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RELX
Annual Report 2012

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FY2012 Annual Report · RELX
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www.reedelsevier.com

Annual Reports and
Financial Statements 
2012

2012_Reed_Covers_Final.indd  18

11/03/2013  08:45

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reed Elsevier  is a world leading provider of 
professional information solutions. 

We provide solutions that help professional customers 
across industries make better decisions, get better 
results and be more productive. We do this by leveraging 
deep customer understanding to combine content  
& data with analytics & technology in global platforms, 
sharing institutional skills, assets and resources 
across Reed Elsevier.

Credits

designed and produced by
saslondon.com 
Board photography by 
Iain Crockart 
Printed by 
Pureprint Group, ISO14001, FSC® certified and CarbonNeutral®

The 2012 Annual Reports and Financial Statements is printed 
using paper containing a minimum of 75% recycled content, of 
which 100% is de-inked post-consumer waste. All of the pulp is 
bleached using an elemental chlorine free process (ECF).  
Printed in the UK by Pureprint using their  
environmental printing technology; vegetable inks were used 
throughout. Pureprint is a CarbonNeutral® company. Both 
manufacturing mill and printer are ISO14001 registered and are 
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) chain-of-custody certified.

 and 

Contents

1 

7 

Overview
1  Chairman’s statement
2 
4 

2012 Financial highlights
 Chief Executive Officer’s 
report

Business review
8  Reed Elsevier
12  Scientific, Technical & Medical 
 Risk Solutions & Business 
18 
Information
28 
 Legal
34  Exhibitions
39  Corporate responsibility

49  Financial review

93 

50 

 Chief Financial Officer’s 
report

58   Principal risks

61  Governance 

62  Board Directors
64  Executive Leadership Team
65  

  Chairman’s introduction  
to corporate governance
 Structure and corporate 
governance
 Report of the Nominations 
Committee
 Directors’ remuneration 
report
 Report of the Audit 
Committees

66  

73  

74  

91  

 Financial statements and  
other information
94  

 Combined financial 
statements

133   Summary combined financial 

information in euros
147    Reed Elsevier PLC Annual 
Report and Financial 
Statements

171    Reed Elsevier NV Annual 
Report and Financial 
Statements

195   Additional information  

for US investors
196    Summary financial 

information in US dollars
200  Shareholder information
202  Contacts
203  2013 financial calendar
204   Principal operating locations

Full report online 
ThE REED ELSEVIER ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2012 ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEw ONLINE:
REPORTING.REEdElsEvIER.cOm/aR12

Forward-looking statements
The Reed Elsevier Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012 contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of 
the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are 
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently being 
anticipated. The terms “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “should be”, “will be”, “believe” and similar expressions identify 
forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause future outcomes to differ from those foreseen in forward-looking statements are 
referenced in the filings of Reed Elsevier with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

1

Chairman’s statement

£100m. Based on our strong financial position and planned 
disposals we intend to complete a further £300m of share 
buybacks in the remainder of 2013. 

Dividends
The Boards are recommending equalised final dividends of 17.0p 
for Reed Elsevier PLC and €0.337 for Reed Elsevier NV, up 
respectively 7% and 3% against the prior year.  This brings the total 
dividends for the year to 23.0p for Reed Elsevier PLC, up 7% and 
€0.467 for Elsevier NV, also up 7%.  The differing growth rates of 
the interim and final dividends for the two parent companies 
reflect movements in the sterling-euro exchange rate between 
dividend announcement dates.

Balance sheet
Net debt was £3.1bn/€3.8bn on 31 December 2012, down from 
£3.4bn/€4.1bn last year. Net debt/EBITDA for 2012 was 2.2x, 
down from 2.3x last year, and on an unadjusted basis, it was 1.7x, 
down from 1.8x last year. The rate of adjusted operating cash flow 
conversion was 94%, up from 93% in 2011, with capital expenditure 
at 5.5% of revenues.

Board succession
In December, our longstanding Chief Financial Officer, Mark 
Armour retired from the Boards of Reed Elsevier. I would like to 
thank him for his outstanding service over 16 years and wish him 
every good fortune in retirement. Following a rigorous search 
process, Duncan Palmer joined in August and was appointed 
Chief Financial Officer in November. He was previously at 
Owens Corning where he was chief financial officer and senior vice 
president from 2007 having previously held various senior finance 
positions within Royal Dutch Shell for 20 years in the UK, the 
Netherlands and the US. I would like to welcome Duncan to our 
Boards.  His enormous breadth of global business experience, 
gained while living in our three largest office locations, makes him 
uniquely qualified to be Chief Financial Officer of Reed Elsevier.

During the year, we also continued the process of progressively 
refreshing the non-executive element of the Boards. Mark Elliott 
and Sir David Reid will retire as non-executive Directors after ten 
years of valuable service following the conclusion of the Annual 
General Meetings in April 2013.  After a search process using 
external consultants, Linda Sanford joined the Boards in 
December.  She has over 35 years’ experience as a global 
executive with IBM and, with her experience particularly in 
leveraging technology to achieve business transformation, she 
is already proving to be a valuable non-executive Director. After 
a further search, in February 2013 we announced that Dr Wolfhart 
Hauser will join the Boards subject to shareholder approval at our 
AGMs in April.  With his more than 30 years’ service in executive 
and non-executive positions in international technology and 
services businesses and his background in science and medicine, 
he will be an excellent addition to our Boards. I would like to thank 
Mark and David for their wise advice and assistance over many 
years and to welcome Linda and Wolfhart to Reed Elsevier. 

Corporate responsibility
Our focus on corporate responsibility is a source of strength for 
Reed Elsevier. I fully support all our efforts to ensure the highest 
levels of ethical management.  Our actions indicate that we are 
implementing our commitment to increase the diversity of our 
Boards. 

Anthony Habgood 
Chairman

Anthony Habgood 
Chairman

Reed Elsevier executed well  
on its strategic and financial 
priorities in 2012. Positive  
revenue momentum and focus  
on operating efficiency combined 
to lift underlying operating profit 
growth and earnings. 

We continued to strengthen our balance sheet while maintaining 
organic investment and sharpening the focus of our business.  
We are recommending a 7% increase in the full year dividends for 
both Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV, reflecting our 
confidence in the long term outlook for Reed Elsevier. 

Underlying revenues, which exclude the effects of currency 
translation, acquisitions and disposals, grew +4%, or +3% excluding 
the cycling effect of biennial exhibitions, with all five business areas 
contributing to underlying growth. Our reported revenues grew 
+2% to £6,116m expressed in sterling and +9% to €7,523m 
expressed in euros, or up +3% at constant exchange rates. 

Underlying adjusted operating profits grew +6%, with the 
improvement in profitability driven by a combination of process 
innovation and portfolio development across all business areas. 
Expressed in sterling, adjusted operating profits grew +5% to 
£1,713m, or +13% to €2,107m expressed in euros. 

Adjusted earnings per share grew +7% to 50.1p for Reed Elsevier 
PLC, and +14% to €0.95 for Reed Elsevier NV. Reported earnings 
per share grew +42% to 46.0p for Reed Elsevier PLC, and +53% 
to €0.471 for Reed Elsevier NV. 

Share buybacks
During the year we disposed of a number of businesses that no 
longer fit our strategy and used the gross proceeds to buy back 
shares. In 2012 we deployed a total of £250m on share buybacks, 
and by the end of February 2013 we had deployed an additional 

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Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   1

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2

overview
REED ELSEVIER

2012 Financial highlights

ƒƒ Underlying revenue up 4% (3% excluding biennial exhibition cycling) 

ƒƒ Underlying adjusted operating profit up 6%; up 6% at constant currencies

ƒƒ Adjusted EPS up 7% to 50.1p for Reed Elsevier PLC; up 14% to €0.95 for Reed Elsevier NV 

ƒƒ Reported EPS up 42% to 46.0p for Reed Elsevier PLC; up 53% to €0.90 for Reed Elsevier NV

ƒƒ Full year dividend up 7% to 23.0p for Reed Elsevier PLC and up 7% to €0.467 for 

Reed Elsevier NV 

ƒƒ Return on invested capital up by 0.7 percentage points to 11.9% 

ƒƒ Net debt £0.3bn lower at £3.1bn; 2.2x EBITDA pensions and lease adjusted (1.7x unadjusted)

Reed Elsevier combined businesses
REVENUE 

ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT

£m 

€m

£m 

€m

Underlying Growth +4%

Underlying Growth +6%

6,002

6,116

6,902

7,523

1,626

1,713

1,870

2,107

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

Parent companies
REED ElSEVIER PlC 

Adjusted EPS 
pence 

Growth +7%

46.7

50.1

Dividend 
pence

REED ElSEVIER NV

Adjusted EPS 
€ 

Dividend 
€

Growth +7%

Growth +14%

Growth +7%

0.83

0.95

21.55

23.00

0.436

0.467

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   2

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

3

Reed Elsevier combined businesses

REPORTED FIGURES

For the year ended 31 December 

Revenue
Operating profit
Profit before tax
Net profit
Net borrowings

ADJUSTED FIGURES

For the year ended 31 December 

Operating profit
Operating margin
Profit before tax
Net profit
Operating cash flow
Operating cash flow conversion
Return on invested capital

Parent companies

Adjusted earnings per share
Reported earnings per share 
Ordinary dividend per share

2012
£m

6,116
1,358
1,187
1,069
3,127

2012
£m

1,713
28.0%
1,497
1,138
1,603
94%
11.9%

£

2011
£m

6,002
1,205
948
760
3,433

£

2011
£m

Change

+2%
+13%
+25%
+41%

Change

1,626
+5%
27.1% +0.9%pts
+8%
1,391
+7%
1,060
1,515
+6%
93%

11.2% +0.7%pts

2012
€m

7,523
1,670
1,460
1,315
3,846

2012
€m

2,107
28.0%
1,841
1,400
1,972
94%
11.9%

€

2011
€m

6,902
1,386
1,090
874
4,119

€

2011
€m

Change at
constant
currencies

+3%
+13%
+26%
+40%

Change

+9%
+20%
+34%
+50%

Change at
constant
currencies

Change

1,870
+13%
27.1% +0.9%pts
+15%
1,600
+15%
1,219
1,742
+13%
93%

11.2% +0.7%pts

+6%

+8%
+8%
+7%

Change
underlying

+4%

Change
underlying

+6%

Reed Elsevier PlC

Reed Elsevier NV

2012

2011

Change

2012

2011

Change

50.1p
46.0p
23.00p

46.7p
32.4p
21.55p

+7%
+42%
+7%

€0.95
€0.90
€0.467

€0.83
€0.59
€0.436

+14%
+53%
+7%

Change at
constant
currencies

+8%

The Reed Elsevier combined businesses encompass the businesses of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, together 
with their two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV (the “Reed Elsevier combined businesses”). The results of 
Reed Elsevier PLC reflect its shareholders’ 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. The results of Reed 
Elsevier NV reflect its shareholders’ 50% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier combined businesses. The respective economic 
interests of the Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders take account of Reed Elsevier PLC’s 5.8% indirect interest  
in Reed Elsevier NV.

Adjusted and underlying figures are additional performance measures used by management and are reconciled to the reported figures 
in note 10 to the combined financial statements and note 9 to the respective parent company financial statements. Underlying growth 
rates are calculated at constant currencies, and exclude the results of all acquisitions and disposals made in both the year and prior 
year and assets held for sale. Constant currency growth rates are based on 2011 full year average and hedge exchange rates.

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Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   3

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4

overview
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

Chief Executive Officer’s report

erik engstrom 
Chief Executive Officer 

In 2012 we made good progress 
on our strategy to systematically 
transform our business into a 
professional information 
solutions provider that combines 
content & data with analytics & 
technology in global platforms. 
We are continuing to improve the 
quality of our earnings, to deliver 
more predictable revenues, 
a higher growth profile, and 
improving returns.

Strategic direction
Our strategy is to become a true professional information 
solutions provider. A company that delivers improved outcomes  
to professional customers across industries, to help them make 
better decisions, get better results and be more productive. 
We aim to do this by leveraging deep customer understanding 
to combine content & data with analytics & technology in global 
platforms. Our solutions often account for about 1% of our 
customers’ total cost base but can have a significant, positive, 
impact on the remaining 99%. We seek to build leading positions 
in long term global growth markets by leveraging our institutional 
skills, assets & resources across Reed Elsevier, both to build 
solutions for our customers and to pursue cost efficiencies.

We are continuing to systematically migrate towards this type of 
business across all of Reed Elsevier, primarily through organic 
investment. We supplement our organic development with 
selective acquisitions, when we are the natural owner and can 
accelerate our strategy with good returns. We continue to divest 
assets that we are not able to migrate or where we do not see 
significant future value creation for Reed Elsevier.

By focusing on evolving the fundamentals of our business we 
believe that, over time, we will improve the business profile of 
Reed Elsevier and the quality of our earnings. This will lead to 
more predictable revenues through a better asset mix and 
geographic balance; a higher growth profile by expanding in 
higher growth segments, exiting from structurally challenged 
businesses and gradually reducing the drag from print format 
declines; and improved returns by focusing on organic 
development with strong cash generation. 

Overall, we believe that Reed Elsevier has a better business 
profile today than it had three years ago, and it is our objective to 
make sure that it has a better business profile three years from 
now than it has today. 

UNDerLYiNG reveNUe GrowTH
including biennial exhibition cycling

+2%

+2%

+4%

-6%
2009

2010

2011

2012

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

5

2012 progress
In 2012 we made good progress both on our organic 
transformation and on reshaping our portfolio. Organically, 
we extended our solution sets across customer workflows, 
launching new products, and rolling out new technology platforms 
and we continued to build out new products in adjacent markets 
and geographies. 

By the end of 2012 approximately 80% of our revenues were in 
our targeted formats of electronic and face to face, generating 
average underlying revenue growth rates of 5-7%.

We limited our acquisitions to small data and content assets 
across business areas, and assets in high growth markets and 
geographies. Over the past three years our average annual 
acquisition spend has been around £300m per year, just over half 
of our typical free cash flow after dividends. Only one acquisition in 
the past three years has been in the hundreds of millions of pounds 
sterling , Accuity, right in the intersection of Risk Solutions and 
RBI’s Major Data Services. All other individual transactions have 
required cash spend in the single digit millions or tens of millions 
of pounds sterling. 

Our acquisitions have been focused on electronic and face-to-face 
formats, with less than 10% of the acquired revenue being in print 
format. They have also been heavily weighted towards higher 
growth markets and geographies, with only 10% of acquired 
revenue in Europe, and virtually no acquired advertising revenues.  

In 2012 we increased our disposal activity, exiting businesses that 
are not likely to transform into the type of business that we want to 
be in, or where we do not see significant future value creation for 
Reed Elsevier. We also exited businesses where we have made a 
decision not to invest further to pursue a global leadership 
position, despite having successfully transformed an asset.  
For example, in recruitment and pre-employment services,  
we decided to dispose of both our Totaljobs online recruitment 
business and our employment screening business.

Over the last three years we have exited businesses with total 
revenues of approximately £600m, including significant amounts 
of print and advertising related revenues in Europe. 

With a strong balance sheet and strong cash flow generation, and 
average acquisition spend comfortably covered by free cash flow, 
we are able to continue to use the gross cash proceeds from 
disposals to buy back shares, to mitigate the EPS dilution 
associated with ongoing disposals. 

Financial performance
Underlying revenue growth reached +4%, or +3% excluding the 
effects of biennial exhibition cycling. Underlying operating profit 
grew +6%, and adjusted earnings per share grew by +8% at 
constant exchange rates. Despite continued organic investment in 
our business and the completion of a number of small acquisitions, 
our return on invested capital increased by another 70 basis points 
to 11.9%. By the end of 2012 we had reduced our net debt/EBITDA 
ratio to 2.2 times on a pension and lease adjusted basis, or 
1.7 times on an unadjusted basis, and we remain in a leverage 
range with which we are very comfortable. 

All five business areas contributed to underlying revenue and 
adjusted operating profit growth in 2012. 

Elsevier achieved good revenue growth in primary research and 
databases & tools across scientific & medical segments, with 
particular strength in emerging markets. Research article 
submissions and usage grew double digits. Electronic revenues, 
which now account for approximately 70% of total revenues, 
grew strongly across all segments. 

LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ underlying revenue growth 
accelerated slightly in 2012. Solid growth in the Insurance 
business was driven by the extension of products and services 
across insurance carrier workflows. In Business Services, 
anti-money laundering, fraud detection and credit decisioning 
solutions all performed well. 

The underlying rate of revenue growth improved at Reed Business 
Information, driven by strong growth from most of our Major Data 
Services businesses. Marketing Solutions and Leading Brands 
grew modestly, and the rate of decline in Other Business 
Magazines & Services moderated. We continued to transform the 
business in 2012, exiting businesses that no longer fit our strategy. 

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UNDERLYING REVENUE GROWTH
Excluding biennial exhibition cycling

REVENUE BY FORmaT

      2012 underlying revenue growth excluding cycling: +3%

+3%

+3%

+1%

-5%

2009

2010

2011

2012

Print
–5–6%

Face to face
+7%*

* excluding cycling

Electronic
+5–6%

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6

overview
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

In December we announced that we are bringing LexisNexis Risk 
Solutions and Reed Business Information more closely together. 
We intend to leverage Risk Solutions’ strengths in data, analytics 
and technology in combination with RBI’s broader geographic 
footprint and its industry specific databases. 

Underlying revenue growth at LexisNexis Legal & Professional 
was positive despite subdued legal markets in the US and Europe. 
Growth was driven by electronic revenues, which account for 
approximately 75% of total revenues. In 2012 we continued to 
release new products and platforms which have been well 
received. 

reed exhibitions performed strongly in 2012, driven by strong 
growth in the US and Japan, moderate growth in Europe, and 
double digit growth in emerging markets. We continued to invest 
throughout the year, launching 30 new shows, and strengthened 
our position in high growth markets through partnerships and 
targeted acquisitions.

outlook
In 2013 we will remain focused on the systematic transformation 
of our business and on improving the quality of our earnings. 
While the outlook for the macro environment and its impact on our 
customer markets is mixed, and 2013 will be a cycling out year for 
our exhibitions business, we have entered the year with positive 
momentum, and expect 2013 to be another year of underlying 
revenue, profit, and earnings growth. 

erik engstrom 
Chief Executive Officer

UNderLYiNG AdJUSTed oPerATiNG  ProFiT GrowTH

eArNiNGS Per SHAre GrowTH
Constant currency

+5%

+6%

-1%

-9%
2009

2010

2011

2012

+6%

+8%

-9%
2009

-6%

2010

2011

2012

reTUrN oN iNveSTed CAPiTAL

NeT deBT / eBiTdA

10.4%

10.6%

11.2%

11.9%

2.9x

2.5x

2.3x

2.2x

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2012
Pensions and lease adjusted; calculated in US dollars;  
2012 unadjusted net debt / EBITDA 1.7x

2010

2011

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

7

Business  
review

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In this section

Reed Elsevier

8
12 Scientific, Technical & Medical
18 Risk Solutions & Business Information
28 Legal
34 Exhibitions
39 Corporate responsibility

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8

BUSINESS REVIEW
REED ELSEVIER

Reed Elsevier

Reed Elsevier is a world leading provider of professional information 
solutions. A company that delivers improved outcomes to professional 
customers across industries, helping them make better decisions, get 
better results and be more productive.

We achieve this by leveraging deep customer understanding to 
combine high quality content & data with analytics & technology 
in global platforms. Our solutions often account for about 1 percent 
of our customers’ total cost base but can have a significant, positive, 
impact on the remaining 99 percent. 

We seek to build leading positions in long-term global growth markets 
by leveraging our institutional skills, assets and resources across 
Reed Elsevier, both to build solutions for our customers and to pursue 
cost efficiencies.

Across Reed Elsevier, we are systematically migrating towards this type 
of business, primarily through organic development, by investing in the 
transformation of our current assets  and building out new products and 
solutions in adjacent markets and geographies. We are supplementing 
organic growth with selective acquisitions where we are the natural 
owner and can accelerate our strategy with good returns. We will 
continue to divest assets that we are not able to migrate in this direction, 
or where we do not see significant future value creation for Reed Elsevier.

revenue by format

revenue by geographic market

£6,116m

21%

15%

£6,116m

19%

Electronic

Face to face

Print/Other  

64%

19%

52%

North America

UK

Netherlands

Rest of Europe

Rest of World

3%

7%

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

9

Reed Elsevier operates across several professional market segments:

In Scientifi c,technical & medical  markets, we provide 
information and tools to help customers improve scientifi c 
and healthcare outcomes.

In risk Solutions & business Information, we provide data, 
analytics and insight that enable customers to evaluate and 
manage risks, and develop market intelligence, supporting 
more confi dent decisions, improved economic outcomes, 
and enhanced operational effi ciency.

risk Solutions

C.L.U.E.®

In legal markets, we are a world leading provider of legal, 
regulatory and news & business information and analysis 
to legal, corporate, government and academic customers.

legal & professional

In exhibitions, we are the world’s leading events business, 
with almost 500 events in over 30 countries.

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FINANCIAL SUMMARy

revenue 
Scientifi c, Technical & Medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information
Legal
Exhibitions

adjusted operating profi t
Scientifi c, Technical & Medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information
Legal
Exhibitions
Unallocated items

2012
£m

2,063
926
663
1,610
854
6,116

780
392
119
234
210
(22)
1,713

2011
£m

2,058
908
695
1,634
707
6,002

768
362
110
229
167
(10)
1,626

Change

Change at constant 
currencies

Change 
underlying

0%
+2%
-5%
-1%
+21%
+2%

+2%
+8%
+8%
+2%
+26%

+5%

+1%
+1%
-3%
-1%
+25%
+3%

+1%
+7%
+10%
+4%
+30%

+6%

+2%
+6%
+2%
+1%
*
+15%
**
+4%

+4%
+6%
+10%
+4%
+20%

+6%

**+7% excluding biennial exhibition cycling.
**+3% excluding biennial exhibition cycling.
Adjusted operating profi t is presented as an additional performance measure used by management and is stated before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition 
related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) and movements in deferred taxation 
assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and include the benefi t of tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. 
Adjusted operating profi t is also grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures. Reconciliations between the reported and adjusted fi gures are provided in 
note 10 to the combined fi nancial statements. Underlying growth rates are calculated at constant currencies and exclude the results of all acquisitions and disposals made in 
both the year and prior year and assets held for sale. Constant currency growth rates are based on 2011 full year average and hedge exchange rates.

revenue

£6,116m

14%

26%

adjuSted operatIng profIt

£1,713m

12%

Scientific, Technical 
& Medical

34%

Risk Solutions

Business Information

Legal

Exhibitions

13%

7%

Scientific, Technical 
& Medical

Risk Solutions

45%

Business Information

Legal

Exhibitions

11%

15%

23%

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10

buSIneSS revIeW
REED ELSEVIER

HELPING CUSTOMERS  
LEVERAGE BIG DATA:  
REED ELSEVIER’S  
HPCC SYSTEMS  

the proliferation of mobile devices and rapid falls in 
the cost of storage mean the volume of data being 
captured around the world is doubling every two 
years. by one estimate, it could increase 50-fold 
between now and 2020*.

Our customers need to filter these vast quantities of 
often incompatible structured and unstructured data 
in order to make better decisions, get better results 
and be more productive.

 Whether they are governments looking to clamp down 
on fraud, insurance companies looking to improve 
their services, legal professionals who need the 
latest  case notes at their fingertips, or clinicians 
requiring healthcare analytics, Reed Elsevier’s High 
Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) technology 
helps them achieve these outcomes.

Uniquely, HPCC Systems combines trusted 
methodologies with Reed Elsevier’s proprietary 
linking algorithms in a single high quality repository, 
enabling our customers to turn data into intelligence 
– better, faster and cheaper. 

*Source: IDC

30m 
transactions  
per hour

HPCC SYSTEMS IS AN 
OPEN-SOURCE, BIG DATA 
PROCESSING PLATFORM 
THAT CAN HANDLE 30M 
TRANSACTIONS PER HOUR 

2012
Cool Vendor 

GARTNER NAMED REED 
ELSEVIER’S HPCC 
SYSTEMS A ‘COOL VENDOR’ 
IN ITS APRIL 2012 REPORT

OUR HPCC PLATFORM 
LINKS DISPARATE DATA 
SOURCES TOGETHER 
ON A LARGE SCALE 
AND AT HIGH SPEED, 
CREATING PRODUCT 
OPPORTUNITIES THAT 
OUR CUSTOMERS NEVER 
KNEW EXISTED.

vijay raghavan

Chief Technology 
Officer, LexisNexis 
Risk Solutions

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb  10

08/03/2013  12:07

HELPING CUSTOMERS  

LEVERAGE BIG DATA:  

REED ELSEVIER’S  

HPCC SYSTEMS  

reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

11

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12

buSIneSS revIeW
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL & MEDICAL

Scientifi c, Technical & Medical 

In Scientifi c, Technical & Medical 
markets, we provide information 
and tools to help customers 
improve scientifi c and healthcare 
outcomes.

Elsevier is the world’s leading provider of scientifi c, technical and 
medical information and serves scientists, health professionals, 
and students worldwide. Its objective is to help its customers 
advance science and improve healthcare by providing world class 
information and innovative information solutions that enable 
them to make critical decisions, enhance productivity, and 
improve outcomes.

Revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £2,063m. 
Elsevier is a global business with principal operations in 
Amsterdam, Beijing, Boston, Chennai, Delhi, London, Madrid, 
Munich, New York, Oxford, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, 
St. Louis, San Diego, Singapore and Tokyo. It has 7,000 employees.

Elsevier serves the needs of the science, technology and health 
markets by publishing primary research, reference, and 
education content, as well as by providing a range of database 
and workfl ow solutions. Elsevier’s customers are scientists, 
academic institutions, research leaders and administrators, 
medical researchers, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals 
and students, as well as hospitals, research institutions, health 
insurers, managed healthcare organisations, research-intensive 
corporations, and governments. All of these customers rely on 
Elsevier to provide high quality content and critical information 
for making scientifi c and medical decisions; to review, publish, 

disseminate and preserve research fi ndings; to create innovative 
tools to help focus research strategies, increase research 
effectiveness, improve medical outcomes, and enhance the 
effi ciency of healthcare and healthcare education. 

In the primary research market during 2012, over 1m research 
papers were submitted to Elsevier, a double digit increase on the 
prior year. Over 10,000 editors managed the peer review and 
selection of these papers, resulting in the publication of more 
than 330,000 articles in almost 2,000 journals, many of which 
are the foremost publications in their fi eld and a primary point of 
reference for new research. This content was accessed by around 
11m people, with nearly 700m full text article downloads last year. 
Content is provided free or at very low cost in most of the world’s 
poorest countries. Elsevier’s journals are primarily published and 
delivered through the ScienceDirect platform, the world’s largest 
database of scientifi c and medical research, hosting over 11m 
articles, and over 11,000 full text e-books. Flagship journals 
include Cell and The Lancet families of titles. Elsevier continuously 
innovates to improve the utility and effectiveness of its journals. 
For example, its “Article of the Future” enhances the traditional 
scientifi c paper with new and broader types of content, such as 
links to experimental data, related content, and enhanced media 
to supplement the article’s text. 

Elsevier is also a global leader in the scientifi c, technical and 
medical reference market, providing authoritative and current 
professional reference content. While reference has traditionally 
been a print industry, Elsevier has been a leader in driving the 
shift from print to electronic. Elsevier publishes over 20,000 
reference titles, with 1,400 new titles published annually along 
with supporting bibliographic data, indices and abstracts. 
Approximately 85% of these titles are available electronically. 
Flagship titles include works such as Gray’s Anatomy, Nelson’s 
Pediatrics and Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy.

One of the world’s leading medical journals 
since 1823

SciVal provides research performance 
tools for academic institutions and funding 
intelligence

Premier life sciences journal with the 
highest impact factor in biochemistry 
and molecular biology

ClinicalKey combines leading reference and 
evidence-based medical content into its 
fully-integrated clinical insight engine

PharmaPendium is an online drug safety 
database that supports drug development 
researchers

Scopus is the world’s largest 
scientifi c abstract and citation 
database

Geofacets is an extensive database of 
georeferenced geological maps

ScienceDirect is the world’s largest 
database of scientifi c and medical 
research articles

CPM CarePoints is a leading comprehensive 
care planning and clinical documentation 
system

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   12

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

13

Elsevier launched ClinicalKey in 2012, a product that allows 
physicians to access the leading reference and evidence-based 
medicine content in a single, fully-integrated site. ClinicalKey 
includes a full taxonomy and improved smart content search to 
help clinicians look up detailed information on highly specific 
topics as they seek to answer clinical questions. The platform 
covers Elsevier’s as well as relevant third-party health content. 
ClinicalKey has already been deployed at leading teaching 
hospitals, such as Oxford University’s John Radcliffe, the 
Cleveland Clinic, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

In medical education, Elsevier serves students of medicine, 
nursing and allied health professions through print and electronic 
books, as well as electronic solutions. For example, its Evolve 
portal provides a rich resource to support faculty and students 
and now has over 3.5m registered users; Evolve Reach provides 
online review and testing tools for nursing and the allied health 
professions; Evolve Teach provides online resources and solutions 
to support faculty.

Elsevier’s database and workflow products provide a range of 
tools and solutions for professionals in the science, technical, 
and medical fields. Customers include academic and corporate 
researchers, research administrators and healthcare 
professionals. 

For academic and corporate researchers, significant products 
include Scopus, Geofacets, and Reaxys. Scopus is the largest 
abstract and citation database of research literature in the 
world, with abstracts and bibliographic information on almost 
50m scientific research articles from 19,500 peer reviewed 
journals and 5,000 international publishers. Geofacets is an oil and 
gas exploration tool which packages research-relevant Elsevier 
and third-party geological content and tags that content to enable 
rich search functionality. Reaxys is a leading solution for synthetic 
chemists, integrating chemical reaction and compound data 
searching with synthesis planning.

In December 2012, Elsevier acquired Knovel, a web-based 
provider of productivity tools for the engineering community, 
integrating technical information with analytics and search to 
deliver trusted answers and drive innovation.

Elsevier serves academic and government research 
administrators through its SciVal suite of products that help them 
evaluate their institutions’ research performance, determine 
research strategies and increase institutional efficiencies. 
Leveraging bibliometric data, such as citations from Scopus, 
SciVal Spotlight helps institutions and governments to identify 
their distinctive research strengths, evaluate performance 
and increase the focus of their research and development 
investments. SciVal Funding assists researchers and institutions in 
identifying grants that are most relevant in their research areas. 

In August 2012, Elsevier bolstered its research management 
portfolio by acquiring Atira, a provider of software and tools that 
complement the SciVal platform and help academic institutions 
and researchers improve their research outcomes. 

For healthcare professionals, Elsevier develops products to 
deliver patient-specific solutions at the point of care to improve 
patient outcomes. Its clinical solutions include Gold Standard, 
which provides critical information on drug interactions to assist 
effective treatment, and CPM Resource Center, which provides 
a data-driven framework to support nurses in undertaking 
procedures.

Elsevier further bolstered its clinical solutions portfolio with the 
acquisition in September 2012 of ExitCare, a provider of patient 
education and discharge instructions. ExitCare’s products, 
incorporated into Elsevier’s clinical decision support content 
and tools, will help healthcare providers improve the delivery 
of healthcare information and services across all care 
environments. 

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revenue by format

£2,063m

Print/Other
32%

revenue by geographIc market

£2,063m

Rest of World

Electronic
68%

North America

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14

BUSINESS REVIEW
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL & MEDICAL

Market opportunities
Scientific, Technical and Medical information markets have good 
long-term growth characteristics. The importance of research 
and development to economic performance and competitive 
positioning is well understood by governments, academic 
institutions and corporations. This is reflected in the long-term 
growth in research and development spend and in the number 
of researchers worldwide. Growth in health markets is driven 
by ageing populations in developed markets, rising prosperity 
in developing markets and the increasing focus on improving 
medical outcomes and efficiency. Given that a significant 
proportion of scientific research and healthcare is funded 
directly or indirectly by governments, spending is influenced 
by governmental budgetary considerations. The commitment  
to research and health provision does, however, remain high,  
even in more difficult budgetary environments.

Strategic priorities
Elsevier’s strategic goal is to lead the way in providing information 
solutions that advance science and improve health. To achieve 
this, Elsevier creates solutions that reflect deep insight into the 
way its users work and the outcomes they are seeking to achieve; 
drives for excellence in content, service and technology; 
constantly adapts and revitalises its products, solutions and 
business models; and leverages its shared resources and 
knowledge to promote innovation, efficiency and excellence in 
execution.

For academic and corporate researchers, priorities are to 
continue to strengthen journal brands and the quality of published 
articles, and to further improve scientific communication and  
user experience with our journal content. Elsevier is focused on 
delivering journal content quickly, making it available through 
different access channels, and exploring a range of innovative new 
business models. Elsevier will also build new services, and add 
greater functionality and utility to existing solutions to improve 
researcher productivity.

For science and health professionals, priorities are to continue 
enhancing the quality and relevance of our content and our 
workflow tools, while actively managing the ongoing format  
shift from print to electronic information.

For students, priorities are to continue to provide the highest 
quality educational content and tools and to develop an even better 
customer experience. In addition, Elsevier will develop tools to 
track student performance, train new faculty members, and 
improve the effectiveness of existing faculty staff.

Business model, distribution channels and competition
Science and medical research is principally disseminated on 
a paid subscription basis to the research facilities of academic 
institutions, government and corporations, and, in the case of 
medical and healthcare journals, also to individual practitioners 
and medical society members. For a number of journals, 
advertising and promotional income represents a small 
proportion of revenues predominantly from pharmaceutical 
companies in healthcare titles.

Over the past 15 years alternative payment models for the 
dissemination of research such as so-called “author-pays open 
access” or ”author’s-funder-pays” have emerged. While it is 
expected that paid subscription will remain the primary 
distribution model, Elsevier has long invested in alternate 
business models to address the needs of customers and 
researchers. Over 1,500 of Elsevier’s journals now offer the option 
of funding research publishing and distribution via a sponsored 
article fee. In addition, Elsevier now publishes around 30 
“author-pays” journals.

Electronic products, such as ScienceDirect, Scopus and ClinicalKey, 
are generally sold direct to customers through a dedicated sales 
force that has offices around the world. Subscription agents 
facilitate the sales and administrative process for print journals. 
Books are sold through traditional and online book stores, 
wholesalers and, particularly in medical and healthcare markets, 
directly to end users.

Competition within science and medical publishing is generally on 
a title-by-title and product-by-product basis. Competing journals, 
books and databases are typically published by learned societies 
and other professional publishers. Workflow tools face similar 
competition as well as from software companies and internal 
solutions developed by customers.

RElatIVE IMpact factoR

gRoWth IN aRtIclE SUBMISSIoNS

1.00

1.02

1.06

1.08

+11%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2011

2012

Improvement in relative journal quality of Elsevier’s portfolio through 
attracting the highest quality research.

Increased number of articles submitted to Elsevier journals with the total 
exceeding 1m for the first time in 2012.

Relative impact factor is the average citation impact of Elsevier’s journal content 
compared to other publishers (industry average = 1).  Relative impact factors based on 
journal-level impact factors released by Thomson Reuters in the given year.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

15

Revenue
Adjusted operating profit

2012
£m
2,063
780

2011
£m
2,058
768

Change
0%
+2%

Change at constant
currencies
+1%
+1%

Change 
underlying
+2%
+4%

2012 financial performance

Elsevier achieved good revenue growth in primary research 
and databases & tools across scientific & medical segments, 
with particular strength in emerging markets. Research article 
submissions and usage grew double digits. Electronic revenues, 
which now account for approximately 70% of total revenues, 
grew strongly across all segments. Print book and pharma 
promotion revenues continued to decline.

Underlying revenues grew +2% and underlying adjusted operating 
profits grew +4%. 

Good underlying revenue growth in primary research solutions 
across the scientific and medical segments was driven by double 
digit growth in both submissions and article downloads, with 
particularly strong growth in faster growing economies outside 
Europe and the US. The number of article submissions to our 
journals exceeded 1m for the first time in 2012, with over 11m 
users downloading nearly 700m articles during the year. 
Elsevier’s overall relative impact factor and citation share 
continued to grow in the year as we focused on providing our 
customers with high quality content embedded in sophisticated 
online tools.

In addition to good growth in traditional “subscriber-pays” article 
volumes, “author-pays”, or “author’s-funder-pays” article volumes 
increased during the year, albeit from a small base. A sponsored 
article option is currently available in 1,500 of our journals and 
30 stand-alone journals operate under this payment model. 

Good growth in databases & tools revenue was driven by strong 
new sales and usage growth.

Sales of print books to individuals continued to decline in 2012 
reflecting format migration and subdued reference and education 
markets. Print pharma promotion revenues also continued to 
decline reflecting industry trends.

In August 2012 the management structure of Elsevier was 
reorganised, combining science & technology and health 
sciences. Had these revenue streams still been managed 
separately, their pro forma underlying revenue growth would 
have been +5% and flat respectively.

In 2012 adjusted operating profit margin continued to improve, 
driven by continued process efficiencies and currency hedging 
benefits. 

2013 Outlook
The customer environment is broadly unchanged on last year, 
with variations by geography and customer segment. We expect 
volume growth in research and strong demand for electronic 
products and solutions to continue across scientific and medical 
markets, with continued declines in print book and pharma 
promotion revenues. Overall we expect another year of modest 
underlying revenue growth in 2013. 

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REvEnuE

£m

adjustEd OPERating PROfit

£m

1,985

2,026

2,058

2,063

693

724

768

780

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

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buSIneSS revIeW
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL & MEDICAL

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

17

scopus: reducing 
the time it takes to 
get new products 
to customers

unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers 
of food, home and personal care products 
with sales in over 190 countries. Its products 
are present in seven out of 10 homes globally 
and are used by more than 2bn people on a 
daily basis. 

Unilever undertakes an immense range of 
product improvements and new product 
development every year. In order to shorten the 
time it takes to get new products to customers, 
the R&D team needed a tool to speed up their 
research decision making process. After 
extensive evaluation against its existing 
research discovery tool which had been in place 
for 12 years, Unilever implemented Elsevier’s 
Scopus in 2012. 

Scopus now enables Unilever’s R&D and 
Innovation teams to search 49m scientific 
records to make faster, more informed decisions 
and achieve better results. Unilever relies on 
Scopus to determine quickly if a specific 
experiment or chemical reaction has been 
carried out before and if it is worth pursuing.  

When deciding on using Scopus, David 
Younghusband, Information Systems Specialist 
for Unilever, based in Bedford, UK, asked for 
feedback from the researchers as part of the 
structured evaluation process. The unanimous 
feedback was that they could not now work 
without Scopus. 

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About Scopus 
Scopus is the largest abstract and 
citation database of peer-reviewed 
research literature from more than 
5,000 international publishers. The 
collection of research literature grows 
every month and currently includes 
more than 20,500 different sources, 
including 19,500 peer-reviewed 
journals, 400 trade publications, and 
360 book series. Featuring smart tools 
to track, analyse and visualise research, 
Scopus is widely used across the 
research community, with customers in 
academia, government, and industry.

20,500
sources

THE COLLECTION OF RESEARCH 
LITERATURE IN SCOPUS GROWS 
EVERY MONTH AND CURRENTLY 
INCLUDES MORE THAN 20,500 
DIFFERENT SOURCES.

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SCOPUS HELPS US DO MORE 
“E-SCIENCE”—SCIENTIFIC 
INVESTIGATION THAT 
CAN BE UNDERTAKEN 
MORE EFFECTIVELy, LESS 
EXPENSIVELy AND WITHOUT 
HAVING TO PERFORM WORK IN 
THE LAB THAT HAS ALREADy 
BEEN DONE By OTHERS OR 
THAT ISN’T LIKELy TO PRODUCE 
RELEVANT OUTCOMES.

david younghusband

Information Systems 
Specialist, Unilever 
R&D

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18

buSIneSS revIeW
RISK SOLUTIONS & BUSINESS INFORMATION

Risk Solutions & Business Information

In Risk Solutions & Business 
Information, we provide data, 
analytics and insight that enable 
customers to evaluate and 
manage risks, and develop market 
intelligence, supporting more 
confi dent decisions, improved 
economic outcomes, and 
enhanced operational effi ciency. 

Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a leading provider of solutions that 
combine proprietary, public and third-party information, with 
advanced technology and analytics. These solutions assist 
customers in evaluating, predicting and managing risk and 
improving operational effectiveness, predominantly in the US. 

Revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £926m. 
LexisNexis Risk Solutions is headquartered in Alpharetta, 
Georgia, has principal operations in Georgia, Florida, and Ohio, 
and has 4,100 employees.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is organised around market facing 
industry/sector groups: insurance, business services (including 
the fi nancial services, receivables management and corporate 
groups), and government. The most signifi cant of these is 
insurance. These groups are supported by a shared infrastructure 
for technology operations, data management, and other support 

functions including compliance and marketing. A number of 
transactional support activities, including some fi nancial 
processes, are provided from a shared services organisation 
managed by the LexisNexis Legal & Professional business. 
The Legal & Professional business also distributes Risk Solutions 
products into legal markets in the US and internationally. 

Insurance Solutions provides a comprehensive combination of 
data and analytics to property and casualty (P&C) personal and 
commercial insurance and life insurance carriers in the US to 
improve critical aspects of their business, from customer 
acquisition and underwriting to claims handling. Information 
solutions, including the US’s most comprehensive personal loss 
history database, C.L.U.E., help insurers assess risks and provide 
important inputs to pricing and underwriting insurance policies. 
Additional key products include Data Prefill, which provides critical 
information on customers, potential customers and their auto 
ownership directly into the insurance workfl ow, and Current 
Carrier, which identifi es current or previous insurance as well 
as any lapses in coverage.

business Services provides fi nancial institutions with risk 
management, identity management, fraud detection, credit risk 
management, and compliance solutions. These include “know 
your customer” and anti-money laundering products. The 
business also provides risk and identity management solutions 
for corporate customers in retail, telecommunications and 
utilities sectors. Receivables management solutions help debt 
recovery professionals in the segmentation, management and 
collection of consumer and business debt. 

government Solutions provides data and analytics to US federal, 
state and local law enforcement and government agencies to help 
solve criminal and intelligence cases and to identify fraud, waste 
and abuse in government programmes. 

The Risk Solutions business also provides risk-related information 
to the legal industry through LexisNexis Legal & Professional.

risk Solutions

C.L.U.E.®
Most comprehensive US personal insurance 
claims database

LexisNexis® Data Prefi ll
Tool to automate insurance application 
process providing critical information 
insurers need to quote and underwrite 
a policy

LexisNexis® Current Carrier 
Database that identifi es the existence of 
current or previous insurance, and whether 
or not the applicant has had a possible lapse 
in coverage

LexisNexis® Anti-Money 
Laundering Solutions
Content and information for anti-money 
laundering compliance, risk mitigation 
and enhanced due diligence

Accurint® for Collections 
The leading online US solution to help locate 
debtors quickly and accurately

LexisNexis® 
Identity Management  
Range of solutions to help clients verify that 
an identity exists and authenticate individuals

LexisNexis® RiskView 
Comprehensive suite of credit risk 
management tools to help assess consumer 
creditworthiness and risk potential

LexisNexis® Revenue Recovery and Discovery  
Suite of tools to enable governments to leverage public records and 
analytics to identify instances of fraud and to more effi ciently collect 
on outstanding debts

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19

Risk Solutions continues to focus on developing a pipeline of 
new solutions to drive growth in selected adjacent markets and 
geographies.  For example, in the UK, Risk Solutions has launched 
a new product that uses public information to help insurers assess 
and segment risk more effectively among motor insurance 
customers and is planning to launch additional innovative 
products to facilitate sharing of data across motor insurers, 
improving insurers’ ability to understand underwriting risks. 
In the government segment, customers are adopting fraud 
detection, waste, and abuse solutions, which enable government 
agencies to identify incidences of tax and benefits fraud, and boost 
revenue collections.  Risk Solutions has also continued to broaden 
its portfolio of identity management solutions, including 
one-time-password and biometric solutions, and has made 
existing identity products more configurable to address the 
specific needs of customers across our market segments.  

The identity verification and risk evaluation solutions provided by 
Risk Solutions utilise a comprehensive database of public records 
and proprietary information with more than 2,000 terabytes of 
unique data, which makes it the largest database of its kind in the 
US market today. LexisNexis Accurint is a flagship product, 
powered by the High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) 
technology. This market-leading technology enables Risk 
Solutions to provide its customers with highly relevant search 
results swiftly and to create new, low-cost solutions quickly and 
efficiently.  It is also increasingly used across other Reed Elsevier 
markets such as Legal and Scientific, Technical & Medical.

In January 2013, Risk Solutions announced the sale of its 
Screening business. This will allow it to increase its focus on 
higher-growth segments leveraging its core data, technology and 
analytical capabilities. The Screening business presented limited 
opportunities to apply these capabilities to generate unique 
customer value, sustained growth, and superior margins.

market opportunities
Risk Solutions operates in markets with strong long-term 
underlying growth drivers including: insurance underwriting 
transactions; insurance, healthcare, tax and entitlement fraud; 
credit defaults and financial fraud; regulatory compliance and 
due diligence requirements surrounding customer enrolment; 
and security considerations.

In the insurance segment, growth is supported by increasing 
transactional activity in the auto, property and life insurance 
markets and the increasing adoption by insurance carriers of 
more sophisticated data and analytics in the prospecting, 
underwriting and claims evaluation processes, to assess 
underwriting risk, increase competitiveness and improve 
operating cost efficiency. Transactional activity is driven by 
product extensions across insurance carriers’ workflow and 
growth in insurance quoting, as consumers seek better policy 
terms. This activity is stimulated by increasing competition 
between insurance companies, high levels of carrier advertising, 
and rising levels of internet quoting and policy binding.

A number of factors support growth for risk solutions in the 
financial services market, including new credit originations, 
continued high fraud losses, stringent regulatory compliance 
requirements, and increasing anti-money laundering fines. In 
receivables management, demand is driven mainly by levels of 
consumer debt and the prospect of recovering that debt, which 
is impacted by employment conditions in the US. In corporate 
markets, demand is supported by growth in online retail sales and 
continued high levels of credit card fraud. Growth in government 
markets is driven by the increasing use of data and analytics to 
combat criminal activity, fraud and tax evasion, and to address 
security issues. The level and timing of demand in this market is 
influenced by government funding and revenue considerations.

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revenue by format

£926m

Print/Other 4%

revenue by Segment

£926m

Government

Screening

Electronic
96%

Insurance 
Solutions

Business
Services

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RISK SOLUTIONS & BUSINESS INFORMATION

Strategic priorities
Risk Solutions’ strategic goal is to make businesses and 
government more effective, through a better understanding 
of the risks associated with individuals, other businesses and 
transactions and by providing the highest quality tools to help 
manage those risks efficiently and cost effectively. To achieve this, 
Risk Solutions is focused on: delivering innovative new products 
across customer workflows; expanding the range of risk 
management solutions across adjacent markets; addressing 
international opportunities in selected markets to meet local risk 
management needs; and continuing to strengthen its content, 
technology, and analytical capabilities. 

business model, distribution channels and competition
Risk Solutions’ products are predominantly sold directly, with 
pricing mostly on a transactional basis for insurance carriers 
and corporations, and primarily on a subscription basis for 
government entities. 

Risk Solutions and Verisk, a competitor, each sell data and 
analytics solutions to insurance carriers but largely address 
different activities. Risk Solutions’ principal competitors in 
commercial and government segments include Thomson Reuters 
and major credit bureaus, in many cases addressing different 
activities in these segments as well.

groWth In fraud preventIon tranSactIonS

groWth In InSurance claImS tranSactIonS

+30%

+17%

2011

2012

2011

2012

Growth in fraud prevention transactions driven by increasing need to 
identify and prevent fraud.

Increasing penetration of the insurance carrier workflow with uptake of 
products to investigate claims, adjudicate them quickly and identify fraud 
and subrogation opportunities. 

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21

Revenue 
Adjusted operating profit

2012
£m

926
392

2011
£m

908
362

Change

+2%
+8%

Change at constant
currencies

+1%
+7%

Change 
underlying

+6%
+6%

2012 financial performance

underlying revenue growth accelerated slightly in 2012 as we 
extended our data & analytics solutions across risk markets, 
driving strong growth in both Insurance and business Services, 
and a return to growth in the government segment. the 
improvement in adjusted operating profit margin largely 
reflects the impact of disposals, with underlying cost growth 
broadly matching revenue growth, reflecting ongoing spend  
on new product development. 

Underlying revenues and adjusted operating profits both grew +6%. 

The Insurance business grew underlying revenues by +7%, with 
solid growth reflecting the extension of products and services 
across the insurance carrier workflow, and expansion in new 
market segments. The international launches progressed well 
in 2012, albeit on a scale that was not material to Risk Solutions 
overall.

Business Services revenue growth accelerated to +7%. In financial 
services, the anti-money laundering, fraud detection and credit 
decisioning solutions all performed well, and revenues were 
positively impacted by some temporary effects of increased 
mortgage refinancing activities. Our receivables management 
business remained soft. 

The Government business returned to growth in 2012 reflecting 
good demand for new fraud detection products in the state & 
local segment, with continuing moderate declines in the 
federal segment. 

All Risk Solutions market segments now leverage HPCC,  
our proprietary “big data” technology, to combine proprietary, 
public, and third party information with advanced analytics to 
help customers in evaluating, predicting, and managing risk 
and improving efficiency. The business is already virtually 
100% electronic. 

In January 2013 we announced the disposal of the Screening 
business, which has been excluded from underlying revenue 
growth figures. If Screening had been included in the underlying 
results, the underlying revenue growth rate for Risk Solutions  
as a whole would still have been 6%. 

Underlying cost growth was broadly in line with revenue growth 
in 2012, reflecting spend on new products and content sets. 
The adjusted operating profit margin increased by 2.4 percentage 
points, largely reflecting the impact of portfolio changes in 2011.

2013 outlook
Risk Solutions operates in markets with strong long-term 
underlying growth drivers, and we will continue to invest in 
new products that leverage our leading content and expertise 
in “big data” analytics and extend our services across customer 
workflows. We expect continued good growth in the Insurance 
and Business Services market segments, and mixed 
Government markets.

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revenue

£m

adjuSted operatIng profIt

£m

927

908

926

354

362

392

2010

2011

2012

2010*

2011

2012

*On a pro forma basis

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LexisNexis Risk Solutions and LexisNexis Legal & Professional, previously combined as one LexisNexis business, have operated as two distinct businesses from 1 January 
2011. Comparative profit figures for 2010 are presented on a pro forma basis.

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RISK SOLUTIONS & BUSINESS INFORMATION

$24m

georgia deployed the 
lexisnexis tax refund 
investigative solution 
in January 2012, and to 
date it has already 
helped save nearly 
$24m for its taxpayers. 

tax refund investigative 
solution: working 
together to prevent 
identity-based fraud

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23

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About Tax Refund Investigative Solution 
LexisNexis Tax Refund Investigative Solution 
combines proven identity authentication tools with 
advanced linking and analytics capabilities to help 
federal and state governments detect fraudulent  
tax refund claims and identify potentially millions  
of dollars in lost tax revenues. 

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fraud is a growing problem in the uS and around the 
world. lexisnexis risk Solutions is helping the State 
department of revenue and tax in georgia protect 
its citizens from identity-based fraud. georgia 
deployed the lexisnexis tax refund Investigative 
Solution in january 2012, and to date it has already 
helped save $24m for its taxpayers. 

The success of the Georgia programme demonstrates 
the value LexisNexis Risk Solutions delivers to its 
customers. The Georgia Department of Revenue and 
LexisNexis Risk Solutions are now looking to develop 
their partnership further, working together to identify 
and prevent benefits fraud.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, I THINK 
THE IMPACT IS HUGE. WE LAUNCHED 
OUR ANTI-FRAUD PROGRAM TO STOP 
TAX REFUND FRAUD IN GEORGIA. By 
LEVERAGING BEST PRACTICES AND 
ENHANCING OUR EXISTING SySTEM 
WITH AN IDENTITy-BASED APPROACH 
TO FINDING FRAUD, WE ARE 
PROTECTING BOTH THE TAXPAyERS 
AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA. 

Doug MacGinnitie

Georgia Department of 
Revenue Commissioner

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buSIneSS revIeW
RISK SOLUTIONS & BUSINESS INFORMATION

Business Information

Reed Business Information (RBI) provides data services, 
information and marketing solutions to business professionals 
across industries globally. It produces industry critical data 
services and lead generation tools, online community sites as 
well as business magazines with market leading positions in 
many sectors.

Revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £663m. 
RBI is a global business headquartered in Sutton in the UK and 
in addition has principal operations in London, Amsterdam, 
Skokie (Illinois), Norcross (Georgia) and Boston (Massachusetts) 
in the US, as well as Paris, Milan and Shanghai. RBI has 4,800 
employees worldwide.

RBI’s customers use its data services to help make key 
strategic decisions and reduce risk, to improve productivity and 
performance and identify new business opportunities.  RBI’s 
magazines and websites deliver high value news, information 
and opinion to business professionals across many industry 
sectors while also providing an effective marketing channel for 
customers. RBI’s online marketing solutions bring buyers and 
sellers together through a range of innovative digital channels.

RBI’s market leading data services include: ICIS, an information 
and pricing service in chemicals, fertilisers and energy; 
BankersAccuity, a provider of payment routing data, anti-money 
laundering (AML) services and compliance information to the 
banking and corporate sectors; XpertHR, an online service 
providing regulatory guidance, best practices and tools for HR 
professionals; and Reed Construction Data, a provider of online 
construction data and information to the construction industry. 

RBI’s leading brands include New Scientist, Farmers Weekly, 
Estates Gazette, Elsevier magazine and Boerderij.  Online marketing 
solutions include emedia, an email bulletin based lead generation 
service and BuyerZone, a web-based request for quotation (RFQ) 
service.

In 2012, RBI continued to reshape its portfolio signifi cantly, 
addressing continued growth opportunities in data services while 
exiting areas not core to its paid content strategy. In addition, 
the business continued to focus on cost effi ciency across the 
traditional publishing businesses.

As part of this strategy RBI sold Totaljobs Group, comprising seven 
recruitment job boards, created organically by RBI.  RBI continued 
to create value from its existing magazine brands, while exiting a 
number of titles including Variety, the entertainment market title in 
the US, and those in the electronics and catering markets in the 
UK. In January 2013, RBI announced that it had completed the sale 
of RBI Australia.  RBI is in a process to exit its operations in Spain.

Global provider of news, price benchmarks, 
data, analytics and research to the energy, 
chemical and fertiliser industries

Data, news and advisory services for 
professionals working in the global 
aviation industry

Payment routing data, AML services 
and compliance tools for the banking 
and corporate sectors worldwide

Provider of actionable insight for the 
construction industry through cost data, 
project leads, market intelligence and 
marketing solutions

Online services with reference data, 
compliance information and good practice 
guides for HR professionals

News, data and research services for the 
UK commercial property industry

World’s leading science and technology 
media brand

Leading news and opinion magazine 
in the Netherlands

Digital lead generation services in the US, 
UK and Europe

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

25

Data services are typically sold directly on a subscription or 
transactional basis. Business magazines are mainly distributed 
on a paid basis. Advertising and lead generation revenues are 
sold directly or through agents. 

RBI’s data services and titles compete with a number of publishers 
on a service and title-by-title basis including: UBM, McGraw Hill 
and Wolters Kluwer as well as many niche and privately-owned 
competitors. RBI competes for online advertising with other 
business-to-business websites as well as Google and other 
search engines.  

market opportunities
The growing need for high quality industry data and information is 
driving demand for online subscription data services and providing 
new opportunities. Business-to-business marketing spend has 
historically been driven by levels of corporate profitability, which 
itself has followed GDP growth, and business investment.

Strategic priorities
RBI’s strategic goal is to help business professionals achieve 
better outcomes with information and decision support in its 
individual markets. Its areas of strategic focus are: further 
growing the data services businesses; restructuring the 
business magazines and advertising-driven portfolio; 
developing paid content services in key markets and 
supporting print franchises through brand extensions and 
redesign; and driving further organisational effectiveness.

business model, distribution channels and competition
Across the RBI portfolio, user and subscription revenues now 
account for 69% of the total business with the remaining 31% 
derived from print and online advertising and lead generation. 
RBI electronic revenue streams now account for 54% of total 
revenue.

electronIc revenue

uSer and SubScrIptIon revenue

46%

38%

51%

54%

54%

59%

62%

69%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

Demand for online data services and marketing solutions drives increasing 
proportion of online revenues.

Increasing proportion of user and subscription revenues driven by organic 
growth in subscription businesses and portfolio change.

revenue by Segment

£663m

Other Business
Magazines & Services

revenue by geographIc market

£663m

Rest of World

Rest of 
Europe

North America

Major Data 
Services

Leading Brands

Marketing
Solutions

UK

Netherlands

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RISK SOLUTIONS & BUSINESS INFORMATION

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit

2012
£m

663

119

2011
£m

695

110

Change

-5%

+8%

Change at constant
currencies

-3%

+10%

Change 
underlying

+2%

+10%

2012 financial performance

Improved underlying revenue growth in 2012 reflects strong 
growth from most of our major data Services businesses, 
modest growth in marketing Solutions and leading brands, 
and a moderation in the rate of decline in other business 
magazines & Services. In 2012 we continued the transformation 
of the business, exiting businesses that no longer fit our 
strategy. We have remained focused on process efficiencies 
which, together with portfolio development benefits, drove  
a 2.2 percentage point margin improvement.

Underlying revenues grew +2%, and underlying adjusted 
operating profits grew +10%.

Double digit growth at BankersAccuity and ICIS helped to drive 
growth in Major Data Services, only held back by continued 
weakness in US construction data. Major Data Services now 
accounts for approximately 45% of continuing portfolio pro forma 
revenues and the majority of Reed Business Information 
operating profit. 

Marketing Solutions delivered modest growth in 2012 and, 
following the disposal of Totaljobs and Hotfrog, accounts for  
only a small proportion of continuing portfolio revenues.  

Leading Brands also delivered modest underlying revenue  
growth as solid performances in the UK agriculture and property 
sectors were offset by advertising declines elsewhere. 

Other Business Magazines & Services saw moderating underlying 
revenue declines and continued portfolio reshaping.

We have continued to exit businesses that no longer fit our strategy, 
including Totaljobs, Marketcast, Variety, RBI Australia, RBI Spain, 
and a number of small businesses in other markets. 

In 2012 we continued to focus on process innovation which, together 
with the benefits of portfolio development, helped to increase the 
adjusted operating profit margin by 2.2 percentage points to an 
historic high of 18%. 

These actions have contributed to the transformation of Reed 
Business Information’s profile, with user and subscription services 
now accounting for nearly 70% of revenues, and electronic revenue 
streams now accounting for over half of the total. 

In December 2012 we reorganised our management structure to 
bring LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Reed Business Information 
together more closely in order to continue to build out Risk 
Solutions’ rapidly growing business globally. We plan to leverage 
Risk Solutions’ strength in data, analytics and technology in 
combination with Reed Business Information’s broader geographic 
footprint and industry specific databases.

2013 outlook
Demand for data & analytics in our market segments continues to 
grow, although print and advertising revenues remain weak. In 2013 
we expect continued good growth in Major Data Services, stable 
Leading Brands, and further benefits from portfolio reshaping. 

revenue

£m

891

adjuSted operatIng profIt

£m

718

695

663

89

89

110

119

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

27

FLIGHTGLOBAL:
COMBINING DATA 
AND ANALYTICS TO 
DRIVE INCREASED 
CUSTOMER VALUE 

avolon, the dublin-based global aircraft 
lessor, needs to understand key industry 
trends and assess aircraft values in order 
to make informed investment decisions. 

To achieve this it relies on Reed Business 
Information’s Flightglobal – a business 
that has transformed from a traditional 
UK-based print publisher into a 21st century 
global brand with online aviation news, 
market insights and data services.

 The Ascend aircraft fi nance data business 
came into the Flightglobal fold in 2011, 
creating the world’s most comprehensive 
database of commercial aircraft and their 
values, enabling customers like Avolon to 
save time and money, and increase 
productivity. 

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FLIGHTGLOBAL HAS 
TRANSFORMED ITSELF TO 
EMERGE AS A MAJOR FORCE IN 
AVIATION DATA, DELIVERING 
DOUBLE DIGIT REVENUE 
GROWTH IN ITS CORE ONLINE 
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES. 

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WORKING WITH FLIGHTGLOBAL IS ALL ABOUT 
RELATIONSHIPS. BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH 
THE TEAM, EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE AND 
SHARE THOUGHT PROCESSES HELPS US 
UNDERSTAND OUR INDUSTRy BETTER, AND 
BUILDS ON OUR INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL. 

dick forsberg

Head of Strategy
Avolon

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buSIneSS revIeW
LEGAL

Legal

In Legal markets, we are a world 
leading provider of legal, 
regulatory and news & business 
information and analysis to legal, 
corporate, government and 
academic customers.

Serving customers in more than 175 countries, LexisNexis Legal 
& Professional provides resources and services that inform 
decisions, increase productivity and drive new business.

Revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £1,610m. 
LexisNexis Legal & Professional is headquartered in New York 
and has principal operations in the New York area, Ohio and North 
Carolina in the United States, Toronto in Canada, London and Paris 
in Europe, and cities in several other countries in Africa and Asia 
Pacifi c. It has 10,400 employees worldwide.

LexisNexis Legal & Professional is organised in market facing 
groups. The most signifi cant are Research & Litigation Solutions 
and Business of Law Software Solutions in the US and LexisNexis 
International and LexisNexis Asia outside the US. These are 
supported by global shared services organisations providing 
platform and product development, operational and distribution 
services, and other support functions.

In Research & Litigation Solutions, electronic information 
solutions and innovative workfl ow tools, developed through 
close collaboration with customers, help legal and business 

professionals make better informed decisions in the practice of 
law and in managing their businesses.  Flagship products for legal 
research are Lexis.com and Lexis Advance, which provide federal 
and state statutes and case law, together with analysis and expert 
commentaries from sources such as Matthew Bender and Michie 
and the leading citation service Shepard’s, which advises on the 
continuing relevance of case law precedents.  Research solutions 
also include news and business information, ranging from daily 
news to company fi lings, as well as public records information 
and analytics. Through its litigation solutions, LexisNexis 
provides lawyers with a suite of tools covering case preparation 
to processing and review to trial preparation.  LexisNexis 
partners with law schools to provide services to students as 
part of their training.

In 2012, LexisNexis introduced in the US two new releases 
of Lexis Advance, an innovative web application designed to 
transform how legal professionals conduct research. Built on 
an advanced technology platform, Lexis Advance allows primary 
researchers within legal and professional organisations to fi nd 
highly relevant information more easily and effi ciently, helping 
them to drive better outcomes. Future releases will continue to 
expand content and add new innovative tools. LexisNexis employs 
lawyers and trained editors with professional legal backgrounds 
who review, annotate and update the legal content to help ensure 
each document in the collection is current and comprehensive. 
This domain expertise combined with the application of Reed 
Elsevier’s “big data” HPCC technology means LexisNexis is able 
to update its entire legal collection faster and more effi ciently, 
while also identifying and linking content, enabling customers 
to uncover previously undiscovered relationships between 
documents.

legal & professional

Lexis®
Unparalleled legal, news and public records 
content for legal professionals

Lexis® for Microsoft® Offi ce
Integration of LexisNexis content, open web 
search and Microsoft Offi ce

Lexis® Library
LexisNexis® UK fl agship legal online product

Matthew Bender®
Critical analysis, checklists, forms, and 
practice guides authored by industry experts 
covering over 50 major practice areas

Premier citation service

Lexis® PSL
LexisNexis® UK legal practical 
guidance service

New online legal research tool that 
transforms the way legal professionals 
conduct research 

Lexis® Practice Advisor
New resource that offers guidance to help 
attorneys handle transactional matters 
more effi ciently and effectively

JurisClasseur
Largest, most authoritative online legal 
resource in France

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

29

In 2012, LexisNexis launched additional modules of the LexisPSL 
product suite which provides lawyers a single destination for their 
practical legal information needs with direct links to the relevant 
cases, legislation, precedents, forms, practical guidance and 
expert commentary. The ability to drive measurable customer 
value was recognised by the British Legal Awards which has 
named LexisNexis UK ‘2012 Supplier of the Year’ for its innovation, 
authority and understanding of law firms’ needs. A similar service 
is being launched across other markets – Australia already has 13 
practice area modules and by the end of next year it will have more. 

In France, LexisNexis is a leading online provider of information to 
lawyers, notaries and courts. A heritage brand JurisClasseur and 
leading authoritative content is provided through multiple formats 
– lexisnexis.fr, mobile and in print. These content sources are, 
as in the UK, being combined with new content and innovative 
workflow tools to develop practical guidance and practice 
management solutions. In 2012, LexisNexis France launched 
Lexis 360, the first semantic search online tool combining legal 
information, practical content and results from the web. 

Following the success of Lexis for Microsoft Office (LMO) in US 
markets, a Canadian version was launched in 2012. LMO enables 
customers to access LexisNexis content and services via add-ins/
toolbars within Microsoft Word and Outlook.

In 2012, LexisNexis Legal & Professional strengthened its 
positions in Asia through enhanced products created specifically 
for legal professionals and practitioners, corporate counsels, 
legal researchers and government institutions in markets 
including India, China and Japan. In Japan, LexisNexis launched 
Lexis AS ONE, a product created specifically for corporate 
compliance and legal professionals to help navigate the 
complex regulatory environment.

LexisNexis launched Lexis Practice Advisor in the US in 2012, 
a web-based practical guidance product tailored for attorneys 
who handle transactional matters.  Additionally, LexisNexis 
introduced a legal news solution through the acquisition of Law360 
– providing attorneys with breaking news and analysis by practice 
area to supplement the legal research process.

In litigation solutions, LexisNexis released Hosted Concordance 
Evolution which is a fully hosted service that delivers electronic 
discovery review capabilities on an “on-demand” basis.  Sanction 
Solutions was also acquired, adding trial presentation software 
to the LexisNexis suite of litigation offerings.

The web-based marketing services group assists law firms in 
their client development through Lawyers.com and providing 
them with website development, search engine optimisation 
and other web marketing services. 

LexisNexis Business of Law Software Solutions provides law 
firms with practice management solutions, including time and 
billing systems, case management, cost recovery and document 
management services. 

In International markets outside the United States, LexisNexis 
serves legal, corporate, government, accounting and academic 
markets in Europe, Canada, Africa and Asia Pacific with local 
andinternational legal, regulatory and business information. 
The most significant businesses are in the UK, France, Australia, 
Canada and South Africa. 

LexisNexis focuses on providing customers with leading 
collections of content and innovative online solutions to help 
legal and business professionals make better decisions more 
efficiently. Penetration of online information services has grown 
strongly and electronic solutions now account for 58% of revenue 
outside the US.

In the UK, LexisNexis is a leading legal information provider 
offering an unrivalled collection of primary and secondary 
legislation, case law, expert commentary, and forms and 
precedents. Its extensive portfolio includes a number of heritage 
brands: Halsbury’s, Tolleys, Butterworths. The content is delivered 
through multiple formats – from print to online, to mobile apps 
and embedded in customers’ workflow.  

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revenue by format

£1,610m

Print/Other
24%

revenue by geographIc market

£1,610m

Rest of World

Electronic
76%

Europe

North America

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30

buSIneSS revIeW
LEGAL

market opportunities
Longer term growth in legal and regulatory markets worldwide 
is driven by increasing levels of legislation, regulation, regulatory 
complexity and litigation, and an increasing number of lawyers. 
Additional market opportunities are presented by the increasing 
demand for online information solutions and practice 
management tools that improve the quality and productivity of 
research, deliver better legal outcomes, and improve business 
performance. Notwithstanding this, legal activity and legal 
information markets are also influenced by economic conditions 
and corporate activity, as has been seen with the dampening 
impact on demand of the recent global recession and the 
somewhat subdued environment that followed in North America 
and in Europe.

customers with an integrated and superior experience across 
US legal research, litigation services, practice management and 
client development. Over the next few years progressive product 
introductions, often based on the New Lexis platform, leveraging 
big data HPCC technology, will combine advanced technology 
with enriched content, sophisticated analytics and applications 
to enable LexisNexis’ customers to make better legal decisions 
and drive better outcomes for their organisations and clients. 

Outside the US, LexisNexis is focused on growing online services 
and developing further high quality actionable content and 
workflow tools, including the development of practical guidance 
and practice management applications. In 2013, LexisNexis will 
begin to introduce New Lexis globally. Additionally, LexisNexis is 
focusing on the expansion of its activities in emerging markets.

Strategic priorities
LexisNexis Legal & Professional’s strategic goal is to enable 
better legal outcomes and be the leading provider of productivity-
enhancing information and information-based workflow solutions 
in its markets. To achieve this LexisNexis is focused on introducing 
next generation products and solutions on the global New Lexis 
platform and infrastructure; leveraging New Lexis globally to 
continue to drive print to electronic migration and long-term 
international growth; and upgrading operational infrastructure, 
improving process efficiency and gradually improving margins.

In the US, LexisNexis’ focus is on the continuing development of 
next generation legal research and practice solutions. It is also 
conducting a major upgrade in operations infrastructure and 
customer service and support platforms. This will provide 

business model, distribution channels and competition
LexisNexis Legal & Professional products and services are 
generally sold directly to law firms and to corporate, government, 
accounting and academic customers on a paid subscription basis, 
with subscriptions with law firms often under multi-year 
contracts. 

Principal competitors for LexisNexis in US legal markets are 
West (Thomson Reuters), CCH (Wolters Kluwer), and Bloomberg 
and Factiva (News Corporation) in news and business information. 
Competitors in litigation solutions also include software 
companies. Significant international competitors include 
Thomson Reuters, Wolters Kluwer and Factiva. 

e-bookS tItleS

mobIle app doWnloadS

1,700

1,100

+121%

2011

2012

2011

2012

Increasing numbers of e-book titles reflecting enhanced online  
content offering.

Sustained growth in the adoption of mobile apps.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

31

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit

2012
£m

1,610

234

2011
£m

1,634

229

Change

-1%

+2%

Change at constant
currencies

-1%

+4%

Change 
underlying

+1%

+4%

In Europe market conditions remain subdued, with robust growth 
in online revenue largely offset by declining print revenues. 

The 2012 adjusted operating profit margin improved slightly, with 
process efficiencies more than offsetting continued spend on new 
product development. 

2013 outlook
We will continue to roll out new products and platforms in 2013 
and will maintain our focus on process efficiencies. Our customer 
markets remain subdued, however, limiting the scope for revenue 
and profit growth.

2012 financial performance

underlying revenue growth was positive despite subdued legal 
markets in the uS and europe. growth was driven by electronic 
revenues, which account for over 75% of total revenues. In 2012 
we continued to release new products and platforms which 
have been well received. the adjusted operating profit margin 
improved in 2012 reflecting process efficiency.  

Underlying revenues grew +1%, and underlying adjusted 
operating profits grew +4%. 

In the US, usage and sales of online research and litigation 
solutions to law firms grew despite challenging market 
conditions. Underlying revenues from government and corporate 
customers also grew modestly. Print revenues continued to 
decline, and News & Business revenue declines moderated. 

LexisNexis introduced new releases of Lexis Advance during 2012, 
combining our deep domain expertise and content with Reed 
Elsevier’s “big data” HPCC technology to allow researchers 
within legal and professional organisations to find highly relevant 
information more easily and efficiently. The new applications 
have been well received, with US customer penetration of 45% 
by 2012 year end. 

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revenue

£m

adjuSted operatIng profIt

£m

1,691

1,634

1,610

238

229

234 

2010

2011

2012

2010*

2011

2012

*On a pro forma basis

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LexisNexis Risk Solutions and LexisNexis Legal & Professional, previously combined as one LexisNexis business, have operated as two distinct businesses from  
1 January 2011. Comparative profit figures for 2010 are presented on a pro forma basis.

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32

buSIneSS revIeW
LEGAL

LExIS ADVANCE:
THE RIGHT 
RESULTS, FASTER 
AND EASIER

proskauer, a global law fi rm with offi ces in north and 
South america, europe and asia, pairs deep customer 
understanding with exceptional client service. 

To keep its lawyers in close touch with clients and 
ensure they have critical information and insights at 
their fi ngertips, Proskauer deploys state-of-the-art 
technology and information systems. Through Lexis 
Advance, LexisNexis Legal & Professional’s dynamic 
web-based legal information solution, Proskauer 
lawyers enjoy instant access to over 1bn legal, news, 
company & fi nancial documents as well as 36bn 
public records. Its intuitive, internet-style searching, 
easy-to-use fi ltering capabilities and sophisticated 
analytical tools help Proskauer’s lawyers rapidly reach 
the heart of legal issues. Whether in court, at home or 
on the road, Proskauer lawyers can use their fi rm-wide 
issued iPads or smartphones to fi nd the answers for 
their clients whenever and wherever needed. 

about lexis advance 
Lexis Advance is our new 
fl agship product for legal 
research. Built on the New 
Lexis platform and powered 
by Reed Elsevier’s HPCC 
technology, it allows primary 
researchers in legal and 
professional organisations to 
fi nd highly relevant information 
more easily and effi ciently, 
driving better outcomes for 
them and their clients. 

30,000
interactions

MORE THAN 30,000 
INTERACTIONS WITH LEGAL 
PROFESSIONALS INFORMED 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF 
LExIS ADVANCE. 

OUR CLIENTS EXPECT US 
TO GET THEM THE MOST 
EXHAUSTIVE ANSWERS 
IN THE MOST EFFICIENT 
WAy. THE LEXIS ADVANCE 
IPAD APP HELPS 
ME PROVIDE THOSE 
ANSWERS QUICKLy – 
ANyWHERE, ANyTIME.

andrew e. rice

Attorney at Law
Proskauer

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

33

LEXIS ADVANCE PROVIDES OUR 
LAWyERS WITH A LEGAL RESEARCH 
OPTION THAT MIRRORS THE WAy THEy 
SEARCH THE INTERNET, MAKING IT 
EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT TO FIND 
THE NEEDLE IN THE HAySTACK.

Elizabeth S. Proujansky, 
Manager of Professional Resources 
Proskauer

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34

buSIneSS revIeW
ExHIBITIONS

Exhibitions

In Exhibitions we are the world’s 
leading events business, with 
almost 500 events in over 30 
countries.

market opportunities
Growth in the exhibitions market is infl uenced by both business-to-
business marketing spend and business investment. Historically, 
these have been driven by levels of corporate profi tability, which 
in its turn has followed overall growth in GDP. Emerging markets 
and growth industries provide additional opportunities. As some 
events are held other than annually, growth in any one year is 
affected by the cycle of non-annual exhibitions.

Reed Exhibitions’ portfolio of exhibitions and conferences serves 
44 industry sectors across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, 
Africa and Asia Pacifi c. In 2012, Reed Exhibitions brought together 
over 6m event participants from around the world, generating 
billions of dollars in business for its customers, and boosting the 
local economies where the events are hosted.

Revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £854m. 
Reed Exhibitions is a global business headquartered in London 
and has principal offi ces in Paris, Vienna, Norwalk (Connecticut), 
São Paulo, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Tokyo, and Sydney. Reed Exhibitions 
has 3,200 employees worldwide.

Reed Exhibitions organises market-leading events which are 
relevant to industry needs, where participants from around the 
world meet face to face to do business, to network and to learn. 
Its exhibitions and conferences encompass a wide range of 
sectors.  They include construction, electronics, energy and 
alternative energy, engineering, entertainment, gifts and 
jewellery, healthcare, hospitality, interior design, logistics, 
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, real estate, recreation, 
security and safety, transport and travel.

Strategic priorities
Reed Exhibitions’ strategic goal is to provide market-leading 
events in growth sectors, especially in higher growth geographies, 
enabling exhibitors to target and reach new customers quickly 
and cost-effectively and providing a platform for industry 
participants to do business, to network and to learn. To achieve 
this, Reed Exhibitions is focused on driving organic growth by 
leveraging its global sector expertise, by developing new events 
and by building out its technology platforms. It is also shaping the 
portfolio through a combination of strategic partnerships and 
selective acquisitions in high growth sectors and geographies 
as well as withdrawal from markets and industries with lower 
growth prospects.

Reed Exhibitions is committed to continually improving customer 
solutions and experience by implementing best practice initiatives 
across geographies and sectors.  Its integrated web event platform 
is used by more than 70 per cent of events and is driving both 
customer satisfaction and insight. Using customer insights, 
Reed Exhibitions has developed an innovative product offering 
which enhances the value proposition for exhibitors by broadening 
their options in terms of the type and location of stand they take 
and the timing of their commitment to the event.

The world’s entertainment content market

The international building exhibition

International security conference

TM

Premier global event for the travel industry

The East Coast’s biggest and most 
exciting popular culture convention

International trade fair for autoparts, 
equipment and services

The world’s property market

A world leading corrugated 
manufacturing show

Bringing aluminium to life

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

35

In 2012 Reed Exhibitions launched 30 new events.  These included 
events which extended the geographical footprint of the luxury 
travel brand, ILTM, to Mexico and the high end Privé jewellery 
brand to Panama.  Reed Exhibitions Japan responded to customer 
demand by introducing several new events, some of which were 
in the fast moving sectors of cosmetics and high-technology 
plastics.  In China, the Nepcon brand was used to launch an 
electronics manufacturing event in the western city of Chengdu. 
A key element of building business in China and Brazil is a regional 
strategy, taking more events to China’s second tier cities and 
cloning events from São Paulo to Recife in Brazil’s fast developing 
north east.  Reed Exhibitions now organises over 150 events in 
emerging markets.

A number of targeted acquisitions were completed during 2012.  
In Brazil, Reed Exhibitions took full ownership of its joint 
venture, Reed Exhibitions Alcantara Machado, and expanded 
into hospitality (Equipotel) and logistics (Movimat), cementing 
Reed Exhibitions’ position as the leading exhibition organizer 
in Brazil.  Elsewhere, acquisitions were made to extend 
Reed Exhibitions’ reach in China and its global position in the 
alternative energy sector.  During the year, Reed Exhibitions 
also established positions in new markets with attractive growth 
prospects, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where 
a joint venture has been created with Tüyap, the country’s 
leading event organiser.

business model, distribution channels and competition
The substantial majority of Reed Exhibitions’ revenues are from 
sales of exhibition space. The balance includes conference fees, 
online and offline advertising, sponsorship fees and, for some 
shows, admission charges. Exhibition space is sold directly or 
through local agents where applicable. Reed Exhibitions often 
works in collaboration with trade associations, which use the 
events to promote access for members to domestic and export 
markets, and with governments, for whom events can provide 
important support to stimulate foreign investment and promote 
regional and national enterprise.

Reed Exhibitions is the global market leader in a fragmented 
industry, holding less than a 10 percent global market share. 
Other international exhibition organisers include UBM, Informa 
IIR and some of the larger German Messe, including Messe 
Frankfurt, Messe Düsseldorf and Messe Munich. Competition 
also comes from industry trade associations and convention 
centre and exhibition hall owners.

geography of 2012 launch revenueS*

eventS In emergIng marketS

Rest of World 70%

revenue by format

£854m

Other 3%

North America 5%

Europe 25%

165

139

2011

2012

*On an event location basis.

Increase in events taking place in high growth geographies through 
launches and acquisitions. 

revenue by geographIc market*

£854m

Rest of World

North America

Face to face
97%

Europe

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*On an event location basis.

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buSIneSS revIeW
ExHIBITIONS

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit

2012
£m

854

210

2011
£m

707

167

Change

+21%

+26%

Change at constant
currencies

+25%

+30%

Change 
underlying

+15%

+20%

2012 financial performance

exhibitions performed strongly in 2012, driven by strong growth 
in the uS and japan, moderate growth in europe, and double 
digit growth in most emerging markets. We continued to invest 
throughout the year, launching 30 new shows in total, and we 
strengthened our position in high growth markets through 
partnerships and targeted acquisitions.

Underlying revenues grew +15% (+7% excluding biennial event 
cycling), and underlying adjusted operating profits grew +20%.

In the US and Japan underlying revenues grew strongly, and 
growth in emerging markets was well into double digits. In Europe 
good growth from a number of core events helped to offset some 
softness in southern European markets, resulting in moderate 
underlying revenue growth overall in the region. 

During 2012 we launched 30 new events, primarily in high growth 
sectors and geographies, and completed a number of targeted 
acquisitions. In Brazil we took full ownership of our joint venture, 
Alcantara Machado, and expanded into hospitality and logistics, 
and in Turkey we created a new joint venture with Tüyap, the 
country’s leading event organiser. 

2012 adjusted operating profit margins improved by 1.0 
percentage points, reflecting both process efficiencies and 
the positive impact of biennial event cycling. 

During the year we continued to roll out global platforms and 
processes across geographies and sectors. Our integrated web 
event platform is now used by more than 70% of events, driving 
customer satisfaction and providing customer insight. Innovative 
products and services are enhancing the value proposition for 
exhibitors by broadening their range of options. 

2013 outlook
In 2013 we expect good growth in the US and Japan, limited growth 
in Europe, and strong growth in other markets. However 2013 will 
be a biennial cycling out year, reducing underlying revenue growth 
by 5-6 percentage points.

revenue

£m

adjuSted operatIng profIt

£m

638

693

707

854

152

158

167

210

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

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reed elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

37
37

AUTOMOVEL BRAzIL: 
PRIORITISING 
FASTER GROWTH 
GEOGRAPHIES  
AND SECTORS

exhibitors are increasingly looking to 
develop their presence in new and 
emerging markets where they can extend 
their market share. reed exhibitions’ 
strategy of prioritising faster growth 
geographies and sectors through new 
launches and selective acquisitions is 
a reflection of its customers’ needs.

In under 10 years, Reed Exhibitions has 
become Brazil’s leading event organiser 
building a business from less than $5m 
in 2005 to more than $100m in 2012.

Automovel is already Latin America’s largest 
auto show, and one of the largest auto shows 
in the world. Exhibitors are increasingly 
using the event for global product launches, 
and are benefiting from the high levels of 
social media engagement with customers 
before, during and after the show.

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IT’S NOT JUST ANOTHER 
LOCAL  EVENT. IT’S AN EVENT 
THAT GRABS THE ATTENTION 
OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
AUTO INDUSTRy.

frederico j. themoteo jr.

Director of Marketing 
and Communications
General Motors

410,000 
visitors

LATIN AMERICA’S  
LARGEST AUTO SHOW

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38

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb  38

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2011

Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

39
39

Corporate 
Business review
responsibility
Dest que occusae vel ex 
explant vendae id etur,  
quo maximent, consed 
mo temea commodita 
similia tiatur simolor

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The Corporate Responsibility Report is an  
integral part of our Annual Reports and  
Financial Statements. This section highlights 
key achievements relative to our 2012 corporate 
responsibility objectives. You can read the 
full 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report 
at reporting.reedelsevier.com/cr12

IN THIS SECTION
00 Elsevier
00 LexisNexis Risk Solutions
00 LexisNexis Legal & Professional
00 Reed Exhibitions
00 Reed Business Information
00 Corporate responsibility

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40

BUSINESS REVIEW
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Corporate responsibility

Corporate responsibility ensures 
good management of risks and 
opportunities, helps us attract 
and retain the best people, and 
strengthens our corporate 
reputation. It means performing 
to the highest commercial and 
ethical standards and channelling 
our knowledge and strengths, as 
global leaders in our industries, 
to make a difference to society.

Constant engagement with stakeholders, including shareholders, 
employees, communities in which we operate and governments 
helps us determine material corporate responsibility issues. The 
Reed Elsevier Boards, senior management and the Corporate 
Responsibility Forum oversee corresponding objectives and 
monitor performance against them. 

We concentrate on the contributions we make as a business 
and on good management of the material areas that affect all 
companies, encompassing:

1.  Our unique contributions

2.  Governance

3.  People

4.  Customers

5.  Community

6.  Supply management

7.  Environment

1. Our unique contributions

We focus on areas where we can make a positive impact on society 
through our knowledge, resources and skills. This includes 
universal sustainable access to information, advance of science 
and health, protection of society, and promotion of the rule of law 
and justice.

Elsevier, the world’s leading provider of scientific, technical and 
medical information, plays an important role in advancing human 
welfare and economic progress through its science and health 
information, which spurs the diffusion of innovation and enables 
critical decision making. To ensure access to this information, 
Elsevier supports key programmes in places where resources 
are often scarce. Among them is Research4Life, a partnership 
with United Nations agencies and other publishers. This 
partnership provides core and cutting-edge scientific information 
to researchers in more than 100 developing countries. As a 
founding partner, we contribute 50% of the content available in 
Research4Life, encompassing all Science Direct content, including 
approximately 2,000 Elsevier journals and 7,000 books. In the year, 
there were more than 6m Research4Life article downloads 
from ScienceDirect, including from the Access to Research for 
Development and Innovation (ARDI) programme, which we joined 
in 2012. In addition to support for ongoing projects, the Elsevier 
Foundation committed $650,000 to support libraries, new 
scholars, and nursing, including a grant to the Medical Libraries 
Association/Librarians Without Borders’ e-library training 
initiative in Latin America and Asia, and the Appalachian Women 
Scientists programme at Appalachian State University in the US.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions tools and resources help protect society. 
LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ Bridger Insight XG watch list screening 
solution is used by over 3,000 financial institutions globally to help 
ensure compliance with sanctions regulations. The combination of 
the Bridger Insight XG solution with Reed Business Information’s 
BankersAccuity Global Watch List, a global data set of sanctioned 
or high risk entities, helps customers ensure proactive 
compliance. LexisNexis Risk Solutions employees created the 
Automated Delivery of Alerts on Missing Children (ADAM) 
programme which assists in the safe recovery of missing children. 
ADAM alerts circulate missing child posters – more than 2.1m in 
2012 – to police, news media, schools, businesses, medical centres 
and other recipients within a specific geographic search area. 
Since launching in 2000, 135 children have been located, including 
nine in 2012.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

RESEARCH4LIFE:
IMPROVING HEALTH 
THROUGH ACCESS 
TO SCIENTIFIC 
RESEARCH

41

Research4Life gives researchers and 
practitioners in the developing world free 
or low cost access to critical scientifi c 
information. 

Tiny Tim & Friends, a Zambian 
organisation specialising in paediatric HIV/
AIDS clinical care, is improving the lives of 
HIV-infected children through the use of 
Elsevier’s leading-edge research. 

As a founding partner, Elsevier provides 
access to its complete collection of 
journals, articles and books. 
Research4Life is a primary example of 
Reed Elsevier’s goal to provide universal, 
sustainable access to information. 

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The DevelOPInG wORlD BeneFITS enORmOuSlY FROm 
The OnlIne COlleCTIOnS mADe AvAIlABle BY OuR 
PuBlISheR PARTneRS. new COnTenT hAS mORe ThAn 
DOuBleD ReSeARCh4lIFe’S InFORmATIOn ReSOuRCeS 
PRevIOuSlY InACCeSSIBle TO ReSeARCheRS AnD 
PRACTITIOneRS In lOw AnD mIDDle InCOme COunTRIeS. 

Kimberly Parker

HINARI Programme Manager, 
Research4Life

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6,000
institutions

RESEARCHERS AT MORE THAN 
6,000 INSTITUTIONS IN OVER 100 
DEVELOPING WORLD COUNTRIES 
AND TERRITORIES BENEFIT FROM 
RESEARCH4LIFE

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Children receive treatment at a Tiny Tim & Friends paediatric HIV/AIDS clinic in Zambia

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42

BUSINESS REVIEW
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Reed Business Information (RBI) uses the power of its brands to 
aid communities. ICIS, providing news and market intelligence 
for the chemicals, energy and fertiliser sectors, held its ninth 
Innovation Awards in 2012 to reward innovation in the chemicals 
industry. France’s Rhodia won Best Innovation for Sustainability 
for creating an “urban mine” – a process to recover scarce 
metallic elements from consumer waste. Over the past two years, 
Hairdressers Journal has partnered with John Frieda to build 
awareness of HAIRraising, a charity which has raised more than 
£1m in support of London’s Great Ormond Street Children’s 
Hospital, through its publications, sites and shows. 

LexisNexis Legal & Professional promotes justice through its 
products and services. Its Rule of Law Resource Center is a free 
online community covering topics like human rights, protecting 
minority communities and anti-human trafficking. In the year, 
staff in the UK developed the free Human Trafficking Awareness 
Index, which uses the Nexis news service to highlight emerging 
trends within and across national borders to help campaigners in 
their efforts to combat trafficking. Among the ways LexisNexis 
expanded pro bono partnerships in 2012, was through a new 
collaboration with the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation to promote 
law firm engagement with social entrepreneurs working around 
the world to improve the lives of the poor and disenfranchised. 

Reed Exhibitions’ trade shows provide platforms for supporting 
our corporate responsibility focus areas. At the 2012 World Travel 
Market, its global event for the travel industry, Reed Exhibitions 
hosted World Responsible Tourism Day with events available to 
the show’s more than 40,000 attendees on topics ranging from 
poverty reduction to wildlife protection and reducing greenhouse 
gas emissions. Over the last nine years, Reed Exhibitions has 
given free space at the London Book Fair to Book Aid International, 
which annually provides more than 500,000 books – including 
those donated from across Reed Elsevier – to readers in the 
developing world, enabling the charity to engage with a wide range 
of potential book and financial donors. In 2012, the International 
Vision Expo & Conference expanded offerings for optometry 
students through a new mentor programme, in addition to 
providing free entry, a job fair, and travel grants to students from 
the 22 schools of the American Optometric Student Association.

Drawing on expertise across Reed Elsevier, in 2012 we awarded 
prizes in the second Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge to 
projects that improve sustainable access to water and sanitation 
where it is presently at risk. We offered access to relevant 
products from our businesses to nearly 600 registrants from 
more than 50 countries and saw a 40% increase in proposals over 
2011. The winner of the $50,000 first prize was the Centre for 
Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology for a project that 
modifies biosand filters with iron particles in order to remove 

water contaminants, including viruses, to bring safe drinking 
water to rural villages in Nepal. Over a period of two years,  
150 filters will be installed. Second prize of $25,000 went to 
Sanergy to extend a pilot project in Kenya that ensures accessible 
and affordable hygienic sanitation through a network of 
small-scale, high quality sanitation centres. Sanergy toilets are 
franchised to local entrepreneurs and stimulate the economy 
by turning waste into products, such as organic fertiliser sold 
to farms. In 2012, we expanded our alternative energy portfolio 
to include new products such as Elsevier’s Comprehensive 
Renewable Energy and Reed Exhibitions’ Asia Future Energy 
Forum and Exhibition.

2012 OBjECTIVES

Progress

Increase pro bono partnerships

Broaden reach of Reed Elsevier 
Environmental Challenge

Expand alternative energy 
product portfolio

Facilitate deeper country 
analysis of UNICEF climate 
change and children report

New and expanded 
partnerships, for 
example, Research4Life 
access expanded to all 
ScienceDirect content; 
support for global social 
entrepreneurs through 
Lex Mundi Pro Bono 
Foundation

90% increase in 
registrations; 40% increase 
in proposals over 2011

New products include 
Comprehensive Renewable 
Energy (Elsevier) and Asia 
Future Energy Forum 
and Exhibition (Reed 
Exhibitions)

Research extended to 
child-oriented disaster risk 
assessments in Indonesia 
and the Philippines; in-
kind assistance including 
editorial support and  
design

2013 OBjECTIVES

ƒƒ Create cross-business alternative energy roundtable to 
foster knowledge sharing and product development

ƒƒ Deliver workshops with UNICEF on child-centred climate 

change adaptation in high risk locations

ƒƒ New partnerships through Reed Elsevier Environmental 

Challenge to share water and sanitation expertise

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

43

2. Governance

2012 Objectives

Progress

Completion of Reed Elsevier 
Code of Ethics and Business 
Conduct training by 100% of 
employees within 90 days of 
their employment start date

Continue bribery law 
compliance activities, with 
particular reference to the UK 
Bribery Act and US Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act

Records Management Policy 
roll out to the UK and other 
countries

100% completion achieved

100% of employees 
completed online 
training, rolled out to new 
employees on an ongoing 
basis; in-person training 
for employees in higher 
risk roles and geographies; 
intermediary due diligence 
and related monitoring as 
part of routine process

Policy issued to all 
employees in English-
speaking countries; 
guidance to business units 
on implementation efforts

2013 Objectives

ƒƒ Achieve 100% completion of all computer-based 

compliance courses

ƒƒ Advance Record Management Policy implementation and 

roll out translations

ƒƒ Enhanced training programme for internal investigators 

of Code of Ethics and Business Conduct breaches

The Reed Elsevier Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (Code) 
is disseminated to every employee, setting the standard for our 
corporate and individual conduct. Encompassing topics such as 
fair competition, anti-bribery, and human rights, it encourages 
open and principled behaviour. In 2012, we ensured that 100% of 
employees completed training on the Code within 90 days of 
starting their employment. We provided refresher courses on 
competition laws and data privacy and security to staff that had 
completed courses previously, with 100% completion by year 
end. All US managers have completed a course on preventing 
workplace harassment.

We continued to enhance bribery law compliance efforts, 
including compliance with the UK Bribery Act and US Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act, by ensuring 100% of employees had 
completed online anti-bribery training at least once by the close 
of 2012, and rolling it out to new employees on an ongoing basis. 
We supplement online training with in-person sessions on topics 
as required, including training on competition law and preventing 
bribery for employees in higher risk positions and locations. Each 
of our businesses have designated Preventing Bribery Working 
Groups, which are engaged in implementing and overseeing 
compliance activities. Our policies, training and other materials 
are developed to help ensure compliance with laws globally. 
We also undertake intermediary due diligence and monitoring 
as part of routine process.

We maintain a Record Management Policy, Record Retention 
Schedule and related resources to help employees properly 
manage company records, setting out what, why, how, and for 
how long, different types of records must be retained and 
disposed of. In the year, we issued the policy to all employees 
in English-speaking countries.

Reed Elsevier is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact 
(UNGC) – businesses must align their governance and operations 
with ten principles related to human rights, labour, environment 
and anti-corruption. We demonstrated leadership in 2012 by 
serving on the UNGC Advisory Group for the UK and the UNGC 
Supply Chain Advisory Group. We were also part of the CEO Water 
Mandate Steering Group and represented the initiative on the 
board of the Alliance for Water Stewardship. We participated in 
the UNGC’s Corporate Sustainability Forum in Rio de Janeiro, 
where a new Water Action Hub was launched, for which we are 
providing a free news feed with water basin information. The 
UNGC judged our 2012 Communication on Progress, required of 
signatories each year, to have attained Advanced level. In the year, 
we provided video content on the UNGC for lawyers and held 
webinars on the UNGC for our suppliers.

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In the US, where we have our largest concentration of employees, 
we expanded the REACH programme, which promotes workplace 
wellbeing through health screenings, online assessments, stress 
awareness training, and weight loss and smoking cessation 
programmes, with financial incentives for participation. We 
captured wellbeing metrics including the number of people who 
attended a personal wellness screening which increased to 34% 
of US employees. There was a 40% quit rate among employees 
who undertook a stop smoking course. The resulting data is 
helping us understand the health status of our people to better 
target wellness programmes. 

Our annual re:fit2win global wellbeing competition, which 
encourages employees to establish fitness teams to compete for 
cash prizes for the charities of their choice, continued to grow in 
2012. 116 teams (84 in 2011) took part across Reed Elsevier and 
ran, walked, cycled and swam a total of 106,271 miles/171,027 
kilometres, a 77% increase over 2011.

2012 Objectives

Progress

Undertake global Employee 
Opinion Survey

Completed with 77% 
participation rate

Initiate diversity and inclusion 
training pilot

Pilots completed for all 
business units

Capture and report on 
wellbeing performance and its 
benefits

Metrics include number of 
staff completing wellness 
screenings – 34% of US 
employees participated 
(15% in 2011); benefits 
include understanding 
health status of workforce 
to better target wellness 
programmes

2013 Objectives

ƒƒ Follow up on global Employee Opinion Survey results

ƒƒ Expand diversity and inclusion training across business 

units

ƒƒ Institute health coach programme to provide personalised 

support to staff

44

BUSINESS REVIEW
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

3. People

Our 30,400 people are our strength. Our workforce is 53% female 
and 47% male, with an average length of service of 9 years.

The Reed Elsevier Nominations Committee considers the 
knowledge, experience and background of individual Board 
directors. By year end 2012, women made up 27% of the members 
of the Reed Elsevier NV Combined Board and 20% of the members 
of the Reed Elsevier PLC Board. Following the Annual General 
Meetings to be held in 2013 we expect these percentages to have 
increased to 30% and 22%, respectively, reaching the goals we 
announced in 2011.

The Reed Elsevier Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Statement 
articulates our commitment to a diverse workforce and 
environment that respects individuals and their contributions, 
regardless of their gender, race or other characteristics. Our D&I 
Strategy is focused on translating the Statement into practical 
action. Among its commitments is maintaining a D&I Advisory 
Group comprised of a senior business and HR leader from each 
business unit, supported by a broader D&I Working Group. 
Together with D&I specialists, Pluribus, we carried out a D&I 
training pilot in 2012 involving 78 staff from all business units. 
Course content included making the business case for D&I on 
ethical, economic, regulatory, and reputational grounds. We 
encourage affinity groups, like women’s forums, which provide 
support and mentoring and encourage community involvement.

In 2012, we held a stakeholder session with our CR Forum (chaired 
by a member of senior management and involving individuals 
representing all key business functions and businesses) on 
diversity and inclusion for media companies and Reed Elsevier. 
Participants included the head of diversity and corporate social 
responsibility for one of our customers; the CEO of the Association 
of Women in Science; the head of talent for one of our business 
units; a diversity expert; and the convener of the Media CSR 
Forum. As a member of ID (Inclusion and Diversity) 100, a network 
for sharing D&I knowledge among FTSE100 peers, we hosted a 
panel on boardroom diversity with executive search firm leaders 
Egon Zehnder, JCA Group and the Zygos Partnership.

In 2012, we conducted a global Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) to 
understand how our people feel about Reed Elsevier. We donated 
$1 for every completed survey to our global fundraising effort 
for Plan UK focused on education for girls, and had a 77% 
participation rate. Overall, employees rate Reed Elsevier as a 
company that employs strong, ethical principles in its  business 
practices with improved scores since the last survey in 2009 in 
overall satisfaction, innovation and customer focus. We are 
prioritising areas identified in the EOS that remained flat with 
local action plans led by managers. 

Our employees have the right to a healthy and safe workplace 
as outlined in the Reed Elsevier Health and Safety Policy. We 
concentrate on areas of greatest risk, for example, warehouses, 
events and exhibitions. However, as a primarily office-based 
company, our key impact areas are posture-related muscular 
strains, slips/trips and falls. To reduce our severity rate (lost days 
per 200,000 hours worked), we conduct risk assessments, and 
work with a third party in the US to assign a nurse case manager 
to each complex or severe claim. We have achieved a 70% 
reduction in the severity rate since 2008.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

45

ENVIRONMENTAL 
CHALLENGE: 
ADVANCING ACCESS 
TO SAFE WATER  
AND SANITATION

The Reed Elsevier Environmental 
Challenge advances sustainable 
access to safe water and sanitation 
where it is presently at risk. 

Projects must be innovative, scalable, 
involve local communities and address 
issues such as health, education, and 
non-discrimination. 2012 winners were 
the Centre for Affordable Water and 
Sanitation Technology, for a biosand 
filter to improve drinking water in 
Nepal, and Sanergy, a network of small, 
high quality sanitation centres in Kenya, 
run by local entrepreneurs.

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The ReeD elSevIeR envIROnmenTAl ChAllenGe 
DemOnSTRATeS ThAT The DISSemInATIOn OF 
ReSeARCh AnD IDeAS IS A POweRFul FORCe FOR 
ImPROvInG heAlTh AnD quAlITY OF lIFe. wInnInG 
PROjeCTS emBODY CReATIve SOluTIOnS TO ACCeSSInG 
wATeR AnD SAnITATIOn In AReAS OF GReAT neeD. 

Youngsuk “YS” Chi

Director, Corporate 
Affairs

$150,000
awarded over the 
past two years

Villagers in Nepal will gain access to better water through iron-amended biosand filters

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46

BUSINESS REVIEW
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

4. Customers

5. Community

RE Cares, our global community programme, promotes education 
for disadvantaged young people aligned with our unique 
contributions as a business, and allows staff up to two days off per 
year for their own community work. We donated £2.5m in cash 
(including through matching gifts) and the equivalent of£2.8m in 
products, services and staff time in 2012. 30% of employees were 
engaged in volunteering through RE Cares and we reached 20,200 
disadvantaged young people through volunteering, in-kind, and 
cash donations.

An international network of more than 180 RE Cares Champions 
engage colleagues throughout the year in activities such as the 
RE Cares Challenge, which rewards business-sponsored  
community engagement.

Each September, we hold RE Cares Month to celebrate our 
community activities, with volunteering spotlighted on Global RE 
Cares Day during the month. In 2012, activities involved more than 
3,300 staff in local community projects. Among them, LexisNexis 
Risk Solutions held the Windward Challenge, a 5km race in support 
of KaBoom! which provides recreational spaces for children, 
involving more than 500 staff and members of the community. 

During the month we held our annual global book drive yielding 
more than 12,000 books for local and developing world readers, 
and announced the winners of the second Recognising Those 
Who Care Awards to highlight the contributions to RE Cares of 
eight individuals and four RE Cares teams. Individual winners 
from across the business took part in visits to projects we are 
supporting through Plan International in Peru and India led by 
Youngsuk “YS” Chi, Reed Elsevier’s Director of Corporate Affairs, 
and Hugo Zhang, Reed Elsevier China’s Director of Government 
Affairs. The winning teams were from Elsevier Amsterdam, 
LexisNexis Dayton, LexisNexis New York, and Reed Exhibitions 
Norwalk who won cash prizes for their chosen charities.

2012 OBjECTIVES

25% of employees volunteering 
through RE Cares

Progress

30% achieved

20,200 reached

Reach 10,000 disadvantaged 
young people through 
volunteering, in-kind, and 
cash donations

2013 OBjECTIVES

ƒƒ Skills-based Two Days volunteer drive (all staff have two 
days each year for community work of their own choosing)

ƒƒ 25% of locations involved in RE Cares Month

In 2012, we surveyed more than 300,000 customers through 
Net Promoter Score (measuring customer loyalty) and business 
dashboard programmes. This allows us to deepen understanding 
of their needs and further drives forward a customer-centric 
culture across Reed Elsevier. Results, reviewed by the CEO and 
senior managers and communicated to staff, illuminate where we 
are doing well and where we must do better. To aid colleagues who 
work with customers, in 2012 we began a CR Sales Academy to 
help them articulate our commitment to corporate responsibility  
and the benefits it provides to our business such as reducing risk 
and strengthening our corporate reputation. Sessions included 
our approach to corporate responsibility, the environment, 
accessibility, and governance. Content is made available to all 
staff through the Corporate Responsibility  section of the 
corporate intranet.

In the year, we consulted more widely on the Reed Elsevier Editorial 
Policy, including with our European Works Council, further 
strengthening provisions such as editorial independence as a result. 
The Editorial Policy stipulates our responsibility to make clear 
distinctions between fact and opinion and user-generated or other 
content and encourages dialogue on our content, including through 
social media. We made it available to all staff through the corporate 
intranet and publicly available through the Reed Elsevier website.

We are committed to improving access to our products and 
services for all users, regardless of physical ability. In 2012, 
we drafted a Reed Elsevier Accessibility Policy that expresses 
our desire to lead the industry in providing accessibility solutions 
to customers and contribute to international standards with 
products that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and 
robust. In the year, members of the Accessibility Working Group 
logged 76 projects in accessibility undertaken during the course 
of the year. Elsevier’s Global Books Digital Archive fulfilled 4,000 
disability requests, 50% of them through AccessText.org, a service 
it helped establish. 

2012 OBjECTIVES

Progress

Roll out updated Editorial 
Policy

Develop CR Sales Academy

Develop Reed Elsevier 
Accessibility Policy

Extended consultation on 
Editorial Policy; disseminated 
via global intranet and 
corporate website

CR Sales Academy 
initiated with sessions on 
corporate responsibility 
performance, the 
environment, accessibility, 
and governance

Reed Elsevier Accessibility 
Policy drafted; principles 
include leading industry 
in providing accessibility 
solutions to customers

2013 OBjECTIVES

ƒƒ Embed updated Editorial Policy

ƒƒ Incorporate corporate responsibility component into 

regular customer-facing staff training

ƒƒ Consult on Reed Elsevier Accessibility Policy and begin 

implementation

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

47

6. Supply management

7. environment

We require our suppliers to meet the high standards we set for 
ourselves. Our Supplier Code of Conduct stipulates adherence to 
all laws and best practice in areas such as human rights, labour 
and the environment. Through our Socially Responsible Supplier 
(SRS) database, in 2012 we tracked 477 critical, preferred and 
strategic suppliers, and those we deem high risk according to 
criteria from the Corporate Executive Board’s Global Country 
Analysis Support Tool, human trafficking data from the US State 
Department and rankings in the Environmental Performance 
Index produced by Yale University and Columbia University. 
The tracking list changes year on year based on the number of 
suppliers we do business with who meet the required criteria. 
We started 2012 with 47% of suppliers on the SRS tracking list as 
signatories to the Supplier Code and reached 75% by year end. 
We have embedded signing the Supplier Code into our e-sourcing 
tool as one of the criteria for doing business with us and have an 
additional 1,925 signed codes.

Specialist supply chain auditors, Intertek, undertook 52 external 
audits for 2012 of high risk suppliers. Any incidence of Supplier Code 
non-compliance identified in the audit process triggers a corrective 
action plan with supplier remediation required on all issues.

To engage suppliers on key issues, we broadened our Socially 
Responsible Supplier Academy covering the audit process, 
environmental management, diversity and inclusion, community 
engagement, preventing bribery, and the UN Global Compact, 
among other topics.

2012 OBjECTIVES

Progress

75% of key suppliers as 
Supplier Code of Conduct 
signatories

75% (361 of 477 key 
suppliers); 1,925 other 
Code signatories

50 external audits of high risk 
suppliers

56 completed (includes  
4 carried over from 2011)

Broaden Socially Responsible 
Supplier Academy

More subjects covered 
such as diversity and 
inclusion and accessibility; 
47% increase in 
registrations over 2011

2013 OBjECTIVES

ƒƒ 78% of key suppliers as Supplier Code of Conduct 

signatories

ƒƒ 55 external audits of high risk suppliers

ƒƒ Develop US Supplier Diversity Plan

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In 2012, we launched our updated environmental targets following 
extensive consultation with stakeholders. Our targets reflect 
our performance and key issues and can be found along with full 
environmental performance details in the 2012 Corporate 
Responsibility Report at reporting.reedelsevier.com/cr12.

We attained 33% of our electricity from renewable sources in the 
year and were ranked as the 2012 sector leader in the Carbon 
Disclosure Project, representing 655 investors with $78,000bn 
under management. 

Our Environmental Champions network, employee-led Green 
Teams, and engagement through networks such as Publishers 
Database for Responsible Ethical Paper Sourcing, inform 
management plans to address our environmental impact. 
Among them is the Reed Elsevier Environmental Standards 
programme, which sets benchmark performance levels and 
inspires green competition among offices. In 2012, 69 sites  
(58% of key locations) achieved five or more standards attaining 
green status. Reed Elsevier’s CFO wrote to all staff recognising 
their achievement on World Environment Day and also identified 
Green Heroes across the company, nominated by their peers for 
their environmental efforts. 

We have a positive environmental impact through our 
environmental publications and services which spread good 
practice, encourage debate, and aid researchers and decision 
makers. The most recent results from independent Market 
Analysis System show our share of citations in environmental 
science represented 33% of the total market, and 71% in energy 
and fuels. In 2012, CEO Erik Engstrom signed a CEO Water 
Mandate Communiqué calling on government leaders attending 
the Rio + 20 Earth Summit to prioritise sustainable water.

2012 OBjECTIVES

25% of electricity from 
renewable energy or offsets

50% of key locations to achieve 
five or more RE Environmental 
Standards

Launch updated environmental 
targets

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Progress

33% achieved

58% achieved (69 locations 
vs. 40 in 2011)

Launched externally 
through annual reporting 
documents; internally 
through Environmental 
Champions and Green 
Teams

2013 OBjECTIVES

ƒƒ 35% of electricity from renewable energy or offsets

ƒƒ 60% of key locations to achieve five or more updated 

RE Environmental Standards

ƒƒ Map range of Reed Elsevier environmental products 

and services

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48

BUSINESS REVIEW
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

KEY ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Climate change

Energy

Water

Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3 (business travel)

Offi ce energy use intensity
Percentage of energy from 
renewable or offset
Average data centre Power 
Usage Effectiveness (PUE)

Percentage of key locations 
in water stressed areas 
achieving usage of 10m3 of 
water per person per year

Waste                                Waste diverted from landfi ll

Target 
2015 vs 2010

–20% intensity
–10% intensity
–15% intensity

–20% intensity

50% absolute

1.70 absolute

100% absolute
75% absolute

we achieved the following recognition in 2012:

Intensity 
achievement 
to date 
2012 vs 2010

Absolute 
achievement 
to date 
2012 vs 2010

-19%
-15%
0%

-22%

2012
Absolute 
fi gure
10,752 tCO2e
127,105 tCO2e
34,950 tCO2e

2012
Intensity fi gure 
(per million 
turnover)
1.76 tCO2e
20.78 tCO2e
5.71 tCO2e

-18%
-14%
1%

-21%

115,724 MWh

18.92 MWh

33%

73,257 MWh

1.70

125,103 MWh

69%
67%

24 locations
7,056 tonnes

Business in the Community 
CR Index
– Platinum status

Carbon Disclosure Project 
 Leadership Index
– FTSE 350 sector leader

Caring for Climate 
top 25 performer
– FTSE 350 sector leader

Deloitte Sustainability 
Reporting Scorecard 
–  current good/

leading practice

Dow jones Sustainability 
Indexes 
– included 

ECPI Ethical Funds 
recognition 

Ethibel Pioneer and 
Ethibel Excellence
– included 

FTSE4Good Index 
– included 

SAM Sustainability Awards 
– bronze medalist

Triodos Bank Sustainable 
Equity/Bond Fund 
–  fi rst in the publishing 

sector

UK National Business 
Awards 
–  Sustainability 
Awards fi nalist

VBDO supply chain 
benchmark    
– top 10 

Vigeo top 20  
–  strong performer: top 120 
in  Europe, top 120 globally 

THE FULL 2012 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT REPORTING.REEDELSEVIER.COM/CR12

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Financial  
review

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In this section

50 Chief Financial Officer’s report
58 Principal risks

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50

FInancIal REVIEW
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Chief Financial Officer’s report

duncan palmer
Chief Financial Officer

2012 saw continued financial 
progress reflecting further 
improvements in trading 
performance, strong cash flow 
and capital efficiency. adjusted 
earnings per share grew by 
8%. Return on invested capital 
improved to 11.9%. Reed elsevier’s 
balance sheet remains strong with 
net debt 2.2 times eBitda on a 
pensions and lease adjusted basis.

Reported figures

Revenue was £6,116m (2011: £6,002m), up 2%. At constant 
exchange rates, revenue was up 3%. Underlying revenue growth 
was 4%, or 3% excluding the net cycling in of biennial exhibitions. 

ReCOnCiliatiOn OF RepORted Revenues yeaR-On-yeaR

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER

2011 revenue
Underlying growth
Acquisitions
Disposals
Currency effects

2012 revenue

£m

 Change 

6,002
230
148
(201)
(63)

6,116

+4%
+3%
-4%
-1%

+2%

Reported operating profit, after amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets and acquisition related costs, was £1,358m 
(2011: £1,205m), reflecting the improved trading performance 
described in the Business Review.

The amortisation charge in respect of acquired intangible assets, 
including the share of amortisation in joint ventures, amounted 
to £329m (2011: £359m). Acquisition related costs were £21m 
(2011: £52m), reflecting the completion of the ChoicePoint 
integration programme in 2011. Disposals and other non operating 
gains were £45m (2011: £21m losses), principally arising from 
business divestments, in particular Totaljobs, offset by property 
charges relating to disposed businesses.

Net finance costs were lower at £216m (2011: £235m), including 
the benefit of term debt refinancing. 

The reported profit before tax was £1,187m (2011: £948m). The 
reported tax charge was £113m (2011: £181m). This includes an 
exceptional tax credit of £96m resulting from the resolution of a 
number of significant prior year tax matters. On the basis of its 
size and nature the tax credit has been excluded from adjusted 
net profit. The reported net profit attributable to the parent 
companies’ shareholders was £1,069m (2011: £760m).

REVEnuE

£m

6,071

6,055

6,002

6,116

2009

2010

2011

2012

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

51

Reported figures
Revenue
Operating profit
Profit before tax
Net profit
Net borrowings

adjusted figures
Operating profit
Operating margin
Profit before tax
Net profit
Operating cash flow
Operating cash flow conversion
Return on invested capital

2012
£m

2011
£m

Change

Change
at constant
currencies

Change 
underlying

+4%

+6%

6,116
1,358
1,187
1,069
3,127

1,713
28.0%
1,497
1,138
1,603
94%
11.9%

6,002
1,205
948
760
3,433

+2%
+13%
+25%
+41%

1,626
+5%
27.1% +0.9%pts
+8%
1,391
+7%
1,060
1,515
+6%
93%

11.2% +0.7%pts

+3%
+13%
+26%
+40%

+6%

+8%
+8%
+7%

Reed Elsevier uses adjusted and underlying figures as additional performance measures. Adjusted figures are stated before the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, 
acquisition related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) and movements in 
deferred taxation assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and include the benefit of tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and 
intangible assets. Adjusted operating profit is also grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures. Acquisition related costs relate to acquisition integration, 
professional and other transaction related fees, and adjustments to deferred and contingent consideration. The exceptional prior year tax credit arising in 2012 is described in 
note 9 to the combined financial statements. Reconciliations between the reported and adjusted figures are set out in note 10 to the combined financial statements. Underlying 
growth rates are calculated at constant currencies, and exclude the results of all acquisitions and disposals made in both the year and prior year and assets held for sale. 
Constant currency growth rates are based on 2011 full year average and hedge exchange rates.

adjusted figures

Adjusted operating profit was £1,713m (2011: £1,626m), up 5%. 
At constant currencies, adjusted operating profits were up 6%. 
Underlying growth was also 6%. Profit performance across 
the business is described in the Business Review.

ReCOnCiliatiOn OF adjusted OpeRating pROFit  
yeaR-On-yeaR

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER

£m

Change 

Total operating costs increased by 2% at constant currencies, 
including acquisitions and disposals. Underlying costs were up 
4%, reflecting volume growth as well as organic investment in 
new product development and sales & marketing, partly offset 
bycontinued improvements in process efficiency.

The overall adjusted operating margin at 28.0% was 0.9 percentage 
points higher than in the prior year. This included a 0.5 percentage 
point benefit to margin from portfolio change and a 0.1 percentage 
point benefit from the multi-year journal subscription currency 
hedging programme net of other currency translation effects. 

2011 adjusted operating profit
Underlying growth
Acquisitions
Disposals
Currency effects

2012 adjusted operating profit

1,626
85
35
(22)
(11)

1,713

+6%
+2%
-2%
-1%

+5%

The net pension expense, before the net pension financing credit, 
was £89m (2011: £96m), including settlement and curtailment 
credits of £20m (2011: £9m). The net pension financing credit was 
£25m (2011: £34m) reflecting the increase in scheme liabilities at 
the beginning of the year compared with a year before and lower 
expected asset returns.

adjustEd opERatIng pRoFIt

adjustEd opERatIng pRoFIt maRgIn

£m

1,570

1,555

1,626

1,713

25.9%

25.7%

27.1%

28.0%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

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52

FInancIal REVIEW
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Adjusted profit before tax was £1,497m (2011: £1,391m), up 8% 
at both reported and constant exchange rates, reflecting the 
increase in adjusted operating profits and a lower net  
interest expense. 

ReCOnCiliatiOn OF adjusted and RepORted pROFit 
BeFORe tax

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER 

Adjusted profit before tax
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
Reclassification of tax in joint ventures
Disposals and other non operating items

Reported profit before tax

2012
£m

1,497
(329)
(21)
(5)
45

1,187

 2011
£m 

1,391
(359)
(52)
(11)
(21)

948

The effective tax rate on adjusted profit before tax at 23.6% was  
0.3 percentage points higher than in the prior year, resulting 
from the geographic mix of the net increase in pre-tax profits. 
The effective tax rate excludes an exceptional tax credit of £96m 
described above, movements in deferred taxation assets and 
liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term, 
and includes the benefit of tax amortisation where available on 
acquired goodwill and intangible assets. This more closely aligns 
with cash tax costs over the longer term. Adjusted operating 
profits and taxation are grossed up for the equity share of taxes 
in joint ventures.

The application of tax law and practice is subject to some 
uncertainty and amounts are provided in respect of this. 
Discussions with tax authorities relating to cross border 
transactions and other matters are ongoing. Although the 
outcome of open items cannot be predicted, no significant  
impact on the financial position of Reed Elsevier is expected.

The adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders of £1,138m 
(2011: £1,060m) was up 7% and up 8% at constant currencies.

Cash flows

Adjusted operating cash flow was £1,603m (2011: £1,515m), up 6% 
compared with the prior year and up 7% at constant currencies. 
The rate of conversion of adjusted operating profits into cash flow 
was 94% (2011: 93%).

COnveRsiOn OF adjusted OpeRating pROFit intO Cash

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER 

Adjusted operating profit
Capital expenditure
Depreciation and amortisation of internally 

developed intangible assets
Working capital and other items

Adjusted operating cash flow

Cash flow conversion

2012
£m

1,713
(333)

227
(4)

1,603

94%

 2011
£m 

1,626
(350)

207
32

1,515

93%

Capital expenditure included within adjusted operating cash 
flow was £333m (2011: £350m), including £263m (2011: £265m) 
in respect of capitalised development costs included within 
internally generated intangible assets. This reflects the sustained 
investment in new products and related infrastructure, 
particularly in the Legal business. Depreciation and the 
amortisation of capitalised development costs was £227m 
(2011: £207m).

Free cash flow – after interest and taxation – was £1,098m  
(2011: £1,062m) before acquisition related spend and cash flows 
relating to exceptional restructuring programmes from prior 
years. The increase compared with the prior year is after higher 
taxes paid of £281m (2011: £218m), reflecting the improved 
profitability and the utilisation of prior year tax losses in 2011.

Payments made in respect of acquisition related costs amounted 
to £37m (2011: 38m). Payments in respect of the exceptional 
restructuring programmes from prior years were £25m  
(2011: £52m), principally relating to property costs.

Free cash flow before dividends was £1,075m (2011: £977m). 
Ordinary dividends paid to shareholders in the year, being the 
2011 final and 2012 interim dividends, amounted to £521m (2011: 
£497m). Free cash flow after dividends was £554m (2011: £480m).

REtuRn on InVEstEd capItal

adjustEd opERatIng cash FloW conVERsIon

10.4%

10.6%

11.2%

11.9%

99%

98%

93%

94%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

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53

FRee Cash FlOw

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER 

Adjusted operating cash flow
Interest paid
Tax paid
Acquisition related/ restructuring costs*

Free cash flow before dividends
Ordinary dividends

Free cash flow post dividends

* Including cash tax relief/repayments.

2012
£m

1,603
(224)
(281)
(23)

1,075
(521)

554

 2011
£m 

1,515
(235)
(218)
(85)

977
(497)

480

Cash spend on acquisitions and other investments was £323m, 
including deferred consideration of £30m on past acquisitions. 

Gross cash proceeds from disposals amounted to £242m, 
including £7m from the sale of non-controlling interests. Net 
proceeds, before tax, amounted to £160m, after related separation 
and transaction costs, additional pension scheme contributions, 
and working capital and other adjustments in respect of prior year 
transactions. Net tax recovered in respect of disposals was £26m 
(2011: tax paid £5m).

Share repurchases by the parent companies in 2012 were £250m 
(2011: nil), with a further £100m repurchased in 2013 as at 
27 February. No shares of the parent companies were purchased 
by the employee benefit trust (2011: nil). Net proceeds from the 
exercise of share options were £48m (2011: £9m). 

ReCOnCiliatiOn OF net deBt yeaR-On-yeaR

yEaR to 31 dEcEmbER 

Net debt at 1 January
Free cash flow post dividends
Acquisitions/disposals:
Acquisitions*
Disposals*
Share repurchases
Net proceeds from share options exercised
Other**
Currency translation

2012
£m

(3,433)
554

 2011
£m 

(3,455)
480

(323)
242
(250)
48
(72)
107

(557)
101
–
9
(35)
24

Net debt at 31 December

(3,127)

(3,433)

* Gross cash amounts in year; includes borrowings in acquired businesses.
**  Cash tax relief/payments and associated transaction costs on acquisitions/

disposals.

nEt dEbt

£m

3,931

3,455

3,433

3,127

Funding

debt
Net borrowings at 31 December 2012 were £3,127m, a decrease 
of £306m since 31 December 2011. Excluding currency translation 
effects, net debt decreased by £199m, with acquisitions and share 
repurchases funded from free cash flow and proceeds from 
divestments. Expressed in US dollars, net borrowings at 
31 December 2012 were $5,079m, a decrease of $246m in the year.

Gross borrowings after fair value adjustments at 31 December 
2012 amounted to £3,892m (2011: £4,282m). The fair value of 
related derivative assets was £124m (2011: £123m). Cash balances 
totalled £641m (2011: £726m). As at 31 December 2012, after 
taking into account interest rate and currency derivatives, a total 
of 59% of Reed Elsevier’s gross borrowings were at fixed rates 
with a weighted average remaining life of 5.6 years and interest 
rate of 6.1%. Taking into account the cash balances and the fair 
value of derivatives, as at 31 December 2012, 74% of Reed 
Elsevier’s net borrowings were at fixed rates.

The ratio of net debt to EBITDA (adjusted earnings before 
interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) for the year ended 
31 December 2012 was 1.7x (2011: 1.8x), and 2.2x (2011: 2.3x)  
on a pensions and lease adjusted basis. 

liquidity
During 2012, the second of two one year extension options was 
exercised on the $2.0bn committed bank facility, extending the 
maturity to June 2015. This back up facility provides security of
funding for short term debt. 

In September 2012, €550m of fixed rate term debt with a maturity  
of eight years was issued at a coupon of 2.5% (before taking into 
account fixed to floating interest swaps) and the proceeds used to 
pre-finance the €600m 6.5% coupon term debt maturing in April 
2013. In October and November 2012, $561m of fixed rate term debt 
with a maturity of ten years was issued at a coupon of 3.125%. 
Related to this transaction, $299m of fixed rate term debt maturing 
in January 2014 and January 2019, with a weighted average coupon 
of 8.4%, was exchanged for $311m of the newly issued term debt and 
cash payments of $75m. The remaining cash proceeds were used 
to reduce short term commercial paper borrowings ahead of the 
January 2014 bond maturity. 

The strong free cash flow of the business, the available resources 
and back up facilities, and Reed Elsevier’s ability to access debt 
capital markets are expected to provide sufficient liquidity to 
repay or refinance borrowings as they mature.

tERm dEbt matuRIty pRoFIlE

$m

935 937

650

522

286

729 726

604 507

0

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

2022

>2022

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FInancIal REVIEW
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Details on the treasury policies of the combined businesses are 
on pages 56 and 57 and in note 18 to the combined financial 
statements.

invested capital and returns

summaRy BalanCe sheet

as at 31 dEcEmbER 

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets*
Internally developed intangible assets*
Property, plant and equipment* and 
investments 
Net assets held for sale
Net pension obligations
Working capital

2012
£m

7,173
647

443

201
(466)
(1,139)

 2011
£m 

7,628
595

476

27
(242)
(1,060)

Net capital employed

6,859

7,424

 * Net of accumulated depreciation and amortisation.

Net capital employed was £6,859m (2011: £7,424m) at 
31 December 2012, a decrease of £565m.

The carrying value of goodwill and acquired intangible assets fell 
by £455m, reflecting divestments completed and in progress, the 
annual amortisation charge and currency effects, partly offset by 
acquisitions in 2012. An amount of £229m was capitalised in the 
year as acquired intangible assets and £165m as goodwill. 

Development costs of £261m (2011: £270m) were capitalised 
within internally developed intangible assets, most notably 
investment in new products and related infrastructure in the 
Legal business. 

Net pension obligations, i.e. pension obligations less pension 
assets, at 31 December 2012 increased to £466m (31 December 
2011: £242m), including a deficit of £306m (31 December 2011: 
£87m) in respect of funded schemes, which were on average 93% 
funded at the end of the year on an IFRS basis. The increased 
deficit reflects an increase in liabilities following a reduction in 
discount rates over the year. 

Negative working capital increased by £79m, reflecting the impact 
of divestments completed and in progress and reductions in 
physical inventory.

Gross capital employed at 31 December 2012 was £11,338m 
(2011: £11,968m) after adding back accumulated amortisation 
and impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill. 
The decrease of £630m principally reflects currency effects 
and the increase in net pension obligations.

The post-tax return on average invested capital in the year was 
11.9% (2011: 11.2%). This is based on adjusted operating profits for 
the year, less tax at the effective rate, and the average of the gross 
capital employed at the beginning and end of the year, retranslated 
at the average exchange rates, adjusted to exclude the gross up 
to goodwill in respect of deferred tax liabilities established on 
acquisitions in relation to intangible assets. The increase in the 
return reflects the improved trading performance and  
capital efficiency.

elsevier Reed Finance Bv 

structure
Elsevier Reed Finance BV, the Dutch parent company of the 
Elsevier Reed Finance BV group (“ERF”), is directly owned by 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. ERF provides treasury, 
finance, intellectual property and reinsurance services to the 
Reed Elsevier Group plc businesses through its subsidiaries 
in Switzerland: Elsevier Finance SA (“EFSA”), Reed Elsevier 
Properties SA (“REPSA”) and Elsevier Risks SA (“ERSA”). These 
three Swiss companies are organised under one Swiss holding 
company, which is in turn owned by Elsevier Reed Finance BV.

activities
EFSA is the principal treasury centre for the Reed Elsevier 
combined businesses. It is responsible for all aspects of treasury 
advice and support for Reed Elsevier Group plc’s businesses 
operating in Continental Europe, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, 
India, China and certain other territories, and undertakes foreign 
exchange and derivatives dealing services for the whole of Reed 
Elsevier. EFSA also arranges or directly provides Reed Elsevier 
Group plc businesses with financing for acquisitions, product 
development and other general requirements and manages 
cash pools, investments and debt programmes on their behalf.

REPSA actively manages intellectual property assets including 
trademarks such as The Lancet and databases such as Reaxys and 
PharmaPendium. In 2012 it continued to strengthen its position  
as a centre of excellence in the management, development and 
branding of intellectual property assets. ERSA is responsible for 
reinsurance activities for Reed Elsevier.

major developments 
In 2012, EFSA was active in arranging the financing and foreign 
currency contracts for Reed Elsevier Group plc companies related 
to cross border dividends and acquisitions. EFSA issued €550m 
of term debt notes in September 2012 the proceeds of which 
pre-financed EFSA’s €600m term debt maturing in April 2013.  
It negotiated and advised Reed Elsevier Group plc companies  
on a number of banking and cash management arrangements in 
Continental Europe and Asia and continued to advise on treasury 
matters, including interest rate, foreign currency and certain 
other financial exposures.

The average balance of cash under management by EFSA in 2012, 
on behalf of Reed Elsevier Group plc and its parent companies, 
was approximately US$0.5bn (2011: US$0.8bn).

liabilities and assets
At 31 December 2012, 82% (2011: 91%) of ERF’s gross assets were 
held in US dollars and 17% (2011: 9%) in euros, including US$8.4bn 
(2011: US$8.6bn) and €0.6bn (2011: €0.6bn) in loans to Reed 
Elsevier Group plc subsidiaries. Loans made to Reed Elsevier 
Group plc businesses are funded from equity, long term debt of 
US$2.6bn and short term debt of US$0.2bn backed by committed 
bank facilities. Sources of long term debt include Swiss domestic 
public bonds, bilateral term loans, private placements and 
syndicated bank facilities. Short term debt is primarily derived 
from euro and US commercial paper programmes.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

55

parent companies

Reed Elsevier plc

Reported net profit
Adjusted net profit

Reported earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share
Ordinary dividend per share

Reed Elsevier nV

Reported net profit
Adjusted net profit

Reported earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share
Ordinary dividend per share

2012
£m

552
602

46.0p
50.1p
23.0p

€m

658
700

2011
£m

389
561

32.4p
46.7p
21.55p

€m

437
610

€0.90
€0.95
€0.467

€0.59
€0.83
€0.436

Change
at constant
currencies

+7%

+8%

+15%

+8%

Change

+42%
+7%

+42%
+7%
+7%

+51%
+15%

+53%
+14%
+7%

The reported earnings per share for Reed Elsevier PLC 
shareholders was 46.0p (2011: 32.4p) and for Reed Elsevier NV 
shareholders was €0.90 (2011: €0.59), reflecting the improved 
trading performance, disposals gains and the exceptional prior 
year tax credit.

Adjusted earnings per share were up 7% at 50.1p (2011: 46.7p) 
and 14% at €0.95 (2011: €0.83) for Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed 
Elsevier NV respectively. At constant rates of exchange, the 
adjusted earnings per share of both companies increased by 8%.

The equalised final dividends proposed by the respective Boards 
are 17.0p per share for Reed Elsevier PLC and €0.337 per share 
for Reed Elsevier NV, 7% and 3% higher respectively compared 
with the prior year final dividends. This gives total dividends for 
the year of 23.0p (2011: 21.55p) and €0.467 (2011: €0.436), both 
up 7%. (The difference in growth rates in the equalised final 
dividends, and in the earlier interim dividends, reflects changes 
in the euro: sterling exchange rate since the respective prior  
year dividend announcement dates.)

Dividend cover, based on adjusted earnings per share and the 
total interim and proposed final dividends for the year, is 2.2 times 
(2011: 2.2x) for Reed Elsevier PLC and 2.0 times (2011: 1.9x) for 
Reed Elsevier NV. The dividend policy of the parent companies is, 
subject to currency considerations, to grow dividends broadly in 
line with adjusted earnings per share whilst maintaining dividend 
cover (being the number of times the annual dividend is covered by 
the adjusted earnings per share) of at least two times over the 
longer term.

Between September and December 2012, 23.3m Reed Elsevier 
PLC shares and 12.7m Reed Elsevier NV shares were 
repurchased, to mitigate the earnings per share dilution from 
divestments. As at 31 December 2012, shares in issue for Reed 
Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV respectively amounted to 
1,186.6m and 682.4m (excluding R shares). A further 8.1m Reed 
Elsevier PLC shares and 4.7m Reed Elsevier NV shares have 
been repurchased in January and February 2013.

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adjustEd Eps gRoWth at constant cuRREncIEs

dIVIdEnds

+6%

+8%

21.55

23.0

0.436

0.467

Reed Elsevier PLC 
pence 

Reed Elsevier NV 
€

-9%
2009

-6%

2010

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56

FInancIal REVIEW
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

accounting policies

treasury policies

The combined financial statements are prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board following the accounting policies shown on 
pages 98 to 103. The most significant accounting policies in 
determining the financial condition and results of the combined 
businesses, and those requiring the most subjective or complex 
judgement, relate to the valuation of goodwill and intangible 
assets, share based remuneration, pensions, litigation, taxation 
and property provisioning. Further detail is provided in the 
accounting policies on pages 101 to 103.

amendments to Ias19 – Employee benefits (effective for the 
2013 financial year)
With effect from 1 January 2013, IAS19 – Employee Benefits 
(revised) inter alia changes the methodology to be used in the 
calculation of the net pension financing credit or charge in relation 
to defined benefit pension schemes. Under the revised standard, 
pension asset returns included within the net pension financing 
credit or charge are to be calculated by reference to the discount 
rate of high quality corporate bonds (being also the discount rate 
applied in the calculation of pension obligations) and no longer 
based on the expected returns on scheme assets. Typically the 
effect will be to reduce the asset returns recognised in the income 
statement. As required under the revised standard, comparatives 
will be restated accordingly. 

Adoption of IAS19 (revised) will have no impact on Reed Elsevier’s 
combined balance sheet or cash flows. The net pension financing 
credit or charge will, with effect from 1 January 2013, be 
presented within net finance costs in Reed Elsevier’s combined 
income statement, rather than within operating profit as currently 
reported. Given that the revised standard may introduce greater 
volatility to the income statement, following adoption on 1 January 
2013 the net pension financing credit or charge will be excluded 
from the adjusted earnings figures used by Reed Elsevier as 
additional performance measures.

Had IAS19 (revised) and related presentation been in effect for the 
2012 financial year, operating profit for the year to 31 December 
2012 would have been £25m lower (2011: £34m) and net finance 
costs would have been higher by £11m (2011: £9m). On an adjusted 
basis, profit before tax would have been £25m lower (2011: £34m). 
The balance sheet and cash flows would have been unchanged.

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have 
requested that Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance 
BV have due regard to the best interests of Reed Elsevier PLC 
and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders in the formulation of treasury 
policies. Financial instruments are used to finance the Reed 
Elsevier businesses and to hedge transactions. Reed Elsevier’s 
businesses do not enter into speculative transactions. The main 
treasury risks faced by Reed Elsevier are liquidity risk, interest 
rate risk, foreign currency risk and credit risk. The Boards of the 
parent companies agree overall policy guidelines for managing 
each of these risks and the Boards of Reed Elsevier Group plc and 
Elsevier Finance SA agree policies (in line with parent company 
guidelines) for their respective business and treasury centres. 
A summary of these policies is given below.

capital and liquidity management
The capital structure is managed to support Reed Elsevier’s 
objective of maximising long term shareholder value through 
appropriate security of funding, ready access to debt and capital 
markets, cost effective borrowing and flexibility to fund business 
and acquisition opportunities whilst maintaining appropriate 
leverage to optimise the cost of capital.

Over the long term Reed Elsevier targets cash flow conversion 
(the proportion of adjusted operating profits converted into cash) 
and credit metrics to reflect this aim and that are consistent with a 
solid investment grade credit rating. Levels of net debt should not 
exceed those consistent with such a rating other than for relatively 
short periods of time, for instance following an acquisition. The 
principal metrics utilised are free cash flow (after interest, tax 
and dividends) to net debt, net debt to EBITDA and EBITDA to net 
interest, all on a pensions and lease adjusted basis, and these 
metrics are monitored and reported to senior management and 
board representatives on a quarterly basis. Cash flow conversion 
of 90% or higher is consistent with the rating target. The cash flow 
conversion in 2012 was 94% (2011: 93%) and for the year ended 
31 December 2012 net debt to EBITDA was 2.2x (2011: 2.3x) on a 
pensions and lease adjusted basis.

Reed Elsevier’s use of cash over the longer term reflects these 
objectives through a progressive dividend policy, selective 
acquisitions and, from time to time when conditions suggest, 
share repurchases whilst retaining the balance sheet strength to 
maintain access to the most cost effective sources of borrowing 
and to support Reed Elsevier’s strategic ambition in evolving 
publishing and information markets. 

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57

The balance of long term debt, short term debt and committed 
bank facilities is managed to provide security of funding, taking 
into account the cash generation of the business and the uncertain 
size and timing of acquisition spend. Reed Elsevier maintains a 
range of borrowing facilities and debt programmes from a variety 
of sources to fund its requirements at short notice and at 
competitive rates. The significance of Reed Elsevier Group plc’s 
US operations means that the majority of debt is denominated in 
US dollars. Policy requires that no more than US$1.5bn of term 
debt issues should mature in any 12-month period and no more 
than US$3.0bn in any 36-month period. In addition, minimum 
levels of borrowings with maturities over three and five years are 
specified, depending on the level of net debt and free cash flow. 
From time to time, Reed Elsevier may redeem term debt early 
or repurchase outstanding debt in the open market depending 
on market conditions.

There were no changes to Reed Elsevier’s long term approach 
to capital and liquidity management during the year.

Interest rate exposure management
Reed Elsevier’s interest rate exposure management policy is aimed 
at reducing the exposure of the combined businesses to changes in 
interest rates. The proportion of interest expense that is fixed on net 
debt is determined by reference to the level of net interest cover. 
Reed Elsevier uses fixed rate term debt, interest rate swaps, 
forward rate agreements and interest rate options to manage 
the exposure. Interest rate derivatives are used only to hedge 
an underlying risk and no net market positions are held.

After taking into account interest rate and currency derivatives, 
at 31 December 2012 interest expense was fixed on an average of 
£2.2bn of forecast debt for the next 12 months. This fixed rate debt 
reduces to £1.7bn by the end of 2014 and reduces further thereafter 
with all but £0.7bn of fixed rate term debt (not swapped to floating 
rate) having matured by the end of 2019.

At 31 December 2012, fixed rate term debt (not swapped to floating 
rate) amounted to £2.1bn (2011: £2.4bn) and had a weighted average 
life remaining of 6.2 years (2011: 5.7 years) and a weighted average 
interest rate of 6.4% (2011: 6.5%). Interest rate derivatives in place  
at 31 December 2012, which fix the interest cost on an additional 
£0.2bn (2011: £0.6bn) of variable rate debt, have a weighted average 
maturity of 0.3 years (2011: 0.8 years) and a weighted average 
interest rate of 3.6% (2011: 3.2%).

Foreign currency exposure management
Translation exposures arise on the earnings and net assets of 
business operations in countries other than those of each parent 
company. These exposures are hedged, to a significant extent, by a 
policy of denominating borrowings in currencies where significant 
translation exposures exist, most notably US dollars. Currency 
exposures on transactions denominated in a foreign currency are 
required to be hedged using forward contracts. In addition, 
recurring transactions and future investment exposures may be 
hedged, in advance of becoming contractual. The precise policy 
differs according to the specific circumstances of the individual 
businesses. Highly predictable future cash flows may be covered 
for transactions expected to occur during the next 24 months  
(50 months for the Scientific, Technical & Medical subscription 
businesses) within limits defined according to the period before 
the transaction is expected to become contractual. Cover takes 
the form of foreign exchange forward contracts.

As at 31 December 2012, the amount of outstanding foreign 
exchange cover against future transactions was £1.2bn 
(2011: £1.3bn).

credit risk
Reed Elsevier has a credit exposure for the full principal amount of 
cash and cash equivalents held with individual counterparties. In 
addition, it has a credit risk from the potential non performance by 
counterparties to financial instruments; this credit risk normally 
being restricted to the amounts of any hedge gain and not the full 
principal amount being hedged. Credit risks are controlled by 
monitoring the credit quality of counterparties, principally 
licensed commercial banks and investment banks with strong 
long term credit ratings, and the amounts outstanding with  
each of them.

Reed Elsevier has treasury policies in place which do not allow 
concentrations of risk with individual counterparties and do not 
allow significant treasury exposures with counterparties which 
are rated lower than A-/A3 by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and 
Fitch. At 31 December 2012, cash and cash equivalents totalled 
£641m, of which 98% was held with banks rated A/A2 or better.

duncan palmer
Chief Financial Officer

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58

FInancIal REVIEW
PRINCIPAL RISKS

principal risks

Reed Elsevier has established risk management practices that 
are embedded into the operations of the businesses, based on 
the framework in internal control issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 
The principal risks facing Reed Elsevier, which have been 
considered by the Audit Committees and Boards, are described 
below. It is not possible to identify every risk that could affect our 
businesses, and the actions taken to mitigate the risks described 
below cannot provide absolute assurance that a risk will not 
materialise and/or adversely affect our business or financial 

performance. Our risk management and internal control 
processes are described in the Structure and Corporate 
Governance section. A description of the business and a 
discussion of factors affecting performance is set out in the 
Chief Executive Officer’s report and Business Review. Financial 
risks are discussed in the Chief Financial Officer’s report and in 
note 18 to the combined financial statements. Our approach to 
managing environmental and other non financial risks is set out in 
the Business Review and the separate Corporate Responsibility 
Report. Important specific risks identified include:

ExtERnal RIsks

Risk

description and impact

mitigation

Economy and 
market 
conditions

Demand for our products and services may be impacted 
by factors such as the economic environment in the US, 
Europe and other major economies, and  
government funding.

Intellectual 
property rights

data resources

paid 
subscriptions

Our products and services are largely comprised of 
intellectual property content delivered through a variety 
of media. We rely on trademark, copyright, patent and 
other intellectual property laws to establish and protect 
our proprietary rights in these products and services. 
There is a risk that our proprietary rights could be 
challenged, limited, invalidated or circumvented which 
may impact demand for and pricing of our products  
and services.

A number of our businesses rely extensively upon 
content and data from external sources. Data is 
obtained from public records, governmental 
authorities, customers and other information 
companies, including competitors. The disruption or 
loss of data sources, because of changes in the law or 
because data suppliers decide not to supply them, could 
adversely affect our products and services if we were 
unable to arrange for substitute sources in a timely 
manner or at all.

Our scientific, technical and medical (STM) primary 
publications, like those of most of our competitors, are 
published on a paid subscription basis. There is debate 
in the government, academic and library communities, 
which are the principal customers for our STM 
publications, regarding whether such publications 
should be funded instead through fees charged to 
authors and from governmental and other subsidies 
or made freely available after a period following 
publication. If these methods of STM publishing are 
widely adopted or mandated, it could adversely affect 
our revenue from paid subscription publications.

Our businesses are focused on professional markets 
which have generally been more resilient in periods of 
economic downturn. We deliver information solutions, 
many on a subscription basis, which are important to 
our customers’ effectiveness and efficiency. We have 
extended our position in high growth markets through 
organic new launches supported by selective small 
acquisitions. We are disposing of businesses that no 
longer fit our strategy at an accelerated pace.

We actively engage in developing and promoting the 
legal protection of intellectual property rights. In our 
businesses, subscription contracts with customers 
contain provisions as to the use of proprietary content. 
We are also vigilant as to the use of our content and, 
as appropriate, take legal action to challenge illegal 
distribution sources.

We seek as far as possible to have proprietary content. 
Where content is supplied to us by third parties, we seek 
to have contracts which provide mutual commercial 
benefit. We also maintain an active dialogue with 
regulatory authorities on privacy and other data related 
issues, and promote, with others, the responsible use  
of data.

We engage extensively with stakeholders in the STM 
community to better understand their needs and  
deliver value to them. We are open to serving the 
STM community under any payment model that can 
sustainably provide researchers with the critical 
information tools that they need. We focus on the 
integrity and quality of research through the editorial 
and peer review process; we invest in efficient editorial 
and distribution platforms and in innovation in 
platforms and tools to make content and data more 
accessible and actionable; and we ensure vigilance 
on plagiarism and the long term preservation of  
research findings. 

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

59

stRatEgIc RIsks

Risk

description and impact

mitigation

customer 
acceptance of 
products 

competition

Reed Elsevier’s businesses are dependent on the 
continued acceptance by our customers of our products 
and services and the value placed on them. Failure to 
meet evolving customer needs could impact demand  
for our products and consequently adversely affect  
our revenue.

We are focused on the needs and economics of our 
customers and seek to provide content and innovative 
solutions that help them achieve better outcomes and 
enhance productivity.

Our businesses operate in highly competitive markets. 
These markets continue to change in response to 
technological innovations, changing legislation, 
regulatory changes, the entrance of new competitors 
and other factors. Failure to anticipate market trends 
could impact the competitiveness of our products 
and services and consequently adversely affect  
our revenue.

To remain competitive we continuously invest significant 
resources in our products and services, and the 
infrastructure to support them. We gain insights into our 
markets, evolving customers’ needs and opportunities, 
the potential application of new technologies and 
business models, and the actions of competitors, 
and these insights inform our market strategies 
and operational priorities.

acquisitions

From time to time we acquire businesses to strengthen 
our portfolio. If we are unable to generate the 
anticipated benefits such as revenue growth, synergies 
and/or cost savings associated with these acquisitions 
this could adversely affect return on invested capital 
and financial condition.

Our acquisitions are made within the framework 
of our overall strategy, which emphasises organic 
development. We have a well formulated process for 
reviewing and executing acquisitions and for managing 
the post acquisition integration. This process is 
underpinned with clear strategic, financial and 
ethical acquisition criteria. We closely monitor the 
performance of acquisitions.

opERatIonal RIsks

Risk

description and impact

mitigation

technology 
failure 

data security

supply chain 
dependencies

talent

Our businesses are dependent on electronic platforms 
and networks, primarily the internet, for delivery of 
products and services. They could be adversely affected 
if our electronic delivery platforms and networks 
experience a significant failure, interruption, or  
security breach.

We have established procedures for the protection of 
our technology assets. These include the development 
of business continuity plans, including IT disaster 
recovery plans and back-up delivery systems, to  
reduce business disruption in the event of a major 
technology failure. 

Our businesses maintain databases and information 
online, including personal information. Breaches of 
our data security or failure to comply with applicable 
legislation or regulatory or contractual requirements 
could damage our reputation and expose us to risk 
of loss or litigation and increased regulation.

We have established data privacy and security 
programmes. We test and re-evaluate our procedures 
and controls with the aim of ensuring that personal  
data is protected and that we comply with relevant 
legislation, regulatory and contractual requirements.

Our organisational and operational structures have 
increased dependency on outsourced and offshored 
functions. Poor performance or failure of third parties 
to whom we have outsourced activities could adversely 
affect our business performance, reputation and 
financial condition.

We select our vendors with care and establish 
contractual service levels that we closely monitor, 
including through key performance indicators and 
targeted supplier audits. We have developed business 
continuity plans to reduce disruption in the event of a 
major failure by a vendor. 

The implementation and execution of our strategies and 
business plans depend on our ability to recruit, motivate 
and retain high quality people. We compete globally and 
across business sectors for talented management and 
skilled individuals, particularly those with technology 
and data analytics capabilities. Inability to recruit, 
motivate or retain such people could adversely affect 
our business performance.

We have well established management development 
and talent review programmes. We monitor capability 
needs and remuneration schemes are tailored to attract 
and motivate the best talent available at an appropriate 
level of cost. We actively seek feedback from employees, 
which feeds into plans to enhance employee engagement 
and motivation.

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60

FInancIal REVIEW
PRINCIPAL RISKS

FInancIal RIsks

Risk

pensions 

tax

treasury

description and impact

mitigation

We have professional management of our pension 
schemes and we focus on maintaining appropriate asset 
allocation and plan designs. We review our funding 
requirements on a regular basis with the assistance 
ofindependent actuaries and ensure that the funding 
plans are sufficient to meet future liabilities. 

We have clear and consistent tax policies and tax 
matters are dealt with by a professional tax function, 
supported by external tax advisors. We maintain an 
open dialogue with the relevant tax authorities and are 
vigilant in ensuring that we comply with tax legislation. 

Reed Elsevier’s approach to funding and management 
of interest rate and foreign currency exposures is 
described on pages 56 and 57. The approach to the 
management of financial risks is described in note  
18 to the combined financial statements.

We operate a number of pension schemes around the 
world. Historically, the largest schemes have been of 
the defined benefit type in the UK, the US and the 
Netherlands. The assets and obligations associated 
with those defined benefit pension schemes are 
particularly sensitive to changes in the market values 
of assets and the market related assumptions used to 
value scheme liabilities. Adverse changes to inter alia 
asset values, discount rates or inflation could increase 
future pension costs and funding requirements.

Our businesses operate globally and our earnings are 
subject to taxation in many differing jurisdictions and at 
differing rates. We seek to organise our affairs in a tax 
efficient manner, taking account of the jurisdictions 
in which we operate. However, tax laws that apply to 
Reed Elsevier businesses may be amended by the 
relevant authorities or interpreted differently which 
could adversely affect our reported results.

The Reed Elsevier combined financial statements 
are expressed in pounds sterling and are subject to 
movements in exchange rates on the translation of the 
financial information of businesses whose operational 
currencies are other than sterling. The US is our most 
important market and, accordingly, significant 
fluctuations in the US dollar exchange rate could 
significantly affect our reported results.

Macro economic, political and market conditions may 
also adversely affect the availability of short and long 
term funding, volatility of interest rates, currency 
exchange rates and inflation.

REputatIonal RIsks

Risk

Ethics 

Environmental

description and impact

mitigation

As a world leading provider of professional information 
solutions to the scientific, technical & medical, risk 
solutions & business information, legal, and exhibitions 
markets we are expected to adhere to high standards of 
independence and ethical conduct. A breach of 
generally accepted ethical business standards could 
adversely affect our business performance, reputation 
and financial condition.

The Reed Elsevier Code of Ethics and Business Conduct 
is provided to every employee and is supported by 
training. It encompasses such topics as fair competition, 
anti-bribery and human rights and encourages open 
and principled behaviour. We also have well established 
processes for reporting and investigating unethical 
conduct. Our major suppliers are required to adopt 
our Supplier Code of Conduct. 

Reed Elsevier and its businesses have an impact on 
the environment, principally through the use of energy 
and water, waste generation and, in our supply chain, 
through our paper use and print and production 
technologies. Failure to manage our environmental 
impact could adversely affect our reputation.

We are committed to reducing these environmental 
impacts by limiting resource use and by efficiently 
employing sustainable materials and technologies. 
We require our major suppliers and contractors to 
meet the same objectives. We seek to ensure that 
Reed Elsevier’s businesses are compliant with all 
relevant environmental regulation. 

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

61

Governance

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In this section

62 Board Directors
64 Executive Leadership Team
65 Chairman’s introduction to  
corporate governance

66 Structure and corporate governance
73 Report of the Nominations Committee
74  Directors’ remuneration report
91 Report of the Audit Committees

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62

govERnancE
BOARD DiRECTORS

Board Directors

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Erik Engstrom (49)  
Chief Executive Officer

Anthony Habgood (66) 
Chairman

R n c  

Mark Elliott (63)  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

R n c  

Appointed: Chief Executive Officer since 2009. 
Joined Reed Elsevier as Chief Executive Officer 
of Elsevier in 2004.
Nationality: Swedish
Past appointments: Prior to joining Reed 
Elsevier was a partner at General Atlantic 
Partners. Before that was President and Chief 
Operating Officer of Random House inc and, 
before its merger with Random House, 
President and Chief Executive Officer of Bantam 
Doubleday Dell, North America. Began his 
career as a consultant with McKinsey. Served 
as a non-executive director of Eniro AB and 
Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA. 
Education: Holds a BSc from Stockholm School 
of Economics, an MSc from the Royal institute 
of Technology in Stockholm, and gained an 
MBA from Harvard Business School as a 
Fulbright Scholar.

Appointed: 2009
Nationality: British
Other appointments: Chairman of Whitbread plc 
and of Preqin Holding Limited. 
Past appointments: Chairman of Bunzl plc and 
of Mölnlycke Health Care Limited and served as 
Chief Executive of Bunzl plc, Chief Executive of 
Tootal Group plc and a director of The Boston 
Consulting Group inc. Formerly non-executive 
director of Geest plc, Marks and Spencer plc, 
National Westminster Bank plc, Powergen plc, 
and SVG Capital plc. 
Education: Holds an MA in Economics from 
Cambridge University and an MS in industrial 
Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. 
He is a visiting Fellow at Oxford University.

Appointed: 2003 
Nationality: American
Other appointments: Chairman of QinetiQ Group 
plc and a non-executive director of G4S plc.
Past appointments: Until his retirement in 2008, 
was general manager of iBM Global Solutions, 
having held a number of positions with iBM, 
including managing director of iBM Europe, 
Middle East and Africa.

Duncan Palmer (47)  
Chief Financial Officer

Robert Polet (57)  
Non-Executive Director

R c  

Sir David Reid (66)  
Senior independent Director

a R n c  

Appointed: 2012
Nationality: British and American
Other appointments:  Non-executive director 
of Oshkosh Corporation.
Past appointments: Prior to joining Reed 
Elsevier was Chief Financial Officer and Senior 
Vice President of Owens Corning inc. from 2007 
having previously held various senior finance 
positions within Royal Dutch Shell for 20 years 
in the UK, the Netherlands and the US.
Education: Holds an MA in Mathematics from 
Cambridge University and an MBA from 
Stanford University, and is a UK-qualified 
Chartered Management Accountant.

Appointed: 2007
Nationality: Dutch
Other appointments: Chairman of Safilo Group 
S.p.A. and a non-executive director of Philip 
Morris international inc, William Grant & Sons 
Limited and Crown Topco Limited, parent 
company of Vertu. Member of the supervisory 
board of Nyenrode Foundation.   
Past appointments:  President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Gucci Group from 2004 
to 2011, having previously spent 26 years at 
Unilever working in a variety of marketing and 
senior executive positions throughout the world, 
including president of Unilever’s Worldwide ice 
Cream and Frozen Foods division. Formerly a 
non-executive director of Wilderness Holdings 
Limited from 2010 to 2012.

Appointed: 2003 
Nationality: British 
Other appointments: Chairman of intertek Group 
plc and a member of the Senior Advisory Board 
of Jeffries, the global investment banking firm. 
Past appointments: Chairman of Tesco PLC 
from 2004 to 2011, having previously been 
Executive Deputy Chairman until December 
2003, and Finance Director from 1985 to 1997. 
Formerly Chairman of Kwik-Fit and a 
non-executive director of De Vere PLC, Legal & 
General Group plc and Westbury PLC.

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Adrian Hennah (55)  
Non-Executive Director

a c  

Lisa Hook (54)  
Non-Executive Director

R n c  

Appointed: April 2011
Nationality: British
Other appointments: Chief Financial Officer 
of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc  
Past appointments: Chief Financial Officer 
of Smith & Nephew plc from 2006 to 2012.  
Before that was Chief Financial Officer of 
invensys plc, having previously held various 
senior finance and management positions 
with GlaxoSmithKline for 18 years.

Appointed: 2006
Nationality: American
Other appointments: President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Neustar inc and a director 
of The Ocean Foundation. 
Past appointments: President and Chief 
Executive Officer at Sun Rocket inc. Before that 
was President of AOL Broadband, Premium and 
Developer Services. Prior to joining AOL, was a 
founding partner at Brera Capital Partners LLC. 
Previously Chief Operating Officer of Time 
Warner Telecommunications and has served as 
senior advisor to the Federal Communications 
Commission Chairman and a senior counsel to 
Viacom Cable.

Marike van Lier Lels (53) 
Member of the Supervisory Board  
of Reed Elsevier NV

c  

Appointed: 2010
Nationality: Dutch
Other appointments: Member of the supervisory 
boards of KPN NV, USG People NV and TKH 
Group NV. A member of various Dutch 
governmental advisory boards. 
Past appointments: Member of the Supervisory 
Board of Maersk BV until March 2012. Executive 
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the 
Schiphol Group. Prior to joining Schiphol Group, 
was a member of the executive board of 
Deutsche Post Euro Express and held various 
senior positions with Nedlloyd.

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Non-Executive Director

a c  

Ben van der Veer (61)  
Chairman of the Audit Committees

Appointed: 2012
Nationality: American
Other appointments: Senior Vice President, 
Enterprise Transformation, iBM Corporation 
and non-executive director of iTT Corporation 
until May 2013. Serves on the board of directors 
of The Business Council of New York State and 
the Partnership for New York City. Also serves 
on the board of trustees of the State University of 
New York, St John’s University, and Rensselaer 
Polytechnic institute.

Appointed: 2009
Nationality: Dutch
Other appointments: Member of the supervisory 
boards of AEGON NV, TomTom NV, Siemens 
Nederland NV and Koninklijke 
FrieslandCampina NV.
Past appointments: Chairman of the executive 
board of KPMG in the Netherlands and a 
member of the management committee of the 
KPMG international board until his retirement 
in 2008, having joined KPMG in 1976.

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Board committee Membership

a    Audit Committees: Reed Elsevier Group plc, Reed 

Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV

R   Remuneration Committee: Reed Elsevier Group plc

n    Nominations Committee: joint Reed Elsevier PLC 

and Reed Elsevier NV

c    Corporate Governance Committee: joint Reed 

Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV

Both of the Executive Directors are directors of Reed 
Elsevier Group plc and Reed Elsevier PLC and 
members of the Executive Board of Reed Elsevier NV.

Marike van Lier Lels is a member of the Supervisory 
Board of Reed Elsevier NV. All of the other 
Non-Executive Directors are directors of Reed Elsevier 
Group plc and Reed Elsevier PLC and members of the 
Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier NV.

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64

govERnancE
ExECUTiVE LEADERSHiP TEAM

Executive Leadership Team

Senior Business Executives 

Mark Kelsey 
CEO LexisNexis 
Risk Solutions 
CEO Reed Business 
information

Mike Rusbridge 
CEO Reed Exhibitions

Mike Walsh 
CEO LexisNexis 
Legal & Professional

Ron Mobed 
CEO Elsevier

Corporate Executives

Henry Udow 
Chief Legal Officer  
& Company Secretary

Youngsuk “YS” Chi 
Director of Corporate 
Affairs

Kumsal Bayazit 
Chief Strategy 
Officer

Ian Fraser 
Global Human  
Resources Director

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65

Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance

“ Effective corporate governance 
is fundamental to the long-term 
sustainability and success of 
Reed Elsevier’s operations.”

The Boards of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Reed Elsevier PLC, 
and the Combined Board of Reed Elsevier NV (the Boards) are 
committed to high standards of corporate governance and 
have put in place procedures which provide accountability, 
transparency, probity and a focus on the sustainable success 
of Reed Elsevier over the longer term.

This report is intended to provide shareholders with a clear view 
of Reed Elsevier’s corporate governance arrangements and how 
Reed Elsevier complied with the applicable corporate governance 
codes of best practice during the year. Statements with regard to 
compliance with corporate governance codes and in particular 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2010 are set out on page 66. 

During the year, the Financial Reporting Council published a 
revised UK Corporate Governance Code which will apply to 
Reed Elsevier from 1 January 2013. We expect to adopt the  
revised Code in full during 2013.

The Boards 
2012 was an important year for the evolution of the Reed Elsevier 
Boards. As well as recruiting a new Chief Financial Officer, we 
confirmed our plans to continue the progressive refreshing of the 
Boards with further appointments of Non-Executive Directors. 
Additionally, we continued progress on Board diversity, 
monitoring our position against the goals that we announced 
in 2011.

Board succession
Following a rigorous search process, Duncan Palmer joined Reed 
Elsevier in August and succeeded Mark Armour as Chief Financial 
Officer in November. Duncan Palmer joined Reed Elsevier from 
Owens Corning where he was chief financial officer and senior 
vice president from 2007 having previously held various senior 
finance positions within Royal Dutch Shell for 20 years in the UK, 
the Netherlands and the US.

In March 2012, we confirmed our plans to continue the progressive 
refreshing of the Boards since Mark Elliott and Sir David Reid 
will retire after ten years’ service following the conclusion of 
the Annual General Meetings in April 2013. Following a search 
process using an external consultant, Linda Sanford joined the 
Boards in December 2012. She has over 35 years’ experience as 
a global executive with IBM, particularly in leveraging technology 
to achieve business transformation. In February 2013, we 
announced that Wolfhart Hauser will join the Boards subject to 
shareholder approval at our Annual General Meetings in April.   
He has more than 30 years’ service in executive and non-executive 
positions in international technology and services businesses  
and a background in science and medicine.

Diversity
Reed Elsevier recognises the need for, and desirability of, 
diversity on its Boards. Diversity in the profile of board members 
provides the necessary range of perspectives. In 2011, we 
announced aspirational goals regarding the percentage of women 
we aim to have on the Boards by 2013. I am pleased to report 
that we have made good progress and that following the Annual 
General Meetings in April 2013, we expect to have met our 
aspirational goals. Further details are set out in the Nominations 
Committee Report on page 73. Information about Reed Elsevier’s 
approach to diversity and inclusion in its workforce can be found  
in the Corporate Responsibility report on page 44.

Taking into account the recent changes to the composition of the 
Boards and the outcome of this year’s Board evaluation process 
(details of which are set out on page 67), I believe that the Boards 
and their committees have an appropriate balance of skills, 
experience, independence, knowledge and diversity to ensure 
that they can discharge their duties effectively and the corporate 
governance in place is appropriate to support the continued 
growth and success of Reed Elsevier.

Anthony Habgood
Chairman
27 February 2013

Areas of significant skills and expertise of the Non-Executive Directors on the Boards

Executive board experience in a large international listed company
Knowledge of corporate governance issues for listed companies
Operational experience in Reed Elsevier’s product markets
Operational experience in Reed Elsevier’s main geographical markets
Marketing, customer relations
Operational experience with telecommunication/computer technology, electronic publishing
Management of human resources, selection and remuneration of executives
Corporate social responsibility
Legal matters
Banking, tax and corporate finance
Financial and organisational audit
Corporate strategy and organisation

Percentage of the 
Non-Executive Directors

56
100
44
89
89
67
100
100
78
44
67
100

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66

govERnancE
STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Structure and corporate governance

Corporate structure 

REED ELSEVIER PLC

REED ELSEVIER NV

REED ELSEVIER GROUP PLC
Publishing and Information Businesses

ELSEVIER REED FINANCE BV
Financing Activities

Reed Elsevier was created in January 1993, when Reed Elsevier 
PLC and Reed Elsevier NV contributed their respective 
businesses to two jointly owned companies, Reed Elsevier Group 
plc, a UK-registered company which owns the publishing and 
information businesses, and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, a Dutch- 
registered company which owns the financing activities. Reed 
Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have retained their separate 
legal and national identities and are publicly-held companies. 
Reed Elsevier PLC’s securities are listed in London and New York, 
and Reed Elsevier NV’s securities are listed in Amsterdam and 
New York. Following the merger of their respective businesses, 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV entered into a Governing 
Agreement to regulate their relationship, including the economic 
interests of the parties and the composition of their Boards and 
those of Reed Elsevier Group plc and of Elsevier Reed Finance BV. 

Equalisation arrangements
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV each hold a 50% interest 
in Reed Elsevier Group plc. Reed Elsevier PLC holds a 39% 
interest in Elsevier Reed Finance BV, with Reed Elsevier NV 
holding a 61% interest. Reed Elsevier PLC additionally holds a 
5.8% indirect equity interest in Reed Elsevier NV, reflecting the 
arrangements entered into between the two companies at the 
time of the merger, which determined the equalisation ratio 
whereby one Reed Elsevier NV ordinary share is, in broad terms, 
intended to confer equivalent economic interests to 1.538 Reed 
Elsevier PLC ordinary shares. The equalisation ratio is subject to 
change to reflect share splits and similar events that affect the 
number of outstanding ordinary shares of either Reed Elsevier 
PLC or Reed Elsevier NV.

Under the equalisation arrangements, Reed Elsevier PLC 
shareholders have a 52.9% economic interest in the Reed Elsevier 
combined businesses, and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders (other 
than Reed Elsevier PLC) have a 47.1% economic interest in the 
Reed Elsevier combined businesses. Holders of ordinary shares 
in Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV enjoy substantially 
equivalent dividend and capital rights with respect to their 
ordinary shares.

The Boards of both Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV 
have agreed, other than in special circumstances, to recommend 
equivalent gross dividends (including, with respect to the dividend 
on Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares, the associated UK tax 
credit) based on the equalisation ratio. A Reed Elsevier PLC 
ordinary share pays dividends in sterling and is subject to UK tax 
law with respect to dividend and capital rights. A Reed Elsevier NV 
ordinary share pays dividends in euros and is subject to Dutch tax 
law with respect to dividend and capital rights. The exchange rate 
used for each dividend calculation is the spot euro/sterling 

exchange rate, averaged over a period of five consecutive business 
days commencing on the tenth business day before the 
announcement of the proposed dividend.

Corporate governance 

compliance with codes of best practice
The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have 
implemented standards of corporate governance and disclosure 
policies applicable to companies listed on the stock exchanges 
of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States.  
The effect of this is that a standard applying to one will, where  
not in conflict, also be observed by the other.

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV (which 
comprises an Executive Board and a Supervisory Board, together 
the Combined Board) support the principles and provisions of 
corporate governance contained in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in May 2010 
(the UK Code) and those contained in the Dutch Corporate 
Governance Code issued in December 2008 (the Dutch Code). 
The FRC published a revised UK Corporate Governance Code in 
September 2012 (2012 Code) which applies to accounting periods, 
beginning on or after 1 October 2012.  The Board expects to comply 
in full with the 2012 Code during 2013.

This report and the compliance statement set out below are made 
in relation to the UK Code.  The principles and provisions set out 
in the UK Code and the Dutch Code have applied throughout the 
financial year ended 31 December 2012. Reed Elsevier PLC, 
which has its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, has 
complied throughout the year with the UK Code. Reed Elsevier NV, 
which has its primary listing on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam 
Stock Exchange, has also complied throughout the year with the 
UK Code, and subject to limited exceptions, as explained in the 
Reed Elsevier NV Report of the Supervisory Board and the 
Executive Board on pages 172 to 175, has applied the best practice 
provisions of the Dutch Code. The ways in which Reed Elsevier PLC 
and Reed Elsevier NV have applied the main principles of the UK 
Code are described below. For further information on the 
application of the Dutch Code by Reed Elsevier NV, see the 
Corporate Governance Statement of Reed Elsevier NV published 
on the Reed Elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com.

Business model
As required by Provision C.1.2 of the UK Code, pages 4 to 37 
describe the business and the progress made in 2012 against 
Reed Elsevier’s long-term business priorities, aimed at delivering 
better outcomes for our customers and creating value for 
Reed Elsevier and shareholders.

Relations with shareholders
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV participate in regular 
dialogue with institutional shareholders. Presentations on the 
Reed Elsevier combined businesses are made by the Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer following the 
announcement of the interim and full-year results and these are 
simultaneously webcast. A conference call with investors was 
also held following the third quarter interim Management 
Statement.  in addition, two investor seminars focusing on Reed 
Exhibitions, Reed Business information and LexisNexis Legal & 
Professional were held during the year. These seminars which 

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67

described the market background, business activities and growth 
plans for the businesses were also webcast on the Reed Elsevier 
website. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer 
and the investor relations team meet institutional shareholders 
on a regular basis and the Chairman also makes himself available 
to major institutions as appropriate. A trading update is provided 
ahead of the Annual General Meetings of the two companies and 
towards the end of the financial year through interim Management 
Statements. The interim and annual results announcements 
and presentations, together with the interim Management 
Statements, investor seminar presentations, other important 
announcements and corporate governance documents 
concerning Reed Elsevier, are published on the Reed Elsevier 
website, www.reedelsevier.com. in accordance with the 
provisions of the Dutch Code, Reed Elsevier NV has adopted a 
bilateral shareholder contact policy, which is also published on 
the Reed Elsevier website. The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV commission periodic reports on the attitudes 
and views of the companies’ institutional shareholders and the 
results are presented to the respective Boards.

Both Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV offer electronic 
voting facilities in relation to proxy voting at shareholder meetings. 
The Annual General Meetings provide an opportunity for the 
Boards to communicate with individual shareholders. The 
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, 
the chairmen of the Board Committees, other Directors and a 
representative of the external auditors are available to answer 
questions from shareholders.

Board induction and information
Following appointment and as required, Directors receive 
training appropriate to their level of experience and knowledge. 
This includes the provision of a tailored induction programme so 
as to provide newly appointed Directors with information about  
the Reed Elsevier businesses and other relevant information to 
assist them in performing their duties. Non-Executive Directors 
are encouraged to visit the Reed Elsevier businesses to meet 
management and senior staff.

All Directors have full and timely access to the information 
required to discharge their responsibilities fully and efficiently. 
They have access to the services of the respective company 
secretaries, other members of Reed Elsevier’s management  
and staff, and external advisors. Directors may take independent 
professional advice in the furtherance of their duties, at the 
relevant company’s expense.

in addition to scheduled board and board committee meetings 
held during the year, the Directors  attend other meetings and 
site visits. Where a Director is unable to attend a board or board 
committee meeting he or she is provided with all relevant papers 
and information relating to that meeting and is able to discuss 
issues arising with the respective chairman and other board and 
committee members.

Board evaluation
During the year, the Corporate Governance Committee, supported 
by the company secretaries, assessed the performance of 
individual Directors, and led by the Senior independent Director, 
also assessed the performance of the Chairman.  Using 
questionnaires completed by all of the Directors, the Committee 
reviewed the functioning and constitution of the Boards and their 

committees, including the balance of skills, experience, 
independence, knowledge of Reed Elsevier, and diversity, including 
gender. The Chairman conducted interviews with each member of 
the Boards to discuss individually board effectiveness. The results 
were subsequently considered in a meeting of the Boards. The 
Chairman of the Boards was not present during a discussion by 
the Non-Executive Directors as it related to him. Based on these 
assessments, and the board effectiveness review , the Committee 
believes that the performance of each Director continues to 
be effective and that they demonstrate commitment to their 
respective roles.  The Committee also believes that the Boards 
function effectively and collaboratively and with an appropriate 
level of engagement with management and that the diverse 
membership provides a broad range of skills and perspectives. 
in seeking to further its effectiveness, the Boards will work to 
ensure an appropriate level of review of risk-related matters 
alongside strategic, financial and operational issues in line  
with the recommendations of the review.     

The Boards

The Board of Reed Elsevier PLC, the Combined Board of Reed 
Elsevier NV and the Board of Reed Elsevier Group plc are 
harmonised. All of the Directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc are 
also Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and are members of either the 
Executive Board or the Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier NV. 
Reed Elsevier NV may nominate for appointment to the 
Supervisory Board up to two Directors who are not appointed to 
the Boards of either Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier Group plc. 
Currently, one such Director, Marike van Lier Lels, has been 
appointed to the Supervisory Board. The names, nationalities and 
biographical details of each Director at the date of this report 
appear on pages 62 and 63.

in view of recent legislation to formalise the one-tier board model 
in the Netherlands Civil Code that was enacted with effect from 
1 January 2013, the Combined Board of Reed Elsevier NV has 
resolved to take the necessary steps to establish a one-tier board 
governance structure. For this purpose, the articles of association 
of Reed Elsevier NV will require to be amended and therefore a 
proposal for the one-tier governance structure will be put to the 
Annual General Meeting of Reed Elsevier NV in April 2013.

There is a schedule of matters reserved to the Boards and 
approved delegated authorities to the Chief Executive Officer and 
other senior executives. There is a clear separation of the roles 
of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer which are set out 
in writing.

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, Reed Elsevier 
Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV each comprise a balance 
of executive and non-executive directors who bring a wide range 
of skills and experience to the deliberations of the Boards. The 
Boards review the independence of the Non-Executive Directors 
every year, based on the criteria for independence set out in the 
UK Code. The UK Code does not consider the Chairman to be 
independent due to the unique role the Chairman has in corporate 
governance. Notwithstanding this, the Chairman, Anthony Habgood, 
met the independence criteria contained in the UK Code when 
he was appointed Chairman in 2009. The Boards consider all 
Non-Executive Directors (other than the Chairman) to be 
independent of management and free from any business or other 

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govERnancE
STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

relationship which could materially interfere with their ability 
to exercise independent judgement.

Notwithstanding that Mark Elliott and Sir David Reid have 
served on the Boards for more than nine years, the Boards 
have determined that they remain independent in character 
and judgement and neither has formed associations with 
Reed Elsevier that might compromise their ability to exercise 
independent judgement.  

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and of Reed Elsevier NV have 
appointed Sir David Reid to act as Senior independent Director, 
who is available to meet with institutional shareholders and assist 
in resolving concerns in cases where alternative channels are 
deemed inappropriate. The Senior independent Director also 
leads the annual assessment of the performance of the Chairman 
of Reed Elsevier PLC/Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Reed 
Elsevier NV.  A profile, which identifies the skills and experience 
of the Non-Executive Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and the 
members of the Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier NV, is set 
outon page 65 and is available on the Reed Elsevier website,  
www.reedelsevier.com.

Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders maintain 
their rights to appoint individuals to the respective Boards in 
accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of 
these companies. Subject to this, no individual may be appointed  
to the Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV (either of the 
Executive Board or the Supervisory Board) or Reed Elsevier Group 
plc unless recommended by the joint Nominations Committee. 
Members of the Committee abstain when their own re-
appointment is being considered.

As a general rule, letters of appointment in respect of 
Non-Executive Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and members of 
the Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier NV provide that individuals 
will serve for an initial term of three years, and are typically 
expected to serve two three-year terms, although the Boards may 
invite an individual to serve for an additional period of three years.

The respective Articles of Association of Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV provide that all Directors should be subject to 
retirement at least every three years and are then able to make 
themselves available for re-election by shareholders at 
subsequent Annual General Meetings. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of the Articles of Association, the Boards comply with 
the recommendations contained in the UK Code, and all Directors 
seek re-election by shareholders annually.

Board changes
Changes during the year in the composition of the Boards of 
Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV and Reed Elsevier Group plc 
are set out in the table on page 69.

Mark Armour stepped down as Chief Financial Officer in November 
2012 and retired from the Reed Elsevier Boards in December 2012.  
The Nominations Committee retained an external search 
consultancy to conduct a rigorous search process in conjunction 
with the Boards to identify a suitable candidate to succeed 
Mr Armour.  Following the conclusion of the search process and  
on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, the Boards 
selected Duncan Palmer who joined Reed Elsevier in August 2012 
and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in November 2012.  
Mr Palmer’s biography is set out on page 62.

The Nominations Committee also engaged external search 
consultancies to assist in the search for suitable Non-Executive 
Directors.  Following the search process, David Brennan and 
Linda Sanford were identified as having the appropriate skills 
and experience required by the Boards, and the Nominations 
Committee recommended their appointment.  As previously 
announced, David Brennan’s appointment was to have been 
effective as of November 2012; however, this has been postponed 
indefinitely for personal reasons at his request and by agreement 
with the Boards.  in December 2012, Linda Sanford was appointed 
to the Boards, the audit committees and corporate governance 
committee.  Ms Sanford’s biography is set out on page 63.

Following the postponement of David Brennan’s appointment, 
the Nominations Committee continued the search and 
recommended to the Boards, in February 2013, that Dr Wolfhart 
Hauser be proposed for election as a member of the Supervisory 
Board of Reed Elsevier NV and a Non-Executive Director of Reed 
Elsevier PLC at the respective Annual General Meetings in April 
2013.  Dr Hauser has been the chief executive officer of intertek 
Group plc since 2005, after serving as a non-executive director 
since 2002.  He was also a non-executive director of Logica plc 
from 2007 to 2012. Dr Hauser is a German citizen with a strong 
background in medicine, science and technology based 
businesses. Subject to his election at the Annual General 
Meetings, he will also be appointed as a Non-Executive Director  
of Reed Elsevier Group plc.  

Mark Elliott and Sir David Reid will retire from the Boards of 
Reed Elsevier NV and Reed Elsevier PLC following the conclusion 
of the Annual General Meetings in April 2013 after ten years’ 
service and will not seek re-election. 

in accordance with the Articles of Association of Reed Elsevier 
PLC, Directors are subject to election by shareholders at the first 
Annual General Meeting following their appointment by the 
Board. All other Directors are subject to re-election annually in 
accordance with the UK Code.  Accordingly, Duncan Palmer and 
Linda Sanford will stand for election at the Reed Elsevier PLC 
Annual General Meeting in April 2013. All other eligible Directors 
will stand for re-election.

All eligible Directors of the Combined Board of Reed Elsevier NV 
(including Duncan Palmer and Linda Sanford, whose 
appointments were approved by shareholders at an Extraordinary 
General Meeting in November 2012) will stand for re-election at 
the Reed Elsevier NV Annual General Meeting in April 2013.

Based on assessments made by the Corporate Governance 
Committee of the qualifications, performance and effectiveness 
of each individual Director seeking re-election, the Boards have 
accepted a recommendation from the Nominations Committee 
that each of these Directors be proposed for re-election at the 
Annual General Meeting of the respective company.

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BoaRD aTTEnDancE

Members

Mark Armour
Mark Elliott
Erik Engstrom
Anthony Habgood
Adrian Hennah
Lisa Hook
Marike van Lier Lels
Duncan Palmer*                          
Robert Polet
Sir David Reid
Linda Sanford
Ben van der Veer

Date of appointment/ 
(cessation)
during the year

(December 2012)

December 2012

Reed Elsevier PLC

Reed Elsevier NV

Reed Elsevier Group plc

Number of
meetings
held whilst
a director

Number of
meetings
attended

Number of 
meetings
held whilst
a director

Number of
meetings 
attended

Number of
meetings
held whilst
a director

Number of 
meetings 
attended

7
7
7
7
7
7
n/a
3
7
7
1
7

6
6
7
7
6
7
n/a
3
7
4
1
7

7
7
7
7
7
7
7
2
7
7
1
7

6
6
7
7
6
7
7
2
7
4
1
7

7
7
7
7
7
7
n/a
3
7
7
1
7

6
6
7
7
6
7
n/a
3
7
4
1
7

*Duncan Palmer was appointed to the Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier Group plc on 25 September 2012 and to the Executive Board of Reed Elsevier NV on 
6 November 2012.

Elsevier Reed Finance Bv has a two-tier board structure comprising a supervisory board and a management board. The supervisory 
board consists of Rudolf van den Brink (Chairman), Duncan Palmer, Ben van der Veer and Marike van Lier Lels, with the management 
board consisting of Alberto Romaneschi, Gerben de Jong and Jans van der Woude. Jacques Billy retired from the management board 
in May 2012 and Mark Armour retired from the supervisory board in November 2012.  Alberto Romaneschi was appointed to the 
management board with effect from October 2012 and Duncan Palmer was appointed to the supervisory board in November 2012.  
Appointments to the supervisory board and the management board are made by Elsevier Reed Finance BV’s shareholders, in 
accordance with the company’s articles of association.

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Mark Armour
Jacques Billy
Rudolf van den Brink
Gerben de Jong
Marike van Lier Lels
Duncan Palmer
Alberto Romaneschi
Ben van der Veer
Jans van der Woude

Board committees 

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 appointment/ 
(cessation) 
during the year  

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a director

Number of
 meetings 
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(November 2012)
(May 2012)

November 2012
October 2012

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in accordance with the principles of good corporate governance, the following committees have been established by the respective 
Boards. All of the committees have written terms of reference, which are published on the Reed Elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.
com. Membership of each committee and attendance during the year are set out below.

Audit Committees

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV and Reed Elsevier Group plc have established Audit Committees. The Committees 
comprise only independent Non-Executive Directors. The Committees are chaired by Ben van der Veer. A report of the Audit 
Committees, setting out their role and main activities during the year, appears on pages 91 and 92.

Members

Ben van der Veer (Committee Chairman) 
Lisa Hook
Sir David Reid
Linda Sanford*
Adrian Hennah

* Linda Sanford was appointed to the Committees after the meetings held in December 2012.

Date of 
appointment/ 
(cessation)
during the year

Number of
 meetings 
held whilst a 
Committee 
member

Number of
 meetings 
attended

(May 2012)

December  2012

5
2
5
–
5

5
2
5
–
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70

govERnancE
STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The functions of an audit committee in respect of the financing activities are carried out by the supervisory board of Elsevier Reed 
Finance BV.

Remuneration Committee

The Board of Reed Elsevier Group plc has established a Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for considering the 
remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Chairman. The Committee comprises only Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by 
Mark Elliott. A Directors’ Remuneration Report, which has been approved by the Boards of Reed Elsevier Group plc, Reed Elsevier PLC 
and Reed Elsevier NV, appears on pages 74 to 90. This report also serves as disclosure of the Directors’ remuneration policy, and the 
remuneration of the Directors and their interests in the shares of the two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.

Members

Mark Elliott (Committee Chairman)
Anthony Habgood
Lisa Hook                                                                                                 
Robert Polet
Sir David Reid

Nominations Committee

Date of 
appointment/ 
(cessation)
during the year

Number of
 meetings 
held whilst a 
Committee 
member

Number of
 meetings 
attended

May 2012

5
5
3
5
5

5
5
3
5
5

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have established a joint Nominations Committee. The Committee comprises 
only Non-Executive Directors, and is chaired by Anthony Habgood. A report of the Nominations Committee, setting out its role and main 
activities during the year, appears on page 73.

Members

Anthony Habgood (Committee Chairman)
Mark Elliott
Lisa Hook
Sir David Reid
Ben van der Veer

Corporate Governance Committee

Number of
 meetings 
held whilst a 
Committee 
member

Number of
 meetings 
attended

5
5
5
5
5

5
5
5
4
5

The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have established a joint Corporate Governance Committee, which is responsible 
for reviewing ongoing developments and best practice in corporate governance. The Committee is also responsible for assessing 
the performance of the Directors and recommending the structure and operation of the various committees of the Boards and the 
qualifications and criteria for membership of each committee, including the independence of members of the Boards. The Committee 
comprises only Non-Executive Directors, and is chaired by Anthony Habgood.

Members

Anthony Habgood (Committee Chairman)
Mark Elliott
Adrian Hennah
Lisa Hook
Marike van Lier Lels
Robert Polet
Sir David Reid
Linda Sanford
Ben van der Veer

Date of 
appointment/ 
(cessation)
during the year

Number of
 meetings 
held whilst a 
Committee 
member

Number of
 meetings 
attended

7
7
7
7
7
7
7
1
7

7
6
6
7
6
7
4
1
7

December 2012

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

71

Internal control 

Parent companies
The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV exercise 
independent supervisory roles over the activities and systems of 
internal control of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed 
Finance BV. The Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier 
NV have each adopted a schedule of matters which are required to 
be brought to them for decision. in relation to Reed Elsevier Group 
plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV, the Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC 
and Reed Elsevier NV approve the strategy and the annual 
budgets, and receive regular reports on the operations, 
including the treasury and risk management activities of the 
two companies. Major transactions proposed by the Boards of 
Reed Elsevier Group plc or Elsevier Reed Finance BV require 
the approval of the Boards of both Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV.

The Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV Audit Committees 
meet on a regular basis to review the systems of internal control 
and risk management of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier 
Reed Finance BV.

operating companies
The Board of Reed Elsevier Group plc is responsible for the system 
of internal control of the Reed Elsevier publishing and information 
businesses, while the Boards of Elsevier Reed Finance BV are 
responsible for the system of internal control in respect of the 
finance group activities. The Boards of Reed Elsevier Group plc 
and Elsevier Reed Finance BV are also responsible for reviewing 
the effectiveness of their systems of internal control.

The Boards of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance 
BV have each implemented an ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating, monitoring and managing the more significant risks 
faced by their respective businesses. These processes have been 
in place throughout the year ended 31 December 2012 and up to 
the date of the approvals of the Annual Reports and Financial 
Statements 2012.

Reed Elsevier group plc
Reed Elsevier Group plc has an established framework of 
procedures and internal controls, with which the management 
of each business is required to comply. Group businesses are 
required to maintain systems of internal control which are 
appropriate to the nature and scale of their activities and address 
all significant operational and financial risks that they face.  
The Board of Reed Elsevier Group plc has adopted a schedule 
of matters that are required to be brought to it for decision.

Reed Elsevier Group plc has a Code of Ethics and Business 
Conduct that provides a guide for achieving its business goals 
and requires officers and employees to behave in an open, 
honest, ethical and principled manner. The Code also outlines 
confidential procedures enabling employees to report any 
concerns about compliance, or about Reed Elsevier’s financial 
reporting practice. The Code is published on the Reed Elsevier 
website, www.reedelsevier.com.

Each division has identified and evaluated its major risks, the 
controls in place to manage those risks and the levels of residual 
risk accepted. Risk management and control procedures are 
embedded into the operations of the business and include the 
monitoring of progress in areas for improvement that come to 
management and board attention. The principal risks facing 
Reed Elsevier are set out on pages 58 to 60.

The major risks facing the Reed Elsevier Group plc businesses 
are considered by the Board. Reed Elsevier’s Chief Risk Officer is 
responsible for providing regular reports to the Board and Audit 
Committee. Working closely with business management and with 
the central functions, the role of the Chief Risk Officer is to ensure 
that Reed Elsevier is managing its business risks effectively and 
in a coordinated manner across the business with clarity on the 
respective responsibilities and interdependencies. Litigation and 
other legal regulatory matters are managed by legal directors in 
Europe and the United States.

The Reed Elsevier Group plc Audit Committee receives regular 
reports on the identification and management of material risks 
and reviews these reports. The Audit Committee also receives 
regular reports from both internal and external auditors on 
internal control and risk management matters. in addition, each 
division is required, at the end of the financial year, to review the 
effectiveness of internal controls and risk management and 
report its findings on a detailed basis to the management of  
Reed Elsevier Group plc. These reports are summarised and, as 
part of the annual review of effectiveness, submitted to the Audit 
Committee of Reed Elsevier Group plc. The Chairman of the Audit 
Committee reports to the Board on any significant internal control 
matters arising.

Elsevier Reed Finance Bv
Elsevier Reed Finance BV has established policy guidelines,  
which are applied to all Elsevier Reed Finance BV companies.  
The respective Boards of Elsevier Reed Finance BV have adopted 
schedules of matters that are required to be brought to them for 
decision. Procedures are in place for monitoring the activities of 
the finance group, including a comprehensive treasury reporting 
system. The major risks affecting the finance group have been 
identified and evaluated and are subject to regular review. The 
controls in place to manage these risks and the level of residual 
risk accepted are monitored by the Boards.

annual review
As part of the year-end procedures, the Audit Committees and 
Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, Reed Elsevier 
Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV review the effectiveness 
of the systems of internal control and risk management during the 
last financial year. The objective of these systems is to manage, 
rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business 
objectives. Accordingly, they can only provide reasonable, but not 
absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The 
Boards have confirmed, subject to the above, that as regards 
financial reporting risks, the respective risk management and 
control systems provide reasonable assurance against material 
inaccuracies or loss and have functioned properly during the year.

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72

govERnancE
STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Responsibilities in respect of the  
financial statements 

The Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, Reed 
Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV are required to 
prepare financial statements as at the end of each financial period, 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations, which give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs, and of the profit or loss, of 
the respective companies and their subsidiaries, joint ventures 
and associates. They are responsible for maintaining proper 
accounting records, for safeguarding assets, and for taking 
reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other 
irregularities. The Directors are also responsible for selecting 
suitable accounting policies and applying them on a consistent 
basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and 
reasonable.

Applicable accounting standards have been followed and the 
Reed Elsevier combined financial statements, which are the 
responsibility of the Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed 
Elsevier NV, are prepared using accounting policies which comply 
with international Financial Reporting Standards.

Going concern 

The Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV, having 
made appropriate enquiries, consider that adequate resources 
exist for the combined businesses to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future and that, therefore,  
it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing  
the 2012 financial statements. in reaching this conclusion, the 
Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have had  
due regard to the combined businesses’ financial position as at  
31 December 2012, the strong free cash flow of the combined 
businesses, Reed Elsevier’s ability to access capital markets 
and the principal risks facing Reed Elsevier.

A commentary on the Reed Elsevier combined businesses’  
cash flows, financial position and liquidity for the year ended  
31 December 2012 is set out in the Chief Financial Officer’s Report 
on pages 50 to 57. This shows that after taking account of available 
cash resources and committed bank facilities that back up short 
term borrowings, none of Reed Elsevier’s borrowings fall due 
within the next two years. Reed Elsevier’s policies on liquidity, 
capital management and management of risks relating to interest 
rate, foreign exchange and credit exposures are set out on pages 
56 and 57. Further information on liquidity of the combined 
businesses can be found in note 18 of the combined financial 
statements. The principal risks facing Reed Elsevier are set  
out on pages 58 to 60.

US certificates 

As required by Section 302 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 
and by related rules issued by the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer of Reed Elsevier PLC and of Reed Elsevier NV certify in 
the respective Annual Reports 2012 on Form 20-F to be filed 
withthe Commission that they are responsible for establishing 
and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures and that 
they have:

 ƒ designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure 
that material information relating to Reed Elsevier is made 
known to them;

 ƒ evaluated the effectiveness of Reed Elsevier’s disclosure 

controls and procedures;

 ƒ based on their evaluation, disclosed to the Audit Committees 
and the external auditors all significant deficiencies in the 
design or operation of disclosure controls and procedures and 
any frauds, whether or not material, that involve management 
or other employees who have a significant role in Reed 
Elsevier’s internal controls; and

 ƒ presented in the Reed Elsevier Annual Report 2012 on Form 

20-F their conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure 
controls and procedures.

A Disclosure Committee, comprising the company secretaries of 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV and other senior Reed 
Elsevier managers, provides assurance to the Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer regarding their Section 302 
certifications.

Section 404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 requires the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Reed Elsevier PLC 
and of Reed Elsevier NV to certify in the respective Annual Reports 
2012 on Form 20-F that they are responsible for maintaining 
adequate internal control structures and procedures for financial 
reporting and to conduct an assessment of their effectiveness. 
The conclusions of the assessment of internal control structures 
and financial reporting procedures, which are unqualified, are 
presented in the Reed Elsevier Annual Report 2012 on Form 20-F.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

73

Report of the Nominations Committee

This report has been prepared by the joint Nominations 
Committee of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV and has 
been approved by the respective Boards. 

Role of the committee
The principal role of the Committee is to provide assistance to the 
Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV and Reed Elsevier 
Group plc by identifying individuals qualified to become Directors 
and recommending to the Boards the appointment of such 
individuals.

The responsibilities of the Committee are set out in written terms 
of reference (available at www.reedelsevier.com) and include:

(i) 

(ii) 

to develop and agree the desired profile for potential 
candidates for board membership;

in consultation with external search consultants, agree the 
specification for the recruitment of new directors which 
provides a formal and transparent procedure for the 
selection and appointment of new directors to the Boards;

(iii)  to recommend to the Boards the appointment of candidates 
subject, where appropriate, to the approval of shareholders 
of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV;

(iv)  to recommend to the Boards directors to serve on Board 

Committees, having regard to the criteria for service on each 
committee as set out in the terms of reference for such 
committees, and to recommend members to serve as the 
Chair of those committees; and

(v) 

to make recommendations to the Boards in relation to the 
possible re-appointment of Directors at the Annual General 
Meetings of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.

committee membership
The Committee comprises only Non-Executive Directors, and is 
chaired by Anthony Habgood. The other members are Mark Elliott, 
Lisa Hook, Sir David Reid and Ben van der Veer. The Committee 
met five times during the year.

composition of the Boards
During the year, the main focus of the Committee continued to be: 
succession planning in relation to the planned retirement of two 
long-serving Non-Executive Directors, Mark Elliott and Sir David 
Reid; the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer to succeed 
Mark Armour who retired in December 2012; and progress against 
Reed Elsevier’s aspirational goals regarding the percentage of 
women on its Boards which were announced in 2011.

The Committee has established a formal, rigorous and 
transparent procedure for the recruitment of candidates to the 
Boards and recommendations by the Committee are made on 
the basis of a candidate’s merit, against objective criteria and 
with due regard for the benefits of diversity, including gender.  
in addition, the Committee seeks to ensure that the Boards and 
their committees comprise an appropriate balance of skills, 
experience, independence and knowledge of Reed Elsevier’s 
businesses, and diversity.

The Committee retained recruitment consultants specialising 
in senior and non-executive appointments to carry out searches 
for two new Non-Executive Directors and a new Chief Financial 
Officer. The Committee worked closely with the consultants 
and following a rigorous process of assessment and interviews, 
recommended to the Boards the appointment of David Brennan 
and Linda Sanford as Non-Executive Directors and Duncan 
Palmer as Chief Financial Officer.  When David Brennan’s 
appointment was postponed indefinitely for personal reasons, 
the Committee continued the search and recommended to the 
Boards, in February 2013, that Dr Wolfhart Hauser be proposed 
for election at the Annual General Meetings in April 2013.

in September 2011, in response to the publication of the Davies 
Review, “Women on Boards”, the Boards announced their 
aspirational goals that by 2013 the Reed Elsevier NV Combined 
Board would be comprised of 30% women and the Reed Elsevier 
PLC Board would be comprised of 22% women. At that time, 
September 2011, the Reed Elsevier NV Combined Board was 
comprised of 20% women and the Reed Elsevier PLC Board was 
comprised of 11% women. During 2012, the Committee reviewed 
progress against these goals and following the Annual General 
Meetings to be held in April 2013 the Boards expect to have 
met these goals. The Committee will continue to monitor the 
composition of the Board  against the Boards’ aspirational goals 
while taking into account the benefits of diversity more generally.  
Details of Reed Elsevier’s approach to diversity and inclusion in its 
workforce can be found in the Corporate Responsibility report on 
pages 39 to 48.

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74

governance
directors’ remuneration report

Directors’ remuneration report

remuneration committee
75 constitution and terms of reference

executive directors
75 remuneration philosophy and policy
77 the total remuneration package
84 service contracts

non-executive directors
85 policy on non-executive directors’ fees

Total Shareholder return graphs
85 total shareholder return graphs

remuneration and share tables
86 directors’ emoluments and fees
87 directors’ shareholdings in reed elsevier
87 share-based awards in reed elsevier

the directors’ remuneration report (the report) describes 
how reed elsevier applies the principles of good governance 
relating to directors’ remuneration. this report has been 
prepared by the remuneration committee of reed elsevier 
Group plc (the committee) in accordance with regulations 
made under the companies act 2006 and the dutch 
corporate Governance code (the dutch code).

the report was approved by the Boards of reed elsevier 
Group plc, reed elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV and will 
be submitted to shareholders for an advisory vote at the 
annualGeneral meeting of reed elsevier pLc.

The audited parts of the report
in compliance with the Large and medium-sized companies 
and Groups (accounts and reports) regulations 2008, and 
under title 9, Book 2 of the civil code in the netherlands, the 
following elements of this report have been audited: the table 
entitled ‘transfer values of accrued pension benefits’ on page 
83; the tables showing ‘aggregate emoluments’ and ‘individual 
fees of non-executive directors’ on page 86; the tables on 
‘individual emoluments of executive directors’ and ‘directors’ 
shareholdings in reed elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV’ on 
page 87; and the section ‘share-based awards in reed elsevier 
pLc and reed elsevier nV’ on pages 87 to 89. 

Introduction from Remuneration  
Committee Chairman

since erik engstrom’s appointment in late 2009, the company has 
made good progress financially and strategically by systematically 
transforming the business, primarily through organic development. 
the performance related components of the executive directors’ 
remuneration arrangements in place since 2010, including the 
one-off reed elsevier Growth plan (reGp), have supported this 
strategy, focusing on return on capital, returns to shareholders 
and sustained earnings growth. 

2012, as reported elsewhere in this report, was a very solid year and  
resulted in annual bonuses for erik engstrom, mark armour and  
duncan palmer that were slightly above target (see pages 78 to  79). 

indicate that erik engstrom and mark armour will earn 66.8% of their 
initial award. For mr engstrom, 50% of this will be deferred for an 
additional two years. For mark armour, who retired on 31 december 
2012, there will be no deferral and no opportunity to earn further 
shares. With regard to mr armour’s retirement, standard terms and 
conditions were applied as reported in last year’s remuneration report.

duncan palmer joined at the end of august 2012 and took on his role 
as chief Financial officer with effect from 15 november 2012.  details 
of his remuneration arrangements are set out on pages 77 and 84 of 
this report.

in terms of salary increases, the committee decided to award 
erik engstrom a salary increase of 2.5% effective 1 January 2013. 
this level of increase is in line with 2013 increases applicable to 
the wider employee population and other senior executives. 
duncan palmer did not receive an increase to his starting salary. 
His first salary review will be in January 2014.

Given the backdrop of solid progress, the committee spent much 
of its time in 2012 considering alternatives for new multi-year 
incentives. this was necessitated by the need to replace the one-off 
reGp with a more regular Long term incentive plan (Ltip) and the 
expiration of our existing executive share option scheme (esos) in 
april 2013. the committee considered quantum, metrics and the 
structure of these plans as they relate to supporting the execution 
of business strategy.

earlier this year, we consulted with around 30 major shareholders 
and shareholder representative bodies in the uK, the netherlands 
and the us on the proposed new Ltip and the renewal of the esos. 
Feedback received during the process shaped the final design of the 
plans, which are being put to shareholders for approval at the annual 
General meetings in april. a detailed description of the new plans is 
contained in the notices of the annual General meetings.

in summary, subject to shareholder approval, we are proposing 
to introduce a new three-year Ltip for executive directors and 
approximately another 100 senior executives, as well as renew esos 
for around 1,000 employees globally, including executive directors. 
the proposed Ltip is based on a roll forward of what has been 
successfully operated for the 100 executives annually since 2010,  
thus minimising disruption and maximising stability in our most 
senior management population.

the proposals for the new plans are based on the same foundations 
as before, focusing on return on capital, returns to shareholders and 
sustained earnings growth. the overall incentive opportunity for 
executive directors under the multi-year plans remains within the 
parameters previously approved by shareholders.

For 2013, the executive directors will be granted awards under the 
new Ltip and esos, subject to receipt of shareholder approval, 
and will be eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan and 
the bonus investment plan, as in 2012.

as in previous years, our approach to preparing this report has been 
to meet the highest standards of disclosure, balancing in a thoughtful 
and responsible manner the uK legislative requirements with best 
practice guidelines on disclosure in the netherlands. in preparing 
this report, the committee had regard to the approach adopted by 
other large global businesses subject to disclosure requirements 
in more than one jurisdiction. as in prior years, our aim has been to 
produce a clear, informative and understandable report. 

the first tranche of the reGp will be performance tested in late 
april 2013 and, as discussed on page 81, preliminary calculations 

Mark elliott
chairman, remuneration committee

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

75

Remuneration Committee

constitution
throughout 2012, the committee consisted of independent 
non-executive directors, as set out in the structure and corporate 
governance report, and the chairman of reed elsevier Group plc. 
details of committee members and meeting attendance are 
contained in the section on ‘structure and corporate governance’ 
on page 66 of the annual reports. the chief Legal officer & 
company secretary also attends the meetings in his capacity as 
secretary to the committee. at the invitation of the committee 
chairman, the ceo of reed elsevier Group plc attends appropriate 
parts of the meetings. the ceo of reed elsevier Group plc is not 
in attendance during discussions pertaining to his remuneration.

the Global Human resources director provided material advice  
to the committee during the year.

advisers
towers Watson acted as external advisers to the committee 
throughout 2012 and also provided market data and data analysis. 
towers Watson also provided actuarial and other human 
resources consultancy services directly to some reed elsevier 
companies.

the individual consultants involved in advising the committee do 
not provide advice to the executive directors or act on their behalf.

Terms of reference 
the committee’s responsibilities are as follows:  

Executive directors
 ƒ to establish the remuneration policy for the executive directors 
and determine the remuneration in all its forms (including 
pensions and share plan participation), the terms of the service 
contracts and all other terms and conditions of employment 
of the executive directors of reed elsevier Group plc and 
reed elsevier pLc and, on the advice of the chairman, the 
remuneration terms of the ceo (with respect to reed elsevier 
nV, the committee recommends to the supervisory Board the 
remuneration policy and the remuneration in all its forms for 
the ceo and other executive directors); and

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General
 ƒ to review the ongoing appropriateness and relevance of the 
remuneration policy, in particular the performance-related 
elements and their compatibility with risk policies and 
systems;

 ƒ to review and recommend amendments to the rules of all 
share-based incentive plans including the formulation of 
suitable performance conditions for share-based awards and 
options, and where necessary, to submit them for approval  
by shareholders;

 ƒ to maintain an open and ongoing dialogue with institutional 

investors on major remuneration policy issues; and

 ƒ to discharge its duties with due regard to any published 

corporate governance guidelines, codes or recommendations 
regarding the remuneration of directors of listed companies 
and formation and operation of share schemes which the 
committee considers relevant or appropriate including, but 
not limited to, the uK and dutch corporate Governance codes.

a copy of the terms of reference of the committee can be found 
on the reed elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com.

Executive directors

remuneration philosophy and policy
the context for reed elsevier’s remuneration policy and practices 
is set by the needs of a global business with business areas that 
operate internationally by line of business. Furthermore, reed 
elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV’s respective stock market 
listings in London and amsterdam, combined with the majority 
of its employees being based in the us, provides a particular set 
of challenges in the design and operation of remuneration policy.

our remuneration philosophy

reed elsevier’s guiding remuneration philosophy for senior 
executives is based on the following precepts:

 ƒ performance-related compensation with demanding 

performance standards.

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 ƒ to approve any compensation or termination payments 

 ƒ creation of shareholder value.

made to executive directors of reed elsevier Group plc and 
reed elsevier pLc.

Senior management
 ƒ on the advice of the ceo, to approve the remuneration policy of 
other senior leaders and of the chief Legal officer & company 
secretary; and

 ƒ to monitor the level and structure of remuneration for this 

 ƒ competitive remuneration opportunity to attract and retain 

the best executive talent from anywhere in the world.

 ƒ a balanced mix of remuneration between fixed and variable 

elements, and annual and longer-term performance.

 ƒ aligning the interests of executive directors with shareholders 

and other stakeholders.

group of executives.

 ƒ operating the company consistent with long-term sustainability.

Reed Elsevier Chairman 
 ƒ on the advice of the senior independent director, to determine 

the remuneration of the reed elsevier chairman (with 
respect to reed elsevier nV, to recommend, on advice of the 
senior independent director, to the combined Board the 
chairman’s remuneration in respect of his chairmanship 
of reed elsevier nV).

our remuneration policy
in line with this guiding philosophy, our remuneration policy is 
described below.

 ƒ reed elsevier aims to provide a total remuneration package 

that is able to attract and retain the best executive talent from 
anywhere in the world, at an appropriate level of cost.

 ƒ in reaching decisions on executive remuneration, the 

committee takes into account the remuneration arrangements 

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76

governance
directors’ remuneration report

and levels of increase applicable to senior management and 
reed elsevier employees generally. the committee takes 
into account the salary increases for the employee population 
worldwide as one of the inputs when determining salary 
increases for directors.

 ƒ the committee considers the social, governance, and 

environmental implications of its decisions, particularly when 
setting and assessing performance objectives and targets,  
and seeks to ensure that incentives are consistent with the 
appropriate management of risk and corporate sustainability.

 ƒ total targeted remuneration of senior executives will be 
competitive with that of executives in similar positions in 
comparable companies, which includes global sector peers 
and companies of similar scale and international complexity.

 ƒ competitiveness is assessed in terms of total remuneration 
(i.e. salary, annual and multi-year incentives and benefits).

 ƒ the intention is to provide total remuneration that reflects 

sustained individual and business performance; i.e. median 
performance will be rewarded by total remuneration that 
is positioned around the median of relevant market data 
andupper quartile performance by upper quartile total 
remuneration.

 ƒ the committee will consider all available discretion to claw 

back any payouts made, or to reduce unvested awards, on the 
basis of materially misstated data. the rules of all incentive 
plans provide for specific provisions in this regard.

 ƒ the committee considers it important to encourage personal 
investment and ongoing holding of reed elsevier pLc and/or 
reed elsevier nV securities among the senior executive 
population. executive directors and other senior executives  
are subject to minimum shareholding requirements.

How the performance measures in the incentives link to our 
business strategy 
reed elsevier’s strategic focus is on transforming its core 
business through organic investment and the organic build out 
of new products into adjacent markets and geographies, 
supplemented by selective portfolio acquisitions and divestments. 

the performance related components of the executive directors’ 
multi-year incentives support this strategy by focusing on return 
on capital, returns to shareholders and sustained earnings 
growth.

Furthermore, our annual incentive plan is focused on operational 
excellence as measured by the financial measures of revenue, 
profit and cash generation. in addition, a significant portion of 
the annual bonus is dependent upon the achievement of annual 
key performance objectives (Kpos) that create a platform for 
sustainable future performance. these Kpos align with reed 
elsevier’s strategic plans and range from the delivery of specific 
projects and the achievement of customer metrics or efficiency 
targets to corporate and social responsibility objectives. each 
executive director has at least one sustainability or corporate 
responsibility objective.

the committee believes that one of the main drivers of long-term 
shareholder value is sustained growth in profitability, 
underpinned by appropriate capital discipline. therefore, growth 
in earnings per share and targeted return on invested capital are 
utilised in our multi-year incentives.

We aim to set challenging performance targets as demonstrated 
by the fact that there has been no vesting for directors under any of 
our multi-year incentives since the awards granted in 2006 vested 
in 2009, and no directors’ bonuses paid out above target since 2009.

The balance between fixed and performance-related pay
We aim to provide each executive director with an annual total 
remuneration package comprising fixed and variable pay with the 
majority of an executive director’s total remuneration package 
linked to performance. at target performance, incentive pay 
makes up approximately 70% of the total remuneration package. 
this is shown for the ceo in the pie chart below. the core 
components of the current total remuneration package are 
described in detail in the remainder of this report.

50%

20%

Fixed pay elements 30%

Salary

Pensions and 
other benefits

10%

Variable pay elements 70%

Annual incentive

  Multi-year incentives

20%

the chart below illustrates how our levels of compensation are 
driven by business performance (scale in percent of base salary). 
this shows the way in which annual remuneration payable to the 
ceo would vary under different performance scenarios. For the 
purposes of this illustration, assumptions have been made in 
relation to vesting/payout levels at the different levels of 
performance.

700%

600%

500%

400%

300%

200%

100%

0%

Minimum

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Salary

Annual incentive

Multi-year incentives

our approach to market positioning and benchmarking
When reviewing executive director and senior executive 
remuneration, one factor which the committee takes into 
account is market competitiveness. this is done by assessing 
total remuneration (i.e. salary, annual and multi-year incentives 
and benefits) against a range of relevant comparator groups 
as follows:

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

77

 ƒ Global peers operating in businesses similar to those of reed 
elsevier (including thomson reuters, Wpp, pearson, John 
Wiley, Wolters Kluwer, experian, mcGraw-Hill and equifax).

 ƒ companies listed on the London stock exchange (cross-

industry but excluding those in the financial services sector) of 
a similar size (measured by aggregate market capitalisation) 
and international scope.

 ƒ companies listed on the new York stock exchange 

(cross-industry but excluding those in the financial services 
sector) of a similar size (measured by aggregate market 
capitalisation) and international scope.

international scope and listing status of specific companies during 
the year.

the competitiveness of our remuneration packages is assessed 
by the committee as part of the annual review cycle for pay and 
performance, in line with the process set out below.

 ƒ First, the overall competitiveness of the total remuneration 
packages is assessed both against the market and taking 
account of remuneration levels within reed elsevier more 
widely. the appropriate positioning of an individual’s total 
remuneration against the market is determined based on the 
committee’s judgement of individual performance and potential.

 ƒ companies listed on the nYse euronext amsterdam stock 

 ƒ the committee then considers market data and benchmarks 

exchange, cross-industry and of a similar size (measured by 
aggregate market capitalisation) and international scope.

referring to companies listed in these three different locations is 
relevant and necessary as demonstrated by the fact that several 
recent senior executive hires have been recruited from the us, 
including our cFo. 

the composition of the respective comparator groups is subject 
to minor changes year on year reflecting changes in the size, 

for the different elements of the package including salary, total 
annual cash and total remuneration. While relevant benchmark 
information is a meaningful input to the process, it informs 
rather than drives the outcome of the review and is just one  
factor that the committee considers. 

 ƒ Benefits, including medical and retirement benefits, are 

positioned to reflect local country practice.

The total remuneration package
each element of the remuneration package for executive directors is designed to achieve specific objectives, as described in this section. 
in aggregate, they create a unified and balanced reward mix and competitive employment proposition. the value of the reward package 
is only maximised through the integrated delivery of annual and longer-term performance. reward for the delivery of business results 
is connected with reward for value flowing to shareholders. through the use of a range of performance metrics such as earnings per 
share, return on invested capital, profit after tax, revenue, cash flow conversion rate, personal objectives and total shareholder return 
and the assessment of performance over multiple time-horizons, the incentive arrangements are structured in such a way that reward 
cannot be maximised through inappropriate short-term risk-taking.

the table below summarises the component parts of the remuneration package provided in 2012 to executive directors who served in 2012.

component

erik engstrom

Mark armour**

Duncan Palmer***

annual base salary (page 78)

£1,050,625

£644,495

£600,000

 retirement benefits (page 83)

uK defined benefit plan

uK defined benefit plan

other benefits

includes car allowance and 
private medical benefit

includes company car or 
car allowance and private 
medical benefit

uK defined contribution plan 
and cash supplement

includes car allowance and 
private medical benefit

annual incentive (pages 78 to 79) 
(earned for 2012 and payable  
in march 2013)

 Multi-year incentives* 
granted (page 79) 

esos 

Bip 

psp

£1,149,909

£693,799

£230,205

market value options over  
198,836 pLc and 139,742 nV  
ordinary shares  
68,475  nV adrs 

n/a

n/a  

90,987 pLc and 21,028 nV 
ordinary shares 
n/a

market value options over  
67,331 pLc and 48,018 nV  
ordinary shares 
n/a 

179,551 pLc shares

 Shareholding requirement (page 82)

300% of salary

200% of salary

200% of salary

*    no multi-year incentives vested in 2012. multi-year incentives from previous years lapsed in early 2012 as already described in last  

year's report. 

**   mark armour served as a director until 31 december 2012.
*** additional awards were made to duncan palmer in conjunction with his recruitment. Further details are contained on page 84.

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governance
directors’ remuneration report

Base salary

salary reflects the role and the sustained value of the executive in 
terms of skills, experience and contribution in the context of the 
relevant market. 

salaries for executive directors are reviewed annually in the 
context of the competitiveness of total remuneration and  
reed elsevier’s guidelines for wages and salaries agreed for  
the whole of reed elsevier for the forthcoming financial year.  
any increases typically take effect on 1 January.

the committee decided to award a salary increase of 2.5% to 
erik engstrom, which increased his base salary with effect from 
1 January 2013 to £1,076,891. duncan palmer’s service agreement 
provides that his first salary review following commencement of 
employment would be on or around 1 January 2014, so his base 
salary remains unchanged for 2013. in determining the salary 
recommendation for the ceo, the committee considered, among 
other inputs, 2013 salary guidance for reed elsevier’s most 
significant employee locations globally. the increase awarded to 
the ceo is within the guidelines agreed for those employees in 
respect of 2013 increases. 

in respect of salaries for the broader employee population, 
reed elsevier uses the same factors to determine the levels of 
increase across all employee populations globally: i.e. relevant 
pay market, skills, experience and contribution. reed elsevier 
operates across many diverse countries in terms of their 
remuneration structures and practices. any increases awarded 
to different employee groups in different geographies reflect 
this diversity and range of practices. an average increase 
of approximately 2.5% will be awarded across the senior 
management population globally for 2013. this level of increase is 
in line with increases provided to the wider employee population.

annual incentive

the annual incentive plan (aip) provides focus on the delivery of 
stretching annual financial targets and the achievement of annual 
objectives and milestones that create a platform for sustainable 
future performance.

For 2013, executive directors have a target bonus opportunity of 
100% of salary that is weighted as follows across four elements 
(unchanged from 2012): 

measure

revenue
adjusted profit after tax 
cash Flow conversion rate
Key performance objectives (Kpos)

Weighting

30%
30%
10%
30%

the target bonus opportunity for the financial measures is payable 
for the achievement of highly stretching financial targets. the four 
elements are measured separately, such that there could be a 
payout on one element and not on others.

For 2013, the minimum threshold on the financial elements of 
the aip at which a bonus starts to accrue is 94% of target and the 
maximum bonus is 150% of target (unchanged from 2012).

the Kpos are individual to each executive director. each executive 
director is set up to six Kpos to reflect critical business priorities 
for which he is accountable. the Kpo component for the executive 
directors and other senior executives will contain at least one Kpo 
relating to the achievement of specific sustainability objectives 
and targets contained within reed elsevier’s corporate 
responsibility agenda. 

against each objective, measurable milestone targets are set 
for the year. all financial targets and Kpos are approved by the 
committee and are subject to formal assessment at the end of 
each year. the chairman of reed elsevier Group plc presents 
his assessment of performance against Kpos for the ceo of 
reedelsevier Group plc to the committee while the ceo of 
reedelsevier Group plc presents his assessment of Kpo 
performance for the cFo of reed elsevier Group plc. the 
committee then discusses and agrees the final Kpo score 
for each executive director.

aIP payments for 2012
in assessing the level of bonus payments for 2012, the committee 
noted the following performances:

reed elsevier

% change over 2011 at constant exchange rates

underlying
revenue growth

 +4%

total adjusted
pat

+8%

reed elsevier executed well on its strategic and financial priorities 
in 2012. positive revenue momentum and focus on operating 
efficiency combined to lift underlying operating profit growth and 
earnings. underlying revenues, which exclude the effects of 
currency translation and acquisitions and disposals, were up 4%, 
or 3% excluding the cycling effect of biennial exhibitions, and all 
five business areas contributed to the underlying growth. 
underlying adjusted operating profits were up 6%, with the 
improvement in profitability driven by a combination of process 
innovation and portfolio development across all business areas. 
underlying costs were up 4%, reflecting volume growth as well 
as organic investment in new product development and sales & 
marketing, partly offset by continued improvements in process 
efficiency. adjusted operating cash flow was £1,603m (2011: 
£1,515m), up 6% compared with the prior year and up 7% at 
constant currencies. the rate of conversion of adjusted operating 
profits into cash flow was 94% (2011: 93%).  returns on invested 
capital increased to 11.9%, 0.7 percentage points higher than 
in 2011, reflecting the improved trading performance and 
capital efficiency.

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

79

set out below is a summary of the outcome of performance 
against each financial measure:

revenue

Just above target

adjusted profit 
after tax 

cash Flow 
conversion rate

Just above target

Just above target

the progress on personal objectives for each director was then 
added in the form of the Kpo score and, overall, the sum of the 
scores achieved against the four aip components for the executive 
directors, resulted in the following bonuses for 2012:

2012 annual bonus  
(to be paid in march 2013)

% of 2012 base  
salary earnings

erik engstrom
mark armour
duncan palmer*

£1,149,909
£693,799
£230,205

109.5%
107.7%
107.7%

*duncan palmer’s bonus reflects service during the year of reporting. His service 
commenced on 24 august 2012.

Multi-year incentives

it is intended to continue to provide executive directors with 
multi-year incentives comprising a combination of a long-term 
incentive plan (Ltip), a personal investment bonus deferral plan 
(Bip) and market value options (esos). to this end, a new Ltip 
and esos are proposed and will be presented for shareholder 
approval at the 2013 annual General meetings (aGms). 

the purpose of the multi-year incentives is to provide focus on 
the delivery of the medium to longer-term strategy and holding 
executives accountable for the execution of that strategy while 
driving value creation through sustained financial performance, 
capital discipline and the delivery of returns for shareholders.

in addition, the multi-year incentives are structured so as to 
encourage personal investment and require a minimum level of 
ongoing personal shareholding in reed elsevier pLc and reed 
elsevier nV securities among the senior executive population, 
in order to promote alignment with shareholders and to provide 
focus on the share price.  

awards under the current and proposed multi-year incentives vest 
over a period of three years, except for the one-off reGp under 
which awards vest over three and five years. the vesting of all 
awards made to executive directors under these plans is subject 
to meeting a number of stretching performance targets based on 
internal financial metrics and total shareholder return.

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reed elsevier growth Plan (regP)
the details of the reGp have been disclosed in previous years' reports.

MecHanIcS
the chart below illustrates how the reGp operates:

3 YEARS: 2010-12

H1 2013

2 YEARS: 2013-14

For the CEO, 50% of 
performance shares 
are released. For the 
retired CFO (Mark 
Armour),100% of 
performance shares 
are released and he 
ceases to participate 
in the plan.

Release of remaining 50% of the 
performance shares is deferred until
H1 of 2015 subject to continued employment

Subject to performance against three metrics,
up to a 1 for 1 match can be earned over years
4 and 5 on the deferred performance shares

H1 2015

Release of deferred
performance shares
to CEO 

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Performance 
tested

EPS
1/3RD

TSR
1/3RD

Performance share 
award of 600% 
of salary

Performance 
share award

ROIC
1/3RD

EPS
1/3RD

TSR
1/3RD

ROIC
1/3RD

Release of matching
shares earned 
to CEO

On the date of grant, the CEO committed 300% of salary and 
the CFO (Mark Armour) 200% of salary in shares to the plan 
which must be retained throughout the life of the plan or until 
the executive directors cease to be eligible for further payouts, 
if earlier

For the CEO, subject to performance against the 
three metrics, up to a 1 for 1 match can be earned 
over years 4 and 5 on the personal shareholding 
committed under the plan

Release of committed
holding – the
regular shareholding
guidelines continue
to apply to the CEO

Overall payout from the plan to each director is capped at 150% of the shares comprised in the performance share award

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governance
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Performance measures and targets

Total Shareholder return (TSr)
the vesting of one third of the reGp award is subject to reed 
elsevier’s tsr performance compared against three comparator 
groups (the tsr tranche). 

as reed elsevier accesses equity capital markets through three 
exchanges – London, amsterdam and new York – in three separate 
currency zones, three distinct comparator groups are used – a 
sterling comparator Group, a euro comparator Group and a us 
dollar comparator Group. the tsr performance of reed elsevier 
pLc ordinary shares (based on the London listing) is measured 
against the sterling comparator Group, the tsr performance of 
reed elsevier nV ordinary shares (based on the amsterdam 
listing) is measured against the euro comparator Group; and the 
tsr performance of reed elsevier pLc adrs and reed elsevier 
nV adrs (based on the new York listing) is measured against the 
us dollar comparator Group. the averaging period applied for 
tsr measurement purposes is six months prior to the start of the 
financial year in which the award was made and the final six months 
of the last financial year of the performance period.  

tsr performance of each security is measured separately against 
each comparator group and the proportion of the tsr tranche that 
vests is the sum of the payouts achieved against the three 
comparator groups.

3 year period:
2010-12

tsr ranking within the 
relevant tsr 
comparator group

Vesting percentage
of each third of the
tsr tranche

Below median
median
upper quartile

0%
30%
100%

5 year period: 
2010-14 

Vesting percentage 
of each third of the
tsr tranche

0%
30%
100%

Vesting is on a straight-line basis for ranking between the median 
and the upper quartile.

TSr comparators groups 
the consituents of each comparator group were selected on a 
specific basis, as described in last year's report (page 69). 

the comparators which were included in each currency group 
are set out on page 70 of last year’s report.

the committee retains discretion as to how to deal with changes 
to the comparator groups as a result of demergers, de-listings or 
other corporate events over the performance period and applies 
its policy in this regard in an appropriate manner.

return on invested capital (roIc)
the vesting of one third of the reGp award is subject to the 
percentage return on invested capital of reed elsevier pLc and 
reed elsevier nV (the roic tranche) as follows:

3 years:
2010-12

2 years:
2013-14

Vesting percentage
of roic tranche

roic in 2012, subject to 
actual exceeding 2009 
roic calculated on the 
same basis
Below 10.2%
10.2%
11.2% or above

roic in 2014 

Below 10.7%
10.7%
12.7% or above

0%
60%
100%

Vesting is on a straight-line basis for performance between the 
minimum and maximum levels. 

For the purposes of the plan, the following definitions apply:

 ƒ invested capital = arithmetic average of the opening and closing 
capital employed for the reed elsevier combined businesses 
for the financial year with all cumulative amortisation and 
impairment charges for acquired intangible assets and 
goodwill added back. in addition, any exceptional restructuring 
and acquisition integration charges (net of tax) are capitalised 
for these purposes and changes in exchange rates and 
movements in pension deficits are excluded.

 ƒ return = adjusted operating profit for the reed elsevier 

combined businesses before amortisation and impairment 
of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, exceptional 
restructuring and acquisition integration charges. in addition, 
it is grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint 
ventures and further adjusted to exclude net pension financing 
credit movement, after applying the effective rate of tax used 
for adjusted earnings calculations and using exchange rates 
to match those used in the calculation of invested capital. 

in order to ensure that the performance score achieved is a fair 
reflection of underlying business performance, the committee 
retains discretion to determine the treatment of major disposals 
and acquisitions that require board approval. any significant 
adjustments made to the final performance score will be 
disclosed to shareholders.

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

81

adjusted earnings per share (ePS)
the vesting of one third of the reGp award is subject to 
performance against growth in adjusted earnings per share 
measured at constant currencies (adjusted eps) (the eps 
tranche) as follows:

3 years:
2010-12

2 years:
2013-14

Vesting percentage
of eps tranche

average adjusted  
eps growth in years  
2011 and 2012  
(subject to average  
adjusted eps growth over 
the whole three year  
period being positive)
Below 5% p.a.
5% p.a.
9% p.a. or above

average  
adjusted eps 
growth over the 
two year period

Below 7% p.a.
7% p.a.
13% p.a. or above

0%
60%
100%

Vesting is on a straight-line basis for performance between the 
minimum and maximum levels. 

For the purposes of the plan, the following definitions apply:

 ƒ earnings = adjusted reported earnings measured at constant 

currencies. adjustments include amortisation and impairment 
of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, exceptional 
restructuring and acquisition integration charges, gains/
losses on business disposals and tax rate anomalies (deferred 
tax). the committee retains discretion to adjust for changes  
in the net pension financing credit.

 ƒ number of shares = weighted average number of shares in 

issue excluding shares held in treasury.

performance share awards were granted under the reGp to 
mr engstrom and mr armour in may 2010. at its meeting on 25 april 
2013, the committee will assess the extent to which the 
performance conditions have been met for these share awards, 
which includes an overall assessment of underlying business 
performance and other relevant factors. Based on a review of 
the three performance measures used in the plan, preliminary 
calculations indicate that 66.8% of the awards are expected to vest. 
this is based on a tsr ranking of just above median in respect of 
two of the comparator groups, roic achievement slightly below the 
11.2% maximum after taking into account adjustments for such 
items as foreign exchange rates, pension deficits and acquisition 
integration costs as provided in the plan, and eps growth slightly 
above the middle of the range specified in the plan.

this would result in 429,710 pLc ordinary shares and 282,187 nV 
ordinary shares vesting in respect of erik engstrom. 50% of these 
shares will be released to mr engstrom following the april 
committee meeting and 50% of these shares will be deferred until 
2015. in respect of mr armour, under the terms of the plan relating 
to retirement, 100% of the shares vesting will be released to him 
following the april committee meeting. in accordance with the 
preliminary vesting calculations, this will result in 263,601 pLc 
ordinary shares and 173,105 nV ordinary shares being released to 
mr armour. thereafter, mr armour will have no further entitlement 
for payment under this plan. dividend equivalents will be payable 
in cash on any shares released which, based on the preliminary 
calculations, would result in payments of £135,251 and €179,329 
tomr engstrom and £165,937 and €220,016 to mr armour.

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
no awards under the Ltip were made to executive directors in 
2012 and no award cycles remain outstanding for directors under 
this plan. 

a long-term incentive award was granted to senior leaders below 
the Board in 2012. Grants are made on a rolling three-year basis in 
the form of performance shares that vest subject to performance 
metrics and vesting scales consistent with the reGp. the targets 
set for each metric are aligned to the five-year performance scale 
applicable to the executive directors under the reGp.

subject to receipt of shareholder approval at the 2013 aGms,  
it is intended to commence making annual grants under a new 
long-term incentive plan to executive directors from 2013 
onwards, under which the first awards would vest in H1 2016. 

details of the proposed new Ltip are described in the 2013 notices 
of aGms of reed elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV.

executive Share option Scheme (eSoS) 
the current esos, which was approved by shareholders in 2003, 
expires on 8 april 2013. a replacement esos, for which we are 
seeking shareholder approval at the aGms in april 2013, is 
described in the notices of aGms and it is intended to make grants 
under this plan to around 1,000 employees globally, including the 
executive directors, in 2013.  it is not intended to make any further 
grants under the existing esos, the key features of which were 
described in last year’s remuneration report on page 71. 

during 2012, erik engstrom received a grant of 200% of base 
salary of market value options (two-thirds of the permitted 
maximum). on joining, duncan palmer received a grant of 135% of 
salary.  the vesting of the options is subject to a 6% p.a. compound 
growth in adjusted earnings per share hurdle, measured at 
constant currencies over a three-year period commencing on 
1 January of the year of grant (the same condition also applies 
to the 2011 esos grants which were made to erik engstrom 
and mark armour). in view of his retirement at the end of 2012, 
mark armour did not receive an esos grant in 2012.

early in 2012, as disclosed in last year's report, the 2009-11 cycle 
of esos lapsed for erik engstrom and mark armour. 

Bonus Investment Plan (BIP)
the Bip is a voluntary plan aimed at encouraging personal 
investment in, and ongoing holding of, reed elsevier shares to 
promote greater alignment with shareholders and support the 
retention of key talent. 

under the Bip, participants may invest their own funds to purchase 
reed elsevier securities or allocate securities already owned 
outright for investment under the plan up to a specified maximum. 
in return, the participant is granted a matching award which vests 
over three years subject to performance (i.e. a maximum match of 
1 for 1 can be earned on the personal investment). it is a condition 
of vesting that the underlying personal investment is retained 
throughout the vesting period. dividend equivalents accrue on the 
matching shares during the vesting period and are paid out in cash 
at the end to the extent that the matching award vests. the table 
overleaf summarises the key features of the Bip.

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directors’ remuneration report

Bonus Investment Plan (BIP) 
overview 

Feature
Frequency of award

eligibility

performance period

performance conditions

Vesting scale
personal investment

other provisions

detail

ƒ annual grants of matching awards
ƒ ten-year life of the plan
ƒ implemented in 2010 
ƒ approximately 150 senior executives including executive directors
ƒ participation is voluntary
ƒ three financial years
ƒ average adjusted eps growth measured in constant currencies and roic (see below)
ƒ 50% of the award is subject to adjusted eps growth and 50% subject to roic 
ƒ performance hurdle and straight-line vesting 
ƒ up to 100% of the target bonus opportunity net of tax
ƒ on a change of control, awards vest on a pro-rated basis and subject to performance based on  
an assessment of progress against targets at the time the change of control occurs, unless the 
committee determines that awards should not vest and instead be exchanged for equivalent 
awards over shares in the acquiring company (i.e. rollover applies)

ƒ claw-back applies
ƒ awards under the plan are satisfied with shares purchased in the market

the following targets and vesting scale apply to awards granted 
under the Bip in 2012:

match earned on  
personal investment

0%
50%
75%
100%

average growth  
in adjusted eps (%) 
over the 3 year  
performance period

below 4% p.a.
4% p.a. 
6.5% p.a.
9% p.a. or above

roic (%) in the 
third  year of the 
performance 
period

below 11%
11%
11.5%
12% or above

the targets for the 2010-12 and 2011-13 cycles of Bip are set out in 
last year’s report.

awards were granted under the Bip to mr engstrom and mr armour 
in may 2010. at its meeting on 25 april 2013, in much the same way 
as for the reGp, the committee will assess the extent to which the 
performance conditions have been met for these awards, which 
includes an overall assessment of underlying business 
performance and other relevant factors.

Based on a review of the two performance measures used in the 
plan, preliminary calculations indicate that 89.5% of the awards 
are expected to vest. this is based on roic achievement slightly 
below the 11.2% maximum after taking into account adjustments 
for such items as foreign exchange rates, pension deficits and 
restructuring costs as provided in the plan, and eps growth just 
below the 70th percentile of the target range specified in the plan. 

this would result in the vesting of 62,819 nV adr matching awards 
in respect of mr engstrom and a corresponding cash dividend 
equivalent payment of $178,181. in respect of mr armour, 58,223 
pLc ordinary shares and 38,048 nV ordinary shares would be 
released, with corresponding dividend equivalent payments of 
£36,651 and €48,359 respectively.

Shareholding requirement

the committee believes that one of the aspects that creates closer 
alignment between senior management and shareholders is to 
require executives to build up and maintain a significant personal 
stake in reed elsevier. the shareholding requirements applicable 
to the executive directors are set out in the table below and, as 
described on page 79, were pre-requisites to participate in the 
reGp. shareholding requirements also apply to selected senior 
executives below the Board.

meeting the relevant shareholding requirement is both a condition 
of the vesting of awards as well as a pre-requisite to maintain 
eligibility to receive future awards under the multi-year 
incentives.

on 31 december 2012, the executive directors’ shareholdings 
were as follows (valued at the mid-market closing prices of 
reed elsevier securities): 

shareholding requirement 
(in % of 31 december 2012 
annualised base salary)

actual shareholding as at 
31 december 2012 (in % of 
31 december 2012 
annualised base salary)

erik engstrom
mark armour
duncan palmer*

300%
200%
200%

512%
442% 
0% 

* duncan palmer has until 31 december 2015 to build up to his required level of 
shareholding and must retain any net shares earned from reed elsevier share plans 
until he meets his requirement. 

other employee share plans
the ceo and mr palmer have waived their right to participate 
in any local all-employee share-based plans in any country, 
including the Hmrc approved all-employee uK savings-related 
share option scheme (saYe).

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83

retirement benefits

retirement benefit provisions are set in the context of the total 
remuneration for each executive director, taking account of age 
and service and against the background of evolving legislation 
and practice in reed elsevier’s major countries of operation. 
Base salary is the only pensionable element of remuneration.

erik engstrom is provided with uK defined benefit pension 
arrangements under which he accrues a pension of 1/30th of 
salary for every year of service (up to a maximum of two thirds 
of salary). the pension is provided through a combination of:

 ƒ the main uK reed elsevier pension scheme for salary 

restricted to the scheme earnings cap, (determined annually 
on the same basis as the pre-april 2006 inland revenue 
earnings cap) and Hmrc annual allowance, and

 ƒ reed elsevier’s unapproved pension arrangement for 

the balance.

prior to 1 november 2007, erik engstrom was not a member of 
any company pension scheme and reed elsevier made annual 
contributions of 19.5% of his salary to his personal pension plan. 

Transfer values of accrued pension benefits

From 1 november 2007 contributions to his designated retirement 
account ceased and he became a member of the uK defined 
benefit pension arrangement.

the pension arrangements for erik engstrom include life 
assurance cover while in employment, an entitlement to a pension 
in the event of ill health or disability and a spouse’s and/or 
dependants’ pension on death.

the increase in the transfer value of the directors’ pensions, after 
deduction of contributions, is shown in the table below. transfer 
values have been calculated in accordance with the guidance note 
Gn11 published by the uK institute of actuaries and Faculty of 
actuaries. the transfer values at 31 december 2012 have been 
calculated using the transfer value basis adopted by the trustees 
of the reed elsevier pension scheme.

the transfer value in respect of individual directors represents a 
liability in respect of directors’ pension entitlement, and is not an 
amount paid or payable to the director.

mark armour retired on 31 december 2012, at which point he 
became entitled to a pension of £378,785 per annum.  

transfer
value
of accrued
pension at
31 december
2011

transfer
value
of accrued
pension at
31 december
2012

increase in
transfer
value during
the year
(net of
director’s
contributions)

age at
31 december
2012

director’s
contributions

erik engstrom
mark armour

49
58

£9,158
£1,944

£2,099,132
£6,758,053

£2,730,651
£7,525,908

£622,361
£765,911

accrued
annual
pension at
31 december
2012

£180,958
£384,878*

increase in
accrued
annual
pension
during
the year

£38,584
£30,355

transfer  
value at
31 december
2012 of
increase
in accrued
pension
during the year
(net of inflation
and director’s
contributions)  

£469,944
£259,332

increase in
accrued
annual
pension
during
the year
(net of
inflation)

£31,750
£13,362

*the reason for the difference between mr armour's accrued annual pension as at 31.12.12 as stated in the table above, and the annual pension entitlement following 
retirement is that mr armour retired early so there was a reduction made to his accrued annual pension as at 31.12.12.

duncan palmer is a member of the uK reed elsevier defined 
contribution pension plan (the reed elsevier pension plan – 
“repp”).  the company contribution is 19% of mr palmer’s salary. 
£50,000 is paid as a contribution to the repp, being the maximum 
contribution which can be made under Hmrc limits, and the 

balance is paid to him as a cash allowance, subject to deduction of 
income tax and national insurance. the pension arrangement for 
mr palmer includes life assurance cover while in employment. 

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governance
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Service contracts
executive directors are employed under service contracts that 
provide for a maximum of one year’s notice. the contracts neither 
specify a predetermined level of severance payment nor contain 
specific provisions in respect of a change in control. the 
committee believes that, as a general rule, notice periods should 
be 12 months and that the executive directors should, subject to 
any legal constraints within their base country, be required to 
mitigate their losses in the event of termination. the committee 
will, however, note local market conditions so as to ensure that the 
terms offered are appropriate to attract and retain top executives 
operating in global businesses.

the contractual terms of the executive directors (and for 
approximately 100 other senior executives) include certain 
covenants as follows:

 ƒ non-competition restrictions apply which prevent the  

executive from working in a capacity which competes with any 
reed elsevier business which he/she was involved with during 
the preceding 12 months; from recruiting reed elsevier 
employees and from soliciting reed elsevier customers and 
suppliers for a period of 12 months after leaving employment;

 ƒ in the event of the executive resigning, he/she will immediately 
lose all rights to any outstanding awards under the multi-year 
incentives including any vested but unexercised options; and

 ƒ in the event of a breach of the covenants, any gains made or 
payouts received, in the period starting six months prior to 
and ending 12 months after leaving employment, on the vesting 
or exercise of awards from the multi-year incentives may 
be repayable.

each executive director has a service contract with reed elsevier Group plc, as summarised in the table below.

current contract date

date employment commenced

expiry date (subject to notice period)

notice period

subject to

erik engstrom 

14 march 2011

23 august 2004

mark armour 
duncan palmer

7 october 1996
15 august 2012

1 February 1995
24 august 2012

14 June 2028
 ceased to be a director and 
retired on 31 december 2012
n/a

12 months

english law

12 months
12 months

english law
english law

Duncan Palmer’s remuneration arrangements
duncan palmer’s annual base salary on his recruitment was 
£600,000 and he has an annual target bonus opportunity of 100% 
of base salary. He will be eligible to participate in Bip from 2013 
onwards up to his target bonus opportunity and to participate in 
the new esos and Ltip, subject to shareholders approving those 
plans. He will receive annual pension contributions equal to 19%  
of salary and benefits in accordance with the policies applicable  
to executive directors.

in addition, in september 2012, he was granted the following 
awards:

 ƒ a market value option under esos to acquire shares with a face 
value on the date of grant of 135% of base salary, which vests on 
the 3rd anniversary of grant subject to achieving at least 6% 
p.a. compound growth in adjusted eps at constant currencies 
over the three year performance period from 1 January 2012  
to 31 december 2014.

 ƒ performance shares (psp) with an aggregate face value  
of 180% of base salary, which are subject to the same 
performance targets as will apply to any matching award  
that may be granted to the ceo under the reGp in 2013, with 
performance being assessed in the first half of 2015. the award 
is non-pensionable and carries a right to receive dividend 
equivalents (calculated on the same basis as under the reGp). 
the leaver rules are consistent with those which apply under 
the reGp with the exception that "retirement with the consent 
of the company" is not automatically treated as an approved 
leaver reason for the performance share award.

 ƒ  restricted shares (rsp) with an aggregate face value of 250% 

of base salary, which vest 50% in 2014 and 50% in 2015 provided 
all unvested stock-based awards granted to him by his previous 
employer lapse.  this one-off grant of restricted shares was 
made to compensate mr palmer for the forfeiture of awards 

from his former employer. they are subject to a time pro-rated 
claw-back if he resigns, or is summarily terminated, before  
the date of the announcement of the 2014 annual results in 
2015.

the committee considered the grant of performance shares and 
restricted shares noted above to have been essential to secure 
duncan palmer's services. the committee was satisfied that 
the awards are appropriate and align his interests with those of 
shareholders. Both awards fall within paragraph 9.4.2(2)r of 
the uK Listing rules and were granted over reed elsevier pLc 
ordinary shares, but half of each award will be settled on vesting 
with reed elsevier nV ordinary shares. the awards cannot be 
amended to the advantage of duncan palmer without shareholder 
approval and the documentation governing these awards will be 
available for inspection from the date of the notices of the 2013 
annual General meetings up to and including the meetings 
themselves.

in recognition of mr palmer and his family having to relocate to  
the uK in order for him to take up his new position, he will receive  
a one-off cash relocation allowance of £500,000 in may 2013 
(subject to a time pro-rated claw-back if he resigns or is 
summarily terminated prior to 31 december 2014) and relocation 
support under the standard reed elsevier policy.

Mark armour’s retirement terms
mark armour's retirement terms were disclosed in last year’s 
remuneration report (page 74).

Policy on external appointments
the committee believes that the experience gained by allowing 
executive directors to serve as non-executive directors on the 
boards of other organisations is of benefit to reed elsevier. 
accordingly, executive directors may, subject to the approval of the 

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

85

chairman and the chief executive officer, serve as non-executive 
directors on the boards of up to two non-associated companies  
(of which only one may be to the board of a major company) and 
they may retain remuneration arising from such appointments.

mark armour is a non-executive director of saBmiller plc and 
received remuneration of £106,250  during 2012 (£100,694  
during 2011). He is also a non-executive director of the Financial 
reporting council (Frc) and received remuneration of £12,500 
since commencing his appointment on 2 July 2012.

duncan palmer is a non-executive director of oshkosh 
corporation and received fees of £15,487 since his appointment  
as a director of reed elsevier pLc up to the end of 2012.

Non-executive directors

Policy on non-executive directors’ fees
the policy on non-executive directors’ fees is a matter for  
the Boards, subject to applicable law and, with respect to  
reed elsevier nV, the shareholders, and does not fall within  
the committee’s remit.

reed elsevier seeks to recruit non-executive directors with the 
experience to contribute to the boards of a dual-listed global 
business and with a balance of personal skills that will make a 
major contribution to the Boards and their committee structures. 
With the exception of marike van Lier Lels who serves only on the 
supervisory Board of reed elsevier nV, non-executive directors, 
including the chairman, are appointed to the Boards of reed 
elsevier Group plc, reed elsevier pLc and the supervisory Board 
of reed elsevier nV. non-executive directors’ fees reflect the 
directors’ membership of the three Boards.

the primary source for comparative market data is the practice  
of Ftse 50 companies, although reference is also made to nYse 
euronext amsterdam (aeX) index and us-listed companies.

non-executive directors, including the chairman, serve under 
letters of appointment and are not entitled to notice of, or 
payments following, retirement from the Boards. 

Fee levels
non-executive directors receive an annual fee in respect of their 
memberships of the Boards of reed elsevier pLc, reed elsevier 
nV and reed elsevier Group plc. the fee paid to marike van Lier 
Lels, who serves only on the supervisory Board of reed elsevier 
nV, reflects her time commitment to that company and to other 
companies within the reed elsevier combined businesses. 
non-executive directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in 
attending meetings. they do not receive any performance-related 
bonuses, pension provision, share options or other forms of 

benefit, except for the following: the chairman receives private 
medical benefit and non-executive directors and the chairman are 
provided with tax filing support to meet any tax filing obligations 
arising from their directorships with reed elsevier in countries 
other than their home country.

Fees may be reviewed annually, although in practice they have 
changed on a less frequent basis. the last fee review was during 
2011 and the current fee arrangements took effect on 1 January 
2012. 

the fees for 2013 are unchanged from 2012 and are set out below. 

chairman
non-executive directors
senior independent director
Chairman of: 
– audit committee
– remuneration committee

annual fee 2013

£550,000
£65,000/€80,000
£20,000

£25,000/€30,000
£20,000

the total annual fee payable to marike van Lier Lels is €65,000 
(unchanged from 2012). the chairman of reed elsevier does not 
receive committee chairman fees. 

Total Shareholder Return graphs

as required by the Large and medium-sized companies and 
Groups (accounts and reports) regulations 2008, the graphs in 
this section show the reed elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV 
total shareholder return performance, assuming dividends were 
reinvested. they compare the reed elsevier pLc performance 
with that achieved by the Ftse 100, and the reed elsevier nV 
performance with the performance achieved by the aeX  
index, over the five-year period from 31 december 2007 to  
31 december 2012.

For the five-year period from 31 december 2007, the tsr for 
reed elsevier pLc was 22.6%, against a Ftse 100 return of 11.7%. 
For reed elsevier nV during the same period, tsr was 8.4% 
against an aeX index return of minus 19%. these indices are 
relevant since reed elsevier pLc is a member of the Ftse 100 
index and reed elsevier nV is a member of the aeX index.

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REED ELSEVIER PLC v FTSE 100 – 5 YEARS

REED ELSEVIER NV v AEX – 5 YEARS

140%

120%

100%

80%

60%

40%

140%

120%

100%

80%

60%

40%

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2007

2008

2009

Reed Elsevier PLC

FTSE 100

Reed Elsevier NV

2010

AEX

2011

2012

For the purposes of the charts, the total shareholder return is calculated on the basis of the average share price in the 30 trading days 
prior to the respective year end and on the assumption that dividends were reinvested.

Remuneration and share tables

Directors’ emoluments and fees

the information set out in this section forms part of the audited 
disclosures in this report. For the purposes of the disclosures in 
this section, the average exchange rates for the relevant year 
have been used.

aggregate emoluments
the emoluments of the directors of reed elsevier pLc and reed 
elsevier nV (including any entitlement to fees or emoluments 
from either reed elsevier Group plc or elsevier reed Finance BV) 
were as follows:

salaries and fees 
Benefits 
annual performance-related bonuses 
pension contributions 
Total

2012
£’000

2,972
89
2,074
44
5,179

2011
£’000

2,590
56
1,634
42
4,322

Individual fees of non-executive directors

mark elliott
anthony Habgood 
adrian Hennah (from 20 april 2011)
Lisa Hook
marike van Lier Lels
robert polet
sir david reid
Lord sharman (until 20 april 2011)
Linda sanford (from 4 december 2012) 
Ben van der Veer
total

2012

£*

2011

£*

85,000
550,000**
65,000
65,000
52,846***
65,000
85,000
–
5,416
89,431***

70,000
500,000**
38,475
55,000
41,739***
55,000
75,000
18,333
–
82,609***

1,062,693

936,156

* the above figures exclude an imputed notional benefit in respect of tax filing support provided to non-executive directors for tax filings in countries other than their home 
country resulting from their directorship with reed elsevier. the incremental assessable benefit charge per relevant tax return has been agreed by pwc to amount to £300.

** excludes private medical insurance benefit of £1,389 in respect of 2012 (£1,329 in 2011).
*** the fees for marike van Lier Lels and Ben van der Veer are paid in euro and were €65,000 and €110,000 respectively for 2012 (€48,000 and €95,000 respectively for 2011). 

For reporting purposes these were converted into pounds sterling at the average exchange rate for the year of reporting.

other required disclosures
no loans, advances or guarantees have been provided on behalf of any director.

as disclosed in last year's report, the 2009-11 cycle of awards made under esos and Ltip lapsed in early 2012 for erik engstrom and 
mark armour. the executive directors made no pre-tax gains during 2012 on any multi-year incentives, except for mark armour, who 
made a gain of £1,185 on the exercise of vested options during the year. details are shown on page 88.

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87

Individual emoluments of executive directors

erik engstrom
mark armour 
duncan palmer*
total 

Salary
£

1,050,625
644,495
213,846
1,908,966

Benefits
£

28,396
23,984
32,878
85,258

Bonus
£

1,149,909
693,799
230,205
2,073,913

Total 2012
£

2,228,930
1,362,278
476,929
4,068,137

total 2011
£

2,075,417
1,263,563
n/a
3,338,980

*the benefits figure for duncan palmer includes the balance of his company pension contribution which is paid to him as a cash allowance, as detailed under the retirement 
Benefits section on page 83, which, for 2012, was £22,810.

market value options awarded under esos and restricted shares awarded in the year of reporting under the Bip are set out by executive 
director on pages 88-89. Vesting is subject to performance conditions relating to growth in adjusted eps and roic as described in the 
front section of this report. the maximum number of options that can vest under the esos and the maximum number of restricted 
shares that can vest under the Bip is equivalent to the awards granted. the maximum number of shares which can vest under the 
september 2012 grants of performance share awards and restricted share awards to duncan palmer is equivalent to the awards 
granted. erik engstrom was the highest paid director in 2012.

Directors’ shareholdings in reed elsevier PLc and reed elsevier nv
the interests of those individuals who were directors of reed elsevier pLc and reed elsevier nV as at 31 december 2012 in the issued 
share capital of the respective companies at the beginning and end of the year are shown below: 

mark armour
mark elliott
erik engstrom
anthony Habgood
adrian Hennah
Lisa Hook
marike van Lier Lels
duncan palmer
robert polet
sir david reid
Linda sanford 
Ben van der Veer

reed elsevier pLc
ordinary shares

reed elsevier nV
ordinary shares

1 January
2012*

31 december
2012

1 January
2012*

31 december
2012

248,742
–
107,040
50,000
5,163
–
–
–
1,000
–
–
–

250,242
–
107,040
50,000
5,163
–
–
–
1,000
–
–
–

136,889
7,600
447,356
25,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5,000

136,889
7,600
509,556
25,000
–
4,800
–
–
–
–
–
5,000

*on date of appointment if subsequent to 1 January 2012.

there have been no changes in the interests of the current directors serving as at the date of this report in the issued share capital 
of reed elsevier pLc or reed elsevier nV at the date of this report. 

Share-based awards in reed elsevier PLc and reed elsevier nv 
details of vested options (shown in orange) and unvested options and restricted shares held by executive directors in reed elsevier pLc 
(pLc) and reed elsevier nV (nV) as at 31 december 2012 are shown in the tables overleaf.  any awards that have been described as 
lapsed in prior year reports have been excluded. the shading in the tables denotes awards granted during the year of reporting. the 
vesting of outstanding unvested awards is subject to performance conditions in accordance with the provisions of the respective plan 
rules, except for the rsp award granted to mr palmer on joining reed elsevier. the conditions of vesting of this award are set out on 
page 84 of this report. For disclosure purposes, any pLc and nV adrs awarded under the Bip have been converted into ordinary share 
equivalents. at the date of this report there have been no changes in the options or restricted shares held by executive directors in office 
at the date of this report. the market price at the date of award of grants made under the multi-year incentives are based on the middle 
market price of the respective security.

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88

governance
directors’ remuneration report

Erik Engstrom

oPTIonS

esos

Ltip

total pLc ords
total nV ords

SHareS

Bip

reGp

no. of
options
held on
1 Jan
2012

63,460
43,866
154,517
105,412
178,895
120,198
139,146
92,953
–
–
325,163
224,766

861,181
587,195

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
1 Jan
2012

140,378
122,352
–
643,086

Year of
grant

2004

2005

2006

2011

2012

2004

option
over:

pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord

Year of
grant

2010
2011
2012
2010

type of
security

nV ord
nV ord
nV ord
pLc ord

no. of
options
granted
during
2012

no. of
options
exercised
during
2012

market
price per
share at
exercise

Gross
gains
made on
exercise
£/€

option
price

£4.780
€10.30
£5.335
€11.31
£5.305
€11.47
£5.390
€8.969
198,836
£5.155
139,742 €9.030
£4.78
€10.30

198,836
139,742

no. of
shares
awarded
during
2012

market
price per
share at
award

€8.310
€8.969
136,950 €9.030
£4.665

no. of
shares
vested
during
2012

market
price per
share at
vesting

notional
gross
gains at
vesting
£/€

no. of
options
held on
31 dec
2012

63,460
43,866
154,517
105,412
178,895
120,198
139,146
92,953
198,836
139,742
325,163
224,766

1,060,017
726,937

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
31 dec
2012

140,378
122,352
136,950
643,086

unvested
options
vesting on:

options
exercisable
until:

23 aug 2014
23 aug 2014
17 Feb 2015
17 Feb 2015
13 mar 2016
13 mar 2016
5 may 2014 5 may 2021
5 may 2014 5 may 2021
2 may 2015 2 may 2022
2 may 2015 2 may 2022
23 aug 2014
23 aug 2014

date of 
performance 
testing

H1 2013
H1 2014
H1 2015
H1 2013

date of
release

H1 2013
H1 2014
H1 2015
50% H1 2013
50% H1 2015
50% H1 2013
50% H1 2015

nV ord

422,310

€8.310

422,310

H1 2013

total pLc ords
total nV ords

Mark Armour

643,086
685,040

136,950

oPTIonS 

esos

Ltip

saYe

total pLc ords
total nV ords

Year of
grant
2002

2005

2006

2011

2004

2010

option
over:
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord

no. of
options
granted
during
2012

option
price
£6.000
€13.94
£5.335
€11.31
£5.305
€11.47
£5.390
€8.969
£4.872
€10.57
£4.176

no. of
options
held on
1 Jan
2012
74,000
51,926
150,422
102,618
158,836
106,720
85,358
57,021
290,481
199,467
2,173

761,270
517,752

*expired unexercised on 22 February 2012.
**pro-rated for service.

643,086
821,990

no. of 
options
held on
31 dec
2012
–
–
150,422
102,618
157,336
106,720
56,905
38,014
290,481
199,467
2,173

657,317
446,819

no. of
options
exercised
during
2012

market
price per
share at
exercise

Gross
gains
made on
exercise
£/€

1,500

£6.095

£1,185

1,500

unvested
options
vesting on:

options
exercisable
until:
expired*
expired*
17 Feb 2015
17 Feb 2015
13 mar 2016
13 mar 2016
9 may 2016**
9 may 2016**
19 Feb 2014
19 Feb 2014
30 Jun 2013

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reed elsevier  annual reports and Financial statements 2012

89

SHareS

Bip

reGp

Year of
grant

2010

2011

2012

2010

type of
security

pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord
pLc ord
nV ord

total pLc ords
total nV ords

*pro-rated for service.

Duncan Palmer

oPTIonS

Year of
grant

2012

option
over:

pLc ord
nV ord

esos

total pLc ords
total nV ords

no. of
shares
vested
during
2012

market
price per
share at
vesting

notional
gross
gains at
vesting
£/€

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
1 Jan
2012

65,054
42,512
56,876
37,687
–
–
394,495
259,062

516,425
339,261

no. of
shares
awarded
during
2012

market
price per
share at
award

£4.665
€8.310
£5.390
€8.969
90,987
£5.155
21,028 €9.030
£4.665
€8.310

90,987
21,028

no. of
options
held on
1 Jan
2012

no. of
options
granted
during
2012

no. of
options
exercised
during
2012

market
price per
share at
exercise

Gross
gains
made on
exercise
£/€

option
price

–
–

–
–

67,331
£6.015
48,018 €10.560

67,331
48,018

SHareS

psp*
rsp*

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
1 Jan
2012

no. of
shares
awarded
during
2012

179,551
249,376

market
price per
share at
award

£6.015
£6.015

Year of
grant

2012
2012

type of
security

pLc ord
pLc ord

no. of
shares
vested
during
2012

market
price per
share at
vesting

notional
gross
gains at
vesting
£/€

total pLc ords
total nV ords

–
–

428,927
–

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
31 dec
2012

65,054
42,512
37,917
25,124
30,329
7,009
394,495
259,062

527,795
333,707

no. of
options
held on
31 dec
2012

67,331
48,018

67,331
48,018

no. of
unvested
shares
held on
31 dec
2012

179,551
249,376

428,927
–

date of
 performance 
testing

H1 2013
H1 2013
H1 2014
H1 2014
H1 2015
H1 2015
H1 2013
H1 2013

date of
release

H1 2013
H1 2013
H1 2014*
H1 2014*
H1 2015*
H1 2015*
 H1 2013
 H1 2013

unvested
options
vesting on:

options
exercisable
until:

7 sept 2015 7 sept 2022
7 sept 2015 7 sept 2022

date of 
performance 
testing

date of
release

H1 2015
–
–

H1 2015
 50% H1 2014
 50% H1 2015

* Half of duncan palmer’s 2012 psp and rsp awards which vest, if any, will be settled with reed elsevier nV ordinary shares. the number of nV shares will be calculated using 
the closing price of a reed elsevier nV share and the euro/pound sterling exchange rate on the date of grant.

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90

governance
directors’ remuneration report

other required disclosures in respect of share-based awards
the number of shares and options that vest in respect of all 
outstanding (unvested) awards under the multi-year incentives 
depend on the extent to which performance conditions are met, 
except for the rsp grant to duncan palmer which vests subject 
to an ongoing employment condition. 

in respect of the reGp grant to erik engstrom, the maximum 
number of shares that can vest is 150% of the number of shares 
shown in the tables above. in respect of esos and Bip, the number 
of awards shown in the table is the maximum capable of vesting. 
esos awards vest on the third anniversary and expire on the tenth 
anniversary of the date of grant. For the psp and rsp awards 
granted to duncan palmer, the number of shares shown in the 
share tables reflects the maximum number of shares which 
can vest.

options under the saYe scheme, in which all eligible uK 
employees are invited to participate, are granted at a maximum 
discount of 20% to the market price at the time of grant. they  
are normally exercisable after the expiry of three or five years 
from the date of grant. no performance targets are attached  
to these option grants as the saYe is a uK all-employee scheme.   
mr engstrom and mr palmer have waived any right to participate 
in any local all-employee share based plans in any country 
including the Hmrc approved all-employee uK savings-related 
share option scheme (saYe).

the middle market price of a reed elsevier pLc ordinary share  
at the date of award of grants in 2012 under the Bip was £5.155.  
the middle market price of a reed elsevier nV ordinary share  
at the date of award of grants in 2012 under the Bip was €9.03.  
the middle market price of a reed elsevier pLc ordinary share  
at the date of award of grants made to mr palmer on 7 september 
2012 was £6.015.

the middle market price of a reed elsevier pLc ordinary  
share during the year was in the range of £4.694 to £6.52 and  
at 31 december 2012 was £6.42. the middle market price of a  
reed elsevier nV ordinary share during the year was in the  
range of €8.17 to €11.37 and at 31 december 2012 was €11.185.

Dilution
at 31 december 2012, the estimated potential dilution over a 
ten-year period from awards over reed elsevier pLc shares 
under all share-based plans was 4.7% of the reed elsevier pLc 
share capital. the estimated potential dilution over the same 
period in respect of awards over reed elsevier nV shares was 
4.9% of the reed elsevier nV share capital at 31 december 2012. 
the estimated potential dilution in relation to executive 
share-based plans was 4.3% of the reed elsevier pLc and 4.5% 
of the reed elsevier nV share capital at 31 december 2012.

employee Benefit Trust
any securities required to satisfy entitlements under the reGp, 
Ltip and Bip are provided by the employee Benefit trust (eBt) 
from market purchases. as a potential beneficiary under the eBt in 
the same way as other employees of reed elsevier, each executive 
director is deemed to be interested in all the shares held by the eBt 
which, at 31 december 2012, amounted to 13,451,468 reed elsevier 
pLc ordinary shares (1.07% of issued share capital) and 6,990,101 
reed elsevier nV ordinary shares (0.91% of issued share capital). 
these numbers include ordinary share equivalents held in the 
form of reed elsevier pLc adrs and reed elsevier nV adrs.

approved by the Board of reed elsevier Group plc on  
27 February 2013.

Mark elliott
chairman of the remuneration committee

approved by the Board of reed elsevier pLc on  
27 February 2013.

Mark elliott
non-executive director

approved by the combined Board of reed elsevier nV  
on 27 February 2013.

Mark elliott
member of the supervisory Board

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

91

Report of the Audit Committees

This report has been prepared by the Audit Committees of 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV in conjunction with the 
Audit Committee of Reed Elsevier Group plc (the Committees) 
and has been approved by the respective Boards. It provides an 
overview of the membership, responsibilities and activities of 
the Committees. The functions of an audit committee in respect 
of the financing activities are carried out by the Supervisory 
Board of Elsevier Reed Finance BV. The Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV Audit Committees fulfil their roles from the 
perspective of the parent companies and both Committees have 
access to the reports to and the work of the Reed Elsevier Group 
plc Audit Committee and the Elsevier Reed Finance BV 
Supervisory Board in this respect.

In discharging their principal responsibilities in respect of the 2012 
financial year, the Committees have:

(i) 

received and discussed reports from the Reed Elsevier Group 
plc group financial controller that set out areas of significance 
in the preparation of the financial statements, including: 
review of the carrying values of goodwill and intangible 
assets, disposals, application of revenue recognition and 
cost capitalisation policies, review of uncertain tax positions, 
provisions for lease obligations, and the use of the going 
concern basis in the preparation of the financial statements. 
The Committees also received written reports from the 
external auditors summarising the most significant findings 
from their audit work.

Membership
The Committees comprise at least three independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The members of each of the 
Committees that served during the year are: Ben van der Veer 
(Chairman of the Committees), Sir David Reid, Adrian Hennah, 
Lisa Hook (until May 2012) and Linda Sanford (from appointment 
in December 2012). Sir David Reid and Adrian Hennah, both UK 
chartered accountants, and Ben van der Veer, a registered 
accountant in the Netherlands, are considered to have significant, 
recent and relevant financial experience. Sir David Reid has 
served on the Audit Committees for more than nine years and after 
having determined that he remained independent in character and 
judgement and there were also no relationships or circumstances 
which are likely to affect his independent judgement, he has 
remained a member of the Audit Committees to allow for an 
orderly transition to newly appointed directors.

Responsibilities
The main role and responsibilities of the Committees are to assist 
the respective Boards in fulfilling their oversight responsibilities 
regarding the integrity of Reed Elsevier’s interim and financial 
statements and reporting process, risk management and internal 
controls, the external auditors’ effectiveness, performance, 
qualifications and independence and the performance of the 
internal auditors. The Committees report to the respective Boards 
on their activities, identifying any matters in respect of which they 
consider that action or improvement is needed and making 
recommendations as to the steps to be taken.

The terms of reference of each Audit Committee are reviewed 
annually and a copy of each is published on the Reed Elsevier 
website, www.reedelsevier.com. 

Principal activities
The Committees met five times during 2012. The Audit Committee 
meetings are typically attended by the Chief Executive Officer, the 
Chief Financial Officer, the Reed Elsevier Group plc group financial 
controller, the Reed Elsevier Group plc chief legal officer, chief 
risk officer and director of internal audit, and audit partners of the 
external auditors. Additionally, the managing director and senior 
representatives of the external auditors of Elsevier Reed Finance 
BV attend the July and February meetings of the parent company 
Audit Committees.

(ii)  reviewed the critical accounting policies and compliance 

with applicable accounting standards and other disclosure 
requirements and received regular update reports on 
accounting and regulatory developments.

(iii)  received and discussed regular reports from the Reed 

Elsevier Group plc chief risk officer and director of internal 
audit summarising the status of Reed Elsevier risk 
management activities and the findings from internal audit 
reviews and the actions agreed with management. Areas 
of focus in 2012 included: management of investment 
programmes; regulatory compliance and review of 
information security including the management of data 
privacy; business continuity planning; and continued 
compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the 
US Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to the documentation 
and testing of internal controls over financial reporting.

(iv)  reviewed and approved the internal audit plan for 2012 

and monitored execution, including progress in respect of 
recommendations made. Reviewed the resources, terms of 
reference and effectiveness of the Reed Elsevier Group plc 
risk management and internal audit functions.

(v)  received presentations from: the Reed Elsevier Group plc 
chief compliance officer on the compliance programmes, 
including the operation of Reed Elsevier’s codes of conduct, 
training programmes, whistleblowing arrangements and 
procedures in respect of the UK Bribery Act requirements; 
the Reed Elsevier Inc. general counsel on the management 
of data privacy, security and compliance;  the Reed Elsevier 
Group plc IT security officer on information technology 
security; and the Reed Elsevier Group plc chief legal officer 
on legal issues and claims.

(vi)  received updates from the Reed Elsevier Group plc group 

treasurer on pension arrangements and funding, treasury 
policies and risk management, compliance with treasury 
policies, and global insurance arrangements.

(vii)  received presentations from the Reed Elsevier Group plc 
head of group taxation on tax policies and related matters.

(viii) received regular updates from the chief financial officer on 

developments within the finance function.

(ix)  received presentations on a rotational basis from the chief 
financial officers of major businesses on the priorities for 
the finance functions and the risk management and internal 
control activities.

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92

GoVERNANCE
REpORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEES

External audit effectiveness
Reed Elsevier has a well established policy on audit effectiveness 
and independence of auditors that sets out inter alia: the 
responsibilities of each Audit Committee in the selection of 
auditors to be proposed for appointment or reappointment and for 
agreement on the terms of their engagement and the scope of the 
annual audit; the auditor independence requirements and the 
policy on the provision of non audit services; the rotation of audit 
partners and staff; and the conduct of meetings between the 
auditors and the Audit Committees. The policy is available on the 
Reed Elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com. 

The auditors are precluded from engaging in non audit services 
that would compromise their independence or violate any 
professional requirements or regulations affecting their 
appointment as auditors. The auditors may, however, provide non 
audit services which do not conflict with their independence, and 
where their skills and experience make them a logical supplier, 
subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committees. The Committees 
have, each quarter, reviewed and agreed the non audit services 
provided in 2012, together with the associated fees which are 
set out in note 3 to the combined financial statements. The non 
audit services provided were in the areas of tax compliance, due 
diligence and other transaction related services. In compliance 
with recent Dutch regulatory developments, from 2013 non 
audit services performed in the Netherlands will be limited to 
audit related activities, subject to transitional arrangements for 
engagements already in progress. The Committees will consider 
further policy amendments during the course of 2013 as the scope 
of this regulatory change is clarified.

The external auditors are required to rotate the lead audit 
partners responsible for the audit engagements every five years. 
The lead engagement partner for Reed Elsevier pLC has now 
completed his fourth year of auditing Reed Elsevier’s financial 
statements and the lead engagement partner for Reed Elsevier 
NV has completed three years. Any decision to open the audit to 
tender is taken only on the recommendation of the Committees. 
The external auditors have confirmed their independence 
and compliance with the Reed Elsevier policy on auditor 
independence.

The Committees have monitored regulatory developments in 
the UK and the Netherlands and will consider auditor tender 
and rotation in line with the transitional arrangements set out 
in the revised UK Corporate Governance Code and recent Dutch 
legislation. Any further developments in 2013 will be studied 
when considering the appointment of auditors for future years.

The Committees conducted an annual review during 2012 of the 
performance of the external auditors and the effectiveness of 
the external audit process for the year ended 31 December 2011. 
Based on this review, and on their subsequent observations 
on the planning and execution of the external audit for the year 
ended 31 December 2012, the Committees have recommended 
to the respective Boards that resolutions for the reappointment 
of the external auditors be proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meetings. Deloitte LLp and Deloitte Accountants 
BV or their predecessor Deloitte firms were first appointed 
respectively auditors of Reed Elsevier pLC and Reed Elsevier NV 
for the financial year ended 31 December 1994. In addition to the 
annual review of the performance of the external auditors and 
the effectiveness of the audit process, at least every four years, 
the Committees will consider whether the objectives of the audit 
would be better served through a formal tender process for the 
auditor appointment.

The effectiveness of the operation of the Audit Committees was 
reviewed as part of the effectiveness review of the Boards in 
February 2013.

Ben van der Veer
Chairman of the Audit Committees 
27 February 2013

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

93

Financial 
statements 
and other 
information

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In this section 
94 Combined financial statements
98 Accounting policies
104 Notes to the combined  
financial statements

132 Independent auditors’ report
133 Summary combined financial 

information in euros

147 Reed Elsevier PLC Annual Report and 

Financial Statements

171 Reed Elsevier NV Annual Report and 

Financial Statements

195 Additional information for US investors

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94
94

FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon
FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon
COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS
COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Combined income statement

FoR thE YEaR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Selling and distribution costs
Administration and other expenses

Operating profit before joint ventures
Share of results of joint ventures
operating profit

Finance income
Finance costs
Net finance costs
disposals and other non operating items

Profit before tax
taxation
net profit for the year

Attributable to:
Parent companies’ shareholders
Non-controlling interests
net profit for the year

Note

1

2

7
7

8

9

Combined statement of comprehensive income

FoR thE YEaR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

net profit for the year

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
transfer to net profit from cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax)
tax recognised directly in equity
other comprehensive expense for the year
total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Parent companies’ shareholders
Non-controlling interests
total comprehensive income for the year

Note

5

18
9

2012
£m

6,116
(2,139)

3,977
(1,015)
(1,628)

1,334
24
1,358

16
(232)
(216)
45

1,187
(113)
1,074

1,069
5
1,074

2012
£m

1,074

(136)
(329)
–
11
70
21
88
(275)
799

794
5
799

2011
£m

6,002
(2,126)

3,876
(1,075)
(1,626)

1,175
30
1,205

17
(252)
(235)
(22)

948
(181)
767

760
7
767

2011
£m

767

32
(113)
(1)
–
(24)
37
42
(27)
740

733
7
740

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Combined statement of cash flows

FoR thE YEaR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Interest received
tax paid (net)
net cash from operating activities

cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Expenditure on internally developed intangible assets
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Gross proceeds from other disposals
Payments on other disposals
dividends received from joint ventures
net cash used in investing activities

cash flows from financing activities
dividends paid to shareholders of the parent companies
distributions to non-controlling interests
(decrease)/increase in short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Issuance of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Repayment of finance leases
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
Repurchase of ordinary shares
Proceeds on issue of ordinary shares
net cash used in financing activities

Note

11

11

95

2012
£m

2011
£m

1,847
(231)
7
(216)
1,407

(316)
(70)
(263)
(7)
7
235
(82)
20
(476)

(521)
(4)
(434)
592
(437)
(4)
7
(250)
48
(1,003)

1,735
(247)
12
(218)
1,282

(481)
(85)
(265)
(10)
7
101
(21)
33
(721)

(497)
(9)
210
–
(248)
(22)
(48)
–
9
(605)

decrease in cash and cash equivalents

11

(72)

(44)

movement in cash and cash equivalents
At start of year
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

726
(72)
(13)
641

742
(44)
28
726

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96

FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon
COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Combined statement of financial position

as at 31 dEcEmBER

non-current assets
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Investments in joint ventures
Other investments
Property, plant and equipment
deferred tax assets
derivative financial instruments

current assets
Inventories and pre-publication costs
trade and other receivables
derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

assets held for sale
total assets

current liabilities
trade and other payables
derivative financial instruments
Borrowings
taxation
Provisions

non-current liabilities
Borrowings
deferred tax liabilities
Net pension obligations
Provisions

liabilities associated with assets held for sale
total liabilities
net assets

capital and reserves
Combined share capitals
Combined share premiums
Combined shares held in treasury
translation reserve
Other combined reserves
combined shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
total equity

Note

14
15
16
16
17
19

20
21

11

22

23

24

26

24
19
5
26

22

28
28
28

29

2012
£m

4,545
3,275
100
79
264
79
138
8,480

159
1,380
57
641
2,237
297
11,014

2,544
11
730
603
30
3,918

3,162
919
466
139
4,686
96
8,700
2,314

223
2,727
(899)
(23)
252
2,280
34
2,314

2011
£m

4,729
3,494
124
64
288
212
–
8,911

190
1,483
149
726
2,548
44
11,503

2,657
69
982
677
39
4,424

3,300
1,236
242
87
4,865
17
9,306
2,197

223
2,723
(663)
88
(199)
2,172
25
2,197

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Combined statement of changes in equity

combined 
share 
capitals
£m
224

combined 
share 
premiums
£m
2,754

combined 
shares held 
in treasury
£m
(677)

translation 
reserve
£m
29

Note

13

13

Balance at 1 January 2011
total comprehensive income 

for the year
dividends paid
Issue of ordinary shares,  
net of expenses
Increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

Settlement of share awards
Acquisitions
Acquisition of non-controlling 

interests

Exchange differences on 
translation of capital  
and reserves

Balance at 1 January 2012
total comprehensive income 

for the year
dividends paid
Issue of ordinary shares,  
net of expenses

Repurchase of ordinary shares
Increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

Settlement of share awards
Acquisitions
disposal of non-controlling 

interests

Exchange differences on 
translation of capital  
and reserves

Balance at 31 december 2012

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

9

–
–
–

–

(1)

223

(40)

2,723

–
–

1
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

47
–

–
–
–

–

(1)

223

(43)

2,727

other 
combined 
reserves
£m

combined 
shareholders’
equity
£m

non-
controlling 
interests
£m

(387)

1,943

701
(497)

733
(497)

–

27
(7)
–

9

27
–
–

27

7
(9)

–

–
–
5

–
–

–

–
7
–

–

7

(663)

32
–

–

–
–
–

–

27

88

(43)

(43)

(5)

(48)

7

–

(199)

2,172

–
–

(136)
–

930
(521)

–
(250)

–
7
–

–

7

(899)

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

31
(7)
–

6

25

(23)

12

252

794
(521)

48
(250)

31
–
–

6

–

2,280

–

25

5
(4)

–
–

–
–
9

1

–

2,197

799
(525)

48
(250)

31
–
9

7

(2)

34

(2)

2,314

97

total 
equity
£m

1,970

740
(506)

9

27
–
5

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98

FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon
ACCOUNtING POLICIES

Accounting policies

the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements are prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). the combined 
financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, 
as explained on page 72.

the Reed Elsevier accounting policies under IFRS are set out 
below.

Basis of preparation
the equalisation agreement between Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV has the effect that their shareholders can be 
regarded as having the interests of a single economic group. 
the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements (“the combined 
financial statements”) represent the combined interests of 
both sets of shareholders and encompass the businesses of 
Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV and their 
respective subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, together 
with the two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and 
Reed Elsevier NV (“the combined businesses”).

In preparing the combined financial statements, subsidiaries  
of Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV are 
accounted for under the acquisition method and investments in 
associates and joint ventures are accounted for under the equity 
method. All transactions and balances between the combined 
businesses are eliminated.

On acquisition of a subsidiary, or interest in an associate or joint 
venture, fair values, reflecting conditions at the date of acquisition, 
are attributed to the net assets, including identifiable intangible 
assets acquired. this includes those adjustments made to 
bring accounting policies into line with those of the combined 
businesses. the results of subsidiaries sold or acquired are 
included in the combined financial statements up to or from the 
date that control passes from or to the combined businesses.

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of the combined 
businesses are identified separately from combined 
shareholders’ equity. Non-controlling interests consist of the 
amount of those interests at the date of the original acquisition  
and the non-controlling share of changes in equity since the 
date of acquisition.

these financial statements form part of the statutory information 
to be provided by Reed Elsevier NV, but are not for a legal entity 
and do not include all the information required to be disclosed by a 
company in its financial statements under the UK Companies Act 
2006 or the dutch Civil Code. Additional information is given in 
the Annual Reports and Financial Statements of the parent 
companies set out on pages 147 to 194. A list of principal 
businesses is set out on page 204.

Foreign exchange translation
the combined financial statements are presented in pounds 
sterling. Additional information providing a translation into euros 
of the primary Reed Elsevier combined financial statements and 
selected notes is presented on pages 133 to 146.

transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate 
of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. At each 
statement of financial position date, monetary assets and 
liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 

retranslated at the rate prevailing on the statement of financial 
position date. Exchange differences arising are recorded in the 
income statement other than where hedge accounting applies 
as set out below.

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at 
exchange rates prevailing on the statement of financial position 
date. Income and expense items and cash flows of foreign 
operations are translated at the average exchange rate for the 
period. Significant individual items of income and expense and 
cash flows in foreign operations are translated at the rate 
prevailing on the date of transaction. Exchange differences arising 
are classified as equity and transferred to the translation reserve. 
When foreign operations are disposed of, the related cumulative 
translation differences are recognised within the income 
statement in the period.

Reed Elsevier uses derivative financial instruments, primarily 
forward contracts, to hedge its exposure to certain foreign 
exchange risks. details of Reed Elsevier’s accounting policies 
in respect of derivative financial instruments are set out below.

Revenue
Revenue represents the invoiced value of sales less anticipated 
returns on transactions completed by performance, excluding 
customer sales taxes and sales between the combined 
businesses.

Revenues are recognised for the various categories of turnover 
as follows: subscriptions – on periodic despatch of subscribed 
product or rateably over the period of the subscription where 
performance is not measurable by despatch; circulation and 
transactional – on despatch or occurrence of the transaction; 
advertising – on publication or over the period of online display; 
and exhibitions – on occurrence of the exhibition.

Where sales consist of two or more independent components 
whose value can be reliably measured, revenue is recognised 
on each component as it is completed by performance, based 
on attribution of relative value.

Employee benefits
the expense of defined benefit pension schemes and other 
post-retirement employee benefits is determined using the 
projected unit credit method and charged in the income statement 
as an operating expense, based on actuarial assumptions 
reflecting market conditions at the beginning of the financial year. 
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the statement 
of comprehensive income in the period in which they occur.

Past service costs are recognised immediately to the extent that 
benefits have vested, or, if not vested, on a straight line basis over 
the period until the benefits vest.

Net pension obligations in respect of defined benefit schemes  
are included in the statement of financial position at the present 
value of scheme liabilities, less the fair value of scheme assets. 
Where schemes are in surplus, i.e. assets exceed liabilities,  
the net pension assets are separately included in the statement  
of financial position. Any net pension asset is limited to the  
extent that the asset is recoverable through reductions in  
future contributions.

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99

the expense of defined contribution pension schemes and 
other employee benefits is charged in the income statement 
as incurred.

share based remuneration
the fair value of share based remuneration is determined at 
the date of grant and recognised as an expense in the income 
statement on a straight line basis over the vesting period, taking 
account of the estimated number of shares that are expected to 
vest. market based performance criteria are taken into account 
when determining the fair value at the date of grant. Non-market 
based performance criteria are taken into account when 
estimating the number of shares expected to vest. the fair value 
of share based remuneration is determined by use of a binomial or 
monte Carlo simulation model as appropriate. All Reed Elsevier’s 
share based remuneration is equity settled.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of an asset that takes a substantial 
period of time to bring to use are capitalised. All other interest  
on borrowings is expensed as incurred. the cost of issuing 
borrowings is generally expensed over the period of borrowing  
so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge.

taxation
the tax expense represents the sum of the tax payable on the 
current year taxable profits, adjustments in respect of prior year 
taxable profits, and the movements on deferred tax that are 
recognised in the income statement.

the tax payable on current year taxable profits is calculated using 
the applicable tax rates that have been enacted, or substantively 
enacted, by the date of the statement of financial position.

deferred tax is the tax arising on differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and 
their corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable 
profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability 
method. deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for 
all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that, based on current forecasts, it is 
probable that taxable profits will be available against which 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised. deferred tax 
is not recognised on temporary differences arising in respect 
of goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes.

deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
substantively enacted at the date of the statement of financial 
position. Full provision is made for deferred tax which would 
become payable on the distribution of retained profits from 
foreign subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures.

movements in deferred tax are charged or credited in the income 
statement, except when they relate to items charged or credited 
directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognised 
in equity. deferred tax credits in respect of share based 
remuneration are recognised in equity to the extent that expected 
tax deductions exceed the related expense.

Goodwill
On the acquisition of a subsidiary or business, the purchase 
consideration is allocated between the net tangible and  
intangible assets on a fair value basis, with any excess purchase 
consideration representing goodwill. Goodwill arising on 
acquisitions also includes amounts corresponding to deferred 
tax liabilities recognised in respect of acquired intangible assets.

Goodwill is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment 
at least annually. Any impairment is recognised immediately in  
the income statement and not subsequently reversed.

On disposal of a subsidiary or business, the attributable amount  
of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss  
on disposal.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are 
stated in the statement of financial position at their fair value as at 
the date of acquisition, less accumulated amortisation. Internally 
generated intangible assets are stated in the statement of 
financial position at the directly attributable cost of creation of the 
asset, less accumulated amortisation.

Intangible assets acquired as part of business combinations 
comprise: market related assets (e.g. trademarks, imprints, 
brands); customer related assets (e.g. subscription bases, 
customer lists, customer relationships); editorial content; 
software and systems (e.g. application infrastructure, product 
delivery platforms, in-process research and development); 
contract based assets (e.g. publishing rights, exhibition rights, 
supply contracts); and other intangible assets. Internally 
generated intangible assets typically comprise software and 
systems development where an identifiable asset is created that  
is probable to generate future economic benefits.

Intangible assets, other than brands and imprints determined  
to have indefinite lives, are amortised systematically over their 
estimated useful lives. the estimated useful lives of intangible 
assets with finite lives are as follows: market and customer 
related assets – 3 to 40 years; content, software and other 
acquired intangible assets – 3 to 20 years; and internally 
developed intangible assets – 3 to 10 years. Brands and imprints 
determined to have indefinite lives are not amortised and are 
subject to impairment review at least annually.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated in the statement of 
financial position at cost less accumulated depreciation. No 
depreciation is provided on freehold land. Freehold buildings and 
long leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives up  
to a maximum of 50 years. Short leases are written off over the 
duration of the lease. depreciation is provided on other assets on  
a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: 
leasehold improvements – shorter of life of lease and 10 years; 
plant – 3 to 20 years; office furniture, fixtures and fittings – 5 to  
10 years; computer systems, communication networks and 
equipment – 3 to 7 years.

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100 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

ACCOUNtING POLICIES

Investments
Investments, other than investments in joint ventures and 
associates, are stated in the statement of financial position at fair 
value. Investments held as part of the venture capital portfolio  
are classified as held for trading, with changes in fair value 
reported through the income statement. All other investments  
are classified as available for sale with changes in fair value 
recognised directly in equity until the investment is disposed of  
or is determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative  
gain or loss previously recognised in equity is brought into the net 
profit or loss for the period. All items recognised in the income 
statement relating to investments, other than investments in joint 
ventures and associates, are reported as non operating items.

Available for sale investments and venture capital investments 
held for trading represent investments in listed and unlisted 
securities. the fair value of listed securities is determined  
based on quoted market prices, and of unlisted securities on 
management’s estimate of fair value based on standard valuation 
techniques, including market comparisons and discounts of future 
cash flows, having regard to maximising the use of observable 
inputs and adjusting for risk. Independent valuation experts are 
used as appropriate.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are accounted for 
under the equity method and stated in the statement of financial 
position at cost as adjusted for post-acquisition changes in 
Reed Elsevier’s share of net assets, less any impairment in value.

Impairment
At each statement of financial position date, reviews are carried 
out of the carrying amounts of tangible and intangible assets and 
goodwill to determine whether there is any indication that those 
assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication 
exists, the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use 
and fair value less costs to sell, of the asset is estimated in order 
to determine the extent, if any, of the impairment loss. Where the 
asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from 
other assets, value in use estimates are made based on the cash 
flows of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs. 
Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are tested for 
impairment at least annually and whenever there is any 
indication that the asset may be impaired.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is 
estimated to be less than its net carrying amount, the net carrying 
amount of the asset or cash generating unit is reduced to its 
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised 
immediately in the income statement in administration and  
other expenses.

Inventories and pre-publication costs
Inventories and pre-publication costs are stated at the lower of 
cost, including appropriate attributable overhead, and estimated 
net realisable value. Pre-publication costs, representing costs 
incurred in the origination of content prior to publication, are 
expensed systematically reflecting the expected sales profile  
over the estimated economic lives of the related products, 
generally up to five years.

leases
Assets held under leases which confer rights and obligations 
similar to those attaching to owned assets are classified as assets 
held under finance leases and capitalised within property, plant 
and equipment or software and the corresponding liability to  
pay rentals is shown net of interest in the statement of financial 
position as obligations under finance leases. the capitalised  
value of the assets is depreciated on a straight line basis over  
the shorter of the periods of the leases or the useful lives of the 
assets concerned. the interest element of the lease payments is 
allocated so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge.

Operating lease rentals are charged to the income statement on  
a straight line basis over the period of the leases. Rental income 
from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over 
the term of the relevant lease.

cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, call deposits 
and other short term highly liquid investments and are held in the 
statement of financial position at fair value.

assets held for sale
Assets of businesses that are available for immediate sale in their 
current condition and for which a sales process is considered 
highly probable to complete are classified as assets held for sale, 
and are carried at the lower of carrying value and fair value less 
costs to sell. Non-current assets are not amortised or depreciated 
following their classification as held for sale. Liabilities of 
businesses held for sale are also separately classified on the 
statement of financial position.

Financial instruments
Financial instruments comprise investments (other than 
investments in joint ventures or associates), trade receivables, 
cash and cash equivalents, payables and accruals, provisions, 
borrowings and derivative financial instruments.

Investments (other than investments in joint ventures and 
associates) are classified as either held for trading or available  
for sale, as described above. (these investments are classified  
as either Level 1 or 2 in the IFRS7 fair value hierarchy.)

trade receivables are carried in the statement of financial position 
at invoiced value less allowance for estimated irrecoverable 
amounts. Irrecoverable amounts are estimated based on the 
ageing of trade receivables, experience and circumstance.

Borrowings (other than fixed rate borrowings in designated 
hedging relationships and for which the carrying value is adjusted 
to reflect changes in the fair value of the hedged risk), payables, 
accruals and provisions are recorded initially at fair value and 
subsequently at amortised cost.

derivative financial instruments are used to hedge interest rate 
and foreign exchange risks. Changes in the fair value of derivative 
financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedges 
of future cash flows are recognised (net of tax) directly in equity in 
the hedge reserve. If a hedged firm commitment or forecasted 
transaction results in the recognition of a non financial asset or 
liability, then, at the time that the asset or liability is recognised, 
the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously 

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101

been recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement 
of the asset or liability. For hedges that do not result in the 
recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are 
recognised in the income statement in the same period in which 
the hedged item affects net profit or loss. Any ineffective portion  
of hedges is recognised immediately in the income statement.

derivative financial instruments that are not designated as 
hedging instruments are classified as held for trading and 
recorded in the statement of financial position at fair value,  
with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement.

Where an effective hedge is in place against changes in the fair 
value of fixed rate borrowings, the hedged borrowings are 
adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being 
hedged with a corresponding income or expense included in the 
income statement within finance costs. the offsetting gains or 
losses from remeasuring the fair value of the related derivatives 
are also recognised in the income statement within finance costs. 
When the related derivative expires, is sold or terminated, or no 
longer qualifies for hedge accounting, the cumulative change in 
fair value of the hedged borrowing is amortised in the income 
statement over the period to maturity of the borrowing using the 
effective interest method.

the fair values of interest rate swaps, interest rate options, 
forward rate agreements and forward foreign exchange contracts 
represent the replacement costs calculated using observable 
market rates of interest and exchange. the fair value of long term 
borrowings is calculated by discounting expected future cash 
flows at observable market rates. (these instruments are 
accordingly classified as Level 2 in the IFRS7 fair value hierarchy.)

Cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued when a hedging 
instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no 
longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative 
gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is 
either retained in equity until the firm commitment or forecasted 
transaction occurs, or, where a hedged transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, is immediately credited or expensed in the 
income statement.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when a present obligation exists as a 
result of a past event, the obligation is reasonably estimable and  
it is probable that settlement will be required. Provisions are 
measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to 
settle the obligation at the statement of financial position date.

shares held in treasury
Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV that are 
repurchased by the respective parent companies and not 
cancelled are classified as shares held in treasury. the 
consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, is 
recognised as a deduction from equity. Shares of the parent 
companies that are purchased by the Reed Elsevier Group plc 
Employee Benefit trust are also classified as shares held in 
treasury, with the cost recognised as a deduction from equity.

critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
the most significant accounting policies in determining the 
financial condition and results of the Reed Elsevier combined 
businesses, and those requiring the most subjective or complex 
judgement, relate to the valuation of goodwill and intangible 

assets, share based remuneration, pensions, litigation, taxation, 
and property provisioning.

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets
On acquisition of a subsidiary or business, the purchase 
consideration is allocated between the net tangible and intangible 
assets other than goodwill on a fair value basis, with any excess 
purchase consideration representing goodwill. the valuation of 
acquired intangible assets represents the estimated economic 
value in use, using standard valuation methodologies, including  
as appropriate, discounted cash flow, relief from royalty and 
comparable market transactions. Acquired intangible assets are 
capitalised and amortised systematically over their estimated 
useful lives, subject to impairment review. 

Appropriate amortisation periods are selected based on 
assessments of the longevity of the brands and imprints, the 
strength and stability of customer relationships, the market 
positions of the acquired assets and the technological and 
competitive risks that they face. Certain intangible assets in 
relation to acquired science and medical publishing businesses 
have been determined to have indefinite lives. the longevity of 
these assets is evidenced by their long established and well 
regarded brands and imprints, and their characteristically  
stable market positions.

the carrying amounts of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible 
assets in each business are reviewed for impairment at least 
annually. the carrying amounts of all other intangible assets are 
reviewed where there are indications of possible impairment.  
An impairment review involves a comparison of the carrying  
value of the asset with estimated values in use based on latest 
management cash flow projections. Key areas of judgement in 
estimating the values in use of businesses are the growth in cash 
flows over a five-year forecast period, the long term growth rate 
assumed thereafter and the discount rate applied to the forecast 
cash flows.

the discount rates used are based on the Reed Elsevier weighted 
average cost of capital, adjusted to reflect a risk premium specific 
to each business. the pre-tax discount rates applied are 11.4%  
for Scientific, technical & medical, 11.8% for Risk Solutions, 
11.5-12.9% for Business Information, 11.6% for Legal and 
11.2-12.9% for Exhibitions. the nominal long term growth rates, 
which are based on historical growth rates and the growth 
prospects for businesses, are 3%. there were no charges for 
impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill in 2012 
(2011: nil).

A sensitivity analysis has been performed based on changes  
in key assumptions considered to be reasonably possible by 
management: an increase in the discount rate of 0.5%; a decrease 
in the compound annual growth rate for adjusted operating cash 
flow in the five-year forecast period of 2.0%; and a decrease in 
perpetuity growth rates of 0.5%. the sensitivity analysis shows 
that no impairment charges would result under any of the 
sensitivity scenarios. Further information is provided in note  
14 to the combined financial statements.

Share based remuneration
Share based remuneration is determined based on the fair value 
of an award at the date of grant, and is spread over the vesting 
period on a straight line basis, taking into account the number  
of shares that are expected to vest. the fair value of awards is 
determined at the date of grant by use of a binomial or monte Carlo 

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102 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

ACCOUNtING POLICIES

simulation model as appropriate, which requires judgements to 
be made regarding share price volatility, dividend yield, risk free 
rates of return and expected option lives. the number of awards 
that are expected to vest requires judgements to be made 
regarding forfeiture rates and the extent to which performance 
conditions will be met. the assumptions are determined in 
conjunction with independent actuaries based on historical  
data and trends. 

the assumptions of share price volatility of 30%, of expected share 
option life of four years, and of expected lapse rate of 2-5% are 
based on relevant historical data. Other judgements made on 
grant are based on market data. Assumptions as to future 
performance against non market related vesting conditions are 
based on management estimates. the charge for share based  
and related remuneration was £26m in 2012 (2011: £27m).  
Further information is provided in note 6 to the combined  
financial statements.

Pensions
Accounting for defined benefit pension schemes involves 
judgement about uncertain events, including the life expectancy  
of the members, salary and pension increases, inflation, the 
return on scheme assets and the rate at which the future pension 
payments are discounted. Estimates for these factors are used  
in determining the pension cost and liabilities reported in  
the financial statements. these best estimates of future 
developments are made in conjunction with independent 
actuaries. Each scheme is subject to a periodic review by 
independent actuaries.

the principal assumptions as at 31 december 2012, expressed  
as a weighted average of the various defined benefit pension 
schemes, were a discount rate of 4.4% (2011: 5.2%; 2010: 5.6%), an 
expected rate of salary increases of 3.2% (2011: 3.5%; 2010: 4.1%) 
and inflation of 2.7% (2011: 2.9%; 2010: 3.2%). the expected return 
on scheme assets set at the beginning of the year was 6.2% for 
2012 and 6.8% for 2011. Future pension increases are assumed at 
2.8% (2011: 2.9%; 2010: 3.2%) and average life expectancy of 88-89 
years (2011: 88-89 years) for scheme members currently aged 45 
and 60 years. the net defined benefit pension expense was £18m 
(2011: £23m). the service cost was £43m (2011: £57m) after 
pension curtailment credits of £20m (2011: £9m) from changes  
to pension plan design and staff reductions. the net pension 
financing credit is based on market data at the beginning of  
the year and was £25m (2011: £34m) reflecting the increase in 
scheme liabilities at the beginning of the year compared with  
a year before and lower expected asset returns. Further 
information and sensitivity analysis is provided in note 5 to the 
combined financial statements.

Litigation
Reed Elsevier is involved in various legal proceedings, which  
arise in the normal course of its business, relating to commercial 
disputes, employment, data security and product liability. 
Provisions for liabilities are recognised when it is probable that a 
settlement is required. Although the outcome of legal proceedings 
is uncertain, the ultimate resolution of such matters is not 
expected to have a material impact on results.

Taxation
Reed Elsevier is subject to tax in numerous jurisdictions, giving 
rise to complex tax issues that require management to exercise 

judgement in making tax determinations. While Reed Elsevier is 
confident that tax returns are appropriately prepared and filed, 
amounts are provided in respect of uncertain tax positions that 
reflect the risk with respect to tax matters under active discussion 
with tax authorities, or which are otherwise considered to involve 
uncertainty. Amounts are provided using the best estimate of  
tax expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of  
all relevant factors. However, it is possible that at some future  
date liabilities may be adjusted as a result of audits by taxing 
authorities. discussions with tax authorities relating to cross 
border transactions and other matters are ongoing. Although the 
outcome of open items cannot be predicted, no significant impact 
on the financial position of Reed Elsevier is expected.

In addition, estimation of income taxes includes assessments of 
the recoverability of deferred tax assets. deferred tax assets are 
only recognised to the extent that they are considered recoverable 
based on existing tax laws and forecasts of future taxable profits 
against which the underlying tax deductions can be utilised. the 
recoverability of these assets is reassessed at the end of each 
reporting period, and changes in recognition of deferred tax 
assets will affect the tax liability in the period of that 
reassessment.

Property provisions
Reed Elsevier has exposures to sub lease shortfalls in respect  
of certain property leases for periods up to 2024. Provisions are 
recognised for net liabilities expected to arise on these exposures. 
Estimation of the provisions requires judgement in respect of 
future head lease costs, sub lease income and the length of 
vacancy periods. the charge for property provisions was £62m 
(2011: £16m) relating to surplus property arising on the 
restructuring, sale and closure of Business Information 
businesses and includes expected losses on sub leases entered 
into during 2012 and an estimate of vacancy periods and future 
market conditions. Further information is provided in note 26  
to the combined financial statements.

Other significant accounting policies
the accounting policies in respect of revenue recognition, 
pre-publication costs and development spend are also significant 
in determining the financial condition and results of the Reed 
Elsevier combined businesses, although the application of these 
policies is more straightforward.

Revenue recognition policies, while an area of management  
focus, are generally straightforward in application as the  
timing of product or service delivery and customer acceptance  
for the various revenue types can be readily determined. 
Allowances for product returns are deducted from revenues 
based on historical return rates. Where sales consist of two or 
more components that operate independently, revenue is 
recognised as each component is completed by performance, 
based on attribution of relative value.

Pre-publication costs incurred in the creation of content prior to 
production and publication are typically deferred and expensed 
over their estimated useful lives based on sales profiles. Such 
costs typically comprise direct internal labour costs and 
externally commissioned editorial and other fees. Estimated 
useful lives generally do not exceed five years. Annual reviews  
are carried out to assess the recoverability of carrying amounts.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

103

development spend embraces investment in new product and 
other initiatives, ranging from the building of new online delivery 
platforms, to launch costs of new services, to building new 
infrastructure applications. Launch costs and other operating 
expenses of new products and services are expensed as incurred. 
the costs of building product applications and infrastructure  
are capitalised as intangible assets and amortised over their 
estimated useful lives. Impairment reviews are carried out  
at least annually.

standards and amendments effective for the year
the interpretations and amendments to IFRS effective for 2012 
have not had a significant impact on Reed Elsevier’s accounting 
policies or reporting.

standards, amendments and interpretations not yet effective
New accounting standards and amendments and their 
expected impact on the future accounting policies and reporting 
of Reed Elsevier are set out below.

IAS19 – Employee Benefits (revised) (effective for the 2013 
financial year). the revised standard inter alia changes the 
methodology to be used in the calculation of the net pension 
financing credit or charge in relation to defined benefit pension 
schemes. Under the revised standard, pension asset returns 
included within the net pension financing credit or charge are to  
be calculated by reference to the discount rate of a high quality 
corporate bond (being also the discount rate applied in the 
calculation of pension obligations) and no longer based on the 
expected returns on scheme assets. typically the effect will be  
to reduce the asset returns recognised in the income statement. 
As required under the revised standard, comparatives will be 
restated accordingly. the revised standard also prohibits the use 
of certain accounting alternatives, previously permitted, that 
enabled the smoothing of volatility in the income statement and 
balance sheet in relation to pensions, but this will not affect 
Reed Elsevier’s pension accounting as such alternatives were 
not applied. there is no change to the measurement of pension 
scheme assets and obligations under the revised standard for 
Reed Elsevier.

Adoption of IAS19 (revised) will have no impact on Reed Elsevier’s 
combined balance sheet or cash flows. the net pension financing 
credit or charge will, with effect from 1 January 2013, be 
presented within net finance costs in Reed Elsevier’s combined 
income statement, rather than within operating profit as currently 
reported. Given that the revised standard may introduce greater 
volatility to the income statement, following adoption on 1 January 
2013 the net pension financing credit or charge will be excluded 
from the adjusted earnings figures used by Reed Elsevier as 
additional performance measures.

Had IAS19 (revised) and related presentation been in effect for the 
2012 financial year, operating profit for the twelve months to 31 
december 2012 would have been £25m lower (2011: £34m) and  
net finance costs would have been higher by £11m (2011: £9m).  
On an adjusted basis, profit before tax would have been £25m 
lower (2011: £34m). the balance sheet and cash flows would 
have been unchanged.

IFRS9 – Financial Instruments (effective for the 2015 financial year). 
the standard replaces the existing classification and measurement 
requirements in IAS39 for financial assets by requiring entities to 
classify them as being measured either at amortised cost or fair 
value depending on the business model and contractual cash 
flow characteristics of the asset. For financial liabilities, IFRS9 
requires an entity choosing to measure a liability at fair value to 
present the portion of the change in its fair value due to changes 
in the entity’s own credit risk in the other comprehensive income 
rather than the income statement. Adoption of the standard is 
not expected to have a significant impact on the measurement, 
presentation or disclosure of financial assets and liabilities in the 
combined financial statements.

IFRS10 – Consolidated Financial Statements (effective for the 2013 
financial year). the standard introduces a single consolidation 
model for all entities based on control, irrespective of the nature 
of the investee. IFRS10 replaces IAS27 – Separate Financial 
Statements. Adoption of the standard is not expected to have 
a significant impact on the measurement, presentation or 
disclosure of the consolidation of entities in the combined  
financial statements.

IFRS11 – Joint Arrangements (effective for the 2013 financial year). 
this standard classifies joint arrangements as either joint 
ventures or a joint operation and removes the option to 
proportionately consolidate joint ventures. IFRS11 replaces IAS28 
– Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures. Adoption of the 
standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the 
measurement, presentation or disclosure of the joint ventures 
in the combined financial statements.

IFRS12 – disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (effective for 
the 2013 financial year). the standard combines the disclosure 
requirements for subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates 
and unconsolidated structured entities into one standard. 
Adoption of the standard may result in additional disclosures in 
the combined financial statements but is not expected to have a 
significant impact on Reed Elsevier’s reporting.

IFRS13 – Fair Value measurement (effective for the 2013 financial 
year). the standard consolidates the guidance and disclosure 
requirements of fair value measurement contained throughout 
IFRS and also requires new disclosures related to valuation 
techniques and inputs into fair value measurements. Adoption  
of the standard is not expected to have a significant impact on 
the measurement, presentation or disclosure of financial assets 
and liabilities in the combined financial statements.

IAS1 – Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income – 
Amendments to IAS1 (effective for the 2013 financial year). 
the standard amends the grouping of items presented in the 
statement of comprehensive income into items that may be 
reclassified (or recycled) to the profit or loss in a future period and 
items that will never be reclassified. Adoption of the standard will 
lead to some re-presentation of the items in the statement of 
comprehensive income in the combined financial statements.

Additionally, a number of interpretations have been issued which 
are not expected to have any significant impact on Reed Elsevier’s 
accounting policies and reporting.

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104 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

1  Segment analysis

Reed Elsevier’s reported segments are based on the internal reporting structure and financial information provided to the  
Chief Executive Officer and Boards.

Reed Elsevier is a world leading provider of professional information solutions organised as five business segments: Scientific, 
technical & medical, providing information and tools to help its customers improve scientific and healthcare outcomes; Risk Solutions, 
providing tools that combine proprietary, public and third-party information with advanced technology and analytics; Business 
Information, providing data services, information and marketing solutions to business professionals; Legal, providing legal, tax, 
regulatory news & business information to legal, corporate, government, accounting and academic markets; and Exhibitions, 
organising exhibitions and conferences.

Adjusted operating profit is the key segmental profit measure used by Reed Elsevier in assessing performance. It is stated before 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets, the share of profit on disposals in joint ventures, acquisition related costs, and is grossed  
up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures. Adjusted operating profit is reconciled to operating profit in note 10.

analYsIs BY BusInEss sEGmEnt

Revenue

operating profit

adjusted operating profit

Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information
Legal
Exhibitions

Sub-total
Corporate costs
Unallocated net pension financing credit
total

2012
£m
2,063
926
663
1,610
854

6,116
–
–
6,116

2011
£m
2,058
908
695
1,634
707

6,002
–
–
6,002

2012
£m
706
281
76
146
171

1,380
(47)
25
1,358

2011
£m
695
181
68
144
132

1,220
(49)
34
1,205

2012
£m
780
392
119
234
210

1,735
(47)
25
1,713

2011
£m
768
362
110
229
167

1,636
(44)
34
1,626

Revenue is analysed before the £91m (2011: £128m) share of joint ventures’ revenue, of which £2m (2011: £2m) relates to Business 
Information, £22m (2011: £23m) relates to Legal, principally to Giuffrè, and £67m (2011: £103m) relates to Exhibitions. 

Share of post-tax results of joint ventures of £24m (2011: £30m) included in operating profit comprises nil (2011: £1m) relating to 
Business Information, £2m (2011: £4m) relating to Legal and £22m (2011: £25m) relating to Exhibitions. the unallocated net pension 
financing credit of £25m (2011: £34m) comprises the expected return on pension scheme assets of £221m (2011: £235m) less interest 
on pension scheme liabilities of £196m (2011: £201m).

analYsIs oF REvEnuE BY GEoGRaPhIcal oRIGIn

North America
United Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Rest of world
total

2012
£m

3,122
966
611
788
629
6,116

2011
£m

3,103
947
616
783
553
6,002

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

105

1  Segment analysis continued

analYsIs oF REvEnuE BY GEoGRaPhIcal maRkEt

North America
United Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Rest of world
total

analYsIs oF REvEnuE BY tYPE

Subscriptions
Circulation/transactions
Advertising
Exhibitions
Other
total

analYsIs BY BusInEss sEGmEnt

Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information
Legal
Exhibitions
total

2012
£m

3,154
442
165
1,176
1,179
6,116

2012
£m

2,978
1,602
350
846
340
6,116

2011
£m

3,219
485
189
1,095
1,014
6,002

2011
£m

2,819
1,649
437
700
397
6,002

Expenditure on
acquired goodwill and
intangible assets

capital
expenditure
additions

amortisation
of acquired
intangible assets

depreciation and
other amortisation

2012
£m

120
15
–
80
178
393

2011
£m

43
–
532
–
36
611

2012
£m

106
21
17
173
25
342

2011
£m

94
23
18
203
22
360

2012
£m

68
109
37
83
32
329

2011
£m

72
156
29
78
24
359

2012
£m

82
23
14
92
16
227

2011
£m

69
26
15
87
10
207

Capital expenditure comprises additions to property, plant and equipment and internally developed intangible assets. Amortisation of 
acquired intangible assets includes amounts in respect of joint ventures of £1m (2011: £4m) in Exhibitions. Other than the depreciation 
and amortisation above, non cash items include £31m (2011: £27m) relating to the recognition of share based remuneration, comprising 
£5m (2011: £5m) in Scientific, technical & medical, nil (2011: £3m) in Risk Solutions, £3m (2011: £2m) in Business Information, £7m  
(2011: £6m) in Legal, £4m (2011: £3m) in Exhibitions and £12m (2011: £8m) in Corporate.

analYsIs oF non-cuRREnt assEts BY GEoGRaPhIcal locatIon

North America
United Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Rest of world
total

2012
£m

6,514
524
120
729
376
8,263

2011
£m

6,984
517
123
783
292
8,699

Non-current assets by geographical location exclude amounts relating to deferred tax and derivative financial instruments.

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106 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

2  Operating profit

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:

staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pensions
Share based and related remuneration
total staff costs

depreciation and amortisation
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Share of joint ventures’ amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of internally developed intangible assets
depreciation of property, plant and equipment
total depreciation and amortisation

other expenses and income
Pre-publication costs, inventory expenses and other cost of sales
Operating lease rentals expense
Operating lease rentals income

depreciation and amortisation charges are included within administration and other expenses.

3  Auditors’ remuneration

auditors’ remuneration
For audit services
For non audit services
total auditors’ remuneration

Note

5

15

15
17

2012
£m

1,543
187
64
26
1,820

328
1
151
76
556

2011
£m

1,535
173
62
27
1,797

355
4
132
75
566

2,139
112
(10)

2,126
116
(11)

2012
£m

4.7
1.8
6.5

2011
£m

4.7
1.1
5.8

Auditors’ remuneration for audit services comprises £0.5m (2011: £0.5m) payable to the auditors of the parent companies and £4.2m 
(2011: £4.2m) payable to the auditors of the parent companies and their associates for the audit of the financial statements of the 
operating and financing businesses, including the review and testing of internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the 
US Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Auditors’ remuneration for non audit services comprises: £0.8m (2011: £0.7m) for tax compliance services, 
£0.7m (2011: £0.2m) for other audit related assurance services and £0.3m (2011: £0.2m) for due diligence and other transaction related 
services. Reed Elsevier’s policy on auditor independence is set out on page 92.

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107

4  Personnel

numBER oF PEoPlE EmPloYEd

Business segment
Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information
Legal
Exhibitions

Sub-total
Corporate/shared functions
total

Geographical location
North America
United Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Rest of world
total

5  Pension schemes

at 31 december

average during the year

2012

2011

2012

2011

7,000
4,100
4,800
10,400
3,200

29,500
900
30,400

15,700
4,100
1,600
3,600
5,400
30,400

6,900
4,000
5,600
10,300
2,800

29,600
900
30,500

16,000
4,600
1,600
3,700
4,600
30,500

7,000
4,000
5,200
10,400
3,000

29,600
900
30,500

15,900
4,200
1,600
3,700
5,100
30,500

6,900
4,300
5,400
10,400
2,700

29,700
900
30,600

16,300
4,600
1,600
3,800
4,300
30,600

A number of pension schemes are operated around the world. Historically, the major schemes have been of the defined benefit type with 
assets held in separate trustee administered funds. the largest defined benefit schemes are in the UK, the US and the Netherlands. 
Under these plans, employees are entitled to retirement benefits dependent on the number of years service provided.

the principal assumptions for the purpose of valuation under IAS19 – Employee Benefits are determined for each scheme in conjunction 
with the respective schemes’ independent actuaries and are presented below as the weighted average of the various defined benefit 
pension schemes. the defined benefit pension expense for each year is based on the assumptions and scheme valuations set at  
31 december of the prior year.

discount rate
Expected rate of return on scheme assets
Expected rate of salary increases
Inflation
Future pension increases

as at 31 december

2012

4.4%
n/a
3.2%
2.7%
2.8%

2011

5.2%
6.2%
3.5%
2.9%
2.9%

2010

5.6%
6.8%
4.1%
3.2%
3.2%

the discount rate is set by reference to AA corporate bond yields. the expected rates of return on individual categories of scheme assets 
are determined by reference to relevant market indices and market expectations of real rates of return. the overall expected rate of 
return on scheme assets is based on the weighted average of each asset category.

mortality assumptions used in assessing defined benefit obligations make allowance for future improvements in longevity and have 
been determined by reference to applicable mortality statistics and the actuaries’ expectations for each scheme. the average life 
expectancies assumed in the valuation of the defined benefit obligations are set out below:  

avERaGE lIFE ExPEctancY (at 31 dEcEmBER)

member currently aged 60
member currently aged 45

2012

2011

male
(years)

Female
(years)

male
(years)

Female
(years)

88
89

88
89

88
89

87
88

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108 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

5  Pension schemes continued

the pension expense recognised within the income statement comprises:

Service cost (including settlement and curtailment credits of £20m (2011: £9m))
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
Expected return on scheme assets

Net defined benefit pension expense
defined contribution pension expense
total pension expense

2012
£m

43
196
(221)

18
46
64

2011
£m

57
201
(235)

23
39
62

the amount recognised in the statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension schemes at the start and end of the 
year and the movements during the year were as follows:

At start of year
Service cost 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
Expected return on scheme assets
Actuarial (loss)/gain
Contributions by employer
Contributions by employees
Benefits paid
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

2012

defined 
benefit 
obligations
£m

Fair value
of scheme 
assets
£m

net
pension 
obligations
£m

defined 
benefit 
obligations
£m

2011

Fair value
of scheme 
assets
£m

Net
pension 
obligations
£m

(3,876)
(43)
(196)
–
(416)
–
(11)
216
54
(4,272)

3,634
–
–
221
87
116
11
(216)
(47)
3,806

(242)
(43)
(196)
221
(329)
116
–
–
7
(466)

(3,677)
(57)
(201)
–
(78)
–
(11)
141
7
(3,876)

3,507
–
–
235
(35)
66
11
(141)
(9)
3,634

(170)
(57)
(201)
235
(113)
66
–
–
(2)
(242)

the net pension obligations of £466m (2011: £242m) at 31 december 2012 comprise schemes in deficit with net pension obligations  
of £466m (2011: £242m) and schemes in surplus with net pension assets of nil (2011: nil).

As at 31 december 2012 the defined benefit obligations comprise £4,112m (2011: £3,721m) in relation to funded schemes and £160m 
(2011: £155m) in relation to unfunded schemes. the weighted average duration of defined benefit scheme liabilities is 19 years  
(2011: 19 years). deferred tax assets of £153m (2011: £86m) are recognised in respect of the pension scheme deficits.

the fair value of scheme assets held as equities, bonds and other assets, and their expected rates of return as at 31 december,  
are shown below:

Equities 
Bonds 
Other 
total

2012

2011

Fair value
of scheme 
assets
£m

Proportion 
of total 
scheme 
assets

1,804
1,715
287
3,806

47%
45%
8%
100%

Expected
rate of
return on 
scheme 
assets

8.7%
3.7%
4.3%
6.2%

Fair value
of scheme 
assets
£m

Proportion
of total 
scheme 
assets

1,699
1,722
213
3,634

47%
47%
6%
100%

the actual return on scheme assets for the year ended 31 december 2012 was a £308m gain (2011: £200m gain).

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109

5  Pension schemes continued

A summary of pension balances in respect of funded and unfunded schemes for the five years ended 31 december 2012 is set out below:

Fair value of scheme assets
defined benefit obligations
net pension obligations

2012
£m

3,806
(4,272)
(466)

2011
£m

3,634
(3,876)
(242)

2010
£m

3,507
(3,677)
(170)

2009
£m

3,067
(3,302)
(235)

2008
£m

2,682
(3,051)
(369)

Gains and losses arising on the revaluation of pension scheme assets and liabilities that have been recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income are set out below:

Gains and losses arising during the year:

Experience (losses)/gains on scheme liabilities
Experience (losses)/gains on scheme assets

Actuarial (losses)/gains arising on the present value of scheme liabilities due 

to changes in:
– discount rates
– inflation
– other actuarial assumptions

Net cumulative (losses)/gains at start of year
net cumulative losses at end of year

2012
£m

(32)
87

(552)
74
94

(329)
(265)
(594)

2011
£m

(27)
(35)

(238)
182
5

(113)
(152)
(265)

2010
£m

(43)
198

(162)
(50)
(6)

(63)
(89)
(152)

2009
£m

18
301

(249)
(124)
60

6
(95)
(89)

2008
£m

(9)
(765)

202
198
 27

(347)
252
(95)

Regular contributions to defined benefit pension schemes in respect of 2013 are expected to be approximately £55m.

sensitivity analysis
Valuation of Reed Elsevier’s pension scheme liabilities involves judgements about uncertain events, including the life expectancy of the 
members, salary and pension increases, inflation and the rate at which the future pension payments are discounted. Estimates are used 
for each of these factors, determined in conjunction with independent actuaries. differences arising from actual experience or future 
changes in assumptions may materially affect future pension charges. In particular, changes in assumptions for discount rates, inflation 
and life expectancies would have the following approximate effects on the annual service cost and the defined benefit pension obligations:

Increase/decrease of 0.25% in discount rate:
decrease/increase in annual service cost
decrease/increase in defined benefit pension obligations

Increase/decrease of one year in assumed life expectancy:

Increase/decrease in annual service cost
Increase/decrease in defined benefit pension obligations

Increase/decrease of 0.25% in the expected inflation rate:

Increase/decrease in annual service cost
Increase/decrease in defined benefit pension obligations

£m

5
195

1
104

3
113

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110 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

6  Share based remuneration

Reed Elsevier provides a number of share based remuneration schemes to directors and employees. the principal share based 
remuneration schemes are the Executive Share Option Schemes (ESOS), the Long term Incentive Plan (LtIP), the Reed Elsevier Growth 
Plan (REGP), the Retention Share Plan (RSP) and the Bonus Investment Plan (BIP). Share options granted under ESOS and LtIP are 
exercisable after three years and up to ten years from the date of grant at a price equivalent to the market value of the respective shares 
at the date of grant. Conditional shares granted under ESOS, LtIP, RSP and BIP are exercisable after three years for nil consideration if 
conditions are met. Conditional shares granted under REGP are exercisable for nil consideration if conditions are met after three and 
five years. Other awards principally relate to all employee share based saving schemes in the UK and the Netherlands.

Share based remuneration awards are, other than upon retirement or in exceptional circumstances, subject to the condition that the 
employee remains in employment at the time of exercise. 

Conditional shares granted under LtIP, REGP, RSP and BIP in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are subject to the achievement of growth targets of 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV adjusted earnings per share measured at constant exchange rates as well as the achievement 
of a targeted percentage return on invested capital of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. LtIP grants in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and 
REGP grants are also variable subject to the achievement of a total shareholder return performance target.

the weighted average fair value per award is based on full vesting on achievement of non market related performance conditions and 
stochastic models for market related components. the conditional shares and option awards are recognised in the income statement 
over the vesting period, being between three and five years, on the basis of expected performance against the non market related 
conditions, with the fair value related to market related components unchanging. Further details of performance conditions are given 
in the directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 74 to 90.

2012 GRants

Share options
– ESOS
– Other

total share options

Conditional shares

– ESOS
– LtIP
– RSP
– BIP

total conditional shares

2011 GRants

Share options
– ESOS
– Other

total share options

Conditional shares

– ESOS
– LtIP
– RSP
– BIP

total conditional shares

In respect of 
Reed Elsevier Plc  
ordinary shares

In respect of
Reed Elsevier nv
ordinary shares

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
award
£

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
award
£

number of 
shares
’000

number of 
shares
’000

1,801
702

2,503

797
1,807
256
1,542
4,402

0.90
1.04

0.94

4.60
4.45
6.00
5.20
4.83

1,263
293

1,556

560
1,144
5
696
2,405

1.20
0.95

1.15

6.41
6.13
7.82
7.41
6.57

In respect of 
Reed Elsevier PLC  
ordinary shares

In respect of
Reed Elsevier NV
ordinary shares

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
award
£

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
award
£

Number of 
shares
’000

Number of 
shares
’000

2,053
633
2,686

755
1,822
322
1,339
4,238

0.98
1.03
0.99

4.85
4.56
4.73
5.43
4.90

1,372
381
1,753

504
1,217
5
607
2,333

1.41
0.97
1.32

6.91
6.65
7.15
8.00
7.06

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111

6  Share based remuneration continued

the main assumptions used to determine the fair values, which have been established with advice from and data provided by 
independent actuaries, are set out below.

assumPtIons FoR GRants madE duRInG thE YEaR

Weighted average share price at date of grant

– ESOS
– LtIP
– RSP
– BIP
– Other

Expected share price volatility
Expected option life
Expected dividend yield
Risk free interest rate
Expected lapse rate

In respect of 
Reed Elsevier Plc  
ordinary shares

In respect of
Reed Elsevier nv
ordinary shares

2012

2011

2012

2011

£5.19
£5.25
£6.00
£5.20
£5.49
30%
4 years
3.9%
0.8%
2-5%

£5.39
£5.31
£5.26
£5.43
£5.13
29%
4 years
3.6%
1.9%
2-5%

€9.07
€8.91
€9.65
€9.15
€9.63
30%
4 years
4.5%
0.9%
2-4%

€8.97
€8.89
€9.27
€9.21
€9.03
29%
4 years
4.1%
2.5%
2-4%

Expected share price volatility has been estimated based on relevant historic data in respect of the Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier 
NV ordinary share prices. Expected share option life has been estimated based on historical exercise patterns in respect of Reed 
Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV share options.

the share based remuneration awards outstanding as at 31 december 2012, in respect of both Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV 
ordinary shares, are set out below:

shaRE oPtIons

Outstanding at 1 January 2011
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired

Outstanding at 1 January 2012
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired
outstanding at 31 december 2012

Exercisable at 31 december 2011 
Exercisable at 31 december 2012

In respect of 
Reed Elsevier Plc  
ordinary shares

In respect of
Reed Elsevier nv 
ordinary shares

number of 
shares under 
option
’000
33,711
2,686
(1,626)
(2,001)
(3,230)

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(pence)
544
509
493
479
640

number of 
shares under 
option
’000
24,833
1,753
(201)
(1,941)
(2,803)

29,540
2,503
(6,694)
(1,022)
(4,992)
19,335

20,061
12,573

534
497
497
498
592
529

552
553

21,641
1,556
(1,913)
(581)
(5,121)
15,582

16,876
12,329

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(€)

11.45
8.99
8.84
10.94
8.68

10.99
9.19
9.36
9.33
12.34
10.63

11.56
11.12

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NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

6  Share based remuneration continued

condItIonal shaREs

Outstanding at 1 January 2011
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding at 1 January 2012
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
outstanding at 31 december 2012

In respect of 
Reed Elsevier Plc  
ordinary shares

In respect of
Reed Elsevier nv 
ordinary shares

number of shares
’000s

number of shares
’000s

12,037
4,238
(580)
(1,799)

13,896
4,402
(601)
(5,885)
11,812

7,293
2,332
(383)
(975)

8,267
2,405
(391)
(3,575)
6,706

the weighted average share price at the date of exercise of share options and vesting of conditional shares during 2012 was 593p 
(2011: 554p) for Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares and €10.43 (2011: €9.71) for Reed Elsevier NV ordinary shares.

RanGE oF ExERcIsE PRIcEs FoR outstandInG shaRE oPtIons

2012

2011

Reed Elsevier Plc ordinary shares (pence)
401-450
451-500
501-550
551-600
601-650
651-700
total

Reed Elsevier nv ordinary shares (euro)
7.01-8.00
8.01-9.00
9.01-10.00
10.01-11.00
11.01-12.00
12.01-13.00
13.01-14.00
14.01-15.00
15.01-16.00
total 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
period until 
expiry
(years)

number of 
shares under 
option
’000

Number of 
shares under 
option
’000

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
period until 
expiry
(years)

1,925
4,415
8,981
189
3,825
–
19,335

58
2,736
3,142
2,697
3,982
1,806
118
1,043
–
15,582

2.8
3.5
5.7
5.4
4.8
–
4.7

6.1
7.7
6.9
1.6
2.6
5.1
4.1
4.1
–
4.6

2,148
7,793
11,662
2,726
5,176
35
29,540

120
3,233
3,686
3,921
4,865
2,339
2,025
1,426
26
21,641

2.9
3.6
5.5
0.8
5.7
0.3
4.4

7.2
8.6
5.3
2.3
3.5
6.0
0.5
5.1
0.3
4.5

Share options are expected, upon exercise, to be met principally by the issue of new ordinary shares but may also be met from shares held 
by the Reed Elsevier Group plc Employee Benefit trust (EBt) (see note 28). Conditional shares will be met from shares held by the EBt.

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7  Net finance costs

Interest on short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Interest on other loans
Interest on obligations under finance leases

total borrowing costs
Losses on loans and derivatives not designated as hedges
Finance costs

Interest on bank deposits
Gains on loans and derivatives not designated as hedges
Finance income
net finance costs

2012
£m

(27)
(196)
(1)

(224)
(8)
(232)

7
9
16
(216)

2011
£m

(28)
(212)
(1)

(241)
(11)
(252)

12
5
17
(235)

Finance costs include £16m (2011: £15m) transferred from the hedge reserve. A net loss of £2m (2011: £3m) on interest rate derivatives 
designated as cash flow hedges was recognised directly in equity in the hedge reserve to be recognised in future periods.

8  Disposals and other non operating items

Revaluation of held for trading investments
Property provisions on disposed businesses
Gain/(loss) on disposal of businesses and assets held for sale
net gain/(loss) on disposals and other non operating items

9  Taxation

Current tax

United Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of world

total current tax charge
deferred tax
tax expense

2012
£m

19
(60)
86
45

2012
£m

73
68
12

153
(40)
113

2011
£m

6
(16)
(12)
(22)

2011
£m

64
87
107

258
(77)
181

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NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

9  Taxation continued

the net tax expense charged on profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average of tax 
rates applicable to accounting profits and losses of the consolidated entities, as follows:

Profit before tax
tax at average applicable rates
tax on share of results of joint ventures
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
(Non-taxable)/non-deductible costs of share based remuneration
(Non-taxable)/non-deductible disposal related gains and losses
tax losses of the period not recognised
Recognition and utilisation of tax losses that arose in prior years
Exceptional prior year tax credit 
Other adjustments in respect of prior periods
deferred tax effect of changes in tax rates
tax expense

2012
£m

1,187
255
(7)
30
(3)
(69)
6
(6)
(96)
2
1
113

2011
£m

948
180
(9)
26
3
7
4
(22)
–
(7)
(1)
181

the weighted average applicable tax rate for the year was 22% (2011: 19%). this increase is caused by a change in the relative profitability 
of the consolidated entities in the countries in which they operate, partially offset by the impact of the reduction in the tax rate of the 
United Kingdom (see below). 

during 2012, Reed Elsevier resolved a number of significant prior year tax matters and reassessed its exposure to other tax matters 
across the jurisdictions in which Reed Elsevier operates. As a result of this reassessment, current tax liabilities were reduced by £96m 
to reflect the lower cash tax expected to be payable. On the basis of its size and nature, this exceptional credit has been excluded from 
adjusted earnings.

the following tax has been recognised directly in equity during the year:

tax on actuarial movements on defined benefit pension schemes
tax on fair value movements on cash flow hedges
tax credit on share based remuneration
net tax credit recognised directly in equity

2012
£m

102
(19)
5
88

2011
£m

36
5
1
42

A number of changes to the UK corporation tax system, including reductions of the main rate of corporation tax from 26% to 24% with 
effect from 1 April 2012, and from 24% to 23% with effect from 1 April 2013, were substantively enacted on 3 July 2012. Reed Elsevier  
has therefore remeasured its UK deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period at 23%, which has resulted in 
recognition of a deferred tax debit of £1m in the income statement. the UK government has also announced an intention to reduce the 
rate of corporation tax to 21% by 1 April 2014, but as this change had not been substantively enacted at the date of the statement of 
financial position, the effect on deferred tax has not been recognised in these financial statements. It is not currently anticipated that 
the proposed reduction in rate would have a significant impact on deferred tax balances.

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115

10  Adjusted figures

Reed Elsevier uses adjusted figures as additional performance measures. Adjusted figures are stated before amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets, acquisition related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional 
prior year tax credits (in 2012 only, see note 9) and movements in deferred taxation assets and liabilities that are not expected to 
crystallise in the near term and include the benefit of tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. 
Adjusted operating profit is also grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures. Acquisition related costs relate to 
acquisition integration, professional and other transaction related fees, and adjustments to deferred and contingent consideration. 
Adjusted operating cash flow is measured after net capital expenditure and dividends from joint ventures but before payments in 
relation to prior  year exceptional restructuring programmes and acquisition related costs. Adjusted figures are derived as follows:

Operating profit
Adjustments:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
Share of profit on disposals in joint ventures
Reclassification of tax in joint ventures

adjusted operating profit

Profit before tax
Adjustments:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
Reclassification of tax in joint ventures
disposals and other non operating items

adjusted profit before tax

Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders
Adjustments (post tax):

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
Exceptional prior year tax credit
deferred tax credits on acquired intangible assets not expected to crystallise in the near term

adjusted profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders

Cash generated from operations
dividends received from joint ventures
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Expenditure on internally developed intangible assets
Payments in relation to exceptional restructuring costs
Payments in relation to acquisition related costs
adjusted operating cash flow

2012
£m

1,358

329
21
–
5
1,713

2011
£m

1,205

359
52
(1)
11
1,626

1,187

948

329
21
5
(45)
1,497

359
52
11
21
1,391

1,069

760

336
16
(103)
(96)
(84)
1,138

1,847
20
(70)
7
(263)
25
37
1,603

355
33
16
–
(104)
1,060

1,735
33
(85)
7
(265)
52
38
1,515

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116 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

11  Statement of cash flows

REconcIlIatIon oF oPERatInG PRoFIt BEFoRE joInt vEntuREs to cash GEnERatEd FRom oPERatIons

Operating profit before joint ventures

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of internally developed intangible assets
depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share based remuneration
total non cash items
decrease in inventories and pre-publication costs
decrease/(increase) in receivables
decrease in payables
Increase in working capital
cash generated from operations

cash FloW on acquIsItIons

Purchase of businesses
Investment in joint ventures
deferred payments relating to prior year acquisitions
total

REconcIlIatIon oF nEt BoRRoWInGs

2012
£m

1,334

328
151
76
31
586
21
4
(98)
(73)
1,847

2012
£m

(276)
(10)
(30)
(316)

2011
£m

1,175

355
132
75
27
589
32
(37)
(24)
(29)
1,735

2011
£m

(455)
(1)
(25)
(481)

Note

12

cash and 
cash 
equivalents
£m

Borrowings
£m

Related 
derivative 
financial 
instruments
£m

2012
£m

2011
£m

At start of year

726

(4,282)

123

(3,433)

(3,455)

decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Net movement in short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Issuance of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Repayment of finance leases
change in net borrowings resulting from cash flows

Borrowings in acquired businesses
Inception of finance leases
Fair value and other adjustments to borrowings and related derivatives
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

(72)
–
–
–
–
(72)

–
–
–
(13)
641

–
434
(592)
437
4
283

–
(13)
(4)
124
(3,892)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
5
(4)
124

(72)
434
(592)
437
4
211

–
(13)
1
107
(3,127)

(44)
(210)
–
248
22
16

(18)
(8)
8
24
(3,433)

Net borrowings comprise cash and cash equivalents, loan capital, finance leases, promissory notes, bank and other loans, and those 
derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge the fair value of fixed rate borrowings.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

117

12  Acquisitions

during the year a number of acquisitions were made for a total consideration of £341m (2011: £492m), after taking account of net cash 
acquired of £12m (2011: £24m). the net assets of the businesses acquired are incorporated at their fair value to the combined 
businesses. Provisional fair values of the consideration given and of the assets and liabilities acquired are summarised below: 

Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment
Current assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Current tax
deferred tax
net assets acquired

consideration (after taking account of £12m (2011: £24m) net cash acquired)
Less: consideration deferred to future years
Less: acquisition date fair value of equity interest
net cash flow

Fair
value
2012
£m

165
229
1
21
(61)
–
2
(16)
341

341
(23)
(42)
276

Fair
value
2011
£m

300
311
1
23
(46)
(18)
(1)
(78)
492

492
(27)
(10)
455

Goodwill, being the excess of the consideration over the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, represents benefits which do not 
qualify for recognition as intangible assets, including the ability of a business to generate higher returns than individual assets, skilled 
workforces, acquisition synergies that are specific to Reed Elsevier, and high barriers to market entry. In addition, goodwill arises on 
the recognition of deferred tax liabilities in respect of intangible assets for which amortisation does not qualify for tax deductions.

the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are provisional pending the completion of the valuation exercises. Final fair values 
will be incorporated in the 2013 combined financial statements. there were no significant adjustments to the provisional fair values of 
prior year acquisitions established in 2011.

the businesses acquired in 2012 contributed £73m to revenue, increased adjusted operating profit by £18m, increased adjusted net 
profit by £14m, decreased reported net profit by £10m, and contributed £2m to net cash inflow from operating activities for the part 
year under Reed Elsevier ownership and before taking account of acquisition financing costs. Had the businesses been acquired at 
the beginning of the year, on a pro forma basis the Reed Elsevier revenues, adjusted operating profit, adjusted net profit and reported 
net profit for the year would have been £6,153m, £1,717m, £1,142m and £1,073m respectively before taking account of acquisition 
financing costs.

13  Equity dividends

oRdInaRY dIvIdEnds dEclaREd In thE YEaR

Reed Elsevier PLC
Reed Elsevier NV
total

2012
£m

264
259
523

2011
£m

248
251
499

Ordinary dividends declared in the year, in amounts per ordinary share, comprise: a 2011 final dividend of 15.9p and a 2012 interim 
dividend of 6.0p giving a total of 21.9p (2011: 20.65p) for Reed Elsevier PLC; and a 2011 final dividend of €0.326 and a 2012 interim dividend 
of €0.13 giving a total of €0.456 (2011: €0.413) for Reed Elsevier NV.

the directors of Reed Elsevier PLC have proposed a final dividend of 17.0p (2011: 15.9p). the directors of Reed Elsevier NV have proposed 
a final dividend of €0.337 (2011: €0.326). the total cost of funding the proposed final dividends is expected to be £391m, for which no 
liability has been recognised at the statement of financial position date. 

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118 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

13  Equity dividends continued

oRdInaRY dIvIdEnds PaId and PRoPosEd RElatInG to thE FInancIal YEaR

Reed Elsevier PLC
Reed Elsevier NV
total

2012
£m

273
262
535

2011
£m

259
265
524

dividends paid to Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders are, other than in special circumstances, equalised at the gross 
level inclusive of the UK tax credit of 10% received by certain Reed Elsevier PLC shareholders. the cost of funding the Reed Elsevier PLC 
dividends is therefore similar to that of Reed Elsevier NV.

14  Goodwill

At start of year
Acquisitions
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

2012
£m

4,729
165
(152)
(197)
4,545

2011
£m

4,441
300
(26)
14
4,729

the carrying amount of goodwill is after cumulative amortisation of £1,180m (2011: £1,332m) which was charged prior to the adoption 
of IFRS and £20m (2011: £49m) of subsequent impairment charges.

Impairment review
Impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets is performed at least annually based on cash generating units 
(CGUs). A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows 
from other groups of assets. Goodwill impairment testing is performed on the basis of 22 CGUs. CGUs which are not individually 
significant have been aggregated for presentation purposes. typically, when an acquisition is made the acquired business is fully 
integrated into the relevant business unit and CGU, and the goodwill arising is allocated to the CGUs, or groups of CGUs, that are 
expected to benefit from the synergies of the acquisition.

the carrying value of goodwill recorded in the major groups of CGUs is set out below:

GoodWIll

Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business Information US
Business Information UK
Business Information NL
Business Information International
Business Information

Legal US
Legal International
Legal
Exhibitions Continental Europe
Exhibitions other
Exhibitions
total

2012
£m

1,026
1,559
50
335
23
–
408

1,038
112
1,150
273
129
402
4,545

2011
£m

991
1,733
52
352
23
30
457

1,070
113
1,183
289
76
365
4,729

Reed Elsevier’s goodwill impairment testing methodology, assumptions and sensitivity analysis are disclosed within critical judgements 
and key sources of estimation uncertainty on pages 101 to 103.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

15  Intangible assets

cost
At 1 January 2011
Acquisitions
Additions
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences

At 1 January 2012
Acquisitions
Additions
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences
at 31 december 2012

accumulated amortisation
At 1 January 2011
Charge for the year
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences

At 1 January 2012
Charge for the year
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences
at 31 december 2012

net book amount
At 31 december 2011
at 31 december 2012

119

total
£m

7,186
311
270
(278)
(2)

7,487
229
261
(267)
(287)
7,423

3,729
487
(215)
(8)

3,993
479
(179)
(145)
4,148

market and 
customer 
related
£m

content, 
software
and other
£m

total 
acquired 
intangible 
assets
£m

Internally 
developed 
intangible 
assets
£m

2,631
196
–
(38)
13

2,802
201
–
(56)
(131)
2,816

610
160
(30)
4

744
173
(11)
(36)
870

3,351
115
–
(189)
(14)

3,263
27
–
(97)
(103)
3,090

2,384
195
(149)
(8)

2,422
155
(89)
(80)
2,408

5,982
311
–
(227)
(1)

6,065
228
–
(153)
(234)
5,906

2,994
355
(179)
(4)

3,166
328
(100)
(116)
3,278

1,204
–
270
(51)
(1)

1,422
1
261
(114)
(53)
1,517

735
132
(36)
(4)

827
151
(79)
(29)
870

2,058
1,946

841
682

2,899
2,628

595
647

3,494
3,275

Intangible assets acquired as part of business combinations comprise: market related assets (e.g. trademarks, imprints, brands); 
customer related assets (e.g. subscription bases, customer lists, customer relationships); and content, software and other intangible 
assets (e.g. editorial content, software and product delivery systems, other publishing rights, exhibition rights and supply contracts). 
Included in content, software and other acquired intangible assets are assets with a net book value of £431m (2011: £531m) that arose 
on acquisitions completed prior to the adoption of IFRS that have not been allocated to specific categories of intangible assets. Internally 
developed intangible assets typically comprise software and systems development where an identifiable asset is created that is 
probable to generate future economic benefits.

Included in market and customer related intangible assets are £354m (2011: £370m) of brands and imprints relating to Scientific, 
technical & medical determined to have indefinite lives based on an assessment of their historical longevity and stable market positions. 
Indefinite lived intangibles are tested for impairment at least annually using the same value in use assumptions as set out in critical 
judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty on pages 101 to 103.

Also included in market and customer related intangible assets are £1,037m (2011: £1,209m) of customer relationship assets arising 
on the acquisition of ChoicePoint in 2008 with a remaining useful economic life of approximately 16 years.

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120 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

16  Investments

Investments in joint ventures
Available for sale investments
Venture capital investments held for trading
total

2012
£m

100
3
76
179

the value of venture capital investments held for trading, determined by reference to quoted market prices, amounted to £27m  
(2011: £17m). the value of other venture capital investments and available for sale investments has been determined by reference 
to other observable market inputs.

An analysis of changes in the carrying value of investments in joint ventures is set out below:

At start of year
Share of results of joint ventures
dividends received from joint ventures
disposals and transfers
Additions
Exchange translation differences

at end of year

2012
£m

124
24
(20)
(33)
10
(5)

100

2011
£m

124
8
56
188

2011
£m

136
30
(33)
(6)
1
(4)

124

the principal joint ventures at 31 december 2012 are exhibition joint ventures within Exhibitions and Giuffrè (an Italian legal publisher 
in which Reed Elsevier has a 40% shareholding) within Legal.

Summarised aggregate information in respect of joint ventures and Reed Elsevier’s share is set out below:

Revenue
Net profit for the year

total assets
total liabilities

net assets
Goodwill
total

total joint ventures

Reed Elsevier share

2012
£m

187
45

227
(126)

101

2011
£m

254
62

255
(137)

118

2012
£m

91
24

104
(59)

45
55
100

2011
£m

128
30

122
(66)

56
68
124

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

121

17  Property, plant and equipment

cost
At start of year
Acquisitions
Capital expenditure
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

accumulated depreciation
At start of year
disposals/reclassified as held for sale
Charge for the year
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

2012

2011

land and 
buildings

Fixtures and 
equipment

total
£m

Land and 
buildings

Fixtures and 
equipment

total
£m

238
–
10
(21)
(9)
218

118
(5)
8
(5)
116

582
1
70
(97)
(19)
537

414
(94)
68
(13)
375

820
1
80
(118)
(28)
755

532
(99)
76
(18)
491

246
–
8
(16)
–
238

115
(6)
9
–
118

578
1
82
(78)
(1)
582

418
(69)
66
(1)
414

824
1
90
(94)
(1)
820

533
(75)
75
(1)
532

net book amount

102

162

264

120

168

288

No depreciation is provided on freehold land of £39m (2011: £46m). the net book amount of property, plant and equipment at 
31 december 2012 includes £11m (2011: £4m) in respect of assets held under finance leases relating to fixtures and equipment.

18  Financial instruments

details of the objectives, policies and strategies pursued by Reed Elsevier in relation to financial instruments and capital management 
are set out on pages 56 and 57 of the Financial Review. the main financial risks faced by Reed Elsevier are liquidity risk, market risk – 
comprising interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk – and credit risk. Financial instruments are used to finance the Reed Elsevier 
businesses and to hedge interest rate and foreign exchange risks. Reed Elsevier’s businesses do not enter into speculative derivative 
transactions. details of financial instruments subject to liquidity, market and credit risks are described below.

liquidity risk
Reed Elsevier maintains a range of borrowing facilities and debt programmes to fund its requirements, at short notice and at 
competitive rates. the remaining contractual maturities for borrowings and derivative financial instruments are shown in the table 
below. the table shows undiscounted principal and interest cash flows and includes contractual gross cash flows to be exchanged 
as part of cross currency interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts where there is a legal right of set-off.

at 31 december 2012

Borrowings
Fixed rate borrowings
Floating rate borrowings

derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate derivatives
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts

derivative financial assets
Interest rate derivatives
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts
total

carrying 
amount
£m

Within 
1 year
£m

1-2 years
£m

2-3 years
£m

3-4 years
£m

4-5 years
£m

more than 
5 years
£m

total
£m

contractual cash flow

(3,695)
(197)

(803)
(132)

(797)
(1)

(251)
(63)

(530)
–

(428)
(1)

(1,940)
(3)

(4,749)
(200)

(2)
–
(9)

(3)
(166)
(1,382)

47
93
55
(3,708)

35
202
1,400
(849)

–
(180)
(442)

13
243
460
(704)

–
–
(194)

12
–
202
(294)

–
–
–

9
–
–
(521)

–
–
–

(5)
–
–

(8)
(346)
(2,018)

6
–
–
(423)

–
–
–
(1,948)

75
445
2,062
(4,739)

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122 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

18  Financial instruments continued

At 31 december 2011

Borrowings
Fixed rate borrowings
Floating rate borrowings

derivative financial liabilities
Interest rate derivatives
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts

derivative financial assets
Interest rate derivatives
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts
total

Carrying 
amount
£m

(3,568)
(714)

Within 
1 year
£m

(553)
(646)

(10) 
–
(59) 

(9)
(6)
(1,019)

39 
99
11 
(4,202) 

13
14
987
(1,219)

Contractual cash flow

1-2 years
£m

2-3 years
£m

3-4 years
£m

4-5 years
£m

more than 
5 years
£m

total
£m

(814)
(2)

(3)
(173)
(421)

27
208
414
(764)

(863)
(2)

–
(189)
(256)

6
248
252
(804)

(248)
(65)

(524)
(1)

(1,694)
(5)

(4,696)
(721)

–
–
–

5
–
–
(308)

–
–
–

–
–
–

5
–
–
(520)

3
–
–
(1,696)

(12)
(368)
(1,696)

59
470
1,653
(5,311)

the carrying amount of derivative financial liabilities comprises £7m (2011: £64m) in relation to cash flow hedges and £4m (2011: £5m) 
not designated as hedging instruments. the carrying amount of derivative financial assets comprises £124m (2011: £123m) in relation 
to fair value hedges, £46m (2011: £10m) in relation to cash flow hedges and £25m (2011: £16m) not designated as hedging instruments. 

At 31 december 2012, Reed Elsevier had access to a $2,000m committed bank facility maturing in June 2015, which was undrawn. 
the bank facility, together with certain private placements, are subject to financial covenants typical to Reed Elsevier’s size and 
financial strength. Reed Elsevier was in compliance with these covenants for the year ended 31 december 2012. Financial covenants 
are not included in the terms and conditions of any outstanding public bonds.

After taking account of the maturity of committed bank facilities that back short term borrowings at 31 december 2012, and after 
utilising available cash resources, no borrowings mature within two years (2011: nil), 27% of borrowings mature in the third year (2011: 
44%), 23% in the fourth and fifth years (2011: 18%), 39% in the sixth to tenth years (2011: 27%), and 11% beyond the tenth year (2011: 11%).

market risk
Reed Elsevier’s primary market risks are to interest rate fluctuations and exchange rate movements. derivatives are used to hedge 
or reduce the risks of interest rate and exchange rate movements and are not entered into unless such risks exist. derivatives used 
by Reed Elsevier for hedging a particular risk are not specialised and are generally available from numerous sources. the impact of 
market risks on net post employment benefit obligations and taxation is excluded from the following market risk sensitivity analysis.

Interest rate risk
Reed Elsevier’s interest rate exposure management policy is aimed at reducing the exposure of the combined businesses to changes 
in interest rates.

At 31 december 2012, 59% of gross borrowings were either fixed rate or had been fixed through the use of interest rate swaps, forward 
rate agreements and options. A 100 basis point reduction in interest rates would result in an estimated decrease in net finance costs of 
£8m (2011: £5m), based on the composition of financial instruments including cash, cash equivalents, bank loans and commercial paper 
borrowings at 31 december 2012. A 100 basis point rise in interest rates would result in an estimated increase in net finance costs of  
£8m (2011: £5m).

the impact on net equity of a theoretical change in interest rates as at 31 december 2012 is restricted to the change in carrying value  
of floating rate to fixed rate interest rate derivatives in a designated cash flow hedge relationship and undesignated interest rate 
derivatives. A 100 basis point reduction in interest rates would result in an estimated reduction in net equity of £1m (2011: £3m) and  
a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would increase net equity by an estimated £2m (2011: £4m). the impact of a change in  
interest rates on the carrying value of fixed rate borrowings in a designated fair value hedge relationship would be offset by the  
change in carrying value of the related interest rate derivative. Fixed rate borrowings not in a designated hedging relationship  
are carried at amortised cost.

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18  Financial instruments continued

Foreign exchange rate risk
translation exposures arise on the earnings and net assets of business operations in countries with currencies other than sterling, most 
particularly in respect of the US businesses. these exposures are hedged, to a significant extent, by a policy of denominating borrowings 
in currencies where significant translation exposures exist, most notably US dollars (see note 24).

A theoretical weakening of all currencies by 10% against sterling at 31 december 2012 would decrease the carrying value of net assets, 
excluding net borrowings, by £495m (2011: £525m). this would be offset to a large degree by a decrease in net borrowings of £286m 
(2011: £297m). A strengthening of all currencies by 10% against sterling at 31 december 2012 would increase the carrying value of net 
assets, excluding net borrowings, by £495m (2011: £525m) and increase net borrowings by £286m (2011: £297m).

 A retranslation of the combined businesses’ net profit for the year assuming a 10% weakening of all foreign currencies against sterling 
but excluding transactional exposures would reduce net profit by £80m (2011: £59m). A 10% strengthening of all foreign currencies 
against sterling on this basis would increase net profit for the year by £80m (2011: £59m).

credit risk
Reed Elsevier seeks to limit interest rate and foreign exchange risks described above by the use of financial instruments and as a  
result has a credit risk from the potential non performance by the counterparties to these financial instruments, which are unsecured. 
the amount of this credit risk is normally restricted to the amounts of any hedge gain and not the principal amount being hedged.  
Reed Elsevier also has a credit exposure to counterparties for the full principal amount of cash and cash equivalents. Credit risks  
are controlled by monitoring the credit quality of these counterparties, principally licensed commercial banks and investment banks 
with strong long term credit ratings, and the amounts outstanding with each of them.

Reed Elsevier has treasury policies in place which do not allow concentrations of risk with individual counterparties and do not allow 
significant treasury exposures with counterparties which are rated lower than A-/A3 by Standard & Poor’s, moody’s and Fitch.

Reed Elsevier also has credit risk with respect to trade receivables due from its customers that include national and state governments, 
academic institutions and large and small enterprises including law firms, book stores and wholesalers. the concentration of credit 
risk from trade receivables is limited due to the large and broad customer base. trade receivable exposures are managed locally in the 
business units where they arise. Where appropriate, business units seek to minimise this exposure by taking payment in advance and 
through management of credit terms. Allowance is made for bad and doubtful debts based on management’s assessment of the risk 
taking into account the ageing profile, experience and circumstance. the maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the 
carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivative financial instruments, recorded in the statement of financial position.

Included within trade receivables are the following amounts which are past due but for which no allowance has been made. Past due  
up to one month £148m (2011: £212m); past due two to three months £58m (2011: £54m); past due four to six months £14m (2011: £20m);  
and past due greater than six months £1m (2011: £5m). Examples of trade receivables which are past due but for which no allowance  
has been made include those receivables where there is no concern over the creditworthiness of the customer and where the history  
of dealings with the customer indicate the amount will be settled.

hedge accounting
the hedging relationships that are designated under IAS39 – Financial Instruments are described below:

Fair value hedges
Reed Elsevier has entered into interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair 
value of fixed rate borrowings due to interest rate and foreign currency movements which could affect the income statement.

Interest rate derivatives (including cross currency interest rate swaps) with a principal amount of £1,502m (2011: £1,081m) were in 
place at 31 december 2012 swapping fixed rate term debt issues denominated in sterling, euros and Swiss francs (CHF) to floating rate 
sterling, euro and US dollar (USd) debt respectively for the whole of their term. Included within this amount are interest rate derivatives 
with a principal amount of £488m (2011: nil) which were de-designated as fair value hedges during the year.

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124 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

18  Financial instruments continued

the gains and losses on the borrowings and related derivatives designated as fair value hedges, which are included in the income 
statement, for the two years ended 31 december 2012 were as follows:

GaIns/(lossEs) on BoRRoWInGs 
and RElatEd dERIvatIvEs

GBP debt
Related interest rate swaps

EUR debt
Related interest rate swaps

CHF debt
Related CHF to USd cross currency 

interest rate swaps

total GBP, EUR and CHF debt
total related interest rate derivatives
net gain

1 January 
2011 
£m

Fair value 
movement 
gain/(loss)
£m

Exchange 
gain/(loss)
£m

1 january 
2012
£m

Fair value 
movement 
gain/(loss)
£m

de- 
designated
£m

Exchange 
gain/(loss)
£m

31 december 
2012
£m

(7)
7
–

(12)
12
–

(86)

86
–
(105)
105
–

(23)
23
–

3
(3)
–

3

(3)
–
(17)
17
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

(1)

1
–
(1)
1
–

(30)
30
–

(9)
9
–

(84)

84
–
(123)
123
–

(6)
6
–

(8)
8
–

–

–
–
(14)
14
–

–
–
–

9
(9)
–

–

–
–
9
(9)
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

4

(4)
–
4
(4)
–

(36)
36
–

(8)
8
–

(80)

80
–
(124)
124
–

All fair value hedges were highly effective throughout the two years ended 31 december 2012.

Gross borrowings as at 31 december 2012 included £37m (2011: £43m) in relation to fair value adjustments to borrowings previously 
designated in a fair value hedge relationship which were de-designated in 2008. the related derivatives were closed out on  
de-designation with a cash inflow of £62m. £5m (2011: £8m) of these fair value adjustments were amortised in the year as a reduction  
to finance costs. 

Gross borrowings also included £2m (2011: nil) in relation to fair value adjustments to borrowings previously designated in a fair value 
hedging relationship which were de-designated during the year. £7m (2011: nil) of these fair value adjustments were amortised in the 
year as a reduction to finance costs. the related derivatives remained on the balance sheet at 31 december 2012 with a carrying value 
of £3m.

cash flow hedges
Reed Elsevier enters into two types of cash flow hedge:

(1) 

Interest rate derivatives which fix the interest expense on a portion of forecast floating rate debt (including commercial paper,  
short term bank loans and floating rate term debt).

(2)  Foreign exchange derivatives which fix the exchange rate on a portion of future foreign currency subscription revenues forecast  

by the Scientific, technical & medical businesses for up to 50 months.

movements in the hedge reserve (pre-tax) in 2011 and 2012, including gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments,  
were as follows:

Hedge reserve at 1 January 2011: losses deferred
Losses arising in 2011
Amounts recognised in income statement
Exchange translation differences

Hedge reserve at 1 January 2012: losses deferred
(Losses)/gains arising in 2012
Amounts recognised in income statement
Exchange translation differences
hedge reserve at 31 december 2012: (losses)/gains deferred

Interest rate 
hedges
£m

Foreign 
exchange 
hedges
£m

total hedge 
reserve 
pre-tax
£m

(29)
(3)
15
–

(17)
(2)
16
1
(2)

(59)
(21)
33
1

(46)
72
10
1
37

(88)
(24)
48
1

(63)
70
26
2
35

All cash flow hedges were highly effective throughout the two years ended 31 december 2012.

A tax charge of £9m (2011: £15m credit) in respect of the above gains and losses at 31 december 2012 was also deferred in the hedge reserve.

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18  Financial instruments continued

Of the amounts recognised in the income statement in the year, losses of £10m (2011: £33m) were recognised in revenue, and losses  
of £16m (2011: £15m) were recognised in finance costs. A tax credit of £5m (2011: £11m) was recognised in relation to these items.

the deferred gains and losses on cash flow hedges at 31 december 2012 are currently expected to be recognised in the income 
statement in future years as follows:

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
(losses)/gains deferred in hedge reserve at end of year

Interest rate 
hedges
£m
(2)
–
–
–
–
(2)

Foreign 
exchange 
hedges
£m
7
16
11
3
–
37

total hedge 
reserve 
pre-tax
£m
5
16
11
3
–
35

the cash flows for these hedges are expected to occur in line with the recognition of the gains and losses in the income statement, other 
than in respect of certain forward foreign exchange hedges on subscriptions, where cash flows may be expected to occur in advance of 
the subscription year.

19  Deferred tax

deferred tax assets
deferred tax liabilities
total

2012
£m

79
(919)
(840)

2011
£m

212
(1,236)
(1,024)

movements in deferred tax liabilities and assets (before taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same jurisdiction) 
are summarised as follows:

deferred tax liabilities

deferred tax assets

Excess of tax 
allowances 
over 
amortisation
£m

acquired 
intangible 
assets
£m

Pensions 
assets
£m

other 
temporary 
differences
£m

Excess of 
amortisation 
over tax 
allowances
£m

tax losses 
carried 
forward
£m

Pensions 
liabilities
£m

other 
temporary 
differences
£m

deferred tax (liability)/

asset at 1 January 2011

(Charge)/credit to profit
Credit to equity
transfers
Acquisitions
disposals/reclassified as

held for sale
Exchange translation 

differences

deferred tax (liability)/

asset at 1 January 2012

(Charge)/credit to profit
(Charge)/credit to equity
Acquisitions
disposals/reclassified as 

held for sale
Exchange translation 

differences

(223)
(6)
–
–
–

–

(2)

(231)
(5)
–
1

2

10

(944)
131
–
–
(85)

–

(2)

(900)
85
–
(10)

18

35

deferred tax (liability)/asset
at 31 december 2012

(223)

(772)

(15)
(10)
25
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

(10)
(94)
–
–
–

1

(2)

(105)
(9)
(3)
–

7

2

(108)

13
3
–
–
–

–

–

16
(3)
–
(3)

–

(1)

9

13
32
–
–
2

–

1

48
(19)
–
(2)

(1)

(3)

78
(3)
11
–
–

–

–

86
(32)
102
–

–

(3)

23

153

47
24
6
(17)
5

(1)

(2)

62
23
(6)
(2)

(1)

2

78

total
£m

(1,041)
77
42
(17)
(78)

–

(7)

(1,024)
40
93
(16)

25

42

(840)

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126 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

19  Deferred tax continued

Other deferred tax liabilities includes temporary differences in respect of plant, property and equipment, and capitalised development 
spend. Other deferred tax assets includes temporary differences in respect of share-based remuneration, provisions, and financial 
instruments.

deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses and other deductible temporary differences have only been recognised to the extent that  
it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the asset to be recovered. Accordingly, no deferred tax 
asset has been recognised in respect of unused trading losses of approximately £129m (2011: £133m) carried forward at year end.  
the deferred tax asset not recognised in respect of these losses is approximately £34m (2011: £36m). Of the unrecognised losses,  
£47m (2011: £45m) will expire if not utilised within 10 years, and £82m (2011: £88m) will expire after more than 10 years.

deferred tax assets of approximately £9m (2011: £31m) have not been recognised in respect of tax losses and other temporary 
differences carried forward of £41m (2011: £94m) which can only be used to offset future capital gains. 

20  Inventories and pre-publication costs

Raw materials
Pre-publication costs
Finished goods
total

2012
£m

3
101
55
159

2011
£m

6
115
69
190

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21  Trade and other receivables

trade receivables
Allowance for doubtful debts

Prepayments and accrued income
total

2012
£m

1,256
(51)
1,205
175
1,380

2011
£m

1,361
(63)
1,298
185
1,483

trade receivables are predominantly non-interest bearing and their carrying amounts approximate to their fair value.

trade receivables are stated net of allowances for bad and doubtful debts. the movements in the provision during the year were 
as follows:

At start of year
Charge for the year
trade receivables written off
disposals
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

22  Assets and liabilities held for sale

the major classes of assets and liabilities of operations classified as held for sale are as follows:

Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment
deferred tax assets
Inventories
trade and other receivables
total assets held for sale
trade and other payables
deferred tax liabilities
total liabilities associated with assets held for sale

23  Trade and other payables

Payables and accruals
deferred income
total

2012
£m

63
13
(18)
(6)
(1)
51

2012
£m

134
84
3
4
1
71
297
69
27
96

2011
£m

73
15
(23)
(1)
(1)
63

2011
£m

19
7
–
1
1
16
44
17
–
17

2012
£m

1,150
1,394
2,544

2011
£m

1,245
1,412
2,657

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128 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

24  Borrowings

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:

Short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Finance leases
Other loans

Other loans in fair value hedging relationships
Other loans previously in fair value hedging relationships
total

2012

Falling due 
within  
1 year
£m

Falling due in 
more than 
1 year
£m

131
7
–
102
490
730

–
9
1,526
1,036
591
3,162

2011

Falling due 
within 
1 year
£m

Falling due in 
more than 
1 year
£m

596
2
384
–
–
982

–
6
1,466
1,204
624
3,300

total
£m

131
16
1,526
1,138
1,081
3,892

total 
£m

596
8
1,850
1,204
624
4,282

In 2012, £184m principal amount of term debt maturing in 2014 and 2019 was exchanged for £191m principal amount of term debt 
maturing in 2022 and cash payments of £46m. the exchange is treated as a debt modification for accounting purposes. the premium 
arising of £53m is offset against the carrying amount of the newly issued term debt maturing in 2022 and will be amortised over its life.

the total fair value of financial liabilities measured at amortised cost is £1,996m (2011: £2,745m). the total fair value of other loans in fair 
value hedging relationships is £1,177m (2011: £1,237m). the total fair value of other loans previously in fair value hedging relationships  
is £1,189m (2011: £707m).

analysis by year of repayment

2012

2011

short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts 
and 
commercial 
paper
£m

other loans
£m

Finance 
leases
£m

131
–
–
–
–
–
–
131

592
644
178
400
359
1,572
3,153
3,745

7
6
3
–
–
–
9
16

Short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts  
and 
commercial 
paper
£m

Other loans
£m

Finance 
leases
£m

596
–
–
–
–
–
–
596

384
618
725
188
401
1,362
3,294
3,678

2
3
2
1
–
–
6
8

total
£m

730
650
181
400
359
1,572
3,162
3,892

total 
£m

982
621
727
189
401
1,362
3,300
4,282

Within 1 year
Within 1 to 2 years
Within 2 to 3 years
Within 3 to 4 years
Within 4 to 5 years
After 5 years

total

Short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper were backed up at 31 december 2012 by a $2,000m (£1,231m) committed bank 
facility maturing in June 2015, which was undrawn.

analysis by currency

US dollars
£ sterling
Euro
Other currencies
total

2012

2011

short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts 
and 
commercial 
paper
£m

other loans
£m

Finance 
leases
£m

25
–
103
3
131

2,059
736
950
–
3,745

16
–
–
–
16

Short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts  
and 
commercial 
paper
£m

Other loans
£m

Finance 
leases
£m

485
–
91
20
596

2,431
730
517
–
3,678

8
–
–
–
8

total
£m

2,100
736
1,053
3
3,892

total 
£m

2,924
730
608
20
4,282

Included in the US dollar amounts for other loans above is £347m (2011: £363m) of debt denominated in Swiss francs (CHF 500m;  
2011: CHF 500m) that was swapped into US dollars on issuance and against which there are related derivative financial instruments, 
which, as at 31 december 2012, had a fair value of £80m (2011: £84m).

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129

25  Lease arrangements

Finance leases
At 31 december 2012 future finance lease obligations fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive

Less future finance charges
total

Present value of future finance lease obligations payable:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive

total

the fair value of the lease obligations approximates to their carrying amount.

2012
£m

2011
£m

7
9
16
–
16

7
9
16

2
6
8
–
8

2
6
8

operating leases
Reed Elsevier leases various properties, principally offices and warehouses, which have varying terms and renewal rights that are 
typical to the territory in which they are located.

At 31 december 2012 outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

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

2012
£m

117
309
184
610

2011
£m

129
305
206
640

Of the above outstanding commitments, £577m (2011: £605m) relate to land and buildings.

Reed Elsevier has a number of properties that are sub leased. the future lease receivables contracted with sub-tenants fall as follows:

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

2012
£m

16
33
17
66

2011
£m

21
38
19
78

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130 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

NOtES tO tHE COmBINEd FINANCIAL StAtEmENtS

Notes to the combined financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

26  Provisions

At start of year
transfers
Charged
Utilised
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

2012

Property
£m

Restructuring
£m

109
22
62
(24)
(5)
164

17
–
–
(12)
–
5

total
£m

126
22
62
(36)
(5)
169

2011

Property
£m

Restructuring
£m

105
–
16
(12)
–
109

54
–
–
(37)
–
17

Property provisions relate to estimated sub lease shortfalls and guarantees given in respect of certain property leases for various 
periods up to 2024. the charge in 2012 of £62m (2011: £16m) predominantly relates to property exposures on disposed businesses.

At 31 december 2012 provisions are included within current and non-current liabilities as follows:

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
total

2012
£m

30
139
169

total
£m

159
–
16
(49)
–
126

2011
£m

39
87
126

27  Contingent liabilities and capital commitments

there are contingent liabilities amounting to £11m (2011: £15m) in respect of property lease guarantees.  

28  Combined share capitals, share premiums and shares held in treasury

Combined share capitals exclude the shares of Reed Elsevier NV held by a subsidiary of Reed Elsevier PLC. disclosures in respect 
of share capital are given in note 12 to the Reed Elsevier PLC consolidated financial statements and note 13 to the Reed Elsevier NV 
consolidated financial statements. Combined share premiums exclude the share premium in respect of shares of Reed Elsevier NV 
held by a subsidiary of Reed Elsevier PLC. 

during 2012 Reed Elsevier repurchased 23,288,616 Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares and 12,660,296 Reed Elsevier NV ordinary 
shares for consideration of £250m. these shares are held in treasury. On 28 december 2012 Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV 
announced an irrevocable, non discretionary programme to repurchase further ordinary shares up to the value of £100m which was 
completed in February 2013.

the EBt purchases Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shares which, at the trustees’ discretion, can be used in respect of the 
exercise of share options and to meet commitments under conditional share awards. At 31 december 2012, shares held by the EBt 
were £152m (2011: £159m).

details of the shares held in treasury are provided in note 12 of the Reed Elsevier PLC consolidated financial statements and note 13 
of the Reed Elsevier NV consolidated financial statements.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

131

29  Other combined reserves

At start of year 
Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders
dividends paid
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes 
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
tax recognised directly in equity
Increase in share based remuneration reserve
Settlement of share awards
transfer from cash flow hedge reserve to net profit (net of tax)
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
Exchange translation differences
at end of year

hedge 
reserve
2012
£m

other 
reserves
2012
£m

(48)
–
–
–
–
–
70
(19)
–
–
21
–
2
26

(151)
1,069
(521)
(329)
–
11
–
107
31
(7)
–
6
10
226

total
2012
£m

(199)
1,069
(521)
(329)
–
11
70
88
31
(7)
21
6
12
252

total 
2011 
£m

(387)
760
(497)
(113)
(1)
–
(24)
42
27
(7)
37
(43)
7
(199)

Other reserves principally comprise retained earnings, the share based remuneration reserve and available for sale investment 
reserve.

30  Related party transactions

transactions between the Reed Elsevier combined businesses have been eliminated within the combined financial statements. 
transactions with joint ventures were made on normal market terms of trading and comprise sales of goods and services of £1m 
(2011: £1m). 

As at 31 december 2012, amounts owed by joint ventures were £1m (2011: £3m) and amounts due from joint ventures were £1m  
(2011: nil). Key management personnel are also related parties and comprise the executive directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and  
Reed Elsevier NV. transactions with key management personnel are set out below.

Salaries and other short term employee benefits
Post employment benefits
Share based remuneration*
total

2012
£m

2011
£m

4
–
5
9

3
–
4
7

*the share based remuneration charge comprises the multi-year incentive scheme charges in accordance with IFRS2 –  
Share-based payment, relating to executive directors as follows: Erik Engstrom £2.7m (2011: £2.5m); mark Armour £2.1m  
(2011: £1.5m); and duncan Palmer £0.3m (2011: nil). these IFRS2 charges do not reflect the actual value received on vesting. 

details of directors’ remuneration are set out in the directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 74 to 90.

 31  Exchange rates

the following exchange rates have been applied in preparing the combined financial statements:

Euro to sterling
US dollars to sterling

Income statement 

statement of 
financial position

2012

1.23
1.59

2011

1.15
1.60

2012

1.23
1.62

2011

1.20
1.55

32  Approval of financial statements

the combined financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Boards of directors of Reed Elsevier PLC  
and Reed Elsevier NV on 27 February 2013.

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132 Financial statements and other inFormation

Independent audItors’ report

Independent auditors’ report
to the members of reed elsevier pLC and shareholders of reed elsevier nV

the procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, 
including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of 
the combined financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. 
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal 
control relevant to the entity’s preparation of the combined 
financial statements in order to design audit procedures that 
are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose 
of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s 
internal control.

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

opinion on the combined financial statements
In our opinion the combined financial statements:

ƒƒ give a true and fair view of the state of the combined 

businesses’ affairs as at 31 december 2012 and of their 
profit for the year then ended; and

ƒƒ have been properly prepared in accordance with IFrs as 

adopted by the european union.

other matter
We have also audited the information in the parts of the directors’ 
remuneration report presented in the reed elsevier annual 
reports and Financial statements (“the remuneration report”) 
that are described as having been audited. the separate audit 
reports on the consolidated financial statements of reed elsevier 
pLC and reed elsevier nV, which have been audited under locally 
adopted standards and which include the other opinions required 
by local laws and regulations, appear on pages 166 and 188.

douglas King (senior statutory auditor) 
For and on behalf of
deloitte llP 
Chartered accountants  
and statutory auditor 
London, united Kingdom 
27 February 2013

a sandler

deloitte accountants B.V.
amsterdam
the netherlands
27 February 2013 

report on the combined financial statements
We have audited the combined financial statements of reed 
elsevier pLC (registered in england and Wales), reed elsevier nV 
(registered in amsterdam), reed elsevier Group plc (registered 
in england and Wales), elsevier reed Finance BV (registered in 
amsterdam) and their respective subsidiaries, associates and 
joint ventures (together “the combined businesses”), for the year 
ended 31 december 2012 (“the combined financial statements”), 
which comprise the combined income statement, the combined 
statement of comprehensive income, the combined statement 
of cash flows, the combined statement of financial position, 
the combined statement of changes in equity, the significant 
accounting policies and the related notes 1 to 32.

our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
members of reed elsevier pLC and shareholders of reed elsevier 
nV those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report and for no other purpose. to the fullest extent permitted 
by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other 
than reed elsevier pLC and reed elsevier nV, and the members  
of reed elsevier pLC as a body and the shareholders of reed 
elsevier nV as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for 
the opinions we have formed.

responsibilities of directors
as explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
combined financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial reporting standards as adopted by the european union 
(“IFrs”) and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
and for such internal control as it determines is necessary to 
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

auditors’ responsibilities
our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
combined financial statements in accordance with International 
standards on auditing (uK and Ireland) as issued by the united 
Kingdom auditing practices Board, and dutch law, including the 
dutch standards on auditing. those standards require us to 
comply with our respective professions’ ethical requirements, 
including the auditing practices Board’s ethical standards for 
auditors and the International ethical standards Board of 
accountants Code of ethics. 

scope of the audit of the combined financial statements
an audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the combined financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the combined financial statements are 
free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or 
error. this includes an assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the combined businesses’ 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately 
disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates 
made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the 
combined financial statements. In addition, we read all the 
financial and non-financial information in the annual report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited combined 
financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for 
our report.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

133

Summary  
combined  
financial  
information  
in euros

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In this section

134 Combined income statement
134 Combined statement of  
comprehensive income

135 Combined statement of cash flows
136 Combined statement of  
financial position
137 Combined statement of  
changes in equity

138 Notes to the summary combined 
financial information in euros

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134 Financial statements and other information

COmBiNed FiNANCiAl StAtemeNtS iN euROS

Introduction

the Reed elsevier combined financial statements are presented in pounds sterling. this summary financial information presents the 
primary combined financial statements and selected notes in euros using the exchange rates provided in note 31 to the combined 
financial statements.

Combined income statement

Note

1

1

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Selling and distribution costs
Administration and other expenses

Operating profit before joint ventures
Share of results of joint ventures
Operating profit

Finance income
Finance costs
Net finance costs
disposals and other non operating items

Profit before tax
taxation
Net profit for the year

Attributable to:
Parent companies’ shareholders
Non-controlling interests
Net profit for the year

Combined statement of comprehensive income

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Net profit for the year

exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
transfer to net profit from cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax)
tax recognised directly in equity
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Parent companies’ shareholders
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income for the year

2012
€m

7,523
(2,631)

4,892
(1,249)
(2,002)

1,641
29
1,670

20
(286)
(266)
56

1,460
(139)
1,321

1,315
6
1,321

2012
€m

1,321

(102)
(405)
–
14
86
26
108
(273)
1,048

1,042
6
1,048

2011
€m

6,902
(2,445)

4,457
(1,236)
(1,870)

1,351
35
1,386

20
(290)
(270)
(26)

1,090
(208)
882

874
8
882

2011
€m

882

107
(130)
(1)
–
(28)
43
48
39
921

913
8
921

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Combined statement of cash flows

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
interest paid
interest received
tax paid (net)
Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
expenditure on internally developed intangible assets
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Gross proceeds from other disposals
Payments on other disposals
dividends received from joint ventures
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
dividends paid to shareholders of the parent companies
distributions to non-controlling interests
(decrease)/increase in short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
issuance of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Repayment of finance leases
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
Repurchase of ordinary shares
Proceeds on issue of ordinary shares
Net cash used in financing activities

Note

4

4

135

2012
€m

2011
€m

2,272
(284)
9
(266)
1,731

(389)
(86)
(323)
(9)
9
289
(101)
25
(585)

(641)
(5)
(534)
728
(538)
(5)
9
(308)
59
(1,235)

1,995
(284)
14
(251)
1,474

(553)
(98)
(305)
(11)
8
116
(24)
38
(829)

(572)
(10)
241
–
(285)
(25)
(55)
–
10
(696)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

4

(89)

(51)

Movement in cash and cash equivalents
At start of year
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
exchange translation differences
At end of year

871
(89)
6
788

868
(51)
54
871

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136 FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION

COmBiNed FiNANCiAl StAtemeNtS iN euROS

Combined statement of financial position

As AT 31 DECEMBER

Non-current assets
Goodwill
intangible assets
investments in joint ventures
Other investments
Property, plant and equipment
deferred tax assets
derivative financial instruments

Current assets
inventories and pre-publication costs
trade and other receivables
derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale
Total assets

Current liabilities
trade and other payables
derivative financial instruments
Borrowings
taxation
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
deferred tax liabilities
Net pension obligations
Provisions

liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Total liabilities
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Combined share capitals
Combined share premiums
Combined shares held in treasury
translation reserve
Other combined reserves
Combined shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Note

2012
€m

2011
€m

5,591
4,028
123
97
325
97
170
10,431

196
1,697
70
788
2,751
365
13,547

3,129
14
898
742
37
4,820

3,889
1,130
573
171
5,763
118
10,701
2,846

5,675
4,192
149
77
346
254
–
10,693

228
1,780
179
871
3,058
53
13,804

3,188
83
1,178
813
47
5,309

3,960
1,483
290
105
5,838
21
11,168
2,636

274
3,354
(1,106)
161
121
2,804
42
2,846

268
3,268
(796)
297
(431)
2,606
30
2,636

4

6

7

6

2
7

8

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Combined statement of changes in equity

137

Total 
equity
€m

2,305

921
(582)

10

31
–
6

32

8
(10)

–

–
–
6

–

30

6
(5)

–
–

–
–
11

1

(1)
42

–

2,636

1,048
(646)

59
(308)

38
–
11

9

(1)
2,846

Combined 
share 
capitals
€m
262

Combined 
share 
premiums
€m
3,222

Combined 
shares held 
in treasury
€m
(792)

Translation 
reserve
€m
229

Other 
combined 
reserves
€m

Combined 
share-
holders’
equity
€m

Non-
controlling 
interests
€m

(648)

2,273

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

6

–
–

10

–
–
–

–

36

268

3,268

–
–

1
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

58
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
8
–

–

(12)

(796)

–
–

–
(308)

–
9
–

–

107
–

806
(572)

913
(572)

–

31
(8)
–

10

31
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

(39)

297

(102)
–

9

–

(431)

2,606

1,144
(641)

1,042
(641)

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

38
(9)
–

8

59
(308)

38
–
–

8

5
274

28
3,354

(11)
(1,106)

(34)
161

12
121

–
2,804

(49)

(49)

(6)

(55)

Balance at 1 January 2011
total comprehensive  
income for the year

dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares,  
net of expenses
increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

Settlement of share awards
Acquisitions 
Acquisition of   

non-controlling interests

exchange differences  
on translation of  
capital and reserves

Balance at 1 January 2012
total comprehensive  
income for the year

dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares,  
net of expenses

Repurchase of ordinary shares
increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

Settlement of share awards
Acquisitions 
disposal of   

non-controlling interests

exchange differences  
on translation of  
capital and reserves
Balance at 31 December 2012

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138 FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION

NOteS tO the SummARy COmBiNed FiNANCiAl iNFORmAtiON iN euROS

Notes to the summary combined financial information  
in euros

1  Segment analysis

ANAlYsIs BY BusINEss sEgMENT

Revenue

Operating profit

Adjusted operating profit

Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business information
legal
exhibitions

Sub-total
Corporate costs
unallocated net pension financing credit
Total

2012
€m
2,538
1,139
815
1,980
1,051

7,523
–
–
7,523

2011
€m
2,367
1,044
799
1,879
813

6,902
–
–
6,902

2012
€m
868
346
93
180
210

1,697
(58)
31
1,670

2011
€m
799
208
78
166
152

1,403
(56)
39
1,386

2012
€m
960
482
146
288
258

2,134
(58)
31
2,107

2011
€m
883
416
127
263
192

1,881
(50)
39
1,870

Revenue is analysed before the €112m (2011: €147m) share of joint ventures’ revenue, of which €3m (2011: €2m) relates to Business 
information, €27m (2011: €26m) relates to legal , principally to Giuffrè and €82m (2011: €119m) relates to exhibitions.

Share of post-tax results of joint ventures of €29m (2011: €35m) included in operating profit comprises nil (2011: €1m) relating to 
Business information, €2m (2011: €5m) relating to legal and €27m (2011: €29m) relating to exhibitions. the unallocated net pension 
financing credit of €31m (2011: €39m) comprises the expected return on pension scheme assets of €272m (2011: €270m) less interest 
on pension scheme liabilities of €241m (2011: €231m).

ANAlYsIs OF REvENuE BY gEOgRAPHICAl ORIgIN

North America
united Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of europe
Rest of world
Total

ANAlYsIs OF REvENuE BY gEOgRAPHICAl MARkET

North America
united Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of europe
Rest of world
Total

ANAlYsIs OF REvENuE BY TYPE

Subscriptions
Circulation/transactions
Advertising
exhibitions
Other
Total

2012
€m

3,840
1,188
752
969
774
7,523

2012
€m

3,879
544
203
1,447
1,450
7,523

2012
€m

3,663
1,970
431
1,041
418
7,523

2011
€m

3,569
1,089
708
900
636
6,902

2011
€m

3,702
558
217
1,259
1,166
6,902

2011
€m

3,242
1,896
503
805
456
6,902

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

139

1  Segment analysis continued

ANAlYsIs BY BusINEss sEgMENT

Expenditure on
acquired goodwill and
intangible assets

Capital
expenditure
additions

Amortisation
of acquired
intangible assets

Depreciation and
other amortisation

Scientific, technical & medical
Risk Solutions
Business information
legal
exhibitions
Total

2012
€m
148
18
–
98
219
483

2011
€m
50
–
612
–
41
703

2012
€m
130
26
21
213
31
421

2011
€m
108
27
20
234
25
414

2012
€m
84
134
46
102
39
405

2011
€m
83
179
33
90
28
413

2012
€m
101
28
17
113
20
279

2011
€m
80
29
17
100
12
238

Capital expenditure comprises additions to property, plant and equipment and internally developed intangible assets. Amortisation of 
acquired intangible assets includes amounts in respect of joint ventures of €1m (2011: €5m) in exhibitions. Other than the depreciation 
and amortisation above, non cash items include €38m (2011: €31m) relating to the recognition of share based remuneration and 
comprise €6m (2011: €6m) in Scientific, technical & medical, nil (2011: €4m) in Risk Solutions, €4m (2011: €2m) in Business information, 
€8m (2011: €7m) in legal, €5m (2011: €3m) in exhibitions and €15m (2011: €9m) in Corporate.

ANAlYsIs OF NON-CuRRENT AssETs BY gEOgRAPHICAl lOCATION

North America
united Kingdom
the Netherlands
Rest of europe
Rest of world
Total

2012
€m

8,012
645
148
897
462
10,164

2011
€m

8,381
620
148
940
350
10,439

Non-current assets by geographical location exclude amounts relating to deferred tax assets and derivative financial intruments.

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140

FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION
NOteS tO the SummARy COmBiNed FiNANCiAl iNFORmAtiON iN euROS

Notes to the summary combined financial information  
in euros

2  Pension schemes

the pension expense recognised within the income statement comprises:

Service cost (including settlement and curtailment credits of €25m (2011: €10m))
interest on pension scheme liabilities
expected return on scheme assets

Net defined benefit pension expense
defined contribution pension expense
Total pension expense

2012
€m

53
241
(272)

22
57
79

2011
€m

65
231
(270)

26
45
71

the amount recognised in the statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension schemes at the start and end of the 
year and the movements during the year were as follows:

At start of year
Service cost 
interest on pension scheme liabilities
expected return on scheme assets
Actuarial (loss)/gain
Contributions by employer
Contributions by employees
Benefits paid
exchange translation differences
At end of year

Defined 
benefit 
obligations
€m

2012

Fair value 
of scheme 
assets
€m

Net pension 
obligations
€m

defined 
benefit 
obligations
€m

2011

Fair value 
of scheme 
assets
€m

Net pension 
obligations 
€m

(4,651)
(53)
(241)
–
(512)
–
(14)
266
(50)
(5,255)

4,361
–
–
272
107
143
14
(266)
51
4,682

(290)
(53)
(241)
272
(405)
143
–
–
1
(573)

(4,302)
(65)
(231)
–
(90)
–
(13)
162
(112)
(4,651)

4,103
–
–
270
(40)
76
13
(162)
101
4,361

(199)
(65)
(231)
270
(130)
76
–
–
(11)
(290)

the net pension obligations of €573m (2011: €290m) at 31 december 2012 comprise schemes in deficit with net pension obligations  
of €573m (2011: €290m) and schemes in surplus with net pension assets of nil (2011: nil).

As at 31 december 2012 the defined benefit obligations comprise €5,058m (2011: €4,465m) in relation to funded schemes and  
€197m (2011: €186m) in relation to unfunded schemes. 

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141

3  Adjusted figures

Reed elsevier uses adjusted figures as additional performance measures. Adjusted figures are stated before amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets, acquisition related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional 
prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) and movements in deferred taxation assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the 
near term and include the benefit of tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted operating 
profit is also grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures. Acquisition related costs relate to acquisition integration, 
professional and other transaction related fees, and adjustments to deferred and contingent consideration. Adjusted operating cash 
flow is measured after net capital expenditure and dividends from joint ventures but before payments in relation to prior year 
exceptional restructuring programmes and acquisition related costs. Adjusted figures are derived as follows:

Operating profit
Adjustments:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
Share of profit on disposals in joint ventures
Reclassification of tax in joint ventures

Adjusted operating profit

Profit before tax
Adjustments:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
Reclassification of tax in joint ventures
disposals and other non operating items

Adjusted profit before tax

Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders
Adjustments (post tax):

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
exceptional prior year tax credits
deferred tax credits on acquired intangible assets not expected to crystallise in the near term

Adjusted profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders

Cash generated from operations
dividends received from joint ventures
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
expenditure on internally developed intangible assets
Payments in relation to exceptional restructuring costs
Payments in relation to acquisition related costs
Adjusted operating cash flow

2012
€m

1,670

405
26
–
6
2,107

2011
€m

1,386

413
59
(1)
13
1,870

1,460

1,090

405
26
6
(56)
1,841

413
59
13
25
1,600

1,315

874

413
20
(127)
(118)
(103)
1,400

2,272
25
(86)
9
(323)
30
45
1,972

408
38
19
–
(120)
1,219

1,995
38
(98)
8
(305)
60
44
1,742

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142

FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION
NOteS tO the SummARy COmBiNed FiNANCiAl iNFORmAtiON iN euROS

Notes to the summary combined financial information  
in euros

4  Statement of cash flows

RECONCIlIATION OF OPERATINg PROFIT BEFORE jOINT vENTuREs TO CAsH gENERATED FROM OPERATIONs

Operating profit before joint ventures

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of internally developed intangible assets
depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share based remuneration
Total non cash items

decrease in inventories and pre-publication costs
decrease/(increase) in receivables
decrease in payables
Increase in working capital
Cash generated from operations

CAsH FlOw ON ACquIsITIONs

Purchase of businesses
investment in joint ventures
deferred payments relating to prior year acquisitions
Total

RECONCIlIATION OF NET BORROwINgs

At start of year 

2012
€m
1,641

404
186
93
38
721

26
5
(121)
(90)
2,272

2012
€m

(339)
(13)
(37)
(389)

2011
€m
1,351

408
152
86
31
677

37
(42)
(28)
(33)
1,995

2011
€m

(523)
(1)
(29)
(553)

Cash & cash 
equivalents
€m
871

Borrowings
€m
(5,138)

Related 
derivative 
financial 
instruments
€m
148

2012
€m
(4,119)

2011
€m
(4,043)

decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Net movement in short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
issuance of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Repayment of finance leases
Change in net borrowings resulting from cash flows

Borrowings in acquired businesses
inception of finance leases
Fair value and other adjustments to borrowings and related derivatives
exchange translation differences
At end of year

(89)
–
–
–
–
(89)

–
–
–
6
788

–
534
(728)
538
5
349

–
(16)
(5)
23
(4,787)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
6
(1)
153

(89)
534
(728)
538
5
260

–
(16)
1
28
(3,846)

(51)
(241)
–
285
25
18

(21)
(9)
9
(73)
(4,119)

Net borrowings comprise cash and cash equivalents, loan capital, finance leases, promissory notes, bank and other loans, and those 
derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge the fair value of fixed rate borrowings.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

143

5  Acquisitions

during the year a number of acquisitions were made for a total consideration of €419m (2011: €566m), after taking account of net 
cash acquired of €15m (2011: €28m). the net assets of the businesses acquired are incorporated at their fair value to the combined 
businesses. Provisional fair values of the consideration given and of the assets and liabilities acquired are summarised below.

Goodwill
intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment
Current assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Current tax
deferred tax
Net assets acquired
Consideration (after taking account of €15m (2011: €28m) net cash acquired)
less: consideration deferred to future years
less: acquisition date fair value of equity interest
Net cash flow

Fair 
value 
2012
€m

203
281
1
26
(75)
–
3
(20)
419
419
(28)
(52)
339

Fair
value
2011
€m

345
358
1
27
(53)
(21)
(1)
(90)
566
566
(31)
(12)
523

Goodwill, being the excess of the consideration over the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, represents benefits which do not 
qualify for recognition as intangible assets, including the ability of a business to generate higher returns than individual assets, skilled 
workforces, acquisition synergies that are specific to Reed elsevier, and high barriers to market entry. in addition, goodwill arises on 
the recognition of deferred tax liabilities in respect of intangible assets for which amortisation does not qualify for tax deductions.

the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are provisional pending the completion of the valuation exercises. Final fair values 
will be incorporated in the 2013 combined financial statements. there were no significant adjustments to the provisional fair values of 
prior year acquisitions established in 2011. 

the businesses acquired in 2012 contributed €90m to revenue, increased adjusted operating profit by €22m, increased adjusted net 
profit by €17m, decreased reported net profit by €12m, and contributed €2m to net cash inflow from operating activities for the part 
year under Reed elsevier ownership and before taking account of acquisition financing costs. had the businesses been acquired at 
the beginning of the year, on a pro forma basis the Reed elsevier revenues, adjusted operating profit, adjusted net profit and reported 
net profit for the year would have been €7,568m, €2,112m, €1,405m and €1,320m respectively before taking account of acquisition  
financing costs.

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144 FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION

NOteS tO the SummARy COmBiNed FiNANCiAl iNFORmAtiON iN euROS

Notes to the summary combined financial information  
in euros

6  Borrowings

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:

Short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Finance leases
Other loans

Other loans in fair value hedging relationships
Other loans previously in fair value hedging relationships
Total

2012

Falling due 
within  
1 year
€m

Falling due in 
more than  
1 year
€m

161
9
–
125
603
898

–
11
1,877
1,274
727
3,889

Total
€m

161
20
1,877
1,399
1,330
4,787

2011

Falling due 
within  
1 year
€m

Falling due in 
more than  
1 year
€m

715
2
461
–
–
1,178

–
7
1,759
1,445
749
3,960

total
€m

715
9
2,220
1,445
749
5,138

in 2012, €226m principal amount of term debt maturing in 2014 and 2019 was exchanged for €235m principal amount of term debt 
maturing in 2022 and cash payments of €57m. the exchange is treated as a debt modification for accounting purposes.  the premium 
arising of €66m is offset against the carrying amount of the newly issued term debt and will be amortised over its life.

the total fair value of financial liabilities measured at amortised cost is €2,455m (2011: €3,294m). the total fair value of other loans  
in fair value hedging relationships is €1,448m (2011: €1,484m). the total fair value of other loans previously in fair value hedging 
relationships is €1,462m (2011: €848m).

Analysis by year of repayment

2012

2011

short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts  
and 
commercial 
paper
€m
161

Other loans
€m
728

Finance 
leases
€m
9

–
–
–
–
–
–
161

792
219
492
442
1,933
3,878
4,606

7
4
–
–
–
11
20

Short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts 
and 
commercial 
paper
€m
715

Other loans
€m
461

Finance 
leases
€m
2

–
–
–
–
–
–
715

742
870
226
481
1,634
3,953
4,414

3
3
1
–
–
7
9

Total
€m
898

799
223
492
442
1,933
3,889
4,787

total
€m
1,178

745
873
227
481
1,634
3,960
5,138

Within 1 year

Within 1 to 2 years
Within 2 to 3 years
Within 3 to 4 years
Within 4 to 5 years
After 5 years

Total

Short term bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper were backed up at 31 december 2012 by a $2,000m (€1,514m) committed bank 
facility maturing in June 2015, which was undrawn.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

145

6  Borrowings continued

Analysis by currency

uS dollars
£ sterling
euro
Other currencies
Total

2012

2011

short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts and 
commercial 
paper
€m

Other loans
€m

Finance 
leases
€m

30
–
127
4
161

2,532
905
1,169
–
4,606

20
–
–
–
20

Short term 
bank loans, 
overdrafts and 
commercial 
paper
€m

Other loans
€m

Finance 
leases
€m

582
–
109
24
715

2,918
876
620
–
4,414

9
–
–
–
9

Total
€m

2,582
905
1,296
4
4,787

total
€m

3,509
876
729
24
5,138

included in the uS dollar amounts for other loans above is €427m (2011: €435m) of debt denominated in Swiss francs (ChF 500m;  
2011: ChF 500m) that was swapped into uS dollars on issuance and against which there are related derivative financial instruments 
which, as at 31 december 2012, had a fair value of €98m (2011: €100m).

7  Provisions

At start of year
transfers
Charged
utilised
exchange translation differences
At end of year

2012

Property
€m

Restructuring
€m

131
27
76
(30)
(2)
202

21
–
–
(15)
–
6

Total
€m

152
27
76
(45)
(2)
208

2011

Property
€m

Restructuring
€m

123
–
18
(14)
4
131

63
–
–
(42)
–
21

Property provisions relate to estimated sub lease shortfalls and guarantees given in respect of certain property leases for various 
periods up to 2024. the charge in 2012 of €76m (2011: €18m) predominantly relates to property exposures on disposed businesses.

At 31 december 2012 provisions are included within current and non-current liabilities as follows:

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total

2012
€m

37
171
208

total
€m

186
–
18
(56)
4
152

2011
€m

47
105
152

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146 FINANCIAl sTATEMENTs AND OTHER INFORMATION

NOteS tO the COmBiNed FiNANCiAl iNFORmAtiON iN euROS

Notes to the summary combined financial information  
in euros

8  Other combined reserves

At start of year 
Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders
dividends paid
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
tax recognised directly in equity
increase in share based remuneration reserve
Settlement of share awards
transfer from hedge reserve to net profit (net of tax)
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
exchange translation differences
At end of year

9  Exchange rates

Sterling to euro
uS dollars to euro

Hedge 
reserve
2012
€m

Other 
reserves
2012
€m

(58)
–
–
–
–
–
86
(23)
–
–
26
–
1
32

(373)
1,315
(641)
(405)
–
14
–
131
38
(9)
–
8
11
89

Total
2012
€m

(431)
1,315
(641)
(405)
–
14
86
108
38
(9)
26
8
12
121

total
2011
€m

(648)
874
(572)
(130)
(1)
–
(28)
48
31
(8)
43
(49)
9
(431)

Income statement

2012

0.81
1.29

2011

0.87
1.39

statement of
financial position

2012

0.81
1.32

2011

0.83
1.29

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

147

Reed Elsevier PLC 
Annual Report and 
Financial Statements

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In this section 

148 Directors’ report
154 Consolidated financial statements
158 Group accounting policies
159 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

166 Independent auditor’s report on the 

consolidated financial statements
167 Parent company financial statements
168 Notes to the parent company  

financial statements

169 Independent auditor’s report on the 
company financial statements

170 5 year summary

Company number: 77536

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148 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

ReeD elSevIeR PlC

Directors’ report

The Directors present their report, together with the financial 
statements of the group and company, for the year ended 
31 December 2012.

As a consequence of the merger of the company’s businesses with 
those of Reed elsevier Nv in 1993, described on page 66, the 
shareholders of Reed elsevier PlC and Reed elsevier Nv can be 
regarded as having the interests of a single economic group. The 
Reed elsevier combined financial statements represent the 
combined interests of both sets of shareholders and encompass 
the businesses of Reed elsevier Group plc, elsevier Reed  
Finance Bv and their respective subsidiaries, associates and joint 
ventures, together with the parent companies, Reed elsevier PlC 
and Reed elsevier Nv (“the combined businesses” or “Reed 
elsevier”). This Directors’ report and the financial statements of 
the group and company should be read in conjunction with the 
combined financial statements and other reports set out on pages 
1 to 132. A review of the Reed elsevier combined businesses and 
their performance in the year is set out on pages 8 to 37, a 
summary of the principal risks facing Reed elsevier is set out on 
pages 58 to 60, and the Reed elsevier statement on corporate 
responsibility is set out on pages 40 to 48.

Principal activities
The company is a holding company and its principal investments 
are its direct 50% shareholding in Reed elsevier Group plc and 
39% shareholding in elsevier Reed Finance Bv, which are engaged 
in publishing and information activities, and financing activities 
respectively. The remaining shareholdings in these two 
companies are held by Reed elsevier Nv. Reed elsevier PlC also 
has an indirect equity interest in Reed elsevier Nv. Reed elsevier 
PlC and Reed elsevier Nv have retained their separate legal 
identities and are publicly-held companies. Reed elsevier PlC’s 
securities are listed in london and New York and Reed elsevier 
Nv’s securities are listed in Amsterdam and New York.

Financial statement presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Reed elsevier PlC 
include the 52.9% economic interest that shareholders have under 
the equalisation arrangements in the Reed elsevier combined 
businesses, accounted for on an equity basis.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, dividends paid to Reed 
elsevier PlC and Reed elsevier Nv shareholders are, other than in 
special circumstances, equalised at the gross level inclusive of the 
UK tax credit received by certain Reed elsevier PlC shareholders. 
Because of the tax credit, Reed elsevier PlC normally requires 
proportionately less cash to fund its net dividend than Reed 
elsevier Nv does to fund its gross dividend. An adjustment is 
therefore required in the consolidated income statement of Reed 
elsevier PlC to share this tax benefit between the two sets of 
shareholders in accordance with the equalisation agreement. The 
equalisation adjustment arises on dividends paid by Reed elsevier 
PlC to its shareholders and it reduced the consolidated 
attributable earnings by £14m (2011: £13m), being 47.1% of the 
total amount of the tax credit.

In addition to the reported figures, adjusted profit figures are 
presented as additional performance measures used by 
management. These exclude the tax credit equalisation 
adjustment and, in relation to the results of joint ventures, the 
company’s share of amortisation of acquired intangible assets, 
acquisition related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non 
operating items, related tax effects, exceptional prior year tax 
credits (in 2012 only) and movements in deferred taxation assets 
and liabilities not expected to crystallise in the near term and 
include the benefit of tax amortisation where available on acquired 
goodwill and intangible assets.

consolidated income statement
Reed elsevier PlC’s shareholders’ 52.9% share of the adjusted 
profit before tax of the Reed elsevier combined businesses was 
£792m (2011: £736m). Reported profit before tax, including the 
Reed elsevier PlC shareholders’ share of amortisation charges, 
acquisition related costs and disposals and other non operating 
items, was £546m (2011: £390m). The increase reflects the 
improved trading performance, disposal gains and an exceptional 
prior year tax credit.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

149

At elsevier, double digit growth in submissions and usage drove 
good growth in scientific & medical research and databases & 
tools, with strong growth in emerging markets. Risk Solutions 
achieved strong growth in both insurance and business services, 
and a return to growth in the government segment. Business 
Information saw strong growth from our major data services, 
modest growth in marketing services and leading brands, and a 
moderation in the rate of decline in other magazines and services. 
legal revenue growth was positive despite subdued legal markets 
in the US and europe, with growth driven by online products and 
services. exhibitions had another good year, benefiting from 
biennial exhibition cycling, with moderate growth in europe, 
strong growth in the US and Japan, and double digit growth in 
most emerging markets. The overall adjusted operating margin 
was 0.9 percentage points higher despite organic investment in 
new product development and sales & marketing, reflecting the 
benefit to margin from portfolio change.  

dividends
The Board is recommending an equalised final dividend of 17.0p 
per ordinary share (2011: 15.9p). This gives total ordinary dividends 
for the year of 23.0p (2011: 21.55p). The final dividend will be paid 
on 23 May 2013 to shareholders on the Register on 3 May 2013.

Dividend cover, based on adjusted earnings per share and the total 
interim and proposed final dividends for the year, is 2.2 times. The 
Boards of the company and Reed elsevier Nv have adopted 
dividend policies in recent years in respect of their equalised 
dividends that, subject to currency considerations, grow dividends 
broadly in line with adjusted earnings per share whilst maintaining 
dividend cover (being the number of times the annual dividend is 
covered by the adjusted earnings per share) of at least 2.0 times 
over the longer term.

The total dividend paid on the ordinary shares in the financial year 
was £264m (2011: £248m).

Reed elsevier PlC’s shareholders’ share of the adjusted profit 
attributable of the combined businesses was £602m  
(2011: £561m). After deducting the company’s share of the post  
tax charge for amortisation of acquired intangible assets, and 
acquisition-related costs, disposal gains and losses and other 
non operating items, exceptional prior year tax credit (in 2012 only) 
and deferred taxes not expected to crystallise in the near term, the 
reported net profit for the year was £552m (2011: £389m). 

Adjusted earnings per share increased 7% to 50.1p (2011: 46.7p). At 
constant rates of exchange, the adjusted earnings per share were 
8% higher. Including the effect of the tax credit equalisation as well 
as amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition related 
costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, 
and tax adjustments, the basic earnings per share were 46.0p 
(2011: 32.4p).

consolidated statement of financial position
The consolidated statement of financial position of Reed elsevier 
PlC reflects its 52.9% economic interest in the net assets of Reed 
elsevier which as at 31 December 2012 was £1,206m 
(2011: £1,149m). The £57m increase in net assets reflects the 
company’s share in the comprehensive income of Reed elsevier 
partially offset by dividends paid and shares repurchased.

Parent company financial statements
The individual parent company financial statements of Reed 
elsevier PlC are presented on pages 167 to 169, and are prepared 
under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP). 
Parent company shareholders’ funds as at 31 December 2012 
were £3,490m (2011: £3,163m).

corporate governance
The company has complied throughout the year with the 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the 
Financial Reporting Council in May 2010 (the “UK Code”). The UK 
Code is publicly available at www.frc.org.uk. Details of how the 
principles of the UK Code have been applied and the Directors’ 
statement on internal control are set out in the Structure and 
Corporate Governance report on pages 66 to 72.

Details of the role and responsibilities, membership and activities 
of the Reed elsevier Audit Committees, including the company’s 
Audit Committee, are set out in the Report of the Audit Committees 
on pages 91 and 92.

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150 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

ReeD elSevIeR PlC

Directors’ report

directors
The following served as Directors of the company during the year:

A J Habgood (Chairman)
e engstrom (Chief executive Officer)
M H Armour (Chief Financial Officer until 15 November 2012, 
retired 31 December 2012)
D J Palmer (appointed 25 September 2012, Chief Financial Officer 
from 15 November 2012)
M W elliott
A N Hennah
l Hook
R B Polet
Sir David Reid (Senior Independent Director)
l S Sanford (appointed 4 December 2012)
B van der veer

Biographical details of the Directors at the date of this report are 
given on pages 62 and 63.

Directors are appointed in accordance with the Articles of 
Association (the "Articles"), which provide that any director 
appointed during the year holds office only until the next following 
Annual General Meeting ("AGM") and is then eligible for election  
by the shareholders. The company’s Articles provide that at every 
AGM of the company, one third of the directors (or if their number 
is not a multiple of three the number nearest to one third)  
shall retire from office and, if they wish, put themselves up for 
re-election by the shareholders. The UK Code recommends that 
all directors should seek re-election by shareholders annually. 
Accordingly, the Board has adopted this practice.

The office of director shall be vacated if he or she: (i) resigns; 
(ii) becomes bankrupt or compounds with his or her creditors 
generally; (iii) is or may be suffering from a mental illness; 
(iv) is prohibited by law from being a director; or (v) is removed 
from office pursuant to the company’s Articles. Subject to the 
shareholders’ rights to appoint individuals to the Board in 
accordance with the company’s Articles, no individual may be 
appointed to the Board unless such appointment is recommended 
by the Nominations Committee.

Mark elliott and Sir David Reid will retire as Directors at the 
conclusion of the AGM in April 2013 and will not seek re-election.

Duncan Palmer and linda Sanford were appointed to the Board in 
September and December respectively. In accordance with the 
Articles of Association, they will retire from the Board and stand 
for election at the Annual General Meeting in April 2013. 

In accordance with the provisions of the UK Code, all other 
Directors will retire from the Board at the AGM in 2013 and, being 
eligible, they will each offer themselves for re-election. Taking into 
account the assessment by the Corporate Governance Committee 
of the qualifications, performance and effectiveness of each 
individual Director seeking re-election, the Board has accepted a 
recommendation from the Nominations Committee that each 
Director be proposed for re-election at the 2013 AGM.

At the AGM held in April 2012, David Brennan was appointed a 
Non-executive Director which was to have been effective as of 
November 2012. As previously announced, David Brennan’s 
appointment has been postponed indefinitely for personal  
reasons at his request and by agreement with the Board. 

Following the postponement of David Brennan’s appointment,  
the Nominations Committee, in conjunction with an external 
consultant, continued the search for a Non-executive Director and 
recommended that Dr Wolfhart Hauser be proposed for election 
as a member of the Supervisory Board of Reed elsevier Nv and a 
Non-executive Director of Reed elsevier PlC at the respective 
AGMs in April 2013. Subject to his election at the AGMs, he will  
also be appointed as a Non-executive Director of Reed elsevier 
Group plc.

The notice period applicable to the service contracts of erik 
engstrom and Duncan Palmer is 12 months. The remaining 
Directors seeking re-election at the 2013 AGM do not have  
service contracts.

Details of Directors’ remuneration and their interests in the share 
capital of the company are provided in the Directors’ remuneration 
report on pages 74 to 90.

share capital
The company’s issued share capital comprises a single class  
of ordinary shares, all of which are listed on the london Stock 
exchange. All issued shares are fully paid up and carry no 
additional obligations or special rights. each share carries the 
right to one vote at general meetings of the company. In a general 
meeting, subject to any rights and restrictions attached to any 
shares, on a show of hands every member who is present in 
person shall have one vote and every proxy present who has been 
duly appointed by one or more members entitled to vote on the 
resolution has one vote (although a proxy has one vote for and one 
vote against the resolution if: (i) the proxy has been duly appointed 
by more than one member entitled to vote on the resolution; and (ii) 
the proxy has been instructed by one or more of those members to 
vote for the resolution and by one or more other of those members 
to vote against it). Subject to any rights or restrictions attached  
to any shares, on a vote on a resolution on a poll every member 
present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of 
which he is the holder. Proxy appointments and voting instructions 
must be received by the company’s registrars not less than 48 
hours before a general meeting. There are no specific restrictions 
on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, which are 
both governed by the general provisions of the Articles and 
prevailing legislation. The company is not aware of any 
agreements between shareholders that may result in restrictions 
on the transfer of shares or on voting rights attached to the shares.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

151

At the 2012 AGM, shareholders passed a resolution authorising 
the directors to allot shares up to a nominal value of £9m, 
representing less than 5% of the company’s issued share capital. 
Since the 2012 AGM no shares have been issued under this 
authority. The shareholder authority also permitted the Directors 
to allot shares in order to satisfy entitlements under employee 
share plans, and details of such allotments are noted below.  
The authority to allot shares will expire at the 2013 AGM, and  
a resolution to further extend the authority will be submitted  
to the shareholders at the 2013 AGM.

During the year, 6,684,412 ordinary shares in the company were 
issued in order to satisfy entitlements under employee share 
plans as follows:

ƒƒ 707,996 under a UK Save As You earn share option scheme  

at prices between 401.6p and 504p per share;

ƒƒ 5,097,939 under executive share option schemes at prices 

between 420p and 644.5p per share; and

ƒƒ 878,477 under the long Term Incentive Plan at prices between 

487.25p and 524.5p per share.

The issued share capital as at 31 December 2012 is shown in note 
12 to the consolidated financial statements.

authority to purchase shares 
At the 2012 AGM, shareholders passed a resolution authorising 
the purchase of up to 125.1 million ordinary shares in the company 
(representing less than 10% of the issued ordinary shares) by 
market purchase. During the year, 23.3 million were purchased 
under this authority. As at 31 December 2012 there were 
57,484,914 ordinary shares held in treasury, representing 4.57% 
of the issued ordinary shares. A further 8.1 million shares were 
purchased between 1 January 2013 and the date of this report. 
The authority to make market purchases will expire at the 2013 
AGM, and a resolution to further extend the authority will be 
submitted to the shareholders at the 2013 AGM.

Employee benefit trust
The Trustee of the Reed elsevier Group plc employee Benefit  
Trust held an interest in 13,451,468 ordinary shares in the 
company (representing 1.07% of the issued ordinary shares)  
as at 31 December 2012. The Trustee may vote or abstain from 
voting any shares it holds in any way it sees fit.

significant agreements – change of control
The Governing Agreement between Reed elsevier PlC and Reed 
elsevier Nv states that upon a change of control of Reed elsevier 
PlC (for these purposes, the acquisition by a third party of 50% or 
more of the issued share capital having voting rights), should there 
not be a comparable offer from the offeror for Reed elsevier Nv, 
Reed elsevier Nv may serve notice upon Reed elsevier PlC 
varying certain provisions of the Governing Agreement, including 
the governance and the standstill provisions.

There are a number of borrowing agreements including credit 
facilities that in the event of a change of control of both Reed 
elsevier PlC and Reed elsevier Nv and, in some cases, a 
consequential credit rating downgrade to sub-investment grade 
may, at the option of the lenders, require repayment and/or 
cancellation as appropriate.

Powers of directors
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the 
company’s Articles and any directions given by special 
resolutions, the business of the company shall be managed by  
the Board which may exercise all the powers of the company.

directors’ indemnity
In accordance with the company’s Articles, the company has 
granted Directors an indemnity, to the extent permitted by law,  
in respect of liabilities incurred as a result of their office. The 
company also purchased and maintained throughout the year 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself  
and its Directors.

substantial share interests
As at 27 February 2013, the company had been notified by the 
following shareholders that they held an interest of 3% or more  
in voting rights of the issued share capital of the company:

Related party transactions
Internal controls are in place to ensure that any related party 
transactions involving Directors or their connected persons are 
carried out on an arm’s length basis and are properly recorded.

ƒƒ Franklin Mutual Advisers, llC 

ƒƒ BlackRock Inc. 

ƒƒ Silchester International Investment 

ƒƒ lloyds Banking Group plc 

ƒƒ The Capital Group Companies Inc. 

ƒƒ legal & General Group plc  

 5.04%

5.03%

 3.99%

3.98%

3.90%

3.40%

The percentage interests stated above are as disclosed at the date 
on which the interests were notified to the company.

.

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152

FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon
ReeD elSevIeR PlC

Directors’ report

conflict of interest
The company’s Articles permit the Board to approve situations 
where a Director has an interest that conflicts, or may possibly 
conflict, with the interests of the company. The Board has 
established a formal system whereby the Nominations Committee 
considers and decides whether to authorise any such conflict or 
potential conflict, and whether to impose limits or conditions when 
giving authorisation. In reaching its decision, the Nominations 
Committee is required to act in a way it considers would be most 
likely to promote the success of the company.

creditor payment policy
Reed elsevier companies agree terms and conditions for business 
transactions with suppliers, including the terms of payment. Reed 
elsevier does not operate a standard code in respect of payments 
to suppliers. The average time taken to pay suppliers during the 
year was between 30 and 45 days (2011: between 30 and 45 days).

Financial statements and accounting records
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ report 
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

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

charitable donations
Through the Reed elsevier Cares programme, which concentrates 
on education for disadvantaged young people, Reed elsevier 
companies made donations during the year for charitable 
purposes amounting to £2.5m (2011: £2.4m) of which £0.4m  
(2011: £0.5m) was in the United Kingdom. Further information 
concerning the Reed elsevier Cares programme is available from 
the Reed elsevier Corporate Responsibility Report at reporting.
reedelsevier.com/cr12

In preparing the parent company financial statements, the 
Directors are required to: select suitable accounting policies and 
then apply them consistently; make judgements and accounting 
estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether 
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures being disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and prepare the financial statements on  
a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that 
the company will continue in business.

Political donations
Reed elsevier does not make donations to eU political 
organisations or incur eU political expenditure. In the United 
States, Reed elsevier companies donated £57,201 (2011: £53,550) 
to political organisations. In line with US law, these donations were 
not made at federal level, but only to candidates and political 
parties at the state and local levels.

In preparing the group financial statements, IAS1 requires that 
directors: properly select and apply accounting policies; present 
information, including accounting policies, in a manner that 
provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 
information; provide additional disclosures when compliance with 
the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial 
performance; and make an assessment of the company’s ability  
to continue as a going concern.

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

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

153

A commentary on the Reed elsevier combined businesses’  
cash flows, financial position and liquidity for the year ended  
31 December 2012 is set out in the Chief Financial Officer’s Report 
on pages 50 to 57. This shows that, after taking account of available 
cash resources and committed bank facilities that back up short 
term borrowings, none of Reed elsevier’s borrowings fall due 
within the next two years. Reed elsevier’s policies on liquidity, 
capital management and management of risks relating to interest 
rate, foreign exchange and credit exposures are set out on pages 
56 and 57. Further information on liquidity of the combined 
businesses can be found in note 18 of the combined financial 
statements. The principal risks facing Reed elsevier are set  
out on pages 58 to 60.

auditors
Resolutions for the re-appointment of Deloitte llP as auditors  
of the company and to authorise the Directors to fix their 
remuneration will be submitted to shareholders at the 2013 AGM.

By order of the Board 

Registered Office

henry Udow 
Company Secretary 
27 February 2013 

1-3 Strand
london 
WC2N 5JR

directors’ responsibility statement
The Board confirms that, to the best of its knowledge:

ƒƒ the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted 
by the european Union, give a true and fair view of the financial 
position and profit or loss of the group; and

ƒƒ the Directors’ report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the group, 
together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces.

Neither the company nor the Directors accept any liability to any 
person in relation to the Annual Report except to the extent that 
such liability could arise under english law. Accordingly, any 
liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any  
untrue or misleading statement or omission shall be determined 
in accordance with Section 90A of the Financial Services and 
Markets Act 2000.

disclosure of information to auditors
As part of the process of approving the company’s 2012 financial 
statements, the Directors have taken steps pursuant to section 
418(2) of the Companies Act 2006 to ensure that they are aware of 
any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s 
auditors are aware of that information. In that context, so far as  
the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information  
of which the company’s auditors are unaware.

Going concern
The Directors, having made appropriate enquiries, consider  
that adequate resources exist for the combined businesses to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and 
that, therefore, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis  
in preparing the 2012 financial statements. In reaching this 
conclusion, the Directors have had due regard to the combined 
businesses’ financial position as at 31 December 2012, the  
strong free cash flow of the combined businesses, Reed elsevier’s 
ability to access capital markets and the principal risks facing 
Reed elsevier.

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154 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Consolidated income statement

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Administrative expenses
effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings
share of results of joint ventures

Operating profit
Finance income

profit before tax
Taxation
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Note

1
2
11

5

6

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
share of joint ventures’ other comprehensive expense for year
total comprehensive income for the year

Earnings per ordinary share

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Basic earnings per share
diluted earnings per share

2012
£m

(2)
(14)
561

545
1

546
6
552

2012
£m

552
(146)
406

2011
£m

(2)
(13)
404

389
1

390
(1)
389

2011
£m

389
(14)
375

Note

8
8

2012
pence

46.0
45.4

2011
pence

32.4
32.1

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

155

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

cash flows from operating activities
cash used by operations
interest received
Tax paid
net cash used in operating activities

cash flows from investing activities
dividends received from joint ventures
net cash received from investing activities

cash flows from financing activities
equity dividends paid
repurchase of ordinary shares
proceeds on issue of ordinary shares
increase in net funding balances due from joint ventures
net cash used in financing activities

Note

10

11

7

10

2012
£m

2011
£m

(2)
1
(2)
(3)

694
694

(264)
(143)
33
(317)
(691)

(2)
1
(1)
(2)

600
600

(248)
–
8
(358)
(598)

movement in cash and cash equivalents

–

–

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156 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 decemBer

non-current assets
investments in joint ventures
total assets

current liabilities
Taxation
total liabilities
net assets

capital and reserves
called up share capital
share premium account
shares held in treasury (including in joint ventures)
capital redemption reserve
Translation reserve
Other reserves
total equity

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of directors, 27 February 2013.

a J habgood
chairman

d J Palmer
chief Financial Officer

Note

11

12

13

2012
£m

1,207
1,207

1
1
1,206

181
1,208
(447)
4
87
173
1,206

2011
£m

1,158
1,158

9
9
1,149

180
1,176
(308)
4
159
(62)
1,149

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

157

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Note

7

7

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Balance at 1 January 2011
Total comprehensive income for the year
equity dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
share of joint ventures’ increase in share 

based remuneration reserve

share of joint ventures’ settlement of share 
awards by the employee benefit trust

share of joint ventures’ acquisition of 

non-controlling interests

equalisation adjustments

Balance at 1 January 2012
Total comprehensive income for the year
equity dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
repurchase of ordinary shares
share of joint ventures’ increase in share 

based remuneration reserve

share of joint ventures’ settlement of share 
awards by the employee benefit trust

share of joint ventures’ disposal of 
non-controlling interests

equalisation adjustments
Balance at 31 december 2012

share
capital
£m

share
premium
£m

shares
held in
treasury
£m

capital
redemption
reserve
£m

translation
reserve
£m

other
reserves
£m

total equity
£m

180
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

180
–
–
1
–

–

–

–
–
181

1,168
–
–
8

–

–

–
–

1,176
–
–
32
–

–

–

–
–
1,208

(312)
–
–
–

–

4

–
–

(308)
–
–
–
(143)

–

4

–
–
(447)

4
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

4
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
4

142
17
–
–

–

–

–
–

159
(72)
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
87

(154)
358
(248)
–

14

(4)

(23)
(5)

(62)
478
(264)
–
–

16

(4)

3
6
173

1,028
375
(248)
8

14

–

(23)
(5)

1,149
406
(264)
33
(143)

16

–

3
6
1,206

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158 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Group accounting policies

Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention in accordance with applicable 
accounting standards. They report the consolidated statements of 
income, cash flow and financial position of reed elsevier plc, and 
have been prepared in accordance with international Financial 
reporting standards (iFrs) as adopted by the european Union and 
as issued by the international Accounting standards Board (iAsB). 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis, as explained on page 153.

Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts shown in the financial 
statements are in millions of pounds.

The basis of the merger of the businesses of reed elsevier plc 
and reed elsevier Nv is set out on page 66.

determination of profit
The reed elsevier plc share of the reed elsevier combined 
results has been calculated on the basis of the 52.9% economic 
interest of the reed elsevier plc shareholders in the reed 
elsevier combined businesses, after taking account of results 
arising in reed elsevier plc and its subsidiaries. dividends paid  
to reed elsevier plc and reed elsevier Nv shareholders are, 
other than in special circumstances, equalised at the gross level 
inclusive of the UK tax credit received by certain reed elsevier 
plc shareholders. 

in reed elsevier plc’s consolidated financial statements, an 
adjustment is required to equalise the benefit of the tax credit 
between the two sets of shareholders in accordance with the 
equalisation agreement. This equalisation adjustment arises  
on dividends paid by reed elsevier plc to its shareholders  
and reduces the consolidated attributable earnings by 47.1%  
of the total amount of the tax credit.

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
combined financial statements are set out on pages 98 to 103.

investments
reed elsevier plc’s 52.9% economic interest in the net assets  
of the combined businesses has been shown on the statement  
of financial position as investments in joint ventures, net of the 
assets and liabilities reported as part of reed elsevier plc and  
its subsidiaries. investments in joint ventures are accounted for 
using the equity method.

Foreign exchange translation
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of 
exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. At each 
statement of financial position date, monetary assets and 
liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rate prevailing on the statement of financial 
position date. exchange differences arising are recorded in the 
income statement. The exchange gains or losses relating to the 
retranslation of reed elsevier plc’s 52.9% economic interest  
in the net assets of the combined businesses are classified as 
equity and transferred to the translation reserve.

When foreign operations are disposed of, the related cumulative 
translation differences are recognised within the income 
statement in the period.  

taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax payable on the 
current year taxable profits, adjustments in respect of prior year 
taxable profits and the movements on deferred tax that are 
recognised in the income statement. Tax arising in joint ventures  
is included in the share of results of joint ventures.

The tax payable on current year taxable profits is calculated using 
the applicable tax rate that has been enacted, or substantively 
enacted, by the date of the statement of financial position.

deferred tax is the tax arising on differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and 
their corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable 
profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability 
method. deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all 
taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that, based on current forecasts, it is 
probable that taxable profits will be available against which 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised. deferred tax  
is not recognised on temporary differences arising in respect  
of goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes.

deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
substantively enacted at the date of the statement of financial 
position. Full provision is made for deferred tax which would 
become payable on the distribution of retained profits from  
foreign subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures.

Movements in deferred tax are charged or credited in the income 
statement, except when they relate to items charged or credited 
directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognised 
in equity. deferred tax credits in respect of share based 
remuneration are recognised in equity to the extent that expected 
tax deductions exceed the related expense.

critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
critical judgements in the preparation of the combined financial 
statements are set out on pages 101 to 103.

standards, amendments and interpretations not yet effective
recently issued standards, amendments and interpretations and 
their impact on future accounting policies and reporting have been 
considered on page 103 of the combined financial statements.

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

159

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

1  Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses include £877,000 (2011: £799,000) paid in the year to reed elsevier Group plc under a contract for the services 
of directors and administrative support. reed elsevier plc has no employees (2011: nil).

2  Effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings

The tax credit equalisation adjustment arises on ordinary dividends paid by reed elsevier plc to its shareholders and reduces the 
consolidated profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by 47.1% of the total amount of the tax credit, as set out in the accounting 
policies on page 158.

3  Auditor’s remuneration

Audit fees payable by reed elsevier plc were £28,000 (2011: £28,000). Further information on the audit and non audit fees paid by the 
reed elsevier combined businesses to deloitte llp and its associates is set out in note 3 to the combined financial statements.

4  Related party transactions

All transactions with joint ventures, which are related parties of reed elsevier plc, are reflected in these financial statements.  
Key management personnel are also related parties and comprise the executive directors of reed elsevier plc. Transactions  
with key management personnel are set out in note 30 to the combined financial statements.

5  Finance income

Finance income from joint ventures

6  Taxation

UK corporation tax (credit)/expense

A reconciliation of the notional tax charge based on the applicable rate of tax to the actual total tax expense is set out below.

profit before tax
Tax at applicable rate 24.5% (2011: 26.5%)
Tax at applicable rate on share of results of joint ventures
Other
tax (credit)/expense

2012
£m
546
134
(137)
(3)
(6)

2012
£m

1

2011
£m

1

2012
£m

(6)

2011
£m

1

2011
£m
390
103
(107)
5
1

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160 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

7  Equity dividends

ordinarY dividends declared in the Year

Ordinary shares 

Final for prior financial year
interim for financial year

total

2012
pence

2011
pence

15.9p
6.0p
21.9p

15.0p
5.65p
20.65p

2012
£m

191
73
264

2011
£m

180
68
248

The directors of reed elsevier plc have proposed a final dividend of 17.0p (2011: 15.9p). The cost of funding the proposed final dividend  
is expected to be £202m. No liability has been recognised at the statement of financial position date.

ordinarY dividends Paid and ProPosed relating to the Financial Year

Ordinary shares 
interim (paid)
Final (proposed)

total

8  Earnings per ordinary share (“EPS”)

2012
pence

2011
pence

6.0p
17.0p
23.0p

5.65p
15.9p
21.55p

Basic earnings per share
Based on 52.9% interest in total operations  

of the combined businesses

diluted earnings per share

2012

2011

Weighted 
average  
number of
shares
(millions)

1,200.6

1,200.6
1,215.1

earnings
£m

552

566
552

ePs
pence

46.0

47.1
45.4

Weighted 
average  
number of
shares
(millions)

1,202.0

1,202.0
1,211.7

earnings
£m

389

402
389

eps
pence

32.4

33.4
32.1 

The diluted eps figures are calculated after taking account of the effect of potential additional ordinary shares arising from share 
options and conditional shares.  

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

161

8  Earnings per ordinary share (“EPS”) continued

The weighted average number of shares is after deducting shares held in treasury. Movements in the number of shares in issue net 
of treasury shares for the year ended 31 december 2012 are shown below.

nUmBer oF ordinarY shares

Year ended 31 december

At start of year
issue of ordinary shares
repurchase of ordinary shares
Net release of shares by the employee benefit trust
at end of year
Weighted average number of equivalent ordinary shares during the year

9  Adjusted figures

shares in
issue
(millions)

1,250.9
6.7
–
–
1,257.6

treasury
shares
(millions)

(48.3)
–
(23.3)
0.6
(71.0)

2012
shares in
issue net of
treasury
shares
(millions)

2011
shares in
issue net of
treasury
shares
(millions)

1,202.6
6.7
(23.3)
0.6
1,186.6
1,200.6

1,200.4
1.6
–
0.6
1,202.6
1,202.0

Adjusted profit and earnings per share figures are used by management as additional performance measures. The adjusted figures 
are derived as follows:

reported figures
effect of tax credit equalisation on distributed earnings
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders based on 52.9% economic  

interest in the reed elsevier combined businesses

share of adjustments in joint ventures:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
exceptional prior year tax credit
deferred tax adjustments

adjusted figures

Profit attributable to 
ordinary shareholders

Basic earnings 
per share

2012 
£m

552
14

566

178
8
(55)
(51)
(44)
602

2011
£m

389
13

402

188
17
8
–
(54)
561

2012 
pence

46.0
1.1

2011
pence

32.4
1.0

47.1

33.4

14.8
0.7
(4.6)
(4.2)
(3.7)
50.1

15.6
1.5
0.7
–
(4.5)
46.7

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162 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

10  Statement of cash flows

reconciliation oF administrative exPenses to cash Used BY oPerations

Administrative expenses
cash used by operations

reconciliation oF net FUnding Balances dUe From Joint ventUres

At start of year
cash flow
at end of year

11  Investments in joint ventures

share of results of joint ventures
share of joint ventures’ other comprehensive expense
share of joint ventures’ disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
share of joint ventures’ increase in share based remuneration reserve
equalisation adjustments
dividends received from joint ventures
increase in net funding balances due from joint ventures
Net movement in the year
At start of year
at end of year

2012
£m

(2)
(2)

2012
£m

632
317
949

2012
£m

561
(146)
3
16
(8)
(694)
317
49
1,158
1,207

2011
£m

(2)
(2)

2011
£m

274
358
632

2011
£m

404
(14)
(23)
14
(18)
(600)
358
121
1,037
1,158

during the year the company received dividends of £394m from elsevier reed Finance Bv and £300m from reed elsevier Group plc.

summarised information showing total amounts in respect of joint ventures and reed elsevier plc shareholders’ 52.9% share is  
set out below. 

revenue
net profit for the year

total joint ventures

2012 
£m

6,116
1,074

2011
£m

6,002
767

reed elsevier Plc
shareholders’ share

2012 
£m

3,235
561

2011
£m

3,175
404

reed elsevier plc’s share of joint ventures’ net profit attributable to parent company shareholders for the year excludes the net profit 
that arose directly in reed elsevier plc of £5m (2011: £2m loss). 

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

163

11  Investments in joint ventures continued

Total assets
Total liabilities
net assets
Attributable to:
Joint ventures
Non-controlling interests

Funding balances due from joint ventures
total

total joint ventures

reed elsevier Plc
shareholders’ share

2012 
£m

11,014
(8,700)
2,314

2,280
34
2,314

2011
£m

11,503
(9,306)
2,197

2,172

25  
2,197  

2012 
£m

5,826
(5,568)
258

258
–
258
949
1,207

2011
£m

6,085
(5,559)
526

526
–
526
632
1,158

The above amounts exclude assets and liabilities held directly by reed elsevier plc and include the counterparty balances of amounts 
owed to and by other reed elsevier businesses. included within reed elsevier plc’s share of assets and liabilities are cash and cash 
equivalents of £339m (2011: £384m) and borrowings of £2,059m (2011: £2,265m) respectively.

12  Share capital and shares held in treasury

aUthorised

Ordinary shares of 1451⁄116p each
Unclassified shares of 1451⁄116p each
total

no. of shares

1,257,597,977
787,158,643

All of the ordinary shares rank equally with respect to voting rights and rights to receive dividends. There are no restrictions on the 
rights to transfer shares.

called UP share caPital – issUed and FUllY Paid

At start of year
issue of ordinary shares
at end of year

no. of shares

1,250,913,565
6,684,412
1,257,597,977

2012
£m

180
1
181

No. of shares

1,249,286,224
1,627,341
1,250,913,565

£m

181
113
294

2011
£m

180
–
180

The issue of ordinary shares relates to the exercise of share options. details of share option and conditional share schemes are set out 
in note 6 to the reed elsevier combined financial statements.

At 31 december 2012, shares held in treasury related to 13,451,468 (2011: 14,051,025) reed elsevier plc ordinary shares held by the 
reed elsevier Group plc employee Benefit Trust (eBT); and 57,484,915 (2011: 34,196,298) reed elsevier plc ordinary shares held by 
the parent company. 

The eBT purchases reed elsevier plc shares which, at the Trustee’s discretion, can be used in respect of the exercise of share options 
and to meet commitments under conditional share awards. At 31 december 2012, reed elsevier plc shares held by the eBT were £84m 
(2011: £88m). 

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164 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

13  Other reserves

At start of year
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
share of joint ventures’:

Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
Transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
Tax recognised directly in equity
increase in share based remuneration reserve
settlement of share awards
Transfer to net profit from cash flow hedge reserve
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests

equalisation adjustments
equity dividends paid
at end of year

2012
£m

(62)
552

(174)
–
6
37
46
16
(4)
11
3
6
(264)
173

2011
£m

(154)
389

(60)
(1)
–
(12)
22
14
(4)
20
(23)
(5)
(248)
(62)

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

165

14  Contingent liabilities

There are contingent liabilities in respect of borrowings of joint ventures guaranteed by reed elsevier plc as follows:

guaranteed jointly and severally with reed elsevier nv

2012
£m

3,595

2011
£m

3,920

Financial instruments disclosures in respect of the borrowings covered by the above guarantees are given in note 18 to the reed elsevier 
combined financial statements.

15  Principal joint ventures

reed elsevier group plc
incorporated and operating in Great Britain
1-3 strand
london Wc2N 5Jr
Holding company for operating businesses involved in  
science & medical, risk management, legal and business 
publishing and organisation of trade exhibitions
elsevier reed Finance Bv
incorporated in the Netherlands
radarweg 29
1043 NX Amsterdam, the Netherlands  
Holding company for financing businesses

18,385 ordinary r shares
18,385 ordinary e shares
100,000 7.5% cumulative preference non voting shares

equivalent to a 50% equity interest

133 ordinary r shares
205 ordinary e shares

equivalent to a 39% equity interest

The e shares in reed elsevier Group plc and elsevier reed Finance Bv are owned by reed elsevier Nv.

16  Principal subsidiary

reed holding Bv
incorporated in the Netherlands
radarweg 29
1043 NX Amsterdam, the Netherlands

191 ordinary shares

% holding

100%
–
100%

100%
–

% holding

100%

At 31 december 2012 reed Holding Bv owned 4,240,838 (2011: 4,303,179) shares of a separate class in reed elsevier Nv.  
The equalisation arrangements entered into between reed elsevier plc and reed elsevier Nv at the time of the merger give  
reed elsevier plc a 5.8% economic interest in reed elsevier Nv.

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166 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

Independent auditor’s report on the consolidated  
financial statements to the members of reed elsevier plc

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of 
reed elsevier plc for the year ended 31 december 2012 
(“the consolidated financial statements”), which comprise the 
consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of cash flows, 
the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity, the group accounting policies 
and the related notes 1 to 16. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
international Financial reporting standards ("iFrss") as adopted 
by the european Union. 

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

respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the consolidated financial statements and for being satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and international standards on Auditing (UK and ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing practices 
Board’s ethical standards for Auditors.

scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free 
from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. 
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies 
are appropriate to the group’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the 
directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
in addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information 
in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements. if we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

opinion on financial statements
in our opinion the consolidated financial statements:

ƒƒ give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s affairs as at 
31 december 2012 and of its profit for the year then ended;

ƒƒ have been properly prepared in accordance with iFrs as 

adopted by the european Union; and

ƒƒ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the iAs regulation.

opinion on other matter prescribed by the companies act 2006
in our opinion the information given in the directors’ report for  
the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared 
is consistent with the consolidated financial statements.

matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:

ƒƒ certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

ƒƒ we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Under the listing rules we are required to review:

ƒƒ the directors’ statement, contained within the structure and 
corporate Governance report in relation to going concern; 

ƒƒ the part of the corporate Governance report relating to the 
company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
corporate Governance code specified for our review; and

ƒƒ certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board 

on directors’ remuneration.

other matter
We have reported separately on the parent company financial 
statements of reed elsevier plc for the year ended 31 december 
2012 and on the information in the parts of the directors’ 
remuneration report presented in the reed elsevier Annual 
reports and Financial statements 2012 that are described as 
having been audited.

douglas King (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of 
deloitte llP
chartered Accountants and statutory Auditor
london 
United Kingdom
27 February 2013

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Parent company balance sheet

AS AT 31 DECEMBER

Fixed assets
Investments in subsidiary undertakings
Investments in joint ventures

Current assets
Debtors: amounts due from joint ventures

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Taxation
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

Net current assets
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Shares held in treasury
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Profit and loss reserve
Shareholders’ funds

Note

1
1

2012
£m

309
2,310
2,619

949
949

(1)
(77)
(78)
871
3,490

181
1,208
(367)
4
150
2,314
3,490

The parent company financial statements were approved by the Board of directors, 27 February 2013.

A J Habgood
Chairman

D J Palmer
Chief Financial Officer

Parent company reconciliation of shareholders’ funds

At 1 January 2011
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
Equity dividends paid
Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
Equity instruments granted to employees of 

combined businesses

At 1 January 2012
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
Equity dividends paid
Repurchase of ordinary shares
Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
Equity instruments granted to employees of 

combined businesses

At 31 December 2012

Share
capital
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Shares
held in
treasury
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Other
reserves
£m

Profit
and loss
reserve
£m

180
–
–
–

–
180
–
–
–
1

–
181

1,168
–
–
8

–
1,176
–
–
–
32

–
1,208

(224)
–
–
–

–
(224)
–
–
(143)
–

–
(367)

4
–
–
–

–
4
–
–
–
–

–
4

134
–
–
–

14
148
–
–
–
–

2
150

1,529
598
(248)
–

–
1,879
699
(264)
–
–

–
2,314

167

2011
£m

309
2,308
2,617

632
632

(9)
(77)
(86)
546
3,163

180
1,176
(224)
4
148
1,879
3,163

Total
£m

2,791
598
(248)
8

14
3,163
699
(264)
(143)
33

2
3,490

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168 FiNANCiAl STATEMENTS AND OTHER iNFORMATiON

REED ElSEvIER PlC

Parent company accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The parent company financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention in accordance with UK 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP). Unless 
otherwise indicated, all amounts in the financial statements are 
in millions of pounds.

The parent company financial statements are prepared on a 
going concern basis, as explained on page 153.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
company has not presented its own profit and loss account.

The Reed Elsevier PlC accounting policies under UK GAAP 
are set out below.

investments
Fixed asset investments in the Reed Elsevier combined 
businesses are stated at cost, less provision, if appropriate, for 
any impairment in value. The fair value of the award of share 
options and conditional shares over Reed Elsevier PlC ordinary 
shares to employees of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses 
are treated as a capital contribution.

Principal joint ventures and subsidiaries are set out in notes 15 and 
16 of the Reed Elsevier PlC consolidated financial statements.

Shares held in treasury
The consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, for 
shares repurchased is recognised as shares held in treasury and 
presented as a deduction from total equity. Details of share capital 
and shares held in treasury are set out in note 12 of the Reed 
Elsevier PlC consolidated financial statements and note 28 of 
the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements.

Foreign exchange translation
Transactions entered into in foreign currencies are recorded at 
the exchange rates applicable at the time of the transaction.

Taxation
Deferred taxation is provided in full for timing differences using 
the liability method. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to 
the extent that they are considered recoverable in the short term. 
Deferred taxation balances are not discounted.

Notes to the parent company financial statements

1  Investments

At 1 January 2011
Equity instruments granted to Reed Elsevier employees

At 1 January 2012
Equity instruments granted to Reed Elsevier employees
At 31 December 2012

Subsidiary
undertaking
£m

Joint
ventures
£m

309
–

309
–
309

2,304
4

2,308
2
2,310

Total
£m

2,613
4

2,617
2
2,619

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   168

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

169

Independent auditor report on the parent company 
financial statements to the members of Reed Elsevier PLC

We have audited the parent company financial statements of 
Reed Elsevier PLC for the year ended 31 December 2012 (“the 
company financial statements”) which comprise the parent 
company balance sheet, the parent company reconciliation of 
shareholders’ funds, the parent company accounting policies and 
the related note on page 168. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the parent company financial statements and for being satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
and express an opinion on the parent company financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require 
us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical 
Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free 
from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. 
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies 
are appropriate to the parent company’s circumstances and 
have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the 
directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information 
in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the parent company financial statements:

ƒƒ give a true and fair view of the state of the parent company’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2012 and of its profit for the year 
then ended;

ƒƒ have been properly prepared in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

ƒƒ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements  

of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

ƒƒ the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 

has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; and

ƒƒ the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial 

year for which the financial statements are prepared is 
consistent with the parent company financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters 
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if,  
in our opinion:

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

ƒƒ the parent company financial statements and the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

ƒƒ certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

ƒƒ we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Other matter
We have reported separately on the consolidated financial 
statements of Reed Elsevier PLC for the year ended 31 December 
2012. 

Douglas King (Senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of 
Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
London 
United Kingdom
27 February 2013

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170 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier plc

5 year summary

combined financial information
revenue – continuing operations
reported operating profit – continuing operations
Adjusted operating profit – continuing operations
reported profit attributable to shareholders – total operations
Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders – total operations
reed elsevier Plc consolidated financial information
reported profit attributable to shareholders
Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders
reported earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (pence)
dividend per ordinary share (pence)

Note

2
2
2

3
4
3
4
5

2012
£m

6,116
1,358
1,713
1,069
1,138

552
602
46.0p
50.1p
23.0p

2011
£m

6,002
1,205
1,626
760
1,060

389
561
32.4p
46.7p
21.55p

2010
£m

6,055
1,090
1,555
642
983

327
520
27.3p
43.4p
20.4p

2009
£m

6,071
787
1,570
391
982

195
519
17.2p
45.9p
20.4p

2008
£m

5,334
901
1,379
476
919

241
486
22.1p
44.6p
20.3p

(1)  Adjusted figures are presented as additional performance measures used by management and are stated before amortisation  

and impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, exceptional restructuring (2008 - 2010) and acquisition related costs, 
exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only), and in respect of attributable profit, reflect a tax rate that excludes the effect of 
movements in deferred taxation assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and include the benefit of 
tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. Acquisition related finance costs and profit and loss 
from disposal gains and losses and other non operating items are also excluded from the adjusted figures.

(2)  revenue, reported operating profit and adjusted operating profit are presented for continuing operations. Net profit from 

discontinued operations is included in profit attributable to shareholders.

(3)  reported profit attributable to shareholders and reported earnings per share are based on the 52.9% share of the reed elsevier 
combined profit attributable to shareholders, adjusted to equalise the benefit of the UK dividend tax credit with reed elsevier Nv 
shareholders as a reduction in reported profits.

(4)  Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders and adjusted earnings per share are based on the 52.9% share of the reed elsevier 

combined profit attributable to reed elsevier plc shareholders.

(5)  dividend per ordinary share is based on the interim dividend and proposed final dividend for the relevant year, and does not include 

the 82.0p per share special distribution in 2008.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2011

171

Reed Elsevier NV 
Annual Report and 
Financial Statements

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In this section

172 Report of the Supervisory Board and the 

Executive Board

176 Consolidated financial statements
178 Group accounting policies
180 Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements

188 Independent auditor’s report on the 

consolidated financial statements
189 Parent company financial statements
190 Parent company accounting policies
191 Notes to the parent company financial 

statements

192 Additional information
193 Independent auditor’s report on the 

parent company financial statements

194 5 year summary

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Reed Elsevier 2012.indb  171

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172 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

REEd ElSEvIER Nv

Report of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board

The Supervisory Board and the Executive Board (which jointly 
make up “the Combined Board”) present their joint report, 
together with the financial statements of the group and of the 
company, for the year ended 31 december 2012.

As a consequence of the merger of the company’s businesses with 
those of Reed Elsevier PlC in 1993, described on page 66, the 
shareholders of Reed Elsevier Nv and Reed Elsevier PlC can be 
regarded as having the interests of a single economic group. The 
Reed Elsevier combined financial statements represent the 
combined interests of both sets of shareholders and encompass 
the businesses of Reed Elsevier Group plc, Elsevier Reed Finance 
Bv and their respective subsidiaries, associates and joint 
ventures, together with the parent companies, Reed Elsevier Nv 
and Reed Elsevier PlC (“the combined businesses” or “Reed 
Elsevier”).

This report of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board and 
the consolidated and parent company financial statements should 
be read in conjunction with the Reed Elsevier combined financial 
statements and other reports set out on pages 1 to 146, which are 
incorporated by reference herein. Summary combined financial 
information in euros is set out on pages 133 to 146. The combined 
financial statements on pages 93 to 132 are to be considered as 
part of the notes to the statutory financial statements. The annual 
report of Reed Elsevier Nv within the meaning of article 2:391 of 
the dutch Civil Code consists of pages 171 to 175 and, incorporated 
by reference, pages 1 to 146. The Corporate Governance 
Statement of Reed Elsevier Nv dated 27 February 2013 is 
published on the Reed Elsevier website (www.reedelsevier.com) 
and is incorporated by reference herein as per the 
vaststellingsbesluit nadere voorschriften inhoud jaarverslag 
January 2010 article 2a under 1 sub b.

Principal activities
The company is a holding company and its principal investments 
are its direct 50% shareholding in Reed Elsevier Group plc and its 
direct 61% shareholding in Elsevier Reed Finance Bv, which are 
engaged in publishing and information activities and financing 
activities respectively. The remaining shareholdings in these two 
companies are held by Reed Elsevier PlC.

Reed Elsevier Nv and Reed Elsevier PlC have retained their 
separate legal identities and are publicly held companies. Reed 
Elsevier Nv’s securities are listed in Amsterdam and New York 
and Reed Elsevier PlC’s securities are listed in london and 
New York.

Financial statement presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Reed Elsevier Nv include 
the 50% economic interest that its shareholders (including Reed 
Elsevier PlC, which has an indirect 5.8% interest in the company) 
have under the equalisation arrangements in the Reed Elsevier 
combined businesses, accounted for on an equity basis.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, dividends paid to Reed 
Elsevier Nv and Reed Elsevier PlC shareholders are, other than in 
special circumstances, equalised at the gross level inclusive of the 
UK tax credit received by certain Reed Elsevier PlC shareholders.

In addition to the reported figures, adjusted profit figures are 
presented as additional performance measures used by 
management. These exclude, in relation to the results of joint 
ventures, the company’s share of amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets, acquisition related costs, disposal gains and 
losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, 
exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) and movements in 
deferred taxation assets and liabilities not expected to crystallise 
in the near term and include the benefit of tax amortisation where 
available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets.

consolidated income statement 
Reed Elsevier Nv’s shareholders’ 50% share of the adjusted profit 
before tax of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses was €921m 
(2011: €800m). Reported profit before tax, including the Reed 
Elsevier Nv shareholders’ share of amortisation, acquisition related 
costs and disposals and non operating items, was €660m (2011: 
€438m). The increase reflects the improved trading performance, 
disposal gains and an exceptional prior year tax credit.

At Elsevier, double digit growth in submissions and usage drove 
good growth in scientific & medical research and databases & 
tools, with strong growth in emerging markets. Risk Solutions 
achieved strong growth in both insurance and business services, 
and a return to growth in the government segment. Business 
Information saw strong growth from our major data services, 
modest growth in marketing services and leading brands, and a 
moderation in the rate of decline in other magazines and services. 
legal revenue growth was positive despite subdued legal markets 
in the US and Europe, with growth driven by online products and 
services. Exhibitions had another good year, benefiting from 
biennial exhibition cycling, with moderate growth in Europe, 
strong growth in the US and Japan, and double digit growth in 
most emerging markets. The overall adjusted operating margin 
was 0.9 percentage points higher despite organic investment in 
new product development and sales & marketing, reflecting the 
benefit to margin from portfolio change.

Reed Elsevier Nv ’s shareholders’ share of the adjusted profit 
attributable of the combined businesses was €700m (2011: 
€610m). After deducting the company’s share of the post tax 
charge for amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition 
related costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating 
items, exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only)  and 
deferred taxes not expected to crystallise in the near term, the 
reported net profit for the year was €658m (2011: €437m).

Adjusted earnings per share increased 14% to €0.95 (2011: €0.83). 
At constant rates of exchange, the adjusted earnings per share 
were 8% higher. Including amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets, acquisition related costs, disposal gains and losses and 
other non operating items, and tax adjustments, including an 
exceptional prior year tax credit (in 2012 only), the basic earnings 
per share were €0.90 (2011: €0.59).

consolidated statement of financial position
The consolidated statement of financial position of Reed Elsevier 
Nv reflects its 50% economic interest in the net assets of Reed 
Elsevier which as at 31 december 2012 was € 1,402m (2011: 
€1,303m). The €99m increase in net assets reflects the company’s 
share in the attributable profits of Reed Elsevier partially offset by 
dividends paid.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

173

Parent company financial statements
In accordance with article 2:362(1) of the dutch Civil Code, the 
individual parent company financial statements of Reed Elsevier 
Nv (presented on pages 189 to 193) are prepared under UK 
generally accepted accounting practice (UK GAAP). The profit 
attributable to the shareholders of Reed Elsevier Nv was €758m 
(2011: €17m) and net assets as at 31 december 2012, principally 
representing the investments in Reed Elsevier Group plc and 
Elsevier Reed Finance Bv under the historical cost method and 
loans to their subsidiaries, were €4,948m (2011: €4,630m). Free 
reserves as at 31 december 2012 were €4,701m (2011: €4,385m), 
comprising reserves and paid-in surplus less shares held in 
treasury.

dividends
The Combined Board is recommending an equalised final dividend 
of €0.337 per ordinary share, up 3% compared with the prior year. 
This gives total ordinary dividends for the year of €0.467 (2011: 
€0.436), up 7% on 2011. The final dividend will be paid on 23 May 
2013.

dividend cover, based on adjusted earnings per share and the total 
interim and proposed final dividends for the year, is 2.0 times. The 
Boards of the company and Reed Elsevier PlC have adopted 
dividend policies in recent years in respect of their equalised 
dividends that, subject to currency considerations, grow dividends 
broadly in line with adjusted earnings per share whilst maintaining 
dividend cover (being the number of times the annual dividend is 
covered by the adjusted earnings per share) of at least two times 
over the longer term.

The total dividend paid on the ordinary shares in the financial year 
was €319m (2011: €289m).

share capital
during 2012, 1,906,470 ordinary shares in the company were 
issued as follows:

ƒƒ under convertible debentures at prices between €9.05 and 

€11.32

ƒƒ under executive share option schemes at prices between €8.87 

and €11.37 

Information regarding shares outstanding at 31 december 2012 is 
shown in note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. 

during the year Reed Elsevier Nv repurchased 13,283,706 shares 
including 62,341 R shares (equivalent to 623,410 ordinary shares) 
from Reed Holding Bv.

At 31 december 2012 the total shares held in treasury were 
44,226,598. Of these 6,990,101 ordinary shares were held by the 
Reed Elsevier Group plc Employee Benefit Trust and 36,613,087 
ordinary shares and 62,341 R shares (equivalent to 623,410 
ordinary shares) were held by Reed Elsevier Nv.

As at 27 February 2013, based on the public database of and on 
notification received from the Netherlands Authority for the 
Financial Markets, the company is aware of interests in the capital 
and voting rights of the issued share capital of the company of at 
least 5% by Reed Elsevier PlC.

authority to purchase shares
At the 2012 AGM, shareholders passed a resolution delegating the 
authority to the Executive Board to acquire ordinary shares in the 
Company for a period of 18 months from the date of the annual 
general meeting of shareholders and therefore up to and including 
23 October 2013 , for the maximum amount of 10% of the issued 
capital. during the year, 12,660,296 ordinary shares were 
purchased under this delegation of authority. As at 31 december 
2012 there were 43,603,188 ordinary shares held in treasury, 
representing 6% of the issued ordinary shares. A further 4,698,519 
ordinary shares were purchased between 1 January 2013 and the 
date of this report.

A  resolution to renew the delegation of the authority to the Executive 
Board will be submitted to the shareholders at the 2013 AGM. 

corporate Governance
Reed Elsevier Nv and Reed Elsevier PlC are subject to various 
corporate governance principles and best practice codes, in 
particular the dutch Corporate Governance Code (the dutch Code) 
and the UK Corporate Governance Code issued in May 2010 (the 
UK Code). Reed Elsevier Nv may not apply fully the verbatim 
language of these codes, but does fully apply the principles and 
best practice provisions other than, in respect of the dutch Code, 
the following for reasons explained below:

ƒƒ Best practice provision II.2.5: Executive directors are required 
to build up a minimum shareholding and Reed Elsevier uses 
long term incentive arrangements in the form of awards of 
shares which may vest after three years. The intent of this 
shareholding policy is to align the interests of senior executives 
and shareholders. This intent is in compliance with the dutch 
Code. Shares received on joining Reed Elsevier in 
compensation for benefits forfeited under incentive schemes 
from a previous employer are not to be considered as part of 
the minimum shareholding in this context.

ƒƒ Best practice provision II.2.8: Reed Elsevier has 

arrangements that are commensurate with local and legal 
requirements to ensure a competitive employment offer to its 
board members. Executive directors have employment 
agreements under English law that provide for notice periods 
not exceeding one year. There are currently no executive 
directors with employment agreements under dutch law. In 
the event of dismissal, notice is given in accordance with the 
agreed notice period. The notice period applicable to the 
service contracts to both members of the Executive Board is 12 
months. The payment during the notice period may be 
mitigated if the director finds other employment within this 
period. The application of this arrangement may fall within the 
best practice provision that remuneration in the event of 
dismissal may not exceed the fixed component of one year’s 
salary. There are no other severance arrangements in place 
for the executive directors and none of the employment 
agreements contain severance pay arrangements. Although 
the principle that severance pay should not exceed the fixed 
component of one year’s salary is supported, there may be 
exceptional circumstances where this maximum would be 
manifestly unreasonable that could justify additional 
compensation on termination for loss of variable remuneration 
components. Full disclosure on remuneration in event of 
dismissal is provided in the directors’ Remuneration Report.

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174 FInancIal statEmEnts and othER InFoRmatIon

REEd ElSEvIER Nv

ƒƒ Best practice provisions II.2.13 and II.2.14: In view of their 
detailed specificity and complexity and because of the 
confidential or potentially commercially sensitive nature of the 
information concerned, individual performance targets and 
achievements relevant for variable executive remuneration 
will only be disclosed in general terms.

ƒƒ Best practice provision II.3.4 and III.6.3: The disclosure of 
transactions where directors have a conflict of interest, as 
required by these provisions, shall be qualified to the extent 
required under applicable rules and laws pertaining to the 
disclosure of price sensitive information, confidentiality and 
justified aspects of competition.

ƒƒ Principle III.7: The remuneration of Supervisory Board 
members is determined by the Combined Board in the 
context of the board harmonisation with Reed Elsevier PlC and 
Reed Elsevier Group plc, having regard for the maximum per 
annum approved by the general meeting of shareholders.

ƒƒ Best practice provision IV.1.1: Appointments, suspensions and 
removal procedures for members of the Executive Board and 
the Supervisory Board are set out in the Corporate Governance 
Statement 2012. In order to safeguard the agreed board 
harmonisation with the Board of Reed Elsevier PlC, the 
Articles of Association of Reed Elsevier Nv provide that a 
resolution of the General Shareholders’ Meeting to appoint a 
member of the Executive or Supervisory Board other than in 
accordance with the proposal of the Combined Board shall 
require a majority of at least two thirds of the votes cast if less 
than one half of the company’s issued capital is represented 
at the meeting. Given the still generally low attendance rate 
at shareholders’ meetings in the Netherlands, the Boards 
believe that this qualified majority requirement is appropriate 
for this purpose.

ƒƒ Best practice provision IV.3.1: It is considered impractical 
and unnecessary to provide access for shareholders to all 
meetings with analysts and all presentations to investors in 
real time. Price sensitive and other information relevant to 
shareholders is disclosed as required or as appropriate and 
made available on the website. Presentations made following 
the announcement of the interim and full year results are 
simultaneously webcast. Investor seminars are also webcast.

For further information on the application of the dutch Code, 
see the Corporate Governance Statement of Reed Elsevier Nv 
published on the Reed Elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com.

the Boards
Reed Elsevier Nv has a two-tier board system, comprising an 
Executive Board and a Supervisory Board. The members of the 
Executive Board and the members of the Supervisory Board 
together form the Combined Board. It is established board 
practice at Reed Elsevier Nv that the members of both boards 
meet together as the Combined Board. The boards of Reed 
Elsevier PlC and Reed Elsevier Group plc are one-tier boards. 
In view of the legislation to formalise the one-tier board model in 
the Netherlands Civil Code that was enacted with effect from 1 
January 2013, the Combined Board of Reed Elsevier Nv has 
resolved to take the necessary steps to establish a one-tier board 

governance structure at the Company. For this purpose the 
articles of association of the Company will have to be amended and 
a proposal for this one-tier governance structure will be put to the 
annual general shareholders’ meeting on 24 April 2013.

significant agreements – change of control
The Governing Agreement between Reed Elsevier Nv and Reed 
Elsevier PlC states that upon a change of control of Reed Elsevier 
Nv (for these purposes, the acquisition by a third party of 50% or 
more of the issued share capital having voting rights), should there 
not be a comparable offer from the offeror for Reed Elsevier PlC, 
Reed Elsevier PlC may serve notice upon Reed Elsevier Nv 
varying certain provisions of the Governing Agreement, 
including the governance and the standstill provisions.

There are a number of borrowing agreements including  
credit facilities that in the event of a change of control of both  
Reed Elsevier Nv and Reed Elsevier PlC and, in some cases,  
a consequential credit rating downgrade to sub-investment  
grade may, at the option of the lenders, require repayment  
and/or cancellation as appropriate.

directors
The following individuals served as members of the Supervisory 
and Executive Boards during the year:

the supervisory Board
A Habgood (Chairman)
M Elliott 
A Hennah 
l Hook
M van lier lels 
R Polet
Sir david Reid 

the Executive Board
E Engstrom 

(Chief Executive Officer)

M Armour 

(Chief Financial Officer until  
15 November 2012, retired as 
member of the Executive 
Board  31 december 2012)

(senior independent director)

d Palmer 

l  Sanford 

(appointed 4 december 2012)

B van der veer

(member of the Executive 
Board from 6 November 2012 
–  Chief Financial Officer from  
15 November 2012)

At the Annual General Meeting held in April 2012, david Brennan 
was appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board with effect 
from 1 November 2012. The appointment of david Brennan was 
postponed indefinitely at his request and by agreement with  
Reed Elsevier in October 2012.

Erik Engstrom and duncan Palmer will stand for re-appointment 
as members of the Executive Board at the Annual General Meeting 
in April 2013. All members of the Supervisory Board other than 
Mark Elliott and Sir david Reid, who will at that time have  
served on the Supervisory Board for ten years, will stand for 
re-appointment as members of the Supervisory Board at the 
Annual General Meeting in April 2013. A search is being conducted 
in conjunction with external consultants for another suitable 
candidate to join the Supervisory Board. This has resulted in the 
Nominations Committee recommending to the Combined Board 
the appointment of dr Wolfhart Hauser as member of the 
Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier Nv and as a non-executive 
director of Reed Elsevier PlC with effect from the closure of the 
Annual General Meeting 2013. This will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meetings in April 2013. 

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

175

Going concern
The Combined Board, having made appropriate enquiries, 
considers that adequate resources exist for the combined 
businesses to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future and that, therefore, it is appropriate to  
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the 2012 financial 
statements. In reaching this conclusion, the Combined Board has 
had due regard to the combined businesses’ financial position as 
at 31 december 2012, the strong free cash flow of the combined 
businesses, Reed Elsevier’s ability to access capital markets and 
the principal risks facing Reed Elsevier.

A commentary on the Reed Elsevier combined businesses’  
cash flows, financial position and liquidity for the year ended  
31 december 2012 is set out in the Chief Financial Officer’s Report 
on pages 50 to 57. This shows that, after taking account of available 
cash resources and committed bank facilities that back up short 
term borrowings, none of Reed Elsevier’s borrowings fall due 
within the next two years. Reed Elsevier’s policies on liquidity, 
capital management and management of risks relating to interest 
rate, foreign exchange and credit exposures are set out on pages 
56 and 57. Further information on liquidity of the combined 
businesses can be found in note 18 of the combined financial 
statements. The principal risks facing Reed Elsevier are set  
out on pages 58 to 60.

auditors
Resolutions for the re-appointment of deloitte Accountants Bv  
as auditors of the company and authorising the Supervisory Board 
to determine their remuneration will be submitted to the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting on 24 April 2013.

the Executive Board
E Engstrom 

(Chief Executive Officer)

d Palmer 

(Chief Financial Officer)

Signed by:

the supervisory Board
A Habgood (Chairman)
M Elliott
A Hennah
l Hook
M van lier lels
R Polet 
Sir david Reid
l Sanford
B van der veer

Registered office
Radarweg 29
1043 NX The Netherlands

Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam
Register file No: 33155037
27 February 2013

Biographical details of the directors at the date of this report are 
given on pages 62 and 63. details of the remuneration of the 
members of the Executive Board and of the Supervisory Board  
and their interests in the share capital of the company are provided 
in the directors’ Remuneration Report on pages  74 to 90.

Financial statements and accounting records
The financial statements provide a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of the company and the group as of 31 december 2012 and 
of the profit or loss in 2012. In preparing the financial statements, 
the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board ensure that 
suitable accounting policies, consistently applied and supported 
by reasonable judgements and estimates, have been used and 
applicable accounting standards have been followed. The Boards 
are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the company and enable them to ensure that the 
financial statements comply with the law. The Boards have 
general responsibility for taking reasonable steps to safeguard 
the assets of the company and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities.

Internal control
As required under sections II.1.4. and II.1.5. of the dutch Code,  
the Audit Committee and the Combined Board have reviewed  
the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and risk 
management during the last financial year. The objective of these 
systems is to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives. Accordingly, they can only provide 
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The outcome of this review has been 
discussed with the external auditors. The Combined Board 
confirmed that as regards financial reporting, the risk 
management and control systems provide reasonable assurance 
against material inaccuracies or loss and have functioned 
properly during the financial year.

directors’ responsibility statement
The Combined Board confirms, to the best of its knowledge, that:

ƒƒ the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted 
by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the financial 
position and profit or loss of the group; and

ƒƒ the Report of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board 
includes a fair review of the development and performance of 
the business during the financial year and the position of the 
group as at 31 december 2012 together with a description of  
the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

Neither the company nor the directors accept any liability to any 
person in relation to the Annual Report except to the extent that 
such liability arises under dutch law.

disclosure of information to auditors
As part of the process of approving the company’s 2012 financial 
statements, the Supervisory and the Executive Boards and their 
members have taken steps to ensure that all relevant information 
was provided to the company’s auditors and, so far as the Boards 
are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the 
company’s auditors are unaware.

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176 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Consolidated income statement  

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Administrative expenses
share of results of joint ventures
Operating profit
Finance income

Profit before tax
Taxation
Profit attributable to shareholders

Note

2
11

5

6

2012
€m

(2)
654
652
8

660
(2)
658

2011
€m

(2)
420
418
20

438
(1)
437

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Profit attributable to shareholders
share of joint ventures’ other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
total comprehensive income for the year

2012
€m

658
(137)
521

2011
€m

437
20
457

Earnings per ordinary share

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

Basic earnings per share
diluted earnings per share

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the Year ended 31 decemBer

cash flows from operating activities
Cash used by operations
interest received
Tax paid
net cash (used in)/from operating activities

cash flows from investing activities
dividends received from joint ventures
net cash from investing activities

cash flows from financing activities
equity dividends paid
repurchase of shares
Proceeds on issue of ordinary shares
(increase)/decrease in net funding balances due from joint ventures
net cash used in financing activities

Note

8
8

2012
€

0.90
0.89

2011
€

0.59
0.59

Note

10

11

7

10

2012
€m

2011
€m

(5)
6
(2)
 (1)

754
754

(319)
(141)
18
       (313)
(755)

(3)
20
(5)
12

–
–

(289)
–
2
275
(12)

movement in cash and cash equivalents

(2)

–

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   176

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

177

Consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 decemBer

non-current assets
investments in joint ventures 
current assets
Amounts due from joint ventures
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

current liabilities
Payables
Taxation
total liabilities
net assets

capital and reserves
share capital issued
Paid-in surplus
shares held in treasury (including in joint ventures)
Translation reserve
Other reserves
total equity

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Balance at 1 January 2011
Total comprehensive income for the year
equity dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
share of joint ventures’ increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

share of joint ventures’ settlement of share awards by 

the employee benefit trust

share of joint ventures’ acquisition of non-controlling 

interests

equalisation adjustments
exchange translation differences

Balance at 1 January 2012
Total comprehensive income for the year
equity dividends paid
issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses
repurchase of shares
share of joint ventures’ increase in share based 

remuneration reserve

share of joint ventures’ settlement of share awards by 

the employee benefit trust

share of joint ventures’ disposal of non-controlling 

interests

equalisation adjustments
exchange translation differences
Balance at 31 december 2012

Note

7

share
capital
€m
54
–
–
–

Paid-in
surplus
€m
2,169
–
–
2

shares held
in treasury
€m
(433)
–
–
–

translation 
reserves
€m
(51)
54
–
–

other
reserves
€m
(602)
403
(289)
–

7

–

–

–

–
–

54
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
54

–

–

–

–
–

2,171
–
–
18
–

–

–

–
–
–
2,189

–

4

–

–
(3)

(432)
–
–
–
(141)

–

5

–
–
(3)
(571)

–

–

–

–
3

6
(51)
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
3
(42)

16

(4)

(25)

5
–

(496)
572
(319)
–
–

19

(5)

4
(3)
–
(228)

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   177

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Note

2012
€m

2011
€m

11

1,455

1,359

4
1
5
1,460

7
51
58
1,402

54
2,189
(571)
(42)
(228)
1,402

12

13

14

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2
3
5
1,364

10
51
61
1,303

54
2,171
(432)
6
(496)
1,303

total
equity
€m
1,137
457
(289)
2

16

–

(25)

5
– 

1,303
521
(319)
18
(141)

19

–

4
(3)
–
1,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
178 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Group accounting policies

These consolidated financial statements, which have been 
prepared under the historic cost convention, report the 
consolidated statements of income, cash flow and financial 
position of reed elsevier Nv. Unless otherwise indicated, all 
amounts shown in the financial statements are in millions  
of euros.

As required by a regulation adopted by the european Parliament, 
the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with international Financial reporting standards 
(iFrs) as adopted by the european Union and as issued by the 
international Accounting standards Board (iAsB).

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis, as explained on page 175.

The reed elsevier combined financial statements presented in 
pounds sterling on pages 93 to 132 form an integral part of the 
notes to reed elsevier Nv’s statutory financial statements.  
The primary combined financial statements and selected notes 
are presented in euros on pages 133 to 146.

As a consequence of the merger of the company’s businesses  
with those of reed elsevier PlC, described on page 66, the 
shareholders of reed elsevier Nv and reed elsevier PlC can  
be regarded as having the interests of a single economic group, 
enjoying substantially equivalent ordinary dividend and capital 
rights in the earnings and net assets of the reed elsevier 
combined businesses.

The reed elsevier Nv consolidated financial statements are 
presented incorporating reed elsevier Nv’s investments in the 
reed elsevier combined businesses accounted for using the 
equity method, as adjusted for the effects of the equalisation 
arrangement between reed elsevier Nv and reed elsevier PlC. 
The arrangement lays down the distribution of dividends and net 
assets in such a way that reed elsevier Nv’s share in the profit  
and net assets of the reed elsevier combined businesses equals 
50%, with all settlements accruing to shareholders from the 
equalisation arrangements taken directly to reserves. 

Because the dividend paid to shareholders by reed elsevier Nv  
is equivalent to the reed elsevier PlC dividend plus, other than  
in special circumstances, the UK tax credit received by certain 
reed elsevier PlC shareholders, reed elsevier Nv normally 
distributes a higher proportion of the combined profit attributable 
than reed elsevier PlC. reed elsevier PlC’s share in this 
difference in dividend distributions is settled with reed elsevier 
Nv and is credited directly to consolidated reserves under 
equalisation. reed elsevier Nv can pay a nominal dividend on its  
r shares held by a subsidiary of reed elsevier PlC that is lower 
than the dividend on the ordinary shares. equally, reed elsevier 
Nv has the possibility to receive dividends directly from dutch 
affiliates. reed elsevier PlC is compensated by direct dividend 
payments by reed elsevier Group plc. The settlements flowing 
from these arrangements are also taken directly to consolidated 
reserves under equalisation.

combined financial statements
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
combined financial statements are set out on pages 98 to 103.

These include policies in relation to intangible assets. such assets 
are amortised over their estimated useful economic lives which, 
due to their longevity, may be for periods in excess of five years.

Basis of valuation of assets and liabilities
reed elsevier Nv’s 50% economic interest in the net assets of  
the combined businesses has been shown on the consolidated 
statement of financial position as investments in joint ventures, 
net of the assets and liabilities reported as part of reed elsevier 
Nv. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value. Other assets 
and liabilities are stated at historical cost, less provision,  
if appropriate, for any impairment in value.

Foreign exchange translation
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate  
of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. At each 
statement of financial position date, monetary assets and 
liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rate prevailing on the statement of financial 
position date. exchange differences arising are recorded in  
the income statement. The gains or losses relating to the 
retranslation of reed elsevier Nv’s 50% interest in the net  
assets of the combined businesses are classified as equity  
and transferred to the translation reserve.

When foreign operations are disposed of, the related cumulative 
translation differences are recognised within the income 
statement in the period.

taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax payable on the 
current year taxable profits, adjustments in respect of prior year 
taxable profits and the movements on deferred tax that are 
recognised in the income statement. Tax arising in joint ventures  
is included in the share of results of joint ventures.

The tax payable on current year taxable profits is calculated using 
the applicable tax rate that has been enacted, or substantively 
enacted, by the date of statement of financial position.

deferred tax is the tax arising on differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and 
their corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable 
profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability 
method. deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all 
taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that, based on current forecasts, it is 
probable that taxable profits will be available against which 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised. deferred tax is 
not recognised on temporary differences in respect of goodwill 
that is not deductible for tax purposes.

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

179

deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
substantively enacted at the date of the statement of financial 
position. Full provision is made for deferred tax which would 
become payable on the distribution of retained profits from foreign 
subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures.

Movements in deferred tax are charged and credited in the 
income statement, except when they relate to items charged or 
credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also 
recognised in equity. deferred tax credits in respect of share 
based remuneration are recognised in equity to the extent that 
expected tax deductions exceed the related expense.

critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 
Critical judgements in the preparation of the combined financial 
statements are set out on pages 101 to 103.

standards, amendments and interpretations not yet effective
recently issued standards, amendments and interpretations and 
their impact on future accounting policies and reporting have been 
considered on page 103 of the combined financial statements.

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180 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

1  Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of reed elsevier Nv reflect the 50% economic interest that its shareholders have under the 
equalisation arrangements in the reed elsevier combined businesses, accounted for on an equity basis.

The reed elsevier combined financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of reed elsevier 
Group plc, a UK registered company which owns the publishing and information businesses of reed elsevier. The following analysis 
presents how the consolidated financial statements of reed elsevier Nv, presented in euros, are derived from the reed elsevier 
combined financial statements.

reed elsevier nv consolidated ProFit attriButaBle to shareholders

2012

2011

reed elsevier combined businesses net profit attributable to parent company shareholders in 

pounds sterling

reed elsevier combined businesses net profit attributable to parent company shareholders in 

pounds sterling translated into euros at average exchange rates

reed elsevier combined businesses net profit attributable to parent company shareholders in euros
reed elsevier Nv’s 50% share of combined net profit attributable to shareholders

reed elsevier nv consolidated total equitY

reed elsevier combined shareholders’ equity in pounds sterling
reed elsevier combined shareholders’ equity in pounds sterling translated into euros at year end 

exchange rates

reed elsevier Nv’s 50% share of combined equity

£1,069m

£760m

€1,315m
€1,315m
€658m

€874m
€874m
€437m

2012

2011

£2,280m £2,172m

€2,804m €2,606m
€1,402m €1,303m

2  Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses include the gross remuneration for present and former directors of reed elsevier Nv in respect of services 
rendered to reed elsevier Nv and the combined businesses. Fees for members of the supervisory Board of reed elsevier Nv of €0.3m 
(2011: €0.3m) are included in remuneration. insofar as remuneration is related to services rendered to reed elsevier Group plc group 
and elsevier reed Finance Bv group, it is borne by these groups. reed elsevier Nv has no employees (2011: nil).

3  Auditor’s remuneration

Audit fees payable by reed elsevier Nv were €142,000 (2011: €50,000). Further information on the audit and non audit fees paid by the 
reed elsevier combined businesses to deloitte Accountants B.v. and its associates is set out in note 3 to the combined financial 
statements.

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

181

4  Related party transactions

All transactions with joint ventures, which are related parties of reed elsevier Nv, are reflected in these financial statements.  
Key management personnel are also related parties and comprise the members of the executive Board of reed elsevier Nv. 
Transactions with key management personnel are set out in note 30 to the combined financial statements.

5  Finance income

Finance income from joint ventures

6  Taxation

2012
€m
8

2011
€m
20 

A reconciliation of the notional tax charge based on the applicable rate of tax to the actual total tax expense is set out below:  

Profit before tax
Tax at applicable rate: 25% (2011: 25%)
Tax at applicable rate on share of results of joint ventures
Other
tax expense

7  Equity dividends

ordinarY dividends declared in the Year

Ordinary shares:

Final for prior financial year
interim for financial year

total
r shares

2012
€m
660
165
(163)
–
2

2012
€m

228
91
319
–

2011
€m
438
110
(105)
(4)
1

2011
€m

212
77
289
–

2012
€

2011
€

€0.326
€0.130
€0.456
–

€0.303
€0.110
€0.413
–

The directors of reed elsevier Nv have proposed a final dividend of €0.337 (2011: €0.326). The cost of funding the proposed final 
dividend is expected to be €232m. No liability has been recognised at the statement of financial position date.

ordinarY dividends Paid and ProPosed relatinG to the Financial Year

Ordinary shares:
interim (paid) 
Final (proposed)

total
r shares

2012
€

2011
€

€0.130
€0.337
€0.467
–

€0.110
€0.326
€0.436
–

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182 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

8  Earnings per ordinary share (“EPS”)

Basic earnings per share
diluted earnings per share

2012

2011

Weighted
average
number of
shares
(millions)

734.0
742.1

earnings
€m

658
658

ePs
€

0.90
0.89

Weighted
average
number of
shares
(millions)

735.3
740.8

earnings
€m

437
437

ePs
€

0.59
0.59

The diluted ePs figures are calculated after taking account of the effect of potential additional ordinary shares arising from share 
options and conditional shares.

The weighted average number of shares reflects the equivalent ordinary shares amount taking into account the r shares and is after 
deducting shares held in treasury. Movements in the number of ordinary shares or equivalents for the year ended 31 december 2012 
are shown below.

numBer oF ordinarY shares or equivalents

Year ended 31 december

At start of year
issue of ordinary shares
repurchase of ordinary and r shares
Net release of shares by the employee benefit trust

at end of year

Weighted average number of equivalent ordinary shares during the year

ordinary 
shares in
issue
(millions)

724.1
1.9
–
–

726.0

r shares in
issue
(millions)

treasury
shares
(millions)

43.0
–
–
–

43.0

(31.3)
–
(13.3)
0.4

(44.2)

2012
ordinary 
share 
equivalents 
net of
treasury
shares
(millions)

2011
Ordinary 
share 
equivalents 
net of
treasury
shares
(millions)

735.8
1.9
(13.3)
0.4

724.8

734.0

735.2
0.2
–
0.4

735.8

735.3

The average number of equivalent ordinary shares takes into account the r shares in the company held by a subsidiary of reed elsevier 
PlC, which represents a 5.8% interest in the company’s share capital.

At 31 december 2012 4,240,838 r shares were held by a subsidiary of reed elsevier PlC. The r shares are convertible at the election of 
the holders into ten ordinary shares each and each r share carries an entitlement to cast ten votes. They have otherwise the same rights 
as the ordinary shares, except that reed elsevier Nv may pay a lower dividend on the r shares. 

At 31 december 2012 treasury shares included 62,341 r shares (2011: nil), equivalent to 623,410 reed elsevier Nv ordinary shares.

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   182

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

183

9  Adjusted figures

Adjusted profit and earnings per share figures are used by management as additional performance measures. The adjusted figures are 
derived as follows:

Profit attributable to
shareholders

Basic earnings
per share

reported figures
share of adjustments in joint ventures:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
exceptional prior year tax credit
deferred tax adjustments

adjusted figures

10  Statement of cash flows

reconciliation oF administrative exPenses to cash used BY oPerations

Administrative expenses
Net movement in payables
cash used by operations

reconciliation oF net FundinG Balances due From joint ventures

At start of year
Cash flow
at end of year

2012
€m

658

207
10
(64)
(59)
(52)
700

2011
€m

437

204
19
10
–
(60)
610

2012
€

0.90

0.28
0.01
(0.09)
(0.08)
(0.07)
0.95

2012
€m

(2)
(3)
(5)

2012
€m

1,084
313
1,397

2011
€

0.59

0.28
0.03
0.01
–
(0.08)
0.83

2011
€m

(2)
(1)
(3)

2011
€m

1,359
(275)
1,084

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184 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

11  Investments in joint ventures

share of results of joint ventures
share of joint ventures’ other comprehensive (expense)/income
share of joint ventures’ disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests
share of joint ventures’ increase in share based remuneration reserve
equalisation adjustments
dividends received from joint ventures
increase/(decrease) in net funding balances due from joint ventures

Net movement in the year
At start of year
at end of year

2012
€m

654
(137)
4
19
(3)
(754)
313

96
1,359
1,455

2011
€m

420
20
(25)
16
5
–
(275)

161
1,198
1,359

during the year the company received dividends of €754m from elsevier reed Finance Bv.

summarised information showing total amounts in respect of joint ventures and reed elsevier Nv shareholders’ 50% share is set  
out below:

revenue
net profit for the year

total joint ventures

reed elsevier nv
shareholders’ share

2012
€m

7,523
1,321

2011
€m

6,902
882

2012
€m

3,762
654

2011
€m

3,451
420

reed elsevier Nv’s share of joint ventures’ net profit attributable to parent company shareholders for the year excludes the net profit 
that arose directly in reed elsevier Nv of €4m (2011: €17m).

Total assets
Total liabilities
net assets

Attributable to:
Joint ventures
Non-controlling interests

Net funding balances due from joint ventures
total

total joint ventures

2012
€m

13,547
(10,701)
2,846

2011
€m

13,804
(11,168)
2,636

2,804
42

2,846

2,606
30

2,636

reed elsevier nv
shareholders’ share

2012
€m

6,773
(6,715)
58

58
–

58
1,397
1,455

2011
€m

6,897
(6,622)
275

275
–

275
1,084
1,359

The above amounts exclude assets and liabilities held directly by reed elsevier Nv and include the counterparty balances of amounts 
owed to and by other reed elsevier businesses. included within reed elsevier Nv’s share of assets and liabilities are cash and cash 
equivalents of €393m (2011: €433m) and borrowings of €2,386m (2011: €2,561m) respectively.

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   184

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

185

12  Payables

included within payables are employee convertible debenture loans of €7m (2011: €8m) with a weighted average interest rate of 2.65% 
(2011: 3.13%). depending on the conversion terms, the surrender of €200 par value debenture loans qualifies for 50 reed elsevier Nv 
ordinary shares.

13  Share capital and shares held in treasury

authorised

Ordinary shares of €0.07 each
r shares of €0.70 each
total

issued and FullY Paid

At 1 January 2011
issue of ordinary shares

At 1 January 2012
issue of ordinary shares
at 31 december 2012

no. of shares

1,800,000,000
26,000,000

r shares
number
4,303,179
–

4,303,179
–
4,303,179

ordinary
shares
number
723,877,017
200,738

724,077,755
1,906,470
725,984,225

r shares
€m
3
–

3
–
3

ordinary
shares
€m
51
–

51
–
51

€m

126
18
144 

total
€m
54
 –

54 
–
54

The issue of shares relates to the exercise of share options. details of share option and conditional share schemes are set out in note 6 
to the reed elsevier combined financial statements.

At 31 december 2012 4,240,838 r shares were held by a subsidiary of reed elsevier PlC. The r shares are convertible at the election of 
the holders into ten ordinary shares each and each r share carries an entitlement to cast ten votes. They have otherwise the same rights 
as the ordinary shares, except that reed elsevier Nv may pay a lower dividend on the r shares.

At 31 december 2012, shares held in treasury related to 6,990,101 (2011: 7,380,906) reed elsevier Nv ordinary shares held by the 
reed elsevier Group plc employee Benefit Trust (eBT); and 36,613,087 (2011: 23,952,791) reed elsevier Nv ordinary shares  and 62,341  
r shares (2011: nil) held by the parent company. 

The eBT purchases reed elsevier Nv shares which, at the trustees’ discretion, can be used in respect of the exercise of share options 
and to meet commitments under conditional share awards. At 31 december 2012, reed elsevier Nv shares held by the eBT were €84m 
(2011: €85m).

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186 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 december 2012

14  Other reserves

At start of year
Profit attributable to shareholders
share of joint ventures’:

Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
Fair value movements on available for sale investments
Transfer to net profit on disposal of available for sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
Tax recognised directly in equity
increase in share based remuneration reserve
settlement of share awards
Transfer to net profit from cash flow hedge reserve
disposal/(acquisition) of non-controlling interests

equalisation adjustments
equity dividends paid
at end of year

15  Contingent liabilities

There are contingent liabilities in respect of borrowings of joint ventures guaranteed by reed elsevier Nv as follows:

Guaranteed jointly and severally with reed elsevier Plc

2012
€m

(496)
658

(203)
–
7
43
54
19
(5)
13
4
(3)
(319)
(228)

2011
€m

(602)
437

(65)
(1)
–
(14)
24
16
(4)
22
(25)
5
(289)
(496)

2012
€m

4,422

2011
€m

4,704

Financial instruments disclosures in respect of the borrowings covered by the above guarantees are given in note 18 to the reed elsevier 
combined financial statements.

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reed elsevier  Annual reports and Financial statements 2012

16  Principal joint ventures

reed elsevier Group plc
incorporated and operating in Great Britain
1-3 strand
london WC2N 5Jr
Holding company for operating businesses involved in  
science & medical, risk management, legal and business 
publishing and organisation of trade exhibitions
elsevier reed Finance Bv
incorporated in the Netherlands
radarweg 29
1043 NX Amsterdam, the Netherlands  
Holding company for financing businesses

18,385 ordinary r shares
18,385 ordinary e shares
100,000 7.5% cumulative preference non voting shares

equivalent to a 50% equity interest

133 ordinary r shares
205 ordinary e shares

equivalent to a 61% equity interest

187

% holding

–
100%
–

–
100%

The r shares in reed elsevier Group plc and elsevier reed Finance Bv and the non-voting preference shares in reed elsevier Group plc 
are owned by reed elsevier PlC.

in addition, reed elsevier Nv holds shares with special dividend rights in reed elsevier Overseas Bv, a subsidiary of reed elsevier Group 
plc with registered offices in Amsterdam. These shares are included in the amount shown under investments in joint ventures and 
enable reed elsevier Nv to receive dividends from companies within the same tax jurisdiction.

A list of companies within reed elsevier is filed with the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

17  Approval of financial statements

The consolidated financial statements were signed and authorised for issue by the Combined Board of directors on 27 February 2013.

a j habgood
Chairman of the supervisory Board 
and the Combined Board

d j Palmer
Chief Financial Officer

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188 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

Independent auditor’s report on the consolidated  
financial statements to the shareholders of reed elsevier Nv

opinion with respect to the consolidated financial statements
in our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true 
and fair view of the financial position of reed elsevier Nv as at  
31 december 2012, and of its results and its cash flows for the year 
then ended in accordance with international Financial reporting 
standards as adopted by the european Union and with Part 9 of 
Book 2 of the dutch Civil Code.

report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Pursuant to the legal requirement under 2:393 sub 5 at e and f of 
the dutch Civil Code, we have no deficiencies to report as a result 
of our examination whether the report of the supervisory Board 
and the executive Board, to the extent we can assess, has been 
prepared in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of this Code, and 
whether the information as required under section 2:392 sub 1  
at b-h has been annexed. Further we report that the report of the 
supervisory Board and the executive Board, to the extent we can 
assess, is consistent with the consolidated financial statements  
as required by 2:391 sub 4 of the dutch Civil Code.

deloitte accountants B.V.
A sandler
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
27 February 2013

report on the consolidated financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements 2012 which are part of the financial statements of 
reed elsevier Nv, Amsterdam, which comprise the consolidated 
statement of financial position as at 31 december 2012, the 
consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of cash 
flows, and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for 
the year then ended and the notes, comprising a summary of 
the accounting policies and other explanatory information,  
as set out in pages 176 to 187.

directors’ responsibility
The directors are responsible for the preparation and fair 
presentation of the consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with international Financial reporting standards  
as adopted by the european Union and with Part 9 of Book 2 of  
the dutch Civil Code, and for the preparation of the report of  
the supervisory Board and the executive Board in accordance  
with Part 9 of Book 2 of the dutch Civil Code. Furthermore,  
the directors are responsible for such internal control as it 
determines necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit  
in accordance with dutch law, including the dutch standards on 
Auditing. This requires that we comply with ethical requirements 
and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from 
material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s 
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether 
due to fraud or error.

in making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal 
control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation  
of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not  
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of 
the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating  
the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors,  
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated 
financial statements.

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

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   188

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

Parent company profit and loss account

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Administrative expenses
Dividends received from joint ventures
Finance income from joint ventures
Taxation
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Parent company balance sheet

AS AT 31 DECEMBER

Fixed assets
Investments in joint ventures
Current assets
Amounts due from joint ventures – funding
Amounts due from joint ventures – other

Cash

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Taxation
Other creditors

Net current assets
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital issued
Paid-in surplus
Shares held in treasury
Other reserves
Reserves
Shareholders’ funds

189

2012
€m

(2)
754
8
(2)
758

2011
€m

(2)
–
20
(1)
17

Note

2012
€m

2011
€m

3,604

3,602

1

1,397
4

1,401
1
1,402

(51)
(7)
(58)
1,344
4,948

54
2,189
(477)
193
2,989
4,948

1,084
2

1,086
3
1,089

(51)
(10)
(61)
1,028
4,630

54
2,171
(336)
191
2,550
4,630

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The parent company financial statements were signed and authorised for issue by the Combined Board of directors on 27 February 2013.

A J Habgood
Chairman of the Supervisory Board

D J Palmer
Chief Financial Officer

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Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   189

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190 FiNANCiAl STATEMENTS AND OTHER iNFORMATiON

ReeD elSevIeR Nv

Parent company reconciliation of shareholders’ funds

At 1 January 2011
Profit attributable to shareholders
equity dividends paid
Issue of shares, net of expenses
equity instruments granted to employees of combined businesses

At 1 January 2012
Profit attributable to shareholders
equity dividends paid
Repurchase of shares
Issue of shares, net of expenses
equity instruments granted to employees of combined businesses

At 31 December 2012

Share
capital
issued
€m

Paid-in
surplus (
€m

i)

Shares 
held in  
treasury
€m

Other
reserves (
€m

ii) Reserves (
€m

iii)

54
–
–
–
–

54
–
–
–
–
–

54

2,169
–
–
2
–

2,171
–
–
–
18
–

2,189

(336)
–
–
–
–

(336)
–
–
(141)
–
–

(477)

175
–
–
–
16

191
–
–
–
–
2

193

2,822
17
(289)
–
–

2,550
758
(319)
–
–
–

2,989

Total
€m

4,884
17
(289)
2
16

4,630
758
(319)
(141)
18
2

4,948

(i)  Within paid-in surplus, an amount of €2,012m (2011: €1,994m) is free of tax.

(ii) 

 Other reserves relate to equity instruments granted to employees of the combined businesses under share based remuneration 
arrangements. Other reserves do not form part of free reserves.

(iii)   Free reserves of the company at 31 December 2012 were €4,701m (2011: €4,385m), comprising reserves and paid-in surplus less 

shares held in treasury.

Parent company accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The parent company financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention. As permitted by 2:362 
subsection 1 of the Dutch Civil Code for companies with 
international operations, the parent company financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (UK GAAP), ensuring consistency. The 
financial information relating to the company is recognised  
in the consolidated financial statements.

The parent company financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis, as explained on page 175.

The Reed elsevier Nv accounting policies under UK GAAP are set 
out below.

Principal joint ventures are set out in note 11 of the Reed elsevier 
Nv consolidated financial statements.

Short term investments are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value. Other assets and liabilities are stated at 
historical cost, less provision, if appropriate, for any impairment 
in value.

Shares held in treasury
The amount of consideration paid, including directly attributable 
costs, for shares repurchased is recognised as shares held in 
treasury and presented as a deduction from total equity. Details  
of share capital and shares held in treasury are set out in note 13  
of the Reed elsevier Nv consolidated financial statements and 
note 28 of the Reed elsevier combined financial statements.

investments
Fixed asset investments in the combined businesses are stated at 
cost, less provision, if appropriate, for any impairment in value. 
The fair value of the award of share options and conditional shares 
over Reed elsevier Nv ordinary shares to employees of the 
Reed elsevier combined businesses are treated as a capital 
contribution.

Foreign exchange translation
Transactions entered into in foreign currencies are recorded at 
the exchange rates applicable at the time of the transaction.

Taxation
Deferred taxation is provided in full for timing differences using 
the liability method. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to  
the extent that they are considered recoverable in the short term. 
Deferred taxation balances are not discounted.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

191

Notes to the parent company financial statements

1  Other creditors

Other creditors include €7m (2011: €8m) of employee convertible debenture loans with a weighted average interest rate of 2.65% 
(2011: 3.13%). Depending on the conversion terms, the surrender of €200 par value debenture loans qualifies for 50 Reed elsevier Nv 
ordinary shares.

2  Reconciliations to consolidated financial statements

A reconciliation of the parent company profit attributable to ordinary shareholders prepared under UK GAAP and the consolidated  
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders prepared under IFRS and presented under the equity method is provided below:

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Parent company profit attributable to shareholders
Share of results of joint ventures
Dividends received from joint ventures
Consolidated profit attributable to shareholders using the equity method

2012
€m

758
654
(754)
658

2011
€m

17
420
–
437

A reconciliation between the parent company shareholders’ funds prepared under UK GAAP and the consolidated shareholders’ funds 
prepared under IFRS and presented under the equity method is provided below:

AS AT 31 DECEMBER

Parent company shareholders’ funds
Cumulative share of results of joint ventures less cumulative dividends received from joint ventures
Cumulative currency translation adjustments
Cumulative equalisation and other adjustments
Share of treasury shares held by joint ventures’ employee benefit trust
Share of IFRS adjustments in joint ventures
equity instruments granted to employees of combined businesses
Consolidated shareholders’ funds using the equity method

2012
€m

4,948
(2,427)
(262)
32
(94)
(602)
(193)
1,402

2011
€m

4,630
(2,327)
(214)
103
(96)
(602)
(191)
1,303

3  Other matters

Transactions with members of the executive Board including share based remuneration costs are set out in note 30 to the combined 
financial statements and details of the directors' remuneration are included in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 74 to 90.

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192 FiNANCiAl STATEMENTS AND OTHER iNFORMATiON

ReeD elSevIeR Nv

Additional information

R shares
Reed elsevier Nv has two types of shares: ordinary shares of €0.07 nominal value and R shares of €0.70 nominal value. each R share  
is convertible into 10 ordinary shares and is entitled to cast 10 votes. Otherwise it has the same rights as an ordinary share, except that 
Reed elsevier Nv may pay a lower dividend on it, but not less than 1% of the nominal value of an R share.

Profit allocation
The Articles of Association provide that distributions of dividend may only be made insofar as the company’s equity exceeds the amount 
of the paid in capital, increased by the reserves which must be kept by virtue of the law and may be made in cash or in shares, at the 
proposal of the Combined Board. Distribution of dividends on ordinary shares and on the class R shares shall be made in proportion to 
the nominal value of each share. The Combined Board may resolve that the dividend to be paid on each class R share shall be lower than 
the dividend to be paid on each ordinary share, resolving at the same time what amount of dividend shall be paid on each ordinary share 
and each class R share, respectively.

PROPOSAl FOR AllOCATiON OF PROFiT

Final dividend on ordinary shares for prior financial year
Interim dividend on ordinary shares for financial year
Dividend on R shares
Retained profit/(loss)

2012
€m

228
91
–
439
758

2011
€m

212
77
–
(272)
17

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

193

Independent auditor’s report on the parent company 
financial statements to the shareholders of Reed Elsevier NV

Opinion with respect to the parent company financial statements
In our opinion, the parent company financial statements give a  
true and fair view of the financial position of Reed Elsevier NV  
as at 31 December 2012, and of its results and its cash flows for  
the year then ended in accordance with accounting practices 
generally accepted in the United Kingdom and with Part 9 of  
Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Pursuant to the legal requirement under 2:393 sub 5 at e and f of 
the Dutch Civil Code, we have no deficiencies to report as a result 
of our examination whether the report of the Supervisory Board 
and the Executive Board, to the extent we can assess, has been 
prepared in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of this Code, and 
whether the information as required under section 2:392 sub 1  
at b-h has been annexed. Further we report that the report of  
the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board, to the extent  
we can assess, is consistent with the parent company financial 
statements as required by 2:391 sub 4 of the Dutch Civil Code.

Deloitte Accountants B.V.
A Sandler
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
27 February 2013

Report on the company financial statements
We have audited the accompanying parent company financial 
statements 2012 which are part of the financial statements of 
Reed Elsevier NV, Amsterdam, which comprise the parent 
company balance sheet as at 31 December 2012, the parent 
company profit and loss account for the year then ended, the 
parent company reconciliation of shareholders’ funds and the 
notes, comprising a summary of the accounting policies and 
the additional information, as set out in pages 189 to 192.

Directors’ responsibility
The directors are responsible for the preparation and fair 
presentation of the parent company financial statements both in 
accordance with accounting practices generally accepted in the 
United Kingdom and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, 
and for the preparation of the report of the Supervisory Board 
and the Executive Board in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of the 
Dutch Civil Code. Furthermore, the directors are responsible for 
such internal control as it determines necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the parent company 
financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit 
in accordance with Dutch law, including the Dutch Standards on 
Auditing. This requires that we comply with ethical requirements 
and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the parent company financial statements are free 
from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence 
about the amounts and disclosures in the parent company 
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the 
auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the parent company financial 
statements, whether due to fraud or error.

In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal 
control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of 
the parent company financial statements in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for 
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the 
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, 
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the parent 
company financial statements.

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

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194 Financial statements and other inFormation

reed elsevier Nv

5 year summary

combined financial information
revenue – continuing operations
reported operating profit – continuing operations
Adjusted operating profit – continuing operations
reported profit attributable to shareholders – total operations
Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders – total operations
reed elsevier nV consolidated financial information
reported profit attributable to shareholders
Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders
reported earnings per ordinary share (€)
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (€)
dividend per ordinary share (€)

Note

2
2
2

3

2012
€m

7,523
1,670
2,107
1,315
1,400

658
700
€0.90
€0.95
€0.467

2011
€m

6,902
1,386
1,870
874
1,219

437
610
€0.59
€0.83
€0.436

2010
€m

7,084
1,275
1,819
751
1,150

376
575
€0.51
€0.78
€0.412

2009
€m

6,800
881
1,758
438
1,099

219
550
€0.32
€0.79
€0.400

2008
€m

6,721
1,135
1,737
587
1,159

294
580
€0.44
€0.87
€0.404

(1)  Adjusted figures are presented as additional performance measures used by management and are stated before amortisation  

and impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, exceptional restructuring (2008 - 2010) and acquisition related costs, 
exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only), and in respect of attributable profit, reflect a tax rate that excludes the effect of 
movements in deferred taxation assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and includes the benefit  
of tax amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. Acquisition related financing costs and profit and 
loss from disposal gains and losses and other non operating items are also excluded from the adjusted figures.

(2)  revenue, reported operating profit and adjusted operating profit are presented for continuing operations. Net profit from 

discontinued operations is included in profit attributable to shareholders.

(3)  dividend per ordinary share is based on the interim dividend and proposed final dividend for the relevant year, and does not include 

the €1.767 per share special distribution in 2008.

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

195

Other  
information

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In this section

Additional information for US Investors
196 Reed Elsevier combined businesses
198 Reed Elsevier PLC
199 Reed Elsevier NV

Shareholder information
200 Shareholder information
202 Contacts
203 2013 financial calendar

Principal operating locations
204 Principal operating locations

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196 FInAncIAl StAtEmEntS And othER InFoRmAtIon

REEd ELSEViER COmBiNEd BuSiNESSES

Reed Elsevier combined businesses

Summary financial information in US dollars

Basis of preparation
The summary financial information is a simple translation of the Reed Elsevier combined financial statements into uS dollars at  
the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under iFRS as used in the preparation of the  
Reed Elsevier combined financial statements. it does not represent a restatement under uS GAAP which would be different in  
some significant respects.

ExchAngE RAtES FoR tRAnSlAtIon

uS dollars to sterling

income statement

Statement of financial 
position

2012

1.59

2011

1.60

2012

1.62

2011

1.55

Combined income statement

FoR thE YEAR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

Revenue
Operating profit
Profit before tax
Profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders
Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted profit before tax
Adjusted profit attributable to parent companies’ shareholders

2012
US$m

9,724
2,159
1,887
1,700
2,724
2,380
1,809

2011
uS$m

9,603
1,928
1,517
1,216
2,602
2,226
1,696

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

197

Combined statement of cash flows

FoR thE YEAR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

Net cash from operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
decrease in cash and cash equivalents

movement in cash and cash equivalents
At start of year
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Exchange translation differences
At end of year
Adjusted operating cash flow

Combined statement of financial position

AS At 31 dEcEmBER

Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets held for sale
total assets

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
total liabilities
net assets

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2012
US$m

2,237
(757)
(1,594)
(114)

1,125
(114)
27
1,038
2,549

2011
uS$m

2,052
(1,154)
(968)
(70)

1,158
(70)
37
1,125
2,424

2012
US$m

13,738
3,624
481
17,843

6,347
7,591
156
14,094
3,749

2011
uS$m

13,812
3,949
68
17,829

6,857
7,541
26
14,424
3,405

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198 FInAncIAl StAtEmEntS And othER InFoRmAtIon

REEd ELSEViER PLC

Reed Elsevier PLC

Summary financial information in US dollars

Basis of preparation
The summary financial information is a simple translation of the Reed Elsevier PLC consolidated financial statements into uS dollars  
at the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under iFRS as used in the preparation of the  
Reed Elsevier PLC consolidated financial statements. it does not represent a restatement under uS GAAP which would be different  
in some significant respects.

ExchAngE RAtES FoR tRAnSlAtIon oF StERlIng ($:£1)

income statement 
Statement of financial position

Consolidated income statement

FoR thE YEAR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Adjusted profit attributable to 52.9% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses

Share of joint ventures’:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
Exceptional prior year tax credit
deferred tax adjustments

Profit attributable to 52.9% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses

dAtA PER AmERIcAn dEPoSItARY ShARE (AdS)

Earnings per AdS based on 52.9% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses:

Adjusted 
Basic

Net dividend per AdS declared in the year
Net dividend per AdS paid and proposed in relation to the financial year

Consolidated statement of financial position

AS At 31 dEcEmBER

Shareholders’ equity

2012
US$:£

1.59
1.62

2011
uS$:£

1.60
1.55

2012
US$m

878

957

(283)
(13)
88
81
70
900

2012
US$

$3.19
$2.93
$1.39
$1.46

2011
uS$m

622

898

(301)
(27)
(13)
–
86
643

2011
uS$

$2.99
$2.07
$1.32
$1.38

2012
US$m

1,954

2011
uS$m

1,781

Adjusted earnings per American depositary Share is based on Reed Elsevier PLC shareholders’ 52.9% share of the adjusted profit 
attributable of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, which excludes amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition related 
costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) 
and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and include the benefit of tax 
amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted figures are additional performance measures used 
by management and are described in note 9 to the Reed Elsevier PLC consolidated financial statements.

Reed Elsevier PLC shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and trading is in the form of American depositary Shares (AdSs), 
evidenced by American depositary Receipts (AdRs), representing four Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares. (CuSiP No. 758205207; 
trading symbol, RuK; Bank of New York is the AdR depositary.)

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Reed Elsevier  Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2012

199

Reed Elsevier NV

Summary financial information in US dollars

Basis of preparation
The summary financial information is a simple translation of the Reed Elsevier NV consolidated financial statements into uS dollars  
at the stated rates of exchange. The financial information provided below is prepared under iFRS as used in the preparation of the  
Reed Elsevier NV consolidated financial statements. it does not represent a restatement under uS GAAP which would be different  
in some significant respects.

ExchAngE RAtES FoR tRAnSlAtIon oF EURo ($:€1)

income statement 
Statement of financial position

Consolidated income statement

FoR thE YEAR EndEd 31 dEcEmBER

Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders

Share of joint ventures’:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition related costs
disposals and other non operating items
Exceptional prior year tax credit
deferred tax adjustments
Profit attributable to shareholders

dAtA PER AmERIcAn dEPoSItARY ShARE (AdS)

Earnings per AdS based on 50% interest in Reed Elsevier combined businesses:

Adjusted 
Basic

Net dividend per AdS declared in the year
Net dividend per AdS paid and proposed in relation to the financial year

Consolidated statement of financial position

AS At 31 dEcEmBER

Shareholders’ equity

2012
US$:€

1.29
1.32

2011
uS$:€

1.39
1.29

2012
US$m

903

(267)
(13)
83
76
67
849

2012
US$

$2.45
$2.32
$1.18
$1.20

2011
uS$m

849

(284)
(26)
(14)
–
83
608

2011
uS$

$2.31
$1.64
$1.15
$1.21

2012
US$m

1,851

2011
uS$m

1,683

Adjusted earnings per American depositary Share is based on Reed Elsevier NV shareholders’ 50% share of the adjusted profit 
attributable of the Reed Elsevier combined businesses, which excludes amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition related 
costs, disposal gains and losses and other non operating items, related tax effects, exceptional prior year tax credits (in 2012 only) 
and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are not expected to crystallise in the near term and include the benefit of tax 
amortisation where available on acquired goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted figures are additional performance measures used 
by management and are described in note 9 to the Reed Elsevier NV consolidated financial statements.

Reed Elsevier NV shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and trading is in the form of American depositary Shares (AdSs), 
evidenced by American depositary Receipts (AdRs), representing two Reed Elsevier NV ordinary shares. (CuSiP No. 758204200; 
trading symbol, ENL; Bank of New York is the AdR depositary.)

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200 Financial statements and other inFormation

Shareholder information

Shareholder information

annual reports and Financial statements 2012
the annual reports and financial Statements for the 
reed elsevier combined businesses, reed elsevier PlC and 
reed elsevier nV for the year ended 31 december 2012, and 
the Corporate Governance Statement of reed elsevier nV are 
available on the reed elsevier website, and from the registered 
offices of the respective parent companies shown on  page 202. 
additional financial information, including the interim and 
full-year results announcements, interim management 
Statements and presentations is also available on the 
reed elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com.

the reed elsevier combined financial statements set out in 
the annual reports and financial Statements are expressed in 
sterling, with summary combined financial information expressed 
in euros. the financial statements of reed elsevier PlC and 
reed elsevier nV are expressed in sterling and euros respectively.

interim results
reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV no longer publish  
interim results in hard copy. the interim results are available  
on the reed elsevier website, www.reedelsevier.com.

share price information
reed elsevier PlC’s ordinary shares are quoted on the london 
Stock exchange.

reed elsevier nV’s ordinary shares are quoted on the nYSe 
euronext amsterdam Stock exchange.

the reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares are 
quoted on the new York Stock exchange in the form of american 
depositary Shares (adSs), evidenced by american depositary 
receipts (adrs). each reed elsevier PlC adr represents four 
reed elsevier PlC ordinary shares. each reed elsevier nV adr 
represents two reed elsevier nV ordinary shares.

the reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary share 
prices and the adr prices may be obtained from the reed elsevier 
website, other online sources and the financial pages of some 
newspapers.

  for further information ViSit www.reedelsevier.com

Information for Reed Elsevier PLC  
ordinary shareholders

shareholder services
the reed elsevier PlC ordinary share register is administered  
by equiniti limited. equiniti provides a free online portal for 
shareholders at www.shareview.co.uk. Shareview provides 
shareholders with instant access to details of their shareholdings 
and dividend payments, with the ability to update personal details 
and to register a bank mandate for dividend payments. equiniti’s 
contact details appear on page 202.

electronic communications
While hard copy shareholder communications continue to be 
available to those shareholders requesting them, in accordance 
with the Companies act 2006 and the company's articles, reed 
elsevier PlC uses the reed elsevier website as the main method 
of communicating with shareholders. By registering their details 
online at Shareview, shareholders can be notified by email when 
shareholder communications are published on the website. 
Shareholders can also use the Shareview website to appoint  
a proxy to vote on their behalf at shareholder meetings.

Shareholders who hold their reed elsevier PlC shares through 
CreSt may appoint proxies for shareholder meetings through  
the CreSt electronic proxy appointment service by using the 
procedures described in the CreSt manual.

dividend mandates
Shareholders are encouraged to have their dividends paid directly 
into a uK bank or building society account. this method of payment 
reduces the risk of delay or loss of dividend cheques in the post 
and ensures the account is credited on the dividend payment  
date. a dividend mandate form can be obtained online at 
www.shareview.co.uk, or by contacting equiniti at the address 
shown on page 202.

equiniti has established a service for overseas shareholders  
in over 90 countries, which enables shareholders to have their 
dividends automatically converted from sterling and paid directly 
into their nominated bank account. further details of this service, 
and the fees applicable, are available at www.shareview.co.uk or 
by contacting equiniti at the address shown on page 202.

dividend reinvestment Plan
Shareholders can choose to reinvest their reed elsevier PlC 
dividends by purchasing further shares through the dividend 
reinvestment Plan (“driP”) provided by equiniti. further 
information concerning the driP facility, together with the terms 
and conditions and an application form can be obtained online at 
www.shareview.co.uk/dividends or by contacting equiniti at the 
address shown on page 202.

share dealing service
a telephone and internet dealing service is available through  
reed elsevier PlC’s registrar, equiniti, which provides a simple 
way for uK-resident shareholders to buy or sell reed elsevier PlC 
shares. for telephone dealing call 08456 037 037 between 8.00am 
and 4.30pm, monday to friday, and for internet dealing log on to 
www.shareview.co.uk/dealing. You will need your shareholder 
account number shown on your dividend tax voucher.

Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   200

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reed elsevier  annual reports and financial Statements 2012

201

individual savings account (isa)
a single company iSa for reed elsevier PlC shares is available 
through equiniti. details may be obtained from 
www.shareview.co.uk/iSa, by writing to equiniti at the address 
shown on page 202, or by calling their iSa helpline on 0871 384 2244.

shareGift
the orr mackintosh foundation operates a charity share donation 
scheme for shareholders with small parcels of shares whose 
value makes it uneconomic to sell them. details of the scheme can 
be obtained from the ShareGift website at www.sharegift.org,  
or by telephoning ShareGift on 020 7930 3737.

sub-division of ordinary shares and share consolidation
on 28 July 1986, each reed elsevier PlC ordinary share of £1 
nominal value was sub-divided into four ordinary shares of 25p 
each. on 2 may 1997, each 25p ordinary share was sub-divided into 
two ordinary shares of 12.5p each. on 7 January 2008, the ordinary 
shares of 12.5p each were consolidated on the basis of 58 new 
ordinary shares of 1451⁄116p nominal value for every 67 ordinary 
shares of 12.5p each held.

capital gains tax
the mid-market price of reed elsevier PlC’s £1 ordinary shares 
on 31 march 1982 was 282p. adjusting for the sub-divisions and 
share consolidation referred to above results in an equivalent 
mid-market price of 40.72p for each existing ordinary share of 
1451⁄116p nominal value.

warning to shareholders – unsolicited investment advice
many companies have become aware that their shareholders have 
received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence concerning 
investment matters. these are typically from overseas-based 
‘brokers’ who target uK shareholders, offering to sell them what 
often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in uS or uK 
investments. these operations are commonly known as ‘boiler 
room scams’.

Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited 
advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free company 
reports. if you receive any unsolicited investment advice, check 
that the person or organisation is properly authorised by the fSa 
before getting involved by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/fsaregister/ 
and contacting the firm using the details on the register. if you  
deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be eligible to receive 
payment under the financial Service Compensation Scheme.

the fSa can be contacted at www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/doing/
regulated/law/alerts/overseas.shtml.

Information for Reed Elsevier NV  
ordinary shareholders

shareholder enquiries
enquiries from holders of reed elsevier nV registered ordinary 
shares in relation to share transfers, dividends, change of address 
and bank accounts should be directed to the Company Secretary 
of reed elsevier nV, at the registered office address shown on 
page 202.

dividends
dividends on reed elsevier nV ordinary shares are declared and 
paid in euros. registered shareholders in reed elsevier nV will 
receive dividends from the company by transmission to the bank 
account which they have notified to the company. dividends on 
shares in bearer form are paid through the intermediary of a  
bank or broker.

dividend reinvestment Plan
By instructing their bank or intermediary, shareholders can 
choose to reinvest their reed elsevier nV dividends by purchasing 
further shares through the dividend reinvestment Plan (“driP”) 
provided by aBn amro Bank nV. further information concerning 
the driP facility can be obtained online at www.securitiesinfo.nl.

consolidation of ordinary shares
on 7 January 2008 the reed elsevier nV ordinary share of €0.06 
each were consolidated on the basis of 58 new ordinary shares of 
€0.07 each for every 67 ordinary shares of €0.06 each held.

Information for Reed Elsevier PLC and  
Reed Elsevier NV ADR holders

the reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV adr depositary is 
BnY mellon.

reed elsevier PlC’s CuSiP number is 758205207 and its trading 
symbol is ruK. each reed elsevier PlC adr represents four  
reed elsevier PlC ordinary shares.

reed elsevier nV’s CuSiP number is 758204200 and its trading 
symbol is enl. each reed elsevier nV adr represents two  
reed elsevier nV ordinary shares.

adr shareholder services
enquiries concerning reed elsevier PlC or reed elsevier nV 
adrs should be addressed to the adr depositary at the address 
shown on page 202.

dividends
dividend payments on reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV 
adrs are converted into uS dollars by the adr depositary.

annual report on Form 20-F
the annual report on form 20-f for the reed elsevier combined 
businesses, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV is filed 
electronically with the united States Securities and exchange 
Commission. a copy of form 20-f is available on the reed elsevier 
website, or from the adr depositary at the address shown on 
page 202.

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reed elsevier nv
radarweg 29
1043 nX amsterdam
the netherlands
tel:  +31 (0)20 485 2222
fax: +31 (0)20 485 2032

deloitte accountants BV
orlyplein 10
1043 dP amsterdam
the netherlands

listing/paying agent
aBn amro Bank nV
Gustav mahlerlaan 10
1082 PP amsterdam
the netherlands

  www.securitiesinFo.nl

202 Financial statements and other inFormation

ContaCtS

Contacts

reed elsevier Plc
1-3 Strand
london WC2n 5Jr 
united Kingdom
tel:  +44 (0)20 7166 5500
fax: +44 (0)20 7166 5799

auditors
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reed elsevier  annual reports and financial Statements 2012

203

2013 financial calendar

28 February
24 april
24 april
25 april
30 april
1 may

3 may
23 may
30 may
25 July
7 august
9 august
29 august
5 september
7 november

Plc/nv
Plc/nv
nv
Plc
nv
Plc/nv

Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv
Plc/nv

results announcement for the year ended 31 december 2012
interim management statement issued in relation to the 2013 financial year
annual General meeting – reed elsevier nV, hotel okura, ferdinand Bolstraat 33, 1072 lh amsterdam
annual General meeting – reed elsevier PlC, millennium hotel, Grosvenor Square, london W1K 2hP
ex-dividend date – 2012 final dividend, reed elsevier nV ordinary shares
ex-dividend date – 2012 final dividend, reed elsevier PlC ordinary shares and adrs, and reed elsevier 
nV adrs
record date – 2012 final dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares and adrs
Payment date – 2012 final dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares
Payment date – 2012 final dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV adrs
interim results announcement for the six months to 30 June 2013
ex-dividend date – 2013 interim dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares and adrs
record date – 2013 interim dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares and adrs
Payment date – 2013 interim dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV ordinary shares
Payment date – 2013 interim dividend, reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV adrs
interim management statement issued in relation to the 2013 financial year

the following tables set out dividends paid (or proposed) in relation to the three financial years 2010–2012.

final dividend for 2012*
interim dividend for 2012
final dividend for 2011
interim dividend for 2011
final dividend for 2010
interim dividend for 2010

per Plc ordinary share

per nv ordinary share

Payment date

17.00p
6.00p
15.90p
5.65p
15.00p
5.40p

€0.337
€0.130
€0.326
€0.110
€0.303
€0.109

23 may 2013
31 august 2012
21 may 2012
26 august 2011
17 may 2011
27 august 2010

*Proposed dividend, to be submitted for approval at the respective annual General meetings of reed elsevier PlC and reed elsevier nV in april 2013.

final dividend for 2012
interim dividend for 2012
final dividend for 2011
interim dividend for 2011
final dividend for 2010
interim dividend for 2010

per Plc adr

**
$0.37898
$1.00379
$0.36860
$0.97236
$0.33480

per nv adr

**
$0.27638
$0.70499
$0.26875
$0.73118
$0.23512

Payment date

30 may 2013
7 September 2012
29 may 2012
2 September 2011
24 may 2011
3 September 2010

**Payment will be determined using the appropriate £/uS$ and €/uS$ exchange rate on 23 may 2013.

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204 Financial statements and other inFormation

PrinCiPal oPeratinG loCationS

Principal operating locations

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Reed Elsevier 2012.indb   204

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Reed Elsevier  is a world leading provider of 
professional information solutions. 

We provide solutions that help professional customers 
across industries make better decisions, get better 
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Credits

designed and produced by
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 and 

Contents

1 

7 

Overview
1  Chairman’s statement
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2012 Financial highlights
 Chief Executive Officer’s 
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Business review
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Information
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39  Corporate responsibility

49  Financial review

93 

50 

 Chief Financial Officer’s 
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61  Governance 

62  Board Directors
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to corporate governance
 Structure and corporate 
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 Report of the Nominations 
Committee
 Directors’ remuneration 
report
 Report of the Audit 
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66  

73  

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91  

 Financial statements and  
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 Combined financial 
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133   Summary combined financial 

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147    Reed Elsevier PLC Annual 
Report and Financial 
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171    Reed Elsevier NV Annual 
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195   Additional information  

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196    Summary financial 

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200  Shareholder information
202  Contacts
203  2013 financial calendar
204   Principal operating locations

Full report online 
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Annual Reports and
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2012

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