Quarterlytics / Communication Services / Specialty Business Services / Regus Group Plc

Regus Group Plc

rgu · LSE Communication Services
Claim this profile
Ticker rgu
Exchange LSE
Sector Communication Services
Industry Specialty Business Services
Employees 10,000+
← All annual reports
FY2017 Annual Report · Regus Group Plc
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Places to work for 
everyone, worldwide

Regus plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2017

Introduction

An unparalleled network of office, co-working and  
meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world.  
It’s an infrastructure to support every business opportunity.

Our network of workspaces enables businesses to  
operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or  
capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate 
cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their  
office portfolio.

It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and  
connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global 
community, and a place to belong.

What’s inside

Strategic report and governance

Financial statements

1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
18
20
22
27
34
38

Performance highlights
Who we are
Market review
Our customers
What we offer
Customer stories
Our business model
Strategic review
Our strategic objectives and KPIs
Our people
Financial review
Risk management and principal risks
Corporate responsibility
Directors’ statements

39
41
42

43

44
45
46
77
79
80
82
84
84

Auditor’s report
Consolidated income statement
Consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Notes to the accounts
Parent company accounts
Five-year summary
Segmental analysis
Post-tax cash return on net investment
Glossary
Shareholder information

Please visit our website regus.com

Performance highlights

Improving revenue momentum into 2018, excellent overhead 
performance and increased investment activity and network growth.

Key financial highlights
•  Attractive post-tax cash returns. Return on pre-2013 

investment of 21.8%(1)

•  Net growth capital investment of £176.8m

•  Group revenue of £2,341.7m, with revenue growth improving in 

Q4 and since period end

•  Overheads reduced 18%(2); down 240bp as a percentage 

of revenue to 9.3%

•  Operating profit of £177.2m

•  Cash generation (before net growth capital expenditure, share 

buybacks, and dividends) of £33.5m (7.0p per share)

•  Strong financial position maintained with net debt of £296.6m 

(0.8x net debt : EBITDA)

2017 Post-tax cash return on net investment 
by year of opening (%)(1)

(14.0)

(8.7)

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

‘11

‘10

‘09

8.3

12.3

14.9

17.9

17.5

19.0

23.6

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

Key operational highlights
•  Ongoing focus on disciplined investment, partnering and risk 

management

•  Benefitting from increased operational scale and efficiencies

•  Further network expansion and improvement in network quality, 
with 283 new locations (272 organic) and 4.7m sq. ft. added in 
2017. Now in 3,094 locations worldwide (up 6% from December 
2016), with 51.2m sq. ft. of space. Strong Q4 momentum with 
119 new locations opened

•  Successful roll out of our large co-working format, Spaces, with 
56 new locations (taking the total to 78) and 13 new countries 
added in 2017

•  Current pipeline visibility on 2018 net growth capital expenditure 

at the end of February 2018 of approximately £190m, 
representing 230 locations and 5.5m sq. ft. of additional space 
(c.11% growth in space)

£33.5m

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

33.5

115.4

112.4

283.2

215.7

175.6

Net growth capital expenditure (£m)

£176.8m

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

176.8

162.3

284.9

206.6

260.2

147.8

Number of locations

3,094

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

3,094

2,926

2,768

2,269

1,831

1,411

1.  Turn to page 12 for details on how we calculate our post-tax cash return 

on net investment
2.  At constant currency

1

Who we are

An unrivalled
global network

We will continue to invest in our national 
networks to attract and retain an ever-
greater share of the world’s workers and 
businesses. Workspace needs are 
changing for every sort of business, from 
major corporates to small and mid-size 
enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and 
individual entrepreneurs. We have the 
vision, the will and the growing global 
infrastructure to cater for all of them.

Regus plc includes the following brands:  
Spaces, No18, Open Office and Signature.

2  

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Our place in a
growing market

members

locations

cities

countries

A global community of

More than

2.5 million
3,094
1,000
110
Over60%

of business people think that flexible 
working improves productivity(1)

Over

71%

of occupiers believe that productive and 
flexible workspaces are vital to delivering 
corporate real estate objectives, up from 
57% in 2016(2)

Over

50%

of business people expect the  
demand for flexible working to 
increase(1)

Up to

30%

of corporate real estate 
portfolios could be flexible 
workspace by 2030(3)

Over50%

of workers now report that they work 
outside the main office 2.5 days a 
week or more(1)

69%

of millennials will trade other 
work package benefits for 
better workspace(2)

1.  Regus survey 
2.  The Flexible Revolution. Insights into European flexible office markets, CBRE 2017 
3.  JLL research

3

Market review

Growing the business to meet
accelerating demand

The way people work and businesses think 
about workspace is being revolutionised. 
The drivers discussed here – technology 
and the desire of workers and businesses 
to experience the benefits of flexible 
working – are accelerating the demand for 
change. And many indicators are pointing 
in the same direction. 

For example, the global market for flexible offices has been 
growing annually by an average of 13%(1) over the past 
decade. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of occupiers believe 
that productive and flexible workspaces are vital to 
delivering corporate real estate objectives (up from 57% in 
2016(1)). And the co-working sector itself is projected to 
tally a nearly 24% compound annual growth rate between 
2016 and 2020(2). So it’s not surprising to see it estimated 
that 30% of corporate real estate portfolios could be 
flexible workspace by 2030(3).

In short, we’re close to the tipping point where flexible 
working becomes the global norm. One day soon, flexible 
working will be known simply as ‘working’.

The impact of IFRS 16:  
driving workspace flexibility
When the much-heralded IFRS 16 – the new 
international leases standard – comes into force on 
1 January 2019, real estate leases, including office 
spaces, will need to be accounted for on balance 
sheets. Under exemptions, companies may opt to 
move to shorter lease terms or outsource office 
spaces to serviced providers instead, as these would 
not need to be, in general,  accounted  
for on balance sheets, helping to reduce the 
administrative burden.(9)

4  

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Digitalisation and new 
technologies are changing 
how people work

Drivers:

•  Communication, sharing apps and resources that enable remote 
working are increasingly being used, from WeChat and WhatsApp 
to emerging next-generation voice-over-internet-protocol 
systems and advanced data-distribution and videoconferencing 
technologies

•  Use of voice-activated artificial intelligence solutions like Alexa and 

Siri for simple tasks are already part of everyday life and new 
automation technologies will replace a raft of human activities, 
enabling people to focus on different, value-added activities

•  Looking further ahead, the keyboard and touchscreen are 
set to become redundant as new generations use speech 
to communicate with their devices

What this means:

•  Workers are increasingly mobile and can access their work from 

anywhere

•  50% of occupiers see technology as a key success factor 

for flexible working(1)

•  Fast, reliable Wi-Fi/broadband and remote server access is more 
important than ever – Information Age reports that interruptions 
cost mid-sized business £6.6 million a year

How we are responding:

•  We provide world-class IT infrastructure and connectivity at all 

our centres

•  Our 24/7 IT support and back-up ensures customers are always 

connected across the world

•  Our proprietary apps streamline booking and administration for 
customers and enable our centre staff to provide a wide range 
of services

•  We are constantly innovating new services and solutions

1.  The Flexible Revolution. Insights into European flexible office markets, 

CBRE 2017

2.  Forbes 2017 (quoting Emergent Research)
3.  JLL research: Technology and real estate: the road to 2030
4.  Regus ‘The Modern Way of Working’, October 2017
5.  Regus Workplace Revolution Report, 2017

People want the 
benefits of flexible 
working

Businesses want the 
financial and strategic 
benefits of flexible 
working

•  Workers want a blended approach to work, with the geographic 

and lifestyle benefits of choosing where and how to work

•  They also want creative and productive environments, close to 

•  Businesses want access to great workspaces for their people 
on-demand – without the hassle of managing the property
•  They also want to avoid fixed leasing arrangements, liberating 

home and other like-minded people

•  Freelancing and ‘multiployment’ are increasingly realistic 

and attractive options(4)

•  55% say remote working helps them be nearer clients and 56% 

that it helps them concentrate(5)

•  66% think they can be more productive working remotely(6) 

• 

• 

them to allow rapid expansion or contraction
It’s vital they can attract and retain the best talent from anywhere 
in the world, and maximise their balance-sheet flexibility
Increasing numbers also want easy-to-implement workplace 
recovery solutions

•  Attractive office space is becoming a vital tool in the war for 

•  Businesses need a portfolio of workspace options that is both 

talent(3) 

•  69% of millennials will trade in other work package benefits for 

better workspace(1)

•  43% of the US workforce works remotely to some degree(7) 
•  72% of workers see flexible working as the top consideration when 

choosing a job(8)

•  The London Business School predicts that by 2020, 50% of all 

workers will be working remotely for most of the time(8)

•  To attract and retain the best talent worldwide, businesses must 
provide efficient, well-equipped and inspiring workspaces and 
communities around the globe

global and local, through which to provide a blend of options that 
maximises business agility, employee satisfaction and cost 
efficiency

•  For many, remote and flexible working is moving from being a perk 

to a much-needed business strategy

•  HR departments now need to provide flexible workspace options 

to attract and retain talent

•  Companies will move to fewer core locations, surrounded 

by national networks of flexible space(3)

•  Providers must deliver a level of service that has previously only 

been available to larger corporations(1) 

•  We have centres and drop-in spaces in more locations across the 

•  The facilities and support we offer bring professional, corporate 

world than anyone else

•  Our range of formats, wider than from any competitor, is designed 

to inspire productivity, creativity and collaboration

•  We encourage customers to communicate and integrate 

as members of a global community of 2.5 million diverse, creative 
and collaborative professionals

•  We provide an unrivalled choice of inspiring workspaces, 

communities and services in national and international networks 
across the world

•  We are constantly innovating and investing in the environments 

and experiences we provide

standards to all players, from the largest to the smallest
•  Our offer of multiple experiences, built on a leading IT and 
operating platform, enables the best possible integration 
with customer organisations and their people

•  By 2025, flexible spaces will account for 30% of the total 

real estate footprint of a large company(3)

6.  Flexjobs.com, 2017 annual survey
7.  Gallup’s State of the American Workforce, 2016
8.  Entrepreneur.com, December 2015
9.  Referenced from article by Melanie Wright in the Regus WorkUK magazine:  

https://www.regus.co.uk/work-uk/ifrs-16-five-things-you-need-to-know-now/

5

Our customers

Responding to changing
customer needs

The first requirement for offering flexible workspace solutions is to be flexible in everything we do – in our 
portfolio, our account management, our services and our ways of doing business. That’s how we can 
meet the needs of customers everywhere, from large corporates to SMEs, start-ups and individuals.

Large corporates

SMEs

Big companies have multiple needs. Above all, they require 
flexible space to help them attract and retain talent, be 
agile and optimise their costs and logistics. Just as they 
don’t want to get involved with property management, so 
property companies don’t want to deal with multiple 
different customers. That’s where we fit in.

Adding value
• 

Improved financial performance through cost-savings, 
reduced capital expenditure, better risk mitigation and lower 
vacancy rates

•  The heightened ability to free up capital for investment in 

value-generating assets and initiatives

•  Greater business agility, enabling them to scale up and 

down in response to market changes

•  Opportunities to outsource non-core functions so  

they can concentrate on the value-adding elements  
of their business

•  The benefits of working with a large global network that 

reflects their own scale

•  Attracting and retaining the best talent, through providing 

inspiring workspaces in places where people want to work or 
with communities they want to work with

•  Efficient key account management and the opportunity to 

work with us collaboratively

•  Rapid, effective and cost-efficient workplace 

recovery solutions

Every company is different, in scale, culture and ambition 
– we have the resources to meet every need, however 
diverse, in over 3,000 locations and 1,000 cities across the 
world. 

Adding value
•  The ability to operate from high-quality, prestigious sites 

that align with their own growth ambitions

•  The opportunity to take on locations cost-effectively to be 

close to clients and accelerate speed to market

•  A choice of workspace experiences to match their own 

corporate image and aspirations

•  Reliable and non-intrusive service and support, with 

no requirement to employ non-core staff

•  Access to the latest technology, with 24/7 technical 

support and a business-class infrastructure

•  The availability of meeting spaces, in the centres where they 
are based, and convenient drop-in centres across the world

•  Constant innovation and R&D from a committed, flexible 

workspace provider

•  Gaining access to key skills in talent hotspots around 

the world

6  

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Over

50%

of workers now report that  
they work outside the main  
office 2.5 days a week or more(1)

Start-ups

Individuals

Every business was a start-up once. We have the 
property portfolio and infrastructure to take a business 
from concept to multinational. Indeed, some of the 
start-ups we have worked with are now among the 
biggest companies in the world. We look forward to 
helping emerging generations of entrepreneurs hit the 
same growth curve.

Adding value
•  Cost-effective, fully equipped spaces that help them 
punch above their weight for heightened credibility 
among clients, prospects and employees

•  Flexible leases, with minimal lead times and no set-up 

costs

•  Reliable service support that frees entrepreneurs to 
concentrate on getting their venture off the ground

•  A clear and compelling upgrade path that can cater for 

their needs at every stage of development

•  Access to virtual office services that give them the 

freedom to work wherever they need to

•  The opportunity to work in inspiring spaces which align 
an appealing vibe with a corporate standard of quality 
and service

•  The chance to brainstorm with and learn from more 

established businesses

We never forget that individuals are businesses too, 
needing inspiring environments and collaborative 
communities, the latest technology and reliable 
support. 

Adding value
•  The powerful networking opportunity that comes from 

working within a community of like-minded professionals 

•  The chance to work in an affordable and professional 

environment with none of the productivity drawbacks of 
working from home or a local café

•  Gaining access to resources and expertise that would not 

be possible when working on their own

•  The availability of service support that enables them to 

focus on value-generating activities

•  Company throughout the day to prevent the loneliness 

and frustration that lone workers can sometimes 
experience

•  Access to the latest technologies to differentiate them 

from their competitors

•  The ability to use meeting spaces and drop-in centres 

around the world

1.  Regus survey

7

What we offer

Greater productivity with
complete solutions

Constant innovation, expansion and improvement underpin our commitment  
to helping businesses of all sizes to become more productive, competitive and 
successful. Our complete solutions comprise the following key elements.

Workspaces

Communities

Being part of our global network gives individuals and 
businesses access to an enormously powerful and varied 
community of more than 2.5 million professionals across 
the world. This is more than just a place to belong – it’s the 
chance to promote themselves and their businesses to 
one another, delivering shared opportunities for growth 
that simply do not exist elsewhere. 

Networking and knowledge-sharing
We are determined to differentiate ourselves by helping our 
customers in every way we can. This is why we run regular 
networking and knowledge-sharing meetings for them to 
share ideas, answer questions, compare notes and innovate 
together. It doesn’t stop there – it’s a way of further enhancing 
employee morale too, giving them access to an energising 
environment where they can enrich their work-life experience. 

Inspiration and creativity
When like-minded, creative people get together, sparks can 
fly. Our communities are more than just somewhere to work 
– they’re loaded with energy and enthusiasm, providing a 
direct boost to collaboration, original thinking and shaping 
the future.

Right across the world, businesses of all sizes from major 
corporates to start-ups and one-person operations are 
finding that the traditional approach to buying or renting 
workspace is outdated, inefficient and unproductive. 
Regus is at the forefront of revolutionary change, enabling 
businesses everywhere to pay only for the space they 
need, scaling up or down at will and boosting productivity 
in their choice of stimulating work environment.

Fully managed offices
With no set-up costs or capital investment, customers get 
rapid access to all the customised space, infrastructure and 
support they need, all under flexible terms. Our locations 
enable businesses of every size to turn up and get working.

Co-working
Individuals and companies can work in a shared office 
environment in our locations across the world, always with the 
choice of fully allocated or hot desks. Our approach to 
co-working delivers customers all the benefits of a full-time 
office but allows them to pay only for the number of desks 
they use. Members also get the collaborative benefits of 
working in a network environment, either with different people 
from their own company or inspiring new friends from 
other industries.

Meeting spaces
Almost always, the quality of a meeting depends on the quality 
of its environment. Our meeting spaces are airy and bright, 
fully equipped and up-to-the-minute, designed to promote 
creative thought and accurate decision-making. 

And, of course, we have spaces across the world, in key 
locations including airports, railway stations, public buildings 
and even service stations. So a quality meeting space, with 
technical and catering support, is never far away.

8  

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

69%

of millennials will trade other  
work package benefits for  
better workspace(1)

Services

Easy access

With 24/7 customer service and a dedicated account 
manager supporting every contract, our customers can 
focus on what really matters to their business. All office 
amenities, from business-class internet, technical 
support and reception to cleaning and kitchen services, 
are set up and ready to use. So every customer has the 
choice of outsourcing the entire office support 
portfolio.

Virtual office services
Customers do not even need to use our space to receive 
the benefits of working with us. Our global address and mail 
handling service, available through any of our 3,000 
locations worldwide, provides them with the instant 
credibility and prestige that they are looking for. And it is 
easy for them to expand the service, with a cost-effective 
upgrade to our 24/7 telephone-answering service and 
access to our global network of drop-in business lounges. A 
further upgrade additionally allows five days’ use of a private 
office each month.

24/7 workspace recovery
Following a catastrophic event, our customers can keep 
their businesses going with back-up office space – no 
matter where they are based. And because our recovery 
spaces in more than 1,000 cities across the world are in fully 
operational office buildings, customers can be sure of 
receiving all the support they need to get their businesses 
up and running again in the shortest possible time. 
Businesses of all sizes across the world value the flexibility 
and peace of mind they gain from our workplace 
recovery services.

Mobile and digital self-service solutions
Everything about our network is designed to help our 
customers control their costs, improve productivity 
and make their lives easier. At the heart of this approach are 
our apps, streamlining and simplifying every contact – 
helping them to find and book space, manage their account, 
register requests and make observations, and engage with 
our communities. In addition, our commitment to providing 
a world-class digital infrastructure underpins our 
customers’ ability to work exactly as they want across the 
world, using our 60 million Wi-Fi hotspots and thousands 
of business lounges to be as productive as they 
possibly can be.

Easy options for every customer
•  On-demand – pay-per-use in over 1,000 cities worldwide

•  Subscription – membership of our worldwide network, 

including prepaid usage

•  Semi or fully outsourced – operating partially 

or entirely from our locations

•  With a simple contract and reporting, a dedicated 
account manager and 24/7 customer service

•  All available immediately wherever required via 

our mobile apps 

1.  The Flexible Revolution, Insights into European flexible office markets, 

CBRE 2017

9

Customer stories

Delivering the
customer experience

Meet some of our customers who are creating a way of working that’s poised to become the norm.

I have been recommending Regus to 
our corporates and business partners 
who are looking for all-inclusive services 
in a ready made office with international 
standards.

PAWANA SURESTHA, ETIHAD AIRWAYS
NEPAL

The Regus network accommodates 
our rapid and ongoing growth. Using 
workspace as a ‘service’ lets us use 
space efficiently – as we grow, our 
workspace can grow. It also allows us to 
cater to ‘spikes’ in the way we use space 
as we don’t have to hold space and its 
associated costs permanently.

HAMISH MILES, SERVICENOW
NEW ZEALAND

The Regus Chongqing centre team 
manage our office greatly, listening to 
our needs, providing us with professional 
daily office support and strengthening our 
confidence for continued cooperation in 
the future.

TINA LIU, GSK
CHINA

Regus’ flexible solutions and innovative 
workspaces have helped us expand and 
change our operations in Sri Lanka. They 
have addressed our business needs and 
exceeded our expectations at every turn. 
From the excellent facilities to the brilliant 
people around us, Regus has been the 
perfect choice for us and we have never 
looked back.

SANTOSH KUMAR, MASTERCARD
SRI LANKA

1 0 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

ENGIE needed to accommodate its 
future digital team with flexible offices in 
the heart of the Paris digital district, the 
location being strategic and decisive to 
attract and retain talent joining ENGIE. 
Digitalisation is one of ENGIE’s strategic 
priorities, and flexible offices were 
chosen in a test-and-learn approach, 
with the probable future growth of this 
new structure in mind. In addition to 
providing offices at the desired location 
and in a very short timeframe, Regus has 
completely designed their spaces in a 
collaborative spirit, focusing on our needs 
and requirements. Delighted by this first 
experience, we signed for an extension a 
few months later which has led to further 
projects with Regus, such as hosting 
ENGIE teams outside Paris, in five cities, 
leveraging Regus’ national network.

GILLES ALLARD, ENGIE
FRANCE

I was impressed by the service  
I received from Regus. The staff are 
excellent and friendly!

CHIE HASHIMOTO, JAPAN INTERNATIONAL 
COOPERATION CENTER
NEPAL

Thank you all for the strong support, we 
very much appreciate every effort taken 
by the Regus team.

JOANNE CHEUNG, GSK
CHINA

We have used Regus for many years, in 
various locations. In November this year 
we moved from Koebogen into a new 
location in Düsseldorf. The centre is well 
located in the heart of the city with a 
lot of amenities in walking distance and 
the centre team is extremely nice and 
they always have a smile on their faces. 
Everyone is friendly and helpful, and we 
get everything we require on time. The 
atmosphere in the centre itself is positive 
and pleasing.

ANDREA DURAZZO, BROWZ
GERMANY

We use Regus to have maximum flexibility 
in regards to space and service. We very 
much value this situation. The extensive 
Regus office network also helps our 
international business activities regarding 
client meetings, interviews etc. All offices 
are in prime locations and very well 
equipped. A very professional business 
set up that includes all relevant services 
needed. We are very happy with the 
service level and flexibility. 

ALEXANDER SCHWEIZER, NIGEL WRIGHT GROUP
GERMANY

1 1

Our business model

How we
create value

During 2017, our ability to deliver positive returns despite challenges in certain markets once again proved 
that our business model remains fit for purpose. This was additionally substantiated by the rigorous 
planning, stress-testing and review that we carried out during the year.

Our business

Customers

Returns

Our unrivalled position in the global flexible 
workspace sector positions us at the 
forefront of one of the world’s most exciting 
and fast-growing industries. We continued to 
strengthen our unrivalled position through 
investment in markets around the world 
during the year, extending our lead over 
alternative workspace providers, and 
positioning ourselves to grasp new 
opportunities as flexible working goes 
mainstream.

Our business comprises five vital 
interconnected elements:

 • Our people: talented and experienced 
professionals who drive the success of 
our business

 • Our companies: segmenting the market 

for maximised uptake and returns

 • Our networks: national and international, 

empowering businesses and individuals to 
work productively, anywhere in the world

 • Our formats: versatile, inspiring and 

practical, driving productivity for every type 
of customer

 • Our platform: connecting the property 
industry with every industry in this new 
world of work, by providing a world-class 
and easy-to-use infrastructure with 
simple points of access and a great user 
experience

We underpin these with disciplines 
including:

 • Rigorous planning and business review 

processes

 • Constant investment in innovation and 

growth markets

 • Disciplined performance and risk-

management procedures

Businesses of every type, from freelance 
workers to multinational corporations, 
choose Regus for many reasons including:

 • Our unique and growing geographical reach, 
placing them wherever they need to be to 
execute their strategies

 • Our experience of working with customers 

in all types of industry

 • Our ability to engage strategically with 
customer organisations of all sizes

 • Our global portfolio of modern workspaces – 
designed to inspire every business from lone 
worker to multinational corporation – 
collaborative communities and 24/7 service 
infrastructure

They stay with us because we give them an 
excellent service at competitive rates and a 
product that flexes to meet their changing 
requirements:

 • Corporates and multinationals: Flexible 
space that meets their talent, agility and 
cost-management needs, all managed via a 
highly efficient single point of contact

 • SMEs: Cost-effective, business-class 

property solutions in over 3,000 locations 
and 1,000 cities that place them near their 
customers and prospects

 • Start-ups: An efficient and effective 
upgrade route, from initial venture to 
established player (and even world 
leadership)

 • Individuals: Inspiring spaces, collaborative 
communities, the latest technology and 
24/7 support

The value we create
We take away many of the facilities 
management, real estate and capital 
expenditure headaches that have affected 
organisations in the past, replacing them 
with flexibility, agility and the ability to focus 
on business essentials.

Our approach to investment continues to 
ensure that we deliver strong post-tax cash 
returns. This enables us to generate 
shareholder value over the long term, 
delivering returns that exceed our cost of 
capital. We do this at a local level across our 
global network, constantly seeking to 
improve our returns on every location. We 
align this with a continual focus on driving 
down overheads as a percentage of revenue 
– two disciplines that work in parallel to 
maintain our strong returns.

How we calculate our returns
Our returns are based on the post-tax 
return divided by our net capital 
investments in network growth. 
Our post-tax cash return equals:

•  EBITDA less amortisation of partner 
contribution, less tax based on EBIT, 
less capital expenditure 
on maintenance
Our net growth capital 
investment equals:

•  Growth capital less partner 

contributions

2017 post-tax cash return on net 
investment by year of opening (%)

(14.0)

(8.7)

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

‘11

‘10

‘09

8.3

12.3

14.9

17.9

17.5

19.0

23.6

Turn to pages 82 and 83 to see how our calculation of 
post-tax cash return on net investment reconciles to 
our audited statutory accounts.

1 2 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Cash

Investment in growth

We are highly disciplined in our use of cash, 
underpinning and justifying any investment 
decision with rigorous risk-analysis 
processes. Every potential investment is 
evaluated by our internal Investment 
Committee and has to meet our stringent 
financial criteria before being approved. 

Our ability to convert profit into cash is a 
particularly attractive feature of the Regus  
business model. This is because we have 
the opportunity to reinvest the cash flows 
generated from our locations directly into 
attractive locations to further develop 
our network.

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

£33.5m

One day soon, flexible working will simply be 
known as working. It is on the verge 
of becoming the norm for businesses 
everywhere, as the advantages of 
flexible and remote working become 
increasingly recognised.

We are therefore investing in our formats 
and national networks to meet customer 
demand, with a focus on growth markets 
across the world. We are increasingly aiming 
to link these networks to create a global 
infrastructure that enables business 
integration on a truly global scale.

Working in partnership with landlords is an 
important factor within this growth strategy, 
which has the added benefit of significantly 
reducing the need to invest our own capital. 

All potential investment is rigorously 
evaluated and has to meet our stringent 
financial hurdles before being approved.

The agility of our business model allows our 
growth plans to be adjusted to reflect 
changing market conditions, which is an 
important aspect of our ability to manage 
risk through the economic cycle. We can 
either rapidly capitalise on a favourable 
investment environment or restrict growth 
when necessary.

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

33.5

Net growth capital expenditure

283.2

215.7

175.6

£176.8m

115.4

112.4

1 3

Strategic review

The revolution
advances

Our industry is becoming more mainstream because major 
global trends are driving long-term demand. Digitalisation 
is changing how people work, people are increasingly 
wanting the personal lifestyle and productivity benefits, 
and businesses want to capture the strategic and financial 
advantages. The impact of these trends is significant. We are 
fast approaching the moment when “flexible working” will 
simply be known as “working”.

MARK DIXON

2017 was an important year for the flexible 
workspace industry. We have witnessed 
increased interest in the industry especially 
from large corporates, the media and other 
stakeholders. People and companies are 
increasingly talking about flexible workspace. 
According to a 2017 survey from CBRE, one 
of many such reports to come out last year, 
71% of occupiers believe that productive 
and flexible workspaces are vital to delivering 
corporate real estate objectives. Critically, 
this figure is up from 57% just 12 months 
earlier. And, in the same survey, 84% of 
respondents see the disruption resulting 
from the flexible workspace revolution as a 
permanent feature of the corporate 
real estate landscape.

Why is this? Our industry is becoming more 
mainstream because major global trends are 
driving long-term demand. Digitalisation is 
changing how people work, people are 
increasingly wanting the personal lifestyle 
and productivity benefits, and businesses 
want to capture the strategic and financial 
advantages. The impact of these trends is 
significant. We are fast approaching the 
moment when “flexible working” will simply 
be known as “working”.

Building the foundations 
for success
What have we done to address this 
opportunity? We achieved many milestones 
during 2017, laying the groundwork for 
2018 to be a significant year in terms of 
growth and opportunity.

This is not to say that 2017 was a year 
dedicated exclusively to future 
development. Not only did we help some 2.5 
million people across the world work more 
productively, achieving a significant number 
of major corporate account wins along the 
way, we also added significant scale to 
our business.

For example, we opened 22.5% more new 
centres across the world than we did in 
2016. We opened 283 locations, including 56 
Spaces locations, and added c. 4.7m sq. ft. of 
workspace worldwide, taking our global total 
to 3,094 locations and c. 51.2m sq. ft. of 
workspace in over 110 countries. Most of 
these new openings were organic and over 
half of these were delivered through 
partnering deals, that are variable in nature, 
with property owners and investors in the 
global real estate industry. We remain very 
encouraged by the increased traction with 
partnering deals which represent attractive 
opportunities both to grow the network and 
deliver more capital efficient growth.

We also continued our programme of 
upgrading or replacing our older locations, 
to ensure the high quality of our offering.

Growing the platform
Our 2017 focus was not all about opening 
new centres. We also added new brands to 
our expanding portfolio (such as No. 18), 
providing greater choice and making it easier 
than ever to use the Regus platform to 
access the flexible workspace market.

We strengthened our industry-leading and 
highly scalable digital platform to give 
customers an even better experience and 
access to higher levels of service. We 
continued to train and develop our people 
across over 110 countries, simultaneously 
providing our customer-facing employees 
with the 24/7 global support they need to 
drive customer retention by focusing 
exclusively on meeting customer needs.

And we continued to focus successfully on 
cost management, leveraging economies of 
scale ever more efficiently to further build on 
our advantage of having the lowest-cost 
operating model in the industry. This in turn 
has enabled us to continue investing in 
quality, service, technology and choice that 
customers are looking for. 

A year of strategic importance
So, in our view, 2017 was a successful year 
from a strategic perspective, that has 
reinforced our platform for growth and 
strengthened our ability to seize the 
opportunities presented by our industry and 
our position within it.

It was not without its challenges though. In 
October, a temporary confluence of events 
affecting certain national markets caused us 
to lower our profit outlook for the year. 
Specifically, the anticipated revenue 
improvement in the third quarter was weaker 
than expected and resulted in a pause in the 
recovery of our Mature business. In the UK, 
our London business was particularly slow. 
There were also a number of natural 

1 4 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

disasters affecting certain national markets 
in the third quarter. However, we were 
pleased to see our Mature business return 
to growth in the fourth quarter, with 
sustained improvements throughout the 
period, which confirmed our view that the 
recovery in the growth rate was largely a 
timing issue and that the underlying market 
growth drivers remain strong.

Investing to strengthen our business 
through growing our national networks, 
enhancing our development capabilities and 
increasing the dedicated resources focused 
on corporate account development 
inevitably led to investment in additional 
overhead costs and more initial losses from 
new centres. Strategically, these are the 
right actions to take advantage of the 
market growth opportunities and we have 
won further new corporate account 
contracts as a result. In the short term, 
however, they impacted Group profitability.

Our operational and financial strength and 
scale also enable us to act as a consolidating 
force across the industry, identifying, buying 
and strengthening brands and companies. 
So, as we move ahead in 2018, we are in a 
very strong competitive position, with 
improving revenue momentum and a larger 
pipeline of opportunities ahead of us.

Strong returns generation
We remain focused on the returns we deliver 
from the investments we make. 2017 has 
been another year in which we have 
delivered strong post-tax cash returns on 
net investment that are well above the 
Group’s cost of capital. The post-tax cash 
return on net growth investment from 
locations opened on or before 31 December 
2012 was 21.8% (2016: 23.8%). If we roll the 
estate forward one year to all those 
locations opened on or before 31 December 
2013, the post-tax cash return is 20.2% 
(2016: 21.6%). The post-tax cash return for 
the overall business is 12.3% (2016: 13.8%). 
Our post-tax returns are calculated after 
deducting net maintenance capital 
expenditure. In 2017, as expected, we 
invested more in net maintenance capital 
expenditure to take the opportunity to 
refresh some of our existing locations. 
Overall, a continuing strong performance.

Group revenue increased 1.4% at constant 
currency to £2,341.7m, an increase of 4.8% 
at actual rates. This performance reflects 
the previously reported softness 
experienced during the third quarter. 
Encouragingly, our revenue performance 
improved in the fourth quarter. These Group 
numbers reflect the impact of closures. 

A better indication of the ongoing business, 
therefore, is provided by the performance of 
our open centres (excluding closed centres). 
On this basis, Group revenue increased 3.7%, 
at constant currency, to £2,311.8m (2016: 
£2,154.8m), again with revenue growth 
accelerating in the fourth quarter. This 
acceleration in revenue growth was driven by 
all regions except for the UK, where revenue 
stabilised sequentially during the quarter. 

Mature revenue declined by 1.2% during the 
year at constant currency, with a return to 
growth in the fourth quarter  and sustained 
improvement throughout the period 
primarily driven by improvements in the 
Americas and Asia Pacific

We maintained our strong focus on 
managing overhead costs whilst investing in 
areas to support future growth of the 
business. During 2017 we achieved a further 
18% absolute reduction in overheads at 
constant currency. This reduced overheads 
as a percentage of revenue by an additional 
2.4 percentage points to 9.3%. This helped 
to mitigate the impact of the third quarter 
performance and the Group to deliver an 
operating profit of £177.2m.

We accelerated our growth programme in 
2017, reflecting the attractive opportunities 
to grow our business. We invested £176.8m 
in net growth capital expenditure during 
2017 (2016: £162.3m). 

Long term, the Group’s strategy remains 
to pursue a predominantly capital-light 
approach to network growth.

There remain significant attractive 
opportunities to deploy capital and we 
finished 2017 strongly with 119 additions 
in the fourth quarter and continue to 
invest to build upon this momentum in 
2018 accordingly.

With the significant investment in growth 
the Group has made over recent years, 
our depreciation charge has increased 
accordingly. The result is a broadly 
unchanged EBITDA performance.  
Group net debt increased from an 
opening position of £151.3m to £296.6m 
at 31 December 2017, in line with our 
expectations. This represents a net debt : 
EBITDA leverage ratio of 0.8x and reflects 
the continuation of our prudent approach 
to the Group’s capital structure. 

Group income statement

£m

Revenue

2017

2016

2,341.7

2,233.4

Gross profit (centre contribution)

395.4

448.8

Overheads 

Operating profit(1)

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit after tax

EBITDA

1.  Including joint ventures

(217.4)

(260.4)

177.2

167.2

(35.6)

131.6

388.6

187.6

176.1

(34.9)

141.2

382.1

% Change  
actual currency 

% Change 
constant currency

4.8%

(12)%

(17)%

(6)%

(5)%

(7)%

2%

1.4%

(15)%

(18)%

(9)%

(2)%

The Group generated a gross profit of £395.4m (2016: £448.8m), down 15% at constant 
currency. This reflects, in broadly equal measure, a lower Mature business gross profit and 
the combined impact of higher initial losses from new locations opened and a negative 
year-on-year impact from closures.

Gross margin 

2014 Aggregation
New 15
New 16
Pre-17
New 17(2)
Closures
Group 

Revenue 
£m

 2017
1,857.6 
307.1 
106.5 
2,271.2 
40.6 
29.9
2,341.7 

 2016
1,847.3
270.7
36.8
2,154.8
–
78.6
2,233.4

Gross margin %

 2017
21.5% 
11.8% 
(11.8)% 
18.7% 
(65.0)%
(6.0)%
16.9% 

2.  New 17 also includes any costs incurred in 2017 for centres which will open in 2018

 2016
24.1%
2.7%
(53.8)%
20.1%
–
19.8%
20.1%

1 5

Strategic review continued

Performance by region
On a regional basis, mature(1) revenue and contribution can be analysed as follows:

£m
Americas
EMEA
Asia Pacific
UK
Other
Total

Revenue

Contribution

Mature gross margin (%)

2017
926.4
486.1
351.1
398.2
2.9
2,164.7 

2016
897.4
461.8
342.1
409.9
6.8
 2,118.0 

2017
177.6
105.6
74.3
79.2
(0.2)
436.5 

2016
173.8
106.6
69.9
95.9
6.8
453.0 

2017
19.2%
21.7%
21.2%
19.9%

2016
19.4%
23.1%
20.4%
23.4%

20.2%

21.4%

1.  Centres open on or before 31 December 2015

Americas
Revenue from open centres increased 3.8% 
at constant currency to £978.1m. Total 
revenue (including closed centres) in the 
Americas increased 2.9% at constant 
currency to £984.8m (up 6.7% at actual 
rates). Although mature revenue in the 
region declined 0.5% at constant currency 
to £926.4m (up 3.2% at actual rates), we 
experienced a sequential improvement 
during the year. This resulted in a strong 
finish to the year with 3.0% growth at 
constant currency in the fourth quarter. 

Average mature occupancy for the region 
was 75.8% (2016: 75.5%). The gross profit 
margin remained solid at 19.2%.

We continued to see an improving 
performance in the US, our largest region in 
the Americas, generating £819.6m of total 
revenue. After an improved second half and 
strong fourth quarter, we ended with a small 
positive constant currency revenue growth 
rate for our Mature business in 2017. After a 
slow start to the year, our Canadian business 
produced a good performance with 
momentum building from March onwards 
and finishing the year strongly, with c. 9% 
year-on-year constant currency mature 
revenue growth in Q4. Although we saw 
good performance from some of the smaller 
countries in Latin America, like Puerto Rico, 
this was offset by weak conditions in the 
larger markets, such as Mexico and Brazil.

We added 65 new locations during the year, 
taking the total to 1,265 at 31 December 
2017. The focus of growth continued to be 
the US with the opening of 36 new locations, 
which increased the total to 1,007. Over a 
third of the total openings were in Latin 
America, with the majority in Brazil following 
a portfolio deal with a large property owner. 
We also opened in Trinidad and Tobago 
through a partnering agreement.

EMEA
EMEA continued to make progress during 
2017, with a range of performances in 
individual markets. Revenue from all open 
centres increased 7.7% at constant 
currency to £535.4m. Total revenue 
increased 6.7% at constant currency to 
£540.5m (up 13.4% at actual rates). Mature 
revenue in the region declined 1.0% at 
constant currency to £486.1m (up 5.3% at 
actual rates) for the year but moved 
modestly into growth in Q4. The gross 
margin reduced from 23.1% to 21.7% which 
is a robust performance given the mature 
revenue decline. Mature occupancy 
increased from 75.9% to 77.3%.

EMEA added the largest number of new 
locations of any region with 136 new 
locations opened. At 31 December 2017 we 
had 909 locations across EMEA. We also 
added Iceland, Azerbaijan and Gibraltar to 
our global presence. 

In such a diverse region, individual country 
performances varied but, in the main, 
continental Europe, with the exception of 
France and Switzerland, has been good. 
There were very good performances from 
the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, 
Ireland and Israel. More challenging were 
markets like Russia and parts of the Middle 
East and Africa. Many countries in the region, 
however, delivered a stronger second half 
performance, which is encouraging.

Asia Pacific
Revenue from all the open centres increased 
5.1% at constant currency to £379.3m. 
Total revenue in the region increased 2.2% 
at constant currency to £383.2m (up 5.5% at 
actual rates). In the Mature business, 
revenue performance was stronger in the 
second half of the year. Although mature 
revenue declined by a modest 0.6% at 
constant currency for the year as a whole 
(up 2.6% at actual rates), we saw signs of 
positive improvement in the fourth quarter.

1 6 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Mature occupancy increased from 71.8% to 
73.0% and the gross margin improved from 
20.4% to 21.2%. It was also pleasing to see 
the build-up of momentum in the Mature 
business across several countries, including 
Japan and Australia. Both ended the year 
strongly. Some markets, however, like India 
and China, performed below our expectations.

We added 57 new centres into Asia Pacific, 
taking the total as at 31 December 2017 to 
638 centres. The focus of this growth was in 
Japan, India, China, Australia and, in the 
fourth quarter, New Zealand where, 
including an acquisition, we more than 
doubled our network to 16 locations. During 
2017 we added Kazakhstan to our network.

UK 
Revenue from all the open centres 
decreased 1.0% to £415.2m. Total revenue 
(including closed centres) declined 7.1% to 
£429.4m. Revenue from the Mature 
business in the UK declined 2.9% to 
£398.2m after a weak third quarter. 

There were two contrasting performances 
from our business in London and that of the 
rest of the UK, as previously reported. 
Revenue outside London increased and saw 
sequential quarterly year-on-year 
improvement. Mature revenue in London 
declined significantly and was particularly 
weak throughout the second half. Even 
within the London market there were varied 
performances, with softer demand 
experienced in the City. Although enquiry 
levels remained weak compared to the rest 
of the UK, there was a distinct improvement 
in average deal size in the fourth quarter. 
The absence of larger deals in London had 
been a particular issue, especially in the 
third quarter.

 
 
With the decline in mature revenue, 
especially in a high value market like London, 
on a relatively fixed cost base in the near 
term, the mature gross margin declined 
from 23.4% to 19.9%. Mature occupancy 
reduced from 75.6% to 72.1%.

We added 25 new locations in the UK, with a 
focus on the regions outside London. We 
now have 282 locations in the UK at 31 
December 2017. 

Partnering with property 
companies
A glance at the figures shows why so 
many real estate companies are keen 
to partner with Regus. Recent research 
from CBRE shows that:

•  71% of occupiers believe having 

flexible workspace is vital to delivering 
their corporate real estate objectives

•  Up to 30% of corporate real estate 

portfolios could be flexible 
workspaces by 2030

•  84% of survey respondents believe 

that the move towards flexible 
workspace is a permanent trend

•  The compound annual growth rate of 
flexible workspace is expected to be 
24% between 2016 and 2020.

Not only are we the world leader in 
providing businesses of all sizes with 
flexible workspace, we also offer real 
estate partners a uniquely powerful 
route into this growth via an operating 
platform that creates new channels into 
every market, sector and industry. More 
than that, we have the expertise, the 
platform and the infrastructure to 
manage their customer relationships 
for them in  a highly efficient way.

Outlook
2017 was an important year for the flexible 
workspace industry globally and we remain 
confident that Regus will continue to drive, 
and benefit from, the accelerating customer 
demand and growth of flexible working. With 
the competitive advantage from our 
operational scale, global network and quality 
of service and technology, we are optimally 
positioned to benefit from these long-term 
structural growth drivers.

Our Group strategy remains unchanged. We 
will continue to invest in our network so we 
can deliver future earnings growth and 
increasing shareholder returns. We will 
continue to focus on partnerships to drive 
capital efficiency and to grow and interlink 
our multi-brand national networks to enable 
more deals with larger corporates. Alongside 
investing for growth, we will focus on 
delivering attractive returns on the 
investments we have made in recent years 
and monetising our leading network. A 
relentless focus on execution and disciplined 
approach to risk management will be key to 
delivering this.

While 2017 was not without its challenges, 
the improved revenue performance in Q4 on 
the back of a strong uplift in sales activity 
provides a strong platform for growth in 
2018. Sales activity trends remain good and 
we anticipate improved revenue growth 
during the year. 

We look forward to the future with great 
confidence.

MARK DIXON
27 April 2018

1 7

Our strategic objectives and key performance indicators

A clear and simple 
strategy

We aim to deliver strong and sustainable returns to our investors through providing customers of all 
types across the world with convenient, inspiring and innovative work environments that suit the full 
range of workspace and service needs.

Strategic objectives and approach

1

Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns

2 Cash generation  

before growth

We aim to deliver long-term revenue growth, driven by expanding 
our networks in growth markets, developing incremental revenue 
streams, and reducing risk and controlling costs across our existing 
network. This once again drove strong returns on investment during 
2017, well ahead of the Group’s cost of capital.

The ability to convert profit into cash remains an attractive feature of 
our  business model, allowing us to use the cash flows delivered by 
our operations to support the ongoing development of our business. 

Key performance indicators

2017 post-tax cash 
return on net 
investment by year 
of opening (%)

12.3%

Total estate

Cash flow per share 
before net growth  
capex, dividends and 
share buybacks

7.0p

Overall 2017 return on net 
investment made up to 31 
December 2012 of 21.8 %

(14.0)

(8.7)

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

‘11

‘10

‘09

8.3

12.3

14.9

17.9

17.5

19.0

23.6

During 2017, we generated 7.0p of cash 
flow per share before growth capex, 
dividends and share buybacks

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

7.0

12.2

11.8

30.5

23.1

18.6

Future ambitions and risks – for more information on risks see pages 27-33

Delivering profitable growth and strong sustainable returns is central 
to creating future shareholder value. We are committed to achieving 
this by optimising revenue development and controlling costs 
throughout our global network of locations.

With our network growth delivering revenue growth over the long 
term and our strong focus on operational efficiency and cost control, 
our business model is well positioned to convert profit into cash.

1 8 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Strategic objectives and approach

Key performance indicators

Future ambitions and risks – for more information on risks see pages 27-33

Controlling costs

3

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.

We made further progress in this area during 2017, in both 
percentage of revenue and absolute terms. The impact of our 
efforts during 2016 to improve efficiency continued to flow through 
the business, complemented in 2017 by our focus on controlling 
costs by directing our investments into the right areas. 

We are continuing to grow our networks in those markets with the 
greatest growth potential and where demand is strongest.

By expanding our network, investing in services and continuously 
improving the quality of our infrastructure and centres, we are 
continuing to increase our addressable audience and tying in our 
existing customers.

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 capital-light ways of expanding the 
network, including partnering with property owners for optimal  
risk management.

Total overheads as 
a % of revenue

Overheads as a % of revenue 
reduced 240bp

9.3% 

Network location growth

283 new locations added,  
opening in 62 new towns and  
cities, at a net growth capital 
investment of £176.8m.

3,094

locations

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

9.3

11.7

14.7

16.7

18.5

18.5

‘17

‘16

‘15

‘14

‘13

‘12

3,094

2,926

2,768

2,269

1,831

1,411

We will continue to control overheads to deliver further economies 
of scale. This will be balanced by continuing investments in the 
business to develop the network in growth markets, and to improve 
the performance of our operating platform, processes and people.

We will continue to add scale, convenience and quality to our 
network, in a carefully controlled and risk-managed programme of 
investments that ensures every new location has the potential to 
deliver against our stringent returns criteria. 

1 9

Our people

Equipping our people to help 
customers worldwide

Our talent strategy – to have great people helping our customers succeed in our growing workspace 
network – is utterly pivotal to our growth and future success. During 2017 and into 2018, talent therefore 
remains a critical strategic objective, placing recruitment, development, diversity and succession planning 
at the centre of our long-term planning for growth.

Our reward strategy
The unrelenting battle for the best talent 
means we go to great lengths to ensure that 
our overall compensation structure is 
competitive. We also seek to tie-in our 
high-potential people, from graduate recruit 
to Executive Committee member,  
with attractive incentives. 

Over

220

of our top executives attended 
the annual Global Leadership 
Conference 

In order to deliver global, flexible and diverse 
workspaces to our customers we must 
attract and retain the very best people who 
are passionate about being front and centre 
of the workspace revolution. 

That is why we are committed to making 
sure every new team member is trained 
comprehensively in every country. 
In addition, we ensure that all team members 
who engage with customers are trained to 
take on more responsibility throughout their 
Regus career as they step up the career 
ladder. This means Regus can plan for 
succession and growth proactively and fairly, 
offering opportunities equally to every 
member of the Regus family.

Learning and development
During 2017, we continued to strengthen 
our leadership team across the world, 
empowering our country leaders to fulfil 
their brief of growing the network, delivering 
unparalleled service levels and developing an 
outstanding pipeline of new talent.

Moving ahead, we know our leaders will need 
to fast-track their skills, experience and 
market knowledge as they drive the business 
to new levels, with multiple companies, 
cutting-edge technology and strategic 
partnerships. 

During the year, we therefore invested in our 
new learning and communication platform, 
which will support induction programmes 
and team-member development across the 
world.

We provide all new team members with a 
focused new-starter training programme, 
supported by a peer-level coach. On 
completion, each starter takes an online 
exam before finally being accredited by their 
line manager and coach to start their Regus 
career. In this way, we ensure that only the 
best people are looking after our customers.

Development, training and communication 
are the main themes of our annual Global 
Leadership Conference, attended by over 
220 of our top executives. The scale of this 
investment demonstrates the value to us of 
having a globally aligned leadership team, 
focused on enabling all our people to be as 
good as they can be.

Our dynamic succession plan
We believe that offering our talent 
international opportunities makes a valuable 
contribution to success planning. During 
2017, employees from Mexico and South 
Africa took up new roles in our Barcelona 
shared services centre. Country managers 
were also on the move, including relocations 
from Singapore to the UK and from Turkey 
to California.

Succession planning also extends beyond 
the boundaries of the business. We use our 
internal Executive Recruitment Team to 
bring in 80% of our top talent, enabling us to 
track promising individuals and hire quickly 
and cost-effectively when needed.

Our emphasis on diversity
Having a diverse workforce is key to 
achieving our goals. There is a 50:50 gender 
split at senior management level. In addition 
to this, we have a high percentage of 
females working in-country (a figure which 
has increased by 25% since 2016) and we 
also aim to hire local nationals into country 
leadership roles, giving us a truly multi-
cultural team. 

This extends to Board level as well, and our 
gender, cultural and ethnic diversity was 
highly apparent at our Global Leadership 
Conference in January 2018. This is a great 
source of pride and value for Regus.

2 0 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Approximately

160,000

e-learning and video training 
modules completed in  
2017 globally.

I’ve been given great 
opportunities to 
succeed in different 
markets across the 
world. I’ve worked with 
customers in three 
different countries 
and three different 
languages – and each 
time, the product and 
service we offer has 
been phenomenal. 
We’re very lucky to 
work for such a great 
company, a market 
leader and trendsetter 
across the world. It 
makes me proud to 
come to work every 
day.

Our people are at the 
core of our culture, 
which is absolutely 
the key to our 
success. We focus on 
providing an engaging 
and productive 
environment, where 
our people want to 
come to work every 
day. In short, ‘Take care 
of your people and 
they’ll feel passionate 
about taking care of 
your customers’. 

To achieve our goal for 
growth in the region 
– taking our Latin 
American network 
from 150 to more than 
double that over the 
next three to five years 
– I’m building a team of 
talented professionals 
with a wealth of skills 
and experience. This 
means we can offer 
flexible workspace to 
every customer on the 
continent. 

LISA AKEROYD, 
REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR, UK

WILLIE MARTIN,
NETWORK DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, 
LATIN AMERICA

PEDRO ALVES VIANA,
COACHING AREA MANAGER, 
AUSTRALIA

2 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review

Strong returns performance 
underscores the fundamental strength 
of our business model and strategy

We remain focused on delivering strong returns on investment 
and this has been achieved again during 2017. We reaccelerated 
the growth of our national networks and did so in an increasingly 
capital efficient manner. Our cost leadership has been further 
enhanced. We reduced overheads as a percentage of revenue 
to 9.3%.

DOMINIK DE DANIEL

Return on investment
Our strategy is focused on generating good 
returns from our investments. For the 12 
months ended 31 December 2017, the 
Group delivered a strong post-tax cash 
return on net growth investment of 21.8% in 
respect of locations opened on or before 31 
December 2012 (23.8% on the same estate 
for the 12 months ended 31 December 
2016). Moving the aggregated estate 
forward and incorporating the centres 
opened during 2013, the Group delivered a 
post-tax cash return on net growth 
investment of 20.2% in respect of all 
locations opened on or before 31 December 
2013 (the equivalent return for the 12 
months ended 31 December 2016 on the 
same estate was 21.6%).

This strong performance, well ahead of our 
cost of capital, reflects the underlying level 
of 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 on the next page shows the 
status of our centre openings by year of 
opening as they continue to progress 
towards full maturity.

Developing the network
We reaccelerated the growth of our 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. We 
continued to maintain a sharp focus on our 
investment decision-making during 2017, 
reflecting its critical importance to 
maintaining strong future returns.

During 2017, we invested £176.8m of net 
growth capital expenditure. This 
investment included expenditure on 
locations opened before 2017 and to be 
opened in 2018 of £30.4m. 

We opened 283 new locations during 2017. 
These locations added approximately 4.7m 
sq. ft., taking the Group’s total space globally 
to 51.2m sq. ft. as at 31 December 2017. 
Another important focus area was the 
roll-out of our Spaces format. During 2017 
we accelerated our roll-out of the Spaces 
format with the addition of 56 locations, 
which represented approximately 66% of 
the net growth capital expenditure and 40% 
of the space added. Most of the Group’s new 
additions in 2017 were organic openings and 
over half of these were delivered through 
partnering deals. 

2 2 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

We finished 2017 strongly, with 119 
additions in the fourth quarter. This 
momentum has continued and we have a 
good pipeline of new openings already for 
2018. At the end of February 2018, we had 
visibility on 2018 net growth capital 
expenditure of approximately £190m, 
representing approximately 230 locations 
and 5.5m sq. ft. of additional space – c.11% 
of our current space and a greater amount 
of space than added in 2017. We have a 
strong pipeline of locations within our 
Spaces co-working format. These Spaces 
locations represent approximately 41% of 
the total locations, over 60% of the added 
space and over 70% net growth capital 
expenditure for the current 2018 pipeline.

 
Our Mature business showed 
positive 0.5% revenue growth in 
Q4 2017, at constant currency, 
with the growth rate accelerating 
throughout the quarter, which 
provides a good starting point 
for 2018.

Operational developments
Constantly striving to improve our 
business and the future potential returns is 
an ongoing process. We have added new 
brands and formats to our portfolio to 
enhance our ability to match customer 
demand. The unrivalled scale of our business 
provides us with the platform to automate 
more processes and unlock the opportunity 
from allowing our employees to have 
greater focus on customer service. We 
believe this will generate many positives for 
our business, including further improved 
cost efficiency. 

To unlock the growing opportunity with 
corporate accounts we have focused more 
investment in this area. This investment 
included the bolstering of our corporate 
accounts team to establish a team of 
specialists in strategic marketing and selling 
to large corporations. We believe this is an 
important investment for the future of the 
business and we are already seeing the cost 
benefit with new contract wins and a healthy 
pipeline of future opportunities. We are also 
investing in our development capabilities to 
establish a strong pipeline of growth in 
future years.

Post-tax cash return(1) on net investment by year 
group – 12 months to 31 December (%) 

Revenue
Reported Group revenue increased 1.4% at 
constant currency to £2,341.7m (2016: 
£2,233.4m), an increase of 4.8% at actual 
rates. We experienced a revenue 
acceleration throughout 2017, at constant 
currency. Notably, Group revenue growth, at 
constant currency, accelerated from the 
third quarter to the fourth quarter. This 
revenue growth acceleration was driven by 
all regions, except the UK, where revenue 
stabilised sequentially through the quarter. 
Revenue growth from all open centres was 
stronger and delivered a 3.7% increase for 
the year, all at constant currency. These 
improvements reflect the strong uplift in 
sales activity since October 2017. 

Our Mature business showed positive 
revenue growth in Q4 2017, at constant 
currency, with the growth rate accelerating 
throughout the quarter, which provides a 
good starting point for 2018. For the year, 
mature revenue at constant currency (from 
the 2,581 like-for-like locations added on or 
before 31 December 2015) declined 1.2% to 
£2,164.7m (up 2.2% at actual rates), 
compared to a 2.0% decline at constant 
currency for the six months to 30 June 2017 
and a 1.8% decline for the third quarter. This 
was primarily driven by improvements in the 
Americas and Asia Pacific and, to a lesser 
extent, EMEA. Mature occupancy remained 
solid at 74.9% (2016: 74.8%), with the 
decline in occupancy in the UK offset by 
improvements in the other regions.

The continuation of these sales activity 
trends reinforces our view that mature 
revenue can improve in 2018. Additionally, 
we expect mature revenue to benefit from 
the maturation of the 2016-year Group 
location openings (230 locations), which 
were incorporated into the Mature business 
on 1 January 2018.

.

2
5
2

.

6
3
2

.

2
1
3

.

0
9
1

.

5
1
5 2
7
1

.

.

9
7
1

.

7
6
1

.

9
4
1

.

0
4
1

.

3
2
1

.

2
0
1

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘09
and
earlier

2017
2016 

3
8

.

‘15

)
5
2
(

.

‘16

)
7
8
(

.

.

)
7
5
1
(

‘17

.

)
0
4
1
(

1.  These returns are based on the post-tax cash return divided by the net growth capital investment. The 

post-tax return is calculated as the EBITDA achieved, less the amortisation of any partner capital contribution, 
less tax based on the EBIT and after deducting maintenance capital expenditure. Net growth capital 
expenditure is the growth capital after any partner contributions. We believe this provides an appropriate and 
conservative measure of cash return

2 3

Financial review continued

Financial performance 
Group income statement 

£m
Revenue
Gross profit (centre contribution)
Overheads 
Joint ventures

Operating profit 
Net finance costs

Profit before tax
Taxation
Effective tax rate

Profit after tax
Basic EPS (p)
Depreciation & amortisation

EBITDA

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

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

% Change  
(actual currency)
4.8%
(12)%
(17)%

% Change 
(constant currency)
1.4%
(15)%
(18)%

2017 
2,341.7
395.4
(217.4)
(0.8)

177.2
(10.0)

167.2
(35.6)
21.3%

131.6
27.7
211.4

388.6

 2016
2,233.4
448.8
(260.4)
(0.8)

187.6
(11.5)

176.1
(34.9)
19.8%

141.2
 15.2 
194.5

382.1

(6)%

(5)%

(7)%
82%

2%

(9)%

(2)%

Total 2017 
2,341.7
(1,946.3)
395.4
16.9%

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

Mature centres
2,164.7
(1,728.2)
436.5
20.2%

Mature centres
2,118.0
(1,665.0)
453.0
21.4%

New centres
147.1
(186.4)
(39.3)
(26.7)%

New centres
36.8
(56.6)
(19.8)
(53.8)%

Closed centres
29.9
(31.7)
(1.8)
(6.0)%

Closed centres
78.6
(63.0)
15.6
19.8%

2017 was another very strong 
year of progress against our 
strategic goal of controlling costs. 
For the second consecutive year, 
overhead costs have reduced in 
absolute terms.

Gross profit
Group gross profit was £395.4m (2016: 
£448.8m), a 15% decline at constant 
currency (down 12% at actual rates). This 
reduction reflects the lower gross profit 
from the Mature business of £16.5m, a 
higher level of initial losses from the new 
centre additions of £19.5m and an adverse 
variance of £17.4m on the closed locations. 
Reflecting the lower mature gross 
profitability for the year, the mature gross 
margin declined 1.2 percentage points to 
20.2% (2016: 21.4%). This was a solid 
performance considering the 1.2% constant 
currency decline in mature revenue.

Very strong overhead efficiency
2017 was another very strong year of 
progress against our strategic goal of 
controlling costs. For the second 
consecutive year, overhead costs have 
reduced in absolute terms. As previously 
reported, this reflects a full-year benefit of 
the reductions achieved during 2016 and no 
repetition of the costs incurred and 
expensed last year to deliver the new field 

structure. We have continued to add to 
these efficiency gains by further 
centralisation of more activities, globally and 
regionally, into dedicated service centres to 
unlock more benefit from our scale and 
provide better services to our customers. All 
this achieved whilst investing to deliver our 
growth strategy and corporate account 
development.

The absolute level of investment in 
overheads reduced 18% in constant 
currency terms to £217.4m (2016: £260.4m) 
(down 17% at actual rates). Overhead 
efficiency improved by 2.4 percentage 
points from 11.7% as a percentage of 
revenue to 9.3%.

We continue to maintain a strong focus on 
overhead discipline and anticipate further 
scale benefits to be reflected in overheads 
as a percentage of revenue reducing further 
over time, notwithstanding the anticipated 
investment in growth.

2 4 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Cash generated before the net 
investment in growth capital 
expenditure, dividends and share 
repurchases was £33.5m (2016: 
£283.2m).

We have experienced increased traction 
on our strategic priority of targeting less 
capital-intensive growth. 

Group net debt increased from £151.3m at 
31 December 2016 to £296.6m at 31 
December 2017. This represents a Group 
net debt : EBITDA leverage ratio of 0.8 times. 
Whilst our approach to our borrowing 
continues to be prudent, we continue to 
recognise the long-term benefit of also 
operating with an efficient balance sheet. 

We continue to have adequate headroom 
through our £550.0m Revolving Credit 
Facility to execute our strategy. We 
improved the debt maturity profile of this 
facility during the first half of 2017 by 
extending it to 2022 (previously 2021). 
There is a further option to extend until 
2023. The facility is predominantly 
denominated in sterling but can be drawn 
in several major currencies.

Operating profit 
The absolute reduction in overheads in 
2017 has helped to mitigate some of the 
drop through of the reduction in gross profit. 
Group operating profit decreased 9% at 
constant currency to £177.2m (2016: 
£187.6m) (down 6% at actual rates). 
Consequently, the Group operating 
margin decreased from 8.4% in 2016 
to 7.6% in 2017.

Net finance costs
The Group’s net finance costs decreased 
to £10.0m (2016: £11.5m). 

Tax 
The effective tax rate for the year was 21.3% 
(2016: 19.8%). The increase in effective 
tax rate is primarily due to decreased 
recognition of deferred tax assets in the US. 
Our expectation is that the effective tax rate 
will continue to be around 20%.

Earnings per share 
Group earnings per share for 2017 increased 
to 27.7p (2016: 15.2p). This 82% increase 
primarily reflects the lower level of 
profitability offset by the reduction in the 
number of shares in issue. 

The weighted average number of shares 
for the year was 474,525,592 (2016: 
929,860,354). The weighted average 
number of shares for diluted earnings per 
share was 474,525,592 (2016: 929,860,354). 
As at 31 December 2017 the total number 
of shares in issue was 3,000,000 after the 
completion of a capital reduction during 
the year.

Cash flow and funding 
Cash generation continues to be a highly 
attractive feature of our business model. 
Although reported operating profit declined, 
as noted above, Group EBITDA remained 
broadly similar to the level reported in 2016.

Cash generated before the net investment 
in growth capital expenditure, dividends and 
share repurchases was £33.5m (2016: 
£283.2m). Our performance in 2016 
benefited from some specific non-recurring 
projects to unlock approximately £50m 
of additional working capital.

2 5

Financial review continued

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 and dividends

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

Total net cash flow from operations
Dividend
Corporate financing activities

Opening net debt
Exchange movement

Closing net debt

2017
388.6
(152.3)
(80.6)
(95.6)
(22.4)
(8.1)
3.9
33.5

(257.4)
80.6
(176.8)

(143.3)
-
(9.3) 

(151.3)
7.3

(296.6)

2016
382.1
98.9
(66.1)
(86.7)
(31.5)
(16.1)
2.6
283.2

(228.4)
66.1
(162.3)

120.9
(43.3)
(35.7)

(190.6)
(2.6)

(151.3)

1.  Net growth capital expenditure of £176.8m relates to the cash outflow in 2017. Accordingly, it includes capital expenditure related to locations opened before 2017 and 

to be opened in 2018 of £30.4m. The remaining investment relates to the 283 locations added in 2017. The total net investment in the 2017 additions amounts to 
£173.1m so far

At 31 December

Annual average

2017
1.35
1.13
152

2016
1.24
1.17
145

%
9%
(3)%
5%

2017
1.30
1.14
145

2016
1.35
1.22
147

%
(4)%
(7)%
(1)%

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 2017. Details of related party 
transactions that have taken place in the 
period can be found in note 30 to the 2017 
Annual Report and Accounts.

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

Dividends
There were no Dividends paid during the 
year (2016: £43.3m). The directors do not 
propose to declare a final dividend (2016: 
£nil) for 2017.

DOMINIK DE DANIEL
27 April 2018

Foreign exchange rates

Per £ sterling
US dollar
Euro
Japanese yen

Foreign exchange
The Group’s results are exposed to 
translation risk from the movement in 
currencies. During 2017 key individual 
currency exchange rates have moved, as 
shown in the table above. Overall, the 
favourable impact of the movement in 
exchange rates increased reported revenue, 
gross profit and operating profit by £77.1m, 
£12.3m and £6.4m 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 
and the risk management structure in place 
to identify, manage and mitigate such risks 
can be found on pages 27 to 33 of the 
Annual Report and Accounts.

2 6 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

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 affected 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.

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.

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; 

•  Review of the status of our principal risks 
in each Audit Committee meeting; and

•  Annual review of all risks in our risk 

register.

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

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 risk studies

•  Advises and guides on policies and internal  

control framework

•  Reviews risk profiles
•  Tests compliance with internal controls

2 7

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 affected 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 revenue, thereby 
reducing operating profit 
performance or, in an extreme 
scenario, resulting in operating 
losses.

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

This risk is mitigated in a number of ways:
1  96% 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 40% of the leases we entered into 

during 2017 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 40% of the leases added during 

2017 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 2017, the number of ‘flexible’ leases as a 
percentage of the total increased to 96% from 95% 
on an enlarged estate. 
At the end of 2017, we were operating 3,094 
locations in 1,051 towns and cities across over 110 
countries.
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs

During 2017 the number of ‘flexible’ leases as a 
percentage of the total increased to 96%.
We also increased the scale of our network by 6% 
and added 62 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.
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs

2 8 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Risk

Strategic

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

Emerging trends and disruptive technology
New formats and technological 
developments are driving demand 
for flexible working. Failure to 
recognise these could mean Regus’ 
product offering is sub-optimal.

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

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

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 continuously review our portfolio to ensure 
that our products and services are aligned to 
customer expectations and requirements and 
there are currently active investment 
programmes being implemented across our 
estate.

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

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

In 2017 Regus continued to invest in research and 
development – both to unlock efficiencies as well as 
improving the overall proposition to customers. The 
customer self-service applications for mobile and 
web platform have been launched for Spaces and 
enhanced to incorporate many more self-service 
and customer control capabilities. We have 
developed app-based digital interaction channels 
for our broker community which are in pilot and are 
developing similar applications for our suppliers. We 
continue to adopt a “Digital Business Centre 
Strategy” and are implementing Internet of Things 
(IoT) to provide our customers with more 
convenience, comfort and personalisation – and 
improve productivity. 
Status – Increased
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns

We increased the scale of our network by 6% and 
added 62 new towns and cities.
We accelerated the roll-out of our Spaces co-
working format with the opening of 56 new locations 
and the development of a strong pipeline for 2018. 
Status – Increased
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns

Dependency on the UK market has been reduced by 
growth being focused outside the UK.
Fewer than 9% of the new locations added during 
2017 were in the UK and the majority were in 
locations outside London.
During 2017 the opportunity was taken to 
consolidate some locations in the UK. In addition, 
several locations were removed from our network 
following the cessation of a management 
agreement, the impact of which was negligible on 
future financial performance. Overall our network in 
the UK reduced from 330 to 282 locations.
Based on the current position over 40% of our leases 
with landlords in the UK are variable in nature.
Status – Increased
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Developing national networks

2 9

Risk management and principal risks continued

Principal risks

Risk

Strategic

Business planning and forecasting 
Business plans, forecasts and 
review processes should provide 
timely and reliable information for 
short, mid and long-term 
opportunities and any risks to 
performance so that these can be 
addressed on a proactive basis.

Financial

Funding
The Group relies on external 
funding to support a net debt 
position of £296.6m at the end of 
2017. 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 37% of the 
Group’s revenue being attributable 
to the US dollar and 19% 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.

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

Regus maintains a three-year business plan 
which is updated and reviewed on an annual 
basis. We also use a 12-month rolling forecast 
which is reviewed every month based on actual 
performance. 

The forecasting process has been reviewed and 
tracking performance against specific budgets and 
targets in place was further enhanced. 
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs; Cash 
generation before growth

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.
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.

Given that transactions generally take  
place in the functional currency of Group 
companies, the Group’s exposure to 
transactional foreign exchange risk  
is limited.
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.
The Group, where deemed appropriate, uses 
currency swaps to maintain the currency profile 
of its external debt.

We improved the debt maturity profile of our key 
Revolving Credit Facility in 2017 by extending it to 
2022 (previously 2021). There is a further option to 
extend until 2023. After taking into account usage of 
the £550.0m facility for cash drawings and bank 
guarantees, we had £131.8m of available and 
undrawn committed facility as at 31 December 2017. 
Regus had a net debt : EBITDA ratio at 31 December 
2017 of 0.8 times. There is significant headroom on 
the covenant ratios.
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Cash generation before growth

Overall in 2017 the movement in exchange rates 
increased reported revenue, gross profit and 
operating profit by £77.1m, £12.3m and £6.4m 
respectively.
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs

3 0 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Risk

Financial

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

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.

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

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. 

At the end of 2017 the level of interest rate 
protection was 26% of the Group’s debt being fixed 
until 2019. The long-term strategy of the Group to 
operate in an asset-light business model is 
unchanged.
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Controlling costs

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.

6  The Corporate Communications team is 

constantly engaged to provide support for 
any internal and customer facing incidents. 

The Group has implemented a number of steps such 
as Multi Factor Authentication and security 
awareness campaigns to ensure that the business is 
risk aware and our systems are adequately protected 
against any external attacks. 
An ongoing penetration testing programme is in 
place performed by external security specialists. This 
allows us to identify and fix any vulnerabilities to 
emerging cyber threats on a proactive basis.
Regus has cyber insurance policies in place which 
provide immediate response services in the event of 
a breach.
Status – Increased
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs

Business continuity
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.

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.
We have introduced redundant connectivity of 
independently routed circuits for our main sales call 
centres. 
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Controlling costs

3 1

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

Risk management and principal risks continued

Principal risks

Risk

Operational

Ethics and compliance
Ethical misconduct by our 
employees or non-compliance with 
regulation either inadvertently, 
knowingly or negligently could lead 
to financial loss/penalties, 
reputational damage, loss of 
business and impact on staff 
morale.

Data protection and privacy
Regus is required to comply with all 
applicable legislation of the 
jurisdictions in which it operates 
including the new EU General Data 
Protection Regulation (GDPR) 
which comes into force on 25 May 
2018. Non-compliance and 
breaches could result in significant 
financial penalties, various sanctions 
and reputational damage.

Growth

Regus manages this risk through:
1  Visible ethical leadership.
2  A robust governance framework including a 
detailed code of conduct plus policies on 
gifts and hospitality and bribery and 
corruption that are in place and rolled out to 
all employees as mandatory training.
3  Centralised procurement contracts with 
suppliers for key services and products. 
4  Standardised processes to manage and 
monitor spend including controls over 
supplier on-boarding and payments 
approval.

5  Regular reviews to monitor effectiveness of 

6 

7 

controls.
Independent and confidential ethics hotline 
available to employees, contractors and 
third parties. 
Independent investigation of fraud incidents 
and allegations of misconduct with 
Board-level oversight.

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.

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. 

Regus mitigates this risk as follows:
1  Each investment or acquisition proposal is 
reviewed and approved by the Investment 
Committee. 

2  A robust business planning and forecasting 
process is in place to provide timely and 
reliable information to address short and 
mid-term opportunities and risks to 
performance

3  The monthly business review process 

monitors new centre development against 
the investment case to ensure that the 
anticipated returns are being generated.
4  As part of the annual planning process, a 

growth plan is agreed for each country which 
clearly sets out the annual growth 
objectives.

3 2 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

A robust supplier selection and evaluation process 
implemented with a view to enhance controls to 
address the risk of fraud.
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Controlling costs

A detailed GDPR review has been performed to 
assess areas for improvement and action plans are 
currently being implemented to ensure full 
compliance with the requirements of GDPR.
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns

On aggregate, our new centres continue to perform 
in line with management expectations and are 
delivering attractive returns.
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns. 

Risk

Mitigation

Changes since 2016

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.

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 annual 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.

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.

Our capability to hire the best talent continued to 
increase in 2017. A full talent plan is in place with key 
hires planned to provide complete succession 
planning and top talent bandwidth. 
Our diversity continues to flourish with our workforce 
split fairly evenly male/female.
Status – Same
Rating – Medium
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Developing national networks

We trained all our employees, many through 
the Regus Online Learning Academy, including 
employees from new centre acquisitions and 
new talent to Regus. 
In 2017 employees undertook approximately 
160,000 individual training modules. Experienced 
managers coach new peer level colleagues to give 
them the best start in the Group.
A new platform was rolled out for training, 
communication and performance management 
to continually drive focus in these areas across the 
business.
Status – Same
Rating – High
Strategic Objective – Delivering attractive, 
sustainable returns; Developing national networks

3 3

Corporate responsibility

Supporting 
our communities

With our continued growth, we aim to further strengthen the communities in which we operate and bring 
a positive impact to all our locations. We strive to provide responsible employment and investment to 
communities around the world, while at the same time being respectful of and caring towards the 
environment. As we continue to grow, those around us will grow too.

Community development
As a business working in over 3,000 locations 
in more than 110 countries, it is our 
responsibility to ensure that we can have a 
positive impact on the communities in which 
our team members, customers, suppliers 
and other stakeholders live and work. For 
many, we are a local business – through our 
presence, we generate wealth for each 
community by employing local talent and 
drawing on local supply chain networks. 

By their very nature, many of our products 
are inherently sustainable and attract new 
organisations to the area. These 
organisations help to improve the business 
environment by bringing further investment 
and local opportunities. The success of our 
Company is dependent on the success of 
each local community – we can only be 
successful if those around us are too. 

Environmental impact
Sustainability remains at the core of our 
business strategy and we recognise the 
importance of continually improving our 
environmental performance and managing it 
effectively. We do this by ensuring that any 
carbon emissions and other negative 
environmental impacts for which we are 
responsible are reduced as much as 
possible. 

Due to our expanding business and 
increasing number of global locations, we 
strive to help our clients and customers 
reduce their own environmental impacts by 
being more locally accessible, efficient and 
flexible. Any initiatives we implement to 
reduce our environmental impact very often 
directly benefit our clients and customers 
too.

Where possible, we enhance our facilities 
with the latest energy-saving technologies 
such as LED light fittings, more efficient 
Building Management Systems and comfort 
cooling systems. Our Green Committee 
regularly meets to discuss ways of 
implementing and communicating improved 
energy and environmental efficiency 
throughout our organisation. 

Average 2017 Carbon Disclosure Project Scores

Total average

Global 500 average

Sector average

Industry average

Regus plc

C

C

C

C

B

It is great to work for a company 
that believes in reducing its 
carbon footprint. Both the 
actions that are taken by 
the Company itself and the 
guidance that is given to 
customers and team members 
ensure we all contribute to this 
meaningful goal. 

REGUS EMPLOYEE 

We continue to demonstrate good 
environmental stewardship by measuring 
and reporting our impact on climate change. 
In our Carbon Disclosure Project 
submissions for 2017 we were once again 
awarded a strong 'B' rating. In comparison, 
our industry and sector average, and that of 
the Global 500, is 'C'.

A further example of our strategies to 
reduce energy and carbon is our full 
compliance with the UK Carbon Reduction 
Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency 
Scheme. Since the scheme's launch in 2010, 
we have managed to reduce the amount of 
carbon our centres produce by an average 
of circa 30%. 

This amounts to CRC savings in excess of 
£350,000 and 22,500 CO2e (carbon dioxide 
equivalent) tonnes. We are reviewing ways 
to continue this success after the legislation 
concludes in 2019.

In 2015, the Energy Saving Opportunity 
Scheme legislation identified many 
energy-saving opportunities. We continue 
to review and implement these on a 
centre-by-centre basis. These initiatives are 
helping us achieve further year-on-year 
reductions in energy consumption and are 
keeping us on track with our 2020 carbon-
reduction target of 50%. We are currently 
preparing for compliance with Phase 2 and 
are determined to add to the success we are 
already experiencing.

3 4 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Generating value 
from waste
Our colleagues in Brazil continued their 
effective recycling programme 
by working together with customers to 
collect and segregate toner cartridges, 
cardboard, paper and other office 
waste. All items were given to a local 
orphanage, which donates the recycled 
material in exchange for a reduced 
monthly utilities bill.

On the other side of the world, our 
colleagues in Denmark repurposed 400 
pieces of old unwanted furniture and 
electronic appliances. These were 
donated to a mix of charities and social 
causes. Examples include organisations 
that are bringing technology to schools 
for orphans and equipping co-working 
spaces for start-ups with a focus on 
environmental issues.

Charitable investment
As we grew during 2017, we helped 
charitable organisations within our 
communities grow too. As a company, we 
provided direct donations and concessions 
on working space to many local 
organisations. Throughout the year, we also 
encouraged our colleagues to make use of 
our facilities to support their charitable 
initiatives.

Our colleagues enthusiastically collected gift 
in-kind materials, such as clothing, food and 
educational items. They also held innovative 
fundraising appeals and donated their skills 
and time to organisations in need. Their 
charitable activities took many forms, from 

in-centre initiatives such as charitable 
networking events, collection campaigns 
and awareness-raising activities, to off-site 
activities including sponsored fun runs and 
volunteering at soup kitchens, orphanages 
and care homes.

All activities were eagerly supported by our 
colleagues, customers, suppliers and 
members of the wider community. 

Through our colleagues' dedication and hard 
work, we supported 252 charities through 
260 projects in 46 countries, raising 
£302,066 in total. Further detail as to 
year-on-year progress is provided in the 
table below:

Countries with community 
engagement activity

Projects

Charities supported

Donations made

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

20

54

78

38

132

100

43

219

195

44

244

239

46

260

252

£80,500

£155,329

£209,905

£237,479

£302,066

Charitable activities
Examples follow of the many charitable activities our people carried out in 2017.

Helping communities 
overcome disasters 
The devastation wrought by Hurricanes 
Harvey, Irma and Maria in Texas, Florida, 
the South-East US and the Caribbean had 
left many businesses struggling to 
operate. Regus actively engaged through 
our Hurricane Relief Programme in helping 
the business communities in affected 
areas, as well as all workers displaced by 
the storms. 

The programme welcomed all businesses 
and employees that had been affected. Our 
centres offered a safe space to work from 
and vital connectivity. All business lounges 
were free to use, and business professionals 
could drop in, plug in and get a coffee while 
getting back online.

To provide further support, our colleagues 
in North America donated their personal 
holiday entitlement to raise over $65,000 
to help those impacted by the hurricanes. 
In addition, they enthusiastically collected 
in-kind donations of food and clothing, 
and volunteered at soup kitchens and in 
clean-up activities. Altogether, they made 
a very significant difference to people in 
their local communities.

As a result of Hurricane Harvey 
my office had been extensively 
flooded and wasn’t operational. 
I urgently needed a place to 
work from and was very grateful 
to Regus for opening its doors 
to me. You were an excellent, 
thoughtful and caring host!

REGUS CUSTOMER

3 5

Corporate responsibility continued

Donating minutes 
of kindness
Every year, South Africans celebrate 
Mandela Day by dedicating '67 minutes 
of kindness' to good causes. In 2017, 
our Cape Town team and customers 
supported Bright Star – a safe house for 
children. They collected blankets, toys, 
educational materials and food, and 
delivered it in person to the children at 
the home. 

Empowering the leaders of tomorrow 
We proudly sponsored the Young Journalists Academy Summer School – a unique 
programme aimed at inspiring and training the newsmakers of tomorrow. The week-
long programme provided under-privileged 16 – 23-year-old students with the 
opportunity to meet and work with well-known journalists, enabling them to gain 
experience and build connections to help them in the future. 

To see the smiles of 
gratitude on those children’s 
faces was priceless!  
And it only took 67 minutes 
to make a difference in the 
life of an innocent child.

REGUS CUSTOMER 

The Young Journalists Academy Summer School provides an 
unmissable opportunity for anyone who wants to be a journalist, 
but doesn’t have any way in. The Summer School has been 
invaluable – it is an experience you learn from and never forget.

YOUNG JOURNALIST, ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL STUDENT

3 6 

R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Running for change 
For the fourth consecutive year our colleagues in India, together with their customers, 
families and friends, continued their valuable support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation 
India by taking part in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. Throughout the 
four-year partnership, their support has helped grant the wishes of over 200 children.

It was wonderful to take part in 
both the run and the gift-giving 
event. Thank you for giving 
us this opportunity each year 
to make a difference in these 
children’s lives.

REGUS CUSTOMER

Raising awareness 
To raise awareness of breast cancer, 
our colleagues in Malaysia held a 'Think 
Pink' event – wearing pink and giving out 
pink ribbons and chocolates to team 
members and clients. 

Similar events were held in other 
countries across the globe, with many 
innovative fundraising initiatives being 
delivered to provide much-needed 
support for local organisations. 

What a wonderful opportunity we all had to touch the lives of those in our community –  
encouraging those who may still be in the fight as well as celebrating another year for those  
who remain cancer-free survivors!

REGUS CUSTOMER 

3 7

Directors’ statements 

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 

27 April 2018 

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; 

•  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. 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

3 8 
3 8   R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 6  

 
 
 
 
Financial statements 

Auditor’s report 

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

Report of the reviseur d’entreprises agree 
Report on the consolidated financial statements 

Opinion 
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Regus plc S.A. 
and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprise the consolidated 
statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017, and the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated 
statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash 
flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.  

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements give 
a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the Group as 
at 31 December 2017, and of its consolidated financial performance and 
its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. 

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the Law of 23 July 2016 on 
the audit profession (“Law of 23 July 2016”) and with International 
Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”) as adopted for Luxembourg by the 
“Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier” (“CSSF”). Our 
responsibilities under the Law of 23 July 2016 and ISAs are further 
described in the « Responsibilities of “Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé” for 
the audit of the consolidated financial statements » section of our report. 
We are also independent of the Group in accordance with the 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for 
Professional Accountants (“IESBA Code”) as adopted for Luxembourg 
by the CSSF together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to 
our audit of the consolidated financial statements, and have fulfilled our 
other ethical responsibilities under those ethical requirements. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Other information 
The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The 
other information comprises the information stated in the consolidated 
annual report including the consolidated management report but does 
not include the consolidated financial statements and our report of 
“Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé” thereon. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the 
other information and we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the 
consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit 
or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we 
have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of 
this other information we are required to report this fact. We have 
nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and those 
charged with governance for the consolidated financial 
statements  
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and fair 
presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, 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. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of 
Directors is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
Board of Directors either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Responsibilities of the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé for 
the audit of the consolidated financial statements 
The objectives of our audit are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a 
report of “Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé” that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with the Law of 23 July 2016 and 
with ISAs as adopted for Luxembourg by the CSSF will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from 
fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated 
financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with the Law of 23 July 2016 and with 
ISAs as adopted for Luxembourg by the CSSF, we exercise professional 
judgement and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. 
We also: 

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 

consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, 
design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting 
from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Group’s internal control. 

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures 
made by the Board of Directors. 

3 8  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

3 9

 
 
 
Financial statements  

Auditor’s report continued 

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

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of Board of Directors’ use of the 

going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty 
exists, we are required to draw attention in our report of “Réviseur 
d’Entreprises agréé” to the related disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify 
our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence 
obtained up to the date of our report of “Réviseur d’Entreprises 
agréé”. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to 
cease to continue as a going concern. 

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the 

consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and 
whether the consolidated financial statements represent the 
underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair 
presentation. 

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial 

information of the entities and business activities within the Group to 
express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the 
Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, 
among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal 
control that we identify during our audit. 

KPMG LUXEMBOURG, SOCIÉTÉ COOPERATIVE  
Cabinet de révision agréé  
Stephen Nye  
Luxembourg 

27 April 2018 

4 0 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

3 9  

 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Consolidated income statement 

Continuing operations 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

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

Share of loss 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 

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

Diluted (p) 

Notes 

3 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2016 
£m 

2,341.7 

(1,946.3) 

2,233.4 

(1,784.6) 

395.4 

(217.4) 

(0.8) 

177.2 

(14.1) 

4.1 

(10.0) 

167.2 

(35.6) 

131.6 

448.8 

(260.4) 

(0.8) 

187.6 

(11.6) 

0.1 

(11.5) 

176.1 

(34.9) 

141.2 

27.7 

27.7 

15.2 

15.2 

21 

5 

8 

8 

9 

10 

10 

4 0  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

4 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
Financial statements  

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 – reclassified through the income statement, net of income tax 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in fair value 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 

Items 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 

Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of income tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Notes 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2016  
£m 

131.6 

141.2 

– 

0.5 

(34.4) 

(33.9) 

(0.7) 

(0.7) 

2.1 

(0.3) 

90.2 

92.0 

– 

– 

(34.6) 

92.0 

97.0 

233.2 

25 

4 2 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

4 1  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Balance at 1 January 2016 

Total comprehensive income for the year: 
Profit for the year  

Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges – reclassified through the income 
statement 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in fair value 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign 
operations 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Share-based payments 

Ordinary dividend paid (note 11) 

Purchase of shares (note 22) 

Proceeds from exercise of share awards (note 22) 

Cancellation of treasury shares (note 22) 

Transfer of share-based awards liabilities 

Balance at 31 December 2016 

Total comprehensive income for the year: 
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income: 
Remeasurement of the defined benefit liability, net  
of tax (note 25) 

Cash flow hedges – effective portion of changes in  
fair value 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign 
operations 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Share-based payments 

Reduction of share capital (note 22) 

Ordinary dividend paid (note 11) 

Purchase of shares (note 22) 

Proceeds from exercise of share awards (note 22) 

Balance at 31 December 2017 

Issued share 
capital  
£m 

Treasury 
shares  
£m 

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve  
£m 

Hedging 
reserve 
£m 

Other 
reserves  
£m 

Retained 
earnings  
£m 

9.5 

(42.9) 

7.4 

(2.1) 

25.8 

586.0 

Total  
equity  
£m 

583.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

– 

9.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(9.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(31.1) 

8.3 

65.7 

– 

–  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

90.2 

90.2 

90.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2.1 

(0.3) 

– 

1.8 

1.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

97.6 

(0.3) 

25.8 

– 

– 

– 

(34.4) 

(34.4) 

(34.4) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.5 

– 

0.5 

0.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

141.2 

141.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

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 

131.6 

131.6 

(0.7) 

(0.7) 

– 

– 

(0.7) 

130.9 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.5 

(34.4) 

(34.6) 

97.0 

– 

(9.2) 

– 

– 

– 

63.2 

0.2 

25.8 

737.7 

826.9 

Other reserves include £10.5m for 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, £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. 

4 2  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

4 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Consolidated balance sheet 

Non-current assets 
Goodwill 

Other intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax assets 

Non-current derivative financial asset 

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 long-term payables 

Non-current derivative financial liabilities 

Bank and other loans 

Deferred tax liability 

Provisions  

Provision for deficit in joint ventures 

Retirement benefit obligations 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities  

Total equity 
Issued share capital 

Treasury shares 

Foreign currency translation reserve 

Hedging reserve 

Other reserves 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Total equity and liabilities 

Approved by the Directors on 27 April 2018 

TIM REGAN  
DIRECTOR 

As at  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

As at  
31 Dec 2016  
£m 

Notes 

12 

13 

14 

9 

24 

15 

21 

16 

9 

23 

17 

9 

19 

20 

18 

24 

19 

9 

20 

21 

25 

22 

22 

664.4 

44.5 

685.3 

52.8 

1,270.9 

1,194.4 

22.8 

0.2 

287.9 

12.4 

29.3 

– 

86.3 

13.6 

2,303.1 

2,061.7 

572.8 

27.6 

54.8 

655.2 

2,958.3 

903.9 

285.3 

21.6 

8.5 

4.5 

516.8 

34.8 

50.1 

601.7 

2,663.4 

872.2 

276.4 

17.7 

7.8 

6.0 

1,223.8 

1,180.1 

553.2  

– 

342.9 

1.3 

4.9 

3.8 

1.5 

540.3 

0.3 

193.6 

2.4 

3.4 

3.4 

0.8 

907.6 

2,131.4 

744.2 

1,924.3 

– 

– 

63.2 

0.2 

25.8 

737.7 

826.9 

9.2 

    –  

97.6 

(0.3) 

25.8 

606.8 

739.1 

2,958.3  

2,663.4 

4 4 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

4 3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Operating activities 

Profit before tax for the year 
Adjustments for: 

Net finance expense 

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net of tax 

Depreciation charge 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Loss on disposal of assets held for sale 

Impairment of intangible assets 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Amortisation of acquired lease fair value adjustments 

Decrease in provisions 

Share-based payments 

Other non-cash movements 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 

Increase in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations 

Interest paid 

Tax paid 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired) 

Purchase of intangible assets 

Purchase of joint ventures 

Dividends received from joint ventures 

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 

Proceeds on the sale of assets held for sale 

Interest received 

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Net proceeds from issue of loans 

Repayment of loans 

Settlement of financial derivatives 

Reduction of share capital 

Purchase of shares 

Proceeds from exercise of share awards 

Payment of ordinary dividend 

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

4 4  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

Year ended  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

Year ended  
31 Dec 2016  
£m 

Notes 

167.2 

176.1 

8 

21 

5, 14 

5 

6 

5, 13 

5, 14 

5, 13 

5 

20 

14 

26 

13 

21 

21 

6 

8 

22 

22 

11 

23 

10.0 

0.8 

200.8 

4.3 

– 

1.6 

0.1 

10.6 

(3.6) 

– 

– 

0.4 

392.2 

(285.3) 

133.0 

239.9 

(12.2) 

(22.4) 

205.3 

(344.9) 

(4.5) 

(3.6) 

(0.3) 

– 

0.5 

– 

4.1 

11.5 

0.8 

181.8 

1.0 

2.2 

– 

– 

12.7 

(3.1) 

(3.2) 

2.4 

(3.4) 

378.8 

78.6 

20.3 

477.7 

(16.2) 

(31.5) 

430.0 

(313.8) 
(8.9) 

(5.5) 

(1.3) 

0.9 

16.1 

3.3 

0.1 

(348.7) 

(309.1) 

651.6 

(498.7) 

– 

(9.2) 

– 

– 

– 

143.7 

0.3 

50.1 

4.4 

54.8 

599.8 

(670.0) 

(7.0) 

– 

(32.4) 

3.7 

(43.3) 

(149.2) 

(28.3) 

63.9 

14.5 

50.1 

4 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts 

1. Authorisation of financial statements 
The Group and Company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 27 April 2018 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 utilised by 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 77. 

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 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 2017 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 2017: 

IAS 7 

IAS 12 

Various 

Disclosure Initiative – Amendments to IAS 7 

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

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 24. 

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 41 to 76. 

In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have considered the further information 
included in the business activities commentary as set out on pages 14 to 17 as well as the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties as set out on pages 
27 to 33. 

Further details on the going concern basis of preparation can be found in note 24 to the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

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. 

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. 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. 

4 6 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

4 5  

Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
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 
The following new or amended standards and interpretations that are mandatory for 2018 annual periods (and future years) will be applicable to the 
Company:  

IFRS 9 

IFRS 15 

IFRS 16 

Financial Instruments 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

Leases 

1 January 2018 

1 January 2018 

1 January 2019 

There are no other IFRS standards or interpretations that are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group. 

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

The impact of these new or amended standards and interpretations has been considered as follows: 

Estimated impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 
The Group is required to adopt IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018. The Group has assessed the estimated impact that initial 
application of IFRS 9 will have on the consolidated financial statements.  

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments sets out requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy and 
sell non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 

Classification – financial assets 
IFRS 9 contains a new classification and measurement approach for financial assets that reflects the business model in which assets are managed 
and their cash flow characteristics. It contains three principal classification categories for financial assets: measured at amortised costs, fair value 
through other comprehensive income (OCI) and fair value through the profit or loss. The standard eliminates the existing IAS 39 categories of held to 
maturity, loans and receivables and available-for-sale. 

Under IFRS 9, derivatives embedded in contracts where the host is a financial asset in the scope of the standard are never bifurcated. Instead, the 
hybrid financial instrument as a whole is assessed for classification. 

Based on its assessment, the Group concludes that the new classification requirements will not have a material impact on any of its accounting 
balances. Furthermore, at 31 December 2017, the Group did not have any balances classified as available-for-sale. Consequently, there are no 
adjustments to be recognised in either the income statement or other comprehensive income. 

Classification – financial liabilities 
IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification of financial liabilities. However, under IAS 39 all fair value changes of 
liabilities designated as at fair value through the profit or loss are recognised in profit or loss, whereas under IFRS 9 these fair value changes are 
generally presented as follows: 

•  The amount of change in fair value that is attributable to changes in the credit risk of the liability is presented in other comprehensive income; and 

•  The remaining amount of change in the fair value is presented in profit or loss. 

The Group has not designated any financial liabilities at fair value through the profit or loss and it has no current intention to do so. The Group’s 
assessment did not indicate any change in the classification of financial liabilities at 1 January 2018. Consequently, there are no adjustments to be 
recognised in either the income statement or other comprehensive income. 

Impairment – financial assets 
IFRS 9 requires the Group to record expected credit losses on all of its trade receivables, either on a 12-month or lifetime basis. The Group will apply 
the simplified approach and record lifetime expected losses on all trade receivables. The Group has determined that due to the nature of its 
receivables, taking into account the customer deposits obtained, the impact of applying IFRS 9 will not significantly impact the provision for bad debts. 

4 6  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

4 7

 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 
Hedge accounting 
IFRS 9 requires the Group to ensure that hedge accounting relationships are aligned with the Group’s risk management objectives and strategy and 
to apply a more qualitative and forward-looking approach to assessing hedge effectiveness. IFRS 9 also introduces new requirements on rebalancing 
hedge relationships and prohibiting voluntary discontinuation of hedge accounting. Under the new model, it is possible that more risk management 
strategies, particularly those involving hedging a risk component (other than foreign currency risk) of non-financial items, will be likely to qualify for 
hedge accounting. 

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. The Group designates these derivatives as fair value hedges.  

The Group determined that all existing hedge relationships that are currently designated in effective hedging relationships will continue to qualify 
for hedge accounting under IFRS 9. The Group has chosen not to retrospectively apply IFRS 9 on transition. As IFRS 9 does not change the 
general principles of how an entity accounts for effective hedges, applying the hedging requirements of IFRS 9 will not impact the Group’s 
financial statements. 

Estimated impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 
IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaces existing revenue 
recognition guidance, including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes. 

The Group is involved in the provision of flexible workspace, as well as performing related services. Revenue from the provision of these 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. The services performed are based on the list 
price at which the Group provides the contracted services. 

Based on the Group’s assessment, the fair values of the services performed under IAS 18 are consistent with IFRS 15. Therefore, the Group does not 
expect the application of IFRS 15 to result in any differences in the timing of the performance and the recognition of the revenue, for these services. 

IFRS 16 Leases 
IFRS 16 replaces existing leases guidance, including IAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, SIC-15 
Operating Leases – Incentives and SIC-27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a Lease. 

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Early adoption is permitted for entities that apply IFRS 15 at or 
before the date of initial application of IFRS 16. 

IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset representing its right to 
use the underlying asset and lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. There are recognition exemptions for short-term 
leases and leases of low-value items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard (i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or 
operating leases). 

The Group has completed an initial assessment of the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements but has not yet completed its 
detailed assessment. The actual impact of applying IFRS 16 on the financial statements in the period of initial application will depend on future 
economic conditions, including the Group’s borrowing rate at 1 January 2019, the composition of the Group’s lease portfolio at that date, the Group’s 
assessment of whether it will exercise any lease renewal options and the extent to which the Group chooses to use practical measures and 
recognition exemptions. 

The most significant impact identified is the right-of-use asset and related lease liability the Group will recognise for its leases in respect of its global 
network, which will be further dependant on the transition method adopted. 

In addition, the nature of expenses related to those leases will change as IFRS 16 replaces the straight-line operating lease expense with a 
depreciation charge for right-of-use assets and an interest expense on the lease liabilities. 

The Group does not expect the adoption of IFRS 16 to impact its ability to comply with the covenant requirements on its revolving credit facility 
described in note 24. 

4 8 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

4 7  

 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

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 2017. 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 amounts 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. 

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 fair value, 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. 

4 8  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

4 9

 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

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, at the Group’s option, 
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. 

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. 

5 0 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

4 9  

 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

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 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’ and ‘selling, general and administration 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 awards 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 in respect of non-market 
conditions except where forfeiture is due to the expiry of the option. 

Share awards 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 awards is measured based on the Monte Carlo 
valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is 
adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards that vest in respect of non-market conditions. 

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. 

5 0  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

5 1

Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

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.  

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 using the 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. 

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 cost 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. 

5 2 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

5 1  

 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

2. Accounting policies (continued) 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group’s policy on the use of derivative financial instruments can be found in note 24. 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 

2017 

1.35 

1.13  

152 

2016 

1.24 

1.17 

145 

2017 

1.30 

1.14 

145 

2016 

1.35 

1.22 

147 

3. Segmental analysis – statutory basis 
An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenue and incur expenses. 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 (the Group’s operating segments): Americas; 
EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa); 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 2016.  

Revenue from external customers 

Gross profit (centre contribution) 

Share of loss of equity-accounted 
investees 

Operating profit 

Finance expense 

Finance income 

Profit before tax for the year 

Americas 

EMEA 

Asia Pacific 

United Kingdom 

Other 

Total 

2017 
£m 

984.8  

153.2  

2016 
£m 

2017 
£m 

2016 
£m 

2017 
£m 

2016 
£m 

2017 
£m 

2016 
£m 

923.0  

540.5  

476.8  

383.2  

363.2  

429.4  

462.1  

161.0  

97.1  

101.6  

65.9  

67.5  

77.4  

110.4  

2017 
£m 

3.8  

1.8  

2016 
£m 

2017 
£m 

2016 
£m 

8.3   2,341.7  
8.3  

395.4  

2,233.4  

448.8  

–  

–  

96.5  

102.0  

(0.8) 

47.7  

(0.7) 

49.3  

–  

–  

–  

(0.1) 

–  

–  

(0.8) 

34.6  

33.6  

55.7  

84.5  

(57.3) 

(81.8) 

177.2  

(14.1) 

4.1  

(0.8) 

187.6  

(11.6) 

0.1  

167.2 

176.1 

Depreciation and amortisation 

112.2  

101.9  

32.8  

28.6  

29.4  

26.3  

28.7  

29.3  

8.3 

8.4  

211.4  

194.5  

Assets 

Liabilities 

1,213.2   1,179.1  
(852.1) 

(861.5) 

573.5  

481.5  

378.1  

378.9  

520.2  

496.8  

273.3  

(386.0) 

(323.5) 

(244.1) 

(251.9) 

(256.3) 

(279.8) 

(383.5) 

127.1   2,958.3 
(217.0) 

(2,131.4) 

2,663.4  

(1,924.3) 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

351.7  

327.0  

187.5  

158.0  

134.0  

127.0  

263.9 

217.0  

(110.2) 

(89.9) 

826.9 

739.1 

Non-current asset additions(1) 

148.6  

163.4  

83.4  

47.6  

36.3  

38.5  

64.6  

37.9  

15.6 

31.9  

348.5  

319.3 

1.  Excluding deferred taxation 

Operating profit in the “Other” category is generated from services related to the provision of workspace solutions, including fees from franchise 
agreements, offset by corporate overheads. 

5 2  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

5 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

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 

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

Revenue 

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment  

Amortisation of intangibles  

Amortisation of partner contributions 

Property rents payable in respect of operating leases: 

 Property 

 Contingent rents paid 

Equipment rents payable in respect of operating leases 

Staff costs 

Facility and other property costs 

Provision for bad debts 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment  

Loss on disposal of assets held for sale 

Impairment of intangible assets 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of acquired lease fair value adjustments 

Other costs 

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net of tax 
Operating profit 

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 

5 4 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

2017 

2016  

External  
revenue 

Non-current     
assets(1) 

External  
revenue 

Non-current   
assets(1) 

7.4 

819.6 

429.4 

1,085.3 

2,341.7 

2.7 

878.5 

384.5 

1,014.6 

2,280.3 

6.7 

766.6 

462.1 

998.0 

2.7 

930.0 

347.1 

752.6 

2,233.4 

2,032.4 

Notes 

2017  
£m 

2016  
£m 

2,341.7 

2,233.4 

14 

13 

7 

24 

14 

6 

13 

14 

200.8 

10.6 

(60.6) 

1,002.7 

966.3 

36.4 

3.0 

327.6 

347.5 

16.2 

4.3 

– 

1.6 

0.1 

(3.6) 

313.5 

178.0 
(0.8) 
177.2 

2017  
£m 

0.9 

1.7 

– 

0.1 

181.8 

12.7 

(50.2) 

909.2 

872.5 

36.7 

3.4 

335.6 

319.0 

10.3 

1.0 

2.2 

– 

– 

(3.1) 

323.1 

188.4 
(0.8) 
187.6 

2016  
£m 

0.9 

1.4 

– 

0.4 

5 3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

6. Disposal of assets held for sale 
The following major classes of assets and liabilities were disposed of in 2016 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 on disposal 

There were no disposals of assets held for sale in the current year. 

7. Staff costs  

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows: 
Wages and salaries 

Social security 

Pension costs 

Share-based payments 

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 

5 4  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

2016  
£m 

4.5 
1.4 
0.5 

6.4 

(0.9) 

(0.9) 

5.5 
– 

3.3 

(2.2) 

2016  
£m 

282.2 

45.6 

5.4 

2.4 

335.6 

2017  
£m 

276.7 

45.7 

5.2 

– 

327.6 

2017  
Average  
full time 
equivalents 

2016  
Average  
full time 
equivalents 

6,746 

6,551 

497 

739 

762 

425 

768 

864 

8,744 

8,608 

2,860 

2,161 

1,641 

804 

1,278 

8,744 

2,802 

2,044 

1,746 

907 

1,109 

8,608 

5 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

8. Net finance expense 

Interest payable and similar charges on bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Total interest expense 
Other finance costs (including foreign exchange) 

Unwinding of discount rates 

Total finance expense 

Total interest income 

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 

(Under)/over provision in respect of prior years 

Total current taxation 

Deferred taxation 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Previously unrecognised tax losses and other differences 

(Under)/over 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 27.08% (2016: 29.22%) 
Tax effects of: 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

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 

2017  
£m 

(7.5) 

(7.5) 

(5.7) 

(0.9) 

2016  
£m 

(7.4) 

(7.4) 

(3.3) 

(0.9) 

(14.1) 

(11.6) 

4.1 

4.1 

0.1 

0.1 

(10.0) 

(11.5) 

2017  
£m 

(26.8) 

1.3 

(5.2) 

(30.7) 

(5.4) 

1.0 

(0.5) 

(4.9) 

(35.6) 

2016  

£m 

176.1 

(51.5) 

(30.3) 

67.6 

2.9 

(85.2) 

4.8 

56.8 

(34.9) 

2016  
£m 

(30.4) 

1.5 

4.4 

(24.5) 

(12.2) 

1.4 

0.4 

(10.4) 

(34.9) 

% 

(29.2) 

(17.2) 

38.4 

1.6 

(48.4) 

2.7 

32.3 

(19.8) 

2017 

£m 

167.2 

(45.3) 

13.3 

7.7 

2.3 

(87.9) 

(5.7) 

80.0 

(35.6) 

% 

(27.1) 

8.0 

4.6 

1.4 

(52.5) 

(3.4) 

47.8 

(21.2) 

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.  

5 6 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

5 5  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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: 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

2024 

2025 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 

2017  
£m 

– 

4.9 

8.1 

54.7 

37.4 

43.4 

20.1 

21.1 

227.4 

417.1  

642.4  

1,059.5  

116.0  

1,175.5  

2017  
£m 

16.9 

32.1 

267.7 

8.7 

5.5 

330.9 

2016  
£m 

7.3 

8.2 

15.6 

57.2 

37.8 

18.8 

19.0 

13.3 

79.1 

256.3 

454.2 

710.5 

131.2 

841.7 

2016  
£m 

22.0 

24.5 

187.4 

11.3 

8.2 

253.4 

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 

2017  
£m 

(21.6) 

27.6 

2016  
£m 

(17.7) 

34.8 

5 6  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

5 7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 2016 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2017 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Deferred tax liability 
At 1 January 2016 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2017 

Current year movement 

Prior year movement 

Transfers 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Property,  
plant and 
equipment  
£m 

Intangibles  
£m 

Tax losses  
£m 

(39.6) 

(4.0) 

– 

0.3 

(11.5) 

(54.8) 

19.9 

– 

– 

5.5 

(29.4) 

– 

(0.1) 

– 

(0.3) 

– 

(0.4) 

(0.1) 

– 

– 

– 

(0.5) 

(4.4) 

(14.0) 

(1.3) 

(0.1) 

(0.7) 

(20.5) 

1.3 

(1.6) 

2.2 

1.1 

(17.5) 

(1.5) 

(1.9) 

0.1 

0.2 

(0.1) 

(3.2) 

0.3 

– 

(2.2) 

– 

(5.1) 

32.0 

(3.2) 

3.9 

(0.3) 

1.9 

34.3 

(5.7) 

0.3 

(1.3) 

(0.9) 

26.7 

0.7 

1.3 

(0.1) 

0.2 

0.3 

2.4 

(0.2) 

(0.3) 

1.3 

– 

3.2 

Short-term 
temporary 
differences  
£m 

(2.1) 

1.7 

(2.2) 

0.5 

2.6 

0.5 

(3.1) 

– 

(0.6) 

(0.9) 

(4.1) 

(0.8) 

0.2 

– 

(0.5) 

0.1 

(1.0) 

(0.2) 

0.7 

0.6 

0.1 

0.2 

Rent  
£m 

50.5 

9.6 

–  

(0.2) 

9.9 

69.8 

(17.2) 

0.4 

(0.5) 

(5.4) 

47.1 

– 

(0.4) 

– 

0.2 

– 

(0.2) 

0.6 

– 

0.5 

– 

0.9 

Total  
£m 

36.4 

(9.9) 

0.4 

0.2 

2.2 

29.3 

(4.8) 

(0.9) 

(0.2) 

(0.6) 

22.8 

(1.6) 

(0.9) 

– 

(0.2) 

0.3 

(2.4) 

0.4 

0.4 

0.2 

0.1 

(1.3) 

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 £19.8m (2016: £94.1m). The only 
tax that would arise on these reserves would be non-recoverable withholding tax. 

5 8 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

5 7  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

10. Earnings per ordinary share (basic and diluted) 

Basic and diluted profit for the year attributable to shareholders (£m) 

Basic earnings per share (p) 

Diluted earnings per share (p) 

Weighted average number of shares for basic EPS 

Weighted average number of shares under option 

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

Weighted average number of share awards under the CIP and LTIP 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted EPS 

2017  

131.6 

27.7 

27.7 

2016  

141.2 

15.2 

15.2 

474,525,592  929,860,354 
– 

– 

– 

– 

–  

– 

474,525,592  929,860,354 

Options are considered dilutive when they would result in the issue of ordinary shares for less than the market price of ordinary shares in the period. 
The amount of the dilution is taken to be the average market price of shares during the period minus the exercise price. There were no material 
awards considered anti-dilutive at the reporting date. 

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 and at 31 December 2017. 

11. Dividends 

Dividends per ordinary share proposed  

Interim dividends per ordinary share declared and paid during the year  

2017 

– 

– 

2016 

– 

1.55p 

There were no dividends declared or paid during the year (2016: £43.3m). The Directors do not propose to declare a final dividend (2016: £nil) for 
2017. 

12. Goodwill 

Cost 
At 1 January 2016 

Recognised on acquisition of subsidiaries  

Disposals 

Transferred to assets held for sale 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Recognised on acquisition of subsidiaries (1) 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Net book value 
At 31 December 2016 

At 31 December 2017 

£m 

612.2 

6.8 

(1.3) 

(4.5) 

72.1 

685.3 

1.0 

(21.9) 

664.4 

685.3 

664.4 

1.  Net of £0.2m derecognised on the finalisation of the accounting for prior year acquisitions previously reported on a provisional basis 

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. 

5 8  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

5 9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

12. Goodwill (continued) 
The goodwill attributable to the reportable business segments is as follows: 

Carrying amount of goodwill included within: 

Americas 

EMEA 

Asia 

United Kingdom 

2017  
£m 

285.8 

125.1 

34.7 

218.8 

664.4 

2016  
£m 

311.1 

119.4 

35.4 

219.4 

685.3 

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 73% of the total. The remaining 27% of the carrying value is allocated to a further 41 countries. The goodwill and indefinite life 
intangibles allocated to the USA and the UK are set out below: 

USA 

United Kingdom 

Other countries 

Goodwill  
£m 

262.4 

218.8 

183.2 

664.4 

Intangible  
assets  
£m 

– 

11.2 

– 

11.2 

2017  
£m 

262.4 

230.0 

183.2 

675.6 

2016  
£m 

286.3 

230.6 

179.6  

696.5 

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 the 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 2018 that reflect an average annual growth rate of 3% (2017: 3%); 

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

•  Management considers these projections to be a reasonable projection of margins expected at the mid-cycle position. Cash flows beyond 2021 

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 11.3% in 2016 to 9.9% in 2017 (post-tax WACC: 
7.9%). The country specific pre-tax WACC reflecting the respective market risk adjustment has been set between 9.3% and 12.8% (2016: 10.7% 
to 14.2%). 

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. 

The US model assumes an average centre contribution of 17% over the next five years. Revenue and costs grow at 3% per annum from 2018.  
A terminal value centre gross margin of 17% is adopted from 2021, with a 2% long-term growth rate assumed on revenue and costs into perpetuity. 
The cash flows have been discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 10% (2016: 14%). 

The UK model assumes an average centre contribution of 16% over the next five years. Revenue and costs grow at 3% per annum from 2018.  
A terminal value centre gross margin of 16% is adopted from 2021, with a 2% long-term growth rate assumed on revenue and costs into perpetuity. 
The cash flows have been discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 10% (2016: 11%). 

6 0 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

5 9  

 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

12. Goodwill (continued) 
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 12% (2016: 24%) for 
the US and 15% (2016: 38%) for the UK. 

13. Other intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 January 2016 

Additions at cost 

Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Additions at cost 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (1) 

Impairment 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2016 

Charge for year 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Charge for year 

Impairment 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Net book value 
At 1 January 2016 

At 31 December 2016 

At 31 December 2017 

Brand  
£m 

Customer  
lists  
£m 

Software  
£m 

56.3 

0.2 

– 

– 

8.8 

65.3 

– 

– 

– 

(4.4) 

60.9 

25.6 

2.5 

– 

5.2 

33.3 

2.6 

– 

(2.9) 

33.0 

30.7 

32.0 

27.9 

28.8 

– 

1.1 

(0.1) 

2.8 

32.6 

– 

0.3 

– 

(1.9) 

31.0 

26.5 

2.4 

(0.1) 

2.6 

31.4 

1.1 

– 

(1.9) 

30.6 

2.3 

1.2 

0.4 

58.7 

5.3 

– 

(0.3) 

2.9 

66.6 

3.6 

– 

(6.6) 

(3.1) 

60.5 

37.9 

7.8 

– 

1.3 

47.0 

6.9 

(5.0) 

(4.6) 

44.3 

20.8 

19.6 

16.2 

Total  
£m 

143.8 

5.5 

1.1 

(0.4) 

14.5 

164.5 

3.6 

0.3 

(6.6) 

(9.4) 

152.4 

90.0 

12.7 

(0.1) 

9.1 

111.7 

10.6 

(5.0) 

(9.4) 

107.9 

53.8 

52.8 

44.5 

1.  Includes £0.1m 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 definite life brands is seven years. 

6 0  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

6 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 2016 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2017 

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (1) 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2016 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Exchange rate movements 

At 1 January 2017 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Impairment 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

Net book value 
At 1 January 2016 

At 31 December 2016 

At 31 December 2017 

11.4 

26.3 

– 

(11.4) 

– 

26.3 

9.5 

0.1 

– 

0.1 

1,136.0 

215.7 

2.6 

(20.0) 

198.9 

1,533.2 

253.0 

1.3 

(16.5) 

(82.9) 

36.0 

1,688.1 

– 

0.4 

– 

– 

0.4 

0.8 

– 

– 

– 

1.2 

11.4 

25.9 

34.8 

469.9 

116.4 

(14.9) 

81.0 

652.4 

132.6 

(12.8) 

0.1 

(32.7) 

739.6 

666.1 

880.8 

948.5 

497.1 

57.9 

0.6 

(10.7) 

83.3 

628.2 

71.2 

– 

(8.5) 

(32.4) 

658.5 

290.6 

49.4 

(8.9) 

47.8 

378.9 

51.0 

(7.5) 

– 

(19.8) 

402.6 

206.5 

249.3 

255.9 

1.  Includes £0.2m 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 (2016: £nil). 

15. Other long-term receivables 

Deposits held by landlords against rent obligations 

Acquired lease fair value asset 

Other 

6 2 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Total  
£m 

1,739.4 

313.8 

3.9 

(45.0) 

298.3 

94.9 

13.9 

0.7 

(2.9) 

16.1 

122.7  

2,310.4 

11.2 

0.2 

(1.4) 

(4.7) 

344.9 

1.6 

(26.4) 

(119.9) 

128.0 

2,510.6 

61.9 

15.6 

(3.0) 

9.8 

84.3 

16.4 

(1.3) 

– 

(3.1) 

96.3 

33.0 

38.4 

31.7 

2017  
£m 

76.3 

4.4 

207.2 

287.9 

822.4 

181.8 

(26.8) 

138.6 

1,116.0 

200.8 

(21.6) 

0.1 

(55.6) 

1,239.7 

917.0 

1,194.4 

1,270.9 

2016  
£m 

78.2 

5.3 

2.8 

86.3 

6 1  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

16. Trade and other receivables  

Trade receivables, net 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Other receivables 

VAT recoverable 

Deposits held by landlords against rent obligations 

Acquired lease fair value asset 

17. Trade and other payables (including customer deposits) 

Customer deposits 

Deferred rents 

Other accruals 

Deferred partner contributions 

Trade payables 

VAT payable 

Other payables 

Other tax and social security 

Acquired lease fair value liability 

Total current 

18. Other long-term payables 

Deferred partner contributions 

Deferred rents 

Acquired lease fair value liability 

Other payables 

Total non-current 

19. Borrowings 
The Group’s total loan and borrowing position at 31 December 2017 and at 31 December 2016 had the following maturity profiles: 

Bank and other loans 

Repayments falling due as follows: 

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 

2017  
£m 

8.9 

329.2 

4.8 

342.9 

8.5 

351.4 

6 2  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

2017  
£m 

197.9 

165.3 

103.1 

98.1 

7.2 

1.2 

2016  
£m 

202.6 

171.8 

83.6 

49.5 

7.6  

1.7 

572.8 

516.8 

2017  
£m 

429.8 

121.3 

103.0 

59.2 

74.4 

90.2 

17.9 

5.1 

3.0 

2016  
£m 

421.0 

113.2 

131.4  

68.5 

60.3 

53.1 

12.5 

9.0 

3.2 

903.9 

872.2 

2017  
£m 

293.8 

244.6 

3.7 

11.1 

553.2 

2016  
£m 

265.4 

250.9  

8.3 

15.7 

540.3 

2016  
£m 

6.9 

186.7 

– 

193.6 

7.8 

201.4 

6 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

20. Provisions 

At 1 January 

Provided in the period 

Utilised in the period 

Provisions released 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 

Analysed between: 

Current 

Non-current 

At 31 December 

2017 

2016 

Onerous 
 leases and 
closures  
£m 

3.5 

3.2 

(0.3) 

(2.8) 

– 

3.6 

0.4 

3.2 

3.6 

Other  
£m 

5.9  

2.1 

(1.0) 

(1.2) 

 – 

5.8 

4.1 

1.7 

5.8 

Onerous  
leases and 
closures  
£m 

7.7 

2.3 

(1.4) 

(5.1) 

– 

3.5 

0.3 

3.2 

3.5 

Total  
£m 

9.4 

5.3 

(1.3) 

(4.0) 

– 

9.4 

4.5 

4.9 

9.4 

Other  
£m 

5.2 

3.0 

(1.6) 

(0.4) 

 (0.3) 

5.9 

5.7 

0.2 

5.9 

Total  
£m 

12.9 

5.3 

(3.0) 

(5.5) 

(0.3) 

9.4 

6.0 

3.4 

9.4 

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. 

21. Investments in joint ventures  

At 1 January 2016 

Additions 

Dividends received  

Share of loss 

Disposal of investment 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2016 

Additions 

Share of loss 

Exchange rate movements 

At 31 December 2017 

6 4 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Investments in 
joint ventures  
£m 

Provision for 
deficit in  
joint ventures  
£m 

5.6 

6.8 

(0.9) 

(1.5) 

3.0 

0.6 

13.6 

0.3 

(0.4) 

(1.1) 

12.4 

(4.1) 

– 

– 

0.7 

– 

– 

(3.4) 

– 

(0.4) 

– 

(3.8) 

Total  
£m 

1.5 

6.8 

(0.9) 

(0.8) 

3.0 

0.6 

10.2 

0.3 

(0.8) 

(1.1) 

8.6 

6 3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

21. Investments in joint ventures (continued) 
The Group has 49 joint ventures (2016: 41) 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 

(Loss)/profit before tax for the year 

Tax charge 

(Loss)/profit after tax for the year 

Net assets/(liabilities) 
Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

22. Share capital 

Ordinary equity share capital 

2017  
£m 

29.9 

(31.5) 

 (1.6) 

(0.3) 

(1.9) 

15.0 

35.7 

(46.6) 

(1.5) 

2.6 

2016  
£m 

23.5 

(22.5) 

1.0 

(0.7) 

0.3 

12.2 

28.0 

(30.3) 

(2.1) 

7.8 

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 (1) 

Reduction of share capital  

Ordinary 1p shares in Regus plc at 31 December 

1.  As part of the Scheme of Arrangement completed on 19 December 2016 

2017 

2016 

Number 

Nominal value  
£m 

Number 

Nominal value  
£m 

8,000,000,000 

80.0 

8,000,000,000 

80.0 

923,357,438 

– 

(920,357,438) 

3,000,000 

9.2 

– 

(9.2) 

– 

950,969,822 

(27,612,384) 

– 

923,357,438 

9.5 

(0.3) 

– 

9.2 

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 between 1 January 2016 and 19 December 2016 
In the period ending 19 December 2016, 11,834,627 shares were purchased in the open market by Regus plc and 4,712,856 treasury shares held  
by Regus plc were utilised to satisfy the exercise of share awards by employees. At 19 December 2016, 27,612,384 shares were held as treasury 
shares. 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 2017 and 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 

2017 

2016 

  Number of shares 

£m  Number of shares 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

20,490,613 

11,834,627 

(4,712,856) 

(27,612,384) 

– 

£m 

42.9 

31.1 

(8.3) 

(65.7) 

– 

In addition to the treasury share transactions, the Group purchased nil (2016: 467,291) shares on the open market at a cost of £nil (2016: £1.3 m) to 
directly settle the exercise of share awards by employees.  

6 4  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

6 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

23. 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 2017  
£m 

Cash flow  
£m 

Exchange rate 
movements  
£m 

At  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

50.1 

50.1 

(7.8) 

(193.6) 

(201.4) 

(151.3) 

0.3 

0.3 

(1.4) 

(151.5) 

(152.9) 

(152.6) 

4.4 

4.4 

0.7 

2.2 

2.9 

7.3 

54.8  

54.8 

(8.5) 

(342.9) 

(351.4) 

(296.6) 

Cash and cash equivalent balances held by the Group that are not available for use amounted to £9.3m at 31 December 2017 (2016: £11.3m). Of this 
balance, £7.1m (2016: £9.6m) is pledged as security against outstanding bank guarantees and a further £2.2m (2016: £1.7m) is pledged against 
various other commitments of the Group.  

24. 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 review on pages 14 to 17 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 22 to 26 within the Strategic Report reviews the trading performance, 
financial position and cash flows of the Group. During the year ended 31 December 2017, the Group made a significant investment in growth and the 
Group’s net debt position increased by £145.3m to a net debt position of £296.6m as at 31 December 2017. 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 in 2022, with a further option to extend to 2023. As at 31 December 2017, £131.8m 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. 

6 6 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

6 5  

 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 

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 taking into 
account the customer deposit held 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, not taking into account customer deposits held, analysed by 
geographic region, is summarised below. 

Americas 

EMEA 

Asia Pacific 

United Kingdom 

2017  
£m 

27.8 

75.0 

41.6 

53.5 

2016  
£m 

37.8 

71.1 

41.8  

51.9 

197.9 

202.6  

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.  

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  
2017  
£m 

131.1 

43.2 

13.8 

31.6 

219.7 

Provision  
2017  
£m 

– 

– 

– 

(21.8) 

(21.8) 

Gross  
2016  
£m 

130.2 

43.9 

12.0 

35.6 

221.7 

Provision  
2016  
£m 

– 

(0.1) 

– 

(19.0) 

(19.1) 

At 31 December 2017, the Group maintained a provision of £21.8m against potential bad debts (2016: £19.1m) arising from trade receivables. The 
Group had provided £16.2m (2016: £10.3m) in the year and utilised £13.5m (2016: £4.5m). Customer deposits of £429.8m (2016: £421.0m) 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 £45.5m (2016: £38.8m). In addition to cash and liquid investments, the Group had £131.8m 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 maturity was extended until 2022, with a 
further option to extend to 2023.  

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, £70.0m and $30.0m 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). 

6 6  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

6 7

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
Although the Group has net current liabilities of £568.6m (2016: £578.4m), 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. The Group holds customer deposits of £429.8m (2016: £421.0m) which 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 £283.3m at 31 December 2017 (2016: £302.0m).  

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. Any surplus cash 
balances are invested short term, and at the end of 2017 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. 

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 

0.1 

(6.7) 

(6.6) 

GBP 

– 

(0.5) 

(0.5) 

2017 

JPY 

– 

– 

– 

2016 

JPY 

– 

(0.1) 

(0.1) 

EUR 

0.6 

(8.7) 

(8.1) 

EUR 

15.1 

(26.5) 

(11.4) 

USD 

16.7 

(10.4) 

6.3 

USD 

19.1 

(18.7) 

0.4 

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 2017, 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 £2.5m (2016: decrease of £1.9m) 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 £8.6m for the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: decrease of £8.8m). 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 £1.7m for the year ended 31 December 
2017 (2016: decrease of £2.7m). 

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 £11.1m for the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: £11.3m). 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 £1.1m for the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: 
decrease of £0.4m). 

6 8 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

6 7  

 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 
The Company did not declare an interim dividend (2016: 1.55p) during the year ended 31 December 2017. The Directors do not propose to declare a 
final dividend for 2017 (2016: £nil). 

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 £296.6m at the end of 2017 (2016: £151.3m) 
and £131.8m (2016: £299.4m) 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 and fair values of these instruments is not materially different from the carrying value. 

As at 31 December 2017 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables(1) 

Other long-term receivables(2) 

Derivative financial assets: 

Interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 
•  Inflow 
Financial assets(3) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities(4): 

Bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Other loans  

Trade and other payables(5) 

Other long-term payables(5) 

Financial liabilities 

As at 31 December 2016 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables(1) 

Other long-term receivables(2) 

Financial assets(3) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities(4): 

Bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Other loans  

Trade and other payables(5) 

Other long-term payables(5) 

Derivative financial liabilities: 

Interest rate swaps 
•  Outflow 
•  Inflow 
Financial liabilities 

Effective  
interest rate  
% 

0.1% 

– 

– 

 – 

– 

Carrying  
value  
£m 

Contractual  
cash flow  
£m 

Less than  
1 year  
£m 

54.8 

406.3 

283.5 

– 

0.2 

54.8 

428.1 

283.5  

– 

0.2 

54.8 

428.1 

– 

– 

0.2 

1-2 years  
£m 

2-5 years  
£m 

– 

– 

– 

– 

141.6 

141.6 

– 

– 

– 

– 

744.8 

766.6 

483.1 

141.6 

141.6 

2.5% 

1.9% 

– 

– 

(330.5) 

(20.9) 

(720.4) 

(11.1) 

(330.5) 

(20.9) 

(720.4) 

(11.1) 

– 

(8.5) 

(720.4) 

– 

(1,082.9) 

(1,082.9) 

(728.9) 

(6.2) 

(2.7) 

– 

(11.1) 

(20.0) 

(324.3) 

(4.9) 

– 

– 

(329.2) 

(4.8) 

Effective  
interest rate  
% 

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 

0.0% 

– 

– 

2.9% 

4.6% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

50.1 

343.3 

81.0 

474.4 

(193.6) 

(7.8) 

(687.3) 

(22.5) 

50.1 

362.3 

81.0 

493.4 

(193.6) 

(7.8) 

(687.3) 

(22.5) 

50.1 

362.3 

– 

412.4 

– 

(7.8) 

(687.3) 

– 

– 

40.5 

40.5 

– 

– 

40.5 

40.5 

(6.9) 

(186.7) 

– 

– 

– 

(22.5) 

– 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

– 

(0.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

– 

(911.5) 

(911.5) 

(695.1) 

(29.4) 

(187.0) 

More than  
5 years  
£m 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(4.8) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

6 9

1.  Excluding prepayments and accrued income and acquired lease fair value asset 
2.  Excluding acquired lease fair value asset 
3.  Financial assets are all held at amortised cost 
4.  All financial instruments are classified as variable rate instruments 
5.  Excluding deferred rents, deferred partner contributions and acquired lease fair value liability 

6 8  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 

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

31 December 2017 

Carrying amount 

Fair value  

£m 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Other long-term receivables 

Derivative financial asset 

Bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Other loans  

Trade and other payables 

Other long-term payables 

Unrecognised gain 

Cash, loans 
and 
receivables 

Other  
financial 
liabilities 

Cash flow – 
hedging 
instruments 

54.8 

406.3 

283.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(330.5) 

(20.9) 

(720.4) 

(11.1) 

– 

– 

– 

0.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

744.6 

(1,082.9) 

0.2 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total 

54.8 

406.3 

283.5 

0.2 

(330.5) 

(20.9) 

(720.4) 

(11.1) 

(338.1) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.2 

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.2 

–  

–  

–  

–  

0.2  

– 

31 December 2016 

Carrying amount 

Fair value 

£m 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Other long-term receivables 

Bank loans and corporate borrowings 

Other loans  

Trade and other payables 

Other long-term payables 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Unrecognised gain 

Cash, loans  
and  
receivables 

Other  
financial 
liabilities 

Cash flow – 
hedging 
instruments 

50.1 

343.3 

81.0 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(193.6) 

(7.8) 

(687.3) 

(22.5) 

– 

474.4 

(911.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

(0.3) 

Total 

50.1 

343.3 

81.0 

(193.6) 

(7.8) 

(687.3) 

(22.5) 

(0.3) 

(437.1) 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–  

–  

–  

–  

(0.3) 

(0.3) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–  

–  

–  

–  

(0.3) 

(0.3) 

– 

During the years ended 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, there were no transfers between levels for fair value measured instruments, and 
no financial instruments requiring level 3 fair value measurements were held. 

7 0 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

6 9  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

24. Financial instruments and financial risk management (continued) 

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 

Committed borrowings 

Revolving credit facility 

2017  
GBP m 

70.0 

2017  
USD m 

30.0 

2016 
Facility  
£m  

550.0 

2016  
GBP m 

70.0 

2016  
USD m 

30.0 

2016 
Available  
£m 

299.4 

2017 
Facility  
£m  

550.0 

2017 
Available  
£m 

131.8 

The Group maintains a revolving credit facility provided by a group of international banks. During the year, the maturity was extended until 2022, with a 
further option to extend to 2023. As at 31 December, £131.8m 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, £70.0m and $30.0m 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. 

7 0  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

7 1

 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 liability and its components are as follows: 

Fair value of plan assets 

Present value of obligations 

Net funded obligations 

2017  
£m 

8.5 

(10.0) 

(1.5) 

2016  
£m 

5.8 

(6.6) 

(0.8) 

26. Acquisitions 
Current period acquisitions 
During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group made various individually immaterial acquisitions for a total consideration of £2.8m. 

£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(1) 

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 

– 

0.8 

0.4 

– 

(0.6) 

(0.2) 

0.4 

0.2 

0.6 

– 

0.4 

– 

– 

1.2 

0.2 

1.4 

0.4 

0.4 

(0.6) 

(0.2) 

1.6 

1.2 

2.8 

– 

– 

2.8 

2.8 

2.8 

1.  The goodwill arising on acquisition includes negative goodwill of £0.4m. The negative goodwill has been recognised as part of the selling, general and administration expenses line 

item in the consolidated income statement 

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. £0.4m of the above goodwill is expected to 
be deductible for tax purposes. 

If the above acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2017, the revenue and net retained loss arising from these acquisitions would have been £1.3m 
and £0.1m respectively. In the year, the equity acquisitions contributed revenue of £1.1m and net retained loss of £0.1m. 

There was £nil contingent consideration arising on the 2017 acquisitions. Contingent consideration of £2.1m (2016: £2.7m) was also paid during 
the current year with respect to milestones achieved on prior year acquisitions. 

The acquisition costs associated with these transactions were £0.3m, recorded within administration expenses within the consolidated 
income statement. 

For a number of the acquisitions in 2017, 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 property, plant 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 2017, 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. 

7 2 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

7 1  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

26. Acquisitions (continued) 
Prior period acquisitions 
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group made various 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 

Final  
fair value 
adjustments 

Final  
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 

0.1 

0.2 

– 

0.3 

(0.4) 

 – 

0.2 

(0.2) 

– 

0.2 

2.6 

1.2 

2.9 

(5.8) 

(0.1) 

1.0  

9.8 

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. £0.1m 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 above acquisitions. 

The acquisition costs associated with these transactions were £0.5m, 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 2017. 

27. Capital commitments 

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

2017  
£m 

60.9 

2016  
£m 

42.6 

These commitments are principally in respect of fit-out obligations on new centres opening in 2018. In addition, our share of the capital 
commitments of joint ventures amounted to £nil at 31 December 2017 (2016: £nil). 

7 2  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

7 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

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 

2017 

2016 

Property  
£m 

Other  
£m 

Total  
£m 

Property  
£m 

Other  
£m 

Total  
£m 

914.3 

2,628.7 

1,494.5 

5,037.5 

0.5 

0.4 

– 

0.9 

914.8 

2,629.1 

1,494.5 

5,038.4 

882.4 

2,386.9 

1,170.4 

4,439.7 

1.3 

1.0 

– 

2.3 

883.7 

2,387.9 

1,170.4 

4,442.0 

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 £142.7m (2016: £151.7m). 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 

2017 

Affiliated entities 

2016 

Affiliated entities 

Management 
fees received 
from related 
parties 

Amounts  
owed by  
related party 

Amounts  
owed to  
related party 

3.0 

2.9 

9.0 

8.6 

2.2 

8.0 

As at 31 December 2017, £nil of the amounts due to the Group have been provided for (2016: £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 includes 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 

2017  
£m 

7.2 

0.5 

– 

7.7 

2016  
£m 

9.8 

0.5 

0.5 

10.8 

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 £nil 
(2016: £2.9m). These awards are subject to performance conditions and vest over three, four and five years from the award date. 

7 4 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

7 3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Notes to the accounts continued 

30. Related parties (continued) 

Transactions with related parties 
During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group acquired goods and services from a company indirectly controlled by a Director of IWG plc, the 
ultimate parent company of Regus plc, amounting to £91,120 (2016: £30,228). There was a £9,506 balance outstanding at the year-end (2016: 
£27,720).  

All transactions 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. 

31. Principal Group companies 
The Group’s principal subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2017, their principal activities and countries of incorporation are set out below: 

Name of undertaking 

Trading companies 

Regus Australia Management Pty 

Regus Belgium SA 

Regus do Brasil Ltda 

HQ Do Brazil Administracao de bens e 
servicos Ltda 

Regus GmbH & Co. KG 

Regus HK Management Ltd 

Regus CME Ireland Limited 

Regus Business Centres Limited 

Regus Business Centres Italia Srl 

Open Office K.K. 

Regus Management de Mexico,SA de CV 

Regus Amsterdam BV 

Regus Management Singapore Pte Ltd 

Regus Management Group (Pty) Ltd  

Regus Management (Sweden) AB 

Regus Business Centers AG 

KBC Holdings Limited 

Avanta Managed Offices Ltd 

Stonemartin Corporate Centre Limited 

HQ Global Workplaces LLC 

RGN-BSuites Holdings, LLC 

RGN National Business Centre LLC 

Office Suites Plus Properties LLC 

Regus Business Centres LLC 

% of 
ordinary 
shares 
and votes 
held 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Country of 
incorporation 

Australia 

Belgium 

Brazil 

Brazil 

Germany 

Hong Kong 

Ireland 

Israel 

Italy 

Japan 

Mexico 

Netherlands 

Singapore 

South Africa 

Sweden 

Switzerland 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United States 

United States 

United States 

United States 

United States 

Name of undertaking 

  Management companies 

  RGN Management Limited Partnership  

  Regus Paris SAS 

  Franchise International Sarl 

  RBW Global Sarl 

Regus Service Centre Philippines BV 
Regus Global Management Centre SA 
Regus Business Services Limited 
Regus Group Services Ltd 
Regus Management (UK) Ltd 
Regus Management Group LLC 

  Holding and finance companies 

  Umbrella Group 

  Umbrella Global Holdings 

  Umbrella Holdings Sarl 

  Umbrella International Holdings AG 

  Pathway Finance Sarl 

  Pathway Finance EUR 2 Sarl 

  Pathway Finance USD 2 Sarl 

  Regus Group Limited 

  Regus Corporation LLC 

% of 
ordinary 
shares 
and votes 
held 

100 

100 

100 

100 
100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Country of 
incorporation 

Canada 

France 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 
Philippines 
Switzerland 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United States 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg 

Switzerland 

Switzerland 

Switzerland 

Switzerland 

United Kingdom 

United States 

7 4  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

7 5

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 indefinite life 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 2017, 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 such as Regus and could result 
in significant additional tax liabilities over and above those already provided for. 

Onerous lease provisions 
We evaluate the performance of centres to determine whether any leases are considered onerous, i.e. the Group does not expect to recover the 
unavoidable lease costs up to the first break point at the Group’s option. A provision for our estimate of the net amounts payable under the terms of 
the lease to the first break point, discounted at an appropriate discount rate, is recognised 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. A provision is recognised for those potential dilapidation payments when it 
is probable that an outflow will occur and can be reliably estimated. 

7 6 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

7 5  

Financial statements  

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 

3. Other receivables 

b) becoming due and payable within one year 

E. Prepayments 

Total assets 

Capital, reserves and liabilites 

A. Capital and reserves 

I. Subscribed capital 
II. Share premium and similar premiums  
IV. Reserves  

1. Legal reserve 

4. Other reserves 

V. Results brought forward 

VI. Results for the financial year 

VII. Interim dividends 

Capital and reserves 

D. Non-subordinated debts  
6. Trade creditors 

a) becoming due and payable within one year  

7. 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 27 April 2018 

TIM REGAN 
DIRECTOR 

7 6  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

As at  
31 Dec 2017  
£m 

As at  
31 Dec 2016  
£m 

644.6 

644.6 

0.3 

– 

– 

0.1  

– 

1.3 

644.9 

646.0 

 – 

 – 

 – 

574.6 

(103.8) 

161.6 

 – 

632.4 

0.2 

9.2 

3.1 

12.5 

644.9 

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 

7 7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 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 non-statutory accounts of Regus plc for the year ended 31 December 2017, 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 cause their initial recording 
cease to apply.  

7 8 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

7 7  

 
Financial statements  

Five-year summary 

Income statement (full year ended) 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit (centre contribution) 
Administration expenses 

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

Operating profit 
Finance expense 

Finance income 

Profit before tax for the year 
Income tax expense 

Profit after tax for the year 

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

Diluted (p) 

31 Dec 2017  
£m 

31 Dec 2016  
£m 

31 Dec 2015  
£m 

31 Dec 2014  
£m 

31 Dec 2013  
£m 

2,341.7 

(1,946.3) 

2,233.4 

(1,784.6) 

395.4 

(217.4) 

(0.8) 

177.2 

(14.1) 

4.1 

167.2 

(35.6) 

131.6 

448.8 

(260.4) 

(0.8) 

187.6 

(11.6) 

0.1 

176.1 

(34.9) 

141.2 

1,927.0 

(1,498.6) 

428.4 

(268.6) 

0.3 

160.1 

(15.0) 

0.6 

145.7 

(25.8) 

119.9 

1,676.1 

(1,293.0) 

383.1 

(279.6) 

0.8 

104.3 

(17.3) 

0.1 

87.1 

(17.2) 

69.9 

27.7p 

27.7p 

15.2p 

15.2p 

12.8p 

12.6p 

7.4p 

7.2p 

1,533.5 

(1,159.7) 

373.8 

(283.1) 

0.1 

90.8 

(10.5) 

1.2 

81.5 

(14.6) 

66.9 

7.1p 

7.0p 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (‘000s) 

474,526 

929,860 

933,458 

944,082 

943,775 

Balance sheet data (as at) 
Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax assets 

Other assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Equity 

Total equity and liabilities 

708.9 

1,270.9 

22.8 

900.9 

54.8 

2,958.3 

1,223.8 

907.6 

826.9 

738.1 

1,194.4 

29.3 

651.5 

50.1 

2,663.4 

1,180.1 

744.2 

739.1 

666.0 

917.0 

36.4 

644.3 

63.9 

2,327.6 

1,085.7 

658.2 

583.7 

549.9 

718.8 

40.0 

565.2 

72.8 

491.7 

608.7 

33.4 

423.8 

84.7 

1,946.7 

1,642.3 

891.9 

517.4 

537.4 

758.8 

369.3 

514.2 

2,958.3 

2,663.4 

2,327.6 

1,946.7 

1,642.3 

7 8  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

7 9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Segmental analysis 

Segmental analysis – management basis (unaudited) 

  Mature(1) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  REVPOW (£) 

  2016 Expansions(2) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  2017 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) 
  REVPAW (£) 

  Period end workstations(6) 
  Mature 
  2016 Expansions 
  2017 Expansions 
  Total 

Americas  
2017 

EMEA  
2017 

Asia Pacific 
2017 

165,329 

75.8% 

926.4 

177.6 

7,392 

14,593 

55.8% 

40.8 

(9.6) 

7,306 

27.0% 

10.9 

(14.3) 

1,450 

66.8% 

6.7 

(0.5) 

188,678 

72.3% 

984.8 

153.2 

5,219 

166,755 

14,328 

12,948 

87,102 

77.3% 

486.1 

105.6 

7,220 

9,870 

64.6% 

29.1 

(1.4) 

7,380 

39.0% 

20.2 

(5.5) 

1,552 

51.7% 

5.1 

(1.6) 

87,414 

73.0% 

351.1 

74.3 

5,504 

8,850 

52.9% 

23.0 

(1.4) 

3,694 

25.2% 

5.2 

(5.1) 

1,032 

64.9% 

3.9 

(1.9) 

105,904 

73.1% 

540.5 

97.1 

5,104 

100,990 

69.4% 

383.2 

65.9 

3,794 

89,656 

9,684 

16,162 

87,987 

9,043 

7,497 

194,031 

115,502 

104,527 

United  
Kingdom 
2017 

69,233 

72.1% 

398.2 

79.2 

7,977 

3,929 

62.9% 

13.2 

(0.4) 

2,140 

32.0% 

3.8 

(3.6) 

1,716 

63.1% 

14.2 

2.2 

77,018 

70.3% 

429.4 

77.4 

5,575 

70,254 

4,019 

4,947 

79,220 

8 0 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

Other 
2017 

Total 
2017 

– 

– 

2.9 

(0.2) 

– 

– 

– 

0.4 

0.2 

– 

– 

0.5 

1.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3.8 

1.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

409,078 

74.9% 

2,164.7 

436.5 

7,065 

37,242 

58.2% 

106.5 

(12.6) 

20,520 

31.5% 

40.6 

(26.7) 

5,750 

61.3% 

29.9 

(1.8) 

472,590 

71.5% 

2,341.7 

395.4 

4,955 

414,652 

37,074 

41,554 

493,280 

7 9  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Segmental analysis continued 

Segmental analysis – management basis (unaudited) 

  Mature(1) 
  Workstations(4) 

  Occupancy (%) 

  Revenue (£m) 

  Contribution (£m) 

  REVPOW (£) 

  2016 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) 
  REVPAW (£) 

Notes: 

Americas  
2016 

EMEA  
2016 

Asia Pacific 
2016 

162,875 

75.5 % 

897.4 

173.8 

7,298 

7,723 

30.4% 

12.1 

(12.8) 

3,330 

70.8% 

13.5 

– 

173,928 

73.4% 

923.0 

161.0 

5,307 

85,793 

75.9% 

461.8 

106.6 

7,092 

3,903 

35.0% 

6.2 

(5.1) 

2,290 

62.5% 

8.8 

0.1 

91,986 

73.8% 

476.8 

101.6 

5,183 

87,569 

71.8% 

342.1 

69.9 

5,441 

4,325 

31.0% 

7.6 

(3.3) 

3,236 

75.8% 

13.5 

0.9 

95,130 

70.1% 

363.2 

67.5 

3,818 

United  
Kingdom 
2016 

64,137 

75.6% 

409.9 

95.9 

8,454 

3,080 

57.2% 

9.4 

(0.1) 

5,279 

77.4% 

42.8 

14.6 

72,496 

75.0% 

462.1 

110.4 

6,374 

Other 
2016 

Total 
2016 

– 

– 

6.8 

6.8 

– 

– 

– 

1.5 

1.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8.3 

8.3 

– 

400,374 

74.8% 

2,118.0 

453.0 

7,072 

19,031 

35.8% 

36.8 

(19.8) 

14,135 

73.0% 

78.6 

15.6 

433,540 

73.0% 

2,233.4 

448.8 

5,152 

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 2016 comparative data is defined as a centre closed during the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017 
4.  Workstation numbers are calculated as the weighted average for the year 
5.  2017 expansions include any costs incurred in 2017 for centres which will open in 2018 
6.  Workstations available at period end 

8 0  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

8 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 22 of these accounts. 

Description 

Reference 

2014 
Aggregation 

2015 
Expansions 

2016 
Expansions 

2017 
Expansions 

2018 

Expansions  Closures 

Total 

Post-tax cash return on net investment 

19.2% 

8.3% 

(8.7%) 

(14.0%) 

Income statement, p41 

Income statement, p41 

1,857.6 

400.2 

307.1 

36.3 

106.5 

(12.6) 

40.6 

(26.4) 

– 

– 

– 

12.3% 

29.9 

2,341.7 

(0.3) 

(1.8) 

395.4 

Revenue 

Centre contribution 

Loss on disposal of assets 

Impairment of assets  

EBIT reconciliation 
(analysed below) 

EBIT reconciliation 
(analysed below) 

Underlying centre contribution 

Selling, general and administration expenses(1) 

Income statement, p41 

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 

Net investment 

EBIT reconciliation 
(analysed below) 

Note 5, p54 

Note 5, p54 

Note 5, p54 

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% 

0.5 

– 

400.7 

(147.6) 

253.1 

142.0 

(42.0) 

(4.3) 

95.7 

(50.6) 

298.2 

– 

– 

36.3 

(36.6) 

(0.3) 

36.6 

(8.6) 

0.7 

28.7 

0.1 

28.5 

87.0 

8.6 

(20.2) 

66.8 

231.4 

(1.9) 

6.7 

21.8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(12.6) 

(18.9) 

(26.4) 

(12.1) 

– 

– 

(0.3) 

(0.1) 

(31.5) 

(38.5) 

(0.4) 

19.4 

(6.4) 

0.1 

13.1 

6.3 

10.0 

(3.4) 

– 

6.6 

7.7 

(12.1) 

(24.2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.1 

(0.3) 

– 

– 

– 

3.8 

1.7 

3.7 

4.3 

1.7 

401.4 

(2.1) 

(217.4) 

1.6 

3.4 

184.0 

211.4 

(0.2) 

(60.6) 

(0.1) 

3.1 

(0.3) 

4.4 

– 

– 

– 

(3.6) 

147.2 

(36.7) 

294.5 

95.6 

(22.1) 

73.5 

(12.1) 

(24.2) 

(0.3) 

4.4 

221.0 

1,425.9 

328.6 

197.9 

248.0 

14.0 

(219.9) 

1,206.0 

(65.9) 

262.7 

(58.2) 

139.7 

(74.9) 

173.1 

(0.6) 

13.4 

– 

– 

– 

2,214.4 

(419.5) 

1,794.9 

8 2 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

8 1  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

Post-tax cash return on net investment 
continued 

2017 

Movement in capital expenditure 

December 2016 

2017 Capital expenditure(3) 

Properties acquired 

Centre closures(4) 

December 2017 

2014 
Aggregation 

2015 
Expansions 

2016 
Expansions 

2017 
Expansions 

2018 

Expansions  Closures 

Total 

1,454.4 

325.0 

3.7 

– 

(32.2) 

6.7 

– 

(3.1) 

183.7 

15.0 

– 

(0.8) 

30.0 

208.5 

9.5 

– 

– 

14.0 

– 

– 

1,425.9 

328.6 

197.9 

248.0 

14.0 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,993.1 

247.9 

9.5 

(36.1) 

2,214.4 

3.  2018 expansions relate to costs and investments incurred in 2017 for centres which will open in 2018 
4.  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 

2017 

Movement in partner contributions 

December 2016 

2017 Partner contributions 

Centre closures(5) 

December 2017 

5.  The partner contributions for an estate are reduced by the partner contributions for centres closed during the year 

Partner contributions 

Reference 

£m 

Capital expenditure 

Reference 

£m 

2014 
Aggregation 

2015 
Expansions 

2016 
Expansions 

2017 
Expansions 

2018 

Expansions  Closures 

221.9 

2.4 

(4.4) 

219.9 

66.0 

0.5 

(0.6) 

65.9 

3.3 

71.6 

– 

74.9 

– 

0.6 

– 

0.6 

– 

– 

– 

– 

52.9 

5.5 

(0.2) 

58.2 

2017 

Note 17, p63 

Note 18, p63 

333.9 

68.5 

265.4 

– 

Maintenance capital 
expenditure 

Financial review, 
p22 

Growth capital 
expenditure 
•  2017 Capital 
expenditure 

Financial review, 
p22 

102.7 

•  Properties acquired 

22.1 

80.6 

(60.6) 

(23.0) 

Total capital 
expenditure 
Analysed as 
•  Purchase of 
subsidiary 
undertakings 

Cash flow, p45 

Total 

344.1 

80.6 

(5.2) 

419.5 

95.6 

257.4 

247.9 

9.5 

353.0 

4.5 

2017 

EBIT reconciliation 

Reference 

EBIT  

Loss on disposal of 
assets 

Note 5, p54 

Impairment of assets  

Note 5, p54 

Share of profit in joint 
ventures 

Operating profit 

Income 
statement, 
p41 

Income 
statement, 
p41 

£m 

184.0 

(4.3) 

(1.7) 

(0.8) 

177.2 

2017 

Opening partner 
contributions 

•  Current 
•  Non-current 

Acquired in the period 

Received in the period 
•  Maintenance partner 

contributions 
•  Growth partner 
contributions 

Utilised in the period 

Note 5, p54 

Exchange differences 

Closing partner 
contributions 

•  Current 
•  Non-current 

•  Purchase of property, 
plant and equipment 

•  Purchase of 

intangible assets 

Cash flow, p45 

Note 14, p62 

344.9 

Cash flow, p45 

Note 13, p61 

3.6 

353.0 

59.2 

293.8 

Note 17, p63 

Note 18, p63 

8 2  R E G U S   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7  

8 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements  

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 revenue less direct operating expenses 
but before administrative expenses 

EBIT 
Earnings before interest and tax 

EBITDA 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 

EPS 
Earnings per share  

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

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  

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 

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

REVPOW 
Total revenue per occupied workstation 

ROI 
Return on investment 

TSR 
Total shareholder return 

WIPOW 
Workstation income per occupied workstation 

Shareholder information 

Corporate directory 

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

Registered Head Office:  
26 Boulevard Royal 
L-2449 Luxembourg  

Tim Regan  

Christoffel Mul  

Ian Hallett  

Directors 
The Directors shown below held office during the whole period from  
1 January 2017 to 27 April 2018:  

Registered Number 
Jersey 
101523   

Luxembourg 
R.C.S.B 141 159 

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

8 4 

R E G U S   P LC   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 1 7

8 3  

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

www.regus.com