPIs

1 
3 
10 
12  
16 
18   Our people
20  
23  
29  
32 

Financial review
Risk management and principal risks
Corporate responsibility
Directors’ statements

Financial statements

33 
34  
35   

36   

Auditors’ report
Consolidated income statement
 Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income
 Consolidated statement of  
changes in equity
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated statement of cash flows

37  
38  
39   Notes to the accounts
81  
83  
85 
87 
88 

Parent company accounts
Segmental analysis
 Post-tax cash return on net investment
Five-year summary
Shareholder information

Please visit regus.com to find out more about us

A glossary is included on page 88 which defines 
various alternative measures used to provide 
useful and relevant information.

Performance highlights

A successful and transformational year for the business. Strongly 
positioned to benefit from the structural growth opportunities 
within the Workspace-as-a-Service (WaaS) sector.

Key highlights

Operational highlights

 • Improved post-tax cash returns on pre-12 investments  

to 25.2%(1)

 • Group revenue up 5.5%(2) to £2,233.4m and underlying  

operating profit up 16%(2) to £188.6m

 • Returns on new investment benefiting  
from operational scale and efficiency

 • 6% increase in the network. 231  

new locations in 2016

 • Overheads reduced 14%(2); down 310bp as a percentage  

 • Net growth capital expenditure of £162.3m

of revenues to 11.6%

 • Generated £283.2m or 30.5p per share of cash in 2016  
(before net growth capital expenditure, share buybacks,  
dividends and disposal proceeds), an increase of 31%

 • Underlying earnings per share up 37% to 15.3p

 • Conservative balance sheet maintained with net debt  

of £151.3m (0.4x underlying net debt : EBITDA) 

 • Key banking facility increased to £550.0m and maturity  

extended to 2021, with option to extend to 2023

 • Current trading in-line with management expectations

 • Now in 2,926 locations, across 1,029 towns  

and cities in over 100 countries

 • Continued investment in innovating new 

products and services and developing new 
location formats

 • New city cluster field structure implemented  

in 2016 

 • Key focus on risk management

2016 Post-tax cash return 
on net investment by year 
group (%)(1)

Cash flow before growth 
capital expenditure and 
dividends (£m)

Net growth capital 
expenditure (£m)

Number of  
locations

.

2
3
8
2

.

7
5
1
2

.

6
5
7
1

.

9
4
8
2

.

2
0
6
2

.

6
6
0
2

.

3
2
6
1

.

8
7
4
1

6
2
9
2

,

8
6
7
2

,

9
6
2
2

,

1
3
8
1

,

1
1
4
1

,

.

2
1
3

.

5
1
2

.

6
5
2

.

4
4
1

.

7
6
01
4
1

.

.

2
0
1

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

.

4
2
1
1

.

4
5
1
1

‘15

‘16

)
5
2
(

.

.

)
7
5
1
(

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

£283.2m

£162.3m

2,926

1.  Turn to page 10 for details on how we calculate our post-tax cash return on net investment

2.  At constant currency

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

1

 
We are leading,  
innovative, flexible

The commercial property market has changed, and the fixed-
lease contract is becoming less appealing to businesses. Instead, 
today’s cloud-based companies and business people are 
demanding unprecedented choice in where and how they work. 

We can provide everything they want. The ability to expand, 
contract or move – instantly. Cost-effective, transparent and  
simple agreements. 100% managed and maintained workspaces, 
in over 100 countries across the world.

In short, we’re at the forefront of the WaaS sector.

2 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

OUR BRANDS

We are seeing a generational shift in what people want from their workspace, 
meaning different customers require different solutions. Our range of flexible 
formats enables us to deliver a working environment that matches the needs  
of each customer.

Places to work  
for everyone, 
worldwide

Creative working 
environments  
for businesses  
of all sizes

Exclusive, 
high-status 
business properties 
that make a 
powerful 
statement

Friendly, sociable 
places to work, 
offering great  
value for money

Our entrepreneurial 
community 
connecting partners 
from the worlds of 
business and 
learning

Flexible, outsourced 
turnkey managed 
office solutions 
meeting customer 
requirements in any 
location

OUR SERVICES

The line-up of services that we offer at all our sites is industry leading  
and continuously growing. From 24/7 network monitoring to enterprise-level 
connectivity, IT helpdesks, firewall security, reception, food and beverage  
and facilities management services, we provide everything required under a 
single, cost-effective customer contract. 

Office
Across the world, companies  
of all sizes are successfully 
growing their business out of  
our workplaces, from major 
global headquarters to regional 
centres and satellite sales or 
support offices.

For them, the beauty of working 
with us is that they can be 
flexible in their property 
commitments at the precise 
moment they need to be. 
They’ve found that premises 
don’t have to be capital 
intensive. Instead, they can fit 
their property solutions around 
the needs of their business  
and their people – not the other 
way round.

Home
The proportion of self-
employed and outsourced 
people in the global workforce 
is growing every year as they 
seek freedom from the daily 
commute. Enterprises are now 
looking for greater flexibility in 
their employment practices.

This means continued growth 
in the number of people who 
work from home but still need 
places to meet or work as well 
as support services. Combined 
with our global network of 
co-working space, business 
lounges, meeting rooms and 
day offices, our Virtual Office 
solution gives them the access 
they need to short-term, 
flexible space. 

Mobile
In only a few years’ time, the 
global workplace will be 
dominated by employees who 
have never known anything 
other than the liberating effects 
of mobile technology. These 
tech-savvy, “always on” 
individuals already make up  
a high proportion of the world’s 
workers – and it is second nature 
for them to expect no barriers to 
them working wherever and 
whenever they want.

Our sites and services are 
helping businesses across  
the world marry their need  
for greater agility with 
employees’ growing demands 
for greater flexibility and better 
work/life balance. 

Workplace recovery
In the event of a disaster, access 
to our international network of 
business centres and 24/7 
support from our dedicated 
operations teams enable our 
customers to ensure business 
continuity. Our award-winning 
Dynamic Workplace Recovery 
solution provides SLA-
guaranteed local recovery in 
optimal locations dependent 
upon the type of disaster. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

3

 
We are leading

Regus’ position at the forefront of the WaaS sector  
is unchallenged, with approaching 3,000 locations 
throughout over 1,000 cities worldwide. And our industry 
leadership is set to grow, driven by market demand  
and the liberating impact of technology.

MAIN DRIVERS  
OF FLEXIBLE WORKING(1)

Businesses expanding abroad

19%

Businesses hoping to attract top staff

Businesses hoping to improve staff retention

23%

25%

Businesses wanting to be more reactive to market changes

Businesses wanting to scale staff numbers more flexibly 

Businesses avoiding fixed leases

Businesses wanting to be more agile as they seek to grow

Workers demanding to work remotely

Workers demanding to work closer to home

Businesses wanting to reduce office costs

35%

35%

37%

38%

41%

43%

51%

1.  MindMetre Research

4 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Technology 
enabling 
change

The 
productivity 
challenge

What does  
this mean  
for Regus?

Mobile 
workforce 
demanding 
flexibility

The demand for workplace 
flexibility is becoming 
increasingly urgent, driven 
by employees and 
employers, by customers 
and by cost-conscious 
accountants. Of these, the 
workers’ voice is loudest. 
With tech-savvy, creative 
Millennials set to dominate 
the workplace by 2020(2). 
Companies are having to 
provide the organisational 
structures in which they are 
most effective, collaborative 
and innovative. 54% of 
people are already working 
remotely for more than  
half the week(1), so giving 
them the ability to work 
where they want, how they 
want and when they want  
is crucial.

S
D
N
E
R
T
L
A
B
O
L
G

Research shows that 64% 
of companies see enabling 
their people to achieve 
more effective mobile 
working as a key priority(3). 
As a result, 89% of 
companies see mobile 
working as the main driver 
behind the take-up of 
cloud technologies(1). This 
is no surprise. In a world 
where devices, services 
and people are increasingly 
connected by technology, 
digital disruption is making 
spend on a fixed physical 
location increasingly 
obsolete. More importantly,  
mobilisation is shown over 
and over again to result in  
a more engaged, more 
committed and more 
productive workforce.

Increasingly, the flexible 
workplace is becoming  
a source of competitive 
advantage for companies. 
On the one hand, it’s about 
utilising space in a way that 
helps people work 
together better, share 
knowledge more easily and 
innovate more. On the 
other, it’s about enabling 
work-life integration, 
empowering people to 
work, independently or 
collaboratively, wherever 
they might be. Getting this 
right pays great dividends, 
with companies across  
the world reporting  
that flexible working 
contributes directly  
to the bottom line. 

Regus is uniquely well 
positioned to take advantage 
of these powerful trends.  
We are already the world’s 
largest provider of flexible 
workspace solutions,  
with customers including 
successful entrepreneurs, 
the self-employed  
and multi-billion  
dollar corporations.

Through our range of office 
formats and our growing 
mobile, virtual office and 
workplace recovery 
businesses, we are enabling 
people and businesses 
across the planet to work 
wherever, however and 
whenever they want – all at a 
range of price points to suit  
every circumstance.

And our competitive 
advantage will only 
strengthen further as 
demand increases and  
we continue to grow  
our network, our range  
of services and our  
varied formats.

Sources:

1.  MindMetre Research

2.  Millennials at work, PwC

3.  The expanding role of mobility  
in the workplace, Cisco Systems

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

5

54%
of people now  
work remotely  
for more than  
half of the week(1)

89%
see mobile working as 
the main driver of cloud 
technology take up(1)

80%
of global workers say 
that flexible workers are 
better able to manage 
the demands of work 
and personal life(1)

 
 
We are innovative

Innovation is not all about technology. As well as major 
upgrades to our mobile app during 2016, we focused our 
innovation resources on areas as diverse as customer 
satisfaction, format design, business continuity and 
improving productivity for the mobile workforce.

Spaces, Richmond, Australia.

The Citizen of the World organisation has 
named our Spaces format, aimed particularly 
at workers seeking to think, create and 
collaborate, as one of Australia’s coolest places 
to work. This reflects the format’s balanced 
approach that includes entertainment and 
wellbeing opportunities for people to  
bond and connect as well as work.

Our mission to make business travel more 
productive for our customers continued in 
2016, with the opening of new Regus Express 
locations at airports serving cities including 
Prague, Mumbai, Osaka, Sydney, Amsterdam 
and London (Stansted). 

As part of our strategy to sustain best-in-class 
service levels, we introduced a new customer-
service feedback loop and courtesy-call 
programme in 2016. This is already enabling  
us more easily to develop new or improved 
service features based precisely on customer 
feedback. 

6 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

2016 saw a four-fold increase in downloads and a three-fold increase 
in revenue booked through our mobile app compared to 2015.  
This reflects the growing role of mobile and digital self-service 
solutions at the heart of our relationship with customers, enabling 
them to easily carry out all short-stay bookings. We delivered many 
improvements to the app during 2016, including streamlined 
payment, admin and booking processes.

4x increase 
in downloads

3x increase 
in revenue booked  
through our app

“What attracted us to Regus Business Continuity 
Offerings and more specifically their award-winning 
Dynamic Workplace Recovery solution was the 
SLA-guaranteed, global reach. This covers our sites 
in multiple cities throughout Asia Pacific and Europe 
and offers the scope to support possible additional 
requirements in the UK and Ireland. 

We were also highly impressed with the ease of 
working with the 24/7 business continuity operations 
team – it has been incredibly quick in scheduling test 
rehearsals and other urgent requirements, such as the 
activation of work area recovery locations on three 
separate occasions across Europe in the last  
12 months.”

John Frost
Head of Business Continuity,  
Marks & Spencer

 The Regus Dynamic Workplace Recovery solution received  
the 2016 BCI Continuity and Resilience Innovation of the 
Year award in both Europe and Asia.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

7

 
We are flexible

From office space to creative co-working solutions, access to 
business lounges, day offices and meeting rooms in thousands 
of locations, we give our customers and their employees 
endless opportunities to work in the way that suits them best.

8 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

“As you’re growing, you require dedicated 
communication lines, a fully serviced reception, 
meeting rooms for your company’s reputation, 
and a facility for video conferencing. We’ve 
looked at a number of places for the company, 
but Regus made sense for us.”

Bayanda Khwela 
Headlines Media Group and W8 Records,  
Johannesburg, South Africa

“Even though I have my own office space, I love working in the business club and connecting 
with other Spaces members – it really gives me a buzz throughout the working day. Add the 
services and the event programme and I’ve got the perfect working environment.” 

Sandra Tanahatoe 
Spaces Vijzelstraat  
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

“I considered the office choice from a client’s 
perspective. I’m actually quite easy-going because 
of how much I travel, so I don’t mind too much how 
my office looks or where it is. For me it’s the people 
around me who are more important, so I really 
considered how the infrastructure would be for our 
clients – that was one of the reasons I chose Regus.”

Stefan Kühn 
Partner and CEO of INCS AG, 
Zurich, Switzerland

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

9

 
Our business model

How we create value

Once again, our progress in 2016 justified our confidence in the Group’s business model.  
During the year we carried out rigorous planning, stress-testing and constant review.  
These clearly demonstrate that our business model remains fit for purpose.

Our  
business

Customers

Returns

Our customers – from self-employed 
entrepreneurs to multinational corporations – 
use our centres and services because they 
want to be in the best places to focus on their 
business and its priorities. They stay because 
we provide them with an excellent service at 
competitive rates, with a product that flexes to 
meet their every requirement.

The geographic scale of our operations  
is unmatched. As our physical network grows, 
so does our lead over alternative workspace 
providers. Our business comprises four 
fundamental and interconnected elements: 
our people, our network, our products and 
our brands. We underpin these with: 

 • rigorous planning and business review 

processes that support the execution of 
our growth strategy; 

 • constant investment in innovation to 

differentiate us from our competitors; and 

 • disciplined management procedures that 
enable us to minimise and control the risks 
inherent in rapid growth.

Our approach to investment ensures  
we deliver strong post-tax cash returns, 
generating long-term shareholder value 
through post-tax returns on net investment 
that are well in excess of our cost of capital. 
Our focus is on optimising revenue generation 
through improving the performance of each 
location in our global network. This gives us the 
solid foundation we need to deliver strong 
returns, particularly when combined with our 
discipline on overhead costs, which continue to 
fall as a percentage of revenues. 

How we calculate our returns
We base our returns on the post-tax return 
divided by the net growth capital 
investment. Post-tax cash return = EBITDA 
less amortisation of partner contribution, 
less tax based on EBIT, less maintenance 
capital expenditure. Net growth capital 
investment = growth capital less partner 
contributions.

2016 Post-tax cash return on net investment 
by year of opening (%)(1)

.

2
1
3

.

5
1
2

.

6
5
2

.

4
4
1

.

7
6
01
4
1

.

.

2
0
1

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

)
5
2
(

.

.

)
7
5
1
(

10 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

1.  Turn to pages 85 and 86 to see how our calculation of 
post-tax cash return on net investment reconciles to 
our audited statutory accounts.

Cash

A particularly attractive feature of the Regus 
business model is our strong conversion of 
profit into cash. The cash flows we generate 
from our locations support our continued 
investment in developing our network. 
Strong cash generation underpins the 
Group’s progressive dividend and share 
buybacks as well as funding the addition of 
locations to our network. We are highly 
disciplined in our use of cash, undertaking 
rigorous risk analysis prior to any decision 
being taken. 

Returns to 
shareholders 

Dividends of £43.3m were paid during the year. 
We acquired treasury shares for £31.1m during 
2016.

Investment  
in growth

We continue to invest significantly in growth, 
both through organic openings and selective 
acquisitions, and we continue to find many 
high-quality opportunities that meet our 
stringent returns criteria. Our network growth 
is enhanced by our continued investment in 
developing new location formats and a greater 
focus on and diversity in partner relationships. 
Together, these are enabling us to grow in a 
more capital-efficient way with lower levels  
of risk. 

Our ability to adapt our growth plans to reflect 
changing market conditions is another 
important aspect of our capability to manage 
risk through the economic cycle. With relatively 
short lead times between contracting with a 
partner and opening a new location, depending 
on where we are in the economic cycle, we can 
either rapidly capitalise on a favourable 
investment environment or restrict growth.

Cash flow before growth capital 
expenditure and dividends (£m)

Dividend paid (£)

Net growth capital expenditure

.

2
3
8
2

.

7
5
1
2

.

6
5
7
1

.

4
2
1
1

.

4
5
1
1

£162.3m

.

3
3
4

.

8
8
3

.

4
5
3

.

1
1
3

.

2
8
2

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

£283.2m

£43.3m

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

11

 
Strategic review

Another year of high-quality growth

During 2016, we successfully expanded our business as the market 
leader in one of the fastest growing sectors of the global commercial 
property industry. This is the flexible workspace or ‘Workspace-as-a-
Service’ (WaaS) sector, which we pioneered under our long-established 
Regus brand.

A fast-evolving market sector
The WaaS sector is a vibrant, modernising 
force in workplace provision across the world. 
Technology increasingly frees organisations 
and individuals from the shackles of the fixed 
lease, allowing them to work in more 
productive and satisfying ways.

Quite simply, companies don’t need their 
people to be in one place anymore and, as 
generations emerge that have only ever known 
the liberating effects of technology, the wide 
availability of flexible workspaces is enabling a 
way of working that is continuing to grow rapidly.

A 2016 research paper from J.P. Morgan 
states, “we believe that the impact of the 
internet on transaction costs will result in a 
greater number of smaller firms/tenants 
seeking divisible, modular and flexible office 
space. Concurrently, we expect larger firms will 
downsize, using technology such as Artificial 
Intelligence, machine learning and algorithms, 
while opening up previously closed networks to 
engage in the 21st century economy.”

The paper also states: “the long lease to a  
large single tenant is at risk … and business 
models not positioned to embrace the flexible 
workspace era will risk being underexposed  
to a quickly growing and vibrant part of the 
emerging office market.”

In this new world, technology in the shape  
of increasing numbers of apps, VoIP (voice 
over internet protocol) solutions and instant 
messaging opportunities are making physical 
distance irrelevant. All that’s required is a  
fast and stable internet connection. This is 
equally important to increasingly dispersed 
corporations and to the growing number of 
self-employed workers, who are looking for 
co-working spaces as an alternative to working 
exclusively from home.

Our investment case
At Regus, we are giving employers and 
employees what they want and need. We are 
the primary enablers of this revolution in how 
people are working globally. We have more 
flexible workspaces worldwide than anyone 
else, serving organisations of all sizes. We also 
have a strong and growing portfolio of brands 
to meet the needs of the market. And our 
economies of scale, years of experience, 
organisational agility and focus on customer 
needs make us less costly and easier to  
work with.

With the workplace revolution, our investment 
case continues to strengthen. We have 
detailed plans to extend our current lead, in 
existing and new markets across the world.  
We are increasingly positioned as the 
“intermediary” that brings together our 
property-owner partners with end customers 
– supplying one with strong cash flow and the 
other with workspace flexibility and access to 
different formats. Our advantages are tangible 
and important: we can expand faster than our 
competitors; our operational efficiency is 
better and improving all the time as we work  
to streamline our management processes. 
The relevance and quality of our service 
offering is compelling. 

These advantages – scale, maturity, brands, 
technological leadership, efficiency and agility 
– were all reflected in our financial performance 
during 2016, when we successfully achieved 
the increased revenue and reduced cost-base 
we targeted to deliver improved margins  
and returns.

Strong financial performance
The post-tax cash return on net growth 
investment from locations opened on or 
before 31 December 2011 improved to 25.2% 
from the 23.1% achieved in 2015 on the same 
estate. Rolling this estate forward one year,  
the 2016 post-tax cash return on net growth 
investment from locations opened on or 
before 31 December 2012 was 23.8%  
(2015: 21.5%).

Group revenue increased by 5.5% at constant 
currency to £2,233.4m (2015: £1,927.0m)  
(up 15.9% at actual rates).

Whilst we experienced a deceleration in 
revenue progression throughout the course  
of 2016, this reflected a number of factors 
including the base-line effect of prior year 
acquisitions and softening demand in  
certain geographic markets. We also took  
a more cautious and selective approach to 
growth and, in certain instances, sought to 
consolidate locations.

Although a higher level of closures has reduced 
Group revenues, it has been the right thing to 
do for the profitability of our business. This, 
together with the very strong control of 
overhead costs which actually reduced by 14% 
at constant currency, has delivered a 16% 
constant currency increase in underlying 
operating profit to £188.6m (2015: £144.8m) 
(up 30% at actual rates). Overheads as a 
percentage of revenues have reduced 310bp 
from 14.7% to 11.6%, which is a strong 
performance and one on which we can 
continue to build.

During 2016 we invested £162.3m of net 
growth capital expenditure, adding a further 
231 locations to the network, which stood at 
2,926 locations at the end of the year. As 
expected, this reflects a more selective 
approach to new location openings, increasing 
traction on partnering deals which result in  
less capital intensity of new openings and a 
significantly lower level of acquisition growth.

Converting profit into cash remains an 
attractive feature of our business model. We 
increased our cash flow before investment in 
growth capital expenditure, dividends and 
buying back shares by 31% to £283.2m (2015: 
£215.7m). This scale of cash generation more 
than funded our growth programme, the 
buyback of shares and the continuation of our 
progressive dividend policy. Consequently, our 
net debt position reduced from an opening 
position of £190.6m at 1 January 2016 to 
£151.3m at 31 December 2016. This 
represents an underlying Group net debt to 
EBITDA leverage of 0.4 times, which is well 
below our internal 1.5 times limit and reflects 
the continuation of our prudent approach to 
the Group’s capital structure.

12 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Group income statement

£m
Revenue
Gross profit (centre contribution)
Overheads (inc. R&D)
Underlying operating profit(1)
Non-recurring items
Operating profit
Underlying profit before tax
Profit before tax
Underlying taxation
Taxation
Underlying profit after tax for the 
year
Profit after tax for the year
Underlying EBITDA
EBITDA

(1) After contribution from joint ventures

2016
2,233.4
448.8
(259.4)
188.6
(1.0)
187.6
177.1
176.1
(34.9)
(34.9)

142.2
141.2
383.1
382.1

2015
1,927.0
428.4
(283.9)
144.8
15.3
160.1
130.4
145.7
(25.9)
(25.8)

104.5
119.9
290.0
305.3

% Change 
actual  
currency
15.9%
5%
(9)%
30%
–
17%
36%
21%

36%
18%
32%
25%

% Change 
constant 
currency
5.5%
(4)%
(14)%
16%
–
5%

19%

On a regional basis, mature(2) revenues and contribution can be analysed as follows:

£m
Americas
EMEA
Asia Pacific
UK
Other
Total

Revenue

2016
826.2
406.9
293.2
358.5
6.8
1,891.6 

2015
747.8
372.7
265.5
361.2
2.9
1,750.1 

Contribution
2016
188.0
104.1
72.9
83.9
6.8
455.7 

2015
181.9
91.8
66.2
84.3
1.0
425.2 

Mature gross margin (%)

2016
22.8%
25.6%
24.9%
23.4%

2015
24.3%
24.6%
24.9%
23.3%

24.1%

24.3%

(2) Centres open on or before 31 December 2014.

Performance by region
This year’s results represent an endorsement 
of our strategy and investment case, as Regus 
drives growth alongside greater overhead 
efficiency and improved returns. We added 
231 new locations during the year and we 
selectively entered a new national market with 
Barbados. The rate of growth was, however, 
deliberately tempered in response to increased 
macro-economic and geopolitical 
uncertainties in certain geographies in order to 
maintain the quality of our new locations and 
returns on investment, with more partnering 
deals and the roll out of our Spaces format.

We also benefited from the scale and spread of 
our global footprint. In last year’s report, for 
example, we referred to the need to be 
‘watchful’ in our Asia Pacific region, due to the 
slowing Chinese economy. This did cause 
some challenges during 2016, which we 
successfully managed by taking early action 
and improving efficiencies across the Group.

Americas
Mature revenues in the Americas, our largest 
region, declined 2.2% at constant currency to 
£826.2m (up 10.5% at actual rates). Total 
revenues for the region were up 4.8% at 
constant currency to £923.0m (up 18.5% at 
actual rates). This performance reflects a 
better relative result in the US offset by more 
pronounced weakness in other parts of the 
region, most notably in Mexico, Brazil and 
Canada which saw a further deceleration 
during the fourth quarter. Mexico has been a 
difficult market, with the weak currency 
impacting business activity, and Brazil has 
continued to struggle in a recessionary 
environment. In Canada, our business has  
been affected by challenging market 
conditions around the oil industry, particularly  
in Western Canada. 

Performance across the US was, however, 
mixed with several very good areas and  
some much weaker, as management were 
challenged with implementing the changes to 
the field structure across a very large business, 
which extended into the fourth quarter as 
anticipated. Although these moves have led  
to strong cost savings at the centre level,  
in the near-term these have been offset by  
the impact of some related distraction and  
the need to grow into the capacity that has 
been introduced in recent years through the 
growth programme.

Notwithstanding this, there has been a gradual 
improvement in sales activity and deals won 
since October. Whilst this is encouraging, and 
suggests the fourth quarter was a low point for 
our performance in the region, it does take a 
period of time for this to materialise in our 
revenues, so we would expect a steady 
rebuilding throughout the coming year.

Although the mature gross profit margin for 
the region declined from 24.3% to 22.8%, 
overhead cost savings have been material in 
the Americas. Average mature occupancy was 
78.8% (2015: 81.0%).

We added 86 new locations into the region 
during the course of the year. We are 
expanding into more parts of the region 
geographically and rolling out our Spaces 
format. In total we had 1,212 locations in the 
Americas at 31 December 2016.

EMEA
EMEA experienced a mixed performance. 
Mature revenues for the region declined 2.2% 
at constant currency to £406.9m (up 9.2% at 
actual rates). Total revenues for EMEA 
increased 5.0% at constant currency to 
£476.8m (up 17.3% at actual rates). The 
mature gross profit margin improved from 
24.6% to 25.6% and gross profit increased 2% 
on a constant currency basis. Overhead 
savings have been strong in the region and this 
has helped the operating profit performance. 
Mature occupancy increased from 76.4% to 
78.5%. We added 80 locations to the network 
during 2016, including some small acquisitions 
towards the end of the year. At 31 December 
2016 we had 794 locations in EMEA.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

13

 
 
 
Strategic review continued

Trading across this diverse region has been 
mixed. Our overall performance in Northern 
and Southern Europe has been good. Russia, 
on the other hand, has been a very difficult 
market as a result of the economic 
environment and the weakness of the Rouble 
against the US dollar, and required significant 
reorganisation during the period. Turkey has 
also been a more challenging market, as too 
has been the Middle East region, with a weak  
oil & gas industry.

We are now starting to see a gradual 
improvement in sales activity in several larger 
markets in Europe.

Asia Pacific
Mature revenues in Asia Pacific declined 2.7% 
at constant currency to £293.2m (up 10.4%  
at actual rates). Total revenues for the region 
were £363.2m, an increase of 10.6% at 
constant currency (up 25.6% at actual rates). 
Mature occupancy was 78.8% (2015: 79.4%) 
and the gross profit margin was maintained  
at 24.9%. While we still see a significant 
opportunity for long-term growth in this region, 
we approached 2016 with a little more caution 
and selectivity, with a particular focus on 
partnering deals. As a result, we added 54 new 
locations during 2016 compared to 146 in 
2015. In total, we had 590 locations across the 
region at 31 December 2016.

Individual market performances during the 
period have been varied. Our businesses in 
India and Hong Kong improved their 
performance and our business in Japan was 
stable and in line with the Group performance. 
We experienced a deceleration in growth in our 
businesses in China and Australia. Both these 
markets weakened throughout the year, 
leading to a very weak fourth quarter. The 
slowdown in growth in China has been well 
documented and similarly for Australia with its 
exposure to natural resources. 
Notwithstanding the external factors that have 
presented a challenge to some of our 
businesses in the region, we have taken early 
action to introduce changes to improve the 
management team in the region.

UK
Mature revenue in the UK declined 0.7% to 
£358.5m, which is a better performance than 
the 1.7% mature revenue decline in constant 
currency for the Group overall. The mature 
gross profit margin remained strong at 23.4% 
(2015: 23.3%), while mature occupancy 
reduced from 80.5% to 75.4%. This reduction 
partly reflects a 5% increase in available 
inventory and the decision to selectively 
increase pricing in certain locations. Total 
revenues in the UK increased 2.9% to £462.1m 
(2015: £449.2m). After a relatively stable 
performance for the first nine months, we 
started to experience some pressure on 
revenue growth in the fourth quarter. Another 
contributing factor to the decline in overall 
revenue growth in the UK has been the large 
number of location closures and the more 
selective approach to growth. In addition to 
complying with the Competition and Markets 
Authority ruling to dispose of certain acquired 
locations in the UK, we took the opportunity to 
consolidate and refresh some of our existing 
estate. This has given rise to a higher than 
normal number of closures. During 2016 we 
added 11 new locations but closed 28 
locations. This reduced the number of UK 
locations from 347 to 330 at 31 December 
2016. Although the closures had a negative 
impact on total revenues, they helped to 
improve the gross profit. The UK is a very 
operationally efficient business, and with its 
further contribution to the Group’s strong 
overhead performance, operating profits 
increased significantly.

We believe our cautious approach to the  
UK market was absolutely the right thing to 
have done, although it has contributed to a 
more challenging short-term outlook for 
revenue growth.

Strategic direction
Our strategy directly addresses the clear 
drivers of growth in the flexible workspace 
market. Despite our status as the clear global 
market leader by some distance, the size of 
the market opportunity ahead and the 
relatively early stage in customer adoption of 

WaaS mean we have significant scope for 
growth. Even in our most mature market, the 
UK, there is substantial growth potential, while 
the USA, China and India between them offer 
scope to become far more significant parts of 
our global business.

To help us accelerate our progress towards our 
goals, we made some important changes to 
our business model during 2016, including:

 • partnering with property owners and funders 

to bring investors together with our 
fast-growing customer base;

 • educating business about the growing 
opportunities available within the WaaS 
sector; and

 • accelerating the digitisation of our business 

to drive efficiencies and better service.

We are determined to lead and benefit from 
the disruptive power of digital technology and 
its impact on our industry.

As we have already said, we are committed to 
further improving our position as the global 
leader of the WaaS sector. And it almost goes 
without saying that to be relevant to 
corporations’ and workers’ needs, physical 
space must keep pace with technological 
change. This belief is at the heart of our 
business today. 

We are not merely exploiting the disruptive 
impact of the digital revolution on traditional 
working practices. We are also using digital 
technologies to change how we operate and 
improve what we have to offer our customers.

This is why we are constantly developing  
new digital platforms, apps and customer 
communications. By doing this, and by 
expanding our global network of locations  
sited in the places people want to be, we are 
committed to staying ahead of any competition.

We demonstrated our organisational agility  
by focusing more closely than ever before  
on partnering with others in the property 
industry. This gathered pace during the second 
half of the year and partnering is set to take  
on a more important role in delivering our 
future development. 

14 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Staying ahead of the game
Overall, our focus during 2016 – particularly in 
the first quarter – was on standardising our 
business to make it more easily scalable during 
2017 and the years ahead. As such, 2016 was  
a transformative year that we are confident will 
underpin strong progress from the first half  
of 2017.

We are pleased with the progress we have 
made in the last year, and are confident that 
during 2017 and beyond we will continue to 
benefit from the significant structural growth 
opportunities that the WaaS sector offers.  
As we expand further through accumulating 
new sites, strengthening our commitment to 
partnering with the global property industry,  
we will further extend our existing competitive 
advantage. We are confident that our 
improved cost structure will continue to deliver 
higher productivity and enhanced efficiency 
and deliver further benefits as we scale.

Above all, we believe that our strengthening 
leadership position, our commitment to 
innovation and the flexibility we bring to fulfilling 
the needs of our customers means that we 
remain very well placed to deliver attractive 
returns for shareholders.

Looking ahead to 2017, we have started to see 
a pick-up in sales activity in some of our key 
markets, which is encouraging and, we believe, 
validates the significant actions we have taken 
during 2016. Although it is still early in the new 
financial year and sales activity levels take time 
to feed through, we anticipate an improvement 
in performance through the course of the year. 
Overall, the trading outlook for 2017 remains in 
line with management’s expectations.

Mark Dixon
19 April 2017

We placed great emphasis, particularly in the 
early months of 2016, on standardising our 
business and processes to enhance the 
scalability of our business as we focus on 
delivering high-quality growth. Cost reductions 
were also a helpful by-product of our work on 
re-engineering our field structure, in which we 
started using a city clustering approach to the 
local management of our locations. While this 
was primarily introduced to generate higher 
productivity and better customer service, it has 
also significantly improved the cost structure 
of the business. In fact, partly as a result of this 
initiative, our overhead costs fell by 14%, at 
constant currency, during 2016 despite a 6% 
increase in the size of the network.

Products and innovation
We continued to be active in innovation during 
2016, thanks to our determination to offer 
customers the opportunity to become more 
productive, more quickly than ever before and 
at the lowest possible cost.

As a company built on giving employers and 
employees what they want, we are in constant 
communication with customers to identify new 
products and services that would help add 
value to their operations and streamline their 
interactions with us.

During 2016, such innovation extended 
beyond technology to embrace developments 
including:

 • cutting-edge location designs that reflect 

what companies and employees are looking 
for, such as the co-working format;

 • constant enhancements to our formats, to 

ensure we are offering bespoke 
environments to the different constituents 
of our market;

 • an award-winning workplace recovery 

solution;

 • developing digital access control solutions;

 • a proactive approach to measuring 

customer satisfaction and implementing 
feedback in ever-improving service levels; 
and

 • a simplified pricing model.

We believe this will help ensure we can support 
any organisation’s workspace needs, anywhere 
in the world. And, by helping customers 
participate in shared communities, we are 
enabling them to extract more value from  
their relationship with us and one another 
through the co-promotion of their products 
and services.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

15

 
Our strategic objectives and key performance indicators

Our strategy is clear and simple

We leverage our global scale and market-leading position to provide customers 
across the world with convenient and innovative work environments that meet 
their needs, while delivering attractive and sustainable returns to our investors.

Strategic objectives and approach

1

Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns

2 Cash generation 

before growth

Revenue growth achieved through the addition of new locations,  
the development of incremental revenue streams and the active 
management of the existing network to drive improved efficiency,  
all contributing to improvements in gross profit. Combined with strong 
overhead cost control, this drives operating profit and cash flow, 
generating strong returns on investment well ahead of the Group’s  
cost of capital.

The strong conversion of profit into cash is an attractive feature  
of the Regus business model. The cash flows generated are  
available to support the ongoing development of our business,  
our progressive dividend policy and the buyback of shares.

Key performance indicators

2016 Post-tax cash return 
on net investment by year 
of opening (%)
Overall 2016 return on net 
investment made up to 31 
December 2011 of 25.2%.

.

2
1
3

.

5
1
2

.

6
5
2

.

4
4
1

.

7
6
01
4
1

.

Cash flow per share before net 
growth capex, dividends and 
share buybacks
During 2016 we generated 30.5p per share 
of cash flow before growth capex, 
dividends and share buybacks 

.

2
0
1

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

.

)
5
2
(

.

)
7
5
1
(

30.5p

13.8%

Total estate

.

5
0
3

.

1
3
2

.

6
8
1

.

8
1
1

.

2
2
1

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

Future ambitions and risks – for more information on risks see p23-28

Delivering profitable growth and strong, sustainable returns is central to 
creating future shareholder value. Regus is committed to delivering 
these returns by optimising revenue development and controlling costs. 
Our post-2011 investments are progressing as expected.

With our network growth leading to revenue growth and our strong 
focus on operational efficiency and cost control, we believe our business 
model is well positioned to continue to convert profit strongly into cash.

16 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Strategic objectives and approach

Key performance indicators

Future ambitions and risks – for more information on risks see p23-28

3

Controlling 
costs

4

Developing national 
networks

We achieve cost control through operational excellence as well  
as the significant economies of scale and operational leverage  
that network growth brings.

Network growth is demand-led. We respond to customers looking to 
outsource more of their workplace needs and to benefit from the 
flexibility and convenience we provide. By expanding our networks and 
developing our range of formats, we both increase our addressable 
audience and provide our existing customers with additional 
convenience. Our locations perform well in their own right, with the 
network then providing incremental opportunities. We continue to be 
mindful of growing only in locations where the potential investment 
opportunity meets our stringent returns criteria. We are also focused on 
increased partnering with property owners and using more capital-
efficient ways of expanding the network.

Total overheads as  
a % of revenues
Overheads as a % of revenues reduced 
310bp to 11.6%

Network location 
growth
231 new locations added, 
opening in 52 new towns and 
cities, at a net growth capital 
investment of £162.3m

.

5
8
1

.

5
8
1

.

7
6
1

.

7
4
1

.

6
1
1

11.6%

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

2,926

Locations

6
2
9
2

,

8
6
7
2

,

9
6
2
2

,

1
3
8
1

,

1
1
4
1

,

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

‘16

We will continue to control overheads to deliver further economies of 
scale, notwithstanding continued and significant investments made in 
the business to develop the network and our operating platform, 
processes and people.

We will continue to add breadth and convenience to the network through 
further measured investment in high-quality assets, across our range of 
formats, with the potential for attractive returns for shareholders. We are 
also focused on developing our range of location formats. As of 22 
February 2017 we had visibility over approximately £120m of net growth 
capital expenditure for 2017, representing some 250 locations.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

17

 
Our people

Our talent strategy – providing the platform  
for global growth

Talent is a key component of our strategic objectives,  
which places our people strategy at the heart of our 
continuing road to success. 

Our aim, first and foremost, is to ensure  
that we have the right people at the top of the 
organisation and also that they in turn have the 
right leadership teams in place to deliver our 
strategic objectives. 

Of equal importance is to get the people who 
interface with our customers right as these  
are the people who look after and build 
long-term relationships with our valued 
customers every day.

Talent: a strategic objective 
With those two requirements in place 
everything else should follow. We continually 
strive to have a strong framework for the 
Group, especially given the size of the 
Company, its global presence and the speed  
at which we are growing. We are also aware  
of the ever-increasing competition in the 
market to secure the best talent.

These are some of the reasons why we focus 
so much attention and effort on the attraction, 
development, growth and retention of the best 
individuals and teams we can find. We simply 
could not achieve our growth objectives 
without a genuinely world-class team across 
the Group, particularly at its most senior levels.

As our business continued to grow in 2016,  
we kept our focus on building the leadership 
teams of our regional CEOs and our functional 
operations, constantly searching for people 
with tremendous capability, relevant 
experience and, above all, plenty of 
development potential still ahead of them. 

Because our business is growing and changing 
at such speed, our senior people need as much 
agility as the Company itself.

Multiple successors for every  
role and training
Increasingly, too, our focus is on succession 
planning at all levels. Identifying multiple 
successors for every role and leveraging  
the opportunities represented by mobility 
between roles across our business are key 
constituents of our increasingly dynamic 
succession plan.

Succession planning extends outside the 
business. As a company that’s largely 
dedicated to direct – rather than agency – 
recruitment, our focused team-building 
activities across the world are giving us an 
ever-more complete picture of the leading 
talent in all the countries where we operate. 

This is, of course, a distinct and growing 
advantage for us. However, it is of little value 
unless we can attract and retain that talent  
for the long-term benefit of the Company.  
This driving need, and the range of different 
experiences possessed by recruits as they join 
us, means we need a very wide array of training 
and learning interventions. 

At a senior level, we enable executives  
to participate in leadership assessments with 
external companies. We also partner with 
leading business schools, employ internal 
coaches and mentors and carry out 
individualised, bespoke training programmes. 

All new team members in local markets have a 
specific new starter training programme 
supported by a peer level coach. At the end of 
the new starter training, team members are 
accredited to start their career with the 
Company by their line manager and their coach  
after taking an online exam.  

18 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

“The Group provides a great 
working environment and 
sets the benchmark standard 
in its products and sales 
promotions. I am very  
glad to work with such 
dynamic leadership.”

Tarek Abou Zeinab,
Country Manager,  
Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi 
Arabia, Iraq and Iran

95,000

e-learning training modules 
completed in 2016 globally

This way we can ensure the best people  
are looking after our customers and that there 
are no exceptions. 

Gaining business advantage
This is a vital focus for our business, because 
we know that no advantage is more powerful 
than a highly skilled and educated workforce, 
from top to bottom.

Reward, naturally, is another key focus 
in our effort to retain the best talent. The 
competition for talent is unrelenting in our 
market, so we go to great lengths to ensure 
that our overall compensation structure is 
highly competitive. We also ensure that 
high-potential people, at every level from 
graduate recruit to the Exco, are tied in  
with attractive incentives.

Trying our hardest to develop the staff 
satisfaction that delivers loyalty and retention is 
one thing – measuring the success or 
otherwise of our efforts is quite another. We 
are relatively rare in using the Net Promotor 
Score to measure satisfaction on a quarterly 
basis. Doing so with such regularity 
emphasises the importance of staff 
satisfaction in the minds of our managers and 
leadership teams.

As a result, managers at all levels are aware of 
the importance of valuing and caring for the 
talent further down the organisation. Our 
regional CEOs and functional teams undertake 
rigorous talent-planning programmes several 
times a year so that we are constantly aware of 
all high-potential people in the organisation 
and their state of development.

We believe that taking this approach  
to talent is key in driving our continued growth 
as the global leader of the WaaS sector. 

“I love the fact that we never get stagnant. We listen 
to our customers’ needs and actually anticipate the 
changing needs of their business and how we can 
support them. And we’re constantly growing by 
broadening the reach where our customers want  
to do business.”

Maria Paitchel, 
Area Vice President,  
Connecticut, Westchester & Long Island

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

19

 
Financial review

Strong cost discipline driving profit growth, 
cash generation and attractive returns

This has been a year of significant transition, with many important 
changes implemented which we are confident will build further on 
the strong returns on investment the business has delivered during 
2016. Our cost leadership has been enhanced and we have reduced 
overheads as a percentage of revenues by 310bp to 11.6% and target 
further improvement.

Return on investment
Our strategic focus remains on driving returns 
that achieve our post-tax cash payback 
criteria, which typically is within four years. We 
have made further progress against this goal in 
2016. For the 12 months to 31 December 
2016, the Group delivered a record post-tax 
cash return on net growth investment of 
25.2% in respect of locations opened on or 
before 31 December 2011 (up from 23.1% on 
the same estate for the 12 months to 31 
December 2015). Moving the aggregated 
estate forward and incorporating the centres 
opened during 2012, the Group delivered a 
post-tax cash return on net growth investment 
of 23.8% in respect of all locations opened on 
or before 31 December 2012 (the equivalent 
return for the 12 months to 31 December 
2015 on the same estate was 21.5%). 

This very strong performance reflects the 
underlying progress in the profitability of the 
Group from the continued focus on efficiency 
and productivity, and the economies of scale 
on overheads that we enjoy as the Group 
continues to grow.

The chart below shows the status of our centre 
openings by year of opening. There has been 
good progress in the development of returns 
for centres added in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 
2015 as they continue to progress towards  
full maturity.

Developing the network
We continued to grow our unrivalled network 
and this remains a strategic priority. Increasing 
the depth and breadth of our geographic 
scope, and addressing different styles of 
working and price points, is a major 
differentiator for Regus and provides a 
competitive advantage as well as building 
further resilience into the business. However, 
we rightly approached 2016 with a high level of 
vigilance. We have always maintained a sharp 
focus on our investment decision-making, 
reflecting its critical importance to maintaining 
the strong returns into the future with our new 
investments. Notwithstanding this, we were 
even more selective during 2016 given the 
uncertain macro-economic environment and 
geopolitical issues in certain markets.

During 2016, we invested £162.3m of net 
growth capital expenditure. This included 
expenditure on locations opened in 2015 and 
to be opened in 2017 of £54.1m. The majority 
of the remaining investment related to the  
231 locations added to the network in 2016, 
including a net investment of £12.5m in 
property assets. These locations added 
approximately 3.4m sq ft, taking the Group’s 
total space globally to almost 48m sq ft as at  
31 December 2016. The significant majority  
of these locations were organic openings.  
This is in contrast to 2015 when we invested 
net growth capital expenditure of £284.9m, 
including £99.4m on acquisitions, adding 554 
locations, the equivalent of 7.7m sq ft of space. 
Another important focus area was the roll out 

Post-tax cash return on net investment by year of opening – 12 months  
to 31 December (%)

.

2
1
3

.

4
0
2

.

5
1
2

.

3
0
2

.

4
4
1

.

8
9

.

7
6
1

.

3
3
1

.

0
4
1

.

2
1
1

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

.

6
5
2

.

4
4
2

‘08
and
earlier

2016
2015

20 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

.

2
0
1

‘14

‘15

‘16

)
0
8
(

.

)
5
2
(

.

)
3
9
(

.

.

)
7
5
1
(

of our Spaces format, which represented 
approximately 25% of the net growth capital 
expenditure. We remain confident that the 
returns from these investments will, in due 
course, be in line with the returns we generate 
on our historic investments. 

We continue to have a good pipeline of new 
openings. As of 22 February we had visibility on 
net growth capital expenditure so far for 2017 
of approximately £120m, representing 
approximately 250 locations and 4.0m sq ft  
of additional space. Notably, we have a strong 
pipeline of locations within our Spaces 
co-working format. Although these represent 
just over 15% of the total locations we 
currently see in the pipeline, each individual 
Spaces location, however, can be a factor of 
approximately three times larger than the 
average footprint of a Regus location. 
Consequently, these Spaces locations account 
for approximately 40% of the current pipeline 
of net growth capital expenditure.

Operational developments
We are constantly striving to improve our 
business and future potential returns. Whilst 
this is an ongoing process, we implemented 
changes to the operational field structure 
during 2016, introducing a city cluster 
approach to the management and 
organisation of our locations. With the in-field 
selling resource focused on a specific number 
of locations, we believe this will better promote 
the active marketing of the whole range of 
what is offered by the entire city cluster, 
including format and price point. Moreover, the 
unrivalled scale of our business provides us 
with the opportunity to automate more 
processes to allow our employees to have 
greater focus on customer service across 
more than one location. We believe this will 
generate many positives for our business, 
including improved cost efficiency in the field, 
better productivity and a sharper focus on 
‘selling the city’ to unlock the full benefit of our 
broad offering. We have also implemented 
important changes to the compensation 
structure for our colleagues operating our 
locations by moving away from a largely sales 
commission-based bonus system to one 
based on financial performance. We believe 
this will be important and better align business 
behaviour with the interests of our shareholders. 
2016 was therefore a transformational year 
and these changes are now fully embedded 
into the business.

Non-recurring items
For 2016 we have reported a net loss on 
non-recurring items of £1.0m. This non-
recurring loss is in respect of three items: the 
receipt of funds following the settlement of a 
third-party litigation in the UK; additional 
provision relating to a litigation action in 
California; and a loss on disposal of specific 

Financial performance
Group income statement (before non-recurring items)

£m
Revenue
Gross profit (centre contribution)
Overheads (including R&D)
Joint ventures
Operating profit 
Net finance costs
Profit before tax
Taxation
Effective tax rate
Profit for the period
Basic EPS (p)
Depreciation & amortisation
EBITDA

Gross margin

£m
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit (centre contribution)
Gross margin

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit (centre contribution)
Gross margin

2016 
Underlying
2,233.4
448.8
(259.4)
(0.8)
188.6
(11.5)
177.1
(34.9)
19.7%
142.2
15.3 
194.5
383.1

Mature  
centres  
2016
1,891.6
(1,435.9)
455.7
24.1%

Mature  
centres  
2015
1,750.1
(1,324.9)
425.2
24.3%

2015  
Underlying
1,927.0
428.4
(283.9)
0.3
144.8
(14.4)
130.4
(25.9)
19.9%
104.5
11.2 
145.2
290.0

New 
centres  
2016
309.3
(322.2)
(12.9)
(4.2)%

New  
centres  
2015
108.5
(120.5)
(12.0)
(11.1)%

% Change 
actual  
currency
15.9%
5%
(9)%

30%

36%

36%
37%

32%

Closed  
centres  
2016
32.5
(26.5)
6.0
18.5%

Closed  
centres  
2015
68.4
(53.2)
15.2
22.2%

Total  
2016
2,233.4
(1,784.6)
448.8
20.1%

Total  
2015
1,927.0
(1,498.6)
428.4
22.2%

assets and liabilities acquired as part of the 
Avanta acquisition which were disposed of in 
the second half of the year following the UK 
Competition and Markets Authority inquiry.

The non-recurring gain of £15.3m in 2015 
reflected the £21.3m gain after expenses on 
the sale of various portfolios of property assets, 
less two negative non-recurring items relating 
to a litigation action in California and the 
Competition and Markets Authority’s review  
of the acquisition of Avanta in the UK, which 
reduced the overall net gain by £6m.

Except where specifically mentioned, the 
following commentary and profit and loss 
analysis exclude the impact of these non-
recurring items.

Revenue
Group revenues increased 5.5% at constant 
currency to £2,233.4m (2015: £1,927.0m), an 
increase of 15.9% at actual rates. This revenue 
growth reflects the growing contribution from 
additional locations. This also represents a 
sequential deceleration in growth over the 
course of the year. There were a number of 

contributing factors to this deceleration. There 
was the base-line effect of acquisitions, the 
impact of a higher level of closures, together 
with some softening in market conditions 
across certain geographies. These softer 
conditions accentuated the normal impact on 
the business of absorbing the significant 
network growth in recent years. Mature 
revenues (from 2,153 like-for-like locations 
added on or before 31 December 2014) 
declined 1.7% at constant currency to 
£1,891.6m (2015: £1,750.1m), up 8.1% at 
actual rates. Mature occupancy was 78.2% 
(2015: 79.6%).

Gross profit
Group gross profit declined 4% at constant 
currency rates to £448.8m (2015: £428.4m), 
up 5% at actual rates. The reduction in Group 
gross margin from 22.2% to 20.1% largely 
reflects the dilution from a relatively large 
number of financially immature locations within 
the overall estate resulting from the significant 
investment in growing the network over recent 
years. The mature gross margin remained 
relatively stable at 24.1% (2015: 24.3%).

% Change 
constant 
currency
5.5%
(4)%
(14)%

16%

Overhead efficiency improves 
further
As anticipated, the Group has made further 
strong progress in relation to overhead 
efficiency, thereby building on the achievements 
in recent years. We have not only continued  
to reduce total overheads as a percentage of 
revenues from 14.7% in 2015 to 11.6%, the 
absolute level of investment in overheads 
reduced by 14% in constant currency terms  
to £259.4m (2015: £283.9m) (down 9% at 
actual rates). Changes implemented to our 
business model and structure during 2016 to 
further improve the Group’s productivity and 
financial performance also created further 
overhead efficiency.

19%

We continue to maintain a strong focus on 
overhead discipline and anticipate further  
scale benefits.

Operating profit (excluding  
non-recurring items)
As a result of the very strong control of 
overheads, the incremental gross profit has 
dropped through to augment the Group 
operating profit, which increased 16% at 
constant currency to £188.6m (2015: 
£144.8m), an increase of 30% at actual rates. 
Consequently, the underlying Group operating 
margin increased from 7.5% in 2015 to 8.4%  
in 2016.

Net finance costs
The Group’s net finance costs decreased  
20% to £11.5m (2015: £14.4m). This reflects, 
in part, the reduction in net debt from an 
opening position of £190.6m to £151.3m as  
at 31 December 2016 and lower funding costs 
in general. Following the weakness of sterling 
after the result of the UK Referendum on EU 
membership, there has been a favourable 
foreign exchange movement.

Tax
The underlying effective tax rate for the year 
was 19.7% (2015: 19.9%). The Group’s 
reported tax rate was 19.8% (2015: 17.7%). 
Our expectation is that the effective tax rate 
will remain around 20%.

Earnings per share
Earnings per share increased significantly  
to 15.2p (2015: 12.8p). Excluding the 
non-recurring items, underlying Group 
earnings per share increased 37% to 15.3p, 
reflecting the strong growth in underlying 
Group operating profit and the favourable 
foreign exchange tailwind. 

The weighted average number of shares for 
the year was 929,860,354 (2015: 933,457,741). 
The weighted average number of shares for 
diluted earnings per share was 929,860,354 
(2015: 953,678,034). As at 31 December 2016 
the total number of shares in issue was 
923,357,438.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

21

 
Financial review continued

In the period up to 19 December 2016, when 
the Scheme of Arrangement to create IWG plc 
as the new holding company became effective, 
Regus purchased 11,834,627 shares at a cost 
of £31.1m designated to be held in treasury to 
satisfy future exercises under various Group 
long-term incentive schemes. Over the same 
period, Regus utilised 4,712,856 shares from 
treasury to satisfy such exercises. At 19 
December 2016, 27,612,384 were held as 
treasury shares. All these shares were 
cancelled as part of the Group reorganisation 
and Scheme of Arrangement.

Cash flow and funding
With the growth in profitability, cash generation 
has been very strong during 2016. This ability 
to convert profits into cash continues to be a 
highly attractive feature of our business model. 
Cash generated before the net investment in 
growth capital expenditure, dividends and 
share repurchases, and excluding the 
non-recurring material £80m disposal 
proceeds, net of expenses, received in 2015, 
increased 31% in 2016 to £283.2m (2015: 
£215.7m), reflecting the strong growth in 
underlying Group operating profit and very 
strong cash conversion. As well as the normal 
positive working capital development 
stemming from our network growth 
programme and the maturation of these 
locations, we have also benefitted from more 
specific focus to unlock working capital.

With our more selective approach to network 
growth during 2016 and increased traction on 
our strategic priority of targeting less capital 
intensive growth, Group net debt decreased 
from £190.6m at 31 December 2015 to 
£151.3m at 31 December 2016. This decrease 
comes after taking the growth capital 
expenditure into account, and after paying 
dividends of £43.3m and spending £35.7m 
mainly on a combination of buying our own 
shares, as noted above, and settlement of 
employee share options. This represents an 
underlying Group net debt : EBITDA leverage 
ratio of 0.4 times, which is a very conservative 
level, well below our internal 1.5 times limit,  
and reflects our continued prudent approach 
to the Group’s capital structure. Whilst our 
approach to our net indebtedness has been 
prudent, we continue to recognise the 
long-term benefit of also operating with an 
efficient balance sheet.

In May 2016, we extended and amended our 
key Revolving Credit Facility. The facility was 
increased from £320.0m to £550.0m and the 
maturity extended to 2021 (previously 2020), 
with an option to extend until 2023. The facility 
is denominated in sterling but can be drawn in 
several major currencies. This financing further 
improved our debt maturity profile and 
provides the Group with adequate financial 
headroom to pursue its strategy. With this 

Cash flow
The table below reflects the Group’s cash flow:

£m
Group EBITDA
Working capital 
Less: growth-related partner contributions
Maintenance capital expenditure
Taxation
Finance costs
Other items
Cash flow before growth capital expenditure, share 
repurchases, dividends and non-recurring disposal proceeds

Gross growth capital expenditure
Less: growth-related partner contributions
Net growth capital expenditure(1)

Total net cash flow from operations

Non-recurring disposal proceeds
Less: costs of disposal
Corporate financing activities
Dividend
Opening net cash/debt
Exchange movements
Closing net debt

2016
383.1
98.9
(66.1)
(86.7)
(31.5)
(16.1)
1.6

2015
290.0
103.5
(59.8)
(74.9)
(29.1)
(13.2)
(0.8)

283.2

215.7

(228.4)
66.1
(162.3)

(344.7)
59.8
(284.9)

120.9

(69.2)

–
–
(35.7)
(43.3)
(190.6)
(2.6)
(151.3)

84.0
(4.0)
(32.0)
(38.8)
(138.0)
7.4
(190.6)

(1) Net growth capital expenditure of £162.3m relates to the cash outflow in 2016. Accordingly, it includes capital 

expenditure related to locations opened in 2015 and to be added in 2017 of £54.1m. The majority of the remaining 
investment relates to the 231 locations added in 2016, including a net investment in property assets of £12.5m. The 
total net investment in the 2016 additions amounts to £130.8m so far.

Foreign exchange rates

Per £ sterling
US dollar
Euro
Japanese yen

At 31 December

Annual average

2016
1.24
1.17
145

2015
1.48
1.36
179

%
(16)%
(14)%
(19)%

2016
1.35
1.22
147

2015
1.53
1.38
185

%
(12)%
(12)%
(21)%

facility in place, the Group took the opportunity 
to settle the €210m Schuldschein debt 
securities prior to their final maturity. 

Foreign exchange
The Group’s results are exposed to translation 
risk from the movement in currencies. During 
2016 key individual currency exchange rates 
have moved, as shown in the table above.  
The subsequent weakness in sterling following 
the UK Referendum on EU membership  
in June provided a more positive boost  
to the translation of our significant 
international earnings.

Overall, the favourable impact of the movement 
in exchange rates increased reported revenue, 
gross profit and operating profit by £199.7m, 
£36.3m and £20.5m respectively.

Risk management 
The principal risks and uncertainties affecting 
the Group remain broadly unchanged.  
A detailed assessment of the principal risks 
and uncertainties which could impact the 
Group’s long-term performance can be found 
on pages 23 to 28.

Related parties
There have been no changes to the type  
of related party transactions entered into by 
the Group that had a material effect on the 
financial statements for the period ended  
31 December 2016. Details of related party 
transactions that have taken place in the 
period can be found in note 30 to the  
financial statements.

Subsequent events
There have been no significant subsequent 
events that require adjustments or disclosures 
in this Annual Report and Accounts.

Dividends
Dividends of £43.3m were paid during the  
year (2015: £38.8m). The Directors do not 
propose to declare a final dividend (2015: 
3.10p) for 2016.

Dominik de Daniel
19 April 2017

22 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Risk management and principal risks

Risk management remains  
at the core of what we do

Identification, mitigation and management  
of risks are central to our strategy and our 
enterprise-wide risk management process 
allows us to understand the nature, scope  
and potential impact of our key business and 
strategic risks so we are able to manage  
these effectively.

Regus’ business could be impacted by various 
risks, leading to failure to achieve strategic 
targets for growth or loss of financial standing, 
cash flow, earnings, return on investment and 
reputation. Not all these risks are wholly within 
the Group’s control and it may be affected  
by risks which are not yet manifested  
or reasonably foreseeable.

Effective risk management is critical  
to achieving our strategic objectives  
and protecting our personnel, assets  
and our reputation. Regus therefore has  
a comprehensive approach to risk 
management, as set out in more detail  
in the Corporate Governance Report of  
IWG plc’s Annual Report and Accounts.

A critical part of the risk management process 
is to assess the impact and likelihood of risks 
occurring so that appropriate mitigation plans 
can be developed and implemented.

For all known risks facing the business,  
Regus attempts to minimise the likelihood and 
mitigate the impact. According to the nature of 
the risk, Regus may elect to take or tolerate 
risk, treat risk with controls and mitigating 
actions, transfer risk to third parties, or 
terminate risk by ceasing particular activities or 
operations. Regus has zero tolerance of 
financial and ethics non-compliance and 
ensures that Health, Safety, Environmental & 
Security risks are managed to levels that are as 
low as reasonably practicable.

Whilst overall responsibility for the risk 
management process rests with the Board of 
IWG plc, it has delegated responsibility for 
assurance to the Audit Committee of IWG plc. 
Executive management is responsible for 
designing, implementing and maintaining the 
necessary systems of internal control.

A list of key risks is prepared and the Board 
collectively assesses the severity of each risk, 
the likelihood of it occurring and the strength 
of the controls in place. This approach allows 
the effect of any mitigating procedures to be 
reflected in the final assessment. It also 
recognises that risk cannot be totally 
eliminated at an acceptable cost and that  
there are some risks which, with its experience 
and after due consideration, the Board will 
choose to accept.

BOARD

Effective risk management requires awareness 
and engagement at all levels of our 
organisation. It is for this reason that risk 
management is incorporated into the 
day-to-day management of our business, as 
well as being reflected in the Group’s core 
processes and controls. The Board oversees 
the risk management strategy and the 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal control 
framework. Risk management is at the heart of 
everything we do, particularly as we look to 
grow across multiple markets around the 
world. For this reason, we conduct risk 
assessments throughout the year as part of 
our business review process and all investment 
decisions. These activities include:

 • Monthly business reviews of all countries 

and Group functions;

 • Individual reviews of every new location 

investment and all acquisitions;

 • Annual planning process for all markets and 

Group functions; and

 • Review of the status of our key risks  
in each Audit Committee meeting.

Defines Regus’ risk appetite  
and tolerance

Monitors risk identification  
and assessment

Assesses overall effectiveness of 
risk management

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Reviews effectiveness of 
internal controls

Monitors progress against internal and 
external audit recommendations

Approves the annual internal 
and external audit plans

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Accountable for the design and 
implementation of risk management 
processes and controls

Accountable for the regular 
review and appraisal of key risks

Contributes to the identification 
and assessment of key risks

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Responsible for compliance and ensuring that staff are adequately trained

BUSINESS ASSURANCE FUNCTION

 • Assists management and the Board in conducting  

 • Reviews risk profiles

risk studies

 • Advises and guides on policies and internal  

control framework

 • Tests compliance with internal controls

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

23

 
Risk management and principal risks continued

Principal risks

Risk

Strategic

Lease obligations 
The single greatest financial  
risk to Regus is represented by  
the financial commitments 
deriving from the portfolio of 
leases held across the Group.

Whilst Regus has demonstrated 
consistently that it has a 
fundamentally profitable business 
model which works in all 
geographies, the profitability of 
centres is impacted by movements 
in market rents, which, in turn, 
impact the price at which Regus 
can sell to its customers.

The fact that the outstanding 
lease terms with our landlords are, 
on average, significantly longer 
than the outstanding terms on our 
contracts with our customers 
creates a potential mismatch if 
rentals fall significantly, which can 
impact profitability and cash flows.

Economic downturn
An economic downturn could 
adversely affect the Group’s 
operating revenues, thereby 
reducing operating profit 
performance or, in an extreme 
downturn, resulting in  
operating losses.

Mitigation

Progress in 2016

During 2016, the number of ‘flexible’ 
leases as a percentage  
of the total increased to 95%  
from 94% on an enlarged estate. 

At the end of 2016, we were 
operating 2,926 locations  
in 1,029 towns and cities  
across over 100 countries.

This risk is mitigated in a number of ways:

1)  95% of our leases are ‘flexible’, meaning that they are either 

terminable at our option within six months and / or located in  
or assignable to a standalone legal entity, which is not fully 
cross-guaranteed. In this way, individual centres are sustained  
by their own profitability and cash flow. During the most recent 
downturn in selected markets we were able to negotiate revised 
terms with our partners to reflect downward movements in market 
rates to help recovery. 

2)  Over a third of the leases we entered into during 2016 were variable 
in nature, which means that payments to landlords vary with the 
performance of the relevant centre. In this way the ‘risk’ to 
profitability and cash flow of that centre from fluctuations in market 
rates is softened by the consequent adjustment to rental costs.

3)  The sheer number of leases and geographic diversity of our 

business reduces the overall risk to our business as the phasing  
of the business cycle and the performance of the commercial 
property market often varies from country to country and region  
to region.

4)  Each year a significant number of leases in our portfolio reach a 

natural break point.

The Group has taken a number of actions to mitigate this risk:

1)  More than a third of the leases added during 2016 were 

performance-related to a greater or lesser extent and our rental 
payments, if any, vary with the performance of the centre.

2)  Lease contracts include break clauses when leases can be 

terminated at our behest. The Group also looks to stagger leases  
in locations where we have multiple centres so that we can manage 
our overall inventory in those locations.

3)  We review our customer base to assess exposure to a particular 

customer or industry group.

4)  The increasing geographic spread of the Group’s network increases 

the depth and breadth of our business and provides better 
protection from an economic downturn in a single market or region.

During 2016 the number of ‘flexible’ 
leases as a percentage  
of the total increased to 95%.

We also increased the scale of  
our network by 6% and added 52 
new towns and cities. Our monthly 
business performance reviews 
provide early warning of any impact 
on our business performance and 
allow management to react with 
speed. More generally, investment in 
our management team has also led  
to improved, more responsive 
decision-making at a country  
and area level.

24 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Risk

Strategic

Shifting demand and  
technology trends 
Technology developments are 
driving demand for flexible working. 
Failure to recognise these could 
mean Regus’ product offering is 
sub-optimal.

Increased competition
Increased competition in the 
serviced office industry and an 
inability to maintain sustainable 
competitive advantage may result 
in loss of market share.

Exposure to UK political 
developments
Exposure to UK political 
developments including Brexit.

Mitigation

Progress in 2016

Regus continually invests in innovation to develop new products and 
services to increase its competitive advantage, protect current 
revenues and unlock potential new sources of revenue.

In addition to major upgrades to  
our MyRegus app during 2016, we 
focused our innovation resources  
on areas as diverse as customer 
satisfaction, format design, business 
continuity and improving productivity 
for the mobile workforce.

While physical barriers to entry into the flexible workspace market at a 
local level are low, the barriers to establishing a national or international 
network are much higher hence making it difficult for any competitor 
to challenge our market position and commercial success. 

Regus also offers a diverse product range under its different brands  
to cater to multiple customer segments which allows us to capture 
and maintain market share across the flexible workspace market. 

We increased the scale of our 
network by 6% and added 52 new 
towns and cities.

We accelerated the roll-out of our 
Spaces co-working format with the 
opening of seven new locations and 
the development of a strong pipeline 
for 2017.

The Group is continually monitoring political developments  
in the UK to identify and assess the medium to long-term implications 
of Brexit and the impact that it may have on our business. While the 
decision to exit the EU is likely to result in a sustained period of political 
and economic uncertainty, the Group does not expect this to have a 
material impact on its performance in the UK. 

The Group has had a prudent approach to growing its presence  
in the UK market. 

Dependency on the UK market  
has been reduced by growth  
being focused outside the UK.

Fewer than 5% of the new locations 
added during 2016  
were in the UK.

During 2016 the opportunity  
was taken to consolidate some 
locations in the UK. 

Based on the current position over 
40% of our leases with landlords in 
the UK are variable in nature.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

25

 
 
 
 
 
Risk management and principal risks continued

Risk

Financial

Funding
The Group relies on external 
funding to support a net debt 
position of £151.3m at the  
end of 2016. The loss of these 
facilities would cause a liquidity 
issue for the Group.

Exchange rates
The principal exposures of the 
Group are to the US dollar and the 
euro, with approximately 35.1% of 
the Group’s revenues being 
attributable to the US dollar and 
13.8% to the euro.

Any depreciation or appreciation  
of sterling would have an adverse 
or beneficial impact to the Group’s 
reported financial performance 
and position respectively.  
The Group does not generally 
hedge the translation exchange 
risk of its business results. Rather, 
it assumes that shareholders will 
take whatever steps they deem 
necessary based on their varied 
appetites for exchange risk  
and differing base currency 
investment positions.

Interest rates
Operating in a net debt position, an 
increase in interest rates would 
increase finance costs.

Mitigation

Progress in 2016

The Group constantly monitors its cash flow and financial headroom 
development and maintains a 12-month rolling forecast and a 
three-year strategic outlook. The Group also monitors the relevant 
financial ratios against the covenants in its facilities to ensure the risk 
of breach is being managed.

The Group also stresses these forecasts with downside scenario 
planning to assess risk and determine potential action plans.

The Board intends to maintain a prudent approach to the Group’s 
capital structure by holding the net debt : Group EBITDA leverage 
ratio below c. 1.5 times.

Part of the annual planning process is a debt strategy and action plan 
to ensure that the Group will have sufficient funding in place to 
achieve its strategic objectives.

The Group also constantly reviews and manages the maturity profile 
of its external funding.

We amended our key Revolving 
Credit Facility in May 2016 which is 
provided by a broad base of 
international banks.

The facility was increased from 
£320.0m to £550.0m and the 
maturity extended to 2021 
(previously 2020), with an  
option to extend until 2023.

After taking into account usage  
of the £550.0m facility for cash 
drawings and bank guarantees,  
we had £299.4m of available  
and undrawn committed facility  
as at 31 December 2016. 

Regus had a net debt : EBITDA  
ratio at 31 December 2016  
of 0.4 times. There is  
significant headroom on  
each of the covenant ratios.

1)  Given that transactions generally take place in the functional 

currency of Group companies, the Group’s exposure to 
transactional foreign exchange risk is limited.

2)  Where possible, the Group attempts to create natural hedges 
against currency exposures through matching income and 
expenses, and assets and liabilities, in the same currency.

3)  The Group, where deemed appropriate, uses currency swaps to 

maintain the currency profile of its external debt.

Overall in 2016 the movement in 
exchange rates increased reported 
revenue, gross profit and operating 
profit by £199.7m, £36.3m and 
£20.5m respectively. 

During 2016 the Group settled  
the exchange rate derivatives related 
to the Schuldschein debt securities 
which were settled.

The Group constantly monitors its interest rate exposure as part of its 
monthly treasury review.

As part of the Group’s balance sheet management it utilises interest 
rate swaps. 

During 2016 the Group increased  
the level of interest rate protection, 
with 51% of the Group’s debt being 
fixed until 2019.

26 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Risk

Operational

Cyber security
The trend towards an integrated 
digital economy and use of 
external cloud services combined 
with the rise in malicious attacks 
and increasing consequential costs 
warrants particular attention to 
cyber security risks.

Loss of critical systems
The Group’s systems and 
applications are housed in  
data centres. Should the data 
centres be impacted as a result  
of circumstances outside the 
Group’s control there could  
be an adverse impact on  
the Group’s operations and 
therefore its financial results.

Fraud 
Landlord and supplier and 
procurement related fraud.

Mitigation

Progress in 2016

This risk is mitigated as follows:

1)  The Group maintains an active information security programme 
under the direction of the Group CIO with oversight by the Board.

2)  We continually monitor our security using internal resources and 

external specialists to identify any vulnerabilities.

3)  The Group ensures compliance with all major legislation  

and directives.

4)  The Group maintains a mandatory training programme to promote 

staff awareness of information security and compliance best 
practice.

5)  Data, systems and access permissions are strictly segregated to 

reduce exposure to risk.

All core production applications have 
been made PCI (Payment Card 
Industry) compliant.

An internal review and an external 
review by security specialists were 
completed and an ongoing 
monitoring and improvement 
programme is in place.

Regus has cyber insurance policies in 
place which provide immediate 
response services in the event of  
a breach.

Regus manages this risk through:

1)  Business continuity plans. 

2)  A detailed service agreement with our external data centre provider 
which incorporates appropriate back-up procedures and controls.

3)  Ensuring appropriate business interruption insurance is in place. 

4) Transitioning infrastructure to cloud-based and SaaS servers.

We undertake regular testing  
of business continuity procedures  
to ensure that they are adequate  
and appropriate.

Regus manages this risk through:

1)  A rigorous investment approval process to review the proposed 
deal structure against local market conditions and alternatives. 

2)  Centralised procurement contracts with suppliers for key services 

and products. 

3) Standardised processes to manage and monitor spend.

4)  A strong governance framework and policies on gifts and 
hospitality, business conduct and bribery and corruption.

5)  Regular reviews to monitor effectiveness of controls.

Data protection and privacy 
Regus is required to comply with 
legislation in the jurisdictions  
in which it operates.

Regus operates a detailed privacy policy that covers all aspects of 
data privacy including and not limited to personal data, demographic 
information, financial data, cookies and other digital markers, 
marketing communication etc.

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

27

 
Risk management and principal risks continued

Risk

Growth

Ensuring demand is there to 
support our growth
Regus has undertaken significant 
growth to develop local and 
national networks. Adding capacity 
carries the risk of creating 
overcapacity. Failure to fill new 
centres would create a negative 
impact on the Group’s profitability 
and cash generation. 

Human resources

Ability to recruit at the  
right level 
Our ability to increase our 
management capacity and 
capabilities through the hiring  
of experienced professionals  
not only supports our ability  
to execute our growth strategy,  
but also enables us to improve 
succession planning throughout 
the Group.

Training and employee 
engagement
As a service-based business the 
strength and capabilities of our 
increasingly geographically diverse 
team are critical to achieving our 
strategic objectives.

Mitigation

Progress in 2016

Regus mitigates this risk as follows:

1)  Each investment or acquisition proposal is reviewed and approved 

by the Investment Committee. 

2)  The monthly business review process monitors new centre 

development against the investment case to ensure that the 
anticipated returns are being generated.

3)  As part of the annual planning process, a growth plan is agreed for 
each country which clearly sets out the annual growth objectives.

On aggregate, our new centres 
continue to perform in line with 
management expectations and  
are delivering attractive returns.

Mitigating actions include:

1)  Succession planning discussions are an integral part of our business 

planning and review process.

2)  Part of the annual planning process is the Human Resources Plan, 
and performance against this Plan is reviewed through the year.

3)  Our global performance management system and quarterly staff 
survey allow us to keep close to our employees and maintain a 
two-way dialogue throughout the year.

4)  Regular external and internal evaluation of the performance  

of the Board.

Our capability to hire the best talent 
continued to increase in 2016.  
Our direct recruitment approach 
saved over £2m of search fees as our 
talent knowledge around the world 
deepens and expands. This has 
allowed us to further plan for 
succession in important markets.

Our diversity continues to flourish 
with our workforce split fairly evenly 
male/female.

One of the key items in the Human Resources Plan is the Global 
Induction & Training Plan, which sets out the key objectives for the 
forthcoming year. Performance against these objectives is reviewed 
through the year.

Our employee survey also provides insight into employee issues, 
which is then used to improve the Plan.

We trained all our employees, many 
through the Regus Online Learning 
Academy, including employees from 
new centre acquisitions and new 
talent to Regus. 

In 2016, employees undertook 
approximately eight different topics 
of training. 

Our online learning curriculum was a 
winner of the Most Dramatic 
Business Impact Award at the 
Cornerstone Client Excellence 
Awards 2016 for the impact  
that this training had on sales 
performance. This is just one 
example of our relevant and 
easy-to-access development 
initiatives for front-line employees. 

Experienced managers coach  
new peer level colleagues to give 
them the best start in the Group.

28 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate responsibility

Committed to our communities

At Regus, our commitment to the future of our communities 
continues to grow and develop as we expand into more locations 
around the world. We bring positive change and investment to new and 
existing locations. We can only continue to grow ourselves by lifting 
others around us.

Economic support for communities
Although we are a worldwide organisation,  
we constantly remember that for the majority 
of our stakeholders we are a local business. 
Our presence generates wealth for each 
location as we employ local talent from  
within the community and draw on local 
supply-chain networks. Our business attracts 
new organisations to the area, helping to 
improve and grow the business environment 
and in turn bringing further investment and 
local opportunities to each location. We have  
a symbiotic relationship with each local 
community – we can only be successful if  
those around us are also successful.

Reducing environmental impact
Regus is conscious of its environmental 
responsibilities. Any actions we take as a 
company to diminish carbon emissions will  
help to reduce negative global impacts. We are 
committed to reducing our global footprint  
and to keeping sustainability at the core of our 
business strategy; we do this by focusing on 
internal mitigation measures and supporting 
our customers with theirs.

By their very nature, many of our products are 
inherently sustainable allowing our customers 
to minimise their carbon emissions, waste and 
energy usage through us. Our large network of 
locations enables people to work nearer to 
where they live, while our video-conferencing 
facilities eradicate the need to travel for 
meetings.

As a company, we continue to embed 
carbon-reduction and energy-efficiency 
policies and procedures in our centres. This 
includes retrofitting older sites by upgrading 
lighting and improving controls. We also have a 
defined engagement agenda with a focus on 
enabling customers and employees to fully 
understand the actions that they can take to 
reduce environmental impact. Our range of 
initiatives includes targeting reduced  
paper usage, actions to reduce and monitor 
our use of water, increased recycling and 
sharing best practice to reduce electricity and 
gas consumption. Collectively, all actions 
combine to contribute to reducing our 
environmental impact.

We took part in the Global Carbon Disclosure 
Project (CDP) and received a strong “B” score 
for 2016. This is a good improvement from the 
previous year and a positive indicator from the 
CDP that we are managing our carbon well. 
With the industry average being a “C”, our 
score demonstrates very clearly that we are 
being proactive in responding to climate-
change issues.

Efficiency schemes
In addition to our global efforts, we made a 
significant reduction in carbon and costs in 
2016 in the UK. This can largely be attributed to 
the implementation of recommendations 
from the UK’s response to the EU Energy 
Directive entitled Energy Savings Opportunity 
Scheme (ESOS). Around 1,000 CO2e tonnes 
were saved, together with related cost 
avoidance of £270,000, which we achieved 
through a systematic review of centre 
operating procedures and controls. The ESOS 
audit and notification from the UK was fully 
compliant and completed on time. So was  
our participation for a further year in the  
CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, in which  
we saw our overall reported emissions fall 
again. This means we have achieved a total 
reduction of around 18% since the start of 
CRC reporting in 2011.

The Green Committee continues to meet  
on a regular basis. It reviews and implements 
the actions we take (and their related costs)  
to reduce our waste, water, energy and  
carbon impacts. The Green Committee is 
proving successful and is seen throughout  
the Group as an effective model in 
sustainability management.

We continue to use specialist external energy 
consultancies to record our monthly energy 
consumption across our centres and to assist 
and advise on the purchase, management and 
monitoring of carbon and energy. For example, 
any new centres with high energy 
consumption, such as those acquired from 
Avanta in 2015, will be reviewed and 
assimilated in 2017 to make them more 

efficient and align them with our Greener 
Working Strategy. This will include upgrading 
lighting to LED and reviewing HVAC (heating, 
ventilation and air-conditioning) and controls to 
ensure they are as energy-efficient as possible.

A review undertaken in the early part of  
2016 confirmed that our UK business is  
on target to achieve a 50% reduction in 
energy-related carbon by 2020 (using 2007  
as the baseline year).

Charitable investments
As a global business working in numerous 
locations, we have a responsibility to ensure 
that we can positively impact the communities 
in which our team members, customers, 
suppliers and other stakeholders live. As a 
company, we provide concessions on working 
space, direct donations and the use of our 
facilities to support the charitable activities of  
our staff, customers and suppliers.

Our colleagues actively take part in creating 
charitable initiatives that provide financial 
donations to charities and humanitarian 
appeals. They collect gift in-kind materials, 
such as food, hygiene and education items, 
and donate their skills and time in volunteering 
to organisations in need. Initiatives are eagerly 
attended and supported by our customers and 
wider stakeholders.

Thanks to our employees’ spirit of innovation 
and enthusiasm for various causes, our 
charitable activities take many forms, including 
in-centre initiatives (such as recycling projects, 
charitable networking events and collections 
campaigns) and off-site activities such as 
sponsored walks, fun-runs and volunteering  
at venues like orphanages, care homes and 
soup kitchens.

In total, £237,479 was raised and used to 
support 244 projects for 239 charities.  
Further detail is provided in the table below:

Countries with community 
engagement activity
Projects
Charities supported
Donations made

2013

2014

2015

2016

20
54
78
£80,500

38
132
100
£155,329

43
219
195
£209,905

44
244
239
£237,479

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

29

 
Corporate responsibility continued

EXTRACTING VALUE 
FROM WASTE
As an example of other geographic specific 
initiatives, our colleagues in Fortaleza, Brazil, 
continued their successful recycling 
programme throughout 2016, encouraging 
customers and their colleagues to collect 
and segregate paper, cardboard, plastic 
cups, toner cartridges and other office 
waste. Rather than disposing of this waste, 
they give it to a local orphanage which 
donates the recycled material and in turn 
receives a reduced monthly utilities bill.

Colleagues are holding similar initiatives in 
the Republic of Ireland and the United 
Kingdom. They collect old printer 
cartridges, coffee capsules and even 
stamps to donate to charities, which as a 
result gain new revenue streams to help 
sustain their future.

COMMUNITY HEROES
Our internal community recognition programme “Community 
Heroes” commends and celebrates the charitable giving that  
takes place across the world. This year, two projects tied for  
first place. They each received a $5,000 donation for the  
charities they support. The top projects in 2016 were:

Tied 1st place: Dallas, USA – Raising 
awareness of childhood cancer
A networking event was held in support  
of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  
All clients in the centre attended, and  
several Business World clients also made  
an appearance.

“Our clients really embraced supporting this 
cause as through it they were also supporting 
our Regus colleague – a two-time childhood 
cancer survivor who strongly believed in  
this cause.”

Tied 1st place: Maryland, USA – 
Fighting hunger among children
Canned foods were collected throughout 
the year to provide under-privileged children 
with a meal a day.

“You feel great to be involved in such a good 
thing, together with good people who are 
doing GREAT things.”

All quotes are from Regus managers, colleagues or customers.

30 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

RESPONDING TO 
DISASTER 
Around the globe, our colleagues and 
stakeholders respond rapidly to 
environmental disasters affecting their 
regions, working together to provide 
support to those impacted. For example, 
our colleagues in Texas, together with their 
customers, quickly responded to a 
humanitarian effort following a tornado  
in their area. A donation drive was 
immediately organised calling for first aid 
kits, bedding, clothing and hygiene 
materials. Several individuals also 
volunteered to help clean up sites after  
the event.

FACILITATING 
DONATIONS
To make it easier for our employees and 
customers to give to charity, we have 
continued the My Charities and Causes 
platform. This enables customers to set up 
and promote their own corporate social 
responsibility activities, track progress and 
record donations to over 1.6 million 
registered charities. We believe that this 
platform will help provide even more 
support to all the great causes around  
the globe.

2nd place: Thailand – Providing for 
vulnerable children
Thailand’s underprivileged children were 
helped through charitable donations to the Gift 
of Happiness Foundation.

“The sale of over 200 shirts went  
towards helping buy school uniforms  
and stationery supplies for children  
living in poverty.”

3rd place: India – Supporting the 
International Day of Charity
Colleagues and customers in India launched 
a country-wide charitable campaign, in 
which over 400 people in more than 90 
centres joined hands with a local non-
governmental organisation.

“Collecting stationery items, clothes, books, 
toys and food was a wonderful activity for 
very worthwhile causes.”

4th place: South Africa – Giving 12 
months of love for charity
Our South African centre in Port Elizabeth 
teamed up with Port Elizabeth’s Love Story 
charity to reach out and feed the homeless.

“Regus gives back to the community and 
helps us give back too. Thank you Regus for 
helping us make a positive impact.”

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

31

 
Under applicable law and regulations, the 
Directors are responsible for preparing a 
Strategic Review and Financial Review  
that comply with the applicable law and  
those regulations. 

The Directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the 
Company’s websites. 

Legislation in the UK and Jersey governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions. 

Statutory statement as to 
disclosure to auditor 
The Directors who held office at the date of 
approval of these Directors’ statements 
confirm that: 

•  so far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the 
Group’s auditor is unaware; and 

•  each Director has taken all the steps that 
he ought to have taken as a Director in 
order to make himself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish 
that the Group’s auditor is aware of that 
information. 

These financial statements have been 
approved by the Directors of the Company. 
The Directors confirm that the financial 
statements have been prepared in 
accordance with applicable law and 
regulations.  

Statement of responsibility 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

•  the financial statements prepared in 
accordance with the applicable set of 
accounting standards, give a true and  
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit or loss of the Group;  

•  the Directors’ Report, including content 
contained by reference, includes a fair 
review of the development and 
performance of the business and the 
position of the Group taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that  
they face; and 

•  the Annual Report and financial 

statements, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, business model and 
strategy. 

By order of the Board 

Tim Regan 
Director 

19 April 2017 

Directors’ statements 

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in respect of the 
Annual Report and financial 
statements  
The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report and the Group financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.  

Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare the Group financial statements for 
each financial year. Under that law, they are 
required to prepare the Group financial 
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as 
adopted by the EU and applicable law. 

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently; 

•  make judgements and estimates that  

are reasonable and prudent; 

•  for the Group financial statements, state 
whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the EU; and 

•  prepare the financial statements on  
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the  
Group and the parent company will  
continue in business. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the Group’s 
transactions and which disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and to enable them to 
ensure that its financial statements comply 
with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and 
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 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. 

32 
32 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
Auditors’ report 

To the Board of Directors of 
Regus Plc 
26, Boulevard Royal 
L-2449 Luxembourg 

Report of the Réviseur d’Entreprises Agréé 
Report on the consolidated financial statements 

Following our appointment by the General Meeting of the 
Shareholders dated 16 May 2016, we have audited the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements of Regus Plc, which comprise the 
consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2016, 
the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year 
then ended, and notes, comprising a summary of significant 
accounting policies and other explanatory information. 

Board of Directors’ responsibility for the consolidated financial 
statements  
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and fair 
presentation of these consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for 
such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

Responsibility of the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 
financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in 
accordance with International Standards on Auditing as adopted for 
Luxembourg by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. 
Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and 
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material 
misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements. The procedures selected depend on the judgement of 
the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé, including the assessment of the risks 
of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the 
Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé considers internal control relevant to the 
entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in 
the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion 
on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used 
and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Board 
of Directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 
consolidated financial statements.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. 

Opinion 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and 
fair view of the consolidated financial position of Regus Plc as of 31 
December 2016, and of its consolidated financial performance and its 
consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards Luxembourg. 

KPMG Luxembourg, Société cooperative 
Cabinet de révision agréé 
Stephen Nye 

Luxembourg, 19 April 2017 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

33

33 

 
 
  
 
Consolidated income statement 

Continuing operations 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit (centre contribution) 
Selling, general and administration expenses  

Research and development expenses 

Share of (loss)/profit of equity-accounted 
investees, net of tax 

Operating profit 
Finance expense 

Finance income 

Net finance expense 

Profit before tax for the year 
Income tax expense  

Profit after tax for the year 

Profit attributable to: 
Equity shareholders of the parent 

Profit after tax for the year 

Earnings per ordinary share (EPS): 
Basic (p) 

Diluted (p) 

Year ended 31 Dec 2016 

Year ended 31 Dec 2015 

Non-
recurring 
items 
(note 6)

–

–

–

(1.0)

–

–

(1.0)

–

–

–

(1.0)

–

(1.0)

(1.0)

(1.0)

Notes

3

Before non-
recurring 
items

2,233.4

(1,784.6)

448.8

(256.5)

(2.9)

(0.8)

188.6

(11.6)

0.1

(11.5)

177.1

(34.9)

142.2

142.2

142.2

20

5

8

8

9

10

10

Total 
£m

Before non-
recurring 
items 

2,233.4

1,927.0 

(1,784.6)

(1,498.6) 

448.8

(257.5)

(2.9)

(0.8)

187.6

(11.6)

0.1

(11.5)

176.1

(34.9)

141.2

428.4 

(273.6) 

(10.3) 

0.3 

144.8 

(15.0) 

0.6 

(14.4) 

130.4 

(25.9) 

104.5 

141.2

141.2

104.5 

104.5 

15.2

15.2

Non- 
recurring 
items  
(note 6) 

– 

– 

– 

15.3 

– 

– 

15.3 

– 

– 

– 

15.3 

0.1 

15.4 

15.4 

15.4 

Total 
£m

1,927.0

(1,498.6)

428.4

(258.3)

(10.3)

0.3

160.1

(15.0)

0.6

(14.4)

145.7

(25.8)

119.9

119.9

119.9

12.8

12.6

34 

34 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income that is or may be reclassified to profit or loss in  
subsequent periods: 

Cash flow hedges – recycled through the income statement, net of income tax 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in fair value, net of income tax 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 

Items of other comprehensive income that are or may be reclassified to profit  
or loss in subsequent periods 

Other comprehensive income that will never be reclassified to profit or loss in  
subsequent periods: 

Re-measurement of defined benefit liability, net of income tax 

25 

Items of other comprehensive income that will never be reclassified to profit  
or loss in subsequent periods 

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of income tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
Equity shareholders of the parent 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Notes 

Year ended 
31 Dec 2016 
£m

Year ended 
31 Dec 2015 
£m

141.2

119.9

2.1

(0.3)

90.2

92.0

–

–

92.0

233.2

233.2

233.2

–

0.6

(5.3)

(4.7)

(0.3)

(0.3)

(5.0)

114.9

114.9

114.9

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

35

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Balance at 1 January 2015 

Total comprehensive income for the year: 
Profit for the year  

Other comprehensive income: 

Re-measurement of defined benefit liability, net of income tax 
(note 25) 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in fair value, 
net of income tax 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations

Total other comprehensive income, net 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners, recorded  
directly in equity 

Share-based payments 
Ordinary dividend paid (note 11) 
Purchase of shares 
Proceeds from exercise of share awards 
Balance at 31 December 2015 

Total comprehensive income for the year: 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges – recycled through the income statement 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in fair value, 
net of income tax 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations

Total other comprehensive income, net 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners, recorded  
directly in equity 

Share-based payments 
Ordinary dividend paid (note 11) 
Purchase of shares 
Proceeds from exercise of share awards 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
Transfer of share-based awards liabilities 
Balance at 31 December 2016 

1.  Attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Issued 
share 
capital 
£m

Treasury 
shares 
£m

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
£m

Hedging 
reserve
£m

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m

Other 
reserves  
£m 

Retained 
earnings  
£m 

Total 
shareholders’
equity(1)
£m

9.5

(19.9)

12.7

(2.7)

10.5

15.3 

512.0 

537.4

– 

119.9 

119.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
9.5

–
–
(24.5)
1.5
(42.9)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
(0.3)
–
9.2

–
–
(31.1)
8.3
65.7
–
– 

–

–

–

(5.3)

(5.3)

(5.3)

–
–
–
–
7.4

–

–

–

90.2

90.2

90.2

–
–
–
–
–
–
97.6

–

–

0.6

–

0.6

0.6

–
–
–
–
(2.1)

–

2.1

(0.3)

–

1.8

1.8

–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–
–
–
–
10.5

– 
– 
– 
– 
15.3 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
10.5

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
15.3 

(0.3) 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

119.6 

2.2 
(38.8) 
(11.9) 
2.9 
586.0 

(0.3)

0.6

(5.3)

(5.0)

114.9

2.2
(38.8)
(36.4)
4.4
583.7

141.2 

141.2

– 

– 

– 

92.0 

141.2 

2.4 
(43.3) 
(1.3) 
(4.6) 
(65.4) 
(8.2) 
606.8 

2.1

(0.3)

90.2

92.0

233.2

2.4
(43.3)
(32.4)
3.7
–
(8.2)
739.1

On 19 December 2016, the Group entered into a court approved Scheme of Arrangement. As a result of the Scheme of Arrangement, shares in 
Regus plc were cancelled and shares in the new Group holding company, IWG plc, were issued on the basis of one IWG plc share (nominal value 
one pence) for one share previously held in Regus plc (nominal value one pence). As a result, the shareholders of Regus plc became the 
shareholders of IWG plc, with IWG plc becoming the ultimate parent company of Regus plc.  

During the year, prior to the Scheme of Arrangement on 19 December 2016, 11,834,627 (2015: 9,543,800) shares were purchased in the open 
market and 4,712,856 (2015: 1,936,642) treasury shares held by the Group were utilised to satisfy the exercise of share awards by employees. 
Subsequent to the Scheme of Arrangement, all treasury shares held by the Group have been cancelled. There are no treasury shares as at  
31 December 2016. 

The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign 
subsidiaries and joint ventures.  

The revaluation reserve arose on the restatement of the assets and liabilities of the UK associate from historic to fair value at the time of the 
acquisition of the outstanding 58% interest on 19 April 2006. Other reserves include £37.9m arising from the Scheme of Arrangement 
undertaken on 14 October 2008, £6.5m relating to merger reserves and £0.1m to the redemption of preference shares partly offset by £29.2m 
arising from the Scheme of Arrangement undertaken in 2003. 

36 

36 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet 

Non-current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 
Other long-term receivables 
Investments in joint ventures  

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Corporation tax receivable 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables (incl. customer deposits) 
Deferred income 
Corporation tax payable 
Bank and other loans 
Provisions  

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Other payables 
Non-current derivative financial liabilities 
Bank and other loans 
Deferred tax liability 
Provisions  
Provision for deficit on joint ventures 
Retirement benefit obligations 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities  

Total equity 
Issued share capital 
Treasury shares 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Hedging reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total shareholders’ equity 

Total equity and liabilities 

Approved by the Directors on 19 April 2017 

Tim Regan 
Director  

As at 
31 Dec 2016 
£m

As at 
31 Dec 2015 
£m

Notes 

12 
13 
14 
9 
15 
20 

16 
9 
22 

17 

9 
18 
19 

17 
23 
18 
9 
19 
20 
25 

21 
21 

685.3
52.8
1,194.4
29.3
86.3
13.6

2,061.7

516.8
34.8
50.1

601.7

612.2
53.8
917.0
36.4
63.0
5.6

1,688.0

557.8
17.9
63.9

639.6

2,663.4

2,327.6

872.2
276.4
17.7
7.8
6.0

816.5
240.7
14.0
9.2
5.3

1,180.1

1,085.7

540.3
0.3
193.6
2.4
3.4
3.4
0.8

744.2

383.8
15.0
245.3
1.6
7.6
4.1
0.8

658.2

1,924.3

1,743.9

9.2
–
97.6
(0.3)
10.5
15.3
606.8

739.1

9.5
(42.9)
7.4
(2.1)
10.5
15.3
586.0

583.7

2,663.4

2,327.6

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

37

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Operating activities 
Profit before tax for the year 

Adjustments for: 

Net finance expense 

Share of loss/(profit) of equity-accounted investees, net of tax 

Depreciation charge 

Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Amortisation of acquired lease fair value adjustments 

(Decrease)/increase in provisions 

Share-based payments 

Other non-cash movements 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 

Increase in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations (before assets held for sale) 
Loss/(profit) on disposal of assets held for sale 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest paid 

Tax paid 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired) 

Proceeds on the sale of assets held for sale 

Dividends received from joint ventures 

Purchase of joint ventures 

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of intangible assets 

Interest received 

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Net proceeds from issue of loans 

Repayment of loans 

Repayment of principal under finance leases 

Settlement of financial derivatives 

Purchase of shares 

Proceeds from exercise of share awards 

Payment of ordinary dividend 

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

38 

38 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2016  
£m 

Year ended 
31 Dec 2015 
£m

Notes 

176.1 

145.7

8 

20 

5, 14 

5 

14 

5, 13 

5 

19 

6 

26 

6 

20 

20 

14 

13 

8 

11 

22 

11.5 

0.8 

181.8 

1.0 

– 

12.7 

(3.1) 

(3.2) 

2.4 

(3.4) 

376.6 

78.6 

20.3 

475.5 

2.2 

477.7 

(16.2) 

(31.5) 

430.0 

(8.9) 

3.3 

0.9 

(1.3) 

16.1 

14.4

(0.3)

134.2

(0.3)

0.9

11.0

(4.6)

2.8

2.2

(3.0)

303.0

(121.5)

221.0

402.5

(21.3)

381.2

(13.8)

(29.1)

338.3

(99.4)

84.0

–

(1.9)

9.5

(313.8) 

(311.5)

(5.5) 

0.1 

(8.7)

0.6

(309.1) 

(327.4)

599.8 

(670.0) 

– 

(7.0) 

(32.4) 

3.7 

(43.3) 

(149.2) 

(28.3) 

63.9 

14.5 

50.1 

383.2

(330.5)

(0.1)

–

(36.4)

4.4

(38.8)

(18.2)

(7.3)

72.8

(1.6)

63.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts 

1. Authorisation of financial statements 
The Group and Company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 were authorised for issue by the Directors  
on 19 April 2017 and the balance sheets were signed on the Directors’ behalf by Tim Regan. Regus plc is a company incorporated in Jersey and 
registered and domiciled in Luxembourg. The ultimate parent company of the Group is IWG plc, a company incorporated in Jersey and registered 
and domiciled in Switzerland. 

Regus plc owns a network of business centres which are leased to a variety of business customers. Information on the Group’s structure is 
provided in note 31, and information on other related party relationships of the Group is provided in note 30. 

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘Adopted IFRSs’). The Company prepares its parent company 
annual accounts in accordance with Luxembourg GAAP; extracts from these are presented on page 81. 

2. Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
The Group financial statements consolidate those of Regus plc and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the ‘Group’) and equity account the 
Group’s interest in the associate and joint ventures. The extract from the parent company annual accounts presents information about the 
Company as a separate entity and not about its Group. 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these Group financial statements. Amendments 
to adopted IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations 
Committee (IFRIC) with an effective date from 1 January 2016 did not have a material effect on the Group financial statements, unless otherwise 
indicated. 

The following standards, interpretations and amendments to standards were adopted by the Group for periods commencing on or after  
1 January 2016: 

IAS 1 

IAS 16 

IAS 38 

IFRS 11 

IFRS 14 

Various 

Disclosure Initiative (Amendment to IAS 1) 

Revaluation method – proportionate restatement of accumulated depreciation – Amendments to IAS 16 

Revaluation method – proportionate restatement of accumulated amortisation – Amendments to IAS 38 

Accounting for Acquisitions of interests in Joint operations – Amendments to IFRS 11 

Regulatory Deferral Accounts 

Annual Improvements (2012 – 2014 Cycle) 

Judgements made by the Directors in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on the consolidated financial 
statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 32. 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis, with the exception of certain financial assets and liabilities  
that are measured at fair value as described in note 23. 

The Directors, having made appropriate enquiries, have a reasonable expectation that the Group and the Company have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the 
consolidated financial statements on pages 34 to 80. 

In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have considered the further information 
included in the strategic report as set out on pages 12 to 15 as well as the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties as set out on pages 23 to 28. 

Further details on the going concern basis of preparation can be found in note 23 to the notes to the consolidated financial statements  
on page 60. 

These Group consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling (£), which is Regus plc’s functional currency, and all values are in 
million pounds, rounded to one decimal place, except where indicated otherwise. 

The attributable results of those companies acquired or disposed of during the year are included for the periods of ownership. 

Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial and operating policies.  

The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the total recognised income and expense of associates on an equity 
accounted basis, from the date that significant influence commences until the date that significant influence ceases or the associate qualifies as 
a disposal group, at which point the investment is carried at the lower of fair value less costs to sell and carrying value.  

Joint ventures are those entities over whose activities the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the 
arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of 
the total recognised gains and losses of joint ventures on an equity accounted basis, from the date that joint control commences until the date 
that joint control ceases or the joint venture qualifies as a disposal group, at which point the investment is carried at the lower of fair value less 
costs to sell and carrying value. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

39

39 

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in a joint venture, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further 
losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on  
behalf of a joint venture. 

On 19 April 2006, the Group acquired the remaining 58% of the shares of the UK business that were not already owned by the Group. As  
a result, the Group fully consolidated the UK business from that date. The acquisition was accounted for through the purchase method and  
as a consequence the entire assets and liabilities of the UK business were revalued to fair value. The effect of these adjustments on the  
42% of the UK business already owned was reflected in the revaluation reserve. 

On 14 October 2008, Regus plc acquired the entire share capital of Regus Group plc in exchange for the issue of new shares of Regus plc  
on the basis of one share in Regus plc for one share held previously in Regus Group plc. At the date of the transaction, Regus plc had nominal 
assets and liabilities and therefore the transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition of Regus plc by Regus Group plc. Consequently, no 
fair value acquisition adjustments were required and the aggregate of the Group reserves have been attributed to Regus plc. 

On 19 December 2016, under a Scheme of Arrangement between Regus plc and its shareholders, under Article 125 of the Companies (Jersey) 
Law 1991, and as sanctioned by The Royal Court of Jersey, all the issued shares in Regus plc were cancelled and an equivalent number of new 
shares in Regus plc were issued to IWG plc in consideration for the allotment to shareholders of one ordinary share in IWG plc for each ordinary 
share in Regus plc that they held on the record date, 18 December 2016. As a result, the shareholders of Regus plc became the shareholders of 
IWG plc, with IWG plc becoming the ultimate parent company of Regus plc.  

IFRSs not yet effective 
Except for IFRS 16 Leases, the following new or amended standards and interpretations that are mandatory for 2017 annual periods  
(and future years) are not expected to have a material impact on the Company:  

IAS 7 

IAS 12 

IFRS 9 

IFRS 15 

IFRS 16 

Disclosure Initiative – Amendments to IAS 7 

Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised losses – Amendments to IAS 12 

Financial Instruments 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

Leases 

1 January 2017 

1 January 2017 

1 January 2018 

1 January 2018 

1 January 2019 

The adoption of IFRS 16 will result in the recognition of a significant right-of-use asset together with corresponding lease liabilities. The Group is 
in the process of quantifying the related impact. 

The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. 

Basis of consolidation 
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has the rights to, 
variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial 
statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences. The results are 
consolidated until the date control ceases or the subsidiary qualifies as a disposal group, at which point the assets and liabilities are carried at the 
lower of fair value less costs to sell and carrying value. 

Impairment of non-financial assets 
For goodwill, assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets that are not yet available for use, the recoverable amount was 
estimated at 30 September 2016. At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amount of these assets to determine whether there is 
an indicator of impairment. If any indicator is identified then the assets’ recoverable amount is re-evaluated. 

The carrying amount of the Group’s other non-financial assets (other than deferred tax assets) are reviewed at the reporting date to determine 
whether there is an indicator of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. 

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit (CGU) exceeds its recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. 

A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets 
or groups of assets. The Group has identified individual business centres as the CGU. 

We evaluate the potential impairment of property, plant and equipment at the centre (CGU) level where there are indicators of impairment. 

Centres (CGUs) are grouped by country of operation for the purposes of carrying out impairment reviews of goodwill as this is the lowest level at 
which it can be assessed. 

Individual fittings and equipment in our centres or elsewhere in the business that become obsolete or are damaged are assessed and impaired 
where appropriate. 

40 

40 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
Notes to the accounts continued

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
Calculation of recoverable amount 
The recoverable amount of relevant assets is the greater of their fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the 
estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable 
amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

Goodwill 
All business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the aggregate 
of the fair value of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for non-controlling interests, and any previous interest held, over 
the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration 
transferred, the Group re-assesses whether it has correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the 
procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the re-assessment still results in an excess of the fair value 
of net assets acquired over the aggregate consideration transferred, then the gain is recognised in profit or loss.  

Positive goodwill is stated at cost less any provision for impairment in value. An impairment test is carried out annually and, in addition, whenever 
indicators exist that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. 

Intangible assets 
Intangible assets acquired separately from the business are capitalised at cost. Intangible assets acquired as part of an acquisition of a business 
are capitalised separately from goodwill if their fair value can be identified and measured reliably on initial recognition. 

Intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets as follows: 

Brand – Regus brand 

Brand – Other acquired brands 

Computer software 

Customer lists 

Management agreements 

Indefinite life 

20 years 

Up to 5 years 

2 years 

Minimum duration of the contract 

Amortisation of intangible assets is expensed through administration expenses in the income statement. 

Acquisitions of non-controlling interests 
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests are accounted for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owners and therefore no goodwill is 
recognised as a result. Adjustments to non-controlling interests arising from transactions that do not involve the loss of control are based on a 
proportionate amount of the net assets of the subsidiary. 

Assets held for sale 
Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of the carrying value of the identified asset and its fair value less cost to sell. 

Leases 
Plant and equipment leases for which the Group assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. All 
other leases, including all of the Group’s property leases, are categorised as operating leases. 

Operating leases 
Minimum lease payments under operating leases are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease 
incentives, including partner contributions and rent-free periods, are included in the calculation of minimum lease payments. The 
commencement of the lease term is the date from which the Group is entitled to use the leased asset. The lease term is the non-cancellable 
period of the lease, together with any further periods for which the Group has the option to continue to lease the asset and when at the inception 
of the lease it is reasonably certain that the Group will exercise that option. 

Contingent rentals include rent increases based on future inflation indices or non-guaranteed rental payments based on centre turnover or 
profitability and are excluded from the calculation of minimum lease payments. Contingent rentals are recognised in the income statement as 
they are incurred. 

Onerous lease provisions are an estimate of the net amounts payable under the terms of the lease to the first break point, discounted at an 
appropriate pre-tax rate that reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. 

Partner contributions 
Partner contributions are contributions from our business partners (property owners and landlords) towards the initial costs of opening  
a business centre, including the fit-out of the property and the losses that we incur early in the centre life. The partner contribution is  
treated as a lease incentive and is amortised over the period of the lease. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

41

41 

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. Depreciation is calculated  
on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets as follows:  

Buildings 

Leasehold improvements 

Furniture 

Office equipment and telephones 

Computer hardware 

50 years 

10 years 

10 years 

5 years 

3 – 5 years 

Revenue 
Revenue from the provision of services to customers is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable (excluding sales taxes). 
Where rent-free periods are granted to customers, rental income is spread on a straight-line basis over the length of the customer contract. 

•  Workstations 

Workstation revenue is recognised when the provision of the service is rendered. Amounts invoiced in advance are accounted for  
as deferred income and recognised as revenue upon provision of the service. 

•  Customer service income 

Service income (including the rental of meeting rooms) is recognised as services are rendered. In circumstances where Regus acts as  
an agent for the sale and purchase of goods to customers, only the commission fee earned is recognised as revenue. 

•  Management and franchise fees 

Fees received for the provision of initial and subsequent services are recognised as revenue as the services are rendered. Fees charged for the 
use of continuing rights granted by the agreement, or for other services provided during the period of the agreement, are recognised as 
revenue as the services are provided or the rights used. 

•  Membership card income 

Revenue from the sale of membership cards is deferred and recognised over the period that the benefits of the membership card are 
expected to be provided. 

These categories represent all material sources of revenue earned from the provision of global workplace solutions. 

Employee benefits 
The majority of the Group’s pension plans are of the defined contribution type. For these plans the Group’s contribution and other paid and 
unpaid benefits earned by the employees are charged to the income statement as incurred. 

The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit plan is determined using the projected unit credit method. 

Re-measurements, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding net interest and the return on plan assets, 
excluding net interest, are recognised immediately in the balance sheet with a corresponding debit or credit to retained earnings through other 
comprehensive income (OCI) in the period in which they occur. Re-measurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. 

Service costs are recognised in profit or loss, and include current and past service costs as well as gains and losses on curtailments. 

Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit liability or asset. The Group recognises the following changes in 
the net defined benefit obligation under ‘cost of sales’, ‘selling, general and administration expenses’ and ‘research and development expenses’ in 
the consolidated income statement: service costs comprising current service costs; past service costs; and gains and losses on curtailments and 
non-routine settlements. 

Settlements of defined benefit schemes are recognised in the period in which the settlement occurs. 

Share-based payments 
The share option programme entitles certain employees and Directors to acquire shares of the ultimate parent company; these awards are 
granted by the ultimate parent and are equity settled. 

The fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured  
at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the options 
granted is measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model or the Monte Carlo method, taking into account the terms and conditions upon 
which the options were granted. 

The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest except where forfeiture is due only to 
share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting. 

Options under the Co-investment Plan (CIP) are granted by the Company to certain employees and are equity settled. The fair value of the amount 
payable to the employee is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is initially recognised at grant date and 
spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to payment. The fair value of the share appreciation rights is 
measured based on the Monte Carlo valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted.  

42 

42 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

Notes to the accounts continued

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
Taxation 
Tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates 
to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and  
the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial 
recognition of assets and liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination; and differences relating 
to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided  
is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date. 

A deferred tax asset is recognised for all unused tax losses only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against 
which the asset can be utilised. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and 
when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a 
net basis. 

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 that can  
be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. 

Restructuring provisions are made for direct expenditures of a business reorganisation where the plans are sufficiently detailed and well 
advanced and where the appropriate communication to those affected has been undertaken at the reporting date. 

Provision is made for onerous contracts to the extent that the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under a contract exceed the 
economic benefits expected to be delivered, discounted using an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. 

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

When shares recognised as equity are repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable costs, net of any 
tax effects, is recognised as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares and are presented in the treasury 
share reserve. When treasury shares are sold or re-issued subsequently, the amount received is recognised as an increase in equity and the 
resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is presented within retained earnings. 

Net finance expenses 
Interest charges and income are accounted for in the income statement on an accruals basis. Financing transaction costs that relate to financial 
liabilities are charged to interest expense using the effective interest rate method and are recognised within the carrying value of the related 
financial liability on the balance sheet. Fees paid for the arrangement of credit facilities are recognised as a prepayment and recognised through 
the finance expense over the term of the facility. In the event of a facility being drawn, the relevant unamortised portion of the fee is recognised 
within the carrying value of the financial liability and charged to the interest expense using the effective interest rate method. 

Where assets or liabilities on the Group balance sheet are carried at net present value, the increase in the amount due to unwinding the discount 
is recognised as a finance expense or finance income as appropriate. 

Costs arising on bank guarantees and letters of credit and foreign exchange gains or losses are included in other finance costs (note 8). 

Interest bearing borrowings and other financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities, including interest bearing borrowings, are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to 
initial recognition, financial liabilities are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the 
income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest rate method. 

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or expired. 

Financial liabilities are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss where the liability is either held for trading or is designated as 
held at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition. Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value with any 
resultant gain or loss recognised in the income statement. 

Non-recurring items 
Significant, infrequent transactions not indicative of the underlying performance of the consolidated Group are reported separately as non-
recurring items. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

43

43 

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
Financial assets 
Financial assets are classified either at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments, available-for-sale financial assets or  
loans and receivables. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined on initial recognition. 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value and changes therein, including any interest or dividend income, are 
recognised in profit or loss. 

Held-to-maturity financial assets are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, they are measured at amortised costs using the effective interest rate method.  

Available-for-sale financial assets are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses and foreign currency differences on debt 
instruments, are recognised in OCI and accumulated in the fair value reserve. When these assets are derecognised, the gain or loss accumulated 
in equity is reclassified to profit or loss. 

Trade and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as loans and 
receivables. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less any impairment. Interest 
income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when recognition would be immaterial. 

Customer deposits 
Deposits received from customers against non-performance of the contract are held on the balance sheet as a current liability until they are 
returned to the customer at the end of their relationship with the Group. 

Foreign currency transactions and foreign operations 
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the closing rate of exchange at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on 
translation are taken to the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign 
currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. The results and cash flows of foreign operations are translated 
using the average rate for the period. Assets and liabilities, including goodwill and fair value adjustments, of foreign operations are translated using 
the closing rate, with all exchange differences arising on consolidation being recognised in other comprehensive income, and presented in the 
foreign currency translation reserve in equity. Exchange differences are released to the income statement on disposal. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group’s policy on the use of derivative financial instruments can be found in note 23. Derivative financial instruments are measured initially at 
fair value and changes in the fair value are recognised through profit or loss unless the derivative financial instrument has been designated as a 
cash flow hedge whereby the effective portion of changes in the fair value are deferred in equity. 

Foreign currency translation rates 

US dollar 

Euro 

Japanese yen 

At 31 December 

Annual average 

2016

1.24

1.17

145

2015 

1.48 

1.36 

179 

2016 

1.35 

1.22 

147 

2015

1.53

1.38

185

3. Segmental analysis – statutory basis 
An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, 
including those that relate to transactions with other operating segments. An operating segment’s results are reviewed regularly by the chief 
operating decision maker (the Board of Directors of the Group) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its 
performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. 

The business is run on a worldwide basis but managed through four principal geographical segments: Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa 
(EMEA); Asia Pacific; and the United Kingdom. These geographical segments exclude the Group’s non-trading, holding and corporate 
management companies. The results of business centres in each of these regions form the basis for reporting geographical results to the chief 
operating decision maker. All reportable segments are involved in the provision of global workplace solutions. 

The Group’s reportable segments operate in different markets and are managed separately because of the different economic characteristics 
that exist in each of those markets. Each reportable segment has its own discrete senior management team responsible for the performance of 
the segment. 

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the Annual Report and Accounts for the Group for the 
year ended 31 December 2015. The performance of each segment is assessed on the basis of the segment operating profit, which excludes 
internal revenue, corporate overheads and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions with other operating segments.

44 

44 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

Notes to the accounts continued

3. Segmental analysis – statutory basis (continued) 

Revenues from  
external customers 

Revenues from  
internal customers 

Segment revenues 

Gross profit  
(centre contribution)  

Reportable segment profit 
(before joint ventures) 

Share of (loss)/profit of  
joint ventures 

Finance expense 

Finance income 

Depreciation and 
amortisation  

Taxation expense  

Assets  

Liabilities  

Americas 
2016  
£m 

EMEA 

2015  
£m 

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

Asia Pacific 
2016 
£m

2015 
£m

United Kingdom 

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

All other operating 
segments 
2016  
£m 

2015  
£m 

Total 

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

923.0 

779.2 

476.8

406.6

363.2

289.1

462.1

449.2

– 

– 

0.1

0.3

–

–

1.0

1.2

923.0 

779.2 

476.9

406.9

363.2

289.1

463.1

450.4

8.3 

– 

8.3 

2.9  2,233.4 1,927.0

– 

1.1

1.5

2.9  2,234.5 1,928.5

161.0 

171.0 

101.6

90.5

67.5

58.2

110.4

107.7

5.9 

(0.2) 

446.4

427.2

103.0 

99.7 

48.4

40.5

36.8

26.0

92.7

84.6

(13.3) 

(12.0) 

267.6

238.8

– 

– 

(0.2) 

(0.2) 

– 

– 

(0.7)

(0.3)

0.1

101.9 

(13.9) 

72.2 

(9.2) 

28.6

(1.8)

1.1

(0.4)

0.5

21.9

(3.6)

–

(1.5)

– 

26.3

(2.9)

–

(1.3)

– 

19.0

(3.5)

(0.1)

(0.9)

–

29.3

(1.0)

1,748.6  1,247.1 
(1,745.4)  (1,118.0) 

603.1

506.6

390.4

321.4

837.4

842.1

(761.6)

(611.9)

(446.0)

(327.8)

(751.1)

(811.8) 

(0.8) 

(1.6) 

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.8)

(2.9)

0.1

0.3

(3.5)

0.5

25.2

5.9 

4.9 

192.0

143.2

(2.6) 

(15.3) 

(6.9) 

(25.8)

(34.9)
1.7  3,581.0 2,918.9
(0.2)  (3,704.2) (2,869.7)

1.5 

(123.2)

49.2

1.5 

(0.1) 

1.4 

Net assets/(liabilities)  

3.2 

129.1 

(158.5)

(105.3)

(55.6)

(6.4)

86.3

30.3 

Non-current  
asset additions 

163.4  

146.9 

47.6

48.4

38.5

58.9

37.9

46.6

– 

– 

287.4

300.8

Revenue in the “All other operating segments” category is generated from services related to the provision of workplace solutions, including fees 
earned from franchise agreements and commissions earned from the sale of outsourced workplace solution products. Revenue from internal 
customers is determined by reference to current market prices. 

4. Segmental analysis – entity-wide disclosures 
The Group’s primary activity and only business segment is the provision of global workplace solutions, therefore all revenue is attributed  
to a single group of similar products and services. It is not meaningful to separate this group into further categories of products. Revenue  
is recognised where the service is provided. 

The Group has a diversified customer base and no single customer contributes a material percentage of the Group’s revenue. 

The Group’s revenue from external customers and non-current assets analysed by foreign country is as follows: 

£m 

Country of tax domicile – Luxembourg  

United States of America 

United Kingdom 

All other countries 

1.  Excluding deferred tax assets. 

2016 

2015  

External 
revenue

Non-current  
assets(1) 

External 
revenue

Non-current   
assets(1)

6.7

766.6

462.1

998.0

2.7 

930.0 

347.1 

752.6 

6.2

636.3

449.2

835.3

2.5

720.5

282.2

646.4

2,233.4

2,032.4 

1,927.0

1,651.6

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

45

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

4. Segmental analysis – entity-wide disclosures (continued) 

2016 

Gross profit 
(centre 
contribution) 

Revenue 

Operating 
profit 
before joint 
ventures

Share of 
loss on 
joint 
ventures

Operating 
profit

Finance 
expense

Finance 
income 

Depreciation 
and 
amortisation 

Profit 
before tax

£m 

Reportable segment 
results 

2,234.5 

446.4 

267.6

(0.8)

266.8

Exclude: Internal revenue 

(1.1) 

Corporate overheads 

Foreign exchange gains  
and losses 

Non–recurring items 

– 

– 

– 

(1.1) 

3.5 

– 

– 

–

(78.2)

–

(1.0)

–

–

–

–

–

(78.2)

–

(1.0)

(2.9)

–

(13.3)

4.6

–

0.1 

192.0 

264.0

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2.5 

– 

– 

–

(91.5)

4.6

(1.0)

Published Group total 

2,233.4 

448.8 

188.4

(0.8)

187.6

(11.6)

0.1 

194.5 

176.1

Gross profit 
(centre 
contribution) 

Revenue 

Operating 
profit 
before joint 
ventures

Share of 
profit on 
joint 
ventures

Operating 
profit

Finance 
expense

Finance 
income 

Depreciation 
and 
amortisation 

Profit 
before tax

2015  

£m 

Reportable segment 
results 

1,928.5 

427.2 

Exclude: Internal revenue 

(1.5) 

Corporate overheads 

Foreign exchange gains  
and losses 

Non–recurring items 

– 

– 

– 

(1.5) 

2.7 

– 

– 

Published Group total 

1,927.0 

428.4 

238.8

–

(94.3)

–

15.3

159.8

0.3

–

–

–

–

0.3

239.1

–

(94.3)

–

15.3

160.1

(3.5)

–

(12.5)

1.0

–

(15.0)

0.5 

– 

0.1 

– 

– 

0.6 

143.2 

– 

2.0 

– 

– 

145.2 

236.1

–

(106.7)

1.0

15.3

145.7

£m 

Reportable segment results 
Exclude: Segmental inter-company amounts 

Corporate overhead assets and liabilities (excluding amounts due to/from reportable segments): 

Cash 

Deferred taxation 

Bank and other loans 

Other 

Published Group total 

£m 

Reportable segment results 
Exclude: Segmental inter-company amounts 

Corporate overhead assets and liabilities (excluding amounts due to/from reportable segments): 

Cash 

Deferred taxation 

Bank and other loans 

Other 

Published Group total 

2016 

Assets 

Liabilities 

3,581.0 

(1,033.6) 

(3,704.2) 

1,984.4 

21.4  

17.0 

– 

77.6 

– 

– 

(184.7) 

(19.8) 

2,663.4 

(1,924.3) 

2015  

Assets 

2,918.9 

(726.0) 

Liabilities 

(2,869.7) 

1,429.3 

29.8 

24.3 

– 

80.6 

– 

– 

(234.4) 

(69.1) 

2,327.6 

(1,743.9) 

Net assets/
(liabilities)

(123.2)

950.8

21.4

17.0

(184.7)

57.8

739.1

Net assets/ 
(liabilities)

49.2

703.3

29.8

24.3

(234.4)

11.5

583.7

46 

46 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

5. Operating profit 
Operating profit has been arrived at after charging/(crediting): 

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment  
Amortisation of intangibles  
Provision for bad debts 
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment  
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Rents payable in respect of operating leases 

Property 
Contingent rents paid 
Equipment 

Amortisation of partner contributions 
Amortisation of acquired lease fair value adjustments 
Staff costs 

Fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates for the audit of the Group accounts 
Fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates for other services: 

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

Other services pursuant to legislation: 

Tax services 
Other services 

6. Non-recurring items 

Disposal of assets held for sale 
Proceeds from litigation settlement 
California class action 
Competition & Markets Authority investigation 

(Loss)/profit on non-recurring items 

Disposal of assets held for sale 
The following major classes of assets and liabilities were disposed of as part of the assets held for sale: 

Assets 
Goodwill (note 12) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade and other receivables 

Assets held for sale 

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Liabilities held for sale 

Net assets held for sale 
Disposal related costs 

Proceeds on disposal 

(Loss)/profit on disposal 

Notes 

14 
13 
23 
14 

7 

2016 
£m

181.8
12.7
10.3
1.0
–

822.3
36.7
3.4
(50.2)
(3.1)
335.6

2016 
£m

0.9

1.4

–
0.4

2016 
£m

(2.2)
2.5
(1.3)
–

(1.0)

2016 
£m

4.5
1.4
0.5

6.4

(0.9)

(0.9)

5.5
–

3.3

(2.2)

2015 
£m

134.2
11.0
6.5
(0.3)
0.9

657.5
38.4
2.9
(35.6)
(4.6)
356.4

2015 
£m

0.8

1.0

–
–

2015 
£m

21.3
–
(3.2)
(2.8)

15.3

2015 
£m

10.3
–
49.6

59.9

(1.2)

(1.2)

58.7
4.0

84.0

21.3

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

47

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

6. Non-recurring items (continued) 
During 2016, the Group disposed of specific assets and liabilities acquired as part of the Avanta Services Offices Group plc acquisition  
in accordance with the agreed settlement with the United Kingdom Competition & Markets Authority for a consideration of £3.3m. 

During 2014, the Group completed a project to dispose of the assets and liabilities of specific non-core operations to release the related capital 
originally invested in these operations. The sale of these assets and liabilities, which were previously classified as assets held for sale, completed 
during February 2015 for a consideration of £84.0m and a non-recurring profit of £21.3m after expenses. 

Proceeds from litigation settlement 
A settlement agreement between former shareholders and directors of a company acquired by the Group was reached during 2016. This 
settlement entitled Regus plc to a share of the reparations agreed, with £2.5m received during the year. 

California class action 
During 2015, a class action was filed against the Group alleging a breach of labour regulations in California. While the outcome of this legal action 
remains uncertain, the Group has provided for an additional £1.3m in respect of any potential settlement and related legal costs. 

Competition & Markets Authority investigation 
The United Kingdom Competition & Markets Authority initiated an inquiry into competition in the serviced offices industry after the Group 
acquired Avanta Serviced Offices Group plc during 2015. This inquiry was completed in early 2016. During 2015, the Group provided for £2.8m in 
respect of related legal costs.  

7. Staff costs  

The aggregate payroll costs (including Executive Directors) were as follows: 
Wages and salaries 

Social security 

Pension costs 

Share-based payments 

Directors’ emoluments of £0.5m (2015: £0.5m) were paid to Non-Executive Directors during the current year. 

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Executive Directors), analysed by category and 
geography, was as follows: 

Centre staff 

Sales and marketing staff 

Finance staff 

Other staff 

Americas 

EMEA 

Asia Pacific 

United Kingdom 

Corporate functions 

48 

48 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

2016  
£m 

282.2 

45.6 

5.4 

2.4 

335.6 

2015 
£m

302.5

46.5

5.2

2.2

356.4

2016  
Average  
full time 
equivalents 

2015 
Average 
full time 
equivalents

6,551 

425 

768 

864 

8,608 

2,802 

2,044 

1,746 

907  

1,109 

8,608 

6,842

467

778

1,203

9,290

3,064

2,107

1,832

996

1,291

9,290

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

8. Net finance expense 

Interest payable and similar charges on bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Interest payable and similar charges on finance leases 

Total interest expense 
Other finance costs (including foreign exchange) 

Unwinding of discount rates 

Total finance expense 

Total interest income 

Unwinding of discount rates 

Total finance income 

Net finance expense 

9. Taxation 

(a) Analysis of charge in the year 

Current taxation 
Corporate income tax 

Previously unrecognised tax losses and other differences 

Over/(under) provision in respect of prior years 

Total current taxation 

Deferred taxation 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Previously unrecognised tax losses and other differences 

Over/ (under) provision in respect of prior years 

Total deferred taxation 

Tax charge on profit 

(b) Reconciliation of taxation charge 

Profit before tax 

Tax on profit at 29.22% (2015: 29.22%) 
Tax effects of: 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

Items not chargeable for tax purposes 

Non-recurring items not chargeable for tax purposes 

Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets  

Movements in temporary differences in the year not recognised in deferred tax 

Adjustment to tax charge in respect of previous years 

Differences in tax rates on overseas earnings 

2016 
£m

(7.4)

–

(7.4)

(3.3)

(0.9)

(11.6)

0.1

–

0.1

2015 
£m

(9.5)

–

(9.5)

(3.9)

(1.6)

(15.0)

0.6

–

0.6

(11.5)

(14.4)

2016 
£m

(30.4)

1.5

4.4

(24.5)

(12.2)

1.4

0.4

(10.4)

(34.9)

2015  

£m

145.7

(42.6)

(8.6)

40.2

4.6

8.2

(23.3)

(4.6)

0.3

(25.8)

2015 
£m

(18.1)

(3.0)

(3.5)

(24.6)

(11.3)

11.2

(1.1)

(1.2)

(25.8)

%

(29.2)

(5.9)

27.6

3.2

5.6

(16.0)

(3.2)

0.2

(17.7)

2016 

£m

176.1

(51.5)

(30.3)

67.6

–

2.9

(85.2)

4.8

56.8

(34.9)

% 

(29.2) 

(17.2) 

38.4 

– 

1.6 

(48.4) 

2.7 

32.3 

(19.8) 

The applicable tax rate is determined based on the tax rate in Luxembourg which was the statutory tax rate applicable in the country of domicile 
of the parent company of the Group for the financial year. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

49

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

9. Taxation (continued) 

(c) Factors that may affect the future tax charge 
Unrecognised tax losses to carry forward against certain future overseas corporation tax liabilities have the following expiration dates: 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

2024 and later 

Available indefinitely 

Tax losses available to carry forward 

Amount of tax losses recognised in deferred tax assets 

Total tax losses available to carry forward 

The following deferred tax assets have not been recognised due to uncertainties over recoverability. 

Intangibles 

Accelerated capital allowances 

Tax losses 

Rent 

Short-term temporary differences 

2016  
£m 

– 

7.3 

8.2 

15.6 

57.2 

37.8 

18.8 

19.0 

92.4 

256.3  

454.2 

710.5 

131.2 

841.7 

2016  
£m 

22.0 

24.5 

187.4 

11.3 

8.2 

253.4 

2015 
£m

3.4

6.3

10.1

18.9

45.3

8.8

13.8

12.2

41.8

160.6

226.6

387.2

113.4

500.6

2015 
£m

26.7

19.4

101.2

9.2

8.2

164.7

Estimates relating to deferred tax assets, including assumptions about future profitability, are re-evaluated at the end of each  
reporting period. 

(d) Corporation tax 

Corporation tax payable 

Corporation tax receivable 

2016  
£m 

(17.7) 

34.8 

2015 
£m

(14.0)

17.9

50 

50 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

9. Taxation (continued) 

(e) Deferred taxation 
The movement in deferred tax is analysed below: 

Deferred tax asset 
At 1 January 2015  

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange movement 

At 1 January 2016  

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange movement 

At 31 December 2016 

Deferred tax liability 
At 1 January 2015 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange movement 

At 1 January 2016 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange movement 

At 31 December 2016 

Intangibles 
£m

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£m

Tax losses 
£m

(34.4)

(2.0)

–

–

(3.2)

(39.6)

(4.0)

–

0.3

(11.5)

(54.8)

(0.2)

–

–

–

0.2

–

(0.1)

–

(0.3)

–

(0.4)

11.4

(9.7)

(5.6)

(0.4)

(0.1)

(4.4)

(14.0)

(1.3)

(0.1)

(0.7)

(20.5)

(1.1)

(1.0)

1.6

0.4

(1.4)

(1.5)

(1.9)

0.1

0.2

(0.1)

(3.2)

31.4

(3.3)

4.0

0.8

(0.9)

32.0

(3.2)

3.9

(0.3)

1.9

34.3

0.3

1.1

–

(0.8)

0.1

0.7

1.3

(0.1)

0.2

0.3

2.4

Short-term 
temporary 
differences 
£m

(5.1)

3.5

–

(0.2)

(0.3)

(2.1)

1.7

(2.2)

0.5

2.6

0.5

(1.5)

(0.3)

(0.9)

0.2

1.7

(0.8)

0.2

–

(0.5)

0.1

(1.0)

Rent  
£m 

36.7 

11.4 

(0.2) 

0.4 

2.2 

50.5 

9.6 

–  

(0.2) 

9.9 

69.8 

0.3 

0.2 

– 

(0.4) 

(0.1) 

– 

(0.4) 

– 

0.2 

– 

(0.2) 

Total 
£m

40.0

(0.1)

(1.8)

0.6

(2.3)

36.4

(9.9)

0.4

0.2

2.2

29.3

(2.2)

–

0.7

(0.6)

0.5

(1.6)

(0.9)

–

(0.2)

0.3

(2.4)

The movements in deferred taxes included above are after the offset of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities where there  
is a legally enforceable right to set off and they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority. 

Deferred tax assets recognised on short-term temporary differences consist predominantly of provisions deductible when paid.  
Deferred tax assets have been recognised in excess of deferred tax liabilities on the basis that there are forecast taxable profits  
in the entities concerned. 

At the balance sheet date, the temporary difference arising from unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries was £94.1m  
(2015: £189.9m). The only tax that would arise on these reserves would be non-creditable withholding tax. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

51

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

10. Earnings per ordinary share (basic and diluted) 

Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the parent (£m) 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year 

Average market price of one share during the year 

Weighted average number of shares under option during the year 

Exercise price for shares under option during the year 

Basic and diluted profit for the year attributable to shareholders and  
basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Basic and diluted profit for the year attributable to shareholders and  
basic earnings per share (before non-recurring items) 

Diluted earnings per share (before non-recurring items) 

Weighted average number of shares for basic EPS (number) 

Weighted average number of shares under option during the year 

Weighted average number of shares that would have been issued at average  
market price 

Weighted average number of awards under the CIP and LTIP 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted EPS (number) 

2016 

141.2 

2015

119.9

929,860,354  933,457,741
270.09p

283.67p 

- 

- 

33,758,590

130.10p

Profit 

2016 
£m

Earnings per share 

2015  
£m 

2016  
pence 

2015 
pence

141.2

119.9 

142.2

104.5 

15.2 

15.2 

15.3 

15.3 

12.8

12.6

11.2

11.0

  929,860,354  933,457,741
33,758,590

- 

- 

- 

(18,516,654)

4,978,357

  929,860,354  953,678,034

Following the Scheme of Arrangement undertaken on 19 December 2016 all options held in the Company were transferred out of the Company. 
As a result there were no outstanding share options held at 31 December 2016.  

11. Dividends 

Dividends per ordinary share proposed  

Interim dividends per ordinary share declared and paid during the year  

2016 

- 

1.55p 

2015

3.10p

1.40p

Dividends of £43.3m were paid during the year (2015: £38.8m). The Directors do not propose to declare a final dividend (2015: 3.10p) for 2016. 

12. Goodwill 

Cost 
At 1 January 2015 

Recognised on acquisition of subsidiaries 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2015 

Recognised on acquisition of subsidiaries(1) 

Disposals 

Transferred to assets held for sale (note 6) 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 
At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2016 

1.  Net of £3.2m derecognised on the finalisation of the accounting for prior year acquisitions previously reported on a provisional basis 

52 

52 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

£m

497.2

110.6

4.4

612.2

6.8

(1.3)

(4.5)

72.1

685.3

612.2

685.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

12. Goodwill (continued) 
Cash-generating units (CGUs), defined as individual business centres, are grouped by country of operation for the purposes of carrying out 
impairment reviews of goodwill as this is the lowest level at which it can be assessed. Goodwill acquired through business combinations is held at a 
country level and is subject to impairment reviews based on the cash flows of the CGUs within that country. 

The goodwill attributable to the reportable business segments is as follows: 

Carrying amount of goodwill included within the: 

Americas business segment 

EMEA business segment 

Asia Pacific business segment 

UK business segment 

2016 
£m

311.1

119.4

35.4

219.4

685.3

2015 
£m

260.2

100.4

29.9

221.7

612.2

The carrying value of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles allocated to two countries, the USA and the UK, is material relative to the total carrying 
value, comprising 74% of the total. The remaining 26% of the carrying value is allocated to a further 40 countries. The goodwill and indefinite life 
intangibles allocated to the USA and the UK are set out below: 

USA 

UK 

Other countries 

Goodwill 
£m

286.3

219.4

179.6

685.3

Intangible  
assets  
£m 

– 

11.2 

– 

11.2 

2016 
£m

286.3

230.6

179.6 

696.5

2015 
£m

240.0

232.9

150.5

623.4

The indefinite life intangible asset relates to the brand value arising from the acquisition of the remaining 58% of the UK business in the year 
ended 31 December 2006 (see note 13). 

The value in use for each country has been determined using a model which derives the individual value in use for each country from the value in 
use of the Group as a whole. Although the model includes budgets and forecasts prepared by management it also reflects external factors, such 
as capital market risk pricing as reflected in the market capitalisation of the Group and prevailing tax rates, which have been used to determine the 
risk adjusted discount rate for the Group. Management believes that the projected cash flows are a reasonable reflection of the likely outcomes 
over the medium to long term. In the event that trading conditions deteriorate beyond the assumptions used in the projected cash flows, it is also 
possible that impairment charges could arise in future periods. 

The following key assumptions have been used in calculating value in use for each country: 

•  Future cash flows are based on forecasts prepared by management. The model excludes cost savings and restructurings that are anticipated 

but had not been committed to at the date of the determination of the value in use. Thereafter, forecasts have been prepared by 
management for a further four years from 2017 that reflect an average annual growth rate of 3% (2016: 3%); 

•  These forecasts exclude the impact of acquisitive growth expected to take place in future periods; 

•  Management consider these projections to be a reasonable projection of margins expected at the mid-cycle position. Cash flows beyond 

2019 have been extrapolated using a 2% growth rate which management believes is a reasonable long-term growth rate  
for any of the markets in which the relevant countries operate. A terminal value is included in the assessment, reflecting the Group’s 
expectation that it will continue to operate in these markets and the long-term nature of the businesses; and 

•  The Group applies a country specific pre-tax discount rate to the pre-tax cash flows for each country. The country specific discount rate is 

based on the underlying weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the Group. The Group WACC is then adjusted for each country to reflect 
the assessed market risk specific to that country. The Group pre-tax WACC decreased from 12.7% in 2015 to 11.3% in 2016 (post-tax WACC: 
9.0%). The country specific pre-tax WACC reflecting the respective market risk adjustment has been set between 10.7% and 14.2% (2015: 
12.1% to 17.3%). 

The amounts by which the values in use exceed the carrying amounts of goodwill are sufficiently large to enable the Directors to conclude that a 
reasonably possible change in the key assumptions would not result in an impairment charge in any of the countries. Foreseeable events are 
unlikely to result in a change in the projections of such a significant nature as to result in the goodwill carrying amount exceeding their recoverable 
amount. The forecast models used in assessing the impairment of goodwill are based on the related business centre structure at the end of the 
year. These models therefore do not reflect the expected improvement in margin as new centres mature. 

The US model assumes an average centre contribution of 20% over the next five years. Revenue grows at 2.5% and costs grow at 1.5% per 
annum from 2017. A terminal value centre gross margin of 21% is adopted from 2021, with a 2% long-term growth rate assumed on revenue and 
cost into perpetuity. The cash flows have been discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 14% (2015: 16%). 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

53

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

12. Goodwill (continued) 
The UK model assumes an average centre contribution of 21% over the next five years. Revenue and costs grow at 3% per annum from 2017. A 
terminal value centre gross margin of 21% is adopted from 2021, with a 2% long-term growth rate assumed on revenue and cost into perpetuity. 
The cash flows have been discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 11% (2015: 13%). 

Management has considered the following sensitivities: 

Market growth and WIPOW – Management has considered the impact of a variance in market growth and WIPOW. The value in use calculation 
shows that if the long-term growth rate was reduced to nil, the recoverable amount of the US and UK would still be greater than their carrying 
value. 

Discount rate – Management has considered the impact of an increase in the discount rate applied to the calculation. The value in use calculation 
shows that for the recoverable amount to be less than its carrying value, the pre-tax discount rate would have to be increased to 24% (2015: 30%) 
for the US and 38% (2015: 36%) for the UK. 

13. Other intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 January 2015 

Additions at cost 

Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2015 

Additions at cost 

Acquisition of subsidiaries(1) 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2015 

Charge for year 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2015 

Charge for year 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 
At 1 January 2015 

At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2016 

Brand 
£m

Customer  
lists  
£m 

Software  
£m 

54.1

–

–

2.2

56.3

0.2

–

–

8.8

65.3

22.3

2.2

1.1

25.6

2.5

–

5.2

33.3

31.8

30.7

32.0

24.9 

– 

4.1 

(0.2) 

28.8 

– 

1.1 

(0.1) 

2.8 

32.6 

23.2 

2.9 

0.4 

26.5 

2.4 

(0.1) 

2.6 

31.4 

1.7 

2.3 

1.2 

51.2 

8.7 

– 

(1.2) 

58.7 

5.3 

– 

(0.3) 

2.9 

66.6 

32.0 

5.9 

– 

37.9 

7.8 

– 

1.3 

47.0 

19.2 

20.8 

19.6 

Total 
£m

130.2

8.7

4.1

0.8

143.8

5.5

1.1

(0.4)

14.5

164.5

77.5

11.0

1.5

90.0

12.7

(0.1)

9.1

111.7

52.7

53.8

52.8

1.  Includes £1.0m on the finalisation of the accounting for prior year acquisitions previously reported on a provisional basis 

Included within the brand value is £11.2m relating to the acquisition of the remaining 58% of the UK business in the year ended 31 December 
2006. The Regus brand acquired in this transaction is assumed to have an indefinite useful life due to the fact that the value of the brand is 
intrinsically linked to the continuing operation of the Group. 

As a result of the Regus brand acquired with the UK business having an indefinite useful life, no amortisation is charged but the carrying value is 
assessed for impairment on an annual basis. The brand was tested at the balance sheet date against the recoverable amount of the UK business 
segment at the same time as the goodwill arising on the acquisition of the UK business (see note 12). 

The remaining amortisation life for non-indefinite life brands is eight years. 

54 

54 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

14. Property, plant and equipment  

Land and 
buildings 
£m

Leasehold 
improvements
£m

Furniture and 
equipment  
£m 

Computer 
hardware 
£m

Cost 
At 1 January 2015 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2016 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries(1) 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2015 

Charge for the year 

Impairment 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2016 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 
At 1 January 2015 

At 31 December 2015 

At 31 December 2016 

2.6

11.4

–

(2.6)

–

11.4

26.3

–

(11.4)

–

26.3

0.2

–

–

(0.2)

–

–

0.4

–

–

0.4

2.4

11.4

25.9

904.0

220.0

18.1

(9.6)

3.5

1,136.0

215.7

2.6

(20.0)

198.9

1,533.2

389.8

85.1

0.9

(3.9)

(2.0)

469.9

116.4

(14.9)

81.0

652.4

514.2

666.1

880.8

430.9 

61.6 

3.3 

(2.0) 

3.3 

497.1 

57.9 

0.6 

(10.7) 

83.3 

628.2 

253.7 

37.4 

– 

(1.1) 

0.6 

290.6 

49.4 

(8.9) 

47.8 

378.9 

177.2 

206.5 

249.3 

1.  Includes £1.5m on the finalisation of the accounting for prior year acquisitions previously reported on a provisional basis 

Additions include £nil in respect of assets acquired under finance leases (2015: £nil). 

15. Other long-term receivables 

Deposits held by landlords against rent obligations 

Acquired lease fair value asset 

Other long-term receivables 

Total 
£m

1,413.3

311.5

23.4

(14.4)

5.6

1,739.4

313.8

3.9

(45.0)

298.3

75.8

18.5

2.0

(0.2)

(1.2)

94.9

13.9

0.7

(2.9)

16.1

122.7 

2,310.4

50.8

11.7

–

–

(0.6)

61.9

15.6

(3.0)

9.8

84.3

25.0

33.0

38.4

2016 
£m

78.2

5.3

2.8

86.3

694.5

134.2

0.9

(5.2)

(2.0)

822.4

181.8

(26.8)

138.6

1,116.0

718.8

917.0

1,194.4

2015 
£m

53.5

5.5

4.0

63.0

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

55

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

16. Trade and other receivables  

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Acquired lease fair value asset 

Deposits held by landlords against rent obligations 

Prepayments and accrued income 

VAT recoverable 

17. Trade and other payables (including customer deposits) 

Trade payables 

VAT payable 

Other tax and social security 

Customer deposits 

Deferred partner contributions 

Rent accruals 

Acquired lease fair value liability 

Other accruals 

Other payables 

Total current 

Deferred partner contributions 

Rent accruals 

Acquired lease fair value liability 

Other payables 

Total non-current 

2016  
£m 

202.6 

83.6 

1.7 

7.6  

171.8 

49.5 

516.8 

2016  
£m 

59.6 

53.1 

9.0 

421.0 

68.5 

137.4 

3.2 

108.8  

11.6 

872.2 

2016  
£m 

265.4 

250.9  

8.3 

15.7 

540.3 

2015 
£m

206.2

107.5

2.5

15.8

158.5

67.3

557.8

2015 
£m

94.2

60.8

10.4

331.6

48.3

112.2

3.7

133.0

22.3

816.5

2015 
£m

199.5

169.6

11.0

3.7

383.8

56 

56 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

18. Borrowings 
The Group’s total loan and borrowing position at 31 December 2016 and at 31 December 2015 had the following maturity profiles: 

Bank and other loans 

Repayments falling due as follows: 

Amounts falling due after more than one year: 

In more than one year but not more than two years 

In more than two years but not more than five years 

In more than five years  

Total non-current 

Total current 

Total bank and other loans 

19. Provisions 

At 1 January 

Acquired in the period 

Provided in the period 

Utilised in the period 

Provisions released 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 

Analysed between: 

Current 

Non-current 

At 31 December 

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

6.9

186.7

–

193.6

7.8

201.4

2016 

2015 

Onerous
 leases and 
closures 
£m

7.7

–

2.3

(1.4)

(5.1)

–

3.5

0.3

3.2

3.5

Other 
£m

5.2

–

3.0

(1.6)

(0.4)

 (0.3)

5.9

5.7

0.2

5.9

Onerous  
leases and 
closures  
£m 

4.0 

3.0 

3.9 

– 

(3.2) 

– 

7.7 

0.4 

7.3 

7.7 

Total 
£m

12.9

–

5.3

(3.0)

(5.5)

(0.3)

9.4

6.0

3.4

9.4

Other 
£m

2.9

0.1

2.9

–

(0.8)

0.1

5.2

4.9

0.3

5.2

124.1

88.0

33.2

245.3

9.2

254.5

Total 
£m

6.9

3.1

6.8

–

(4.0)

0.1

12.9

5.3

7.6

12.9

Onerous leases and closures 
Provisions for onerous leases and closure costs relate to the estimated future costs of centre closures and onerous property leases.  
The maximum period over which the provisions are expected to be utilised expires by 31 December 2025. 

Other  
Other provisions include the estimated costs of claims against the Group outstanding at the year end, of which, due to their nature,  
the maximum period over which they are expected to be utilised is uncertain. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

57

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

20. Investments in joint ventures  

At 1 January 2015 

Additions 

Share of profit 

Other 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2015 

Additions 

Dividends received  

Share of loss 

Disposal of investment 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Investments  
in joint 
ventures  
£m 

Provision  
for deficit in  
joint ventures  
£m 

0.7 

1.9 

3.2 

– 

(0.2) 

5.6 

6.8 

(0.9) 

(1.5) 

3.0 

0.6 

13.6 

(0.7) 

– 

(2.9) 

(0.5) 

– 

(4.1) 

– 

– 

0.7 

– 

– 

(3.4) 

Total 
£m

–

1.9

0.3

(0.5)

(0.2)

1.5

6.8

(0.9)

(0.8)

3.0

0.6

10.2

The Group has 41 joint ventures at the reporting date, all of which are individually immaterial. The Group has a legal obligation in respect of its 
share of any deficits recognised by these operations. 

The results of the joint ventures below are the full results of the joint ventures and do not represent the effective share: 

Income statement 
Revenue 

Expenses 

Profit before tax for the year 

Tax charge 

Profit after tax for the year 

Net assets/(liabilities) 
Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

2016  
£m 

23.5 

(22.5) 

1.0 

(0.7) 

0.3 

12.2 

28.0 

(30.3) 

(2.1) 

7.8 

2015 
£m

27.6

(24.9)

2.7

(0.5)

2.2

8.4

27.1

(32.6)

(9.7)

(6.8)

58 

58 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

21. Share capital 

Ordinary equity share capital 

Authorised 
Ordinary 1p shares in Regus plc at 1 January and 31 December 

Issued and fully paid up 
Ordinary 1p shares in Regus plc at 1 January  

Cancellation of 1p shares in Regus plc held in treasury 

Ordinary 1p shares in Regus plc at 31 December 2016 

2016 

Number

Nominal value  
£m 

Number 

2015
Nominal value 
£m

8,000,000,000

80.0 

8,000,000,000 

80.0

950,969,822

(27,612,384)

923,357,438

9.5 

(0.3) 

9.2 

950,969,822 

– 

– 

9.5

–

–

On 19 December 2016, under a Scheme of Arrangement between Regus plc and its shareholders, under Article 125 of the Companies (Jersey) 
Law 1991, and as sanctioned by The Royal Court of Jersey, all the issued shares in Regus plc were cancelled and an equivalent number of new 
shares in Regus plc were issued to IWG plc in consideration for the allotment to shareholders of one ordinary share in IWG plc for each ordinary 
share in Regus plc that they held on the record date, 18 December 2016. As a result, the shareholders of Regus plc became the shareholders of 
IWG plc, with IWG plc becoming the ultimate parent company of Regus plc.  

Treasury share transactions involving Regus plc shares  
During the year, prior to the Scheme of Arrangement on 19 December 2016, 11,834,627 (2015: 9,543,800) shares were purchased in the open 
market and 4,712,856 (2015: 1,936,642) treasury shares held by the Group were utilised to satisfy the exercise of share awards by employees. 
Subsequent to the Scheme of Arrangement, all treasury shares held by the Group have been cancelled. There are no treasury shares as at  
31 December 2016. 

1 January  

Purchase of treasury shares in Regus plc 

Treasury shares in Regus plc utilised 

Cancellation of treasury shares in Regus plc 

31 December 

2016 

Number of 
shares

20,490,613

11,834,627

(4,712,856)

(27,612,384)

£m 

42.9 

31.1 

(8.3) 

(65.7) 

Number of 
 shares 

12,883,455 

9,543,800 

(1,936,642)

– 

–

– 

20,490,613 

2015

£m

19.9

24.5

(1.5)

–

42.9

In addition to the treasury share transactions, the Group purchased 467,291 (2015: 4,451,486) shares on the open market at a cost of £1.3m 
(2015: £11.9m) to directly settle the exercise of share awards by employees.  

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

59

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

22. Analysis of financial assets/(liabilities) 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Gross cash 

Debt due within one year 

Debt due after one year 

Net financial assets/(liabilities) 

At 
1 Jan 2016 
£m

Cash flow  
£m 

Exchange 
movements  
£m 

At 
31 Dec 2016 
£m

63.9

63.9

(9.2)

(245.3)

(254.5)

(190.6)

(28.3) 

(28.3) 

2.1 

68.1 

70.2 

41.9 

14.5 

14.5 

(0.7) 

(16.4) 

(17.1) 

(2.6) 

50.1

50.1

(7.8)

(193.6)

(201.4)

(151.3)

Cash and cash equivalent balances held by the Group that are not available for use amounted to £11.3m at 31 December 2016 (2015: £16.0m). 
Of this balance, £9.6m (2015: £12.5m) is pledged as security against outstanding bank guarantees and a further £1.7m (2015: £3.5m) is pledged 
against various other commitments of the Group.  

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management 
The objectives, policies and strategies applied by the Group with respect to financial instruments and the management of capital are determined 
at the ultimate Group level. The ultimate Group’s Board maintains responsibility for the risk management strategy of the Group and the Chief 
Financial Officer is responsible for policy on a day-to-day basis. The Chief Financial Officer and Group Treasurer review the Group’s risk 
management strategy and policies on an ongoing basis. The Board has delegated to the Group Audit Committee the responsibility for applying 
an effective system of internal control and compliance with the Group’s risk management policies.  

Exposure to credit, interest rate and currency risks arise in the normal course of business. 

Going concern 
The Strategic Report on pages 1 to 28 of the Annual Report and Accounts sets out the Group’s strategy and the factors that are likely to affect 
the future performance and position of the business. The financial review on pages 20 to 22 within the Strategic Report reviews the trading 
performance, financial position, and cash flows of the Group. During the year ended 31 December 2016, despite the Group making a significant 
investment in growth, the Group’s net debt position decreased by £39.3m to a net debt position of £151.3m as at 31 December 2016. The 
investment in growth is funded by a combination of cash flow generated from the Group’s mature business centres and debt. The Group has a 
£550.0m revolving credit facility provided by a group of relationship banks with a final maturity extended until 2021, with a further option to extend 
to 2023. As at 31 December 2016, £299.4m was available and undrawn. 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and Accounts. 

Credit risk 
Credit risk could occur where a customer or counterparty defaults under the contractual terms of a financial instrument and arises principally in 
relation to customer contracts and the Group’s cash deposits. 

A diversified customer base, requirement for customer deposits, and payments in advance on workstation contracts minimise the Group’s 
exposure to customer credit risk. No single customer contributes a material percentage of the Group’s revenue. The Group’s policy is to provide 
against trade receivables when specific debts are judged to be irrecoverable or where formal recovery procedures have commenced. A provision 
is created where debts are more than three months overdue, which reflects the Group’s historical experience of the likelihood of recoverability of 
these trade receivables. These provisions are reviewed on an ongoing basis to assess changes in the likelihood of recoverability. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date, analysed by geographic region, is summarised below. 

Americas 

EMEA 

Asia Pacific 

UK 

2016  
£m 

37.8 

71.1 

41.8  

51.9 

2015 
£m

41.2

68.9

33.7

62.4

202.6  

206.2

All of the Group’s trade receivables relate to customers purchasing workplace solutions and associated services and no individual customer has a 
material balance owing as a trade receivable.  

60 

60 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
The ageing of trade receivables at 31 December was: 

Not overdue 

Past due 0 – 30 days 

Past due 31 – 60 days 

More than 60 days 

Gross 
2016 
£m

130.2

43.9

12.0

35.6

221.7

Provision  
2016  
£m 

– 

(0.1) 

– 

(19.0) 

(19.1) 

Gross 
2015 
£m

158.4

31.2

7.4

20.8

217.8

Provision 
2015 
£m

–

–

–

(11.6)

(11.6)

At 31 December 2016, the Group maintained a provision of £19.1m against potential bad debts (2015: £11.6m) arising from trade receivables. 
The Group had provided £10.3m (2015: £6.5m) in the year and utilised £4.5m (2015: £3.2m). Customer deposits of £421.0m (2015: £331.6m) are 
held by the Group, mitigating the risk of default. 

The Group believes no provision is generally required for trade receivables that are not overdue as the Group collects the majority of its revenue 
in advance of the provision of office services and requires deposits from its customers.  

Cash investments and derivative financial instruments are only transacted with counterparties of sound credit ratings, and management does 
not expect any of these counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.  

Liquidity risk 
The Group manages liquidity risk by closely monitoring the global cash position, the available and undrawn credit facilities, and forecast capital 
expenditure and expects to have sufficient liquidity to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group has free cash and liquid 
investments (excluding blocked cash) of £38.8m (2015: £47.9m). In addition to cash and liquid investments, the Group had £299.4m available and 
undrawn under its committed borrowings. The Directors consider the Group has adequate liquidity to meet day-to-day requirements. 

The Group maintains a revolving credit facility provided by a group of international banks. During the year, the amount of the facility was  
increased from £320.0m to £550.0m and the maturity extended until 2021, with a further option to extend to 2023. Following the extension  
of the credit facility, the “Schuldschein” EUR 210.0m (£162.7m) debt securities issued in 2014 and the associated hedging were repaid in full.  
As at 31 December 2016, £299.4m was available and undrawn under this revolving credit facility. 

The debt provided under the bank facility is floating rate, however, as part of the Group’s balance sheet management and to protect against a 
future increase in interest rates, £70m and $30m were swapped into a fixed rate liability for a three-year period with an average fixed rate of 
respectively 0.7% and 1.8% (excluding funding margin). 

Although the Group has net current liabilities of £578.4m (2015: £446.1m), the Group does not consider that this gives rise to a liquidity risk.  
A large proportion of the net current liabilities comprise non-cash liabilities such as deferred income which will be recognised in future periods 
through the income statement. Although the Group holds customer deposits of £421.0m (2015: £331.6m) these are spread across a large 
number of customers and no deposit held for an individual customer is material. Therefore, the Group does not believe the balance represents  
a liquidity risk. The net current liabilities, excluding deferred income, were £302.0m at 31 December 2016 (2015: £205.4m).  

Market risk 
The Group is exposed to market risk primarily related to foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and the market value of our investments 
in financial assets. These exposures are actively managed by the Group treasury department in accordance with a written policy approved by the 
Board of Directors. The Group does not use financial derivatives for trading or speculative reasons. 

Interest rate risk 
The Group manages its exposure to interest rate risk through the relative proportions of fixed rate debt and floating rate debt. The surplus cash 
balances are invested short-term, and at the end of 2016 no cash was invested for a period exceeding three months.  

Foreign currency risk 
The Group is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate movements. The majority of day-to-day transactions of overseas subsidiaries are 
carried out in local currency and the underlying foreign exchange exposure is small. Transactional exposures do arise in some countries where it is 
local market practice for a proportion of the payables or receivables to be in other than the functional currency of the affiliate. Intercompany 
charging, funding, and cash management activity may also lead to foreign exchange exposures. It is the policy of the Group to seek to minimise 
such transactional exposures through careful management of non-local currency assets and liabilities, thereby minimising the potential volatility 
in the income statement. Net investments in Regus affiliates with a functional currency other than sterling are of a long-term nature and the 
Group does not normally hedge such foreign currency translation exposures. 

From time to time the Group uses short-term derivative financial instruments to manage its transactional foreign exchange exposures where 
these exposures cannot be eliminated through balancing the underlying risks. No transactions of a speculative nature are undertaken. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

61

61 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
The foreign currency exposure arising from open third-party transactions held in a currency other than the functional currency of the related 
entity is summarised as follows: 

£m 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other payables 

Net statement of financial position exposure 

£m 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other payables 

Net statement of financial position exposure 

GBP

–

(0.5)

(0.5)

GBP

–

(1.4)

(1.4)

2016 

JPY 

– 

(0.1) 

(0.1) 

2015 

JPY 

– 

(1.2) 

(1.2) 

EUR 

15.1 

(26.5) 

(11.4) 

EUR 

9.1 

(21.9) 

(12.8) 

USD

19.1

(18.7)

0.4

USD

16.4

(19.4)

(3.0)

Other market risks 
The Group does not hold any available-for-sale equity securities and is therefore not subject to risks of changes in equity prices in the income 
statement. 

Sensitivity analysis 
For the year ended 31 December 2016, it is estimated that a general increase of one percentage point in interest rates would have decreased the 
Group’s profit before tax by approximately £1.9m (2015: decrease of £1.7m) with a corresponding decrease in total equity. 

It is estimated that a five percentage point weakening in the value of the US dollar against sterling would have decreased the Group’s profit before 
tax by approximately £8.8m for the year ended 31 December 2016 (2015: decrease of £6.0m). It is estimated that a five percentage point 
weakening in the value of the euro against sterling would have decreased the Group’s profit before tax by approximately £2.7m for the year 
ended 31 December 2016 (2015: decrease of £1.8m). 

It is estimated that a five percentage point weakening in the value of the US dollar against sterling would have decreased the Group’s total equity 
by approximately £11.3m for the year ended 31 December 2016 (2015: £10.7m). It is estimated that a five percentage point weakening in the 
value of the euro against sterling would have decreased the Group’s total equity by approximately £0.4m for the year ended 31 December 2016 
(2015: £5.9m). 

Capital management 
The Group’s ultimate parent company, IWG plc, is listed on the UK stock exchange and the Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base. The 
Chief Financial Officer monitors the diversity of the ultimate Group’s major shareholders and further details of the Group’s communication with 
key investors can be found in the Corporate Governance Report of IWG plc’s Annual Report and Amounts. 

During the year, prior to the Scheme of Arrangement on 19 December 2016, 11,834,627 (2015: 9,543,800) shares were purchased in the open 
market and 4,712,856 (2015: 1,936,642) treasury shares held by the Group were utilised to satisfy the exercise of share awards by employees. 
Subsequent to the Scheme of Arrangement, all treasury shares held by the Group have been cancelled. There are no treasury shares as at  
31 December 2016. 

62 

62 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
The Company declared an interim dividend of 1.55p per share (2015: 1.40p) during the year ended 31 December 2016. The Directors do not 
propose to declare a final dividend for 2016 (2015: 3.10p). 

The Group’s objective when managing capital (equity and borrowings) is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern  
and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group has a net debt position of £151.3m at the end of  
2016 (2015: £190.6m) and £299.4m (2015: £205.1m) of committed undrawn borrowings.  

Effective interest rates  
In respect of financial assets and financial liabilities, the following table indicates their effective interest rates at the balance sheet date and the 
periods in which they mature. Interest payments are excluded from the table. 

The undiscounted cash flow of these instruments is not materially different from the carrying value. 

As at 31 December 2016 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial assets(2) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities(1): 

Bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Other loans  

Customer deposits 

Trade and other payables  

Derivative financial liabilities: 

Cross-currency interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 

•  Inflow 

Interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 

•  Inflow 

Financial liabilities 

Effective 
interest 
rate 
%(1)

0.0%

–

2.9%

4.6%

–

–

–

–

–

–

Carrying 
value 
£m

Contractual 
cash flow 
£m

Less than 
1 year 
£m

1-2 years  
£m 

2-5 years 
£m

More than 
5 years 
£m

50.1

420.9

471.0

(193.6)

(7.8)

(421.0)

(144.1)

–

–

(0.3)

–

50.1

440.0

490.1

(193.6)

(7.8)

(421.0)

(144.1)

–

–

(0.3)

–

50.1

359.5

409.6

–

(7.8)

(421.0)

(135.7)

–

–

–

–

– 

39.1 

39.1 

–

41.4

41.4

(6.9) 

(186.7)

– 

– 

(8.4) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–

–

–

–

(0.3)

–

(766.8)

(766.8)

(564.5)

(15.3) 

(187.0)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.  All financial instruments are classified as variable rate instruments. 
2.  Financial assets are all held at amortised cost. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

63

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 

As at 31 December 2015 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial assets(2) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities(1): 
Bank loans and corporate borrowings 
Other loans  
Customer deposits 
Trade and other payables  

Derivative financial liabilities: 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 
•  Inflow 

Interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 

•  Inflow 

Financial liabilities 

Effective  
interest rate 
%(1)

Carrying 
value 
£m

Contractual 
cash flow 
£m

Less than 
1 year 
£m

1-2 years  
£m 

2-5 years  
£m 

More than 
5 years 
£m

0.4% 

– 

4.0% 
12.4% 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

63.9

454.0

517.9

(245.3)
(9.2)
(331.6)
(191.5)

(14.2)
–

(0.8)
–

63.9

465.6

529.5

(245.3)
(9.2)
(331.6)
(191.5)

(135.3)
121.1

(0.8)
–

63.9

408.4

472.3

–
(9.2)
(331.6)
(187.8)

–
–

–
–

– 

26.7 

26.7 

(124.1) 
– 
– 
(3.7) 

(135.3) 
121.1 

– 
– 

(792.6)

(792.6)

(528.6)

(142.0) 

– 

30.5 

30.5 

(88.0) 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

(0.8) 
– 

(88.8) 

–

–

–

(33.2)
–
–
–

–
–

–
–

(33.2)

1.  All financial instruments are classified as variable rate instruments 
2.  Financial assets are all held at amortised cost 

Fair value disclosures 
The fair values together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet are as follows: 

Carrying amount 

Other 
financial 
liabilities

Fair value –
hedging 
instruments

Loans and 
receivables 

Fair value  

Total

Level 1

Level 2 

Level 3

Total

31 December 2016 

£m 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Bank loans and corporate borrowings 
Other loans  
Customer deposits 
Trade and other payables 
Derivative financial liabilities 

Unrecognised gain 

31 December 2015 

£m 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Bank loans and corporate borrowings 
Other loans  
Customer deposits 
Trade and other payables 
Derivative financial liabilities 

Unrecognised gain 

50.1 
420.9 
– 

– 
– 
– 

471.0 

–
–
(193.6)
(7.8)
(421.0)
(144.1)
–

(766.5)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.3)

(0.3)

50.1
420.9
(193.6)
(7.8)
(421.0)
(144.1)
(0.3)

(295.8)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

– 
– 
–  
–  
–  
–  
(0.3) 

(0.3) 

Fair value 

Carrying amount 

Other 
financial 
liabilities

Fair value – 
hedging 
instruments

Loans and 
receivables 

Total

Level 1

Level 2 

Level 3

63.9 
454.0 
– 

– 
– 
– 

517.9 

–
–
(245.3)
(9.2)
(331.6)
(191.5)
–

(777.6)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(15.0)

(15.0)

63.9
454.0
(245.3)
(9.2)
(331.6)
(191.5)
(15.0)

(274.7)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(15.0) 

(15.0) 

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
(0.3)

(0.3)

–

Total

–
–
–
–
–
–
(15.0)

(15.0)

–

64 

64 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

23. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
During the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2016, there were no transfers between levels for fair value measured instruments, 
and no financial instruments requiring level 3 fair value measurements were held. 

Valuation techniques 
When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorised into 
different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows: 

•  Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; 

•  Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and 

•  Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. 

The following tables show the valuation techniques used in measuring level 2 fair values and methods used for financial assets and liabilities not 
measured at fair value: 

Type 

Valuation technique 

Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other 
receivables/payables and customer deposits 

Loans and overdrafts 

Foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps 

For cash and cash equivalents, receivables/payables with a remaining life of less than 
one year and customer deposits, the book value approximates the fair value because 
of their short-term nature. 

The fair value of bank loans, overdrafts and other loans approximates the carrying 
value because interest rates are at floating rates where payments are reset to market 
rates at intervals of less than one year. 

The fair values are based on a combination of broker quotes, forward pricing and swap 
models. 

There was no significant unobservable input used in our valuation techniques. 

Derivative financial instruments 
The following table summarises the notional amount of the open contracts as at the reporting date: 

Derivatives used for cash flow hedging 

Derivatives used for cash flow hedging 

Derivatives used for cash flow hedging 

Committed borrowings 

Schuldschein loan note 

Revolving credit facility 

Guarantee and letter of credit facility 

Total 

2016 
EUR m

–

2016 
GBP m

70.0

2016 
USD m

30.0

2015
Facility 
£m 

154.2

320.0

75.0

549.2

2015 
EUR m

210.0

2015 
GBP m

–

2015 
USD m

–

2015
Available 
£m

–

205.1

4.6

209.7

2016
Facility 
£m 

–

550.0

–

550.0

2016 
Available  
£m 

– 

299.4 

– 

299.4 

The Group maintains a revolving credit facility provided by a group of international banks. During the year, the amount of the facility was increased 
from £320.0m to £550.0m and the maturity extended until 2021, with a further option to extend to 2023. Following the extension of the credit 
facility, the “Schuldschein” EUR 210.0m (£162.7m) debt securities issued in 2014 and the associated hedging were repaid in full. As at 31 
December, £299.4m was available and undrawn under this facility. 

The debt provided under the credit facility is floating rate, however, as part of the Group’s balance sheet management and to protect against a 
future increase in interest rates, £70m and $30m were swapped into a fixed rate liability for a three-year period with an average fixed rate of 
respectively 0.7% and 1.8% (excluding funding margin). 

The £550.0m revolving credit facility is subject to financial covenants relating to net debt to EBITDA, and EBITDA plus rent to interest plus rent. 
The Group is in compliance with all covenant requirements. 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

65

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Share-based payments 
There were three share-based payment plans which operated during the current year. These plans were cancelled as part of the Scheme of 
Arrangement on 19 December 2016. IWG plc granted new options and awards over IWG plc ordinary shares of equivalent value, under the same 
terms and with the same performance conditions as the plans cancelled by the Group. Details of these plans are outlined below: 

Plan 1: Regus Group Share Option Plan 
During 2004, the Group established the Regus Group Share Option Plan that entitles Executive Directors and certain employees to purchase 
shares in Regus plc. In accordance with this programme, holders of vested options are entitled to purchase shares at the market price of the 
shares at the day before the date of grant. 

The Regus Group also operates the Regus Group Share Option Plan (France) which is included within the numbers for the Regus Share Option 
Plan disclosed above. The terms of the Regus Share Option Plan (France) are materially the same as the Regus Group Share Option Plan with the 
exception that they are only exercisable from the fourth anniversary of the date of grant, assuming the performance conditions have been met. 

Reconciliation of outstanding share options 

At 1 January 

Granted during the year 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year 

Cancelled during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

2016 

2015 

Number of 
share options

29,494,624

1,848,431

(2,743,769)

(3,741,566)

(24,857,720)

–

–

Weighted 
average  
exercise price 
per share 

Number of  
share options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
per share

155.35 

36,096,491 

301.59 

185.36 

100.36 

164.85 

1,906,565 

(4,062,226) 

(4,446,206) 

– 

– 

– 

29,494,624 

2,853,016 

144.20

250.80

205.94

95.12

–

155.35

100.00

Date of grant 

23/03/2010 

28/06/2010 

01/09/2010 

01/04/2011 

30/06/2011 

31/08/2011 

02/09/2011 

13/06/2012 

12/06/2013 

18/11/2013  

18/12/2013 

20/05/2014 

05/11/2014 

19/05/2015 

22/12/2015 

29/06/2016 

28/09/2016 

Total 

Weighted 
average  
exercise price 
per share 

Numbers 
granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Cancelled

At 31 Dec  
2016 

Exercisable 
from 

Expiry date

3,986,000

100.50 

(3,463,777)

(410,255)

(111,968)

617,961

160,646

2,400,000

9,867,539

300,000

1,000,000

11,189,000

7,741,000

600,000

1,000,000

1,845,500

12,875,796

1,906,565

1,154,646

444,196

249,589

75.00 

69.10 

114.90 

109.50 

67.00 

74.35 

84.95 

155.60 

191.90 

195.00 

187.20 

186.00 

250.80 

322.20 

272.50 

258.00 

(546,198)

(146,728)

(954,402)

(50,413)

(9,856)

(21,350)

(4,062)

(481,866) 

(963,732)

(4,900,647)

(3,341,911)

(1,624,981)

– 

(92,667) 

(300,000) 

(907,333) 

–

–

(3,765,180)

(3,081,614)

(4,342,206)

(3,306,265)

(520,594)

(3,914,141)

(575,000)

–

(1,578,400)

(2,361,047)

(1,686,565)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(25,000)

(1,000,000)

(267,100)

(10,514,749)

(220,000)

(1,154,646)

(444,196)

(249,589)

57,338,438

142.14 

(23,376,876)

(9,103,842)

(24,857,720)

23/03/2013 

23/03/2020

28/06/2013 

28/06/2020

01/09/2013 

01/09/2020

01/04/2014 

01/04/2021

30/06/2014 

30/06/2021

31/08/2014 

31/08/2021

01/09/2014 

02/09/2021

13/06/2015 

13/06/2022

12/06/2016 

12/06/2023

18/11/2016 

17/11/2023

18/12/2016 

17/12/2023

20/05/2017 

19/05/2024

05/11/2017 

04/11/2024

19/05/2018 

18/05/2025

22/12/2018 

22/12/2025

29/06/2019 

29/06/2026

28/09/2019 

28/09/2026

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Nil options awarded during the year under the Regus Share Option Plan (France) are included in the above table (2015: Nil), nil lapsed during the 
year (2015: 33,603) and nil were exercised during the year (2015: 13,861). 

66 

66 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
Performance conditions for share options 
March, June and September 2010 share option plan 
The Group and regional performance targets for the options awarded in March, June and September 2010, based on a combination of EPS and 
the Regus Total Shareholder Return (TSR) % achieved relative to the FTSE All Share Total Return index is at least at the median over the 
performance period for the year ending 2010, were partially met. Those options that are eligible to vest have vested as follows: 

2013 
2014 
2015 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

April 2011 share option plan 
The performance targets for the options awarded in April 2011, based on pre-growth profit for the year ending 31 December 2011, were partially 
met. Those options that are eligible to vest have vested as follows: 

April 2014 
April 2015 
April 2016 

June 2011 share option plan 
The Group and regional performance targets for the options awarded in June 2011, based on pre-growth profit for the year ending  
31 December 2011, were partially met. Those options that are eligible to vest have vested as follows: 

June 2014 
June 2015 
June 2016 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

August 2011 share option plan 
The options awarded in August 2011 were conditional on the ongoing employment of the related employee for a specified period of time.  
Once this condition is satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest have vested as follows: 

August 2014 
August 2015 
August 2016 

September 2011 share option plan 
The performance targets for the options awarded in September 2011, based on the pre-growth operating profit for the year ending  
31 December 2012, were partially met. Those options that are eligible to vest have vested as follows: 

September 2014 
September 2015 
September 2016 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

June 2012 share option plan 
The Group performance targets for the options awarded in June 2012, based on pre-growth profit for the year ending 31 December 2012,  
were partially met. Once performance conditions are satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

June 2015 
June 2016 
June 2017 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

67

67 

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
June 2013 share option plan 
The Group performance targets for the options awarded in June 2013, based on Group operating profit for the year ending 31 December 2013, 
were partially met. Those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

June 2016 
June 2017 
June 2018 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

November 2013 share option plan 
The options awarded in November 2013 are partly subject to a performance target based on the earnings before tax for the years ending  
31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, such that the number of shares vesting will be subject to the satisfaction of a pre-determined 
earnings before tax target in 2016 and 2017. 

Once performance conditions are satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest on the anniversary of the grant date in the year 
following achievement of one or more of the target thresholds. Those options not subject to the performance targets are eligible to be exercised 
in three equal tranches from the third anniversary of the grant date. 

December 2013 share option plan 
The options awarded in December 2013 are subject to a performance target based on the earnings before tax for the years ending  
31 December 2018 and 31 December 2021, such that the number of shares vesting will be subject to the satisfaction of a pre-determined 
earnings before tax target in 2018 and 2021. 

Once performance conditions are satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest on the anniversary of the grant date in the year 
following attainment of one or more of the target thresholds. Those options not subject to the performance targets are eligible to be exercised  
in three equal tranches from the third anniversary of the grant date. 

May 2014 share option plan 
The options awarded in May 2014 are conditional on the ongoing employment of the related employees for a specified period of time.  
Once this condition is satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

May 2017 
May 2018 
May 2019 

Proportion 
to vest

1/3
1/3
1/3

November 2014 share option plan 
The options awarded in November 2014 are conditional on the ongoing employment of the related employees and the achievement of margin 
targets. The dates and percentage of options vesting are dependent on the year in which the margin targets are achieved, the earliest dates on 
which the options are eligible to vest is as follows: 

November 2017 
November 2018 
November 2019 
November 2020 
November 2021 

Proportion 
to vest

1/5
1/5
1/5
1/5
1/5

68 

68 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
May 2015 share option plan 
The options awarded in May 2015 are conditional on the ongoing employment of the related employees and the achievement of margin targets. 
The dates and percentage of options vesting are dependent on the year in which the margin targets are achieved, the earliest dates on which the 
options are eligible to vest is as follows: 

May 2018 
May 2019 
May 2020 
May 2021 
May 2022 

Proportion 
to vest

1/5
1/5
1/5
1/5
1/5

December 2015 share option plan 
The options awarded in December 2015 are subject to Group performance targets based on Group operating profit for the year ending  
31 December 2016. Once performance conditions are satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

December 2018 

December 2019 

December 2020 

December 2021 

December 2022 

June 2016 share option plan 
The options awarded in June 2016 are subject to Group performance targets based on Group operating profit for the year ending  
31 December 2016. Once performance conditions are satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

June 2019 

June 2020 

June 2021 

June 2022 

June 2023 

Proportion 
to vest

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

Proportion 
to vest

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

September 2016 share option plan 
The options awarded in September 2016 are conditional on the ongoing employment of the related employee for a specified period of time. 
Once this condition is satisfied, those options that are eligible to vest will vest as follows: 

September 2019 

September 2020 

September 2021 

September 2022 

September 2023 

Proportion 
to vest

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

1/5

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

69

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
Measurement of fair values 
The fair value of the rights granted through the employee share purchase plan was measured based on the Monte Carlo simulation or  
the Black-Scholes formula. The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility adjusted for any abnormal movement in share prices. 

September 
2016

June 
2016

December 
2015

May 
2015

November 
2014 

May
2014

December 
2013

258.00p

258.00p

272.50p

272.50p

322.20p

322.20p

250.80p

250.80p

188.40p 

191.00p

186.00p 

187.20p

27.45% – 
32.35%

27.71% – 
34.81%

24.80% – 
37.08%

27.23% – 
30.12%

24.67% – 
33.53% 

27.30%– 
41.91%

195.00p

195.00p

32.91%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

– 

–

–

–

–

3–7 years

3–7 years

3–7 years

3–7 years

3–7 years 

3–5 years

5–8 years

1.80%

1.71%

1.40%

1.59%

2.02% 

2.00%

1.46%

40.96p – 
67.89p

0.09% – 
0.38%

44.28p – 
78.68p

0.14% – 
0.39%

29.76p –
90.61p

0.14% – 
0.21%

42.35p – 
69.12p

0.81% – 
1.53%

27.24p – 
54.58p  

0.90% – 
1.81%  

30.80p– 
59.63p

0.99%–
1.47%

52.41p – 
65.95p

1.57%– 
2.30p

November 
2013 

191.90p

191.90p

June 
2013

158.00p

155.60p

June 
2012

September  
2011 

88.55p

84.95p

72.50p 

74.35p 

August 
2011

75.90p

67.00p

32.69% 40.31%–
48.98%

47.87%–
52.74%

52.59%–
46.08% 

52.61%–
46.13%

June 
2011

110.70p

109.50p

51.55%–
44.99%

–

–

30,000

30,000

30,000 

30,000

30,000

–

–

– 

–

–

3–5 years

3–5 years

3–5 years

3–5 years 

3–5 years

3–5 years

1.46%

45.73p

1.22%

2.03%

3.27%

39.21p– 
58.39p

0.67%– 
1.20%

29.88p– 
31.12p

0.65%– 
1.11%

3.66% 

22.89p– 
22.71p 

1.16%– 
1.75% 

3.49%

27.32p–
27.01p

1.29%–
1.91%

2.35%

39.41p– 
40.96p

1.81%– 
2.57%

April 2011

September 2010 

EPS

70.60p

69.10p

TSR

70.60p

69.10p

June 2010 
EPS

73.20p

75.00p

TSR 

73.20p 

75.00p 

March 2010 

EPS

TSR

94.00p

94.00p

100.50p

100.50p

50.28%–
45.61%

50.28%–
45.61%

46.18%–
54.32%

46.99%–
56.36% 

47.02%– 
64.82%

46.74%– 
55.98%

116.30p

114.90p

51.23%–
45.54%

30,000

30,000

30,000

30,000

30,000 

30,000

30,000

–

FTSE All 
Share 
Index

FTSE All 
Share 
Index

FTSE All 
Share 
Index

FTSE All 
Share 
Index 

FTSE All 
Share 
Index

FTSE All 
Share 
Index

3–5 years

3–5 years

3–5 years

3–5 years

3–5 years 

3–5 years

3–5 years

2.24%

3.40%

3.40%

3.28%

3.28% 

2.55%

2.55%

42.19p– 
44.80p

2.33%– 
3.04%

22.80p– 
23.60p

1.51%–
2.17%

21.51p– 
21.51p

1.51%–
2.17%

35.20p– 
42.70p

2.76%– 
3.05%

12.40p– 
17.40p 

2.76%– 
3.05% 

45.49p– 
61.77p

3.07%– 
3.38%

19.50p– 
26.30p

3.07%– 
3.38%

The inputs to the model are as follows: 

Share price on grant date 

Exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Number of simulations 

Number of companies 

Option life 

Expected dividend 

Fair value of option at time of grant 

Risk-free interest rate 

Share price on grant date 

Exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Number of simulations 

Number of companies 

Option life 

Expected dividend 

Fair value of option at time of grant 

Risk-free interest rate 

Share price on grant date 

Exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Number of simulations 

Number of companies 

Option life 

Expected dividend 

Fair value of option at time of grant 

Risk-free interest rate 

70 

70 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24. Share-based payments (continued) 

Plan 2: Regus plc Co-Investment Plan (CIP) and Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
The CIP operates in conjunction with the annual bonus whereby a gross bonus of up to 50% of basic annual salary will be taken as a deferred 
amount of shares (Investment Shares) to be released at the end of a defined period of not less than three years, with the balance paid in cash. 
Awards of Matching Shares are linked to the number of Investment Shares awarded and will vest depending on the Company’s future 
performance. The maximum number of Matching Shares which can be awarded to a participant in any calendar year under the CIP is 200% of 
salary. As such, the maximum number of Matching Shares which can be awarded, based on Investment Shares awarded, is in the ratio of 4:1. 

The PSP provides for the Remuneration Committee to make stand-alone awards, based on normal plan limits, up to a maximum of 250%  
of base salary. 

Reconciliation of outstanding share awards 

At 1 January 

CIP awards granted during the year 

PSP awards granted during the year 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year 

Cancelled during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

2016
Number of 
awards

3,673,686

–

1,038,179

2015
Number of 
awards

5,760,289

1,039,760

–

(9,129)

(1,251,818)

(1,410,080)

(1,874,545)

(3,292,656)

–

–

–

3,673,686

–

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards and options exercised during the year ended 31 December 2016 was 
302.63p (2015: 244.98p). 

Plan 

PSP 

Plan 

CIP: Matching shares 

CIP: Matching shares 

CIP: Investment shares 

CIP: Matching shares 

CIP: Investment shares 

CIP: Matching shares 

CIP: Investment shares 

CIP: Matching shares 

Date of grant

Numbers 
granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Cancelled 

At 31 Dec 
2016

Release date

03/03/2016

1,038,179

–

–

(1,038,179) 

–

03/03/2021

Date of grant

Numbers 
granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Cancelled 

At 31 Dec 
2016

18/03/2008

5,922,916

(3,748,117)

(1,954,010)

23/03/2009

8,614,284

(5,440,175)

(2,820,200)

06/03/2013

304,294

–

06/03/2013

1,217,176

(317,687)

05/03/2014

05/03/2014

04/03/2015

04/03/2015

161,922

647,688

207,952

831,808

(304,294)

(396,595)

(58,871)

–

–

(235,484)

–

(75,626)

(302,504)

–

(220,789) 

(353,909) 

– 

(502,894) 

(103,051) 

(412,204) 

(132,326) 

(529,304) 

17,908,040

(10,043,967)

(5,609,596)

(2,254,477) 

Release date

 See below(1)

 See below(1)

06/03/2016

See below(2)

05/03/2017

See below(3)

04/03/2018

See below(4)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.  As indicated in the Remuneration Report in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2009, the Remuneration Committee felt it inappropriate to set specific 

performance conditions for Matching Shares under the CIP which were awarded in March 2008 and March 2009 

2.  The release dates for the three tranches of the March 2013 CIP Matching Shares are 6 March 2016, 6 March 2017 and 6 March 2018 respectively 
3.  The release dates for the three tranches of the March 2014 CIP Matching Shares are 5 March 2017, 5 March 2018 and 5 March 2019 respectively 
4.  The release date for the Matching Share awards of the March 2015 CIP is 4 March 2020 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

71

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
Measurement of fair values 
The fair value of the rights granted through the employee share purchase plan was measured based on the Monte Carlo simulation. 

The inputs to the model are as follows: 

Share price on grant date 

Exercise price 

Number of simulations 

Number of companies 

Award life 

Expected dividend 

Fair value of award at time of grant 

Risk-free interest rate 

03/03/2016
PSP

04/03/2015
CIP

05/03/2014
CIP

06/03/2013 
CIP 

23/03/2009  
CIP(1)

18/03/2008
CIP(1)

300.00p

225.00p

253.30p

143.50p 

65.50p 

80.50p

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil 

Nil 

Nil

250,000

250,000

250,000

250,000 

200,000  

200,000

32

5 years

1.5%

183.08p– 
277.36p 

0.86%

32

3 years

1.78%

75.67p–
114.60p

1.01%

32

3 years

1.66%

83.11p–
214.33p 

0.99%–
1.47%

32 

3 years 

2.23% 

83.11p–
134.21p 

0.35% 

32  

3 years 

2.72% 

47.97p 

36

3 years

1.19%

61.21%

1.92% 

3.86%

1.  The CIP Matching Shares and Share Option Plan awards made in 2008 and 2009 did not have performance conditions set by the Remuneration Committee  

at the date of the award. A valuation was performed for those awards based on the terms that applied to similar awards made in previous years. The Remuneration Committee 
set the performance conditions for the awards made in 2008 and 2009 effective from 22 March 2010 and the valuation of these awards was updated  
in the year ended 31 December 2010. 

It is recognised by the Remuneration Committee that the additional EPS targets represent a highly challenging goal and consequently, in 
determining whether they have been met, the Committee will exercise its discretion. The overall aim is that the relevant EPS targets must have 
been met on a run-rate or underlying basis. As such, an adjusted measure of EPS will be calculated to assess the underlying performance of the 
business. 

While the Remuneration Committee reserves the right to adjust EPS as it sees fit at the time, by way of example, the following adjustments may 
be considered for the 2008 and 2009 grants: 

•  In a fast-growing company such as Regus, costs are necessarily incurred in one year to drive profits in future years. Thus it is important to 
ensure management is not incentivised to cut back on these investments to meet EPS targets in any one year. Accordingly, those costs, 
incurred in the vesting year, which it considers necessary to drive future growth, will be excluded from the EPS calculation. These would include, 
inter alia, the costs of the business development departments, excess marketing expenditures and current year losses from investing in new 
locations; 

•  Any one-off or non-recurring costs will be excluded; 

•  It is expected that in the relevant periods the cash tax rate will rise as cumulative tax losses are utilised, thereby increasing progressively the 
challenge of achieving a 14p EPS target. This will then be further complicated by the need to recognise deferred tax assets as the business 
strengthens, reducing the accounting rate of tax in one year and increasing it in the next. To provide greater clarity and incentive to 
management, EPS will be calculated based upon the cash tax rate up to a maximum of 30%; and 

•  The Remuneration Committee is of the opinion that the EPS and performance targets are a transparent and accurate measure of the 

Company’s performance at this time and are the key corporate metrics for driving long-term shareholder value. In addition, the TSR condition 
will ensure that executives are encouraged to focus on ensuring that the Company’s return to shareholders is competitive compared to 
comparable companies. 

72 

72 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
The performance conditions are as follows: 
2008 and 2009 CIP Investment and matching grants 
The Remuneration Committee agreed to the following modifications to the awards made in 2008 and 2009 and that the following performance 
conditions would apply to these awards effective from 22 March 2010. 

The total number of matching awards made in 2008 and 2009 to each participant was divided into three separate equal amounts and was subject 
to future performance periods of three, four and five years respectively. Thus, conditional on meeting the performance targets, the first amount 
vested in March 2013, the second vested in March 2014 and the third vested in March 2015. These vesting dates relate to the financial years 
ending 31 December 2012, 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2014 respectively. The vesting of these awards was subject to the 
achievement of challenging corporate performance targets. 75% of each of the three amounts was subject to defined adjusted earnings per 
share (EPS) targets over the respective performance periods. The remaining 25% of each were subject to relative total shareholder return (TSR) 
targets over the respective periods. The targets were as follows: 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

25% 

50% 

75% 

100% 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

Nil 

25% 

Increments of 0.75% 

100% 

Adjusted EPS targets for the financial years ending
2014

2012 

2013

15p 

16p 

17p 

18p 

17p

20p

23p

26p

18p

22p

26p

30p

Regus TSR % achieved relative to 
FTSE All Share Total Return index(1)

Equal to or below the index

Above 100% but below 101%

For each complete 1% above 100%

200% or above

1.  Over the three-, four- or five-year performance period. 

2013 CIP Investment and matching grants 
The total number of matching awards made in 2013 to each participant was divided into three separate equal amounts and is subject  
to future performance periods of three, four and five years respectively. Thus, conditional on meeting the performance targets, the first amount 
will vest in March 2016, the second will vest in March 2017 and the third will vest in March 2018. These vesting dates relate to  
the financial years ending 31 December 2015, 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017 respectively. The vesting of these awards  
is subject to the achievement of challenging corporate performance targets. 75% of each of the three amounts is subject to defined adjusted 
earnings per share (EPS) targets over the respective performance periods. The remaining 25% of each will be subject to relative total shareholder 
return (TSR) targets over the respective periods. The targets are as follows: 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

25% 

50% 

75% 

100% 

Adjusted EPS targets for the financial years ending
2017

2015 

2016

12.0p 

12.6p 

13.3p 

14.0p 

14.0p

14.6p

15.3p

16.0p

16.0p

16.6p

17.3p

18.0p

No shares will vest in each respective year unless the minimum adjusted EPS target for that year is achieved. 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

Below index 

Equal to index 

Equal to index + 15% p.a. 

1.  Over the three-, four- or five-year performance period. 

Regus TSR % achieved relative to   
FTSE All Share Total Return index(1)

0%

25%

100%

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

73

73 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
2014 CIP Investment and matching grants 
The total number of matching awards made in 2014 to each participant was divided into three separate equal amounts and is subject to future 
performance periods of three, four and five years respectively. Thus, conditional on meeting the performance targets, the first amount will vest  
in March 2017, the second will vest in March 2018 and the third will vest in March 2019. These vesting dates relate to the financial years ending  
31 December 2016, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018 respectively. The vesting of these awards is subject to the achievement of 
challenging corporate performance targets. 75% of each of the three amounts is subject to defined adjusted earnings per share (EPS) targets 
over the respective performance periods. The remaining 25% of each will be subject to relative total shareholder return (TSR) targets over the 
respective periods. The targets are as follows: 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

25% 

50% 

75% 

100% 

Adjusted EPS targets for the financial years ending
2018

2017 

2016 

14.3p 

15.2p 

16.1p 

17.0p 

16.1p 

17.4p 

18.8p 

20.2p 

17.1p

18.9p

20.7p

22.5p

No shares will vest in each respective year unless the minimum adjusted EPS target for that year is achieved. 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

Below index 

Median 

Upper quartile or above 

1.  Over the three-, four- or five-year performance period. 

Regus TSR % achieved relative to  
FTSE All Share Total Return index(1)

0%

25%

100%

2015 CIP Investment and matching grants 
The total number of matching awards made in 2015 to each participant is subject to a future performance period of three years. Conditional on 
meeting the performance targets, the matching shares will vest in March 2020. The vesting date relates to the adjusted earnings per share (EPS) 
performance in the last financial year of the performance period, being 31 December 2017. The vesting of these awards is subject to the 
achievement of challenging corporate performance targets. 75% is subject to defined adjusted EPS targets over the performance period. The 
remaining 25% will be subject to relative total shareholder return (TSR) targets over the period. The targets are as follows: 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

25% 

100% 

Compound annual growth in adjusted EPS
 over the performance period

24%

32%

The target is based on compound annual growth from an equivalent “base year” EPS figure for 2014 of 7.4p. 

% of awards eligible for vesting 

Below index 

Median 

Upper quartile or above 

Regus TSR % achieved relative to 
FTSE 350 Index (excluding financial 
services and mining companies)

0%

25%

100%

74 

74 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24. Share-based payments (continued) 
2016 PSP Investment grant 
The total number of shares awarded are subject to three different performance conditions. These conditions are measured over three financial 
years commencing on 1 January 2016. Thus, conditional on meeting these performance targets, these shares will vest in March 2021. One third 
is subject to defined earnings per share (EPS) conditions, one third is subject to relative total shareholder return (TSR) conditions and one third is 
subject to return on investment (ROI) conditions. 

The EPS condition is based on the compound annual growth in EPS over the performance period measured from EPS in the financial year ending 
31 December 2015 as follows: 

Vesting scale 

25% 

Between 5% and 25% 

5% 

% of one third of the award that vest

100%

On a straight-line basis between 0% and 100%

0%

The TSR condition is based on the performance of the Group’s TSR against the median TSR of the comparator group as follows: 

Vesting scale 

TSR growth exceeds the median by 10% or more 

TSR growth exceeds the median by less than 10% 

TSR ranked at median 

TSR growth is ranked below the median 

% of one third of the award that vest

100%

On a straight-line basis between 25% and 100%

25%

0%

The ROI condition is based on the ROI improvement over the performance period relative to ROI for the financial year ending 31 December 2015 
as follows: 

Vesting scale 

ROI improvement exceeds 2015 ROI plus 300 basis points 

% of one third of the award that vest

100%

ROI improvement exceeds 2015 ROI by less than 300 basis points 

On a straight-line basis between 0% and 100%

ROI is equal to or less than the 2015 ROI 

0%

Plan 3: One-Off Award 
In November 2015, an award of 328,751 ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company was granted to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and 
Chief Operating Officer, Dominik de Daniel. The award was structured as a conditional award and was granted under a one-off award 
arrangement established under Listing Rule 9.4.2(2). 

In the normal course of events the award will vest over five years, if and to the extent to which performance conditions are achieved. The 
applicable performance target is set out below: 

Performance metric 

Compound annual growth in EPS over the performance period 

Reconciliation of outstanding share options 

At 1 January 

One-off award granted during the year 

Cancelled during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

Target 

Vesting at target

5% 

100%

2016
Number of 
awards

328,751

2015
Number of 
awards

–

–

328,751

(328,751)

–

–

–

328,751

–

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

75

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

25. Retirement benefit obligations 
The Group accounts for the Swiss and Philippines pension plans as defined benefit plans under IAS 19 (2011) – Employee Benefits.  

The reconciliation of the net defined benefit asset/(liability) and its components are as follows: 

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of obligations 

Net funded obligations 

2016  
£m 

5.8 

(6.6) 

(0.8) 

2015 
£m

3.9

(4.7)

(0.8)

26. Acquisitions 
Current period acquisitions 
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group made a number of individually immaterial acquisitions for a total consideration of £10.8m. 

£m 

Net assets acquired 
Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Cash 

Other current and non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 
Less: Fair value adjustment of historical investment in acquired joint venture 

Less: Contingent consideration 

Cash flow on acquisition 
Cash paid 

Net cash outflow 

Provisional  
fair value 
adjustments 

Provisional 
fair value

Book value 

– 

2.4 

1.2 

2.6 

(5.4) 

(0.1) 

0.7  

0.1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.1 

0.1

2.4

1.2

2.6

(5.4)

(0.1)

0.8

10.0

10.8

(2.5)

(0.9)

7.4

7.4

7.4

The goodwill arising on the above acquisitions reflects the anticipated future benefits the Group can obtain from operating the businesses more 
efficiently, primarily through increasing occupancy and the addition of value-adding products and services. £0.1 m of the above goodwill is 
expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 

If the above acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2016, the revenue and net retained profit arising from these acquisitions would have  
been £10.1m and £0.2m respectively. In the year, the equity acquisitions contributed revenue of £3.7m and net retained loss of £0.5m. 

There was £0.9m contingent consideration arising on the 2016 acquisitions. Contingent consideration of £2.7m (2015: £1.1m) was also  
paid during the current year with respect to milestones achieved on prior year acquisitions. 

The acquisition costs associated with these transactions were £0.5m, recorded within administration expenses within the consolidated income 
statement. 

For a number of the acquisitions in 2016, the fair value of assets acquired has only been provisionally assessed at the reporting date. The main 
changes in the provisional fair values expected are for the fair value of the leases (asset or liability), customer relationships and plant, property and 
equipment. The final assessment of the fair value of these assets will be made within 12 months of the acquisition date and any adjustments 
reported in future reports. 

The Group continued to complete acquisition transactions subsequent to 31 December 2016, which will be accounted for in accordance with 
IFRS 3. Due to the timing of these transactions, it is not practical to disclose the information associated with the initial accounting for these 
acquisitions. 

76 

76 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

26. Acquisitions (continued) 
Prior period acquisitions 
During the year ended 31 December 2015 the Group made a number of individually immaterial acquisitions for a total consideration of £124.8m. 

£m 

Net assets acquired 
Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Cash 

Other current and non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 
Less: Contingent consideration 

Cash flow on acquisition 
Cash paid 

Net cash outflow 

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustments

Provisional  
fair value 

Final 
fair value 
adjustments

Final 
fair value

Book value

–

27.5

25.5

18.0

(48.3)

(7.7)

15.0

2.6

(3.2)

–

3.8

–

(0.4)

2.8

2.6 

24.3 

25.5 

21.8 

(48.3) 

(8.1) 

17.8 

107.0 

124.8 

(1.0) 

123.8 

123.8 

123.8 

1.0

1.5

–

0.5

1.6

(1.4)

3.2

(3.2)

–

3.6

25.8

25.5

22.3

(46.7)

(9.5)

21.0

103.8

124.8

(1.0)

123.8

123.8

123.8

The goodwill arising on the above acquisitions reflects the anticipated future benefits the Group can obtain from operating the businesses more 
efficiently, primarily through increasing occupancy and the addition of value-adding products and services. £37.2m of the above goodwill is 
expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 

If the above acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2015, the revenue and net retained profit arising from these acquisitions would have been 
£94.1m and £2.1m respectively. In the year, the equity acquisitions contributed revenue of £68.1m and net retained loss of £3.0m. 

There was £1.0m contingent consideration arising on the above acquisitions. 

The acquisition costs associated with these transactions were £3.8m, recorded within administration expenses within the consolidated income 
statement. 

The prior year comparative information has not been restated due to the immaterial nature of the final fair value adjustments recognised in 2016. 

27. Capital commitments 

Contracts placed for future capital expenditure not provided for in the financial statements 

2016 
£m

42.6

2015 
£m

46.7

These commitments are principally in respect of fit out obligations on new centres opening in 2017. In addition, our share of the capital 
commitments of joint ventures amounted to £nil at 31 December 2016 (2015: £2.0m). 

28. Non-cancellable operating lease commitments 
As at the reporting date the Group was committed to making the following payments in respect of operating leases: 

Lease obligations falling due: 
Within one year 

Between one and five years 

After five years 

2016 
Motor vehicles, 
plant and 
equipment 
£m

2015 
Motor vehicles, 
plant and 
equipment 
£m

Total 
£m

Property  
£m 

1.3

1.0

–

2.3

883.7

2,387.9

1,170.4

4,442.0

715.7 

2,029.0 

922.7 

3,667.4 

1.3

2.0

–

3.3

Property 
£m

882.4

2,386.9

1,170.4

4,439.7

Total 
£m

717.0

2,031.0

922.7

3,670.7

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

77

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued
Notes to the accounts continued 

28. Non-cancellable operating lease commitments (continued) 
Non-cancellable operating lease commitments exclude future contingent rental amounts such as the variable amounts payable under 
performance-based leases, where the rents vary in line with a centre’s performance.  

The Group’s non-cancellable operating lease commitments do not generally include purchase options nor do they impose restrictions  
on the Group regarding dividends, debt or further leasing. 

29. Contingent assets and liabilities 
The Group has bank guarantees and letters of credit held with certain banks, substantially in support of leasehold contracts with a variety  
of landlords, amounting to £151.7m (2015: £122.8m). There are no material lawsuits pending against the Group. 

30. Related parties 

Parent and subsidiary entities 
The consolidated financial statements include the results of the Group and its subsidiaries listed in note 31. 

Affiliated entities 
The following table provides the total amount of transactions that have been entered into with related parties for the relevant  
financial year. 

£m 

2016 

Affiliated entities 

2015 

Affiliated entities 

Management 
fees received 
from related 
parties 

Amounts  
owed by  
related party 

Amounts 
owed to 
related party

2.9 

2.2 

10.9 

16.2

7.2 

7.6

As at 31 December 2016, £nil of the amounts due to the Group have been provided for (2015: £nil). All outstanding balances with these  
related parties are priced on an arm’s length basis. None of the balances are secured. 

Key management personnel 
No loans or credit transactions were outstanding with Directors or officers of the Company at the end of the year or arose during the year, that 
are required to be disclosed.  

Compensation of key management personnel (including Directors)  
Key management personnel include those personnel (including Directors) that have responsibility and authority for planning, directing  
and controlling the activities of the Group: 

Short-term employee benefits 

Retirement benefit obligations 

Share-based payments 

2016  
£m 

12.7 

0.5 

0.5 

13.7 

2015 
£m

11.3

0.4

0.7

12.4

Share-based payments included in the table above reflect the accounting charge in the year. The full fair value of awards granted in  
the year was £2.9m (2015: £3.5m). These awards are subject to performance conditions and vest over three, four and five years from  
the award date. 

Transactions with related parties 
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group acquired goods and services from a company indirectly controlled by a Director  
of the Company amounting to £30,228 (2015: £15,466). There was a £27,720 balance outstanding at the year-end (2015: £15,466).  

All outstanding balances with these related parties are priced on an arm’s length basis and are to be settled in cash. None of the balances  
are secured. 

78 

78 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

31. Principal Group companies 
The Group’s principal subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2016, their principal activities and countries of incorporation are set  
out below: 

Name of undertaking 

Principal activity – Trading  
companies 
Regus do Brasil Ltda 

HQ Do Brazil Administracao de bens e 
servicos Ltda 

Regus Paris SAS 

Regus GmbH & Co. KG 

Excellent Business Centres GmbH  

Regus Business Centres Italia Srl 

Regus Japan KK 

Regus Amsterdam BV 

Regus Australia Management Pty 

Regus Management Singapore Pte Ltd 

Regus Management Group (Pty) Ltd  

Regus HK Management Ltd 

Regus Business Centre SA 

Regus Management (Sweden) AB 

ABC Business Centres Limited 

KBC Holdings Limited 

Avanta Managed Offices Ltd 

% of 
ordinary 
share and 
votes 
held 

Country of 
incorporation 

Brazil 

Brazil 

France 

Germany 

Germany 

Italy 

Japan 

Netherlands 

Australia 

Singapore 

South Africa 

Hong Kong 

Switzerland 

Sweden 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

United Kingdom  100 

United Kingdom  100 

United Kingdom  100 

Regus Management de Mexico,SA de CV 

Mexico 

MWB Business Exchange Centres Ltd 

United Kingdom  100 

Stonemartin Corporate Centre Limited 

United Kingdom  100 

HQ Global Workplaces LLC 

RGN-BSuites Holdings, LLC 

RGN National Business Centre LLC 

Office Suites Plus Properties LLC 

Regus Business Centres LLC 

United States 

United States 

United States 

United States 

United States 

Principal activity – Management companies   
Centros de Negocios Regus SA de CV 

Mexico 

Regus Business Centres SA de CV 

Mexico 

RBW Global Sarl 

Pathway Finance Sarl 

Regus Service Centre Philippines BV 

Regus Global Management Centre SA 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 

Philippines 

Switzerland 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Regus Group Services Ltd 

United Kingdom  100 

% of 
ordinary 
share and 
votes 
held 

Country of 
incorporation 

United Kingdom  100 

United Kingdom 
United States 

100 
100 

Name of undertaking 

Principal activity – Management 
companies (continued) 

  Regus Management (UK) Ltd 

  Serviced Office Property Managers Ltd 

Regus Management Group LLC 

  Principal activity – Holding and finance 

companies 

  RGN Limited Partner Holdings Corp 

Canada 

  Umbrella International Holdings AG 

Switzerland 

100 

100 

  Regus Group Limited 

  Regus H Holdings Ltd 

  Regus H Holdings LLC 

  Regus Corporation LLC 

  Umbrella Group 

  Umbrella Global Holdings 

  Umbrella Holdings Sarl 

United Kingdom  100 

United Kingdom  100 

United States 

United States 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

79

79 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued 

32. Key judgemental areas adopted in preparing these accounts 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make certain judgements and 
assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. 

Fair value accounting for business combinations 
For each business combination, we assess the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired. Where there is not an active market in the category of 
the non-current assets typically acquired with a business centre or where the books and records of the acquired company do not provide 
sufficient information to derive an accurate valuation, management calculates an estimated fair value based on available information and 
experience.  

The main categories of acquired non-current assets where management’s judgement has an impact on the amounts recorded include tangible 
fixed assets, customer list intangibles and the fair market value of leasehold assets and liabilities. For significant business combinations 
management also obtains third-party valuations to provide additional guidance as to the appropriate valuation to be included in the financial 
statements.  

Valuation of intangibles and goodwill 
We evaluate the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets to assess potential impairments on an annual basis, or during the year  
if an event or other circumstance indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. We evaluate the carrying value 
of goodwill based on our CGUs aggregated at a country level and make that determination based upon future cash flow projections which 
assume certain growth projections which may or may not occur. We record an impairment loss for goodwill when the carrying value of the asset is 
less than its estimated recoverable amount. Further details of the methodology and assumptions applied to the impairment review in the year 
ended 31 December 2016, including the sensitivity to changes in those assumptions, can be found in note 12. 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
We evaluate the potential impairment of property, plant and equipment at a centre (CGU) level where there are indicators of impairment  
at the balance sheet date. In the assessment of value-in-use, key judgemental areas in determining future cash flow projections include:  
an assessment of the location of the centre; the local economic situation; competition; local environmental factors; the management of  
the centre; and future changes in occupancy, revenue and costs of the centre. 

Tax assets and liabilities 
We base our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other 
expectations about future outcomes. Changes in existing laws and rates, and their related interpretations, and future business results may affect 
the amount of deferred tax liabilities or the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Our accounting for deferred tax consequences represents 
management’s best estimate of future events that can be appropriately reflected in the accounting estimates. It is current Group policy to 
recognise a deferred tax asset when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the assets can be used. The Group 
considers it probable if the entity has made a taxable profit in the previous year and is forecast to continue to make a profit in the foreseeable 
future. Where appropriate, the Group assesses the potential risk of future tax liabilities arising from the operation of its business in multiple tax 
jurisdictions and includes provisions within tax liabilities for those risks that can be estimated reliably. Changes in existing tax laws can affect large 
international groups similar to Regus and could result in significant additional tax liabilities over and above those already provided for. 

Onerous lease provisions 
We have identified certain poor performing centres where the lease is considered onerous, i.e. the Group does not expect to recover the 
unavoidable lease costs up to the first break point. The accounts include a provision for our estimate of the net amounts payable under the  
terms of the lease to the first break point, discounted at the Group weighted average cost of capital, where appropriate. 

Dilapidations 
Certain of our leases with landlords include a clause obliging the Group to hand the property back in the condition as at the date of signing the 
lease. The costs to bring the property back to that condition are not known until the Group exits the property so the Group estimates the costs  
at each balance sheet date. However, given that landlords often regard the nature of changes made to properties as improvements, the Group 
estimates that it is unlikely that any material dilapidation payments will be necessary. Consequently, provision has been made only for those 
potential dilapidation payments when it is probable that an outflow will occur and can be reliably estimated. 

80 

80 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

Parent company accounts 

Summarised extract of Company balance sheet  
(prepared under Luxembourg GAAP) 

Assets 

C. Fixed assets 
III. Financial assets 

1. Shares in affiliated undertakings 

D. Current assets 

II. Debtors 

2. Amount owed by affiliated undertakings 

a) becoming due and payable within one year 

4. Other receivables 

a) becoming due and payable within one year 

III. Transferable securities 

2. Own shares 

(nil shares (2015: 20,490,613 shares at £0.01 per share)) 

E. Prepayments 

Total assets 

Capital, reserves and liabilities 

A. Capital and reserves 

I. Subscribed capital 

II. Share premium and similar premiums 

IV. Reserves 

1. Legal reserve 

2. Reserve for own shares 

4. Other reserves 

V. Results brought forward 

VI. Results for the financial year 

VII. Interim dividends 

Capital and reserves 

C. Provisions 

2. Provisions for taxation 

D. Non-subordinated debts 

4. Trade creditors 

a) becoming due and payable within one year 

6. Amounts owed to affiliated undertakings 

a) becoming due and payable within one year 

b) becoming due and payable after more than one year 

Liabilities 

Total capital, reserves and liabilities  

Approved by the Directors on 19 April 2017 

Tim Regan 
Director  

As at 
31 Dec 2016 
(Luxembourg 
GAAP) 
£m

As at 
31 Dec 2015 
(Luxembourg 
GAAP) 
£m

644.6

644.6

0.1

–

–

1.3

646.0

9.2

53.7

0.9

–

520.0

(66.6)

(22.8)

(14.4)

480.0

–

0.8

9.6

155.6

166.0

646.0

–

0.3

42.9

0.1

687.9

9.5

53.7

0.9

42.9

477.1

57.9

(17.3)

(13.0)

611.7

0.1

0.7

1.6

73.8

76.2

687.9

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

81

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Company accounts continued 

Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
The annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with Luxembourg legal and regulatory requirements under the historical cost 
convention which differs in material respects from IFRS in both the measurement and presentation of certain transactions. 

The Company is included in the consolidated financial statements of Regus plc. 

The balance sheet has been extracted from the full accounts of Regus plc for the period ended 31 December 2016 which are available from the 
Company’s registered office, 26 Boulevard Royal, Luxembourg and which will be filed with both the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and the 
Jersey Register of Companies. 

Financial assets 
Shares in affiliated undertakings are valued at purchase price including acquisition costs. Where any permanent diminution in value is identified, 
value adjustments are recorded in the profit and loss account. These value adjustments are not continued if the reasons which caused their initial 
recording cease to apply. 

82 

82 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
Segmental analysis 

Segmental analysis – management basis (unaudited) 

Americas 
2016

EMEA 
2016

Asia Pacific
2016

United  
Kingdom 
2016 

Other
2016

Total
2016

  Mature(1) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  REVPOW 

  2015 Expansions(2) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  2016 Expansions(2) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m)(5) 

  Closures 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  Total 
  Workstations(4) 
  Occupancy (%) 
  Revenue (£m) 
  Contribution (£m) 
  Unallocated contribution (£m) 
  REVPAW (£) 

  Period end workstations(6) 
  Mature 
  2015 Expansions 
  2016 Expansions 
  Total 

138,433

78.8%

826.2

188.0

7,572

26,891

58.3%

81.1

(12.2)

7,718

30.4%

12.1

(12.9)

886

63.3%

3.6

(1.9)

173,928

73.4%

923.0

161.0

–

5,307

139,919

28,107

14,415

182,441

71,159

78.5%

406.9

104.1

7,283

16,542

63.5%

63.0

3.7

4,005

34.2%

6.2

(5.2)

280

57.5%

0.7

(1.0)

91,986

73.8%

476.8

101.6

–

5,183

72,652

16,826

7,290

96,768

66,928

78.8%

293.2

72.9

5,559

22,138

51.1%

55.8

(1.6)

4,325

31.0%

7.6

(3.4)

1,739

72.5%

6.6

(0.4)

95,130

70.1%

363.2

67.5

–

3,818

67,554

22,408

8,665

98,627

56,000 

75.4% 

358.5 

83.9 

8,489 

10,539 

76.1% 

72.6 

17.3 

3,080 

57.2% 

9.4 

(0.1) 

2,877 

81.3% 

21.6 

9.3 

72,496 

75.0% 

462.1 

110.4 

– 

6,374 

57,832 

11,659 

3,849 

73,340 

–

–

6.8

4.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.5

1.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

8.3

5.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

332,520

78.2%

1,891.6

453.3

7,277

76,110

59.8%

272.5

7.2

19,128

35.6%

36.8

(20.1)

5,782

74.7%

32.5

6.0

433,540

73.0%

2,233.4

446.4

2.4

5,151

337,957

79,000

34,219

451,176

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

83

83 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Segmental analysis continued 

Segmental analysis – management basis (unaudited) 

Americas 
2015

EMEA 
2015

Asia Pacific
2015

  Mature(1) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  REVPOW 

  2015 Expansions(2) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  Closures(3) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  Total 
  Workstations(4) 
  Occupancy (%) 
  Revenue (£m) 
  Contribution (£m) 
  Unallocated contribution (£m) 
  REVPAW (£) 

Notes: 

136,632

81.0%

747.8

181.9

6,757

10,514

48.5%

22.5

(9.2)

2,268

73.0%

8.9

(1.7)

149,414

78.5%

779.2

171.0

–

5,215

69,449

76.4%

372.7

91.8

7,024

7,189

51.6%

29.2

(0.5)

1,263

64.5%

4.7

(0.8)

77,901

73.9%

406.6

90.5

–

5,219

66,443

79.4%

265.5

66.2

5,033

9,178

32.8%

13.0

(8.9)

2,950

80.7%

10.6

0.9

78,571

74.0%

289.1

58.2

–

3,679

United  
Kingdom 
2015 

53,329 

80.5% 

361.2 

84.3 

8,414 

6,292 

81.4% 

43.8 

6.6 

6,100 

81.9% 

44.2 

16.8 

65,721 

80.7% 

449.2 

107.7 

– 

6,835 

Other 
2015 

Total
2015

– 

– 

2.9 

(0.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2.9 

(0.2) 

– 

– 

325,853

79.6%

1,750.1

424.0

6,747

33,173

51.1%

108.5

(12.0)

12,581

78.3%

68.4

15.2

371,607

77.0%

1,927.0

427.2

1.2

5,186

1.  The mature business comprises centres not opened in the current or previous financial year 
2.  Expansions include new centres opened and acquired businesses 
3.  A closure for the 2015 comparative data is defined as a centre closed during the period from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016 
4.  Workstation numbers are calculated as the weighted average for the year 
5.  2016 expansions includes any costs incurred in 2016 for centres which will open in 2017 
6.  Workstations available at period end 

84 

84 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post-tax cash return on net investment 

The purpose of this unaudited page is to reconcile some of the key numbers used in the returns calculation back to the Group’s audited statutory 
accounts and, thereby, give the reader greater insight into the returns calculation drivers. The methodology and rationale for the calculation are 
discussed in the financial review on page 20 of these accounts. 

Description 

Reference 

2013 
Aggregation

2014 
Expansions

2015 
Expansions

2016 
Expansions 

2017 

Expansions  Closures

Total

Post-tax cash return on net investment 

21.6%

10.2%

(2.5%)

(15.7%) 

Revenue 

Centre contribution 

(Profit)/loss on disposal of assets 

Underlying centre contribution 
Selling, general and administration 
expenses(1) 

EBIT 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Amortisation of partner contributions 

Amortisation of acquired lease fair value 
adjustments 

Non-cash items 
Taxation(2) 
Adjusted net cash profit 
Maintenance capital expenditure 

Partner contributions 

Net maintenance capital expenditure 

Post-tax cash return 

Growth capital expenditure 

Partner contributions(3) 

Net investment 

Income statement, p34 

Income statement, p34 

EBIT reconciliation 
(analysed below) 

Income statement, p34 

EBIT reconciliation 
(analysed below) 
Note 5, p47 

Note 5, p47 

Note 5, p47 

Capital expenditure 
(analysed below) 
Partner contributions 
(analysed below) 

Capital expenditure 
(analysed below) 
Partner contributions 
(analysed below) 

1.  Including research and development expenses 
2.  Based on EBIT at the Group’s long-term effective tax rate of 20% 
3.  The 2015 expansions includes £9.9m of partner contributions arising in 2016 

1,678.2

419.0

(0.5)

418.5

213.4

36.7

–

36.7

272.5

7.2

–

7.2

36.8 

(19.0) 

– 

(19.0) 

– 

– 

(1.1) 

– 

(1.1) 

–

13.8%

32.5

2,233.4

6.0

1.5

7.5

448.8

1.0

449.8

(163.8)

(30.5)

(49.2)

(13.0) 

(0.1) 

(2.8)

(259.4)

254.7
124.6

(32.3)

(3.8)

88.5

(50.9)

292.3

81.0

(20.4)

60.6

231.7

6.2
23.2

(6.7)

(0.3)

16.2

(1.2)

21.2

5.7

(0.8)

4.9

16.3

(42.0)
34.0

(7.9)

1.0

27.1

8.4

(32.0) 
8.3 

(3.2) 

– 

5.1 

6.4 

(6.5)

(20.5) 

–

–

–

– 

– 

– 

(1.2) 
– 

4.7
4.4

190.4
194.5

– 

– 

– 

0.2 

(1.0) 

– 

– 

– 

(0.1)

(50.2)

–

4.3

(1.0)

8.0

–

–

–

(3.1)

141.2

(38.1)

293.5

86.7

(21.2)

65.5

(6.5)

(20.5) 

(1.0) 

8.0

228.0

1,247.4

207.0

325.0

183.7 

30.0 

(174.8)

1,072.6

(47.1)

159.9

(66.0)

259.0

(52.9) 

130.8 

(3.3) 

26.7 

–

–

–

1,993.1

(344.1)

1,649.0

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

85

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post-tax cash return on net investment continued 

2016 

Movement in capital expenditure 

2015 Growth capital expenditure 

2016 Capital expenditure(4) 

Properties acquired 

Property disposals 

Centre closures(5) 

2016 Growth capital expenditure 

2013 
Aggregation

2014 
Expansions

2015 
Expansions

2016 
Expansions 

2017 

Expansions  Closures

Total

1,272.5

208.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

(25.1)

1,247.4

(1.4)

207.0

305.2

37.3

–

(11.4)

(6.1)

325.0

9.5 

148.6 

25.6 

– 

– 

– 

30.0 

– 

– 

– 

183.7 

30.0 

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,795.6

215.9

25.6

(11.4)

(32.6)

1,993.1

4.  2017 expansions relate to costs and investments incurred in 2016 for centres which will open in 2017 
5.  The growth capital expenditure for an estate is reduced by the investment in centres closed during the year, but only where that investment has been fully recovered 

2016 
EBIT reconciliation 

EBIT (before non-
recurring items) 

Loss on disposal of 
assets 

Share of profit on joint 
ventures 

Operating profit 

Reference 

£m 

2016 
Partner contributions 

Reference 

£m

•  Current 

Note 17, p56 

•  Non-current 

Note 17, p56  199.5

Note 5, p47 

Income 
statement, 
p34 
Income 
statement, 
p34 

190.4 

Opening partner 
contributions 

(1.0) 

(0.8) 

Acquired in the period 

Received in the period 
•  2014 expansions and 

188.6 

before 

•  2015 expansions(3) 

•  2016 expansions 

•  2017 expansions 

2016 
Capital expenditure 

Maintenance capital 
expenditure 

Growth capital 
expenditure 
• 2016 Capital 
expenditure 

• Properties acquired 

• Proceeds on property 

disposals(6) 

Total capital expenditure 
Analysed as 
• Purchase of subsidiary 

247.8

48.3

–

87.3

21.2

9.9

52.9

3.3

Utilised in the period 

Note 5, p47 

(50.2)

undertakings 

Exchange differences 

Closing partner 
contributions 

•  Current 

•  Non-current 

49.0

333.9

• Purchase of property, 
plant and equipment 
• Purchase of intangible 

assets 

Note 17, p56 
Note 17, p56  265.4

68.5

• Proceeds on property 

disposals(6) 

Reference 
Financial review, 
p22 

Financial review, 
p22 

Cash flow, p38 

Cash flow, p38 
Note 14, p55 
Cash flow, p38 
Note 13, p54 

£m

86.7

228.4

215.9

25.6

(13.1)

315.1

8.9

313.8

5.5

(13.1)

6.  The proceeds on the property disposal of £13.1m is 

included in the proceeds on disposal of property, plant and 
equipment in the Group Cash Flow statement on page 38 

86 

86 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Five-year summary 

Income statement 
Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit (centre contribution) 
Administration expenses before non-recurring expenses 

Research and development 

Operating profit (before non-recurring items) 

Non-recurring items 

Operating profit (including non-recurring items) 

Share of post-tax profit/(loss) of joint ventures  

Profit before financing costs 

Finance expense 

Finance income 

Profit before tax for the year 
Income tax expense 

Profit after tax for the year 

Attributable to: 

Equity shareholders of the parent 

Earnings per ordinary share (EPS): 
Basic (p) 

Diluted (p) 

Full year ended 
31 Dec 2016 
£m

Full year ended 
31 Dec 2015 
£m

Full year ended  
31 Dec 2014  
£m 

Full year ended 
31 Dec 2013 
£m

Full year ended 
31 Dec 2012 
£m

2,233.4

(1,784.6)

448.8

(256.5)

(2.9)

189.4

(1.0)

188.4

(0.8)

187.6

(11.6)

0.1

176.1

(34.9)

141.2

141.2

141.2

15.2p

15.2p

1,927.0

(1,498.6)

428.4

(273.6)

(10.3)

144.5

15.3

159.8

0.3

160.1

(15.0)

0.6

145.7

(25.8)

119.9

119.9

119.9

12.8p

12.6p

1,676.1 

(1,293.0) 

383.1 

(270.9) 

(8.7) 

103.5 

– 

103.5 

0.8 

104.3 

(17.3) 

0.1 

87.1 

(17.2) 

69.9 

69.9 

69.9 

7.4p 

7.2p 

1,533.5

(1,159.7)

373.8

(275.9)

1,244.1

(923.4)

320.7

(225.7)

(7.2)

90.7

–

90.7

0.1

90.8

(10.5)

1.2

81.5

(14.6)

66.9

66.9

66.9

7.1p

7.0p

(4.5)

90.5

–

90.5

(0.3)

90.2

(5.9)

0.8

85.1

(14.2)

70.9

70.9

70.9

7.5p

7.5p

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (‘000s) 

929,860

933,458

944,082 

943,775

941,922

Balance sheet data (as at 31 December) 
Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax assets 

Other assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Equity shareholders’ funds 

Total equity and liabilities 

738.1

1,194.4

29.3

651.5

50.1

2,663.4

1,180.1

744.2

739.1

2,663.4

666.0

917.0

36.4

644.3

63.9

2,327.6

1,085.7

658.2

583.7

2,327.6

549.9 

718.8 

40.0 

565.2 

72.8 

491.7

608.7

33.4

423.8

84.7

363.9

437.5

33.9

333.9

132.3

1,946.7 

1,642.3

1,301.5

891.9 

517.4 

537.4 

758.8

369.3

514.2

612.5

161.6

527.4

1,946.7 

1,642.3

1,301.5

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

87

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information 

Glossary 

Available workstations 
The total number of workstations in the Group (also termed 
Inventory). During the year, this is expressed as a weighted  
average. At period ends the absolute number is used  

Centre contribution 
Gross profit comprising centre revenues less direct operating 
expenses but before administrative expenses 

EBIT 
Earnings before interest and tax 

EBITDA 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 

EBITDAR 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rent 

Enquiries 
Client enquiries about Regus products or services 

Expansions 
A general term which includes new business centres established  
by Regus and acquired centres in the year 

Forward order book 
The future workstation revenue already contracted with clients  
at a point in time 

Post-tax cash return 
EBITDA achieved, less the amortisation of any partner capital 
contribution, less tax based on the EBIT and after deducting 
maintenance capital expenditure 

Corporate directory 

Registered Office 
Regus plc 
Registered Office: 
22 Grenville Street 
St Helier  
Jersey 
JE4 8PX   

Registered Number 
Jersey 
101523   

Registered Head Office: 
26 Boulevard Royal 
L-2449 Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 
R.C.S. B 141 159 

Auditor 
KPMG Luxembourg, Société cooperative 
39, Avenue John F. Kennedy 
L-1855 Luxembourg 

88 

88 

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

REGUS PLC ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 

Like for like 
The financial performance from centres owned and operated for  
a full 12 month period prior to the start of the financial year, which 
therefore have a full-year comparative 

Mature business 
Operations owned for a full 12 month period prior to the start of  
the financial year and operated throughout the current financial year, 
which therefore have a full-year comparative 

Occupancy 
Occupied workstations divided by available workstations expressed as 
a percentage 

Occupied workstations 
Workstations which are in use by clients. This is expressed as  
a weighted average for the year  

REVPAW 
Total revenue per available workstation  
(Revenue/available workstations) 

REVPOW 
Total revenue per occupied workstation 

WIPOW 
Workstation income per occupied workstation 

Underlying performance 
Performance before non-recurring items

Directors 
The Directors shown below held office during the whole period from  
1 January 2016 to 19 April 2017, except as indicated: 

•  Douglas Sutherland (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Mark Dixon (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Dominik de Daniel (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Lance Browne (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Elmar Heggen (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Florence Pierre (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Francois Pauly (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Nina Henderson (resigned 19 December 2016) 

•  Tim Regan (appointed 19 December 2016) 

•  Christoffel Mul (appointed 19 December 2016) 

•  Ian Hallett (appointed 19 December 2016) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Regus plc S.A. 
26 Boulevard Royal 
L-2449 Luxembourg

www.regus.com